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LIBRARY 


OF  THE 


MASSACHUSETTS 

AGRICULTURAL 

COLLEGE 

no._,S_(e._Q9X_  DATE.4_-jq  OS" 

souRCE_,_C^ll_.e^e     Vu-n 

•^-^       ^       ■""' 
v.t.5- 


The  Garden.] 


The  Garden.] 


[June  25,  1904. 


CuARLKS  SpRAcrr;  Sargknt. 


..^^^^ 


■"■"    '  s^ 


AN 


Illustrated   Weekly  Journal 


OF 


Horticulture  in   all   its   Branches. 


Founded  by  W.  Robinson  in  1871. 


Edited   by    Mr.    E.    T.    COOK. 


VOL.  LXV.        MIDSUMMER,   1904. 


LOUXDOUX.- 

Office:     20,  TAVISTOCK  STREET,    COVENT  GARDEN,  W.C. 


Published  by  HUDSON  &  KEARNS,  20,  Tavistock  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C,  and  by 
Messrs.  GEO.  NEWNES,  Ltd.,  7-12,  Southampton  Street,  Strand. 


The  Garden.] 


a  I 


[June  25,  1904. 


i.5- 


TO 


CHARLES   SPRAGUE    SARGENT 


THE        SIXTY-FIFTH        VOLUME        OF       "THE        GARDEN 


Is  dedicated. 


THERE  is  one  garden  in  the  United  States  to  which  all  who  are  earnest  in  their  love  for  horticulture,  and  tree 
and  shrub  life  in  particular,  look  to  as  an  example  of  the  great  work  that  may  be  accomplished  by  a  master- 
mind —  we  mean  Brookline,  Boston,  the  residence  of  Professor  Sargent,  to  whom  this  volume  of  The  Garden 
is  dedicated.  Brookline  is  the  home  of  a  man  who  has  acquaintance  with  the  best  of  British  gardens  and  collections,, 
and  knows  them  better  than  most  Englishmen.  He  is  one  of  America's  great  landscape  gardeners,  and  his  knowledge 
of   trees   in   their   native   habitats   is   perha2Ds   unrivalled. 

Professor  Sargent  is  a  great  traveller  and  worker,  and  his  enthusiastic  interest  in  the  Arnold  Arboretum,. 
Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.,  is  a  matter  of  common  knowledge,  and  the  Linniean  Society  recognised  this  by  electing  him  a 
foreign   member   on    May    1,    1902. 

Few  men  have  travelled  more  than  Professor  Sargent  'in  the  endeavour  to  know  trees  and  shrubs  and  plants  generally- 
as  they  grow  in  their  native  wilds,  and  his  works  are  monuments  of  industry  and  research.  "The  Sylva  of  Nortb 
America "  is  a  description  of  the  trees  which  grow  naturally  in  North  America,  exclusive  of  Mexico  ;  it  comprises  fourteen 
volumes  (quarto),  790  plates,  and  was  issued  during  the  years  from  1891  to  1902,  it  is  the  finest  work  on  trees- 
ever  published.  "A  Catalogue  of  the  Forest  Trees  of  North  America,  10th  census  report,  1880,"  a  work  giving- 
descriptions  of  trees,  the  value  of  their  timber,  with  elaborate  tables  of  the  weights,  tensions,  uses,  and  other  important 
details ;  "  The  Forest  Flora  of  Japan ; "  "  Trees  and  Shrubs,"  illustrations  of  new  or  little  known  ligneous  plants  prepared 
chiefly  from  material  at  the  Arnold  Arboretum,  1902;  numliers  of  reports  on  forestry;  and  a  translation  of  Des  Cars'  book 
on    "Tree   Pruning,"   the   best   and   most   practical    treatise   on    the    subject  are  other  valuable  works  of  his. 

Professor   Sargent   is   an   honorary    member   of   the   Eoyal    Horticultural    Society. 


Vol.  LXV.] 


["  The  Garden,"  J%me  S5,  1904- 


INDEX 


Abutilon  Savitzii,  53 

Acacia  armata,  246 

Acanthads,  winter-flowering,  104 

Accident,  a  remarkable,  312 

Achinienes,  US,  311 

Aconite,  the  Winter,  in  Lincolnshire,  131 

Acrostic  hums,  389 

Adiantum  farleyense,  244 

Advice,  untrustworthy,  12 

Agrimonias,  the,  82 

Ailanthus,  111 

Ainswortb,  Mr.  Sarauel,  228 

Akebia  lobata,  338 ;  quinata  fruiting,  37 

Akebias,  304 

Alder,  the.  319 

Aldersey  Hall,  204 

Allamanda  Hendersonif,  137 

Alleys,  g-reen,  96 

Alliums,  the,  218,  234,  252,  266 

Almond,  the,  283 

Alnus  glutinosa,  319 

Alpine  ffite  at  the  Rochers  de  Naye,  259 

Alpine  plants,  cultivation  of,  22,  410;  the 
requirements  of,  22 

Amaryllises  at  Chelsea,  294 ;  at  Liverpool, 
265 

Amelanchier  canadensis,  255,  369 

American  Carnation  culture,  301  ;  garden, 
the,  81 ;  notes,  84 

Anaesthetics,  flower  forcing  with,  35 

Andr6,  Mrae.  Edouard,  16 

Androsace  hedreantha,  307  ;  sarmenbosa,  385 

Anemone  blanda  Florizel,  267 ;  b.  var.  scy- 
thinica,  332 ;  coronaria,  a  form  of,  215  ; 
Hepatica  Torch,  17S  ;  patens,  167  ;  Poppy, 
339 ;  aylvestris,  73 

Anemones,  Poppy,  316 ;  St.  Brigid,  at  Christ- 
mas, 15 

Anguloas,  275 

Animal  and  hardy  flowers  for  dry  ground, 
253 

Annuals,  359;  for  the  garden,  178;  the 
importance  of  thinnincr,  183 

Anopteris  glandulosa,  197 

Antarctic  regions,  gardening  in  the,  71 

Anthuriums,  118 

Aphelandra  nitens,  71 

Aphis,  woolly,  on  awarf  Apples,  256 

Apple  Adams'  Pearraain,  62  ;  Bismarck,  83  ; 
Lane's  Prince  Albert,  369,  417;  Lord 
Burghley,  228  ;  Northern  Spy,  71,  120 

Apples,  64 ;  dwarf,  woolly  aphis  on,  256  ; 
seedling.  15 

Apricots,  80,  225,  311 

Aquatics,  27 

Arabis  arenosa,  322  ;  the  double,  306 

Aralia  spinosa,  235,  269 

Arctostaphylos  glauca,  307 

Arctotis  aspera,  317 

Aridarum  proboscideum.  422 

Artichokes,  81 ;  Globe,  154 

Arum  palaestinum,  239;  at  Kew,  210;  tri- 
color, 215  ;  the  common,  290 

Ash,  132 

Asparagus,  13,  154,  341  ;  and  fro3t.  265,  312  ; 
ornamental,  28;  plumosa,  153  ;  Sprengeri, 
153 

Aspidium  anomalum,  233 

Aspidistras,  243 

Association,  r,he  British  Gardeners',  31,  143, 
207,  403,  421  ;  "  Transactions"  of  the  Scot- 
tish Horticultural,  144 

Aster  cordif'ilius  elegans,  234 

Auricula,   the,   3,    92,    162,    236,    321,   391 
season,  the,  279 

Auriculas  at  Slough,  282  ;  seedling,  405 

Azalea  indica,  341 

Azaleas,  18S ;  Indian,  311  ;  how  they  are 
prepared  for  the  English  market,  102 ; 
seedling,  390 

Azaramicrophylla,  304 


B. 

Baden-Baden,  notes  from,  160,  265,  348,  436 

Balcony  gardening  for  the  Londoner,  186 

Bamboo  flowering  in  a  pot,  2S1 

Bamboos,  ISS,  310 ;  the  flowering  of,  109,  145 

Banana,  varieties  of  the,  72 

Bananas,  188,  416 

Barberry,  Thunberg's,  85 

Bartrum,  Mr.  John  Stotert,  J.P.,  158 

Baxter  Park,  Dundee,  the,  110 

Beans,  Broad,  242;  early  under  glass,  12; 
French,  28,  189,  258,  311,359 

Bedding  plants,  46,  118 ;  spring,  341 ;  sum- 
mer, 374  * 

Beech  tree  pest,  the,  411 

Beetroot,  258,  326 

Begonia  gigantea  carrainata,  197  ;  Gloire  de 
Lorraine,  119  ;  Gloire  de  Sceaux,  128 


Begonia  Mrs.  H.  T.  Dixon,  153 ;  Perle  Lorraine, 

214;  semperflorens  gigantea,  193 ;  Triomphe 

de  I'Est,  349 
Begonias,  153  ;   new,  and  the  weather,  57  ; 

tuberous,     137  ;     winter  -  flowering,     37  ; 

Veitch's,  30 
Belgrove,  Queenstown.  281 
Bifienaria  (Lycaste)  Harrisonise,  341 
Bignonia  grandiflora  not  flowering,  210 
Bird  life,    the  world's,  passing  away,  266; 

pligue.  the,  345 
Black  Currant  bushes,  raising,  72 
Bog  garden,  225 
Books,  44,  65,  103   396,  416 
Border,  flower,  a  well-coloured,  3  ;  colour  in 

the,  1  ;  colour  schemes  in  the,  35 
Borders,  herbaceous,  46 
Borecole  or  Kales  in  spring,  the  newer,  312 
Boronia  megastigraa,  245 
Boronias,  275 

Botanical  laboratory  at  Cambridge,  new,  177 
Bouvardias,  81 
Brassavoladigbyana,  123 
Brassicas,  the  clubbing  of,  222 
Briars,  hybrid,  sweet,  150 
British  plants,  uses  of,  59,  204,  229,  245 
Broccoli,  SO,  257  ;  Late  Queen,  393 
Broom,  the  Moonlight,  375 
Browallia  speciosa  major,  153 
Brown,  Mr.  William,  104 
Brunfelsia  calycina,  365 
Brussels  Sprouts,  207  ;  early,  326 
Buchanan,  Sir  David  Carrick,  K.C.B.,  126 
Buddleia  asiatica,  36,  54 
Bulb  growing  at  Nairn,  N.B.,  196  ;  in  south 

Lincolnshire,  180 
Burford,  Dorking,  391 
Burns,  Mr.  John,  52 
Butcher's  Broom,  the,  106;  in  fruit,  the,  215 


Cabbage,  396  ;  early  spring,  222 

Cabbages,  bolted,  273,  312,  356,  394  , 

157,  326 
Cacti,  hardy,  258 
Caladium  Argyrites,  327 
Caladiums,  28,  99 
Calanthe,  a  new  hardy,  2S2 
Calanthes,    206 ;     at    Woolton    Wood,    19  ; 

deciduous,  259 
Calceolaria    Burbidgei,    2 ;   fuchsiajfolia    or 

deflexa,  2 
Calceolarias,  81,  100,  404  ;  herbaceous,  390 
California,  a  note  from,  177 
Calliandra  Tvveediei,  194 
Calochortus,  252 

Camellia  flower  from  the  open,  340 
Camellias,  137 
Campanula  abietina,  409  ;   Barallierii,  203  ; 

pyramidalis,  206,  274 
Canarina  campauulata,  372 
Cannas,  311 
Cannell  and  Sous,  Messrs.  Henry,  Swanley, 

Kent,  81 
Canterbury  Bell  in  pots,  the,  140 
Capers,  French,  65 
Cardamine  rhomboidea  purpurea,  40 
Carmichael,  Mr.  William,  278 
Carnation    and    Picotee,    the    florist's,    12 ; 

culture,    American,    301  ;    diseased,    422 ; 

houses,  153;   Leander,  365;  Malmaison,  a 

yellow.  377 ;   new  white.  The  Bride,  202 ; 

Souvenir  de    la  Malmaison,   140;    out  of 

doors,  169,  226  ;  the,  diseases  and  insect 

pests,  7 
Carnations,   153,  416 ;    border,   for  market, 

349  ;  from  seed,  234,  273  ;  insects  on,  378  ; 

in  the  town  garden,  179,  201,  219  ;  in  tubs 

and  window  boxes,  219  ;   Malmaison,  258, 

404  ;    Marguerite,    219  ;    protecting,  333  ; 

tree,  13, 60,  219,  228,  416  ;  tree,  all  the  year 

round,  289 
Carrots,  61,  226,  258 
Cattleya    house,     the,    327  ;    labiata,    189 ; 

superba,  372 
Cattleyas,  29  ;  long  bulbed,  275 
Cauliflower,  396 ;  Early  Dwarf  Erfurt,  222 ; 

sowings  of,  226 
Cauliflowers,  46,  242 
Celeriac.  257 
Celery,  207,  258.  291,  375 
Celmisias,  some  of  the,  74 
Celsia  Arcturus,  360 
Cestrum  aurantiacum,  233 
Charities,  the  gardening,  120 
Cherries,  395  ;  and  Plums,  80,  326 
Chicory,  359  ;  as  a  spring  vegetable,  196 
Chile,  rambles  in,  143 

Chimonanthus  fragrana,  161 ;  training,  232 
Chrysanthemum  culture, pictorial,  practical, 

170;  General  Hutton,  134;  Mrs.  J.  Dunn, 

317 ;  novelties ,  the  early  distribution  of,  129 


Chrysanthemum  W.  H.  Lincoln,  53  ;  White 
Queen,  134  ;  white  seedling,  from  Aus- 
tralia, 18 

Chrysanthemums,  14,  47,  100,  243,  291,  360 ; 
decorative,  73  ;  decorative  incurved  varie- 
ties, 133  ;  early,  195.  294  ;  the  newer,  231  ; 
in  winter,  3  ;  late,  16  ;  miniature  Pompon, 
111 ;  standard,  342 ;  trained  specimens, 
342  ;  treatment  of  cuttings.  61 

Cider  making  in  Devon,  68,  136 

Cineraria  Lady  Thiselton-Dyer,  349  ;  stellata, 
280,  390  ;  Webb's  Superb,  261 

Cinerarias,  243,  358,  360  ;  Farnham  Royal, 
248 

Citron  and  Shaddock  in  vineries,  SO 

Clematis,  a  scarlet,  407  ;  alpina,  332 ;  caly- 
cina, 11,  53,  109 ;  paniculata,  91 ;  pruning, 
23 

Clerodendron  myrmecophilum,  282 

Ctianthus  puniceus  and  C.  p.  alba,  339 

Cliftonia  ligustrina,  180 

Climbing  plants,  326 

Clivia  miniata,  197 

Cockscombs,  360 

Ccelogyne  cristata  and  vars.,  308;  at  Hat- 
field, 259  ;  pandurata,  392 

Coffee  tree,  Kentucky,  133 

Coichicura  crociflorum,  178;  hydrophilum, 
203  ;  libanoticum,  165  ;  montanum,  90 

Cole,  Mr.  William,  158 

Coleus  thyrsoldeus.  206  ;  at  Glasgow,  144 

Oolletia  cruciata,  38,  145 

Conifers,  416 

Conservatory,  heating,  106 

Copse  to  cottage,  from,  42 

Coptis  orientalis,  148 

Cordyline  indivisa,  258 

Cornelian  Cherry,  the,  233 

Cornus  Mas,  214,  233,  277 

Coronilla  glauca,  90 

Corydalis  angustifolia,  110  ;  new,  335  ;  ruta3- 
folia,  266 

Corylopsis  himalayana,  280 

Covent  Garden  Market,  49 

Crinums,  hardy,  20 

Crocus  candidus,  206  ;  reticulatus  albicans, 
250 

Crocuses  in  grass,  161  ;  in  Prince's  Street 
Gardens,  Edinburgh,  212 

Crops,  thinning,  395 

Croton  turnfordiensis,  42 

Crotons,  40 

Croydon,  spring  flowers  at,  300 

Cucumbers,  13S,  274.  395,  416  ;  winter,  13 

Cupressus  totulosa,  235 

Currant,  Black,  Boskoop  Giant  and  the 
mite,  129 ;  bushes,  Black,  raising,  132 ; 
winter  pruning  of,  152 

Currants,  effect  of  basic  slag  on,  31  ; 
flowering,  369 

Cuttings,  autumn-planted,  78 

Cyclamen,  a  new,  372  ;  a  remarkable,  303 ;  at 
Hatfield,  249  ;  culture,  106  ;  ihericura,  177  ; 
Persian,  Webb's  Perfection,  215  ;  persicum, 
374  ;  persicum  giganteum,  372 ;  cultural 
hints,  78 

Cyclamens,  137  ;  and  Primulas  at  Messrs. 
Sutton  and  Sons,  173;  hardy,  251;  Persian, 
at  Farnham  Royal,  196 

Cydonia  japonica  pygmfca.  340 

Cymbidium  giganteum  Wilsoni,  168,  189 ; 
tracyanum,  Bradshaw's  variety,  37 

Cymbidiums,  154 

Cypripedium  bellatulum,  341  ;  concolor,  341  ; 
Godefroyte,  341 ;  insigne,  18,  101 ;  niveum, 
341  ;  Romulus,  372  ;  lothachildianum,  327 

Cypripediums,  123  ;  and  other  Ornhids,  160  ; 
rejuvenating,  84  ;  some  hardy,  392 

Cyrilla  racemitlora,  180 

Cytisus  purpureus,  406 ;  racemosus,  365 


Daffodil  Alert,  264;  notes,  263,  366;  yellow 
stripe  disease,  407 

Diffodils,  abnormal  flowering  of,  2S0  ;  and 
Narcissi  in  an  old  orchard,  317  ;  and  1903, 
300,  337  ;  for  house  decoration,  304  ;  from 
Ireland.  300  ;  in  moist  ground,  323,  365  ;  in 
the  time  of,  318  ;  new,  264,  318  ;  seedling, 
376,  417  ;  double.  280  ;  the  colouring  of,  and 
soil  influence,  405 

Dahlia,  Cactus,  at  home  and  abroad,  117  ; 
for  exhibition,  the,  268,  92;  planting  pre- 
parations, 163 

Dahlias,  planting,  210,  375 

Daisy  flower,  a  curious,  404 

Daisies,  double,  130  ;  two  pretty,  34S 

Danfea  Laurus,  106 

Daphne  Cneorum,  271,  366;  Genkwa,  74; 
indica  and  Violets,  234  ;  indica  rubra,  188 

Davallia  buUata  Marieai,  49 

Davidson,  the  Rev.  Charles,  66 


Dendrobium,  a  remarkably  flne,  280  ;  culture, 
227  ;  devonianum,  308  ;  glonieratuni,  123  ; 
leaves,  spots  on,  210;  Phahcnopsis  schro- 
derianum,  393  ;  splendidissimum  granrii- 
florum.  140  ;  thyrsiflorum,  227  ;  wardianuni, 
287, 363 

Dendrobiums,  46 ;  at  Weybridge,  275  ;  at 
Woodhatch  Lodge,  241 

Dicentra  chrysantha,  9,  IS 

Dickson,  Mr.  Hugh,  361 

Dielytra  spectabilis  as  a  pot  plant,  213 

Dipladenias,  243 

Disa  grandiflora,  258 

Dover,  lectures  at,  91 

Droitwich  Experimental  Garden,  333 

Dropmore,  Maidenhead,  in  early  June,  400 

Drummond,  Mr.  David,  246 

Dublin,  a  flower  f6te  in,  281,  295 

Dundee  could  be  beautitted,  how,  37  ;  flower 
and  fruit  market,  opening  of,  249 

Dunfermline  Carnegie  Trust,  SO 

Dusseldorf  International  Exhibition,  2SI 


Earl's  Court  Exhibition,  gardening  at,  176 

Edelweiss,  306 

Edgings,  118 
I  Edinburgh  Botanic  Gardens,  plants  in,  317, 
'      408  ;  lecture  at,  249  ;  park,  the  new,  348 

Edwardsias,  383 

ElEeagnus  multiflorus,  355 
I  Elm,  133 

Emerson,  Mr.  Thomas  W,,  85 

Endive,  359 

"England's  National  Flower,"  103 

Epiphronitis  Veitchii,  168 

Eranthemum  pulchellum,  197 

Eranthis  cilicicus,  203 

Erica  arborea,  255;  carnea.  Crocus  Siebeii, 
and  C.  reticulata,  214  ;  mediterrauea,  355  ; 
wilmoreana,  188 

Erigeron  tritidus,  408 

Escallonias,  the,  72 

Eucalyptus  globulus,  249,  294 

Eucharis  amazonica,  137 

Euoiiymus,  Japanese,  85  ;  Siebold's,  85 

Eupatorium  vernale,  90,  91,  155 

Euphorbia  jacquiniseflora,  374 

Eurya  latifolia  variegata,  132 

Evergreens,  pruning,  2S,  311 

Exacum  macranthura,  10 

Exeter,  flowers  from,  245  ;  winter  flowers  at, 
112 

Exhibition  at  Regent's  Park,  proposed  big 
gardening,  90 

Exochorda  grandiflora,  363 

Exotics,  rare,  in  Ross-shire,  75 


Fabiana  imbricata,  365,  408 

Fagus  sylvatica,  95 

Feijoa  sellowiana,  317,  357 

Fendlera  rupicula,  355 

Fennel,  sweet,  373 

Fern  nursery,  a,  48 

Fernery,  the,  25S,  342 

Ferns,  28  ;  and  wild  flowers,  the  preservation 

of  our,  356;    destroying,   247;  hardy,  60, 

192 ;    tree,  in    Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens, 

196 
Fidler,  Mr.  J.  C,  the  late,  52 
Fig,  pot,  a  valuable,  161  ;  trees,  154 
Figs,  46,  170,   291,   359,  395  ;    ripe,   for  ten 

months,  90  ;  St.  John  and  Pingo  de  Mel  in 

spring,  161 
Fitt,  J.  H.,  16 
Fleurs  Nationales  et  les  Fleurs  Politiques, 

les,  261 
Flora  and  Sylva,  Vol.  I..  65,  190 
Flora  of  the  Island  of  Jersey,  a,  84 
Floral  emblems  in  churchyards,  3S3 ;  farms, 

Wisbech,  the,  342 
Flower  forcing  with  ana?3thetics,  35 
Flower  garden,  correct  planting  in  the,  271 
Flowers,   British,   the  destruction  of,  195  ; 

Christmas,  from  Devonshire,  15  ;  cut,  hints 

about,  377 ;    from    Mr.   Greenwood    Pirn, 

391 ;    hardy,  for  house    decoration,    113^; 

mountain,    of    New    Zealand,    269,   303; 

spring,  at  Reading,  196;  wild,  from  seed, 

299 
Forestry  at  Perth  show  in  1904,  129 ;  new 

schools  of,  177 
Forsythia,  a  way  of  growing  the,  282  ;  and 

Muscari,  317 
France  exports  to  England,  what,  36 
Fraser,  Hugh,  66,  85 
Freesia  Armstrongii,  194,  213,  233 
Freesias,  notes  on,  414  ;  resting,  244 


XCc>f:i 


INDEX. 


["  The  Garden,'^  •June  S5,  I904. 


Fritillaria  Elwesii,  307  ;  Imperialis,  317  ; 
persica,  351  ;  recurva,  4('9 

Frosts,  spring,  notes  on,  237 

Fruit  and  vegetables,  grading  and  packing, 
62,  SO,  102 

Fruit  bloom,  the  failure  of,  51;  Colonial- 
grown,  show  of,  407  ;  committee,  the 
departmental,  316  ;  cultivation,  extension 
of,  91  :  culture.  Government  enquiry  on, 
70;  culture  in  Scotland,  109;  farms  in 
Sussex,  experimental,  265 ;  garden,  the, 
155  ;  growing,  extension  of,  in  Scotland,  71  ; 
ill  Nova  Scotia,  233;  in  Queensland,  31; 
in  Scotland,  177  ;  houses,  covering  walls  of, 
256  ;  in  Britain,  417  ;  industry.  Government 
committee,  282 ;  prospects,  247,  249 ;  in 
Scotland,  40S ;  the  outlook  for,  363  ;  the 
promise  of.  387  ;  tree  pruning,  14,  44,  60, 
169,  208,  226,  263,  30S,  3S6 :  trees  and 
tlowers,  317;  mulching,  259;  newly- 
planted,  spring  treatment  of,  222  ;  orchard, 
the  neglect  of,  47 ;  planting,  60  ;  root 
pruning,  15 

Fruits,  bush,  416;  some  tropical,  187 

Fuchsia  and  its  uses,  the,  337  ;  splendens, 
197,  234 

Fuchsias.  274  ;  indoors  and  outdoors,  389 

Fugosia  hakerefolia,  408 

Fund,  Gardeners'  Oi-phan,  festival  dinner, 
332 

Fungus,  the  Bird's-nest,  79 


Galanthus  cilicicus,  57,  88  ;  Foster!,  40,  250  ; 
nivalis  var.  Scharloki,  203 ;  octobrensis, 
88  ;  plicatus  Fraseri,  178 

Galax  aphylla,  84 

Garden,  a  town,  32  ;  City  movement  in  Scot- 
land, the,  176  ;  diary,  my,  IS  ;  in  Scotland, 
a,  49  ;  my  sea-coast,  in  winter,  127  ;  near 
London,  a,  39;  ornament,  116;  plants, 
descriptive  list  of,  316  ;  round  about  a,  9, 
97,  135,  167,  239,  350,  392  ;  the  grey,  5  ; 
vases  at  Inwood,  184 
-Gardeners'  Association,  plea  for  a,  333; 
meeting,  the  recent,  173  ;  young,  instruc- 
tion for,  26 

Gardenias,  118,  327  ;  failing,  256 

Gardening  for  beginners,  358  ;  vocation,  the, 
422 

Gardens  in  Japan,  150 

Garrya  elliptica,  not  flowering,  126 

Geranium  as  a  standard,  the,  288;  rivulare, 
409 

Geraniums,  scented  foliaged,  for  the  summer 
garden, 147 

Gerbera  Jamesoni,  333 

Gesneras,  311  ;  hybrid,  19 

Gilbert,  Mr.  W".  E.,  176 

Ginkgo,  132 

Gladiolus,  153,  274 

Glasgow,  dust  in,  70 ;  parks,  317  ;  public 
parks,  addition  to  the,  19 

Gloxinias,  46,  396 

Gooseberry  and  Currant  saw  fly,  417  ;  bushes 
and  caterpillar  in  winter,  145 

Gooseberries,  standard,  376 

Grafting,  242  ;  points  about,  222 

Grape  competition  at  the  great  Shrewsbury 
show,  197  ;  Fruit,  the,  S3  ;  the  Strawberry, 
54 

Grapes  at  Shrewsbury,  rules  for  judging,  24S  ; 
by  points,  judging,  283,  317 ;  exhibiting, 
232  ;  late,  416 

Grass  seed,  sowing,  US 

Greenhouse,  a  pretty  combination  for  the, 
129  ;  in  the,  342  ;  plants,  neglected,  44 

Grevillea  rosmarinifolia,  90 

Gunneras,  225 

Gypsophila  elegans  as  a  pot  plant,  364 


H. 

Habrothamnus  (Cestruras)  in  the  flower 
garden, 163 

Hackberry,  133 

Halton,  summer  flowers  at,  26 

Hamamelis  mollis,  69 

Hardenbergia  monophylla,  89 

Hardiness  of  plants,  the,  82 

Hardy  and  annual  flowers  for  dry  ground, 
253  ;  flowers  in  season,  165 

Hazels,  the  Witch,  59 

Heather  and  Snowdrops,  177 

Heaths,  hardy,  in  flower,  144;  winter- 
flowering,  212 

Hedges,  170 

Heliotrope  leaves  dropping  off,  422 ;  Tixier 
pere,  55;  Winter,  166 

Hellebores  from  Ireland,  123  ;  Lenten,  160 

Helleborus  niger,  113, 145 

Hepatica,  a  new  double  blue,  2S2  ;  at  home, 
the,  103 

Herbs,  154 

Herbat,  Mr.,  229,  256 

Heredity  of  Acquired  Characters,  232 

Herries,  Mr.  William,  173 

Hill  and  Sons,  Messrs.,  Lower  Edmonton,  121 

Hippeastrum  Snowdon,  338 

Hippeastrums,  81 ;  at  Chelsea,  204 

Hippopha:  rhamnoides  as  a  tree,  148 


Holland  in  Ireland,  346 

Holly,  hedges  and  shelters  of,  304 

Hollies  at  Handsworth,  394;   evergreen,  95, 

114,  130,  146,  162 
Hollyhock,  an  hour  with  the,  122,  139,  148, 

200,  236,  229  ;  some  reminiscences  of  the, 

285 
Homeria  collina,  385 
Honey  Locust.  133 
Honesty,  white,  367 
Home,  Mr.  William,  the  late,  52 
Horse  Chestnut,  133 
Horticultural    Club,    the,    125,    203 ;     East 

Anglian,     142,    208;     College,     Swanley, 

Nature  study  at,  383  ;  Directory,  the,  2  ; 

industry,  a  new,  365 
Horticulture  in  1903,  1 ;  in  Nova  Scotia,   a 

school  of,  249 
Hugh  Low  and  Co..  Messrs.,  377 
Hunter,  Mr.  Thomas,  173 
Hutcheson,  Mr.,  presentation  to,  2S1 
Hyacinths  and  Narcissi  in  moss  flbre,  272 
Hydrangea     hortensis,      327  ;      paniculata 

grandiflora,  327 
Hydrangeas,  new,  266 

Hydrocyanic  acid  as  an  insect  destroyer,  52 
Hypocalymma  robustum,  317 


I. 


Iberis  Snowflake,  3S2 

Ilexaquifolium  and  vars.,  130,  146,  162  ;  var. 
camellijcfolia,  220;  var.  handswortheubis, 
269;  cornuta,  95;  crenata,  55,  95,  149; 
dipyrena,  95  ;  Integra,  114  ;  latifolia,  114  ; 
opaca,  114  ;  Pernyi,  114 

Impatiens  Olivieri,  349 

Indian  Agricultural  College,  36  ;  Crocuses  or 
Pleiones,  154 

Insecticide,  a  valuable,  neglected,  307 

Institution,  Gardeners'  Koynl  Benevolent, 
36,  67,  Sii,  89,  141  ;  Liverpool  Auxiliary,  52 

Inverurie,  N.B.,  flower  show  for,  70 

lonopsidium  acaule,  245 

Ipomcea  rubro-coerulea  as  a  window  plant, 
234 

Iris  bucharica,  335  ;  fosteriana,  213  ;  Gatesi, 
404 ;  germanica  in  flower,  193 ;  Haynei, 
250 ;  Histrio,  165 ;  reticulata,  213 ;  r. 
Melusine,  90  ;  styloaa,  203,  267  ;  susiana, 
339;  tingitana,  250,  384;  tuberosa,  351; 
unguicularis,  203  ;  warleyensis,  335 

Irises,  a  new  hybrid  race  of,  413  ;  beautiful 
bulbous,  160 ;  bulbous,  for  tab^e  decora- 
tion, 132;  hybrid  Onco-Regelia,  390  ;  Onco- 
cyclus,  309 

Ivies,  206 

Ivy,  screens  of,  248 

Ixoras,  170 


J. 

Jacobinia  chrysostephana,  13,  53 ;  coccinea, 
53 

James,  Mrs.  J.,  361 

Japan,  flowers,  trees,  and  shrubs  from,  143  ; 
gardens  in, 150 

Japanese  garden  in  the  Abbey  Park,  Leices- 
ter, 422  ;  ways  of  gardening,  253 

Jasminum  nudifloium,  11,  110,  128 

Jones,  Mr.  Edwin,  158 

Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
396 

Juneberry,  the,  255 


K. 

Kerr,  Mr.  William,  the  late,  406 

Kew  and  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 

107 ;     gardeners    and    organisation,    283  ; 

social  gathering,  52;    guild  dinner,    382; 

hand  list  of  Orchids,  382  ;  in  early  summer 

347;  notes,  15,    50,  69,   111,   157,  192,   212 

277,  344,  359 
Kidderminster,  flowers  from,  122 
King,    the,    and    the    Royal    Horticultural 

Society,  232 
Kniphoftas,  274 


Lachenalia  convallarioides,  213, 264 
Lachenalias,  99 

Lailia  anceps,  101  ;  jongheana,  101,  327 
Lpelio-Cattleya  Clive,  372  ;   haroldiana  John 

Bradshaw,  25  ;    truffaultiana    var.    Four- 

nieri,  372 
Lffilio-Cattleyas,  123 
Lago  Maggiore,  on  the,  19 
Lastrea,  the  mountain,  23 
Lathyrus  pubescens,  346,  332 
Lavatera  triniestris,  354 
Lavender  of  Life,  the,  IS  ;  sweet,  388 
Lawn,  the,  182,  198 
Lawns,  14,  136,  341  ;  and  walks,  206 
Lays  and  lyrics  from  the  German  poets,  20 
Leadwork,  116 
Leeks,  81,  375 
Leicester  parks,  new  superintendent  of  the, 

70 


Leontice  Alberti,  212 

Lettuce,  207 

Lettuces,  new,  from  Manchester,  16S 

Leucujum  a.'^tivuni,  precocious,  161 

Libonias  floribunda  and  penrhosiensis,  188 

Lichens,  177 

Lilac,  390 

Lilies  all  the  year  round  in  Messrs.  Roch- 
ford's  nurseries,  134  ;  iti  a  town  garden,  79  ; 
in  California,  177  ;  of  the  Valley,  13  ;  the, 
6,  22,  40,  87,  112,  157,  164,  216,  260,  270,  351, 
366,  3S0,  412 

Lilium  auratum,  41  ;  and  L.  candidum,  302  ; 
candidum,  301;  and  L.  auratum,  302; 
coidifolium,  22  ;  croceum,  22  ;  Dalhansoni, 
40  ;  davuricum,  23  ;  elegans  and  vars.,  41, 
37,  U2 ;  giganleum,  157;  Grayi,  164; 
Hansoni,  164  ;  Harrisii,  216  ;  Henryi,  216  ; 
Humboldtii  and  vars,  217;  Janka'  and 
var.,  260;  japonicura,  20;  var.  colches- 
terense,  270 ;  Kelloggi,  270 ;  kewense  X 
(W.  Watts),  351  ;  Leichtlinii,  351  ;  longi- 
florum  and  vars.,  366,  380;  Marhan  and 
var.,  412  ;  maritimum,  412  ;  Martagon  and 
vais.,412  ;  Parkmanni,  357 

Liliums  Harrisii  and  longiflorura,  225 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  81 

Linden,  Messrs.,  133 

Linum  tetragynum,  55  ;  trigynum,  55 

Lippia  citriodora,  414 

Lithospermum  graminifolium,  147  ;  pros- 
tratum,  271 

Lobelias  and  Roses,  266 

Lonicera  pileata,  235 

Loropetalum  chinense,  162,  255 

Luculia  gratissima,  68 

Lycaste  Skiniieri,  341 

Lycastes,  well-grown,  168 

Lychnis  lagascffi,  409 

Lyslchitum  camtschatcense,  301 


M. 

Macdonald,  Mr.  James,  104 
Mackenzie,  Councillor,  of  Edinburgh,  2 
Magnolia  conspicua,  340  ;  in  spring  at  Syon, 

316  ;  grandiflora,  11 ;  stellata,  304 
Magnolias,  deciduous,  355  ;  fromBagshot,  339 
Magpie  moth,  the,  417 
ilahonia,  Japanese,  85 
Maize  as  an  autumn  vegetable,  214 
Maladies  et  parasites  du  Chrysanthfeme,  261 
Malmaisons,  153 
Manchester    Botanical    Gardens,  future   of 

the,  lOS 
Maple,   Norway,  132 ;    Silver,   133 ;    Sugar, 

133,  151,  199 
Marica  northiana,  2SS 
Markets,  notes,  from  the,  15,  32,  64,  104, 124, 

141,  156,  172,  192,  223,   260,  276,  312,  329, 

360,  393,  419 
Marrows,  416;  Vegetable,  274 ;  unprofitable, 

393 
Marshall,  Messrs.  S.  S.,  Limited,  324 
Masdevallias  in  Scotland,  227 
Maxwell,  Mr,  John,  15S 
May-flower,  the,  277 
Meconopsis  aculeata,  385 
Mediola  asparagoides,  377 
Megaseas,  58 
Melon  culture,  106 
Melons,  45,  137,  273,  375  ;  and  their  culture, 

114 
Mercury,  90 

Merendera  caucasica,  165 
Mertensia  virginica,  349 
Meteorological  notes  for  1903,  383 
Metrosideros  lucida,  411 ;  robusta,  411 
Michaelmas  Daisies,  190 
Mignonettes,  337 
Miltonia,  61  ;  vexillaria,  62 
Missouri  Botanic  Garden,  53,  412 
Mistletoe,  50 
Mitraria  coccinea,  88 
Moles,  to  drive  away,  71 
Moschosma  riparium,  37 
Moss,  the  Red  Cup,  161 
Jlosses,  native,  at  Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens, 

71 
Mountain  flowers  of  New  Zealand,  269,  286, 

303 
Murray,  Mr.  Alister,  141 
Musa  Cavendishii,  fruits  of,  160 
Muscari  raoschatura,  333 
Muscats,  early,  207 
Museums,  functions  of,  91 
Mushrooms,  100,  207  ;  how  they  grow,  71 
Mustard  and  Cress,  2S 
Myraiphyllum  asparagoides  myrtifolia,  277 


N. 

Naples,  a  note  from,  364 

Narcissi   from   Ireland,    315 ;   from  Messrs. 

Dicksons,  339 ;   new  seedling,  S ;    Ihe,  at 

Chateau  d'Oex,  9 
Narcissus  cernuus  plenus,  277;  cernuus  var., 

280;    farm,   a,  368;    Great  Warley,    333; 

Leeds!  Elaine,  315  ;   minimus,  34!) ;  palli- 

dus  priecox,  271,  27'7 ;  Sprengeri  Vomereu- 

sis,  215 
Nature  study  exhibition,  a,  52 


Nerine,  a  white,  355  ;  FothergilH  major,  30 
Gloriosa  superba  rothschildiaua,  30 

Nerines,  78,  119 

Nectarines,  154  ;  and  Peaches,  SO,  225,  311 

New  Zealand,  mountain  flowers  of,  269,  303 
286 

Nicholson,  Mr.  Alford,  N.B..  246 

North  Wales,  a  note  from,  129 

Notable  Gardens,  26 

Nova  Scotia  fruit,  161 

Nursery  garden,  309 

Nuts,  154  ;  the  promise  of,  108 

Nuttallia  cerasiformis,  235 

NymphEeas  of  the  Odorata  group,  40,  74 


O. 

Oak,  111 

Oaks,  hardy  evergreen,  320,  353,  370,  385; 
the  hammock  under  the,  261,  284 

Obituary,  16,  32,  66,  35,  104,  120,  141,158, 
173,  228,  246,  262,  278,  361,  37S 

Obrist,  Johann,  16 

Odontoglossum  andersonianum,  327  ;  bi*-to- 
nense,  260  ;  cirrhnsum,  Pitt's  variety,  275  ; 
citrosmum,  260 ;  crispum,  123,  260;  kinle- 
sidianum,  308 

Odontoglossums,  46 

Ohio,  a  note  from,  109 

Old  West  Surrey,  357 

Olearia  insignis,  96  ;  ramulosa,  55 

Oncidium  curtum,  373  ;  leucochilum,  373 
marshallianum,  373 ;  macranthum,  287 
monachium,  287  ;  serratura,  287 

Onion,  a  new  early,  282 ;  Bedfordshire 
Champion,  157 

Onions,  46,  170,  207;  autumn  sown,  242 

Onosraa  tauricum,  407 

Ontario,  fruit  culture  in,  161 

Orchard  house,  207 

Orchid  sale,  a  great,  232;  sales,  140 ;  stud 
book,  the,  212 

Orchids,  14,  101,  123,  140,  154,  168,  259,  372; 
a  series  of,  245  ;  at  Kew,  227  ;  at  Me&srs. 
Charlesworth's  nurseries,  139 ;  at  the 
Grange,  Old  Southgate,  241,  340 ;  British, 
a  field  of,  23  ;  fertilisation  of,  171 ;  hardy, 
285  ;  in  fields  and  forests,  64  ;  insect  pests, 
29 ;  notes  on,  418  ;  sale  of,  265,  193  ;  seed- 
ling at  Messrs.  Bull  and  Sons,  123  ;  some 
high  priced,  406 ;  treatment  of  imported, 
123 ;  work  among,  274 

Orchis  purpurea,  404 

Orphan  Fund,  Royal  Gardeners',  141 

Oswald  House.  Edinburgh,  49 

Ourisia  coccinea,  252 


Pffionia  lutea,  265  ;  1.  Franchet,  324,  366 

Palms,  60,  170 

Pandanns  Veitchii.  28 

Pansy,  Tufted,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Cade,  317  ;  Swan 
407 

Pansies,  Tufted,  early  planting  of,  147 

"Paradisus,"  Parkinson's,  a  notable  reprint 
of,  416 

Parkinson's  "Paradisus,"  358 

Parks,  the  Chicago,  91 

Parrotia  persica,  269 

Parsley,  61,  103,  243,  375 

Parsnip,  a  new,  101 

Parsnips,  242;  the  newer,  244 

Pasque  Flower,  the,  277 

Paulownia  imperialis,  370 

Pea  Edwin  Beckett,  47  ;  Everlasting,  a  blue 
382 

Peas,  138,  226,  274,  327,  396  ;  early,  in  pots, 
28,  119;  from  May  to  October,  122,  136; 
identical,  223  ;  in  pots,  311 

Peach  blister  in  spring,  the,  308  ;  houses,  46  ; 
trees,  outdoor,  spring  dressing  for,  132 

Peaches,  154  ;  and  Nectarines,  SO,  225,  311 ; 
early,  170,  359;  South  African,  127;  suc- 
cession, 359 ;  the  earliest,  291 :  two  goud, 
364 

Pear  Beurr^  Ranee,  137 ;  tree,  an  old,  in 
Dublin,  364 

Pears  and  Apricots,  SO 

Pearl  bush,  the,  363 

Pelargonium,  Ivy-leaved,  a  new,  215 

Pelargoniums,  ISS ;  as  wall  plants,  396 
zonal,  81 

Peristeria  elata,  372 

Peristiophe  speciosa,  53 

Pests,  garden,  destroying,  384 

Phaius,  275 

Phala^nopsis,  228 

Phlox  Drummondii,  65 

Phloxes,  herbaceous.  226 

Phormium  tenax,  187 

Pine-apples.  100 

Pines,  226,  326  ;  fruiting,  13 

Pink,  the,  38  ;  white,  as  an  edging,  115 

Pinks,  405,  416  ;  annual.  4  ;  perpetual- 
flowering,  147  ;  the  wild,  6,  24,  51,  69,  92 

Pinus  massoniana,  85 

Plant  portraits,  recent,  31,  110,  185,  274, 
338,  414* 

Planting,  341  ;  spring,  179 ;  muddled,  in 
London  Parks,  211  ;  correct,  217  ;  in  the 
flower  garden,  251,  271 


■"  The  Garden,"  June  S5,  1904-] 


INDEX. 


Plants  after  forcing,  225 ;  bedding,  291 ; 
climbing,  60 ;  clothing  buildings  with, 
162 ;  cultivation  of  alpine,  410,  427, 
447  ;  for  dry  places,  205  ;  grouping  and 
massing,  331 ;  mountain  of  New  Zealand, 
286;  new,  soniB  recent,  295  ;  of  Scotland, 
the  woodland,  SO;  stove,  200  ;  sub-tropical, 
396  ;  table,  IIS  ;  the  hardiness  of,  82  ;  tub, 
225 

Pleiones  or  Indian  Crocuses,  154 

Plums  and  Cherries,  SO,  326  ;  and  Peaches  in 
Ilower  indoors,  214 

Puinsettia  pulcheniraa,  243,  374 

Polyanthus,  gold-laced,  Mrs.  Holden,  lOS  ; 
the  flowering  of  the,  115 

Polyanthuses,  a  beautiful  race  of,  300  ;  and 
Primroses,  339;  from  St.  Asaph,  316;  for 
spring  beddinsr,  337;  from  Bath,  280; 
from  Cobham  Hall  Gardens,  315;  from 
Torquay,  310  ;  garden,  234  ;  in  grass,  302, 
346 

Pulygala  dalraaisiana,  194 

Pomegranate  as  a  tub  plant,  the,  137 

Porches,  Rose-covered,  391 

Pot  and  parapet  gardening  for  the  poor  of 
towns,  324,  353,  373 

Potato,  cultivating  and  exhibiting  the,  276  ; 
culture,  the  effect  of  exhibitions  on,  323  ; 
early,  a  valuable,  122  ;  Early  Puritan,  47  ; 
new,  Sutton's  Favourite,  177 ;  Northern 
Star,  3  ;  sets,  292,  328 ;  trials,  293  ;  tubers, 
planting  large,  244 

Potatoes,  170,  226,  311,  359;  about,  373  ;  at 
Wialey,  129  ;  early,  2S  ;  English,  177 ;  gar- 
den, 29  ;  in  Ayrshire,  129  ;  in  Lincolnshire, 
171  ;  in  pots,  119 ;  in  1903,  52,  233  ;  modern, 
120  ;  new  varieties  of,  244 :  old  and  new 
varieties  of,  309,  376  ;  over-propagating, 
332  ;  poor  quality,  266  ;  last  season's,  213  ; 
seed,  189 

Primrose,  a  new,  91  ;  a  seedling,  35S ; 
flowers,  destroyed,  333  ;  the  late  double 
yellow,  383 

Primroses  and  Polyanthuses  from  Bronwylfa, 
280 

Primroses  at  Hounslow,  281 ;  blue,  249  ;  and 
Narcissus  poeticus  graudiflorus,  338; 
growing  the,  283  ;  the  history  of  the,  IS ; 
Chinese,  seeding, 29  ;  double,  302,  332 

Primula,  a  new.  Buttercup,  332  ;  Chinese, 
the  old  double,  243;  japonica,  404; 
kewensis,  55  ;  megasese folia,  54,  69,  264, 
323  ;  var.  superba,  250  ;  obconica,  beautiful 
forms  of,  IS ;  ;ro3ea,  252,  407  ;  Sieboldi, 
358 

Primulas,  82,  226  ;  and  Cinerarias,  311 ;  and 
Cyclamens,  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons',  173  ; 
for  waterside  planting,  93,  176 ;  Messrs. 
Carter  and  Co.'s,  156;  Messrs.  William 
Bull's,  69 

Princes  Street  Gardens,  Edinburgh,  2S2 

Protea  cynaroides,  265 

Pruning  competition,  winter,  214 ;  fruit 
tree,  14,  44,  169,  208,  226,  263,  308,  386  ;  root 
of,  15  ;  tree,  improper,  333 

Prunusdavidiana,  213  ;  japonica  flore-pleno, 
71  ;  subhirtella,  301 

Pyrus  spectabilis,  365 


R. 

Rain,  damage  by,  SS 

Rainfall  during  1903  at  the  Gardens.  Hamp- 
ton Manor,  30;  of  1903,  the  Scottish,  71  ; 
in  a  Hampshire  district,  37  ;  in  1903,  64,  88 

Ramondia  pyrenaica,  113 

Ranunculus,  60  ;  acoDitifolius  and  its  double 
variety,  24 

Raspberry,  new,  Queen  of  England,  109 

Raspberries,  311 ;  planting,  15 

Rata,  New  Zealand,  the,  411 

Ratchelous,  Mr.  W.,  P5 

Resurrection  plants,  65 

Rhododendron,  a  beautiful  indoor,  215 ; 
Ascot  Brilliant,  422 ;  exhibition,  a,  406 ; 
forsterianum,  301  ;  Keysii  and  R.  tri- 
florum,  404;  racemosum,  348;  triflorum 
var.,  268 

Rhododendrons,  359  ;  Duchess  of  Portland 
and  N.  N.  Sherwood,  390;  from  County 
Donegal,  340  ;  greenhouse,  290  ;  Messrs.  J. 
Waterer's,  at  the  Temple  show,  406 ; 
splitting  bark,  210 

Rhubarb,  61;  a  new,  393;  the  Sutton,  in 
spring,  193 

Richardia  elliotiana,  99 

Riverside,  plants  for,  378 

Riviera  notes,  17,  54, 108,  193,  236,  345 

Rock  garden,  60 ;  a  Cornish,  164  ;  making, 
21, 138,  215  ;  water  in  the,  335  ;  plants,  206 

Rocky  steps  in  the  garden,  285 

Roof  gardening,  388 

Rosa  sericea,  415 ;    sinica   Anemone,    352 
Xanthina,  305 

Rose  analysis,  4 ;  a  new  climbing,  344 
arches  and  their  management,  250,  267, 
284 ;  Baronne  de  Meynard,  78 ;  beds, 
arrangement  of,  106 ;  Bennett's  Seedling! 
over  an  old  tree,  166;  Caroline  Testout! 
145 ;  Commandant  Felix  Faure,  283 
Comtesse  Barbantanne,  78 ;  Conrad  Fer 
dinand  Meyer,  58 ;  Dorothy  Perkins, 
344 


Rose  Electra,  as  a  bedding  variety,  305 ;  For- 
tune's Yellow  and  Alfred  Carrifere,  237  ; 
Fran(;ois  Crousse,  92  ;  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
371 ;  garden,  seasonable  work  in,  318 ; 
Grande  Duchesse  Anastaaie,  219  ;  Liberty, 
in  winter,  106;  I'ldeal,  371:  Marie  Pare, 
78 ;  Marie  van  Houtte,  344  ;  Mme.  Ernest 
Calvat,  78  ;  Mme.  Isaac  Periere,  7S  ;  Mme. 
N.  Levavasseur,  392,  390;  Mrs.  Bosanquet, 
77 ;  new,  H.  T.  Friedrich  Harms,  364 ; 
hybrid  perpetual,  283;  Pharisajr,  372; 
red,  Etoile  de  France,  237  ;  notes,  292  ; 
Paul  Lede,  305;  planting  in  March,  219; 
show  tixtures  for  1904,  251,  329;  sinica 
Anemone,  415 ;  Souvenir  de  Malmaison, 
78:  theFarquhar,  372;  Waltham  Rambler, 
414  ;  Zepheiine  Drouhin,  78 

Roses,  137;  aged,  177;  and  Lobelias,  206; 
and  their  culture,  171 ;  bedding,  of  free 
growth,  179 ;  Christmas,  242,  252  ;  and 
Lenten,  165;  decorative,  new  and  little- 
known,  41;  forgotten,  166;  for  market, 
305  ;  Fortune's  Yellow  and  Banksian,  404  ; 
Hybrid  Tea,  classified,  352  ;  as  standards, 
407  ;  in  pots,  170  ;  insects  on,  422  ;  jottings 
about,  5S  ;  new,  for  1903-4.  149  ;  of  1904, 
prospects  for,  415  ;  on  walls,  238  ;  pruning, 
223,  305  ;  rugosa,  209 ;  shrub-like,  58  ; 
some  Bourbon,  77  ;  standard,  in  pots,  292  ; 
three  new,  283  ;  under  glass,  91 ;  work  for 
-Tune,  415 

Rubus  rostefolius,  240  ;  spectabilis,  300 


S. 

St.  Louis  Exhibition,  191 ;  British  exhibits 
at  the,  36 

Salads,  341 

Salix  gracilistyla  Miquel,  160 

Salpiglossis,  a  bed  of,  200 

Salsafy,  25S 

Salvia  carduacea,  365  ;  splendensgrandiflora, 
153 

Sandhurst  Lodge,  notes  from,  220 

Sanguinaria  canadensis,  365 

Savin,  a  Tree,  194 

Saxifraga  arctloides  primulina,  407 ;  hur- 
seriana  major,  306 ;  Elizabethse,  264 ; 
florulenta,  131 ;  Grisebachi,  147  ;  lilacina, 
218,  250;  pyramidalis,  409;  scardica, 
323 

Saxifrage  Dr.  Ramsay,  114 

Saxifrages,  mossy,  with  coloured  flowers,  367 

Schizanthus  retusus  Grahami,  333 

Schizostylis  coccinea,  207 

School,  Countess  of  Warwick's  Secondary 
and  Agricultural,  265 

Schubertia  grandiflora,  3,  37 

Sciadopitys  verticillata,  236,  294 ;  in  Scot- 
land, 308 

Scorzonera,  258 

Scotland,  a  garden  in,  356  ;  grants  to  horti- 
cultural objects  in,  110  ;  notes  from,  66,  81 

Sea-coast  flowers,  some,  380 

Seakale,  13,  138,  359 

Sedum  pulchellum  in  Midlothian,  57  ;  ter- 
natum,  409 

Seed  sowing,  ISS,  311 ;  early,  risks  of,  226 ; 
notes,  93 

Seeds  in  a  frame,  100 ;  the  vitality  of,  208 

Semele  androgyna,  126 

Senecio  grandifolius,  53 

Shaddock  and  Citron  in  vineries,  S9 

Shallots,  119 

Shrubbery,  the,  100 

Shrubs,  a  book  about,  S4  ;  and  hardy  plants 
after  forcing,  214 ;  aromatic,  11,  3S ; 
flowering,  170,  299;  from  Ireland,  358; 
for  lake  margin,  106;  for  shaded  ground, 
106  ;  forced,  in  the  greenhouse,  234  ;  haidy, 
after  forcing, 309  ;  for  forcing,  303  ;  recently 
planted,  27,  326;  winter-flowering,  from 
Newry,  68;  and  trees,  11,  55,  72,  95,  111, 
143,  180,  199,  220,  255,  268,  286,  304,  319, 
355,  369,  411 ;  hardy  flowering,  for  forcing, 
273;  in  March,  planting,  175  ;  under  glass 
at  Finsbury  Park,  327 

Sisyrinchium  grandiflorum.  144 

Smilax,  153  ;  a  new,  233,  277 

Smith,  Mr.  James,  32  ;  Mr.  Thomas,  378 

Snowdrops  and  Heather,  177  ;  growing,  211  ; 
in  Dunrobin  Castle  Gardens,  57 

Societies  ; 

Society,  Aboyne,  N.B.,  Horticultural,  124; 
Brighton  and  Sussex  Horticultural,  209 ; 
Bristol  Gardeners',  142,  174 ;  Broughton 
Ferry,  Horticultural,  19 ;  Cardiff  Gar- 
deners', 106,  142,  174,  210 ;  Chisle- 
hurst  Gardeners',  174  ;  cosmopolitan 
gardeners'  in  Paris,  128  ;  Croydon  Horti- 
cultural, 16,  105,  142 ;  Dulwich  Chrysan- 
themum, 105 ;  Dumfries  and  Galloway 
Horticultural,  142  ;  Dundee  Horticultural, 
124 ;  Ealing  Horticultural,  142 ;  Edin- 
burgh Botanical,  129  ;  Market  Gardeners', 
3  ;  Felthara,  Bedfont,  and  Hanworth 
Horticultural,  106 ;  gardeners',  the  pro- 
posed, 36,  176,  280,  349;  Gardeners'  Im- 
provement, in  India,  53  ;  Gardeners',  plea 
for  a,  333  ;  Glasgow  and  West  of  Scotland 
Horticultural,  174  ;  Handsworth  Horticul- 
tural, 408 ;  Highgate  Horticultural,  174  ; 
Ipswich  Gardeners',  16 


Society,  Irish  Gardeners  Association 
and  Benevolent,  174  ;  Kidderminster 
Horticultural,  70;  Xirkmichael  (Dum- 
friesshire) Horticultural,  174 ;  Leices- 
ter Chrysanthemum,  105;  Liverpool,  105; 
Lochee  (Dundee)  Horticultural,  106; 
London  Dahlia,  105  ;  Manchester  Bota- 
nical and  Horticultural,  142,  421  ;  Midland 
Daffodil,  313  ;  National  Amateur  Gar- 
deners, report  of  the,  176;  National  (Jar- 
nation  and  Picotee,  209 ;  National  Chry- 
santhemum, 91, 105, 128,  213  ;  the  National 
Potato,  17,  IS,  128  ;  and  the  new  hall,  264  ; 
National  Primula  and  Auricula,  209,  298, 
300 ;  the  National  Rose,  406 ;  schedule 
wanted,  384  ;  the  National  Sweet  Pea,  pro- 
vincial prizes,  196  ;  the  National  Tulip,  331, 
376;  Norfolk  and  Norwich,  330;  Piedmont 
Horticultural,  80,  377  ;  Plymouth  Daffodil, 
29G;  Reading  and  District  Gardeners',  16, 
171, 174,  210;  Royal  Botanic,  36,  210,  297,403, 
419;  Royal  Caledonian  Horticultural,  110, 
24S,  249,  407  ;  Royal  Horticultural,  67,  87, 
107,  124,  142,  15S,  194,  20:),  230,  202,  297, 
329,  361,  378  ;  and  its  garden,  240  ;  and  its 
subscription,  70,  89;  and  Kew,  107;  and 
the  King,  232 ;  and  the  special  societies, 
108  ;  and  the  trade,  88  ;  centenary  of  the, 
159 ;  Chiswick  Gardens,  sale  at  the,  196 ; 
council  of  the,  379  ;  entrance  fees,  129 ; 
history  of  the,  176  ;  lectures  in  1904,  160  ; 
new  Fellows  of  the,  2S0  ;  scientific  work  of 
the,  382 ;  Temple  show,  379,  404 ;  the 
Royal  Horticultural  of  Southampton,  27, 
126 ;  Royal  Scottish  Arboricultural  Jubilee 
meeting,  145  ;  Scottish,  accommodation 
for,  in  Edinburgh,  70;  Scottish  Horticul- 
tural, 124  ;  Sherborne  Gardeners',  16 ; 
Southern  Counties'  Carnation,  248  ;  Speke- 
field  Gardeners',  174;  Stonehaven,  N.B., 
174 ;  Tayport  Horticultural,  106 ;  Truro 
Daffodil,  278  ;  United  Horticultural  Benefit 
and  Provident,  126,  209,  296  ;  Urr  and  Dal- 
beattie Horticultural,  106;  Windsor  and 
Eton  Rose,  264  ;  York  Florists,  Ancient, 
174 

Soil  work,  109 

Sophronitis  grandiflora,  189,  372 

Sowing,  evils  of  too  early,  99 

Sparmannia  africana,  71 

Sparrows  and  spring  flowers,  248 ;  destroying 
Crocus  flowers,  240 

Spencer,  Mrs.,  246 

Spinach,  154  ;  forcing,  in  spring,  193 

Spirrea  confusa  in  spring,  332  ;  filipendula 
flore-pleno,  220 

Spring  and  its  work,  175 

Spruce,  Douglas,  85 

Stachyurus  prrecox,  281 

Stenotaphrum  glabrum,  50 

Sternbergia  fischeriana,  165 

Strawberry  forcing,  some  widespread 
errors,  152  ;  Louis  Gauthier,  307  ;  new,  the 
Laxton,  forced,  332  ;  plants,  forced,  making 
use  of,  272 ;  prospects,  348 

Strawberries,  46,  154,  242,  326 ;  at  Gunners- 
bury  House,  368  ;  autumn  and  alpine,  246  ; 
in  flower,  protecting,  3S6 ;  on  sheltered 
borders,  the  earliest,  369 

Strelitzia  Reginre,  213,  332 

Streptocarpus,  258 

Strobilanthes  dyerianus,  290 

Stylophorum  diphyllum,  283 

Sugar  Maple,  the,  55 

Summer,  preparing  for,  315,  331 

Sundial,  an  old,  337 

Sunny  land,  in  a,  76 

Swanswick,  notes  from,  346,  381 

Sweet  Briar,  170  ;  gum,  133  ;  Peas,  100,  404  ; 
classification  of,  54,  94,  130,  146;  selection 
of,  53 

Sycamore,  111 

Symphyandra  Wanneri,  409 


Tacsonia  militaris,  55 

Tecophilfea  cyanocrocus,  272 

Temple  show,  the,  381,  397 ;  groups  at  the, 
144 

Teucrium  fruticans,  ,88 

Then  and  Now,  19 

Thunbergias,  the  annual,  253 

Thunias,  228 

Tillandsia  carinata,  37 

Tolmie,  Mr.  William,  104 

Tomato,  the  best  outdoor,  369 

Tomatoes,  46,  189,  274,  416 

Town  and  window  gardening,  the  book  of, 
124 

Trees,  felling,  by  electricity,  53  ;  for  George 
Street,  Edinburgh,  70;  freshly-grafted, 
416  ;  shade,  111,  132,  149  ;  and  shrubs,  11, 
38,  55,  72,  95,  111,  148,  180,  199,  220,  255, 
268,  286,  307,  319,  355,  369,  411 ;  hardy- 
flowering,  for  forcing,  273  ;  in  March, 
planting,  175  ;  Japan,  some  lesser-known, 
44  ;  under  glass  at  Finsbury  Park,  327 

Trichosma  suavis,  227 

Tritonia  Prince  of  Orange,  316 

Tropasolum  speciosum,  23,  326 

Tuberoses,  206 

Tub  gardening,  98,  159,  207 


Tulipa  Batalini,  383  ;  Greigii,  315  ;  kauf- 
manniana,  198,  215 

Tulip  Golconda,  404  ;  leaf  growth,  abnormal, 
339 ;  notes,  384;  the  garden.  197  ;  the 
garden,  and  prices  paid  for  Daffodils,  240  ; 
tree,  140 

Tulips,  a  feast  of,  3G0  ;  dwarf,  too  early,  S.'iO; 
early,  at  Birmingham,  316 ;  for  early 
forcing,  10;  from  Ireland,  390;  from  Mr. 
Hartland,  364  ;  from  Surbiton,  390  ;  May- 
flowering,  from  Colchester,  364 ;  some 
Irish,  387  ;  three  beautiful,  348 

Turnip  Carter's  Early  Forcing,  157  ;  winter 
a  valuable,  292 

Turnips,  61,  226 


U. 

Uganda,  a  journey  to,  56 
Ulmus  pumila,  111,  132 
Union,  London  Dahlia,  211 
University  College,  Reading,  129, 
Urceolina  aureaor  pendula,  215 


Vanda  coerulea,  83 

Vases,  garden,  at  Inwood,  184 

Vegetable,  a  little-known,  373  ;  spring,  a 
useful,  90 

Vegetables  and  flowers  from  seeds  and  roots, 
the  culture  of,  84  ;  and  fruit,  grading  and 
packing,  SO,  102  ;  gathering,  416  ;  little- 
grown,  257  ;  under  glass,  170 

Vegetation  records,  348 

Verbena  Ellen  Willraott,  396  ;  Jliss  Will 
mott,  316 

Veronica  diosmaifolia,  365 

Vincas,  290 

Vine  laterals,  stopping,  422 ;  Madresfield 
Court  a  failure,  394  ;  propagation,  188  ;  the 
famous  Kinnell,  90  ;  why  restrict  the,  152 

Yineries,  late,  28,  119  ;  succession,  28 

Vines,  395  ;  early,  119  ;  permanent,  258,  342  ; 
late,  259  ;  planted  -  out,  28  ;  planting 
young,  342;  pot,  28,  170,  291,  342,  416; 
succession,  259,  342 

Viola,  a  winter-blooming,  188  ;  bedding,  a 
winter-flowering,  145 ;  pedata,  383 ;  the 
floriferous,  366 

Violas,  242 

Violet  Dr.  Jameson,  283 

VioIe*^.s,  170,  274;  single  and  double,  226 
sweet,  among  the,  279 


W. 

Wallflower,    a    winter-flowering,    89 ;    from 

Stourbridge,  364 
Wall  garden,  wild  flowers  in  the,  321  ;  gar- 
dening, 351;  some  suggestions,  183;  plants, 

14  ;  the  beauty  of,  3S2 
Watering,  plant,  automatic,  336 
Water  Lilies,  290  ;   in  tubs,  378 ;  planting, 

221 
Weather,  effects  of  the,  on  nursery  trade 

176 
Weathered,  Thomas  W.,  16 
Wells,  Mr.  Benjamin,  85 
Wild  flowers  and  Ferns,  the  preservation  of 

our,  356;  destruction  of,  231,   293;   from 

seed,  299,  344 
Willow,  149 

Willows,  ornamental,  some  little-known,  199 
Window  gardening,  the  book  of  town  and, 

124 
Window-boxes,  359 
Winter  flowers,  some,  122  ;  flowering  shrubs 

from  Newry,  68 
Wisley,  trials  at,  19 
Wistaria  sinensis,  422 
Wistarias  as  bushes,  408 
'*  Woman's  Agricultural  Times,  The,"  52 
Women  as  gardeners,  49 
Woodland,  clearing  rough, 169;rides, forming, 

48 
Worcestershire,  a  note  from,  109  ;  notes  from, 

325 


Xanthoceras  sorbifolia,  266,  236, 
Xanthorrhiza  apiifolia,  283 


Yellow  Root,  the,  283 

\'"ew  hedge,  pruning  a,  210  :  John  Knox's,  90; 

pergola  at  Montacute,  58 
Y'orkshire  garden,  notes  from  a,  28,  323,  373 
Yuccas,  188 


Zenobia  speciosa,  220 
Zygopetalums,  123 


vni. 


INDEX. 


["  The  Garden,"  June  25,' 1904. 


ILLUSTRATED    ARTICLES. 


Aconite,  the  Winter,  under  Beech  trees,  131 

Aliiers,  old,  at  Courtown  House,  Gorey, 
Ireland,  319 

Aldersey  Hall,  in  the  flower  garden  at,  205 

Alpine  flowers,  where  they  srow,  259 

Alpine  plants  planted  sideways  into  an 
upright  fissure,  22 ;  the  right  way  of 
planting,  21;  the  wrong  way  of  planting, 
21 

Androsace  sarmentosa  in  the  rock  garden  at 
Kew,  385 

Anemone  patens,  167  ;  sylvestris,  73 

Aphides,  7 

Apple  Adam's  Pearmain,  63  ;  Claygate  Pear- 
main,  showing  free  pruning,  387 

Arabis,  the  double,  306 

Arjlia  spinosa  at  Kew,  235 

Arum  palrestinum,  239 

Aspidium  anomalura,  233 

Auricula,  grey-edged,  William  Brockbank, 
295 

Azaleas,  Ghent,  how  they  are  grown  for  the 
London  market,  103 


B. 

Beech  in  open,  natural  growth,  94  ;  in  plan- 
tation, natural  growth,  95 

Begonia  Agatha,  Messrs.  Veitch's,  397 ; 
Gloire  de  Lorraine  in  the  gardens  of 
Colonel  Wilkinson,  119  ;  Mrs.  H.  T.  Dixon, 
153 

Belladonna  Lily,  the,  in  Guernsey,  203 

Bower,  Queen  Mary's,  at  Hampton  Court,  97 

Broccoli  protected  in  winter  and  early 
spring,  257 

Broom,  the  Moonlight,  375 

Burford,  Dorking,  the  residence  of  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  390 


Carnation  cuttings,  a  house  of,  290  ;  Duchess 

of  Fife  in  Mr  May's  nurseries,  Teddington, 

349  ;   Fair  Maid  of  Perth  in  Mr.  Button  s  i 

nursery,   28S ;    Mrs.  Lawson  in  flower  at  l 

Mr.  Button's,  293  ;  new  white.  The  Bride,  I 

201 ;  The  Bride,  flowers  of,  202 
Carnations   in    an    American    garden,  301 ; 

packed  in  box  for  market,  291 
Celmisia  coriacea,  74  ;  Haastii,  75  ;  ramulosa 

in  a  New  Zealand  garden,  74 
Cerastium  in  a  dry  wall,  183 
Chiswick  Gardens,  in  the,  Plane  Tree  and 

Council  House,  105 
Colchicum  crociflorura  at  Kew,  178  ;  hydro- 

philum,  203 
Copse  to  cottage,  from,  43 
Council  House  at  Chiswick,  the  Ivy-covered, 

163 
Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 

(supplement) 
Cowslip,  the  Sikkim,  by  waterside,  93 
Crocuses,  carpeted  with,  161 
Croton  turnfordiensis,  42 
Cucumbers,  winter,  a  house  of,  in  a  market 

imrsery,  13 
Cyathus  striatus  (bird's  nest  fungus),  79 
Cyclamen  ibericum  at  Kew,   177  ;   Persian, 

Butterfly,  303 
Cyclamens,  hardy,  in  March,  251 
Cymbidium  giganteum  Wilsoni,  189 
Cypress  in  an  English  garden,  tihe,  453 
Cypresses     at     Tivoli,     in     the     ruins     of 

Hadrian's  Villa,  76 
Cypripedium  insigne  in  the  gardens  at  West 
Point,  Whalley  Range,  Manchester,  101  ; 
spectabile  growing  wild  in  Canada,  447 


Daddy-long-legs  or  Crane  liy.  8 
Daffodils,  amrmg  the,   in   the   nurseries  of 
Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Wisbech,  343 


Daisy,  Alice,  Salmon-quilled,  a  group  of  the, 
130 

Davallia  bullatJi  Mariesi  shown  in  various 
curious  forms,  49 

Dendrobium  glomeratuni.  123;  splendidissi- 
mum  grandiflorum,  140  ;  thyrsiflorum, 
227  ;  wardianum  in  the  garden  of  Mr. 
W.  A.  Milner,  28" 

Dendrobiums  in  the  garden  of  Mrs.  Hay- 
wood, Reigate,  241 

Dial,  cross,  Compton,  336 


E. 


Edelweiss  by  pathside,  306 

Eelworm,  stem,  8 

Epidendrum     stamfordianum     in     Buiford 

Gardens,  391 
Erigeron  trifldus  in  the  alpine  house  at  Kew, 

403 

F. 

Flowers,  summer,  in  the  gardens  of  Mr.  S. 

Fryett,  Lewisham,  30 
Foxgloves,  449 
Fritillaria  Elwesii,  307 
Fuidge,  Mr.  C.  S.,  27 


G. 

Garden,  a  riverside,  at  Hammersmith,  32; 
garden  seat  design,  Mr.  White's,  3*8 

Gerberas,  the  interesting  hybrid  raised  by 
Mr,  Irwin  Lynch,  at  the  Temple  show,  405 

Gladiolus  Kitchener,  77 

Gloriosa  rothschildiana,  451 

Gooseberry,  a  standard,  376  ;  saw  fly,  417 

Gunnersbury  House,  the  plants  on  the  ter- 
race at,  98 

Gymnogramma  schizophylla  gloriosa  in 
basket,  121 

H. 

Heath  ponds,  by  the,  357 

Herbst,  Mr.,  the  late,  229 

Hippeastrum,  the  new  white,  Snowdon,  339 

Honesty,  white,  a  grouping  of,  367 

Hyacinths  and  Narcissi  in  moss  fibre,  272 


Manganji  garden  at  Nikko,  Japan,  254 
Maplewoods  in  spring,  the  sugar,  199 
Marica  northiana,  289 
Meconopsis  aculeata,  384 
Moschosma  riparium,  shoot  of,  37 
Myrsiphyllum  asparagoides  myrtifolia,  277 


N. 

Narcissi,  early,  grown  for  market  in  Lin- 
colnshire, 180;  new  seedling  {coloured 
supplement) 

Narcissus  radiiflorus  in  the  pastures  of 
Chateau  d'Oex,  9 ;  Great  Warley,  339 ; 
pallidus  precox  with  three  blooms,  271  ; 
Poet's,  a  field  of  in  Lincolnshire,  368 ; 
Poet's,  in  the  Alps,  181  ;  Viscountess 
Falmouth,  370 

Nerine,  a  white,  355 

Nursery,  in  the  Pink  Hill,  311 


Odontoglossum  cirrhosum  Pitt's  variety,  275; 

crispum  in  the  Grange  Garden,  Suuthgate, 

340;  c.  kinlesidianum,  308 
Olearia  insignis,  96 
Orchid  bouquet,  an,  348 


I. 


Ilex  camelliicfolia    at    Kew,  220;    Mundyi, 

•394  ;  Shepherd),  305  ;  Wilsoni,  395 
Iris  Garden  at  Hoi-ikiri,  Japan,   the,  150; 
Onco-Regelia,  the  new,  413 


L. 

Lailio-Cattleya  haroldiana  John   Bradshaw, 

25 
Lrelia  jongheana,  327 

Lagunea  tetragonum  in  New  Zealand,  270 
Lavender,  dwarf,  at  foot  of  dry  wall,  182 
Lavatera  trimestris,  hedge  of,  354 
Lilium  auratum  in  the  south  of  Scotland,  41 ; 

longiflorum,  retarded,  grown  for  market, 

135  ;  speciosum,  retarded,  in  Messrs.  Roch- 

ford's  nursery,  135 
Lily  of  the  Valley  from  retarded  roots  in 

Messrs.  Rochford's  nursery,  134 
Lithospermum  graminifolium  in  a  Maidstone 

garden, 147 
Loropetalumchinense,  255 
Lycaate  Skinneri,  some  of  the  finest  forms  of, 

341 


M. 

Magnolia  grandiflora,  11 
Magpie  moth,  417 


Pea,  Edwin  Beckett,  47  ;  Everlasting,  at  a 

cottage  door,  357 
Peach  trees,  standard  and  dwarf  fan-trained, 

156 
Pear  Beurre  Ranee,  187  ;  Thompson's,  a  tree 

of,  showing  correct  pruning,  386 
Phoenix  Rtebelenii,  309 
Pine-apple  the  Queen,  a  house  of,  155 
Pink,  an  edging  of  the  old  fringed  white,  1]5 
Plant  house  at  Chiswick,  an  old-fashioned, 

164  ;  support,  new  patent  wire,  228 
Potato,  Eldorado,   172;  Early  Puritan,  29; 

Evergood,  171  ;  Northern  Star,  172 ;  Sim 

Gray,  172  ;  Sir  J.  Llewelyn,  171 
Primrose,  a  type  of  bunch-flowered,  281 
Primula  meeaseicfolia,  323;  white,  the  old 

double  in  Messrs.  Cripps'  nursery,  243 
Prunus  serrulata  in  flower  at  Kew,  362 


Quercus  Ilex,  leaves  of,  320 


R. 

Ramondia  pyrenaica  on  rock  garden,  113 

Ranunculus  aconitifolius  by  a  shady  walk,  ■ 
24  ;  fiore-pleno  by  water,  24  1 

RaouUa  exiniia  in  New  Zealand,  271 

Rochers  de  Naye,  259 

Rock  garden,  Sir  George  Newnes',  at  Lynton, 
215,  210;  carriage  drive  through,  217  :  and 
water  garden,  grass  field  transformed  into, 
334,  335 

Roaa  sinica  Anemone  at  Nice,  352 

Rose,  a  garden,  before  and  after  pruning, 
223  ;  Airaee  Vibert  and  others  over  gar- 
den arch,  267;  an  exhibition,  before  and 
after  pruning,  224;  a  standard  H.P., 
pruned  and  unpruned,  224  ;  Banksian, 
round  a  cottage  window,  358 ;  Bennett's 
seedling,  over  an  old  tree,  ICG;  Caroline 
Testout  in  a  town  garden,  145;  Flora  on 
garden  house,  61  ;  Fortune's  Yellow  at 
Portland,  Oregon,  237  ;  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
371  ;  group  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son  at 
the  Temple  show,  404  ;  L'Ideal,  371  ;  Mme. 
Alfred  Carricre  at  Portland,  Oregon,  238; 
Waltham  Rambler,  415. 


Rosemary  in  flower,  border  of, 
Royal     Horticultural     Society's     Gardens, 
central  walk  in  the,  165 


S. 

St.  Louis  Exhibition,  plan  of  garden,  191 

Salvia  carduacea,  305 

Saxifraga  lilacina,   the  new,   at  Kew,   250  ; 

scardica,  the  new,  at  Kew,  323 
Sea  Buckthorn  as  a  tree  at  Kew,  149 
Sedum  ternatum  in  the  alpine  house  at  Kew, 

409 
Seed  beds  at  Murrayfield,  310 
Slave,  the  Kneeling,  at  Melbourne,  117 
,  Smilax,  a  new,  277 

i  Snowdrops  by  streamside  at  Dunrobin,  06; 
j      whitened  with,  a  winter  picture  at  Dun- 
robin,  57 
Spiiaja  Henryi,  44 
Steps,  stone,  in  a  Japanese  garden,  253 ;  in 

fiower  garden,  285 
Stylophorum  diphyllum,  283 
Sugar  Maple  by    the  lake    at    Pencarrow, 

Cornwall,  55 
Sundial  at  Belton  Hall,  337 ;    at  Melbury 

Castle,  333 
Symphyandra  Wanneri  at  Kew,  410 


T. 

Thrips,  7 

Tropieolum  speciosum  over  cottage  porch,  23 

Tulipakaufraanniana,  198 


U. 

Ulmus  puraila  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew, 

133 
Urn,  fruit  at  Inwood,  1S4 


V. 

Valerian,  red,  in  an  old  castle  wall,  322 
Vandacoeruleain  Brougham  Hall  Gardens,  S3 
Vase,  a  Chiswick,  116  ;  a  leaden,  at  Chiswick 
House.  116 ;  at  Inwuod,  a  flower,  185  ;  the 
"Paris,"  186 
Veitchian  Cup,  the,  401 
Vinery,  the  famous,  at  Chiswick,  163 
Vineries,  interior  uf  one  of  the  old  Chis- 
wick, 164 
Viola  pedata  in  a  pot,  383 
Vitis  megaphylla,  45 


AV. 

Wahlenbergia  saxicola,  269 

Wall  of  flowers   in  Sir  Charles  Wolseleys 

garden,  a,  351 
Walls,  low  rough,  of  flowers,  321 
Wallflower,  a  winter  floweting,  89 
Water  Lilies  in  a  quiet  back  water,  221 
Window  garden,  prize,  of  Mr.  H.  A.  Willey, 

Exeter,  325 
Wire  worms,  8 

Wistaria  bower  in  Japan,  a,  151 
Witch  Hazel,  tree,  in  flower,  59 
Woodland  pool,  a,  450 
Wright,  Mr.  S.  T.,  16!) 
Wych  Elm  Walk  at  Hampton  Court,  97 


Xanthoceras   sorbifolia     in     the    Missouri 
Botanic  Gardens,  412 


Y. 

Yew  pergola  at  Montacute,  58 


^^-^—- 


GARDEN 


No.  1676.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[January  3,  1904. 


HORTICULTURE      IN     1903 

THE  year  that  has  gone  will  be  remem- 
bered for  one  feature  —  a  pitiless 
rain,  with  a  temperature  that 
brought  winter  into  the  heart  of 
summer.  Disastrous  floods,  harsh 
■winds,  and  rain  day  after  day  destroyed  the 
harvest,  and  the  frosts  of  spring  and  early 
summer  spoilt  the  fruit  and  even  vegetable 
crops.  It  has  been  a  dreary  year  for  horti- 
culturists and  for  trade  generally,  and  we  hope 
devoutly  that  the  year  that  has  dawned  will 
bring  greater  prosperity  to  the  country  and 
joy  to  those  who  revel  in  their  gardens. 

But  horticultural  events  increase  in  the  face 
of  all  obstacles.  The  past  year  has  been  one 
of  exceptional  activity  in  the  gardening  world, 
and  the  Koyal  Horticultural  and  National 
Kose  Societies  have  flourished  exceedingly. 
The  access  of  Fellows  to  the  Koyal  Horticul- 
tural Society  is  extraordinary,  and  due  both  to 
the  greater  zest  for  gardening  in  these  days 
and  to  the  exceptional  return  in  the  way  of 
tickets  for  exhibitions  and  the  quarterly 
volumes  of  the  Journal  for  the  modest  sub- 
scription that  will  gain  a  Fellowship.  The 
present  year  will  mark  a  great  era  in  the 
history  of  this  famous  society,  for  in  1904  it 
will  celebrate  its  centenary  by  the  opening  of 
a  new  Horticultural  Hall  and  a  new  garden. 

The  building  of  the  Hall  and  the  gift  from 
Sir  Thomas  Hanbury,  K.C.V.O.,  of  the  garden 
of  the  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson  at  Wisley,  near 
Weybridge,  are  certainly  among  the  most 
important  horticultural  events  of  the  past 
year,  and  the  meetings  of  the  society  in  the 
Drill  Hall,  at  Holland  House,  and  in  the 
Temple  Gardens  have  been  of  much  interest. 
We  have  seen  many  of  the  introductions  of 
Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  from  China,  and  the 
lectures  given  on  various  botanical  and  horti- 
cultural subjects  have  proved,  we  think,  more 
interesting  and  instructive  than  usual,  as  a 
careful  study  of  the  printed  papers  will  show. 
It  is  also  interesting  to  notice  that  the  papers 
read  at  the  meetings  of  the  Horticultural  Club 
have  not  been  less  interesting  than  those 
before  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and 
were  rnade  more  instructive  by  the  general 
discussion  which  invariably  follows. 

Exhibitions  seem  to  multiply,  and  in  spite 
of  the  abnormal  weather  were,  as  a  rule,  very 
successful.  The  great  Shrewsbury  show  was  a 
triumph,  and  the  displays  at  Holland  House 
and  in  the  Temple  Gardens  were  well  attended. 
The  Metropolitan  exhibition  of  the  National 


Kose  Society  was  not  brilliant.  The  date  was 
too  early,  and  Glasgow,  the  city  selected  for 
the  provincial  display,  was  the  gainer  ;  this 
was  probably  the  finest  Rose  show  of  the 
year. 

A  few  weeks  before  the  great  Chrysanthe- 
mum tournament  began  a  memorable  exhibi- 
tion of  fruit  and  vegetables  brought  many 
horticulturists  to  the  gardens  of  the  Koyal 
Horticultural  Society  at  Chiswick.  The 
vegetables  were  remarkable,  and  the  papers 
read  in  the  afternoon  on  various  aspects  of 
vegetable  culture  and  cookery  deserve  to  be 
widely  read.  It  is  wholesome  evidence  of  the 
sound  condition  of  English  gardening  when  so 
much  attention  is  directed  to  the  production 
of  vegetables  of  high  class  quality  and  in 
improving  existing  types.  We  have  heard 
much  about  certain  varieties  of  Potatoes  that 
are  to  bring  profit  to  every  homestead.  We 
shall  await  results  this  year.  In  the  evening 
of  the  first  day  of  the  Chiswick  fruit  and 
vegetable  show  a  great  company  of  gardeners 
assembled  in  the  Holborn  Restaurant  as  one 
step  towards  a  greater  reunion  between  the 
members  of  the  gardening  calling  than  exists 
at  present,  and  a  gardener's  association  is 
likely  to  be  the  outcome  of  this  demonstration. 

Special  societies  seem  to  flourish,  and, 
perhaps,  are  agents  for  good  in  their  own 
peculiar  way,  but  we  dread  to  think  of  the 
future  if  these  special  missions  attack  every 
favourite  flower,  fruit,  and  vegetable.  A 
calmer  judgment  may,  however,  happily 
prevail.  We  are  glad  to  see  that  the  National 
Auricula  and  Carnation  societies,  and  the 
Daffodil  Society  in  Birmingham,  show  no  signs 
of  decrepitude.  These  old  florist  associations 
are  reminders  of  the  past,  which  we  would  not 
willingly  let  die.  The  retirement  of  Mr. 
Latham  after  many  years  of  honourable  service 
as  curator  of  the  Botanic  Gardens  in  Birming- 
ham is  worthy  of  record,  and  his  successor  (Mr. 
Humphreys)  may  be  trusted  to  carry  on  the 
traditions  of  his  oBice. 

Death  has  removed  during  the  past  year 
many  a  familiar  and  kindly  face  from  the 
ranks  of  the  living.  We  mourn  the  loss  of 
such  a  devoted  gardener  as  Captain  Torrens 
(who  reintroduced  the  pretty  Schizocodon  solda- 
nelloides),  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron,  V.M.H.,  Mr.  James 
Smith,  V.M.H.,  Mr.  Andrew  Pettigrew,  Mr.  R. 
Mackellar,  Mr.  William  Beale,  Mr.  J.  H.  Fitt, 
Mr.  William  Thompson,  V.M.H.,  Mr.  John 
Peed,  and  Mr.  William  Fell,  with  several  foreign 
nurserymen  and  gardeners,  from  whose  skill 
and  experience  we  have  greatly  profited. 


This  necessarily  brief  summary  of  a  few  of 
the  more  important  events  of  1903  is  sufficient 
to  show  that  in  the  horticultural  and  scientific- 
world  there  is  no  standing  still  ;  there  is  work 
and  progress,  much  to  be  thankful  for,  and 
little  to  regret. 


COLOUR    IN     THE     MIXED 
BORDER. 

I  HAVE  been  interested  to  find  from  several 
letters  in  The  Garden  that  I  must  have 
altered  the  planting  of  my  herbaceous  borders, 
i.e.,  from  mixed  colours  to  plants  of  one  colour 
together,  before  any  of  those  described  there. 
As  in  my  case  it  has  proved  a  great  success, 
perhaps  some  others  may  be  as  interested  in  a 
description  of  my  border  as  I  have  been  about 
theirs. 

It  suggested  itself  first  to  me  as  the  only 
means  I  could  think  of  that  would  remedy  the 
spotty  effect,  rather  like  an  old-fashioned 
patchwork  counterpane,  that  even  the  best 
herbaceous  borders  I  knew  gave,  however  well 
the  individual  plants  were  grown.  Sometimes 
even  the  colour  of  a  fiower  seemed  to  be  coun- 
teracted if  those  on  each  side  of  it  contrasted 
too  violently  with  it,  so  I  painted  a  plan  of  the 
borders  in  water  colour,  remembering  how 
wonderfully  a  warm  colour  gains  when  seen 
through  or  past  a  cool  one,  and  vice  versa,  and 
also  remembering  gradually  to  change  the 
colours  as  they  can  be  changed  in  water  colours. 
For  instance,  I  avoided  placing  yellows  next  to 
blues,  as,  though  the  contrast  might  be  good,, 
the  two  colours  could  not  blend  without 
making  green.  So  I  remembered  the  rainbow 
and  tried  to  follow  that,  or  at  all  events  not  to 
put  any  colours  next  their  dpposites.  The  result, 
of  this  far  exceeded  my  hopes  and  e_xpectations. 

The  herbaceous  borders  I  altered  are  in  the 
kitchen  garden,  which  is  square,  crossing  the 
garden  at  right  angles,  but  not  in  the  middle, 
making  a  T.  The  garden  is  generally  entered 
at  the  left  end  of  the  horizontal  cross  of  the  T, 
through  a  door  in  a  high  vpall,  and  having 
opened  that  one  walks  down  a  step  into  a  sea 
of  blue.  I  thought,  until  1  searched  for  and 
collected  together  all  the  blue  flowers  I  knew 
to  plant  at  that  end  of  the  walk,  that  blue 
flowers  were  few  and  far  between.  But  1  no 
longer  think  so,  for  at  almost  all  seasons  of  the 
year  this  part  of  the  border  has  been  a  dream 
of  blue.  Some  of  the  best  effects  in  the  garden 
have  arranged  themselves  here.  Whether 
from  the  mass  of  high  Delphiniums  at  the 
back,  with  Commelina  ctelestis  and  Salvia 
patens  in  front,  or  even  earlier  in  the  year  from 
a  group  of  nearly  black  Pansies  close  to  a 
mass  of  Myosotis  and  near  dark  purple 
Aubrietias,  Scillas,  and  Iris  reticulata.  Blue  of 
all  shades  and  purples  give  place  gradually  to 
mauves  and  lilacs,  and  so  on.  The  Iris,  of  all 
purplish  shades  down  to  the  palest  grey  (that 
makes  going    into    half    mourning    almost  a 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


pleasure)  come  in  so  well  here.  Then  come 
Funkia,  Lilies,  and  Gypsophilum,  and  then 
■white,  and  that  brings  us  to  the  corner  on  the 
right  hand  between  the  perpendicular  stroke 
of  the  T  and  the  horizontal  cross.  There  is 
a  bold  group  of  Yuccas  here,  and  underneath 
them  are  planted  dainty  little  white  Tiarellas. 
I  remember  carefully  avoiding  (as  1  note  with 
amusement)  a  sweet  smelling  flower  for  this 
place,  from  the  same  consideration  for  the  eyes 
■of  lovers  of  sweet  smells  as  Miss  Jekyll  did, 
•only  I  thought  of  the  little  eager  noses  and 
precious  eyes  already  so  near  the  sharp  Yucca 
leaves  of  my  three  little  daughters. 

The  opposite  corner  has  a  large  plant  of  pale 
yellow  Tree  Lupins,  also  cream-coloured  Paris 
Daisies  and  Bocconia  cordata  ;  then  qTiite  white 
on  both  sides  for  10  feet  or  12  feet,  making  a 
■cool,  refreshing  interlude  from  bright  colours. 
It  is  also  rather  shady  from  a  tall  Pine  tree 
growing  near.  Here  early  in  the  year  are  groups 
of  Lilium  candidum,  white  Pinks  in  front  and 
.double  white  Alyssum,  that  enchanting  addi- 
tion to  white  flowers,  later  on  Tobacco, 
-Japanese  Anemones,  double  white  Stocks,  etc., 
with  a  good  plant  of  Thalictum  adiantifolium. 
Pink  begins  on  the  left  side  immediately 
past  the  shade  with  creeping  Phlox,  Silene, 
large  Thrift,  Piaby  Pinks,  Ivy-leaved  Geranium, 
and  London  Pride,  and  not  forgetting  Sedum 
spectabile  for  the  butterflies,  they  love  it  so, 
and  behind  these  Dicentra,  Sweet  Peas,  and 
Hollyhocks,  these  two  only  red  instead  of  pink 
continue  to  the  end  of  the  path.  Indeed,  all 
along  the  arms  of  the  T  on  each  side  of  the 
walk  runs  a  hedge  of  Sweet  Peas,  sown  one 
■colour  alone,  and  that  colour  the  right  one  for 
the  flowers  planted  in  front  of  it. 

Pink  becomes  orange  on  each  side  of  the 
walk,  then  red,  then  crimson,  and  at  the  end  I 
bad  a  Crimson  Kambler  Hose  on  one  side  and  a 
Paul's  Carmine  Pillar  on  the  other,  climbing 
up  and  hanging  over  rough  posts  of  young 
Scotch  Fir  trees. 

Early  in  the  year  large  groups  of  dark  red 
Wallflowers  and  of  tall,  red  Gesner  Tulips,  and 
humble  but  most  efi'ective  little  double  Daisy 
rosettes,  and  a  few  red  Polyanthus  are  some 
that  tell  here  with  good  effect.  Later  large 
scarlet  Poppies  and  Pseonies  come  in  well,  but 
it  is  the  late  summer  when  here  the  reds  really 
answer  best.  Even  after  all  the  rain  last 
summer  I  remember  several  stormy  afternoons 
when  the  sun  shone  out  brightly  before  it  set 
and  the  gorgeous  blaze  of  colour  of  all  the  red 
flowers  together  was  most  wonderful.  I  really 
think  red  gains  more  from  neighbouring  reds 
.than  any  Qther  colour.  The  smallest  little 
spike  of  red  blossom  beginning  timidly  to  come 
■out  on  the  plant  seems  to  gain  additional  effect 
from  another  equally  small  red  flower  close  by. 
But  when  it  comes  to  a  mass  of  blood  red  tall 
Phloxes,  Valerians,  Bergamots,  Cactus  Dahlias, 
And  Gladioli,  backed  by  Mars  Sweet  Peas,  and 
further  behind  still  tall  haughty  Hollyhocks  of 
dark  shades  of  red ;  in  front  brown-leaved 
scarlet  Lobelias,  Sweet  Williams,  masses  of 
■red  Linum  (one  mass  of  flowers).  Scarlet 
Lychnis,  and  pegged  down  Verbenas,  and  close 
beyond  orange  of  all  sorts  and  shades,  Hemero- 
callis.  Coreopsis  tinctoria,  graceful,  wild,  and 
•fragrant,  always  reminding  me  of  lovely  gipsy 
girls;  Iceland  Poppies,  Gazanias,  common 
Marigolds,  &c.,  altogether  growing  in  luxurious 
irregular  masses  of  glowing  colour  ;  I  felt  it 
had  well  repaid  the  gardener  his  trouble  in 
replanting  over  4,000  plants. 

Retracing  one's  steps  as  far  as  the  upright 
stroke  of  the  T,  the  yellows  begin  again,  change 
to  orange,  then  to  red  on  each  side,  then  again 
orange  and  scarlet  mixed,  yellow,  white,  grey, 
.and  finally  to  blue  at  the  other  gate. 


From  no  place  can  both  instances  of  red  and 
blue  be  seen  at  the  same  time.  One  has  to 
turn  one's  back  on  one  in  order  to  see  the  other. 
The  only  difficulty,  of  course,  is  so  to  arrange 
the  plants  as  to  avoid  blank  spaces  bv  always 
having  a  plant  just  coming  into  flower  planted 
closely  to  one  just  going  off". 

I  myself  am  not  above  putting  in_  a  Henry 
Jacoby  Geranium  if  (a  space  appears  inevitable 
amongst  the  red,  or  a  yellow  Calceolaria,  if  the 
Eschscholtzias  should  fail,  a  iiurple  Petunia 
among  the  purples,  ifcc,  but  I  hope  each  yea.r  to 
gain  in  experience,  and  that  this  next,  the  fifth, 
summer  may  be  the  best  we  have  yet  had,  and 
the  next  better  still.       ^        Maey  Buxton. 

Diinston  Hall,  Xoriuich. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

January  16. — Society  Franjaise  d'Horticulture  de 
Londres  Annual  Dinner. 

January  21. — Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution  Annual  General  Meeting  at  the  Covent 
Garden  Hotel  ;  Annual  Supper,  Covent  Garden 
Hotel,  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton  in  the  chair. 

January  26.— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

"The  Garden"  Almanac— We  hope 

that  the  Almanac  published  as  a  supplement  to 
the  current  issue  of  The  Garden  will  be  found 
useful  to  all  who  take  an  interest  in  horticultural 
matters.  The  dates  of  the  chief  flower  shows  and 
meetings  arranged  for  1904  are  included,  as  well  as 
other  general  information.  We  take  this  oppor- 
tunity of  thanking  all  who  have  so  kindly  assisted 
us  in  its  compilation. 

Royal  Hopticultupal   Society.- The 

first  meeting  of  the  committees  of  the  above  society 
in  1904  will  be  held,  as  usual,  in  the  Drill  Hall, 
Buckingham  Gate,  Westminster,  on  Tuesday  next. 
An  election  of  new  Fellows  will  take  place  at  three 
o'clock.  To  prevent  misunderstanding,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  the  committees  of  190.3  do  not 
vacate  office  until  the  date  of  the  annual  meeting, 
1904,  and  in  like  manner  all  Fellows'  tickets  of  1903 
are  available  until  the  end  of  January,  1904.  At  a 
general  meeting,  held  on  Tuesday,  the  loth  ult. , 
seventy-two  new  Fellows  were  elected,  making  a 
total  of  1,412  elected  since  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1903. 

Galegra  Hartlandi  (?).— On  page  441  an 

illustration  is  given  of  a  Galega  sent  to  me  by  Mr. 
Hartland  of  Cork.  I  well  remember  receiving 
flowers  of  it  last  year,  and  thought  it  then  of 
probably  hybrid  origin.  Through  a  printer's  error 
a  query  was  left  out  of  the  title  to  the  illustration 
last  week,  and  without  this  an  impression  is 
conveyed  that  the  name  of  the  plant  is  fixed,  thus 
raising  it  to  specific  rank.  I  hope  Mr.  Hartland 
wdl  not  definitely  name  the  plant  until  its  origin 
has  been  determined. — E.  T.  C. 

University  College,  Reading.— 
Department    of    Horticulture.— Four 

scholarships  to  young  gardeners  will  be  awarded 
in  January,  1904.  Each  scholarship  is  of  the  value 
of  £4.5  (inclusive  of  maintenance  and  instruction). 
The  student  gardeners  holding  the  scholarships 
will  be  required  to  attend,  from  January  to 
September,  a  course  of  instruction  in  the  horti- 
cultural department  and  the  gardens  of  University 
College,  Reading.  Candidates  must  be  of  not  more 
than  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  must  have 
worked  for  four  years  in  public  or  private  gardens. 
Applications  for  scholarships  must  be  made  on  the 
scholarship  form,  to  be  obtained  from  the  registrar. 
This  form  of  application,  accompanied  by  a  certifi- 
cate of  work  and  character,  must  be  sent  to  the 
registrar  before  January  10.  Candidates  will  be 
required  to  pass  a  simple  examination  in  English, 
arithmetic,  and  the  elements  of  horticulture.  In 
awarding  the  scholarships,  previous  training  and 
experience  will  be  taken  into  account.  The  course 
of  training  will  consist  of  :  1.  Practical  horticulture. 
2.  Theory  of  horticulture.  3.  Account  keeping. 
4.    Lectures  and    practical  work  in   botany  and 


chemistry  in  relation  to  horticulture  ;  insects  and 
fungoid  pests  ;  bee-keeping.  The  scientific  instruc- 
tion will  be  given  in  the  laboratories  of  the  college  ; 
the  practical  instruction  in  horticulture  in  the  college 
garden.  The  garden,  seven  and  a  half  acres  in 
extent,  is  well  provided  with  horticultural  buildings. 
It  contains,  besides  a  large  number  of  pits  and 
frames,  thirteen  glass  houses  used  for  general  florist 
and  market  work.  The  scholarship  holders  will  be 
prepared  for  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
examination.  Certificates  of  proficiency  will  be 
awarded  on  the  work  done  during  the  course,  and 
on  the  results  of  an  examination  held  at  the  end  of 
the  course. 

"  The    Horticultural   Directory."— 

For  many  years  this  publication  has  been  of  value 
to  horticulturists.  The  present  is  the  forty-fifth 
year  of  publication,  and  gardeners  will  find  it  as 
useful  as  ever.  In  addition  to  the  exhaustive  revised 
lists  of  gardeners,  seedsmen,  nurserymen,  secretaries 
of  societies,  and  others,  there  are  two  new  features, 
viz.,  a  list  of  instructors  in  horticulture  appointed 
by  county  councils,  and  also  the  names  of  all  who 
hold  or  have  received  the  Victoria  Medal  of  Honour. 

Councillor  Mackenzie  of  Edin- 
burgh.— A  recent  number  of  the  North  British 
Advertiser  devoted  its  article  for  the  week  on 
"Men  of  Mark"  to  "Councillor  ex-Bailie 
Mackenzie,"  better  known  to  horticulturists  as 
the  head  of  the  firm  of  Mackenzie  and  Moncur, 
Limited,  hothouse  builders  and  heating  engineers. 
From  it  we  gather  that  Mr.  Mackenzie  was  born 
in  1836  in  Appin  in  Argyleshire,  and  educated  at 
the  parish  school  of  Appin.  After  serving  his 
apprenticeship  in  Glasgow  he  went  to  Edinburgh, 
where  he  eventually  entered  into  partnership  with 
Mr.  Moncur.  The  success  of  the  firm  is  well  known, 
so  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  detail  what  the  North 
British  Advertiser  says  on  that  subject.  It  devotes, 
however,  a  considerable  space  to  Mr.  Mackenzie's 
career  as  a  public  man  for  the  past  thirteen  years, 
which  has  been  one  of  continued  success.  For  the 
last  ten  years  Mr.  Mackenzie  has  been  convener  of 
the  Electric  Lighting  Committee,  and  it  is  largely 
to  his  ability  that  the  present  success  of  electric 
lighting  in  Edinburgh  is  due.  As  the  journal 
referred  to  concludes,  "Councillor  Mackenzie  is  a 
capable  man  of  business,  and  an  enthusiastic  worker 
in  the  interests  of  the  city." 

Two  good  winter-blooming  plants 
(Calceolaria  fuchsise folia  or  deflexa 
of  Bot.  Mag.,  and  C.  Burbidgei).— 

The  prettiest  and  brightest  ornaments  of  my  winter 
greenhouse  at  the  present  moment  are  the  above- 
named  pair  of  Slipperworts,  which  are  well  worth 
cultivating  when  flowers  are  so  scarce.  The  first- 
named  is  a  native  of  Peru,  and  is  well  figured  in 
the  105th  volume  of  the  Botanical  Magazine  on 
plate  6431.  It  was  introduced  into  cultivation 
some  thirty  years  ago  by  an  Irish  firm  of  nursery- 
men at  Newry,  now  extinct,  from  whom  I  received 
it  about  1878,  and  have  grown  it  intermittently 
ever  since,  as  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  keep  unless 
constantly  propagated  by  cuttings.  It  is  an  ex- 
ceedingly pretty  species,  of  a  neat  and  compact 
habit  of  growth,  and  exceedingly  free-flowering. 
The  second-named  is  a  hj'brid  between  C.  Pavonii 
(figured  on  plate  4525  of  volume  76  of  Botanicai 
Magazine),  and  C.  deflexa,  raised  by  Mr.  F.  W. 
Burbidge,  of  the  Trinity  College  Botanic  Gardens, 
Dublin.  The  first-named  parent  is  an  exceedingly 
coarse  grower,  and  hardly  suited  for  pot  culture. 
The  hybrid  is  about  intermediate  between  its 
parents,  being  much  less  coarse-growing  than  the 
first-named,  though  of  a  free  and  branching  habit 
of  growth,  and  producing  much  larger  flowers  than 
the  second.  Another  good  winter-blooming  green- 
house plant,  which  has  also  the  advantage  of  being 
sweet-scented,  is  Eupatorium  petiolare,  first  sent 
out  by  a  German  nurseryman  under  the  name  of 
E.  Purpussii,  after  its  introducer,  Herr  Purpuss. 
Its  colour  is  blush-white,  and  it  is  very  free- 
flowering. — W.  E.  GUMHLET0.»I. 

Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Edin- 
burgh.— Tlie  members  of  the  stall'  of  the  Royal 
Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh,  held  their  second 
annual  assembly  in  the  Gardeners'  Institute, 
Picardy  Place,  on  the  18th  ult.  Messrs. 
Wilson  and  Gow,  who  were  responsible  for  the 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


admirable  arrangements,  are  to  be  highly  compli- 
mented for  their  success  in  providing  such  an 
enjoyable  evening 

Schubeptia  gpandiflora.— This 

valuable  stove  climberis  seldom  grown  to  perfection, 
nor  is  it  grown  to  the  extent  that  it  deserves  to  be. 
I  consider  it  is  one  of  the  finest  stove  climbers  we 
have ;  it  produces  large  trusses  of  pure  white 
flowers,  the  scent  being  that  of  a  Cocoanut.  It  is 
very  free  blooming,  and  bears  its  trusses  on  ste  ms  f  rom 
3  inches  to  6  inches  long,  which  make  it  so  useful 
for  cutting,  unlike  so  many  other  climbers  that  are 
almost  without  a  stem.  This  plant  enjoys  plenty  of 
moisture  when  growing  and  a  liberal  supply  of 
water.  Diluted  farmyard  liquid  manure  at 
intervals  is  beneficial.  It  flowers  on  the  wood 
made  the  same  year,  and  the  shoots  must  not  be 
stopped.  Should  mealy  bug  infest  it  the  most 
stringent  and  careful  measures  must  be  taken. — 
J.  S.  HiGGtNS,  Bug  Gardens,  Corweii. 

Bdinbupgh     Market     Gapdeneps' 

Association. — There  was  a  large  attendance 
of  the  members  of  this  association  at  their  annual 
meeting  in  Edinburgh  on  the  15th  ult.,  Mr. 
Blackie,  the  chairman,  presiding.  Councillor 
Waterston,  chairman  of  the  Corporation  Markets 
■Committee,  was  also  present  as  a  deputation  from 
that  committee.  The  ordinary  formal  business, 
including  the  allocation  of  the  stands  in  the  fruit 
and  vegetable  markets,  was  transacted,  and  it  was 
stated  that  the  relations  between  the  Town 
•Council  and  the  market  gardeners  with  regard  to 
these  had  been  of  a  pleasant  character  during  the 
year.  The  revenue  of  the  market,  so  far  as 
derived  from  the  market  gardeners,  had  showed  a 
small  decrease.  Councillor  Waterston  assured  the 
meeting  that  the  corporation  was  most  anxious 
to  do  everything  possible  to  make  the  market  more 
comfortable  and  valuable  to  the  gardeners.  The 
important  matter  of  the  railway  charges  for  market 
garden  produce  was  introduced  by  an  address  from 
Mr.  Isaac  Connell,  the  secretary  of  the  Scottish 
Chamber  of  Horticulture,  who  referred  to  this 
■question,  which  was  recently  the  subject  of  a 
paragraph  in  The  Garden,  and  suggested  a  com- 
bination of  the  association  and  the  chamber  in 
taking  action  in  this  and  kindred  questions  affect- 
ing the  horticultural  and  agricultural  interests. 
It  was  agreed  that  the  association  should  atfiliate 
with  the  Scottish  Chamber  of  Agriculture,  and  a 
■committee  was  appointed  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements. 

A  well-colouped  flowep  bopdep.— 

After  the  remarks  made  by  "  G.  J."  on  page  40.5, 
with  reference  to  Captain  Reid's  article  on  page 
375,  it  is  difficult  to  offer  any  suggestions  with  a 
view  to  helping  to  improve  the  arrangements 
proposed.  A  few  alternatives  may,  however,  be 
suggested.  Hints  for  an  edging  to  the  section  of 
pinks  and  scarlets  are  asked  for,  and  "  G.  J.,"  Mr. 
Hindmarsh,  and  "  Evelyn"  hare  made  some  excel- 
lent proposals  regarding  these  and  other  colours. 
May  I  suggest  the  double  German  Catchfl3'  (Lychnis 
Viscaria  splendens  plena),  Armeria  maritima 
laucheana,  Geum  chiloense  plenum,  and  Sedum 
spectabile?  Something  "superlatively  lovely, 
free-flowering,  and  sweet-smelling  "  for  the  edging 
to  the  Yuccas,  &o. ,  cannot  be  better  supplied  than 
by  the  old  double  white  Pink,  which  I  have  seen 
■used  with  superb  eSect  by  a  grass  path.  If  Linum 
flavum  does  well  with  Captain  Reid  it  would  work 
well  in  as  a  part  of  his  groundwork  for  the  yellows. 
I  quite  agree  that  the  Winter  Aconite  comes  in 
too  early  for  this  colour  scheme.  Good  blues  in 
■either  shrubs  or  flowers  are  difficult  to  obtain,  but 
among  the  flowers  there  are  some  of  the  Aconitums, 
Anchusa  italica,  some  of  the  Campanulas,  the  true 
turbinata  making  a  capital  edging.  Then  there 
are  some  of  the  Polemoniums,  and  some  of  the 
Irises  are  blue  enough  to  use  with  perfect  propriety. 
If  Captain  Reid  will  form  one  of  his  edgings  with 
Iris  cristata  (if  it  does  well  with  him),  then  he  will 
be  satisfied  with  its  general  effect.  Although  I 
have  suggested  white  Pinks  for  association  with 
the  Yuccas,  I  am  at  one  with  "  G.  J."  as  to  the 
danger  of  taking  away  any  of  the  effect  of  these 
noble  plants. — S.  Abkott. 

MapquiS    de    Pins. —  We   have   already 
made  reference  to    this  new   raiser    of    seedling 


Chrysanthemums  in  our  Paris  Chrysanthemum 
report  the  other  week.  In  our  esteemed  contem- 
porary and  namesake  Le  Jardin  of  Paris,  we 
observe  a  capital  portraitof  this  gentleman  together 
with  a  short  biographical  notice,  in  which  a  few 
details  of  his  horticultural  career  appear.  The 
Marquis  is  quite  a  young  man,  and  promises  to 
have  a  most  successful  future  in  store.  No  one 
who  visited  the  Paris  show  could  have  failed  to 
have  been  immensely  struck  with  the  extraordinary 
display  of  new  seedlings  that  he  set  up  in  such 
perfect  style.  Grand  Japanese  blooms  of  enormous 
size  filled  a  large  raised  bed  on  the  ground,  the 
seedlings  being  staged  in  five  flowers  of  each 
variety.  Most  of  the  other  well  known  French 
seedling  growers  were  represented  close  at  hand, 
but  we  will  make  no  comparisons.  Time  will  show, 
and  we  can  only  say  that  we  await  witn  some 
degree  of  interest  the  early  possibility  of  these  new 
seedlings  of  the  Marquis  de  Pins  getting  into  the 
hands  of  our  leading  exhibitors.  As  a  grower  he  is 
little  better  than  a  beginner,  and  as  an  exhibitor 
was  practically  unknown  in  his  own  country  until 
last  3'ear,  although  he  had  twice  exhibited  locally; 
that  was  down  south,  but  last  year  and  this  he 
came  up  to  Paris  and  there  staged  his  novelties  in 
a  way  that  surprised  everyone  who  saw  them. 
We  cannot,  of  course,  say  what  will  be  done  on 
this  side  of  the  Channel  to  introduce  these  novelties 
into  our  collections,  but  at  any  rate  we  mention 
several  by  name  that  they  may  be  recognised  if  the 
opportunity  occurs :  Bebe,  Mme.  Lasies,  Mme. 
de  la  Motte  St.  Pierre  Nyphon,  Poupoule,  Belle 
I'Isloise,  Souvenir  de  Montbrun,  Angell,  Charles 
Bacque,  Congres  de  Bordeaux,  Mme.  Magne,  Mme. 
de  Castelbajac,  and  Germanic. — C.  H.  P. 

Chpysanthemums   in    wintep.  — At 

this  season  of  the  year  large  quantities  of  flowers 
are  naturally  sought  for,  and  thus  my  desire  to 
note  a  few  varieties  grown  here,  which  are  indis- 
pensable for  the  festive  season  as  they  all  bloom 
naturally  and  very  freely  at  this  time.  Princess 
Victoria,  creamy  white  in  colour,  has  perfect 
flowers  of  great  substance,  expanding  beautifully. 
From  the  main  stems  the  blossoms  are  supported  on 
stiff,  long  stems,  and  so  lend  themselves  easily  for 
vase  arrangement.  Golden  Princess  Victoria  and 
Pink  Princess  Victoria  are  sports  from  the  above, 
and  have  all  its  good  qualities  ;  the  colours,  as  their 
name  implies,  are  very  decided.  These  three 
varieties  are  a  valuable  trio,  and  would  never  fail 
to  please.  The  Queen,  white  erect  flowers,  is  still 
one  of  the  beat,  very  robust,  and  an  abundant 
bloomer.  Mrs.  W.  H.  Weeks  makes  a  remarkably 
fine  bush  plant  also,  with  well-formed  flowers. 
Mme.  P.  Rivoire  is  very  effective,  perhaps  the 
freest  flowering  variety,  with  bold,  well-developed 
blooms  of  creamy  while.  L.  Canning  is  an  excel- 
lent white,  a  very  desirable  variety,  flowering  as 
it  does  well  into  January.  All  the  above  are  good 
forms  of  the  .Japanese  type.  Duchess  of  Edinburgh 
(Japanese  Anemone)  is  a  charming  variety,  well 
adapted  for  table  decorations,  the  colour  being  soft 
blush-pink.  Miss  Filkins,  bright  yellow,  is  a 
general  favourite  for  all  decorative  purposes, 
retaining  its  freshness  fully  ten  days  after  being 
cut ;  it  belongs  to  the  feathery  section.  King  of 
the  Plumes,  deep  golden  yellow,  belongs  to  the  same 
class,  the  petals  being  prettily  cut  and  notched. — 
G.  Eluvood,  Stcanmore. 

Potato  NOPthePn  StaP.— Mr.  Beckett 
deserves  the  thanks  of  the  readers  of  The  Garden 
for  the  warning  he  gives  about  the  above  Potato  in 
the  issue  of  the  12th  ult.  I  have  never  been  quite 
able  to  understand  the  extraordinary  prices  charged 
for  Northern  Star,  which  may  have  been  very  good 
from  the  seller's  point  of  view,  though  where  the 
buyer's  return  is  coming  from  I  cannot  quite  under- 
stand. Mr.  Beckett  says  he  saw  diseased  tubers 
of  Northern  Star  at  the  Southampton  Chrj'santhe- 
mum  show,  and  probably  there  have  been  many 
more  about  that  have  not  been  heard  of.  Be  that 
as  it  may,  I  undertake  to  say  that  in  another  two 
or  three  years'  time  we  shall  hear  enough  of  disease 
amongst  Northern  Star,  and  perhaps  some  of  the 
others  of  the  highly-praised  new  Potatoes  of  this 
year.  They  are  all  being  weakened  by  that  common 
error  practised  by  nearly  everybody  with  new  plants 
of  an         aoription,  viz.,  over  propagation.     From 


what  I  have  heard  and  read,  Northern  Star  was 
largely  increased  this  last  season  by  single  eyes, 
which  were  cut  out,  potted  in  3inch  pots,  and 
started  into  growth  in  heat.  When  sufficient 
growth  was  made  the  tops  were  cut  off'  and  struck 
as  cuttings.  Later  on  the  whole  of  these  were 
planted  out.  Seed  Potatoes  from  these  plants  have 
presumably  been  sold  this  year,  but  they  cannot 
have  the  constitutional  vigour  of  the  original  stock. 
No  greater  mistake  can  be  made  with  a  modern 
Potato — a  highly-cultivated  plant  liable  to  a  terrible 
disease — than  to  weaken  its  constitution  at  the 
beginning  of  its  existence  by  over  propagating  it. 
If  we  tamper  with  Nature  by  trying  to  make  a 
plant  do  more  than  it  properly  can,  and  thereby 
weaken  its  constitution,  then  Nature  turns  round, 
and  we  pay  the  penalty  in  the  shape  of  fungoid 
diseases  and  insect  pests.  In  dealing  with  highly- 
cultivated  plants  of  any  sort — whether  flowers, 
fruits,  or  vegetables — it  ought  to  be  always  remem- 
bered that  we  are  increasing  one  part  of  the  plant 
at  the  expense  of  the  remainder,  and  simultaneously 
with  larger  flowers  or  fruits,  or  better  vegetables, 
we  should  try  to  obtain  and  keep  a  sturdier  habit 
and  a  stronger  constitution,  as  without  the  latter 
the  former  will  be  found  to  be  of  little  permanent 
value. — J.  C. 


THE     AURICULA.  ■ 

Primula  Auricula— called  also  Bear's  Ears 
and  Mountain  Primrose  by  old  growers  and 
writers — is  one  of  the  oldest  florist's  flowers  in 
cultivation.  It  is  a  native  of  the  mountains  of 
Switzerland,  Austria,  and  Syria,  and,  although 
doubtless  preferring  the  sweet  fresh  air  of  its 
mountain  home,  yet  it  has  most  kindly  adapted 
itself  to  our  modern  mode  of  culture,  thriving 
in  country  gardens  or  even  in  the  immediate 
neighbourhood  of  our  large  and  crowded  towns, 
where  it  is  cultivated  with  great  success, 
London,  Birmingham,  and  Manchester  each 
having  a  thriving  Auricula  society  of  its  own, 
whose  members  meet  once  a  year  in  friendly 
contest  to  compete  for  the  prizes  offered. 

Coming  into  bloom  as  it  does  in  the  early 
spring,  it  lias  few  rivals  in  other  florist's 
flowers,  and  the  bright  colours— blue,  purple, 
maroon,  red,  some  almost  black  and  yellow, 
with  many  other  shades  attract  the  admiration 
of  the  casual  observer  and  engross  the  undi- 
vided attention  of  the  careful  and  eDthusiastic 
cultivator  during  the  blooming  season.  Many 
old  -writers  on  the  Auricula  recommend  com- 
posts of  a  stimulating  and  mysterious  nature, 
and  invented  nostrums  "which  would  almost 
appear  to  have  been  introduced  for  the  purpose 
of  increasing  the  difficulties  of  their  culture. 
These  old  notions  have  been  swept  away,  and 
plain,  simple  methods  are  now  taking  their 
place.  We  propose  giving  cultural  notes  month 
by  month  during  the  year,  which  we  hope  may 
interest  those  already  growing  this  charming 
and  fascinating  florist's  flower,  and  possibly 
induce  others  to  take  up  its  culture. 

Work  in  January. 

This  month  is  one  of  apparent  rest  for  the 
Auricula,  but  although  the  plants  in  many 
instances  by  the  shedding  of  their  foliage  may 
be  reduced  to  mere  cones,  they  must  not  be 
neglected,  for  there  is  -work  imperceptibly  going 
on  below  for  the  formation  of  the  truss  of 
bloom  for  the  coming  spring.  Any  decayed 
leaves  must  be  removed  and  air  given  freely 
day  and  night  except  in  frosty  weather  or 
when  keen  easterly  -winds  prevail.  Little  or 
no  water  is  required,  except  in  cases  where  the 
soil  is  getting  dust-dry,  and  then  only  sparingly, 
and  for  preference  on  a  morning  -when  the  -wind 
is  in  the  southern  quarter. 

Bishop's  Stortford.  W.  Smith. 

[Readers  -who  desire  assistance  in  Auricula 
culture  should  communicate  with  the  Editor. 


4 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


The  object  of  these  notes,  which  will  appear 
each  month,  is  to  increase  the  popularity  of  the 
Auricula,  and  to  this  end  all  questions  concern- 
ing the  flower  will  be  willingly  answered.] 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


EOSE    ANALYSIS.— III. 
An  Audit  of  the  Newer  Exhibition  Eoses. 
"  ^  ■  ^HE  audit  given  below  has  been  intro- 
I  duced  for  the  benefit  of  the  varieties 

B  of  recent  introduction,  which  it  is 

I  impossible  to  place  accurately  in 
A  the  tables,  owing  to  their  limited 
records,  and  to  the  disturbing 
influence  of  a  single  favourable,  or  unfavour- 
able, season  upon  those  records.  Each  of  the 
following  voters  was  requested  to  place  the 
fourteen  H.P.'s  and  H.T.'s  on  the  audit  paper 
in  what  they  considered  their  order  of  merit  as 
exhibition  Koses,  and  to  deal  in  the  same  way 
with  the  Teas. 

"  In  calculating  the  number  of  votes  it 
should  be  understood  that  a  first  place  vote  in 
the  case  of  the  former  list  is  counted  as 
fourteen  votes,  a  second  as  thirteen  votes,  and 
so  on.  In  the  case  of  the  Teas  a  first  place 
vote  is  only  reckoned  as  three  votes,  a  second 
as  two  votes,  and  a  third  as  one  vote,  as  there 
are  only  three  candidates  on  that  list,  as 
compared  with  fourteen  in  the  other  one. 

"  Amatedes. — Mr.  J.  Bateman,  Eev.  H.  B. 
Biron,  Mr.  W.  Boyes,  Rev.  F.  R.  Burnside, 
Eev.  A.  Foster-Melliar,  Dr.  J.  C.  Hall,  Mr.  E. 
Foley  Hobbs,  Mr.  Conway  Jones,  Mr.  H.  V. 
Machin,  Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen,  Eev.  F.  Page- 
Eoberts,  Eev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Mr.  A. 
Slaughter,  Mr.  A.  Tate,  and  Mr.  R.  E.  West. 

"  NuESEEYMEN.  —  Messrs.  G.  Burch,  J. 
Burrell,  C.  E.  Cant,  Frank  Cant,  A.  Dickson, 
Hugh  Dickson,  John  Green  (Hobbies,  Limited), 
W.  J.  Jefferies,  J.  E.  Mattock,  H.  Merryweather, 
jun.,  G.  Mount,  G.  Paul,  W.  Paul,  W.  D. 
Prior,  J.  Townsend,  and  A.  Turner. 

Speclal  addit  of  the  Newer  H.P.'s  and  H.T.'s. 
.4  *=.=;' 

•2^  Name.  |C,     8|     S  ? 

1^  -     I.     gj 

1  Mildred  Grant  (1901),  H.T 391  188  203 

2  Bessie  Bruwn  (1899),  H.T 367  174  193 

3  Fnui  Karl  Driiscfiki  (1900)    339  169  ISO 

4  Florence  Pemberton  (1902),  H.T 273  124  149 

6     Alice  Lindsell  (1902),  H.T 257  116  141 

6  Ulster  (1S99) 223  93  130 

7  Duchess  of  Portland  (1901),  H.T 220  100  120 

8  Papa  Lambert  (1899),  H.T 211  88  123 

9  Ben  Cant  (19U2) 210  114  96 

10  Gladys  Harkness  (1900),  H.T 178  79  99 

11  Lady  Moyra  Beauclerc  (1901),  H.T 173  72  101 

12  Mrs.  Cocker  (1S99)  162  70  92 

13  Edith  D'omhrain  (1902),  H.T 149  70  79 

13  Mamie  (19U1),  H.T 149  74  76 

Teas. 

1  Mrs.  Edward  Mawley  (1899) 88  45  43 

2  Souvenir  de  Pierre  Notling  (1902) 67  28  29 

3  Lady  Huberts  (1902) 37  17  20 

Placed  according  to  their  dates  of  introduction,  the  above 
varielies  arrange  themselves  as  follows;  HybHd  Perpetualu 
and  Ht/brid  Tea.^—lS'.;\t,  Bessie  Btown,  lllater.  Papa  Lnmbert, 
Wi's.  Cocker;  1900,  Fiau  Karl  Diuschki,  Gladys  Harkness; 
1901,  Mildred  Grant,  Duchess  of  Portland,  Lady  Moyra  Beau- 
clerc, Mamie;  1902,  Florence  Pemberton,  Alice  Lindsell, 
Ben  Cant,  Edilh  D'omhrain.  Teas— 1899,  Mrs,  Edward 
Mawley  ;  1902,  Souvenir  de  Pierre  Nottiug,  Lady  Roberts. 
E.  Mawley,  in  the  Journal  of  HorticuUare. 

To  anyone  like  myself,  who  is  interested  in 
new  Eoses,  an  audit  such  as  the  above,  giving, 
as  it  does,  the  opinion  of  the  principal 
exhibitors  of  the  day,  cannot  but  be,  not  only 
interesting,  but  also  instructive. 

It  was  no  doubt  Mr.  Mawley's  intention  to 
have  obtained  the  views  of  an  equal  number  of 
trade  exhibitors   and  amateurs,  but   he  does 


not  appear  to  have  received  an  answer  from  all 
of  those  whom  he  asked  to  vote,  as  a  careful 
inspection  of  the  audit  will  go  to  prove  that 
fifteen  amateurs  voted  and  seventeen  nursery- 
men. The  audit  speaks  for  itself,  but  I  think 
it  will  be  worth  while  to  obtain  a  comparison 
between  the  views  of  the  nurserymen  and  the 
amateurs,  and  to  do  this  it  is  necessary  to 
deduct  two  nurserymen's  votes  from  each  Eose 
in  the  table,  bearing  in  mind  the  correct 
sequence  as  shown  by  the  total  number  of 
votes,  so  that  while  twenty-eight  votes  will 
have  to  be  deducted  from  Mildred  Grant,  two 
only  must  be  deducted  from  Mamie.  This  will 
give  us  the  following  approximate  result  : 

2fame.  S  -g      J  I  S 

Mildred  Grant    1  188  176  1 

Bessie  Brown  2  174  167  2 

Frau  Karl  Druschki 3  159  166  3 

Florence  Pemberton 4  124  127  4 

Alice  Lindsell 6  116  121  6 

Ulster      8  93  112  6 

Duchess  of  Portland 7  100  106  8 

Papa  Lambert 9  88  107  7 

Ben  Cant 6  114  88  11 

Q.  Harkness    10  79  89  9 

Lady  Moyra  Beauclerc    12  72  89  9 

Mrs.  Cocker    13  70  86  12 

Edith  D'omhrain    14  70  75  13 

Mamie   11  74  73  14 

The  written  order  is  the  result  of  Mr. 
Mawley's  combined  vote,  the  second  column 
the  order  of  the  Eoses  in  accordance  with  the 
amateurs'  vote,  the  last  column  the  order  in 
accordance  with  the  revised  nurserymen's  vote. 

The  first  thing  that  strikes  one  is  the  extra- 
ordinary likeness  between  the  two  results.  The 
first  five  Roses  are  the  same  in  each  list.  Ben 
Cant  is  the  point  of  greatest  divergence,  the 
amateurs  preferring  it  to  Ulster,  Duchess  of 
Portland,  Papa  Lambert,  and  the  remaining 
Roses,  putting  it  at  No.  6,  while  the  trade 
place  it  below  those  named,  and  also  below 
Gladys  Harkness  and  Lady  Moyra  Beauclerc, 
making  it  No.  11.  What  is  the  reason  of  this  1 
Does  it  come  better  as  a  maiden  or  as  a  cut- 
back 1  And  did  the  amateurs  grow  it  as  a  cut- 
back and  the  trade  as  a  maiden  ?  These  points 
all  no  doubt  contributed  to  the  varied  decisions, 
but  I  am  inclined  to  think  the  principal  reason 
is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  the  amateur  has 
remembered  its  colour,  and  the  nurseryman 
its  form,  with  the  result  above  mentioned.  I 
personally  should  have  preferred  it  to  Papa 
Lambert  and  Ulster ;  and  while  I  think 
Duchess  of  Portland  a  better  Rose  than  either 
of  the  three  I  can  understand  others  thinking 
otherwise.  Mamie  comes  very  pretty  at  times, 
and  when  better  known  I  think  we  shall  see 
more  of  this  Rose  in  the  future  than  either 
of  the  three  Eoses  immediately  above  her  in 
the  table. 

The  audit  is  particularly  interesting  to  me, 
as  it  enables  me  to  compare  my  own  views 
as  expressed  in  former  articles  to  you  with  those 
who  are  better  able  to  form  a  correct  opinion. 

Mr.  Mawley,  in  his  comments  on  the  analysis 
of  the  H.P.'s,  referred  to  the  triumph  of  Bessie 
Brown  over  Mrs.  John  Laing,  and  deplored 
same.  If  this  audit  is  a  true  forecast,  Bessie 
Brown's  triumph  will  be  short  lived,  and  she 
will  have  to  give  way  to  Mildred  Grant, 
although  I  am  inclined  to  think  myself  that 
Bessie  Brown  will  take  a  lot  of  beating,  and  of 
the  two  I  have  found  her  the  easier  to  grow  and 
to  exhibit,  and  I  should  therefore  not  be 
surprised  to  see  her  at  the  head  of  Mr.  Mawley's 
analysis  for  some  time  to  come.  I  do  not 
think  she  need  fear  any  other  one  of  her 
numerous  rivals  so  far  as  I  know  them. 

The  audit  of  the  three  Teas  needs  little 
comment.  It,  however,  shows  that  good  Teas 


are  scarce,  that  while  we  "have  fourteen  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  and  Hybrid  Teas  (and  that  number 
might  easily  have  been  increased)  introduced 
since  1899,  there  are  only  three  Teas  that  can 
be  called  exhibition  Eoses,  and  not  a  few  have 
their  doubts  as  to  whether  one  of  these  three 
is  not  more  closely  allied  to  the  Hybrid  Tea 
than  the  true  Tea.  It  is  to  Messrs.  Dickson  of 
Newtownards  that  we  principally  look  to  give 
us  our  exhibition  Eoses.  I  wonder  whether 
amongst  the  five  or  six  new  Roses  that  come 
from  Newtownards  regularly  every  year,  their 
set  for  1904  will  contain  a  new  exhibition 
Tea.  It  is  five  years  since  Mrs.  Edward 
Mawley  delighted  us.  Cannot  Messrs.  Dickson 
find  one  Tea  this  coming  year  up  to  the  high 
standard,  which  they  have  compelled  us  to- 
expect  from  them,  or  must  we  possess  our  souls 
in  patience  a  little  longer  ? 

It  should  be  noted  that  out  of  the  seventeen 
Eoses  chosen  by  Mr.  Mawley  as  the  best  of  the 
new  Roses,  no  less  than  eleven  come  from 
Ireland  and  only  three  from  England,  one  from 
Scotland,  the  remaining  three  from  the  Con- 
tinent ;  and,  further,  that  the  Irish  Eoses  are 
the  product  of  one  firm,  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson 
and  Sons. 

As  one  who  is  keenly  interested  in  all  Eoses, 
but  especially  in  the  exhibition  Eose,  may  I  be 
permitted  at  this  season  of  the  year  to  express 
the  hope  that  Messrs.  Dicksons'  "shadow  may 
never  grow  less."  If  I  know  anything  of  the 
firm  I  am  sure  the  quality  of  their  Eoses  will 
not  be  allowed  to  deteriorate. 

Herbert  E.  Molyneux. 

Brantwood,  Balhain,  S.  W. 


THE    FLOWER   GARDEN. 


ANNUAL    PINKS. 

k   MONG  the  annual  Pinks  we  have  this  year 
/%  especially  noticed  the  following  : — 

/   %  Dianthtis     sinensiis    fiore-phno    (the 

/  \  double-flowered  Chinese  Pink),  which 
/  ^  greatly  surpasses  the  old  Chinese  Pink, 
though  the  latter  still  retains  its  place 
among  those  most  commendable.  The  petals  are 
very  close  together,  and  show  the  most  brilliant 
and  diverse  colours.  The  plants  are  dwarf,  and 
develop  regularly,  which  renders  this  variety 
especially  fit  for  filling  beds  or  for  forming  borders- 
to  beds  of  plants  of  rather  high  growth. 

D.  sinensis  imperialisfl.-pl.  (the  double  Imperial 
Chinese  Pink). — This  is  a  larger  and  more  vigorous 
Pink  than  all  the  forms  which  precede  it.  Its 
colours  are  as  bright  as  they  are  varied,  and 
to  such  a  degree  that  from  the  sowing  of  a  single 
packet  of  mixed  seeds  fifty  different  varieties  may 
be  obtained. 

D.  lancialus. — This  has  elegant  and  light; 
coloured  single  fringed  flowers.  For  some  years 
past  a  host  of  varieties  has  been  in  existence.  The 
following  are  above  the  average  : — D.  1.  atroaan- 
guineus  (deep  scarlet),  Reine  des  Fi5cs  (salmon- 
pink  with  white  borders),  dwarf  Q.ueen  of  the 
Fairies,  Salmon  (Jueen  (of  a  salmon-red),  and  the 
dwarf  violaceus,  with  large  violet-culoured  flowers. 
Some  of  these  varieties  have  also  produced  forms 
with  double  flowers.  We  reserve  special  mention 
for  the  D.  laciniatus  zonalia,  with  its  t;rand  Bowers 
of  bright  salmon-red  and  "eye"  of  bUick-purple, 
and  for  a  variety  which  has  deep  vinous  red 
flowers.  These  are  certainly  the  most  charming 
and  distinct  of  the  annual  Pinks.  Their  stems  are 
long  and  strong  ;  the  flowers  remain  open  a  long 
time. 

To  conclude,  let  us  add  that  the  cultivation  of 
the  annual  Pink  is  of  the  most  elementar\  kind. 
Of  all  annual  plants  it  is  one  of  the  easiest  to- 
grow.  Sow  under  glass  in  March  and  April  in 
order  to  plant  out  afterwards  in  the  open  air,  or 
sow  at  once  in  the  open  air  where  they  are  lequired 
to  grow  in  April  or  May.     Only  ordinary  care  is 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


required.  Or,  in  order  to  obtain  earlier  blooms, 
the  seeds  may  be  sown  in  autumn,  wintered  under 
glass,  and  the  young  plants  planted  out  in  the 
spring.  Jules  Burvenich,  in  Belgian  paper. 


THE  GEEY  GARDEN. 
Has  anyone  ever  made  in  England  an  outdoor 
winter  garden  of  any  kind  of  importanue  ?  It  may 
be  done,  and  though  it  cannot  be  very  full  of 
flower,  yet  by  planting  it  rightly  it  may  be  a 
complete  garden,  furnished  entirely  with  plants 
and  shrubs  that  show  either  their  very  best,  or 
one  of  their  best,  moods  from  the  beginning  of 
November  till  the  end  of  February. 

Such  a  space  would  rather  naturally  divide  itself 
into  two  sections,  the  first  of  which  may  be  called 
the  green  garden.  The  green  garden  would  be 
enclosed  within  the  shelter  of  the  finest  hardy 
•evergreens,  the  best  of  all  being  our  three  grand 
natives.  Yew,  Holly,  and  Box.  It  would  also  have 
flowering  tree  Ivy  in  neat  bushes  loaded  with 
winter  flower  and  fruit,  and  there  would  be 
spreading  patches  of  the  great  white-flowered 
Christmas  Rose  (Helleborus  maximus)  and  Stern- 
bergia  and  Iris  stylosa  both  blue  and  white, 
Pernettyas  loaded  with  pink,  white,  and  red  berry, 
Andromeda  axillaris  and  A.  Catesbaei  in  red-bronze 


winter  dress,  and  highly  coloured  Berberis  Aqui- 
folium.  There  would  also  be  strong  tufcs  of  the 
beautiful  Victory  or  Alexandrian  Laurel  (Rusous 
racemosus)  and  the  Gaultherias  (at  their  best  in 
winter).  Then  clumps  of  three  hardy  Ferns  that 
are  conspicuous  for  beauty  in  the  winter  months, 
namely,  Hart's-tongue,  Polypody,  and  the  Male 
Fern,  which  in  sheltered  places  holds  its  fronds 
till  some  time  after  Christmas.  Two  native  plants 
would  also  be  important  in  this  garden,  namely. 
Daphne  Laureola  and  the  wild  Iris  fcetidissima,  in 
full  deep  green  winter  foliage,  and  in  November 
opening  its  large  seed  pods  and  showing  their 
bounty  of  scarlet-coloured  seeds. 

Satin-leaf  (Heuohera)  and  others  of  its  near 
relatives,  Tiarella  and  Tellima,  will  give  colour 
foliage,  and  the  Periwinkles  will  begin  the  winter 
with  the  Mediterranean  Vinca  acutifolia,  and  end 
it  with  the  garden  varieties  of  V.  minor,  while  the 
variegated  V.  major  will  show  well  among  leaves 
of  darker  green.  Skimmias  and  Aucubas  will  also 
find  a  place  in  the  winter  garden,  carpeted  with 
Asarum  and  Galax,  and  the  small  Euonymus 
radioans  with  the  clear,  bright,  variegated  leaves. 
The  grand  leathery  leaves  of  the  Megaseas  will 
also  be  there  in  bold  masses  and  in  fine  varieties  of 
green  and  red-bronze  colourings.  The  plants 
above-named  by  no  means  exhaust  the  list  of  those 


that  might  be  used,  though  they  have  among  them 
some  of  the  most  important. 

This,  the  green  garden,  surrounded  by  evergreen 
trees,  should  lead  to  the  grey  garden,  where  a 
pleasant  surprise  will  await  those  who  have  never 
seen  a  number  of  plants  of  grey  foliage  brought 
together.  The  chief  occupants  of  the  grey  garden 
are  Lavender  bushes.  Pinks,  and  Carnations,  quite 
strangely  beautiful  in  their  masses  of  bluish  grey. 
Many  may  have  noticed  how  well  Carnations,  and 
especially  the  common  white  Pink,  look  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  their  blue-grey  tufts  looking 
stronger,  brighter,  and  cleaner  than  at  any  other 
time  of  the  year.  The  great  white  Thistles 
(Onopordon)  and  the  Olympian  Mallein  are  impor- 
tant plants  in  the  grey  garden,  and,  beside  the 
hedges  of  Lavender  that  mark  out  the  chief  lines 
and  masses  of  the  design,  there  are  big  bushes  of 
Jerusalem  Sage  and  of  Livender-Cotton,  while 
lesser  spaces  are  clothed  with  spreading  sheets  of 
Alyssum  and  Cerastium. 

The  grey  garden  is  enclosed  within  walls  of  grey 
stone,  on  which  are  trained  Rosemary  and  the 
Cretan  Cistus,  shrubs  that,  though  not  exactly 
grey,  have  foliage  of  so  cool  a  tone  that  they  suit 
admirably  with  the  grey-blue  silver  colouring  of 
the  main  planting.  There  is  something  particularly 
cheerful  and  well  dressed  about  the  grey  garden 


BORDER  or   ROSEMARY   IN   FLOWER:    ONE   USE   OF  A   BEAUTIFUL   SHRUB. 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904- 


that  is  most  pleasant  to  see  in  the  short,  dark  days 
of  the  winter  months. 

The  use  of  spaces  so  planted  is  by  no  means 
restricted  to  the  winter  season,  for  even  though 
they  may  be  sufficiently  clothed  in  their  winter 
dress  many  are  the  lovely  summer  flowers  that 
may  shoot  up  between  the  shrubs  or  through  the 
silver  carpet,  such  as  Gladiolus  and  Galtonia.  There 
would  also  be  quantities  of  China  Roses  in  the  grey 
garden  in  summer  and  hosts  of  Lilies  in  the  green. 


THE    WILD     PINKS. 

The  members  of  this  extensive  genus  form  a 
family  of  plants  of  great  horticultural  value, 
from  some  of  the  species  of  which  are  derived 
the  well-known  Carnations,  Pinks,  and  Sweet 
Williams,  the  various  forms  of  which  are  almost 
indispensableforfurnishingthegardenat  various 
seasons  of  the  year,  consisting  of,  according  to 
Dr.  F.  N.  Williams  in  his  enumeration  of  the 
species  and  varieties  of  the  genus  in  1899,  of 
2.31  species,  distributed  throughout  Europe— 
with  the  exception  of  Ireland  and  Iceland — 
temperate  Asia,  and  North  and  South  Africa, 
with  a  representative  in  the  extreme  North- 
West  of  America.  Most  of  them  are  perennials, 
with  grass-like  foliage,  a  few  have  a  shrubby 
tendency,  while  others  again  are  of  annual  or 
biennial  duration.  Growing  under  various 
conditions  many  are  inhabitants  of  lowland 
meadows  and  dry  heaths,  some  few  are  maritime 
plants,  being  found  on  the  sea  shore,  others 
are  found  at  various  altitudes  on  the  mountain 
chains,  some,  like  the  alpine  and  glacier  Pinks, 
grow  very  high  up,  and  are  amongst  the  most 
beautiful  of  our  alpine  plants.  A  great  many 
are  charming  rock  plants,  forming  tufts  of 
evergreen  glaucous  foliage,  which  show  to 
advantage  on  ledges  in  the  rock  garden,  covered 
in  spring  with  numerous  flowers,  some  species 
with  large  flowers  borne  singly  on  short  stems 
a  few  inches  high,  others  have  taller  branching 
stems,  while  others  are  of  erect  growth,  bearing 
a  number  of  flowers  in  a  compact  head  on  the 
top  of  stems  1  foot  to  2  feet  in  height. 

Crossing  very  readily,  as  the  various  species  do, 
it  naturally  follows  that  many  natural  hybrids 
are  found,  and  Nyman,  in  his  enumeration  of 
European  plants,  records  thirteen,  which  number 
is  probably  considerably  under  the  mark. 
Those  species  taking  the  principal  share  in  the 
formation  of  these  hybrids  are  D.  deltoides, 
D.  superbus,  and  D.  barbatus.  The  number  of 
garden  hybrids  is  considerable,  and  when  several 
species  are  grown  in  close  proximity  it  is  very 
rarely  that  they  come  true  from  seed,  all  kinds 
of  intermediate  forms  appearing  in  a  batch  of 
seedlings.  Propagation  by  means  of  cuttings 
is,  therefore,  the  most  reliable  way  of  increasing 
a  particular  species  or  variety. 

The  following  selection  includes  most  of  the 
more  distinct  and  well-defined  species  in  culti- 
vation, some  being  omitted,  owing,  not  to  their 
lack  of  beauty,  but  to  the  slight  differential 
characters  possessed  by  many  of  them.  The 
genus  may  be  conveniently  divided  into  two 
principal  groups,  and  these  again  may  be  divided 
each  into  two  sets. 

Group  I.  With  flowers  in  heads  : 

A.  Flowers  clustered,  furnished  with 
numerous  membraneous  or  coriaceous 
bracts. 

B.  Flowers  in  approximate  heads,  no  bracts 
of  a  distinct  character  from  the  leaves. 

Group  II.  With  scattered  or  solitary  flowers  ; 

C.  Petals  not  fringed. 

D.  Petals  fringed. 
A.  —  DiANTHUs    AEBOREU.?.  —  A  frutescent 

species  from  Crete,  where  it  is  found  growing 
on  calcareous  rocks  near  the  sea.    It  forms  a 


bushy  plant,  thickly  clothed  with  short,  fleshy 
leaves,  bearing  heads  of  pink  flowers,  the  petals 
of  which  are  bearded,  and  have  dentate  margins. 
A  late-flowering  plant,  it  does  not  bloom  till 
October,  and  except  in  favourable  localities,  in 
a  dry  position,  it  will  not  survive  any  but  the 
mildest  winters  in  this  country. 

D.  ATRORDBENS.  —  A  hardy  perennial, 
growing  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  high,  with 
densely-crowded  heads  of  dark  red  flowers  in 
summer.  A  good  border  plant  when  grown  in 
a  mass,  the  flowers  are  freely  produced  for  a 
considerable  period,  the  stems  springing  from  a, 
tuft  of  long  grass-like  leaves.  It  is  a  native  of 
South  Europe,  where  it  is  found  in  grassy 
mountain  pastures,  in  dry,  open  situations. 

D.  BisiGNANi.— Known  also  as  I),  rupicola, 
this  shrubby  species  inhabits  the  maritime 
rocks  of  Sicily  and  Naples.  It  is  a  showy 
half-hardy  plant,  forming  a  compact  bush 
about  18  inches  high,  with  slightly  fle.^hy  leaves 
not  so  dense  as  in  D.  arboreus.  The  light- 
coloured  flowers  are  borne  eight  to  twelve  in  a 
head.  Under  cultivation  away  from  the 
influence  of  the  sea  the  leaves  are  less  fleshy, 
whilst  the  Sowers  are  often  larger  and  fewer  in 
number  in  individual  heads.  Requiring  a 
warm  sheltered-  position  it  produces  its  flow'ers 
in  November.  It  was  introduced  into  cultiva- 
tion in  1825. 

D.  CAPITATUS.  —  This  Eastern  European 
species  is  closely  allied  to  D.  atrorubens, 
differing  in  the  involucral  bracts,  which  are 
much  broader,  with  a  long  acuminate  point. 
The  flowers  are  also  lighter  in  colour. 

D.  Carthusianorum.  —  An  erect-growing 
plant,  with  tufts  of  long  grass-like  foliage  and 
tall  stems  2  feet  high,  bearing  densely-crowded 
round  heads  of  small  red  flowers.  Though 
not  so  showy  as  some  of  the  other  members  of 
this  family,  it  is  suitable  for  the  herbaceous 
border,  where  a  group  of  it  will  keep  up  a 
succession  of  bloom  for  some  time.  The  petals 
are  bearded  and  have  crenate  margins.  This 
species  is  found  in  barren  places  in  Central  and 
Southern  Europe. 

D.  cinnabarinus.  —  Although  frequently 
offered  in  catalogues,  the  true  plant  is  rarely 
seen.  It  is  a  handsome  species,  tall  and  erect 
in  growth,  suffrutescent  at  the  laase,  with  tufts 
of  grassy  leaves  and  stout  stems  bearing 
compact  heads  of  true  cinnabar  red  flowers. 
The  glandular  petals  are  paler  on  the  under 
side,  and  the  calyx  is  also  tinted  with  red. 
Although  a  perennial,  it  is  a  short-lived  plant 
in  this  country,  and  does  not  ripen  seed  so 
freely  as  the  other  clustered  Pinks,  which  fact 
may  account  for  its  scarcity.  A  native  of  the 
mountains  of  Greece  and  Asia  Minor,  it  was 
introduced  in  1888. 

D.  CEUENTUS.— Found  in  Greece  and  other 
parts  of  Eastern  Europe,  this  species  very 
much  resembles  D.  Carthusianorum  in  habit, 
but  the  slightly  larger  individual  flowers  are 
of  a  darker  blood-red  colour. 

D.  GioANTEus.— This  tall-growing  species  in 
good  soil  sometimes  reaches  a  height  of  4  feet, 
with  stout  stems  swollen  at  the  nodes,  clothed 
at  intervals  with  pairs  of  long  bright  green 
leaves  sheathing  the  stem  at  the  base.  The 
flowers  are  numeroits,  crowded  in  a  close 
hemispherical  head,  the  surrounding  bracts 
being  foliaceous  or  leaf-like.  The  dark  red 
petals  are  toothed  and  bearded.  A  perennial, 
slightly  woody  at  the  base,  this  plant  is  found 
among  rocks  by  the  seaside  in  Eastern  Europe. 
It  was  introduced  from  Bulgaria  in  1828. 

D.  iNTERMEDius. — Closely  allied  to  the 
above,  this  species  is  found  on  Mount  Olympus 
in  Thessaly,  with  heads  of  deep  rose-coloured 
flowers.  Var.  ambiguus  is  the  Servian  form  of 
this  species. 


D.  Knappii.— Made  a  variety  of  the  follow- 
ing species  by  some  authorities,  this  yellow- 
flowered  species  is  a  most  distinct  plant. 
Although  the  habit  of  the  plant,  which  is 
rather  loose  and  straggling,  does  not  commend 
itself,  it  is  well  worth  growing  for  the  colour 
of  the  flowers  alone.  Although  equally  at 
home  in  the  border  or  on  the  rock  garden,  it  is 
seen  to  better  advantage  in  the  latter,  placed 
rather  high  up  so  that  its  weak-stemmed 
flowers  fall  over  a  ledge.  It  is  a  native  of 
Hungary  and  countries  adjoining. 

D.  LiBORNicDS.— A  maritime  species,  it  was 
originally  found  on  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of 
Quarnero  in  Istria.  It  is  also  found  ia 
calcareous  soil  on  the  Maritime  Alps.  About 
1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  with  capitate  heads  of 
bearded  red  flowers,  attended  by  leafy  involu- 
cral bracts  in  August.  W.  Irving. 
fTo  be  continued.) 


THE     LILIES. 

(Continued  from  page  420,  Vol.  LXIV.) 
Var.  maculatum  =  punctatum  differs  from 
the  type  plant  in  its  taller  stature  and  more 
robust  habit.  Flowers  large,  and  heavily  dotted 
in  the  lower  half  with  black,  the  dots  raised 
on  long  petaloid  processes  which  aggregate 
towards  the  base,  forming  a  distinct  black 
streak.  A  very  free-growing  variety  ;  common 
in  cultivation.     Flowers  in  July  and  August. 

CoLTDEE  AND  UsES. — This  Lily  is  perhaps- 
better  adapted  for  general  border  cultivation 
than  any  other  known  to  us.  It  thrives  well  in 
soils  of  deep  tilth,  rich  in  vegetable  mould,  and 
where  the  subsoil  is  a  loose  gravel.  It  prefers- 
a  full  exposure,  and  though  it  may  be  associated 
with  other  plants  it  .should  have  plenty  of  air. 
Given  these  conditions,  planting  the  bulbs- 
early,  before  the  old  flower-stems  have  withered, 
in  order  that  the  autumnal  roots  may  re- 
establish the  bulbs  before  winter,  it  is  not  toa 
much  to  say  the  Scarlet  Turk's-cap  Lily  can. 
be  grown  anywhere.  Its  first  year's  growth 
will  be  slight,  but  better  than  if  the  bulbs  were- 
planted  later.  Half  the  failures  to  establish  thi&^ 
Lily  are  due  to  late  planting,  the  bulbs  lyinff 
dormant,  or  nearly  so,  for  a  whole  year.  This 
is  one  of  the  few  Lilies  that  will  tolerate  a 
subsoil  of  limestone  formation,  and  if  rocks 
approach  the  surface  here  and  there  it  will  like- 
it  so  much  the  better,  provided  it  can  get  plenty 
of  root  run.  Soils  resting  on  clay  in  wet  dis- 
tricts must  be  well  drained  for  this  Lily.  It  is- 
not  suited  for  pot  culture  as  it  makes  no  stem- 
roots  of  importance. 

L.  cok'hicum  (Hort.).— See  L.  monadelphum. 
szovitzianum. 

L.  cobombianum  (Hanson)  (the  Oregon 
Martagon  Lily.)  — A  pretty  miniature  of 
L.  Humboldti,  and  an  exceptionally  good 
garden  plant,  proving  very  easy  to  grow  in 
specially  selected  situations.  Bulbs  ovate,, 
laterally  elongated,  white,  the  scales  lance- 
shaped,  curved  ;  roots  very  stout,  proceeding 
from  the  base  of  the  growing  point  only. 
Stems  3  feet  to  4  feet  high,  slender,  hollow  ; 
roots  none.  Leaves  whorled,  as  in  Humboldti  ;. 
small.  Flowers  2  inches  to  3  inches  across, 
yellow,  dotted  dull  red  internally,  ten  to 
twenty  on  an  elegant  spike,  recurved,  nodding, 
resembling  in  their  size,  shape,  and  disposition 
the  European  Martagons  ;  anthers  yellow,, 
fragrant,  common  in  cultivation.  It  flowers  in 
July  and  August  ;  inhabits  cool  and  moist  sites 
in  the  mountain  regions  of  Oregon  and  British 
Columbia.     A  remarkably  dainty  Lily 

Culture  and  Uses.— In  this  we  have  a 
Lily  which  would  prove  very  difficult  to  growr 
in  the  plant  border.    We  must  find  a  cool,. 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


shady  slope  for  it,  such  as  the  higher  reaches  of 
rockeries  would  afford,  choosing  a  rocky  ledge 
or  deep  fissure  between  boulders  where  the 
thick  roots  could  find  plenty  of  moisture,  whilst 
the  bulbs  would  be  maintained  in  a  drier 
condition  or  they  would  speedily  decay.  After 
sustaining  considerable  losses  in  bulbs  we 
copied  the  essential  conditions  of  its  native 
habitat  by  throwing  up  huge  ridges  of  soil  and 


THRJPS. 

1  and  2,  Thrips  minutissitna,  iminatxt-re.      3  and  k.  Thrips 

tninutissl'ma.         S  and  9.  Thrips  cerealiuni. 

inserting  the  bulbs  in  the  sides,  their  roots 
pointing  towards  the  centre  of  the  ridges,  their 
growing  points  downwards.  This  suited  the 
plants  admirably,  and  we  can  recommend 
conditions  similar  to  these  as  being  necessary 
for  L.  columbianum  in  Britain.  There  are 
many  places  in  most  gardens  whose  natural 
disposition  would  be  all  that  is  required  :  the 
sides  of  a  cutting  or  a  natural  cultivated  bank 
would  do,  and  this  Lily  is  seen  at  its  best,  and 
grown  best  raised  on  an  incline  higher  than  the 
eye  level.  Planting  should  be  done  in  October 
at  the  latest,  before  the  stems  have  fully 
withered.  Quite  unsuitable  for  pot  culture  as 
its  first  season's  growth  is  not  fully  developed. 
L.  concolor  (Galisb.). — A  very  variable,  neat 
species  from  the  mountains  of  Japan,  China, 
and  Siberia,  long  cultivated  by  Japanese 
gardeners,  who  have  isolated  and  grown 
several  forms  as  yet  unknown  to  British  horti- 
culture. Of  known  forms  the  scarlet  self- 
coloured  (unspotted)  plant  should  be  regarded 
as  the  type.  Bulbs  generally  compound,  two 
to  six  crowned,  very  small,  white.  Stems  two 
to  six,  slender,  wiry,  18  inches  long,  purplish 
below,  rooting  freely  from  their  bases  if  the 
bulbs  are  buried  deeply.     Leaves  sub-erect, 

2  inches  long,  lance-shaped,  scattered.  Flowers 
star-like,  one  to  three  on  a  spike,  scarlet, 
unspotted,  paler  externally,  the  petals  1  inch 
long,  lance-shaped,  not  refiexing  but  expanding 
fully,  inodorous.  Common  in  cultivation. 
Flowers  in  July. 

Yar.  Ohime  (Hort.  Japan),  the  L.  concolor 
of  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  1,165,  has  narrow- 
petalled  smaller  flowers,  spotted  black  on  the 
inner  surfaces,  scarlet.  The  bulbs  are  gene- 
rally larger  and  one  to  three  crowned. 

Yar.  Coridion. — Bulbs,  stems,  and  leaves  as 
in  concolor.  Flowers  unspotted,  rich  yellow, 
fully  2  inches  across.  There  is  also  a  narrow- 
petalled,  spotted  variety  of  this. 

Yar.  2}ulcheUum  (Fisch.  and  Mey.). — Bulbs 
solitary,  as  large  as  a  small  Walnut,  white. 
Stems  1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  green.  Leaves 
ascending  or  slightly  arching,  scattered. 
Flowers  one  to  four,  erect,  where  numerous  a 
spike  is  formed,  colour  reddish  crimson,  densely 
spotted  crimson  in  the  lower  half,  the  petals 
slightly  reflexing.  Bare  in  cultivation. 
Inhabits  South-Eastern  Siberia  and  China. 
Flowers  in  July. 


Culture  and  Uses.— This  Lily  succeeds 
well  in  any  good  garden  soil,  preferrmg  full 
sunshine  and  appreciating  to  the  full  a  low- 
growing  carpet  about  its  stems,  but  the  carpet 
should  be  deep-rooting,  because  these  slender 
Lilies  depend  mainly  upon  their  stem  roots  for 
support.  Helianthemums  are  excellent  plants 
for  this  purpose.  They  afford  the  necessary 
sun-screen,  they  do  not  grow  too  tall,  and 
their  roots  feed  at  considerable  depth.  Asso- 
ciated with  plants  such  as  these,  L.  concolor 
and  its  forms  can  be  grown  in  any  plant 
border  or  on  a  rockery  ledge.  Their  brilliant, 
starry  flowers  appear  to  good  efiect  among 
alpines  and  dwarf  border  plants.  They  may 
be  planted  at  any  time  from  September  to 
February.  The  group  is  not  generally  suited 
for  pot  culture,  but  we  have  grown  pulchellum 
well  in  pans  under  cool  greenhouse  treatment. 
Leaf-soil  is  the  only  safe  fertiliser ;  manures 
of  any  kind  are  very  detrimental. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  be  continued.) 


GARDEN    DESTROYERS. 

THE    CARNATION  —  DISEASES    AND 
INSECT    PESTS. 

CAENATIONS,  like  most  other 
plants  under  our  care,  are  liable 
when  under  cultivation  to  be 
attacked  by  various  insect  pests 
and  diseases.  Sometimes  bad 
cultivation  is  the  cause  ;  but  in 
other  instances  it  is  the  healthiest  plants 
and  those  that  have  been  artificially  nourished 
with  stimulating  manures  that  are  most  fre- 
quently attacked.  It  is  quite  certain  that  no 
plants  can  ever  remain  in  good  health  if  they 
are  not  kept  free  from  diseases  and  insect  pests  ; 
and  the  Carnation  is  no  exception. 

I  will  deal  first  with  insect  pests,  or  the 
attacks  of  maggots  and  grubs,  the  larvie  of 
insects. 

Geeen  Fly  is  a  very  troublesome  pest,  and 
does  more  damage  to  the  plants  than  anything 
else.  It  does  not  disturb  the  plants  out  of 
doors  to  any  great  extent ;  but  those  under 
glass  are  frequently  attacked.  The  best  way 
to  destroy  them  is  by  fumigation,  or  if  this  is 
not  possible  dip  them  in  a  solution  of  soft  soapy 
water.  I  keep  a  large  collection  quite  clean  by 
fumigating  at  intervals,  on  the  principle  that 
prevention  is  better  than  cure. 

The  Spittle-fly  will  also  cripple  the  plants  ; 
but  this  is  not  common,  and  can  be  easily 
removed.  When  a  frothy  substance  is  seen  on 
the  plants  it  ought  to  be  removed,  and  an  insect 
resembling  green  fly  will  be  found  in  it ;  some- 
times two  are  together.  A  little  water  should 
be  used  to  wash  off  the  effects  of  the  spittle  or 
froth.  A  more  troublesome  pest  than  either  of 
these  is  the 

Carnation  Maggot.— This  is  the  larvue  of 
a  dipterous  fly,  which  has  been  named  Hyelemia 
nigrescens.  It  greatly  resembles  the  common 
house  fly.  This  insignificant-looking  pest  is 
not  to  be  trifled  with,  as  it  does  great  damage 
to  the  plants.  It  does  not  attack  them  so 
much  in  the  greenhouse  as  those  outside. 
Seedlings  and  layers  out  of  doors  are  badly 
attacked  by  it,  while  layers  under  glass  escape. 
The  flies  may  be  seen  busy  amongst  the  plants 
in  April  and  later.  They  drop  their  eggs  at 
the  base  of  the  leaves,  a  small  maggot  is  hatched 
out,  which  eats  its  way  down  the  leaves  and 
into  the  centre  of  the  plants  ;  it  works  it  way 
down  the  leaf  under  the  membrane,  a  whitish 
line  showing  the  path  it  has  taken  ;  if  its  track 
is  followed  it  may  be  caught,  and  if  its  presence 


is  discerned  in  the  centre  of  the  plant  pick  it. 
out  with  a  needle  and  destroy  it.  It  may  be- 
found  in  the  form  of  a  small  white  maggot  or 
in  the  chrysalis  state,  when  it  is  of  a  brown, 
colour.  The  centre  leaves  are  often  eaten 
through  at  the  base,  and  may  be  pulled  out 
so  that  the  chrysalis  or  maggot  may  be  found. 
The  plant  is  often  worthless  ;  but  it  is  best  to- 
get  out  the  maggots  at  whatever  cost,  as  the 
chrysalis  may  speedily  develop  another  fly, 
which,  in  its  turn,  may  be  the  parent  of  a  fresh, 
brood  of  maggots ;  the  progeny  of  these  are 
found  on  the  plants  in  autumn  and  winter. 
There  is  no  other  way  of  dealing  with  it  except 
to  hunt  it  out  as  I  have  described.    The 

Earwig  will  sometimes  do  much  mischief  ; 
it  makes  a  snug  retreat  inside  the  calyx  of 
the  flower,  where  it  finds  shelter  and  food  at 
the  same  time.  It  eats  through  the  petals  at 
the  base  inside  the  calyx,  and  the  presence  of 
the  insect  is  discerned  by  the  petals  falling  out. 
It  is  very  annoying  to  see  choice  blooms 
destroyed  in  this  way.  Bean-stalks  inserted 
between  the  flower-stem  and  the  support  will 
act  as  a  hiding-place  for  them,  when  they  may 
be  taken  out  and  destroyed.     The 

Eelwoem  is  another  troublesome  pest,  but 
fortunately  this  is  not  very  common  ;  the- 
plants  assume  a  crippled  appearance,  the 
leaves  are  not  half  their  usual  length,  and  their 
base  much  swollen  and  whitish.  These  are 
caused  by  the  colony  of  small  nematoid  worms- 
inside  the  leaves  ;  sometimes  one  or  two  layers- 
are  attacked  and  others  are  free  from  it  ork 
the  same  plant.  The  only  way  to  get  rid  of 
them  is  to  remove  the  affected  layers  bodily 
from  the  plants  and  burn  them.  It  is  supposed 
that  these  worms  are  in  the  soil  and  fasten  on 
the  plants.  The  disease  is  fully  described  and 
illustrated  in  the  "  Carnation  Manual,"  pub- 
lished by  the  Carnation  Society.    The 

Wirewoem  is  one  of  the  most  deadly  enemies- 
of  the  Carnation.  It,  like  the  Tylenchus  (eel- 
worm),  is  found  in  the  soil,  and  it  works  under 
ground.  It  is  the  larvie  of  certain  beetles 
belonging  to  the  family  Elateridas,  known, 
under  the  popular  names  of  skipjack,  snap 
beetle,  and  click  beetle.  The  wireworm  is  well 
known.  It  is  of  a  brownish  yellow  colour,  and 
remains  in  the  larval  condition  for  three  or 
four  years.  It  is  seldom  found  in  ground  that 
has  been  cultivated  for  a  number  of  years. 
Wireworms  are  found  in  pasture  land,  where  the 
beetles  congregate  and  deposit  their  eggs,  the- 
larv;e  living  on  the  roots  until  they  pass  through 
the  usual  transformations,  to  the  beetle  state. 
All  sorts  of  remedies  have  been  suggested  for 


aphides. 

lands.  Winged  females.      3  and  i.  Wingless. females. 

their  destruction ;  their  numbers  may  be  re- 
duced by  trapping,  but  there  is  no  way  known- 
to  me  whereby  they  may  be  annihilated 
Carrots  are  the  best  traps,  or,  failing  these,. 
Potatoes  will  answer.  Thick  slices  of  Carrot 
or  Potato  are  stuck  upon  the  end  of  sticks  and 
are  buried  under  ground  where  the  wireworms- 
are  to  a  depth  of  from  3  inches  to  6  inches.. 


THE   GAEDEN. 


[January  2,  3904. 


J.  Male  Daddy-long-l 


DADDY-LONG-LEGS  OK  CRANE  FLV. 

2.   Female  Daddu-long-legs. 
5.  Chrysalides. 


After  a  week  or  so  examine  them,  and  the  wire- 
worms  will  be  found  half  buried  in  the  tubers 
or  the  Carrots.  Hundreds  may  be  killed  in 
this  way.     The 

Leather  Jacket  is  sometimes  troublesome. 
It  is  the  larvse  of  the  crane  fly  or  daddy-long- 
legs (Tipula  oleraoea) ;  it  is  a  voracious  feeder, 
and  is  generally  found  browsing  on  the  plants 
at  night.  It  eats  the  leaves,  and  sometimes 
gouges  the  centre  out ;  it  burrows  under  ground 
in  the  day  time,  or,  if  over-gorged  with  the 
leaves  of  choice  Carnations,  will  be  found  lying 
at  the  base  of  the  plants  ;  it  must  be  caught 
and  destroyed.  The  skin  is  very  tough,  hence 
the  name  of  leather-coated  grub. 

Theips  (Heliothrips  hoemorrhoidalis)entirely 
spoils  the  flowers  if  the  pest  is  not  destroyed  in 
its  very  early  stages.  Those  who  cultivate 
choice  blooms  for  exhibition  place  the  plants 
out  of  doors,  and  when  the  flower-buds  are 
well  developed,  but  even  before  they  show  the 
colour  of  the  flower,  the  thrips  get  inside  and 
the  rich  colours,  crimson,  red,  rose,  scarlet,  &c., 
become  streaked  and  blotched  with  white,  and 
the  white  of  flakes  and  bizarres  is  made  of  a 
■dirty  colour  like  the  dust  on  the  roads. 
Syringing  helps  to  keep 
them  off,  but  may 
damage  the  flowers.  The 
best  way  is  to  get 
them  into  the  green- 
house and  fumigate  with 
tobacco  smoke.  By  shak- 
ing the  flowers  over  the 
hand  the  lively  little 
insects  may  be  seen  leap- 
ing about;  it  may  be 
necessary  to  fumigate 
twice. 

Red  Spider  (Tetra- 
nychus  telarius)  is  a 
troublesome  pest  with 
Carnations  undgr  glass. 
Its  presence  is  discerned 
by  the  leaves  taking  a 
sickly  colour  (greenish 
yellow),  and  they  will 
soon  lose  their  vitalty. 
The  insect  is  very  small, 
almost  microscopical, 
and  the  best  way  is  to 


syringe  the  leaves  as 
soon  as  the  pest  is  seen  ; 
this  ought  to  be  before 
the  damage  is  extensive. 
It  appears  on  the  under 
sides  of  the  leaves  first, 
but  soon  swarms  all  over 
them.    The 

Fungoid  Diseases  are: 
First,  the  formidable 
disease  designated  "rust" 
by  gardeners ;  its  real 
name  is  Helminthospo- 
rium  echinulatum.  The 
appearance  of  the  fungus 
when  it  is  first  discerned 
on  the  leaves  is  some- 
thing like  a  blister.  This 
is  caused  by  the  develop- 
ment of  the  fungus 
between  the  membranes 
of  the  leaves.  Presently 
it  will  burst  through  the 
membrane,  and  the  cofi"ce- 
ooloured  spores  are  widely 
scattered.  Now,  it  is 
evident  that  no  applica- 
tion of  any  kind  of 
fungus  -  destroying  mix- 
ture can  reach  it  before  it 
bursts  out,  and  after  the 
powder  is  scattered  it  is  too  late.  The  only  real 
remedy  is  to  look  over  the  plants  at  least  once 
a  week,  cut  oif  all  diseased  leaves  carefully,  and 
burn  them  at  once.  The  other  fungoid  disease  is 
"  Spot."— This  is  named  Uredo  dianthi,  and 
is  a  very  common  disease.  The  plants  some- 
times sufi'er  badly  both  in  frames  and  planted 
out  in  the  open  garden.  If  the  plants  are  kept 
in  a  well-ventilated  greenhouse  they  are  not 
attacked,  and  if  badly  diseased  are  put  in  an  airy 
part  of  the  greenhouse  they  speedily  recover. 
The  diseased  leaves  may  be  cut  off.  A  dry, 
airy  atmosphere  arrests  its  progress.  The 
plants  will  grow  out  of  "  spot,"  but  not  out  of 
rust.  The  rust  would  ultimately  kill  the 
Carnations  if  it  is  not  exterminated. 

Bacteriosis. — This  disease  seems  to  have 
been  imported  from  America.  Mr.  C.  W.  Ward, 
in  his  book  on  the  Carnation,  says :  "  The 
disease  shows  readily  upon  leaves  recently 
attacked,  in  the  form  of  translucent  dots  in 
otherwise  healthy  foliage.  Later  on  the  dots 
enlarge  and  run  together  and  the  leaf  finally 
turns  yellow  and  dries  up.  Recent  observations 
of  this  disease  seem  to  have  determined  that 
it  is  caused  by  the  attacks  of  various  insects. 


S.  Eggs.        h.  Grub. 


such  as  red  spider,  thrips,  itc,  and  wherever 
the  plants  are  kept  free  from  these  insects  the 
bacterial  disease  does  not  seem  to  develop." 
I  advise  all  amateurs  who  would  excel  in  the 
culture  of  Carnations  to  keep  the  plants  in  a 
healthy,  vigorous  condition  by  giving  them 
abundance  of  light  and  air.  See  that  they  are 
kept  clean.  Avoid  all  over-feeding,  and  in  the 
case  of  winter-flowering  Carnations  avoid  a 
high,  moist  atmosphere.  A  dryish,  buoyant 
atmosphere  is  best,  with  a  minimum  tempera- 
ture of  about  -^0"  to  55°.  Careful  watering 
and  a  free  outlet  for  the  water  is  essential. 

J.  Douglas. 


COLOURED     PLATE 


PLATE    1263. 


NEW    SEEDLING    NARCISSI.* 

IN  the  accompanying  coloured  plate  the 
flowers  represent  a  few  of  my  seedlings 
from  first  crosses  between  trumpet  and 
poeticus    Narcissi.      According    to    the 
current    classification    the    one    bicolor 
bloom  falls  under  N.  incomparabilis,  the 
rest  under  N.  Leedsii,  the  Ajax  parent  in  the 
former  case  being  yellow,  in  the  latter  white. 
The  section  N.  Leedsii  includes  certain  varie- 


STKM    BKLWORM. 


1.  Sicm^Eelwonn.    5.  Stem.  Eelwoi  m  jimt  emerged  Jrom  the  egg. 
egg  in  tissms  of  a  plant.    All  higiilg  iniignified. 


S.  stem  Belworm 


WIREWORMS. 

1  and  '2.  Agriotes  lvneatuj>:    S  aiid  It.  A.  obscxirxis.    5  atxd  6. 

A.  spiftator.  7  and  S.   Wirewormji  (natural  idze), 

9.  Wireworm  (magnified).     10  and  11.  Chrysalis. 

ties  which  up  to  the  year  1884  were  classed 
separately  as  N.  Vincenti.  It  is  questionable 
whether  any  Narcissi  are  more  beautiful  than 
the  finer  varieties  of  N.  Leedsii,  and  Messrs. 
Leeds  and  Backhouse,  out  of  all  their  bequest 
to  English  gardens,  have  perhaps  given  us 
nothing  more  valuable  than  the  union  of 
strength  and  refinement  in  such  flowers  as 
Duchess  of  Westminster,  Minnie  Hume,  Mrs. 
Langtry,  Katherine  Spurrell,  and  others.  It 
is  noteworthy  how  in  these  hybrids  the  infusion 
of  the  poeticus  blood  has  altogether  dispelled 
the  weak  constitution  of  the  other  parent, 
namely,  the  white  Ajax.  N.  cernuus,  albicans, 
and  tortuosus,  the  plants  with  which  Messrs. 
Leeds  and  Backhouse  seem  to  have  worked,  are 
notoriously  difficult  of  permanent  cultivation 
in  most  of  our  gardens,  whereas  nearly  all  the 
Leedsii  grow  and  multiply  with  almost  embar- 
rassing vigour.  Of  newer  varieties,  perhaps  I 
may  claim  for  my  White  Queen  that  it  still 
holds  the  foremost  place,  but  no  doubt  the 
future  will  see  a  steady  improvement  in  this 
as  in  every  other  division  of  the  genus  Nar- 
cissus. Tall,  robust,  fragrant,  white-petalled, 
with  crowns  white  or  delicately  toned  with 
citron,  lemon,  or  salmon,  the  Leedsii  Daftbdils 
are  scarcely  excelled  among  our  spring  flowers. 

G.  H.  ENtJLEHEAET. 


**  Drawn  by  II.  Q.  Moon. 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


THE  NARCISSI  AT  CHATEAU  D'OEX. 
■  N  the  months  of  May  and  June  the  Alps 


of  the  Canton  of  Vaud  become  white 
again  and  as  if  covered  with  snow.  Seen 
from  Lausanne  or  Montreux  the  pastures 
of  the  Dent  de  Jaman,  of  Les  Avants, 
and  of  all  the  neighbourhood  are  as  white 
as  the  snow-covered  summits.  It  is  a  wave  of 
white  that,  beginning  in  the  lowlands,  cre'^ps  up 
slowly  but  regularly  to  the  highest  regions, 
only  dying  out  in  July  on  the  uppermost 
pastures  at  an  elevation  of  4,000  feet.  i 


with  pleasure  Mr.  W.  Irving's  note  about  it  on 
page  .334.  Mr.  Irving  remarks  that  "  it  is  not  a 
suitable  plant  for  the  ordinary  herbaceous  border 
or  for  exposed  situations,  but  requires  a  warm, 
sheltered  position  in  light  soil."  This  is  entirely 
justified  by  the  general  experience  of  the  few  who 
seem  to  have  tried  Dicentra  chrysantha  in  this 
country.  They  have  not  found  it  hardy,  and  it  is 
questionable  indeed  it  it  will  live  for  many  years 
even  at  Kew.  This  is  unfortunate,  as  it  is  a  plant 
many  of  us  would  like  to  establish  on  account  of 
its  distinct  and  pretty  appearance.  Every  now 
and  then  it  has  been  offered,  and  once,  some  years 
ago,  I  had  a  plant,  but  it  failed  me,  and  the 
infrequency  with  which  it  is  offered  by  the  nursery 
trade  would  point  to  its  having  some  fault  or  other. 


last  winter.  If  it  has  been  established  for  any 
time  some  of  us  will  make  another  attempt  to 
succeed  with  it,  inspired  by  greater  hopefulness 
than  we  have  had  for  some  time. 

Carsethorn,  by  Dumfries,  N.B.         S.  Arnott. 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 


Gardens  for  Pleasure. 

As  a  matter  of  enjoyment,  I  do  not  think  that 
it  matters  much  whether  your  garden  is  a 
good  one  or  a  bad  one,  so  long  as  you  take  an 
interest  in  it ;  for  the  sum  total  of  pleasure 


NARCISSUS   RADIIFLORUS   IN   THE   PASTURES   OF   CHATEAU   d'OEX. 


It  is  Narcisms  radiiflorus  of  Salisbury,  not, 
as  is  generally  supposed,  ^oeitras  of  Linnteus, 
a  kind  which  is  very  rare  in  Switzerland, 
growing  only  in  the  neighbourhood  of  gardens 
from  which  it  has  escaped.  N.  verbanensis 
<Herb.)  is  a  small  and  narrow-leaved  form  with 
rather  yellowish  flowers,  which  grows  near  the 
Lago  Magsiore  and  across  the  Jura  in  the 
Canton  of  Neuch^tel. 

The  photographs  were  taken  in  the  pastures 
of  Chateau  d'Oex  in  the  Pays  d'Enhaut 
<Canton  of  Vaud)  above  Aigle  and  Le  Sepey. 

Floraire,  Geneva.  Henry  Correvon. 


DICENTRA    CHRYSANTHA. 
I  WAS   about  to   ask  if   any  of  your  readers  had 
succeeded  with  Dicentra  chrysantha,  and  observed 


unquestionably,   so   far  as   my  information   goes, 
want  of  hardiness. 

There  is  a  figure  of  this  Dicentra  in  the  un- 
fortunate! v  short-lived  "English  Flower  Garden" 
(conducted  by  the  late  Mr.  W.  Thompson)  for  1858, 
which  gives  a  capital  idea  of  the  plant,  at  that 
timenamed  Diolytra  or  Dielytra  chrysantha.  It  had 
then  been  newly  introduced,  Mr.  Lobb  having  sent 
seeds  home  to  Messrs.  Veitch,  for  whom  he  was 
then  collecting.  It  had  flowered  with  them  for  the 
first  time  in  September,  1857,  and  at  the  time  of  the 
issue  of  the  "  English  Flower  Garden  "  had  not  been 
distributed.  It  never  appears,  however,  to  have 
become  for  long  an  occupant  of  British  gardens, 
although,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  it  has  been 
offered  every  now  and  then.  It  would  add  to  the 
obligations  Mr.  Irving  has  already  laid  us  under  if 
he  would  inform  us  how  long  the  plant  referred  to 
has  been  at  Kew   and  also  if  it  was  in  the  open  all 


which  the  human  mind  can  extract  from  a 
piece  of  ground  remains  about  the  same.  In 
India  and  England  I  have  had  gardens  good, 
bad,  and  indifferent— gardens  so  small  that  it 
was  a  pleasure  to  do  all  the  work  in  them 
myself,  and,  on  one  occasion  at  least,  a  garden 
so  large  that  during  three  years  I  never  became 
fully  acquainted  with  the  plants  in  every  part 
of  it,  nor  at  any  time  during  that  period  knew 
all  the  men  that  worked  in  it  even  by  sight. 
Yet,  looking  back,  I  cannot  say  that  any  one 
garden  gave  greater  pleasure  than  any  other. 
If  you  have  only  room  for  one  Rose  bush,  you 
can  make  the  care  of  it  the  joy  of  your  life. 
The  Compensation  Balance. 
For  somewhere  at  the  back  of  the  hurnan 
mind  there    is    an    invaluable   compensatiou 


10 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


balance,  which  works  out  the  proportion  sum 
of  human  happiness  so  accurately  that  at  the 
end  there  is  no  rebellious  fraction  of  deficit  or 
excess,  and  we  can  start  with  a  clean  slate 
for  the  next  sum,  contentedly  assured  that 
that  will  work  out  evenly,  too.  By  this  I  do 
not  mean  that  all  people  get  equal  pleasure 
from  their  gardens.  Some  regard  them  as  a 
costly  nuisance ;  others  take  mild  pride  in 
them  as  an  appanage  befitting  the  status  of 
their  mansion,  and  from  this  stage  the  pleasure 
of  gardens  and  gardening  ranges  in  intensity 
up  to  the  enthusiastic  absorption  of  the  trium- 
phant horticulturist,  who  seems  to  live  for 
nothing  else.  Yet  in  all  these  diverse  minds 
there  is  still  the  compensation  balance  which 
makes  up  for  loss  of  pleasure,  through  lack  of 
interest,  in  the  garden  by  added  pleasure 
arising  from  greater  interest  in  other  things. 
And  I  think  that  peaceful  contemplation  of 
whatever  beauty  one's  garden  may  have,  which 
is  the  crown  of  pleasure  in  our  work,  brings 
philosophic  insight  into  this  truth.  We  recog- 
nise that  though  seasons  change  and  gardens 
change  with  them,  the  pleasures  and  worries 
remain  about  the  same. 

Garden  Philosophy. 
You  may  sit,  weather  permitting,  to  enjoy 
the  autumn  sunlight  and  the  best  vista  of  your 
garden  on  a  sheltered  seat,  as  you  have  sat, 
weather  permitting,  in  other  autumns  ;  and  at 
the  back  of  your  mind  will  be  always  the  half- 
formulated  thought  that  the  year's  failures 
and  successes,  its  clouds  and  its  sunshine, 
always  work  out  as  a  fair  sum  of  human  happi- 
ness, and  that  there  is  no  need  to  blot  with 
tears  the  clean  slate  on  which  you  propose  to 
begin  another  year  of  gardening  experience. 
At  the  back  of  your  mind,  too,  lies  the  germ  of 
unconscious  foreknowledge  that  when  the 
autumn  of  your  own  life  comes,  it  will  work 
out  as  a  fair  average  sum  of  human  happiness, 
and  that  the  Great  Gardener  will  not  be 
dissatisfied  with  his  work  in  you.  When  we 
dabble  with  the  earth,  following  man's 
primeval  occupation,  we  all  come  to  the  same 
human  level,  and  can  see  the  equality  and  the 
goodness  and  the  reasonable  joy  of  life.  We 
soak  up  the  knowledge  from  the  soil. 

The  Parallel  of  Death. 
At  the  same  time,  who  has  not  felt  moments 
of  impatient  revolt  against  the  sameness  and 
repetition  of  the  annual  results  of  effort? 
Foreknowledge  of  death  is  always  so  near  to 
our  minds  that  we  resent  its  suggestion  in  the 
annual  fall  of  the  leaf  and  the  withering  of  the 
flower.  We  unconsciously  resent  the  new- 
made  beds  of  earth,  which  look  so  like  graves, 
and  we  put  from  us  the  hateful  simile  that,  as 
we  fill  the  empty  places  with  new  generations 
of  flowers,  .so  our  places  will  be  as  well  filled 
with  new  generations  of  men.  It  is  this 
feeling,  not  even  expressed  in  conscious 
thought,  which  lies,  I  think,  at  the  back  of  the 
common  preference  for  perennials,  in  a  garden 
of  pleasure,  over  annuals  and  bedding  plants. 

The  Ideal  Pleasure  Garden. 
Indeed,  the  ideal  pleasure  garden  seems  to 
me  to  be  one  in  which  bare,  empty  earth  should 
never  be  seen,  where  there  should  be  no  hoeing 
or  digging,  save  to  make  room  for  the  intro- 
duction of  new  plants,  and  where  the  ground 
should  always  be  carpeted  with  green  at  least. 
Having  carefully  arranged  the  plan  of  such  a 
garden  in  your  mind,  you  should  Jill  it  with 
plants  —  flowering  shrubs,  herbaceous  peren- 
nials, creeping  plants,  and  bulbs,  as  nearly  in 
endless  variety  as  you  have  space  for  ;  and 
after  that  you  should  merely  regulate  its 
growth,  and  remove   whatever  becomes    un- 


sightly. By  helping  the  weak  against  the 
strong,  the  delicate  against  the  rampant,  and 
snipping  off  each  weed  that  might  thrust  itself 
up  to  daylight  between  the  plants,  you  would 
ultimately  get  such  an  unbroken  carpet  of 
flowers  and  greenery  as  one  sees  in  dreams  of 
enchanted  woodland. 

A  Lesson  from  the  Rabbit. 
If  the  rabbit  using  only  his  teeth  can  convert 
a  whole  wood  into  a  rank  jungle  of  Nettles  and 
Elder  and  Ivy  by  the  simple  process  of  gnawing 
down  every  plant  which  he  finds  eatable,  why 
may  not  we,  using  scissors  and  shears  with 
discretion  and  industry,  convert  a  common 
garden  into  a  place  where  everything  flourishes 
everywhere  in  proportion  to  its  beauty  1  How 
infinitely  better,  at  any  rate,  would  even  half- 
success  in  such  an  effort  be  than  the  bare,  dank 
flower-beds  arranged  in  depressing  parallelo- 
grams, which  for  many  months  in  the  year 
represent  the  "garden"  view  of  most  dwellers 
in  town  !  Even  common  wild  woodland  is 
prettier  and  greener  in  winter  than  the  average 
suburban  garden  ;  and  why,  when  we  have  all 
the  hardy  gems  of  the  world  to  choose  from, 
should  not  these  small  gardens  be  nooks  of 
fairyland  always,  instead  of  looking  like 
miniature  cemeteries  for  half  the  vear? 

E.  K.  R. 


THE    INDOOR   GARDEN. 


eveaing  intervening)  in  XL  All  Plant  Wash,  and 
place  them  on  their  sides  for  half  an  hour,  when  a 
sharp  syringing  with  clear  tepid  water  must  be 
given  them.  Afterwards  replace  them  on  the- 
atage  or  shelf  and  attend  carefully  to  shading  in 
the  event  of  bright  sun.  Those  plants  rooted  ia 
October  will  be  ready  for  their  final  shift  during 
March  and  April,  when  a  5-inch  pot  will  be  ample- 
for  the  strongest  plants ;  in  this  size  pot  a  plant, 
will  carry  from  ten  to  eighteen  flowers. 

Whenever  the  pots  become  moderately  filled  witb 
roots  a  regular  supply  of  clear  manure  water  must; 
be  given  them,  that  made  from  sheep  manure  is- 
preferable.  The  plants  will  require  occasional 
pinching  to  keep  them  bushy  as  well  as  to  determin& 
their  time  of  dowering.  The  natural  season  o£ 
blooming  for  plants  rooted  in  October  is  from  th& 
middle  of  May  to  the  end  of  Jalj',  and  the  period 
of  duration  about  three  weeks  if  kept  in  an  inter- 
mediate temperature  and  shaded  from  bright  sun. 
Although  the  plant  is  described  by  botanists  as  an> 
annual,  I  have  grown  some  plants  for  two  or  thre& 
years.  By  cutting  them  back  immediately  after 
blooming,  and  repotting  them  shortly  after  they 
have  broken  into  growth,  they  will  return  a  good 
stock  of  cuttings,  and  may  be  grown  on  into  shapely 
plants  in  8-inoh  pots  by  the  following  year.  Seeds, 
may  be  ripened  by  the  end  of  August  or  the  middle 
of  September,  and  I  would  advise  sowing  them  a» 
soon  as  matured.  I  have,  however,  found  that- 
50  per  cent,  will  germinate  when  sown  in  the- 
January  following.  J.  Jaqdes. 


EXACUM   MACRANTHUM. 

NO  T  so  generally  met  with  in  our  plant 
collections  as  it  deserves  is  this  beau- 
tiful and  distinct  plant.  According  to 
Nicholson  the  plant  was  introduced 
into  this  country  about  half  a  century 
ago,  and  even  now  there  are  many 
gardeners  who  have  not  seen  it.  Its  rich  blue- 
purple  flowers  are  from  2  inches  to  .3  inches 
in  diameter,  with  large  conspicuous  golden 
stamens.  Its  cultivation  may  be  considered  more 
tedious  than  difficult,  as  close  attention  with  a 
view  to  keeping  the  plants  free  from  the  small 
yellow  thrips,  which  appear  to  be  its  natural 
enemy,  must  be  given.  Its  propagation  is  very 
easy,  as  cuttings  made  from  the  points  of  young 
shoots  strike  freely  during  October,  or  in  fact  at 
any  time  before  the  embryo  flower-buds  are  formed. 
The  cuttings  should  be  inserted  three  or  four  round 
the  rim  of  a  3-inch  pot  filled  with  light,  peaty  soil. 
If  placed  in  a  bottom-heat  of  70°  or  75°  in  a 
moderately  close  case  or  under  a  bell-glass  almost 
all  will  root.  When  rooted  pot  them  singly 
into  as  small  pots  as  practicable  in  a  compost 
similar  to  that  in  which  they  were  rooted,  and 
until  a  little  root  action  is  established  keep  them 
in  a  somewhat  close  case  or  in  the  propagating 
house.  Afterwards  place  them  on  a  raised  stage  or 
shelf  some  2  feet  from  the  glass,  where  they  will 
get  the  maximum  amount  of  light  during  the 
winter  months,  and  in  a  temperature  ranging 
from  .58°  to  65°  by  night  and  to  75'"  by  day  when 
favoured  with  a  little  sun.  Syringe  them  carefully 
once  or  twice  a  day  when  the  weather  is  favourable. 
By  the  end  of  February  the  largest  plants  will  be 
ready  for  3-inch  pots,  and  here  I  may  observe  that 
one  of  the  chief  points  to  be  noted  in  the  cultivation 
of  this  plant  is  to  keep  it  in  as  small  pots  as 
possible.  Although  making  comparativel3'  strong 
roots  it  certainly  grows  more  freely  when  the  roots 
have  reached  the  sides  of  the  pot.  Good  drainage  is 
also  quite  essential,  as  a  liberal  supply  of  water  at 
the  root  is  necessary.  Although  I  have  advised 
peaty  soil  it  must  not  be  understood  that  the  plant 
will  not  grow  in  loam.  I  find  that  it  roots  equally 
well  in  either  soil,  provided  the  loam  is  not  cut 
from  a  limestone  or  chalky  subsoil.  From  the 
time  of  this  potting  the  treatment  will  vary  but 
little,  the  house  may  be  ventilated  somewhat 
freely  for  a  stove  house,  and  a  light  shade  during 
bright  sun  will  be  necessary.  Should  thrips 
become  troublesome    dip    the   plants   twice    (one 


TULIPS  FOR  EARLY  FORCING. 

Tulips,  like  all  bulbous  plants  when  required  for 
early  forcing,  must  have  a  preparation.  It  is- 
essential  in  the  first  place  that  the  bulbs  be  of 
the  best,  and  also  that  an  early  start  be  made  by 
potting,  so  that  root  fibres  may  be  produced  in 
abundance.  With  this  achieved  the  rest  may  fairly 
be  stated  to  be  within  the  control  of  the  grower, 
and  indeed  this  is  so  to  a  considerable  extent. 
Another  point  of  equal  value  is,  of  course,  the 
choice  of  varieties  most  suitable  for  early- 
forcing  ;  indeed,  without  a  good  selection,  the 
grower  may  find  himself  in  dire  straits  if,  when 
the  bulbs  are  placed  in  heat,  they  fail  to  respond  in 
due  time.  For  the  very  earliest  work  the  Van 
Thols  in  their  many  shades  are  the  most  suitable. 
These  dwarf  and  very  pretty  Tulips  are  largely 
grown  for  the  purpose  indicated.  The  immense 
quantities  grown  in  some  establishments  alon& 
would  certainly  surprise  those  not  closely  con- 
nected with  the  work.  Such  as  these  may  be 
flowered  from  November  onwards.  It  is  worthy 
of  remark,  however,  that  suitable  as  these  are  for 
early  forcing  in  general,  they  lose  not  a  little  evea 
of  their  dwarfness  if  over  or  too  early  forced.  To- 
follow  this  group  in  a  general  way  one  or  two- 
varieties  take  the  lead,  and  of  white  none  is  more 
suitable  and  valuable  than  the  well-known  Queen 
Victoria.  Naturally  grown,  this  is  streaked  with 
rose,  but  under  good  forcing  the  flowers  are  quite 
white  and  pure.  A  very  pretty  white  single  Tulip 
is  L'Immacule.  This  responds  very  quickly  to  a 
genial  bottom-heat,  but  it  is  not  so  extensively 
grown  as  the  first,  which  is  also  known  as  La- 
Reine.  This  is  the  standard  early  white  single  for 
the  market.  A  good  yellow  is  Yellow  Prince,  and 
very  fine,  too,  is  Goldfinch,  a  pure  golden-yellow 
and  sweet  scented.  This  will  be  much  grown  in 
the  future  ;  it  is  of  good  shape  and  colour.  Of  red 
sorts,  perhaps  Artus  and  Belle  Alliance  are  among 
the  best  for  the  above  work.  To  force  these  Tulips 
with  success  a  bottom-heat  frame  within  the  green- 
house is  a  necessity.  The  heat  should  range  from 
70°  to  85°.  The  temperature  must  always  be  moist 
and  uniformly  maintained,  starting  with  70°  at- 
the  end  of  a  week  it  may  be  increased  to  80°. 
With  the  bulbs  in  pots  or  boxes  the  latter  should 
be  set  closely  together  in  the  frame  on  a  'i-incb 
thick  bed  of  Cocoanut  fibre,  covering  them  over- 
head with  the  same  material  to  a  depth  of  at  least 
4  inches.  This  top  covering  quickly  becomes  per- 
meated with  the  heat,  and  progress  is  rapid.  A 
slight  moistening  now  and  again  may  bo  requisite, 
but  the  top  covering  should  not  be  so  wet  that  the 
material  will  remain  heavily  about  the  top  growth. 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


11 


The  root  watering  must  receive  attention  before 
covering  up.  With  the  lights  placed  on  and  the 
frames  darkened  these  plants  may  be  brought  into 
flower  in  about  three  weeks.  The  covering  should 
not  be  removed  until  the  buds  aad  growth  generally 
are  well  through  the  plunging  material.  At  this 
time  the  material  may  be  removed  and  the  plants 
replaced  in  the  darkened  frame  for  a  few  days 
longer.  It  is  moat  important  that  these  very  early 
forced  batches  be  not  exposed  to  the  lower  tem- 
perature of  the  greenhouse  before  the  flower-buds 
are  of  full  size.  If  taken  out  when  half  grown  it  is 
quite  likely  the  whole  may  be  ruined  by  fogs. 
Nothing  is  more  injurious  to  the  tender  flower- bud 
of  the  Tulip  in  such  circumstances.  Half-developed 
flower-buds  remain  as  if  paralysed,  as  indeed  they 
are  to  a  great  extent.  Fully  developed  buds  may 
be  gradually  inured  to  the  cooler  conditions  as 
required.  Later  batches  are  less  likely  to  suffer 
from  this  cause.  E  J. 


TREES     AND     SHRUBS. 


MAGNOLIA    GEANDIFLORA. 

THIS  evergreen  Magnolia  is  most  satis- 
factory in  this  country  as  a  wall 
plant,  and  in  the  south  and  west 
of  England  grows  well  and  flowers 
fairly  freely  under  those  conditions. 
It  is  a  noble  tree,  and  the  large, 
■white,  cup-shaped,  fragrant  blooms  are  particu- 
larly handsome.  A  high  wall  facing  south, 
and  recesses  between  house  windows,  where  it 
is  sheltered  from  cold  winds,  and  also  has 
room  to  develop,  form  good  positions  for  this 
Magnolia.  To  have  an  idea  of  the  height 
and  vigour  it  will  attain,  M.  grandiflora  should 
be  seen  in  some  of  the  Kiviera  gardens.  There 
it  forms  a  tree  some  40  feet  to  .50  feet  high, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  striking  objects  even  in 
these  exceptionally  rich  gardens.  The  thick 
leathery  leaves,  deep  green  above  and  rust 
colour  below,  alone  make  the  tree  a  handsome 
one  ;  but  when  in  late  summer  the  flowers 
appear,  filling  the  air  with  their  fragrance  for 
yards  around,  and  especially  in  the  evening  is  | 
this  noticeable,  then  it  forms  indeed 
a  noble  garden  ornament.  So  far  as 
the  South  of  France  is  concerned, 
however,  it  is  unfortunate  that  this 
Magnolia  flowers  in  summer,  and 
thus  is  never  seen  at  its  best  by 
visitors,  who  rarely  arrive  there 
before  Christmas. 


while  if  the  weather  is  mild  in  January  and 
February  numeroui  flowers  are  to  be  found. 
Though  perfectly  hardy  in  the  open  about 
London,  it  is  better  grown  on  a  wall,  the  extra 
heat  obtained  by  this  means  producing  better 
flowers.  At  Rose  Hill,  Falmouth,  there  is  a 
nice  specimen  of  C.  calycina,  and  in  the  mild 
climate  experienced  there  it  is  said  to  flower 
remarkably  well,  the  flowers  being  clean  in  colour 
and  of  good  size.  W.  Dallimore. 


JASMINUM    NUDIFLORUM. 

Faw  shrubs  flower  more  freely  than  this  old 
favourite,  and  throughout  winter  it  is  one  of  the 
brightest  things  to  be  seen  in  the  outdoor  garden. 
As  a  rule  a  really  good  show  of  flowers  is  not 
obtained  before  Christmas,  though  a  few  may  be 
open  early  in  December.  The  mild  weather  ex- 
perienced this  autumn  has,  however,  resulted  in 
its  being  forced  into  bloom  before  its  usual  season, 
and  now  and  for  the  past  week  it  has  made  a  very 
creditable  display.  Although  usually  grown  on  a 
wall,  this  is  by  no  means  necessary  for  its  success- 
ful flowering,  for  if  planted  against  a  rough  fence, 
old  tree  trunk,  or  against  a  group  of  rough  tree 
branches,  it  makes  a  pretty  informal  mass,  the 
long  wand-like  shoots  smothered  with  golden 
blossoms  arranging  themselves  in  a  free  and  grace- 
ful manner.  Planted  in  company  with  Ivy,  either 
on  a  wall  or  on  a  large  tree  root,  it  is  also  very 
pretty,  the  green  leaves  of  the  Ivy  setting  off  the 
flowers.  In  some  places  it  is  used  for  hedges,  and 
when  left  to  ramble  freely  it  looks  very  pretty, 
but  these  hedges  are  too  often  spoiled  by  being 
pruned  late  in  the  year,  so  shearing  off  most  of  the 
flowers.  When  any  pruning  is  required  it  should 
be  done  immediately  the  flowers  are  over.  This 
gives  a  good  long  growing  season.  W.  D. 


AROMATIC    SHRUBS. 

I  SPENT  portions  of  February  and  March  in  the 
Riviera,  but  owing  to  illness  I  was  unable  to  do 
much  plant-hunting.  During  the  time,  however, 
I  spent  some  days  at  Cap  Martin,  and  as  the  hotel 
is  in  the  very  midst  of  the  natural  woods  I  was 
able  to  get  some  walks  in  them  without  fatigue. 
It  would  be  hard  to  find  more  delightful  woods  ; 
they  go  down  to   the   sea,  and   walks   have  been 


made  through  them,  and  the  hotel  proprietors  have 
had  the  good  taste  to  leave  the  woods  as  much  as 
possible  in  their  natural  state.  As  I  walked  through 
them  I  was  struck  with  the  abundance  of  sweet- 
scented  shrubs,  the  whole  underwood  being  a  mass 
of  Myrtle,  Rosemary,  Pistacia,  and  Thyme,  with  a 
mixture  of  Rue.  There  were  other  sweet-scented 
plants,  but  these  were  the  chief  shrubs,  and  I  noted 
many  things  in  connexion  with  them  which  I  think 
worth  recording. 

The  shrubs  I  have  named  are  well  known,  but 
each  of  them  has  a  botanical  and  historical  and 
literary  interest.  The  five  belong  to  different 
botanical  families,  but  they  have  some  rather 
curious  points  in  common.  They  are  all  strictly 
southern  plants,  none  of  them  being  really  wild 
north  of  the  Alps.  Rosemary  has  been  reported 
from  one  place  in  Switzerland,  but  the  botanists 
are  agreed  that  it  is  an  alien.  They  all,  with  the 
exception  of  Rosemary,  bear  their  old  Greek  names, 
which  they  have  carried  with  small  changes  into 
every  country  in  Europe.  The  Greek  name  of 
Rosemary  is  not  exactly  certain  ;  it  was  probably 
Libanotis,  but  it  very  early  got  the  name  of 
Rosmarinus,  and  is  so  named  by  Horace,  Ovid, 
Virgil,  and  Pliny,  and  it  carried  the  same  name 
into  every  European  country.  The  five  are  lovers 
of  the  sea,  and  while  one  shows  it  in  the  Rosmari- 
nus, another  of  them  brings  to  our  memory  Virgil's 
description  "  amantes  littora  myrli"  :  and  though 
all  southerners,  they  have  all  long  been  special 
favourites  in  Enghsh  gardens,  the  Myrtle,  Rue, 
Thyme,  and  Piosemary  having  been  grown  in 
England  from  the  very  earliest  times,  and  the 
Pistacia  was  grown  by  Evelyn  in  the  seventeenth 
century,  and  it  was  probably  grown  much  before 
his  day,  as  he  speaks  of  it  a«  a  well-established 
shrub,  and  lays  no  claim  to  its  introduction.  And 
as  a  last  point  of  resemblance  they  are  all  highly 
aromatic  shrubs,  so  much  so  that  if  anyone  was 
asked  for  an  instance  of  an  European  aromatic 
shrub  he  would  certainly  name  one  or  more  of 
these,  perhaps  all ;  and  that  brings  me  to  the  proper 
subject  of  my  paper. 

I  confine  myself  to  the  five  shrubs  I  have  named  ; 
and  I  said  that  each  has  its  special  botanical, 
literary,  and  historical  interest.  I  must  say  a  little 
on  these  points,  but  it  must  be  very  little.  The 
Myrtle  was  a  favourite  both  with  the  Greeks  and 
Romans  ;  with  the  Romans  especially  it  was  almost 


CLEMATIS    CALYCINA. 

Ths  chief  interest  of  this  Clematis 
centres  in  its  evergreen  foliage  and  early 
flowering.  For  general  usefulness,  how- 
ever, it  is  surpassed  by  most  of  the  other 
species.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Balearic 
Islands,  and  was  named  by  M.  Richards, 
a  French  botanist,  C.  balearica,  Alton's 
name,  C.  calycina,  the  name  under 
which  it  is  figured  in  the  Botanical 
Magazine  (t.  959),  being  the  one  which 
is  kept  up.  It  grows  to  a  height  of 
9  feet  or  10  feet,  and  makes  a  dense 
tangled  mass,  the  leaf-stalks  twisting 
round  and  binding  the  branches  together. 
The  leaves  are  very  dark  green  in 
colour,  and  vary  considerably  in  shape  ; 
usually,  however,  they  are  ternate,  the 
divisions  being  again  very  deeply 
divided.  The  flowers  vary  considerably 
in  size,  being  from  IJ  inches  to  2^  inches 
across.  In  colour  they  are  greenish 
white,  with  a  tinge  of  purple  occasionally 
appearing  on  the  inside  of  the  sepals. 
The  plant  continues  to  grow  very  late 
in  the  year,  young  soft  shoots  with 
flower-buds  being  produced  in  December 
when  the  weather  is  mild.  Early  in 
December  flowers  are  often  to  be  seen, 


MAGNOLIA   GKANDIFLORA. 


12 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


as  great  a  favourite  as  the  Rose  ;  it  was  more 
abundant  in  Italy  and  Liguria  than  in  Greece,  and 
the  beat  was  said  to  come  from  Estj'pt.  It  is  not 
found  wild  north  of  the  Alps,  and  is  never  far 
removed  from  the  sea,  and  it  is  very  possible  that 
this  connexion  with  the  sea  may  have  been  in 
Shakespeare's  mind  when  he  contrasted  "  the 
morning  dew-drops  on  the  Myrtle  leaf  to  the  great 
sea"  ("Anthony  and  Cleopatra"),  and  in  his  time 
the  Mediterranean  was  always  known  and  spoken 
of  as  the  great  sea.  The  name  and  the  plant  very 
early  came  to  England,  and  the  name  was  soon 
transferred  to  the  Gale  or  Bog  Myrtle,  with  which, 
however,  it  has  no  connexion.  The  Rosemary  has 
very  much  the  same  history,  but  was  a  greater 
favourite  in  English  gardens  than  the  Myrtle, 
because  of  its  greater  hardiness,  and  it  very  soon 
found  it  way  into  English  literature.  It  had  a 
great  celebrity  as  a  bee  plant,  and  in  the  Riviera, 
as  at  Narbonne,  it  has  the  credit  of  giving  a  peculiar 
flavour  to  honey.  The  Rue,  like  the  Myrtle  and 
Rosemary,  as  an  European  plant  is  strictly  Mediter- 
ranean, though  it  has  become  naturalised  in  several 
other  parts.  It  was  certainly  in  England  in  the 
eighth  century,  and  was  reckoned  among  the  most 
valuable  plants  for  medical  purposes,  but  for  all 
commercial  purposes  it  has  long  been  supplanted  by 
its  near  relation  the  Orange  ;  they  both  belong  to 
the  same  natural  famil}-,  the  Rutacaj,  but  the  Orange 
as  a  Riviera  plant  is  the  head  of  the  family. — 
H.  N.  E.,in  The  Pilot. 

(To  be  continued. J 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor   is   not   responsible  for    the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.) 


THE     FLORIST'S    CAENATION    AND 
PICOTEE. 

[To  THE  Editor  of   "The  Garden."] 

SI R, — I  was  very  pleased  to  read  the  remarks 
of  the  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner  ;  it  reminded 
me  of  our  discussions  in  the  gardening 
Press  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  The 
most  redoubtable  champion  amongst  us 
was  Mr.  E.  S.  Dodwell.  One  of  Sir  John 
Tenniel's  most  characteristic  caricatures  of  the  late 
Mr.  W.  E.  Gladstone  took  the  form  of  an  exceed- 
ingly fierce  rough  terrier  dog,  with  the  motto, 
"Who  said  atrocities?"  Such  was  our  friend 
Mr.  Dodwell  when  any  one  touched  the  Carnation 
not  exactly  to  his  mind.  We  all  liked  to  read  his 
remarks  ;  and  we  are  delighted  with  those  of  our 
friend  Mr.  Horner,  although  he  has  nothing  of  the 
rough  terrier  dog.  I  do  not  see  where  I  am  wrong, 
because  both  generically  and  specifically  there  is  no 
difference  between  a  Carnation  and  a  Picotee  ;  they 
both  belong  to  the  same  genus,  Uianthus,  and  also 
have  the  same  specific  form — Caryophyllus.  Surely 
Mr.  Horner  will  not  contest  this  ?  They  differ  in 
the  colour  of  the  flowers,  as  I  stated.  Lower  down 
Mr.  Horner  quotes  me  as  staling  that  "  really 
,  there  is  no  difference  between  a  Carnation  and 
Picotee."  If  you  separate  a  man's  words  from  the 
context  you  may  make  him  say  almost  anything  you 
like.  He  omits  "except  in  the  colour  of  the 
flowers."  Mr.  Horner  knows  very  well  indeed 
tha£  I  know  the  Carnation  and  Picotee  as  well  as 
he  does ;  that  many  of  the  best  Picotees,  both 
yellow  and  white  ground,  were  raised  by  me  from 
seed.  On  December  12  one  of  the  leading  exhibitors 
was  showing  me  his  plants ;  he  told  me  that 
Fortrose,  a  rose-edged  Picotee,  was  the  best  in 
existence,  and  that  he  had  won  "premier"  with  it 
three  or  four  times  ;  moreover,  it  won  "premier" 
for  me  when  I  first  introduced  it.  In  yellow  ground 
Picotees  my  seedling,  Mrs.  Robert  Sydenham,  held 
the  highest  position  for  many  years. 

I  have  won  many  prizes  for  Carnations  during  my 
thirty  years  or  more  of  exhibiting,  but  never  was 
disqualified  owing  to  my  mistaking  a  Carnation 
for  a  Picotee.  Even  a  "  colt,"  as  they  designate 
young  exhibitors  in  the  North,  never  could  make 
such  a  mistake.  I  have  frequently  described  the 
difference  between  a  Carnation  and  Picotee ;  but 


the  point  seems  to  be,  are  they  or  are  they  not 
generically  and  specifically  distinct  ?  I  maintain 
they  are  not.  If  my  good  friend  maintains  that 
they  are  specifically  distinct,  will  he  kindly  let  us 
know  the  two  distinct  species.  The  florist  Car- 
nation is  marked  with  flakes  and  stripes  on  the 
petals,  so  was  the  Picotee  for  many  years,  but  the 
old  florists  found  chance  flowers  with  the  margins 
of  the  petals  marked  as  well  as  the  other  part,  and 
in  the  course  of  years  (generations,  in  fact)  they 
selected  and  selected  until  in  white  grounds  we 
have  Ganymede,  Mrs.  Gorton,  Zerlina,  Somerhill, 
Mrs.  Sharpe,  Fortrose,  &c.  In  yellow  grounds  we 
have  Childe  Harold,  Alcinous,  Gertrude,  Mrs. 
Walter  Heriot,  Othello,  Lady  St.  Oswald,  &c.  I 
have  sent  up  the  names  to  the  Editor  all  in  their 
various  classes.  I  thank  Mr.  Horner  for  all  the 
useful  information  he  has  given  us,  and  especially 
in  his  statement  that  the  Picotee  is  prone  to  pro- 
duce weak  bars,  streaks,  and  dots  over  the  ground 
colour.  Pray,  my  good  sir,  what  is  this  but  the 
Picotee  harking  back  to  its  primal  source?  In 
my  work  of  seedling  raising  (and  I  have  raised 
thousands  of  Picotees  from  seed)  I  have  raised 
scores  of  self-coloured  Carnations  directly  from 
Picotee  seed. 

One  of  the  best  Picotees  twenty-five  years  ago 
was  Her  Majesty.  It  has  pure  white  flowers,  with 
a  very  narrow  margin  of  purple  ;  this  was  carefully 
crossed  with  another  Picotee  of  a  similar  character. 
This  cross  produced  self-coloured  Carnations,  one 
of  which  was  sent  out  as  Purple  Emperor.  Surely, 
when  self-coloured  Carnations  are  raised  directly 
from  undoubted  crosses  of  white  ground  Picotees 
nothing  more  is  needed  to  prove  their  descent  from 
one  primal  source.  Jas.  Douglas. 

UNTRUSTWORTHY  ADVICE. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Most  of  those  who  study  the  Horticultural 
Press  do  so  in  order  that  they  may  learn,  from  the 
writings  of  acknowledged  experts  in  the  different 
sections  of  gardening,  the  correct  treatment  of  their 
favourite  subjects,  the  peculiarities  and  require- 
ments of  plants  new  to  them  which  they  may  wish 
to  possess,  and  the  best  methods  of  increasing  the 
attractions  of  their  gardens.  The  amateur  generally 
believes  implicitly  in  the  reliability  of  the  advice 
thus  given,  and  with  good  reason,  for  the  writers 
are,  almost  without  exception,  from  their  wide 
experience,  well  qualified  to  speak  with  authority 
upon  the  subjects  of  which  they  write.  Occasionally, 
however,  one  chances  upon  an  instance  where  this 
reliability  is  conspicuous  by  its  absence. 

Such  a  ease  attracted  my  attention  a  few  days 
ago  while  scanning  the  gardening  column  in  a 
daily  paper  of  wide  circulation.  The  paragraph  in 
question  was  devoted  to  wall  plants,  and  lists  were 
given  of  tender,  half-hardy,  and  hardj'  subjects  for 
covering  walls.  In  the  list  of  tender  wall  plants 
was  included  the  absolutely  hardy  North  American 
Aristolochia  Sipho,  also  Acacia  atfinis,  and  A.  deal- 
bata,  which  two  are  held  to  be  synonymous  at 
Kew. 

Among  half  -  hardy  wall  plants  the  North 
American  Tecoma  (Bignonia)  radicans,  Forsythia 
suspensa,  and  Jasminum  nudiflorum  were  named, 
all  three  of  which  are  hardy,  and  Berberidopsis 
corallina,  which  bears  glowing  red  flowers,  was 
stated  to  produce  "  berries  onl}-."  In  the  list  of 
hardy  wall  plants  were  to  be  found  Carpenteria 
californica,  Buddleia  globosa,  Benthamia  fragifora, 
and  Veronicas.  None  of  these  four  can,  I  think, 
be  termed  absolutely  hardy.  I  have  seen  a  large 
shrubby  Veronica  growing  at  the  foot  of  a  wall 
killed  in  a  severe  winter,  even  in  the  south-west. 
Benthamia  fragifera  is  certainly  not  hardy  except 
in  the  south,  and  is  no  more  fitted  for  a  wall  plant 
than  is  an  Elm,  for  in  a  genial  climate  it  becomes 
a  forest  tree  60  feet  or  more  in  height.  Heliotrope 
is  given  as  a  half-hardy  wall  plant  and  classed  with 
Jasminum  nudiflorum,  but  is  less  hardy  than 
any  of  those  named  in  the  list  of  tender  wall 
plants,  being  susceptible  to  a  few  degrees  of  frost 
when  not  grown  with  other  climbers  that  shelter 
it  or  given  artificial  protection.  Such  advice  as 
this,  if  acted  upon,  would  only  lead  to  disappoint- 
ment ;  but,  happily,  one  does  not  meet  with  such 


glaring  misstatements  in  papers  entirely  devoted  to 
gardening  interests.  S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 

[We  quite  agree  with  our  correspondent.  The 
horticultural  contributions  to  the  general  Press  are 
generally  so  inaccurate  that  we  fear  those  who  act 
upon  the  advice  go  sadly  astray. — Ed.] 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


EARLY     BROAD    BEANS    UNDER 
GLASS. 

BROAD  BEANS  are  not  great  favourites 
in  many  houses,  and  this  may  be  owing 
to  various  causes.  The  pods  are  too 
large,  the  seeds  too  old,  and  the  flavour 
harsh.  These  objections  do  not  apply 
to  Broad  Beans  sown  at  this  season 
either  in  pots,  boxes,  or  frames,  and  finished  in  the 
open.  Grown  thus,  and  if  the  pods  are  gathered 
young,  the  Beans  when  cooked  are  equal  to  Marrow 
Peas.  The  latter  may  be  thought  a  strong  assertion, 
but  it  is  true.  Many  may  think  it  out  of  place  to 
give  glass  culture  to  this  vegetable,  but  this  is  not  so. 
We  often  bestow  more  labour  upon  vegetables  of 
less  value.  The  Broad  Bean  is  of  better  quality  in 
May  and  early  June  than  in  July  and  August.  To 
get  an  early  crop  I  would  advise  sowing  now,  and 
give  cold  frame  culture  for  the  next  two  or  three 
months,  say  till  the  end  of  February.  Frames  may 
not  be  available.  Many  shifts  may  be  made,  but 
by  the  term  sownunderglass,  I  mean  where  protection 
may  be  given  for  a  time,  so  that  such  structures  as 
cool  fruit  houses,  Peach  cases,  or  anywhere  giving 
shelter,  and  when  the  plants  can  be  grown  near  the 
light.  I  prefer  frames  if  they  can  be  spared,  as  the 
plants  can  be  grown  near  the  glass  and  given  plenty 
of  air  in  suitable  weather.  The  old  system  of 
sowing  Beans  in  November  is  not  practised  much 
now,  and  it  has  little  to  commend  it  as  the  results 
were  so  uncertain,  and  I  do  not  advise  sowing  in 
heat.  I  have  seen  the  seeds  sown  much  later  and 
germinated  in  a  warm  house,  but  it  weakens  the 
plants.  It  is  far  better  to  sow  much  earlier  and 
give  a  longer  season's  growth  without  heat  at  all. 
When  sown  in  pots,  I  prefer  a  good-sized  pot — 
5  inches  or  6  inches — and  four  seeds  in  the  smaller 
size  named.  If  sown  thicker,  early  thinning 
should  be  resorted  to. 

Beans  like  a  good  holding  soil,  but  the  top  soil 
should  not  be  too  heavy  at  this  season  of  the  year. 
We  use  a  liberal  quantity  of  wood  ashes  with 
heavy  loam,  and  this  promotes  a  sturdy  growth. 
Seed  may  also  be  sown  in  boxes,  and  these  plants, 
when  large  enough,  are  carefully  lifted  with  a  ball. 
Pots  are  much  the  best,  as  here  the  mass  of  earth  and 
roots  is  intact.  The  plants  are  housed  till  the 
weather  is  suitable  for  planting  out,  which  depends 
upon  the  season,  but  plants  not  given  any  heat  are 
much  hardier  than  those  raised  otherwise,  and  they 
do  not  flag  or  feel  cold  winds  if  well  moulded  up  at 
the  time  of  planting.  Plants  sown  under  glass  are 
much  dwarfer  than  when  grown  in  the  ordinary 
way,  so  that  it  will  repay  the  cultivator  to  reserve 
a  warm  corner  for  this  crop.  The  rows  may  be 
much  closer  (15  inches  to  18  inches),  but  the  plants 
should  nearly  touch  in  the  row,  so  that  no  space  is 
lost.  At  planting  each  lot  should  be  made  firm, 
and  they  do  best  in  a  deep  drill,  but  the  soil 
should  be  made  rich  and  be  prepared  some  time  in 
advance  of  the  planting,  so  that,  any  food  placed  in 
the  soil  is  in  good  condition  for  the  roots  to  lay 
hold  of. 

A  south  border  will  be  a  good  place,  and  it  is 
surprising  what  a  quantity  of  pods  plants  raised 
thus  will  give,  and  some  weeks  in  advance  of  the 
seeds  sown  in  the  open.  The  Bean  is  usually  a  long 
time  germinating  in  cold  soil.  As  regards  varieties, 
I  like  the  medium  long  green  pods  best.  I  do 
not  think  the  very  long  podded  sorts  are  so  good. 
By  this,  I  mean  such  as  the  Mammoth  varieties, 
the  small  section  of  which — the  Early  Mazagan, 
Beck's,  and  Dwarf  Green — are  liked  by  many,  but  I 
prefer  the  ones  named.  If  the  plants  are  kept 
dwarf,  almost  any  of  the  early  varieties  may  be 
relied  upon.  Much  depends  upon  the  soil  and 
culture  given.  G.  Wythes. 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


13 


WINTER  CUCUMBERS. 
Various  notes  upon  the  important  crop  of  winter 
Cucumbers  have  recently  appeared  in  The  Garden. 
As  all  growers  know,  a  good  deal  of  skill  and 
close  attention  are  necessary  to  obtain  a  fair  crop 
of  Cucumbers  during  the  winter  months,  and 
especially  in  the  neighbourhood  of  large  towns, 
where  the  atmosphere  is  impure.  Keeping  the 
growths  fairly  thin,  so  as  to  admit  as  much  light 
and  air  as  possible,  taking  care  not  to  crop  the 
plants  very  heavily  at  once,  but  endeavouring 
rather  to  keep  them  in  moderate  bearing  for  a 
considerable  time,  adding  fresh  light  soil  as  new 
roots  appear,  careful  watering,  a  moderately 
moist  atmosphere,  and  preventing  the  formation  of 
seed  are  the  chief  objects  to  have  in  view  to  keep 
winter  Cucumbers  in  good  health. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

WHILE  the  gardener's  life  is  one 
of  continual  forecasting,  this  is 
the  season  when  he 
might  with  profit  in- 
dulge in  a  retrospect 
of  the  year  that  has 
passed.  During  that  period  many  altera- 
tions and  improvements  will  have  been 
thought  of.  This  is  the  season  when  any 
change  in  the  plan  of  cropping  or  style 
of  garden  can  be  best  carried  out  before 
the  rush  of  spring  work  comes  on.  The 
new  year  bids  fair  to  open  with  fine 
weather,  permitting  digging  and  trench- 
ing operations  to  be  pushed  forward. 
All  vacant  plots  should  be  trenched 
or  dug  as  soon  as  possible.  Where  it  is 
intended  to  grow  Onions  the  ground 
should  be  deeply  trenched  and  a  liberal 
supply  of  well-decayed  manure  dug  in. 
A  good  dressing  of  soot  scattered  on  the 
ground  before  trenching,  and  a  slight 
one  after  that  operation,  will  benefit 
this  important  crop.  Borders  with  a 
southern  aspect  should  receive  immediate 
attention  and  the  ground  prepared  tor 
the  first  seed  sowing.  For  the  earliest 
Peas  trenches  about  18  inches  deep 
should  be  thrown  out  the  full  width  of 
the  border  and  some  well-decayed  manure 
placed  in  the  bottom,  or,  as  some  growers 
prefer,  leaf-mould.  The  soil  should  then 
be  turned  back,  and  the  trenches  so 
treated  marked  with  a  short  stake  at 
each  end. 

Seakale. 
Pots  may  be  placed  over  crowns  in  the 
open  and  the  whole  covered  over  with 
rough  well-fermented  manure  and  leaves. 
A  supply  should  also  be  lifted  for  forcing 
in  the  Mushroom  house,  this,  according  to  require- 
ments, to  be  repeated  every  third  week. 

Asparagus. 

Where  this  vegetable  is  in  demand  it  may  now 
be  forced  with  ease  either  in  the  Mushroom  house 
or  on  hot-beds.  See  that  the  crowns  are  at  least 
three  years  old.  If  grown  on  hot-beds  place  about 
3  inches  of  soil  on  top  of  the  heating  material  for 
the  crowns  to  rest  on  ;  give  the  crowns  a  covering 
of  about  5  inches  of  light  soil.  Airing  on  all  favour- 
able occasions  must  be  carefully  attended  to. 

Take  every  advantage  of  dry  or  frosty  weather 
to  collect  and  burn  all  garden  refuse.  Inspect 
stock  of  Pea  and  other  stakes.  Place  manure  on 
all  ground  still  to  be  dug.  Thomas  Hay. 

Uopetoun  House  Gardens,  Queensferry,  N.B. 


an  unnatural  efifort  to  make  growth,  with  the 
result  that  they  soon  become  attacked  by  thrips, 
aphis,  &o.  A  night  temperature  of  60°,  with  a 
rise  of  5°  during  the  day  by  artificial  aid,  is  high 
enough  for  the  East  Indian  Orchid  house,  whilst 
the  plant  stove  may  fall  as  low  as  .5.5°  at  night  and 
rise  to  60°  in  the  daytime.  Begonia  Gloire  de 
Lorraine  will  flower  satisfactorily  in  a  night 
temperature  of  50°,  with  a  rise  of  5°  during  the 
day.  The  greenhouse,  in  which  usually  there  is  a 
varied  collection  of  plants,  should  have  a  night 
temperature  of  45°,  the  temperature  during  the 
day  being  regulated  according  to  circumstances. 

Tree  Carnations 
will  do  well  in  a  temperature  of  50°  at  night  and 
55°  during  the  day,  but  that  for  Malmaison  Carna- 
tions may  fall  to  45°  at  night,  and  should  not  be 
higher  than  50*  during  the  daytime.  Give  air  on 
all  favourable  occasions  to  the  occupants  of  the 
two  last-mentioned  houses.  A  thorough  cleansing 
of  the  plants  from  insect  pests,  as  well  as  the 
interior  of  the  houses  in  which  they  are  situated, 
at  this  time  of  the  year  is  of  paramount  import- 
ance. Wash  well  the  woodwork,  glass,  and  walls 
of  the  structures  with  hot  water  and  soft  soap,  and 


light.  Plunge  the  latter  in  a  gentle  bottom-heat 
at  first  with  an  atmospheric  temperature  of  65°  to 
70°,  raising  it  to  80°  as  growth  advances.  Retarded 
crowns  may  be  started  in  a  cool,  close  frame,  and 
afterwards  be  removed  to  a  light,  airy  position  on 
the  greenhouse  shelf.  .1.  P.  Leadbettee. 

The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 


FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Fruiting  Pines. 
To  provide  a  supply  of  ripe  fruit  in  May  and  .June 
no  time  should  now  be  lost  in  getting  the  Pine 
stove  ready  for  the  earliest  Queen  plants. 
Thoroughly  wash  and  paint  the  pit  if  necessary, 
remove  all  dirt  from  the  tan  or  leaves,  and  add 
fresh  material  to  produce  the  bottom-heat  required  ; 
this  should  range  from  85°  to  90°,  if  it  exceeds 
the  latter  the  pots  should  be  shaken  a  little  to 
allow  the  heat  to  escape  by  the  sides  of  the  pots. 
Where  hot-water  pipes  are  used  a  steady  bottom- 
heat  is  more  easily  maintained.  When  the  bed  is 
ready  for  the  plants,  select  the  Queens  which  are 
thickest  at  the  collar  and  open  in  the  centre,  as 
these  are  most  likely  to  show  fruit  before  making 
fresh  growth.     Remove  a  few  of  the  short  lower 


a  house  of  winter  cucumbers  in  a  market  nursery. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

First  review  the  temperatures  of  all  plant  houses 
and  ascertain  whether  for  the  time  being  they  are 
too  high  or  too  low,  as  an  undue  degree  of  heat  in 
either  respect  is  productive  only  of  disappointment. 
A  too  high  temperature  at  this  early  season  is 
obnoxious  even  to  exotics,  for  they  are  forced  into 


finally,  directly  the  walls  are  dry,  coat  them  with 
lime-wash.     To  provide 

Cut  Flowers 
bring  into  heat  in  batches  to  suit  requirements  early 
Roman  and  Italian  Hyacinths,  Paper  White,  double 
Roman,  and  Snowflake  Polyanthiis  Narcissi,  with 
the  old  double  Daffodil  (N.  Telemonius  plenus), 
N.  princeps,  Freesias,  Snowdrops,  Crocuses, 
Chionodoxas,  Tuberoses,  and  single  Due  Van  Thol 
Tulips.  A  vinery  that  is  just  started  is  a  capital 
place  in  which  to  introduce  an  early  batch  of 
Rhododendron  prfecox,  an  old  but  too  rarely  grown 
plant ;  Azalea  mollis.  Spiraea  confusa.  Lilacs 
Charles  X.  and  alba  virginalis,  Staphylea  colchica, 
the  pink-flowered  Prunus  triloba.  Azalea  Deutsche 
Perle,  Deutzias,  Choisya  ternata.  Spiraea  astilboides, 
Solomon's  Seal,  and  Dielytra  spectabilis.  The 
forcing — if  it  may  be  called  such — of 

Lilies  of  the  Valley 
has  become  an  all-the-year-round  duty,  for  between 
retarded  and  ordinary  crowns  they  can  be  had  in 
flower  every  day  in  the  year.  The  crowns,  whether 
retarded  or  not,  must  be  covered  lightly  over  with 
loose  Moss  to  keep  them  moist  and  to  subdue  the 


leaves  from  the  stems  and  any  loose  soil ;  top-dress 
with  rough  fibrous  loam,  adding  a  little  bone-meal 
and  soot ;  it  must  be  firmly  rammed  round  the 
bases  of  the  plants.  Plunge  the  plants  about  2  feet 
apart  and  water  thoroughly  with  clear  water. 
Keep  a  moderately  moist  atmosphere  by  damping 
the  paths  and  walls  and  filling  the  evaporating 
pans.  Water  may  now  be  sprinkled  on  the  surface 
of  the  beds  on  bright  days  only.  Maintain  a  night 
temperature  of  65° ;  on  sunny  da3's  the  maximum 
may  reach  80°,  a  little  air  being  given  at  75°. 
Close  early,  and  get  all  the  assistance  possible 
from  the  sun. 

Succession  Plants 

must  be  kept  in  a  steady  bottom-heat  of  70°  to  75°. 
They  must  not  be  allowed  to  get  dry  at  the  roots 
or  they  are  sure  to  show  fruits  when  the  tempe- 
rature is  raised.  The  treatment  of  later  plants 
is  the  same  as  that  already  recommended. 

Winter  Cucumbers. 

Owing  to  an  insufficiency  of  light  and  an  excess 
of  moisture  these  have  required  much  care  and 
attention.  A  thin  mulching  with  rich  soil  (and  a 
little  Thompson's  Manure  added)  to  plants  which 


14 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


have  been  fruiting  some  time  will  be  of  great 
assistance.  Remove  any  old  growths,  and  introduce 
young  shoots  from  as  near  the  base  as  possible  and 
keep  the  crop  down  to  a  reasonable  limit.  Seeds 
should  now  be  sown  of  Improved  Telegraph  or 
some  other  approved  variety,  one  or  two  seeds  in 
a  3-inch  pot  and  plunged  in  a  bottom-heat  of 
75".  When  the  seedlings  are  well  through  the 
soil  place  them  nearer  the  glass.  Make  up  a  bed 
of  fresh  leaves  and  place  mounds  of  soil  about 
3  feet  apart.  Plant  out  the  seedlings  when  they 
have  made  three  leaves  and  encourage  a  vigorous 
growth.  Pinch  the  growths  but  little,  keep  a 
night  temperature  of  68",  and  maintain  a  moist 
atmosphere.  F.  JOBDAK. 

Impiiey  Gardens,  Droitwich. 

ORCHIDS. 

In  commencing  this  series  of  notes  on  work  in  the 
Orchid  houses,  it  is  my  intention  to  write  precisely 
what  we  are  practising  at  Gatton.  Although  the 
methods  now  adopted  are  so  contrary  to  those 
advocated  a  short  time  ago,  I  shall  write  with  every 
confidence  that  growers  who  will  break  away  from 
the  old-fashioned  methods  will  soon  see  a  marked 
improvement  in  their  plants.  The  new  style  of 
potting,  like  all  other  new  introductions,  will  not 
iind  favour  with  some.  They  will  prefer  to  con- 
tinue in  the  way  we  were  all  following  a  few  years 
ago.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  there  will 
be  very  few  of  that  class  left  in  the  course  of 
another  year  or  so.  Many  Orchids  that  were  sup- 
posed to  live  for  a  few  years  after  being  imported 
to  this  country  are  now  being  made  to  grow  freely, 
such  as  Oncidium  varicosum  Rogersi,  0.  lancea- 
num,  and  0.  tigrinum  that  were  fast  dying  under 
the  old  methods,  have  been  given  fresh  life  and 
made  to  produce  fine  bulbs  and  leaves,  and  carry 
fine  spikes  of  flowers  since  they  were  treated 
differently. 

Such  cases  as  those  where  sadly  deteriorated 
Orchids  have  been  restored  to  health  and  vigour 
are  convincing  proof  of  the  desirability  of  changing 
from  the  old  method  to  the  new  before  one's  plants 
have  begun  to  deteriorate.  I  shall  from  time  to 
time  as  the  seasons  for  repotting  come  round  give 
the  form  of  compost,  and  the  advantages  gained 
by  cutting  away  useless  back  pseudo  -  bulbs 
when  repotting,  and  the  importance  of  using  a 
natural  drainage.  We  have  found  a  very  great 
improvement  in  our  plants  since  we  gave  up  the 
old  method  of  potting,  they  have  stouter  bulbs, 
leaves  of  greater  substance,  and  consequently  the 
flowering  season  does  not  reduce  the  vitality  of  the 
plants  to  anything  like  such  a  degree  as  was  the 
case  in  the  past. 

Preparation  fob  Potting. 

All  should  see  that  they  have  in  stock  good 
fibrous  peat,  loam,  sufficient  sphagnum  moss  to  last 
till  April ,  some  good  Oak  leaves  ( 1 902)  that  have  not 
been  subjected  to  fermentation,  and  a  fair  quantity 
of  thoroughly  sterilised  rhizomes  that  have  been 
taken  from  the  peat  ;  it  is  of  great  importance  to 
ensure  thorough  sterilisation  of  the  rhizomes,  other- 
wise harm  instead  of  good  may  accrue  from  their 
use.  I  am  convinced  that  these  rhizomes,  which 
have  been  so  freely  thrown  away  in  the  past,  will 
play  a  most  important  part  in  Orchid  culture  in  the 
future. 

Although  this  is  only  the  first  week  in  the  new 
year  the  time  for  repotting  or  resurfacing  will 
soon  be  here.  Valuable  time  is  often  lost  through 
having  to  wait  for  this  or  that  material,  and  often 
the  roots  are  too  far  advanced  for  repotting  to  be 
done  without  injuring  them.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Oallon  Park  Gardens,  JReigate. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Wall  Plants. 
The  recent  rough  winds  will  probably  have 
detached  some  branches  of  climbers  and  other 
shrubs  trained  against  walls.  Soon  after  the 
winds  have  abated  these  plants  should  be  looked 
over  and  all  loosened  shoots  made  secure.  In  the 
case  of  high  walls  and  dwelling-houses  it  is  not 
wise  to  attempt  any  ladder  work  while  the  wind 
is  blowing,  as  it  frequently  has  a  nasty  habit  of 


curling  around  corners  in  a  dangerous  manner- 
Chimonanthus  fragrans  and  Jasminum  nudiflorum 
will  now  be  opening  their  earliest  buds,  and  if  bad 
weather  is  anticipated  some  protection  should  be 
afforded.  For  this  purpose  fronds  of  Bracken  are 
most  useful,  or  sprays  of  Quercus  Ilex  and  short 
branches  of  the  common  Silver  Fir.  If  required 
for  house  decoration  branches  of  the  Jasmine  cut 
and  opened  in  water  in  a  warm  house  will  be  found 
to  be  of  a  better  colour  than  when  cut  direct  from 
the  plant.  The  Winter  Sweet  also  opens  well  in 
water.  Single  flowers  floated  in  finger  bowls  or 
small  glasses  are  delightful ;  the  warmth  of  the 
room  draws  out  the  fragrance  surprisingly. 

Lawns. 
As  often  as  time  and  weather  permit  the  lawns 
should  be  well  swept  when  necessary  and  rolled. 
Worm  casts  are  not  nearly  so  troublesome  as  they 
were  a  month  or  so  ago.  If  there  are  any  bare  or 
rusty-looking  patches,  and  it  is  not  desirable  or 
convenient  to  relay  turf,  a  sprinkling  of  any 
approved  artificial  manure  will  speedily  improve  the 
appearance  of  the  grass.  If  the  manure  is  mixed 
with  twice  or  three  times  its  bulk  of  fine  dry  soil 
or  dry  sand  it  can  be  spread  more  evenly.  Except 
in  a  few  favoured  localities,  it  has  of  late  been 
much  too  wet  to  attempt  such  work  as  relaying 
turf,  but  advantage  should  be  taken  of  any  spell 
of  dry  and  mild  weather  to  complete  this  work 
before  the  year  is  far  advanced. 
Snow. 
When  the  workmen  live  at  any  distance  from  the 
gardens  they  should  be  given  to  understand  that 
in  the  event  of  a  fall  of  snow  on  any  Saturday 
evening  or  Sunday  morning  they  are  expected  to 
come  on  the  Sunday  and  do  such  necessary  work 
as  clearing  paths  and  shaking  the  snow  from  young 
conifers  and  any  other  evergreen  trees  and  shrubs 
which  are  likely  to  be  broken  by  the  weight  of 
snow.  A  supply  of  long  poles  should  be  kept  in  a 
convenient  place.  If  any  branches  are  broken  off 
the  wound  on  the  tree  should  be  made  smooth  and 
coated  with  tar,  thick  paint,  or  any  approved 
mixture  to  prevent  the  ingress  of  moisture  or 
microbes. 

Empty  Vases. 
After  heavy  rains  all  empty  vases  standing  out 
of  doors  should  be  examined  to  see  that  the 
drainage  holes  are  clear,  otherwise  water  will 
collect  which  if  frozen  would  probably  burst  the 
vases.  Two  or  three  fallen  leaves  are  often 
sufficient  to  stop  the  free  passage  of  rain  water. 

A.  C.  Babtlett. 
Pencarrow  Garden.^,  Bodmin. 
[Readers  in  the  Midland  and  Northern  Counties 
need  not  fear  to  follow  the  advice  given  by  Mr. 
Bartlett,  for  Pencarrow  Gardens  are  in  the  north 
of  Cornwall,  where  the  cold  is  often  most  severe. 
—Ed.] 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

In  spite  of  all  that  has  been  said  to  the  contrary 
as  to  the  Chrysanthemum  not  being  as  popular  as 
it  was  a  few  years  since,  there  is  not  the  slightest 
doubt  that  it  still  retains  its  exalted  position  as  the 
Queen  of  Autumn  flowers,  and  so  long  as  novelties 
of  the  various  sections  are  annually  introduced,  so 
long  will  the  public  taste  be  gratified.  The  great 
diversity  of  form  and  colouring  creates  fresh 
enthusiasm,  and  though  some  regard  the  large, 
massive  flowers  as  worthless,  the  great  majority  see 
much  to  admire  in  them. 

Propagation. 
Ultimate  success  so  much  depends  on  a  good 
start  being  made  that  too  much  care  can  hardly  be 
bestowed  on  the  propagation  and  selection  of 
cuttings.  The  first  week  in  the  new  year  will  be 
quite  early  enough  to  begin  striking  the  cuttings  to 
produce  exhibition  flowers  by  November  next, 
providing  the  old  stools  have  been  properly  treated, 
as  b}'  that  time  the  shoots  should  be  clean  and 
sturdy.  The  soil,  which  should  be  got  in  readiness 
and  thoroughly  mixed  a  few  days  before  it  is 
used,  must  be  of  a  fairly  light,  porous  nature. 
Light,  fibrous  loam  and  well-decayed  leaf-soil  in 
equal  parts,  with    a    plentiful    supply   of  coarse 


silver  sand,  will  make  a  suitable  mixture,  care  being 
taken  to  have  it  in  a  nice  workable  condition,  i.e., 
neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry.  The  cuttings  should 
be  inserted  singly  in  2A-inch  pots,  which  should  be 
thoroughly  cleansed,  and  well  drained  by  placing 
one  inverted  crock  over  the  hole,  covering  this 
with  very  finely  broken  pieces,  over  which  should 
be  placed  a  little  fibre,  free  from  soil,  taken  from 
the  loam  heap.  Ensure  the  compost  not  becoming 
mixed  and  clogging  the  waterway.  As  I  have  often 
pointed  out,  this  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
when  potting  Chrysanthemums  in  every  stage.  The 
soil  should  be  pressed  in  moderately  firm,  and  the 
surface  covered  with  a  little  silver  sand  before 
inserting  the  cuttings.  Small  frames  or  hand-lights 
are  well  suited  for  rooting  them,  and  these  should 
be  placed  on  the  stages,  either  in  an  early  vinery, 
orchard,  or  greenhouse,  and  three-parts  filled  with 
Cocoanut  refuse,  when  the  cuttings  may  be  attended 
to  with  ease  and  comfort,  whatever  the  conditions 
of  the  weather  outside. 

Before  taking  off  the  cuttings  thoroughly  fumigate 
the  plants  to  ensure  freedom  from  insect  pests. 
Choose  the  strongest,  short-jointed  growths, 
selecting,  as  far  as  possible,  root-suckers,  as  these 
are  less  liable  to  produce  premature  buds.  Prepare 
the  cuttings  in  the  ordinar}'  way,  which  should  be 
about  3  inches  in  length.  Do  not  take  off  more  at 
the  time  than  can  be  speedily  put  in,  never  allowing 
the  foliage  to  flag.  Each  cutting  should  be  correctly 
labelled  as  it  is  put  in,  thoroughly  water  in,  and 
keep  close  for  a  few  days.  These  will  probably 
require  to  be  damped  over  daily  in  early  morning, 
but  at  the  same  time  this  should  not  be  done  so  as 
to  cause  the  foliage  to  damp.  It  may  be  necessary 
in  very  dull  weather  to  remove  the  lights  for  an 
hour  or  so  during  the  morning.  Immediately  the 
cuttings  begin  to  push  forth  young  roots  the 
lights  should  be  carefulh'  opened,  and  if  this  is 
done  the  young  plants  will  quickly  gain  strength. 
Undue  forcing  in  the  early  stages  of  their  growth 
should  be  rigorously  avoided,  and  every  encourage- 
ment be  given  to  induce  the  growths  to  be  made  in 
as  natural  a  manner  as  possible,  and  this  can  only 
be  assured  by  assigning  to  them  a  cool,  light,  and 
airy  position,  such  as  shelves  near  the  glass,  after 
the  pots  become  filled  with  roots.  An  up-to-date 
collection  can  only  be  maintained  by  adding 
annually  a  few  of  the  best  novelties  and  excluding 
some  of  the  older  ones,  which  are  played  out  and 
superseded  by  others.  It  is  yet  full  early  to  pro- 
pagate Pompons  and  general  decorative  varieties  ; 
but  the  old  plants  which  are  required  for  stock 
should  be  well  treated,  and  arranged  either  in  cold 
frames  or  cool  houses  to  ensure  a  plentiful  supply 
of  free  healthy  cuttings  later  on. 

Late-flowering  Varieties 
have  done  remarkably  well  this  season,  and  many 
which  were  specially  treated  to  flower  now  are 
giving  a  wealth  of  blossom  which  is  simply 
invaluable  in  every  establishment  where  cut  flowers 
are  in  demand.  Never  allow  these  to  become 
infested  with  green  fly,  and  to  assist  the  blooms  to 
develop  properly  frequent  doses  of  manure  water 
should  be  given.  E.  Beckett. 

Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Ehtree,  Herts. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


FRUIT   TREE   PRUNING. 

THE  old  story  of  the  man  and  the  ass 
perpetually  "renews  its  youth  like  an 
eagle,"  at  least  as  far  as  the  tendering 
of  contending  advice  goes.  Here  we 
have  in  the  last  number  of  The 
Garden  Mr.  Tallack  sitting  on  Mr. 
Owen  Thomas.  It  is  to  be  hoped  he  will  not  find 
it  a  prickly  seat  as  in  the  case  of 

"  The  old  idiot  wlioae  folly 
Induced  liira  to  sit  on  a  Holly." 

Joking  apart,  the  question  is  really  a  verj- 
important  one.  There  is  hardly  a  more  important 
crop  than  that  of  Apples,  and  it  is  of  the  keenest 
interest  how  best  that  crop  is  to  be  secured.  Mr. 
Tallack  has  noticed  that  I  expressed  my  intention 
of  following  the  advice  of   Mr.   Thomas,  though 


January  2,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


15 


somewhat  unwillingly,  as  my  own  experience  ran 
rather  counter  to  it,  but  my  modesty  led  me  to 
think  he  was  more  likely  to  be  right  than  I  was. 
I  also  said  it  would  be  extremely  desirable  to  have 
the  question  ventilated  and  dealt  with  by  the  most 
experienced  Apple  growers  in  the  kingdom.  Mr. 
Tallack  is  the  only  one  who  has  responded,  and 
that  only  longo  intervello,  and  I  therefore  now  call 
upon  the  editor  to  endeavour  personally  to  elicit 
each  an  opinion.  No  more  interesting  subject  can 
occupy  hia  pages. 

While  on  this  subject  I  wish  to  bear  my  testi- 
mony to  the  value  of  Mr.  Petts'  articles  in  some 
late  issues.  A  book  on  pomology  dealing  exhaus- 
tively on  the  subjects,  on  which  he  of  course 
merely  touches  the  fringe,  is  much  needed,  and 
would  be  of  great  practical  use.  Amateurs  as  a 
rule  know  very  little  about  the  Apples  they  ought 
to  plant.  If  in  the  book  I  suggest — and  perhaps 
Mr.  Petts  might  take  up  the  idea — there  were,  say, 
100  of  the  best  Apples  treated  of — .soil,  climate,  and 
requirements  all  taken  into  the  fullest  examination 
— hundreds  of  purchasers  would  know  what  to  do 
instead  of  groping  blindly  in  the  darkness  as  they 
do  now.  I  suppose,  as  he  says,  there  is  no 
absolutely  perfect  Apple.  Were  I  to  be  called  on 
to  name  the  variety  which  conies  nearest  to  it  I 
would  say  Bismarck,  a  great  cropper,  a  splendid 
grower,  a  most  hardy  variety,  a  very  handsome, 
well-shaped  fruit,  and  possessing  Mr.  Petts' 
favourite  quality  of  weight.  If  some  hybridiser 
were  to  produce  a  Bismarck  keeping  till  June  he 
would  deserve  an  Olympian  crown. 

County  Cavan.  D.  K. 


I 


EOOT    PKUNING    FKUIT    TEEES. 

It  is  not  unusual  for  those  who  purchase  trees  to 
■complain  after  a  few  years  that,  though  the  trees 
have  grown  nicely,  they  have  failed  to  produce 
fruit.  When  a  tree  is  of  sufficient  size  to  bear, 
and  shows  no  disposition  to  do  it,  root  pruning 
■will  cause  it  to  bear.  Many  will  prefer  to  wait  a 
few  years  more  rather  than  check  a  tree's  growth 
by  root  pruning  it,  but  others  are  too  impatient  to 
wait.  It  is  on  record  here  that  a  nurseryman  had 
to  "  put  the  law  "  on  a  customer  who  refused  to 
pay  for  Pear  trees  furnished  because  there  was  no 
"fruit  on  them  within  two  or  three  years,"  which 
statement  made  to  him  at  the  time  of  purchase  led 
him  to  take  the  trees,  he  averred.  He  lost  his 
case,  however,  the  nurseryman  properly  contending 
pa3'ment  was  due  when  the  trees  were  delivered, 
and  that  the  statement  that  the  trees  would  bear  in 
two  or  three  years  was  but  an  opinion  solicited 
and  given  without  charge,  and  had  nothing  to  do 
with  the  sale  of  the  trees.  This  man  was  certainly 
in  a  hurry  did  he  look  for  much  fruit  in  that  time, 
but  it  is  not  at  all  uncommon  for  Bartlett  Pears  to 
feear  in  a  year  or  two  from  planting,  and  every  year 
thereafter.  Customers  who  may  wish  to  do  it  may 
safely  root  prune  their  trees  to  promote  fruitful- 
ness.  The  practice  is  to  dig  a  trench  around  the 
tree  a  few  feet  from  the  trunk  and  sever  all  the 
very  large  roots  met  with,  or  a  goodly  portion  o£ 
them  at  least.  This,  if  done  in  spring,  will  surely 
cause  fruit-buds  to  set,  to  give  flowers  the  following 
eeason.  It  could  be  done  at  any  time  between  now 
and  spring.  This  root  pruning  practice  is  but  the 
following  out  of  what  all  florists  and  gardeners 
know,  viz.,  that  apotbound  plant  will  flower  before 
one  that  is  not  potbound.  It  is  the  check  to 
growth  that  causes  the  formation  of  flower-buds  in 
both  cases. 

Joseph  Meehan,  in  The  Florists'  Exchange. 

SEEDLING  APPLES. 
Amateur  gardeners  may  be  better  employed  than 
in  raising  Apples  from  seed  with  a  view  to  securing 
•new  varieties.  Not  only  have  they  to  wait  some 
years  before  they  see  any  results,  but  too  often  they 
are  not  judges  of  the  merits  of  any  seedlings  they 
■may  raise.  Again,  it  is  found  that  any  true  line  as 
to  the  merits  of  any  seedling  fruit  cannot  be 
■obtained  from  a  pure  seedling  tree.  All  fruits  that 
are  put  into  commerce  have  of  necessity  to  be 
worked  on  stocks  either  by  budding  or  grafting, 
and  it  is  only  when  so  worked  and  grown  for  a  few 
years  that  a  true  test  of  the  merits  of  a  fruit  can 


be  formed  as  to  quality,  cropping,  keeping,  kc. 
But  really  few  persons— except  they  have  special 
facilities  for  such  purpose  or  are  growers  on  a  large 
scale— know  of  the  qualities  of  the  many  named 
Apples  we  have.  Many  new  ones  are  from  time  to 
time  being  put  into  commerce,  but  it  is  doubtful 
whether  one  now  excels  in  any  way  varieties  of 
from  twelve  to  twenty  years  old.  A.  D. 


PLANTING    KASPBEKEIES. 

The  earlier  this  is  done  the  better,  so  that  the 
canes  may  form  new  fibres  before  the  soil  loses 
what  little  warmth  it  may  have  accumulated  during 
the  past  disappointing  summer.  It  is  usual  after 
planting  to  put  a  mulch  of  strong  manure  round 
them,  which  serves  the  double  purpose  of  lessening 
the  severity  of  the  frost  upon  the  new  and  tender 
rootlets,  and  of  preserving  the  moisture  in  the 
surface  soil  the  following  summer,  the  Raspberry, 
when  it  is  doing  well,  making  a  mass  of  surface- 
feeding  fibrous  roots.  I  made  a  Raspberry  planta- 
tion in  the  autumn  of  1902,  and  my  experience 
may  serve  as  a  warning  to  some  others.  I  got 
them  in  early  and  mulched  them,  cutting  down 
the  canes  in  March  to  about  9  inches  in  length.  I 
was  expecting  good  strong  suckers  to  oome  up 
from  the  ground  for  next  year's  fruiting,  and,  after 
waiting  a  long  time,  I  removed  the  mulch  around 
some  and  found  that  the  slugs  had  devoured  some 
of  the  young  shoots  entirely,  whilst  others  were 
being  nibbled  as  fast  as  they  grew.  The  mulch 
had  served  as  a  harbour  for  the  slugs,  which  were 
very  destructive  after  the  wet  summer  of  1902, 
which  was  followed  by  an  almost  total  absence  of 
sharp  frost  in  the  winter.  The  result  of  my 
giving  the  slugs  this  protection  was  that  of  some 
three  dozen  canes  put  in  only  four  or  five  have 
made  good  fruiting  canes  for  next  year,  another 
eight  or  ten  have  just  a  feeble  growth  and  are 
probably  worthless,  while  the  remainder  are  quite 
dead.  Experientia  docet.  Slugs  are  more  plentiful 
than  ever  this  year,  and  the  cold  summer  may  be 
followed,  as  used  to  be  the  tradition,  by  a  very 
sharp  winter.  When  I  plant  the  new  canes  I  shall 
mulch  them  as  before  ;  but  as  soon  as  March  comes 
the  mulching  will  be  taken  away  and  buried  in 
some  deep  trench,  slugs  and  all,  while  some  soot 
will  be  sprinkled  round  the  canes  to  destroy  any 
slugs  remaining.  A.  Petts. 


NOTES    FROM    THE 
MARKETS. 


k 


COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. 

December  22. — This  was  a  very  busy  morning, 
there  being  a  large  trade  in  pot  plants.  Some 
complaints  were  made  that  cut  bloom  was  not 
going  so  well  as  might  be  expected,  but  I  found 
there  was  a  general  advance  in  prices.  The 
supplies  in  all  directions  were  good.  Of  pot  plants 
Azaleas  are  now  coming  in,  and  are  very  good. 
Genistas  were  well  flowered.  A  good  supply  of 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  and  Turnford  Hall 
was  seen.  Hyacinths  are  hardly  of  first  quality 
yet.  Marguerites  continue  to  be  plentiful,  also 
Chrysanthemums,  but  higher  prices  are  now  asked. 
Poinsettias  were  seen  in  abundance,  and  .many  of 
them  were  very  good.  The  trade  for  Ferns  and 
Palms  appeared  to  be  more  brisk  this  morning, 
though  the  supply  would  exceed  the  demand 
considerably.  Heaths  were  going  out  well. 
E.  hyemalis  is  still  very  plentiful. 

Cut  flowers. — It  would  be  difficult  to  give  prices, 
but  I  found  there  was  a  general  advance.  Lilium 
longiflorum,  which  were  quoted  on  Saturday  at  63., 
had  gone  up  to  8s.,  and  some  salesmen  were  asking 
even  more  than  this.  Callas  had  also  advanced 
at  the  same  rate.  Some  very  good  English  forced 
Lilac  was  seen.  Eucharis,  Tuberoses,  Gardenias, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  Roses  seemed  plentiful, 
but  there  were  very  few  Carnations  after  early 
morning.  In  Chrysanthemums  the  bronze,  red,  and 
yellow  made  higher  prices  than  white,  though  the 
best  quality  whites  were  selling  well.     There  were 


plenty  of  Violets.  Altogether  the  market  was 
well  supplied,  and  trade  seemed  likely  to  be  very 
brisk.  A.  Hemsley. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  Houae. 
Acacia  likifolia,   A.   platyptera,  A.  suaveolens. 
Chrysanthemum  decaisneanum  var.   setumense,  C. 
marginatum,  Hibbertia  dentata,  and  H.  perfoliata. 

Orchid  Houses. 

/Erides  Roebelenii,  Angrseeum  pellucidum, 
Bulbophyllum  auricomum,  B.  Pechei,  B.  atrongy- 
lanthum,  Calanthe  microglossa,  Catasetum  splen- 
dens,  C.  tridentatum,  Epidendrum  chioneum, 
E.  elegans,  E.  ramosum,  E.  Wallisii,  Ltelia 
albida,  L.  aulumnalis,  Liatrostachys  humata, 
Masdevallia  melanopus,  M.  tovarensis,  Maxillaria 
punctata,  Odonloglossum  maculatum  var.  douni- 
anum,  Oncidium  ornithorhyncum,  0.  varicosum, 
Platyclinis  eucumerina,  P.  rufa,  Pleurothallis 
pachyglossa,  Restrepia  striata,  and  Sarcanthus 
secundus. 

T  Range. 

Aphelandra  nitens,  Barleria  flava,  Eranthemum 
tuberculatum,  Ipomcea  Mahoni,  .Jacobinia  chryso- 
stephana,  J.  ghiesbreghtiana,  Jasminura  gracilli- 
mum,  Laohenalia  pendula,  Lindenbergia  grandi- 
flora,  Plectranthus  crassus,  P.  chiradzulensis, 
Tillandsia  Lindeni,  and  Vellozia  equisetoides  var. 
trichophylla. 

Greenhouse. 

Carnations  in  variety.  Chrysanthemums,  Epacris 
and  Ericas  in  variety.  Geraniums,  Lily  of  the 
Valley,  Narcissus  (Paper  White),  Roman 
Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Peristrophe  speciosa,  Senecio 
grandifolius,  and  many  other  things. 


THE    EDITOR'S    TABLE. 


We  invite  our  readers  to  send  us  anything  of 
special  beauty  and  interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  interesting  plants 
become  more  widely  known.  We  hope,  too,  that 
a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instructive  to 
those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We  welcome 
anything  from  the  garden,  whether  fruit,  tree, 
shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  they  should 
be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London. 


A  Christmas  Gathering  of  Flowers  from 

Devonshire. 
Mr.   S.   W.   Fitzherbert  sends  for  our  table  the 
following  flowers  from  the  open  garden  : — 

■Tasniinuni  nudiHorum  Agathica  ccelestis 

Pentstemons  Scented  -  leaved      Pelargo- 

Scabiosa  caucasica  niuras 

Pittosporum    Tobira     (very  Eose  -Marie  Van  Houtte 

sweet)  Calceolaria  Burbidgei 

Cosmos  bipinnatus  Lilhospermum  prostratum 

Christmas  Eose  Cyclamen  Coum 

Pink    and    White    Valerian  Cytisus  racemosus 

(Centranthus  ruber)  Iris  stylosa 

Solanum  jasminoides  Zonal  Pelargoniums 

Achillea  umbellata  ilesembryanthemums        in 

Campanula  muralis  (porten-  many  colourings 

schlagiana)  major  Erigeron  niucron'atus 

ClianLhus  puniceus  Monthly  Rose 

White  Paris  Daisy  (Clirysan-  Habea  suaveolens 

themum  frutescens)  Eupatorium    weinmanni- 

(Kiiothera  Youngi  anum 

Ivy-leaved         Pelargonium  WinterHeliotropeCTussila^o 

(Mme.  Crousse)  fragrans) 

Schizostylis  ooccinea  Polyanthus  Narcissus 

Annual  Antirrhinum  Shrubby  Veronicas 

Convolvulus  Cneorum  Escallonia  montevidensis 


St.  Brigid  Anemones  at  Christ.mas. 
Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Anemone  Nurseries, 
Dyke  Bourne,  sent  a  boxful  of  their  beautiful 
St.  Brigid  Anemones  with  foliage,  all  gathered 
from  the  open  ground.  We  have  recently  described 
the  warm  and  varied  colourings  of  the  flowers,  and 


16 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  2,  1904. 


our  correspondents  write  that  the  Anemone  beds 
"look  as  though  it  were  April,  rather  than 
December." 


Late  Chrysanthemums. 

Mr.  George  EUwood  sends  from  the  Swanraore 
Park  Gardens,  Bishops  Walthara,  a  few  flowers  of 
the  principal  late-flowering  varieties  to  show  their 
great  value  at  this  season.  Their  names  are 
familiar,  but  those  who  do  not  know  the  varieties 
should  make  their  acquaintance  if  a  wealth  of 
graceful  flowers  is  desired  in  midwinter.  Mrs. 
W.  A.  Weeks,  Princess  Victoria,  King  of  the 
Plumes,  Pink  Princess  Victoria,  L.  Canning,  Annie 
Heard,  Duchess  of  Edinburgh,  Golden  Princess 
Victoria,  and  The  Queen.  Also  Persian  Cyclamen 
flowers  representing  an  excellent  strain.  Mr. 
EUwood  recommends  slitting  the  stem  in  an 
upward  direction  to  keep  the  flowers  fresh  as  long 
as  possible. 


OBITUARY. 


THOMAS  W.  WEATHERED. 
Thomas  W.  Weathered,  who  died  December  4, 
was  born  in  Stockport,  Cheshire,  England,  on 
August  3,  1819.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1840  and  took  a  position  as  superintendent  for 
R.  H.  Hoe,  Esq.,  in  New  York  City.  In  1849  he 
associated  himself  with  Anthony  Hitchings  in  the 
business  of  greenhouse  heating  in  Crosby  Street. 
In  1859  he  formed  a  partnership  with  E.  Cherevoy, 
and  the  Weathered  and  Cherevoy  hot  water 
boilers  soon  took  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of 
greenhouse  men.  Mr.  Cherevoy  died  in  1870,  and 
Mr.  Weathered  continued  the  business  until  1888, 
when  he  retired,  leaving  it  to  be  conducted  by  his 
sons.  Mr.  Weathered  was  a  great  traveller.  He 
went  to  California  gold  hunting  with  the  famous 
"  49ers,"  and  it  has  been  his  custom  annually  up  to 
the  present  year  to  make  a  pilgrimage  to  his  old 
home  in  England.  In  business  affairs  he  was  the 
soul  of  honour  and  uprightness.  Socially  he  was 
cheery  and  companionable  and  his  disposition  was 
kindly  and  considerate.  Of  a  large  family  of 
children  two  sons  and  one  daughter  survive,  the 
elder  son  being  C.  B.  Weathered,  the  treasurer  of 
the  New  York  Florists'  Club. — American  Florist. 


MME.  EDOUARD  ANDRE. 

We  much  regret  to  learn  that  Mme.  Andr^,  wife  of 
M.  Edouard  Andr^,  the  widely  known  French 
horticulturist,  died  suddenly  in  Paris  early  in 
December.  M.  Andre  will  have  the  sj'mpathy  of 
his  numerous  English  friends. 


JOHANN    OBRIST. 

A  large  train  of  sympathising  followers  attended 
the  burial  of  Herr  Johann  Obrist,  head  gardener 
of  the  Koyal  Botanical  Gardens  at  Munich,  medallist 
of  the  Order  of  Merit  of  the  Bavarian  Crown,  who.se 
mortal  remains  were  laid  to  rest  on  December  19. 
After  the  burial  service.  Professor  Dr.  K.  Gobel, 
Director  of  the  Royal  Botanical  Gardens,  gave  an 
address,  and  in  the  name  of  all  the  ofEcials  and 
employes  of  the  botanical  gardens  deposited  a 
beautiful  wreath  at  the  grave.  Professor  Giibel 
pointed  out  how  much  the  institution  had  been 
indebted  to  this  thoroughly  competent  official, 
whom  death  had  taken  away  all  too  early  from  the 
arduous  duties  (Obrist  was  only  forty-nine  years 
old)  to  which  he  had  always  attended  with  rare 
energy.  From  early  youth.  Professor  Gubel  con- 
tinued, Obrist  had  been  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of 
the  alpine  flora,  and  had  in  this  sphere  gained  a 
most  extensive  knowledge  and  an  amount  of  expe- 
rience, both  of  which  many  a  learned  scientist 
might  well  have  envied  him.  His  pet  child  was 
the  Alpine  garden,  which  was  established  a  few 
years  ago  on  Mount  "  Schachen  "  in  the  Wetter- 
stein  range  of  the  Bavarian  highlands,  and  which  he 
knew  how  to  tend  with  the  greatest  care  and  self 
sacrifice.  As  a  token  of  recognition  for  the  valuable 
services  rendered  there,  for  which  it  would  be  most 


difficult  to  find  an  official  substitute,  the  speaker 
was  commissioned  to  lay  down  a  wreath  in  the 
name  of  the  "  Society  for  the  Protection  and  Care 
of  the  Alpine  Flora."  Among  the  other  numerous 
floral  tokens  of  sympathy  was  also  a  wreath  from 
the  Bavarian  Horticultural  Society  of  Munich,  of 
which  the  deceased  was  a  member.  Herr  Obrist  in 
his  younger  days  had  the  advantage  of  having 
served  for  eight  years  partly  at  Innsbruck  and 
partly  at  Vienna  under  that  celebrated  botanist 
Professor  V.  Kerner,  by  whose  directions  he  spent 
three  summers  on  Mount  Blaser,  near  Innsbruck, 
at  a  height  of  7,000  feet,  in  a  hut  expressly  con- 
structed for  the  purpose.  There  he  experienced 
many  an  adventure  and  gained  information  which 
came  useful  to  him  in  his  practical  work  in  after 
life.  His  name  is  well  known  as  a  collector  of 
alpine  plants,  and  also  as  a  fellow  worker  in  that 
laborious  and  excellent  publication  "  Max  Kolb, 
Die  europiiischen  and  tiberseeischon  Alpenpflanzen. 
Stuttgart,  Eupen  Ulmer,  1890." 


J.   H.   FITT. 

It  is  with  much  regret  that  we  have  to  record  the 
decease,  after  a  long  and  painful  illness,  of  Mr. 
J.  H.  Fitt,  at  Welwyn,  Herts,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three,  he  having  been  born  at  the  same  place  on 
November  1,  1830.  For  no  less  than  fifty-four 
years  he  had  charge  of  the  Frythe  Gardens  at 
Welwyn,  after  commencing  his  career  as  a  gardener 
at  Stagenoe  Park,  whence  he  went  to  Bayford 
Bury,  Hertford,  to  the  famous  gardens  of  Mr. 
Baker,  subsequently  serving  under  Messrs.  Paul, 
of  Cheshunt,  up  to  the  time  of  his  long  engage- 
ment at  the  Frythe.  For  some  years,  until  his 
illness  incapacitated  him,  he  formed  one  of  the 
Ro3'al  Horticultural  Society's  floral  committee, 
where  his  kindly  face  will  be  much  missed.  Com- 
bined with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  horticulture 
in  all  its  branches,  was  a  special  acquaintance  with 
our  native  Ferns,  of  which  he  had  a  large  and 
choice  collection,  and  in  this  particular  cult  he  will 
be  equally  missed  by  a  host  of  sympathetic 
friends. 


SOCIETIES. 


CROYDON  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  last  of  the  series  of  lectures  arranged  for  1903  was  given 
at  the  society's  rooms,  Sunflower  Temperance  Hotel,  on  the 
15th  ult.,  when,  befoie  a  good  attendance  of  members,  Mr. 
J.  Gregory  of  Croydon,  in  a  very  descriptive  and  interesting 
manner,  delivered  a  lecture  on  "Surne  Gardens  I  have 
Visited,"  illustrating  it  with  lantern  slides,  prepared  hy  him 
from  photographs  taken  by  himself  from  time  to  time  during 
his  long  career  in  the  horticultural  world,  and  truly  many 
of  them  reflected  great  credit  on  his  endeavours  as  a  photo- 
grapher and  slide  maker.  Mr.  Gregory  was  one  of  the  chief 
promoters  of  this  society,  and  his  energies,  displayed  at  all 
times  for  the  well-being  of  this  txcellent  inatitntion,  are 
widely  known.  He  started  with  a  few  notable  features 
found  in  gardens  in  the  immediate  neiglibourliood  ff 
Croydon,  some  of  them  dating  back  years  ago,  before  the 
builders'  hands  had  split  them  up,  and  those  which  now 
stand  out  prominently  in  this  town,  and  are  recognised  to  be 
types  of  beauty.  Following  on  with  ample  illustrations,  he 
showed  the  grandness  of  those  benutiful  gardens  found  in 
and  around  London,  such  as  Holland  House,  Gunnersbury, 
&c.,  afterwards  exteiidihg  to  the  mi. re  distant  radius  of 
Friar  Park,  Henley-on-Thames,  where  everything  that 
man's  hands  can  do  in  assisting  Nature  is  exemplified. 
Many  parts  of  Northamptonshire,  such  as  the  ancient 
Holmby  House,  made  memorable  by  history  of  the 
Cromwellian  period,  were  dwelt  upon.  Several  views  «'f 
this  historical  residence,  also  of  Hazelheach  Hall,  where, 
latterly,  the  lecturer  wjig  head  gardener,  were  much 
appreciated,  especially  those  depicting  the  stately  trees 
with  branches  weighed  down  by  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  that 
occurred  in  May,  1891,  and  he  remarked  ho»v  the  phntn- 
graphs  were  taken  at  four  o'clock  in  the  nii'ming,  F.>r  an 
hour  and  a  half  he  enlertalned  hia  audience  with  a  pleasm-  - 
able  discourse,  which  called  forth  warm  and  heariy  applau-e 
at  its  conclusion.  The  thanks  of  the  meeting  weie  also 
conveyed  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Baldnck  of  Cro^d  'U,  who  on  this  and 
several  previous  occHsions  has  Kinuly  placed  his  services, 
with  the  lantern,  at  the  disposal  of  the  auciely. 


READING  AND  DISTRICT  ROSE  SOCIETY. 
The  first  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  the 
Mayor's  parlour  of  ihe  Town  Hall  on  the  IGth  ult.,  Mrs. 
Benyon,  Enpletield  House,  Reading  (the  president  <)f  the 
society),  occupying  the  chair,  and  there  was  a  good  a  lend- 
ance  of  membejs.  Mr.  \V.  L.  Walkfr,  the  hon.  secietarv 
and  treasurer,  pesented  a  sali&fai-tory  report  and  balance 
sheet,  the  lattec  showing  an  amount  of  £11  to  he  canied 
over  to  next  year's  credit.     Mrs.  Benyon  was  unauimou-  y 


re-elected  as  president,  and  Mr.  \V.  L.  Walker  as  hon. 
secretary  and  treasurer,  and  the  committee  appointed  is  a 
strong  one  from  the  rosarian's  point  of  view.  Mr.  J.  T_ 
Strange,  Aldermaston,  Reading,  is  a  well-known  rosarian, 
and  among  those  having  seats  on  the  committee  are  such 
succeasfuj  cultivators  and  exhibitors  of  the  Rose  as  the 
Revs.  F.  Page-Roberts,  Allan  Cheales,  and  C.  S.  Turner^ 
with  Messrs.  R.  C.  Mount,  Rigg,  Dunlop,  and  Ashby.  The 
date  of  the  show  in  19ii4  was  tixed  for  July  13,  to  take  place 
in  the  Abbey  Ruins,  Reading,  which  is  the  spot  where  the 
southern  section  of  the  National  Ro^e  Society  held  such  a 
successful  exhibition  in  1S96.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  many 
to  know  that  this  poortiun  of  the  ruins  was  formerly  the 
banquetting  hall  of  the  monks  of  Reading  Abbey,  and  it 
constitutes  a  unique  site  for  an  exhibition  of  this  character. 

SHERBORNE  GARDENERS'  SOCIETY. 
The  monthly  meeting  was  held  recently  at  St.  John's  Hall^ 
u[ider  the  presidency  of  Mr  John  Dean.  Mr.  James  Crooks 
of  Forde  Abbey,  near  Chard,  gave  a  highly  interesting  and 
instructive  paper  on  "The  Progress  of  Horticulture."  Mr. 
Crook  also  drew  attention  to  the  advantages  of  joining  the 
Royal  Benevolent  Institution  for  the  Relief  of  Aged  and 
Distressed  Gardeners,  and  to  the  Society  for  Asaistine 
Gardeners' Orphans.  "The  matter  was  discussed,  and  it  was 
decided  that  the  committee  should  go  into  the  question,  and 
lay  full  particulars  before  the  next  meeting.  A  hearty  vote 
of  thanks  was  passed  to  Mr.  Crook  for  his  paper,  on  the 
motion  of  Mr.  Lane. 


IPSWICH  GARDENERS"  SOCIETY. 
On  Thursday,  the  17th  ult.,  Mr.  Richard  Dean,  V.M.H.,  read 
a  paper,  prepared  by  request,  before  the  members  of  the 
above  society  on  "  The  Carnation  :  Its  History,  Types,  and 
Culture,"  Mr.  R.  N<)tcutt,  the  president,  occupjing  the 
chair,  the  company  bemg  large.  The  leading  points  of  its- 
history  were  briefly  touched  upon  ;  its  development  was- 
dealt  with  more  largely.  Mr.  Dean  said  that  in  reference  to 
what  is  known  as  the  florist's  Carnation  theie  are  two- 
distinct  types  of  flower  intimately  related  to  each  other,  for 
they  are  simply  two  forms  of  the  same  subject— the  Car- 
nation and  the  Picotee,  the  former  of  which  is  placed  by  the 
florist  into  distinct  divisions,  viz.,  bizarres  and  flakes.  lo 
the  estimation  of  the  florist  the  bizarre  stands  higher  than 
the  flaked  flower.  The  bizatre  Carnations  are  placed  under 
three  classes  :  The  scarlet  bizarre,  the  most  important,  the 
petals  flaked  with  scarlet  and  maroon  on  a  white  ground  ; 
the  crimson  bizarre,  with  crimson  and  rose;  and  the  pink 
and  purple  bizarre,  having  purple  and  pink,  also  on  a  white 
ground.  The  flaked  Carnations  are  also  in  three  classes  z 
The  purple  flake,  each  white  petal  being  flaked  with  purple  ; 
the  scarlet  flake,  with  markings  of  this  colour  ;  and  the  rose 
flake,  similarly  marked.  When  exhibited  a  flower  of  any  one 
of  the  ftnegoing  classes  loses  in  value  on  the  exhibitioa 
stage  when  a  petal  is  wholly  white  or  coloured,  and  in  the 
case  of  the  bizarre  when  one  colour  only  is  present  on 
the  white  grt»und.  No  two  petals  on  one  flower  are 
altogether  alike;  this  diversity  <)f  marking  is  one  of  the 
charms  of  the  Carnation.  The  edged  Picolees  represent  a 
winsome  division,  as  there  is  sometliing  so  soft,  tender^ 
and  fair  about  them  that  they  might  be  regarded  as  the 
feminine  of  the  more  masculine  Carnation  The  edged 
Picotees  are  grouped  into  four  classes,  viz.,  the  red  edged, 
the  purple  eciged,  the  rose  edged,  and  the  scailet  edged,  and 
these  are  further  divided  into  heavy  edges,  medium  edges^ 
and  light  edties.  The  self-coloured  flowers  are  a  large  and 
brilliant  class,  ranging  from  white  to  almost  black.  The 
fancies  contain  everything  that  is  outside  the  class  flowers, 
excepting  those  which  are  self-coloured.  They  may  be  of 
white  or  creamy  grounds,  or  of  any  colour  or  colours  on  a* 
coloured  ground,  but  must  lay  claim  to  form,  substance,  and 
colour.  "Run"  flowers  may  lie  either  self-coloured  or  go  into 
the  fancy  division.  They  are  blooms  on  which  the  white 
ground  colour  is  partly  or  wholly  suffused  with  some  other 
tint.  The  yellow  grounds,  now  so  popular,  were  described,  and 
also  the  new  race  of  yellow  Picotees  derived  from  them  of 
late  years.  A  great  deal  of  interest  was  shown  in  the 
coloured  illustration  of  the  yellow  Picotee  whieh  appears  in 
Thomas  HoL'g's  '■  Treati.ie  on  the  Carnation"  (1S24),  and  it 
was  handed  round  for  inspection.  The  tree  or  winter- 
flowering  varieties  were  desL-ribed,  and  also  the  spring  and 
sunimer-fl<iwering  Malmaisons,  now  so  popular,  and  which 
has  received  accessions  of  so  many  new  varieties  during 
recent  years  raised  by  Mr.  M.  R.  Smith.  The  annual 
Maigneiite  type  was  also  passed  in  review. 

Ill  dealing  with  the  culture  of  the  Carnation  the  lecturer 
spoke  in  high  terms  of  it  as  a  town  flower,  thriving  uuder- 
conditions  amid  which  other  plants  failed  ;  it  does  not  mind 
smoke,  as  has  been  abundantly  pr.ived.  The  border 
cultivaiion  of  the  flower  was  warmly  advucated,  the  bed 
prepared  according  to  the  directions  given,  and  autumn 
planting  "f  the  same  advocated  as  plants  placed  in  the  open- 
air  in  autumn  were  stronger  and  gave  Itetter  results  tlian 
th'se  wintered  in  frames  and  planted  out  in  the  spring.  The 
nece.'isary  cultural  after-planting  to  the  time  of  blooming 
was  nieniioned,  and  also  the  liest  means  of  propagation, 
remarking  that  it  would  he  well  if  many  g.-irdeners  would 
grow  a  few  Carnations  in  pots  for  blooniii  g  under  glass  and 
8o  secme  soine  specially  fine  blooms.  Tlie  method  of  pot 
culture  was  given  and  many  valualde  hints  thrown  out.  The 
special  culture  necessary  in  the  case  of  winter-flowering 
varieiies,  and  also  ff  the  Malmaison,  was  given  in  detail,, 
in  reference  to  the  latter,  early  layering  whs  recommended 
llijit  the  plants  imiy  becimie  sufWciently  advanced  by 
Seplembt^r  to  be  planted  in  larger  ptiic. 

The  I  aisiiig  of  seedlings  was  also  touched  on  and  directions 
civen,  and  ceriain  pest»,  such  as  weed.s,  rabbits,  gmbs,  green 
My,  ifec,  nienti'ined  ;  also  buch  diseuHe-*  ns  gout  and  the 
upot,  !ind  remedies  snggesieil.  A  leference  to  Curnation 
shiiws  'iriught  the  lecture  to  a  close.  .\Uny  questioirs  were 
a^ked.  anil  tm  the  ni'-tion  of  Mr.  W.  ilessenyer,  of  Wol- 
ve-sione.  a  henrty  v..te  of  thanks  was  passed  to  the  lecturer 
and  ils-i  to  the  chairman. 


GARDEN 


-y^^ 


%^-^> 


No.  1677.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[January  9,  1904. 


THE     NATIONAL     POTATO 
SOCIETY. 

THE  national  importance  of  the  Potato 
as  an  article  of  food  at  once  places 
a  society  formed  for  its  improve- 
ment beyond  such  criticisms  that 
might  perhaps  legitimately  be  urged 
against  it  were  the  special  product  which  has 
called  it  into  existence  of  lesser  value,  and  for 
this  reason  we  welcome  the  formation  of  a  society 
whose  objects  are  the  improvement  of  the 
Potato,  and  the  dissemination  among  growers 
of  information  concerning  the  best  varieties 
and  other  points  of  importance.  That  the 
proposal  to  form  this  society  was  viewed 
with  general  favour  by  growers  and  others 
interested  is  evidenced  by  the  attitude  of  the 
large  gathering  that  assembled  last  week  to  hear 
the  initiative  proposals  set  forth.  The  chief  of 
these  are  to  establish  trial  stations  in  various 
parts  of  the  country,  where  varieties  of  Potatoes 
maybe  grown  and  compared  and  their  true  value 
thus  ascertained  ;  to  form  a  proper  system  of 
classifieation  for  the  purposes  of  exhibition  ; 
to  encourage  shows  because  of  their  great 
educational  value. 

So  much  conflicting  evidence  is  circulated 
with  regard  to  the  merits  of  varieties  of 
Potatoes  that  the  inexperienced  grower  is  in 
a  quandary,  and  the  only  method  by  which  he 
can  escape  'n  to  grow  them,  and  thus  profit  by 
actual  experience.  But  experience  is  a  hard 
master,  and  it  is  to  save  disappointments  and 
failures,  and  the  loss  of  time  these  entail,  that 
the  Potato  Society  has  been  formed.  The 
great  value  of  the  Potato  to  all  classes  of  the 
community  makes  the  huge  losses  that  are 
caused  by  disease  all  the  more  deplorable, 
and  the  cry  to-day  is  for  a  Potato  which, 
while  being  of  good  quality,  shall  have  such 
constitutional  properties  as  to  make  it  prac- 
tically disease  proof.  Here  again  this  society 
proposes  to  give  assistance.  At  the  suggested 
trial  stations  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
special  note  will  be  taken  of  those  that  resist 
disease  the  best,  as  well  as  of  other  properties, 
such  as  good  quality,  yield,  &c.  The  need  for 
a  proper  system  of  classification  is  painfully 
evident  to  those  who  visit  horticultural  shows  ; 
as  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright  pointed  out  at  the  recent 
meeting,  it  is  not  unusual  to  see  the  same 
variety  shown  in  a  class  for  round  and  also  in 
a  class  for  kidney  Potatoes.  Whether  these 
experimental  stations,  which  it  is  proposed 
to  establish,  will  be  best  carried  on  in 
connexion  with  the  various  County  Councils 


and  under  the  supervision  of  their  instruc- 
tors, or  whether,  as  was  suggested,  they 
shall  be  undertaken  by  the  growers  them- 
selves, and  periodically  visited  by  inspectors 
sent  from  headquarters,  may  well  be  left  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee.  So  that  the 
trials  may  be  absolutely  independent  it  was 
resolved  that  members  of  the  trade  be  not 
elected  upon  the  committee.  It  was  decided, 
however,  to  appoint  a  sub-committee  of 
members  of  the  trade  to  deal  with  purely 
trade  questions. 

We  are  glad  that  the  national  aspect  of  the 
question  has  not  been  lost  sight  of,  for  the 
Potato  is  much  more  important  to  the 
cottager  than  to  the  well-to-do  householder. 
Bearing  this  in  mind,  it  was  agreed  at  the 
meeting  held  last  week  to  have  a  minimum 
subscription  of  2s.  6d.,  so  as  to  encourage 
cottagers  and  allotment  holders  to  become 
members,  and  so  participate  in  the  advantages 
that  such  a  society  may  reasonably  hope  to 
bestow.  The  other  side  of  this  question  is 
also  worth  referring  to,  cottagers  and  other 
small  growers  might  in  their  turn  be  able  to 
give  most  valuable  information  to  the  society 
concerning  the  behaviour  of  certain  varieties 
under  certain  conditions.  Altogether,  we 
think  the  National  Potato  Society  begins  life 
under  conditions  that  augur  well  for  a  useful 
and  successful  future.  It  cannot  fail  to  enlist 
the  sympathy  of  all  who  recognise  the  national 
importance  and  value  of  the  Potato.  Mr. 
W.  P.  Wright,  who  may  be  said  to  be  the 
originator  of  the  scheme,  and  may  reasonably 
be  supposed  to  know  most  about  it,  has  been 
elected  secretary  of  the  society. 


RIVIERA    NOTES. 

TwEiSTY  years  ago  or  more  Uhdea  bipinnatifida 
was  recommended  as  a  fine  foliage  plant  for  the 
sub-tropical  garden,  which  was  then  just  in 
vogue.  Its  large  and  deeply  laciniated  leaves 
were  rough  in  texture  and  perhaps-  a  trifle 
coarse,  so  it  never  became  popular.  The  plant, 
however,  is  of  real  beauty  when  fully  developed, 
and  I,  for  one,  had  no  idea  of  its  value  and 
importance  until  I  saw  it  in  a  friend's  garden 
at  Bordighera  the  other  day.  There  I  saw 
what  at  a  distance  might  have  been  an  immense 
Dahlia  imperialis  in  full  flower,  and  as  the  last 
days  of  December  are  too  late  for  that  stately 
plant  to  be  still  in  flower  I  went  close  up  to 
where  it  grew,  rather  under  the  shade  and 
shelter  of  a  big  Palm,  and  by  the  leaf  I  was 
able  to  identify  my  old  friend.  But  what  a 
marvellous  development  of  that  rather  coarse 
plant !  It  is  the  tlower  rather  than  the  leaf 
that  is  the  true  beauty  of  the  plant,  and  the 


big  branching  sprays  of  its  white  Daisy  flowers 
with  white  centres  are  the  finest  thing  I  have 
yet  seen  in  a  December  garden.  It  is  well 
worth  a  trial  in  England  under  glass,  where 
there  is  plenty  of  head  room,  for  nothing  could 
be  finer  for  bold  decorations  during  the  months 
of  December,  .lanuary,  and  February — the  very 
time  when  a  fine  bold  plant  is  needed  to  make  a 
contrast  to  Camellia  and  other  winter -flowering 
shrubs.  Its  hardiness  is  just  that  of  the 
Heliotrope,  but  it  needs  little  heat  when 
in  flower,  judging  by  its  behaviour  on  the 
Eiviera,  and  I  fancy  it  will  be  much  more 
amenable  to  cultivation  in  England  than  its 
better  known  forerunner  the  Tree  Dahlia 
imperialis. 

Salvias  live  so  badly  when  cut  and  in  a 
warm  room  that  it  is  rather  a  surprise  to  find 
Salvia  Bethelli  or  involucrata  will  really  last 
for  days  in  water.  Its  pretty  cherry-red  bracts 
and  pink  flowers  are  a  relief  to  many  forced 
flowers,  and  its  leaves  are  so  handsome  that  it 
is  quite  as  indispensable  as  Eupatorium 
weinmanniana  or  any  other  well  -  known 
decorative  shrub  that  needs  little  attention 
beyond  general  good  culture.  Small  plants, 
however,  are  not  to  be  recommended. 

Red  Climbing  Roses  are  so  scarce  out  of 
doors  in  .January  that  Dr.  Rouges  and  the 
newer  Noella  Nabonnand  are  much  to  be 
recommended.  They  open  their  buds  so  well 
in  a  low  temperature,  and  respond  so  well  to 
severe  autumn  pruning  in  this  climate,  that 
they  deserve  a  place  in  every  garden.  Another 
good  winter-blooming  Rose  is  Kaiserin  Augusta 
Victoria,  whose  blooms  open  so  well,  while  the 
new  and  lovely  Souvenir  de  Pierre  ISTotting 
proves  quite  useless  ;  its  buds  neither  open  nor 
colour  properly  unless  under  glass  even  in  this 
climate.  It  is  most  difficult  to  prophesy  the 
behaviour  of  any  new  Rose  when  grown  for 
winter  flower,  and  one  greatly  regrets  that  so 
beautiful  a  Rose  will  not  give  good  winter 
flowers.  On  the  other  hand,  that  tender  and 
lovely  yellow  Rose  George  Schwartz  opens 
admirably,  and  in  a  few  years  must,  I  think, 
be  a  great  favourite  here. 

Saving  Shrub  Seeds. — How  few  gardeners 
take  the  trouble  to  save  seeds  of  any  shrub, 
and  yet  how  many  possibilities  there  are  in  a 
few  seeds  I  realised  the  other  day,  when  two 
seedling  Chimonanthus  from  C.  grandiflorus 
produced  a  few  flowers  for  the  first  time. 
Neither  is  qaite  the  same  as  the  parent,  and  one 
is  both  far  brighter  in  colour  and  larger  in  size 
than  the  finest  form  I  have  ever  seen,  while 
retaining  all  the  fragrance  of  the  type.  If  only 
it  proves  as  free  flowering,  it  will  be  quite  an 
acquisition,  and  will  tempt  one  to  save  seed 
for  another  experiment. 

Iris  tingitana  opened  its  first  flower  to  the 
New  Year.  In  this  climate  it  is  simply  a 
question  of  water  and  manure  if  flowers  are 
desired.  It  must  have  a  good  dry  rest,  but  if 
rain  does  not  fall  in  September  it  will  not 
start  until  moisture  reaches  it,  so  that  one  can 
easily  have  a  succession  of  blooming  plants. 


18 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  9,  1904. 


Iris  Vartani  is  another  delightful  Iris,  but  of 
very  small  stature.  Its  sky  blue  falls  and 
slender  standards  are  prettier  and  earlier  here 
than  I.  reticulata,  which  it  closely  resembles, 
except  in  colouring.  How  welcome  these  fresh 
spring  flowers  are  even  here,  where  autumn 
and  spring  join  hands  and  dance  in  the  bright 
sunshine ! 
iVVce.  E.  H.  WooDALL. 


THE  EDITORS  TABLE. 

White    Seedling    Chbysanthemum    from 

Adstrama. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Cooke,  Kingston  Hall  Gardens, 
Derby,  sends  blooms  of  a  while  seedling  Chrysan- 
themum he  has  received  from  Australia.  They  are 
of  good  form,  fairly  large,  pure  white,  and 
evidently  last  a  long  time.  Mr.  Cooke  says  that 
all  who  have  seen  this  consider  it  to  be  a  first-class 
decorative  variety,  and  we  can  readily  believe  it. 
The  plants  had  not  been  disbudded,  yet  the  flowers 
were  some  4  inches  across.  This  variety  is  a 
Japanese  incurve.  In  the  words  of  an  expert  who 
saw  it  the  other  day,  "it  is  a  flower  that  should 
certainly  not  be  lost  sight  of." 


Cypripedium  insigne. 
Mr.  Mark  Webster,  Kelsey  Park,  Beckenhani, 
sends  flowers  of  this  favourite  Orchid  with  the 
following  note.  The  flowers  are  a  very  fine  form 
of  C.  insigne  (sylhetense)  :  "For  a  number  of  years 
this  deservedly  popular  winter-flowering  plant  has 
been  grown  with  more  than  ordinary  success  at 
Homewood,  the  residence  of  W.  M.  BuUivant,  Esq. 
Calling  on  Mr.  Thomas  Crosswell  (the  gardener) 
the  other  day,  I  was  shown  six  plants  in  9-inch 
pots  filling  one  side  of  a  house  ;  the  pots  were  on 
bricks,  and  were  completely  hidden  by  the  foliage. 
Each  specimen  measured  3  feet  through,  and  looked 
as  if  cast  in  a  mould.  The  flowers  were  not 
supported,  but  hung  round  in  a  circumference  of 
12  feet.  The  plant  I  counted  carried  fifty-five 
single  and  three  twin  bloonjs.  This  season  the 
twins  are  not  so  numerous  as  usual,  eighteen 
having  been  carried  on  one  plant  at  one  time. 
These  plants  have  not  been  potted  for  eight  or 
nine  years.  Weak  farmyard  drainage.  Clay's 
Fertiliser,  soot-water,  and  guano  are  occasionally 
given.  The  roots  grow  over  the  rims  of  the  pots 
in  a  perfect  mat.  Plants  carrying  nine  large 
blooms  in  4i-inch  pots  are  grown  for  indoors  and 
table  decoration." 


Beautieul  Forms  or  Primula  obconica. 
Mr.  Gumbleton  sends  from  Belgrove,  Queens- 
town,  Ireland,  fine  forms  of  this  Primula  "raised 
from  Erfurt  seed  received  from  Messrs.  Haage  and 
Schmidt.  I  think  them  good."  The  flowers  are 
large  and  charmingly  varied  in  colour,  from  almost 
white  to  warm  rose,  a  very  beautiful  series  of  shades. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

January  16. — Societe  Frangaise  d'Horticulture  de 
Londres  Annual  Dinner. 

January  21. — Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution  Annual  General  Meeting  at  the  Covent 
Garden  Hotel  ;  Annual  Supper,  Covent  Garden 
Hotel,  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton  in  the  chair. 

January  26. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

The  history  of  the  blue  Primroses. 

Some  twenty-five  years  ago  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson 
raised  Scott  Wilson,  a  Primrose  much  talked  of 
and  admired  as  a  new  break  and  forerunner  of  a 
new  plum-eoloured  strain.  About  two  years  after- 
wards he  kindly  gave  me  a  plant  of  it,  and  we  both 
tried  to  raise  real  blue  ones.  Mr.  Wilson  went  on 
selecting  carefully  and  sowing,  but,  as  far  as  I  have 
heard  or  observed  on  my  visits  to  Heatherbank,  he 
did  not  try  any  other  proceedings.     1  had  obtained 


from  Ware's  plants  of  the  "  Old  English  blue 
Polyanthus "  a  variety  with  flowers  of  a  pale  sky 
blue  with  a  tinge  of  grey,  and  thought  that  by 
crossing  this  with  Scott  Wilson,  not  only  blue 
Primroses,  but  also  blue  Polyanthuses  might 
result.  I  at  once  tried  the  cross.  I  had  remark- 
able success,  for  I  obtained  about  50  per  cent, 
bright  blue  shades,  and  also  a  few  Polyanthuses. 
My  strain  has  improved  j'ear  by  j'ear,  and  there 
are  even  new  breaks  to  come.  As  to  reversion  I 
may  slate  that  in  my  experience  offsprings  of 
hybrids  or  crosses  have  a  certain  tendency  to 
revert  to  the  old  forms,  though  this  can  be 
prevented  to  a  large  degree  by  constant  selection 
of  seed.  Another  fact  is  the  change  of  colourings. 
A  plant  of  a  blue  strain  may  produce  crimson, 
violet,  or  plum  colours,  whilst  the  colour  becomes 
much  more  of  a  blue  shade  in  spring,  the  colouring 
being  the  efl'ect  of  a  changing  temperature,  thaw, 
and  sunshine. — Max  Leichtlin,  Baden-Baden. 

Dieentra    ehrysantha   (page  9).— My 

experience  with  this  plant  is  that  it  is  quite  hardy, 
but  short-lived.  With  me  it  has  never  lasted  more 
than  six  or  eight  years.  X  have  never  been  able  to 
increase  it  by  seeds,  cuttings,  or  layers.  I  have 
now  lost  it,  and  should  be  glad  to  know  where  it 
can  be  got. — H.  N.  E.,  Bitton. 

THE    LAVENDER    OF    LIFE. 

The  world  goes  all  too  fast,  my  love  ; 

1  ara  tired  of  the  restless  race, 
And  my  heart  has  gone  back  to  the  Koses 

In  a  quiet  garden  place — 
To  the  moat  and  the  mossy  sundial, 

And  the  Yews,  where  the  shadows  steal, 
To  the  love  at  the  lattice  window 

And  the  song  at  the  spinning-wheel. 

The  world  goes  all  too  fast,  my  love. 

With  its  dance  and  revel  and  wine  ; 
And  my  heart  has  gone  back  to  the  Holly-walk 

And  an  Oak-framed  love  of  mine — 
Gone  back,  gone  back  for  a  hundred  years, 

From  a  world  of  greed  and  strife. 
To  the  harp  and  the  broidered  tapestry 

And  the  lavender  of  life. 

W.  H.  Ogilvie,  in  Country  Life. 

Jacobinia  ehrysostephana.— intro- 
duced from  Mexico  and  put  into  commerce  over 
thirty  years  ago,  this  delightful  winter-flowering 
plant  after  a  time  almost  dropped  out  of  cultivation  ; 
but  within  the  last  three  or  four  years  there  has 
been  a  great  revival  in  the  matter,  and  it  is  now 
generally  met  with.  This  is  as  it  should  be,  for 
the  plant  in  question  is  of  easy  propagation  and 
culture,  and  it  lasts  a  long  time  in  bloom,  added  to 
which  the  rich  golden  orange  hue  of  the  blossoms  is 
rcQiarkably  effective  during  the  half-light  too  often 
experienced  throughout  its  period  of  flowering. 
The  best  coloured  flowers  are  those  developed  in  a 
clear  atmosphere  ;  and  those  shown  on  Tuesday 
last  by  Messrs.  Veitch,  which  were  grown  at 
their  Feltham  nursery,  were  particularly  well 
developed.  This  plant  was  first  distributed  under 
the  generic  name  of  Cyrtanthera,  then  it  became  a 
Justicia  ;  but  now  it  is  settled  to  be  a  .Jacobinia. 
In  the  same  genus  are  now  included  two  plants,  at 
one  time  even  more  popular  than  they  are  now, 
viz.,  J.  ghiesbreghtiana,  known  in  olden  days  as 
Sericographis  ghiesbreghtiana,  which  produces  a 
quantity  of  scarlet  tubular-shaped  flowers  at  this 
season  of  the  year,  and  J.  pauciflora,  which  will  be 
comparatively  unknown,  but  as  Libonia  floribunda 
is  generally  grown  and  justly  valued  for  its  winter 
blooming  qualities. 

The  National  Potato  Society.— No 

longer  is  this  society  a  suggestion — it  is  in  exist- 
ence, a  living  reality.  True,  its  condition  is  far 
from  being  a  finished  one  ;  indeed,  it  is  yet  some- 
thing of  a  framework  which  has  to  be  clothed  with 
solid  flesh,  but  the  formation  and  creation  of  even 
a  Potato  society  cannot  be  done  in  a  day.  It  has 
a  temporary  and  excellent  chairman  in  the  person 
of  Mr.  A.  D.  Hall,  the  chief  of  the  Berkhamstead 
Experimental  Farm,  with  Mr.  G.  Gordon  for  vice- 
chairman,  and  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright  as  secretary. 
A  large  committee  has  also  been  formed,  including 
many  of  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  work  of 
horticultural  instruction  in  the  counties.  Sub- 
scriptions are  of  a  moderate  nature,  as  the  minimum 
is  as  low  as  23.  6d.  With  such  a  basis  there  should 
be  no  ditfioulty  in  collecting,  in  many  hundreds, 
members  from  out  of  the  Potato  growers,  large  and 


small.     What  will  constitute  the  special  work  of 
the  new  society  has  yet  to  be  largely  determined. 
It  is  for  the  committee  elected  for  the  present  year 
onlj'to  determine  that  and  to  put  things  into  shape. 
When  it  is  remembered   that  we  have  no  garden 
product,   and    but  one  other  field    product  which 
has  for  us  such   importance  as   the  Potato,  there 
should   be  no  ditiicultv  in  finding  not  only  a  wide 
field   for   operations,    but    also    means    for    their 
conduct,  so   that  a  very  important  impression  be 
made  on  Britain's  Potato  crops  and  supply,  and  a 
great  food  product  be  enormousl3'  increased.     At 
the  present    moment  our  home  produce  is  a  very 
limited  one,  and  we  are  greatlj'  dependent  now  on 
foreign  supplies.     It  is  folly  to  decry  these  useful 
importations ;  they  represent  a  valuable  food  supply. 
Lai-gely  the  present  deficiency  is  due  to  a  most  un- 
fortunate season,  one  that  has  proved  to  be  singularly 
adverse  to  Potatoes,  and  which  we  may  well  hope  we 
shall  not  have  repeated.     It  is  to  this  shortness  of 
crops  of  the  past  year  that  we  owe  the  efforts  which 
it  is  feared  may  have  been  loo  successful  to  boom  one 
or  two  new  varieties  of  Potatoes  in  a  way  that  has 
surpassed  all  previous  experience.     These  varieties 
have  been  described  as  marvels,  and  prices  paid  for 
them  astounding.     This  sort  of  eulogy  has  doubtless 
trapped  many  rather  credulous  persons  into  pur- 
chasing them  at  costs  that  never  can  be  remune- 
rative.    One  of  the  aims  of  the  new  society  doubtless 
will  be  to  establish  trial  or  testing  plots  in  diverse 
parts  of   the  kingdom,  where  new   and   good   old 
varieties    would     be     grown     side     by    side     for 
comparison  in  so  many  diverse  soils  and  positions, 
and  thus  secure  for  the  public  guidance  judgments 
as  to  any  variety's  merits  that  would  be  reliable 
and  the  reverse  of  misleading.     It  is  not  enough 
that  trials  of  this  nature  should  be  for  such   object 
only.      It   would   be   well  to   ascertain   also  what 
varieties  do  best  in   certain   soils   and   situations, 
how  far  particular  soils  affected  starch  production 
and  flavour,  how  far  also  soil  or  position  affected 
disease  affinity  or  resistance  ;  and  especially  could 
admirable    tests   be    obtained    as    to    the    effects 
of  change  of   seed  tubers  from  one  description  of 
soil  to  another  as  compared  with   similar  varieties 
unchanged.     Results  could  also  be  obtained  as  to 
the   effects  of   diverse  methods  of  wintering   seed 
tubers  on  crop  production.     Exhibitions  of  Potatoes 
would,  of   course,  form  a  feature  of  the  society's 
operations,  as  also   some   sort   of   classification  of 
varieties.      All  this,  of   course,  would  necessitate 
considerable   outlaj',   and   it   is    hoped   that   some 
county  councils  will  be  induced  to  co-operate  with 
the   society   in   providing   trial   plots   and   labour 
through    their   able    gardening   instructors.       The 
Board  of  Agriculture,  the  Royal  Agricultural  and 
the   Royal   Horticultural  Socities  it  is  hoped  will 
also  render  valuable  assistance. — A.  D. 

Aberdeen    Chrysanthemum 

Society. — The  annual  exhibition  will  take  place 
in  the  music  hall,  November  18  and  19  next. — 
M.  H.  Sinclair,  Secretary  eind  Treasurer. 

North  of  Scotland  Root,  Vegetable, 
and   Fruit    Association.  —  The  annual 

meeting  of  this  association  was  held  at  Inverary, 
on  the2Uth  ult.,  and  was  presided  over  by  Councillor 
Low.  The  secretary's  statement  showed  the 
satisfactory  balance  of  £32  4s.  od.  to  the  credit  of 
the  association.  After  some  discussion,  it  was 
agreed  to  have  a  two  days  show  on  the  first 
Friday  and  Saturday  of  November,  19U4.  The 
schedule  of  classes  was  revised,  and  several 
additions  made  to  an  already  valuable  and  satis- 
factory series  of  prizes. 

"My    Garden   Diary."  — This  familiar 

booklet,  issued  by  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  is  a 
valuable  garden  companion,  tastefully  produced. 
It  is  full  of  useful  gardening  reminders  for  each 
month  of  the  year,  and  there  are  spaces  for  memo- 
randa. At  the  end  there  are  "  Notes  on  Bulbs," 
"Notes  on  Lilies,"  and  "Secrets  of  Success  with 
Flower  Seeds,"  all  of  which  are  filled  with  informa- 
tion of  value  to  everyone  who  gardens.  The  lists 
of  "  Bedding  Annuals,"  arranged  as  tall,  medium, 
and  dwarf;  "Climbing  Annuals,"  "Everlasting 
Flowers,"  and  "Edging  Plants  from  Seed"  will 
also  be  found  most  useful.  Some  remarks  upon 
how  to  destroy  certain  garden  pests  conclude  "My 
Garden  Diary." 


January  9,  1904. J 


THE  GARDEN. 


19 


Addition   to   the   Glasg'ow   public 

pElPkS. — At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Glasgow 
Town  Council  a  recommendation  by  the  parks' 
committee  that  the  lands  of  Ibroxhill,  adjoining 
the  Bellahouston  Park,  be  purchased  was  con- 
nidered,  along  with  a  proposal  that  a  portion  of 
Bellahouston  Park  should  be  feued.  After  some 
discussion  the  recommendations  of  the  committee 
were  agreed  to  by  a  large  majority.  Ibroxhill  will 
be  a  valuable  acquisition  and  will  add  much  to  the 
amenity  of  Bellahouston  Park,  while  the  portion  of 
the  latter  it  is  proposed  to  feu  can  be  disposed  of 
in  this  way  without  seriously  affecting  the  value  of 
the  grounds.  The  cost  of  the  Ibroxhill  lands  will 
be  almost  defrayed  by  the  pale  of  these  feus. 

Trials  at  Wisley.— An  explanation  as  to 
the  difference  between  the  mention  of  trials  at 
Wisley  and  the  facts  in  relation  as  stated,  is  that 
the  announcement  in  the  Journal  was  printed  some 
time  prior  to  the  issue  of  the  number,  and  at  that 
lime  it  was  fully  believed  that  the  trials  would 
take  place.  Since  then  it  has  been  found  that 
owing  to  so  much  of  the  field  ground  being  in  so 
foul  a  condition  it  will  not  be  possible  to  get  it  into 
a  state  fit  for  trials  so  soon  as  next  spring.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  but  that  great  as  is  the  gift  of  the 
garden,  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  finds  it  to 
be  a  horse  that  has  to  be  looked  hard  in  the  mouth, 
and  the  more  it  is  examined  the  greater  the  need 
for  labour  and  expenditure.  It  is  much  to  be 
deplored  that  the  customary  trials  should  fall 
through  for  a  year.  It  may  well  be  thought  that  at 
least  a  couple  of  acres  could  have  been  thoroughly 
cleared  and  got  ready  for  trials  ;  but  doing  so  seems 
to  have  been  bej'ond  the  capacity  of  even  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society. — A.  D. 

Bpoughty    Feppy     Hortieultupal 

Association. — The  course  of  lectures  arranged 
by  the  Broughty  Ferry  Horticultual  Society,  in 
combination  with  the  County  Technical  Education 
Committee,  continues  to  he  much  appreciated  by 
those  interested,  and  there  was  a  good  attendance 
at  the  eighth  lecture  of  the  course,  which  was 
held  in  the  Grove  Academy  on  the  16th  ult.  Mr. 
W.  G.  Anderson  occupied  the  chair.  The  lecturer 
for  the  evening  was  Mr.  A.  D.  Richardson, 
landscape  gardener  and  consulting  forester,  Edin- 
burgh, and  formerly  at  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens 
there.  He  took  for  his  subject  that  of  "Continental 
Forestry,"  one  upon  which  Mr.  Richardson  is 
well  qualified  to  speak  from  his  own  experience 
and  observation.  Mr.  Richardson  dealt  fully 
with  it,  pointing  out  the  systems  adopted  and  their 
advantages  and  shortcomings  in  a  lucid  manner. 
A  capital  series  of  lime-light  illustrations  added 
much  to  the  interest  of  one  of  the  best  lectures 
of  the  course.  A  good  discussion  followed, 
and  the  lecturer  was  heartily  thanked  for  his 
services. — S. 

HybPid  GesnePas.— During  the  last  few 
years  a  great  improvement  has  been  obtained  by 
hybridisers  of  these  plants.  The  colours  are  more 
numerous  and  distinct,  and  the  plant  has  bold, 
pyramidal  spikes  of  bloom  often  reaching  18  inches 
in  length.  The  foliage  alone  is  very  handsome, 
being  beautifully  marbled  in  various  shades.  The 
value  of  these  plants  for  indoor  decoration  alone 
should  certainly  give  them  a  wider  popularit}',  for 
scarcely  any  flowering  plant  stands  longer  under 
such  conditions.  The  flowering  season  can  be 
extended  over  a  long  period,  when  a  good  number  of 
tubers  are  in  hand,  by  potting  up  successive  batches 
from  the  middle  of  January  to  April,  the  latter 
potting  lasting  well  into  November.  The  compost 
for  tubers  should  be  composed  of  equal  portions  of 
fibrous  loam,  lumpy  peat,  and  coarse  leaf -soil,  with 
sufficient  sand  added  to  make  the  whole  porous. 
The  tubers  start  more  satisfactorily  by  being 
dibbled  thickly  in  boxes  of  leaf-soil  and  sand, 
placing  them  in  a  moist  and  warm  temperature  not 
less  than  60'.  When  an  inch  or  so  of  growth  is 
made  they  should  be  carefully  potted  up  in  the 
above  compost,  placing  five  plants  in  a  6-inch  pot. 
Be  sure  and  warm  the  soil  nicely  when  potting 
takes  place  to  avoid  chills,  return  the  pots  to  the 
same  temperature,  and  take  care  to  shade  them 
from  bright  sun.  They  will  not  need  much  water 
till  fairly  established,  when  copious  supplies  must 
be  given.     An  occasional  application  of  farmyard 


manure  water,  diluted,  is  beneficial  from  this  stage 
till  the  flower-spikes  are  fully  developed.  When 
the  flowers  begin  to  open  keep  the  atmosphere 
drier  or  remove  the  plants  to  the  conservatory. 
When  ordering  seed  procure  it  from  the  best 
possible  source,  and  so  avoid  disappointment  when 
the  flowering  time  arrives.  In  .lanuary  or  early 
February  the  seed  should  be  sown  in  pans  of  rich 
light  sandy  soil,  barely  covering  the  seed  with  the 
fine  particles  ;  place  the  pans  in  a  moist,  warm 
temperature.  Sheets  of  glass  or  paper  should  be 
placed  over  the  pans  to  prevent  evaporation,  for 
nothing  is  more  harmful  to  seedlings  of  any  kind 
than  variable  conditions  of  the  soil.  When  the 
seedlings  are  large  enough  to  handle,  transfer  them 
carefully  with  a  pointed  stick  into  pans  filled  with 
similar  compost.  Repeat  this  operation  as  the 
young  plants  require  it,  for  it  will  be  found  they 
will  var3'  greatly  in  size.  After  each  operation 
always  bear  in  mind  to  fill  up  with  soil  where  the 
young  plants  were  taken  from.  Place  them  in  the 
same  quarters,  carefully  watering  and  shading.  As 
they  advance  in  growth  treat  them  the  same  as 
advised  for  old  tubers,  but  use  smaller  pots ; 
3-inch  will  generally  be  found  large  enough.  Grow 
them  rapidly  on  to  form  full-sized  tubers  by  autumn, 
when  they  must  be  gradually  ripjned  off  and  stored 
away  in  the  pots  in  a  temperature  not  lower  than 
45°  nor  above  .50°  for  their  rest.  Should  a  scarce 
variety  appear,  leaves  taken  off  with  a  bud  at  the 
base  would  increase  the  stock  quickly,  inserting 
them  in  sand  under  hand-lights  plunged  in  bottom- 
heat. — G.  Ell  WOOD,  Swamnore  Garden>i. 

Calanthes    at    AVoolton    'Wood.— 

The  Calanthes,  so  well  grown  at  this  establishment, 
are  now  shown  to  advantage  in  a  large  span-roofed 
structure  ;  the  sorts  are  Calanthe  Veitchii,  vestita 
oculata,  and  v.  rubra.  There  are  nearly  100  pots 
with  upwards  of  400  spikes,  many  over  4  feet  in 
length,  and  in  addition  there  are  a  few  own-raised 
seedlings,  which  have  a  distinct  colouring  in  the 
lip.  The  pots  are  arranged  thinly  with  Ferns  and 
other  greenery  as  a  base,  the  whole  forming  a 
charming  display  at  this  dull  season.  Another 
advantage  is  the  length  of  season,  which  in  this 
case  covers  a  period  of  from  October  to  early  in 
February,  and,  in  addition  to  being  so  beautiful  as 
decorative  plants,  they  can  be  utilised  with  charming 
effect  for  dinner  table  or  general  house  decoration. 
Calanthe  Williamsii  promises  to  continue  the 
succession  by  showing  bold  spikes  that  will  follow 
later  on.  Mr.  R.  Todd  is  to  be  congratulated  upon 
his  successful  culture  of  this  useful  winter-flowering 
plant.  In  addition  to  the  Calanthes  a  large  number 
of  Cypripediums  are  now  in  bloom,  including  many 
raised  in  these  gardens,  showing  considerable 
variety  in  colour,  size,  and  form. 

Then  and  now. — The  various  notes  from 
Covent  Garden  Market  which  have  of  late  appeared 
in  The  Garden  are  of  great  interest  to  me,  for 
some  thirty  years  or  more  ago  I  was  employed  in  a 
(at  that  time)  prominent  market  establishment, 
and  the  subjects  then  grown  were  in  numerous 
instances  very  different  from  those  of  to-day.  The 
system  of  retarding  has  in  many  cases  completely 
revolutionised  some  classes  of  plants — for  instance, 
the  Lily  of  the  Valley,  which  we  were  for  several 
seasons  the  earliest  to  take  into  the  market.  The 
system  then  adopted  was  to  get  good,  well-ripened 
Berlin  crowns,  pot  them  eighteen  in  a  4^-inch  pot, 
just  leaving  the  points  out  of  the  soil,  and  plunge 
in  a  close  propagating  case  in  the  stove  with  a 
bottom-heat  of  80°  to  85°  and  a  moisture-laden  top- 
heat  of  75°.  With  all  this  we  were  considered 
fortunate  to  get  a  few  in  flower  by  the  first  or 
second  week  in  December,  but  the  main  object  was 
to  get  a  good  crop  by  Christmas,  when  high  prices 
were  realised.  At  that  time  Is.  a  spike  was  the 
ordinary  price  about  Christmas — that  is,  first  hand. 
There  were  in  those  days  no  species  of  Lilium  at 
this  season,  for  all  those  now  in  the  market  are  the 
product  of  retarded  bulbs,  and  it  was  some  ten 
years  after  that  before  we  first  got  Lilium  Harrisii 
from  Bermuda,  by  which  means  we  were  enabled 
to  get  the  long  Trumpet  Lilies  early  in  the  new 
year.  The  Arum  Lilies  (Richardia)  then  as  now 
were  very  popular,  and  of  other  flowers  Camellias 
were  grown  far  more  than  they  are  at  the  present 
day.     Very  few  zonal  Pelargoniums  were  to  be  met 


with  at  this  season,  the  first  to  attain  a  consider- 
able amount  of  popularity  for  winter  blooming 
being  the  semi-double  Wonderful,  sent  out  about 
1875.  Chrysanthemums  were  few  in  number  com- 
pared with  to-day,  while  Marguerites  and  Freesias 
were  almost  unknown.  Epiphyllums,  whose  flowers 
readily  lent  themselves  for  use  in  the  formal  pin- 
cushion-like bouquets  then  in  vogue,  were  taken 
into  the  market  in  considerable  numbers,  and  much 
the  same  may  be  said  of  the  climbing  Tropaiolums. 
One  variety — Mrs.  Treadwell — was  very  popular 
for  the  supply  of  cut  flowers  in  midwinter,  a  posi- 
tion it  held  till  ousted  by  the  zonal  Pelargoniums. 
Of  foliage  plants,  the  principal  Ferns  of  those  days 
were  Adiantum  cuneatum,  A.  decorum,  PLeris 
tremula,  and  P.  serrulata.  Pteris  cretica  was  at 
that  time  gaining  in  popularity,  but  the  major 
variety  was  quite  unknown  to  the  market  grower. 
Palms  were  at  that  time  very  little  met  with,  far 
and  away  the  most  popular  being  Latania  bor- 
bonica,  for  the  now  universally -grown  Kentias  were 
valued  at  guineas.  Next  to  Latanias  perhaps  came 
Areca  lutescens,  Seaforthia  elegans,  and  Corypha 
australis.  A  very  pretty  plant,  and  a  one-time 
universal  favourite,  is  Cyperus  alternifolius,  but 
this  is  now  very  little  grown  to  what  it  once  was. 
In  the  days  when  small  Palms  were  so  scarce, 
Curculigo  recurvata  was  often  grown  as  a  substi- 
tute ;  now,  however,  it  is  almost  forgotten. — T. 


ON  THE  LAGO  MAGGIORE. 

The  Italian  Lakes  (Como,  Ceresio,  Maggiore), 
these  three  together,  form  a  specially  favoured 
region  known  scientifically  as  the  insubric  zone. 
Sheltered  as  it  is  from  the  northern  blasts  by 
the  great  wall  of  the  Simplon  and  Gotthard 
Alps,  and  protected  by  their  southern-facing 
slopes,  these  conditions  of  shelter  and  warm 
exposure  are  of  themselves  extremely  favour- 
able. But  the  main  source  of  the  rich  flora 
and  special  character  of  the  region  is  the  enor- 
mous volume  of  heat  that  is  given  off  by  the 
deep  waters  of  the  lakes,  and  the  almost  entire 
absence  of  cloudy  days.  The  lakes  are  of  great 
depth,  and  it  will  be  seen  that  from  this 
immense  mass  of  water  an  abundant  supply  of 
warmth  is  given  off,  the  water  of  the  lower 
depths  constantly  rising  to  cool  on  the  surface 
and  bringing  with  it  an  appreciable  degree  of 
warmth.  To  this  is  added  soil  of  a  special 
chemical  composition,  almost  entirely  wanting 
in  lime,  and  we  have  the  explanation  of  the 
phenomenon  that  produces  a  flowery  oasis  at 
the  foot  of  the  Alps,  while  further  south,  as  at 
Milan,  the  climate  is  much  colder  and  the  vege- 
tation of  a  more  northerly  character. 

I  have  travelled  about  these  lakes  at  all 
seasons,  and  from  one  year's  end  to  another 
have  never  seen  them  without  flowers.  Rising 
one  above  another  are  the  most  wonderful 
gardens,  and  a  luxuriant  exotic  vegetation  is  to 
be  seen  in  all  directions.  The  great  Borromeo 
family  were  the  founders  of  the  gardens  which 
were  here  established  several  centuries  ago  ; 
they  were  the  first  planters  of  rare  and  beauti- 
ful trees  and  shrubs  on  the  shores  of  the  Lago 
Maggiore.  The  Borromean  Islands,  which, 
with  the  adjacent  shores,  were  the  sites  of  the 
gardens  of  the  lordly  Milanese  families,  have 
furnished  examples  of  a  luxuriant  wealth  of 
gardening  that  all  the  world  has  desired  to 
adopt  and  reproduce. 

But  to  bring  about  all  that  the  region  has 
now  to  show  there  was  need  of  the  labours  of 
specially  intelligent  and  enterprising  horti- 
culturists, who  should  introduce  and  distribute 
suitable  exotic  plants.  I  believe  that  the 
superb  vegetation  that  we  now  see  on  the 
shores  of  these  enchanting  lakes  is  largely  due 
to  the  work  of  two  generations  of  the  Brothers 
Rovelli,  I  have  just  lately  visited  this  firm's 
excellent  and  interesting  horticultural  estab- 


^0 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  9, 1904 


lishment,  now  in  the  hands  of  the  young 
Docteur  es  Sciences,  Renato  Eovelli,  grandson 
of  the  original  founder.  A  brief  sketch  of  it 
may,  I  hope,  interest  readers  of  The  Garden. 

The  garden  stands  out  upon  a  spur  of  land 
that  juts  out  into  the  waters  of  the  Lago 
Maggiore,  forming  a  cape,  the  greater  part  of 
which  belongs  to  it.  The  highest  point  is 
from  25  mfetres  to  30  metres  (nearly  100  feet) 
above  the  lower  portion  of  the  garden.  It  has 
become  a  delightful  spot,  shaded  by  magnifi- 
cent Mexican  and  other  Pines,  and  commanding 
a  superb  view  of  both  shores  of  the  lake. 

The  vegetation  is  quite  Mediterranean,  and 
to  see  the  long-leaved,  domed  tops  of  the 
Eucalyptus  swaying  above  groups  of  Jubaja 
spectabilis  and  Acacia  dealbata  one  might  be 
at  Cannes  or  Mentone.  The  Japan  Medlars 
(Eriobotrya)  are  self-sown,  and  young  plants 
of  it  are  to  be  seen  on  all  sides.  Ficus  repens 
climbs  about  the  walls,  and  the  air  is  fragrant 
with  the  scent  of  Olea  fragrans.  Much  taste 
has  been  shown  in  the  laying  out  of  the 
pleasure  ground.  Here  are  to  be  seen  the 
strange  but  pleasing  outlines  of  Abies  lasio- 
carpa  30  feet  high,  Pinus  lambertiana  45  feet, 
Pinus  winchesteriana,  fremontiana,  Koraiensis, 
daveana,  and  longifolia  from  20  feet  to  50  feet 
in  height.  The  curious  dark-complexioned 
Pinus  insignis  finds  itself  a  near  neighbour  of 
the  P.  Cembra  of  the  high  Alps.  The  strangely- 
sinuous  P.  russeliana  spreads  out  its  tortuous, 
serpent-like  branches  on  all  sides,  in  strong 
contrast  to  the  stiff  60  feet  high  spire  of 
P.  palustris.  Pinus  patula  spreads  its  great 
arms  widely  abroad  near  an  Abies  Fortunei 
45  feet  high,  while  a  Thuja  gigantea  of  65  feet 
shows  oflf  by  contrast  the  strange  shape  of  a 
Cupressus  torulosa,  also  a  giant.  Sciadopitys, 
Torreyas,  various  Podocarpus,  American  and 
Japanese  Oaks — all  are  interesting  and  show 
great  vigour.  Laurus  glandulosa  and  L.  cam- 
phorata  are  60  feet  high.  Magnolias  are  of  great 
size,  and  Pueraria  throws  its  great  unctuous 
branches  about  on  all  sides.  All  these  form 
delightful  groupings  of  highly  pictorial  effect. 

There  are  also  several  acres  whose  planting 
seems  to  consecrate  them  not  only  to  botanical 
science,  but  to  poetry  and  other  fine  arts,  and 
it  is  with  indescribable  pleasure  that  I  enjoy 
and  admire  them  at  each  fresh  visit.  It  would 
seem  that  the  shades  of  a  Ruskin  or  a  Goethe 
must  haunt  the  hidden  recesses  of  this  beautiful 
pleasure  ground. 

Rare  species  are  in  abundance.  I  will  only 
name  a  few  of  their  number  :  Quercus  Mir- 
beckii,  Banisteri  and  dealbata,  Juniperus 
squamata.  Ilex  depressa,  Castanea  japonica, 
Abies  clambrasiliana,  Fitzroya  patagonica, 
Illycium  religiosura,  Tristania  neriif  olia,  Colletia 
bictonensis,  a  collection  of  Grevillea,  and  a 
number  of  Ilex. 

The  glaucous  heads  of  Acacia  dealbata  rise 
above  Benthamias  ;  the  delicate  and  beautiful 
Pinus  canariensis  and  many  kinds  of  rare 
Bamboos  border  the  paths  through  the  groves. 
The  undergrowths  are  of  bushes,  such  as 
Lagerstromia  indica,  Olea  fragrans,  Thea 
viridis  and  sinensis,  Camellia,  Weigelas  12  feet 
to  15  feet  high,  Hypericum  patulum  attaining 
a  height  of  9  feet  to  10  feet,  Arbutus 
Andrachne  35  feet,  ifcc.  In  place  of  turf  there 
is  Ophiopogon  japonicus,  and  in  places  the 
ground  is  covered  with  the  Winter  Heliotrope 
(Nardosmia  fragrans),  or  by  the  Caucasian 
Borage  (Borago  orientalis). 

Special  grounds  are  reserved  for  a  more 
prosaic  class  of  cultivation,  for  stocks  of 
Camellia,  Azalea,  ChamsBrops,  Ficus,  Laurus, 
conifers,  itc. 

The  speciality  of  the  garden  as  a  nursery  is 
the  cultivation  of   the  famous    Pseudo-larix 


Kiempferi,  the  most  capricious  of  known 
conifers,  but  fl  hich  does  well  here  at  Pallanza. 

M.  Enrico  Rovelli,  the  uncle  of  the  actual 
proprietor  of  the  garden,  has  established  him- 
self on  the  other  side  of  Pallanza,  where  he 
has  acquired  a  magnificent  property.  Here  he 
grows  specialties,  such  as  Carnations,  Musa, 
also  flowers  in  general,  conifers,  &c.  He  is  a 
skilful  landscape  gardener,  and  has  planted 
delightful  pleasure  grounds. 

The  fine  avenue  of  Magnolia  grandiflora 
which  borders  the  lake  all  along  the  length  of 
the  quay  is  the  outcome  of  the  generosity  of 
the  Rovelli  family.  From  one  year's  end  to 
another  the  blossoms  scent  the  air,  while  their 
lustrous  evergreen  heads  show  out  against  the 
clear  blue  sky,  and  their  dark  trunks  against 
the  azure  of  the  pure  lake  waters. 

Happy  land,  beloved  of  the  sun  !  land  of 
flowers  and  sweetest  perfumes.  Would  that 
one  might  dwell  therein  for  ever  ! 

Floraire,  Geneva.  Heney  Cokeevon. 


THE   FLOWER  GARDEN. 


LILIUM    JAPONICUM. 

FEW  Lilies  have  given  rise  to  so  many 
differences  of  opiuion  as  Liliura  japoni- 
cum  of  Thunberg,  but  it  is  now  I  see, 
according  to  the  "  Kew  Hand  List," 
identified  as  the  Lily  so  long  grown 
in  gardens  as  Lilium  Krameri.  On  this 
point  I  am  not  in  a  position  to  say  a  word,  being 
without  the  ample  reference  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Kew  authorities,  but  of  the  two  varieties  included 
under  the  head  of  L.  japonicum,  I  quite  fail  to  see 
their  relationship  to  the  Lily  in  question,  except 
as  far  as  they  are  all  members  of  the  same  genus. 

The  first,  L.  japonicum  Alexandra,  attracted 
considerable  attention  ten  years  ago,  when  it  was 
awarded  a  first-class  certificate  by  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  being  shown  by  one  of  two 
exhibitors  as  L.  Alexandra,  and  by  the  other  as 
L.  Ukeyuri.  It  was  at  that  time  generally  believed 
to  be  of  hybrid  origin.  The  probable  parents 
suggested  were  L.  auratum  and  L.  longiiiorum, 
and  certainly  the  general  appearance  of  this  Lily 
would  bear  out  such  a  theory,  for  neither  in  bulb, 
foliage,  or  flower  does  it  bear  the  least  resemblance 
to  L.  Krameri.  I  am  aware  that  at  the  time  it 
was  first  exhibited  Mr.  Baker  ignored  the  supposed 
hybrid  origin,  but  at  all  events  it  may  have  been  a 
natural  if  not  an  artificial  hybrid. 

The  second  variety  to  mention  is  L.  japonicum 
Colchesteri,  of  which  L.  odorum  is  one  of  the 
synonyms.  This  has  really  nothing  whatever  to  do 
with  L.  Krameri,  its  nearest  relative  being  L. 
Brownii,  with  which  it  was  at  one  time  often 
confounded,  but  from  which  it  differs  in  the  thinner 
leaves,  shorter  flowers,  with  the  interior  of  a 
yellowish  tinge,  rather  than  the  ivory  white  of  L. 
Brownii.  This  last-named  species  is  assigned 
specific  rank,  and  its  native  country  given  as  China 
and  Japan,  but  concerning  this  there  seems  some 
doubt,  as  the  origin  of  L.  IJrownii  of  gardens  and  as 
grown  by  the  Dutch  is  wrapped  in  obscurity,  and 
among  bulbs  imported  either  from  China  or  Japan 
I  have  never  flowered  any  that  would  be  con- 
founded with  it. 

Thecomparativelynew  L.  rubellum  is  in  the  "Ivew 
Hand  List"  classed  as  a  true  species.  Why,  it  is 
impossible  even  to  guess,  taking  as  one's  standpoint 
of  species  and  varieties  L.  japonicum  (Krameri), 
with  the  so-called  varieties  Alexandras  and 
Colchesteri,  for  rubellum  is  in  every  respect  closely 
allied  to  L.  Krameri,  there  being  the  same  bulb, 
style  of  growth,  and  almost  of  flower,  while  both 
have  a  knack  of  disappearing  after  the  first  season. 
Great  things  were  at  first  expected  of  L.  rubellum, 
but  it  has  proved  little,  if  at  all,  more  amenable  to 
cultivation  than  L.  Krameri. 

To  try  and  clear  up  some  of  the  confusion  I  have 
referred  to  Mr.  Baker's  paper  on  "New  Lilies" 
read  at  the  Chiswick  conference  in  1901,  and  find 
L.  japonicum  Alexaudrse  thus  referred  to  ;  "  Bulb 


like  that  of  L.   longiflorum.     .     .     .     Differs  from 
the  type  by  its  broader  leaves  and  longer  stj'le, 
and,  I  would  add,  in  almost  every  other  respect. 

The  second  variety  of  the  "Kew  Hand  List," 
Colchesteri,  Mr.  Baker  calls  L.  Brownii  odorum, 
which,  if  Brownii  be  the  species,  is  certainly  its 
proper  place,  but  this  opens  up  another  element  of 
doubt,  as  L.  odorum  is  supposed  to  have  been 
introduced  many  years  before  the  advent  of  L. 
Brownii,  hence  if  priority  of  nomenclature  counts 
for  anything  the  species  should  be  L.  odorum,  and 
the  other  a  variety  thereof. 

In  taking  exception  to  Alexandras  and  Colchesteri 
being  regarded  as  varieties  of  L.  Krameri,  I  may 
perhaps  be  allowed  to  call  attention  to  the  fact 
that  everyone  now  regards  L.  sulphureum  as  a 
grand  Lily  and  a  very  distinct  species,  yet  at  first  it 
was,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  named  L.  wallichianum 
superbum.  It  was  only  universal  criticism  that 
induced  our  botanical  friends  to  give  it  the  specific 
rank  that  it  should  have  occupied  from  the  first. 

H.  P. 


HARDY    CRINUMS. 

The  Crinums  are  an  African  genus  of  stately 
bulbous  plants  numbering  about  100,  but  of  these 
eight  only  can  be  grown  in  the  open,  and  then  the 
best  of  them  need  winter  protection.  They  are 
robust  plants  of  a  gross-feeding  type,  ornamental 
in  all  the  stages  of  their  growth,  and  their  flowers 
borne  on  tall  scapes  in  the  form  of  loose  umbels  are 
at  once  graceful  and  refined,  and  their  colour  tints 
vary  from  white  to  deep  pink.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  old  C.  capense  their  use  in  gardens  has 
been  entirely  overlooked,  notwithstanding  their 
acknowledged  beauty,  especially  when  grown  in 
large  clumps,  and  the  fact  that  but  little  care  is 
needed  in  their  cultivation,  save  during  winter, 
when  with  such  plants  as  C.  Moorei,  C.  Schimperi, 
and  C.  jemense,  a  covering  of  light,  dry  leaves  is 
necessary  to  ward  off  excessive  frosts. 

The  soil  for  Crinums  should  be  light,  deeply 
tilled,  and  well  drained,  and  in  most  cases  it  is  a 
wise  plan  to  establish  the  bulbs  in  pots  before 
planting  in  their  permanent  quarters,  for  it  is 
necessary  to  bury  the  necks  of  the  bulbs  up  to  the 
leaf  bases  in  order  to  protect  them  from  cold,  and 
dormant  bulbs  planted  deeply  generally  start  badly 
owing  to  the  coldness  of  the  soil  at  the  planting 
season.  Raised  beds  in  the  front  of  glass  houses,  at 
the  footof  a  south  wall,  or  a  warm,  dry  border  suggest 
themselves  as  likely  places  to  suit  Crinums  ;  but 
soils  that  are  poor  and  hungry  should  be  avoided. 
On  the  other  hand,  wet  and  naturally  cold  soils 
should  be  raised  above  the  general  level  and  sloped 
towards  the  sun,  so  that  moisture  cannot  stagnate. 
Spring  is  the  best  planting  season,  and  if  the  bulbs 
are  turned  out  of  pots  they  will  grow  away  and 
flower  well  the  first  season.  If  planted  as  dormant 
bulbs  their  first  flower-spikes  are,  as  a  rule,  pro- 
duced too  late  in  the  3'ear  for  proper  development, 
and  thus  a  whole  season  is  lost.  Tlie  hardiest 
plant  of  the  lot  is 

C.  aipeiiJie  (known  also  asC.  longifolium). — It  has 
long,  glaucous,  tapering  leaves  '2  feet  to  3  feet 
long ;  cone-shaped  bulbs  with  shortened  necks, 
from  the  sides  of  which  the  flower-scapes  arise  in 
summer,  reaching  a  height  of  2  feet  to  3  feet,  and 
bearing  long-tubed,  pink-tinted  flowers  in  umbela 
of  six  to  ten,  shaped  like  an  attenuated  funnel,  and 
with  arching  tubes  of  a  greenish  tint.  They  are 
sweetly  fragrant,  but  are  somewhat  sparingly  pro- 
duced until  the  plants  develop  into  large  clumps, 
when  twenty  to  thirty  scapes  appear  at  the  same 
time.  The  flowers  are  often  6  inches  long  and  at 
least  3  inches  across  the  petals,  but  as  they  are 
naturally  drooping  and  do  not  expand  fully  they 
never  give  so  fine  a  display  as  the  hybrid  C.  Powellii. 
A  pure  white  form  is  widely  grown.  This  Crinum 
may  be  grown  in  any  plant  border  without  pro- 
tection in  most  parts  of  Britain,  but  it  reaches  its 
finest  stature  in  the  southern  counties. 

C.  Moorei  (C.  makoj'anum)  is  the  finest  species 
than  can  be  well  grown  in  the  open.  It  is  not 
hardy,  and  protection  will  need  to  be  thorough  if  it 
is  left  out  all  winter,  or  the  bulbs  must  be  buried 
quite  a  foot  deep  if  they  are  to  be  considered  safe. 
For  general  purposes  it  is  better  to  lift  the  bulbs  ia 


January  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


21 


Novuiubuf  ami  sLoie  iliem  in  a  frost-proof  building 
till  planting  season  comes  round  again;  the  bulbs 
keep  perfectly  fresh  if  stored  in  sand  or  fibre.  It 
ihas  stout  bulbs  1  foot  to  2  feet  long  ;  broad,  arching, 
deep  green  leaves,  4  feet  to  6  feet  long,  and  tall 
thickened  flower-scapes,  which  vary  in  height  from 
3  feet  in  the  open  air  to  6  feet  when  well  grown 
under  glass,  and  they  bear  from  six  to  twelve  rosy 
pink  flowers  with  long  arching  tubes  and  broad 


C.  Schimperi. — A  rare  species,  with  shortened 
bulbs,  erect-growing  leaves  arranged  in  two  ranks, 
and  long-tubed  flowers,  which   resemble  those   of 


All  the  Crinums  are  easily  raised  from  seeds,  but 
four  years  must  elapse  before  the  specimens  can 
flower.       Offsets    are     freely   produced    by    those 


less  free  in  natural  increase. ' 


M. 


C.  capense  album  in  general  outline.     It  grows  well ;  species  that  do  not  naturally  rest ;  the  others  are 
without   protection    in     any   warm    border.     The    '        '        ■  ■  ■ 

flowers  are  pure  white,  9  inches  long,  in  clusters  of 
six  during  August.  It  is  a  pretty  plant,  quite  un- 
known to  general  cultivation.  The  flowers  are 
delightfully  fragrant,  especially  at  sunset.  It  hails 
from  Abyssinia,  and  it 


KO.   T. — THE   WROXO   WAY   OF   PLANTING   ALPINE   PLANTS. 

N.B. — Till'  roots  are  able  to  spread  too  close  to  the  mr/ace,  a^ld  would  be  quickli/  affected  by 
too  much  drought  or  too  much  moisture. 

petals,  which  expand  fulh',  so  that  the  flowers 
measure  6  inches  across.  Very  large  bulbs  bear 
three  or  four  scapes  at  the  same  time,  and  such 
sneoimens  are  not  difficult  to  obtain  or  to  grow. 
Under  greenhouse  treatment  C.  Moorei  flowers  at 
various  seasons,  both  when  in  full  growth  and  when 
dormant,  but  in  the  open  it  flowers  in  August  and 
September,  when  growth  is  at  its  height.  It  is  one 
of  the  finest  bulbous  plants  I  know. 

Va7'.  allmm  (syn.  Schmidti)  is  a  lovely  white 
flowered  form,  quite  as  vigorous  and  easy  to  grow 
as  the  type  plant.  Both  these  Crinums  require 
abundance  of  water  when  in  full  growth,  and  they 
appreciate  the  assistance  of  liquid  or  artificial 
manure  when  about  to  flower. 

C.  Poice'iii,  a  very  hardy  hybrid  between  C. 
Moorei  and  C.  longifolium  (capense),  is  an  invaluable 
border  plant,  growing  and  flowering  very  freely, 
and  forming  huge  clumps  bearing  dozens  of  flower- 
scapes  in  the  course  of  a  few  seasons'  vigorous 
growth.  It  resembles  C.  Moorei,  but  the  leaves  are 
narrower,  more  channelled,  and  ascending.  The 
flower-scapes  average  3  feet  to  4  feet  in  length,  and 
are  thrust  a  foot  above  the  ample  leafage,  bearing 
aflne  umbel  of  rich  rose  flowers  with  long,  tapering, 
arching  tubes,  and  broad,  funnel-shaped  limbs 
5  inches  across.  They  are  pleasingly  fragrant,  and 
last  long  in  good  order.  Strong  clumps  often  bear 
a  succession  of  spikes,  and  I  have  gathered  good 
flowers  within  a  few  weeks  of  Christmas  from 
plants  in  the  open.  There  are  two  seedling  forms, 
album,  a  beautiful  long-tubed,  pure  white  variety, 
and  a  pale  pink  form  known  as  intermedia  and 
rubrum,  of  very  soft  and  refined  colouring.  These 
Crinums  require  a  warm  situation  and  a  deep  soil 
of  good  tilth,  and  they  are  better  able  to  establish 
themselves  thoroughly  if  planted  in  spring.  They 
may  require  protection  in  abnormally  severe 
winters,  but  generally  they  are  able  to  survive 
mild  winters  without  any  covering  whatever.  In 
any  case  where  covering  is  used  it  should  be 
removed  immediately  it  is  not  required  or  the 
woolly  tunics  of  the  bulbs  will  decay  through  want 
of  air,  and  a  layer  of  sound  tissue  often  decays  with 
it.  One  can  recommend  C.  Powellii  and  its  forms 
as  garden  plants  of  more  than  ordinary  interest, 
bright  and  showy  to  a  marked  degree  ;  the  flowers 
are  fragrant,  refined,  and  shapely,  appearing  at 
their  best  towering  in  graceful  umbels  above  their 
own  lustrous  leafage. 


appears  to  be  quite 
deciduous,  losing  all 
its  leaves  naturally  in 
winter. 

C.  "  Tuhergen."—A 
Cricum,  originally  sent 
out  from  several  Con- 
tinental nurseries  as 
C.  crassifolium  (not 
Herbert)  ;  it  proves 
very  hardy  and  excep- 
tionally free-flowering. 
It  is  an  improved 
capense  as  regards 
appearance,  the  leaves 
being  more  than  3  feet 
long,  very  numerous, 
and  quite  glaucous. 
The  flowers  are  long- 
tubed,  pale  pink  tinted, 
fragrant,  and  they  are 
borne  in  clusters  of 
twelve  or  more,  the 
inflorescence  being 
quite  1  foot  across.  It 
will  grow  and  thrive 
in  any  warm  border, 
and  it  is  even  more 
thirstj'  than  C.  Moorei 
when  in  vigorous  growth.  I  do  not  know  the 
plant's  origin,  and  it  appears  to  be  a  hybrid. 

C.  ytmenm^  a  plant  of  recent  introduction,  is  a 
real  gain.  Id  has  globose  deciduous  bulbs,  leaves 
that  resemble  those  of  C.  Powellii,  but  shorter,  and 
it  bears  in  midsummer  clusters  of  pure  while 
flowers,  the  tubes  of  which  are  curved,  and  the 
petals  broad  and  spreading.  The  plants  do  not 
appear  to  produce  more  than  one  scape  annually', 
but  that  is  always  strong,  and  the  umbel  contains 
twelve  to  twent)'  flowers,  reaching  a  _^ 'span  of 
18  inches  when  fully 
developed.  Its  short 
bulbs  and  deciduous 
character  render  pro- 
tection easy,  and  a 
layer  of  light  dry  leaves 
shaken  over  the  bulbs 
when  frost  approaches 
will  be  sufficient  pro- 
tection. As  a  pot 
plant  this  Crinum  is 
invaluable.  It  is  not 
so  bulky  as  some,  and 
the  grand  inflorescence 
of  beautiful  flowers 
reminds  one  of  the 
Yuccas  in  their  effec- 
tive display.  It  is  con- 
sidered to  be  a  form 
of  C.  latifolium,  a 
tender  but  very  beau- 
tiful species  that  one 
often  recognises  in 
collections  of  rare  and 
choice  plants.  One 
hears  much  of  a  beau- 
tiful series  of  hybrid 
Crinums  raised  in 
South  European  nur- 
series thataredescribed 

as  very  hardy  and  embracing  some  newer  shades.  If 
they  are  as  varied  in  colouring  as  one  is  led  to 
understand,  and  they  are  likely  to  prove  as  hardy 
as  those  we  have  already,  there  is  room  for  them 
in  the  more  sheltered  corners  of  English  gardens. 
Crinums  are  known  to  intercross  more  readily  in 
warmer  climates  than  our  own,  and  many  tender 
species  could  be  used  by  the  hybridist  that  would 
be  difficult  to  manage  here  as  pot-grown  specimens. 


I 


THE 


THE     ROCK    GARDEN. 

ROCK   GA-RDEN-MAKING. 

XV.— Rock-building  with  Regakd  to 
Plants  to  be  Grown. 
WILL  deal  briefly  with  another  most  impor- 
tant subject,  namely,  the  construction  of 
rocks  with  regard  to  the  plants  that  are  to 
adorn  them.  It  cannot  be  denied  that, 
however  effectively  the  rooks  may  be 
arranged,  their  beauty  can  easily  be  marred 
or  enhanced  by  the  subsequent  position  of  the 
plants.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  "masonry" 
rook  gardens  are  always  a  failure.  Whoever 
designs  and  arranges  the  rocks  is  the  proper  person 
to  direct  the  planting  also.  More  than  this,  even 
during  the  construction  of  the  various  rock-beds, 
&o. ,  which  compose  the  rock  garden,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  designer  to  have  a  clear  idea  of 
what  kinds  of  plants  will  give  the  best  effects  for 
the  various  parts  of  the  work.  I  have  pointed 
out  in  a  previous  chapter  that  in  rock-building 
much  effect  can  naturally  be  produced  by  way  of 
contrast.  A  projection  adjoining  a  deep  recess 
will  emphasise  the  latter,  for  the  same  reason 
as  a  high  point  will  be  emphasised  by 
an  adjoining  depression.  But  supposing  after 
completion  of  the  work  the  planting  is 
entrusted  to  unskilled  hands  and  without 
regard  to  artistic  effect,  the  probability  would 
be  that  the  recesses  and  depressions  alike 
would  be  filled  up  with  plants  that  grow  to  a 
considerable  size,  and  small  plants  would  be  used 
for  high  points  and  projections  ;  in  other  words, 
the  bold  effect  originally  intended  would  be  utterly 
ruined  by  a  mode  of  planting  which  has  decreased 
instead  of  increased  the  intended  contrast.  As  a 
rough  kind  of  guide  (liable  to  exceptions)  it  may, 
therefore,  be  suggested  that  tall  or  vigorous- 
growing  plants  should  adorn  the  highest  and  most 
prominent  parts   of    the   rock   garden,  while    the 


iV.23.- 


NO.  2. —THE    right    WAY    OF   PLANTING    ALPINES. 

The  roots  cannot  spread  close  to  the  surface,  hut  are  compelled  to  go  down  to  a 
considerable  depth,  where  the  soil  is  cool  and  moist. 

lowest  and  receding  parts  should  be  furnished 
with  plants  only  a  few  inches  in  height,  which, 
by  forming  a  carpet  between  the  higher  rocks, 
would  emphasise  the  bold  effect  ;  while  for 
the  boldest  parts  of  the  rock  garden  bold 
plants  and  even  rock  shrubs  might  be  most 
suitable.  There  would  be  no  class  of  plants  so  well 
adapted  for  the  lowest  parts  of  the  work  as  alpine 
plants. 


22 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Janhary  9,  1904. 


The  REQniBEMENTS  or  Alpike  Plants. 

By  alpine  plants  in  the  general  sense  of  the  word 
are  meant  dwarf  mountain  plants  from  various 
parts  of  the  world.  While  the  majority  of  them, 
perhaps,  have  their  native  home  in  the  Alps  of 
Southern  Kurope,  others  of  equal  beauty  and  of 
equally  easy  culture  have  found  their  way  to  the 
British  Isles  from  the  Himalayas,  from  China  and 
Japan,  and  even  from  the  Rooky  Mountains  and 
other  portions  of  America. 

Before  considering  the  best  ways  and  means  of 
cultivating  these  plants  in  our  rock  gardens,  we 
shall  do  well  to  study  them  in  their  native  home, 
say,  for  choice,  in  the  Alps  of  Switzerland.  Who 
among  the  travellers  in  that  charming  country  has 
not  been  struck  by  the  abundance  of  alpine 
flowers  and  their  glorious  colours?  Who  has  not 
admired  the  dense  cushions  of  stunted  foliage 
bedecked,  as  with  jewels,  by  exquisite  fiowers  in 
the  greatest  profusion,  and  often  in  places  where 
growth  of  any  kind  would  seem  almost  impossible 
owing  to  scarcity  of  soil  and  intense  cold.  But 
alpine  plants  differ  from  most  other  plants,  and  in 
the  course  of  ages  they  have  adapted  themselves 
to  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  their  surroundings. 
In  high  altitudes  they  have  to  withstand  a  broiling 
sun,  while  their  roots  are  down  ever  so  far  in  narrow 
chinks  and  fissures,  where  the  scanty  food  they  find 
would  be  cool  and  moist.  Even  during  the  height 
of  summer  their  foliage  is  frozen  stark  and  stiff 
every  night,  and  what  little  growth  takes  place 
has  to  be  accomplished  during  a  few  hours  at  mid- 
day. The  expansion  and  contraction  of  the  cells 
of  such  plants  during  day  and  night  must  be  enor- 
mous, and  enough  to  tear  the  tissues  of  ordinary 
plants.  But  these  sturdy  mountain  gems  are 
specially  constructed  to  meet  all  emergencies ; 
their  cells  are  small  and  their  cell-walls  are  abnor- 
mally thick.  This  accounts  for  the  toughness  of 
the  tissues.  For  six  or  eight  months  during  the 
year  they  are  covered  by  soft,  downy  snow,  and 
when  in  spring  the  balmy  southerly  winds  known 
as  the  "Fohn"  melt  and  disperse  the  snow,  the 
alpine  flora  awakes  from  its  winter  rest  as  if  by 
magic.  In  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time  all  is 
life  and  beauty,  till  in  October  the  downy  snow 
again  provides  a  protecting  covering  for  the  tiny 
gems. 

Such  is  the  life  of  alpine  plants  at  home.  They 
enjoy  an  abundance  of  the  purest  possible  light, 
and  though  they  may  be  short  in  stature,  their  roots, 
in  order  to  find  the  nourishment  required,  have 
been  compelled  to  penetrate  deeply  into  the  narrow 
crevices  of  the  rook,  and  it  is  not  at  all  unusual  to 
find  that  plants  only  1  inch  or  2  inches  in  height 
send  their  roots  to  a  depth  of  several  feet. 

Cdltoke  of  Alpine  Plakts. 

In  order  to  apply  the  lessons  we  are  taught  by 
Nature  with  regard  to  alpine  plants,  I  have  sought 
to  further  illustrate  my  meaning  by  means  of  the 
accompanying  sketches  bearing  on  the  planting  of 
alpine  plants  in  the  rook  garden.  Diagram  No.  1 
shows  the  wrong  way  of  planting.  In  this  sketch 
it  is  assumed  that  the  plant  has  been  put  in  like 
an  ordinary  bedding  plant  (as  is  so  often  done) 
between  upright  stones  some  distance  apart.  Now 
what  must  be  the  consequence  of  such  planting  ? 
The  stones  would  exclude  light  and  air,  which  are 
so  essential  to  the  well-being  of  the  plant ;  but, 
worst  of  all,  an  alpine  plant  planted  in  the  manner 
indicated  by  the  sketch  would  spread  its  roots 
close  to  the  surface  of  the  soil,  where — since  a 
natural  covering  of  snow  cannot  be  depended  upon 
— the  slightest  excess  of  moisture  or  an  excess  of 
drought  would  be  fatal  to  its  existence. 

In  sketch  No.  2  I  have  tried  to  represent  the 
right  method  of  planting  alpines,  viz.,  in  a  deep, 
funnel-shaped,  narrow  fissure  between  stones  let 
deeply  into  the  ground.  These  crevices  are  filled 
with  soil  and  small  stones  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
constitute  a  number  of  miniature  earthy  channels, 
through  which  the  roots  can  penetrate  to  a  medium 
of  richer  soil  at  the  bottom,  and  to  such  a  depth 
that  drought  or  excessive  moisture  would  leave 
them  e(iually  unaffected.  It  must  not  be  supposed 
that  such  structures  of  rocks  prepared  specially  for 
choice  alpine  plants  need  present  an  unsightly  or 
unnatural  appearanca  externally.    On  the  contrary. 


with  a  little  thought  and  skill,  the  useful  and  the 
ornamental  may  be  combined  in  such  a  way  that 
the  newly-constructed  rocks  present  a  picturesque 
and  natural  appearance,  and  yet  answer  all  the 
requirements  of  the  choicest  alpines.  Sketch  No.  3 
shows  how  a  narrow,  upright  fissure  among  rocks 
might  be  adorned  by  putting  in,  sideways,  a 
number  of  plants  which  prefer  such  a  position. 
The  actual  planting  operation  will  be  described  in 
a  later  chapter. 

Elmside,  Exeter.  F.  W.  Meyek. 

(To  he  continued.) 


THE    LILIES. 

(Continued   from  2^o,(je    7.) 

L.  COEDIFOLIUM  (Thunb),  the  Heart-shaped- 
leaved  Lily. — A  lovely  white-flowered  Lily 
from  Japan,  rarely  seen  in  this  country  in  good 
condition.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the  giant 
Himalayan  L.  giganteum.  Bulbs  as  in  gigan- 
teum,  but  smaller,  fewer  scaled,  the  scales  are 


NO.  3.- 


-ALPINE  PLANTS   PLANTED   SIDEWAYS   INTO 
AN  UPRIGHT  FISSURE. 


thickened  at  their  bases,  white,  browning  on 
exposure,  perishing  with  the  inflorescence, 
which  it  develops  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  year 
from  seeds.  Roots  stout,  deeply  descending. 
Stems  hollow,  green,  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
in  diameter,  tapering,  4  feet  high.  Leaves  : 
Those  from  the  bulbs  Isroadest  and  with  long, 
fleshy  foot-stalks,  resembling  those  of  culti- 
vated Beet  in  general  appearance,  stem  leaves 
much  smaller,  3  inches  to  5  inches  broad, 
aggregated  at  the  middle  of  the  stem,  pale 
green,  flaccid,  generally  six  to  eight.  Flowers 
four  to  six,  in  a  short  spike,  white,  tubular, 
expanding  but  slightly,  marked  with  purple 
low  down  the  tubes,  ascending  or  slightly 
drooping,  6  inches  long.  Stained  purple  on 
the  mid-rib.s,  1  inch  to  2  inches  from  the  base 
externally.  Very  fragrant.  Not  common  in 
cultivation.  Flowers  in  August.  A  miniature 
of  L.  giganteum,  growing  but  poorly  in  the 
open  air  in  Britain.    Inhabits  deep  forests  of 


Japan  at  low  elevations,  growing  in  masses 
of  leafy  deposit  in  shade. 

CuLTUEE  AND  UsES.— This  Lil)',  a  charming 
plant  when  well  grown,  requires  a  warm,  shady 
situation  and  a  root  run  of  leaf-soil.  One 
cannot  grow  it  well  in  the  plant  border,  but  it 
is  likely  to  thrive  among  Ferns  and  in  semi- 
wild  rockeries,  "  rooteries,"  and  such  places. 
Our  experience  with  this  plant  leads  us  to 
advise  that  it  can  be  grown  in  cool  green- 
houses. It  is  a  better  pot  plant  than  L. 
giganteum,  which  never  seems  happy  thus 
treated,  and  the  cool  fernery  appears  to  be  its 
proper  home. 

L.  croceum  (Chaix),  the  Orange  Lily. — A 
well-known  cottage  garden  plant.  It  is  the 
most  easily  managed  of  all  its  race.  Bulbs 
large,  6  inches  to  1.5  inches  in  circumference, 
often  compound,  flat  topped,  white  or  straw- 
coloured.  Stems  4  feet  to  5  feet  high,  irregu- 
larly angled,  dark  green,  purplish  below,  downy 
when  young,  producing  quantities  of  roots 
from  their  bases  and  three  to  six  bulbils  among 
them.  Leaves  stout,  narrowly  lance-shaped, 
numerous,  deep  green,  arching,  aggregating 
into  a  loose  whorl  below  the  inflorescence,  a  few 
inches  of  stem  bare  below  it.  Flowers  on 
branched  foot-stalks,  ten  to  twenty  in  a 
pyramidal  branched  spike,  erect  growing, 
shaped  like  a  very  wide  funnel,  5  inches  across, 
the  petals  broadest  near  the  tips,  coloured 
orange,  paler  externally,  dotted  in  the  lower 
two-thirds,  the  dots  raised  on  small  petaloid 
processes,  which  gradually  merge  into  two 
]iarallel  hairy  ridges  on  the  claw.  Flowers  in 
July,  common  in  cultivation.  Native  of  South 
Europe,  found  under  all  possible  conditions  of 
soil  and  climate,  generally  one  to  two-flowered 
in  a  wild  state.    Exceptionally  easy  to  grow. 

Var.  hiemalis. — An  early  flowering  form,  is 
often  found  in  gardens  as  L.  croceum,  espe- 
cially in  the  Midlands,  where  it  appears  to 
have  superseded  the  type.  It  is  apparently 
the  same  as  the  variety  Chaixi  of  earlier 
autliors.  It  grows  3  feet  high,  has  slender 
stems  and  leaves,  flowers  narrowly  funnel- 
shaped,  six  to  eight  on  a  spike,  and  the  spot- 
ting is  very  light.  Their  foot-stalks  are 
3  inches  long  and  abruptly  ascending,  so  that 
the  flowers  are  closely  pressed  to  the  stem, 
and,  being  6  inches  to  8  inches  distant,  do  not 
make  such  an  imposing  pyramidal  inflorescence 
as  L.  croceum  does.  It  cannot  be  described 
as  a  better  garden  plant  than  L.  croceum,  but 
it  is  certainly  neater,  and  the  flowers  appear 
more  refined  in  shape  and  colouring.  Its  bulbs 
are  generally  smaller,  and  the  flower-buds  are 
very  prominent  when  the  spike  pierces  the 
ground.  Flowers  regularly  six  to  ten  days 
earlier  than  L.  croceum.  Unknown  in  a  wild 
state.  Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  early 
in  July. 

Culture  and  LTse.s.— L.  croceum  and  its 
form  reciuire  no  specific  treatment.  They 
belong  to  the  rank  and  file  of  garden  Lilies 
whose  simple  requirements  are  fully  met  in 
most  gardens.  They  dislike  considerable 
moisture,  manure  at  the  roots,  and  they  grow 
better  in  the  light  soil  of  plant  borders  than 
in  peat.  Where  old-established  clumps  show 
signs  of  wearing  out  a  mulch  of  manure  laid 
upon  the  surface  in  winter  will  help  if  the 
bulbs  are  not  too  crowded.  Deep  planting 
will  ensure  fine  development  in  the  flower 
spikes,  for  they  root  freely  at  the  bases  of  the 
stems,  and,  if  recjuired  for  such  a  purjiose, 
they  may  be  grown  well  in  roomy  pots,  but 
L.  croceum  is  happiest  in  the  border.  It  is 
one  of  the  few  Lilies  that  one  may  use  in 
wild  gardens  with  certain  success,  and  we 
have  seen  it  thriving  well  in  cultivated 
shrubberies. 


January  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


23 


L.  dauricvmi  (Ker.  Eawl.). 

L.  davuricimi  (Hort.),  the  Siberian  erect- 
flowered  Lily.^A  well-known  garden  plant, 
which  some  consider  belongs  to  the  umbellatum 
group,  a  race  of  European  origin  ;  but  we 
think  they  show  in  all  stages  of  their  growth  a 
more  definite  alliance  with  L.  bulbiferum. 
Bulbs  white,  like  a  small  croceum,  scales  much 
contracted  at  the  middle.  Stems  2  feet  high, 
very  pungent  when  fractured,  downy  above, 
rooting  freely  from  their  bases,  green  or  brown. 
Leaves  linear,  scattered,  closely  arranged,  the 
smallest  near  the  top  and  bottom,  3  inches  to 
5  inches  long.  Flowers  six  to  eight  in  a 
perfect  umbel,  erect-growing,  4  inches  long 
and  wide,  coloured  reddish  with  buff  shading, 
sparsely  dotted  low  down  internally.  Odour 
rather  unpleasant.  A  free-flowering  Lily  of 
easy  culture,  but  its  colouring  is  not  so  pleasing 
as  that  of  bulbiferum  or  croceum,  with  which 
it  flowers  in  July.  Collected  bulbs  from  a 
large  and  diversified  area  reveal  no  variation 
from  the  type.  Siberia  and  contiguous  coun- 
tries, inhabiting  a  large  territory. 

Culture  and  Uses. — Like  most  of  the 
cup  -  flowered  Lilies,  this  one  can  be  well 
grown  in  any  plant  border,  and  its  uses  are 
akin  to  those  of  the  last  species,  L.  croceum, 
but  the  plant  is  altogether  smaller. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  he  continued.) 


THE    FERN    GARDEN. 


THE    MOUNTAIN    LASTREA. 

LaSTREA  MONTANA   (OrEOPTERIS). 

ONE  of  our  native  species,  which  is  prac- 
,  tically  never  seen  except  in  its  wild 
state  or  in  special  collections,  and  yet 
'  isdecidedlyoneofthemost  interesting 
and  one  of  the  most  generous  in 
beautiful  varietal  forms,  is  the  above. 
It  is  also  one  of  the  very  few  Ferns  with  a  pro- 
nounced and  pleasant  odour,  its  fronds  being  covered 
with  tiny  glands  containing  an  oil  with  a  decided 
Lemon-like  scent,  which  is  imparted  to  the  hands 
if  the  fronds  are  gently  drawn  through  them.  By 
this  it  can  be  infallibly  discriminated  from  other 
species,  a  fact  which  it  is  advisable  to  remember, 
as  otherwise  it  bears  a  very  strong  superficial 
resemblance  to  the  common  male  Fern.  It  differs, 
however,  in  its  pronounced  j'ellowish  green  tints, 
and  also  in  having  side  divisions  (pinnfe)  of  the 
fronds  continued  right  to  the  base  as  roundish 
lobes,  while  the  male  Fern  has  a  distinct  naked 
stalk,  the  pinn^  commencing  some  few  inches 
up.  The  Mountain  Lastrea  is  by  no  means 
a  rare  Fern.  It  is  found  in  immense  numbers  on 
hill  slopes  and  in  mountain  ravines,  hence  its 
name  ;  but  it  is  by  no  means  confined  to  elevated 
habitats,  and  we  have  found  it  in  Epping  Forest, 
in  the  Weald  of  Kent,  and  in  the  several  Sussex 
forests — in  the  last-named,  indeed,  in  as  great 
abundance  as  on  the  hills  of  Lakeland  and  Scotland 
and  Wales.  In  its  requirements  it  differs  from 
many  Ferns  in  its  preference  for  sandy,  yellow 
loam,  and  its  dislike  of  lime  ;  and  we  find  that  it 
grows  well  under  pot  culture  in  a  mixture  of  such 
loam  with  a  little  leaf-mould,  and  the  use  of  rain 
water  only.  Drought  it  cannot  stand  nor  stagnant 
moisture,  hence  good  drainage  must  be  provided. 
In  the  open  it  will  thrive  in  moist  situations,  and 
stands  plenty  of  air  and  light,  as  indeed  must  be 
implied  by  its  natural  habitats.  By  the  sides  and 
on  the  slopes  of  mountain  streams  it  exists  in 
thousands,  knee  high,  and  in  clumps  of  many 
crowns  together,  and  often  attains  a  height  of  3  feet 
and  more  close  to  the  water's  edge. 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  up  to  the  middle  of  the 
last  century  this  species  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  constant  and  non-sportive  of  our  native  Ferns. 
Then,  however,  some  of  our  best  known  Fern 
hunters,  Mr.  .J.  M.  Barnes  especially,  began  to 
find  good  varieties,  and,  stimulated  by  this,  they 


and  others  devoted  themselves  so  assiduously  to 
the  search,  that  eventually  a  very  large  number  of 
quite  distinct  crested,  curled,  narrowed,  truncate, 
and  even  plumose  types  were  acquired.  The  original 
opinion  as  to  constancy  was  thus  quite  upset,  and 
it  is  rather  a  puzzle  at  the  present  day  to  account 
for  it,  in  view  of  many  finds  made  and  their  often 
conspicuous  nature.  We  ourselves,  for  instance, 
found  an  enormous  specimen  on  Dartmoor  of  a 
beautifully  tasselled  form  (L.  m.  cristata  gracilis 
Druery),  which  needed  a  horse  and  cart  for  its 
removal  and  two  men  to  lift  it.  A  year  ago  we 
found  a  beautiful  plumose  form  in  Longsleddale, 
near  Kendal ;  and  this  year  within  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  of  that  find  Mr.  Smithies  found  quite  a  number 
of  conspicuous  plants  of  a  heavily  graudiceps  crested 
variety— so  far  unique— and  plainly  visible  twenty 
yards  away.  This  was  in  a  locality  where  numerous 
ardent  hunters  reside,  and  forms  another  proof  of 
the  practical  inexhaustibilityof  habitats  where  many 
thousands  of  acres  and  millions  of  plants  are  con- 
cerned. Nothing  but  the  actual  experience  of  such 
discoveries  as  these  can  bring  home  to  the  mind  the 
subtle  and  envious  influences  which  must  lead  to 
such  striking  and  permanent  alterations  of  normal 
structure  as  these  "  sports  "  evince.  Millions  of 
normals  are  all  around  one,  and  all  growing  appa- 
rently, and,  we  think,  really  under  identical 
environments  ;  the  soil,  aspect,  and  situation  are 
identical,  and  yet  we  suddenly  find  a  clump  of  a 
hitherto  unknown  type,  perhaps  isolated,  and 
perhaps  intimately  mingled  with  the  normal. 
When  we  lift  it  and  put  it  under  culture  it  is  as 
stable  as  any  specific  form,  and  almost  invariably 
yields  like  plants  from  its  spores  generation  after 
generation. 

L.  montana  differs  from  other  Lastreas  in  beinf 
difficult  to  raise  from  its  spores  artificially,  though 
in  its  habitats  the  youngsters  often  swarm  in  every 
crevice  of  the  soil  or  rock.  Mountain  air  seems 
necessary,  since  in  all  our  attempts,  although  the 
spores  germinate  freely,  they  damp  off  before 
completing  their  functions.  Bits  of  the  old  caudex 
or  root-stock,  however,  dipped  into  a  tumbler  with 
a  little  wet  silver  sand  and  kept  close  soon  produce 
bulbils  which  rapidly  develop  into  pretty  plants 
true  to  type.  This  species  is  also  thoroughly 
deciduous,  the  fronds  shrivelling  and  dying  down 
entirely  in  the  autumn.  In  the  spring  they  rise 
again  rapidly,  and  in  so  doing  display  a  peculiarity 


which  enables  the  species  to  be  recognised.  The 
male  Fern's  fronds  lift  crozier  fashion,  the  tip  of  the 
coiled-up  frond  falling  loosely  down  as  it  unfolds. 
In  L.  montana,  however,  the  tip  maintains  a  ball- 
like form,  the  minor  divisions  projecting  laterally 
and  rendering  its  spikes  like  Magog's  weapon,  a 
peculiarity  only  shared  by  its  near  relative  the 
honest  Fern  (L.  Thelypteris).  This  Fern  is  so 
beautiful,  and  especially  its  crested  and  plumose 
varieties,  that  we  strongly  counsel  our  readers  to 
admit  it  more  freely  among  the  other  species  in 
their  hardy  ferneries. 

Chas.  T.  Druery,  F.LS.,  V.M.H. 


NOTES  ON  IHARDY  PLANTS 

TEOP^OLUM    SPECIOSUM. 
(Flame  Flower.) 

CLOSE  to  the  park  gates  here  stands  the 
cottage  shown  in  the  illustration.  A 
good  portion  of  its  outer  surface  is 
covered  with  this  Tropsolum.  The 
natural  soil  is  of  a  moist  alluvial 
character,  and  the  cottage  is  not  more 
than  400  yards  from  the  river  Wharfe,  which 
here  is  influenced  by  the  spring  and  neap  tides. 
I  merely  mention  this  to  show  the  kind  of 
situation.  A  small  plant  was  put  in  some  few 
years  ago,  and  it  has  increased  very  freely,  its 
underground  rhizomes  sending  up  growths  some 
distance  from  the  original  plant  each  year.  When 
trimming  the  decayed  growths  away  each  autumn 
some  of  the  main  shoots  are  left.  They  break  out 
again  in  the  sprirg  several  feet  up  the  cottage.  In 
the  gardens  here  not  more  than  half  a  mile  away 
we  cannot  get  this  creeper  to  grow  at  all.  We 
have  tried  it  in  several  positions.  Our  natural 
soil  is  a  strong  loamy  limestone.  The  occupant 
of  the  cottage  (the  house  carpenter)  is  naturally 
very  proud  of  his  success.  I  ought  to  mention 
that  the  cottage  faces  west,  but  the  sun's  rays  are 
broken  by  some  old  Apple  trees  not  far  distant. 
Grimslon,  Tadcaster.  H.  J.  C. 


A  FIELD    OF    BRITISH    ORCHIDS. 

It  may  to  many  seem  somewhat  extraordinary  to 
write  of  a  field  of  Orchids  in  England  ;    but  such 


the  elamb  flower  (trop^olum  spbcioshm)  over  cottage  porch. 
{From  a  photograph  by  Miss  Alice  FiMen.) 


24 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Januaky  9,  1904. 


happens  under  similar  circumstances 
with  the  fine  double  variety.  The  seeds, 
which  are  borne  in  quantit}-,  may 
weaken  it,  but,  judging  from  the  effects 
of  seeding  on  other  Ranunculi,  this 
should  not  be.  The  double-flowered 
variety,  with  blossoms  as  full  as  a 
miniature  double  Dahlia,  is  often  seen 
growing  well  in  gardens  rich  in  fine 
old  plants.  The  names  of  Fair  Maids 
of  France,  Fair  Maids  of  Kent,  and 
White  Bachelor's  Buttons  all  tell  of  its 
popularit}'.  Ranunculus  aconitifolius 
flore-pleno  probably  originated  as  a 
garden  sport.  At  all  events  it  e.xisted 
in  quantities  in  English  gardens  during 
and  probably  long  before  the  sixteenth 
century,  as  Gerard,  writing  in  1.597, 
says:  "It  groweth  in  the  gardens  of 
Herbarists  and  lovers  of  strange  plants, 
whereof  we  have  good  plenty,  for  it 
groweth  not  wild  anywhere."  The  last 
phrase  hints  at  its  origin.  Often  double 
forms  occur  in  cultivation,  although 
there  are  many  e.xceptions.  In  habit 
this  double  form  surpasses  the  wild 
plant,  for  the  flowering  stems  are  very 
compact  and  admirably  adapted  for 
cutting.  The  flowers  produced  in  Maj' 
and  Jur.elastseveralweeksin  full  beauty. 
In  dry  soils  these  plants  are  not  a 
success.  The  stems  are  stunted,  the 
flowers  poor,  and  the  leaves  frequently 
destroyed  by  the  borings  of  an  insect, 
similar  in  eli'ect  to  the  Marguerite  pest. 
The  roots  are  strong,  and  can  well 
an  occurrence  is  not  altogether  uncommon  in  some  !  grown  as  the  robust  double-flowered  variety  of  the  I  penetrate  a  moist  clayey  ground.  The  illustra- 
distriots.  A  few  years  ago,  while  botanising  in  the  Aconite-leaved  Crowfoot,  Ranunculus  aconitifolius.  tions  show  both  the  wild  and  cultivated  plants, 
neighbourhood  of  Burnham  Beeches,  I  came  upon  ^  The  type,  called  by  Gerard  R.  alpinusalbus,  is  not  a 
'"'■"'  -      ■.  >   n  ..   ,         high  alpine  plant,  but,  growing  at  lower  altitudes, 

mixes   and   struggles  with   other   tall   vegetation, 

and,  coming  to  this  country  with  a  robust  consti- 
tution,  it  thrives  very  well  in  places  where  the 

smaller  species  would  speedily  die  out. 

The   wild   form  of   this  pretty  plant   sends   up 

numerous    stems,    bearing    a    profusion   of    small 

white  flowers.    These  soon  fall  off ;  hence  the  plant 

is  of  little  use  for  cutting.     By  many  the  single- 


THB   WHITE   bachelor's   BUTTONS   (RANUNCULUS   ACONITIFOLIUS)   BY  A   SHADY   WALK. 


the  most  beautiful  display  of  wild  flowers  it  has 
ever  been  my  good  fortune  to  see,  namely,  a  large 
field  whose  surface  was  a  blaze  of  colour,  varying 
from  deep  purple  almost  to  white,  made  by  the 
flowers  of  the  early  Orchis,  0.  Morio.  I  have  never 
seen  such  a  colony  of  this  pretty  little  Orchis,  nor 
had  I  any  idea  that  it  ever  grew  so  abundantly  in 
our  meadows.  I  have,  however,  since  heard  of 
of  other  similar  instances.     One  often  comes  across 

small  clumps  and  groups  of  Orchis  Morio,  but  to  .see  flowered  is  considered  unworthy  of  a  place,  but  a 
a  large  field  surface  transformed  into  a  sheet  of  waterside  planting  is  effective.  The  wild  form  is 
purple  was  to  me  a  delightful  sight,  and  one  impos-  not  a  common  garden  plant,  and  in  some  places  it 
sible  to  forget.  This,  in  common  with  some  olher  declines  greatly  in  strength  in  a  way  that  never 
British  Orchises,  has  a  habit  of  dis- 
appearing for  a  season  or  two.  One  may 
sometimes  look  in  vain  for  these  quaint 
and  interesting  flowers  where  the  pre- 
vious season  they  were  blooming  in  full 
beauty.  Instances  have  been  known 
where  in  two  or  three  seasons,  in  meadows 
that  annually  were  a  delightful  picture 
when  0.  Morio  was  in  flower,  the 
Orchises  were  killed  outright  through 
the  application  of  manure  to  the  land. 
I  have  had  no  experience  in  trying  to 
transplant  this  Orchis  from  the  fields 
to  the  garden,  but  I  should  think  pro- 
bably that  unless  given  very  careful 
treatment  it  would  soon  disappear. 
Burnham  Beeches  and  the  immediate 
neighbourhood  form  a  happy  hunting 
ground  for  the  wild  plant  enthusiast. 
The  Butterfly  Orchid,  the  Tway-Blade, 
0.  latifolia,  0.  maculata,  and  others  may 
be  found  there,  while  the  Bog  Bean, 
Asphodel,  Droseras,  and  other  moisture- 
loving  plants  abound.  A.  P.  H. 


but  little  removed  from  the  water's  brink.  For  an 
increase,  divide  the  clumps  when  the  leaves  begin 
to  fade  in  summer.  D.  S.  Fish. 

Royal  Botaiiir  Garden,  Edinburgh. 


B. 


WILD    PINKS. 

(Continued    from    page     6 . ) 
-D.  Aemeria  (the   Deptford   Pink)  is  an 


annual  or  biennial  species,  freely  reproducing 
itself  from  self-sown  seed.  Generally  found 
growing  wild  on  dry   banks  or   gravelly  pas- 


RANUNCULUS  ACONITI- 
FOLIUS AND  ITS  DOUBLE 
VARIETY. 

The  only  white-flowered  Ranunculi 
native  to  Britain  are  the  interesting 
species  that  are  so  often  to  be  found  on 
the  surface  of  ponds  and  streams.  Of 
the  European  kinds,  many  inhabit  moun- 
tainous regions,  and  mostly  have  white 
flowers.     None  is  so  widely  known  and 


DOUBLE   VARIETY   (RAMU.-JCULUS   ACONITirOLIUS   FLOUE-rLENO)   BY    WATER. 


Januaky  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


25 


tares,  it  has  a  wide  distribution,  being  spread 
over  a  great  part  of  Europe  and  extending  into 
Western  Asia.  It  is  also  naturalised  in  some 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Self-sown  seed- 
lings form  a  rosette  of  short,  broad  green  leaves 
the  first  year,  from  which  the  branching  stems, 
2  feet  high,  are  produced  in  the  following 
spring  bearing  loose  cymes  of  red  flowers, 
dotted  with  dark  spots,  in  .July  and  August. 

D.  BAEBATDS  (the  Sweet  William)  is  an 
inhabitant  of  the  mountain  meadows  of  South 
and  Eastern  Europe,  and  was  introduced  into 
cultivation  over  three  centuries  ago.  Growing 
from  1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  with  broad  green 
leaves,  the  bearded  red  flowers  marked  with  a 
zone  near  the  base  of  the  petals  are  produced 
in  large,  loose  heads  in  summer.  One  of  the 
most  useful  and  popular  of  hardy  biennials  we 
have  ;  a  good  border  plant  of  easy  culture  and 
good  constituticn.  It  has  been  considerably 
improved  of  late  years,  numerous  varieties 
having  been  gained  with  flowers  of  various 
shades  of  colour,  far  surpassing  the  wild  plant 
in  size  and  beauty.  Double  forms  are  some- 
times grown,  but  are  somewhat  heavy  in 
appearance  and  lack  the  beauty  of  the  single 
kinds.  D.  b.  latifolius  is  a 
form  with  broader  leaves 
and  trusses  of  larger  rich 
crimson  flowers  ;  a  plant  of 
great  beauty. 

D.  Seguieei.  —  A  freely 
branching,  erect  plant, 
generally  found  on  grassy 
hills  and  amongst  mountain 
thickets  in  South  and 
Eastern  Europe,  1  foot  to 
2  feet  high.  The  rosy  purple 
flowers  are  borne  in  loose 
heads,  sometimes  solitary, 
on  short  peduncles  in 
summer.  In  cultivation 
since  1832. 

D.  ALPiNUS  (the  Alpine 
Pink)  is  a  beautiful  little 
plant,    and    may    be    con- 
sidered one  of  the  gems  of 
the  rock  garden.    Composed 
of  a  tuft  of  blunt-pointed, 
shining  green    leaves,  it  is 
at  once  distinguished  from 
all    other   species    by    this 
character.    In  poor  soil  it  is 
very  dwarf,   producing    its 
large,  deep    rose  -  coloured 
flowers,  spotted  with  crim- 
son, freely.   These  are  borne 
singly  on   short  peduncles, 
but  when  planted  in  richer 
soil  the  plant  has  a  tendency  to  grow  taller 
and    produce    more    than    one   flower    on    a 
stem.    An  open  situation  suits  this  plant,  in 
gritty  soil  to  which  a  proportion  of  lime  rubble 
has  been  added.    It  may  be  increased  by  means 
of  cuttings,  but  comes  quite  true  from  seed. 
Flowering  in  June,  this  pretty  little  Pink  is 
found  very  high  up  on  the  alps  of  Austria  and 
Central  Europe  growing  on  calcareous  rocks. 
Introduced  in  17.59. 

D.  BREViCAULis.— A  Very  compact  little 
plant,  woody  at  the  base,  with  very  short 
branches  and  numerous  pink  flowers  borne 
singly  on  short  stems,  so  freely  produced  as  to 
quite  cover  the  foliage.  The  whole  plant  is 
only  about  2  inches  high,  and  is  suitable  for 
planting  in  crevices  where  the  roots  can  pene- 
trate. A  native  of  the  alpine  region  of  the 
Taurus,  in  Cilicia ;  it  flowers  from  July  to 
September. 

D.  aESius  (the  Cheddar  Pink)  is  one  of  the 
most  useful  plants  for  the  rock  garden  ;  at 
once  neat  and  pretty,  forming  large  tufts  of 


glaucous  foliage,  a  permanent  carpet  all  the 
year  round.  The  rose-coloured  fragrant  flowers 
are  freely  produced  in  summer.  Of  this  species 
there  are  different  forms,  some  having  large 
flowers  borne  singly  on  short  stems,  whilst 
others  grow  taller  and  have  branching  stems 
with  two  or  three  flowers.  The  petals  are 
pubescent  and  have  crenate  margins.  A  native 
of  Europe  ;  it  is  also  found  in  this  country  on 
the  Cheddar  Kocks  in  Somerset.  Equally  at 
home  on  ledges  in 
the  rock  garden 
or  in  the  ordinal  y 
border  raised  a  bit 
above  the  level 
with  brick  rubbish, 
it  is  proof  against 
the  damp  of  our 
winters. 

D.    CALLIZOSUS. 

— A  native  of  the 
Tran  syl  vanian 
Alps,  growing  on 
calcareous  rocks 
at  an  elevation  of 
6,000  feet  to  7,000 


to  4  inches  high.  Seeds  do  not  ripen  freely, 
but  cuttings  root  readily  in  summer,  and  .should 
be  kept  in  a  north  frame  till  planted  out. 
Introduced  in  1889. 

^  D.  CARYOPHYLLUs(Carnation,  Clove  Pink).— 
The  wild  Carnation  is  a  much  branched  glaucous 
perennial,  found  in  various  parts  of  Europe 
growing  on  rocks  and  ruined  walls.  It  is  also 
found  naturalised  in  parts  of  this  country  on 
the  old  stone  walls  of  Rochester  and  other 
castles,  sending  down  its  long,  slender  roots 
among  the  mortar  in  the  cracks  between  the 
stones.  The  flowers  of  the  wild  plant  vary  in 
colour,  with  broad,  beardless  petals.  The  origin 
of  the  garden  Carnation,  innumerable  varieties 
of  great  garden  value  have  been  derived  from 
this  species.  ^  W.  Ieving. 

(To  he  continued.) 


ORCHIDS. 

L^ELIO  -  GATTLEYA    HAROLDIANA 

JOHN    BRADSHAAV. 

One  of   the  most  handsome  Lajlio-Cattleyas 
yet  shown.     Not  only  is  the  lip  richly  coloured, 


L/FLIO-CATTLEYA  HAROLDIANA   JOHN   BRADSHAW.      (Satliral  size.) 


feet.  Many  growers  have  found  this  lovely  little 
plant  difficult  to  establish.  One  of  the  most 
essential  conditions  for  its  successful  culture  is 
almost  total  shade.  It  should  be  planted  in 
gritty  soil  in  a  position  facing  west,  where  the 
overhanging  branches  of  a  small  shrub  protect 
it  from  the  sun.  Under  these  conditions  it  grows 
luxuriously  at  Kew,  producing  its  beautiful 
flowers  freely  from  June  to  August.  These 
are  pink,  with  a  purple,  white-dotted  zone, 
Ij  inches  in  diameter,  solitary  on  stems  3  inches 


but  the  petals  are  also. 
Ltelia  tenebrosa  and 
Cattleya  hardyana  are 
the  parents.  The  lip  is 
large,  and  a  rich  deep 
velvet  purple.  The  petals 
are  beautifully  tinged 
with  purple  upon  a 
buff-yellow  ground ;  the 
yellow  sepals  are  faintly 
tinged  with  purple  also, 
by  John  Bradshaw,  Esq. 
Whitelegge),  The  Grange, 
Southgate,  N.,  recently  before  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  and  was  given  a  tirst- 
class  certificate.  Of  all  the  forms  of  Lselio- 
Cattleya  exhibited  last  year  before  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  L.-C.  haroldiana  John 
Bradshaw  must  certainly  be  accounted  one  of 
the  most  beautiful,  both  with  regard  to  the 
shape  of  the  flowers  and  their  colouring.  It  is 
a  great  gain. 


It   was  exhibited 
(gardener,   Mr.  G. 


26 


THE    GARDEN. 


f. January  9,  1904^. 


NOTABLE_GARDENS. 

SUMMEIt  FLOWERS  AT  HALTON. 

Hints  for  1904. 

THE  past  summer  was  more  unfavourable 
to  general  gardening  operations  than 
any  previous  recorded  season,  therefore 
there  need  be  little  wonder  that  in  many 
places  outdoor  decorative  gardening  has 
resulted  in  more  or  less  serious  disap- 
pointment. Where  the  now  almost  obsolete  style 
of  flower  gardening  is  still  adhered  to,  viz.,  beds 
more  or  less  formal  in  arrangement,  and  planted 
with  zonal  or  tricolor  Pelargoniums,  Calceolarias, 
Ageratums,  Lobelia  speciosa,  Gazanias,  and  other 
plants  of  similar  character,  the  results,  particularly 
during  June,  .July,  and  onward  to  the  middle  of 
August,  were  most  disappointing.  A  sun-loving 
plant  like  the  zonal  Pelargonium  for  instance,  so 
frequently  found  occupying  one-half,  or  even  three 
parts  of  the  area  of  our  parterres  and  flower-beds, 
was  last  season  an  object  of  commiseration,  if  not 
even  of  scorn,  and  the  others  named  fared  quite 
as  badly. 

In  modern  gardens  we  find  that  the  proprietors 
and  their  gardeners  are  each,  according  to  their 
individual  tastes  and  the  adaptability  and  character 
of  their  gardens,  devising  and  adopting  different 
methods  of  treatment  for  the  summer  decoration  of 
terraces,  beds,  and  borders.  In  the  beautifully  laid 
out  and  well-kept  grounds  of  Alfred  de  Rothschild, 
Esq.,  at  Halton,  situated  on  a  north-western  slope 
of  the  Chiltern  Hills,  and  close  to  the  Hertford- 
shire border  of  the  county  of  Bucks,  a  departure 
has  been  made,  which  bids  fair  to  effect  a  great 
change,  both  in  the  plants  used  and  in  the  manner 
of  treating  them  for  outdoor  gardening.  Mr.  de 
Rothschild,  I  was  informed,  is  deeply  interested  in 
the  management  of  this  portion  of  his  domain,  and 
as  is  well  known  he  is  endowed  with  an  intense 
appreciation  of  the  beautiful  in  the  world  of  Art, 
and  in  the  arrangement  and  embellishment  of  his 
garden  and  grounds  his  gardener  doubtless 
receives  many  valuable  lessons.  The  departure 
here  adopted  consists  of  interspersing  Palms, 
tropical  foliage,  and  flowers  among  the  shrubs, 
and  also  of  forming  a  series  of  borders  on  the  front 
of  the  shrubberies  facing  the  mansion,  the  terrace, 
and  principal  paths.  In  the  most  prominent  posi- 
tions are  placed  specimen  Chamaerops,  Phojiiix,  and 
Raphis ;  tall  plants  of  Dracaena  australis  ;  finely- 
grown  standards  of  Acer  Negundo  variegatum  are 
placed  in  certain  advantageous  positions,  and  show 
their  bright  foliage  through  the  higher  banks  of 
shrubs.  Nearer  the  ground  line  are  well-shaped 
plants  of  Golden  Retinospora,  Golden  Privet,  and 
the  best  forms  of  variegated  Cornus;  these  are 
placed  at  intervals  to  form  a  setting  for  the  flower- 
ing and  foliage  plants  arranged  immediately  in 
front.  The  most  striking  feature,  however,  are  the 
large  baskets  of  Ivy-leaf  Geraniums  and  Fuchsias 

3  feet  across,  and  elevated  by  a  special  arrange- 
ment among  the  shrubs  to  heights  varying  from 
5  feet  to  1.5  feet  above  the  ground.  These  are 
arranged  in  such  a  manner  that  the  baskets 
themselves  are  not  in  view;  they  are  all  well  filled 
with  strong  plants,  which  droop  2  feet  to  3  feet  or 

4  feet,  and  furnish  the  front  of  the  shrubberies  with  a 
a  grand  display  of  flowers,  the  eiJect  being  unique. 

There  are  from  150  to  200  of  these  baskets, 
two-thirds  of  them  being  filled  with  Ivy-leaved 
Geraniums,  the  varieties  Galilee  and  Mme.  Crousse, 
of  a  light  and  deep  shade  of  pink  respectively.  The 
Fuchsia  baskets  are  arranged  chiefly  at  lower 
elevations  than  the  Geraniums,  and  come  into  line 
with  the  plants  furnishing  the  borders  immediately 
in  front.  The  varieties  of  Fuchsias  are  confined 
to  those  having  light-coloured  sepals  and  petals, 
and  include  Ballet  Girl,  Lady  Heytesbury,  Mrs. 
Marshall,  &.C.,  all  of  which  luxuriated  in  the  close, 
dull  showery  weather  prevailing  during  the  summer. 
They  were  a  perfect  sheet  of  bloom,  and  appa- 
rently were  quite  happy  under  the  prevailing 
conditions.  The  borders  in  front,  in  which  are 
placed  Retinosporas  and  other  golden  foliaged 
shrubs,  are  filled  in  with  groups  of  various  plants. 
Pyramidal  Fuchsias,  chiefly  of  the  variety  Ballet 
Girl,   4  feet    or  5   feet  high,    occupy  prominent 


positions  ;  then  are  groups  of  Acalypha  McFeeaua, 
Anthericum  Liliastrum  variegatum,  and  Abutilon 
Thomsonii.  These  are  arranged  pleasingly,  and  are 
fronted  by  groups  of  tuberous  Begonias,  all  of  a 
soft  shade  of  pink ;  with  these  are  groups  of 
Begonias  of  the  semperflorens  section,  such  as 
Sutton's  Fairy  Queen.  These  again  are  edged  with 
borders  of  varying  width  (there  is  no  formality  in 
this  arrangement),  and  are  planted  with  Ophiopogon 
spicatuni  foliis  variegatis,  with  alternate  patches 
of  Abutilon  vexillarium,  the  ground  generally 
being  carpeted  with  Nepeta  Glechoma  variegata, 
which  is  a  very  neat  plant  for  this  purpose.  This 
gives  a  perfect  finish  to  the  grouping,  which,  at 
the  time  of  my  visit,  on  September  3,  presented  the 
most  perfectly  finished  and  harmonious  arrangement 
that  I  have  seen,  every  group  of  plants  appeared 
quite  at  home,  having  defied  both  deluge  and  gales  ; 
freshness  of  foliage  and  profusion  of  bloom  were  in 
evidence  at  every  point. 

There  were  other  beds,  some  few  of  which  were 
planted  in  the  stereotyped  fashion,  but  more 
important  beds  were  raised  several  feet  above  the 
turf  ;  these  were  planted  with  irregularly  shaped 
clumps  or  groups  of  foliage  plants,  alternating  with 
groups  of  flowering  plants  of  equal  height,  large 
masses  of  variegated  Phlox  contrasting  with  the 
bold  bronze  foliage  of  Cannas.  Groups  of  variously 
coloured  Begonias,  Coleus,  Centaureas,  and  Salvias 
added  to  the  striking  appearance  of  these  large  beds. 
As  to  any  local  advantages  which  may  contribute 
tothis pleasing,  and  to  meunique,  style  of  gardening, 
I  have  to  confess  that  I  could  not  discover  them. 
The  situation  is  high,  and  the  garden  is  much 
exposed  to  the  west  and  north-west,  in  which 
directions  extensive  views  are  obtained  over 
Wendover,  Coorabe  Hill  (where  has  been  erected 
the  county's  memorial  to  the  Bucks  men  who  fell 
in  the  Boer  war),  Kimble,  Bledlow,  and  away  across 
Oxfordshire,  and  to  the  norih-west,  some  10  miles 
distant,  Waddesdon  Manor  is  visible.  The  soil  at 
Halton  is  very  poor,  being  almost  on  the  bare 
chalk.  The  shrubberies  are  planted  thickly  for 
the  purpose  of  shelter,  and  notwithstanding  the 
unfavourable  conditions  of  exposure  and  poverty 
of  soil  are  thriving  well.  This  wonderful  trans- 
formation is  due  to  the  exceptional  taste  and 
knowledge  of  Mr.  de  Rothschild,  and  to  the  skill 
of  his  gardener.  "■  J- 

[The  publication  of  this  article  has  be^n  unavoid- 
ably delayed. — Ed.] 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor   is   not    responsible    for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


YOUNG 


INSTRUCTION    FOR 
GARDENERS. 
[To  THE  Editor  or  "The  Garden."] 

SIR,— I  was  glad  to  see  a  note  in  a  recent 
number  of  The  Garden  upon  this 
subject.  An  instance  was  given  of  a 
head  gardener  having  commenced  a 
weekly  class  for  the  benefit  of  the  young 
men  working  under  him.  I  consider  this 
to  be  by  far  the  best  way  of  endeavouring  to 
improve  the  minds  of  young  gardeners,  and  so  to 
raise  the  status  of  this  worthy  body  of  men  and  to 
improve  their  conditions,  such  work  as  this  goes  to 
the  root  of  the  whole  matter.  Improve  the  minds 
of  the  future  generation  of  head  gardeners,  and  see 
that  they  learn  something  of  the  science  as  well  as 
the  practice  of  horticulture,  such  a  training 
cannot  fail  to  have  a  beneficial  efTect  and  bring  to 
bear  a  more  intelligent  and  enlightened  application. 
In  saying  this  I  do  not  in  the  least  wish  to 
depreciate  the  good  work  done  by  many  head 
gardeners  of  to-day  ;  I  refer  simply  to  gardening 
and  gardeners  generally,  and  not  individually.  If 
young  gardeners  are  given  opportunities  of  gaining 
knowledge  which  their  masters  never  had,  and 
take  advantage  of  them,  then  the  status  of  both 
gardening  and  gardeners  will  rise  as  a  matter  of 
course,  and  an  improvement  in  their  conditions 
will  inevitably  result. 


We  have  heard  a  good  deal  lately  about  the 
proposed  Gardeners'  Association,  and  many  have 
expressed  doubts  as  to  the  real  good  such  an 
association  can  do.  People  talk  glibly  of  improving 
the  condition  of  gardeners  and  raising  the  standard 
of  gardening  as  though  it  can  be  done  by  following 
the  methods  of  trade  unions.  But  all  such  efforts 
are  in  my  opinion  foredoomed  to  failure.  There 
must  be  a  radical  change,  such  as  can  be  brought 
about  only  by  influencing  gardeners  when  they  are 
young,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  a  Gardeners' 
Association  might  take  this  matter  up  and  do  very 
valuable  work  in  this  direction.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  horticulture  is  being  more  and  more 
recognised  every  year  as  a  most  important  industry. 
While  agriculture  has  lost  ground,  horticulture  has 
progressed  by  leaps  and  bounds,  until  at  last  even 
the  Government  is  waking  up  to  the  immense 
importance  of  one  branch  of  it,  namely,  fruit  culture, 
and  has  appointed  a  Commission  to  enquire  into 
the  present  conditions  of,  and  to  consider  what 
measures  may  be  adopted  to  improve  this  industry. 

This  instance  simply  serves  to  show  how  essential 
it  is  that  the  rising  generation  of  gardeners  shall 
be  thoroughly  and  intelligently  trained,  and  if  the 
proposed  association  can  do  something  towards 
bringing  this  about  it  will  have  begun  a  work  that 
in  the  end  is  bound  to  bring  its  own  reward.  I  do 
not  venture  here  to  suggest  how  this  may  bo  done, 
but  I  do  believe  that  the  only  real  and  lasting  good 
the  Gardeners'  Association  can  do  to  the  profession 
is  thoroughly  and  technically  to  educate  it.  It  is 
all  very  well  to  say  that  so  long  as  a  gardener 
knows  how  to  groir  fruits,  flowers,  and  vegetables 
he  is  able  to  give  his  emploj'er  satisfaction.  So  he 
may,  but  as  long  as  gardeners  continue  to  retain 
this  spirit  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  raise  their 
status.  The  old  order  of  things  is  passing  away  ; 
owners  of  gardens  are  realising  more  and  more  the 
possibilities  of  their  gardens,  and  it  behoves  the 
gardener  to  realise  and  to  master  them  also. 

Indirectly,  the  question  of  improving  the  know- 
ledge and  widening  the  ideas  of  gardeners  affects 
their  wages.  As  1  have  just  mentioned,  employers 
now  require  much  more  of  their  head  gardener  than 
was  the  case  ten  years  or  fifteen  years  ago,  and  the 
standard  of  requirement  is  likely  still  to  be  raised. 
They  therefore  will  not  be  satisfied  with  a  gardener 
whose  knowledge  of  his  calling  is  confined  to  the 
production  of  fruits,  vegetables,  and  ordinary 
as  to  the  best  colour-schemes  for  flower  borders,  the 
flowers  ;  the}'  will  require  one  uho  can  advise  them 
arrangement  of  rock  gardens,  the  proper  care  of 
alpine  plants,  intelligent  pruning  of  fruit  trees, 
and  other  items.  Men  accomplished  in  what  may 
be  termed  the  finer  side  of  gardening  will  be  sought 
after,  and  they  will  in  consequence  demand  higher 
wages.  1  have  probably  written  too  long  on  this 
subject,  however,  so  will  conclude  with  the  hope 
that  the  new  Gardeners'  Association  may  not  lose 
sight  of  what  I  believe  to  be  the  most  important 
factor  in  raising  the  standard  of  gardening  and 
cardeners,  namely,  general  and  technical  educa- 
tion. Hortus. 


BOOKS 


Lays  and  Lyrics  from  the  German 

Poets.* — The  translator  has  compiled  a  little 
volume  of  verses,  transposed  from  the  German,  of 
considerable  charm,  if  of  rather  unequal  merit. 
The  little  "Song"  of  Riickerl's,  "Heaven's  Tear," 
is  altogether  delightful  ;  the  quaint  fancy  has  been 
expressed  with  tenderness,  grace,  and  a  spon- 
taneousness  which  is,  perhaps,  a  little  lacking  in 
some,  but  here  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired.  Other 
verses  seeming  to  call  for  special  notice  are  "  May 
Time"  (Julius  Rodenberg)  and  the  "Lament" 
from  Heine.  Perhaps  the  opening  verse  of  this 
little  volume  is  scarcely  happily  chosen — a  verse 
from  Heine,  of  which  "Sydney  Hesselrigge" 
hardly  seems  to  have  caught  the  charm  and 
delicacy.  We  cannot  help  recalling  the  same  lines 
translated  by  Mr.  Ernest  Radford  in  "Chambers 
Swain"  (Elkin  Matthews),  under  the  title  of  the 

*  *'  Lays  and  Lyrics  from  the  German  Poets."    Translated 
by  Sydney  Hesselrigge.    Ilcnry  B.  Saxon,  Nottingham. 


January  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


27 


opening  lines,  "Tliou  art  like  unto  a  flower." 
However,  thia  hardly  detracts  from  the  volume  on 
the  whole,  and  the  wee  book,  dainty  in  size  and 
well  printed,  will  give  great  pleasure  to  many 
lovers  of  verse. 

"Heaven's  Tear. 
'*  The  heavens  let  fall  a  limpid  tear, 

Which  thought 'twould  be  lost  in  the  ocean  drear ; 

But  a  sea-shell  caught  it  and  held  it  tight, 

Saying,  '  Now  thou  art  mine,  O  pearl  so  white  ! 

So  be  not  afraid  midst  the  raging  storm, 

For  I  will  carry  thee  safe  and  warm.' 

O  !  sky-born  tear  within  my  breast. 

Thou  form'st  ray  joy,  yet  my  unrest. 

Grant,  Heaven,  that  I  in  faith  and  love 

May  guard  thy  tear-drop  from  above." 

(Song  IV.  from  Kiickert's  "Liebes  Fiilhling.") 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


De 
^fcth 


THE     EOYAL     HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY    OF    SOUTHAMPTON. 

IN  1862  this  society  was  established  under 
the  title  of  "  The  Southampton  Amateur 
Horticultural  Society."  A  few  amateurs, 
with  one  or  two  horticultural  friends,  met 
in  the  December  of  that  year  and  elected  a 
committee  to  work  up  members  and  draw 
up  a  schedule  of  prizes.  Of  that  committee  only 
two  are  still  living — Mr.  Miles  and  Mr.  Slight. 
Subscriptions  did  not  come  in  very  fast,  but,  not 
discouraged,  the  committee,  with  Major  Lacy  as 
chairman,  issued  a  schedule,  in  which  the  majority 
of  the  prizes  consisted  only  of  cards  and  certifi- 
cates, and  a  capital  little  show  was  held  on  June  29, 
1863,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Lord  Mavor  of 
London,  the  first  president  being  Sir  Edward  Hulse, 
Bart.,  and  the  secretary  Mr.  Alexander  Kelly.  In 
ISGi  the  word  "Amateur"  was  dropped  from  the 
title.  In  1865  Lord  Palmerston  accepted  the 
presidency,  and  in  1866  Thomas  Chamberlayne, 
E^q.,  of  Cranbury  Park,  became  the  president,  an 
office  which  he  retained  until  his  death  in  1877. 
In  this  year  (1866)  we  find  amongst  the  committee 
the  names  of  Mr.  A.  Dean  and  Mr.  C.  S.  Fuidge. 
The  latter  soon  found  favour  as  a  worker,  and  to 
him  and  Mr.  Windebank,  sen. — the  head  of  the 
well-known  nursery  firm  of  that  time — were  en- 
trusted for  several  years  the  staging  arrangements 
for  the  shows.  At  this  time  the  society  seemed 
inclined  to  run  before  it  could  walk,  with  the  re.fult 
that  a  debt  of  £4.5  was  incurred,  a  debt  which  was 
not  fully  paid  oif  until  1872.  In  1872  the  first 
spring  show  was  held,  and  in  this  year  Mr.  Fuidge 
was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  shows  and 
chairman  of  the  finance  committee.  The  satisfac- 
tion which  he  gave  in  those  positions  resulted  in 
his  election  at  the  end  of  the  year  to  the  position 
of  secretary.  Mr.  Fuidge  at  once  set  to  work  to 
increase  the  membership,  which  at  that  time  con- 
sisted of  only  160  subscribers.  No  less  than  350 
new  subscribers  were  added  in  the  next  two  years. 
From  this  time  the  society  advanced  by  leaps  and 
bounds,  the  shows  ever  increasing  in  importance 
and  popularity.  In  1877,  at  the  instance  of 
Captain  Gibbs,  a  member  of  the  committee,  a  small 
Chrysanthemum  show  was  held  in  connexion  with 
the  annual  meeting,  the  blooms  then  exhibited 
being  mostly  reflexed  varieties. 

The  first  open  Chrysanthemum  show  was  held  in 
1878  in  conjunction  with  a  cage  bird  show.  This 
ihow  proved  so  popular  that  it  has  been  continued, 
ith  three  notable  exceptions,  ever  since,  always 
growing  in  extent  and  importance  ;  the  bird  shows 
ceased  after  1889,  all  the  space  being  required  for 
the  horticultural  exhibits.  It  was  at  the  early 
Chrysanthemum  shows  of  this  society  that  Mr.  E. 
Molyneux  made  his  reputation  as  a  Chrysanthemum 
grower.  The  same  remark  applies  in  a  lesser 
degree  to  Mr.  Flight  of  Winchester,  Messrs.  W. 
and  H.  Drover  of  Fareham,  Mr.  Penfold  of  Leigh 
Park  Gardens,  Mr.  Wills,  and  others  who,  in  the 
eighties  and  early  nineties,  made  a  name  in  the 
Chrysanthemum  world. 

The  year  1879  was  a  very  important  one.  The 
Hon.  E.  C.  Y  orke  had  only  been  re-elected  president 
about  three  weeks  when  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill 
and  died   a  few  hours  after.     It  was  entirely  due 


to  the  great  respect  in  which  the  deceased  gentle-  | 
man  was  held  by  the  Royal  Family  that  H.R.H. 
Prince  Leopold  was  induced  to  fill  the  vacant 
presidency  for  that  year,  and  that  Her  Majesty  ' 
Queen  Victoria  forwarded,  through  the  Secretary 
of  State,  Her  Majesty's  commands  that  the  Society 
should  in  future  be  styled  the  Southampton  lioyal 
Horticultural  Society. 

About  this  time  General  Lacy,  with  the  object  of 
securing  a  permanent  home  for  the  society,  and  to 
save  from  the  builders  a  very  beautiful  part  of 
Banister  Park,  initiated  a  scheme  to  incorporate 
the  society  under  the  Limited  Liability  Act,  to  be 
called  the  Royal  Horticiiltural  Society  and  Gardens, 
Limited.  Three  thousand  pounds'  worth  of  shares 
were  applied  for,  directors  appointed,  the  articles 
of  association  drawn  up,  and  a  draft  lease  for 
999  years  submitted,  but  the  whole  matter  was 
wrecked  over  one  clause  insisted  on  by  the  lessor, 
requiring  that  the  grounds  should  be  laid  out,  a 
winter  garden  built,  and  all  necessary  glass  houses 
and  other  buildings  completed  in  three  years — a 
responsibility  no  one  would  face.  From  1879  to 
1882  the  society  continued  to  prosper  under  the 


MR.  C.  S.  FDIDGE. 

(Secretary  sUice  1S7'2  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of 
Southampton.) 

presidency  of  Hans  Sloane  Stanley,  Esq. ,  of  PauUons, 
Romsey.       Unfortunately  at    this    time   both    the 
Banister  Park   and   Westwood  estates,  where  the  i 
shows  had  been  previously  held,  were  being  laid 
out  for  building  purposes.     However,  the  owner  of  I 
Westwood  came  forward  with  an  offer  to  lease  to 
the  society  ten  acres  for  fourteen  years  upon  certain 
conditions.  After  considerable  negotiations  trustees 
were  appointed  to  act  as  lessees,   the   lease   was 
signed,  and  £1,000  raised  by  the  issue  of  £5  ivory 
tickets  giving  certain  privileges   of  admission,  &c. 
The  land  was  handed  over  to  the  society  in  March,  I 
1883,  and  a  start  made  to  enclose  the  site  and  erect  I 
entrance  lodge,  store,  &c. 

The  society  this  year  (1883)  had  the  honour  of , 
being  presided  over  by  H.S.H.  Prince  Edward  of 
Saxe- Weimar,  who,  with  the  Princess  of  Saxe- 
Weimar,  attended  to  open  the  society's  grounds 
on  June  28,  the  grand  exhibition  of  the  National 
Rose  Society  being  the  great  attraction.  The 
unprecedented  number  of  nearly  300  new  members 
was  added  to  the  society  this  year,  but,  notwith- 
standing this  and  the  fact  that  the  great  floral  fete 
and  the  autumn  shows  were  unqualified  successes, 
the  council  of  the  society  found  themselves  faced 
with  a  deficit  of  over  £300. 


However,  the  tenancy  of  this  ground  will  bo 
long  remembered  by  horticulturists  for  the  series 
of  grand  shows  held  there,  the  like  of  which  will 
probably  never  be  seen  again  south  of  Shrewsbury. 
The  most  successful  probably  was  that  held  in 
1886,  which  was  opened  by  H.R.H.  Princess  Henry 
of  Battenberg,  accompanied  by  Prince  Henry.  (Jn 
that  occasion  over  23,000  paid  for  admission,  in 
addition  to  the  3,000  tickets  issued  to  members. 

In  1889  the  council  had  to  begin  the  year  with 
a  debt  of  £160,  caused  by  carrying  out  certain 
obligations  under  the  lease  ;  it  was  therefore 
resolved,  against  the  advice  of  the  secretary,  to 
do  away  with  the  autumn  show,  a  disastrous 
policy,  as  it  turned  out,  resulting  in  many  members 
withdrawing  their  subscriptions  ;  and  it  was  only 
when  these  shows  were  regularly  reinstated  in  1893 
that  the  withdrawals  were  stopped.  The  late 
Mr.  W.  H.  Rogers,  of  the  Red  Lodge  Nurseries,  was 
this  year  elected  chairman  of  the  council,  and  it 
was  largely  due  to  his  influence,  and  steadfast 
opposition  to  the  unreasonable  demands  of  the 
lessor,  that  the  society  steered  clear  of  the  many 
difficulties  that  beset  it  at  that  time.  From  1884 
to  1889  the  office  of  president  was  held  successively 
by  the  Hon.  H.  Crichton,  the  Right  Hon.  Lord 
Montagu,  and  W.  H.  Myers,  Esq.  In  1890  Sir 
Samuel  Montagu,  Bart.,  was  elected  to  that  office, 
and  he  has  presided  over  the  society  ever  since. 

In  March,  1897,  the  lease  of  Westwood  Park 
came  to  an  end,  when  the  society  found  itself 
without  a  home,  the  buildings  and  stock-in-trade 
mortgaged,  and  with  a  debt  of  nearly  £350,  a 
considerable  portion  of  this  amount  being  the 
balance  due  on  the  Cinder  Track  loan.  Not 
daunted,  the  council  set  to  work  to  relieve  them- 
selves of  these  difficulties.  The  bank  advanced 
the  money  to  pay  oft  the  mortgage,  so  that  the 
material  required  for  future  shows  was  saved,  and 
the  sale  of  the  remainder,  fence,  buildings,  &c., 
realised  sufficient  to  meet  most  of  the  other 
liabilities. 

The  summer  show  and  fete  this  year  was  held  by 
permission  of  the  Corporation  on  the  Southampton 
Common  ;  but  the  great  expense  of  temporarily 
enclosing  the  site  resulted  in  another  loss,  so  that 
at  the  end  of  the  year  the  society  was  still  £140  in 
debt.  To  meet  this  the  secretary  suggested  that 
£5  bonds  should  be  issued,  bearing  5  per  cent, 
interest.  The  bonds  were  readily  taken  up,  and 
another  start  was  made  ;  but  no  place  suitable 
being  available,  the  great  floral  fetes  had  to  be 
given  up  altogether.  In  its  place  it  was  decided 
to  try  a  spring  show  and  an  early  summer  and 
Rose  show,  the  latter  to  be  held  on  the  Southampton 
Pier.  So  successful  has  this  policy  been  that  the 
subscription  list  has  been  well  maintained,  and  by 
the  aid  of  several  garden  parties  at  South  Stoneham 
House  grounds,  kindly  lent, by  the  president,  the 
whole  of  the  bonds  were  redeemed  by  the  end  of 
last  year,  the  society  is  free  of  all  liabilities,  and 
has  a  balance  at  the  bank  of  nearly  £100. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Recently    Planted    Shkubs. 

A  PERIODICAL  inspection  should  be  made 
of  all  newly-planted  specimen  trees  and 
shrubs  to  see  that  the  ties  or  stakes  do 
not  chafe   the   bark.       If  not   already 
^     done  a  good  mulching  should  be  given. 
For  this  purpose  nothing  is  better  than 
Nature's  covering — leaves  ;  where  they  are  likely 
to  blow  about  a  thin  coating  of  soil  will  keep  them 
in  place. 

Aquatics. 
During  severe  frosts  Nymph^as  and  other 
aquatics  should  have  quite  a  foot  of  water  over 
their  crowns.  Where  they  are  grown  in  cement  or 
slate  tanks  the  ice  should  be  broken  daily,  as  there 
is  considerable  danger  of  such  structures  being 
cracked.  The  smaller  growins;  Nympha3as,  such  as 
N.  pygmea,  N.  Helvola,  N.  odorata,  &c. ,  are  some- 
times grown  with  great  effect  in  tubs  sunk  in  the 
ground,  and,  although  they  are  hardy,  it  is  wise  to 


28 


THE   GARDEN. 


[January  9,  \Wi, 


place  some  covering  over  the  tabs  during  severe 
weather.  Where  Nymph^as  are  grown  in  ponds 
and  lakes  a  look  out  should  be  kept  for  water  rats. 
These  creatures  are  very  fond  of  the  roots,  and 
if  not  checked  will  quickly  spoil  a  valuable 
collection. 

Pruning  Evergreens. 
If  a  severe  cutting  back  of  such  evergreens  as 
Aucuba,  Box,  Laurel,  Yew,  &c. ,  is  necessary,  it  is 
better  to  delay  the  operation  until  Aprilor  May,  when 
the  shrubs  will  soon  recover.  Providing  the  labour  is 
sufficient  the  pruning  of  Laurels  and  kindred  shrubs 
should  be  done  with  the  knife  in  preference  to 
cutting  with  hooks  ;  but  in  many  places  time  does 
not  permit  of  this.  Before  commencing  the  operator 
should  first  close  up  any  gaps  by  t3'ing  in  the 
neighbouring  branches.  All  green  shoots  found 
amongst  such  shrubs  as  the  golden  and  variegated 
Euonymus,  &c. ,  should  be  persistently  cut  out,  or 
they  will  take  the  lead  and  soon  outgrow  the  more 
decorative  portion. 

Pruning  Clematis. 

These  climbers  may  now  be  dealt  with.  Clematis 
flammula,  C.  montana,  and  such  as  flower  on  the 
last  season's  growth  should  be  pruned  sparingly. 
The  object  of  the  pruner  should  be  merely  to 
remove  all  weak  and  dead  growths,  and  to  lay  in 
a  good  quantity  of  strong  growths  for  flowering. 
Where  there  is  only  a  restricted  space  to  be  filled 
by  the  .Jackmanii  type  this  section  may  be  cut 
almost  to  the  ground  ;  but  if  the  object  is  to  cover 
a  verandah,  a  large  amount  of  trellis  work,  or  a 
tree  stump  it  will  be  well  only  to  cut  down  part  of 
the  stems,  or  there  will  be  a  considerable  bare 
space  during  the  spring  and  early  summer.  Hard 
pruned  Clematis  will  flower  somewhat  later  than 
those  but  lightly  pruned.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 

Ornambntai,  Asparagus. 
An  effort  to  repot  those  plants  required  to  make 
large  specimens  should  be  made  early,  and  atten- 
tion to  increasing  the  stock  of  plants  should  be 
given  by  way  of  splitting  up  others  into  small 
portions,  remembering  that  a  portion  of  root  must 
be  attached  to  each  piece.  For  growing  in  baskets 
suspended  from  the  roof  nothing  can  equal  A. 
Sprengeri,  and  when  put  into  large  pots  and  after- 
wards grown  on  stools  or  stands  from  4  feet  to 
5  feet  in  height  the  plants  will  soon  become 
objects  of  much  beauty.  A  compost  of  two-thirds 
fibrous  loam,  one  nf  peat,  with  a  small  proportion 
of  sand  and  charcoal  added  appears  to  suit  them 
well.  Raising  these  plants  from  seeds  is  not  diffi- 
cult, and  a  good  plan  is  to  obtain  tur\'es,  place  the 
grass  side  down,  and  cut  them  into  pieces  2  inches 
s-quare.  Scoop  out  a  portion  of  the  soil  of  each 
square  to  form  a  hollow  place,  and  fill  this  with  a 
light  sandy  compost.  Three  seeds  are  quite  enough 
to  sow  on  each  square,  and  place  them  closely 
together  afterwards  in  a  shallow  box.  Finally, 
cover  the  whole  over  with  sand,  and  after  affording 
them  water  from  a  fine  rosed  can  place  in  a  close 
temperature  of  70"  to  75°. 

Ferns. 
Beyond  a  few  plants  of  Adiantum  cureatum — 
previously  introduced  to  warmth  and  moisture  to 
encourage  growth  and  to  provide  a  few  green  fronds 
for  use  in  a  cut  state — these  plants  generally  will 
still  be  resting.  Preparations  for  repotting  those 
that  require  it  should  be  pressed  forward,  and 
opportunity  be  afforded,  as  the  days  increase  in 
length,  for  increasing  the  temperature  as  well  as 
the  supply  of  moisture  to  start  them  into  growth. 
The  compost  for  Ferns  should  consist  chiefly  of 
peat,  fibrous  loam  only  being  added  to  suit  the 
requirements  of  strong-rooted  sorts,  sand  in  every 
instance  being  used  with  great  consideration. 
Filmy  Ferns  at  all  times  delight  in  a  close,  moist 
atmosphere,  and  among  the  peat,  which  should  be 
lumpy,  that  is  used  for  repotting  or  resurfacing 
mix  large  pieces  of  sandstone  and  charcoal. 

Propagating. 
Many  Croton  plants,  which  during  the  autumn, 
through  constant  use  upon   the  dinner-table,  lose 


their  leaves  and  become  leggj',  should  be  "  ringed." 
To  do  this  remove  the  bark  about  half  an  inch 
deep  and  for  quite  three-quarters  of  the  circum- 
ference of  the  stem,  otherwise  notch,  i.e.,  cut  out 
a  portion  of  the  stem  about  halfway  through  and 
at  a  point  near  the  leaves.  Around  the  cut  parts 
bind  Moss  tightly  to  exclude  the  air,  and  keep  this 
moist  by  frequent  syringing.  Afford  the  plants  a 
close  moist  atmosphere  and  a  temperature  of  70°  to 
75°  to  encourage  the  formation  of  roots. 

Caladiums. 
Generally  speaking,  none  too  many  of  these 
bulbs  are  preserved  through  the  winter  in  good 
condition,  so  it  is  advisable  to  overhaul  the  slock 
at  once,  and  by  way  of  increasing  it  cut  into 
pieces  those  bulbs  whicii  have  two  or  more  crowns, 
taking  care  that  each  portion  possesses  a  crown. 
After  dusting  well  the  cut  portions  with  powdered 
charcoal,  arrange  the  bulbs  in  shallow  boxes 
amongst  cocoa  fibre  or  sifted  leaf-soil,  and  place 
them  in  a  temperature  of  65°  to  70",  where  they 
will  soon  commence  to  root. 

Pan  D anus  Veitchi. 

At  the  base  of  nearly  every  one  of  these  plants 
are  to  be  found  suckers.  It  is  the  weakest  of  these 
that  should  be  selected  for  propagating,  as  they 
are  generally  the  best  coloured,  and  eventually 
grow  into  the  neatest  and  best  table  plants.  Insert 
them  around  the  sides  of  .3-inch  pots  in  sifted  leaf- 
soil  and  sand  and  plunge  in  a  bottom-heat  of  80°. 
.J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardeivs,  HuU. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Pot  Vines 
whose  fruit  is  set  will  take  liberal  supplies 
of  liquid  manure  water.  A  rich  top-dressing 
of  good  fibrous  turf,  with  a  little  Thompson's 
Vine  Manure  added,  will  be  of  great  assist- 
ance to  them,  repeating  this  when  they  are 
well  rooted.  Keep  a  night  temperature  of  68°, 
reducing  it  to  65°  on  very  cold  nights  and  when  the 
berries  are  stoning.  Pay  every  attention  to 
watering  and  the  stopping  of  laterals,  two  or  three 
leaves  beyond  the  bunch  if  space  allows.  Do  not 
syringe  the  fruit  when  swelling,  but  syringe  the 
walls  and  damp  the  paths.  Avoid  very  hot  pipes 
when  the  nights  are  very  cold.     From 

Planted-odt  Vi.nes 
started  early  last  month  remove  all  the  weaker 
shoots,  and  select  later  those  which  promise  best 
for  fruit.  Encourage  a  free  growth,  and  do  not  be 
in  a  hurry  to  tie  down  the  shoots,  except  those 
which  press  against  the  glass.  Stop  all  shoots  two 
or  three  leaves  beyond  the  bunch,  giving  each  lateral 
plent}'  of  space.  When  the  Vines  are  in  flower 
more  air  must  be  admitted  and  a  drier  atmosphere 
kept.  Examine  the  border  when  the  Vines  have 
gone  out  of  flower,  and  if  dry  water  with  weak 
liquid  manure  or  clear  water.  Top-dress  the 
border  with  short  manure,  and  encourage  the  roots 
to  the  surface  ;  avoid  heavy  dressing  at  one  time, 
as  this  excludes  the  air. 

Succession  Vineries. 

If  the  excellent  advice  given  in  recent  numbers 
of  The  Garden  has  been  followed,  the  houses 
and  Vines  will  have  been  thoroughly  washed  and 
painted,  and  the  borders  top-dressed.  To  have 
ripe  Grapes  in  .June  and  July  the3'  should  now  be 
started  at  a  temperature  of  48°.  If  young  Vines, 
they  will  break  more  evenly  if  the  ends  are  tied 
along  the  front  of  the  house.  The  border  should 
be  examined  and  well  watered  with  warm  water  if 
dry.  Syringe  the  Vines  two  or  three  times  daily, 
and  damp  the  house  according  to  the  weather, 
keeping  the  evaporating  pans  filled.  It  is  always 
safe  to  allow  the  temperature  to  fall  on  very  cold 
nights,  and  force  during  the  day  with  sun-heat  by 
closing  early  on  all  favourable  occasions. 
Late  Vineries. 

Nothing  will  now  be  gained  by  allowing  the 
Grapes  to  hang  on  the  Vines.  The  Grape  room 
should  be  prepared  for  them,  and  the  bottles  filled 
with  soft  water.  Choose  a  fine  dry  day,  and  cut 
the  bunches  with  all  the  wood  above  and  below 
the  bunch.      Examine   them  occasionally  for  any 


decayed  berries,  and  keep  a  temperature  of  43° 
to  45°.  Prune  the  Vines,  cutting  to  a  plump  bud 
with  a  sharp  knife  ;  the  next,  day  dress  the 
wounds  with  Thompson's  Styptic.  Wash  the 
house  and  give  one  coat  of  paint,  clean  all  loose 
bark  of  the  Vines,  dressing  them  with  Gishurst 
Compound.  Top-dress  the  borders  with  loam, 
wood  ashes,  and  some  approved  Vine  manure. 

Vine  eyes  to  the  number  required  should  now  be 
put  in.  The  wood  should  be  firm  and  well  ripened. 
Cut  off  a  little  wood  below  the  bud  and  put  in 
small  pots  filled  with  loam  and  sharp  sand.  Keep 
the  bud  level  with  the  soil  and  make  firm  in  the 
pot.  Water  lightly  and  plunge  in  a  bottom-heat 
of  80°.  F.  Jordan. 

Imjmey  Garden-f,  Droitwich. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
The  Seed  Order. 
Nurserymen,  ever  mindful  of  the  gardener's  needs, 
are  now  sending  their  lists,  and  I  would  here  repeat 
the  advice  they  give — "  to  order  early.''  This  is  a 
distinct  gain  to  the  gardener  and  a  kindness  to  the 
seedsmen.  The  aim  should  be — first,  to  select  old, 
well-tried  varieties  suitable  to  the  district ;  and, 
secondly,  a  few  novelties  should  be  grown,  as  these 
give  an  additional  interest  to  the  garden.  Some 
will  be  worthless,  and  others  will  be  real  advances 
on  existing  sorts.  An  inspection  of  all  seeds  left 
over  from  last  year  ought  to  be  made.  Such  seeds 
as  Lettuce,  Pea",  Ridish,  Turnip,  and  almost  all  the 
Brassica  family  will  keep  good  for  several  3'ears 
and  give  satisfactory  results.  It  is  well  to  test  any 
variety  that  looks  doubtful  by  counting  out  a 
certain  number  of  seeds,  and  sowing  them  in  pots 
in  a  gentle  heat. 

Early  Potatoes, 

A  start  should  now  be  made  with  the  earliest 
batch  of  Potatoes  in  pots.  Sbarpe's  Victor  or 
Sutton's  May  Queen  are  two  of  the  most  suitable 
varieties  for  this  purpose.  The  tubers  should  be 
placed  in  shallow  boxes  and  given  a  genial  warmth 
to  start  them.  The  eyes  should  be  reduced  to  two 
of  the  strongest.  The  most  suitable  soil  is  a  turfy 
loam,  to  which  have  been  added  some  manure  from 
an  old  Mushroom  bed  and  some  leaf-mould.  The 
pots  should  be  II  inches  in  diameter,  clean,  and  the 
drainage  ample  ;  they  ought  to  be  half  filled  with 
the  compost  only  to  allow  a  dressing  to  be  given 
later.  The  pots  should  be  placed  along  the  front 
of  a  vinery  about  to  be  started,  as  this  is  an  ideal 
place  for  them. 

Early  Peas  in  Pots. 

Where  accommodation  is  available  this  is  always 
a  much-prized  vegetable,  and,  where  about  400 
pots  can  be  fruited,  many  good  dishes  can  be  had. 
Several  sorts  are  recommended  for  this  work  that 
are  the  reverse  of  suitable.  Chelsea  Gem,  Hir- 
binger,  and  that  old  variety  American  Wonder  are 
three  of  proved  merit ;  S-inch  pots  will  be  found  to 
be  the  correct  thing,  and  the  soil  something  like 
that  recommended  for  Potatoes.  Care  must  be 
taken  to  start  them  in  a  cool  house  or  frame,  and 
to  grow  them  hardy.  The  first  batch  should  be 
sown  now,  and  a  few  notes  will  be  given  in  future 
calendars  as  to  management. 

French  Beans. 

A  good  sowing  should  be  made  now,  for  as  the 
days  lengthen  these  will  fruit  much  better.  The 
pots  should  be  7  inches  in  diameter,  and  three-  J 
quarters  filled  with  the  compost  as  advised  for  Peas.  H 
The  most  suitable  variety  known  to  the  writer  is 
Veiteh's  Forcing  Favourite.  Sow  eight  Beans  in 
each  pot,  which  may  be  reduced  to  five  of  the 
strongest.  If  possible,  these  should  be  placed  on  a 
shelf  near  to  the  glass  in  the  forcing  house  and 
kept  out  of  vineries,  as  it  is  impossible  to  keep 
them  free  from  red  spider.  As  the  plants  begin  to 
set  fruit  they  will  be  much  benefited  by  weak 
applications  of  liquid  manure. 

Mustard  and  Cress. 

Sow  in  boxes  every  ten  days.  Press  the  seeds 
well  into  the  soil  and  keep  dark  till  germination 
takes  place.  Place  in  full  light  as  near  to  the  glass 
as  possible  in  a  temperature  of  60°. 

Thomas  Hay. 

Ilopelonn  Iloune  Gardens,  X.B. 


January  9,  1904.] 


THE    GAKDEN. 


29 


ORCHIDS. 

It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  all  plants  in  the 
various  Orchid  liouses  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned 
before  the  end  of  this  month,  otherwise,  speaking 
generally,  sutiioient  time  cannot  be  found  when 
repotting,  (fee,  commences  to  give  them  that 
thorough  overhaul  which  is  of  great  importance  to 
their  well-being. 

Insect  Pests. 
The  most  difficult  insect  we  have  to  contend 
Ivith  in  the  Orchid  houses  is  the  small  white  scale 
that  infests  L;elias,  Catlleyas,  &c.  It  conceals 
itself  under  the  sheath-like  covering  of  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  and  around  the  dormant  eyes.  Very  often  a 
workman  in  cleaning  a  batch  of  plants  thus  infected 
unknowingly  spreads  the  pest  instead  of  eradicating 
it.  Nothing  is  worse  than  to  attempt  to  remove 
this  pest  by  means  of  a  pointed  stick.  Beneath  the 
covering  are  m3'riads  of  eggs  ;  when  disturbed  dry 
they  are  carried  to  all  parts  of  the  house.  The 
best  plan  is  to  paint  the  scale  over  with  methylated 
spirit  and  then  remove  them  with  a  brush  dipped 
in  the  same  spirit — moat  will  then  be  destroyed  ; 
but    in    addition    I    would    advise    that    badly 


that  does  not  fall  below  58°.  C.  labiata  autumnalis 
will  require  little  water  to  keep  them  sound,  pro- 
viding the  temperature  of  the  house  is  correct. 
All  hard  and  fast  rules  as  to  watering  plants  that 
are  resting  should  be  avoided.  The  points  to  be 
observed  in  the  resting  season  are  to  retain  the 
solidity  of  pseudo-bulbs,  and  to  keep  the  plants 
dormant  till  their  proper  season  for  further 
development  arrives.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


KITCHEN     GARDEN. 


GARDEN    POTATOES. 
fhi  reply  lo  "B.  D.  K." ) 

r  t  '^  HOSE  seeking  for  information  as  to 
the  best  varieties  of  Potatoes  for  general 
garden  culture  may  well  just  now  be 
bewildered  when  they  read  day  after 
day  in  the  general  Press  paragraphs 
relating    to    astounding — and,    indeed, 

outrageous — prices  paid  for  certain  new  Potatoes, 


T 


POTATO   EAKLY  PUKITAN. 


infested  plants  be  removed  to  a  shed  while  being 
cleaned.  Mealy  bug  should  be  eradicated  in  the 
same  way,  and  plants  that  have  this  dreaded  pest 
on  them  should  be  treated  weekly  till  they  are 
thoroughly  clean. 

Red  Spider 
is  often  troublesome  at  this  season,  when  the  syringe 
cannot  be  freely  used,  and  we  have  to  use  strong 
fire-heat  during  cold  weather.  Plants  thus  infested 
should  be  sponged  with  a  thoroughly  reliable 
insecticide  ;  we  find  a  preparation  of  soft  soap, 
petroleum,  and  flowers  of  sulphur  very  efi'ectual. 
Cymbidiums  should  be  closely  examined  for  this 
insect.  Thrips  used  to  be  considered  the  worst 
enemy  in  Orchid  houses  ;  but  since  the  introduction 
of  Richards'  XL  All  Vaporiser  this  pest  has  been 
reduced  to  a  minimum.  I  advise  its  use  periodically, 
say  once  a  fortnight. 

Cattleyas. 
C.  Trianfe  and  C.  percivaliana  are  now  com- 
mencing to  develop  their  flowers ;  rather  more 
water  should  be  given.  They  should  be  so  placed 
that  all  available  light  and  sunshine  may  reach 
them,  maintaining  a  sweet,  buoyant  atmosphere 


provided,  of  course,  these  paragraphs  represent  the 
truth,  as  to  which  there  may  well  be  a  difference 
of  opinion.  But,  true  or  not,  they  answer  their 
obvious  purpose,  which  is  to  encourage  weak- 
minded  people  to  purchase  at  prices  that  are  a  very 
long  way  in  excess  of  the  real  value  of  any  Potato 
ever  put  into  commerce.  In  a  couple  of  years, 
when  competition  has  put  prices  of  these  boomed 
varieties  on  a  proper  level,  we  shall  no  doubt  see, 
as  we  have  seen  with  many  others  that  have  pre- 
ceded them,  that  they  are  but  ordinary  varieties 
after  all.  We  leave  those  costly  follies  alone  now, 
and  refer  only  to  varieties  that  have  undoubted — 
because  well  tested — reputations.  In  a  garden 
some  early  varieties  should  be  grown,  some  for  mid- 
season,  and  some  for  late  winter  use. 

If  there  be  desired  tubers  of  the  best  table 
quality,  mere  size  and  quantity  being  less  a  con- 
sideration, then  good  first  earlies,  whether  for  pot 
or  box,  frame,  or  warm  border  culture  are — of 
kidneys,  Ashleaf  and  Ringleader  ;  and  of  rounds. 
Harbinger  and  Sharpe's  Victor.  If  it  be  desired  to 
have  a  greater  bulk  in  tubers,  then  plant  White 
Beauty  of  Hebron,  Early  Puritan,  and  Duke  of 
York  (kidneys),  or  British  Premier  (round).    These 


should  all  be  planted,  if  outdoors,  on  a  sunny 
border  sloping  to  the  south  in  good  soil,  and  in 
rows  from  24  inches  to  ',V)  inches  apart.  For  mid- 
season  or  successional  varieties  capital  croppers  are 
Sir  .J.  Llewelyn,  Snowdrop,  and  Duke  of  Rothesay 
(kidneys),  and  British  Queen,  Triumph,  and 
Windsor  Castle  (rounds). 

These  can  be  planted  in  good  soil  in  more  open 
quarters,  the  rows  being  not  less  than  .30  inches 
apart.  The  late  or  maincrop  varieties  are,  on  the 
whole,  of  the  chief  importance,  because  these  are 
expected  to  furnish  a  supply  from  November  till 
June.  They  must  of  necessity  be  late  ripeners,  or 
otherwise  they  begin  to  start  too  early  into  growth 
during  the  winter.  It  is  still  further  important 
that  so  far  as  is  possible  they  are  robust,  free 
croppers,  and  have  material  disease  -  resisting 
powers.  As  these  are  all  strong  growers,  it  is 
necessary  that  ample  room  should  be  given  them, 
and  in  good  garden  soil,  that  is  even  more  gross 
than  the  open  field,  where  light  and  air  are  so  much 
more  abundant.  We  always  give  these  strong 
growers  a  width  between  the  rows  of  36  inches, 
and  the  sets  in  the  rows  should  be  fully  1(J  inches 
apart.  The  root  produce  is  invariably  greater 
when  ample  room  for  the  tops  is  given.  Very  fine 
varieties  for  late  purposes  are  Up- to-Date,  Improved 
Kidney,  Daniel's  Special,  The  Factor,  The  Crofter, 
Evergood,  The  Sirdar,  Abundance,  and  Magnum 
Bonum  ;  and  of  coloured  varieties  the  new  kidney 
King  Edward  VII. ,  a  great  cropper  and  fine  quality  ; 
the  Sutton  Flourball,  red  ;  and  The  Dean,  purple. 
We  have  omitted  to  recommend  such  new  varieties 
as  Northern  Star,  Eldorado,  Discovery,  and  many 
others,  because  where  offered  in  commerce  prices  are 
exceptionally  high  yet,  or  the  varieties  may  not  be 
on  offer  at  all.  The  past  season  was  so  unfavour- 
able for  Potatoes  that  in  many  cases  varieties  of 
great  promise,  and  of  which  great  expectations 
were  formed,  failed  to  respond,  hence  there  was 
not  that  heavy  crop  anticipated.  It  has  been, 
therefore,  wisely  decided  to  either  offer  them  at 
practically  prohibitive  prices  or  else  to  hold  over 
the  stocks  till  another  year.  You  will  thus  see 
that  whilst  of  older  varieties,  so  far  well  tested, 
there  are  plenty  for  your  purpose,  perhaps  too 
many,  it  is  wise  to  leave  quite  new  ones  alone  for 
a  year  longer,  and  thus  see  how  far  experience  will 
justify  expectations.  A.  Dea.v. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN. 

SEEDING   CHINESE    PRIMEOSES. 

WHILE  it  is  invariably  wisest  on 
the  part  of  those  who  wish  to 
have  good  forms  or  varieties  of 
Chinese  Primroses  to  buy  seed, 
it  is  possible  for  them  to  save 
seed  themselves  if  they  have  good 
plants  of  good  varieties.  But  to  induce  flowers  to 
seed  well,  not  only  should  the  plants  be  placed  in  the 
light  on  a  shelf  where  there  is  ample  ventilation 
and  no  drip,  but  the  flowers  should  be  gone  over 
with  a  tiny  camel's-hair  brush  every  other  day,  so 
as  to  secure  proper  fertilisation.  On  plants  that 
are  not  so  treated  the  smaller,  later  blooms 
will  set  or  produce  seed.  The  results,  however, 
are  far  from  being  satisfactory,  as  few  plants 
seem  to  be  more  retrograde  than  do  these  fine- 
bred  Chinese  Primroses  if  artificial  fertilisation 
be  not  resorted  to.  When  it  is  so  resolved  to 
save  seed  at  home,  and  plants  having  flowers  of 
diverse  colours  or  markings  are  put  aside  for  the 
purpose,  a  tiny  hair  brush  should  be  used  for  each 
colour.  It  may  be  well  to  have  two  plants  at  least 
of  each  colour,  so  as  to  secure  greater  interchange 
of  pollen.  The  maintenance  of  the  fine  form  of 
any  good  variety  seems  to  be  largely  due  to  the 
fact  that  in  this  intercrossing  each  flower  is  creating 
seed  the  product  of  two  plants'  strength,  whilst 
where  pure  self-fertilisation  takes  place  the  strength 
of  one  plant  only  is  found.  All  this  care  is  taken 
by  the  great  seed  growers,  and  it  is  singularly 
interesting  to  find  when  visiting  such  a  range  oi 
houses  as  those  of  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  where 
some  10,000  Primulas  are  grown,  how,  when  placed 
together,  every  plant  seems  to  be  the  reproduc- 


30 


THE   GARDEN. 


[JanuakY  9,  190-1. 


tion  of  its  fellows.  Tliis  remarkable  truthfulness 
to  character  is  entirely  the  produce  of  the  exceeding 
care  taken  in  cross-fertilising  to  keep  the  brush 
used  to  one  description  of  flower  only.  A  year 
since,  when  looking  over  the  huge  breadths  of 
Chinese  Primroses  at  Reading,  it  was  marvellous 
to  note  that  so  new  a  variety  as  The  Duchess, 
probably  the  most  distinct  and  beautiful  variety 
ever  raised,  should  exhibit  in  probably  1,000 
plants,  and  every  one  in  bloom,  scarcely  the  least 
diversity  in  the  vast  numbers  of  flowers  open. 
This  firm  to  secure  seed  do  not  sow  for  plant 
raising  earlier  than  Jul}'.  They  know  that  the 
dulness  and  low  temperature  of  the  first  two 
months  of  the  year  are  not  conducive  to  fertility  ; 
but  in  March  and  April,  when  light  is  good  and 
warmth  increases,  then  pollen  is  much  more  freely 
produced  and  the  results  in  seed  production  are  all 
the  greater.  Naturally,  seed  growers  have  rather 
low  but  very  light,  airy,  and  well-heated  houses  for 
seed  production.  They  also  keep  them  compara- 
tively dry,  as  humidity  is  not  conducive  to 
fertilisation.  But  amateur  seed  growers  would 
probably  find  the  serai-doubles,  all  of  which  the 
professional  seed  growers  fertilise  so  well  and  seed 
so  admirably,  to  be  beyond  their  capacity  to  make 
reproductive.  Few  things  in  floriculture  command 
admiration  so  much  as  does  the  wonderful  way  in 
which  seed  growers  develop  and  maintain  high- 
class  Chinese  Primroses.  A.  D. 

NERINE     FOTHERGILLI     MAJOR 
.    AXD   GLOEIOSA  SUPERBA  ROTH- 
SCHILDIANA. 

The  first  ia  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  the  genus, 
and  is  also  one  of  the  most  coninionl}'  grown. 
When  properly  managed  it  makes  a  showy  display 
at  this  season,  but  there  are  important  though 
simple  points  in  its  culture  that  must  be  closely 
attended  to  if  success  is  to  be  attained.  The  fact 
of  its  flowering  before  the  foliage  has  developed 
is  a  defect  when  plants  are  regarded  from  a 
decorative  point  of  view,  though  the  failure,  if  it 
may  be  so  termed,  can  be  in  a  great  measure 
remedied  by  mixing  the  plants  with  suitable  Ferns, 
(fee.  When  its  flower-spikes  are  grown  for  cutting 
this  defect  is  not  so  apparent,  as  suitable  foliage 
from  other  plants,  such,  for  instance,  as  the  small 
leaves  of  the  Agapanthus,  or  fronds  of  some  of  the 
Pteris  or  other  Ferns,  may  be  used  with  pleasing 
effect. 

Its  cultural  requirements  are  simple  when  under- 
stood, but  failure  to  flower  it  in  a  satisfactory 
manner  may  be  easily  brought  about  by  inattention. 
We  grow  a  batch  of  plants  in  6-inch  pots,  which 
were  last  potted  some  years  ago,  in  a  compost  of 
rather  heavy  loam  mixed  with  sand.  Though 
their  bulbs  and  roots  are  much  crowded,  we  are 
loth  to  repot  them,  and  shall  not  do  so  so  long  as 
they  flower  freely  as  they  now  do.  It  blossoms 
best  when  potbound  ;  but  when  repotting,  and  the 
thinning  of  bulbs  are  absolutely  necessary,  the  best 
time  to  do  this  is  just  before  growth  commences, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  stock  of  plants  can  be 
increased  by  offsets.  Our  general  treatment  is 
carried  out  as  follows  :  Once  growth  begins  the 
pots  are  soaked  in  a  water-tank,  and  throughout 
the  growing  season  the  plants  are  not  allowed  to 
suffer  for  want  of  a  plentiful  supply  of  water,  with 
occasional  supplies  of  liquid  manure.  The  plants 
are  syringed  overhead  daily,  except  when  in 
flower.  Throughout  the  growing  season  the  plants 
are  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  upon  a  shelf  placed 
near  the  glass  in  a  warm  greenhouse.  When  the 
foliage  begins  to  change  colour  water  is  gradually 
withheld,  and  entirely  so  during  the  resting 
season,  and  the  plants  are  arranged  close  to  the 
glass  in  an  airy,  cool  house.  The  chief  cultural 
points  to  bear  in  mind  are  not  to  over-pot 
the  plants,  to  keep  them  near  the  glass  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun  at  all  times,  except  when  they 
are  in  blossom,  supplied  with  water  during  the 
season  of  growth,  and  perfectly  dry  over  the  resting 
period. 

Gloriosa  sdperba 
18  the  species  commonly  met  with,  but  the  new 
and     handsome     crimson     rotheohildiana     which 
flowered    in    Tring    Park    Gardens    this    eeason 


promises  to  be  a  keen  rival  if  it  can  be  as  easily 
grown  and  flowered  as  G.  superba.  The  flowers  of 
G.  superba  are  both  beautiful  and  peculiar  ;  they 
are  valuable  for  decorative  purposes,  and  may  be 
used  with  marked  effect  for  dinner-table  decora- 
tion. It  is  necessary,  however,  when  they  are 
used  for  this  and  similar  purposes,  in  order  to 
cause  the  flowers  to  assume  their  natural  appear- 
ance, to  bend  the  foot-stalks.  Fortunately,  the  life 
of  the  flower  is  not  appreciably  affected  by  this. 
As  the  plants  are  climbers  they  should  be  accommo- 
dated with  suitable  trellises,  and  if  it  is  desired  to 
move  them  from  one  position  to  another,  then 
make  wire  trellises  in  balloon  shape  ;  but  a  better 
way  is  to  train  thinly  their  growths  beneath  the 
glass,  over  the  roof  of  a  X\'arm  house,  or  upon  a 
trellis  surrounding  a  column.  We  clothe  the  roof 
of  an  Eucharis  house  with  this  plant,  and  train  the 
growths  in  cordon  fashion  to  wires  placed  at  about 
2}t  feet  asunder.  This  does  not  appear  to  affect 
the  Eucharis  in  any  way ;  in  fact,  only  good 
probably  results  from  the  bright  summer  sunshine 
being  subdued.  Of  course,  during  the  dull  season, 
the  plants  having  in  the  meantime  died  down,  the 
roof  is  clear  and  the  Eucharis  have  the  benefit  of 
full  sunshine  when  it  is  needed.  Grown  in  this 
manner  in  quantity  a  very  pretty  effect  is  secured. 
The  best  compost  is  a  good  fibrous  loam  mixed 
with  some  peat  and  sand,  and  if  large  plants  are 
required,  three  or  four  strong  tubers  should  be 
placed  in  a  10-inch  or  12-inch  pot  in  early  spring 
before  they  begin  to  grow.  Water  sparingly  until 
free  growth  has  commenced,  when  give  a  plentiful 
supply,  and  weak  liquid  manure  once  a  week.  The 
plant  is  seldom  attacked  by  an  insect  pest,  but 
nevertheless  daily  syringings  are  very  beneficial. 
When  it  is  properly  treated  its  shoots  make  rapid 
progress,  and  require  to  be  frequently  secured  to 
their  supports  and  shaded  from  direct  sunshine. 
As  soon  as  growth  ceases,  and  the  flowering  season 
is  over,  gradually  withhold  water,  and  onco  the 
foliage  turns  yellow  keep  the  soil  perfectly  dry. 
At  this  stage  the  tubers  may  for  convenience  sake 
be  taken  from  their  pots,  and  stored  throughout 
their  dormant  season  in  dry  soil  in  small  pots 
or  boxes.  T.  Coomeer. 

The  Hendre  Gardens,  Monmouth. 


RAINFALL    DURING    1903    AT    THE 
GARDENS,    HAMPTON    MANOR. 

^^-'^-  ""'^m^  ^-»«'- 

.January ,17  1-93 

February    7  I'lO 

March 21  ....  4-48 

April   12  ....  1-36 

May IS  ....  301 

June    8  ....  1-82 

July 16  ....  2  95 

August    IS  3-92 

September 11  ....  2-39 

October  26  ....  0-27 

November 17  ....  174 

December 14  ....  1-51 

Total    185         ....       33  07 

Greatest  fall  in  twenty-four  hours  :  On  July  25, 1  ■]  3  ;  and  on 
October  14,  0-94.  Highest  maximum  in  shade,  July  10,86°; 
and  in  sun,  130°. 

Ila7npton-i}i-A)-dfn.  Neil  Sinclair. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


VEITCH'S     WINTER  -  FLOWERING 
BEGONIAS. 
A   MONG  plants  introduced  of  recent  years, 
/\  probably     none     have     proved     more 

/  %  valuable  than  the  winter  -  flowering 
/  \  Begonias  raised  by  Messrs.  James 
y  \_  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  of  Chelsea. 
The}-  have  undoubtedly  been  a  great 
boon  to  many  gardeners,  both  professional  and 
amateur,  who  value  either  a  supply  of  cut 
flowers  during  the  winter  months,  or  who  take 
delight  in  a  greenhouse  or  conservatory  made 
bright  by  something  other  than  Chrysanthemums. 
Except  Chrysanthemums  there  were  really  few 
plants  that  could  be  depended  upon  to  pro- 
duce a  ahow  of  bright  colour  at  this  time  of  the 


year.  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  it  is  true,  are  most 
useful,  but  they  are  not  altogether  satisfactory  ;  as 
cut  blooms  they  do  not  last  long,  and  the  plants  in 
flower  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  all  that  one  could 
desire  for  house  decoration.  The  new  hybrid 
winter-flowering  Begonias  are,  therefore,  a  most 
opportune  as  well  as  a  valuable  introduction,  and 
none  who  know  their  value  will  care  to  be  without 
them. 

We  lately  paid  a  visit  to  theFeltham  nurseries  of 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  and  there 
we  found  this  new  race  of  Begonias  in  splendid  flower. 
Several  houses  are  filled  with  ihem,  and  they  were 
a  blaze  of  colour.  Visitors  to  the  Drill  Hall  shows 
of  the  Ro3'al  Horticultural  Society  have  had  plenty 
of  opportunity  of  seeing  these  Begonias,  for 
Messrs.  Veitch  have  made  some  brilliant  displays 
with  them  during  the  late  autumn  and  winter 
months.  To  Mr.  John  Heal,  who  is  a  clever  and 
practical  hybridist,  is  due  the  inception  of  this 
race  of  Begonias,  by  crossing  B.  socotrana  with  the 
tuberous  Begonias.  B.  socotrana  is  in  itself  a 
valuable  and  handsome  winter  flowering  Begonia, 
but  its  progenj'  has  been  much  improved  in  the 
important  considerations  of  floriferousness  and 
compact  habit. 

Among  the  best  of  these  Begonias  are  Ensign, 
which  grows  about  2  feet  high,  and  produces 
branching  heads  of  semi-double  rosy  carmine 
flowers  upon  stout  footstalks.  The  flowers  show 
well  above  the  foliage,  and  render  the  plant  one  of 
striking  appearance.  Begonia  John  Heal  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable,  and  for  the  reason  that  its 
blooms  are  extraordinarily  persistent.  It  is  of 
compact  habit,  growing  some  9  inches  to  12  inches 
high,  with  leafage  much  resembling  that  of  Begonia 
Gloire  de  Lorraine,  but  much  finer  and  larger 
flowers.  Individual  blooms  of  this  variety  have 
been  known  to  remain  upon  the  plant  for  nineteen 
days,  so  its  value  for  decoration  may  be  said  to  be 
unique.  The  flowers,  which  are  of  a  bright  glow- 
ing rose  colour,  do  not  drop  off  even  when  they 
are  over  ;  they  just  shrivel.  This  characteristic 
enables  the  plants  to  undergo  a  long  journey  with- 
out losing  their  blooms,  which  in  itself  issuthciently 
rare  among  single-flowered  plants  to  render  them  of 
more  than  ordinary  value.  Begonia  Mrs.  Heal, 
which  grows  about  15  inches  high,  has  rich  green 
leaves,  and  large,  fully  open  bright  red  flowers. 
Winter  Cheer  is  a  variety  that  is  well  named,  for 
its  rich  carmine  semi  -  double  flowers  are  well 
designed  to  make  cheerful  the  greenhouse  during 
winter.  This  is  very  vigorous,  growing  some 
2  feet  high,  and  producing  strong,  striking  foliage. 
Julius  may  be  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most 
distinct  of  this  new  race  of  winter-flowering  Bego- 
nias ;  it  usually  reaches  a  height  of  some  18  inches 
and  flowers  profusely,  the  plants  being  almost 
covered  with  semi-double  bright  pink  flowers,  which 
have  the  merit  of  lasting  a  long  time  in  beauty. 
Agatha  has  rather  larger  and  brighter  flowers,  and 
is  of  more  compact  habit  than  Begonia  Gloire  de 
Lorraine.  The  flowers  last  well.  Agatha  com- 
pacta  may  be  described  as  a  very  dwarf,  compact 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine.  It  makes  charming 
little  plants  in  quite  small  pots,  and  is  wonderfully 
free-flowering.  Success  bears  semi-double  blooms 
of  a  glowing  carmine  colour,  and  has  a  yellow 
centre.  B.  Ideala  flowers  well  in  3-inch  pots  ;  it 
resembles  B.  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  but  has  bright 
carmine  flowers.  B.  Winter  Perfection  is  of  stiff' 
growth,  has  robust,  handsome  leaves,  and  bears 
rich  rosy  pink  flowers,  which  have  yellow  centres. 
B.  Frrebeli  incomparabilis  bears  single  blooms  of 
a  very  bright  red  ;  it  is  to  be  recommended  for  the 
colour  of  the  flowers  alone. 

In  the  houses  at  Feltham  there  are  numerous 
other  plants,  often  neglected  or  little  grown,  and  in 
reintroducing  and  endeavouring  to  bring  them  into 
popular  favour  Messrs.  Veitch  are  doing  a  good 
work.  As  an  instance  we  ma}'  mention  Peristrophe 
speciosa,  an  old  plant  that  is  very  valuable  during 
winter  for  the  greenhouse.  It  is  rarely  grown 
except  in  botanic  gardens,  yet  it  is  a  plant  of  real 
value  to  the  private  gardener,  and  this  is  just  one 
of  many.  We  hope  Messrs.  Veitch  will  succeed  in 
widely  diffusing  them,  then  perhaps  we  may  see 
variety  in  the  stoves  and  greenhouses  in  private 
gardens  throughout  the   country   where  now  too 


I 


January  9,  1904.J 


THE    GARDEN. 


31 


often  there  is  but  monotony.  Primula  obconica 
stands  sorely  in  need  of  improvement,  particularly 
with  regard  to  the  colour  of  the  flowers  ;  there  is 
little  enough  variety  in  the  shades  of  colour  now  to 
be  had,  and  they  cannot  be  said  to  be  of  the  most 
attractive.  Messrs.  Veitoh  hope  soon  to  be  able  to 
effect  an  improvement  in  this  respect,  and  it  will 
be  a  most  welcome  one.  P.  obconica  is  a  most  useful 
plant,  and  when  the  colours  of  the  flowers  have 
been  made  more  attractive  it  will  be  indispensable. 

The  Feltham  Nurseries  cover  about  si.\ty  acres 
of  land  altogether,  many  of  which  are  devoted 
to  the  culture  of  hardy  fruit  trees.  Pot  Vines, 
Figs,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Pears,  Apples,  Cherries, 
&c.,  are  largely  grown  in  pots  under  glass,  and  at 
the  time  of  our  visit  many  splendid  plants  were  to 
be  seen.  The  Figs  in  pots  had  made  remarkable 
growth  ;  from  cuttings  inserted  early  this  year  we 
were  shown  well-developed  plants  bearing  fruits. 
The  pot  Vines,  too,  the  Muscats  especially,  were 
remarkably  good.  One  house  is  devoted  to  a  collec- 
tion of  Oranges  in  pots,  and  in  others  are  trained 
specimens  of  Pears,  Apples,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  &c. 
Some  rider  standard  trees  of  Peaches,  two  and  three 
years  old,  gave  evidence  of  the  very  best  culture  ; 
and  of  Cherry  and  Pear  trees  in  pots  we  may  say 
the  same. 


PROPOSED    GARDENERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 

The  brief  note  published  in  last  week's  issue  of  The 
Garden  enabled  readers  to  learn  that  there  is  a 
prospect  that  the  hopes  so  many  gardeners  have 
formed,  as  to  the  creation  of  a  national  association 
devoted  to  their  interests,  are  not  unlikely  to  be 
realised.  The  chief  difficulty  which  besets  the 
promoters  now  is,  not  the  lack  of  suggestions, 
practical  or  otherwise,  but  in  their  abundance  on 
the  one  hand  and  need  for  putting  them  into  a 
concrete  form  on  the  other.  The  recent  meeting 
had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  Mr.  W.  H.  Divers 
of  Belvoir  Gardens  his  reasons  for  desiring  the 
formation  of  a  national  association  of  gardeners. 
These  included  a  desire  to  relieve  gardeners  of  the 
unpleasantness  of  being  classed  as  ordinary 
domestics  by  Government,  and  thus  enabling  them 
to  take  similar  status  to  that  occupied  by  the 
higher  staff  of  an  estate.  The  gardening  profession 
was  far  too  overcrowded,  with  the  result  that  not 
only  were  wages  reduced  but  good  men  were  shut 
out  from  places,  although  having  by  far  the  greatest 
experience,  because  cheap  young  men  accepted 
positions  at  lower  wages.  One  means  of  reducing 
the  overcrowding  was  to  require  from  young 
gardeners  greatly  advanced  educational  efforts, 
and  a  reduction  of  j'oulhs  taken  into  bothies,  so 
many  of  whom  soon  showed  they  had  no  gardening 
proclivities.  He  had  not  the  least  desire,  a  senti- 
ment generally  concurred  in,  to  introduce  into  the 
proposed  association  any  trade  union  element.  He 
had  always  felt  that  nothing  tended  so  strongly  to 
promote  comfort  and  happiness  in  a  gardener  as  that 
he  should  possess  fully  his  employers  confidence 
and  esteem  ;  he  would  like  to  see  the  association 
become  the  centreof  all  othergardeners' associations, 
and  that  it  should  also  help  to  promote  the  interests 
of  the  gardening  charities  amongst  the  fraternity. 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe,  V.M.H.,  much  wished  to  see  such 
an  association  formed.  Whilst  it  was  proposed  to 
reduce  bothy  hands,  of  which  in  the  south  there 
seemed  to  be  too  man}',  in  the  north  he  had  found 
it  difficult  to  secure  them,  because  wages  generally 
in  other  vocations  were  so  much  better.  The 
present  overcrowding  seemed  to  be  in  the  older 
grade  of  gardeners,  and  if  the  trained  bothy  men 
were  fewer  that  trouble  would  in  time  correct 
itself.  Mr.  G.  Norman,  V.M.H.,  thought  they 
might  look  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  for 
some  assistance  in  the  direction  mentioned.  He 
thought  the  council  could  prepare  a  register  of  all 
gardeners  seeking  places,  to  which  the  employer 
might  with  confidence  refer,  and  thus  enable  them 
to  secure  the  services  of  the  best  men  onlj'.  He 
regarded  a  testimonial  from  a  head  to  a  young 
gardener  as  a  good  certificate,  because  no  one  could 
have  a  better  knowledge  of  the  real  merits  or  other- 


wise of  a  youth  than  the  head  gardener  had.  Still 
there  was  a  danger  lest  from  kindly  motives 
testimonials  might  be  too  liberally  worded.  He 
would  like  to  see  young  men  spending  a  year  for 
training  in  forestry,  in  farming,  in  general  estate 
work,  &c. ,  to  fit  them  to  become  ultimately 
stewards  and  estate  agents.  Mr.  J.  VVillard 
wished  to  see  gardeners,  and  young  ones  especially, 
taking  to  the  vocation  seriously,  making  it  the 
great  aim  of  life,  and  seeking  by  personal  effort  to 
raise  themselves  and  the  status  of  the  gardener 
also.  Mr.  J.  Jaques  wished  to  see  some  form  of 
examination  imposed  on  young  men  before  being 
admitted  to  the  position  of  foreman,  which  he 
thought  should  be  conducted  by  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society.  Ot.her  speakers  thought  any 
such  examination  to  be  of  a  practical  nature 
should  be  conducted  by  the  gardeners'  association 
itself.  Mr.  C.  Fielder,  Mr.  W.  Howe,  Mr.  Simpson 
of  Croydon,  and  others  spoke,  including  the  chair- 
man, Mr.  Owen  Thomas,  V.  M.  H.,  who  cordially 
thanked  Mr.  Diver  for  attending  and  giving  the 
meeting  an  expression  of  his  views.  It  was  ulti- 
mately decided  that  a  small  committee  be  formed 
from  the  meeting  to  frame  a  scheme  to  submit 
to  an  adjourned  meeting  to  beheld  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  second  Drill  Hall  meeting  in  February.  The 
committee  comprised  Mr.  Owen  Thomas,  chairman  ; 
Mr.  A.  Dean,  secretary  ;  and  Messrs.  W.  H. 
Divers,  J.  Jaques,  Mclndoe,  Norman,  C.  Dixon, 
J.  Willard,  and  J.  Keif,  to  any  of  whom  gardeners 
wishing  to  make  suggestions  are  invited  to  com- 
municate earl}',  as  the  committee  will  hold 
meetings  in  January  for  the  purpose  named. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


EFFECT    OF    BASIC    SLAG    ON 
CUKEANTS. 

1HAVE  this  year  had  a  most  striking  example 
of  the  effect  of  basic  slag  upon  Red 
Currants,  an  account  of  which  may  not 
be  uninteresting  to  readers  of  The  Garden. 
The  trees  are  on  a  south-west  wall  some 
5i  feet  in  height,  and  on  the  other  side 
is  a  large  Apple  tree,  so  that  it  is  generally  a 
pretty  dry  position.  In  front  of  the  Currant  trees 
is  a  4-feet  border  devoted  to  Carnations.  Last 
autumn  these  were  all  taken  up,  and  the  border 
dug  up  for  the  first  time  for  three  years,  at  the 
same  time  receiving  a  good  dressing  of  road  sand, 
some  rotted  manure,  and  basic  slag,  at  the  rate  of 
51b.  to  the  20  square  yards,  that  is,  lOcwt.  per 
acre.  The  border  was  then  replanted  with  Carna- 
tions. About  the  end  of  May  all  the  Currant 
shoots  above  the  wall  were  gradually  pinched  to 
two  or  three  leaves,  so  as  not  to  catch  the  wind, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  shoots  from  the  base  of 
the  wall  to  the  top  were  thinned  by  the  same 
process  to  let  the  sun  to  the  fruit,  as  well  as  to  the 
next  year's  fruit-buds.  At  the  final  pruning  in 
the  autumn  it  was  noticed  that  in  the  axil  of  the 
terminal  leaf  of  each  stopped  shoot  there  were  at 
least  four  or  five  buds,  instead  of  the  usual  one 
only,  while  in  the  axils  of  the  one  or  two  leaves 
below,  according  to  the  extent  to  which  the  young 
shoot  was  pinched  back,  there  were  two  or  three 
buds.  Most  of  these  must  be  fruit-buds,  probably 
all  but  one  in  each  axil.  An  examination  of  simi- 
larly stopped  Red  Currant  shoots  on  trees  in  other 
parts  of  the  garden  showed  that  there  was  only 
one  bud  in  the  axil  of  the  terminal  leaf,  and  in 
many  cases  the  terminal  bud  had  produced  a 
secondary  shoot. 

It  is  a  most  striking  proof  of  the  effect  of 
phosphate — basic  slag  being  phosphate  of  lime — in 
inducing  fruitfulness.  Another  noteworthy  fact, 
which  can  scarcely  be  a  mere  coincidence,  is 
afforded  by  a  large  Apple  tree  in  my  neighbour's 
garden,  the  roots  of  which  I  have  often  come  across 
in  my  own.  For  quite  twenty  years  that  tree 
produced  a  large  crop,  averaging  twenty  bushels 
every  alternate  year,  frost  or  no  frost.  Three 
years  ago  the  vegetable  quarters,  where  the  roots 
of   this   tree   are   to   be   found,   received    a   heavj' 


dressing  of  basic  slag,  which  was  repeated  in  a  less 
degree  last  winter.  The  Apple  tree  under  discus- 
sion has  produced  a  good  crop  two  years  out  of  the 
last  three,  with  a  fair  crop  the  intermediate  year, 
and  it  is  now  well  set  with  fruit-buds  for  next 
season.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  tree 
rested  alternate  years  while  getting  in  touch  with 
further  supplies  of  plant  food,  and  that  the  appli- 
cation of  the  basic  slag  brought  the  needed  food  to 
the  roots,  and  so  enabled  it  to  bear  every  year. 

A.  Petts. 


FRUIT    GROWING    IN    QUEENSLAND. 

The  Minister  for  Agriculture  in  Queensland, 
desirous  of  assisting  fruit  growers  in  his  State 
by  establishing  new  markets,  has  bought  up  the 
whole  of  the  season's  crop  of  Cape  Gooseberries,  a 
fruit  which  makes  a  delicious  preserve,  for  pulping, 
and  enquiries  are  being  made  in  Great  Britain  as 
to  the  feasibility  of  establishing  an  export  trade  in 
this  article  on  payable  terms.  Cape  Gooseberry 
jam  can  be  purchased  in  London,  and  as  a  table 
delicacy  it  would,  were  it  generally  known,  be 
greatly  appreciated.  The  Queensland  Agricultural 
Department  is  also  thinking  of  trying  an  experi- 
mental shipment  of  Pine-apples  to  London  in  order 
to  test  the  transit  question  thoroughly.  Pine- 
apples are  produced  in  Queensland  as  freely  as 
Apples  are  here.  In  the  Brisbane  district  alone 
close  on  200,000  dozen  are  grown  yearly,  and  all 
over  the  State  these  delicious  fruits  are  cultivated, 
and  are  an  ordinary  item  of  dietary.  If  shipped  to 
this  country  it  would  be  on  a  commercial  basis, 
and  the  fruit  would  be  sold  cheaply.  Bananas  are 
produced  in  Queensland  in  enormous  numbers ;  the 
average  annual  crop  may  be  put  at  about  2,000,000 
bunches,  and  taking,  say,  120  "  fingers  "  to  a  bunch, 
we  get  the  estimated  yield  of  single  Bananas  in 
Queensland  for  a  year  as  240,000,000  !  Bananas 
flourish  everywhere  on  the  coast  lands,  and  many 
small  settlers  make  a  decent  living  by  taking  up 
virgin  scrub  at  £1  an  acre,  and  growing  Bananas 
thereon  after  clearing.  The  Banana  has  the  virtue 
of  bearing  all  the  year  round  in  congenial  condi- 
tions. Mangoes  are  grown  in  Queensland  with  such 
ease  that  in  good  seasons  the  local  demand  is  unable 
to  deal  with  the  outturn  ;  1902  was  a  bad  year  for 
Mangoes,  but  in  1901  some  350,000  dozen  were 
grown  in  the  State.  After  some  hesitation  in 
taking  to  this  fine  fruit  when  it  was  introduced 
about  twenty  years  ago,  Queenslanders  now  regard 
it  as  a  commonplace,  and,  raw  and  preserved,  it  is 
eaten  all  over  the  State.  Oranges  suffered  from 
last  year's  drought,  but  their  cultivation  in  normal 
seasons  is  an  important  section  of  the  fruit  depart- 
ment ;  about  20,000,000  Oranges  were  grown  in 
1901.  There  is  a  large  export  trade  in  all  these 
fruits  mentioned  to  the  southern  States  of  Aus- 
tralia, Queensland  being  the  supplier  of  all  the 
tropical  and  sub-tropical  fruits  to  Australasia.  The 
area  of  Queensland  is  so  extensive  (669,000  square 
miles)  and  the  climate  so  varied  that  in  one  part 
or  another  every  known  fruit  flourishes.  Cocoa- 
nuts  are  grown  on  the  islands  which  fringe  the 
northern  coasts  in  great  numbers. — North  Queens- 
land Herald. 


RECENT    PLANT    PORTRAITS. 

The  Botanical  Magazine  for  January  contains 
portraits  of 

C'ymhidium  rhodochilum. — Native  of  Madagascar. 
This  is  a  handsome  and  still  very  rare  Orchid,  to 
which  in  this  number  no  less  than  three  plates  are 
devoted.  The  double  plate  showing  the  heads  of 
flowers  life  size,  and  the  single  plate  the  entire 
growing  plant  much  reduced.  It  was  introduced 
into  cultivation  by  Mr.  G.  Warpur,  and  in  its 
native  country  grows  on  masses  of  Platyceriura  on 
the  branches  of  tall  trees.  Its  flowers  are  green, 
with  the  two  upper  petals  spotted  with  black,  and  a 
large  red  lip. 

Proslanthera  denticulata. — Native  of  Eastern 
Australia.  This  is  a  pretty  shrubby  labiate  with 
rosy  purple  flowers  very  freely  produced  up  the 
ends  of  all  the  shoots. 

Aretkusa  sjjiejisis.— Native  of  Western  China. 
This  is  a  pretty  little  terrestrial  Orchid  with  blush- 


32 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  9,  J904, 


The  central  plot  had,  in  despair,  been 
laid  down  with  gravel  not  long  before, 
but  was  already  beginning  to  look  sodden, 
and  was  blackened  in  patches  with  some 
fungoid  growth.  Jlany  things  had  been 
tried  in  the  borders  under  the  surrounding 
walls  ;  two  Aucubas  alone  survived,  but 
these  were  remarkably  flourishing.  It 
was  evident,  nevertheless,  that  something 
would  grow,  and  here  was  the  inspiring 
hint.  Shade-loving  shrubs — Hj'drangeas, 
for  example  —  and  Ferns  might  yet 
retrieve  the  situation.  Doctor's  prescrip- 
tions are  not  always  carried  out ;  but 
flagged  paths  and  a  central  border,  with 
plants  chosen  according  to  aspect  and 
not  left  entirely  to  the  unaided  effort  of 
the  jobbing  gardener  for  after-cultivation, 
would  go  far  to  make  the  town  garden 
something  better  than  the  dreary  cats' 
paradise  which  too  often  it  is  at  present. 

NOTES    FROM    THE 
MARKETS. 


A    RIVERSIDE    GARDEN    AT    HAMMERSMITH,    LONDON. 


white  tubular  flowers,  with  deep  rosy  markings  at  i 
their  mouths. 

Pasfsiflora  vitifolia. — Native  of  tropical  America. 
This  is  also  known  under  the  synonyms  of  P.  san- 
guinea,  P.  punicea,  P.  servitensis,  P.  Buchanani, 
and  Tacsonia  Buchanani.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  coloured  and  beautiful  of  the  whole 
Passion  Flower  family,  with  large  scarlet  Sowers. 
It  is  by  no  means  a  new  plant,  having  been  intro- 
duced more  than  fifty  years  ago.  It  requires  a 
warm  temperature,  and  grows  at  Kew  in  the  Palm 
stove  and  tropical  Lily  house. 

The  Eenie  Horticole  for  the  1st  inst.  contains 
portraits  of  two    fine    new  varieties  of  perpetual 


November  last.  Through  the  thoughtfulness  of 
his  noble  emplo3'ers,  Mr.  Smith  was  enabled  to 
retire  to  live  at  Hillview,  Bonnyrigg,  where  it 
was  hoped  that  he  might  be  long  spared  to  spend 
his  declining  years  in  peace  and  comfort.  However, 
it  was  not  to  be,  and  the  sciatic  complaint,  which 
had  caused  him  so  much  suffering,  eventually 
proved  too  much  for  his  system,  and  he  expired  on 
the  27th  ult. ,  his  funeral  taking  place  at  Abercorn 
Churchyard  on  the  30th  ult.,  when  his  remains 
were  accompanied  to  the  grave  by  a  number  of 
sorrowing  friends.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  man  of  great 
ability  as  a  gardener.  He  was  specially  interested 
in  hardy  fruits  ;   but  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 


blooming  Pinks,  named  respectively  Chalillon  and  i  he  was  a  good  gardener  all  round,  and  the  condition 
Mme.  Bixio.  The  January  number  of  Flora  and  !  in  which  the  extensive  gardens  of  Hopetoun  were 
Sylva  contains  coloured  plates  of  (Enothera  speciosa  j  kept  showed  his  ability  as  a  manager  of  men.     He 


rosea,  a  most  beautiful  and  graceful  plant,  with 
clear  rose-coloured  flowers,  and  Primula  megaspe- 
folia,  a  pretty  and  free-blooming  variety,  but, 
unfortunately,  not  hardy,  and  requiring  greenhouse 
culture.  AV.  E.  Gumbleton. 


OBITUARY. 


was  highly  esteemed  in  private  life,  and  all  who 
came  in  contact  with  him  speak  highly  of  his 
modesty  and  kindly  disposition.  None  were  more 
attached  to  him  than  his  successor,  Mr.  T.  Hay, 
who  served  under  him  as  foreman  for  some  years, 
and  who  had  charge  during  the  long  illness  of 
Mr.   Smith  prior  to  his  retirement.      His  services 


Chrysanthemum  A.  J.  Balfouk. — 

Though    some     growers     condemn     this 

variety  I  find  others  speak  in  its  favour. 

It  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  of  its  colour 

for  pots.     One  grower  has  been  bringing 

in   some   dwarf   well-flowered    plants   in 

4-inch  pots  ;  and  as  late  as  the  24th  ult. 

it  was  in  fine  condition,  the  colour  of  the 

flowers  being  a  very  pretty  shade  of  pink, 

perhaps  a  little  deeper  than  the  original 

type.    The  same  grower  also  had  a  distinct 

sport  from  this  varietj',  a  pale  cream,  with 

just  a  slight  shade  of  pink  on  the  florets. 

One  grower  from  the  south  informs  me 

that  while   he  has  not  succeeded  with   Framfield 

Pink    (Mme.    Felix    Perrin)    he   has   found   A.    J. 

Balfour  a  most  profitable  variety  ;  the  blooms  he 

submitted  to  me  were  bright  in  colour,  and  though 

not  disbudded  were  of  a  useful  size. 

Chrysanthemum  W.  H.  Lincoln. — We  hear  much 
of  new  and  improved  varieties,  yet  this  still  holds 
its  own,  and  is  one  of  the  best  yellows,  especially 
for  pots.  Most  of  the  market  growers  favour  this, 
and  good  pot  plants  have  been  plentiful.  For  cut 
bloom,  too,  it  is  not  to  be  despised,  for  it  is  of  such 
good  substance.  There  are  few  yellows  which  last 
so  well,  beside  which  it  can  always  be  depended 
upon  to  give  good  blooms. 

Princesf!  Victoria. — This  is  of  a  creamy  shade 
when  it  first  opens,  but  changes  to  pure  white  ;  it 
is  one  of  the  best  for  December.  Several  growers 
have  been  bringing  in  good  blooms,  it  appears  to 
be  a  general  favourite  with  buyers  ;  this  was  one 
of  the  best  whites  in  the  market  on  the  2nd  inst., 
and  it  will  evidently  keep  good  for  some  time. 

Covent  Garden.  Kower  Market  (January  2). — 
The  frosty  weather  has  practically  stopped   trade 

ted. 


DEATH  OF  MR.  JAMES  SMITH,  LATE 
OF  HOPETOUN  GAEDENS. 

BY  the  death  of  Mr.  .James  Smith,  late  of 
Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  on  the  27lh 
ult.,  Scotland  has  lost  one  of  its  best 
I  gardeners  and  a  most  estimable  man. 
A  native  of  Ayrshire,  after  filling  several 
subordinate  positions  in  various  good 
t'ardens,  Mr.  Smith  received  an  appointment  in  a 
Perthshire  garden  as  head  gardener,  whence  he 
went  to  Ingleslon  House,  Katho,  in  a  similar 
position.  Thence  he  was  appointed  gardener  at 
Moredun  House  ;  later  he  was  chosen  to  fill  the 
still  more  important  post  of  head  gardener  at 
Hopetoun  House,  Linlithgowshire,  some  sixteen 
years  ago.  There  he  remained,  enjoying  the  oonfi- 
d  ence  of  his  employers,  the  Marquis  and  Marchioness 
of  Linlithgow,  until  the  state  of  his  health,  which 
had  practically  laid  him  aside  for  a  considerable 
time,    necessitated    his    complete    retirement 


,  ,       I  i.j  pot  plants.      Some   growers  were    represen 

were  in  much  request  as  a  judge  and  as  a  member  ^^^^^  „  ^j   ^^^   g^^^^js  were  empty,  and  those 

of  such  bodies  as  the  council  of  the  Royal  Caledonian  I  ,^^  ^.^.^^  ventured  did  not  find  much  demand. 
Horticultural  Society.  Mr.  Smith  is  survived  by  j^^\-  ^^^j  Hyacinths  are  now  coming  in.  Tulips  in 
Mrs.   Smith   and  several  of  a  grown-up  family,  for  ,  ^j,  ^oi^urs    being  very  plentiful.      Hyacinths  are 


all    of    whom 
bereavement 


deep    sympathy    is    felt    in    their 


A      TOW^N      GARDEN. 


very  good,  but  I  have  only  seen  them  on  one  stand 
at  present.  Several  growers  are  sending  Azaleas. 
Genistas,  Erica  hyemalis,  and  E.  gracilis  are  still 
coming  in.  Small  Ferns  now  sell  better,  but  larger 
sizes  are  not  much  wanted.     Very  high  prices  are 


If  we  could  but  be  persuaded  to  take  advantage  of    asked  for  all  good  cut  bloom.     Some  of  the  Chry 


the  opportunity  at  hand,  instead  of  waiting  for 
th  it  which  niiy  never  come,  many  gardens,  amongst 
other  matters,  would  fare  better  than  they  do. 
Town  gardens  are  a  proverbial  trial  to  their 
owners,  yet  here  and  there,  under  no  specially 
favourable  circumstance,  we  meet  with  one  which 
is    entirely    satisfying.       The    illustration     is    an 


santhemums  are  now  past  their  best,  but  there  is 
plenty  of  good  to  be  had  at  top  prices.  Lily  of  the 
Valley  was  plentiful.  Liliuni  lancifolium  and 
longidorum,  Callas,  Azalea,  Eucharis,  and  out 
Poinsettias  were  equal  to  all  demands.  The 
Christmas  trade  finished  up  well,  especially  in  cut 
bloom,    which   went    up    to    high    prices.      Most 


eloquent  example  of  simple  arrangement,  combined  ,  flowering  plants  were  pretty  well  cleared  out,  but 
with  loving  care,  and  we  should  like  to  call  atten-    there  were  a  good  many  Ferns,  Palms,  and  oilier 


tion  to  the  great  advantage  of  paved  or  tiled, 
rather  than  gravelled,  pathways  in  such  limited 
quarters.  We  were  called  in,  not  long  ago,  to 
prescribe  for  a  small  town  garden  whose  unhealthy 
in  ;  condition  was  an  e^e-sore  to  its  owner. 


foliage  plants  left  over.  There  was  a  great  demand 
for  Holly  and  Mistletoe,  and  well-berried  Holly 
made  high  prices.  Christmas  trees  (Spruce  Fir) 
did  not  clear  out  so  well,  and  there  were  a  good 
many  left  on  the  market.  A.  H. 


GARDEN 


No.  1678.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[January   16,  1904. 


FLOWER-FORCING    WITH 
ANESTHETICS. 

IN  the  Lancet  of  the  9th  inst.  particulars 
are  given  of  remarkable  experiments 
with  the  use  of  aniesthetics  upon  plants. 
The  object  of  the  experiments  is  to  prove 
that  by  the  use  of  anesthetics  plants 
may  be  brought  into  flower  at  an  abnormal 
season,  and  by  their  undiminished  brightness 
add  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  indoor  garden. 
The  experiments  have,  therefore,  a  practical 
bearing  upon  commercial  horticulture.  It  will 
be,  therefore,  interesting  to  our  readers  in 
general  to  reproduce  the  article  referred  to,  as 
the  experiments  have  been  made  with  the 
greatest  care  to  ensure  jjractical  results. 

"  The  close  similarity  in  composition  and 
properties  of  animal  and  vegetable  protoplasm 
is  brought  into  strong  relief  by  the  extremely 
interesting  and  curious  investigations  that 
have  been  recently  made  on  the  action  of  the 
vapours  of  ether  and  chloroform  in  promoting 
the  process  of  inflorescence  in  j)lants,  or,  in 
other  words,  in  forcing  them  to  flower  at  an 
earlier  period  than  is  natural  to  them.  The 
production  of  early  blooms  in  the  Lilac,  the 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  the  Deutzia,  and  the 
Azalea  is  a  large  and  important  industry  in 
the  early  spring,  and  for  any  grower  to  obtain 
well-developed  flowers  a  week  or  two  in 
advance  of  his  brother  horticulturists,  especially 
if  it  can  be  accomplished  at  little  cost,  means 
large  receipts,  and,  in  addition,  the  satisfaction 
of  successful  rivalry.  Many  years  ago  Claude 
Bernard,  desirous  of  recording  the  phenomena 
common  to  animal  and  plant  life,  submitted 
both  to  the  action  of  anaesthetics.  He  placed  a 
specimen  of  the  sensitive  plant  under  a  bell 
glass  with  a  small  sponge  dipped  in  ether  and 
found  that  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  minutes  the 
expanded  leaves  became  insensible  and  ceased 
to  close  when  touched. 

"  This  experiment  has  been  the  parent  of 
much  research  of  late  years,  and  the  results 
obtained  have  been  summed  up  by  M.  Emile 
Lemoine,  a  fellow  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  have  been  published  in  the  last 
number  (October,  1903)  of  the  journal  of  that 
society.  The  next  step  was  taken  by  Dr.  W. 
Johannsen  of  Copenhagen,  who,  noticing  that 
many  plants  push  forth  their  buds  after  a 
period  of  repose  such  as  occurs  during  the 
winter  months,  or  even  in  unfavourable  seasons 
during  the  summer,  conceived  the  idea  that  by 
inducing  such  a  condition  of  rest  by  means  of 


anesthetics  the  plants  would  be,  as  it  were, 
renovated  and  stimulated,  and  rendered 
capable  of  developing  their  buds  with  greater 
vigour.  Acting  on  this  principle,  Dr.  .Johannsen 
was  able  to  show  at  a  meeting  of  the  Copen- 
hagen Academy  of  Sciences  Lilac  blossoms 
forced  by  etherisation. 

"  The  value  of  the  proceeding  was  quickly 
recognised  by  horticulturists  in  Germany, 
France,  and  England,  and  these  experimenters 
all  proved  in  accord  in  regard  to  the  remarkable 
power  that  the  vapours  of  ether  and  chloroform 
have  in  promoting  the  formation  of  the 
inflorescence  of  plants.  Lilacs,  and  especially 
the  variety  named  Charles  X.,  which  is  notably 
a  difficult  one  to  force.  Lilies  of  the  Valley, 
Azaleas,  and  Deutzias  were  subjected  to  the 
vapour  of  ether,  and  stimulant  effects  on  the 
production  not  only  of  flowers,  but  of  leaf-buds 
and  leaves,  were  observed.  M.  Leblanc  reported 
to  the  Societe  Centrale  d'Horticulture  de 
Nancy  that  his  experiments  with  chloroform 
had  been  quite  successful.  On  February  19 
last  he  chloroformed  some  plants  of  Azalea 
mollis,  giving  them  about  half  the  quantity  he 
would  have  used  had  it  been  ether,  and 
exposing  them  to  the  action  of  the  vapour  for 
about  forty-eight  hours.  They  were  at  once 
removed  to  a  greenhouse  at  a  temperature  of 
65°  Fahr.  From  March  5  the  flowers  began  to 
expand  a  little,  and  attained  about  to  their 
full  dimensions  on  the  8th,  whereas  plants 
grown  for  comparison  were  not  expanded  until 
March  21.  The  chambers  in  which  the  vapours 
are  set  free  should  be  of  large  size,  and,  to 
prevent  their  escape,  should  be  absolutely  air- 
tight ;  and  all  manipulation  must  be  executed 
in  the  daytime,  since  the  approximation  of  a 
light,  if  air  has  gained  access  to  the  interior, 
is  liable  to  be  followed  by  violent  explosion, 
which  may  occasion  great  destruction  of 
property  and  possibly  loss  of  life.  The 
quantity  of  ether  employed  to  air  was  about 
30  or  40  grammes  of  pure  sulphuric  ether 
boiling  at  95°  Fahr.  to  100  cubic  litres  of  air, 
and  the  duration  of  exposure  one  or  sometimes 
two  periods  of  forty-eight  hours.  The  economy 
of  fuel  eftected  by  this  method  of  forcing, 
which  can  be  done  at  either  a  high  or  a  low 
temperature,  is  considerable,  and  covers  the 
cost  of  etherification." 

It  will  be  interesting  to  see  whether  this  use 
of  anaesthetics  will  become  general.  We  doubt 
it,  but  in  these  days  the  desire  to  possess 
flowers  out  of  season  is  increasing,  and  we 
confess  that  Lilacs,  Azaleas,  and  Lilies  of  the 
Valley  are  enjoyable  when  winter  is  still  with  us. 


COLOUR  SCHEMES  IN  THE 
MIXED  BORDER. 

It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  me  to  find  that  my 
article  of  the  28th  November  last  has  called 
forth  so  many  interesting  and  useful  contri- 
butions on  this  subject,  and  I  am  truly  grateful 
to  "G.  J.,"  Mr.  W.  T.  Hindraarsh,  "Evelyn,"  Mrs. 
Mary  Buxton,  and  Mr.  S.  Arnott  for  their  kind 
suggestions  in  recent  numbers  of  The  Gardem. 
Aided  by  these  and  by  much  valuable  advice 
received  in  the  course  of  conversation  with 
gardening  neighbours,  to  say  nothing  of  my  own 
study  of  various  books  and  catalogues,  I  have 
now  compiled  quite  a  long  list  of  "desiderata," 
including  many  blue,  or  nearly  blue,  shrubs 
and  plants,  and  I  begin  to  wish  I  had  an 
em  pty  border  once  more  to  begin  work  upon.  I 
fully  expect  I  shall  be  marching  and  counter- 
marching my  poor  soldiers,  especially  the  blue 
regiment,  about  the  border  for  several  years  to 
come  — a  state  of  things  which  may  end  in  the 
"survival  of  the  fittest "  alone  !  It  is,  perhaps, 
well  I  did  not  start  with  too  large  a  number  of 
"  recruits  "  last  spring.  To  arrange  that  blue 
corner  artistically  and  satisfactorily  seems  to 
me  almost  hopeless,  for  though  there  are  a  fair 
number  of  perennials  and  annuals  that  are 
undeniably  blue,  the  shrubs  available  are  nearly 
all  grey-blue,  or  of  some  shade  of  purple,  violet, 
or  mauve,  if  only  such  a  good  coloured  shrub 
as  Ceanothus  Indigo  were  quite  reliable  I 
believe  it  would  be  the  very  thing,  but  I  fear 
that,  at  any  rate  till  the  Beech  hedge  has  grown 
a  lot,  the  situation  is  too  exposed  for  it. 

1  wonder  if  any  reader  of  The  Garden  has 
tried  the  varieties  of  Amorpha  fruticosa,  the 
Amsonias,  Khazya  orientalis,  or  Teucrium 
fruticans  in  an  open  border.  I  should  be  very 
grateful  for  any  information  as  to  the  proper 
soil  for  these  shrubs,  their  hardiness,  &c. 
Another  blue-flowered  shrub  I  should  like  to 
grow  is  the  dwarf  Erinacea  pungens,  figured  in 
The  Garden  of  the  5th  ult.  as  growing  in 
Canon  EUacombe's  garden  at  Bitton,  but 
I  have  never  come  across  the  name  in  any 
catalogue.  It  must  be  a  most  desirable  thing, 
and,  if  so  common  in  Spain,  ought  to  be  pro- 
curable. Its  particular  habitat  in  Spain  does 
not  appear  to  be  recorded.  I  went  through  a 
good  many  miles  of  exceedingly  spiky  and 
prickly  shrubs  within  twenty  miles  of  Gibraltar 
during  the  four  years  I  rode  about  the  country 
and  hunted  with  the  Calpe  hounds,  but  I 
cannot  recollect  having  seen  a  blue  flower  on 
any  of  these  shrubs.  In  Nicholson's  "  Dictionary 
of  "Gardening"  it  is  described  (under  its  old 
name  Anthyllis  erinacea)  as  having  bluish- 
purple  flowers,  and  as  being  "hardy  in  a  dry,, 
sunny  position  on  the  rockery,"  so  I  fear  it  will 
hardly  do  for  my  border.  So  much  for  the 
blue  shrubs.  Perennials  and  annuals  are  tar 
easier  to  deal  with,  and  I  do  not  foresee  any 
great  difficulty  in  filling  up  the  front  portions 
of  the  section,  though  it  may  be  a  long  time 
before  the  various  shades  of  colour  are  properly 


I 


36 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904. 


arranged.  Things  I  intend  to  try  are  Geranium 
granditiorum,  Mulgediums,  Dracooephalums, 
Anchusa  italica  (the  Dropmore  variety  if 
possible),  Aconitums,  Mertensias,  Myosotis, 
and  perhaps  Polemonium  confertum,  with  a 
few  good  annuals  such  as  Phacelia.  I  fear 
Myositidium  nobile  is  out  of  the  question.  A 
neighbour  who  grows  it  well,  with  the  aid  of  a 
frame-light  in  winter,  tells  me  it  will  not  stand 
more  than  6°  of  frost.  I  lost  the  first  plant  he 
kindly  gave  me,  though  it  was  protected  with 
ashes,  &c.,  from  frost,  and  I  now  always  take 
up  a  second  from  the  same  friendly  source  and 
winter  it  under  glass.  This  want  of  hardiness 
is  most  unfortunate,  for  it  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  plants  in  cultivation. 

I  have  not  grown  Iris  cristata  until  the 
present  time,  and  do  not  know  how  it  is  going 
to  turn  out,  but  it  would  certainly  make  a 
most  desirable  edging  for  the  blue  section,  as 
suggested  by  Mr.  Arnott. 

I  have  quite  come  round  to  "  G.  J.'s  "  ideas 
as  to  the  employment  of  both  bulbs  and  annuals 
in  the  colour  scheme.  There  will  eventually 
be  no  bulbs  save  Lilies,  and  I  hope  to  make 
successful  use  of  suitable  annuals  in  future  in 
all  the  sections.  Annuals  are  worth  the  slight 
amount  of  trouble  necessary  for  their  proper 
cultivation,  but  bulbs  are  rather  a  nuisance, 
as  either  their  position  must  be  denoted  by 
unsightly  labels,  or  they  run  the  risk  of  being 
chopped  up  with  the  spade  or  uprooted  by  the 
fork  when  a  new  plant  is  being  put  in  or  an  old 
■one  moved. 

As  regards  the  "  superlatively  lovely  "  edging 
to  the  cross-path  in  front  of  the  Yuccas,  alluded 
to  in  my  former  article,  I  may  mention  that 
the  Yuccas  are  set  a  good  way  back  in  the 
border,  with  dwarf  Tritomas  in  front  of  them, 
so  I  think  Mr.  Arnott's  white  Pinks  or  my  own 
Daphne  Cneorum  would  not  spoil  the  general 
■effect,  but  rather  improve  it. 

To  conclude  with  a  few  words  on  another 
subject  connected  with  the  planting  of  dwarf 
shrubs,  perennials,  itc,  generally. 

When  sheltering  some  of  my  newly-planted 
shrubs,  such  as  Ceanothus,  Berberis  nepalensis, 
■&C.,  the  other  day  with  evergreen  boughs,  it 
suddenly  occurred  to  me  to  make  use  of  a 
number  of  nice  bushy  young  Yews,  about 
•6  feet  high,  standing  idle  in  a  nursery  bed.  I 
dug  these  up  with  good  roots,  and  carefully 
planted  them  among  the  more  delicate  shrubs 
so  as  to  form  an  effective  screen  against  the 
■north  and  east  winds.  They  take  up  very 
little  room,  and  I  propose  to  keep  moving 
them  about  from  one  spot  to  another  every 
autumn  until  their  services  are  no  longer 
required.  With  care  they  ought  to  keep 
.growing  a  bit  ;  at  any  rate,  they  should  last 
several  years.  A  few  small  superfluous 
Laurels  and  Bo.x  trees  have  also  been  enlisted 
■on  the  nursing  staff.  I  cannot  tell  if  this  idea 
is  new  or  not,  but  it  may  he  of  use  to  some 
who  are  or  have  been  planting  tender  things 
dn  open  borders. 

So  far  we  have  had  a  mild  winter,  but  in 
this  climate  of  "samples"  we  never  know  what 
to  expect— at  any  rate,  before  the  end  of  May. 
Yaldinq,  Kent.  S.  G.  Pi. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FORTHCOMING   EVENTS. 

January  16.— Society  Frangaise  d'Horticulture 
de  Londres  Annual  Dinner  at  the  Imperial 
Restaurant,  Strand. 

January  21.  —  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution  Annual  General  Meeting  at  the  Covent 
<jarden  Hotel,  3  p.  m.  ;  Annual  Supper,  Covent  Gar- 
den Hotel,  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton  in  the  chair,  6  p.m. 


The    Royal    Gardeners'    Orphan 

Fund. — Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  K.U.V.O., 
President  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  has 
kindly  consented  to  preside  at  the  next  annual 
festival  of  this  fund,  which  will  take  place  at  the 
Hotel  Cecil  on  Tuesday,  May  17. 

The  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 

Institution. — I  am  asking  for  a  little  space  in 
The  G.iRDEX  to  make  an  appeal  to  its  readers  on 
behalf  of  this  excellent  and  most  deserving  charity. 
My  aim  is  to  arouse  on  its  behalf  the  active 
sympathies  of  a  larger  number  of  persons  who  take 
a  great  interest  in  their  gardens  and  in  the  work 
of  the  gardener.  On  Thursdaj',  the  21st  inst.,  the 
sixty-6fth  annual  meeting  of  the  institution  is  to 
take  place  in  the  Covent  Garden  Hotel  at  3  p.m., 
at  which  the  treasurer,  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  will 
preside.  On  that  occasion  twelve  pensioners  are 
to  be  elected  on  the  fund.  The  distressing  part 
of  the  proceeding  is  that  there  are  fifty-three 
applicants.  Of  these  applicants  two  are  eighty 
j'ears  of  age,  twenty-four  are  seventy  years  of  age 
and  upwards,  while  twenty-five  are  sixty  3'ears  of 
age  and  upwards  ;  all  incapable  of  work,  depending 
upon  scanty  savings,  the  assistance  of  relatives,  or 
the  charity  of  friend.'i.  Every  application  is  more 
or  less  a  touching  tale  of  woe  ;  some  must  be  in 
dire  povertj'.  Two  applicants — men  under  ordi- 
nary circumstances  in  the  prime  of  life,  one  fifty- 
one  years  of  age,  the  other  fifty-three — are  incur- 
ably paralysed  and  altogether  incapacitated. 
Only  think  that  of  these  fifty-three  applicants 
forty-one  must  be  unsuccessful  !  Think  of  the 
misery  of  vinreali&erl  hopes  on  the  part  of  those 
who  fail  to  be  electad  !  The  annual  subscription 
is  one  guinea,  but  in  every  locality  there  is  some 
gardener  who,  interested  in  the  institution,  would 
gladly  constitute  himself  a  centre  to  receive  the 
smallest  contributions  and  so  make  up  a  few 
guineas,  by  means  of  which  votes  could  be  secured 
at  future  elections.  When  addressing  the  members 
of  the  Ealing  Gardeners'  Society  a  few  evenings 
ago  1  appealed  to  the  members  to  subscribe  each 
one  penny  per  week,  which  could  be  collected  by 
the  secretary,  and  when  the  sum  of  a  guinea  was 
reached  one  of  their  number  might  be  nominated 
as  a  guinea  subscriber  and  have  the  privilege  of 
giving  five  votes  at  the  next  election.  There  are 
many  gardeners'  societies  about  the  country,  and 
could  they  be  induced  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
institution  in  the  way  I  have  mentioned,  I  am 
sure  a  considerable  amount  of  most  acceptable 
support  would  be  forthcoming.  The  secretary  of 
the  institution  is  Mr.  George  J.  Ingram,  175, 
Victoria  Street,  London,  S.W. — R.  Dkan. 

The  proposed  gardeners'  associa- 
tion.— What  is  wanted  are  ready  offers  of  practical 
assistance,  whereas  the  chief  offers  to  hand  have  been 
in  the  form  of  advice,  ver}'  much  of  which  is  amusing ; 
very  little  is  of  practical  value.     The  report  of  the 
first   meeting   of   gardeners  held    to    consider  the 
subject  you   kindly   published  at  page  31,  and  it 
includes  mention  of   a  small  committee  that  was 
formed  to  give  the  subject  closer  consideration  and 
to  report  on  the  result.     It  maj'  interest  readers  of 
The  Garden  who  have   been  concerned   with  the 
proposals  to  learn  that  this  small  committee  has 
met  and  thoroughly  threshed  out  the  matter,  and 
the  recommendations  made  I  have  been  requested 
to  embody  in  the  form  of  a  report  to  be  read  to 
the  larger  meeting,  which  will  be  held  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,  bv  kind  permission,  on  the  afternoon  of 
February  23,  at  2  p.m.     I  hope  it  will  be  possible 
to  furnish  a  copy  of  that  report  to  The  Garden,  so 
that  all  readers  may  learn  of  the  decision  at  which 
the  committee  have  arrived.     May  I  suggest  that 
if   anyone   has   a   really    earnest   desire   to   see    a 
National  Gardeners'  Association  established,  rather 
than  writing  to  the  papers  and  indulging  in  very 
unpractical  criticisms  they  should  attend  the  meet- 
ing in  question,  which  will  be  an  entirely  open  one, 
and  there  offer  suggestions  that  would  be  helpful 
and  practical.     Unless  there  be  manifested  a  much 
stronger  desire  for  such  an  association  than  is  now 
shown,  and  the  reasons  for  its  existence  be  made 
far   more   clear  and    imperative,   I   gravely  doubt 
whether  anj'one's  desires  are  likely  to  be  gratified. 
With  such   a   body   entire   union   is   an   essential 
element  to  success. — A.  D. 


Indian  Agricultural  College.— The 

plans  for  Government  buildings  at  Pusa,  where  the 
Phipps  Laboratory  and  Agricultural  College  are  to 
be  created  and  an  experimental  farm  started,  are 
now  nearly  ready.  The  laboratory,  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  which  Mr.  Phipps  gives  £20,000,  will 
be  perfectly  equipped  with  the  latest  modern 
appliances.  Pusa  will  become  a  centre  of  agricul- 
tural research,  experiment,  and  instruction,  and  a 
great  future  of  usefulness  lies  before  it. 

Royal   Botanic  Society:   Prelimi- 
nary   arrangements    for    1904.— 

Exhibitions  of  plants  and  flowers  will  be  held  on 
Wednesdays,  March  1(1,  April  13,  May  11,  June  8, 
■July  0,  October  12,  and  November  9.  Exhibition 
of  Rhododendrons. — Bv  Messrs.  Walerer,  Bagshot, 
Surrey,  daily  during  June.  Admission  :  Wednes- 
days, 2^.  6d.;  Mondays  and  Saturdays,  Is.,  or  by 
Fellows'  orders.  Exhibition  of  hardy  flowers. — By 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  during 
June.  Admission:  Wednesday's,  23.  6d.  ;  Mondays 
and  Saturdays,  Is.,  or  bv  Fellows'  orders.  Musical 
promenades. — Every  Wednesday  afternoon  from 
■June  lo  to  .July  27  inclusive.  The  Guards'  band 
from  3.30  to  0  o'clock.  Admission  by  Fellows' 
orders.  Illuminated  evening  fetes.  —  Wednesday 
evenings  from  .June  15  to  July  27.  The  Guards' 
band  from  8  to  11  p.m.  Admission  tickets,  2s.  6d. 
each,  or  Fellows'  packets  of  ten,  10:!.  Botanical 
lectures. — Friday  afternoons  at  4  o'clock,  Maj', 
■June,  and  .July.  Admission  by  Fellows'  orders. 
General  Meetings. — For  election  of  new  Fellows, 
scientific  papers,  ifec. ,  fourth  Friday  in  the  month 
at  4.30  p.m.  ;  anniversary  meeting,  Wednesday, 
August  10,  at  1  p.m. 

Buddleia  asiatica. — In  j'our  issue  of  the 
9th  inst.  (page  vii. )  there  is  a  note  sent  by  my 
friend  Mr.  W.  E.  Gumbleton  about  Buddleia 
asiatica,  and  in  it  occur  some  errors  that  ought  to 
be  corrected.  He  says  that  I  submitted  some 
flowers  of  this  plant  for  examination  to  the 
botanical  authorities  of  the  Must^um  d'Histoire 
Nalurelle,  Paris.  This  is  incorrect.  I  said  in  the 
Revue  Horticole  (1901,  page  37)  that  I  had  been 
unable  to  identify  the  plant  with  any  one  of  the 
150  described  species  of  the  genus  Buddleia,  and 
therefore  I  provisionally  named  the  plant  B. 
Columbife,  adding  "unless  someone  could  find  it 
described  elsewhere.''  As  soon  as  I  found  that 
my  plant  was  the  Buddleia  asiatica  of  Loureiro  I 
restored  the  true  name  in  the  said  journal  (1903 
page  502).  This  species  seems  difficult  to  identify, 
probably  owing  to  its  numerous  synonyms.  These 
synonyms  I  give  in  alphabetical  order :  Buddleia 
acuminatissima,  Blume ;  B.  Columbiae,  And.;  B. 
densiflora,  Blume;  B.  discolor.  Roth ;  B.  interrupta, 
Buch. — Ham  ;  B.  lanceolata,  Heyne  ;  B.  Neerada, 
Buch. — Ham  ;  B.  salicina.  Lam.  ;  B.  serrulata, 
Roth  ;  B.  subserrata,  Don  ;  B.  sundaica,  Blume,  as 
far  as  I  know,  up  to  the  present  date. — Ed.  Andre, 
Editor  Revue  Horticole,  Paris. 

What  France  exports  to  England. 

According  to  the  statistics  for  1902,  France  ex- 
ported 10  England  33,000,000  of  Strawberries, 
Cherries,  Plums,  Pears,  Gooseberries,  Almonds, 
Apricots,  Peaches,  Grapes,  Nuts  (fresh).  Chestnuts, 
and  Walnuts;  28,000,000  of  vegetables  (fresh, 
salted,  or  preserved),  of  which  more  than 
15,000,000  were  Potatoes  ;  8,000,000  of  flowers  ; 
and  2,000,000  of  greenhouse  plants,  bulbs,  and 
flower  seeds. 

British  exhibits  at  the  St.  Louis 

Kxhibition. — The  extensive  preparations  for 
the  reception  of  horticultural  exhibits  have  pro- 
gressed rapidly.  The  first  arrivals  from  England 
have  just  been  announced,  and  among  them  are 
bulbs  and  hardy  plants  from  Messrs.  Sutton  and 
Sons,  Reading;  .Tames  Carter  and  Co.,  High 
Holborn  ;  Phlox  from  Mr.  John  Forbes,  Hawick  ; 
and  Dahlias  from  Messrs.  .1.  Cheal  and  Sons, 
Crawley.  Other  houses,  for  instance,  Messrs. 
Kelway  and  Son  and  Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons, 
have  already  arranged  their  exhibits.  Le  Jardiu 
says  that  Mr.  W.  Goldring,  who  has  charge  of  the 
general  arrangements,  has  a  representative  at  St. 
Louis,  who  receives  the  horticultural  exhibits  on 
their  arrival,  superintends  their  arrangement,  and 
looks  after  their  welfare. 


January  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


37 


Akebia  quinata  fpuiting'.^ln    The 

Garden,  November  7,  Mr.  S.  Arnott  announced 
the  fruiting  of  Akebia  lobata  in  England  at  New- 
stead  Abbey.  This  ornamental  climber  fruited  also 
last  summer  in  a  £;arden  at  Haarlem.  It  stands  at 
the  north-east  side  of  a  closed  verandah  in  a  sandy 
soil. — Leonard  A.  Sprenger,  Haarlem. 

Moschosma  piparium.  —  This  South 
African  LabiatiB  deserves  to  be  grown  more  largely 
than  it  is  at  the  present  time,  as  it  is  an  extremely 
useful  plant  for  the  cool  greenhouse  during  the 
dull  winter  months.  The  creamy  white  flower=, 
with  dark  anthers,  are  produced  in  long,  branched, 
terminal  cymes,  and  will  last  in  flower  in  good 
condition  for  three  weeks  or  more  if  grown  in  a 
cool  house.  Although  this  plant  has  been  in  culti- 
vation for  some  few  year.^i,  it  is  only  recently  that 
really  well-grown  examples  have  been  seen,  the 
plant  being  well  shown  by  Messrs.  James  Veiteh  and 
Sons,  also  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons  at  a  recent 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  when 
an  award  of  merit  was  very  deservedly 
gained.  The  chief  factor  in  the  successful 
cultivation  of  this  plant  is  to  give  it  a  light, 
airy  position  in  a  cool,  well  ventilated 
house,  and  not  over  hot,  trusting  rather  to 
frequent  applications  of  liquid  manure  water 
when  the  pots  are  well  filled  with  roots. 
Strong  and  mature  growths  are  then  pro- 
duced, which  flower  tar  more  satisfactorily 
than  when  the  plants  are  grown  in  a  warmer 
temperature  and  the  wood  is  not  properly 
ripened.  —  W.  Hales,  Physic  Garden, 
Chelsea. 

Cymbidium  tpaeyanum, 
Bradshaw's  variety.— In  a  recent 
issue  of  The  Garden  mention  is  made  of 
Mr.  Briggs  Bury's  variety  of  this  Cymbidium 
as  being  "the  darkest  form  in  existence." 
But  the  two  flowers  now  before  the  writer, 
forwarded  by  Mr.  J.  Bradshaw  of  The 
Grange,  Southgate,  prove  that,  if  not  quite 
so  large  in  size,  they  are  at  least  as  dark  in 
colour,  with  a  decidedly  larger  and  more 
showy  labellum.  This  huge  tongue-like 
petal,  with  its  rich  orange-crimson  coloured 
spots,  is  a  conspicuous  contrast  to  the  dark 
chocolate-red  and  yellow-lined  sepals  and 
petals,  and  a  large  inflorescence  of  flowers 
would  be  a  magnificent  object.  Mr.  Brad- 
shaw may  be  congratulated  on  having 
one  of  the  darkest  and  finest  of  all  known 
varieties  of  Cymbidium  tracyanum. — Joseph 

GODSEPF. 

Sehubeptia  gpandiflopa.— This 

fine  Brazilian  climber  deserves  all  that  has 
been    said    in    its    favour    (The    Garden, 
January  2,   page    3),   but   it    has  one  fatal 
drawback,  which  is  seldom  or  never  men- 
tioned when  reference  is  made  to  it,  namely, 
the  peculiarly  strong  and  obnoxious  odour 
of  its  stems  and  leaves.     This  may  not  be 
very  noticeable,  it  is  true,  except  in  handling 
the    plant    or  flowers,   or    in   accidentally 
brushing    past    it ;     but   it   is   sufficiently 
unpleasant  to  make  it   quite  intolerable  to 
many  people.     This  is  probably  the  reason 
why  so  lovely  a  plant  has  not  become  more 
popular,  for  there  is  no  question  as  to  its  beauty, 
nor  of  the  delicious  fragrance  of  its  flowers,  apart 
from  the  stems  and  foliage.     There  is  no  difiiculty, 
moreover,  in  its  cultivation.    The  name  Sohubertia, 
it  may  be  noted,  has  given   place  to  Arauja,  or 
Araujia,  as  it  may  be  found  spelt  in  both  ways  in 
the  "Kew  Hand  Lists."— K.  L.  D. 

Tillandsia  eapinata.— Bromeliads  are 
not  favourites  in  this  country,  yet  many  of  them 
are,  from  a  foliage  point  of  view,  very  handsome, 
while  the  flowers  are,  in  numerous  instances, 
remarkable  for  their  bright  hues  and  distinct 
appearance.  The  rich  purple  Tillandsia  Lindeni, 
before  now  noted  in  The  Garden,  is  still  in  flower, 
and  to  that  an  addition  comes  in  the  species  at  the 
head  of  this  note — T.  carinata.  This  is  a  pretty, 
small  growing  kind,  the  entire  plant — flower-spike 
and  all — reaching  a  height  only  of  about  a  foot. 
The  light  green  recurving  leaves  are  arranged  in  a 
vasiform-like  manner,  and  at  all  seasons  are  very 
pleasing ;  but  of  course  the  plants  are  far  more 


attractive  when  they  are  in  bloom.  The  flower- 
stem,  which  well  overtops  the  foliage,  is  furnished 
on  its  upper  part  with  two  opposite  rows  of  com- 
paratively large  boat-shaped  bracts,  deep  bright 
crimson,  shaded  with  purple  at  the  base,  which 
gradually  merges  into  the  orange  of  the  upper  part. 
The  flowers  themselves  are  yellow,  but  they  do  not 
protrude  far  beyond  the  bracts,  and,  in  addition, 
they  do  not  last  long,  therefore  these  bracts 
must  be  regarded  as  the  showiest  portion  of  the 
inflorescence.  It  is  of  easy  culture  if  potted  in 
fibrous  peat  and  sand,  given  good  drainage,  and 
ample  water  during  the  growing  season.  Though 
the  above  is  now  regarded  as  the  correct  name  this 
plant  was  at  one  time  known  as  Vriesia  braohy- 
stachys,  and  as  such  is  still  more  generally  met  with 
in  gardens  and  nurseries. — H.  P. 

Rainfall  in  a  Hampshipe  distpict. 

The  rainfall  for  1903  has  been  so  excessively  high 
in  this  district  that  I  am  forwarding  the  grand 
total  for  the  year,  which  I  hope  you  may  find  space 


SHOOT   OF   moschosma  RIPARIUM. 

for  in  your  valuable  paper.  The  time  of  observa- 
tion here  is  9  a.  ra.  daily  for  the  twenty-four  hours 
preceding.  The  diameter  of  gauge  is  8  inches,  and 
390  feet  above  sea  level : — 


Month. 

Total  depth 

Greatest  fallin 
St,  hours. 

No 
01 

ofdays 
which 

in  inches. 

Depth. 

Date. 

rain  fell. 

January    . 

.       2-48       .. 

63 

4th 

17  ■ 

February  . 

.       1-68       .. 

63 

.      27th 

11 

March 

.       3-39       . . 

68 

.      17th 

20 

April 

.       a-81       .. 

94 

.      28th 

10 

May 

.       3  55       .. 

1 

15 

2nd 

13 

June 

.       2-64       . . 

59 

.      10th 

9 

July 

,       3-52       .. 

1 

04 

,      26th 

13 

August     . 

.       3-79       .. 

74 

.      12th 

16 

September 

2-41       . . 

60 

5th 

13 

October     . 

.     10-35       .. 

1 

89 

.       12th 

28 

November 

2-57       .. 

83 

.       28th 

15 

December 

3-92       . . 

82 

,       10th 

14 

Total  ..     43-11  179 

It  will  be  observed  in  the  above  table  that  rain  fell 
on  179  days.  The  month  of  October  was  responsible 
for     twenty-eight     wet     days,     and     registering 


10'3.5  inches  of  rain.  On  two  occasions  during  this 
month,  viz.,  the  l-2th  and  2t7h,  1-89  inches  and 
1-28  inches  fell  respectively  during  the  twenty- 
four  hours. — G.  Ellwood,  Swanmore  Gardens, 
Bishop's  Waltham. 

"How  Dundee  could  be  beauti- 
fied."— Under  the  above  title  the  Dundee  People't 
.JournaX  gives  prominence  to  a  most  interesting 
article  by  "An  Expert,"  containing  a  number  of 
practical  suggestions  for  the  beautifying  of  Dundee 
by  means  of  the  planting  of  trees,  the  provision  of 
window  boxes,  and  the  improvement  of  the  smaller 
open  spaces.  The  writer  gives  a  rather  gloomy 
picture  of  Dundee  as  it  is,  and  those  who  have 
visited  this  busy  manufacturing  city  will  not  be 
disposed  to  question  his  opinion.  As  he  says,  it  is 
admitted  that  Dundee  cannot  be  transformed  into 
a  garden  city,  but  a  great  deal  can  be  done  to 
improve  it,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  sugges- 
tions of  "  An  Expert"  will  receive  the  support  of 
the  authorities,  and  that  the  coming  summer  will 
see  an  improvement  in  the  look  of  the 
bustling  city.  A  brief  quotation  from  the 
conclusion  of  the  article  will  show  the  spirit 
in  which  it  is  written,  and  will  meet  with 
the  approbation  of  the  many  readers  of 
The  Garden  who  favour  the  garden  city 
schemes  as  well  as  the  improvement  of 
existing  cities  on  the  same  lines.  "An 
Expert"  thus  concludes:  "It  is  well  known 
that  there  are  in  and  around  Dundee  many 
odd  corners,  sombre,  obscure,  and  unlovelj-, 
to  which  trees  and  flowers  would  act  as 
harbingers  of  better  things,  better  surround- 
ings, and,  above  all,  possibly  better  homes. 
There  is  a  good  time  coming;  though  coming 
slowly,  it  is  coming  surely,  and  an  evidence 
of  this  is  shown  in  the  earnest  progressive 
spirit  of  the  time."  The  same  article  also 
speaks  in  appreciative  terms  of  the  improve- 
ments at  present  being  made  at  Seabraes 
under  the  burgh  engineer  and  the  superin- 
tendent of  parks.  It  is  a  sign  that  the 
suggestions  of  the  writer  of  the  article 
referred  to  will  be  well  received  by  the  city 
authorities. 

Wintep-floweping'  Beg'onias. 

The  far-reaching  effects  of  the  introduction 
of  three  or  four  species  of  tuberous-rooted 
Begonias  from  the  Andean  region  of  South 
America,  which  took  place  in  the  sixties, 
has  had  a  parallel  in  the  case  of  Begonia 
socotrana,  which  was  discovered  and 
brought  to  this  country  in  1880.  There  is, 
however,  this  important  difierence,  that 
whereas  the  South  American  kinds  have 
given  us  a  large  and  valuable  race  of 
summer-flowering  plants,  B.  socotrana  has 
played  a  great  part  in  the  production  of  an 
entirely  new  section,  whose  great  value 
consists  in  the  fact  that  they  are  at  their 
best  during  the  dull  days  of  winter.  When 
B.  socotrana  was  first  introduced  it  was 
from  its  distinct  character,  showy  blossoms, 
and  the  season  at  which  they  were  borne, 
regarded  as  likely  to  prove  of  great  value 
to  the  hybridist,  a  prediction  now  fully 
borne  out,  though  it  was  necessary  to  wait 
three  or  four  years  for  the  first  start.  This  was 
the  variety  John  Heal,  obtained  by  fertilising  the 
flowers  of  B.  socotrana  with  the  pollen  of  a 
tuberous-rooted  variety — Viscountess  Doneraille. 
Since  this  success  there  has  been  no  turning 
back,  and  the  groups  of  this  section  of  Begonia 
which  Messrs.  Veiteh  put  up  regularly  at  the 
Drill  Hall  during  the  late  autumn  and  early 
winter,  are  the  admiration  of  everyone,  and 
the  cause  of  their  cultivation  being  taken  up 
by  gardeners  in  general.  Their  popularity  can 
be  readily  understood,  as  they  are  not  at  all 
difBcult  to  cultivate,  and  the  flowers  are  particularly 
bright  and  cheerful.  The  varieties  enumerated  by 
Messrs.  Veiteh  are  Ensign,  Ideala,  John  Heal, 
Julius,  Mrs.  Heal,  Winter  Cheer,  and  Winter 
Perfection.  They  are  all  good,  but  for  a  display 
perhaps  Winter  Cheer  is  the  equal  of  any.  The 
above,  however,  do  not  occupy  the  first  place 
among  socotrana  hybrids,  that  being  filled  by  the 
now  universally-grown  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  obtained 


■38 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904. 


by  M.  L-jmoine  of  Nancy  by  the  intercrossing  of 
B.  socotrana  and  the  South  African  B.  Dregei. 
This  variety  was  distributed  in  1893,  but  it  was 
two  or  three  years  before  its  merits  were  generally 
recognised,  since  which  time  it  is  grown  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  suffer  by  repetition.  There  are  some 
forms  of  this,  and  of  them  Turnford  Hall,  with 
blush-coloured  blossoms,  is  about  the  best.  An 
interesting  member  of  this  group  (Agatha)  has 
been  raised  by  Messrs.  Veitch  by  employing 
instead  of  B.  Dregei  the  creamy  white  Moonlight, 
a  hybrid  raised  many  years  since  by  the  late 
Colonel  Trevor  Clarke,  but  which  had  almost 
dropped  out  of  cultivation  till  rescued  some  three 
or  four  years  ago.  Colonel  Clarke  will  be  remem- 
bered as  the  raiser  of  a  summer-flowering  variety 
(Weltoniensis)  which  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago 
was  largely  grown  and  a  popular  market  plant. — 
H.  P. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

COLLETIA    CRUCIATA. 

PERHAPS  better  known  as  CoUetia 
bietouiensis  is  this  curious  shrub.  Just 
now  it  is  in  bloom,  and  although  the 
flowers  are  small  they  are  very 
interesting,  for  one  is  somewhat  sur- 
prised to  find  that  such  a  forbidding 
plant  as  the  prickly  CoUetia  produces  flowers  at 
all.  In  this  case  they  are  small,  pendulous,  and 
very  like  miniature  Lily-of-the- Valley  bells. 
When  taken  into  a  warm  room  they  emit  a  pleasing 
fragrance  somewhat  suggestive  of  Aniseed.  True 
leaves  are  very  few  and  usually  short  lived  ;  they  are 
simple,  opposite,  entire,  very  small,  and  deciduous. 
The  shrub,  which  rarely  grows  more  than  4  feet  high, 
is  composed  of  branches  of  alternately-opposite 
flattened  spines,  which  are  sharp  pointed,  the 
whole  forming  an  impenetrable  mass. 

Cuttings  of  half-ripened  shoots  will  root  readily 
in  sandy  soil  if  placed  under  a  hand-light  in  a  cool 
house.  The  plants  should  be  well  rooted  before 
being  placed  in  their  permanent  position,  which 
should  be  well  sheltered  and  not  too  near  a  path. 
A  well-drained,  light  soil  suits  it  best.  Although 
considered  to  be  only  half-hardy,  established 
specimens  will  stand  16'  or  18"^  Fahr.  of  frost  with 
a  light  covering  over  the  roots.  During  a  mild 
autumn  it  frequently  makes  a  short  second  growth  ; 
this,  of  course,  suffers  from  frost,  and  should  be 
removed  in  the  spring. 

North  Cornwall.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 


AROMATIC      SHRUBS. 

(Continued  from  page  IS.) 
The  Thyme  of  the  Pviviera  is  not  the  small  creeping 
Thyme  of  our  downs,  but  is  a  small  shrub  of  great 
beauty,  looking  at  a  short  distance  very  like  a 
dwarf  Heath.  It  is  strictly  a  Mediterranean  plant, 
but  can  easily  be  grown  anywhere,  and  has  long 
had  a  place  in  English  kitchen  gardens.  If  we 
could  grow  it  as  it  grows  in  the  Riviera  it  would 
deserve  a  better  place  in  our  gardens.  The 
Pistacia,  of  which  there  are  two  kinds,  is  abundant 
in  the  Cap  Martin  woods,  and  is  a  very  ornamental 
shrub,  with  bright  leaves  and  curious  winged 
petioles,  but  the  scent  of  the  leaves  and  wood  is 
not  pleasant.  Though  strictly  a  Mediterranean 
shrub,  it  can  be  grown  in  England  ;  but  though  I 
have  had  it  in  my  garden  for  manj-  years  I  never  saw 
a  flower  on  it.  It  has  in  France  a  great  reputation 
as  the  best  firewood,  burning  very  brightly  to  the 
last  ash.     It  is  closely  allied  to  the  Sumach. 

It  is  time,  however,  to  come  to  the  aromatic 
character  of  these  shrubs.  They  have  in  their 
flowers  and  on  their  leaves  or  bark  very  distinct 
odours.  The  flowers  are  sweet  scented  to  attract 
the  necessary  insects.  The  scent  of  the  leaves  and 
bark  are  for  the  purposes  of  protection.  To  us  the 
scent  may  be  pleasant,  but  we  know  very  little  as 
to  what  is  agreeable  or  otherwise  to  sheep,  goats, 
or  other  browsing  animals  ;  we  only  know  that 
certain  plants  are  not  eaten  by  them,  and  it  is  fair 
to  suppose  that  they  are  let  alone  because  they  are 
unpleasant  or  not  good  for  their  food.  What  is 
pleasant  to  us  may  be  very  unpleasant  to  them  ; 


we  like  the  Thyme,  but  the  Riviera  Thyme  is 
untouched  by  sheep  and  goats  ;  and  though  the 
flowers  of  our  little  Thyme  may  be  eaten  by  sheep, 
they  do  not  generally  touch  the  leaves  or  branches  ; 
if  the)'  did  we  should  see  the  pretty  carpets  torn 
and  pulled  out  of  the  ground,  and  I  do  not 
remember  to  have  ever  seen  that.  When  we  once 
realise  that  even  the  minutest  part  of  every  plant 
has  its  work  to  do  in  the  perfecting  of  the  flower 
we  have  a  clue  to  many  of  the  mysteries  of  plant 
life.  The  work  done  by  strong-scented  leaves  and 
bark  is  protection,  and  well  they  do  their  work. 
In  all  of  them  the  strong  scent  resides  in  glands, 
which  are  very  visible  in  the  leaves  of  the  Myrtle, 
and  still  more  so  in  the  leaves  and  in  the  bark  of 
the  Eucalyptus,  which  is  of  the  Myrtle  family, 
and  is  now  becoming  quite  naturalised  in  the 
Riviera.  These  glands  do  not  give  out  their  scent 
unless  they  are  broken,  and  thej'  are  easily  broken 
by  wind,  rain,  or  any  passing  man  or  beast.  You 
may  walk  through  the  woods  of  Cap  Martin  and 
detect  no  aromatic  scent  at  all,  but  gather  any  of 
those  I  have  named  and  it  is  at  once  revealed  ;  if 
you  even  touch  the  Rue  the  scent  will  remain  on 
your  hands  or  gloves  for  hours. 

But  Nature  has  many  other  ways  of  protecting 
flowers  than  by  scents  or  flavours  that  are 
unpleasant  to  browsing  animals,  and  we  may  say 
that  every  plant  is  provided  with  its  own  separate 
protection,  each  protection  being  suited  to  the 
special  enemy.  The  woods  of  Cap  Martin  give 
good  examples.  The  grand  shrubby  Euphorbias, 
which  are  such  an  ornament  on  the  rocks  near  the 
sea,  are  well  protected  by  the  nasty  milky  juice 
which  is  so  abundant  in  them,  and  there  are  three 
plants  worth  mentioning,  very  ornamental  and 
protected  by  their  thorns — the  Asparagus  acuti- 
folius,  Smilax  aspera,  and  Calycotome  spinosa. 
The  Asparagus  is  quite  hardy  in  England,  and 
evergeeen  ;  the  Smilax  is  the  same,  but  the  Caly- 
cotome, which  is  the  handsomest,  is  rather  tender. 
All  three  are  well  protected  by  thorns,  especially 
the  Calycotome,  whose  beautiful  Broom-like  flowers 
are  protected  by  thorns  which  would  defy  almost 
any  animal ;  and  all  three  not  only  protect  them- 
selves, but  give  protection  to  other  plants.  I 
suppose  that  throughout  the  vegetable  kingdom 
thorns  are  the  chief  protectors,  and  it  is  worth 
noting  that  Nature  does  not  waste  her  means  of 
protection  ;  she  may  protect  by  bitter  leaves,  or 
by  nasty  juices,  or  by  thorns,  but  does  not  use 
them  wastefuUy  ;  if  she  protects  by  scents  she 
does  not  by  thorns.  I  only  can  recollect  one 
instance  to  the  contrary.  Our  own  Sweet  Briar 
has  both  scented  leaves  and  thorns,  and  I  know  of 
no  other  plant  with  such  a  double  protection  to  the 
flowers  ;  and  perhaps  it  is  not  a  double  protection, 
it  is  quite  possible  that  the  scented  leaves  were 
even  an  attraction,  and  so  the  further  protection 
of  thorns  was  necessary.  This  double  provision 
for  the  Sweet  Briar  did  not  escape  Shakespeare  : 

"Briars  shall  have  leaves  as  well  as  thorns, 
And  be  as  sweet  as  sharp," 

i.e.,  sweet  leaves  and  sharp  thorns.  But  how 
great  a  protection  thorns  are  may  be  seen  in  the 
Cactuses,  which  grow  in  dry  places,  and  each 
Cactus  carries  its  own  ample  reservoir  of  water  ; 
and  if  it  were  not  for  the  formidable  array  of 
thorns  these  reservoirs  would  soon  be  broken  into 
and  emptied.  The  most  beautiful  instance  of 
thorn  protection,  and  one  that  fully  proves  the 
intention  of  thorns,  is  to  be  seen  in  the  great 
American  Aloe  (Agave  americana),  now  fully 
naturalised  through  the  Riviera.  In  the  whole 
vegetable  world  no  plant  has  more  rigid  leaves, 
each  leaf  being  made  more  rigid  by  being  very 
much  thickened  at  the  base,  and  ending  with  a 
long  and  hard  thorn.  Such  leaves  seem  almost 
immovable,  but  there  comes  a  time  in  the  life  of 
the  plant  when  these  stiff  ungainly  leaves  move 
themselves.  That  time  comes  when  the  plant  is 
preparing  to  flower,  which  does  not  occur  till  it  is 
from  ten  to  twenty  years  old.  Then  these  stiff 
leaves  raise  themselves  and  bend  over  the  coming 
flower-shoot,  and  form  an  almost  impenetrable 
fence,  but  one  that  the  flower  can  get  through  and 
rise  sometimes  to  a  height  of  20  feet  or  .SO  feet. 
The  young  flower  is  probably  very  sweet,  for  if 
destroyed  there  comes  in  its  place  a  plentiful  supply 


of  the  sweet  intoxicating  pulque  ;  but  if  allowed 
to  grow  the  matter  which  would  form  the  pulque  is 
drawn  up  the  long  flower-stem,  and  the  flower  is 
fully  formed  and  the  seeds  are  ripened  ;  and  then 
the  thorny  leaves  have  done  their  work,  and 
they  all  die. 

My  paper  is  already  too  long,  or  I  should  like 
to  have  touched  on  many  more  points  of  interest 
belonging  to  the  Riviera  plants. 

H.  N.  E.,  in  The  Pilot. 


THE    FLOWER   GARDEN. 


THE    PINK. 

HALF  a  century  ago  the  garden 
Pink  was  one  of  the  most  popular 
flowers  in  the  florist's  calendar. 
In  my  early  gardening  days  I 
was  acquainted  with  many  Pink 
fanciers.  The  two  most  prominent 
were  the  late  Mr.  Charles  Turner  of  Slough 
and  the  late  Mr.  John  Keynes  of  Salisbury. 
Mr.  Keynes  was  better  known  as  a  Dahlia 
grower,  in  the  days  when  single-flowered 
Dahlias,  if  they  happened  to  appear  amongst 
the  seedlings,  were  thrown  on  the  rubbish 
heap,  and  when  the  Cactus  and  Pompon 
Dahlias  were  unknown  to  cultivation.  The 
self-coloured  and  the  fancy  Dahlias  were 
greatly  improved  by  Mr.  Turner  and  Mr. 
Keynes,  not  to  mention  others.  I  remember 
Mr.  Keynes  stating  at  one  of  our  meetings 
that  he  had  known  six  Pink  shows  to  be  held 
in  Salisbury  in  one  year.  There  were  many 
raisers  of  Pinks  in  those  days,  and  nothing  was 
thought  of  any  value  that  was  not  perfectly 
laced.  When  Thomas  Hogg  of  Paddington 
published  his  sixth  edition  of  "Florists' 
Flowers"  in  1839,  he  wrote  a  long  article  on 
the  culture  of  the  Pink.  He  was  a  celebrated 
florist  in  his  time,  but  he  states  "  that  I  am 
neither  gardener  nor  florist  professionally,  but 
that  I  commenced  the  cultivation  of  flowers  in 
the  first  instance  with  a  view  to  amuse  a 
depressed  state  of  mind,  and  reinvigorate  a 
still  more  sickly  state  of  body."  He  was 
entirely  successful,  as  the  fine  flowers  he 
exhibited  and  the  excellent  papers  he  wrote 
on  his  favourite  flowers  abundantly  testify. 
Hogg  gives  a  list  of  154  varieties,  after  discard- 
ing the  names  of  many  of  the  old  ones.  These 
154  varieties  have  the  raisers  names  attached, 
and  these  number  ninety-five.  Think  of  it ! — 
ninety-five  florists,  all  in  friendly  rivalry  in 
endeavouring  to  improve  the  garden  Pink,  and 
all  working  to  obtain  one  distinct  form  of  it. 
This  precious  object  had  a  pure  white  ground, 
a  pink,  red,  or  dark  red  centre,  with  a  lacing 
near  the  margin  of  each  petal  of  a  similar 
colour.  The  old  florists  were  most  exacting  in 
their  tastes,  and  rigidly  excluded  all  others. 
I  raise  a  few  hundreds  of  seedlings  annually, 
and  there  may  be  three  or  four,  or  perhaps,  if 
I  am  in  luck,  half-a-dozen  of  these  laced 
varieties  ;  amongst  the  remaining  hundreds 
there  may  be  a  score  or  more  that  have 
reverted  to  the  single  form,  many  more  semi- 
double,  and  a  great  many  very  beautiful 
indeed  as  garden  flowers.  The  seedlings 
flower  so  profusely,  I  have  had  300  or  more 
blooms  on  a  single  plant. 

To  get  good  strong  plants  sow  the  seed  in 
February  or  early  in  March.  The  seedlings 
appear  in  a  week  or  so  (they  are,  of  course, 
sown  in  heat),  and  should  be  pricked  out  in 
boxes,  and  gradually  inured  to  the  open  air  to 
be  planted  out  a  foot  apart  in  beds  of  rich 
soil  about  the  last  week  in  May  or  early  in 
June.  They  are  not  expected  to  flower  until 
the  next  year  after  sowing  the  seed,  and  a 
selection  can  be  made  from  them  to  be  propa- 


January  16,  1904.  J 


THE   GARDEN. 


39 


gated  and  flowered  the  following  season. 
There  are  no  Pink  shows  now,  nor  a  special 
National  Pink  Society.  In  1839  there  were 
ninety-five  raisers  of  Pinks  known  to  us  ;  there 
were  six  shows  of  Pinks  in  one  town  in  one 
year.  Friends,  brothers,  florists,  what  a  fall  is 
here  !  A  Daffodil  Society ;  even  the  Sweet 
Pea  has  a  society  all  to  itself.  The  Auricula, 
the  Kose,  the  Carnation,  the  Dahlia,  and  the 
Chrysanthemum  hold  high  festival  through 
their  special  societies,  but  there  seems  no 
room  for  the  Pink.  I  do  not  regret  this,  for  it 
would  be  dragged  from  its  quiet  nook,  where 
it  is  tended  by  loving  hands.  Choice  specimens 
are  culled  and  placed  in  glass  vases  or  delicate 
china  ones,  and  the  perfume  is  always  delicious. 
Carnations  are  sometimes  sadly  lacking  in 
perfume,  bat  never  a  Pink. 
For  perfume  the  Carnation 
is  not  in  it  as  compared  to 
the  Pink ;  besides,  the  latter 
is  a  more  easily  grown  plant, 
and  prefers  out  of  doors 
culture    to    any    treatment 

under  glass.    I  have  grown 

the  Pink  since  I  could  cul- 
tivate anything,  and  would 

feel  a  great  want  if  I  had 

not  a  bed  of  Pinks  to  flower 

every  year.    No  glass  houses, 

frames,  or  even  hand-lights 

are  necessary.    They  can  be 

propagated  either  by  pipings 

or   layers,  and   this   can   be 

done  a  month  earlier  than  the 

Carnations  can  be  layered. 
I  believe,  upon  the  whole, 

it  is  better  to  propagate  the 

stock  of  plants  from  layers. 

If  from  slips  or  "pipings,"       f 

these   can   be   taken  off  in 

June  and  they  will  form  roots 

in  a  shady  place  out  of  doors, 

or,  better,  in  a  hand-light. 

They  may  be  planted  out  in 

beds  of    rich,  deep  soil  in 

September  or  October ;  if  in 

the  flowering  bed  they  may 

bo  a   foot   apart,  but  it  is 

better  to    plant    the  layers 

or  pipings  out  about  4  inches 

asunder    until     they    have 

formed  plenty  of  roots  and 

have      gathered      strength. 

Such  plants  may  be  put  out 

in  the  open   garden  where 

they  are  to  flower  in  October. 

The  treatment  they  require 

is  much  the  same  as  that  for 

Carnations,  except  that  they 

may  be  planted  much  closer 

together.    Some  attention  is 

required  during  the  winter; 

the  ground  must    be  kept 

free  from  weeds,  and    the    surface    may  be 

lightly  stirred  occasionally.    If  rabbits  or  hares 

get  into  the   garden   almost   the   first   plants 

they  will  visit  are  the  Pinks  and  Carnations. 

Slugs  and  the  leather-coated  grub  will  also  eat 

the  leaves    and    sadly   disfigure    the    plants. 

Wireworms  are  also  destructive.    The  leather- 
coated  grub  also  burrows  in  the  soil,  but,  unlike 

the  wireworm,  which  eats  into  the  stem  under 

ground,  it  devours    the    leaves.    Sometimes, 

owing  to  over-feeding,  it  will  remain  at  the  base 

of  the  plant.    When  the  Pinks  have  made  some 

growth  in  April,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  give  a 

surface  dressing  with  decayed  stable  manure, 

and  when  dry  weather  sets  in  water  copiously 

once  or  twice  a  week. 
The   quantity  of   water    required    and   the 

frequency  of  applying  it  will  depend  greatly  on 


the  nature  of  the  soil.  If  the  soil  is  heavy  and 
water  does  not  pass  away  freely,  it  might  not 
be  required  often  or  at  all.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  the  soil  is  light,  over  gravel,  the  maximum 
of  water  may  be  needed.  Neat  sticks  should 
be  used  to  keep  the  flowers  from  the  ground. 
Very  little  gardening  skill  is  needed  to  grow 
Pinks. 

All  that  is  necessary  is  good  garden  soil,  well 
aerated  before  planting,  the  ground  between 
the  plants  to  bn  kept  free  from  weeds.  The 
layering  may  be  done  when  the  plants  are  in 
flower,  or  after  blooming  time  is  over.  The 
slips  are  also  in  the  best  condition  to  take 
off  when  the  plants  are  in  flower.  In  dry 
seasons  seed  may  be  saved  from  plants  in 
the  open  garden,   but    in    wet,  cold  seasons 


[service  annually.  I  have  been  asked  if 
[  this  Mule  Pink  is  still  in  existence.  I  do  not 
know,  but  I  doubt  it.  I  grow  a  Pink  named 
Napoleon  Iir.,which  is  evidently  a  cross  between 
a  Sweet  William  and  a  Pink,  as  Fairchild's  also 
was.  The  Carnation  and  Sweet  William,  as 
well  as  the  Pink,  have  been  cross-fertilised. 
They  are  of  the  same  genus,  but  are  distinct 
specifically. 

The  best  laced  Pinks  known  to  me  at  present 
are  Amy,  Bueno  Retiro,  Brackleen,  Capo  di 
Monti,  Chantilly,  Clara,  Empress  of  India 
Excellent,  Godfrey,  Harry  Hooper,  Lufra, 
Minerva,  Mrs.  Pomeroy,  Mrs.  Welsh,  Mrs. 
Waites,  Morna,  OldChelsea,  Pteliance,  Piainbow, 
Sarah,  The  Rector,  Wedgwood,  and  Zurich.  Of 
others  than  laced  Pinks,  the  best  are  Albino, 


SUMMER  FLOWERS   IN  THE   GARDEN   OF  MR.  S.  FRYETT,  LEWISHAM. 


it  will  not  ripen  even  in  the  south  of 
England.  I  cultivated  the  Pink  for  iiiany 
years  in  Scotland,  but  was  never  able  to  save 
any  seed  there.  The  capsules  should  be  dried 
and  the  seed  may  be  taken  out  in  two  weeks 
after  gathering  the  capsules.  I  may  add  that 
one  of  the  Pinks  often  enquired  about  is  the 
Mule  Pink.  One  of  the  earliest,  if  not  the 
earliest,  hybrids  raised  in  England  was  a  Mule 
Pink. 

We  are  indebted  for  it  to  an  amateur  of 
Hoxton,  a  Mr.  Fairchild.  This  must  have  been 
raised  about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century  or  earlier,  as  Fairchild  died  in 
1667.  I  believe  this  worthy  man  must 
have  instituted  the  first  flower  service,  as 
he  left  a  sum  of  money  to  the  preacher 
of  his  parish  that  he    might  hold  a   flower 


Anne  Boleyn,  Clove  Pink,  Her  Majesty,  Homer, 
Paddington,  and  Oriel.  J.  Douglas. 


A    GARDEN    NEAR    LONDON. 

We  often  hear  of  the  difficulties  of  growing 
plants  in  and  around  London.  Yet  these  are 
often  more  imaginary  than  real.  During  the 
past  summer  and  autumn  I  had  opportunities 
of  visiting  a  good  many  suburban  gardens,  and 
found  in  most  instances  that  both  flowers  and 
fruit  could  be  well  grown.  The  illustration 
represents  a  portion  of  the  gardens  at  Holme- 
hurst,  Le  wisham,  the  residence  of  S.  Fryett,Esq., 
who  is  an  enthusiast,  and  in  Mr.  T.  G.  Goldring, 
his  gardener,  he  has  a  most  capable  man  to 
carry  out  his  ideas.  Mr.  Goldring  is  a  man  who 
always  seems  to  know  what  to  plant,  and  the 


40 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904 


garden  is  kept  bright  and  interesting  for  most 
of  the  year.  For  summer  bedding  Fachsias 
are  favourites,  and  in  sheltered  spots  these 
flower  continuously  throughout  the  season, 
even  the  double  varieties,  such  as  Ballet  Girl, 
do  well.  Tuberous  Begonias  also  keep  up  a 
bright  show.  Single  Petunias  planted  round 
standard  Roses  are  a  great  success.  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  are  used,  but  not  too  extensively. 
Marguerites  associated  with  Salvia  splendens 
on  a  dry  sunny  border  make  a  fine  eiTect.  The 
side  borders  are  planted  with  a  good  selection 
of  herbaceous  plants  —  Rudbeckias,  Phlox 
(perennial),  Gypsophila,  Pyrethrums,  with 
Gladiolus  standing  up  in  showy  clumps.  A 
good  selection  of  flowering  and  evergreen  shrubs 
is  also  to  be  seen.  Altogether  the  garden  may 
be  regarded  as  showing  conclusively  that  with 
careful  management  a  suburban  garden  may 
vie  with  many  of  those  in  more  favoured 
districts.  Mr.  Goklring  does  not  conflne  him- 
self to  the  open  garden  ;  the  conservatory  is 
always  kept  gay.  Among  his  favourites,  of 
course,  is  the  Chrysanthemum.  Cannas  are 
well  flowered,  also  Gloxinias  and  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums,  although  the  convenience  under 
glass  is  limited.  Mr.  Goldring  always  proves 
one  of  the  most  successful  exhibitors  at  the 
local  flower  shows.  A.  Hemsley. 


has  been  absent,  for  there  are  some  good  forms  ; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  there  are  some  which 
are  very  poor.  The  first  form  I  procured,  which  I 
have  still,  is  a  poor  one  indeed,  and  I  have  often 
thought  of  weeding  it  out.  But  there  are  better 
ones,  and  it  is  unfortunate  that  the  slow  increase 
of  this  Snowdrop  is  against  the  multiplication  of 
these  good  forms.  Then  the  question  of  longevity 
has  puzzled  some.  Whether  it  is  that  our  winters 
are  against  it,  or,  it  may  be,  that  the  soil  is  un- 
suitable, it  is  to  be  regretted  that  G.  Fosteri  has 
but  a  short  life  in  many  gardens.  Here  it  has 
survived  a  long  time,  and  I  am  inclined  to  attribute 
this  mainly  to  the  light  sandy  soil,  and  also  to  the 
partial  shade  in  which  I  have  grown  it.  Were  it 
not  that  I  have  known  of  so  many  losses,  I  would 
not  have  doubted  its  hardiness  and  permanency. 
It  must  be  remembered  in  connexion  with  this, 
however,  that  it  has  been  thought  to  be  a  hybrid 
of  G.  Elwesii  and  G.  latifolius.  The  latter  is  not 
a  good  doer  with  us,  and  even  the  former,  in  some 
of  its  forms  at  least,  is  not  so  enduring  as  one 
would  have  liked.  I  need  say  nothing  further 
about  its  appearance,  as  the  quotation  from  Mr. 
Allen,  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  markings  of  the 
flowers  being  like  those  of  G.  Elwesii,  and  of  the 
resemblance  of  the  leaves  to  those  of  Scilla  sibirica, 
fully  indicates  the  general  appearance  of  the  plant. 
Its  bulbs  are  fairly  large,  but  I  have  seen  none 
which  bear  out  the  information  given  to  Mr.  Allen, 
that  they  were  in  some  cases  about  the  size  of  a 
good-sized  Narcissus  in  their  native  habitats. 
Carsethorii,  by  Dumfries,  N.B.        S.  Aknott. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 

GALANTHUS    FOSTEEI. 

IT  seems  only  yesterday  Mr.  James  Allen  read 
his  paper  on  Snowdrops  before  the  Royal 
Horticultural   Society   on   March   10,   1891, 
which  paper  was  published  in  The  Garden 
of  September  19  of  that  year.     Among  the 
species  described  which  were  then  but  little 
known  was  Galanthus  Fosteri,  of  which  now,  as 
then,     rather     conflicting     opinions     have     been 
expressed.      At    the    time    Mr.    Allen    wrote    his 
paper  G.  Fosteri  had  been  so  recently  introduced 
that  a  critical  opinion  could  not  be  expressed  about 
it,  for  it  was  only  first  brought   from  Amasia  in 
1889  by  Professor  Foster  (now  Sir  Michael  Foster), 
in  whose   honour   it   was   named    by    Mr.    Baker. 
Thus  the  experience  recorded  by  Mr.  Allen  was  a 
short  one,  his  plants  having  fir.ot  bloomed  in  1890, 
from  bulbs  planted  in  January  of  the  same  year. 
It  will  be  well,  however,  to  recall  what  our  great 
Snowdrop  specialist  said  of  G.  Fosteri  at  that  time. 
"For  one  thing,"  he  says,  "it  did  not  come  up  to 
my  expectations  ;  but  I  think  it  is  scarcely  fair  to 
pass   judgment  on  it  before  it  has  grown   in  our 
gardens  for  some  four  or  five  years,  so  as  to  develop 
its   true   character."      Then   he   goes   on   to   say: 
"This  seems  to  be   the  most  sportive  of  all  the 
Galanthi   as   to   size,    form,    and   marking   of   the 
flowers.     From  the  comparatively  few  bulbs  I  have 
already  bloomed,  I  have  had  flowers  with  petals  of 
every  imaginable  shape,  some  showing  points  of 
great  beauty,  and  others  quite  the  reverse.     We 
must  be  patient  and  weed   out  unsparingly,   and 
then  in  a  few  years  we  shall  be  proud  of  G.  Fosteri. 
The  markings  on  the  inner  petals  are  very  similar 
to   those   of   G.   Elwesii,  but  the  foliage  is  quite 
different,   being   broad    and  somewhat   blunt,  and 
in   shape    and   colour    like    the    leaves    of    Scilla 
sibirica."    I  have  quoted  Mr.  Allen  at  some  length, 
because    he    has    put    so    clearly   his    opinion   of 
G.  Fosteri  at  that  time,  and  because  his  judgment 
is  one  which  has  been  entirely  corroborated  by  the 
experience  of  more  than  a  decade,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  our  having  discovered  that  it  is  not  every- 
where that  this  Snowdrop  will  grow. 

Since  the  date  of  Mr.  Allen's  paper  Galanthus 
Fosteri  has  been  rather  largely  imported,  but  it  is 
to  be  feared  that  the  proportion  of  inferior  flowers 
has  largely  predominated  in  the  importations, 
until  some  have  thought  that  the  opinion  of  our 
experienced  friend  Mr.  Max  Leichtlin,  who 
regarded  it  as  the  "  King  of  Snowdrops,"  was  for 
once  at  fault.     It  is  the  process  of  selection  which 


NYMPH^AS 


ODOEATA 


OF     THE 
GROUP. 

I  HAVE  been  for  many  years  much  interested  in 
hardy  Water  Lilies,  being — I  think  I  may  say — 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  growing  them  in  small  tanks, 
as  an  article  in  The  Garden  of  February  8,  1896, 
will  bear  witness.  My  little  tank— it  is  only  18  feet 
by  6  feet— has  been  injitated  by  at  least  two 
gardeners  of  widespread  repute  throughout  Great 
Britain,  and  I  have  grown,  with  a  fair  meed  of 
success,  a  considerable  number  of  varieties  ;  but  I 
cannot  keep  for  any  length  of  time  the  varieties  of 
the  Odorata  section,  and  would  be  very  grateful  if 
some  growers  of  wider  experience  than  mine  would 
tell  us  how  they  have  fared,  for  most  others  with 
whom  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  exchanging 
views  have  had  much  the  same  story  to  tell  as 
myself.  The  plants  do  fairly  on  arrival,  better  the 
second,  and  perhaps  the  third  year,  leading  one  to 
think  them  well  established,  and  after  that  they 
begin  to  go  down  the  hill,  breaking  up  into  numerous 
small  weak  crowns,  that  flower  badly  or  not  at  all, 
and  another  j'ear  or  two  sees  the  end  of  them. 

My  pool  is  of  concrete,  about  18  inches  deep  ;  the 
plants  are  in  pots  or  boxes  according  to  size.  There 
IS  no  flow  through,  the  loss  by  evaporation  being 
made  up  from  the  house  supply,  and  the  water 
being  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  becomes  very  warm, 
sometimes  70"  to  75"  after  a  hot  July  day. 

The  Nyniphieas  of  the  Marliacea  section  have  all 
done  well  for  many  j-ears.  N.  M.  albida,  carnea, 
rosea,  chromatella,  gladstoniana,  also  Laydekeri 
rosea,  pygmfea,  and  N.  p.  Helvola,  &c.  Of  the 
odorata  forms  I  have  had  exquisita  rubra, 
sulphurea  grandiflora,  caroliniana,  and  the  t3'pe. 
All  these  have  blossomed  once  or  oftener,  but  none 
are  now  left.  N.  Ellisii  and  Fro^beli  are  more 
recent  additions,  but  so  far  doing  well.  N.  tuberosa 
Richardsoni  is  extremely  good,  but  I  fear  it  has 
gone  (he  way  of  its  relatives  the  odoratas.  I  am 
disposed  to  try  some  of  these  again,  but  am  anxious 
for  any  information  obtainable  before  doing  so. 

Greenwood  Pim. 


nay,  it  may  be,  merely  a  porch  or  a  window-silb 
in  which  to  satisfy  the  craving  for  an  environment 
of  growing  plants.  Any  such  may  be  reminded 
that  the  double  Cuckoo-flower  (C.  rhomboidea 
purpurea)  is  one  of  the  prettiest  things  to  propa- 
gate during  these  dull  winter  months.  It  is  a 
humble  little  plant,  not  much  more  than  6  inches 
high  when  in  flower,  in  spite  of  its  monstrous  long 
name,  but  no  one  in  early  spring  to  whom  it  is 
not  familiar  passes  by  its  dressy  little  cushions  on 
the  edge  of  the  border  without  some  word  of  admira-  ' 
tion,  and  it  is  unique  in  this  respect,  that  it  wakes 
up  just  when  most  of  its  neighbours  are  thinking 
of  going  to  sleep.  Gather  a  few  of  its  pinnate 
leaves  in  late  November  or  even  December,  and 
peg  down  the  slender  stems,  or  snip  off  the  pairs 
of  leaflets  if  you  like  it  better,  dotting  them  by 
their  half-inch  length  of  stalk  over  the  surface  of 
a  pan,  keeping  them  fairly  moist,  and  watch  the 
result.  Little  silver  threads  will  soon  run  out 
from  the  axils  of  the  leaflets  and  find  their  way 
into  the  damp  earth.  Presently  tiny  bulbils  will 
make  their  appearance,  which  quickly  develop 
into  buds,  and  before  long  you  will  be  charmed  to 
find  a  whole  posse  of  bright  green  miniature  plants 
springing  up  from  every  joint  and  even  from  the 
larger  nerves  of  the  dark  fleshy  leaflets.  Nothing 
can  be  prettier  than  to  see  these  brave  little 
plantlings  starting  into  life  on  their  own  account, 
rejoicing  in  the  shelter  of  a  roof  over  their  heads, 
but  afraid  of  neither  frost  nor  cold  so  long  as 
they  are  protected  from  keen  winds,  which  in  the 
open  ground  soon  shrivels  up  too  precocious 
efforts.  Examine  a  plant  in  the  border  and  you 
will  find  plentj'  of  the  little  nurslings  nestling  in 
the  bosom  of  the  mother  plant,  but  none  on  the 
outer  and  more  exposed  leaves. 

This  little  double  Cardamine,  with  its  somewhat 
prim  and  Quaker-like  spikes  of  pale  purple  flowers, 
which  come  about  the  same  time  or  perhaps  a 
little     earlier     than     the    Cuckoo-flower    of     the 
meadows,  is  scarcely  so  well  known  as  it  deserves 
to   be.      There   are  double-flowered   forms  of   the 
common  Cuckoo-flower  (C.  pratensis)  which  may 
often  be  found  growing  wild  in  the  spring,  some 
of  the  best  of  which  are  quite  worth  transferring 
to  the  garden   by  the  same  easy  mode  of  propa- 
gation, but  these  are  merely  tinted  white,  and  not 
distinctly  mauve,  or  of  that  tone  of  colour  which, 
nowadays,  is   miscalled  heliotrope,  besides  being 
taller  and  looser  in  growth  than   the  dainty  little 
gem  now  under  consideration.     Whether  autumn- 
springing    plants    such    as   these,    which   are    at 
present  in  a  cold  greenhouse,  will  be  strong  enough 
to    flower   this    spring    remains   as   yet   an   open 
question,    but    propagation    by   leaf-buds    ia    the 
manner   described    may  be  carried   out  at  almost 
any   season   when    leaves   are    to    be    found,    and 
may  chance  to  be  more  convenient  than  by  division 
of  the  root.     The  late  wet  season  suited  the  plants 
well,  for  the  neat  tufts  remained  fresh  and  green 
throughout  the  year.      In  a  dry  spot  it  is  apt  to 
disappear  altogether  during  the  heat  of  summer, 
but  springs  again  with  autumn  rains  and  coolness. 
Belonging  naturally  to  the   marsh,  it   should    be 
planted   by  preference  in  moist  ground,   where  it 
flourishes     exceedingly     and     increases     without 
becoming    too    troublesome.      But  it   is   as  a  pot 
plant  for  early  flowering   in   the  alpine  house  or 
any  modest  unheated  structure  that  attention  may 
be  directed  to  this  lowly  but  pretty  and  interesting 
as  well  as  hardy  American  perennial.       K.  L.  D. 


CARDAMINE  RHOMBOIDEA 
PURPUREA. 

Any  green  thing  that  shows  signs  of  vigorous  life 
at  this  season  is  a  source  of  pleasure  to  a  plant 
lover.  Of  course,  it  is  easy  to  surround  ourselves 
with  all  that  heart  could  wish  in  wealth  of  leaf 
and  blossom  where  ample  accommodation  exists, 
but  many  have  to  be  content  with  only  a  small 
plot  of  garden  ground,  a  tiny  unhealed  greenhouse, 


THE    LILIES. 

(Continued    from    page    23.) 

L.  Dalhansoni  (L.  Martagon  dalmaticum  x 
Hansoni).— A  lovely  richly-coloured  hybrid 
Lily,  whose  flowers  are  very  stout  and  massive 
and  of  a  rich  mahogany  tint.  Bulbs  white, 
conical,  the  scales  arranged  as  in  L.  Martagon. 
Naturally  small.  Stems  4  feet  to  6  feet  high, 
dark  purple  below,  greenish  above,  producing 
a  few  roots  from  their  bases.  Leaves  in  three 
to  six  whorls,  a  few  scattered,  broadly  lance- 
shaped,  dark  green,  5  inches  to  6  inches  long. 


January  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN 


41 


Flowers  ten  to  twenty  in  an  elegant  spike, 
each  3  inches  across,  not  recurving  to  the 
extent  of  L.  Martagon,  dark  mahogany-purple, 
marbled  on  the  inner  surface  with  bronzy 
yellow.  The  spikes  are  compact,  yet  elegant, 
and  the  surfaces  of  the  petals  are  very  lustrous. 
Rare  in  cultivation,  but  exceptionally  easy  to 
grow.    Flowers  in  July. 

CoLTURE  AND  UsES  as  for  the  European 
Martagons.  This  plant  grows  well  in  any 
plant  border  where  the  ordinary  L.  Martagon 
thrives.  Our  strongest  colonies  are  growing 
in  a  thin  tangle  of  roots  from  a  small  fence 
with  ordinary  border  plants  The  subsoil  is 
clay,  and  in  lighter  soils  this  Lily  would 
require  all  the  moisture  it  could  get  and 
greater  exposure,  the  protective  plants  being 
only  of  use  in  withdrawing  excessive  moisture 
from  a  naturally  wet  soil. 

L.  elegans  (Thunb.). — A  pretty  dwarf  Lily 
from  the  mountains  of  Japan,  long  cultivated 
by  Japanese  gardeners,  who  have  produced 
some  wonderful  varieties,  of  which  about 
twenty  are  grown  in  this  country.  Their 
colour  schemes  and  form  of  flower  are  remark- 
ably diversified.  The  whole  group  is  very 
easy  to  grow,  and  their  dwarf  stature,  vivid 
colourings,  exceedingly  large  flowers,  and 
accommodating  habits  render  them  very 
valuable  for  every  garden  use.  Bulbs  gene- 
rally compound,  white,  small,  miniatures  of 
L.  umbellatum.  Stems  12  inches  high,  deeply 
channelled,  stout,  green,  woolly  above,  rooting 


L 


LILIUM      AORATOM      IN     THE     SODTH     OF     SCOTLAND. 

(This  pkctograph  was  taken  in  November  of  last  year.) 


freely  from  their  bases.  Leaves  about  twenty, 
lance-shaped,  3  inches  long,  often  very  broad 
near  the  inflorescences,  glossy  green,  woolly 
when  very  young.  Flowers  woolly  in  a  bud 
state,  one  to  three  in  number,  orange-red, 
erect,  4  inches  long  and  wide,  the  petals  spoon- 
shaped  and  slightly  spotted  below,  the  spots 
merging  into  two  ridges  which  traverse  the 
length  of  the  claw.  Flowers  in  July.  Common 
in  cultivation. 

Var.  Alice  Wilson. — A  charming  variety  now 
almost  lost  to  cultivation.  Stems  a  foot  high, 
bearing  one  to  three  broad-petalled  lemon- 
yellow  flowers  6  inches  across,  spotted  low 
down  with  chocolate.  Always  a  rare  plant,  it 
is  now  quite  unobtainable  in  even  small 
quantities,  the  rarest  and  handsomest  of  its 
group.     Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  alternans. — See  var.  brevifolium. 
Var.  alutaceum  (Baker  and  Dyer). — A  dwarf 
early  Lily,  whose  flowers  and  growth  are  free 
from  any  woolly  covering,  the  stems  and  leaves 
both  stout  and  short.  Flowers  one  to  three, 
nairow-petalled,  each  G  inches  across,  rich 
apricot,  tinted  yellowish  near  the  tips,  spotted 
black  below,  and  irregularly  flushed  silvery 
grey  externally.  They  are  generally  as  long  as 
the  stems,  and  do  not  expand  widely.  June- 
July.     Common  in  cultivation. 

Var.  alutaceum   grandlfloruni  is  a  massive 

petalled  form,  whose  flowers  are  much  longer 

than    the  stems,  and  they  expand  more  fully. 

Colour  scheme  similar.      Alutaceum  is  found 

under    an    infinity   of 

-  -    -        names   in  Continental 

gardens. 

Var.  aurantiacum 
(Hort.).— See  var.  bi- 
color  (Moore),  var. 
aurantiacum  verum, 
the  True  Light  Orange 
L.  elegans. — A  very 
pretty  and  striking 
form,  with  stems 
18  inches  high, 
glabrous,  and  the 
flowers  expand  widely, 
coloured  a  soft  lemon 
yellow,  with  delicate 
salmon  shading ;  three 
to  six  are  borne  on  each 
stem,  and  they  closely 
resemble  var.  venus- 
tum.  Flowers  in  July. 
Common  in  cultivation. 
Var.  aureo  nigro- 
?iMculatum.—See  var. 
alutaceum. 

Var.  armenaicurti 
(Baker  and  Dyer),  the 
Beautiful  L.  elegans. — 
A  tall  variety,  resemb- 
ling L.  Batemannise 
in  miny  of  its  more 
important  characters. 
The  bulbs  are  large  ; 
stems  1  foot  to  2  feet 
high ;  leaves  linear, 
arching,  and  slightly 
twisted.  Flowers  in  a 
compact  spike  of  four 
to  six,  soft  pale  orange, 
the  surfaces  glistening, 
and  the  petals  open 
quite  wide  and  reflex 
at  the  tips. 

Var.  macranthum  is 
a  larger  cultivated 
form,  with  flowers 
6  inches  across  and 
6  inches  to  8  inches 
to  the  umbel,  coloured 


a  richer  orange.  Flowers  in  mid-July.  A 
lovely  form.  In  our  judgment  the  best  and 
most  beautiful  of  its  group.  Common  in 
cultivation.       ^  G.  B.  Mallett. 

(To  be  contimied.) 


LILIUM  AUEATUM. 
I  SEND  you  rather  a  pretty  picture  of  Lilium 
auratum.     The   photograph  was  taken  in  the 
south  of  Scotland  in  November. 

>ikipton-in-Graven.  W.  D. 


THE     ROSE     GARDEN. 

NEW  AND  LITTLE-KNOWN  DECORA- 
TIVE   ROSES. 
Tea-scented. 
A   LBERT  PATEL.-A  delightful  Rose,  with 
/\  quite   a   small   flower,   but   of    perfect 

/    %  form,  and  the  colour  rich  bronzy  red 

L *        with    yello\v     shading.       The    growth 

y  JL.     '^  sturdy,  and  quite  stiff  for  a  Tea  ;  in 

fact,  this  variety  seems  to  be  a  near 
approach  to  the  Hybrid  Teas.  It  is  the  result 
of  a  cross  between  Ma  Capucine  and  Beaute 
Inconstante. 

Chameleon. — A  fine  grower,  much  resembling 
Anna  Olivier ;  the  flowers  are  large,  rosy  flesh 
in  colour,  with  a  distinct  blotch  of  deep  rosy 
crimson  at  the  base  of  the  outer  petals.  This 
blotch  is  somewhat  variable,  hence  doubtless  its 
name. 

Comtesse  Olivier  de  Lorgeril. — One  of  those  mixed 
colours  of  which  Souvenir  de  Lady  Ashbuiton  is 
typical.  It  is  a  lovely  Rose,  one  that  is  sure  to 
please. 

Comtesse  Sophy  Torhy. — In  the  way  of  Souvenir 
de  William  Robinson,  the  red  outer  petals  being 
very  conspicuous  against  the  coppery  yellow  and 
peach  tints  of  the  inner  petals. 

Dainty. — The  elegant  clusters  of  this  Rose, 
borne  erect  upon  fine  stems,  make  it  a  very 
conspicuous  variety  in  the  garden,  and  the  dainty 
little  primrose-yellow  buds  edged  with  carmine  are 
most  charming. 

Mme.  Antoine  Mari. — One  of  the  best,  if  not  the 
best,  decorative  Rose  of  1902.  The  buds  are  of 
beautiful  shape,  each  one  heavily  shaded  with  rose 
on  a  white  ground.  The  growth  is  compact  and 
vigorous.  A  worthy  companion  to  G.  Nabonnand, 
Corallina,  Geneial  Schablikiue,  &c. 

Mme.  Jean  Diipiiy. — A  fine  flower  fur  exhibition, 
yet  sufiicieiuly  free  to  be  a  decorative  variety  too. 
The  general  effect  is  ros-y  yellow,  but  at  times  it 
resembles  Mme.  Lambard. 

Mme.  Louis  Poncet.  —  One  of  those  charmingl3-- 
tinted  Roses  of  the  Mme.  Eugene  Resal  type  ;  in 
fact,  it  seems  to  me  to  be  as  much  a  China  Rose  as 
the  latter,  but  peihaps  I  should  say  Mme.  E. 
Resal  is  more  of  a  Tea-scented  variety.  The  colour 
of  Mme.  L.  Poncet  is  nasturtium-red,  with  a 
coppery  shading.     An  excellent  bedder. 

Morning  Glcw. — The  prevailing  tint  of  this 
splendid  bedder  is  orange  red,  wiih  oiher  shades 
combined.  The  growth  is  tiisL-rale,  and  it  must 
soon  take  a  prominent  posiiion  among  decorative 
Roses. 

Peace. — When  I  say  this  is  supposed  to  be  a 
lemon-while  sport  of  G.  Nabonnand,  I  can  give  it 
no  higher  recommendation,  and  it  should  be  largely 
planted  for  massing  where  the  parent  has  been 
found  to  succeed. 

Mme.  Berkeley. — A  real  beauty  to  all  who 
admire  these  lar-ge-petalled  semi-double  Roses. 
The  colour  is  creamy  white,  tinted  flesh-pink.  Of 
the  same  style  of  flower  as  Yvonne  Gravier,  but 
with  the  growth  a  little  more  erect. 

Prefet  Monteil.  — In  the  way  of  Marie  Van  Houtte, 
but  the  growth  i.<  more  compact.  This  will  doubt- 
less make  a  splendid  bedding  Rose. 

Sa/monea. — A  very  distinct  Rose,  the  salmon- 
coloured  centre,  with  bordering  of  bright  crimson, 
gives  the  variety  a  charming  appearance. 


42 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904. 


Sulphurea.—Ylowers  sulphur-yellow,  of  perfect 
shape  ;  rather  more  than  semi-double,  growth 
grand,  foliage  rich  coppery  red.  A  really  excellent 
variety,  and  a  great  advance  upon  Isabella  bprunt. 

Vkomte^se  B.  de  Sacigny.—Uere  again  we  have 
a  peculiar  yet  beautiful  blending  of  colour,  ihe 
centres  are  pale  yellow,  with  the  outer  rows  of 
petals  a  dark    rose.     Very  free    blooming ;    form 

excellent. 

POLTANTHA     RoSES. 

Aschenhrodel.—A  charming  miniature 
Rose,  likely  to  be  in  much  request.  Colours, 
peach  with  orange  shading. 

Katherina  Teimet.—'La.rge  clusters  of 
snowy  white  flowers.  An  improvement 
on  Paquerette.     Lovely  as  a  pot  plant  or 

for  bedding.  ,    .   ,  , 

M7ne.  y.  LcrarasseHr.— Not  so  bright  as 
it  has  been  represented,  but  certainly  a  long 
way     towards    realising     that    desirable 


ComUsse  de  Cayto.— This  will  probably  surpass 
all  the  other  varieties  of  this  race,  which  began 
with  Laurette  jSIessimy.  The  colours  are  rich  and 
striking,  nasturtium-red,  orange  and  coppery 
yellow,  with  a  carmine  shading. 

RnoosA. 

Conrad  F.  Meyer.  — A  grand  / 

Rose  for  any  purpose — hedge, 


imagine  the  latter  are  by  far  in  the  majority,  and 
these  varieties  should  certainly  receive  attention 
from  those  who  make  Rose  growing  a  study. 

PUILOMEL. 


NEW  AND    RARE    PLANTS. 

CEOTON    TURNFOEDIENSIS. 

SHOWN  in  the  accompanying  illustra- 
tion is  one  of  the  most  distinct 
varieties  of  the  Croton  exhibited  for 
some  time.  When  shown  by  ilessrs. 
Thomas  Eochford  and  Sons,  Turnford 
Hall  Nurseries,  Broxbourne,  before 
the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society,  on  Decem- 
ber 15,  1903,  the  floral  committee  gave  it  an 
award  of  merit.  This  new  Croton  is  stated  to 
be  the  result  of  a  cross  between  the  old 
C  variegatus  and  C.  Thumsoni,  the  influence 
of  the  latter  variety  being   apparent   in   the 

broad  leaves. 
It  reminds 
one  in  growth 
and  general 
appearance  of 
C.  Delight,  C. 
Hawkeri,  &a., 
yet  it  is  quite 
distinct  from 
any  by  reason 
of  the  rich 
golden,  almost 
orange,  yellow 
in  the  centre 
of  _  the  leaf, 
which  has  a 
broad  margin 
of  deep  olive 
green.  It  has 
the  hardy 
character  of 
C.  variegatus, 
and  therefore 
may  be  per- 
fectly well 
grown  in  a 
fairly  low 
temperature. 
Croton  Turn- 
fordiensis 
should  prove 
lo  be  a  most 
useful  decora- 
tive plant,  its 
bright,  distinct 
colour  and 
good  habit 
•  make  it  all 
the  decorator 
could  desire. 
The  accom- 
panying illus- 
tration shows  just  the  top  of  a  shoot,  and  the 
leaves  are  sketched  natural  size,  the  lower  ones, 
of  course,  are  larger. 


CROTON  TUKNFORDIENSIS. 
(Tlic  draiving  wm  made  from  the  top  of  the  plant.) 


acquisition,  a  dwarf  perpetual-flowering  Crimson 
Rambler. 

Philippine  Lambert. — In  the  way  of  Cecile 
Brunner,  but  quite  distinct,  and  one  worth 
growing. 

Schneewitchen.  —  Fine  pyramidal  clusters  of 
yellowish-white  flowers.  The  numerous  yellow 
stamens  somewhat  spoil  the  effect. 

China  or  Monthly  Roses. 

Arethiisa. — This  may  be  a  yellow  Queen  Mab, 
as  it  resembles  this  charming  variety  in  growth. 


standard,  pillar,  anywhere  where  a  vigoious  free 
bloomer  is  required.  Then  what  a  delightful  soft 
shade  of  pink  are  its  blossoms,  and  fragrant,  loo. 

Mercedes  is,  for  a  Rugosa,  a  lovely  colour,  pale 
rosy  pink,  outer  petals  white.     Distinct  and  fine. 

The  above-named  Roses  are  all  really  good,  and 
no  one  will  rearet  planting  them.  I  maintain  they 
will,  as  novefties  in  garden  Roses,  be  far  more 
serviceable  to  those  who  do  not  exhibit  than  many 
of  the  much-praised  novelties  in  exhibitors'  Roses. 
After  all,  there  aie  only  tw  o  clashes  of  Rose  growers, 
those  that  exhibit  and   those  wb  ■>  do  not,  and  I 


FROM    COPSE    TO    COTTAGE. 

Where  a  dwelling  adjoins  woodland  it  is  a 
pleasant  task  to  work  out  ways  of  bringing 
together  the  nearer  ground  and  the  wood,  so 
that  they  meet  easily  and  seem  to  come  together 
without  jolt  or  jar  or  incongruity.  The  grassy 
path  in  the  picture  branches  out  of  a  strip  of 
turf  on  the  south  side  of  the  cottage  ;  the  lawn 
stretching  out  farther  and  wider  in  its  western 
face.  This  grass  path  is  one  of  several  that 
lead  into  the  copse,  which  slo|ies  upwards 
towards  the  south.  To  the  right  is  a  mound, 
to  the  left  a  slight  hollow.   In  this  are  Sedums, 


January  16,  1904.1 


THE    GARDEN. 


43 


FilOM   COPSE   TO   COTTAGE. 


44 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904 


Kalmias,  and  dwarf  Ehododendrons,  with 
handsome  foliage  of  Eodgersia,  Saxifraga 
peltata,  and  hardy  Ferns.  On  the  bank  to  the 
right  are  Junipers,  Andromeda  fioribunda, 
Skimmias,  and  again  dwarf  Ehododendrons, 
these  being  myrtifolium  and  the  alpine  kinds. 
Large  lumps  of  sandstone  show  here  and  there 
among  the  flowering  bushes  in  stratified  ranges 
as  if  they  were  cropping  naturally  out  of  the 
ground.  In  the  foreground  is  a  rough  stone 
seat  and  some  steps  leading  to  the  wooded 
ground  above. 


THE    INDOOR   GARDEN. 

NEGLECTED  GREENHOUSE  PLANTS. 

IF  gardeners  fully  realised  the  great  value  of 
such  a  plant  as  Jacobinia  chrysostephana, 
which  bears  heads  of  orange-coloured  tubular 
flowers  at  the  dullest  period  of  the  year,  i.e., 
during  December  and  January,  they  would 
never  fail  to  have  a  good  number  in  their 
glass  houses.  It  is  indispensable  at  this  time  of 
year,  not  only  for  the  decoration  of  the  inter- 
mediate house,  but  it  may  also  be  used  successfully 
for  house  decoration.  In  this  respect  it  is  the  best 
of  the  .Justicias  or  Jacobinia^,  for  the 
flowers  last  well.  It  is  astonisliiug  how 
long  plants  in  flower  will  keep  fresh  and 
bright  providing  the  weather  is  not  very 
foggy — they  will  remain  in  good  condi- 
tion for  five  or  six  weeks.  The  dark 
green  leaves  of  this  Jacobinia  contrast 
well  with  the  bright  flowers  whose 
colour  seems  almost  glowing  when  seen 
on  a  dull  December  day.  One  reason 
why  everyone  who  values 
brightly  coloured  winter- 
blooming  plants  should 
grow  Jacobinia  chryso- 
stephana is  that  it  is  of 
quite  easy  culture.  Plants 
to  flower  in  the  winter 
may  be  readily  raised 
from  cuttings  inserted  in 
May.  They  root  without 
difficulty    if     placed     in 


SPIRa;A  HENKYI  (Ilemsley).    Flowers  small,  white,  densely 
borne  alotty  the  whole  length  of  the  devious  year's  growth. 


small  pots  filled  with  sandy  soil,  which  are  put 
in  a  warm  house.  They  should  be  stopped  once 
so  as  to  give  two  shoots,  two  heads  of  bloom 
may  then  be  e.xpected  the  following  winter.  The 
same  plants  grown  on  again  the  next  year,  if 
stopped,  would  have  at  least  four  shoots,  and  each 
of  these  crowned  with  the  brilliant  flowers  makes 
a  splendid  plant.  This  Jacobinia  does  not  require 
stove  temperature  ;  in  fact,  it  does  better  in  an 
intermediate  one,  the  growths  made  under  these 
conditions  are  stronger  and  flower  better.  The 
group  of  plants  shown  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  at 
the  Drill  Hall,  on  the  5lh  inst.,  made  a  brilliant 
bit  of  colour,  and  fully  demonstrated  the  great 
value  of  this  winter-blooming  plant. 

The  old  Justicia  carnea  with  heads  of  pink 
flowers  is  also  well  worth  growing  for  winter 
blooming.  It  r.e.ds  the  same  treatment  aa  advised 
for  J.  chrysostephana.  Cuttings  inserted  in  May 
will  produce  flowering  plants  by  December,  and  if 
cut  back  and  grown  on  for  anotherseason  they  will, 
under  cool  treatment — in  fact  they  may  be  grown 

in  frames  dur- 
ing the  summer 
months  —  give 
an     abundance 
of    flowers   the 
following 
winter    and 
spring.        A 
gardener     of 
long     standing 
says:     "I    re- 
member    some 
thirty  years  ago 
this   plant  was 
much      grown. 
The  old  plants 
were  cut   back 
about  July  and 
placed      in      a 
warm     pit     to 
break.      When 
growth   com- 
menced      they 
were    shaken 
out, potted, and 
returned  to  the 
pit.       As     the 
days  shortened 
they      were 
placed     in    a 
vinery      just 
started,    and 
here  the}'  gave 
an   enormous 
amount     of 
flower    in     the 
months  of  Feb- 
ruary and  March."     Peristrophe 
speciosa    (Justicia    speciosa)     is 
another   plant    whose    value   is 
under-estimated.    In  nij-  opinion 
it    is    s-ecoiid    to     few    winter- 
blooming  plants  for  conservatory 
decoration.     The  flowers  do  not 
last  so  long  and  the  plants   will 
not  stand  so  much  moving  about 
with    impunity    as     J.     chryso- 
stephana,   but    if     groups     are 
arranged  in  the  greenhouse  and 
left    undisturbed    it    is    always 
admired.     If   wanted  especially 
for    table     decoration,     small    plants     in    5-inch 
or    6-inch    pots    may    be    had    in    the    autumn  ; 
if  larger   and   later   blooming  plants  are  required 
they  must  be  repotted  into  larger  pots.     The  colour 
of  the  flower  is  uncommon,  and  therefore  welcome  ; 
they  may  be,   perhaps,  best  described  as  purple, 
although  a  reddish  tinge  is  noticeable  throughout. 

Euphorbia  pulcherrima  is  not  heard  of  so  fre- 
quently as  it  used  to  be,  yet  for  flowers  at  Christ- 
mas and  early  in  the  new  year  it  is  a  plant  not 
lightlj'  to  be  ignored.  It  is  equally  useful  as  a 
pot  plant  or  when  the  long  growths  are  cut.  The 
cut  sprays  are  extremely  effective  for  room  decora- 
tion, the  bunches  of  bright  red  bracts  showing 
conspicuously  against  the  rich  green  foliage. 
Cuttings  should  bo  inserted  in  spring  as  soon  as 


good  ones  can  be  obtained.  The  young  plants  may 
be  grown  in  pits  during  the  summer,  but  as  soon 
as  the  nights  begin  to  get  cold  they  must  be  removed 
to  a  warmer  house.  When  the  bracts  begin  to  show 
colour  they  benefit  by  increased  heat  and  as  much 
light  as  possible.  If  the  stems  are  cut  for  house 
decoration,  it  is  recommended  to  dip  them  in  hot 
water  before  using  ;  this  drives  the  sap  up  towards 
the  bracts,  and  thus  prevents  its  loss.     A.  P.  H. 


BOOKS. 

Some  lesser  known  Japan  Trees 

and  ShPUbS.*~We  have  received  from  Mr. 
James  Veitch  a  little  booklet,  containing  the  paper 
read  by  him  before  the  Roj'al  Horticultural  Society 
last  year.  It  is  freely  illustrated,  and  two  of  the 
illustrations  we  reproduce,  one  of  Vitis  megaphylla, 
and  the  other  of  Spiraja  Henryi.  Of  the  former  the 
author  writes  :  "  Vitis  megaphylla  (the  wonderful- 
leaved  Vine)  is  remarkable  in  having  bipinnate 
leaves,  in  this  respect  resembling  the  allied  genus 
Leea.  The  leaflets  are  petiolate,  2  inches  to  4  inches 
in  length,  ovate,  with  dentate  margins."  Of  the 
Spira?a  Mr.  Veitch  says:  "The  genus  Spirwa  is 
represented  by  many  showy  species,  of  which 
Spiraea  Henryi  is  probably  the  best.  It  is  a  shrubby 
plant  belonging  to  the  Spiriea  canescens  group, 
furnished  with  ovate  leaves,  IJ  inches  to  H  inches 
long  by  half  an  inch  to  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
broad,  serrated  along  the  apical  margin  of  the  leaf, 
slightly  pilose  on  the  upper  surface,  and  densely  so 
underneath.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  dense 
corymbs  terminating  dwarf  shoots  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  branches.  They  are  small  individually, 
pure  white,  and  very  showy  in  the  mass."  We 
need  not  refer  further  to  this  pamphlet,  as  the 
lecture  was  published  in  The  Gakden  last  year. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor  is   not    responsible   for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


FRUIT    TREE    PRUNING. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  R  , — In  his  reply  to  my  criticism  Mr. 
Thomas  has  confined  himself  to  side 
issues,  and  does  not  deal  with  my  con- 
tention, which  I  now  repeat,  viz.  :  "  That 
the  knife  applied  to  the  main  leads  never 
yet  assisted  in  the  production  of  fruit 
hucU  on  a  tree  that  has  not  reached  its  prime." 
On  this,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  the  whole  matter 
rests.  Again  I  wrote :  "Hard  pruning  ...  is 
misused  as  a  means  of  forcing  them  (the  trees)  to 
produce  fruit  buds,  a  thing  that  hard  pruning 
.  .  .  never  did  and  never  will  do,"  i.e.,  that  hard 
pruning  is  no  factor  in  the  production  of  fruit 
spurs.  Mr.  Thomas  perverts  this  last  sentence 
when  be  misquotes  me  as  saying  that  trees  pruned 
on  this  system  "never  did  and  never  will  bear 
fruit,"  a  very  different  thing.  I  saj'  that  the  fruit 
buds  on  hard-pruned  trees  come  with  age  in  spile 
of,  and  not  by  the  aid  of,  hard  pruning.  I  granted 
that  pruning  was  neces.sary  to  confine  trees  to  a 
limited  space  and  to  attain  a  certain  shape  or 
shapes,  but  in  these  da3's,  when  the  selection  of 
stocks  is  so  carefully  carried  out  in  the  best 
nurseries,  half  the  old  growers'  difficulties  in  the 
matter  of  dwarfing  have  disappeared,  while  the 
cropping  properties  have  been  greatly  enhanced. 

Again,  Mr.  Thomas  attributes  to  me  a  sentence 
which  I  did  not  write,  viz.  :  "  Every  bud  from  tip 
to  base  .  .  .  will  break  and  develop  a  shoot." 
This  is  so  foreign  to  my  views  and  experience  that 
I  must  repeat  what  I  really  said  on  the  matter : 
"  The  result  in  the  second  year  of  abstention  from 
shortening  will  be  the  production  of  fruit  S2}urs  or 
buds  almost  throughout  the  entire  length  of  the 
leading  shoots."  Not  a  word  about  the  side  shoots 
there,  though   earlier  I  did   the  very  thing  I  am 


I 


+  "  Some  Lesser  Known  Japan  Trees  and  Shrubs,  and 
Somo  Kecently  Introduced  Trees  and  Shrubs  from  Central 
China."    By  James  11.  Veituh. 


January  16,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


45 


accused  of  not 
doing,  viz.,  I  re- 
commended the 
removal  of  sur- 
plus side  slioots 
"that  would  be 
miseliie  ous  in 
the  future."  O.i 
the  extension 
sysiem  properly 
carried  out  these 
side  shoots  do  not 
occur  to  one 
quarter  the  num- 
ber that  appear 
on  the  same 
length  of  main 
stem  on  a  hard- 
prnned  tree; 
their  place  is 
largely  taken  by 
fruit  spurs,  and 
they  give  very 
little  trouble. 
Mr.  Thomas  evi- 
dently under- 
stands this  dearth  of  side  shoots  on  unpruned 
branches,  but  I  should  not  like  to  go  to  the  length 
of  saying,  as  he  does,  that  they  are  "barren  of  fruit 
and  foliage  for  all  time."  If  this  were  true, 
where  is  my  "muddle  and  tangle  of  growth  "  to 
come  from  ? 

I  am  pleased  to  sec  that  Mr.  Thomas  considers 
the  base  and  the  middle  the  best  part  of  the  annual 
growth,  but  I  am  curious  to  know  why  he  advises 
in  his  former  notes  that  the  middle  shall  be  cut 
away.  We  are  given  from  IS  inches  to  .30  inches 
as  the  average  length  of  leading  shoots.  From  this 
we  have  to  take  one-third  at  the  summer  pruning 
and  from  one-third  to  more  than  one-half  again  at 
the  winter  pruning.  Where,  then,  is  this  valuable 
middle  portion  ?  In  a  tidy  garden  it  has,  of  course, 
gone  to  the  fire-heap. 

I  must  again  assert  that  no  properly  planted  or 
properly  managed  dwarf  tree  will  make  long,  spur- 
less  shoots  that  break  only  at  the  apex.  Proper 
treatment  at  the  roots,  both  at  planting  time  and 
after,  combined  with  the  use  of  proper  stocks, 
will  give  leading  growths  of  moderate  length  that 
in  their  second  season  leave  nothing  to  be  desired 
in  the  way  of  fruit  buds,  and  will  supply  also 
sufficient  wood  growth  to  furnish  the  tree  if 
wanted,  or  to  be  cut  out  if  not  wanted  for  this 
purpose.  Mr.  Thomas  is  quite  right  to  condemn 
long,  barren  growths,  but  his  remedy  is  not  the 
one  most  conducive  to  fruitful  wood. 

As  an  illustration  of  his  theories  Mr.  Thomas 
chooses  to  place  orchard  house  trees  on  a  parallel 
with  those  grown  outside.  There  is  no  such 
parallel ;  the  conditions  are  quite  different.  Orchard 
house  trees  are  grown  generally  in  a  very  confined 
root-run,  are  verj'  frequently  root-pruned,  and 
make  under  the  pinching  system  (which  differs 
very  largely  from  hard  winter  pruning)  and  with 
the  aid  of  a  glass  roof  just  the  right  kind  of  wood 
for  fruit  buds.  The  confinement  in  their  case 
hastens  maturity.  A  pot  Apple  or  Pear  tree  that 
permits  one-third  of  its  growth  to  be  cut  or  pinched 
ofif  in  August,  and  still  has  sufficient  left  to  allow 
a  further  cutting  back  to  9  inches,  or  even  6  inches, 
would  be  an  example  of  orchard  house  culture  that 
would  not,  I  think,  be  pleasing  to  the  grower. 
Fortunately,  after  the  first  year  or  two  of  exten- 
sion training,  growth  on  a  properly  managed  out- 
door tree  is  not  nearly  so  rapid  as  Mr.  Thomas 
infers.  By  adopting  the  extension  principle 
splendid  fruitful  trees  may  be  built  up  in  half  the 
time  required  by  hard-pruned  treescoveringthesame 
ground.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  aim  in  this 
country  should  always  be  to  counteract  grossness 
by  inducing  as  best  we  can  an  early  ripening  of 
growths  of  moderate  length,  and  I  assume  that 
there  were  fruitful  trees  in  the  world  long  before 
pruning  was  thought  of. 

I  am  aware  of  the  fine  fruit  that  may  be  grown 
in  limited  quantity  on  hard-pruned  trees,  and  I 
have  never  found  fault  with  them  in  this  discussion, 
but  only  with  the  promulgation  of  the  idea  that 
hard  pruning  induces  fruit  bud  formation.     I  hope 


VITIS   MEGAPMYLLA  (DMs  and  Gilij).     Leaflets  a,  inches  long  by  il  inches  broad. 


it  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  take  a  journey  to  the 
Channel  Isles  to  see  illustrations  of  good  dwarf  tree 
culture.  If  it  be  so,  it  speaks  well  for  the  rapid 
progress  of  extension  training  at  home  and  the 
hold  it  has  gained  on  growers.  It  was  ray  fortune 
for  many  years  to  have  charge  of  a  considerable 
number  of  trees  grown  on  both  principles,  and 
careful  observation  of  these  has  helped  to  build 
up  my  practice  as  an  extension  trainer  wherever 
possible,  and  I  may  add  that  I  worked  many  of 
these  trees  from  the  graft  to  the  time  of  fruiting 
and  after.  Turning  to  Mr.  Thomas'  illustration, 
supposing  the  child,  who  is  on  or  about  the  level 
of  the  top  of  a  six  or  seven-tier  wire  fence,  to  be 
3  feet  high,  the  lowest  branch  must  be  5  feet  from 
the  ground — a  bad  beginning  for  a  dwarf — and  the 
tree  apparently  little  less  than  20  feet  high  and 
nearly  as  broad.  Yet  we  are  told  that  by  following 
the  method  of  pruning  indicated  three  or  four 
specimens  of  good  size  can  be  grown  on  the  same 
area  of  land  as  would  be  taken  by  one  tree  grown 
on  the  "let-alone"  {by  which  Mr.  Thomas  desig- 
nates the  "extension")  principle.  Plenty  of  ex- 
tension trained  trees  cover  more  space  and  are 
fruitful  years  before  the  tree  illustrated  could  have 
reached  half  its  age  and  size.  Many  orchard  trees 
in  their  prime  reach  no  higher,  though  they  may 
cover  more  space,  but  why  should  we  be  concerned 
to  grow  more  trees  on  a  given  area  than  is  necessary 
to  cover  it?  Is  it  to  get  more  variety?  If  so,  the 
reason  is  a  bad  one  from  the  market  grower's  point 
of  view.  Can  anyone  look  at  the  disposition  and 
character  of  the  branches  in  Mr.  Thomas'  tree, 
crowded  in  parts  and  thin  elsewhere,  and  call  it 
even  a  tolerable  representation  of  a  dwarf  tree? 
The  summer  pruning,  too,  has  apparently  been 
forgotten.  In  his  earlier  article  we  are  told  by 
Mr.  Thomas  to  leave  at  the  summer  pruning  side 
shoots  with  seven  leaves,  and  at  the  winter  pruning 
to  cut  these  to  within  two  or  three  buds  of  their 
base  .  .  .  "  but  if  the  summer  pruning  of  these 
trees  has  been  properly  attended  to  there  will  be 
very  little  winter  pruning  required."  Which  does 
he  mean?  Surely  the  side  shoot  pruning  is  the 
greater  part  of  the  business,  and  as  all  these  shoots. 


if  pruned  in  the  first  instance  to  seven  leaves  as 
advised,  have  to  be  again  shortened,  I  fail  to 
see  the  lessened  labour  at  the  winter  pruning. 

J.  C.  Tallack. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Melons. 

WHERE  Melon  houses  are  at  com- 
mand, with  plenty  of  top  and 
bottom-heat,  good  fruits  can  be 
obtained  by  the  first  week  in 
May.  It  is  waste  of  time  to 
attempt  to  grow  very  early 
Melons  without  plenty  of  heat  and  moisture. 
Thoroughly  clean  the  house  and  make  up  a  good 
bed  of  leaves  over  the  hot-water  pipes.  I  prefer 
12-inoh  pots  for  the  earliest  batch,  and  to  sow  two 
seeds  in  these  pots.  Stronger  plants  are  obtained 
that  will  grow  better  at  this  season  than  if  sown 
in  3-inch  pots.  Provide  drainage,  and  three  parts 
fill  the  pots  with  fairly  strong  loam  ;  add  lime 
rubble,  wood  ashes,  and  a  little  bone-meal ;  make 
firm,  and  keep  the  soil  highest  in  the  centre  of  the 
pot.  Plunge  the  pots  close  together  in  the  leaves, 
standing  them  on  an  inverted  pot.  Keep  them 
near  the  glass,  sow  two  seeds  in  each  pot  when  the 
soil  is  well  warmed  through,  removing  the  weakest 
plant  later.  If  planting  out  is  preferred,  the  same 
compost  placed  in  ridge  form,  sowing  the  seed  in 
position,  will  answer  equally  well.  There  are  so 
many  varieties  of  Melons  now  that  each  grower  has 
his  own  favourite  variety.  The  scarlet-fleshed 
varieties  are  generally  earlier,  and  two  good  early 
sorts  are  Frogmore  Scarlet  and  Turner's  Scarlet 
Gem.  Select  the  first  fruits  that  show,  and,  if 
grown  in  pots  on  the  single  cordon  system,  allow 
two  fruits  to  a  plant.  Stop  the  shoots  second  leaf 
above  the  fruit,  and  pinch  out  all  side  shoots. 
Maintain  a  night  temperature  of  68°,  allowing  a 
rise  of  10°  or  15°  from  sun-heat.     Secure  a  moist, 


46 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904. 


growing  atmosphere  by  frequent  dampings  of  the 
paths  and  beds. 

Peach  Houses. 

Peaches  which  are  set  should  have  the  tempera- 
ture raised  to  55"  at  night.  The  fruits  should  be 
thinned  early  if  set  thickly,  leaving  the  largest 
and  best  placed.  Bisbudding  should  be  performed 
at  different  times,  finally  leaving  one  shoot  at  the 
base  and  a  leader.  No  more  shoots  should  be 
allowed  to  remain  than  are  necessary  to  secure  a 
good  crop  of  fruit  and  to  furnish  any  vacant  space. 
Trees  in  bloom  should  have  a  temperature  of  about 
50°  at  night.  Go  over  the  flowers  daily  with  a 
earaers-hair  pencil  when  the  temperature  is  highest. 
Give  the  trees  a  constant  circulation  of  air,  and 
discontinue  syringing  the  trees  until  the  fruits  are 
set,  damping  the  paths  and  borders  only.  Keep  a 
sharp  look  out  for  fly,  and  fumigate  at  first 
appearance. 

Strawberries. 

Continue  to  fertilise  the  flowers  daily,  and  give 
plenty  of  air  on  all  favourable  occasions.  As  soon 
as  the  fruits  are  set  give  weak  liquid  manure  water, 
and  syringe  freely  to  prevent  red  spider.  A  drier 
atmosphere  must  be  kept  later  ;  it  will  improve 
both  the  flavour  and  colour  of  the  fruit.  Intro- 
duce later  batches  of  plants  at  intervals.  Suspended 
shelves  in  Peach  houses  are  useful  for  these,  as  the 
syringe  can  be  plied  well  .around  them.  Examine 
them  carefully  before  flowering  for  fly,  and  fumi- 
gate if  necessary. 

Figs. 

Trees  in  pots  should  be  kept  in  a  steady  bottom- 
heat  of  75°  to  80°.  Thin  the  fruits  early,  and  top- 
dress  with  a  rich  compost.  Keep  the  roots  in  a 
moist  condition  by  watering  with  liquid  manure, 
syringing  the  plants  twice  daily.  Clean  and  top- 
dress  later  houses,  using  plenty  of  old  lime  rubble, 
and  make  ready  for  starting.  F.   Jordan. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitn-ich, 


placed  in  moderate  heat.  Seeds  of  Gannas, 
Grevillea  robusta,  Begonia,  Cordyline  australis, 
and  kindred  plants,  if  sown  now  and  placed  in  a 
brisk  bottom-heat,  will  produce  plants  fit  for  this 
year's  summer  bedding.  Grevillea  seeds  should  be 
sown  edgewise ;  the  hard  Canna  seeds  will  ger- 
minate quicker  if  the  outer  covering  of  the  seed  is 
carefully  chipped  with  a  knife  or  filed.  If  preferred, 
soaking  in  hot  water  for  a  couple  of  days  will 
soften  the  shell.  The  minute  seeds  of  Begonia 
must  be  but  thinly  covered. 

Carefully  press  down  with  the  hands  any  Car- 
nations that  have  been  lifted  by  frost.  Fill  up 
from  the  reserve  all  blanks  in  the  beds  of  such 
as  Wallflower,  Silene,  Polyanthus,  Myosotis,  &c. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FLOWEK  GARDEN. 

It  is  important  that  vacant  beds  be  well  and  deeply 
dug.  This  will  not  only  provide  a  good  root-run, 
but  during  a  dry  summer  the  occupants  of  beds  or 
borders  so  treated  will  withstand  drought  far 
better  than  if  the  digging  is  but  lightly  done. 
Where  the  beds  are  of  intricate  shapes  a  watchful 
eye  must  be  kept  on  the  corners  and  points,  for  if 
the  work  is  not  thorough  these  portions  will  be 
unsatisfactory  throughout  the  summer.  The 
nature  of  the  dressing  must  be  determined  by  the 
class  of  plant  it  is  intended  to  grow  in  the  beds. 
IE  any  addition  to  these  beds  is  considered  neces- 
sary some  old  soil  from  the  potting-sheds  will  give 
better  results  than  manure.  Tuberous  Begonias 
revel  in  a  rich  deeply-worked  soil.  The  beds  for 
such  gross  feeders  as  Lobelia  cardinalis,  Cannas, 
Dahlias,  &c. ,  will  require  liberal  additions  of  well- 
rotted  manure,  and  a  sprinkling  of  bone-meal 
worked  in  with  the  soil  will  be  found  beneficial. 

Herbaceous  Borders. 
As  weather  permits  these  should  receive  atten- 
tion. All  dead  stalks,  unnecessary  stakes,  &c., 
should  be  cleared  away,  remembering  that  the 
stems  of  such  things  as  Michaelmas  Daisies  make 
capital  stakes  for  some  plants  that  require  but  a 
slight  support.  We  have  had  such  an  abnormal 
rainfall,  and  the  growth  of  some  plants  has  been 
so  luxuriant,  that  in  many  cases  the  borders  will 
be  found  to  be  considerably  impoverished,  and  it 
will  be  necessary  to  fork  in  an  extra  quantity  of 
dressing.  Many  strong  growers  will  require  to  be 
restricted  ;  where  practicable,  the  whole  clump 
should  be  lifted,  and  the  necessary  portions  for 
replanting  taken  off  from  the  outside  of  the  mass. 
Replanting  should  be  done  firmly,  and,  if  frost  is 
anticipated,  it  will  be  advisable  to  apply  a  light 
mulching. 

Bedding  Plants. 
All  decaying  leaves  must  be  cleared  away.  In 
picking  over  Pelargoniums  (Geraniums)  the  stalk 
of  any  decaying  leaf  should  be  removed  with  a 
slight  downward  jerk,  as  the  decay  is  frequently 
transmitted  to  the  stems  by  decaying  leaf-stalks. 
If  the  stock  of  Dahlias  or  Cannas  is  short  these 
foots   should   be   divided,    potted,  or   boxed,   and 


KITCHEN   GARDEN. 

At  the  time  of  writing  the  weather  is  such  as  to 
put  a  stop  to  all  work  in  the  kitchen  garden. 
Attention  may  now  be  turned  to  the  raising  of 
various  vegetables  that  require  to  be  sown  under 
glass. 

Cauliflowers. 

A  sowing  may  now  be  made  in  shallow  pans  or 
boxes  of  the  earliest  varieties.  The  chief  point  is 
to  see  that  as  soon  as  the  seedlings  come  up  they 
are  kept  alwaj'S  close  to  the  glass.  They  should 
be  grown  in  a  rather  dry  house,  as  the  young  plants 
are  at  this  season  so  liable  to  damp  if  the  atmos- 
phere is  at  all  moist.  They  may  be  pricked  out  in 
boxes  2  inches  each  way,  and  grown  as  hardily  as 
possible.  Autumn-sown  plants  wintering  in  cold 
frames  should  be  given  as  much  light  as  possible 
and  abundant  air  on  all  occasions,  except  during 
severe  frost.  Early  Erfurt  or  Snowball  are  the 
earliest  to  come  into  use,  and  are  therefore  most 
suitable  for  present  sowing. 

Tomatoes. 
A  sowing   should  now  be   made   of   some  early 
variety,  using  well-drained  pots  filled  with   light 
soil.     The  plants  as  soon  as  large  enough  to  handle 
may  be  potted  singly  into  small  pots,  and  stood 
near  to  the  glass  in  a  warm  pit. 
Onions. 
Where  extra  large  or  exhibition  roots  are  desired, 
seed  should  now  be   sown  of  such  sorts  as   Ailsa 
Craig  or  Cranston's  Excelsior.     Sow  in  rich,  light 
soil,    making   it    rather   firm.      As   the    seedlings 
appear,  place  near  to  the  glass  to   prevent  their 
becoming   drawn   and    weakly.       Prick    out    into 
boxes  filled  with  rich  soil  and  grow  under  glass  till 
early  in  April,  when  they  may  be  hardened  off  and 
planted  out  in  specially  prepared  ground. 
General  Remarks. 
See  that  protection  is  given  to  Potatoes  and  other 
roots  pitted  in  the  open.     A  quantity  sufficient  for 
all  requirements  should  be  lifted  and  stored.     If 
this  has  not  been  done,  care  must  be  taken  to  have 
the  pits  closed   as  expeditiously   as   possible.     As 
long  as  frost  continues  push  forward  all  carting  or 
wheeling  of  manure.     Inspect  roots  that  are  stored 
under  cover,  removing  all  those  that   show  signs 
of  decay.     Get  material  together  for  the  making 
of    hot-beds,    which    may   consist   of   fresh   stable 
manure   and   dried  leaves.     This  will  be   found  a 
useful  method  for  the  forcing  of  early  vegetables, 
such  as  Carrots,  Turnips,  Radishes,  &c.,  where  hot- 
water  pits  are  not  available.     Supplies  of  Rhubarb, 
Seakale,  and  other  roots  for  forcing  should  be  lifted 
and  stored  in  a  cool  place  till  reijuired.     Protect 
all   roots   still   in   the   ground,  such    as   Parsnips, 
Celery,   &o.,   by  giving  a  good  covering  of  stable 
manure.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  Hoiiie  Gardens,  2\f.B. 


careful  airing,  and  a  humid,  sweet  atmosphere  are 
the  most  essential  points  to  be  observed.  Nothing 
reduces  the  vitality  of 

Odontoglossums 
so  quickly  as  that  of  being  in  a  house  where  there 
is  not  a  free  admission  of  fresh  air.  I  always  prefer 
to  put  on  fire-heat  rather  than  take  oft"  all  the  top 
air,  and  it  is  very  seldom  our  bottom  ventilators 
are  ever  closed.  On  all  bright  days  give  them  a  good 
spray  overhead.  No  plant  should  be  subjected  to 
the  strain  of  flowering  that  has  not  made  a  growth 
equalling  the  preceding  one,  otherwise  the  strain 
on  the  plant  will  reduce  its  strength  to  such  a 
degree  that  many  seasons  will  be  required  for  it  to 
recuperate.  Slugs  have  a  great  liking  for  the 
young  Odontoglossum  spikes,  so  to  preserve  them 
from  their  ravages  traps  should  be  nightly  laid 
about  the  house  and  examined  from  time  to  time. 
A  piece  of  Orange-peel  is  a  great  attraction  to 
them.  Another  very  good  trap  is  that  of  laying  a 
pinch  of  bran  on  pieces  of  cardboard.  Any  now  in 
flower  should  have  their  spikes  removed  soon  after 
expanding,  the  strain  at  this  season  being  far 
greater  than  when  flowering  in  April  and  May, 
when  air  can  be  admitted  in  greater  quantities  and 
firing  nearly  dispensed  with. 

Dendrobiums. 

The  deciduous  and  semi-deciduous  section  are 
now  fast  developing  their  flower-buds,  and  rather 
more  warmth  should  be  afforded  them  than  they 
have  been  receiving  since  the  resting  period  com- 
menced ;  great  harm  is  often  done  by  allowing  the 
plants  to  remain  too  long  in  their  resting  quarters. 
The  plants  must  be  given  a  temperature  of  not 
lower  than  1)0°  by  night,  rising  to  70°  in  the  day, 
as  soon  as  the  buds  show  signs  of  breaking  from 
their  sheath.  Great  discretion  should  be  exercised  in 
watering,  only  enough  to  retain  the  pseudo-bulbs 
in  a  plump  state  will  be  required  for  some  time  yet. 

The  flowers  are  of  far  more  value  during  January 
and  February  than  later  in  the  season.  The  following 
are  now  in  flower,  or  nearly  so,  with  us  :  D.  wardi- 
anum,  D.  nobile  and  its  many  beautiful  varieties, 
D.  crassinode,  and  D.  heterocarpum.  We  look  to 
the  hybrids  to  produce  our  finest  show,  among 
them  being  the  practically  perpetual-flowering 
D.  X  Curtisii,  D.  x  Wiganiae,  D.  x  wiganianum, 
D.  X  Cybele,  D.  x  Melanodiscus,  D.  x  schneider- 
ianum,  and  D.  x  Rolf«.  To  maintain  a  collection 
of  Dendrobiums  in  vigorous  health,  it  is  necessary 
that  a  certain  number  should  be  annually  raised 
from  cuttings.  When  retying  the  plants  previous 
to  flowering,  any  back  pseudo-bulbs  that  are  not 
required  should  be  cutout,  and  on  no  account  .should 
more  than  two  be  retained.  These  should  be  cor- 
rectly labelled  and  laid  on  a  stage  for  the  time 
being,  and  from  those  that  have  no  old  pseudo-bulbs, 
if  there  is  a  desire  to  increase  the  stock,  cut  ott' 
a  bulb  and  lay  on  the  stage  till  the  season  for  propa- 
gation comes  round.  By  removing  the  bulb  at  this 
season  a  portion  of  the  sap  is  absorbed  previous  to 
the  cutting  being  made,  consequently  there  is  less 
fear  of  loss  by  damping.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


ORCHIDS. 

Odontoglossum  House. 
The  present  season  is  the  most  critical  part  of  the 
year  in  this  house,  the  hard  firing  needed  to  main- 
tain the  correct  temperature,  and  the  inability  to 
give  air  with  freedom,  has  a  tendency  to  weaken 
the  foliage,  making  it  very  susceptible  to  that 
peculiar  form  of  damping  oftentimes  seen  on  Odon 
toglossum  leaves  at  this  ses^son.     Judicious  firing. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 
Crotons. 
So  well  do  these  plants  lend  themselves  to  every 
kind  of  decorative  work  that  they  are  continually 
in  request,  and  repeated  propagation  is  necessary. 
Shoots  with  highly  coloured  leaves  are  the  best  to 
select  as  cuttings;  insert  these  singly  in  the  centre 
of  22-iuch  pots  in  a  compost  of  equal  parts  fine 
loam,  leaf-soil,  and  sand,  care  being  taken  to  make 
the  soil  around  the  base  of  the  cuttings  firm. 
Afterwards  plunge  the  pots  two-thirds  of  their 
depth  in  cocoa  fibre  in  the  propagating  pit,  which 
keep  close;  maintain  a  temperature  of  70°  to  75°, 
with  abundance  of  moisture.  Single  stemmed 
plants  are  the  best  for  the  purpose,  and  as  through 
continued  use  they  lose  many  of  their  bottom 
leaves  and  look  unsightly,  propagation  by  ringing 
is  advised  as  the  most  expeditious  method  of 
rejuvenating  the  stock. 

Gloxinias. 
The  flowers  of  these  are  alw.ays  admired,  and  the 
earlier  in  the  season  they  are  in  evidence  the  more 


January  16,  1904,] 


THE    GARDEN. 


47 


they  are  appreciated.  The  moet  convenient  method 
is  to  place  the  early  bulbs  in  pans  or  shallow  boxes, 
amongst  cocoa  iibre,  and  afterwards  in  any  house^ 
that  is  kept  close,  and  at  a  temperature  of  60°  to 
65".  Pot  them  up  singly  into  suitable  sized  pots 
directly  they  begin  to  make  roots  and  show  signs 
of  starting  into  growth  from  the  crown  of  the  bulb. 
For  late  flowering  nothing  can  be  better  than 
plants  that  are  raised  from  seeds,  which  should  be 
sown  at  once.  The  seeds  are  extremely  small,  and 
require  to  be  sown  with  great  care.  A  compost 
that  suits  them  well  consists  of  fine  leaf-soil,  sand, 
and  cocoa  fibre.  The  pots  or  pans  in  which  the 
seeds  are  to  be  sown  should  be  carefully  and  well 
drained,  and  the  compost,  previous  to  sowing, 
should  be  soaked  well  with  water  from  a  fine-rosed 
can.  Scatter  the  seeds  evenly  over  the  surface  of 
the  soil,  over  these  sprinkle  a  very  small  portion 
of  fine  sand,  and  to  settle  the  seeds  in  a  good  bed 


should  be  kept  cool  by  admitting  air  and  occasion- 
ally sprinkling  the  stages,  &c.  with  water  during 
bright  and  sunny  weather.        J.  P.  Leadbbttek. 
The  Gardens,  Tranby  Croft,  Hull. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


T 


PEA   EDWIN  BECKETT. 

press  on  the  surface  with  a  piece  of  wood  or 
anything  having  a  clean,  smooth  face.  The  appli- 
cation of  water  to  the  soil  afterwards  will  seldom 
be  necessary  until  germination  has  taken  place, 
evaporation  up  to  this  time  being  kept  in  check  by 
covering  the  seed  pots  with  glass,  and  afterwards 
with  paper,  moss,  or  anything  to  exclude  the  light. 

Chrysanthemums. 
Cuttings  of  these  that  are  rooted  should  imme- 
diately be  removed  from  the  propagating  box  and 
given  a  position  near  to  the  glass,  so  that  light 
and  air  may  act  upon  them  and  keep  them  dwarf 
and  sturdy.  It  is  advantageous  also  to  shift  them 
early  into  larger  pots  before  their  roots  get  very 
much  entangled,  and  in  so  doing  see  that  the  new 
soil  covers  well  the  surface  of  the  old  ball.  At  no 
time  must  the  plants  suffer  from  lack  of  moisture 
to  their  roots,  and  their  surroundings  at  all  times 


PEA    EDWIN    BECKETT. 

■^  HIS  Pea,  which  received  an  award  of 
merit  at  the    Royal    Horticultural 
Gardens,  Chiswick,also  a  unanimous 
vote  for  a  first-class  certificate  at  the 
Royal  Horticultural    Society's 
meeting  at  the   Drill  Hall,  West- 
minster,  on  July  3,  1900,  still   maintains  its 
position  as  one  of  the  very 
finest    Peas    in    cultivation, 
viewed  either  from  an  exhi- 
bition or  a  utilitarian  point 
of  view.     Having  grown   it 
in    considerable    quantities 
during  the   past   four  years 
with  the  best  possible  suc- 
cess, a  few  notes  may  prove 
advantageous  to  any  who  are 
about   to    grow    it    for    the 
first  time.      It    has  proved 
one    of     the    earliest    large 
wrinkled  varieties  in  cultiva- 
tion, and  when  well  grown 
it  is  hard  to  beat,  either  for 
appearance  or  quality.     One 
of    its    chief    merits    is    its 
thorough  hardiness.     It  has 
proved  itself  here  to  be  quite 
proof  against   spring   frosts 
and  cold,  cutting  winds,  being 
very  much  hardier  than  Early 
Morn,  which  was  one  of  its 
parents.  It  will  produce  pods 
from  t>\  inches  to  6  inches  in 
length,  which  often  contain 
eleven  full-sized  Peas,  and  it 
is  also  a  great  bearer.    It  is, 
moreover,  a  capital  variety 
for    growing    under    glass, 
either    in    pots    or  planted 
out.    If  the  seed  is  now  sown 
and    brought    along  gently, 
good  Peas  may  be  looked  for 
by  quite  the  middle  of  May, 
as  it  is  a  very  robust  grower. 
Seed  should  be  sown   very 
thinly,  from    three   to   four 
plants  in  8-inch  or   10-inch 
pots  being  ample,  and  if  extra 
fine  pods   are  required   for 
show  purposes,  after  a  reason- 
able amount  of  pods  are  set, 
the    points  of    the    growth 
should  be  pinched  out,  which 
will    also    induce    them    to 
mature  much    more  rapidly.     For    open    air 
treatment  much  better  results  will  follow  if 
the  seed  is  sown  thinly  in  boxes,  sufficiently 
so  that  each  individual  plant  can   be  lifted 
out  separately  and   planted  in  well-prepared 
trenches,  allowing  a  distance  of  from  9  inches  to 
12  inches  apart.    Three  sowings  should  be  made 
in  this  way  at  intervals  of  a  fortnight,  after  which 
two  or  three  sowings  should  be  made  in  the 
open. 

Not  only  is  it  particularly  well  adapted  for 
early  supplies,  but  it  is  equally  good  for  mid- 
season  use,  also  for  very  late  work,  as  it  is  seldom 
attacked  by  mildew.  Like  many  other  varie- 
ties of  Peas,  I  understand  from  Messrs.  Cutbush, 
of  Highgate,  who  distributed  it,  that,  owing  to 
the  past  adverse  season,  the  stock  is  somewhat 


limited,  consequently  those  who  are  anxious  to 
grow  it  should  lose  no  time  in  placing  their 
orders.  E.  Beckett. 


EARLY   PURITAN    POTATO. 

There  has  always  been  a  shade  of  suspicion  attached 
to  this  early  American  Potato  that  it  is  the  white 
form  of  Beauty  of  Hebron  only.  It  came  from 
America  just  after  Beauty  of  Hebron  had,  over 
here,  been  put  into  commerce  in  its  white  skinned 
form  as  Duke  of  Albany  and  as  White  Beauty. 
Grown  side  by  side,  in  character  and  in  bloom  it  was 
difficult  to  discern  any  distinction  between  Early 
Puritan  and  the  white  sport.  We  have  had  it  under 
the  above  name  some  fifteen  years.  Whether 
distinct  or  not,  it  is  an  excellent  first  early  variety, 
tubers  rather  long  than  round,  very  white  in  colour, 
produced  in  goodabundance,  and  of  nice  appearance, 
tops  of  moderate  height,  spreading,  flowers  white. 
Of  all  the  Americans  that  came  to  us  so  plentifully 
during  the  seventies  and  eighties  of  last  century, 
Beauty  of  Hebron,  with  its  pink  skin,  has  proved 
to  be  the  best.  Now  it  is  materially  displaced 
by  the  white  form  and  the  variety  here  noticed — 
Early  Puritan.  A.  D. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN, 


THE  NEGLECT  OF  ORCHARD  FRUIT 
TREES. 

NEVER  have  I  been  quite  able  tc 
understand  why  old  and  long-estab- 
lished orchard  fruit  trees  should  be  so 
persistently  neglected,  and  yet  it  is 
so.  No  one  has  need  to  travel  far 
in  order  to  see  grass  orchards  in 
which  the  heads  of  the  trees  represent  nothing 
but  thickets  of  congested  growth,  while  the 
stems  and  branches  are  covered  with  moss  and 
lichen,  as  well  as  being  natural  harbours  for  the 
various  insect  pests  that  are  detrimental  to  fruit. 
If  one  looks  beneath  the  trees  one  sees  rank  grass 
growing  that  no  animals  would  eat,  but  a  palpable 
absence  of  any  kind  of  manure  that  would  assist 
the  root  and  branch  growth.  Strangest  of  all,  this 
unsatisfactory  state  of  affairs  may  often  be  seen 
where  the  fruit  trees  within  the  garden  enclosure 
receive  fair  and  reasonable  attention,  and  yet 
neglect  is  plainly  written  on  the  specimens  in  the 
orchard  without. 

It  is  not  easy  to  fix  responsibility  for  the  neglect 
of  orchard  trees,  and  it  seems  as  though  one 
generation  begins  it  and  the  next  one  follows  it  out. 
Little  by  little  the  heads  become  overcrowded  for 
the  sake  of  the  timely  hand  of  the  thinner,  until  at 
last  the  work  seems  to  be  too  stupendous  to  be 
taken  in  hand,  and  so  it  goes  on  till  the  end  of  the 
chapter.  Volumes  are  spoken  for  the  vitality  of 
fruit  trees  when  we  consider  that  even  under  these 
neglected  conditions  they  bear  crops,  but  generally 
speaking  the  fruit  is  not  good,  neither  does  it  win 
prizes  at  the  show,  or  fetch  the  highest  price  in  the 
market. 

While  discussing  this  subject  I  am  reminded 
that  there  are  many  trees,  whole  orchaids  of  them 
perhaps  in  some  cases,  where  neglect  has  been 
going  on  too  long,  with  the  result  that  constitutions 
are  undermined  and  impaired  and  the  trees  are  too 
far  gone  to  bo  renovated.  In  such  eases  remove 
them  or  let  them  end  their  career  in  their  own  way. 
There  should,  however,  be  no  haste  about  it,  as 
from  my  experience  an  orchard  tree  that  has  been 
neglected  must  be  in  a  bad  way  indeed  if  it  cannot 
be  improved,  and  when  once  it  is  cut  down  there  is  no 
such  thing  as  putting  it  back.  Apart  from  the  speci- 
mens about  which  there  hangs  a  doubt  as  to  whether 
they  are  worth  spending  time  and  trouble  over,  there 
are  thousands  of  orchard  fruit  trees  in  full  vigour 
that  need  timely  attention.  These  are  the  trees  that 
I  particularly  call  attention  to  here  because  the 
present  is  a  suitable  time  for  taking  them  in  hand. 
Overcrowding  of  branch  growth  is  the  common 
evil  amongst  established  orchard  trees,  but  there 
are  no  fixed  rules  about  thinning  beyond 
that    it    should  not  be  neglected.     In  fact,   the 


48 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  16,  1904. 


thinning  out  of  the  branches  of  a  congested  standard 
tree  is  entirely  a  matter  of  judgment,  and  in  this, 
as  in  the  case  of  many  other  operations,  two  heads 
are  invariably  better  than  one.  Armed  with  a 
sharp  saw  one  man  should  take  his  place  among 
the  boughs  of  the  tree  while  his  companion  directs 
operations  from  beneath.  The  latter  is  in  a  position 
to  see  what  limbs  may  be  removed  without  cutting 
.  away  too  much  wood,  and,  this  done,  the  work  of 
removing  thin  shoots  that  cross  and  rub  each  other 
may  be  performed  with  knife,  secateurs,  or  the 
Standard  TreePruner.  If  the  thinning  is  performed 
by  the  combined  efiforts  of  a  steady  hand  and  a 
thoughtful  brain  there  will  be  no  merciless  slashing 
and  cutting  to  waste,  but  the  head  will  be  opened 
to  let  in  the  light  and  air,  and  reasonable  space  will 
be  allowed  between  growths  that  previously  rubbed 
and  interlaced  each  other.  Need  I  point  to  the 
good  results?  I  think  not,  for  they  will  be  seen  in 
the  size  and  quality  of  the  fruit  later  on,  particularly 
if  some  attention  is  also  paid  to  the  roots.  Poverty 
is  more  often  the  cause  of 

Can'kekkd  Trees  and  Scrubby  Fruits 

than  anything  else,  and  orchard  trees  suffer  sadly 
in  this  respect.  When  will  owners  of  orchards 
realise  that  established  trees  may  be  manured  with 
advantage  in  winter?  Frequently  when  passing 
farm  and  other  homesteads  one  may  see  streams  of 
rich  liquor  trickling  away  to  waste  from  heaps  of 
manure.  This  liquor  would  spell  new  life  and 
renewed  vigour  to  the  fruit  trees  in  the  orchard  if 
it  were  poured  over  the  roots,  so  there  never  need 
be  any  anxiety  about  what  to  do  with  the  contents 
of  sewage  tanks  at  a  season  when  it  is  not 
wanted  for  garden  crops.  The  ideal  orchard  is  not 
that  in  which  rank  grass  grows  up  to  the  stems  of 
the  trees,  nor  that  from  which  a  stack  of  hay  is 
annually  obtained.  What  the  trees  rejoice  in  is  a 
short  green  pasture  fed  off  by  sheep  which  supply 
manure,  though  calves  and  poultry  may  be  given 
the  run  of  the  orchard  with  advantage. 

On  heavy  soils,  which  are  naturally  lacking  in 
lime,  a  dressing  of  this  useful  commodity  may  be 
occasionally  given  with  advantage  to  both  the  fruit 
trees  and  the  turf,  and  failing  this  I  would  suggest 
a  surface-dressing  of  basic  slag  in  the  winter.  It 
is  a  common  practice  to  lime-wash  the  stems  and 
lower  limbs  of  orchard  trees  for  the  purpose  of 
destroying  moss  growths  and  insect  pests,  and 
though  it  has  the  desired  effect  generally,  whitened 
trees  have  a  ghostly  look.  For  this  reason  caustic 
alkali  solution  may  be  used  instead,  and  it  is  safe 
to  say  there  is  no  belter  winter  wash  for  fruit 
trees.  The  solution  may  be  prepared  by  dissolving 
gib.  of  caustic  soda  and  ilb.  of  pearlash  in  five 
gallons  of  water  along  with  a  handful  of  soft  soap, 
or  it  may  be  obtained  ready  prepared  from  any 
firm  making  a  speciality  of  insecticides  and 
horticultural  sundries.  It  should  be  remembered 
that  the  solution  is  strongly  caustic,  and  should 
therefore  be  kept  off  the  hands  and  clothing.  It 
may  be  applied  at  any  time  while  the  growth  is 
dormant,  either  by  means  of  a  sprayer  or  with  a 
stiff  brush  to  the  stems  and  lower  branches  of  the 
trees.  G.  H.  Hollingwoeth. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


FORMING    WOODLAND    RIDES. 

WE  have  lately  shown  how  to  get 
rid  of  some  of  the  worst  of  our 
now  profitless  underwoods,  so 
often  worn  out,  thin,  and  poor 
in  effect  ;  and  now  we  take  up  a 
subject  of  scarcely  less  import- 
ance, namely,  the  tracing  and  making  of  simple 
rides  through  woods.  These  are  nece-ssary  for 
shooting,  as  well  as  for  the  clearing  of  the  woods, 
driving,  hunting,  and  the  pleasure  of  riding  or 
walking  in  them,  and  they  are  often  best  dealt 
with  in  replanting  worn-out  underwoods.  The 
older  and  more  picturesque  the  woodland,  the 
easier  the  task  of  making  drives  pleasant  to  the 
eye  at  all  times  as  well  as  right  tor  use,  though  it 
is  not  unusual  to  see  many  woods  without  rides  of 


any  value.  It  is  not  a  hard  task  to  improve  them, 
making  them  at  first  a  little  more  open  than  is 
common,  and  cutting  away  here  and  there  to  bring 
into  view  good  groups  of  trees,  or  any  helpful 
incident  such  as  a  gully  of  Ferns.  Native  plants 
are  often  beautiful  in  masses  near  these  rides,  and 
their  effect  seen  in  any  clear  way  in  shade  is  as 
good  as  that  given  by  any  exotic  plants.  These 
are  among  the  right  places  to  have  beautiful  native 
plants  that  may  be  absent  naturally  in  the  district, 
such  as  Solomon's  Seal,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  and 
Willow  Herb ;  also  many  of  our  hardy  Ferns, 
introduced  again  to  their  home  in  moist  spots  in 
the  woods,  sorts  such  as  the  Royal  Fern,  robbed 
by  the  hawkers  from  the  many  spots  in  the  home 
counties  where  it  once  graced  the  shade  with  its 
stately  form.  Groups  of  neglected  native  shrubs 
might  be  planted  here  and  there,  and  native  trees 
not  often  planted  in  the  usual  mixtures,  such  as 
the  Aspen  and  Field  Maple,  may  be  brought  into 
the  wood-fold.  In  warm  and  sea-shore  districts 
not  often  stricken  by  severe  frost  we  may  have 
groups  of  Pampas  Grass,  New  Zealand  Flax,  and 
hardy  Bamboo  here  and  there,  but  generally  through 
the  land  it  is  better  to  trust  to  good  native  things. 
And,  if  we  go  beyond  these,  let  us  take  care  that 
the  shrubs  are  as  hardy  as  any  of  our  own  bushes  ; 
it  is  easy  to  find  them  in  the  shape  of  hardy  Azaleas 
and  Rhododendrons,  and  the  beautiful  Mountain 
Laurel  (Kalmia),  where  the  soil  is  not  against  them. 
Woodland  rides  should  be  not  less  than  IS  feet 
wide,  and  it  would  be  no  loss  from  a  shooting  or 
anj'  other  point  of  view  to  make  them  a  few  feet 
more  ;  if  a  ditch  must  be  made  on  either  side  to 
get  rid  of  water  it  ought  to  be  in  addition  to  the 
IS  feet.  Their  surface  should  be  of  the  things  of 
the  wood— Grass,  Moss,  dwarf  Heather,  Thymy 
turf,  brown  leaves — according  to  soil  and  elevation 
and  other  conditions.  Among  other  reasons  for 
this  is  the  fact  that  such  surfaces  drink  up  and 
keep  for  use  the  water  that  falls,  whereas  if  it  falls 
on  bare  surfaces  our  drives  and  paths  may  become 
water-courses.  In  very  hilly  ground  we  may  have 
to  cut  rides  out  of  the  hillside,  and  make  our  drive 
of  shale  or  rough  gravel,  sand,  or  peat.  In  these, 
or  on  any  surface  where  we  cannot  find  a  protecting 
carpet  of  vegetation  of  any  kind,  we  may  have  to 
form  little  hollows  skew-wise  across  the  walk  so  as 
to  throw  the  storm-water  aside.  Woodland  drives 
should  want  no  care  beyond  the  annual  "fagging" 
which  the  gamekeepers  do  to  remove  Briars  and 
all  interloping  rank  growth  before  shooting  begins. 
But  in  woods  of  any  beauty  coming  near  the  house 
it  may  be  worth  while  to  rough  mow  them  now 
and  then. 

Sunny  Spots  in  Woods. 
Shade  is  one  of  the  summer  charms  of  the  woods  ; 
but  in  case  the  shade  is  too  great  for  any  of  our 
plants  or  bushes  we  have  a  chance  for  sun-lovers  in 
glades  or  open  spaces,  like  those  so  often  seen  in 
natural  forests.  These  are  to  be  sought  now  and 
then  in  our  woods  for  the  sake  of  various  things — 
game,  sun,  light  and  shade,  and  the  variety  of  tree 
form  which  is  often  seen  around  such  openings. 
The  iioor  of  these  glades  may  be  of  turf,  Fern,  Iv}', 
or  any  mixed  plants  of  the  woods,  and  they  give  us 
also  a  good  place  for  evergreen  or  other  covert — 
Savin,  dwarf  Mountain  Pine,  Partridge  Berry, 
Heaths,  either  Cornish  Heath  or  the  more  vigorous 
forms  of  Heather,  and,  if  we  can  spare  them,  bril- 
liant bushes  like  Azaleas.  Bushes  needing  sun  and 
warmth  might  be  grouped  in  such  spots,  and  in 
districts  where  the  cold  does  not  strike  hard,  as  in 
a  great  length  of  the  shore-lands  of  our  islands, 
other  exotics  might  be  tried.  But  they  should  be 
chosen  with  care,  and  only  sought  for  some  distinct 
quality.  Incidents  of  the  wood  itself  will  often 
offer  the  best  places  for  our  sunny  spots,  and  there 
might  be  small  openings,  too,  in  shade,  suggested 
ofcen  by  wood  plants  like  Gerard's  well-named 
Stubwort  (Oxalis)  and  Primroses.  As  trees  take 
the  place  of  underwood  there  is  more  need  for  our 
woodland  sun-spots,  and  also  for  the  drives  through 
the  wood  being  more  open  and  airy,  providing 
always  that  the  too  common  way  of  thinning  trees 
in  a  wood,  so  that  each  stands  singly,  be  given  up. 
This  is  a  harmful,  though  well-established  British 
practice,  and  against  all  profit  or  other  good  from 
woodland. 


However,  without  any  "fine"  planting  or 
attempt  at  the  artistic  as  regards  planting  choice 
shrubs  by  studying  carefully  the  lines  of  easiest 
access,  grading  in  hilly  districts,  and  the  con- 
venience of  varied  labours  or  pleasures  of  the 
woodland,  we  often  gain  a  very  beautiful  result. 
I  have  made  several  miles  of  these  rides  during  the 
past  winter,  and  no  labour  ha?  ever  given  me 
greater  pleasure  in  the  result.  Where  the  ground 
is  level  the  work  consists  of  merely  taking  out  old 
and  often  worn-out  stubs.  Where  it  is  sloping  it 
is  a  little  more  laborious,  but  even  then  not  diffi- 
cult. Where  the  woods  have  been  a  little  neglected 
and  are  rather  worn-out  it  is  often  easj'  to  get  as 
good  a  line  where  the  ground  is  bare  of  trees  as 
where  it  is  well  set  with  them,  and  thus  avoid 
felling  timber.  Sometimes  I  crept  under  a  great 
group  of  Oaks  or  Beech  trees  for  the  sake  of  their 
fine  stems,  and  got  a  better  effect  than  had  I 
avoided  them,  besides  using  giound  where  nothing 
would  grow.  In  some  cases  the  result  was  so 
striking  that  parts  of  the  woods,  before  unnoticed, 
became  picturesque  even  in  the  opinion  of  artists, 
the  airy  foreground  and  the  fine  view  along  the 
clearances  giving  good  pictures  when  the  trees 
happen  to  come  in  the  right  way.  Where  there  is 
much  disturbance  of  the  ground  I  sow  mixed 
grass  seeds  as  soon  as  possible  afterwards,  mainly 
in  April,  but  also  in  the  summer  and  autumn.  Ah 
to  game,  the  airy  rides  are  a  distinct  improve- 
ment in  every  way,  creatures  of  all  sorts  getting 
a  chance  to  air  and  sun  themselves  in  the  clearances. 
The  gamekeepers  like  it  much  better,  and  my 
woodman  tells  me  that  he  always  finds  the  best 
trees  near  the  open  rides.  So  that  nothing  is 
lost  and  everything  is  gained. — Flora  and  Sylva 
(November). 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


A    FERN    NURSERY. 

Mr.  W.  Cull  of  Lower  Edmonton  has  long  been 
known  in  the  market  as  one  of  our  most  successful 
growers.  Ferns  being  his  speciality,  but  he  only 
gives  attention  to  the  most  useful  market  sorts. 
Sir.  Cull  first  started  at  Tottenham,  but  was 
compelled  for  want  of  space  to  go  further  afield, 
and  has  now  established  quite  a  large  nursery  at 
Bury  Street,  the  extreme  north  of  Edmonton.  The 
houses  are  all  built  on  the  most  economic  and 
convenient  principles,  and  on  a  recent  visit  I  found 
them  well  filled  with  Ferns  in  various  stages  of 
growth.  Asplenium  biforme  is  grown  in  large 
quantities,  and  Mr.  Cull's  variety  is  rather  different 
to  that  found  with  most  growers,  being  more 
compact  in  habit.  Though  one  of  the  best  in 
4i-inch  pots,  it  is  even  better  when  grown  on  to  a 
larger  size,  and  plants  in  G-inch  pots  were  a  grand 
sight.  Asplenium  Hilli  is  also  grown,  but  this  is 
very  slow  growing  ;  it  is  one  of  the  best  for  3-inch 
pots.  Pteris  cretica  major  is  grown  in  larger 
quantities  than  any  other  Fern,  and  the  demand 
fully  warrants  this.  Mr.  Cull  says  it  seems 
impossible  to  get  over-stocked,  for  it  is  a  general 
favourite  in  all  sizes,  from  small  plants  in  2i-inoh 
pots  up  to  large  specimens  in  6-inoh  pots,  or  even 
larger  plants  always  sell  well.  Pteris  Wimsetti  is 
extensively  grown,  but  it  is  chiefly  in  the  small 
sizes  that  this  is  wanted,  and  P.  cretica  cristata  is 
quite  as  much  a  favourite.  P.  tremula,  Phlebodium 
aureum,  and  Cyrtomium  falcatum  are  well  grown. 
One  large  house  was  filled  with  Asplenium  Nidua. 
A  few  years  ago  it  would  hardly  have  been 
expected  that  the  Bird's-nest  Fern  would  sell  in 
such  large  quantities  as  it  now  does.  Adiantum 
elegans  is  also  largely  grown  ;  this  is  found  more 
useful  than  A.  cuneatum.  I  should  add  that  from 
among  seedlings  of  Pteris  Wimsetti  Mr.  Cull  has 
selected  a  distinct  form  which  he  has  named 
Wimsetti  plumosum  ;  in  this  the  mullifid  growths 
are  finely  cut.  Certainly  a  distinct  and  pretty 
variety.  Aralia  Sieboldi  is  extensively  and  well 
grown,  the  plants  being  given  auHicient  room  to 
ensure  short  sturdy  growth.  Ficus  repens  in 
hanging  pots  and  on  shelves  was  seen  in  large 
quantities. 


January  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


49 


COVENT  GAKDEN  MARKET. 

Last  week  trade  was  very  dull.  On  Saturday' 
morning  last  many  of  the  stands  were  empty,  the 
growers  not  having  made  a  fresh  start  since  Christ- 
mas. There  does  not  seem  to  be  any  sign  of  any 
immediate  improvement  in  the  trade  for  plants. 
There  is  alittle  demand  for  good  flowering  plants, 
but  in  Palms,  Ferns,  and  other  foliage  there  is 
scarcely  any  demand  except  for  the  small  Ferns. 
Poinseltias  are  usually  pretty  well  cleared  up  by  , 
Christmas,  but  they  are  holding  out  this  season.  I 
Un  Saturday  there  were  some  of  the  best  pot  plants 
that  I  have  seen.  Cyclamens  are  more  plentiful, 
bat  the  best  make  very  good  prices.  Mr.  Orpwood  of 
Uxbridge,  who  grows  abou  1 15,000,  and  sends  a  good 
many  direct  to  the  buyers  from  his  nursery,  tells 
me  he  has  had  a  good  demand  for  them  this  season. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  market  with  them,  and 
continues  to  bring  in  well  flowered  plants.  There 
are  atill  some  good  Chrysanthemums  coming  in, 
also  Erica  hyemalis  and  gracilis.  I  have  seen  a 
few  well  flowered  Rhododendrons,  also  Azaleas, 
mostly  white,  and  Genistas,  but  these  are  not  yet 
very  full  of  flower.  Tulips  are  very  plentiful,  but 
Hyacinths  seem  scarce  this  season.  The  Roman 
Hyacinths  are  very  good.  Some  very  fine  plants  of 
Begonia  Turnford  Hall  are  coming  in.  Gloire  de  , 
Lorraine  is  not  quite  so  plentiful  as  it  was  a  few 
weeks  ago,  but  there  are  some  well  flowered 
plants.  In  cut  flowers  Chrysanthemums 
are  still  plentiful,  and  the  best  blooms 
make  good  prices.  Callas  are  also 
plentiful,  and  have  gone  down  in  price. 
Liliura  longiflorum  is  also  cheaper,  but 
not  over  plentiful.  Lily  of  the  Valley  is 
very  good  and  the  supply  large,  with  a 
great  fall  in  price.  Good  R.oses  are 
scarce,  and  make  high  prices.  English 
Carnations  are  also  scarce  and  sell  well. 
One  grower  who  is  cutting  about  fifty 
dozen  every  day  has  most  of  them 
ordered  beforehand,  and  of  one  variety,  a 
good  pink,  all  the  blooms  he  can  cut 
through  the  season  are  on  order.  Nar- 
cissus and  Daffodils  are  now  plentiful. 
A  good  many  Polyanthus  Narcissi  are 
coming  from  the  Scilly  Islands.  French 
flowers  are  plentiful  again  since  the  frost 
has  gone.  In  the  new  French  Market 
a  big  trade  is  done  with  the  hawkers,  but 
much  of  the  best  imported  bloom  is  still 
sold  in  the  ordinary  flower  market. 


They  strive  to  make  themselves  familiar 
with  real  gardening  elements,  and  to  their  credit 
be  it  said  they  grow,  as  their  knowledge  and 
experience  progress,  more  alive  to  the  fact  that 
they  are  real  workers,  dropping  all  false  pride 
and  ignoring  affectation  or  snobbishness.  The 
young  man  in  a  garden  who  spends  all  his  spare 
time  in  amusements  or  his  thoughts  even  in  work- 
ing hours,  on  sports  and  pastimes,  wilt  presently 
find  in  these  earnest  women  that  he  has  beside  him 
formidable  competitors.  It  is  just  as  well  all  gar- 
deners should  realise  that  the  female  gardener  has 
come  to  stay.  A.  D. 


THE    FERN    GARDEN. 


DAVALLIA    BULLATA    MARIESI. 

SOME   years  ago  this    beautiful   Fern    was 
first    introduced    from    .Japan.      It  was 
first  known  as  Mariesi,  pure  and  simple, 
and,  though  its  deciduous  nature  would 
suggest    its   relationship    to    buUata,    it 
is     otherwise      widely     different ;      the 
rhizomes  are  slender,  spreading  more  freely,  and 
the   fronds   of   a    different   substance.      However, 
to    whatever    species    it    may     belong,     it    is    as 


form  of  this  beautiful  Davallia  that  appeals  most 
strongly  to  all  lovers  of  Ferns.  As  mentioned 
before,  these  balls  and  other  shapes  have  been  very 
largely  imported  this  season,  and  I  may  add  that 
on  a  visit  to  Messrs.  Carter  and  Co.'s  nursery  at 
Forest  Hill  early  in  the  season  I  found  a  large 
house  devoted  entirely  to  them.  An  arrangement 
was  made  for  hanging  them  one  above  the  other, 
so  that  the  most  could  be  made  of  the  space,  and 
many  of  them  were  doing  exceedingly  well.  It 
would  be  wrong  to  say  all,  for  a  few  are  sure  to 
suffer  from  fungi  germinated  in  transit  and  other 
causes. 

It  is,  however,  well  to  note  that  a  large  per- 
centage do  well  after  they  arrive  here,  and  they 
also  further  improve  after  the  first  J  ear.  There 
may  be  some  who  procure  these  Ferns  while  they 
have  good  fronds,  who  think  them  dead  when  they 
lose  all  the  fronds  in  the  autumn,  but  I  would 
point  out  that  if  they  are  kept  moderately  dry  for 
a  short  time  and  then  watered  again  they  will  soon 
start  to  make  new  fronds,  and  often  they  will 
make  larger  fronds  the  following  season.  I  would 
also  like  to  point  out  that  this  Fern  may  be  raised 
from  spores  in  this  country,  and  while  in  quite  a 
small  state  it  is  very  pretty ;  it  makes  one  of 
the  best  for  larger  pots.  I  have  seen  excellent 
examples  in  oinch  pots,  the  rhizomes  spreading 
over   and   covering    the    pots,    and    the    beautiful 


WOMEN     AS     GAR- 
DENERS. 

When  at  a  recent  meeting  of  gardeners 
to  consider  the  formation  of  a  national 
association,  a  letter  was  presented   from 
a  lady  head  gardener,   in   which   it  was 
requested  that  women  holding  such  posi- 
tions should    be  eligible  as  members,  a  ripple  of 
laughter  ran  through  the  assemblage.     It  was  by  no 
means  an  ill-natured  ripple,  but  it  was  one  rather  of 
amusement  arising   from  the   fact  that   the    male 
gardener  has  not  yet  become  familiar  with  women's 
efforts   to    be  gardeners,    or    have  yet    learned  to 
recognise  their  rights  to  obtain  a  livelihood  in  any 
honourable  way. 

in  relation  to  work  in  competition  with 
them  women  have  done  much  in  their  own 
interest  during  the  past  ten  years.  They  will  do 
very  much  more  during  the  next  ten  years,  and 
probably  by  that  time  male  gardeners  will  have 
become  very  familiar  with  the  "lady"  gardener. 
Did  young  men  in  gardens  as  a  body — many  do  as 
individuals — but  display  that  earnest  determination 
to  learn  that  is  shown  by  women  students,  we 
should  hear  very  much  less  complaint  from  ' '  heads  " 
than  is  now  the  case.  Women  not  only  display 
earnestness,  but  they  are  exceedingly  industrious. 
They  read,  they  attend  lectures  and  classes,  they 
work  in  glass  houses,  for  instance  as  ma)'  be 
eeen  in  such  capital  condition  at  Swanley  and  at 
Studley  Castle,  and  they  work  in  open  weather 
outdoors. 


DAVALLIA   EDLLATA   MARIESI  SHOWN   I>f   VARIOUS  CURIODS   FORMS. 


Mariesi,  that  it  is  now  so  extensively  imported 
from  Japan.  It  was  in  the  form  of  round  balls 
that  I  first  saw  it,  and  this  must  be  nearly 
twenty  years  ago.  Since  that  time  we  have  seen 
many  importations  of  these  balls,  and  also  other 
arrangements  made  up  in  various  fantastic  styles — 
monkeys,  frogs,  birds,  and  even  foxes,  elephants, 
and  other  animals,  yet,  after  all,  it  is  the  globular 
balls  which  are  the  most  satisfactory.  During  the 
past  season  the  importations  have  far  exceeded 
anything  I  have  previously  known,  and  I  may  add 
that  many  of  them  offered  for  sale  have  been  in  a 
poor  condition,  and  may  prejudice  some  against 
what,  when  well  grown,  is  one  of  the  best  Ferns 
we  have. 

Although  those  grown  in  the  ball  shape  are  the 
best,  the  other  designs  are  interesting  and  find 
favour  with  many.  I  would  point  out  that  the 
substance  they  have  to  root  into  is  meagre, 
consequently  they  require  some  care.  While 
so  many  Ferns  do  well  when  exposed  to  more 
light  and  air  than  is  generally  given,  these 
require  a  moist  corner  where  the  atmosphere  is 
close  and  humid.  Interesting  as  these  various 
grotesque  forms  may   be,  it  is  the  more  natural 


fronds  radiating  on  every  side.     Seen  at  its  best 
there  is  no  prettier  Fern  in  cultivation. 

A.  Hemslev. 


A  GARDEN  IN    SCOTLAND. 


OSWALD  HOUSE,  EDINBURGH. 
Ik  and  around  the  city  of  Edinburgh  there  are 
many  good  private  gardens,  and  it  is  known  to 
most  of  those  interested  in  horticulture  that  one  of 
the  best  of  these  is  that  of  Mr.  J.  Buchanan,  at 
Oswald  House,  St.  Oswald's  Road.  Its  owner  is  a 
keen  lover  of  flowers  himself,  and  it  is  well  known 
that  the  exhibits  from  his  garden  help  much  to 
maintain  the  high  character  of  the  private  exhibits 
at  the  great  Edinburgh  shows,  where  his  gardener, 
Mr.  George  Wood,  is  a  frequent  prize  taker.  The 
garden  of  Oswald  House  is  within  the  city  boundary, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  city,  and  looking  towards 
the  Blackford  Hills.  It  occupies  an  area  of  aborit 
three  acres  and  is  surrounded  by  walls.  While  it 
is  best  known  as  an  establishment  where  the 
Orchid  takes  a  leading  place,  the  garden  of  Oswald 


50 


THE     GARDEN. 


[Januaky  16,  1904. 


House  must  not  be  considered  as  devoted  to  that 
flower  alone,  nor  onlj'  confined  to  stove  and  green- 
house plants.  When  I  visited  it  November  was 
almost  at  its  clope,  an  unpleasant  time  for  seeing 
the  outdoor  garden,  but  in  spring  and  summer 
there  are  many  charming  features.  The  best  tj'pes 
of  vegetables  are  cultivated  here.  Fruit  is  also 
grown  in  considerable  quantity,  and  the  Apples  are 
models  of  what  such  trees  should  be.  The  Apples 
which  do  best  at  Oswald  House  are,  for  dessert. 
King  of  the  Pippins,  Cellini,  and  Lord  Derby  ; 
Cox's  Orange  Pippin  not  doing  so  well.  For  cooking, 
the  favourites  are  Stirling  Castle,  Lord  Suffield, 
and  Ecklinville  Seedling.  Small  fruits  do  well, 
and  Raspberries,  Currants,  Gooseberries  (Preston 
Seedling  is  the  favourite  Gooseberry),  Strawberries 
(particularly  Royal  Sovereign,  Garibaldi,  and 
Black  Prince)  and  the  Japanese  Wineberry  are  all 
successfully  cultivated.  Capital  crops  of  Grapes 
are  in  the  vineries,  and  some  young  vines  are  in 
readiness  for  contemplated  renewals.  Peaches  do 
well  also. 

The  less  formal  parts  of  the  gardens  are  attractive 
with  their  well-kept  turf,    while  in   summer   the 
beds  are  filled  with  suitable  pUnts.     The  well-kept 
tennis  lawn  is  converted  into  a  skating   pond  in 
winter,  and  great  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  it  in 
such  good  order  with  its  annual  fioodings.  Although 
there  was  little  in  bloom  in  the  borders,  except  a 
number  of  Chrysanthemums,   of  which  many  are 
cultivated   outdoors,    a   large  variety  of   the  best 
spring,    summer,   and  autumn  hardy  plants  were 
seen,  while  the  labels  showed   to  some  extent  how 
rich  in  bulbous  plants  the  place  must  be.     Spring 
and  summer  Phloxes,  Statices,  Asters,  Helianthuses, 
Saxifrages,     Sedums,    Doronicums,     Campanulas, 
Irises  (bearded  and  Spanish),  Anemones,  Veronicas, 
hardy     Orchids,      Narcissi,       Tulips,       Crocuses, 
Zephyranthes   Candida,  and   many  others  testified 
to  the  diversified  tastes  of  the  owner  of  the  garden. 
The  houses  are  very  extensive  and  of  the  best 
construction.       In    the    first    range    entered    one 
observed  the  glowing  flowers  of  Gerbera  Jamesoni, 
Chrysanthemums,    Fuchsias,    Begonias,    Primulas 
sinensis,  obconica,  floribunda,  &c. ,  Statices  Bucheri, 
and  others,  and  a  varied  collection  of  other  plants. 
At  rest  were  between  '200  and  300  Hippeastrums 
in  pots,  many  of  them  raised  here,  and  comprising 
a  large   proportion  of  fragrant  varieties.     In  the 
Melon   house   Tomatoes    and    Melons    are   grown 
extensively,  but  they  are  now  occupied  by  a  splendid 
lot  of   Caladiums,    Codifeums    (Crotons),   Strepto- 
carpus,  &o.     The  Palm  house  is  fully  stocked  with 
fine  Palms,  Ferns,   Pandanuses,   &c.     Among   the 
finest  specimen  Ferns  were  fine  ones  of  Davallias 
fijiensis,    Tyermanni,     and    buUata,    and    a    fine 
specimen  of  Aglaomorpha  (Polypodium),   meyeni- 
anum,    and    a    magnificent     piece     of    Microlepia 
(Davallia)  hirta  cristata.    One  cannot  hope  to  treat 
of  the  numerous   glass   structures   in   detail,    for, 
apart   from    the    Chrysanthemums   (nearly    over), 
they  are  occupied  by  a  delightfully  varied  lot  of 
plants.      Taking  the  names  of  some   of   these   at 
random,  one  may  name   the    crested    Cyclamens, 
Camellias,  the  Guava,  a  splendid  lot  of  Aiilhuriums, 
Nertera  depressa,  and  a  host  of   other  stove  and 
greenhouse   plants,   while   the   frames   are   full  of 
those  either  to  succeed  the  ones  i[i  flower  or  to 
await  the  advent  of   spring  to  be  planted  in  the 
open. 

The  great  speciality  here  is  the  Orchid,  and  only 
the  pen  of  an  expert  could  hope  to  do  justice  to  the 
collection,  which  contains  many  fine  sorts  and 
specimens  of  great  excellence.  Mr.  Buchanan's 
garden  is  noted  for  its  plants  of  Nanodes  Medusas, 
which  are  grown  under  cool  treatment.  It  is 
hopeless  to  attempt  to  exhaust,  or  even  to  single 
out  in  a  systematic  way,  the  best  of  the  Orchids 
here.  A  few  names  taken  as  they  come  may, 
however,  give  an  idea  of  the  representative 
character  of  the  collection.  Thus  there  are  many 
of  the  best  of  the  Odonloglossums — crispum 
Edwardi,  wilckeanum  pallens,  grande  (a  very  fine 
type),  bictonense,  Pescatorei  nicvium,  &c.  Cypri- 
pediums  are  very  numerous,  and  the  splendid  pans 
testified  to  the  excellence  of  the  culture  ;  villosum 
aureum,  leeanum,  lawrenceanum,  harrisianum, 
Ashburtonia;  eaudalum,  Slonei  (very  fine), 
barbatura,  Exul,  a  very  fine  form   of  spicerianum, 


chamberlainianum,  and  many  more  called  for 
admiration  whether  in  or  out  of  flower.  Masde- 
vallias  were  also  fine.  The  pans  of  tovarensis 
were  of  great  beauty — ignea,  harryana,  amabilis, 
bella,  houtteana,  and  Chelsoni  were  among  the 
others.  Cattleyas  are  splendidly  grown,  among 
them  being  some  fine  plants  and  forms  of  labiata, 
and  some  splendid  pieces  of  crispa  buchananiana  (a 
grand  variety).  The  Dendrobiums  were  excep- 
tionally well  grown,  and  included  fimbriatum  (very 
good),  nobile,  thyrsifiorum,  densiflorum,  brymeri- 
anum,  wardianuni,  Cassiope,  and  findlayanum. 
Ci-tlogynes  were  equally  good,  and  I  noted  cristata, 
cristata  alba,  the  Chatsworth  variety,  and  the 
difficult  gardneriana,  which  does  well  at  Oswald 
House.  There  was  a  splendid  lot  of  Lielias,  among 
them  being  anceps  rubra  (exceedingly  fine),  pur- 
purata,  superbiens,  pumila,  &c.  Vandas  were  well 
done  also,  and  among  the  Sobralias  was  a  particu- 
larly good  S.  macrantha.  Then  there  were 
Angr.-ecumeburneiyn,  AnguloaClowesii,  Stanliopeas 
in  several  good  forms,  Dendrochilum  glumaceum 
(Platyclinis  glumacea)  in  flower,  Miltonias,  among 
them  being  vexillaria  rubella  superba  (certificated 
at  one  of  the  Edinburgh  shows),  Epidendrum 
prismatocarpum,  Pleione  (Cadogyne)  lagenaria 
(well  flowered),  Sophronitis  grandifiora,  Triohosma 
suavis,  Trichopilia  coccinea,  Ada  aurantiaca, 
Leptotes  (Tetraniicra)  bieolor,  Oncidiums,  C3'm- 
bidiums,  and  many  more. 

The  whole  place  is  full  of  interest,  and  though 
the  season  was  not  the  best  for  a  visit,  we  hope  to 
have  the  privilege  of  repeating  it  at  a  time  when 
there  is  a  fuller  display  of  the  now  largely  hidden 
floral  wealth  of  Oswald  House.  S.  A. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  House. 
Acacia  GLAncESCENS  and  Brachysema  Drumraondii. 

T  Eanye. 
Anthericum      trifiorum,     Coluranea     sanguinea, 
Costus  fissiligulatus,  Dfedalacanthus  macrophyllus, 
Lachenalia  pendula,  and  Scilla  peruviana. 

Greenhouse. 
Coleus  thyrsoideus,   Hibbertia  dentata,  Lorope- 
talum     chinense,     Peristrophe     speciosa,     Prunus 
japonica    fl. -pi. ,    Senecio    grandifolius,    S.    macro- 
glossus,  S.  tussilaginis,  and  Sparmannia  africana. 
Orchid  Houies. 
j5Cride3    Roebelenii,    Bulbophyllum   auricomum, 
Catasetum      labiatum,      Coilogyne      graminifolia, 
Cryptostylis     Arachnites,    Cypripedium     Charles- 
worthii,    C.    deedmannianum,    C.     fitchianum,    C. 
haynaldianum,  C.  nitens,  and  others,  Epidendrum 
ciliare,    E.    elfgans,    E.    fragrans,   E.    variegatum, 
and  others,   Eria  stricta,  Habenaria  tridactylites, 
L«lia    albida,    L.    anceps,    L.     gouldiaua,    Lfelio- 
Cattleya  Amelia,  Masdevallia  ignea,  M.  tovarensis, 
Odontoglossum    pardiiium,    0.    Pescatorei,   Phah'e- 
nopsis    stuartiana,   Siccolabium    giganteum,   Sera- 
phyta  mulliflora,  and  Tainia  penangiana. 
Alpine  Hou-ie. 
Colehioum     libanotioum,     C.      luteum.      Crocus 
biflorus  var.  Adami,  C.  Imperaii,  C.  laivigatus  var. 
Fontenayi,     Cyclamen     Alkinsii,     C.     Coum,     C. 
ibericum,   Oalanthns    byzantinus,  G.    Elwesii  var. 
unguiculatus,    lonopsidium    acaule,    Iris    Histrio, 
and  I.  Vartani. 

Herbaceous  Ground  and  Rock  Garden. 
Crocus     caspius,      C.      Korolkowi,      Helleborus 
caueasicus,   H    orientalis,  Iberis  gibraltarica,  and 
Iris  unguicularis. 

Arboretum. 
Chi monan  thus  fragrans  var.  grandiflorus.  Clematis 
calycina.  Erica  mediierranea  var.   hybrida,  Garrya 
elliptiea,  Hamamelis  arborea,  and  H.  mollis. 


Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.'s 

Centenary. — The  nursery  business  of  Messrs. 
Ptiehard  Sniilli  and  Cj.,  Worcester,  was  established 
in  1804  by  the  grand  father  of  the  present  proprietor, 
so    that    this   year    the   firm    will   celebrate   their 


centenary.  During  this  long  period  Messrs.  Richard 
Smith  have  supplied,  as  they  still  supply,  every- 
thing for  the  garden,  whether  seeds,  bulbs,  or 
nursery  stock.  They  have  had  the  honour  of 
supplying  the  King,  the  late  Queen  Victoria,  and 
various  members  of  our  own  and  other  Royal 
Families,  as  well  as  enthusiastic  amateurs  through- 
out the  United  Kingdom  and  abroad.  Their  long 
and  successful  record  must  be  very  gratifying  to 
Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co. 

Mistletoe.— It   is    difficult  to   see   by   what 
exact    process    of     reasoning     Mistletoe    (Viscum 
album)  has  come  to   be  regarded  as  poisonous  by 
the    vulgar.      Botany   books  describe  the  fruit  as 
"  inferior  "  but  succulent,  and  we  know  that  birds, 
especially  the  mistle-thrush,  eat  it  and  convey  the 
undigested  seed  to  the  trunks  of  trees  to  which  its 
viscous   coating   enables   it   to   adhere.      Writers, 
from  Paracelsus  down  to  quite  recent  times,  have 
been  loud   in   their  praises  of  Mistletoe  as  a  cure 
for  epilepsy,  and  as  lately  as   1881  Dr.   R.   Park, 
writing   in   the   Practitioner,    describes    a   mining 
district  in  the  Forest  of  Dean  wheie  heart  troubles 
were  habitually  treated  with  a  certain  tincture  of 
Mistletoe,  which  was   handed   on   to   him   among 
medicine   bottles  found  in  a  rural  surgery.     This 
proved   a   good    substitute   for  Digitalis.     At   the 
beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century  Colbatch  pub- 
lished a  work  upon  Mistletoe  which  ran  into  many 
editions.       He   describes   a   drug    made   from    the 
plant  as   "a  most  wonderful  specific  remedy  "  for 
convulsions,  and  as  late  as   1806,  if  not  later,  the 
same   drug   is   prescribed    most   confidently    by   a 
certain   Dr.    Henry   Eraser   in   cases   of    epileptic 
seizure.     Going  back  to  the  days  of  Pliny  we  find 
that  philosopher  describing  the  Viscum   album  as 
an  antidote  to  poison,  and  a  remedy  for  sterility. 
His,  too,  is  the  classic  description  of  the  plucking 
of  the  Mistletoe  by  the  Druids.     At  a  later  period, 
but  still  long  before  medicine  had  arrived  even  at 
the  "  signaturist"  stage.  Mistletoe  is  found  playing 
a  great  part  in  the  Voliispa  and  other  Scandinavian 
sagas.     It  was  with  a  sprig  of  the   plant,  or   an 
arrow  made  of  the  stalk   of  the   plant,    that    the 
blind   and  somewhat  dull-witted  god   Hodiir  was 
induced   by   Loki,  the  evil  principle,  to  have  his 
fling,  in  a  literal  sense,  at  Balder,  the  Da}'light,  or 
good   principle.     Myth   represents  Balder  as  being 
killed   outright   by    the   Mistletoe,    a   little   plant 
growing  on  the  eastward  slopes  of  Asgard,  and  the 
sole   thing  among  minerals,  plants  and  poisons,  as 
well  as  among  gods  and   men,  that  had   not  pro- 
ndsed   Freya   to  be   harmless  if  used  against  her 
son   Balder.     Within   this   myth  of    the    German 
forests  there  are  doubtless  other  mj'ths,  but  it  is  to 
this   one,    perhaps,    that    the   Mistletoe   owes   its 
•haracter  as  a  poisoner,  a  remedy  in  cases  of  "  soul 
disease"  —  for    it    was    thus    that    epilepsy    was 
regarded  —  and    as    a    presider     over     chartered 
liberties  between    the    sexes    now    symbolised  by 
kissing.  —  The  Lancet. 

Stenotaphpum    glabpum.  —  In    The 

Garden  of  tlie  9th  inst.  a  note  appears  on  the 
usefulness  of  some  Grasses  for  indoor  decoration, 
the  particular  kind  there  mentioned  being  Paspalum 
elegans.  A  Grass  that  I  had  long  known  before 
the  full  extent  of  its  merits  was  recognised  is 
Stenotaphrum  glabrum,  which  is  suitable  for  a 
hanging  basket,  and  in  this  way  there  was,  some 
seven  or  eight  years  ago,  in  the  reptile  house  at 
the  Zoological  Gardens  a  most  effective  specimen, 
for  a  large  basket  was  filled  with  it  alone,  and  the 
long,  thong-like  stolons  with  their  tufts  of  leaves 
disposed  at  regular  intervals  hung  down  for  4  feet 
or  .'i  feet.  Since  then  I  have  employed  it  in  a 
similar  manner,  and  also  as  an  edging  to  stages, 
for  it  will  thrive  in  a  very  little  rooting  medium, 
and  is  not  injured  by  passers  by.  Under  favour- 
able conditions  it  is  of  very  rapid  growth  ;  the 
long  creeping  stolons,  rooting  at  every  node,  from 
where  a  tuft  of  leaves  is  produced,  soon  cover  a 
considerable  distance.  It  is  in  many  tropical 
countries  used  to  form  a  kind  of  turf.  There  is  a 
variety  in  which  some  of  the  leaves  are  variegated, 
but  this  is  very  liable  to  revert  to  the  normal  form. 
Besides  the  above  name  it  is  sometimes  known  as 
Stenotaphrum  americanum.  Another  useful  tirass 
is  Oplismenus  Burniannii,  which  is  generally  met 
with  in  gardens  as  Panicum  variegatum. — T. 


GARDEN 


—^^— 


No.  1679.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[Janu.ary  23,  1904. 


THE 


M 


FAILURE    OF    FRUIT 
BLOOM. 

[  ANY  weeks  must  elapse  before  the 
fruit  trees  flower,  but  it  may,  as 
was  the  case  last  year,  be  less 
distant  than  is  generally  the  case, 
because  at  the  time  of  writing  the 
winter  is  comparatively  spring-like.  If  no 
severe  weather  occurs  soon  the  flowering  of 
fruit  trees  will  be  unduly  accelerated.  Should 
that  be  so  we  may  not  ha%'e  to  wait  long  after 
all  before  Peaches  and  Apricots,  Plums  and 
Pears  will  be  in  bloom.  The  great  failure  of 
the  flowers  last  year  produced  a  general 
impression  that  this  was  due  to  the  cold, 
sunless  weather  which  prevailed  at  the  time  of 
flowering,  accompanied  with  sharp  frosts,  and 
an  early  season.  But  some  keen  observers 
attributed  the  failure  of  the  bloom  to  set  well 
to  the  lack  of  due  warmth  the  previous  summer 
and  autumn,  and  for  this  reason  the  organs 
of  fertility  were  imperfectly  developed  and 
pollen  was  defective. 

If  that  really  were  the  case,  it  is  not  at  all 
diflicult  to  understand  how  it  was  that  the 
bloom  failed  on  all  trees  alike,  Avith  few 
exceptions.  If  we  saw  Apples,  Pears,  Plums, 
Cherries,  and  even  wall  trees  either  entire 
failures  or  producing  miserable  crops,  at  least 
here  and  there  amongst  Apple  trees,  some 
old  ones,  or  those  comparatively  stunted 
carried  good  crops.  Those  exceptions,  it  was 
assumed,  were  due  to  the  fact  that  their  eiforts 
during  the  season  were  less  concentrated  on 
wood  production  and  more  on  spur  or  bloom 
bud  production,  hence  whilst  many  other  fruit 
trees  were  barren,  those  with  perfectly 
developed  buds  and  ample  pollen  were  fruitful. 
Certainly  the  bloom  on  them  had  to  withstand 
the  same  evil  climatic  influences  that  all  other 
tree  flowers  had  to  endure,  yet  that  set,  whilst 
the  other  failed. 

There  seems  to  be  a  prospect  that  trees  will 
produce  an  abundant  bloom  in  the  spring. 
Probably  when  expanded  there  will  be  opti- 
mistic anticipations  indulged  in  as  to  its 
ultimate  product.  If  there  should  be  a  really 
fruitful  result  the  product  will  be  indeed  a 
great  boon,  full  of  goodness  to  us  all.  But  if 
another  failure  should  result  (from  which 
misfortune  we  trust  to  be  saved),  will  the 
reasons  for  such  failure  be  rightly  ascribed  ? 
Would  it  be  possible  for  such  a  body  as  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  scientific  com- 
mittee to  take  fruit  tree  bloom  under  obser- 
vation, to  examine  it  microscopically,  and  thus 


ascertain  whether  the  organs  of  fertility  are 
normal,  and  whether  pollen  grains  be  produced 
in  sufiicient  quantity  to  produce  fertility  ?  Of 
course,  it  is  well  known  that  some  varieties 
produce  pollen  less  freely  than  others,  hence 
the  advantage  there  is  in  having  several 
varieties  of  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  &c.,  grown 
close  to  each  other  that  pollen  may  be  trans- 
ferred. But  that  fact  would  also  render  it 
needful  to  conduct  observations  over  many 
varieties  and  also  over  a  wide  area.  Where 
pollen  is  in  moderate  quantity,  should  the 
blooming  season  be  favourable,  a  very  good 
set  may  result.  But  if  pollen  be  weak  and  a 
cold,  gloomy,  frosty  time  prevails,  there  seems 
to  be  little  prospect  of  a  satisfactory  set. 
There  is  yet  time  also  on  such  trees  as  Apples 
and  Pears,  where  there  is  a  promise  of  a  heavy 
bloom,  to  materially  thin  spurs  or  buds  on 
some  and  thus  note  how  far  a  reduction  of 
the  bloom  helped  fertility  or  otherwise.  So 
keen  an  observer  as  the  late  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron 
used  to  deprecate  a  heavy  tree  bloom,  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  too  exhaustive  to  be  fertile. 
Assuming  that  bloom  next  season  is  heavy  and 
that  it  is  fairly  good  also,  no  doubt  its  fertility 
will  be  greatly  helped  by  the  heavy  rainfall  of 
the  past  year,  even  though  other  climatic 
conditions  to  promote  maturity  have  not  been 
favourable. 


THE    WILD    PINKS. 

(Continued  frmn  page   25.) 

D.  CHiNENSis  (Chinese  Pink).  —  This  well- 
known  plant  is  a  native  of  Central  Asia,  having 
been  introduced  from  China  nearly  200  years 
ago.  About  li  feet  high,  of  freely  branching 
habit,  the  fragrant  reddish  coloured  Cowers  are 
produced  in  great  profusion  in  summer.  This 
species  has  given  rise  to  a  race  of  beautiful  and 
very  efiBctive  border  plants  with  a  considerable 
range  of  colour.  The  best  known  is  probably 
D.  Heddewigi,  the  .Japanese  variety,  a  strain 
of  dwarf  compact  and  handsome  forms.  There 
is  also  a  section  with  more  deeply  laciniated 
petals.  A.  c.  var.  dentosus,  the  Amur  Pink,  is  a 
distinct  and  pretty  dwarf  form,  with  violet-lilac 
flowers  1  inch  in  diameter,  toothed  margins 
and  dark  spots  near  the  base  of  the  petals, 
giving  the  flower  the  appearance  of  having  a 
dark  eye.     Found  on  the  coast  of  Manchuria. 

D.  CILIATUS. — A  plant  with  a  shrubby 
tendency,  found  in  Italy  ;  of  tufted  habit  and 
having  ciliated  leaves.  The  flowers  are  white 
with  almost  entire  beardless  petals. 

D.  DELTOiDES  (the  Maiden  Pink). — Another 
of  our  native  Pinks,  found  in  dry,  gravelly 
pastures  in  various  districts.  The  wild  plant 
is  of  rather  loose  habit,  with  short  blunt-pointed 
leaves  on  the  barren  stems,  and  longer  narrower 


leaves  on  the  flowering  stems.  It  will  grow- 
almost  anywhere,  improving  in  good  soil,  and 
producing  its  bright  pink  spotted  flowers  freely. 
D.  d.  var.  glauca  is  a  form  which  is  found  on 
Arthur's  seat,  near  Edinburgh,  with  white 
flowers  having  a  pink  eye.  Distributed  over- 
Europe  with  the  exception  of  the  northern  part. 
D.  FKAGEANS. — A  Caucasian  species  of  lax, 
tufted  habit,  with  flower  stems  9  inches  to- 
12  inches  high  ;  mostly  single  flowered,  but 
sometimes  attended  with  a  second  one  on  a. 
short  axillary  peduncle.  The  flowers  are  white, 
with  finely  toothed  petals,  blooming  in  .July. 
D.  Feeynii.— Closely  allied  to  D.glacialis,  to- 
which  species  it  is  reduced  as  a  variety  by  some- 
authorities.  This  is  one  of  the  smallest  and 
most  compact  plantsin  the  genus.  With  slightly 
glaucous  leaves,  and  purple  flowers  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  borne  singly 
on  very  short  stems.  There  is  also  a  variety 
with  pale  flowers.  A  native  of  Hungary  and. 
Bosnia,  it  was  introducedin  1892. 

D.  (iLACiALls  (Glacier  Pink). — A  very  small 
tufted  perennial  with  grass-like  leaves.  This- 
rare  species  is  found  on  the  high  granitic 
mountains  of  Central  Europe.  The  small 
reddish  purple  flowers  with  dentate  petals  are 
scentless  and  solitary,  on  very  short  .stems  only 
1  inch  to  3  inches  high.  Frequently  a  long 
lived  plant  in  cultivation,  its  chief  enemies  are 
slugs,  which  are  fond  of  it,  and  against  whose- 
attacks  it  must  be  carefully  guarded.  It  will 
thrive  in  sandy  peat  to  which  may  be  added  a, 
proportion  of  granite  chippings.  D.  g.  var. 
gelidus,  from  the  Transylvanian  Alps,  is  now 
given  specific  rank  in  Williams'  monograph. 

D.  LEPTOPETALUS. — This  plant,  which  is  more- 
curious  than  beautiful,  is  remarkable  for  its- 
long,  narrow  white  petals.  The  flowers  are  in 
twos  and  threes  on  slender  stems,  sometimes 
over  a  foot  in  length.  A  native  of  the  Caucasus,. 
from  whence  it  was  introduced  in  1814.  It 
flowers  in  July. 

D.  LONGiCAULis.— From  Mount  Amaro  in- 
Italy,  this  plant  is  of  tufted  habit,  with  solitary 
rose-coloured  flowers  on  slender  stems,  9  inches- 
to  12  inches  high  in  summer. 

D.  MASMEN.EUS. — Named  after  one  of  its 
habitats,  Masnieneu-dagh  in  Kurdistan,  this- 
species  is  also  found  in  the  alpine  region  of 
the  mountains  of  Cappadocia.  A  pleasing 
plant,  of  somewhat  lax  habit,  the  flowers  are 
usually  in  loose  cymes  on  short  peduncles  ;  the 
dentate  petals  are  rose-coloured  above  and- 
yellowish  underneath. 

D.  MicEOLEPis.— A  distinct  little  alpine,, 
very  dwarf  and  tufted  in  growth,  with  small 
rose-coloured  flowers,  solitary,  on  stems  1  inch 
to  2  inches  high,  flowering  in  August ;  it  is  a. 
native  of  Eastern  Europe,  growing  on  the  high>. 
alpine  rocks  in  Transylvania  and  Macedonia. 
There  is  also  a  white-flowered  variety  in. 
cultivation. 

D.  NEGLECTUS. — This  charming  species  is- 
referred  to  glacialis  by  some  authorities,  and  is- 
made  a  variety  of  that  species  by  Williams  iib 
his  monograph.    It  is,  however,  a  much  taller- 


52 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904. 


plant,  with  stems  '6  inches  high,  with  tufts  of 
narrower  and  more  pointed  leaves.  These  are 
more  inclined  to  be  glaucous  than  those  of  the 
Glacier  Pink,  and  the  deep  rose-coloured  flowers 
are  frequently  borne  two  on  each  stem.  A 
native  of  the  high  alpine  regions  of  the  Swiss 
and  Italian  Alps,  it  was  introduced  in  1869,  and 
is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  our  rock  pknts, 
succeeding  in  an  open  situation  in  stony  soil  or 
in  a  crevice.  W.  Ikving. 

(To  be  continued.) 


I 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FOKTHCOMING   EVENTS. 


January  26. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting,  12  Doon. 

February  2.  —  National  Amateur  Gardeners' 
Association  Meeting. 

February  6.  —  Societe  Franjaise  d'Horticulture 
Meeting. 

February  8. — United  Horticultural  Benefit  and 
Provident  Society  Committee  Meeting. 

February  9. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting  ;  Horticultural  Club  Annual  Meeting, 
.5  p.m..  Annual  Dinner,  6  p.m.  Sir  John 
Xlewelyn,  Bart.,  chairman  of  the  club,  will  preside. 

February  10. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
JMeeting. 

February  12. — Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund 
A.nnual  General  Meeting. 

Februar}'  23. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Drill  Hall  Meeting,  12  noon. 

Royal  Hopticultural  Society.— The 

.next  fruit  and  tlower  show  of  this  society  will  be 
held  on  Tuesday  next  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Bucking- 
ham Gate,  Westminster,  1 — 4  p.m.  A  lecture  on 
■"  Oranges  "  will  be  given  by  Mr.  H.  Somers  Rivers 
-at  three  o'clock.  At  a  general  meeting  of  the 
society,  held  on  Tuesday,  the  5th  inst. ,  fifty-three 
new  Fellows  were  elected. 

Gardeneps'    Royal    Benevolent 

Institution. — The  festival  dinner  of  this  insti- 
tution wil  be  held  at  the  Hotel  Metropole,  White- 
hall Rooms,  on  June  28  next,  when  the  treasurer, 
Mr.  Harry  Veitch,  will  preside. 

National  Rose  Society:  Fixtures 

iov  1904. — Metropolitan  show.  Inner  Temple 
Gardens,  London,  E.G.,  Wednesday,  July  (i ; 
.autumn  show,  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square, 
London,  S.W.,  Tuesday,  September  20 ;  annual 
dinner,  Thursday,  December  S,  Hotel  Windsor, 
'Victoria  Street,  S.  W. 

Gardeners'    Royal    Benevolent 
Institution  (Liverpool  Auxiliary).— 

The  tirst  annual  meeting  of  this  nistitution  was 
.held  at  the  Golden  Lion  Hotel  on  the  r2th  iust. , 
Mr.   C.    A.   Young  in  the  chair.     The  secretary's 
report  proved  in   eve-y  way   a   satisfactory   one. 
The  total  number  of  life  members  and  subscribers 
is  twenty-two,  in  addition   to   many  who    contri- 
bute direct  to  the  parent  body.     The  total  amount 
paid  to   Mr.    Harry   J.   Veitch,    the   treasurer,   is 
■tlOS  9s.,   with  a  small   balance  in   favour  of  the 
.local  branch.     A  smoking  concert  was  held  under 
the  auspices  of  the  society,  when  Mr.  R.  J.  Harvey 
Gibson,   M.A.,  F.L.S.,  presided.     This  proved  an 
excellent  medium  for   making  known  the   advan- 
tages    of     this     institution.        Votes     of     thanks 
were  accorded  to   Messrs.   R.   P.   Ker   and    Sons, 
Thomas  Davies  and  Co.,  and  C.  A.  Young  for  their 
generous  assistance  in  providing  the  floral  decora- 
tions on    that    occasion.      The   following   officials 
were   unanimou.sly   re-elected    to   their   respective 
positions:  Chairman,  Mr.  C.  A.  Young  ;  treasurer, 
Mr.    A.    J.    Grippin ;    and   secretary,    Mr.    R.    G. 
Waterman,  Woolton.    Arrangements  are  in  progress 
for  the  third  concert,  to   be  held  on   February  1.3, 
when  W  W.  Rutherford,  Eiq.,  M.P.,  has  kindly 
consented  to  preside.     It  is  to  be  hoped  he  will  be 
well  supported,  so  that  the  institution  ma3'  derive 
substantial  benefit. 

Kew  gardeners'  social  gathering- 

'The  seventh  annual  social  gatherinj;  of  the  young 
.gardeners  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  and  their 


friends  was  held  on  Friday,  the  15th  inst.,  at  the 
B.oat  House,  Kew,  and  proved  a  great  success. 
The  room  was  tastefully  decorated  with  Palms, 
evergreens,  &c. ,  and  a  programme  of  thirty  items 
included  an  excellent  selection  of  music  and  dances. 
Over  1.50  persons  were  present,  many  of  them  being 
old  "  Kewites." 

Mr.  John  Burns,  who  for  many  years  has 
been  superintendent  uf  the  Leicester  parks,  resigns 
his  position  at  the  end  of  this  month.  To  the 
numerous  exhibitors,  judges,  and  other  officials 
annually  attending  the  Leicester  flower  show  Mr. 
Burns  has  long  been  a  familiar  personality,  and  a 
cheery  welcome  to  visitors  could  always  be  depended 
upon  from  him. 

For  the  past  twenty-two  years  Mr.  Burns  has 
had  charge  of  the  public  parks,  open  spaces,  and 
street  planting  under  the  Corporation  of  the 
Borough  of  Leicester,  and  he  has  now  placed  his 
resignation  in  the  hands  of  the  parks  committee, 
which  is  to  take  effect  at  the  end  of  this  month. 
Daring  Mr.  Burn's  term  of  service  he  has  laid  out 
under  the  municipality  some  500  acres  of  parks 
and  open  spaces,  and  in  various  parts  of  the  town 
there  are  to  be  found  commodious  parks  admirably 
planted  and  maintained,  wdiieh  are  greatly  appre- 
ciated by  the  Leicester  folk,  and  to  which  they 
flock  in  favourable  weather.  A  pleasing  feature 
is  the  gymnasium  attached  to  each  park,  the 
children  being  particularly  provided  tor.  The 
Abbey  Park — the  largest  and  most  popular  of  the 
Leicester  parks,  in  which  is  the  residence  of  the 
curator — has  been  the  special  pride  of  Mr.  Burns, 
the  large  glass  conservatory  and  other  houses  being 
filled  with  many  large  specimen  plants.  The  Abbey 
Park  flower  show,  which  is  held  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  August,  originated  with  Mr.  Burns, 
and  he  has  been  its  superintendent,  carrying  out 
the  arrangements  with  the  assistance  of  a  compe- 
tent staff.  It  is  now  a  great  Midland  gathering. 
Many  exhibitors  and  judges  have  a  grateful 
remembrance  of  the  kind  hospitality  and  attention 
they  have  always  received  from  Mr.  Burns.  In  all 
probability  Mr.  Burns  will  reside  in  the  North. — 
R.  D. 

Potatoes  In  1903.— The  following  state- 
ment from  the  Agricultural  Returns  of  Great 
Britain  for  1903  shows  the  estimated  total  produce 
and  yield  per  acre  in  Great  Britain  in  the  year 
1903,  with  comparisons  for  1902,  and  the  average 
yield  per  acre  of  the  ten  years  1893-1902  : 

Estimated  Tutal  Produce.  Acreage. 


Crojjs. 


190J. 
Tons. 


Encland 2,041,023 


Wales 
Scotland  . 


131,846 
740,844 


1902. 
Tons. 
2,225,669 
156,608 
813,111 


Ac, 
190J. 

Acres. 

402,723 
30,197 

131,364 


1902. 

Acres. 
412,739 

31,446 
129,696 


Great  Britain  . 


!,913,713   ..   3,194,188   ..   664,286  ..   673,880 


Areiane  of 

the  Ten 

Years 

189.1-1902. 

Toils. 

..       5-96 

6'66 

6-76 

5-89 


Average 

Estimated 

yield 

Crops. 

per  Acre. 

190:1. 

1902. 

Tarn. 

Tons. 

England  

5-07 

6 -39 

Wales   

4  37 

5  64 

4  96 

Scotland 

6  27 

Great  Britiitn  .  . 

6  IC 

6 -57 

The  late  Mr.  J.  C.  Fidler.— The  short 

time  which  has  elapsed  since  the  sudden  death  of 
Mr.  J.  C.  Fidler  of  Caversham  has  enabled  the 
people  there  and  in  Reading,  where  he  was  so  well 
known,  to  realise  more  vividly  the  loss  the  district 
has  sustained.  He  was  a  man  of  wonderful  fore- 
sight and  great  ideas,  and  was  the  originator  of 
mxny  schemes  either  projected  or  in  coitrse  of 
reaching  a  practical  completion.  Mr.  Fidler's  first 
building  scheme  was  the  demolition  of  the  tumble- 
down property  in  Friar  Street  and  the  east  side  of 
West  Street,  and  the  substitution  of  the  handsome 
range  of  buildings  now  standing  there.  He 
practically  rebuilt  the  whole  of  the  east  side  of 
West  Street,  round  to  the  present  commodious 
premises  of  his  firm.  He  built  the  whole  of  Thames 
Terrace,  Caversham.  He  constructed  (Jueen 
Victoria  .Street,  a  thoroughfare  350  feet  in  length, 
connecting  Friar  Street  with  Broad  Street.  Mr. 
Fidler  made  roads  and  erected  villas,  a  consider- 
able number  being  at  present  in  the  course  of  con- 
struction.     Another    notable     venture    was    the 


purchase  of  Prospect  Park  from  Major  Liebenrood. 
Mr.  Fidler  immediately  offered  to  sell  part  of  it  to 
the  town.  The  Corporation  at  first  declined,  but 
subsequently  accepted  the  offer,  Mr.  Fidler 
himself  contributing  £1,000  towards  the  cost.  At 
the  time  of  his  fatal  illness  Mr.  Fidler  had  several 
great  schemes  in  his  mind. 

The  late  Mr.  W^illiam  Home.— The 

interment  of  Mr.  William  Home,  senior  partner 
in  the  firm  of  Messrs.  William  Home  and  Sons, 
took  place  at  Cliffe  amid  every  manifestation 
of  respect  and  sympathy.  The  deceased  gentleman 
was  fifty-four  years  of  age,  and  had  been  lor  many 
years  one  of  the  churchwardens  of  the  parish. 
Death  was  due  to  heart  disease,  after  an  illness 
of  some  weeks  duration.  In  July  last,  when 
hurrying  to  catch  a  train,  he  was  seized 
with  heart  trouble,  and,  although  he  recovered 
sufficiently  to  get  about  again  and  attend  to  his 
business  at  Rochester,  Maidstone,  and  other 
markets  of  the  county,  he  suffered  considerably, 
and  his  death  did  not  come  altogether  as  a  surprise 
to  his  relatives  and  intimate  friends,  although  he 
was  of  robust  appearance. 

A  Nature  study  exhibition.— Those 

who  are  endeavouring  to  stimulate  interest  in 
Nature  study  will  learn  with  satisfaction  that  the 
Bath  and  West  and  Southern  Counties  Society  has 
arranged  to  hold  a  Nature  study  exhibition  in 
j  connexion  with  its  annual  meeting  at  Swansea  in 
May  next.  The  remarkable  interest — as  shown  by 
the  number  of  exhibits  and  the  attendance  of 
visitors — manifested  in  a  similar  exhibition  held 
by  the  society  for  the  first  time  at  Bristol  last 
year  justifies  a  belief  that  the  annual  migra- 
tor}' show  might  with  advantage  be  utilised  for 
bringing  such  teaching  as  goes  direct  to  Nature  for 
inspiration  under  the  notice  of  agriculturists  and 
others.  The  society,  therefore,  through  its  Nature 
study  committee,  consisting  of  the  president  of  the 
society  (Lord  Windsor),  the  Marquis  of  Bath,  the 
Right  Hon.  H.  Hobhouse,  M.P.,  Sir  C.  T.  D. 
Acland,  and  Messrs.  H.  M.  Cundall,  F.S.A.,  F.  G. 
Farwell,  A.  G.  Legard,  H.M.I.,  J.  C.  Medd,  M.A., 
G.  H.  Morrell,  M.P.,  and  N.  Story-Maskelyne, 
F.  R.  S.,  invites  educational  authorities  and  institu- 
tions to  contribute,  for  exhibition,  collections, 
models,  appliances,  &c. ,  illustrative  of  the  subject 
in  question,  the  desire  being  to  render  the  exhi- 
bition as  representative  as  possible. 

Hydrocyanic    gas    as    an    insect 

destroyer. — Experiments  of  an  interesting 
characterweremade  recently  at  Messrs.  Lodd's  Nur- 
series, Swanley  Junction,  in  the  demonstration  of  the 
new  process  of  cjaniding  by  hydrocyanic  acid  gas 
in  glass  houses.  The  experiments  were  per- 
formed in  the  presence  of  about  twenty-lour 
growers.  It  is  claimed  that  the  gas  will  destroy 
all  insect  and  vermin  pests  to  which  flowers  and 
plants  of  any  kind  grown  under  glass  are  subject. 
At  the  same  time  it  has  to  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  operation  ot  cyaniding  must  be  very  carefully 
performed,  or  the  gas  will  kill  the  men  as  well  as 
the  insects.  Other  experiments  are  to  be  made. 
Those  referred  to  were  fairly  successful. 

"The    W^oman's    Agricultural 

Times,"  which  is  edited  by  the  Countess  of 
Warwick,  will  be  reissued  in  the  form  of  a 
quarterly  magazine,  price  GJ.  The  ll'omait'.s 
Ayricii/tiiral  Time.i  was  started  in  June,  1899, 
as  a  penny  monthly,  and  has  thus  completed  four 
volumes.  Although  it  is  primarily  the  official 
organ  of  the  Lady  Warwick  Agricultural  Associa- 
tion for  Women  and  of  the  Lad}'  Warwick  College, 
its  range  is  by  no  means  confined  to  this  area,  as  it 
has  dealt  with  almost  all  matters  connected  with 
the  lighter  branches  of  agriculture,  and  with  rural 
industries,  and,  in  a  word,  with  anything  relating 
to  country  life.  Its  aim  has  been  to  be  ot  practical 
use  to  those  who  are  trying  to  solve  the  problem  of 
"Back  to  the  Land."  Tliis  journal  will  be  pub- 
lished in  Januar}',  April,  July,  and  October.  The 
Agricultural  Association  and  the  ]Voniaii.-<  A(jri- 
ctiJtural  Times  are  to  be  formed  into  a  co-operative 
society,  the  reijuired  capital  being  i'25l).  The 
prospectus  will  be  printed  in  the  first  number. 
Among  the  contributors  to  the  January  issue  are 
the  Countess  of  Warwick  and  Lidj'  Algernon 
Gordon-  Lennox. 


January  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


63 


Jacobinia  COCCinea.— Although  intro- 
duced to  Kew  from  South  America  a3  long  ago  as 
1770,  outside  botanical  gardens  this  is  a  little 
known  plant.  Propagated  from  cuttings  in  spring, 
it  requires  warm  greenhouse  treatment  till  in 
flower,  when  it  may  be  removed  to  a  cooler  house. 
It  is  advisable  not  to  stop  the  plants  more  than 
once,  as  the  more  shoots  a  plant  carries  the  smaller 
will  be  the  terminal  scarlet  spikes  in  comparison. 
Several  plants  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Veitch, 
of  Chelsea,  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  the  5thinst. — A.  0. 

Felling-  trees  by  eleetpicity.— Experi- 
ments that  have  just  been  made  in  tree  felling  by 
electricity  in  vaiious  forests  in  France  have  proved 
completely  successful.  A  platinum  wire,  brought 
to  white  heat  by  means  of  an  electric  current,  takes 
the  place  of  the  saw.  By  this  method  the  tree  is 
cut  through  more  easily  and  more  rapidly  than  by 
the  old  process.  The  sawing  is  avoided,  and  the 
slight  burning  produced  by  the  hot  wire  acts  as  a 
preservative  of  the  wood.  This  new  method,  sajs 
Lt  Jardin,  takes  far  less  time  than  the  old  one. 

Senecio    gpandifolius.— This    striking 

plant  has  been  in  flower  in  the  greenhouse,  Kew, 
for  the  past  five  or  six  weeks ;  the  bold,  deep  green 
leaves,  over  a  foot  in  length,  are  surmounted  by 
a  corymbose  inflorescence  of  j'ellow  flowers  1  foot 
to  IJ  feet  across.  Larger  heads  of  flower  are 
■  obtained  from  cuttings  than  from  old  plants. 
Inserted  singly  in  small  pots  in  a  close  propagating 
frame  in  February  or  JVlarch,  and  potted  on  as 
required  without  stopping,  plants  3  feet  to  4  feet 
high  can  easily  be  grown  in  one  season.  Thej'may 
be  placed  outside  in  summer  if  the  weather  is 
favourable,  butduringsuch  a  summer  as  experienced 
last  J  ear  they  are  best  grown  inside.  It  is  also 
known  under  the  name  of  S.  Ghiesbreghtii. — 
A.  OSBOBN. 

Clematis  calyeina.— The  value  of  a  plant 

can  only  rightly  be  tested  when  it  is  seen  in  the 
position  where  its  distinct  character  can  bedisplayed 
to  the  best  advantage.  Somewhat  lukewarm  praise 
was  measured  out  lately  to  this  evergreen  Clematis, 
and  very  justly  so,  when  it  is  grown  as  a  pillar 
plant,  for  which  it  is  not  well  suited.  Perhaps 
one  might  even  think  twice  before  giving  it  a  choice 
position  on  a  wall,  in  spite  of  its  beautiful  foliage, 
for  its  flowers,  though  pretty  and  dainty,  are  not 
showy.  Bat  an  echo  of  memory  of  long  ago  brings 
back  to  my  mind  this  Clematis  as  it  was  grown  in 
a  Devonshire  garden,  on  the  low  balustrade  of  a 
flag-paved  terrace  leading  to  steps,  and  it  would 
have  been  hard  to  find  a  prettier  garden  picture. 
It  may  safely  be  said  that  in  such  a  position  or 
perhaps  scrambling  over  a  low,  dry  wall,  it  would 
not  disappoint  the  most  fastidious  taste.  It  is  not 
so  tender  as  might  be  supposed,  and  may  be  grown 
anywhere  south  of  London  in  sheltered  spots. 
I  can  well  remember  the  delight,  on  a  winter's 
morning,  of  gathering  the  pale,  freckled  flowers 
which  accord  so  well  with  the  finely-cut  bronzed 
leaves.  The  foliage,  moreover,  is  particularly 
valuable  for  cutting  to  mix  with  Anemone  fulgens 
or  other  early  spring  flowers.  C.  cirrhosa  is  often 
mistaken  for  C.  calyeina,  for  both  are  met  with 
occasionally  under  the  synonym  of  C.  balearica, 
but  though  the  flowers  are  not  dissimilar,  the 
foliage  of  C.  cirrhosa  is  quite  distinct  in  texture  and 
colouring  and  has  not  the  same  value. 

Jacobinia     chrysostephana.— It   is 

remarkable  that  a  plant  so  conspicuously  orna- 
mental as  the  golden-crowned  Jacobinia  should 
not  have  found  its  way  long  before  now  into  public 
regard — for  once  the  high-sounding  name  is  no 
misnomer.  The  fine  group  in  flower,  exhibited  by 
Messrs.  .James  Veitch,  at  the  Drill  Hall,  on  Tuesday, 
the  5th  inst.,  will  do  more  to  call  attention  to  its 
goodqualities  than  many  paragraphs  in  horticul  tural 
journals,  though  it  has  been  commented  upon 
several  times  in  the  pages  of  The  Garden  and 
others  with  well-merited  appreciation.  It  cannot 
be  called  a  new  plant,  since  it  was  first  introduced 
from  Mexico  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  but 
practically  it  was  reintroduced  only  last  year. 
This  golden-crowned  Jacobinia  would  be  valuable 
for  the  greenhouse  at  any  season,  but  the  fact  of 
its  being  winter  flowering  makes  it  tenfold  more 
precious.  On  making  its  acquaintance  for  the 
first  time  one  experiences  a  new  sensation.     It  will 


light  up  a  cool  greenhouse — the  Cape  house  at  Kew 
for  example — on  a  dull  November  day  with  a  glow 
of  brightness  almost  dazzling,  and  quite  inspiriting 
at  that  dead  season,  while  it  continues  in  full 
beauty  for  many  weeks,  as  is  evident  from  its  being 
exhibited  now  in  the  early  days  of  the  new  year. 
The  dark  green,  strongly-nerved  leaves  form  an 
admirable  background  for  the  brilliant  coronals  of 
flowers.  Like  most  square-stemmed  plants,  it  is 
easily  raised  from  cuttings,  and  as  there  is  no  special 
cultural  difficulty  to  be  overcome,  no  reason  exists 
why  this  fine  plant  should  not  become  even  more 
popular  and  widely  grown  than  its  near  relative 
the  carmine-pink  J.  magnifica  carnea,  an  old 
favourite,  which,  by  the  way,  in  recent  years  has 
run  through  several  changes  of  name  from  Justicia 
and  Cyrthanthera  to  the  present  one  of  Jacobinia, 
where  we  may  hope  both  plants  will  now  be  allowed 
to  rest.— K.  L.  D. 
Chrysanthemum  Vf.  H.  Lincoln.— 

This  is  still  one  of  the  best  late  Chrysanthemums. 
For  some  reason  or  other  many  of  the  recognised 
late  sorts  have  been  much  earlier  than  usual. 
Probably  this  is  due  to  the  soft,  unripened  condition 
of  the  growth.  W.  H.  Lincoln  is  an  exceptionally 
good  yellow.  It  is  now  approaching  its  best  with 
us,  and  will  be  very  useful  till  the  end  of  January. 
It  is  not  always  that  this  variety  can  be  relied  upon, 
as,  unless  it  is  well  grown,  it  has  a  tendency  to 
produce  deformed  buds,  which  fail  to  open  during 
the  dull  months  of  December  and  January.  Golden 
Gem  has  been  splendid,  but  unfortunately  much 
earlier  than  usual,  and  its  flowering  period  is  fast 
approaching  the  close.  Lady  Canning  is  well  up  to 
its  usual  high  standard,  and  is  a  worthy  companion 
to  W.  H.  Lincoln. — E.  Harkiss. 
Missouri    Botanic    Garden.— In 

accordance  with  the  intention  of  its  founder,  the 
trustees  of  this  garden  offer  theoretical  and  practical 
instruction  for  young  men  desirous  of  becoming 
gardeners.  It  is  not  intended  that  many  persons 
shall  be  trained  at  the  same  time,  nor  that  the 
instruction  so  planned  shall  duplicate  the  excellent 
courses  in  agriculture  now  offered  by  the  numerous 
State  colleges  of  the  country,  but  that  it  shall  be 
quite  distinct,  and  limited  to  what  is  thought  to  be 
necessary  for  training  practical  gardeners.  Six 
scholarships  are  offered,  and  are  held  for  four  years. 
Pupils,  in  addition  to  those  holding  scholarships, 
are  also  admitted  to  the  garden  at  a  charge  of  £5 
per  year  for  tuition. 

Gardeners'  Improvement  Society 

in  India. — Exactly  a  year  ago  several  corre- 
spondents asked  us  to  support  a  suggestion  for  the 
establishment  in  India  of  a  Gardeners'  Mutual 
Improvement  Society.  Personally  we  have  much 
sympathy  with  such  a  movement,  and  should  like 
to  see  it  come  to  fruition.  We  are  led  to  a  con- 
sideration of  the  subject  again  from  a  letter  we  have 
received  from  an  enthusiastic  amateur  gardener, 
urging  us  to  ventilate  the  question  again.  We  do  so 
with  pleasure,  and  quote  what  we  wrote  on  the  subject 
last  year,  in  the  hope  that  something  practical  will 
result.  We  wrote  :  "  We  have  received  two  written 
expressions  of  opinion  from  Kew  men  on  this 
subject ;  one  of  these  is  from  Mr.  A.  C.  Hartless, 
of  Mungpa,  who  says  :  '  I  am  glad  to  see  your 
article  on  a  Gardeners'  Mutual  Improvement  Society 
for  India.  Some  time  ago  I  was  in  correspondence 
with  Mr.  GoUan  on  this  very  subject,  and  he  agreed 
with  me  that  it  was  desirable  ;  but  owing  to  the 
almost  impossible  probability  of  our  ever  meeting 
together,  we  could  not  then  see  our  way  to  doing 
anything  further.  Whatever  society  is  formed  it 
will  be  pre-eminently  a  corresponding  one.'  The 
more  that  gardening  spreads  in  India  the  better  for 
the  profession,  whether  gardeners  or  nurserymen — 
especially  nurserymen.  We  have  had  an  interview 
with  the  Curator  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens, 
Calcutta,  on  this  subject.  He  said  his  official 
duties  did  not  permit  him  to  take  any  leading  part 
in  the  scheme,  but  he  would  be  glad  to  give  advice 
in  the  matter ;  he  was  not  antagonistic  to  the 
measure." — Indian  Planting  and  Gardening. 

Peristrophe    speciosa.— Belonging  to 

the  natural  order  Acanthaceae,  this  plant,  according 
to  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  2722,  where  it  is 
figured  under  the  name  of  Justicia  speciosa,  is  one 
of  the  greatest  adornments  of  the  interior  of  the 


forests  of  Bengal.  Of  easy  culture,  it  is  certainly 
a  most  useful  plant  for  greenhouse  decoration 
during  the  winter  months.  Iijdividually,  the 
flowers  are  small,  but  this  is  more  than  compensated 
for  by  the  freeness  with  which  they  are  produced. 
The  tube  of  the  corolla  is  purplish  in  colour,  the 
two  lips  being  several  shades  deeper.  Propagated 
by  cuttings  in  spring,  they  should  be  pinched 
several  times  to  form  bushy  plants;  6-inch  pots 
will  be  large  enough  the  first  year.  Should  larger 
plants  be  required,  old  ones  may  be  cut  back  after 
flowering,  water  partially  withheld  for  a  month, 
then  started  into  growth  in  a  warm  house  and 
potted  into  8-inch  pots.  Occasional  doses  of  weak 
liquid  manure  are  very  beneficial  when  the  pots 
are  full  of  roots.  Abutilon  Savitzii  dotted  here 
and  there  adds  greatly  to  the  effect  of  a  group  of 
this  plant. — A.  0. 

Abutilon  Savitzii.— This  is  a  most  useful 
arid  desirable  plant  to  grow.  I  was  much  struck 
with  it  in  a  bed  last  season,  associated  with  Lobelia 
Queen  Victoria,  with  a  carpeting  of  Gazania 
splendens,  the  whole  making  a  very  striking  com- 
bination. Recently  it  was  the  predominant  feature 
in  the  decoration  of  a  large  dinner  table,  and  I  do 
not  think  I  have  ever  seen  it  to  better  advantage. 
The  pink  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  was  sparingly 
used  with  it,  just  sufficient  to  add  a  little  colour, 
but  not  enough  to  detract  appreciably  from  the 
beauty  of  the  Abutilon.  Under  artificial  light  the 
delicate  variegated  colouring  of  this  lovely  plant  is 
greatly  enhanced.  It  is  easily  propagated,  and  may 
be  grown  in  quite  tiny  pots,  which  makes  it  very 
adaptable  for  decorative  work. — E.  Harriss. 


THE   FLOWER  GARDEN. 

SELECTION    OF    SWEET    PEAS. 

''"TTNHE  following  selection  of  Sweet  Peas  will 

I  be  useful  to  those  who  want  varieties 

I  for  the  spring  sowing.     These  lists  have 

I  been  prepared  under  the  auspices  of  the 

^  National  Sweet  Pea   Society,   and    the 

following  information  is  taken  from  the 

annual  report  for  1903.     We  may  add  to  these  the 

beautiful  pink  variety.  Countess    Spencer,  which 

has    been    so    well    spoken    of    recently   in    The 

Garden. 

"In  the  classification  list  the  number  of  votes 
recorded  for  a  variety  was  taken  to  represent  the 
value  of  that  variety  in  its  particular  class,  and, 
no  doubt,  this  was  a  reasonable  and  also  a  pretty 
correct  assumption.  But  the  committee  could 
hardly  have  expected  that  both  the  audits  of  the 
1903  exhibition  would  show  how  remarkably  correct 
the  classification  list — the  first  of  its  kind — is. 
The  following  colour  list  will  explain  the  whole 
matter  more  readily  than  any  words  :  In  the  first 
column  are  the  nineteen  colour  classes  ;  in  the 
second  column  is  shown  the  variety  gaining  the 
highest  position  in  each  class  in  the  classification 
list  ;  the  third  column  indicates  which  variety  of 
the  same  class  occupied  the  highest  position  in  the 
general  audit  ;  and  the  fourth  column  shows  the 
premier  variety  of  each  class  as  indicated  by  the 
audit  of  first  prize  collections.  Among  pinks. 
Love  has  displaced  Prima  Donna,  and  Gorgeous 
has  had  to  give  place  in  the  orange  shades  class  to 
the  all-conquering  Miss  Willmott.  Lottie  Eckford. 
is  equalled  b}'  Maid  of  Honour  in  the  fourth  column 
for  Picotee-edged,  and  similarly  Jeannie  Gordon 
shares  the  honours  with  Triumph  as  the  premier 
bicolor.  Dorothy  Eckford,  as  was  anticipated, 
has  surpassed  Blanche  Burpee  as  a  white ;  the 
Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon  has  ousted  Queen  Victoria  from 
first  place  among  the  yellow  and  buff  shades  ;  and 
Othello  has  been  passed  over  in  favour  of  Black 
Knight.  The  new  Gracie  Greenwood  takes  the  lead 
of  Lottie  Hutchins  in  the  first  prize  audit,  and  as  it 
is  well  up  the  list  in  the  general  audit  it  bids  fair 
to  lead  the  American  variety  next  season,  when  it 
will  be  more  widely  grown.  George  Gordon  has 
asserted  itself  as  the  best  Magenta  Sweet  Pea, 
declining  even  the  honour  of  being  equal  first  with 
Captivation  as  indicated  by  the  classification  list. 
Thirteen  of  the  varieties  hold  the  highest  position 
in  their  respective  colour  classes  in  all  three  lists. 


54 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904. 


but  two  of  these  have  keen  rivals  for  first  place  in 
the  afifections  of  the  leading  competitors.  This 
proves,  if  it  proves  anything  at  all,  that  the  first 
work  of  the  society  in  this  direction  was  well  con- 
ceived and  well  carried  out,  and  suggests  that  quite 
apart  from  its  usefulness  as  the  provider  of  an 
attractive  flower  show,  the  society  has  claims  upon 
the  support  of  all  who  love  and  cultivate  this  most 
fragrant,  popular,  and  beautiful  of  annual  flowers. 
'*  In  the  audit  of  first  prize  collections  there  are 
forty-six  varieties  exhibited  two  or  more  times,  and 
as  in  the  majority  of  gardens  no  larger  number  of 
varieties  is  annually  grown,  a  comparison  between 
these  forty-six  and  the  first  furty-six  in  the  general 
audit  may  prove  interesting  and  instructive.  A 
glance  at  the  two  audits  will  show  that  thirty-eight 
of  the  varieties  are  found  among  the  first  forty-six 


in  both  classes,  although  their  positions  may  be 
considerably  dilferent.  The  eight  varieties  which 
are  in  the  first  forty-six  of  the  first  prize  audit,  but 
not  in  the  general  audit,  are  Agnes  Johnson,  Maid 
of  Honour,  Mrs.  Eekford,  Dainty,  Duke  of  Clarence, 
Lord  Kenyon,  Monarch,  and  Mrs.  W.  P.  Wright, 
while  the  eight  varieties  that  are  found  among  the 
first  forty-six  in  the  general  audit,  but  are  absent 
from  the  first  prize  audit,  are  Mars,  Mrs.  Joseph 
Chamberlain,  Gorgeous,  Blanche  Burpee,  Qaeen 
Victoria,  Mrs.  Dugdale,  Hon.  F.  Bouverie,  and 
Venus.  Curiously  enough,  neither  Mrs.  Dugdale 
nor  Venus  was  shown  in  a  first  prize  collection, 
and,  on  the  other  hand,  Katherine  Tracy,  Lemon 
Queen,  and  Modesty,  which  were  only  once  shown 
in  the  entire  competition,  each  appeared  in  first 
prize  stands." 


COLOUR    LIST. 


General  Audit. 
Salopian 


Colour.  Clasiiifi cation  Li-st. 

Crimson    Salopian 

Rose  and  Carmim Prince  uf  Wales Prince  uf  Wales. 

Pin's Prima  Donna     Lively    

Orange  Shaies    Gorgeous     Miss  Willinolt    

Blush Duchess  of  Sutherland  Duchess  of  Sutheiland. 

Picotee  Edged Lottie  Eekford Lottie  Eekford    

Red  Stripes America America    

Purple  and  Blue  Stnjjes Princess  of  Wales    Princess  of  Wales 

Yelioie  and  Buff Queen  Victoria Hon.  Mrs.  Keiiyoii    . . . 

Bicolors Triumph Triumph   

Blue    Navy  Blue Navy  Blue    

Mauv}    Dorothy  Tennant    Dorothy  Tennant  ..... 

Violet  and  Pu-rp'e Duke  of  Westminster    Duke  (^i  Westminster  . 

Marone  and  Bronze Othello    Black  Kniy,ht 

Lavender Lady  Grizel  Hamilton    Lady  Grizel  Hamilton  . 

White Blanche  Burpee    Dorothy  Eekford    

Fancies Lottie  Hutchins   Lottie  Hutchins 

*«^»'»    {?fpEfvat1o;n GaorgeGordon   

Cerise Coccinea Coccinea    


First  Prize  Audit. 

Salopian 
.     Prince  of  Wales 

Lovely 

Miss  Willniott 

Duchess  of  Sutherland 
/  Lottie  Eekford 
'  (  Maid  of  Honour 
.     America 
.     Princess  of  Wales 
.     Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon 
/  Jeannie  Gordon 
•  1^  Triumph 
.     Navy  Blue 

Dorothy  Tennant 
.     Duke  of  Westminster 
.     Black  Knitiht 

Lady  Grizel  Hamilton 
.     Dorothy  Eckfuid 
.     Grade  Greenwood 

.     George  Gordon 

.     Coccinea 


COMPLETE    AUDIT    OF    VARIETIES    SHOWN    IN    COMPETITION. 


Varietif, 


Tiiiu's 
Shoun. 


Varietal. 


Times 
Shown. 


Miss  Willraott   44 

Navy  Blue  35 

Lovely 34 

The  Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon 32 

BlackKnight 30 

Lady  Grizel  Hamilton. 30 

Prince  of  Wales 30 

Duke  of  Westminster 29 

Salopian  29 

Dorothy  Eekford 23 

Triumph ; 28 

Coccinea 27 

Mars 24 

Jeannie  Gordon 2 1 

Othello 21 

Prima  Donna 21 

America   20 

Sadie  Burpee 20 

Lottie  Hutchins    19 

Lord  Rosebery 18 

Mrd.  Joseph  Chamberlain  ...  IS 

Duchess  of  Sutherland   17 

Prince  Edward  of  York 17 

Lady  Mary  Currie    IG 

Lottie  EckforJ ](} 

Countess  Cadogan    14 

Gorgeous 14 

Her  Majesty  . .   14 

Princess  of  Wales 14 

Dorothy  Tennant 13 

Blanche  Burpee     12 


26. 


Countess  of  Radnor    12 

Captain  of  the  Blues 11 

Countess  of  Lathom    11 

Emily  Eekford   11 

Gracie  Greenwood  10 

Queen  Victoria 10 

Royal  Rose 10 

King  Edward  VII 9 

Lady  Al.  Ormsby-Gore    9 

Mrs.  Dugdale !) 

Admiration S 

Gaiety 8 

George  Gordon 8 

Hon.  F.  Bouverie 8 

Venus    8 

Caplivation    7 

Lady  Nina  Balfour  7 

Maid  of  Honour   7 

Mrs.  Eckfurd 7 

Dainty G 

Duchess  of  Westminster    ....  6 

Stanley 6 

Agnes  Johnson 5 

Countess  of  Aberdeen    5 

Golden  Gate   5 

Lord  Kenyon 5 

Pink  Friar  5 

Sensation     ....  5 

Aurora ...  4 

Colonist    4 

Duke  of  Clarence 4 


Varictfi. 


Emily  Henderson 

Monarch 

Mrs.  Walter  P.  Wright  . 

Sensation 

Countess  of  Powis    

Duke  of  Sutherland 

Mrs.  Saiikey    

Stella  Murse  

Apple  Blossom 

Chancellor 

Coquette 

Ct)untess  of  Shrewsbury. 

Fascination    

Grey  Friar 

Mrs.  Fitzgerald 

Shahzada 

Boreatton    

Dolly  Varden 

Eliza  Eekford 

Firefly  

IsaEckf.rd 

Katherine  Tiacy  

Lady  Skelmersdale 

Lemon  Queen 

Modesty  

Mont  Blanc 

Oriental    

Seedling  


Ti, 
Slio 


Total -hunches 991 

,,      varieties    90 


AUDIT    OF    VARIETIES    SHOWN    IN    FIRST    PRIZE    EXHIBITS. 


Variety. 

Dorothy  Eekford  

Lady  Grizel  Hamilton 

Lovely 

Duke  of  Westminster.. 
Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon   . .  . . 

Jeannie  Gordon     

Miss  Willmott  

Prince  of  Wales    

Salopian  , 

Triumph 

Navy  Blue  

Black  Knight 

Coccinea , 

Lady  Mary  Currie 

Lord  Rosebery  , 

Prima  Donna 

Agnes  Johnson 

America   

Captain  of  the  Blues    . 

George  Gordon 

Gracie  Greenwood 
King  Edward  VII.    . . 

Lottie  Eekford  

Maid  of  Honour  

O. hello 


Tii. 

Sho 


Varicti/. 

Piince  Edward  of  York. 
Countess  Cadogan  .... 
Countess  of  Lathom    . .  . 

Dorothy  Teimant 

Duchess  of  Sutherland   , 

Mrs.  Eekford 

Princei^s  of  Wales 

Admiration 

Countess  of  Radnor 


Times 
Slwu--n. 

4 

3 

3 

3 

3 


Dainty 2 

Duke  of  Clarence 2 

Emily  Eckfurd  2 

Gaiety  2 

Hot  Alajesty 2 

Lady  M.  Ormsby-Gore    2 

Lord  Kenyon 2 

Lottie  Hutchins    . .    . 2 

Monarch 2 

Mrs.  Walter  P.  Wright 2 

Royal  Rose 2 

Sadie  Burpee 2 

Apple  Blossom ...  1 

Blanche  Burpee    1 

Boreatton    1 

Caplivation    


Variety. 

Ciilonist   

Countess  of  Aberdeen 

Countess  of  Powis    

Duchess  of  Westminster  . . 

Duke  of  Sutherland 

Eliza  Eekford    

Emily  Henderson 

Golden  Gate     

Gorgeous    

Grey  Friar  

Hon.  F.  Bouverie 

Katherine  I'racy   

Lady  Nina  Balfour  

Lemon  Queen 

Mars 

Modesty  

Mrs.  Fitzgerald 

Mrs.  Joseph  Chamberlain.. 

Pink  Fi'iar 

Queen  Victoria 

Shahzada 


Ti 
Shont, 


Total  hunches. . 
,,     varieties 


2IG 
71 


CLASSIFICATION    OF    SWEET    PEAS. 


By   Mr. 


Hugh   Aldersey,   Aldebsey  Hall, 

Chester. 


I .  —  S  E  L  F  s  . 

H7/(7e.— Dorothy  Eekford,  Sadie  Burpee,  Blanche  Burpee, 
and  Emily  Henderson. 

Blu^h. — Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Countess  of  Aberdeen. 

Cream.— 'Sivs.  Fitzgerald,  Lottie  Hutchins,  and  Gracie 
Greenwood. 

Yellow.— B.(jn.  Mrs.  Edw.  Kenyon,  Queen  Victoria,  Lady 
M.  OrmshyGore,  and  Mrs.  Eekford. 

P/nfc.— Lovely,  Hon.  F.  Bouverie,  and  Prima  Donna. 

liobC. — Prince  of  Wales,  Lord  Rosebery,  and  Mrs.  Dugdale. 

Bright  /iosf.— Lady  Mary  Currie,  Miss  Willraott,  and 
Chancellor. 

Ora/i^t?.— Gorgeous,  Countess  of  Powis,  and  Meteor. 

Crimson. — King  Edward  VIL,  Salopian,  and  Mars. 

Cerise. — Coccinea. 

La  render. —L2i,(\y  Grizel  Hamilton,  Countess  of  Radnor, 
and  Lady  Nina  Balfour. 

Blue  (Dark).— 'Sa.vy  Blue,  Captain  of  the  Blues,  and  Duke 
of  Sutherland. 

Blue  (Light).— Emi]y  Eekford  and  CimTiless  Cadogan. 

Violet. — Duke  of  Westminster  and  Duke  of  Clarence. 

^fatu'e.—'SlTS.  Walter  Wright,  D.authy  Tennant,  and 
Admiration. 

JAaroH*.— Othello,  Black  Knight,  and  Stanley. 

Magenta. — George  Goidon,  Lord  Kenyon,  and  Calypso. 

II.— Bicolors. 
Rose  and  }rA/(e.— Triumph,  Royal  Rose,  and  Little  Dorrit. 
Pink  and  Buff'.— Agnes  Johnson,  Venus,  and  Countess  of 
Lathom. 
Scarlet  and  Pink. — Prince  Edward  of  York. 
Rose  and  Buff. — Jeannie  Gordon. 

III.— Flakes  (White  Gsodnd). 
Tic*/.— America  and  Aurora. 
Blue. — Princess  of  Wales  and  Senator. 

IV.— Fancies. 
Duchess  of  Westminster. 

v.— Picotee. 
Maid  of  Honour,  Golden  Gate,  and  Lottie  Eekford. 


RIVIERA     NOTES. 


Mention  has  been  made  of  the  Strawberry 
Grape,  I  see.  Only  to-day  have  we  eaten, 
with  regret,  the  last  bunches  of  this  high- 
tiavoured  Grape,  wliich  we  think  so  delicious. 
Whether  it  is  so  desirable  when  grown  in  a 
vinery  is  a  question  of  individual  taste,  for  it 
could  not  be  a  profitable  fruit  under  glass,  as 
its  growth  is  so  strong  and  the  crop  of  fruit 
always  rather  small,  both  in  berry  and  bunch, 
when  the  immense  spread  of  foliage  and  growth 
is  considered.  The  flavour  varies  according  to 
the  amount  of  sun  it  receives.  The  very  highest 
flavoured  e.^amples  remind  one  strongly  of 
Black  Currants  and  Raspberries  mixed — not 
the  least  like  an  ordinary  Grape.  Sometimes  a 
few  berries  do  remind  one  a  little  of  a  sun-baked 
Strawberry  ;  but  the  Raspberry-Black-Currant 
tlavQur  is  the  prevailing  "  tone"  to  use,  a  mixed 
metaphor. 

BuDDLEiA  ASiATicA,  it  seems,  is  coming  to 
the  front  again.  Under  many  synonyms  it  has 
been  grown  for  long  years  on  this  coast ;  indeed, 
I  first  inhaled  its  delicious  odour  when  driving 
"  Vetturino  "  on  this  coast  near  the  Osteria  del 
Matto,  made  famous  by  Rufiini  in  his  "  Doctor 
Antonio,"  and  it  is  amusing  to  think  it  should 
have  been  considered  a  new  plant  by  anybody 
that  is  cognisant  of  gardening  and  gardens  on 
this  coast.  I  have  never  seen  it  injured  by  the 
hardest  frosts  here,  so  it  must  be  pretty  hardy, 
and  should  thrive  on  a  south  wall,  where 
Solanum  jasminoides  flourishes.  Buddleia 
asiatica,  Chimonanthus  fragrans,  and  Lonicera 
fragrantissima  are  a  trio  of  sweet  scented 
winter-blooming  shrubs  no  garden  lover  should 
be  without. 

Primula  megase.efolia  is  a  charming  little 
thing  like  a  miniature  Polyanthus,  rose-lilac  and 
golden-eyed,  on  .slender  stems,  and  if  any  hybrid 
cun  be  obtained  between  it  and  obconica,  or 
some  Polyanthus  of  its  own  colouring,  a  more 
vigorous  and  useful  garden  plant  may  be 
obtained.  There  is  a  charm  about  it  that  is 
entirely  lacking  in  P.  obconica,  which,  never- 


•  iTAifuARY  23,  I9G4J 


THE    GARDEN. 


55 


I 


theless,  is  welcome  here  for  covering  the 
ground  in  shade  under  shrubs  and  trees  ;  but 
in  sun  or  any  exposure  it  loses  its  colour  and 
looks  shabby. 

Primula,  kewensis  is  now  in  bloom,  and  is 
a  stronger  grower  than  its  parent,  P.  floribunda  ; 
but  I  think  the  finest  forms  of  F.  verticillata 
are  superior  to  it,  as  the  stems  are  sturdier 
and  the  shade  of  yellow  preferable  to  that  in 
P.  kewensis,  which,  however,  flowers  earlier. 

Tacsonia  jHLiTARts  produces  a  few  mag- 
nificent blooms  throughout  the  winter  months, 
but  its  growth  is  so  straggling,  and  the  flowers 
so  few,  it  is  not  to  be  compared  to  the  old  and 
excellent  Tacsonia  I  grew,  which  also  the  other 
day  figured  as  a  new  climber,  much  to  the 
surprise  of  those  who  recognised 
in  the  plate  a  familiar  friend. 

Heliotrope  Tixier  peee. — 
While  the  typical  Peruvian  Helio- 
trope is  the  most  free  and  persis- 
tent bloomer  here  throughout  the 
winter  to  be  seen  in  every  fairly 
sheltered  garden,  the  deeper  lilac 
and  purple  forms  have  generally 
proved  much  more  tender,  so  that 
they  look  unhappy,  yellow,  and 
pinched  by  any  cold  rains  and 
winds.  Up  to  the  advent  of  this 
variety  President  Garfield  was  the 
best  purple-flowered  Heliotrope 
for  winter  flowering,  but  even  that 
was  apt  to  look  cbilled  and  ill  at 
ease ;  so  Tixier  pfere,  which  is  a 
fine  flower,  rich  in  colour,  and 
bold  in  individual  pip,  is  a  most 
welcome  addition,  as  it  seems 
quite  as  free  and  hardy  as  the  type. 
It  should  be  useful  for  summer 
bedding  in  England,  where  the 
dark  Heliotropes  are  not  always 
happy  in  cold  and  wet  seasons 
north  of  the  Trent.  This  variety 
is  as  fragrant  as  the  type,  which  is 
also  an  advantage  not  shared  by 
many  of  the  deeper  coloured  forms. 

LiNUM  TEIGYNUM  is  most  ex- 
cellent in  combination  with,  or 
contrast  to,  the  blue  forms  of  the 
Chinese  Primula;  both  prefer  the 
shade,  and  their  colours  are  far 
fresher  when  so  grown  than  plants 
in  the  open.  It  must  generally 
be  grown  too  warm  in  English 
houses,  as  it  is  in  perfection  when 
the  shade  (day  and  night  tem- 
perature) averages  48°  to  50",  and 
no  red  spider  or  thrip  touches  it 
when  grown  out  of  doors. 

LmuM  TETRAGYiVOM  is  much 
dwarfer  and  less  free  in  every 
way ;  but  it  flowers  after  L. 
trigynum,  and  its  pale  corollas  are 
pretty  if  not  so  abundant.  In 
consequence  it  is  rarely  grown  out 
here,  as  L.  trigynum  will  always 
take  care  of  itself,  and  "  come  up  smiling" 
when  flowering  time  has  arrived,  even  after 
severe  summer  drought.  This  season  has  suited 

Phlox  Drummondii  particularly  well,  or 
else  the  strain  is  better  than  usual,  for  I  never 
saw  it  to  such  advantage  in  the  month  of 
January.  As  an  edging  to  a  good-sized  bed  of 
Tree  Carnations  it  is  specially  attractive,  for 
the  tones  of  its  flowers  harmonise  admirably 
with  the  mixed  strains  of  Carnations  grown 
for  winter  bedding.  The  combination,  perhaps, 
might  also  look  well  in  English  gardens  where 
Carnations  are  used  in  bedding.  I  see  it  is 
announced  that  a  big  show  of  Tree  or  winter 
Carnations  is  to  be  held  at  Cannes  from 
March  3  to  March  7.    It  is  to  be  hoped  that 


the  newly-raised    French  perpetual  flowering 
Malmaisons  may  be  shown  there. 

Edward  H.  Woodall. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 


THE    SUGAR    MAPLE. 

HIS  is  a  sadly  neglected  tree. 
Although  introduced  from  North 
America  so  long  ago  as  173.5,  it  is 
but  rarely  seen  in  this  country. 
The  illustration  of  a  tree  growing 
on  the  bank  of  the  lake  at  Pen- 
carrow  gives  a  good  idea  of  its  appearance 


T 


leaf  colouring  which  we  associate  with  that 
season.  But  at  Pencarrow  our  Sugar  Maple 
never  fails  to  furnish  us  with  a  wealth  of 
glorious  colour,  the  efi'ect  of  which,  when 
reflected  by  the  still  waters  of  the  lake  on 
whose  margin  the  tree  stands,  is  indescribable. 
The  Sugar  or  Rock  Maple  (Acer  saccharinum) 
forms  extensive  forests  in  Canada.  Formerly 
the  tapping  of  these  trees  in  spring  was  quite 
an  important  undertaking.  The  juice  so 
obtained,  when  boiled,  deposits  a  dark-coloured 
crystalline  mass  —  Maple  sugar.  Although 
considered  to  be  quite  equal  to  cane  sugar,  it 
but  rarely  found  its  way  into  commerce.  The 
grain  of  the  wood,  which  varies  considerably 
in  appearance,  furnishes  the  "  blister "  and 
"  bird's-eye "  Maple  valued  for 
inlaying.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 


OLEARIA    RAMULOSA. 

This  is  an  interesting  Australian 
shrub  which  is  well  worth  growing 
for  the  greenhouse  in  winter,  for  it 
is  light  and  graceful,  is  easily  grown, 
and  iiowers  freely.  Although  by  no 
means  new,  it  is  rarely  .seen  in  culti- 
vation, Australian  plants  generally 
being  neglected  in  most  gardens.  In 
the  temperate  house  at  Kew  one  or 
two  good  plants  of  it  may  now  be 
seen  in  flower.  These  were  raised 
from  seed  received  from  the  Sydney 
Botanic  Garden  in  1901.  In  general 
appearance  it  differs  considerably 
from  the  better-known  species  of 
Olearia.  The  main  branches  are 
made  up  of  numerous  twiggy  side 
branches,  clothed  with  tiny  leaves 
barely  an  eighth  of  an  inch  long, 
green  on  the  upper  surface,  and 
covered  on  the  under  side  with  a 
white  felt.  The  flower-heads  are 
white  and  star-shaped,  and  are  borne 
from  the  axils  of  the  leaves  on  the 
upper  portion  of  last  summer's  wood, 
the  upper  half  of  a  branch  forming 
one  large  inflorescence.  lodividually 
the  flower-heads  are  small,  being 
barely  a  quarter  of  an  inch  across. 
Their  lack  of  size  is,  however,  made 
up  for  by  their  profusion.  A  cool 
greenhouse  is  all  that  is  necessary 
for  the  cultivation  of  this  plant,  and 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  year  a 
cold  frame  will  suffice.  W.   D. 


THE  SUGAR  MAPLE   (ACF.E  SACOHARINUm)   BY   THE  LAKE   AT  PENCARROW, 

CORNWALL. 


when  developed.  This  tree  was  planted  a  i  eases  root 
year  or  so  prior  to  1850,  and  is  now  just  I  will  be  fit 
40  feet  high,  and  the  stem  at  3  feet  from  the 
ground  measures  3  feet  4  inches  in  girth.  The 
photograph  was  taken  last  April  when  the 
tree  was  in  flower.  At  this  period  it  is  very 
attractive ;  each  shoot  produces  a  short- 
stemmed,  drooping  corymb  of  flowers,  which 
are  of  a  delicate  pea  green  colour.  On  a  warm 
sunny  day,  or  when  a  out  branch  is  placed  in  a 
warm  room,  the  liowers  emit  a  pleasing 
fragrance. 

But,  beautiful  as  the  Sugar  Maple  is  when 
in  flower,  it  is  still  more  beautiful  in  the 
autumn.  During  the  past  autumn  one  heard 
frequent  lamentations  concerning  the  lack  of 


ILEX    CRENATA. 

A    NOTABLE    feature  of   this   pretty 
little  Japanese  Holly,  figured  in  The 
Garden,  page  413  of  the  last  volume, 
is    the  readiness   with  which  it  can 
be  raised  from  cuttings,  for  Hollies 
are,    as    a     rule,    very    difficult    of 
increase   in   this  way.     If   the  half- 
ripened  shoots  are  taken  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  summer,  inserted 
in   pots    of   sandy    soil,    and  placed 
in  a  frame   kept   close   and   shaded 
from    the    sun,    they  will    in    many 
before    winter :    at    all   events,    they 
to    pot    oS'   in    the    spring.      Apart 
from  the   variegated-leaved   variety   there   is    one 
known    as    major    or     Fortunei,    in     which     the 
leaves    are    larger    and    rounder    and    the    plant 
itself  rather  more  vigorous  than  the  type.     Pro- 
fessor Sargent,   in   his    "Forest  Flora  of  Japan," 
gives  some  interesting  particulars  concerning  this 
Holly,  as  follow  :   "  Ilexcrenata  is  the  most  widely 
distributed  and  the  most  common   of  the  Japanese 
Hollies  with  persistent  leaves.    This  plant  is  abun- 
dant in    Hokkaido,    on    the    foothills    of    Mount 
Hakkoda,  and  on  the  sandy  barrens  near  Giffu,  on 
the  Tokaido,  and  I  encountered  it  in  nearly  every 
part  of  the  empire  which  I  visited.     It  is  usually  a 
low,  much-branched,  rigid  shrub,  3  feet  or  4  feet 
high,  but  in  cultivation  it  not  infrequently  rises  to 


56 


tHE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904. 


the  height  of  20  feet,  and,  assuming  the  habit  of  a 
tree,  is  not  unlike  the  Box  in  general  appearance. 
The  leaves,  which  are  light  green  and  very  lustrous, 
vary  considerably  in  size  and  shape,  although  they 
are  rarely  more  than  an  inch  long,  and  are  usually 
ovaie-acute,  with  slightly  crenate,  toothed  margins. 
The  black  fruit  is  produced  in  great  profusion,  and 
adds  materially  to  the  beauty  of  the  plant.  This 
is  the  most  popular  of  all  the  Hollies  with  the 
.Japanese,  and  a  plant  usually  cut  into  a  fantastic 
shape  is  found  in  nearly  every  garden.  Ilex  crenata 
and  several  of  its  varieties  with  variegated  foliage 
were  introduced  into  western  gardens  many  years 
ago,  and  are  occasionally  cultivated,  although  the 
value  of  this  plant  as  an  under  shrub  appears  to 
be  hardly  known  or  appreciated  outside  of  .Japan." 

H.  P. 


A   JOURNEY    TO    UGANDA. 

The  now  completed  railway  from  the  shores  of  the 
Indian  Ocean  to  those  of  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza 
enables  one  to  see  a  good  deal  and  get  a  good 
general  idea  of  the  Eist  African  Protectorate. 
Leaving  Mombasa  by  it  one  travels  through  long 
stretchjs  of  Cocoanut  plantations  thickly  studded 
with  picturesque  native  huts.  Succeeding  on  this 
comes  a  fairly  interesting  country  of  a  hilly 
character,  so  much  so  that  the  track  winds  and 
turns  on  itself  frequently.  One  enters  next  on  a 
hot,  bad  smelling,  uninteresting  stretch  of  country, 
which  one  is  glad  to  leave  and  come  to  the  class  of 
scenery  that  seems  common  at  about  3,000  feet 
altitude  in  East  Central  Africa.  This  is  a  region 
of  thin,  clean  forest,  of  wide  grassy  expanses,  and 
of  conical  hills  often  clothed  with  bush.  Then 
comes  another  rise  in  altitude  and  we  are  on  those 
vast,  almost  level,  almost  treeless,  plains  so  charac- 
teristic of  this  region  of  EiSt  A  f rica.  0  ver  immense 
distances  the  only  vegetation  practically  is  grass, 
rarely  more  than  2  feet  high  and  often  quite 
short. 

But  one  is  apt  to  forget  those  grassy  seas  in  the 
astonishment  aroused  by  their  inhabitants.  These 
are  members  of  the  gazelle  family,  and  zebra,  in 
extraordinary  numbers.  And  they  are  not  all  away  in 
the  distance,  for  thousands  graze  comparatively  close 
to  the  track.  A  charming  buck  (Thomson's  gazelle), 
smaller  than  a  fallow  deer,  goes  in  large  herds. 
The  quaint,  long-faced  hartebeest,  with  its  rich 
yellow-brown  coat,  is  in  lesser  numbers  but  always 


picturesquely  grouped.  There  are  rietbuck  and 
buck  of  various  other  sorts,  but  they  do  not  occupy 
i  the  picture  as  effectively  as  the  sturdy,  healthy 
I  mobs  of  zebra  ;  while  the  many  stately,  long-necked 
ostriches  are  a  prominent  feature.  Probably  here 
we  have  the  last  slrotighold  of  that  unique,  sub- 
tropical African  fauna  which  the  white  man,  in 
occupying  the  country  in  days  gone  by,  has 
ruthlessly  destroyed.  Probably  also  there  is  no 
country  now  so  fully  stocked  with  game,  and  it  is 
almost  worth  the  journey  to  observe  these  interesting 
animals  on  their  own  ground. 

On  the  outskirts  of  the  plains  another  sight,  as 
wonderful  as  the  vast  game  lands,  is  impressed  on 
one's  memory.     I  mean  the  view,  looking  south,  of 
j  The  Famous  Kilimanjaro  Mountains. 

Seen  just  after  dawn  across  the  plains,  out  of 
which  the  stately  range  appears  to  rise,  nothing 
can  be  more  impressive.  The  great  peaks  (nearly 
20,000  feet  high)  covered  perpetually  with  snow 
are  coloured  the  most  beautiful  tints— generally 
rose  or  rose-pink — by  the  rising  sun.  The  enormous 
upsweep  of  slope  seems  then  so  clearly  lighted  that 
one  imagines  details  of  rock  and  chasm  to  be  dis- 
cernible. As  if  by  magic,  strata  of  cloud  form  on 
the  sides  and  as  mysteriously  disappear.  Indeed, 
while  gazing,  the  whole  range  may  appear  to  vanish 
into  cloudland,  for,  with  a  due  sense  of  its  majestic 
grandeur,  Kilimanjaro  does  not  always  expose  to 
the  common  gaze  the  whole  of  its  vast  proportions. 
In  this  region  of  the  great  plains  there  are  three 
charming  lakes — Elementeita,  Naivasha,  and 
Nakuro.  Nakuro  is  almost  surrounded  by  well- 
timbered  hills  of  varied  and  pleasing  outline,  and 
here  again  begins  the  rise  to  those  delightful  higher 
plateaux  which  extend  over  a  large  area.  These 
plateaux,  and  the  plains  they  rise  in,  are  admirably 
adapted  for  white  colonists.  The  land  is  fertile 
and  well  watered,  timber  is  plentiful,  and  the 
climate  is  almost  perfect.  We  find  here  a  Podo- 
carpus  and  a  couple  of  species  of  Juniper — the 
latter  forming  almost  pure  forest  at  times  ;  but 
both  are  more  frequently  seen  mixed  with  other 
Dicotyledonous  trees.  The  scenery  in  these  high- 
lands is  of  great  variety  and  exercises  a  powerful 
fascination  on  the  visitor.  Many  parts  are  exquisite, 
such,  indeed,  as  we  ascribe  to  fairyland.  They  are 
bits  of  Nature's  own  gardening.  It  follows  that 
these  spots  are  of  special  interest  to  the  plant- 
lover.  There  linger  in  one's  memory  beautiful 
effects  of  trees  and  shrubs,  low-growing  flowering 


SNOWDKOrS  BV  STREAMSIDE  AT  DUNKOBIN,  A  RESIDENCE  OF  THE  DUKE  AND  DUCHESS  OF  SUTHERLAND 


plants  and  Ferns  noticed  cm  route.  The  vegetation 
is  rich  in  types,  and  no  doubt  many  first-rate  garden 
plants  will  be  forthcoming  from  these  plateaux. 

The  railway  track  descends  from  its  highest 
point  (over  8,000  feet)  on  the  Mau  escarpment  to 
the  shores  of  Lake  Victoria.  Oddly  enough,  when 
nearing  the  Lake  an  unpleasant  bit  of  country, 
suggestive  of  that  near  the  sea-coast,  is  traversed. 
The  dominating  vegetation  here  is  a  species  of 
Acacia,  with  pale  green  stems  and  very  scanty 
foliage,  which  is  common  in  parts  of  Central  Africa 
and  known  as  "Fever  Tree  "—the  country  it 
inhabits  suggests  fever  and  kindred  evils.  On 
making  the  acquaintance  of  the  Lake  at  close 
quarters  a  feeling  of  disappointment  is  experienced, 
for  you  are  landed  at  the  head  of  Kavirondo  Bay, 
and  it  is  not  by  any  means  the  prettiest  margin  of 
the  "  Great  Water."  Taking  the  steamer  here  and 
gaining  the  Lake  proper  you  quickly  perceive  how 
grand  an  expanse  of  water  it  is.  A  spanking  breeze 
frequently  blows  in  the  forenoon  and  the  water 
can  be  as  blue  as  the  Mediterranean.  When  it  is 
lashed  into  fury  by  storm  it  is  easy  to  imagine 
oneself  on  the  ocean.  As  the  route  across  to  Uganda 
lies,  one  is  rarely  out  of  sight  of  land,  so  numerous 
are  the  islands,  which  are  frequently  picturesque 
and  interesting.     On  an  average  fair  evening  the 

Lake  Scenery 
is  peculiarly  fascinating.  One  is  apt  to  forget  he 
IS  almost  in  the  heart  of  Africa,  for  there  is  a  strange 
sense  of  familiarity  in  the  surroundings.  The 
Lake  shores  of  Uganda  proper,  whether  viewed 
from  the  water  or  from  the  land,  are  picturesque  in 
the  extreme.  There  is  frequently  a  striking  belt 
of  tropical  forest,  with  magnificent  stretches  of 
Raphia  monbuttorum  on  the  water  side ;  and  there 
13  often  to  be  found,  leading  up  to  this,  a  beach  of 
delightful  sandy  gravel  of  a  white  colour.  The 
coast-line  is  indented  by  beautiful  bays,  and  some- 
times the  shore-line  is  a  series  of  low,  irregular 
cliff's  of  a  brown  volcanic  conglomerate,  clothed 
with  a  short  wiry  grass,  very  pleasant  to  walk  on  ; 
indeed,  there  are  often  wide  expanses  of  land  on 
the  shores  covered  by  this  grass.  It  is  also  to 
be  remarked  that  most  unpleasant  swamps  composed 
of  towering  Papyrus,  Arundo,  and  a  tall,  common- 
looking  Ruscus  are  to  be  found— haunts  of  many 
waterfowl. 

The  very  interesting  "Ambatch"  tree  (Her- 
miniera  elaphroxylon)  bears  the  same  relation  to 
places  on  the  Lake  shore  that  mangroves  do  to 
estuaries  on  the  sea-coast.  It  forms  a  dense  jungle 
just  inside  the  water-line,  and  follows  that  position 
persistently.  I  have  no  doubt  it  serves  the  purpose 
of  aiding  the  land  in  encroaching  on  the  Lake,  for 
all  sorts  of  debris  accumulate  amongst  the  serried 
trunks.  But  it  is  interesting  to  observe  that  Ihe 
tree  thrives  best  where  its  trunk  is  immersed  3  feet 
or  4  feet  in  water  ;  its  exceedingly  light,  cork-like 
wood  appears  to  have  little  or  no  use  in  native 
economy.  The  Basoga  used  it  formerly  to  make 
their  peculiar  war-shields,  and  some  considerable 
trade  is  done  now  in  making  more  or  less  correct 
copios  of  these  and  selling  them  at  a  big  profit  to 
the  newly  arrived  white  man,  who,  to  the  joy  of 

ihe  native,  is  an  assiduous  collector  of  "  curios  " 

often  at  fancy  prices.  An  isolated  tree,  or  small 
group,  of  the  "  Ambatch  "  forms  a  favourite  site  in 
which  colonies  of  black  and  yellow  weaver-birds 
build  their  interesting  nests.  The  place  is  literally 
alive  with  these  garrulous  but  industrious  birds 
when  building  operations  take  place. 

The  Lake  Shore  Forest, 
although  at  nearly  4,000  feet  altitude,  contains 
vegetation  of  the  most  tropical  lowland  types. 
The  common  Raphia  attains  very  fine  proportions, 
and  clumps  of  a  Pha-nix  tower  aloft  gracefully. 
There  are  many  striking  species  of  Ficus,  and  at 
leayt  one  tine  foliaged  Macaranga.  The  wild  Nutmeg 
(Pycnanthus)  is  ever  present,  topping  most  of  the 
forest  trees,  except  the  noble  Piptadenia,  which 
frequently  forms  at  its  base  remarkable  buttresses. 
The  Incense  tree  (Canarium),  with  its  great  bole 
and  widespreading  limbs,  suggests  a  fine  Oak.  A 
striking  white-flowered  tree  is  the  beautiful  Baikiea 
insignis,  which  makes  a  fine  show  in  its  dowering 
periods. 


January  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


57 


Sir  H.  Johnston's  Favourite  Tree, 
the  blazing  Erythrina,  is  often  a 
dazzling  splash  of  colour  on  the  skirts 
of  the  forest.  Landolphias  scent  the 
air  and  litter  the  ground  with  their 
beautiful  flowers ;  their  fruits — in  shape 
and  colour  like  Oranges— are  loved  by 
the  ubiquitous  monkeys.  A  large  per- 
centage of  the  older  trees  have  their 
trunks  wreathed  with  an  Aroid  (Cul- 
oasia),  and  a  graceful  Piper  with  clusters 
of  yellowish  red  fruits  is  also  a  common 
climber.  But  one  tires  of  the  ever- 
present,  overwhelming  Lianas,  their 
tough,  sinuous  stems  seem  to  compose 
the  forest  in  some  cases.  The  Ginger 
family  furnishes  plenty  of  growth  for 
the  forest  floor.  A  beautiful  Thalia 
with  large,  baccate,  bright  red  fruits 
is  very  effective.  There  are  several 
species  of  Amomum,  and  a  Hoemanthus 
occurs  in  large  patches  where  the  shade 
is  not  too  dense  ;  in  flower  it  makes  a 
charming  picture.  Ferns  of  a  few 
acaulescent  genera  are  plentiful  in 
places,  but  not  always  common.  One 
recalls  charming  pictures  made  by 
masses  of  Ferns  in  Raphia  groves  on 
the  Lake  shore  where  the  shade  is 
pleasant  and  the  soil  moist  and  peat- 
like. Not  only  is  the  ground  covered 
with  Ferns,  hut  the  Palm  trunks  are 
gracefully  wreathed  with 

Ltgodium  scandbss, 
while  the  persistent  bases  of  the  leaf- 
stalks    furnish     "  pockets "     wherein 
Ferns,  Fieus  seedlings,  &c.,  find  a  suit- 
able home. 

Proceeding  inland,   one  leaves   this 
forest     and     encounters     a     country 
remarkable  for  its    bumpy  character. 
There  are  many  little  hills  dotted  about,  and  the 
valleys    between    are    frequently    swampy.      This 
mostly  obtains  in  Southern  Uganda  ;  and  it  is  to 
be  remembered  that   there  are  always  Bananas — 
the  country-side  is  often  covered  with  plantations 
of  them — Bananas  without  end.     It  is  an  ideally 
lazy  existence — that  of  a  Baganda.     You  plant  up 
your  Bananas  and  sit  in  the  shade  for  the  remainder 
of  your  days,  while  your  wives  do  the  little  culti- 
vation needful.     Uganda  generally  is  a 

Most  Pictdresque 

and  interesting  country.  Already  a  considerable 
literature  has  grown  up  about  it.  I  believe  it  has 
a  promising  commercial  future,  and  it  ought  to  go 
ahead  if  the  health  of  the  white  men  engaged  in 
the  task  of  whipping  it  into  shape  can  be  assured. 
Unfortunately  for  them  and  for  it  a  great  many 
breakdowns  occur.  It  is  hard  to  convince  even 
those  who  know  it  that  such  a  charming  country 
can  have  so  much  disease  lurking  about. — 
J.  Mahon,  in  Keio  Guild  Journal. 


WHITENED    WITH  S>fOWDROPS  :    A    WINTER  PICTURE   AT   DUNROBIN. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


SNOWDROPS  IN  DUNROBIN  CASTLE 
GARDENS. 

WHERE  these  bulbs  are  natu- 
ralised in  large  numbers 
throughout  the  wilder  portion 
of  the  garden  and  in  the 
woodland,  no  flower  of  early 
spring  can  produce  such  a 
charming  effect  as  the  white  carpet  of  Snow- 
drops, excellent  examples  of  which  are  shown 
in  the  accompanying  illustrations,  from  photo- 
graphs taken  in  the  gardens  at  Dunrobin 
Castle,  a  residence  of  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of 
Sutherland. 

Mr.  David  Melville,  the  head  gardener 
there,  wrote  an  excellent  article  on  the 
Snowdrops  at  Dunrobin  in  The  Gaepen  of 


September  26,  1903,  and  for  fuller  information 
concerning  them  reference  should  be  made  to 
the  notes  there  published. 


GALA.NTHUS    CILTCICUS. 

I  RECEIVED  a  few  bulbs  of  this  Snowdrop  from  a 
firm  of  seedsmen  late  in  October,  1902.  Some  I 
planted  at  once  in  a  pot  in  a  cold  frame,  and  some 
in  a  clump  in  a  sheltered  spot  outside.  Those 
in  the  pot  threw  up  leaves,  but  none  of  them 
flowered. 

Of  those  planted  in  the  open  several  flowered  at 
the  end  of  November  of  the  same  year.  This 
season  they  are  only  now  (the  9lh  inst.)  opening 
their  blooms,  but  the  latter  are  more  numerous  and 
the  plants  look  stronger  and  more  healthy  than 
they  did  last  year.  From  this  behaviour  one  is 
tempted  to  think  that  they  are  gradually  reverting 
to  what  seems  to  be  the  natural  flowering  season  of 
the  Snowdrop  in  this  climate,  viz.,  early  spring.  I 
should  very  much  like  to  hear  the  opinion  and  the 
experiences  of  any  of  your  other  correspondents 
who  have  grown  this  Galanthus.  Is  it  the  same  as 
Galanthus  oetobrensis  ? 

Bye.  F.  H.  C. 

[Galanthus  cilicicus  is  a  species  from  Gilicia,  and 
oetobrensis  a  variety  of  the  common  Snowdrop. — 
Ed.]  ^ 


SEDUM    PULCHELLUM 
MIDLOTHIAN. 


IN 


The  true  Sedum  pulohellum  is  a  comparatively 
scarce  plant,  but  I  saw  a  good  specimen  of  it  lately 
in  the  garden  of  Mr.  Robert  Lindsay  of  Kaimes 
Lodge,  iVIidlothian.  It  is  one  of  the  United  States 
species,  and,  unfortunately,  rather  tender — a  fact 
which  probably  accounts  for  the  rarity  of  its 
appearance  in  gardens.  It  is  of  evergreen  habit, 
varying  a  little  in  character,  some  plants  being 
trailing  and  others  more  erect.  The  branches  are 
rather  slender,  while  the  rosy  purple  flowers  are 
on  a  branching  cyme,  and  are  about  half  an  inch  in 
diameter.  The  leaves  are  thickish  and  rather 
pointed  in   form.     It  would  appear  to  require  a 


sheltered  position,  and  it  is  desirable  to  protect  it 
from  excessive  rainfall  in  winter  by  a  sheet  of  glass 
placed  overhead.  S.   Arnott. 


NEW  BEGONIAS  AND  THE 
WEATHER. 

The  past  summer  has  been  truly  disastrous  for  the 
general  run  of  outdoor  flowers.  The  Begonia 
alone  has  been  but  little  aff'ected  by  the  rain  and 
cold,  and  never  yet  has  its  superiority  over  all 
other  flowers,  from  the  point  of  view  of  resistance 
to  the  too  frequent  intemperate  summer  weather 
of  the  north  of  France,  been  more  conclusively 
proved.  Neither  hail  nor  rain  has  been  able  to 
spoil  it,  or,  at  most,  but  temporarily.  After  the 
heaviest  rains  but  very  few  flowers  were  destroyed, 
and,  others  immediately  opening,  the  vacant  sp.aces 
were  at  once  filled.  At  the  time  of  writing  (the 
end  of  September)  beds  of  Begonia  semperfiorens 
(Triomphe  du  Belvedere,  elegans,  and  Triomphe  de 
Boulogne)  are  in  splendid  condition,  and  have  been 
so  all  the  summer;  not  a  plant  is  spoilt.  A  stand 
carrying  250  varieties  of  double  Begonias  is  still 
very  beautiful.  It  should  be  noted  that  all  these 
Begonias  flower  continuously  from  the  beginning 
of  June.  Now  what,  on  the  contrary,  can  be  said 
for  their  neighbours  the  Pelargoniums,  Cannas, 
ifec. ,  if  not  that  they  present  a  truly  pitiable  aspect, 
and  in  order  to  recall  their  few  days  of  beauty  the 
memory  must  be  carried  back  to  the  early  summer, 
before  the  middle  of  July. 

The  experience  of  the  last  two  years  abundantly 
proves  the  superiority  of  the  Begonia.  In  the 
north  of  France  Begonia  semperflorens  is  decidedly 
without  a  rival  for  garden  decoration.  Those  who 
complain  that  its  colouring  is  too  dull  certainly  do 
not  know  the  varieties  which  I  have  mentioned 
above.  It  is  impossible  to  find  a  fresher  and 
prettier  pink  than  that  of  Begonia  elegans. 
Triomphe  du  Belvedere  is  of  dwarf  habit,  with 
red  flowers  and  bronze  foliage ;  Triomphe  de 
Boulogne  of  medium  height,  with  deep  pink  flowers 
and  foliage  of  a  brilliant  purplish  red  ;  the  effect 
being  most  harmonious.  Although  I  have  tried 
nearly  all  the  varieties  I  have  not  yet  found  any 


58 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  a3,  1904. 


better  than  these  three.  Mention  must,  however, 
be  made  of  a  recent  plant.  B.  Lubeoca,  which  very 
much  resembles  B.  elegans,  but  which  is  semi-dwarf, 
and  throws  out  many  suckers  from  the  root,  a 
valuable  quality  in  plants  used  for  massing.  For 
these  reasons  I  think  it  will  be  interesting  to 
follow  up  this  novelty. 

During  the  past  two  or  three  years  we  have 
welcomed  the  appearance  of  a  large  number  of 
double  Begonias,  both  in  France  and  abroad.  Up 
to  the  present,  England  alone  has  been  able  to  rival 
our  producers,  one  of  the  best  of  whom,  M.  Crousse, 
of  Nancy,  is  retiring  from  business.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  his  successor  will  continue  his  work  with  the 
same  success  in  his  nursery  at  Vesinet. 

On  the  occasion  of  our  horticultural  exhibition 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  the  Rev.  Edwin 
Lascelles,  one  of  the  most  celebrated  English 
producers  of  Begonias.  He  greatly  admired  our 
double  Begonias,  taking  exception, 
however,  in  a  general  way  to  the 
want  of  vigour  and  poor  habit  of  our 
plants  produced  from  seed.  As  this 
is  exactly  the  fault  1  have  to  find 
with  the  English  novelties,  I  think 
the  cause  will  be  found  in  the 
difficulty  of  acclimatising  the  plants, 
for,  in  my  own  case,  cuttings  of  a 
large  number  of  English  varieties 
furnish  vigorous  specimens,  while 
others,  it  is  true,  remain  very 
delicate. 

Complaint  is  also  made  that  the 
flower-stalks  of  our  French  novelties 
are  too  long  and  consequently  too 
flexible.  This  is  a  real  fault,  but 
very  few  large-flowered  double 
Begonias  escape  it,  and  I  must 
confess  that,  in  my  opinion,  neither 
race  possesses  any  advantage  over 
the  other. 

The  English  novelties,  as  I  stated 
in  a  former  article,  showed  a  marked 
superiority  in  the  deeper  coloured 
varieties.  This  year,  however,  our 
producers  legister  a  success  in  this 
direction  with,  amongst  others, 
Jarry  Desloges,  of  which  the 
velvety  appearance  and  brilliance 
equal,  if  they  do  not  excel,  those 
of  Nero,  Lord  Llangattock,  &c. 
On  the  other  hand,  we  have  not  yet 
plants  equal  to  Picotee  and  Samuel 
Pope,  but  it  must  be  said  of  our 
neighbours  that  they  have  obtained 
nothing  better  than  these  two  old 
Begonias.  Mistress  James,  Part- 
bury-Marabella,  &c. ,  can  be  con- 
sidered, without  doubt,  as  interest- 
ing gains,  but  the}'  are  not  so  good 
as  their  parents. 

But  what  a  number  of  beautiful 
double  Begonias  have  been  raised 
in  France  during  the  past  few 
years.  Among  the  best  are  Mme. 
Emile  Nicolas,  whose  deep  rose- 
carmine  flowers  have  an  enormous 
white  centre  ;  Nouveau  Jeu,  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  Begonias 
known,  free-flowering  and  vigorous ; 
Universel,  a  fine  large-flowered 
plant ;  Merveille,  Mme.  Charles  Lepidi,  Gabrielle 
Pierrette,  a  splendid  plant  with  large  white  flowers ; 
H^lene,  Theresa  Benoit,  Mme.  Leon  Gosgeau, 
M.  Tranchant,  Mousseline  Explosion,  Princesse 
Tatiana,  Avenir  ApoUon,  Mme.  A.  Tarbary,  General 
Annenkof,  M.  Luby,  Carolus  Duran,  Roi  de  Siam, 
Welleda  TJnique,  Avant  Garde,  le  Klondyke,  &c. 
R.  Jarry- Desloges,  in  Le.  Jardin. 


mand  extensive  views  of  the  surrounding 
country.  Clipped  Yews  are  one  of  the  chief 
features  of  the  place,  and  add  much  to  its 
interest. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


JOTTINGS   ABOUT   ROSES. 

IN  gardens  where  large  numbers  of  beds  are 
devoted  to  the  costly  systems  of  sub- 
tropical gardening  and  the  use  of  tender 
plants  generally,  one  not  infrequently  hears 
complaints  from  gardeners  of  being  short- 
handed,  and,  in  consequence,  overworked. 
Indeed,  shortness  of  labour  seems  a  general  com- 
plaint in  the  majority  of  gardens,  and  it  is  there- 


A  YETV  PERGOLA  AT 
MONTACUTE. 

The  illustration  depicts  a  pergola  such  as  is 
seldom  seen  in  gardens  ;  it  is  a  natural  arching 
of  Yew,  and  is  a  quaint  picture  in  beautiful 
Montacute,  the  residence  of  Mr.  W.  R.  Phelips. 
At  Montacute  walled  courts  or  terraces  com- 


A  YEW  PERGOLA  AT  MONTACUTE,  SOMERSETSHIRE. 

fore  surprising  to  find  how  unwilling  their  owners 
often  are  to  give  up  the  use  of  tender  things, 
which  are  always  troublesome  and  expensive  to 
maintain  and  keep  through  the  winter,  in  favour 
of  the  many  noble  hardy  plants,  in  every  way  more 
fitted  to  stand  our  changeable  climate. 

The  question  of  planting  large  permanent  beds 
with  hardy  flowers  is  of  more  than  passing  interest, 
and,  as  I  hold  that  we  cannot  accomplish  this 
successfully  if  we  overlook  the  claims  of  the 
vigorous  semi-climbing  and  shrub-like  Roses,  I 
shall  not  be  out  of  place  it  I  deal  with  the  subject 
here. 

Looking  back  during  the  last  decade,  it  is 
astonishing  to  find  what  a  number  of  grand  Roses 
of  hardy  and  luxuriant  growth  have  been  raised ,  and 
there  is  no  need — provided  we  use  these  rightly — 
for  our  flower-beds  to   be  flat  and  unimpressive. 


First  of  all,  however,  we  must  break  away  from  all 
ideas  of  compactness  and  formal  rows  and  use 
these  free-growing  Roses  in  conjunction  with  the 
nobler  hardy  flowers,  especially  those  which  are 
fine  and  enduring  in  leaf  and  will  thus  have  a  good 
eff'ect  during  winter.  Bearing  in  mind  that  the  beds 
will  probably  stand  undisturbed  for  some  years, 
their  preparation  must  be  thoroughly  done.  The 
minimum  depth  of  good  soil  should  be  3  feet,  and 
on  cold,  wet  soils  it  will  be  necessary  to  ensure 
that  the  beds  are  well  drained. 

One  of  the  best  and  most  striking  examples  of  a 
large  permanent  bed  that  I  have  seen  as  yet  was 
formed  by  grouping  a  few  plants  of  that  magnificent 
hybrid  rugosa 

COXRAD   FERDI^fAND   MeyER, 

raised  by  one  of  the  most  skilful  rosarians  on  the 
Continent,  Dr.  Muller,  and  distributed  by  Herr 
Otto  Froebel  of  Zurich  in  1899. 
One  of  the  earliest  to  flower,  each 
I'?'"-  ;  plant  forming  a  bold  and  vigorous 
'  shrub  or  small  tree,  this  variety 
is  very  suitable  for  grouping  in 
the  most  exposed  positions,  and 
will  relieve  any  lawn  of  flatness. 
With  its  splendid  La  France-like 
flowers  and  its  ample  foliage,  it  is 
worthy  of  a  prominent  position  in 
any  garden,  whilst  it  is,  moreover, 
perfectly  hardy,  and  requires  no 
protection  whatever.  Somehow  or 
other  this  Rose  has  become  known 
in  nurseries  under  the  erroneous 
name  of  Consul  F.  Meyer.  In  the 
current  volume  of  the  Journal  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
there  is,  amongst  those  invaluable 
"  Notes  and  Abstracts"  (page  290), 
an  interesting  note  about  this  Rose, 
taken  from  the  well-known  German 
gardening  paper  Die  Gartenwdty 
which  shows  how  much  it  is  appre- 
ciated in  Germany. 

As  I  have  already  pointed  out,  the 
use  of  such  a  strong-growing  Rose 
as  this  affords  an  opportunity  of 
planting  with  it  some  of  those  bold 
perennial  plants  which  are  good  in 
effect  all  the  year  through,  and  this 
,was  done  in  the  case  of  the  bed 
referred  toabove,  which  had  abroad 
fringe  of  one  or  other  of  the  hardy 
Megaseas  (Saxifrages)  around  it. 
This  is  only  a  typical  example  of 
how  easy  it  is  to  form  permanent 
beds  of  grand  effect,  which  will  give 
an  added  charm  to  many  a  large 
garden  where  nothing  but  prim  and 
stiff  beds  were  previously  to  be 
found.  A  walk  through  any  of  our 
best  Rose  nurseries  will  soon  make 
apparent  to  anyone  how  very 
valuable  are  many  of  these 

Shrub-like  Rosks 

for  this  particular  purpose,  especi- 
ally those  which  have  the  great 
advantage  of  being  perpetual  and 
hardy.  The  rugosa  tribe  are  parti- 
cularly valuable  either  when  treated 
as  shrubs  or  grown  as  large  standards.  Those 
which  I  can  recommend  with  confidence  are 
Blanche  Double  de  Coubert,  Mrs.  Anthony 
Waterer,  Mercedes,  and  Thusnelda,  the  latt 
two  varieties  not  being  very  well  known  as 
yet.  I  have  seen  some  handsome  beds  made  by 
using  these  rugosa  Roses  in  standard  form.  One 
bed  was  composed  of  half  a  dozen  fine  standards  of 
the  exquisite  free-flowering  Blanche  Double  de 
Coubert,  the  ground  beneath  being  hidden  with 
the  rich-toned  leafage  of  Heuohera  glabra.  It 
requires  but  little  thought  to  call  to  mind  many 
fine-leaved  hardy  plants  which  associate  well  with 
these  splendid  vigorous  Roses.  The  hardy  forms 
of  the 

Megaseas  (Saxifrages) 
are  always  good  in  effect,  and  give  bright  colour 
after  the  first  frosts  of  autumn  and  winter.     Their 


January  23,  1904.1 


THE    GARDEN. 


59 


great  merits  are  often  forgotten,  and  one  bat  rarely 
sees  them  employed  to  the  best  advantage.  In 
"  Wood  and  Garden  "  Miss  Jekyll  gives  us  proof 
of  their  great  usefulness,  and  points  out  the 
enduring  beauty  of  their  foliage.     No  plants  are 


USES  OF  BRITISH  PLANTS 


CoPOLIFEEiK. 

Oak  (Querous  Robur). — Tlie  two  varieties  (Q. 


better  fitted  for  the  purpose  of  edging  bold  groups  '  pedunoulata  and  Q.  R.  sessiliflora)  are  too  well 
of  Roses  than  some  of  the  hybrid  forms  raised  by  '  known  to  need  descriplion.  The  wood  for  timber 
Mr.  T.  Smith  in  his  far-famed  Irish  nursery.  To  j  and  the  bark  for  tanning,  as  well  as  the  acorns  for 
mention  a  few  of  the  sorts  :  Sturdy,  Progress,  |  pigs,  have  been  used  for  ages.  The  fine  avenues  of 
Campana,  Distinction,  and  hybrida  splendens  are  Oaks  in  and  near  Cape  Town  were  first  planted  by 
all  excellent,  not  too  strong  in  growth,  and  there-  '  the  Dutch  for  the  sake  of  the  acorns.  lu 
fore  more  suited  to  this  treatment.  Croesus,  the  |  "Domesday  Bjok"  the  ancient  Oak  forests  were 
smallest  of  all,  has  very  lovely  foliage,  and  is  such  ;  described  as  being  of  so  many  "hogs,"  ie.., 
a  miniature  that  it  could  well  be  used  as  a  ground-  ;  capable   of    supplying    acorns.       The   soft    "  Oak 


apples,"  as  well  as  the  hard  galls,  appear  to  have 
been  used  in  the  Middle  Ages  for  making  ink. 
Ink  with  wine  was  an  antidote  for  an  adder's 
poison.  Also,  ink,  honey,  and  the  white  of  an 
egg  was  used  for  sore  eyes.  The  "bog  Oak"  of 
Ireland  is  stained  black  with  tannate  of  iron,  the 
same  thing  as  ink. 

Beech  (Fagus  sylvatica). — This  familiar  tree  has  a 
close-grained  wood,  but  is  not  much  used  as  timber, 
because  changes  from  drought  to  moisture  tend  to 
its  decay  rather  rapidly  ;  but  for  furniture,  screws, 
c&c,  and  other  work  of  coopers  and  turners,  much 
use  is  made  of  it. 


^I»^ 


jeoted  to  smoke 
it  has  proved 
durable  as 
planks.  On  the 
Continent  char- 
coal is  made  from 


work  to  the  dwarfer  Tea  Roses.     In  addition  to 

the  bold-leafed   Rockfoils   just   named,    there   are 

many  other  suitable  plants  whose  beauty  of  form 

is  better  displayed  when  they  are  grouped  either 

in  picturesque  masses  amongst  the  Roses  or  placed 

as   a    bold   edging.       Such   are    the    Heucheras — 

glabra,    Richardsoni,    micrantha,    zabeliana,    and 

others — with     their    massive    deep-tinted    foliage 

constant   through  all  seasons.      Flag  Irises,   too, 

are  always  good  when  thus  treated,   and,   as  may 

be  seen  in  the  Bath  Botanic  Garden,   form  a  good 

contrast   to    the    Roses,    and    do    not    appear   to 

impoverish  them.     Tellima  grandiflora  purpurea  is 

striking  when  thus  used,  and  only  surpassed  by  a  |  It  is  remarkable 

new  form  which  I  recently  received  from   Messrs.  '  for  its  great dura- 

Lemoine    under   the   name   of    Tiarella    (Tellima)    bility       under 

purpurea     major     marmorata,     whose    foliage     is    water,   hence  its 

resplendent    with     silver     and    purple    marbling,    applicability   for 

Then  there  is  a  host  of  Ivies,  and  if  we  are  careful    piles.     In  France 

only  to  choose   kinds  of  cheerful   colouring  and    sabots  are  made 

grow  them  upon  their  own  roots,  the  effect  will  be    of  it.  After  being 

good  in  any  position.  :  soaked   in  water 

Above    all,    when   forming   the   beds,   we  must    and     then     sub 
not    omit    the    many    beautiful    flowering    bulbs 
which  will  give  colour    in   spring.      It   is   almost 
unnecessary  to   give  a   list  of  the  Roses  suitable 
for    this    planting.       The    rugosa     varieties,     as 
I     have     stated,     are     invaluable,     because     the 
majority  of  them  are  continuous  blooming  and  very 
hardy,  so  also  are  Dawn,  Mrae.  A. 
Carriire,  Reine  Olga  de   Wurtem- 
burg,  Aim^e  Vibert,  Purple  East, 
and  the  hardiest  of  the  race  of  Dijon 
Teas,  amongst  which  I  might  men- 
tion Bouquet  d'Or  as  an  excellent 
example.     All  these  are  perpetual, 
and  will  make  grand  shriibs  if  not 
allowed   to   suffer   too   much  from 
tho  pruning-knife.    We  want  still 
more  of  these  shrub-like  Roses  with 
a  perpetual  habit,  as  though  such 
exquisite   kinds   like   Una, 
matrantha,    Andersonii,     and    the 
now      numerous      ramblers      form 
splendid  bushes,  their  beauty  is  so 
soon  over  that  they  are  really  more 
suited  for  the  less 
formal    parts    of 
the    garden. 
People     in     this 
country     have 
grown   so  accus- 
tomed to  the  use 
of    trim    and 
symmetrical  beds 
within  sight    of 
the   windows   of 
their  houses  that 
one   seldom    sees 
anything  but  this 
coram  onplace 
way  adopted.     I 
have    attempted 
in  these  notes  to 
show  how  those 
who    have  suffi- 
cient    space     at 
their     command 
can  break  away 

from  the  old  ways  of  planting  such  beds  and 
get  good  effects,  as  well  as  real  beauty  by  using 
the  splendid  shrub-like  Roses  which  hybridists 
have  bestowed  upon  us,  with  inexpensive  hardy 
flowers. 

Worceatershire.  Arthur  R.  Goopwjn. 


FLOWER. 


(From  a  dratvhuj  by  li.  G.  Moon.) 


it.  The  fruit  or  "  mist  "  contains  oil, 
starch,  sugar,  &o.,  and  is  much  eaten 
by  oxen,  swine,  and  poultry.  Never- 
theless, if  consumed  too  largely  by  man, 
it  has  proved  injurious.  Horses  in  Ger- 
many eating  the  husks  as  well  as  the 
kernels  have  been  poisoned  by  them, 
as  it  is  the  skins  which  principally  con- 
tain the  injurious  principle.  Beech  oil 
is  as  useful  for  all  purposes  to  which 
Olive  oil  is  usually  put. 

Hazel  (Corylus  Avellana). — The  cul- 
tivated large-fruited  varieties  known  as 
Filberts  and  Cobs  are  all  derived  from 
our  wild  plant  with  small  fruit.     The 
sap  from  the  green  Hazel  oozing  out  of 
shoots  put  on  a  fire,  together  with  the 
juice  of  the  House  Leek   and   honey, 
was  put  into  the  ear  to  cure  deafness, 
while    the  burnt    bark  powdered   was 
blown   into   the   nostrils    to    stop    them    bleeding 
in  the  Middle  Ages.     The  straight  shoots   of  the 
underwood  are  useful  for  walking  sticks,  crates, 
hurdles,    and    cask    hoops.      Burnt    they    supply 
artists'  charcoal,  while  knotted  roots  are  used  for 
vepeering. 


Hornbeam  (Car- 
pinus  Betulus). — 
This  tree,  especi- 
ally abundant  in 
Hertfordshire, 
has  a  wood  suit- 
able for  agricul- 
tural implements, 
mill  work,  &o.  It 
used  to  be  em- 
ployed for  the 
' '  beams  "  or  yokes 
placed  under  the 
horns  of  cattle, 
hence  its  name. 
The  bark  yields  a 
yellow  dye,  which 
is  used  in  .Sweden. 

SaLICACE.35. 

Willow,     Ositr 
(Salix      viminalis 
andsp.).— Seven  1 
species,    varieties 
or  hybrids,  for  many  of  the  latt 
are   wild,  are    grown    for    the 
long  annual  shoots.      The  dif- 
ferent   degrees   of    slendernecs 
or   otherwise  renders  thim 
useful    for     various     kinds    of 
basket  work,  hampers,  &c.     In 
some,     as     Rose    Willow     (S. 
Helix),  there  is  a  considerable 
amount  of  the  substance  salicir, 
which     is     used     medicinallj", 
having  analogous  properties  to 
those    of    Cinchona    Bark    for 
fevers.      The    Willows    grown 
for  their  branches  are  S.  alba, 
S.     cinerea,     and     S.     fragilis. 
These  are  converted  into  "  pol- 
lards,"   the    shoots   being   cut 
every   five  or  six   years,  when 
they  are    sufficiently  large  for 
fences,  casks,  poles,  &c.     The 
bark  of  Willows  contains  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  tannin,  and 
is  useful  for  making  leather. 
Betulace^. 
Birch  (Betula  alba). — The  timber  of  this  tree  is 
the  chief  part  of  any  service,  but  it  is  not  of  first- 
rate     quality.       Wheelwrights     and      makers     of 
agricultural   implements  employ   it.       Of    course, 
Birch  brooms  and  school   birches  are  well  known. 
The   bark   is    astringent    and    used    for    tanning, 
imparting  the  peculiar  odour  to  Russian  leather 
used  for  binding  books.     There  is  a  great  deal  of 
oil  in  the  bark,  so  much  so  that  it  has  often  been 
used  for   torches    in    high    latitudes,   and,    as    it 
contains   farinaceous   matter,   the   bark   has    been 
ground  and  the  powder  mixed  with  flour  in  times 
of  scarcity.     The  sap  is  sometimes  tapped  for  its 
sugar,  as  it  contains  a  small  quantity,  about  2  per 
cent.  G.  Henslow. 


TREE   WITCH   HAZEL    (hAMAMELIS 


THE 


WITCH     HAZELS. 

(Hamamelis.  ) 
Amongst  an  array  of  winter-flowering  shrubs, 
such  as  the  Winter  Sweet  (Chimonanthus),  golden 
winter  Jasmine,  Cydonia  japoniea,  Cornus  Mas, 
Nuttallia  cerasiformis,  Clematis  cirrhosa  and 
liaunjstjnus  in  variety,  there  are  none  that  take 


60 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904. 


the  eye  and  interest  visitors  so  much  as  the 
different  kinds  of  Witch  Hazels.  Of  course,  the 
untimely  flowering  of  tlie  Glastonbury  Thorn  is 
alwaj's  of  interest,  but  even  that  is  a  Hawthorn 
after  all,  the  point  being  its  blossoming  at  the 
birthday  of  che  3'ear,  or  even  earlier.  The  different 
species  of  Hamamelis  are  natives  of  North  America, 
North  China,  and  Japan,  and,  with  their  less  well- 
known  relatives  Bucklandia,  Corylopsis,  and  the 
Liquidanibars,  are  found  in  our  gardens  to-day. 
The  popular  name  of  Witch  or  W3'ch  Hazels  seems 
to  have  become  attached  to  them  from  some  old 
superstition  that  the}'  afforded  the  twigs  used  in 
the  ritual  of  divination.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the 
plants  themselves  have  no  botanical  affinity  with 
true  Hazels  (Corylu?),  but  with  the  three  other 
genera  above  named  they  enjoy  a  small  natural 
order  (Hamamelidefe)  to  themselves.  It  is,  how- 
ever, as  ornamental  garden  shrubs  that  they  best 
deserve  notice,  two  species  being  very  beautiful  in 
winter.  These  are  H.  arborea  and  H.  japonica 
zuccariniana. 

H.  ARBOKE.i,  in  its  native  habitats  in  Japan, 
grows  15  feet  to  20  feet  in  height,  and  has  purple- 
red  flowers  (calyces)  with  crimped  or  crumpled 
petals,  like  little  bits  of  gold  wire.  The  branches 
are  olive  or  greyish  brown,  and  the  buds  are  of  a 
rich  fox  colour.  Even  quite  small  plants  are 
thickly  set  with  their  quaint  flowers,  and  look 
very  pretty  on  the  grass  with  a  backctround  of 
sombre  shrubs.  A  little  branchlet  or  two  in  an 
old  bronze  bowl  on  the  breakfast  table  is  a  surprise 
to  most  people  fond  of  flowers.     The  other  species, 

H.  .JAi'iiNiCA,  has  a  more  lax  habit  and  pale 
lemon-yellow  petals,  but  is  at  the  same  time 
extremely  graceful  and  effective.  It  is  wild  in 
North  China  and  .lapan.  Zuccariniana  is  a  variety. 
A  third  kind  is  the  better  known 

H,  viRGiNiANA,  which  flowers  in  September  just 
as  its  leaves  die  off'  a  mass  of  pale  golden  yellow. 
It  is  a  strong  grower,  soon  attaining  a  height  of 
10  feet  or  12  feet.  H.  arborea  and  H.  japonica 
make  attractive  plants  for  pot  culture  in  a  cold  or 
cool  house. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


F 


FEUIT     GARDEN. 

Planting. 

^  ROM  various  causes  this  work  has 
been  considerably  delayed.  It  should 
now  be  done  whenever  the  weather 
permits.  In  the  planting  of  standard 
trees  the  stations  should  be  well 
prepared,  3  feet  in  diameter  and 
2  feet  in  depth,  breaking  up  the  soil  well  at  the 
bottom  of  the  hole.  In  planting  the  trees  keep  the 
roots  near  the  surface,  mixing  in  amongst  them 
some  good  loam  and  wood  ashes.  Do  notuse  any 
manure  when  planting,  but  mulch  the  trees  after. 
Stake  the  trees  to  prevent  waving  about,  and 
examine  the  ties  later  when  the  soil  has  settled 
down.  I  have  not  seen  Mr.  Beckett's  latest 
invention,  which  should  have  a  great  advantage 
over  tying  with  twine.  Standard  trees  should  be 
planted  about  25  feet  apart,  more  or  less,  according 
to  the  variety;  pyramids  or  bu-ihes,  9  feet  to 
12  feet. 

Prdning. 
Standard  trees  in  orchards  are  often  neglected, 
or  are  only  thinned  occasionally,  and  then  too 
severely.  They  should  be  looked  over  annually, 
removing  any  branches  that  cross  each  other  and 
all  useless  spray.  Any  large  unfruitful  branches 
should  be  removed  with  the  pruning  saw, 
smoothing  over  the  surface  of  the  cut  "with  a 
pruning  knife,  and  afterwards  painted  over  with  a 
mixture  of  clay  and  tar.  Young  standards  should 
have  any  weak  growths  spurred  back,  leaving 
about  six  of  the  best  placed  to  form  the  tree. 
Shorten  the  leaders  to  about  one-third  their  length. 
Any  newly-planted  trees  should  not  be  pruned 
before  March,  and  should  then  be  carefully  done. 

PVKAMID.S   AND    BuSUES. 

These    will    require    little    pruning    if     proper 
attention  was  given   them  during   the    summer. 


Any  young  shoots  overlooked  should  be  spurred 
back  to  two  or  three  buds,  according  to  the  variety. 
Any  old  trees  that  have  become  crowded  with  old 
spurs  or  branches  should  have  a  few  of  the  worst 
removed  annually.  Gather  all  the  prunings  up 
and  burn  them,  fork  up  the  surface  lightly,  and 
give  a  good  dressing  of  wood  ashes.  Deist  the 
trees  over  with  lime  when  damp,  or  syringe  them 
with  the  caustic  soda  and  potash  solution  so  often 
recommended  in  these  columns. 

Raspberries. 
Where  the  planting  of  new  quarters  has  been 
dela}'ed  it  should  now  be  carried  out.  Trench  the 
ground,  working  in  plent}'  of  manure,  and  if  the 
soil  is  heavy  use  plenty  of  old  hot-bed  manure  and 
wood  ashes,  as  the  ground  cannot  well  be  too  rich 
for  these  plants.  Allow  about  5  feet  between  the 
rows  and  H  feet  between  the  plants,  cutting  them 
down  to  6  inches  in  the  spring  when  breaking  into 
growth.  The  old  canes  which  were  thinned  in 
the  autumn  will  only  require  tying,  leaving  the 
canes  about  6  inches  apart,  and  topping  the  shoots, 
giving  them  a  good  mulch  afterwards. 

Bosh  Fruits. 

All  bush  fruits  should  now  be  pruned.  Thin  out 
old  (Gooseberries,  spurring  in  the  side  shoots  to 
two  buds.  Thin  those  the  most  that  are  wanted 
for  dessert.  Give  the  trees  a  dusting  of  lime  and 
soot,  and  repeat  when  necessary,  as  this  helps  to 
keep  off  the  birds.  Red  and  White  Currants 
should  have  the  side  shoots  spurred  in  to  three 
buds,  and  the  leading  shoots  cut  back  to  6  inches. 
Black  Currants  only  need  some  of  the  old  wood 
removed,  leaving  the  young  and  vigorous  shoots,  as 
these  produce  the  finest  fruit.  Give  all  the  trees 
a  good  dressing  of  rotten  manure,  digging  lightly 
in,  taking  care  not  to  damage  the  roots  of  the 
Black  Currants. 

Impney  Gardens,  Di'oitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


this  year.  Last  year  I  moved  a  large  quantity  as 
soon  as  they  finished  flowering,  and  they  now 
promise  to  flower  much  more  freely  than  in  previous 
j'ears. 

Ranuncolus. 

Well-drained  beds  of  rich,  light  soil  should  now 
be  prepared  for  the  varieties  of  the  garden  Ranun- 
culus (R.  asiaticus).  K.Kcept  in  very  warm  localities 
it  is  not  wise  to  plant  the  roots  until  towards  the 
end  of  next  month.  A.  C.  Barti.ett. 

Pencarrow  Garden-':,  Bodmin. 


FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Rock  Garden. 
Strict  attention  should  be  paid  to  cleanliness,  or 
at  this  period  the  rock  garden  will  present  an 
untidy  and  uninteresting  appearance.  Any  fallen 
leaves  that  have  been  wind-swept  into  the  pockets 
should  be  regularly  removed  or  they  will  smother 
weak  growing  plants.  AH  weeds  should  be  removed, 
and  frequently  stir  the  surface  soil  which  has  been 
battered  down  and  discoloured  by  the  persistent 
rains. 

The  valuable  Iris  reticulata  and  I.  stylosa  are 
now  coming  into  flower  in  many  places,  and  will  be 
followed  by  such  as  Iris  Histrio,  I.  oaueasica,  and 
the  sweet-scented  I.  persica.  Neat  supports  should 
be  given  to  the  flower-spikes,  and  if  the  plants 
are  exposed  to  rough  winds  it  will  be  advisable 
to  screen  them.  A  few  short  branches  of  an  ever- 
green tree  placed  in  the  soil  to  windward  will  be 
suflncient  protection.  Slugs  are  very  destructive  ; 
many  baits  and  methods  are  recommended,  but  it 
is  doubtful  whether  anything  is  more  efficacious 
than  searching  for  them  on  a  dry  evening  with  a 
lantern,  and  a  small  vessel  of  lime  to  drop  the  slugs 
into.  Moles  are  a  great  nuisance  in  the  rockery, 
uprooting  valuable  plants.  They  undoubtedly 
devour  a  quantity  of  wireworms  and  earthworms, 
in    gardens    the    remedy   is   worse   than    the 


but 


evil.  At  this  time  of  the  year  they  have  a  great 
liking  for  the  rocker}'.  Traps  should  be  set  in 
their  main  runs  and  at  such  places  as  where  they 
cross  under  a  path.  A  few  lengths  of  stout 
Bramble  or  some  barbed  wire  pushed  into  their 
runs  will  often  drive  them  away.  Mice  will  soon 
be  at  the  Crocuses.  When  other  traps  fail  to 
catch  them  the  old-fashioned  figure-four  trap 
baited  with  a  piece  of  toasted  cheese  is  usually 
successful. 

Hardy  Ferns, 
unless  there  are  special  reasons,  such  as  the  close 
proximity  of  the  house,  or  there  are  spring-flowering 
bulbs  planted  among  them,  I  would  not  recommend 
clearing  away  the  dead  fronds  until  just  before 
new  growth  commences.  Where  spring  bulbs  are 
grown  among  the  Ferns  many  of  these  will  soon 
be  growing  apace,  and  a  top-dressing  should  be 
applied  without  delay.     Snowdrops  are  very  early 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 
Climbing  Plants. 
It  matters  very  little  whether  these  be  occupants 
of  the  plant  stove,  greenhouse,  or  conservatory 
at  this  season  of  the  year,  they  all  require  diligent 
attention.  In  some  instances  it  may  be  necessary 
to  free  them  from  mealy  bug,  scale,  and  other 
insect  pests  with  which  occasionally  they  become 
infested.  Pruning  also  is  necessary,  that  is  to 
say,  a  great  portion  of  the  weak  superfluous 
growth  should  be  cut  out.  Among  the  climbers 
of  which  the  growth  occasionally  gets  over- 
crowded, is  Stephanotis  floribunda,  Tacsonia  Van 
Volxemi,  Schubertia  grandiflora,  Ho3'a  bella, 
Lapageria  alba  and  rosea,  Coba^a  scandens,  Cle- 
matis indivisa,  and  others  of  a  similar  character. 
Allamandas,  BougainviUeas,  Habrolhamnus,  Plum- 
bagos, and  climbers  of  this  kind  require  to  be 
pruned  well  back,  that  is  to  Say,  cut  back  the 
growths  made  the  previous  season  to  within  one 
or  two  eyes  of  their  base,  and  encourage  the  pro- 
duction of  shoots  that  will  be  strong  and  flori- 
ferous  during  the  following  season.  Consideration 
should  be  given  to  Clerodendron  balfourianum,  as 
the  shoots  of  this  should  not  be  spurred  back  as 
is  recommended  for  BougainviUeas,  &c.  A  few 
weak  growths  may  be  cut  out  altogether,  and  the 
weak  points  of  others  be  shortened  back  ;  but  as 
they  flower  mainly  from  strong,  well -ripened 
growths,  the  object  should  be  to  encourage  this, 
and  to  utilise  it  to  advantage. 

Palms. 
Generally  these  plants  are  so  much  in  request 
for  house  decoration  that,  at  this  season  of  the 
year — unless  more  than  ordinary  care  be  bestowed 
upon  them — they  suffer  to  such  an  extent  that, 
whatever  after  attention  is  given  they  seldom 
recover  from  the  seriousness  of  the  check  received. 
Daring  the  present  more  than  any  other  season 
of  the  year  Palms,  especially  Kentias,  Arecas,  and 
Seaforthias,  will  appreciate,  and  respond  to,  the 
advantages  of  a  little  extra  warmth,  with  plenty 
of  syringing.  Chemically  prepared  manures,  either 
solid  or  in  liquid,  are  applied  to  stimulate  growth, 
but  preferable,  perhaps,  is  liquid  made  from  sheep 
manure,  together  with  an  occasional  dose  of  soot 
water,  weak  doses  in  every  instance  being  recom- 
mended. Occasionally  syringe  the  plants  well 
with  soft  soap  water  as  a  means  of  checking  the 
further  spread  of  scale,  as  well  as  loosening  any 
that  already  may  have  fixed  itself  upon  the  fronds. 

Tree  Carnations. 

For  blooming  from  autumn  until  the  spring  of 
the  following  year  few  plants  are  so  useful  as 
these.  The  one  thing  necessary  to  produce  a 
profusion  of  flowers  is  to  have  good  plants,  and  to 
do  this  their  propagation  is  advised  to  be  com- 
menced as  soon  as  possible.  Methods  of  propa- 
gation to  suit  convenience  will  naturally  require 
to  be  considered,  but  there  can  be  little  doubt  as 
to  the  advantage  of  inserting  four  or  five  cuttings 
around  the  sides  of  3-inoh  pots,  in  a  compost  of 
equal  parts  of  loam,  leaf-soil,  and  sand,  peat  being 
added  only  when  the  loam  is  of  a  clay-like  nature. 
Plunge  the  cutting  pots  in  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  in 
the  propagating  frame,  which  keep  close,  and  the  soil 
in  the  pots  moderately  moist.  In  beds  of  sand, 
heated  from  hot-water  pipes  below,  cuttings  by 
thousands  can  be  inserted,  but  when  rooted  and 
afterwards  lifted  for  potting  up,  they  seldom 
commence  rooting  so  freely  and  so  early  as  do 
those  that  are  propagated  in  pots  in  the  compost 
recommended.  J.  P.  LBADriBTTKR. 

J'/iv  Gardem,  Trunhy  Crofl,  Hull. 


January  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


61 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
The  weather  in  this  district  is  still  such  as  retards 
kitchen  garden  operations,  several  degrees  of  frost 
being  registered  every  morning,  and  thawing 
towards  noon.  This  makes  it  impossible  to  do  any 
digging,  planting,  or  operations  of  that  nature. 
Where  the  climatic  conditions  are  not  so  trouble- 
some attention  might  be  turned  to  the  making  of 
a  new  plantation  of  Horse-radish.  In  many 
gardens  the  cultivation  of  this  vegetable  is 
neglected,  the  roots  being  left  to  their  own  devices 
year  after  year.  By  lifting  every  third  season 
much  finer  roots  are  produced,  and  are  sure  to  be 
appreciated  when  they  are  sent  to  the  kitchen. 
The  ground  should  be  deeply  trenched  and  a  liberal 
supply  of  good  manure  placed  at  least  a  foot  from 
the  top.  The  strongest  crowns  should  be  selected 
and  cut  into  lengths  about  6  inches  long.  Side 
roots  on  the  sets  should  be  rubbed  o£F,  and  the  sets 
planted  at  least  1  foot  deep. 

Rhubarb. 

For  new  plantations  the  ground  may  be  treated 
as  advised  above,  choosing  a  plot  which  has  not 
grown  this  vegetable  for  some  years.  After 
planting  a  good  mulching  should  be  given,  and 
none  of  the  stalks  should  be  pulled  the  first  season. 
Where  heated  pits  are  available,  they  may  now  be 
got  ready  for  the  forcing  of  early  vegetables — 
Carrots,  Turnips,  Radishes,  &c.  Heated  pits  are 
now  a  necessary  equipment  to  every  well-appointed 
garden,  entailing  as  they  do  -much  less  labour  than 
the  old  system  of  hot-beds.  The  earliest  Peas  and 
Potatoes  are  here  grown  in  pots  in  the  fruit  houses, 
and  are  succeeded  by  those  now  being  sown  and 
planted  in  the  pits. 

Turnips. 

A  sowing  of  an  early  variety  should  be  made 
at  once,  Early  Milan  being  as  good  as  any.  Sow 
rather  thinly  broadcast,  having  the  soil  raised  to 
about  8  inches  from  the  glass. 

Carrots. 
These  much-prized  roots  may  be  also  sown  now  on 
soil  raised  as  advised  for  Turnips.  Several  inches 
of  sea  sand  should  be  spread  on  the  surface  and 
forked  in.  The  seeds  may  be  sown  much  thicker 
than  Turnips,  and  a  slight  draw  with  a  rake  will 
be  a  sufficient  covering.  The  pits  to  start  with 
should  be  kept  at  a  temperature  of  50''.  If  the 
soil  is  at  all  dry  a  slight  watering  may  be  given, 
as  this  will  ensure  quicker  germination. 

Parsley. 

Owing  to  the  excessive  wet  during  the  autumn 
months  this  has  kept  badly  in  many  gardens, 
supplies  being  drawn  entirely  from  plants  in 
frames.  Should  the  stock  be  running  short  plants 
may  be  lifted  and  put  thickly  into  boxes,  and  if 
placed  in  heat  will  soon  start  into  growth.  A 
sowing  should  also  be  made  now,  and  placed  in  a 
temperature  of  60°.  As  soon  as  the  plants  can  be 
handled  they  may  be  pricked  into  a  warm  pit.  A 
supply  from  this  sowing  should  also  be  available 
for  planting  out  in  April  on  a  warm  border  that 
has  been  deeply  dug  and  manured. 

Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.  B. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Treatme.st  of  Cuttings. 
The  majority  of  the  cuttings  which  were  put  in 
the  propagating  pits  early  in  the  month  will  soon 
be  sufficiently  rooted  to  remove  to  a  cooler  and 
more  airy  position.  Any  which  have  failed  to 
strike  or  have  not  made  a  good  start  should  be  dis- 
carded and  others  put  in  to  take  their  place.  I 
have  always  found  the  best  results  from  those 
plants  which  start  away  freely  from  the  first  and 
are  never  allowed  to  receive  any  severe  check 
throughout  their  season  of  growth,  consequently 
unless  any  particular  variety  is  scarce  all  doubtful 
ones  are  at  once  discarded  and  replaced  by  the  best 
cuttings  at  command.  The  number  of  each  variety 
to  grow  will  have  to  be  determined  before  too  late 
in  the  season.  Much,  of  course,  will  depend  on 
the  particular  use  for  which  they  are  likely  to  be 
required.  If  it  is  the  intention  of  the  grower  to 
enter  into  competition  this  is  a  matter  of  im  portance. 


and  as  many  of  the  leading  societies  are  now 
offering  valuable  prizes  for  a  giv<in  number  of 
blooms,  to  be  arranged  in  vases,  a  goodly  number 
of  each  sort  must  be  grown  to  ensure  each  individual 
bloom  being  of  the  high  standard  of  excellence 
which  is  necessary  if  high  honours  are  to  be  won. 
As  I  have  often  previously  advised  it  is  better  to 
grow  several  of  the  most  approved  sorts  rather 
than  a  large  number  and  one  or  two  of  a  kind ; 
and  even  when  a  collection  is  grown  for  home  use 
only,  a  much  better  display  can  be  made  when 
the  best  only,  and  several  of  these,  are  grown. 

Specimen  Plaints. 

If  cuttings  were  inserted  early  in  December  last, 
as  should  have  been  the  case,  these  will  now  be  well 
rooted,  and  require  potting  on  into  3-inch  or  4-inch 
pots.  They  will  require  to  be  grown  on  in  a 
gentle  heat  for  some  time  yet,  as  it  is  always 
essential  to  build  up  the  foundation  of  the  plants 
as  early  in  the  year  as  possible,  but  at  the  same 
time  undue  forcing  must  be  strictly  guarded  against. 
A  light  position  near  the  glass  should  be  given,  and 
after  the  regulated  height  of  stem  has  been  assured 
the  points  should  be  pinched  out  to  induce  them  to 
break. 

Border  Varieties. 

Those  which  have  done  duty  in  the  open  ground 
during  the  past  summer  and  autumn  should  now  be 
lifted  and  potted  up,  if  not  already  done.  Many  of 
these  varieties  will,  of  course,  succeed  fairly  well 
if  left  in  the  ground  through  the  winter,  but  if  the 
best  results  are  to  be  obtained  the  above  method 
must  be  resorted  to.  For  this  purpose  clean, 
well-drained  3-iiich  pots  should  be  used,  and  a 
suitable  compost  will  consist  of  loam  and  leaf-soil 
ill  equal  proportions  passed  through  a  three-eighths 
of  an  inch  mesh  sieve,  with  sufficient  road  or  silver 
sand  to  keep  the  whole 
in  a  porous  state.  When 
dividing  the  plants 
select  only  the  best 
pieces  with  healthy 
young  shoots  round 
them.  Cut  the  roots 
back  so  that  they  may 
be  easily  placed  in  the 
pots, and  pot  moderately 
firm.  As  one  sort  is 
completed  correctly 
label  each  pot  and 
sprinkle  a  little  silver 
sand  over  the  surface. 
A  cold  frame  will  be 
the  most  suitable  place 
to  arrange  them  in  for 
the  winter,  and  admit 
air  freely  on  all  favour- 
able occasions,  remov- 
ing the  lights  entirely 
on  bright,  fine  days. 
Thoroughly  cover  and 
protect  at  night  during 
severe  weather,  and  any 
plants  left  in  the  ground 
should  have  cinder 
ashes  heaped  round  the 
stools.        E.  Beckett. 

Elstree,  Herts. 


surface  material  removed,  so  that  the  young  roots 
may  have  fresh  compost  to  take  hold  of.  A 
compost  made  up  of  two-fifths  good  fibrous  peat, 
two-fifths  clean  live  sphagnum  (both  well  chopped), 
and  one-fifth  good  leaf-soil,  the  whole  being  well 
mixed  together  with  a  little  coarse  sand,  answers 
well.  Pots  should  be  the  receptacles  used,  half 
filling  them  with  chopped  rhizomes  that  have  been 
prepared  as  previously  advised.  Those  plants  that 
have  many  old  pseudo-bulbs  should  have  all 
removed,  with  the  exception  of  two  behind  the 
leading  bulb.  The  most  favourable  time  to  cut 
away  and  reshape  one's  plants  is  when  they  are 
being  repotted.  The  compost  should  be  made 
moderately  firm  and  kept  below  the  rim  of  the  pot 
to  allow  of  a  surfacing  of  chopped  sphagnum.  The 
intermediate  house  provides  suitable  quarters  for 
them  all  the  year.  Water  should  be  carefully 
applied  till  the  new  roots  have  taken  a  good  hold 
of  the  compost,  then  they  will  take  water  freely 
till  the  completion  of  growth. 

Propagation. 
Miltonias  can  be  increased  by  cutting  away  the 
leading  bulbs  just  when  new  roots  are  being 
thrown  out,  carefully  working  out  with  a  pointed 
bone,  without  unduly  disturbing  the  old  plant,  any 
roots  attached  that  may  have  entered  the  com- 
post. The  young  plant  should  then  be  potted  in 
as  small  a  pot  as  possible  and  kept  fairly  dry  at 
the  roots  for  some  time.  A  slight  spray  overhead 
daily  will  be  very  beneficial  to  them.  After  the 
leading  bulb  has  been  cut  awa}'  the  old  plant 
should  be  kept  dry  till  it  makes  a  new  lead,  when  it 
should  be  repotted.  This  rejuvenation  often  gives 
fresh  life  to  plants  that  were  fast  deteriorating. 
When  there  is  a  desire  to  increase  the  stock,  this 
method  is  far   quicker   than  that   of  propagating 


ORCHIDS. 

Miltonia. 
New  roots  are  now 
being  emitted  from 
most  of  those  that 
flower  in  the  early 
autumn,  such  as  M. 
Clowesii,  M.  Candida, 
M.  spectabilis,  M.  Reg- 
nelli  and  its  many  beau- 
tiful forms,  and  the 
hybrids  of  the  above 
species.  Any  repotting 
or  dividing  necessary 
this  season  should  be 
taken  in  hand,  and 
those  not  requiring 
potting  should  have  the 


rose  ELOKA  on   garden   house   by   bold   grouping  or   CAMPANULA 
PBRSICIEoLIA   AND   OTHER  FLOWERS.     (See  page  i-S.) 


62 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904 


from  the  back  pseudo-bulbs.  I  have  had  fine 
bulbs  produced  from  the  back  portion  the  first 
year  that  have  flowered  well,  and  the  front  part 
with  care  will  often  develop  a  finer  growth  than 
the  preceding  one. 

MiLTONIA    VEXILLARIA. 

This  summer -flowering  Orchid,  now  growing 
freely,  will  still  require  watering  with  great 
discretion,  increasing  the  supply  as  the  days 
lengthen  and  light  becomes  stronger.  Any  plants 
that  were  potted  in  the  past  summer  into  small 
pots  may  now,  if  the  growth  is  satisfictory, 
be  given  a  larger  pot,  using  the  same  material  as 
advised  above.  The  greatest  care  should  be 
exercised  in  repotting  not  to  damage  any  roots. 
The  dreaded  spot  oftentimes  seen  on  this  variety 
generally  arises  from  injudicious  watering  during 
the  short  days  and  not  enough  ventilation.  It  is 
well  suited  in  such  a  temperature  as  the  Cattleya 
house  affords.  A  strict  watch  should  be  kept  for 
thrip,  which  will  in  a  few  days  disfigure  the 
growth  and  make  it  an  unsightly  object  rather 
than  one  of  beauty.  W.  P.  Bound. 

CMtton  Park  Gardent,  Reigate. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN, 


APPLE  ADAMS'  PEARMAIN. 


M' 


[  OST  people  have  a  desire  in  gardening 
matters  to  run  after  that  which 
is  new,  whether  in  fruit  or  flowers, 
simply  because  of  the  charm  of 
novelty,  and  not  always  because 
the  new  product  is  better  than 
the  old.  This  natural  desire  is  most  commend- 
able, and  a  potent  influence  in  urging  men  on 
to  greater  triumphs.  At  the  same  time,  this 
desire,  if  unrestrained,  is  apt  occasionally  to  do 
harm,  by  causing  old  and  sterling  varieties  to 
be  neglected  and  lost  sight  of.  This  is  more  or 
less  the  case  with  the  subject  of  this  note — 
Apple  Adams'  Pearmain.  Years  ago,  when 
selecting  late  dessert  Apples,  this  one  was 
scarcely  ever  left  out  of  even  the  most  limited 
collection.  I  am  of  opinion  that  it  should  still 
be  included  in  the  best  twelve  dessert  sorts. 
It  is  large  in  size,  handsome  in  shape  (a  true 
Pearmain),  and  the  colour  is  most  pleasing— a 
golden  skin,  covered  with  a  delicate  russet  on 
the  shaded  side.  It  is  one  of  our  most  prolific 
bearers,  even  in  a  young  state,  and  the  flavour  is 
excellent.  Its  best  season  is  from  January  to 
March.  O.  Thomas. 


GEADINQ  AND  PACKING  FRUIT  AND 

VEGETABLES. 
The  Board   of  Agriculture  have  just  issued   the 
following  important  leaflet  on  the  above  subject :  — 

Intensive  cultivation  has  been  carried  in  many 
places  to  a  high  pitch  of  excellence,  and  British 
horticulturists  pride  themselvoq,  justl}',  upon  their 
skill  as  producers.  Admirable  and  necessary  as 
the  highest  cultivation  must  always  be,  j'et  some- 
thing more  isrequired  to  ensure  complete  commercial 
success,  namely,  the  conveyance  of  the  produce  in 
the  best  possible  style  to  the  market  or  to  the 
consumer.  It  is  at  this  point,  too,  many  fail,  and  a 
material  proportion  of  unprofitable  sales  is  mainly 
attributable  to  neglect  in  presenting  goods  in  the 
most  satisfactory  manner.  Proofs  of  this  defect 
are  evident  in  every  British  market,  and  commonly 
the  produce  of  the  home  grower  may  be  seen  in 
direct  contrast  with  that  of  his  foreign  competitors, 
to  the  conspicuous  disadvantage  of  the  former.  It 
is  the  purpose  of  the  following  notes  to  give  some 
directions  that,  with  the  exercise  of  intelligence  in 
carrying  them  out,  may  assist  in  improving  the 
selling  value  of  both  fruits  and  vegetables  as  pro- 
duced in  this  country. 

To  aid  in  grading  fruits  to  the  best  advantage 
it  must  be  assumed  that  the  preliminaries  of 
successful  cultivation  have  received  due  attention. 
The  selection  of  the  best  varieties,  suitable  sites 


and  soils,  with  every  possible  care  in  protecting 
the  trees  from  attacks  of  insects  and  diseases, 
demand  the  cultivator's  utmost  skill  and  unceasing 
watchfulness.  Finally,  in  preparing  for  the  actual 
work  of  grading,  the  method  and  time  of  gathering 
should  receive  the  strictest  attention,  or  much  of 
the  other  labour  will  be  reduced  in  value.  It  is 
not  sutficienlly  recognised  how  readily  all  fruits 
are  injured  bv  rough  handling.  Even  hard,  unripe 
Apples  and  Pears  are  soon  bruised,  and  not  only 
do  these  marks  show  as  serious  defects  in  the 
appearance  of  the  fruits,  but  the  keeping  qualities 
are  also  affected. 

One  general  rule  is  applicable  to  all  fruits,  and 
that  is,  they  should  never,  if  it  can  be  avoided,  be 
gathered  when  they  are  wet,  especially  if  they  have 
to  be  packed  for  sending  a  long  distance. 
In  Preparation  for  Sorting. 
The  fruits  should  be  taken  and  carefully  spread 
on  a  table  or  bench,  which  may  slightly  slope  to 
the  front,  and  should  be  of  a  convenient  height  for 
the  packer  to  stand  at.  The  soft  fruits  must  be 
conveyed  to  the  sorting  room  in  shallow  trays  or 
baskets,  so  that  they  can  be  graded  direct  without 
turning  them  out.  When  experienced  hands  are 
employed  some  degree  of  sorting  can  be  done  at 
the  time  of  gathering,  thus  saving  further  handling 
or  removal  of  the  fruits,  and  the  grower  will  in 
every  case  endeavour  to  reduce  this  to  the 
minimum. 

Several  matters  have  to  be  considered  in  the 
actual  work  of  grading,  and  an  intimate  knowledge 
of  the  characteristics  of  varieties  is  essential  to  the 
best  results.  The  effects  of  seasons  on  large  crops 
also  demand  attention  ;  for  the  second  grade  of 
one  crop  might  rank  as  the  first  of  anothec.  It  i.s 
impossible  to  lay  down  a  rule  that  would  constitute 
a  standard  equally  reliable  under  all  conditions, 
but  a  general  idea  can  be  given  of  the  relative 
values  of  different  grades  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances. 

The  points  of  importance  in  classifying  the 
best  fruits  are:  (1)  Freedom  from  injuries  and 
blemishes.  (2)  Good  size  and  even  form.  (3)  Colour. 
(4)  High  quality  with  ripeness. 

The  first  two  are  essential  to  all  high-class 
fruits,  and  no  defective,  distorted,  or  undersized 
samples  should  be  allowed  in  the  leading  grades  of 
any  kind. 

The  third  quality  is  a  special  one,  which  always 
possesses  a  marked  value  in  fruits  for  dessert,  and 
even  amongst  some  used  for  cooking  or  preserving, 
as  in  Apples,  Red  Currants,  Raspberries,  and 
Strawberries,  for  example.  A  richly-coloured 
sample,  though  only  of  moderate  size,  if  free  from 
defects,  will  often  possess  a  higher  market  value 
than  larger  and  duller  fruits.  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
for  instance,  if  sold  in  two  grades,  one  large  and 
dull  or  greenish  yellow,  and  the  other  a  size 
smaller,  but  in  its  best  colour,  will  command  the 
larger  price  for  the  latter  ;  and  this  is  true  of  many 
other  fruits  where  colour  is  a  characteristic  that  is 
sometimes  deficient  in  the  larger  sizes. 

As  regards  the  fourth  point,  mere  size  may 
also  be  a  secondary  consideration,  provided  the 
fruits  are  choice,  in  perfect  condition  for  immediate 
use,  and  free  from  defects.  This  especially  con- 
cerns small  packages  of  dessert  fruits,  such  as  the 
finest  Pears,  Plums  of  the  Greengage  type,  ripe 
Cherries,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines.  A  special 
market  must  be  at  command  for  such  samples,  or 
they  should  be  sent  direct  to  the  consumers  or 
retailers. 

The  bulk  of  fruit  grading  will,  however,  be 
mainly  concerned  with  variations  in  size,  provided 
the  essentials  of  good  form  and  freedom  from 
defects  be  secured.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
to  ensure  that  each  grade  be  as  r.niform  throughout 
as  close  attention  can  accomplish,  and  then  the 
full  value  of  the  work  is  most  likely  to  be 
obtained. 

A  Qdick  Eye  and  Some  Practice 
under  good  guidance  soon  enable  a  packer  to  select 
the  various  sizes  in  a  uniform  manner.  Apples  in 
particular  can  be  readily  graded  into  several  sizes 
according  to  the  variety  and  the  crop.  Occasionally 
four  well  marked  grades  may  be  obtained,  in  other 
instances  perhaps  three  are  secured,  and  sometimes 


only  two  are  obtainable.  The  difference  of  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  in  diameter  will  constitute  a  well  marked 
grade.  An  American  association  has  adopted  as 
the  minimum  standard  for  first  grade  Apples  of  the 
largest  types  21  inches  diameter  ;  while  for  the 
smaller  types  2.^  inches  is  the  minimum  diameter 
for  first  grade  Iruits  ;  in  each  case  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  is  allowed  between  the  firsts  and  seconds.  In 
practice  it  is  found  almost  impossible  to  adhere  to 
such  exact  grading ;  the  general  standard  and 
range  in  size  of  the  crop  or  variety  must  be  judged, 
and  the  graduation  founded  upon  this.  These 
remarks  especially  refer  to  Apples  for  cooking,  or 
dessert  Apples  equally  well  coloured,  but  what  has 
been  already  said  about  the  value  of  colour  must 
be  remembered,  and  a  special  grade  selected  of 
uniform  size  where  there  is  a  proportion  of  larger 
fruits  deficient  in  that  respect. 

Most  of  the  details  regarding  Apples  are  also 
appropriate  to  the  grading  of  Pears,  but  as  a  larger 
proportion  of  these  are  used  for  eating  than  cook- 
ing, they  are  more  adapted  for  disposal  in  small 
packages,  and  hence  repay  the  greatest  attention 
in  uniform  grading.  Several  qualities  can  usually 
be  obtained  from  one  crop,  acd  it  generally  pays 
best  to  sell  in  two  or  three  grades,  only  those 
rejected  in  the  selecting  process  being  disposed  of 
in  bulk.  Even  when  large  crops  from  old  orchard 
trees  are  being  dealt  with,  a  few  dozen  of  the  finest 
fruits  carefully  packed  will  help  to  raise  the  total 
returns  considerably. 

Stone  fruits  may  be  selected  in  various  grades. 
Plums  for  cooking  can  thus  be  sorted  into  two  or 
three  grades,  the  largest  fruit  commanding  the 
best  market.  A  good  medium  size  is  in  demand  for 
bottling,  and  the  smaller  sizes  are  utilised  in 
ordinary  cooking  or  preserving.  Dessert  Plums 
and  Cherries  are  readily'  graduated  on  the  same 
method,  the  finest  in  boxes  or  small  packages,  and 
the  others  in  bulk. 

Soft  fruits,  such  as  Strawberries  and  Rasp- 
berries, are  worthy  of  equal  care,  the  former  being 
sorted  into  at  least  two  grades  and  sometimes  into 
more.  The  best  are  placed  in  punnets,  the  next  in 
small  boxes,  and  a  third  grade  can  be  sold  in  boxes 
or  baskets  holding  from  (31b.  to  r21b.  Raspberries 
may  be  conveniently  divided  into  two  qualities 
whenever  a  special  sale  cm  be  commanded  for  the 
best  fruits  either  in  punnets  or  small  boxes. 

Nearly  all  other  fruits  also  admit  of  some 
grading,  even  though  it  be  only  to  the  extent  of 
excluding  defective  and  malformed  specimens  ;  the 
results  yield  a  satisfactory  reward  for  the  labour 
and  expense. 

Grading  and  Packing  VEGETABr.,BS. 

The  benefits  derivable  from  careful  and  syste- 
matic grading  are  by  no  means  confined  to  fruits, 
as  vegetables  also  afford  considerable  encourage- 
ment to  those  who  strive  to  make  the  most  of  them 
in  the  same  direction.  Especially  is  this  the  case 
with  root  crops,  though  in  a  general  way  the  sort- 
ing adopted  is  of  a  very  rough  character.  Potatoes, 
for  example,  are  usually  picked  up  in  three  sizes, 
the  large  tubers  for  sale,  the  seconds  or  sets,  and 
the  small  tubers  to  be  used  as  food  for  stock.  The 
large  size  should  be  again  sorted  into  two  or  three 
grades  ;  it  is  with  them  as  with  Apples,  a  com- 
paratively small  proportion  of  coarse  irregular 
tubers  spoils  the  appearance  of  a  large  consignment. 
Even  shape  and  uniformity  of  sample  possess  a 
distinct  market  value,  and  a  medium-sized  Potato 
having  these  characteristics,  together  with  good 
quality,  will  bring  a  better  return  than  huge 
distorted  tubers  of  which  size  is  the  only  recom- 
mendation. If  an  extra  (id.  per  bushel,  or  t'l  per 
ton  can  be  secured  by  such  care  it  often  means, 
with  a  good  crop,  sufficient  clear  gain  to  more  than 
pay  the  expenses  of  cultivation. 

A  distinction  can  be  made  between  the  best  or 
earliest  Turnips  and  Carrots  and  the  ordinary 
quality  or  crop  in  bulk,  by  marketing  the  former 
in  bunches,  while  the  latter  are  sent  in  bags  or 
baskets.  Onions,  too,  can  be  graded  in  several 
waj'S,  thebest  being  bunched  or  made  into  "ropes," 
while  smaller  sizes  are  sold  loose,  the  smallest 
ranking  as  pickling  Onions.  It  is  always  advisable 
to  have  several  sizes,  each  sample  fairly  uniform, 
as  some  buyers  have  a  preference  for  medium  size 


January  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN, 


63 


bulbs  and  others  for  large  ones.  In  selling  small 
quantities  by  weight  the  retailers  have  a  difficulty 
with  the  largest  Onions,  and  usually  find  the 
medium  size  more  convenient.  If  roots  are  pre- 
pared for  sale  by  being  thoroughly  cleaned  it  is  a 
great  help,  and  in  any  case  wherever  grading  is 
followed  all  the  best  qualities  should  be  so 
treated,  or  the  chief  part  of  the  labour  will  be 
nullified. 

Peas  and  Beans  should  always  be  graded.  Yet 
this  is  seldom  done  by  the  grower,  and,  as  with 
many  other  vegetables,  it  is  usually  left  to  the 
retailer.  Large,  well-filled  pods  of  the  former  are 
always  in  demand,  and  if  the  colour  is  good  their 
value  is  enhanced.  But  they  are  too  often  gathered 
without  due  care,  and  a  number  of  insufficiently 
developed  pods  materially  lower  the  value  of  the 
whole,  while  reducing  future  gatherings.  Two  or 
three  grades  of  Peas  can  be  readily  formed,  accord- 
ing to  the  condition  of  the  crop  and  the  varieties, 
some  being  much  more  even  croppers  than  others. 
In  supplying  consumers  direct  daily  or  at  regular 
intervals,  it  is  now  becoming  the  practice  to  shell 
the  Peas,  grade  them  by  means  of  sieves,  and 
consign  to  the  purchaser  in  small  boxes.  Dwarf 
kidney    Beans    and    Scarlet     Runners     can     be 


This  refers  both  to  quality,  crop,  and  height, 
and  in  town  gardens  I  think  the  latter  most 
important,  as  by  obtaining  an  equally  heavy 
crop  from  a  dwarfer  haulm  is  a  gain  in  the 
right  direction.  Take  the  early  sorts  first.  A 
variety  that  stands  cold — an  important  point 
in  heavy  soils— is  Veitch's  Acme.  It  is  a  new 
variety  that  will  be  found  valuable  for  late 
May  or  early  June  supplies.  Acme  is  dwarf 
(3  feet),  and  has  a  medium-sized  pod  containing 
eight  to  ten  Peas  of  a  deep  green  colour.  When 
on  trial  at  Chiswick  it  was  considered  a  distinct 
advance.  For  years  Chelsea  Gem  has  held  its 
own,  and  the  new  one  is  an  improvement  and 
the  result  of  crossing  a  very  dwarf  early  with 
Stratagem.  All  growers  know  what  a  splendid 
variety  the  last-named  proved  for  many  years. 
I  now  come  to  a  very  dift'erent  Pea— Sutton's 
Early  Giant.  This  is  well  named  for  such  an 
early  variety  ;  it  is  a  giant,  and  its  crop  is 
splendid.  So  far  it  has  proved  one  of  the 
most  prolific  varieties.  Sown  early  in  February 
it  was  ready  on  May  .30,  in  a  bad  season  ; 
its  height  is  3  feet  to  4  feet,  but  we  top  our 


APPLE  ADAMS    PEAKMAIN.     (Two-thirds  natural  size.) 


graded  by  selecting  the  long,  straight,  and   even 

pods  for  the  best  samples,  in  smaller  quantities,  the 

bulk  going  for  sale  in  bushel  or  half-bushel  baskets. 

(To  be  continued. J 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

SOME  OF  THE  NEWER  VEGETABLES 
FOR   1904. 

KITCHEN  gardeners  will  now  be 
making  up  the  list  for  the  coming 
season,  and  it  is  not  so  difficult  as 
formerly  to  make  a  good  selection, 
as  our  leading  seed  houses  issue 
catalogues  which  may  be  regarded 
as  quite  trustworthy  guides.  I  think  that  in 
the  present  day  fewer  objections  are  made  to 
the  newer  things,  which  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at,  as  with  increased  interest  in  vegetable  cul- 
ture, greater  publicity,  and  rapid  means  of 
communication,  a  good  thing  is  soon  known. 
Peas. — For  the  past  fifteen  years  I  have 
kept  a  close  watch  on  the  new  varieties  sent  to 
Chiswick  for  trial.  I  have  also  seen  others, 
and  a  splendid    advance    must  be  recorded. 


plants  at  3  feet  to  induce  branching  ont.  In 
due  order  such  Peas  as  Sutton's  Duchess  of 
York  and  Ideal  would  follow  next,  but  there 
are  difl'erent  soils  to  deal  with  and  northern 
latitudes.  Here  the  hardier  Harbinger  will  be 
found  most  valuable  ;  it  is  dwarf  and  very 
early,  so  that  it  may  be  sown  later  and  then 
give  an  early  crop  in  gardens  limited  in  size. 
Peas  having,  say,  a  haulm  of  12  inches  are 
most  useful.  I  occasionally  meet  with  growers 
who  still  grow  American  Wonder,  but,  though 
of  the  same  shape,  the  pods  are  broader,  longer, 
and  equal  in  earliness,  and  the  flavour  is  excel- 
lent. Duchess  of  York  is  a  variety  well  worth 
a  trial  ;  it  is  3  feet  high,  and  one  of  the  finest 
of  the  early  class.  The  flavour  is  full  and  rich, 
and  the  variety  is  a  little  later  than  the  older 
but  grand  May  Queen,  which  is  valuable  for 
early  or  mid-June  supplies.  Ideal  was  sent  out 
,  in  1901,  and  Messrs.  Sutton  described  it  as  of 
!  high  table  quality.  It  is  certainly  a  delicious 
Pea  ;  the  plant  crops  heavily,  and  it  is  well 
worth  a  place  in  any  garden.  Little  Marvel,  a 
variety  which  has  had  two  high  awards,  is 
valuable  in  small  gardens  or  for  pot  or  frame 
culture.    It  is  scarcely  more  than  12  inches  in 


height,  and  very  prolific.  In  the  next  division 
such  sterling  varieties  as  Carter's  Daisy  will 
need  few  words  as  regards  its  crop,  quality, 
and  size.  It  is  one  of  the  best  of  this  section, 
and  is  so  well  known  that  I  need  not  dwell 
upon  its  merits.  The  growth  is  robust,  and  the 
quality  is  excellent.  ])anby  Stratagem  is  also 
another  Pea  that  Messrs.  Carter  have  selected 
from  the  original  Stratagem  ;  it  is  very  reli- 
able, 2  feet  to  3  feet,  and  has  a  full  Marrow 
flavour,  whilst  it  is  also  a  great  cropper.  In 
the  midseason  section  there  is  no  lack  of 
quality.  We  have  such  varieties  as  Prize- 
winner, Dwarf  Defiance,  Centenary  Marrowfat, 
and  the  new  Edwin  Beckett  (?ent  out  by 
Messrs.  Cutbush),  a  grand  Pea  both  for  crop, 
quality,  and  quantity.  To  this  list  may  be  added 
Veitch's  Maincrop,  Autocrat  (an  older  variety), 
and  such  sorts  for  late  use  as  Carter's  Model, 
Telephone,  Michaelmas,  and  Sutton's  Prolific 
Marrow,  Peerless,  and  Royal  Jubilee. 

Potatoes. — At  a  time  when  fabulous  prices 
are  given  for  new  varieties  it  is  dangerous  to 
criticise.  I  am  unable  to  note  the  cooking  or 
cropping  qualities  of  the  new  Northern  Star  or 
Eldorado,  but  they  sell  well,  and  should  be  an 
acquisition  if  the  vigorous  constitution  claimed 
for  them  is  lasting.  Discovery  I  have  more 
knowledge  of,  and  I  have  been  pleased  with  its 
perfect  freedom  from  disease  and  its  splendid 
table  quality,  but  we  have  others  well  worth 
retaining,  such  as  May  Queen,  a  grand  first 
early,  and  one  I  shall  plant  more  largely  this 
season.  To  this  may  with  advantage  be  added 
Ringleader  and  Ninety-fold,  and,  so  far  as 
regards  weight  of  crop  for  June  supplies,  it  has 
no  rival.  Another  fine  tuber  is  Ideal.  This 
may  be  classed  as  an  improved  Windsor  Castle, 
and  the  newer  Centenary  promises  to  be  a 
valuable  introduction.  Of  older  varieties. 
Satisfaction,  Triumph,  and  Reliance  are  all 
excellent  and  not  fastidious  as  to  soil  or  situa- 
tion. A  new  late  Potato,  Evergood,  is  well 
spoken  of.  So  far  I  have  not  grown  it.  We 
grow  large  quantities  of  Syon  House  for  late  use. 

Cabbage  is  one  of  the  most  important  vege- 
tables, and  may  be  had  good  every  day  in  the 
year.  Of  course,  the  earliest  Cabbage  finds  the 
most  favour,  and  rightly  so,  as  these  come  in 
when  good  tender  vegetables  are  scarce.  For 
spring  cutting  such  varieties  as  Earliest,  April, 
and  Flower  of  Spring  are  invaluable.  Then 
there  is  the  excellent  Ellam's  Early  Dwarf, 
Wheeler's  Imperial,  and  Mein's  No.  1,  older 
kinds,  but  difficult  to  beat  for  summer  use; 
Tender  and  True,  Veitch's.  Matchless,  Sutton's 
Favourite  and  Little  Gem,  the  Coleworts  for 
early  autumn,  and  for  winter  St.  Martin's— a 
cross  between  the  last-named  and  Christmas 
Drumhead — with  such  additions  as  St.  John's 
Day  and  others. 

Caulifloweks  and  Broccoli  are  so  well 
known  that  it  may  appear  out  of  place  to 
write  about  them.  For  early  supplies  it  is 
difficult  to  beat  Snowball,  Veitch's  Forcing, 
and  Sutton's  First  Crop,  and  for  later  use 
Mont  Blanc.  Parity  and  Pearl  are  invaluable, 
with  such  varieties  as  Walcheren  and  Autumn 
Giant  later. 

Beans  are  always  favourites,  and  mention 
should  be  made  of  Hackwood  Park  Success,  a 
Bean  of  the  Runner  type.  In  Broad  Beans 
Sutton's  Green  Gidnt  is  a  magnificent  pod,  and 
of  splendid  quality.  Of  Dwarf  Beans  Messrs. 
Cutbush  have  a  grand  Bean,  both  as  regards 
crop,  quality,  and  length  of  season,  in  their 
new  Bountiful. 

CucoMBERS  are  always  favourites,  and  the 

newer    varieties,    such     as     Every    Day    and 

Unique,  are  worth  a  trial.     To  these  may  be 

added    Peerless,    Satisfaction,    and    the    old 

I  Veitch's  Telegraph. 


64 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  23,  1904. 


There  is  no  lack  of  good  variety  in  roots. 
Carter's  Crimson  Ball  Beet  is  excellent,  and  of 
longer  roots  the  newer  Blood  Eed  is  very  fine. 
A  trial  should  be  given  the  new  Intermediate 
Sutton  Parsnip,  a  splendid  introduction,  also 
the  Sutton  Vegetable  ^Marrow,  a  beautiful  oval 
fruit  for  exhibition. 

Tomatoes  are  always  to  the  front,  as  they 
are  much  more  grown  than  formerly.  The 
new  Winter  Beauty  is  a  great  gain  as  regards 
earliness,  but  there  should  be  a  trial  of  the 
yellow  fruits,  such  as  Golden  Jubilee,  a  variety 
of  good  flavour. 

Spinach.— This  popular  vegetable  has  been 
improved  of  late.  The  Carter  Spinach  is  a 
splendid  addition,  and  there  are  other  vege- 
tables I  hope  to  note  in  The  Garden  later. 

G.  Wythes. 

Syon  House  Gardens,  Brentford. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is   not   responsible  for    the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.) 


ORCHIDS  IN  FIELDS  AND  FORESTS. 
[To  THE  Editor  or   "The  Gakden."] 

SI  R, — In  The  Garden  o£  the  9th  inst.  there 
appeared  a  note  on  the  great  abundance 
of  Orchis  Morio.  This  Orchis  is  not 
very  common,  not  so  much  so  as  either 
0.  mascula,  the  earliest  flowered,  or  0. 
maculata,  both  of  which  are  capable  of 
making  a  far  greater  display  of  colour  than  0. 
Morio,  with  its  greenish  veined  upper  petals, 
although  the  plants  frequently  occur  in  greater 
abundance.  In  some  districts  albino  varieties  are 
much  less  common  among  0.  Morio  than  in  the 
other  two  mentioned,  while  in  other  parts  the 
reverse  is  the  case. 

A  small  meadow  in  the  east  of  England, 
surrounded  for  miles  by  arable  land  on  every  side, 
was  very  conspicuous  every  spring  for  its  display 
of  0.  Morio,  among  which  grew  a  few  0.  pyra- 
midalis  ;  but  during  the  four  years  the  meadow 
was  under  the  writer's  notice  the  plants  showed  no 
signs  of  the  disappearing  trick  which  appears  to 
haunt  some  breadths  of  it  in  certain  districts. 
When  moist  pasture  land  purpled  with  Orchises  is 
drained,  these  plants  find  it  a  difficult  task  in  one 
season  to  flower,  to  form  a  new  tuber,  and  to 
mature  the  numerous  capsules,  each  of  which  con- 
tains thousands  of  seeds.  Such  a  plant  may  not 
throw  up  flowers  the  succeeding  year,  but  may 
devote  its  energy  to  forming  another  tuber  that  will 
certainly  flower  the  next  spring.  It  is  the  formation 
of  each  succeeding  tuber  by  the  side  of  the  last  that 
gives  these  Orchises  the  name  of  "Walking  Plants." 
It  is  a  distinct  way  of  travelling,  though  certainly 
not  a  quick  one. 

Far  more  effectual  as  regards  distribution  than 
any  "  walking  "  antics  are  their  widely  distributed 
seeds,  so  light  that  they  could  easily  be  established 
over  the  countryside.  In  the  meadow  above 
mentioned,  which  did  not  exceed  four  acres  in  size, 
and  was  bounded  by  arable  land,  and  beyond  this 
by  woods,  few  of  the  many  millions  of  seeds,  save 
those  that  germinated  among  the  grass  that  sur- 
rounded them,  could  have  found  a  growing  place 
for  miles  around,  for  in  woods  the  meadow  species 
do  not  grow.  In  Scotland  several  native  Orchids 
may  be  met  with  in  great  abundance.  On  the 
meadows  around  Loch  Tay  and  other  districts 
Habenaria  bifolia  and  the  larger  H.  chlorantha  (the 
Butterfly  Orchis)  are  extremely  plentiful,  and  give 
way  on  the  higher  sub-alpine  terraces  to  the  Globe 
Flower  or  TroUius  europ^us.  These  Habenarias 
are  among  the  most  beautiful  of  European  Orchids, 
and  are  well  worth  growing  in  the  garden,  choosing 
a  half-shaded  position.  Wild  it  grows  well  in 
shade  and  sun,  but  the  tallest  of  the  white  fragrant 
spikes  are  found  in  moist  loam  and  slight  shade. 
With  the  above  also  grows  H.  conopsea,  or 
Gjmnadenia,  while  the  green  H.  viridis  (the  Frog 
Orchis),    with    shorter    stems,   forms    dot  plants 


among  the  larger  and  more  ornamental  Orchises. 
Often  the  finest  specimens  of  the  last  two  are  found 
on  drier  ground  than  H.  bifolia  favours,  and  in 
gardens  H.  conopsea  should  be  planted  in  the  sun, 
and  lime  rubbish  mixed  with  the  soil  if  heavy. 

On  walking  through  the  grass,  the  air  deli- 
ciously  fragrant  with  the  scent  of  the  beautiful 
mauve-pink  flowers  of  this  Orchid,  one  most 
exquisite  white  form  was  seen,  and  only  one, 
though  the  white-flowered  0.  maculata  alba  was 
frequent.  The  rarity  of  this  white  form  is  noticed 
in  "  British  Orchids."  A  few  Scottish  woods  are 
famed  for  a  little  Orchid,  which  delights  in  loose 
soil  of  Pine  needles  and  moss.  In  some  localities 
Goodyera  repens  is  very  plentiful,  suggesting  at 
first  a  Pyrola,  for  its  leaves  are  evergreen,  and  the 
flowers,  on  splendid  spikes,  are  in  full  beauty  in 
July.  The  Goodyera  is  more  easily  established 
than  many  of  the  tuberous  kinds,  and  may  be 
naturalised  in  woods  of  Pines.  For  garden  culture 
this  species  ia  surpassed  by  the  Japanese  G. 
macrantha  and  the  American  G.  pubescens,  which 
possess  nicely  white  veined  leaves,  and  are  very 
suitable  for  shaded  rockeries  in  peat  and  leaf- 
mould  if  slugs  are  kept  ofl'  them.  Of  course,  all 
native  Orchids  are  usually  lifted  at  the  wrong  time, 
that  is,  when  they  are  flowering.  If  their  roots 
are  disturbed  then  they  seldom  succeed,  but  many 
prevent  this  by  taking  a  good  bit  of  the  soil  and 
grass  away  with  each  root,  and  carefully  planting 
in  similar  material  very  firmly  pressed  in  the 
garden,  where  the  above  thrive  well. 

None  of  the  Orchises  usually  gathered  can  compare 
with  0.  maculata  superba,  a  variety  seldom  found 
wild  except  in  very  rich  soils.  Big  as  it  is,  it 
improves  with  garden  culture,  forming  fine  clumps, 
which  in  flower  suggest  a  good  Liatris.  Spikes 
received  from  Ireland  measured  18  inches  in  length, 
and  12  inches  of  their  stems  were  thickly  clothed 
with  pale  purple  flowers.  The  leaves  are  also 
ornamental,  and  are  spotted  with  purple.  It 
produces  the  largest  flowers  in  rich  loam,  in  a 
slightly  shaded  position.  This  grand  Orchis  is  yet 
known  in  some  gardens  as  Miss  Hope's  Orchid  ; 
it  was  first  brought  over  from  Ireland  by  that  late 
plant  enthusiast  of  Edinburgh.  This  and  several 
Cypripediums,  fortunately  better  known,  have 
proved  the  best  Orchids  as  open  air  plants  in  this 
country.  D.  S.  Fish. 

Royal  Botanic  Garden,  Edinburgh. 


APPLES. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — An  excellent  note  on  Apples  appears  in  The 
Garden,  page  414.  Here  in  British  Columbia  it  is 
very  disheartening  exposing  Apple  trees  for  sale. 
So  many  people  come  from  different  parts  of 
the  world,  and  many  of  them  will  not  take  advice 
from  those  that  have  experience.  For  instance,  I 
had  an  order  for  400  Princess  Louise  Apple  from  a 
perfect  stranger  in  the  country.  The  variety,  if 
there  is  one  of  that  name,  has  never  been  tested 
here  so  far  as  I  can  find  out.  Most  of  these  people 
that  give  outlandish  orders  have  read  about  or  have 
been  acquainted  with  certain  varieties  that  are 
doing  well  in  some  other  part  of  the  world,  and 
they  think  that  they  should  do  well  here.  This 
year  there  has  been  a  great  call  for  Northern  Spy, 
a  good  Apple,  but  it  takes  from  ten  to  fifteen  years 
to  come  into  bearing  on  this  island,  and  is  tardy  in 
most  localities.  I  have  a  neighbour  who  is  a  fruit 
grower,  and  he  has  a  lot  of  Northern  Spy  about 
fourteen  years  old,  and  only  one  of  them  has  borne 
a  few  Apples.  The  same  man  had  a  lot  of  Green- 
ing, but  he  never  got  a  paying  crop  from  them. 
They  were  planted  on  an  eastern  aspect,  thin  but 
rich  soil,  with  a  slightly  gravel  subsoil.  I  have 
some  trees  that  I  propagated  at  the  same  time  and 
from  the  same  parent  tree,  which  for  the  last  three 
years  have  given  me  from  nine  to  sixteen  boxes  of 
fruit  per  tree.  They  are  planted  on  a  south-west 
aspect  on  a  rich,  deep  black  soil,  with  sandy  sub- 
soil and  clay  below. 

If  a  certain  variety  does  well  in  a  certain  season 
there  is  sure  to  be  a  demand  for  it,  no  matter  if  it 
had  been  a  failure  for  several  years  previously  ; 
then,  if  it  fails  the  next  season,  the  nurseryman 
will  be  left  with  a  large  stock  on  hand  if  he  has 


started  to  propagate  the  variety  extensively. 
Planters  should  be  satisfied  to  plant  good  tested 
varieties  that  do  well  in  most  localities,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  one  they  intend  to  live  in.  With  me 
all  varieties  that  I  have  tested  do  well  with  the 
exception  of  Northern  Spy  and  Esapus  Spitzen- 
burg,  but  planters  for  market  must  look  out  for 
good  selling  varieties.  A  box  of  Alexanders  will 
be  bought  here  before  a  box  of  Newtown  Pippin, 
so  you  see  the  difference  here  and  in  London, 
England.  If  we  had  an  Apple  that  is  as  large  as 
Emperor  Alexander  and  as  showy,  also  a  late 
keeper,  it  would  take  well  here  providing  it  would 
grow  well.  English  varieties  do  with  me  even 
better  than  American.  We  have  a  native  Crab 
(Pyrus  rivularis)  that  is  ver3'  pretty.  It  grows 
from  10  feet  to  20  feet  high,  and  its  fruit  is  about 
the  size  of  Black  Currants  ;  birds  are  very  fond 
of  it.  George  A.  Knight. 

Mount  Tolmie  Nursery,  Victoria,  British  Columbia. 

P.S. — A  box  of  Apples  runs  from  401b.  to  501b., 
according  to  the  variety,  some  weighing  heavier 
than  others.  Apples  are  usually  grown  on  free 
stocks  here. 


RAINFALL  IN  1903. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — The  measuring  and  recording  of  British  rain- 
fall is  now  so  universally  adopted  that  there  must 
be  a  very  large  number  of  your  readers  interested. 
I  therefore  send  you  a  table  showing  the  monthly 
records  in  these  gardens  for  comparison  with  other 
readers'  measurements.  It  will  be  observed  that 
both  the  number  of  wet  days  and  the  total  exceed 
those  from  Mr.  Sinclair,  given  on  page  30,  from 
Hampton  Manor,  though  this  is  not  considered 
a  wet  district  at  all.  This  amount  exceeds  our 
average  of  the  past  eight  years  by  18  98  inches, 
truly  a  remarkable  and  undesirable  excess. 
Maximum  temperature  (July  11),  90";  minimum 
(January  15),  12°.  There  were  sixtj'-two  frosts 
during  the  year,  with  so  many  ill-remembered  ones 
in  April  and  May,  carrying  out  such  complete 
devastation  in  garden  and  Orchard.  October  seems 
to  have  afforded  the  most  phenomenal  rainfall  on 
record,  not  in  one  district  or  county,  but  univer- 
sally. It  is  curious  to  note  how  varied  are  the 
measurements  even  of  a  day's  rain  at  different 
stations  ;  even  situated,  it  may  be,  but  a  mile  or 
two  apirt,  there  is  the  same  marked  variability  of 
register.  Some  good  comes  even  from  this  gloomy 
record,  and  is  found  in  the  strengthened  stale  of 
the  water  supply  from  both  deep  and  surface 
spring"!.  For  a  long  time  the  dearth  of  water, 
even  out  of  the  summer  season,  has  been  an  oft- 
repeated  cry. 

RAINFALL    IN    1903 
At  Rood  Ashton,  Trowbkidge,  Wilts. 

Total         Greatevl  fall    A'umber  oj 
depth.  ill  ^ti  hours.        dayn  on 

Month.  which  '01  or 

Inches:      Depth.      Date,   more  fell. 
January    ..        ..      370    ..      090    ..      4     ..      18 
February  . .        . .      204     . .        -65     . .    24     . .      11 
March       ..        .,      4  06    ..        -71     ..      2    ..      20 
April  ..  ..       2  96     ..         -63     ..     25     ..       11 

May  ..         ..      6  08     ..         -90     . .     29     . .       17 

June  ..  ..       6-36     ..       1-16     ..     19     ..       10 

July  ..  ..       3'07     ..         -85     ..     29     ..       12 

August  ..  ..  4-77  ..  1-07  ..  16  ..  17 
September  ..  2  27  ..  -38  ..  10  ..  17 
Ootuber  ..  ..  7-49  ..  -80  ..  12  ..  28 
November  ..       2  02     ..         -98     . .     27     . .       13 

December  ..      2  98     ..      1-08    ..     12    ..      16 


Total 


46-80 


lUOO 


189 


Bood  Ashton,  Wilts. 


W.  Strug  NELL. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 

CO VENT  GARDEN. 
There  is  a  good  deal  of  change  both  in  the  supplies 
and  the  demands  during  the  past  few  years.  The 
cold  storage  brought  about  a  great  reform,  and 
since  we  have  had  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Lilies,  and 
Spirasa  all  the  year  through,  some  of  the  older 
favourites  find  less  favour.     The  old  double  white 


January  i3,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


65 


■Chinese  Primula  was  formerly  a  most  profitable 
winter-flowering  plant,  and  though  it  may  yet  be 
'Seen  in  market  it  is  no  longer  in  great  demand, 
[  -and  several  of  the  growers  who  used  to  grow  it  in 
large  quantities  have  given  it  up  entirely.  The 
single  Primulas  are  no  longer  a  profitable  crop; 
they  have  been  on  the  market  for  some  weeks 
past,  but  there  is  little  demand.  I  lately  noticed  a 
tine  lot  of  plants  on  a  oostermonger's  barrow, 
which  in  itself  was  good  evidence  that  the  market 
■value  was  very  low.  A  good  many  well-flowered 
plants  are  now  coming  in  in  3-inch  pots.  There 
.are  also  some  of  the  stellata  type,  both  cut  and  in 
pots,  but  these  attract  little  attention.  A  good 
many  of  the  small  flowering  plants  are  now  sub- 
■stituted  by  cut  flowers  and  cut  foliage.  Uood  cut 
foliage  may  often  be  used  with  greater  effect  tlian 
pot  plants.  When  I  first  saw  the  late  Mr.  Green 
«f  Crawford  Street  cut  down  beautiful  plants  of 
Aralia  Veitchi,  gracillima,  and  elegantissima,  for 
which  he  was  paying  3s.  6d.  each,  I  thought  it  a 
great  sacrifice,  but  when  seeing  them  used  in  the 
■centre  of  fancy  bowls  with  a  few  choice  flowers 
round  them  I  recognised  their  value  for  the  pur- 
pose. I  have  seen  other  choice  foliage  used  in  the 
same  way,  and  at  the  present  time  choice  cut 
foliage  is  much  in  demand.  Another  old  favourite 
which  is  not  so  much  used  as  formerly  is  the 
Maiden-hair  Fern.  Asparagus  plumosus  nanus 
has  taken  its  place  to  a  great  extent,  but  other 
suitable  foliage  is  also  substituted.  Uf  course  there 
is  still  some  demand  for  the  Maiden-hair,  and  it  is 
■doubtful  if  it  will  ever  be  superseded  for  some 
purposes.  Just  at  the  present  time  really  good 
Maiden-hair  Fern  would  sell  well,  but  there  is 
plenty  of  second  quality  on  the  market.  The 
leaves  of  Cycas  revoluta  are  another  comparatively 
modern  innovation,  being  much  used  for  the  ground- 
work in  funeral  emblems.  There  is  a  good  supply 
of  these  now  coming  into  the  market.  English- 
grown  Smilax  may  now  be  had  pretty  well  all  the 
3'ear  through.  Asparagus  Sprengeri  is  now  being 
much  used  for  green,  yet  it  hardly  finds  as  much 
favour  as  it  deserves,  for  in  addition  to  the  quality 
of  lasting  well,  it  works  in  with  flowers  with  great 
advantage. 

Of  general  market  trade  there  is  little  to  record, 
■except  that  everything  continues  very  quiet.  The 
Chrysanthemums  are  beginning  to  fall  oft',  but 
Dutch  and  other  bulbs  are  coming  in  in  quantities 
to  take  their  place.  The  Paper  White  and  other 
Polyanthus  Narcissi  are  plentiful,  and  we  shall 
.soon  have  Daff'odils  in  abundance. 

•    A.  Hemsley. 


1VIISCELLANEOUS. 


EESUEEECTION    PLANTS. 

REFERRING  to  Mr.  A.  Hemsley's  inter- 
esting note  on  the  above  (vol.  Ixiv., 
page  371),  Selaginella  lepidophylla 
differs  from  the  other  examples  cited  in 
retaining  not  only  its  power  of  expan- 
sion after  prolonged  drought,  but  also 
its  vitality  unimpaired.  Some  years  ago,  passing 
through  Texas  by  train,  I  noticed  several  children 
on  the  side  of  one  of  the  stations  who  were  selling 
little  baskets  of  the  local  Cacti  and  Selaginella 
lepidophylla,  the  latter  in  the  form  of  dry  brown 
incurved  masses,  roughly  resembling  an  incurved 
'Chrysanthemum,  but  quite  dry,  hard,  and  brittle. 
As  1  recognised  the  plant  I  bought  several  and  put 
them  into  my  portmanteau  to  take  home  as  curios. 
■Qaite  six  weeks  later  I  came  across  them  when 
unpacking,  and  dropped  them  overnight  into  a 
pail  of  water.  Next  morning  I  was  delighted  to 
ifind  as  many  bright  green  and  perfectly  fresh 
rosettes  which,  when  potted  up  and  installed  in 
■my  fernery,  resumed,  I  cannot  say  started,  growth 
■  as  if  nothing  had  happened  to  them.  One  of 
them  I  saw  recently  in  good  condition  at  Wanstead 
in  possession  of  a  friend  to  whom  I  gave  it  at  the 
time.  These  plants  present  a  very  curious  case  of 
-adaptation  of  a  moisture-loving  genus  to  conditions 
-of  severe  and  prolonged  drought.  During  the 
Tainy  season  they  thrive  in  the  chinks  of  rocks  and 
similar  habitats,  but  when  the  dry  season   sets  in 


each  frond  curls  inwards  from  the  tip  towards  the 
centre,  presenting  its  brown,  thickly-scaled  under 
surface  to  view,  and  eventually  forms  a  sort  of 
ball,  as  above  described.  This,  rooted  up  by  strong 
winds,  is  blown  for  months  about  the  prairie, 
where  the  children  collect  them  for  sale  as  afore- 
said. When  the  rains  are  resumed  they  simply 
root  where  they  lie,  which  is  naturally  usually  in 
such  hollows  as  they  have  drifted  into.  How 
long  they  might  be  kept  in  a  dry  state  I  cannot 
say,  but  in  this  case  it  was  probably  two  months 
between  the  time  of  gathering  and  resuscitating, 
and  considerably  more  since  they  first  dried  up 
and  got  adrift.  We  need  not,  however,  go  abroad 
for  resurrection  plants  since  our  common  Ceterach 
officinarum  forms  a  good  rival  to  the  Selaginella 
in  its  drought-resisting  capacity,  and  on  similar 
lines.  I  once  collected  a  plant  in  Asia  Minor 
which  I  wrapped  in  an  envelope  and  put  into 
a  breast  pocket,  whence  it  was  unearthed,  so  to 
speak,  four  months  later.  The  fronds  were  curled 
in  with  the  thick  brown  scales  outwards,  and 
apparently  as  dry  as  tinder,  yet  dropped  into  water 
overnight  it  was  perfectly  green  and  alive  next 
morning,  and  when  planted  resumed  growth  at 
once.  This  Fern  has  a  fancy  for  the  sunny  sides 
of  rocks  and  old  walls,  and  in  very  dry  summers 
we  may  see  it  in  its  brown  and  shrivelled  condi- 
tion looking  as  dead  as  dead  can  be,  and  yet 
capable  of  reviving  or  resurrecting  when  moister 
conditions  permit.  Numerous  exotic  Ferns  of  the 
Nothochla;na  and  Cheilanthes  description  are 
similarly  gifted,  and  years  ago  Mr.  Loder,  now  Sir 
G.  Loder,  sent  the  writer  a  plant  (N.  Fendlerii) 
which  had  been  posted  to  him  dry  from  the  United 
States,  and  was  none  the  worse  for  the  ordeal 
when  soaked  and  potted  up.  It  is  noteworthy 
that  dense  dorsal  scales,  either  white  or  brown, 
are  present  in  all  cases  as  a  protection. 

Chas.  T.  Dkueky,  F.L.S.,  V.M.H. 


FRENCH    CAPERS. 

As  a  food  or  culinary  adjunct  Capers  are  much 
used  on  the  Continent,  also  in  England  and 
America.  The  commercial  product  known  as 
Capers  are  simply  the  undeveloped  flower-buds  of  a 
bush  which  grows  in  Southern  Europe  and  in  the 
North  of  Africa.  The  species  that  is  common  to 
Europe,  and  is  cultivated  in  Spain,  Italy,  and  the 
departments  dii  midi  of  France  is  Capparis  spinosa, 
the  Egyptian  Caper  is  C.  tegyptiaca,  the  Caper  of 
Greece  is  C.  rupestris,  and  the  Caper  of  Barbary  or 
Northern  Africa  is  C.  Fontanesii.  In  France, 
especially  in  the  district  of  Provence,  the  Caper 
bush  thrives  on  chalky  soils,  and  grows  well  when 
planted  on  rising  ground  well  exposed  to  the  sun. 
Poor  dry  soils  are  also  utilised,  but  experience 
shows  that  better  results  are  obtained  when  the 
quality  of  the  soil  is  good.  The  Caper  bushes  are 
propagated  by  cuttings  of  about  10  inches  in  length, 
which  are  planted  in  some  selected  place  that  is 
considered  as  being  especially  favourable  for  their 
striking.  Experience  has  shown  that  it  is  best  to 
plant  the  cuttings  in  a  soil  somewhat  akin  to  that 
into  which  they  will  be  finally  transplanted.  By 
this  method,  though  not  more  than  20  per  cent, 
usually  survives,  yet  good  results  are  obtained  on 
transplantation.  On  the  other  hand,  if  cuttings 
are  planted  in  a  rich  moist  nursery,  they  will 
nearly  all  grow  ;  but  when  the  plants  are  trans- 
planted into  poor  soil  their  growth  is  arrested  to 
such  an  extent  that  the  effect  is  felt  for  years. 

Planting  out  is  done  in  spring  time,  the  ground 
having  been  previously  well  ploughed  and  manured, 
and  the  bushes  are  placed  at  a  distance  of  about 
8  feet  from  each  other.  They  yield  a  small  crop 
the  first  year,  but  in  two  or  three  years  they  are  in 
full  bearing.  Each  year  upon  the  approach  of 
winter  every  branch  is  cut  down  to  a  length  of 
8  inches  to  10  inches,  and  then  the  earth  is  hoed  in 
a  heap  over  the  entire  bush  in  order  to  preserve  it 
from  the  effects  of  frost,  and  thus  treated  the 
bushes  will  stand  a  temperature  of  10°  to  12" 
Centigrade.  In  March  the  earth  is  removed,  and 
the  branches  are  again  cut  closely  to  the  trunk, 
which  is  left  bare,  the  branches  now  cut  being 
used  as  cuttings.  At  the  same  time  the  ground  is 
ploughed  and  manured,  and  from  time  to  time,  till 


June  or  July,  it  is  hoed  and  weeded.     By  July  the 
bushes  are  fully  grown,  and   their   branches  cover 
nearly  the  entire  surface  of  the  plantation.     The 
gathering   of   the   crop,    however,    generally   com- 
mences about  the  first  week  in  .June,  and  as  there 
is  one  Caper  for  every  leaf  the   harvest  continues 
until  September  or  even  October.     The   buds  are 
picked  by  women,  who  work  upon  the  same  bushes 
every  five  or  six  days,  and  every  eflbrt  is  made  to 
gather  small  Capers,  as   the  smaller  sizes  are  the 
best  and  bring   the  highest  prices.      The  pickers 
are  paid  about  25  centimes  per  kilogram,  or  about 
Id.   per   lb.,  and  in    the  height   of   the   season   a 
competent  woman  can  gather  about  44!b.  per  day. 
After   the   Capers    have    been   picked    they   are 
placed  in  trays  under  a  shed,  so  as  to  evaporate  a 
portion   of   the   water   they   contain.      After   this 
they  are   placed   in   barrels  of   white  vinegar  for 
preservation,  the  strength  of  the  vinegar  so  used 
being  about  8°  Beaume.     Occasionally  the  preserv- 
ing vinegar  is  flavoured,   according  to  individual 
taste  and  experience  and  the  demands  of  prospec- 
tive   market,    with    sprigs     of     Tarragon,    Elder 
flowers.  Cloves,  and   Pepper.     During  the   winter 
the   Capers   so   preserved  are   classified    by  being 
passed   through  sieves   of   different  sizes.      Seven 
classifications   or    sizes    are    recognised,    and    are 
termed  "nonpareille"  (the  smallest  size),  "surfine," 
"  capuoine,"    "capote,"    "fine,"     "mi-fine,"   and 
"  commune"  (the  largest  size).     Having  beer  thug 
separated  and  graded,  the  Capers  are  replaced  in 
barrels   filled   with    vinegar    and    kept    till   sold. 
When  the  Capers  are  prepared  for  shipment  they 
are  usually  washed  in  a  vinegar  of  the  strength  of 
12°  Beaume,  which   renders  them  quite  firm,  and 
they  are  then  placed  in  barrels  without  vinegar, 
and  can  stand  long  journeys.     The  first  quality  of 
Capers    are    known     in     France    as    "  Capres    de 
Toulon,"  and  are  presumed  to  have  been  grown  in 
that  district ;  the  second  quality  are  the  "  Capres 
de  Marseille,"  and  the  third  are  the  "Capres  de 
Majorque,"  and  each  of  these  have  some  or  all  of 
the  various  grades  we  have  already  noted.     The 
"Capres   de    Marseille,"    for    instance,    have    the 
following     grades  :     nonpareille,     superfine,    fine, 
demi-fine,     and     ordinaire.        The    "Capres    de 
I'Espagne,"  which  are  usually  large,    are  another 
recognised  quality,  and  find  a  place  somewhere  in 
line   with   the    three   commercial   species    already 
named.      The   commercial   varieties   that   are   the 
least  valued  of  all  are  those  termed   "  Citpres  de 
Lyon"  and  the  "Capres  de  Tunis,"  known  also  as 
"de  Capenes." 

The  fruits  of  the  Caper,  which  are  as  large  as 
Italian  Olives,  are  often  preserved  in  vinegar,  and 
are  commercially  known  in  France  as  "cornichons 
de  capriers."  The  trade  in  Capers  is  carried  on 
principally  in  Marseilles,  Toulon,  and  Grasse,  and 
it  is  generally  in  the  hands  of  merchants  who  also 
prepare  and  sell  pickled  Olives,  sardines,  anchovies, 
and  other  products  which  figure  on  French  tables 
as  "  hors  d'teuvre."  In  the  North  of  France  they 
preserve  and  sell,  under  the  name  of  "Capres  de 
genet,"  the  young  buds  of  the  Nartium  scoparium. 
It  is  stated  that  they  are  also  preserved  in 
Germany,  and  sold  in  considerable  quantities  in 
the  eastern  departments  of  France  and  in  Holland, 
these  "Capers"  being  considered  a  very  recherche 
condiment.  R.  Hedoer  Wallace. 

46,  Lammas  Park  Road,  Ealing,  W. 


BOOKS. 


Flora  and  Sylva,  Vol.  I.*— The  first 

volume  of  the  monthly  magazine  Flora  and 
Si/lra  forms  a  beautiful  and  interesting  book,  and 
we  look  forward  to  a  long  series  of  a  publication 
that  it  is  a  delight  to  possess.  Mr.  Robinson  in 
the  preface  tells  us  that  trees  will  always  form  one 
of  the  great  features  of  the  magazine,  and  we 
heartily  agree  with  him  in  regarding  the  study  and 
planting  of  the  finer  trees  and  shrubs  as  somewhat 
overshadowed  by  the  greater  devotion  given  to 
flowers  and  plants.  "  When  we  think  of  the 
beauty,  use,  and  long  life  of  trees,  and  the  happy 


*  Flora  and  Sijlca.     Vol.  I.    Edited  by  W.  Kobinson,  and 
published  at  17,  i'urnival  Street,  London,  B.C.    Price  £1 13. 


66 


:he  garden. 


[Ja.NUAHY  23,   1004. 


resultB  a  man  who  plants  may  get  in  his  own  life- 
time, there  can  be  but  one  view  as  to  the  import- 
ance of  the  subject,  and  hence  the  place  given 
them  in  this  work.  In  the  series  of  articles  on  the 
'Greater  Trees  of  the  Northern  Forest '  it  is  pro- 
posed to  include  all  the  nobler  trees."  Flora  and 
Sylva  was  begun  in  April  of  last  year,  and  opened 
with  an  article  on  "Hardy  Bamboos  in  England," 
by  Lord  Redesdale,  and  a  review  of  the  Magnolias 
and  Calochorti,  with  a  coloured  plate  of  Magnolia 
rustica  fl.  rubra  and  Calochortus  clavatus  and 
C.  nitidus.  The  coloured  illustrations  are  one  of 
the  features  of  the  work,  two  being  given  with 
each  number,  and  they  are  from  drawings  made  by 
Mr.  H.  G.  Moon.  The  engravings  and  plates 
alone  are  worth  the  price  of  the  magazine,  and 
paper  and  printing  are  excellent. 

The  following  plants  are  represented  by  a 
coloured  plate  in  the  first  volume,  the  two  just 
referred  to,  and  Geranium  grandiflorum,  single 
Camellias,  Anchusa  italica  var. ,  Colchicum 
giganteum,  C.  Sibthorpii,  C.  Bivona?  superbum, 
Aconitum  Fisheri,  Browallia  speciosa  major, 
Cherokee  Rose  (Rosa  lievigata).  Clematis  Mme. 
Edouard  Andre,  C3'clamen  libanoticuni,  Fritillaria 
askhabadensis,  Hidalgoa  Wercklei,  Inula  royleana, 
Lilium  Grayi,  Menensia  prinuiloides,  PiBonia 
lutea,  and  Anemone  eernua.  The  wood  engravings 
are  very  beautiful,  especially  of  the  Swiss  Pine  at 
home,  page  101  ;  the  Scotch  Fir  (Pinus  s\'lvestris), 
page  1(33  ;  and  Rose  Bessie  Brown,  page  307.  We 
have  reviewed  several  of  the  parts  already,  but 
that  for  December  has  not  yet  received  attention. 
In  it  are  the  coloured  plates  of  the  Cherokee  Rose 
and  Inula  Roylei,  and  the  charming  engraving  of 
the  Bessie  Brown  Rose  to  accompany  an  interesting 
article  on 

The  Greater  Roses, 
from  which  we  take  the  following  extract:  — 
"This  is  an  important  subject  for  all  who  think 
of  a  real  flower  garden,  and  seek  to  avoid  the 
ugliness  of  the  pitiful  substitutes  for  it  both  in 
France  and  England.  The  stereotyped  gardens  are 
even  worse  abroad  than  at  home,  since  the  French 
and  Germans  have  taken  mosaic  culture  from  the 
Italians,  and  are  riding  it  to  death.  I  have  lately 
been  through  one  of  the  most  beautiful  parts  of 
France — the  valleys  of  the  Loire  and  Cher,  where 
all  things  in  Nature  are  beautiful,  from  clear  sky 
to  river  bank,  the  one  human  blot  on  the  whole 
being  the  dabs  of  mosaic  culture  in  spots  that 
ought  to  be  the  most  sacred — before  a  group  of 
fine  Cedars,  the  far  side  of  a  wide  lawn,  or  against 
a  beautiful  old  chateau.  No  such  things  ought 
ever  to  be  seen  in  the  foreground  of  a  beautiful 
house,  and  to  avoid  these  horrors  we  have  (among 
other  things)  to  think  first  of  the  great  Roses.  It 
is  a  question  which  is  obscured  by  the  stupid 
division  of  Roses  into  many  classes,  by  giving  an 
exaggerated  value  to  some,  and  by  the  still  pre- 
vailing error  of  growing  mainly  the  summer- 
blooming  kinds.  In  catalogues  also  we  see  Roses 
of  poor  quality,  like  Homer,  described  in  glowing 
terms  year  after  year,  and  not  enough  care  is  taken 
to  exclude  Roses  which  do  not  open  well  in  parts 
of  our  country,  like  Franckca  Kruger.  Raisers, 
too,  are  not  careful  enough  to  exclude  Roses  of 
poor  colour  and  effect  for  the  open  air,  in  which 
distant  effect  has  to  be  reckoned  with  ;  and  so  for 
its  colour  I  exclude  Marquise  de  Salisbury.  Also, 
with  perhaps  less  reason,  Roses  with  long  and 
absurd  rigmaroles  of  names,  and  kinds  like 
Niphetoa  and  Comtesse  de  Frigneuse,  which  are  not 
good  for  open  air  culture.  There  are  also  a  certain 
number  that  are  apt  to  break  into  many  heads, 
like  Comtesse  liiza  dti  Pare,  which  may  be  pretty 
in  their  first  season,  but  gradually  become  less  so. 
I  was  nearly  excluding  Maman  Coehet  for  this 
habit  and  for  its  general  want  of  effect  throughout 
the  year  ;  famous  as  it  is  I  should  not  at  all  place 
it  near  what  I  should  call  a  great  Rose.  .  .  ." 
Mr.  Robinson  condemns  "poor  Roses  such  as 
Crimson  Rambler,  which  give  their  few  weeks  of 
colour  and  then  subside  for  the  season.  Such  Roses 
may  be  of  some  value  on  outhouses,  and  among 
trees  and  shrubs  here  and  there,  and  to  give  a 
pretty  effect  for  a  time,  but  they  are  not  worthy 
of  mention  beside  such  sorts  as  are  beautiful  the 
whole  summer  and  autumn.  There  is,  unhappily,  a 


greater  cause  of  exclusion  than  all  these,  and  that 
IS  the  effect  of  grafting  all  the  fine  Tea  Roses  on 
the  Briar."  In  writing  of  the  beautiful  Yonne 
Gravier  he  mentions  that,  even  when  obtained  from 
the  best  source,  it  is  very  apt  to  die  when  on  the 
Briar.  "A  few  suckers  that  I  got  on  their  natural 
roots  do  much  better.  In  my  trials,  embracing 
thousands  of  Tea  Roses,  a  great  many  constantly 
die  back.  They  flower  well  the  first  year  and  then 
perish  slowly,  flowerless  ever  after.  So  I  am 
haunted  alwaj's  by  the  fear  that  we  have  lost  many 
of  our  finest  Tea  Roses  in  this  way.  I  do  not  divide 
great  Roses  into  classes,  because  there  is  no  need 
for  it.  It  is  the  modern  mania  for  making  classes 
when  no  real  distinction  exists,  which  leads  our 
societies  to  classify  Roses  into  garden  and  exhibi- 
tion kinds,  as  if  Marie  Van  Houtte  and  Anna 
Olivier,  among  the  best  of  open  air  Roses,  were  not 
good  enough  to  take  their  places  in  an}'  show,  even 
with  their  beautiful  foliage  cut  off  and  set  in  ranks 
like  Cabbages  in  a  market  stand.  Dividing  one 
group  into  hybrids  and  another  into  non-hybrids  is 
not  one  whit  more  rational,  for  all  are  hybrids." 

We  should  advise  keen  Rose  growers  to  get  this 
part  with  the  list  of  the  greater  Roses.  The 
article  upon  the  "Greater  Trees  of  the  Northern 
Forest  "  is  illustrated  with  a  capital  wood  engraving 
of  the  "Norway  Spruce  at  Oakley  Park."  We 
heartily  congratulate  Mr.  Robinson.  Flora  and 
tii/lra  is  a  periodical  for  all  who  love  their 
gardens. 


NOTES    FROM    SCOTLAND. 


Medals  for  Cottagers'  Gardens  in  Scotland. 
For  a  number  of  years  the  improvement  of 
cottage  gardens  in  Scotland  has  been  stimulated 
by  the  medals  offered  annually  by  the  Highland 
and  Agricultural  Society  of  Scotland.  These  are 
awarded  through  the  medium  of  the  local  horti- 
cultural societies,  and  there  are  usually  more 
applications  for  medals  than  can  be  supplied  by 
the  number  allotted.  It  is  therefore  the  custom 
to  grant  the  medals  to  different  societies  instead  of 
continuing  them  every  year  to  the  same  district. 
This  year  twenty  districts  will  receive  two  medals 
each.  These  prizes  are  generally  keenly  competed 
tor. 

Royal  Caledonian  Hoeticoltural  Society. 

An  abstract  of  the  accounts  of  the  Royal  Cale- 
donian Horticultural  Society  for  the  year  ending 
November  30, 1903,  has  been  issued  by  the  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Mr.  P.  Murray-Thomson,  S.S.C.  It 
shows  a  gratifying  improvement  in  the  position  of 
the  society  during  the  past  year,  the  balances  to 
the  credit  of  the  society  amounting  to  £9"28  5s., 
compared  with  £715  17s.  7d.  on  November  30,  1902, 
a  gain  of  f21'2  7s.  5d.  Of  these  balances  £557  lis. 
is  that  belonging  to  capital  account,  the  remainder 
being  on  income  account.  A  statement  of  the  Neill 
Prize  Fund  is  also  published,  showing  £4.50  to  the 
credit  of  capital  account,  and  £'24  10s.  3d.  to  that 
of  income. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Royal  Caledonian 
Horticultural  Society  was  held  in  Dowell's  Rooms, 
George  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
13th  inst.  Mr.  David  P.  Laird  (of  Messrs.  R.  B. 
Laird  and  Sons,  Limited),  one  of  the  vice- 
presidents,  occupied  the  chair.  The  annual  report, 
submitted  by  Mr.  P.  Murray-Thomson,  S.S.C, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  was  satisfactory,  and 
showed  an  increase  in  membership  of  119. 
Reference  was  made  to  the  success  of  the  alteration 
in  the  date  of  the  spring  show,  and  to  the  forth- 
coming show  at  the  same  time  this  year.  A  state- 
ment was  also  made  regarding  the  international 
exhibition  promoted  by  the  society,  to  be  held  in 
1904,  and  gratification  was  expressed  at  the 
patronage  of  His  Majesty  the  King  having  been 
accorded  to  it,  and  at  His  Majesty's  gift  of  a 
valuable  cup.  The  financial  statement,  already 
summarised  above,  was  also  satisfactory.  Mr. 
Alexinder  Milne  made  some  remarks  upon  the 
financial  statement,  which  he  did  not  think 
altogether  satisfactory,  as  the  surplus  was,  in  his 
opinion,    gained    by   a    curtailment   of   the   prize 


money.  He  suggested  economy  in  some  other 
departments.  Mr.  Murray-Thomson  explained 
that  a  good  deal  of  the  increase  in  the  show 
expenses  was  caused  by  about  £100  additional 
having  been  spent  on  music  at  the  spring  show  for  ' 
the  purpose  oi  attracting  the  public,  and  that  the 
reason  of  the  reduction  of  the  prize  money  was  that- 
the  nurserymen  had  foregone  their  prizes  to  help- 
the  finances  of  the  society.  Several  members- 
spoke  in  similar  terms  to  the  secretarj',  and  the 
report  was  adopted,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  J.  W. 
M'Hattie,  superintendent  of  the  City  Parks, 
seconded  by  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Oxenford  Gardens. 
Lord  Balfour  of  Burleigh  was  reappointed  presi- 
dent of  the  society.  Mr.  W.  H.  Massie  (of  Messrs. 
Dicksons  and  Co.)  and  Mr.  D.  Kidd,  The  Gardens, 
Carberry  Tower,  were  appointed  vice-presidents, 
and  the  vacancies  on  the  council  were  filled  by  the- 
appointment  of  Mr.  James  Grieve,  Redbraes 
Nursery,  and  Councillor  Mackenzie  (of  Messrs. 
Mackenzie  and  Moncur,  Limited). 

Scottish  Horticultdral  Association. 

The  annual  meeting  of  this  association  wa& 
held  in  Dowell's  Rooms,  George  Street,  Edin- 
burgh, on  the  evening  of  the  12th  inst.,  Mr.  J.  W. 
M'Hattie,  president  of  the  association,  in  the  chair. 
The  attendance  was  large.  No  fewer  than  twenty 
life  members  and  fifty-nine  ordinary  members  wer& 
elected,  and  thirty-four  proposed  for  election  at 
the  next  meeting.  Mr.  Peter  Loney,  the  secretary, 
read  his  annual  report,  which  was  of  an  extremely 
satisfactory  character,  and  which  showed  a  grati- 
fying record  of  progress  in  the  membership.  During. 
1903  forty  life  members,  two  honorary  members, 
and  191  ordinarj'  members  had  been  added  to  th& 
roll,  the  membership  now  standing  at  the  record 
number  of  1,295.  Mr.  Todd  moved  the  adoption 
of  the  report,  which  was  agreed  to  unanimousl}'. 
The  abstract  of  accounts  for  the  year  was  also- 
submitted  by  Mr.  W.  Mackinnon,  the  treasurer, 
and  was  of  an  exceedingly  satisfactorj'  character, 
the  total  income,  including  the  balance  in  hand  at- 
the  beginning  of  the  year  and  the  balance  oS 
profit  on  the  Chrysanthemum  show,  having  been 
£1,231  Ss.  5d.  Theordinary  expenditure  amounted 
to  £102  Os.  lid.  ;  £25  '2s.  had  been  given  to  chari- 
ties, and  the  balance  to  the  credit  of  the  association 
was  £1,104  5s.  6d.,  a  gain  of  £1'25  133.  4d.  Mr. 
A.  Mackenzie,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report, 
made  some  appropriate  remarks  regarding  the 
prosperity  of  the  association  and  the  good  work  it 
was  doing  in  fostering  horticulture.  The  report 
was  adopted  and  the  office-bearers  thanked  for 
their  services.  The  office  -  bearers  were  also 
appointed,  the  principal  appointments  being: 
Honorary  president,  the  Marquis  of  Linlithgow  ■„ 
president,  Mr.  J.  W.  M'Hattie;  vice-presidents, 
Mr.  A.  Mackenzie  and  Mr.  A.  Slater  ;  secretary, 
Mr.  Peter  Loney  ;  treasurer,  Mr.  W.  Mackinnon. 
The  association's  prospects  for  1904  are  exceedingly 
promising,  and  the  papers  to  be  read  at  the  monthly 
meetings  are  likely  to  maintain  the  attendance  at 
its  high  level. 


OBITUARY. 


REV.    CHARLES   DAVIDSON. 

By  the  death,  a  few  days  ago,  of  the  Rev.  Charles 
Davidson  of  Dumfriesshire,  that  district  has  lost 
one  of  its  most  enthusiastic  amateur  gardeners. 
Mr.  Davidson  was  fond  of  horticulture  in  all  its 
branches,  but  he  took  a  special  interest  in  hardy 
and  florist's  flowers,  and  his  garden  at  Hightae 
Manse  was  always  interesting.  Mr.  Davidson, 
who  was  one  of  the  most  respected  of  men,  died 
suddenly,  and  much  sympathy  is  felt  for  his  widow 
in  her  bereavement. 


HUGH    ERASER. 

We  regret  to  learn  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Hugh 
Fraser,  nurseryman,  of  Leith,  which  took  place  in 
Edinburgh  on  January  13.  Mr.  Fraser  was  in  his 
seventy-first  year,  and  was  interred  in  Ro.sebank 
Cemet's-y  on  January  16. 


<t^y- 


GARDEN 


No.  1680.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[January  30,  1904. 


THE  GARDENERS'  ROYAL 
BENEVOLENT  INSTITU- 
TION. 

ON  Thursday  in  last  week  the  annual 
meeting  of  this  institution  was 
held  at  the  Covent  Garden  Hotel, 
under  the  chairmanship  of  Mr. 
H.  J.  Veitch,  followed  by  the 
usual  supper,  over  which  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton 
presided,  supported  by  the  majority  of  the 
committee  and  friends  interested  in  this  famous 
gardening  charity.  A  report  of  the  proceedings 
is  given  on  page  86,  but  the  institution,  so 
thoroughly  managed,  and  at  small  expense, 
demands  a  more  general  notice  than  an  ordinary 
report,  to  which,  however,  we  draw  attention 
to  show  the  substantial  foundation  upon  which 
the  institution  is  built.  Year  by  year  the 
committee  appeal  earnestly  for  funds  to  meet 
the  distressing  cases  brought  before  their  notice, 
and  this  year  thirty-eight  applicants  must 
await  their  chance  next  January  before  their 
appeal  for  a  pension  can  again  be  considered, 
and  then,  we  fear,  the  majority  have  small 
chance  of  securing  the  necessary  number  of 
votes. 

A  glance  at  the  report  published  shows  a 
satisfactory  state  of  things  as'  far  as  the 
financial  condition  of  the  institution  is  con- 
cerned, but  it  is  to  the  gardeners  of  the  United 
Kingdom  that  the  committee  naturally 
look  for  increased  support.  Only  1,000  are 
sufiiciently  wise  to  subscribe  to  an  institution 
which  may  be  the  means  of  imparting  some 
comfort  to  them  in  the  future,  and,  as  Mr. 
Veitch  pointed  out  at  the  meeting,  those  men 
who  begin  to  subscribe  when  they  are  young 
are  those  who  will  reap  their  reward  in  the 
years  to  come,  when  the  institution  is  appealed 
to  for  assistance  from  the  pension  or  one  of  the 
other  funds,  which  have  been  founded  to  give 
temporary  assistance  in  time  of  distress  and 
sickness.  If  the  gardeners  would  take  their 
share  in  supporting  the  institution  its  sphere 
of  usefulness  would  be  extended,  and  the 
committee  be  enabled  to  give  relief  to  the  sad 
cases  which  at  every  meeting  are  brought 
before  them  for  investigation.  Charitable 
institutions  such  as  this  must  be  managed 
with  strict  prudence,  and  of  all  the  charities  in 
which  we  have  been  interested  none  is  handled 
with  greater  economy  and  foresight  than  the 
Gardeners'  Koyal  Benevolent.  It  is  not  the 
men  alone  that  are  considered ;  it  is  the  widow 
too,  and  the  pension  of  £16  a  year  to  the 


widow  saves  the  recipient  from  what  would  be 
practically  in  many  cases  starvation.  When  a 
pensioner  dies  the  wife  is  placed  on  the  funds 
without  election,  provided  that  the  committee 
consider  the  case  deserving  of  this  action. 

We  earnestly  appeal  to  the  young  gardener 
in  particular  to  take  heed  of  the  future  and 
subscribe  to  the  institution,  and  by  so  doing, 
through  the  greater  number  of  votes  given  to 
the  oldest  subscriber  by  the  committee,  ensure 
quick  election  when  relief  is  sought.  And  the 
institution  is  not  merely  centred  in  London. 
It  has  now  several  auxiliaries,  which  are 
accomplishing,  and  will  do  so  more  in  the 
future,  incalculable  service  in  broadening  the 
basis  of  the  institution,  and  in  this  good  work 
Mr.  Veitch  has  ever  taken  the  keenest  interest. 
The  Keading  auxiliary  has  been  instrumental 
not  only  in  raising  a  substantial  sum  but  in 
making  the  institution  known  in  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  we  know  that  the 
Liverpool  branch  is  extending,  as  well  as  those 
in  Bristol  and  Bath,  Worcester,  Devon  and 
Exeter,  and  Wolverhampton.  We  should  like 
to  see  branches  started  in  Manchester  and  all 
the  great  towns,  with  enthusiastic  secretaries 
to  make  the  claims  of  the  institution  kno\Yn 
far  and  wide. 

Although  in  the  report  we  read  of  the 
"continued  success  and  increased  usefulness 
of  the  charity,"  we  are  not  unmindful  that 
comparatively  few  of  the  applicants  had  any 
chance  whatever  of  election  this  year.  As 
the  report  says  :  "  Their  cases  are  most  sad, 
and  the  committee  sincerely  wish  it  was  in 
their  power  at  once  to  grant  them,  or  at  least 
some  of  them,  that  permanent  assistance  for 
which  they  plead  and  of  which  they  are  so 
much  in  need.  The  committee,  therefore, 
whilst  thankfully  acknowledging  the  help 
aiforded  them  in  the  past,  very  earnestly 
appeal  to  all  friends  and  well  wishers  for  their 
co-operation  in  obtaining  additional  support 
for  this  national  horticultural  charity,  so  as  to 
warrant  an  enlargement  of  its  beneficent 
objects  on  behalf  uf  those,  in  their  clays  of 
need,  who  in  their  time  have  done  their  best 
to  minister  to  the  pleasure  and  necessities  of 
others." 

The  committee'  are  determined  that  no 
effort  shall  be  spared  in  developing  to  the 
utmost  this  famous  charity.  A  history  of  the 
institution  will  soon  be  published,  and  leaflets 
will  appear  in  as  many  publications  as 
possible,  including  trade  catalogues,  where 
permission  is  granted.  But  those  who  govern 
must  be  supported .    It  is  to  the  gardener  as 


well  as  to  the  many  friends  of  the  institution 
who  open  wide  their  purse-strings  to  relieve 
sickness  and  distress  that  an  earnest  appeal  is 
made,  and  we  hope  not  without  substantial 
success. 

Then  there  are  the  two  special  funds  which 
have  been  the  means  of  giving  immediate  help 
to  the  applicants.    The  report  says  : 

"  The  special  funds,  viz.,  the  Victorian  Era 
Fund  and  the  Good  Samaritan  Fund,  are, 
happily,  still  a  source  of  incalculable  benefit 
and  help.  From  the  former  fund,  £1.3.5  10s. 
has  been  distributed  during  the  year  to  the 
unsuccessful  candidates  who  had  previously 
been  subscribers,  in  proportionate  amounts, 
according  to  the  number  of  years  they  had 
subscribed  ;  and  from  the  latter  fund,  which  is 
for  the  assistance  of  subscribing  and  also  non- 
subscribing  applicants,  no  less  than  £81  has 
been  awarded  in  temporary  assistance  in  cases- 
of  urgent  need,  many  of  which  were  of  a  par- 
ticularly distressing  and  pathetic  character. 
The  grateful  letters  which  have  been  received 
from  the  recipients  of  aid  from  these  special 
funds,  as  well  as  from  the  general  fund,  show 
how  much  the  help  was  needed,  and  how 
greatly  it  was  appreciated." 

Few  have  done  greater  service  to  the  institu- 
tion than  Mr.  H.  J.  Veitch,  who  will  take  the 
chair  at  the  yearly  dinner  in  the  Hotel  Metro- 
pole,  the  date  being  June  28.  A  chance  is  offered 
of  making  this  a  great  gardeners'  year.  The 
forthcoming  chairman  has  earned  the  sympathy 
of  all  interested  in  horticultural  charities,  and 
he  deserves  a  record  subscription  list  as  one 
means  of  showing  the  esteem  in  which  he  is 
held  by  horticulturists  throughout  the  land. 


ROYAL      HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

This  famous  society  celebrates  its  centenary 
this  year,  and  the  annual  report  has  therefore 
a  special  interest.  The  following  are  a  few 
extracts,  and  it  will  be  seen  that  the  council 
intend  that  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
Society's  foundation  shall  not  pass  by  without 
special  celebrations  of  so  interesting  an  event. 
We  doubt  the  wisdom  of  raising  the  annual 
subscription  to  two  guineas  a  year,  and  the 
council  may  expect  strong  protests  from 
country  members,  to  whom  the  ordinary  events 
of  the  Society  are  of  little  interest. 

A  Proposed  Dinnee. 
The  year  1903  will  long  be  noteworthy  in  the 
annals  of  the  society.    Not  only  does  it  com- 
plete (1)   one  hundred  years  of  the  society's 


68 


THE   GAllDEN. 


[January  30,  J904. 


existence,  but  it  has  also  seen  (-2)  the  com- 
mencement of  the  new  hall  and  offices,  (3)  the 
inauguration  of  a  new  garden,  and  (4)  the 
largest  numerical  addition  to  the  list  of  Fellows 
that  has  ever  taken  place  in  the  society's 
history.  To  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  year 
of  the  society,  it  has  been  decided  to  hold  a 
•centennial  dinner  at  the  Hotel  Metropole  on 
Thursday,  March  3,  the  nearest  convenient 
date  to  the  actual  completion  of  the  centenary, 
which  will  take  place  on  Sunday,  March  6 
next,  the  society  having  been  founded  on 
March  7,  1804,  by  Mr.  Charles  Greville,  Sir 
Joseph  Banks,  Mr.  Richard  Anthony  Salisbury, 
Mr.  W.  T.  Alton,  Mr.  W.  Forsyth,  Mr.  James 
Dickson,  and  Mr.  John  Wedgwood.  The  Right 
Hon.  the  Earl  of  Onslow,  Minister  for  Agri- 
•culture  and  Horticulture,  will  preside  at  the 
dinner,  and  the  council  hope  that  a  very  large 
number  of  the  Fellows  will  join  in  the  celebra- 
tion. The  dinner  tickets,  which  the  size  of  the 
room  unfortunately  necessitates  being  confined 
to  gentlemen,  will  be  21s. 

Celebration  of  the  Centenary. 

While  the  centennial  dinner  is  the  social 
commemoration  of  a  striking  anniversary,  the 
council  have  had  under  consideration,  for  not 
less  than  five  years,  in  what  way  the  centenary 
•could  be  most  worthily  celebrated. 

Two  projects  speedily  came  into  prominence 
— (1)  a  new  hall  and  offices  for  the  society's 
exhibitions  and  shovvs  and  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  library  and  of  the  office  staff ;  and 
•(2)  a  new  garden  less  exposed  to  London  smoke, 
.  fog,  drainage,  and  crowding  than  Chiswick  has 
of  late  years  become. 

These  projects  having  been  very  deliberately 
considered,  the  Fellows  finally  decided  in 
general  meeting  assembled  to  adopt  the  pro- 
posal of  a  hall. 

Meanwhile,  several  influential  Fellows,  who 
preferred  the  establishment  of  a  new  garden  as 
the  celebration  of  the  society's  centenary,  had 
been  urging  their  views  in  certain  quarters,  and 
•on  August  4,  1903,  Sir  Thomas  Hanbury, 
K.C.V.O.,  having  asked  for  an  interview  with 
the  council,  offered  to  purchase  the  late  Mr.  G. 
F.  Wilson's  famous  garden  and  estate  at  Wisley, 
comprising  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  to  place  it 
in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  society  as  a  garden 
as  long  as  the  society  desired  to  retain  it. 

Proposed  Increased  Subscription. 

After  very  grave  consideration  the  council 
have  decided  to  advise  that  the  minimum  rate 
■of  Fellowship  should  in  future  be  raised  to 
£2  2s.  except  in  the  case  of  bond  fide  gardeners, 
persons  living  abroad,  and  journalists  writing 
for  provincial  or  foreign  newsjiapers.  The 
existing  £1  Is.  Fellows  will,  of  course,  be 
under  no  compulsion  to  change  the  rate  of 
their  subscription,  though  it  is  hop,ed  that  not 
a  few  will  voluntarily  do  so.  The  council  have 
therefore  directed  a  new  bye-law  to  be  drawn 
up  and  submitted  to  the  meeting  for  approval, 
the  effect  of  which  will  be,  if  carried,  to  make 
the  lowest  subscription  for  Fellows  in  future 
£2  2s.  except  in  the  cases  mentioned. 

It  may  be  as  well  to  point  out  the  return 
value  which  a  Fellow  will  receive  for  his  £2  23. 
subscription  :  Three  tickets  admitting  to  the 
Temple  Show,  first  day,  £1  2s.  6d.  ;  second 
■day,  7s.  6d.  ;  third  day,  3s.  ;  the  Holland 
House  Show,  first  day,  £1  2s.  6d.  ;  second  day, 
7s.  6d.  ;  seventeen  exhibitions  at  Drill  Hall  or 
Vincent  Square,  at  2s.  6d.,  £6  7s.  6d.  ;  eight 
exhibitions  at  Drill  Hall  or  Vincent  Square  at 
Is.,  £1  4s.  ;  the  society's  journal,  £1  10s.  : 
total,  £12  4s.  6d. 

To  this  must  be  added,  free  advice  on  all 
ordinary   garden   subjects ;    investigation    of 


plant  diseases,  itc,  by  the  scientific  committee  ; 
a  share  of  plants  at  the  annual  distribution  ; 
facilities  for  chemical  advice,  etc. 


CIDER  MAKING  IN  DEVON. 

"  Oh,  bid  the  cider  flow, 

In  ploughinj::  and  in  sowing, 
The  liealliiiesl  drink  I  know 
In  reaping  and  in  mowing." 

Autumn  in  the  country  is  full  of  delights — 
Blackberrying  in  the  lanes,  or  glorious  days 
spent  among  the  woods  and  on  the  covert  side, 
where  the  pheasant  rises  over  the  tree  tops  with 
a  whirring  sound,  and  the  muffled  "  tap,  tap  " 
of  the  beaters  is  heard  from  the  thicket.  The 
hedges  are  gay  with  Bryony  and  scarlet  Hips 
and  Haws,  trails  of  mellowing  Briars,  late 
Honeysuckle,  and  Traveller's  Joy.  But  it  is  of 
a  quaint  old  farm  that  I  would  write,  where 
cider  has  been  made  from  time  immemorial. 

The  Devon  farms  are  very  picturesque;  long 
and  low,  with  thatched  roofs,  and  walls  of 
yellow  "cob"  mellowed  with  age.  There  is 
often  fine  Oak  panelling  in  these  farms,  many 
of  which  have  been  manor  houses  of  some 
importance.  The  big  kitchen  looks  very  com- 
fortable with  its  huge  open  fireplace  and  snug 
ingle  nook,  the  farmer's  dinner  stewing  in  a 
large  iron  pot  swung  from  the  ceiling  by  a 
long  chain.  There  is  a  delightful  smell  from 
the  wood  fire,  and  the  Marrow  or  Gooseberry 
jam  that  is  simmering  in  a  large  pan,  home- 
cured  hams  hang  from  the  stout  oak  beams — a 
provision  for  the  coming  winter.  September 
gales  have  blown  down  a  good  many  trees  in 
the  Apple  orchard  that  slopes  down  the  steep 
hillside,  but  although  this  has  been  anything 
but  a  good  year  for  Apples  there  seems  to  be 
a  fine  crop  still  hanging  on  the  trees,  or  lying 
in  rosy  heaps  beneath,  waiting  to  be  touched 
by  the  first  frost  before  they  are  taken  into  the 
cider  barn.  October  and  November  are  the 
months  for  cider  making,  and  fine  weather  is 
always  chosen  for  the  Apples  to  be  gathered. 
The  best  kinds  of  Apples  in  these  parts,  at 
least,  are  the  "Sweet  Alford"  and  "  Snelling." 
It  is  easy  to  find  the  way  to  the  barn,  for  the 
faint,  sweet  smell  of  Apples  penetrates  far  and 
wide,  and  there  is  the  sound  of  swiftly  rushing 
water,  which,  from  a  stream  that  flows  from 
the  wooded  hills  above,  turns  the  great  water 
wheel  that  works  the  primitive  machinery  of 
the  cider  press.  The  high  priest  of  the  cider 
making  looks  rather  like  an  Apple  himself  with 
his  rosy,  wrinkled  face.  He  is  very  proud  of 
his  cider,  and  takes  great  pains  to  explain  the 
making  of  it,  and  its  great  superiority  over  the 
cider  of  manufactories,  which  is  mixed  with 
all  sorts  of  ingredients  instead  of  being  as  this 
is— just  the  juice  of  Apples,  not  even  water 
being  added.  It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  under- 
stand his  explanation  of  the  cider  process,  as 
he  speaks  in  the  broadest  Devon.  When  the 
Apples  have  remained  on  the  ground  .for  a 
week  or  so  they  are  taken  to  a  loft  above  the 
barn  and  piled  on  the  floor,  where  small  iron 
rollers  crush  them  into  a  fine  pulp  called 
"pomage,"  which  then  falls  below  into  a  huge 
barrel  like  a  miniature  Tun  of  Heidelberg. 
When  the  tub  is  tilled  the  Apple  pulp  is  placed 
between  thick  layers  of  straw  under  a  great 
stone  weight,  which  is  set  in  motion,  and  the 
cider  drips  slowly  through  the  straw  into  the 
vat,  and  is  received  into  a  great  granite  trough 
or  "kieve."  The  lever  is  worked  by  hand,  and 
as  the  stone  weighs  several  tons  it  is  a  somewhat 
lengthy  business  The  cider  looks  uninviting 
enough  as  it  runs  into  the  kieves,  a  dark  brown 
liquid,  but  it  is  carefully  strained  into  casks 
and  allowed  to  stand  for  a  few  days,  so  that  all 
impurities  rise  to  the  top  and  can  be  skimmed 


ofl".  Then  comes  the  process  of  "matching," 
when  once  more  the  cider  is  strained  into  fresh 
casks,  and  brimstone  added,  which  preventstoo 
much  fermentation.  After  standing  a  month 
or  so  the  cider  is  ready  to  drink,  and  very  good 
it  is.  After  the  first  pressing  is  done,  the  pulp  or 
"  mock"  is  pared  down  and  added  to.  This  is 
called  "shearing  the  mock."  This  is  done 
three  times,  after  which  the  "  mock"  is  thrown 
away  or  given  to  the  pig.s. 

It  is  a  picturesque  old  barn  where  the  cider 
making  is  carried  on.  In  one  corner  stand 
two  large  mill  stones  of  days  gone  by,  the 
farmer's  gig,  in  which  he  goes  to  market,  and 
piles  of  hay;  fowls  wander  in  and  out,  and 
pigs,  straying  from  the  farmyard,  look  inquisi- 
tively round  the  open  door  at  us.  A  tiny  calf, 
hobbled  by  a  leg  to  a  post,  bleats  for  its 
mother,  who  has  gone  off  to  the  pasture,  one 
of  a  herd  of  Devon  cows,  red  as  the  Devon 
hills. 

There  are  several  superstitions  about  cider 
making.  On  Christmas  Day  in  old  times  the 
farmer  used  to  go  at  night  into  the  orchards 
and  tire  a  blank  charge  at  the  trees— a  sure 
way,  he  believed,  to  bring  a  good  crop  during 
the  ensuing  year.  There  is  another  legend  of 
an  Exeter  brewer  who,  being  jealous  of  the 
popularity  of  cider,  sold  his  soul  to  the  devil 
on  condition,  that  every  year,  three  nights' 
frost  m  May  called  "  St.  Frankin's  days," 
should  spoil  the  Apple  blossom.  This  compact 
with  the  Evil  One  would  not  possess  so  much 
signiticance  nowadays,  when  summer  frosts 
are  such  usual  occurrences.  While  writing 
this  short  description  of  a  visit  to  the  cider 
farm  it  is  tempting  to  quote  a  verse  from  a 
quaint  old  song  mentioned  in  a  book  of  west 
country  lore,  to  which  I  am  also  indebted  for 
the  two  superstitions  regarding  cider  makers. 
Speaking  of  the  famous  Devon  orchards,  the 
old  poet  says: 

"  An  orchard  fair  to  please. 

And  pleasure  for  your  mind,  sir, 
You'd  have— then  plant  of  trees 

The  goodliest  you  can  tlnd,  sir. 
In  bark  they  must  be  clean. 

And  finely  grown  in  root,  sir. 
Well  trimmed  in  head,  I  ween. 
And  sturdy  in  the  shoot,  sir." 
"  Oh,  the  jovial  days  when  the  Apple  trees  do  bear, 
We'll  drink  and  be  merry  all  the  gladsome  year." 

Dorothy  Hamilton  Dean. 


THE  EDITORS  TABLE. 


We  invite  our  readers  to  send  us  anything  of 
special  beauty  and  interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  interesting  plants 
become  more  widely  known.  We  hope,  too,  that 
a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instructive  to 
those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We  welcome 
anything  from  the  garden,  whether  fruit,  tree, 
shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  they  should 
be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London. 


WiNTER-FLOWBRING   SuRUBS  FROM    NSWRY. 

Mr.  T.  Smith,  Daisy  Hill  Nursery,  Newry,  sends 
three  winter-flowering  shrubs,  one  the  little  Rhodo- 
dendron dahuricum,  the  deep  purple- flowered 
Daphne  Dauphini,  and  the  crimson  Grevillea 
rosmarinifolia. 


LucnLIA    GKATISSIMA. 

"  H."  sends  a  boxful  of  the  beautiful  Luculia 
gratissima  which  were  cut  from  several  plants  in  a 
cool  greenhouse.  The  fragrance  of  the  flowers 
filled  the  Editorial  room,  and  the  soft  pink  colour- 
ing is  very  beautiful  loo.  It  is  a  winter  flower  of 
the  greatest  beauty,  but  the  plant  is  not  easily 
grown.  We  hope  our  correspondent  will  tell  us 
under  what  conditions  the  plants  are  grown  to 
achieve  such  excellent  results. 


I 


Januaky  30,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


69 


Flowers  from  Naples. 
Three  interesting  flowers  come  to  us  from  Mr. 
William    Miiller,    Naples.       One    is    the    purple- 
flowered 

Primula  MEGASEiEFOLiA, 
'which  is  now  becoming  well  known,  and  a  great 
favourite  for  its  beautiful  colouring  and  freedom  ; 
the  centre  is  deep  yellow.  It  is  a  Primula  for  all 
good  rock  gardens  and  for  the  alpine  house,  and  is 
now  in  bloom  in  the  famous  garden  of  Mr.  Ch. 
Sprenger. 

CORONILLA  GLAUCA  AND  COTYLEDON  MACRANTHA. 
The  Coronilla  with  Its  yellow  flowers  is  one  of 
the  freest  and  most  beautiful  of  plants  in  bloom 
now,  and  the  scarlet  bell-shaped  flowers  of  the 
Cotyledon  give  a  bright  note  of  colour  to  the  plant 
house  at  this  season. 


Messrs.  William  Bull's  Primulas. 
We  recently  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  some 
of  the  Primulas  grown  by  Messrs.  William  Bull 
and  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  S.W.,  and  among 
them  are  many  good  varieties.  One  of  the  finest 
of  all  is  Snowdon  ;  the  flowers  are  very  large,  as 
much  as  2J  inches  across,  beautifully  fringed,  the 
petals  overlaying  each  other  so  as  to  impart  great 
depth  to  the  blooms.  A  new  Primula  of  great 
merit  is  Fairy  Queen,  one  of  the  giant  section.  The 
flowers  are  large  and  of  good  substance,  and  the 
colour  is  a  beautiful  pink.  Primula  Duke  of  York, 
also  a  new  variety,  bears  very  handsome  rich  crim- 
son flowers.  The  plant  is  of  sturdy  and  robust 
habit,  producing  the  blooms  well  above  the  foliage. 
Among  older  varieties,  taking  first  the  singles,  are 
Comet,  with  rich  carmine-crimson  flowers,  shaded 
magenta ;  Countess,  delicate  blush-pink  ;  Fulgens, 
scarlet  -  carmine,  with  small  yellow  eye — a  very 
striking  Primula  ;  Imperial  Blue,  with  large 
fringed  blooms  of  a  pleasing  lilac-blue  shade;  Mont 
Blanc,  bearing  large,  densely-fringed,  snow-white 
flowers  that  are  always  admired.  Pink  Beauty, 
with  beautiful  blush-pink  flowers,  and  Sunshine, 
brilliant  magenta-crimson,  are  worth  special  note, 
as  also  is  Ruby  Queen,  of  a  ruby-red  colour, 
tinged  with  purple.  Among  the  double  varieties 
are  Blushing  Beauty,  a  new  and  beautiful  Primula 
with  large  blush-pink  double  flowers  ;  alba  fl.-pl., 
rosea  fl.-pl.,  and  rubra  fl.-pl.,  all  of  which  are  well 
worth  growing  ;  fulgens  fl.-pl.  is  undoubtedly  one 
of  the  best  and  finest  coloured  double  Primulas. 
Messrs.  Bull  and  Sons'  Fern-leaved  Primulas  and 
their  strain  of  P.  sinensis  fimbriata  alba  and  rubra 
are  also  deserving  of  mention. 


THE    WILD     PINKS. 

(Continued  from  page  5S.) 
D.  NiTiDUS.  —  A  pretty  plant,  with  leaves 
somewhat  similar  to  those  of  D.  alpinus,  but 
having  generally  more  acute  points.  The  stems 
are  two  to  three-flowered,  springing  from  tufts 
of  grass-like  leaves.  A  native  of  the  calcareous 
Alps  m  Hungary,  it  is  found  in  sub-alpine 
pastures,  producing  its  rose-coloured  flowers 
with  dentate  petals  in  August  and  September. 
Suffering  a  good  deal  from  damp,  this  plant 
requires  a  dry  position,  wedged  between 
stones. 

p.  NCEANTJS.— A  very  distinct  species,  with 
tufts  of  fine  rigid  foliage  from  Eumelia  and 
bervia.  Very  free-flowering,  the  slender  stems 
are  6  inches  to  9  inches  high,  branching  at 
the  top  into  two  to  three  divisions,  each  termi- 
nating with  a  solitary  small  white  flower,  the 
petals  of  which  are  incised.  A  free  grower,  it 
will  succeed  in  any  sunny  position  in  gritty 
loam.    A  summer-flowering  species. 

D.  PBTRiEUs  (the  Eock  Pink)  was  introduced 
™m  Eastern  Europe  in  1804.  Somewhat  like 
the  above  species,  but  with  broader  and  less 
rigidfoliage,  the  rose-coloured,  beardless  flowers 
are  produced  on  slender  stems,  branching  at 
the  top  into  three  to  four  in  summer. 


D.  PiNiFOLius.— Tufted  and  wooded  at  the 
base,  with  freely  branching  stems,  clothed  with 
numerous  long,  very  fine  leaves.  The  flowering 
stems  are^  slender,  1  foot  to  1-i-  feet  high,  in  the 
wild  specimens  only  producing  one  to  two  pink 
flowers  on  each  stem  ;  but  in  cultivation  three 
to  four  are  borne  on  each.  This  curious  tufted 
alpine  grows  in  stony  places  on  Greek  mountains, 
flowering  in  .June. 

D.  POBESCENS,  — This  biennial  species  is  a 
native  of  Greece.  The  whole  plant  is  covered 
with  a  fine  pubescence,  and  the  flowering  stems 
are  much  branched,  each  branch  terminating 
in  a  single  flower,  the  whole  at  a  little  distance 
having  the  appearance  of  a  cluster.  Flowers 
red  in  summer. 

D.  PUNGENS.— A  Spanish  species,  growing  on 
rocks  and  mountain  pastures  in  Asturia.  A 
dwarf,  tufted  plant,  with  subulate  leaves  and 
.solitary  or  few  flowered  slender  stems.  The 
flowers  are  pink  with  entire  petals. 

D.  sicuLAS.— A  tufted  plant,  with  long 
grassy  leaves,  and  tall,  branching  stems  1  foot 
to  1 J  feet  high,  with  solitary  red  flowers,  having 
incised  petals.  A  native  of  the  Mediterranean 
region. 

D.  STEicTUs.— A  small  white  flowered  species, 
this  plant  quickly  forms  large  tufts  of  glaucous 
foliage,  and  apart  from  its  flowers  is  useful  for 
covering  the  rougher  parts  of  the  rock  garden. 
It  is  found  growing  on  rocks  in  Eastern  Europe. 
D.  s.  var  bebius  has  broader  leaves  and  larger 
flowers. 

D.  suBACAULis.— A  very  dwarf  tufted  plant, 
with  solitary  flowers,  on  short  stems  from  the 
Dauphiny. 

D.  SYLVESTELS  (the  Wood  Pink)  is  found  in 
great  abundance  in  rocky  and  stony  places  on 
Mount  Jura  and  the  neighbouring  Alps.  It 
was  once  credited  by  some  authorities  as  being 
the  origin  of  the  Carnation,  but  has  no 
fragrance.  One  of  the  prettiest  and  easily 
grown  of  the  Eock  Pinks,  it  forms  a  tuft  of 
slender,  grassy  leaves,  bearing  a  profusion  of 
pink  flowers  on  rather  weak  stems.  The 
plant  has  a  creeping  root  or  underground  stem, 
and  is  best  jjlanted  in  loose,  stony  soil  on  a 
sunny  ledge,  where  the  roots  can  penetrate  and 
find  moisture  below.    Introduced  in  1814. 

D.  TENEE.  —From  the  Piedmont,  with  slender 
one-flowered  stems,  and  beardless  pink  flowers 
with  laciniate  petals  in  summer. 

D.  visciDUs.— From  the  mountains  of 
Greece  and  Macedonia,  with  loose  heads  of 
flowers  resembling  those  of  D.  deltoides,  but 
larger  and  deeper  in  colour. 

p.  zoNATus.— A  native  of  the  arid  moun- 
tains in  various  parts  of  Asia  Minor,  it  is  some- 
what like  the  Wood  Pink,  with  rose-coloured 
bearded  flowers,  having  a  purple  zone. 

p.  AEENAEius.— This  species  is  remarkable 
for  its  deeply-fringed  petals,  which  are  cut  to 
below  the  middle.  They  are  also  each  marked 
with  a  faint  green  spot,  covered  with  short 
dark  purple  hairs.  The  plant  is  slightly  woody 
at  the  base,  dividing  into  many  branches,  termi- 
nated with  tufts  of  linear  leaves,  from  the 
centre  of  which  springs  a  stem  seldom  bearing 
more  than  one  or  two  white  flowers.  Very 
hardy,  and  growing  in  almost  any  position  ;  it 
IS  a  sand-loving  plant,  being  found  on  the 
sandy  shores  of  the  Baltic,  whence  it  was 
introduced  in  1804.  Flowering  in  summer,  it 
is  a  good  plant  for  covering  old  walls,  where  it 
will  root  into  the  crevices  and  hang  down  over 
the  face. 

p.  GALLicus.— A  plant  of  loose,  straggling 
habit,  with  beardless  pink  flowers  and  deeply 
incised  petals  produced  in  May.  A  native  of 
South- WesternEurope  ;  it  is  found  near  Biarritz 
growing  in  sand-hills  under  the  Pines. 
{To  he  continued.) 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  House. 
Acacia  baileyana,  A.  dealbata,  Barosma  lanceo- 
lata,  Brachysema  Drummondii,  Clematis  grewiai- 
flora.  Daphne  Dauphini,  D.  odora,  Hardenbergia 
monophylla  alba,  Illicium  floribundum,  and  Rubus 
rosajfolius. 

Palm  House. 
Brownea  Crawfordii  and  B.  grandioeps. 

T  Bange. 
Anthericum      triflorum,      Brodisa     sellowiana, 
Lachenalia      pendula,      Thyrsacanthus      rutilans, 
Tillandsia  bulbosa,  and  Scilla  peruviana. 

Orchid  Houses. 
^  Bulbophyllum  dayanum,  Cochlioda  sanguinea, 
Coelogyne  sulphurea,  Cynorchis  lowiana,  C.  villosa, 
Cypripedium  callosum,  C.  deedmannianum,  C. 
lathamianum,  C.  Lowii,  C.  nitens,  C.  roth- 
schildiauura,  C.  virens,  and  others,  Dendrobium 
atro-violaceum,  D.  burfordiense,  D.  luteolum, 
Epidendrum  Armstrongii,  E.  ciliare,  E.  ciliare  var! 
latifolium,  E.  Endresii,  E.  kewense,  E.  Wallisii, 
Eria  bicolor,  Gomeza  Barkeri,  Lajlia  anceps' 
Lycaste  lasioglossa,  Masdevallia  ignea,  M.  melano- 
pus,  M.  polysticta,  Odontoglossum  maculatum  var. 
donnianum,  0.  pardinum,  Oncidium  suave,  Phalaj- 
nopsis  sehilleriana,  Platyclinis  arachnites,  Sacco- 
labium  violaceum,  Selenipedium  cardinale,  S. 
klotzschianum,  Sophronitis  violacea,  Stelis  tristyla, 
Tainia  penangiana,  and  Trichopilia  sanguinolenta. 

Succulent  House. 

Aloe  chloroleuoa,  Cotyledon  fulgens,  and  Ehip- 
salis  crispata  var.  purpurea. 

Greenhouse. 
Cestrum  elegans,  Cheiranthus  kewensis,  Coleus 
thyrsoideus,  Eriostemon  myoporoides,  Eupatoriura 
petiolare,  E.  vernale,  Jacobinia  coccinea,  Kennedya 
prostrata,  Primula  sinensis  vars..  Rhododendron 
praicox,  Senecio  grandifolius,  S.  Felthara  Beauty, 
Sparmannia  africana,  and  Hyacinths,  Lily  of  the 
Valley,  Tulips,  and  other  forced  things. 

Alpine  House. 
Bulbocodium  vernum,  Colchicum  crociflorum, 
C.  hydrophilum,  C.  libanoticum,  C.  luteum,  Cory- 
dalis  ledebouriana.  Crocus  ancyrenais,  C.  Imperati, 
C.  reticulatus,  C.  Sieberi,  Cyclamen  Atkinsii,  c! 
ibericum,  Calanthus  byzantinus,  G.  nivalis.  Iris 
reticulata  var.  histrioides,  I.  Vartani,  Noccaja 
stylosa,  and  Scilla  sibirica. 


HAMAMELIS    MOLLIS. 


In  the  interesting  note  on  Hamamelis  which 
appeared  in  The  Garden  of  the  23rd  inst.  no 
mention  was  made  of  Hamamelis  mollis,  which  bids 
fair  to  be  as  good,  if  not  better,  than  H.  arborea, 
which  IS  the  most  orramental  of  the  older  species. 
H.  mollis  is  a  strong-growing  shrub,  introduced 
from  China  by  Messrs.  Veitch  of  Chelsea  in  1S98. 
As  yet  small  plants  only  are  to  be  found  in  this 
country;  one  i  feet  high  is  recorded  in  Messrs. 
Veitch's  nursery  at  Coombe  Wood,  but  in  China  it 
is  said  to  grow  30  feet  high.  It  differs  from  all 
other  species  of  Hamamelis  by  having  lar^e, 
broadly-ovate  leaves,  thickly  covered  with  a  felty 
mass  of  stellate  hairs.  The  flowers  are  bright 
yellow,  and  larger  than  those  of  H.  arborea,  and 
instead  of  the  petals  being  twisted,  as  in  that 
species,  they  are  straight  with  hooked  ends.  It 
also  blossoms  earlier  than  H.  arborea,  being  quite 
a  fortnight  in  advance  at  Kew  this  year.  During 
the  sharp  frosts  experienced  last  May  the  Kew 
plants  were  badly  damaged,  all  the  young  shoots 
being  killed  ;  but  they  broke  again  from  dormant 
buds  on  the  old  wood,  and  made  strong  branches 
from  9  inches  to  18  inches  long  before  the  end  of 
summer.  Anyone  who  grows  Hamamelis  should 
obtain  this  plant.  All  the  Hamamelis  are  interest- 
ing, and  H.  mollis  is  not  the  least  important.  It 
will  probably  soon  be  grown  in  all  good  gardens. 
-^^'''-  W.  Dallimore. 


70 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30,  1904. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

February  2.  —  National  Amateur  Gardeners' 
Association  Meeting. 

February  6.  —  Societe  Fran§iise  d'Horticulture 
Meeting. 

February  8. — United  Horticultural  Benefit  and 
Provident  Society  Committee  Meeting. 

February  9. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting  ;  Horticultural  Club  Annual  Meeting, 
5  p.m.,  Annual  Dinner,  6  p.m.  Sir  John 
Llewelyn,  Bart.,  chairman  of  the  club,  will  preside. 

February  10. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

February  12. — Boyal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund 
Annual  General  Meeting. 

Februarj'  23. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Drill  Hall  Meeting,  12  noon. 

New  superintendent  of  the 

LeieesteP  parks. — We  understand  that  Mr. 
W.  Burton,  who  assisted  Mr.  John  Burns  in  the 
management  of  the  Leicester  parks,  has  been 
appointed  to  succeed  him.  As  was  announced  last 
week  Mr.  Burns  relinquishes  charge  of  these  parks 
at  the  end  of  .January. 

Government  enquiry  on  fruit  cul- 
ture.— The  departmental  committee  of  the  Board 
of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  appointed  to  enquire 
into  and  report  upon  the  present  position  of  fruit 
culture  in  Great  Britain,  and  to  consider  whether 
any  further  measures  might  with  advantage  be 
taken  for  its  promotion  and  encouragement,  held 
their  preliminary  meeting  on  Friday,  the  22Qd  inst. 
The  method  of  procedure  at  future  meetings,  and 
the  nature  of  the  evidence  to  be  taken,  was 
discussed. 

Scottish  Arborieultural  Society's 

Jubilee. — The  council  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  have  received  a  courteous  invitation 
to  send  a  representative  of  the  society  to  the 
Jubilee  of  the  Royal  ScottishArboricultural Society, 
which  takes  place  on  February  16,  and  they  con- 
sider themselves  fortunate  in  having  obtained  the 
consent  of  Mr.  A.  D.  Webster,  F.  R.H.S.,  to  repre- 
sent them  on  this  occasion. 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society 

and  its  subscription.— I  have  read  with 
no  little  surprise  the  following  paragraph  in  the 
splendid  report  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
recently  issued  :  "The  exceedingly  rapid  increase 
in  the  number  of  Fellows  (1,412  having  been  added 
during  the  last  twelve  months),  gratifying  as  it  is 
as  a  proof  of  the  appreciation  of  the  society's  work 
by  the  lovers  of  gardens,  appears  nevertheless  to 
the  council  to  contain  an  element  of  danger,  inas- 
much as  it  is  becoming  more  and  more  difficult  at 
times  for  Fellows  to  see  the  flowers,  &c.,  without 
serious  discomfort  from  crushing  and  crowding. 
After  very  grave  consideration  the  council  have 
decided  to  advise  that  the  minimum  rate  of  Fellow- 
ship should  in  future  be  raised  to  £2  23.,  except  in 
the  case  of  botid  fide  gardeners,  persons  living 
abroad,  and  journalists  writing  for  provincial  or 
foreign  newspapers.  The  existing  £1  Is.  Fellows 
will,  of  course,  be  under  no  compulsion  to  change 
the  rate  of  their  subscription,  though  it  is  hoped 
that  not  a  few  will  voluntarily  do  so.  The  council 
have  therefore  directed  a  new  bye-law  to  be  drawn 
up  and  submitted  to  the  meeting  for  approval,  the 
effect  of  which  will  be,  if  carried,  to  make  the 
lowest  subscription  for  Fellows  in  future  £2  2s., 
except  in  the  cases  mentioned."  Will  j'ou  allow 
me,  as  a  country  Fellow,  to  protest  against  this 
unwise  decision,  which,  if  approved,  is  bound  to 
have  a  hampering  inSuence  upon  the  society  in  the 
future  ?  Surely  the  policy  of  the  council  should  be 
to  endeavour  to  still  further  increase  the  member- 
ship and  widen  the  scope  of  the  society  rather  than 
to  attempt  to  curtail  it.  At  this  juncture  it  is 
interesting  to  compare  the  first  paragraph  in  the 
report  for  1902,  which  reads  as  follows  :  "  It  is 
gratifying  to  the  council  to  record  that  in  this,  the 
ninety-ninth  year  of  the  society's  existence,  a  larger 
number  of  new  Fellows  joined  the  society  than  in 
any  year  since  its  first  establishment  in  1804.  The 
exact  number  of  new  Fellows  elected  in  the  past 
year  has  been  1,140,  which,  if  contrasted  with  the 


1,108  who  formed  the  whole  number  of  the  Fellows 
when  the  society  left  South  Kensington  in  January, 
1888,  indicates  the  development  which  is  con- 
tinuously taking  place  in  the  society.  The  council 
hope  that  everyone  loho  has  the  society's  icelfare  at 
heart  will  continue  to  endeavour  to  promote  it  hy 
enrolling  new  Fellows.  The  italics  are  mine.  Thus 
in  almost  less  than  twelve  months  we  find  the 
council  expressing  two  irreconcilable  opinions,  and 
the  only  explanation  vouchsafed  is  that  "it  is 
becoming  more  and  more  diflicult  at  times  for 
Fellows  to  see  the  flowers  without  serious  dis- 
comfort from  crushing  and  crowding."  This  appears 
to  me  to  be  only  a  paltry  excuse,  as,  except  for  the 
Temple  show  and  an  occasional  Drill  Hall  meeting, 
I  cannot  say  that  I  have  ever  experienced  any 
"serious  discomfort" — certainly  not  enough  to 
warrant  the  drastic  and  restrictive  proposal  put 
forward  by  the  council.  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  in  his  short  historical  sketch  of  the  society, 
says:  "In  reducing  the  minimum  subscription  to 
£1  Is.  in  ISSS,  the  society  was  actuated  hy  a  desire 
to  enrol  amongst  its  Fellows  as  large  a  proportion  as 
possible  of  the  vast  number  of  their  fellow  subjects 
who  are  interested  in  gardens."  Now,  sir,  I  do  not 
intend  to  call  in  question  the  great  value  which 
Fellows  receive  in  return  for  their  subscriptions. 
Great  credit  is  due  to  the  society  for  giving  so  much 
and  asking  so  little.  This  policy  has  found  its 
reward  in  the  rich  harvest  of  £1  Is.  Fellows,  who 
are,  after  all,  the  backbone  of  the  society.  There 
are  hundreds  of  Fellows  throughout  the  country 
who  are  unable  to  attend  any  of  the  shows  and 
meetings,  but  have  simply  joined  in  order  to  secure 
the  invaluable  Journal.  More  are  still  joining  simply 
for  this  very  purpose.  Why  not  leave  well  alone  ? 
We  are  all  j  ustly  proud  of  our  society,  and  for  my  own 
part  I  only  echo  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence's  own  words 
when  I  say  that  I  hope  to  see  the  numerical  strength 
of  the  society  still  further  increase  until  that  "vast 
number"  of  people  "who  are  interested  in  gardens" 
are  enrolled  as  members.  Another  point  occurs  to 
me.  Why  do  not  the  council  propose  an  entrance 
fee,  say  of  £1  Is.,  as  is  done  in  so  many  other 
societies  ?  This  would,  I  feel  sure,  meet  with  the 
approval  of  most  of  us.  In  the  meantime  I  hope 
those  who  are  opposed  to  this  new  move  on  the 
part  of  the  council  will  attend  the  general  meeting 
on  February  9  and  vote  against  this  attempt  to 
restrict  the  membership  of  the  society  for  the 
benefit  of  the  few  instead  of  the  many. — Akthur 
R.  Goodwin,  The  Elms,  Kidderminster. 

Trees  for  George  Street,  Edin- 
burgh.— Some  difficulties  have  arisen  in  con- 
nexion with  the  tree  planting  in  George  Street, 
Edinburgh,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  proposals  will 
now  be  carried  out.  It  has  been  found  that  the 
soil  is  of  such  a  character  that  a  good  deal  of 
feeding  would  be  required  if  the  trees  are  to  be 
kept  in  a  healthy  condition  for  any  length  of  time. 
A  number  of  the  business  men  object  to  the 
planting,  and  although  the  sub-committee  to  whom 
the  question  was  remitted  did  not  come  to  a 
decision  at  their  recent  meeting  on  account  of 
the  absence  of  the  proposer  of  the  scheme,  the 
feeling  seemed  adverse  to  the  scheme.  From  an 
artistic  point  of  view,  George  Street  is  one  of  the 
best  in  Edinburgh  for  tree  planting,  but,  of  course, 
other  considerations  have  frequently  to  prevail  in 
such  matters. 

The  Kidderminster  Horticultural 

Society. — This  is  one  of  the  most  progressive 
horticultural  societies  in  England,  and  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  record  that  a  profit  of  £37  was  made 
last  year.  Mr.  Goodwin,  chairman  of  the  lecture 
committee  and  one  of  our  best-known  contributors, 
sends  the  list  of  fixtures  for  this  year.  We  notice 
that  several  very  interesting  lectures  will  be  given. 
Mr.  Goodwin  lectures  on  "The  Daffodil"  on 
April  16,  and  Mr.  C.  E.  Pearson  of  Nottingham 
will  give  his  charming  discourse,  illustrated  with 
lantern  slides,  entitled  "  Birds  and  Flowers  in 
Russian-Lapland."  This,  it  may  be  remembered, 
was  given  last  year  at  the  Horticultural  Club. 
Other  lectures  include  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders,  F.L.S., 
on  "A  Chat  about  Gardens  and  Gardening,"  Mr. 
F.  W.  E.  Shrivel,  F.L.S., Mr.  H.  Bulmer,Mr.  W.  H. 
Wilson  (Stourport),  Mr.  Benjamin  Howard,  and 
Mr.  E.  H.  Mashrey.   The  president  is  Sir  Frederick 


Godson,  M.P.,  and  the  secretary  Mr.  C.  Sadler, 
59,  Sutton  Road,  Kidderminster.  The  Narcissus 
show  takes  place  on  April  16  at  the  Corn  Exchange, 
and  three  other  shows  will  be  held,  viz.,  on 
Saturday,  July  9,  in  the  grounds  of  Cairndhu  (by 
kind  permission  of  Mr.  Peter  Adam)  ;  Thursday,  • 
August  11,  and  September  8,  both  at  headquarters. 

Flower  show  for  Inverurie,  N.B.— 

A  largely-attended  public  meeting  was  held 
recently  in  the  Public  Hall,  Inverurie,  N.B.,  to 
consider  the  desirability  of  establishing  a  flower 
show  in  the  burgh.  Bailie  Moir  occupied  the  chair. 
The  feeling  of  the  meeting  was  unanimously  in 
favour  of  the  object  for  which  it  was  called,  and  it 
was  agreed  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  establish 
a  horticultural  society.  It  is  intended  that  the 
show,  with  which  will  be  connected  an  industrial 
exhibition,  should  be  held  in  August.  Mr.  James 
Eddie,  F.R.H.S.,  was  appointed  secretary,  and  the 
other  preliminary  steps  to  carry  out  the  project 
taken.  An  impetus  has  been  given  to  the  move- 
ment by  the  removal  of  the  locomotive  works  of 
the  Great  North  of  Scotland  Railway  Company  to 
the  burgh.  This  has  largely  increased  the  popula- 
tion, and  from  the  convenient  position  of  Inverurie 
it  is  expected  that  the  show  will  be  well  supported 
in  the  district. — S. 

Dust  in  Glasgow.— In  the  course  of  an 
admirable  lecture  on  "The  Atmosphere  of 
Glasgow,"  given  recently  by  Mr.  P.  Fyfe,  the 
chief  sanitary  inspector  of  the  city,  some  remark- 
able figures  were  given,  which  will  enable  readers 
to  realise  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered  by 
those  who  seek  to  cultivate  plants  in  and  near  the 
great  city  on  the  Clyde.  By  means  of  a  number 
of  dust  gauges  a  test  was  made  of  the  amount  of 
solid  matter  deposited  in  Glasgow.  The  gauge  in 
the  Alexandra  Park  gave  the  highest  amount,  and 
registered  228  grains  of  solid  matter  to  the  square 
foot  in  seventy  days.  Of  this  204  grains  were 
mineral  or  incombustible  matter,  67  grains  organic 
matter,  and  17  grains  of  oily  matter.  It  is  not 
surprising  that  the  proportion  was  so  high,  as 
the  Blochairn  Ironworks  are  close  by,  and  these 
have  forty-five  chimneys,  which  are  estimated  to 
give  20,000,000  cubic  feet  of  black  smoke  every 
day  of  twenty-four  hours,  producing  3  tons  lOowt. 
of  solid  matter  per  day,  or  1,277  tons  per  annum. 
The  gauge  at  the  Queen's  Park  showed  the  least 
solid  matter,  it  being  at  the  rate  of  5.6cwt. 
per  annum  per  acre.  Taking  Queen's  Park  as  an 
example,  that  would  give  over  the  area  of  Glasgow 
3,584  tons  per  annum.  The  Alexandra  Park  rate 
would  mean  53,428  tons  per  annum,  or  146  tons 
per  day.  The  average  over  all  gave  at  the  rate  of 
23,321  tons  per  acre  per  annum,  or  1,16608  tons 
per  square  mile  in  the  same  period.  It  is  surprising 
with  all  this  how  plants  can  be  grown  in  even  the 
worst  places.  Most  careful  cultivation  is  required. 
Accommodation  for  Scottish 
Societies  in  Edinburgh.— In  connexion 

with  some  proposed  changes  in  the  occupation  of 
the  buildings  on  The  Mound,  Edinburgh,  presently 
occupied  b3-  the  Ro3'al  Institution,  &c.,  a  move- 
ment has  been  inaugurated  to  have  these  devoted 
to  the  use  of  the  various  Scottish  scientific  societies 
which  have  their  headquarters  in  Edinburgh.  In 
furtherance  of  this  object  a  deputation  recently 
waited  upon  Mr.  Graham  Murray,  K.C.,  M.P., 
the  Secretary  for  Scotland,  to  lay  the  matter  before 
him.  The  deputation  was  a  most  influential  and 
thoroughly  representative  one.  Among  the 
societies  represented  were  tlie  Botanical  Society  of 
Edinburgh,  the  Royal  Scottish  Arborieultural 
Society,  and  the  Field  Naturalists'  and  Micro- 
scopical Society.  The  first  was  represented  by 
Dr.  William  Craig  and  Dr.  R.  Stewart  Macdougall, 
the  second  by  Mr.  R.  C.  Munro  Ferguson  of  Raith, 
M.P.,  Mr.  R.  Galloway,  and  Colonel  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  Mr.  J.  Russell  representing  the  Field 
Naturalists'  Society.  Lord  M'Laren,  who  was  one 
of  the  number  from  the  Royal  Institution,  was  the 
spokesman  of  the  Botanical  Society,  and  laid  the 
claims  of  this  and  others  which  only  required 
accommodation  for  their  meetings  before  Mr. 
Graham  Murray.  A  valuable  feature  of  the 
proposal  is  that  a  scientific  library  should  be 
included  for  the  use  of  the  members  of  the  various 
societies. 


January  30,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


71 


Apple  Northern  Spy.— I  have  recently 
had  from  Canada  several  excellent  samples  of  this 
Apple,  as  regards  flavour,  size,  and  appearance. 
A  friend  with  nineteen  years'  experience  in  the 
I^orth  Island,  New  Zealand,  said  that  if  he  planted 
fifty  acres  of  Apples  Northern  Spy  would  be  the 
only  variety.  Can  any  of  your  readers  say  how 
this  Apple  succeeds  in  England? — A.  M.,  North 
Lines. 

Extension    of    fruit    growing    in 

Scotland.  —  The  Scottish  Wholesale  Co- 
operative Society  has  just  taken  an  important  step 
in  extending  its  operations  by  the  purchase  of  the 
estate  of  Calderwood  for  fruit  growing,  cattle 
rearing,  &c.  Calderwood  extends  to  about  1,125 
acres,  and  the  purchase  price  is,  we  believe,  £37,500. 
The  castle,  a  fine  building,  is,  it  is  understood, 
likely  to  be  converted  into  a  convalescent  home, 
while  the  vineries.  Peach  houses,  and  other  glass 
structures  are  to  he  used  for  growing  indoor  fruits, 
&c.,  for  the  trade  of  the  society.  We  are  informed 
that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  directors  to  enter 
into  the  cultivation  of  hardy  fruits  to  a  considerable 
extent,  so  that  a  large  amount  of  labour  will  be 
employed  in  fruit  cultivation,  gathering,  and 
packing.  Calderwood  is  only  a  few  miles  from 
Glasgow,  and  is  well  adapted  for  the  purposes  for 
which  it  has  been  purchased. 

The  Scottish  rainfall  of  1903.— From 

a  very  interesting  comparative  statement  of  the 
rainfall  at  some  of  the  Scottish  towns,  which  has 
just  been  issued,  it  appears  that  the  excessive 
rainfall  has  been  even  greater  than  was  anticipated. 
A  noteworthy  feature  is  the  manner  in  which  the 
excess  was  distributed,  the  western  and  southern 
districts  having  a  much  larger  increase  than  the 
northern  and  eastern.  Thus  Fort  William  had 
a  rainfall  of  108 "56  inches,  47  inches  more  than  in 
1902,  and  34  inches  more  than  the  average. 
Greenock  had  87 '35  inches,  Paisley  69 '57  inches, 
Glasgow  51 '19  inches,  and  Dumfries  50'45  inches. 
la  the  north  and  east,  Aberdeen  had  37.29  inches, 
or  rather  less  than  10  inches  more  than  last  year, 
or  6  inches  above  the  average.  Dundee  came  next 
with  35 '33  inches,  Edinburgh  had  33-24  inches, 
and  Nairn  29  31  inches.  The  difficulties  of  gardening 
with  such  a  heavy  rainfall  as  that  of  the  south  and 
west  can  be  well  understood,  and  much  work  is 
still  greatly  in  arrear. 

Native  Mosses  at  Glasgow  Botanic 

Gardens. — There  are  not  many  who  take  a  real 
interest  in  the  native  Mosses,  many  of  which  are 
very  beautiful ;  but  among  the  few  is  Mr.  Scott, 
the  propagator  at  the  Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens, 
who  has  a  remarkably  good  collection,  grown  in 
pots  and  pans  in  frames.  Such  a  collection  is 
particularly  valuable  in  a  botanic  garden,  as  it  gives 
one  an  opportunity  of  learning  something  about 
the  names  of  our  native  Mosses  much  more  readily 
than  can  be  obtained  from  books  alone,  and  the 
many  Nature  students  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Glasgow  may  derive  considerable  advantage  from  a 
study  of  Mr.  Scott's  specimens.  It  is  gratifying 
that  Mr.  Whitton,  the  superintendent  of  the 
Glasgow  City  parks,  takes  an  interest  in  these 
subjects  himself,  and  gives  facilities  for  their 
cultivation  by  members  of  his  staff.  It  may  be 
mentioned  that  the  collection  is  not  in  the  portion 
of  the  gardens  open  to  the  general  public,  but 
students  of  these  plants  would  have  little  difficulty 
in  seeing  them. 

HOW^  Mushrooms  grOVSr.— Writing  on 
fungi  in  the  current  number  of  Knowledge,  Mr. 
George  Massee  states  that  "  in  all  fungi  the 
portion  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  however  varied 
its  form  or  colour,  represents  only  the  reproductive 
portion ;  whereas  the  vegetative  part  is  buried  in 
the  substance  from  which  the  fungus  obtains  its 
food.  The  popular  belief  that  the  Mushroom  and 
other  fungi  grow  in  a  single  night  is  not  correct ; 
it  is  quite  true  that  when  the  Mushroom  has 
reached  a  certain  stage  of  development,  one  or  two 
days  suffices  for  it  to  attain  its  full  size  after  it 
appears  above  ground.  Before  this  final  spurt  is 
reached,  however,  the  baby  Mushroom  has  been 
growing  for  some  weeks,  and  undergone  various 
changes  of  structure  and  development  before  it 
emerges  above  ground.  A  little  thought  will 
recall  to  mind  the  fact  that  Mushrooms  do  not 


spring  up  within  two  or  three  days  after  the  for- 
mation of  a  Mushroom  bed,  but  several  weeks 
elapse  before  the  Mushrooms  are  ready  for  the 
table.  .  .  .  The  various  methods  of  spore 
dispersion  as  occurring  in  the  fungi  are  interesting ; 
only  a  few  of  the  most  pronounced  can  be  noticed 
here.  By  far  the  most  universal  agent  in  effecting 
the  distribution  of  spores  is  wind,  as  may  be 
observed  when  a  ripe  Puifball  is  crushed  under 
foot.  Insects  are  also  answerable  for  the  extension 
of  many  fungus  epidemics,  by  alternately  feeding 
on,  or  visiting  diseased  and  healthy  plants,  and  in 
so  doing  unconsciously  conveying  spores  from  one 
plant  to  another.  Perhaps  the  most  interesting 
instance  occurs  in  a  group  of  fungi  to  which  our 
Stinkhorn  belongs.  Most  of  the  species  are 
tropical ;  in  this  country  we  have  only  three 
representatives.  In  this  group  the  reproductive 
portion  of  the  fungus  often  assumes  most  fantastic 
forms,  and  is  generally  brilliantly  coloured.  Over 
this  framework  is  spread  at  maturity  a  dingy  green, 
semi-fluid  mass,  intensely  sweet  to  the  taste,  and, 
from  the  ordinary  human  standpoint,  intensely 
fffitid.  The  exceedingly  minute  spores  are  im- 
bedded in  this  substance,  which  is  greedily 
devoured  by  various  kinds  of  insects,  mostly  flies, 
who  thus  unconsciously  diffuse  the  spores,  as  it 
has  been  shown  that  these  are  not  injured  by 
passing  through  the  alimentary  tract  of  an  insect. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  certain  of  the  fungi 
the  same  advertisements  in  the  guise  of  colour, 
sweet  taste  and  smell,  are  used  for  the  purpose  of 
unconscious  dispersion  of  the  spores  by  insects,  as 
are  used  by  many  flowering  plants  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  cross-fertilisation,  also  through  the 
agency  of  insects." 

Aphelandra  nitens.  —  As  a  class  the 

Aphelandras  are,  in  common  with  many  other 
Acanthads,  remarkable  for  their  showy  blossoms, 
and  so  effective  are  several  of  them  that  it  is 
impossible  to  say  which  is  the  best.  In  the  front 
rank,  however,  stands  A.  nitens,  whose  flowering 
period  is,  like  many  of  the  others,  not  limited  to 
any  particular  season  of  the  year,  yet  at  the  same 
time  it  flowers  more  freely  during  the  winter  than 
at  any  other  period.  This  feature  is  a  great  point 
in  its  favour,  as  bright  colour  is  not  conspicuous 
just  now  in  the  stove.  Less  apt  to  get  bare  at  the 
base  than  some  Aphelandras,  this  species  with 
ordinary  attention  forms  a  well-furnished  plant, 
clothed  to  the  base  with  handsome  shining  foliage, 
deep  bronzy  green  on  the  upper  surface,  and  purple 
beneath.  The  leaves  are  oblong  in  shape,  about 
6  inches  long  and  3  inches  broad,  and  of  a  firm, 
leathery  texture.  The  flowers,  borne  like  the 
others  in  an  erect  terminal  cone-shaped  head, 
formed  of  large  adpressed  bracts  arranged  in  a 
four-sided  spike,  are  bright  scarlet,  and,  though 
the  individual  blooms  do  not  last  long,  a  succession 
is  kept  up  from  one  head  for  a  considerable  time. 
This  Aphelandra  was  first  introduced  by  Richard 
Pearce — of  tuberous  Begonia  fame — when  travel- 
ling for  Messrs.  Veitch  in  South  America.  He 
found  it  in  Muna,  a  province  of  Peru,  and  in  the 
same  district  discovered  the  now  well  -  known 
Sancbezia  nobilis  variegata.  Soon  afterwards  he 
sent  home  Begonia  boliviensis,  and,  later  on,  B. 
Pearcei  and  B.  Veitchi,  now  in  themselves  but  a 
name,  while  their  progeny  is  represented  in  every 
garden. — H.  P. 

To  drive  away  moles.—  Moles  are 
useful  little  animals,  inasmuch  as  they  destroy 
multitudes  of  wireworms  and  other  obnoxious 
creatures,  and  no  one  wishes  to  destroy  them 
without  good  cause,  but  they  are  very  undesirable 
tenants  of  a  garden.  Throughout  the  winter  we 
have  been  sufifering  from  a  plague  of  them.  Last 
year  trapping  freed  us  for  a  time  from  their 
incursions  on  the  tennis  lawn,  but  in  the  autumn 
the  brown  heaps  reappeared,  and  traps,  with  which 
no  doubt  familiarity  had  bred  contempt,  have  been 
of  no  avail  whatever.  A  remedy  suggested  some 
months  ago  by  a  writer  in  The  Garden,  unless  we 
are  mistaken,  occurred  to  mind,  and  the  effect  of 
pouring  a  little  ordinary  paraffin  oil  down  the  runs 
has  been  tried,  in  accordance  with  the  advice  then 
given,  with  the  most  perfect  success.  The  nightly 
mounds  have  risen  no  more  since  the  first,  or,  at 
most,  the  second  application.      The  cheaper  and 


more  evil-smelling  the  oil  the  better.  By  inadver- 
tence some  "refined  Kussian"  at  8d.  a  gallon  had 
been  used  for  a  garden  lantern,  with  the  result 
that  the  lantern  suddenly  burst — a  warning  not  to- 
be  disregarded  as  to  the  danger  of  using  a  low- 
flash  oil  tor  any  kind  of  lamp.  But  the  remainder 
of  the  oil  was  quite  good  enough  to  use  on  the. 
tennis  ground,  and  the  testimony  that  the  plan 
answers  admirably  for  the  dispersion  of  moles  may 
be  of  use  to  other  readers  of  The  Garden  who  are. 
similarly  troubled.  The  never-tiring  industry  of 
the  mole  would  be  beyond  all  praise  and  much  to 
be  encouraged  were  it  not  too  often  in  evidence  in. 
the  wrong  place,  and  it  is  just  as  well  not  to 
destroy  it  if  it  can  be  avoided. — K.  L.  D. 

Early  flowers. — Saxifraga  Griesbachii  was 
the  earliest  to  flower  this  season.  The  first  appeared 
on  December  23,  of  Rhododendron  dahuricum  oa 
the  4J;h  inst. ,  and  that  of  Winter  Aconite  on  the 
9th  inst. — T.  Smith,  Xeiory. 

Gardening    in    the    Antarctic 

regions. — When  the  8.S.  Discovery  was  taken 
to  the  Antarctic  regions  by  Captain  Scott,  Messrs. 
James  Carter  and  Co.,  High  Holborn,  London, 
conceived  the  idea  of  sending  some  seeds  to  supply 
the  sailors  with  something  green  while  passing  the 
time  frozen  up  within  the  regions  of  the  Antarctic 
circle.  An  intimation  of  this  was  that  the  "only 
bit  of  green  vegetable  seen  on  the  Discovery  was  a. 
crop  of  Mustard  and  Cress  grown  by  the  officers  on. 
a  wet  blanket."  This  information  was  brought 
back  to  England  by  the  relief  ship  Morning,  and  it 
shows  that  the  officers  had  been  successful  in 
growing  a  little  bit  of  green  by  following  the 
instructions  given  by  Messrs.  Carter  while  passing, 
the  time  in  that  dreary  land.  Another  communi- 
cation came  through  Admiral  Sir  Clements  Mark- 
ham,  K.C.B.,  F.R.S.,  who  heard  that  the  Mustard, 
and  Cress  supplied  to  Captain  Scott  of  the  s.s. 
Discovery  was  a  great  success  and  much  appre- 
ciated. A  further  consignment  of  seeds,  specially 
treated  by  an  original  process  and  packed  in  air- 
exhausted  receptacles,  has  been  taken  out  in  the 
relief  ship  Terra  Nova,  which  has  lately  left. 
Hobart  to  seek  for  the  whereabouts  of  the. 
Discovery. 

Prunus  Japonica  flore-pleno.— This 

dwarf-growing  Prunus  is  one  of  the  most  delightful 
of  shrubs  for  flowering  under  glass  early  in  the^ 
year ;  indeed,  it  is  more  valuable  for  such  a  pur- 
pose than  in  the  open  ground,  as  from  the  early 
season  in  which  it  naturally  blooms  the  frosts  and 
cutting  winds  often  play  havoc  with  the  delicate 
flowers.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  getting  it  to 
bloom  before  the  end  of  January  in  the  greenhouse^ 
and  very  attractive  it  then  is,  the  slender  branches 
being  closely  packed  with  comparatively  large 
blossoms,  like  those  of  double  Cherries,  white  in. 
the  variety  alba,  and  slightly  tinged  in  those  o£ 
rosea.  Large  quantities  of  this  plant  are  sent  here 
from  the  Continent  every  autumn  for  forcing,  but. 
most  fil  them  arej  grafted  or  budded  on  the  Sloe, 
the  suckers  from  which  are  always  a  nuisance. 
Cuttings  of  the  young  shoots  borne  by  forced, 
plants  will  strike  fairly  well  in  a  close  propagating 
case,  or  an  old  plant  or  two  may  be  layered  out  oi 
doors.  Plants  intended  for  flowering  under  glass 
may  be  kept  in  pots  for  years  if  needed,  being 
pruned  back  each  year  after  flowering,  and  as  soon 
as  the  young  shoots  have  made  a  start  pot  them 
into  good  soil.  This  potting,  however,  need  not 
be  done  annually  if  the  plants  are  given  liquid 
manure  during  the  growing  season.  This  Plum  is 
often  known  by  the  name  of  Prunus  sinensis  flore- 
pleno.— T. 

Sparmannia  afrieana.— This  is  an  old- 
fashioned  greenhouse  plant,  and  where  a  large  struc- 
ture has  to  be  kept  gay  during  the  winter  months, 
it  is  an  extremely  useful  subject,  but  one  whose 
merits  in  this  respect  are  too  often  overlooked. 
Some  fail  to  flower  it  well,  this  being  in  all 
probability  the  result  of  too  free  a  growth,  for  the 
finest  yield  of  bloom  is  obtained  when  the  pots  or 
tubs  are  full  of  roots  and  the  plants  thoroughly 
exposed  to  the  summer's  sun  from  July  onwards. 
It  may  be  grown  as  a  bush  or  a  standard,  this  last^ 
I  think,  forming  the  most  striking  object  when 
laden  with  bunches  of  white  flowers,  against  which, 
the  large  clusters  of  stamens  {.coloured  purple  and. 


72 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30,  1904. 


gold)  stand  out  very  conspicuously.  It  is  easily 
struck  from  cuttings,  and  a  young  plant  soon 
forms  an  effective  size.  There  is  a  variety  with 
double  flowers  which  about  a  generation  ago  was 
thought  likely  to  be  a  valuable  conservatory  plant. 
It  does  not,  however,  flower  so  freely  as  the  type, 
and  is  rarely  seen.  A  second  species  which  is  very 
seldom  met  with  is  S.  palmata,  in  which  the  leaves 
are  lobed.  It  is  altogether  a  more  delicate  plant 
than  the  other,  and  if  stopped  freely  when  young 
forms  a  neat  bushy  specimen  that  flowers  as  a  rule 
during  autumn.  The  flowers,  which  are  borne 
in  little  umbels  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  are 
about  half  an  inch  across.  This  is  also  a  native  of 
South  Africa.— H.  P. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


EAISING  BLACK  CURRANT  BUSHES. 

WHY  will  nurserymen  insist  on 
raising  Black  Currant  bushes  with 
stems?  No  greater  mistake  could 
be  made,  as  the  great  object  is  to 
get  new  shoots  to  grow  out 
close  to  the  ground,  and  if  from 
the  roots  so  much  the  better.  Black  Currant 
bushes  bear  chiefly  on  the  wood  of  the  preceding 
summer's  growth,  and  it  is  therefore  desirable  to 
have  as  many  new  shoots  each  season  as  possible, 
so  as  to  have  the  bushes  so  well  furnished  with  them 
that  as  much  as  possible  of  the  old  wood  may  be 
cut  out  without  disadvantage.  When  the  bushes 
have  long  shanks,  they  become  too  lanky,  and  they 
are  never  as  spreading  as  when  there  are  no  shanks. 
The  cuttings  should  not  be  disbudded  at  all ;  then 
shoots  will  grow  out  from  the  buds  nearest  to  the 
ground,  which  are  usually  the  strongest,  and  some 
from  buds  under  the  ground.  I  have  some  young 
bushes  grown  from  cuttings  planted  a  little  over  a 
year  ago,  not  disbudded,  which  are  as  big  and 
branching  as  ordinary  two  year  old  bushes.  In 
planting  them  out  I  cut  them  back  severely,  which 
5vill  make  them  send  out  a  number  of  strong  shoots 
in  the  coming  season.  This  is  very  important,  and 
it  is  a  serious  mistake  to  leave  the  shoots  of  newly- 
planted  bu.ahes  at  all  long.  If  allowed  to  fruit  in 
the  season  of  planting,  by  leaving  the  shoots  long 
the  bushes  are  permanently  injured. 

M.  D.,  in  Agricttltural  Gazette. 


VARIETIES  OF  THE  BANANA. 

The  frequent  suggestions  in  the  Press  that  other 
Bananas  than  the  established  Martinique  variety 
should  be  grown  in  Jamaica,  lead  me  to  request 
the  insertion  in  your  Bulletin  of  the  following 
reflections :  First  and  principall}',  is  it  wise  to 
make  any  change  where  the  industry  is  so  thriving? 
That  there  are  Bananas  superior  to  the  Martinique 
in  flavour  is  an  undoubted  fact.  There  are, 
however,  several  points  to  be  considered  before 
coming  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  desirable  to 
substitute  any  one  of  these  for  the  kind  now 
grown.  Market  requirements  are  peculiar,  and  it 
does  not  follow  as  a  matter  of  course  that  the  best 
fruit  gets  a  readier  sale  than  the  good.  The  public 
is  conservative,  and  likes  what  it  knows.  Its  eye 
is  caught  by  appearances,  and  it  wants  something 
handsome.  This  is  well  exemplified  in  the  Apple 
trade.  Probably  the  most  popular  Apple  in 
England  is  Blenheim  Orange,  and  yet  to  connois 
seurs  it  is  not  particularly  good.  In  any  market 
may  be  found  lower-priced  Apples  of  far  better 
quality,  which  are  neglected  either  because  they 
are  unknown  or  because  they  are  less  attractive 
in  appearance. 

Now  no  Banana  is  handsomer  than  the 
Martinique.  Especially  beautiful  in  the  light 
yellow  satin  jacket  of  its  perfection,  it  is  also  good 
to  look  at  both  before  that  stage  and  after  it. 
Only  when  brown  stains  begin  to  disfigure  the 
skin,  whose  hue  has  gradually  deepened  from  light 
yellow  to  dark  yellow,  does  it  proclaim  that  it  is 
no  longer  fit  to  eat  raw.  Even  then  it  is  excellent 
when  cooked. 

The  Martinique  keeps  well,  especially  in  cool 
climates,  and  a  point  in  its  favour  is  that  it  may 


be  eaten  in  several  stages  of  maturity.  Some 
people  like  it  best  when  it  has  a  slight  tartness 
suggesting  Apple,  which  is  before  the  finger  has 
become  quite  yellow.  In  this  stage  the  skin 
screams  if  torn  off  rather  quickly,  and  the  flesh 
is  fine  and  hard.  Others  prefer  it  when  quite 
coloured,  of  an  even  light  yellow  all  over. 
Others,  again,  like  it  in  the  more  mellow  state, 
when  it  has  begun  to  taste  like  a  sleepy  Pear  and 
its  jacket  has  turned  to  a  deep  yellow.  Not  a 
few  still  enjoy  it  in  the  further  stage,  when  more 
blotches  begin  to  invade  the  skin.  For  my  own 
part,  that  is  a  sign  that  it  should  no  longer  be 
eaten  raw,  and  that  it  is  in  the  best  condition  for 
the  oven. 

The  original  Banana  of  commerce  in  England 
is  the  China  Banana.  This,  as  grown  in  the 
Canaries,  has  a  better  flavour  than  the  .Jamaica- 
grown  China.  I  do  not  think  that  even  an 
undiscerning  public  would  accept  the  .Jamaica- 
China  Banana.  This  is  too  coarse  a  fruit,  and  it 
would  be  a  most  dangerous  experiment  to  attempt 
to  substitute  it  for  the  Martinique. 

On  the  other  hand,  some  of  the  fine  Indian  kinds 
might  be  tried.  They  are  of  the  highest  excellence, 
decidedly  superior  to  Martinique,  though,  as  we 
have  seen  in  the  case  of  Apples,  that  is  not 
necessarily  a  recommendation  to  the  public.  None 
that  I  have  seen  are  as  handsome  in  appearance. 
In  any  case,  experiments  of  this  kind  should  be 
left  to  the  discretion  of  growers.  Those  who 
advocate  new  cultivations  incur  a  grave  responsi- 
bility. The  great  maxim  of  political  economj', 
that  progress  is  due  to  the  pursuit  of  wealth  by 
the  individual,  should  never  be  lost  sight  of.  The 
growing  of  a  new  fruit  should  be  undertaken  only 
because  the  grower  is  persuaded  that  he  will  make 
money  hy  it.  And  the  condition  that  he  will 
succeed  should  come  from  himself,  and  not  be 
forced  upon  him  from  outside. 

Leaving  market  requirements,  those  who  wish 
to  have  the  best  Bananas  for  their  own  eating 
should  grow  them  upon  the  poorest  soil.  The 
small  fingers  of  Martinique  have  a  far  higher 
flavour  than  the  larger  ones  grown  on  good  land. 

Walter  Jekyll,  in  B^iUetin  of  the  Department 
of  Ayriculture,  Jamaica. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

THE  ESCALLONIAS. 

THE  genus  Escallonia  comprises  about 
thirty  species  of  half-hardy  evergreen 
shrubs,  of  which  about  one-half  are 
in  cultivation  in  this  country.  They 
are  all  natives  of  South  America, 
and  thrive  luxuriantly  in  the  warm 
and  genial  climate  of  the  south  and  west  of 
the  United  Kingdom,  but  north  of  the  Thames 
they  can  only  be  grown  against  a  wall,  except 
in  a  few  favoured  spots.  It  is  a  great  pity, 
however,  that  the  Escallonias  are  not  hardier, 
as  during  the  late  summer  and  early  autumn 
no  outdoor  plant  gives  such  a  pleasing  display 
of  flower  as,  for  instance,  a  well-grown  bush  of 
E.  macrantha  or  E.  punctata.  The  cultivation 
of  Escallonias  is  simple  enough,  any  sort  of 
soil  seeming  to  suit  them,  though  they  will 
not  thrive  in  cold  or  heavy  ground,  more, 
perhaps,  because  such  localities  are  usually  too 
bleak.  They  should  not,  however,  be  too  well 
treated  anywhere,  a  poor  soil  being  best  for 
them,  as  it  keeps  the  growths  short  and  firm, 
making  them  better  able  to  withstand  frost  and 
damp  weather,  the  latter  of  which  often 
damages  them  as  much  as  the  former.  In  rich 
soils  the  plants  grow  faster,  but  they  are  usually 
found  to  be  very  soft  in  autumn,  and  fall  an 
easy  prey  to  the  first  sharp  frost  that  occurs. 

In  most  localities  they  will  not  require 
much  pruning,  being  cut  back,  as  a  rule,  by 
severe  weather  in  winter,  but  in  warmer  parts 
an  occasional  thinning  out  of  the  growths  is 


necessary.  This  should  be  done  in  the  spring, 
just  as  the  jilants  are  starting.  At  the  same 
time  any  that  are  getting  too  large  can  be  cut 
back  within  bounds.  The  following  list  com-  i 
prises  the  best  of  the  Escallonias,  all  of  which 
are  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  open  garden  or  on 
a  wall. 

E.  exoniensis. — This  is  a  hybrid  raised  by 
Messrs.  R.  Veitch  and  Sons,  of  Exeter.  It 
makes  an  upright  shrub  upwards  of  6  feet 
high,  and  bears  semi-pendent  flowers  of  a 
pinkish  white  colour  in  great  profusion.  The 
leaves  are  ovate  in  shape,  deep  green,  and  very 
small.    It  is  fairly  hardy. 

E.  illinita. — This  makes  a  spreading,  much- 
branched  shrub  about  .5  feet  in  height,  and  as 
much  or  more  ia  diameter.  The  pure  white 
flowers  are  individually  small,  but  are  in  dense, 
terminal  panicles  all  over  the  plants.  The 
sticky  leaves  are  oblong,  crenulated,  and 
covered  with  glandular  dots  on  the  upper  sur- 
face. It  is  a  rather  tender  plant,  native  of 
Chili,  and  requires  the  shelter  of  a  wall  in  most 
places. 

E.  lanrjhyenus. — This  is  a  hybrid  between 
E.  philippiana  and  E.  macrantha,  raised  by 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and  Son  in  1897.  The  flowers 
are  of  a  rosy  pink  or  carmine  colour  and  freely 
produced.  The  leaves  are  small,  dark  green, 
and  shining.  A  fairly  hardy  plant,  growing 
from  4  feet  to  6  feet  in  height. 

E.  macrantha. — This  is  the  commonest  of 
the  Escallonias,  and  is  met  with  wherever  they 
can  be  grown,  generally  under  the  names  of 
E.  Ingramii  or  E.  rubra  Ingramii.  It  makes  a 
shrub  5  feet  to  6  feet  in  height,  and  is  one  of 
the  hardiest  of  the  genus,  or,  what  is  perhaps 
more  correct,  it  more  quickly  recovers  after 
being  damaged  by  frost.  The  flowers  are 
bright  crimson-red,  rather  large,  and  freely 
produced  in  terminal,  racemose  clusters.  The 
leaves  are  ovate,  serrated,  deep  green,  and 
shining  above,  and  dotted  on  the  under  sur- 
faces. This  is  the  best  of  the  Escallonias  with 
coloured  flowers,  and  is  wonderfully  accommo- 
dating. I  have  seen  old  plants  of  this  cut  to 
the  ground  in  the  winter  that  have  attained  a 
height  of  3  feet  and  been  full  of  flower  by  the 
following  September.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
island  of  Chiloe. 

E.  montevidensis.  —  This  is  a  native  of 
Monte  Video,  and  is  one  of  the  most  tender  of 
the  genus.  Under  favourable  conditions  it 
reaches  a  height  of  8  feet  to  10  feet,  and  bears 
terminal  corymbs  of  pure  white  flowers.  The 
leaves  are  oblong,  and  nearly  or  quite  entire. 
The  branches  are  sticky.  E.  floribunda  is 
sometimes  given  as  a  synonym  of  this,  but  it  is 
doubtful  if  it  is  correct. 

E.  philippiana. — This  is  a  native  of  Valdivia, 
and  makes  an  upright  bush  4  feet  or  so  high, 
with  slender,  twiggy  branches,  covered  during 
.July  with  small  panicles  of  white  flowers, 
borne  both  terminally  and  laterally  in  great 
profusion.  The  leaves  are  small,  spatliulate, 
and  finely  serrated,  and  are  of  a  rich  deep 
green  colour.  This  is  the  hardiest  of  the 
genus,  succeeding  in  the  open  in  the  London 
district. 

E.  jninciata. — This  shrub  attains  a  height  of 
G  feet  under  favourable  circumstances,  though 
it  is  more  often  met  with  about  3  feet.  The 
flowers  are  deep  red  in  colour,  borne  in  threes 
or  fours  in  terminal  clusters.  The  leaves  are 
sessile,  nearly  ovate,  finely  serrated,  and  glos.sy 
with  impressed  veins  on  the  upper  surface, 
while  the  under  side  is  variously  smooth  or 
dotted  with  tiny  glands.  This  is  sometimes 
confused  with  E.  rubra,  but  is  easily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  fewer  and  darker  coloured 
flowers,  and  the  stalked  glands  on  the  young 
shoots.    It  is  a  native  of  Chili. 


January  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


73 


E.  revoluta.—T\ii&  is  a  large  Chilian  shrub 
10  feet  or  more  high  under  favourable  con- 
ditions, but  as  it  is  perhaps  the  tenderest  of  the 
genus,  it  is  rarely  seen  in  full  perfection.  The 
white  flowers  are  in  erect,  terminal  panicles  or 
racemes,  and  open  in  August  and  September. 
The  leaves  are  1  inch  to  -1  inches  long,  nearly 
oval  in  shape,  pubescent,  and  sharply  toothed. 

E.  rubra. — This  closely  resembles  _E. 
punctata,  but  differs  in  the  lighter  red  of  its 
flowers,  which  are  also  carried  for  a  longer 
period,  and  by  the  glandular  hairs  on  the 
young  shoots.    It  is  a  native  of  Chili. 

AH  the  Escallonias  can  be  propagated  by 
cuttings  of  half-ripened  wood  taken  in  August 
and  put  in  a  close  frame.  E.  langleyensis, 
E.  macrantha,  E.  philippiana,  and  E.  punctata, 
however,  which  are  the  hardiest  and  also 
the  best  for  general  planting,  can  be  struck 
outdoors  in  winter,  using  stout,  well  ripened 
wood,  and  planting  the  cuttings  in  a  fairly  dry, 
sandy  spot. 

Bagshot,  Surrey/.  J.  Clark. 


DECORATIVE    CHRYSAN- 
THEMUMS. 

The  term  decorative  as  applied  to  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum is  generally  understood  to  mean  varieties  that 


THE   SNOWDKOP    WIUDrLOWER    (ANEMONE 


(From  a  vhotograph  kindly  sent  by  M.  Correvon,  Floraire,  Geneva.    The  /lowers  were 
gathered  on  the  Alps.) 


are  free-flowering,  bushy  in  growth,  and  bear 
flowers  of  pleasing  forms  and  clear  shades  of  colour. 
This  definition  may  appear  to  some  too  compre- 
hensive, while  to  others  it  may  hardly  seem  to  go 
far  enough.  As  a  matter  of  fact  no  hard  and  fast 
rule  can  well  be  laid  down.  What  is  really  wanted 
are  varieties  that  have  a  tendency  to  flower  pro- 
fusely, combining  with  this  essential  characteristic 
flowers  suitable  both  for  indoor  decorations  as 
well  as  for  the  conservatory. 

The  decorative  Chrysanthemums  as  a  class  have 
been  sadly  neglected.  At  how  many  of  the 
numerous  Chrysanthemum  shows  held  throughout 
the  country  in  November  are  the  decorative  sorts 
exhibited  ?  Very  few  indeed.  Here  and  there, 
where  the  societies  are  ahead  of  their  fellows,  we 
see  the  small  to  medium-sized  Chrysanthemums 
set  up  in  pleasing  contrast  to  the  large  blooms, 
with  which  we  are  now  so  familiar.  In  all  cases 
where  ample  provision  is  made  to  set  up  the  exhibits 
tastefully  and  efi'ectively,  the  result  is  distinctly 
pleasing.  Such  a  display  illustrates  the  undoubted 
usefulness  of  the  smaller  flowers  for  the  hundred 
and  one  uses  for  indoor  decorations. 

The  societies  that  make  the  Chrysanthemum 
their  special  care  are  to  blame  for  the  present 
state  of  aflfairs.  Their  special  object,  as  stated  in 
their  own  rules,  among  other  things,  is  to  "promote 
the  cultivation  of  the  Chrysanthemum,  &c."  The 
success  of  the  many  Chrysanthemum  societies  has 
been  very  one-sided.  At  the  November  shows  the 
large  blooms,  most  of  which  are  of  Japanese  origin, 
preponderate,  and  in  a 
much  smaller  degree 
the  incurved  sorts ;  but 
large  Anemones  and 
Japanese  Anemones  are 
seldom  represented, 
though  they  are  the 
most  quaint  of  the 
decorative  section.  At 
the  great  show  of  the 
National  Chrysanthe- 
mum Society  at  the 
Crystal  Palace,  in 
November  last,  only 
132  blooms  of  the  large- 
flowered  Anemones 
were  set  up  in  the  com- 
petitive classes,  and 
this  in  an  exhibition  of 
great  magnitude.  Pom- 
pons and  singles  were 
also  poorly  displayed, 
only  seventy- eight 
bunches  being  staged. 
There  were  tables  of 
decorative  sorts  em- 
bracing all  types  of  the 
flower,  in  which  suffi- 
cient space  was  not 
allowed  by  the  rules  of 
the  competition  to  set 
up  the  bunches  in  an 
attractive  manner.  In 
other  respects  decora- 
tive flowers  in  the  com- 
petitive classes  were 
conspicuous  by  their 
absence. 

The  Chrysanthemum 
societies,  to  carry  out 
the  object  for '  which 
they  were  instituted, 
should  work  upon 
broader  lines.  The 
large  blooms  should 
still  be  encouraged,  but 
not  to  the  exclusion  of 
the  decorative  kinds. 
What  could  be  more 
interesting  and  attrac- 
tive than  a  series  of 
exhibits  in  which  the 
different  types  of  these 
flowers,  grown  in  a  free 
SYLVESTRIS).  Style,    Could     be     dis- 

played ?       Classes     for 
groups  and  bush  plants 


would  make  cfTective  contrast  to  those  grown 
in  the  orthodox  exliibition  fashion  to  the  advan- 
tage of  the  former.  Other  classes  for  a  dozen 
or  more  bunches  of  Japanese  kinds,  either  dis- 
budded or  partially  disbudded,  or  separate  classes- 
for  both,  would  illustrate  some  of  the  prettiest 
and  brightest  of  the  decorative  varieties  in  this 
section.  Other  sections  might  be  treated  in  much 
the  same  way,  thus  giving  encouragement  to  quaint 
and  curious  large  Anemone  Chrysanthemums,  of 
which  far  too  little  is  known.  The  Pompons  and 
singles  deserve  more  consideration  than  they  now 
get.  Local  and  provincial  societies  are  great 
offenders  in  this  matter,  and  it  is  hard  to  believe 
they  have  any  other  object  in  view  than  the  per- 
petuation of  varieties  developing  big  blooms. 

The  market  growers  have  seen  what  the  private 
growers  have  failed  to  appreciate.  Ten  years  ago 
everyone  was  growing  a  few  standard  sorts,  and 
the  flowering  time  was  short.  What  is  the  case 
to-day  ?  From  early  October  until  the  middle  of 
January,  and  in  several  instances  still  later,  the 
display  is  maintained.  The  flowers  are  beautiful 
in  colour  and  form,  and  the  market  men,  by  a  care- 
ful selection  of  suitable  sorts,  have  now  an  excellent 
series  of  decorative  varieties,  and  if  these  could  only 
be  displayed  at  some  of  our  London  and  provincial 
shows,  what  a  splendid  object-lesson  their  exhibi- 
tion would  be.  It  is  all  the  more  gratifying  to 
learn  that  there  is  the  prospect  of  a  display  inlate 
December  of  this  year,  or  in  January  of  1905,  of 
decorative  Chrysanthemums,  by  the  National 
Chrysanthemum  Society.  The  market  men  have 
taken  the  matter  up,  and  there  is  reason  to  hope 
that  much  good  will  be  brought  about  through 
their  efforts.  Chrysanthemum  societies  are  now 
making  up  their  schedules  for  next  autumn's 
display,  and  for  this  reason  these  remarks  may  be 
considered  opportune. 

Highgate,  N.  E-  B.  Ckane. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 

ANEMONE    SYLVESTRIS. 

ONE  of  the  first  hundred  plants 
figured  in  the  Botanical  Maga- 
zine, this  elegant  little  plant  has 
been  an  inhabitant  of  our  gardens 
since  the  end  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  when  it  was  introduced 
into  this  country  from  Germany.  The  popular 
name  "  Snowdrop  Anemone "  was  suggested 
by  the  drooping  habit  of  the  flower-bud  before 
fully  expanding,  giving  it  a  certain  resem- 
blance to  that  well-known  flower.  Although 
generally  found  growing  in  shady  places  in  its 
native  habitats,  it  is  not  particular  m  its 
requirements  in  cultivation,  doing  well  and 
flowering  freely  in  most  situations  and  many 
good  loamy  soil ;  but  it  succeeds  best  in  a 
light  rich  soil,  which  contains  plenty  of  decayed 
vegetable  matter  and  in  a  moist  and  shady  situa- 
tion. It  is  easy  to  increase,  as  it  has  creeping 
roots  which  it  extends  on  every  side,  throwing: 
up  numerous  suckers,  which  may  be  divided 
from  the  parent  plant  when  necessary  tor  the 
purpose  of  propagation.  „,•   ja 

In  common  with  many  other  Windflowers, 
the  good-sized  white  flowers,  U  inclies  in 
diameter,  are  borne  on  long  peduncles,  which 
arise  singly  from  an  involucre  of  leaves.  Ihese 
leaves  are  ternate  or  quinate,  with  deeply- 
toothed  leaflets,  hairy  on  the  under  surface. 
Sometimes  two  flowers  are  produced  trom  on& 
involucre,  but  it  is  not  a  frequent  occurrence. 
The  accompanying  illustration  shows  the  value 
of  the  cut  flowers  for  decorations,  as  they  last 
in  water  for  some  time,  but  they  are  far  more 
charming  when  growing  naturally  in  tutts, 
attaining  a  height  varying  from  9  inches  to 
15  inches,  covered  with  many  flowers  in  April. 
After  these  are  past  their  place  is  taken  by 
little    woolly    heads    containing    the    seed. 


74 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30,  1904. 


Having  a  wide  distribution,  ^yhich 
extends  over  the  central  countries  of 
Europe,  from  France  to  South  Kussia 
and  Thrace,  this  species  is  also  found 
in  the  Caucasus.  A.  sylvestris  flore- 
pleno  is  a  form  with  double  flowers 
without  the  elegance  of  the  type,  and 
frequently  having  a  green  centre.  A 
closely-allied  plant  is  the  A.  baldensis 
from  the  Alps  and  Pyrenees,  with 
more  tuberous  roots,  more  finely 
divided  leaves,  and  smaller  white 
flowers  tinged  with  red  on  the  out- 
side. W.  Irving. 


DAPHNE    GENKWA. 

To  the  superficial  observer  this  appears 
to  be  a  Lilac,  that  is  to  say,  during  tlie 
flowering  season.  Its  natural  season  out 
of  doors  is  in  April  or  May,  but  under 
glass  it  will  readily  flower  in  .January  or 
February.  At  that  time  leaves  are 
absent,  the  leafless  branches  being  studded 
with  loose  clusters  of  flowers,  which,  as 
above  stated,  are  much  like  those  of  the 
Lilac.  The  individual  flowers  are  about 
half  an  inch  long,  and  much  the  same 
across  the  petals,  which  are  four  in 
number.  The  colour  of  the  flowers  is  a 
very  pleasing  shade  of  bright  lilac. 
Daphne  Genkwa  can  scarcely  be  regarded 
as  thoroughly  hardy,  for  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  London  it  succeeds  best  with 
the  shelter  of  a  wall.  It  was,  I  believe, 
originally  introduced  by  Robert  Fortune, 
but  was  for  a  time  afterwards  almost 
lost  till  we  were  in  more  ready  communication 
with  .Japan.  H.  P. 


CELMISIA    KAHOLOSA    IN    A    NEW    ZEALAND    GAEDEN. 


NYMPH^AS  OF  THE  ODOEATA  GROUP 

The  only  Nympheea  of  this  group  in  my  small  Lily 
tank — sulphurea  grandiflora — was  planted  there  in 
1897,  and  is  now  behaving  precisely  in  the  unsatis- 
factory manner  described  by  Mr.  Greenwood  Pim 
in  The  Gakden  of  the  16th  inst.  It  bloomed 
magnificently  as  soon  as  it  got  established,  and  did 
well  until  about  two  years  ago,  when  it  began  to 
go  to  the  bad.     During  the  last  two  summers  few 


buds  have  appeared,  and  these  have  failed  to  expand 
properly,  while  the  foliage  has  been  very  weak  and 
scanty.  I  propose  to  remove  it  altogether  this  spring 
and  put  in  something  more  permanent.  The  other 
two  Nymphaeas  in  the  tank — N.  Marliacea  albida 
and  N.  Laydekeri  rosea — planted  at  the  same  time 
are  flourishing.  S.  G.  Reid. 


SOME  OF  THE   CELMISIAS 

The  Uelmisias  form  a  very  interesting  genus 
of  ComposittB,  closely  allied  to  Aster  and  Eri- 


CELMISIA  CORIACEA. 


geron,  and  confined  to  New  Zealand  and  the 
adjacent  islands,  one  species  being  said  to 
extend  to  Australia.  Upwards  of  thirty  species 
have  been  described,  thirty-four  being  given  in 
the  "Index  Kewensis."  Of  these  a  few  have 
from  time  to  time  been  introduced,  but,  through 
the  difficulty  experienced  in  their  cultivation, 
they  have  never  become  well  known,  and  they 
are  rarely  met  with.  The  majority  of  the 
known  species  are  described  in  Sir  Joseph 
Hooker's  "Handbook  of  the  New  Zealand 
Flora,"  and  from  the  descriptions  many  of 
them  must  be  very  ornamental.  The 
accompanying  illustrations  show  what 
beautiful  objects  many  of  these  Cel- 
misias  are  when  growing  under  satis- 
factory conditions,  and  if  we  could 
solve  the  problem  of  their  require- 
ments, so  as  to  grow  them  into  such 
fine  specimens  as  shown  here,  they 
would  prove  extremely  valuable  for 
the  garden.  The  great  drawback  to 
their  successful  cultivation  in  this 
country  is  the  fact  that  they  are  not 
sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand 
the  winter  out  of  doors,  except  in 
favoured  localities,  while  pot  culture 
seems  distasteful  to  them.  Good  plants 
have  occasionally  been  grown  out  of 
doors,  especially  C.  coriacea  at  Glas- 
nevin.  Under  natural  conditions  the 
Celmisias  are  found  in  mountainous 
regions  up  to  an  elevation  of  5,000  feet 
above  sea  level.  They  grow  chiefly 
among  rocks,  and  are  often  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  water,  the  rocky  banks 
of  rivers,  &c.  They  are  all  low-growing 
herbs,  with  a  thick,  woody  rootstock 
and  numerous  radical  leaves,  which  are 
usually  covered  with  a  silvery  or 
brownish  tomentum.  The  Daisy-like 
inflorescences  are  on  long,  silky  stalks, 
and  in  the  dift'erent  species  vary  con- 
siderably in  .size,  some  being  but  an 
inch  or  ,so  across,  while  others  are  quite 
3  inches  in  diameter.  The  ray  florets 
are  usually  white,  the  disc  yellow,  but 


January  30,  1904.J 


THE    GARDEN. 


75 


in  a  few  instances  species  are  recorded 
with  lilac  ray  florets.  The  following  species 
are  occasionally  met  with,  the  dimensions  of 
leaves  and  flowers  being  those  given  in  the 
recorded  descriptions  : 

C.  coriacea.— This,  as  seen  by  the  illustration, 
makes  a  low,  spreading  mass.  The  leaves  are 
from  10  inches  to  18  inches  long,  and  from 
half  an  inch  to  2i  inches  wide,  lanceolate  in 
shape,  and  thick  in  texture.  The  under  sur- 
face, together  with  the  stalks  and  peduncles,  is 
covered  with  a  thick,  cottony  tomenturn  ;  the 
flowers  are  borne  in  heads  li  inches  to  3  inches 
in  diameter  on  long  peduncles,  the  ray  florets 
being  white,  and  the  disc  yellow.  It  is  said  to 
be  abundant  in  the  mountains  from  Nelson  to 
Dusky  Bay. 

C.  Eaastii.—A  strong-growing  species  with 
large  leaves,  which  are  less  woolly  than  the 
foregoing.  The  flower  -  heads  are  on  short, 
sturdy  peduncles,  and  are  from  1^^  inches  to 
2|  inches  across. 

G.  Lindsay L— A.  figure  of  this  is  given  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7134.  It  makes  a 
dense  tuft  of  leaves  3  inches  to  6  inches  long  ; 
they  are  lanceolate,  coriaceous,  and  white  on 
the  under  surface.  The  peduncles  are  about 
6  inches  high  and  the  flower-heads  1  inch  to 
2  inches  across,  the  ray  florets  being  white.  _ 

C.  Munroi. — This  was  introduced  about  eight 
years  ago.  The  leaves  are  linear-lanceolate, 
about  .5  inches  long,  dark  green  above,  and 
covered  with  a  white,  silky  tomenturn  beneath. 
The  ray  florets  are  white,  the  disc  yellow,  the 
heads  being  about  2  inches  across.  A  figure  is 
given  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7496. 

C.  ramulosa. — As  seen  by  the  illustration 
this  makes  a  dense  mass,  the  leaves  being  small 
and  short ;  the  flower  -  heads  are  on  short 
stalks,  and  are  about  an  inch  across. 

C.  sj^ectabilis. — It  is  about  twenty  years  since 
this  was  introduced.  In  habit  it  is  very  similar 
to  C.  Munroi,  the  leaves  being  of  much  the 
same  size  and  colour.  The  flower-heads  are 
about  2  inches  across,  and  the  ray  florets  may 
be  white  or  tinged  with  lilac.  W.  D. 


RARE    EXOTICS    IN    ROSS- 
SHIRE. 

Me.  Mackenzie  sends  the  following  extract  from 
the  Glasgow  Herald,  and  asks  for  i  ta  insertion  in 
The  Garden.  The  notea  are  of  much  interest, 
and  we  gladly  publish  them. 

My  last  floral  notes  consisted  of  an  account  of 
my  trees,  shrubs,  and  herbaceous  plants  in  1901. 

The  year  1902  was  a  bad  year  from  a  horticul- 
turist's point  of  view.  With  a  severe  winter  and  a 
worse  spring,  followed  by  an  ungenial  summer,  it 
was  most  disappointing.  Still,  it  may  interest  my 
readers  to  hear  that  I  had  hardly  any  losses  among 
my  many  hundreds  of  rare  exotics. 

I  nearly  lost  one  of  my  Dicksonias  (Tree  Ferns), 
Bome  of  my  pretty  pink  Cistus  crispus  died,  and 
also  my  big  bushes  of  Veronica  Andersoni,  and 
that  was  about  all ;  and  in  spite  of  the  bad  year 
I  had  some  great  successes.  Even  during  that 
terrible  February  snowstorm,  when  the  snow  lay 
deep  right  down  to  high-water  mark  for  nearly  the 
whole  month,  my  bush  of  Japan  Witch  Hazel 
(Hamamelis  zuocariniana)  was  in  full  bloom,  its 
curious  small  golden  blossoms  with  crimson  fila- 
ments looked  lovely  sparkling  in  the  sun,  with  the 
snow  as  a  background. 

Later  on  among  startling  plants  were  Azalea 
Vaseyii,  a  Japanese  species  with  soft  lilac  blooms, 
and  Andromeda  formosa,  which  astonishes  every- 
one, being  a  glorified  Andromeda  japonica;  and  as 
the  season  advanced,  after  reading  an  account  of 
the  blooming  of  Abutilon  vitifolium  in  the  Scilly 
Isles,  my  own  big  bushes,  some  6  feet  or  8  feet 
high,  blossomed  profusely.  It  was  a  great  triumph. 
They  are  about  four  or  five  years  old,  and  were 


(crosses  between  mollis 
up     to    Van    Houtte's 


raised  here  from  seed  procured  from  the  late  Mr. 
Thompson,  of  Ipswich,  and  their  large  hanging 
bunches  of  mauve  flowers  were  glorious.  This 
thoroughly  hardy  Abutilon  is  a  shrub  which  has, 
I  think,  a  great  future  before  it. 

Some  of  the  new  Escallonias  were  very  taking, 
such  as  Langleyensis  (red),  Exoniensis,  and 
Pterocladon  (while),  and  are  all  real  acquisitions. 

For  the  first  time  I  bloomed  Kalmialati  folia.  I 
was  beginning  to  think  that  it  was  one  of  the 
plants  which  was  going  to  beat  me,  and  therefore 
one  that  I  had  particularly  set  my  heart  on 
flowering,  when  all  of  a  sudden  one  of  my  plants 
appeared  smothered  with  buds,  and  how  lovely  they 
were  when  they  expanded  ! 

The  eight  new  Azaleas 
and  indica)  came  quite 
description  of  them. 
They  were  dazzlingly 
gorgeous  in  June,  and 
are  as  hardy  as  Azalea 
pontioa. 

Cydonia  Columbia  I  can 
thoroughly  recommend  as 
a  bedding  shrub  ;  it  is  as 
brilliant  as  a  Geranium 
and  as  hardy  as  a  Beech ; 
and,  lastly,  my  little 
Desfontaineas  gave  me 
great  satisfaction.  One 
of  them  bloomed  a  second 
time  at  the  beginning  of 
December,  and  its  long 
scarlet  and  orange  tubular 
flowers  are  so  firm  and 
waxy,  and,  being  also 
protected  by  its  glossy 
evergreen  prickly  leaves, 
no  amount  of  rough 
weather  seemed  to  injure 
them.  How  magnificent 
they  are  at  Poltalloch, 
8  feet  high,  and  broad  in 
proportion,  andsmothered 
in  bloom.  The  growth  is 
so  like  the  European 
Holly  that  it  is  sometimes 
called  the  Chilian  Holly. 

And  now  I  have,  per- 
haps, said  enough  about 
poor  1902,  which,  I  con- 
fess, got  more  abuse  from 
us  gardeners  than  it 
deserved,  and  we  will  see 
what  can  be  told  of  1903. 

At  the  risk  of  repeating 
myself,  I  must  speak  of 
the  beauty  on  last  New 
Year's  Day  of  oxar  famous 
TuUoch  variety  of  Rho- 
dodendron nobleanum.  It 
is  the  most  perfect  of 
winter-flowering  shrubs, 
for  even  if  the  weather 
be  atrocious,  as  it  was  last 
January,  if  the  sprays 
with  the  crimson  buds 
are  cut  and  put  in  vases 
in  the  house  they  expand 
to  perfection. 

We  had  naturally  not 
much     in     bloom     on 

January  1  of  this  year,  except  Polygala  Chamte- 
buxus  and  Lithospermum  prostratum,  which  was 
a  sheet  of  blue,  and  evidently  imagined  it  was 
still  on  its  native  rocks  on  the  shores  of  the  Bay 
of  Biscay  instead  of  on  the  shores  of  the  Minch. 

In  March  the  first  of  my  twelve  new  species  of 
Rhododendrons  bloomed,  viz.,  R.  ciliatum,  and 
very  pretty  it  was,  with  its  large  pale  pinky 
white  bell-shaped  flowers  ;  it  was  only  a  tiny  plant, 
1  foot  high,  but  smothered  with  blooms,  which 
seemed  almost  too  big  for  it,  and  just  as  it  was 
fully  expanded  I  left  for  Italy,  and  saw  no  more 
of  my  shrubs  till  the  beginning  of  June. 

From  all  accounts  the  spring  of  1903  was  quite 
as  bad  as  that  of  1902,  only  in  a  difierent  way — 
viz. ,  perpetual  hurricanes  of  wind,  with  torrents 
of  rain,  which  caused  as  much  harm  as  the  hard 


weather  of  the  previous  spring.  Curiously,  on  my 
return,  the  Scotch  Firs  showed  more  damage  than 
any  of  my  five  species  of  Eucalyptus,  which  must 
be  hardy  to  a  degree.  There  is  certainly  some- 
thing radically  wrong  in  the  modern  Pinus  sylves- 
tris,  as,  instead  of  being  one  of  the  hardiest, 
it  is  one  of  the  worst  to  stand  gales  and  sea 
blasts. 

I  returned  just  in  time  to  see  the  finish  up  of  my 
Trilliums  and  Erythroniums  ;  ray  gardener  told  me 
they  had  been  really  grand,  and  I  found  a  new 
kind  of  Trillium,  with  recurved  petals  of  a  deep 
pink,  which  much  fascinated  me. 

My  show  plant  in  June  was  my  big  Crinoden- 
dron  hookerianum,  about  7  feet  high,  and  the  only 
plant  I  can  boast  of  as  being  better  than  the  one 
at  Castlewellan,  that  garden  of  gardens  in  County 


CELMISIA  HAASTII. 

Down.  After  seeing  Lord  Annesley's  collection, 
my  attempts  here  appeared  very  feeble  indeed, 
and  my  Crinodendron  was  the  only  thing  I  could 
venture  to  brag  of  before  his  lordship. 

Well,  my  Crinodendron  was  just  covered  with 
its  crimson  Chinese  lanterns,  hanging  bv  long 
thread-like  stalks,  a  most  striking  bush  ;  Rhodo- 
dendron racemosum  from  Yunnan,  where  it  grows 
at  a  height  of  10,000  feet ;  Kalmia  rubra  and 
Erica  arborea  were  among  the  most  telling  on  my 
return  home.  The  first-named  of  these  three  would 
not,  I  think,  be  easily  recognised  as  a  Rhododen- 
dron by  an  ordinary  observer. 

My  big  Erica  australis,  alas  !  I  found  dead.  I 
had  unfortunately  shifted  it  before  leaving,  and  it 
is  a  lesson  to  me  not  to  transplant  tall  Heaths. 
Two  Deutzias  were  also  striking  in  June,   viz., 


76 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30  1904 


D.  corvmbiflora  and  D.  discolor  purpurea,  and  they 
are  well  worth  getting. 

I  was  glad  to  find  that  my  Mutisia  deourrens 
had  stood  both  winters  all  right,  and  both  last 
year  and  this  it  lias  flowered  nicely,  and  though  a 
Chilian  by  birth  it  has  a  South  African  old-world 
look  about  it,  and  one  might  mistake  it,  with  its 
Orange-red  stars,  for  a  climbing  cross  between  a 
Gazania  splendens  and  a  Gerbera  Jamesoni.  Two 
species  of  Metrosideros  have  stood  out  with  me 
several  winters,  the  one,  which  is  the  famous  Rata 
of  New  Zealand,  has  not  yet  flowered,  but  the 
Australian  one  has  given  us  a  small  sample  of  its 
crimson  bottle-brushes. 

My  hardy  deciduous  Magnolias  are  too  young  for 
me  to  be  able  to  say  much  about  them  ;  but  I  had 
a  very  few  blooms  this  summer  on  M.  Lennei  and 
M.  stellata,  and  I  hope  for  great  things  from  them 
if  I  live  a  few  years  longer. 


from  my  garden,  where  it  had  never  been  a  success 
in  the  hot  shingly  soil,  and  planted  an  edging  of  it 
to  one  of  my  walks  in  my  shrubbery,  which  I  call 
Japan,  in  raw,  cold,  peaty  soil,  and  there  it  has 
proved  a  complete  success,  and  has  bloomed  pro- 
fusely this  summer.  In  the  same  manner  the 
Chilian  Mitraria  coccinea,  with  gorgeous  vermilion 
flowers  like  miniature  bishop's  mitres,  which  only 
struggled  for  life  in  the  garden,  has  grown  into  a 
charming  little  shrub  in  ray  .Japan  :  also  Philesia 
buxifolia,  from  Magellan,  just  a  dwarf  bushy 
Lapageria  rosea,  is  beginning  to  look  quite  happy 
with  its  present  surroundings.  And  this  system 
of  changing  I  mean  to  continue,  as  I  have  still  a 
few  things  that  defy  me,  such  as  the  so-called 
New  Zealand  Broom  {Notospartium  Carmichaeli.-e), 
which  does  so  well  in  that  delightful  home  of 
rare  plants,  Loch  Hournhead ;  and  the  Carpentaria 
;  and  Eucryphia,  which  I  do  not  grow  to  perfection 


tinue  my  tale  at  some  future  time,  when  I  have 
further  e.\periences  to  recount. 

0.  H.  MACKE.NZIE,   F.R.H.S. 

Inverewe,  Poolewe. 


IN    A    SUNNY    LAND. 

A  BROILING,  dusty  road,  a  low  stone  wall  with 
purple  Iris  growing  on  top,  further  on  hedges 
of  Christ's  Thorn  (Paliitrus  australis)  with 
cruel  prickles,  making  it  hard  to  gather  the 
first  rosy  flowers  of  the  spring  Cyclamen,  which 
hid  and  clustered  among  the  silver-striped 
leaves  of  Dead  Nettle,  then  the  cool  shade  of 
a  Cypress  avenue,  and  we  were  treading  on 
classic  ground.  How  often  it  comes  back  to 
memory   that  red-letter  day  in  March  spent 


CYPRESSES  AT  TIVOLI  :    IN   THE  RUINS   OF   HADRIAN  S   VILLA. 


The  New  Zealand  Tea  Bush  (Leptospermum 
scoparium),  which  is,  I  am  told,  as  great  a  plague 
in  Maoriland  as  the  Bracken  is  in  the  Highlands, 
seems  quite  hardy  here,  blooms  and  fruits  freely, 
is  very  pretty,  and  quite  aromatic  when  handled. 
New  Zealand  and  Chilian  things  certainly  suit  this 
damp  climate. 

Perhaps  my  greatest  achievement  this  year  has 
been  the  flowering  of  Buddleia  Colvillei.  I  liave 
two  big  bushes  of  it,  and  one  of  them  produced 
three  sprays  of  blooms,  and  when  I  first  noticed  it 
I  thought  a  Foxglove  (of  which  I  have  many  in 
my  shrubberies)  had  been  allowed  to  grow  up 
among  the  stems  of  the  Buddleia,  but  on  exami- 
nation I  soon  saw  that  it  was  not  a  Digitalis, 
though  the  handsome  purple  blooms  rather  resemble 
a  Foxglove  or  a  Pentstemon. 

I  find  that  when  a  plant  is  not  a  success  the  great 
thing  is  either  to  shift  it  to  entirely  other  surround- 
ings or  bu}'  another  specimen  and  try  it  elsewhere. 
Last  autumn  I  removed  a  lot  of  Heuchera  sanguinea 


,  yet,  though  I  have  bloomed  both  here  ;  and  the 
Berberidopsis  corallina,  which  flourishes  so  on 
Inveree  House,  on  Loch  Nevis,  and  several  other 
charming  exotics,  which  I  mean  to  master  in  course 
of  time. 

For  the  end  of  October  and  November,  when 
flowers  in  the  shrubberies  are  scarce,  let  me  recom- 
mend the  Spartiuni,  or  Spanish  Broom,  and  the 
white  Irish  Heath  (Menziesia  polifolia  alba)  ;  the 
latter  covers  my  ground  in  masses,  and  is  at  its 
best  in  November  ;  and  with  these  and  with 
Enkianthus  japonicus,  a  most  charming  new 
Japanese  shrub,  whose  leaves  turn  a  dazzling  ver- 
milion, no  one  need  complain  of  dull  shrubberies 
in  late  avitumn.  Lilium  auratum  and  lancifolium 
!  rubrum,  and  more  especiall}'  Crocosmia  imperialis, 
I  dotted  about  among  the  summer-flowering  shrubs, 
give  also  a  lot  of  brilliancy  to  the  "  fall,"  as  our 
American  cousins  call  it. 

But  my  storj'  has  perhaps  been  too  long,  and  I 
cease  at  present,  but  onlj'  with  the  hope  to  con- 


]  on  the  spot  here  illustrated.  The  colossal 
ruins  of  Hadrian's  palaces,  roofless,  silent, 
bathed  in  golden  light  and  beautiful  in  decay, 
spoke  eloquently  enough  of  the  vanity  of 
human  greatness.  Sitting  to  rest  on  the 
broken  steps  of  an  over-arching  portico,  gladly 
we  turned  our  faces  from  the  fallen  past  to  the 
joyous  living  present.  Scarcely  a  leaf  was 
stirring.  Not  far  off  the  mighty  spires  of  a 
group  of  Cypresses  rose  dark  against  the 
cloudless  blue,  solemn,  immovable,  impressive 
beyond  words,  living  sentinels  standing  guard 
over  the  relics  of  the  Imperial  dead.  Below 
them — a  lovely  contrast — a  sea  of  grey-leaved 
Olives,  and  under  the  Olives  Violets— tens 
of  thousands  of  Violets — in  such  amazing 
drifts  of  royal  colour,  and  breathing  into 
the  warm  air  such  delicious  fragrance  as 
seldom  conies  to    one  but  in  dreams.     Had 


Januaky  3a,  1S04.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


77 


we  ever  seen  Violets  before  1  Or  have  we  their  ^reat  size,  though  presumaVjly  they  are  at 
ever  seen  them  since  1  No  modest,  humble  least  400  years  of  age.  Columnar  trees,  besides, 
flowerets  these,  hiding  lowly  under  their  must  be  planted  with thegreatestjudgment,and 
sheltering  crowns,  but  strong-stemmed  and  seldom  suit  the  character  of  our  more  Northern 
open-eyed,  holding  up  their  heads  well  landscape.  And  how  is  it  yjossible  to  reproduce 
above  their  leaves,  and  perhaps — yes,  just  a  the  glamour  of  the  sunlight  and  clear  atmos- 
little  flaunting  withal.  Nevertheless,  how  phere  which  lend  them  in  other  lands  more 
lovely  they  were.  What  handfuls  we  gathered,  '  than  half  their  charm  ?  But  one  cannot  dog- 
and  what  would  we  not  give  to 
see  the  like  under  the  trees  in 
our  own  garden  at  home.  Other 
flowers  were  there  as  well. 
Starry  Anemones,  lavender  and 
white  ;  and  stretches  of  Bugle, 
not  coarse  and  of  no  account  as 
we  deem  it,  but  dainty  and 
choice  with  tall  spikelets  of 
azure  blue.  Bushes  of  Coronilla, 
too  (C.  Emerus),  great  bosses  of 
shining  gold,  grew  everywhere. 
Not  the  pale-fiowered  sea  green 
form,  which  does  its  best  to  light 
up  our  dull  November  days,  but 
full -coloured  and  bright,  setting 
its  foot  high  and  low ;  now 
happy  on  the  sod,  clustering 
about  the  bole  of  some  ancient 
Olive  ;  now  in  mid-air,  clinging 
in  glee  to  the  sunburnt  brick- 
work of  ruined  pavilion  and 
palace,  and  laughing  at  our  vain 
attempts  to  reach  it.  A  few 
belated  Crocuses  still  lingered  on 
the  grass,  but  here  and  there 
Romulea  was  taking  their  palace, 
and  stained  the  green  sward  with 
patches  of  purple  and  orange. 
And  over  it  all  the  canopy  of 
an  Italian  sky  and  the  undimmed 
glory  of  Italian  sun. 

We  long,  sometimes,  to  trans- 
plant such  memories  and  live 
them  over  again  in  our  own  land. 
Like  greedy  children  we  want 
to  hug  to  our  own  selfish,  English 
heart  all  the  delights  that  belong 
by  right  to  other  peoples.  But 
it  is  vain  and  useless.  Far  better 
to  let  them  be  memories,  and  to 
take  with  thankful  content  the 
treasures  that  are  ours. 

These  Cypresses  for  instance. 
Here  and  there,  though  rarely, 
in  stately  English  domains  we 
do  find  groups  which  were 
planted  long  ago,  admirably 
placed  with  regard  to  both 
shelter  and  prospect,  and  finely 
grown.  But  they  are  Southern 
trees,  no  more  indigenous,  indeed, 
to  Italy  than  they  are  with  us, 
and  though  they  may  be  found 
everywhere  to-day,  from  the  foot 
of  the  Alps  to  Calabria  and 
Sicily,  all  historic  allusions  go 
to  prove  that  the  Romans  them- 
selves had  to  acclimate  and 
cultivate  them  with  care  and 
difficulty.  It  is  a  tree  whose  chief 
affinity  is  with  sun-lit  plains,  and 
therefore  cannot  withstand  great 
rigour  of  climate.  An  exception- 
ally cold  English  winter  may  kill 
or  seriously  cripjjle  it.  And  then 
—  how  slow  of  growth  !  It  is  im- 
possible to  tell  how  many  centuries  it  has  taken  ;  matise  too  much.  Only  it  is  hard  to  restrain  a  | 
to  buUd  up  those  solemn  pillars  whose  fluted  '  smile  or  a  sigh— one  scarcely  knows  which — 
shafts  tower  upwards,  sometimes  more  than  100  ;  when  one  sees  such  a  tree  as  the  evergreen 
feet.  Those  said  to  have  been  planted  by  Michael  Cypress  huddled,  in  company  with  other 
Angelo  in  the  cloister  garden— it  is  so  no  longer  I  trees  of  like  noble  aspirations,  within  the 
—of  the  old  Carthusian  Monastery  in  Eome,cer- !  scanty  limits  of  the  few  square  yards  of  a 
tamly  do  not  impress  the  beholder  by  reason  of  ',  forecourt  garden.  K.  L.  D. 


GLADIOLI     IN    QUEENS- 
LAND.'" 

I  NOTE  in  The  Gaeden  that  you  are  interested 
in  what  is  being  done  in  other  parts  of  the 
world  besides  Great  Britain,  so  I  am  taking 
the  liberty  of  forwarding  you  a  photograph  of 
a  Gladiolus  that  originated  with 
me.  It  was  carried  into  the  town 
in  the  sun  before  being  photo- 
graphed, and  is  in  no  way 
touched  up.  The  photograph  is 
half  full  size,  so  that  you  will 
see  the  individual  flowers  are 
6  inches  across.  The  colour  is 
also  pleasing,  being  pale  pink, 
lightly  flaked  scarlet,  white 
blotch,  spotted  carmine.  It  is 
an  early  flowerer,  rather  dwarf, 
and  very  free.  I  have  now  been 
raising  Gladioli  for  about  ten 
years,  starting  with  selected 
French  .strains  of  gandavensis 
and  Lemoinei,  and  adding 
Childsii,  and  it  was  from  the 
latter  cross  that  the  Gladiolus 
described  came.  I  called  it 
Kitchener.  I  have  now  some 
very  flne  varieties  with  large, 
well-opened  flowers  and  massive 
spikes.  One  variety  grew  this 
year  6  feet  6  inches  high.  Latterly 
I  have  been  raising  Hippea- 
strum.s,  but  have  a  difficulty  in 
getting  really  good  varieties  to 
start  with,  and  catalogues  do  not 
give  descriptions,  which  seems  a 
pity,  especially  to  those  at  a 
distance.  There  are  advantages 
in  raising  these  here,  as  I  have 
had  flowers  in  one  year  from 
seed,  and  always  in  two,  and  the 
increase  is  rapid. 

William  Pagan. 
Brisbane,  Queensland. 


ROSE    GARDEN. 


I 


GLADIOLUS  KITCHESEK.     (From  a  ijhotograph  tent    rom  Queemland.) 


SOME    BOUEBOX    ROSES. 

Mrs.  BosAXQtJET. 

T    is    always    rather   a  moot 

point   whether    this   variety 

ought   to  be   classed   among 

the  Chinas  or  the  Bourbons, 

but  the  general  opinion  seems 

to  be  that  it  belongs  more  to 

the  latter  class.  Though  an  old  Rose, 

Peeing  that  it  was  distributed  for 

the  first  time  in  1832,  it  is  still  quite 

worthy  of  ranking  among  our  best 

garden    varieties.      II.    Liffay,   to 

whom  we  owe  this  variety,  was  one 

of    the   pioneers    of   that   band   of 

French  rosarians  who  have  done  so 

much    towards    the   enrichment   of 

gardens  the  world  over. 

This  same  raiser  also  gave  us  the 
well-known  China  Rose  Fabvier  the 
same  year  as  Mrs.  Bosanquet,  and, 
if  these  two  varieties  do  not  sufBce 
to  keep  his  memory  green,  there  are 
several  other  good  old  sorts  from 
the  same  source,  such  as  the  Bour- 
sault  Amadis,  Coupe  d'Hebe,  the 
two  Moss  Roses,  Laneii  and  Perpetual  White,  all 
of  which  are  still  to  be  found  in  many  gardens,  and, 
in  their  several  ways,  are  still  of  value. 

But  of  all  LaSay's  introductions  none  surpasses 
the  variety  which  heads  this  note,  and  I  am 
drawing  special  attention  to  it  here  because  it  is 
getting  overlooked  in  the  rush  for  novelties,  many 


78 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Janttakt  30,  1904, 


of  which  are  far  behind  it  in  true  garden  value. 
I  remember  a  few  years  ago,  when  spending  a 
day  or  two  at  Worcester  with  that  enthusiastic 
and  skilful  exhibitor,  Mr.  R.  Foley  Hobbs,  how  I 
was  more  charmed  with  a  large  standard  of  Mrs. 
Bosanquet  than  anything  else  in  the  garden.  It 
was  a  splendid  example  of  a  standard  Rose,  being 
good  in  shape,  and  simply  covered  with  dozens  of 
delicately-tinted,  flesh-coloured  buds  and  flowers. 
This  Rose  is  a  perpetual  bloomer,  and,  unlike 
many  of  the  Bourbons,  is  quite  as  good  in  early 
summer  as  it  is  in  autumn.  The  semi-drooping 
flowers  are  fragrant,  globular,  perfectly  double, 
and  are  sometimes  really  large,  while  they  stand 
bad  weather  well.  Moreover,  the  variety  is  per- 
fectly hardy,  and  a  half-standard  in  this  garden, 
though  in  a  terribly  cold  and  draughty  position, 
always  proves  satisfactory,  and  flowers  from  July 
to  the  frosts.  About  seven  or  eight  years  ago  a 
quite  pure  white  sport  from  this  Rose  was  distri- 
buted by  C.  Freundlich,  but  never  seems  to  have 
been  introduced  into  this  country. 

Marie  Pare, 
•distributed  by  M.  Jaraain  in  1881,  is  a  seedling 
from  Mrs.  Bosanquet,  very  free  in  bloom,  and 
slightly  deeper  in  colour  than  its  parent.  It  is 
really  astonishing  how  little  known  are  some  of 
these  old  Bourbon  Roses,  and  even  now  both 
amateurs  and  raisers  might  well  give  this  family  a 
little  more  attention.  Messrs.  Paul  of  Cheshunt 
have  given  us  two  most  valuable  varieties  in  Mrs. 
Paul  and  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  but  these,  like  the  ever- 
popular  Armosa,  scarcely  come  under  the  category 
of  little-known  Roses,  because  all  are  widely 
grown  and  appreciated  in  this  country.  Reference 
has  been  made  quite  lately  to 

Mme.  Isaac  Periere, 
and  I  am  happy  to  endorse  all  that  has  been 
written  about  it.  Even  in  this  light  soil  it  grows 
to  perfection,  and  in  a  neighbouring  garden  I  saw 
it  during  early  November  covered  with  fine  blos- 
soms and  rambling  up  the  trunk  of  a  dead  tree. 

Souvenir  de  Malmaison, 
sent  out  as  long  ago  as  1844,  and  its  climbing  form, 
which  appeared  almost  exactly  fifty  years  after- 
wards, are  both  grand  autumn  Roses,  and  it  is  a 
great  pity  that  their  summer  blooms  should  be  so 
deficient  in  form.  Both  make  large  standards,  and 
prove  very  hardy  in  this  district. 

Comtesse  Barbantannb, 
sent  out  by  M.  J.  B.  Guillot  pere  in  1858,  is  another 
useful  old  Rose,  which  I  came  across  quite  recently. 
It  is  a  true  Bourbon,  and  has  pale  salmon-white 
fragrant  flowers  of  good  form. 

Baronne  de  Meynard 
(not  Maynard,  as  it  is  frequently  spelt)  should  also 
be  classed  as  a  Bourbon,  and  is  a  valuable  white 
Rose  of  good  shape  but  little  scent. 

Mme.  Ernest  Calvat, 
recently  referred  to  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Woodall,  is  also 
a  Bourbon  variety,  and  was  distributed  in  1888  by 
Veuve  Schwartz,  successor  to  J.  Schwartz  of 
Lyons.  It  is  a  singular  sport,  I  am  informed, 
from  Mme.  Isaac  Periere,  and  seems  to  be  fairly 
well  known  on  the  Continent,  though  never  met 
with  in  England.  The  colour  is  extremely  variable, 
China  rose  or  lilac-rose  edged  with  yellow. 

Zepherine  Drouhin. 
A  Rose  which  has  more  than  half-a-dozen 
synonyms  ought  surely  to  be  good,  and,  as  regards 
the  above  variety,  this  is  certainly  the  case.  Here 
are  a  few  of  the  names  under  which  I  find  it 
described  in  Continental  catalogues :  Zcphirine 
Doingt,  Zephirin  Drouan,  Zipheiiae  Drouot, 
Z(5phyrine  Drouot,  Zephyrine  Druot,  Chas.  Bonnet, 
and  Mme.  Gustave  Bonnet.  According  to  Messrs. 
Nabonnand  the  correct  name  is  the  one  which 
heads  this  note.  This  Rose  was  distributed  in  1858 
by  a  Dijon  nurseryman  named  Bizot,  and  it  seems 
extraordinary  that,  considering  its  great  popularity 
abroad,  nearly  all  our  English  growers  omit  it  from 
their  catalogues.  The  last  synonym— i.e.,  Mme. 
Gustave  Bonnet — is  apt  to  be  misleading,  because  a 
Rose  of  this  name,  belonging  to  ihe  Noisette 
Perpetuals,  was  sent  out  by  Lacharme  in  1865,  and 
has  not  yet  dropped  out  of  cultivation. 


But  whatever  its  name,  this  is  certainly  a  Rose 
for  our  climate,  as  the  flowers  open  easily  and  are 
not  affected  by  wet.  As  recently  noted  in  The 
Garden',  under  the  name  of  Chas.  Bonnet  (page 
328),  it  is  deliciously  but  not  strongly  scented,  and 
a  bush  in  a  friend's  garden  this  season  has  proved 
very  free.  The  wood  is  very  smooth,  and  quite  as 
free  from  thorns  as  Mme.  B^rard  ;  the  flowers  are 
rosy  crimson,  and,  like  those  of  Mrs.  Bosanquet,  of 
semi-drooping  appearance,  while  the  foliage  is  dark 
green  and  very  persistent.  It  does  well  when 
grown  upon  its  own  roots.  One  can  but  hope  that 
some  of  these  old  Bourbon  Roses,  neglected  as  they 
now  are,  will  not  be  allowed  to  drop  altogether 
out  of  cultivation  ;  for  many  things  can  be  said  in 
their  favour,  and  among  their  number  are  several 
which  will  grow  and  flower  in  situations  where  the 
Teas,  Chinas,  and  even  Hybrid  Perpetuals  refuse 
to  thrive.  The  National  Rose  Society  might  do 
worse  than  provide  a  class  for  Bourbon  Roses  at 
their  September  show  next  year. 

Worcestershire.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 


AUTUMN-PLANTED   CUTTINGS. 

A  LARGER  percentage  of  rooted  cuttings  would 
frequently  result  from  those  planted  in  autumn  if 
means  were  taken  to  protect  them  from  frost  in 
winter  and  spring.  To  achieve  this  object  in 
winter  a  good  thickness  of  leaves  spread  over  the 
whole  ground  is  the  best  plan  one  can  adopt,  but 
they  must  be  secured  by  strings  or  sticks  or  they 
will  be  scattered  by  the  winds.  Failing  leaves 
then  Bracken  Fern  strewn  over  the  cuttings  is  the 
next  best  thing,  and  the  sooner  this  is  done  the 
better.  It  is  not  that  the  cuttings  are  tender,  but 
the  action  of  frosts  lifts  them  several  inches  out  of 
the  ground,  and  rarely  can  they  be  put  back  as 
they  were  originally.  In  spring  evergreen  boughs 
form  a  good  protection  if  these  are  cut  up  into 
rather  short  pieces  and  arched  over  the  rows  in 
order  to  protect  the  tender  growth  from  spring 
frosts.  P. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN, 


NERINES. 

ON  the  8th  inst.  we  cut  the  last  of  our 
1  Nerine  blooms,  after  a  most 
I  successful  flowering  season,  ex- 
'  tending  over  four  months,  fully 
90  per  cent,  of  the  bulbs  flower- 
ing, a  fact  which  has  amply 
repaid  us  for  the  little  time  spent  on  their 
cultivation.  No  other  genus  of  flowering 
plants  can  be  compared  with  this  for  its 
adaptability,  its  most  easy  culture  at  practi- 
cally little  expense,  and  yet  it  is  seldom  seen 
even  in  large  gardens.  Nerines  are  more 
easily  grown  than  the  majority  of  South 
African  bulbs,  as  they  can  and  will  grow 
readily  in  a  frame  where  frost  can  be  excluded. 
At  the  time  of  writing  a  batch  of  seedlings 
planted  out  in  a  cold  frame  are  growing  to 
perfection,  and  which  we  hope  to  flower  a 
season  earlier  than  when  grown  on  in  pots. 
Those  in  pots  are  now  in  full  growth,  and 
should  be  looked  over  about  twice  a  week  for 
watering  purposes.  Those  that  were  not 
repotted  last  autumn  would  benefit  by  an 
occasional  dose  of  weak  liquid  manure.  Avoid 
giving  them  too  much,  as  they  are  more  liable 
to  shrivel  during  their  resting  period.  In 
careful  watering  at  this  period  of  their  growth 
lies  the  whole  secret  of  success. 

W.  H.  Walters. 
Coleshourne  Parle  Gardens,  Cheltenham. 


CYCLAMEN  PERSICUM  GIGANTEUM. 

Cultural  Hints. 
Although  the  proper  season  is  past  for  obtaining 
the  best  results  in  the   culture  of   this   beautiful 
winter-flowering    plant,    nevertheless    seeds    of    a 
good    strain    may    now     be    sown    for    affording 


flowers  twelve  months  hence,  but  those  who 
have  them  already  up  will,  if  due  attention  is  paid 
to  details,  gain  a  decided  advantage.  No  one 
could  fail  to  admire  those  shown  by  Messrs.  Hugh 
Low  and  Co.  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society.  Some  six  weeks  ago,  before 
we  started  cutting  our  flowers  (and  when  mention 
was  made  of  them  in  The  Garden),  we  could  have 
staged  200  plants  of  equal  merit. 

Seed  Sowing. 
Seed  should  be  sown  early  in  August,  when  solar 
heat  is  an  advantage  to  quick  germination  ;  this 
should  be  for  the  main  batch.  Another  sowing  at 
this  date  will  also  prove  useful,  especially  for 
growing  on  the  second  year  after  slightly  resting 
the  corms  after  flowering  ;  but  by  sowing  in 
August  a  good  specimen  is  obtained  by  the  follow- 
ing November,  and  lasts  well  into  March.  For  the 
sowing  of  the  seeds  pans  or  large  saucers  (provided 
they  have  holes  in  the  bottom)  should  be  procured, 
and  filled  with  soil  to  the  depth  of  3  inches  or 
4  inches.  It  should  consist  of  equal  parts  of  good 
mellow  loam  and  decayed  leaf-mould,  grit,  and  a 
liberal  addition  of  silver  sand,  with  a  little  charcoal 
dust  added.  Put  the  whole  through  a  fine-meshed 
sieve.  The  seeds  should  be  placed  quite  1  inch 
apart,  as  this  saves  pricking  them  off,  and  be 
covered  slightly  with  fine  sandy  soil,  sprinkling 
them  several  times  over  with  a  fine  rose  can. 
Water  will  be  best  given  after  this  by  immersing 
them  in  a  tank  of  soft  water,  keeping  the  rim  of 
the  pan  or  saucer  just  above  water  until  bubbles 
cease  to  rise.  All  the  soil  is  then  saturated.  Two 
or  three  such  waterings  generally  suffice  during 
germination,  but  any  intelligent  person  can  easily 
discriminate  by  lifting  the  pan  as  to  whether  water 
is  required.  From  the  time  the  seeds  are  sown 
until  a  couple  of  leaves  appear  the  pans  should  be 
covered  with  sheets  of  glass,  and  shaded  during 
bright  sunshine  with  light  paper,  giving  them  cool 
pit  or  greenhouse  treatment  where  plenty  of  light 
can  reach  them.  The  period  of  germination  gene- 
rally extends  from  six  to  eight  weeks.  The  seeds 
being  up  and  glass  removed,  they  should  be 
gradually  inured  to  the  sunlight,  placing  them 
upon  a  shelf  near  the  glass,  giving  them  a  close 
and  moist  atmosphere,  slightly  spraying  them 
several  times  a  day. 

First  and  Final  Potting. 

About  the  middle  of  November  they  should  be 
placed  in  small  3-inch  ppts,  using  a  similar  compost 
to  that  for  the  seed  sowing.  Place  them  upon  the 
shelf  of  the  stove  or  any  house  with  a  brisk  heat 
and  plenty  of  moisture,  spraying  them  with  soft 
water,  if  procurable,  several  times  a  day  until  the 
cold  weather  sets  in,  when  twice  a  day  will  suffice. 
About  the  end  of  January  they  will  require  another 
move,  which  should  be  into  a  large  3-inch  pot, 
using  similar  soil  and  affijrding  them  the  same 
treatment  until  March,  when  the  smallest  corms 
should  be  given  4i-inch  pots  and  the  larger  6-inoh 
pots.  The  soil  for  this  should  consist  of  two  parts 
good  yellow  loam,  one  part  half -decayed  leaf- 
mould  put  through  a  J-inch  mesh  sieve,  the  loam 
being  broken  by  hand  to  about  the  size  of  a 
Walnut ;  add  half  a  part  of  dried  cow  manure, 
with  a  similar  quantity  of  burnt  earth  and  old 
mortar  rubble  combined,  with  a  good  sprinkling  of 
silver  sand  and  a  slight  sprinkling  of  fine  charcoal, 
and  mix  the  whole  thoroughly  together.  The  pots 
should  be  carefully  crocked,  placing  upon  the 
crocks  a  little  soot,  taking  care  to  put  some  rough 
material,  such  as  fibre  from  the  loam,  to  keep  the 
drainage  clear.  After  being  potted,  place  the 
plants  in  a  little  warmth  and  keep  close,  and 
lightly  spray  occasionally,  shading  them  during 
bright  weather  until  established,  always  keeping 
them  as  close  to  the  glass  as  possible. 

The  aim  should  be  to  get  the  corm  as  large  as 
possible,  with  plenty  of  roots  and  foliage,  and  the 
flowers  are  sure  to  come,  provided  the  strain  is  a 
good  one.  They  should  be  gradually  hardened  and 
brought  to  cool  treatment  as  the  weather  permits, 
giving  plenty  of  air  on  all  favourable  occasions. 
Avoid  cold  winds  by  opening  the  ventilators  on 
the  opposite  side  to  which  the  wind  is  blowing. 
Always  use  soft  rain-water,  and  spray  with  it  also, 
which  should  be  done  often  in  hot  weather.     Keep 


January  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


79 


a  tank  in  a  sunny  spot  for  the  purpose,  and  use  a 
light  tiffan}'  shading  rather  than  mats  during  the 
brightest  hours  of  the  day.  When  the  sun  begins 
to  decline  in  the  afternoon  they  may  be  syringed  and 
shut  up,  gradually  opening  the  house  a  few  hours 
afterwards.  This  induces  quick  growth.  Give 
them  a  watering  of  guano  water  or  Clay's,  at  the 
rate  of  a  tablespoonful  to  the  four  gallon  can,  once 
a  week ;  house  them  before  the  severe  weather 
sets  in,  and  place  them  as  near  the  glass  as  possible, 
.giving  them  plenty  of  room.  Some  of  the  best  of 
the  varieties  may  be  selected  and  grown  a  second 
year.  C.  J.  Ellis. 

Warren  House  Gardens,  Stanmore. 


^LILIES     IN    A    TOWN 
GARDEN. 

From  time  to  time  most  interesting  notes  on  Lilies 
have  appeared  in  The  Garden,  but  chiefly  from 
those  who  are  favoured  by  good  and  suitable  soil 
.and  agreeable  atmospheric  conditions.  There  are, 
however,  probably  many  readers  who  are  not  so 
fortunately  situated,  but  are  obliged  to  make  the 
best  of  a  poor  soil  and  such  weather  as  prevails  in 
•a  suburban  district.  But  even  with  such  draw- 
backs it  is  possible  to  grow  very  successfully  some 
■of  the  Liliums.  My  experience  with  their  culture 
ATX  a  town  garden  has  not  been  a  long  one,  but  so 
iar  I  have  obtained  sufficient  results  to  warrant 
my  trying  more  sorts.  No  garden  ought  to  be 
"without  Lilies,  in  even  the  most  unsatisfactory 
:garden  a  few  of  them  can  be  made  to  grow,  if  they 
jire  treated  with  intelligence  and  reasonable  care. 


CrATHUS  STRIATDS   (bIRD's-NEST  FUNGUS). 
-A. — Group  of  plants  (natural  tdze),         B — Section  of  tjounxj  plant. 

-D — Sporangia.    E — Section  of  sporangium.     F— Portion  of  same  with  basidia  aiid 
spores  (highly  magnified). 


It  is  best  to  begin  with  a  few  of  those  notoriously 
easy  of  culture,  and  gradually  to  pass  on  to  those 
more  difficult.  There  are  tew  plants  that  give 
more  pleasing  results  for  the  same  amount  of 
trouble  than  the  most  robust  of  the  Lilies. 
Provided  they  are  carefully  planted,  they  need 
practically  no  further  attention.  1  do  not  say  that 
they  would  not  benefit  by  it,  but  they  do  extremely 
well  without  it,  and  this  is  a  point  to  be  con- 
sidered by  those  who  garden  under  great 
disadvantages,  both  as  to  soil,  situation,  and  time 
at  disposal. 

My  soil  is  similar  to  that  of  most  town  gardens, 
heavy  and  poor  ;  in  fact,  such  as  would  grow  very 
few  plants  well  if  it  were  left  alone.  The  soil  gets 
very  wet  during  winter,  for  the  borders  are  not 
properly  drained  and  the  subsoil  is  clay.  However, 
in  spite  of  these  disadvantages  I  have  managed  to 
grow  some  Lilies  verj"  successfully.  In  the  first 
place,  all  the  borders  were  deeply  dug  and  some 
manure  mixed  with  them  in  the  autumn.  Then 
where  the  Lilies  were  to  be  planted  I  again  dug 
the  soil,  mixing  in  plenty  of  sifted  ashes,  which, 
of  course,  are  very  easily  obtained.  This  was  all 
the  preparation  given  to  the  borders.  When  planting 
the  bulbs  I  made  large  holes,  placing  in  them  a 
good  quantity  of  rough  sand,  which  I  incorporated 
with  the  soil.  I  practically  embedded  the  bulbs 
in  sand,  and  also  mixed  a  good  deal  of  it  with  the 
soil  immediately  surrounding  the  bulbs.  I  paid 
due  attention  to  the  requirements  of  each  Lily  as 
to  whether  they  made  stem  routs  or  not,  and 
planted  them  deep  or  shallow  accordingly.  For 
instance,  the  following  root  from  the  stem  as  well 
as  from  the  bulb  :  Auratum,  longiflorum,  speciosum, 
tigrinum,  Hansoni,  croceum,  Brownii,  and  elegans, 
while  chalcedonicum, 
pomponium,  candidum, 
and  Martagon  do  hot. 

I  planted  the  bulbs  in 
J  anuary,  simply  because 
I  received  them  late ; 
but  I  believe  it  is  much 
the  better  plan,  where 
the  soil  is  heavy  and 
likely  to  become  very 
wet  during  winter,  to 
plant  in  January  or 
February  rather  than 
in  the  autumn.  Some 
bulbs  I  have  recently 
taken  up  were  partly 
decayed,  but  we  had 
an  exceptional  amount 
of  rain  last  autumn, 
which  has  doubtless 
made  them  worse. 

The  Lily  that  has 
done  best  with  me  is 
L.  croceum  or  umbel- 
latum  (theOrangeLily). 
This  one  would  have 
expected,  for  it  seems 
to  thrive  anywhere. 
The  first  year  it  was 
good,  but  the  second 
year  it  was  much  finer, 
and  I  am  hoping  that 
this  year  it  will  be 
better  still.  Although 
it  grows  so  well  and  is 
so  common,  it  should 
not  be  despised  on  that 
account,  for  the  deep 
orange,  cup  -  shaped 
blooms  are  very  hand- 
some, and,  provided  the 
plants  are  not  exposed 
to  the  full  sun  (although 
this  does  not  appear  to 
affect  their  well-being) 
the  flowers  will  last  a 
long  time  in  beauty  and 
give  a  good  succession. 
I  believe  this  Lily 
would  grow  in  the 
most  ordinary  garden 
soil  without  any  pre- 
paration of  the  latter. 


C — Interior  oj  cup. 


but  there  is  no  doubt  that  a  little  help  is  appreciated. 
Lilium  Martagon  was  very  satisfactory,  and  so  also 
were  L.  pyrenaicum  and  L.  pomponium.  I  cannot 
understand  why,  apart  from  its  rather  strong 
scent,  L.  pyrenaicum  should  never  come  in  for  a 
word  of  praise.  To  my  mind  the  greenish  yellow 
flowers,  with  the  rich  red  anthers,  are  very 
effective.  Lilium  Brownii  served  me  in  just  the 
same  way  as  recorded  recently  by  a  correspondent 
in  The  Garden,  i.e.,  it  flowered  well  the  first 
season  after  planting,  but  since  then  has  dis- 
appeared. It  may,  perhaps,  come  up  again  this 
season,  but  I  am  very  doubtful,  as  I  searched  for 
the  bulbs,  but  could  find  no  trace  of  them. 

Lilium  tigrinum  and  the  variety  splendens 
were  remarkably  successful,  and  made  a  brave 
show.  What  a  much  finer  plant  splendens  is  than 
the  type  !  I  might  also  say  the  same  of  umbel- 
latum  grandiflorum.  The  form  I  have  under 
that  name  is  much  finer  altogether  than  umbel- 
latum.  L.  candidum  was  a  failure.  The  growth 
reached  about  12  inches  high,  then  died  off,  and 
withered  away.  L.  auratum  and  L.  speciosum  and 
varieties  did  fairly  well,  and  L.  Hansoni  was  very 
good.  This  is  strange,  as  it  had,  perhaps,  the 
worst  position  in  the  garden.  It  was  planted  in 
very  heavy  soil  beneath  some  Poplars  ;  neverthe- 
less, it  flowered  well,  and  the  bulbs  were  quite 
healthy  when  I  took  them  up  the  other  day  to 
transplant  in  better  soil.  Lilium  superbum  grew 
well,  but  did  not  bloom.  What  distinct  bulbs 
or  rather  rhizomes  this  Lily  has  !  They  are 
white,  and  the  bulbs  form  at  intervals  along  a 
thick  rhizome,  a  fact  which  makes  this  Lily 
unsuitable  for  pot  culture.  I  have  recently  planted 
a  larger  selection,  comprising  some  cf  the  more 
difficult  sorts,  such  as  pardalinum,  excelsum, 
szovitzianum,  canadense,  rubellum,  and  washing- 
tonianum. 

All  those  I  first  mentioned  were  growing 
in  the  borders  among  herbaceous  plants,  and 
most  of  them  received  a  good  deal  of  sun.  For 
these  additional  ones  I  have  prepared  a  border 
which  is  partially  shaded,  and  although  I  have  not 
used  any  peat  for  those  which  are  said  to  do  best 
in  this  material,  I  have  used  a  good  deal  of  leaf- 
soil,  sand,  and  ashes,  so  that  on  the  whole  the 
border  may  be  said  to  be  a  great  improvement 
upon  that  in  which  the  other  Lilies  were  grown. 
I  hardly  hope  for  much  success  with  some  of  the 
most  difficult  ones,  yet  in  the  light  of  past 
experience  I  am  suiSciently  optimistic  to  expect 
that  most  of  them  will  do  well,  I  am  now  going 
to  try  L.  Grayi  and  L.  Parryi.  Supposing  some 
are  not  satisfactory,  it  will  at  least  be  interesting 
to  try  and  find  out  how  far  Lilies  will  accommodate 
themselves  to  the  conditions  prevailing  in  an 
ordinary  town  garden.  A.  P.  H. 


THE  BIRD'S-NEST  FUNGUS 

The  wise  say  there  are  compensations  in  every 
lot,  probably  that  is  why  my  garden,  being 
particularly  neglected  and  full  of  damp  out- 
of-the-way  corners,  yields  such  a  plentiful  crop 
of  fungi,  in  which  I,  making  a  special  study  of 
these  humble  plants,  find  some  compensation 
for  the  deficiency  in  beauty  and  vigour  of  its 
rightful  occupants. 

Passing  by  the  moulds  that  flourish  on  the 
decaying  plants  ;  the  mildews  that  infest  the 
Roses  and  Chrysanthemums  ;  the  rusts  that 
discolour  the  Hollyhocks  and  Violets;  the 
Nectria  that  studs  the  Currant  twigs  with 
scarlet  spangle;  and  the  Agarics  that  adorn 
the  manure  heaps,  and  spring  up  around  the 
stumps  of  decaying  trees,  I  desire  to  direct 
attention  to  one  member  only  of  this  class,  an 
interesting  fungus  that  year  by  year  never 
fails  to  make  its  appearance  in  a  corner  of  the 
garden  where  some  old  cutting  boxes  have 
been  left  to  rot.  Its  name  is  Cyathus  striatus ; 
it  is  one  of  the  Nidulariacete,  and  is  known  as 
the  Bird's-nest  Fungus,  and  the  mature  plant 
is  certainly  not  unlike  a  miniature  nest  half 
full  of  tiny  brownish  grey  eggs. 


80 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  'aO,  1904. 


While  many  fungi  are  rapid  in  growth  and 
short  lived,  this  little  plant  is  slow  both  in 
growth  and  to  decay.  I  generally  notice  them 
first  in  early  autumn,  and  they  last  on  into  the 
spring.  They  appear  in  groups  as  little  buff- 
coloured  protuberances  upon  the  rotten  wood 
and  soil  in  the  old  boxes,  more  or  less  round  in 
shape,  with  a  short  stalk  and  rough  outer  skin. 
When  nearly  full  grown,  and  about  as  big  as  a 
Hazel  Nut,  the  top  becomes  flattened,  with  a 
slight  rim,  across  which  the  now  smooth  skin 
is  stretched.  This  soon  splits,  the  skin  shrivels 
and  dries  up,  and  discloses  a  cup-like  cavity. 
Then  the  rim  of  the  cup  turns  back,  and  the 
plant  looks  like  a  tiny  erect  vase  with  a 
smooth  reflexed  lip,  slightly  marked  with 
radiating  lines,  and  the  interior  half  filled  with 
rounded,  shining,  dark  grey  bodies.  These 
are  sporangia  or  spore-cases,  and  a  section 
through  a  nearly  mature  cup  shows  that  they 
are  closely  packed  one  upon  another,  to  be 
somewhat  triangular  in  shape,  with  a  convex 
upper  surface,  and  round  depression  on  the 
under  side,  from  which  springs  the  short  thick 
stalk  by  which  they  are  attached  to  the  base  or 
side  of  cup.  Further  examination  shows  this 
little  stalk  to  be  composed  of  an  infinite 
number  of  minute  knobbed  fibres,  all  twisted 
and  entangled  together  in  such  a  way  that 
when  pulled  they  will  extend  a  considerable 
distance,  and  render  the  stalk  highly  elastic. 

The  use  of  this  elasticity  is  seen  when  during 
heavy  rains  the  spore-cases  are  washed  out 
of  the  cups,  the  stalk  spreads  out  into  a 
long  wide  trail  of  fibres,  and,  by  clinging  to 
neighbouring  objects  and  the  soil,  saves  them 
from  being  washed  away  into  uncongenial 
surroundings.  A  section  (microscopic)  of  a 
sporangium  shows  an  exterior  dense  fibrous 
rind,  a  zone  of  colourless  parenchyma,  and  a 
central  mass  of  closely  -  packed  colourless 
spores. 

At  first  sight  there  appears  to  be  little 
identity  of  structure  between  a  fungus  like 
a  Mushroom  and  this  Cyathus  ;  but  they  do 
agree,  inasmuch  as  the  spores  are  in  both  cases 
formed  by  abstriction,  from  the  ends  of 
specialised  hyphte  branches  or  cells,  known  as 
basidia,  only  whereas  in  the  Mushroom  they 
are  exposed  upon  the  outer  surface  of  the  gills, 
and  are  quickly  matured  and  freely  dispersed, 
in  Cyathus  they  are  produced  loithin  a  closed 
sporangium,  which  is  again  (at  first)  enclosed 
within  the  cup-like  periderm. 

Probably  the  length  of  time  needed  for  their 
full  development  has  something  to  do  with 
these  double  provisions  for  their  protection. 
As  regards  the  ultimate  fate  of  the  little 
sporangia,  I  have  never  observed  any  fissure  or 
pore  indicating  a  rupture  of  the  sporangium  ; 
they  are  probably  washed  out  and  dispersed  a 
short  distance  by  rain,  when  the  spore-case 
gradually  decays,  or  is  eaten  by  creeping 
creatures  of  the  soil,  and  the  ripe  spores  are 
set  free.  But  no  doubt,  like  most  fungi,  the 
plant  chiefly  depends  upon  the  growth  of  its 
mycelium  for  propagation.      M.  J.  Huckle. 


GRADING     AND     PACKING 
FRUIT  &  VEGETABLES. 

(Continued  from  page  63.) 

With  green  vegetables,  such  as  Cabbages, 
Savoys,  Kale,  and  Brussels  Sprouts,  the  principal 
point  is  to  see  that  each  sample  is  uniform  and  in 
the  best  condition,  which  is  largely  a  question  of 
care  in  gathering.  For  ordinary  markets  the  two 
first  named  must  be  large  and  with  solid  hearts  ; 
for  special  sale  and  for  sending  direct  to  con- 
sumers a  smaller  size,  but  possessing  all  the  other 
essential  characters,  is  often  preferable.     Brussels 


Sprouts  should  always  be  sorted  into  two  grades, 
all  the  firmest  and  most  compact  into  one,  and  the 
looser,  rougher  Sprouts  into  another  ;  the  increased 
price  of  the  first  will  pay  for  this  in  the  majority  of 
cases.  To  Cauliflowers  and  Broccoli  similar  remarks 
apply  ;  the  most  even  and  whitest  heads  con- 
stitute the  first  grade,  the  rougher  and  discoloured 
the  second.  As  with  Cabbages,  large  heads  are 
required  in  general  markets,  but  for  the  best  sales 
moderate-sized  perfect  samples  are  the  most  satis- 
factory. 

Other  crops  pay  for  attention  in  the  same  way. 
Rhubarb  can  be  classed  in  two  grades,  the  longest, 
straightest,  and  best  coloured  forming  No.  1 
bundles.  Celery  may  be  divided  into  two  or  three 
grades,  the  heaviest  and  most  solid  in  bundles  for 
salad,  the  others  loose  for  soups.  Asparagus,  too, 
should  be  placed  in  two  or  three  grades,  according 
to  the  length,  substance,  and  blanching ;  the 
smallest  (Sprue)  for  soups  ;  all  the  best  in  bundles 
of  25,  50,  or  100,  the  last  in  larger  numbers. 
Seakale  can  also  be  sorted,  the  best  grown  and 
whitest  in  bundles  set  upright  in  baskets. 

Tomatoes  demand  the  greatest  care  in  sorting ; 
two,  three,  and  even  four  grades  may  be  formed. 
The  best  in  boxes  or  shallow  baskets.  The  most 
even  and  brightest  coloured  fruits  take  the  lead  ; 
there  is  a  special  demand  for  the  largest  handsome 
fruits  in  some  markets,  but  the  principal  general 
sale  is  for  good  even-shaped,  moderate  -  sized, 
uniform  samples.  Cucumbers  are  graded  into  two 
or  three  sizes  ;  and  Vegetable  Marrows  are  also 
sorted,  but  in  some  places  large  specimens  of  the 
latter  are  most  in  demand,  while  in  others  a 
medium  size  is  chiefly  required. 

Salading,  Like  Lettuces  and  Endive, 
can   occasionally   be    separated   into   two   grades, 
according  to   the  solidity  and  blanching  of  their 
hearts,  but  as  a  rule  a  uniform  sample  of  one  value 
is  preferable,  to  be  regulated  by  the  gathering. 

The  essential  general  rules  in  grading  vege- 
tables of  all  kinds  are  the  following  :  (1)  Exclude 
all  immature,  over-grown,  coarse,  or  defective 
specimens  from  the  leading  grades.  (2)  Make  each 
grade  as  uniform  as  possible.  (3)  Let  freshness  and 
fitness  for  use  be  the  characteristics  of  all  vege- 
tables when  consigned  to  market  or  consumers.  To 
aid  in  all  this  only  the  best  varieties  obtainable 
should  be  grown,  and  growers  should  watch  closely 
for  every  real  improvement  on  old  sorts. 
Packing  fok  Sale. 
Wherever  fruits  or  vegetables  have  to  be  trans- 
ferred a  distance  by  road  or  rail,  the  best  culture 
and  most  careful  grading  may  lose  all  their  value 
through  neglectful  packing.  That  many  of  the 
defects  in  market  consignments  are  either  due  to 
this  or  materially  increased  thereby  the  majority  of 
salesmen  can  confirm,  and  the  complaints  on  this 
score  are  as  frequent  as  those  regarding  inattention 
to  grading.  In  dealing  with  fruits  the  essentials 
for  success  are  as  follows:  (1)  Use  only  perfectly 
sound  fruits.  (2)  Pack  firmly,  without  crushing. 
(3)  Use  the  best  elastic  odourless  materials  as 
packing.  (4)  Place  all  choice  and  ripe  fruits  in 
small  quantities  and  shallow  packages. 

In  the  home  trade  baskets  are  much  more 
extensively  used  than  boxes,  and  the  most  common 
are  round  baskets  without  lids,  of  the  bushel,  half- 
bushel,  or  half-sieve  types.  They  are  strong  and 
durable,  but  are  objectionable  for  all  the  best 
fruits  as,  even  with  the  most  careful  packing,  the 
top  layers  are  liable  to  be  bruised,  and  under  care- 
less methods  they  are  certain  to  be  damaged. 
When  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Cherries,  or  Goose- 
berries are  sent  in  such  baskets  a  covering  of  paper, 
with  straw  or  other  material,  is  placed  on  the  top 
and  secured  by  cross  pieces  of  Willow  or  Hazel,  the 
points  of  which  are  forced  through  the  sides  of  the 
basket  below  the  rim.  Flat  baskets  with  lids  are 
preferable  but  expensive,  and  the  difiieulty  with  all 
these  is  that  they  must  bo  charged  for  or  returned. 
In  extensive  dealings  with  market  salesmen  baskets 
are  supplied  at  very  little  cost  to  the  producer, 
but  where  it  is  desired  to  promote  nioie  direct 
communication  between  the  grower  and  retailer  or 
consumer  some  other  method  is  preferable,  or  the 
producer  must  provide  his  own  baskets.  ■  It  would 
be   helpful  in  many  districts  if  a  local  industry 


could  be  developed  in  cheap  basket  making  ;  there 
are  few  places  where  suitable  Willows  could  not  be 
grown,  and  the  basket  making  might  be  performed 
in  the  winter  evenings.  For  useful  information 
regarding  Willows  and  Osiers  suitable  for  the 
purpose  named,  see  Leaflet  No.  36. 
(  To  he  continued. ) 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FEUIT    GARDEN. 
The  Orchard  House — Peaches  and  Nectarines. 
A  LEXANDER,  Hale's  Early,  and  Waterloo 
/%  Peaches   and  Nectarines  Cardinal  and 

/   %  Early  Rivers'  are  forced  in  pots  gene- 

/      \       rally  to  obtain  early  fruits.    These  also 
£  \_     save  the  permanent  trees.    The  orchard 

house  generally  is  not  a  forcing  house, 
but  one  of  the  most  useful  houses  in  a  garden. 
This  has  been  amply  proved  during  the  past  un- 
favourable season.  It  is  much  better  to  repot  the 
trees  every  year,  not  necessarily  giving  them 
larger  pots,  but  fresh  soil.  Any  that  have  not 
been  potted  should  now  be  top-dressed  with  good 
loam,  lime  rubble,  and  bone-meal,  ramming  well  to 
make  firm.  If  the  pinching  was  carried  out  as 
advised  last  season,  very  little  pruning  will  be 
required,  except  to  remove  any  shoots  to  keep  the 
trees  in  proper  shape.  Always  cut  back  to  a  wood 
bud.  The  trees  should  be  syringed  over  with 
Quassia  Extract,  and  arranged  at  the  warmest  end 
of  the  house.  The  varieties  should  include  the 
best  mid-season  and  late  ones.  Very  little  fire-heat 
will  be  required  during  the  early  stages  of  growth, 
and  a  temperature  of  45°  to  50°  should  not  be 
exceeded  until  they  come  into  flower,  when  50°  at 
night  should  be  given,  with  a  rise  of  10"  during 
bright  days.  Syringe  the  trees  once  or  twice  daily 
according  to  the  weather,  and  keep  up  a  constant 
circulation  of  air  on  all  favourable  occasions. 
Plums  and  Cherries. 
These  trees  can  be  started  together,  as  both 
require  the  same  treatment  until  the  fruit  is  set, 
when  a  drier  atmosphere  must  be  given  the 
Cherries.  Neither  will  stand  very  high  tempera- 
ture, 40°  at  night,  with  a  rise  of  10°  during  day, 
being  quite  sufficient  until  the  flowers  open,  when 
a  little  warmth  in  the  pipes  must  be  given.  Allow 
plenty  of  air  whenever  the  weather  permits,  and 
leave  a  little  air  on  the  top  and  side  ventilators 
night  and  day.  Fumigate  the  house  before  the 
flowers  open  if  green  or  black  fly  appears. 

Pears  and  Apricots. 

These  require  a  drier  atmosphere  than  Peaches 
and  Nectarines,  and  also  a  lower  temperature  ta 
set  the  blossoms  satisfactorily.  Go  over  the  flowers 
daily  with  a  camel-hair  pencil,  and  also  tap  thera 
two  or  three  times  daily. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  Outdoors. 

The  mildness  of  the  winter  will  bring  wall  trees 
into  blossom,  and  every  care  should  be  taken  to 
retard  them.  If  the  trees  have  not  been  untied, 
this  should  now  be  done,  leaving  them  loose  until 
just  before  the  buds  burst. 

AvRicoTS  Outdoors. 

These  trees  also  are  in  a  very  forward  condition, 
and  what  little  pruning  is  required  should  be  done. 
The  less  winter  pruning  Apricots  receive  the 
belter.  Remove  a  few  of  the  worst-placed  spurs 
from  old  trees,  and  train  in  young  wood  to  furnish 
vacant  spaces  ;  cut  back  weak  shoots.  Apricot- 
trees  are  the  first  to  need  protection. 

Impney  Hall  Gardens.  J.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Broccoli.  | 

Attention  should  now  be  turned  to  this  im- 
portant vegetable ;  the  sorts  on  the  market  are 
bewildering  and  by  far  too  numerous.  Perhaps 
it  would  be  of  interest  to  give  particulars  of  the 
selection  made  by  my  esteemed  predecessor,  who 
paid  great  attention  to  this  crop,  having  tried  a 
great  number  of  varieties.  To  stand  the  vigour  of 
our  northern  climate  the  hardiest  and  first  to  come 


January  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


81 


nto  use  after  the  Autumn  Giant  and  Waleheren 
are  over  are  Knight's  Protecting  and  Backhouse's 
Winter  White,  followed  a  little  later  by  Snow's 
Superb.  For  cutting  early  in  the  year  Gordon's 
Niddrie  Hybrid  is  found  most  suitable,  followed  by 
Leamington.  Lauder's  Goshen  White  and  Alex- 
andra make  a  good  succession.  To  finish  off  this 
crop  a  good  batch  of  Methven's  June  should  be 
grown.  This  is  perhaps  the  latest  sort  in  existence, 
of  exceptional  hardiness,  and  is  a  distinct  acqui- 
sition. In  very  severe  winters  the  plants  may  be 
lifted  and  heeled  in  in  a  sheltered  position.  This 
operation  is,  however,  not  often  necessary,  as  the 
crop  has  stood  as  planted  for  the  past  three  seasons 
here  with  good  results.  Seeds  of  this  vegetable 
shoiild  be  procured  from  the  most  reliable  sources 
only. 

Artichokes. 
The  change  in  the  weather  permits  several  items 
in  the  kitchen  garden  to  be  taken  in  hand.  Crops 
of  the  above  that  have  been  left  in  the  ground  may 
now  be  lifted.  It  is  the  general  rule  to  grow  this 
rather  cumbersome  plant  on  the  same  spot  for  the 
production  of  really  first-class  tubers.  The  ground 
should  be  well  dug  and  heavily  manured.  The  plot 
may  be  replanted  at  once  after  that  operation  has 
been  carried  out,  planting  the  second-sized  roots. 
The  larger  ones  may  be  stored  for  use. 

Leeks. 
If  extra  large  or  exhibition  Leeks  are  required 
they  should  be  sown  now.  The  Lyon  is  a  good  sort 
for  this  work.  Sow  as  advised  for  Onions  in  a 
temperature  of  55",  reducing  to  50°  as  the  plants 
grow.  The  remains  of  last  season's  crops  may  now 
be  lifted  and  laid  in  on  the  north  side  of  a  wall, 
thus  allowing  the  ground  to  be  dug  or  trenched. 

General  Remarks. 

If  any  of  the  autumn-planted  Cabbage  plants  are 
broken  or  twisted  by  wind,  the  rows  may  be  made 
up  and  a  slight  quantity  of  soil  drawn  to  the 
plants.  Cauliflowers  wintering  in  the  open  should 
be  protected  by  green  branches  of  Spruce  stuck 
thickly  round  the  beds.  Plants  in  frames  ought  to 
have  plenty  of  air  on  all  occasions,  except  during 
severe  frost.  Remove  all  dead  leaves  and  stir  the 
surface  of  the  ground  occasionally.  Remove  all 
dead  leaves  from  plots  containing  Cabbages,  Savoys, 
and  Brussels  Sprouts.  This  prevents  their  being 
blown  about,  and  gives  things  a  tidy  appearance. 

Thomas  Hat. 

JSopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.B. 


FLOWER  GAEDEN. 
Lily  of  the  Valley. 
Although  autumn  is  the  time  usually  recommended 
for  the  annual  top-dressing  of  these  beds  it  is  by  no 
means  too  late  to  do  this  now.  The  best  border 
Lilies  of  the  Valley  I  have  ever  seen  were  lightly 
top-dressed  at  the  end  of  January  with  the  clear- 
ings from  fowl  houses,  which  were  kept  well  dusted 
with  slaked  lime.  A  good  layer  of  rotten  manure 
or  a  mixture  of  manure  and  leaf-soil  will  also,  in 
most  soils,  give  good  results  ;  if  the  soil  is  heavy 
the  addition  of  some  sharp  sand  will  be  beneficial. 

In  many  places  home-grown  crowns  are  forced 
for  supplies  of  cut  flowers  from  now  onwards,  and 
in  such  places  it  is  convenient  to  take  up,  as 
required,  breadths  of  three  year  or  older  crowns. 
After  sufficient  of  the  best  crowns  are  pricked  out 
for  forcing  the  remainder  are  graded  into  two  or 
three  sizes  and  replanted.  Unless  the  old  soil  can 
be  removed  and  a  fresh  bed  made  it  will  be 
advisable  to  replant  these  crowns  in  a  fresh  place, 
and  for  this  purpose  no  place  is  better  than  a 
moist  border  at  the  foot  of  a  shady  wall.  For  the 
earliest  supply  of  outdoor  flowers  a  south  aspect 
should  be  selected.  A  light,  loamy  soil,  well 
worked  and  enriched  with  a  good  quantity  of 
manure,  will  grow  good  Lilies.  Before  planting 
the  soil  must  be  made  fairly  firm.  Any  surplus 
crowns,  no  matter  how  weak,  if  planted  in  a  moist 
spot  in  a  frequented  wood  will,  in  a  year  or  so, 
make  a  pleasing  feature. 

The  American  Garden. 
The  present  will  probably  be  found  a  convenient 
time  to  look  over  the  plants  and  shrubs  growing  in 


the  American  garden.  Where  the  standard  Rho- 
dodendrons are  grafted  on  R.  ponticum  the  stock 
frequently  makes  a  thick  growth  around  the  stem  ; 
this  should  be  kept  cut  away.  Any  that  are  not 
in  a  satisfactory  condition  will  quickly  improve  if 
a  moderate  quantity  of  manure  is  forked  in.  Many 
soils  are  naturally  suited  for  the  growth  of  these 
shrubs,  and  beyond  a  little  leaf-soil  or  peat  at  the 
time  of  planting  will  not  require  any  addition. 
If  the  soil  is  of  a  chalky  nature,  or  is  very  heavy, 
it  will  have  to  be  removed  and  a  suitable  mixture 
provided.  Where  it  can  be  obtained  nothing  is 
better  than  peat  and  leaf-soil  in  equal  proportions, 
with  sufficient  gritty  sand  to  keep  it  porous. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 
Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 

BonVARDIAS. 

Few  flowering  plants  are  more  popular  than  these, 
as  during  the  autumn  and  early  winter  months 
their  delicately  perfumed  flowers  appear  always  to 
be  in  demand.  The  finest  flowers,  perhaps,  are 
obtained  from  one  and  two  year  old  plants,  and  as 
for  a  few  weeks  now  these  will  have  been  at  rest, 
cut  their  shoots  well  back,  leaving  one,  or  not  more 
than  two,  eyes  of  the  previous  season's  growth. 
When  new  growths  are  sufficiently  advanced, 
select  a  number  of  the  strongest  for  propagation, 
and  these  will  readily  strike  root  when  inserted  in 
a  sand  bed  in  the  propagating  house  or  around  the 
sides  of  3-iuch  pots  that  have  been  previously  well 
drained  and  filled  with  a  suitable  compost,  cocoanut 
fibre,  sand,  and  fine  loam  being  suitable.  Bottom- 
heat  of  70"  to  80"  encourages  them  to  emit  roots 
early.  The  atmospheric  temperature  should  be 
about  65". 

Greenhouse  Calceolarias. 
For  making  a  show  in  the  conservatory  or  green- 
house these  are  invaluable  during  May  and  the 
early  part  of  June.  Plants  that  are  being  grown 
for  this  purpose  will  by  this  time  be  ready  for 
removal  to  their  flowering  pots,  the  size  of  which 
may  be  7  inches  to  8  inches,  and  the  best  position 
in  which  to  place  them  afterwards  is  on  a  gravel  or 
sand  bed  that  is  raised  well  up  to  the  glass  in  a 
low  roofed  house  or  pit.  For  a  few  days  after 
repotting  withhold  water  from  their  roots,  but  keep 
the  surroundings  moist  by  syringing  about  the 
stages  and  amongst  the  pots.  A  light  fumigation 
once  a  fortnight  with  XL  All  is  advisable  to 
prevent  the  appearance  of  aphis. 

Hippeastrums. 

While  it  may  be  necessarj"  to  repot  some  of  the 
bulbs  that  require  fresh  soil  or  larger  pots,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  repot  all  the  stock  annually.  The 
compost  in  which  they  appear  to  grow  and  flower 
well  is  equal  parts  leaf-mould  and  fibrous  loam, 
with  about  a  sixth  part  of  coarse  sand,  and  a 
small  proportion  of  old  mortar  rubble  broken  up 
moderately  fine.  Plunge  those  that  are  repotted 
in  a  slight  bottom-heat,  and  avoid  as  far  as  possible 
the  application  of  water  to  their  roots,  as  syringing 
to  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere  will  be  all  that  is 
required  until  growth  is  well  advanced.  The  tem- 
perature previous  to  flowering  should  not  range 
higher  than  50°  to  55",  giving  air  on  all  favourable 
occasions.  Air  also  is  required  for  plants  that  are 
growing,  and  the  temperature  should  be .  raised 
from  55°  to  60°  ;  water  with  manure  water. 

J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 


NOTES    FROM    SCOTLAND. 


Edinburgh  International  Exhibition  in  1905. 
The  decision  of  the  Scottish  Horticultural 
Association,  at  their  annual  meeting  on  the 
12th  inst.,  to  give  £60  towards  the  prize  fund  of 
the  Royal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society  for 
their  international  show  in  September,  1905,  is 
likely  to  be  much  appreciated  by  the  members  of 
the  Royal  Caledonian,  and  is  a  token  of  the  good 
feeling  which  has  for  some  time  existed  between 
the  two  societies.     The  Lord  Provost's  Committee 


of  Edinburgh  Town  Council  has  also  agreed  to 
recommend  a  grant  of  £50  from  the  Corporation 
funds  for  the  same  object. 

Tree  Planting  in  George  Street,  Edinburgh. 
For  some  time  proposals  to  plant  trees  in  George 
Street,  Edinburgh,  have  been  under  discussion, 
and  in  order  to  make  a  practical  experiment  the 
City  Parks  Committee  has  caused  six  trees  to  be 
planted  in  the  street  in  the  division  from  Hanove. 
Street  to  Dowell's  Pxooras.  Should  the  experiment 
meet  with  general  approval  the  planting  will  be 
extended,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  a 
great  improvement  in  the  aspect  of  this  fine  street 
would  be  the  outcome  of  tree  planting  all  along  its 
length. 

Forestry  in  Scotland. 
An  important  step  in  the  promotion  of  scientific 
forestry  in  Scotland  is  likely  to  be  taken  shortly 
by  the  institution  of  a  degree  in  forestry  by  the 
University  of  Edinburgh,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Scottish  agricultural  colleges,  which  has  made 
great  strides  in  practical  teaching  of  late  years. 
It  is  proposed  that  the  university  shall  under- 
take the  central  work  of  forestry  teaching,  but 
that  the  provincial  work  shall  be  undertaken  by 
the  agricultural  colleges.  The  national  import- 
ance of  the  promotion  of  forestry  in  Scotland  can 
hardly  be  over-estimated,  and  it  is  confidently 
expected  that  the  establishment  of  a  degree  will  be 
of  much  benefit. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 

MESSES.   HENEY    CANNELL    AND 
SONS,   SWANLEY,   KENT. 

*  MONG  several  flowers  the  improvement  of 

/%  which  Mr.  Henry  Cannell,  sen. ,  is  closely 

/  %         identified    with,    those   we    shall    now 

/      \       concern  ourselves  with  are  zonal  Pelar- 

I         %      goniums  and  Chinese  Primulas,  both  of 

which    are    valuable  winter  -  flowering 

plants  ;  indeed,  they  are  indispensable.     Although 

Zonal  Pelargoniums 
have  been  in  flower  for  weeks,  they  are  not  yet 
over ;  in  fact,  they  still  make  a  very  bright  dis- 
play in  some  of  the  houses  at  Swanley,  a  fact  that 
impresses  one  with  their  value  both  as  decorative 
plants  and  for  cut  bloom,  for  Mr.  Cannell  informed 
us  that  there  has  latterly  been  a  good  demand  for 
zonal  Pelargoniums  as  cut  flowers.  If  the  petals 
are  gummed  slightly  the  blooms  will  last  in  water 
for  a  long  time.  There  are  many  lovely  varieties 
among  these  plants  to-day,  a  great  improvement  in 
every  way  so  far  as  size  and  colour  are  concerned, 
and  none  who  value  brilliant  colour  in  their  green- 
houses during  the  dullest  months  of  the  year  can 
well  afford  to  ignore  them.  Take,  for  instance,  six 
new  varieties  raised  and  distributed  by  Messrs. 
Cannell  in  1903 :  Duke  of  Counaught,  with  large 
and  beautiful  magenta  flowers,  with  a  pure  white 
eye ;  Countess  of  Dudley,  a  fancy  sort,  orange- 
scarlet,  with  large  white  centre,  the  trusses  of 
bloom  of  great  size  ;  Duke  of  Bedford,  rich  red, 
with  white  eye  ;  Prince  of  Orange,  orange-scarlet ; 
The  Rev.  H.  A.  Hall,  glowing  red-crimson  ;  and 
The  Ghost,  with  large  pearly  white  blooms  of  fine 
form. 

Among  the  older  varieties,  too,  there  are  many 
of  great  merit ;  those  who  prefer  the  semi-double 
ones  (and  they  have  the  advantage  of  lasting  longer 
and  being  more  useful  for  decorative  purposes  than 
the  singles)  have  a  large  selection  to  choose  from. 
Some  of   those  Messrs.   Cannell  consider  to  be  the 
best   are  given — Mme.    Fournier  Sarloveze,  blush 
pink,  enormous  trusses  of  bloom  ;  Grenade  Poit^- 
vine,  light  scarlet,   with  large   pips ;  Jean  Viand, 
very  large,   soft  rose-pink  ;    Le  Colosse,  clear  red ; 
Gustave  Enrich,  rich  clear  scarlet ;  Mme.  Charlotte, 
a  variety  of  dwarf  habit,  salmon.     Of  scarlet  and 
orange-scarlet  semi-double    varieties  the  best  are 
M.  Alf.  Erckeiner,  a  beautiful  soft  orange  ;  Raspail 
Improved,    a  most    valuable    deep   scarlet   Pelar- 
gonium.    Of   cerise    scarlet,    Transvaal    and    Dr. 
Verncuil  are  most  to  be  recommended  ;    while  M. 
Anatole  Roseleur,  rose-pink  ;    Mme.  Grillott,  soft 


82 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30,  1904. 


rose  ;  and  Tendresse,  soft  pink,  are  very  beautiful. 
Of  deep  crimson  varieties,  Double  Jacoby  is  the 
best  •  Colonel  de  Villebois-Mareuil  is  a  fine  purple; 
Miss  G.  Ashworth  and  White  Abbey  are  the  best 
whites ;  Madeleine  Lemaire  and  Gustave  Lanson 
and  Circe  are  good  salmon-coloured  sorts  ;  while 
Olive  Schreiner  and  Mme.  de  St.  Vallieres  are 
■whites  with  Picotee  edge. 

Among  the  single  varieties  are  many  of  great 
merit,  but  we  can  only  mention  a  f  ew,e  3. ,  Princess 
of  Wales,  rosy  cerise  ;  Duke  of  Marlborough, 
intense  crimson,  tinted  purple  with  white  eye  ; 
General  French,  soft  scarlet;  Mr.  T.  E.  Green 
orange;  Lord  Curzon,  rich  magenta;  Lord 
Roberts,  purple ;  Countess  of  Hopetoun,  bright 
salmon,  with  pure  white  margins ;  Mrs.  George 
Cadbury,  salmon:  Mis.  Charles  Pearson,  orange- 
salmon';  Barbara  Hope,  salmon-pink  ;  Sir  Wilfred 
Laurier  is  white  and  vivid  magenta  ;  Mr.  Winston 
Churchill  is  magenta-pink,  with  large  well  defined 
white  centre ;  Mark  Twain  has  flowers  whose 
around  colour  is  almost  white,  and  flaked  with 
Carmine;  Mrs.  Brown  Potter  is  a  clear  bright 
pink-  Mrs.  Williams,  rose  pink  ;  Snowstorm,  Mary 
Beton,  and  Mary  E.  Wilkins,  pure  white. 

Such  are  a  few  of  the  best  zonal  Pelargoniums  of 
to-day,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  their 
superiority  over  those  of  twenty  or  thirty  years  ago 
is  largely  due  to  the  labours  of  Mr.  Henry  Cannell. 

Primulas. 
Primulas  are  slowly  yet  surely  undergoing  a 
great  change,  and  probably  it  will  not  be  many 
years  before  the  varieties  of  Primula  sinensis,  so 
largely  grown  at  the  present  time,  will  be  replaced 
by  plants  with  flowers  of  equally  rich  and  varied 
colouring,  and  far  more  attractive  inflorescence 
and  habit  of  growth.  At  any  rate,  Mr.  Cannell, 
who  has  been  engaged  in  producing  new  varieties 
of  Primulas  for  many  years,  seems  to  think  this  is 
the  case.  And  it  cannot  be  denied  that  the 
varieties  of  Primula  sinensis,  although  almost 
perfect  as  regards  size,  form,  and  colour  of  bloom, 
are  too  compact,  the  inflorescences  too  dumpy  even 
to  be  called  beautiful.  Already  the  hybridist  has 
done  much  to  overcome  this  fault  by  intercrossing 
Primula  stellata— a  plant  originally  with  small, 
somewhat  star-shaped  blooms  and  graceful  pyra- 
midal habit  of  flowering  —  with  the  Chinese 
varieties.  So  far,  the  results  appear  chiefly  to  be 
apparent  in  finer  forms  of  Primula  stellata,  and 
very  beautiful  they  are  ;  the  fiowers  are  larger,  of 
better  form,  fresh  colours  have  been  introduced, 
■while  the  attractive  pyramidal  Inflorescence 
remains.  Now  these  improved  varieties  of 
P.  stellata  are  being  crossed  with  the  best  forms 
of  P.  sinensis,  and  in  Messrs.  Cannell's  Swanley 
nursery  we  saw  the  latest  results.  The  blooms 
one  might  almost  call  perfect ;  they  are  so  elegant 
in  form,  the  outline  of  each  petal  is  so  true. 
Although  we  do  not  wish  to  see  artificial  symmetry 
in  all  garden  flowers,  there  is  no  doubt  that  some 
are  better  for  it,  and  among  them  is  the  Primula. 

There  are  numerous  new  sorts  in  Messrs.  Can- 
nell's houses,  all  the  result  of  crosses  between  the 
best  forms  of  P.  stellata  and  P.  sinensis  ;  most  of 
them  are  yet  unnamed,  so  that  we  cannot  describe 
them  individually,  but  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  they  have  come  to  stay.  The  "dumpy" 
habit  of  the  Chinese  Primula  has  to  a  great  extent 
disappeared,  to  give  way  to  an  altogether  more 
graceful  planl  with  branching  flower-stems.  When 
Mr.  Cannell  showed  us,  side  by  side,  a  plant  of  the 
old  P.  stellata  with  small,  unattractive,  pale  purple 
flowers,  and  the  latest  product  of  the  hybridist's 
art  with  large,  symmetrical  blooms  and  firm,  com- 
pact leaves,  the  enormous  improvements  that  have 
been  made  were  apparent.  Messrs.  Cannell  have 
several  very  beautiful  white  Primulas  ;  the  white 
is  quite  pure,  and,  when  this  is  the  case,  there  is 
none  more  beautiful.  It  a  so-called  white  Primula 
is  not  white,  then  its  claim  to  admiration  is  gone. 
Among  novelties  we  may  mention  Cannell's  Red 
Rover  (stellata  type),  with  clear  carmine-red  flowers 
and  pyramidal  habit  ;  Cannell's  Triumph,  also  of 
the  stellata  type,  rich  magenta  in  colour ;  and 
Cannell's  White  Spray  (stellata),  a  pure  white,  and 
the  flowers  are  very  freely  produced.  There  are, 
of  course,  many  other  varieties  of  great  merit  in 


Messrs.  Cannell's  collection;  in  fact,  they  are  so 
numerous  that  we  refrain  from  attempting  to 
enumerate  them. 

Two  Valuable  Wintek-floweking  Plants. 

We  have  rarely  seen  Coleus  thyrsoideus  and 
Moschosnia  riparium  more  finely  grown  than  in 
the  Swanley  nursery.  Both  these  plants  have 
been  discussed  a  good  deal  lately,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  when  well  grown  they  are  most  valu- 
able during  December,  January,  and  even  February. 
The  rich  blue  spicate  racemes  of  the  Coleus  and 
the  white  flowers  of  the  Moschosnia  were  very 
striking  together  ;  both  these  are  plants  that  unless 
well  grown  are  sure  to  cause  disappoiutment. 
But,  on  the  other  hand,  master  their  culture, 
•which  is  not  difficult  to  do,  and  you  will 
delighted  with  the  results. 


be 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


A' 


THE  AGRIMONIAS. 
LTHOUGH  over  fifty  different  species 
have  been  described  by  various 
authors  as  belonging  to  this 
genus,  it  may  be  safely  assumed 
that  only  a  quarter  of  that 
number  are  entitled  to  specific 
rank.  The  distinctive  diflerences  between  the 
recognised  species  are  very  small,  consisting 
mainly  of  various  degrees  of  hairiness  of 
the  stems  and  foliage,  size  attained  by  the 
plant,  and  lax  or  cro-wded  flower-spike,  as 
well  as  the  size  of  the  fruit  and  length  of  the 
hooked  spines  with  which  it  is  furnished.  A 
genus  of  hardy  herbaceous  perennials,  its 
chief  home  is  in  the  northern  temperate 
regions  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  but  it 
is  also  represented  in  South  America.  They 
are  erect-growing  plants,  with  interruptedly 
pinnate  leaves  and  usually  long  spikes  of 
yellow  flowers  with  notched  petals,  mostly 
found  on  roadsides,  borders  of  fields,  and  in 
waste  places.  While  they  cannot  be  included 
among  the  more  showy  plants  for  decorative 
purposes,  they  are  interesting  enough  for  the 
mixed  or  shrubbery  borders  and  the  wild 
garden,  where  they  require  no  special  attention. 
The  following  is  a  selection  of  the  most  distinct 
species,  all  of  which  are  in  cultivation,  but 
chiefly  in  botanic  gardens : — 

A.  agrimonioides.— The  three-leaved  Agri- 
mony is  sometimes  known  by  the  generic 
name  of  Aremonia.  It  is  the  most  distinct 
species  belonging  to  the  genus,  being  a  low- 
growing  dwarf  plant,  the  root  leaves  of  which 
are  pinnate,  with  unequal  leaflets,  while  the 
stem  leaves  are  ternate,  on  short  stalks.  The 
flowers  are  yellow,  in  leafy  panicles  somewhat 
resembling  a  Waldsteinia  in  appearance,  being 
the  largest  produced  by  any  of  the  members  of 
this  genus.  It  is  a  native  of  Eastern  Europe, 
inhabiting  rough  wooded  hills  from  the  Tyrol 
to  Macedonia. 

A.  Eupatoria.—The  common  Agrimony  is  a 
well-known  inhabitant  of  this  country,  fre- 
quently met  with  by  the  waysides  and  borders 
of  woods.  An  erect-growing,  hairy  perennial, 
having  the  characteristic  pinnate  leaves  with 
unequal  leaflets  of  oval  form,  coarsely  serrated. 
The  flowers  are  yellow,  borne  on  long  spikes, 
and  are  succeeded  by  small  burr-like  fruits. 
Having  a  wide  distribution,  this  plant  is  found 
in  North  America  and  Asia  as  well  as  in 
Europe. 

A.  k'ucantha  is  a  plant  of  doubtful  origin, 
somewhat  resembling  A.  repens,  of  which  it 
may  be  a  weak  form,  with  shorter  spines  on 
the  fruits. 

A.  odorata.—The  sweet-scented  Agrimony  is 
also  a  native  of  this  country,  but  is  not  so 
frequently  met  with  as  the  common  one,  as  it 


is  a  much  rarer  plant.  It  is  of  a  more  robust 
habit,  reaching  a  height  of  3  feet  to  4  feet, 
and  is  much  more  hairy,  with  branching  spikes 
of  larger  yellow  flowers.  These  are  closely  set 
on  the  long  spikes  and  produced  in  June, 
followed  by  larger  fruits  armed  with  longer 
spines.  It  is  generally  found  growing  in 
thickets  and  shady  places  distributed  over  the 
greater  part  of  Europe. 

A.  parviflmxi. — A  tall-growing,  erect  plant, 
reaching  a  height  of  4  feet  to  5  feet,  with 
interruptedly  pinnate  leaves,  the  leaflets  of 
which  are  narrow  and  often  linear,  2  inches  to 
3  inches  long,  with  serrate  margins.  The 
flowers  are  small  and  pale  yellow  in  colour, 
borne  on  long  spikes  in  July  and  August.  A 
native  of  North  America,  where  it  is  found  in 
woods  and  dry  meadows. 

A .  rej)ens. — The  specific  name  given  to  this 
plant  does  not  refer  to  the  stems,  which  are 
erect,  freely  branching  halfway  up  into  several 
long  spikes  of  good-sized  yellow  flowers,  closely 
packed  together.  Like  most  of  the  other 
species,  this  is  very  hairy,  with  narrowly 
ovate  leaflets.  A  native  of  Eastern  Europe 
and  Asia  Minor,  it  is  also  found  in  Spain. 
Other  species  are  A.  incisa,  from  North 
America,  with  larger  flowers  than  in  A. 
parviflora,  on  a  long,  lax  spike,  and  with 
shorter  leaflets.  A.  nepalensis  has  yellow 
flowers  on  slender  spikes,  on  erect  stems,  with 
ovate  leaflets.  A.  pilosa  is  found  in  Northern 
Europe,  extending  across  Northern  Asia  to 
Japan.  It  is  similar  to  A.  Eupatoria,  but  is 
not  so  hairy,  and  is  often  found  growing  near 
water.  A.  sororia  is  a  Caucasian  plant,  with 
a  long,  lax  inflorescence  of  small  yellow 
flowers  on  weak  stems.  W.  Irving. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


itiji, 

T 


THE    HARDINESS    OP    PLANTS. 

HE  remark  that  such  a  plant  is  hardy,  or 
only  half-hardy,  or  is  tender,  is  one  that 
is  often  heard,  but  a  proper  idea  of  what 
is  actually  meant  is  not  so  readily  con- 
veyed. The  hardiness  of  a  plant,  that  is 
to  say,  its  ability  to  withstand  the  various 
changes  of  our  climate  without  injury,  and  also  at 
the  same  time  to  look  healthy  and  grow  freely 
depends  upon,  firstly,  the  extent  of  its  adaptability 
to  our  climate ;  secondly,  constitutional  vigour ; 
and,  thirdly,  upon  its  season  of  growth.  For  present 
purposes  the  United  Kingdom  may  be  divided  into 
three  parts  according  to  the  climatic  conditions  and 
their  influence  on  plant  growth.  The  first  and 
warmest  part,  therefore  the  most  favourable  one, 
is  found  to  the  south-west  and  west  of  aline  drawn 
from  Southampton  to  Bristol,  and  then  north  to 
Flint,  passing  over  the  Irish  Sea  to  Dumfries,  and 
then  north-west  to  Ayr.  The  whole  of  Ireland, 
with  the  exception  of  the  north-eastern  corner, 
may  be  included.  The  second  and  intermediate 
part  lies  to  the  east  of  a  line  drawn  from  Southamp- 
ton to  Bristol,  and  then  north-east  to  the  Wash. 
Starting  from  the  Bristol- Wash  line,  a  line  nearly 
due  north  through  Birmingham  to  Carlisle,  would 
also  belong  to  this  second  part.  The  north-east 
corner  of  Ireland  may  be  included.  The  remainder 
of  the  country  would  belong  to  the  coldest  division. 
This  classification,  however,  must  not  be  considered 
a  hard  and  fast  one,  as  even  in  the  colder  localities 
certain  places  are  to  be  found  where  plants  will 
thrive  almost  as  well  as  they  do  in  the  warmer 
division. 

It  has  been  found  that  half-hardy  plants  sent 
from  a  warm  part  to  a  colder  one  invariably  sufier 
badly,  even  if  they  are  not  killed  outright,  though 
the  same  plants  do  much  better  if  they  have  been 
growing  in  an  intermediate  climate.  A  proof  of 
this  is  seen  by  the  plants  that  are  sent  from  England 
to  America  annually.  Two  of  these,  Andromeda 
floribunda  and  Kalmia  latifolia,  are  natives  of  the 
more   southern  parts   of  the   United  States,   and 


January  30,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


83 


they  are  found  to  thrive  better  in  New  York  and 
some  of  the  Northern  States  when  sent  out  from 
England  than  if  home-grown  plants  are  used. 
Rhododendron  catawbiense,  again,  is  a  native  of 
the  mountainous  parts  from  Virginia  to  Georgia, 
and  will  not  thrive  at  all  in  most  parts  of  the 
Northern  States,  but  hybrid  Rhododendrons, 
chiefly  catawbiense  strain,  do  well  almost  anywhere 
in  the  States.  Andromeda  japonica  and  Ilex 
crenata  are  natives  of  Japan  which  do  better  in 
America  when  imported  from  England  than  if  they 
are  obtained  direct  from  Japan  or  grown  as  nursery 
stock  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  States. 

The  season  of  growth  is  an  important  factor  in 
determining  the  hardiness  of  a  plant.  Thus,  for 
instance,  Tilia  mandschurica.  Rhododendron 
dahuricum,  and  Cercidiphyllum  japonicum  are 
examples  of  plants  that  begin  to  grow  too  early  in 
the  spring,  and  in  most  places  are  crippled  by 
frost  as  soon  as  they  have  pushed  forth  a  few 
leaves.  All  three  in  their  native  habitats  pass 
through  winters  quite  as  severe  as  an  ordinary 
English  one,  but  their  time  of  starting  into  growth 
happens  to  coincide  with  the  worst  phases  of  an 
English  spring,  when  a  few  bright  days  are  followed 
by  sharp  frosts.  It  is  not  only  the  spring  frosts 
that  cripple  plants,  but  early  autumn  frosts  also 
cause  injury  to  many  otherwise  hardy  subjects 
which  grow  late  in  the  season  by  cutting  their 
growths  before  they  have  properly  ripened.  These 
are  chiefly  coniferous   subjects,  of    which    Abies, 

Eectinata  (the  Silver  Fir),  A.  cephalonica, 
equoia  serapervirens,  and  Cunninghamia  sinensis 
are  good  examples.  These  grow  both  early  and 
late,  and  are  bound  to  get  cut  by  frost  either  in 
spring  or  autumn  until  they  reach  a  height  of  10  feet 
and  upwards,  when  they  are  above  the  frost  line, 
and  usually  escape  without  further  serious  injury. 
The  difficulty,  however,  is  to  get  them  up  to  that 
height,  as  the  leaders  are  cut  annually  and  the 
plants  spread  laterally  without  going  upwards. 

A  sheltered  spot  is  usually  recommended  as  the 
proper  situation  to  plant  tender  things,  but  I  am 
rather  doubtful  if  this  advice  is  always  correct. 
Here  we  used  to  plant  Escallonias,  Laurustinus, 
Arbutus,  and  Cupressus  macrocarpa  lutea  in  a 
sheltered  spot,  but  they  somehow  got  badly 
injured  in  most  seasons.  Now  we  grow  them  on  a 
bare  hillside,  facing  nearly  due  east,  and  though 
they  grow  less  rapidly  they  seldom  get  injured  by 
frost.  With  many  half-tender  plants,  however, 
that  get  frozen,  much  depends  on  how  soon  the 
sun  catches  them  in  the  morning,  as  if  they  are 
so  shielded  from  the  sun's  rays  that  they  thaw  out 
gradually  they  will  withstand  much  severer  frosts 
without  injury  than  if  they  were  exposed  to  the 
sun  and  suddenly  thawed. 

It  is  my  firm  belief  that  many  half-hardy  plants 
could  be  made  much  hardier  if  seeds  were  used  as  a 
means  of  reproduction  instead  of  cuttings,  &c. 
Many  of  them,  however,  will  not  ripen  seeds  in 
this  country,  but  if  they  happen  to  do  so,  as  they 
sometimes  will  in  a  favourable  summer,  then  seeds 
should  be  used  as  a  means  of  propagating  them, 
and  if  persisted  in  for  a  few  generations,  a  hardier 
race  more  suited  to  withstand  our  changeable 
climate  would  be  the  result. 

Bagshot.  J.  C. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is  not   responsible  for   the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


THE  GRAPE  FRUIT. 
[To  THE  Editor  of   "The  Garden."] 

SI  R, — In  your  issue  for  December  26,  1903, 
in  continuation  of  the  very  interesting 
article  on  "  Gardens  of  Jamaica," 
reference  is  made  to  the  Grape  Fruit, 
and  it  is  said  :  "  It  is  of  about  the  size 
of  what  in  the  East  Indies  is  called  the 
Pummeloes,  which  is,  however,  of  the  Shaddock 
species."  The  Grape  Fruit  is  now  grown  quite 
extensively  in  Florida,  and  is  increasing  in  favour 
in  our  markets.  American  authorities  call  Shad- 
docks  and  Pomeloes   (our  form    of    spelling),   or 


Grape  Fruit,  varieties  of  the  Malayan  Citrus 
decumana,  but  we  reserve  the  name  Shaddock  for 
the  large,  rather  Pear-shaped  variety,  while  the 
Grape  Fruit,  Pomelo,  or  Forbidden  Fruit,  is  round 
and  smooth,  like  an  overgrown,  pale-coloured 
Orange.  It  is  thin-skinned  for  its  size,  and  very 
juicy,  but  the  tough  skin  makes  it  ship  well.  The 
inner  rind  and  "  rag,"  or  skin  separating  the  pulp, 
is  very  tough  and  bitter,  and  this  bitter  sub- 
flavour  often  extends  to  the  pulp,  but  one  soon 
acquires  a  taste  for  it.  Americans  think  the 
Grape  Fruit  a  tonic  against  malaria,  and  it  is  a 
favourite  fruit  course  at  breakfast.  To  serve  the 
fruit  cut  across  transversely,  cut  out  the  tough 
skin  in  the  centre  with  sharp-pointed  scissors,  and 
loosen  the  sections  from  the  skin  at  the  sides  with 
a  sharp  knife  so  that  the  appearance  of  the  pulp  is 
not  disturbed.  The  half  sections  are  served  on 
small  plates,  and  the  pulp  eaten  from  the  skin  | 
with  a  spoon.  If  desired  a  little  maraschino  is 
poured  over  the  pulp,  and  a  few  preserved  Cherries 
are  put  in  the  centre  whence  the  skin  has  been  ' 
removed.  This  is  a  delicious  fillip  to  the  appetite, 
and  is  often  served  as  a  first  course  at  the  ladies' 
luncheons  so  popular  here.  The  pulp  of  Grape 
Fruit  scraped  from  the  skin  and  then  returned  to 
the  rind,  with  the  addition  of  a  tablespoonful  of 
sherry,  is  very  refreshing  and  appetising  to  an 
invalid.  The  flavour  of  the  Grape  Fruit  blends 
delightfully  with  red  Raspberries,  and  a  most 
agreeable  dessert  is  made  by  scraping  the  pulp  and 
skin  from  the  rind,  after  cutting  the  Grape  Fruit 
through  as  previously  described,  filling  the  rind 
with  red  Raspberries  and  then  pouring  over  them 
the  pulp  and  juice  of  the  other  fruit,  with  a 
dusting  of  powdered  sugar.  In  Florida  the  Grape 
Fruit  is  wonderfully  productive,  a  crop  of  sixteen 
barrels  being  reported  from  a  tree  twenty-five 
years  old.  There  are  now  several  fixed  varieties  of 
special  merit.  Mays'  Pomelo,  which  is  said  to  show 
some  admixture  of  Orange,  being  considered  among 
the  best.  Descriptions  of  warm  weather  desserts 
and  tropical  fruits  seem 
hardly  appropriate  to  our 
locality  just  now,  as  ou 
two  days  during  the  past 
week  (the  5th  and  6th 
inst.)  the  temperature 
went  down  to  18°  and 
22"  below  zero  respec- 
tively. Fortunately, 
there  is  a  heavy  blanket 
of  snow,  which  lessens 
anxiety  for  the  garden, 
but  I  think  if  my  pet 
plant  of  Stokesia  cyanea 
survives  this  winter  it 
may  justly  be  described 
as  ironclad. 

Emily  Taplin  Royle. 
May  wood,  N.J. 

[Citrus  decumana  is 
known  by  several  names : 
Pomelo,  Pumelo,  Pum- 
raelo,  and  Pomalo,  but 
Pomelo  is  the  form  com- 
monly adopted. — Ed.] 


extent  of  its  crop  during  that  period  fell  very  short 
of  many  other  cooking  varieties  cultivated,  and 
therefore  I  am  not  keeping  even  one  tree.  Though 
my  experience  is  so  different  to  "  D.  K.'s,"  I  can 
assure  him  that  Bismarck,  planted  as  orchard 
standards,  at  the  Bromham  Fruit  Farm,  Chippen- 
ham, now  so  famous  for  Chrysanthemums,  is  the 
most  profitable  and  best  Apple  on  the  red  soil  of 
that  favoured  district.  It  crops  heavily,  colours 
grandly,  keeps  and  sells  well ;  but  in  spite  of  all 
these  excellent  attributes  I  am  not  sure  that  it 
combines  all  that  is  needed  to  constitute  the  perfect 
Apple.  When  success  and  failure  become  so 
pronounced  an  Apple  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as 
perfect,  though  I  would  certainly  not  condemn 
a  variety  because  in  a  few  instances  it  did  not 
crop  well. 

Wilts.  W.  S. 


ORCHIDS. 

VANDA    CCERULEA. 

WE  grow  Vanda  coerulea  in  teak 
baskets,  suspended  near  the 
ventilators,  from  the  roof  of  a 
large  stove.  All  are  entirely 
removed  from  the  baskets  in 
the  middle  of  March,  dead  roots 
are  cut  clean  away,  and  the  plants  thoroughly 
cleansed  with  tepid  water.  They  are  replaced, 
and  the  baskets  are  filled  with  fresh-picked 
sphagnum  moss  and  pieces  of  charcoal  about 
the  size  of  a  Walnut.  The  compost  is  made  as 
firm  as  possible,  and  the  surface  is  finished  off 
with  living  heads  of  sphagnum  moss.  Water  is 
given  with  great  care,  and  only  the  surface  is 
lightly  sprayed  with  a  tine  rose  so  as  gently  to 
encourage  root  action,  which  begins  generally 
at  the  end  of  March  or  early  April  here.    When 


APPLE  BISMARCK. 
[To    THE   Editor   of 

"  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — From  this  variety 
seems  to  be  evolved  the 
nearest  approach  to  the 
perfect  Apple,  judging 
by  the  opinion  and  expe- 
rience of  "  D.  K. ," 
County  Cavan  (page  14). 
To  show  how  diverse  is 
the  experience  of  growers 
concerning  individual 
sorts,  I  would  point  out 
that  the  Bismarck  Apple 
is  so  poor  here  that  I 
have  just  headed  down 
a  twelve  year  old  garden 
bush  preparatory  to  re- 
grafting  in  spring.     The 


VANDA  CCERULEA  IN  BROUGHAM  HALL  GARDENS. 


84 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Jakdary  30,  1904. 


the  plants  are  in  full  growth  and  during  the 
summer  months  abundance  of  water  is  given, 
and  the  baskets  are  frequently  dipped.  By 
the  end  of  August  the  plants  are  not  rooting 
so  freely,  and  the  flower  spikes  begin  to  appear. 
At  this  sign  we  commence  to  lessen  gradually 
the  supply  of  water,  so  as  to  have  the  sphag- 
num practically  dry  by  the  end  of  October. 
We  endeavour  to  rest  the  plants  as  much  as 
possible  through  the  winter  months.  If  the 
leaves  show  any  signs  of  shrivelling,  we  slightly 
damp  with  a  syringe  the  outside  of  the  basket 
and  surface  of  moss,  but  avoid  saturating  the 
whole  compost. 

Briefly  stated,  such  is  the  practice  carried 
out  here  in  the  cultivation  of  this  lovely 
Orchid.  A.  Taylor. 

The  Gardens,  Brougham,  Penrith. 


BOOKS. 


THE    WEEK'S    WORK. 
Rejuvenating   CvPRiPEMuais. 

Those  blooms  that  have  been  open  for  some  weeks 
should  be  cut,  and  any  plants  in  need  of  repotting 
or  dividing  should  be  taken  in  hand  at  once.  To 
obtain  the  best  results  it  is  most  essential  that  they 
should  be  divided  from  time  to  time.  It  is  practi- 
cally impossible  to  give  fresh  material  to  the  inside 
roots  of  a  mass.  If  the  plant  is  potted  the  outer 
growth  and  roots  will  benefit,  but  the  centre  is  in  a 
degree  starved.  I  do  not  wish  to  condemn  the 
desirability  of  growing  specimens,  but  rather  the 
practice  of  allowiug  a  specimen  to  remain  a  speci- 
men. 

I  prefer  growing  them  until  the  centre  of 
the  plant  shows  signs  of  deteriorating,  and  then 
pull  it  to  pieces.  If  some  are  treated  this  way  each 
year  the  stock  of  specimens  can  be  kept  in  a 
more  vigorous  state.  Perhaps  no  two  varieties 
have  been  subjected  to  such  severe  propagation  as 
C.  insigne  Sanderse  and  C.  i.  Harefield  Hall  var., 
yet  they  produce  flowers  of  the  finest  quality,  and 
I  have  always  found  that  a  plant  that  has  adequate 
room  to  develop  each  growth  is  the  one  that  gives 
the  best  results.  A  good  compost  for  C.  insigne, 
C.  Argus,  and  other  winter-blooming  Cypripediums 
consists  of  one-half  good  fibrous  loam,  one-fourth 
good  peat,  and  one-fourth  good  leaf-soil,  well  mixed 
together,  with  a  fair  sprinkling  of  coarse  sand  and 
small  broken  crocks  to  ensure  porosity.  A  thorough 
drainage  of  chopped  rhizomes  should  be  afforded  to 
enable  the  plants  to  have  copious  supplies  of  water 
during  the  growing  season. 

Dividing  the  Plants. 

In  dividing  great  care  should  be  taken  to  pre- 
serve as  many  roots  as  possible.  After  working 
out  as  much  of  the  old  compost  as  possible,  wash 
the  roots  until  all  the  old  material  is  gone.  It 
will  then  be  found  much  easier  to  see  the  most 
suitable  places  for  dividing.  All  damaged  roots 
should  be  cut  where  broken.  When  restaging  the 
divided  plants  should  be  placed  b}'  themselves,  to 
allow  of  rather  closer  attention  being  given  them 
for  a  time.  They  will  require  but  little  water  at 
the  root  for  some  time,  but  the  compost  should  on 
no  account  be  allowed  to  remain  dry.  Keep  the 
atmosphere  moist.  The  potted-on  plants  should 
also  be  watered  with  discretion  till  the  roots  have 
taken  a  good  hold  of  the  new  compost.  These  also 
derive  benefit  from  atmospheric  moisture.  Increase 
overhead  spraying  as  the  days  lengthen.  The 
intermediate  house  temperature  is  very  suitable 
for  their  requirements. 

Amatedes 

wishing  to  make  a  start  in  Orchid  growing  could 
not  do  better  than  take  up  C.  insigne,  C.  spioeri- 
anum,  C.  Argus,  and  some  of  their  hybrids  and 
varieties.  I  have  many  times  seen  these  winter- 
flowering  Orchids  admirably  grown  in  an  ordinary 
greenhouse  ;  they  last  in  flower  many  weeks,  are 
of  very  easy  culture,  and  there  are  enough  distinct 
forms  to  make  a  most  interesting  collection.  Many 
of  them  can  be  purchased  cheaply. 

W.  P.  BODND. 
Oatton  Park  Gardeni,  Seigate. 


The  Culture  of  Vegetables  and 
Flowers  from  Seeds  and  Roots.*— No 

book  upon  the  culture  of  vegetables  contains 
simpler  directions  for  carrying  out  details  which 
means  ultimate  success  than  this  publication  of 
Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons  of  Reading.  It  is  well 
printed,  well  bound,  and  illustrations  are  inserted 
where  deemed  advisable.  The  first  portion  of  the 
book  is  devoted  to  vegetables,  and  opens  with  the 
Globe  Artichoke,  followed  by  the  Jerusalem 
Artichoke  and  Asparagus,  and  in  the  article  on 
Asparagus  occur  some  excellent  remarks  about  the 
white  versus  the  green,  though  the  authors  "on 
the  point  of  taste  .  .  .  say  nothing  ;  and  it  is  a 
mere  matter  of  management  whether  the  sticks  are 
blanched  to  the  very  top  or  allowed  to  become 
green  for  some  few  inches.  .  .  .  There  is  an  inter- 
esting point  in  connexion  with  the  production  of 
green  Asparagus,  and  it  is  that  if  wintry  weather 
prevails  when  the  heads  are  rising  (as,  unfortu- 
nately, is  often  the  case),  the  tender  green  tops 
may  be  melted  by  frost  and  become  worthless,  or 
may  be  rendered  so  tough  as  to  place  the  qualitj' 
below  that  of  blanched  Asparagus  ;  for  the  blanch- 
ing is  also  a  protective  process,  and  quickly-grown 
white  Asparagus  is  often  more  tender  and  tasty 
than  that  which  is  green,  but  has  been  grown 
slowly.  As  the  season  advances,  and  the  heads 
rise  rapidly,  the  green  Asparagus  acquires  its 
proper  flavour  and  tenderness,  and  thus  practical 
considerations  should  more  or  less  influence  final 
decisions  on  matters  of  taste.  The  business  of  the 
cultivator  is  to  produce  the  kind  of  growth  that  is 
required,  whether  white  or  green,  or  of  a  quality 
intermediate  between  the  two.  This  is  easily 
done,  making  allowance  for  conditions." 

There  is  a  most  useful  chapter  upon  "  Herbs," 
page  61.  The  following  paragraph  shows  the 
praiseworthy  nature  of  the  proffered  advice : 
"In  the  smallest  gardens  Mint,  Parsley,  Sage,  and 
both  common  and  Lemon  Thyme  must  find  a  place. 
In  gardens  which  have  any  pretension  to  supply 
the  needs  of  a  luxurious  table  there  should  be 
added  Basil,  Chives,  Pot  and  Sweet  Marjoram, 
Summer  and  Winter  Savoury,  Sorrel,  Tarragon, 
and  others  that  may  be  in  especial  favour." 

We  looked  with  interest  to  the  chapter  upon 
the  Potato,  knowing  the  great  work  this  firm  has 
accomplished  in  raising  varieties  that,  if  not 
impervious  to  disease,  are  less  liable  to  attack  than 
other  sorts.  The  following  remarks  are  truthful, 
and  show  the  right  spirit  to  regard  the  sensational 
developments  in  disease-resisting  varieties  that  are 
said  to  have  lately  taken  place  :  "  Since  the  intro- 
duction of  Sutton's  Magnum  Bonum  Potato  there 
is  a  disposition  to  believe  in  '  disease-proof 
Potatoes.'  There  is  no  such  thing  absolutely,  and 
perhaps  there  never  will  be,  any  more  than  there 
is  a  disease-proof  wheat,  or  dog,  or  horse,  or  man. 
But  some  varieties  of  Potato  are  known  to  be  more 
susceptible  to  the  ravages  of  disease  than  others, 
and  it  has  been  one  of  our  aims  to  secure  seedlings 
which  combine  the  highest  cropping  and  table 
qualities  with  the  least  tendency  to  succumb  in 
seasons  when  conditions  favour  the  spread  of  the 
fungus.  ...  To  sum  up  this  subject,  then,  we  say 
that  disease  may  be  avoided  in  the  early  crops 
by  cultivating  sorts  which  may  be  lifted  before  the 
plague  generally  appears  ;  and  on  soils  which  will 
not  produce  an  early  crop,  only  such  varieties 
should  be  grown  for  the  main  crops  as  have  been 
proved  to  be  most  capable  of  standing  uninjured 
until  late  in  the  season.  Let  there  be  a  dry,  warm 
bed,  sufficient  food,  the  fullest  exposure  to  the  life- 
giving  powers  of  light,  and  conditions  favourable 
to  early  ripening."  An  invaluable  guide  is  given, 
beginning  at  page  146,  on  "A  Year's  Work  in  the 
Vegetable  Garden,"  and  articles  upon  "  The  Rota- 
tion of  Crops,"  "  The  Chemistry  of  Garden  Crops," 
"  The  Culture  of  Flowers  for  Seeds,"  "A  Year's 
Work  in  the  Flower  Garden,"  "The  Making  of 
Lawns  and  Tennis  Grounds,"  and  "  The  Insect  and 
Fungoid  Pests  that  Trouble  the  Gardener."  The 
book  is  thoroughly  practical,  and  is  written  in  a 
straightforward  way.  There  is  no  attempt  at 
"fine"  writing.^ 


A  Flora  of  the  Island  of  Jersey.!— 

This  is  an  interesting  guide  to  the  flower  life  of 
sunny  .Jersey,  and  reveals  that  the  studj-  of  the 
flora  has  been  conscientiously  undertaken.  In  his 
lengthy  introduction  the  author  writes  :  "At  the 
present  time  Jersey  presents  six  different  kinds  of 
station,  and  each,  to  a  very  large  extent,  has  its 
own  flora,  (a)  Sandy  beaches,  sand-dunes,  and 
sandy  fields  near  the  sea  ;  (li)  granite  sea  cliffs  ; 
(c)  salt  marshes — these  have  almost  entirely  dis- 
appeared ;  (rf)  rough  moorland  and  hillsides ; 
(e)  ordinary,  cultivated,  flat  table-land  ;  (/)  shel- 
tered, moist  valleys  and  low-lying  meadows.  It  is 
worth  noticing  that  most  of  the  plants  of  South 
and  West  Europe  which  form  the  most  interesting 
feature  of  the  .Jerse}'  flora  affect  station  a."  The 
arrangement  of  the  flora  is  based  upon  Engler's  ' '  Die 
Natiirlichen  Pffanzenfamilien,"  and,  happily,  the 
author  publishes  an  arrangement  of  the  genera  of 
British  plants  in  accordance  with  Engler's  system. 
It  is  severely  technical,  and  presented  in  a  way 
that  can  only  appeal  to  the  ardent  botanist,  which 
is  perhaps  as  well.  Such  books  have  little  interest 
to  the  ordinarj'  tourist,  as  the  arrangement 
and  scanty  descriptions  are  to  him  almost  unin- 
telligible. A  meteorological  table  embracing  eight 
years  is  published,  and  the  following  remarks 
about  the  climate  are  interesting.  The  author 
writes :  "  The  climate  of  Jersey  is  mild  and 
equable.  Summer  merges  almost  imperceptibly 
into  autumn,  and  autumn  into  winter,  and  cold 
weather  is  rare  before  the  new  year.  Severe  frosts 
are  very  unusual,  and  snow  seldom  lies  long  upon 
the  ground.  The  coldest  months  are  January  and 
February,  the  warmest  July  and  August.  The 
number  of  hours  of  bright  sunshine  is  large  (1,930 
on  an  average  of  fifteen  years  ;  Rev.  H.  W.  Yorke, 
Quarterly  Journal  of  Meteorological  Society,  July, 
1899),  but  the  air  is  always  laden  with  moisture, 
and  often  feels  more  chilly  than  the  thermometer 
readings  would  seem  to  indicate." 

A  Book  About  ShrubS.t— A  capital 
little  book  about  shrubs,  with  sensible  advice  upcn 
selections  of  the  best  kinds,  arrangement  of  the 
shrubbery,  propagation,  and  other  aspects  of  a 
subject  which  is  becoming  of  increasing  importance 
in  English  gardens.  There  are  several  helpful 
illustrations. 


AMERICAN     NOTES. 


A    WINTER    BOUQUET. 

A   S  we  are  far  from  any  florist  we  must,  in 

/%  winter,  depend  upon  our  own  resources 

/    \         for  flowers  and  plants  with  which  to 

/      \        decorate  the  house.     A  few  days  ago 

y         \^     I   wanted    some    evergreens   to   make 

wreaths  and  garlands,  and  to  fill  vases 

and  jars,  in  order  to  give  the  house  a  more  festal 

appearance  than  usual :  so  I  took  a  large  basket 

and  a  pair  of  shears  and  sallied  out  to  see  what  I 

could  find  in  the  garden  and  shrubberies.     I  went 

first  to  the  rockery,  and  looked  at  the  clumps  of 

Galax  aphylla, 
the  plant  from  North  Carolina  that  furnishes  occu- 
pation in  early  winter  for  so  many  of  the  mountain 
folk,  who  gather  the  leaves  to  send  to  all  our 
largest  cities  for  holiday  decorations.  But  my 
clumps  are  too  small  and  too  newty-established. 
They  could  only  spare  me  a  few  leaves  here  and 
there.  There  are  two  varieties  of  Galax  leaves, 
tlie  green  and  the  bronze.  I  do  not  know  what 
makes  the  difference  in  colour.  Mine  belong  to 
the  green-leaved  sort ;  but  the  bronze  is  the 
prettier,  and  makes  very  effective  wreaths. 
Leaving  the  rocker}',  I  next  followed  the  path  that 
leads  to  the  Oaks  until  I  came  to  a  large  clump  of 
the  common 


♦  "  The  Culture  of  ^■eKetable3  and  Flowers  from  Seeds  and 
Koots."  I3y  Messrs.  Sulton  and  Sons,  Reading.  Eleventh 
edition.  Published  by  Messrs.  Simpkin,  Marshall,  Hamilton 
and  Co.,  London.     Price  5s.  net. 

t  "A  Flora  of  the  Island  of  .Tersey."  By  L.  V.  Lester- 
Garland,  M.A.,  F.L  S.  Published  by  Messrs.  West,  Newman, 
and  Co.,  r)4,  Hatton  Garden.    Price  63. 

J  *'  A  Book  About  Shrubs."  By  G.  Gordon.  Published  by 
John  Lane,  Vigo  Street.    Price  2s.  (id. 


January  30,  1904. J 


THE  GARDEN. 


85 


JaPASESB  EnONYMUS 
full  of  well-berried  shools.  The  glossy,  neatly 
scalloped,  dark  green  leaves  and  the  bright  berries 
presented  just  the  combination  I  was  looking  for, 
and  I  paused  to  wonder  why  this  Euonymus  has 
not  found  more  favour  with  the  dealers  in  decora- 
tive greens.  It  makes  charming  wreaths,  and 
remains  fresh  a  long  time.  It  is  true  that  this 
Euonymus  is  not  hardy  in  our  colder  States,  but  it 
could  be  imported  from  the  South  as  well  as  the 
Oalax.  My  bushes  are  not  very  large,  but  there 
are  many  of  them  ;  so  I  took  a  liberal  con- 
tribution, and  passed  on  a  few  steps  to  halt  again 
in  front  of  our  prime  favourite,  the 

Japanese  Mahonia, 

which  does  much  better  here  than  the  American 
species.  It  is  a  great  spreading  bush  6  feet  in 
height.  Its  lower  branches  rest  upon  the  ground, 
and  its  large  spiny  leaves  are  green  and  glossy. 
Its  shoots  are  terminated  by  many  tassels  of 
flower-buds,  which  hang  with  a  graceful  droop, 
giving  promise  that  thej'  are  seldom  able  to  perform, 
of  abundant  blossoming  in  early  spring.  Some  of 
these  shoots  were  added  to  the  basket.  The 
bright  yellow  wood  of  this  Mahonia  is  very  tough, 
and  it  was  prickly  work  to  cut  them,  as  the  sharp 
spines  on  the  leaves  pierce  like  needles  ;  but  I 
knew  how  effective  these  little  branches  would  be 
in  vases  and  jars,  so  I  persevered  until  I  had 
Secured  a  good  many  of  them.  The  foliage  of  this 
Mahonia  is  the  best  substitute  we  have  for  that  of 
the  Holly,  though  the  leaves  are  much  larger  than 
Holly  leaves.  The  American  Holly  does  not  find 
the  soil  here  very  congenial,  and  its  growth  is 
•exceedingly  slow.  After  reading  the  accounts 
lately  published  in  The  Garden  of  the  beautiful 
Hollies  so  much  grown  in  England,  we  are  anxious 
to  experiment  with  some  of  them,  and  hope  to 
make  a  small  planting  of  them  next  spring  ;  but 
very  few  of  the  broad-leaved  evergreens  used  in 
England  do  well  with  us.  Passing  on  into  the 
wild  garden,  the  next  halt  is  made  in  front  of 

Siebold's  Euonymus, 

a  large  bush  whose  foliage  is  almost  evergreen.  It 
is  at  least  persistent,  though  it  has  a  drooping 
and  wilted  appearance  in  the  winter.  But  the 
little  orange  and  red  berries  glow  like  fire  coals, 
and  are  thickly  clustered  all  over  the  bush.  These 
will  be  pretty  to  mingle  with  Box  and  other  ever- 
greens, and  to  decorate  the  long  sprays  of  Vinca 
minor  that  we  use  for  garlands.  The  evergreen 
Thorns  add  some  sprigs  and  branches,  but  I  look 
in  vain  for  fruit.  Some  long  sprays  of  evergreen 
Honeysuckle  are  next  secured,  and  I  search  the 
Bush  Honeysuckles  for  berries,  but  find  them  too 
much  shrivelled,  such  of  them  as  have  been  spared 
by  the  birds.  Ivy  is  rejected,  as  too  closely- 
associated  with  funerals.  The  Yucca  bank  seems 
more  promising,  for  I  know  by  experience  to  what 
use  I  can  put  the  sheaths  of  sword-shaped  leaves  of 
Yucca  filamentosa,  Y.  anaustifolia,  Y.  flaccida, 
and  some  other  kinds.  They  mingle  well  with 
other  evergreens  in  large  jars,  or  can  be  used  to  give 
foliage  to  plumes  of  Pampas  Grass. 

This  almost  exhausts  our  list  of  broad-leaved 
evergreens.  Even  the  humble  herb  bed  is  not  to 
be  overlooked  in  this  niggardly  season.  Two  or 
three  good  bunches  of  Thyme,  Sweet  Marjoram, 
and  Hyssop  are  placed  in  the  fast  filling  basket,  to 
lend  their  aroma  to  our  winter  bouquet,  and  in  a 
sheltered  corner  I  find  some  clumps  of  Lemon  Balm 
looking  almost  as  fresh  as  it  did  in  May.  My  next 
thought  is  of  bright-berried  plants.  By  the  gate  I 
find  a  group  of 

Thdnberg's  Barberry, 

with  abundant  scarlet  fruit,  and  scant  shrivelled 
folia,ge  of  dull  salmon-pink.  This  is  just  the  thing 
to  give  a  few  touches  of  colour  to  our  decorations, 
so  a  liberal  quantity  of  it  is  cut. 

Another  valuable  find  is  the  Bitter  Sweet  upon 
the  old  Cedar  trees  of  Cedar  Ledge.  I  gather  all 
that  I  can  reach,  half  reluctant  to  deprive  the 
Cedars  of  such  a  pretty  ornament.  Rose  hips  are 
now  too  much  shrivelled,  though  I  can  find  a  few 
here  and  there  still  plump  enough  to  serve  my  turn. 
The  odd  mauve-coloured  berries  of  the  Callicarpa 


are  dainty  with  their  metallic  lustre,  and  can  be 
used  with  bunches  of  Grasses  and  in  other  ways. 

Now  I  must  look  to  the  Pines  and  other  narrow- 
leaved  evergreens  to  complete  my  collection.  An 
oddly-contorted  branch  of 

PiNUS  massoniana 
delights  my  eye,  as  I  picture  it  the  sole  occupant 
of  an  ancient  dark   blue  jar  of  some  odd  Chinese 
ware,  which  is  one  of  my  greatest  treasures. 

The  Austrian  Pine  is  a  fine  cheerful  shade  of 
green,  much  better  than  our  native  White  Pine, 
which  looks  unusually  rusty.  So  I  cut  and  snip 
here  and  there  with  a  lavish  hand,  for  the  Pine  is 
large,  and  will  nob  miss  its  contribution  to  our 
festivities. 

I  pass  by  Retinosporas,  Arbor- Vitses,  Cephalo- 
taxus,  and  other  evergreens  with  only  a  critical 
glance,  for  our  hard  winters  dull  and  brown  them 
past  usefulness.     Then  1  come  to  my  favourite 

Douglas  Spruce 
to  prune  it  a  little  with  a  tender  hand.  I  love 
to  feel  its  soft  yielding  foliage,  but  the  young  tree 
is  such  a  fine  symmetrical  shape  that  I  am  afraid  of 
spoiling  it  by  a  careless  use  of  the  shears.  Now, 
although  the  White  Cedars  and  some  Spruces  and 
Firs  look  very  desirable,  my  load  is  as  heavy  as  I 
care  to  carry,  so  I  go  back  to  the  house  well  pleased 
with  my  gathering.  With  the  few  Palms,  Ferns, 
and  potted  plants  that  we  have,  including  a  fine 
Araucaria,  I  have  material  enough  to  make  the  hall 
and  living  rooms  bright  for  many  days. 

Danske  Dandridge. 
Shepherdxtowji,  Jefferson  County, 
West  Virginia,  CI.S.A. 


OBITUARY. 

MR.    HUGH    FRASER. 

By  the  death  of  Mr.  Hugh  Fraser,  nurseryman, 
Leith,  which  took  place  on  the  13th  inst. ,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-one,  as  already  announced  in  The 
Garden,  Scottish  horticulture  loses  one  who  was 
widely  known  and  deeply  respected.  All  his 
career  was  associated  with  the  nursery  trade,  but 
his  duties  necessarily  brought  him  in  contact  with 
many  private  gardeners  and  others,  by  whom  he 
was  greatly  esteemed.  All  who  knew  him  regret 
his  loss.  Mr.  Fraser  was  born  in  183.3,  in  the 
Leith  Walk  Nurseries,  then  belonging  to  the  firm 
of  Eagle  and  Henderson,  for  whom  his  father 
was  manager.  Naturallj',  with  the  tastes  he 
showed  at  an  early  period  of  his  life,  Mr.  Fraser 
elected  to  follow  his  father's  vocation,  and  began 
his  career  in  the  employment  of  Messrs.  Purdie 
and  Merlees,  who  had  at  that  time  a  nursery  called 
the  Stanwell  Nurseries,  the  offices  and  greenhouses 
being  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Bonnington 
Road  School.  Afterwards  the  business  was  taken 
over  by  the  late  Bailie  Methven,  with  whom  Mr. 
Fraser  remained.  The  development  of  this 
business,  now  so  well  known  as  that  of  Messrs.  T. 
Methven  and  Sons,  one  of  the  leading  firms  of  its 
kind  in  Scotland,  afforded  a  good  opportunity  for 
the  energy  and  knowledge  of  Mr.  Fraser,  who 
eventually  rose  to  become  traveller  and  manager. 
This  position  he  retained  with  the  full  confidence 
of  his  employers  and  of  their  clients  until  a  few 
years  ago,  when  ill-health  caused  him  to  give  it 
up.  He  took  a  great  interest  in  the  formation  of 
the  now  flourishing  Scottish  Horticultural  Associa- 
tion, and  was  long  a  member  of  its  committee,  and 
for  some  time  occupied  the  position  of  president. 
The  papers  he  contributed  to  its  meetings  were 
much  valued.  Mr.  Fraser  was  also  a  Fellow  of  the 
Botanical  Society  of  Edinburgh,  and  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Edinburgh  Field  Naturalists' 
Society.  A  lover  of  literature  of  all  kinds,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  Mr.  Fraser  utilised  the  know- 
ledge of  his  profession  in  the  preparation  of  a 
valuable  little  work  entitled  "  Handy  Book  of  Orna- 
mental Conifers,  Rhododendrons,  and  Herbaceous 
Plants,"  which  was  published  by  Messrs.  Black- 
wood and  Sons  in  1875.  It  was  a  thoroughly 
practical  book,  and,  besides  many  valuable  notes 
on  the  subjects  embraced  in  the  title,  treats  of 
other  American-flowering  shrubs  in  a  lucid  waj*. 


He  had  a  special  knowledge  of  Rhododendrons, 
Ivies,  small  shrubs  generally,  and  ornamental 
trees.  Mr.  Fraser  is  survived  by  two  daughters 
and  two  sons,  the  latter  being  in  the  United  States. 
One  who  knew  him  for  forty  years  said;  "We  were 
acquainted  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  and  we 
parted  as  we  mel^friends."  This  was  the  feeling 
of  all  who  knew  him.  A  large  number  of  friends 
attended  his  funeral  at  Rosebank  Cemetery  on  the 
16th  inst. 


MR.   THOMAS   W. 'EMERSON. 

Mr.  Thoma.s  W.  Emerson,  one  of  the  oldest  seeds- 
men of  New  England,  died  on  the  28th  ult.  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  Mr.  Emerson  was  born  in 
Windham,  N.H.  When  a  young  man  he  served  as 
a  clerk  in  the  agricultural  warehouse  of  Nourse, 
Mason,  and  Co.,  the  predecessors  of  the  Ames  Plow 
Company,  after  which  he  established  himself  in  the 
seed  business  in  Boston,  holding  a  position  high  in 
the  trade  for  forty  years.  He  was  the  best  known 
man  in  Boston  in  the  specialty  of  field  seeds,  did 
an  immense  business  therein,  was  a  member  of  the 
Boston  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  esteemed  and  popular  men  in  the  seed  trade. 
One  daughter — Mrs.  Gardner  Murphy — survives 
him. 


MR.  W.  RATCHELOUS. 

By  the  death  of  Mr.  Ratchelous,  on  the  22nd  inst., 
St.  Neots  loses  one  of  its  foremost  townsmen.  He 
was  the  secretary  of  the  St.  Neots  Horticultural 
Society,  and  also  of  the  Chrysanthemum  Society, 
both  of  which  offices  he  had  held  for  a  long  time, 
while  he  took  a  deep  and  active  interest  in 
institutions  connected  with  the  town.  He  had 
been  under  medical  treatment  for  some  months, 
but,  being  a  man  of  considerable  vigour,  it  was 
hoped  he  would  have  recovered,  but  a  quick  relapse 
set  in,  and  he  died  as  above,  at  the  age  of  58  or 
60  years.  A  member  of  a  family  always  much 
respected  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  connected  with 
gardening,  his  father  having  been  gardener  at 
Priory  Hill  many  years,  he  commenced  to  work  in 
the  garden  when  quite  young,  and  was  eventually 
gardener  at  Waresley  Park  in  the  district.  For 
the  last  thirty  years  he  had  acted  as  manager  of 
the  St.  Neots  Nursery  of  Messrs.  Wood  and  Ingram 
of  Huntingdon,  where  he  was  a  most  successful 
grower  of  Cucumbers  for  seed.  As  a  judge  his 
services  were  much  in  request.  He  acted  as  local 
secretary  for  the  Sandy  Horticultural  Society,  and 
had  been  a  judge  at  the  Sandy  flower  show  for 
many  years.  He  will  be  sorely  missed  by  his 
employers.    He  leaves  a  wife  and  grown-up  family. 

MR.  BENJAMIN  WELLS. 
The  death  is  announced  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Wells, 
nurseryman,  of  Crawley,  and  formerly  of  Forest 
Hill.  Mr.  Wells  was  found  dead  in  a  well  near 
his  house.  He  was  nearly  seventy  years  of  age, 
and  had  been  unwell  for  some  time. 


Annual    outing'    of    the     Societe 
Francaise  d'Hoptieulture.— The  summer 

excursion  of  members  of  this  society,  on  a  date  in 
June  or  July  yet  to  be  fixed,  will  be  to  East  Burn- 
ham  Park,  Slough,  the  residence  of  Harry  J.  Veitch, 
Esq.  They  will  find  much  of  interest  in  the  gardens 
there,  which  have  been  greatly  altered  of  late  years. 

East     Ham     Amateur     Chpysan- 

themum  Society.  — This  flourishing  East 
End  society,  which  was  started  in  January,  1903, 
has  proved  so  successful  that  after  defraying  the 
expenses  of  the  year's  working,  which  included  a. 
very  successful  exhibition,  the  committee  have 
handed  over  to  the  Eist  Ham  Hospital  the  sum  of 
£18  15s.  3d.,  and  carry  forward  a  balance  of 
£2  7s.  2^d.  Evidently  there  is  no  misgiving  as  to 
the  future  of  the  societ}'. 

National  Chrysanthemum  Society. 

The  annual  general  meeting  of  the  members  will  take 
place  at  Carr's  Restaurant,  265,  Strand,  W.C. , 
on  Monday,  February  1,  at  seven  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  Charles  E.  Shea,  Esq. , president,  in  the  chair. 
Agenda  :    To  receive  the  committee's  report  and 


86 


THE    GARDEN. 


[January  30,  1904. 


balance-sheet;  to  elect  a  president,  vice-presidents, 
officers,  an  auditor,  and  one-tliird  of  the  committee 
for  the  year  ensuing;  and  to  transact  such  business 
as  pertains  to  the  annual  general  meeting. 

Piedmont  Hopticultural  Society's 

Jubilee. — A  preliminary  notice  of  the  Jubilee 
exhibition  of  plants,  flowers,  fruits,  &c. ,  to  be  held 
by  the  Piedmont  Horto-Agricultural  Society,  has 
already  appeared  in  a  former  issue.  We  are  now 
able  to  state  that  the  dates  have  been  definitely 
fixed  for  May  10  to  May  25  next,  and  that  the 
show  will  be  the  first?  of  its  kind  ever  held  in  Italy. 
The  Municipality  of  Turin  has  generously  placed 
the  Valentino  Park,  in  that  city,  at  the  disposal  of 
the  executive  of  the  Piedmont  Horto-Agricultural 
Society,  and  a  very  fine  display  is  expected.  The 
show  is  intended  to  be  international  in  fact  and  not 
in  name  only,  and  the  executive  are  very  desirous 
that  any  amateur  or  professional  horticulturist  who 
wishes  shall  exhibit.  Schedules,  which  are  very 
comprehensive,  include  289  classes,  and  can  be  had 
on  application  to  the  secretary.  In  the  hope  of 
being  able  to  secure  some  material  support  from 
Great  Britain,  Mr.  Radaelli,  vice-president,  and 
M.T.  Roda,  Commissary-General,  intend  shortly 
visiting  this  country.  In  the  meantime  intending 
exhibitors  may  get  full  particulars  from  the 
secretary  direct — Rue  Stampatori,  4,  Turin,  Italy. 


SOCIETIES. 


GARDENERS'  ROYAL  BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTION. 
The  annual  general  meeting  was  held  on  the  21st  iust.,  at 
the  Covent  Garden  Hotel,  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  treasurer  of 
the  institution,  presided,  and  there  were  some  twenty-flve 
persons  present,  including  Dr.  Masters,  Messrs.  Arthur 
Sutton,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  G.  Paul,  N.  F.  Barnes,  J.  Mclndoe, 
George  Monro,  Jesse  Willard,  E.  T.  Cook,  H.  G.  Cox,  W.  Baker, 
J.  H.  White  (of  Worcester),  and  others. 
The  following  is  the  report  for  1903  :— 

Report  of  the  Committee  for  1903. 
Inpresenting  their  annual  reportand  statement  of  accounts 
(as  audited)  for  the  year  1903,  the  committee  have  the 
pleasure  of  again  congratulating  the  members  and  sub- 
scribers of  the  institution  on  its  continued  success  and 
increased  usefulness  in  aftording  relief  both  of  a  permanent 
and  temporary  nature  to  those  who,  through  sheer  misfor- 
tune, due  to  accident,  ill-health,  old  age^  and  reduced 
circumstances,  have  been  compelled  to  apply  for  its  assist- 
ance in  their  time  of  need. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  204  persons— being  fourteen 
more  than  at  the  corresponding  period  in  ihe  previous  year 
— 116  men  and  88  widows  were  receiving  life  annuities  of  £20 
and  £10  respectively.  Of  this  number  during  the  ypar 
sixteen  have  died— nine  men  and  seven  widows.  Six  of  the 
men  left  widows,  whose  eases  were  such  as  to  warrant  iheir 
being  placed  on  the  funds  for  the  widow's  annuity  of  £10, 
without  election,  and  in  accordance  with  Rule  III,  Tlie 
committee  have  also  reinstated  on  the  funds  a  former  pen- 
sioner, who  had  voluntarily  relinquished  his  pension  for  the 
time  being  on  account  of  his  alteied  circumstances.  There 
were  thus  at  the  close  of  the  year  192  pensioners  on  the 
funds,  and  the  committee  recommend  an  election  this  day 
of  twelve  additional  pensioners  to  fill  the  vacancies  created. 

They  much  regret  that  in  view  of  the  present  income,  and 
having  regard  to  prudence,  they  are  unable  to  recommend 
the  election  of  a  larger  number,  the  more  so  as  the  list  of 
candidates  shows  so  large  an  increase  on  that  at  any 
previous  election,  but  they  would  remind  the  subscribers 
that  no  less  than  twenty-eight  additional  pensioners  were 
placed  on  the  funds  in  the  Coronation  year  (1902),  which 
materially  added  to  the  liabilities  of  the  institution. 

The  special  funds,  viz.,  the  Victorian  Era  Fund  and  the  Good 
Samaritan  Fund,  are,  happily,  still  a  source  of  incalculable 
benefit  and  help.  From  the  former  fund,  £135  lOd.  has  been  dis- 
tributed during  the  year  to  the  unsuccessful  candidates  who 
had  previously  been  subscribers,  in  proportionate  amounts, 
according  to  the  number  of  years  they  had  subscribed  ;  and 
from  the  latter  fund,  whichis  for  the  assistance  of  subscribing 
and  also  non-subscribing  applicants,  no  less  than  £81  has  been 
awarded  in  tempoiaiy  assistance  in  cases  of  urgent  need, 
many  of  which  were  of  a  particularly  distressing  and  pathetic 
character.  The  grateful  letters  which  have  been  leceived 
from  the  recipients  of  aid  frum  these  special  funds,  as  well 
as  from  the  general  fund,  show  how  much  the  help  was 
needed,  and  how  gieatly  it  was  appreciated. 

The  committee  would  also  refer  to  the  generous  and 
thoughtful  kindness  of  Mr.  N.  N.  Sherwood,  a  trustee  and 
member  of  the  committee,  who  at  the  last  election  presented 
each  unsuccessful  candidate,  who  had  been  a  subscriber,  or 
the  widow  of  such,  with  the  sum  of  £f>.  Mr.  Sherwood's 
generous  liberality  proved  most  acceptable  and  was  greatly 
valued. 

The  annual  festival  dinner,  which  took  place  in  June 
under  the  presidency  of  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of 
Warwick,  was  very  successful,  and  resulted  in  a  substantial 
sum  being  raised  in  aid  of  the  funds,  and  the  committee  are 
much  indebted  to  his  lordship.  They  also  take  this  oppor- 
tunity of  tending  their  best  thanks  to  the  stewards,  collectors 
donors  of  flowers,  the  Horticultural  Press,  and  to  other 
friends  and  helpers  throughout  the  country,  who  in  any  way, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  contributed  to  the  success  of 
the  festival.    The  committee  have  likewise  to  express  their 


grateful  thanks  to  the  Earl  of  Ilchester  for  kindly  allowing 
his  beautiful  gardens  at  Holland  House  to  be  opened— on  the 
occasion  of  the  flower  show  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society— to  the  public,  part  of  the  proceeds  obtained 
therefrom  being  handed  over  in  aid  of  the  funds  of  the 
institution. 

The  several  auxiliaries,  viz.,  Bristol  and  Bath  (hon. 
secretary,  W.  J.  Harris),  Worcester  (hon.  secretary,  Mr. 
Percy  G.  White),  Devon  and  Exeter  (hon.  secretary,  \V.  W. 
Mackay),  Wolverhampton  (hon.  secretary,  Mr.  R.  Lowe), 
Reading  (hon.  secretary.  Mr.  H.  G.  Cox),  and  Liverpool 
(hon.  secretary,  Mr.  R.  G.  Waterman),  still  continue  to  be 
a  source  of  strength  and  much  support  to  the  institution, 
both  financially  and  by  creating  a  wider  interest  in  the  work, 
and  the  committee  gladly  record  their  gratitude  to  the 
hon.  secretaiies  and  local  committees  for  their  kind  and 
much-appreciated  services. 

It  is  with  deep  regret  the  committee  have  again  the 
melancholy  and  sorrowful  duty  of  referring  to  the  many 
losses  amongst  the  friends  and  supporters  of  the  institution 
they  have  sustained  during  the  past  year — losses  which  will 
be  severely  felt,  and  vacant  places  it  will  be  diflticult  to  fill. 
Nevertheless  they  feel  confident  that  the  friends  of  the 
institution  who  remain  will  not  relax  their  efforts,  but  will 
use  their  utmost  endeavours  to  fill  up  the  gaps  in  the  ranks 
of  those  who  so  kindly  and  generously  assisted  to  maintain 
the  work.  There  are  at  this  election  no  fewer  than  fifty- 
three  applicants,  and  if  only  twelve  are  elected,  forty-one 
must  perforce,  beyond  what  assistance  maybe  afforded  from 
the  special  funds,  to  which  allusion  has  already  been  made, 
wait  for  another  year  before  they  can  again  apply  for  the  aid 
they  seek. 

Their  cases  are  most  sad,  and  the  committee  sincerely 
wish  it  was  in  their  power  at  once  to  grant  them,  or  at  least 
some  of  them,  that  permanent  assistance  for  which  they 
plead  and  of  which  they  are  so  much  in  need.  The  com- 
mittee, therefore,  whilst  thankfully  acknowledging  the  help 
afforded  them  in  the  past,  very  earnestly  appeal  to  all  friends 
and  well-wishers  for  their  co-operation  in  obtaining  addi- 
tional support  for  this  national  horticultural  charity  so  as 
to  warrant  an  enlargement  of  its  beneficent  objects  on 
behalf  of  those,  in  their  days  of  need,  who  in  their  time  have 
done  their  best  to  minister  to  the  pleasures  and  necessities 
of  others. 

Balance  Sheet,  1903. 
Meceipts. 

To  balance    £1,021  19    0 

,,  amount  on  deposit 3,165  10    0 

,,  annual  subscriptions £1.580  11    3 

,,  festival  dinner 2,049  17    3 

,,  return  of  income  tax ,,. ..        63    1    0 

,,  advertisements 55  12    0 

,,  dividends  and  interest 808  10    3 


4,617  11    9 
Total    £8,805    0    9 


By  pensions  and  gratuities    £3,716 

,,  expenses  of  annual  meeting  and  election  ....        12 

,,  rent,  cleaning,  firing,  light,  &c.,  and  secre- 
tary's and  clerk's  salaries    515 

,,  printing,    including    annual    re- 
ports, polling  papers.  &c £108    7    3 

,,  stationery, includingchequebooks       26  18  11 

,,  advertisement  in  Fry's  Charities         3    3    0 

,,  festival  dinner  expenses,  £174  2g. ; 

less  dinner  chaiges,  £1U9  4s.  ..        64  IS    0 

,,  postages,  including  reports,   ap- 
peals, voting  papers,  &c 53    0    4 

„  travelling  expenses    3    7    4 

,,  carriage,  telegrams,  repairs,  and 

incidental  e.xpenses  7  17  10 

,,  bank  charges    0    6    4 


amount  placed  on  deposit    

,  balance  with  treasurer 1,022    3  10 

,,  ,,     secretary 5  12    6 


267  19 
3,265  10 


1,027  16    4 


Total £8,805    0    9 


Victorian  Era  Fund,  1903. 

To  balance,  December  31,  1902 

,,  donation,  1903 £5     5    0 

„  dividends,  1903 123  17     6 

,,  return  of  income  tax,  1903  8    1    9 


Total £276    9 


Bxjienditin'e. 

By  gratuities   £135  10    0 

,,  balance,  December  31,  1903 140  19    1 


Total  £276    9    1 


GOOD  Samaritan  Fund,  1903. 

Receijits. 

To  balance,  December  31, 1902 £lOS  13    7 


annual  subscriptions,  1903 
donations,  1903 

,  dividends,  1903 

,  return  of  income  tax  . 


£110 

65  14    0 

55    1    0 

3  19    9 


125  15    9 


Total   £334    9     4 


JExpenditurc. 

By  gratuities,  1903 £81    0 

,,  balance  in  hand,  December  31,  1903 ,.      263    9 

(Signed)  Thomas  Manning. 
T.  Swift. 
J.  Willard. 


Mr.  Veitch,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  annual  report 
and  balance-sheet,  said  although  they  would  have  been  glad 
to  be  able  to  put  nioie  applicants  on  the  list  of  pensioners, 
they  still  had  cause  for  congratulation,  for  although  the 
number  of  applicants  was  larger  last  year  than  ever  before, 
they  had  also  been  aide  to  put  on  nure  than  on  any  other 
occasion.  Mr,  Veitch  emphasised  the  necessity  of  doing  all 
they  possibly  could  so  as  to  reduce  the  number  of  unsuccess- 
ful applicants.  They  had  had  no  complaints  about  the 
alterations  in  theiules;  if  the  committee  felt  that  at  some 
future  time  the  rules  needed  further  alteration,  then  they 
would  appeal  to  the  meeting  again.  The  chairman  said  how 
desirous  it  was  that  gardeners  should  join  the  institution 
when  they  were  young,  the  younger  they  were  upon  joining 
the  more  votes  they  would  have  to  their  credit.  They  wanted 
more  money  for  the  Victorian  Era  Fund,  as  was  shown  by 
the  fact  of  there  being  so  many  unsuccessful  applicants.  Mr. 
Veitch  said  how  very  grateful  they  were  to  Lord  Ilchester 
for  throwing  open  his  beautiful  gardens  at  Holland  House  to 
the  public  and  giving  the  proceeds  of  the  admission  charges 
to  the  gardening  charities.  This  year  Lord  Ilchester  has 
promised  to  allow  a  local  hospital  to  benefit,  but  in  1905  he 
promised  that  the  gardening  charities  should  again  benefit. 
They  were  also  veiy  grateful  to  Mr.  Sherwood  for  his 
liberality  to  unsuccessful  candidates  last  year.  Thechairmao 
refeired  to  the  valuable  help  affoided  by  the  auxiliaries,  to 
whom  they  were  very  grateful.  Since  the  voting  papers  were 
issued  two  of  the  candidates  had  died,  so  they  would  ask  for 
two  others  to  be  put  on.  Also  providing  Thomas  Cridland, 
aged  74,  blind  and  unsuccessful  seven  times,  was  not 
elected  they  would  ask  for  him  to  be  put  on  the  list  of 
pensioneis.  Mr.  Veitch  said  that  he  had  been  invited  to 
preside  at  the  annual  festival  dinner  in  June  next,  and  he 
hoped  that  he  should  have  the  full  support  of  all  members 
and  friends.  Mr.  Arthur  Sutton  seconded  the  resolution 
(which  was  passed  iwiti.  con.),  and  said  he  thought  it  would 
be  a  good  thing  to  put  in  the  report  the  amount  of  money 
each  auxiliary  had  forwarded;  he  thought  this  would  act  as  an 
incentive,  and  be  productive  of  increased  help. 

Mr.  Arthur  Sution  proposed  that  Mr.  H.  J.  Veitch  be 
re-elected  treasurer  of  the  institution,  and  that  their  best 
thanks  be  given  to  him  for  his  services.  Mr.  Sutton  eulogised 
Mr.  Veitchs  services  to  this  institution,  and  said  what 
immense  help  he  had  given.  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes  seconded 
ihispropcsition,  remarking  that  the  interests  of  the  institu- 
tion were  safe  in  Mr.  Veitch's  keeping. 

Dr.  Masters  propused  the  re-election  of  the  secretary  (Mr. 
G.  J.  Ingram).  This  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Vallance  and 
carried  unanimously. 

Mr.  Baker  proposed  that  Messrs.  W.  Crump,  M.  Gleeson, 
James  Hudson,  A.  Mackellar,  R.  Piper,  S.  Segar,  N.  F- 
Barnes,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  and  W.  Y.  Baker  be  re-elected 
raembeis  of  committee,  and  that  Messrs.  J.  Mclndoe  and 
Nutting  be  elected  in  the  place  of  Messrs.  J.  H.  Veitch  and 
J.  Laing.  Mr.  G.  Monro  seconded  this,  which  was  unani- 
mously carried.  The  auditors,  arbitrators,  and  scrutineers 
of  the  ballot,  the  latter  being  Messrs.  Edmund  Monro  and 
Joseph Rochford,  were  then  elected. 

Mr.  Arthur  Sutton  very  generously  off'ered  to  give  a  year's 
pension  to  one  of  the  unsuccessful  candidates,  to  be  appointed 
by  the  committee,  an  offer  that  will  undoubtedly  bring  great 
joy  to  the  recipient. 

Result  of  the  Poll. 
Henry  Cross,  3,923;  William  Chambers,  3,545;  Abram 
StansHeld,  3,444  ;  Frederick  Smith,  3,300  ;  Eliza  E.  Doheity, 
3,297;  Richard  Nlsbet,  3,224;  Jane  Edwards,  3,186;  Henry 
Rabbitts,  3,091  ;  William  Turner,  2,966;  James  Worthington, 
2,955 ;  Richard  Skinner,  2,902 ;  Edward  Foster,  2,842 ; 
■Andrew  Armstrong,  2,838;  ^Geoige  Dale,  2,796;  fWilliam 
Smith,  2,7S4  ;  and  JThomas  Cridlaiid,  1,816. 

There  were  28  unsigned  papers  totalling  200  votes,  and 
3  papers  giving  15  votes  more  than  they  were  entitled  to. 
Votes  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  and  scrutineers  of  .the  ballot 
closed  the  meeting,  and  at  6  p.m.  the 

Annual  Friendlv  Supper 
was  held  in  the  hotel,  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton  of  Reading 
presiding.  Among  those  present  were  Messrs.  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  \V.  A.  Bilney,  Edward  Sherwood,  George  Bunyard^ 
George  Paul,  H.  "B.  May,  George  Monro,  G.  Assbee,  N.  F, 
Barnes,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  Arnold  Moss,  Peter  Kay,  S.  Segar^ 
Anderson,  Morgan  Veitch,  E.  J.  Monro,  Duncan  Tucker, 
J.  Mclndoe,  Denning,  S.  T.  Wright,  W.  Ronpell,  H.  Cox, 
G.  J.  Ingram  (secretaiy),  and  others. 

After  the  loyal  toasts,  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton  proposed 
"  Continued  Success  to  the  Institution."  Mr.  Sutton  said  that 
successful  candidates  would  by  now  have  had  news  of  their 
election,  and  would  feel  unbounded  gratitude  to  this 
institution  for  its  timely  help.  The  chairman  referred  to 
the  Prince  of  Wales's  famous  speech  at  the  Guildhall,  in 
which  he  said  that  England  must  "  wake  up,"  and  said  that 
the  gardening  public  should  wake  up  and  help  this  splendid 
institution.  At  Reading  they  had  tried  to  do  this,  and  had 
established  a  very  successful  auxiliary.  The  au.xiliaries- 
were  very  valuable,  as  they  are  a  link  between  the  committee 
in  London  and  ptople  in  countiy  districts.  Mr.  Sutton 
thought  small  amateurs  were  the  people  to  get  hold  of,  and 
he  was  glad  to  hear  that  a  leaflet  was  to  be  put  through  th& 
Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Only  £3  per 
annum  is  spent  in  advertising  the  Gardeners'  Royal 
Benevolent  Institution,  and  Mr.  Sutton  said  he  would  like 
to  make  a  special  subscription  for  advertising  its  claims,  and 
about  which  he  would  consult  with  the  secretary.  He 
thought  an  enthusiastic  committee  as  they  had  was  one 
reason  of  the  success  of  this  institution.  They  were 
tryiiiy;  to  get  all  the  members  of  their  Gardeners'  Society  at 
Reading  to  subscribe  to  the  Qardenei's  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution.  The  cbairman  concluded  by  coupling  the  name 
of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  with  the  toast. 


Total .£334    9    4 


■  Put  on  by  committee  in  consequence  of  the  death  of 
two  candidates  since  the  voting  papers  were  issued. 

t  One  year's  pension  given  by  Mr.  Arthur  Sutton,  Reading. 

1  Placed  on  tlie  list  of  pensioners  by  committee  by  a  rule 
which  gives  them  power  to  elect  any  unsuccessful  candidate 
'  they  may  choose. 


^^t. 


GARDEN 


-^r— S( 


No.  1681.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[Fkbruary   6,  1904. 


ROYAL      HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

ON  Tuesday  next  the  Royal  Horti- 
i  cultural  Society  will  hold  its 
I  annual  general  meeting.  This 
is  the  hundredth  year  of  its 
existence,  and  all  who  have  the 
welfare  of  this  great  horticultural  organisation 
at  heart  will  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  occa- 
sion, and  allow  the  proceedings  to  pass  off 
without  anything  in  the  nature  of  a  hostile 
attack  upon  an  overburdened  and  faithful 
council.  This  meeting  should  be  one  of  peace, 
and  a  hearty  vote  of  confidence  to  those  who 
govern  its  affairs  will  do  much  to  help  the  two 
great  funds  the  council  have  in  hand,  namely, 
for  the  Hall  and  the  Wisley  Garden.  It  has  been 
whispered,  though  perhaps  there  may  be  no 
truth  in  it,  that  the  formation  of  a.  scientific 
department  at  Wisley  will  be  hotly  opposed, 
in  the  belief  that  all  work  of  this  character 
should  be  carried  on  at  Kew.  We  have  the 
greatest  admiration  for  the  botanical  and  other 
work  accomplished  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  but 
we  cannot  think  that  a  scientific  department 
at  Wisley  will  cause  the  slightest  jealousy  at 
Kew,  This  department  will  be  simply  to  en- 
courage research  in  matters  afifecting  the 
garden,  diseases  of  plants  and  so  forth,  with  no 
intention  whatever  of  setting  up  an  opposition 
shop. 

Those  who  have  the  affairs  of  the  society 
under  their  control  would  not  place  themselves 
in  a  position  so  ridiculous  and  impossible. 
The  work  would  be  similar  to  that  undertaken 
in  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  Regent's  Park,  and 
the  more  we  have  of  such  organisations  for  the 
encouragement  of  scientific  study  the  better 
for  our  farms  and  gardens. 

We  are  sorry  to  find  that  Baron  Schroder 
has  been  compelled  to  issue  a  second 
appeal  on  behalf  of  the  Hall  fund.  We 
hope  his  earnest  efforts  to  reduce  the  still 
heavy  outstanding  amount  or  wipe  it  off  alto- 
gether will  meet  with  a  liberal  response  ;  and 
the  garden  also  will  cost  a  considerable  sum 
for  its  lay-out  and  up-keep.  The  more  urgent 
of  the  two  funds  is  that  of  the  Hall,  and 
visitors  to  the  annual  meeting  are  invited  to 
inspect  the  new  building. 

The  new  Hall  will  prove  a  boon  to  the  many 
special  societies  that  are  constantly  appealing 
to  the  Horticultural  Club  for  the  use  of  its 
rooms  at  the  Hotel  Windsor.  The  club  is  a 
refuge  for  various  societies  and  committees, 


and  requests  for  its  use  are  frequently  granted, 
sometimes  with  considerable  inconvenience  to 
the  members.  The  rooms  at  the  new  Hall 
will,  we  presume,  be  the  meeting  -  ground  in 
the  future. 

The  society  during  the  past  few  years  has 
flourished  amazingly,  for  the  simple  reason 
that  its  watchword  is  "  Horticulture."  It  is 
the  great  centre  for  horticultural  exhibitions, 
lectures,  and  meetings,  and  the  garden  at 
Wisley  will  represent  the  practical  side  of  its 
work  in  promoting  trials  of  fruits  and  vege- 
tables, developing  the  scientific  department, 
and  laying  the  foundation  of  a  school  for 
gardening,  managed  by  practical  men. 

We  must  confess  that  raising  the  subscrip- 
tion to  £2  2s.  will  not  please  the  country 
members,  and  the  council  may  expect  some 
opposition  from  those  who  cannot  enjoy  the 
delight  of  visiting  the  fortnightly  meetings 
and  the  great  exhibitions,  though  we  venture 
to  think  no  society  in  the  world  gives  so  much 
for  the  sum  of  £1  Is.  a  year.  The  Journal 
itself  is  worth  more  than  that,  and  it  must 
be  remembered,  to  repeat  the  words  in  the 
report,  "Free  advice"  is  given  "on  all  ordinary 
garden  subjects;  investigation  of  plant  diseases, 
ikc,  by  the  scientific  committee  ;  a  share  of 
plants  at  the  annual  distribution  ;  facilities  for 
chemical  advice,  &c." 


THE     LILIES. 


LILIUM  ELEGANS  (THUNB.). 
Var.  ateosanguineum,  the  Dark  Blood-red 
L.  elegans. — A  form  of  the  variable  var.  f ulgens, 
grows  18  inches  high,  flower-buds  and  growth 
quite  woolly,  the  leaves  ascending.  Flowers 
two  to  four,  narrow  petalled,  not  expanding 
fully,  coloured  blood-red,  heavily  spotted 
darker  low  down,  the  tips  alone  being  free 
from  spots.  Flowers  late  in  July.  Common 
in  cultivation. 

Var.  Batemannice  (Mrs.  Bateman's  Apricot 
Lily). — A  tall-growing  plant,  suggesting  hybrid 
origin.  The  stems  are  2  feet  to  3  feet  high, 
clothed  with  narrowly  lance-shaped,  recurving 
leaves,  and  bearing  four  to  six  rich  apricot- 
coloured,  widely  expanding  flowers  of  great 
beauty,  quite  unspotted,  and  arranged  in  a 
pyramidal  spike.  The  petals  are  broad, 
elegantly  recurved,  and  their  margins  are 
undulating.  A  lovely  Lily,  blooming  in  late 
August.  The  bulbs  are  large,  and  much  prized 
as  an  article  of  food  in  Japan.  Common  in 
cultivation. 

Var.  Beautijul  Star  is  a  newer  garden  form 
of  atrosanguineum  type.  Its  stems  are  18  inches 
high,  and  they  bear  three  to  six  very  large 


orange-red  flowers  6  inches  to  7  inches  across 
the  petals. 

Var.  Beauty  is  a  kindred  plant  ;  the  flowerss- 
are  of  a  paler  orange  shade,  with  reddish 
flushing  near  the  tips.  Both  flower  in  July, 
and  either  variety  is  rare  in  cultivation. 

Var.  bicolor  (Moore)  (the  Two-coloured 
L.  elegans)  is  a  dwarf  variety ;  the  seasou 
of  flowering  varies  considerably.  Stems  1  foot 
high,  flowers  one  to  three,  broad-petalled,. 
expanding  fully,  but  thin  in  texture,  the  tips 
alone  reflexing  ;  colour  crimson,  bufl'  below  ;  a> 
lilac  sheen  suffuses  the  inner  surfaces  shortly 
after  they  expand,  and  a  few  irregular  splashes- 
of  crimson  adorn  the  tips.  A  very  beautiful 
variety,  but  very  fleeting.  Flowers  in  July, 
but  a  few  stragglers  bloom  in  August  and 
September.  Its  colouring  and  season  of 
flowering  are  uncertain.  Common  in  cultiva- 
tion. 

Var.  biUjulatum. — See  var.  sanguineum. 

Var.  brevifolium  (Baker  and  Dyer).— The- 
short-leaved  L.  elegans  is  a  very  difficult  variety 
to  manage  successfully.  Its  growth  is  pre- 
cocious, and  the  leaves  and  buds  are  often 
"bit"  by  late  spring  frosts.  It  does  not  grow 
well  in  pots,  and  as  its  flowers  are  small  it  is 
scarcely  worth  cultivating.  It  grows  12  inches 
to  18  inches  high,  and  has  cup-shaped  flowers, 
the  petals  of  which  are  narrow  and  distant ;; 
coloured  a  pale  red,  and  dotted  low  down  with 
black.  Frequent  disaster  to  the  leaves  in  a 
young  state  gives  the  plant  no  opportunity  of 
building  up  large  bulbs  that  would  flower  well 
and  develop  their  true  quality.  Flowers  in 
May.     Common  in  cultivation. 

Var.  citrimim.—  ^ee  var.  armenaicum. 

Var.  coruseens. — See  var.  atrosanguineum. 

Va7:  E.  L.  Jocrg  is  a  robust,  large-flowered 
hybrid,  18  inches  high  ;  leaves  stout,  recurving, 
thickly  arranged  on  the  stems  ;  flowers  three 
to  six,  crimson,  with  a  spoon-shaped  patch  of 
yellowish  buff  in  the  middle  of  each  broad 
petal.  The  stems  often  travel  several  inches 
underground  before  appearing,  and  this  feature,, 
together  with  its  large,  deeply  cup-shaped 
flowers  and  large  bulbs,  indicates  var.  Wilsoni 
as  a  parent.  A  fine  garden  Lily,  blooming  in 
late  August.      Common  in  cultivation. 

Var.  fulgens  (Morren). — This  is  a  very 
popular  form  on  the  Continent ;  in  this  country 
we  find  atrosanguineum  stronger  and  better.- 
Its  stems  do  not  exceed  9  inches  in  height,  and 
they  bear  two  to  five  thin-petalled  flowers, 
coloured  a  brick  red,  the  petals  being  quite 
narrow  and  distant,  and  they  expand  fully^ 
A  dark  chocolate  spotting  occurs  near  the 
centre  of  each,  and  a  marbling  of  yellow  suffuses 
the  outside  of  the  flowers. 

Var .  Jiore-2}leno.  Its  double  form  is  a  singular 
plant,  with  the  stamens  partially  transformed 
into  petals  ;  this  coloured  similarly  to  the  type,, 
but  the  filling  of  smaller  petals  in  the  centre 
is  tipped  with  white.  It  cannot  be  recommended 
as  a  beautiful  garden  plant,  but  many  would 
value  it  as  a  curiosity.  It  often  finds  its  way 
to  popular  auction  rooms  as  "  the  wonderful 


•88 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Feekuaky  6. 1904- 


Bird's-nest  Lily  of  Japan,"  accompanied  by  a 
very  lavish  description  of  its  beauty,  and  some 
romantic  accounts  of  its  origin.  Common  in 
cultivation.     Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  llorsmanii  (Horsman's  L.  elegans)  is 
a  very  richly-coloured  form,  now  very  rare. 
The  plant  is  none  too  vigorous,  htnce  its 
scarcity  ;  the  fiowers  expand  fully,  their  petals 
being  broad  and  spoon-shaped,  highly  polished, 
and  their  colour  is  the  deepest  crimson-maroon 
imaginable.  A  splendid  variety,  but  almost 
extinct.  Kare  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in 
July. 

Var.  Kikak. — See  alutaoeum  and  marmora- 
tum. 

Var.  marmomtum  (the  Mottled  L.  el  eg  ins) 
is  an  old  variety,  one  of  the  earlier  torms 
introduced  from  Japan.  It  grows  10  inches 
high,  and  bears  two  to  four  deep  crimson  broad- 
petalled  flowers  6  inches  across,  tipped  and 
spangled  yellow  on  the  inner  surfaces,  the  outer 
colouring  being  yellowish  buff  and  quite  unde- 
cided, and  the  whole  plant  is  woolly. 

Var.  miirmoratuni  aureum  (the  Golden 
Mottled  L.  elegans)  =  var.  robastum  is  a  Lily 
of  strong  growth,  and  densely  covered  with  a 
silky  covering  in  a  young  state.  Its  stems  are 
18  inches  high,  and  they  bear  three  to  six 
broad-petalled  flowers  that  expand  widely  and 
are  yellow  in  colour,  densely  spotted  from  tip 
to  base  with  deep  red  ;  a  few  flecks  of  red  and 
a  little  deeper  shading  occur  on  the  outside. 
Heavy  rains  at  the  time  of  flowering  bleach 
the  petals  badly.  It  grows  very  _  freely  and 
increases  fast,  and  its  colouring  is  brightest 
when  the  plants  grow  in  peat  or  heath  soil. 
Very  common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  June 
and  July.  G.  B.  Mallett. 

(To  be  continued.) 


brilliant  scarlet  flowers.  These  are  produced  from 
tlie  axils  of  the  leaves  on  long  foot-stalks,  and,  to 
use  a  familiar  illustration,  remind  one  in  form  of 
the  blooms  of  a  Foxglove,  with  the  long  style  pro- 
truding from  the  n)outh  of  the  tube.  The  leaves 
are  small,  and  of  a  pretty  green.  It  usually  begins 
to  bloom  late  in  Ma}',  and  may  continue  until  July 
if  the  weather  is  favourable.  A  good,  well- 
established  plant  will  grow  to  3  feet  or  4  feet  in 
height.  In  the  districts  already  mentioned  the 
Mitraria  may  be  cultivated  against  a  wall,  but  it 
prefers  some  shade,  so  that  this  should  be  studied 
in  planting.  In  especially  favoured  localities  it 
may  be  cultivated  as  a  bush,  but  this  is  not  prudent 
everywhere.  It  likes  a  soil  of  good  turfy  peat  and 
loam,  either  in  the  open  or  when  grown  in  pots. 
It  dislikes  an  arid  atmosphere,  either  in  the  open 
or  under  glass.  Mitraria  coccinea  is  more  easily 
propagated  than  many  other  plants  of  shrubby 
habit,  as  it  may  be  increased  by  dividing  the  roots 
in  spring,  or  by  cuttings  struck  under  a  bell-glass 
in  light  soil  in  summer.  It  is  a  shrub  which 
especially  deserves  some  notice  at  the  hands  of 
those  whose  gardens  are  situated  in  the  warmer 
parts  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  no  one  who 
succeeds  with  it  will  ever  regret  its  possession. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


TEUCRIUM    FRUTICANS. 

ONE  can  hardly  think  that  "  S.  G.  R." 
L  will  find  Teucrium  frutieans  a  suit- 
I  able  shrub  for  his  group  of  blue 
'  plants.  For  one  thing,  it  is  not 
bright  enough  to  be  called  a  real 
blue,  and  the  silvery  appearance  of 
the  under  sides  of  the  leaves,  the  greyness  of  the 
upper  part  of  the  foliage,  and  the  pale  colour  of 
the  flowers  would  make  it  more  suitable  for  a 
■"grey  garden."  Then,  with  me  it  has  never 
assumed  a  true,  erect  habit,  although  this  may  be 
partly  owing  to  its  being  occasionally  cut  back  by 
frosts.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  it  elsewhere  it 
appears  to  be  more  suitable  for  a  wall  than  for 
planting  in  the  open.  I  have  had  it  here  for  several 
years.  It  is  pretty  in  every  way,  but  hardly  what 
is  wanted  by  your  correspondent. 


GALANTHUS    CILICICUS    AND 
G.   OCTOBRENSIS. 

This  handsome  Snowdrop  flowered  here  in  the 
autumn  of  1902  from  bulbs  imported  that  year  from 
its  native  habitats,  but  this  year  the  same  bulbs  did 
not  bloom  until  about  the  same  time  as  those  of 
your  correspondent  "  F.  H.  C."  Many  newly 
imported  bulbs  flower  earlier  the  first  season  than 
in  succeeding  ones,  and  thus  it  is  hardly  prudent 
to  expect  that  G.  cilieicus  will  again  bloom  in 
November  with  us.  At  the  same  time,  it  may  be 
noted  that  in  its  native  habitats  G.  cilieicus  is  in 
flower  from  November  to  March.  As  you  remark 
in  your  editorial  note,  G.  cilieicus  is  a  species  from 
Oilicia,  and  G.  octobrensis  a  variety  of  the  common 
Snowdrop.  G.  octobrensis  has  the  white  line  down 
the  centre  of  the  leaf,  which  distinguishes  most  of 
the  autumn-flowering  varieties  of  G.  nivalis  from 
those  which  bloom  in  spring.  My  experience  of 
these  autumn  Snowdrops  is  that  they  are  gradually 
assuming  the  habits  of  the  common  Snowdrops, 
and  bloom  later  and  later  almost  each  year.  Even 
in  the  United  States  they  seem  to  he  adopting  the 
same  habit,  as  Mr.  J.  N.  Gerard  of  New  Jersey  has 
a  remark  to  this  effect  in  a  recent  issue  of  Country 
Lifii  in  America.  S.   Aknott. 

Cartethorn,  by  Dumfries,  N.B. 


Fellows  attending  the  meeting  are  invited  to 
inspect  the  new  Hall  now  building  in  Vincent 
Square.  At  a  general  meeting  held  on  Tuesday, 
the  '20lh  ult. ,  119  new  Fellows  were  elected, 
amongst  them  being  Lady  Hindlip,  Lady  Wynford, 
and  Sir  John  Aird,  M.P.,  making  a  total  of  172 
elected  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  year. 

The  Royal    Hoptieultural  Society 

and  the  tPade. — We  understand  that  since 
the  issue  of  the  Ro3'al  Horticultural  Society's 
report,  and  the  issue  of  an  appeal  for  funds  for  the 
new  Hall  by  Baron  Schroder,  the  society's  offices 
have  been  bombarded  with  letters  to  the  following 
eflfect :  "  May  I  express  a  hope  that  those  members 
of  the  trade  who  make  such  liberal  use  of  the 
society,  either  at  the  Hall,  or  at  the  Temple,  or 
Holland  House,  for  their  exhibits,  should  be  called 
upon  either  to  support  the  funds  in  a  handsome 
manner  directly,  or  be  made  to  do  so  indirectly  by 
having  in  future  to  pay  for  all  space  allotted  to  them 
at  shows.  For  I  have  noticed  in  looking  over  the 
subscription  list  for  the  new  Hall  that  several  who 
are  most  constant  and  liberal  in  their  application 
for  space  for  their  exhibits  are  equally  conspicuous 
by  the  absence  of  their  names  from  the  list  of 
subscribers." 

Rainfall  in  1903. —  I  have  sent  you  the 
rainfall  taken  in  these  trardens.  I  began  to  make 
notes  in  the  year  1S79,  but  1903  is  by  far  the 
greatest  fall  for  twelve  months.  The  average  for 
this  part  in  fifty  years  is  24'95  for  the  twelve 
months,  but  in  1903  we  got  41 '14  for  the  year,  and 
171  days  on  which  more  or  less  rain  fell, 

Ti/tal         Greatest  fait    Kuwber  "/ 
depth.  in  :.'/t  holtris.        dajis  on 

Month.  tvhich  -01  ur 

Inches.      Depth.      Date,  more/ell. 
. .       2-74 
1-40 
..       3-72 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


MITKARIA   COCCINEA 

In  some  respects  gardeners  are  fortunate  whose  lot 
is  cast  in  the  warmer  districts  of  the  kingdom,  for 
they  can  hope  to  cultivate  in  the  open  air  many 
(plants  which  those  in  the  colder  parts  can  only 
induce  to  grow  when  under  the  protection  of  glass. 
That  this  IS  a  great  advantage  few  will  gainsay,  as 
in  the  open  these  plants  often  look  more  at  home, 
and  are  less  liable  to  the  attacks  of  pests  than 
when  under  glass.  Among  the  plants  which  are 
unmanageable  in  the  open  air  in  the  greater  part 
of  these  isles,  but  which  thrive  in  such  parts  as  the 
Kxeter  and  coast  districts  of  Devonshire  or  Corn- 
wall, the  south  of  Ireland,  and  in  a  few  places  in 
the  west  of  Scotland,  such  as  at  Inverewe  Poolewe, 
is  Mitraria  coccinea,  which  is  not  only  well  worth 
growing  in  these  favoured  districts,  but  deserves 
the  protection  of  glass  in  colder  places.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  brilliant  of  a  number  of  showy  plants 
•which  have  come  to  us  from  Chili  and  its  depen- 
■dencies.     It  is  a  handsome  evergreen  shrub  with 


FORTHUOxMING  EVENTS. 

February  8. — United  Horticultural  Benefit  and 
Provident  Society  Committee  Meeting. 

February  9. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting  ;  Annual  Meeting  at  3  p.m.  ;  Horti- 
cultural Club  Annual  Meeting,  5  p.m..  Annual 
Dinner,  6  p.m.  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  chair- 
man of  the  club,  will  preside. 

February  10. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

February  12. — Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund 
Annual  General  Meeting. 

Februarj'  23. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Drill  Hall  Meeting,  12  noon. 

March  8. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

March  9.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

The    Hopticultupal    Hall    Fund.— 

Baron  Sir  Henry  SehiiiJer,  Ban.,  has  issued  a 
second  appeal  to  those  who  have  not  subscribed  to 
the  Hall  fund,  and  we  hope  the  response  will  be  a 
liberal  one. 

Royal  Hopticultupal   Society.— The 

next  meeting  of  the  committees  will  lake  place  on 
Tuesday  next,  the  9th  inst.,  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buck- 
ingham Gate,  Westminster.  The  annual  general 
meeting  of  the  Fellows  of  the  society  will  also  be 
held  in  the  Drill  Hall  at  3  p.m.  on  the  same  date. 


January     . . 

Kebruary  . . 

March 

April 

Jlay 

June 

July 

AuKUSt 

September 

October 

I*luvember 

December 


Year 


2  32 
314 
B69 
319 
3-29 
2-2S 
7 -90 

1  94 

2  63 

41-14 


Depth. 
•64 
•38 
•52 
•03 
•1)2 
1"35 
■74 
•75 
■53 
1^15 
•87 
•76 


6 
28 

3 
16 
23 
11 
10 


17 
9 
19 
12 
15 
9 
12 
19 
13 


— W'.  J.  TowNSEND,  The  Oardens,  Sandhur.st  Lodge, 
Wellington  College  Station. 

The  annual  New  Year  gatheping 

of  the  employees  of  Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son,  Lower 
Edmonton,  took  place  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  J.  E. 
Hill  on  the  21st  ult.,  when  about  thirty  were 
entertained  to  dinner.  After  the  toast  of  the  firm 
had  been  enthusiastically  honoured,  Mr.  Hill 
referred  to  the  anxiety  caused  during  the  past  year 
by  the  floods.  Mr.  Hill  acknowledged  his  indebted- 
ness to  the  men  who  so  willingly  and  cheerfully 
helped  him  to  overcome  the  difficulties  they  had 
experienced  from  time  to  time.  He  believed  that 
1904  would  turn  out  better  than  1903,  and,  with 
their  help,  hoped  the  firm  would  surpass  all 
previous  years.  Remarks  were  also  made  by  Mr. 
J.  Maton,  Mr.  Worthington,  and  Mr.  Stuart 
(foreman),  the  latter,  in  moving  the  best  thanks  of 
the  employees  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  for  their  kind 
entertainment,  testified  to  the  kindly  feeling 
existing  between  master  and  men.  Music  followed, 
and  a  thoroughly  enjoyable  evening  was  spent. 

Damage  by  pain.— The  English  farmer  is 
in  despair.  After  the  ruinous  floods  of  autumn  he 
hoped  for  a  good  seeding  time,  but  it  is  proving 
one  of  the  worst  within  recollection.  Where  the 
constant  rains  are  not  washing  away  the  seed  they 
are  rotting  it  or  preventing  its  maturing.  In  Essex 
and  Linculnshii'e  particularly  ihe  outlook  is  very 
gloomy.  Several  farmers  in  the  former  county  have 
ploughed  up  large  quantities  of  Wheat  sown  in  the 
autumn,  as  there  was  no  prospect  of  it  growing. 
(Jreenstutt'  left  standing  tor  seed  production  is 
being  similarly  affected.  Horticulturists  also  are 
complaining  bitterly.  "  Somehow,"  remarked  a 
leading  Covent  Garden  dealer  rBceiitl3',  "  people's 
minds  do  not  turn  to  flowers  when  the  weather  is 
dull  and  rainy.  One  would  think  that  the  gloomier 
the  conditioiH  outside  the  brighter  the  people 
would  try  to  make  their  homes.  But  the  contrary 
is  the  rule." 


February  6,  1904.J 


THE  GAEDEN. 


89 


The  W^oodland  Plants  of  Scotland. 

The  last  monthly  meeting  of  the  Edinburgh  Field 
Naturalists'  and  Microscopical  Society  was  an 
unusually  interesting  one  to  many.  A  valuable 
paper  on  "  The  Rarer  Woodland  Plants  of  Scot- 
land "  was  read  by  Mr.  David  S.  Fish,  of  the 
Edinburgh  Royal  Botanic  Gardens.  It  dealt  in  an 
exhaustive  and  able  manner  with  the  characters 
of  the  different  woodland  growth,  and  gave  interest- 
ing details  of  the  rarer  plants  to  be  found.  Among 
the  plants  spoken  of  were  Pyrola  uniflora,  Linn;Ba 
borealis,  and  Trientalis  europsa.  Their  liability  to 
destruction  by  the  cutting  down  of  the  trees  under 
which  they  thrived,  and  the  effect  produced  by  the 
planting  of  other  trees,  were  dealt  with 
and  illustrated  with  lantern  views.  The 
lecture  was  worthy  of  a  wider  audience. 
Another  interesting  feature  of  the  meeting 
was  an  exhibit  by  Mr.  J.  Eraser  of  specimens 
of  250  alien  plants  collected  by  him  last 
year,  principally  near  the  Leith  Docks. 

A  winter  -  flowering  W^all- 
flower.  —  Everyone  appreciates  Wall- 
flowers in  the  spring,  and  there  can  be 
little  doubt  that  the  winter  -  flowtring 
Wallflower  will  be  made  welcome.  Messrs. 
James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea, 
exhibited  a  small  group  of  it  at  the  last 
Drill  Hall  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society.  The  name  of  this  new 
Wallflower  is  Cheiranthus  kewensis,  a 
hybrid  between  C.  mutabilis  and  the  garden 
Wallflower ;  the  flowers  vary  in  colour, 
pale  purple  predominating,  and  they  are 
sweetly  scented.  It  will  undoubtedly  be 
largely  grown  when  better  known,  for  the 
Wallflower  is  such  a  general  favourite  that 
a  greenhouse  winter-flowering  one  cannot 
fail  to  be  made  much  of. 

The  Citron  and  Shad- 
dock in  vineries.— I  note 
in  The  Garden  of  last  week, 
page  viii. ,  a  report  of  Mr.  Somer.s 
Rivers'  lecture  on  the  above 
family,  and  it  is  recommended  to 
grow  them  on  the  back  walls  of 
vineries.  Grown  thus  they  give 
very  little  trouble  indeed.  When 
I  lived  in  the  Midlands  we  had 
them  growing  in  this  way,  and 
they  were  much  valued  for  pre- 
serving, making  a  delicious  com- 
pote for  the  winter  dessert.  Few 
plants  thrive  more  freely  in  a 
narrow,  shallow  border  if  the 
back  wall  of  the  house  is  not 
too  much  shaded,  as,  though  a 
little  shade  is  not  injurious,  if 
there  is  too  much  the  flowers 
do  not  set  freely.  I  have  also 
noticed  that  the  extra  warmth 
given  to  the  Vines  in  the  spring  suited  the 
plants  when  in  bloom.  I  have  frequently  seen 
Orange  trees  fail  to  set  simply  because  there  was 
insufficient  warmth.  When  the  fruits  are  almost 
full  grown  they  are,  as  it  were,  stationary,  and 
less  heat  is  required,  but  when  new  growth  begins 
the  trees  repay  liberal  treatment.  My  reason  for 
sending  this  note  is  to  point  out  the  value  of  the 
Citron  for  preserving,  and  the  fragrance  of  its 
flowers  IS  much  liked  by  many,  but  it  requires  a 
shallow  border.  If  grown  in  pots  or  tubs  it  should 
get  ample  drainage.  I  am  unable  to  say  if  the 
Kumquat  was  noticed  at  the  lecture.  This  is 
Citrus  japonicus,  and,  though  less  seen  than  any  of 
the  others,  it  is  useful  for  the  cool  house  and  will 
stand  cold.  We  have  fruited  it  in  a  cold  house, 
and  I  have  seen  it  growing  freely  in  Cornwall  and 
Devon  in  the  open. 

The  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution. —The  excellent  leader  in  The 
GrAKDEN,  page  67,  will,  I  trust,  be  read  far  and 
wide,  and  it  should  cause  many  who  only  know 
the  institution  by  name  to  take  a  greater  interest 
in  Its  welfare.  Your  statement  that  only  1,000 
gardeners  are  members  shows  the  need  of  such 
articles  and  of  forming  auxiliaries  in  diff'erent 
centre'.  I  am  glad  you  appeal  to  the  gardener,  and 
It  they  note  that  100  votes  are  given  for  each  sub- 


scription, it  will  be  seen  that  they  are  well  repaid 
when  adversity  befalls  them.  They  will  then  find 
they  have  not  invested  their  savings  badly,  and  if 
they  have  only  helped  others  by  so  doing  they 
will  have  done  good  work.  At  times  the  com- 
mittee is  blamed  because  subscribers  do  not  get 
enough  consideration,  but  this  is  not  so  now.  At 
the  same  time,  we  must  not  forget  the  term 
"  benevolent,"  and  that  the  widow  of  a  subscriber 
receives  full  justice. — G.  Wythes,  Syon  Gardens. 

Dunfermline     Carneg-ie     Trust.— 

Many  will  watch  with  great  interest  the  develop- 
ments of  the  operations  of  the  Dunfermline  Trust, 
established  through  the  munificence  of  Dr.  Andrew 


The   Royal  Horticultural  Society 
and  its  subscription.— Will  you  allow  me 

to  thank   a  number   of   correspondents  who  have 
written  to  me  expressing  their  agreement  with  my 
views  of  the  extraordinary  reversal  in  the  policy  of 
the  council  in  the  last  twelve  months?     So  far  only 
one  of  my  correspondents  disagrees  with  my  views,, 
and  he  asks  why  should  new  members  who  have- 
paid  nothing  towards  a  hall  which  will  cost  over 
£40,000,  and  a  garden  which  will  cost  £10,000,  be 
allowed  to  join   on   the  same   terms  as  those  who 
have,  and  receive  each  year  £12  43.  (xl.  in  exchange 
for  a  paltry  guinea?     I  am  afraid  that  the  table  in^ 
the  society's  report,  which  was  reproduced  on  page68r 
of  The  Garden,  is  not  convincing  to  any  Fellows, 
living  a  good  way  out  of  London.     I  will  analyse  a- 
few  items  just  to  explain  what  I   mean.     In  the- 
first  place,  take    the    Temple   show,  the  value  of 
which  expressed  in  tickets  is  £1   1,33.     To  secure- 
this  sum  each  Fellow  must  attend   the  show  three 
days,  and  dispose  of  all  his  spare  tickets  ;  so  also 
with    the   Holland   House    show,   the    tickets   for 
which  are  put  down  at  the  value  of  £1   lOs.     We 
will  suppose  (which  is,   of   course,    wildly  impro- 
bable) that  three-quarters  of   the  Follows  make  a 
point  of  attending  these  shows  as  well  as  disposing 
of  their  tickets,  and  let   the  figures   stand.     The 
next  item  we  come  upon  is  £7  lis.  6d.  for  twenty- 
five  exhibitions.     Here  I  think  that  Fellows  who 
reside  a  long  distance  from  London  (of  whom  there 
are  great  numbers)  may  well  object.     How  many 
are  there  who  can  afi'ord  the  time  or  the  money  to 
attend  even  half  of  the  fortnightly  meetings,  and 
how  much  would  it  cost  in  fares  and  other  expensi  e 
if  we  were  fortunate  enough  to  be  able  to  attend? 
As  the  Editor  has  rightly  said,  the  ordinary  events 
of  the  society  are  of  little  interest  to  many  country 
members.      In  a  word,   the   future  policy  of  the 
council  is  to  force  the  country  members  to  pay  a 
subscription  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  benefits 
that  most  of  them   can  possibly   receive,  so  as  to 
restrict  the  membership  of  the  society,  and  thug 
lessen  its  hold  upon   horticulturists.     Surely  this 
"Little    England"   policy   is   not   worthy   of    the 
Royal  (i.e.    National)    Horticultural  Society.      It 
will  not  be  in  any  spirit  of  hostility  to  the  council 
that  I  shall  move  an  amendment  at   the    general 
meeting  that  no  alteration  be  made  in  the  £1  Is. 
Fellowship   for  Fellows  residing  100  miles  or  more 
from  London,  but  because  at  the  present  time  I  feeli 
that  the  right  policy  of  the  society  was  expressed  in 
the  1902  report,  to  which  I  referred  last  week.— 
Arthur     R.     Goodwin.       [The     Editor    is    not 
responsible  for  the  opinions  of  his  corre- 
spondents.] 

Hardenbergia  monophylla. 

Though   there   are   only   two   species   oi 
Hardenbergia   in  cultivation    the  list  of: 
synonyms  is  a  long  one,  and   besides  this, 
they    are    sometimes    included    in    the 
genus    Kennedya.      Both    of    ihem    are 
climbing  plants,  the  less  vigorous  of  the- 
two    being    that    at    the     head   of    this   note— 
H.     monophylla— which    is    just    now    in   flower 
It    IS    of    slender    growth,    and    has   wiry   stems- 
clothed   with  simple  ovate  leaves,   from  the  axils 
of  which  are  produced  drooping  racemes  of  small 
Pea-shaped     rosy    purple    flowers.       There    is    a 
variety  (alba)  in  which  the  flowers  are  white,  and 
they  afi'ord  a  decided  change  from  those   of   the 
type.     This  is  well  suited   for  a  pillar   or   rafter 
plant  in  a  small  or  medium  sized  greenhouse   as  it 
WINTBR-FLOWERmG!  WALLFLOWER  (CHEIKANTHUS    T^l'  Tl  ^°?°  Outgrow  its  allotted  space,  and  does 
KEWENSIS).     (XaZalL)  ^'^'T  ""''"^  ^'^^^  ^'  '^"y  ^«^^''°-     The  second 

'      (-^««'«'«i2e-J  species— H.  comptoniana— is  more  vigorous,  while 

the  leaves  are  trifoliate,  and  deep  shining  green 
The  flowers,  crowded  together  in  racemes  about 
4  inches  long,  are  bright  purple,  and  a  succession 
will  be  kept  up  for  some  time.  As  an  early 
spring  -  flowered  climber  for  a  larger  structure 
than  the  last,  it  is  well  suited.  The  culture  of 
these  Hardenbergias  is  not  at  all  exacting,  given 
a  soil  with  a  good  proportion  of  peat  and  sand, 
tor  like  many  other  Australian  Leguminosie  a 
certain  amount  of  peat  is  necessary.  With  regard 
to  the  synonyms  mentioned  at  the  beginning 
of  this  note,  Hugeli,  digitata,  Lindleyi,  and 
makayana  are  now  classed  under  comptoniana  ■ 
and  cordata  and  ovata  under  the  head  of  mono- 
phylla.— H.  P. 


Carnegie,  and  to  many  the  horticultural  side  will 
appeal  strongly.  At  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
trustees  some  progress  was  made  in  the  direction  of 
furthering  this  part  of  the  work.  Professor  Geddes 
IS  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  a  report  on  Pitten- 
cneflf  Glen  and  Park,  and  a  first  instalment  of  his 
report,  was  considered  and  remitted  to  a  committee 
for  further  consideration.  A  committee  of  five  was 
also  appointed  to  consider  the  giving  of  prizes  for 
gardens,  flower-plots,  and  window-boxes,  and  the 
advisability  of  holding  special  horticultural  exhi- 
bitions in  Dunfermline.  A  donation  of  £10  lOs 
was  voted  to  the  funds  of  the  Dunfermline 
Chrysanthemum  Society. 


90 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  6,  1904. 


John  Knox's  Yew. — AU  Scotsmen  will  be 
glad  to  know  that  the  historic  Yew  at  Finlayston, 
Renfrewshire,  which  is  associated  with  the  name 
of  John  Knox,  the  reformer,  has  not  suffered  from 
its  removal  some  time  ago.  As  many  are  aware, 
Knox  conducted  a  communion  service  under  it  in 
the  year  1563,  when  it  was  probably  an  old  tree. 
It  has  attained  a  great  size,  and  it  was  found 
absolutely  necessary  to  remove  it  on  account  of 
some  changes  which  were  to  be  made  in  the 
grounds.  The  task  was  rather  a  difficult  one,  but 
Mr.  A.  Bald,  the  experienced  gardener  of  Mr. 
Kidston,  took  every  precaution,  and  the  services 
of  Mr.  Barron  were  also  enlisted.  As  the  tree  and 
the  soil  attached  weighed  30  tons,  much  care  was 
necessary  ;  but  Mr.  Bald  had  everything  properly 
arranged,  and  the  venerable  Yew  was  moved  to  its 
new  position  without  any  mishap.  It  has  not 
Buffered  in  the  least,  and  this  is  a  gratification  to 
many  besides  Mr.  Kidston. — S. 

Coronilla  glauea.— Probably  owing  to 
the  fact  that  Cytisus  racemosus  is  grown  in 
thousands  by  our  market  nurserymen  we  do  not 
meet  with  this  Coronilla  so  frequentlj'  as  formerlj', 
yet  the  neglect  into  which  it  has  now  fallen  is 
difficult  to  understand,  for  it  is  a  delightful 
flowering  shrub  for  the  greenhouse  at  this  season, 
while  not  only  are  the  clear  yellow  flowers  so 
different  in  arrangement  and  tint  from  those  of  the 
Cytisus,  but  the  pretty  glaucous  leaves  are  quite 
unlike  those  of  any  of  its  as.'sociates.  It  is  a  native 
of  the  South  of  Europe,  and  is  hardy  in  some  of 
the  most  particularly  favoured  districts  of  the 
country,  but  it  is  as  a  greenhouse  plant  that  it 
claims  recognition.  It  is  not  difficult  to  strike 
from  cuttings,  and  will  grow  readily  in  a  mixture 
of  loam,  peat  or  leaf-mould,  and  sand.  Careful 
watering  is  necessary,  particularly  in  the  case  of 
large  plants.  There  is  a  variety  with  variegated 
leaves,  but  it  is  less  handsome  than  the  type.  — H.  P. 

Eupatorium  vernale.  —  This     Eupa- 

torium,  which  Messrs.  Veitch  showed  in  such 
good  condition  among  their  group  of  flowering 
plants  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  the  26th  ult.,  is, 
though  bearing  an  uncommon  name,  apparently 
not  a  new  species,  for  it  is,  I  believe,  regarded  as 
the  true  name  of  the  plant,  which  as  Eupatoriura 
grandiflorum  has  been  in  cultivation  for  some 
considerable  time,  though  it  is  very  little  known. 
It  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  of  the  genus,  and 
not  only  is  it  useful  as  a  pot  plant  for  decorations, 
but  large-sized  bushes  are  valuable  where  cut 
flowers  are  required.  The  flowers  keep  well  in 
water.  The  Eupatoriums  are  all  of  easy  propaga- 
tion and  culture,  for  they  strike  readily  in  spring 
from  cuttings  of  the  young  growing  shoots, 
which,  after  being  potted  off,  must  have  the  tops 
pinched  out  and  be  shifted  into  larger  pots  when 
required.  The  latter  half  of  the  summer,  when  in 
their  flowering  pots,  they  may  be  placed  out  of 
doors  and  treated  in  much  the  same  way  as 
Salvias.  Being  liberal  feeders  manure  water 
should,  as  the  pots  get  full  of  roots,  be  supplied  to 
all  the  Eupatoriums.  For  many  years  E.  riparium 
was  largely  grown,  but  it  cannot  be  compared 
with  the  species  under  notice,  nor  with  E.  adeno- 
phorum,  grown  at  Kew  as  E.  trapezoideum,  nor 
with  E.  probum. — T. 

Colchicum  montanum.— As  Colchicum 

sp.  from  the  Taurus,  a  very  pretty  and  distinct 
form  of  this  species  has  been  received  from  Mr. 
W.  Siehe,  of  Mersina,  and  is  now  flowering  in  the 
Alpine  house  at  Kew.  With  unusually  short  seg- 
ments, which  are  very  broad  in  proportion,  the 
plant  is  quite  different  from  the  usual  forms  in 
cultivation,  which  have  longer  strap-shaped  parts 
of  the  perianth.  The  pale  purple  flowers  are 
globular  in  form,  usually  two  to  each  corm,  with  a 
tube  which  is  longer  than  the  three  broad  glaucous 
green  leaves.  A  native  of  the  Mediterranean 
region,  this  species  enjoys  a  wide  distribution, 
and  growing  thus  under  various  conditions,  it  is 
natural  that  it  should  vary  a  good  deal.  Several 
plants  that  have  received  specific  names  cannot  be 
definitely  separated  from  this  species,  being  merely 
distinct  geographical  forms.  Under  this  might  be 
included  the  C.  libanoticum  from  Palestine,  which 
is  usually  a  larger  plant  than  the  type,  and  coming 
into  flower  somewhat  earlier.     This  is  probably  an 


extreme  form,  and  to  many  would  justify  its 
specific  rank.  Other  Colohicums  in  flower  are 
C.  Arg;ei,  from  the  same  source,  and  a  somewhat 
similar  plant,  but  deeper  in  colour.  C.  hydro- 
philum,  also  from  Asia  Minor,  with  dark  purple 
flowers  with  narrow  segments  about  an  inch  long  ; 
a  verv  free  flowering  plant.  C.  crociflorum,  the 
rare  little  Crocus-like  species  from  Turkestan,  shows 
a  variety  of  marking  in  the  different  flowers, 
which  are  produced  several  to  each  corm,  with 
three  broad  green  leaves.  Some  of  the  flowers 
have  a  broad  violet-purple  line  down  the  centre  of 
the  outside  of  the  segment,  others  have  narrow 
reddish  purple  lines,  and  others,  again,  have 
several  faint  lilac  lines  spread  over  the  outer 
surface,  while  the  inside  of  the  flower  is  white. 
Another  plant  which  is  often  met  with  under  this 
name  is  simply  C.  autumnale. — VV.  Irving. 
Iris  reticulata  Melusine.— Last  August 

I  obtained  from  Herr  Max  Leichtlin  three  new  forms 
of  Iris  reticulata  under  the  names  of  luteo-alba, 
Ariadne,  and  Melusine.  They  were  potted  in  sandy 
loam  on  August  3,  and  placed  in  a  cool  greenhouse. 
The  variety  that  heads  this  note  came  into  flower 
on  the  30th  ult.,  and  of  its  exquisite  beauty  I  can 
scarcely  say  too  much.  Herr  Max  Leichtlin  first 
mentioned  it  in  his  "Notes  from  Baden-Baden" 
(see  The  Garden,  vol.  Ixi.,  page  192),  where  he 
describes  its  colour  as  "a  bright  sky  blue."  But 
sky  blue  is  usually  supposed  to  be  almost  a  Forget- 
me-not  blue,  so  that  with  this  description  I  am  not 
able  to  agree.  The  prevailing  tone  of  colour  in  this 
Iris  would  be  best  described  as  a  light  mauve-blue, 
as  in  the  type  there  is  a  rich  orange  stain  in  the 
centre  of  each  fall.  Around  this  stain  are  numerous 
white  veins,  while  below  it  the  mauve-blue  colour 
deepens  to  violet.  The  plant  is  as  deliciously  fra- 
grant as  the  type,  and  evidently  very  free,  seeing 
that  ray  one  small  bulb  has  produced  two  flowers. 
I  am  eagerly  awaiting  the  flowering  of  the  two  other 
varieties  named  above,  and,  as  I  understand  that 
Herr  Max  Leichtlin  has  other  beautiful  seedling 
forms  to  distribute,  no  doubt  we  shall  soon  have  a 
much  greater  range  of  colour  than  we  now  possess. 
Indeed,  a  pure  white  variety  (Iris  reticulata  alba) 
and  an  almost  black  one,  which  has  been  named 
Negro,  are  already  promised  us.  It  seems  needless 
to  sing  the  praises  of  the  Netted  Iris,  and  yet  it  is 
unknown  in  hundreds  of  English  gardens.  For  the 
alpine  house  or  cool  greenhouse,  as  well  as  outdoors, 
it  is  indispensable,  and  as  I  write  a  few  of  its 
flowers  are  filling  my  room  with  their  delectable 
scent. — Arthur  R.  Goodwin,  Worcestershire. 
A  useful  sppingr  vegetable  (Mep- 

eury). — In  the  eastern  counties  Mercury  is  a 
favourite  spring  vegetable,  and  as  it  can  be  grown 
so  readily  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  note  its 
culture.  Botanically,  it  is  known  as  Chenopodium 
Bonus  Henricus,  but  its  more  popular  name  is 
Mercury,  It  is  readily  raised  from  seeds  sown 
early  in  the  spring  in  good  land  and  in  rows 
15  inches  to  18  inches  apart,  and  the  plants  thinned 
to  half  that  distance  in  the  row.  In  rich  land  more 
space  would  give  stronger  material.  At  the  start 
it  is  important  to  thin  the  seedlings  early,  as  they 
soon  get  weak.  The  first  season  the  return  will 
not  be  great,  but  afterwards  there  will  be  a  full 
supply.  Plants  lifted  late  in  March  or  early  April, 
and  when  the  best  portions  are  selected  and  these 
planted  in  deeply-dug  and  well-enriched  soil,  will 
provide  good  material  for  several  seasons,  especially 
if  a  rich  top-dressing  is  given  in  the  early  autumn. 
This  when  applied  liberally  causes  the  shoots  to 
thicken,  and  these,  when  cut  under  the  soil  like 
Asparagus,  are  delicious.  Cutting  generally  begins 
in  April  and  continues  till  the  end  of  June.  By 
many  the  plant  is  termed  Lincolnshire  Asparagus 
or  Good  King  Henry.  To  grow  it  well  it  must 
have  ample  food,  and  it  well  repays  liquid  manure 
when  in  growth.  The  leaves  may  be  used  in  the 
same  way  as  Spinach  when  nearly  full-grown,  but 
I  think  the  young  shoots  are  much  better  when  cut 
as  advised,  namely,  in  a  young  state. — G.  W.  S. 

The  famous  Kinnell  Vine.— The  Vine 

at  Auchraore,  Killin,  Perthshire,  the  property  of 
the  Marquis  of  Breadalbane,  is  reputed  to  be  the 
largest  in  the  United  Kingdom,  though  there  are 
several  much  older.  It  is  of  the  Black  Hamburgh 
variety,  and  was  planted  in   1832.     It  was  grown 


some  years  previously  in  a  pot,  but  planted  out  at 
this  date  in  a  small  greenhouse.  It  flourished 
rapidly  and  soon  became  too  large,  and  the  house 
was  extended  at  different  periods  till  it  now  fills  a 
house  171  feet  long  by  25  feet  wide,  and  it  would  1 
be  good  for  the  Vine  again  to  enlarge  the  house, 
but,  unfortunately,  this  cannot  be  done  without 
pulling  down  a  block  of  buildings.  It  has  a  clean 
stem  of  6  feet,  measuring  2  feet  in  circumference  ; 
then  it  branches  off  each  way,  and  rods  are  trained 
up  the  roof,  about  3  feet  apart,  gridiron-shaped, 
and  it  is  a  perfectly  shaped  plant.  It  produces 
about  5,000  bunches  annually,  and  about  600  are 
left  on  to  ripen.  As  far  back  as  1879  800  bunches 
were  allowed  to  mature,  but  this  was  thought  to 
be  too  heavy  a  strain  on  the  plant,  and  for  the 
last  twenty  years  it  has  ripened  on  an  average 
600  bunches.  Only  500  were  taken  last  season, 
hut  the  berries  were  large  and  well  finished.  The 
bunches  averaged  about  lilb.  in  weight,  but 
several  were  cut  3Jlb.  in  weight.  The  total  weight 
of  crop  in  1903  was  about  7001b.  It  will  no  doubt 
surprise  many  to  hear  of  this  monster  Vine  so  far 
north,  because  its  existence  is  not  generally  known. 
— W.  W.,  N.B. 
Ripe    Figs    for  ten   months.  — Figs 

have  long  been  esteemed  as  one  of  the  most 
delicious  summer  and  autumn  dessert  fruits,  and 
of  late  years  they  have  come  into  more  general 
favour.  This  may  to  some  extent  be  attributable 
to  their  more  extended  cultivation  in  pots.  The 
greatest  advantage  derived  from  this  method  of 
cultivation  is  the  much  longer  season  in  which 
ripe  Figs  may  be  had.  I  was  recently  much 
interested  in  the  fine  lot  of  Figs  as  grown  by  Mr. 
Sanders  at  Halton.  During  the  last  three  months 
of  the  past  year  he  was  able  to  gather  really  nice 
fruits  two  and  three  times  a  week  of  such  varieties 
as  Brown  Turkey,  Negro  Largo,  Bourjassotte 
Grise,  and  Black  Ischia.  With  three  batches  of 
plants  in  pots  to  be  started  at  different  periods  for 
succession,  ripe  Figs  may  easily  be  had  for  about 
ten  months  of  the  year. — J.  J. 

Grevillea  posmarinifolia.— The  bright 
coloured  Grevillea  mentioned  in  The  Garden,  page 
68,  is  one  of  the  hardiest  of  this  Australian  genus, 
the  only  other  species  equal  to  it  being  that  usually 
known  asG.  sulphurea,  but  of  which  G.  juniperina 
is  considered  to  be  the  correct  name.  In  the  south- 
west of  England  and  in  many  parts  of  Ireland  these 
two  may  be  regarded  as  hardy  shrubs,  but  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  country  they  are  greenhouse 
plants.  This  amount  of  protection  is  well  repaid 
by  many  other  members  of  the  genus,  some  of 
which,  in  addition  to  their  flowers,  have  very  orna- 
mental leafage.  Among  the  best,  in  addition  to 
those  named,  may  be  noted  G.  alpina,  G.  Banksi, 
G.  Forsteri,  G.  punicea,  G.  thelemanniana  or 
Preissei,  and  G.  robusta.  This  last,  which  is  well 
known  as  a  foliage  plant,  I  have  never  seen  in 
flower,  but  in  all  the  others  the  flowers  are  remark- 
able for  their  peculiar  curved  character.  The 
uncommon  G.  Forsteri  was  very  finely  in  flower  in 
the  temperate  house  at  Kew  last  summer.  This  is 
a  strong  grower  with  handsome  pinnate  leaves, 
which  are  silvery  in  a  young  state.  The  flowers, 
which  are  borne  in  terminal  cone-shaped  racemes,  are 
bright  red,  almost  scarlet.  Like  most  members  of 
the  genus  the  long  style  is  very  noticeable,  being 
as  brightly  tinted  as  the  rest  of  the  flower. — T. 

Ppoposed  big  gardening  exhibi- 
tion at  Regent's  Papk.— it  is  proposed 

that  a  grand  horticultural  and  gardening  exhibi- 
tion shall  take  place  in  the  month  of  June  this 
year  under  the  auspices  of  the  Royal  Botanio 
Society.  It  is  intended  that  the  exhibition  shall 
be  held  in  the  new  exhibition  grounds  of  the 
society,  situated  in  the  centre  of  their  beautiful 
gardens  in  Regent's  Park,  the  exhibition  to  be 
open  for  one  week,  or  possibly  longer.  The  pro- 
posed scheme  embraces  horticulture,  forestry, 
botany,  educational  methods,  nature  study,  and  a 
special  section  for  Colonial  produce.  In  addition 
to  the  exhibition,  lectures,  conferences,  and  con- 
versaziones are  in  course  of  arrangement.  The 
president  of  the  society  is  Major  His  Serene 
Highness  the  Duke  of  Teck.  All  communications 
respecting  the  gardens  and  exhibitions,  &c. ,  should 
be  made  to  Mr.  J.  Bryant  Sowerby,  the  secretary. 


February  6,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


91 


Boston  (Lines.)  hoptieultural 

show  will  be  held  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday, 
July  20  and  21.— J.  W.  Killingworth  and  Son, 
Secretaries. 
NationalChpysanthemum  Society. 

The  revised  dates  for  the  exhibitions  at  the 
Crystal  Palace  in  1904  are  :  Wednesday  and  Thurs- 
day, October  5  and  6 ;  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
and  Friday,  November  2,  3,  and  4  ;  Wednesday 
and  Thursday,  December  7  and  8.  —  Richard 
Dean,  Secretary. 

EupatOPium  vePnale.— This  little- 
known  Mexican  species  is  a  moat  useful  greenhouse 
plant,  producing  stiff,  terminal  corymbs  of  white 
flowers  at  the  present  time.  It  is  easily  propa- 
gated from  cuttings  rooted  in  spring,  is  somewhat 
shrubby  in  habit,  and  old  plants  may  be  grown  for 
several  years  if  cut  back  after  flowering.  Although 
quite  distinct,  it  is  sometimes  met  with  under  the 
name  of  E.  grandiflorum,  a  North  American 
species  with  reddish  flowers,  which  is  Brickellia 
grandiflora  of  "  Index  Kewensis." — A.  0. 

A  WinteP  effect. — One  of  the  prettiest 
combinations  of  winter  colour  I  have  seen  for  some 
time  consists  of  two  patches  of  the  Snowberry 
(Symphoricarpus  racemosus)  and  the  Scarlet- 
stemmed  Dogwood  {Cornus  alba)  planted  close 
together  and  intermingling  in  places.  They  were 
planted  in  the  ordinary  course  of  work,  without 
any  idea  of  making  them  effective,  but  the  result 
has  shown  what  happy  effects  can  sometimes  be 
obtained  quite  accidentally.  The  scarlet  stems  of 
the  Dogwood  are  strikingly  shown  up  by  the 
profusion  of  the  white  fruits  of  the  Snowberry, 
and  vice  verm.  The  Snowberry,  being  the  taller 
and  quicker  grower,  should  be  planted  in  the 
background  with  the  Dogwood  in  front,  and  from 
the  middle  of  October  until  the  New  Year  they 
will  be  found  to  give  a  cheerful  bit  of  colour.  The 
Snowberry  begins  to  lose  its  fruits  towards  the  end 
of  December,  but  the  scarlet  stems  of  the  Dogwood 
are  still  left  to  give  a  warm  patch  of  colour.  As 
both  plants  can  be  obtained  very  cheaply,  anyone 
who  has  a  spare  corner  in  the  shrubbery  can  fill  it 
effectively  at  very  little  expense.  In  buying  the 
Dogwood  care  should  be  taken  to  get  Cornus  alba, 
as  it  is  often  confounded  with  C.  sanguinea,  which 
is  of  no  ornamental  value,  and  only  suited  for 
cover- planting. — J.  C. 

Functions  of  Museums.  —  In  the 
January  issue  of  the  Popular  Science  Monthly, 
Dr.  F.  A.  Bather,  of  the  British  Museum,  returns 
once  more  to  his  favourite  subject — the  functions 
of  museums.  After  mentioning  the  chief  functions 
of  these  institutions,  the  author  gives  some  much- 
needed  advice  to  the  curators  of  local  museums  as 
to  the  necessity  of  firmness  in  refusing  unsuitable 
specimens — if  they  do  not  wish  the  establishments 
under  their  charge  to  degenerate  into  mere  curiosity 
shops.  Small  local  museums  are  also  warned  that 
investigation  is  not  their  province — they  are  for 
education  and  the  general  public  needs  alone. 
Further,  in  larger  establishments  the  investigation, 
the  instruction,  and  the  exhibition  series  must  be 
kept  apart.  In  the  author's  opinion,  where 
museums  have,  as  a  rule,  gone  wrong  is  in  exhibit- 
ing too  much  to  the  public. 

Clematis  paniCUlata.  —  This  is  so  im- 
portant a  garden  plant  that  it  is  a  matter  for 
wonder  that  it  is  not  more  generally  known.  Its 
merits  may  be  best  described  by  saying  that  it 
does  even  better  for  October  what  C.  Flammula 
does  for  September.  It  much  resembles  C.  Flam- 
mula, but  is  in  every  way  a  stouter  and  more 
vigorous  grower.  It  may  not  be  a  plant  for  the 
cold  Midlands,  but  anywhere  south  of  London  it  is 
admirable.  When  once  established  the  only  trouble 
is  its  extreme  vigour  of  growth.  Unless  it  is  some- 
where where  it  may  spread  all  round,  as  over  an 
arbour  or  a  mass  of  stout  branching  spray,  it  must 
be  severely  thinned  in  early  spring  or  its  multitude 
of  branches  become  almost  unmanageable.  It  is  a 
native  of  Japan. — J. 

Chapactep  and  Hopticultupe.— In  an 

address  before  the  summer  meeting  of  the  Michigan 
State  Horticultural  Society,  the  Hon.  Charles  W. 
Garfield,  of  Grand  Rapids,  made  an  eloquent  plea 
for  the  subordination  of  commercialism  in  horti- 


culture. The  strong  tendency  to  measure  success 
on  all  lines  of  work  by  the  money  standard  cannot 
but  be  detrimental  to  the  development  of  higher 
character  in  man  ;  and  students  of  sociology  in  all 
the  centres  of  learning  are  also  earnestly  pleading 
against  the  undoubted  results  of  this  tendency  in 
its  deteriorating  effects  on  the  American  people. 
In  the  evolution  of  character  there  is,  perhaps,  no 
broader  field  of  influence  than  is  offered  by  horti- 
culture, and  all  the  great  names  associated  with 
its  development  have  been  men  of  marked  humanity 
in  its  high  and  broad  meaning.  Notwithstanding 
these  facts,  however,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  com- 
mercialism permeates  the  discussions  in  horticul- 
tural meetings  to  a  serious  extent,  but  it  is  a 
matter  of  congratulation  to  realise  that  the  pursuit 
of  horticulture  as  a  calling  compels  the  subordi- 
nation of  human  intelligence  to  that  higher 
intelligence  which  dominates  all  things,  in  a 
greater  degree,  perhaps,  than  any  other  line  of 
activity,  and  so  tends  to  develop  the  better 
manhood. 

The  Chicago  Parks.— Extensive  im- 
provements are  being  planned  for  the  Chicago 
parks  for  the  coming  year.  Three  sites  for  new 
parks  have  been  purchased  by  the  South  Park 
Board  at  a  cost  of  283,000  dols.  The  largest  of 
these  includes  60  acres  lying  between  52nd  and 
55th  Streets,  and  Loomis  Street  and  Centre 
Avenue,  and  cost  183,000  dols.  The  other  two 
are  smaller,  and  were  acquired  at  an  expenditure 
of  50,000  dols.  each.  The  West  Park  Board  plans 
the  construction  of  a  new  conservatory  at  Garfield 
Park  to  be  the  largest  in  the  city.  It  will  cost 
about  150,000  dols.  The  total  expenditures  for 
the  West  Side  parks  for  the  year  were  682,000  dols. , 
the  total  bonded  indebtedness  1,260,000  dols. — 
Park  and  Cemetery  (America). 

Extension   of  fpuit  cultivation.  — 

Under  the  title  of  "Back  to  the  Land:  Is  Fruit 
Farming  a  Solution  ?  "  an  interesting  lecture  was 
delivered  to  a  large  audience  in  the  Masonic  Hall, 
Glasgow,  on  the  25th  ult. ,  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Hodge, 
a  member  of  the  special  committee  on  fruit  culture. 
The  lecture  favoured  the  movement  for  small 
holdings,  with  especial  reference  to  fruit  growing, 
and  some  interesting  details  were  given  with  regard 
to  the  extent  of  the  acreage  under  fruit,  especially 
in  the  Blairgowrie  district.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  a  committee  was  formed  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  forming  a  Scottish  Small  Holdings 
Association. 

LectUPes  at  DoveP.— At  Dover  a  society 
has  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  a 
series  of  lectures  on  various  subjects.  On  the 
26th  ult.  the  subject  was  "  Seaside  Gardening," 
and  the  lecturer  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders.  There  was 
a  good  attendance,  chiefly  ladies,  who  evinced 
much  interest  in  the  subject,  following  the  lecturer 
closely  through  the  various  points  touched  upon. 
And  after  the  lecture  was  concluded  many  of  the 
ladies  asked  various  questions.  It  would  seem 
that  the  ladie.'"  of  Dover  take  special  interest  in 
their  gardens,  and  one  of  their  greatest  troubles 
during  the  past  season  has  been  the  plague  of  slugs 
and  other  vermin. 

A  New  PpimPOSe.— This  beautiful  yellow 
Primrose,  Buttercup,  of  almost  the  exact  colour  of 
a  Buttercup,  may  not  be  a  new  plant,  but  it  cer- 
tainly is  newly  found  out,  and  now  that  it  has 
been  discovered  is  not  likely  ever  to  return  to 
oblivion,  as  it  has  proved  itself  to  be  a  variety  qf  ster- 
ling merit.  A  plant  in  a  6-inch  pot  carries  hundreds 
of  blossoms,  ranging  in  size  from  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  to  an  inch  in  diameter.  These  are  borne 
on  spikes,  which  stand  well  alone.  The  foliage  is 
something  like  P.  obconica,  but  with  the  whole  of 
the  bloom  distributed  better  up  and  down  the  stem. 
This  latter  might  be  a  trifle  stronger,  as  when  in 
full  flower  the  weight  of  the  blossoms  is  apt  to 
carry  it  over  a  little.  Like  many  other  sterling 
novelties,  this  comes  to  the  trade  through  the 
medium  of  W.  K.  Harris,  of  Philadelphia,  who 
discovered  its  good  qualities.  He  disposed  of  a 
stock  of  5,000  plants  in  two  months.  He  says 
that  it  is  the  best  thing  sent  out  since  Begonia 
Gloire  de  Lorraine.  It  grows  readily  from  seed 
and  is  verj'  easy  to  manage,  requiring  no  special 
culture. — K.,  in  the  American  Florist. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


ROSES    UNDER   GLASS. 

GRAFTING  will  now  be  in  full 
swing,  and  most  interesting  and 
simple  work  it  is.  If  no  Briars  are 
to  be  had  established  in  pots  young 
plants  with  stems  about  as  thick  as 
a  lead  pencil,  potted  two  or  three 
weeks  before  grafting  and  placed  in  a  greenhouse, 
will  answer  admirably.  The  scions  should  be  well 
selected,  thoroughly  ripe,  and  must  fit  exactly,  on 
one  side  at  least.  A  little  practice  will  enable  the 
operator  to  make  the  bark  upon  both  sides  fit 
perfectly.  The  form  of  grafting  usually  adopted 
is  known  as  whip  grafting,  but  with  Roses  it  is  not 
necessary  to  make  a  tongue  or  to  wax  over  the 
graft.  A  close-fitting  frame  or  frames  with  bottom- 
heat  must  be  made  ready  for  the  grafts.  These 
frames  should  be  placed  on  the  side  stage  in  a  sunny 
position.  Put  about  2  inches  of  sand  or  coal  ashes 
in  the  bottom  of  the  frame  and  thoroughly  water 
before  placing  in  the  grafts.  If  this  be  done  and 
the  Briars  are  watered  before  grafting  they  will 
require  no  water  for  the  first  five  or  six  days  after 
grafting.  Many  a  graft  has  been  spoilt  owing  to 
water  finding  its  way  between  stock  and  scion. 
The  temperature  of  the  frame  must  be  kept  at 
about  80°  to  83"  night  and  day. 

Shade  with  scrim  or  thin  canvas  from  bright 
sunshine.  No  air  must  be  given  to  the  frames  lor 
the  first  five  or  six  days,  but  after  this  raise  the 
frame  about  1  inch  twice  a  day  for  half  an  hour, 
increasing  this  each  day  until  about  the  fourteenth 
day,  when  the  lights  may  be  left  up  entirely.  In 
about  three  weeks  the  plants  are  placed  out  in  the 
stove  house,  taking  care  that  they  do  not  touch. 
When  small  white  roots  are  seen  at  the  bottom  of 
the  pots  the  plants  must  be  potted  on,  and  3-inch 
pots  are  the  better  size,  although  many  pot  on 
direct  from  3-inch  to  4j-inch  pots.  Keep  plants  tied 
to  small  sticks,  and  carefully  syringe  under  the 
foliage  to  disperse  the  red  spider. 
Forced  Roses 
are  now  in  various  stages,  some  nearly  ready  to 
cut.  Where  buds  are  seen  liquid  manure  may  be 
advantageously  applied  once  or  twice  a  week, 
changing  the  diet  now  and  then.  Sheep  manure 
and  wood  ashes  make  a  fine  manure,  which  is, 
perhaps,  as  good  as  the  expensive  manures  adver- 
tised. Cow  manure  and  soot  will  make  a  very  safe 
and  reliable  liquid.  Whatever  is  used  it  is  well 
to  remember  that  weak  doses  and  often  are  better 
than  strong  doses  at  long  intervals. 

Climbing  Roses, 
such  as  Mar^chal  Niel,  where  growing  in  borders, 
must  receive  stimulants  rather  liberally.  Pre- 
suming such  borders  received  a  dressing  of  bone- 
meal  when  plants  were  pruned,  the  plants  may 
receive  liquid  manure  about  once  a  week  as  soon 
as  the  buds  are  formed.  Do  not  encourage  too 
many  buds.  Many  fine  plants  of  Marechal  Niel 
have  been  injured  beyond  repair  in  this  way. 

Roses  for  Exhibition 
will  now  need  pruning,  and  after  this  is  done  the 
branches  should  be  tied  out  to  lay  the  foundation 
of  a  shapely  plant.  Put  a  string  below  the  rim 
of  the  pot,  lie  the  raffia  to  those  shoots  that 
need  tying  out,  and  secure  the  raffia  to  the  string. 
The  finest  Roses  will  be  produced  from  the 
medium-sized,  well -matured  wood  made  last 
season,  so  that  if  quality  is  desired  we  must  not 
hesitate  to  cut  back  hard.  Ramblers  and  other 
Rosea  grown  in  pillar  form  make  delightful  objects 
for  the  conservatory,  and  should  be  found  in  every 
establishment.  Many  of  the  strong-growing  Teas, 
such  as  Marie  Van  Houtte,  Anna  Olivier,  Medea, 
&c.,  would  also  make  beautiful  pillars  of  medium 
height,  and  look  far  more  graceful  than  the  formal 
tied-out  plants. 

There  is  often  a  desire  to  obtain  such  Roses  as 
Bridesmaid  and  Catherine  Mermet  as  climbers  for 
the  roof.  They  will  cover  a  considerable  space  in 
course  of  time,  but  if  desired  to  do  so  more  quickly 
such  varieties  could  be  budded  into  the  young 
wood  of  an  established  climber.     By  suppressing 


92 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  6,  1904. 


all  the  shoots  of  the  climber  another  season  the 
inserted  buds  would  start,  and  very  soon  the 
desired  object  would  be  gained.  There  is  frequently 
a  demand  for  Roses  during  May,  when  the  indoor 
plants  are  becoming  exhausted.  This  demand 
could  be  met  by  placing  a  number  of  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  and  Hybrid  Teas  that  were  potted  up 
last  autumn  into  cold  pits  at  once,  prune  early  in 
February,  and  allow  the  plants  to  come  on  as 
naturally  aa  possible.  The  plants  should  be  plunged 
in  ashes.  Keep  lights  oif  night  and  day,  unless 
frost  threatens.  When  new  growths  start  great 
care  is  necessary  so  that  frost  does  not  injure  the 
embryo  buds.  The  growth  may  be  accelerated  by 
closing  up  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  pre- 
viously lightly  syringing  them  if  the  sun  is  shining. 


FRANCOIS  CROUSSE. 

Many  growers  do  not  know  what  a  brilliant 
crimson  Rose  this  is  or  it  would  be  in  great 
request.  It  is  described  as  a  climber,  and  as  such 
is  most  useful,  but  it  will  produce  its  handsome 
buds  when  grown  as  a  standard  or  isolated  as  a 
bush  or  pillar.  We  have  none  too  many  bright- 
coloured  climbers  or  strong-growing  Teas  and 
Hybrid  Teas  that  we  can  afford  to  have  one  over- 
looked, and  I  should  strongly  advise  anyone  to 
plant  this  Rose  on  a  wall  or  fence  or  bud  it  as  a 
standard.  Some  of  its  handsome  buds  were  equal 
to  those  of  General  Jacqueminot  in  shape  as  seen 
this  season,  and  altogether  an  excellent  opinion 
was  formed  of  its  merits  as  a  novelty,  apart  from 
the  decided  gain  it  is  to  our  brilliant  coloured 
climbers.  Philomel. 


D.  suPEEBUs. — This  very  elegant  plant  is 
remarkable  for  its  pleasing  fragrance,  its  fringe- 
like petals,  and  the  long,  slender  tube  of  the 
calyx.  The  colour  of  the  flowers  ranges  from 
white  to  purple  ;  it  commences  to  bloom  in 
August,  and  produces  a  succession  for  a  long 
period.  A  short-lived  plant  ;  it  ripens  seeds 
freely.  A  very  old  garden  plant;  it  has  been 
in  cultivation  over  three  centuries,  and  has  a 
very  wide  distribution,  extending  over  Europe 
and  Northern  Asia  to  China.  Very  variable  in 
size  and  habit ;  the  larger  forms  come  from  the 
latter  country,  a  plant  flowering  at  Kew  raised 
from  seed  collected  in  Central  China  reaching 
a  height  of  3  feet,  with  numerous  flowers  in 
branching  panicles. 

D.  Waldsteinii  — A  native  of  the  Eastern 
Alps  of  Europe.  This  may  be  described  as  a 
small  monspessulanus.  W.  Irving. 


THE    WILD     PINKS. 

(Continued  from  page  69.) 

D.  MONSPESSULA.NUS  (syn.  D.  alpestris).  — 
One  of  the  prettiest  and  most  effective  of  the 
rock  Pinks  ;  it  is  very  free-flowering  and  easy 
to  grow,  succeeding  in  any  open  situation, 
forming  tufts  of  grassy  leaves,  and  producing 
numerous  branching,  few -flowered  stems  in 
summer.  The  flowers  are  red  in  colour  and 
unbearded.  Growing  from  6  inches  to  12  inches 
high,  this  plant  is  found  in  high  thickets  and 
mountain  pastures  of  the  alps  of  South  and 
Eastern  Europe.     Introduced  in  1764. 

D.  PLUMAEius  (wild  Pink).— This  species 
differs  from  the  wild  Carnation  in  having  a 
much  smaller  flower,  and  in  having  the  petals 
deeply  cut  or  fringed.  It  is  also  much  hardier, 
and  is  seldom  grown  in  pots.  Pinks  are, 
indeed,  generally  planted  in  the  open  border 
■without  any  other  care  than  that  Vfhich  is 
usually  bestowed  on  hardy  perennials.  One  of 
the  most  luxuriant  in  growth,  quickly  covering 
large  spaces  ;  a  free  seed-bearer,  and  crossing 
readily.  Many  of  those  Pinks  bearing  all  kinds 
of  names  owe  their  origin  to  this  species.  With 
glaucous  foliage  and  branching  two  to  five- 
flowered  stems  ;  the  bearded  flowers  vary  in 
colour  from  white  to  purple,  are  deeply  fringed 
and  sweet-scented.  It  is  found  in  Middle  and 
Eastern  Europe.  Numerous  garden  varieties 
have  been  derived  from  this  species,  many  of 
great  beauty,  and  very  variable  in  size  and 
colour. 

D.  Requienii. — A  dwarf,  tufted  species  from 
the  Pyrenees,  with  slender  stems  6  inches  to 
9  inches  high  and  solitary  small  rose-coloured 
flowers. 

D.  SQTJAREOsus. — With  flowers  similar  to 
those  of  D.  plumarius,  but  with  longer  calyx 
segments  and  short,  stiff,  recurved  leaves,  the 
whole  plant  about  6  inches  high.  Introduced 
from  South  Russia  in  1817. 

D.  Steenbeegi.— Similar  to  D.  monspessu- 
lanus in  habit  and  appearance,  but  smaller, 
with  rose-coloured  flowers  having  deeply-cut 
petals.  From  the  mountains  of  South  Tyrol 
and  Carinthia. 


THE     AURICULA- 
FEBRUARY. 

As  the  season  advances  the  plants  begin  to 
wake  up  from  their  winter's  rest.  During  the 
month  many  varieties  will  be  found  in  a  state 
of  active  growth.  Watering  must  therefore  be 
attended  to  and  applied  according  to  the 
requirements  of  the  plant.  It  may  be  more 
freely  given  than  at  any  time  since  October. 
Should  any  suspicion  exist  as  to  the  drainage 
of  the  plant,  it  can  be  quietly  knocked  out  of 
the  pot  and  examined,  set  right  if  necessary, 
and  carefully  replaced.  The  surface  soil 
around  the  old  plants  will  need  to  be  stirred 
with  a  pointed  stick,  and  this  is  the  time  to 
remove  all  available  offsets  and  place  round 
the  edges  of  3-inch  pots,  keeping  them  shut 
down  close  in  a  cold  frame  for  a  fortnight  or 
so.  After  stirring  the  old  soil  some  fresh, 
sweet  potting  material  must  be  added  where 
necessary,  and  well  cover  the  neck  or  collar  of 
the  plant.  This  will  encourage  the  formation 
of  important  rootlets  which  may  break  from  it, 
and  will  also  be  of  some  assistance  in  forming 
a  good  truss  of  bloom.  The  plan  adopted  by 
the  old  growers  of  removing  an  inch  or  so  of 
the  old  soil  and  replacing  it  with  very  rich 
compost  is  not  thought  necessary  nowadays. 

Presuming  part  of  the  crop  of  last  year's 
seed  has  been  sown  in  the  autumn,  the 
remainder  may  now  be  put  in,  and  any  young 
seedlings  showing  their  first  rough  leaves  must 
be  shifted  into  fresh  soil  to  encourage  active 
growth . 

The  plants  may  now  have  all  the  sun  that 
can  shine  upon  them.  Air  must  be  freely 
given  on  all  safe  occasions,  remembering  that 
a  cold  north-east  wind  may  injure  the  young 
foliage  and  cause  a  severe  check. 

In  case  of  frost  frames  should  be  well  matted 
over,  and  in  the  Auricula  house  slight  heat 
given  to  exclude  it,  for  although  frost  might 
not  injure  the  plant,  it  may,  even  at  this  early 
stage  of  growth,  cause  damage  to  the  truss  of 
bloom,  which  is  now  rapidly  growing. 

Bishop's  Stortford.  W.  Smith. 


THE     CACTUS     DAHLIA 
FOR    EXHIBITION. 

Where  the  best  possible  results  are  looked  for  in 
the  culture  of  the  now  popular  Cactus  Dahlias,  as 
well  as  in  the  other  sections,  no  time  should  bo 
lost  in  deciding  where  they  are  to  be  planted  and 
in  beginning  the  preparation  of  the  soil,  almost  the 
most  important  item.  Where  the  depth  of  good 
soil  permits,  the  ground  should  be  trenched 
and  left  rough,  to  throw  as  much  surface  as 
possible   open    to  the   frost.      If   trenching  is  out 


of  the  question,  dig  it  as  deeply  as  it  permits. 
Freshly  grubbed  or  broken  land  will  hardly  need 
any  manure  at  all,  the  Dahlia,  like  the  Potato, 
revelling  in  fresh  land  ;  but  where  the  soil  is  poor, 
a  good  heavy  layer  of  horse  manure,  not  too  rotten,, 
should  be  spread  over  and  dug  in  early  in  February. 
This  being  done,  the  ground  need  not  receive  much 
more  attention  for  the  present,  unless  it  be  dug 
over  again,  and  a  fair  coat  of  manure  or,  if  heavy, 
ashes  or  road  sweepings  dug  in.  Plants  for  plant- 
ing out  may  be  obtained  either  by  striking  cuttings 
or  parting  the  old  roots  or  tubers.  For  the 
production  of  the  best  exhibition  blooms  the 
cuttings  are  almost  a  necessity,  but  if  simply  a. 
large  bush  is  desired,  the  old  roots,  to  which 
several  main  stems  are  lelt,  are  best.  Naturally, 
the  striking  of  the  cuttings  is  the  more  tedious  of 
the  two,  but  the  cuttings  are  by  no  means  difficult- 
to  root.  In  the  first  place  all  the  old  roots  should 
be  looked  over,  and  broken  or  decaying  tubers  cut 
off.  If  any  are  rotting  at  all  badly,  cut  out  the 
affected  part  severely,  dust  over  the  moist  raw 
portions  with  dry  lime,  and  leave  the  root  in  a  dry, 
warm  place  for  a  night  or  so.  If  the  tubers  are 
sound  and  healthy,  and  the  old  stems  dry  and 
dead,  as  they  should  be  if  properly  treated  during 
the  winter,  they  are  ready  for  starling.  The  grower 
may  please  himself  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the 
roots  shall  be  started  for  cutting  production  ;  they 
may  be  bedded  in,  in  pits  or  borders  in  the  green- 
house, or  placed  in  shallow  boxes  near  the  hot- 
water  pipes,  or,  if  only  a  very  few  in  number^ 
potted.  Whatever  the  method  adopted,  the 
temperature  should  be  not  less  than  55°  at  night. 

I  may  as  well,  perhaps,  say  a  few  words  on 
bedding  in  the  tubers.  First,  the  soil  may  be 
composed  of  any  fairly  good  stuff  which  may  be  at 
hand  ;  siftings  from  the  heap  of  old  potting 
material  are  very  good,  with  which  a  little  well- 
decayed  manure  and  a  good  sprinkling  of  sifted 
ashes  may  be  added  ;  such  manure  as  that  from 
old  Mushroom  beds  is  best.  The  tubers  should 
have  the  old  stem  cut  off  to  within  2  inches  of  the 
collar,  i.e.,  the  live  part  round  the  base  of  the 
stem  where  the  eyes  are  clustered,  and  any  old 
dry  soil  cleaned  off;  bed  them  in,  just  low 
enough  to  leave  the  collar  clear  of  the  surface  of 
the  soil,  so  that  the  base  of  the  cuttings  may  be 
seen  later  on  when  taking  them. 

If  the  soil  be  moist  when  used,  very  little  water 
will  be  needed  for  at  least  ten  days,  and  if  the 
tubers  are  dry  and  shrivelled  care  will  be  needed 
to  prevent  their  rotting  instead  of  starting  root. 
In  cases  of  this  sort  be  very  sparing  of  water  aa 
long  as  they  show  no  sign  of  life.  If  kept  in  a 
temperature  from  55°  to  65°  at  night,  cuttings  will 
be  long  enough  to  take  in  about  four  weeks,  and 
they  should  be  taken  near  but  not  close  down 
to  the  collar,  unless  only  two  or  three  are  wanted 
of  a  sort ;  the  nearer  the  base  they  are  taken  the 
more  easily  they  strike,  but  fewer  are  produced. 
One  cutting  may  be  inserted  in  a  long  24-inch 
pot,  an  important  point  being  the  compost,  two 
parts  sweet  loam,  one  part  leaf-mould,  and  two 
parts  best  silver  sand  being  a  suitable  mixture. 
Fill  the  pots  before  taking  the  cuttings,  so  that 
they  may  be  inserted  at  once  when  cut  oflF  the 
tuber  and  before  they  flag.  Put  a  good  covering 
of  sand  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  in  the  pots.  As 
soon  as  potted  water  them  thoroughly,  and  stand 
them  in  a  partially  shaded  part  of  the  greenhouse 
where  the  air  is  buoyant,  but  the  base  of  the  pot 
standing  on  some  material  not  too  dry.  The  chief 
thing  to  avoid  is  a  damp,  stagnant,  or  a  hot,  dry 
atmosphere.  If  the  cuttings  keep  fresh  without 
being  saturated  daily  they  are  in  a  suitable  place, 
providing  the  temperature  is  not  less  than  55°,  or 
60°  if  possible.  When  the  surface  sand  is  dry 
sprinkle  with  a  fine  rose  on  the  water-can,  aiming 
at  keeping  the  soil  moderately  moist.  In  three 
weeks  the  cuttings  should  be  rooted,  when  they 
may  be  stood  in  a  lighter  and  more  sunny  part  of 
the  house. 

In  striking  Dahlia  cuttings  avoid  hot-beds  of 
manure,  propagating  pits,  and  hand-lights.  On 
the  whole  these  useful  helps  are  not  conducive  to 
success  in  Dahlia  work,  except  after  a  careful 
study  of  what  one  may  or  may  not  do.  Simply 
root  them  in   the  open  house,  and  if  they  droop 


February  6,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


■  dew  over  gently  on  fine  mornings.  When  the 
roots  reach  the  sides  of  the  pot,  transfer  them 
to  large  3  -  inch  pots  in  a  compost  of  three 
parts  loam,  two  parts  leaf  -  mould  and  old 
manure,  and  one  of  sand,  and  soon  after  place 
them  out  in  a  frame  to  grow  on  sturdily  for  plant- 
ing out.  If  the  best  plants  are  desired,  another 
•shift  into  a  4J-inoh  pot  may  be  given  at  the  end  of 
April  or  very  early  May,  which  will  keep  the 
iplants  in  a  growing  state  till  June.  The  old 
tubers  may  be  left  undisturbed  for  a  time  yet  if 
they  are  simply  to  be  potted  or  planted  out  as  old 
ifoots,  and  I  will  leave  them  for  the  present. 

Exhibitor. 
(To  he  continued. ) 


PRIMULAS   FOR  WATER- 
SIDE   PLANTING. 

The  finest  yellow  Himalayan  Primula  for  this 
ipurpose  is  the  Sikkim  Cowslip — Primula  sikki- 
■nensis.  The  wet  .«ummer  of  1903  suited  well  this 
•bnautiful  plant.      Many  of  the  flowering  spikes 


will  probably  appear  in  September,  but  if  the  seed 
has  been  dried  it  will  not  germinate  till  next 
spring  (1905).  The  seed  may  be  sown  in  pans,  boxes, 
or  frames,  for  in  the  open  the  majority  of  the 
small  plants  would  most  likely  disappear  altogether 
during  the  winter.  Once  up  the  seedlings  rapidly 
grow,  and  should  be  planted  in  their  flowering  sites 
in  June  or  July.  The  flowers  of  P.  sikkimensis 
possess  a  peculiar  odour  which  is  quite  unlike 
the  fragrance  of  most  yellow-flowered  Primulas. 
Perhaps  it  may  be  best  likened  to  the  odour  of 
crushed  Watercress — at  any  rate  there  is  a  good 
deal  of  pungency  about  it.  As  seed  is  so  plenti- 
fully produced,  it  is  best  to  raise  plants  every 
year  rather  than  to  frequently  divide  the  clump 
that  becomes  so  strong  when  left  alone. 

Primula  rosea  does  not  care  about  a  soil  so 
heavy  and  pasty  as  does  the  preceding.  It  grows 
very  freely  slightly  above  water  level,  planted  in 
the  mossy  ground  tliat  is  often  found  near  running 
streams,  and  seldom  occurs  in  the  vicinity  of  stag- 
nant, dirty  water.  P.  rosea  grandiflora  has  flowers 
of  finer  colouring  than  the  type.  Neither  will 
endure  the  drought  that  would  little  affect  the 
European  Mountain  Primroses.     Colonies  may  be 


THE  SIKKIM   COWSLIP   (PRIMULA  SIKKIMENSIS)   BY   WATERSIDE. 


"have  borne  hundreds  of  flowers,  forming  tassels 
4  inches  across  at  the  apices  of  the  30-inch  stems. 
Some  of  the  stems  show  traces  of  a  whorled 
arrangement  of  the  flowers,  which  is  so  charac- 
teristic of  P.  japonica,  P.  imperialis,  and  the  green- 
house P.  verticillata  and  others.  Probably  this 
form  might  become  fixed  and  improved  by  careful 
■seed  saving  through  several  generations,  but  this 
•could  hardly  result  in  a  form  more  beautiful  than 
the  one  we  now  have.  Primulas  that  flower  in 
spring  and  ripen  their  seed  early  do  not  greatly 
■sufi'er  from  drought.  But  P.  sikkimensis  will 
■stand  nothing  of  the  kind.  When  starved  the 
flower-stems  come  down  in  height  to  nearly 
that  of  the  English  Cowslip.  It  flowers  during 
the  longest  days  of  summer,  and  must,  to 
Ido  strong,  have  abundant  watering  and  good 
heavy  soil.  Grown  by  the  waterside  the 
growth  is  very  robust,  and  the  flowering  stems 
■numerous  and  tall.  It  is  best  in  partial  shade, 
for  strong  sunlight  causes  the  stems  to  flag,  even 
when  the  roots  are  moist.  Although  it  has  been 
■stated  that  this  fine  Primula  rarely  seeds  in  this 
■country,  here  and  in  many  other  places  it  produces 
an  abundance.  Seed  should  be  gathered  before  it 
ds  quite  ripe,  and  sown  at  once.     The  seedlings 


grown  in  moist  woods  that  now  only  shelter  and 
moisten  our  native  Primroses.  The  hue  of  this 
Himalayan  Primrose  is  an  exceptional  one  in  a 
genus  of  plants  often  containing  peculiar  mixtures 
of  red  and  purplish  shades  in  its  flowers.  The 
flowers  of  P.  rosea  appear  in  spring  and  continue 
for  months. 

P^  DENTICULATA  is  another  Indian  Primrose  that 
requires  a  moist  soil.  In  the  variety  cashmiriana 
the  undersides  of  the  leaves  are  covered  with 
farina  ;  the  var.  alba  has  very  fine  white  flowers, 
while  in  the  var.  rosea  they  are  purplish  rose. 
It  is  a  mistake  to  raise  imported  seed  of  this 
plant,  as  this  produces  plants  that  are  not  equal 
to  the  above  and  other  varieties  grown  in  this 
country.  All  forms  have  a  rounded  head  of 
blossom  at  the  top  of  their  stems.  In  the  best 
varieties  the  flowers  are  close  together  in  the  head  ; 
in  poor  forms,  they  are  loose,  and  of  pale  washy 
colours.  Although  P.  denticulata  was  brought 
into  this  country  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  it  never 
seems  to  have  settled  down  to  the  English  climate. 
As  summer  closes  the  plants  are  found  with 
luxuriant  foliage,  that  the  first  sharp  frost  totally 
destroy?.  Presently,  the  young,  round  flower 
heads  appear  in  the  hearts,  and  growing  up  also 


get  cut  down,  unless  a  mild  season  ensures  their 
safety.  Yet  in  spring  the  plants,  full  of  flower, 
appear  to  be  no  worse  for  their  misfortunes. 

Primula  japonioa  is  also  an  excellent  wet  soil 
plant,  reaching  in  such  2  feet  or  so  in  height.  The 
deep  crimson  flowers  are  arranged  in  whorls  round 
the  stem.  The  variety  lilacina  is  also  good,  while 
the  white  form  is  far  loo  little  seen.  Primula 
japonica  has  not  the  assured  hardiness  of  the 
Indian  Primroses.  When  naturalising  these 
Primulas  it  is  always  best  first  to  raise  the  plants 
in  a  frame,  and  afterwards  transplant  during  the 
early  summer  of  the  first  year.  Even  one  ounce 
of  Primula  rosea  seed  does  not  go  far  when  sown 
broadcast.  If  bought  seed  it  may  take  a 
year  to  appear,  so  that  it  is  best  to  have  it  under 
control. 

P.  IMPERIALIS  is  another  large-growing  bog 
plant,  but  until  improved  it  is  not  equal  to  P. 
sikkimensis  for  the  open  air.  There  are  several 
other  species  that  may  also  be  thus  grown,  although 
they,  for  the  most  part,  need  more  care  than  the 
preceding.  A  bog  is  often  unfitted  for  choicer  plants, 
for  some  are  mere  holes  filled  with  sour  soil — 
sour  because  stagnant  water  abounds,  and  there 
are  insufficient  plants  to  take  it  up.  The  Botanic 
Garden  at  Cambridge  contains  a  fine  example  of 
the  treatment  of  water  and  water-loving  plants, 
and  included  among  the  latter  are  many  strong 
pieces  of  the  best  Primulas.  D.  S.  FiSH. 

Royal  Botanic  Qarden,  Edinburgh. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


SEED -SOWING   NOTES. 

NOW  that  the  turn  of  the  days  has  past, 
and  the  hours  of  light  are  lengthening, 
the  hopefulness  of  spring  is  already 
stirring  within  us,  and  we  are  reminded 
that  January  begins  the  seed-time  of 
the  year.  It  is  none  too  soon  to  make 
up  our  minds  as  to  the  materials  we  want  for 
the  season's  campaign.  When  the  seed -packets 
arrive  to  our  order  —  be  it  given  never  so 
early — it  will  be  quite  time  to  make  some  of 
the  first  sowings  under  glass.  Our  present  theme, 
however,  is  not  so  much  about  seed-sowing  to 
be  done  in  this  coming  springtide  of  1904  as  to 
chronicle  the  result  of  some  seed-sowing  that  was 
done  in  the  autumn  of  1903.  The  note  is  made 
chiefly  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  prefer  to  have 
sturdy  seedlings  reared  without  artificial  heat, 
requiring  little  or  no  hardening  off  when  planting 
time  is  at  hand,  while  the  gain  of  a  season  must 
also  be  taken  into  account. 

The  making  of  a  new  garden  suggested  the 
expediency  of  taking  time ,  by  the  forelock  in 
preparation  for  filling  empty  borders  in  the  coming 
year.  The  only  regret  now  is  that  much  more  was 
not  then  put  in  hand.  Seeds  bought,  saved,  and 
given  of  many  suitable  kinds,  however,  were  sown 
during  August  and  September,  and  pricked  off'  as 
they  required  it.  At  this  present  time,  Hollyhocks, 
Pentstemons,  Gaillardias,  Ferulas,  hardy  Cycla- 
men, a  new  hybrid  Viola,  Pansies,  and  a  good 
many  more  are  amongst  the  number  of  capital  little 
plants  which  are  slowly  coming  on  in  an  unhealed 
greenhouse.  This  house  is  used  for  Tomatoes, 
planted  in  the  raised  side  borders  during  the 
summer,  succeeded  by  Chrysanthemums  for  cutting 
in  the  autumn,  and  occupied  during  the  winter 
with  pot  Roses,  bulbs  coming  on,  and  odds  and 
ends,  such  as  the  seedlings  of  the  hardy  perennials 
just  mentioned,  all  of  which  are  the  better  for  the 
shelter  of  glass,  but  need  no  artificial  heat.  No 
more  useful  type  of  glass  structure  can  be  added 
to  the  ordinary  country  house  garden,  especially  in 
the  interest  of  the  working  amateur  of  the  family, 
for,  as  a  rule,  the  gardener  is  not  unwilling  to 
relinquish  his  share  in  it  as  soon  as  the  Tomatoes 
are  over. 

The  middle  to  the  end  of  January  finds  us  fairly 
well  to  the  fore  in  our  preparations  for  the  planting 
season.  Flowers  in  pots  are  not  altogether  omitted, 
for,  besides  bulbs.  Sweet  Peas  sown  in  July  will 
come  into  bloom  with  the  first  blush  of  spring,  and 


94 


THE   GARDEN. 


[February  6,  1904. 


the  early  Forget-me-not  (Myosotis  dis- 
sitiflora)  is  beginning  to  open  its  flowers. 
In  this  latter  respect,  however,  with 
more  forethought  much  more  might  have 
been  done. 

Let  it  be  urged,  then,  that  spring, 
though  it  may  be  the  chief, 
is  not  the  only  sowing  time.  And, 
should  the  retort  be  made  that  the 
advice  comes  a  day  too  late  for  the 
fair,  yet  there  is  a  good  and  valid  reason 
why  it  should  be  given  now  besides  the 
obvious  one  that  the  subject  is  upper- 
most in  one's  mind  at  the  moment,  viz., 
in  order  that  we  may  reserve  a  portion 
of  the  spring  seeds,  so  that  they  may  be 
at  hand  to  make  the  experiment  in  the 
autumn. 

It  is  better  still,  no  doubt,  to  pro- 
cure freshly  ripened  seeds,  but  this 
is  not  always  practicable.  And,  lest 
we  forget  to  take  advantage  of  such 
reserves  when  August  does  come,  it  is 
not  a  bad  plan  to  insert  —  after  the 
obliging  custom  of  a  bank  at  the 
approaching  end  of  its  cheque-books — 
a  reminding  fly-leaf  in  the  garden  diary 
which  all  good  working  amateurs  keep, 
to  the  effect  that  in  July  we  must  look 
up  our  seeds  for  the  autumn  sowing  ; 
In  fact,  the  shortest  day  and  the  longest 
day  may  both  be  taken  as  flying  signals 
to  warn  us  that  there  is  this  special 
garden  work  ahead,  for  which  the  time 
has  come  to  make  due  preparation.  This 
cap,  of  course,  will  not  suit  all  heads, 
but  haply  it  may  fit  one  here  and  there 
of  those  who  do  not  find  it  necessary 
to  leave  home  during  those  two  most  uncomfort 
able  months  for  travelling.  K.  L.  D. 


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BEECH  IN  OPEN  :  NATURAL  GROWTH  (ABOUT  lOO  YEARS  OLD). 


CLASSIFICATION  OF  SWEET  PEAS. 

In  The  Garden  of  the  23rd  ult.,  you  have 
given  some  very  useful  information  about  Sweet 
Peas.  At  the  end  of  your  report  of  the  National 
Sweet  Pea  Society's  audit,  you  give  a  classification 
of  Sweet  Peas  made  out  by  Mr.  Hugh  Alder.iey  of 
Cheater.  This  list,  although  a  very  fair  one,  was 
criticised  very  much  at  the  meeting  of  the  National 
Sweet  Pea  Society  by  myself  and  others,  and  it 
was  decided  that  it  would  be  best  left  out  of  the 
annual  report.  I  have  made  Sweet  Peas  a  very 
great  study  for  some  years,  and  have  written  a 
little  work  giving  the  description  of  every  known 
variety,  and  with  your  kind  permission  I  should 
like  to  give  your  readers  what  I  consider  a  better 
classification  than  that  by  Mr.  Aldersey.  This  you 
will  find  enclosed,  and  with  your  kind  permission 
also  I  will  explain  why  I  think  this  list  is  better 
for  the  general  grower  than  that  of  Mr.  Aldersey. 

You  will  see  in  the  class  for  whites  I  am  of 
opinion  that  Dorothy  Eckford  is  best.  There  is, 
and  always  has  been,  a  great  diversity  of  opinion 
as  to  which  is  the  best  Pea,  Sadie  or  Blanche  Burpee. 
I  always  give  the  preference  to  Blanche,  because 
it  has  a  more  upright  standard,  whereas  Sadie 
slopes  too  much  to  please  me.  Mr.  Aldersey  gives 
Emily  Henderson  as  fourth.  I  reallj'  do  not  think 
we  want  more  than  three  of  any  one  shade  of 
colour,  but  if  I  were  to  put  a  fourth  I  should  give 
Mont  Blanc  in  preference  to  Emily  Henderson, 
because  it  is  much  earlier  in  coming  into  bloom,  a 
full  fortnight  before  almost  any  other  white  variety. 
In  the  blush  I  only  give  one  variety,  and  I  look 
upon  Countess  of  Aberdeen  as  quite  a  variety  of 
the  past,  and  it  is  very  rarely  seen  now  on  the 
exhibition  table.  I  see  it  was  only  once  in  the 
first  prize  stand,  and  only  five  times  exhibited  out 
of  990  bunches  at  the  last  National  show. 

The  class  for  cream-coloured  varieties  I  consider 
somewhat  misleading  ;  we  have  no  Pea  which  we 
could  call  a  cream-coloured  flower,  they  are  all 
more  or  less  tinged  with  bulf.  Mrs.  Fitzgerald 
I  look  upon  as  nothing  better  than  Stella  Morse, 
but  a  flower  of  not  much  account,  for  it  was  only 
shown  twice,  and  then  only  in  those  collections 
where  a  large  number  of  varieties  was  wanted  for 
variety's  sake.    Lottie  Hutchins  I  consider  is  more 


of  a  fancy  than  a  cream.  It  is  very  much  like  a 
pale  Venus,  with  a  slight  blush  at  the  back  of  the 
standard,  and  somewhat  flaked  with  pale  rose.  To 
speak  of  yellow  Sweet  Peas  is,  I  think,  most  mis- 
leading. We  have  no  such  thing  as  a  yellow  Sweet 
Pea  yet,  but  we  are  all  hoping  for  it,  and  I  think 
the  first  who  can  raise  it  may  be  sure  of  getting 
£1,000  for  his  labour.  It  would  be  very  much 
better  to  call  them  pale  primrose,  for  seen  at  a 
distance  they  would  be  more  often  called  white 
than  yellow.  Here  Mr.  Aldersey  gives  us  four 
varieties  again,  and  I  think  Mrs.  Ormsby  Gore  may 
be  well  left  out,  for  it  would  be  a  difficult  matter 
to  distinguish  between  that  and  Queen  Victoria, 
unless  they  were  seen  side  by  side.  Pink  shades 
we  agree  upon,  although  he  places  them  rather 
diff'erently  in  order  of  merit.  I  always  consider 
Prima  Donna  is  a  much  better  variety  than  Lovely. 
To  put  Prince  of  Wales,  Lord  Rosebery,  and 
Mrs.  Dugdale  in  the  rose  section  I  think  is  very 
misleading,  for  the  two  former  are  totally  distinct 
in  every  way  from  the  latter,  and  I  think  my 
classification  of  it  as  a  bright  rose  is  more  suitable. 
When  we  talk  of  Lady  Mary  Currie,  Miss  Willmott, 
and  Chancellor  as  bright  rose,  I  think  this  is  also 
misleading,  for  these  are  more  of  a  salmon  or 
orange-rose  than  bright  rose;  to  put  Lady  Mary 
Currie  before  Miss  Willmott  I  should  say  was 
altogether  out  of  place,  and  I  think  that  is  con- 
firmed by  the  analysis  in  competition,  when  we  see 
Miss  Willmott  was  shown  forty-four  times,  and 
headed  the  list,  and  Lady  Mary  Currie  was  only 
exhibited  sixteen  times.  To  include  Gorgeous, 
Countess  of  Powis,  and  Meteor  in  the  orange 
section  is,  I  think,  radically  wrong,  for  all  these 
are  distinct  bicolors  rather  than  selfs,  having 
orange  standard  and  pink  wing.  Gorgeous  has  a 
much  more  intense  standard  than  the  other  two. 
In  the  crimson,  or  I  should  say  dark  fiery  crimson, 
we  agree,  and  the  same  with  cerise  or  dark  salmon- 
scarlet.  We  also  agree  in  the  lavender  section, 
but  when  we  speak  of  dark  blue  and  light  blue, 
we  again  differ,  for  I  consider  Captain  of  the  Blues 
is  more  of  alight  blue  than  a  dark  blue,  and  should 
be  classed  as  such ;  and  Countess  of  Cadogan 
should  stand  where  Captain  of  the  Blues  does  in 
Mr.  Aldersey's  list.  In  the  violet  section,  I  cannot 
see  why  the  Duke  of  Clarence  should  be  included, 
and  when  I  look  through  the  list  I  see  it  has  only 
been  exhibited  four  times,  and  is,  therefore,  hardly 
worthy  of  a  place. 


To  class  Mrs.  Walter  Wright,  Dorothy  Tennant, 
and  Admiration  in  one  section,  is  again  misleading, 
in  my  opinion  Admiration  being  quite  a  light  and 
Mrs.  Walter  Wright  quite  a  dark  shade.  In  the 
dark  maroon,  or  bronze,  I  see  Mr.  Aldersey  still 
clings  to  Othello,  whereas  all  the  classifications 
show  that  Black  Knight  should  certainly  come  first. 
To  call  Gorgeous,  Lord  Kenyon,  and  Calypso 
magenta,  is,  I  consider,  another  error.  Gorgeous 
is  a  bicolor,  having  a  much  paler  wing  than 
standard,  and  is  what  I  should  look  upon  as  an 
improved  Calypso,  or  a  very  dark  Prince  Edward 
of  York.  Lord  Kenyon  is  more  of  a  self,  after  the 
style  of  Lord  Rosebery  or  Prince  of  Wales,  but  with 
more  magenta.  We  do  not  difi'er  a  great  deal  in  our 
bicolors  apart  from  the  comments  made  above,  nor 
do  we  in  our  ideas  of  flakes.  The  Duchess  of  West- 
minster that  Mr.  Aldersey  has  included  as  a  fancy 
is  such  a  poor  and  indifferent  flower  and  sports  so 
much  that  it  is  very  disappointing,  and  is  hardly 
worthy  of  classification.  I  see  it  was  only  shown 
six  times,  and  only  once  in  the  first  prize  stand.  I 
should  be  glad  to  hear  if  any  other  lovers  of  Sweet 
Peas  could  give  us  their  opinion  as  to  these  two 
classifications.  It  would  be  most  interesting  now 
the  Sweet  Pea  is  so  very  popular. 

Mr.  Sydenham's  Classification. 

White. — Dorothy  Eckford,  Blanche  Burpee,  Sadie  Burpee, 
and  Mont  Blanc  for  earliness. 

Ehish. — Duchess  of  Sutherland  syn.  Modesty. 

Crcamtj  7)'(a//;— Countess  of  Lathom,  Venus,  and  Gracie 
Greenwood. 

Pale  Primrose. — Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon,  Queen  Victoria,  and 
Mrs.  Eckford. 

P'iiik.—'PrimB.  Donna,  Lovely,  and  Hon.  F.  Bouverie. 

Britjht  Roffe.  —  Mrs.  Dugdale,  Royal  Rose,  and  Apple 
Blossom. 

SaUnoii  Rose. — Mias  Willmott,  Lady  Mary  Currie,  and 
Chancellor. 

Deep  Rosy  Crimson. — Lord  Rosebery,  Prince  of  Wales,  and 
Her  Majesty. 

Dark  Fiery  Crimson.— KXng  Edward  VII.,  Salopian,  and 
Mars. 

Cerise  or  Dark  Salmon  Searlet. — Coccinca. 

Lamnder.—L&i\y  Grisel  Hamilton,  Countess  of  Radnor,  and 
Lady  Nina  Balfour. 

RUte  (Ijiyfil).— Emily  Eckford,  Captain  of  the  Blues,  and 
Sirs.  Walter  Wripht  (lavender-blue). 

Blae  (Dark).— Navy  Blue  and  Countess  Cadogan. 

]'iolet.— Duke  of  Westminster,  Captivation,  and  Dorothy 
Tennant. 

Dark  Marone  or  Drome.  —  Black  Kniglit,  Stanley,  and 
Othello. 

Bicolors. 

Rose  and  HViiVc— Triumph,  Blanche  Ferry,  and  Little 
Dorrit. 

Ormi^e  and  Pink. — Gorgeous  aud  Countess  of  Powis. 


Februar-x  d,  J  904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


95 


Carvu'nc  or  Crimson  and  Buff.  —  Jeannie  Gordon  and 
Countess  Jewel. 

Carmim  or  Crimson  and  Pink.— Friace  Edward  of  York, 
George  Gordon,  and  Calypso. 

I'LAKKS. 

Light. — Mrs.  J.   Chamberlain,  Aurora,  and  Jessie  Cutli- 
bertson. 
i^arfc.— Princess  of  Wales  and  .Senator. 

PiCOTEE. 

Lottie  Eckford,  Maid  of  Honour,  and  Golden  Gate,  cloudy 
ground. 

Robert  Sydenham. 
Tenby  Street,  Birmingham. 


EVERGREEN   HOLLIES. 

(Ilex.) 

HOLLIES,  as  tliey  are  commonly 
known  in  this  country,  are  so 
typically  evergreen  that  the  term 
"  evergreen  "  in  the  title  of  this 
paper  may  to  some  appear 
superfluous.  There  are,  however, 
numej-ous  deciduous  Hollies.  Ilex  is  a  large 
genus,  to  which  probably  upwards  of  200 
species  are  now  known  to  belong.  These  are 
scattered  widely  over  both  tropical  and 
temperate  countries,  being  found  on  almost  all 
the  great  land  areas  of  the  globe.  About 
twenty  species  can  be  grown  in  the  average 
climate  of  Great  Britain,  and  eight  of  these  are 
true  evergreen  Hollies.  The  deciduous  ones 
belong  chiefly  to  the  group  formerly  known  as 
Prinos,  and  are  shrubs  notable  mainly  for  their 
handsome  fruits  ;  they  are  not,  however,  much 
grown  nowadays.  The  eight  species  mentioned 
are  as  follow  :  European — Ilex  Aquif olium  ; 
Asiatic — I.  cornuta,  I.  dipyrena,  I.  latifolia, 
I.  crenata,  I.  Integra,  and  I.  Pernyi ;  American — 
I.  opaca.  These  Hollies  have  little  flower 
beauty ;  the  flowers  are  small,  white  or 
greenish.  Their  ornamental  qualities  are  in 
their  foliage  chiefly,  but  some  are  also  beautiful 
in  fruit. 

Hollies  like  a  rich  open  loam  to  grown  in, 
and  on  poor  soils  are  greatly  benefited  by 
mulchings  of  rotted  manure.  Transplanting, 
or  any  other  operation  that  involves  root 
disturbance,  should  be  performed  in  autumn 
(say  during  September  if  the  weather  is  suit- 
able), or  in  May,  during  showery  weather  if 
possible. 

I.  COPvNOTA. 

This  interesting  and  distinct  Holly  was  first 
discovered  by  Fortune,  near  Shanghai,  and  was 
sent  home  by  him  to  the  nursery  of  Messrs. 
Standish  and  Co.  at  Bagshot  now  over  fifty 
years  ago.  It  is  still  an  uncommon  plant  in 
English  gardens,  although  very  handsome  and 
quite  distinct  from  any  other  species.  It  is 
apparently  much  dwarfer  than  our  native 
Holly,  and  I  have  not  seen  it  more  than  7  feet 
or  8  feet  high,  although  specimens  much  larger 
than  that  no  doubt  exist,  in  the  gardens  of  the 
south-west  especially.  It  is  not  suitable  for 
the  colder  parts  of  the  Kingdom,  although  at 
Kew  I  have  not  seen  it  seriously  injured  by 
frost.  In  habit  it  is  a  compact  rounded  bush, 
which,  if  left  unpruned,  is  usually  broader  than 
it  is  high.  Its  leaves  are  leathery  in  texture, 
of  a  very  dark  glossy  green,  2  inches  to  4  inches 
long,  and  somewhat  rectangular  in  outline. 
The  terminal  portion  is  armed  with  three  large 
spines,  and  there  are  two  also  at  the  base. 
Usually,  but  not  invariably,  there  is  a  deourved 
spine  at  each  side  near  the  centre  of  the  leaf. 
The  number  of  spines  therefore  is  usually  five 
or  seven,  but  curiously  Lindley  and  Paxton 
show  only  three  in  a  figure  in  the  first  volume 
of  «  The  Flower  Garden."  The  fruit,  which  is 
not  freely  produced,  is  round,  larger  than  the 
common  Holly-berry,  and  red.  Its  attractions 
lie  in  its  distinct  and  handsome  lustrous 
foliage  and  in  its  shapely  habit. 


I.    CEENATA. 

Owing  to  its  slow  growth  this  curious 
Japanese  Holly  has  never  been  largely  grown 
by  nurserymen,  consequently  it  is  but  little 
planted  in  private  gardens.  It  is  a  character- 
istically Japanese  shrub,  being  close  in  habit, 
much  branched,  somewhat  rigid  and  small- 
leaved.  Sargent  describes  it  as  the  most 
abundant  and  widely-distributed  of  the  ever- 
green Japanese  Hollies.  Specimens  8  feet  to 
10  feet  high  exist  in  this  country,  and  under 
cultivation  in  Japan  it  is  frequently  twice  as 
high.  It  is,  however,  usually  a  low  dense  shrub 
not  more  than  3  feet  or  4  feet  high.  Several 
forms  of  it  are  in  cultivation  varying  in  size  of 
leaf,  and  the  larger  the  leaf  the  more  open  is 
the  habit  and  quicker  the  growth.  It  is,  how- 
ever, the  typical,  close-habited,  rigid  shrub  that 
is,  I  think,  so  interesting  and  desirable.  In 
this  form  the  leaf  is  narrow,  lanceolate,  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  long,  and  slightly  toothed  ;  on 
the  whole  the  leaf  is  very  like  that  of  Pernettya 
mucronata.  There  are,  however,  other  forms 
(var.  major  is  one)  with  leaves  much  larger  and 
more  oblong  in  outline.  Professor  Sargent  I 
introduced  one  from  Japan  with  leaves  li  inches 
long  and  half  as  much  broad.  There  is  a 
variegated  form  in  cultivation  also,  the  leaves 
of  which  are  more  or  less  specked  with  yellow, 
but  it  has  no  particular  merit.  This  Holly 
flowers  frequently  in  this  country,  but  does  not 
fruit  freely.  The  fruit  is  black.  In  Japan  bushes 
of  this  Ilex  are  used  as  subjects  for  topiary 
work,  just  as  Yew  and  Box  are  used  with  us. 

I.   DIPYEENA.  ,-.  -  

Coming  from   the        ^ 
Himalaya,    this 
species  is  one  of  the 
less    hardy    Hollies. 
It  is  very  rarely,how- 
ever,  that  it  is  injured 
by  cold.      The    fine 
specimen    in    the 
Holly   collection    at 
Kew,    now    20    feet 
high  and  12  feet  in 
diameter,    was    not 
injured  by  the  great 
frost    of     February, 
1895,  but  I  was  told 
by  the  late  Mr.  True- 
love,  who  for  many 
years  had  charge  of 
the  arboretum,  that 
it    had    been     once 
killed    back    to  the 
ground  level.     It  is 
an     evergreen     tree, 
40  feet  or  more  high, 
with  a  trunk  some- 
times 4  feet  to  5  feet 
in    girth ;     this,     of 
course,     in     a    wild 
state.    The  leaves  are 
of  a  somewhat  dull 
green,    and    not     so 
dark  as  those  of  the 
common  Holly ;  they 
are    lanceolate, 
2  inches  to  5  inches 
long,     the     margins 
armed   with    thin 
spine-like  teeth.    As 
the  tree  gets    older 
these  marginal  spines 
disappear.    The  fruit 
is   one- third   of    an 
inch  to  half  an  inch 
in  diameter,  globose, 
and  red.   Whilst  this 
Holly  is    not  to  be 


recommended  for  general  planting,  it  is  worth 
the  notice  of  those  who  are  interested  in  rare 
trees,  and  especially  of  those  whose  gardens  are 
in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  British  Isles. 
^•^'ew.  w.  J.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 



FAGUS   SYLVATICA. 

OF  our  native  trees  none  is  more 
1  beautiful  and  characteristic  than 
I  the  Beech.  A  well  grown  isolated 
'  specimen,  but  still  more  an  iso- 
lated group  of  trees,  is  one  of  the 
most  pleasing  features  an  English 
park  can  show.  It  is  naturally  a  tree  of  rounded 
shape,  with  wide-spreading  branches ;  some- 
times the  branches  touch  the  ground,  take  root 
there,  and  ultimately  form  new  trees— a  bit  of 
natural  layering.  The  trunk  of  the  Beech 
usually  smooth  and  of  a  grey  silvery  colour 
but  occasionally  rough  or  corrugated,  is,  in 
specimen  trees,  short  in  proportion  to  its 
height.  Drawn  up,  however,  by  companion 
trees,  as  in  the  illustration,  the  Beech  will 
attain  to  heights  of  90  feet  to  100  feet,  some- 
times as  much  as  120  feet,  with  trunks  clear  to 
half  their  height. 

While  the  Beech  in  its  indigenous  state 
appears  chiefly  to  aft'ect  calcareous  soils,  often 
forming  pure  forests  there,   it  will  thrive  in 


BEECH   IN   PLANTATION  :     NATURAL   GROWTH    (ABOUT    lOO  YEARS   OLD). 


©6 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[February  6,  1904. 


sandy  or  loamy  soils.     At   Kew,  growing  on  ;  at  all  common.     When  growing  well  it  makes  a   temporary  framework  to  which  to   train   the 
sandy  soil,  are  many  fine  examples.     Eooting  |  low,  flat-headed  bush,  as  seen  in  the  illustra-    trees  till  they  ha v_e_  filled  the  space  and  formed 


■nearer  the  surface  than  such  trees  as  Oak  or 
Ash,  the  clearing  away  of  fallen  leaves  from 
lander  the  Beech  is  a  particularly  ill-advised 
proceeding,  resulting  in  enfeebled  growth  and 
thin  foliage,  even  premature  decay.  On  poor 
soils,  indeed,  the  reverse  process  of  occasionally 
mulching  the  roots  with  decayed  leaves  is  to  be 
Tecommended,  especially  in  the  case  of  isolated 
trees  of  great  age. 

Apart   from   the   beauty   of    its   trunk,   the 
Beech  in  winter  is  le.ss  picturesque  in  branching 
than  the  Oak  or  Elm.     It  attains  its  greatest 
Tseauty,  to  my  mind,  in  early  June,  when  th» 
young  leaves  have 
almost    or    quite 
reached  their  full 
size,  but  still  re- 
tain   that    beau- 
tiful shade  of  pale 
shining     green 
which  is  not  quite 
like  that  of  any 
other  tree. 

The  Beech  has 
sported  into 
numerous  varie- 
ties, the  com- 
(monest  of  which 
is  the  Purple 
Beech.  This  tree, 
■one  of  the  most 
effective  of  our 
larger  trees  with 
coloured  foliage, 
requires  to  be 
used  in  modera- 
tion in  gardens, 
still  more  so  in 
parks,  for  it  does 
not  accord  well 
■with  masses  of 
our  ordinary 
British  trees.  Its 
foliage  is  very 
beautiful  when 
young,  being  then 
of  a  pale  claret 
colour.  With  age 
it  acquries  a 
heavy  purple  hue. 

The  best  weeping  varieties  of  the  Beech,  of  |  yellow.  The  peduncles,  like  the  leaves  and 
which  there  are  about  half  a  dozen,  are  also  stems,  are  thickly  covered  with  silky  felt. 
Tery  striking  trees.  None  is  superior  to  the  i  When  growing  wild  this  Senecio  is  said  to 
common  Weeping  Beech  (var.  pendula),  of  inhabit  the  rockysides  of  rivers,  the  roots  finding 
which  there  are  magnificent  specimens  in  the  i  congenial  conditions  in  fissures  of  rocks  in 
Britishlsles,  notably  at  the  Knap  Hill  Nursery,  I  which  there  is_  a  deposit  of  rich,  light  soil, 
in  Surrey,  and  in  the  Lough  Nursery,  Cork.  :  About  London  it  has  to  be  grown  in  a  green- 
This  variety  forms  a  huge  tent-like  mass,  the  \  house  in  pots,  and  under  these  conditions  it  is 
main  limbs  growing  horizontally,  while  hanging  rarely  seen  to  advantage.  In  some  Cornish 
from  them  perpendicularly  are  the  smaller  \  gardens  it  is  met  with  growing  well,  particularly 
branches.  i  in  Lord  Falmouth's  garden,  Tregothnan.  Similar 

A  new  variety  which  is  very  highly  spoken  soil  to  that  in  which  Rhododendrons  luxuriate 
■of  is  the  Servian  Beech  or  var.  Zlatia,  found  on  i  is  most  suitable  for  this  Olearia, 


the  mountains  of  Servia  a  few  years  ago.  Its 
foliage  when  young  is  golden  yellow,  with  all 
the  delicacy  of  shade  that  belongs  to  the  young 
foliage  of  the  Beech  in  all  its  forms.  As  the 
.season  advances  it  turns  to  the 
green.  W.  J. 


ordinary 
Bean. 


tion.  The  branches  are  about  one-third  to  half  the  shape.  In  old  days  Hornbeam  was  the 
an  inch  in  diameter,  and  are  covered  with  tree  most  used,  and  for  a  simple  green  alley 
brownish  felty  hair.».  The  leaves  are  4  inches  nothing  is  better.  Beech  is  also  good.  Several 
to  6  inches  long,  elliptic,  entire  and  thick  in  other  of  the  smaller  trees  of  weeping  growth 
texture.  When  young  they  are  covered  on  should  be  more  used  for  this  and  the  allied 
both  surfaces  with  felty  hairs  like  the  stem,  u.ses  of  training  for  arbours  and  other  shelter 
but  with  age  much  of  this  felt  wears  off  the  ,  spaces  in  the  garden. 

upper  surface.  The  inflorescences  are  borne  on  The  Common  Plane  is  much  used  on  the 
long  peduncles,  and  are  axillary,  or,  in  some  '  Continent  for  green  shelters  ;  the  trees  are 
cases,  terminal.  When  axillary  they  come  from  ,  pollarded  at  about  8  feet  high,  and  the  vigorous 
the  axils  near  the  ends  of  the  branches  only,  i  young  growths  trained  down  horizontally  to  a 
Each  inflorescence  is  from  2i-  inches  to  3i  inches  [  slight  framework. 

across,  the  ray  florets   being  white,  the  dis"  '     It  would  be  interesting  to  make  a  green  alley 

with  two  or,  per- 
haps, three  kinds 
of  plants  whose 
leaf  form  was  of 
somewhat  the 
same  structure. 
For  instance,  a 
groundwork  of 
Weeping  Ash 
could  soon  be 
trained  into 
shape,  and  Wis- 
taria could  be  led 
to  grow  all  over 
and  through  it. 
The  more  stift" 
and  woody  Ash 
would  supply  the 
eventual  solid 
framework,  and 
by  the  time  the 
Wistaria  was 
making  strong 
growth  (for  it  is  a 
plant  very  slow  to 
makeabeginning) 
the  whole  would 
be  well  in  shape, 
and  might  dis- 
pense with  the 
framing  of  "  car- 
penter's work" 
that  is  necessary 
for  its  first  shap- 
ing. It  would  be 
best  to  plant  the 
Ash  zigzag  across 
the  path  so  that  the  main  of  the  head  of  eacti 
tree  might  be  trained  across  the  path  and  down 
to  the  ground  on  the  opposite  side,  when  it 
would  occupy  the  space  between  the  two 
opposite  tree!-. 

It  is  important  to  further  maintain  the 
distinction  between  green  alley  and  pergola  by 
using  in  the  green  alley  only  things  of  a 
permanent  and  woody  character  ;  no  Roses 
or  Clematis  or  any  other  plants  of  which 
portions  are  apt  to  die  or  wear  out.  These  are 
proper  to  the  pergola,  whose  permanent  sub- 
structure makes  it  easier  to  cut  away  and 
renew  those  of  its  coverings,  whether  structural 
or  growing,  that  are  liable  to  partial  decay. 

A  great  many  delightful  things  may  be  done 
with  these  green  alleys  and  green  shelters. 
Much  interest  is  already  aroused  in  the  pergola, 
and  with  it  it  is  well  to  consider  these  other 
related  ways  of  adding  to  the  comfort  and 
delight  of  our  gardens.  One  thing,  however, 
should  be  carefully  considered.  It  should  be 
remembered  that  where  a  path  is  made  more 
important  by  passing  under  trained  green 
growths  it  should  have  some  definite  reason 
for  being  so  accentuated,  certainly  at  one 
end,  and  desirably  at  both.  It  often  occurs 
that  in  laying  out  ground  the  owner  wishes 
to  have  a  pergola,  as  it  were,  in  the  air, 
and    when   there   is    nothing    to    justify    its 


OLEARIA   INSIGNIS. 


W.  Dallimore. 


OLEARIA  INSIGNIS. 
The  various  species  of  Olearia  form  a  distinct 
group  of  Compositas,  and  of  the  number 
■p.  insignis  is  at  the  same  time  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  distinct.  It  is  a 
inative  of  New  Zealand,  being  found  in  the 
Middle  Island  at  an  elevation  of  .'j,(;i00  feet 
above  sea  level.  It  was  first  discovered  about 
1850  by  Captain  D.  Rough,  but  though  it  has 
fceen  known  for  so  long  it  cannot  be  said  to  be  I  sti'ffer  and  more  woody  growths  only  needs  a 


GREEN     ALLEYS. 

In  the  formation  of  green  alleys  there  are 
flowering  Cherries  of  weeping  habit  that  would 
suit  well  for  such  treatment,  and  several  other 
small  trees  of  pendulous  growth,  such  as 
Laburnum,  Weeping  Ash,  and  the  large-leaved 
Weeping  Elm.  There  is  an  important  green 
alley  at  West  Dean,  near  Chichester,  of 
Laburnum  only.  The  green  alley  dift'ers  from 
the  pergola  in  that  the  pergola  has  solid  and 
permanent  supports,  its  original  purpose,  in 
addition  to  the  giving  of  shade,  being  to 
support  Vines.    The  green  alley  being  made  of 


February  6,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


97 


tiresence.  It  should  not  be  put  at  haphazard 
over  any  part  of  a  garden  walk.  If  of  any 
length,  it  should  distinctly  lead  from  some- 
where to  somewhere  of  importance  in  the 
garden  design,  and  should,  at  least  at 
one  end,  finish  in  some  distinct  full-stop, 
such  as  a  well-designed  summer-house  or  tea- 
house. 

Another  important  matter  is  that  a  pergola 
or  green  alley  in  the  usual  sense  should  never 
wind  or  go  uphill.  We  do  not  mean  to  say 
that  shading  coverings  cannot  be  used  in 
such  places,  but  that  they  would  want  quite 
especial  design,  and  it  is  altogether  a  matter  of 
•doubt  if  these  could  not  be  much  better 
treated  in  other  ways. 

The  circumstances  of  different  gardens  are 
so  infinitely  various  that  it  is  impossible  to 
lay  down  hard  rules ;  we  can  only  offer 
general  rules,  and  leave  exceptional  cir- 
cumstances to  be  dealt  with  by  exceptional 
treatment. 

The  illustration  shows  one  of  the  most 
interesting  features  in  the  gardens  of  Hampton 
■Court,  namely,  the  Wych  Elm  Walk  or  Queen 
Mary's  Bower  ;  it  is  picturesque  in  winter  with 
its  interwoven  branches,  and  in  summer  a 
grateful  retreat  from  the  heat  of 
the  day. 


clusters  are  hastening  forward  ;  but  the 
sticky  Cleavers,  the  dead  Nettle,  and  the 
Chervil  have  not  been  idle  either,  and 
"snip-snip-snip"  go  the  shears,  until  in  half 
an  hour  you  have  put  all  the  weeds  a  month 
back  in  their  growth,  and  in  that  month  your 
flowers  will  have  made  great  headway. 
Snipping  carefully,  too,  for  fear  of  cutting  the 
green  spikes  of  growing  Daffodils,  you  have 
discovered  all  sorts  of  little  woodland  plants 
and  delicate  seedlings,  which  you  had  almost 
forgotten,  and  which  would  certainly  have 
perished  had  you  not  come  to  their  rescue. 

Good  Work  for  Winter. 

One  of  the  best  features  of  this  form  of 
gardening  is  that  you  can  carry  it  on  with  the 
best  effect  when  no  other  gardening  is  possible. 
If  the  ground  is  frozen  hard  you  cannot  weed 
the  flower-beds,  even  if  you  wish  ;  you  cannot 
dig ;  and  you  cannot  even  prune  for  fear  of 
injury  to  the  cut  and  exposed  tissues.  But  in 
shrubbery  or  coppice  gardening  this  injury  is  a 
point  in  your  favour.  The  more  you  injure 
the  undesirable  weeds  of  the  woodland  by 
shearing  them  close  to  the  ground  the  better 
chance  your  flowers  and  Ferns  will  have,  and 


if  the  day  is  cold  you  can  select  the  worst 
"jungly"  bits  for  your  operations,  when,  after 
clearing  half  a  dozen  square  yards  of  tangle  of 
last  year's  dead  luxuriance  of  weed  and  Briar, 
you  will  be  quite  warm  enough — even  if  you 
have  not  to  carry  your  own  "skep"  to  the 
rubbish- heap  every  time  that  it  is  filled. 

Making  New  Paths. 

You  cannot  have  too  many  paths  in  spinney 
or  coppice,  because,  wherever  paths  diverge, 
you  can  take  the  weed-plants  between  in  flank 
and  rear,  and  create  new  oases  of  selected 
beauty.  And  it  is  only  now  that  you  can  lay 
out  your  new  paths  with  an  unfettered  mind. 
That  thin,  ragged  stick,  which  is  all  that 
stands  in  the  way  of  a  delightful  detour  round 
the  nook  where  the  Lilies  of  the  Valley  bloom 
in  season,  would  be  a  flourishing  young  Oak 
tree  later,  and  shut  out  the  vista  of  potential 
beauty.  Now  you  can  root  it  up— and  a  few 
"other  things"  of  no  value— without  com- 
punction ;  and,  lo  !  you  have  a  new  woodland 
path  ready  for  adornment.  Here,  as  you  shear 
the  margins  close,  discovering  more  desirable 
plants  and  seedlings  than  you  could  have 
hoped  for,  you  can  mark  at  once  with  labels 


ROUND    ABOUT    A 
GARDEN. 


The  Most  Amusive  Gardening 

NO  W  is  the  time  when 
my  favourite  form 
of  gardening  —  the 
only  gardening,  in- 
deed, which  I  rejoice 
to  do  with  my  own 
lands  —  can  be  pursued  with 
vigour  and  produces  the  best 
results  per  pound  of  energy  ex- 
ipended.  Leave  the  flower-beds, 
mow  in  Apple-pie  order  —  and 
something  of  mud-pie  aspect — 
to  the  gardener  who  has  mar- 
shalled underground  your  batta- 
lions of  bulbs  for  their  annual 
■spring  review,  and  betake  your- 
self to  the  shrubbery  paths,  or, 
better  still,  to  the  coppice  or  the 
spinney,  with  a  large  basket — 
a  "skep"  we  call  it  in  Norfolk — 
and  a  pair  of  shears.  Everything 
is  pushing  ahead  in  the  shelter 
•of  the  Larches  and  the  ever- 
greens, and  now  is  your  time  to 
■check  the  undesirables  and  give 
your  favourites  a  splendid  start 
in  the  race  of  the  year. 

Cherished  Wildings. 
You  commence  operations  in 
"the  grassy  bay  where  your 
winding  woodland  path 
debouches  like  a  little  river  upon 
■the  miniature  green  sea  of  the 
lawn.  From  here  the  gardener's 
•mowing-machine  sweeps  always 
in  a  respectful  curve,  for  he 
knows  that  the  grass  there  is 
£lled  with  Bee  Orchids,  Hare- 
'bells,  Dropwort,  and  other  "field- 
weeds  "  which  you  cherish ;  and 
your  shears  are  busy  at  once. 
The  Winter  Aconites,  the  Prim- 
roses, and  the  Polyanthus 
Primulas  are  already  flowering 
Ibravaly,  and  the  Snowdrop 


QUI  EN    mart's  EOWKB   AT   HAMPTON    COUKT  :     THE    WYCH    ELM    WALK. 


98 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  6, 1904. 


but  almost  all  are  stiflF  and  lumpy  plants, 
dismally  suggestive  of  the  grouped  "  ever- 
greens "  in  the  bare  flower-beds  of  a  sooty 
London  "  square." 

Aisles  of  Beauty. 
But  if  you  reverse  the  rabbit's  process, 
using  your  shears— not,  as  he  uses  his  teeth, 
to  destroy  the  delicate,  but  to  cut  out  the 
rank,  the  tangled,  and  the  unsightly,  you  will, 
in  an  amazingly  short  space  of  years,  achieve  a 
coppice  in  every  respect  the  antithesis  of  the 
unsightly  warren.  Each  delicate  and  graceful 
plant  has,  with  your  help,  found  a  niche  which 


the  spots  where  choice  woodland  plants  are  to 
be  placed,  and — such  is  the  value  of  experience 
— it  almost  always  happens  that  these  newest 
paths  in  your  coppice  become  in  a  few  months 
the  most  beautiful  of  all. 

Familiar  Vistas. 

But  no  cesthetic  comparisons  diminish  your 
joy  in  the  old  paths.  Here  flourish  in  colonies 
the  descendants  of  the  scraps  of  plants  which 
you  brought  back  from  holiday  rambles — how 
many  years  ago  ! — in  olher  lands.  Here  you 
know  almost  exactly  how  every  inch  of  ground 
is    occupied,    and    the    "  snip-snip "    of    your 

shears  is  almost  caressing,  as  you  trim  away  i  it  exactly  tills,  and  where  your  original  plan 
the  grass  and  trivial  weed-seedlings  that  tind  was  happy  you  will  have  on  every  side  tier 
slender  room  to  stand  on  .3-inch  tip-toe  above  tier  of  beauty  from  little  moss-like 
between  your  well-established  favourites.  On  creeping  plants  which  star  the  ground  with 
the  main,  broad  paths  the  belt  of  protected  |  sprinkled  blossoms  to  the  tall,  flowering 
plants  seems  clear  and  compact  throughout,  I  bushes  and  hardy  Bamboos,  which  till  all  the 
but  if  you  neglected  it  for  twelve  months 
what  a  jungle  of  wild  weeds  and  coarse  grass 
it  would  become  !  So  you  work  at  it  slowly 
now,  inch  by  inch  and  foot  by  foot,  and  each 
"  snip-snip "  of  the  shears  reveals  some  self- 
sown  seedling  flower,  which  would  have  had 
no  chance  against  the  coarser  infants  of  the 
weeds. 

The  Pestilent  Rabbit. 

In  coppice  gardening  you  must  reverse  the 
process  of  the  rabbit— whom,  by  the  same 
token,  you  must  not  admit  to  your  woodland 
garden  on  any  excuse  whatever.  He  is 
amusing  and  frolicsome  and  all  that,  but 
where  there  is  a  rabbit  there  is  no  gardening 
worth  the  name.  For  the  rabbit  goes  about 
deliberately  devouring  everything  which  is 
choice  and  soft  and  delicate.  Burdock  with 
its  clinging  hooks.  Nettle  with  its  rank 
invasion  and  its  painful  sting.  Elder  with  its 
stiff  and  unsightly  luxuriance,  Cleavers 
twisting  and  tangling  everything  into  dis- 
orderly confusion — these  and  a  few  coarse 
umbellifers  crowd  the  coppice  where  the  rabbit 
reigns.  There  are  a  few  more  or  less  orna- 
mental "  rabbit-proof  "  plants,  such  as  Rhodo- 
dendron, Daphne,  Barberry,  Box,  and  Laurel, 


will  give  a  fine  display  from  the  end  of  May  till 
cut  down  by  frosts  in  the  autumn.  These  look 
particularly  well  if  standing  with  a  dark  back- 
ground, such  as  a  Yew  or  Holly  hedge.  Agapan- 
thus  make  splendid  tub  plants,  also  Myrtles, 
Camellias,  Aloysias,  Agaves,  Geraniums  (especially 
Ivy-leaved  varieties  for  draping  the  sides  of  the 
tubs),  Fuchsias,  and  itegonias.  Cannas  do  very 
well,  though  looking  rather  stiff.  Tulips  (as  sug- 
gested). Hyacinths  and  other  bulbs.  Wallflowers, 
&c.,  would  be  very  nice  in  spring.  Later,  a  few 
tubs  of  Arum  Lilies  could  be  tried  in  a  sheltered 
position.  Gladioli,  the  dwarf  early  varieties, 
would  make  a  good  show,  but  would  require  a 
groundwork  of  suitable  dwarf  plants.  I  have  had 
no  experience  with  Pajonies,  but  am  doubtful  if 
these  would  be  a  success  in  tubs. 

The  between  -  season  treatment  depends  very 
much  on  the  plants  employed.  The  majority  would 
require  to  be  in  a  cool,  light  house  for  the  winter. 
Plunging  in  leaves  1  do  not  see  the  necessity  of. 


spaces  below  the  branches 'of  the  trees  with    The  most  essential  point    n  tub  gardening  is  that 


grace  and  greenery,  splashed  here  and  there 
with  colour.  And  all  that  is  needed  to  attain 
complete  success  in  woodland  gardening  is 
taste  and  judgment  at  the  outset  and  unceasing 
activity  with  shears  and  scissors  afterwards, 
especially  from  now  onwards  into  spring. 

E.  K.  R. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor  is   not    responsible    for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


TUB  GARDENING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

I R , — In   answer   to   the   queries   of   your 

correspondent   "J.   H.   P.,"   I  will  give 

our   experience   with   tub   gardening   at 

Bessborough,    County    Kilkenny,   where 

the    idea   was  introduced   several   years 

ago    by     the    Viscountess     Duncannon, 

principally    for    the    purpose    of    decorating    the 

terraces  during  the  summer  and  autumn   months. 

Among  the  plants  mo.st  suitable  for  this  purpose 

are  white  Marguerites,  which,  if  strong  plants  are 

prepared  and  planted  in  the  tubs  in  good  rich  soil. 


[T( 

S' 


lUB  PLANTS   ON   THE  TERRACE  AT  GnNNEKSBUKY  HOUSE,   A  RESIDENCE   OF  MR.  LEOPOLD   DE  ROTHSCHILD, 


the  plants  must  never  be  neglected  in  the  matter 
of  watering.  An  occasional  top-dressing  is  a 
very  great  help  to  a  continual  display  (a  little 
artificial  manure,  mixed  with  fine  soil,  is  a  good 
way  of  applying  a  stimulant),  but  if  the  plants  in, 
tubs  are  once  allowed  to  flag  for  want  of  water 
they  will  never  be  a  success,  but  lose  colour  in  the 
foliage,  cease  blooming,  and  look  altogether  miser- 
able. Regarding  tins,  if  a  great  quantity  are 
required  it  would  save  so  many  tubs,  but  all  perma- 
nent plants,  such  as  Myrtles,  Agapanthus,  &c.,  I 
should  put  straight  into  tubs,  using  tins  for  the 
softer  things.  Petroleum  barrels  sawn  in  two 
make  very  suitable  and  inexpensive  tubs  ;  they 
can  be  painted  any  colour,  the  iron  bands  being 
painted  another  shade  if  desired.  If  tubs  were 
required  in  the  winter,  hardy  evergreen  foliage 
shrubs  would  have  to  be  used.  J.  G.  Weston. 
Bessborough,  County  Kilkenny. 

[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sib, — In  reply  to  "J.  H.  P.,"  respecting  tub 
plants,  I  will  endeavour  to  give  my  experience 
of  them.  In  the  first  place,  I  have  never  found 
it  wise  to  plunge  any  of  the  tubs  while  the  plants 
are  growing,  as  the  roots  feel  the  effect  after  the 
tubs  are  exposed  in  their  allotted  positions,  and, 
besides,  plunging  has  an  injurious  effect  upon  the 
paint  or  varnish  as  well  as  rotting  the 
tubs.  With  regard  to  zinc  lining  it  is- 
not  to  be  recommended,  but  give  pre- 
ference to  large  pots  and  pans  made  to- 
fit  stationary  tuba,  as  it  is  a  well-known 
fact  that  any  plant  grows  far  better  ii> 
potware  than  in  zinc.  Tubs  filled  with 
perfectly  hardy  plants  should  certainly 
have  litter  or  any  suitable  material  placed 
around  them  in  very  severe  weather ; 
they  are  stored  away  in  the  reserve 
ground  to  rest.  As  to  each  batch  of  plants 
having  separate  tubs,  this  will  depend 
on  the  plants  used ;  for  instance,  those 
of  spring-flowering  plants,  consisting  of 
biennials  and  bulbs,  should  be  emptied, 
well  cleaned,  and  replanted  with  plants 
to  flower  in  summer  and  autumn,  thesfr 
being  ready  in  their  turn  to  receive  the 
same  class  of  plants  by  October,  while 
other  tubs  contain  permanent  plants,, 
which  I  will  give  below.  Taking  the 
permanent  plants  first: 

Agapanthus,  before  very  severe 
weather  sets  in,  must  be  removed 
indoors,  either  to  a  light  shed  or  cool 
greenhouse,  just  keeping  the  soil  moist 
till  growth  recommences.  When  all 
danger  of  frost  is  over,  stand  out  in  a 
good  position  and  water  copiously  with 
both  manure  and  clear  water. 

Camellias  treat  similarly,  with  the 
exception  of  manure-water,  giving  an 
occasional  application  of  diluted  soot- 
water  instead. 

Hydrangea  hortensis  must  be  pro- 
tected from  severe  weather  in  any  cold 
bouse  or  like  structure  till  spring,      la 


February  6,  1904,] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


99 


the  growing  season  give  copious  supplies  of  clear 
and  liquid  water.  Ttiis  plant  is  a  noble  one  when 
seen  in  good  flowering  condition ;  it  flowers  in 
summer.  H.  paniculata  grandiflora  to  be  successful 
with  should  be  pruned  hard  back  in  March  to  one 
or  two  pairs  of  buds,  well  fed,  and  top-dressed. 
This  variety  will  not  need  indoor  protection.  It 
flowers  in  autumn. 

Erythrina  forms  one  of  the  most  handsome 
wooded  plants  we  have.  Its  coral-like  flowers  are 
greatly  admired,  as  they  last  long  in  beauty.  It 
needs  protection  from  frost,  and  should  be  pruned 
hard  back  in  spring  and  grown  rapidly  on. 

Brugmansias  make  charming  tubs.  Keep  them 
dry  in  the  greenhouse  in  winter.  In  February 
prune  hard  back,  and  start  removing  outdoors  in 
May. 

Aloysia  citriodora  (Sweet-scented  Verbena). — 
This  is  a  delightful  plant  for  tubs,  growing  into 
perfect  pyramids  fully  8  feet  in  height.  Winter  it 
in  a  sheltered  shed  or  cold  house  and  keep  dry. 
In  spring  prune  the  dead  points  back,  top-dress, 
and  start,  stopping  the  growths  when  they  have 
made  six  or  seven  pairs  of  leaves.  Repeat  this  to 
form  compactness  ;  then  let  them  flower  in  autumn 
if  desirable.  Remove  outdoors  in  a  sheltered  place 
in  early  May. 

Plumbago  capensis  requires  similar  treatment ; 
it  has  lavender-coloured  flowers.  Fuchsias,  per- 
haps, are  the  finest  plants  grown  for  tubs  in  their 
season ;  particularly  during  the  last  two  years 
the  double  variety  named  Mme.  Corneillison,  red 
and  white,  being  compact  and  literally  covered 
with  bloom  was  a  most  beautiful  sight.  Most  varie- 
ties are  well  worth  growing.  They  must  be  kept 
dry  during  the  winter  and  free  from  frost.  Start 
in  February  in  gentle  heat,  prune  back,  and  occa- 
sionally atop  them,  placing  them  outside  in  May. 

Lilies  are  very  useful  for  tubs,  and  are  of  easy 
culture.  They  should  be  planted  as  soon  as  obtain- 
able, placing  them  away  from  excessive  wet  till 
they  have  made  plenty  of  roots.  When  growth 
appears  it  will  then  be  known  that  root-action  has 
taken  place.  Remove  them  out  in  a  sheltered  spot 
in  April  or  May.  L.  auratum  and  L.  speciosum 
are  two  excellent  sorts.  Rhododendrons  and 
Choisya  ternata  make  two  capital  late  spring- 
flowering  subjects.  Other  plants  suitable  where 
foliage  alone  is  admired  and  that  break  the  monotony 
of  flowering  tubs  are  Aloes,  Phormium  tenax,  P. 
t.  variegatum,  Aralia  Sieboldii  (grand),  Eulalia 
zebrina,  E.  japonica  variegata,  and  Bamboos. 

The  majority  of  the  following  plants  are  of 
annual  and  biennial  duration  ;  thus  when  flowering 
time  is  past  they  can  be  thrown  away  and  the  tubs 
again  filled  with  spring-flowering  plants,  besides 
evergreen  ones  for  the  winter  decoration  if  so 
desired. 

Calceolaria  amplexicaulis  is  a  most  charming 
plant  grown  in  tubs.  I  have  known  it  to  grow 
5  feet  high  and  as  much  through.  It  should  be 
staked  to  a  certain  height,  then  allowed  to  fall  and 
grow  naturally.  With  its  sulphur-coloured  flowers 
in  profusion  it  forms  an  object  never  to  be  for- 
gotten. Its  requirements  are  so  simple,  too.  Strike 
cuttings  in  autumn,  inserting  them  in  boxes,  and 
place  in  a  cold  frame.  Pot  up  in  January,  place  in 
slight  heat,  repot  if  necessary,  stake  the  plants,  and 
tub  as  soon  as  the  spring  flowers  are  over. 

S\VEET  Peas  for  summer  blooming  from  June 
onwards  are  wonderfully  effective  and  pleasing. 
Sow  four  or  five  seeds  in  a  5-inch  pot  in  February 
in  slight  heat,  grow  steadily  on,  then  harden  off  in 
a  cold  frame.  Tub  them  in  April  with  due  atten- 
tion as  to  feeding  and  watering,  keeping  the  fading 
flowers  picked  oS  to  prevent  seed-bearing.  They 
will  bloom  uninterruptedly  well  into  the  autumn. 
One  variety  in  a  tub  is  most  effective. 
_  Campanula  pyramidalis  grown  into  flowering 
sized  plants  in  pots  can  always  be  potted  in  late 
spring,  or  rather  tubbed,  even  when  the  spikes  are 
throwing  up.  They  are,  indeed,  noble  plants  for 
the  purpose,  as  they  will  flower  in  July  and  August. 
Nicotiana  sylvestris,  where  furnished  tubs  are 
required  in  a  short  time,  is  a  first-rate  plant, 
growing  fully  5  feet  high,  and  crowned  with 
beautiful  heads  of  snow-white  flowers  ;  altogether  a 
most  stately  plant.  Seed  should  be  sown  in  heat 
in  February,  prick  off,  and  pot  on  as  needed.    Grow 


rapidly  on,  harden  off,  and  tub  at  the  end  of  May, 
placing  five  plants  in  a  tub. 

TropjEOLUMs. — Climbing  varieties  such  as  Bril- 
liant, Firefly,  and  fulgens  are  perfect  masses  of 
bloom  if  treated  as  tub  plants,  placing  a  stake  for 
each  one  to  ascend.  Soiv  at  the  end  of  February, 
pot  off,  and  plant  in  tubs  in  May.  Marguerites, 
both  white  and  yellow,  rooted  and  treated  the  same 
as  for  Calceolarias,  form  very  effective  tubs. 

Lobelia  cardinalis  for  shady  parts  has  no 
equal,  growing  fully  5  feet  high  ;  an  uncommon 
sight  with  its  brilliant  spikes  of  bloom.  Keep  it  in 
cold  frames  in  boxes  through  the  winter.  In 
February  divide,  pot  up  singly  the  strongest  plants, 
and  finally  tub  in  May  or  June.  When  established 
give  large  quantities  of  water,  both  liquid  and 
clear.  Salvia  splendens  and  its  varieties  form 
brilliant  tubs  if  struck  early  in  February  and 
grown  on,  tubbing  in  May. 

Cannas  for  such  work  must  never  be  forgotten, 
the  old  dark  variety  growing  fully  6  feet  high, 
forming  a  perfect  mound.  Store  away  as  for 
Dahlias,  start  in  boxes  in  spring,  and  tub  in  June, 
Foliage  plants  such  as  the  golden  and  silver  Abuti- 
lons  make  most  pleasing  tubs.  They  can  be  grown 
on  in  large  pots  for  reserve  plants  should  they  be 
needed,  also  the  Ricinus,  Begonia  fuchsioides,  and 
B.  Ingrami.  The  groundwork  on  some  of  the  tubs 
can  be  filled  with  advantage  with  such  plants  as 
Begonia  semperflorens,  Iresine,  Sweet  Alyssum, 
Salvia  patens,  &c.  The  tubs  I  have  chiefly  used 
have  been  paraffin  ones  cut  in  half,  painted  to  suit 
the  taste,  with  extra  bands  attached  where  neces- 
sary. These  answer  very  well.  I  have  used  just 
two  of  the  ' '  Champion  "  tubs,  strongly  recommended 
by  you,  and  must  say  they  are  a  beautiful  and 
highly-finished  article,  strong  and  lasting. 

George  Ellwood. 
Swmimore  Gardens,  Bishop's  Waltham. 


gardening  is  extensively  and  successfully  practised. 
The  tubs  of  Carnations,  Lobelias,  and  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums  there  are  very  pretty  objects.  The 
plants  are  put  in  around  the  tubs  at  intervals,  ae 
well  as  at  the  top,  and  the  result  is  that  the  latter 
become  masses  of  blossom.  A  pleasing  colour  for 
the  tubs  is  sage  green.  A.  P.  H. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


P 


THE    INDOOK    GAEDEN. 

RiOHARDIA   BLLIOTIANA. 

ERHAPS    of    all    the    early 


[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sib, — Your    correspondent    "J.    H.    P."    should 
certainly  include  Lilies  in  a  collection  of  plants  for 
growing  in  tubs.    Lilies  are  everybody's  favourites, 
and  they  will  grow  as  well  in  tubs  as  in  the  border ; 
in    fact,    they    will    often    grow    better    in    tubs 
than  in  borders,  for  the  preparation   of  soil,   &c., 
is  so  much  more  under  control.     It  is  an  impor- 
tant matter  in  the  cultivation  of  tub  plants  to  have 
thorough  drainage  so  that  superfluous  water  can 
escape.      Unless   this   is  assured  all   attempts  are 
sure  to  end  in  partial  or  complete  failure.      The 
three  Lilies  that  are  most  usually  grown  in  tubs  are 
L.  auratum,  L.   speciosum,  and  L.    tigrinum,  with 
their  varieties,  but  I  see  no  reason  why  the  list 
should  not  be  extended,  and  such  sorts  as  croceum, 
Hansoni,    Brownii,    longiflorum,    and   many    more 
included.     In  fact,  those  whose  soil  will  not  grow 
some   of   the  beautiful  swamp  Lilies  of    America 
that  need  moist  peal  for  their  successful  culture, 
might  do  much  better  with  them   in  tubs  than  in 
the  border  ;  the  conditions  they  need  could  more 
easily  be  given.      L.   speciosum    and  L.   tigrinum 
will  grow  well  in  loam  and  leaf-soil,  with  plenty 
of  silver  sand,  but  L.  auratum  is  all  the  better  for 
an    admixture    of    peat.      L.     tigrinum     and     L. 
speciosum     are    very    valuable     plants    for    late 
autumn,  and  the  latter   does  particularly  well  in 
the  shade.     The  best  way  is  to  start  them  into 
growth  in  the  spring  under  glass,  moving  them  out 
of  doors  to  a  half -shaded  position  when  all  danger 
from    frost    is    over.      Lilies    in    tubs    appreciate 
applications   of    liquid    manure    and   soot    water. 
These  add  colour  to  the  leaves,  as  well  as  vigour  to 
the   flower-stems.      In   order  to  produce   a    good 
display  the  bulbs  should  be  planted  fairly  closely 
together   in   the   tubs.       The   best   variety   of   L. 
tigrinum  is  splendens,  while  of  L.  auratum  and  L. 
speciosum  there  are  numerous  good  ones.    Sutton's 
Nemesia  strumosa  will  make  a  brave  show  in  tubs, 
and  so  will  Carnations,  Lobelias,  and  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums. 

To  grow  the  latter  well  all  the  plants  must  not 
be  inserted  in  the  top  of  the  tub,  but  there  must 
be  holes  made  in  the  sides  to  receive  plants  also. 
The  result  is  when  the  plants  are  fully  grown  that 
the  tub  is  a  mass  of  flowers  and  foliage.  At  St. 
Pagan's,  Lord  Windsor's  Glamorganshire  seat,  tub 


_  summer- 
flowering  plants  there  is  none  to 
supersede  the  Golden  Arum.  For 
quite  a  fortnight  the  flowers  will  last 
in  good  condition  when  cut  and  put  into 
water.  Unlike  the  white  varieties,  the 
golden  one  is  deciduous,  and,  after  a  period  of 
rest,  the  corms  by  this  time  should  be  ready  for 
potting  up  and  starting  into  growth.  Plant  them 
in  pots  just  large  enough  to  receive  them,  using  a 
compost  of  equal  parts  leaf-soil  and  fibrous  loam, 
peat  being  added  when  the  loam  is  not  sufficiently 
fibrous,  with  a  little  dried  cow  manure  and  coarse 
sand.  The  plant  is  a  free  grower  and  a  gross 
feeder,  so  that  liberal  treatment  is  necessary  in 
aiming  at  good  culture.  It  is  a  mistake  after 
potting  to  place  them  in  a  strong  heat,  a  tempera- 
ture of  50°  to  55"  being  quite  high  enough  in  which 
to  start  them.  Exercise  great  care  in  the  applica- 
tion of  water  until  the  plants  are  rooting  freely, 
but  immediately  they  have  filled  their  pots  with 
roots  a  more  liberal  supply  will  be  necessary,  and 
occasionally  a  dose  of  liquid  made  from  sheep 
manure  should  be  given.  Shift  into  larger  pots  as 
the  plants  require  it,  and  endeavour  to  grow  them 
strongly,  and  produce,  under  these  circumstances, 
a  second  lot  of  flowers. 

The  stages,  paths,  and  about  the  pots  should 
frequently  be  moistened  to  create  humidity,  a 
condition  in  which  these  plants  always  feel  at 
home. 

Lachenalias. 
The  most  generally  grown  of  these  probably  is 
one  called  tricolor,  and  whilst  this  may  in 
various  ways  be  useful  for  decoration,  it  can  in  no 
way  rival  the  bright  golden  one  called  Nelsoni. 
Where  there  is  only  a  limited  stock  it  would  be 
advisable  to  grow  the  plants  well  and  strengthen 
the  bulbs  by  frequent  applications  of  liquid 
manure  ;  and  especially  will  this  be  necessary  in 
the  case  of  those  that  are  situated  in  baskets 
suspended  from  the  roof. 

Caladiums. 
Upon  the  purposes  for  which  these  beautiful 
foliaged  plants  are  required  will  depend  very  much 
the  methods  to  be  adopted  in  their  culture.     In 
making  an  effort — and  this  should  be  done  at  once 
— to  start  the  bulbs  into  growth,  do  so   by  laying 
them  on  cocoanut  fibre  that  is  thinly  spread  over 
the  bottom  of  a  shallow  box.     The  bulbs,  through 
being  kept  during  the  winter  in  a  dry  condition, 
will  no  doubt  be  somewhat  contracted,  and  require 
developing  into  their  normal  condition  before  they 
can  either  make  roots  or  start  into  growth.     This 
requires   a   little    time,    and    during    that   period 
exercise  care  in  watering,  for  a  too  liberal  supply 
would  only  end  in  causing  the  bulbs  to  turn  soft 
and  probably  rot.     Create  a  humid  atmosphere  by 
syringing  about  the  paths,  stages,  &c. ,  and  afford 
a  more   liberal  supply  of  water  only   when  root 
activity   has   earnestly  commenced.      The  largest 
and  best  bulbs  should  be  potted  up  together  for 
producing  large  specimen  plants,  the  smaller  ones 
being   useful   to   pot   up    singly,    or   four    or   five 
together,  to  get  plants  that  will  be  excellent  for 
table  and  other  decorative  work. 

J.  P.  Lbadbbtteb 
The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 


KITCHEN  GAEDEN. 

Evils  of  Too   Early  Sowing. 

The  past  fortnight  has  been  exceptionally  mild 

and  without  rain,  almost  tempting  one  to  go  on 


300 


THE    GAUDEN. 


[February  6,  1904. 


the  ground  and  begin  sowing.  A  great  deal  is 
said  and  written  nowadays  about  sowing  early, 
but,  as  far  as  my  experience  goes,  I  have  seen  little 
advantage  in  sowing  till  the  danger  from  frost  and 
cold  is  over.  Seeds  sown  when  the  soil  has  been 
warmed  a  little  by  the  sun's  rays  show  up  favour- 
ably with  those  that  have  been  in  the  ground  for 
weeks  and  become  weakened  by  rain  and  cold  and 
thinned  by  vermin.  Instead  then  of  starting  to 
crop  during  this  mild  spell,  take  every  opportunity 
to  push  on  all  kitchen  garden  work  as  fast  as 
possible.  Plots  containing  Savoys,  Brussels 
Sprouts,  or  any  of  this  tribe  should  be  inspected, 
and,  if  the  crop  has  been  well  cut,  the  remaining 
heads  may  be  lifted  and  placed  in  any  handy 
corner,  thus  permitting  every  plot  to  be  dug  at 
once.  Those  that  cannot  be  so  treated  may  have 
the  manure  carted  on  or  near  them,  building  it 
into  a  tidy  heap  until  it  can  be  dug  in.  Any 
particular  crop  for  which  the  ground  requires 
special  preparation  should  now  be  seen  to.  Where 
there  is  a  difficulty  in  growing  Carrots,  this  is  a 
good  time  to  prepare  a  piece  of  ground  for  them. 
It  is  very  difficult  to  say  exactly  what  should  be 
done  to  ensure  a  good  crop  of  this  vegetable.  The 
following  method  has  been  tried  with  great 
success  :  Choose  a  border  inclined  to  be  light  and 
sandy  and  with,  if  possible,  a  western  exposure. 
After  deeply  trenching,  wheel  ou  several  inches  of 
sharp  sand,  sea  sand  if  obtainable.  Spread  evenly 
over  the  whole  surface,  allowing  it  to  be  washed 
in  by  the  rains.  A  good  sprinkling  of  soot  at  times 
through  the  winter  will  benefit.  It  should  be 
lightly  forked  in  before  sowing. 

MUSHKOOMS. 

Horse  manure  must  be  collected  daily  till 
sufficient  has  been  got  together  to  form  a  bed.  It 
should  hrst  be  thrown  loosely  into  a  flat  heap 
18  inches  deep  till  it  is  heated.  Turn  every  second 
day.  In  about  eight  days  it  should  be  ready  for 
forming  a  bed.  The  bed  should  be  .3  feet  in  width 
and  from  15  inches  to  18  inches  deep.  When  the 
bed  is  being  made  up  see  that  the  soil  is  made  very 
firm.  When  the  temperature  has  fallen  to  80°  the 
bed  is  ready  for  spawning.  The  spawn,  which 
should  be  fresh  and  of  the  best  quality,  should  be 
broken  into  pieces  1^  inches  square  and  inserted 
about  8  inches  apart.  When  this  has  been  done 
give  the  whole  a  covering  of  good  sifted  turfy  loam 
about  1  inch  thick,  beating  very  firm  with  the  back 
of  a  spade.  The  house  may  be  kept  at  about  60". 
Give  a  slight  damping  overhead  morning  and 
evening  with  tepid  water.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.B. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Sweet  Peas. 
Seeds  may  now  be  sown  on  a  warm  border, 
choosing  a  fine  day  and  making  the  drills  a  few 
hours  before  sowing.  Mice  do  not  usually  ferret 
out  Sweet  Pea  seeds  so  much  as  they  do  the  edible 
varieties,  but  it  is  as  well  to  take  some  precaution, 
such  as  rolling  the  moistened  seed  in  red  lead  or 
putting  a  thin  layer  of  ashes  over  the  rows  and 
occasionally  syringing  them  with  weak  paraffin 
and  water.  Where  seed  was  sown  out  of  doors  in 
the  autumn  the  soil  should  be  kept  drawn  up 
around  the  young  plants,  and  if  they  are  at  all 
exposed  to  cutting  winds  it  will  be  advisable  to 
stick  a  few  branches  of  Laurel  or  some  similar 
evergreen  into  the  ground  around  the  rows. 
Seedlings  growing  in  pots  or  turves  should  be 
moved  into  frames  as  soon  as  they  are  well  out  of 
the  soil  and  gradually  hardened  off,  afterwards 
giving  air  freely  to  promote  a  sturdy  growth.  It 
will  soon  be  necessary  to  give  some  slight  support. 

The  Shrdebery. 
Any  planting  that  may  be  contemplated  should 
be  done  without  delay,  so  that  fresh  roots  may  be 
formed  to  provide  nourishment  to  withstand  the 
drying  winds  of  March.  A  good  mulching  is  even 
more  necessary  than  when  the  planting  is  done  in  the 
autumn.  Weeds  are  as  rampant  in  the  shrubbery 
as  elsewhere,  and,  as  hoeing  is  out  of  the  question, 
it  is  a  good  plan  to  turn  over  the  top  soil  2  inches 
or    3    inches,    carefully    using    a    flat-tined    fork. 


All  strong  growers  that  are  encroaching  should  be 
curtailed  so  as  to  give  sufficient  room  to  the 
choicer  shrubs.  Where  Hydrangea  hortensis  is 
grown  the  shoots  may  now  be  cut  back  to  a  plump 
bud.  Hypericum  calycinum  (the  St.  John's  Wort 
or  Rose  of  Sharon)  makes  a  capital  border  to  the 
shrubbery,  or  if  a  border  is  too  formal  a  few 
clumps  here  and  there  in  the  front  now  are  very 
eflfective  and  useful.  It  flowers  well  under  the 
shade  of  trees,  and  is  also  very  effective  when  used 
as  a  groundwork  with  a  few  of  the  taller  H. 
moserianum  as  "dot"  plants.  The  stock  may 
easily  be  increased  by  lifting  and  dividing  the 
clumps,  taking  care  not  to  break  the  brittle  under 
ground  stems. 

Calceolarias. 

Cuttings  of  the  bedding  Calceolarias,  such  as  C. 
amplexicaulis,  C.  Golden  Gem,  &c.,  which  were 
thickly  inserted  in  cold  pits  last  autumn,  will  now 
require  pinching.  If  the  stock  is  short  the  tops 
will  quickly  root  if  firmly  inserted  in  sandy  soil 
and  placed  in  heat.  The  pits  should  be  kept  closed 
for  a  few  days  after  pinching,  and  when  growth 
has  again  commenced  air  should  be  freely  admitted 
on  fine  days.  That  old  favourite  Gazania  splendens 
is  amenable  to  the  same  culture,  it  is  a  most 
useful  edging  plant,  and  looks  well  until  very  late 
in  the  autumn.  One  of  our  most  admired  beds 
last  summer  was  composed  of  pink  Ivy-leaf  Pelar- 
goniums and  a  broad  band  of  Gazania  for  ground- 
work, and  Lobelia  cardinalis  Firefly  planted  at 
intervals  of  15  inches.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarroio  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


THE  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

Pines. 

The  earliest  Queens,  which  were  started  at  the 
beginning  of  last  month,  will  now  be  showing 
fruit,  and  require  more  attention.  The  tempera- 
ture may  be  raised  to  70°  on  mild  nights  and  80° 
by  day.  Give  a  little  air  on  bright  days  at  80°, 
and  a  further  rise  of  10°  may  be  allowed  after 
closing.  Syringe  the  walls  and  paths.  The 
bottom-heat  must  be  carefully  watched  when  hard 
firing  is  necessary  to  see  that  it  does  not  exceed  90° ; 
if  it  rises  above  this  the  plants  should  be  shaken  a 
little  to  allow  the  heat  to  escape.  Examine  them 
carefully,  and  if  dry  give  weak  warm  guano  water. 
Do  not  syringe  the  plants  overhead  at  this  season, 
but  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere  by  damping  the 
paths  and  walls  several  times  daily,  syringing  the 
surface  of  the  bed  when  the  house  is  closed.  A 
slightly  drier  atmosphere  should  be  kept  during 
the  time  the  plants  are  in  flower,  and  5°  lower  in 
very  cold  weather. 

ScccEssioN  Pines. 
These  will  soon  require  to  be  repotted,  fresh 
material  added  to  the  beds,  the  house  washed  and 
made  ready  for  them.  The  soil  should  be  previously 
prepared,  and  should  consist  of  good  fibrous  loam, 
and,  if  heavy,  a  little  lime  rubble,  wood  ashes,  or 
sharp  sand  should  be  added.  Add  also  an  8-inch 
pot  of  soot  and  bone-meal  to  each  barrowful  of 
loam.  This  should  be  well  warmed  through  before 
being  used.  Crock  the  pots  carefully,  using  those 
of  10  inches  and  12  inches  diameter  for  the 
strongest  plants.  Place  a  little  soot  over  the 
crocks,  and  see  that  the  plants  are  not  dry  before 
potting  Remove  a  few  of  the  short  leaves  and 
any  loose  soil  with  a  pointed  stick.  Only  those 
should  be  potted  now  that  have  plenty  of  roots. 
They  should  be  potted  firmly,  without  damaging 
the  tender  rootlets.  Plunge  in  a  bottom-heat  of  80°, 
and  keep  the  house  a  little  closer  for  a  time  at  a 
temperature  of  6,5°  at  night,  with  a  10°  or  15° 
rise  during  the  day.  No  water  will  be  needed 
until  they  are  rooted  through. 

Suckers. 

The  strongest  autumn  suckers  which  are  now  in 
6inch  pots  should  be  transferred  into  10-inch  and 
12-inch  pots.  The  latter  size  is  better  for  such 
strong-growing  varieties  as  Smooth  Cayenne  and 
Charlotte  Rothschild.  Any  smaller  plants  may  be 
potted  into  8-inch  pots.  Replunge  the  plants 
2  feet  apart  in  the  house  where  they  are  to  be 
grown  during  the   summer.     Do  not  water  those 


potted  for  a  fortnight,  or  until  rooted  through. 
Remove  any  suckers  from  the  old  stools  as  soon  as 
large  enough,  so  that  a  constant  supply  may  be 
kept  up,  and  pot  in  6-inch  or  7-inch  pots,  according 
to  their  size. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Joedan. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Complete  the  propagation  of  all  varieties  required 
for  decorative  purposes  as  speedily  as  possible. 
These  will  include  Pompons,  singles,  and  late- 
flowering  sorts.  They  may  either  be  rooted  singly 
in  2i-inch  pots  or  inserted  from  three  to  five 
around  the  outside  of  a  3-inch  pot,  using  a  fairly 
light,  gritty  compost,  and  the  pots  should  be  well 
drained.  They  will  at  this  season  quickly  take 
root  if  arranged  on  a  bed  of  cinder  ashes  in  a  warm 
pit  if  kept  fresh  by  frequently  spraying  them  over 
during  the  day.  Verj'  little  air  except  to  prevent 
them  from  damping  will  be  needed  until  roots  and 
fresh  growth  are  made,  when  more  should  be 
gradually  applied.  In  a  short  time  remove  them  to 
a  cold  frame  to  a  light,  open  position.  The  value  of 
all  kinds  suitable  for  supplying  a  wealth  of  bloom 
during  the  short,  dull  days  of  winter  can  hardly  be 
over-estimated,  and  many  of  the  newer  kinds 
introduced  during  the  past  two  or  three  years  are 
well  worthy  of  a  place  in  all  collections.  Particu- 
larly fine  are  Allman's  Yellow,  a  fine  golden 
yellow,  and  Harry  Whateley,  a  magnificent  pure 
white  of  exceptional  merit,  both  of  which  have 
been  well  and  largely  shown  this  season.  Many 
of  the  singles  are  specially  well  adapted  for  late 
blooming,  and  by  stopping  these  they  can  be  timed 
to  bloom  in  December  and  early  January,  when 
flowers  are  so  much  prized.  Select  those  of  a 
decided  colour  and  which  carry  their  blooms  erect. 
For  table  and  general  decoration  these  are 
extremely  useful  and  pleasing,  and  few  things  at 
that  season  last  better  in  a  fresh  condition  even  in 
cold  rooms. 

Early  struck  cuttings  which  are  now  occupying 
2|-inch  pots  should  be  sufficiently  advanced  to 
receive  a  shift  into  a  3-inch  size.  The  compost 
should  be  prepared  some  days  before  it  is  used  and 
turned  over  thoroughly  to  mix  several  times.  A 
suitable  mixture  for  this  potting  will  be  three 
parts  good  fibrous  loam  of  a  medium  texture,  care 
being  taken  to  retain  as  much  of  the  fibre 
as  possible,  one  part  well-decayed  leaf-soil.  Oak 
or  Beech  for  choice,  one  part  old  Mushroom  bed 
manure,  adding  a  liberal  supply  of  coarse  silver 
sand  with  a  dash  of  finely-broken  charcoal  and 
bone-meal. 

Before  it  is  used  make  sure  that  the  compost  is 
sufficiently  dry  so  that  it  does  not  cake  together 
when  potting.  The  pots  and  crocks  should  be 
made  quite  clean  and  well-dried,  and  in  the  case  of 
new  pots  soak  them  before  using.  Sufficient  fibre 
should  be  placed  over  the  drainage  to  prevent  the 
soil  mixing  with  it,  and  the  young  plants  should 
be  well  watered  before  shifting.  This  potting 
should  be  done  at  intervals,  as  the  whole  of  the 
plants  are  seldom  ready  at  the  same  time,  and 
much  harm  will  accrue  by  overpotting,  especially 
at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  soil  should  be 
made  moderately  firm  about  the  roots,  and 
sprinkle  a  little  sand  over  the  surface  as  each 
plant  is  potted,  and  ensure  each  being  correctly 
labelled. 

The  most  suitable  place  to  enable  them  to 
recover  from  the  slight  check  which  they  must 
necessarily  receive  is  a  light  pit  with  just  sufficient 
piping  to  counteract  frost.  Arrange  them  as  near 
the  glass  as  possible  on  a  bed  of  fine  cinder  ashes. 
Sprinkle  them  over  several  times  during  the  day 
when  the  weather  is  bright  to  prevent  flagging, 
and  about  the  third  day  thoroughly  water  in, 
using  a  rose  watering-can  and  tepid  water.  Fill 
up  the  pots  at  least  three  times  ;  it  is  essential 
that  every  particle  of  the  soil  becomes  thoroughly 
moistened.  Fire-heat  should  be  turned  off  during 
the  day,  and  gradually  admit  more  air  as  the 
plants  begin  to  make  root  to  encourage  a  stout, 
sturdy  growth,  and  fumigate  frequently  to  prevent 
the  growths  becoming  infested  with  aphis. 

E.  Beckett. 

Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree. 


February  6,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


101 


ORCHIDS. 

CYPRIPEDIUiM    INSIGNE. 

ORCHID  enthusiasts  are  numerous 
i  around  Manchester  and  Liver- 
I  pool,  and  the  accompanying 
r  illustration  shows  the  interior  of 
a  house  of  Cypripediums  in 
the  gardens  of  one  of  them, 
S.  Gratrix,  Esq.,  West  Point  (gardener,  Mr. 
George  Cypher).  Most  of  the  plants  in  the 
house  are  forms  of  Cypripedium  insigne,  and 
such  good  sorts  are  included  as  C.  insigne 
Harefield  Hall  var.,  C.  i.  Johnsoni,  C.  i.  West 
Point  variety,  C.  i  sanderianum  giganteum, 
C.  i.  Sanderse,  C.  i.  Chantinii  Lindeni,  C.  i. 
Dorothy,  and  C.  i.  Laura  Kimball.  As  all  have 
been  awarded  first-class  certificates  either  by 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  or  by  the 
Manchester  and  North  of  England  Orchid 
Society,  some  idea  may  be  had  of  the  value  and 
rarity  of  the  contents  of  this  house. 


AT  THE  SALES. 
At  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris'  auction  rooms 
on  Friday  last  there  was  a  very  fine  display  of 
Orchids  in  flower,  and  there  was  a  belter  demand 
for  them  than  on  previous  occasions,  thougli  prices 
did  not  run  high.  During  the  season  a  good  many 
hybrid  Cypripediums  have  been  sold,  and  any  dis- 
tinct novelty  has  commanded  good  prices.  On 
Friday  one  was  sold  for  £5,  and  another  for  £3  ; 
a  good  piece  of  La;lia  anceps  sanderiana  made  .Sis.  ; 
and  a  good  plant  of  Odontoglossum  Edwardii  ISs. 
Some  fine  plants  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  in 
flower  were  sold,  the  highest  price  being  '21s. 
Lyoaste  Skinneri  in  flower  made  only  from  43.  to 
73.  each,  and  Laelio-Cattleya  Charlesworthi,  in  bud, 
lis.  each.  Among  the  new  and  rare  Orchids,  which 
are  always  offered  at  two  o'clock,  was  a  splendid 
piece  of  Cypripedium  leeanum  clinkaberryanum, 
said  to  be  one  of  the  finest  known  ;  it  was  valued 
at  50  guineas,  but  the  bidding  only  reached 
40  guineas,  and  we  understood  it  was  not  sold.  A 
good  variety  of  Cattleya  Trianse  sold  for  5  guineas, 
and  a  fine  yellow  variety  of  Odontoglossum  crispum 
also  made  .^  guineas.  An  importation  of  Cypri- 
pedium insigne  sold  well,  some  of  the   best  pieces 


or  bj'  cutting  away  the  leads  with  one  or  two 
pseudo-bulbs  attached.  In  both  cases  it  should  be 
done  when  new  roots  are  being  emitted  from  last 
year's  bulbs.  If  so  desired,  make  them  into 
specimens  again  ;  they  should  be  so  placed  that  all 
the  leads  point  towards  the  rim  of  the  receptacle, 
taking  care  properly  to  balance  the  plant.  Two 
or  three  leads  placed  together  in  a  7-inch  or  8-inch 
pot  or  pan  make  very  useful  plants  that  can  be 
potted  on  without  disturbance.  When  the  method 
of  cutting  off  the  leads  is  adopted,  the  old  plant 
should  not  be  disturbed  if  it  is  in  fair  health.  New 
leads  will  soon  be  made,  which  could  be  treated  in 
the  same  way  next  season.  By  this  means  the 
plants  are  made  young,  and  if  j  udiciously  followed, 
up  the  stock  will  be  greatly  increased. 

Compost  and  Potting. 

A  good  compost  consists  of  three-fifths  fibrous 
peat,  one-fifth  good  chopped  sphagnum,  and  one- 
fifth  good  leaf-soil,  well  mixed  together  with  some 
coarse  sand.  Pots  or  pans  that  have  no  side  holes 
are  preferable  to  teak  baskets  or  perforated  pans. 
Potting  should  be  done  rather  firmly,  taking  care 
to  well  work  the  material  in  between  the  severed 


CYPBIPBDIUM   INSIGNE  IN   THE   GARDENS   AT   WEST  POINT,  WHALLBY  KANGE,    MANOHBSTBK. 


^  I  WAS  much  interested  in  Mr.  Mark  Webster's 
'remarks  regarding  the  treatment  of  this  useful 
tOrchid.  We  do  not  often  hear  of  manure  being 
Irecommended  for  Orchids,  yet  there  is  little  doubt 
Ithat  not  only  Cypripediums,  but  many  others  are 
Igreatly  benefited  by  the  judicious  application  of 
Imanure  at  certain  seasons.  I  have  heard  it  said 
Ithat  thej'  do  not  get  manure  when  growing  under 
Inatural  conditions,  yet  it  seems  to  me  that 
|they  do. 

The  deposit  left  by  birds  may  not  have  much 
[effect  in  the  dry  season,  but  when  the  rains  come 
f  it  is  washed  in  among  the  roots,  and  great  benefit 
I  is  derived  at  the  season  when  it  is  most  needed. 
I  have  experienced  similar  results  to  those  recorded 
I  by   Mr.   Webster,   but   the  manures   I  have  used 
have  been  cow  manure  and  soot.     The  cow  manure 
must  be  procured  from  a  source  where  no  disin- 
fectants  are   used.       I   have   found   that   Lycaste 
Skinneri  and  its  varieties  succeed  well  when  potted 
in  good  fibrous  loam  used  in  lumps  and  mixed  with 
cow  manure  collected  from  fields  and  thoroughly 
dried    before   using.       Potted   in   this   and    given 
liquid  manure  freely  while  making  growth,  they 
make  large  pseudo-bulbs  and  also  flower  well,  the 
flowers  being  much  larger  than  under  the  treat- 
ment they  often  receive.  A.  H. 


making  from  7s.  to  lOs.  each.  There  was  also  a 
good  importation  of  Odontoglossum  harryanum,  the 
first  that  had  been  offered  for  about  ten  years. 
These  made  various  prices,  16s.  being  about  the 
top  price.  A  good  many  went  at  from  5s.  to  8s. 
each. 


THE    WEEK'S    WORK. 

L^LIA      ANCEPS. 

These  desirable  winter-flowering  Orchids,  with  few 
exceptions,  will  now  have  ceased  flowering,  and  a 
strict  watch  for  evidence  of  new  roots  should  be 
kept  if  the  plants  require  repotting  or  if  there  is  a 
desire  to  propagate.  They  do  not  like  being  dis- 
turbed more  than  is  absolutely  necessary,  so  when 
blooming  is  over  give  an  annual  resurfacing  or  pot 
on  as  the  case  demands.  Although  good  plants 
are  seldom  seen,  they  cannot  be  called  difficult 
to  grow  provided  they  are  treated  right.  Many 
dwindle  away  by  allowing  so  many  useless 
back  pseudo-bulbs  to  remain ;  in  fact,  I  con- 
sider this  the  principal  cause  of  many  being  lost. 
From  time  to  time  they  must  be  rejuvenated. 
This  can  be  done  either  by  pulling  the  plants  care 
fully  to  pieces  and  removing  all  back  pseudo-bulbs, 
with  the  exception  of  two  behind  the  leading  bulb. 


portions,  keeping  the  rhizome  of  the  plant  on  a 
level  with  the  surface.  Sufficient  space  should  be 
left  to  allow  of  a  good  top-dressing  of  sphagnum. 

QaARTEES. 
These  being  such  sun-loving  plants,  they  should 
be  given  the  lightest  position  possible  in  the 
intermediate  house.  During  the  summer  they 
only  require  a  very  light  shade  during  the  hottest 
part  of  the  day.  For  some  time  they  will  not 
require  much  water ;  those  that  are  rooting 
freely  will  require  more  than  the  others,  but  it  is 
most  important  that  the  plants  should  be  kept 
dormant  as  long  as  possible.  Those  that  start 
into  growth  late  generally  give  more  flowering 
bulbs.  Among  the  best  varieties  are  L.  a.  Stella, 
L.  a.  Dawsoni,  L.  a.  Bull's  alba,  L.  a.  Wad- 
donensis,  L.  a.  schrojderiana,  L.  a.  hilliana,  L.  a. 
sanderiana,  L.  a.  hollidayana  (these  are  white 
forms),  L.  a.  Amesiffi,  L.  a.  Schroderse,  and  L.  a. 
chamberlainiana. 

L.ELIA  .lONGHEANA, 
now  fast  developing  its  beautiful  flowers,  will 
require  a  fair  amount  of  water  and  be  so  placed 
that  all  light  and  sunshine  may  reach  the  plant. 
The  intermediate  house  is  very  suitable,  and  they 
should  be  suspended. 


102 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  6,  1904.  f 


Calanthus. 
The  deciduous  kinds  should  be  given  a  rest  as 
they  pass  out  of  flower.  The  best  place  for  them 
is  a  shelf  in  a  somewhat  dry  house  where  the  tem- 
perature does  not  fall  below  55°  so  that  they  can 
have  the  advantages  of  all  light  and  sunshine.  Ihey 
must  be  left  quite  dry.  It  is  immaterial  whether 
they  are  kept  in  their  pots  or  shaken  out  and  placed 
in  dry  sand.  If  the  latter  is  done,  keep  the  dormant 
eye  above  the  level  of  the  sand,  and  see  that  the 
labels  are  securely  attached.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Beigate. 


GRADING     AND     PACKING 
FRUIT  &  VEGETABLES. 

(Conlinued  from  page  SO.) 
Much  could  be  said  in  favour  of  boxes  for 
fruits,  and,  where  only  small  sizes  are  employed, 
they  may  be  purchased  or  made  so  cheaply  that  they 
can  be  included  in  the  price  of  the  fruit,  and  thus 
all  the  trouble  of  returning  or  collecting  empties  is 
avoided.  Their  more  general  use  under  the  right 
conditions  would  assist  producers  to  avoid  over- 
stocking the  markets  in  seasons  of  heavy  crops, 
and  by  facilitating  direct  communication  with  the 
consumers,  secure  better  prices.  In  a  small  way, 
boxes  can  be  made  at  home  at  a  cost  ot  l.,d.  to  is. 
each  •  on  a  larger  scale,  with  the  use  of  machinery, 
they  may  be  turned  out  at  about  8s.  to  503.  per 
lOO;  according  to  the  size,  and  boxes  costing  Id.  to 
6d.  can  always  be  given  with  the  best  grades  of 
fruit  usually  even  with  profit.  Many  of  the  leading 
railway  companies  have  recognised  this  fact,  and 
now  supply  boxes  of  varied  sizes  at  Is.  6d.  to  as. 
per  dozen,' while  several  manufacturers  also  supply 
to  large  orders  at  very  reasonable  prices. 

Various  materials  are  available  for  packing 
purposes,  but  much  the  best  are  the  several  grades 
of  wood  wool  now  prepared,  the  coarsest  being 
suitable  for  large  packages  and  heavy  fruits,  and 
the  finest  softest  samples  for  the  choicest  and  ripe 
fruits.  But  wherever  it  is  to  be  in  contact  even 
with  Apples  and  Pears  only  the  softest  make  should 
be  employed;  the  rougher  samples  can  be  used  for 
the  bottom,  or  filling  up  at  the  top  All  choice  and 
delicate  fruits  should  be  encircled  with  bands  of 
folded  soft  tissuepaper  havingaglazed  surface,  which 
must  be  in  contact  with  the  fruit.  This  is  also 
required  to  place  over  the  top  layers,  but  a  stronger 
paper  is  used  for  unripe  Apples  or  Pears. 

In  the  actual  work  of  packing,  an  even  layer  ot 

wood  wool  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the  box  or 

basket,  this  being  covered  with  a  sheet  of  paper, 

and  upon  it  the  fruits  to  be  disposed  of  are  placed 

firmly      The  best  Plums,  Pears,  or  dessert  Apples 

should  never  be  in  more  than  two  layers,  and  in  the 

smallest  boxes,  holding  one  layer,  they  travel  in  the 

finest  condition.     If  only  one  layer  of  fruit  is  made, 

the  packing  material  at  the  bottum,  and  that  at  the 

top  besides  the  folded  paper  band  round  each  fruit, 

will  be  all  that  is  essential ;  but  if  there  are  two 

layers,  they  must  be  separated  by  two  sheets   of 

paper   and  sufficient  fine  wood  wool  evenly  spread 

to  prevent  injury  to  the  lower  fruits  and  forma 

firm  bed  for  the  upper  ones  to  rest  upon.    From  one 

dozen  to  four  dozen  of  the  best   dessert  Apples, 

Pears   or  Plums  may  be  so  packed  in  one  box  with 

safety  for  a  long  journey.      Peaches,  Nectarines, 

and  Apricots  must  always  be  in  single  layers,  and 

demand  the  utmost  care. 


Steawberries 
can  be  packed  in  from  31b.  to  61b.  of  selected  fruits, 
but  the  first-named  quantity  is  the  best  for  the 
finest  fruit,  and  the  smallest  of  the  railway  boxes 
just  holds  that  amount  conveniently,  allowing  for 
a  little  packing  material  at  the  top  and  bottom. 
The  same  size  box  will  hold  41b.  of  best  Cherries, 
31b  of  Raspberries  without  their  stalks,  .31b.  Red 
Currants  (closely  packed),  or  41b.  of  Black  Currants  ; 
but  the  last  two  may  be  packed  in  6Ib.  to  121b.  lots 
if  not  too  ripe  ;  the  smaller  quantities  are,  however, 
preferable  and  safer.  The  finest  early  Strawberries 
should  be  packed  in  lib.  punnets,  which  may  be 
either  deep  or  shallow,  round-plaited  chip  punnets, 
or  square  ones  (with  or  without  handles).      The 


round  punnets  are  best  packed  in  trays  with  lids, 
and  those  generally  employed  will  take  six  punnets. 
They  are  only  used  for  the  earliest  and  choicest 
fruits,  when  prices  are  good.  Crates  can  be  em- 
ployed to  hold  several  such  trays,  those  large  enough 
for  six  being  a  convenient  size  and  weight.  The 
square  punnets  are  packed  more  closely  together 
on  sliding  shelves,  or  in  trays  like  the  others  in 
crates.  Grapes  are  packed  in  shallow  or  handle- 
baskets,  the  points  of  the  bunches  towards  the 
centre  and  the  stalks  secured  to  the  sides  or  nms, 
the  top  of  the  basket  being  covered  with  stout  paper 
tied  round  the  rim,  or  some  handle-baskets  are 
fitted  with  lids.  The  sides  and  base  of  the  baskets 
are  sometimes  padded,  but  they  are  then  always 
covered  with  a  soft  glazed  paper.  The  great  point 
is  to  avoid  rubbing  the  surfaces  of  the  berries  and 
spoiling  the  "bloom."  . 

In  every  case,  besides  ensuring  the  security  ot 
the  finest  fruit,  it  should  be  displayed  to  the  best 
advantage,  and  if  the  grade  is  uniform,  as  advised, 
this  can  be  done  quite  honestly  by  the  aid  of  a 
little  coloured  or  white  tissue  paper  to  fold  over 
the  sides  when  the  box  is  opened,  and  by  arranging 
the  fruits  with  the  coloured  side  uppermost.  The 
question  of 

Branding  or  Labelling 
must  be  considered,  for  where  good  fruit  only  is 
being  dealt  with,  the  use  of  the  words  "  Seconds 
and  "Thirds"  is  apt  to  give  rise  to  a  misconception 
that  is  unfairly  against  the  seller's  interest.    For 
the  finest  samples  "Extra,"  "Select,"  or  "  Special 
may  be  employed.     Some  mark  the  next  grade  A  1 
and  the  next  iSTo.  1,  or  it  the  letter  X  is  employed, 
three  would  be  used  for  the  first  grade,  two  for  the 
second,  and  one  for  the  third.     Another  method  is 
to   term   the  best  Selected  No.  1,  and  the   other 
grades  Selected  No.  2  and  Selected  No.  3.     Some- 
thing of  this  kind  is  needed  to  indicate  that  the 
lower  qualities  are  not  refuse  but  properly  graded 
fruits.     A  grower  should  adopt  a  uniform  system, 
and  adhere  to  it,  so  that  his  brand   may  become 
known  and  have  a  market  value,  and  every  package 
ought  to  have  the  name  of  the  variety  and  quality 
boldly  printed  on  the  label.     Growers  who  intend 
to   make   a   substantial    business,   and   who    deal 
honestly  in  the  best  produce,  should   have   their 
own  names  on  the  packages.     This  is  sometimes 
objected  to  in  a  market,  but  if  a  grower  cannot 
make  his   business  through  the  ordinary  channels 
he  must  try  fresh  ones.     It  is  best  to  endeavour  to 
supply  the  shopkeepers,  or  to  develop  a  trade  with 
private  customers,  and  send  direct  to  them.     The 
reduced  rates  at  owner's  risk  on  the  railways,  and 
the  parcels  post  afford  ample  means  for  enterprising 
men  to  work  up  a  business  in  small  packages  of 
choice  fruits  if   they  take  the  trouble  to   do   so, 
either  by  advertising,  by  circulars,   or  by  trade 

In   packing    vegetables    most    of    the     general 
advice  already  given  should   be   serviceable;  but 
these   are  disposed   of   in    larger    quantities    and 
therefore    require   a    different  class   of   packages. 
Bags  of  various  kinds  and  sizes,  with  large  light 
open   baskets    or    crates,    are    more    extensively 
employed  than  boxes.     The  majority  of  roots  are 
sent   in   bags,  but  the   best  samples   of   Turnips, 
Carrots,  &o.,  that  are  bunched  are  sent  in  crates, 
while  Radishes  and  small  roots  are  sent  in  baskets. 
Green  vegetables,  like  Cabbages,  are  best  in  crates, 
as   also   are   Broccoli   and    Cauliflowers,    but    the 
earliest  and  best  of  the  last  named  are  often  packed 
in  flat  baskets  or  hampers  and  pay  for  every  care. 
The  best  samples  for  salading,  such  as  Lettuces, 
are  usually  packed  in  hampers,  the  rougher  grades 
in  crates.     Peas  and  Beans  are  packed  in  baskets, 
bushels,    or  half-sieves,   but,  as  previously  noted. 
Peas  when  shelled  ate  forwarded  in  small  boxes 
containing  about  three  quarts  each.      Half-sieves 
are  also  used  for  Brussels  Sprouts,  pickling  Onions, 
and  other  small  vegetables.    The  earliest  Rhubarb 
is  consigned  in  hampers  ;    the  later  often  goes  to 
market  in  bundles  loaded  direct  into  the  vans,  or 
packed  in  crates,  as  also  is  Celery.  For  all  early  and 
high  quality  vegetables  shallow  baskets  or  boxes 
are    useful.      Cucumbers,    Tomatoes,    Mushrooms, 
and  many  others  can  be  conveniently  sent  in  this 
way,  and  where  periodical  consignments  of  general 
vegetables   are   sent  to  private  customers  this  is 


the  best  method.  It  is  necessary  to  pack  firmly  as 
with  fruits,  and  where  green  or  perishable  vege- 
tables have  to  travel  a  long  distance  it  is  desirable 
to  gather  them  as  shortly  before  packing  as  possible, 
preferably  in  the  early  morning  when  quite  fresh, 
but  not  when  drenched  with  rain.  They  should 
not  be  allowed  to  remain  exposed  to  sun  or  wind 
for  some  hours  before  they  are  sent  ofi',  as  is  some- 
times the  case,  to  the  obvious  disadvantage  of 
the  seller.  Defective  or  decaying  samples  should 
on  no  account  be  admitted  into  the  packages  ;  the 
uniformity  so  strongly  recommended  as  regards 
fruits  should  be  maintained,  and  it  will  be  found 
that  the  reputation  gained  is  a  satisfactory  reward 
for  the  extra  care. 


CONTINENTAL  NURSERIES 

HOW  AZALEAS  ARE  PREPAEED  FOR 

THE  e:nglish  market. 

FORMERLY  by  far  the  largest  portion  of 
the  Palms  used  in  this  country  came 
from  Belgium,  and  though  they  are  now 
so  extensively  raised  and  grown  in 
some  of  our  English  market  nurseries,  a 
good  many  still  come  from  that  country. 
The  growing  of  Palms  is  one  of  the  leading  features 
of  Mr.  Petrick's  nursery  business,  but  during  the  last 
ten  years  America  has  been  the  best  market.  Only 
a  limited  number  of  sorts  are  grown,  Kentia 
forsteriana  and  K.  belmoreana  taking  the  lead. 
Latania  borbonica,  Phcenix  canariensis,  Areca 
Baueri,  Chamferops  Fortunei,  Corypha  australis, 
and  Cocos  weddelliana  are  the  principal,  and 
they  may  be  seen  in  large  numbers  from  small 
seedlings  to  large  specimens.  Raphia  flabelli- 
forrais,  which  is  only  increased  by  offshoots,  is  also 
grown  extensively.  We  depend  almost  entirely 
upon  the  Belgian  nurseries  for  our  supply  of 

The  Indian  Azaleas, 
and  the  growing  of  them  is  a  most  important 
branch  in  Mr.  Petrick's  extensive  nursery  business, 
very  large  quantities  being  grown  both  for  this 
country  and  for  America,  and  the  collection 
includes  all  the  most  recent  sorts,  some  of  the 
newer  ones  being  of  his  own  raising.  It  is  rather 
remarkable  that  the  system  of  producing  these 
Azaleas,  as  adopted  by  the  Belgian  growers,  has 
never  been  followed  successfully  by  our  English 
growers.  Our  variable  climate,  of  course,  has 
something  to  do  with  this.  In  Belgium  they  are 
all  planted  out  in  the  open  ground.  The  soil 
consists  of  a  mixture  of  sandy  peat  and  leaf-mould, 
but  it  is  evident  that  a  liberal  supply  of  manure 
is  added  ;  this,  I  believe,  is  chiefly  in  liquid  form. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  illustration  that  they 
are  planted  in  beds  of  convenient  width  for  water- 
ing. The  men  engaged  in  watering  each  use  two 
four-gallon  cans,  and  these  are  both  in  use  at  the 
same  time  (that  is,  they  do  not  stand  one  down 
while  they  empty  the  other).  This  is  by  no  means 
an  easy  task,  and  would  hardly  suit  some  of  our 
young  English  gardeners.  . 

The  well-flowered  plants  now  being  sold  in 
Covent  Garden  Market  are  all  from  Belgium  ;  they 
usually  come  over  about  September.  As  the  masses 
of  roots  spread  considerably,  there  is  a  little 
difficulty  in  getting  them  into  pots  small  enough 
to  suit  buyers,  and  I  may  point  out  that  it  is 
better  to  reduce  the  roots  by  trimming  them  round 
with  a  knife  than  to  ram  them  too  tight  into  the 
pots.  A  little  fresh  soil  round  the  roots  is  more 
beneficial  than  crowding  in  so  much  of  the  old. 
They  are  a  little  inclined  to  lose  some  leaves, 
but  this  is  often  caused  through  getting  heated  in 
transit,  and  with  those  who  know  how  to  pack 
this  does  not  often  occur.  The  varieties  are  very 
numerous,  and  Mr.  Petrick's  collection  is  very 
complete,  from  these  he  selects  those  most 
suitable  for  market  and  grows  them  in  extra  large 
quantities.  Apollo,  Deutsche  Perle,  Empress  of 
India  Niobe,  Simon  Mardner,  Phu'bus,  Dr.  Moore, 
Mme.  Van  der  Cruyssen,  Paul  Webber,  HiSline 
Thelemann,  Sacuntala,  Edmond  Vervaene,  Bernard 
Andr6,  alba,  and  Pauline  Mardner  are  among  those 
most  in  demand.     I  may  add  that  although  many 


February  6,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


103 


HOW  THE  GHENT   AZALEAS  ARE   GROWN   FOR  THE  LONDON   MARKET  :    SCENE  IN   A  BELGIAN   NURSERY. 


the  fine  varieties  now  grown  are  of  Continental 
origin,  we  are  indebted  to  English  raisers  for  the 
first  of  the  improved  hybrids,  the  late  Mr.  Kinghorn 
of  Richmond  being  the  pioneer.  The  first  of  his 
varieties  received  certificates  from  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  about  the  years  1860  to  1864. 
Mr.  Kinghorn  was  soon  followed  by  Mr.  Ivery  of 
Dorking  and  Messrs.  Smith  of  Dulwich,  also  others 
including  Van  Houtte  and  M.  Vervaine.  We  also 
get  some  from  Germany,  Mr.  Mardner  being  the 
raiser  of  some  of  the  very  best  we  have  at  the 
present  time ;  and,  lastly,  Mr.  Petrick  is  adding 
further  to  the  list  of  improved  varieties. 

Azalea  mollis. 

This  and  other  hardy  sorts  also  receive  atten- 
tion. Large  numbers  of  seedlings  are  grown,  also 
named  varieties,  and  the  fine  hybrids  which  are 
remarkable  for  the  varied  and  beautiful  soft  tints 
in  colour.  Both  the  double  and  single  varieties 
are  well  represented,  all  the  best  named  varieties 
being  grown. 

Camellias  are  not  quite  so  popular  as  formerly, 
but  hardy  hybrid  Rhododendrons  receive  consider- 
able attention,  a  large  collection  of  the  most  useful 
sorts  for  flowering  in  pots  being  grown.  These 
find  much  more  favour  for  forcing  than  formerly, 
and  the  compact  Belgian-grown  plants  are  particu- 
larly suitable  for  the  purpose.  The  standard  and 
pyramid  Sweet  Bays  {Laurus  nobilis)  grown  in 
tubs,  which  are  now  so  frequently  seen,  all  come 
from  Belgium,  and  Mr.  Petrick  has  a  fine  stock 
of  most  perfect  specimens,  which  are  quite  an 
attractive  feature  in  his  nursery.  Araucaria 
excelsa  is  another  plant  which  succeeds  so  well 
under  Belgian  treatment.  These  are  grown  under 
a  protection  of  lath-blinds.  Mr.  Petrick  grows 
his  stock  from  cuttings,  the  immense  quantities  of 
plants  being  dwarf  and  well-furnished.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  ordinary  form,  he  has  a  fine  lot  of  the 
varieties  compacta  robusta  and  glauea.  The  last 
named  is  a  very  distinct  and  beautiful  variety. 

Eurya  latifolia  is  another  useful  plant  which 
receives  considerable  attention.  I  am  surprised 
that  this  does  not  find  more  favour  ;  it  is  certainly 
very  useful  for  decorations,  and  lasts  well  indoors. 
Dracaena  Bruanti,  D.  indivisa,  and  D.  lineata  are 
grown  in  large  quantities  for  the  English  and 
American    trade.      Citrus  sinensis   (the   Otaheite 


Orange)  is  also  largely  grown,  and  with  a  great 
amount  of  success,  the  plants  .'!een  in  the  autumn 
carrying  a  good  number  of  fruits. 

Aspidistras,  both  green  and  variegated,  grow 
luxuriantly  planted  out  in  beds  under  glass.  The 
light,  well-manured  soil  that  they  are  planted  in 
is  particularly  favourable  to  the  production  of  large 
leaves.  Tuberous  Begonias  are  also  grown  in 
countless  numbers. 

Mr.  Petrick  started  a  new  nursery  about  twenty 
years  ago,  and  has  been  making  steady  advance 
ever  since,  and  now  holds  a  most  important  posi- 
tion among  the  Belgian  horticulturists.  He  is 
President  of  the  Belgian  Horticultural  Association, 
member  of  the  committee  of  the  Chambre  Syndicale 
des  Horticulteurs  Beiges,  and  associated  with 
other  societies.  Previous  to  starting  in  business 
Mr.  Petrick  spent  some  time  in  England,  and  it 
was  while  he  was  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Chiswick  Gardens  that  we  first  knew 
him,  and  we  have  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him 
in  England  many  times  since.  He  is  now  repre- 
sented in  this  country  by  Mr.  A.  Hemsley. 

Mr.  Petrick  has  about  twelve  acres  under  culti- 
vation, and  sixty  greenhouses,  with  about  75  square 
feet  of  glass.  Every  year  about  80,000  Azalea 
indica  are  grown,  of  which  about  15,000  are  of 
larger  sizes.  The  ordinary  size  as  grown  for 
market  take  three  years  to  make  good  plants  ;  they 
are  grafted  on  stocks  struck  from  cuttings.  The 
cuttings  are  struck  from  November  to  February, 
and  the  grafting  is  done  from  May  to  September. 


BOOKS 


Engrland's  National  Flower.*— The 

national  flower  of  England — the  Rose — has  received 
the  praise  of  a  hundred  authors,  and  pamphlet 
succeed  pamphlet,  written  with  the  object  of  press- 
ing home  the  claims  that  so  beautiful  a  flower  has 
upon  the  gardeners  of  all  climes,  henoe  the  author 
has  correctly  described  his  work  as  "a  book  for 
all  garden  lovers."    All  who  love  their  gardens  must 


'^  "England's  National  Flower."  By  George  Bunyard. 
Published  by  Messrs.  George  Bunyard  and  Co.,  Maidstone, 
and  Simpkin,  Marshall,  and  Co.  Price  3s.  6d.  net ;  post  free, 
3s.  9d. 


love  the  Rose,  too ;  for  is  it  not 
the  flower  of  flowers?  and  the 
garden  full  of  Roses  is  the  one 
filled  with  the  warmest  per- 
fumes and  daintiest  colourings 
Of  late  years  the  Rose  has 
invaded  the  whole  garden,  and 
we  can  surely  possess  no  flower 
that  gives  a  longer  season  of 
blooming  or  has  colours  in 
greater  variety.  Mr.  Bunyard 
first  begins  with  a  page  of 
verses,  in  which  .Jupiter,  Flora, 
and  the  Rose  are  concerned, 
■  and  then  passes  to  practical 
advice.  The  chapters  are  care- 
fully divided,  and  apparently 
nothing  has  been  omitted. 
There  are  notes  upon  "Position 
and  Shelter,"  "Preparation 
of  the  Soil,"  "Planting  and 
Pruning,"  "Bushes," 
"Standards,"  "Border  Roses 
for  a  June  Display,"  and  the 
same  for  July,  August,  and 
September  to  November; 
"Massing  in  Beds,"  "Arches, 
Pillars,  and  Verandahs," 
"  Bowers  and  Pergolas,  Banks, 
Rocks,  &c."  for  scent  and  for 
making  pot  -  pourri,  besides 
other  phases  of  Rose  culture. 
The  selections  of  varieties  have 
been  made  with  commendable 
brevity,  and  it  is  precisely  this 
part  of  the  book  that  will  pro- 
bably appeal  most  strongly  to 
the  Rose  grower,  especially  the 
beginner,  who  is  often  non- 
plussed when  a  string  of  varie- 
ties is  printed  as  to  the  most 
worthy  for  the  garden.  It  is  not  a  large  book,  num- 
bering" thirty-one  pages,  but  there  is  a  certain  bright- 
ness about  it  wanting  in  many  similar  publications. 
The  printing  is  clear,  and  the  illustrations  excellent, 
all  having  a  distinct  teaching  value.  Though  the 
author  has  not  attempted  a  serious  work,  there  is 
much  useful  information  in  the  book,  and  it  should 
be  a  welcome  guide  to  those  who,  in  a  clear  and 
concise  way,  wish  to  know  the  most  beautiful 
garden  Roses  available.  Mr.  Bunyard  acknow- 
ledges his  indebtedness  to  Mr.  E.  A.  Bunyard  for 
the  photographs,  and  to  Mr.  Finlay  Sanderson  for 
arranging  the  notes  and  letterpress.  Against  each 
illustration  quotations  are  given  from  the  poets 
suitable  to  such  a  book.  In  referring  to  Roses  for 
September  to  November,  the  author  considers  the 
following  varieties  the  most  certain,  and  in  view 
of  the  forthcoming  autumn  exhibition  of  the 
National  Ruse  Society  this  list  may  prove  of  some 
practical  worth  :  Antoine  Rivoire,  Clara  Watson, 
Mme.  Abel  Chatenay,  Mme.  Cadeau  Ramey,  Giiiss 
an  Teplitz,  Lady  Battersea,  Liberty,  Marquise 
Litta,  Caroline  Testout,  Grand  Due  de  Luxen- 
bourg,  Killarney,  La  France,  Viscountess  Folke- 
stone, Admiral  Dewey,  Helene  Guillot,  Perle  von 
Godesberg,  and  Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria.  We 
are  pleased  to  see  that  the  author  strongly  advocates 
the  earthing-up  of  Tea-scented  Roses  to  prevent 
injury  from  winter  frosts. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


P 


PARSLEY. 

R  0  B  A  B  L  Y  there  is  no  plant  in  the 
kitchen  garden  more  in  demand  through- 
out the  whole  year  than  Parsley,  anJ 
few  subjects  are  more  beautiful  during 
summer  and  autumn  than  a  bed  of  a  good 
strain  well  grown.  By  far  the  best  results 
are  obtained  by  sowing  the  seed  now  in  boxes  and 
raising  the  plants  in  a  gentle  heat  under  glass. 
Sow  thinly  and  gradually  harden  ofi^,  when  the 
seedlings  should  be  ready  for  planting  out  by  the 
first  week  in  April.  Parsley  is  a  deep-rooting  sub- 
ject, and  revels  in  a  rich,  deeply  tilled  soil.  The 
plants  should  be  put  out  at  a  distance  of  1  foot 


104 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  6, 1904. 


apart  all  ways,  and  frequent  applications  of  soot 
should  be  given.  By  this  treatment  a  plentiful 
supply  will  be  ensured  by  the  middleof  the  summer 
and  towards  autumn.  If  the  whole  of  the  growth 
is  closely  cropped  off  it  will  put  forth  fresh  leaves 
and  become  thoroughly  hardened  to  stand  ordinary 
winters.  E.  Beckett. 


THE    INDOOR   GARDEN. 


WINTEE-FLOWEEING     ACANTHADS. 

OF  late  years  we  have  certainly  not  made 
enough  use  of  the  many  Aeantha- 
ceous  plants  that  are  so  valuable  for 
their  winter-flowering  qualities,  the 
reason  in  many  cases  being  the  fact 
that  they  are  often  spoken  of  as 
greenhouse  plants  (a  most  elastic  term),  while  they 
really  need  an  intermediate  temperature — that  is, 
one  takes  the  greenhouse  standard  as  a  structure 
for  wintering  Pelargoniums,  Fuchsias,  Heliotrope, 
Begonias,  and  many  other  plants  that  flower  during 
the  summer  months.  For  the  average  run  of  these 
Acanthads  a  winter  temperature  of  55°  to  65"  is 
most  suitable,  though  in  the  height  of  the  summer 
they  may  be  grown  in  outdoor  frames  without  any 
fire-heat.  Through  all  vicissitudes  the  most  popular 
Acanthad  for  many  years  has  been  the  delightful 
blue-flowered  Daedalacanthus  nervosus,  far  better 
known  by  the  name  of  Eranthemum  pulchellum. 
This  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  description,  as 
its  beautiful  Gentian-blue  flowers  at  once  single  it 
out  when  associated  with  other  plants.  A  second 
species  of  Dsedalacanthus,  viz.,  D.  macrophyllus, 
is  less  common  than  the  preceding,  but  for  all  that 
it  is  a  very  desirable  subject  at  this  season  of  the 
year.  The  individual  flowers  are  about  li  inches 
long,  curved  in  shape,  and  of  a  purplish  mauve 
tint,  the  lower  lobes  being  of  a  deeper  hue.  They 
are  disposed  in  terminal  branching  racemes,  from 
whence  a  succession  of  flowers  is  kept  up  for  about 
a  couple  of  months. 

Of  all  the  Acanthads  the  one  that  has  attracted 
the  most  attention  within  the  last  two  or  three 
years  is  .Jacobinia  chrysostephana,  not  because  it  is 
a  novelty,  as  it  has  been  grown  in  this  country  for 
over  thirty  years,  but  because  Messrs.  Veitch  have 
of  late  grown  and  exhibited  it  in  such  a  way  as  to 
show  what  a  really  good  thing  it  is.  The  rich 
golden  orange  hue  of  its  blossoms,  disposed  as  they 
are  in  terminal  clusters,  are  seen  to  particular 
advantage  on  a  dull  winter's  day.  This  plant  was 
formerly  known  as  Cyrtauthera,  then  as  Justicia, 
before  being  finally  relegated  to  Jacobinia.  Two 
other  well-known  plants  are  now  included  in  the 
same  genus,  viz.,  J.  ghiesbreghtiana,  formerly 
known  as  Sericographis  ghiesbreghtiana,  with  long, 
tubular,  bright  crimson  flowers  ;  and  J.  pauciflora, 
well  known  as  a  winter-flowering  plant  under  the 
name  of  Libonia  floribunda.  Two  more  species  of 
Jacobinia  yet  remain  to  mention,  J.  coocinea,  with 
terminal  clusters  of  scarlet  tubular-shaped  flowers, 
and  J.  magniflca  carnea,  better  known  as  Justicia 
carnea,  whose  large  clusters  of  pink  blossoms  are 
very  attractive  at  this  season. 

The  genus  Justicia,  once  so  comprehensive,  con- 
tains now  but  very  few  species,  only  one  of  which 
merits  attention  for  its  midwinter  flowering 
qualities.  This  is  Justicia  calycotricha,  known 
also  as  .Justicia  flavicoma,  and  Schaueria  calyco- 
tricha. In  this  the  flowers  are,  as  in  many  of  its 
allies,  borne  in  terminal  clusters.  They  are  of  a 
canary  yellow  colour,  while  the  segments  of  the 
calyx  are  long  and  narrow,  thus  giving  to  a  head  of 
bloom  an  uncommon  and  fluffy  appearance. 

Peristrophe  speciosa,  formerly  Justicia  speciosa, 
is  a  compact  plant,  and  for  some  time  in  the  depth 
of  winter  quite  a  mass  of  bright  purple  blossoms  ; 
it  is  worth  looking  after  by  those  who  have  to 
maintain  a  display  of  flowers  at  all  seasons.  A 
good  companion  to  the  above  is  Strobilanthes 
laophylluB,  known  at  one  time  as  Goldfussia 
isophylla,  whose  pale  lavender  flowers  are  borne  in 
equal  profusion  to  the  last.  The  Aphelandras  are, 
taken  altogether,  among  the  brightest  of  Acanthads, 
but  as  a  rule  their  season  of  blooming  is  not  limited 


to  any  particular  period  of  the  j'ear.  One  of  the 
best  tor  winter  blooming,  or  indeed  for  any  season, 
is  A.  nitens,  with  stout,  ovate,  leathery  leaves, 
olive-green  on  the  upper  surface,  and  purplish 
beneath  ;  the  flowers  borne  in  a  terminal  spike,  as 
in  most  of  the  others,  are  bright  scarlet. 

The  Eranthemums  are  a  very  beautiful  class  of 
flowering  plants,  and  of  those  that  bloom  during 
the  winter  may  be  especially  mentioned  E.  Ander- 
soni,  which,  as  a  rule,  begins  to  flower  in  the 
autumn.  It  is  an  upright  plant  furnished 
somewhat  sparingly  with  oblong-shaped  leaves, 
while  the  flowers  are  borne  in  long,  closely-packed 
terminal  spikes.  The  individual  flowers  are  very 
showy,  being  1  inch  across,  and  pure  white,  except 
the  lower  lobe  or  lip,  which  is  freely  blotched  with 
rich  purplish  lake  that  is  in  strong  contrast  to 
the  purity  of  the  rest  of  the  flower. 

Another  species  now  in  bloom  is  E.  tuberculatum, 
a  little  twiggy  bush  with  numerous  flowers,  sugges- 
tive of  a  white  Bouvardia ;  and  E.  albifloruni, 
whose  terminal  spikes  are  not  unlike  small  sprays 
of  white  Lilac. 

Ruellia  macrantha,  one  of  the  largest  flowers  of 
this  order,  is  just  now  very  showy  and  valuable  for 
decorative  purposes.  The  flowers,  which  are  borne 
singly  from  the  axils  of  nearly  every  leaf  towards 
the  upper  part  of  the  stem,  are  individually  some- 
what trumpet-shaped,  slightly  curved,  from  4  inches 
to  5  inches  long,  and  about  3  inches  across  the 
expanded  mouth.  The  colour  is  rosy  purple, 
veined  with  deep  crimson.  The  interior  of  the 
throat  is  much  lighter  than  the  expanded  lobes, 
and  the  reticulation  is  there  more  clearly  defined. 
A  second  species,  R.  Herbsti,  is  a  pretty  and 
interesting  plant,  but  its  ornamental  qualities  are 
not  equal  to  those  of  the  preceding.  The  flowers, 
which  are  borne  in  small  panicles  from  the  axils  of 
the  leaves,  are  much  curved,  about  3  inches  long, 
and  of  a  rosy  purple  hue,  the  expanded  mouth 
being  almost  white.  It  was  at  one  time  known  as 
Dipteracanthus  Herbsti.  In  this  review  of  a  few 
Acanthads  one  cannot  fail  to  be  struck  with  the 
changes  in  nomenclature  that  have  taken  place  in 
them  from  time  to  time.  H.  P. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


CO VENT    GAEDEN. 

A  FEW  weeks  ago  proceedings  were  taken 
against  several  flower  sellers  for  hawk- 
ing without  a  licence.  At  one  court  fines 
were  inflicted,  and  at  another  the  magis- 
L  trate  refused  to  convict,  and  expressed 
himself  surprised  that  the  police  should 
interfere  with  the  flower  sellers.  If  it  was  enforced 
that  all  flower  sellers  should  have  a  licence,  it  would 
considerably  reduce  the  number  of  flower  buyers, 
especially  in  the  French  market.  I  was  reminded 
of  the  above  when  in  the  French  flower  market  on 
a  recent  Saturday.  There  was  then  quite  a  crowd 
of  this  class  of  buyers  all  anxious  to  invest  a  few 
shillings  in  flowers  to  sell  in  the  streets  at  a  small 
profit;  and  these  sellers  find  most  of  their  customers 
among  those  who  could  not  afford  to  buy  at  the 
florists'  shops. 

The  supply  in  the  French  market  consists  chiefly 
of  Violets,  Paper  White  Narcissi,  Mimosa,  Roses, 
Anemones,  yellow  Marguerites,  and  Ranunculus. 
There  is  also  a  good  supply  of  "French  Fern" 
(Asplenium  Adiantum  nigrum),  also  cut  Myrtle, 
and  Eucalyptus  foliage.  I  find  that  this  market  is 
not  quite  confined  to  imported  flowers,  some 
English-grown  produce  being  on  sale.  In  the  open 
market  there  is  a  large  supply  of  hardy  green 
stuff.  In  Ivy  there  is  quite  a  variety,  from  the 
bunches  of  small  bronzy  leaves  to  long  bundles  of 
the  ordinary  trailing  form  ;  the  long  trails  of  the 
small-leaved  are  very  pretty.  The  short,  thick 
shoots  of  the  Tree  Ivy  are  also  brought  in  large 
quantities.  British  Ferns  in  bunches,  Polystichum 
angulare,  Polypodiura  vulgare,  and  Blechnum 
spicant  all  being  very  plentiful. 

During  the  past  week  there  has  been  a  little 
revival  in  trade.    There  was  a  considerable  increase 


in  the  suppl}'  of  Daffodils,  yellow  doubles  and 
singles,  also  bicolors  ;  the  Polyanthus  Narcissi  ar» 
also  very  plentiful.  The  pot  Chrysanthemums  arft 
now  nearly  past,  but  the  supply  of  cut  flowers  still 
holds  out.  Dutch  bulbs,  both  in  pots  and  cut,  ar& 
now  getting  over-plentiful.  Marguerites  are  still 
very  good,  but  they  are  not  seen  in  such  large  quan- 
tities as  they  were  a  few  weeks  ago.  White  flowers 
are  very  plentiful,  and  the  Daffodils  make  up  a  good 
supply  of  yellow  ;  but  bright  colours  (red  Tulips 
excepted)  are  very  scarce.  For  years  past  so  much 
attention  has  been  given  to  all  white  flowers  that  it 
would  now  pay  growers  to  turn  their  attention  to 
colours.  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  gives  one 
very  good  colour,  and  if  it  can  be  put  in  water 
before  it  flags  it  lasts  well.  Red  Roses  were 
scarcely  to  be  seen  last  week.  One  commissioa 
man  refused  an  order,  even  though  price  was  not 
limited.  A  week  or  two  later  may  see  a  consider- 
able change,  but  until  we  get  the  first  crops  of  the- 
forced  General  Jacqueminot  red  Roses  will  be 
valuable,  and  good  English  Carnations  will  keep 
up  their  price  for  some  time  to  come  yet. 

Chrysanthemums. — We  have  not  j'el  quite  done 
with  these.  Mile.  Louise  Charvet,  which  was- 
shown  by  Messrs.  Henderson  and  Sons  of  Elmhurst 
Nursery,  Cheshunt,  and  gained  an  award  of  merit- 
at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  meeting  on 
the  26th  ult. ,  deserved  the  honour.  I  had 
previously  noted  this  variety  in  the  market,  where 
it  has  been  selling  well,  making  from  6s.  per  dozen 
blooms.  It  is  not  quite  a  new  variety,  having: 
been  introduced  from  the  Continent  a  few  years 
ago.  I  believe  that  it  first  came  over  from. 
Lemoines,  and  we  should  probably  have  heard 
little  of  it  it  it  had  not  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a. 
grower  who  is  always  on  the  look-out  for  useful 
sorts,  and  knows  how  to  grow  them  when  he  has- 
them.  Blooms  before  me  now  are  of  a  lovely 
shade,  and,  though  they  have  been  cut  for  several 
da3's,  look  as  if  they  would  last  a  long  time. 

Winter  Cheer. — This  is  another  splendid  lat& 
variety  which  also  gained  an  award  of  merit.  It 
is  a  sport  from  Mrae.  Felix  Perrin,  and  is  of  a  very 
rich  shade.  I  have  seen  it  on  the  stands  of  Mr. 
Low  of  Uxbridge,  who  also  has  the  parent  in  sucb 
fine  form.  The  flowers  of  Winter  Cheer  are  only 
of  moderate  size,  but  they  are  very  attractive,  and 
sell  readily  at  4s.  per  dozen  blooms.  There  haa 
been  some  criticism  on  the  merits  of  Mme.  F. 
Perrin  and  its  varieties,  but  those  who  have  seen 
them  as  they  are  sent  to  market  cannot  fail  to- 
recognise  their  value.  Framfield  Pink,  as  Mme. 
F.  Perrin  is  called  in  the  market,  has  no  rival  in 
the  same  .shade  of  colour.  Heston  White,  which 
has  been  so  good  in  Messrs.  Cragg,  Harrison,  and 
Cragg's  stands,  is  quite  as  good  and  commands  top 
price  amongst  white  varieties.  A.  H. 


OBITUARY. 


MK 


MACDONALD. 

hear    with   regret   of 


ME.   JAMES 

ANY  will  hear  with  regret  of  the 
death  of  Mr.  James  MacDonald,  which 
took  place  at  1,  Stanhope  Place,  Edin- 
burgh, on  the  25lh  ult.  He  was  for 
many  years  gardener  at  Murrayfield 
House,  Edinburgh,  and  his  length  of 

service  showed  his  abilities  as  a  gardener  and  the 

esteem  in  which  he  was  held   by  his   employers. 

The  funeral  took  place  at  North  Merchiston  on  the 

27th  ult. 


ME.    WILLIAM    TOLMIE. 

An  old  and  respected  Scottish  gardener  has  passed 
away  in  the  person  of  Mr.  William  Tolmie,  Brook 
Street,  Broughty  Ferry.  His  death  took  place 
suddenly  at  the  house  of  his  son,  Mr.  James  Tolmie, 
Newton  Bank,  St.  Andrew's,  on  the  26th  ult.  Mr. 
Tolmie  was  seventy -seven  years  of  age. 


ME.    WILLIAM    BEOWN. 
Mr.    William    Brown,    gardener    to    Dr.    Bell, 
Mauricewood,    Penicuick,     Midlothian      died     at 
Mauricewood  on  the  26th  ult. 


!Fkbruary  6,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


105 


SOCIETIES. 


DULWICH  CHKYSANTHEMUM  SOCIETY. 
At  a  special  meeting  of  this  society  Mr.  Percy  Waterer  read 
a  most  interesting  and  instructive  paper  on  "Sweet  Peas," 
in  which,  after  dealing  with  the  history  of  the  flower,  he 
referred  to  the  great  variety  of  colour  and  many  other  good 
qualities  possessed  by  the  improved  forms  introduced  since 
Mr.  Eckford  first  began  to  take  interest  in  tliera  in  IS"!),  and 
a  few  years  later  Mr.  Burpee.  ']^he  lecturer  dwelt  on  the 
necessity  for  a  standard  in  form,  for  example,  the  bold, 
uptight  standard  of  Black  Knight  and  the  hooded  standard 
and  wings  of  Lady  Grisel  Hamilton.  The  double  form  was 
hardly  desirable,  but  the  Cupid  and  bush  varieties  will  no 
doubt  become  popular.  The  importance  of  four  flowers  on 
a  stem  is  over-estimated,  as  they  are  seldom  evenly 
developed.  Early  planting  is  strongly  advised,  good  root 
action  being  encouraged  by  cool  weather,  and  deep  trenching 
is  important.  It  is  doubtful  if  chai  ge  of  soil  is  so  important 
as  is  generally  considered,  but  a  change  of  seed  is  occasion- 
ally desirable.  Natural  manures  are  advised  in  preference 
to  artificial,  especially  in  a  liquid  state.  After  giving  a  list 
of  desirable  varieties,  the  lecturer  suggested  a  selection  of 
eighteen,  consisting  of  Dorothy  Eckturd,  Blanche  Burpee, 
King  Edward  VII.,  Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon,  Prima  Donna  or 
Lovely,  Coccinea,  Navy  Blue,  Lady  Grisel  Hamilton,  Black 
Knight,  Dorothy  Tennant,  Miss  Willraott,  Lord  Rosebery, 
Prince  of  Wales,  Triumph,  Piince  Edwaid  of  York,  Lord 
Kenyon,  Salopian,  and  America.  The  lecturer  proceeded  to 
advise  planting  seeds  in  pots  the  first  week  in  February, 
growing  on  and  planting  out  after  the  first  week  in  April. 

The  ditticulty  in  Sweet  Peas  not  always  coming  true  is 
probably  to  be  traced  to  incomplete  fi.\ing,  as  experiments 
showed  that  a  variety  often  varied  through  difference  of 
soil.  It  may  also  follow  on  the  visit  of  a  species  of  bee 
which  is  more  prevalent  now  than  formerly.  The  Sweet 
Pea  has  advantages  and  disadvantages  in  hybridising  and 
cros.sing  when  compared  with  other  plants,  as,  for  instance, 
the  Chiysantheraum.  When  once  a  variety  has  been  fixed 
it  is  practically  inexhaustible,  but  of  course  it  cannot  be 
produced  by  bud  propagation.  The  lecturer  carefully 
explained  the  difficult  points  in  cultivation,  and  incited  his 
hearers  to  endeavour,  at  any  rate  by  selection,  to  improve 
the  existing  varieties  as  far  as  possible.  Many  difticulties 
which  had  presented  themselves  to  members  were  satis- 
factorily settled,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Waterer  and 
to  the  chairman,  Mr.  Humphreys,  who  was  evidently  an 
enthusiastic  Sweet  Pea  grower,  closed  the  proceedings. 

LEICESTER  CHRYSANTHEMirM  SOCIETY. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  at  the  Victoria 
■Coffee  House,  on  the  2Sth  nit.,  when  a  goodly  number  of 
members  attended.  The  seventeenth  annual  report  proves 
that  the  society  is  in  a  flourishing  conditi(m,  competition  in 
the  vaiious  classes  increasing  year  by  year.  Owins:  to  the 
general  trade  depression  there  was  a  considerable  falling  off 
in  the  takings  at  thedoori  during  the  last  exhibition,  which 
had  the  result  of  producing  a  deficit,  of  £1  Os.  7id  on  the 
year's  workings.  But  fortunately  the  society  is  in  such  a 
sound  financial  condition  that  this  will  scarcely  be  felt.  To 
commence  the  year  19U4  the  treasurer  has  a  substantial 
balance  in  hand  of  £05  lys.  6d.  The  newly-appointed  secre- 
tary is  Mr.  H.  P.  Appleton,  Countesthorpe  Koad,  Aylestone, 
Leicester. 


NATIONAL  CHRY^SANTHEMUM  SOCIETY. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  on 
Monday  last,  the  1st  inst.,at  Carr's  Restaurant,  Strand.  Mr. 
■Charles  E.  Shea  presided,  and  there  was  an  attendance  of 
about  fifty,  including  Messrs.  C.  Harman  Payne,  K.  Mooi- 
nian,  W.  Howe,  T.  Bevan,  Norman  Davis,  J.  JtcKerchar, 
J.  H.  Whitty,  H.  J.  Jones,  K.  Dean  (secretary),  and  other.^ 

The  secretary  read  the  notice  convening  the  meeting,  the 
minutes  of  the  last  general  meeting,  letters  of  regret  from 
Mr.  D.  B.  Crane,  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  and  Mr.  Cordwell,  and  the 
following  annual  general  report  and  balance  sheet : 

Report  of  the  Committee. 

The  committee,  in  presenting  their  annual  report  for  1903, 
do  so  with  some  degree  of  gratification,  having  regard  to  the 
altered  circumstances  of  the  suciety  at  the  commencement 
of  the  year,  owing  to  the  closing  of  the  Royal  Aquarium, 
which  entailed  the  necessity  of  seeking  a  new  building  in 
which  to  hold  the  society's  exhibitions.  Under  the  circum- 
stances, some  amount  of  depression  was  naturally  experi- 
enced. Happily,  arrangemeuDs  were  made  with  the  Crystal 
Palace  Company,  whereby  the  three  exhibitions  annually 
held  at  the  Royal  Aquarium  could  take  place  at  Sydenham. 
Though  owiug  to  a  diminished  revenue  the  schedule  of 
,prizes  had  to  oe  modified  in  the  direction  of  reduction  ;  and 
though,  also,  the  generally  adverse  character  of  the  weather 
duving  ihe  season  of  bloom  was  hostile  to  full  development, 
yet  the  exhibitions  were,  on  the  whole,  decidedly  creditable 
to  the  society,  the  trade  generously  contributing  miscel- 
laneous exhibits  of  a  high  order  of  merit.  At  each 
exhibition,  entries  had  unfortunately  to  be  withdrawn, 
owing  to  the  prevailing  atmospheric  conditions  seriously 
affecting  the  permanence  of  the  blooms  ;  and  these  with- 
drawals materially  affected  the  large  exhibition  held  in 
I^ovember.  The  effect  of  the  display  made  on  that  occasion 
was  distinctly  lessened  from  the  fact  that  the  space  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  committee  was  far  too  contracted,  by 
reason  of  other  exhibitions  occupying  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  building.  A  promise  has  been  made  that  this  defect 
will  be  remedied  in  the  future.  The  executive  of  the 
•Crystal  Palace  Company  made  the  best  arrangements  they 
■could  under  the  circumstances,  and  your  committee  aie 
under  an  especial  debt  of  obligation  to  Mr.  George  Caselton, 
■the  superintendent,  for  his  most  valuable  help  iu  many 
■ways. 

The  floral  committee  held  six  meetings  during  the  year— 
■three  at  the  Crystal  Palace  and  three  at  the  Essex  Hall,  the 


suitability  of  the  last-named  place  being  acknowledged  by 
committee  and  exhibitors  alike.  Nineteen  first-class  certifi- 
cates of  merit  were  awarded.  Arrangements  have  been 
made  for  continuing  the  lueeLlngs  of  the  floral  committee  at 
Essex  Hiill  in  the  present  year.  The  classification  committee 
have  also  held  meetings,  and  the  results  of  their  labours  will 
appear  in  the  annual  report.  A  catalogue  was  issued  during 
the  past  year,  and  will  be  .-supplemented  by  carefully 
prepared  list?  which  are  to  appear  in  the  annual  report. 
The  audit  of  blooms  shown  at  the  November  exhibitions  has 
been  prepared  tiy  Mr.  A.  Taylor,  and  will  be  published  in 
the  annual  report,  together  with  a  cen.sus  of  the  varieties 
exhibited,  prepared  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Young. 

The  annual  outing  of  the  society  took  place  in  July  last,  a 
party  of  207  persons  spending  a  delightful  day  at  Park  Place, 
Henley-on-Thames,  by  the  kind  permission  of  Mr^.  Noble. 
The  arrangements  made  by  the  secretary  were  much  appre- 
ciated. The  warmest  thanks  of  the  committee  have  been 
given  to  Mrs.  Noble  for  her  ready  acquiescence  in  the 
requests  of  the  committee.  The  annual  dinner,  at  which 
the  president  occupied  the  chair,  was  held  on  November  25, 
a  goodly  number  of  members  and  friends  being  present. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate  Nurseries,  generously 
contributed  plants  for  the  decoration  of  the  hall,  and  other 
friends  contributed  fruit  for  dessert  and  flowers  for  the 
decoration  of  the  tables.  A  deputation  from  the  committee 
attended  the  exhibition  of  the  French  National  Chrysan- 
themum Society  at  Lille  during  November,  and  were  most 
hospitably  entertained.  The  report  of  the  deputation  will 
appear  with  the  schedule  of  prizes.  The  financial  position 
of  the  society  continues  satisfactory  ;  there  is  a  balance  in 
hand  of  £09  9s.  lid.,  with  liabilities  amounting  to  £5  9s. 
The  sum  of  £4  7s.  (id.  has  been  paid  during  1903  on  account 
of  19U4.  The  reserve  fund  amounts  to  £llo  ISa.  lid.,  £100 
on  this  being  on  deposit.  The  committee  regret  the  loss,  by 
death,  of  Mr.  E.  J.  Bentley,  who  subscribed  annually  to 
this  fund.  Special  prizes  were  given  by  the  president,  who 
continues  his  special  ttrst  prize  of  £5  5s.  in  190-t ;  by  Messrs. 
Mackenzie  and  Moncur,  Messrs.  E.  Webb  and  Sons,  Mr. 
G.  H.  Richards.  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  and 
Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  all  of  which  proved  very  helpful. 
Mr.  P.  Waterer's  silver  cups  were  won  outright,  and  are  now 
the  property  of  the  winners. 

Four  officers,  acting  as  a  deputation  from  the  committee, 
have  interviewed  thegeneral  manager  of  the  Crystal  Palace 
Company  in  respect  of  the  arrangements  for  1904  ;  the 
company  are  willing  to  allow  space  for  three  exhibitions,  as 
in  1903,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  sum  given  for 
the  November  show  will  be  augmented  in  the  present  year. 
It  is  also  hoped  that  some  arrangement  may  be  come  to  with 
the  Crystal  Palace  Company  by  which  cheap  railway  and 
admission  tickets  may  be  provided  for  members  and 
exhibitors.  Should  such  an  arrangement  be  made,  a  special 
circular  will  be  issued  to  members  and  exhibitors  setting 
forth  these  advantages,  and  giving,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
times  of  departure  of  trains  from  London.  The  matter  of 
entrance  fees  will  be  considered,  and  on  the  recommendation 
of  the  finance  sub-committee,  the  sum  of  £50  will  be  added 
to  the  November  schedule  of  prizes  ;  a  considerable  number 
of  new  special  prizes  will  also  be  added.  It  is  the  intention 
of  the  orticers  to  seek  the  co-operation  of  the  secretary  and 
manager  of  the  Crystal  Palace  in  endeavouring  to  secure 
better  facilities  for  the  conveyance  of  exhibits  to  and  from 
the  Palace.  The  suggestion  that  an  exhibition  of  market 
Chrysanthemums  be  held  shortly  before  Christmas  is 
referred  to  the  schedule  revision  sub-committee  for  con- 
sideration and  report.  The  present  number  of  societies  in 
affiliation  is  125  ;  a  few  have  ceased  to  exist  owing  to  lack  of 
local  support.  The  present  number  of  members  is  G31,  viz., 
75  Fellows  and  556  ordinary  members,  in  addition  to  the 
foreign  subscribers.  An  increase  in  the  membership  of  the 
society  is  urgently  needed.  Your  committee  give  their 
hearty  thanks  to  Mr.  C.  E.  Shea  for  accepting  the  office  of 
president,  for  his  special  first  prize,  and  for  presiding  at  the 
annual  dinner  ;  also  to  other  donors  of  special  prizes;  they 
also  beg  to  acknowledge  their  indebtedness  to  the  auditors, 
Messrs.  G.  J.  Ingram  and  R.  Cordwell,  for  auditing  the 
accounts  of  the  society. 

Mr.  Norman  Davis  proposed  and  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones  seconded 
the  adoption  of  the  report,  which  was  carried  unanimously. 

The  secretary  said  that  the  Ichthemic  Guano  Company  and 
Mr.  Seward  of  Hanwell  had  offered  special  prizes,  and  that  £12 
given  by  the  Crystal  Palace  Company  might  go  as  the  first 
prize  in  the  vase  class.  Mr.  Taylor  proposed  and  Mr.  Foster 
secnnded  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  auditors. 

Messrs.  Kyberg  and  Lake  were  elected  scrutineers,  and 
Mr.  Lake  was  elected  as  an  auditor  in  place  of  Mr.  G.  J. 
Ingram  (resigned),  and  Mr.  J.  W.  Moorman  was  elected  an 
honorary  Fellow  of  the  society. 

The  secretary  then  read  the  names  of  six  proposed  new 
members,  four  paying  5s.  and  two  paying  10s.  fjd.  These 
were  all  elected. 

Mr.  Dean  proposed  that  the  Wanstead  and  District  Chry- 
santhemum Society  be  elected  to  affiliation.  This  was 
seconded  and  carried  unanimously. 

It  was  stated  that  110  donations  of  5s.  had  been  promised 
for  the  best  blooms  of  each  of  110  different  varieties,  The 
chairman  and  many  others  thought  that  the  judging  of 
these  would  be  a  matter  of  difficulty. 

There  was  some  discussion  about  an  exhibition  of  market 
Chrysanthemums  which  should  be  held  about  ten  days 
before  Christmas,  and  the  Essex  Hall  was  suggested  as  the 
place.  Mr.  Harrison  said  he  thought  such  an  exhibition 
would  be  excellent  and  welcomea  by  market  growers.  He 
thought  it  should  be  held  earlier  in  December,  as  market 
groweis  were  too  busy  so  near  Christmas. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones  thought  that  early  in  December  would  be 
more  suitable  to  the  market  growers,  and  finally  the  market 
growers  voted  December  14  to  be  the  best  date. 

The  following  were  elected  to  fill  the  fifteen  vacancies  on 
the  committee.  The  respective  number  of  votes  is  given 
with  each  candidate :  W.  Howe,  56  ;  R.  C.  Pulling,  55 ;  E.  F. 
Such,  54 ;  T.  L.  Turk,  52 ;  J.  T.  Simpson,  51 ;  A.  E. 
Stubbs,  48  ;  J.  W.  Moorman,  46 ;  F.  Gilks,  44  ;  George  Cuth- 
bert,   jun.,    43;    J.   B.   Linford,   43;    T.   Smith, ~  37;    F.   G. 


Oliver,  37  ;  G.  Gover,  33  ;  W.  B.  Shearn,  32  ;  H.  T.  Wooder- 
son,  30.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  scrutineers  was  passed 
unanimously. 

Air.  C.  Harman  Payne  said  that  the  National  Chrysanthe- 
mum Society  was  to  be  represented  on  the  committee  of  the 
Jubilee  E.>ihibition  of  the  Piedmont  Horticultural  Society. 
As  already  announced  in  TllK  Gauden,  the  committee  are 
particularly  anxious  to  have  exhibits  of  garden  implements. 

The  usual  votes  of  thanks  terminated  the  meeting. 


CROYDON  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
An  excellent  attendance  of  members  assembled  at  the 
society's  rooms,  George  Street,  on  Tuesday,  the  19th  ult., 
when  the  first  of  the  new  series  of  papers  for  the  coming- 
year  was  read  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nurseries, 
Lewisham,  who  took  for  his  subject  "Chrysanthemums," 
and  for  upwards  of  two  hours  he  described  in  detail  the 
cultivation  of  this  popular  (lower,  Mr.  Jones  is  well  known 
in  the  horticultural  world  as  an  expert,  and  his  reputation 
as  a  grower  was  sufficient  to  create  a  lively  interest  in  those 
present,  who  listened  with  great  attention  to  his  remarks,  so 
that  when  his  paper  was  concluded  the  applause  of  appre- 
ciation was  unanimous.  His  opening  remarks  were  on  the 
propagation,  recommending  boxes  for  this  purpose  as  being 
preferable  to  pots.  The  cuttings  should  be  struck  about 
December  and  January  in  slight  heal,  giving  plenty  of  light ; 
in  fact,  right  throughout  his  paper  the  one  essential  thing 
he  emphasised  to  secure  good  plants  was  plenty  of  light  at 
all  stages  of  growth.  Passing  on  to  the  repotting,  this 
should  be  done  when  the  plants  are  ready,  and  though 
February  and  March  are  good  months  for  this  operation, 
yet  no  fixed  dates  can  be  laid  down,  but  simply  governed  by 
the  plants  themselves.  The  best  compost  for  this  purpose, 
and  also  that  required  for  each  shift,  he  recommended, 
together  with  the  different  sizes  of  pots  for  each  repotting. 
The  plants  should  be  gradually  haidened  off  for  placing 
outdoors  about  the  first  and  seccmd  weeks  in  April,  and  the 
final  potting  ofi:  should  be  completed  by  the  end  of  June. 
Due  regard  was  paid  to  the  drainage,  and  the  all-important 
treatment  of  watering;  also  the  application  of  stimulants 
by  means  of  artificial  manures  were  dwelt  uptm.  The 
disbudding  operation  received  explicit  instructions,  and  his 
concluding  remarks  were  on  the  removal  of  plants  to  the 
houses,  and  antidotes  to  the  many  diseases  and  insect  pests 
prevalent  to  these  plants.  From  first  to  last  he  advised  that 
to  secure  good  blooms  for  decoration  or  exhibition  the 
grower  must  give  attention  to  the  smallest  details.  Time 
would  only  allow  a  short  discussion,  and  what  questions 
were  asked  Mr.  Jones  replied  to  clearly. 

Mr.  W.  Turney,  Station  Road  Nur=eries,  Croydon,  staged 
well-grown  Primulas,  and  Mr.  P.  F.  Bunyard  exhibited  a  new 
plant-  label,  the  "Eclipse."  Several  new  members  were 
elected. 

LONDON  DAHLIA  UNION". 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  subscribers  to  the  union  took 
place  at  the  Hotel  Windsor  on  the  2eth  ult,,  Mr.  John  Green, 
chairman  of  the  committee,  presiding  over  a  good  attend- 
ance. The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  having  been  read,  a 
financial  statement,  duly  audited,  was  submitted  by  the 
secietary,  Mr.  R.  Dean,  which  showed  that  the  receipts  from 
all  sources  amounted  to  £5S  8s.  6d.,  and  the  expenditure  to 
£5S  Os.  Id.  ;  but  since  the  accounts  were  made  up  an<A 
audited  an  additional  sum  in  the  form  of  unpaid  subscriptions 
had  been  received,  showing  a  balance  in  hand  of  £2  10s.  In 
movinu'  the  adoption  of  the  repoi  t,  the  chairman  congratu- 
lated the  subscribers  upon  the  very  fine  exhibition  held  at 
Earl's  Court  in  September  last,  and  said  that  the  authorities 
at  Earl's  Court  had  already  been  approached  as  to  arrange- 
ments for  holding  another  exhibition  there  in  Septemt)er 
next,  which  they  were  desirous  of  taking  on  again.  The 
chairman  pointed  out  that  almost  without  an  exception  the 
supporteis  of  the  union  were  members  of  the  National  Dahlia 
Society,  and  their  object  in  holding  a  show  was  to  afford  au 
opportunity  for  the  new  Cactus  Dahlias  to  be  exhibited 
when  they  were  in  their  best  character.  There  was  no 
thought  or  intention  of  antagou-isni  to  the  National  Dahlia 
Society,  the  president  and  secretary  of  the  latter  giving  a 
cordial  support  to  the  union.  The  balance  sheet  was  adopted. 
The  secretary  read  a  long  list  of  names  who  had  promised 
suppurc  to  the  exhibition  in  the  present  year.  Sir.  John 
Green  was  re-elected  chairman  and  Mr.  R.  Dean  secretary. 
Several  special  prizes  were  announced,  and  the  chairman 
made  the  gratifying  statement  that  a  gentleman  of  position 
in  the  horticultural  world  had  been  approached  with  a  view 
to  becoming  president  of  the  union  with  much  prospect  of 
success 

Tue  arrangements  tor  the  101)4  exhibition  were  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  chairman  and  secretary,  and  the  proceedings 
closed  with  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  for  presiding 
and  to  the  secretary  for  his  services. 

LIVEREOOL  HORTICULTITRAL. 
The  twenty-fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  above  was  held  on 
Saturday  last  at  the  society's  ulBce,  Victoria  Street,  Liver- 
pool, when  Mr.  T.  Foster  presided  over  a  limited  attendance. 
Mr  Harold  Sadler  read  the  annual  report,  which  shows  a 
considerable  falling  oft  compared  with  the  previous  year. 
The  admissions  to  the  spring  show  were,  by  ticket  1,797,  and 
by  payment  312  ;  at  the  autumn  exhibition,  1,4S1  by  ticket 
and  1,239  by  payment,  the  total  being  4,SS9,  against  li,s54  for 
1902.  The  best  thanks  of  the  association  were  tendered  to 
the  following  for  special  prizes,  Messrs.  Thomas  Davies  and 
Co.,  Messrs.  John  Cowan  and  Co.,  Mr.  H.  Middlehurst,  Mr. 
W.  Rowlands,  the  Boundary  Chemical  Company,  and  Mr. 
Harold  Sadler;  also  to  the  nurserymen  who  arranged  various 
beautiful  groups  uot  for  competition. 

The  statement  of  accounts  submitted  by  the  sub-treasurer 
gives  the  income  of  the  spring  show  .£32  Is.  3d.,  autumn 
show  iSl  Is.,  subscriptions  ii;32S  lis.,  bank  interest  and 
advertisements  £20  133.  7d.  The  expenditure  included 
£173  17s.  6d.  for  the  spring  show,  £265  lis.  7d.  for  the 
autumn,  and  £S3  lis.  id.  general  account,' leaving  a  balance 


106 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  0,  1904. 


in  favour  of  the  society  of  £195  10s.  lOd.,  against  £253  4s.  2d. 
at  the  beginning  of  the  yeai'.  The  loss  is  accounted  for  to 
some  extent  by  the  fact  that  St.  George's  Hall  was  not  avail- 
able for  the  Chrysanthenium  show,  which  was  held  at  the 
Drill  Hall,  Edge  Lane,  and  although  the  entry  of  exhibits 
proved  a  second  one,  the  attendance  was  much  below  the 
average.  The  usual  donations  of  three  and  two  guineas  were 
voted  to  the  Gardeners'  Koyal  Benevolent  Institution  and 
the  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund  respectively.  It  was  arranged 
that  the  society  should  hold  a  sprhig  and  autumn  exhibition 
during  the  onsuing  year.  The  election  of  officers  resulted  as 
follows :  President,  the  Right  Hon.  the  Lord  Mayor  of 
Liverpool  ;  treasurer,  Mr.  W.  F,  Itogers  ;  sub-treasurer,  Mr. 
G,  Blackmore  ;  secretary,  Mr.  Harold  Sadler.  A  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  chairman  concluded  the  proceedings. 

TAYPORT  HORTICULTURAL  ASSOCIATION. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  on  the  25th 
ult.,  when  a  satisfactory  report  of  the  finances  and  condition 
of  the  society  was  submitted.  In  addition  to  a  working 
committee,  the  following  office-bearers  weie  appointed ; 
President.  Mr.  James  Donaldson  ;  secretary,  Mr.  Alexander 
Melville  ;  treasurer,  Mr.  A.  Robertson  ;  chairman  of  working 
committee,  Mr.  \V.  Dowie. 


CARDIFF  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
A  MEETING  took  place  at  the  Grand  Hotel  on  the  2lith  ult., 
Mr.  H.  R.  Farmer  in  the  chair,  J^nd  Mr.  E.  \V.  Davy  delivered 
a  Itcture  entitled  "  Orchids."  At  the  outset  he  dealt  largely 
with  the  history  and  quotations  by  various  authors  ;  also 
upon  the  adventures  of  collectors  in  various  parts  of  the 
world,  and  detlning  in  general  the  natural  habitat  of  the 
various  species,  and  strongly  advised  cultivators  to  adopt 
those  principles  in  this  country  as  far  as  practicable.  The 
lecture  was  so  much  appreciated  that  Mr.  Davy  was  asked 
to  repeat  it  at  another  date  to  be  arranged  for  that  purpose. 
By  way  of  illustrations  the  lecturer  had  brought  fifty  hand- 
painted  sheets  representing  the  various  types  of  orchids. 
The  best  thanks  of  the  association  were  accorded  Mr.  Davy, 


tTRR  AND  DALBEATTIE  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  the  Town 
Hall,  Dalbeattie,  N.B.,  a  few  days  ago.  Mr.  A.  Tait,  Spottes 
Gardens,  presided  over  a  good  attendance.  Mr.  Q.  Aird. 
secretary  and  treasurer,  presented  a  favourable  report, 
which  showed  a  moderate  balance  to  the  credit  of  the 
society.  The  following  office-bearers  were  appointed  :  Presi- 
dent, Rev.  David  Frew,  Urr  Manse;  vice-presidents,  Mr.  A. 
Tait,  The  Gardens,  Spottes,  and  Mr.  John  Jack,  Dalbeattie  ; 
secretaries  and  treasurer,  Mr.  Q.  Aird,  Mr.  Slater,  and 
Mr.  J.  Turner.  The  prize  list  was  revised,  and  preliminary 
arrangements  made  for  the  show  which  is  to  be  held  in 
Dalbeattie  on  August  13. 

LOCHEE  (DUNDEE)  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
A  VERY  successful  social  festival — an  annual  event^took 
place,  under  the  management  of  this  society,  in  the  United 
Free  Church  Hall,  on  January  29,  when  there  was  a  crowded 
attendance,  every  seat  being  occupied.  The  chair  was 
occupied  by  ex-Bailie  Macdonald,  the  president  of  the  Dundee 
Horticultural  Society,  who  fulfilled  his  duties  admirably. 
The  principal  feature  of  the  programme  was  of  a  musical 
nature,  and,  as  the  artists  all  acquitted  themselves  well,  the 
audience  enjoyed  themselves  thoroughly.  The  prospects  of 
the  society  for  the  coming  year  are  highly  promising. 


FELTHAM,    BEDFONT,    AND    HANWORTH 
HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 
As   a   result    of   a  course  of  sis  letters  given  by  Mr.   J. 
Weathers,  Middlesex  County  Council  Horticultural  lecturer, 
the  above  s  ciety  has  been  formed.     The  efforts  have  so  far 
been  very  successful,  and  there  are  already  fifty  members. 

Syllabus  for  1904. 
February  10,  "Ferns,"  Mr.  Spencer;  February  17,  "Pri- 
mulas," Mr.  Hinton  February  21,  "  Some  Gardens  I  Have 
Visited,"  Mr.  J.  Gregory;  March  1,  "Carnations,"  Mr. 
Buckley;  March  9,  "Narcissi,"  Mr.  Mercer;  March  16, 
"Shrubs,"  Mr.  Hinton;  March  23,  "Wild  Flowers,"  ilr. 
Pobin. 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Answers.— TAe  Editor  intends  to 
make  The  Garden  kelp/utto  all  readers  who  desire  assistance, 
no  matterw/iat  the  branch  of  (gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  imll  tnake  a  special  feature  of  the  "  Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents" column.  All  communications  should  be  clearly 
and  concisely  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  and 
addressed  to  the  Editor  o/ The  Garden,  J,  Sovthainpfon 
Street,  Strand,  London.  Letters  on  busi7iess  should  be  sent 
to  the  Publisher.  The  name  and  address  of  the  sender  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Heating  conservatory  (W.  S.  W.).— There  mustbe 
something  wronir  with  the  stove,  and  we  fear  some  of  the 
smoke  escapes  into  the  house.  Do  you  "  fire"  too  hard  V  If 
so  that  would  account  for  the  dry  heat.  Standing  the  plants 
upon  tan,  which  must  be  kept  moist,  would  be  useful,  and 
also  frequent  syringing,  but  that  cannot  be  carried  out  at 


all  seasons.  We  should  be  inclined  to  think  that  you  keep 
up  too  large  a  lire.  The  tan  would  not  smell  disagreeable. 
AVe  should  like  a  few  mure  particulars  about  the  stove— how 
it  is  tixed.  and  so  on. 

Cyelamen  culture  (Wales).— It  is  rather  late  now 
for  sowing  seed  of  greenhouse  Cyclamen.  August  is  the  best 
month  to  do  this.  An  exhaustive  article  on  Cyclamen  culture 
appeared  recently  in  The  Garden,  which  you  would  do  well 
to  read. 

Melon  culture  (H.  Wilson),— Yes,  seeds  may  be  sown 
now  in  a  warm  house.  Keep  them  near  tlie  glass  and  put 
two  seeds  in  each  small  pot;  if  both  germinate  retain  the 
stronger  seedling  only.  When  fairly  well  rooted  in  the  small 
pots,  plant  out  in  a  bed  of  loam  upon  a  hot-bed.  Further 
particulars  will  shortly  be  given  in  The  Garden. 

Shrubs  fop  shaled  ground  (K.  L.  M.).— The 
quarter  oi  an  acre  of  land  is  evidently  very  unfavourably 
placed,  but  the  following  shrubs  would  succeed,  and  in  some 
cases  ttower,  while  the  berries  would  make  the  place  bright 
in  autumn  and  winter,  as  well  as  provide  food  ftrthe  birds. 
As  you  desire  Lilacs  and  Laburnums,  you  might  try  a  few  of 
each.  If  small  seedling  plants  are  put  out  they  would  iu 
time  hold  their  own.  The  Japanese  and  Scotch  Koses  asso- 
ciated with  the  wild  Dog  Kose  and  Sweet  Briars  would 
succeed  well.  Other  useful  shrubs  are  the  Mountain  Ash, 
Mahouia,  Blackthorn,  Barbeiry,  Rubus  laciniatus,  Coton- 
easter,  Periwinkles,  with  Ivies. 

Rose  Liberty  in  winter  (J.  C.  Dawkins).— This 
splendid  and  brilliant  Kose  has  now  fully  established  it&elf 
as  the  best  crimson  for  winter  blooming.  We  may,  perhaps, 
wish  that  its  blossoms  were  larger,  but  much  can  be  dcjne 
to  remedy  this  by  judicious  pruning.  If  long-stemmed, 
good  quality  Jlowers  are  desired  then  one  must  prune  hard. 
Fewer  flowers  will  result,  but  the  quality  will  be  much 
superior.  If  the  variety  be  planted  out  plant  rather  close 
so  as  to  allow  of  this  hard  pruning,  or  if  in  pots  then  provide 
more  plants  so  that  the  yield  is  well  maintained.  Bone- 
meal  is  a  great  factor  in  the  production  of  good  quality  of 
blossom  in  this  and  in  most  forced  Roses,  supplemented  by 
liquid  manure  at  intervals.  Mildew  is  now  so  completely 
mastered  by  the  use  of  the  Sulphur  Vaporiser  now  un  the 
market  that  this  one-time  dreaded  fungus  has  now  no 
terrors.  Most  of  the  large  growers  of  Roses  for  market  are 
now  using  these  vaporisers. 

The  Butchep*s  Broom  (B.).— Formerly  the  genus 
Ruscus,  to  which  the  Butcher's  Broom  belongs,  was  more 
comprehensive  than  it  is  now,  for  the  Alexandrian  Laurel, 
so  long  known  as  Ruscus  racemosus,  and  that  vigorous  green- 
bouse  climber  grown  under  the  name  of  Ruscus  androgynus, 
are  now  placed  in  separate  genera.  By  far  the  best-known 
member  of  the  family  is  the  Butcher's  Broom  (Ruscus 
aculeatus),  of  which  a  fruiting  spray  was  recently  illustrated 
in  The  Garden.  It  is  a  native  of  Britain,  and  takes  its 
popular  name  from  the  fact  that  the  shoots  were  at  one  time 
tied  in  bundles  and  used  by  butchers  for  sweeping  their 
blocks.  The  foliage,  or,  rather,  cladodes,  for  they  are  not 
true  leaves,  are  dark  green,  and  strictly  evergreen,  and  serve 
admirably  as  a  setting  to  the  bright  red  berries,  which  in 
some  districts  are  borne  far  more  freely  than  in  others. 
From  the  planter's  point  of  view  the  great  value  of  the 
Butcher's  Broom  is  that  it  will  thrive  in  shady  spots  and 
under  the  drip  of  trees,  conditions  that  suit  few  other 
shrubs.  There  is  a  variety  (angustifolius)  in  which  the 
cladodes  are  narrower  than  in  the  ordinary  form.  R.  hypo- 
glossura,  with  oblong-shaped  cladodes  3  inches  to  4  inches 
long,  is  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  a  small  leaf-like  one 
is  produced  from  the  centre  of  each  large  cladode.  The 
entire  plant,  as  a  rule,  only  attains  1  foot  to  is  inches  high. 
Like  the  preceding  one,  it  will  grow  well  in  shade.  R.  hypo- 
phyllum,  of  much  the  same  height  as  the  last,  and  with 
broad  cladodes,  on  the  under  sides  of  which  the  flowprs  are 
borne.  The  berries  are  red  when  ripe,  as  m  the  others. 
This  is  a  native  of  the  Mediterranean  region,  and  has  been 
long  known  in  this  country. 

Dansea  Laupus  (B.).— This  was  formerly  named 
Ruscus  racemosus,  known  as  the  Alexandrian  Laurel,  and  is 
an  ornamental  little  shrub.  It  is  altogether  more  graceful 
than  the  Butcher's  Broom,  and  its  slender  shoots  reach  a 
height  of  3  feet  to  4  feet.  The  cladodes  are  about  a  couple 
of  inches  long,  and  of  a  deep  shining  green.  Ati  estab- 
lished clump  presents  much  the  appearance  of  a  Bamboo 
of  small  growth.  It  succeeds  best  in  a  partially  shaded 
position,  and  looks  bright  throughout  winter.  At  that 
season  its  slender  shoots  are  valuable  in  a  cut  state  for 
indoor  decuraiion,  under  which  conditions  they  remain 
fresh  and  bright  a  long  time. 

Appangement  of  Rose  beds  (H.  M.).— If  two  of 
the  beds  on  one  side  are  devoted  to  Mme.  Laurette  Messimy 
and  Mme.  Eugene  Resal  respectively,  and  the  arch  between 
these  is  to  he  clothed  with  William  Allen  Richardson,  we 
think  it  would  be  a  mistake  to  use  any  crimson  Roses  such 
as  Fabvier  and  Longworth  Rambler  as  you  suggest  on  the 
opposite  side  of  this  small  Rose  garden.  For  the  other  arch 
we  should  most  certainly  employ  Alister  Stella  Gray,  which 
is  (luite  the  loveliest  and  most  satisfactory  variety  for  this 
purpose.  As  regards  the  two  remaining  beds,  Jean  Bach 
Sisley  and  the  pink  Monthly  would  be  a  beautiful  combi- 
nation and  almost  approximate  in  growth.  Another  lovely 
China  Rose  which  you  might  use  in  place  of  the  old  Monthly 
is  Mme.  H.  Montettore.  This  grows  quite  as  well  as  Mme. 
Laurette  Messimy,  and  though  its  buds  and  Howers  are  very 
small  they  are  of  extiuisite  shape  and  beauty.  The  colour 
is  salmon-yellow,  shaded  with  apricot  and  carmine  ;  the 
foliage  is  very  pretty,  and  the  plant  a  free  and  continuous 
bloomer.  We  ought  to  warn  you  that  two  Roses  have  been 
sent  out  under  this  name,  and  that  the  one  we  are  referring 
to  was  raised  by  A.  Bernaix  of  Villeurhanne,  near  Lyons, 
France.  The  other  variety  distributed  under  this  name  is 
a  Hybrid  Tea  of  no  value,  sent  out  by  Messrs.  Soupert  and 
Notting  in  ISOO.  As  regards  the  hedge  of  perpetual-Howering 
Roses  we  should  only  use  one  variety.  You  could  not  do  better 
than  select  Bou(iuet  dOr,  which,  taking  everything  into 
consideration,  is  the  best  of  the  Dijon  Teas  for  this  purpose. 
Next  to  this  we  should  select  Reine  Olga  de  Wurtemburg, 


because  of  the  fact  that  it  is  evergreen  and  thus  provides 
good  shelter.  It  makes  a  good  hedge,  but  is  not  so  suitable 
a.s  the  lirst-named  nor  so  tree  in  autumn.  The  four  arches 
going  through  this  hedge  should  look  very  pretty,  and  we 
should  recommend  you  to  use  Frani,-ois  Crousse,  Mme. 
Alfred  Carriere,  Doruihy  Perkins,  and  Noella  Nabonnand 
fur  these.  All  are  perpetual  except  Dorothy  Perkins,  but 
this  is  late-tlowering  and  of  such  lasting  chaiacter — besides 
being  the  perfection  of  a  climbing  Rose— that  you  could  not 
possibly  attord  to  leave  it  out.  Francois  t'rousse  and  Noella 
JS^abonnand  are  both  suberb  additions,  and  we  fancy  that 
they  will  prove  pretty  hardy.  With  us  they  have  made 
splendid  growth.  We  should  ujost  certainly  prune  the 
newly-planted  hedge  of  rugosa  Conrad  F.  Meyer  very  hard 
this  spring.  All  strong-growing  Roses  intended  to  form 
pillars,  hedges,  climbers,  ic,  should  be  pruneii  very  hard 
the  first  season  after  planting.  The  reason  is  that  in  trans- 
planting these  Ptoses  it  is  quite  impossible  to  prevent  their 
roots  being  shortened  and  damaged,  and  before  they  can 
thoroughly  recover  themselves  from  this  check  they  have  to 
replace  those  small  fibrous  roots  which  are  the  ones  that 
generally  suffer.  But  if  last  season's  growth  is  left  intact  this 
cannot  take  place,  because  the  balance  between  root  growth 
and  stem  growth  is  unequal.  In  fact,  the  Roses  are  partially 
disabled  by  producing  tlowers  and  sustaining  growth  dis- 
proportionate to  the  strength  of  their  routs,  and  often 
enough  a  whole  season  is  lost  in  this  way,  and  the  nursery- 
man who  supplied  the  plants  gets  the  blame. 

Shpubs  fop  lake  mapgin  (A.  B.).— There  are  no 
flowering  shrubs  that  we  can  recummend  fur  such  a  position 
indeed,  the  only  plants  of  a  shrubby  character  likely  to 
succeed  are  Willows.  One  of  the  best,  from  a  foliage  point 
of  view,  is  the  Rosemary-leaved,  while  the  Cardinal  Willow 
and  the  Golden  Willow  are  remarkable  for  their  bright- 
coloured  bark,  that  of  the  Cardinal  being  red  and  the  other 
yellow.  All  of  these  should  be  cut  back  each  year  before 
growth  recommences,  as  it  is  the  young  shoots  only  that  are 
so  brightly  coloured.  Of  shrubs  that  thrive  where  so 
situated  that  their  roots  have  access  to  water,  but  at  the 
same  time  are  not  entirely  covered,  may  be  mentioned 
Berberis  Darwini,  li.  Tiiunbtrgi,  Cornus  alba  and  its- 
varietie.-".  Dog  Roses,  double-rlowered  Bramble,  Spiraja 
Douglasi,  Tamarisk,  and  Guelder  Rose.  You  might  throw- 
up  a  mound  clear  of  the  water  and  plant  the  above  thereon. 
Of  herbaceous  plants  that  would  thrive  in  boggy  soils  w& 
can  recommend  the  Sweet  Flag  Water  Plantain,  ArundO' 
donax,  Butomus  umbellatus,  Caltha  palustris.  Iris  Kncmpferi 
and  pseudo-acorus,  Osmunda  regalis.  Spiireas  of  sorts^ 
particularly  S.  aruncus  and  S.  gigantea  (Kamschatica),  with 
the  stately  Bulrush  (Typha  laliiolia). 

Seeds  in  a  fpame  (Medicus).— Whilst  all  the 
various  vegetable  seeds  you  name  will,  if  properly  sown^ 
germinate  in  a  cold  frame,  most  certainly  quicker  and 
better  growth  will  result  if  you  have  a  manure  bed  which, 
creates  some  warmth.  Growth,  too,  will  be  slow  until  the 
sun  attains  to  greater  strength  about  the  end  of  March. 
Of  course,  something  would  depend  also  on  the  general  con- 
dition of  the  weather  and  temperature.  If  you  can  have  a 
manure  bed,  collect  all  the  stable  manure  you  can  and  put 
it  into  a  heap,  having  first  shaken  out  from  it  all  the  long 
straw.  If  it  takes  you  several  days,  or  perliaps  a  fortnight^ 
to  collect  enough  manure,  you  must  keep  the  heap  turned 
every  five  or  six  days  to  prevent  its  heating.  You  must  also 
keep  it  fairly  dry,  as,  if  once  saturated  and  chilled  by  rain^ 
the  heat  will  be  gone  entirely.  The  quantity  of  manure 
required  would  depend  upon  the  size  of  your  frame,  and 
should  be  sutiicient  to  build  up  a  solid,  well-trodden  bed 
15  inches  deep  in  front  and  IS  inches  behind,  also  be  all 
round  G  inches  broader  than  is  the  frame.  A  single-light 
frame  would  for  that  purpose  need  a  good  cartload  of 
manure,  and  a  double-light  one,  of  course,  much  more.  It 
is  important  that  the  heap,  until  enough  to  make  a  proper 
bed  is  collected,  should  be  often  turned  and  mixed  ;  also,  if 
apparently  dry,  be  lightly  moistened  with  water.  By  keep- 
ing the  manure  from  fermenting  in  the  heap,  though  it  will 
get  warm,  the  heat  it  contains  is  preserved,  and  when  the 
bed  is  made  up,  the  frame  put  on,  and  soil  put  into  it,  the 
heat  generated  is  milder  and  far  more  enduring.  A  bed 
quickly  made  gives  a  violent  heat;  then  all  is  soon  over.  If  yoa 
sow  yt>ur  seeds  on  the  soil  you  must  fill  up  to  within 
G  inches  of  the  glass.  If  you  sow  in  shallow  boxes  or  paua 
you  can  fill  up  the  frame  one-half  its  depth  with  ashes,  and 
on  those  stand  the  boxes.  In  no  case  sow  thickly,  and  just 
cover  the  seeds.  Sow  lawn  grass  seed  in  moderately  dry. 
weather  early  in  April,  well  rolling  it  in. 


QUESTION. 
The  best  mapket   Chpysanthemums.-Will 

some  reader  of  THE  Gakden  kindly  state  which  are  the 
twelve  best  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums  to  grow  for 
market  ?— T.  S.  W. 


GARDKNINQ    APPOINTMKNT. 

Mr.  Henky  Low,  late  foreman  under  Mr.  Robert  Glen,  gar- 
dener to  J.  H.  N.  Graham,  Esq.,  Larbert  House,  Stirling- 
shire, has  been  appointed  gardener  to  Lady  Fowler,  Braymore, 
Ullapoole,  N.B. 


PpBLicATioNS  Received. 
"  The  Principles  of  Gardening  in  Australia,"  by  C.  Bogue- 
Luffman  ;  "  Lawns,"  by  Sutton  and  Suns  ;   "  Index  Seminum 
in  llortis  Musei  Parisiensis."  "  Les  Roses,"  and  "Journal  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  Victoria,"  etc. 

Catalogues    Received. 
Flower   and    Vegetable   Seeds.  —  Messrs.    Thompson    and 
Morgan,  Ipswich. 


*^*^  The  Yearly  S^ibscription  to  THE  Gaki>en  is:  Ijiland, 
15s. ;  I'oreign,  178.  Od 


<e^^ 


GARDEN 


^i^J^^^sm 


No.  1682.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[Febru.ary   13,  1904. 


ROYAL      HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

THE  annual  meeting  of  this  society, 
held  on   Tuesday  last  at  the   Drill 
Hall,    was    a    memorable    one.    It 
occurred  in  the  centenary  year,  and 
is  the  forerunner  of  several  events 
which  will    mark  a  great  epoch    in   the  life 
■of  this  historic  and  flourishing  society  for  the 
promotion  of  horticulture.     The  meeting  was 
presided   over   by    the   president.   Sir    Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  whom  we  never  knew  to  be 
absent  from  these  annual  gatherings,  and  the 
majority  of  the  council  were  present.    There  is 
little    to     record   beyond    what    has    already 
■appeared  in  The  Garden.    The  meeting  was 
peaceful,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  ques- 
tion of  raising  the  subscription  to  two  guineas, 
without  incident.     In  1804  the  Royal   Horti- 
cultural Society  was  established  at  Hatchard's, 
the  bookseller's,  in  Piccadilly.     The  house  is 
still  standing,  and  it  is  interesting  to  compare 
the  position  of  the  society  now  and  then,  and  to 
think  of  the  vicissitudes  through  which  it  has 
passed.  To-day  it  is  strong,  and  gaining  strength 
year  by  year,  with  the  prospect  of  a  new  home 
in  the  Horticultural  Hall  next  June  and  the 
opening  of  the  garden  at  Wisley.    And  this  has 
been  accomplished  by  simply  sticking  to  horti- 
culture, making  it  solely  a  "  gardening  "  society 
in  the  most  liberal  sense  of  the  word.     When 
a  society  steps  outside  its  legitimate  sphere  and 
caters  for  the  lighter  pleasures  of  the  people, 
it  loses  its  influence  and  degenerates  into  an 
organisation  which   no   one  can    understand. 
This    was    the    source    of  trouble  at   South 
Kensington,  and    will  happen  again  if  future 
councils    alter    the    policy    that    has    been 
adopted  with  such  signal    success  since  the 
Eev.  W.  Wilks  became  the  secretary  and  made 
Horticulture    the    watchword.      The    society 
never  had  so  large  a  surplus  as  last  year,  when 
the  sum  was  £3,641 ;  in  January  of  the  present 
year  subscriptions  amounted  to  £5,757.    The 
■present  financial  position  was  clearly  explained 
fey  Mr.   Gurney  Fowler,   the    treasurer.     Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  in  reply  to  a  question  asked 
fey  Mr.  Elwes,  stated  that  the  invested  funds 
■of   £17,500   would    not    be    touched    for    the 
purposes  of  extinguishing  the  sum  of  £15,000 
still  required  to  relieve  the  Hall  of  debt,  but 
it  was  hoped  that  before  the  opening  day  a 
large  part  of  this  amount  would  be  raised. 

Mr.    Elwes    also    recommended    that    the 
Journal    be    charged   extra  to  the    Fellows ; 


the  answer  to  this  naturally  was  that  many 
subscribed  to  the  society  simply  for  the  purpose 
of  these  valuable  quarterly  volumes,  but  Sir 
Trevor  hoped  that  those  who  were  indiflferent 
about  the  Journal  would  kindly  say  so,  and  in 
this  way  help  towards  reducing  the  expenses 
entailed  in  its  production.  Mr.  Gurney  Fowler 
gave  the  following  information  regarding  the 
new  Hall  Fund  :  Donations  received,  £22,561 ; 
interest  on  temporary  investments,  £451  ;  and 
promised  subscriptions,  £2,113;  which  made  a 
grand  total  of  £25,125.  The  sum  of  £12,124 
has  been  spent,  and  the  balance  in  hand  is 
£10,888,  excluding  the  promised  subscriptions. 
This  leaves  a  balance  of  £13,001  to  meet 
present  liabilities.  The  contracts  were  £34,780, 
of  which  £10,379  has  been  already  paid.  The 
balance  to  pay  is  £24,401.  Towards  this  there 
is  a  sum  of  £13,001,  therefore  the  deficit  is 
£11,400.  It  is  proposed  to  raise  a  loan  at  the 
bank  with  the  investments  as  a  security  until 
thg  subscriptions  come  ia,  or  if  necessary  get  a 
mortgage  from  an  insurance  company  to  be 
met  out  of  annual  surplus  ;  it  is  satisfac- 
tory to  know  that  in  January  of  this  year  over 
£1,500  was  subscribed. 

We  mention  this  to  make  it  quite  clear  that, 
although  the  total  sum  required  has  not  been 
subscribed,  there  are  strong  hopes  that  this 
happy  state  of  affairs  will  not  be  delayed  many 
months.  The  Fellows  should  make  a  deter- 
mined effort  to  collect  this  sum  before  the  new 
Hall  is  opened,  and  relieve  the  council,  who 
have  worked  loyally  and  unselfishly  to  mark 
the  centenary  year  in  a  way  future  generations 
can  never  forget.  With  regard  to  the  Wisley 
garden  no  strong  appeal  was  made  for  funds, 
and  this  is  wise  until  the  new  Hall  has  been 
paid  for  ;  but  we  may  remind  those  who  have 
not  subscribed  to  the  Hall — for  the  reason  that 
they  considered  a  new  garden  a  better  way  of 
marking  the  centenary— that  the  secretary 
will  be  quite  willing  to  receive  subscriptions 
towards  its  lay-out  and  upkeep.  Those  who 
wanted  the  garden  have  an  opportunity  of 
giving  practical  effect  to  their  desire ;  the 
garden  has  been  given,  but  money  is  wanted  to 
establish  the  great  horticultural  work  we 
expect  to  see  carried  out  in  those  sixty  acres. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  said  that  the  surrender 
of  the  Chiswick  lease  would  realise  the  sum  of 
£5,000,  and  this  is  to  go  to  the  Wisley  garden 
expenses. 

The  event  of  the  afternoon  was  the  question 
of  doubling  the  annual  subscription.  This 
would  have  been  hotly  and  rightly  opposed, 
for  the  good  reason  that  country  members  have 


few  opportunities  of  visiting  the  fortnightly 
meetings  and  the  large  shows.  An  amendment 
was  proposed  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Veitch  to  the  effect 
that  a  charge  of  one  guinea  entrance  fee  be 
made,  except  to  Fellows  paying  two  guineas 
and  four  guineas,  and  in  the  case  of  hond-fide 
gardeners  and  Fellows  residing  abroad  ;  this 
was  carried  unanimously. 

No  one  can  grumble  that  an  unjust  change 
has  been  made  in  adopting  the  system  of  almost 
every  club  and  society  in  the  world.  A  Fellow- 
ship carries  no  distinction.  A  man  who  is 
ignorant  of  the  commonest  wild  flowers  may 
be  an  F.R.H.S.,  and  to  improve  his  faint  hor- 
ticultural knowledge  by  joining  the  society  is 
worth  the  initial  subscription,  for  after  all  we 
want  the  general  public  as  well  as  the  more 
professional  element.  The  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  is  a  teaching  society,  and  its  affairs  are 
never  likely  to  be  ruled  over  except  by  men  of 
experience.  The  list  of  the  members  of  the 
various  committees  shows  how  earnest  a  band 
of  workers  is  guiding  the  society  and  encourag- 
ing gardening  at  home  and  abroad. 


KEW  AND  THE  ROYAL 
HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

I  OBSERVE  that  you  state  in  The  Garden  of 
the  6th  inst.  that  "it  has  been  whispered, 
though  perhaps  there  may  be  no  truth  in  it, 
that  the  formation  of  a  scientific  department 
at  Wisley  will  be  hotly  opposed,  in  the  belief 
that  all  work  of  this  character  should  be 
carried  on  at  Kew."  Certainly,  as  far  as  I  am 
concerned,  and  I  do  not  know  who  else  has  a 
right  to  express  an  opinion  in  the  matter, 
there  is  no  truth  in  it.  And  you  are  only 
stating  a  plain  fact  when  you  "  cannot  think 
that  a  scientific  department  at  Wisley  will 
cause  the  slightest  jealousy  at  Kew." 

There  never  was  a  time  when  as  a  nation  we 
stood  more  in  need  of  the  aid  which  science 
can  give  to  industrial  effort.  The  intensive 
cultivation  of  the  land  has  fallen  behind  an 
attainable  standard.  The  policy  of  Kew, 
working  under  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries,  far  from  attempting  to  centralise 
research  in  one  establishment,  or  even  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  London,  has  consistently 
aimed  at  encouraging  it  in  as  many  centres  as 
possible. 

Personally,  I  should  like  to  see  a  horticultural 
Rothamsted.  The  munificence  of  Sir  John 
Lawes  endowed  agriculture  with  £100,000 ; 
where  shall  we  find  the  man  who  will  do 
something  comparable  for  horticulture  ? 

Having  stated  my  ofiicial  views,  I  may  be 
permitted  to  speak  in  my  private  capacity  as 


108 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  1904 


one  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  to  which  three 
generations  of  my  family  have  supplied  Fellows. 
I  have  never  wavered  in  the  opinion  that  the 
provision  of  a  suitable  hall,  offices,  and  library 
is  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  society's 
continued  existence  and  prosperity.  In  my 
judgment  it  would  be  wise  to  dispose  of  that 
before  embarking  on  a  new  enterprise.  If  the 
society  is  to  create  "  a  scientific  department " 
it  must  be  organised  on  an  efficient  basis,  and 
animated  by  a  far  more  vigorous  and  intelli- 
gent spirit  than  has  for  many  years  been 
pursued  at  Chiswick.  The  suggestion  that  has 
been  made  of  providing  a  log  hut  with  a 
niicroscope  and  an  expert  at  £300  is  hopelessly 
inadequate.  I  must  also  be  permitted  to  have 
my  own  opinion  as  to  whether  Wisley  from 
position  and  soil  is  the  place  best  suited  for 
the  proposed  horticultural  station. 
Kew.  W.  T.  Thiselton-Dyee. 


RIVIERA     NOTES. 


out  makes  its  colouring  the  more  noticeable. 
It  is  quite  unaffected  by  any  bad  weather  here 
during  the  last  two  years,  and  seems  a  plant 
really  worth  growing. 

Each  winter  I  think  I  admire  more  and 
more  the  continual  flowering  of  Illicium 
anisatum.  Its  starry  heads  of  slightly  fragrant 
white  flowers,  its  bright  Apple-green  leaves, 
with  red-barked,  arching  stems,  make  it  most 
attractive  in  a  damp  and  shaded  corner,  where 
it  is  most  at  its  ease.  Because  it  takes  some 
years  before  it  shows  its  beauty  it  is  but  little 
grown.  Its  straggling  stems  need  some  support 
when  weighed  down  with  the  clusters  of  flower. 
Perhaps  it  might  do  well  on  a  wall  in  England. 
Can  anyone  tell  of  one  that  has  succeeded  ? 

Nice.  E.  H.  WooDALL. 


Old-fashioned  gardeners  like  myself  are  apt 
to  rebel  against  the  constant  changes  in  the 
names  of  plants,  so  often  as  it  seems  without 
adequate  reason.  Why,  I  wonder,  is  that  fine 
shrub  or  tree  Senecio  Ghiesbrechti  or  arboreus 
now  called  grandifolius  when  there  is  already 
and  for  many  years  the  well-known  S.  macro- 
phyllus,  now  distinguished  only  by  a  difference 
in  tongue  and  not  in  name?  To  those  accus- 
tomed to  see  this  grand  and  massive  tree-like 
shrub  growing  in  the  open  and  glowing  with 
enormous  flower-heads  it  is  astonishing  to 
hear  it  is  best  grown  annually  from  cuttings  ! 
Like  the  Poinsettia,  it  does  make  a  decent 
show  with  one  head  on  one  stem,  but  I  hope 
those  who  have  room  will  plant  it  out  and  see 
what  it  can  then  do.  1  think  no  one  will 
regret  it,  and  the  long  continuance  of  sub- 
sidiary flower-heads  is  another  reason  for  so 
doing. 

The  early  Narcissus  intermedins  (Tazetta)  is 
always  delightful  at  this  season.  I  suppose  it 
must  have  some  of  the  tenderness  of  the  Paper 
White  Narcissus  in  its  constitution,  or  it  must 
long  ago  have  been  in  every  English  garden, 
where  it  vpould  flower  as  early  as  the  ever- 
welcome  N.  pallidus  precox,  which  loves  the 
shade  and  shelter  of  I5amboo  clumps  as  much 
as  N.  intermedins  loves  a  dry,  sunny  bank 
among  the  Aloe  suckers.  N.  intermedius, 
however,  is  quite  able  to  take  care  of  itself 
anyyvhere,  while  the  dainty  and  delicate  N. 
pallidus  pr;ecox  will  only  grow  where  it  has 
shade,  shelter,  and  undisturbed  possession  of 
its  own  particular  nook.  The  very  plant  for 
the  careful  amateur. 

What  a  curious  similarity  there  is  sometimes 
between  difierent  plants  was  brought  to  my 
notice  the  other  day  by  a  visitor,  who 
exclaimed  on  seeing  a  bush  of  the  pretty  Cape 
shrub  Diplopappus  fruticulosus,  now  in  full 
flower,  "What  a  delighful  Michaelmas  Daisy 
bush  you  have  there,  and  why  don't  we  grow 
it  in  England?"  The  reason  is  not  far  to 
seek,  for  pretty  as  it  is,  it  is  no  prettier  than 
most  Asters,  and  it  requires  a  drier  air  and 
warmer  climate  than  England  affords,  while 
as  a  pot  plant  it  is  apt  to  be  straggly,  as  is 
also  the  bright  yellow  Senecio  pinifolius,  which 
flowers  with  it  and  enjoys  the  same  conditions. 

Lachenalia  pendula  aureliana  is  certainly  a 
very  fine  thing,  and  should  be  taken  care  of  by 
those  who  possess  it.  A  clump  or  two  of  it 
among  white  Primulas  is  a  thing  to  remark  on 
wherever  it  may  be,  and  its  habit  of  fiowering 
in  January  before  the  very  earliest  Tulips  are 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FOETHCOMING   EVENTS. 

Februar}'  23. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Drill  Hall  Meeting,  12  noon. 

March  8. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

March  9.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
and   the   special    societies.  —  In  your 

interesting  leading  article,  on  page  S8,  you  say  : 
"We  are  sorry  to  find  that  Baron  Schroder  has 
been  compelled  to  issue  a  second  appeal  on  behalf 
of  the  Hall  fund.  .  .  .  The  new  Hall  will 
prove  a  boon  to  the  many  special  societies  that  are 
constantly  appealing  to  the  Horticultural  Club  for 
the  use  of  its  rooms  at  the  Hotel  Windsor."  There 
is  an  intimate  association  in  the  train  of  thought 
that  prompted  these  two  paragraphs.  Is  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  quite  S3'mpathetio  towards 
the  special  societies  ?  If  so,  how  comes  it  that  it 
has  recently  pressed  such  onerous  conditions  upon 
the  National  Dahlia  Society  as  to  drive  it  back  to 
the  Crystal  Palace?  It  can  scarcely  be  doubted 
that  this  unhappy  event — small  in  itself,  perhaps — 
has  had  a  share  in  checking  the  flow  of  subscrip- 
tions to  the  Hall  fund.  The  special  societies  are 
too  numerous  and  too  strong  to  be  treated  in  a 
cavalier  way.  They  would  be  loyal  to  the  great 
parent  society,  and  a  strong  bulwark  of  support  to 
it,  if  they  were  sympathetically  dealt  with.  Let 
me  add,  sir,  a  word  of  grateful  acknowledgment 
of  the  kindness  of  the  committee  of  the  Horticul- 
tural Club  in  connexion  with  the  use  of  the 
club  room  at  the  Hotel  Windsor  for  the  com- 
mittee meetings  of  the  various  societies. — Walter 
P.  Wright,  Secretary,  National  Potato  Society. 

"  Nous  n'irons  plus  au  bois,  les  lauriers  sont  coupes." 

Then  come  away  I    The  woods  are  cut ; 

There  is  no  beauty  now  ; 
No  frajrile  flower  on  trembling  stem, 

No  swinging  branch  in  sunset  glow. 

The  ships  that  started  fresh  and  fair 
Come  home  bestript  of  sail  and  mast ; 

The  bluebell  ghosts,  just  here  and  there, 
Bespeak  of  springtime  glory  past. 

Then  come  away  !     We  will  not  spoil 

The  memory  of  what  has  been, 
But  onward  patiently  will  toil 

To  other  woods,  still  fresh  and  green. 

M.  C.  D. 


Proposed  excursion  to  Shrews- 
bury horticultural  fete.— A  number  of 
horticulturists  and  others  interested  living  in  Scot- 
land having  expressed  a  wish  to  visit  this  popular 
show,  neyuliations  have  been  opened  with  the 
railway  companies  for  such  an  excursion,  which 
will  be  organised  if  sufficient  support  is  promised. 
Excursionists  might  leave  Edinburgh  late  on 
Tuesday  night,  and  return  from  Shrewsbury  on 
Wednesday  night,  or  have  an  option  to  remain  a 
day  or  two  longer.  Intimation,  or  application  for 
further  particulars,  should  be  made  to  the  under- 
signed, and  it;  will  greatly  facilitate  arrangements 


if  early  intimation  can  be  given.  Such  intimation 
does  not  bind  anyone  to  go  if,  later,  circumstances 
should  prove  unsuitable. — P.  Mdrray  Thomson, 
Secretary  and  Treaxurer,  Royal  Caledonian  Horti- 
cidturaX  Society,  o,  York  Place,  Edinburgh  :  Peter  ' 
LoNEY,  Secretary,  Scottish  Horticultural  Associa- 
tion, 6,  Carlton  Street,  Edinhnrgh. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society.—  We 

understand  that  an  assistant  secretary  has  been 
appointed  at  a  salary  of  £200  a  3'ear,  and  we  think 
it  is  quite  time  the  present  secretarj',  the  Rev.  W. 
Wilks,  received  substantial  assistance  in  his  work, 
which  has  increased  greatly  of  late  years.  Editing 
the  "Journal  "  itself  is  a  serious  burden. 

Forestry  in  the  United  Kingdom.— 

On  Thursday,  the  2.5lh  inst. ,  at  8  p.m..  Professor 
Schlich  will  give  a  lecture  in  the  Carpenters'  Hall, 
London  Wall,  on  "  The  Forestry  Problem  in  the 
United  Kingdom."  The  Carpenters'  Companj' 
have  arranged  this  lecture,  and  will  be  glad  to 
welcome  all  interested. 

Future  of  the  Manchester  Botani- 
cal Gardens.  —  Stretford's  recent  decision 
against  the  purchase  of  the  Botanical  Gardens,  Old 
Trafibrd,  was  the  subject  of  some  discussion  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  its  proprietors,  the  Manchester 
Botanical  and  Horticultural  Society,  held  on 
Thursday,  the  ■1th  inst.,  in  the  Town  Hall,  Albert 
Square.  The  report  of  the  council  expressed  regret 
that  the  past  year  had  been  unsatisfactory  from  a 
financial  standpoint,  which  was  ascribed  to  the 
almost  entire  absence  of  summer-like  weather 
during  the  season.  A  great  portion  of  the  report 
is  taken  up  with  a  description  of  the  negotiations 
between  the  society  and  the  Stretford  Council  in 
reference  to  the  suggested  purchase  of  the  gardens, 
a  question  which  last  week's  poll  decided  against. 
The  balance-sheet  showed  that  an  expenditure  of 
£3,(306  was  made,  and  there  was  a  deficit  of  £1,518 
upon  the  year's  working.  The  Lord  Ma3'or,  in 
moving  the  adoption  of  the  report  and  balance- 
sheet,  referred  to  the  bad  results  of  the  year, 
largely  due  to  the  weather.  This  could  not  go  on. 
The  council  could  not  face  losses  3'ear  after  year, 
and  the  sooner  something  was  done  the  better. 
Of  course,  the  gardens  had  been  offered  to  Stretford 
on  what  were  considered  reasonable  terms,  but  by 
the  vote  of  the  people  the  purchase  had  been 
declined.  Mr.  John  Wainwright  said  he  still 
thought  it  a  pity  Stretford  did  not  buy  the 
gardens.  He  believed  they  were  hardly  aware  of 
the  value  of  the  property.  The  land  was  worth  Is. 
per  yard,  which  meant  £80,000,  and  at  the  end  of 
twelve  years  it  could  be  used  for  building  purposes. 
A  resolution  was  adopted  on  the  motion  of  Mr. 
Bowden,  authorising  the  trustees  and  council, 
should  they  consider  it  expedient  for  the  purposes 
of  the  society,  to  sell  and  dispose  of  the  gardens  of 
an}'  part  thereof.  The  resolution  also  authorised 
an  increase  of  the  securitv  for  a  bank  overdraft. 

"One  and  All"  Gardening',  1904.— 

This  popular  annual  reaches  its  ninth  issue  this 
j'ear.  A  first  edition  of  100,000  has  been  prepared 
to  meet  the  growing  demand.  There  are  200 
profusely  illustrated  pages.  The  price  is  con- 
tinued at  2d.  Amongst  the  notable  articles  are 
"  The  Garden  of  Consolation,"  by  the  editor, 
Edward  Owen  Greening;  "A  Policeman's  Roof 
Garden,"  "Board  School  Childrens'  Flowers," 
"Floral  Evolution,"  by  James  Scott;  "Shake- 
speare's Plants"  and  "Shakespeare  Weather 
Lore,"  by  the  Hon.  H.  A.  Stanhope;  "Appre- 
ciations of  Gardening,"  by  Louis  \Vain  ;  "  J.  M. 
Harvey,  the  Actor-Manager,"  and  numerous  illus- 
trated cultural  articles. 

Gold-laced  Polyanthus  Mrs. 

Holden.  —  A  new  introduction  to  the  limited 
group  of  new  varieties  is  alwa^'s  welcome.  This 
new  Polyanthus  bears  the  name  of  Mrs.  Holden, 
and  was  raised  from  seed  from  Mrs.  Brownhill  by 
Mr.  a.  Thoniley.  Middleton,  Lancashire.  It  first 
appeared  a  few  j'ears  ago,  and,  being  full  of 
promise,  Mr.  Thornley  worked  up  a  stock  of  it,  and 
it  is  now  being  offered  to  the  public.  As  the  northern 
growers  are  freely  buying  it,  it  may  be  assumed 
that  it  possesses  excellent  qualities.  It  is  a  black 
ground  flower  with  a  clear  yellow  centre  and  lacing, 
and  though  I  have  been  able  to  judge  of  its 
character  from  pips  produced  in  winter,  yel  I  am 


February  13,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


109 


sanguine  it  will  not  disappoint  expectations.  We 
shall  doubtless  have  a  chance  of  seeing  this  variety 
in  London  in  April  next,  as  the  Midland  and 
Northern  growers  will  no  doubt  stage  it.  A  cor- 
respondent, writing  to  me  from  Ireland,  recently 
stated  that  he  has  a  collection  of  more  than  a  dozen 
varieties,  and  is  adding  to  them  as  opportunity 
oflfers.  In  the  moister  climate  of  a  portion  of  the 
Sister  Kingdom  the  Gold-laced  Polyanthus  can  no 
doubt  be  grown  with  a  greater  degree  of  success 
than  in  the  south,  where  it  by  no  means  flourishes, 
despite  the  care  which  may  be  bestowed  upon  it. 
Our  southern  climate  appears  to  be  too  exacting 
in  summer,  though  the  last  two  moist  summers 
have  been  more  favourable  to  its  well  being.  Yet 
time  was  when  named  Gold-laced  Polyanthus 
were  most  successfully  grown  round  London. — 
R.  Dean. 
A     new     Raspbeppy  —  Queen     of 

Eng'la.nd. — The  Raspberry  is  so  much  liked  in 
all  households  that  any  addition,  and  especially  a 
superior  fruit,  to  those  we  now  possess  will  be 
found  valuable.  This  fine  seedling  is  the  result  of 
a  cross  between  the  well-known  Raspberry  Super- 
lative and  Rubus  laciniatus  ;  the  first-named  is  a 
somewhat  recent  addition  to  the  red  sorts,  and  is 
a  splendid  cropper  and  very  vigorous.  It  should 
be  an  excellent  parent  on  that  account ;  but  it  is 
strange  that  the  Rubus  should  have  given  a  golden 
fruit,  as  the  Queen  is  a  large  rich  yellow,  and  with 
a  distinct  foliage  ;  the  latter  is  studded  with  spines, 
in  the  way  of  the  Rubus,  and  the  foliage  is  in  three 
divisions  instead  of  five  like  the  ordinary  Rasp- 
berry. The  fruits  are  in  clusters  like  the 
Superlative,  and  borne  later  than  the  other  white 
Raspberries,  and  the  growth  is  much  stronger. 
This  is  a  great  gain  in  light  soils;  indeed,  I  think 
it  will  prove  of  great  value  where  other  sorts  fail 
to  crop  freely.  It  was  given  a  first-class  certificate 
when  placed  before  the  fruit  committee,  and  the 
vote  was  unanimous,  thus  showing  it  was  much 
liked.  Since  then  I  have  been  able  to  grow  it  by 
the  side  of  older  varieties,  and  am  much  pleased 
with  it.  I  feel  sure  it  will  become  a  favourite, 
and  doubtless  the  introduction  of  the  Blackberry 
blood  will  give  it  increased  vigour,  as  the  latter 
parent  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  section,  being  very 
free  and  of  good  quality. — G.  W.  S. 

Soil  WOPlC. — The  rainfall  for  the  first  month 
of  the  year  was  greatly  increased  by  the  continuous 
rains  of  thirty-six  hours'  duration  on  the  last  two 
days,  and  must  have  produced  a  degree  of  satura- 
tion of  soil,  following,  as  it  did,  on  one  of  the 
wettest  years  remembered,  that  has  rendered  work- 
ing not  only  difficult,  but  in  many  places  impossible. 
That  this  excessive  rainfall  will  be  disastrous  for 
cultivators  of  all  descriptions  there  can  be  little 
doubt.  Even  light  porous  soils  are  having  all 
plant  nutrition  washed  out  of  them,  as  also  being 
beaten  very  hard,  just  when  ample  aeration  is  so 
badly  needed  to  sweeten  them.  Planting  is  terribly 
hindered  still,  as  it  has  been  from  October  onwards. 
When  at  Belfast  last  year  Sir  Norman  Lockyer 
stated  his  belief  that  the  third  season  of  the  wet 
cycle,  because  of  the  greater  density  of  the  sun 
spots,  would  be  worse  than  either  of  the  preceding 
ones ;  the  statement  perhaps  did  not  secure  the 
attention  it  deserved.  The  first  month  of  the  new 
year  was  so  bad  that  it  may  well  predict  all  that 
has  been  intimated. — A.  D. 

Fpuit  cultupe   in   Scotland.  —  It  is 

interesting  to  find  that,  as  mentioned  on  page  71, 
a  material  extension  of  fruit  culture  is  to  be 
promoted  in  Scotland.  It  may  have  been  that  the 
Northern  Kingdom  suffered  less  from  rain  and 
absence  of  sun  than  England  last  year,  hence  the 
enterprise  mentioned.  It  would  be  unlikely  that 
any  material  extension  of  fruit  culture  will  be 
developed  in  the  south,  having  regard  to  last  year's 
bitter  experience.  Apart  from  that,  the  continuous 
rains  render  planting  a  matter  of  such  diflBculty 
that  few  will  care  to  undertake  it  largely.  We 
sadly  need  in  the  south  a  really  good  fruit  season 
to  give  those  who  may  wish  to  extend  fruit 
culture  here  heart  and  hope.  The  mild  and 
exceedingly  wet  winter  so  far  is  not  conducive  to 
do  much,  and  we  may  well  look  forward  with 
grave  anxiety.  It  has  been  said  that  the  failure  of 
fruit  bloom  generally  last  year  was  largely  due  to 


the  effects  of  several  very  dry  seasons  on  tree  roots. 
That  dryness  no  longer  exists.  Fruit  buds  on 
trees  are  plentiful.  More  now  depends  on  the 
strength  and  fertility  of  the  embryo,  probably, 
than  on  anything  else. — A.  D. 

Depbyshipe  Hopticultupal  Society. 

The  annual  show  will  take  place  on  September  14 
and  15.  The  entries  close  for  stock  on  August  12, 
implements  on  August  .30,  and  for  horticulture 
on  September  7. 

A  note  fPOm  Ohio.— I  enclose  a  few  little 
prints  which  may  interest  you.  The  Anemone,  the 
single  white,  is  the  handsomest  clump  I  ever  saw 
anywhere.  Last  autumn  it  was  considerably  over 
6  feet  high.  The  reason  for  its  success  in  this  trying 
climate,  where  the  thermometer  goes  to  20°  below 
zero  in  winter,  with  sudden  thaws  perhaps  a  week 
after,  when  the  thermometer  rises  to  60°  above,  is 
merely,  I  think,  that  the  clump  stands  at  the 
head  of  a  tiny  slope  so  that  it  is  well  drained,  that 
it  grows  in  rich  heavy  clay,  and  that  Peach  and 
Cherry  trees  grow  so  near  that  they  protect  it 
during  blooming  time  from  our  early  frosts  and 
the  fierce  noonday  sun.  The  double  Whirlwind 
and  the  Queen  Charlotte  varieties  do  equally  well, 
but  I  have  no  clumps  so  large.  The  Rose  is  a 
Queen  of  the  Prairie,  trained  on  a  trellis  along  a 
back  street.  It  here,  too,  likes  a  heavy  clay  soil. 
Neither  of  these  plants  get  much  attention  in  the 
way  of  mulching  or  fertilising,  a  ring  of  manure  in 
the  autumn  is  all.  —  (Miss)  Lucy  E.  Keeler, 
Fremont,  Ohio,  U.S.A. 

A  note  fpom  W^opeestepshipe.— The 

weather,  though  wet,  keeps  unseasonablj'  mild  for 
the  time  of  year,  and  as  a  result  the  flower 
harbingers  of  spring  have  appeared  earlier  than 
last  year  in  some  cases.  Cyclamen  coum  is  espe- 
cially good,  and  seems  to  have  benefited  by  the 
incessant  rain.  Iris  unguicularis  (stylosa)  has  so 
far  failed  to  flower.  The  last  two  summers  it  has 
missed  its  accustomed  baking,  and,  though  planted 
in  a  gravel  walk  at  the  foot  of  a  warm  wall,  has 
produced  a  wealth  of  luxuriant  foliage  at  the 
expense  of  the  flowers.  Saxifraga  burseriana 
major  is  thickly  beset  with  tiny  buds,  but  I  have 
to  mourn  the  death  of  Saxifraga  Grisebachii,  which 
has  succumbed  to  damp.  Anemone  hepatica 
angulosa  atrocferulea  is  also  just  coming  into  flower, 
while  Christmas  Roses,  Erica  carnea,  Winter 
Jasmine,  and  the  little  Winter  Aconite  are  all  in 
full  bloom.  Narcissus  pallidus  precox  does  well 
on  my  light  sandy  soil,  and  promises  to  be  in  bloom 
earlier  than  usual  this  month.  Lithospermum 
prostratura  is  a  most  random  blooming  plant.  It 
is  in  bud  now,  indeed  scarcely  a  month  passes  in 
which  one  could  not  gather  some  of  its  delightful 
flowers.  Its  relative,  our  native  Gromwell  (L. 
purpureo-cffiruleum),  grows  slowly  from  seed.  I 
sowed  some  in  my  cool  greenhouse  last  year  on 
February  15,  and  the  hard  shiny  white  seeds  began 
to  germinate  early  in  January  of  this  year.  Canon 
EUacombe,  in  "In  My  Vicarage  Garden,"  remarks 
that  when  visiting  Switzerland  in  September  he 
was  very  interested  in  the  fruits  of  this  Gromwell, 
which  he  found  in  some  of  the  woods  in  great 
abundance.  "The  interest,"  he  tell  us,  "lay  in 
this,  that  much  of  the  shagreen  from  which  our 
grandmothers'  spectacles  and  etui  cases  were  made 
was  a  manufactured  article  from  asses'  skin,  into 
which  was  pressed  hard  seed,  chiefly  of  the 
Lithospermum.  As  this  is  rather  a  rare  plant  in 
England  I  never  could  understand  where  the  supply 
of  seeds  came  from ;  but  now,  having  seen  it  in  such 
abundance  in  the  woods  of  Switzerland,  I  can  well 
fancy  that  the  supply  may  have  come  from  thence." 
Of  Snowdrops  I  have  now  quite  a  large  collection, 
but  the  rain  splashes  have  sadly  marred  their 
purity.  Galanthus  byzantinus,  of  which  I  send 
you  a  few  remaining  flowers,  was  my  first.  It  is  a 
pity  it  is  not  more  known,  as  it  is  very  beautiful, 
and  my  real  object  in  sending  it  is  the  hope  that 
you  will  draw  attention  to  its  value.  I  believe  I 
am  right  in  saying  that  this  species  comes  from 
around  Constantinople.  You  will  notice  that  its 
glaucous  leaf  closely  resembles  that  of  G.  plicatus, 
while  the  narrow  green  and  white  tube,  which  is 
such  a  marvel  of  Nature's  handiwork,  reminds  one 
of  G.|Elwesii.  I  send  you  this  latter  just  for  com- 
parison.    Most  of  the  other  Snowdrops,  such  as 


G.  Fosteri,  G.  Imperati,  G.  Elwesii  unguiculatus, 
G.  Elwesii  Erythr;B,  and  others  are  not  fully  out 
to-day  (February  1),  but  a  week  hence  should  see 
them  at  their  best.  My  plant  of  G.  Imperati 
Atkinsii,  which  was  figured  in  The  Garden  last 
spring,  has  made  good  increase,  and  is  already  in 
flower.  Two  Corydalis  species  are  in  bud — kolpa- 
kowskyana  and  angustifolia.  This  latter  was  dis- 
tributed last  summer  by  Van  Tubergen,  and  though 
an  old  plant,  being  first  described  by  Bieberstein  in 
his  "  Flora  Taurica,"  vol.  ii.,  page  140,  under  the 
name  of  Fumaria  angustifolia,  is  very  rare  in 
cultivation. — Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 

Clematis  calycina.  —  This  Clematis  is 
comparatively  common  in  the  south-west,  where 
it  grows  to  a  considerably  greater  height  than  the 
10  feet  mentioned  in  the  note  on  page  11.  I  know 
cases  where  it  has  reached  the  eaves  of  houses  fully 
20  feet  in  height,  and  in  a  friend's  garden  it  has 
clambered  up  a  tree  to  a  height  of  over  25  feet. 
The  greenish  white  flowers  with  their  internal 
spotting  of  purple  are  not  particularly  attractive, 
their  chief  value  being  their  advent  in  midwinter, 
for  in  most  seasons  expanded  blossoms  may  be 
found  in  December,  while  during  January  and 
February  they  are  produced  in  abundance.  This 
Clematis  is  better  known  by  the  name  of  C.  bale- 
arica,  which  indicates  its  native  habitat.  In  the 
note  referred  to  the  specimen  at  Rosehill,  Fal- 
mouth, is  mentioned.  This  is  growing  over  a  trellis 
in  company  with  another  Clematis  often  confounded 
with  it,  namely,  C.  cirrhosa,  a  native  of  Southern 
Europe.  This  flowers  considerably  later  than  C. 
calycina,  and  its  blossoms,  of  the  same  greenish 
white,  are  unspotted,  while  its  foliage  is  not  so 
deeply  cut.  When  at  Rosehill  I  was  able  to  com- 
pare one  of  the  last  flowers  of  C.  calycina  with  the 
earliest  of  C.  cirrhosa,  and  also  the  foliage  of  the 
two  respective  plants.  The  illustration  of  Clematis 
cirrhosa  in  Nicholson's  "Dictionary  of  Gardening" 
is  apparently,  from  its  deeply-cut  leaves,  a  repre- 
sentation of  C.  calycina. — S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 
The  floweping-  of  Bamboos.— During 

the  past  season  several  notes  have  appeared  record- 
ing the  flowering  of  Bamboos,  Arundinaria  Simoni 
being  the  species  referred  to  in  almost  every 
instance.  This  Bamboo  flowered  very  generally  in 
the  south-west  during  1903,  and  specimens  now 
present  a  wretched  appearance,  being  apparently 
sheaves  of  dead  and  brown  canes.  However,  this 
species  is  said  to  recover  after  seeding,  so  that  it  is 
to  be  hoped  that  its  disfigurement  is  only  temporary. 
This,  unfortunately,  is  not  the  case  with  some 
other  species,  which  die  after  seeding.  The  splen- 
did clumps  of  Arundinaria  nobilis  at  Menabilly, 
which  are  over  25  feet  in  height,  are  the  progeny 
of  the  original  plant  raised  from  seed  sent  from 
North  China.  This  died  in  1872  after  thirty- three 
years  of  life.  These  are  now  thirty-two  years  old, 
so  that  it  is  to  be  feared  that  their  lives  will  not  be 
much  further  prolonged.  I  lately  saw  a  specimen 
of  Phyllostachys  boryana  in  flower,  and  have  heard 
that  plants  of  P.  Henonis,  to  my  mind  the  most 
beautiful  of  all  the  Bamboos,  have  flowered  in 
Cornwall,  but  this  is  merely  hearsay  evidence, 
which  I  have  not  been  able  to  verify.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  the  report  is  incorrect,  for  the  death  or 
even  the  temporary  disfigurement  of  fine  specimens 
creates  a  sad  blank  in  the  Bamboo  garden. — S.  W. 

FiTZHERBEKT. 

Edinbupgrh  mapket  g'apdeneps  and 
railway  pates.— As  was  reported  in  The 
Garden  some  time  ago,  the  market  gardeners  of 
the  Edinburgh  district  were  threatened  with  a 
serious  hindrance  to  their  business  by  the  proposal 
of  the  local  railway  companies  to  introduce  new 
regulations  regarding  the  conveyance  of  their 
produce.  The  combined  action  of  the  Market 
Gardeners'  Association  and  the  Scottish  Chamber 
of  Agriculture  led  to  the  matter  being  laid  before 
the  Board  of  Agriculture,  from  which  a  letter  was 
read  at  the  meeting  of  the  Chamber  of  Agriculture 
on  the  3rd  inst.  It  was  stated,  however,  that  the 
companies  had  not  put  the  proposed  regulations 
into  force,  and  it  was  thought  that  the  agitation  of 
the  market  gardeners  and  others  had  thus  been 
productive  of  some  benefit.  As  they  have  not 
been  withdrawn,  however,  it  is  recognised  by  all 
interested  that  there  is  yet  some  danger  that  the 


110 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  1904. 


regulations  may  be  enforced  to  the  great  injury  of 
the  market  garcleners,  whose  industry  requires  the 
frequent  dispatch  of  small  quantities  of  produce. 

Jastninum  nudiflopum.  —  During  the 

past  month  the  clear  gold  of  the  Winter  Jasmine 
has  formed  an  attractive  picture  on  sunny  days,  at 
a  time  when  little  bright  colour  is  to  be  found  in 
the  garden  landscape  with  the  exception  of  the 
<!ardinal  and  golden  Willows  and  the  ruddy  bark 
of  some  of  the  Dogwoods.  In  a  recent  note  it  was 
recommended  as  a  companion  for  1%'y,  since  the 
dark,  shining  leaves  of  the  latter  showed  ofif  its 
bright  flowers  to  such  advantage.  Such  a  combi- 
nation is  certainly  a  very  effective  one,  but  I  doubt 
if  a  more  perfect  associate  for  the  winter  Jasmine 
can  be  found  than  Cotoneaster  microphylla.  In  a 
remote  Devon  village  I  saw,  one  Christmas,  a 
thatched  cottage  with  its  front  entirely  covered 
with  the  mingled  growths  of  these  two  plants,  both 
at  the  zenith  of  their  beauty,  the  Jasmine  a  veil  of 
clear  yellow,  and  the  thickly  clustering  crimson 
berries  of  the  Cotoneaster  forming  a  glowing  back- 
ground for  the  flowers.  It  was  a  picture  as 
charming  as  it  was  unique,  for  there  are  but  few 
who,  for  the  sake  of  brightening  the  midwinter 
days,  would  forego  the  wealth  of  summer  beauty 
provided  by  climbing  Roses,  Passion  Flower,  Sola- 
num,  and  other  flowering  creepers.  However, 
when  such  an  instance  is  met  with,  its  originator 
deserves  the  thanks  of  all  lovers  of  the  beautiful 
for  having  had  sufficient  strength  of  mind  to  dis- 
pense with  a  summer  flower-clad  wall  in  order  that 
the  dull  December  days  might  be  brightened  by  a 
cheery  display  of  colour.  In  large  gardens  the 
same  restrictions  do  not  apply,  for,  while  the 
cottage  has  but  one  front  wall,  there  are  many  sites 
that  may  be  chosen  in  spacious  gardens  where  the 
two  subjects  here  alluded  to  may  be  associated,  and 
where  their  lengthy  season  of  ineffectiveness  may 
be  rendered  immaterial  by  the  growth  of  summer- 
lowering  climbers  in  their  immediate  vicinity. — 
S.  W.  F. 
The  Baxter  Park,  Dundee.— A  number 

of  improvements  are  at  present  in  progress  in  this 
park,  and  the  total  cost  of  these  is  estimated  to 
amount  to  at  least  £1,200.  They  are  beingcarried  out 
under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Carnochan,  the  Parka 
Superintendent,  and  when  completed  will  add 
much  to  the  beauty  of  the  park.  A  considerable 
amount  of  pruning  trees  and  shrubs  has  had  to  be 

■  undertaken,  and  the  result  will  be  that  the  natural 
■forms  of  the  plants  will  have  room  to  develop 
'SO  as  to  show  their  real  beauty.  It  has  been  found 
•necessary  to  remove  a  number  of  trees  and  shrubs, 

so  crowded  together  were  they  in  some  places. 
3vew  flower-beds  are  being  made  and  others 
remodelled,  while  the  pavilions  and  their  accom- 

•  modation  are  also  being  considerably  improved. 

Royal    Caledonian    Horticultural 

•  Society. — This  society  has  issued  the  prize-list 
and  rules  for  its  spring  and  autumn  shows,  to  be 
■held    in    the   Waverley    Market,    Edinburgh,    on 

May  25  and  26  and  September  14  and  15,  copies  of 
which  can  be  obtained  by  application  in  writing  to 
the  secretary,  18,  Waverley  Market,  Edinburgh. 
The  changes  of  importance  from  the  prize-lists  of 
last  year  are  not  numerous,  but  two  of  these  deserve 
special  mention.  The  first,  which  is  of  the  highest 
importance,  has  been  made  possible  through  the 
munificent  gift  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Massie  (of  Messrs. 
Dicksons  and  Co.,  Waterloo  Place),  of  a  silver 
challenge  trophy  of  the  value  of  50  guineas  for  a 
Grape  competition,  the  trophy  to  become  the 
property  of  the  exhibitor  who  wins  it  three  times. 
The  conditions  have  been  drawn  up  after  consulta- 
tion with  several  of  the  best  Grape  competitors, 
and  the  trophy  is  to  be  competed  for  at  the  autumn 
show.      The  schedule  stipulates  eight   bunches  of 

■  Grapes,  not  more  than  two  bunches  of  any  variety, 
and  the  prizes  are  :  First,  the  challenge  trophy  (to 
be  won  three  times),  with  £15  in  cash  and  a  gold 
badge;  second,  £10  ;  third,  £5  ;  fourth,  £3.  Each 
bunch  will  be  judged  on  its  individual  merits  and 
points  awarded.  A  maximum  of  ten  points  may 
be  given  to  Muscat  of  Alexandria  ;  a  maximum  of 
nine  points  may  be  given  to  all  other  Muscats  and 
■Black  Hamburghs  ;  a  maximum  of  eight  points  to 
all  other  varieties  ;  the  bunches  to  be  staged  singly, 

•  if  possible,  and  the  whole  arranged  on  a  table  space 


6  feet  by  4  feet  in  two  tiers,  2  feet  in  width.  For 
the  purpose  of  this  competition  Bowood  Muscat, 
Charlesworth  Tokay,  and  Tyninghame  Muscat 
cannot  be  shown  as  distinct  varieties  with  Muscat 
of  Alexandria.  Gros  Maroc  and  Cooper's  Black 
are  also  considered  synonymous.  Superior  cultiva- 
tion and  finish  will  be  considered  of  the  greatest 
importance.  Each  collection  must  be  decorated  ; 
flowering  or  foliage  plants  (in  pots  not  exceeding 
5  inches  in  diameter),  also  cut  flowers  or  foliage  in 
glass  or  ware,  or  loose,  allowed  at  the  exhibitor's 
discretion.  There  is  little  doubt  that  the  competi- 
tion for  this  Scottish  challenge  trophy  for  Grapes 
will  be  of  the  highest  interest  to  horticulturists  in 
the  kingdom.  Of  less  importance,  but  a  change  in 
the  right  direction  so  far  as  the  larger  vegetable 
growers  are  concerned,  is  the  abolition  of  the 
classes  for  collections  of  vegetables  and  the  substi- 
tution of  a  class  for  a  display  of  vegetables,  with  a 
table  space  of  6  feet  long  by  6  feet  wide  for  each 
collection,  and  with  prizes  of  £4,  £2  10s.,  and 
£1  10s.  The  prizes  are  to  be  awarded  for  points  as 
given  in  a  maximum  scale  in  the  schedule. 

Grants    to    horticultural    objects 

in  Scotland. — At  a  meeting  on  the  3rd  inst. 
of  the  Lord  Provost's  committee  of  the  Corporation 
of  Edinburgh  it  was  agreed  to  recommend  that  a 
grant  of  five  guineas  be  made  to  the  funds  of  the 
Working  Men's  Flower  Show  of  Edinburgh.  Few 
corporations  are  more  disposed  to  assist  horticul- 
ture in  this  manner  than  that  of  Edinburgh,  and 
the  show  in  question  has  done  much  to  interest 
many  in  the  city  in  the  cultivation  of  plants  and 
the  brightening  of  many  a  court  and  dingy  street. 
The  schedule  of  the  society  is  a  most  comprehensive 
one,  and  prizes  are  oifered  for  plants  not  often  seen 
at  shows.  One  valuable  special  section  is  that 
confined  to  dwellers  in  what  may  be  called  the 
' '  congested  districts  "  of  the  city.  The  other  grant 
we  have  to  record  comes  from  what  is  known  as  the 
Glasgow  Public  House  Trust — a  body  formed  for 
the  establishment  of  licensed  houses  on  the  Gothen- 
burg principle — which  means  to  devote  the  profits, 
after  payment  of  a  reasonable  fixed  rate  of  interest 
to  its  shareholders,  to  public  objects  in  its  sphere 
of  operations.  The  trust  has  an  ale  and  porter 
license  in  the  village  of  Hallside,  Newton,  and  from 
the  profits  of  last  year  £10  have  been  given  for 
prizes  at  the  village  flower  show  and  as  premiums 
for  the  best  kept  gardens. 

Corydalis  angustifolia.— Although  the 

early  flowering  species  of  Corydalis  are  not  so  free 
and  lack  the  brighter  colouring  of  those  which 
flower  later  in  the  season,  they  are  interesting  and 
useful  on  account  of  the  earliness  with  which  they 
come  into  bloom.  Hardy  tuberous  rooted  peren- 
nials, they  are  generally  found  in  their  native 
habitats  in  rather  moist  and  shady  positions,  so 
that  a  similar  position  should  be  assigned  to  them 
in  the  rock  garden  or  Fern  border.  They  are  also 
useful  for  growing  in  pans  for  the  alpine  house. 
The  above  species  is  a  native  of  the  Caucasus  and 
Armenia,  and  was  exhibited  at  the  last  meeting  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  by  Messrs.  W. 
Cutbush  and  Son.  It  reaches  a  height  of  4  inches  to 
8  inches,  and  has  tuberous  roots.  The  root  leaves 
are  biternate,  on  long,  slender  petioles,  the  divi- 
sions of  the  leaves  being  long  and  linear.  The  stem 
leaves  are  two  in  number,  also  biternate  and  again 
deeply  divided.  Laxly  disposed  in  a  short  raceme 
with  bracts,  which  are  divided  to  the  middle  into 
three  divisions,  the  flowers  are  somewhat  cream 
coloured,  with  a  long  spur.  Other  species  now  in 
flower  are  C.  kolpakowskyana,  from  Western  Tur- 
kestan, a  plant  that  has  been  in  cultivation  since 
1879,  with  glabrous,  much-divided  leaves,  and  stems 
about  6  inches  high,  bearing  racemes  of  pink  or 
purple  flowers  with  long  spurs.  C.  ledebouriana, 
also  introduced  in  the  same  year,  is  remarkable  for 
its  peculiar,  ternately  divided,  glaucous  leaves, 
which  are  arranged  whorl-like  about  one-third  of 
the  way  up  the  stem,  which  is  6  inches  to  9  inches 
high.  The  flowers  have  been  described  as  deep, 
vinous  purple  with  pinkish  spurs,  and  have  entire 
ovate  bracts.     It  is  a  native  of  Siberia. — W.  I. 

Catalog-ue   and  Culture  Guide  of 
the    National    Dahlia    Society.— Mr. 

W.  p.  TuUoch,  hon.  secretary  of  the  National 
Dahlia    Society,    writes :    "  Owing  to    the  rapid 


revival  of  interest  in  the  Dahlia  during  recent 
years,  due  to  the  development  of  the  Cactus 
flowered  type,  my  society,  as  the  leading  authority 
on  all  Dahlia  matters,  has  prepared  and  issued  the 
enclosed  booklet,  with  the  object  of  aflbrding 
assistance  to  growers  both  in  the  matter  of  culture 
and  choice  of  varieties.  The  comparative  ease  in 
obtaining  the  best  results  from  the  Cactus  Dahlia 
as  compared  with  the  older  show  and  fancy  types, 
brings  it  within  the  reach  of  all,  but,  in  spite  of 
this,  no  work  on  its  culture  has  3'et  been  issued." 
To  all  interested  in  the  Dahlia  this  book  will  be 
indispensable.  Mr.  Edward  Mawley  (president  of 
the  society)  contributes  an  introduction,  and  there 
follows  "The  Bibliography  of  the  Dahlia."  Among 
the  many  useful  and  practical  articles  contained 
are  "Situation  and  Soils,"  "Propagating  and 
Management  under  Glass,"  by  Mr.  Tulloch,  assisted 
by  experts;  "Manuring,  Watering,  Lifting,  and 
Storing,"  by  S.  Mortimer  ;  "  Enemies  of  the 
Dahlia,"  by  H.  L.  Brousson  ;  and  "Raising  Seed- 
lings," by  J.  T.  West.  Mr.  Tulloch  further  writes 
upon  "  The  Popularity  and  Rapid  Development  of  • 
the  Cactus  Dahlia";  and  the  "Culture  for 
Exhibition,"  by  J.  Stredwick  ;  "  Exhibiting,"  by 
J.  Burrell ;  "  The  Cactus  Dahlia  for  Garden  Deco- 
ration," by  J.  T.  West  ;  and  "  The  Cactus  Dahlia 
for  House  Decoration,"  by  F.  G.  Treseder,  are  also 
good  reading.  The  above  chapters  chiefly  concern 
the  Cactus  l5ahlia.  Show  and  Fancy,  the  Pompon, 
and  the  Single  are  treated  by  experts.  Full  descrip- 
tive lists  of  varieties  of  all  sections  are  given  at 
the  end  of  the  book,  so  that  the  Dahlia  grower 
will  find  instruction  upon  all  possible  points. 


RECENT    PLANT    PORTRAITS. 

The  Botanical  Magazine  for  February  contains 
portraits  of 

Lysichitum  camtschatcense. — Native  of  North- 
East  Asia  and  North- West  America.  This  is  also 
known  under  the  synonyms  of  L.  camtschaticum, 
L.  camtschatensis,  L.  japonicum,  Symplocarpua 
kamtschaticus,  Arctiodracon  japonicum,  Pothos 
camtschaticus,  Dracontium  foliis  lanceolatis,  and 
Dracontium  camtschatcense.  An  exceedingly 
handsome  and  conspicuous  flowered  aroid,  with  large 
gold-coloured  spathes  resembling  those  of  Calla 
elliottiana  and  marbled  foliage  like  that  of  a 
Maranta. 

Bidbophyllum  auricomum. — Native  of  Burma. 
Also  known  [under  the  synonyms  of  B.  frenisecii 
and  Dendrobium  tripetaloides.  An  inconspicuous 
and  small  white-flowered  Orchid  of  little  beauty. 

Corydalis  Wilioni. — Native  of  Central  China. 
This  is  a  beautiful  golden-flowered  fumitory  raised 
from  seed  sent  to  Messrs.  Veitch  by  their  collector, 
Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson,  and  named  after  him. 

Sauromatum  breripes. — Native  of  the  Sikkim 
Himalaya.  Also  known  under  the  synonyms  of 
Typhonium  pedatum  and  T.  brevipes.  A  curious 
and  rather  ornamental  aroid,  producing  very 
freely  a  number  of  slightly  spotted,  cream-coloured 
flowers  with  carmine  centres,  and  rising  out  of  the 
ground  without  any  kind  of  foot-stalk.  This 
interesting  plant  bloomed  for  the  first  time  in 
Europe  in  the  University  Botanic  Garden  at 
Cambridge  in  1902,  whence  it  was  seat  to  Kew  by 
their  curator,  Mr.  Lynch. 

Melaleuca  uncinata.  —  Native  of  temperate 
Australia.  Also  known  under  the  synonyms  of 
M.  hamata,  M.  Drummondii,  and  M.  seniiteres. 
This  is  a  rather  inconspicuous  white-flowered  shrub 
of  little  beauty. 

The  first  number  of  the  Revue  Horticole  for 
February  gives  a  group  of  four  varieties  of  the 
new  race  of  Dahlias  originating  in  the  Botanic 
Garden  of  the  Pare  de  latete  d'Or  at  Lyons  and 
known  as  Dahlias  ;\  coUerette.  The  varieties 
figured  are  named  respectively  President  Viger, 
Maurice  Rivoire,  Mme.  Le  Page  Viger,  and 
Massange  de  Louvrex.  These  flowers  are  a  distinct 
new  break  in  single  Dahlias,  and  are  very  showy 
and  free-flowering.  Two  varieties  were  sent  out 
by  Messrs.  Rivoire  of  Lyons  in  1902,  two  more  in 
1903,  and  this  year  six  more  are  oifered  by  the 
same  firm. 

The  Revue  de  I' Hort iculture  Beige  for  February 
contains  a  portrait  of  a  double-flowered    Indiaa 


February  13,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


Ill 


Azalea  named  Rose  de  Noel,  which  is  a  very  good 
variety,  but  hardly  worth  figuring  on  a  coloured 
plate  where  some  new  or  rare  plant  might  have  been 
portrayed.  W.  E.  Gumbleton. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flowek. 


Temperate  Hozise. 
Acacia  acinacba,   A.  baileyana,  A.  Drummondi, 
A.  glaucescens,  A.  pubescens,  A.   verticillata,  and 
others  ;  Camellia  reticulata,    Eupatorium   vernale, 
Loropetalum  chiaense,  and  Rhododendron  grande. 

Palm  House. 
Acokanthera     venenata,    Clavija    maorophylla, 
Dracajna  reflexa,  and  Saraca  indica. 

Orchid  Hotises. 
Arpophyllum  spicatum,  Coelogyne  niacrobulbon, 

C.  sparsa,  C.  sulphurea,  Cynorchis  compacta,  C. 
lowiana,  C.  villosa,  Cypripedium  nigritum,  C. 
rothschildianum,  and  others,  Dendrobium  Andro- 
meda,  D.   burfordiense,  D.    euosmum,   D.   nobile, 

D.  primulinum,  D.  speciosum,  D.  superbiens,  D. 
wardianum,  Laelia  virens,  Lycaste  lasioglossa, 
Masdevallia  polysticta,  Odontoglossum  Edwardii, 
0.  pardinum,  Oncidium  macropetalum,  0.  tetrape- 
talum,  Ornithidium  coccineum,  Phaius  Blumei, 
Platyclinis  arachnites,  P.  glumacea,  Saccolabium 
bellinum,  Selenipedium  cardinale,  S.  klotz- 
schianum,  S.  Roezlii,  S.  Sedeni,  S.  Sedeni  var. 
candidulum,  Spiranthes  plantaginea,  and  Trias 
picta. 

T  Range. 
jEohmea  glomerata,  Calathea  picta,   Caraguata 
cardinalis,  Euphorbia  fulgens,  Pitcairnia  corallina, 
Plectranthus  crassus,  and  Sonerila  peperomisefolia. 

Oreenhouse. 

Acacia  obliqua,  Cheiranthus  kewensis,  Coleus 
thyrsoideua.  Iris  reticulata,  Magnolia  stellata, 
Primula  oboonica,  P.  sinensis  vars. ,  Pyrus  flori- 
bunda,  Senecio  petasites.  Tulips,  aad  many  other 
things. 

Alpine  House. 

Anemone  blanda,  A.  coronaria  var.  syriaca,  Bul- 
bocodium  vernum,  Colchicum  crociflorum,  C.  hydro- 
philum,  C.  montaaum,  Crocus  alatavieus,  C. 
ancyrensis,  C.  biflorus,  C.  jhryaanthus,  C.  Olivieri, 
C.  reticulatus,  C.  Sieberi,  Cyclamen  Coum,  C. 
ibericum,  Eranthis  cilicica.  Iris  Histrio,  I.  reti- 
culata var.  Krelagei,  Primula  megasesefolia, 
Saxifraga  Albertii,  and  S.  burseriana  var.  major. 

Herbaceous  Ground  and  Rock  Garden. 
Adonis  amurensis.   Crocus  Fleischeri,  C.  pesta- 
lozzse,   C.   Sieberi,  S.  suaveolens,  and  others,  Iris 
Danfordise,    I.   Histrio,  I.     histrioides,    I.    steno- 
phylla,  and  I.  Tauri. 

Arboretum. 
Chimonanthus    fragans     and    var.    grandiflora, 
Hamamelis  japonica,  Lonicera  fragrantissima,  and 
L.  Standishii. 


TREES     AND     SHRUBS. 

ULMUS   PUMILA. 

OF  the  many  species  of  Ulmus  in 
cultivation,  this  is  one  of  the 
most  distinct,  especially  during 
early  winter,  for  long  after  all  the 
leaves  of  other  Elms  have  turned 
yellow  and  fallen  those  of  U. 
pumila  remain  quite  green.  In  early  December 
not  a  single  leaf  on  a  fine  specimen  in  the  Elm 
collection  at  Kew  showed  signs  of  decay,  while 
all  the  other  species  and  varieties  in  the  vicinity 
were  leafless.  U.  pumila  is  a  native  of  Northern 
Asia,  and  is  said  to  vary  considerably  in  stature 
in  the  various  places  where  it  is  found.  Some- 
times it  is  met  with  as  a  fair  sized  tree,  at  others 


as  a  mere  bush  i  feet  or  3  feet  high.  At  Kew  the 
largest  specimen  is  upwards  of  20  feet  high, 
with  a  symmetrical,  well-balanced  head.  The 
branches  are  fairly  thin  and  twiggy,  and, 
together  with  the  small  leaves,  give  the  tree  a 
graceful  habit.  The  leaves  are  ovate,  or  ovate- 
lanceolate,  with  serrated  margins.  They  vary 
considerably  in  size,  some  being  barely  half  an 
inch  long,  while  others  are  nearly  2  inches  long 
and  nearly  an  inch  wide.  In  colour  they  are 
deep  green,  and  in  texture  they  are  thicker  and 
firmer  than  those  of  most  Elms.  For  gardens 
where  small-growing  trees  are  desired  this  Elm 
would  be  a  suitable  one,  its  leaves  hanging  so 
much  later  than  those  of  most  deciduous  trees. 

W.  Dallimoee. 

SHADE  TEEES. 
Oak. 
So  far  as  experiments  have  shown.  Oaks  are  the 
best  shade  trees  for  cities.  They  are  strong, 
durable,  and  beautiful,  and  have  few  enemies. 
Owing  to  a  popular  notion  that  Oaks  grow  slowly, 
they  have  heretofore  been  little  planted  on  streets, 
but  several  cities  are  now  beginning  to  make  use  of 
them.  The  oldest  Oaks  are  to  be  seen  in  Hamburg, 
where  the  city  has  encroached  upon  the  ancient 
forest.  An  avenue  of  this  same  species  (Q.  pedun- 
culata)  has  been  recently  planted  in  Cologne, 
which,  so  far  as  I  have  observed,  is  the  only  city 
in  Europe  that  has  made  use  of  the  Oak  for  street 
planting.  In  this  country  the  oldest  Oaks  may  be 
seen  in  Washington,  where  the  Red  Oak  and  Pin  Oak 
in  particular  have  been  very  successfully  grown. 
Red  Oaks  have  also  been  recently  planted  in 
Boston  between  Franklin  Park  and  Huntington 
Avenue.  The  best  species  of  Oak  are  probably  the 
Red  Oak,  the  Pin  Oak,  and  the  Scarlet  Oak  ;  but 
there  are  several  other  species  almost  as  good  as 
these,  though  none  of  quite  so  rapid  growth  as  the 
Red  Oak.  The  White  Oak  is  somewhat  objection- 
able on  account  of  its  slow  growth,  and  because  its 
leaves  remain  upon  the  tree  after  they  are  dead. 
The  number  of  Oaks  given  in  the  list  might  be 
much  increased.  Those  selected  are  of  various 
sizes,  and  have  been  given  a  trial. 
Sycamore. 

The  Sycamore  is  an  excellent  shade  producer, 
the  leaves  appearing  at  the  proper  time  in  this 
latitude  and  remaining  on  the  tree  as  long  as  could 
be  desired,  when  they  give  place  to  the  persistent 
and  graceful  fruit.  VVith  a  little  protection  it 
passes  the  northern  winters  uninjured,  and  develops 
rapidly  into  a  splendid  and  shapely  tree,  large 
enough  for  the  widest  avenues  or  capable  of  being 
adapted  by  pruning,  to  which  it  most  readily 
submits,  to  very  narrow  streets.  Such  is  the 
activity  of  its  young  wood  and  bark  that  the  stem 
is  at  times  completely  girdled  without  appreciable 
injury,  and  the  outer  layers  of  its  cortex  are 
annually  sloughed  oS  during  late  summer  and 
autumn,  leaving  the  new  layers  beneath  entirely 
free  from  soot  and  dirt  accumulated  during 
the  summer.  It  is  partly  due  to  this,  perhaps, 
that  it  enjoys,  with  the  Ailanthus,  the  distinction 
of  being  best  adapted  to  parts  of  cities  where 
smoke  and  dust  abound. 

The  only  serious  enemy  of  the  Sycamore  is  a 
fungus  which  attacks  its  shoots  and  young  leaves 
in  early  summer,  greatly  disfiguring  the  tree.  In 
some  cities  of  Southern  Europe  complaint  is  made 
of  the  thick  hairy  covering  which  becomes  detached 
from  the  young  leaves  and  twigs  and  gets  into  the 
nose  and  mouth,  producing  an  inflammation  known 
as  the  "Sycamore  cough."  This  tree  is,  however, 
most  widely  and  abundantly  employed  in  the  cities 
of  India,  Persia,  and  Europe,  while  in  America  it 
is  deservedly  growing  more  popular  as  a  street 
tree  every  year.  In  London  it  is  considered  by 
many  to  be  the  only  tree  that  will  thrive  in  the 
dirt  and  smoke  of  so  large  a  city. 

Of  the  two  common  species  of  Sycamore,  the 
Eastern  is  smaller  and  of  closer  growth  than  our 
native  species,  though  less  hardy  and  less  beautiful 
in  form.  It  was  for  some  time  thought  also  that 
the  Eastern  species  was  less  subject  to  attack  by 
the  Sycamore  fungus,  but  this  is  probably  not  the 


case.  In  this  country  the  Oriental  Sycamore  is 
usually  preferred,  while  in  Paris  the  Western 
species  is  used  exclusively,  since  it  seems  to 
conform  better  to  the  style  of  pruning  adopted  in 
that  city. 

Ailanthds. 
The  Ailanthus  is  another  importation  from  the 
Orient,  less  common  than  the  Oriental  Sycamore, 
and,  on  account  of  some  especially  objectionable 
qualities,  very  unpopular  with  the  public.  Some 
of  these  qualities,  however,  are  not  serious  faults, 
and  may  be  entirely  corrected  with  proper  care. 
For  example,  the  unpleasant  odour  at  blossoming 
time  is  confined  to  the  male  flowers,  and  trees 
bearing  these  flowers  need  not  be  cultivated. 
The  habit  of  sprouting  profusely  at  the  roots, 
though  dangerous  to  pavements,  renders  the  pro- 
pagation of  the  Ailanthus  extremely  easy,  and 
also  makes  it  possible  to  select  only  the  desirable 
trees.  Those  who  object  to  the  odour  of  the 
male  flowers  for  two  or  three  days,  however, 
must  endure  the  sight  of  the  ugly  brown  fruit 
clusters  which  often  hang  upon  the  tree  throughout 
the  winter.  A  fault  which  cannot  be  remedied  is 
the  early  maturity  and  disfigurement  accompanying 
rapid  growth.  When  young  the  Ailanthus  is 
vigorous  and  shapely  if  properly  trained,  and  its 
large  leaves  are  green  until  frost,  but  most  of  the 
old  trees  I  have  seen  present  a  very  scraggy  and 
unsightly  appearance.  There  are  fine  avenues  of 
this  tree  in  Paris,  where  it  is  unrivalled  for  vigour 
and  general  thriftiness.  When  these  trees  show 
signs  of  failing  they  will  be  cut  down  and  the 
avenues  replanted.  The  qualities  which  make  the 
Ailanthus  especially  desirable  as  a  shade  tree  are 
its  ability  to  grow  in  even  the  most  barren  soil  and 
to  thrive  in  the  midst  of  smoke  and  dust  and  other 
adverse  surroundings  peculiar  to  city  streets.  When 
the  question  is  not  what  tree  would  be  the  most 
ornamental,  but  what  tree  would  live  and  grow  in 
a  particular  locality,  then  the  Ailanthus  should 
certainly  be  considered. 

W.  A.  MoRRELL,  in  Bulletin  of  Cornell  University. 
(  To  be  continued. ) 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

MINIATUIIE    POMPON    CHRYSAN- 
THEMUMS. 

WE  have  one  section  of  the  decorative 
Chrysanthemums  of  which  little 
is  known,  so  much  that  there  is  a 
risk  of  many  charming  sorts  being 
lost  sight  of.  I  refer  to  the  small- 
flowered  Pompons,  such  as  Snow- 
drop and  Primrose  League.  There  are  few  gardens 
in  which  these  miniature-flowered  Pompons  are 
grown.  Chrysanthemum  growers,  in  their  haste  to 
get  the  large  blooms  of  other  sections,  appear  forget- 
ful of  the  existence  of  these  small-flowered  sorts, 
and  seldom  are  the  flowers  represented  at  the 
exhibitions. 

The  list  of  miniature-flowered  Pompons  is  a  very 
short  one  ;  more's  the  pity.  The  fact  is  this  :  the 
varieties  have  been  introduced  at  different  periods 
during  the  last  twenty  years,  and,  because  there 
has  been  no  competitive  class  for  them  at  the 
shows,  the  orthodox  grower  has  disregarded  them. 
A  careful  perusal  of  the  .  trade  catalogues 
shows  that  there  is  only  one  firm  who  make  a 
special  list  of  these  "  small,  well-formed  flowers," 
and  in  this  respect  the  unique  list  in  the  catalogue 
of  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons  has  much  interest. 
vSome  of  the  better  kinds  are  met  with  here  and 
there  in  others,  but  none  of  them  compare  with 
the  one  I  have  just  named.  These  small-flowered 
Pompons  should  find  a  place  in  all  collections 
which  have  to  provide  a  quantity  of  cut  flowers  in 
November  and  December.  Their  small  size,  dainty 
form,  together  with  the  graceful  sprays  in  which 
they  may  be  gathered,  have  much  charm.  For 
dinner-table  decorations  the  sprays  are  excellent, 
and  for  the  numerous  smaller  receptacles  so  fre- 
quently in  use  for  all  forms  of  indoor  decoration 
these  sprays  only  need  to  be  seen  to  be  appreciated. 
No  one  seems  to  talk  about  these  flowers,  and 
yet  they  are  unequalled  in  many  respects,  for  the 


112 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Febbuary  13,  1904. 


conservatory  as  well  as  for  use  as  cut  flowers.  A 
vase  of  freely-flowered  sprays  of  some  of  the  sorts, 
contrasted  with  a  bloom  or  two  of  some  large 
exhibition  Japanese  variety,  is  a  sight  worth  seeing. 

The  present  is  an  excellent  time  to  insert  the 
cuttings,  and  these,  when  rooted,  should  be  potted 
up  without  delay.  When  established  in  their 
small  pots  the  young  plants  should  be  topped  or 
pinched,  and  this  work  repeated  at  each  succeeding 
4  inches  to  6  inches  of  growth.  Pinch  the  points 
out  of  the  plants  for  the  last  time  about  the  middle 
of  July,  from  which  point  they  should  be  grown 
on  to  their  terminal  buds.  The  terminal  buds 
should  be  well  thinned  out,  so  that  the  flowers  are 
not  too  crowded.  Plants  treated  in  this  way 
invariably  give  a  handsome  reward.  Those  worth 
growing  are  the  following  : 

Snowdrop. — As  the  name  implies,  this  is  a  beau- 
tiful white  variety,  and  very  free.  The  flowers 
are  sometimes  described  as  button-like  ;  but  when 
well  grown,  they  are  almost  globular.  At  its  best 
in  late  November.     Height  3i  feet. 

Primrose  League. — This  variety  is  sometimes 
spoken  of  as  Yellow  Snowdrop.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  it  is  a  primrose-coloured  sport  from  Snow- 
drop, and  in  every  respect  but  colour  is  the  same 
as  the  parent  variety. 

Miss  Gertie  Waterer. — This  is  another  sport  from 
Snowdrop,  the  colour  in  this  instance  being  a 
pleasing  flesh-pink  shade.  Some  years  ago  it  was 
exhibited  before  the  floral  committee  of  the 
National  Chrysanthemum  Society,  and,  I  believe, 
then  received  a  first-class  certificate.  Since  that 
date,  however,  some  of  the  stock  appears  to  have 
reverted  to  the  original.  Where  the  true  stock 
can  be  procured,  it  is  worthy  of  inclusion  in  the 
smallest  selection. 

Katie  Manning.  —  In  this  variety  we  have  a 
small-flowered  Pompon  of  comparatively  recent 
introduction,  and  one  that  has  a  good  future  before 
it.  The  flowers  are  freely  produced,  and  are  also 
of  good  form.  The  colour  may  be  best  described 
as  rosy-bronze.  In  bloom  in  early  November. 
Height  about  2J  feet. 

Purity. — This  is  another  pure  white  sort,  some- 
what similar  to  Snowdrop,  but  less  sturdy  in 
growth.  The  sprays  make  up  into  handsome 
bunches  for  vases.     Very  dwarf. 

Lune  Fleurie. — This  is  a  curious,  though  ex- 
tremely interesting  plant.  The  numerous  pretty 
little  globular  blooms  are  fimbriated,  and  their 
colour  is  a  deep  bronzy-orange.  This  variety  was 
introduced  in  1889,  and  received  a  first-class  certi- 
ficate from  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society. 

Model  of  Perfection.— hatToAxxceA  by  the  late  Mr. 
Forsyth  in  1873,  and  still  a  distinctly  pretty  little 
Pompon.  As  the  name  suggests,  the  form  of  the 
flower  is  exquisite,  being  neat  and  globular. 
Colour  rosy-lilac.  A  November-flowering  plant. 
Dwarf. 

Victorine.  —  A  French  introduction  of  1889, 
having  small  blossoms,  rosette  -  like  in  form. 
Colour  maroon-crimson.  To  be  seen  at  its  best 
the  plant  should  be  disbudded  rather  freely. 
Pwarf.     In  flower  in  November. 

Little  Pet. — Another  delightful  miniature  of 
globular  form  and  prettily  imbricated.  Colour 
orange-red,  passing  to  chestnut,  with  a  golden 
reverse  to  the  florets.  There  is  also  another 
variety  bearing  the  same  name,  that  the  distributor 
describes  as  a  small,  neat,  blush  flower. 

Yellow  Oeni. — This  is  a  pretty  October-flowering 
Pompon  that  succeeds  as  well  in  the  open  border 
as  in  pots.  The  flowers  are  small,  neat,  and 
globular,  and  the  florets  are  fimbriated.  Colour 
deep  yellow.     Height  2  feet.     Bushy  habit. 

Lolly. — Although  not  quite  so  small  as  some  of 
the  others,  this  is  a  very  charming  little  flower 
that  pays  for  good  culture.  The  colour  is  a  clear 
canary-yellow,  and  the  blossoms  are  of  good  form 
and  beautifully  finished.  In  flower  in  late  October. 
Nice  habit. 

Little  Lot. — By  several  the  blooms  of  this  variety 
are  regarded  as  the  smallest  of  the  family.  They 
are  quite  distinct  from  all  others.  Colour  yellow, 
edged  red  and  brown. 

Others  might  be  added,  but  this  selection  of  a 
dozen  sorts  is  quite  enough  for  beginners. 

D.  B.  Crane. 


THE    LILIES. 


LILIUM  ELEGANS  (THUNB.). 
(  Continued  from  page  SS.) 
Vae.  Orange  Queen.— One  of  the  best  Lilies 
of  this  type,  and  a  valuable  garden  plant, 
bright  in  colouring  and  refined  in  form.  It 
has  stout  stems  above  a  foot  high,  clothed 
with  broadly  lance  -  shaped,  reflexing,  glossy 
green  leaves,  and  bearing  one  to  three  flowers, 
the  petals  of  which  are  broadly  spoon-shaped, 
the  tips  rounded,  and  remarkable  for  their 
texture  and  finish.  Colour  a  rich  orange- 
bufl",  almost  unspotted,  and  of  a  uniform  tint 
throughout.  A  grand  Lily,  vigorous,  free  in 
growth,  and  very  hardy.  Common  in  cultiva- 
tion.    Flowers  in  mid-July. 

Var.  ornatum  (the  Ornate  L.  elegans).— A 
great  rarity,  best  described  as  a  glorified 
alutaceum  grandiflorum. 

Var.  pardinum.—Bee  var.  Wilsoni. 

Var.  Peter  Barr.  —  A  fine  Lily  of  the 
alutaceum  type,  new  to  cultivation,  coloured 
a  pale  orange-buff,  the  petals  very  long  but 
narrow,  and  lacking  the  finish  and  texture  of 
petal  that  is  so  important  a  feature  of  this  type 
of  Lily.    Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  2nctum.—See  var.  bicolor. 

Var.  Prince  of  Orange.  —  A  very  robust, 
many-flowered  form  of  alutaceum,  with  stout 
stems,  and  about  a  foot  high  ;  the  flowers  are  a 
soft  shade  of  bufi'  in  colour,  and  sparsely 
spotted  internally,  and  generally  arranged  in 
umbels  of  three  to  five.  As  a  garden  plant  it 
excels  many  of  its  fellows  in  vigour  of  growth 
and  freedom  of  flowering.  Common  in  culti- 
vation.   Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  robustum.—See  marmoratum  aureum. 

Var.  stamino.mm.—See  fulgens  flore-pleno, 

Var.  The  Sultan.— A  counterpart  of  Prince 
of  Orange  in  habit,  but  coloured  very  dark 
crimson,  and  spotted  black  low  down  inter- 
nally. The  best  sombre-coloured  dwarf  Lily 
for  general  purposes.  Not  common  in  cultiva- 
tion.    Flowers  in  July  and  August. 

Var.  Van  Houttei  (Van  Houtte's  Crimson  L. 
elegans). — A  very  popular  and  valuable  variety 
for  every  garden  use.  Its  stems  are  stout, 
12  inches  high,  and  bear  two  to  three  rich 
crimson-scarlet  flowers  ;  the  petals  are  excep- 
tionally broad,  expanding  fully  but  not  reflex- 
ing. They  have  scarcely  any  tube,  but  spring 
at  right  angles  from  the  stem,  and  they  span 
fully  6  inches  across.  A  few  linear  spots  of 
ijlack  occur  low  down  each  petal,  and  the 
extreme  base  is  yellow.  It  is  the  nearest 
approach  to  the  rare  Horsmanii  known  to  us. 

Var.  ve7iustum.—See  armenaicum. 

Var.  Wallacei  (Wallace's  L.  elegans).— A 
strong-growing  plant  with  globose  bulbs 
2  inches  in  diameter,  stems  2  feet  to  3  feet 
long,  slender,  the  leaves  linear  and  ascending. 
Its  flowers  are  borne  in  umbels  of  three  to  five, 
coloured  a  deep  coral  red,  darker  near  the  tips, 
and  spotted  internally  with  brown  ;  they 
reflex  as  fully  as  in  Batemannite.  The  bulbs 
are  often  compound,  and  thrive  in  a  deeply 
tilled  moist  soil.  Common  in  cultivation. 
Flowers  in  late  August. 

Var.  Wikoni  is  a  wide  variation  of  L. 
elegans,  and  with  a  peculiar  habit  of  its  own. 
It  has  large  bulbs  resembling  those  of  L. 
tigrinum.  The  stems  travel  under  ground  some 
distance  before  they  pierce  the  surface,  and 
they  bear  several  bulbils  along  the  covered 
portion.  Height  above  ground  2  feet.  Leaves 
broadly  lance-shaped,  thickly  clothing  the 
stems,  and  covered  with  a  cobweb-like  covering 
in  a  young  state.  Flowers  in  a  short  spike  of 
ten  to  fifteen,  each  5  inches  across,  deeply  cup- 


shaped,  the  petals  broad  and  very  straight, 
coloured  rich  orange,  spotted  internally  with 
crimson  low  down  the  funnel.  A  very  vigorous 
form.  Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in 
August. 

Culture  and  Uses.— The  elegans  group  of 
cup-flowered  Lilies  are  good,  all-round  border 
plants,  mainly  of  very  dwarf  stature  and  suit- 
able for  associating  with  low  growing  herbs  in 
the  forefront  of  beds  and  borders.  They  are 
also  well  adapted  for  pot  culture.  With  the 
exception  of  Wilsoni,  Batemanniie,  Wallacei, 
and  E.  L.  Joerg,  whose  culture  we  will  describe 
later,  all  may  be  treated  similarly.  They 
require  good  cultivation  to  maintain  their 
flowering  strength,  and  we  have  found  a 
liberal  dressing  of  leaf-soil  to  the  staple  the 
best  rooting  medium  of  all.  They  grow  well 
in  a  sunny  exposure  or  in  shade,  preferring  a 
light,  well-drained  soil  of  deep  tilth.  They 
make  quantities  of  stem  roots,  hence  deep 
planting  should  be  the  rule,  and,  in  order  that 
the  rooting  bases  may  be  screened  from  drying 
winds  and  strong  sunshine,  they  should  be 
planted  either  closely  together  or  with  a  carpet 
of  Aubrietia  or  similar  plants  about  their 
stems.  We  have  seen  them  used  effectively 
in  small  colonies  amid  shrubs  and  in  associa- 
tion with  Bamboos  and  other  grasses,  and  they 
are  magnificent  in  beds ;  but  their  season  of 
flowering  is  too  short  in  its  duration  to  warrant 
extended  use  in  this  direction.  They  make 
excellent  pot  plants,  and  when  grown  carefully 
they  develop  into  fine  plants  under  glass. 
Large  and  roomy  pots  are  more  satisfactory 
than  smaller  ones,  as  these  admit  of  six  to 
twelve  bulbs  being  grown  together— the  only 
way  in  which  these  dwarf  Lilies  can  be  fully 
appreciated.  Even  in  border  culture  small 
colonies  associated  with  other  plants  are  much 
more  effective  than  scattered  units.  Bate- 
mannias,  Wilsoni,  and  E.  L.  Joerg  require  a 
strong  soil.  These  Lilies  grow  but  slowly,  and 
ripen  late  in  the  season  ;  they  require  warm 
situations  and  plenty  of  water  in  dry  summers, 
or  their  leaves  will  become  disfigured  before 
the  flowering  season  and  their  bulb  develop- 
ment will  be  slight.  L.  Wallacei  succeeds 
best  in  rich  vegetable  loam  ;  its  best  situation 
would  be  in  the  drier  places  of  a  bog  garden. 
It  succeeds  well  with  Iris  Ksempferi  on  the 
margins  of  waterways. 

L.  excehum  (Hort.).— See  testaceum  (Lindl.). 

L.  Fortimei.—Qee  L.  tigrinum  Fortunei. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  be  continued.) 


WINTER    FLOWERS    AT 
EXETER. 


NORTHERNHAY   PUBLIC  GARDENS. 

In  the  dullest  part  of  the  winter,  with  scarcely  a 
day  without  rain,  and  an  almost  complete  absence 
of  sunlight,  so  that  no  inducement  has  for  weeks 
been  ofi'ered  to  the  native  vegetation  to  brighten 
our  hedgerows,  except  by  an  occasional  group  of 
the  lesser  Periwinkle  and  a  few  berried  shrubs, 
it  was  a  pleasant  change  from  sloppy  streets  to 
suddenly  come  upon  quite  a  bright  show  of  Prim- 
roses in  a  sheltered  border  of  some  considerable 
length  in  the  public  gardens  at  Northernhay, 
Exeter,  on  one  of  the  wettest  days  possible  in  the 
first  week  in  January.  In  these  well-kept  grounds, 
which  may  be  correctly  described  as  being  situated 
in  the  centre  of  the  city,  is  a  border  thickly  planted 
with  Primroses  mixed  with  Ivy,  and  at  the  time 
specified  every  clump  was  full  of  the  favourite 
yellow  flowers  and  buds. 

Northernhay  is  a  favourite  resort  of  the  citizens 

of  Exeter,  bands  playing  here  during  the  summer 

1  evenings.     The    place   receives    careful  attention 


February  13,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


113 


from  the  corporation,  and  the  rock  plants,  with  a 
backing  of  shrubs,  which  is  a  special  feature  in  the 
centre  of  the  grounds,  have  all  been  recently  named 
with  neat  iron  labels  painted  black  with  white 
letters  and  fixed  in  the  ground  with  two  strong 
wire  prongs.  These  labels  have  the  advantage  of 
being  permanent,  are  quite  unobtrusive,  and 
cannot  be  distinguished  at  a  short  distance.  For 
the  most  part  the  names  are  correctly  spelt,  but  in 
a  public  garden  it  should  be  made  impossible  for 
even  a  single  error  to  occur. 

From  these  grounds,  looking  across  the  valley 
where  is  situated  the  South-Western  Railway 
Station,  and  through  which  the  line  runs  from 
Waterloo  to  Plymouth  and  North  Devon,  the  glass 
houses  in  the  nursery  of  Messrs.  Robert  Veitch  and 
Son  are  distinctly  seen.  Making  our  way  thither 
in  the  hope  of  seeing  some  floral  brightness,  the 
dwarf  hedge  of  Cotoneaster  microphylla,  which 
borders  the  steps  on  either  side  of  the  path  leading 
to  the  main  walk,  attracts  attention  by  its 
numerous  bright  red  berries,  which,  however,  are 
considerably  outdone  by  C.  pannosa,  a  shrub  of 
which  is  seen  a  little  further  on  literally  covered 
with  berries  of  a  brilliant  scarlet.  This  handsome 
shrub,  whioli  attains  to  a  height  of  6  feet  or  more, 
has  the  double  attraction  of  bearing  a  profusion  of 
white  flowers  in  the  summer  succeeded  by  the 
clusters  of  berries.  It  flourishes  out  of  doors  in  this 
part  of  England. 

The  persistent  rain  has  the  effect  of  driving  one 
under  the  protection  of  the  glass  houses,  where,  in 
a  pleasant  temperature,  one  can  linger  and  enjoy 
the  touches  of  colour.  A  bright  effect  is  produced 
by  a  mass  of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  the  golden- 
yellow  stars  formed  by  the  stamens  lighting  up  the 
whole  mass.  Near  this  was  a  nice  group  of 
Browallia  speciosa  major,  the  West  Indian  Forget- 
me-not,  the  rich  deep  blue  flowers  of  which  formed 
a,  striking  contrast  to  those  of  the  Begonia.  The 
pale  yellow  flowers  of  Calceolaria  Burbidgei  inter- 
spersed with  the  bright  green  foliage  were  also 
much  in  evidence.  A  newly-revived  old  friend 
which  is  just  now  attracting  some  attention  in 
consequence  of  its  appearance  at  the  last  show  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  namely,  Jacobinia 
ohrysostephana,  required  no  introduction,  as  its 
terminal  clusters  of  orange-yellow  flowers  raised 
above  the  surrounding  foliage  went  far  to  impart 
brightness  and  relief  to  the  outside  gloom,  besides 
which  it  pointed  to  a  fact  that  there  are  many  of 
the  older  introductions  that  are  quite  worth 
reviving,  and  can  compare  well  with  those  of  more 
recent  appearance,  a  matter  which  was  emphasised 
by  Mr.  Veitch  himself,  who,  indeed,  has  a  strong 
liking  for  manj'  of  the  older  and  best  known 
plants. 

Amongst  Acacias  now  well  in  flower  we  noticed 
a  nice  group  of  Acacia  platyptera,  the  golden  buds 
of  flowers  being  abundantly  produced  on  nice  bushy 
plants  about  12  inches  to  18  inches  high  ;  Correa 
cardinalis  and  ventricosa  were  brilliant  with  their 
bright  red  and  pink  and  white  tubular  flowers. 
Though  these  were  small  compact  pot  plants,  both 
species  have  proved  quite  hardy  against  a  wall  in 
several  parts  of  South  Devon  and  Cornwall.  Near 
to  these  and  well  covered  with  flower-buds  were 
groups  of  Borouia  tnegastigma,  Eriostemon  linariae- 
foliua,  E.  neriifolius,  and  E.  scaber,  as  well  as  the 
peculiar  Grevillea  alpina,  with  its  curiously 
twisted  pink  and  white  flowers.  A  new  introduction 
from  China,  with  bright  yellow  flowers  and  green 
blotch  at  the  mouth,  cannot  fail  to  attract, 
especially  at  this  time  of  year.  It  is  Corydalis 
thaliotrifolia,  and  is  described  as  a  profuse  and 
continuous  bloomer,  the  racemes  of  flowers  are 
about  6  inches  long,  and  are  produced  freely  during 
summer,  and  if  the  plant  be  taken  indoors  in  the 
autumn  it  will  keep  flowering  through  the  winter. 
As  a  conservatory  pot  plant  or  for  hanging  baskets 
it  is  said  to  be  equally  valuable.  The  pretty  blue 
Coleus  (C.  thyrsoideus)  was  just  coming  into  flower, 
and  amongst  plants  interesting  rather  than  beauti- 
ful at  the  present  time  was  one  of  the  Bottle 
Brushes  (Metrosideros  floribunda  alba)  in  fruit. 

Without  enumerating  other  plants  we  may, 
perhaps,  close  this  notice  with  a  reference  to  the 
new  Borecole  called  the  Albino,  which  was  shown 
me,   not  in  a  growing  condition,  but  aa  a  fresh 


decorative  plant  for  vases.  The  heart  leaves  are  of 
a  creamy  white,  and  the  outer  leaves,  which  are 
much  crested,  are  white,  irregularly  edged  with 
bright  green.  It  is  stated  that  as  the  winter 
advances  the  leaves  become  whiter,  and  in  the 
early  spring  it  is  an  object  of  great  beauty.  The 
plant  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  might  be  well  grown 
for  decorative  purposes  in  addition  to  its  edible 
qualities.  It  has  obtained  an  award  of  merit  from 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society. 

.John  R.  Jackson. 
Claremont,  Lympstone,  South  Devon. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 

RAMONDIA    PYEENAICA. 

RAMONDIA  PYEENAICA  is  a  plant 
that  no  rock  garden  should  be 
without.  It  thrives  best  in  an 
upright  fissure  on  the  shady  side  of 
V  rocks,  and  loves  abundance  of 
moisture,  but  is,  nevertheless,  very 
averse  to  having  water  resting  in  the  centre  of 
its  rosette  of  leaves,  and  requires  therefore  to 
be  planted  sideways.  Iv.  pyrenaica  alba  is  still 
rare  and  expensive.  Pi.  Heldreichi  has  hairy 
leaves,  and  requires  less  shade  and  moisture 
than  R.  pyrenaica.  R.  serbica  is  distinguished 
Ijy  yellowish  coloured  flowers.  G. 

HELLEBORUS   NIGER. 
The  flowers  of  this  useful  harjiy  plant  are  always 
acceptable,  as  they  are  produced  during  the  dull 
days  of  winter  when  but  few  things  are  in  bloom 
out  of  doors.     It  is  at 
Christmas  time  and  in 
the    New    Year    that 
their     flowers    are    in 
most      request     for 
decorations.  To  ensure 
having    pure   white 
flowers  the  plants  must 
be  covered  with  a  frame 
or    hand  -  light    when 
growing,   or    be   lifted 
and    potted    up     and 
placed  in  frames  or  the 
greenhouse. 

The  flowers  of  the 
type  when  well  grown 
measure  3  inches 
across,  and  are  borne 
on  stout,  erect  stems 
thrown  well  above  the 
dark  green  leafage. 
H.  N.  maximus  bears 
larger  flowers,  and  is 
well  adapted  for  form- 
ing a  succession  to  the 
above  -  named.  Quite 
as  good  results  come 
from  leaving  the  plants 
in  the  ground  merely 
by  placing  a  hand-light 
or  frame  over  them  and 
covering  this  with 
litter  or  mats  at  night 
and  on  frosty  or  rainy 
days.  Many  people, 
however,  prefer  to  pot 
up  the  plants,  as  then 
they  can  be  utilised  in 
the  conservatory  or  in 
dwelling  rooms  when 
in  blossom.  Early  in 
spring  these  should  be 
replanted  into  deeply 
dug  and  well-enriched 
soil  on  a  warm  border, 
where  they  should 
remain  for  one  or  two 
years  undisturbed 
before  again  being 
lifted.  Abundance  of 
well-developed  flowers 


cannot  be  expected  two  years  in  succession  from  the 
same  plants.  Those  who  are  fortunate  in  having  a 
good  stock  of  established  plants  can  lift  a  batch  each 
year,  and  these  can  be  brought  on  into  flower  as 
required.  By  planting  out  and  giving  liberal 
treatment  throughout  their  season  of  growth  they 
may  again  be  lifted  and  gently  forced  in  the  second 
year.  Hard  forcing  must  never  be  resorted  to,  or 
the  results  in  after  years  will  be  disappointing. 
The  production  of  flowers  may  be  hastened  by 
merely  shaking  a  few  tree  leaves  among  the  crowns, 
and  then  keep  the  frame  close  and  dark  for  a  few 
days.  With  regard  to  those  potted  up  they 
should  be  plunged  in  a  bed  of  tree  leaves,  as  these 
afford  just  that  gentle  warmth  that  is  natural  and 
no  harm  will  result  to  the  plants.  Essential 
■points  to  bear  in  mind  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
Hellebores  are  liberal  treatment  in  summer,  the 
proper  ripening  of  the  crowns  in  autumn,  and, 
lastly,  not  to  disturb  their  roots  oftener  than  is 
absolutely  necessary.  H.  T.  M. 


HARDY    FLOWERS    FOR   HOUSE 
DECORATION. 

The  flowers  of  many  hardy  plants  which  once 
seemed  to  be  despised  have  regained  favour,  and  it 
is,  indeed,  fortunate  that  florists  again  use  many 
which  formerly  were  in  great  demand.  Thus  we 
may  now  see  in  the  displays  of  the  leading  florists 
the  panicles  of  the  Goat's-beard,  Meadowsweet, 
Poppies,  Foxglove,  Larkspur,  Iris,  Sunflowers,  and 
many  others  which  formerly  appeared  to  be  of  no 
value,  and  were  relegated  to  the  shops  of  the 
smaller  florists  or  to  the  buttonhole  stalls  of  the 
boulevards,  or  withered  under  the  sun  in  the  carts 
of  the  street  flower-hawkers.  Grasses,  the  spikes 
of  Wheat,  Oats,  Barley,  &c.,  are  also  much  used 


KAMONDIA  PYEENAICA  ON  ROCK  GARDEN". 
(From  a  photograph  by  Miss  Willmott.) 


114 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  190-1. 


in  floral  arrangements,  and  we  owe  much  to  those 
who  i3rst  thought  of  using  them  in  this  way. 

The  flora  of  the  garden  is  extensive  enough  to 
respond  to  the  many  exigencies  of  floral  decora- 
tion. And  if  the  flowers  of  early  spring  (except  a 
few,  amongst  which  are  the  large  Tulips)  are  not 
always  fit  to  be  used  in  large  displays,  others 
succeed  them  whose  qualities  are  well  worth  con- 
sidering. Such  is  the  Iris,  especially  the  beautiful 
varieties  of  the  hybrid  German  Irises,  whose  flowers 
with  their  tawny  tints,  soft  shades,  and  delicate 
velvety  petals  almost  rival  the  Orchids.  Pieonies, 
Delphiniums  (which  comprise  the  whole  scale  of 
blues).  Chrysanthemums,  and  Sunflowers — all  are 
suitable  for  the  composition  of  elegant  and  effec- 
tive arrangements.  We  have  mentioned  above 
perennials  only,  but  neither  are  the  flowers  of, 
annuals  and  biennials  without  advantages  from  the 
artistic  point  of  view.  Few  flowers  were  more 
neglected  by  florists  than  the  single  Dahlias  and 
Cactus  Dahlias,  yet  with  these  very  pretty  effects 
can  be  obtained.  The  Belgian,  German,  and  Dutch 
florists  make  great  use  of  them,  for  they  know  the 
value  from  a  decorative  point  of  view  of  these 
Dahlias.  These  ought  not,  however,  to  be  placed 
in  stiff  rows ;  they  show  much  better  if  they  are 
placed  in  bunches  at  different  heights.  If  they  are 
very  pretty  when  thus  used  alone,  they  have  an 
equally  good  effect  when  associated  with  flowers 
of  another  kind,  whether  it  be  with  heavy  clusters 
of  Tritoma,  or  with  the  slender  Montbretia  or 
Gladiolus.  There  is  something  exquisite  in  the 
blending  of  the  colours  of  the  Tritoma,  the  Mont- 
bretia, the  clusters  of  the  red  and  orange-coloured 
fruits  of  the  Elder  tree,  the  Mountain  Ash,  and 
other  red-fruited  bushes.  The  German  florists 
create  some  very  pretty  things  in  this  style.  The 
varieties  with  purple  flowers  will  also  produce 
the  same  effect  when  associated  with  Gladiolus  of 
the  same  tone  and  with  other  flowers.  Others  are 
very  beautiful  when  mingled  with  autumn-tinted 
foliage  or  placed  among  the  branches  of  the  Copper 
Beech  or  the  variegated -leaved  Acer  Negundo. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  enumerate  all  the  hardy 
flowers  capable  of  being  utilised  in  floral  arrange- 
ments, but  we  cannot  too  strongly  call  the  atten- 
tion of  florists  and  amateurs  to  the  numerous  ones 
unjustly  neglected.  Wild  flowers  are  also  hardy 
flowers,  but  they  are  distinguished  from  the  latter, 
inasmuch  as  they  are  not  cultivated.  In  spite  of 
the  poetic  ideas  which  they  evoke,  they  cannot  be 
used  as  much  as  one  could  wish,  for  they  are 
deficient  in  certain  necessary  qualities.  Never- 
theless, one  cannot  dispute  their  decorative  worth 
when  mingled  with  the  common  grasses.  This 
combination  lends  itself  to  the  formation  of  ex- 
quisite bunches. 

It  is  astonishing  that  the  Parisian  florists  have 
not  learned  to  use  the  Nymphasa  in  their  floral 
designs.  In  order  that  they  may  show  well,  care 
should  be  taken  to  place  thera  in  an  oblique  or 
horizontal  position  rather  than  upright.  If  florists 
would  use  them  intelligently  they  would  find  that 
some  very  pretty  things  could  be  formed  with 
them.  To  say  nothing  of  the  flowers  of  Nymphiea 
alba,  the  flowers  of  the  hybrid  Nymphffias,  with 
their  lovely  tints  of  rose,  sulphur,  orange,  violet- 
blue,  &c.,  would  offer  special  attraction.  Nelum- 
bium  speciosum  is  also  a  very  ornamental  flower, 
and  one  that  ought  not  to  be  left  out ;  the  long 
spikes  of  Willow  form  a  good  companion  to  it. 
Cherry  and  Apple  branches  in  flower  are  used  for 
home  decoration,  and  rightly  so  ;  it  is  a  great  pity 
that  the  decorative  value  of  trees  and  shrubs  has 
not  been  recognised  before.  The  long  branches 
covered  with  snowy  blossoms  or  tinged  with 
the  slightest  touch  of  rose  colour,  and  with  plenty 
of  dainty  unopened  buds,  are  superbly  pretty  when 
well  disposed.  There  is  nothing  so  delightful  as 
these  fresh  blossoms  ;  it  is  the  orchard  with  all  its 
perfumes  and  promises  of  spring  which  thus  is 
brought  into  our  homes.  But  the  fruit-bearing 
trees  need  not  be  deprived  of  all  their  blossomed 
branches,  for  we  have  beautiful  and  purely  orna- 
mental varieties  of  Plum,  Peach,  and  Quince,  which 
every  spring  are  covered  with  blossoms.  Neither 
let  us  forget  the  series  of  beautiful  ornamental 
Crabs,  which  deserve  to  be  utilised  more  than  they 
are  in  floral  work,  and  which,  after  having  pro- 


duced innumerable  flowers,  are  covered  with 
myriads  of  small  fruits.  Florists  have  already 
recognised  the  beauty  and  value  of  the  ornamental 
Cherries,  but  it  would  be  praiseworthy  if  the 
majority  understood  better  what  use  to  make  of 
them,  following  the  example  of  the  Japanese,  who, 
as  soon  as  Nature  reawakes,  adorn  all  their  dwell- 
ings with  blossom-covered  shoots,  and  thus  bid 
welcome  to  the  spring. 

Albert  Mahmene,  in  Le  Jardin. 


SAXIFEAGE  DK.  EAMSAY. 
This  Saxifrage,  raised  by  Mr.  Robert  Lindsay, 
Kaimes  Lodge,  Midlothian,  promises  to  be  one  of 
the  finest  of  the  encrusted  section.  It  has  a  large 
rosette  of  long  leaves,  and  produces  its  flowers 
freely  on  good  spikes.  The  individual  flowers, 
which  are  white,  are  large  and  well  formed.  It  is 
a  plant  which  grows  well,  and  seems  likely  to 
become  a  favourite  when  better  known.  The 
greater  portion  of  the  stock  has  been  put  in  the 
hands  of  a  nurseryman  for  distribution,  so  that  it 
will  probably  be  available  before  long. 

S.  Arnott. 


K 


EVERGREEN     HOLLIES. 

{Continued  from  pac/e  93.) 

Ilex  Integra. 
NOWN  also  in  some  gardens  as 
Otbera  japonica,  this  distinct  Holly 
is  represented  by  a  fine  specimen 
in  the  Kew  collection.  It  is  of  a 
shapely  pyramidal  growth,  15  feet 
high  and  7  feet  in  diameter.  The 
most  marked  character  of  the  species,  as  a 
Holly,  is  the  entire  absence  of  spines  on  the 
leaf  margins.  The  leaves  are  obovate  or 
lanceolate,  blunt  pointed,  2  inches  to  4  inches 
long,  and  of  a  lustrous  dark  green.  Except 
possibly  in  the  south  and  south-west  of 
the  British  Isles  it  does  not  appear  to  bear 
fruit  freely.  In  her  late  Majesty's  garden  at 
Osborne  a  specimen  used  to  (perhaps  does 
now)  produce  berries  freely.  These  are  red, 
about  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  in  Japan, 
where  the  tree  grows  30  feet  to  40  feet  high, 
are  said  to  make  this  Holly  very  ornamental. 
The  species  is  a  native  of  China  as  well  as 
Japan,  and  besides  the  names  given  above  is 
known  also  as  Ilex  integrifolia. 

I.    LATIFOLIA. 

Although  this  magnificent  Holly  has  stood 
outside  in  a  sheltered  spot  at  Kew  for  many 
years  without  injury,  it  really  requires  a  warmer 
climate  to  develop  its  full  beauty.  Of  all  the 
Hollies  that  can  be  grown  out  of  doors  in  the 
British  Isles  this  is  the  finest  as  regards  the 
foliage.  Oblong  in  form,  and  of  a  deep  lustrous 
green,  the  leaves  frequently  measure  8  inches 
in  length  and  4  inches  in  width.  The  margins 
are  set  with  thin,  but  not  sharp  or  spiny, 
teeth.  It  is  a  native  of  Japan,  but  occurs  too 
far  to  the  south  of  that  Empire  to  be  hardy  in 
most  parts  of  Britain.  It  reaches  occasionally 
a  stature  of  60  feet,  and  is  described  as  not 
only  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  Hollies  of 
Japan,  but  the  handsomest  of  all  broad-leaved 
evergreens  in  that  country.  The  fntit  is  large, 
like  that  of  I.  Integra,  scarlet,  and  produced  in 
short  axillary  clusters. 

I.  OPACA  (Ameeican  Holly). 
Whilst  not  possessing  the  bright  foliage  that 
is  so  characteristic  of  our  native  Holly,  nor 
being  so  beautiful  a  plant,  the  American  Holly 
is,  withal,  a  very  handsome  evergreen.  At  its 
best  it  reaches  a  stature  of  40  feet  to  50  feet, 
and  has  a  trunk  2  feet  to  3  feet  in  diameter. 
Its  habit  is  much  the  same  as  that  of  the 
common  Holly,  being  somewhat  narrow  and 
pyramidal 


they  are  2  inches  to  3  inches  long,  the  margins 
set  with  spiny  teeth.  The  fruits  are  roundish, 
dull  red,  and  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  across. 
The  species  was  introduced  from  the  United 
States  to  Britain  by  the  Duke  of  Argyll  in 
1744.  Probably  there  are  big  specimens  in  the 
country,  but  I  have  not  seen  any  myself 
approaching  the  heights  given  above,  which 
are  those  of  native  trees.  Of  the  several 
representatives  in  Kew  the  largest  is  about 
25  feet  high  and  16  feet  through.  It  would  be 
interesting  to  know  of  any  large  specimens 
that  may  exist.  It  is  easily  distinguished 
from  other  Hollies  of  its  size  by  the  dull, 
"  opaque  "  aspect  of  dark  green  foliage.  No 
varieties  of  it  appear  to  exist  in  cultivation, 
although  Sargent  states  that  its  berries  are 
sometimes,  though  rarely,  yellow. 

I.  Peenyi. 
The  latest  addition  to  evergreen  Hollies,  this 
species  promises  to  be  also  one  of  the  prettiest 
and  most  distinct.  It  is  a  native  of  China,  and 
is  now,  I  believe,  cultivated  by  Messrs.  Veitch 
in  the  Coombe  Nursery,  having  been  intro- 
duced by  their  collector,  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson.  It 
had  previously  been  discovered  by  Dr.  A. 
Henry  and  other  travellers.  The  leaves  are 
1  inch  to  1^  inches  long,  closely  set  upon  the 
branches  and  short  stalked.  Each  leaf  is 
ovate-lanceolate  in  general  outline,  but  has  one 
or  two  (usually  two)  prominent  spine-tipped 
teeth  at  each  side,  and  has  a  long, 
tapering,  sharp-pointed  apex.  The  fruit  is 
globose,  red,  and  as  large  as  that  of  the  com- 
mon Holly.  This  species  has  quite  a  different 
aspect  to  any  other  species  of  Holly,  and 
resembles  most,  perhaps,  some  of  the  smallest- 
leaved  varieties  of  I.  Aquifolium.  Its  distri- 
bution by  Messrs.  Veitch  will  be  awaited  with 
interest.  W.  J.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE     FRUIT     GARDEN. 


F 


MELONS  AND  THEIR  CULTURE. 

E  W  fruits  are  more  appreciated  during 
the  summer  months  than  a  ripe,  luscious 
Melon,  and  those  who  wish  to  be  able 
to  enjoy  them  must  not  delay  making 
preparations  for  their  culture.  It  may 
be  said  that  it  does  not  pay  to  sow 
Melon  seeds  before  Christmas,  even  for  the  earliest 
crop  of  fruits.  I  have  tried  sowing  seeds  in 
December  and  also  in  January  for  a  first  early  crop, 
and  my  experience  is  that  more  satisfactory  results 
are  experienced  from  the  latter  sowing.  In 
December,  when  dull  and  sunless  days  are  the 
rule  rather  than  the  exception,  the  seeds  take  a 
long  time  to  germinate,  and  the  plants  become 
weakly  and  attenuated,  and  even  with  the  advent 
of  brighter  days  in  the  spring  never  seem  really  to 
have  the  vigour  of  later-sown  plants.  Those 
sown,  say,  the  second  week  in  January,  have  the 
advantage  of  brighter  weather  and  increased  sun- 
light, and  the  seedlings  show  their  appreciation  of 
this  by  a  rapid  and  vigorous  growth.  It  is 
astonishing  what  a  difference  there  is  in  the 
growth  of  seedlings  in  December  and  about  three 
weeks  later.  Sometimes  Melon  seeds  sown  in 
December  will  produce  ripe  fruits  a  few  days 
earlier  than  those  sown  in  early  January,  but  often 
the  latter  will  give  fruits  at  the  same  time,  and 
they  are  superior  in  flavour  and  size.  A  good 
deal,  of  course,  depends  upon  the  weather  and  also 
the  district  in  which  the  grower  resides.  In  the 
neighbourhood  of  London,  where  the  winter  days 
are  often  unaccompanied  by  sunlight,  and  some- 
times foggy,  I  have  repeatedly  known  Melon 
seeds  sown  in  January  to  develop  into  plants  that 
fruited    as   soon   as   those  from   seed  sown    three 


-.., ,    ^ _ ..„..««    as   soon 

The  leaves  are  very  distinct  from    weeks    earlier.      The    Melon,    however,    is  never 
most  Hollies  in  being  smooth,  but  quite  dull ;  1  appreciated  early  in  the  year ;   it  is  a  fruit  for  a 


Fbbruary  13,  1904,] 


THE    GARDEN. 


115 


hot  summer's  day,  and  then  only  attains  to  per- 
fection. In  the  absence  of  sun  the  flavour  can 
never  be  of  the  best,  so  that  except  under  special 
circumstances  Melon  culture  quite  early  in  the 
year  does  not  prove  satisfactory. 

Seeds  sown  now  will  produce  ripe  fruits  in  May 
and  June ;  two  seeds  should  be  sown  in  a  small  pot 
that  has  been  filled  with  loam  with  which  some 
leaf-soil  and  sand  are  mixed.  Place  the  pots  close 
together  in  a  warm  house.  Cover  with  a  piece  of 
glass ;  this  keeps  the  soil  moist  and  warm. 
Hasten  germination  when  the  seedlings  have  grown 
sufficiently  to  enable  one  to  see  which  is  the 
stronger  of  the  two,  and  pull  up  tlie  other  one 
carefully,  or,  better  still,  cut  It  off  at  the  base  ;  the 
roots  of  the  other  then  will  not  be  disturbed.  As 
the  seedlings  appear  the  glass  must,  of  course,  be 
removed.  Keep  them  near  to  the  roof  glass, 
otherwise  they  will  become  attenuated.  Melons 
always  grow  best  upon  a  hot- bed,  i.  e. ,  a  bed  made  of 
manure  and  trodden  firm.  It  should  be  made  up 
quite  a  week  before  the  Melons  are  to  be  planted, 
so  as  to  allow  it  to  settle  somewhat  and  also  to 
decline  to  a  suitable  temperature  if,  as  often 
happens,  this  is  too  high  and  would  be  harmful  to 
the  roots.  Upon  the  manure  should  be  placed  two 
layers  of  whole  turves,  grass  sides 
downwards,  making  small  mounds  of 
rather  fine  soil  along  the  centre.  If 
the  bottom-heat  has  declined  to  about 
80"  or  85°  Fahr.  it  is  quite  safe  to  plant. 
With  a  trowel  make  holes  in  the  small 
mounds  of  soil,  and  sufficiently  deep  to 
dig  into  the  upper  layer  of  turves.  Turn 
the  young  plants  carefully  out  of  the 
pots  and  plant  them,  placing  the  fine 
soil  close  to  the  roots  and  making  it 
firm.  I  have  found  that  Melons  grow 
much  better  in  a  comparatively  small 
amount  of  soil  than  in  a  large  bed.  A 
bed  two  turves  deep  and  three  turves 
wide  will  grow  an  excellent  crop  of 
Melons,  with  the  help  of  a  little  top- 
dressing  of  soil  if  the  roots  begin 
to  show  on  the  surface.  Nothing 
appears  to  suit  the  Melon  better  than 
turves  cut  from  a  meadow,  or  if  these 
cannot  be  had  fibrous  loam  in  as  large 
lumps  as  possible.  This  plant  dislikes 
loose,  fine  soil ;  it  is  important  to  make 
the  bed  firm. 

Keep  the  Melon  house  warm  and 
moist,  both  at  night  and  during  the 
day,  and  do  not  stop  the  plants  until 
they  reach  the  top  of  the  trellis.  Side 
shoots  bearing  male  and  female  blooms 
will  form  naturally.  Do  not  fertilise 
the  latter  as  soon  as  one  or  two  appear, 
but  wait  until  four  or  five  are  open 
together,  then  fertilise  all  of  them.  In 
early  summer  a  plant  ought  to  be  able 
to  mature  four  good  fruits,  therefore 
allow  this  number  to  develop  if  possible. 
If  one  flower  is  fertilised  the  embryo 
fruit  will  develop  rapidly  at  the 
expense  of  any  others  formed  after- 
wards, and  these  will  never  make  good 
■fruits.  It  is  important,  therefore,  to 
fertilise  several  blooms  at  the  same  time,  and 
choose  the  fruits  that  appear  to  promise  best. 
When  three  or  four  fruits  are  set  and  are 
developing  quickly  stop  the  shoots  two  or  three 
joints  beyond  the  fruits,  and  also  stop  at  the  first 
joint  any  sub-lateral  shoots  that  will  subsequently 
form.  An  important  point  in  Melon  culture  is  to 
obtain  strong  healthy  leaves  on  the  plants,  and 
these  will  form  very  early  in  their  growth.  They 
never  form  a  sub-lateral  growth,  but  only  on  the 
laterals.  The  possession  of  these  is  half  the  battle 
towards  obtaining  healthy  plants  and  good  fruits. 
Never  let  the  foliage  become  crowded.  If  the  first 
leaves  have  developed  properly  there  will  be  little 
room  for  sub-lateral  growth  ;  this,  therefore,  must 
be  frequently  stopped. 

When  the  plants  are  in  flower  and  when  the 
fruit  begins  to  show  signs  of  colouring  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  house  should  be  kept  rather  drier. 
Give  liquid  manure  to  the  plants  when  the  fruits 
are  developing,  and  cease  doing  so  when  they  are 


ripening ;  clear  water,  however,  must  still  be 
given.  It  is  a  mistake  to  keep  the  bed  of  soil  dry 
when  the  fruits  are  ripening,  the  roots  are  still 
alive  and  need  nourishment.  On  the  other  hand, 
keep  the  atmosphere  dry  or  the  fruits  may  crack. 
An  excellent  method  of  suspending  the  fruits  when 
they  become  so  heavy  as  to  need  support  is  by 
means  of  pieces  of  fish  netting  tied  to  the  trellis 
and  enclosing  the  fruits. 

The  varieties  of  Melons  now  in  commerce  are 
legion,  so  I  forbear  to  name  any  ;  most  growers 
have  their  own  favourites.  A.  P.  H. 


THE    FLOWER   GARDEN. 


THE 


WHITE  PINK  AS  AN  EDGING. 
iHE  accompanying  illustration  shows 
tlie  beauty  of  a  border  when  it  is 
margined  with  Pinks.  Any  hard 
edging  in  this  instance  would  have 
spoilt  the  picture,  and  those  who 
contemplate  alterations  now  in  the 
margin    or    actual  formation  of    the    border 


rTT^I 


in  March  and  April,  though  from  some  cause  they 
produced  much  less  than  the  usual  harvest  of 
seeds  ;  they  scarcely  had  a  period  of  rest  during 
the  past  summer ;  they  grew  freely,  putting  in 
strong  hearts  to  the  plants,  and  it  is  not  surprising 
to  find  that  they  have  been  constantly  in  flower 
since  September  last.  I  could  gather  handfuls  of 
bloom  at  the  present  moment,  though  its  beauty  is 
marred  by  the  weather.  It  does  seem  a  pity  that 
all  this  floral  force  should  be  spending  itself  in 
midwinter,  it  would  be  much  more  welcome  in. 
March  and  April,  when,  it  is  to  be  feared,  there  will 
be  a  dearth  of  it.  If,  as  it  is  feared,  the  crowns  of 
the  plants  formed  last  summer  are  spending  their 
strength  for  nought,  a  scarcity  of  flowers  from- 
these  crowns  may  be  anticipated.  We  must 
look  to  the  formation  of  new  crowns  in  early 
spring  to  supply  the  floral  effect  in  April  and 
May. 

In  order  to  prevent  as  far  as  possible  this- 
abnormal  winter  bloom,  I  tried  the  experiment  of 
lifting  in  October  a  number  of  plants  which  were- 
replanted  with  little  attempt  at  division,  but  with 
small  effect  on  the  production  of  bloom.  The 
force  was  in  the  plant,  and  it  found  expression  in- 
bloom.     Perhaps  a  spell  of  hard  frost  might  have 


AN   EDGING   01'   THE   OLD   FRINGED   WHITE  PINK. 


should   remember  the  importance  of   massing  i  a  deterrent  effect,  and  yet  it  might  only  be  a  case- 


together  good  things,  with  a  careful  sequence 
of  colouring.  Of  all  flowering  plants  the  Pink 
is  among  the  most  satisfactory.  Its  drifts  of 
blossom  appear  in  June,  and  in  the  winter  we 
get  the  full  value  of  the  silvery  foliage,  which  is 
almost  as  precious  as  the  blossom  of  summer. 
The  old  fringed  white  has  almost  gone  out  of 
cultivation,  but  I  prefer  it  to  the  big-bloomed 
varieties  such  as  Mrs.  Sinkins.  T. 


THE 


THE 


FLOWEKING  OF 
POLYANTHUS. 
The  Polyanthus  has  had  a  flowering  season 
extending  over  a  whole  year.  The  wet  summer 
of  1902  encouraged  a  vigorous  growth  in  the 
plants ;  they  were  deprived  of  their  usual  pro- 
longed summer  rest ;  they  bloomed  through  the 
winter  of  1902-3 ;  they  were  in  fairly  good  bloom 


of  repressed  energies  certain  to  break  forth  again 
on  mild  weather  following  the  frost. 

I  have  had  but  very  little  autumn  bloom  indeed 
among  Auriculas,  but  they,  being  always  under 
glass,  were  not  subjected  to  the  conditions  of 
weather  experienced  by  the  outdoor  Polyanthus. 
They  are  already  showing  signs  of  movement  in 
the  direction  of  spring  growth.  In  another  month 
the  most  interesting  season  of  the  Auricula  will 
have  commenced,  and  it  is  a  great  advantage  to- 
have  them  in  a  house  in  preference  to  a  cold  frame, 
which  can  be  opened  only  in  fine  weather.  I  am 
anticipating  with  great  interest  the  blooming  of 
a  number  of  plants  from  seeds  obtained  from  a. 
semi-double  variety.  The  double-flowered  varieties- 
are  very  few,  and  they  are  not  recognised  as  a, 
class  by  the  National  Auricula  Society.  Still  thejr 
have  a  fascination  for  me,  and  I  am  doing  my 
best  to  extend  the  number  of  double  forms  in. 
cultivation.  K.  Dean. 


116 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  1904. 


GARDEN    ORNAMENT. 


Leadwork. 

IN  many  of  the  fine  gardens  which  surround 
our  splendid  old  English  country  houses 
■will  be  found  decorating  them  with 
exceeding  charm,  superbly  sculptured 
capitals  of  classical  columns,  sometimes 
wrongly,  indeed  generally  so,  called 
Italian  "well-heads."  The  majority  are 
usually  described  as  coming  from  Venice, 
where,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  there  are  no 
wells,  and  consequently  no  "well-heads." 
Built  upon  piles  and  artificial  stone  mounds, 
Venice  covers  seventy-two  islands  or  shoals, 
intersected  in  all  directions  by  hundreds  of  salt 
water  canals.  Hence  all  the  fresh  water  used 
for  household  purposes  has  to  be  caught  in 
rainy  weather  from  the  heavens  above  in 
cisterns  built  on  the  Byzantine  system.  The 
mouths  or  openings  of  these  cisterns  are  usually 
circular,  and  not  infrequently  elaborately 
sculptured,  and  some  of  these,  the  sinaller  ones, 
have  been  sold  to  enterprising  foreigners,  and 
set  up  in  English  and  French  gardens  with 
good  effect.  The  finest  example  still  remaining 
is  the  noble  one  in  the  courtyard  of  the  ex- 
monastery  of  San  Sebastiano,  by  Sansovino, 
which  has  often  been  copied  in  various 
materials,  from  marble  to  copper,  forming  an 
admirable  receptacle  for  very  large  plants. 

Another  fine  example  of  this  highly  decorated 
cistern  aperture  will  be  found  in  the  Campo 
San  Giovanni  e  Paulo.  It  is  richly  decorated 
in  the  Kenaissance  style,  with  sporting  amorini 
{cupids)  and  armorial  bearings.  Indeed,  all 
over  the  wonderful  city  are  to  be  found 
numerous  circular  and  richly-sculptured  "well- 
ieads,"  as  they  are  erroneously  called,  originals 
and  copies  of  which  are  frequently  met  with  in 
■our  more  majestic  gardens.  A  few  of  these 
have  been  designed  to  represent  immense 
■capitals  of  classical  columns,  such  for  instance 
as  the  two  magnificent  specimens  which  adorn 


A   LEADEN   VASE  AT   CHISWICK   HOUSE. 


with  such  striking  effect  the  lawns  of 
Kingston  Lacy.  These  are  evidently 
genuine  Venetian  cistern-heads  of  the 
best  period  of  the  Renaissance,  of  the 
same  class  as  the  beautiful  one  by 
Sansovino  at  San  Sabastiano,  which  is 
signed  by  his  name. 

Fresh  drinking  water  was  brought  to 
Venice  in  former  times  from  the  main- 
land in  feluccas,  and  sold  about  the 
streets  by  women  who  wore  a  very 
curious  costume,  exactly  resembling  that 
of  the  Welsh  peasant  lassies,  consisting 
of  a  tall  black  felt  hat,  a  short  petticoat, 
and  an  apron.  On  their  shoulders  they 
carried  a  yoke  like  our  old-fashioned 
London  milkmaids,  from  the  ends  of 
which  dangled  two  buckets.  Many 
people  who  have  not  yet  passed  middle 
life  can  well  remember  their 
plaintive  cry  of  a'o,  or  water,  fresh 
water  !  Modern  improvement  has  swept 
them  and  their  calling  away,  and  now 
ugly  leaden  pipes  of  prodigious  length 
which  run  along  the  railway  viaduct, 
linking  Venice  to  the  continent,  brings 
thence  the  supply  of  drinking  water  to 
the  Queen  of  the  Adriatic. 

The  Venetian  cisterns,  however,  still 
remain,  and  their  often  elaborate  decora- 
tion might  easily  be  reproduced  for 
decorative  plant-pots,  and  introduced 
to  break  up  the  monotony  of  our  lawns, 
even  in  comparatively  homely  gardens. 
It  is,  however,  next  door  to  a  crime 
to  tempt  their  owners  to  sell  the  ori- 
ginals. Has  not  Ruskin  cursed  anyone 
who  removes  a  single  stone  from  the 
most  beautiful  and  romantic  of  cities  1 

All  over  Italy,  a  country  rich  in  classical 
ruins,  the  capitals  of  columns  will  be  found 
converted  into   flower-pots    or    pedestals    for 
statues  and  sundials.    During  the  long  period 
of  the  Renaissance    an    amazing    number  of 
ruined  temples  and  monuments  were  wantonly 
destroyed,  and  their  materials  used   up 
in  the  decoration  of  churches  and  palaces. 
This    was  notably  the    case  in   Rome, 
where    rows    upon    rows    of    beautiful 
columns,  which  had  resisted  the  effect 
of  time  and  the  vandalism  of  the  bar- 
barians, were   thrown  down  and  carted 
off  to  adorn  the  365  churches  and  basilicas 
of    the   capital  of  Oatholicism.      Their 
capitals  were    in    many  instances    pre- 
served, and  turned  to  use  as  decorations 
for  gardens  and  courtyards,  when  they 
were,  for    some    reason   or    other,    not 
required  for  the  new  purpose  to  which 
the  columns   they   once   crowned    were 
devoted.    The  same  thing  occurred  at 
Naples,  and  in  the  gardens  of  both  cities 
beautiful    Corinthian     and     composite 
capitals  will  often  be  noticed  degraded 
into    flower-pots    and    sundials.      There 
were  some  magnificent  specimens  in  the 
splendid   Ludovici   Gardens,   which  the 
cupidity    of     modern     speculation     has 
wantonly   destroyed    and    replaced     by 
streets  of  hideous  jerry  buildings.     There 
was  nothing  in  the  world  to  equal  the 
loveliness  of  these  gardens,  which  were 
literally  a  continuation,  so  to  speak,  of 
those  of  Salust,  whose  site  they  occu- 
pied.   Their  secular  umbrella  Pines,  their 
Ilex  groves,  and  their  stately  architectural 
terraces,  peopled,  yet  not  crowded,  with 
well-arranged     statues,     sundials,     and 
column     capitals,     formed     a     unique 
ensemble,  the  delight  of  poet  and  painter, 
who  alike  haunted  them,  to  enjoy  not 
only  their  manifold  beauties,  but  also 


A  CHISWICK   VASE. 

the  glorious  views  of  the  Eternal  City  which 
they  commanded.  The  wanton  and  greedy 
destruction  of  the  Orti  Ludovici  was,  together 
with  the  destruction  and  levelling  to  the  earth 
of  the  Church  of  the  Servi  in  Venice,  the  most 
monstrous  act  of  vandalism  committed  in  Italy 
last  century. 

The  introduction  of  classical  capitals  of 
columns  into  garden  architecture  dates  back  in 
Italjr  to  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  century, 
and  it  is  worthy  of  imitation,  for  the  effect  is 
admirable  ;  the  richly  decorated  capital  resting 
upon  the  green  sward,  or  rising  from  the  centre 
of  a  group  of  natural  Acanthus  leaves,  is 
charming,  and  if  it  be  possible  to  chisel  out  a 
sufficiently  large  hole  to  insert  a  leafy  plant  it 
would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  graceful  kind 
of  vase.  An  equally  delightful  effect  can  be 
obtained  in  such  fortunate  gardens — and  they 
are  numerous — as  contain  the  ruins  of  some 
Gothic  abbey  or  priory,  by  converting  the 
capitals  of  clustered  columns  to  the  same 
purpose. 

At  Walsingham  Priory  in  Norfolk  several 
noble  capitals,  whose  columns  have  disappeared 
ages  ago,  have  been  turned  into  gigantic  flower- 
pots, from  which  the  tendrils  of  the  Periwinkle, 
with  its  pale  blue  flowers,  pour  over  in  a 
graceful  cascade  of  foliage  and  bloom,  not  con- 
cealing but  displaying  the  time-worn  sculpture 
to  charming  advantage.  One  masterpiece, 
representing  an  ancient  marble  tomb,  pre- 
sumably of  Italian  workmanship,  but  far 
more  likely  of  the  late  Greek  period,  at  the 
time  of  Alexander  the  Great,  is  in  a  garden 
in  Somersetshire.  This  is  a  proof,  if  proof 
were  needed,  of  the  exceeding  art  wealth  of 
the  country.  Surely  it  is  more  worthy 
of  a  museum  than  of  a  garden  where  it 
is  exposed  to  the  effects  of  our  changeable 
climate. 

The  greatest  care,  however,  must  be  exercised 
in  the  arrangement  of  these  "  well-heads  "  and 


February  13,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


117 


capitals  be  they  Greek, 
Eoman,  Norman,  or  Gothic. 
They  must  appear  to  have 
come  into  position  almost 
of  their  own  accord,  as  if 
in  the  course  of  centuries 
they  had  discovered  for 
themselves  a  new  purpose  to 
which  to  devote  their  grace 
and  beauty.  Any  attempt 
at  trimness  destroys  the 
picturesqueness  of  the  effect 
they  should  produce,  and  it 
requires  the  eye  of  a  true 
artist  to  select  the  exact  spot 
where  they  should  rest,  amid 
surroundings  exactly  suited 
to  their  architecture  and 
colour. 

The  introduction  of  any- 
thing architectural  into  a 
garden,  especially  an  English 
garden,  is  matter  for  much 
thought.  In  certain  places 
€ven  a  huge  terra-cotta  pot 
lends  charm.  >  A  row  of 
monster  pots,  with  Orange 
and  Lemon  trees  in  them,  in 
the  old  gardens  of  the  Villa 
Lante  at  Frascati  has  been 
painted  again  and  again  by 
famous  artists.  They  seem 
to  have  ranged  themselves 
by  some  occult  process, 
known  only  to  themselves, 
to  have  grown  up  sponta- 
neously in  the  vast  beds  of 
Violets,  Pansies,  and  Verbena 
which  surround  them.  The 
yellow  of  the  crumbling 
wall  behind  them  is  rendered 
all  the  more  vivid  by  their 
dull  red.  Between  two  of 
the  largest  you  can  obtain  a 
never-to-be-forgotten  view 
of  the  far-stretching  Cam- 
pagna  and  of  distant  Rome. 
A  great  artist,  whose  name 
is  long  since  forgotten,  placed 
those  venerable  terra-cotta 
pots  in  position  some  three 
hundred  years  ago.  May 
they  still  stand  where  they 
are,  with  their  treasures  of 
•deep  emerald  leaf  and  golden 
fruit,  three  centuries  hence. 


THE      CACTUS 
DAHLIA 

At  Home  and  Abroad. 

BRITISH  hybridists 
have  practically 
held  the  monopoly 
of  the  output  of 
new  varieties  of  the 
Cactus  Dahlia. 
The  interest  this  flower  has 
■awakened  is  phenomenal,  not 
only  in  England,  but  in  many 
■other  countries  where  the 
•climate  is  anything  but  tem- 
perate. The  home  trade  is  now 
a  very  extensive  one,  and  the 
interest  taken  in  growing  and 
■competing  bids  fair  shortly  to 
■equal  that  of  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum. In  this  respect  the  Scottish  growers  show 
as  keen  a  desire  to  excel  as  the  growers  farther 
south,  and  from  Wales  also  come  very  fine  flowers 
-and  new  varieties.  Ireland,  also,  whilst  not  as  yet 
to  our  knowledge  contributing  to  the  list  of  varie- 


THB   KNEELING   SLAVE  AT   MELBOURNE. 


ties,  is  yearly  importing  new  varieties  from  England 
in  increasing  quantities.  Leaving  the  British  Isles 
we  find  our  near  friends  the  Dutch  keenly  alive  to 
the  necessity  of  raising  new  and  improved  varieties 
in  order  to  compete  with  the  English. 


Every  year  many  Dutch  firms  import  largely 
from  England,  and  offer  in  exchange  varietifs  of 
their  own  raising.  As  yet,  however,  the  growing 
of  Dutch  flowers  is  not  general  here,  although  a 
few  sorts  have  been  catalogued,  a  notable  feature 


118 


THE    (^AKDEN. 


[February  13,  1904. 


of  the  Dutch  flowers  we  have  seen  being  the 
colours,  which  were  of  soft  and  pleasing  tints. 
Scarcely  behind  the  Dutch  follow  the  German  and 
Belgian  growers,  Germany  producing  a  large  number 
of  new  flowers  ;  and  yearly  we  receive  ofi'ers  to 
exchange  novelty  for  novelty,  but  firmly  declined 
on  our  part. 

Probably  next  to  Holland  Germany  is  the 
largest  buyer  of  new  flowers  from  England. 
Belgium  is  naturally  allied  to  Holland  as  regards 
the  Dahlia,  and  so  we  go  on  to  Italy,  where  the 
fever  is  just  beginning  to  rage,  as  also  in  Sweden, 
and  in  a  minor  degree  other  Continental  countries. 
We  had  almost  forgotten  France  ;  but  here  there 
are  quite  strongholds  of  Dahlia  growers,  and  the 
old  offers  to  exchange  novelties  are  repeated. 
Several  French  sorts  of  the  decorative  type  have 
found  their  way  to  England.  The  growing  of 
the  old  decorative  form  still  seems  to  thrive  in 
France,  and  few,  if  any,  new  flowers  of  the  Cactus 
type  have  been  catalogued  by  English  raisers.  The 
growers  of  France  are  evenly  scattered  from  Paris 
to  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  and  the  culture  of  the 
Dahlia  is  evidently  a  feature  with  several  prominent 
nurserymen. 

To  come  to  our  Colonies,  India  is  trying  the 
Dahlia,  roots  having  gone  to  Calcutta  and  Bombay, 
and,  if  reports  are  true,  succeeded  well,  as  also  in 
Malta  and  Egypt  on  the  coast.  It  is,  however,  in 
Tasmania,  Australia,  and  New  Zealand  that  the 
Dahlia  is  appreciated  to  its  fullest  extent.  The 
number  of  amateur  enthusiasts  there  is  consider- 
able, and  every  year  shows  are  held  as  in  England, 
where  the  Dahlia  figures  largely  and  excites  con- 
siderable competition. 

The  amateur  growers  import  the  new  [flowers 
every  autumn  quite  as  largely  as  the  nursery- 
men, and  the  English  gardening  papers  are 
studied  to  watch  the  strides  made  in  raising 
new  flowers  from  these  regions.  Until  now 
there  has  not  been  any  great  importation  of 
Colonial  varieties  by  the  English  growers,  although 
one  or  two  raisers  of  Australia  and  Tasmania  have 
made  considerable  progress  in  that  direction. 
Altogether,  the  trade  with  the  Colonies  is  a 
pleasant  one,  the  striking  feature  in  all  dealings 
with  our  colonists  being  the  straightforward 
manner  in  which  they  transact  business,  interesting 
letters  coming  to  hand  every  year  from  growers  in 
the  Antipodes,  where,  for  the  comfort  of  English 
gardeners,  we  might  mention  that  there  are 
numerous  enemies  to  fight  and  many  disappoint- 
ments. 

From  Cape  Town  to  the  Transvaal  capital  there 
are  Dahlia  growers,  not  so  advanced  as  the  Austra- 
lian as  regards  shows,  &;e.,  perhaps,  but  still  the 
Dahlia  is  there,  and  is  greatly  on  the  increase,  a 
recent  member  of  the  National  Dahlia  Society  only 
to-day  turning  up  (by  letter,  of  course)  at  Pretoria 
asking  for  the  Dahlia.  Poor  fellow  !  probablj'  he 
was  homesick,  and  the  sight  of  a  Cactus  Dahlia  in 
his  garden  would  encourage  him.  He  was  a  grower 
of  the  best  in  England,  and  we  hope  to  send  him  a 
comforter  in  the  shape  of  a  dozen  and  a-half  of 
Britain's  best. 

We  have  now  travelled  over  a  good  portion  of 
the  Globe,  and  will  wander  back  north-west  to 
America,  notably  the  United  States.  Unless  we 
are  much  mistaken,  the  Canadians  are  too  busy 
growing  into  a  nation  to  think  of  Dahlias  to  the 
extent  they  ought,  but  dotted  here  and  there  are 
growers  who  import  yearly.  It  is,  however,  in  the 
States  that  interest  in  the  Dahlia  becomes  more 
appaient. 

Ab  to  exhibiting,  we  have  no  very  definite 
news  to  hand  of  this  in  America  ;  but  no  doubt 
they  have  Dahlia  classes  generally,  and  we  know 
of  one  grower  who  carried  off  all  the  prizes  in 
the  classes  open  to  him,  some  eight  in  number, 
including  prizes  of  considerable  value  at  one  show. 
The  American  raiser  is  not  yet  noticeably  to  the 
front,  unless  the  varieties  never  find  their  way  to 
England,  which  is  surprising. 

In  closing  these  few  notes  on  the  Dahlia,  we 
should  like  to  mention  that  with  few  exceptions  it 
has  been  our  lot  to  receive  the  most  friendly  and 
pleasant  letters  from  Cactus  Dahlia  growers  all 
over  the  world,  and,  in  fact,  it  has  often  surprised 
us  to  find  so  general  and  pleasant  a  tone,  not  only 


from  colonists,  but  foreign  growers  as  well. 
Possibly  the  Cactus  Dahlia  exerts  a  softening 
influence  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

Berkshire.  P.  P. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


crocks.      The   plants   during   the   growing   season 
delight   in   a   moisture-laden    atmosphere,    with  a 
temperature  of  65"  to  70*.        J.  P.  Leadbedter. 
The  Qardeiis,  Tranby  Croft,  Hull. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 
Table  Plants. 

WITH  the  difficulty  of  providing 
such  plants  for  use  during 
autumn  and  winter  every 
gardener  will  be  well  enough 
acquainted  ;  but  his  anxiety  does 
not  stop  here,  for  annually  there 
is  a  growing  demand  for  flowering  plants  for  this 
particular  purpose.  True,  it  is  difficult  to  dispense 
absolutely  with  the  use  of  ornamental  foliage 
plants,  and  many  of  these  when  well  grown  are 
very  handsome.  Of  these  perhaps  Crotons, 
Pandanus,  and  Dracaenas  are  generally  used,  but 
to  render  them  favourites  they  require  to  be  well 
grown,  and  the  foliage  highly  coloured.  Early 
propagation  is  advised  as  the  secret  of  having 
them  in  proper  condition  for  use  by  the  coming 
autumn,  and  although  the  propagation  of  Crotons 
was  advised  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  there  is 
yet  time  to  propagate  and  to  grow  the  whole  of 
these  plants  into  good  specimens  by  the  time 
mentioned.  Among  flowering  plants  Begonia 
Gloire  de  Lorraine  is  one  of  the  most  useful.  Small 
plants  are  the  best  for  table  requirements  ;  com- 
mence propagating  them  at  once  by  selecting  good 
sucker  shoots  for  cuttings.  Insert  these  singly  in 
'2J-inch  pots  in  fine  leaf-soil  and  sand,  or  obtain 
and  dibble  among  sand  a  few  of  the  leaves  that  are 
free  from  disease,  and  with  the  entire  length  of 
the  petioles  attached  ;  plunge  the  pots  in  a  bottom- 
heat  of  65°  to  70°,  and  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere. 
Gesneras,  the  new  hybrids,  can  be  raised  from 
seeds,  which,  if  sown  at  once,  will  produce  by  the 
autumn  plants  that  will  be  admirable  for  any 
purpose,  especially  for  table  decoration.  Cycla- 
mens for  this  purpose  require  careful  attention. 
A  few  of  the  corms  should  be  grown  on  a  second 
year,  as  these  usually  grow  into  bigger  plants  and 
produce  more  flowers.  Sow  at  once  a  few  seeds  of 
Primulas,  especially  the  stellata  varieties,  as  these 
when  well  grown  and  flowered  make  beautiful 
plants  for  the  table.  Other  plants  valuable  for  the 
purpose  are  Azaleas  of  the  amaena  type,  together 
with  Erica  hyemalis  and  E.  gracilis  autumnalis. 

ACHIMENES. 

The  tubers,  which  during  the  winter  have  been 
dormant,  should  be  overhauled  and  selected  for 
immediate  repotting  into  fresh  soil.  Leaf-soil, 
peat,  a  little  dried  cow  manure,  and  sand  form  a 
compost  that  suits  them  well  ;  but  during  the 
growing  period  they  require  to  be  shaded  from 
strong  sunlight,  and  with  regard  to  heat  and 
moisture  to  be  liberally  treated. 

Gardenias. 

These  keep  in  a  healthy  condition  by  keeping 
them  free  of  mealy  bug  as  well  as  green  fly  and 
thrips  ;  and  this  is  not  difficult  if  occasionally 
they  are  syringed  with  Bentley's  Insecticide  or 
with  paraffin,  one  tablespoonful  to  every  gallon  of 
water.  If  they  are  planted  out  remove  a  portion 
of  the  surface  soil  and  top-dress  with  fresh  loam, 
wood  ashes,  and  dried  cow  or  sheep  manure,  those 
in  small  pots  being  shifted  into  larger  ones  as  they 
require  it.  Cuttings,  as  soon  as  they  can  be 
obtained,  should  be  inserted  in  pots,  and  the  latter 
plunged  in  the  propagating  bed  ;  another  plan  is  to 
place  narrow  boxes,  about  8  inches  deep,  on  the 
top  of  the  hot-water  pipes.  Fill  these  to  about 
half  their  depth  with  broken  pots  for  drainage, 
then  a  layer  of  Moss,  and  finally  about  'i  inches  of 
sand  in  which  to  insert  cuttings  of  the  half-ripened 
shoots. 

Anthuriums. 

These  greatly  dislike  sour  material  about  their 
roots.  They  should  be  repotted  annually,  or 
resurfaced  with  a  compost  of  good  fibrous  peat, 
lumpy  loam,   sphagnum  moss,    and  a  few    broken 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Edgings. 
The  character  of  the  edging  depends  largely  on 
the  surroundings.  Where  a  formal  edging  is  needed 
Box  is  one  of  the  best  evergreens  that  can  be  used  ; 
but  to  look  well  the  blanks  must  be  kept  filled  up, 
and  during  the  summer  clipping  must  be  regularly 
attended  to.  The  present  is  a  very  good  time  to 
make  a  new  edging.  A  nice  bordering  may  be 
made  of  flints  or  pieces  of  granite  laid  so  that  the 
outer  edges  are  in  a  fairly  straight  line,  and 
sinking  the  stones  sufficient  to  prevent  them  from 
being  easily  displaced.  Stones  that  are  found 
locally  are  usually  more  in  keeping  with  the  sur- 
roundings than  imported  ones,  and  the  former 
become  quickly  covered  with  moss  and  lichen.  In 
the  crevices  between  the  stones  many  alpine  plants 
will  find  just  the  conditions  essential  for  their  well- 
being,  and  many  will  quickly  ramble  over  the 
stones  and  out  into  the  path,  breaking  in  a  delightful 
manner  the  formality  of  the  edging. 

Aubrietia  deltoidea  and  its  varieties  make  a  very 
pretty  edging.  Where  it  thrives  the  blue  Gentiana 
acaulis  is  very  striking.  In  many  cottage  gardens 
one  sees  a  double  bordering  of  Thrift,  sometimes 
nearly  a  foot  in  width.  Mrs.  Sinkin  Pink,  the 
double  Daisies,  Arabis,  and  many  others  are  also 
beautiful  and  useful  for  this  purpose.  But  what- 
ever is  used  the  ground  must  first  be  properly 
prepared  or  the  edging  will  never  be  in  a  satis- 
factory condition.  The  soil  should  be  well  worked, 
raked,  and  made  firm. 

Bedding  Plants. 

Pelargoniums  (Geraniums)  which  were  struck  in 
pots  or  boxes  last  autumn  will  now  require  to  be 
potted  singly  or  boxed  ;  where  possible  the  first 
method  is  preferable,  but  if  a  good  layer  of  spent 
Mushroom  bed  manure,  or  something  similar,  is 
first  placed  in  the  bottom  and  the  remaining  soil  is 
fairly  "rough,"  good  results  may  be  obtained  from 
boxes.  A  light  syringing  twice  or  three  times  on 
bright  days  will  prevent  flagging.  Standard 
Fuchsias,  Heliotropes,  &c.,  that  have  wintered  cool 
should  now  be  pruned  and  brought  into  a  warm 
house. 

Insert  the  necessary  cuttings  of  such  as  Iresine, 
Alternanthera,  Ageratum,  Heliotrope,  Coleus  Ver- 
schafieltii,  and  place  in  a  brisk  bottom-heat. 

Sowing  Grass  Seed. 

If  it  is  intended  to  sow  any  lawn  grass  seed  the 
ground  should  now  be  thoroughly  prepared — good 
digging  is  as  necessary  for  grass  as  for  herbaceous 
plants,  choosing  only  fine  days  and  when  the  soil 
is  in  a  good  workable  condition.  The  date  of  sowing 
will  vary,  according  to  the  locality,  from  the  end 
of  this  month  to  the  latter  part  of  April.  The 
soil  must  be  made  firm  and  well  worked,  keeping 
the  surface  level  and  to  the  full  height  of  the  lawn. 
If  it  is  possible  to  lay  a  row  of  turves  around  the 
outsides,  this  will  be  found  a  good  guide  in  keeping 
the  remainder  level.  When  sowing  choose  a  fine 
still  day,  and  sow  as  evenly  as  possible,  using  the 
best  quality  seed  procurable,  and  lightly  cover  it 
with  a  wooden  rake.  When  the  grass  is  well  up 
it  will  be  advisable  to  roll  with  a  heavy  roller 
before  cutting,  which  should  be  done  with  a  sharp 
scythe.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Edgings. 
This  is  a  good  time  to  set  about  the  repair  or 
renewal  of  edgings.  Where  they  have  become 
rather  thin  the  best  plan  is  to  clear  out  a  good 
length  and  renew  entirely.  Before  relaying  the 
part  to  be  operated  upon  should  receive  a  dressing 
of  good  turfy  loam,  for  where  edgings  have  stood 
for  several  years  the  soil  will  have  become 
exhausted.  A  fine  dry  day  must  be  chosen  for 
this  work,  as  the  soil  must  be  well  beaten  and 
trodden  to  the  proper  level.     Care  must  be  takea 


February  13,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


119 


that  the  trench  is  cut  to  the  exact 
width  of  the  path.  The  Box  plants 
should  be  pulled  into  single  roots 
and  shortened  to  4  inches  long, 
and  laid  thinly  and  evenly,  making 
them  firm  at  the  roots  as  the  work 
proceeds. 

If  the  walk  has  become  soft 
and  much  soil  mixed  with  the 
gravel  it  should  be  cleared  away 
to  the  depth  of  several  inches  and 
a  fresh  coating  put  on.  After  the 
whole  work  has  been  completed 
frequent  rolling  will  be  beneficial. 
An  inspection  of  all  garden  paths 
should  be  made,  and  where  repair 
is  needed  this  is  a  good  time  to 
begin,  before  the  busy  season  is 
with  us.  An  effort  should  be  made 
to  give  all  walks  a  sprinkling  of 
new  gravel  every  spring.  A  good 
layer  of  ashes  between  garden  plots 
where  there  is  much  traffic  will  be 
found  a  great  advantage  in  wet 
weather. 

Potatoes  in  Pots 

that  were  placed  in  a  heated  vinery 
early  in  January  will  now  have 
made  good  growth,  and  should  be 
removed  to  a  slightly  cooler  house. 
A  sprinkling  of  some  good  artificial 
manure  may  be  given  previous  to 
earthing  up.  For  the  latter  good 
turfy  soil  is  required  to  which 
has  been  added  a  little  leaf-soil. 
Fill  the  pots  well  up  with  the 
compost,  making  the  soil  mode- 
rately firm,  and  place  them  as  near 
to  the  glass  as  possible. 

Early  Peas  in  Pots 
are  now  growing  freely,  and  short 
stakes  will  soon  be  required.  They 
may  be  thinned  out  now  to  six 
or  eight  plants  and  grown  cool  and  hardy. 
Onions,  Leeks,  Cauliflower,  and  other  seedlings 
under  glass  must  be  carefully  attended  to,  and 
on  no  account  allowed  to  become  drawn.  Stand 
the  pot  or  boxes  close  to  the  glass  and  water 
sparingly.  On  a  south  border  or  other  warm 
corner  the  sowing  of  early  Cabbage,  Caulifiower, 
and  Lettuce  may  be  made.  Protection  must  be 
afforded  either  by  a  thick  covering  of  Spruce 
branches  or  a  few  hand-lights  placed  over  them 
will  be  sufficient. 

Shallots. 

Where  the  weather  is  favourable  and  the  ground 
in  condition  these  may  be  planted.  The  bulbs  may 
be  planted  3  inches  deep  to  begin  with,  as  they  are 
liable  to  grow  out  of  the  soil.  The  soil  may  be 
drawn  back  from  the  bulbs  after  they  have  taken 
hold.  Plant  on  a  deeply-trenched  and  well- 
manured  border. 


begonia   GLOIRE   DE  LORRAINE   IN   THE   GARDENS   OF  COLONEL   WILKINSON,   ASHFnRLONG    HALL,   SUTTON  COLDFIELD. 


Bopetoun  Home  Gardens,  N.B. 


Thomas  Hat. 


FRUIT    GAKDEN. 

Early  Vines. 
These  will  now  have  the  fruit  set,  and  the  sooner 
the  bunches  of  free-setting  varieties  are  thinned 
the  better.  Remove  all  badly  set  and  ill-shaped 
bunches,  and  secure  a  full  crop  of  medium-sized 
ones,  leaving  one  only  on  a  shoot.  Pay  daily 
attention  to  tying  down  shoots  and  stopping 
laterals.  Pinch  out  the  points  of  the  shoots  at  the 
second  or  third  leaf  beyond  the  bunch,  and  all 
laterals  at  the  first  leaf.  Avoid  overcrowding,  as 
the  best  leaves  must  be  fully  exposed  to  light  and 

Give  a  sprinkling  of  Thompson's  Vine  Manure 
alter  the  Grapes  are  thinned,  and  water  with  tepid 
water.  Keep  the  night  temperature  at  65°  to  68°, 
lalling  5  on  cold  mornings,  and  75°  to  80°  by  day 
with  sun-heat.  Close  the  house  early,  damping 
the  paths  and  walls,  care  being  taken  not  to  damp 
the  pipes  when  hot.     Ventilation  must  also  be 


carried  out  carefully  at  this  season,  always  avoid- 
ing cold  draughts. 

Early  Muscats. 
These  Vines,  which  were  started  early  in 
December,  will  soon  be  in  flower.  Increase  the 
temperature  to  68°  or  70°  at  night,  80°  by  day, 
with  a  further  rise  of  10°  on  bright  days.  The 
atmosphere  must  be  rather  drier  when  the  Vines 
are  in  flower,  and  also  keep  the  points  of  the 
bunches  up  to  the  light.  A  supply  of  Black 
Hamburgh  pollen  should  be  saved  if  possible  to 
fertilise  the  Muscat  flowers,  doing  this  with  a 
camel's  hair  brush  ;  also  run  the  hand  lightly  down 
the  bunches.  Close  the  house  early,  give  air  early 
also,  as  by  liberal  ventilation  a  strong  healthy 
foliage  will  be  secured  that  will  stand  the  early 
summer  sun  without  scorching. 

Succession  Vineries. 
The  Vines  in  these  will  now  be  breaking  into 
growth,  and  should  be  syringed  with  tepid  water 


if  dry,  with  tepid  water, 
night  and  65°  by  day 
suitable. 

Impiiey  Gardens,  Droitwich. 


A  temperature  of  50°  at 
from    sun-heat    will    be 


F.  Jordan. 


THE   INDOOR   GARDEN. 


BEGONIA  GLOIRE  DE  LORRAINE. 
O  warm  greenhouse  in  winter  is  now 
considered  to  be  properly  furnished 
unless  it  can  show  a  display  of  this 
Begonia,   whose   rapid    leap    into 
popularity  has  been  most  remark- 
able.    A  few  years  ago  no  one  had 
heard  of  it,  to-day  it  is  difficult  to  find  a  garden 
where  it  is   not  grown.     The  accompanying 
illustration  shows  what  a  wealth  of  blossom  a 


N 


,  group  of  this  plant  will  produce.  It  is  a  display 
two  or  three  times  daily  in  bright  weather  until  j  that  could  be  equalled  by  few,  if  any,  other 
the  bunches  show,  when  direct  syringing  should  be  |  winter-flowering  plants,  and  reflects  greatly  to 

the  credit  of  the  grower's  skill.  Begonia  Gloire 
de  Lorraine  is  one  of  those  plants  which  if 
grown  well  is  a  delight  to  all,  both  cultivator 
and  visitor,  but  if  one  only  partially  succeeds 
with  it,  then  it  is  indeed  disappointing.     H.  T. 


discontinued.  Remove  the  weakest  shoots  gradu- 
ally as  soon  as  it  can  be  seen  which  bear  the  best 
bunches.  Keep  a  temperature  of  55°  to  58°  at 
night,  and  65°  to  70°  by  day.  Close  the  house 
early  on  bright  days.  Damp  the  paths  once  nr 
twice  weekly  at  closing  time  with  weak  liquid 
manure. 

Late  Vineries. 

If  Gros  Colmar  and  Lady  Downe's  Seedling  occupy 
the  greater  part  of  the  house  it  must  now  be  closed, 
so  that  the  Vines  may  have  the  benefit  of  the  best 
season  of  the  year  to  complete  their  growth. 
Generally  speaking,  the  two  varieties  above  are 
the  most  popular  late  Grapes,  and  require  a  long 
season  of  growth ;  they  also  finish  better  when 
started  early  than  by  using  extra  fire-heat  in  the 
autumn.  Appley  Towers  is  a  splendid  keeping 
late  Grape,  which  requires  plenty  of  space.  Mrs. 
Pearson  can  also  be  strongly  recommended  as  a 
second  white  ;  it  will  keep  for  months  when  bottled 
in  good  condition.     See  that  the  border  is  watered, 


NEEINES. 
When  a  grower  has  mastered  the  cultivation 
of  a  class  of  plants  he  turns  his  attention  to 
their  improvement,  either  by  prolonging  the 
flowering  season  or  increasing  the  size  of  flowers 
and  improving  the  plant  generally.  To  reach 
the  object  he  has  in  view  can  only  be  obtained 
by  hybridising,  and  to  growers  of  the  beautiful 
autumnal-blooming  Nerines  I  would  say  select 
and  hybridise,  and  by  so  doing  increase  the 
stock  of  your  plants.  Nerines  are  very 
prolific  seed  producers.  Mr.  O'Brien,  when 
manager    at    Messrs.    Henderson    and    Sons, 


120 


THE   GARDEN. 


[Fkbruary  13,  1904. 


raised  many  Nerine  varieties,  among  them 
being  the  beautiful  Manselli,  atro-sanguinea, 
and  others. 

M.  Leichtlin  of  Baden-Baden  raised  from 
seed  N.  Novelty,  a  very  free  -  flowering 
hybrid,  by  fertilising  pudica  with  the 
crimson  -  coloured  corusca.  He  also  raised 
N.  tardiflora  and  its  variety  major,  which  are 
almost  equal  to  Manselli.  Mr.  Elwes,  who 
has  a  collection  of  over  1,000  pots,  has  also 
raised  many  beautiful  varieties,  some  receiving 
first-class  certificates  and  awards  of  merit,  the 
latest  to  receive  this  distinction  being  N.  Miss 
Carrington.  Mr.  Moore  of  Glasnevin  has  also 
done  good  work  in  breeding  and  perfecting 
this  race  of  plants. 

No  difficulty  need  be  experienced  in 
obtaining  seed,  which  should  be  sown  directly 
after  being  taken  from  the  plant.  Sow  in 
pots,  using  a  good  porous  compost  of  three 
parts  loam,  one  part  leaf-mould,  adding  some 
sand.  Place  the  seed  evenly  in  the  pots  and 
cover  slightly  with  sand.  The  seed  is  gene- 
rally slow  in  germinating,  but  this  difficulty 
would  be  surmounted  by  placing  on  a  shelf  in 
the  stove,  removing  the  seedlings  as  they 
advance  to  an  intermediate  temperature. 
Here  they  would  grow  freely  without  shade 
for  the  first  six  months.  Then  they  should  be 
transferred  to  pans  and  kept  in  the  same 
temperature. 

The  growth  of  the  plants  is  somewhat 
rapid,  no  season  of  rest  being  required 
until  the  bulbs  reach  flowering  size,  which 
would  be  about  three  years  from  the 
sowing  of  the  seed.  After  this  long  period  of 
growth  the  bulbs  should  be  allowed  to  rest. 
This  rest  consists  of  entirely  withholding 
water,  and  plunging  them  in  a  frame  where 
they  are  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  and  are 
subjected  to  a  thorough  baking.  "  They  are  so 
difficult  to  flower,"  is  what  we  hear  from  the 
majority  of  growers.  To  those  I  respond, 
"  Give  them  a  fair  treatment  when  growing,  a 
fair  season  of  rest,  and  then  you  should  not 
be  disappointed."  The  following  particulars 
on  the  treatment  of  the  bulbs'  flowering 
size  may  be  interesting  to  readers  of  The 
Gaeden. 

When  the  plants  go  to  rest,  about  the  month 
of  April,  they  are  plunged  in  a  frame,  water 
being  altogether  withheld  and  the  lights  taken 
off  at  every  opportunity.  Here  they  remain 
until  the  month  of  August,  when  they  are 
overhauled  and  all  repotting  done  that  is 
necessary,  shaking  every  particle  of  soil  from 
the  roots.  Activity  at  the  roots  will  be 
apparent  even  at  this  early  date,  and  this 
necessitates  careful  potting.  Some  growers 
wait  until  the  plants  are  out  of  flower  before 
repotting,  but  great  injury  to  the  plants  is 
caused  by  this  practice,  as  the  roots  are 
then  in  an  advanced  stage  of  growth.  After 
repotting  in  such  a  compost  as  the  one  recom- 
mended for  seedlings  they  are  again  placed  in 
the  frame,  where  they  remain  until  showing 
flower. 

They  are  then  taken  out,  allowed  to 
stand  in  a  pan  of  water  to  get  thoroughly 
soaked,  and  placed  on  a  shelf  in  the  green- 
house where  they  receive  plenty  of  light,  and 
the  flower-spikes  should  develop  to  perfection. 
After  flowering  they  should  not  be  placed  in 
a  dark  corner  of  the  house,  but  on  the  shelf  in 
fall  sunlight,  and  be  treated  as  ordinary 
greenhouse  plants,  with  an  occasional  dose  of 
weak  liquid  manure.  That  is  the  treatment  as 
afforded  the  plants  at  Colesbourne,  the  essen- 
tials of  which  may  be  summed  up  thus  :  Firm 
potting,  a  good  season  of  growth,  clean  plants, 
and  a  long  rest.  W.  H.  Waltees. 

Coleshourne  Parh,  Gloucestershire. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The    Editor   is  not   responsible  for    the 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


opinions 


s 


MODERN   POTATOES. 

[To  THE  Editor  of   "  The  Garden."] 
IR,— I   notice   that   Mr.    Wythes, 


notice   that   Mr.    Wythes,    in   his 
article  on  some  of  the  newer  vegetables 
for    1904,    page   63,    confines   his  Potato 
references  to  a  somewhat  limited  few  of 
which    he    has    had    experience.     As  it 
happens,  however,  there  is  a  number  of 
high-class  varieties  in  the  market   just  now  that 
are  certainly  preferable  to   the   older   sorts   men- 
tioned by  your  correspondent,  such  as  Satisfaction 
and  Reliance,  and  in  view  of  this  fact,  also  bearing 
in  mind  that  seed  tubers  are  now  being  obtained 
and  prepared  for  spring  planting,  I  venture  to  call 
attention  to  several  modern  Potatoes  that  are  well 
worth  growing. 

The  fabulous  prices  paid  for  a  few  sensational 
novelties  do  not  interest  me,  and,  like  Mr.  Wythes, 
I  know  nothing  of  the  eating  qualities  of  either 
Northern  Star  or  Eldorado,  because  1  have  never 
met  a  man  yet  with  courage  enough  to  boil  one, 
and  it  must  be  remembered  that  Discovery,  about 
the  table  qualities  of  which  Mr.  Wythes  speaks 
highly,  is  not  a  food  commodity  at  twenty  shillings 
a  pound  for  seed  sets.  1  recently  heard  of  a  case 
of  a  man  who  became  acquainted  with  the  flavour 
of  Northern  Star  in  a  manner  that  was  supposed 
to  upset  his  digestive  organs  afterwards.  He  pur- 
chased a  pound  or  two  of  seed  tubers  at  a  ruinous 
price,  and  foolishly  left  them  on  a  shelf  in  the 
kitchen.  His  better  half,  who  knew  nothing  of 
Northern  Star  or  other  gold  mine  Potato,  cooked 
them  without  thinking,  and  — but  perhaps  it  is 
well  to  draw  a  kindly  veil  over  the  rest  of  the 
story. 

Turning  to  the  varieties  that  are  of  proved 
merit,  and  may  be  obtained  at  reasonable  cost,  I 
notice  Mr.  Wythes  speaks  well  of  Ringleader  and 
Ninety-fold  in  the  way  of  first  earlies.  They  both 
did  well  with  me  last  year  in  the  way  of  crop,  but, 
strange  to  say,  when  1  came  to  lift  the  main  portion 
which  I  left  to  ripen  1  found  three  parts  of  the 
tubers  of  Ninety-fold  affected  by  disease,  but  the 
Ringleader  was  practically  free  from  it.  The 
decision  I  have  naturally  arrived  at  is  that  Ninety- 
fold  is  more  liable  to  disease  than  Ringleader,  and 
consequently  the  latter  is  the  best  variety  to  grow. 
Speaking  of  early  Potatoes,  mention  must  be  made 
of  that  splendid  modern  variety,  Sir  John 
Llewelyn,  which  has  now  had  an  extended  trial, 
and  is  spoken  well  of  in  all  quarters.  Duke  of 
York,  an  older  Potato,  holds  its  own  as  one  of  the 
best  of  the  first  earlies,  and  being  of  strong  free 
habit  it  succeeds  well  in  places  where  varieties 
of  more  tender  constitution  are  apt  to  fail. 

With  reference  to  midseason  and  main  crop 
Potatoes,  I  observe  that  Mr.  Wythes  can  only 
speak  of  Evergood  from  hearsay,  as  he  has  not 
grown  it.  After  an  experience  of  two  seasons,  I 
am  of  opinion  that  this  is  one  of  the  best  of  the 
new  main  crop  Potatoes,  and  well  worth  a  trial  by 
any  who  are  as  yet  unacquainted  with  it.  The 
tubers  are  roundish,  white-skinned,  and  shallow- 
eyed,  and  the  variety  has  disease  -  resisting 
qualities. 

It  is  not  often  that  a  good  coloured  Potato  is 
put  on  the  market,  but  I  think  we  have  one  now 
that  will  take  the  place  of  the  well-known  Beauty 
of  Hebron,  which  has  deteriorated  of  recent  years. 
The  variety  in  question  is  King  Edward  VII.,  a 
pretty  white  kidney  with  flushes  of  pink  round  the 
eyes.  It  is  a  heavy  cropper,  a  disease  resister, 
and,  unlike  the  majority  of  coloured  Potatoes,  it 
possesses  capital  eating  qualities. 

About  three  years  ago  Messrs  Dobbie  and  Co. 
introduced  The  Factor,  which  is  now  getting  widely 
known,  and  is  well  worth  growing.  It  is  a  white, 
oval-shaped  Potato  of  good  form  and  excellent 
quality  ;  it  is  a  strong,  robust  grower,  and  wants 
plenty  of  room,  but  it  is  a  splendid  cropper,  and 
one  of  the  best  of  modern  main  crop  potatoes.  So 
far  as  disease  is  concerned,  I  had  no  trace  of  it 
amongst  tubers  of  this  variety  last  year. 


Chiswick   Favourite,    a    white,    round    Potato, 
introduced  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and  Sons   a   few 
years  ago,    does  not    appear   to  be  grown   to   the 
extent   that  its  merits  deserve,  as   it   is  amongst 
the  best  of  the  main  crop  varieties.     In  the  early 
days  of  its  history  Chiswick  Favourite   received  a 
first-class  certificate  from   the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  events  have  proved  that  the  honour 
was  not  misplaced.     I  can  strongly  recommend  it 
to   anyone  on   the  look  out  for  a  good  main  crop 
Potato.      It    is    very   vigorous,    but    not    unduly 
gross.   Other  modern  Potatoes  well  worth  attention 
are  Royal  Kidney,  a  second  early  variety,  intro- 
duced in  1901  ;    the   Crofter,   which   came  out   in 
1898 ;    and    Cigarette,    a    very    handsome    round 
Potato.     Others  might  be  mentioned,  but  I  have 
said   enough    to    show   that   there   is   no    lack   of 
choice  amongst  comparatively  new  Potatoes  with- 
out   considering     any     high  -  priced     sensational 
novelties.      If    any   excuse   is  wanted    for   urging 
the  culture  of  these  modern  Potatoes  I  offer  it  in 
the  fact  that,  apart  from  being  good  croppers  and  of 
superior  qualities,  they  do  not  suffer  from  disease 
to  anything  like  the  extent  that  varieties  do  which 
have  been  many  years  in  cultivation.     The  secret 
of  this   may   be   that  the   constitutions   of  strong 
modern  Potatoes  are  as  yet  unimpaired,  and  con- 
sequently they  are   able  to   repel   the   attacks   of 
disease.     I  do  not  claim  for  any  Potato,   including 
even  the  famous  Northern  Star,  that  it  is  perfectly 
disease-resisting,  but  while  a  variety  is  new  and 
strong  it  is  not  so  liable  to  attack   as  when  its 
constitution  is  worn  down  by  years  of  cultivation. 

G.  H.  H. 


APPLE  NORTHERN  SPY, 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — In  reply  to  "  W.  S.,"  enquiring  about  this 
variety,  I  can  say  that  it  does  very  well  in  the 
South  as  a  bush.  It  is  an  upright  grower,  and  the 
branches  should  be  regulated  so  as  to  expose  the 
fruits  well  to  light  and  air,  otherwise  the  delicate 
colouring,  which  so  much  enhances  the  value  as 
a  dessert  Apple,  will  be  lost.  It  is  a  moderate 
cropper,  but  of  excellent  quality,  sweet,  crisp,  and 
juicy.  As  it  is  in  season  from  January  to  April, 
it  deserves  to  be  widely  grown.  In  cold  soils  and 
situations  it  will  well  repay  the  protection  of  a 
wall.  Another  point  in  its  favour  is  immunity 
from  American  blight.  W.  Camm. 

The  Gardens,  Ashby  Saint  Ledgers,  Rugby. 


THE  GARDENING  CHARITIES. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Gardeji."] 
Sir, — When  reading  your  able  leading  article  in 
the  issue  of  the  30th  ult.  it  occurred  to  me  that  it 
should  be  the  means  of  securing  many  readers,  and 
especially  gardeners,  to  become  subscribers.  Being 
a  member,  I  am  deeply  interested  in  its  welfare, 
and  every  year,  when  the  election  comes  round,  I 
look  over  the  list  to  see  the  names  of  those  who 
have  become  candidates,  to  find  frequently  the 
names  of  those  I  little  expected  to  see  ;  also  to 
note  the  names  of  many  that  have  applied  three, 
four,  and  sometimes  five  years — and  then  are  not 
successful — added  to  this  ever-increasing  numbers. 
If  this  continues  at  the  same  rate  for  the  next 
twenty  years  it  seems  diflScult  to  realise  what 
portion  will  be  successful  then,  seeing  the  large 
number  that  could  not  be  put  on  in  1904.  Accord- 
ing to  your  statement,  it  shows  how  few  do 
anything  to  assist  it,  compared  to  those  who  could 
did  they  so  wish.  It  should  be  made  plain  that 
those  who  do  not  contribute  to  its  funds  have  only 
a  poor  prospect  should  they  need  it,  seeing  those 
that  have  contributed  a  long  time  have  a  large 
number  of  votes  to  start  with.  I  consider  this  is 
as  it  should  be,  and  should  be  a  great  impetus  to 
young  men  to  join. 

I  am  pleased  to  learn  that  an  extended  effort  is 
about  to  be  made  to  diffuse  knowledge  respecting 
its  working,  and  by  trade  houses  allowing  a  leaflet 
to  appear  in  their  catalogues.  Recently,  when 
lecturing  at  one  of  the  mutual  societies,  I  was 
astonished  to  find  comparatively  no  one  who  knew 
anything  of  its  working  and  benefits.  "  R.  D." 
in  a  recent  issue  stated  he  had  brought  the  charities 


February  13,  1904.J 


THE  GAEDEN. 


121 


before  the  members  of  mutual  societies.  I  did  the 
same  a  few  weeks  ago,  and  at  the  close  I  was  told 
that  a  gentleman  in  the  room  would  have  started  it 
by  giving  10s.  The  committee  promised  to  see  what 
could  be  done  at  the  next  meeting.  I  am  con- 
vinced much  help  may  be  given  to  this  and  the 
Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund  if  the  members  of  the 
mutual  societies  would  start  by  having  a  collection 
day  three  or  four  times  a  year.  Surely  no  member 
would  refuse  to  contribute  something.  It  may  be 
said  many  could  not  afford  to  do  much.  Let  us 
take  a  lesson  from  the  small  sums  giveri  to  other 
charities,  and  note  the  amounts  raised  in  this  way. 
Added  to  this  the  Gardeners'  Benevolent  Institution 
offers  advantages  tosubscribersif  they  raise  £10  lOs. 
in  one  year.  What  greater  thanks  could  a  society 
give  to  a  member  that  had  done  good  service  than  by 
placing  him  amongst  the  life  members?   J.  Crook. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


LOWER 


MESSRS.   HILL    AND    SONS, 

EDMONTON. 

A  T  the  present  time  the  Barrowfield  Nursery 

/\  is  devoted    almost    entirely    to    Fern 

/  %         culture.     Not    only   are    the    market 

/      %        sorts  grown  in  almost  countless  num- 

J^  \_     bers,   but   great  attention    is    paid  to 

the  culture  of  all  the  choicer  sorts,  and 

the  collection  is  one  of  the  most  complete  to  be 


found.  The  nursery  was  first  started  about  sixty 
years  ago  by  the  late  Mr.  .J.  Hill,  who  died  about 
two  years  ago  at  the  age  of  eighty-one.  Mr.  J.  E. 
Hill,  his  son,  who  continues  to  carry  on  the 
nursery,  started  with  his  father  at  an  early  age, 
when  Carnations,  Pinks,  Auriculas,  Violas,  and 
other  plants  were  grown.  About  seventeen  years 
ago  Fern  growing  was  started,  but  the  elder  Mr. 
Hill  did  not  favour  this  innovation.  However,  the 
son  prevailed,  and,  as  at  that  time  the  markets 
were  good,  it  was  soon  found  to  be  a  profitable 
departure,  and  from  a  very  modest  beginning  this 
branch  has  steadily  developed.  New  houses  have 
been  added  from  time  to  time,  until  now  the 
nursery  land  is  nearly  covered  with  glass,  and  Mr. 
Hill  has  been  singularly  successful  in  the  raising 
and  cultivation  of  Ferns.  The  splendid  exhibits 
which  he  has  made  during  the  past  six  years  have 
given  proof  of  the  best  culture.  Mr.  Hill  is  a  firm 
believer  in  keeping  a  low  temperature  during  the 
autumn  and  winter,  finding  that  Ferns  so  treated 
start  with  much  more  vigour  early  in  the  spring, 
when  a  higher  temperature  may  be  given  with 
advantage. 

At  the  time  of  our  visit — January  12 — it  was 
not  the  most  favourable  season  to  see  Ferns,  but 
we  found  much  of  interest.  A  most  interesting 
corner  was  that  devoted  to  a  number  of  Ferns 
recently  imported  from  Brazil ;  these  included  some 
very  distinct  things — a  Pfceris  which  at  first  sight 
appeared  a  little  like  P.  umbrosa,  but  with  more 
fleshy  fronds  ;  they  were  divided  in  three  f rondlets, 
somewhat  after  P.  tripartita.     Another  might  be  a 


GYMNOGRAMMA  SOHIZOPBYLLA   GLORIOSA  IN   BASKET. 


narrow-fronded  form  of  Asplenium  Nidus,  but,  not 
being  fertile,  we  could  not  determine.  Several 
other  pretty  things  were  seen  in  this  batch,  some 
of  which  may  prove  to  be  species  not  hitherto  in 
cultivation.  Platyceriums  are  a  speciality,  and  a 
fine  specimen  of  P.  grande  was  noted.  P.  Hilli,  P. 
Veitchi,  P.  eethiopicum,  and  P.  angolense  were  also 
seen  in  good  condition.  Of  Tree  Ferns,  Dicksonia 
antarctica  is  extensively  grown,  and  was  seen  in 
all  sizes  from  small  seedlings  to  large  specimens, 
with  good  stems,  all  of  which  were  raised  in  the 
nursery.  Of  Alsophila  australis,  in  large  plants, 
and  Brainea  insigne,  which  until  a  few  years  ago 
was  a  very  rare  Fern,  Mr.  Hill  now  has  large 
quantities  in  various  sizes.  Lomaria  attenuata, 
remarkable  for  the  bright  rosy  tint  in  the  young 
fronds,  is  well  grown.  Davallias  are  quite  a 
feature,  and  include  such  choice  sorts  as  I),  acu- 
leata,  D.  epiphylla,  D.  Veitchi,  D.  assamica  (a 
most  distinct  and  beautiful  species  of  recent  intro- 
duction), D.  repens,  and  many  others,  the  pretty 
little  D.  parvula  and  D.  alpina,  and,  lastly,  a  fine 
batch  of  seedling  plants  of  the  beautiful  D.  pallida 
(mooreana).  Aorostichum  crinitum,  Gymnogramma 
schizophylla  gloriosa  and  the  distinct  G.  caudi- 
formis,  and  Nephrolepis  Fosteri  (a  new  American 
Fern,  a  little  variable,  but  in  its  best  form  most 
distinct  and  attractive)  were  others. 

A  few  of  the  best  Gleichenias  are  very  success- 
fully grown.  Fine  specimens  of  G.  dicarpa  longi- 
pinnata,  G.  flabellata,  G.  semivestita,  and  G. 
rupestris  glaucescens  were  seen.  In  addition  to 
the  ordinary  market  sorts  of  Pteris,  many  others 
are  grown,  namely,  P.  tricolor,  P. 
aspericaulis,  P.  nemoralis  variegata, 
P.  Victorife,  and  P.  Reginaj  cristata. 
The  doryopteris  section  included 
Ludens,  Duvali,  sagittata,  and 
pedata.  At  the  time  of  our  visit 
Adiantums  were  not  at  their  best, 
but  it  was  noted  that  the  collection, 
which  includes  upwards  of  100 
species  and  varieties,  represented 
all  the  best  sorts.  Several  Ferns 
which  are  rarel}'  seen  in  large 
quantities  have  been  successfully 
raised  by  Mr.  Hill.  Among  these 
we  noted  large  batches  of  Osmunda 
javanica,  Todea  arborea,  and 
Asplenium  lucidum.  These  are  all 
very  useful  Ferns  in  a  small  state. 

Asplenium     Nidus    is    a    great 
favourite  with  Mr.  Hill,  and  he  was 
one    of  the    first    to    take    it    to 
market     in     quantities,     and     has 
always    kept  up  a  regular  succes- 
sion.    It  is  in  a  small  state  that  it 
sells  best,  but  it  is  also  grown  on 
into  4J-inch  pots  and  onwards,  some 
making  very  fine  specimens.    I  may 
here     refer     to     a    most     distinct 
variety  which  Mr.  Hill  has  selected 
and  named  A.   Nidus   corrugatus  ; 
it   has   fronds   of    remarkable  sub- 
stance,   and     they    are    distinctly 
corrugated.      If    this   can    be   per- 
petuated it  will  supersede  the  older 
form  as  a  market  plant.      Polypo- 
dium  aureum  is  grown  extensively, 
some  large    plants  in    6-inch   pots 
being  extra  good.     Here,  again,  we 
find  a  distinct  variety  having  the 
beautiful  soft   hue   of   P.   glaucum 
and  the  vigour  and  large  fronds  of 
P.  aureum  ;   the  fronds  also  have  a 
good  drooping  habit.     Pteris  major 
is  now  the  most  popular  of  all  this 
family,  and  is  grown  in  very  large 
quantities.      P.    tremula   is  also    a 
favourite.     P.  Wimsetti  is  grown, 
but    may    be    superseded     by    P. 
Wimsetti  multiceps,   a  variety  for 
which  Mr.  Hill  gained  an  award  of 
merit  in  1892,  and  which  has  since 
been  found  to  make  a  good  market 
Fern.      Nephrolepis   cordata   com- 
pacta,  N.  tuherosa,  and  N.  exaltata 
are  extensively  grown  for  market. 
Davallia  decora,  D.  dissecta,  and  D. 


122 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  1904. 


buUata  may  be  included  with  those  grown  for 
market,  for,  though  not  raised  in  such  large  quanti- 
ties, they  sell  well  at  a  good  price. 

Among  other  plants  grown  Aspidistras  occupy 
one  large  house,  many  of  the  plants  being  well 
furnished  with  beautifully  variegated  leaves.  i>  icus 
radieans  variegala  is  grown  in  quantities,  but  this 
has  not  proved  quite  such  a  good  market  plant  as 
was  anticipated.  Ficus  repens  is  always  in  demand ; 
the  shelves  in  several  houses  were  filled  with  well- 
furnished  plants,  and  Mr.  Hill  has  a  good  varie- 
gated variety  of  this,  which  may  prove  more  useful 
than  F.  radieans  variegata.  Mr.  Hill  also  grows 
zonal  Pelargoniums  in  large  quantities  both  in 
41-inch  and  3-inch  pots.  A.  Hemsley. 


THE    KITCHEN 

A 


GARDEN. 


VALUABLE    EAELY    POTATO. 

Sutton's  May  Qdeen. 

WHKN  one  notes  the  increased  interest 
in  Potatoes  generally  it  may  not 
be  out  of  place  to  write  about  the 
good  qualities  of  those  that  have 
proved  valuable,  and  though  May 
Queen  is  a  new  variety,  after 
a  severe  trial  last  season  it  proved  a  decided 
acquisition.  This  variety  was  shown  at  the  last 
Temple  show  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
and  attracted  attention  for  its  perfect  shape  and 
beautiful  flesh  ;  but  the  true  test  of  any  variety  is 
its  flavour  or  good  eating  quality,  though  tubers 
dug  late  in  May  or  early  June  cannot  compare  with 
those  better  matured  ;  May  Queen  was  of  excellent 
quality,  and  far  exceeded  my  expectations  con- 
sidering the  unfavourable  season.  For  forcing 
under  glass  it  is  specially  good,  and  the  tubers 
grown  thus  were  dry  when  cooked,  and  they 
matured  more  quickly  than  the  Ashleaf .  This  is  a 
white  kidney,  and  it  is  more  valuable,  as  it  builds 
up  in  a  short  time  a  fair  crop  of  usable  tubers,  and 
there  is  an  absence  of  small  ones.  This  is  a  great 
gain  in  a  forcing  Potato  or  for  early  borders  in  the 
open.  Planted  in  February  at  the  foot  of  a  south 
wall,  and  the  haulm  covered  with  dry  litter  to 
protect  from  frost,  we  lifted  tubers  at  the  end  of 
May,  and  quite  a  month  earlier  in  cold  frames 
planted  in  .January.  For  pot  culture  it  is  most 
suitable  owing  to  its  dwarf  lop.  This,  of  course, 
is  equally  valuable  for  frames,  and  when  its  good 
properties  are  better  known  it  will  become  a  great 
favourite. . 


growth  the  seed  does  not  remain  stationary,  but 
decays,  and  the  crop  is  lost.     It  is  difficult  to  make 
up  for   lost   time.     The  earliest  sorts  are  mostly 
dwarf,  and  there  is  this  advantage,  that  the  plants 
can  be  grown  closer  together.     Some  require  very 
little  support,  but  I  find  even  the  very  dwarf  Peas 
are  better  if  the  haulm  is   kept  clear  of  the  soil, 
and  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  give  the  plants  support. 
For  first  sowing  no  one  will  regret  giving  Chelsea 
Uem  a  trial.     This  has  now  stood  for  some  years  the 
test,  and  it  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  dwarf  early 
Peas  ;  it  is  so  well  known  that  I  need  not  describe 
it,  but,  being  about  18  inches  high,  it  can  be  grown 
close  together.     The  pods  are  mostly  produced  in 
pairs,    and  are   of  excellent  quality.     There   is  a 
more  recent  introduction  from  the  same  firm  called 
Acme,  and  well  worth  a  trial ;  it  may  be  called  a 
larger  Chelsea  Gem.     One  of  its  parents  was  the 
old  Stratagem.     In  the  West  of  England  probably 
Exonian  is   more  grown  than  any  other  for  first 
crop  ;  it  is  a  first-rate  variety,  3  feet  to  4  feet  high, 
and  very  early.     I   have   for   many   years   grown 
Bountiful  for  early  use ;  it  is  not  a  Marrow,  but 
one  of  the  most  prolific  varieties  I  know,  a  round 
blue   seeded   variety.     Harbinger,   a  newer  intro- 
duction, that  was  one  of  the  best  in  the  trials  at  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  gardens  in  1901,  is  a 
splendid  type.     It  may  be   classed  as  a  superior 
American  Wonder,  pods  longer,  broader,  and  more 
prolific,  very  dwarf  (under  12  inches),  and  a  splen- 
did    amateur's     variety     for     restricted     spaces. 
Sutton's   Duchess  of   York  is   also  a  grand   early 
Pea,  later  than  some,  a  3  feet  variety.    For  quality 
Early  Giant  and   May  Queen  may  be  termed  the 
best.     These  have  a  decided  Marrow  flavour,  and 
are  of  medium  growth,  3  feet  to  4  feet,  and  in  warm 
borders  are  most  valuable.     Another   point   with 
the   strong-growing   Peas    is    that    it   is   an   easy 
matter  to  stop  the  points  of  the  shoots  to  induce 
dwarf ness  and  earliness.     No  note  would  be  com- 
plete  that   omitted   Ideal ;    it  is  not  unlike  May 
Queen  in  quality,  but  very  early,  and   one  of  the 
best  flavoured  Peas  of  the  early  section  ;  it  gained  an 
award  of  merit  in  1901.     It  will  be  seen  there  is  no 
lack  of  variety,  and  others  of  equal  quality  could  be 
named  if  necessary.  G.  Wythes. 

(  To  be    continued. ) 


those  gardens  are  where  these  two  interesting 
plants  are  not  grown.  Thej'  may  be  cultivated  in 
any  out  of  the  way  place  where  scarcely  anything 
else  will  grow.  I  have  a  large  bed  of  Tussilago 
fragrans  growing  near  the  stoke-hole,  and  the 
Chimonanthus  fragrans  covering  the  back  wall  in 
close  proximity  to  it,  and  I  find  them  both  very  valu- 
able at  this  dull  season  of  the  year. — T.  B.  Field. 

[We  remember  our  correspondent  sending  these 
winter  flowers  before,  but  we  cannot  have  too  much 
of  such  fragrant  things  as  the  Winter  Heliotrope 
and  the  Winter  Sweet  (Chimonanthus).  The  waxy 
yellowish  colour  of  the  Chimonanthus,  its  sweet 
scent,  and  freedom  make  this  one  of  the  most 
delightful  shrubs  that  bloom  in  winter.  There  are 
many  outdoor  winter  flowers,  but  we  are  thankful 
for  such  good  things  as  these.] 


G.  Wythes. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


PEA.S    FROM    MAY    TILL    OCTOBER. 

Earliest  Season  and  Variety. 
In  the  open  ground  the  earliest  crops  should  be 
sown  in  February,  as  soon  as  the  soil  is  in  workable 
condition,  and  in  the  south,  if  an  early  variety  is 
sown,  there  will  be  a  late  May  supply.  The  Pea 
is  much  hardier  than  many  think.  I  have  noticed 
the  blossoms  resist  frost  if  dry.  I  admit  there  are 
exceptions.  For  instance,  when  the  plants  are 
raised  in  heat  and  planted  out  the  haulm  at  times 
is  so  weak  that  any  sudden  change  of  weather 
results  in  collapse. 

First  Division. 
In    sowing   the   first  earlies   a    warm  and  well- 
drained   border   should    be  selected    with   a  light 
top  -  soil,     and     in     heavy     clay     land     it    well 
repays   the   grower   to   make   the   soil   lighter  by 
adding  such  materials  as  fine  mortar  rubble,  char- 
coal,   and    burnt   refuse   and   wood   ashes.      With 
regard  to  the  variety  for  this  work,  I  do  not  advise 
the    true    Marrows,   especially   in    heavy   soil    or 
exposed  positions.     There  are  some  splendid  selec- 
tions,  as   of  late   years  there  have  been  immense 
strides  taken  in  the  selection  and  crossing  to  get 
hardiness  with  a  free  crop  and  quality  combined. 
Even  now  one  sees  some  very  old  forms  of  small 
round  white  Peas  recommended  in  catalogues,  but 
I  do  not  think  they  are  worth  sowing.     By  this 
remark  it  must  not  be  thought  because   things  are 
new  I  regard  them  as  necessarily  superior.     Why 
I  object  to  the   true  Marrows  for  first  sowing  is 
that  the  seed  is  more  sensitive  to  cold  and  moisture, 
and  unless  the  soil  is  sufficiently  warm  to  promote 


We  invite  our  readers  to  send  us  anything  of 
special  beauty  and  interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  interesting  plants 
become  more  widely  known.  We  hope,  too,  that 
a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instructive  to 
those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We  welcome 
anything  from  the  garden,  whether  fruit,  tree, 
shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  they  should 
be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London. 

Flowers  from  Kidderminster. 
Several  delightful  spring  flowers  come  to  us  from 
Mr.  Arthur  Goodwin  of  The  Elms,  Kidderminster. 
One  of  the  sweetest  is  Iris  reticulata  var.  Melusine, 
which  was  referred  to  last  week.  The  flower  is  as 
fragrant  as  that  of  I.  reticulata,  soft  blue,  with  a 
broad  line  of  rich  yellow  set  amongst  white  on  the 
broad  fall.  A  little  bunch  of  Cyclamen  Coum 
reminds  us  of  the  cheery  colouring  and  vigour  of 
this  species,  which  is  far  too  little  seen  in  English 
gardens.  Galanthus  byzantinus  and  G.  Elwesii  are 
two  handsome  Snowdrops.  G.  Elwesii  has  larger, 
more  oval  segments,  a  bolder  flower  altogether,  but 
byzantinus  has  a  gracefulness  which  Elwesii  does 
not  possess. 


Some  Winter  Flowers. 
I  am  sending  a  few  sweet-smelling  flowers  for 
your  table.  I  think  I  have  sent  you  some  of  both 
before.  The  Winter  Heliotrope  and  the  Winter 
Sweet  are  now  filling  the  garden  with  their  rich 
fragrance,  and  I  thought  a  few  blooms  would 
please  you.     I  often  think  how  very  much  poorer 


AN      HOUR     WITH      THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 

(Continued  from  page  ^11,  Vol.  LXIV.) 

A  FEW  years  since  gardening  was  confined  to 
the  opulent,  the  man  of  leisure,  or  the  curious. 
Now,  few  men  of  business  are  without  their 
pet  flowers — their  Hollyhocks,  Roses,  and  the 
like.  Even  our  husbandmen,  whose  gardens 
are,  as  they  should  be,  chiefly  devoted  to  the 
useful,  can  yet  find  spare  nooks  in  which  to 
place  the  flowers  they  love.  And  whether  they 
be  the  wild  flowers  of  their  native  valley, 
gathered  in  their  course  to  or  from  the  scenes 
of  their  labour,  or  a  few  exotics,  the  gift  of 
some  kindly  neighbour,  they  become  alike 
tokens  of  industry  and  sweet  memorials  of 
home.  Modern  changes  have  made  gardening 
comparatively  inexpensive,  and  one  of  the 
greatest  recommendations  is  its  freedom  from 
selfishness — its  accessibility  to  all.  Yes,  in- 
deed, the  cultivation  of  flowers  is  one  of  the 
least  selflsh  of  human  pleasures ;  it  has  a 
special  tendency  to  subdue  this  dominant 
principle  of  the  human  breast.  How  few  of 
the  gardens  of  the  wealthy  in  this  land  are 
altogether  closed  to  the  public,  and  the  number 
of  visitors  to  them  testifies  at  once  their  sense 
of  the  boon  conferred  and  their  appreciation 
of  the  beautiful  objects  they  contain.  And 
while  the  tendency  of  these  visits  is  to  improve 
and  refine  the  less  wealthy  who  may  thus  enjoy 
what  their  means  does  not  enable  them  to 
possess,  they  promote  a  kindly  feeling,  and 
help  to  bind  together  the  various  classes  of  the 
community. 

The  flowering  season,  then,  is  at  length 
arrived,  and  with  what  pleasure  do  we  hail  the 
first  flowers  as  they  break  upon  the  sight. 
With  their  expansion  we  feel  rewarded  for  the 
year's  toil.  What  symmetry  of  form  marks 
our  choicest  productions  !  What  variation, 
what  brilliancy,  and  what  delicacy  of  hue 
pervade  the  assembled  mass  !  Well  may  we 
exclaim  as  we  admire^ 

"  Who  can  paint 
Like  Nature  ?    Can  imagination  boa3t 
Amid  its  gay  creation  hues  like  hers? 
Or  can  it  mix  them  with  that  matchless  skill, 
And  lose  them  in  each  other,  as  appears 
In  every  bud  that  blows?" 

The  interest  increases  day  by  day ;  every 
visit,  however  oft-repeated,  discloses  some  new 
candidate  for  admiration  —  "  something  to 
please  and  something  to  instruct" — till  from 
the  solitary  flower  blushing  at  the  base  of  the 
spike  the  flower  stalk  rises  a  column  of  beauty. 
The  spike,  at  the  time  of  the  expansion  of  the 
blossoms,  is  probably  .'j  feet  or  G  feet  high  ; 
and  as  we  count  the  rows  of  embryo  flowers 
which  stud  its  length,  and  know  that  they  will 
still  expand,  we  wonder  where  and  when  our 
joys  will  end.  The  arrival  of  winter  alone  is 
likely  to  stay  their  unfolding,  and  that  is  too  far 
in  the  distance  to  mar  our  present  enjoyment. 


Ebbruaky  13,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


123 


It  should  be  our  aim  to  preserve  the  column 
as  long  as  possible.  If  any  flowers  expand 
irregularly,  of  bad  colour  or  form,  they  should 
be  immediately  cut  out,  when  the  space 
created  by  their  removal  will  be  filled  up 
by  the  fuller  expansion  of  the  surrounding 
flowers. 

There  is  now  an  additional  demand  on  our 
activity  if  the  flowers  are  required  for  exhibi- 
tion. One  of  the  most  urgent  of  the  require- 
ments of  our  favourites  is  a  shade  to  protect 
them  from  sun,  rain,  and  wind.  Where  the 
plants  are  so  disposed  to  admit  of  it  a  canvas 
awning  is  perhaps  the  best  contrivance.  Let 
it  be  so  constructed  that  it  may  be  drawn  up 
and  down  at  pleasure,  and  used  only  as  a 
protection  against  rain  and  strong  sunlight. 
But  there  are  circumstances  under  which 
each  plant  may  require  a  separate  shade, 
and  how  shall  we  accomplish  this  ?  Four 
pieces  of  deal  quartering,  about  an  inch  or 
an  inch  and  a  quarter  square,  may  be  nailed 
together  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  and  of 
a  given  height,  according 
to  the  height  of  the  variety. 
This  placed  over  the  plant, 
the  lower  ends  are  fixed 
firmly  in  the  ground,  and 
the  part  where  the  flowers 
are  is  covered  with  cheap 
calico  dressed  to  stand  the 
weather."  The  bottom  or 
top  of  this  shade  being 
entirely  open,  it  is  particu- 
larly cool,  and,  being  much 
narrower  at  the  top  than  at 
the  bottom,  the  flowers  are 
well  shielded  from  the  sun 
and  rain. 

Now,  for  a  time  at  least, 
we  have  little  to  do  but  to 
enjoy  their  beauty.  If  the 
weather  be  dry,  frequent  and 
copious  waterings  must  be 
made ;  for  the  Hollyhock 
is  a  great  consumer  of  mois- 
ture, and  the  water  should 
be  given  in  such  quantity  that  it  may  sink 
into  the  soil  to  a  considerable  depth. 

W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 
(To  he  continued.) 


SEEDLING  ORCHIDS  AT  MESSRS.  W- 
BULL  AND  SONS. 
Odontoglossum  crispum. 
On  a  recent  visit  to  Messrs.  VV.  Bull  and  Son's 
nurseries  I  found  the  work  of  hybridising  and 
raising  of  seedlings  was  being  most  successfully 
carried  on.  I  was  shown  some  beautifully  spotted 
varieties  flowering  for  the  first  time.  The  markings 
in  these  were  very  regular,  both  on  the  sepals  and 
petals.  In  one  house  were  several  plants  carrying 
good  seed -pods.    These  had  all  been  fertilised  from 


just  making  a  start,  and  others  less  advanced  were 
still  in  the  seed-pots.  There  is  no  doubt  that  in 
the  future  there  will  be  less  chance  of  getting  new 
Orchids  among  those  imported,  but  this  will  be 
fully  made  up  for  by  our  English-raised  varieties, 
and  there  is  a  wide  scope  for  those  who  can  give 
their  attention  to  hybridisiug  and  can  afford  to 
wait  for  the  results.  Judging  from  the  prices  I 
have  seen  paid  at  public  auction  during  the  past 
few  months,  it  would  not  require  many  distinct 
varieties  to  amply  repay  for  growing  agood  number 
of  seedlings.  A.  H. 


ORCHIDS. 


glomebatum, 
(reduced.) 


DENDROBIUM   GLOMERATUM. 


M 


[ESSRS.  HUGH  LOW  &  CO., 
Enfield,  showed  this  compara- 
tively rarely-seen  Dendrobium  at 
a  Drill  Hall  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  last 
autumn.  The  home  of  this 
species  is  the  Malay  Archipelago,  whence  it 
was  introduced  some  ten  years  ago.  It  is 
allied  to  the  interesting  D.  secundum.  The 
plant  is  of  strong  growth,  and  the  flowers  are 
produced  in  bunches  from  the  nodes  of  the 
stems,  which  are  2  feet  or  .3  feet  high  in  well- 
grown  plants.  The  individual  flowers  are 
about  li  inches  across,  sepals  and  petals  rosy 
purple,  and  the  lip  deep  orange,  the  latter  being 
continued  into  a  funnel-shaped  spur.  Alto- 
gether this  is  an  Orchid  that  is  well  deserving 
of  extended  culture.  T. 

*  The  following;  glaze  for  calico  is  recommended  by  The 
■Gardeners'  Chronicle:  "Three  pints  of  old  pale  linseed  oil, 
one  ounce  of  sugar  of  lead,  and  four  ounces  of  white  resin. 
The  sugar  of  lead  must  be  ground  with  a  small  quantity  of 
the  oil,  and  added  to  the  remainder,  incorporated  with  the 
resin  by  means  of  a  gentle  heat.  Lay  it  on  the  calico  with  a 
brush.    One  coat  annually  is  sufficient." 


the  finest  varieties,  and  should  result  in  some  fine 
things  at  flowering  time,  which,  of  course,  will  be 
some  years  hence.  The  seedlings  from  the  previous 
year's  crosses  were  seen  on  the  surface  of  the  com- 
post in  the  pots  of  growing  plants,  this  being  the 
most  successful  way  of  raising  them.  The  seedlings 
were  very  tiny  indeed,  and  required  a  practised  eye 
to  detect  them  among  the  growing  sphagnum  moss. 
More  advanced  seedlings  were  in  small  pots.  It 
may  be  some  years  before  these  seedlings  flower, 
and,  though  it  may  be  an  interesting  study  to 
watch  their  steady  development,  it  must  be-  rather 
tedious  work  until  the  first  begin  to  flower. 

Cypripediums. 
Of  this  genus  the  seedlings  were  more  numerous, 
some  of  the  pots  being  thickly  covered  with  the 
tiny  plants  in  the  first  stage  of  development,  and 
numerous  pots  and  pans  of  plants  in  a  more 
advanced  stage  were  seen.  None  of  these  are 
chance  seedlings,  but  all  are  the  result  of  careful 
cross-fertilisation  of  the  finest  species  and  varieties 
yet  known,  and  when  they  flower  there  should  be 
some  interesting  work  for  the  Orchid  committee. 

L^lio-Cattleyas. 

The  seedlings  of  these  were  also  seen  in  large 

numbers.    Those  one  year  old  had  only  about  three 

tiny  leaves,  and  were  in   very  small  pots.     Pans 

with  about  100  seedlings  pricked  off  in  each  were 


THE    WEEK'S     WORK. 

Brassavola  DIGEYAN'A. 
New  roots  are  now  being  emitted  from  this  plant, 
offering  a  favourable  season  to  refot  or  resurface, 
as  necessity  demands,  in  a  compost  of  fibrous  peat 
two  parts,  chopped  sphagnum  two  parts,  and  good 
leaf-soil  one  part,  mixing  the  whole  well  together, 
and  adding  some  coarse  sand.  These  plants  should 
be  treated  as  regards  back  bulbs,  as  I  advised  in  last 
week's  calendar  for  Ltelia  anoeps. 

In  the  past  we  have  undoubtedly  been  wrong  in 

cultivating  this  species  in  teak  baskets  and  shallow 

pans.     Since  we  placed  our  plants  in  pots  we  have 

seen  a  decided   improvement,  so  I  most  strongly 

recommend   that   pots  should   be 

used,  filling   them   to   quite   half 

their    depth     with    chopped 

rhizomes ;     pot     rather     lightly. 

A     light     position     should      be 

afforded  them  in  the  stove  Orchid 

house,  but  I  do  not    think   they 

require     much     direct     sunshine 

during  the  brightest  part  of  the 

year.     Until  the  season   is   more 

■*>>»^^  advanced   they   will  not    require 

'"■  ""  much  water. 

Zygopetalums. 
The  winter- flowering  ones,  such 
as  the  good  old  species  Mackayii 
— Z.  intermedium  —  should  be 
repotted  as  soon  as  the  flowers 
have  been  removed.  They  prefer 
a  good  retentive  compost,  e.g., 
two-thirds  fibrous  loam  and  one- 
third  leaf  -  soil,  with  a  good 
sprinkling  of  small  broken  crocks 
and  coarse  sand.  A  thorough 
drainage  of  crocks  should  be 
given,  filling  the  pots  to  one- 
third  their  depth,  over  which 
place  some  fibrous  turf  to  prevent 
the  small  particles  of  soil  working  down  among  the 
drainage.  Do  not  repot  unless  the  plant  really 
needs  it,  but  when  repotting  is  done  remove  all 
useless  back  pseudo-bulbs,  two  being  enough 
behind  the  one  last  made.  The  base  of  the  young 
growths  should  be  placed  just  a  shade  lower 
than  the  surface  of  the  compost,  and  keep  that  a 
little  below  the  rim  of  the  pot.  A  light  position 
in  the  coolest  part  of  the  intermediate  house  suits 
them  well.  Water  must  be  applied  with  great 
discretion  at  first.  It  is  most  essential  that  the 
atmosphere  of  the  house  is  kept  sweet  and  buoyant 
by  the  free  admission  of  fresh  air,  otherwise  the 
foliage  will  become  invested  with  black  spots. 

Treatment  of  Imported  Orchids. 
Many  Orchids  are  now  being  imported,  among 
them  being  Cattleya  Mossije,  Oncidiums  in  variety, 
and  Odontoglossums,  and  at  first  they  are  often 
given  too  much  heat  and  light,  which  causes  them 
to  shrivel  and  lose  leaves.  The  first  thing  to  be 
done  is  to  cleanse  them  thoroughly.  I  prefer 
potting  them  at  once,  but  if  time  does  not  permit 
lay  them  on  a  stage  in  a  cool,  moist  house  and 
keep  them  well  shaded.  When  potting  remove  all 
old  pseudo-bulbs,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  thrse 
behind  each  "lead"  or  growth,  and  pot  in  as 
small  a  receptacle  as  possible  in  the  usual  way. 
For  some  time  they  should  be  placed  together  so 
that  they  may  be  shaded  from  strong  light  in  such 
a  house  as  advised  above,  spraying  them  over  on 
all  favourable  occasions.  They  will  require  practi- 
cally no  direct  watering  for  some  time.  When 
root  action  begins  give  them  more  light  and  place 


124 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  13,  1904. 


them  in  the  houses  devoted  to  the  respective  sorts. 
Water  very  carefully  until  the  plants  are  well 
rooted.:  W.  P.  Bodnd. 

Oatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


SOCIETIES. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MAR^KETS. 

COVENT  GAKDEN  MAKKET. 
Cinerarias. — Several  growers  are  now  bringing  in 
very  good  Cinerarias,  and  the  bright  colours  are  a 
welcome  change.  They  are  not  quite  so  popular 
perhaps  as  they  were  a  few  years  ago,  and  it  is 
only  the  bright  colours  that  sell  well ;  these  make 
from  83.  to  10s.  per  dozen. 

Azalea  mollis. — There  are  not  yet  many  in  the 
market,  and  they  make  good  prices.  At  Messrs. 
Wills  and  Segar  we  saw  some  well-flowered  plants 
a  few  days  ago.  There  are  a  good  many  Indian 
Azaleas  coming  into  market  now,  but  some  of  them 
are  not  very  well  flowered  ;  the  best  plants  make 
good  prices.  Whites,  chiefly  Deutsche  Perle,  are 
most  plentiful.  Lily  of  the  Valley  in  pots  is  very 
good  just  now,  and  some  are  sold  at  quite  a 
moderate  price. 

Heaths. — We  shall  soon  have  a  good  supply  of 
Erica  wilmoreana.  We  saw  some  in  one  of  the 
market  nurseries  a  few  days  ago,  but  they  were  not 
flowering  quite  so  well  as  they  do  some  seasons, 
and  we  may  expect  to  hear  the  same  of  other 
growers,  for  the  continued  wet  during  the  autumn 
must  have  affected  these. 

Cyclamen. — A  good  many  growers  are  now  bring- 
ing in  well-flowered  plants,  and  some  have  to  be 
sold  at  much  lower  prices,  but  one  grower  told  me 
he  could  still  command  18s.  per  dozen  for  best 
plants. 

Mignonette  in  pots  is  already  coming  in,  but  it  is 
not  yet  very  good;  we  must  have  more  sun  before 
this  can  be  well  flowered. 

Poinsettias  are  holding  out  much  later  than 
usual.  On  Saturday  there  were  some  to  be  seen 
with  very  good  heads  of  bracts.  Solanums  are 
still  to  be  seen,  but  there  is  little  demand  for  them. 
Palms  and  Ferns  are  plentiful,  and  there  is 
better  demand  for  them.  Now  that  all  the  hardy 
foliage  and  Christmas  green  are  cleared  up  we  may 
expect  better  trade  for  pot  plants. 

Many  growers  have  now  finished  with  Chry- 
santhemums, but  there  are  still  some  good  blooms 
coming  in.  Callas  are  very  plentiful  and  cheap. 
There  are  not  so  many  Liliums  now.  Tulips  and 
Daffodils  are  the  most  plentiful  of  all  cut  blooms. 
Roses  continue  to  be  scarce,  but  we  may  expect  to 
see  a  large  increase  in  the  supply  in  the  course  of 
two  or  three  weeks  time.  Good  English  Carnations 
also  continue  to  be  short.  A  few  bright  days  will 
make  a  great  difference  in  the  supply  of  these. 
Primrose  roots  in  flower  are  already  to  be  seen. 


SCOTTISH  HOETICULTITRAL  ASSOCIATION. 
The  February  meeting  of  the  Scottish  Horticultural 
Association  was  held  in  Dowell's  Rooms.  George  Street, 
Edinburgh,  on  the  2nd  inst.  Mr.  J.  W.  M'Haltie,  president, 
presided  over  a  large  attendance  of  the  members.  A  number 
of  new  members  were  elected.  There  were  several  exhibits 
upon  the  table,  among  them  being  some  lovely  sprays  of 
Clematis  indivisa  from  Mr.  William  Smale,  Blackford  Park, 
Edinburgh  Mr.  T.  A.  Scarlett  exhibited  Potatoes,  selected 
samples  of  Northern  Star.  A  tuber  of  Eldorado,  which 
weiKhed  2i  oz.,  was  said  by  Mr.  Scarlett  to  be  worth  £25. 
The^lecture  for  the  evening  was  on  the  subject  of  "  Planting 
of  Ornamental  Shrubs  and  Trees."  It  was  contributed  by 
Mr.  James  Whytock,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch, 
Daikeith  Palace.  Mr.  Whytock  has  for  many  years  made  a 
special  study  of  this  subject,  and  his  lecture  was  an  excellent 
one,  which  would  require  a  verbatim  report  to  do  it  justice. 
He  touched  upon  the  value  of  the  various  classes  of  orna- 
mental shrubs  and  trees,  recommending  a  proportion  of 
each,  and  laying  special  stress  upon  those  which  were  valued 
for  their  foliage.  The  paper  was  a  valuable  contribution  to 
the  subject.  The  usual  vote  of  thanks  was  heartily  accorded 
to  the  lecturer,  and  the  interesting  discussion  only  served  to 
support  Mr.  Whytock's  views. 

DUNDEE  HORTICULTURAL  ASSOCIATION. 
There  was  a  good  attendance  at  the  monthly  meeting  of  the 
Dundee  Horticultural  Association  in  the  Technical  Institute 
on  the  2nd  inst.  Mr.  James  Reid  presided.  The  paper  for 
the  evening  was  by  Mr.  Charles  Blair,  Preston  House 
Gardens,  Linlithgow,  the  subject  being  "  Early  Vegetables 
and  How  to  Have  Them."  Mr.  Blair  has  lectured  on  a 
somewhat  similar  subject  before  the  Scottish  Horticultural 
Association,  and  his  Dundee  paper  will  add  to  his  reputation 
as  a  lecturer  on  the  cultivation  of  vegetables.  In  the  paper 
Mr.  Blair  confined  himself  almost  entirely  to  the  cultivation 
of  early  vegetables  under  the  more  natural  conditions,  and 
he  pointed  out  various  methods  by  which  a  supply  of  home- 
grown produce  could  be  secured  at  a  time  when  there  were 
generally  only  imported  vegetables  at  command.  That  the 
paper  was  a  most  practical  one  was  the  prevailing  feeling  of 
those  who  took  part  in  the  interesting  discussion  which 
followed,  but  there  was  some  difference  as  to  questions  of 
detail  expressed  by  some  of  the  speakers.  Mr.  Blair  was 
very  heartily  thanked  for  his  valuable  paper,  and  the 
chairman's  services  received  a  similar  mark  of  appreciation. 


ABOYNE,  N.B.,  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
A  MEETING  of  the  above  society  was  held  a  few  days  ago  in 
the  Public  Hall,  Mr.  A.  Grant  presiding.  Mr.  Cowie  was 
appointed  secretary  in  room  of  Mr.  Black.  Mr.  Robert 
M'Hardy  and  Mr.  Robert  Wilson  were  added  to  the  profes- 
sional committee  in  place  of  Mr.  Ingram  and  Mr.  Ironside, 
and  Mr.  D.  Stewart  and  Mr  A.  Hogg  to  the  amateurs'  com- 
mittee.   The  prize  schedules  were  also  revised. 


BOOKS. 

The  Book  of  Town  and  'Window 

Gardening.* — Many  a  town-dweller  and  owner 
of  a  suburban  garden  will  find  helpful  suggestions 
in  Mrs.  Bardswell's  book.  The  most  interesting 
portion  is  perhaps  that  which  concerns  the  beau- 
tifying of  some  of  the  ugliest  spots  in  crowded 
London,  the  efforts  of  working  folk  and  even  of 
the  very  poor  to  have  the  joy  of  a  few  flowers  or 
some  growing  green  thing  to  brighten  the  little 
dismal  space  of  yard  or  roof  or  window-box. 

There  are  flowers,  and,  above  all.  Ferns,  that 
defy  the  smoke  and  gloom  of  London,  and  the  truth 
of  the  old  saying  "  Where  there's  a  will  there's  a 
way "  is  shown  in  the  success  that  rewards  the 
ingenuity  and  perseverance  of  many  a  working  man 
who  will  have  some  flowers  about  him. 

A  happy  example  of  what  may  be  done  on  a 
roof  is  shown  opposite  page  30 — "  A  Roof  Garden." 
Nothing  is  much  uglier  than  corrugated  iron.  Here 
this  unsightly  material  is  covered  with  a  mass  of 
flowering  plants. 


*  "The  Book  of  Town  and  Window  Gardening,"  by  F.  A. 
Bardewell.    John  Lane,  London,  1903. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 
Scientific  Committee. 
PRESENT :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  F.R.S.  (in  the  chair),  Messrs. 
Gordon,  Odell,  Shea,  Worsdell,  Saunders,  Michael,  Bowles, 
Massee,  Holmes,  and  Fraser,  Dr.   M.   C.   Cooke,   Revs.   W. 
Wilks  and  G.  Henslow,  hun.  secretary. 

Codlin  moth  in  il/ai/.— Mr.  Saunders  made  the  following 
contribution  to  this  subject  discussed  at  the  last  meeting  ; 
"I  cannot  find  that  more  than  one  brood  has  ever  been 
noticed  in  England  of  the  codlin  moth,  though  two  broods 
are  common  on  the  Continent  and  in  America,  and  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic  three  broods  have  been  known. 
In  this  country  the  moth  leaves  the  chrysalis  in  May,  and 
lays  her  eggs  very  soon  afterwards.  The  caterpillars  are 
hatched  in  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten  days,  and  remain  in 
the  Apple  three  weeks  or  a  month.  Being  full  fed,  they 
leave  the  fruit  to  fall  to  the  ground,  and  make  their  way  to 
the  nearest  tree  stem  and  crawl  up  it  until  they  find  a  suit- 
able place  to  pupate  in.  If  they  cannot  find  a  tree  a  post  or 
paling  or  even  dead  leaves  will  provide  them  with  a 
shelter.  The  object  in  putting  bands  round  the  trees  is  to 
provide  the  caterpillars  with  hiding  places,  where  they  may 
be  found  and  destroyed.  They  are  not  sticky,  but  made  of 
folded  canvas  or  sacking,  or  even  hay  or  straw  bands,  and 
should  be  put  on  as  soon  as  any  '  wind-falls  '  are  found." 

Magguts  in  Moss  Utter.— 'Slra.  Horseley  sent  samples  with 
enquiries.  Mr.  Saunders  reports  as  follows:  "The  grubs 
found  in  the  Moss  litter  manure  were  those  of  a  fly 
belonging  to  the  genus  Bibio,  but  I  cannot  tell  the  name  of 
the  species,  several  of  which  are  very  common.  Perhaps  the 
one  best  known  is  the  St.  Mark's  fly  (Biliio  Marci),  so  called 
from  its  generally  appearing  about  St.  Mark's  Day  (April  25). 
These  flies  are  quite  black,  and  are  rather  more  than  half  an 
inch  in  length.  Their  bodies  are  rather  thin,  and  the  wings 
are  not  very  transparent,  and  measuring  about  IJ  inches 
from  tip  to  tip.  They  tly  in  a  very  clumsy  manner,  and  may 
be  found  crawling  over  plants,  &c.,  in  great  numbers  for  a 
day  or  two,  and  then  they  disappear  altogether.  The  flies 
may  be  easily  caught  in  a  butterfly  net.  If  poultry  are  kept 
I  should  spread  the  manure  about  and  let  them  pick  and 
scratch  it  over,  for  they  will  soon  pick  out  the  grubs. 
Mixing  nitrate  of  soda  with  the  maimre  might  be  tried,  but 
I  am  not  sure  whether  it  would  have  much  effect  on  the 
grubs,  as  I  have  not  heard  of  any  experiments  having  been 
made  on  them.  They  are  undoubtedly  injurious  to  the  roots 
of  plants  at  times." 

Coloured  photographs  of  Orchid.— Wv.  Odell  exhibited  a 
coloured  photograph  of  Cypripedium  insigne  Sandern;, 
executed  by  a  new  method.  The  yellow  colour  was  very 
characteristic.  It  was  received  from  Mr.  A.  S.  Hickley, 
Kelso  House,  near  Southampton. 

J:ria  divii.ied.—l.lr.  Shea  showed  leaves  of  I.  crateroides 
aa  being  the  only  species  with  the  foliage  discoloured.    There 


was  no  fungus  present,  the  appearance  being  thought  to  be 
due  to  hereditary  predisposition. 

Eumhjptu-s  with   nodules.— Hi.  Saunders   showed   small 
plants  with  nodules  on   the  stem    close    to    the    ground. 
Nothing  could  be  found  inside.    Mr.  Massee  observed  that 
ants  can  cause  similar  ones  on  Roses,  the  formic  acid  acting 
as  an  irritant,  and  knots  can  be  produced  artificially. 
Drill  Hall  Mbetino. 
Orchid  Committee. 
Present :  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  James 
O'Brien,  de   B.   Crawshay,  James  Douglas,   E.   Hill,  J.   G. 
Fowler,  Jeremiah  Colman,  F.  W.  Ashton,  H.  T.  Pitt,  W,  A. 
Bilney,  F.  A.  Rehder,  R.  A.  G.  Thwaites,  H    J.  Chapman, 
A.  A.  McBean,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  W.  Bolton,  J.  Charlesworth, 
H.  Ballantine,  M.  Gleeson,  W.  Boxall,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  A. 
Tracy,  W.  H.  White,  F.    Sander,  H.   Little,  R.   Brooman 
White,  and  Walter  Cobb. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  had  a  magnificent 
display  of  Orchids,  filling  one  side  of  a  table.  Dendro- 
biums  and  Phaius,  together  with  Palms,  made  a  delightful 
background,  while  Cypripediums,  Cymbidiums,  Phalronopsis, 
Odontoglossums,  Cattleyas,  Lielio-Cattleya,  <tc.  made  an 
admirable  display  in  front.  The  gold  medal  was  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Sander  for  this  group,  a  remarkably  fine  one.  Among 
the  Cattleyas  and  Lielio-Cattleyas  were  C.  Triana;  Purple 
King,  C.  Triam-edelicata,  L.-C.  warnhamensis,  L.-C.  lucasiana 
var.  hindeana,  L.-C.  bletchleyensis,  and  L.-C.  b.  Illuminator. 
Cypripediums  were  numerous,  and  included  C.  Monarch, 
C.  lamontianum,  C.  J.  Bertels,  C.  aureum  var.  Excelsior, 
C.  Transvaal,  C.  Cyrus,  C.  Annie  Measures,  C.  Sallieri 
aureum,  and  C.  Brilliant  (buchanianum  x  Calypso).  The 
Dendrobiums  were  finely  flowered,  and  there  were  some 
good  Odontoglossums,  such  as  O.  nevadense,  0.  wilckeanum, 
O.  w.  chrysotoxum,  and  0.  crispum  varieties.  Among  other 
Orchids  in  this  group  were  Maxillaria  luteo-alba,  Cymbidium 
lowianum  concolor,  Miltonia  bleuana  splendens,  Phala;- 
Dopsis  schilleriana,  and  others.    Gold  medal. 

N.  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Wylam  on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr.  H.  J. 
Chapman),  exhibited  some  very  pretty  Odontoglossums, 
many  beautifully  marked  forms  were  included,  and  the 
plants  were  well  flowered.  Among  them  were  0.  crispum 
Brilliant,  O.  Adriauie  Oakwood  var.,  0.  Pescatorei  albescens, 
0.  crispum  xanthodes.  Cattleya  chocoensis  alba  and  other 
choice  Orchids  were  shown.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  exhibited 
a  group  of  Orchids,  in  which  Lselio-Cattleya  Charlesworthii 
was,  as  usual,  conspicuously  bright.  It  is  a  most  valuable 
midwinter  Orchid.  Cattleya  Enid  (C.  Mossite  x  C.  gigas),  a 
large  flower  with  rosy  purple  sepals  and  petals,  and 
rich  purple  lip  ;  L.-C.  Lilian,  L.-C.  Sallieri,  C.  gaskelliana, 
L.-C.  gottoiana  (L.  tenebrosa  X  C.  Warneri)  and  Cattleya 
Enid  (C.  Mossite  x  C.  gigas)  made  a  handsome  display,  and 
other  good  things  were  Coelogyne  sparsa,  Dendrochilum 
glumaceum,  Brasso-Lielia  Mrs.  M.  Gratrix,  Odontoglossum 
Adrianse  Duchess  of  Cornwall,  Cypripedium  Lilian  Green- 
wood, C.  cardosoianum  (C.  barbatum  Warneri  X  C.  leeanum 
albertianum),  C.  Hitchinsiie,  and  C.  villosum  auriferum. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Holloway,  N.,  had  a  very 
bright  group  of  Orchids,  including  some  good  Cypripediums, 
for  instance,  C.  leeanum  superbum  (well  bloomed),  C. 
politum,  C.  pitcherianum  Williams  var.,  C.  harrisianum 
superbum,  C.  measuresianum,  C.  williamsianum,  and  others. 
Lycaste  lasioglossa  and  L.  Skinneri  were  well  shown  also. 
Silver  Banksian  medal. 

In  the  group  shown  by  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush 
Hill  Park,  Enfield,  N.,  were  some  very  good  Phalsenopsis 
schilleriana,  P.  stuartiana,  and  P.  amabilis,  a  splendid  plant 
of  Cattleya, Trianx'  (carrying  sixteen  flowers  of  fine  formX 
Dendrobium  crassinode  (full  of  flower),  Barkeria  elegans,  a 
fine  form  of  Cattleya  Triana-,  and  C.  T.  alba.  Other  good 
Orchids  were  Cypripedium  Thompsoni  and  C.  Thompson! 
inversum,  Cymbidium  afllne,  and  Goodyera  discolor.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  showed 
a  small  group  of  hybrid  Orchids,  viz.,  Cypripedium  aureum 
virginale,  C.  Gertrude  superbum,  C.  Euryades  excellens,  and 
Zygopetalum  leucochiluni. 

Mr.  H.  Tracy,  Twickenham,  showed  Cypripedium  Ethel  X 
insigne  punctatum  Charlesworthii. 

Flowers  of  Lycaste  costata  were  shown  by  Mr.  Henry 
Little,  Twickenham. 

M.  Charles  E.  Vuylsteke,  Loochristi,  near  Ghent,  Belgium, 
exhibited  Odontoglossum  wilckeanum  varieties  and  a  very 
handsome  hybrid  Cattleya. 

Cut  racemes  of  Dendrobium  speciosum  were  shown  by  S. 
Taylor,  Esq.,  Marjory  Hall,  Reigate. 

G.  F.  Moore,  Esq.,  Chardwar,  Gloucestershire  (gardener, 
Mr.  Page),  showed  a  group  of  Cypripediums  in  some  lovely 
forms.  There  were  C.  aureum  virginale,  C.  Miss  Amy  Moore, 
C.  nitens  X  Boxalli,  C.  Hera  Euryades,  C.  Euryades  Chardwar 
var.  ,C.  Sallieri  aureum,  C.  Sunrise,  C.  mooreanum,  and  others. 
Several  obtained  awards  of  merit,  and  are  described  else- 
where.   Silver  Banksian  medal. 

H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  showed  Cypripedium 
pellianum,  a  handsome  flower  with  greenish  sepals,  and  petals 
heavily  spotted  with  lilack. 

Jlessrs.  J.  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham ,  were  given  a  sliver 
Banksian  medal  for  a  group  of  Orchids  in  variety.  Included 
were  Cattleya  Trianic,  Lmlio-Cattleya  Hippolyta,  Cypri- 
pedium lathamianum,  C.  villosum  giganteiim,  C.  vexillarium, 
Dendrobium  Cybele,  D.  Dominii,  D.  schneiderianum,  and 
others.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Baron  Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham  (gardener,  Mr.  Ballan- 
tine), sent  flowers  of  Odontoglossum  elegans.  East  Wood 
Park  variety. 

New  Orchids. 
Ciipripedium  Adippc.—A  large  handsome  flower,  with  the 
upper  part  of  the  dorsal  sepal  bending  over,  and  keel-shaped; 
it  is  a  rich  crimson  except  for  a  green  base,  and  has  a  whit© 
margin.  Petals  and  lip  are  greenish  brown.  The  parentage 
of  this  Cypripedium  is  unrecorded.  From  Captain  Uolford, 
CLE.,  Westonbirt,  Tetbury  (Orchid  grower,  Mr.  Alexander), 
and  Messrs.  Charlesworth.    Award  of  merit. 


Fkbkuary  J  3,  ]yo4. 


THE    GARDEN. 


125 


CypHpedimn  axircuu}  vUr/inale — A  very  allractive  tluwer. 
The  dorsal  sepal,  recurving  towards  the  base,  is  while, 
except  for  the  li^ht  green  base  and  a  tinge  of  rosy  crimson 
ill  the  centre.  The  broad  petals  are  light  green  marked  with 
brown,  and  the  Up  is  rather  daiker.  From  G.  F.  Moore, 
Esq.,  Chardwar,  Gloucester  (gardener,  Mr.  Page).  Award  ol' 
merit. 

Cijpripcdunn  W.  II.  Page.~A  charminj;  little  flower,  the 
result  uf  a  cross  between  C.  niveum  and  C.  Boxalli  atratum. 
Dorsal  sepal  and  petals  are  heavily  spotted  wirh  crimson 
upon  a  waxy  white  ground,  and  the  long  narrow  lip  is  white 
suflFused  with  palest  £;reen  and  with  a  few  faint  ciinison  dots. 
From  G.  F.  Muore,  Esq.    Award  of  merit. 

Cypripcdiinti  T/ioinp.soni.— This  is  a  bold  flower,  of  hand- 
some colouring,  whose  parents  are  C.  villosum  aureum  and 
Calypso.  The  shining  lip  and  petals  are  green  and  brown, 
and  well  formed,  while  the  dursal  sepal,  recurving  towards 
the  base,  is  white  suffused  with  crimson,  and  green  at  the 
base.    From  G.  F.  Moore,  Esq.    Award  of  merit. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  H.  B. 
May,  G.  Nicholson,  W.  G.  Baker,  R.  Dean,  J.  Green,  E. 
Molyneux.  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  G.  Reuthe,  J.  Jennings,  C.  R, 
Fielder,  Charles  Dixon,  W.  Bain,  C.  J.  Salter,  Chailes 
Jefferies,  H.  J.  Catbush,  J.  A.  Nix,  R.  \V.  Wallace,  R.  C. 
JSotcutt,  Charles  E.  Shea,  W.  P.  Thomson,  R.  Wilson  Ker, 
W.  J.  James,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  C.  T.  Druery,  and  Charles  Blick. 

Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son,  Edmonton,  set  up  a  capital 
exhibit  of  Ferns,  many  of  which  were  of  good  size. 
Gleichenia  rupestris,  Davallia  tenuifolia  Veitchii,  Osmunda 
palustris,  Polypodium  glaucum,  Gleichenia  dicarpa  lonyi- 
pinnata,  Wood  ward iaradicanscristata,Braineainsignis,Gym- 
nogramme  schizophylla  gloriosa,  and  Gleichenia  Habellata 
were  among  the  best  in  this  excellent  group.  A  basket  of 
Saxifraga  sarmentosa  tricolor  was  also  shown.  The  varie- 
gated and  green  forms  of  Ficus  repens  gave  a  good  margin 
to  the  whole.    Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Cuibush  and  Son,  Highgate,  contributed 
a  very  interesting  lot  of  hardy  things.  Irises  uf  the  early 
bulbous  section,  Sternbergia  fiscberiana,  Saxifraga  burse- 
riana,  Megasea  Stracheyi,  Daphne  blagayana  (fragrant  white 
flowers  in  trusses),  Lenten  Roses,  Saxifraga  Giiesbackii,  Iris 
reticulata,  and  double  Primroses  were  among  the  most 
interesting.  Prunus  triluba  pi.,  Lilacs,  and  other  forced 
plants  were  also  shown.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  N.,  set  up  a 
fine  lot  of  Cyclamens  in  many  colours— pink,  white,  and 
reds,  with  salmony  shades  predominating.  The  white  kinds 
were  especially  good,  the  flowers  laige  and  well  formed 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  hardy  plant  grower,  Keston,  Eent,  had  a 
small  group,  in  which  Irises,  early  Crocus  Snowdrops, 
Shortia,  Cyclamen  Couni  album,  Culchicum  libanoticum,  Iris 
histrioides  major  (very  fine),  and  Crocus  suaveolens  (quite  a 
charming  pot)  were  especially  observed. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  again  sent  Coleus 
thyrsoideus  in  the  cut  state,  showing  the  fine  blue  of  its 
flowers. 

Mr.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  again  sent  Chrysanthemum  Winter 
Queen,  the  while  Japanese,  which  we  commented  upon  at 
the  last  meeting. 

Hardy  alpines  and  allied  things  were  in  strong  force  from 
Messrs.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham,  and  here  we  noted  Blue 
Primroses,  Primula  megaseasfolia.  Cyclamen  Atkinsi,  Liiho- 
spermura  rosmarinifolium,  a  lovely  blue ;  Saxifraga  bur- 
seriana.  Anemone  blanda  in  variety,  Adonis  amurensis, 
buttercup-like  yellow  ;  many  Crocus  species,  and  other 
interestiug  plants.  Scoliopus  Bigelovii,  Chamtelirium  caio- 
linianum,  Shortia  uniflora,  and  Tanakea  radicans  were  amung 
the  rarest  plants  here  set  up. 

Messrs.  Mount,  Canteihury,  showed  forced  Roses  such  as 
Liberty,  Mrs.  Sharman  Crawford,  Niphetos,  Mrs.  Grant, 
Caroline  Testout,  Mme.  Gabriel  Luizet,  &c.,  all  in  perfect 
condition.  The  Iragrance  of  the  floweis  was  most  welcome 
at  this  early  season,  and  attracted  many  admiiers.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester,  showed  Primula 
megasesef  jlia,  of  which  there  were  some  good  forms.  Colchi- 
cummontanum,  pale  lilac,  with  dark  anthers;  IrisDanfordia}, 
Tellima  granditlora,  Adonis  amurensis.  Snowdrops,  and 
several  forms  of  Iris  stylosa. 

Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  Reading,  set  up  a  large  group  of 
Primula  The  Duchess  and  Double  Duchess.  It  is  the  former 
kind  that  a  yearor  more  ago  was  granted  theaward  of  merit, 
and  the  more  we  see  of  it  ihe  moie  we  are  convinced  of  its 
good  qualities.  The  combination  of  white,  carmine  centre, 
and  yellow  eye  is  very  striking.  Double  Duchess  is  of  the 
same  character,  hnr,  with  double  flowers.  Brilliant  King  is 
the  most  wonderful  colour  in  Primulas  we  have  yet  seen. 
It  is  a  ruby-crimson  with  blackish  centre  and  yellowish  eye, 
a  most  striking  variety.  Giant  White,  Fern-leaved  White, 
Terra-Cotta,  and  Giant  Pink  are  all  of  exceptional  nierir. 

Sutton's  Blue  Star  Primula  is  perhaps  the  most  decided 
break  in  the  P.  stellata  group.  Very  distinct  in  colour,  and 
good  in  form  it  is  likely  to  be  in  demand.  Silver-gilt  Flora 
medal. 

Hardy  flowers  from  Mefsrs.  Jackman,  W^oking,  included 
Clematis  cirrhosa  and  many  Irises,  such  as  I.  Heldreichi, 
Tauri,  reticulata,  Kr;::'lagei,  and  Danfordi:e,  with  Snowdrop.s 
and  a  beautiful  solt  pink  single  Primrose  that  is  very 
charming. 

From  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  came  a 
group  of  greenhouse  plants,  such  as  Coleus  thyrsoideus, 
Eupatorium  vernalt;  (white),  Jacobinia  coccinea,  and  Cheir- 
anthus  kewensis,  supported  by  tall  Palms,  &c.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

A  long  table  filled  with  Primula  sinensis  in  variety  came 
as  a  contribution  from  Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley. 
Fairest  of  the  Fair  (white),  Firefly,  JVliss  Doris  (white),  and 
Kentish  Queen  (white)  were  among  the  important  kinds 
shown.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  John  Russell,  Richmond,  had  a  fine  display  of  Azalea 
Anthony  Koster  (golden),  with  forced  Lilacs,  Azalea  indica, 
Hamamelis  arborea,  Daphne  indica,  and  such  like  things. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 


Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Ditton,  put  up  an  excellent  exhibit, 
in  which  Snowdrops,  Irises,  Narcissus  minimus.  Iris  reticu- 
lata (very  fine),  Primula  obconica,  Saxifraga  burseriana, 
Helleborus  lutescens,  Fritillaria  oranensis,  Muscari  azureum 
robustum.  Crocus  susianus.  Narcissus  cyclamineus,  Iris  sty- 
losa, Ltc,  were  included.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Hardy  rock  and  alpine  plants  came  from  the  Misses 
Hopkins,  Mere,  Cheshire,  comprising  Saxifrages,  Primroses, 
Hepaticas,  Blue  Prinuoses,  g(tld-laced  Polyanthuses,  Ac, 

A  small  exhibit  of  riick  plants  came  also  from  Messrs. 
Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  Hellel)Oies,  Aconites,  Primroses, 
and  rock  shrubs  contributing  to  the  display. 

Mr.  W.  Palmer,  Andover  Nurseries,  Andover,  set  up  a 
capital  group  of  Primula  sinensis  of  a  semi-double  character. 
The  plants  were  well  grown  and  freely  flowered.  Bronze 
Flora  medal. 

An  exhibit  of  Primula  sinensis  in  some  chaimins:  varieties, 
though  none  received  distinction,  came  from  Mr,  C.  Bur- 
ben  y.  Castle  Gardens,  Arundel. 

Mr.  H.  T.  Dixon.  Woodside  Nurseiy,  Polegate,  showed 
some  admirable  plants  of  Cyclamen  pevsicum  of  a  pure 
white  and  finely  grown. 

Awards. 

Eupatorium  vernale.—A  pure  white-flowering  species  of 
merir.  The  leaves  are  roughish  and  ovate  acuminate. 
From  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea. 
Award  of  merit. 

TuUpa  kaiifiiianniana  aurca. — A  variety  in  which  the 
goldeLi  character  is  strongly  pronounced.  It  is  a  fine 
addition  to  early  Tulips.  From  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son, 
Highgate.    Award  of  merit. 

Begonia  Mrs.  II.  J.  Dixon  is  a  pink  -  flowered  sort, 
appaiently  with  much  of  the  semperflorena  gigantea  in 
it.  It  is  a  freely-Howered  plant  and  a  good  winter 
flower.  It  is  said  to  be  raised  from  Schmiate  alba  and 
Goliath,  the  former  being  the  seed  parent.  From  Mr.  H.  J. 
Dixon,  Woodside  Nursery,  Polegate.    Award  of  merit. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present  :  George  Bunyard,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  W- 
Balderson,  Jos.  Cheal,  W.  Bates,  Geoige  W^oodward,  S.  Mor- 
timer, Alex.  Dean,  W.  Pope,  Horace  J.  Wright,  W.  Fyte, 
James  Gibson,  Edwin  Beckett,  Henry  Parr,  G.  Reynolds, 
F.  Q.  Lane,  John  Lyne,  J.  Jaques,  Owen  Thomas,  James  H. 
Veilch,  George  Wythes,  A.  Herrington,  and  A.  H.  Pearson. 

The  only  exhibit  before  this  committee  was  a  dish  of  Pear 
Passe  Crassane,  from  Air.  George  VVoodward,  Baiham  Couit 
Gardens,  Maidstone.  They  were  delicious.  Cultural  com- 
mendation. 

Annual  General  Meeting. 

The  annual  general  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  on 
Tuesday  last  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Westminster.  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  was  in  the  chair,  and  was  supported  by 
memliers  of  the  council.  There  was  a  large  attendance, 
over  300  chairs  being  filled,  and  a  number  of  persons  were 
standing. 

The  secretary  read  the  notice  convening  the  meeting,  the 
minutes  of  the  last  general  meeting,  a  list  of  seventy-five 
Indies  and  gentlemen  proposed  (and  subsequently  elected)  as 
Fellows,  and  the  following  : 

"  Accoiding  to  the  piovisions  of  the  New  Charter  the 
following  gentlemen  reiiie  from  the  council,  but  are  eligible 
for  re-election,  viz.:  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  V.M.H., 
Mr.  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  and  Mr.  James  Hudson,  V.M.H.  The 
following  gentlemen  have  tteen  duly  nominated  to  fill  the 
vacancies,  viz.  :  Sir  Trevor  Lawience,  Bart.,  Mr.  J.  Gurney 
Fowler,  and  Mr.  James  Hudson,  V.M.H.  Thefollowing  have 
been  nominated  for  election  as  vice-presidents,  viz.  :  The 
Right  Hon.  Joseph  Chamberlain,  M.P.,  the  Right  Hon.  the 
Earl  of  Ducie,  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Rothschild,  Sir  Frederick 
Wigan,  Bart.,  and  Sir  John  D.  T.  Llewelyn,  Bart.  The 
following  have  been  nominated  for  election  as  officers,  viz.  ; 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  V.SLH.  (president),  J.  Gurney 
Fowler,  Esq.  (treasurer),  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A.  (secretary), 
and  Alfred  C.  Harper,  Esq.  (auditor)." 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report, 
said  there  was  little  new  for  him  to  add.  This  year  would 
mark  a  great  epoch  in  the  society's  history.  It  was  estab- 
lished in  1804  at  Hatchard's  in  Piccadilly,  in  a  room  at  the 
back  of  the  bookseller's  premises  that  still  exist.  All  who 
were  interested  in  horticulture  must  view  the  position  of  the 
society  with  great  satisfaction.  At  no  period  has  it  had  so 
lai-ge  a  surplus  income  as  last  year,  when  it  was  £3,641.  As 
an  indication  of  the  great  changes  which  have  taken  place. 
Sir  Trevor  mentioned  that  in  January  of  this  year  the  total 
amount  received  in  subscriptions  was  £5,757,  more  than 
the  total  amount  received  duiing  the  whole  of  1900,  only  four 
years  ago.  This  shows  the  rapid  growth  of  the  society,  and 
indicates  the  interest  that  is  now  taken  in  gardening  by  a 
large  number  of  people.  The  success  of  the  society  Sir 
Trevor  thought  to  be  due  to  the  fact  that  it  has  persistently 
stuck  to  the  prosecution  of  hoiticulture.and  he  thought  that 
so  long  as  this  policy  was  continued  the  society  would  thrive. 
With  reference  to  the  matter  of  raising  the  annual  subsciip- 
tion,  Sir  Trevor  said  the  council  had  fully  considered  the 
matter,  but  they  would  leave  it  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the 
Fellows.  Doubtless  they  would  be  told  by  many  that,  it  was 
wiser  to  leave  well  alone,  but  Sir  Trevor  pointed  out  that 
the  society's  position  is  very  different  now  to  wfiat  it  was 
some  years  ago,  when  the  subscription  was  made  £1  Is. 
There  was  no  Temple  show,  no  Holland  House  show,  practi- 
cally no  journal,  and  no  advice  given  to  Fellows.  Some  had 
objected  to  the  pecuniary  value  of  the  £1  Is.  subscriptions 
as  published  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  journal. 
It  ought  not  to  have  been  put  quite  like  that ;  it  should 
have  read  that  every  Fellow  for  his  £1  Is.  subscription  can 
get  returns  to  the  amount  given.  "Some  seemed  to  think," 
said  Sir  Trevor,  "that  theie  should  be  an  entrance  fee  of 
one  guinea,  instead  of  raising  the  subscription,"  and  this 
remark  was  greeted  with  applause. 

Mr.  Alexander  Dean  seconded  the  adoption  of  the  report. 
He  thought  the  council  had  done  him  the  lionor  of  asking 
him  to  second  this  resolution  in  order  to  show  their  appre- 
ciation of  their  committees  ;  he  was  one  of  the  oldest  mem- 


bers of  the  oldest  committee.  They  must  not  forget  that 
the  new  hall  and  garden  would  carry  with  them  great  respon- 
sibilities. Mr.  Dean  said  there  was  a  possible  danger  of  the 
society  being  flooded  with  people  who  were  not  really  interested' 
in  gardetnng  ;  he  thought  they  should  endeavour  to  get  new 
Fellows  who  are  true  horticulturists.  Mr.  Dean  suggested' 
that  members  of  the  trade  should  he  exempt  from  any- 
additional  subscription,  as  well  as  hond  fide  gardeners.  He 
was  soiry  to  see  no  mention  of  any  exhibition  of  vegetables 
in  the  arrangements  for  1904,  but  trusted  the  council  would 
see  to  it  that,  they  were  not  neglected. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Elwes  suggested  that  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  should  do  as  some  other  societies  do, e. if. ,  the  Zoological 
Society,  and  make  the  Fellows  pay  extra  ior  the  Journal. 
As  it  has  increased  in  value  so  the  expense  of  production  has 
increased  also.  Mr.  Elwes  also  asked  if  the  council  had  con- 
sideied  the  propriety  of  taking  part  of  the  balance  of  £17,500, 
accumulated  funds  to  wipe  ott"  the  deficit  of  some  £16,000 
btiil  needed  to  complete  the  new  hall.  The  subscriptions 
for  this  seemed  to  have  beeti  hanging  fire  somewhat  last  year. 
Mr.  Elwes  said  that  some  considered  the  Wisley  garden  to  be 
a  white  elephant,  but  he  was  not  of  that  mind  ;  there  was, 
however,  much  to  be  done  there  that  would  entail  consider- 
able expense. 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  said  he  would  leave  it  to  the  treasurer 
to  reply  upon  the  financial  aspect  of  the  question.  With 
reference  to  the  Journal,  Sir  Trevor  said  that  Mr.  Wilks  told 
them,  and  the  council  fully  believed  it  to  be  the  case,  that 
many  joined  the  society  simply  to  obtain  the  Journal,  there- 
fore it  would  be  inadvisable  to  charge  extra  for  it.  They 
would,  however,  be  glad  to  know  if  any  Fellows  did  not  wish 
to  have  the  Journal. 

Mr.  Gurney  Fowler  (treasurer)  said  that  Mr.  Elwes  had 
somewhat  exaggerated  the  deficit  necessary  to  complete  the 
new  Hall.  Tlie  money  promised  and  received  amounted  to 
£25.000,  and  the  total  expenditure  would  not  be  more  than 
£40,000.  They  had  received  in  donations  £22,561,  and  inte- 
rest on  money  temporarily  invested  £451,  which,  together 
with  promised  subscriptions  of  £2,113,  amounted  to  £25,125. 
Of  this  £12,124  have  been  spent,  leaving  a  balance  in  hand 
for  present  liabilities,  with  the  amount  of  promised  sub- 
scriptions, of  £13,001.  The  contracts  for  the  hall  amounted 
to  £34,780  ;  they  bad  already  paid  £10,379,  leaving  a  balance 
to  pay  of  £24,401  ;  they  had  at  present  £13,001  to  pay  it 
with,  leaving  a  deficit  of  £11,400.  Mr.  Fowler  said  that  the 
furniture  ought  not  to  be  considered  as  part  of  the  cost  of 
the  building  itself.  The  actual  liquid  assets  of  the  society 
were  about  £20,000.  It  was  proposed  to  lodge  with  the 
bank  some  of  their  investments  for  a  temporary  loan  until  it 
was  seen  how  the  subscriptions  came  in.  Over  £1,500 
(unpromised)  had  been  subscribed  in  January.  They  had 
great  hopes  that  all  the  money  would  yet  be  subscribed  by 
Fellows.  If  it  became  necessary  they  proposed  to  effect  a 
mortgage  through  an  insurance  office  (which  had  already 
offered  to  negotiate  on  favourable  terms),  which  would  be 
met  out  of  the  annual  surplus.  At  a  favourable  opportunity 
they  would  probably  sell  some  investments  either  to  pay  off 
the  loan  or  redeem  ihe  mortgage,  as  the  case  might  be.  As 
the  surplus  income  last  year  was  £3,641,  and  they  had 
already  had  250  new  members  this  year,  they  thought  it 
could  be  depended  upon. 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  said  that  their  solicitors  advised  them 
that  the  Chiswick  lease  would  bring  £5,000,  which  would  go 
towards  the  expenses  of  the  Wisley  garden.  On  behalf  of 
the  society  he  thanked  the  committees,  who  so  ungrudgingly 
gave  their  services  throughout  the  year ;  the  secretary, 
whose  work  was  invaluable  ;  and  the  staff,  who,  both  at 
Chiswick — under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Wright — and 
in  the  office,  have  worked  hard.  They  hoped  in  the  future 
to  have  an  assistant  secretary  ;  the  work  had  increased  so 
much  that  it  was  necessary  to  have  more  help.  lu  con- 
sideration of  the  extra  work  thrown  upon  the  office  staff  the 
council  had  granted  an  honorarium  to  them. 

The  adoption  of  the  report  was  carried  ncm.  con. 

Mr.  Gurney  Fowler  proposed  that  Fellows  be  elected  at  an 
annual  subscription  of  two  guineas  and  be  entitled  to 
certain  specified  privileges,  or  at  an  annual  subscription  of 
four  guineas  and  be  entitled  also  to  certain  increased 
privileges.  Mr.  Fowler  explained  that  this  resolution  did 
not  affect  present  subscribers.  The  council  wished  to  put 
this  proposition  and  also  an  amendment  in  order  to  find  out 
the  wishes  of  the  meeting.  One  reason  of  the  proposed 
increased  subscription  was  to  raise  the  income  of  the 
society,  on  account  of  the  new  Hall.  As  the  Fellowship 
increased  so  the  receipts  at  the  shows  would  fall,  and  the 
increase  of  Fellows  meant  more  clerical  work.  It  was  felt 
that  those  joining  now  should  pay  more  than  those  who  had 
helped  to  build  up  the  success  of  the  society. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Pearson  seconded  this  proposition. 

Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  proposed  the  amendment,  which  was 
to  the  effect  that,  except  in  the  cases  of  a  hond-jide  gardener. 
Fellows  residing  alnoad,  or  paying  a  two  or  four  guinea 
subscription,  new  members  should  pay  an  entrance  fee  of 
one  guinea  in  addition  to  their  subscription. 

Surgeon-Major  Ince  seconded  the  amendment,  which  he 
thought  outlined  an  excellent  and  reasonable  plan.  No 
society  gave  such  a  Journal  as  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  Major  Ince  compared  it  with  that  issued  only 
once  a  year  by  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society. 

Mr.  Elwes  asked  if  the  entrance  fee  would  he  treated  as 
capital  or  income,  but  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  said  that  had 
not  yet  been  considered.  The  amendment  was  carried  by  a 
large  majority. 

Sir  J.  D.  T.  Llewellyn  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence  for  presiding,  and  this  terminated  the 
proceedings. 

THE  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  members  of  this  club  was  held 
on  Tuesday,  the  9th  inst.,  at  the  Hotel  Windsor,  and  was 
followed  by  the  annual  dinner,  under  the  presidency  of  Sir 
John  D.  T.  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  at  which  about  eighty  members 
and  guests,  including  on  this  occasion  a  liberal  sprink- 
ling  of   ladies,    were    present.     At   the    meeting   a   very 


126 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Februaky  13,  1904. 


satisfactory  report  of  the  progress  of  the  club  was  read  by  the 
chaLrman,embraciiignotmerely  proofs  of  the  increase  of  mem- 
bership,but  also  abstracts  of  the  various  papers  read  during  the 
year  by  some  of  the  highest  authorities  in  the  horticultural 
world,  attesting  not  only  the  social  value  of  the  club  but  its 
p  ractical  value  as  a  factor  of  instruction  and  progress.  The 
m  embership  is  now  about  140,  as  compared  with  about  half 
th  at  number  a  couple  of  years  back,  and  it  is  hoped  that  in 
view  of  the  accommodalion  afforded  to  those  joi[iing  it,  by 
the  possession  of  comfortable  quarters  always  available  at 
the  Hotel  Windsor,  its  value  as  the  recognised  social  centre 
of  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  still  further 
utilised  by  the  ever-increasing  number  of  its  Fellows.  The 
dinner,  which  was  capitally  arranged  by  the  hon.  secretary, 
Mr.  E.  T.  Cook,  was  enlivened  by  the  presence  of  the 
Georgian  Singers,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Stubbs, 
and  their  repertoire  included  a  number  of  most  charming 
songs,  rendered  in  an  equally  charming  way,  both  in  the 
shape  of  quartettes  and  solos,  jovial  and  serious.  Mr.  C.  T. 
Druery,  V.M.H.,  gave  a  humorous  reading  of  his  own 
entitled  "Modern  Chivalry,"  which  was  extremely  well 
received,  and  in  every  way  the  meeting  was  pronounced  to 
be  one  of  the  greatest  social  successes  of  the  club. 

After  the  usual  patriotic  toasts,  Mr.  George  Gordon, 
V.M.H.,  in  a  felicitous  speech,  proposed  the  toast  of  the 
Koyal  Horticultural  Society,  depicting  in  graphic  terms  its 
vicissitudes  in  the  past  and  its  triumphal  progress  of  recent 
years,  as  attested  at  the  annual  meeting  held  that  day  at  the 
Drill  Hall,  and  the  credit  was  given  which  was  certainly  due 
to  the  Horticultural  Club,  that  atthe  darkest  period  in  the 
history  of  the  society  it  was  within  the  walls  of  that  club 
that  a  scheme  of  regeneration  was  formulated  and  started, 
with  the  brilliant  results  in  question.  Mr.  A.  H.  Pearson 
responded  in  an  equally  happy  vein.  The  toast  of  the  club 
itself,  proposed  by  the  president,  Sir  John  D.  T.  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  was  naturally  both  well  proposed  and  well  received, 
Mr.  George  Monro  responding  in  a  humorously  bumble  way 
as  an  outsider,  which  could  hardly  fail  to  tickle  the  fancy  of 
all  present,  who  recognised  his  value  as  a  member  and  his 
general  position  in  the  horticultural  world.  Mr.  Harry  J. 
Veitch  proposed  the  health  of  the  president  in  his  genial 
way,  and  the  president,  responding  touk  the  opportunity  of 
reverting  to  Mr.  E.  T.  Cook's  invaluable  services  as  hon. 
secretary,  and  proposing  a  special  toast  on  his  behalf,  which 
was  cordially  received  with  the  usual  honours.  A  hearty 
vote  of  thanks  was  finally  accorded  to  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch 
and  Mr.  George  Monro  for  the  lavish  provision  of  the  former 
of  floral  table  decorations  and  by  the  latter  of  a  generous 
supply  of  fruit,  embracing  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Plums 
from  the  Cape,  which  were  of  considerable  interest  as 
regards  their  novelty  as  well  as  merely  gastronomically. 


UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT  AND  PROVIDENT 

SOCIETY. 
The  usual  monthly  committee  meeting  of  this  society  was 
held  at  the  Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  on 
Monday,  the  8th  inst.  Mr.  Charles  H.  Curtis  presided. 
Fourteen  new  members  were  elected,  making  thirty-one  in 
the  two  meetings  this  year.  The  annual  general  meeting 
will  be  held  at  the  above  hotel  on  Monday,  March  14,  at 
8  p.m. 

ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF 
SOUTHAMPTON. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  members  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  of  Southampton  was  held  recently  at 
the  Municipal  Offices.  The  forty -second  annual  report 
presented  by  the  council  is,  with  one  exception,  a  most 
encouraging  one.  For  the  first  time  for  many  years  a  state- 
ment of  accounts  is  presented  in  which  the  liabilities  are 
nil,  whilst  the  assets  show  a  cash  balance  of  over  £90,  as 
against  £39  shown  in  the  last  report.  This  favourable 
result  is  mainly  due  to  the  two  extra  events  held  during  the 
season,  viz.,  the  exhibition  held  in  conjunction  with  the 
Royal  Counties  Agricultural  Society's  Show,  and  the  garden 
f^te  held  in  the  president's  beautiful  grounds.  With  regard 
to  the  first-named,  this  society  is  indebted  to  the  council  of 
the  Royal  Counties  Agricultural  Society  in  sanctioning  the 
liberal  arrangement  made  on  that  occasion,  and  it  is  very 
gratifying  to  note  that  in  their  report  they  give  the  horti- 
cultural exhibition  credit  for  a  large  share  in  securing  the 
great  success  that  attended  their  Southampton  show.  The 
council  gratefully  acknowledge  their  indebtedness  to  Sir 
Samuel  Montagu,  Bart.,  for  his  great  kindness  in  once  more 
placing  his  grounds  at  South  Stoneham  House  at  the  dis- 
posal of  the  council  for  a  garden  fete  ;  his  generosity  in  also 
allowing  the  salmon  pool  to  be  drawn  for  the  benefit  of  the 
society's  funds  was  greatly  appreciated,  and  materially  added 
to  the  success  of  the  f6te.  The  profits  on  this  and  previous 
garden  f^tes  have  enabled  the  council  to  redeem,  from  time 
to  time,  the  £5  bonds,  and  the  whole  of  that  liability  has 
now  been  paid  off.  With  a  view  of  forming  an  adequate 
reserve  fund,  £25  has  been  added  to  the  deposit  account, 
and  until  this  fund  reaches  at  least  £100  the  council  do  not 
consider  it  expedient  to  sanction  any  material  increase  in 
the  prize  lists.  The  council  regret  to  have  to  record  a 
reduction  of  over  £6  in  the  amount  from  annual  subscrip- 
tions, and  they  earnestly  appeal  to  the  members  and  the 
public  for  assistance  in  the  endeavours  to  improve  the 
income  from  this  :80urce,  as  the  prosperity  of  the  society  so 
much  depends  upon  a  good  subscription  list  being  main- 
tained. 

It  may  be  added  that  the  entries  for  the  summer  show, 
to  be  held  in  the  Pier  Pavilion  on  July  G  and  7,  will  close  on 
June  30.  There  are  fifty-one  classes  in  the  schedule.  The 
autumn  show  will  be  held  in  the  Skating  Rink  on  Novem- 
bers and  -A,  and  the  entries  for  this  show  close  on  October  27. 
There  are  fifty-seven  classes  in  the  schedule,  and  the  IJueen 
Victoria  Challenge  Trophy,  value  £40,  for  Chrysanthemum 
blooms,  is  competed  for  at  this  show.  The  present  holder 
is  the  Dowager  Lady  Ashburtori. 

The  chairman,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report, 
referred  to  several  of    the  items  in  it.     He  thought  the 


members  must  be  very  pleased  to  know  that  once  again 
the  society  was  out  of  debt,  and  it  would  be  the  effort 
of  the  council,  if  the  public  would  only  support  them 
to  keep  out  of  debt ;  but  they  did  wish  for  a  larger  share 
of  public  support,  and  for  an  increase  in  subscriptions.  The 
paragraph  which  recorded  a  decrease  of  £6  in  the  subscrip- 
tions was  a  regrettable  one.  The  secretary  told  him  that 
the  subscriptions  were  about  the  same  now  as  when  the 
population  of  the  town  was  one-half  what  it  was  at  present. 
Referring  to  the  sources  of  income  the  society  had  had 
during  the  year,  the  chairman  expressed  obligations  to  the 
Royaf  Counties  Agricultural  Society  for  having  allowed  this 
society  to  hold  an  exhibition  on  the  show  grounds.  He 
thought  that  that  was  the  place  to  refer  especially  to  the 
efforts  of  ]\Ir.  Toogood  in  securing  that  concession.  Mr. 
Toogood,  who  was  a  member  not  only  of  the  council  of  this 
society  but  also  of  the  council  of  the  Royal  Counties  Society, 
worked  most  energetically  in  the  matter.  The  society  must 
also  not  forget  their  president,  Sir  Samuel  Montagu,  jwho 
durine  the  year  was  good  enough  to  give  the  society  the 
opportunity  of  holding  in  his  grounds  another  fete,  which 
materially  helped  to  swell  the  society's  funds. 


NATIONAL   CHRYSANTHEMUM  SOCIETY. 

On  Monday  evening  last  the  newly-constituted  executive 
committee  of  the  above  society  held  a  very  busy  meeting  at 
the  usual  rendezvous  of  the  society.  Can's  Restaurant, 
Strand.  Mr.  Thomas  Bevan  presided,  and  was  supported  by 
a  fairly  good  attendance  of  members.  Minutes,  correspon- 
dence, and  submitting  the  rough  financial  statement  up  to 
date  occupied  the  attention  of  members  for  some  little  time 
at  the  outset.  The  treasurer  explained  that  out  of  the 
amount  due  to  the  society  at  the  dateuf  the  auditing  of  the 
balance  sheet  he  had  since  received  upwards  of  £70,  and 
that  the  balance  in  hand  actually  amounted  to  £117  odd. 
The  reserve  fund  now  amounted  to  £115,  and  a  deposit  note 
for  the  same  was  produced.  It  was  resolved  that  the  secre- 
tary's salary  for  the  year  should  be,  as  before,  £100.  The 
business  relations  with  the  Crystal  Palace  Company  were 
then  gone  into,  and  the  arrangements,  both  as  to  accommo- 
dation and  pecuniary  support  for  the  forthcoming  shows, 
highly  appreciated.  A  motion  was  then  made  that  the 
secretary  be  duly  authorised  to  sign  the  contract  between 
the  Crystal  Palace  Company  and  the  National  Chrysanthe- 
mum Society.  Arrangements  as  to  a  supply  of  tickets  for 
members,  exhibitors,  and  authorised  Press  representatives 
have  also  been  placed  on  a  satisfactory  footing. 

One-third  of  the  floral  committee  retiring  by  rotation,  an 
election  was  necessary.  The  following  gentlemen  were 
elected  :  Messrs.  W.  Howe,  J.  W.  Moorman,  D.  B.  Crane, 
Ingamells,  Simmonds,  and  Kendal.  The  report  of  the 
schedule  sub-committee  was  then  submitted— this  occupying 
much  time,  the  discussion  being  very  full  on  all  points. 
About  £:)U  more  cash  will  be  added  to  the  prize  list  than 
was  offered  last  year.  Special  prizes  will  be  offered  by  the 
Ichthemic  Guano  Company,  the  president  (Mr.  C.  E.  Shea), 
Mr.  W.  Seward,  and  others. 

Judges  were  next  appointed.  They  are  as  follows,  with 
suitable  reserves  in  case  of  any  falling  out :— October  Show  : 
Mr.  Henry  Perkins  and  Mr.  G.  Laiigdon.  November  Show  : 
Japanese  blooms,  Messrs.  Carpenter,  W.  Mertdith,  J.  Att- 
man,  J.  W.  McHattie  ;  incurved  blooms,  Messrs.  G.  Lane 
and  G.  Woodgate  ;  decorative  and  groups,  Messrs.  Beckett 
and  C.  Jordan  ;  fruit  and  vegetables,  Mestrs.  S.  Cole  and 
S.  Mortimer ;  December  show :  Messrs.  W.  Mease  and 
W.  G.  Drover. 

Vacancies  on  the  classification  schedule  and  finance  com- 
mittees were  filled,  and  a  special  sub-committee  to  undertake 
the  arrangements  in  connexion  with  the  exhibition  of 
market  varieties  in  December  was  appointed. 

It  was  resolved  that  six  of  the  society's  smnll  silver  medals 
be  presented,  as  on  a  former  occasion,  to  affiliated  societies, 
the  presentation  being  made  by  ballot.  New  members  were 
elected,  and  the  Penarth  Chrysanthemum  Society  was 
admitted  in  affiliation.  The  business  was  brought  to  a  close 
by  a  proposition  being  made  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Norman  Davis 
that  the  society  should  create  a  department  of  Chrysanthe- 
mum nomenclature  registration,  in  something  after  the 
same  style  as  that  adopted  by  the  American  society.  The 
object  of  this  will  be  to  prevent  the  sanie  name  being  given 
to  different  varieties,  and  also  the  recording  of  the  raisers' 
names  and  dates  of  introduction  of  novelties.  Mr.  Harman 
Payne  was  nominated  registrar  for  the  present. 


CARDIFF  CHRYSANTHEMUM  SOCIETY. 
The  seventeenth  annual  meeting  of  members  of  the  above 
society  was  held  on  Friday  evening,  the  5th  inst.,  atthe 
Grand  Hotel,  Westgate  Street,  Cardiff.  Mr.  J.  Julian 
occupied  the  chair,  and  the  interest  evinced  in  the  society 
was  shown  by  the  fact  that  the  attendance  was  much  more 
numerous  than  usual.  The  annual  report  was  submitted  by 
the  chairman.  It  stated  the  year  1902  ended  in  a  loss  of 
£18  Is.  :Jd.,  contingent  on  the  outstanding  subscriptions 
being  recovered.  Unfortunately,  £4  93.  3d.  was  irrecoverable, 
and  this  left  a  total  deficit  of  £22  los.  3d.  at  the  beginning 
of  the  year  1903.  The  whole  of  that  had  been  paid  oft",  and 
the  society  would  start  the  next  year  clear.  The  total 
subscriptions  for  last  year  amounted  to  £124 — about  £S  more 
than  the  year  before.  The  door  receipts  were  most  encou- 
raging, and  amounted  to  £138  53.  lid.,  being  the  highest 
since  the  year  1899,  which  was  considered  a  record  year, 
£129  Os.  3d.  being  taken  at  the  doors.  Altogether  this  was 
the  best  account  presented  for  many  years.  The  late  show 
was  admitted  to  have  been  one  of  the  best  both  in  respect  of 
competitive  and  trade  exhibits.  The  date  of  the  next  show 
has  been  fixed  for  November  2  and  3.  Councillor  Curtis  was 
unanimously  re-elected  president  of  the  society.  All  the 
vice-presidents  were  re-elected.  Mr.  John  Julian,  who 
vacated  the  chair,  was  unanimously  elected  as  a  vice- 
president,  as  a  recognition  and  appreciation  of  his  services 
to  the  society,  especially  for  the  past  two  years,  during  this 
time  as  chairman,  he  being  mainly  instrumental  in  biinging 
the  society  up  to  the   high    standard    of   excellence    and 


efficiency  to  which  it  has  now  attained.  Mr.  J.  Grimes  was 
elected  chairman  of  committee  ;  Mr.  F.  G.  Treseder,  vice- 
chairman  ;  Mr.  H.  Gillet,  secretary;  Mr.  H.  B.  Crouch, 
treasurer;  and  Messrs.  Boon  and  iledhurst,  auditors. 
Reference  was  made  by  the  chairman  and  others  to  the 
cordiality  with  which  the  officers  had  worked,  and  much 
satisfaction  was  expressed  that  the  prospects  of  the  society 
were  so  promising.— H.  R.  F. 


GARDENING    APPOINTMENTS. 

Mr.  Quainton,  for  some  years  foreman  under  Mr.  Reynolds 
at  Gunnersbury  Park,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener  to 
P.  Jackson,  Esq.,  Latchmere,  Ham  Common,  Surrey.  H6 
entered  on  his  new  duties  on  the  6th  inst. 

Mr.  E.  Henderson,  fur  three  years  foreman  in  the 
gardens  at  Crichel,  Wimborne,  has  been  appointed  gardener 
to  Lieutenant-Culonel  W.  H.  Poe,  C.B.,  Heywood  Abbey, 
Leix,  Queen's  County,  Ireland.  He  commenced  his  duties 
on  the  Uth  inst. 

Mr.  T.  W.  Turner,  for  a  number  of  years  general  fore- 
man at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  gardens,  Cbiswick, 
has  been  appointed  superintendent  of  grounds  at  the  Royal 
Hospital,  Cnelsea. 


OBITUARY. 

SIR    DAVID    CARRICK    BUCHANAN, 

K.C.B. 

The  late  Sir  David  Carriok  Buchanan,  K.C.B., 
of  Drumpellier,  who  died  at  the  Mansion  House, 
Coatbridge,  on  the  9th  iust.,  was  one  of  the 
many  gentlemen  who  find  pleasure  in  country 
life,  and  whose  gardens  are  among  their 
greatest  enjoyments.  Sir  David's  garden  at 
Drumpellier  is  a  very  beautiful  one,  and  at  Corse- 
wall,  Wiglonshire,  a  property  to  which  he  succeeded 
some  years  ago  on  the  death  of  the  late  Mr.  Carrick 
Moore,  he  had  a  very  fine  collection  of  shrubs. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  a  photograph  of 
Hydrangeas  at  Corsewall  appeared  not  long  ago  in 
The  Garden.  Sir  David,  who  was  in  his  seventy- 
ninth  year,  was  held  in  the  highest  respect  by 
everyone,  and  his  munificent  gifts  of  various  kinds 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Coatbriilge  caused  him  to  be 
greatly  esteemed  there.  Among  other  gifts,  in 
186(i  he  presented  the  West  End  Park  to  the  people 
of  Coatbridge. 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


Names  of  plants.— 3/.  A.  //.— Billbergia  sp.,  but 

specimen  not  complete  enough  to  identify  the  species. 

./.  .?.  //. — The  lary;e  rosy  purple  tlower  is  Ruellia  macrantha  ; 
the  pale  yellow  one.  Justicia  calycolricha. 

Semele  andpog'yna  (Broom).  —  This  used  to  be 
included  in  the  genus  Kuscus.  It  is  a  vigorous  growing 
climber  that  needs  a  j^reenhouse.  The  cladodes  are  arranged 
on  the  minor  branches  in  such  a  way  as  to  suggest  long, 
hard,  leathery,  pinnate  leaves  of  a  deep  green  colour.  It  is 
a  native  of  the  Canary  Islands,  from  whence  it  was  intro- 
duced in  1713.  This  Semele  is  a  valuable  climbing  plant  for 
very  large  structures,  as  may  be  seen  at  the  Crystal  Palace 
and  in  the  temperate  house  at  Kew.  It  cannot  be  readily 
obtained  from  nui  series,  though  occasionally  it  may  be  met 
with,  generally  as  seedling  plants. 

Gappya  elliptica  not  flowepin^  (H.).— Your 
Gariyas  ought  to  Hower  in  the  positions  you  describe. 
Perhaps  you  have  got  the  female  form,  and,  if  that  is  the 
case,  you  will  not  get  catkins  of  Howers  as  you  would  with 
the  male  form,  the  flowers  of  the  female  being  very  incon- 
spicuous. If  the  plants  are  females  it  would  be  advisable  to 
uproot  one  and  replace  it  with  a  male.  Cuttings  of  the 
Euphorbia  you  mention  should  be  taken  in  spring  either  of 
the  one  year  old  wood  with  dormant  buds,  or  young,  soft 
shoots  4  inches  long  with  a  slight  heel  of  old  wood.  In 
either  case,  very  sandy  soil  must  be  given,  and  a  close  and 
warm  propagating  case  must  be  provided. 

Sweet  Peas— a  coppection,— In  Mr.  Sydenham's 
article  on  this  in  third  column,  line  S,  for  Gorgeous  read 
George  Gordon,  and  the  same  in  the  next  line.  On  page  96 
for  Countess  Jewell,  read  Crown  Jewel. 


Catalogues  Received. 

Tuheroiuf  Bcgnnias,  Lilivtt, '^d-c. —  Measra.  T.  S.  Ware, 
Limited,  Keltham,  Middlesex. 

Chi-i(.saittliniiiiii>s. ^Me35r&.  W.  Wells  and  Co.,  Earlswood 
Nurseries,  Kedhill,  Suirey  (together  with  life-size  illustra- 
tions of  novelties  tur  l!)n4) ;  Mil.  ViJmorin-Andrieux  et  Cle., 
4,  Quai  de  la  Mcgbserie.  Paris. 

Nl'ic  Clir!/sai)f/n-mtniii<,  Scc(h\  and  Plantn.—'^U:  H.  J. 
Jones,  Ryecrnft  Nursery,  Hither  Green,  Lewisham. 

hlorlfit'ii  Flowcrf  ami  Hardy  Plants.  — "Mv.  John  Forbes, 
Hawick,  N.B. 

Lath  Holler  Greenhouse  BUndti,  &i\ — Messrs.  W.  Walters 
and  Co.,  10,  Water  Lane,  Great  Tower  Street,  E.C. 


*^*  The  Yearly  Subscription  to  Thb  GARDEN  is:  Inland, 
15s.;  Foreign,  17b.  Od. 


^^3^ 


GARDEN 


-y^- 


No.  1683.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[February  20,  1904. 


SOUTH      AFRICAN 


T 


PEACHES. 

I  HE  arrival,  in  perfect  condition,  of  a 
box  of  South  African  Peaches  is 
still  enough  of  a  novelty  to  make 
it  worthy  of  a  note.  Amidst  the 
conflict  of  opinion  on  the  subject  of 
imported  Asiatic  labour  and  the  temporary 
depression  of  mining  operations  in  South 
Africa,  it  is  cheering  to  know  that  in  certain 
localities,  notably  in  Cape  Colony,  the  fruit- 
growing industry  is  steadily  making  its  way. 
On  the  fruit  farms  where  these  Peaches  were 
grown  both  Kaffir  and  Coolie  labour  is 
employed,  under  English  supervision.  The 
season  has  been  unusually  hot  and  forcing, 
and  fruit  of  all  kinds  has  ripened  so  early  as 
to  make  the  work  of  in-gathering  more  than 
ordinarily  a  matter  of  rush  and  toil.  From 
6  a.m.  to  7.30  p.m. — a  long  day  in  burning 
heat — all  hands  have  been  hard  at  work  in  the 
orchards  ;  but,  judging  by  the  Peaches  just 
received,  the  present  summer  has  favoured  the 
development  of  the  crop  more  than  last  season, 
for  they  are  altogether  finer  and  more  highly 
■  finished  than  some  which  arrived  last  February. 
As  to  flavour,  they  have  a  good  deal  of  the  fine 
aroma  of  the  Nectarine,  which  lends  some 
support  to  the  view  that  this  particular  kind 
may  be  of  hybrid  origin.  Those  who  can 
enjoy  the  luxury  of  having  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  on  their  tables  in  February  need 
not  grudge  their  cost.  A  luxury  it  is,  but  by 
indulging  it  we  may  not  only  "think 
Imperially,"  but  in  one  small  way  act  as  well, 
for  we  stretch  out  a  helping  hand  towards  the 
building  up  of  thriving  settlements  of  our  own 
country-folk  on  the  far-distant  African  veldt. 

One  may  well  ask  how  it  is  possible  for 
fruit  so  perishable  to  travel  7,000  miles  over 
,  land  and  sea,  and  yet  arrive  in  good  condition. 
To  begin  with,  of  course,  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
and  Plums  are  gathered  before  they  are  fully 
ripe,  and  with  the  utmost  care  to  avoid  bruising. 
The  boxes  in  which  they  are  packed  are 
3  inches  to  4  inches  deep  and  large  enough  to 
contain  from  two  to  three  dozen  fruits  in  a 
■  single  layer.  These  boxes  are  strong,  but  are 
•not  tightly  fitted  together,  as  there  is  sufficient 
:  room  for  some  circulation  of  air  between  the 
interstices  of  the  boards.  A  strip  of  wood 
below  each  end  also  allows  a  current  of  air  to 
pass  between  each  box  when  the  final  stacking 
takes  •  place  for  the  voyage.  Each  fruit  is 
carefully  wrapped  in    soft  tissue  paper  and 


tightly  imbedded  in  fine  wood  shavings  so  that 
no  movement  can  take  place.  But  even  so, 
with  the  utmost  care  in  handling  and  with  the 
help  of  cold  storage,  it  is  one  of  the  marvels  of 
this  marvellous  age  that  such  a  feat  should  be 
possible. 


MY  SEA-COAST  GARDEN 
IN  WINTER. 

"  Earth  slumbers,  and  her  dreams — who  knows 
But  they  may  sometimes  be  like  ours? 
Lyrics  of  spring  in  winter's  prose 
That  sing  of  birds  aud  leaves  and  flowers." 

Winter,  and  how  short  the  hours  of  daylight ; 
how  much  too  short  for  all  we  have  to  do  in 
them.  Already  the  round  red  sun  is  dipping 
down  behind  the  grey  church  tower,  lighting  it 
up  with  fires  of  purple  and  crimson.  The  too 
brief  day  will  die  in  splendour. 

And  the  old  garden  on  the  bare  sea  cliff, 
with  the  little  lichen-covered  copse  that  guards 
it,  how  does  that  look  on  this  quiet  winter's 
day  %  So  pleasant,  so  restful  as  it  lies  in  the 
reflected  glory  of  the  sunset,  that  it  is  still  the 
place  we  love  the  best,  and  in  which  the 
happiest  hours  are  spent. 

Most  of  the  hardest  work  is  over  now — the 
tidying  up,  the  mending  of  the  neglected  lawn, 
the  clearing  of  the  copse  from  rubbish,  the 
thousand  things  that  always  must  be  done 
in  a  garden  that  has  too  long  lain  uncared  for. 
More  than  oue  spring  and  summer  will  it  take 
to  coax  this  unkempt  wilderness  into  order. 
Digging  borders  that  have  been  left  untilled 
for  many  years,  and  are  crammed  with  odds 
and  ends  and  stumps  and  roots  of  things  long 
dead,  is  not  at  all  the  same  as  turning  over 
new  ground  or  ground  that  has  been  treated 
fairly  every  season.  "  Wholesome  neglect," 
however,  has  shown  its  bright  side  in  the  copse, 
for  there  the  sweetest  things  that  grow  have 
long  run  riot.  "  Nothing  that  has  a  bulb  to  it 
will  live  in  that  garden,"  said  many  friends 
who  thought  they  knew  ;  "  rats  and  rabbits 
will  make  a  meal  off  every  one."  Even  the 
earliest  spring  months  proved  them  wrong. 
Scattered  Crocuses  and  Snowdrops  were  the 
first  to  greet  us,  and  after  them  whole  drifts 
and  sheets  of  Bluebells,  sprinkling  the- grass 
beneath  the  budding  trees  with  sky  colour — 
"  God's  own  blue  " — and  later  on  whole  families 
of  Poet's  Narcissus,  starry  and  scented,  and 
spread  about  with  the  grace  that  comes  of 
freedom. 

But  now  on  this  quiet  winter's  day,  so 
enjoyable  after  weeks  of  windy  weather,  these 
flowers  of  spring,  with  all  the  other  garden 
folk,  are  sound  asleep  and  dreaming,  as  they 
should  be.  A  Primrose  or  two,  prematurely 
wakeful,  shall  go  unnoticed,  but  one  or  two 
sweet-faced,  leaf-hidden  Violets  must  be  for- 
given for  peeping  out.  Stray  Violets  are 
always  irresistible,  and  the  tiniest  bunch,  if 
brought  indoors,  is  more  full  of  fragrance  than 


half  a  dozen  sachets  of  Violet  scent  from  Bond) 
Street 

Flowers  may  sleep,  but  we  are  wide  awake 
digging,  as  usual,  planting  and  replanting,  a 
safe  and  easy  thing  to  do  when  all  the  garden, 
children  are  deeply  wrapped  in  slumber.  The 
kind  soil  of  this  north-east  sea-coast  garden 
(porous,  but  not  poor),  its  lingering  sunshine, 
and  protracted  autumn  make  it  a  difficult 
matter  to  get  the  summer  borders  clear.  Mar- 
guerites will  go  on  blooming  well  into- 
December,  and  sweet  white  Alyssum  positively 
refuses  to  be  taken  out  and  made  a  bonfire  of. 
It  still  smells  sweet  and  keeps  it  colour.  How 
it  happens  that  so  many  plants  live  on  through, 
winters  here  that  must  certainly  have  died 
down  in  a  Surrey  garden  is  always  a  surprise. 

October  comes  and  takes  us  unawares.  We 
are  not  yet  ready  for  the  smart  new-comers, 
who  arrive  in  well-packed  boxes— sleeping 
beauties  wrapped  up  like  dolls  in  soft  white 
paper,  and  neatly-labelled,  curious  chrysa- 
lises whose  butterflies  are  of  the  kind  that 
grow  on  stems.  These  fine  folk  are  all  kept 
waiting  ;  but  at  last  they  settle  down,  and  _we 
are  free  to  think  of  other  things — Sea  Hollies, 
for  instance,  and  Sea  Lavenders,  that  might  do- 
well  outside  upon  the  clifl' ;  but  we  will  try 
them  in  the  garden  first.  Growing  sea  jjlants 
will  be  a  new  experience.  The  roots  of  some 
of  them  alone  are  quite  delightful,  so  tough  and 
strong,  giving  promise  of  the  sturdy  flowers 
that  by  and  by  will  follow.  Roots  are  so  full 
of  character  and  so  interesting.  Once  we  begin 
to  notice  the  under-world  of  fibres,  tubers,  and 
"  growing  points,"  there  is  no  end  to  it.  It  is 
just  as  fascinating  as  the  sunlit  world  of  bough 
and  leaf  and  colour. 

In  this  old  garden,  where  so  many  fair 
things  have  been  naturalised,  it  behoves  us  ta 
walk  warily.  We  must  neither  crowd  the 
canvas  nor  strike  a  jarring  note ;  its  simple 
charm  must  not  be  spoiled.  What  things  we 
do  put  in  must  be  chosen  very  carefully  ;  we 
must  have  exactly  what  is  right — no  make- 
shifts— and  the  experience  of  one  season  has 
taught  us  what  the  garden  likes  and  wants,  a. 
much  more  weighty  matter  than  the  mere- 
gratifying  of  our  own  tastes.  Not  many  Roses- 
could  be  happy  here — we  are  too  wind-swept 
and  sheltered  corners  are  too  few— but  we  can, 
have  a  sunny  bed  of  Monthly  China  Roses- 
close  to  the  house,  along  with  Rosema,ry 
bushes  and  Pansies  and  Carnations  and  Mig- 
nonette. The  soil  is  exactly  suitable  for  Pinks, 
and  a  whole  cliff's  depth  of  sandy  loam,  fertile 
and  clean,  calls  out  for  every  plant  that  owns 
a  bulb  or  anything  like  it.  This  is  our  cue. 
In  go  the  Lilies,  white  and  orange  ;  they  shall 
belaid  among  the  sleepy  Ferns  in  a  spot  where 
sheltered  sunbeams  will  look  after  them.  Blue 
and  white  and  yellow  and  velvety  Iris  shall 
find  space  too,  English  and  Spanish,  with  other 
treasures. 

How  the  old  gardener,  who  has  kno-wn  the 
place  so  long,  and  been  its  only  guardian  for 
many  empty  years,  enjoys  the  fatted  calf  of 


?(5i«s.¥r& 


;:;s®;¥vft^r:e-»- 


128 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  20,  1904. 


better  times.  It  is  pretty  to  see  him  at  his 
work  Unpacking  and  planting  something 
new  is  such  a  treat.  How  carefully  he  lifts 
the  clumps  with  kind  brown  hands,  and  sorts 
them  out  and  lays  them  on  his  barrow,  wliile 
"  onlooker "  is  carrying  his  spade.  Such 
eloquence  about  that  spade  !  Its  wood  feels 
warm  and  worn  and  polished,  and  its  blade  is 
thin  and  sharp  from  constant  use  ;  it  can  do 
anything,  from  rough  work  to  the  finest.  How 
deftly  its  owner  thrusts  it  through  the  mould — 
a  dexterous  twist,  and  lo  !  a  hole  of  any  shape 
or  size  he  wants  appears  like  magic.  Each 
new  arrival  is  taken  up  and  looked  at,  then 
gently  laid  in  its  appointed  place. 

"  Like  pious  children,  one  by  one, 
He  sets  them  head  by  head. 
And  draws  tlie  clotlies  when  all  is  done 

Closely  about  each  bed, 
-\nd  leaves  his  children  to  sleep  on 
In  the  one  quiet  bed." 

There  has  been  plenty  to  do,  too,  among  the 
creepers  and  climbers  on  the  old  house  walls. 
Such  a  tangle  as  there  was  all  summer-time  of 
Jasmine,  Honeysuckle,  Virginia  Creepers, 
Dutchman's  Pipe,  and  one  or  two  old-fashioned 
Roses.  Now  v/e  can  see  which  is  which,  and 
bring  them  into  order.  How  the  dry  stems 
rattled  in  the  wind  I  They  have  been  knocking 
against  the  window  panes  like  castenets.  It 
seems  so  strange  now  to  recollect  the  honey- 
scented  draughts  of  summertime  that  blew  in 
through  the  open  windows.  Anyhow,  an  old 
garden,  with  all  its  faults,  is  better  than  a 
new  one,  and  if  the  feea  winds  are  too  rough 
with  it  at  times  the  line  days  make  it  up. 
Nowhere  are  colours  more  brilliant  than  in  a 
seaside  garden.  Perhaps  it  is  the  saltness  of 
the  air  that  makes  them  vivid,  as  sprinkled  salt 
improves  the  colours  of  a  carpet. 

Even  the  banks  put  up  for  shelter,  not  for 
ornament,  must  not  be  grumbled  at.  In  spring 
they  are  so  full  of  yellow  Primroses,  blue 
Speedwells,  and  spotted  Orchids;  and  as  for 
the  kitchen  garden,  Ave  can  humour  that  by 
growing  dwarf  things  that  do  not  mind  the 
■wind. 

We  promise  ourselves  much  amusement  in 
the  summer,  when  old  and  new  inhabitants 
-wake  up  and  meet.  Bowing  and  nodding 
acquaintances  will  soon  strike  up  under  the 
breezy  influences  of  sea  winds  blowing  from 
the  waves.  Amongst  other  things  we  will  have 
a  Poppy  garden,  fringed  and  fragile,  and  Giant 
.Poppies  can  all  have  ample  room  between  the 
meadows  and  the  clitt'.  The  one  thing  we 
ought  never  to  forget  here  (there  is  danger  of 
it)  is  Miss  Jekyll's  ma.Kim,  "  Where  things  are 
■well,  let  well  alone." 

.  The  evening  of  this  winter's  day  was  dig- 
.nified  by  a  new  moon.  Very  yellow  looked  its 
delicate  thin  curve  against  the  blueness  of  the 
.darkening  sky,  and  just  one  star  of  hope  shone 
out  beside  it.  Could  we  have  done  better  than 
;b)reathe  a  new  moon  wish  that  all  the  garden's 
.pretty  dreams  and  fancies  might  come  true? 

F.  A.  B. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


Hellebores  from  Irela.nd. 
Mr.  Greenwood  Pim  sends  from  Monkstown, 
County  llublin,  a  dainty  selection  of  the  Lenten 
Roses.  The  colours  are  very  beautiful,  some  (juite 
self,  and  others  with  dark  spots  on  an  almost  white 
ground.  One  named  E.  jNluriel  Pim  is  a  warm 
chocolate-red,  and  of  good  shape.  Mr.  Pim  writes  : 
"  A  few  Lenten  Roses  (Hellebores)  for  your  table. 
They  are  most  useful  ilowers  at  this  dull  season,  and 
as  hard  as  nails.  E.  Muriel  Pim  was  self-sown, 
and  came  up  with  other  dark  forms  round  a  plant 
of  H.  Commenzrenath  Benarj',  which  you  know  is 
white,  with  purple  flush.  By  splitting  the  ends  of 
the  stem  we  find  the  flowers  remain  fresh  for  days 
when  cut." 


We  invite  our  readers  to  send  us  anything  of 
special  beauty  and  interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  interesting  plants 
•  become  more  widely  known.  We  hope,  too,  that 
A  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instructive  to 
those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We  welcome 
anything  from  the  garden,  whether  fruit,  tree, 
shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  they  should 
be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING   EVENTS. 

Februarj'  'I'i. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Drill  Hall  Meeting,  12  noon. 

March  8. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting.  Horticultural  Club,  House  Dinner 
at  6  p.  m.  Discussion  opened  by  the  Rev.  Professor 
Henslow,  on  "  Botanising  Excursions." 

March  9.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meetiug. 

March  16.  —  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Flower 
Show. 

March  22. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  5.  —  Roj'al  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

April  19. — Ro3'al  Horticultural  Society :  Auricula 
and  Primula  Society's  Show. 

Royal  Hoptieultupal  Society.— The 

prize  of  £10  ofl'ered  by  the  council  of  the  above 
society  for  the  best  essay  on  "  Cottage  and  Allot- 
ment Gardening,"  has  been  won  by  the  motto 
"Observe  and  Practice,"  Mr.  C.  Wakely,  of 
Chelmsford.  Owing  to  unforeseen  circumstances 
the  centennial  dinner  of  the  society,  proposed  to 
be  held  on  March  3,  is  unavoidably  postponed. — 
W.  WiLKS,  Secretary. 

The   National  Potato    Society.— A 

meeting  of  tlie  committee  of  this  new  body  was, 
by  kind  permission,  held  in  the  Horticultural 
Club  on  Monday  last,  Mr.  A.  D.  Hall,  of  Rotham- 
stead,  in  the  chair.  The  secretary,  JMr.  W.  P. 
Wright,  mentioned  a  request  made  that  cottage 
garden  societies  be  allowed  to  aliiliate.  This  was 
agreed  to,  the  annual  fees  being  fi.xed  at  os.  for 
membership  not  exceeding  fift\^  and  Ids.  for  all 
societies  having  more  members.  Tenders  as  invited 
were  received  from  various  firms  for  the  supply  of 
the  needfttl  quantity  of  tubers  for  some  twenty 
trial  plots  in  diverse  parts  of  the  kingdom.  The 
tenders  of  a  northern  and  a  southern  firm  were 
accepted,  each  one  to  send  half  the  needful 
quantity.  The  total  required  would  be  about  a  ton 
weight.  These  tubers  are  to  be  sent  to  the  various 
county  trial  plots  direct  by  the  consigners.  Many 
letters  offering  various  forms  of  advice  were  read. 
Generally  the  objects  of  the  society  were  heartily 
approved  of.  The  secretary  reported  the  finances 
as  being  in  a  satisfactory  state,  so  far  as  trials  are 
concerned.  It  is  hoped  in  the  autumn  it  may  be 
possible  to  hold  a  conference  and  an  exhibition. 

The  novel  series  of  prizes  at  next 
season's  sho'ws  of  the  National 
Chrysanthemum  Society.— The  excel- 
lent suggestion  that  Mr.  Cuthbert  made  on  the 
occasion  of  the  late  December  exhibition  of  the 
National  Chrysanthemum  Society  has  been  taken 
up  most  enthusiastically  by  the  executive  com- 
ndttee  and  friends  of  that  society.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  the  sum  of  five  shillings  is  to  be 
offered  in  numerous  instances  for  the  best  blooms 
of  certain  specified  varieties.  The  blooms  are  to 
be  selected  from  those  exhibited  in  the  difi'erent 
competitive  classes  throughout  the  show,  and 
exhibitors  are  also  to  have  the  opportunity  of 
setting  up  individual  flowers  quite  independent  of 
1  existing  competitions.     The  matter  was  thoroughly 


discussed  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  executive 
committee,  and  the  conclusion  arrived  at  was  that 
given  above.  Many  interested  in  this  novel 
scheme  seem  to  think  that  it  will  now  be  an 
inducement  to  growers  who  are  also  exhibitors  lo 
bring  their  ver3'  best  flowers  to  the  National  Chry- 
santhemum Society'sexhibition  rather  than  to  retain 
a  certain  number  of  good  flowers  for  otlier  shows. 
The  smaller  growers  will  also  have  an  opportunity 
of  winning  some  of  the  prizes,  as  all  stands  or 
exhibits  of  cut  flowers  will  be  inspected  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  where  the  best  example 
of  each  specified  sort  is  to  be  found.  It  was 
announced  that  there  were  no  less  than  105  prizes 
of  the  kind  oilered,  and  this  is  a  considerable 
addition  to  the  already  long  list. — D.  B.  C. 

A    cosmopolitan    gardeners' 

society  in  Paris.— The  Socii-te  Fraueaise 
d'Horticulture  de  Londres  has  for  many  years  done 
a  good  work  in  promoting  the  interests  of  young 
French  gardeners  in  England,  and  also  in  a  lesser 
degree  of  English  gardeners  going  to  France.  We 
are  very  glad  to  see  that  a  similar  society  has  now 
been  started  in  Paris.  This  has  for  its  object  the 
encouragement  of  special  instruction  among  gar- 
deners, and  promotion  of  friendly  intercourse 
between  horticulturists  of  different  countries. 
Gardeners  of  all  nationalities  are  eligible  for 
election.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  society,  which, 
by  the  way,  is  entitled  "I'Aveuir  Horticole,"  will 
receive  the  support  it  deserves,  for  if  rightly 
managed,  and  its  efforts  properly  directed,  it 
cannot  fail  to  be  of  real  value  and  assistance  to 
young  gardeners  from  England  and  other  countries 
who  may  wish  to  spend  a  short  time  in  France. 

Jasminum  nudiflorum.— In  a  note  in 

The  Gardek  of  the  13th  inst.  another  combination 
of  this  plant  with  Cotoneaster  microphylla  is 
suggested,  as  well  as  the  previous  one  of  Jasminum 
and  Ivy.  May  I  suggest  yet  another  way  of  using 
it,  and  one  which  I  have  found  by  experience  to 
give  much  winter  joy.  I  have  always  been  eager 
to  increase  our  winter  beauties,  as  an3'one  can 
have  a  beautiful  summer  garden,  but  the  real 
triumph  is  to  carry  beauty  into  winter.  I  longed 
to  make  the  Rhododendron  and  other  evergreen 
borders  a  little  brighter,  so  I  planted  here  and 
there  among  them  groups  of  three  plants  of  Jasmi- 
num nudiflorum.  These,  as  they  grew,  I  left  to 
straggle  rather  freely  among  the  evergreens,  tying 
up  only  the  tallest  branches  to  a  pole  kept  well  out 
of  sight  in  the  middle  of  each  triangle.  Between 
the  Jasmine  I  planted  large  groups  of  Lilium 
croceum,  which  later  on  gave  a  most  beautiful 
effect  as  of  Lilies  growing  in  a  large  natural  basket 
of  tender  green  Jasmine.  The  Jasmine  arching 
freely  over  the  Lilies  was  like  the  tall  handles  of  a 
basket,  and  gave  a  delightful  picture  that  quite 
surpassed  all  I  had  planned.  I  wish  I  could  send 
you  a  photograph,  but,  alas!  the  garden  is  mine  no 
longer,  and  only  the  happy  memory  left.  But  let 
me  sound  one  note  of  warning.  The  Jasmine  and 
L.  croceum  group  should  not  be  among  the  purplish 
magenta  Rhododendrons,  as  the  orange  and 
magenta  reds  are  fiercely  discordant,  but  with 
white  Rhododendrons  and  almost. all  shades  of 
Azaleas  they  are  most  harmonious. — A.  J.  Bryans, 
Wood.iide,  HarroiP-on-the-Hill. 

Beg'onia  Gloire  de  Sceaux.— So  much 

attention  has  of  late  been  directed  to  Messrs. 
Veitch's  charming  hybrids  of  B.  socotrana  and  the 
ubiquitous  (iloire  de  Lorraine  that  there  is  danger 
of  overlooking  the  merits  of  some  other  desirable 
sorts,  such  as  Gloire  de  Sceaux,  which  for  flowering 
in  midwinter  and  during  the  early  part  of  the 
year  has  few  equals  ;  it  is  also  quite  distinct  from 
any  other.  It  is  of  vigorous  growth,  forming  a 
stout  branching  specimen,  well  furnished  with 
ample  foliage  of  a  rich  bronzy  olive  hue.  For  the 
beauty  of  its  leafage  alone  it  is  well  worth  growing, 
but  when  in  addition  the  large  clusters  of  rosj'  pink 
blossoms  develop,  its  beauty  is,  of  course,  greatly 
enhanced.  It  is  by  no  means  a  novelty,  having 
been  distributed  in  1887  by  MM.  Thibaut  ec 
Keteleer,  of  Sceaux,  in  France,  and  announced  as 
a  hybrid  between  B.  socotrana  and  B.  subpeltata. 
Doubts  have  been  expressed  as  to  the  correctness 
of  this,  but  there  can  be  no  difference  of  opinion  as 
to  its  merits. — T. 


February  20,  1904.] 


IHE    GARDEN. 


129 


A    pretty    combination    for    the 

greenhouse. — I  am  sending  a  photograph  of 
a  very  pleasing  arrangement  in  my  small  vintry. 
It  consists  of  a  group  of  Arum  Lilies  and  the  blue 
Coleus  (C.  thyrsoideus),  which  look  uncommonly 
well  together.  The  flowers  of  the  latter  are  about 
at  their  best  with  me  just  now,  and  as  the  rather 
lanky  and  leafless  stems  are  hidden  by  the  foliage 
of  the  Arums  there  could  hardly  be  a  better  way 
of  arranging  them. — S.  G.  R.  [Unfortunately,  the 
photograph  was  not  suitable  for  reproduction.  — Ed.  ] 

Potatoes    in    Ayrshire. —As  is   well 

known,  the  sea-board  parishes  of  Ayrshire  are 
favoured  with  a  climate  which  is  admirably  suited 
for  early  Potatoes,  and  the  acreage  under  these  is 
increasing  from  year  to  year.  Last  season  was  a 
late  one,  and  planting  was  considerably  delayed. 
The  open  weather  experienced  in  the  county  this 
year  has  caused  some  of  the  growers,  especially  on 
the  Carriok  shore,  to  begin  early,  and  the  first 
planted  were  on  the  farm  of  Girvan  Mains  on  the 
11th  inst. 

A    note   from    North    Wales.— The 

weather  in  this  part  of  the  country  at  the  present 
time  is  causing  grave  anxiety.  The  amount  of 
rain  which  has  fallen  here  since  the  1st  ult.  is 
enormous,  much  more  than  at  this  time  last  year. 
We  have  only  had  eight  fine  days  in  1904.  Sowing 
any  kind  of  seeds  or  planting,  either  by  farmers  or 
gardeners,  is  quite  out  of  the  question,  as  the  land 
is  sodden,  and  in  many  cases  under  water.  The 
winter  has  been  very  mild  so  far.  We  have  had 
very  little  snow  and  frost.  The  last  heavy  rains 
were  very  cold,  with  north-east  winds. — J.  S. 
HiGGiNS,  Eiiii  Gardens,  Corwen,  N.  W. 

University  Collegre,  Reading,— Mr. 
Alfred  Palmer,  Wokefield  Park,  Berks,  has  made  a 
gift  to  the  above  college  of  a  site  for  a  new  college, 
and  the  following  munificent  donations  have  been 
given:  Lady  Wantage,  £10,000;  Mr.  G.  W. 
Palmer,  M.P.,  £10,000  ;  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons, 
£6,000  ;  Mr.  J.  Herbert  Benyon,  £3,000 ;  Mr. 
G.  Herbert  Morrell,  M.P.,  £1,000 ;  and  Mr.  Owen 
Ridley,  £500.  At  an  extraordinary  general  meeting 
of  the  court  of  governors  recently  held,  the  principal 
(Mr.  W.  M.  Childs)  said  that  it  was  not  alone  the 
munificence  of  Mr.  Alfred  Palmer  which  had 
earned  and  which  would  receive  their  thanks  ;  it 
was  the  fact  that  in  addition  to  this  munificence  it 
came  precisely  at  the  moment  when  it  would  be  of 
permanent  help  and  value  to  the  institution.  It  was 
also  his  privilege  to  say  that  Mr.  Martin  John 
Sutton,  as  head  of  the  firm  of  Sutton  and  Sons,  had 
authorised  him  to  say  that  the  firm  he  represented 
would  present  to  the  building  fund  of  the 
college  the  sum  of  £6,000,  payable  in  three  annual 
instalments. 

The  Southern  Counties  Carnation 

Society  broken  up.— A  meeting  of  the  com- 
mittee of  the  above  society  was  held  on  the  9th 
inst.  to  receive  a  statement  from  Mr.  W.  Garton, 
jun.,  the  hon.  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr.  Garton, 
addressing  the  meeting,  said  that  when  he  initiated 
the  Carnation  Society  he  hoped  and  expected  that 
after  the  first  year  or  two  it  would  be  made  quite 
or  nearly  self-supporting,  and  considering  himself 
mainly  responsible  for  the  formation  of  the  society, 
he  had,  in  the  hope  that  things  would  mend,  made 
himself  personally  liable  for  the  deficits  on  their 
show  accounts.  Unfortunately,  after  an  experience 
of  five  shows,  his  hopes  had  not  been  realised,  and 
instead  of  his  liability  decreasing  it  was  increasing; 
every  effort  to  improve  the  membership  had  failed, 
and  so  he  felt  he  could  not  continue  this  responsi- 
bility single  handed  any  longer,  and  therefore  be 
was  reluctantly  compelled  to  place  his  resignation 
in  the  committee's  hands.  Mr.  Garton  took  this 
step  with  the  greatest  regret ;  he  was  proud  of  the 
shows  they  had  held,  which  he  believed  would 
compare  favourably  with  any  Carnation  show  held 
in  the  country,  but  there  was  such  a  thing  as  paying 
too  much  for  a  hobby.  If  the  society  could  be  con- 
tinued under  new  management  he  would  assist  it  in 
every  way  he  could,  short  of  taking  any  responsi- 
bility, and  would  help  the  funds  with  a  liberal 
subscription.  After  a  long  discussion,  during  which 
the  meeting  learned  that  business  arrangements 
would  compel  Mr.  Hayter,  the  assistant  secretary, 
to  resign  also,    it  was    unanimously    resolved  to 


accept  Mr.  Garton'a  resignation  with  the  greatest 
regret,  the  warmest  thanks  of  the  meeting  being 
accorded  to  that  gentleman  for  the  generous  bupport 
he  had  given  the  society  during  its  six  years  exist- 
ence. It  was  also  unanimously  resolved  that  this 
meeting  being  of  opinion  that  it  will  not  be  possible, 
under  the  present  circumstances,  to  make  the  shows 
self-supporting,  recommend  the  society  should  be 
discontinued  from  this  date. 

Proposed  Gardeners'  Association. 

Mr.  A.  l)ean  writes  :  ' '  Kindly  permit  me  to  mention 
in  your  columns  that  the  adjourned  meeting  of 
gardeners  and  others  interested  in  the  proposed 
Gardeners'  Association  will,  by  kind  permission,  be 
held  in  the  room  of  the  Horticultural  Club,  Hotel 
Windsor,  on  Tuesday  next,  at  2  p.m.  sharp,  when 
the  aub-comniittee's  report  will  be  presented.  There 
are  indications  that  a  good  discussion  will  follow. 
The  meeting  must  determine  whether  such  an 
association  shall  be  formed  or  not,  and  if  formed, 
define  what  are  to  be  its  aims  and  objects. 

Edinburgh  Botanical  Society.— At 

a  meeting  of  this  society,  held  in  Dowell'a  Rooms, 
George  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  11th  inst.. 
Professor  Trail  presided  over  a  good  attendance. 
A  most  interesting  list  of  alien  plants  collected  in 
the  Edinburgh  district  was  contributed  by  Mr.  W. 
Evans,  F.R.S.E,  and  Mr.  W.  E.  Evans.  This  was 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  specimens  of  the 
plants,  and  interesting  details  of  the  places  where 
they  had  been  found.  As  might  be  expected,  few 
were  of  garden  interest,  but  among  these  was 
Delphinium  Ajacis.  Nearly  300  had  been  collected 
in  all  in  1903,  the  majority  coming  from  Leith 
Kocks  and  other  situations  where  grain  had  been 
deposited.  Mr.  W.  Evans  and  Mr.  W.  Edgar  Evans 
were  heartily  thanked  for  their  contribution.  A 
similar  compliment  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Alexander 
Cowan,  Penicuick,  for  an  admirable  report  of  the 
annual  excursion  of  the  Scottish  Alpine  Club  last 
year.  This  had  been  to  Fort  William  and  Arisaig, 
which  was  a  very  interesting  one,  although  few 
rarities  were  met  with. 

Forestry  at  Perth  show  in  1904. 

The  special  committee  of  the  Royal  Scottish 
Arboricultural  Society  charged  with  the  Forestry 
exhibition,  in  connexion  with  the  Highland  and 
Agricultural  Society's  show  there,  have  issued  the 
prize  list  and  an  invitation  to  the  members  of  the 
two  societies  to  contribute.  Prizes  will  be  offered 
as  follows :  For  a  collection  of  three  varieties  of 
timber  grown  in  Scotland — Soots  Pine,  Larch,  and 
Norway  Spruce  ;  collection  of  timber  of  any  other 
three  conifers  grown  in  Scotland  ;  collection  of 
three  varieties  of  timber  grown  in  Scotland — Ash, 
Oak,  and  Elm  ;  collection  of  any  other  three  varieties 
of  timber  of  broad-leaved  trees  grown  in  Scotland  ; 
for  an  approved  report  on  the  damage  done  by 
insect  pests  injurious  to  forest  trees,  and  the 
measures  that  have  been  successfully  adopted  for 
their  extermination  ;  specimens  showing  the  com- 
parative quality  of  Larch  timber  grown  on  different 
soils  and  situations,  and  the  respective  ages  at 
which  it  reaches  marketable  size  and  maturity ; 
examples  showing  the  best  methods  of  utilising 
small  wood  in  the  manufacture  of  fancy  wood 
articles,  turnery,  wood  wool,  &c.  ;  for  a  scientific 
instrument  for  expeditiously  obtaining  the  diameter 
of  trees  at  a  given  height ;  and  for  the  best  exhibit 
of  timber  preserved  by  any  process  that  is  practical 
and  economical. 

The  Black  Currant  Boskoop  Giant 

and  the  mite. — Evil  times  have  fallen  upon 
the  Black  Currant  bushes  in  many  gardens,  and 
various  remedies  have  been  recommended  to  bring 
them  into  a  healthy  condition,  so  far  with  poor 
results,  as  once  the  mite  gets  a  hold  upon  the 
trees  it  appears  impossible  to  get  rid  of  it.  Two 
years  ago  we  cut  our  oldest  bushes  down  with  the 
intention  of  getting  clean  new  growth,  but  I 
regret  to  note  that  the  pest  reappears.  Though 
considerably  weakened,  it  is  not  vanquished.  Some 
may  have  been  more  fortunate,  and  if  they  can  give 
your  readers  advice  it  will  be  welcomed  by  many 
growers,  as  the  loss  of  these  fruits  is  unfortunate. 
I  can  only  ofter  a  partial  remedy,  and  that  is  to 
plant  the  new  Boskoop.  So  far  it  has  been  proof 
against  the  mite.  It  is  yet  early  days  to  say 
whether  it  will  continue  proof  against  the  pest ; 


but  it  has  several  good  points  in  its  favour.  It  is 
a  strong  grower,  more  vigorous  than  some  of  the 
older  sorts,  with  larger  and  longer  bunches  of 
excellent  flavour.  It  is  late  in  flowering,  so  that 
it  stands  a  better  chance  of  escaping  spring  frosts. 
Its  freedom  so  far  from  the  mite  should  make  it  a 
favourite.  It  is  only  fair  to  state  that  it  is  well  to 
keep  it  away  from  infested  bushes  when  planting 
a  new  quarter. — G.  W.  S. 

Royal   Horticultural  Society.— The 

next  fruit  and  flower  show  will  be  held  on  Tuesday 
next  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate,  West- 
minster, 1 — 4  p.m.  A  lecture  by  Mr.  R.  Lewis 
Castle,  of  the  Duke  of  Bedford's  Experimental 
Gardens,  on  "Pomology"  will  be  given  at  three 
o'clock.  At  a  general  meeting  of  the  society,  held 
on  Tuesday,  the  9th  inst.,  eighty-nine  new  Fellows 
were  elected,  making  a  total  of  261  elected  since 
the  beginning  of  the  present  year. 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 

entrance  fees. — The  exemption  of  the  class 
of  future  Fellows  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  described  as  "working  gardeners,"  from 
the  payment  of  the  newly-imposed  entrance  fee  of 
one  guinea  renders  it  needful  that  a  very  clear 
definition  should  be  provided.  As  at  present 
worded  the  assumption  is  that  only  gardeners 
employed  as  "workers"  in  gardens  are  exempt. 
How  would  such  a  definition  affect  gardeners  whose 
work  is  done,  and  now  exist  on  other  means  than 
by  work  ?  How  will  it  affect  those  employed  in 
the  horticultural  trade  as  managers,  foremen,  or 
persons  who  have  held  such  positions,  and  have 
retired  from  them  in  old  age?  Will  the  exemption 
apply  to  the  gardening  amateur,  who,  all  the 
same,  may  be  a  poor  man?  Is  he  a  "working 
gardener  ? "  The  term  used  in  describing  the 
exempted  class  does  not  clearly  define  what  is 
meant,  and  it  is  for  that  reason  the  council  should 
issue  a  clear  definition  of  what  class  or  classes  of 
persons  engaged  in  gardening  it  is  proposed  to 
exempt. — A.  D. 

Potatoes  at  Wisley.— I  am  extremely 
pleased  to  learn  that  the  council  of  the  Roj'al 
Horticultural  Society,  because  of  the  large  numbers 
of  diverse  varieties  of  Potatoes  sent  in  for  trial, 
have  resolved  to  plant  these  at  Wisley,  and  have 
an  ordinary  trial  of  them  there  this  year.  That  is 
very  satisfactory,  and  will  lend  additional  interest 
to  the  new  gardens,  and  enable  many  members  of 
the  fruit  committee  to  see  the  new  ground  for 
themselves.  I  fear  it  will  not  be  possible  to  asso- 
ciate with  the  Wisley  trial  this  year  one  of  the 
trials  of  Potatoes  proposed  to  be  conducted  in 
different  parts  of  the  kingdom  by  the  National 
Potato  Society,  but,  if  the  council  would  obtain 
small  quantities  of  the  same  varieties  as  is  proposed 
to  be  tested  in  those  trials,  the  general  trial  at 
Wisley  would  be  all  the  more  interesting.  The 
varieties  the  National  Potato  Society  propose  to 
have  severally  tried  are  Up-to-Date,  Sir  J. 
Llewelyn,  Northern  Star,  Edward  VII.,  Empress 
Queen,  Evergood,  British  Queen,  Charles  Fidler, 
Ninety-fold,  The  Factor,  Cramond  Blossom,  Good- 
fellow,  and  Scotch  Champion. — A.  D. 

The  early  distribution  of  Chry- 
santhemum novelties.  —  The  trade 
specialists,  as  a  rule,  distribute  their  new  Chrysan- 
themum in  fairly  good  time  in  the  spring.  If  the 
novelties  are  to  be  represented  in  good  form  in  the 
succeeding  autumn  displays,  the  plants  should  be  in 
the  grower's  possession  quite  early  in  the  spring, 
or  his  chances  of  a  success  will  be  somewhat 
remote.  Too  often  plants  are  not  ordered  until  the 
first  batch  of  novelties  is  being  distributed,  and  in 
that  case  less  promising  plants,  and  those,  too, 
that  were  propagated  much  later  than  is  desirable, 
have  to  be  acquired  instead.  Seeing  that  the  life 
of  a  new  Chrysanthemum  is  now  so  short,  each 
novelty  being  so  soon  superseded  by  better  ones, 
it  is  important  that  the  most  be  made  of  it  during 
the  first  year  of  its  distribution.  Chrysanthemums, 
like  other  plants,  differ  much  in  character  and 
constitution,  and  while  with  some  new  sorts  it 
may  be  possible  to  achieve  success  with  a  small 
plant  taken  in  hand  in  the  spring,  with  another 
variety  equal  in  appearance  one  may  fail  altogether. 
A  long  season  of  steady  growth  is  much  to  be 
desired.— D.  B.  C. 


130 


THE    GARDEN. 


f  February  20,  ISOl. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


CLASSIFICATION    OF    SWEET    PEAS. 


SWEET  PEA  growers  and  lovers  alike,  who 
follow  the  progress  of  the  National 
Sweet  Pea  Society,  cannot  fail  to  recognise 
the  good  work  being  carried  out  by  the 
committee  of  that  body  in  its  endeavours 
to  classify  aright  the  numerous  varieties 
now  in  cultivation,  and  by  publishing  the  results  of 
its  deliberations  enables  growers  to  choose  the  very  :  Sydenham. 


use  also;  his  list  appeared  in  The  Garden  of  the 
23rd  ult. 

In  The  Garden  of  the  6th  inst.  Mr.  Robert 
Sydenham  indulges  in  a  friendly  criticism  of  Mr. 
Aldersey's  list.  I  question  if  there  is  a  grower  in 
England  (unless  it  be  Mr.  Henry  Eckford)  who  has 
taken  a  greater  interest  in  the  Sweet  Pea  than 
Mr.  Sydenham,  and  in  responding  to  his  request 
that  other  growers  should  give  their  opinions  on  the 
respective  lists,  I  wish  it  to  be  understood  that 
not  for  a  moment  do  I  claim  to  be  able  to  produce 
a  better  list  than  either  Mr.  Aldersey  or  Mr. 
But    rather   to    endeavour  to   prove 


best  varieties  to  grow  in  each  section.  I  have  been  ]  the  almost  impossibility  of  two  growers  in  different 
much  interested  in  the  lists  published  in  The  i  parts  of  the  country  holding  similar  opinions  as  to 
Garden  of  the  23rd  ult.,  giving  the  results  of  the  |  what  are  really  the  bast  varieties,  I  will  state 
special  audit  of  varieties  shown  at  the  National  I  where  my  experience  makes  me  agree  or  disagree 
Sweet  Pea  Society's  annual    exhibition   in   1903.  1  with  your  contributors.     In  the  class  for  whites, 

Dorothy     Eckford, 
Blanche    Burpee,    and 
Sadie   Burpee  I    think 
should    stand    in     the 
order     given.       But 
should     a     fourth     be 
required    Emily    Hen- 
derson  would    be    my 
choice  in  preference  to 
Mont  Blanc ;  the  latter 
variety  has  proved  so 
weak     in    constitution 
with   me   that   I   have 
discontinued     growing 
it.    For  blush  varieties 
I  would  choose  Duchess 
of  Sutherland  and  Sen- 
sation.        Cream- 
coloured,  so  called   by 
Mr.     Aldersey,      or 
creamy    buff    by    Mr. 
Sydenham,  is  a  section 
ignored  by  the  National 
Sweet  Pea  Society.  Mr. 
Sydenham's    definition 
is,    [  think,    the   more 
correct;    the   three 
varieties  standing  first 
in  my  favour  are  Agnes 
Johnson,  Graoie  Green- 
wood, and  Countess  of 
Lathom  ;   while  Lottie 
Hutchins,  as  given  by 
Mr.  Aldersey,  I  should 
put  in  the  class  called 
Fancies    (or     varieties 
having  more  than  two 
distinct  shades) ;   it  is 
by  far  the  most  beau- 
tiful   of     this    section 
(when  true  to  charac- 
ter).    Of  the  so-called 
yellows,  but  better  still 
pale  primrose,  I  should 
select  Hon.  Mrs.  Ken- 
yon,  Mrs.  Eckford,  and 
Queen  Victoria,  leaving 
out  Mrs.  Ormesby  Gore. 
Coming  to  the  pinks, 
I  agree  with  Mr.  Alder- 
sey's selection.   I  know 
that     many     growers, 
and  especially    Mr. 
Sydenham,  assert  the  superiority  of  Prima  Donna 
over    Lovely.      This    seems   strange    to    me,    for 
Lovely  has  always  been  50  per  cent,  better  with  me 
than  Prima  Donna.      It  may  be   that  the  heavy 
soil  here  or  the  locality  suits  it  better,  but  I  have 
exhibited  it  a  great  many  times,  and  I  think  I  can 
say   without  boasting  that  I  have  never  in  com- 
petition seen  Prima  Donna  to  equal  it.     I  think 
Mrs.  Dugdale  is  not  to  be  compared  to  Prince  of 
Wales,  Lord  Rosebery,  and  Her  Majesty.     I  should 
prefer  to  place  it  with  Royal  Rose  in  the  light  rose 
section,  but  I  do  not  care  for  either  of  these  two. 
I    think    Mr.    Sydenham's    description    of     Miss 
Willmott   as   salmon-rose    is    correct.       Lady   M. 
Carrie  was  my  favourite  here  before  the  advent  of 
Miss   Willmott,    but    the    latter    has    altogether 
eclipsed  the  former.    It  may  be  possible  to  obtain  a 
richer  colour  in  Lady  Mary,  but  in  size  of  flower 


A  GROUP   OF  THE  SALMON   QUILLED   DAISY  ALICE. 


This  should  prove  of  great  value  to  intending 
growers,  but  I  should  like  to  have  seen  a  full 
revised  list  of  varieties  (as  given  in  the  society's 
report)  published  in  The  Garden  at  the  same  time. 
In  compiling  this  list  the  committee  have  arranged 
the  varieties  in  each  section  in  alphabetical  order. 
I  have  no  doubt  they  have  a  good  reason  for  this, 
but  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  say  so  I  should  prefer  to 
see  the  varieties  arranged  according  to  their  recog- 
nised order  of  merit.  Many  amateurs  cannot  afford 
to  grow  more  than  one  or  two  varieties  in  each 
section,  therefore  the\'  would  naturally  wish  to 
select  the  very  best.  The  National  Sweet  Pea 
Society's  lists,  being  the  result  of  the  opinions  of 
a  great  many  growers  situated  in  all  parts  of  the 
country,  should  be  of  the  greatest  value.  Never- 
theless, a  classification  list  by  so  good  a  grower  and 
exhibitor  as  Mr.  Hugh  Aldersey  should  be  of  much 


and  in  constitution  Miss  Willmott  has  no  rival. 
I  agree  with  Mr.  Sydenham  as  to  Gorgeous  being 
a  bicolor,  and  in  this  respect  I  certainly  think  the 
society  is  not  quite  fair  to  this  section  in  lumping 
them  all  under  one  heading.  By  their  83'stem  we 
get  Triumph  heading  this  long  list  of  bicolors  to 
the  exclusion  of  Jeannie  Gordon  (in  my  opinion  the 
best  of  them  all).  The  class  for  crimsons  and  also 
that  for  lavenders  occupy  a  most  enviable  position  ; 
in  that  we  all  agree.  Strange  to  say.  Captain  of 
the  Blues  has  never  appeared  to  me  as  a  light  blue, 
so  I  join  hands  with  Mr.  Aldersey  here.  On 
the  other  hand,  I  have  always  considered  Countess 
Cadogan  a  light  blue,  but  Emil}"  Eckford  by  far  the 
best,  although  rather  weak  in  constitution  ;  while 
I  consider  Duke  of  Westminster  the  very  best  in 
the  violet  and  purple  section.  I  also  consider  Duke 
of  Clarence  a  first-class  variety.  I  think  Mr. 
Aldersey  is  quite  fair  in  classing  Dorothy  Tennant, 
Mrs.  Walter  Wright,  and  Admiration  as  mauve 
varieties,  though  the  first-named  is  certainly  much 
the  darkest.  I  have  always  preferred  Black  Knight 
to  Othello.  Captivation  I  consider  the  nearest  to 
a  magenta  that  we  have,  while  Lord  Kenyon  I  look 
upon  as  rose.  Duchess  of  Westminster  is,  I  think, 
the  poorest  variety  I  have  grown. 

Wistoio  Hall  Gardens,  Leicester.     F.  J.  Clark. 


DOUBLE    DAISIES. 

It  is  in  the  spring  garden  in  particular  that  we  see 
the  Daisies  in  the  fulness  of  their  beauty  vieing 
with  the  green  and  variegated  Arabis,  the  Forget- 
me-not,  the  Tufted  Pansy,  the  Aubrietia,  and  other 
things  of  dwarf  growth.  Perhaps  many  may  be 
inclined  to  regard  the  Daisy  as  commonplace,  but 
at  the  same  time  there  are  many  varieties.  Here 
then  is  an  opening  for  improvement,  though  it  is 
not  easy  to  see  where  such  may  come  in  when  we 
remember  the  brilliancy  of  the  old  Double  Crimson 
or  the  purity  and  size  of  either  The  Bride  or 
Snowflake.  The  last  is  that  with  broad,  flat  petals, 
and  is  perhaps  the  finest  white  bedding  variety. 
The  Bride  has  flowers  of  exceptional  size,  too,  and 
they  are  produced  on  stems  9  inches  long.  Rubens 
is  possibly  the  old  crimson  kind  above  mentioned, 
and  never  fails  to  yield  a  great  display  of  flowers  ; 
the  colour  is  really  crimson  -  scarlet.  King  of 
Crimsons  is  another  of  very  striking  colour,  and 
one  to  be  strongly  recommended.  There  are  also 
the  Hen  and  Chickens,  which  is  more  curious  than 
pretty,  and  a  variety  of  crimson-red  freckled  with 
white.  Apart  from  these  are  two  others  of  equal, 
if  not  greater,  importance,  viz.,  Dresden  China  and 
Alice,  of  which  we  give  an  illustration.  These  are 
very  beautiful  forms  ;  the  first  is  a  very  charming 
tone  of  pink,  the  second  of  more  salmon  hue  and 
strongly  quilled.  Upon  more  than  one  occasion  at 
the  Temple  show  and  at  other  times  we  have 
greatly  admired  the  fine  array  of  Alice  set  up  by 
the  Misses  Hopkins,  of  Mere,  Knutsford,  and  who, 
we  believe,  were  the  introducers  of  this  excellent 
variety.  Dresden  China  has  also  been  largely  shown 
by  the  Misses  Hopkins. 

It  need  hardly  be  said  that  Daisies  will  flourish 
in  nearly  every  sort  of  soil,  and  where  it  is  desired 
to  increase  largely  the  stock  of  any  existing  kind 
the  plants  should  be  pulled  to  pieces  in  spring  after 
flowering  is  over  and  bedded  out  in  any  good  garden 
soil.  How  well  these  things  grow  in  moist  and 
even  clay  soils  is  well  known,  and  the  fact  at  least 
should  encourage  a  freer  use  of  them  for  bedding 
and  other  work  in  the  districts  where  such  soils 
obtain.  E.  H.  Jenkins. 


EVERGREEN      HOLLIES. 


Ilex  Aquipolium  and  its  Varieties. 

A  MONO  all  the  introductions  from  other 

jK         countries   and    climates   tliat    have 

/  \       poured  into  this  country  during  the 

/      \      last  1.50  years,  our  native  Holly  still 

L        \.    holds  its  own  as  one  of  the  best,  if  not 

the  very  best,  of  all  evergreens  for 

general  use  in  the  gardens  of  Great  Britain.   It 

has  not,  of  course,  the  gorgeous  flower-beauty 

of  the  lihododendron,  nor  the  lofty  stature  and 


February  20,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


131 


plumy  grace  of  many  exotic  Firs  and  Spruces, 
but  it  is  always  bright  and  cheerful  in  the 
lustrous,  deep  green  of  its  foliage,  and  more 
especially  so  in  winter,  when  laden  with  its 
bright  red  fruits.  What  is,  perhaps,  its 
greatest  merit  is  that  it  will  grow  in  any  part 
of  the  country,  on  all  but  the  most  arid  soils, 
and  almost  equally  well  in  shade  or  full 
sunlight. 

Naturally  a  tree  of  the  middle  size,  and 
attaining  from  30  feet  to  50  feet  in  height 
(Loudon  mentions  examples  60  feet  to  70  feet 
high),  it  can  still  be  kept  permanently  at  the 
size  of  a  small  bush  a  few  feet  high  by  pruning. 
For  forming  an  evergreen  hedge  it  is  probably 
the  best  of  all  plants,  superior  even  to  the  Yew, 
because  it  will  thrive  where  that  will  not.  It 
has  sported  into  numerous  and  very  varied 
forms.  In  colour,  in  shape,  and  in  size  of  leaf, 
as  well  as  in  habit,  one  may  find  almost  every 
form  that  cultivated  plants  assume  among  the 
garden  Hollies.  Thirty  years  ago  the  late 
Thomas  Moore  monographed  the  varieties  of 
the  common  Holly  in  the  Gardtneri  Chronicle, 
with  the  help  of  the  leading  cultivators  of 
Holly  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Even  at  that 
time  he  was  able  to  name  and  classify  150 
varieties. 

Although,  like  many  monographers,  Moore 
probably  over-divided  his  material  and  relied 
too  much  on  unimportant  and  transient 
characters,  his  was  a  genuine  and  valuable 
attempt  to  classify  the  garden  Hollies.  The 
fine  collection  of  Hollies  at  Kew  is  named  in 
almost  complete  accordance  with  Moore,  and  his 
nomenclature  has  been  followed  in  the  "  Kew 
Hand  List."  In  the  following  notes  a  repre- 
sentative fifty  varieties  are  briefly  described  : 

Vaeieties  of  Ilex  Aquifolidm. 

Altaclarensis.  —  This  is  a  large  -  leaved 
variety,  dull  green,  with  regularly  -  placed 
spines  on  the  margin.  The  bark  is  dull  purple. 
The  variety  is  represented  by  a  good  speci- 
men at  Kew  25  feet  high  and  13  feet  through.  I 

Angustifolia.  —  A  green  variety, 
with  small,  narrow  leaves,  marked 
by  the  large,  weak  spines  set  on 
portions  of  the  margin.  It  is  of 
slender  elegant  habit,  and  can  be 
distinguished  from  other  varieties  of 
a  similar  type  by  a  large  proportion 
of  its  leaves  having  the  terminal 
one-third  without  spines. 

Argentea  (the  "  silver  "  Hollies).— 
Under  this  name  are  grouped  several 
of  the  Hollies  with  white  or  cream- 
coloured  variegation.  They  include 
some  of  the  brightest  and  most 
ornamental  of  all  the  varieties— 
argentea  longifolia ;  argentea  mar- 
ginata,  the  old  silver  -  variegated 
Holly ;  Argentea  medio-picta,  or 
the  "Silver  Milkmaid,"  with  a 
whitish  blotch  in  the  centre  of  the 
leaf ;  argentea  pendula  or  Perry's 
Weeping,  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
of  Hollies  both  as  regards  habit  and 
leaf-colouring ;  and 

Argentea  regina,  the  "  Silver 
Queen  "  Holly,  probably  the  best  of 
all  the  "silver"  Hollies,  and  espe- 
cially marked  by  its  broad,  well- 
defined  border  of  white  on  the 
leaves. 

A  trovirens.—  One  of  the  big-leaved 
Hollies,  the  foliage  being  dark, 
shining  green,  and  stout  in  texture. 
_  A2irea  (the  golden  Hollies).— As 
m  the  case  of  Argentea,  several  of 
the  best  variegated  Hollies  are 
grouped  under  this  name.     Aurea 


marginata  may  be  regarded  as  the  typical 
golden-variegated  Holly ;  aurea  medio-picta, 
the  "  Gold  Milkmaid,"  is  marked  by  the  large 
irregular  yellow  patch  in  the  centre  of  the  leaf, 
and  is  the  counterpart  of  argentea  medio-picta 
among  the  silver  Hollies  ;  aurea  pendula,  or 
'  Waterer's  Gold  Weeping,"  a  handsome  pen- 
dulous form,  whose  leaves  have  a  broad, 
irregular,  but  well-defined  yellow  border  ;  and 
aurea  regina,  the  "Golden  Queen"  Holly, 
generally  considered  the  finest  of  all  this  group  ; 
it  is  a  strong  grower,  and  is  richly  variegated, 
the  greater  part  of  the  leaf  being  golden. 

Balearica. — A  fine,  big-leaved  green  Holly, 
with  a  few  irregularly  set  spines,  or  occasionally 
none  at  all. 

Camellice folia. — The  variety  we  grow  at  Kew 
under  this  name  I  regard  as  the  finest  of  the 
green-leaved  sorts.  Of  erect,  pyramidal  habit 
and  quick  growing,  it  has  leaves  5  inches  to 
6  inches  long,  often  entirely  without  spines  and 
rarely  with  more  than  three  or  four  ;  they  are 
usually  less  than  half  as  wide  as  they  are  long, 
and  of  the  deepest  and  most  lustrous  green. 
This  variety  is  also  known  as  laurifolia  longi- 
folia. W.  J.  Bean. 
(To  be  continued.) 


will  cover  the  surface  of  a  bed  of  shrubs  with 
a  carpet  of  gold  and  green,  is  perfectly  at  home 
on  grass  land,  thrives  very  well  beneath  the 
branches  of  large  trees,  as  is  shown  by  the 
accompanying  illustration,  and  is  also  worthy 
of  a  place  in  the  border  proper.  In  soils  that 
are  exceptionally  cold  and  wet  the  Winter 
Aconite  sometimes  dwindles  away.  In  Lincoln- 
shire its  value  as  a  market  flower  is  being 
tested,  and  we  have  lately  seen  flowers  ofi'ered 
for  sale  in  the  streets  of  London.  Each  forms 
such  a  dainty  buttonhole  that  probably  there 
will  be  a  good  demand  for  it.  T. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


THE    WINTER    ACONITE    IN 
LINCOLNSHIRE. 

EVERYONE  knows  the  quaintly  beau- 
tiful flowers  of  the  Winter  Aconite 
(Eranthis  hyemalis),  each  so  snugly 
nestled  in  the  deeply-frilled  bracts 
that  surround  it  as  to  make  a  perfect 
miniature  posy  in  itself,  and  it 
might  seem  superfluous  to  draw  attention  to  it 
now,  were  it  not  that  one  can  hardly  have  too 
many  of  this  earliest  of  hardy  flowers.  The 
Winter  Aconite  is  very  accommodating ;    it 


SAXIFRAGA    FLORULENTA. 

In  tho  genus  Saxifraga  we  have  many  very  beau- 
tiful plants,  and  although  the  great  majority  are 
of  the  easiest  culture,  some  tax  the  skill  of  the 
grower.  Some,  too,  are  difficult  to  procure  from 
the  ordinary  sources  of  supply,  and  even  at  a  high 
price  are  almost  unobtainable.  Such  a  species  is 
S.  florulenta,  of  which,  although  expensive,  there 
seems  at  present  to  be  a  considerable  stock  held 
in  those  British  nurseries  where  alpine  flowers 
are  largely  grown.  Saxifraga  florulenta  is  such  a 
distinct-looking  plant  that  it  is  easily  recognised  if 
it  has  once  been  seen,  although  it  is  not  possible  to 
put  its  characteristics  into  such  words  as  will 
enable  anyone  to  distinguish  it  by  a  written 
description  alone,  especially  in  a  genus  like  this, 
where  the  species  are  so  numerous.  This  remark 
about  the  ease  with  which  it  can  be  recognised 
refers  to  the  plant  when  out  of  flower,  for,  un- 
fortunately, its  specific  name  of  florulenta  (slow- 
flowering)  is  too  literally  correct  to  please  an 
ardent  admirer  of  Saxifrages  in  flower.  Although 
we  may  have  S.  florulenta  for  a  number  of  years, 
we  may  never  have  the  privilege  of  seeing  it  in 
bloom. 

It  is  thus  little  wonder  if  those  who  have 
described  its  flowers,  and  who,  like  myself,  have 
seen  it  in  bloom,  difi'er  in  the  accounts  of  their 
colour.  Thus  I  see  them  called  pale  lilac  by  one, 
crimson  by  another,  and  M.  Correvon,  who  is  as 
likely  to  have  seen  it  as  any  one,  calls  it  "  d'un 
beau  rose,"  which,  I  believe,  is  as  near  the  colour 
as   we    are    likely  to    arrive.      They  are    rarely 


A  ZEBEUARY  PICrORE — THE   WINTER  ACONITE   UNDER  BEECH   TREE   IN   LINCOLNSHIRE. 


132 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  20,  1904 


produced,  ao  that  it  is  not  surprising  that  so  few 
know  this  species.  The  whole  plant  when  in 
bloom  is  said  to  grow  from  5  inches  to  12  inches 
high,  the  flowers  being  in  a  raceme,  and  about  half 
an  inch  long.  The  rosette  of  leaves  is  a  very 
pretty  one,  varying  from  2  inches  or  3  inches  to  as 
much  us  7  inches  across.  The  spathulate  leaves 
are  pale  green,  and  have  a  more  leather3'  appear- 
ance than  those  of  most  others  of  their  class.  It 
is,  unfortunately,  one  of  the  species  which  die 
after  flowering,  so  that  unless  it  produces  seeds 
there  is  every  chance  of  losing  it  after  (it  ever)  it 
blooms.  Still  more  unfortunate  is  the  fact  that  it 
is  not  easily  cultivated,  and  I  have  come  across  it 
this  winter  in  a  very  unsatisfactory-looking  condi- 
tion, even  where  it  was  under  glass.  The  most 
healthy  plants  I  have  seen  were  at  the  base  of  a 
terraced  rockery  in  a  dry  district,  in  a  half-shaded 
situation.  I  am  growing  it  on  an  east  exposure, 
but  a  little  higher  up  on  the  rockery  than  the 
others  referred  to.  This  is  because  I  am  of  opinion 
that  in  my  moist  climate  there  is  a  possibility  of 
this  Saxifrage  being  too  wet  if  on  a  lower  level. 

I  have  written  of  this  Rockfoil  at  some  length, 
as  it  is  one  which  will  create  a  good  deal  of  interest 
in  any  garden  where  it  can  be  successfully  culti- 
vated, and,  above  all,  well  flowered.  I  can  only 
add  that  it  comes  from  the  Maritime  Alps,  where 
it  grows  at  an  altitude  of  from  about  6,000  feet  to 
7,500  feet.  S.  Arnott. 

Carsethorn,  by  Dumfries,  N.B. 


BULBOUS  IKISES  FOE  TABLE 
DECORATION. 
For  some  years  I  have  grown  several  of  the 
dwarfer  Narcissi  in  ornamental  bowls  in  fibre 
without  drainage,  as  recommended  by  Mr.  Robert 
Sydenham  and  others,  and  this  season  I  have  tried 
the  experiment  with  some  of  the  hardy  bulbous 
Irises.  For  this  purpose  I  chose  I.  Heldreichi, 
I.  reticulata,  I.  Histrio,  and  I.  Histrioides.  These 
I  planted  in  early  autumn  in  the  fibre  in  tiny  bowls 
the  size  of  a  tennis  ball,  one  bulb  in  each.  I  was 
very  doubtful  of  success,  but  the  result  has  been 
most  satisfactory.  I.  Histrio  bloomed  first,  closely 
followed  by  I.  Heldreichi,  while  I.  reticulata  is  in 
strong  bud,  and  should  be  out  in  a  day  or  two. 
I.  Histrioides  has  failed  to  flower,  and  is  the  only 
disappointment,  but  at  that  I  am  not  particularly 
surprised,  as  I  have  found  it  a  shy  bloomer  under 
any  conditions.  Anything  more  charming  than 
these  little  flowers  thus  grown  can  hardly  be 
imagined  ;  placed  here  and  there  in  their  dainty 
little  bowls  on  the  luncheon  table  they  cannot  fail 
to  be  admired  by  everyone.  I  say  luncheon  table 
advisedly,  as  their  colours  and  ornamental  mark- 
ings under  artificial  light,  of  course,  fail  to  produce 
the  pretty  effect  that  they  do  by  daylight. 
^y^-  F.  Herbert  Chapman. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 

SPPJNG    DRESSING    FOE    OUTDOOR 
PEACH    TREES. 

FOR  the  benefit  of  those  who  grow  Peaches 
on  open  walls  I  should  like  to  mention 
what  I  have  found  for  some  years  to  be  a 
valuable  dressing  for  Peach  and  other 
trees  on  walls.  Especially  is  this  the 
case  where  the  walls  are  old  and  the 
pointing  bad  from  much  nailing  year  after  year, 
consequently  giving  good  winter  quarters  for  the 
eggs,  &c. ,  of  insect  pests.  Red  spider  is  perhaps 
the  worst  insect  the  Peach  cultivator  has  to  con- 
tend with.  I  venture,  however,  to  say  that  any 
grower  who  will  adopt  the  practice  I  have  followed 
for  some  years  will  find  lictle  trouble  from  this 
dreaded  pest. 

About  the  first  week  in  March,  or  immediately 
before  the  opening  of  the  blossoms,  I  prepare  a 
mixture  as  follows,  using  for  the  purpose  of  mixing 
a  bucket  or  vessel  that  will  hold  four  gallons  : 
First  dissolve  lib.  of  soft  soap,  or  carbolic  soap 
would  perhaps  be  still  better,  in  half  a  gallon  of 
hot  water.     Six  pounds  of  flowers  of  sulphur  may 


be  put  in  the  bucket  and  the  soapy  water  added  by 
degrees,  mixing  with  the  hands,  so  that  when 
sufficient  water  has  been  added  the  sulphur  will 
be  of  the  consistency  of  thick  paint  and  quite  free 
from  any  lumps.  To  this  add  half  a  gallon  of 
Bentley's  Quassia  Extract  and  one  quart  of  Tobacco 
water,  stirring  all  well  together  and  adding 
sufficient  water  to  fill  the  bucket.  Half  a  gallon 
of  this  mixture  may  be  added  to  three  and  a  half 
gallons  of  clear  water,  and  while  applying  it  to 
every  inch  of  the  Peach  wall,  keep  the  mixture 
well  stirred  with  the  syringe,  otherwise  the 
sulphur  will  quickly  settle  to  the  bottom  of  the 
bucket. 

I  find  it  a  good  plan  to  commence  at  one  end  of 
the  wall  and  syringe  behind  one,  and  when  the 
opposite  end  is  reached  reverse  and  do  the  same. 
By  this  means  the  trees  and  wall  are  thoroughly 
wetted,  and  when  dry  will  be  as  yellow  as  sulphur 
can  make  them.  A  dry,  sunny  afternoon  is  the 
best  time  for  applying  the  mixture.  The  quantity 
mentioned — four  gallons — is  sufficient  to  make 
32  gallons,  and  is  just  enough  for  our  Peach  wall 
120  yards  long  and  10  feet  high.  The  proportions 
for  a  longer  or  shorter  wall  are  easily  ascertained. 
I  have  also  found  great  benefits  from  the  use  of 
this  mixture  on  Plum,  Cherry,  Pear,  and  Rose 
trees  on  walls.  It  has  the  advantage  of  being 
absolutely  safe  in  application,  is  not  very  expen- 
sive, and  the  benefits  are  almost  incalculable. 

Lathom  Gardens,  Ormskirl:  B.  Ashton. 


RAISING    BLACK  CURRANT   BUSHES. 

The  thanks  of  all  who  are  in  any  way  interested 
in  the  culture  of  the  Black  Currant,  either  for 
private  use  or  for  market,  are  due  to  you  for 
bringing  this  subject  ao  prominently  before  our 
notice  on  page  72.  I  know  from  experience  that 
no  greater  mistake  can  be  made  than  to  attempt  to 
grow  Black  Currants  successfully  on  the  stem 
system.  Here,  in  Norfolk,  the  Black  Currant  is 
largely  grown  both  by  the  cottager  and  the  market 
grower,  and  it  is  a  most  remunerative  crop.  A 
few  of  the  growers  still  adhere  to  the  old  principle 
of  raising  their  bushes  with  stems,  and  I  am  sorry 
to  find  that  some  nurserymen  still  insist  on 
raising  them  in  the  same  way.  I  was  recently 
looking  over  two  large  plantations  of  Black  Currant 
bushes.  Both  were  planted  four  years  ago,  and 
both  occupy  ground  in  the  same  field,  the  soil  of 
which  is  light,  rich,  and  loamy,  and  most  suitable 
for  growing  either  bush  fruit  or  orchard  trees.  The 
one  plantation  was  made  up  entirely  of  bushes  with 
stems  or  shanks  about  12  inches  in  length  ;  the 
other  was  planted  entirely  with  bushes  grown  from 
cuttings  that  were  not  disbudded  at  all.  The 
former  are  now  in  a  most  unhealthy  condition,  and 
are,  in  fact,  useless,  while  the  latter  are  strong, 
healthy,  and  vigorous,  and  likely  to  produce  heavy 
crops  of  fruit  for  several  years  to  come.  The 
grower  of  these  bushes  told  me  that  the  crop  taken 
from  the  bushes  with  stems  was  not  more  than  half 
the  weight  of  that  taken  from  the  other  bushes,  and 
the  quality  was  nothing  to  be  compared  with  it.  I 
was  also  shown  a  batch  of  young  plants  struck  from 
cuttings  not  disbudded  last  season,  that  were  indue 
course  to  be  planted  out  this  season,  and  will 
occupy  a  twelve-acre  field.  This  will  show  the 
confidence  the  grower  has  in  planting  bushes  grown 
from  plants  that  have  not  been  disbudded  in  the 
cutting  stage.  Young  plants  should  be  cut  hard 
back  the  first  season.  It  is  a  great  mistake  to 
leave  the  shoots  of  newly-planted  bushes  long. 
Encourage  all  growth  from  as  close  to  the  ground 
as  possible.  T.  B.  Field. 

AshweUthorpe  Hall  Oardens,  Norwich. 


PEAR  PASSE  CRASSANE. 
The  splendid  dish  of  fruits  of  this  Pear  shown  by 
Mr.  Woodward,  Barham  Court  Gardens,  Maidstone, 
at  the  Drill  Hall  last  week  is  opportune,  for  it  serves 
to  remind  us  of  the  value  of  this  delicious  winter 
varietj'.  Its  best  season  is  January  and  February. 
When  well  grown  this  Pear  is  excellent.  It  is, 
however,  somewhat  uncertain,  and  should  be  given 
a  good  position  on  a  wall.  Some  of  the  finest 
fruits  of  Pear  Paaae  Crassane  that  we  have  seen 
were  shown  by  Mr.  Woodward. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

EURYA   LATIFOLIA  VARIEGATA. 

IN  commenting  on  the  different  plants  grown  by 
Mr.  Petrick  at  Ghent  (The  Garden,  page  103), 
mention  is  made  of  this  Eurya,  and  surprise 
is  expressed  that  it  does  not  find  more  favour. 
The  same  thought  has  often  struck  me,  for  it 
is  in  every  way  a  neat-growing  plant,  and  the 
foliage  is  richly  coloured,  in  addition  to  which  it  is 
almost  hardy,  so  that  it  can  be  used  for  decoration 
in  positions  where  such  subjects  as  Crotons  and 
Dracaenas  would  soon  perish.  In  general  appear- 
ance this  Eurya  bears  a  certain  amount  of  resem- 
blance to  a  Camellia,  but  the  leaves  are  longer  in 
proportion  to  their  width,  and  are  not  quite  so 
thick  in  texture.  Unlike  most  plants,  the  variega- 
tion does  not  consist  of  any  regular  markings, 
for  the  leaves  when  young  present  an  almost 
indescribable  blending  of  white,  yellow,  pink,  and 
green  of  different  shades,  but  as  the  leaves  mature 
a  good  deal  of  the  pink  disappears.  Even  if  used  in 
draughty  corridors  and  such  places  where  the  plants 
get  covered  with  dust,  the  smooth,  glossy  character 
of  the  leaves  admits  of  their  being  readily  cleaned. 
In  the  particularly  favoured  districts  of  England 
and  Ireland  it  can  be  regarded  as  a  hardy  shrub, 
but  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  country 
greenhouse  treatment  suits  it  best.  It  has  been 
known  for  forty  years  or  thereabouts,  but  there 
is  no  recorded  instance  of  its  flowering  till  1894. 
This  happened  in  Cornwall,  and  the  specimens 
being  submitted  to  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  he  decided 
that  it  was  not  a  Eurya  at  all,  and  named  it 
Cleyera  Fortunei.  As  such  it  was  figured  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine  tab.  7434.  As  small  plants  it 
may  sometimes  be  seen  at  the  different  summer 
exhibitions  used  as  an  edging  to  groups  of  shrubs 
or  for  similar  purposes.  It  is,  however,  not  only 
as  small  plants  that  it  is  valuable,  but  good 
bushy  specimens  4  feet  or  5  feet  high  form  striking 
objects  in  the  conservatory.  Propagation  by 
means  of  cuttings  is  not  a  difficult  matter,  the 
best  cuttings  being  furnished  by  the  half-ripened 
shoots  on  plants  that  have  been  grown  under  glass. 
A  length  of  about  4  inches  is  very  suitable  for  the 
cuttings,  which  should  be  dibbled  into  well-drained 
pots  of  very  sandy  soil,  and  placed  in  a  close  pro- 
pagating case,  kept  a  little  warmer  than  the 
cuttings  have  grown  in.  Special  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  allow  them  to  flag  before  insertion. 

H.  P. 


ULMUS   PUMILA. 

SiNBE  the  note  on  this  Elm  appeared  in  The 
Garden  last  week  (page  111)  we  have  had  the  tree 
photographed,  and  refer  our  readers  to  the  infor- 
mation there  published.  It  is  a  tree  of  much 
interest  and  beauty. 


SHADE    TREES. 

(Continued  from  page  111.) 
Norway  Maple. 
The  Norway  Maple  appears  to  be  the  best  Maple 
we  have  for  street  use,  though  most  of  the  trees  I 
have  seen  are  still  comparatively  young.  Care  must 
be  taken  to  prevent  its  heading  too  low  and  making 
too  dense  a  shade,  but  this  can  be  easily  done  by 
timely  and  skilful  pruning.  Like  the  Sugar  Maple, 
it  suffers  from  dust  and  smoke,  though  not  to  the 
same  extent,  while  it  endures  other  street  conditions 
much  better,  as  may  be  seen  by  comparing  the  two 
species  in  any  of  our  cities.  After  the  first  two  or 
three  years  it  makes  a  strong  and  rapid  growth,  and 
develops  into  a  shapely  tree,  well  adapted  to  street 
use,  and  free  from  any  serious  pests. 

Ginkgo. 
The  Ginkgo  is  a  new  and  very  promising  tree 
from  Japan.  There  is  a  fine  avenue  of  them  in 
Washington,  and  they  seem  to  stand  the  winter  aa 
far  north  aa  Boston,  where  several  young  trees  have 
recently  been  planted.  At  Rochester,  the  ex- 
tremities of  the  lower  limbs  are  often  winter  killed, 
and  in  Northern  (iermany  it  cannot  be  successfully 
cultivated  on  account  of  the  severe  cold  and  injuiy 


February  20,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


133 


to  its  branches  from  snow.  This  tree  is  in  many 
ways  an  ideal  street  tree,  and  is  without  enemies 
of  any  liind.  One  liiust  wait  many  years  for  shade, 
however,  and  the  form  of  the  tree  must  be  adapted 
to  street  use  by  careful  pruning. 

Tlie  indications  are  that  the  Ginkgo  will  make  a 
valuable  addition  to  our  list  of  shade  trees  ;  but 
experiment  alone  will  definitely  determine  its  value. 
A  new  tree  often  has  many  advantages  in  the  way 
of  soil  and  attention  which  would  work  wonders  if 
bestowed  to  an  equal  degree  on  some  ordinary  and 
less  esteemed  species  ;  while  it  might  be  difficult 
to  say  just  what  effect  the  vigorous  conditions  under 
whicifi  many  of  our  city  trees  exist  would  have 
upon  the  species  newly  introduced.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  the  Ginkgo  will  not  have  to  suffer  all 
that  some  other  trees  have  borne. 
Ash. 

The  Ash  is  a  rapid  grower  and 
practically  free  from  insects  and 
diseases.  Its  foliage  does  not 
appear  so  early  as  to  exclude  the 
sun  from  the  soil  in  springtime. 
The  wood  is  strong  and  valuable, 
but  the  branches  are  badly  deformed 
by  the  wind.  As  its  roots  lie  near 
the  surface,  it  is  adapted  to  shallow 
soils.  Thus  far  the  Ash  has  not 
been  very  much  used  in  cities.  Of 
the  various  species  of  this  tree  the 
White  Ash  is  much  the  best. 

Hackeekry. 
The  Hackberry  is  another  of  our  * 

common  native  trees  which  deserves 
to  be  more  frequently  planted.  It 
is  shapely,  not  choice  as  to  soil, 
grows  rapidly,  resists  drought,  is 
easily  grown  from  the  seed  and 
easily  transplanted,  and  is  free 
from  any  serious  diseases.  Various 
leaf-eaters  and  gall  insects  attack 
its  foliage,  and  its  branches  are 
often  disfigured  by  distortions 
attributed  to  a  gall  mite  and  a 
powdery  mildew,  but  none  of  these 
troubles  seriously  injure  its  value 
as  a  shade  producer  nor  endanger 
its  life.  It  is  said  to  be  frequently 
used  for  shade  in  the  west. 

Sweet-Gum. 
The  Sweet-Gum  develops  rapidly 
and  well  in  a  great  variety  of  soils, 
and  is  practically  free  from  insects 
and  fungus  attacks.  The  beauty 
of  its  foliage  in  autumn  more  than 
compensates  for  the  extra  care 
required  in  transplanting  and  the 
litter  caused  by  its  fruits. 

Kentucky  CorFEE  Tree. 

This  tree  can  bo  grown  only  in 
rich  damp  soil.  I  have  seen  it  very 
rarely  in  cities,  but  the  specimens 
I  have  observed  were  very  hand- 
some, and  I  think  it  deserves  a  trial 
in  soils  to  which  it  is  adapted. 
Elm. 

The  merits  of  this  most  popular 
shade  tree  are  so  well  known  that 
I  need  not  record  them  here. 
It  should  not  be  planted,  however,  to  any  great 
extent  in  the  large  cities  of  the  East  unless  pro- 
vision is  made  for  regular  and  thorough  spraying 
and  other  precautions  taken  to  hold  in  check  its 
various  insect  enemies,  among  which  the  leopard 
moth  and  the  imported  leaf-beetle  are  the  most 
destructive.  The  Elm  is  adapted  to  wide  streets, 
and  requires  deep,  moist  soil.  Its  condition  in 
many  of  our  cities  is  far  from  satisfactory,  and  its 
use  as  a  street  tree  is  in  many  localities  attended 
with  considerable  risk.  In  towns  and  villages 
where  the  leaf-beetle  is  as  yet  unknown  the  Elm 
is  grown  with  great  success. 

Other  species  of  Elm  are  occasionally  planted  in 
our  cities,  but  none  are  equal  to  the  American  Elm 
in  general  fitness  for  street  use.  The  Slippery  Elm, 
for  example,   cannot   be   used  on  account  of   its 


mucilaginous  bark,  which  is  relished  by  the  small 
boy  as  a  substitute  for  chewing  gum,  and  the 
English  Elm,  which  does  well  in  Berlin  and  Ham- 
burg, is  so  greedily  attacked  by  the  Elm  leaf-beetle 
when  plauted  here  that  it  is  not  only  useless  for 
purposes  of  shade,  but  forms  a  centre  from  which 
this  insect  easily  spreads  to  neighbouring  trees  of 
our  own  species.  Incidentally,  the  English  Elm  is 
sometimes  used  as  a  trap  tree  in  working  against 
the  Elm  leaf-beetle. 

Silver  Maple. 

The  Silver  Maple  is  a  graceful  tree  of  very  rapid 
growth,  and  possesses  many  qualities  of  an  ideal 
street  tree,  but  it  is  especially  subject  to  injurious  , 
scales  and   is   often    killed   by    borers,   while  its 


In  the  deep  good  soil  of  Bonn  the  Horse  Chestnut 
IS  a  large  and  splendid  tree.  In  Paris  it  is 
abundantly  and  successfully  used  for  planting 
places  and  borders ;  but  on  the  streets  of  most 
cities  It  loses  its  foliage  early,  because  of  drought 
and  the  effects  of  its  numerous  enemies,  so  that 
It  cannot  be  recommended  for  general  street 
planting. 

Spgar  Maple. 
The  Sugar  Maple  grows  more  slowly  than  the 
Silver  Maple,  and  its  branches  are  not  subject  to 
injury  from  storms.  It  is  likewise  free  from  most 
insect  pests,  is  easily  transplanted,  and  capable  of 
enduring  our  severest  winters.  Unfortunately 
however,  this  beautiful  tree  does  not  thrive  in 
cities.  Its  requirements  as  to  soil  and  water  are 
unusually  exacting,  and  its  foliage 

.        is  very  sensitive  to  dust  and  smoke, 

especially  during  periods  of 
drought.  I  have  examined  the 
Sugar  Maple  in  many  cities,  but 
have  not  found  one  in  which  it  was 
cultivated  with  uniform  success. 
Honey  Locust. 
The  Honey  Locust  is  a  fine  tree 
with  many  good  points,  but  too 
thorny  for  city  use,  and  often  killed 
by  locust  borers.  The  side  branches 
also  have  a  troublesome  way  of 
going  into  the  windows  of  houses, 
and  the  pods  are  somewhat  objec- 
tionable. 

Linden. 
The  Linden  requires  an  abun- 
dance of  deep  rich  soil,  and  suffers 
much  from  gas,  from  drought, 
and  from  insect  attacks.  It  does 
fairly  well  in  Washington,  but  is 
little  planted  now  because  of  the 
extra  care  it  requires  as  regards 
soil  and  water.  In  Berlin,  Frank- 
furt, Hamburg,  and  Paris  the 
leaves  of  most  varieties  of  Linden 
fall  prematurely  on  account  of 
insect  and  fungus  attacks.  In 
Philadelphia  a  few  years  ago  all  the 
large  Lindens  were  killed  by  borers. 
A  further  objection  to  this  tree  is 
the  litter  made  by  its  blossoms  and 
fruit. 

W.  A.  MuRRiLL,  in 
Bidletin  of  Cornell  University. 
(  To  be  continued.  J 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS, 


a 


ULMUS   PUMILA   IN   THE   ROYAL  GARDENS,    J£EW. 

branches  are  liable  to  be  broken  by  the  wind. 
There  are  25,000  trees  of  this  species  in  Washing- 
ton, many  of  which  bear  injuries  received  during 
windstorms.  Many  also  have  been  headed  back 
on  account  of  their  extensive  growth,  and  are  now 
diseased  and  unsightly.  The  Silver  Maple  endures 
city  life  very  well,  and,  if  it  escapes  its  various 
enemies,  develops  into  a  fine  though  not  a  durable 
tree,  and  its  cultivation  is  always  attended  with 
risk. 

Horse  Chestnut. 
In  the  spring  the  Horse  Chestnut  is  an  object  of 
great  beauty ;  but  in  late  summer  or  autumn, 
when  the  red  spider  and  mildew  have  completed 
their  ravages,  it  seems  unfit  for  the  streets  of  any 
city.  It  is  exceedingly  tenacious  of  life  ;  few  other 
trees  have  suffered  so  much  and  survived  the  shoc]£. 


DECOEATIVE    INCURVED 
VARIETIES. 

N  the  occasion  of  the 
annual  dinner  of  the 
National  Chrysan- 
themum Society  Mr. 
Henry  Carinell,  when 
responding  toa  toast, 
recalled  the  beautiful  form  of  the 
members  of  the  Bundle  family  of 
incurved  Chrysanthemums,  the  first 
of  which  came  into  existence  more 
than  forty  years  ago.  This  familj'  of 
Chrysanthemums  is  represented  by  Mrs.  Geo.  Rundle 
(white),  the  parent  plant,  which  the  National 
Chrysanthemum  Society's  catalogue  says  was  intro- 
duced in  1868,  and  its  two  sports,  viz.,  Mr.  Geo. 
Glenny  (pale  yellow)  and  Mrs.  Dixou  (golden 
yellow).  Mr.  Cannell  said  it  would  afford  un- 
bounded interest  if  a  class  could  be  created  for 
these  old  favourites  of  forty  years  ago,  which 
appear  to  have  fallen  out  of  the  ranks.  The 
Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society  is  fully  alive  to 
the  value  of  these  pretty  little  incurved  blossoms, 
and  they  have  for  some  years  had  a  class  in  their 
exhibitions  in  which  a  pair  of  each  of  the  three 
varieties  above  mentioned  are  freely  displayed. 
This  competition  is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the 
whole  show,  the  number  of  those  entering  the 
competition   varying  from   time  to  time,     I  have 


134 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  20,  1904. 


seen  as  many  as  fifteen  boards  of  blooms  set  up  in 
friendly  rivalry,  and  to  determine  the  relative 
positions  of  the  first  eight  exhibits  (eight  prizes 
are  given)  is  no  easy  task  when  the  blooms  are  so 
close  to  one  another  in  quality.  I  have  often 
expressed  the  hope  that  some  of  the  southern 
societies  would  follow  suit.  The  Sheffield  people 
have  to  set  up  their  blooms  of  this  trio  with  stems 
not  less  than  7  inches  or  more  than  9  inches  in 
length,  and  the  boards  are  also  covered  with  Moss. 
In  this  way  the  flowers  are  shown  to  advantage. 
A  far  prettier  way  of  displaying  these  small 
decorative  incurved  blooms  would  be  to  set  them 
up  in  small  or  medium-sized  vases,  arranging  six, 
nine,  or  a  dozen  blooms  of  one  kind  in  each  vase. 
fSuch  an  exhibit  would  prove  most  attractive,  and 
would  also  serve  the  purpose  of  making  comparison 
with  the  present-day  race  of  incurved  Chrysan- 
themums, which  there  is  reason  to  believe  has 
deteriorated. 

Japanese  Chrysanthemum  General  Hutton. 

This  is  one  of  the  Chrysanthemums  of  Japanese 
origin,  and  was  a  leading  variety  last  year.  When 
it  was  first  exhibited  in  1901  there  were  a  few 
enthusiasts  who   recognised    its   great  merit,   and 


drooping  gracefully,  and  curling  and  incurving  at 
the  tips  ;  they  also  possess  substance  and  keep 
well.  The  plant  is  one  of  easy  culture,  and  those 
who  have  seen  the  blooms  regard  it  as  one  of  the 
best  sorts  of  1904.  It  is  an  English-raised  seedling, 
md  comes  from  Mr.  C.  Penford,  who  has  given  us 
many  good  flowers  in  recent  years,  and  Mr.  Norman 
Davis  of  Framfield  is  to  distribute  it  in  the  ensuing 
spring.  The  National  Chrysanthemum  Societ}' 
sjranted  a  first-class  certificate  for  this  novelty  in 
December,  1902.  D.  B.  C. 


CHRYSANTHEMUM    WINTER    QUEEN. 

This  fine  late-flowering  Japanese  Chrysanthemum 
was  seen  to  advantage  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  meeting  on  the  9th  inst.  Few  sorts, 
indeed,  are  so  late  coming  into  flower,  and  this 
fact,  combined  with  the  good  quality  of  the  blooms, 
serves  to  prove  that  in  the  variety  under  notice 
we  have  a  distinct  acquisition.  The  flowers  are 
large,  having  long  petals  of  medium  width  pleas- 
ingly twisted  and  curled.  It  is  said  to  be  a  cross 
between  two  well-known  white  sorts — viz..  Mile. 
Theresa  Panckoucke  and  Mrs.  J.  Thompson — and 
the  flowers  of  the   new  sort  certainly  appear  to 


ULT   OF  THE   VALLEV  FROM   RETARDED   ROOTS   IN    MESSRS.    ROCUFORD  S   NURSERY. 


subsequent  events  have  proved  how  true  this 
was.  Few  of  the  leading  stands  in  the  more 
important  competitions  throughout  the  country 
have  been  without  one  or  more  blooms  of  this  fine 
sort,  and  in  many  private  and  trade  collections  I 
have  seen  splendidly  developed  blooms  in  large 
numbers.  The  plant  is  a  consistent  one,  and  that 
is  saying  a  great  deal  nowadays.  While  talking 
over  the  doings  of  the  present  season  the  other 
day  with  Mr.  Norman  Davis,  he  said  that  he 
regarded  General  Hutton  as  the  finest  Chrysanthe- 
mum in  cultivation.  The  flowers  are  very  large 
and  full,  with  long  and  rather  broad  florets.  The 
colour  is  rich  yellow,  flushed  bright  red.  The 
plant  is  strong,  and  has  a  splendid  habit. 
Japanese  Chrysanthemum  Beauty  of  Lbioh. 
This  handsome  .Japanese  variety,  there  is  good 
reason  to  believe,  has  come  to  stay.  Bright 
Buttercup  yellow  is  its  colour,  and  the  reverse  is  a 
paler  shade.  The  flowers  are  large,  full,  refined, 
and  will  be  regarded  as  an  acquisition  to  those 
sorts  that  have  a  pleasing  finish.  The  petals  are 
long,  and  of  rather   more   than    medium   width, 


partake  of  the  characteristics  of  these  two.  They 
are  pure  white,  with  the  faintest  tinge  of  green  in 
the  centre,  and  large  and  full.  The  flower-stem 
is  stiff  and  fairly  strong — in  fact,  quite  strong 
enough  for  most  decorative  uses.  D.  B.  C. 


LILIES 


ALL    THE 
ROUND. 


YEAR 


Retarded  Liliums  and  Lilies  of  the  Valley 

IN  Messrs.  Rochford's  Nursery. 

ERHAPS    the    most    noteworthy 

advance  in  floriculture  during  recent 

years — and  especially  in  that  branch 

of  it  which  deals  with  the  culture  of 

flowers    for  market- is   revealed  in 

the  fact  that  seasons  have  ceased  to 

be  the  important  factor  to  the  horticulturist 

that  they  once  were.     He  has,  in  fact,  become 


IN 

P 


independent  of  seasons  to  a  very  great  extent, 
and  the  reason  of  this  is  not  far  to  seek  ;  it 
may  be  simply  explained  by  the  one  word 
"retardation."  It  has  taken  some  time  for 
horticulturists  to  find  out  the  great  value,  so 
far  as  they  are  concerned,  of  retardation. 
Long  before  they  took  up  the  matter  in  earnest 
men  concerned  with  other  industries  had  recog- 
nised its  real  value,  and  we  became  accus- 
tomed to  the  enormous  supplies  of  foreign 
perishable  produce  regularly  placed  on  our 
markets.  Now,  however,  the  horticulturist  is 
fully  alive  to  the  great  possibilities  for  good 
that  this  process  of  retardation  undoubtedly 
has  ;  in  fact,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 
when  it  is  more  widely  practised  the  supplies 
of  fruiit,  flowers,  and  also  vegetables  will  be 
completely  revolutionised.  By  its  aid  the 
farmer  and  market  gardener  will  be  able  to 
store  away  their  fruits  in  a  time  of  glut  and 
place  them  on  the  markets  at  a  more  pro- 
pitious season,  thus  reaping  the  benefit  of 
increased  prices.  At  present,  in  the  majority 
of  cases,  the  fruit  has  either  to  be  sent  to 
market  to  realise  what  it  can,  or  else 
it  is  wasted.  Sometimes  the  latter 
is  the  better  plan,  for  the  prices 
realised  may  not  pay  for  the  cost  of 
gathering  and  marketing.  This  would 
seem  to  be  one  way  in  which  to  com- 
pete successfully  with  importations 
of  fruit  from  abroad,  i.e.,  of  course, 
supposing  that  fruit  culture  still 
continues  to  increase  in  this  country. 
At  the  present  time  we  are  at  the 
mercy  of  exporters  from  other 
countries,  who  are  able  to  send  over 
supplies  of  fruit  to  reach  this  country 
when  they  are  most  needed. 

Retardation  has  made  rapid  strides 
in  America  during  recent  years,  and 
we  have  already  received  importa- 
tions of  soft  fruit  from  the  United 
States,  while  from  the  Cape  supplies 
of  soft  fruit  are  sent  regularly  at  this 
season  of  the  year,  and  they  do  not 
appear  to  suffer  appreciably  in  flavour. 
However,  it  is  with  flowers  rather 
than  fruit  that  we  are  now  concerned, 
and  in  this  direction— at  least,  in 
England — more  progress  has  been 
made.  Where  a  few  years  ago  it  was 
impossible  to  obtain  such  things  as 
Liliums,  Lilies,  Azaleas,  Spiraeas,  &c., 
before  the  spring,  it  is  now  easy  to 
have  them  all  the  year  round  if 
necessary.  It  is  astonishing  how 
quickly  one  becomes  accustomed  to 
things,  and  this  is  illustrated  by  the 
fact  that  now  few  stop  to  think 
that  it  is  remarkable  to  see  these 
flowers  in  the  market  practically  all  the  year 
round ;  yet,  but  for  the  introduction  and 
development  of  retardation,  we  should  have 
them  only  in  their  natural  season  of  blooming 
and  as  early  as  the  newly-received  bulbs  and 
roots  could  be  forced  into  flower. 

We  have  not  now  to  wait  for  importations  of 
the  plants  above  mentioned,  for  large  quanti- 
ties are  annually  stored  in  refrigerating 
chambers,  and  the  following  year  are  brought 
out  and  forced  into  bloom  at  whatever  season 
they  are  required.  Strange  to  say— or,  per- 
haps, if  one  considers  for  a  moment,  it  is  not  so 
strange,  but  only  natural — these  retarded  bulbs 
and  roots  come  into  flower  more  quickly  and 
give  equally  good,  if  not  better,  results  than 
those  allowed  to  develop  naturally.  Messrs. 
Thomas  Rochford  and  Sons,  Turnford  Hall 
Nurseries,  Broxbourne,  Herts,  have  probably 
the  largest  and  best-equipped  refrigerator  for 
horticultural  purposes  in  the  United  Kingdom, 


Febhuary  20,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


135 


and  they  are  able  to  store  away 
for  future  use  immense  quantities 
of  plants.  The  principle  of 
retardation  is  simple.  In  winter 
the  plants  are  inactive ;  they  live 
so  gently  that  the  loss  in  vitality 
is  so  slight  as  to  be  almost  im- 
perceptible. Animation  can  be 
suspended  for  a  year  or  two 
without  difficulty,  and  it  is  done 
by  prolonging  the  conditions  of 
winter — in  other  words,  by  cold 
storage.  The  boxes  of  roots  are 
piled  up  in  chambers,  entered 
by  thick  air-tight  doors,  and  it 
is  strange  to  go  inside.  You  carry 
a  light,  and  its  gleam  is  reflected 
as  from  a  million  angles  of 
stalactite.  The  natural  moisture 
arising  from  the  packages  is 
frozen  hard  and  white  on  the 
walls  and  protrusions.  A  huge 
engine  is  used  for  the  purpose  of 
compressing  air  till  it  falls  to  the 
temperature  required,  and  then 
drives  it  into  these  rooms.  In 
this  way  an  artificial  winter  is 
produced,  and  the  Lily  sleeps  on 
heedless  of  the  showers  of  spring 
or  the  summer  sun.  As  far  as 
possible  economy  is  exerted  in 
the  use  of  steam  power,  and  for 
winter  preservation  of  roots  large 
beds  are  made  up  in  the  open 
air  of  a  material  as  closely 
resembling  sand  as  possible.  As  long  as  the 
weather  is  hard  and  cold  they  remain  there  as 
they  would  in  their  wild  state. 

Bringing  forward  the  flowers  after  they  are 
taken  from  the  refrigerating  chamber  is  quite 
simple.  Firstly,  the  cases  are  allowed  to  stand 
in  a  room  or  shed  till  they  have  had  time  to 
thaw,  which  takes  about  twenty-four  hours  ; 
then  they  are  planted  out  in  boxes  and  placed 
under  cover  in  a  liot  house,  where  they  speedily 
begin  to  grow. 


KETARDED  LILIUM   LONOIFLOEUM   GROWN  FOR  MARKET. 


Lilies  of  the  Valley  from  retarded  crowns 
make  a  good  deal  of  foliage,  and  this 
proves  very  useful  to  arrange  with  flowers 
produced  from  unretarded  roots,  for  the 
latter  usually  give  but  few  leaves.  Enormous 
quantities  of  roots  are  stored  away  in  the 
refrigerator,  and  the  fact  that  several  millions 
of  Lily  of  the  Valley  alone  are  dealt  with 
annually  by  Messrs.  Rochford  will  give  some 
idea  of  the  vast  extent  of  the  business.  It  will 
be  easily  understood  that  so  great  an  industry 


gives  employment  to  some  hundreds  of  people, 
and,  in  connexion  with  this,  mention  may  be 
made  of  an  admirable  institute  that  was  erected 
for  the  men  by  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Rochford, 
and  under  their  management  continues  to  work 
splendidly. 

It  is  very  remarkable  to  recall  that  all 
the  glass  and  hot  houses,  all  the  enter- 
prising gardeners  and  busy  labourers  at 
Broxbourne  have  been  called  into  existence  by 
the  needs  of  the  last  two  or  three  decades. 
But,  now  that  a  start  has  been 
made,  no  one  can  tell  where  it 
will  end.  A.  R  H. 


ROUND    ABOUT    A 
GARDEN. 


1 


A    HODSE   OE  RETARDED   LILIPM   SPECIOSUM   IS  MESSRS.  THOMAS  ROCHEORD'S   NURSERY. 


Spring's  Peomise. 
DOUBT  if  a  garden  is  ever 
quite  so  perfectly  pleasant 
as  on  a  sunny  morning 
in  early  February,  when 
the  season  is  well  for- 
ward. There  are  days,  of 
course,  in  full  spring  when  the 
brilliance  of  the  flowering  bulbs, 
paraded  by  battalions  or  deployed 
in  bewildering  echelon  down  a 
vista  of  mingling  hues,  makes  a 
spectacle  of  blazing  splendour, 
which  harmonises  well  with  the 
full  band  of  the  nesting  birds 
and  the  quick-throbbing  joy  of 
life  in  all  the  world  of  Nature. 
This  makes  even  the  old  man 
glad  that  he  has  lived  to  see 
another  spring.  There  is  immea- 
surable comfort,  too,  in  the  glory 
of  a  garden  in  high  summer, 
when  the  air  drowses  to  the  hum 
of  bees  and  lulls  us  with  the 
opiate  of  its  myriad  perfumes. 
There  is  joy  again — that  tenderest 
joy  which  is  mixed  with  sadness 


136 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  lO,  1904. 


— in  the  lingering  farewell  of  autumn  to  the 
summer's  days  of  honeyed  sloth,  when  the 
Dahlias  outbloom  the  Eoses,  and  the  Chrysan- 
themums come  bravely  forward  to  cover 
Nature's  retreat  with  a  defiant  array  of  mingled 
colours. 

The  Crisis  of  Pleasure. 
But  the  ecstasy  of  pleasure  is  always  reached 
when  anticipation  is  just  going  to  be  realised. 
That  thrilling  moment  when  the  curtain  slowly 
rises  for  the  promised  pantomime  is  the  finest 
experience  of  all  childhood's  Christmas  holi- 
days ;  and  so,  in  the  annual  drama  of  a  garden, 
that  which  we  most  enjoy  is  the  beginning  of 
the  fulfilment  of  our  hopes  for  the  coming  year 
of  flowers.  Only  the  clustered  purity  of  the 
Snowdrops  may  have  come  as  yet  to  star  the 
golden  carpet  which  the  Winter  Aconite  had 
spread  beneath  the  trees  for  early  spring  to 
tread  upon,  and  only  the  Primroses  in  the 
shrubberies  bloom  as  yet  with  any  full  assur- 
ance that  she  is  already  passing  that  way. 
But  there  is  enough  suggestion  in  these  gracious 
hints— confirmed  by  the  swelling  buds  on  bush 
and  tree,  and  by  the  close-set  array  of  blades 
of  green  that  mark  where  the  great  army  of 
the  bulbs  is  marching  to  spring's  summons — to 
make  one  almost  hug  one's  self  with  glad  fore- 
knowledge of  joys  that  are  almost  here  already. 

Absent  "Stars." 
The  music  of  the  birds  has  not  yet  the  full 
volume  of  the  triumphal  march  which  heralds 
the  entry  of  summer  after  spring,  when  the  air 
shimmers  with  bird-notes  and  the  sunlight  is 
gilded  as  it  filters  through  the  haze  of  tiny 
winged  things  upon  which  the  swerving  swal- 
lows feed.  But  it  is  the  overture  of  a  familiar 
and  well-loved  opera  which  strikes  more  gladly 
on  the  ear  than  any  of  the  more  splendid  later 
passages  ;  and  the  earlier  welcome  of  the  birds 
to  spring  has  the  greater  charm  because  we 
know  each  voice  so  well.  The  famous  tenor — 
the  nightingale— will  come  on  the  stage  later 
and  deliver  his  impassioned  solos  when  all 
other  voices  are  hushed— when,  as  we  listen  to 
his  thrilling  outbursts,  the  sentimental  moon 
seems  to  melt  over  a  dreamy  landscape  of  dim 
delight.  The  cuckoo,  whose  catchy  phrase 
sums  up  the  whole  motif  of  the  spring  opera 
of  the  birds,  may  not  be  heard  for  two  months 
yet.    But  we  can  afford  to  wait. 

"The  Birds  are  Singing." 
Even  in  later  spring,  when  the  nightingale 
and  the  cuckoo  and  all  the  host  of  warblers  are 
here,  it  is  not  their  glad  chorus  of  sweet  music 
in  the  morning  which  makes  us  fling  the 
windows  wide  to  hear  how  beautifully  "  the 
birds  are  singing."  Then  it  will  still  be,  as  it 
is  now,  the  faultless  improvLsation  of  the  song- 
thrush,  the  fluty  refrain  of  the  blackbird  in 
his  rich  contralto,  and  the  wild,  bold  music  of 
the  "  stormcock "  missel  -  thrush,  with  the 
wheedling  pipe  of  hedge-sparrow  and  the  confi- 
dent carol  of  robin,  which  will  fill  the  shrub- 
beries and  coppice  with  a  throbbing  harmony 
that  seems  all  the  sweeter  because  the  singers 
are  our  very  own— the  same  constant  birds 
which  have  dared  the  winter  with  us,  and  with 
us  rejoice  that  spring  is  almost  here. 

E.  K.  R 


and  few  will  be  inclined  to  disagree.  This  being 
the  case,  we  see  at  once  the  importance  of  keeping 
the  lawn  at  its  best,  which,  by  the  help  of  the 
information  given  in  "Lawns,"  will  be  rendered 
fairly  easy.  Garden  lawns,  tennis  lawns,  bowling 
greens,  croquet  grounds,  &c.,  are  dealt  with  in  this 
book,  and  full  details  are  given  for  their  making 
and  subsequent  proper  upkeep.  While  the  lawn  is 
a  most  important  part  of  the  garden,  a  great  deal 
of  ignorance  prevails  as  to  the  making  of  a  lawn 
and  keeping  it  in  good  condition,  even  among  other- 
wise experienced  gardeners.  Messrs.  Sutton's 
publications  are  full  of  practical  information  plainly 
put,  and  this  book  on  the  lawn  and  its  manage- 
ment is  no  exception. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


PEAS 


H 


BOOKS 


Lawns.* — A  smooth  and  verdant  lawn  is  a 
constant  source  of  pleasure,  and  enhances  the  charm 
of  every  flower  and  shrub  in  the  garden.  Messrs. 
Sutton  and  Sons  are  responsible  for  this  statement, 


*  "  Lawns."  By  Messrs.  Sutton  anc!  Sons,  Reading.  Pub- 
lished by  Simpkin,  Marshali,  Hamilton,  Rent,  and  Co 
Price  Is. 


FROM    MAY    TILL    OCTOBER. 

(Continued  from  page  12,i.) 

Second  Division. 
ERE   will   be  found   the  cream  of  the 
whole  family,  as  many  can  grow  these 
who  have  not  room  for  later  varieties, 
and,  of  course,  they  are  not  affected 
by  cold,  but  later  on  drought  is  trouble- 
some.   More  culture  is  necessary,  that 
is,  i  n  poor  soils.   The  plant  must  get  ample  food,  deep 
cultivation,  and  room  to  develop.     I  note  the  last- 
named  point  with  more  force  than  usual,  for  this 
reason  :  that  when  the  seeds  are  sown  so  that  they 
touch  each  other  in  the  row  it  is  impossible  for  the 
plant  to  thrive,  and  they  collapse  when   there  is 
heat  or  drought  at  the  later  period  of  their  growth. 
I  am  aware  it  is  not  always  possible  to  sow  thinly 
at  times  ;  the  seed  does  not  germinate  freely,  and 
one  cannot  afford  gaps  in  the  row.      My  advice  is 
to  thin  the  seedlings  when  they  are  well  above  the 
soil.     I  have  touched  upon  the  importance  of  deep 
cultivation,  that  is,  double  digging  and  trenching, 
doing  this  work  in  the  winter  months,  and  in  heavy 
or  poor  land  it  well  repays  the  cultivator  to  get 
out  trenches,  say,  12  feet  to  15  feet  deep.     Place  a 
good  body  of  manure  in  the  trench,  and  replace 
some  of  the  top  soil   to  sow  the  seed  on,  and  for 
covering  the  latter.     This  plan  more  concerns  the 
latter  part  of  the  main  crop,  as  that  is  the  time  the 
plants  need  more  sustenance.    It  is  an  excellent  plan 
for  the  latest  varieties.     When  dealing  with   the 
last  named  the  second  and  main  crop  should  have 
an  open  border  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  and  ample 
room  between  the  rows.     Personally,  I  favour  the 
medium  growers,  4  feet  or  even  less,  in  this  section. 
There  are  some  grand  varieties,  but  it  is  far  better 
to  grow  a  dwarf  vegetable  crop  between  the  main 
crop  and  late  Peas  than  crowd  the  rows  together. 
At  least  6  feet  should  be  given  the  medium  growers. 
There  is  no  loss  if  the  ground  is  cropped  between 
with  such  things  as  come  off  quickly.     The  follow- 
ing list  can  be  relied  upon  for  quality  and  cropping 
for  June  and  later  supplies :    Carter's   Daisy  and 
Danby   Stratagem  are   splendid  ;    the   former   has 
received  numerous  certificates,  and  I  have  never 
seen  it  fail.    Stratagem  also  is  a  variety  of  excellent 
flavour ;   also  Model  Telephone   is   good.      Prize- 
winner is  a  very  fine  pod,  a  variety  given  an  award 
of  merit  in  1896  and  a  first-class  certificate  in  1901. 
This  shows  that  time  is  a  true  test  with  new  vege- 
tables.      Others    are    Dwarf    Defiance,    Duke    of 
Albany,  Eureka,  Prolific  Marrow,  Best  of  All,  and 
the  newer  Royal  Jubilee  and  Matchless  Marrowfat, 
and,  though  last  in  my  list,  by  no   means  least, 
should  be  such  fine  varieties  as  Veitch's  Main  Crop, 
Autocrat,  and  the  older  Perfection,  and  Laxton's 
Gradus,   and   Thos.   Laxton,   and  the  new  Edwin 
Beckett,  a  superior  form  of  Duke  of  Albany.     It 
will  doubtless  become  a  great  favourite. 

Third  Division. 
In  this  division,  which  should  give  a  supply  from 
August  till  cut  down  by  frost,  there  are  many 
varieties,  and,  of  course,  any  of  themidseason  ones 
sown  later  are  reliable.  Should  any  variety  be 
liked  more  than  others,  by  sowing  every  three 
weeks  through  May  till  the  end  of  August  there 
be   a    succession  ;    but   there   must   be   good 


Mddew,  also,  is  troublesome.  Some 
varieties  are  much  less  afi'ected  than  others,  and  a 
good  deal  depends  upon  the  condition  of  the  roots, 
if  starved,  crowded,  or  grown  in  unsuitable  places. 
In  the  north  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  have  good  Peas 
well  into  November  in  mild  seasons,  and  in  the 
south  I  have  sown  the  dwarf  first  earlies  in  August 
for  a  latest  supply  on  a  cool  border.  In  this  section 
comes  the  well-known  Ne  Plus  Ultra  type,  one  of 
the  best  Peas  when  a  true  stock  can  be  secured,  and 
fortunately  this  has  been  largely  used  in  crossing, 
so  that  there  are  some  excellent  selections.  Gold- 
finder,  Autocrat,  Chelsonian— all  belong  to  this 
family.  To  this  list  may  be  added  Sharpe's  Queen, 
a  grand  Pea  ;  Late  Queen,  Latest  of  All,  and 
Windsor  Castle.  Carter's  Latest  Marrowfat,  known 
as  the  Michaelmas  Pea,  is  a  splendid  dwarf  2-feet  to 
3-feet  variety,  and  one  that  resists  mildew  in  the 
worst  seasons.  It  is  only  right  to  add  that  Peas 
for  stock  purposes  need  the  greatest  care  in  seeding, 
hence  the  necessity  of  new  blood  occasionally,  as 
the  older  varieties  weaken  or  become  mixed. 

G.  Wythes. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor  is   not    respmuibh   for  the    opinions 
expressed  hy  correspondents.) 


[T 

S 


will 


culture  to  battle  against  heat,  drought,  and  insect 


CIDER    MAKING    IN    DEVON. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
I R ,— The    subject    of    cider    making    in 
Devon,  poetically  referred  to  by  Dorothy 
Hamilton  Dean  in  The  Garden  for  the 
SOih  ult.,  is  a  question  that  has  so  much 
interest  and  practical  importance  at  the 
present  time  that  a  few  more  words  in 
relation  to  its  manufacture  may  not  be  out  of  place. 
The  beauties  of  a  Devon.shire  Apple  orchard  in 
autumn  when  the  trees  are  laden  with  fruit  are 
well  described  by  your  correspondent.     Unfortu- 
nately, however,  the  crops  in  this  county  have  for 
the  past   two   years   been  small,   the  last  season, 
indeed,  being  disastrously  so.     In  the  early  spring, 
however,  when  the  numerous  orchards  are  ablaze 
with  the  delicate  pink  flowers,  and  expectations  are 
rife  for   an  abunilant  harvest  of   the  staple  fruit 
crop    of    this    county,    the    sight    is    even    more 
beautilul,  coming  as  it  does  after  the  dreary  season 
of  winter.      But  setting  aside  the  beauties  of  an 
Apple    orchard,    whether    in    flower    or   in    fruit, 
one    is   particularly    struck    with    the    condition 
of    the    trees    in     99    acres    out    of     every    100, 
showing  as  they  do  years  upon  years  of  absolute 
neglect,    for    most     of     the    orchards    have     the 
appearance     of     having     received     no     attention 
since    they   were  first  planted.      The  trunks  and 
branches   are   covered   for   the   most   part  with  a 
thick  growth  of  Lichen  or  Ivy,  and  pruning  seems 
to  have  been  entirely  neglected.     New  varieties, 
whether  for  cider  making  or  for  domestic  purposes, 
have  not  been  introduced.     To  remedy  this  state 
of  things  and  to  make  Apple  culture,  as  well  as  fruit 
culture  in  general,  a  more  profitable  industry  has 
for  some  time  past  occupied  the  attention  of  many 
who  have   long    seen    what    would    happen    were 
these  matters  not  remedied.     The  Devon  County 
Council  also  has  for    some    time   past   instituted 
lectures  and  demonstrations  on  fruit  culture,  and 
these  are  now  included  in  the  scheme  for  higher 
education  under  the  new  Act. 

One  of  the  propositions  made  a  short  time  back 
with  the  view  of  extending  the  cider  industry  was 
that  farmers  having  any  extent  of  Apple  orchards 
attached  to  their  holdings  should  be  instructed  in 
the  best  methods  of  cultivation  of  the  fruit  and  the 
manufacture  of  cider.  The  manufacture  of  this 
once-famous  drink,  however,  like  everything  else, 
has  passed  from  the  primitive  conditions  which 
formerly  prevailed,  and  so  well  described  by  your 
correspondent,  into  one  where,  in  the  most  modern 
factories,  improved  machinery  has  been  introduced 
and  where  careful  attention  is  given  to  everv 
detail,  especially  in  the  matter  of  absolute  cleanlf- 
ness  as  well  as  in  the  selection  of  special  varieties 
of  fruit  suitable  only  for  cider  making,  two  of  the 
best  varieties  being  the  Sweet  Alfred  and  the  Fair 


February  20,  1904. J 


THE  GARDEN. 


137 


Maid  of  Devon.  In  saying  this  I  do  not  mean  that 
good  cider  is  not  made  on  many  well-conducted, 
old-established  farms,  but  when  one  sees  in  abun- 
dant Apple  seasons  heaps  of  the  fruit  piled  up  on 
the  ground  in  different  parts  of  the  orchard  till  the 
early  winter  and  then  being  removed  like  so  much 
manure  in  ordinary  farm  carts  to  the  cider  mill, 
a  feeling  prevails  that  cider  making  at  the  present 
time  has  degenerated  now  that  the  beverage  is  no 
longer  the  wholesome,  cleanly  drink  that  it  was 
in  former  days.  Indeed,  it  is  now  often  said  that 
farmers  think  anything  in  the  shape  of  an  Apple, 
no  matter  what  variety  or  in  what  condition,  is 
good  enough  to  make  cider.  Then  after  the 
pulping  process  the  straw  used  to  place  between 
the  layers  of  pulp  was  not  always  free  from 
mildew,  so  that  a  musty  flavour  was  conveyed  to 
the  liquor. 

In  modern  cider  factories  the  case  is  very 
different.  If  wet  weather  prevails  at  the  time  the 
Apples  are  delivered  at  the  works  from  the 
orchards,  the  fruits  are  cleansed  by  steam  or  water 
jets  before  being  placed  in  the  mill,  and  when 
reduced  to  pulp  are  submitted  to  heavy  pressure 
in  a  screw-press.  No  straw  is  used,  but  layers  of 
pulp  are  laid  alternately  with  cloths  made  of 
Manilla  Hemp,  and  upon  these  are  placed  frames 
consisting  of  strong  wooden  strips,  forming  a 
lattice  by  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles. 
The  screw  being  brought  into  action  soon  causes 
the  juice  to  exude,  and  it  is  conveyed  into  tanks, 
the  sides  and  bottom  of  which  are  glazed  so  as  to 
ensure  perfect  cleanliness.  As  in  the  primitive 
system  described  by  your  correspondent,  no  water 
is  added  or  any  other  ingredient,  the  differences 
in  quality  and  flavour  being  entirely  due  to  the 
flavour  of  the  special  varieties  of  Apple  used,  or  by 
the  selection  of  two  or  more  varieties  for  blending, 
for  it  is  said  that  the  cider  maker  of  the  present 
day  must  study  the  nature  of  these  varieties  and 
make  himself  acquainted  with  the  effect  the  juice 
of  one  sort  will  have  when  mixed  with  that  of 
another  so  that  they  may  be  properly  blended. 
From  the  glazed  tanks  the  liquor  is  pumped  into 
casks  and  deposited  in  well-ventilated  cellars, 
where  natural  fermentation  gradually  proceeds 
under  very  careful  attention  as  to  temperature  or 
chemical  changes  that  may  arise,  which  would 
spoil  the  whole  of  the  brewing.  Another  great 
object  of  this  operation  is  to  separate  impurities 
from  the  juice,  which  arise  first  to  the  top  in  the 
form  of  scum  and  then  fall  to  the  bottom,  leaving 
the  fluid  perfectly  clear  and  bright.  When  the 
fermentation  is  complete  the  clear  cider  is  drawn 
off  and  bottled.  That  perfection  in  the  manu- 
facture and  cleanliness  in  all  the  operations 
connected  with  cider  making  at  the  large 
factories  is  aimed  at  is  evident  from  what  I 
have  seen,  and  it  is  well  that  this  should  be  known 
if  cider  making  is  to  be  resuscitated  or  developed 
as  an  English  industry.  Ciders  of  good  qualities 
are  to  be  had,  but  the  prices  are,  of  course,  much 
higher  than  those  of  the  inferior  qualities  ;  but  if 
a  real  English  wine — which  is  a  term  now  being 
applied  to  these  best  qualities — is  required  a  fair 
price  must  be  paid  for  it. 

John  R.  Jacsson. 

Claremont,  Lympatone,  Devon. 


THE    POMEGRANATE   AS    A   TUB 

PLANT. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 

Sir,  —  I  was  rather  surprised  that  among  the 
innumerable  subjects  recommended  for  tub  culture 
in  The  Garden,  pages  98  and  99,  no  mention  is 
made  of  the  Pomegranate,  which  used  to  be  at 
one  time — and  probably  still  is — so  well  done 
by  Mr.  Hudson  at  Gunnersbury,  where  tub 
gardening  has  long  formed  a  prominent  feature. 
In  conversation  with  Mr.  Hudson,  who  has,  I 
believe,  expressed  much  the  same  views  in  one  of 
the  horticultural  journals,  he  at  one  time  related  a 
difficulty  in  flowering  them  satisfactorily  when  the 
plants  grown  as  standards  were  pruned  into  shape, 
but  by  leaving  them  alone  much  better  results 
were  obtained.  With  this  treatment  the  red 
flowered  more  freely  than  the  white,  but  this,  I 


think,  is  the  general  experience  under  whatever 
conditions  they  may  be  grown.  The  single- 
flowered  forms,  too,  are  much  freer  than  the 
double,  and  are,  consequently,  better  adapted  for 
culture  in  tubs.  The  winter  treatment  accorded 
to  the  Myrtles,  Lemon  Verbena,  and  similar  sub- 
jects will  just  suit  the  Pomegranate — that  is  to 
say,  simple  protection  from  frost.  Being  deciduous 
they  will  not  need  so  much  water  as  when  in  a 
growing  state,  but  at  no  time  should  they  be  allowed 
to  get  too  dry.  Once  established  they  may  be 
grown  in  the  same  tub  for  years  without  repotting, 
providing  care  is  taken  in  potting  them  at  first. 
When  well  rooted  an  occasional  dose  of  weak  liquid 
manure  mixed  with  soot  water  is  beneficial.       T. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

INDOOR    GARDEN. 

Edcharis  amazonica. 

A  BOUT  this  time  the  plants  generally  com- 

/\  mence   growing.     To  encourage   them 

/   \         gi^^  ^  temperature  of  65*^  to  70°,  and 

/      \        syringe  abundantly.     If  the  plants  are 

y         %      doing     well    do    not     disturb     them ; 

to    encourage    a    free,     good    growth 

give    them    liquid     manure  —  the     liquid    made 

from  sheep  manure  is  the  best — and   occasionally 

give  them  a  dose  of  weak  soot  water  to  impart  a 

good  colour  to  the  foliage.      The  less  frequently 

water  is  given  to  their  roots  the  more  likely  will 

the  plants  be  to  continue  in  good  health. 

Allamanda  Hendersonii. 

Plants  that  are  expected  to  be  in  flower  by  the 
end  of  May  or  early  June  will  have  previously 
been  pruned,  and  probably  will  have  commenced 
growing.  Others  required  to  flower  later  should 
now  have  the  previous  year's  shoots  cut  back  to 
within  one,  or  not  more  than  two,  eyes  of  the  old 
wood.  The  earliest  pruned  will  be  ready  should 
they  require  to  be  repotted,  and  the  compost  for 
such  purpose  should  consist  of  lumpy  fibrous  loam, 
peat  or  leaf-soil,  dried  cow  manure  and  sand  being 
added  only  in  very  small  proportions.  Drain  the 
pots  well,  and  over  the  crocks  put  a  few  half-inch 
bones,  and  if  at  the  time  of  repotting  the  compost 
be  moderately  moist  water  will  not  be  required  for 
some  time.  Syringe  them  two  or  three  times 
daily,  and  a  temperature  of  60°  to  65°  should  be 
afforded. 

TuEERODS  Begonias. 

The  bulbs  of  these  that  are  still  dormant  will 
require  looking  over,  and  should  now  be  shaken 
out  of  the  soil  in  which  they  grew  last  year. 

It  is  a  good  plan,  and  will  economise  space,  to 
place  the  bulbs  in  shallow  boxes  among  cocoa- 
libre  or  sifted  leaf-soil  first  to  start  them  rooting. 
Heat  is  unnecessary  at  any  time,  as  stronger 
growths  are  produced  and  the  plants  afterwards 
grow  and  flower  with  greater  freedom  in  a  house 
that  is  cool  and  airy.  Moisture  is  at  all  times 
essential  to  their  well  doing. 

It  is  not  too  late  to  raise  young  plants  from  seeds, 
which  sow  at  once,  and  by  the  end  of  August  and 
during  September  next  they  should  flower  abun- 
dantly. The  bulbs  depreciate  with  age,  and  as 
young  ones  produce  finer  and  better  flowers  it  is 
advisable  annually  to  raise  a  few  from  seeds  in 
order  to  keep  the  stock  healthy  and  vigorous. 

Cyclamens. 

The  young  seedling  plants  will  by  this  time 
require  transferring  to  3-inch  and  4-inch  pots,  and 
these  should  be  clean  and  well  drained.  The 
best  position  for  them  afterwards  will  be  near 
the  glass.  Give  a  temperature  of  50°  at  night, 
with  a  rise  of  5°  during  the  day.  Mix  coarse  sand 
and  bricks  broken  fine  along  with  equal  parts 
fibrous  loam  and  peat  for  potting  soil. 

To  keep  the  leaf-stalks  short  on  all  occasions 
that  are  favourable  admit  air,  and  check  the  origin 
of  green  fly  and  thrips  by  fumigating  occasionally 
with  XL  Vaporiser.  It  is  advisable  annually  to 
raise  a  few  plants  from  seed  in  order  to  keep  the 
stock  healthy  and  vigorous.     J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

The  Gardens,  Tranby  Croft,  Hull. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Roses. 
As  a  rule,  climbing  Roses  will  require  but  little 
pruning  beyond  cutting  out  all  dead  branches  and 
a  few  of  the  weaker  growths.  Some  of  the  strong 
growers,  such  as  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Climbing 
Devoniensis,  &c.,  that  have  grown  rapidly  and 
left  the  bottom  bare,  may  have  a  few  of  the  long 
shoots  bent  downwards.  These  will  break  freely 
and  cover  the  bare  stems. 

The  pruning  of  standards  and  dwarfs  in  beds  and 
borders  had  better  be  delayed  until  next  month. 
Most  growers  have  their  favourite  time  for  this 
operation.  A  very  successful  grower  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Exeter  used  to  aver  that  to  prune  his 
Roses  before  the  7th  or  later  than  the  11th  of 
March  was  to  court  failure.  And  undoubtedly  the 
period  named  was  suitable  for  that  locality,  but 
would  be  too  early  for  less  favoured  parts  of  the 
country.  Unless  exhibition  blooms  are  required 
the  severe  cutting  back  sometimes  practised  is  to 
be  deprecated,  except  with  some  very  weakly 
growers.  If  some  of  the  long  shoots  of  the  dwarfs 
are  shortened  back  to  about  1  foot  or  18  inches  in 
length  and  carefully  pegged  down  to  the  ground, 
they  will  be  very  effective.  The  ground  was  in 
such  a  sodden  state  last  autumn — here  we  had 
10-77  inches  of  rain  during  October — that  any 
planting  in  November  was  out  of  the  question.  If 
it  is  intended  to  make  new  beds  this  should  be 
done  now,  so  that  the  ground  will  have  time  to 
settle  before  planting.  Most  garden  soils  will 
grow  Roses,  and  in  Rose  planting  the  chief  things 
to  bear  in  mind  are — that  the  Rose  loves  a  sunny 
and  sheltered  aspect ;  strong  growers  usually  thrive 
best  in  strong  soils  ;  weaker  and  more  delicate 
Roses  prefer  a  lighter  rooting  medium  ;  and  that 
all  Roses  revel  in  a  rich  soil.  Any  damaged  roots 
should  be  cleanly  severed  with  an  upward  cut. 
The  planting  should  be  firmly  done  and  a  mulch 
of  some  iion-manurial  material  applied.  Where 
necessary  a  neat  stake  should  be  given,  and  as 
soon  as  possible  fix  a  permanent  label. 

Camellias. 

The  flower  buds  of  the  earliest  varieties  will 
soon  have  a  touch  of  colour.  I  have  found  that  a 
moderate  sprinkling  of  guano  or  kainit  at  this 
stage  greatly  improves  the  flowers.  A  periodical 
top-dressing  of  roughly-chopped  fibrous  loam  mixed 
with  a  little  peat  and  leaf-mould  will  be  beneficial. 
These  beautiful  shrubs  are  much  hardier  than  is 
generally  supposed.  The  chief  thing  to  guard 
against  are  rough  winds,  which  bruise  the  flowers. 
Where  Rhododendrons  grow  there,  as  far  as  soil 
is  concerned,  will  the  Camellia  also  flourish.  A  west 
or  south-west  aspect  is  the  best,  and  if  the  site  is 
a  well-drained  slope  so  much  the  better.  Plant 
about  the  end  of  June.  ■  For  the  first  winter  it 
will  be  necessary  to  give  a  little  protection,  such 
as  a  good  mulching  and  some  twisted  hay  bands 
around  the  main  stems,  and  if  any  severe  frosts 
are  anticipated  a  mat  laid  over  the  plant  at  night. 
For  out-of-door  work  the  whites  should  be  used 
sparingly  ;  singles  and  semi-doubles  will  give  most 
satisfaction.  Probably  Camellia  reticulata,  C. 
Donckelaari,  and  C.  Contessa  Lavinia  Maggi  are 
the  three  best.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Melons. 
The  earliest  plants  are  now  making  better  progress, 
and  as  the  days  lengthen  more  sun  may  be  expected. 
They  should  be  encouraged  by  placing  horse 
manure  and  leaves  round  the  pots  or  beds.  Keep 
a  steady  bottom-heat  of  about  80°,  a  night  tem- 
perature of  70°,  with  a  further  rise  of  15°  on 
bright  days,  after  the  house  is  closed  5°  lower  than 
above  in  severe  weather.  Give  a  little  air  early  in 
the  day  on  bright  da3'S  whenever  possible,  alwaj's 
avoiding  draughts.  Attend  to  the  setting  of  the 
fruit,  and  endeavour  to  get  as  even  a  "set"  as 
possible.'  Pinch  the  shoots  at  the  second  leaf 
above  the  fruit,  and  remove  all  surplus  laterals. 
Melon  seeds  being  plentiful,  have  young  plants  in 
readiness  by  sowing  at  intervals  of  three  weeks  in 
3-inch  pots,  always  planting  out  from   these  pots. 


138 


THE    GARDEN. 


[FEBRtJARV  20,  1904. 


Take  care  never  to  plant  very  deeply.  Make  up 
nev?  beds  of  horse  litter  and  leaves,  and  place 
turves  grass  side  downwards  upon  them  to  form  a 
ridge,  about  2  feet  wide  at  base  and  12  inches  deep, 
using  fairly  heavy  loam,  a  sprinkling  of  wood 
ashes,  and  some  approved  manure.  When  the  soil 
is  well  warmed  through,  plant  out  IJ  feet  or 
2  feet  apart.  Hero  of  Loekinge  and  Blenheim 
Orange  are  still  two  of  the  most  reliable  varieties. 

CUCOMBEES. 

These  plants  should  now  be  given  more  moisture 
and  frequent  light  top-dressings  as  the  roots 
appear  on  the  surface ;  also  a  sprinkling  of 
Thompson's  7ine  Manure.  Warm,  weak  liquid 
manure  should  be  supplied  freely  at  other  water- 
ings. Seeds  sown  as  advised  last  month  will  now 
be  making  rapid  progress,  and  should  be  pinched 
more  freely  as  growth  increases.  Avoid  over- 
crowding of  the  growths,  and  never  allow  more 
fruit  to  develop  than  the  plants  can  mature.  Seeds 
should  be  sown  and  the  material  (half  stable 
litter  and  leaves)  got  in  readiness  for  frames.  This 
should  be  turned  several  times  before  making  up 
the  beds.  Plants  whose  fruits  are  swelling  should 
have  a  temperature  of  65°  or  68''  at  night,  with  a 
further  rise  of  10«  on  bright  days.  Keep  a  sharp 
look  out  for  fly,  and  fumigate  at  first  appearance. 
Continue  to  introduce  later  plants  as  required, 
and  use  the  syringe  freely  among  them. 

Fruit  Room. 

The  mild,  wet  winter  has  not  been  favourable  to 
the  keeping  of  Grapes.  The  bunches  should  be 
frequently  examined  and  decayed  berries  removed. 
Refill  the  bottles  when  necessary  with  soft  water. 
Keep  the  temperature  about  4.5°,  and  use  as  little 
fire-heat  as  possible  ;  admit  a  little  air  on  bright 
days. 

Impney  Oardtns,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN  GAEDEN. 
Peas. 
Owing  to  successive  wet  no  opportunity  has  yet 
JDeen  afforded  to  do  anything  in  the  kitchen  garden 
in  the  way  of  cropping.  On  the  first  favourable 
opportunity  the  earliest  Peas  should  be  sown  on  a 
southern  border.  It  is  inadvisable  to  give  a  selec- 
tion of  sorts,  as  most  gardeners  know  exactly  what 
suits  their  particular  district.  1  prefer  to  start 
with  a  good  sowing  of  dwarf  sorts,  such  as  American 
Wonder,  Chelsea  Gem,  and  Wm.  Hurst.  Choose  a 
dry  day.  A  very  shallow  drill  should  be  drawn, 
and  after  sowing  a  good  covering  should  be  given, 
raising  the  drills  above  the  surrounding  soil.  This 
will  preserve  them  from  damage  by  wet.  Should 
birds  be  at  all  troublesome  threads  stretched  zigzag 
along  the  rows  will  be  sufiicient  protection.  Should 
the  garden  harbour  mice,  the  Peas  should  be  dipped 
in  red  lead  that  has  been  slightly  moistened.  In 
addition  to  these  a  sowing  of  taller  varieties  should 
also  be  made  now.  On  a  plot  that  has  been  specially 
prepared  for  Peas,  favourite  sorts  for  this  work 
here  are  Dicksons'  First  and  Best,  Earliest  of  All, 
and  Gradus  ;  4  feet  between  the  rows  will  he  suffi- 
cient for  these  sorts.  Peas  to  come  into  use  before 
those  which  it  is  advised  to  be  sown  are  readj'  may 
be  had  by  making  a  sowing  at  once  under  glass. 
For  planting  out  choose  some  long  narrow  boxes, 
fill  them  with  good  soil  that  has  been  put  through 
a  J-inch  sieve,  sow  thickly  and  place  in  a  cool  Peach 
house.  Plant  out  in  rows  when  the  Peas  are 
4  inches  high,  giving  them  ample  protection  from 
cold  winds. 

Sea  Kale. 
A  new  plantation  of  Sea  Kale  should  be  made  at 
this  period.  Where  a  large  quantity  has  been 
taken  up  for  forcing  a  corresponding  number  should 
be  annually  replanted.  Where  roots  are  being  pre- 
pared for  forcing  the  largest  side  roots  should  be 
kept  for  replanting,  and  cut  into  lengths  of  6  inches 
or  8  inches.  A  piece  of  ground  that  has  been  well 
trenched  and  manured  and  not  too  exposed  to  the 
sun  will  suit  this  vegetable  best.  The  sets  should 
be  planted  with  the  top  just  below  the  surface  of 
the  ground.  When  growth  has  started  the  shoots 
may  be  thinned  out  to  encourage  the  formation  of 
large  crowns.  Where  the  practice  of  covering  and 
forcing  this  vegetable  in   the  open  is  carried  out. 


the  sets  should  be  planted  in  clumps  from  six  to  I  If  a  stone  of  that  kind  is  not  bearing  tightly 
nine  sets  in  a  clump.  These  may  be  conveniently  '  on  the  solid  ground,  as,  for  instance,  in  the  case  of 
covered  with  an  ordinary  10-inch  flower-pot.  Some  stone  A  (illustration  No.  I),  this  may  be  remedied 
of  the  newer  varieties  of  this  vegetable  are  superior  by  driving  a  wedge-shaped  stone  (D)  firmly  between 
to  the  old  purple  sort,  as  they  are  pure  white  and    the  stone  and  the  soil. 


very  tender.  Continue  to  keep  up  supplies  in  the 
forcing  house.  This  vegetable  at  this  season  starts 
readily  into  growth,  and  should  be  inspected  daily, 
as  it  soon  becomes  useless. 

General  Remarks. 

Ground  that  has  been  prepared  for  Onions  should 
be  forked  up  on  the  first  dry  day,  and  every  effort 
made  to  get  it  into  condition  for  sowing  early  next 
month.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoim  House  Gardens,  Queensferry ,  N.B. 


THE     ROCK     GARDEN. 


EOCK  GAEDEN-MAKING. 
XVI.  — Stability. 
previous  articles  on  rock  gardening 
dealt  exclusively  with  the  arrange- 
ment of  rocks  for  general  effect. 
The  most  important  consideration  of 
all  must  be  the  construction  of  rocks 
with  regard  to  the  requirements  of 
the  plants  that  are  to  be  grown  on  them.  But 
before  entering  fully  into  this  matter  I  will  briefly 
consider  yet  another  important  factor,  namely, 
stability.  Soil  and  stones  newly  filled  up  have  a 
tendency  to  settle,  especially  during  wet  weather, 
and    if   due   allowance   is   not   made    for  this  the 


M" 


(1.)  Section  shoiving  the  fixing  of  stones  Inj  letting  them  doivn  into  firn}  ground. 

stones  may  give  way  and  the  plants  be  displaced 
and  ruined. 

It  is  usual  when  making  a  rock  garden  to  begin 
with   the  soil,   that  is   to  say,   heaps   of  soil  are 
thrown  up  on   which  the  stones  are  fixed  after- 
wards.     Now    I   consider    that    this    method    is 
entirely  wrong.     A  newly-constructed  rock  garden, 
like  a  newly-built  house,  can  never  be  safe  without 
a  good  foundation.     My  maxim,   therefore,  is  to 
begin  invariably  with  the  stone,  and  not  with  the 
soil,  which  latter  should   be  filled  in   behind  the 
stones  as  the  work  proceeds.     If  the 
foundation  stones  give  way  the  whole 
structure  is  endangered.  The  founda- 
tion  stones,    therefore,    must   be   so 
placed   that  they  cannot   be  shifted 
from    their   position    by   subsequent 
pressure     of     soil     settling     behind 
them. 

One  of  the  simplest  methods  of 
effecting  this  is  illustrated  by  diagram 
No.  1  (see  illustration),  which  shows, 
in  section,  the  formation  of  a  small 
rocky  bed.  In  this  case  the  stones 
A  and  B,  which  would  have  to  bear 
the  pressure  of  fiUed-up  soil  and 
stones  (represented  by  C)  have  been 
sunk  into  the  solid  ground  (E),  which 
has  been  excavated  for  the  purpose. 
Stones  thus  placed  will  bear  any 
amount  of  pressure  produced  by  soil, 
&c. ,  settling  behind  them,  and  this 
will    only    make   them   still    firmer. 


As  in  rock  building,  it  is  desirable  to  introduce 
as  much  change  as  possible  into  the  work  ;  it  may 
sometimes  be  desirable  to  arrange  large  stones  in 
an  overhanging  position.  In  order  to  be  always 
sure  that  this  overhanging  is  not  carried  to  a 
dangerous  extent,  it  will  be  well  to  remember  a 
simple  rule  of  gravity  as  applied  to  the  law  of 
parallel  forces,  i.e.,  an  overhanging  body  is  per- 
fectly safe  as  long  as  an  imaginary  perpendicular 
line  through  the  centre  of  gravity  falls  within 
the  base  on  which  that  body  rests.  Diagram 
No.  2  illustrates  this.  C  is  supposed  to  be  the 
centre  of  gravity  of  the  overhanging  stone,  E  D  is 
the  imaginary  perpendicular  line,  and  A  B  the  base. 
The  stone  represented  in  the  diagram,  therefore, 
would  be  perfectly  secure.  But  we  have  to  reckon 
not  only  with  the  overhanging  stone  itself,  but  also 
with  the  pressure  of  soil  behind  it.  The  angle  of 
rest  for  filled-up  soil  is,  roughly  speaking,  about 
40°.  This  angle  is  represented  in  the  diagram  by 
the  line  H  Q.  The  stone  would,  therefore,  have 
to  bear  the  weight  also  of  the  soil  represented  bj- 
the  triangular  piece  H  G  I,  and  to  make  sure  of 
absolute  stability  it  would  be  well  in  this  case  to 
insert  an  extra  support  (the  wedge-shaped  stone 
indicated  by  a  dotted  line)  at  B. 

Sometimes  it  may  be  desirable  to  construct  an 
overhanging  rock  on  a  larger  scale.     As  a  rule  such 
rocks  do  not  admit  of  being  planted  with  choice 
things.     They  are  very  handy,  however,  to  form  a 
kind  of  protecting  roof  over 
plants    which   require   little 
moisture,  such  as  Opuntias, 
&c.     In  building  such  rocks 
the  above-mentioned  law  of 
gravity  would  apply  not  only 
to  each   stone   individually, 
but  also  to  the  structure  as 
a  whole.     Illustration  No.  4 
will    explain    my    meaning. 
The  long  overhanging  stone 
D  does  not  fit  well  on  the 
foundation  stone  A.     To  give 
it  a  better  bearing  the  small 
stones  B  and  C  have  there- 
fore been  inserted  and  made 
the  stone  D.  perfectly  secure. 
But  in  order  to  make  the 
stone  D  stand  also  the  addi- 
tional   strain    of    the    over- 
hanging stones  F  and  G  more 
weight  at  its   lower  end  is  required,  and  this  is 
represented  in  my  sketch   by  the  stone  E  and  the 
soil  resting  above  it. 

Soil  filled  in  behind  the  stones  must  be  firmly 
rammed  to  prevent  settling  to  any  dangerous 
extent,  that  it  must  also  be  suitable  to  the 
particular  kind  of  plants  which  are  to  be  grown 
goes  without  saying.  When  writing  of  the 
arrangement  for  effect  I  mentioned  that  rocks,  to 
look  picturesque,  should  not  be  too  continuous,  but 
be  broken  here  and  there  by  intervening  banks  of 


)  Diagrmno.i  aloiwinan  overhanging  jjosition, 
oeerhaniihtg,  would  be  per.fectly  sa.fe,  beeait.'i 


N.B.  ThisKlonr,  although 
a  perpendicular  line 


through  it«  centre  ofgraeity  falls  well  within  the  b3se  A  B. 


Februar-s  20,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


139 


grass,  planting,  &c.  Sometimes  it  is  necessary 
to  have  such  grassy  banks  rather  steep.  It  this 
steepness  does  not  exceed  an  angle  of,  say,  40"  to 
45°  I  find  it  is  best  to  set  up  the  front  of  such  a 


(3.)  The  lest  shape  for  tKieh  piece  of  turf  for  netting  up 
steep  grassy  banks. 

bank  with  pieces  of  turf  18  inches  or  15  inches 
long,  1  foot  wide,  and  about  4  inches  thick.  Such 
pieces  of  turf,  if  cut  not  square  but  diagonally, 
dovetail  firmly  into  each  other,  and  if  the  first 
layer  of  such  turves  is  sunk  a  little  into  the  ground 
its  stability  will  be  assured.  For  very  steep  slopes, 
however,  this  method  would  not 
be  practicable.  In  such  a  case  it 
would  be  best  to  set  up  the  front 
of  the  bank  with  ordinary  pieces  of 
turf  cut  the  usual  size,  namely, 
3  feet  long,  1  foot  wide,  and  about 
IJ  inches  to  2  inches  thick.  By 
placing  such  pieces  flat,  one  on  the 
other,  and  then  ramming  the  soil 
behind  as  the  front  is  built  up,  a 
much  stronger  bank  will  be  the 
result.  The  drawback  is  that  the 
green  sides  of  the  turf  would  not 
show  like  those  of  thick  turf,  but 
would  be  buried.  As,  however,  the 
roots  of  the  grass  would  be  still 
there,  the  front  of  such  a  bank — 
though  bare  at  first  —  becomes 
covered  with  green  sward  very 
quickly.  All  kinds  of  plants  may, 
of  course,  be  put  in  as  the  work 
proceeds,  and  their  roots  will  give 
additional  stability  to  such  a  bank  by  holding  the 
soil  firmly  together. 
Elmside,  Exeler.  F.  W.  Meyer. 

(To  he.  continued.) 


"  Quality,  rather  than  the  size  of  individual 
flowers  or  length  of  spike,  should  be  the  first 
point  of  consideration. 

"  The  petals  of  the  flowers  should  be  of  a 
thick  substance,  the  edges  smooth  and  even. 

"  The  florets  forming  the  centre  or  ball  should 
be  compact,  closely  set,  rising  in  the  middle  to 
the  form  of  a  half  globe,  with  a  stift'  guard 
petal  extending  about  half  an  inch  around  the 
base,  or  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  centre 
ball,  so  that  the  difTerent  parts  of  the  flower 
may  have  a  uniform  appearance. 

"  The  arrangement  of  the  flowers  on  the 
spike  should  be  regular,  not  crowded  together 
in  a  confused  mass,  nor  loosely  hanging 
with  open  spaces  between  them,  but  so  dis- 
posed that  the  shape  of  each  may  be  distinctly 
seen. 

"  When  the  spike  is  fully  blown  the  upper- 
most flower  should  crown  or  cover  the  top. 


AN 


HOUR     WITH      THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 

{Continued  from  2Mye  IS^.) 

SHOULD  the  cultivator  have  the  leisure, 
or  be  fond  of  employing  himself 
among  his  flowers,  he  will  find  an 
ample  field  for  amusement  in  the 
crossing  of  the  various  kinds  with 
the  view  of  obtaining  novelties  and 
improvements.  If  this  end  be  contemplnted 
we  should  advise  a  separate  plot  to  be  set 
apart,  however  small,  that  he  may  carry  on 
his  plans  unmolested.  Other  advantages  like- 
wise accrue  from  this  arrangement.  First, 
no  shading  is  necessary  when  growing  for 
seed  ;  it  would  indeed  be  injurious.  Then 
the  finest  varieties  may  be  set  together 
beyond  the  fertilising  influence  of  the  inferior 
ones.  Again,  the  best  situation  for  obtaining 
seeds  is  a  warm  sunny  border,  with  a  rather 
dry  soil ;  but  such  is  not  the  most  suitable  for 
the  production  of  large  handsome  flowers. 
Perhaps  we  could  not  raise  the  question  : 
"  What  constitutes  a  good  Hollyhock  ?  "  more 
opportunely  than  at  the  present  juncture  ;  for 
without  a  distinct  conception  on  this  point 
much  labour  in  hybridising  will,  to  say  the 
least  of  it,  be  but  ill-directed. 

Before  discussing  this  point,  I  would  offer,  for 
the  consideration  of  my  readers,  the  "  Sugges- 
tions for  the  Guidance  of  Exhibitors,"  printed 
by  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Hollyhock 
Show  held  at  the  Surrey  Zoological  Gardens  in 
August  last : 


(!t.)  Diagram  explaining  the  construction  of  overhanging  rocks. 


"  A  few  small  green  leaves  projecting  between 
the  flowers  increases  the  beauty  of  the  spike. 

"  As  a  last  point,  it  is  highly  important  that 
the  colours  be  bright,  strong,  and  distinct." 

Here  we  have  the  collective  opinion  of  the 
principal  growers  of  the  Hollyhock  in  England, 
both  florists  and  amateurs.  It  will  be  observed, 
the  first  aim  is  to  enforce  the  doctrine  of 
quality  before  quantity;  and  with  this  effort 
we  believe  all  true  lovers  of  the  beautiful  will 
sympathise,  for  if  an  object  is  to  be  pronounced 
beautiful  or  perfect  in  proportion  to  its  size 
then  should  we  prefer  the  unwieldly  bulk  of 
the  hippopotamus  to  the  delicate,  graceful,  or 
symmetrical  organism  of  the  Italian  greyhound. 
Without  objecting  to  any  of  the  opinions  given 
above  we  may  perhaps  be  allowed  to  qualify 
and  more  clearly  define  certain  of  them.  The 
Isall  forming  the  centre  of  the  flower  should 
in  no  case  exceed  half  a  globe,  and  the  smallest 
flower  admissible  should  be  5  inchesin  diameter. 
Open  spaces  in  the  flowers  termed  pockets  are 
highly  objectionable.  We  would  not  limit  the 
length  of  the  spike,  and  the  longer  the  foot- 
stalks, provided  they  be  strong  and  hold  the 
flower  well  up  to  view,  the  better.  In  striped, 
edged,  mottled,  and  shaded  flowers,  the  ground 
and  overlaying  colour  should  be  distinct,  well 
defined,  and  free  from  all  confusion.  The  guard 
petals  should  be  fiat,  of  great  substance,  neither 
ridgy,  serrated,  nor  curled. 

We  think  it  will  be  tolerably  evident  to  all 
who  have  a  just  view  of  the  flower  under 
discussion  that  the  distance  of  the  ideal 
standard  from  the  existing  forms  is  sufficiently 
great  to  offer  encouragement  to  the  seedling 
raiser,  and  at  the  same  time  not  so  far  removed 
as  to  be  unattainable.  The  florist  requires  a 
stimulus  beyond  that  presented  by  ordinary 
forms.  And  why  should  not  he  be  permitted 
to  body  forth  an  ideal  beauty  as  well  as  the 


sculptor,  the  painter,  or  the  poet  ?  And  who 
shall  say  his  object  shall  not  be  realised,  drawn 
from  the  inexhaustible  stores  of  Nature  ? 
None,  I  ween.  The  florist  is  no  mere  dreamer. 
He  maybe  an  ardent  thinker;  but  he  is  an  ardent 
worker,  too,  and  he  has  a  right  to  expect  a 
rare  though  not  unattainable  success.  Yes  ; 
reasoning  from  analogy,  he  has  a  right  to  expect 
this  as  the  result  of  labour.  Look  at  what  has 
been  accomplished  in  other  walks  of  floriculture. 
Compare  with  the  other  species  the  Roses,  the 
Dahlias,  the  Pansies,  which  decorate  our  par- 
terres, and  behold  there  the  result  of  patient 
perseverance  and  unremitting  .skill.  If  the 
improvements  in  these  flowers  have  been  less 
rapid  during  the  last  few  years,  we  must 
remember  that  they  have  long  lain  under  the 
hand  of  the  improver,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
much  of  the  work  is  done.  W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 
(To  be  continued.) 


ORCHIDS. 


MESSES.  CHAELESWORTH'S  NUR- 
SERIES, HEATON,  BRADFORD, 
YORKS. 

k  MONG  the  numerous  changes  and  develop- 

/%  ments   in    horticulture   during    recent 

/   \        years,  none   is  more  pronounced  than 

L i        the  number  of  specialists  brought  forth. 

/  J^      The     only    drawback    is     that     many 

owners  of  gardens,  from  which  a 
general  supply  of  produce  is  required,  are  apt  to 
judge  their  gardeners  by  the  results  of  the 
specialists'  work  which  they  see  at  exhibitions  and 
other  places.  These  thoughts  came  into  my  mind 
very  forcibly  after  a  recent  walk  through  the 
Orchid  houses  at  the  above  nurseries.  My  visit 
was  a  hurried  one,  so  I  shall  not  attempt  a  detailed 
description.  The  first  house  I  went  into  was  a 
large  span-roofed  one,  filled  from  end  to  end  with 
the  finest  lot  of  Odontoglossums  I  have  seen.  They 
were  in  rude  health,  as  shown  by  the  stiff,  long, 
deep  green  foliage  springing  out  of  the  fat,  glossy 
pseudo-bulbs.  As  it  was  not  the  flowering  season 
for  this  section,  few  of  the  spikes  had  flowers, 
though  it  was  easy  to  see  that  in  a  few  months' 
time  there  would  be  a  great  display.  I  counted 
from  thirty  to  forty  open  flowers  on  two  or  three 
spikes.  I  was  told  there  were  no  secrets  in  con- 
nexion with  their  culture  beyond  the  facts  of  giving 
them  a  suitable  temperature,  both  as  to  heat  and 
moisture,  and  a  healthy  rooting  medium.  The 
former  ranges  from  50°  at  night  to  55°  to  60°  in 
the  day.  During  that  period  of  the  year  the  houses 
are  controlled  by  artificial  heat.  The  rooting 
medium  is  made  up  of  a  mixture  of  one  part  good 
peat  and  the  same  of  partly  decayed  Oak  leaves, 
the  other  being  of  good  sphagnum  moss,  with  a 
base  of  clean  crocks  or  potsherds  as  drainage.  It 
is  found  that  they  grow  best  when  at  a  distance  of 
from  2  feet  to  3  feet  from  the  roof  glass.  Under 
the  central  stages  are  numerous  cement  tanks  for 
catching  the  rain-water  from  the  roofs,  and  in  all 
the  houses  where  these  are  not  present  the  floors 
are  formed  of  the  natural  soil  covered  with  clean 
ashes,  which,  being  kept  constantly  moist,  give 
off  a  humidity  which  the  plants  evidently  enjoy. 
House  after  house  is  full  of  choice  Cypripediums, 
from  the  tiny  plantlet  just  emerging  into  a  separate 
life  to  good-sized  plants  of  all  the  newer  and  choice 
species  and  varieties.  Amongst  others  in  flower 
were  C.  lathamianum,  C.  albertianum,  and  C.  aureum 
virginale. 

C.  albertianum  is  a  very  useful  decorative  sort 
for  producing  cut  flowers  in  quantity,  having  good 
long  spikes  in  abundance.  I  was  told  that  some  of 
the  up-to-date  market  florists  had  already  secured 
stocks  of  it.  In  a  lean-to  house  facing  west  were 
Phah-enopsis  in  variety,  but  mostly  P.  schilleriana. 
Their  beautifully  marbled,  clean  fo'liage  and  healthy 
young  roots  prove  that  they  are  at  least  happy  in 
their  surroundings.  The  back  wall  is  covered  with 
a  dense  mass  of  Ficus  minima,  and  underneath  the 


140 


THE    GARDEN. 


(February  20,  1904. 


open  lattice  stages  on  which  the  pots  or  pans  are 
standing  are  other  stages  covered  with  a  dense  mass 
of  Fittonias  in  variety.  As  is  well  known,  to  have 
these  accessories  in  good  health  it  is  necessary  to 
keep  them  well  supplied  with  water.  It  appears 
that  since  the  Philippine  Islands  passed  from  the 
control  of  the  .Spanish  Government  to  the  Americans 
there  has  been  more  difficulty  in  getting  at  the 
natural  home  of  Phala;nopsis  schilleriana.  Under 
any  circumstances,  the  risk  of  importing  them  is 
somewhat  difficult  and  expensive.  There  would  be 
nearly  1,000  plants  in  this  batch. 

Another  large  house  is  full  of  Dendrobiums, 
mostly  of  the  nobile  section.  Few  were  in  flower, 
but  the  well-developed  pseudo-bulbs  gave  promise 
of  a  fine  display  later  on.  Several  others  are  full 
of  imported  Cattleyas  in  all  the  choicer  species  and 
varieties.  Amongst  them  are  fine  specimen  plants. 
To  me  the  most  interesting  of  all  were  the  several 
houses  full  of  seedling  Cattleyas,  Lfelio-Cattleyas, 
Sophro-Lcelias,  &c.  There  are  thousands  of  them 
in  all  stages  of  growth.  I  did  not  see  an  unhealthy 
plant  in  the  lot. 

While  claiming  to  have  no  special  knowledge 
of  Orchids,  I  have  always  had  a  great  fondness  for 
Cattleyas  and  the  stronger-growing  Lselias.  I  think 
I  can  see  a  greater  future  for  them  than  before. 
One  drawback  to  their  extended  culture  is  the  fact 
that  even  under  good  cultural  conditions  the  death- 
rate  of  imported  plants  is  a  very  heavy  one.  I  once 
heard  a  gentleman  interested  in  their  culture  say 
that  to  keep  your  house  or  houses  full  of  good 
Cattleyas  you  required  to  look  upon  them  almost  as 
one  does  Dutch  bulbs,  the  only  difference  being  to 
import  them  triennially  instead  of  annually.  This 
was  an  extreme  opinion,  perhaps,  but  there  is  much 
truth  in  it.  With  seedlings  this  is  all  changed. 
Looking  at  the  houses  of  seedlings  with  all  their 
leaves  on  one  feels  certain  that,  given  fairly  good 
conditions  of  culture,  there  would  be  no  higher 
death-rate  in  the  future  than  amongst,  say,  exotic 
Ferns  similarly  produced.  I  was  told  also  that, 
given  the  demand,  there  was  nothing  to  prevent 
their  being  produced  at  what  may  be  termed 
popular  prices.  Of  course,  the  very  choice  species 
and  varieties  will  always  command  full  value.  The 
weedy  ones  can,  as  with  other  things,  be  thrown 
away.  In  The  Garden  I  have  noticed  descriptions 
of  some  of  the  flowers  as  exhibited  at  the  Drill  Hall, 
and  perhaps  before  these  notes  are  in  print  may  do 
so  with  others.  I  know  of  nothing  in  connexion 
with  horticulture  so  intensely  interesting  as  watch- 
ing the  development  of  the  flowers,  though,  of 
course,  there  are  and  will  be  many  disappointments. 

Grimston,  Tadca-ster.  H.  J.  C. 


DENDROBIUM    SPLENDIDISSIMUM 

GRANDIFLORUM. 

O0E  illustration  shows  a  form  of  the  above 
Dendrobium,  known  as  the  Woodhatch  variety. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  forms  of  D.  s.  grandiflorum 
yet  raised.  It  was  shown  by  Mr.  Salter,  gar- 
dener to  Mrs.  Haywood,  Woodhatch  Lodge, 
Reigate,  before  the  Orchid  committee  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  March  8,  1898, 
when  it  received  an  award  of  merit.  Mr. 
Salter  raised  this  Dendrobium,  and  it  may  be 
said  to  be  one  of  his  best  seedlings. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

General  Remarks. 
Attention  should  be  given  to  the  shading  of  the 
various  Orchid  houses  to  see  that  they  are  in  good 
repair.  To  those  beginning  the  culture  of  Orchids, 
and  now  contemplating  a  suitable  system  of  shading, 
I  advise  that  all  blinds  should  be  kept  well  clear  of 
the  glass.  We  find  that  lath  blinds  make  a  good 
shading,  and  they  have  the  double  advantage  over 
the  cotton  blinds,  in  not  being  adversely  affected 
by  the  weather  in  winter  to  the  same  extent. 
When  introducing  shading  this  should  be  taken  into 
account,  so  that  during  severe  weather  in  winter 
they  may  be  used  in  preference  to  excessive  fire-heal. 

Staging. 
.     Proper  staging  is  of  vital  importance  to  the  well- 
being  of   Orchids,  besides  adding  greatly  to  the 


appearance  of  the  houses. 
We  generally  see  the  plants 
placed  upon  an  inverted  pot 
on  a  stage  of  shingle  or  some 
similar  material  ;  the  system 
I  advocate  is  that  of  having 
a  loose  staging  made  up  of 
1^-inch  square  laths,  either 
of  pitch  Pine  or  good  red 
Deal,  unpainted,  and  raise 
them  to  the  desired  height 
by  means  of  loose  bricks  ; 
the  staging  can  then  be 
altered  at  any  time  with 
little  trouble,  the  plants  have 
a  free  circulation  of  air 
amongst  them,  the  lower 
stage  can  be  damped  down 
far  easier,  and  by  iitroducing 
a  row  of  small  Ferns,  inter- 
mixed with  Rex  Begonias  at 
the  edge,  the  house  may  be 
made  far  more  attractive. 

Plants  Under  Stages. 

The  space  underneath  the 
stages  may  be  beautified  by 
making  a  small  rockery  facing 
the  paths,  taking  care  that  it 
does  not  interfere  with  the 
bottom  ventilators  and  the 
hot  water  pipes,  or  various 
plants  may  be  planted  in  the 
space.  I  am  convinced  that 
the  humidity  given  off  by 
the  plants  grown  underneath 
the  stages  is  very  beneficial  to  the  Orchid. 
Nothing  looks  much  worse  in  any  house  than  to 
see  a  bare  end  wall.  Cover  it  with  Ficus  repens. 
Glass  ends  may  be  utilised  for  growing  Vanda 
teres  in  the  stove  house,  and  in  the  Cattleya 
and  intermediate  house  the  scandent  varieties  of 
Epidendrum,  such  as  E.  radicans  and  E.  o'brien- 
ianum,  may  be  used  with  good  effect. 
Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Eeigate.         W.  P.  Bound. 


AT   THE   SALES. 

It  is  always  interesting  to  look  in  at  Messrs. 
Protheroe  and  Morris'  auction  rooms  on  Fridays, 
the  day  of  the  weekly  sale  of  Orchids.  The 
Orchids  in  flower  make  quite  a  show,  and  there  are 
always  some  choice  novelties  among  them.  For 
some  weeks  past  the  Cypripediums  and  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum  varieties  have  been  the  most 
conspicuous,  but  these  are  now  being  supplemented 
by  Dendrobiums  and  Phalrenopsis.  On  Friday 
last  plants  of  Phalsenopsis  schilleriana  made  32s.  6d. 
each  ;  a  good  plant  of  P.  amabilis  rimesladiana, 
523.  6d.  ;  P.  grandiflora  sold  at  lOs.  ;  Lielia  anceps 
sanderiana,  21s.  each  ;  and  some  at  lower  prices. 
A  fine  piece  of  Cypripedium  aureum  hyeauum 
giganteum  was  the  most  important  item  of  the 
sale,  and  this  was  knocked  down  for  25  guineas. 
Some  very  fine  varieties  of  Odontoglossum  crispum 
were  offered  ;  one  plant  made  4  guineas,  another 
over  ,S  guineas.  Dendrobium  nobile  virginale, 
small  plants  in  flower,  sold  at  3  guineas  ;  one  went 
a  little  over  this  price.  A  good  plant  of  Lselio- 
Cattleya  xanthina  x  hardyana  made  703.  ;  Cj'm- 
bidium  Lowi,  ,34s.  ;  and  a  good  piece  of  Vanda 
Cathcartii  sold  at  703.  The  newly-imported  Orchids 
did  not  attract  much  attention,  and  those  sold  went 
at  very  low  prices.  A.  H. 


DENDROBIUM   SPLENDIDiaSIMUM   GRANDIFLORUM. 


return  for  our  trouble.  The  robust  character  of 
the  parent  plants  was  really  striking,  especially 
when  the  wet  season  was  taken  into  account,  and 
they  had  occupied  their  position  for  two  seasons. 
This  can  apparently  only  be  attributed  to  the 
soil  that  the  plants  were  grown  in.  It  was  an 
alluvial  sandy  loam  from  near  a  disused  forge,  and 
incorporated  with  burnt  refuse  therefrom.  Some 
successful  cultivators  of  Malmaison  Carnations  are 
particularly  careful  to  keep  their  plants  protected 
at  all  times  from  rain,  and  one  of  them  once  told 
me  that  he  never  permitted  his  plants  to  be  exposed 
to  mist,  as  rust  might  be  caused  from  the  foliage 
becoming  wet,  and  his  success  proves  that  his 
management  admirably  suits  the  plants'  require- 
ments. The  plants  that  have  been  referred  to, 
however,  were  fully  exposed.  Notwithstanding, 
they  were,  as  their  offspring  are  at  the  present 
time,  without  a  trace  of  rust.  Nevertheless,  I 
should  be  loth  to  recommend  anj'one  to  expose  a 
collection  of  Malmaisons,  that  they  grew  for  flower- 
ing in  pots  and  propagating  from,  to  the  elements, 
even  during  the  summer  mouths.  We  strictly 
guard  against  our  plants,  both  old  and  young, 
getting  in  any  way  wet  overhead.  It  would,  all 
the  same,  be  instructive  and  interesting  to  me  to 
know  what  other  growers  have  to  say  about  this 
matter,  for  it  appears,  judging  from  the  above 
facts,  that  there  is  more  than  one  royal  road  to 
success  even  with  the  Malmaison  Carnation. 

T.    COOMBEK. 

The  Hendre  Gardens,  Monmouth. 


THE    INDOOR   GARDEN. 

CARNATION     SOUVENIR    DE    LA 
MALMAISON. 

UPON  going  round  a  farmer's  garden 
one  day  last  autumn  a  border  against 
the  north  end  of  the  house  was  noticed 
to  be  filled  with  large,  healthy  plants 
of  this  Carnation,  and  an  agreement 
was  made  with  their  owner,  with  the 
result  that  we  layered  the  whole  of  their  growths 
and  had  what  we  wanted  of  the  young  plants  in 


THE  CANTERBURY  BELL  IN  POTS. 
Campanula  Medium,  being  biennial,  should  be 
sown  early  in  the  spring.  It  is  necessary  to  guard 
against  damp,  as  when  sown  thickly  in  pans  in  a 
warm  house  the  plants  soon  damp  off.  It  is  also  neces- 
sary to  sow  the  seeds  evenly  to  prevent  damping, 
and  as  soon  as  the  plants  are  well  up  remove  to  a 
shelf  or  frame,  keeping  close  to  the  glass.  It  is  best 
to  secure  the  seed  from  a  good  dwarf  strain.  I  have 
for  years  taken  much  interest  in  Campanulas,  and 
have  annually  selected  the  dwarfest  plants  with 
good  substance  in  the  blooms.  I  have  tried  the 
well-known  plan  of  planting  out  the  seedlings  in 
the  summer  and  lifting  into  pots  in  the  autumn  or 
early  in  the  spring,  but  I  prefer  pot  culture,  using 
7-inch  or  8-inch  pots,  and  getting  the  pots  well 
filled  with  roots  by  the  late  autumn.  They  will 
then  stand  our  winters  in  a  cold  frame  or  plunged 
over  the  rims  of  the  pots  on  a  sheltered,  well-drained 
border,  as  they  suffer  more  from  damp  than  cold. 


Febeuary  20,  1904.] 


THE    GAKDEN. 


141 


We  usually  sow  in  a  temperature  of  GO"  in  well- 
prepared  soil,  and  cover  with  a  piece  ot  glass  or  a 
hand-liglit  and  keep  moist.  The  seedlings  are 
pricked  off  as  soon  as  ready  to  handle  into  S-inch 
,pot3  and  shifted  on  as  required. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


COVENT   GARDEN  FLOWER  MARKET. 

WE  have  rarely  seen  the  market  pre- 
sent a  duller  appearance  than  it 
did  last  Saturday.  Many  of  the 
stands  still  remain  empty.  In  a 
chat  with  some  of  the  growers 
we  learn  that  the  continued  wet  is 
■causing  considerable  anxiety.  The  flooding  of 
stoke-holes  renders  it  impossible  to  keep  tires 
"going  in  some  nurseries,  and,  should  we  get  a 
sudden  change  to  frost,  things  would  be  very 
serious  indeed.  Another  great  drawback  is  the 
difficulty  of  getting  soil  tit  to  use  for  potting. 
There  are  few  things  more  detrimental  to  spring 
plants  than  having  to  use  soil  in  a  bad  condition, 
especially  for  Mignonette  and  other  fine-rooted 
plants. 

We  have  now  nearly  seen  the  last  ot  the  Chry- 
santhemums for  this  season,  but  there  are  still  a 
■few  good  blooms  to  be  seen.  Daffodils  are  in  great 
'  plenty,  both  in  pots  and  cut,  and  prices  are  down 
.very  low.  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  very  good  and 
plentiful.  Good  pots  sell  fairly  well,  and  there  is 
some  trade  for  cut  flowers,  but  the  supply  exceeds 
■the  demand.  Some  good  Genistas  are  now  coming 
in  ;  Marguerites  are  more  plentiful  again  ;  Cine- 
rarias sell  fairly  well,  there  being  few  bright- 
■coloured  flowers  in  just  now  ;  and  red  Tulips  make 
better  prices  than  any  other  colour.  There  are  a 
lew  red  Roses  coming  in  now,  but  they  are  as  yet 
scarce.  White  Azalea  is  very  plentiful,  and  sells 
slowly.  Callas,  both  in  pots  and  cut,  continue  to 
be  in  excess  of  the  demand.  Erica  willmoreana  is 
now  in,  and  E.  hyemalis  is  getting  pretty  well 
(finished. 

We  get  very  few  good  Chinese  Primulas  in  now. 
There  is  not  a  great  demand  for  them,  but  one  of 
the  largest  buyers  told  us  he  could  always  do  with 
some  if  they  were  good  enough.  Cyclamen  con- 
tinue very  good  and  plentiful.  Palms  and  Ferns 
are  plentiful,  and  they  should  now  sell  better,  but 
growers  complain  of  very  dull  trade,  especially  in 
Palms.  In  the  French  market  there  is  now  a  very 
.)rr-ae  supply,  and  prices  are  low,  but  the  hawkers 
«Ie  tr  out  a  tremendous  lot  of  this  produce. 


OBITUARY. 

MR.    ALISTER    MURRAY. 

ATURE-LOVERS  in  the  Edin- 
burgh district  have  heard  with  regret 
of  the  death  of  Mr.  Alister  Murray, 
Craigmillar,  who  took  a  deep  interest 
in  several  branches  of  natural  history. 
Mr.  Murray  was  an  excellent  botanist, 
a.nd  made  a  special  study  of  the  Mosses  and  Liver- 
worts, on  which  he  was  an  acknowledged  authority. 
Be  was  a  keen  student  of  the  botany  of  the  Lothians, 
and  his  knowledge  was  evidenced  by  the  splendid 
collection  of  the  Grasses  of  the  district  with  which 
he  won  a  prize  offered  by  the  Field  Naturalists' 
Society  about  two  years  ago.  Among  other 
subjects  in  which  he  was  an  expert  was  that  of 
bee-keeping,  and  he  conducted  classes  on  this  at 
■  the  Edinburgh  School  of  Gardening  for  Women  at 
'Corstorphine.  In  many  ways  Mr.  Murray  will  be 
much  missed  among  a  wide  circle  of  students  of 
natural  history,  as  his  help  to  anyone  interested 
was  always  freely  given.  His  funeral  took  place 
■on  the  9th  inst.  Mr.  Alister  Murray  was  for  some 
years  gardener  at  Dabton,  Thornhill,  Damfries- 
ishire,  whence  he  went  to  enter  upon  a  similar 
situation  in  the  employment  of  Captain  Christie, 
.Durie,  Leven,  Fife.  He  afterwards  went  to  the 
JJlind  Asylum,  Craigmillar. 


MR.  CHARLE8    FEKGUSSON. 

Deep  regret  has  been  felt  by  all  who  knew  liim  at 
the  death,  under  painful  circumstances,  of  Mr. 
Charles  Fergusson,  nurseryman,  Nairn.  Mr.  Fer- 
gusson  had  been  missing  since  the  8th  inst.,  and 
two  days  later  his  body  was  found  in  the  river 
Nairn.  It  is  believed  that  he  had  accidently  fallen 
into  the  river  aud  been  drowned.  He  was  a  man 
of  more  than  ordinary  knowledge  of  several  subjects 
besides  gardening.  He  was  an  ardent  ornithologist, 
and  had  a  splendid  lot  of  birds'  eggs,  which  he  had 
been  collecting  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  also 
a  deep  student  of  Celtic  history  and  lore,  Scottish 
history,  and  several  branches  of  natural  history. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  engaged  upon  a 
history  of  Strathardle,  Perthshire  (his  native  place), 
for  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  of  which  he  was 
a  leading  member,  and  it  was  generally  recognised 
that  few  ScotchmcB  were  so  well  acquainted  with 
all  that  related  to  the  battle  of  CuUoden.  It  must 
not  be  supposed  that  Mr.  Fergusson  was  not 
interested  in  his  own  vocation  as  a  gardener.  He 
tilled  several  situations  as  head  gardener  with 
satisfaction  to  his  employers  and  credit  to  himself. 
He  was  at  Cally,  Kirkcudbrightshire,  the  property 
of  Mr.  H.  G.  Murray  Stewart,  of  Broughton  and 
Cally,  and  Fairburn,  Muir  of  Ord,  Koss-shire, 
belonging  to  the  Stirling  family,  previous  to 
starting  business.  A  man  of  his  attainments  will 
be  much  missed  from  the  ranks  of  north  country 
horticulturists. 


SOOj^ETIES. 

KOYAL  GARDENERS'  ORPHAN  FUND. 
In  the  absence  of  Mr.  H.  B.  May  through  illness,  Mr. 
Poupart  took  the  chair  at  ttie  annual  Reneral  meeting  ol  this 
fund,  held  at  the  Cannon  Street  Hotel,  on  the  12lh  inst. 
There  were  some  twenty-five  persons  present,  including 
Messrs.  H.  J.  Veitch,  Assbee,  J.  McLeod,  T.  W.  Sanders, 
J.  Lyne,  Outhbert,  George  Gordon,  Joseph  Rochford,  and 
G.  Reynolds.  Mr.  Poupart  having  said  how  very  sorry  they 
were  that  Mr.  May  was  absent  throngh  illness,  and  they 
hope  that  he  will  soon  recover  (a  telegram  was  subse- 
quently sent  to  Mr.  May  to  this  effect),  the  secretary  read 
the  notice  convening  the  meeting  aud  the  minutes  of  the 
last  general  meeting. 

Mr.  Poupart,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report,  said 
they  had  cause  for  conaralulation  in  that  they  had  been  able 
to  increase  the  disbursements  during  the  past  year,  although 
the  falling  off  in  subscriptions  was  to  be  deplored.  Some 
said  that  subscribers  were  lost  to  the  institution  because 
there  was  no  election,  but  he  (the  chairman)  did  not  see  what 
difference  this  could  make.  The  amount  of  money  spent  on 
an  election  would  probably  keep  an  orphan. 

iMr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  seconded  the  resolution.  He  referred 
to  the  e.xcelleut  work  accomplished  by  the  Royal  Gardeners' 
Orphan  Fund  ;  nearly  •Ml  children  had  been  elected,  and 
£12,000  spent  since  the  fund  was  established.  He  thought 
they  ought  to  be  thankful  to  the  late  Mr.  Penny  and  his  friends 
for  starting  it.  When  a  gardener  dies  young  it  is  impossible 
for  him  to  save  much,  and  it  is  especially  to  young  widows 
that  the  grants  prove  so  nseful.  Mr.  Veitch  concluded  by 
hoping  that  the  orphan  fnnd  would  continue  to  tfourish. 
The  resolution  was  carried  nein.  con- 
Mr.  George  Gordon  proposed  that  Earl  Carrington  be 
elected  a  vice-president.  Seconded  by  Mr.  Joseph  Rochford, 
and  passed  unanimously. 

Mr.  Ronpell  proposed  that  Mr.  N.  N.  Sherwood  be  re- 
elected treasurer.  Seconded  by  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod,  and 
carried  without  dissent. 

Mr.  Assbee  proposed,  and  Mr.  Pearce  seconded,  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  auditors,  and  the  re-election  of  Mr.  M.  Rowan, 
the  retiring  auditor.     Passed  unanimously. 

Mr.  R.  H.  Pearson  proposed,  and  Mr.  J.  Miles  seconded, 
that  Messrs.  J.  Assbee,  W.  H.  Cutbush,  G.  Gordon,  J.  1'. 
McLeod,  T.  A.  Morrison,  and  W.  Roupell  be  re-elected 
members  <  f  the  committee.  Mr.  Miles,  local  secretaiy  of 
the  Southampton  Auxiliary,  said  how  much  they  appreciated 
the  good  work  of  the  committee.    Carried  unanimously. 

Mr.  J.  Assbee  proposed,  and  Mr.  Cuthbert  seconded,  that 
Messrs.  'William  Bull,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  and  W.  P.  Thom- 
son be  elected  members  of  committee  in  place  of  Messrs. 
Peter  Kay,  G.  H.  Richards,  and  George  Nicholson  who  retire. 
Passed  unanimously. 

The  chairman  proposed  that  Mr.  B.  Wynne  be  re-elected 
secretary,  at  a  salary  of  £126  per  year  (an  increase  of  .£25). 
Mr.  Miles  seconded  this  proposition,  and  as  a  local  secretary 
spoke  of  the  ready  help  Mr.  Wynne  always  gave.  Mr. 
Roupell  supported  the  resolution,  which  was  carried  iiein. 
con. 

Messrs.  Assbee,  Cuthbert,  McLeod,  Lyne,  and  Reynolds 
were  elected  scrutineers  of  the  ballot,  on  the  proposition  of 
Mr.  Marshall,  seconded  by  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders. 

Result  op  Poll.  — George  James  Lammas,  307;  Harry 
George  Panning,  361  ;  Reginald  Joseph  Pantling,  339  ;  Mar- 
garet Lammas,  3-28 ;  Louie  Witcher,  230 ;  Mary  Elizabeth 
Pretty,    229;    Robert  Arthur  Pretty,  2-28;    Frank  William 

Ci^mif.].*    itiA  •   TJanriT  nillot    ''IS  ■   TfiMfl  P.ljiiir.he  Avli 


Sonutag,  214  ;  Henry  Gillet,  213  ;  Hilda  Blanche  Ayling,  ISO. 
Annual  Report. 
The  executive  committee,  in  presenting  r.hen^  sixteenth 
annual  report,  congratulates  the  supporters  of  the  fund  ou 


its  continued  prosperity  and  usefulness,  as,  although  from 
causes  too  well  understood  by  all,  they  aie  but  able  to  show 
a  trilling  increase  over  the  previous  year's  receipts  from  all 
sources  other  than  legacies,  they  have  been  enabled  to 
inciease  their  disbursements  in  the  form  of  allowances  and 
giants  in  aid  from  £1,092  15s.  in  1902  to  £1,265  lOs.  in  1903— 
a  total  increase  of  £102  153.  The  committee  have  to  deplore 
the  falling  off  in  animal  subscriptions,  as  shown  in  the 
accounts  presented,  and  the  more  so  as  the  deticiency  mainly 
arises  from  the  non. renewal  of  6s.  subscriptions  ;  but  they 
hope  and  believe  that  when  this  fact  becomes  known,  and 
tile  present  dearth  of  morjey  passes  away,  these  subscriptions 
will  be  renewed  and  increased  in  number.  They  cannot 
believe  that  those  in  whose  interest  thefund  was  established 
are  indifferent  to  its  claims  upon  their  support.  Many  there 
are,  undoubtedly,  who  feel  that  they  cannot  subscribe  .68. 
annually,  and  these  may  be  usefully  reminded  that  ail  con- 
tributions are  voluntary,  and  that  the  payment  of  a  sub- 
scription one  year  does  not  imply  that  it  must  be  continued 
in  tile  next. 

The  committee  gratefully  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  a 
legacy  of  £26  from  the  executors  of  the  will  of  the  late  Mr. 
A.  F.  Osier  of  Birmingham,  and  also  the  kindly  generosity  of 
the  Eari  of  Ilchester  in  throwing  open  his  beautiful  gai-dena 
at  Holland  House  on  the  occasioii  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  exhibition  being  held  there,  by  which  means  the 
fund  benettted  to  a  substantial  amount.  The  legacies  left 
to  the  fund  hy  Mr.  A.  H.  Smee  and  Mrs.  John  Wills, 
amounting  to  £360,  have  been  invested  in  the  purchase  of 
£3S0  12s.  2d.  2^  per  cent.  Consols.  The  committee  keenly 
regrets  to  recoi"d  the  loss  which  the  fund  has  sustained  by 
the  death  of  two  of  its  founders,  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron  of 
Chiswick  and  Mr.  James  Smith  of  Mentmore.  Of  Mr. 
Barron's  devotion  to  the  fund  while  its  secretary  for  eleven 
years  it  is  not  possible  to  feel  other  than  the  keenest  appre- 
ciation, or  to  speak  other  than  in  the  highest  terms  ;  while 
of  Mr.  .Smith  it  may  be  said  that  for  several  years  after  the 
establishment  of  the  fund  he  served  on  the  committee,  and 
until  his  death  was  a  zealous  collector  in  aid  of  the  charity 
whose  interest  he  had  so  warmly  at  heart. 

The  number  of  orphans  who  have  been  elected  to  receive 
the  benefits  of  the  fund  during  the  past  llfteen  years  is  179, 
and  the  total  amount  expended  in  allowances  during  the 
same  period  is  £12,192  17s.  6d.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
year  the  number  of  children  receiving  the  full  allowance  was 
73,  and  24  were  added  to  the  list  by  special  resolution  at  the 
annual  meeting.  The  number  on  the  fund  now  is  88,  and  10 
will  be  added  by  election  to-day.  Most  of  the  candidates 
have  been  in  receipt  of  compassionate  allowances  since  their 
nominations  were  accepted  ;  and  while  the  committee  would 
have  been  glad  If  they  could  have  seen  their  way  to  put  a 
larger  number  than  10  on  the  fund,  prudence  dictates  the 
safer  course,  especially  having  regard  to  the  fact  that  as  a 
result  of  the  beneficial  alteration  made  in  Rule  XIII.  at  the 
last  annual  meeting,  they  have  extended  the  payment  of 
allowances  in  some  cases  for  varying  periods  beyond  the 
fourteen  years  limit. 

The  committee  again  gladly  tender  their  warmest  thanks 
to  the  local  secrel^aries  for  valued  services  rendered,  and 
also  gratefully  acknowledge  the  zealously  continued  exer- 
tions on  behalf  of  the  fund  made  by  gardening  friends  iu 
various  centres,  and  could  heartily  wisli  that  their  number 
could  be  increased.  The  annual  festival  held  on  May  5,  under 
the  presidency  of  the  Right  Hon.  Earl  Carrington,  P.O., 
again  proved  an  unqualitied  success  from  every  point  of 
view,  and  as  a  slight  acknowledgment  of  the  committee's 
appreciation  of  the  noble  chairman's  kindness  on  that 
occasion  have  the  greatest  pleasure  in  recommending  that 
Earl  Carrington  be  to-day  elected  a  vice-president.  It  has 
been  arranged  for  the  next  annual  festival  to  take  place  at 
the  Hotel  Cecil  on  Tuesday,  May  17,  and  the  committee  are 
highly  pleased  to  make  the  announcement  that  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart,  E.C.V.O..  President  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  has  most  kindly  promised  to  preside  on  that 
occasion.  As  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  this  year 
celebrate  its  centenary,  it  is  especially  gratifying  to  the 
committee  that  its  president  should  have  so  kindly  accepted 
their  invitation,  and  trust  that  all  friends  of  the  charity  will 
rally  round  them  in  support  of  so  distinguished  a  patron  of 
horticulture. 

The  members  of  the  committee  who  retire  by  rotation  are 
Mr.  J.  Assbee,  Mr.  W.  H.  Cutbush,  Jlr.  G.  Gordon,  Mr.  J.  F. 
McLeorl,  Mr.  T.  A.  Morris,  Mr.  G.  H.  Richards,  and  Mr.  W. 
Roupell ;  and  Jtessrs.  Assbee,  Cutbush,  Gordon,  McLeod, 
Morris,  and  Roupell  being  eligible,  offer  themselves  for 
re-election.  iMr.  G.  H.  Richards  does  not  offer  himself  for 
re-election,  and  Mr.  P.  E.  Kay  and  Mr.  G.  Nicholson  having 
resigned,  Mr.  William  Bull,  Mr.  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  and  Mr. 
W.  P.  Thomson  are  nominated  to  till  the  vacancies  thus 
created.  The  committee  have  much  pleasure  in  recording 
Iheir  appreciation  of  the  admirable  manner  in  which  Mr. 
William  Sherwood  discharges  the  duties  of  treasurer  on 
behalf  of  his  father,  absent  abroad,  and  in  anticipation  of 
Mr.  Sherwood's  early  return,  as  all  hope,  in  renewed  health 
and  vigour,  he  is  again  nominated  for  re-election  as  treasurer. 
The  committee  have  again  pleasure  in  thanking  ilr.  M. 
Rowan  and  Mr.  P.  Rudolph  Ban-  for  their  most  careful  audit 
of  the  accounts  of  the  fund.  Mr.  Rowan  is  the  retiring 
auditor,  and  is  nominated  for  re-election. 

GARDENERS'  ROYAL  BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTION. 
Liverpool  auxiliary. 
The  third  smoking  concert  arranged  by  the  Liverpool 
auxiliary  was  held"  on  the  13th  inst.  at  the  Bear's  Paw 
nnder  the  most  favourable  auspices.  W.  W.  Rutherford, 
Esq  ,  M.P.,  presided  over  a  crowded  audience,  and  was 
supported  by  Messrs.  T.  Foster,  G.  Haigh,  J.  Dickson,  N.  F. 
Barnes,  H.  Jliddlehurst,  B.  Ker,  J.  Guttridge,  J.  Finnlgan, 
B.  Ashton,  W.  Gibbins,  A.  H.  Ardran,  B.  Cromwell,  C.  A. 
Young  (chairman  of  committee),  A.  J.  Crippin  (treasurer), 
R  G.  Waterman  (secretary),  and  others. 

The  chairman,  who  was  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Rutherford, 
■»ave  a  stirring  and  admirable  address  on  the  advantages  and 
claims  of  the  institution,  urging  that  it  was  uecessary  for  all 


142 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  20,  1904. 


classes  of  men  to  band  themselves  together  for  mutual  help 

in  time  of  need  and  old  age,  and  commended  the  workers  of 

the   local   branch  for  their  diligence  and  zeal    in  helping 

^      forward  the  good  work  in   this  district.     A  strong  appeal 

;      was  made  fur  more  liberal  help,  so  that  the  many  deserving 

:       cases  could  be  assisted,  which  at  present  was  impossible 

owing  to  want  of  funds.     To  the  younger  persons  present 

some  valuable  advice  was  tendeied  that  they  might  avail 

,  themselves  of  the  many  educational  advantages  now  at  their 
disposal,  so  that  when  the  duty  of  carrying  on  the  work  of 
horticulture  devolved  upon  them  they  might  be  in  a  position 
to  carry  on  the  work  of  production  and  improvement  in  an 
even  more  efficient  manner  than  at  present,  ilr.  R.  G. 
Waterman  moved  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  for  his 
admirable  address  and  practical  sympathy.     He  said    the 

.       Liverpool  auxiliary  was  the  youngest  and  smallest.     The 

■  first  position  they  could  not  alter,  but  the  committee  hoped 
that  with  the  aid  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  and  gardeners  of 
the  district  they  might  show  a  greatly  improved  financial 

^  position.  Words  of  appreciation  were  tendered  to  Mrs. 
Eutherford  for  the  great  honour  that  she  had  conferred 
upon  them  by  her  presence.     This  was  seconded  by  llr.  H. 

^     Middlehurst,  and  carried  with  musical  honours  and  pro- 

^     longed  cheering.    Mr.  0.  X.  Young,  on  behalf  of  the  com- 

(.    mittee,  presented  Mrs.  Eutherford  with  a  beautiful  bouquet. 

Ij    Gifts  of  cut  flowers  and  loans  of  plants  were  made  by  Mr. 

!  C.  A.  Young,  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  and  Sons,  Messrs.  B.  Webb 
and  Sons,  and  others,  which  added  to  the  general  appearance 

i    of  the  room. 


Bkistoi,  and  Bath  Auxiliaky. 
A  SPECIAL  meeting  was  held  at  Chivers'  Restaurant  on  the 
12th    inst.      Mr.    \V.    A.    Garaway,    occupying    the    chair, 
explained  the  object  of  the  meeting,  namely,  to  consider  the 

■  advisability  of  holding  a  Rose,  Begonia,  and  Orchid  show  in 
:  aid  of  the  institution.  Mr;  Vallance  was  invited  to  explain 
i;    the  position,  and  remarked  on  the  want  of  funds  to  meet 

•  the  requirements  of  the  Bristol  and  Bath  Auxiliary,  and  it 
I  was  felt  that  the  time  was  opportune  to  provide  some 
i  scheme  for  increasing  the  income,  which  at  the  present  time 
i  was  at  a  very  low  mark.  They  had  for  several  years  past 
';;  been  enabled  through  the  generosity  of  many  leading 
;'  eentlemen  of  the  district,  who  had  allowed  their  gardens  to 
\.  be  thrown  open  to  the  public,  and  by  making  a  small  charge 
jl  to  add  to  their  funds,  and  the  auxiliary  had  also  been 
;.  materially  assisted  by  the  Bristol  Chrysanthemum  Society 

■  and  the  Westbury  show  by  allowing  the  sale  of  produce  at 
,  their   respective    shows.      But    notwithstanding   this    able 

assistance,  they  were  very  short  of  funds.     He  (Mr.  Vallance) 

•  had  carefully  thought  out  the  matter,  and  suggested  that  a 
Kose  show  would  be  the  best  means  of  increasing  the  income 
of  so  deserving  a  charity.  He  theref.jre  proposed  that  a 
show  he  held  for  the  purpose.  He  understood  that  a  bazaar 
in  aid  of  the  Winsley  Sanatorium  was  to  be  held  this  year 
at  the  Zoological  Gardens,  and  it  would  not  be  generous  of 
them  to  hold  the  show  this  year  in  face  of  that  most 
deserving  institution,  but  he  thought  it  could  be  done  next 
year.  A  discussion  was  invited.  Many  gentlemen  spoke, 
and  on  the  vote  being  taken  it  was  unanimously  decided  to 
hold  the  show  during  the  summer  of  1905.  The  question  of 
a  guarantee  fund  was  also  brought  forward,  and  responded 
to  in  a  very  gratifying  way,  many  gentlemen  adding  their 
names  to  the  list  <jf  guarantors.  An  additional  committee 
was  elected,  and  Bristol  may  now  look  fcjrivard  with  interest 
to  a  floral  show  which  will  certainly  meet  the  tastes  of  all 
lovers  of  horticulture. 

CARDIFF  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
A  MEETING  took  place  on  Tuesday,  the  9th  inst.,  at  the 
Grand  Hotel.  Mr.  H.  R.  Farmer  presided.  Mr.  F.  Waller, 
Cucumber  and  Tomato  grower  to  Messrs.  Nurton  and  Co.' 
Dynas  Powis,  gave  a  highly  interesting  lecture  on  "The 
Culture  of  Tomatoes."  Dealing  with  its  history,  from  which 
could  be  easily  traced  how  remarkably  rapidly  the  Tomato 
had  become  popular,  the  lecturer  added  that  home-"rown 
fruits  are  by  far  the  best,  and  command  the  best  prices 
Medium  size  Tomatoes  And  the  more  ready  sale.  The 
debate  which  followed  was  enthusiastically  taken  up.  The 
best  thanks  of  the  meeting  were  accorded  Mr.  Waller  for  his 
splendid  lecture. 

Anndal  Dinner. 
The  "Gardeners'"  dinner  took  place  at  Barry's  Restaurant 
on  Wednesday,  the  10th  inst.,  at  7.30  p.m.,  when  E.  H 
Uattram,  Esq.,  occupied  the  chair,  supported  by  the  two 
hon.  secretaries  (Messrs.  H.  Gillelt  and  J.  Julian),  Messrs. 
H.  R.  Farmer  and  T.  Malpas,  and  a  large  number  of  the 
leading  gardeners  of  the  district.  After  an  excellent  dinner 
a  shon  toast  list  was  gone  through,  and  several  contributed 
towards  the  musical  part  of  the  programme.  A  most  enjoy- 
able evening  was  spent,  which  terminated  with  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  chairman,  also  to  the  two  hon.  secretaries  who 
had  done  everything  possible  to  make  the  evening  a  success. 

BRISTOL  GARDENERS'  ASSOCSATION. 
A  MOST  successful  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  at 
at.  Johns  Rooms  on  Thursday  evening  last,  Mr.  E.  Poole 
l.R.H.S.,  presiding  over  a  good  attendance.  The  lecturer 
for  the  evening  was  Mr.  Powell,  acting  as  representative 
from  the  Reading  Gardeners'  Association.  His  lecture  was 
entitled  "  Bouquet  Making,"  and  Mr.  Powell  added  much  to 
his  able  lecture  by  demonstrating  the  art  of  manipulating 
flowers.  He  claimed  that  the  floral  art  was  most  essential 
for  the  gardener  to  master,  and  that  all  young  gardeners 
should  endeavour  to  make  themselves  perfect  as  florists 
Mr.  Powell  gave  practical  demonstrations,  forming  the 
foundation  of  the  bouquet,  wiring  flowers,  and  arranging 
them  so  as  to  have  the  most  pleasing  eftect  were  the  main 
points  of  his  lecture.  His  bouquet,  a  very  beautiful  example 
of  floral  art,  was  passed  round  the  audience.  Sprays  and 
button-holes  also  received  attention.  A  lively  discussion 
followed  his  lecture,  during  which  he  was  asked  several 
questions.    He  was  unanimously  thanked  for  his  interesting 


ROYAL     HORTICULTURAL     SOCIETY. 
Scientific  Committee  (February  9). 
Present:  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  F.R.S.  (in  the  chair),  Messrs. 
Michael,  Baker,  Druery,  Veitch,  Worsley,  Bowles,  Saunders, 
Keeble.  and  Douglas,  Dr.  Bidley,  Revs.   W.   Wilks  and  G. 
Henslow,  hon.  secretary ;  visitor,  Mr.  .T.  Hickley. 

Bean.i  defeeth-e.—'Mr.  Horsley  of  Winsford,  Cheshire,  sent 
some  mould  in  which  Beans  had  been  grown  under  glass, 
but  failed.  The  Beans  were  old.  It  was  thought  that  the 
soil  was  too  light,  with  possibly  deficient  light,  and  the 
Beans  being  old  might  have  been  diftlcult  to  germinate. 
Mr.  Baker  has  undertaken  to  investigate  the  matter 

Cohnired  plmtoc/raplis  of  Orchids.— i,lr.  Hickley,  natural 
colour  photographer,  of  Kelso,  Bassett,  Southampton 
exhibited  some  very  beautiful  transparent  illustrations  of 
Orchids  in  their  natural  colours.  They  were  effected  by  a 
special  process  of  Mr.  Hickley's  on  plates  sensitive  to  the 
primary  colours— red,  green,  and  violet;  hut  the  special 
treatment  by  which  the  excellent  results  were  secured  is 
not  yet  patented.  It  was  enquired  as  to  the  cost  of  such  for 
lantern  slides.  These  would  be  from  6s.  6d.  to  10s  6d  A 
vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Mr.  Hickley  for  his  interesting 
exhibitions  and  description. 

Troycenlum  tuberosum  as  edible.— Mr.  Bowles  reported 
that  the  result  of  his  trial  was  that  while  they  were  edible 
he  could  not  at  all  lecommend  them  as  palatable.  ' 


DUMFRIESSHIRE  AND  GALLOWAY  HORTICULTURAL 

SOCIETY. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  the  Town 
Hall,  Dumfries,  on  the  Sth  inst,  Mr.  R.  Service,  nurseryman 
chairman  of  the  directors,  presiding.  Mr.  R.  G.  Mann' 
secretary  and  treasurer,  submitted  his  annual  report,  which 
was  considered  a  satisfactory  one,  although  the  bad  season 
had  caused  increased  expense  at  the  time  of  the  autumn 
show,  and  the  first  Chrysanthemum  show  held  by  the  society 
had  also  necessitated  some  initial  expenses  not  likely  to 
recur.  The  income  for  the  year  had  amounted  to  £384  Is  3d 
while  the  expenditure  was  £3S3  Ss.  aid.  The  report  was 
adopted,  and  Mr.  Mann  thanked  for"  his  services.  The 
appointment  of  office-bearers  was  then  proceeded  with,  and 
the  following  were  elected  :  honorary  president,  the  Earl  of 
Mansfleld;  president,  W.  J.  Berries  Maxwell,  Esq.,  M.P 
for  Dumfriesshire  ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Mr.  E.  G  Mann 
Courier  eaul  Herald,  Dumfries  ;  chairman  of  directors,  Mr! 
R.  Service,  of  Messrs.  James  Service  and  Sons,  nurserymen  • 
vice-chairman,  Mr.  James  M'Gregor,  of  Messrs.  Fothering- 
ham  and  King,  nurserymen  ;  other  directors,  Mr.  S.  Arnot't 
Carsethorn,  James  Henderson,  Elmbank  Gardens,  Mr  James 
Kennedy,  nurseryman,  Mr.  K.  Mackenzie,  Elmbank  Gardens 
and  Mr.  J.  Learmont,  of  Messrs.  W.  Learmont  and  Son, 
nurserymen.  The  chairman  and  secretary  were  heartily 
thanked  for  their  services  during  the  past  year.  In  return- 
ing thanks  the  chairman  expressed  his  gratification  at  the 
success  of  the  efforts  of  the  society  during  the  past  year. 
He  thought  the  present  directorate  had  acquired  the  con- 
fidence of  the  exhibitors  and  the  public,  and  that  with 
continued    support   from    these,   the   ditficulties  they  had 

encountered  in  rehabilitating  the  society  had  been  practically 
overcome. 

MANCHESTER  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
At  the  last  fortnightly  meeting  of  this  society  Mr.  Councillor 
Bentley  of  Middleton  gave  an  interesting  address  on  the 
Florist's  Tulip.  There  was  a  large  attendance.  Mr.  Abra- 
ham Stansfleld,  who  occupied  the  chair,  introduced  the 
lecturer  as  not  only  an  amateur  florist  of  distinction,  but  the 
son  of  an  amateur  florist. 

Mr.  Bentley  said  the  Tulip  appeared  to  have  been  held  in 
estimation  for  a  long  time  by  the  Turks,  and  to  have  been 
first  procured  from  them  in  the  year  1564,  and  grown  at 
Vienna.  Conrad  Gesner,  whose  memory  was  perpetuated  in 
the  generic  name,  Tulipa  Gesneriana,  first  saw  the  Tulip 
plant  at  Augsburg  in  the  year  1659.  It  quickly  became 
popular,  and  in  1577  made  its  appearance  in  England,  where 
it  was  extensively  grown  for  many  years,  and  a  great  number 
of  new  varieties  were  raised  from  seed.  Parkinson,  writing 
in  1629,  enumerated  140  varieties,  and  spoke  highly  of  their 
beauty. 

The  Tulip  continued  to  he  a  great  favourite  in  this  country 
until  about  1750,  when  other  plants,  chiefly  American,  came 
into  fashion,  and  in  the  gardens  of  the  wealthy  gradually 
superseded  it.  The  lecturer  paid  a  worthy  tribute  to  those 
English  florists  who  have  since  continued  the  culture  of  this 
beautiful  flower,  and  afterwards  proceeded  with  the  descrip- 
tive part  of  his  lecture,  which  was  made  clearer  by  the  use 
of  coloured  diagrams. 

In  the  discussion  that  followed,  Messrs.  Elkin,  Edwards 
fait,  Kay,  Paul,  Entwistle,  and  others  took  part.  ' 

CROYDON  HOETICULTUEAL  SOCIETY. 
THE  fourth  annual  dinner  of  the  Croydon  Horticultural 
Society  was  held  at  the  Greyhound  Hotel,  Croydon,  on 
Wednesday  evening,  the  10th  inst.,  when,  despite  the 
weather,  there  was  a  good  attendance.  Mr.  J.  J.  Reid  the 
president  of  the  society,  was  in  the  chair,  and  was  supported 
by  Dr.  Brook  Ridley,  Messrs.  L.  Stanley  Jast,  C.  H.  Curtis 
H.  Boshier  (hon.  secretary),  P.  F.  Bunyard  (treasurer),  and 
others. 

After  the  usual  loyal  toasts  by  the  chairman,  Mr.  C.  H 
Cii'tis  gave  the  toast  of  "  The  Society."  He  was  glad  to  see 
that  the  society  was  such  a  prosperous  one.  lie  regretted 
that  there  were  so  many  societies  in  Croydon,  as  he  always 
considered  there  was  a  great  waste  of  energy.  They  were 
all  working  for  the  same  ends,  and  consequently  should 
combine. 

M''-  Boshier,  in  reply,  observed  that  it  was  his  opinion 
the  three  societies  were  working  most  amicably  together  • 
in  fact,  the  Croydon  and  District  Horticultural  Mutual' 
Improvement  Society  had  been  described  as  the  nursery 
of  the  other  societies.     In  this  society  every  member  was 


encouraged  to  voice  their  feelings  and  opinions,  and  the 
younger  members  were  encouraged  as  much  as  the  older 
ones.  It  was  his  pleasure  to  report  that  the  association  hai 
had  a  most  successful  year,  and  that  it  was  enabled  to  cany 
forward  a  substantial  balance  to  the  ensuing  season.  They 
had  also  held  a  very  successful  spring  exhibition  and  an  essay 
competition.  'The'  society  had  instituted  a  gardeners' 
registry,  and  by  this  means  had  been  enabled  to  secure  a 
situation  for  one  of  its  members.  Mr.  Boshier  referred  to 
the  great  privileges  which  the  society  conferred  on  its 
members  from  an  educational  point  of  view.  He  then 
remarked  that  for  the  size  of  Croydon  the  society  had  not  so 
large  a  membership  as  it  should  have,  and  he  appealed  to  all 
members  of  the  gardening  profession  to  join  their  ranks  and 
assist  in  the  mutual  improvement  for  which  the  society 
existed. 

Mr,  Gregory  (chairman  of  the  society)  proposed  "The 
Kindred  Societies.  '  In  the  course  of  his  well-chosen  remarks 
he  pointed  out  that  kindred  societies  had  always  been  a 
hobby  of  his,  and  he  was  exceedingly  pleased  to  see  so  many 
friends  from  kindred  societies  rally  round  them  as  they  had 
done  that  evening. 

Mr.  W.  Gunner,  in  reply,  said  no  society  appreciated  the 
success  achieved  by  this  association  more  than  did  the  Croydon 
Horticultural  Society,  and  he  hoped  that  it  would  have  still 
greater  aims  in  the  future. 

Mr.  P.  Bunyard,  in  proposing  "  The  Chairman,"  compared 
him  to  a  pilot,  which  was  so  necessary  to  steer  ships  in  dan- 
gerous places.  The  worth  of  their  chairman,  he  also  said, 
could  not  be  over-estimated. 

Mr.  Reid  thanked  them  in  the  warmest  terms.  He  said 
he  had  some  doubts  as  to  whether  he  ought  to  accept  the 
presidency  of  the  society,  but  he  did  so  because  he  had  once 
belonged  to  a  mutual  improvement  society. 


EAST  ANGLIAN  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
THE  members  who  attended  the  February  meeting  of  this 
club  had  a  rich  treat  provided  for  them  by  Mr,  B.  Peake. 
The  subject  of  the  discourse  was  "The  Camera  in  the 
Garden,"  and  some  splendid  slides  were  thrown  upon  the 
screen  by  a  powerful  lime-light  lantern.  Starting  with  one 
of  our  commonest  wayside  flowers— the  Dead  Nettle— owing 
to  its  curiously  constructed  blossom  first  led  Mr.  Peake  to 
study  botany.  The  large  audience  were  led  through  many 
of  the  gardens  familiar  to  them  by  repute  as  the  home  of 
choice  flowers.  There  were  some  charming  views  of  Weat- 
wick  House  Gardens,  and  in  one  the  head  gardener  (Mr.  G. 
Davison)  was  seen  explaining  the  beauties  of  hardy  flowers 
to  a  large  party  of  interested  excursionists.  Mr.  Peake  has 
also  been  to  Dev(jn5hire  and  crossed  over  to  the  Continent 
on  each  occasion  with  his  camera.  The  pictures  of  Conti- 
nental gardens,  with  the  explanations,  were  of  much  interest 
Many  of  the  bog  plants  indigenous  to  Norfolk  were  splendidly 
portrayed  also.  Mr.  Peake  further  delighted  his  hearers 
with  an  illustrated  outline  of  the  career  of  George 
Borrow,  author  of  "Lavengro,"  "The  Bible  in  Spain,"  die. 
'Ibis  local  worthy  was  a  lover  of  Nature. 

A  discussi  jn  followed,  in  which  Messrs.  T.  B.  Field  (Ash- 
wellthorpe),  J.  Clayton,  H.  Perry,  J.  Powley,  G  Daniels 
and  others  took  part.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded 
Mr.  Peake  for  his  interesting  lecture.  The  monthly  com- 
petitive tables  were  well  contested,  especially  in  the  flower 
and  vegetable  sections,  Messrs.  W.  Rush,  A.  F.  Cooke,  F. 
Williams,  and  R.  Abel  staging  capital  pot  plants,  'ami 
Messrs.  C.  Hines,  F.  Carrington,  and  C.  Matthews  splendid 
Sprouts,  Asparagus,  and  olher  vegetables.  Mr.  C.  Fox. 
gardener  to  Sir  Edward  Mansel,  Bart.,  Catton  House,  is  able 
to  produce  good  Camellias  in  profusion,  judging  by  the 
display  he  set  up.  Several  new  members  were  proposed, 
and  the  newly-elected  Member  for  Norwich— Mr.  Louis 
'Tillett— became  an  honorary  subscriber.  The  botanical 
section  of  the  club  also  continues  to  hold  its  fortnightly 
meetings  at  the  Higher  Grade  School,  Norwich.  Recent 
subjects  discussed  are  :  "  Cypripediums,"  opened  by  Mr,  T.  B. 
F^ield  ;  "Tuberous  Begonias,"  paper  by  Mr.  H.  Perry  and 
"  The  Vine,"  introduced  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Chuich,  Braconash. 

EALING  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
This  society,  which  has  now  been  in  existence  for  forty 
years,  and  during  that  time  has  experienced  some  changes  of 
circumstances  consetiuent  upon  wet  seasons  and  other 
causes,  held  its  annual  meeting  on  the  12th  inst.  The 
report  of  I  he  committee  set  forth  that  the  weather  was 
propitious  on  the  occasion  of  the  annual  exhibition  in  July 
last,  that  there  was  a  good  exhibition  all  round,  a  large 
attendance,  with  the  result  that  the  finances  of  the  society 
had  so  improved  that  a  debt  left  over  from  1902  had  been 
cleared  off  and  there  was  a  small  balance  in  hand.  The 
adoption  of  the  report  and  balance  sheet  having  been, 
carried,  Mr.  R.  Dean  opened  a  discussion  on  the  position  of 
the  society,  by  moving  an  instruction  to  the  committee  that 
the  annual  meeting  beheld  in  the  month  of  January,  and  the 
schedule  issued  in  such  time  that  it  may  lie  in  the  hands  o£ 
the  membeis  at  least  three  months  before  the  date  of  the 
show.  This  was  seconded  and  carried.  'The  committee  had 
recommended  that  the  show  take  place  in  the  Walpole 
Public  Park  on  July  0.  Objection  was  taken  to  the  latter 
date  on  the  ground  that  it  clashed  with  the  Henley  Regatta 
week  and  the  annual  exhibition  of  the  National  Rose 
Society,  June  20  being  named  as  the  best  date,  while  it  was. 
considered  that  the  show  should  be  held  in  Gunnersbury 
Park,  Mr.  Leopold  de  Kothschild  being  the  president  of  the 
society.  Eventually  these  matters  were  referred  to  the 
committee  for  decision.  Mr.  Leopold  de  Rothschild  was 
re-elected  president ;  Mr.  A.  G.  Di.\on,  treasuier;  and  Mr. 
G.  Cannon,  secretary.  Complaints  being  made  that  so  few 
membersof  the  Corporation  and  of  the  leading  inhabitants 
supported  the  society,  it  was  suggested  that  as  all  other 
societies  of  a  social  and  philanthropic  character  had  annual 
dinners,  that  an  attempt  should  be  made  to  hold  one  by  way 
of  calling  attention  to  the  claims  of  the  society  for  support. 
The  matter  was  referred  to  the  committee  to  cany  out  1£ 
they  thought  it  desirable  to  do  so. 


^^ 


GARDEN 


No.  1684.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[February  27,  1904. 


FLOWERS,    TREES,    AND 
SHRUBS    FROM   JAPAN. 

IT  may  interest  those  who  love  their 
gardens  to  think  at  the  present  moment, 
when  .Japan  is,  unfortunately,  looming 
large  on  the  political  horizon,  of  the 
beautiful  trees,  shrubs,  and  hardy  flowers 
that  have  come  from  that  distant  land.  Illus- 
trations are  given  on  pages  l.'iO  and  1.51  of 
an  Iris  garden  and  a  Wistaria  bower  to  show 
how  intensely  the  love  of  flowers  enters  into 
the  life  of  the  people.  We  owe  much  to  the 
vast  empire  of  China  also  for  trees  and  flowers 
that  are,  or  will  be,  part  of  our  English  wood- 
lands and  gardens.  In  a  very  interesting  article, 
entitled  '"  Sidelights  on  Things  .Japanese,"  in 
Mora  and  Sylva  of  June  last,  this  increasing 
knowledge  of  the  flora  of  Japan  and  China 
is  pointed  out,  so  much  so  that  we 
have  even  attempted  to  imitate  in  a  clumsy 
way  the  quaint  gardens  of  Japan,  to  which 
allusion  is  made  in  the  notes  accompanying 
the  illustrations  on  the  pages  named.  "  One  of 
the  most  striking  changes,"  writes  Mr.  Burbidge 
in  Flora  and  Sylva,  "  in  British  gardening  of 
late  has  been  the  delight  with  which  we  have 
welcomed  the  flora  of  Japan  and  China.  In 
this  welcome  the  art  treasures  of  both  countries 
have  shared  more  and  more,  although,  as  a 
fact,  these  were  highly  valued  by  connoisseurs 
long  before  much  interest  was  taken  in  Japa- 
nese vegetation.  The  gardening  and  botanical 
literature  of  China  and  Japan  goes  back  much 
further  than  our  own,  and  their  modern  works 
are  well  worthy  of  special  study.  No  doubt 
hybridisation  and  cross  -  breeding  in  both 
countries  were  efi'ected  long  ere  they  found 
anything  like  general  adoption  in  Europe,  and 
their  very  variable  races  of  Lilies,  Maples, 
Chrysanthemums,  Adonis,  Anemone  (Hepatica), 
Psilotum,  Iris,  Hemerocallis,  Nandina,  were 
originated  centuries  ago.  When  Fortune  first 
visited  China,  about  1843,  he  took  out  with 
him  some  of  our  best  florist's  flowers,  and  was 
surprised  that  they  seemed  to  value  nothing 
he  took  with  him  except  zonal  Pelargoniums  ! 
The  Japanese  were  but  little  more  sympathetic, 
probably  because  they  had  so  many  lovely 
flowers  of  their  own,  and,  what  is  more,  so 
much  of  sentiment  and  conventional  or  legen- 
dary lore  bound  up  with  them  and  the  seasons 
at  which  they  naturally  bloom.     Their 

"Love  of  Flowering  Trees  and  Shrubs 
is  well  known,  and  the  introduction  of  their 
Crabs,  Cherries,  Magnolias,  Wistarias,  Plums, 


and  Vines,  to  say  naught  of  many  other  choice 
garden  flowers,  has  given  a  greater  impetus  to 
the  planting  of  flowering  trees,  shrubs,  and 
climbers  in  British  gardens  than  any  other 
event  of  our  time.  Even  Japanese  fruits,  such 
as  the  Plum  and  the  Kaki,  are  already  becoming 
of  much  economic  interest  in  California  and 
elsewhere  in  the  warmer  LTnited  States,  in 
South  Africa,  Italy,  and  the  South  of  France. 
The  introduction  of  the  .Japanese  Chrysanthe- 
mum by  Fortune,  as  we  all  know,  led  to  a 
great  change  in  the  cultivation  of  that  popular 
flower  in  our  home  gardens.    To-day  the 

"Bamboo  Garden 
affords  another  instance  of  how  Japan  has 
helped  us  in  our  gardens,  and  there  is  reason  to 
believe  that  these  woody-stemmed  grasses  have 
been  hybridised  in  that  country,  but  whether 
as  wild  or  as  cultivated  in  gardens  we  do  not 
at  present  know.  Take,  again,  the  varieties 
and  forms  of  the  Japanese  Maple,  and  one  or 
two  other  species,  their  variation  is  surprisingly 
rich,  and,  so  far,  we  are  at  a  loss  to  know 
whether  their  origin  is  mainly  from  seed  as 
wind-fertilised,  or  whether  the  custom  of 
grafting,  or  rather  inarching,  has  not  helped  in 
their  production. 

"  As  to  Cherries  and  Plums,  their  name  is 
legion,  and  the  beautiful  double-flowered  kinds 
of  these  are  probably  of  garden  origin.  The 
same  remark  applies  to  many  Lilies,  Tree 
Pseonies,  and  especially  to  the  artificial  rearing 
of  seedling  Iris  Kaimpferi  so-called,  which  are 
believed  to  have  all  come  from  the  purple 
I.  loevigata  of  Siberia.  Siebold's  Primrose, 
again,  is  no  doubt  a  garden  development  of  the 
Siberian  and  Chinese  Primula  cortusoides, 
both  having  reached  Japan  via  China  long 
ago." 

The  English  spring  in  a  woodland  planted 
with  the  beautiful  Plums,  Cherries,  .and  other 
trees  from  Japan  gains  in  fresh  and  beautiful 
colouring.  It  is  interesting  to  know  this  at 
the  present  moment,  but  the  enthusiasm  to 
imitate 

Japanese  Gardening 
in  these  isles  is  a  passing  fancy.  Fashion  is 
responsible  for  many  horticultural  misdeeds. 
We  are  not  Japan,  though  we  owe  much  to  her 
beautiful  flora.  A  group  of  Magnolia  or 
Prunus,  or  whatever  the  tree,  shrub,  or  plant 
may  be,  is  beautiful  itself,  but  gardens  hedged 
round  with  Bamboo  canes,  intersected  with 
stepping-stones,  and  planted  with  the  hope  of 
bringing  sunny  Japan  to  England  are  not  a 
1  delight.    We  burlesque  the  real  thing. 


Mr.  Burbidge  supports  us  in  his  concluding 
paragraph :  "  Some  of  these  new  Japanese 
gardens  are  far  from  being  artistic  or  from  being 
Japanese  (the  italics  are  ours),  and  we  believe 
that  they  cannot  be  successfully  done  except 
by  those  who  know  Japan.  .  .  .  What  they 
do  in  gardens  is  bound  up  with  their  history, 
geography,  and  literature,  and  other  things 
unknown  to  most  who  have  formed  such 
gardens  here." 


PROPOSED  NATIONAL 
GARDENERS'  ASSO- 
CIATION. 

A  PUBLIC  meeting  was  held  on  Tuesday  after- 
noon to  consider  the  report  of  a  provisionaJ 
committee  as  to  the  advisability  of  forming  an 
association  of  private  gardeners.  This  com- 
mittee has  had  several  meetings,  and  on 
Tuesday  last  presented  an  outline  of  its 
scheme  to  the  public  in  the  form  of  a 
resolution.  Subsequently  an  amendment  was 
proposed  to  the  eflect  that  the  association  be 
formed  of  professional  gardeners,  not  private 
gardeners  only.  The  supporters  of  the  resolu- 
tion and  the  amendment  were  apparently 
agreed  as  to  the  aims  and  object  of  the 
proposed  association,  but  they  were  at  variance 
upon  the  matter  of  restricting  membership  tO' 
private  gardeners.  Mr.  Divers,  who  moved 
the  resolution,  was  invited  to  withdraw  the 
word  2}rivate  (gardeners),  but  could  not  see  his 
way  to  do  so.  Eventually  the  amendment  was 
carried  by  a  very  large  majority,  and  a  pro- 
visional committee  was  elected  to  form  a 
professional  gardeners'  association.  A  general 
meeting  will  be  held  later,  probably  during 
the  'Temple  show  week,  to  hear  the  report  of 
this  committee.  It  seems  incredulous  that  out 
of  the  head  gardeners'  committee,  who  have 
had  the  matter  in  hand,  only  four  should 
attend  the  meeting  to  support  their  own  resolu- 
tion. If  this  is  to  be  taken  as  an  indication 
of  their  feelings  on  the  subject  then  it  would 
seem  that  they  are  not  enthusiastic. 


RAMBLES    IN    CHILE. 


Many  Garden  Flowers  at  Home. 
We  anchored  at  Coronel  at  four  o'clock  on. 
Christmas  Day,  but  decided  to  defer  going 
ashore  till  the  following  morning.  Lota, 
famous  throughout  Chile  for  its  park  and 
gardens,  was  the  object  of  our  day's  excursion,, 
and  we  intended  to  go  there  by  a  train  leaving 
at  eight  o'clock.  The  fates  ruled  otherwise,, 
for  we  arrived  at  the  station  in  time  to  see  the 
train  some  two  hundred  yards  already  on  its 
way.  Solvitur  ambulando,  we  set  out  to  do 
the  six  miles  on  foot,  following  the  railway 
track,    which  skirts    the    shore    till,    cutting: 


144 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  27,  1904. 


through  a  headland,  the  southern  boundary 
of  Coronel  Bay,  it  arrives  at  Lota.  We  had 
not  gone  far  before  we  recognised  Convolvulus 
Soldanella  and  Nolana  paradoxa,  a  patchwork 
of  light  pink  and  vivid  blue  growing  in  pro- 
fusion amongst  the  dark-coloured  beach  sand. 
They  had  as  com])anions  a  .small  Spurge 
(Enphorbiii  portulacoides),  in  height  about 
-5  inches,  with  greenish  grey  foliage  and  minute 
dark  red  inflorescence  :  also  Polygonum  mari- 
timum  and  Salsola  Kali,  two  widely- distributed 
beach  plants.  A  little  further  on  we  came 
across  Acacia  cavenia,  not  then  in  flower,  but 
bearing  its  green  pods,  which,  like  the  closely- 
allied  species  A.  farnesiana,  so  often  serve  as 
the  food  of  cattle.  The  prizes  of  the  morning's 
walk  were  yet  to  come.  On  entering  the  first 
■cutting  I  spied,  growing  on  the  top,  a  few 
spikes  of  red  Alstrcemeria  (A.  Ligtu).  To 
climb  up  and  pick  it  was  the  work  of  a  few 
seconds.  For  me  it  was  more  than  an  ordinary 
find,  for  had  I  not  from  earliest  childhood  been 
taught  to  consider  the  clumps  of  red  and  yellow 
Alstroemerias  the  pride  of  the  garden  at  home  1 
•Subsequently  we  found  it  growing  plentifully, 
the  stalks  varying  from  8  inches  (and  even 
not  more  than  2  inches  in  the  sand  near 
Talcahuano)  to  quite  2  feet  where  it  had  the 
shelter  of  a  shrub.  The  variety  of  tints  in  the 
^Ijerianth  endows  this  beautiful  Amaryllid  with 
the  charm  of  a  blended  colour  tone  which  is 
peculiarly  its  own. 

The  other  special  prizes  of  our  walk  were  a 
.giant  Lobelia  of  the  species  Tupa,  its  hand- 
some, erect  stems,  sometimes  as  high  as  6  feet, 
■crowned  with  flowers  of  a  rich  red,  and  growing 
in  clumps  of  six  or  eight  stems,  with  grey -green, 
almost  rigid  leaves.  Everywhere  it  grew  in 
profusion,  and  was  perhaps  the  most  noticeable 
plant  of  the  district.  Another  handsome  and 
interesting  plant  was  a  Francoa  (F.  sonchi- 
ilora),  nearly  allied  in  appearance  and  structure 
to  the  Saxifrageaj,  a  purely  Chilian  genus,  its 
stems,  often  3  feet  in  length,  terminating  in 
-a  spike  of  bracteate,  rose-coloured  flowers. 
Another  plant  of  which  Chile  can  boast  some 
■sixty  species  was  a  Calceolaria,  which  decked 
the  banks  of  the  cuttings,  bearing  its  bright 
jellow  clustered  flowers  on  an  S-inch  stem. 
Making  a  detour  over  a  headland,  we  found  a 
Bromeliad,  one  of  the  species  Puya,  with  stems 
■3  feet  in  height,  an  CEnothera  with  pale  yellow 
ilowers,  and  some  of  the  pretty  blue  flowers  of 
a  Godetia.  Here  also  were  many  plants  of  a 
Libertia  (Iridecu),  but  we  only  found  one  still 
bearing  its  small  white  flowers  in  a  tufted 
■cyme. 

As  we  regained  the  track  the  embankments 
were  covered  by  bushes  of  a  yellow  Lupin, 
not  indigenous,  in  full  flower.  We  also  noticed 
a  Dodder  strangling  the  growth  of  a  shrub 
■(Griselinia  scandens),  with  stitt',  Laurel-like 
foliage.  Here  also  was  a  ilumca,  carpet-like, 
with  its  handsome,  dark  red  flower-spikes,  and 
■Conanthera  bifolia  (Liliaceie),  remarkable  for 
its  slender  0-inch  stem  terminating  in  a  small 
single  flower,  with  dark  mauve  petals  punc- 
tated at  their  base  and  markedly  recurved, 
contrasting  with  the  yellow-pointed  stamens  ; 
the  blue  Cichorium  Intybus,  introduced  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  now  common  in  Chile  ;  and  a 
•small  Flax  (Linum  Aquilinum),  with  rich 
•orange-coloured  flowers,  must  be  added  to  the 
list  of  our  finds. 

The  afternoon  was  pleasantly  spent  in  the 
Lota  Gardens,  where  many  species  of  indi- 
.genous  and  imported  trees  and  shrubs,  bright, 
formal  beds  of  Geraniums,  etc.,  a  Fern  gully, 
and  beautiful  views  of  the  Bay  of  Lota  from 
the  high  blutf  on  which  the  garden  is  placed 
make  it  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in 
South  America. 


We  were  fortunate  in  finding  Mr.  Keilly, 
who  has  had  charge  of  the  gardens  for  so  many 
years,  at  home,  and,  amongst  many  interesting 
topics,  he  told  us  that  he  had  been,  and  was  at 
present,  very  busy  in  planting  the  hill  slopes 
near  Lota  with  Eucalyptus  and  two  Pine.s — 
P.  maritima  and  insignis.  The  latter,  he  said, 
was  the  more  successful  of  the  two,  though  the 
thinnings  of  all  three  served  as  pit  props  for 
the  Lota  collieries.  He  mentioned  that  6  feet 
was  not  an  uncommon  growth  for  the  Euca- 
lyptus to  make  in  one  year,  and  he  also  told  us 
that  the  slit  system  of  planting  the  seedling 
trees  was  exclusively  adopted. 

Kalph  T.  Hinckes. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

March  S. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting.  Horticallural  Club,  House  Dinner 
at  6  p.  m.  Discussion  opened  by  the  Rev.  Professor 
Henslow,  on  "  Botanising  Excursions." 

March  9.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

March  16.  —  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Flower 
Show. 

March  22. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  5.  —  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

Veiteh  Memopial  Medals  have  been 

awarded  by  the  trustees  to  Mr.  Thomas  Challis, 
head  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,  Wilton 
House,  Salisbury,  and  to  Mi.  John  Wright  (formerly 
of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture). 

Sale  of  plants  at  Chiswiek.  —  On 

Thursday,  March  10,  Messrs.  Protheroe  and 
Morris  will  hold  a  sale  at  Chiswiek  of  plants 
grown  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Gardens.  Included  are  250  bush  Apples,  100 
choice  Fig  trees,  and  many  greenhouse  plants. 

Groups  at  the  Temple  show.— The 

Arrangements  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
for  the  year  1904,  just  received,  furnish  much 
interesting  reading,  and  some  rules  and  suggestions 
regarding  the  Temple  show  should  etiect  a  greatly 
needed  improvement.  First  and  foremost  is  the 
overcrowding  of  the  groups,  concerning  which  we 
read:  "The  council  desire  that  (1)  all  groups 
should  be  less  crowded,  and  that  (2)  masses  of  colour 
should  be  broken  up  by  the  use  of  green  foliage. 
It  would  be  far  better  if  exhibitors  would  be 
content  to  show  less  and  confiue  it  to  the  best  of 
their  produce  only.  (2)  Applies  especially  to 
Azalea  mollis,  and  to  Tulips,  Anemones,  and  cut 
Sowers  generally."  This  should  do  something  to 
prevent  the  marked  overcrowding  with  which  we 
are  too  familiar,  for  many  of  the  groups  were  last 
year  examples  of  how  many  plants  it  is  possible  to 
pack  within  a  given  space. — H.  P. 

"Tpansaetions"of  the  Scottish  Hop 

tiCUltUPal  Association.  —  The  "  Trans- 
actions" of  this  association  for  19U3,  which  have  just 
been  issued,  form  a  record  of  remarkable  progress 
and  of  sound  work  in  the  interests  of  horticulture 
in  Scotland.  They  contain  a  list  of  the  office 
bearers  and  members  ;  the  syllabus  of  the  meetings 
(to  be  held  in  Dowell's  Rooms,  Edinburgh)  for 
1904  ;  the  constitution,  bye-laws,  and  rules  ;  the 
report  of  the  Session  of  1903  (a  model  of  what 
such  a  report  should  be) ;  minutes  of  the  meetings 
held  in  1903  ;  the  papers  read  at  the  monthly  meet- 
ings in  1903;  some  valuable  notes  on  Mr.  Scarlett's 
Potato  growing  experiments  ;  and  an  abstract  of 
the  accounts.  As  a  considerable  amount  of  infor- 
mation regarding  these  has  already  appeared  in 
The  GARDErf,  it  is  unnecessary  to  enter  at  present 
into  further  detail  regarding  them.  It  is  desirable, 
however,  to  indicate  the  subjects  of  the  papers 
arranged  for  in  the  current  year.  Besides  that  on 
"Shrubs,"  already  given  by  Mr.  VVhytock,  the 
subjects  arranged  for  are:  March  1,  "Scottish 
Plant  Names,"  by  Mr.  R.  P.  Brotherston  ;  Aprils, 
"  Hardy  Fruit  Culture  as  Bearing  on  the  Repopula- 


tion  of  the  Rural  Districts,"  by  Mr.  W.  William- 
son ;  May  3,  "  Flowering  Trees  and  Shrubs,"  with 
limelight  views,  by  Mr.  George  Gordon,  V.  M.H.  ; 
June  7,  "Florists,"  by  Mr.  J.  Grieve;  July  5, 
"Herbaceous  Calceolarias,"  by  Mr.  C.  Comfort; 
August  2,  "Egypt,  Palestine,  and  Greece,"  hv  Mr. 
Peter  Barr;  Septembers,  "  Stone  Fruit  on  Walls," 
by  Mr.  W.  Smith  ;  October  4,  "  Potatoes,"  by  Mr. 
T.  A.  Scarlett;  November  1,  "Chrysanthemums," 
by  Mr.  W.  Lamont  ;  December  0,  "  Manuring  of 
Bush  Fruits  :  Insect  Pests,"  with  limelight  views, 
by  Mr.  Shrivell.  Excursions  will  also  lake  place 
as  follow :  .luly  30,  Dalkeith  Palace  Gardens  ; 
September  24,  Redbraes  Nurs6r3' ;  October  1, 
Hawthornden.  The  annual  subscription  is  only 
2s.  6d.,  and  the  secretary  is  Mr.  Peter  Loney, 
6,  Carlton  Street,  Edinburgh.  All  Scottish  gar- 
deners should  be  members  of  this  association.  It 
may  also  be  mentioned  that  the  great  Chrysanthe- 
mum show  of  the  society  will  be  held  in  the 
Waverlev  Market,  Edinburgh,  on  November  17, 
18,  and  19. 

Coleus  thypsoideus  at  Glasgow.— 

In  the  public  gardens  of  Glasgow  Mr.  James 
Whitton  makes  great  use  of  this  plant  for  winter 
flowering,  and  it  is  generally  much  admired  by 
visitors  to  the  fine  glass  structures  which  Glasgow 
is  fortunate  in  possessing  in  several  of  her  parks. 
It  is  cultivated  in  considerable  numbers  in  the 
Botanic  Gardens  also.  Few  flowers  introduced  so 
lately  as  1897,  as  was  this  Coleus,  have  made  such 
speedy  progress  as  Coleus  thyrsoideus,  and  Mr. 
Whitton  was  quick  to  discern  its  value  for  winter 
flowering.  Its  spikes  of  blue  flowers  are  most 
pleasing. 

Sisypinchium  grandiflopum.  —  The 

natural  order  Iridea;  furnishes  the  garden  with 
many  an  object  of  interest,  the  most  notable  now 
in  flower  being  Sisyrinchium  grandiflorum.  It  is  a 
native  of  North  America,  and  thrives  in  almost 
auy  soil  or  position  in  the  rock  garden,  mixed 
border,  or  under  a  north  wall.  The  albino  form 
is  not  so  easily  managed,  as  it  does  not  possess 
such  a  robust  constitution  ;  but  where  properly 
grown,  as  with  Messrs.  House,  of  Bristol,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  hardy  plants.  It  may  be 
propagated  readily  by  division  in  the  early 
autumn. — W.  Walters,  Colesbourne  Park  Gardens, 
Gloucester. 

Hardy  Heaths  in  flower.— The  various 

hardy  Heaths,  which  continue  to  gain  in  popu- 
larity year  by  year,  have  such  a  long  flowering 
season  that  there  is  not  a  month  in  the  year  when 
they  are  not  in  bloom.  This  is  largely  owing  to 
the  fact  that  in  the  case  of  most  of  them  the 
individual  plants  flower  continuously  for  such  a 
long  lime  that  the  winter,  spring,  .oiimmer,  and 
autumn  often  considerably  overlap.  That  charming 
form  which,  under  the  name  of  Erica  mediterranea 
hybrida,  has  within  the  last  six  years  or  ao 
attracted  much  attention  is  often  well  in  flower 
by  Christmas,  at  which  season  its  reddish  purple 
colouring  is  welcome.  Though  so  long  in  bloom, 
it  promises  to  continue  for  some  time  j'et.  The 
early  history  of  this  delightful  H>-ath  does  not 
seem  to  be  generally  known,  but  it  was,  I  believe, 
raised  at  the  Darley  Dale  Nurseries  and  distributed 
from  there.  Judging  b3'  appearances,  there  is 
little  doubt  it  is  a  h3'brid  between  Erica  carnea 
and  E.  mediterranea,  but  on  this  point  the  singular 
fact  may  be  noted  that  it  flowers  earlier  than 
either  of  its  parents.  Early  in  the  New  Year 
comes  the  little  dense-growing  E.  carnea,  or 
herbacea  as  it  is  often  called.  The  bright  rosy 
red  flowers  are  very  welcome,  but  less  so  those  of 
its  variety  alba.  While  this  exhausts  the  list  of 
Heaths  that  are  just  now  in  full  flower,  there  are 
others  whose  earliest  blossoms  are  expanding,  and, 
given  favourable  weather,  they  will  soon  make  a 
good  show.  Of  these  may  be  noted  E  mediter- 
ranea and  its  varieties,  as  well  as  E.  lusitanica, 
which  is  better  known  as  E.  codonodes.  This, 
one  of  the  largest  of  the  hardy  members  of  the 
Heath  family,  bears  a  great  profusion  of  drooping 
bell-shaped  blossoms,  in  colour  white,  sliglitly 
tinged  on  the  exterior  with  pink.  This  is  some- 
times damaged  by  severe  frosts,  but  unless  much 
injuredit  soon  recovers.  Good-sized  bushes  of  this 
are  very  attractive  when  flowered  under  glass, — T. 


February  27,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


145 


Gooseberry  bushes  and  eater- 
pillar  in  winter. — Last  summer  was  the 
worst  we  have  experienced  for  all  pests  in  the 
garden,  and  as  it  is  almost  impossible  when  the 
trees  have  ripe  fruits  to  cleanse  them,  much  can  be 
done  now  in  getting  rid  of  the  pest,  and  at  a  season 
when  there  is  more  time  to  do  the  work  thoroughly. 
The  best  remedy  I  have  hitherto  tried  is  to  remove 
the  surface  soil  directly  under  the  trees  and  cart 
it  away  and  burn  it,  and  replace  with  new,  at  the 
same  time  adding  a  liberal  quantity  of  manure. 
This  done,  the  trees  get  the  benefit  of  the  new  soil 
and  food,  and  by  the  removal  of  old  the  pest  in 
the  surface  soil  is  destroyed.  Digging  in  a  good 
depth  would  do  much  good,  but  this  is  not  possible 
in  many  places.  I  have  found  it  much  better  to 
lift  the  trees  if  young  and  replant ;  then  the  old 
quarters  can  be  trenched.  Of  course  this  cannot 
be  attempted  with  old  trees,  and  here  I  would 
advise  without  further  delay  that  a  new  surface 
dressing  be  given  after  removal  of  the  old  soil. — 
S.  H.  M. 

Exhibition  of  spring  flowers  and 

Orchids  at  Dusseldorf.  —  In  connexion 
with  a  grand  exhibition  of  spring  flowers,  to  be 
held  at  Dasseldorf  from  May  1  to  May  9,  there 
will  be  a  special  show  of  Orchids  on  May  1,  2,  and  ,3. 
Entries  close  on  April  1.  All  communications  con- 
cerning Orchid  exhibits  should  be  addressed  to 
M.  Otto  Beyrodt,  Marienfelde,  Berlin.  Many 
handsome  prizes  are  offered  in  the  various  classes 
for  Orchids.  For  a  collection  of  100  or  more  of  the 
finest  Orchids  in  flower  (different),  the  prizes  are ; 
First,  £50  ;  second,  £25  ;  third,  £15.  There  will 
be  other  exhibitions  of  Orchids  from  September  3 
to  6,  and  from  October  21  to  2.3. 

The  flowering-  of   Bamboos.— Since 

writing  the  note,  which  appeared  on  page  109, 
on  the  above  subject  I  have  heard  from  a  friend 
who  lives  on  the  western  borders  of  Devon,  that 
all  the  clumps  of  Phyllostachys  Henonis  in  his 
garden  are  showing  flower,  so  that  I  fear  there  is 
.  but  little  doubt  that  this  species  will  flower 
generally  in  the  south-west  during  the  present 
season,  a  most  regrettable  circumstance,  as  this 
Bamboo  is  the  loveliest  of  the  whole  race,  and  the 
great  clumps,  over  20  feet  in  height,  that  retained 
their  fresh  green  throughout  the  winter,  will  lose 
their  beauty  for  at  least  a  year,  even  if  they  do 
not  succumb  altogether. — S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 
Helleborus  niger.— "H.  T.  M.,"  in  his 

note  on  the  Christmas  Rose  (page  113),  writes: 
"  H.  n.  maximus  bears  larger  flowers,  and  is  well 
adapted  for  forming  a  succession  to  the  above- 
named  "  (Helleborus  niger).  Helleborus  maximus 
or  altifolius,  as  it  is  more  generally  styled,  perfects 
its  blossoms  before  and  not  after  Helleborus  niger, 
both  the  type  and  the  Bath  variety.  With  me  it 
almost  invariably  commences  to  bloom  towards  the 
end  of  October,  and  produces  perfect  flowers 
through  the  whole  of  November  and  during  the 
first  week  in  December,  but  at  Chriatmastide  it  is 
useless,  and  is  succeeded  by  the  type  and  other 
-  late-flowering  varieties.  In  a  colder  climate  it 
would  doubtless  be  later,  but  I  am  sceptical  of  any 
climatic  influences  causing  it  to  succeed  instead  of 
precede  Helleborus  niger. — S.  W.  F. 

Colletia  CrUCiata.  —  I  notice  that  in 
writing  on  this  shrub  (page  38)  Mr.  A.  C.  Bartlett 
says  that  it  "  rarely  grows  more  than  4  feet  high." 
I  know  many  examples  that  far  exceed  this  height; 
indeed,  specimens  6  feet  or  more  in  height  are  by 
no  means  uncommon  in  the  south-west.  At  Bicton 
there  is  an  immense  shrub,  and  at  the  mouth  of 
.  the  river  Dart  there  is  one  that  two  years  ago  was 
fully  8  feet  in  height,  with  a  diameter  of  over 
6  feet.  This  particular  example  flowers  so  pro- 
fusely every  November  that  it  appears  white  with 
its  tiny  waxy  flowers,  which  exhale  a  pleasing 
fragrance  noticeable  on  fine,  still  days  at  some 
little  distance  from  the  bush.  A  small  spray  from 
this  shrub,  forwarded  by  me,  was  illustrated  in 
the  pages  of  The  Gakden  not  many  months  ago. — 
S.  W.  F. 

A  winter-flowering  bedding  Viola. 

A  bedding  Viola  which  will  commence  to  bloom  in 
November  and  be  a  mass  of  blossoms  in  January 
and  February  is  an  acquisition.  Out  of  some 
2,000  plants  of  Violas  growing  in  the  open  air  this 


is  the  only  one  in  flower,  and  it  occupies  one  of  the 
most  exposed  positions  in  my  Hounslow  garden. 
It  is  the  most  cheerful  subject  in  the  garden, 
though  Daisy  and  Primrose  are  struggling  to 
flower.  Of  singularly  dwarf,  spreading,  tufted 
growth,  the  flowers,  which  are  sulphur-yellow  in 
colour,  are  of  good  shape  and  substance,  and  well 
displayed  above  the  foliage.  I  have  had  this  Viola 
for  three  years.  This  year  it  is  floriferous  and 
pleasing  to  the  eye,  and  I  have  given  it  the  name 
of  Winter  Cheer.  I  intend  to  seed  from  it,  and, 
perchance,  may  obtain  a  race  of  true  winter- 
flowering  Violas,  continuing  on  until  the  earliest 
of  the  summer-flowering  varieties  commence  their 
floral  services.  Its  low,  spreading  habit  of  growth 
fits  it  for  carpeting  beds  of  spring-flowering  bulbs, 
but  while,  as  a  rule,  the  bulbs  precede  the  Violas 
in  the  order  of  blooming,   in  the  case  of  Winter 


ROSE   CAROLINE   TESTOUT   IN   A  TOWN  GARDEN. 

Cheer  the  Viola  precedes  the  bulbs.     No  special 
culture  whatever  has  been  given  it ;  it  blooms  in 
its  own  good  time  without  assistance  of  any  kind. 
— R.  Dean. 
Rose  Caroline  Testout.— I  send  you  a 

photograph  of  Rose  Caroline  Testout  growing  in  a 
town  garden,  in  a  London  suburb  in  fact,  just  to 
show  you  that  it  does  not  appear  to  mind  very 
much  the  foggy  and  smoke-laden  atmosphere  and 
other  inconveniences  of  the  town  garden.  There 
are  numerous  Roses  that  will  grow  well  under 
similar  conditions,  and  Caroline  Testout  is  one  of 
the  best  of  them. — W. 

Horticultural  lectures  at 
Altrincham.— Miss  Crooke,  assistant  at  the 
Lady  Warwick  College,  Studley,  has  arranged  to 
give  a  course  of  lectures  on  horticultural  subjects. 


The  first  was  attended  by  about  forty  ladies,  who 
were  much  interested.  Miss  Crooke  explained  the 
various  methods  of  digging,  double  digging,  and 
trenching  in  a  very  lucid  manner,  and  also  strongly 
advocated  the  regular  use  of  the  Dutch  hoe  in  dry 
weather  instead  of  the  often  ineffectual  use  of  the 
hose-pipe  by  ladies.  This  being  rather  a  venture 
and  an  expensive  one,  it  is  satisfactory  to  know 
that  thirty-nine  course  tickets  have  already  been 
sold — a  sufficient  guarantee  of  the  interest  taken 
in  gardening  pursuits  by  the  ladies  of  Altrincham 
and  Bowdon.  The  lectures  that  are  to  follow  are  : 
"  Seed-sowing  in  the  Open  Air  and  Under  Glass," 
"Potting,  Planting,  and  Transplanting,"  "The 
Different  Uses  of  the  Dibble  and  Trowel,"  "  Water- 
ing," "  Feeding,"  "Mulching,"  "  Walled  Gardens 
and  their  Purposes,"  "The  Flower  Garden," 
"  Different  Kinds  of  Preparation  and  Formation," 
"The  Rose  Garden,"  "The  Herbaceous  Border," 
and  "  Carnations." 

Royal     Scottish      Arboricultural 
Society.— Jubilee  Meeting.— The  jubilee 

meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  Edinburgh  on 
the  IGihinst. ,  when  there  was  a  large  attendance  of 
members.  Mr.  W.  Steuart  Fothringham  of  Murthly, 
the  president  of  the  society,  occupied  the  chair. 
The  chairman  warmly  welcomed  the  delegates  from 
other  societies,  among  these  being  Mr.  A.  D. 
Webster,  from  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  ; 
Mr.  P.  Murray  Thomson,  from  the  Royal 
Caledonian  Horticultural  Society ;  and  Mr.  C. 
Comfort,  from  the  Scottish  Horticultural  Associa- 
tion. The  report  of  the  council,  which  was  sub- 
mitted by  Mr.  Galloway,  the  secretary,  was  highly 
favourable.  It  was  stated  that  there  had  been  a 
net  gain  during  1903  of  sixty-one  members,  making 
the  total  membership  1,011.  Reference  was  made 
to  the  steps  being  taken  by  various  Scottish  public 
bodies  to  promote  education  in  forestry  ;  to  the 
arrangements  for  procuring  information  about  the 
Larch  disease  ;  to  the  forthcoming  forestry  exhibi- 
tion at  Perth  ;  tr  the  society's  excursion  to  France  in 
1904;  and  variij  us  other  subjects.  The  report  was 
adopted,  and  a  motion  in  support  of  proposals  to 
establish  a  State  forest  demonstration  area,  trial 
plots  in  connexion  with  Edinburgh  University, 
and  a  forest  school  for  Scotland  was  carried.  The 
financial  statement,  submitted  by  Mr.  Methven, 
treasurer,  was  also  satisfactory,  the  total  funds  at 
credit  of  capital  account  being  £1,229  7s.  6d.,  as 
compared  with  £944  17s.  2d.  at  the  close  of  the 
previous  account.  In  1894  the  society  had  only 
£61,  of  which  £50  belonged  to  the  forestry  chair 
fund.  The  membersthen  proceeded  to  elect  the  office- 
bearers, Mr.  Steuart  Fothringham  being  re-elected 
president,  and  Sir  K.  J.  Mackenzie,  Bart.,  of 
Gairloch,  and  Mr.  C.  Buchanan,  overseer  on 
Penicuik,  vice-presidents ;  Mr.  Munro-Ferguson, 
M.P.,  was  appointed  hon.  seeretarj',  and  Mr.  R. 
Galloway  secretary  and  treasurer.  Among  the 
members  of  council  are  Mr.  W.  MacKinnon, 
nurseryman,  Edinburgh,  and  Mr.  R.  V.  Mather, 
nurseryman,  Kelso.  The  chairm.an  gave  a  most 
interesting  address  in  connexion  with  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  society's  jubilee,  in  which  he  traced  the 
history  of  the  society  in  a  lucid  and  much-appre- 
ciated manner  ;  and  afterwards  Mr.  Eraser  Story, 
lecturer  on  forestry  to  the  Edinburgh  and  East  of 
Scotland  College  of  Agriculture,  gave  a  paper  on 
"German  Forestry" — an  admirable  address — 
which  was  followed  by  some  discussion,  generally 
of  a  favourable  character.  In  the  evening  the 
jubilee  dinner  took  place  in  the  North  British 
Hotel,  and  was  very  largely  attended.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  society  presided,  and  a  long  toast  list 
was  gone  through,  the  speeches  being  generally 
eloquent  and  appropriate.  The  toast  of  the 
evening,  that  of  "  The  Royal  Scottish  Arboricul- 
tural Society,"  was  proposed  by  Dr.  Somerville,  of 
the  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  responded  to  by 
Mr.  Steuart  Fothringham,  the  president.  The 
whole  celebration  passed  off  in  a  most  satis- 
factory manner,  and  there  is  a  general  opinion 
that  the  society,  in  its  efforts  to  improve  Scottish 
forestry,  will  be  strengthened  by  this  jubilee 
gathering. 

The  Caerphilly  Horticultural 
Society  will  hold  its  annual  show  this  year  on 
August  17. 


146 


THE    GARDEN. 


rFEBRTTARY    27,   1904. 


EVERGREEN      HOLLIES. 


Ilex  Aquifoltum  and  its  Varieties. 

CILIATA  and  ciliata  major  are  dis- 
tinguished by  the  long  slender 
spines  standiog  well  away  from 
the  body  of  the  leaf  ;  the  latter  is 
a  mors  vigorous  plant  than  the 
former,  and  has  larger  leaves,  but 
ciliata  is  a  neat-habited  and  pretty  variety. 

CrassifoHa. — This  rare  variety  is  more  of  a 
curiosity  than  anything  else.  It  has  a  thin, 
rather  ungainly  habit,  and  the  leaves  are 
remarkably  thick  in  texture  ;  they  are  2  inches 
or  more  long,  the  body  of  the  leaf  about  half  an 
inch  wide,  but  set  with  thick  triangular  teeth 
one-eighth  to  a  quarter  of  an  inch  long.  It  is 
known  as  "Leather-leaf"  Holly,  and  is  repre- 
sented in  the  Kew  collection  by  a  specimen 
10  feet  high. 

Crispa  and  crispa  picta. — These  two  Hollies 
are  distinguished  by  the  curious  spiral  twisting 
of  the  leaves,  which  are  thick  in  texture,  and 
dull  green  in  crispa,  but  blotched  with  yellow 
in  crispa  picta.  These  two  Hollies  are  some- 
times called  tortuosa  and  tortuosa  aureo-picta 
respectively. 

Donningtonensis. — A  variety  of  graceful  habit, 
with  foliage  of  a  distinct  purplish  shade  of 
green.  The  leaves  vary  in  shape,  but  are 
usually  small  and  very  narrow  in  proportion 
to  their  length  ;  the  toothing  is  very  irregular, 
and  sometimes  quite  absent. 

Fei'ox  (the  ibiedgehog  Holly). — A  curious 
but  not  displeasing  variety,  whose  leaves  are 
medium-sized  or  small,  and  distinguished  by 
having  spines  not  only  on  the  margins  but  also 
clustered  on  the  convex  surface.  Ferox  argentea 
has  white  spines  both  at  the  margins  and  on 
the  surface,  and  that  part  of  the  leaf  from 
which  they  spring  is  also  white.  Ferox  aurea 
has  a  large  blotch  of  yellow  on  the  leaf,  but 
the  spines  are  green.  All  three  varieties  are 
marked,  not  only  by  the  formidable  armature 
of  the  foliage,  but  also  by  the  recurved  margins 
and  "curly"  leaves. 

Flavescens  (Moonlight  Holly). — Like  the 
common  Holly  in  size  and  shape  of  leaf  and  in 
habit,  this  variety  differs  in  the  foliage,  having 
a  peculiarly  soft  yellow  tinge  when  young. 
The  colouring  is  most  evident  in  the  youngest 
leaves,  and  the  older  one.^  become  gradually 
darker.  The  dark  central  mass  of  the  bush, 
with  its  light  yellow-tipped  shoots,  has  ((uite 
the  effect  of  a  plant  lit  up  by  moonlight. 

Fisheri. — Whilst  many  of  the  leaves  of  this 
Holly  are  like  those  of  the  ordinary  form,  only 
larger,  and  having  bigger  and  more  irregular 
teeth,  others  are  remarkably  distinct  in  having 
a  narrow  triangular  shape,  and  tapering  gradu- 
ally from  the  truncate  base  to  a  fine  point,  the 
margins  being  almost  or  quite  unarmed.  The 
largest  leaves  are  4  inches  long  by  2  inches  wide. 
Fructu-luteo. — So  far  as  foliage  and  habit 
are  concerned  this  does  not  differ  materially 
from  tbe  common  Holly.  Its  berries,  however, 
are  bright  yellow,  and  make  it  one  of  the  most 
pleasing  and  ornamental  of  all  berry-bearing 
shrubs.  Nothing  is  more  beautiful  than  a 
well-berried  specimen  of  the  common  red- 
fruited  Holly  in  bright  weather,  but  in  dull, 
sunless,  or  murky  weather  this  yellow-fruited 
variety  is  much  the  more  effective. 

Golden  King. — Messrs.  Little  and  Ballantyne, 
of  the  Carlisle  Nurseries,  sent  out  this  Holly  a 
few  years  ago.  It  promises  to  be  one  of  the 
finest  golden-variegated  sorts.  The  leaf  is 
broad  and  large,  not  very  spiny,  with  a  broad, 
irregular  band  of  deep  gold  round  the  margins. 
Sometimes  more  than  half  the  surface  of  the 
leaf  is  golden. 


Handsivorthensis.—l  consider  this  one  of  the 
most  effective  of  the  silver-variegated  varieties. 
The  creamy  white  margin  to  the  leaf  is  well- 
defined,  and  contrasts  well  with  the  purple 
bark  of  the  younger  branches.  The  leaves  are 
rather  longer  than  in  other  "silver"  varieties, 
and  the  variety  is  known  in  some  nurseries  as 
argentea  longifolia. 

Hodginsii.—  Of  the  varieties  with  large  green 
leaves  this  is,  perhaps,  the  most  popular.  It 
is  a  vigorous  plant,  the  leaves  being  elliptical 
or  broadly  ovate,  and  as  much  as  4  inches  long 
by  nearly  .3  inches  wide  ;  they  are  of  a  very 
dark  green,  and  armed  with  strong  spiny  teeth. 
The  bark  is  purplish.     A  very  useful  variety. 

Latispina. — This  striking  Holly  is  not  so 
much  grown  as  one  would  expect  from  its 
distinct  appearance  and  vigorous  growth.  The 
leaves  are  of  medium  size,  but  are  remarkable 
in  having  sometimes  none,  sometimes  as  many 
as  six,  but  usually  two  or  three  marginal  teeth. 
These  are  very  large,  sometimes  twisted  down- 
wards, sometimes  upwards,  and  give  the  leaf  a 
curiously  contorted  aspect.  The  apex  is  drawn 
out,  and  tapers  to  a  long,  depressed,  spiny 
tooth.  The  foliage  is  of  a  rich  lustrous  green, 
and  the  bark  purple. 

Lawso7uana. — Among  the  golden  Hollies  this 
is  noteworthy  for  the  size  of  its  leaves,  which 
are  frequently  .3  inches  to  4  inches  long.  The 
centre  of  theleaf  is  occupied  by  a  large, irregular 
blotch  of  yellow,  leaving  a  green  margin  varying 
from  one-eighth  of  an  inch  to  three-quarters  of 
an  inch  long.  This  Holly,  handsome  as  it  is 
when  in  character,  has  a  strong  propensity  to 
revert  to  the  green  state. 

Kew.  W.  .7.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE   FLOVVER   GARDEN. 

CLASSIFICATION    OF    SWEET    PEAS, 

R.  ROBERT  SYDENHAM'S  letter  and 
friendly  criticism  of  my  classification 


M 


of  Sweet  Peas  in  The  Garden  of  the 
t)Lh  inst.  has  interested  me  much. 
Though  I  cannot  pretend  to  such  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  merits  or 
otherwise  of  every  known  variety  of  Sweet  Pea  as 
Mr.  Sydenham  possesses,  still,  like  him,  I  have 
made  a  special  study  of  the  flower,  and  have  grown 
the  leading  named  sorts  for  the  past  eleven  years, 
and  I  am  gratified  to  learn  that  a  few  at  least  of 
my  classes  are  in  agreement  with  his  idea?.  From 
my  classification  enclosed  you  will  see  that  Dorothy 
Eckford  comes  first  in  the  class  for  whites.  Sadie 
Burpee  I  put  before  Blanche  Burpee,  as  with  me  it 
is  a  stronger  grower  and  less  affected  by  rough 
weather  than  the  latter.  Emily  Henderson  was 
added,  as  I  explained  in  the  notes  sent  together 
with  the  classification  to  the  secretary  of  the 
National  Sweet  Pea  Society  last  April,  "in  spite 
of  the  objectionable  notch  in  the  standard,  because 
it  is  such  a  bold  flower  and  strong  grower." 

I  cannot  agree  with  Mr.  Sydenham  when  he  says 
we  want  no  more  than  three  of  any  one  shade  of 
colour,  as  I  consider  that  every  good  variety  should 
be  included  in  a  classification,  especially  if  the 
varieties  exhibited  in  a  number  of  classes  at  the 
National  S  weet  Pea  Society's  show  are  to  be  selected 
from  the  classification  list  adopted  by  the  society. 
Dorothy  Eckford  and  Sadie  Burpee  would  be  an 
ideal  pair  to  exhibit  in  the  class  for  two  whites, 
one  having  an  upright  and  the  other  a  hooded 
standard.  Personally,  I  prefer  the  upright 
standards.  Mont  Blanc  I  am  growing  this  season, 
and  if  it  proves  worthy  it  shall  certainly  be  added 
to  my  list,  perhaps  before  Emily  Henderson. 
Dainty  might  be  added  to  the  blush  class.  I  still 
maintain  that  Mrs.  Fitzgerald  is  a  cream-coloured 
flower.  Our  rich  Cheshire  cream  is  "  more  or  less 
tinged  with  buff."  Stella  Morse  I  have  not  grown 
for  some  years,  but  think  it  might  be  included  in 
this   class.     Of   Lottie   Hutohins  I  stated  in  ray 


explanatory  notes:  "It  certainly  is  streaked 
slightly  with  pink,  but  the  streaks  are  hardly 
noticeable,  especially  if  it  is  grown  in  partial 
shade."  "  Most  misleading  "  sounds  rather  a  harsh 
term  to  apply  to  my  jellow  class.  As  Mr.  Syden- 
ham says,  when  "  seen  at  a  distance  they  would  be 
more  often  called  white  than  yellow."  I  quite 
agree  with  this,  but  for  the  purposes  of  a  colour 
classification  we  study  the  flowers  closely  and  not 
at  a  distance.  The  varieties  under  this  heading 
are  the  nearest  approach  we  have  to  a  yellow  S*eet 
Pea,  and  I  think  that,  until  we  get  one  resembling 
in  colour  a  Lent  Lily  or  Tulipa  sylvestris,  my 
colour  description  may  stand.  Primrose  or  even 
pale  primrose  will  not  do  ;  besides,  I  seem  to  have 
heard  before  now  of  a  yelloii'  Primrose. 

Lady  M.  (not  Mrs.)  Ormsby  Gore  is  very  similar 
to,  and  perhaps  hardly  an  improvement  on.  Queen 
Victoria,  but  for  the  reasons  stated  above  I  think 
it  should  be  included  in  the  class  for  yellows.  In 
the  pink  class  Prima  Donna  is  a  strong  grower,  and 
frequently  has  four  flowers  on  a  stem,  but  in  point 
of  colour  has,  I  think,  to  give  way  to  Lovely.  I 
well  remember  some  years  ago,  before  Lovely  was 
sent  out,  walking  through  Eckford's  gardens  at 
Wem,  and  coming  to  a  row  of  this  variety,  when 
all  the  ladies  of  the  party  exclaimed  in  one  breath, 
"  That  ZA- lovely  ! "  Ladies  are  much  better  judges 
of  colour  than  most  men,  and  if  they  were  asked 
to  choose  between  the  two  flowers  I  should  not  be 
surprised  if  nine  out  of  ten  selected  Lovely  as  the 
prettier  flower.  If  varieties  of  exactly  the  same 
shade  of  colour  are  wanted  in  the  rose  class,  they 
would  be  Prince  of  Wales,  Her  Majesty,  and 
Splendour.  Mrs.  Dugdale  might  go  into  the 
bioolors,  but  Lord  Rosebery  would  be  left  out  in 
the  cold. 

As  regards  size,  Miss  Willmott  is  superior  to 
Lady  Mary  Currie,  but,  as  I  explained  in  my  notes, 
the  latter  was  put  first  in  the  bright  rose  class  as 
representing  the  type.  To  quote  again  from  my 
notes:  "  Many  of  the  varieties  under  the  heading 
'Self  are  not,  strictly  speaking,  self  colours,  but 
when  their  general  effect  is  a  self  colour  I  have 
classed  them  as  such."  This  will  be  a  sufficient 
reply  to  Mr.  Sydenham's  criticism  of  my  orange 
class.  If  picked  to  pieces  and  analysed,  Gorgeous 
will  no  doubt  be  found  to  be  a  bicolor,  or  even  a 
tricolor,  but  the  general  effect  is  orange.  How 
(iocs  Mr.  Sydenham  reconcile  the  inclusion  of 
Royal  Rose  and  Apple  Blossom  among  his  selfs 
with  his  criticism  of  my  orange  class  ?  So  great  is 
the  divergence  of  Mr.  Sydenham's  present  classifi- 
cation from  that  of  last  year  (which  I  enclose) 
that  on  close  comparison  I  am  almost  tempted  to 
think  he  has  not  hesit.ited  to  avail  himself  of 
several  points  from  my  list. 

For  an  explanation  of  my  blue  class  I  must 
again  refer  to  the  notes:  "Countess  Cadogan  is 
dark  blue  when  it  first  comes  out,  but  when  fully 
expanded  is  much  lighter  in  colour,  and  is  not  at 
its  best  until  almost  getting  over.  I  have  there- 
fore included  it  in  the  light  blues." 

Unless  the  number  of  classes  is  to  be  increased 
indefinitely,  I  cannot  see  how  Mrs.  Walter  Wright, 
Dorothy  Tennant,  and  Admiration  are  to  be 
separated.  Perhaps  a  better  name  than  mauve 
for  this  class  would  be  lilac.  Othello  and  Black 
Knight  are  so  much  alike  that  it  seems  to  be  of 
little  consequence  which  comes  first  in  the  list. 
The  former  has  a  slight  dusty  appearance,  remind- 
ing one  of  the  bloom  on  a  Grape  ;  the  latter  has  a 
metallic  sheen,  as  though  the  bloom  had  been 
rubbed  off.     I  prefer  the  flower  with  the  bloom  on. 

Gorgeous,  Lord  Kenyon,  and  Calypso  are  men- 
tioned by  Mr.  Sydenham  under  the  heading  of 
magenta.  The  first-named  is  evidently  a  mistake 
for  George  Gordon.  When  the  prevailing  colour  of 
a  flower  is  magenta  I  think  it  should  be  put  in  this 
class. 

Duchess  of  Westminster  certainly  is  a  small,  but,  ■ 
none  the  less,  a  pretty  flower,  and  when  arranged  f 
in  a  vase  its  ripe  apricot  effect  is  very  striking. 
Mr.  Sydenham  says  of  this  variety  that  it  "  sports 
so  much."  Sporting  is  defined  as  "any  deviation 
from  the  usual  form  or  colour  of  a  plant  or  flower." 
Some  Sweet  Peas  have  never  been  properly  fixed, 
and  cannot  be  depended  upon  to  come  true  from 
seed  ;  of  many  kinds  the  flowers  are  apt  to  run  and 


February  27,  1904,] 


THE    GARDEN. 


147 


become  streaky  in  a  cold  and  damp  season  ;  most 
kinds  will  occasionally  revert  or  throw  back  ;  but 
of  sporting  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  term  I  have 
never  known  an  instance.  The  old  variety  Bronze 
Prince  (not  to  be  confused  with  Bronze  King) 
occasionally  crops  up.  Last  year  it  appeared 
among  some  plants  of  the  Hon.  Mrs.  E.  Kenyon. 

I  must  take  exception  to  the  long  colour  descrip- 
tions in  Mr.  Sydenham's  classification,  e.g.,  deep 
rosy  crimson,  dark  fiery  crimson,  cerise  or  dark 
salmon  scarlet,  &o.  Colour  descriptions  should, 
in  my  opinion,  be  as  clear  and  concise  as  possible. 

As  I  have  already  remarked  that,  to  my  mind, 
ladies  are  better  discriminators  of  colour  than  men, 
would  it  not  be  advantageous  to  get  the  opinions 
of  those  growers  among  them  who  like  myself  take 
an  interest  in  Sweet  Peas,  and  thereby  settle  the 
difficult  question  of  colour  classification  ? 

Aldersey  Hall.  Hugh  Aldersky. 


SCENTED  -  FOLIAGED  GERANIUMS 
FOR  THE  SUMMER  GARDEN. 
These,  wheu  grown  into  specimen  plants  from 
3  feet  to  6  feet  high,  and  plunged  in  the  turf  in 
groups  on  the  lawn  with  a  background  of  shrubs  or 
trees,  make  a  charming  effect,  and  are  sure  to  gain 
much  admiration  during  the  summer.  The  sweet 
perfume  from  their  foliage,  when  gently  stirred  by 
the  wind,  is  sure  to  be  welcome  to  passers-by,  and 
the  freedom  with  which  some  of  the  sorts  bloom  is 
quite  surprising.  Cuttings  struck  early  in  August 
and  grown  on  gently  through  the  winter  make 
very  nice  plants  by  the  first  week  in  June,  and  by 
that  time  should  be  in  an  8J-inch  pot,  and  a  plant 
from  2  feet  to  3  feet  high,  according  to  the  variety. 
Some  sorts  make  large  plants  quicker  than  others. 
Some  of  the  fast-growing  sorts  will  make  plants 
6  feet  high  and  3  feet  through  in  less  than  three 
years  ;  other  sorts  would  take  six  years  to  attain 
that  size.  They  grow  freely  in  a  mixture  of  three 
parts  fibrous  loam,  one  part  leaf-mould,  with  a 
little  coarse  sand,  bone-meal,  and  wood  ashes 
added.  Potted  moderately  firm,  and  well  looked 
after  with  water  during  the  summer,  and,  given 
occasional  weak  doses  of  guano  and  soot  water, 
they  will  well  repay  for  the  trouble  taken.  A 
vinery  at  rest  is  a  good  place  to  keep  them  during 
winter,  when  large  quantities  of  bright  flowers  may 
be  cut  from  them,  and,  cut  with  a  portion  of  the 
foliage,  they  are  very  useful  for  vases  and   table 


decoration.  Wnen  the  plants  are  taken  up  to  house 
for  the  winter,  we  drop  early-flowering  shrubs  into 
the  holes.  Grown  in  pots  for  the  purpose,  these 
make  a  pretty  spring  display,  and  can  be  lifted  out 
again  when  it  is  safe  to  return  the  Geraniums.  ;  J^ 
Sandhurst  Lodge,  Berks.        W.  J.  Townsen'd. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


PERPETUAL -FLOWERING    PINKS. 

WE  asked  M  r.  Ladhams  of  the  Shirley 
Nuraeiies,  near  Boulhamptou,  to 
tell  us  about  the  perpetual- 
flowering  Pinks,  and  his  answer 
is  as  follows  :  "  My  new  race  of 
this  charming  family  is  the  result 
of  many  years'  persistent  hybridising,  crossing,  and 
selecting.  At  one  time  and  another  almost  all  ihe 
di6ferent  species  of  Dianthus  which  promised  any- 
thing have  been  used  in  the  work,  but  of  course, 
when  once  the  desired  object  was  attained,  these 
were  largely  discontinued.  The  old  Mule  Pinks, j 
having  strong  green  leaves,  have  had  a  marked 
efl'ect  in  creating  vigour  and  freedom  of  growth, 
forming,  as  it  were,  a  groundwork  for  further 
improvements.  Mrs.  Sinkins  as  a  seed-bearer  also 
was  brought  in  later,  giving  size  of  bloom.  The 
race  as  it  is  at  present  produces  stouter  flower- 
stems,  freer  growth,  and  more  refined  flowers  than 
the  older  border  Pinks.  Quite  the  most  recent  of 
our  introductions  have,  in  addition,  purer  colours. 
The  variety  Florence  would  rival  a  Carnation  in 
its  exquisite  form  ;  Marion  has  very  large  flowers 
on  strong  spikes — as  many  as  a  dozen  branching 
buds  are  found  on  each  growth  ;  Mrs.  Mouland 
has  a  chaste,  beautifully-formed  flower  of  clear 
pink,  with  chocolate  centre,  and  has  often  five  or 
six  flowers  out  at  one  time  on  a  single  spike  ;  and 
Ethel  is  of  neat,  graceful  habit,  and  has  full, 
refined,  non-bursting  flowers  of  white,  delicately 
marked  with  pale  fpurple.  A  few  others  are 
also  in  commerce,  and  we  are  selecting  and  elimi- 
nating amongst  many  other  seedlings  of  several 
years'  proving.  In  cultivation  we  find  that  plants 
grown  on  stony  land  enriched  with  decayed  manure 
are  more  perennial  and  the  colours  brighter.  Of 
course,  they  are  at  a  disadvantage  during  excessive 
drought,  and,  as  a  couple  of  acres  are  grown,  we 


cannot  pretend  to  water  them,  but  they  recover 
this  as  soon  as  rain  falls  or  the  cool  nights  com- 
njence,  and  flower  more  abundantly  for  the  rest 
they  have  taken.  Layering  as  Carnations  is  the 
only  really  safe  way  of  increasing  stock.  Of  course, 
they  need  not  be  lifted  as  Carnations  are  for  the 
sake  of  protection,  this  being  entirely  unnecessary." 


SAXIFRAGA  GRISEBACHI. 

In  the  course  of  the  interesting  "Notes  from 
Worcestershire,"  by  Mr.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin,  in 
The  Garden  of  February  13,  a  reference  is  made 
to  this  Saxifrage,  and  a  remark  made  that  it  has 
succumbed  to  damp.  I  hope  that  no  one  will 
assume  that  this  Saxifrage  is  unusually  liable  to 
damp  ofif  under  ordinary  circumstances.  Mr. 
Goodwin  must  have  been  unusually  unfortunate, 
or  have  experienced  some  untoward  circumstances 
to  account  for  his  loss.  In  our  corner  of  south- 
east Kirkcudbrightshire  we  had  about  .50  inches 
of  rain  during  1903,  and  neither  the  end  of  the 
year  nor  the  beginning  of  1904  has  shown  any 
inohnation  to  favour  us  with  less  rain  than  we  had 
before.  Under  these  conditions  Saxifraga  Grise- 
bachi  has  done  remarkably  well  in  the  open,  on  a 
rockery  facing  south-west,  in  light,  sandy  peat, 
but  quite  unprotected  from  the  weather.  It  is 
still  in  bud,  I  believe,  as  it  was  when  I  left,  but  as 
I  am  from  home  I  have  not  seen  my  plants  for  more 
than  a  week.  Possibly  Mr.  Goodwin  has  his  in  a 
frame,  where  there  is  much  more  danger  of  such 
plants  succumbing  from  damp.  All  through  the 
winter  S.  Grisebachi  has  been  very  pretty,  and 
greatly  admired. 

Dumfries.  g.  Arnott. 


LITHOSPERMUM    GRAMINIFOLIUM. 

The  plant  of  Lithospermum  grarainifolium  repre- 
sented in  the  photograph  is  growing  on  a  rockwork 
facing  nearly  south,  with  high  Elm  trees  8  yards  or 
10  yards  ufl^  on  the  east  side.  The  rockwork  is 
steep,  some  6  feet  high,  and  a  very  large  over- 
hanging stone  on  the  north  side  keeps  off  cold  rain. 
The  soil  was  made  carefully  of  loam,  peat,  leaf- 
mould,  and  small  gravel  in  something  like  equal 
proportions.  The  plant  was  put  in  not  more  than 
five  years  ago,  and  was  an  ordinary  small  nursery- 
man's plant.  The  size  of  the  plant  is  nearly  3  feet 
longby  2  feet  to  2J  feet  wide.  At  the  present  time 
(February  12)  it  does  not  look  so  well  as 
this  time  last  year.  No  doubt  the  wet 
season  has  been  very  trying  to  it.  I 
have  a  smaller  plant  near  it  that  looks 
well  and  healthy.  I  bought  the  latter 
as  intermedium,  but  it  seems  identical 
with  the  larger  one,  which  came  from  the 
Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery. 

Herbert  Green. 


UTUOSPERMOM   GRAMimrOLICM   IN   A   MAIDSTONE   GARDEN    (THE   GODLANDS,    TOVIR). 


EARLY  PLANTING  OF  TUFTED 

PANSIES. 

There  is  a  tendency  in  many  gardens  to 
defer  the  planting  of  Tufted  Pansies 
until  the  best  time  for  this  is  past.  In 
many  gardens  the  Tufted  Pansies  are  not 
planted  until  after  the  spring-flowering 
bulbs  are  over.  As  this  period  of  the 
spring  is  not  infrequently  succeeded  by 
spells  of  warm  weather,  the  newly- 
planted  tufts  have  little  chance  of 
getting  well  established  before  the 
warmer  summer  weather  is  experienced. 
Under  such  conditions  it  is  most  unrea- 
sonable to  expect  satisfactory  results. 
Early  planting  is  almost  essential  to 
success,  and  where  this  rule  is  seldom 
observed  the  grower  has  good  cause  for 
complaint. 

When  the  weather  has  been  suit- 
able, and  the  soil  also  in  a  workable 
condition,  I  have  never  hesitated  to 
i  plant  out  in  their  flowering  quarters 
little  tufts  in  February.  These  tufts 
have  not  been  coddled  in  frames — a 
practice  with  the  Tufted  Pansv  several 
growers  now  regard  as  quite  unnecessary 


148 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  27,  1904. 


— but  are  lified  from  raised  propagating  beds  in  the 
open,  with  mats  of  roots  and  numerous  shoots  in 
embryo.  These  plants  bear  the  shift  with  compara- 
tive indifference,  and  even  though  the  weather  be 
rough  or  frosty  immediately  subsequent  to  the  plant- 
ing they  come  through  the  ordeal  in  excellent  condi- 
tion. Plants  raised  in  cold  frames,  even  supposing 
they  were  hardened  off  beforehand,  are  not  so  good 
for  the  earliest  planting  as  are  those  raised  in  the 
open,  as  already  described.  The  Tufted  Pansies  are 
among  the  hardiest  of  our  hardy  flowering  plants, 
and  after  some  years  of  careful  observation  I  am 
convinced  that  the  hardier  method  of  raising  these 
plants  is  the  better  one.  In  any  case,  it  is  better 
to  have  all  planting  done  by  the  middle  of  March, 
as  this  practice  invariably  results  in  obtaining  an 
early  summer  display,  which  increases  as  the  tufts 
continue  to  develop.  One  hears  of  failure  occa- 
sionally, but  when  this  is  enquired  into  late 
planting  is  generally  responsible  for  it.  With 
some  of  the  showy  French  and  Belgian  Pansies 
failure  invariably  takes  place  in  the  later  days  of 
June  and  July,  when  the  warm  weather  begins  to 
test  their  constitution.  It  is  to  the  Tufted 
Pansies,  however,  that  we  should  look  for  a  long, 
continuous,  and  bright  display,  and  the  sooner  they 
are  planted  the  better.  D.  B.  Ckane. 


COPTIS   ORIENTALIS. 

The  genus  to  which  this  plant  belongs  is  closely 
related  to  the  well-known  Hellebores,  diifering  in 
having  membraneous  capsules  on  a  foot-stalk,  and 
in  the  calyx  falling  off  soon  after  expansion,  while 
the  members  of  the  latter  genus  have  leathery  and 
sessile  capsules,  the  sepals  also  remaining  on  till 
the  seeds  are  nearly  ripe.  They  are  interesting, 
shade-loving  little  plants,  requiring  a  moist  position 
in  peaty  soil.  Of  modest  proportions,  the  genus 
consists  of  only  five  species,  all  of  which,  with  the 
exception  of  the  American  Gold  Thread  (C.  trifolia), 
flower  in  the  early  spring.  C.  orientalis  has  much- 
divided,  nearly  evergreen  leaves  and  white  flowers 
on  stems  a  few  inches  high.  It  is  a  native  of 
Japan,  and  has  been  in  cultivation  a  considerable 
time,  and,  although  easy  to  increase  by  means  of 
root  division,  it  is  rarely  met  with  outside  botanic 
gardens.  It  is  never  likel}'  to  be  a  popular  plant, 
and  only  finds  a  place  in  the  gardens  of  lovers  of 
novelties.  W.  Irving. 


AN     HOUR    WITH    THE 
HOLLYHOCK, 

{Continued  from  page  IJil.) 

WITH  the  Hollyhock  almost  a 
new  field  for  speculation  and 
experiment  lies  open  before 
us  ;  certainly  this  is  no  bare, 
trodden  ground,  the  grass  is 
scarcely  bent  beneath  our  feet ; 
the  few  alone  have  trampled  on  it.  Why 
should  we  not  unite  in  one  flower  the 
desired  qualities  now  scattered  over  half  a 
dozen  1  If  we  are  seeking  form  and  fulness, 
we  shall  find  them  in  Beauty  of  C!heshunt 
and  Honourable  Mrs.  Ashley.  By  bringing 
these  in  contact  with  such  flowers  as  Aurantia 
superba,  Black  Prince,  and  Napoleon,  may 
we  not  possibly  raise  varieties  which  shall 
combine  the  shape  and  fulness  of  the  former 
with  the  colours  or  habit  of  the  latter?  If  we 
wish  to  obtain  flowers  of  any  particular  colour, 
of  increased  size  or  substance,  the  most  probable 
means  of  so  doing  is  to  unite  that  colour  with 
a  flower  conspicuous  for  those  qualities. 

Why  should  we  not  have  the  colour  of  Scarlet 
King  in  combination  with  the  shape,  size,  and 
habit  of  Beauty  of  Cheshunt,  or  a  Black  Prince 
like  Pourpre  de  Tyre  1  We  have  yet  no  flower 
of  a  golden  yellow  ;  none  even  an  approach  to 
orange.  And  although  we  do  not  aspire  to  the 
prevision  of  the  prophet  or  seer,  we  venture 
to  foretell  the  speedy  acquirement  of  striped 
and  laced  flowers  equal  in  beauty  to  the  finest 


Pink  or  Carnation.  Then  as  to  substance,  there 
is  room  for  improvement  ;  indeed,  so  many 
points  crowd  upon  the  mind  that  we  fear  we 
may  become  chargeable  with  partiality  in  thus 
particularising.  But  as  we  cannot  pursue  this 
argument  further  we  may  just  briefly  say,  that 
we  certainly  must  not  consider  our  work  done 
until  we  realise  in  every  colour  the  form  of 
our  ideal  standard. 

Let  us  suppose,  then,  that  we  are  about  to 
plant  a  seminary,  and  have  decided  that  it 
shall  contain  twelve  varieties  ;  how  shall  we 
select  them  ?  The  following  have  been  chosen 
with  the  view  to  embrace  every  important 
feature  of  the  flower  in  the  greatest  perfection  : 


1.  Beauty  ot  Cheshunt.*  7. 

2.  Black  Prhice,  improved.  S. 

3.  llreball.  9. 

4.  Glory  of  Cheshunt.  lu. 

5.  Honourable  Mrs.  Ashley  11. 
0.  Lizzy.  12. 


Metropolitan. 
Pourpre  de  Tyre. 
Professor  Dick. 
Waliien  Kival. 
White  Globe. 
Sidonia. 


*  For  the  characters  of  these  varieties,  see  descriptive  lists. 
With  these  materials  and  a  camel-hair  pencil 
we  are  prepared  for  crossing.  The  best  time 
for  carrying  on  this  work  is  the  morning,  as 
soon  as  the  dew  passes  from  the  flowers.  There 
are,  perhaps,  no  varieties,  however  double, 
which  will  not  yield  stamens  and  styles  to  a 
close  inspection. 

It  is  only  necessary  to  collect  the  pollen  from 
the  stamens  by  passing  the  brush  lightly  over 
them  and  to  convey  it  to  the  flower  required  to 
produce  seed,  drawing  a  muslin  bag  over  the 
flower  after  the  operation.  Such  kinds  as  are 
not  very  double  and  seed  freely  may  be  grown 
in  a  rich  soil,  and  the  spikes  may  be  shortened, 
leaving,  after  thinning,  about  twelve  flowers  on 
each.  Never  allow  a  bad  or  imperfect  flower 
to  remain  for  seed  ;  invariably  pull  off  such 
immediately  that  it  appears.  The  very  double 
kinds  may  be  grown  in  a  poor  soil.  The  spikes 
should  not  be  shortened,  but  the  flowers  of  all 
will  require  a  plentiful  thinning.  As  the  flowers 
at  the  lower  end  of  the  stem  die  off  the  petals 
should  be  drawn  from  the  calyx  to  prevent 
moisture  from  gathering  round  the  seed-vessels, 
which  would  injure,  if  not  destroy,  the  seed. 
Hand-picking  is,  perhaps,  the  best  way  of 
accomplishing  this,  and  if  the  petals  are  ready 
to  be  separated  they  will  yield  to  a  slight  pull 
with  the  finger  and  thumb.  Crossing  may  be 
repeated  day  by  day,  as  the  flowers  expand, 
until  we  reach  the  top  of  the  stem.  The  plants 
should  be  watered  freely  during  the  formation 
of  the  seeds,  and  as  the  latter  ripen  (the 
shrivelling  of  the  calyx  is  a  tolerably  correct 
test  of  fitness)  they  may  be  gathered  and  tied 
in  coarse  muslin  bags,  separately  or  not  as  the 
cultivator  may  please,  and  placed  in  a  dry, 
airy,  sunny  situation.  With  such  as  fiower 
late  the  spikes  may  be  cut  from  the  plants  and 
placed  upright  in  a  greenhouse,  or  under  a 
south  wall,  where  the  seeds  will  ripen  better 
than  if  detached  from  the  stem.  The  seeds 
first  gathered  may  be  sown  immediately  as 
there  will  be  time  for  them  to  germinate  and 
become  strong  before  the  commencement  of 
winter.  The  bulk  of  the  seed,  however,  cannot 
be  sown  to  advantage  before  the  spring,  and 
early  in  February  is  perhaps  the  best  time  if 
flowers  are  required  the  same  season.  In  both 
cases  we  would  sow  thinly  in  pots,  placing  them 
in  a  pit  or  house  where  they  would  command 
a  gentle  bottom  -  heat ;  and  so  soon  as  four 
or  six  leaves  are  formed  the  seedlings  should 
be  transplanted,  four  round  a  4-inch  pot.  Those 
raised  in  autumn  may  remain  in  a  cold  frame 
during  winter,  or  if  in  a  greenhouse  they  should 
be  placed  clo.se  to  the  glass,  exposed  to  air  and 
light.  Watch  closely  for  slugs  and  remove  any 
leaves  that  may  decay.  In  April  they  may  be 
transferred  to  the  spot  where  intended  to 
flower,  and  to  do  them  justice  they  should  not 


be  planted  closer  than  2  feet  from  row  to  row 
and  1  foot  from  plant  to  plant  ;  they  should  be 
watered  and  hoed  frequently  during  the  summer, 
and  tying  up  can  scarcely  be  dispensed  with. 
They  will  flower  in  September  and  October  of 
the  same  year,  and  as  any  show  themselves  of 
inferior  merit  they  .should  be  destroyed,  which 
will  give  the  remaining  ones  more  room  for 
development.  Some  varieties  come  true  from 
seed,  or  so  nearly  so  that  it  would  require  the 
most  practised  eye  to  distinguish  them  ;  others 
come  true  in  colour,  but  vary  much  in  degree 
of  fulness  and  general  quality  ;  while  others 
again  vary  both  in  colour  and  quality — maroon 
flowers  producing  white,  yellow,  red,  and  the 
like.  The  seed  may  also  be  sown  out  of  doors 
during  any  of  the  summer  months,  but  the 
flowering  will  not  then  take  place  until  the 
summer  and  autumn  of  the  following  year. 

W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 
(To  be  continued.) 


TREES     AND     SHRUBS. 


HIPPOPH.E    RHAMNOIDES    AS 
A    TREE. 

IN  The  Garden  for  October  .31  last  ap- 
peared the  following  note  with  reference 
to  the  tree  shown  in  the  accompanying 
illustration.  The  leaves  have  now  fallen, 
but  the  berries  still  remain,  although 
through  frost  they  have  lost  nearly  all 
their  bright  yellow  colour.  The  tree,  which  is 
quite  twenty  years  old,  was  raised  from  seed 
and  grown  into  tree  form  by  training  up  a 
leader,  and  by  cutting  away  the  lower  branches. 
The  girth  of  the  stem  at  18  inches  from  the 
ground  is  16i  inches.  The  first  branches 
originate  4i  feet  from  the  ground.  The  tree 
is  12j  feet  through,  and  15  feet  high.  Close 
by  there  is  a  tree  of  H.  salicifolia  nearly  .30  feet 
high,  with  a  girth  of  49  inches.  This,  however, 
has  never  borne  berries  at  Kew,  although  a 
smaller  tree  of  the  same  species  did  so  last 
year  for  the  first  time.  The  following  is  the 
note  referred  to  : 

Near  the  large  temperate  house  in  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kev;,  there  is  a  specimen  of  the  Sea 
Buckthorn  (Hippophte  rhamnoides)  growing  at 
the  end  of  a  shrubbery  border  that  may  rightly 
be  termed  a  tree.  It  is  of  symmetrical, 
pyramidal  shape,  and  from  12  feet  to  1.)  feet 
high.  At  the  present  time  it  is  as  attractive 
as  anything  in  the  Kew  collections.  The 
pretty  grey  leaves  alone  assure  the  Hippophas 
a  pleasing  appearance,  but  with  the  bright 
orange-coloured  berries  clustering  thickly  about 
the  shoots  as  they  do  now  the  tree  referred  to 
makes  a  charming  picture.  Grey  leaves  and 
orange  berries  intermingle  from  top  to  base, 
for  this  untoward  year  has,  curiously  enough, 
been  favourable  to  the  Sea  Buckthorn  so  far 
as  the  production  of  fruit  is  concerned.  The 
stem  of  this  Tree  Hippophai  is  about  7  inches 
in  diameter,  and  the  branches  reach  almost  to 
the  ground.  As  a  tree  it  is  unique.  The 
value  of  Hippoplia'  rhamnoides  as  a  bush  is 
well  known,  and  now  its  value  in  the  garden 
can  be  fully  appreciated.  There  are  several 
clumps  at  Kew  by  the  lakeside  and  elsewhere 
that  are  aglow  with  clusters  of  the  brilliant 
orange-coloured  fruits,  and  they  make  rare  bits 
of  colour  in  the  garden  land.'^cape,  more  than 
ever  appreciated  now  that  sombre  tints  pre- 
dominate in  border  and  shrubbery.  Because 
the  Sea  Buckthorn  is  a  seaside  plant  many 
have  the  idea  that  it  will  not  grow  inland. 
Such  a  fallacy  should  at  once  be  dispelled,  and 
a  visit  to  Kew  would  be  an  excellent  means  to 


February  27,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


149 


THE   SEA    BUCKTHOB»J    AS   A    TREE    IN    THE   ROYAL    GARDENS,    KEW 

this  end.  It  does  not  even  require  to  be  near 
water  at  all,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  tree  speci- 
men just  mentioned,  which  is  growing  in 
ordinary  soil,  far  away  from  lake  or  pond. 
Berried  shrubs  are  of  great  value  to  the 
gardener,  and  they  are  not  taken  advantage  of 
to  the  extent  they  might  be.  H  T 


ILEX  CRENATA. 
In  reference  to  the  recent  notes  on  this  plant  in 
IHE  Garden,  I  may  say  that  this  Hoily  is  not 
properly  appreciated  in  this  country,  probably  on 
account  of  its  slow  growth.  One  use,  however, 
which  It  could  be  put  to,  and  for  which  its  habit 
of  growth  admirably  suits  it,  is  in  the  formation  of 
low  hedges  on  terraces,  &c.,  where  something  that 
IS  neat  and  compact  is  required.  It  is  one  of  the 
best  shrubs  to  transplant,  and  is  not  at  all  par- 
ticular in  the  matter  of  soil,  Given  an  initial 
dressing  of  manure,  it  will  always  be  found  able  to 
take  care  of  itself  afterwards.  Besides  I.  crenata 
the  following  evergreen  species  of  Ilex  are  worthv 
of  cultivation  : —  ■' 

I.  cornnta —This  is  a  native  of  China,  and  forms 
a  small  shrub  about  6  feet  high  and  nearly  as  much 
in  diameter.  The  leaves  are  about  3  inches  in 
length,  of  a  bright,  shining  green,  and  stiff  in 
texture.  Ihey  are  each  armed  with  seven  or  eight 
stout  spines,  about  one-half  of  which  point 
upwards  and  the  other  downwards.  It  is  per- 
fectly hardy,  and  keeps  in  good  condition  in 
partial  shade.      It   bears  small,  dull  red  berries, 


which  are  not  very  con- 
spicuous. 

/.  dipyrena  (the  Hima- 
layan Holly).— This  is  a 
plant  that  grows  toabout 
the  same  size  as  our 
English  Holly,  which 
it  somewhat  resembles. 
The  leaves  are  about  the 
same  size  as  those  of 
the  common  Holly,  but 
with  fewer  spines,  and 
of  a  duller  and  paler 
colour. 

/.  Integra. — This  is  a 
native  of  China  and 
.lapan,  and  is  more  com- 
monly met  with  under 
the  name  of  Othera 
japonica.  It  is  not  very 
hardy,  but  where  it  will 
succeed  it  is  worthy  of  a 
place,  as  it  makes  a 
handsome  evergreen. 
The  leaves  are  leathery 
in  texture,  spineless, 
about  3  inches  long, 
dark  shining  green 
above  and  lighter 
beneath. 

/.  latifolia.— This  is  of 
about  the  same  degree 
of  hardiness  as  the 
preceding,  but  where  it 
will  succeed  it  makes  a 
distinct  -  looking  large 
shrub  or  small  tree.  The 
leaves  are  from  4  inches 
to  6  inches  in  length  by 
about  2  inches  in  width, 
rather  stiff,  of  a  dark, 
shining  green  above  and 
lighter,  almost  glaucous, 
beneath.  The  edges  are 
armed  with  sharp  teeth. 
This  plant  keeps  a  better 
colour  and  grows  more 
freely  on  light,  dry 
ground  than  in  a  damper 
situation.  The  berries 
are  small  and  of  a  dull 
red  colour. 

All  these  Hollies  can 
be  propagated  by  seeds, 

J  r     1,      -  ,,      ^  ,         cuttings,  or  layers.     In 

default  of  the  first  the  last  is  the  best  method  of 

increasing  them. 

Bag.'ihot,  Surrey.  j.  Clark. 

[We  draw  the  attention  of  our  readers  to  the 

excellent  monograph  of  Hollies  by  Mr.   Bean  now 

appearing  in  The  Garden.— Ed.] 


Willow. 
The  Weeping  Willow  is  the  only  species  used  on 
streets,  and  Us  occurrence  is  rare.  It  grows 
rapidly,  and  when  perfect  has  a  fine  appearlnce  ; 
but  the  wood  IS  tender  and  is  often  attacked  by 
tungi,  while  the  tussock  moth  and  other  leaf-eating 
insects  frequently  destroy  its  foliage.  The  White 
VViUow  IS  excellent  for  windbreaks  and  for  planting 
along  the  banks  of  streams,  railroads,  and  other 
embankments.  Fine  rows  of  this  tree  may  be  seen 
in  Ithaca  along  the  streams  that  descend  from  the 
surrounding  gorges,  and  are  subject  to  overflow 
from  the  melting  of  ice.  It  is  also  used  along  the 
ihames  in  the  western  part  of  London  to  prevent 
disintegration  of  the  banks  during  the  ebb  and 
now  of  the  tide. 

Trees  Recommended  for  General  Street 

Planting. 
Oik,  Red        (Quercus  rubra  L.) 
"     J'"         (       ,,        palustris  Du  Roi.) 
,,      bcarlet  (       ,,        cocci nea  Wang.) 
"      ^l^'^^     '       "        velutina  Lam.) 
,,      bhmgle  (       ,,        imbricariaMichx.) 
,,       Willow  (       „        PhellosL.) 
bycamore.  Oriental    (Platanus  orientalis  L.) 

,,  American  (       ,,         occidentalis  L.) 

Ailanthus  (Ailanthus  glandulosa  Desf.) 
Maple,  Norway  (Acer  platanoides  L. ) 
Trees  Recommended  for  Further  Trial. 
Ginkgo  (Ginkgo  biloba  L.) 
Ash,  American  (Fraxinus  americanaL  ) 
Hackberry  (Celtis  occidentalis  L.) 
Sweet  Gum  (Liquidambar  styraciflua  L  ) 
Kentucky  Coffee  Tree  (Gymnocladus  dioious  (L  ) 
Koch.)  '     ' 

Trees  whose  Coltivation  on  the  Streets  or 
Large.  Cities  is  Attended  with  Consider- 
able Risk.* 

Elm,  American  (Ulmus  araericana  L.) 
Maple,  Silver  (Acer  saccharinum  L.) 
Horse  Chestnut  (.Esculus  hippocastanum  L.) 
Locust  (Gleditsohia  triacanthos  L.) 
Maple,  Sugar  (Acer  saccharinum  Marsh.) 
Linden,  American  (Tilia  americana  L  ) 
Tulip  Tree  (Liriodeudron  tulipifera  L.) 
Locust,  Black  (Robinia  pseudacacia  L.) 
Willow,  Weeping  (Salix  babylonica  L.) 
VV.  A.  MURRILL,  in  Bulletm  of  Cornell  University. 


SHADE    TEEES. 

(Continued  from  page  133.) 
Tulip  Tree. 

The  Tulip  Tree  is  too  large  except  for  the  widest 
avenues  and  park  borders,  where  there  is  a  quantity 
of  rich  deep  soil  and  abundance  of  room.  It  is 
likewise  difficult  to  transplant,  the  branches  are 
very  brittle,  and  the  leaves  are  continuallv 
dropping  throughout  the  season.  It  is,  however 
practically  free  from  enemies.  ' 

Black  Locust. 
The  Black  Locust  is  a  rapid  grower,  hardy,  easily 
propagated  and  transplanted,  and  does  well  in  poor 
soil.  It  is  successfully  cultivated  in  Paris,  where 
the  top  IS  kept  small  and  spherical,  and  the  branches 
thickly  clustered.  Its  hard  and  durable  wood  is 
beginning  to  be  used  in  Paris  for  paving  the  streets. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  tree  is  scraggly  and  angular 
in  form,  its  branches  brittle,  its  foliage  short-lived 
Its  pods  unsightly,  and  its  roots  badly  given  to 
sprouting.  The  locust-borer  often  kills  the  Black 
Locust,  as  well  as  the  Honey  Locust,  and  has  been 
known  to  spread  from  these  trees  to  certain  species 
of  Oaks.  '^ 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 

NEW    ROSES    FOR    1903-4. 
*    NNE  MARIE  SOUPERT  (Hybrid  Tea).— 
/\  Very  vigorous  ;  fine  deep  green  foliage  ; 

/    »         elongated  bud  ;  very  large  flower,  with 

L a        strong   stalk,   very   full,    shining    red- 

l  \^     lake   colour;    very    free,    and   sweetly 

scented. 

Georges  Laing  Paul  (Hybrid  Tea).  —  Very 
vigorous  ;  elongated  bud  of  good  form  ;  very  large 
and  full  flower,  with  strong  stem  ;  colour  a  deep 
shining  crimson-red,  darker  than  Anne  Marie 
Soiipert :  free,  and  very  fragrant.  A  select  variety 
of  great  value  for  forcing  and  for  cut  bloom.  The 
result  of  a  cross  between  Mme.  Caroline  Testout 
and  Fisher  Holmes. 

Olympiada  (Hybrid  Tea).  —  Vigorous  ;  good 
foliage;  well-formed  bud;  large,  full  flower  on 
long  and  strong  stem  ;  outer  petals  broad,  inner 
ones  narrower  ;  a  beautiful  pink  satin  colour  ;  one 
of  the  most  floriferous  varieties.  Good  for"  beds 
and  forcing.  (Mme.  Pierre  Oger  x  Belle  Sie- 
brecht. ) 

Souvenir  de  Marie  Zozaya  (Hybrid  Tea).  — 
Vigorous  ;  good  foliage ;  long  bud  of  exquisite 
shape,  coral-red  in  colour,  opens  freely  ;  expanded 
flower  of  extraordinary  size,  full,  and  carried  very 
gracefully  upon  a  long  and  strong  stem.  Camellia 
shaped  ;  the  petals  large  and  stiff,  coral-red  out- 
side, silvery  pink  within,  brighter  in  the  centre. 
One  of  the  largest  of  the  Hybrid  Teas.  (Souvenir 
of  Wooton  X  Belle  Siebrecht.) 


•■  Many  of  these  trees  thrive  well  in  villages  and  towns 
After  reading  the  previous  discussion,  several  excellent  trees 
might  be  selected  from  this  list  for  a  given  localit)'. 


150 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  27,  1904. 


William  Notting 

(Hybrid     Tea).  — 

Vigorous;     fine 

deep  green  leaves ; 

elongated  bud,  on 

long     and    strong 

stem  ;     large    and 

full  flower ;  outside 

of  petals  coral-red, 

inside  salmon 

colour,    colour    in 

the  centre  resemb- 
ling    Mme.     Abel 

Chatenay.      A 

variety    of     quite 

first   rank    among 

Hybrid    Teas    for 

cutting,      forcing, 

and     grouping; 

fragrant  and  fiori- 

ferous.       (Abel 

Chatenay    X    An- 

toineRi voire.)  All 

the  above  varieties 

were     raised      bj' 

MM.  Soupert  and 

Notting,     Luxem- 
bourg. 

^.  Mile.    Andrea 

Dourlhe.  —   Deep 

green     foliage 

conical       buda  ; 

large,  full  flowers 

of     satiny     pink, 

sometimes  striped 

with  white;  under 

side  of  petals  lilac ; 

flowers     continually     and     freely.       Sport     from 

Triomphe  de  la  DuchSre.     Raised   by  M.    J.   B. 

Chauvry,  Bordeaux. 

Mme.  Victor  Giraud  (Tea). — Very  vigorous  and 

free;    petals  white,  tipped   with  salmon,  copper- 
yellow    towards   base.       Raised    by    M.    Lapresle, 

Tarare  (Rhone). 

Anna  Jung  (Tea). — Very  large,  half  full  flower; 

colour   bright    pink,    lightly    shaded   salmon,    the 

centre  copper  coloured  ;    elongated  bud,  supported 

bv  strong  stalk  ;  forms  a  strong   bush  ;  very  free. 

(Marie  van  Hnutte  X  General  Schablikine. ) 

Comteine  Emmeline  de  Guigne  (Tea). — Very  large 

flower    of    perfect    form,    fragrant  ;     large,    thick 

petals,    slightly    recurving,    bright    carmine  -  red, 

tinted  with  crimson,  centre  copper  ;  beautiful  long 

bud,  carmine  and   copper  coloured  ;   very  vigorous 

and   free.     (Papa   Gontier    x    Comtesse   Festetics- 

Hamilton.) 

Genevieve    Gaillardet  (Tea).  —  Large,   half   full, 

erect,  elegant  flower  of  bright  Chinese  pink  colour, 

tinged  with  amber  ;  firm  petals  ;  long,  well-formed 

bud.     (Comtesse  de  Leusse  X  amabilis.) 

Jeanne  Proarifoot  (Tea). — Large,  half  full  flower, 

with   thick    petals  ;     perfect    form  ;     colour    pale 

salmon-pink  ;   very  beautiful  bud.     (Paul   Nabon- 

nand   x  Archiduo  Joseph.) 

Alice  Hamilton  (Bengal  Rose). — Very  large,  half 
open,  well-shaped  flower ;  large  petals  ;  sweet 
perfume;  colour  bright  velvety  crimson-red  ;  hand- 
some deep  green  foliage.  (Bengale  Nabonnand  x 
Bengal  ordinary  Rose.)  The  five  preceding  varie- 
ties were  raised  by  MM.  P.  and  C.  Nabonnand, 
Golfe-.Juan,  Alpes-Maritimes. 

Mme.  Alvarez  del  Campo  (Rugosa). — Vigorous 
plant,  with  handsome  foliage  and  strong  shoots, 
bearing  large  buds  of  perfect  form  ;  very  big, 
odorous  flower,  flesh-pink,  slightly  tinted  with 
salmon,  reminding  one  of  Pink  Rover.  The  colour 
is  unique  among  Rugosa  hybrids.  Fruits  few  but 
large.     (Gloire  de  Dijon  X  Rugosa.) 

Mme.  Lucien  Villeminot  (Rugosa  Hybrid).  — 
Large,  almost  full  flower.  This  plant,  which  is 
fairly  vigorous,  somewhat  resembles  Conrad  Ferdi- 
nand Meyer,  of  which  it  is  a  product,  but  from 
which  it  clearly  differs  in  the  flowers,  which  are  of 
a  paler  pink.  (Conrad  Ferdinand  Meyer  x  Belle 
Poitevine. ) 

Amdlie  Qravtreaux  (Rugosa  Hybrid). — Large, 
almost  full  flowers  of  deep  purple-red,  showing 
clearly  the  characteristics  of  Eugene  Furst,  one  of 
the  parents.     This  ii  another  unique  colour  among 


to  the  list  of 
hardy  climbers. 
Raised  by  M.  L. 
Bolut,  Chauraont, 
Haute- Marne. 

Mme.  Marie 
Malaria  (Tea).  — 
Vigorous  ;  very 
dwarf  ;  medium  - 
sized  flower, 
always  opening 
well,  of  a  beauti- 
ful deep  yellow, 
taking,  especially 
in  autumn,  a  violet 
tint  ;  very  free. 
A  very  good 
variety.  Raised 
by  M.  Anloine 
Godard,  Thoisaey 
(Ain).  —  Lea  Hoses. 


THE   IRIS    (iARDIN    AT    HORIKIRI,    JAPAN. 

the  Rugosas.  (Rosa  gallica  x  Eugene  Furst  x 
Rugosa. ) 

Rose  a  parfum  de  I'Hay  (Rugosa  Hybrid). — 
This  variety,  thanks  to  its  exquisite  perfume,  is 
destined  to  replace  in  the  manufacture  of  essence 
of  Roses  the  species  now  cultivated  for  the  purpose. 
The  plant  is  vigorous,  and  easily  propagated  and 
grown.  Its  foliage  recalls  that  of  Rosa  gallica. 
The  flower  is  double,  globular,  slightly  flattened, 
and  of  a  beautiful  carmine  cherry-red,  with  the 
edges  of  the  petals  white.  These  four  Rugosa 
hybrids  were  raised  at  I'Hay  by  M.  Gravereaux, 
and  are  sent  out  by  M.  Cochet-Cochet,  Coubert, 
Seine-et-Marne. 

Smpereur  Nicolas  (Tea). — Vigorous  ;  very  large, 
full  flowers,  bright  red,  always  in  flower.  This 
variety,  from  its  colour  and  its  splendid  buds,  will 
always  be  a  favourite  for  forcing. 

Dona  Sol  Sluarl  (Tea). — Very  vigorous;  large, 
full,  well-shaped  white  flowers,  lightly  tinged  with 
yellow,  passing  into  pure  white  when  fully  open. 

Duchesse  d'Albe  (Tea). — Very  vigorous;  large, 
full,  globular  flowers,  finely  coloured,  changing, 
according  to  the  season,  from  clear  red  shading  to 
carmine-pink  and  coppery  red.  Very  free ;  a 
charming  variety. 

Jacques  Fould.  —  Vigorous ;  large,  full,  well- 
shaped  pink  flowers,  tinged  with  copper. 

Mine.  Achille  Fould.  —  Very  vigorous  ;  very 
large,  globular  flowers,  yellow,  tinted  with  bright 
carmine-pink,  and  shaded  with  coppery  red  ;  some- 
times altogether  clear  salmon-pink. 

Mme.  Louis  Ldvcque  (Climbing  Moss  Rose). — 
The  most  beautiful  Moss  Rose  j'et  raised  ;  it  has 
the  size  and  colour  of  Captain  Christy,  and  is 
extremely  mossy  ;  a  variety  of  the  first  order  ;  a 
Rose  that  has  a  great  future  for  forcing.  The  six 
preceding  varieties  have  been  raised  by  MM. 
LevC'que  et  fils,  Ivry-sur-Seine,  near  Paris. 

Mile.  Alice  Rousseau  (Climbing  Polyantha). — 
Vigorous  ;  the  bud  is  pink,  and  on  opening  becomes 
rose,  tinged  with  carmine. 

L' Ami  E.  Daumont  (Climber). — Very  vigorous; 
large,  conical  buds  ;  flower  scarlet-red  colour,  tinged 
with  pink  ;  the  outside  of  the  petals  is  purple. 
These  two  varieties  have  been  raised  by  M.  Rose 
Vilin,  Grisy-Suisne,  Seine-et-Marne. 

Mme.  Driout  ( Reine  Marie  Henriette  panachde). 
This  is  a  sport  from  Reine  Marie  Henriette,  with 
flowers  of  tender  pink,  striped,  spotted,  and  varie- 
gated with  bright  red.  The  plant  has  all  the 
qualities  of  the  parent ;   it  is  an  excellent  addition 


SWEET  BRIARS 

(HYBRID). 
These  pretty 
Roses  are  a 
delightful  chan{.e 
from  the  usual  run 
of  varieties  used 
for  decorative 
arches,  and  their 
early  flowering 
should  commend 
them  to  planters 
who  are  in  search 
of  Roses  of  this 
description.  Their 
lusty  vigour  seems  to  demand  something  better 
than  the  restricted  form  of  a  bush,  though  in 
this  form  when  isolated  there  is  no  need  to 
restrict  the  growths.  But  given  a  tolerably 
high  arch  on  which  their  shoots  may  be  sup- 
ported, the  necessary  bending  induces  a  very  free 
blossoming  quite  gorgeous  for  the  short  time  they 
remain  in  flower.  1  think  much  could  be  done  to 
make  Rose  arches  more  attractive  if  an  autumn- 
flowering  kind  were  planted  with  the  summer- 
flowering  variety,  as  unquestionably  the  flowerless 
arches  are  not  very  inviting  at  a  time  of  year  when 
one  expects  some  bloom,  even  though  they  leave 
a  pleasant  remembrance  of  their  early  summer 
glory.  With  this  object  in  view  I  would  suggest 
that  the  arches  be  made  somewhat  wider  than 
usual,  although  not  too  wide  to  make  them  appear 
ponderous.  An  intelligent  use  of  the  pruning- 
knife  in  summer,  autumn,  and  spring  will  render 
such  arches  quite  a  feature  of  one's  garden. 

P. 


GARDENS    IN     JAPAN, 

BACON  tells  us  that  "God  Almighty 
first  planted  a  garden  .  .  .  and 
indeed  it  is  the  purest  of  all  human 
pleasures."  And  he  follows  up  this 
goodly  opening  by  giving  a  pre- 
scription for  a  garden  which  was, 
apparently,  to  fulfil  his  ideal  of  Eden.  Not 
less  than  thirty  acres  must  be  its  measurement, 
and  the  lordly  domain,  divided  geometrically 
into  so  many  alleys,  so  many  terraces,  so  many 
plots,  was  to  be  decorated  with  much  "car- 
penter's work,"  with  "  broad  plates  of  round 
coloured  glass,  gilt,  for  the  siui  to  play  ujion," 
with  "pyramids  of  green,"  and  "over  every 
arch  a  little  turret  with  a  belly,  enough  to 
receive  a  cage  of  birds." 

While  the  courtly  philosopher  of  the  West 
was  rejoicing  in  his  dream  of  costly  ugliness, 
the  gardeners  of  the  East  had  laid  down  one 
maxim  for  their  own  guidance — the  garden 
must  be  its  owner's  world.  Here  is  his  bit  of 
beauty's  kingdom,  whose  every  stone  and  shrub 
and  rill  must  set  him  dreaming  of  the  moun- 
tain and  the  forest  and  the  sea ;  here,  between 
the  single  Pine  on  the  lakelet's  edge  and  the 


February  27,  190-1.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


151 


Maple  beside  the  "  moonshade  stone  "  on  the 
hillock's  top  lies  a  world  of  delicate  suggestion, 
fancy's  playground,  an  empire  of  romance. 

The  Japanese,  who  seems  somewhat  callous 
to  publicity  in  the  more  prosaic  matters  of  life, 
is  jealous  of  the  privacy  of  his  garden.  It  is 
the  place  for  rest  of  mind  as  well  as  rest  of 
body ;  here  he  meditates,  looks  forward  to  his 
peaceful  age,  or  back  on  the  days  of  his  youth. 
Here  he  effaces  his  own  personality  to  rejoice 
in  an  opening  bud,  or  mourn  over  some  short- 
lived loveliness.  All  the  associations  of  the 
garden  must  be  friendly,  either  calm  or  inspir- 
ing, according  to  the  owner's  age  and  character. 
In  the  house  many  concessions  may  be  made 
to  the  claims  of  material  life ;  in  the  garden, 
thought  is  all ;  and  when  the  .Japanese  thinks 
for  beauty's  sake,  the  result  is  an  unerring 
sense  of  proportion  in  art,  which  constrains  hira 
to  reject  the  most  beautiful  things  if  they  are 
superfluous  to  the  decoration  of  his  home  or 
foreign  to  its  character. 

The  character  or  leading  idea  of  the  garden 
is  the  first  thing  to  be  considered  by  the  land- 
scape gardener  in  Japan.  Here  in  Europe 
such  a  man  would  be  much  puzzled  at  receiving 
orders  to  lay  out  your  pleasauncc  so  as  to 
express  gentleness,  fidelity,  hope,  dignified 
seclusion,  or  self-abnegation.  There  is  a  garden 
attached  to  an  abbot's  palace  in  Tokuwamonji 
where  the  theme  carried  out  is  named  "The 
Power  of  Divine  Truth."  To  say  that  even  in 
the  hands  of  an  expert  these  fundamental  and 
complicated  ideas  could  be  made  compre- 
hensible to  all  classes  of  men  in  Japan'would 
be  untrue ;  they  rely  in  great  measure  on 
national  tradition,  on  historical,  religious, 
and  poetical  associations  ;   but  the  cultivated 


Japanese  reads  them  easily,  and  would  as 
sharply  criticise  any  incongruity  as  he  would 
condemn  any  tendency  to  display.  The  avoid- 
ance of  these  two  capital  faults  may  be  learnt 
by  a  little  study  of  the  Japanese  methods. 
Their  theory  is  based  on  Nature's  own  rules 
for  her  pictures  ;  she  does  not  give  us  flowers 
from  twenty  climates  blooming  together  on  an 
acre  of  ground  ;  she  does  not  plant  the  Lotus 
under  the  waterfall,  or  the  Kice  Lily  on  the 
arid  hill  ;  she  leads  us  from  grace  to  grace  by 
kind  degrees,  and  her  beauties  console,  delight, 
but  never  tire  us,  because  the  secret  of  all 
perfection  lies  in  gradation  and  harmony. 

Sheets  of  water,  small  or  large,  constitute  a 
feature  of  every  garden  where  wealth  gives  the 
power  to  place  them.  If  it  be  impossible  to 
have  a  lake,  then  a  tiny  pond,  or  a  rivulet, 
making  a  fall  of  spray,  will  keep  the  place  cool 
and  refresh  the  eye.  So  necessary,  in  a  Japa- 
nese gardener's  opinion,  is  the  sense  of  space 
created  by  water  that,  where  it  cannot  be  had,  | 
he  reminds  you  of  it  by  making,  at  the  foot  of 
your  hill  perhaps,  a  little  depression  where 
water  can  lie,  and  filling  it  with  small  white 
stones  that  catch  the  light  and  wear  an  illusory 
gleam,  like  the  surface  of  a  pond.  Along  the 
edges  he  piles  larger  stones,  high  and  rough  on 
one  side,  and  gently  shelving  on  the  opposite 
bank  ;  then  a  young  Pine  near  the  stones  will 
speak  of  the  Hama  matsu,  the  Pine  of  the  sea. 
Such  a  device  has  been  resorted  to  in  Prince 
Horita's  private  garden  at  Yokohama,  and 
the  illusion  is  carried  still  further  by  the 
meandering  stream  which  comes  to  feed 
the  pond,  intersecting  the  footpath  of  broad 
stones,  so  that  a  still  broader  flag  must 
be  laid  across   it    as   a  bridge.     Flat  stones 


are  of  great  importance  in  a  Japanese 
garden.  'They  traverse  the  grass  without  cut- 
ting it,  and,  where  laid  in  the  ungrassed  soil, 
make  a  good  contrast  to  its  deep  brown,  and 
give  an  impression  of  care.  In  large  gardens 
their  course  will  probably  lead  you  to  the  most 
admired  point  of  view  or  the  finest  group  of 
shrubs.  At  the  foot  of  a  hill  they  will  break 
into  rocky  steps,  bordered  on  either  side  by 
hardy  plants  such  as  love  the  mountains. 
When  the  summit  is  reached,  the  guiding  flags 
again  appear,  to  bring  you  to  the  tiny  rest- 
house  or  the  sacred  Pine.  In  many  Japanese 
gardens  no  turf  is  used,  and  the  open  spaces 
are  covered  with  a  fine  beaten  earth,  kept 
cool  and  dark  by  constant  sprinkling.  In  the 
periodical  deluges  of  rain  which  visit  Japan, 
the  stepping-stones  are  useful  in  the  extreme. 
They  are  sometimes  placed  in  sequences  of 
threes  or  fives,  then  broken  by  an  islet  of  small 
stones  laid  close  together.  Beginning  as  a 
rule  near  the  house,  and  starting  from  the 
broad  slab  just  below  the  verandah  step  (called 
the  "  removing-of-boots  stone "),  they  curve 
away  to  the  different  parts  of  the  garden,  their 
courfe  and  sequence  apparently  the  result  of 
chance,  in  reality  directed  by  the  most  minute 
considerations  of  beauty  and  convenience. 

After  the  stepping-stones  come  the  orna- 
mental stones  of  the  garden,  of  which  Japanese 
catalogues  give  an  immense  number.  Their 
choice  must  be  regulated  by  the  natural  forma- 
tion and  character  of  the  ground,  but  they  are 
estimated  as  so  essential  that  some  authorities 
call  them  the  framework  of  the  garden,  and 
rank  the  trees  and  shrubs  as  their  accessories 
or  supports.  So  the  stones  are  put  in  place 
first,  great  care  being  taken  that  their  size  shall 


A  WISTARIA  BOWEB  IN   JAPAN. 


152 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[February  27,  1904. 


not  dwarf  a  small  garden,  or  be  swallowed  up 
in  a  big  one.  Once  in  a  gardener's  hands  they 
become  to  him  the  rocks  and  boulders  of  a 
natural  landscape ;  the  rounded  masses  of 
shrubs  so  constantly  placed  near  them  repre- 
sent hills,  and  are  made  to  roll  up  one  behind 
the  other  to  the  foot  of  the  great  stones,  just  as 
the  uplands  roll  to  the  base  of  the  towering 
peaks  and  precipices  of  O  Tome  Tuge  or  Miogi 
San.  The  group  of  upright  stones  in  the 
central  background  of  Prince  Horita's  garden 
forcibly  recalls  a  well-known  point  on  the 
Miogi  San,  or  Maiden  Pass.  It  is  dittiealt^  to 
be  brief  where  so  much  fresh  and  interesting 
material  asks  to  be  handled  ;  but  one  who  knew 
his  subject  lovingly  and  well  summed  up  the 
art  of  Japanese  gardening  in  a  few  true  words : 
"  To  let  the  eye,  wherever  it  wanders,  rest  on 
something  beautiful  ;  not  to  ignore  the  smallest 
of  Nature's  works,  and  to  seek  to  obtain  from 
everything  something  to  add  to  the  day's 
delight." 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is   not   responsible  for    the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 

MAPLE  SUGAE. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  R^_Noticing  the  interesting  picture  of 
the  Sugar  Maple  in  your  issue  of  the  '23rd 
ult.,  I  observe  A.  C.  Birtlett'a  comment 
on  Maple  sugar,  which  is  qui  le  misleading. 
He  says  that  "  formerly  the  tapping  of 
the  trees  in  spring  was  an  important 
undertaking,"  and  that,  although  considered  to  be 
quite  equal  to  cane  sugar,  "it  but  rarely  found  its 
way  into  commerce."  Maple  sugar  cannot  be 
compared  with  cine  sugar,  because  its  place  in 
domestic  economy  is  entirely  distinct,  but  it  is  of 
commercial  importance  in  a  number  of  northern 
States  and  in  Canada.  In  1S99  Vermont  produced 
4,779,8701b  o£  Maple  sugar,  valued  at  464, 132  dols., 
and  160,918  gallons  of  Maple  syrup,  worth 
134,821  dols.  New  York  produced  3,623,5401b.  of 
this  sugar,  value  307,184  dols.,  and  413,159 
gallons  of  syrup,  value  323,996  dols.  ;  Ohio, 
613,9901b.  of  sugar,  wortb  48,736  dols.,  and 
923,519  gallons  of  syrup,  worth  616,490  dols.  ; 
Pennsylvania,  1,429,5401b.  of  sugar,  worth  115,910 
dols.,  and  160,297  gallons  of  syrup,  worth  123,863 
dola. 

These  represent  the  chief  producing  states, 
but  other  states  supply  the  product  in  lesser 
volume.  To  the  northern  farmer  a  good  "sugar 
bush,"  as  the  Maple  grove  is  termed,  is  a  valuable 
asset.  Before  the  enactment  of  stricter  pure  food 
laws  this  product  was  much  adulterated  orimitated, 
a  syrup  of  cane  sugar  often  being  flivoured  with 
Maple  chips  and  other  materials,  and  then  put  up 
in  attractive  packages  labelled  as  "  Pure  Vermont 
Maple  syrup." 

This  syrup  is  not  so  heavy  in  body  as  ordinary 
molasses'  or  treacle,  but  it  is  very  sweet,  not 
cloying,  and  possessed  of  a  flavour  unlike  anything 
else.  It  is  the  only  righteous  accompaniment  of 
that  great  American  institution,  the  Buckwheat 
cake,  and  every  "quick  lunch  "  restaurant  all  over 
the  country  invariably  serves  a  little  pitcher  of 
this  syrup  with  every  order  of  griddle  cakes.  It 
also  blends  well  with  any  preparation  of  Indian 
meal.  The  sugar  is  mainly  used  in  confections.  In 
its  simplest  form,  that  of  the  syrup  boiled  down 
until  it  sugars,  it  is  the  same  colour  as  old- 
fashioned  brown  sugar,  hard  and  solid,  moulded 
into  little  fluted  cakes  or  large  pound  bricks.  It  is 
delicious,  and  one  of  the  most  wholesome  sweets  a 
child  may  eat.  Enriched  by  other  materials,  the 
confectioners  use  it  as  a  basis  tor  many  bonbons. 
For  domestic  use  the  sugar  is  often  grated  fine,  and 
thus  used  on  hot  cakes  like  the  syrup.  Thus  grated 
and  stirred  into  whipped  cream,  or  white  of  egg 
beaten  to  a  froth,  it  is  an  excellent  pudding  sauce. 
It  forms  a  basis  for  icings,  and  is  used  in  various 


cakes.  A  rich  layer  cake,  with  an  icing  of  Maple 
sugar  between  the  layers,  masked  with  the  same 
icing,  and  decorated  with  halves  of  walnuts,  is 
worth  trying.  Maple  sugar  is  also  used  in  ices  and 
other  frozen  desserts. 

Maple  sugar  making  begins  in  late  winter  or 
early  spring,  just  as  soon  as  sap  begins  to  run.  It 
ends  with  the  departure  of  frost,  as  the  sap  does 
not  sugar  well  or  possess  the  right  flavour  when 
the  nights  begin  to  grow  warm,  and  the  sap  then 
ceases  to  run.  In  many  localities  the  work  is  at 
its  highest  activity  while  snow  is  on  the  ground. 
A  sudden  and  prolonged  warm  spell  in  the  height 
of  the  season  means  disaster  to  the  industry.  Last 
spring  we  had  warm  spring  weather  in  February 
and  March,  with  a  killing  frost  in  May,  and  sugar 
makers  suffered  heavy  loss,  especially  in  Ohio. 
One  correspondent  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio, 
stated  that  the  failure  of  the  Maple  crop  was  as 
great  a  calamity  to  his  community  as  the  failure  of 
a  trusted  savings  bank. 

The  elegant  habit  and  stately  growth  of  the 
Sugar  Maple  makes  it  a  favourite  shade  tree  here. 
No  Maple  sugar  is  now  made  in  my  locality,  though 
it  is  produced  to  a  limited  extent  in  New  .Jersey, 
and  was  one  of  my  juvenile  diversions  in  a  small 
way.  Trees  are  tapped  year  after  year  without 
detriment  when  the  work  is  carefully  done. 

Emily  Taplin  Royle. 

May  wood,  N.J.,  February  4. 


WINTER  PRUNING  OF  CURRANT 
BUSHES. 
[To  THE  Editor  or  "The  Garden."] 
,SiR^_If  these  trees  are  thinned  out  in  the  summer 
there  is  much  less  pruning  to  do  at  this  season. 
With  regard  to  the  Black  Currant  none  at  all  is 
required,  as  the  pruning  is  much  better  done  when 
the  fruits  are  gathered.  I  think  the  trees  give  a 
much  better  return  when  the  thinning  out  is  done 
at  the  season  named,  as  the  exposure  given  to  the 
fruit-buds,  which  are  then  less  crowded,  is  bene- 
ficial. Another  matter  often  overlooked  in  winter 
pruning  is  that  both  Red  and  White  Currants  are 
spurred  in  closely,  and  as  the  trees  get  old  they  are 
inclined  to  weaken.  This  can  be  avoided  by  leaving 
new  strong  shoots  at  the  base,  and,  when  these  are 
large  enough,  the  old  wood  may  be  removed.  It  is 
surprising  how  much  better  the  trees  bear  when 
new  wood  is  worked  in  by  degrees  and  the  older 
is  removed.  Though  there  must  be  no  crowding, 
the  new  wood  will  give  much  finer  bunches.  Trees 
that  have  outgrown  their  limits  and  are  at  all 
weak  may  be  much  improved  by  reducing  and 
working  in  new  wood.  It  may  take  two  or  three 
years,  but  such  trees,  in  addition  to  their  appear- 
ance, well  repay  by  the  improved  quality  of  the 
fruits.  There  must  be  no  overcrowding  at  the 
base.  W.  S.  M. 


the  plants  are  well  rooted  they  will  quickly  come 
into  flower  if  placed  in  a  warm  house  fairly  near  to 
the  glass,  and  will  bear  ripe  fruits,  anil,  it  goes 
without  saying,  also  much  finer  fruits  than  plants 
brought  in  direct  from  outside.  Of  course,  I  know 
that  it  is  not  always  possible  to  give  .Strawberry 
plants  the  careful  treatment  one  would  like  to, 
especially  where  thousands  are  grown,  but  it  more 
than  repays  the  cultivator  to  get  them  well  rooted 
before  forcing  them  into  flower,  and  any  little 
inconvenience  that  this  may  occasion  is  well  worth 
overcoming. 

Another  important  point  in  connexion  with 
Strawberry  forcing  is  this  :  make  quite  sure  that 
the  embryo  fruits  are  properlj'  formed  before 
removing  the  plants  from  the  cool,  airy  conditions 
they  have  enjoyed  while  in  flower  to  a  warmer  and 
moist  houde.  Unless  this  is  done  deformed  and 
stunted  fruits  are  certain  to  result.  Instead  of 
swelling  away  quickly,  as  they  should  do  when 
placed  in  a  warm,  moist  atmosphere,  they  become 
hard,  fail  to  develop,  and  mature  (they  do  not 
ripen)  premiturely.  Some  gardeners  make  a  point 
of  removing  the  pLints  from  the  house  in  which 
they  have  flowered  as  soon  as  the  petals  have 
fallen,  taking  this  as  a  guide.  It  is,  however,  by 
no  means  an  infallible  one.  When  the  petals  fall 
the  embryo  fruits  may  or  may  not  be  formed. 
Until  they  are  formed  it  is  obviously  impossible 
for  them  to  develop.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the 
plants  may  be  transferred  to  warmer  quarters  only 
when  the  numerous  tiny  pistils  that  cover  the 
embrj'o  fruit  have  shrivelled.  It  is  these  that 
should  give  the  clue,  not  the  falling  petals.  The 
petals  may  fall  from  reasons  which  have  nothing 
whatever  to  do  with  the  fertilisation  of  the  blooius, 
such  as  the  plant  suffering  from  want  of  water,  for 
instance.  It  is  true,  of  course,  that  the  petals  of 
flowers  do  fall  when  the  latter  are  fertilised,  and 
this  occurrence  has  probably  caused  many  to  take 
it  as  a  guide.  It  is  astonishing  how  quickly  the 
small  fruits  will  develop  once  they  are  properly 
"  set ; "  the  few  ex  tra  days  in  the  cool  house  are  more 
than  made  up  for  by  the  rapid  development  after- 
wards. A.  P.  H. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


STRAWBERRY     FORCING-SOME 
WIDESPREAD    ERRORS. 

ONE  of  the  most  important  fruit  crops 
k  under  glass  at  this  time  of  the  year  is 
I  that  of  the  Strawberry,  and  I  should 
I  like  to  point  out  one  or  two  errors 
in  practice  which  are  wide-spread 
and  responsible  for  not  a  little  of  the 
failure  to  force  Srawberries  successfully.  Two  of 
the  most  important  mistakes  are  made  with  the 
idea  of  saving  time,  or,  in  other  words,  of  hastening 
the  production  of  ripe  fruit.  It  is,  however,  a 
fallacy  to  suppose  that  wrong  methods  will  achieve 
that  object ;  not  only  will  no  time  be  saved,  but 
the  results  will  be  disappointing.  In  the  first  place, 
it  is  impossible  successfully  to  force  Strawberry 
plants  into  bloom  before  they  are  well  rooted.  If 
it  is  possible,  before  bringing  them  into  the  forcing 
house,  the  pots  should  be  plunged  for  a  few  weeks 
in  a  bed  of  leaves  made  up  in  a  pit  or  frame,  so  as 
to  encourage  root  growth.  Keep  the  frame  quite 
cool,  so  as  not  to  excite  leaf-growth  at  all.     When 


WHY    RESTRICT    THE    VINE? 

Why  should  we  restrict  the  growth  of  the  Vine 
when  other  fruit  trees  grown  under  glass  are 
allowed  to  develop  naturally '/  Take  the  Peach, 
the  Fig,  the  Pear,  the  Cherry — who  would  think  of 
making  cordons  of  these  and  expect  to  secure  an 
abundant  crop  of  fruit  and  have  long-lived  trees  ? 
Yet  why  restrict  the  Vine  to  one  rod,  and  by  an 
annual  severe  pruning  stunt  its  growth  and  weaken 
its  energies?  A  plea  for  the  extension  or  more 
natural  growth  of  the  Vine  has  on  several  occasions 
been  put  forward  in  The  Garden,  for,  as  it  has 
been  pointed  out,  it  then  becomes  much  more 
healthy  and  vigorous,  less  liable  to  disease,  and 
enjoys  a  longer  life.  The  few  remarkable  examples 
of  large  Vines  in  this  country  have  been  referred  to 
in  support  of  this  argument,  but  it  is  not  necessary 
to  point  out  such  rare  instances  of  the  benefit 
arising  from  the  practice  of  allowing  the  Vine  to 
grow  freely. 

Take  a  much  more  common  and  also  even  a  more 
valuable  case — namel3',  that  of  the  great  market 
nurseries,  from  where  tons  of  Grapes  are  annually 
sent  to  market.  You  will  invariably  find  that  the 
Vines  are  trained  with  two  stems,  and  not  with  one, 
as  is  usuall3'  the  case  in  private  gardens,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  that  market  growers  would  allow  each 
Vine  to  have  several  more  stems  if  it  were  not  that 
they  cannot  afford  to  wait.  They  must  fill  their 
houses  quickl}',  and  therefore  cannot  afford  to  allow 
more  than  two  stems  to  each  Vine  ;  and  we  may 
be  fairly  sure  that  the  man  who  has  his  living  to 
make  from  his  (! rapes  knows  how  best  to  procure 
heavy  crops.  It  is  curious  how  the  system  of 
single-rod  training  should  have  become  so  widely 
practised  throughout  the  country.  It  certainly 
cannot  have  been  because  heavier  crops  were  ob- 
tained that  way.  If  the  Vines  in  many  gardens 
were  converted  from  single  to  double  or  even  treble 
cordons,  I  feel  sure  they  would  give  better  results 
so  far  as  the  crop  is  concerned,  and  would  thereby 
take  a  longer  lease  of  life  also.  A.  P.  H. 


February  27,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


153 


BEGONIA   MRS.    H.   T.   DIXSON. 

Winter  -  flowering  Begonias  have  been  a 
great  deal  to  the  front  lately,  and  they  have 
proved  most  valuable  plants  for  brightening  the 
greenhouse  and  conservatory  at  a  dull  time  of 
the  year.  The  Begonia  shown  in  the  accom- 
panying illustration  received  an  award  of  merit 
from  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  the 
9th  inst.,  when  shown  by  Mr.  H.  T.  Dixson, 
Woodside  Nursery,  Polegate.  It  is  a  very  free- 
flowering  variety,  and  is  at  its  best  during 
■winter ;  for  this  reason  it  is  certain  to  be 
welcome  ;  the  flowers  are  pink.  The  parents 
are  said  to  be  B.  Schmidte  alba  and  Goliath, 
the  first  named  being  the  seed  parent. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FLOWER   GARDEN. 

CARNATIO^S. 

PLANTS  in  pots  which  have  wintered  in 
pits  or  frames  should,  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, be  planted  out.  After  making 
the  soil  firm  it  will  be  advisable  to  screen 
them  for  a  few  days  with  some  short 
evergreen  branches.  For  a  large  bed.  Car- 
nations associated  with  Gladiolus  of  the  gandavensis, 
Lemoinei,  or  nancyanus  types  are  verj'  effective. 


Begonias.  now  until  the  foliage  begins  to  ripen  is  the  best 

If  the  room  can  be  spared  tubers  intended   for    J'""®    ^o    feed    these    beautiful    Amaryllids.      The 
summer  bedding  should  now  be  placed  in  boxes  of    '■'^8''*"'    Lycoris  squamigera  is   a   desirable  com 


soil  and  started  in  gentle  heat.  A  suitable  compost 
is  two  parts  broken  loam  and  one  of  leaf-mould, 
with  plenty  of  sand,  and  a  good  layer  of  decayed 
manure  in  the  bottom  of  the  box.  The  tubers 
should  be  kept  moderately  dry  until  they  show 
signs  of  growth.  Grow  the  plants  as  cool  as 
possible  and  they  will  be  much  hardier  and  better 


panion   to  the  Amaryllis,  and   is  amenable  to  the 
same  culture.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarroio  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

Carnation  Hocses. 

Those  plants  of  tree  Carnations  that  are  in  full 


for  planting  out  next   June  than  those  which  are    ^hose  plants  ot  tree  (carnations  that  are  in  tuil 
started  at  a  later  date  in  a  forcing  house.     As  soon    °°^<'''  ^°"'a  be  better  placed  m  a  cool,  well-aired 

-    temperature,  with  a  little  shade  during  the  day 

from  very  hot  sunshine,  as  the  open  flowers  under 
these  conditions  would  contine  perfect  for  a  much 


as  they  can  be  handled,  seedlings  should  be  pricked 
off  and  kept  growing.  The  Semperflorens  section 
will  soon  require  to  be  started  on  the  same  lines  as 
advised  tor  the  tubers.  If  it  is  intended  to  increase 
the  stock  the  plants  may  now  be  divided  and  for  a 
short  time  placed  in  a  warmer  house. 

Gladiolds,  &c. 

As  weather  permits  the  corms  should  be  planted. 
If  not  done  last  autumn  when  storing  the  offsets 
should  be  rubbed  off  and  planted  closely  in  nursery 
beds;  in  a  few  seasons  these  will  yield  a  good 
quantity  ot  out  flowers. 

Hj'acinthus  (Galtonia)  candicans  also  require  to 


border  in  front  of  the  glass  houses,   these  noble- 


BEGONIA   MRS.   H.  T.  DIXSON, 


(^aHmtl  size.) 


longer  period,  and,  as  well  as  being  careful  in  the 
application  of  water  to  their  roots,  stimulants  of 
any  description  should  be  rigidly  withheld.  Cuttings 
inserted  as  advised  a  month  ago  should  by  this 
time  be  well  rooted,  and,  if  not  already  done, 
should  be  potted  singly  into  2J-inch  pots  and  be 
given  a  position  close  to  the  glass,  and  for  a  time 
a  moist,  close  atmosphere. 

Malmaisons. 
To  the  roots  of  those  plants  that  are  growing 
and  producing  their  flower-spikes  afford  a  little 
be  planted;  with  these  it  will  be  advisable  to  place  liquid  stimulant,  and  to  others,  the  flower-spikes 
the  bulbs  on  a  layer  of  sand.  Eucomis  punctata  ot  which  are  well  advanced,  give  a  little  Clay's 
are  too  often  restricted  to  pot  culture  in  the  green-  Fertilizer.  Attend  well  to  staking  and  tying  up 
house.  It  given  liberal  culture  and  a  warm  sunny  the  flower-spikes,  as  well  as  to  the  removal  ot  all 
position,  such  as  at  the  toot  of    a   wall,   or  in  a    surplus     flower-buds.      Carefully     remove     every 

1  diseased  leaf.     Water  with  the  utmost  care,  and 
afford  air  in  abundance.     Fumigate  occasionall}'. 

Smilax 
is  a  plant  without  which  scarcely  any  decorative 
arrangement  is  complete.  Dividing  the  roots  of 
established  plants  is  a  method  of  propagation  that 
is  frequently  adopted,  but  plants  that  are  raised 
annually  from  seeds  sown  now  are  perhaps  the 
best,  as  they  appear  to  possess  a  much  freer  habit 
of  growth. 

Asparagus  Sprf.kgeri  and  A.  PLniiosA 
are  not  diificult  to  raise  from  seeds,  which  sow  at 
once,  so  as  to  afford  time  for  the  young  plants  to 
develop  by  the   following   autumn   into   a   useful 
decorative    size.      The    old    plants,    from    which 
during  the  winter  their  foliage  has  been  cut  for 
use,   should   now  have   a   portion  of   the  old  soil 
shaken   away  from    the   roots  and  afterwards   be 
repotted  into  new,  or  in  some   cases  top-dressing 
only  may  be  necessary.     It  is  difficult  sometimes 
to  do  other  than  divide 
or  split  up  into  smaller 
portions  those  that  are 
in     baskets  :     but     the 
divided     parts    may    be 
■placed  into  small  -  sized 
pots,    and    in    this   way 
they  will    form   service- 
able     plants      by      the 
autumn.     For  filling 
baskets     Asparagus 
Spreugeri  and  A.  deflexus 
are    most   suitable,    and 
when    growing    in    this 
way  afford    them   water 
in  abundance  at  the  roots 
and    a    well  -  moistened 
atmosphere. 

Salvia  splendens 

grandiflora. 
The      bright      scarlet 
flowers  of    this    during 
the  autumn  make  a  grand 
display    in     the     green- 
house.   It  is  not  difficult 
to     raise      from      seed, 
which,  if  sown  at  once 
and    placed    in   a    brisk 
heat  to  germinate,  should  by  autumn  grow  into  good 
specimens;  or  from  stock  plants  cuttings  tor  propa- 
gation can  be  obtained.   Salvia  splendens  grandiflora 
nana  is  an  exact  counterpart  ot  the  former,  except 
that  it  is  much  dwarfer  in  growth. 

BrOWALLIA    SPECrOSA    MAJOR. 

This   is    a   greenhouse   plant    that    during    the 
winter  months  bears  an  abundance  of  large  blue 


looking  plants  will  throw  up 
their  spikes  to  a  height  ot  nearly 
3  feet. 

The  Belladonna  Lily  has  just 
commenced  to  grow,  and  in  the 
colder  parts  of  the  country  it  will 
be  advisable  to  give  some  protec- 
tion against  severe  frosts.     From 


154 


THE    GARDEN. 


[February  27,  1904. 


flowers.  The  plants  when  well  managed  can  be 
grown  to  a  height  of  2  feet,  and  be  formed  into 
good  specimens  ;  but  to  do  this  sow  the  seeds  at 
once,  raise  them  in  a  brisk  heat,  and  on  their 
appearance  through  the  soil  gradually  inure  them 
to  more  air  and  light.  J.  P.  Leadeetter. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  HuU. 

KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Herbs. 
In  most  gardens  an  extensive  collection  of  these 
are  grown,  and  as  they  differ  greatly  in  growth  and 
hardiness  the  present  is  a  good  time  to  divide, 
manure,  and  rearrange  them.  Vigour  is  increased 
by  turning  them  out  every  third  or  fourth  year, 
and  giving  the  ground  a  manuring  and  having  it 
well  trenched.  Mint  may  be  said  to  be  most  in 
demand  in  the  kitchen,  and  is  an  easy  subject  to 
manage.  If  this  is  not  well  fed  at  the  root  the 
growth  gets  stunted,  the  stems  wiry,  and  the  leaves 
small.  Tarragon,  which  requires  a  slight  protec- 
tion during  severe  frost,  may  be  divided  now  along 
with  Chives,  Thyme,  and  Sorrel.  The  herb  border 
ought  to  be  neatly  arranged  and  all  carefully 
labelled.  The  annual  varieties  ought  to  be  sown 
on  or  near  the  same  piece  of  ground.  Most  of 
them  may  be  sown  in  gentle  heat  next  month  and 
planted  out  about  the  end  of  April. 
Spinach. 
Autumn-sown  Spinach  is  now  beginning  to  make 
a  little  growth.  The  prickly-seeded  variety  has 
stood  the  excessive  wet  best.  A  slight  sprinkling 
of  guano  or  reliable  fertiliser  should  be  given 
between  the  rows  and  hoed  in.  Similar  treatment 
may  be  given  to  autumn-sown  Parsley. 

Globe  Artichokes. 
These  will  soon  be  starting  into  growth,  and 
where  it  is  necessary  to  increase  the  stock  the 
plants  may  be  divided  or  suckers  taken  from  the 
old  stools.  Plant  on  a  fairly  dry  border,  as  this 
plant  is  liable  to  die  out  if  grown  on  wet,  heavy 
land.  The  young  plants  should  be  put  in  rows 
4  feet  each  way.  A  mulching  of  rough  stable 
manure  may  be  given  now  and  kept  on  till  the  end 
of  next  month.  This  plant  may  also  be  increased  by 
sowing  seed  now  in  heat,  and  if  well  managed  will 
show  a  good  supply  of  heads  next  season. 

Asparagus. 

Where  large  quantities  of  this  vegetable  are 
lifted  annually  for  forcing  preparations  should  be 
made  now  to  increase  the  stock  by  seed-sowing. 
It  is  much  the  better  plan  to  do  this  under  glass 
than  to  sow  out  of  doors.  By  sowing  now  plants 
may  be  had  ready  for  planting  about  the  end  of 
May.  Land  for  this  crop  should  receive  a  liberal 
allowance  of  the  best  farmyard  manure  obtainable. 
This  might  be  enriched  by  a  good  coating  of  sea- 
weed, or,  if  the  land  is  heavy,  sea-sand.  It  is  too 
early  yet  to  remove  the  covering  from  the  per- 
manent beds.  The  mild  weather  and  the  entire 
absence  of  severe  frosts  will  be  certain  to  start  this 
early  into  growth.  When  the  protecting  material 
has  been  cleared,  the  beds  should  receive  a  slight 
application  of  manure,  salt  being  most  beneficial. 
Several  inches  of  sea-sand  have  also  been  found  of 
great  assistance.  The  beds  should  be  marked  off 
anew  each  spring,  soil  being  taken  from  the  alleys 
to  make  up  the  edgings.  Thomas  Hat. 

Hopetoun  Hoiise  Gardens,  X.B. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Hardy  Fruits— Peaches  and  Nectarines. 

The  buds  of  these  trees  are  swelling  fast,  and,  if 
not  already  done,  the  pruning  and  nailing  should 
not  be  deferred  any  longer.  Very  little  pruning 
will  be  required  if  the  trees  received  proper  atten- 
tion in  disbudding  and  the  thinning  out  as  advised 
in  these  columns  in  the  autumn.  The  young 
shoots  should  be  tied  in  about  6  inches  apart, 
generally  leaving  them  their  full  length.  Where 
the  trees  are  nailed  the  old  shreds  and  nails  should 
be  removed,  and  burnt  over  a  fire  before  using 
again.  Use  tar  twine  for  the  main  branches  and 
narrow  shreds,  as  wide  ones  harbour  insects  later, 
which  are  difficult  to  remove.     Where  the  walls 


are  wired  care  should  be  taken  not  to  tie  the  young 
shoots  too  tightly  or  the  trees  will  often  canker 
badly. 

It  is  a  good  plan  to  twist  the  ties  round  the 
wires  first  before  tying  the  shoots.  Syringe  the 
trees  over  when  finished  with  Quassia  Extract, 
and  this  will  generally  carry  them  over  the  blooming 
period  safely.  Where  temporary  protection  only 
is  given  the  poles  should  be  placed  in  position  so 
that  the  material  may  be  quickly  fixed  when 
required.  This  should  be  done  just  before  the 
flowers  open.  Tanned  netting  is  cheap,  easily  and 
quickly  fixed,  and  can  also  be  used  later  for  pro- 
tecting ripe  fruit. 

Fig  Trees. 

Trees  grown  outside  should  be  pruned  and  nailed 
at  once,  unless  covered  up  with  straw  or  other 
protection,  when  the  work  may  be  put  off  a  little 
longer.  In  pruning  the  trees  cut  out  any  of  the 
old  wood  where  it  can  be  spared,  leaving  the  young 
shoots  so  that  the  trees  are  well  furnished  with 
bearing  wood. 

Strawberries. 

Old  plantations  of  Strawberries  should  have  a 
dressing  of  soot  or  charred  refuse  from  pruning, 
&c.,  a  good  dressing  of  short  stable  litter  being 
afterwards  carefully  placed  round  the  plants.  The 
rains  will  wash  this  clean  before  the  berries 
ripen.  Plants  set  out  last  autumn  should  be  looked 
over  when  the  ground  is  dry  enough,  as  some  of 
the  plants  are  sure  to  have  been  lifted  out  of  the 
ground  by  frost. 

Nuts. 

The  pruning  of  these  should  now  be  done. 
Remove  all  the  suckers  from  the  stems  and  any 
strong  growths  that  are  not  well  furnished.  The 
chief  object  is  to  keep  the  centre  of  the  trees 
open  ;  tie  down  the  shoots  to  a  stake,  and  cut  any 
shoots  back  to  the  required  length.  Old  trees 
will  be  benefited  by  a  mulching  of  Mushroom 
manure  or  old  potting  soil. 

hnpney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


ORCHI  DS. 

PLEIONES   OR   INDIAN   CROCUSES. 
An  Interesting  Way  of  Growing. 

CERS  of  flowers  who  are  not  more  or  less 
interested  in  these  prett}'  alpine  Orchids 
are  few.  As  is  well  known  to  many  of 
your  readers,  they  are  natives  of  the 
lower  and  middle  zones  of  the  Hima- 
laya, hence  the  familiar  name  of  Indian 
Crocus.  Nearly  all  the  varieties  cultivated  in 
British  gardens  flower  from  October  to  January. 
They  are  by  no  means  difficult  to  grow  well,  and 
it  is  not  at  all  necessary  to  have  a  separate  Orchid 
house  for  the  purpose,  as  an  ordinary  plant  stove 
or  other  structure  with  a  somewhat  similar 
temperature  in  the  spring  and  summer  months  will 
do.  For  some  years  past  we  have  grown  a  batch 
to  come  into  flower  for  dinner  table  decoration  at 
the  annual  shooting  parlies  early  in  November. 
The  kinds  we  have  are  P.  Lagenaria  and  P.  raaculata, 
though  similar  treatment  will  answer  for  others.  As 
we  are  about  to  repot  or  reblock  our  stock,  a  friend 
suggested  a  short  time  ago  that  he  thought  a  few 
notesonour  method  of  doing  this  would  interest  some 
of  your  readers.  This  was  said  more  especially  as  to 
growing  them  on  blocks  of  wood.  For  some  years 
we  did  this  on  upright  pieces  of  Elder  wood,  say, 
about  S  inches  in  diameter  and  of  heights  varying 
from  1  foot  to  18  inches.  We  cut  them  level  at 
their  lower  ends  and  stood  them  in  shallow  pans 
about  9  inches  in  diameter,  these  being  filled  with 
suitable  soil  and  planted  with  small  Ferns  in  some 
cases,  and  in  others  with  Fittonias  in  variety.  If 
preferred  the  two  might  be  used  together. 

The  object  in  each  case  is  to  make  a  natural  base 
out  of  which  the  block  seems  to  spring.  The 
rooting  medium  for  the  Pleiones  is  made  up  of 
one-half  small  nodules  of  turfy  loam,  the  other  half 
being  composed  of  tough  peat  and  chopped 
sphagnum  moss.  Having  chosen  the  best  bulblets 
and  also  some  small  plants  of  Episcia  Cyrtodeira,  a 
very  pretty  dwarf-growing  stove  foliage  plant,  and 


a  few  rhizomes  of  Davallia  buUata  (the  Fern  Ball 
Davallia),  we  began  to  cover  up  the  stems.  It  was 
necessary  to  begin,  say,  from  4  inches  to  6  inches 
from  their  bases,  according  to  their  height.  With 
a  small  bundle  of  very  thin  copper  wire  a  handy 
man  will  soon  make  up  a  dozen  of  them,  which  is 
the  most  we  ever  grew. 

From  ten  to  twelve  bulblets  of  the  Pleiones  are 
put  to  each  stem  or  block.  When  finished  Ihey 
are  stood  in  an  intermediate  house,  say,  with  a 
night  temperature  of  55'^.  If  well  watered  at  first 
ver}'  little  more  will  be  required  for,  say,  a  month, 
though  if  the  weather  is  bright  a  dewing  over  with 
a  syringe,  using  both  now  and  hereafter  tepid  rain 
water,  will  be  an  advantage. 

By  the  middle  of  March  they  may  be  stood  on  a 
side  stage  in  a  plant  stove.  During  their  whole 
period  of  active  growth  a  good  supply  of  water 
will  be  required.  When  the  foliage  is  fully  grown 
and  the  new  bulblets  are  being  formed,  it  is  a  good 
thing  to  dip  each  block  weekly  in  water  ale- 
coloured  with  cow  urine. 

As  soon  as  the  foliage  begins  to  decay  less  water 
will  be  required,  but  in  this  form  of  culture  the 
rooting  material  should  never  become  too  dry. 
When  the  foliage  falls  off  the  blocks  may  be  put 
on  a  stage  or  shelf  in  a  vinerj'  where  the  Grapes 
are  ripening.  Some  care  will  be  required  in  timing 
them  for  flowering,  as  the  flowers  are  not  long 
lived  after  fully  open. 

During  the  past  few  years  we  have  grown  our 
main  stock  on  pieces  of  Elder  wood  similar  in  size 
and  character  to  the  ones  described,  except  that 
they  are  intended  for  laying  on  the  cloth,  not 
standing  upright.  In  this  case  the  under  side  of 
the  block  is  flattened  with  a  hatchet.  They  are 
then  covered  with  the  same  mixture  of  soil  and 
foliage  plants  worked  in  with,  say,  from  twelve  to 
fourteen  bulblets  on  each  block  from  1-1  inches  to 
16  inches  long.  It  is  not  necessary  to  have  the 
Elder  wood  quite  straight  in  this  case.  If  bent 
somewhat  it  gives  them  a  more  natural  appearance. 
The  object  in  both  cases  is  to  put  on  the  dinner 
table  what  appears  to  be  a  natural  bough  or  branch 
covered  with  indigenous  growth  of  a  tropical  or 
semi-tropical  nature. 

Pleiones  for  Table  Decoration. 

We  had  some  for  putting  on  the  table  last 
October  that  had  from  thirty-five  to  forty  flowers 
open  and  opening.  As  a  gentleman  who  saw  them 
said  to  me  at  the  time,  "Clayton,  you  might  have 
gone  into  an  Indian  forest  and  cut  them  oflF  for  the 
occasion."  Those  of  your  readers  who  have  not 
tried  this  method  of  table  decoration  will  find  it 
interesting.  As  will  be  seen,  it  is  capable  of 
development,  apart  from  using  Pleiones.  Several 
of  the  choicer  scandent  or  senii-soandent  stove 
foliage  plants  can  be  worked  up  for  the  purpose. 
I  have  an  idea  that  especially  the  stronger  of  the 
Anoictochili  might  prove  of  use.  Why  we  use 
Elder  wood  is  because  there  is  plenty  of  it  in  the 
woods  here,  and  its  bark  being  of  a  spongy  nature 
it  holds  moisture  well.  I  have  no  doubt  that  any 
other  rough-barked  tree,  say.  Elm,  Acacia,  or 
Pear,  would  afford  suitable  material.  Be  careful 
not  to  have  them  too  thick,  or  otherwise  they  look 
too  dumpy,  especially  when  used  upright. 

Orimston,  Tadcaster.  H.  J.  Clayton. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

Cymbidicms. 
This  section  of  Orchids  is  very  popular  on  account 
of  their  noble  appearance  when  staged  in  the 
houses,  the  length  of  time  the  flowers  last  on  the 
plants,  or  when  cut  for  decoration  they  are  of  very 
easy  culture  and  quite  at  home  in  a  comparatively 
cold  house.  I  recently  advised  beginners  to  grow 
the  cool  section  of  Cypripediums.  Cymbidiums 
would  be  quite  at  home  in  the  same  house,  and 
would  make  interesting  companions  to  the  Cypri- 
pediums. C.  traceyanum,  C.  giganleum,  and  the 
pleasing  hybrid  C.  winnianum  will  now  be  out  of 
flower,  and  should  be  repotted  if  they  require  it. 
The  thick,  fleshy  roots  like  a  good  retentive  com- 
post. A  very  suitable  mixture  is  made  up  of  good 
turfy  loam  two  parts  and  one  part  good  leaf-soil, 
well  mixed  together,  with  a  liberal  sprinkling  of 
small  crooks  and  coarse  sand  ;  a  good  drainage  of 


February  27.  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


155 


large  pieces  of  crocks  .should  be  afforded,  over 
which  pl.ace  some  good  turfy  loam  to  prevent  the 
drainage  becoming  clogged  ;  potting  should  be  done 
rather  firmly,  keeping  the  compost  below  the  rim  of 
the  pot.  When  a  plant  has  attained  large  dimen- 
eions,  and  it  is  not  possible  to  give  it  more  pot  room, 
break  it  up  into  pieces  of  more  convenient  size, 
taking  every  care  to  preserve  as  many  roots  as 
possible  intact.  In  dividing  a  specimen  loosen  the 
roots  and  work  awa}'  as  much  as  is  possible  of  the 
material  from  both  sides,  and  then  cut  through  the 
centre  below  the  pseudo-bulbs  and  pull  apart  by 
hand.  When  the  plant  is  thus  halved  it  will  be 
easier  to  divide  to  the  desired  size  ;  remove  any 
useless  back  bulbs,  generally  speaking  only  retain 
those  that  have  leaves.  The  old  bulbs  will  soon 
break  and  produce  nice  plants  if  laid  on  a  stage  and 
potted  up  when  the  young  growth  is  visible. 

Repotted  Plants 
should  be  carefully  watered  for  some  time,  and 
those  that  have  been  pulled  to  pieces  should  be  kept 
rather  dry  till  the  roots  have  made  a  start  ;  they 
will  benefit  by  frequent  sprayings  and  damp  sur- 
roundings, and  should  be  kept  well  shaded  from 
strong  sunlight. 

Plants  now  in  Flower. 

Well-rooted  plants  of  C.  eburneum,  C.  lowianum, 
the  beautiful  yellow  variety  called  concolor,  and 
C.  X  Lowio-eburneum  will  take  a  liberal 
supply  of  water ;  the  potting  of  these 
should  be  deferred  till  after  the  flowering 
season  is  over  and  the  young  growths 
have  made  a  fair  start,  when  they  may 
be  treated  in  precisely  the  same  way  as 
I  have  advised  for  the  winter-flowering 
varieties.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


Like  other  Eupatoriums,  it  is  a  quick  grower  and 
of  easy  culture.  Throughout  the  growing  period  it 
must  be  given  plenty  of  moisture.  During  the 
summer  months  it  will  succeed  if  grown  in  cold 
frames,  but  it  should  be  removed  to  a  cold  or 
intermediate  house  in  September.  As  the  plant 
requires  a  great  deal  of  moisture  at  the  roots  a 
rich  loamy  compost  will  be  found  most  suitable. 
It  is  a  gross  feeder,  and  should  occasionally  be 
given  liquid  manure,  particularly  if  the  plants 
have  not  been  recently  potted,  for  the  roots  soon 
fill  the  space  allotted  to  them.  The  old  plants  may 
be  cut  back  and  repotted,  and  will  then  form  quite 
bushes  for  next  season's  flowering.  It  is  propa- 
gated from  cuttings  taken  almost  any  time,  prefer- 
ably in  early  spring,  when  the  young  shoots  are 
about  .3  inches  long.  The  cuttings  will  root  readily 
if  given  a  little  bottom- heat  and  kept  close  in  a 
propagating  frame.  Only  those  which  are  at  all 
long  need  be  pinched  back.  These  grown  on  will 
form  good  flowering  plants  for  next  January  and 
February. 

Suckers  are  thrown  up  from  the  older 
plants,  which  may  be  removed  and  grown  on  as 
cuttings.  It  is  a  good  plan  when  the  plants  are 
grown  in  frames  to  sink  the  pots  in  the  ashes,  and 
thus  prevent,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  roots  from 
being  injured  by  drought.  One  great  point  in 
favour  of  Eupatoriums  generally  is  that  they  are 


and  a  glance  over  its  500  pages  will  show,  too,  that 
it  is  comprehensive.  It  is  profusely  illustrated 
both  by  photographic  illustrations  on  art  paper  and 
by  sketches  interspersed  throughout  the  text,  which 
clearly  show  the  methods  of  pruning,  training, 
propagating,  &c.  The  last  100  pages  of  the  book 
are  devoted  to  outline  drawings  (natural  size)  of 
the  best  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Cherries,  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  Strawberries,  &c. ,  all  arranged  in  strict 
alphabetical  order,  and  therefore  easy  of  reference. 
Every  fruit  that  is  worth  growing  in  British  gar- 
dens, either  out  of  doors  or  under  glass,  is  fully 
treated  of  in  this  work  ;  the  cultural  notes  come 
first,  and  then  follows  a  list  of  the  best  varieties  of 
the  fruit  under  consideration.  No  less  than  100 
varieties  of  Apples  are  fully  described  and  illus- 
trated, and  other  fruits  in  proportion  to  their 
importance.  Amateurs  will  find  the  lists  of  fruits 
for  special  purposes  of  great  help. 

Mr.  George  Bunyard  treats  of  the  cultivation  of 
fruit  trees  out  of  doors,  and  Mr.  Owen  Thomas 
writes  upon  their  culture  under  glass  and  on  walls 
outdoors  ;  there  are  additional  chapters  on  special 
subjects  by  other  experts — for  instance,  Mr.  .James 
Hudson  (head  gardener  to  Mr.  Leopold  de  Roth- 
schild) contributes  a  valuable  article  dealing  with 
"Fruit  Trees  in  Pots,"  Mr.  J.  J.  Willis  writes 
about  "Injurious  Insect  Pests  and  Diseases," 
Mr.    A.    D.     Mackenzie   upon   the    "  Construction 


INDOOR   GARDEN. 

EUPATORIUiM    VERNALE. 

ONE  of  the  latest  novelties  is 
.  this  Eupatorium,  although 
I  it  has  been  known  to 
'  science  for  about  half  a 
century,  and  those  who 
attended  the  two  last 
exhibitions  at  the  Drill  Hall  could  not 
but  admire  this  beautiful  plant.  It  has 
been  cultivated  in  botanical  gardens  as 
E.  grandiflorum,  and  under  this  name 
it  has  been  mentioned  in  The  Garden 
as  far  back  as  January  2.3,  1892.  In  that 
short  article  it  is  stated  that,  although 
very  little  known,  it  is  by  no  means 
inferior  as  a  winter-flowering  greenhouse 
plant  to  any  of  the  more  generally-known 
species.  This  article  is  also  interesting, 
since  it  throws  a  little  light  upon  its 
origin,  a  point  about  which  there  has 
been  much  uncertainty.  It  is  spoken 
of  as  being  hardy  in  the  southern  and 
central  parts  of  France,  and  it  resembles 
a  plant  figured  in  Gartenflora,  said 
to  have  been  raised  from  seeds  found 
dust  of  a  packing-case  that  had  been  sent  full  of 
Orchids  from  Guatemala.  This  species  of  Eupa- 
torium may  be  met  with  under  various  names  ;  it 
has  had  the  misfortune  to  possess  no  less  than 
three  incorrect  generic  names,  viz.,  Ageratum, 
Conoclinium,  and  Brickellia,  but  in  each  of 
these  cases  grandiflorum  has  been  given  as  the 
specific  name. 

It  is  of  shrubby  habit,  erect,  with  leaves  much 
larger  than  the  well-known  E.  riparium  ;  they  are 
rough,  with  serrated  margin,  and  of  a  very  deep 
colour,  being  of  a  bronzy  shade,  particularly  when 
grown  in  a  cold  house  or  frame.  The  flowers, 
which  are  in  large  corymbs,  are  pure  white  ;  thus 
the  snow-like  heads  produce  a  most  pleasing  con- 
trast with  the  dark  foliage.  The  flower-heads 
open  about  the  second  week  in  January,  and 
will  continue  to  do  so  through  February.  When 
in  flower  it  is  most  attractive,  the  long  and 
protruding  styles  giving  it  a  light  and  beautiful 
appearance. 


a  house  of  the  queen   pine-apple.      (From  "  The  Fruit  Garden.") 


the 


not  subject  to  insect  or  fungoid  pests  other  than 
red  spider  when  allowed  to  suffer  from  want  of 
moisture.  Hekeert  Cowley. 


BOOKS. 


The  Fruit  Garden.*— In  the  preface  to 

this  book  occurs  the  following  sentence  :  "  There 
are  signs  throughout  the  kingdom  that  we  are 
slowly  waking  up  both  to  the  importance  of  fruit 
culture  and  the  possibilities  of  its  development." 
The  truth  of  this  must  be  apparent  to  the  most 
casual  observer,  and  the  appearance  of  a  practical 
and  comprehensive  work  on  fruit  culture  at  the 
present  time  is  most  opportune.  The  authors' 
names  are  a  guarantee  that  the  book  is  practical, 


*  "The  Fruit  Garden."  By  George  Bunyard,  V.M.H.,  and 
Owen  Thomas,  V.M.H,  PuWished  at  the  offices  of  Country 
Life,  5,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  W.C.  ;  by  George 
Newnes,  Limited  ;  and  by  Charles  Scribner's  Sous,  New  York. 
Price  213. 


of  Fruit  Houses,"  Mr.  W.  Crump  upon 
"Spraying  Crops,"  Mr.  S.  Ponder  (confectioner 
to  her  late  Majesty  Queen  Victoria)  about 
"  Whole  Fruit  Preservation."  Although,  of 
course,  hardy  fruits  and  those  which  are  generally 
grown  under  glass  in  this  country  receive  most 
attention,  there  are  chapters  dealing  with  other 
aspects  of  fruit  culture  that  are  full  of  interest. 
Mr.  W.  Watson  (curator  of  the  Royal  Gardens, 
Kew)  is  responsible  for  the  chapter,  "Tropical 
Fruits  and  How  to  Grow  Them."  This  treats  of 
fruits  from  the  tropics,  which,  it  is  found,  can  be 
successfully  grown  under  glass  in  this  country,  and 
includes  the  Mango,  Pomegranate,  Oranges  and 
Lemons,  Custard  Apple,  Date  Plum,  Banana, 
Passion  Flower  fruit,  and  others.  Illustrations  are 
given  of  most  of  these. 

The  ornamental  value  of  fruit  trees  when  in 
flower  is  considered  in  the  chapter  by  Mr.  Hugh 
A.  Pettigrew,  "Fruit  Trees  as  Flowering  Trees." 
The  propagation  of  fruit  trees  is  fully  dealt  with, 
and   the    various    methods  of  grafting,   budding, 


156 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Pebruary727,  1904. 


a  Etriking  combination.  We  noticed 
several  very  pretty  stellata  forma  whose 
flowers  have  large  yellow  centres. 
There  is  infinite  variety  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  culture  of  Primula  seedlings 
from  cross  -  fertilised  seed,  and  many 
beautiful  results  are  seen  here.  The 
displaj'  at  Forest  Hill  is  intensely  beau- 
tiful and  interesting,  and  shows  to  what 
perfection  the  Primula  has  been  brought 
by  careful  h3'bridisation  with  a  view  to 
securing  good  colours. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


now  TO  COVER  A  WALL  QUICKLY  ;    STANDARD  AND  DWARF  FAN -TRAINED  PEACH  TREES.     (From  "The  Fruit  Garden.")  seen 


COVENT  GARDEN  FLOWER 
MARKET. 

POT  PLANTS.— The  market 
does  not  fill  up  much  yet,  but 
there  is  a  good  supply  of  most 
seasonable  subjects,  and  some 
things  which  are  usually 
finished  up  before  this  are 
still  available.  Poinsettias  are  still  on 
sale,  but  they  begin  to  look  to  be  past 
their  best.  Solanums  are  also  to  be 
seen.  Erica  hyemalis  is  almost  passed, 
and  is  succeeded  by  E.  wilmoreana. 
Acacias  and  Boronias  are  also  to  be 
Marguerites  are  again  very  plen- 


layering,  &c. ,  are  clearly  illustrated  by  means  of 
diagrams.  Root-pruning,  planting,  fruit  storage, 
"  The  Construction  of  a  Fruit  Room,"  "  Selections 
of  Fruits  for  Various  Districts  "  are  other  items  of 
importance  that  are  not  lost  sight  of  in  "  The  Fruit 
Garden." 

The  profusely  -  illustrated  chapters  on  "Fruit 
Culture  in  France"  by  M.  Nomblot,  "Fruit 
Culture  in  America,"  by  Mr.  H.  E.  Vandeman,  and 
"Fruit  Culture  in  the  Channel  Islands,"  by  "A 
Channel  Island  Grower,"  afford  much  interesting 
reading.  The  methods  practised  in  these  countries 
are  fully  described,  and,  besides  being  valuable  in 
themselves,  may  also  be  compared  with  those  in 
vogue  at  home. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


MESSRS. 


CARTER    AND    CO.'S 
PRIMULAS. 


WE  always  enjoy  a  visit  to  Messrs. 
Carter  and  Co.'s  nursery  at  Forest 
HdlatPrimula  time,  thereto  renew 
an  acquaintance  with  favourite 
varieties,  and  also  to  be  able  to 
tate  note  of  new  ones.  For  it  is 
with  Primulas  as  with  many  other  flowers, 
new  and  untried  varieties  are  constantly  arising  to 
take  the  place  of  those  older  sorts,  which  find 
themselves  surpassed  by  their  descendants  in  the 
all-important  matters  of  form,  colour,  freedom  of 
flowering,  and  vigour  of  growth.  Some  of  the  old- 
established  favourites,  however,  are  such  really 
good  flowers  that  even  in  face  of  the  keen  compe- 
tition that  takes  place  in  the  world  of  Primulas, 
for  there  the  struggle  for  supremacy  grows  fiercer 
every  year,  by  continued  and  skilful  hybridisation 
and  cross-fertilisation  the  newest  varieties  in  some 
cases  surpass  their  ancestors,  and  therefore  are 
sought  after  in  preference.  They  may,  however, 
gain  something  in  form  or  colour,  yet  be  deficient 
in  vigour  or  flowering — in  fact,  the  great  majority 
of  newlj'-raised  Primulas  lose  more  than  they  gain 
(only  a  few  prove  to  be  real  improvements), 
and  so  fail  to  oust  the  older  ones  altogether. 
Among  proved  Primulas  of  Messrs.  Carter's  raising 
are  many  that  are  favourites  in  gardens  through- 
out the  country,  and  we  will  first  mention  some  of 
them. 


Elaine  is  strongly  represented  at  Forest  Hill, 
but  it  seems  safe  to  prophesy  that  soon  it  will  be 
superseded  by  Elaine  Improved,  which  is  a  much 
better  variety  in  every  way.  Elaine,  however,  is 
a  very  good  white,  and  still  of  great  value  for 
hybridising.  Vermilion  is  hardly  of  vermilion 
colour,  but  is  more  correctly  described  as  bright 
crimson.  It  is  wonderfully  free  flowering,  the 
flowers  are  splendidly  displayed  on  the  stalk,  and 
a  group  of  it  makes  a  striking  display.  Holborn 
Scarlet  is  a  handsome  Primula,  but  it  has  one 
defect — namely,  that  the  flowers  fade  rather 
quickly. 

Lilac  Queen  is  a  splendid  Primula.  The 
deep  lilac-rose  semi-double  flowers  are  borne  in 
large  heads  and  make  a  grand  show.  This  variety 
is  very  free  flowering,  and  the  blooms  are  held 
well  above  the  foliage.  Ruby  is  a  pretty  Fern- 
leaved  sort  with  rosy-red  flowers,  which  are  spotted 
with  white.  Holborn  Pink  bears  large  deep  pink 
flowers,  and  is  one  of  the  most  handsome.  Magenta 
is  a  very  free-flowering,  brightly-coloured  Primula, 
and  Carmine  is  strong  and  free  also. 

King  Edward  VII.  is  a  variety  sent  out  by  Messrs. 
Carter  recently,  and  is  undoubtedly  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  white  Primulas.  The  blooms  are 
large,  white,  and  deeply  frilled.  It  is  a  particu- 
larly strong  grower.  Princess  May  bears  handsome 
pink  blooms  and  is  a  variety  that  is  sure  to  become 
popular.  Holborn  Queen,  a  Fern -leaf  variety, 
continues  for  a  long  time  to  produce  its  pale  blush 
flowers,  and  Hercules  is  remarkable  for  its  large 
rose-purple  blooms.  Bouquet  is  a  curious  and 
interesting  variety.  The  white  blooms  are  sur- 
rounded by  small  green  leaves,  and  in  themselves 
constitute  quite  a  miniature  bouquet. 

Among  the  double  varieties  are  Double  Scarlet, 
of  vivid  scarlet-crimson  colouring  ;  Snowflake,  with 
blush-tinted  flowers,  which  turn  white  with  age  ; 
Aurora,  a  charming  pink,  and  very  free  flowering  ; 
Prince  of  Wales,  salmon  coloured  ;  Princess  of 
Wales,  white,  wiih  a  few  flakes  of  colour  ;  all  of 
which  are  really  good  varieties. 

Among  singles  we  have  not  3'et  mentioned 
Holborn  Blue,  perhaps  as  good  as  any  of  the 
so-called  blue  Primulas,  which,  however,  are  more 
correctly  described  as  lavender  blue. 

Messrs.  Carter  have  several  beautiful  forms 
among  the  stellata  hybrids  in  various  colours 
Mont  Blanc,  with  dark.  Fern-leaf  foliage  and 
pure  white,  star-shaped  flowers,  is  one  of  the 
prettiest ;  the  white  flowers  and  dark  leaves  make 


tiful  and  good.  Azalea  indica  is  in 
various  colours,  but  the  white  variety  is  not  quite 
so  plentiful.  Azalea  mollis  in  pretty  shades  of 
colour.  Cyclamen  very  good  on  many  stands. 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  not  over  plentiful,  and 
DaflFodils  of  various  sorts  are  very  abundant,  and 
many  of  them  very  good. 

A  few  Primulas  are  to  be  seen,  but  they  are  very 
poor.  Cinerarias  are  good,  and  the  bright  colours 
are  much  appreciated.  Genistas  are  coming  in 
plentifully.  Mignonette  is  not  yet  of  first  quality. 
Lily  of  the  Valley  is  not  quite  so  plentiful  in  pots, 
but  some  good  examples  were  seen  in  Messrs. 
Rochford's  warehouse.  They  also  had  fine  plants 
of  Pandanus  Veitchi  in  6  inch  pots.  Hyacinths 
are  plentiful  and  very  good.  Ferns  are  abundant 
in  all  the  usual  market  sorts,  except  Maidenhairs, 
but  perhaps  these  are  not  much  wanted  just  now. 
The  Japanese  Fern-balls  (Davallia  bullata)  are 
very  good,  but  little  trade  for  them.  Todea 
arborea,  Dicksonia  antarctioa,  Pteris  Victorise,  and 
Asplenium  luciduni  are  among  the  choicer  sorts 
that  may  be  seen. 

Cut  flowers. — The  supply  is  plentiful  of  almost 
all  seasonable  subjects.  Daffodils  are  the  most 
prominent,  and  many  of  these  are  very  fine. 
Emperor,  Empress,  Golden  Spur,  Sir  Watkin,  and 
Pheasant's  Eye  are  abundant,  but  growers  begin 
to  complain  of  bad  prices.  Liliums  are  more 
plentiful  again.  L.  longiflorum  is  very  good,  also 
L.  lancifolium.  L.  auratum  does  not  make  quite 
such  fine  blooms  as  at  their  natural  season  of 
flowering.  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  very  fine  and 
plentiful.  White  Az'dea  is  plentiful,  but  it  seems 
quite  out  of  favour,  and  sells  very  slowly.  Pink 
and  white  Roses  are  now  coming  in  well,  but  there 
are  very  few  good  red  sorts.  Carnations  are  also 
beginning  to  gel  more  plentiful. 

Orchid  flower.i  are  not  selling  very  freely.  There 
is  a  good  supply  of  Crelogyne  cristata,  Cypripe- 
diums,  and  Dendrobiums,  also  Catlleyas  and 
Odontoglossums.  English  White  Lilac,  Eucharis, 
Gardenias,  and  other  choice  flowers  are  plentiful. 
There  are  also  more  bright-coloured  flowers  to  be 
seen.  The  double  crimson  Ranunculus  is  very 
good.  Anemone  fulgens  and  the  scarlet  A.  coro- 
naria  is  plentiful,  also  the  St.  Brigid  in  various 
colours.  There  is  still  an  over  supply  of  Callas. 
A  few  good  Chrysanthemums  may  yet  be  seen. 
The  general  trade  is  quite  as  pood  as  usual  for  the 
Lenten  season,  and  should  Easter  come  in  with 
fine  weather  we  may  expect  to  see  a  general  revival 
of  trade. 


February  27,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


157 


THE    LILIES. 

{Continued  from  jMge  112.) 
L.  giganteum  (Wall.). — The  Great  Himalayan 
Lily.  A  well-known  species,  apparently  difficult 
to  grow  well  in  all  soils  and  situations,  yet 
thriving  in  quite  unlikely  places,  so  much  so 
that  we  venture  to  think  it  may  be  grown  well 
without  elaborate  preparation  of  soil  and  choice 
of  situation.  Bulbs,  larger  than  a  Cocoanut, 
ovoid,  perennial,  their  lives  terminating  with 
the  inflorescences,  the  scales  formed  of  the 
thickened  bases  of  the  previous  year's  leaves. 
Stems,  6  feet  to  12  feet  high,  green,  hollow, 
2  inches  in  diameter  at  the  base,  where  they 
form  massive  roots.  Leaves  heart-shaped,  pale 
green,  stalked,  not  unlike  those  of  a  Cabbage, 
varying  from  3  inches  to  12  inches  across,  those 
from  the  bulbs  larger  and  more  persistent  than 
those  from  the  stems,  those  near  the  summit 
■of  the  stems  mere  bracts  enclosing  the  fiower- 
buds,  and  these  are  woolly  on  the  inner  surface, 
the  whole  lot  falling  away  as  the  flowers 
■develop.  Flowers  ten  to  twenty  in  a  spike, 
poised  at  right  angles  with  the  stem,  or  slightly 
drooping  when  expanding,  each  6  inches  to 
10  inches  long,  white,  the  extreme  base  tubular, 
the  tips  reflexing  or  expanding  fully,  the  funnel 
narrowing  gradually  from  the  tip  to  the  base. 
The  petals  are  very  thick  in  texture,  and  are 
stained  purple  on  the  margins  internally  and 
suffused  green  externally.  The  seed-vessels  are 
held  erect.  A  noble  Lily  of  imposing  stature. 
Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  July  and 
August.  Inhabits  the  temperate  regions  of 
the  great  Himalayan  chain,  growing  among 
shrubs  mainly,  but  often  found  in  forests  under 
varied  conditions,  where  plenty  of  moisture 
•and  a  rich  soil  help  its  development. 

Udltuee  and  Uses. — The  peculiarly  uncer- 
tain behaviour  of  this  Lily  under  cultivation 
renders  details  of  its  cultivation  somewhat 
■difficult  to  give,  and  we  must  confine  ourselves 
to  what,  in  our  judgment,  appear  to  be  the 
essential  conditions.  It  grows  naturally  in  the 
forest  and  is  difficult  to  naturalise.  It  should 
be  tried  under  various  aspects,  when  it  will 
soon  be  apparent  which  of  these  the  Lily 
appreciates.  Of  essential  conditions,  shelter 
from  late  frosts  is  the  more  important.  It 
requires  a  rich  and  deep  soil — preferably  the 
leaf-soil  of  open  woods— in  a  fair  state  as 
regards  moisture,  and  thoroughly  to  establish  a 
plantation  in  the  first  year  the  smallest  and 
the  largest  sized  bulbs  should  be  planted  ;  the 
largest  for  immediate  eflFect,  the  smallest  to 
grow  on  and  form  the  colony.  From  our 
observation  of  this  Lily  in  various  parts  of 
Oreat  Britain  we  gather  that,  given  shelter,  it 
may  be  grown  in  any  plant  border,  in  the 
wild  garden,  amid  Bamboos  and  kindred 
plants,  in  the  open  clearings  of  woods,  and 
particularly  where  the  soil  is  rich  and  damp. 
Soils  and  situations  in  which  Bamboos  thrive 
would  be  likely  to  suit  this  Lily  well.  In  a 
light  soil  shade  is  important,  or  the  plants  will 
grow  feebly  owing  to  drought ;  in  heavy  soils  a 
more  open  exposure  may  be  considered,  but  in 
no  case  would  this  plant  thrive  in  a  dry,  wind- 
swept shrubbery,  or,  in  fact,  any  bleak 
situation.  We  can  ofi'er  no  better  suggestion 
than  that  this  Lily  should  receive  something 
■of  the  treatment  accorded  to  strong  growing 
vegetables  in  a  kitchen  garden ;  one  cannot 
overfeed  it,  the  richer  the  soil  the  finer  will  be 
the  spikes.  Greater  attention  with  regard  to 
shelter  will  be  required  in  late  spring,  when 
the  flower-spikes  are  partially  developed.  During 
bulb  growth  the  roots  descend  deeply,  but  the 
stem-roots,  which  are  developed  as  the  spikes 
appear,  strike  out  in  all  directions,  piercing 
the  bulbs  and  travelling  under  the  surface  of  I 


the  soil,  cart  wheel  fashion,  several  feet  away. 
These  will  need  a  liberal  mulch  as  they  appear 
to  preserve  the  growth  from  any  check.  The 
spike  should  be  allowed  to  ripen  seeds,  and 
these  should  be  sown  at  once  in  a  place  where 
they  can  be  watched,  and  they  will  germinate 
freely  in  the  following  spring.  A  few  offsets 
will  survive  the  original  bulb,  hence  the  old 
stem  should  be  cut  down,  not  uprooted,  lest 
the  offsets  be  torn  up  with  it.  The  bulbs  may 
be  flowered  in  pots,  but  they  require  bulky 
receptacles,  and  they  never  produce  spikes  so 
fine  as  those  from  established  bulbs  in  the  open. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  be  continued.) 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

CAETER'S  EARLY  FORCING  TURNIP. 

FEW  spring  vegetables  are  more  appre- 
ciated than  new  Turnips,  and  they  are 
soon  grown.  For  many  years  the  Early 
Paris  Market  and  the  Milan  were  the 
sorts  mostly  forced,  but  when  fully 
matured  they  soon  became  tough  and 
flavourless.  If  forced  at  all  hard  the  plants  failed 
to  bulb.  I  am  aware  this  is  a  common  failing  with 
all  Turnips  ;  they  will  not  stand  hard  forcing,  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  few  give  a  better  return  when  they 
receive  attention  at  the  start.  The  above-named 
variety  is  certainly  well  named,  as  it  forces 
well,  and  in  shape  more  resembles  a  large  Radish. 
The  long  root  enables  it  to  mature  rapidly,  and 
when  sown  in  a  cold  frame  the  early  part  of  March 
I  have  had  good  roots  in  two  months.  For  early 
borders  it  is  equally  useful,  and  in  light  soils  I  have 
found  it  suffer  less  from  drought  than  the  flatter 
roots.  I  do  not  advise  it  for  storing,  but  to  make 
frequent  sowings,  as  by  so  doing  there  is  a  succes- 
sion of  sweet  tender  roots  of  excellent  quality.  The 
flesh  is  very  white,  of  firm  texture,  and  when 
cooked  is  very  delicate. 

ONION    BEDFORDSHIRE    CHAMPION. 

Sevekal  remarkable  additions  have  been  made  of 
late  years  to  Onions,  the  tendency  in  nearly  all 
cases  being  to  increase  the  size.  I  do  not  complain 
of  this,  as  large,  well-matured  Onions  are  valuable, 
and  it  shows  that  with  attention  to  cultural  details 
we  can  grow  them  as  well  as  the  foreigner,  and,  I 
think,  such  bulbs  are  worth  more  attention  as  a 
vegetable  at  this  season.  Although  Bedfordshire 
Champion  is  an  old  variety,  it  is  one  of  the  best  for 
general  use,  shapely  in  form,  and  a  good  keeper. 
I  have  grown  it  for  many  years,  and  last  season's 
crop  was  very  good  ;  indeed,  the  bulbs  were  large, 
without  any  special  culture,  and  very  handsome. 
It  keeps  splendidly.  The  bulbs  should  be  stored 
thinly,  or  roped  and  suspended  to  a  roof  free  of 
drip,  but  exposed  well ;  they  then  keep  sound  into 
May.  I  prefer  this  variety  to  James'  Long 
Keeping.  The  bulbs  do  not  grow  out  with  me  so 
quickly,  and  are  of  a  firmer  texture.  Of  course, 
for  keeping  it  is  necessary  to  thoroughly  ripen  at 
the  lifting,  and  in  wet  seasons  this  is  difficult 
unless  placed  under  glass  ;  but  it  is  well  repaid  by 
their  long  keeping,  and  they  give  a  good  supply  of 
the  best  quality.  G.  Wythes. 


EARLY  CABBAGES. 

In  many  directions  complaints  are  made  that 
autumn-planted  Cabbages  have  done  badly,  owing 
to  the  wet  weather.  That  is  probable,  as  few 
ordinary  garden  vegetables  can  exist  unless  the 
weather  be  moderately  favourable.  Could  the 
nature  of  the  winter  have  been  anticipated,  it 
would  have  been  a  good  plan  to  have  thrown  up 
ridges  of  soil  6  inches  higher  than  the  intervening 
spaces,  each  ridge  being  18 inches  broad, and  planting 
two  rows  of  Cabbages  along  each  ridge  12  inches 
apart.  That,  with  a  space  of  30  inches  between 
each  outside  row  of  plants,  would  leave  ample  room 
for  ordinary  early  heads  to  develop.  The  open 
drains  between  the  various  ridges  would  keep  the 


soil  about  the  plants  fairly  dry,  and  enable  the 
stems  to  be  well  earthed  up.  Cabbage  plants  often 
suffer  greatly  in  windy  weather,  because,  blown 
about,  the  stems,  not  being  strengthened  with 
soil,  make  holes  which  fill  with  water,  and  it  is  no 
matter  for  surprise  if  they  should  suffer  and  damp 
off-  A.  D. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  HoiLse. 
Acacias  in  variety,  Camellia  reticulata,  and  Rho- 
dodendron grande. 

Palm  House. 
Brownea    coccinea,  B.  coccinea    x    B.    latifolia» 

B.  grandiceps,  Clavija  raacrophylla,  and  Saraca 
indica.     Synechanthus  fibrosus  is  fruiting  well. 

T  Range. 
Freesia  Armstrongii,  Impatiens  Oliveri,  Mitrio- 
stigma  axillaris,  and  Porphyrocoma  lanceolata. 

Orchid  Houses. 
iErides    Vandarum,    Angrajoum    citratum,    A. 
subulatum,   Bulbophyllum  neilgherrense,  Cattleya 
Loddigesii,   Cymbidiura   eburneum,  C.    lowianum, 

C.  virens,  Cynorchis  compacta,  Cypripedium 
(various  species  and  hybrids),  Dendrobium  Ains- 
worthii,    D.    aureum,    1).     Berkeleyi,    D.    Cybele, 

D.  endrocharis,  D.  euosmum,  D.  Madonna,  D.  nobile, 
D.  sarmentosum,  D.  speciosum,  D.  wardianum, 
Eria  flava,  Lselia  harpophylla,  L.  lindleyana, 
L.  superbiens,  Miltonia  Rt^zliialba,  OJontoglossum 
angustatum,  0.  crispum,  0.  Edwardii,  0.  lusleayi, 
0.  triumphans,  Oncidium  porriens,  0.  pubes, 
0.  superbiens,  Ornithidium  densum,  Phaius  Blumei, 
P.  Cooksoni  var.,  P.  Southeri,  P.  Wallichii, 
Platyclinis  glumacea,  Pleurothallis  Roezlii, 
Spiranthes  plantaginea,  and  Tetramicra  bicolor. 

Succulent  House. 
Aloe   ciliaris,    A.    insignis,    Iris    japonica,    and 
Pitcairnia  spathacea. 

Alpine  House. 
Anemone  blanda,  Bulbocodium  vernum,  Coptis 
orientalis  var. ,  Corydalis  angustifolia,  C.  kolpakow- 
sk>ana,  C.  rulrefolia,  Draba  Gilliesi,  Hyacinthus 
azureus  var.  prcscox,  H.  a.  var.  robustus,  Lilhos- 
permum  rosmarinifolium,  Primula  denticulata 
var.  alba,  P.  megassefolia,  Saxifraga  Alhertii, 
S.  apiculata,  S.  burseriana,  S.  b.  var.  major, 
S.  Griesbaehii,  S.  oppositifolia  var.  alha,  Seilla 
sibirica,  S.  s.  var.  pallida,  and  Scoliopus  Bigelovii. 

Herbaceous  Ground. 
Adonis    amurensis,     Chionodoxa     Luciliae    var. 
sardensis,  Colchicum  hydrophilum,  Crocus  (various 
species),  and  Sarcococca  hookeriana. 

Arhoretum. 

Ericas  in  variety  and  Prunus  davidiana. 
Greenhouse. 

This  house  is  particularly  bright  at  present  with 
a  great  variety  of  forced  and  ordinary  greenhouse 
plants.  The  following  are  some  of  the  most  striking 
groups :  Cheiranthus  kewensis  and  Paper  White 
Narcissus;  white  Due  Van  Thol  Tulips,  and 
Narcissi  Empress  and  Van  Sion  ;  Primula  sinensis 
Lady  Dyke,  white,  with  dot  plants  of  Clivia 
miniata,  and  a  bronze  form  of  Acer  palmatum  ; 
Eupatorium  riparium,  with  an  undergrowth  of 
red  Due  Van  Thol  Tulips  ;  Cj'clamen  and  Kentia 
sanderiana ;  Peristrophe  speciosa  and  Prunus 
japonica  fl. -pi.,  with  an  undergrowth  of  Primula 
sinensis  White  Perfection  ;  Narcissus  Emperor  and 
white  Primulas  ;  Jaeobinia  ghiesbreghiiana  and 
Tulip  Pottebakker,  white  ;  double  white  Primula 
sinensis.  Iris  reticulata,  dark  blue  Hyacinths, 
PrunuB  japonica  fl. -pi.,  and  Cheiranthus  kewensis; 
Tulip  Due  Van  Thol,  yellow  ;  Lily  of  the  Valley  and 
Yucca  aloifolia  var.  tricolor  ;  Primula  Giant  Pink, 
P.  Red  Lady,  red  Hippeastrums,  and  Paper  White 
Narcissus  ;  Epacris,  Acacias,  Correas,  Grevilleas, 
and  Eriostemons  in  variety ;  Primula  sinensis, 
mixed  varieties  ;  red  Primulas,  white  Hyacinths* 


158 


:he  garden. 


[February  !i7,  1904. 


and  white  Narcissus.  Also  such  things  as  Coleus 
thyraoideus,  Amorphophallus  Rivieri,  Peristrophe 
speciosa,  Sparmannia,  afrioana,  Rhododendron 
prsecox,  and  R.  nobleanum. 


OBITUARY. 


MR.    JOHN    MAXWELL. 


M       IW  ANY  cultivators  of  alpine  and  herbaceous 
l\     /■        plants  will  learn  with  great  regret  of 
I  %  /  k        the    death   of    Mr.    John    Maxwell, 
I     •/    I        Max-welltown,    Dumfries,  which  sad 
J_     "     J^      event  took  place  on  the  18th  insl. , 
after   a  long  illness.     Mr.    Maxwell, 
who    was    seventy   years   of    age,    had   cultivated 
hardy  flowers  for  a  great  many  years.     Although 
the  space  he  could  devote  to  their  cultivation  was 
limited,   no  one  could  fail  to  find,   at  almost  any 
time,  something  of  interest  in  his  garden.     He  was 
a  great  admirer  of  the  Narcissi,  and  was  the  first 
in  the  district  to  have  anything  like  a  representa- 
tive  collection  of  the  best   varieties.     It  is,  how- 
ever,   difficult    to     say    what     were    his     special 
favourites   among   hardy   flowers.     Alpines   of    all 
kinds,     herbaceous     and     bulbous,     taller     hardy 
flswers,  and  hardy  Ferns  all  claimed  a  share  of  his 
afifectioDS. 

ME.  JOHN  STOTERT  BARTRUM,  J.P. 

We  are  sorry  to  hear  of  the  death  at  Bath  lately 
of  Mr.  Bartrura,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year.  He 
will  be  affectionately  remembered  in  the  city,  and 
especially  by  those  who  loved  their  gardens,  for 
he  was  a  devoted  gardener,  and  many  years  ago, 
when  hardy  flowers  were  despised  by  man}',  main- 
tained a  rare  collection.  Mr.  Birtrum's  work  for 
the  Royal  Victoria  Park  and  the  Botanical  Gardens 
deserves  to  be  gratefully  recalled,  and  he  was  ever 
willing  to  add  to  the  collections  there,  and  pro- 
mote the  popularity  of  gardening  in  every  possible 
way.  He  greatly  assisted  in  making  the  Botanical 
Gardens,  and  held  the  office  of  chairman  of  the 
committee  for  many  years.  Bath  has  lost  a  great 
supporter  in  the  death  of  this  ardent  gardener. 

MR.  WILLIAM  COLE. 

One  of  the  best  known  horticulturists  at  Feltham, 

Mr.  William  Cole,  of  the  Vineyard  Nurseries,  died 

there  on  the   16th  inst. ,   at  the  age  of  sixty-nine 

years.     The   death   of   his   wife   in   1902   came   to 

him  as  a  great  shock,  and  affected  him  to  a  degree 

from  which  he  never  seemed  to  recover,  and  his 

health   visibly  declined.      He  took  an  active  part 

in  his  business,  as  was  his  wont,  up  to  Christmas 

last,  but  had  been  confined  indoors  since,  keeping 

his  bed  for  five  days  only,  and   undergoing  great 

sufiering    borne    uncomplainingly    until    the    end 

came.     He  was   buried  in  the  Feltham  Cemetery 

on  the  22nd  inst.     He  leaves  a  grown  up  family 

o£    four   sons   and    two    daughters,    all    of    whom 

assisted    him    in   his  business   in   some  way.     For 

some  time  the  business   had  been  carried  on  under 

the   title   of  W.    Cole   and  Sons,   and   it   was   his 

expressed  wish  that  the  firm   be  continued.     Born 

at  Overton,  Hants,  on  November  30,  1834,  William 

Cole  worked  on  a  farm  as  a  lad,  where  he  saved  a 

little  money,   and   paid  it   to   be   taken   into   the 

gardens    at    Laverstoke,    Hants ;    from    there   he 

went  to  Stralhfleldsaye,  Hants,  under  Mr.  Johnson, 

then  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  where 

he  remained  for  several  years  ;  then   to  Cliveden, 

Maidenhead,   under  the  late  Mr.    John    Fleming  ; 

from    there    he    returned    to    Strathfield.«aye,    as 

foreman  under  Mr.  Johnson,  and  on  the  occasion 

of    the   latter's   death    the    Duke    of    Wellington 

wished  to  appoint  him  as  head  gardener,  but  the 

preference  of  the  Duchess  being  for  a  Scotchman, 

Mr.  Bell   was   appointed,  the  Duke    making   Mr. 

Cole   a    handsome    present    as   a   solace    for    his 

disappointment.    Leaving  Strathfieldsaye,  Mr.  Cole 

was  for  a  time  in  the  nurseries  of  Messrs.  James 

Veitch  and  Sons  at  Chelsea,   from   where  he   was 

sent  by  the  firm  as  head  gardener  at  Ealing  Park, 

then  occupied   by  J.    S.   Budgett,   E^q.     Here    he 

lemained  for  some  eleven  years,  making  an  excel- 


lent reputation  as  a  skilful  all-round  gardener, 
growing  very  fine  specimen  plants  and  excelling  in 
Grapes.  He  was  a  leading  exhibitor  at  the  shows 
of  the  Ealing  Horticultural  Society  and  at  other 
places  in  the  district.  In  1875  he  established  him- 
self in  business  as  a  cultivator  of  Strawberries  and 
Grapes  for  the  market,  growing  White  Muscat 
Grapes  in  particular  with  great  success ;  of  late  years 
he  cultivated  Grapes  chiefly,  and  up  to  the  time 
of  his  illness  took  an  active  personal  interest  in 
the  work.  Mr.  Cole  was  greatly  respected  both  at 
Ealing  and  Feltham,  and  has  passed  away  amid 
the  regrets  of  a  large  number  of  attached  friends. 
His  eldest  daughter  has  made  a  considerable  repu- 
tation as  a  floral  decorator,  and  is  in  the  habit  of 
taking  most  of  the  leading  prizes  at  the  exhibi- 
tions of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  at 
Richmond  and  elsewhere. 


MR.  EDWIN  JONES. 

The  death  is  announced  of  Mr.  Edwin  Jones, 
senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Bayliss, 
Jones,  and  Bayliss  of  Wolverhampton.  Mr.  Jones 
was  seventy  years  of  age. 


SOCIETIES. 


ilOYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall  Meeting. 
On  Tuesday  last  the  Drill  Hall,  \Veatrainst.er,  was  so  crowded 
in  the  afternoon  as  to  make  it  impossible  fur  one  to  see 
properly  the  numerous  beautiful  displays  of  plants  and 
tlowers.  Orchids  were  well  shown,  and  hardy  flowers, 
Primulas,  forced  shruhs,  and  indoor  plants  were  largely 
exhibited  also.     There  was  only  one  dish  of  fruit  shown. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  Harry  J.  Veitch.  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs,  James 
O'Brien,  H.  Little,  ^V.  H.  \Vhite,  \V.  Boxall,  F.  J.  Thorne, 
J.  W.  Odell,  E.  Hill,  M.  Gleeson,  T.  W.  Bird,  J.  WiUon 
Potter,  W.  A.  Bilney,  W.  H.  Young,  F.  A.  Kehder,  A.  A. 
McBean,  Richard  G.  Ihwaites,  ti.  T.  Pitt,  Jeremiah  Colman, 
Francis  Wellesley,  James  Douglas,  Walter  Cobb,  H.  Ballan- 
tine,  R.  Biooraaii  White,  and  de  B.  Crawshay. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  had  a  splendid  display 
of  Orchids,  consisting  laigelyof  fine  forms  of  Dendrobium 
wardianum.  This  exhibit  tilled  two-thirds  of  one  side  of  a 
long  table.  The  Dendrobiums,  which  were  finely  flowered, 
constituted  the  background,  and  miscellaneous  Orchids  were 
arranu'ed  in  front.  Bfsides  many  good  unnamed  forms  of 
D.  wardianum,  we  noticed  D.  w.  vai-.  xantholeucum,  a  very 
choice  variety.  Among  the  other  Orchids  were  Ltelio- 
Cattleya  bletchleyensis,  Phaius  Marthte,  Odontoglussum 
excellens,  O.  harryano-crispum,  Cynibidiums,  Lycastes,  and 
Cypripedium  Cliu  var.,  C.  Tlie  Gem,C.  Olympia,  C.  Transvaal, 

C.  Miss  Louise  Fowler,  and  olhers.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 
Jeremiah  Colraan,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Reigate  (gardener, 

Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  exhibited  some  good  Dendrobiums  and 
Cattleyas.  Among  the  former  were  some  excellent  hybrids 
and  varieties— D.  Cybele  Firefly,  D.  Artemis,  D.  rubens 
elegans,  D.  wiganianura  purpureum,  D.  Aspasia,  D.  Sybil, 

D.  melanodiscus,  and  D.  nobile,  Pickering  Lodge  variety. 
Other  interesting  Orchids  were  Oduntuglossum  hunne- 
wellianum,  0.  Rossi  majus,  Laelia  X  Mrs.  Gratrix,  L.  anceps 
waddonensis,  and  Vanda  Cathcarti.    Silver-cilt  Flora  medal. 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford,  Dorkinc  (Orchid 
grower,  Mr.  White),  exhibited  a  very  choice  group  of  Orchids, 
which  were  attractively  arranged.  Sophronitis  grandiflura 
made  brilliant  patches  here  and  there.  Cattleya  Trianaj 
was  represented  by  a  finely-flowered  plant,  and  the  same 
may  be  said  of  Cypripedium  Sallieri  hyeannm,  C.  Le  Douxre, 

C.  hirsuto-SalUeri,  C.  villosum,  and  C.  lathamianum. 
Odontoglossum  ramnsi'^simum  bore  a  fine  raceme  of  its 
curionalj'-twisted  yelluw  flowers,  with  Dendrobium  signatum 
aureum,  with  its  pale  yellow  tiowers  ;  Neottia  picta,  with 
variegated  leaves  and  brick-red  flowers  on  erect  tall  racemes  ; 
Miltonia  furcata.  Lrclio-Cattleya  M>i'a,MasdevalliaChel30ni, 
M.  hincksiana,  Epidendrum  Endresio-Wallisii,  Ada  auran- 
tiaca,  Odontoglossum  coronarium  var.  miniatum,  and  Epi- 
dendrum porphyreum  were  all  well  shown.  Among  the 
Dendrobiums  wereD.  leechianum,  D.  Wiganiru  xanthochilum, 

D.  Melpomene,  and  D,  Ainsworthii  Hazelbuurne  var.  Silver- 
gilt  Flora  medal. 

R.  G.  Tbwaites,  Esq.,  Chessington,  Streatham,  S.W.,  had 
a  pretty  display  of  Dendrobiums.  The  plants  bore  an 
abundance  of  blooms,  particularly  D.  nobile  muiThitiianum, 
D.  achneiderianum,  and  D.  Wiganiiu  yellow  var.  Others  were 
D.  nobile  Thwaites'  variety,  D.  melanodiscus  pallens,  D.  n. 
Amesiiu,  D.  Cybele  nol)ilius,  and  D.  Andromeda.  Liclia 
Gweniic  (L  jongheana  X  L.  Cowanii)  was  shown  bearing  two 
blooms.  This  plant  was  raised  from  seed  sown  in  June, 
1901.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  exhi- 
bited some  pretty  Dtndrobiums  ;  for  instance,  D.  Ainsworthii 
var.  Elsie,  D.  Cybele  elegans,  D.  Scylla,  D.  nobile  l)allianura, 
and  other  hyl>rid  Orchids,  among  Lhem  being  Lrelio-Cattleya 
Myra,  with  rich  orange  sepals  and  petals,  and  crimson  lip  ; 
L.  Mrs.  M.  Gratrix,  deep  lemon-yellow ;  L.-C.  Orpheus, 
white,  with  yellow-ihruated  lip  ;  L.-C.  Pahaa,  L.-C.  warn- 
hamensis,  Epidendrum  James  O'Brien,  Cypripedium  god- 
seftianum,  C.  Catherine  (superbiens  X  calloaum  Sanderrc),  C. 
Truilus  (Sallieri  x  insigne  Sanderie),  and  L.-C.  callistoglossa. 
Silver  Banksisin  medal. 


J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate  (gardener,  Mr. 
G.  Whitelegge),  showed  a  small  group  of  Orchids,  among 
which  were  conspicuous  Braaso-Lielia  purpuraio-cligbyana 
Mikado,  a  large,  handsome  (lower  ;  Lycasie  Skinnerii  Beauty^ 
L.  S.  Enchantress,  L  S  alba,  Cattleya  Triai-aj  Mavuurneen, 
various  Odontogloaanms,  notably  0.  harryano-crispum,  0.  x 
A'lriauic,  and  O.  X  excellens.    Silver  Bunksian  medal. 

F.  Du  Cane  Gudman,  Esq.,  South  Lodge,  Hursham,  showed 
a  finely-flowered  plant  of  Lycaste  aromaLica,  bearing  Uvo 
dozen  blooms,  which  have  greenish  sepals  and  rich  yellow 
petals.  Mr.  Godman  also  showed  a  plant  of  Lycaste  Skin- 
nerii. bearing  some  two  dozen  flowers.  It  was  growing  in  a 
6-inch  pot,  and  was  a  lovely  sight.  He  also  exhibited 
Platyclinis  glumacea  finely  lloweren. 

JI.  Ch.  Vuylsteke,  Loochristi,  Belgium,  exhibited  soma 
fine  forms  of  Odontoglossums,  beautifully  marked  and 
spotted.  Included  were  0.  Vuylstekei  concinnura,  0.  loo- 
christiense  formosum,  O.  1.  Norma,  O.  V.  recens,  and 
others. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield, 
showed  Dendrobium  crassinode,  a  mass  of  bloom  ;  D.  splen- 
didissimum  grandiflorum,  D.  primulinum,  Cypripedium 
nitens  magnificum  Ball's  variety,  C.  Olivia  (niveum  X  ton- 
sum),  Cattleya  Triana.'  (white  variety),  Phalajnopsis  stuarti- 
ana,  and  a  fine  form  of  Lycaste  Skinnerii.  Silver  Baoksian 
medal. 

Messrs.  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  had  a  bright  dis- 
play of  Orchids  in  variety.  Among  them  were  Dendrobium 
barbatulum,  a  very  attractive  species,  bearing  drooping 
racemes  of  white  fiowers;  D.  Cybele  nobilior,  D.  n.  nobilius,. 
D.  leechianum,  D.  n.  statterianum,  Lselia  harpophylla, 
Masdevallia  hincksiana,  M.  Heathii,  several  Cypripediuras, 
including  C.  Mandiro,  C.  Calypso,  and  C.  Gowerii.  Silver 
Flora  medal. 

Kennedy  Jones,  Esq.,  East  Finchley,  gained  a  culturafi 
commendation  for  some  finely-grown  and  well-flowered, 
plants  of  Ccelogyne  cristata. 

New  Orchids. 

Ct/mbkh'um  balliamuii. — This  is  a  lovely  flower,  with  waxy 
white  sepals  and  petals,  the  throat  and  lip  lined  with  yellow  - 
it  is  sweetly  scented.  Cymbidium  eburneura  and  C.  Mahnii 
are  the  parents  of  this  hybrid.     First-class  certificate. 

Ctimhidiuui  gigantcum  Wilxoui. — A  new  Cymbidium  from 
Yunnan,  China,  collected  there  by  Messrs.  Veitch's  traveller, 
Mr.  Wilson.  It  has  been  classed  by  Mr.  Rolfe  as  a  variety  of 
C.  giganteura.  The  raceme  of  the  plant  shown  was  short, 
and  carried  several  flowers  having  green  sepals  and  petals, 
spotted  with  brown.  The  lip  and  throat  are  white,  heavily 
marked  with  chocolate-red.  From  Messrs.  James  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea.    Award  of  merit. 

Sopliro-Cattlcija  Saxa. — This  is  a  pretty  hybrid  between 
Sophronitis  grandifiora  and  Cattleya  Triana;.  When  they  open 
the  fiowers  are  a  deep  rose  colour,  with  a  shade  of  carmine; 
the  lip  is  darker,  and  the  throat  is  yellow.  From  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea.     Award  of  merit. 

A  botanical  certiflcate  was  given  to  Dendrobium  Williamsii, 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  George  Bunyard,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  W. 
Poupart,  Joseph  Cheal,  S.  Mortimer,  Edwin  Beckett,  George 
Kelt,  H.  Markham,  J.  Jaques,  H.  Parr,  G.  Reynolds,  F.  L. 
Lane,  John  Lyne,  \V.  H.  Divers.  James  H.  Veitch,  and  Owen 
Thomas. 

There  was  only  one  e.xhibit  before  this  committee,  a  dish 
of  Apples. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present :  W.  Marshall.  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  Charles  T. 
Druery,  B.  C.  Notcutt,  R.  Dean,  John  Green,  William  Howe,. 
J.  F.  McLeod,  R,  Hooper  Pearson,  G.  Reuthe,  J.  Jennings^ 
C.  R.  blelder,  Charles  Dixon,  C.  J.  Salter,  J.  A.  Nix,  Charles. 
Jefferies,  J.  W.  Barr,  Charles  E.  Pearson,  R.  W.  Wallace^ 
William  Cuthbertson,  W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  W,  J. 
Jame?,  Charles  E.  Shea,  and  H.  J.  Cut  bush. 

Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Sou,  Upper  Holloway,  showed 
many  flue  examples  of  Lilac,  Prunus,  Azalea  mollis, 
Forsythia,  Mains  floribunda,  and  other  plants.  Silver 
Baiiksian  medal. 

Ml'.  John  Russell,  Richmond,  had  a  beautiful  group,  ii> 
which  were  Prunus  triloba.  Azalea  mollis  in  many  charming 
shades,  Andromeda  speciosa.  Guelder  Roses,  Eurya  latifolia 
fol.  var.,  and  much  more  of  a  like  character.  Silver  Bauksiar> 
medal. 

Messrs.  William  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  had  a  raagni- 
flcent  display  of  forced  shvubsin  great  variety,  the  Magnolias, 
Wistarias,  and  Lilacs  being  especially  charming  and  well 
done.  To  these  in  addition  were  Laburnums,  Spiriea  confuaa, 
Prunus  triloba,  Pyrus  MalusScheideckeri,  Magnolia  amabilis, 
&c.,  with  a  margin  and  groundwoik  of  Aralia  Sieboldi. 
Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

The  group  from  Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,. 
was  an  imposing  display  of  Azalea  molha  in  great  variety. 
Standards  and  bu-hea  were  largely  used,  such  varieties  as- 
AlphonseLavall^e (rose-pink  with  buft),  Altaclarei(Se(yellow)^ 
Rudyard  Kipling  (orange-yellow),  and  Peter  Koster  (orange- 
red),  being  very  elfective.  Palms  and  other  things  assisted 
in  the  grouping.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

A  very  ttne  lot  of  Cyclamen  persicum  in  white,  crimson, 
pink,  and  red  shadescame  from  Mr.  John  May,  St.  Margaret's, 
Twickenham.  The  plants  were  excellent  specimens,  well 
grown,  and  freely  flowered.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

From  Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  came  an  interesting 
lot  of  Crocus  specie.s,  Saxifraga  Grisebachi,  Shortia  galaci- 
folia,  Sarracenia  purpurea,  Galax  aphylla,  Iris  Hislriodes- 
major  (very  fine),  I.  Tauri  (very  showy),  I.  Danforditc  (yellow), 
Anemone  blanda,  and  other  of  the  earliest  floweis  of  the 
year. 

A  group  of  plants  of  Begonia  gigantea  carminata  was 
shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill.  Unfortu- 
nately, the  plants  were  hardly  in  flower,  but  the  bud 
colouration  was  itself  a  most  effective  item.  The  plant,  too, 
is  vig(trou3,  and  possesses  many  points  of  value  as  a  winter- 
flowering  subject.  B.  argentea  guttata,  a  pretty  leaved  sort 
.  was  also  in  quantity. 


^tey- 


GARDEN 


f-^..J^^f^ 


No.  1685.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[Maech  5,  1904. 


T 


CENTENARY  OF  THE 
ROYAL  HORTICUL- 
TURAL    SOCIETY. 

/■  ■  ">  O-M.ORRO  W  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  completes  its  lOOth  year, 
and  all  interested  in  this  great 
power  for  good  in  horticulture 
have  cause  for  congratulation. 
In  a  short  sketch  of  its  history,  contri- 
buted to  the  catalogue  of  the  great  May 
show  in  the  Temple  Gardens  last  year  by  the 
president.  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  we  are 
reminded  how  deeply  the  love  for  gardening 
has  entered  into  the  life  of  the  people.  No 
truer  words  have  been  written  than  the 
following  : 

"  The  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain  have,  during 
the  last  half  century,  and  especially  of  late  years, 
grown  so  accustomed  to  be  surrounded  by  flowers, 
in  town  and  country  alike,  that  they  have  come  to 
regard  the  present  state  of  British  horticulture  as 
a  matter  of  course.  But  no  one  who  carries  his 
mind  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  can 
fail  to  be  struck  by  the  extraordinary  progress 
which  gardening  and  gardens  have  since  made.  It 
has  often  been  remarked  that  the  world  advanced 
more  rapidly  during  the  long  and  happy  reign  of 
her  late  Majesty  Queen  Victoria,  in  all  that  con- 
tributes to  the  health,  comfort,  and  convenience  of 
life — that  is  to  say,  to  its  happiness — than  during 
the  preceding  oOO  years.  While  the  Sciences 
generally  have  progressed  with  giant  strides, 
horticultural  science  has  not  lagged  behind.  During 
the  century  but  lately  ended  trees  and  shrubs, 
annuals  and  perennials,  flowers  and  fruits,  have 
been  introduced  from  foreign  countries  in  vast 
numbers,  while  the  abilities  of  several  generations 
of  gardeners  have  found  full  scope  for  their  exer- 
cise among  a  garden-loving  people  in  improving 
old  and  raising  new  varieties  of  plants  and  fruits 
by  cultivation,  selection,  hybridisation,  and  in 
other  ways." 

Though  a  general  history  of  the  society 
should  interest  all  who  are  sufficiently  enthu- 
siastic to  acquire  a  Fellowship,  there  is  one 
phase  of  it  that  perhaps  appeals  with  greater 
force  than  its  early  triumphs,  its  years  of 
vicissitudes,  and  its  restoration  to  a  proud 
position  through  a  firm  and  wise  government, 
and  that  is  horticultural  practice  in  the  garden 
at  Ghiswick. 

It  is  for  this  reason  we  have  reproduced 
several  illustrations  of  an  historic  place — 
the  Ivy  -  mantled  council  chamber,  where 
doubtless  the  treasures  sent  home  by  the 
society's  traveller  Fortune  first  saw  the  light, 
the  famous  vinery,  and  the  old  plant  houses  of 
a  long  distant  age — all  reminiscent  of  the 
intense  gardening  spirit  of  the  men  who  in 
those  days  sent  out  collectors  to  many  lands 


for   the   enrichment   of    English  gardens   and 
woodlands. 

The  founders  of  the  society  were  men  of 
energy  and  foresight.  The  importance  of 
horticultural  practice  was  recognised  by  the 
establishment  of  a  garden,  and  Kensington  was 
the  place  chosen,  with  a  nursery  at  Ealing. 
This  was  in  1818,  but  four  years  after  the 
whole  of  this  work  was  concentrated  at  Chis- 
wick,  where  a  thirty  years'  lease  of  thirty-three 
acres  had  been  obtained  from  the  Duke  of 
Devonshire,  the  lease  being  renewed  in  1852 
for  a  like  period.  Many  years  afterwards  this 
acreage  was  reduced  to  twelve,  which  are  its 
present  dimensions. 

About  the  time  the  society  possessed  a 
garden  of  its  own  John  Reeves  was  collecting 
in  China,  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  in- 
troduce the  Wistaria  sinensis.  With  what 
wonder,  even  in  1904,  when  new  flowers  flow 
as  a  steady  stream  into  our  gardens,  should  we 
view  the  lavender  trails  of  so  beautiful  a  tree  ! 
The  success  of  Reeves  was  the  means  of  the 
society  sending  out  collectors  at  their  own 
cost,  the  first  of  whom  were  Don  and  Forbes  in 
1821,  and  then  Douglas,  who  explored  the  rich 
forests  from  North  America  to  California. 
Through  his  courage,  devotion,  and  knowledge 
our  gardens  were  enriched  by  many  trees  which 
are  now  familiar  and  largely  planted— Pinus 
insignis,  Abies  Douglasii,  and  many  beautiful 
annual  flowers. 

Parkes  and  McRae  are  among  the  honoured 
names  of  this  period ;  but  the  greatest 
of  all  is  Robert  Fortune,  who  in  1843 
was  sent  by  the  society  at  great  expense  into 
the  Far  East.  The  yellow  Jasminum  nudi- 
florum,  that  now  clouds  many  a  garden  wall 
with  colour,  was  sent  home  by  this  brave 
traveller,  who  enriched  our  gardens  with  the 
beautiful  flora  of  China  and  Japan,  and  revo- 
lutionised the  great  Tea  industry  in  the  East 
by  transferring  it  from  China  to  our  Indian 
Empire.  It  is  well  to  remember,  in  these 
commercial  days,  the  work  of  Robert  For- 
tune, and  of  many  other  collectors  connected 
with  its  history. 

In  1833  the  Chiswick  Gardens  became  a 
fashionable  resort.  When  we  read  of  the 
great  exhibitions  to  which  Society  flocked  in 
those  days,  but,  as  is  the  wont  of  Fashion, 
afterwards  neglected,  we  tremble  to  think  of 
the  time  when  history  may  repeat  itself. 
Financial  troubles  loomed  ahead,  and  the 
influence  of  the  then  Duke  of  Devonshire,  who 
was  appointed  president,  was  unavailing. 


In  those  days  Chiswick  was  a  beautifuJ 
village  ;  the  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Devon- 
shire was  surrounded  by  meadows  and  leafy 
lanes,  and  his  interest  in  the  society  was  so- 
great  that  the  grounds  around  the  famous- 
house  were  thrown  open  to  visitors  to  the 
shows  in  the  neighbouring  garden,  but  to  no- 
purpose.  The  Duke  died  in  1858,  and  the- 
Prince  Consort  was  appointed  in  his  place,  but 
the  sad  event  of  1861,  at  the  moment  when  the 
Prince  was  endeavouring  to  place  the  society 
in  a  sound  financial  position  in  the  newly- 
acc(uired  grounds  at  South  Kensington,  was 
only  the  beginning  of  troubles  which  are  fresh> 
in  the  minds  of  some  who  govern  the  society 
at  the  present  clay. 

Names  we  reverence  to-day  have  been  con- 
nected with  Chiswick.  George  Bentham, 
Knight,  Lindley,  who  suggested  the  holding, 
of  shows  at  Chiswick,  and  others  whose 
labours  will  be  recounted  in  the  more  descrip- 
tive history  of  the  society  we  propose  to- 
publish.  We  are  thankful  that  a  society  with 
so  brilliant  a  beginning  has  maintained 
thoroughout  its  experimental  and  practical 
work,  and,  though  evil  days  have  fallen  upon. 
Chiswick,  its  history  will  be  continued  under 
more  suitable  conditions  in  the  sixty  acres  at 
Wisley. 

Around  the  garden  at  Chiswick  cling  many- 
memories.  It  passes  into  the  hands  of  the 
speculating  builder,  and  ends  its  career  sadly, 
but  to  most  of  those  who  have  laboured  there- 
it  is  not  forgotten  even  in  these  days  of  unrest 
and  superficiality,  and  we  close  one  book  to 
open  another  that  will,  let  us  hope,  in  the 
years  to  come,  record  in  its  pages  as  bright  a. 
history  of  good  work  accomplished  as  in  the 
long-clistant  past.  The  society  is  in  strong, 
hands.  Its  watchword  is  the  safe  one — Horti- 
culture— and  if  it  never  swerves  from  that 
policy  it  will  remain  a  power  for  good  at  home- 
and  abroad. 


TUB      GARDENING. 

Having  had  some  years'  experience  witk 
growing  tender  and  half-hardy  plants  in  tubs, 
I  am  complying  with  your  request  in  the  foot- 
note to  Mr.  Paul's  queries  (page  160).  Firsts 
as  to  the  tubs  themselves.  We  have  used  both 
empty  paraffin  casks  and  what  are  termed 
fusty  beer  barrels  for  many  years.  The  prices 
of  both  are  about  the  same,  viz.,  IM.  per- 
gallon,  though  as  we  reside  in  a  brewery 
district  we  get  barrels  free  of  railway 
carriage,  which  is  an  advantage.  When  sawing: 
the  latter  in  two  be  careful  to  have  them  cut 


160 


:he  garden. 


[Makch  5,  1904. 


in  tlie  centre,  which  will  be  right  across  the 
bung-hole.  A  bit  of  half-round  wood  can  be 
nailed  in  each  half-circle,  or  stout  zinc  nailed 
on  the  outsides  of  them.  In  both  cases  it  will 
be  hidden  with  the  painting  that  is  needful. 
We  find  two  coats  of  paint  ^vill  do,  though  a 
third  coat  is  an  advantage.  The  two  first 
should  be  lead  colour,  and  the  third  green.  A 
coat  of  black  afterwards  on  the  iron  hoops 
should  be  given.  For  the  smaller  sizes  not 
less  than  five  holes  bored  with  an  inch  auger 
should  be  made  in  the  bottom  of  each  tub. 
Larger  ones  should  have  more.  I  ought  to 
have  said  that  as  soon  as  the  tubs  are  cut  in 
two  we  get  some  shavings  or  dry  straw  and 
upturn  each  tub  over  them,  then  set  fire  to 
them,  leaving  the  tubs  sufficiently  long  on  fire 
so  that  the  inner  surface  is  well  charred  over. 
This  is  done  with  the  object  of  preserving 
them  and  also  destroying  anything  that  might 
injure  the  roots  of  the  plants  when  they  come 
in  contact  with  the  sides  of  the  tubs. 

For  the  smaller  sizes  two  stout  box  handles 
should  be  screwed  on  to  each  one.  They  can 
be  purchased  cheaply  from  any  respectable 
ironmonger.  For  the  larger  ones  stouter  ones 
are  best,  say,  made  from  bar  iron  l^  inches  in 
width  by  a  ciuarter  of  an  inch  in  thickness, 
each  handle  to  be  not  less  than  9  inches  long 
with  their  upper  ends  turned  outwards  p  so  as 
to  take  a  stout  2-inch  piece  of  wood. 

The  object  in  this  case  i.s  that  two  persons 
may  with  the  pieces  of  wood  readily  move  the 
tubs  from  time  to  time  as  required.  Holes 
should  be  drilled  in  the  upright  pieces  of  these 
irons  to  take  screws  for  affixing  them  to  the 
tubs.  Any  blacksmith  would  soon  make  them 
if  required.  I  have  been  careful  to  go  into 
•details  in  this  matter,  feeling  sure  there  may 
be  many  of  your  readers  who  would  like  to  go 
into  this  very  interesting  form  of  garden 
decoration.  Of  course,  those  who  can  buy 
the  tubs  need  not  take  the  trouble  to  read  my 
notes. 

Whatever  kind  of  plants  are  to  be  put  into 
the  tubs,  they  should,  of  course,  be  permanently 
planted.  If  proper  drainage  is  put  in  and  the 
right  kind  of  soil  there  would  he  no  need  to 
replant  for,  say,  three  years  at  the  least.  The 
only  exception  to  this  rule  is  when,  say, 
Chrysanthemums  are  grown  in  them.  We  have 
used  tubs  for  this  purpose  for  over  twenty 
years,  and  find  them  very  useful  for  making  a 
good  show  in  a  large  conservatory  during  the 
early  winter  months 

Anyone  who  has  not  a  greenhouse  but  is  in 
possession  of  a  warm,  dry  shed  from  which 
i'rost  can  be  excluded  in  the  winter,  may  add 
much  to  the  interest  of  their  gardens  by  going 
in  for  tub  gardening.  The  main  points  to  be 
■careful  about  in  this  case  are  to  have  them 
removed  before  injured  by  early  frosts  and  not 
put  completely  out  of  doors  too  early  in  the 
season.  If  the  shed  has  some  light  from 
windows  and  means  of  ventilation  in  the 
late  spring  months  the  following  plants  could 
■be  safely  and  well  grown  :  Strong-growing 
seedling  Abutilons,  Agapanthus,  Brugmansias, 
strong  -  growing  Fuschias,  Lemon  -  scented 
Verbena,  Acacia  lophantha,  Erythrina  Crista- 
galli,  strong  -  growing  Oannas,  variegated 
Euonymus,  and  Myrtles.  Care  is  required  in 
each  case  that  the  soil  in  the  tubs  is  not  kept 
too  wet  or  too  dry,  during  the  winter  especially. 
After  the  first  year  the  soil  for  an  inch  or 
two  in  depth  will  require  to  be  carefully 
removed  each  spring  and  a  little  fresh  put  on 
in  its  place.  During  the  height  of  growth 
•a,  slight  weekly  dressing  of  some  good  artificial 
manure  may  be  given. 

Grimston,  Tadcaster.  H.  J.  C. 


THE  EDITORS  TABLE. 


We  invite  our  readers  to  send  us  anything  of 
special  beauty  and  interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  interesting  plants 
become  more  widely  known.  We  hope,  too,  that 
a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instructive  to 
those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We  welcome 
anything  from  the  garden,  whether  fruit,  tree, 
shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  they  should 
be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London. 


Lenten  Hellebores. 
Mr.  T.  H.  Archer-Hind,  Coombefishaere,  sends 
a  charming  variety  of  Lenten  Roses,  which  are 
beautiful  when  seen  floating  in  a  bowlful  of  water. 
The  colours  are  very  tender  and  unusual,  and  one 
flower  named  Devonia  is  white,  with  a  multi- 
tude of  rosy  purple  spots,  on  a  broad,  firm  petal. 
Tender  rose,  almost  pure  white,  and  many  delicate 
shades  abound  in  this  series  from  Mr.  Archer-Hind, 
who  has  raised  so  many  new  forms  of  good  colours. 
We  enjoy  the  flowers  in  a  bowl,  floating  like  Water 
Lilies,  and  in  this  way  they  keep  fresh  for  days, 
especially  when  the  stems  are  slit  up  about  half 
their  length. 


Cypkipediums  and  other  Orchids. 
A  boxful  of  Cypripediunis  of  beautiful  yellow 
colouring  come  from  Mr.  U.  M.  C4rimsdale,  Kent 
Lodge,  U.xbridge.  The  flowers  represent  extremely 
good  forms,  and  were  gathered  evidently  from 
thoroughly  well-grown  plants. 


leafless  branches  are  then  very  pretty,  thickly  set 
as  they  are  with  short,  broad  catkins  of  a  beautiful 
silvery  grey  colour.  As  regards  the  hardiness  of 
this  Willow  one  can  only  say  that  it  has  withstood 
the  last  eight  winters  without  serious  injury. 
Whether  it  would  survive  a  really  severe  one  like 
that  of  1894-9.3  has  yet  to  be  seen. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


Beautiful  Bulbous  Ibises. 
Mr.  Perry  sends  from  his  Hardy  Plant  Farm, 
Winchmore  Hill,  London,  N. ,  several  beautiful 
bulbous  Irises,  which,  we  hope,  all  who  rejoice  in 
the  early  flowers  of  spring  will  have  in  their 
gardens.  The  hardy  plant  house  is  the  place  for 
these  at  this  season,  or  a  cold  frame,  or  a  window 
box  where  protection  can  be  given  during  the  time 
of  flowering.  In  the  open  ground,  unless  in  some 
sheltered  position,  the  flowers  get  sullied  by  heavy 
rains  and  frosts.  Mr.  Perry  sends  I.  Heldreichi, 
too  well  known  to  describe,  but  its  purple  colouring 
is  always  welcome  to  us  ;  and  so  also  is  the  deeper 
shades  of  I.  reticulata  purpurea  and  the  exquisite 
beauty  of  I.  Tauri.  A  very  charming  flower  is 
I.  Hausnectii  ;  the  flowers  are  small,  of  a  lurid 
purple  colour,  with  yellow  colouring  on  the  fall, 
an  Iris  well  worth  growing. 


Fruits  of  Musa  Cavendishii. 
Mr.  F.  Jordan,  Impney  Hall  Gardens,  Worcester- 
shire, sends  some  splendid  Bananas.  The  bunch 
from  which  they  were  cut  had  over  2.50  fingers  and 
weighed  921b.  Although  Mr.  Jordan  sa3's  the 
fruits  are  not  of  such  good  flavour  as  usual,  owing 
to  the  sunless  season,  they  are  far  better  than  the 
best  of  imported  ones.  Mr.  Jordan  grows  Bananas 
very  successfully,  and  next  week  will  have  some- 
thing to  say  about  them  in  The  Garden. 


SaLIX   GRACILISTYLA    iMlQUEL    (S.    MUTABILIS    OF 

Gardens). 
This  distinct  and  interesting  Willow  has 
lately  been  sent  in  flower  to  us  from  Mr.  Anthony 
Waterer's  nursery  at  Knap  Hill,  Woking.  It 
is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  was  distributeil 
first  under  the  name  of  S.  mutabilis.  When 
it  flowered  at  Kew  in  March,  1897,  it  was,  how- 
ever, found  to  be  a  species  that  had  previously 
been  described  by  Miquel  under  the  name  of  S. 
gracilistyla.  It  has  a  graceful  pendulous  habit, 
which  in  the  plants  sent  out  has  been  rendered  the 
more  marked  by  their  being  grafted  on  stocks  a 
few  feet  high.  The  leaves  are  oblong  and  pointed, 
and  about  3  inches  long  by  1  inch  wide  :  they  are 
dark  green  above,  paler  and  covered  with  minute 
silky  hairs  beneath.  The  young  wood  also  is 
covered  with  a  fine,  grey,  silky  pubescence. 
Flowering  in  late  February  and  early  March    its 


FOKTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

March  8. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting.  Horticultural  Club,  House  Dinner 
at  6  p.  m.  Discussion  opened  by  the  Rev.  Professor 
Henslow,  on  "  Botanising  Excursions." 

March  9.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

March  16.  —  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Flower 
Show. 

March  22. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  5.  —  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

Royal  Hoptieultupal   Society.— The 

next  fruit  and  flower  show  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the  Sth  inst., 
in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate,  Westminster, 
at  1 — 5  p.m.  A  lecture  on  "Cottage  and  Allotment 
Gardens  "  will  be  given  bj'  Mr.  Alexander  Dean, 
F.R.H.S.,  at  three  o'clock.  At  a  general  meeting  of 
the  society,  held  on  Tuesda}',  the  23rd  ult.,  forty 
new  fellows  were  elected,  amongst  them  being  the 
Marchioness  of  Linlithgow  and  the  Right  Hon.  the 
Earl  of  Northesk,  making  a  total  of  301  elected 
since  the  beginning  of  the  present  j'ear. 

Lectures  in  1904. — March  8,  "Cottage 
and  Allotment  Gardens,"  by  Alexander  Dean  ; 
March  22,  "  Heredity  of  Acquired  Characters,"  by 
Professor  Henslow;  April  5,  "  Villa  Gardens,"  bj' 
Hugh  P.  C.  Maule;  April  19,  "Diseases  of  the 
Potato,"  by  George  Massee,  V.  M.H.  ;  May  3, 
"  Enemies  of  the  Apple  tree,"  by  M.  Charles  Baltet  ; 
May  17,  "  The  Horticultural  Phase  of  Nature 
Study,"  by  R.  Hedger  Wallace  ;  June  14,  "Floral 
Metamorphoses,"  by  Professor  Henslow  ;  June  28, 
"  Hybridisation  of  Roses,"  b}'  M.  Viviand  Morel  ; 
Jul}'  2G,  "  Orchid  Varieties  and  Hybrids,"  by  John 
Bidgood  ;  August  9,  as  yet  undecided  ;  August  23, 
as  yet  undecided  ;  September  6,  "  On  Gourds,"  by 
J.  W.  Odell ;  September  20,  "  Methods  of  Employ- 
ing Roses  in  the  Decoration  of  Gardens,"  by 
George  Gordon,  V.M.H.  ;  October  18,  "Vegetable 
Sports,"  by  Professor  Henslow;  November  1, 
Planting  Woods  for  Winter  Effect,"  by  the  Hon. 
Vicar}'  Gibbs  ;  November  15,  "  Orchard  Manage- 
ment from  a  Commercial  Standpoint,"  by  Professor 
Craig;  November  29,  "On  Hollies,"  by  E.  T. 
Cook.  Till  the  end  of  June  the  lectures  will  be 
given  at  3 p.m.  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate, 
S.W.  ;  after  June  at  the  same  hour  in  the  Horti- 
cultural Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster. 

Noten    from    Baden  -  Baden.  —  Iris 

bakeriana,  although  not  very  variable,  has  pro- 
duced two  desirable  forms  here  ;  one  has  flowers  of 
a  deep  even  colour,  and  the  other  of  a  Prussian 
blue.  I.  histrioides  major  is  an  improvement  on 
the  type,  all  parts  of  the  flowers  being  massive  and 
broad.  A  charming  novelty  is  I.  histrioides  alba  ; 
its  satin)'  white  with  an  orange-yellow  crest 
attracts  attention  at  once.  As  to  the  Oncocyclus 
Irises  I  have  found  after  having  experimented  with 
a  few  dozen  :  In  1902  and  the  following  year  I 
left  the  plants  alone,  gave  them  no  glass  shelter 
last  autumn,  and  no  protection  whatsoever  during 
this  season,  which  was  cold,  rainy,  and  sunless — in 
fact,  I  left  them  alone.  But,  to  my  surprise,  I  find 
that  those  which  were  just  planted  beneath  the 
surface  are  in  very  good  condition  and  thriving, 
whilst  those  which  had  been  planted  about  2  inches 
to  '2h  inches  deep  are  dead.  It  is  easj'  to  draw 
conclusions  from  this. — Max  Lbicutlin,  Baden- 
Br/ 1  k  II. 

NoPthern  Spy  Apple.— In  this  cold  and 
damp  climate  Northern  Spy  Apple  does  badly  ;  it 
cankers  and  the  fruit  is  exceedingly  dry  and  juice- 
less. — D.  K. ,   ]'irijiiiia,  Ire/anil. 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


161 


Nova  Scotia  fruit.— The  Agent-General 
for  Nova  Scotia  informs  us  that  the  Crystal  Palace 
authorities  have  presented  a  special  commemora- 
tive medal  to  the  Nova  Scotia  Government  for  the 
splendid  exhibit  o£  dessert,  cooking,  and  cider 
Apples  which  have  been  displayed  by  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  in  the  Canadian  Court  during 
the  last  three  months.  Nova  Scotia  fruit  easily 
holds  the  first  place  among  all  the  Apples  imported 
into  this  country  from  abroad.  By  a  process  of 
systematic  selection  directed  towards  securing 
flavour,  combined  with  long-keeping  qualities,  and 
by  limiting  production  to  comparatively  few  varie- 
ties possessing  these  characteristics,  Nova  Scotian 
growers  have  won  for  their  fruit  this  enviable 
position.  The  Apple  crop  in  Nova  Scotia  was 
unusually  large  last  year,  and  over  half  a  million 
barrels  have  already  been  shipped  to  this  country. 

Fruit  culture  in  Ontario.— The  fruit 

growing  industry  of  Ontario  is  a  very  important 
one,  with  possibilities  of  development  which  should 
interest  Englishmen  who  are  looking  for  other 
occupations  than  farming  and  stock  raising  for  the 
employment  of  their  ,  energies  and  capital.  The 
wise  solicitudeof  the  Federal  and  Provincial  Govern- 
ments in  taking  upon  their  shoulders  the  investiga- 
tion of  and;  removal  of  various    problems  in  the 


and  the  fruits  of  the  last-named  split  so  badly 
before  they  are  fully  ripe.  There  is  another  variety 
of  Bourjassotte,  which  is  also  a  dark-coloured  fruit, 
but  it  is  not  so  rich  as  the  one  named  above.  This 
is  called  Noire.  It  is  a  more  solid  fruit  than 
Grise,  and  not  at  all  rich.  At  times  these  two 
varieties  are  mistaken,  one  being  grown  for  the 
other.  This  was  one  of  the  best  Figs  in  the 
collection  at  Chiswick,  and  it  always  cropped  well 
but  it  does  not  like  hard  forcing.  On  the  other 
hand,  it  can  be  had  very  late,  so  that  it  is  valuable 
to  prolong  the  supply.  It  .should  not  be  planted 
out,  as  when  given  much  root  space  it  is  inclined 
to  make  too  much  wood,  but  as  a  pot  tree  it  is 
most  valuable.  The  fruits  are  of  a  rich  chocolate 
colour,  the  flesh  dark  red,  and  they  are  above 
medium  size.  The  tree,  when  given  good  culture, 
crops  grandly,  the  fruits  being  freely  produced  on 
the  short  spur  growths,  which  this  variety  makes 
freely  if  closely  stopped  in  the  growing  season.  I 
class  this  variety  as  the  best  all-round  good  dark 
Fig  for  pots.— G.  Wythes. 

Precocious  Leucojum   sestivum.- 

Last  year  I  contributed  a  note  concerning  some 
plants  of  Leucojum  sestivum  that  exhibited  a  very 
precocious  tendency.  This  year,  when  I  returned 
to  ray  garden  towards  the  end  of  January,  after 


CARPETED   WITH   CROCDSES.      AN    EAKLY  SPRING   PICTURE  AT   KEW. 


interests  of  the  farming  community  cannot  fail  to 
give  confidence  and  encouragement  to  those  who 
think  of  making  Canada  their  home. 

Crocuses  in  Grass.— It  is  often  a  matter 
of  difficulty  to  cover  the  ground  beneath  large  trees 
successfully  with  flowering  plants,  and  the  accom- 
panying illustration  may  perhaps  serve  as  an  object- 
lesson.  The  Crocuses,  now  in  full  bloom,  are 
growing  on  a  grass  mound  beneath  a  large  tree  at 
Kew,  and  annually  make  a  splendid  display.  The 
Crocus  mound,  as  it  has  come  to  be  called,  is  one  of 
the  prettiest  sights  at  Kew  in  early  spring. 
Crocuses  are  not  everybody's  favourites,  hut  when 
they  can  be  used  to  such  advantage  in  a  position 
where  few  plants  will  thrive,  it  is  hardly  necessary 
to  say  much  in  support  of  their  usefulness,  or, 
many  will  allow,  in  praise  of  their  beauty  either. 

A  valuable  pot  Figr  (Bourjassotte 
Grise). — This  was  one  of  the  four  good  Figs 
recommended  in  The  Garden  (page  90)  by  "J.  J." 
for  pot  culture,  and  I  certainly  do  not  think  a 
better  variety  exists,  taking  quality  as  the  chief 
consideration.  Negro  Largo  is  larger,  and  is  by 
many  considered  the  best  of  the  black  or  dark- 
skinned  fruits,  but,  so  far  as  my  experience  goes, 
it  is  not  equal  to  Bourjassotte  Grise,  though 
Nebian  runs  it  close  for  quality.     This  is  later, 


an  absence  of  about  five  weeks,  I  found  that 
several  bulbs  had  already  flowered,  most  of  the 
blossoms  being  then  past  their  best.  Close  along- 
side these  early-blooming  bulbs  a  colony  of  bulbs 
that  flower  at  the  normal  time  is  growing.  These 
never  show  any  sign  of  foliage  until  the  leaves  of 
the  early-flowering  section  are  fully  developed.  In 
a  Torquay  garden  I  have  met  with  Leucojum 
a^stivum  in  flower  contemporary  with  L.  vernum, 
but  in  my  case  these  early  summer  Snowflakes 
have  passed  out  of  bloom  long  before  there  is 
any  sign  of  blossom   on  the  spring  Snowflake. — 

S.   W.  FiTZHEBBERT. 

The  Red  Cup  Moss.— The  pretty  scarlet 
fungus  know  popularly  as  "red  cup  Moss,"  the 
botanical  name  of  which  is  Peziza  ooccinea,  is  one 
of  the  loveliest  of  the  "common  objects"  of  a 
country  walk  in  the  winter-time.  Here  and  there 
it  may  be  found  in  the  hedgerow,  but,  growing  as 
it  does  on  decayed  wood,  the  most  likely  spot  to 
find  it  in  any  quantity  is  in  a  damp  wood  or 
spinney.  In  one  place,  where  an  old  plantation 
is  never  touched  from  year's  end  to  year's  end,  it 
occurs  annually  in  great  numbers,  the  little  red 
cups  glowing  on  the  dark  ground  in  dozens.  Few, 
perhaps,  know  what  a  charming  and  lasting  indoor 
decoration  this  cup  Moss  will  provide  if  artistically 


arranged.  The  fungi  should  be  lifted  carefully, 
each  with  a  small  piece  of  the  rotten  wood  to 
which  they  are  attached  adhering  to  them,  and 
carried  home.  A  shallow  glass  or  china  saucer  or 
dish  should  be  procured,  and  half  filled  with  water. 
In  this  should  be  placed  sufficient  fresh  green 
Moss  almost  to  fill  the  dish,  and  the  Pezizas  can 
then  be  placed  on  the  top  of  the  Moss  that  should 
hide  the  rotten  wood  to  which  they  are  attached. 
Rough  and  not  close-growing  Moss  must  be  used 
for  tilling  the  dish,  that  known  as  Fern  Moss,  a 
Hypnum,  being  the  most  attractive.  From  two  to 
three  dozen  fungi,  ranging  in  size  from  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  to  IJ  inches  across,  may  be 
placed  in  the  Moss,  and  these  will  retain  their 
colour  and  freshness  for  a  full  month  or  more, 
and  provide  a  beautiful  and  uncommon  decoration 
for  the  living-room  during  the  darkest  days  of  mid- 
winter.— S.   W.  FiTZHEKBERT. 

Chimonanthus  fragrans.— The  chief 

value  of  the  flowers  of  this  hardy  shrub  lies  in 
their  fragrance  and  appearance  in  the  winter.  We 
have  here  a  large  specimen  growing  against  a  south 
wall;  it  is  in  full  blossom,  the  air  in  the  vicinity 
being  laden  with  its  fragrance.  This  plant  is 
trained  like  a  wall  Plum  tree,  and  the  shoots  are 
spurred  in  precisely  the  same  wa}'.  The  flowers 
are  borne  in  January  or  February,  when  the  tree 
is  devoid  of  leafage.  The  variety  grandiflorus  has 
larger  flowers  than  the  type,  and  is  altogether  an 
improvement.  The  Chimonanthus  is  well  adapted 
for  culture  on  low  walls  or  fences,  either  in  the 
garden  proper  or  in  the  pleasure  grounds.  The 
soil  should  be  rich  and  open,  and  where  such  does 
not  exist  naturally  means  should  be  taken  to  make 
it  so.  When  the  tree  is  well  established  do  not 
feed  too  much  or  over-luxuriance  will  result,  to 
the  detriment  of  free  flowering.  Pruning  should 
be  performed  soon  after  the  flowers  have  faded 
and  before  the  sap  commences  to  rise.  Cut  back 
all  the  previous  year's  growth  to  within  four  or 
five  buds  of  its  base.  The  leading  shoots  and  those 
required  for  extension  may  be  left  intact  or  slightly 
shortened.  The  method  of  propagation  usually 
adopted  is  to  layer  at  the  present  time  the  young 
shoots  that  spring  from  the  base  of  the  tree. — 
H.  T.  Martin,  Stoneleigh. 

A  new  Parsnip.  —  Parsnips  are  not 
favourites  with  all  vegetable  growers,  but  much 
depends  upon  the  variety,  how  grown,  and  other 
details.  The  new  variety  I  would  call  attention  to 
is  very  distinct,  and  likely  to  become  a  more 
popular  vegetable  than  the  older  sorts  on  account  of 
its  smaller  size  and  excellent  flavour.  The  variety 
in  question,  Sutton's  Intermediate,  may  be  classed 
as  an  intermediate  form.  It  does  not  approach 
any  of  the  older  varieties  in  length,  but,  unless  for 
exhibition,  I  fail  to  see  the  importance  of  this. 
The  new  Intermediate  with  me,  sown  early  last 
May,  is  more  like  a  short  Carrot,  but  doubtless 
if  sown  earlier  it  would  be  larger  or  longer.  I  see 
no  gain  in  mere  size,  and  if  sown  late  and  the  roots 
left  in  the  soil  and  lifted  as  required,  the  quality 
is  much  improved.  Of  course,  in  heavy  soils  earlier 
sowing  may  be  necessary,  as  even  with  Parsnips  a 
rigid  rule  cannot  be  drawn,  but  there  is  no  question 
as  to  the  quality  of  the  newer  form.  The  flesh  is 
very  soft,  there  is  very  little  core,  and  this  variety 
is  admirably  adapted  for  shallow  soils.  The  foliage 
is  small,  and  the  roots  mature  early,  and  in  many 
gardens  where  Parsnips  are  in  demand  it  would 
well  repay  the  cultivator  to  sow  an  early  lot  in 
February,  another  two  to  three  months  later,  the 
last  being  lifted  as  required  for  use.  By  keeping 
the  roots  thus  the  flavour  is  much  better. — G.  W. 

Figs  St.  John  and  Pingo  de  Mel 

in  spring. — 1  was  pleased  to  read  "J.  J.'s" 
note  on  page  90  referring  to  the  long  season  that 
ripe  Figs  may  be  had  if  there  is  a  succession  of 
pot  trees.  It  would  be  difficult  to  have  better 
quality  for  the  late  supplies.  My  note  now 
concerns  the  earliest,  and  I  have  had  St.  John's 
ripe  in  February.  The  two  early  varieties  noted 
above  are  not  so  good  in  quality  as  the  black  Figs. 
These  are  a  greenish  white,  rather  above  middle 
size,  and  when  not  forced  too  hard  the  quality  is 
excellent.  The  fruit  is  very  juicy,  deliciously 
sweet,  and  forcing  can  be  done  when  others  fail, 
as  the  St.  John    retains    its  fruit  in  its   earlier 


162 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  5,  1904. 


stages  of  growth  better  than  those  of  any  other 
variety.  I  have  bracketed  the  two  together,  as 
there  is  a  strong  likeness  between  tliem.  Both  are 
excellent  for  first  supplies,  and  the  trees  when 
started  in  November  will  give  ripe  fruits  in  March. 
At  the  same  time  I  should  add  they  were  con- 
sidered distinct  when  given  awards  by  the  fruit 
committee  some  years  ago,  but  it  is  not  necessary 
to  have  both  sorts,  as  they  ripen  together.  These 
very  early  Figs  have  other  advantages.  It  is 
surprising  what  a  number  of  fruits  even  small  pot 
trees  will  produce  ;  indeed,  they  are  too  free,  as 
they  get  overcropped  at  times.  Unlike  the  Brown 
Turkey  and  some  others,  they  are  not  so  good  for 
second  cropping,  so  that  they  give  a  full  crop  at 
the  start  and  at  a  season  when  forced  fruits  are 
very  scarce. — G.  Wythes. 

Lopopetalum  ehinense.— A  good  deal 

of  interest  was  occasioned  by  Messrs.  James 
Veitch's  excellent  exhibit  of  this  plant  at  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society's  meeting  on  the  23rd  ult.  ; 
the  dwarf  plants  bore  an  abundance  of  their  curious 
flowers  with  white  strap-shaped  petals.  Many 
seemed  to  have  the  idea  that  this  is  a  new  plant ; 
this  is,  however,  not  the  case.  This  Loropetalum 
was  introduced  in  1880,  and  ten  years  ago,  on 
March  13,  189-4,  it  was  given  a  first-class  certificate 
by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Since  then, 
however,  it  appears  to  have  been  rarely  shown  in 
quantity,  yet  this  is  the  only  way  to  bring  any 
plant  to  the  notice  of  the  public  so  that  they  will 
not  immediately  forget  its  existence.  The  thong- 
like petals  give  the  plant  its  generic  name — loron, 
a  thong,  and  petalon,  a  petal.  It  is  a  native  of 
China,  and  belongs  to  the  same  family  as  the  Witch 
Hazels.  A  note  in  The  Garden  last  year  thus 
testifies  to  the  value  of  this  plant  for  flowering 
under  glass  :  "  One  great  point  in  its  favour,  apart 
from  the  beauty  of  the  flowers,  is  the  uncommon 
appearance  of  a  well-flowered  specimen,  for  at  a 
little  distance  it  seems  to  be  veiled  with  clusters  of 
white  ribbon.  It  is  much  less  effective  as  a 
shrub  in  the  open  ground  than  it  is  under  glass." — 
A.  P.  H. 


THE    AURICULA.— MARCH. 

The  plants  during  this  month  will  be  in  full 
growth,  the  flower  trusses  showing,  and  a  few 
early  varieties,  if  the  season  be  mild,  will  be  in 
blossom  by  the  end  of  the  month.  Sufficient 
water  may  be  given  to  keep  the  soil  quite 
moist,  but  never  in  excess,  lest  the  soil  become 
sodden,  which  will  retard  rather  than  promote 
growth.  Air  must  be  given  on  all  safe  occa- 
sions. The  early  morning  sun  will  benefit  the 
plants,  but  in  this  treacherous  month  some 
trying  weather  may  be  experienced.  Sunny 
days  may  be  accompanied  by  a  keen  drying 
east  wind  ;  the  plants  if  exposed  to  this  will 
flag,  and  be  greatly  distressed.  On  such  days 
some  light  shading  material  must  therefore 
be  used,  and  brought  well  over  the  front  of  the 
frame  where  air  is  admitted,  to  break  the  wind 
as  well  as  to  shade  the  plants,  and  abundance 
of  thicker  material  at  hand  for  thoroughly 
protecting  against  frost  at  night.  Any  extreme 
or  violent  alteration  of  temperature  will  prevent 
many  pips  from  properly  expanding,  therefore 
every  precaution  must  be  taken  to  avoid  this 
evil. 

By  the  middle  of  the  month  many  trusses 
will  be  well  up,  therefore  attention  must  be 
directed  more  with  the  object  of  the  develop- 
ment of  it  and  the  expanding  of  the  pips 
than  the  growth  of  the  plant.  Therefore,  any 
expedient  must  be  resorted  to  to  avoid  violent 
changes  of  temperature,  which  will  retard  and 
seriously  injure  the  delicate  texture  of  the 
blooms,  for  after  months  of  patient  cultiva- 
tion no  effort  must  be  spared  to  bring  about 
the  fond  hopes  and  expectations  of  the  patient 
Auricula  grower.  Oft'sets  may  still  be  removed 
from  the  parent  plants,  and  those  removed 
last  month  may  have  air  gradually  admitted, 


but  if  they  show  signs  of  distress  must  be  kept 
closed  down  until  strong  enough  to  take  the 
fresh  air  without  flagging. 
Bishop's  Stortford.  W.  Smith. 


EVERGREEN   HOLLIES. 


ILEX  £ 

M' 


Ilex  Aquifolium  and  its  Varieties. 

ADERENSIS  VARIEGATA.— Like 
the  preceding  variety  (Lawsoniana), 
this  is  marked  by  the  large  central 
blotch  of  yellow  on  the  leaf — some- 
times almost  covering  it — but  the 
leaf  itself  is  not  so  large,  and  is 
narrower  in  proportion  to  its  length.  As  is 
the  case,  I  think,  more  or  less  with  all 
Hollies  whose  variegation  is  in  the  centre  of 
the  leaf,  this  has  a  tendency  to  revert  to  the 
green  state. 

Marnochii. — I  believe  this  fine  variety  was 
sent  out  from  the  Handsworth  Nurseries.  It 
is  in  the  way  of  camellisefolia,  many  of  the 
leaves  being  spineless,  and  having  the  same 
glossy  black-green  colour.  Some  of  the  leaves, 
however,  have  a  few  scattered  spines  very 
irregularly  placed.  The  largest  leaves  are 
4  inches  to  5  inches  long. 

Monstrosa.—'Seaxly  allied  to  latispina,  this 
differs  in  having  larger  leaves,  which  are  some- 
times 4  inches  long.  It  is  also  more  spiny, 
each  spine  terminating  a  narrow  triangular  lobe 
of  the  leaf,  which  stands  out  half  an  inch  from 
the  body  of  the  leaf.  The  apex  is  also  drawn 
out  into  a  long  acuminate  spine-tipped  point. 
The  foliage  of  this  remarkable  Holly  is  a  deep 
lustrous  green. 

Mundyi. — The  foliage  of  this  variety  is 
remarkably  stiif  and  rigid  in  texture,  and  of  a 
dull  green.  The  leaf  is  oblong,  4  inches  long 
by  24  inches  broad.  In  habit  it  is  distinct, 
being  a  strong  grower,  with  erect,  stifle  branches. 

Myrtifolia. — As  its  name  implies,  this 
charming  Holly  has  small  leaves  similar  in 
size  and  shape  to  those  of  the  Myrtle.  They 
vary  from  1  inch  to  \\  inches  long,  and  are 
usually  toothed  at  the  margins,  but  when,  as 
occasionally  happens,  the  margins  are  quite  or 
nearly  entire,  the  resemblance  to  a  Myrtle  is 
still  more  marked.  The  plant  has  a  neat  habit, 
and  is  comparatively  slow  growing. 

Myrtifolia  auvea. — The  leaves  of  this  variety 
are  rather  larger  than  in  the  green  myrtifolia, 
and  are  edged  with  golden-yellow. 

Nigrescens. — A  large-leaved  green  Holly  of 
rather  striking  character  when  well  grown. 
The  leaves  are  3  inches  or  more  long,  lustrous 
green,  and  sometimes  entire,  sometimes  spiny. 

Nohilis. — Of  the  varieties  with  large  green 
leaves  this  is  one  of  the  best.  The  plant  has  a 
vigorous  habit,  and  its  rich  green  leaves  are 
sometimes  4  inches  long  and  3  inches  broad. 
It  is  distinguished  also  by  its  formidable  spiny 
teeth,  which  are  occasionally  half  an  inch  long. 

Ovata. — Numerous  as  the  varieties  of  Holly 
are,  it  is  doubtful  if  there  is  one  quite  so 
distinct  from  all  the  others  as  this.  I  have 
heard  it  suggested  that  it  may  be  a  hybrid 
between  our  native  Ilex  Aquifolium  and  the 
American  I.  opaca,  but  this  seems  very 
doubtful.  It  is  a  shrub  of  only  moderately 
quick  growth  and  somewhat  close  in  habit. 
The  leaves  are  very  uniform  in  size,  from 
li  inches  to  2  inches  long,  and  ovate  ;  they  are 
of  a  peculiarly  stiff  texture,  and  the  marginal 
teeth  are  small  and  very  regularly  set.  The 
young  branches  are  purple,  and  the  foliage  is 
of  a  lustrous  black-green.  The  largest  plant  at 
Kew  is  18  feet  high  and  12  feet  in  diameter. 

Pendula. — The  common  weeping  Holly  is, 
when  well  grown,  one  of  the  most  effective  of 


lawn  trees.  There  is  a  fine  specimen  in  the 
Knap  Hill  Nursery,  and  some  good  ones  also 
at  Kew.  Plants  increase  but  slowly  in  height 
when  left  to  themselves  so  pendulous  are  the 
branches,  and  we  find  it  necessary  to  train  up 
a  few  leading  shoots  occasionally  to  enable  the 
plants  to  gain  in  height.  The  foliage  is  very 
much  like  that  of  the  common  Holly,  but 
usually  somewhat  larger.  The  "silver"  and 
"golden"  weeping  Hollies  are  referred  to  above 
under  argentea  and  aurea  respectively. 

Platyphylla.—Th.is  is  one  of  the  well-known, 
large-leaved  green  varieties,  notable  for  the 
deep  dull  green  of  its  foliage,  its  robust  habit, 
and  thick-textured  leaves.  Its  fruits  are  large 
and  deep  red,  and  the  seed,  whilst  producing  a 
proportion  of  common  Holly,  yet  comes  largely 
true. 

Recurva. — A  curious,  small-growing  Holly, 
remarkable  for  its  twisted,  channelled,  convex 
leaves,  the  spines  of  which  are  very  large  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  leaves,  for  the 
latter  are  only  from  1  inch  to  Ij  inches  long, 
and  narrow. 

Scotica. — The  most  striking  character  of  this 
Holly  is  the  almost  entire  absence  of  spines  on 
the  leaves ;  even  the  apex  is  usually  blunt. 
In  other  respects  it  is  a  useful  sort,  being  a 
good  grower,  and  having  small  or  medium- 
sized  leaves  of  a  very  dark  lustrous  green. 
The  leaves  of  Scotica  aurea  have  a  golden 
margin. 

Smithiana. — Except  that  the  leaves  are  dark 
glossy  green  without  the  purplish  tinge  of 
donningtonensis,  this  variety  is  very  like  the 
latter.  The  leaves  are  long  and  narrow 
(scarcely  more  than  1  inch  wide),  and  the 
toothing  irregular. 

Watereriana.  —  A  well  -  known  and  very 
popular  Holly,  and  amongst  the  very  best  of 
the  golden  variegated  ones.  It  is  a  well- 
marked  variety  both  in  habit  and  foliage. 
Being  of  low,  compact  growth,  it  is  particu- 
larly well  adapted  for  formal  gardens,  little 
clipping  being  necessary  to  keep  it  in  shape. 
The  leaf  is  medium-sized,  usually  quite  free 
of  spines,  the  dark  green  centre  being  edged 
by  a  band  of  yellow.  Sometimes  half  or  all 
the  leaf  is  yellow. 

Whittingtonensis. — Of  a  similar  type  to  the 
previously-described  smithiana  and  donning- 
tonensis, this  variety  dift'ers  in  having  larger, 
more  regularly  toothed  leaves  than  the  former, 
and  lacks  the  purplish  tinge  and  very  irregular 
toothing  of  the  latter. 

Wilsoni. — This  is  a  very  fine,  big-leaved,  green 
variety.  The  leaf  is  elliptical,  4  inches  long  by 
3  inches  broad,  and  armed  with  large  marginal 
teeth.    A  variety  bearing  large  red  fruits. 

Kew.  W.  J.  Bean. 


THE     FLOWER     GARDEN. 

CLOTHING    BUILDINGS    WITH 
PLANTS. 

PLANTS  may  be  often  seen  clothing  the 
walls  of  all  descriptions  of  houses,  &c., 
from  the  castle  to  the  cottage.  By 
their  use  a  dull  or  even  ugly  house  may 
be  made  presentable,  but  the  selection 
must  be  made  according  to  the  building. 
Plants  that  are  suitable  for  clothing  the  walls  of 
buildings  are  fairly  numerous,  so  that  adequate 
choice  may  be  made  to  meet  any  case,  and  varied 
tastes  can  be  gratified.  If  flowering  climbers  are 
preferred,  a  selection  may  be  made  from  the 
following  :  Ceanothus,  in  something  like  a  dozen 
kinds,  including  the  remarkably  beautiful,  though, 
unfortunately,  somewhat  tender,  C.  veitchianus, 
which  should  be  given  protection  during  severe 
weather.  The  Clematis,  again,  may  be  had  in 
great  variety,  both  in  hybrids  and  species,  of  which 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE    GAiiDEN. 


163 


C.  montana,  that  produces  an  early  and  dense 
profusion  of  small  white  blossoms,  should  not  be 
overlooked,  though  most  of  the  garden  hybrids  are 
much  more  showy.  Those  of  the  Jaokmauni  section 
are  particularly  hardy.  Amongst  the  big  family  of 
Passion  FlowersP.  cceruleaand  P.  c.  Constance  Elliott 
are  quite  hardy,  and  the  latter,  especially  when  fur- 
nished with  its  lovely  white  blossoms,  is  very  charm- 
ing. Of  Wistarias  W.  sinensis  is  the  bestclim  ber,  and, 
once  it  becomes  well  established,  it  yields  during 
May  and  June  graceful  clusters  of  beautiful  mauve 
flowers  in  abundance,  but  owing  to  its  strong 
growth  it  should  be  given  ample  space.  The  finest, 
of  all  flowering  plants  for  a  suitable  building, 
however,  is  Magnolia  grandiflora,  and  of  this  the 
Exmouth  variety  is  the  freest.  Its  magnificent 
and  powerfully  scented  flowers  and  fine  foliage  are 
fairly  familiar.  This  Magnolia  is  not  perfectly 
frost  proof,  and  requires  protection  in  severe 
winters.  Amongst  other  free -flowering  hardy 
shrubs  that  are  more  or  less  adapted  for  planting 
against  walls  the  following  deserve  notice  :  Escal- 
lonia,  Pyrus,  and  Lonicera  (Honeysuckle)  in 
variety;  Forsythia  suspensa,  &c. ;  Jasminum  nudi- 
florum,  J.  officinale,  and  J.  revolutum  ;  Fuchsia 
Riccartoni.  One  of  the  most  charming  sights  of 
the  kind  that  I  have  seen  was  the  front  of  a  cottage 
covered  with  this  graceful  hardy  plant  in  blossom. 
Other  desirable,  though  somewhat  tender,  plants 
belonging  to  this  division  are  Choisya  ternata, 
Chimonanthus  fragrans,  Garrya  elliptica,  Pitto- 
sporum  Tobira,  and  the  hardiest  Camellias.  The 
latter  succeed  well  in  Cornwall  and  similar  favour- 
able climates,  while  the  lovely  new  Carpeuteria 
californica  should  be  given  a  trial. 

Ornamental  berried  plants  are  represented  by 
Crataegus  Pyracantha  crenulata  and  C.  Lselandi, 
which  succeed  splendidly  upon  northern  aspects, 
and  Cotoneaster  microphylla,  C.  Simonsii,  &c. 
Then  amongst  plants  of  neat  growth  there  are 
Azara  microphylla,  the  inconspicuous  blooms  of 
which  have  a  distinct  vanilla  scent,  the  Myrtles, 
Pomegranates,  &c.  For  affording  a  display  of 
elegant  foliage  during  the  summer  and  autumn 
months,  there  are  some  valuable  deciduous  climbers, 
including  Vitis  Thunbergii,  V.  Coignetise,  V. 
fiexuosa,  V.  f.  major,  &c. ,  Ampelopsis  Veitchii, 
A.  hederacea,  A.  h.  muralis,  &c.  The  leafless 
winter  condition  of  these  otherwise  effective  plants 
is,  however,  certainly  a  drawback  to  them.  The 
Ivy,  which  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  hardy 
and  generally  useful  of  all  wall-clothing  plants, 
must  not  be  omitted.     There  are  many  varieties, 


THE  IVY-COVBRED   COUNCIL   HOUSE   AT   CHISWICK. 


including  beautiful  golden  and  silver  variegated 
forms,  which,  together  with  choice  green  varieties, 
are  too  numerous  to  particularise  here. 

Then  these  notes  would  be  very  imperfect  with- 
out reference  to  the  Rose,  the  most  desirable  of  all 
plants,  when  properly  selected,  for  planting  against 
suitable  walls.  The  most  useful  varieties  for  this 
purpose  are  to  be  generally  found  amongst  Teas 
and  i^oisettes,  and  sucii  kinds  as  the  following  are 
very  useful :  Alister  Stella  Gray,  W.  A.  Richard- 
son, Marechal  Kiel,  Celine  Forestier,  Reve  d'Or, 
Mme.  Alfred  Carri^re,  Reine  Olga  de  Wurtemburg, 
Reine  Marie  Henriette,  climbing  Niphelos,  Gloire 
de  Dijon,  Mme.  Berard,  Belle  Lyonnaise,  Long- 
worth  Rambler,  &o.  T.  Cooheek. 


DAHLIA  PLANTING  PREPARATIONS. 

The  best   of  advice  given   to  Dahlia  cultivators, 
and  especially  to  those  who  grow  for  exhibition 


purposes,  is  to  prepare  their  ground  for  planting  in 
good  time.  A  deep  trenching  before  Christmas,  or 
as  soon  after  that  season  as  possible,  is  highly 
desirable.  It  is  then  best  able  to  assimilate  all 
those  fertilising  and  ameliorating  influences 
bounteous  Nature  bestows  on  the  soil.  It  is  simply 
necessary  to  trench  the  ground  ;  no  manure  needs 
to  be  mixed  with  the  soil  at  the  time  ;  then  it 
may  remain  until  planting  time.  I  am,  of  course, 
presuming  that  a  plantation  of  the  leading  varieties 
of  Dahlias  is  grown  for  exhibition  purposes.  In  the 
interim  there  is  the  growing  on  of  the  plants,  so 
as  to  have  them  as  vigorous  in  growth  and  as  well 
rooted  as  possible.  The  first  and  second  weeks  in 
June  are  early  enough  to  plant  out  with  safety. 
The  ground  to  be  planted  should  be  marked  out 
and  the  positions  of  the  plants  determined  ;  they 
should  be  from  5  feet  to  6  feet  apart  each  way,  so 
as  to  admit  of  a  free  passage  of  the  cultivator 
among  them.  At  planting  three  or  four  spadefuls 
of  earth  are  taken  out  of  the  hole,  and 
. -T3>:T*a  pretty  well  the  same  quantity  of  well 
rotted  manure  placed  in  it,  and  well 
mixed  with  the  remaining  earth  in  the 
hole.  Some  fine  soil  should  be  ready  to 
hand  at  the  time  to  place  about  the 
I  roots  of  the  young  plants  and  a  stake 
'  for  the  support  of  the  main  stem. 
Amateur  growers  of  the  Dahlia  who  may 
order  young  green  plants  and  receive 
them  early  in  May  should  keep  them 
close  for  two  days  if  they  have  been 
closely  packed  for  transit,  then  repot 
them,  and  be  careful  to  keep  them  growing 
into  sturdy  plants,  repotting  once  more 
if  necessary.  R-  D. 


THE  TAMons  VINEKY,   ONCE  A  SHOW   HOUSE.      (Length  ISO  feet,  width  30 , feet,  height  S6  feet.) 


HABROTHAMNUS   (OESTRUMS) 
IN  THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Habrothamnds  are  seldom  seen  outside 
the  greenhouse  or  conservatory,  yet  when 
grown  into  specimen  plants  from  6  feet 
to  8  feet  high  they  make  lovely  plants 
for  grouping  in  the  flower  garden  in 
summer.  Grown  in  fairly  large  pots, 
and  plunged  to  the  rim  in  the  turf  in  a 
group  on  the  lawn,  they  bloom  freely  till 
very  late  in  the  summer,  and  when  frost 
is  likely  to  set  in  they  can  be  removed  to 
the  conservatory,  where  they  will  still 
bloom  very  freely  till  after  Christmas. 
Three  very  free-flowering  useful  kinds 
which  group  well  together  are  Habro- 
thamnus  Newelli,  H.  aurantiacus,  and  H. 
Smithii.     These  will  make  a  lovely  group 


164 


THE    GARDEN. 


March  5,  1904 


drooping  umbel  of 
eight  to  ten  on  long 
nodding  foot  -  stalk?, 
colour  reddish  crim- 
son, densely  spotted 
internally  with 
maroon  -  black  from 
the  tips  to  the  base. 
They  are  bell-shaped, 

2  inches   across    and 

3  inches  long,  and  the 
tips  do  not  reflex  as 
in  canadense,  and  the 
large  chocolate- 
coloured  anthers  fill 
up  the  tube.  A  neat, 
pretty  species,  rather 
sombre  in  colour  com- 
pared with  canadense, 
but  a  much  better 
plant  to  grow. 
Common  in  cultiva- 
tion. Flo>\'ersin  July. 

Culture  and 
Uses.  —  This  dainty 
Lily  proves  easier  to 

that  will  throw  quantities  of  excellent  flowers,  which    grow   than    its    close    ally  _  L.    canadense,   as 
are  much  finer  than  when  under  glass.     The  plants   it    requires    much    less    moisture   and    shade, 


INTEKIOR   OF    ONE    OF    THE    OLD   CHISWICK    VINERIES. 


grow  freely  in  good  fibrous  loam  and  leaf-mould. 
During  the  summer  they  should  be  top-dressed  at 
intervals  of  about  three  weeks,  with  a  mixture  of 
loam,  wood  ashes,  and  bone-meal,  and  watered 
about  twice  a  week  with  weak  guano  and  soot 
water. 
Sandhurst  Lodge,  Berks.  W.  J.  T. 


THE    LILIES. 


(Continued  from  page  157.) 

CUM  GRAYl  (S.  Wats.),  Asa  Gray's 
P.ell-flowered  Lily.— A  very  pretty 
species  from  the  Alleghanies  of 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina  ;  it  is 
closely  allied  to  L.  canadense,  but 
differs  considerably  in  its  roots  and 
the  shape  of  its  dowers.  Bulbs  annual, 
the  new  growths  being  thrust  3  inches  to 
4  inches  distant  by  a  stout  ivory  -  white 
stolon ;  the  scales  numerous,  very  stout, 
white.  Stems  slender,  hollow,  rooting  but 
sparsely  below,  3  feet  to  4  feet  high. 
Leaves  in  four  to  five  whorls,  a  few  scattered 
above,  narrowly  lance-shaped,  thin  in  texture, 
scarcely  at  all  recurving.    Flowers  borne  in  a 


AN    OLD-FASHIOKED    ENOLISH    PLANT   HOUSE   AT   CHISWICK 


Its  bulbs  are  larger  and  stronger,  and 
its  rooting  powers  altogether  greater.  The 
situations  and  uses  advised  for  L.  canadense 
will  suit  this  plant  also,  but  the  drier  con- 
ditions are  more  beneficial,  and  it  may  be 
also  usefully  employed  in  the  well-tilled  plant 
border.  One  can  flower  the  plant  well  in  pots, 
but  it  soon  perishes  when  thus  treated. 

L.  Hansoni  (Leicht.),  Hanson's  Orange 
Martagon  Lily.— A  very  beautiful  Japanese 
species,  that  proves  exceptionally  easy  to  grow 
in  all  soils  and  situations  provided  it  is  not 
frozen  whilst  in  growth.  Bulbs  white,  conical 
or  globose,  larger  than  a  hen's  egg.  Stems 
bright  green,  3  feet  to  5  feet  high,  rooting  from 
the  bases  under  good  cultivation,  nodding  at 
the  top.  Leaves  whorled  below,  scattered 
above,  bright  green,  flaccid,  6  inches  long 
below,  smaller  above,  lance-shaped.  Flowers 
six  to  ten  in  a  nodding  raceme,  closely  arranged, 
the  buds  heavy  and  markedly  channelled. 
The  petals  are  acutely  triangular,  very  stout, 
and  they  do  not  reflex  to  the  extent  of 
Martagon.  Colour  a  rich  golden  orange, 
spotted  purple  below.  Each  flower  is 
3  inches  to  4  inches  across,  and  lasts  a  long 
time  in  good  condition.  Common  in  cul- 
tivation. Flowers  in 
June. 

Culture  and 
Uses.— This  is  one  of 
the  best  garden  Lilies, 
succeeding  in  all 
manner  of  soils,  pro- 
vided they  are  well 
tilled.  It  likes  a  warm 
and  sheltered  situa- 
tion. Its  early  growth, 
and  the  fact  that  the 
buds  are  visible  in  a 
young  state,  render 
protection  from  late 
frosts  absolutely 
necessary.  The  bulbs 
should  be  planted  in 
late  autumn  in  order 
that  they  may  re- 
establish themselves 
before  winter,  and  it 
should  be  noted  that 
the  feeding  roots  are 
at  the  base,  hence  the 
soil      beneath     them 


should  be  well  worked  and  enriched  ;  the  roots 
from  the  stems  are  naturally  feeble,  though 
capable  of  being  developed  to  a  useful  extent  by 
liberal  surface  cultivation.  In  light  soils  the 
bulbs  tend  to  split  up  into  countless  offsets, 
incapable  of  flowering  well  unless  helped  to 
develop  fully.  This  Lily  grows  magnificently 
in  pots,  and  we  have  found  it  more  satisfactory 
to  use  large  pots  that  would  hold  four  to  six 
bulbs  each,  thus  forming  a  good  specimen. 
The  bulbs  need  not  be  buried  so  deeply  as 
is  usual  with  stem-rooting  kinds,  as  their  basal 
roots  need  space  for  development. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 


THE     ROCK     GARDEN. 


A  COENISH  ROCK  GARDEN. 

m  m  ID- FEBRUARY  is  not  the  time 
I  %  l\  that  one  would  voluntarily  choose 
f  %  /  1  for  visiting  a  rock  garden,  but, 
«/  I  though  at  that  season  of  the  year 
T  M,  there  is  but  little  blossom  to  be  seen, 
the  plants  are  there,  and,  looking 
forward  with  the  eye  of  faith,  one  can  realise  the 
effect  they  will  produce  when  brighter  suns 
and  warmer  weather  shall  have  enabled  them  to 
attain  the  zenith  of  their  display.  I  therefore 
welcomed  the  opportunity  of  renewing  my  ac- 
quaintance, even  at  such  an  early  period  of  the 
year,  with  a  rock  garden  constructed  rather  less 
than  three  j'ears  ago,  and  of  which  I  expect  great 
things  in  the  future.  The  ground  which  it  occupies 
is  perfectly  flat,  and  thus  does  not  lend  itself 
naturally  to  the  formation  of  a  rock  garden,  but, 
as  it  has  been  raised  in  places,  and  constructed 
with  many  rock  masses  of  large  size  and  smaller 
fragments  judiciously  arranged,  sites  where  the 
plants  may  enjoy  the  fullest  sunshine  or  complete 
shade,  with  alternations  between  the  two  extremes, 
have  been  abundantly  provided.  It  occupies  a 
considerable  extent  of  ground,  and  already  contains 
a  very  large  selection  of  rock  and  other  plants,  all 
of  which  are  apparently  enjoying  the  best  of 
health,  though,  as  the  garden  is  of  recent  construc- 
tion, they  have  not,  up  to  the  present,  as  com- 
pletely furnished  it  as  they  will  have  in  the  course 
of  a  few  seasons.  The  grit  of  disintegrated  rock  is 
largely  used  in  planting  with  the  best  results,  and 
seeds  sown  in  this  without  any  admixture  of  soil 
are  found  to  produce  strong  and  healthy  plants. 

To  enumerate  all  the  plants  to  be  found  in  this 
garden  would  fill  some  columns,  so  I  will  confine 
my  remarks  to  a  few  of  the  most  interesting.  Of 
Saxifrages  there  was  a  large  collection  ;  S.  Boydii, 
generally  considered  a  difficult  plant  to  grow,  was 
in  splendid  health,  as  was  S.  burseriaua  major. 
S.  oppositifolia,  S.  juniperina,  and  S.  retusa,  which 
also  sometimes  give  trouble,  had  made  fine  patches, 
and  were  evidently  contented  with  their  sites  and 
surroundings.  A  good  plant  of  S.  Griesbachii  was 
in  flower,  the  crimson  flower-heads  and  stalks 
showing  up  conspicuously  from  their  background 
of  silvery  rosettes.  S.  pyramidalis,  S.  longifolia, 
S.  Cotyledon,  and  S.  lantoscana  were  represented 
by  many  fine  specimens,  and  S.  Wallacei,  S.  Rhoea, 
and  S.  Rhfea  superba,  of  which  there  were  several 
plants,  were  excellent.  S.  valdensis  shewed  large 
bosses  of  tiny  silvery  rosettes,  and  of  other  Saxi- 
frages I  saw  8.  sancta,  S.  apiculata,  S.  caljciflora, 
S.  gulhriana,  S.  muscosa,  S.  ni.  purpurea,  and  S.  mac- 
nabiana,  while  the  annual  S.  Cymbalaria  had  seeded 
itself  freely  everywhere,  to  be  uprooted  where  it 
interfered  with  any  more  valuable  neighbour.  Of 
Sedums  and  Sempervivums  there  were  large  and 
representative  collections,  and  many  Opuntias  and 
Aloes  were  also  in  good  health,  as  was  a  Dasylirion 
that  had  been  out  unprotected  for  two  winters. 
Amongst  other  plants  were  included  Alsine  Rosani, 
several  Androsaces,  all  of  which  had  done  well, 
many  species  of  dwarf  Campanulas,  Caragana 
aurantiaca,  a  fine  clump  of  Celniisia  Alunroi  in  an 
elevated  position,  which  flowered  well  last  year  and 
was  in  robust  health,  the  bulbous  Clidanthus 
fragrans,  several  of  the  Dianthus  family,  of  which 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


165 


D.  alpinus  was  in  an  especially  flourishing  condi- 
tion, Dryas  Drummondii  and  D.  ootopetala,  both 
forming  spreading  mats  of  foliage,  Edrianthus 
(Wahlenbergia)  tenuifolius,  Frankeuia  L-evis, 
Genista  humifuga  amongst  several  of  the  dwarf 
Brooms, GutierreziaEuthamiss,Helianthemumlunu- 
latum  and  H.  Tuberaria,  a  large  patch  of  Houstonia 
serpyllifolia,  Hymenanthus  crassifolia,  a  breadth 
of  that  charming  little  annual  lonopsidium  acaule 
in  full  flower,  Linum  monogynum  and  L.  alpinum 
album,  Margyriearpus  setosus,  Melaleuca  ericoides, 
Nepeta  Mussini,  Nierembergia  filicaulis,  Ostrowskia 
magnifica  throwing  up  strongly,  the  Shamrock  Pea, 
Parochetus  communis,  which  had  spread  over  a 
large  patch  of  ground,  Parrya  Menziesii,  Pourettia 
mexicana,  many  Primulas,  of  which  a  colony  of 
P.  scotica  nestling  beneath  a  large  overhanging 
rock  was  showing  signs  of  vigorous  growth,  P. 
raegassefolia  in  flower,  and  a  healthy  patch  of  P. 
frondosa. 

Ramondias,  Shortia  galacifolia,  and  Silenes  of 
sorts  were  abundant,  and  beneath  a  rocky  ledge 
Soldanella  alpina  was  blossoming.  Spigelia  mari- 
landiea,  Teuerium  pyrenaicum,  and  Wulfenia  am- 
herstiana  were  represented  by  good  examples,  and 
of  dwarf  Veronicas,  V.  anomala,  V.  pectinata  rosea, 
the  little  shrubby  V.  Hectori,  V.  loganioides,  and 
V.  cupressoides  were  noticeable.  Alpine  Rhodo- 
dendrons were  in  full  bud,  Azalea  procumbens 
covered  a  flat  rock  with  its  trailing  stems,  and  the 
dwarf  Willow  Salix  serpyllifolia  showed  its  pros- 
trate growth.  Coloneaster  congesta  spread  over  a 
rocky  mound,  and  on  another  the  curious  and 
rarely-seen  Rubus  australis  was  making  strong 
growth.  This  will  have  to  be  severely  kept  within 
bounds  if  it  is  not  to  become  a  nuisance,  for  an 
unpruned  example  in  the  south-west  has  completely 
smothered  neighbouring  evergreen  shrubs,  and  has 
even  invaded  the  branches  of  an  adjacent  Fir  tree. 
In  Grasses  and  Rushes,  of  which  many  species 
were  present,  the  Corkscrew  Rush,  Junous  spiralis, 
the  maroon-leaved  Aspera  arundinacea,  the  pretty 
Macrachloa  tenacissima,  and  Acorus  gramineus 
variegatus  were  interesting,  and  a  small  specimen 
of  Pinus  australis  was  present. 

S.  W.  FiTZHEEBBRT. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


HARDY    FLOWERS    IN    SEASON. 

STERNBERGIA  FISCHERIANA.— Owing 
to  its  free  winter-flowering  habit  this  is, 
perhaps,  the  most  valuable  of  the  many 
more  or  less  distinct  forms.  It  differs 
from  the  autumn-flowering  ones  in  the 
distinct  pale  green  foliage,  usually  con- 
temporary with  the  flowers,  which  have  a  very 
short  tube,  and  are  erect,  funnel-shaped,  and  pale 
yellow  in  colour,  flower- 
ing throughout  the 
winter  till  March. 

Golchicum  libanoti- 
cum. — This  is  one  of 
the  most  showy  of 
spring  or  winter-flower- 
ing plants.  The  corms 
(or  bulbs)  are  small  and 
oblong ;  the  foliage  is 
short  and  erect,  en- 
closing the  flower-tubes 
of  two  to  twelve,  or 
perhapsevenmore,  erect 
bright  rose  -  coloured 
flowers.  This  species  is 
very  hardy.  I  have 
plants  here  during  frost 
that  have  not  even  lost 
the  bright  rose  colour 
of  the  flowers,  while 
another  form  had  the 
open  flowers  destroyed. 
C.  Stevensii  is  allied  to 
C.  libanotieum,  but  not 
so  vigorous,  and  the 
leaves  are  linear  and 
longer     than      in      the 


IN   THE   CHISWICK   GARDENS  :    PLANE  TREE   AND 
CODNCIL  HOUSE. 

former.  The  flowers  are  very  variable,  ranging 
from  rosy  lilac  to  white,  and  appear  from 
November  till  March.  It  is  more  tender  than  the 
former,  and  not  so  showy.  C.  hololophum,  also 
known  as  C.  montanum  or  C.  bulbocodioides,  might 
be  best  described  as  a  miniature  form  of  C.  liba- 
notieum. The  corra  is  small,  oval,  and  the  erect 
leaves  are  linear  -  lanceolate.  The  flowers  are 
smaller  than  in  C.  libanotieum,  and  are  rose,  with 
the  tips  of  the  segments  paler.  C.  luteum  is  a 
very  rare  species  ;  the  only  one  with  yellow  flowers. 
The  corm  is  oblong,  and  the  leaves  are  linear. 
The  flowers  are  small  or  intermediate,  of  a  bright 
yellow  colour.  C.  crocifolium.— The  leaves  are 
linear  and  slightly  hirsute  ;  the  numerous  small 
flowers  are  globular,  white  or  flesh-coloured,  the 
exterior  of  the  segments  brownish. 

Merendera  caucaxica. — A  fine  and  quite  hardy 
plant,  with  an  ovate  corm  like  that  of  some  of 
the  small  winter  or  spring- flowering  Colchicum 
species.  The  leaves  are  recurved,  and  the  pretty 
flowers  are  rose-coloured,  not  unlike  those  of  Col- 
chicum  libanotieum.      M.    robusta   has   a    small, 


elongated  corm,  while  the  leaves  are  lanceolate, 
with  serrulated  margins.  The  handsome  flowers 
are  bright  rose.     This  is  the  largest  of  the  genus. 

Corhularia  monophyUa  (Narcissus  Clusii).  — 
Although  the  prettiest  of  the  small  genus  Corbu- 
laria,  this  is  comparatively  seldom  seen  in  good 
fjondition,  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  fact  that  the 
bulbs  do  not  ripen  well  in  this  country,  and,  unless 
grown  under  glass,  imported  bulbs  (which  are  not 
always  in  first-class  condition)  will  only  flower 
once,  and  then  either  only  produce  leaves  the 
following  year  or  refuse  to  start  at  all,  although 
the  bulbs  to  all  appearance  are  there  and  in  good 
condition.  The  bulb  is  small,  globular,  with  a 
hard  black  covering.  Small  bulbs  often  have  only 
one  leaf,  but  larger  bulbs  have  from  three  to  five 
filiform  leaves  from  9  inches  to  18  inches  long. 
Each  bulb  bears  from  one  to  three  large  funnel- 
sliaped,  pure  white,  slightly  fragrant  flowers. 
Potted  up  in  September  in  light  sandy  soil,  several 
bulbs  m  a  pot,  and  grown  in  a  cold  frame,  they 
may  be  expected  to  flower  from  about  the  end  of 
December  till  March.  If  potted  up  still  earlier, 
■m<\  after  a  while  put  in  a  gentle  heat,  they  will 
flower  in  November. 

Iris  Histrio  has  an  ovate  bulb,  covered  with  a 
pretty  white  netted  tunic.     The  handsome,  large 
flowers  are  pale  blue,  of  which  the  upper  part  of 
the   falls  is  beautifully  veined   and    marked  with 
white,  with  here  and  there  a  spot  of  yellow  or  red. 
Imported  bulbs  from  the  Lebanon  flower  the  first 
year.     If  planted  or  potted  up  at  once  they  flower 
usually  at  the  end  of  December  or  January,  but 
home-grown  bulbs  flower  about  February.     I.  Var- 
tani  is  closely  allied  to    the  former,  and   flowers 
about  the  same  time.     It  differs  from  I.  Histrio  in 
the  shorter  bulb,  more  erect,  four-sided  leaves,  and 
purplish  blue  flowers,  without  the  distinct  veining 
of  the  former.     In  I.  histrioides  the  bulb  is  similar 
to  that  of  I.  Histrio,  and  the  leaves,  which  appear 
with    the   flowers,   are   nearly   erect  ;    the  flowers 
are  large  and  blue,  the  falls  veined  whitish  or  lilac. 
I.  histrioides  major  is  a  form  of  which  the  flowers 
appear  first  and    leaves  follow.     The  flowers  are 
not  much    larger  than  in  the   type,   but  are  of  a 
distinct  bright  blue,  the  falls  slightly  veined  with 
white.     If  not  quite  so  plentiful  as  the  type,  it  is 
more   vigorous   and   produces    seeds   more   freely, 
bidding  fair  to  become  in  time  as  plentiful  as   the 
former,  of  which  at  present  the  supply  is  kept  up 
by  annual  importations.    I.  sophenensis.— The  bulb 
in  this  form  is  small  and  oblong,  and  the  leaves, 
which  appear  after  the  flowers,  are  very  slender. 
The   flowers  are   spreading,  and    the   colour   is    a 
decided  purple.     This  is  a  rare  plant,  but  not  as 
showy  as  either  I.  Histrio  or  I.  histrioides  major. 
I.  bakeriana  is  a  very  rare  and  beautiful  form  of 
I.   reticulata.     The   bulb  is  ovoid,  and  the  leaves 
are  cylindrical  and  with  a  horny  point.     The  showy 
flowers  are  large,  with  the  standards  of  a  deep  lilac, 
and  the  falls  are  deep  violet,  with  marginal  white 
and  yellow    markings  ; 
violet-scented,  as  in  the 
late  -  flowering   typical 
I.   reticulata.      I.    reti- 
culata     purpurea      (I. 
Krelagei).  —  The    com- 
monest of  this  section ; 
the     flowers    are    very 
variable.       When    first 
opening  they  are  deep 
purple,  with  a  central 
golden-yellow  ridge  on 
the      falls,      changing, 
however,  often  to  a  pale 
or  dull   purple.      They 
are  not  scented. 

G.  Reuthe. 
Keston,  Kent. 


fllE    CENTRAL    WALK    IN    THE   ROYAL    HORTICULTORAL   SOpiETY'S    GARDENS, 


CHRISTMAS  AND 
LENTEX  ROSES. 
Helleborus  includes 
both  the  Christmas 
Roses  and  Lenten 
Roses.  Of  the  Christ- 
mas Roses  the  finest  and 
most  satisfactory  wefe 


166 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Maech  5,  1G04. 


the  true  H.  altifolius,  the  most  vigorous.  In  favour- 
able positions  the  leaves  attain  a  height  of  3  feet,  and 
the  flowers  appear  from  early  November  till  March. 
I  have  a  bed  here  unprotected  which  has  been 
quite  a  sight  through  the  whole  winter,  and,  though 
I  have  cut  many  of  the  beautiful  large  white, 
slightly  rose-tinted  flowers,  the  plants  still  throw  up 
new  flowers.  By  covering  the  plants  in  flower  with 
a  hand-light,  basket,  or  box  for  a  short  time  the 
flowers  come  pure  white.  The  next  best  Christ- 
mas Rose  is  the  variety  called  St.  Brigid.  It 
flowers  later,  being  usually  at  its  best  during 
December  and  January,  and  is  not  quite  so  lasting 
as  H.  altifolius  or  maxiraus,  but  it  has  long,  bright 
green  leaves  and  pure  white  flowers.  Unfortunately, 
this  plant  is  not  quite  so  vigorous  and  often  refuses 
to  thrive,  while  the  former  will  grow  almost  any- 
where. The  Lenten  Roses  are  not  at  their  best 
yet,  although  some  of  the  H. 
orientalis,  H.  colchicus,  and  others 
have  flowered  since  Christmas. 
There  are  no  pure  whites  among 
these,  only  a  greenish  white, 
deep  purple,  reddish,  and  crimson 
spotted.  G.  Reuthe. 

WINTER    HELIOTEOPE. 

(TUSSILAGO  FKAGKANS.) 

This  is  a  weedy  plant,  which  in 
some  parts  of  England  has  taken 
possession  of  whole  hillsides.  It  is 
best  grown  .in  the  wild  garden  or 
border,  where  it  can  be  kept  in  its 
proper  place.  It  is  grown  for  its 
flowers,  scented  not  unlike  the 
Heliotrope,  and  appear  throughout 
winter  and  spring.  On  the  Con- 
tinent, where  the  winters  are  more 
severe,  the  roots  are  put  in  boxes 
and  forced  for  cut  flowers. 

O.  Reuthe. 


what  it  used  to  be.  This  variety  is  very  pale 
yellow,  and  a  grand  Rose  for  bold  bedding.  So 
also  would  be 

Oermaine  Trochon,  for  it  is  one  of  that  excellent 
type  represented  by  Gustave  Regis  and  Billiard  et 
Barr^,  that  flower  freely  upon  long,  erect  growths, 
making  them  such  excellent  Roses  for  bedding 
where  a  tall  grower  is  needed. 

Mme.  Jules  Siegfried  is  one  of  the  best  climbing 
Teas,  colour  creamy  white,  foliage  grand,  and 
altogether  first-rate,  although  not  found  in  many 
catalogues. 

Monsieur  Desir  is  one  of  those  Roses  that  possess 
just  a  tint  of  violet,  a  colour  to  which  many  object, 
but  in  reality  the  violet  shade  is  an  attraction, 
blended  as  it  is  with  velvety  crimson.  The  buds 
of  this  Rose  are  perfect  and  its  foliage  very  beau- 
tiful.    Why  will  not  nurserymen  grow  such  Roses 


ROSE  GARDEN. 


FORGOTTEN   ROSES. 

IT  is  not  surprising  that  owing 
to  the  numerous  new  Roses 
many  of  the  excellent  older 
sorts  have  been  crowded  out. 
Beautiful  as  the  Hybrid  Teas 
unquestionably  are,  I  think  it 
will  be  a  bad  day  for  lovers  of  the 
Rose  if  they  allow  this  group  to 
drive  out  of  cultivation  many  old 
and  well-tried  varieties  of  other 
classes  that  are  too  good  to  suffer 
extinction.  I  often  wish  there  were 
a  National  Rose  Garden,  where 
every  variety  could  be  planted,  so 
that  rosarians  could  see  for  them- 
selves the  true  value  of  each.  How 
some  of  our  much-praised  Roses 
would  have  to  give  place  to  those 
less  known  but  better,  at  least  in 
the  matter  of  "doing  well"  and  in 
point  of  colour. 

I  append  a  list  of  a  few  varieties 
that  are  comparatively  unknown, 
yet  I  can  recommend  every  one  with  the  full 
assurance  that  they  would  please  the  majority  of 
the  readers  of  The  Garden.  Among  what  are 
regarded  as  climbing  Roses  not  one  of  the  Rambler 
race  can  surpass 

Mme.  d'Arhlay,  with  its  great  erect  clusters  of 
flesh-tinted  flowers.  It  is  very  strong  and  very 
suitable  for  climbing  over  trees  or  for  pillars. 

Rohusta. — As  its  name  implies,  this  is  a  very 
vigorous  grower,  allied  perhaps  to  the  Bourbons, 
yet  not  so  good  in  the  autumn  as  the  group 
generally.  The  colour  is  very  vivid,  just  the  tint 
of  Louis  Van  Houtte.  What  a  fine  Rose  to  breed 
from  ! 

Jo'iepli  Bernacchi,  with  its  long  buds,  is  as  much 
a  Tea  Rose  as  Gloire  de  Dijon,  yet  it  is  grouped 
with  the  Noisettes,  a  somewhat  mixed-up  class  to 


Gloire  des  Hosomaiies.  Seen  at  its  best  in  autumn, 
it  is  a  lovely  Rose,  of  glowing  colour  and  free, 
grand  for  bold  bedding,  low  pillars,  short  fences, 
and  any  similar  purpose  or  position.  Another 
Rose  closely  allied  to  the  Bourbons  is 

J/me.  Pierre  Oger,  and  it  is  one  of  the  daintiest 
coloured  varieties  I  am  acquainted  with  ;  I  maj' 
also  say  one  of  the  most  beautifully  formed.  Why 
cannot  the  National  Rose  Society  institute  a  class 
for  the  most  complete  "  collection  of  Roses  seldom 
seen  at  exhibitions  ?  "  This  would  bring  out  many 
a  gem  that  is  unknown  except  to  the  few.  In 
such  a  class  there  should  be  no  limit  as  to  how 
few  flowers  of  each  may  be  shown.  A  single 
spray  of  a  sort  would  be  sufficient  in  most 
cases. 

Mosella. — One  of  a  small  group  known  as  Hybrid 
Polyanthas — rather  a  misnomer,  seeing  that  all  are 
hybrids — but  practically  this  Rose 
is  nearer  the  Teas. 

Mine.  Fanny  de  Forest,  a  white 
Rose  of  exceptional  merit,  larger 
and  better  than  Boule  de  Neige,  and 
less  inclined  to  malformation. 

Comtesse  Panisse. — One  of  the 
very  best  Teas  grown.  It  is  sturdy, 
of  easy  culture,  and  has  thick- 
petalled,  delicately-tinted  flowers. 

Jean  Fernet. — A  Tea  Rose  that 
is  not  grown  half  so  much  as  it 
should  be.  It  is  vigorous,  and  the 
flowers  are  not  inclined  to  split. 
Colour,  a  rich  cream.  A  few  good 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  will  conclude 
my  list.  Foremost  among  these  I 
may  name 

J)nke  oj  Connaught. — It  is  one 
of  the  most  beautiful,  with  its 
crimson  velvety  shaded  buds.  It  is 
a  first-rate  Rose  for  buttonholes. 

Mme.  Joseph  Bonnaire. — A  rival 
to  Paul  Neyron  as  regards  size.  A 
wonderful  Rose  when  well  grown. 
Perhaps  rather  addicted  to  mildew. 
The  colour  is  silvery  blush-pink. 

Mrs.  F.  FF.  Sanford. — A  counter- 
part of  Mrs.  John  Laing  in  all  save 
colour.  This  is  very  delicate  blush 
white.  Certainly  a  Rose  to  be 
planted  freely  where  the  older  sort 
is  valued. 

Mme.  Eugene  Fremy  is  another 
of  those  extra  large  showy  Roses 
of  which  Paul  Neyron  is  a  type.  If 
they  lack  something  in  refinement, 
there  is  that  sturdy  vigour  about 
them  that  one  admires  so  much  in 
garden  Roses.  Philomel. 


BENNETTS  SEEDLING  KOSB  OVER  AN  OLD  TREE. 

upon  standards  ?  They  make  far  better  heads  than 
the  dumpy  Xavier  Olibo  type. 

Fanny  Stolwerck,  with  its  mixture  of  copper, 
yellow,  salmon,  and  carmine,  is  very  charming, 
but  it  is  scarcely  known. 

Le  Soleil  is  quite  good  enough  for  exhibition,  and 
as  a  yellow  Rose  is  first-rate.  The  texture  of  the 
petals  is  remarkable.  I  prefer  this  to  the  tender 
climbing  kinds,  such  as  Henriette  de  Beauveau, 
even  though  the  colour  be  not  so  intense. 

Queen  of  the  Belgians  is  an  Ayrshire  Rose  that 
few  growers  are  acquainted  with.  In  refined  form 
and  delicacy  of  colouring  it  reminds  one  of  the 
Tea  climbers.  It  is  excellent  for  pergolas,  &c. 
There  seems  a  general  desire  for  brilliant  scarlet 
and  crimson  flowered  Roses,  yet  how  few  there  are 
who  plant 


BENNETT'S  SEEDLING 
ROSE  OVER  AN  OLD 
TREE. 

There  seems  to  be  no  limit  to  the 
usefulness  of  the  Rose  ;  it  can  be 
planted  to  advantage  in  perhaps 
more  positions  in  the  garden  than 
any  other  flowering  plant.  It  is 
rarely  more  admired  than  when 
some  strong  -  growing  variety  is 
allowed  to  climb  and  clamber 
freely  over  some  support,  to  smother  it  with 
healthy  green  shoots  and  clusters  of  lovely 
blossoms.  The  variety  of  supports  that  may 
be  used  is  endless,  but  few  give  more  pleasing 
results,  because  of  its  simplicity  and  naturalness, 
than  a  worn-out  tree  made  to  bear  a  wealth  of 
blossom  not  its  own.  Instead  of  destroj'ing  old 
trees  when  they  die  from  old  age  or  disease,  how 
much  better  it  would  be  to  allow  some  strong 
climbing  Rose  to  hide  their  ugliness  and  transform 
them  into  objects  of  delight — that  is,  supposing 
them  to  be  conveniently  and  pleasingl}'  situated. 
Bennett's  Seedling  is  a  good  Rose  for  this  purpose, 
as  the  illustration  shows,  and  others  that  occur  to 
one  as  equally  suitable  are  Aimee  Vibert,  Reine 
Olga  de  Wurtemburg,  Reine  Marie  Henriette, 
Crimson  Rambler,  and  Longworth  Rambler.     The 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN, 


167 


removal  of  a  good-sized  tree  is  always  a  matter  for 
regret,  and  leaves  a  blank  that  one  does  not  easily 
become  accustomed  to.  Why  not  allow  the  tree 
to  remain  ;  not,  however,  gaunt  and  leafless,  but 
clothed  with  flowers  and  foliage  that  shall  give  it 
such  a  beauty  as  it  never  had  before  ? 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 


The  Early  Peimroses. 
The  persistent  and  prolific  flowering  of  the 
Primroses  this  year  has  been  a  feature  by  which 
the  records  of  many  of  our  shrubberies  will 
probably  be  headed  for  many  years  to  come. 
It  is  not  often  in  a  century  that  a  garden  on 
the  bleak  East  Coast  will  yield  you  Primroses 
for  every  day,  from  the  week  before  Christmas 
onwards  to  the  spring.  But  the  really  curious 
point  about  the  flowering  of  the  Primrose  this 
winter  has  been  tlie  abundance  of  blossoms  in 
aspects  facing  north  and  east.  Ordinarily,  of 
course,  the  earliest  spring  flowers  must  be 
sought  in  some  sheltered  southern  aspect,  but 
this  year  the  clumps  that  usually  dare  not 
push  forth  a  bud  until  spring  sets  in  "  with 
its  usual  severity"  in  mid- April   have  been 


blooms, 


through 


starred  with  many 
January  and  Feb- 
ruary, while  the 
plants  enjoying 
better  situations, 
facing  the  warm 
south,  are  scarcely 
so  forward  as  they 
were  last  year  or 
the  year  before  at 
this  time. 

A  Contrast  in 
Sites. 

Although  this  con- 
trast seems  curious, 
it  is  not  really  so. 
That  which  regu- 
lates the  periods  of 
all  life  in  animal  or 
plant  upon  _  our 
exposed  coasts  is  the 
prevailing  wind, and 
the  nip  of  a  wintry 
north  -  easter  once 
a  week  suffices  to 
keep  all  the  spring 
flowers  marking 
time.  This  winter, 
however,  we  have 
had  no  north-easters. 
Day  after  day  and 
week  after  week  the 
weathercock  has 
pointed      west      or 

south,  or  some  variant  thereof,  and,  though  frost 
has  been  rare,  the  plants  enjoying  the  mild 
aspects  have  been  constantly  reminded  to  hasten 
slowly.  Those,  on  the  other  hand,  which  in 
ordinary  winters  have  had  to  take  the  conse- 
quences of  clinging  to  existence  on  slopes 
exposed  to  blasts  that  come  straight  from  the 
North  Pole  or  the  Siberian  steppes  have  hardly 
known  this  winter  that  any  wind  was  blowing, 
since  they  could  not  hear  it  whistling  in  the 
shrubbery  behind  them.  No  wonder,  then, 
that  they  mistook  January  for  April. 

The  Spring  Flowers'  Enemie.s. 

But  no  matter  where  or  when  your  Prim- 
roses or  any  other  early  spring  flowers  may 
appear,  the  birds  find  them  out,  and  it  is  a 
sore  trial  for  a  lover  of  the  birds  to  watch  a 
blackbird  idly  snipping  off  the  heads  of  Prim- 
roses-as  a  sort  of  relief  to  the  serious  business 


of  worm-hunting.  You  may  see  a  cock  sparrow, 
too,  sitting  pufilly  on  the  ground,  chirping  at 
intervals  to  a  friend  upon  the  roof,  and,  between 
chirps,  snipping  ofi"  a  blossom  or  two  with 
that  inconsequence  which  makes  the  sparrow's 
ravages  in  a  garden  aggravating  out  of  all  pro- 
portion to  their  actual  importance.  So  one 
gets  into  the  habit  of  putting  much  more  blame 
upon  the  sparrow  than  he  deserves.  Some,  no 
doubt,  of  the  scattered  blooms  of  Primroses, 
Irises,  and  Snowdrops  are  his  work;  indeed, 
you  have  seen  him  at  it.  But,  as  diurnal 
animals,  we  human  beings  see  only  one  half  of 
Nature's  work,  and  if  we  had  the  eyes  of  owls 
and  could  watch  the  hosts  of  mice  and  voles 
that  scuttle  about  our  shrubberies  at  night, 
and  see  the  dainty  way  in  which  they  nibble 
off  the  heads  of  our 
flowers,  we  should  begin 
to  realise  that  "  those 
sparrows "  are  not  as 
blacli  as  indignant  fancy 
paints  them.  Patent 
self-setting  mouse-traps, 
and  plenty  of  them, 
form  one  of  the  best 
recipes  for  abundance 
of    early    flowers     in    a 


the  sparrow's  beak  against  it,  is  merely  its 
earlier  appearance. 

Familiarity  Brings  Safety. 

When  the  yellow  Crocuses  first  appear  they 
are  the  first  very  conspicuous  innovation  in 
the  garden,  and  the  sparrows — of  whom  the 
majority  are  young  birds  of  lust  year,  and  have 
never  seen  a  Crocus  before — naturally  wish  to 
discover  their  dietary  qualities.  By  the  time 
the  white  and  blue  Crocuses  are  in  full  bloom 
all  the  sparrows  about  the  place  have  learned 
that  it  is  waste  of  time  to  snip  ofi'  Crocus 
blossoms  when  there  are  all  kinds  of  other 
things  pushing  up  out  of  the  ground  and  the 
air  is  getting  more  full  of  tasty  insects  daily. 
And  from  then  onwards  the  sparrow  ceases  to 
aggravate  by  his  assaults  upon 
the  flowers,  and  becomes 
instead  one  of  the  most  useful 
of  birds,  devouring  all  sorts  of 
insects  all  day  long. 

A  Human  Prejudice. 

From   this    point    of   view 
the  fault  of   the   sparrow  in 


ANBMONE  PATENS. 


country  garden.  Still,  leaving  as  wide  a  margin 
as  we  may  for  the  depredations  and  mischief  of 
these  little  rodents,  the  sparrow's  offences  at 
this  season  are  too  flagrant  to  be  condoned.  I  do 
not  know  exactly  why  it  is,  but  a  row  of  yellow 
Crocuses,  which  might  be  a  great  joy  to  behold, 
lose  almost  all  their  charm  when  strands  of 
black  cotton  are  stretched  along  them  to  keep 
off  the  sparrows.  Yet  there  are  many  gardens 
where,  without  black  cotton,  yellow  Crocuses 
can  only  be  seen  lying  decapitated  on  the 
mould.  The  reason  why  the  sparrow  attacks 
the  yellow  Crocuses,  and  leaves  the  white  and 
blue  comparatively  untouched,  has  often  been 
sought  in  supposed  differences  between  the 
edible  qualities  of  the  flowers  and  in  con- 
nexions of  ideas  which  the  colours  might  be 
supposed  to  suggest  to  the  sparrow  mind,  but 
I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  misfortune  of 
the  yellow  Crocus,  the  peculiarity  which  arms 


the    spring   garden    is_  bis   en- 
quiring mmd,  and,  as  it  is  only 
by    possession     of     the     same 
characteristic  in  a  more  marked 
degree  that   Man  has  won  his 
way  to  the  very  top  of  Nature's 
genealogical     tree,     we     might 
expect  to  feel  the  more  kindly 
disposed  towards  the  sparrow's  mischief  in  his 
search  for  knowledge.    But,  just  as  that  which 
irritates  us  most  in  viewing  a  monkey  is  its 
likeness  to  ourselves,  so  it  seems  an  aggrava- 
tion of  the  sparrow's  iniquities  that  he  con- 
ducts them  with  a  cunning  that  has  something 
human  in  it.  E.  K.  K. 


AN   ARTIST'S   NOTE-BOOK. 

ANEMONE    PATENS. 

A  DISTINCT  form  of  Anemone  Pulsa- 
tilla, with  longer  and  more  pointed 
flowers  than  the  type.  The  growth 
is  stronger  and  the  flower  larger 
than  in  the  species.  This,  like  A. 
Pulsatilla,  is  well  suited  to  the 
border,  and  if  planted  in  deep  sandy  loam  will 
quickly  become  established  and  increase  _  in 
vigour  each  year.  The  flowers  are^  purplish. 
This  group  of  Anemones  is  of  much  interest  in 
the  rock  garden  too,  and  I  have  grown  them 
for  many  years  in  a  sunny  nook,  where  the 
plants  make  bold  handsome  tufts.  V. 


168 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  5,  1904. 


THE     FRUIT     GARDEN. 

THE  PROMISE  OF  NUTS. 

IT  is  early  yet  to  talk  about  the  prospects  of 
fruit  crops  in  the  coming  season,  but  the 
Cobs  and  Filberts  have  already  unfurled 
their  little  brush-like  female  blossoms,  and, 
judging  from  the  quantity,  they  represent 
a  promising  show.  Greatly  as  Cobs  and 
Filberts  are  prized  on  dessert  tables  generally 
in  the  winter,  not  much  real  attention  is  paid  to 
their  culture  in  the  majority  of  gardens.  The 
credit  of  growing  Nuts  on  a  clearly-defined 
principle  must  be  given  to  the  Kentish  fruit  farmer 
in  the  districts  where  this  crop  is  largely 
represented. 

In  Kent  Cobs  and  Filberts  do  well,  and 
are  perhaps  better  treated  here  than  in  any 
other  part  of  the  country,  but,  like  other  crops, 
they  seem  to  have  their  own  particular  localities, 
outside  of  which  they  are  rarely  seen.  Quite 
recently  I  journeyed  through  that  part  of  Kent 
which  lies  between  Maidstone  and  Tonbridge.  How 
long  Nuts  have  formed  a  staple  market  crop  in 
this  locality  it  would  be  hard  to  say,  but  a  planta- 
tion of  Cobs  will  go  on  tor  many  years  under  the 
care  of  a  skilful  pruner.  On  the  fruit-covered 
slopes  on  the  Mereworlh  Castle  estate  and  in  the 
neighbourhood  there  are  veritable  patriarchs  in 
the  way  of  trees,  judging  from  the  knotted  and 
gnarled  condition  of  the  main  stems.  In  the  sandy 
soil  round  Igthara  and  VVrotham  Heath  Nuts  in 
many  instances  form  the  entire  crop. 

At  the  time  of  the  visit  referred  to  the  pruning 
was  just  completed,  and  the  stiff  outline  of  the 
closely-cut  bushes  was  relieved  by  the  presence  of 
the  male  catkins  hanging  gracefully  from  the 
twigs  and  shaking  to  and  fro  in  the  breeze. 
At  first  sight  it  might  appear  as  if  the  Kentish 
Nut  pruner  were  too  severe  with  the  knife, 
but  he  knows  his  business,  and  a  closer  examina- 
tion reveals  the  presence  of  an  abundance  of  little 
pink  flowers  on  the  twiggy  shoots  with  which 
the  main  branches  are  furnished,  as  well  as  a 
reasonable  proportion  of  male  catkins  left  for  fer- 
tilising. It  is  in  the  early  years  of  its  life  that  the 
Kentish  Nut  bush  receives  its  somewhat  severe 
training,  and  when  it  has  reached  the  desired  size 
it  is  not  allowed  to  extend  much  further.  Most 
of  the  bushes  are  shaped  like  an  inverted  basin  or 
saucer,  with  the  centre  quite  open  and  the  main 
branches  springing  from  a  central  stem.  While 
the  bush  is  young  and  when  the  shoots  are  pliable 
the  latter  are  compressed  into  the  desired  form, 
and  so  the  specimen  gets  its  shape,  which  it  never 
loses  afterwards  unless  it  is  neglected  in  the  way  of 
pruning. 

Only  men  who  are  skilled  in  the  work  are 
allowed  to  knife  the  Nuts,  as  judgment  is  required 
in  cutting,  and  the  pruners  go  over  the  main 
branches  one  by  one  with  knife  and  saw,  removing 
all  rank  growth  springing  from  the  centre  of  the 
bush,  sawing  back  old  dead  spurs  and  shortening 
all  strong  lateral  shoots,  but  taking  care  to  preserve 
the  short  twiggy  growths  along  the  branches.  The 
system  is  by  no  means  new — in  fact,  it  seems  to  be 
half  as  old  as  Time  itself — but  it  appears  to  belong 
to  the  county,  and  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  it 
would  be  a  good  plan  if  it  could  be  put  into  prac- 
tice in  private  gardens  in  other  parts  where  Cobs 
and  Filberts  are  grown.  Cobs  are  not  an  expen- 
sive crop  to  grow,  and  apart  from  the  annual 
pruning  little  labour  is  spent  on  them.  The  ground 
beneath  the  bushes  is  kept  under  cultivation  by 
digging  and  hoeing,  but  little  in  the  way  of  manure 
is  required,  as  this  would  lead  to  the  production 
of  rank  growth,  which  is  undesirable.  In  many 
plantations  where  standard  Apples  and  Plums  are 
grown  between  the  Nuts,  the  former  are  manured 
and  the  latter  get  quite  as  much  food  as  is  good 
for  them  from  the  dressing. 

Finally,  one  gathers  the  idea  that  a  special  pride 
is  taken  in  the  Nuts,  and  it  appears  to  be  an  under- 
stood thing  that  no  part  of  the  general  routine  of 
culture  must  be  neglected.  Doubtless  the  know- 
ledge of  what  would  happen  in  the  event  of  neglect 
is  responsible  for  the  feeling,  which  is  not  shared 
with  all  fruits,  as  I  have   passed   through   many 


plantations  in  which  tho  Nuts  were  neatly  and 
properly  pruned,  and  yet  the  heads  of  the  standard 
Apples  and  Plums  above  represented  sheer  thickets 
of  growth,  and  were  literally  spoiling  for  the  want 
of  timely  thinning.  Still,  whatever  may  be  said 
about  the  methods  of  British  market  fruit  culture 
and  the  room  for  improvement,  it  must  be  said  that 
the  Kentish  Nut  grower,  taken  as  a  whole,  is 
master  of  his  business,  and  under  his  treatment 
the  crop,  one  season  with  another,  is  a  source  of 
pro6t  to  him.  The  early  promise  of  1904:  is 
encouraging,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  is  a  good 
omen  for  a  better  fruit  year  generally  than  its 
predecessor.  G.  H.  Holungworth. 


ORCHIDS. 


CYMBIDIUM   GIGANTEUM   WILSONI. 
A  MONG  the  Orchids  shown  at  the  last  Drill 
/\  Hall  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 

/  \  Society  few  attracted  more  attention 
/  \  than  the  new  Cymbidium,  collected  in 
/  \  China  for  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and 
Sons,  Chelsea,  and  e.xhibited  by  them. 
Orchids  introduced  for  the  first  time  from  their 
native  habitats  are  sufficiently  rare  to  make  them 
more  than  ordinarily  interesting.  Mr.  Rolfe  has 
classed  this  new  Cymbidium  as  a  variety  of  C. 
giganteum.  The  recorded  habitat  of  this  species  is 
Northern  India,  and  the  date  of  its  introduction 
1837.  Nicholson  calls  it  "  a  strong  and  bold- 
growing  species,"  a  description  that  would  scarcely 
apply  to  the  variety  Wilsoni  as  exhibited  at  the 
Drill  Hall.  A  number  of  experts  seemed  to  think 
it  sufficiently  distinct  to  merit  specific  rank.  The 
Sowers  show  an  attractive  association  of  colouring  ; 
sepals  and  petals  are  green  spotted  with  brown, 
while  lip  and  throat  are  white,  heavily  marked 
with  chocolate-red. 


WELL-GROWN  LYCASTES. 
It  is  rarely  that  one  sees  such  fine  plants  of  Lycaste 
Skinneri  and  Lycaste  aromatioa  as  were  shown  on 
the  23rd  ult.  at  the  Drill  Hall  by  Mr.  F.  Du  Cane 
Godman,  South  Lodge,  Horsham.  Each  plant 
carried  some  two  dozen  blooms  or  more,  and,  in 
company  with  a  plant  of  Platyclinis  glumacea,  also 
shown  by  Mr.  Godman,  came  in  for  much  admira- 
tion. The  flowers  of  L.  aromatica  have  a  curious 
spicy  scent,  while  those  of  Platyclinis  glumacea  are 
so  strong  and  sweetly  fragrant  as  to  be  noticeable 
many  yards  away.  The  Lycastes  are  natives  of 
Central  America  chiefly,  and  are  of  easy  culture, 
doing  best  in  an  intermediate  temperature.  There 
are  now  many  beautiful  varieties  of  Lycaste 
Skinneri,  distinguished  by  such  names  as  delica- 
tissima,  purpurata,  superba,  rosea,  virginalis,  &o. 
Mr.  G.  Whitelegge,  gardener  to  , I.  Bradshaw,  Esq., 
The  Grange,  Southgate,  exhibited  two  lovely  forms 
of  L.  Skinneri  last  week  at  the  Drill  Hall.  They 
were  called  respectively  Beauty  and  Enchantress, 
and  were  of  fine  form  and  delicate  colouring. 

A,  P.  H. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

Dekdrobium  Propagation. 
To  secure  good  plants  before  next  winter  it  is 
necessary  that  this  matter  should  now  be  taken  in 
hand.  Bulbs  that  were  taken  off,  as  advised  in  a 
previous  calendar,  will  now  be  ready  for  cutting 
up  ;  each  joint  that  has  not  produced  flower  will 
make  a  young  plant.  I  prefer  cutting  them  into 
single  eyes,  cutting  them  rather  close  to  the  eye, 
to  allow  of  the  major  part  of  the  severed  bulb 
being  below  the  eye  to  help  sustain  it,  and  also  to 
allow  of  sufficient  material  to  insert  without  cover- 
ing the  dormant  eye. 

A  simple  and  safe  way  to  propagate  is  to  make 
4-inch  pots  half  full  of  crocks,  over  which  place 
some  sphagnum,  and  then  fill  up  with  a  mixture  of 
two  parts  sand  and  one  part  fine  chopped  sphagnum. 
Gently  press  in  the  cuttings,  not  inserting  them 
more  than  is  necessary  to  keep  them  upright. 
Each  should  then  be  correctly  labelled,  and  placed 
on  a  shelf  or  similar  place  in  a  hot,  moist  house 


where  they  will  be  shaded  from  strong  sunshine. 
Keep  the  material  drj',  on  bright  days  giving  them 
a  slight  spraying  over. 

Those  having  bottom-heat  and  a  small  case 
would  be  able  to  produce  plants  much  more 
quickly.  In  preparing  a  case  it  is  quite  necessary 
to  see  that  there  is  no  moisture-giving  material 
between  the  pipes  and  the  cuttings.  The  ease 
should  be  filled  up  to  nearly  the  desired  level  with 
crocks,  over  which  place  some  sphagnum,  enough 
to  prevent  the  sand  from  working  down  amongst 
the  crocks,  and  then  place  about  1  inch  of  the  sand 
and  sphagnum  mixture  as  advised  above.  The 
space  should  then  be  divided  with  stakes  laid  flat, 
so  that  there  is  only  one  variety  to  a  section.  The 
cuttings  should  then  be  inserted  in  the  same  way  as 
when  placed  in  pots.  To  enable  the  cuttings  to 
break  quickly  a  good  deal  of  moisture  is  helpful. 
Sufficient  is  generally  obtained  by  keeping  the  case 
closed  by  day  and  open  a  little  each  night,  spraj'ing 
them  lightly  over  on  very  bright  days  ;  but  the 
material  must  be  kept  nearlj'  dry.  It  is  far  safer 
to  lay  pseudo  bulbs  on  a  stage  for  a  few  weeks 
before  cutting  them  up. 

When  the  young  growths  have  attained  the 
height  of  1  inch  they  should  be  potted  up  in  a 
mixture  of  one  part  each  of  chopped  peat,  sphag- 
num, and  coarse  sand,  using  very  small  pots.  The 
earliest  ones,  if  kept  in  a  good  hot-house,  will  often 
make  the  first  bulb  by  the  end  of  July.  I  strongly 
advise  the  propagation  of  a  few  each  year,  and 
when  space  is  a  consideration  discard  some  of  the 
old  plants. 

Epiphronitis  Veitchii. 

The  brilliant  flowers  of  this  hybrid  always 
brighten  up  a  house,  especially  during  the  winter 
months.  By  removing  the  flowers  during  the  late 
summer  months  it  can  generally  be  made  to  flower 
during  February  and  Slarch.  Like  E.  radicans, 
one  of  its  parents,  it  should  be  placed  in  strong 
light.  The  coolest  end  of  the  Cattleya  house  suits 
it  well  as  regards  temperature,  and  during  bright 
weather  it  should  be  kept  well  syringed.  Potting 
may  be  done  at  almost  any  time  in  a  mixture  of  two 
parts  moss  to  one  part  peat.  The  stock  may  be 
increased  by  taking  off  the  aerial  growths  and 
potting  them  up  separately. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate.     W.  P.  BoDND. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


JNJiW    LUi 

M" 


NEW  LETTUCES  FROM  MANCHESTER. 
ESSRS.  DICKSON  AND  ROBINSON 
showed  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  the 
early  autumn  three  new  varieties  of 
Cabbage  Lettuce,  and  these  were  so 
good  that  a  note  at  this  season  con- 
cerning them  may  not  be  out  of  place.  Two  of 
these.  Lord  Kitchener  and  Staghorn,  received 
awards  of  merit  at  the  great  vegetable  show  at 
Chiswick.  The  third  variety.  Distinction,  was  seen 
in  splendid  condition  when  shown  at  the  Drill  Hall 
earlier  in  September,  this  firm  at  that  date  staging 
no  less  than  sixtj-nine  varieties.  Lord  Kitchener  is 
a  medium  grower,  with  solid  heart,  the  leafage  is  of 
a  delicate  yellowish  green  colour,  and,  what  makes 
it  more  valuable,  it  remains  good  for  a  long  time 
after  being  fully  matured.  This  is  a  great  advan- 
tage in  a  summer  Lettuce,  as  some  of  the  older 
varieties  bolt  so  quickly.  But  the  most  important 
point  growers  have  to  consider  with  new  vegetables 
is  the  flavour.  Certaiulj-  Lord  Kitchener  is  not 
behind  in  this  respect.  It  is  of  exquisite  flavour, 
the  leaves  are  crisp,  and  the  plant  builds  up 
solid  hearts,  having  verj'  few  outer  leaves. 

Staghorn  is  quite  distinct  from  the  last-named, 
and  doubtless  takes  its  name  from  the  cut  leaves. 
These  are  pointed  and  laciniated,  and  have  a  very 
attractive  appearance  ;  indeed,  it  might  at  first 
sight  be  taken  for  a  well-grown  Endive.  The 
growth  is  very  compact,  and  it  makes  an  excellent 
salad  or  garnishing  plant.  For  the  salad  bowl  this 
should  be  most  valuable,  the  hearts  being  very  solid 
and  white,  while  it  should  also  be  useful  for  exhibi- 
tion.  In  quality  it  is  not  unlike  a  good  I'jndive,   This 


March-  5,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


169 


t 


variety  was  much  admired  in  the  collection  referred 
to,  which  so  deservedly  won  a  gold  medal. 

The  other  Cabbage  variety,  named  Distinc- 
tion, is,  in  my  opinion,  well  worth  bracketing 
with  Lord  Kitchener  and  Staghorn.  It  is  a  much 
larger  Lettuce,  and  size  is  valued  in  many  gardens 
if  the  quality  is  good.  It  is  remarkable  for  its 
sweet  flavour,  bright  green  colour,  and  its  long 
standing.  It  is  very  slow  to  seed,  and  being  a 
rapid  grower  makes  a  splendid  summer  Lettuce. 
This  should  make  a  valuable  market  sort. 

I  now  come  to  the  Cos  varieties,  and  in  Messrs. 
Dickson  and  Robinson's  collection  there  were  two 
that  stood  out  prominently,  viz.,  Dickson  and 
Robinson's  Giant  Market  and  Little  Gem  ;  these  in 
appearance  differ  greatly,  but  are  most  valuable 
additions  to  the  Cos  section.  I  do  not  think  that 
in  private  gardens  the  Cos  has  so  many  admirers 
as  the  Cabbage  Lettuces,  and  this  is  owing  to  the 
more  rapid  growth  and  compact  habit  of  the  latter. 
Those  who  like  this  type  will  find  in  Little  Gem  a 
valuable  early  variety,  and  most  serviceable  either 
for  frame  culture  or  earliest  supplies  on  sheltered 
borders.  I  am  aware  that  we  have  some  very  good 
Cos  Lettuces  in  the  older  varieties,  such  as  Superb 
White  and  Mammoth  White,  Ivory's  Nonsuch  and 
Balloon,  but  no  matter  how  good  these  are,  superior 
new  sorts  are  welcome.  It  was  a  great  surprise  to 
growers  to  see  so  many  really  excellent  varieties, 
both  of  Cos  and  Cabbage  Lettuce,  as  shown  by 
Messrs.  Dickson  and  Robinson. 

The  Giant  Market,  as  its  name  implies,  is  sent 
out  as  a  superior  market  variety,  and  in  these 
days,  when  so  many  growers  sell  their  surplus 
supplies,  it  may  be  termed  a  profitable  variety  on 
that  account.  A  Cos  Lettuce  that  has  large  and 
broad  leaves  to  be  profitable  should  be  compact, 
the  foliage  should  not  require  tying.  The  Giant 
Market  possesses  these  good  points,  and  in  addition 
is  very  slow  to  run  to  seed.  The  flavour  is  very 
good,  the  leaves  remarkably  tender  and  crisp,  and 
the  hearts  attain  a  large  size.  Little  Gem,  as  its 
name  implies,  is  small  though  good,  but  I  am  not 
sure  that  this  name  is  the  best,  as  there  are  others 
called  Little  Gem,  and  it  is  such  an  easy  matter 
to  get  confused.  The  variety  in  question  is  a 
splendid  addition  on  account  of  its  size  and  earli- 
ness.  It  is  dwarf,  self-folding,  having  yellowish 
green  leaves,  and  of  splendid  quality.  It  requires 
very  little  space,  and  one  plant  often  makes  two  or 
three  distinct  growths.  It  makes  a  most  useful 
salad  Lettuce  in  the  early  spring.  It  is  also 
valuable  for  autumn  sowing.  G.  Wythes. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  is  not   responsible   for  the 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 


opinions 


FRUIT  TREE  PRUNING. 
[To  THE   Editor  of   "  The   Garden."] 

SIR,  —  Messrs.  Thomas  and  Tallack  have 
recently  had  considerable  wordy  warfare 
in  the  pages  of  The  Garden  upon  the 
above  subject,  ostensibly  for  the  edifi- 
cation of  the  amateur  cultivator,  who 
has  my  entire  sympathy  when  he 
endeavours  to  put  such  conflicting  state- 
ments into  practice.  He  may  well  exclaim 
"When  doctors  differ  who  shall  decide?"  The 
fact  is  that  in  this  controversy  extraneous  matter 
has  crept  in  for  summer  and  winter  pruning, 
and  various  forms  of  tree  pruning  have  become 
muddled  up  together.  Consequently,  both  com- 
batants are  right  in  some  points  and  both  wrong 
in  others ;  indeed,  as  is  usual,  the  real  truth 
lies  between  the  extreme  views  advocated.  I 
have  long  advocated  true  extension  pruning 
to  the  fullest  extent  of  that  method,  but  I 
certainly  cannot  agree  with  Mr.  Tallack  (page  402, 
vol.  Ixiv. ),  where,  in  speaking  of  a  young  tree, 
Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  or  Cherry,  two  or  three  years 
planted,  he  says  :  "Let  the  annual  leading  shoots 
remain  intact,  confining  the  pruning  to  cutting 
clean  out  any  useless  or  badly  placed  shoots." 
Whether  summer  or  winter  pruning  or  both  is  not 
clear.      He  also  repeats  an  assertion  (page   44) : 


"That  the  knife  applied  to  the  main  leads  never 
yet  assisted  in  the  production  of  fruit-buds  on  a 
tree  that  has  not  reached  its  prime."  Possibly 
not,  neither  is  it  desirous  for  our  young  tree  only 
two  or  three  years  planted  to  produce  flower- 
buds  so  profusely.  On  the  contrary,  we  should 
remember  rather  that  we  are  only  laying  the 
foundation  of  a  permanent  character,  and  our 
chief  object  should  be  to  build  up  our  model  tree 
with  stout  and  strong  well-regulated  branches, 
every  one  of  which  should  ultimately  become  a 
perfect  cordon  of  fruit-spurs  from  base  to  summit, 
capable  of  rigidly  supporting  its  allotted  weight 
of  high  quality  fruit  without  danger  of  breaking  off. 
Now  let  us  take  the  case  of  Plums  in  particular. 
Where  frequently  shoots  or  leads  are  annually 
made  at  this  stage  4  feet,  5  feet,  and  upwards  in 
length  (strong-growing  varieties  of  Apples  and 
Pears  nearly  as  much),  it  is  our  experience  that  if 
these  leading  shoots  or  leads  are  left  intact  and 
not  shortened  at  all  at  the  winter  pruning  (they 
should  not  be  stopped  at  the  summer  pruning) 
these  foundation  or  principal  branches  are 
seldom  sturdy  or  strong  enough  to  carry  the 
necessary  weight  of  fruit  over  the   ripening  stage 


■^ 


ME.    S.    T.    WRKJHT. 
Sit'permtendent  of  the  R.H.S.  Gardens,  Cldswick. 

in  years  to  come  without  breaking  off,  and 
the  consequent  loss,  with  permanent  injury 
to  the  tree.  The  lower  half  of  these  unstopped 
long  shoots  seldom  breaks  or  forms  spurs  or 
other  growth,  but  remains  bare  for  ever.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  these  long  shoots  or  leads  are 
at  the  winter  pruning  shortened,  not  exceeding 
one-third  of  this  from  foot-growth,  and  always 
cutting  to  an  outward  pointing  bud,  better  results 
will  be  obtained  and  the  above  dangers  avoided. 
This  treatment  cannot  be  considered  hard  pruning, 
but  really  the  truest  form  of  extension  pruning  for 
such  trees  of  the  aforesaid  age. 

We  also  cannot  concur  in  the  statement  of 
"  confining  the  pruning  to  cutting  clean  out,"  &c. 
Now  really  with  the  above  kinds  of  trees  and  at 
this  age  there  cannot  be  anything  worth  men- 
tioning to  cut  clean  out,  but  we  prefer  to  stop  all 
lateral  growth  not  required  for  leads  to  about 
three  or  four  full-sized  leaves  about  the  end  of 
July  or  August,  according  to  season,  so  as  to 
admit  air  and  sunlight  into  the  middle  of  the  tree 
to  assist  in  the  thorough  development  of  the 
fruiting  spurs,  and  to  prevent  a  waste  of  power  in 
permitting  growth  which  would  necessarily  have 
to  be  removed  at  the  winter  pruning.  Of  course, 
the  leaders  are  all  left  unstopped  at  this  summer 
pruning ;  moreover,  they  act  as  a  kind  of  safety 
valve,  and  generally  prevent  the  growth  of  sub- 


laterals — i.e.,  the  secondary  growths  of  those 
recently  slopped  laterals. 

There  are  other  reasons  for  removing  the  tips 
or  extremities  of  the  leaders.  One  reason  is 
that  quite  the  tips  of  the  shoots  are  formed  too 
late  to  become  thoroughly  ripened,  and  it 
can  hardly  be  expected  to  get  clean,  kindly 
shoots  from  unripened  wood,  especially  in  the 
choicer  and  more  delicate  varieties.  Besides,  if 
there  should  be  any  insect  pests  about,  such 
as  the  winter  moth  or  allied  species,  which 
lay  their  eggs  in  the  autumn  or  early  winter 
months,  it  is  in  the  scales  or  tips  of  the  unripe 
shoots  that  they  are  usually  deposited,  but  which 
this  shortening  removes.  The  growth  that 
follows  is  certainly  of  a  more  kindly  nature, 
leading  to  infinitely  better  results  than  leaving  the 
leading  shoots  intact. 

The  foregoing  is  a  summary  of  my  own  very 
long  experience ;  it  has  been  part  of  my  duty 
for  upwards  of  twenty-one  years  to  raise  the 
trees  and  establish  fruit  orchards  for  tenantry  on 
a  large  scale  for  commercial  purposes  in  the  most 
expeditious  manner  ;  upwards  of  20,000  fruit  trees, 
chiefly  standards  for  orchards,  have  been  dealt  with. 

Madresfield  Court.  W.  CKniip. 

CLEARING    ROUGH    WOODLAND. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir,— The  clearing  of  rough  woodland  or  open 
coppice  of  noxious  weeds  and  other  objectionable 
growths  is  by  no  means  so  formidable  a  task  as  you 
state  in  reply  to  a  correspondent  in  The  Garden 
of  February  20.  Hereon  the  Kentish  uplands  we 
are  used  to  that  work.  I  have  a  piece  in  hand 
now  which  was  planted  with  fruit  trees  after  the 
wood  was  cut,  and  then  for  two  years  allowed  to 
go  wild,  though  that  is  not  a  usual  practice.  The 
Brambles  and  other  rubbish  have  overtopped  the 
fruit  trees,  but  I  am  both  clearing  and  leaving 
the  ground  fit  for  cultivation  between  the  trees. 
The  method  is  to  grub  out  all  small  roots  as  one 
goes,  except  old  Oak  stools,  which  would  take  too 
much  time  and  can  be  buried.  Then,  a  trench 
being  opened  with  a  short,  strong  fork,  get  the 
top  3  inches  or  so  off  and  throw  it  into  the  bottom 
of  the  trench.  Then  put  the  fork  into  the  ground 
beneath  as  deep  as  possible,  and  turn  it  over  on  the 
top  of  the  surface-soil.  This  leaves  a  clean,  level 
surface,  which  can  be  hoed  in  the  usual  manner, 
thus  securing  a  perfect  clearance  at  once.  Of 
course,  deeper  pick  and  shovel  trenching  is  better, 
but  would  cost  much  more.  The  roots  are  not 
much  of  an  obstacle.  I  could  not  say  what  it  would 
cost  per  square  rod  without  seeing  it,  but  at  the 
worst,  with  proper  tools  a  man  would  clear  and 
finish  a  rod  per  day.  J.  A.  Notman. 

Hurstcot,  Wiymor     Chatham. 


CARNATION     SOUVENIR     DE    LA 

MALMAISON  OUT  OF  DOORS. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Being  greatly  interested  in  Mr.  Coomber's 
notes  of  the  20th  ult.  (page  140  of  The  Garden) 
respecting  the  Malmaison  Carnation,  I  was  much 
surprised  to  hear  of  the  success  met  with.  I  am 
curious  to  know  if  it  was  the  old  blush  or  pink 
variety,  as  these  two,  I  find,  are  the  most  diiEcult 
to  grow.  The  newer  varieties  of  Malmaisons  are 
much  more  robust  and  vigorous  and  easier  to 
cultivate,  although,  on  the  other  hand,  they  need 
much  attention.  Respecting  what  Mr.  Coomber 
says  of  exposing  the  plants  in  the  summer  months, 
I  have  practised  layering  them  entirely  out  of 
doors  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  have 
always  met  with  good  results,  but  I  must  say  that 
layering  in  a  cold  frame  lightly  shaded  is  best. 
I  strongly  advocate  growing  Malmaisons  on  a 
staging  covered  with  .lifted  ashes,  in  a  well- 
ventilated  house,  and  in  very  hot  weather.  I  find 
damping  lightly  between  the  pots  every  day  and 
about  twice  a  week  or  more  (according  to  the 
weather)  overhead  with  the  syringe  suits  them 
well.  Of  course,  at  the  flowering  stage  this 
syringing  must  be  abandoned. 

Corwen.  J.  S.  Higgins. 


170 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  5,  1904. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FEUIT    GARDEN. 
Pot  Vines. 

POT  VINES  which  were  started  early 
in  November  should  be  given  liberal 
supplies  of  weak  liquid  njanure  water 
and  occasional  sprinklings  of  Thomp- 
son's Vine  Manure.  Manure  water 
should  be  discontinued  when  the  fruit 
approaches  ripening.  Give  the  laterals  more  liberty 
at  this  stage  above  the  bunches  wherever  space  will 
allow.  If  red  spider  makes  its  appearance  the 
leaves  must  be  sponged  at  once,  and  if  done  care- 
fully no  injury  will  be  done  to  either  fruit  or 
foliage.  Give  a  little  ventilation  early  in  the  day, 
and  add  more  as  the  sun-heat  increases  ;  close 
early,  and  take  advantage  of  bright  sunny  days  to 
hasten  the  crop,  but  do  not  increase  the  night 
temperature  above  65°  or  68"  on  mild  nights. 
Damp  the  paths  and  walls,  using  weak  liquid 
manure  occasionally. 

Early  Peaches. 
Fruits  in  the  early  house  will  now  be  swelling 
freely.  The  trees  must  be  well  syringed  twice 
daily  on  bright  days,  once  being  sufficient  on  dull, 
cold  days.  The  fruits  should  be  left  about  1  foot 
apart  on  old  trees,  and  a  little  less  on  young, 
vigorous  trees.  Tie  down  the  shoots  as  they  pro- 
gress, removing  any  superfluous  growths  as  the 
work  proceeds  ;  6  inches  to  9  inches  apart  is  none 
too  much.  Stop  extra  strong-growing  shoots  on 
young  trees  to  secure  a  more  even  flow  of  sap.  The 
night  temperature  may  now  be  increased  to  60°  at 
night,  closing  early,  and  allowing  it  to  rise  to  75° 
or  80°.  Syringe  the  trees  occasionally  with  clear 
soot  water.  Old  trees  should  be  mulched  with 
manure  and  fed  freely  with  diluted  liquid.  Young 
strong-growing  trees  do  not  require  it. 

Succession  Houses. 

Pay  attention  to  the  disbudding  of  these  trees, 
but  do  not  take  off  too  many  shoots  at  once,  espe- 
ciallv  if  the  trees  are  weak,  or  this  will  cause  a 
cheek  to  them.  Later  trees  as  they  approach  the 
flowering  stage  should  be  fumigated  moderately  for 
green  fly,  or  this  may  ruin  the  crop  later.  Peaches 
set  very  well  on  healthy  trees  in  a  temperature  of 
50°,  but  it  is  always  best  to  pass  the  brush  over 
the  flowers  every  day.  Do  not  syringe  the  trees 
while  in  bloom. 

Fios. 

Little  progress  will  be  noticeable  with  the  earliest 
trees  until  the  fruits  are  set,  but  as  soon  as  they 
begin  to  swell  a  rise  of  5°  in  the  temperature 
should  be  given.  Thin  the  fruits  freely,  and  do 
not  overcrowd  the  shoots.  Liquid  manure  water 
must  be  liberally  supplied  to  the  borders  if  the 
drainage  is  good  ;  syringe  the  trees  twice  daily. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Hedges. 
If  any  growth  was  made  after  the  autumn  pruning 
Holly  hedges  may  now  be  clipped.  By  the  time 
fresh  growth  is  made  there  will  be  no  danger  of 
frosts  sufficiently  severe  to  do  any  damage.  Unless 
great  care  and  judgment  are  exercised,  hedges  soon 
become  too  broad,  and  not  only  occupy  more  than 
the  allotted  space  and  root  room,  but  have  a 
tendency  to  become  very  thin.  The  surface  soil 
should  be  pricked  over,  and  all  weeds  eradicated. 
When  a  large  and  not  too  formal  hedge  is  required 
the  common  Pvhododendron  ponticum  is  good,  that 
is  providing  the  soil  will  grow  Rhododendrons. 
Such  a  hedge  becomes  in  a  few  years  a  remarkably 
beautiful  sight  when  in  full  bloom,  and  a  little 
judicious  pruning  when  the  flowering  is  over  will 
keep  it  in  shape.  As  a  boundary  to  the  Rose 
garden  the 

Sweet-briar 
makes  a  capital  hedge,  and  will  stand  a  deal  of 
hard  pruning.  The  Penzance  Briars,  Rosa  rugosa, 
and  its  varieties  and  hybrids  are  also  beautiful  and 
useful  for  this  purpose.  The  various  forms  of 
Pyrus   japonica    make    a    very   pretty   deciduous 


hedge.  If,  after  the  hedge  has  reached  the  desired 
size,  summer  pruning  is  practised  it  will  soon  come 
into  flower,  and  there  will  be  buds  or  blossoms  all 
the  3'ear  round. 

By  the  Seaside 
Escallonias  make  splendid  hedges,  and  will  stand 
a  good  deal  of  wind.  For  a  low  evergreen 
boundary  many  of  the  Ivies  are  useful.  If  a 
quickly-established  wind-screen  is  required,  such 
subjects  as  Cupressus  lawsoniana.  Thuya  japonica, 
Hornbeam,  Beech,  and  Whitethorn  should  be 
planted.  The  Myrobalan  (Cherry  Plum),  when 
established,  makes  an  almost  impenetrable  barrier, 
and  during  April  or  early  May  such  a  hedge  in 
flower  is  very  attractive.  The  planter  will  be 
guided  in  his  selection  by  the  soil  and  locality  ; 
but,  whatever  is  planted,  the  preparations  must 
be  thorough. 

Violets. 

All  protecting  material  should  now  be  cleared 
away.  Remove  all  decaying  leaves  and  stir  the 
surface  soil.  At  this  time  of  the  year  a  few  bright 
days  quickly  bring  the  Violets  into  flower.  The 
flowers  required  for  decorative  purposes  should  be 
gathered  during  the  afternoon  and  placed  in  water, 
selecting  those  not  too  fully  developed.  Any 
plants  that  are  growing  at  the  foot  of  a  wall  or  in 
a  dry  place  will  greatly  benefit  from  an  application 
of  weak  manure  or  soot  water. 

Flowering  Shrubs. 

As  they  pass  out  of  flower,  such  spring-flowering 
shrubs  as  Chimonanthus  fragrans,  Jasminum  nudi- 
florum,  Hamamelis  japonica,  &c.,  should  receive 
the  needful  pruning.  The  present  is  also  a  good 
time  to  give,  where  necessary,  a  top-dressing  or 
mulching.  _     A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 

A  WELCOME  change  in  the  weather  has  set  in,  and 
the  past  week  has  been  fairly  dry  with  several 
hours'  sunshine  each  day.  Many  things  have 
started  into  growth,  and  the  kitchen  garden  now 
begins  to  claim  considerable  attention.  All 
digging  should,  as  far  as  possible,  be  finished,  and 
plans  will  have  to  be  laid  as  to  how  the  garden  is 
to  be  cropped.  No  difficulty  will  be  experienced 
where  the  ground  has  been  prepared  for  special 
occupants,  but  the  remainder  must  be  carefully 
thought  of,  and  things  arranged  in  proper  order, 
warm  and  sunny  borders  being  used  for  all  early 
crops,  and  where  there  are  shady  and  moist  plots 
they  should  be  used  for  autumn  and  winter  crops. 

Potatoes. 

Some  tubers  of  early  sorts  may  now  be  started 
with  a  view  to  planting  them  out  of  doors  in  some 
sheltered  position.  These  ripen  very  quickly 
where  it  is  possible  to  plant  them  close  to  the 
bottom  of  a  south  wall.  This  plan  is  adopted  in 
many  gardens  with  good  results.  A  good  planting 
should  be  made  now  on  a  southern  border  where 
the  soil  is  rich  and  light.  Sharpe's  Victor, 
Harbinger,  or  Early  Sandringhara  are  all 
suitable  for  early  work,  as  well  as  many  other 
varieties.  Choose  a  good  dry  day  for  planting,  and 
draw  the  soil  well  over  the  sets  so  as  to  form  a 
slight  ridge. 

Onions. 

On  the  first  favourable  opportunity  this  im- 
portant crop  should  be  sown.  It  is  necessary  that 
the  ground  be  in  good  condition — dry  and  friable. 
A  slight  sprinkling  of  soot  and  wood  ashes  should 
be  given  and  raked  in  before  sowing.  The  ground, 
if  at  all  soft,  should  be  trodden  until  very  firm. 
The  drills  should  be  drawn  15  inches  apart,  and 
after  sowing  filled  in  with  the  feet  and  again 
trodden.  The  plot  may  then  be  lightly  raked  over. 
As  success  with  this  crop  to  a  great  extent  depends 
on  the  condition  of  the  soil,  it  is  advisable  to  put 
off  so«  ing  till  a  suitable  day  comes  round.  A  selec- 
tion of  varieties  of  good  keeping  qualities  should 
be  made,  and  also  some  of  the  red  sorts.  The 
latter  are  preferred  for  pickling. 

Vegetables  Under  Glass. 
Carrots,    Turnips,   and    other    early    vegetables 
growing  in  pits  are  now  making  good  progress,  and 


should  be  aired  on  all  favourable  occasions,  as  the 
plants  grow  and  begin  to  get  crowded.  They  must 
be  thinned  before  they  get  drawn  and  weakly. 
Potatoes  growing  in  pits  will  also  require  air  in  the 
warm  part  of  the  day.  Those  growing  in  pots,  if 
removed  to  a  cooler  house  as  advised,  will  have  a 
fine  healthy  and  sturdy  appearance,  and  may  now 
bo  given  an  application  of  weak  liquid  manure 
from  the  farmyard,  or  a  good  fertiliser  when 
watering.  Early  Peas  in  pots  may  also  be  given  a 
slight  stimulant.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopeloun  House  Gardens,  Queeiisferry,  N.B. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 
Roses  in  Pots. 
Aim  at  promoting  a  well-developed,  short-jointed 
growth  by  elevating  the  plants  near  the  glass  and 
affording  them  full  exposure  to  light,  air,  and  sun. 
The  soil  must  never  be  allowed  to  get  dry.  The 
development  of  the  flower-buds  will  be  greatly 
assisted  by  applying  cow  or  sheep  manure  liquid 
about  twice  weekly,  with  during  the  season  two 
doses  of  sulphate  of  ammonia,  made  into  a  liquid 
by  dissolving  one  tablespoonful  of  the  sulphate  in 
one  gallon  of  water.  Syringing  the  plants  occa- 
sionally with  Bentley's  Insecticide  will  free  them 
of  green  fly  and  grubs,  and  will  aid  in  the  satis- 
factory development  of  growth.  Immediately 
mildew  appears  dust  the  affected  parts  with  dry 
flowers  of  sulphur.  Much  the  same  remarks  will 
apply  to  Roses  that  are  planted  out,  except  that  a 
surface  mulching  with  good  cow  manure  will  be 
necessary. 

Palms. 
For  several  months  during  the  winter  season 
these  plants  have  in  many  gardens  to  submit  to 
somewhat  harsh  treatment,  and  about  this  time  of 
the  year  begin  to  deteriorate.  The  dust  that 
settles  upon  their  fronds  and  leaves  when  in  rooms 
cannot  always  be  washed  off,  and  this  naturally 
clogs  the  pores  of  the  leaves  and  prevents  proper 
respiration.  The  yellow  spotting  so  frequently  seen 
upon  the  fronds  of  Kentias  is  the  result  mainly  of 
the  circumstances  mentioned,  as  well  as  of  cold 
draughts.  Directly  opportunity  offers  remove  them 
to  a  position  where  they  can  be  given  a  temperature 
of  60°  to  65°  and  be  syringed  twice  daily.  Sprinkle 
Clay's  Fertilizer  at  the  rate  of  a  teaspoonful  to  a 
12-inch  pot  over  the  surface  soil  about  every  two 
weeks,  and  afford  an  occasional  dose  of  weak  soot 
water  to  their  roots. 

IXOEAS. 

Specimen  plants  that  have  been  pruned  back 
previously  with  a  view  to  creating  new  growths 
will  by  this  time  be  ready  for  repotting.  A  capital 
compost  for  the  purpose  is  formed  of  fibrous  peat 
and  loam  and  a  small  proportion  of  coarse  sand. 
Remove  a  portion  of  the  old  soil  and  return  them 
to  pots  that  are  large  enough  to  carry  them  well 
through  another  season.  Until  the  plants  begin  to 
root  into  the  new  soil  apply  water  very  sparingly 
to  their  roots,  but  syringe  freely  the  growth,  and 
give  a  temperature  of  70°  to  75°.  Directly  they 
are  ready  take  off  the  tops  of  a  few  of  the  strongest 
shoots,  and  insert  these  as  cuttings  singly  in  ij-inch 
pots.  Plunge  them  in  a  brisk  bottom-heat,  and 
for  a  time  keep  them  close  and  shaded  from  strong 
sunlight,  but  immediately  they  are  rooted  remove 
the  shade  and  afford  light  and  air  to  strengthen 
them.  Ixoras  Williamsii,  Coccinea,  Fraserii, 
Pilgrimii,  and  Dutfii  are  the  best. 

J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

The  Gardens,  Tranby  Croft,  Hull. 


BOOKS. 

Pietopial    Praetical    Chrysanthe- 

muin  OUltUPe.' — This  is  another  of  the  series 
of  handbooks  which  aim  at  teaching  largely  by 
means  of  sketches  and  diagrams,  instead  of  relying 
solely  upon  reading  matter.  It  is  very  compre- 
hensive ;  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  cultural 
details,  which  are  clearly  explained,  there  are 
"  Hints  to   Exhibitors,"    including  advice  as   to 


'  "Pictorial    Practicai    Ctirysantlienium    Culture."      hy 
Waiter  P.  Writ'lit.    Cassell  and  Co 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


171 


preparing  blooms  for  the  show-board,  and  valuable 
information  as  to  the  best  dales  for  taking  buds. 
There  are  selections  of  Chrysanthemums  for  special 
purposes,  as  scented,  curious,  and  hairy  Chrysan- 
themums, varieties  for  market,  buttonholes,  &c. 
There  are  also  numerous  illustrations,  showing 
groups  of  Chrysanthemums,  various  types,  &c., 
which  add  to  the  value  of  a  useful  little  book. 

Roses  and  their  Culture.*— This  is  a 

handy  little  book  for  amateurs,  and  contains  sound 
advice  from'  one  well  qualified  to  give  it.  There 
are  lists  of  Roses  for  various  purposes,  and  many 
practical  chapters  about  budding,  destroying  insect 
pests,  and  so  forth,  with  a  schedule  of  all  the 
varieties  worthy  of  culture  in  British  gardens, 
whilst  interspersed  here  and  there  are  excellent 
illustrations.  The  whole  get  -  up  of  the  book, 
however,  is  poor,  the  cover  is  ugly,  the  printing 
indifferent,  and  at  the  end  are  several  pages  of 
advertisements.  The  author  deserves  better  treat- 
ment. A  coloured  plate  of  Mme.  Chauvry  variety 
is  not  bad,  but  better  to  have  left  this  out  and 
expended  more  care  upon  the  general  production. 

Fertilisation  of  Orehids.t— We  wel- 
come a  cheap  edition  of  this  great  work.  We  need 
say  no  more  ;  it  is  a  book  for  the  student  and  all 
for  whom  the  workings  of  Nature  possess  any 
fascination.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  publishers  will 
see  their  way  to  issue  the  whole  of  Darwin's  works 
at  this  price.  The  book  is  excellently  printed, 
well  bound,  and  the  illustrations  are  as  clear  as  in  the 
original  editions.  A  very  cheap  and  notable  edition. 


POTATOES   IN    LINCOLN- 
SHIRE. 

SPALDING  is  the  "eye"  of  the  Potato 
world,  and  during  the  past  few 
months  it  has,  of  course,  taken  the 
liveliest  interest  in  watching  and 
profiting  by  the  rise  in  the  price  of 
new  varieties.  Among  other  seeds- 
men and  growers  of  the  "  Metropolis  of  the 
Fens  "  who  have  come  into  public  prominence 
is  Mr.  George  Massey.  In  a  recent  letter  to 
the  writer,  Mr.  Massey  mentioned  that  he  was 
actually  selling — not  offering  for  sale — single 
tubers  of  Eldorado  at  £10,  none  of  which 
weighed  more  thanjloz.,  and  as  the  majority 


weighed  exactly  6oz.  Indeed,  public  auctions 
have  been  held— at  Lincoln,  if  I  remember 
rightly — where  the  goods  to  be  put  up  for  sale 
consisted  of  a  few  small  specimens  of  this  self- 
same Potato.  As  to  the  value  of  the  half- 
dozen  shown  in  the  photograph,  Mr.  Massey 
declares  that  they  are  worth  £.500,  or  nearly 
£84  a  tuber. 
An  interesting  fact  in  regard  to  the  culti- 


which  were  planted  last  year,  it  is  even  now 
fetching  from  3s.  6d.  to  4s.  per  pound. 

Of  the  variety  Sim  Gray,  introduced  by 
Lord  Carew,  and  for  which  £5  has  been  paid 
for  one  pound,  not  so  much  has  been  heard, 
although  the  price  quoted  is,  as  far  as  I  am 
aware,  five  times  higher  than  that  reached  by 
the  Northern  Star.  Nevertheless,  it  has  its 
devotees,  like  the  rest,   and  in    the   present 


POTATO  SIR  J.  LLEWELYN. 


vation  of  the  Eldorado  is  that  it  was  grown  by 
not  more  than  three  raisers,  the  fortunate  few 
being  Mr.  Findlay,  Mr.  !Massey,  and  Professor 
Maiden,  the  very  well-known  Potato  expert. 
In  October  the  last-named  gentleman  stated 
that  from  124  Eldorado  plants  he  lifted 
5361b.,  all  the  tubers  being  quite  free  from 
disease. 

The  introducer  of  this  plutocratic  Potato 
was  Mr.  Findlay  of  Markinch,  in  Scotland, 
from  whose  nursery  have  come  many  other 
well-known  varieties,  notably  British  Queen, 
Evergood,  Up-to-Date,  Empress  Queen,  and 
Northern  Star.  Mr.  Findlay  is  a  raiser  with  a 
long  and  wide  experience  being  old  enough  to 


-4^ 


POTATO   EVKEGOOD. 


were  under  that  weight,  the  price  per  pound 
worked  out  to  nearly  £200.  Again,  it  is 
reported  that  two  tubers  of  Eldorado,  which 
were  bought  by  a  Sleaford  auctioneer  (Mr.  R. 
Earl)  for  £19,  have  just  been  resold  by  him 
for  the  astounding  sum  of  £35.    These  "  tates  " 


''  "  Roses  and  their  Culture."  By  T.  W.  Sanders.  Pub- 
lished by  Messrs.  CoUingridge,  Aldersgate  Street,  London. 

t  '*  Fertilisation  of  Orchids."  Published  by  John  Murray, 
Albermarle  Street.    Price  23.  6d. 


remember  the  two  great  "  blight "  years  of  '46 
and  '47. 

The  Northern  Star  was  first  put  upon  the 
market  in  1902,  and  in  January,  1903,  was 
selling  at  5s.  per  pound,  but  so  great  was  the 
demand  that  Mr.  Findlay  raised  the  price  to 
7s.  6d.  It  then  rose  to  10s.,  then  to  15s.,  and 
finally  to  £1  per  pound  ;  and  well  on  in  the 
autumn  it  continued  to  command  very  high 
prices,  and,  in  spite  of  the  heavy  yield  of  those 


year  it  may  possibly  boom  itself  into  general 
favour. 

Another  new  Potato  which  played  a  part  in 
the  record  boom  of  1903  was  Sutton's  Dis- 
covery, which  South  Lincolnshire  folk  are  now 
buying  at  £1  per  pound.  This  is  a  price  that, 
when  paid  for  the  Northern  Star  twelve 
months  ago,  made  most  growers  gape  with 
astonishment  and  cry  out  that  the  buyers 
must,  indeed,  be  mad.  Time,  however,  has 
proved  that  they  were  simply  shrewd. 

In  regard  to  their  selling  figure.  Sir  John 
Llewelyn  and  the  Evergood  sink  into  insig- 
nificance when  compared  with  those  of  the 
others  already  mentioned,  as  they  have  been 
fetching  not  more  than  £25  and  £8  per  ton 
respectively.  But,  according  to  the  Spalding 
Free  Press  of  the  2nd  ult.,  these  two  varieties 
have  covered  themselves  with  distinction  in 
another  direction.  Together  with  single  tubers 
of  Northern  Star  and  King  Edward  VII.  they 
were  sent  all  the  way  to  Toronto.  LTpon  their 
arrival  they  were  complimented  by  the  news- 
papers in  "  descriptive  paragraphs,"  and  their 
possessor  was  advised  to  hand  them  over  to 
one  of  the  Canadian  Government's  experi- 
mental farms,  and  many  people  "  were  anxious 
to  secure  a  sprout  or  an  eye."  The  owner, 
however,  being  a  shrewd  native  of  Lincoln- 
shire, refused  to  sell,  as  he  is  experimenting 
with  the  Potatoes  himself.  The  Evergood  and 
the  Northern  Star  have  also  been  the  winners 
of  several  disease-resistance  challenges,  but,  my 
space  being  limited,  their  doings  in  this  respect 
must  here  remain  unchronicled.  Messrs. 
Carter  Page  claims  that  from  lib.  of  "  Stars  " 
they  grew  178lb.  of  tubers. 

One  of  the  most  useful  of  the  implements 
for  lifting  Potatoes  is  the  rotary  digger.  There 
are  several  types  upon  the  market,  but  all 
have  the  common  features  of  a  ploughshare,  a 
rotating  wheel  which  brings  the  tubers  up  to 
the  surface,  and  some  sort  of  catch-screen 
against  or  into  which  the  Potatoes  are  thrown. 
And  some  of  these  implements  have  the  most 
elaborate  arrangement  for  combining  the 
operations  of  lifting  and  gathering,  one  actually 
putting  the  tubers  into  an  ordinary  farm  cart, 
There  is  also  a  highly  ingenious  machine  for 


172 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  5,  1904 


POTATO    ELDORADO. 


riddling  the  "  tates "  into  different  sizes, 
which,  is  accomplished  by  simply  turning  a 
handle.  The  inventor  of  this  great  labour- 
saver  is  Mr.  John  Shore  of  Owston  Ferry, 
Doncaster. 

Perhaps  in  no  part  of  the  country  are  the 
farmers  such  keen  business  men  as  those  in 
South  Lincolnshire,  and  they  are  generally 
among  the  first  to  adopt  any  new  labour- 
saving  machine.  Nowadays  the  large  farmer 
works  his  head  quite  as  much  as  does  the  City 
merchant,  and  he  is  always  scheming  for  the 
more  economical  working  of  his  farms,  for  few 
are  now  content  with  one.  No  South  Lincoln- 
shire farm  now  goes  a-begging— indeed,  an 
almost  indecent  scramble  takes  place  as  soon 
as  the  land  becomes,  or  is  likely  to  become, 
vacant. 

Of  the  younger  and  larger  farmers,  Mr. 
George  Caudwell  is  as  enterprising  as  any. 
Lately  he  has  taken  to  hauling  large  quantities 
of  "  tates  "  to  the  railway  by  means  of  a  traction 
engine  built  by  Messrs.  Burrell  and  Sons, 
Limited,  of  Thetford,  as  being  a  cheaper  form 
of  transit  than  the  use  of  horses.  The  load 
shown  in  the  trucks  amounts  to  thirty  tons. 
Previously  four  horses  were  required  to  pull 
one  farm  waggon,  and  as  the  station  is  some 
miles  distant  from  Mr.  Caudwell's  farms,  relief 
horses  had  to  be  stationed  halfway.  Thus 
the  horse  is  being  ousted,  and  the  engineer  is 
taking  the  place  of  the  old-time  carter. 

Lincolnshire  deserves  to  loom  more  largely 
in  the  horticultural  horizon  ;  it  is  the  home  of 
a  great  industry,  and  is  becoming  more  so  as 
the  years  go  by.  Acres  of  that  county  yield 
great  profits.  Toye  Vise. 


MARKET    NOTES. 


Roses. — There  is  now  a  more  plentiful  supply  in 
the  market.  Flowers  of  Niphetos  are  very  good. 
There  are  also  some  good  Catherine  Mermet.  Mrs. 
J.  Laing  is  the  best  pink  seen  at  present,  but  Mrs. 
W.   J.   Grant   is   undoubtedlj'  a  finer  Rose.     Red 


these  are  not  quite  first  quality,  and  the  colour  is 
hardly  deep  enough.  With  a  few  bright,  sunny 
days  we  may  now  expect  a  considerable  increase  in 
the  supply  of  Roses. 

Liliuma. — Messrs.  T.  Roohford  and  Sons  now 
have  a  large  supply  of  longiflorum,  .ilsolaneifolium 
and  auratum  ;  the  two  first-named  are  also  to  be 
seen  on  several  other  stands.  There  is  a  fair  demand 
for  these  at  moderate  prices.  Lilj'  of  the  Valley 
continues  plentiful,  both  in  pots  and  cut ;  the  prices 
do  not  vary  much.  Callas  may  be  bought  at  very 
low  prices.  Tulips  are  very  plentiful,  but  some  of 
these  are  of  very  poor  quality,  and  there  are  some 
extra  fine  to  be  seen.  On  Messrs.  Low  and  Co.'s 
(of  Uxbridge)  stand  were  some  very  fine  doubles, 
crimson,  and  deep  orange  yellow.  Gardenias  have 
been  making  good  prices.  It  appears  that  they  are 
likely  to  be  much  in  demand  the  coming  season. 
Carnations  are  beginning  to  come  in  more  plentifully, 
but  the  best  blooms  still  make  good  prices. 

Azaleas. — A  good  many  growers  are  now  bringing 
in  well-flowered  Azaleas,  Niobe,  Flag  of  Truce,  and 
Deutsche  Perle  are  favourite  whites  ;  Apollo  is  a 
very  fine  double  scarlet ;  Simon  Mardner,  rosy 
pink  ;  vernaeneana,  salmon,  with  white  margin ; 
Mnie.  Van  der  Crupsen  is  very  plentiful;  it  is  one 
of  the  best  to  flower  early,  but  it  is  not  quite  the 
best  shade  of  crimson  for  the  market.  The  best 
quality  Azaleas  sell  well  at  good  prices,  but  smaller 
plants,  and  any  that  are  not  well  flowered  do  not 
go  out  so  well,  and  on  Saturday  there  were  a  good 
many  left  on  the  stands  at  closing  time. 


POTATO   NORTHERN   STAB. 


Roses  are  now  coming  in  better.  On  Saturday, 
•27th  ult. ,  there  were  some  General  Jacqueminot; 
the  flowers  were  not  large,  but  bright  in  colour, 
j  and  were  making  good  prices.  It  is  surprising  how 
well  this  old  favourite  holds  its  place  as  a  market 
Rose.      There  are  also  a  few  Mart5ohal  Niel,  but 


POTATO   SIM    GRAY. 


Genistas.  —These  are  over  plentiful.  Several 
growers  are  bringing  in  well-flowered  plants,  and  a 
good  many  remained  unsold.  It  will  not  be  until 
we  get  warmer  weather  that  there  will  be  much 
demand  for  these. 

Marguerites. — These  are  also  very  good  now,  and 
several  growers  are  sending  them  in  in  large 
quantities.  Cyclamens  continue  to  be  plentiful, 
and  have  to  be  sold  at  low  prices  to  clear  out.  Erica 
mooreana  and  E.  fastigiata  are  good,  but  the 
mooreana  is  not  quite  so  well  flowered  as  we  get  it 
some  seasons.  Acacia  Drummondii,  A.  armata,  and 
others  are  good,  but  the  cut  Mimosa  from  France, 
which  is  now  so  abundant,  affects  the  sale  of  these. 
There  are  now  several  distinct  sorts  coming 
from  France.  A  few  Solanums  are  still  to  be  seen 
in  the  market,  but  there  is  no  demand  for  them. 
Spir<-Ea  japonica  from  several  growers,  but  the  cold 
weather  on  Saturday  made  these  look  unhappy;  the 
early  forced  plants  will  not  stand  much  cold. 
Cinerarias  were  very  good  on  several  stands. 
Although  rather  tender  these  will  always  be 
favourites  on  account  of  the  bright  colours. 

Daffodils. — These  are  much  in  favour  as  pot 
plants,  though  on  Saturday  the  supply  considerably 
exceeded  the  demand.  Golden  Spur  was  very  fine 
with  several  growers.  Hyacinths. — Tne  trade  for 
these  was  very  slow  on  Saturday,  and  large 
quantities  remained  unsold.  The  supply  of  Palms 
Ferns,  and  other  foliage  is  in  excess  of  all  demand.' 
The  very  cold  weather  made  trade  for  all  pot  plants 


March  5,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


173 


much  quieter  than  it  otherwise  would  have  been. 
Several  growers  have  started  bringing  in  hardy 
flower  roots,  and  as  soon  as  we  get  another  spell  of 
mild  weather  Pansies  may  be  expected.  It  is 
surprising  the  large  quantities  of  these  sold  ever3' 
season.  A.  H. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


MESSRS.     SUTTON    AND     SONS' 
PRIMULAS    AND   CYCLAMENS. 

CHINESE  PRIMUL.A.  time  is  almost 
over,  the  Persian  Cyclamens,  too,  are 
flagging,  but  one  sunny  morning 
recently  the  large  plant  houses  at 
Reading  were  full  of  colour  from  both 
groups,  and  the  sunshine  brought  out 
the  pure  and  clear  shades  of  some  and  the  intense 
depth  of  others,  an  object-lesson  in  the  art  of 
hybridisation  which  must  fill  every  earnest  gar- 
dener with  enthusiasm.  An  array  like  this, 
representing  the  finest  forms  created  by  the  firm, 
is  a  witness  to  the  skill  and  perseverance  of  those 
who  cross  and  select  certain  types  to  bring  about 
some  hoped-for  colour  or  habit  of  growth.  The 
white  becomes  purer,  the  rose  clearer,  and  the 
purple  free  from  magenta  by  this  persistent 
determination  to  bring  ever3'thing  that  shows  a 
departure  from  existing  types  to  a  certain  standard 
set  up  as  the  goal  to  be  reached.  Those  who 
«njoyed  the  Chinese  Primulas  years  ago  must 
rejoice  in  the  present  day  to  find  that  the  hybridist 
has  run  off  into  many  byways  and  raised  up  a  race 
of  free-growing,  free-flowering,  and,  to  use  the 
words  of  the  catalogue,  "elegant  strain"  to  go 
hand  in  hand  with  the  varieties  of  dwarfer  growth 
and  denser  flower-spikes.  We  enjoy  both,  and 
when  the  colours  are  decided  the  eflect  of  a  large 
mass  is  bewildering. 

We  have  heard  and  read  of  the  older  strain  of 
Chinese  Primulas,  the  Giant  Pink,  White,  Crimson, 
Crimson  King  (a  flower  of  wonderful  colour). 
Brilliant  King,  the  famous  Pearl  (still  one  of  the 
most  priceless  of  the  family),  the  Fern-leaved,  and 
the  doubles  in  various  colourings.  All  these  were 
a  brave  show  a  fortnight  ago,  but  we  may  single 
out  one  in  particular,  as  this  has  been  shown  and 
admired  greatly  at  the  meetings  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society.  It  is  called  The  Duchess, 
and  has  a  special  distinctiveness  in  a  zone  of  rose- 
carmine  on  a  white  ground  with  the  yellow  eye  in 
association.  It  is  a  remarkable  contrast  of  colours, 
and  the  flower  faces  one  as  if  to  say  "  Look  at  me," 
but  there  is  nothing  unpleasantly  aggressive  in  this 
•commanding  presence.  It  is  a  beautiful  variety, 
the  individual  bloom  large,  shapely,  and  supported 
on  a  short,  strong  stem.  It  should  stimulate  much 
interest  in  the  dwarfer  Chinese  Primulas. 

It  is  not  for  us  to  write  of  the  hybrids  in  course 
of  development.  There  is  no  standing  still,  and  as 
the  scientific  student  knows  the  most  curious  and 
unexpected  departures  from  a  normal  type  occur 
when  flowers  are  grown  on  a  large  scale  in  par- 
ticular. Each  is  carefully  set  aside  for  investiga- 
tion and  trial.  It  is  the  watchful  eye  that  has 
created  the  flower  beauty  in  our  nurseries  and 
gardens,  and  a  future  generation  may  revel  in 
things  unknown  to  the  gardeners  of  to-day.  Those 
who  care  little  for  the  dwarfer  Chinese  Primulas 
because  there  is  a  certain  formality  in  their  growth 
will  be  satisfied  with  what  is  known  as  "  Stellata" 
Primulas,  which  were  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Sutton  to  the  notice  of  the  public  in  1S95.  This 
strain  has  much  utility.  The  plants  have  a  fresh- 
ness and  gaiety  that  makes  the  staider  beauty  of 
the  splendid  dwarfer  types  even  more  welcome. 
We  want  the  two  groups  to  enjoy  the  Chinese 
Primulas  in  their  fulness.  The  Stellata  race  is 
represented  by  varieties  of  many  colours.  There 
is  the  original  White  Star,  which  has  still  a 
strong  hold  upon  the  affections  of  the  indoor 
gardener,  who  can  gather  the  flowers  for  the  table 
and  make  pretty  eB'ects  with  the  dark-stemmed 
spikes.  A  variety  that  we  think  even  more  of 
than  this  is  White  Queen  Star.  It  has  lost  none 
of  the  freedom  of   growth,   but   there   is   greater 


substance  in  both  leaf  and  flower,  so  much  so  that 
both  may  be  represented  in  a  house  without 
fear  of  approaching  a  repetition.  JMont  Blanc 
is  another  distinct  advance,  but  Ruby  Star  is  the 
variety  to  possess  for  intense  colouring.  It  is  as 
deep  as  in  Crimson  King,  and  is  attractive  either 
in  the  clear  light  of  a  winter  day  or  in  the  evening, 
and  it  is  well  to  know  the  flowers  that  lose  nothing 
when  in  the  house. 

But  blue  is  the  colour  that  seems  to  fascinate  in 
these  houses  of  flowers.  Those  who  do  not  know 
the  blue  Primula  may  recall  to  mind  the  crude 
stages  of  the  hardy  Primrose  before  the  purer 
shades  were  reached,  a  mingling  of  ultramarine 
and  magenta,  and  sufficiently  unpleasant  to  make 
one  wish  that  the  attempt  to  achieve  a  blue 
Primula  had  proved  abortive.  This  is  changed 
to-day.  The  flowers  are  enjoyable,  not  perhaps 
the  blue  of  the  violet  or  the  gentian,  but  pure  and 
free  from  harsh  shades  of  magenta  and  purple.  In 
the  doubles  and  singles  there  is  the  same  fresh 
colouring,  and  a  Cambridge  Blue  is  a  companion  to 
Reading  Blue,  and  in  Blue  Star,  one  of  the  Stellata 
group,  there  is  the  contrast  with  the  soft  green 
leaves.  We  think  perfection  must  have  been 
reached  in  purifying  the  blue  shades  ;  but  Messrs. 
Sutton  would  probably  say  "Certainly  not." 

Hybridisation  is  progressive.  It  is  reflected  in 
the  Persian  Cyclamens,  which  flower  at  the  same 
season.  The  varieties  are  very  beautiful,  the 
whites  as  pure  as  driven  snow,  and  the  salmon 
shades  unusually  clear,  and  in  cherry  red  we  get  a 
bright  and  attractive  flower  which  is  likely  to 
prove  most  popular  in  the  future.  From  white  to 
the  deep  crimson  of  Vulcan  there  is  a  series  of 
colourings  without  an  unpleasant  shade.  It  is  the 
beauty  of  tlie  flower  colouring  tliat  appeals 
perliaps  most  strongly  in  the  collections  of 
Primulas  and  Cyclamens  at  Reading,  but  with  all 
this  the  work  of  improvement  and  seeking  after 
new  varieties  continues  unabatingly.  Some  inter- 
esting sidelights  upon  the  results  of  hybridising 
Primulas  were  recalled  in  a  paper  read  by  Mr. 
Bates,  F. P.,. S. ,  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Linniean 
Society.     We  hope  to  publish  this. 


OBITUARY. 


MR.  THOMAS    HUNTER. 


m      IWR.    THOMAS     HUNTER,     proprietor 
1%     /■        and  editor  of  the  Perthshire  Consti- 
j   \  I  U        tntional,  died  in  Perth  on  the  24th 
/     W     I        ult.       He    took     much    interest    in 
_£      y     J^      country  affairs,  and  was  the  author 
of  a  work  entitled  "  Woods,  Forests, 
and  Estates  of  Perthshire,"  which  was  awarded  the 
highest  honour  at  the  International  Forestry  Exhi- 
bition  at  Edinburgh  in   188-t.      It  has   long    been 
acknowledged   the  standard  work  on  the  subject. 
He  was  a  man  of  varied  abilities  and  accomplish- 
ments, and  will  be  much  missed  in  the  city  and 
county. 


MR.   WILLIAM   HERRIES. 

Mr.  William  Hekries,  who  died  at  31,  Church 
Street,  Maxwelltown,  Dumfries,  on  the' 23rd  ult., 
was  for  long  gardener  at  Lincluden,  Dumfries.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  eighty-six  years  of 
age,  and  had  retired  from  active  work.  He  was 
much  respected,  and  for  many  years  possessed  the 
confidence  of  his  employers  at  Lincluden,  the 
gardens  there  being  exceedingly  well  kept. 


The  recent  gardeners'  meeting.— 

Kindly  permit  me  to  remove  the  impression  that 
any  body  of  head  gardeners,  in  committee  or  other- 
wise, had  resolved  to  take  any  action  whatever. 
At  that  meeting  the  gardeners'  dinner  committee 
were  asked  if,  before  disbanding,  they  would  act 
as  intermediaries  in  convening  a  meeting  of  gar- 
deners to  enable  that  most  estimable  member  of 
the  fraternit3',  Mr.  Divers,  to  lay  his  views  on  the 
subject  of  forming  a  private  gardeners'  association 
before  them.  That  was  acceded  to,  and  the  meet- 
ing,   through   the   kindness    of    the   Horticultural 


Club,  was  held  at  the  Hotel  Windsor  in  December 
last.  There  were  about  twenty  persons  present. 
A  far  more  complete  discussion  of  the  subject  took 
place  then  than  seems,  from  the  reports  furnished, 
to  have  taken  place  at  the  recent  meeting.  Ulti- 
mately it  was  agreed  that  a  committee  of  gardeners 
— myself  as  temporary  secretary — consisting  of 
eight  persons,  be  formed  to  either  prepare  a  scheme 
and  rules  or  bring  up  a  report  to  an  adjourned 
meeting  to  be  held  on  February  23.  That  com- 
mittee met  once,  and  again  the  subject  was  fully 
discussed.  It  was  then  agreed  that  there  was  not 
before  them  evidence  that  such  an  association  as 
was  proposed  was  likely  to  receive  general  support, 
and  I  was  invited  to  draft  a  report  giving  the 
committee's  conclusions.  That  I  did,  and  Mr.  G. 
Keif  kindly  undertook  to  read  it  in  my  enforced 
absence  through  illness.  It  was  a  document 
meriting  a  better  reception  than  it  seems  to  have 
received.  Of  the  eight  members  of  that  committee 
four  were  present  at  the  recent  meeting,  and  four, 
including  myself,  were  absent.  The  three  absent 
gardeners  wrote  me  letters  of  regret,  because  being 
only  gardeners  their  time  was  not  their  own. 
Thus  no  pledge  was  given  to  support  any  resolu- 
tion, the  matter  being  absolutely  open  for  discussion. 
Neither  the  dinner  committee,  which  did  the  work 
it  undertook  so  well,  nor  myself  have  anything 
farther  to  do  with  any  proposals,  whatever  they 
may  be. — A.  Dean. 
Highgate    Horticultural    Society. 

The  annual  exhibition  of  this  society  will  be  held 
on  .July  U  next  in  the  grounds  of  Hillside,  Fitzroy 
Park,  Highgate.— W.  E.  Boyce,  Secretary,  33, 
Holmesdale  Road,  Highgate. 

Allotment  and  cottage  gardening. 

The  lecture  by  Mr.  A.  Dean  on  this  subject  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Pvoyal  Horticultural  Society  on 
Tuesday  next  should  be  an  interesting  one.  This 
is  an  important  aspect  of  gardening. 

Shrewsbury  summer  show.— Messrs. 

William  Bull  and  Sons  announce  that  they  are 
offering  through  the  Shropshire  Horticultural 
Society  a  special  prize  for  new  plants,  a  silver  cup 
value  ten  guineas  and  £5  cash,  to  be  awarded  to 
the  exhibitor  of  the  best  six  new  plants  sent  out 
by  this  firm.  A  list  of  the  plants  eligible  for  this 
competition  will  be  supplied  on  application  to 
Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  new  plant,  seed, 
and  bulb  merchants.  King's  Road,  Chelsea, 
London,  S.W. 

United   Horticultural  Benefit 

Society. — The  annual  meeting  of  this  society 
will  be  held  at  the  Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi 
Terrace,  Strand,  on  Monday,  the  14th  inst.  at  eight 
o'clock,  when  Mr.  H.  .J.  Wright  will  take  the  chair. 

Veiteh   Memorial   Fund.— At   an 

adjourned  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  on  the  23rd 
ult.  it  was  decided  to  offer  the  large  silver  medal 
for  distinguished  service  to  horticulture  to  Mr. 
John  Wright,  V.M.H.,  in  recognition  of  his  long 
and  persistent  eff'orts  to  diffuse  amongst  the  in- 
dustrial classes  a  practical  knowledge  of  the 
cultural  requirements  of  the  vegetables  and  fruits 
most  necessary  for  gardens,  and  as  an  author  who 
has  written  several  valuable  treatises  on  subjects 
relating  to  horticulture.  Also  a  similar  medal  to 
Mr.  Thomas  Challis  of  Wilton  House  Gardens, 
Salisbury,  for  his  long  and  many  services  to  gar- 
dening, especially  in  reference  to  his  improved 
cultivation  of  hardy  fruits. 

Mr.  George  Field  Morris.— Owing  to 

advancing  age  Mr.  Morris  has  retired  from  the 
firm  of  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris  of  67  and  68, 
Cheapside,  E.C.,  and  Leytonstone,  as  from 
December  31  last.  Mr.  G.  F.  Morris  has  been 
connected  with  the  firm  for  fifty-eight  years, 
although  for  the  last  ten  years  he  has  not  been 
actively  engaged,  having  left  the  entire  manage- 
ment to  the  four  other  partners,  Messrs.  H.  G. 
Morris,  J.  B.  Slade,  T.  A.  Morris,  and  A.  E. 
Protheroe,  who  will  continue  the  business.  We 
are  glad  to  be  able  to  state  that  Mr.  G.  F.  Morris 
is  in  good  health,  and  we  are  sure  all  our  readers 
will  wish  him  many  years  to  enjoy  this  well-earned 
retirement.  The  firm  has  been  established  for 
upwards  of  seventy  j'ears,  and  the  name  of  the 
firm  will  still  remain  the  same. 


174 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  5,  19C4. 


SOCIETIES. 


READING  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
There  was  a  large  attendance  at  a  recent  fortnightly  meeting 
of  the  above  association,  when  Sir.  Winsor,  foreman,  Bear 
AVood  Gardens,  gave  one  of  those  practical  demonstrations 
which  have  become  very  popular  wiili  the  members.  On 
this  occasion  "Wreath-making"  was  the  subject,  and  two 
■wreaths  were  made  during  the  evening.  The  ttrat  was  done 
to  show  the  quickest :  the  other  to  ilhistrale  the  making 
when  more  time  is  available.  The  principal  flowers  used 
were  Arums,  Carnations,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Roman  Hya- 
cinths, Orchids,  and  Chrysanthemums.  A  very  good 
discussion  followed,  in  which  many  useful  hints  were  thrown 
out  by  Mr.  Powell  of  Park  Place.  The  only  exhibit  was 
some  splendidly  grown  plants  of  Primula  sinensis,  staged  by 
Mr.  T.  Butcher,  The  Gardens,  Greenbank,  Reading.  Eight 
new  members  were  elected. 

Programme  of  Meetings. 
March  7.—"  Spring  Flowers,"  by  Mr.  J.  Crook,  The  Gar- 
dens, Forde  Abbey,  Chard.  March  21.— "Fruit  Culture,"  by 
Mr  W.  Barnes,  The  Gardens,  Bear  Wood.  April  11.— 
*' Present-Day  Orchid  Culture,"  by  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound,  The 
Gardens,  Gatton  Park,  Reigate.  April  25.— "  The  Decora- 
tion of  Vases  with  Flowers,"  with  practical  demonstrations, 
by  Mr.  T.  J.  Powell,  The  Gardens,  Park  Place,  Henley-on- 
Thames.  N.B.— April  25  will  be  "Hospital"  night,  when 
bunches  of  cut  flowers  are  solicited.  These  will  be  sent  to 
the  Royal  Berkshire  Hospital  after  the  meeting.  Members 
are  invited  to  bring  specimen  plants,  itc,  to  the  meetings. 
Certificates  of  merit  for  cultural  skill  will  be  awarded  during 
the  session  to  plants,  flowers,  fruit,  and  vegetables. 

GLASGOW  AND  WEST  OF  SCOTLAND  HORTICUL- 
TURAL SOCIETY. 
This  society  has  issued  its  prize  schedule  for  the  flower  show 
to  be  held  in  St.  Andrew's  Hall,  Glasgow,  on  September  7 
and  S.  The  prize  list,  which  is  an  extensive  one,  is  much 
the  same  as  in  former  years,  and  prizes  of  considerable  value 
are  offered  in  many  cases.  A  few  of  the  leading  classes  are 
referred  to  now,  but  the  schedule  can  be  obtained  on  appli- 
cation to  the  secretary,  Mr.  HughM.  Mackie,  C.A.  (of  Mackie 
and  Clark),  55,  Bath  Street,  Glasgow.  In  the  open  classes 
the  leading  one  is  that  for  the  best  exhibit  of  fruit,  to  occupy 
space  y  feet  by  4  feet,  not  necessarily  grown  by  exhibitor, 
foliage  or  small  plants  allowed  for  effective  staging;  First 
prize,  cup,  value  £5  ;  second  prize,  plate,  value  .£3  ;  third 
prize,  plate,  value  £2.  In  the  classes  for  gardeners  and 
amateurs  the  leading  ones  are  :  Table  of  plants  arranged  for 
efi'ect,  12  feet  by  6  feet :  First  prize  £4,  second  £3,  third  £2  : 
Collection  of  twelve  dishes  of  fruit,  distinct,  not  more  than 
two  varieties  of  any  sort :  First  prize,  the  Malcolm  Dunn 
Memorial  Medal  in  Horticulture,  with  £2  10s.  presented  by 
the  trustees  ;  second  £2,  third  £1 ;  Collection  of  vegetables, 
containing  thirteen  varieties  (specified) :  First  prize,  £3  and 
the  Austin  and  M'Aslan  Challenge  Cup  (conditions  regarding 
which  are  on  page  8  of  schedule);  second  £2,  third  £1.  As 
in  former  years,  a  noteworthy  feature  of  the  schedule  Is  the 
number  of  prizes  given  by  donors,  and  entered  in  the  body  of 
the  prize  list.  The  business  men  of  Glasgow  give  great 
support  to  this  society,  which  has  had  at  times  severe 
struggles  to  hold  its  own.  It  is  gratifying  to  observe  that 
last  year's  accounts  show  a  surplus  of  £10  14s.  lid. 


SPEEEFIELD  GARDENERS'  SOCIETY. 
This  society  has  long  been  noted  for  its  success  in  the  midst 
of  unfavourable  surroundings.  In  one  of  the  most  thickly 
populated  districts  of  Liverpool,  with  gas  and  other  works 
in  the  immediate  vicinity,  the  amateur  and  cottager  produce 
many  surprising  exhibits  at  their  annual  show.  To  increase 
the  knowledge  of  its  members  the  committee  recently 
arranged  for  a  series  of  lectures  by  Mr.  John  Stoney,  on  "The 
Principles  of  Horticulture,"  which  were  given  in  a  style 
suited  to  the  audience,  and  embraced  such  items  as  soils, 
manures,  vegetaliles,  especially  Tomatoes  and  Potatoes, 
flowers,  especially  those  suitable  for  their  August  show,  and 
diseases  of  plants,  their  prevention  and  cure.  The  informa- 
tion imparted  was  practical  and  such  as  could  be  followed  by 
those  present.  Illustrations  and  specimens  did  much  to 
bring  the  matter  home  to  tlie  audience.  The  attendance  was 
good.  The  closing  lecture  proved  highly  interesting,  showing 
in  a  marked  maimer  the  appreciation  of  the  members.  A 
handsome  silver-mounted  stick,  suitably  engraved,  was  pre- 
sented to  the  lecturer. 

IRISH  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION  AND  BENEVOLENT 
SOCIETY. 
Annual  Report. 
Notwithstanding  the  many  claims  on  gardeners  and  others 
interested  in  horticulture,  this  society  continues  to  make 
steady  progress.  The  most  notable  event  of  the  past  year 
was  the  horiour  conferred  on  the  members  of  the  association 
by  His  Most  Gracious  Majesty  the  King,  who,  on  his  visit  to 
this  country,  was  pleased  to  accept  in  person  a  loyal  address 
of  welcome.  Four  members  applied  for  and  received  full 
benefit.  Early  in  the  year  lectures  were  delivered  in  the 
XL  Caf6,  Grafton  Street ;  the  first  in  March,  by  Mr.  P.  M. 
Moran,  on  "  Fruit  and  Flower  Packing  for  the  Market."  In 
the  following  month  (April  7).  Mr.  F.  W.  Moore  delivered  a 
\ery  instructive  lecture  on  "  Orchids,"  which  was  illustrated 
by  limelight  views.  The  attendance  at  both  meetings  was 
extremely  large.  At  the  monthly  meetings  papers  were 
read  by  Mr.  Colgan  on  "  Vine  Culture"  ;  Mr.  A.  Campbell, 
''Horticulture  To-day  and  Twenty-five  Years  Ago"  ;  and  Mr. 
W.  F.  Gunn  on  "Rose  Rust."  By  permission  of  Lord 
Howth's  agent,  Mr.  Bullick,  the  members  were  alForded 
special  facilities  fur  spending  a  most  enjoyable  and  instruc- 
tive afternoon  among  the  Rhododendrons  at  Huwth  Castle. 
The  party  was  accompanied  by  several  young  gardeners  from 
the  Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin,  and  during  the  visit  Mr. 


F.  AV.  Burbidge  delivered  an  explanatory  address,  which  wa3 
highly  appreciated.  In  August  a  second  party  journeyed  to 
Carton,  the  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Leinster,  by  kind  per- 
mission of  Lord  Frederick  Fitzgerald,  and  on  the  invitation 
of  Mr.  A.  Black,  who  gave  his  fellow  gardeners  a  most 
cordial  reception,  and  spared  no  exertions  to  make  the 
outing  a  pleasant  one  for  the  visitors.  With  the  object  of 
aflording  the  members,  their  wives  and  friends,  an  oppor- 
tunity of  spending  a  sociable  evening  together,  a  most 
enjoyable  meeting  was  held  in  the  XL  Cat^  on  Thursday 
evening,  November  10.  Mr.  F.  W.  Burbidge  presided,  and 
welcomed  the  members  and  their  friends.  Owing  to  the 
enthusiastic  manner  in  which  the  many  friends  assisted  by 
giving  their  time  ungrudgingly,  the  large  programme  of 
events  was  successfully  carried  out  with  little  expense  to 
the  society  The  members  have  every  reason  to  congratu- 
late themselves  on  the  position  which  their  association  now 
holds.  Nevertheless,  much  remains  to  be  accomplished, 
and  it  is  therefore  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  mem- 
bers individually  should  lose  no  opportunity  of  placing  before 
their  friends  the  benefits  and  educational  advantages  which 
the  society  atfords,  and  also  by  using  their  influence  towards 
increasing  the  number  of  subscribers. 


I 


ANCIENT    SOCIETY    OF   Y'"ORK    FLORISTS. 

Annual   Report. 

Is  submitting  the  annual  report  and  financial  statement  for 
the  past  year,  the  committee  regret  that  same  is  not  so 
satisfactory  as  they  would  depire,  as  they  have  to  chronicle 
an  adverse  balance  of  £9  13s.  lid.  on  the  year's  working.  At 
the  same  time  they  deem  it  a  most  satisfactory  conclusion, 
after  taking  into  consideration  the  adverse  circumstances 
and  bad  weather.  The  number  of  members  who  have  paid 
Lheir  subscription  is  753,  amounting  to  £191  14s.,  being  an 
increase  of  £1  Os.  on  last  year.  The  total  receipts  have  been 
£G27  ISs.  9d.,  and  expenditure  £637  123.  Sd.  The  receipts 
for  admission  to  the  Chrysanthemum  show  were  £60  4s.  Gd. 
less  than  in  1902.  During  the  year  the  committee  have 
deposited  on  loan  with  the  York  Corporation  the  sum  of 
£200.  This,  with  the  balance  of  £5  tjs.  7d.  at  the  bank  in 
the  society's  favour,  represents  the  amount  of  the  balance. 
The  committee  desire  to  place  on  record  their  high  apprecia- 
tion of  the  valued  and  willing  services  of  the  president 
(Alderman  Sir  J.  Sykes  Rymer,  .T.P.)  rendered  to  the  society 
during  the  year.  The  committee  with  much  regret  have  to 
record  the  loss  of  one  of  its  most  respected  members  through 
the  death  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Milburn,  which  took  place  on 
February  13.  A  special  feature  in  connexion  with  the 
society  has  been  the  augmenting  of  a  Dahlia  show.  This 
was  brought  about  by  a  number  of  the  committee  securing 
special  prizes  of  plate  and  cash  £20  3s.,  to  add  to  those 
offered  by  the  society  at  the  fourth  minor  show,  with  which 
it  was  incorporated  ;  and  the  guarantee  giv€n  by  them  of  no 
loss  to  the  funds  of  the  society.  During  late  years  there  has 
been  a  steady  increase  in  the  growth  of  Dahlias,  and  as  the 
Guildhall  has  been  found  inadetiuate  to  allow  of  the  proper 
display  of  the  exhibits,  and  the  light  being  far  from  satis- 
factory, the  only  suitable  available  building  being  the 
Exhibition,  the  committee  after  careful  considerationdecided 
to  give  it  a  trial.  The  result  was  most  gratifying  to  all 
interested  in  the  venture,  though  the  financial  profit  was 
very  small.  The  first  show  this  year  is  on  April  13,  the  second 
on  May  25,  the  third  on  July  20,  and  the  fourth  (Dahlia  show) 
on  September  S.  The  Chrysanthemum  show  is  fixed  for 
November  16,  17,  and  IS. 


CARDIFF  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
A  MEETING  was  held  at  the  Grand  Hotel  on  the  23rd  ult., 
when  Mr.  H.  R.  Farmer  presided  over  a  large  muster  of 
members.  Mr.  J.  Mountney,  naturalist  and  preserver  to  the 
Cardiff  and  other  museums,  gave  a  delightful  and  interesting 
lecture,  entitled  "Our  Summer  Visitors,"  illustrated  with 
over  thirty  specimens,  such  as  the  swallow,  swift,  martin, 
cuckoo,  nightingale,  nightjar,  &c.  The  lecturer,  in  passing 
the  specimens  round  singly,  gave  a  brief  history  of  each  one, 
and  explaining  at  the  same  time,  apart  from  their  songs, 
their  particular  value  in  the  garden.  He  was  alive  to  the 
fact  that  they  of  ten  caused  great  vexation  during  the  fiuit 
season,  and,  though  the  losses  were  considered  great  at 
times,  it  was  a  fact  that,  if  there  were  no  birds  to  keep  insect 
life  under,  complete  destruction  of  plant  life  was  bound  to 
follow  unless  fought  against  by  artificial  means.  A  variety 
of  questions  were  put  to  the  lecturer  during  a  pleasant 
discussion.  The  unanimous  opinion  of  the  meeting  was  that 
the  sparrow  ought  to  be  exterminated. 

The  best  thanks  of  the  association  were  accorded  Mr. 
Mountney  for  his  lecture,  which  was  the  first  of  its  kind 
that  had  been  brought  before  the  members. 


HIGHGATE  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

This  old  and  distinguished  society  held  its  forty-fourth 
annual  meeting  in  the  Highgate  Literary  and  Scientific 
Institution  on  Monday  evening  last,  the  20th  ult.,  Mr. 
E.  H.  Smithett  occupying  the  chair.  There  was  a  good 
muster  of  members  in  attendance.  The  report  was  of  a 
most  satisfactory  character,  considering  the  dilliculliea  tbat 
this  society  labours  under.  A  good  exhibition  was  held  last 
season— distinctly  in  advance  of  many  of  its  predecessors — 
and  a  better  tone  and  a  nioi'e  lively  interest  among  the 
practical  men  in  the  neighbonihood  are  now  felt  in  the 
society's  welfare.  Special  Tuention  was  made  of  the  fr»ct  that 
the  competition  last  season  was  much  better  than  usual,  and 
as  a  natural  consequence  the  exhibitioti  was  far  more  attrac- 
tive and  interesting  than  has  been  the  case  for  some  years 
past.  Notwithstanding  an  unceasing  downpour,  thanks  to 
the  generosity  of  a  few  enthusiasts,  the  society  is  able  to 
show  a  respectable  balance  on  the  right  side.  Tlie  prospects 
for  the  current  year  are  bright  enough.  Mr.  E.  II.  Smiihett, 
of  Hillside,  Fitzroy  Park,  iJighgate,  has  accepted  the  presi- 
dency of  the  society,  and  has  placed  his  grounds  at  their 
disposal.  He  is  also  a  most  generous  donor  uf  aiiecial  prizes, 
and  more  local  residents,  including  the  Baroness  Burdett- 


Coutts,  have  also  come  forward  with  the  promise  of  others 
of  a  special  character.  Mr.  W.  E.  Boyce,  Holmesdale  Road^ 
Highgate,  N.,  is  the  secretary,  and  he  is  working  hard  to 
improve  the  prospects  of  and  aid  the  society  in  its  useful- 
ness. The  show  la  fixed  for  Thursday,  July  14  next,  and  the- 
committee  are  hopeful  of  eclipsing  last  year's  flue  display. 

BRISTOL  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
A  WELL-ATTENDED  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  at 
St.  John's  Rooms  on  Thursday,  the  25th  ult.,  when  Mr.  J. 
Coutts,  representative  of  the  Exeter  gardeners,  delivered  an 
exhaustive  lecture  on  "Greenhouse  Hard-wooded  Plants." 
Mr.  E.  Poole,  F.R.H.S.,  occupied  the  chair,  and  on  behalf  of 
the  Bristol  gardeners  gave  Mr.  Coutts  a  hearty  welcome. 
His  lecture,  although  the  subject  was  a  very  wide  one,  was 
full  of  interesting  points,  and  minute  details  for  the  culti- 
vation of  Ericas,  Rhododendrons,  Azaleas,  Boronias,  &c.^ 
were  carefully  given,  potting,  composts,  trimming,  and 
general  treatment  receiving  attention.  A  fair  discussion 
followed  the  lecture,  and  Mr.  Coutts  received  the  hearty 
thanks  of  the  Bristol  gardeners  for  his  lecture.  Prizes  for 
table  deeoiation  were  awarded  to:  First,  Mr.  Thoday, 
gardener  to  Mr.  N.  C.  Dobson,  and  second  to  Mr.  J.  '£. 
Curtis,  gardener  to  Mr.  W.  Howell  Davis,  a  special  certifi- 
cate of  merit  being  recommended  for  Mrs.  A.  Hall  (gardener.. 
Mr.  Ware)  for  two  beautiful  pots  of  Freesias.  The  next 
lecture  will  be  held  on  the  17th  inst.,  when  Mr.  Myers  will 
lecture  on  "  Ancient  and  Modern  Gardens,"  with  lime-light 
views,  when  a  large  attendance  of  members  and  friends  is. 
expected. 

KIRKMICHAEL  (DUMFRIESSHIRE)  HORTICULTURAL. 

SOCIETY. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  on  the  19th 
ult.,  Mr.  J.  Stewart  Lyon  of  Kirkmichael  House  presiding. 
After  the  financial  position  had  been  considered,  it  was 
agreed  to  hold  the  show  this  year  as  formerly,  the  date 
being  arranged  as  August  0,  power  being  delegated  to  the 
committee  to  alter  it  if  necessary.  The  cflSce  bearers  were 
all  re-elected,  with  the  exception  that  Mr.  S.  T.  Farish,  wha 
has  made  a  moat  efficient  treasurer,  was  relieved  of  that 
(jffice  at  his  request,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the  secretaries 
fehould  also  act  as  treasuiers.  Mr.  Farish  was  appointed 
vice-president,  and  Mi'.  W.  Hair  added  to  the  committee  ia 
the  place  of  Mr.  S.  Dinwiddle.  The  secretaries  are  Mr. 
A.  E.  Ryder,  Buckwood  Lodge,  and  Mr.  J.  Shannon,  The 
Gardens,  Kirkmichael  House. 


READING  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 

There  was  a  large  attendance  of  members  at  the  last 
fortnightly  meeting  of  the  above  association,  when  Mr.  T, 
Neve,  of  Sindleshani  House  Gardens,  Wokingham,  introduced 
the  subject  of  "The  Potato  in  connection  with  the  year 
1003."  He  noted  the  value  of  the  Potato,  the  universal 
failure  of  the  1903  crop,  the  different  vaiietiesof  Potatoes^ 
sprajing  to  prevent  disease,  and  made  the  following  sug- 
gestive remedies  to  prevent  disease,  viz.  :  To  have  an  entire 
change  of  ground  for  growing  the  crop  ;  using  manures  that 
are  suitable  for  Potatoes  ;  change  of  seed  ;  give  nioie  thought 
to  the  early  and  second  early  varieties,  and  not  put  so  much 
faith  in  the  later  ones  ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  obtain  a 
Potato  with  a  strong  constitution.  A  veiy  practical  discus- 
sion followed  in  which  the  following  took  part:  The  presi- 
dent (Mr.  Leonard  Sutton).  Messrs.  Bright,  Wilson,  Fry, 
Slylleld.  Powell,  Judd,  Exltr,  Stanton,  lunbridge,  Lasham,. 
and  Professor  Percival,  who  gave  much  valuable  information 
on  diseases,  manures,  spraying,  &c.  A  vote  of  thanks  was- 
accorded  to  Mr.  Neve,  and  also  to  the  various  exhibitors^ 
viz.,  Mr.  G.  Herridge,  who  staged  Marie  Louise  Violets  ;  Mr. 
1".  J.  Powell,  for  a  basket  of  young  Potatoes,  picked  from  old. 
tubers  placed  in  the  dark,  chalk  arches  at  Park  Place 
Gardens  ;  Mr.  W.  Slyfteld,  for  some  fine  specimens  of  Up-to- 
date  Potatoes  ;  and  to  Messrs.  .Sutton  and  Sous  for  a  basket 
of  Discovery  Potato. 


STONEHAVEN,    N.B. 

The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  Stonehaven 
recently.  The  report  of  the  secretary  and  treasurer  was  of  a- 
gratifying  character,  there  being  a  balance  of  upwards  of  £20' 
at  the  credit  of  the  society.  Otlice-bearers  for  tbe  year  were 
elected,  these  being:  Hon.  president,  Provost  Mowat;  hon. 
vice-presidents,  Bailie  Ogg  and  Mr.  Booth;  president,  Mr. 
G.  M'Lennan;  vice-president,  Mr.  John  Ritchie;  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Mr.  William  Thomson.  The  various  com- 
mittees were  reappointed  and  arrangements  made  for  the 
show,  which  is  to  be  held  at  Old  Lodge  Park,  Urie,  ou 
Saturday,  August  i;i.  Like  many  other  shows,  sports  are 
arranged  for  in  connexion  with  this  one,  and  Highland  games. 
will  be  included  among  them. 


CHISLEHURST  GARDENERS'  SOCIETY. 
AT  a  meeting  of  this  society,  held  on  the  23rd  ult.  in  the- 
Schoolroom,  Chislehurst,  there  was  a  large  gathering,  and 
those  present  were  well  repaid  for  the  trouble  they  had 
taken  in  turning  out  by  the  admirable  lecture  in  store  for 
them.  The  initial  business  over,  the  chairman  (Mr.  Lyne)- 
at  once  introduced  the  lecturer,  Mr.  Henry  Cannell,  V.M.H.,. 
of  "the  Home  of  Flowers,"  Swanley,  whose  subject  was 
"  Fruit,  and  How  to  Eat  It."  In  opeiung  his  remarks,  he 
said  tliat,  the  subject  being  new,  it  would  require  considera- 
tion and  time  to  see  its  necessity  and  value.  He  had  heard 
a  great  deal  about  propagation,  cultivation,  and  kindred 
subjects  appertaining  to  gardening,  but  very  little  about 
making  the  best  of  the  crops  they  grew.  "Good  health  ia 
betterthan  riches, "  and  in  his  opinion  the  time  liad  come- 
when  it  behoved  each  one  to  look  after  liis  health.  One 
way  of  doing  that  was  to  Ining  fruit  more  and  more  into  the 
daily  food.  Being  a  practical  gardener  himself,  he  felt  it 
his  liounden  uuiy  to  ttll  the  community  what  lie  thought;, 
in  fact,  he  was  certain  fruit  was  the  best  food  to  eat. 


GARDEN 


No.  1686.— Vol.  LXV.] 


[March  12,  1904. 


SPRING   AND   ITS  WORK. 

THERE  has  been  enough  in  the  past 
season  to  make  even  stout  hearts 
despond  as  to  matters  horticultural, 
and  the  opening  weeks  of  1904  so 
far  have  not  been  very  reassuring. 
We  have  much  sympathy  with  all  who  have 
suffered,  first  by  frost  and  later  by  flood,  during 
the  year  gone  by.  But  a  new  spring  is  at 
hand,  and  it  behoves  us  all  to  lay  aside  faint- 
heartedness and  buckle  to  with  the  will  and 
the  courage  that  is  bound  in  the  long  run  to 
tide  us  over  every  difficulty.  We  are  ready 
enough,  we  British,  to  do  and  to  dare  nobly  on 
an  emergency,  or  for  a  forlorn  hope,  but  in 
reality  it  very  often  needs  more  pluck  to  face 
the  daily  disappointments,  and  to  hope  against 
hope  in  matters  of  everyday  life.  The  storm 
passes  nevertheless,  but  the  bow  remains  in 
the  cloud,  and  seed  time  and  harvest  never  have 
failed  and  never  shall  fail,  except  through  the 
idleness  and  ineptitude  of  human  kind.  With 
the  return  of  spring  we  must  needs  take  a  more 
cheerful  outlook.  The  tide  of  life  is  rising 
once  more  after  its  long  ebb,  the  song  of  birds 
is  heard  in  the  land,  the  colour  begins  to  blush 
in  the  distant  tree  tops,  we  can  see  the  buds 
near  at  hand  visibly  swelling.  The  healthy 
instinct  and  energy  of  work  take  possession 
of  us,  and  how  much  there  is  to  be  done  !  Out 
of  doors  many  days  have  been  lost  through 
the  streaming  rains,  but  we  have  let  the 
weather  hold  us  too  long  in  its  grip.  Much 
can  be  done  in  spite'of  it,  and,  after  all,  things 
are  seldom  so  adverse  as  they  seem. 

One  main  factor  in  success  in  gardening  is 
to  be  beforehand.  Better  by  far,  in  most  things 
cultural,  to  be  a  few  days  too  early  rather  than 
a  week  too  late.  "  That's  a  doctrine  that  won't 
hold  water,"  some  grumbler  will  say.  "Those 
Ashleaves  I  set  last  year,  on  purpose  to  have 
them  extra  early,  got  caught  by  the  frost  and 
never  came  in  till  a  fortnight  later  than  some 
that  were  planted  a  month  after  them."  That 
may  be  very  true,  but  possibly  a  little  more 
forethought — a  few  hoops  and  some  mats  to 
cover  them  for  a  night  or  two,  or  even  a  little 
dry  Fern  shaken  down  over  the  rows  might 
have  saved  the  disaster.  We  very  often  accuse 
the  untowardness  of  circumstances  when  we 
ought  to  lay  the  blame  on  the  last  persons  we 
are  apt  to  think  of — ourselves. 

The  right  time,  of  course,  is  the  best  time, 
and  in  all  garden  work  it  is  easy  enough  to 
know  it  even  to  a  day,  but  of  the  two  alterna- 
tives we  maintain  that  it  is  better  to  be  a  few 


days  too  soon  than  to  be  too  late.  Too  late ! 
What  a  bitter  cry  that  is,  when  all  might  have 
been  well  but  for  our  own  short-sightedness. 
How  unpardonable,  when  we  must  needs  write 
it  in  the  dust  of  our  own  neglect.  The  trench- 
ing that  should  be  done  in  winter  put  ofi' 
indefinitely,  when  an  hour  or  two  seized,  as 
opportunity  and  a  clear  sky  offered,  might  have 
got  it  all  done  in  good  time  for  the  sowing 
which  must  now  be  delayed  ;  the  seedlings 
allowed  to  run  up  in  the  seed-pan,  when  a 
single  half  hour's  work  would  have  seen  them 
potted  off,  to  grow  apace  for  their  next  shift ; 
the  cuttings  left  pot-bound  to  get  stunted  for 
good  and  all  for  want  of  a  timely  move.  There 
are  few,  indeed,  who  have  not  to  blame  them- 
selves, some  time  or  other,  for  putting  aside 
some  unwelcome  job  in  favour  of  one  more 
light  and  pleasant,  though  the  one  was  pressing 
and  the  other  of  little  consequence. 

Nothing  repays  one  for  one's  trouble  more 
fully  than  garden  work  done  when  it  ought  to 
be  done.  Whether  we  are  professional  gar- 
deners or  mere  amateurs  it  matters  not,  the 
principle  holds  good.  How  many  instances 
recur  to  mind  in  every  day  practice.  Take  a 
case  in  point.  The  right  time  comes  to  take 
cuttings  of  some  plant  or  shrub  one  wishes  to 
increase. 

Last  year,  perhaps,  the  opportunity  was 
allowed  to  slip,  and  with  that  lash  of  con- 
science to  drive  one  on,  the  thing  is  done.  It 
takes  just  ten  minutes  to  cut,  make,  and  put  in 
a  potful,  and  to  place  them  in  the  frame  or 
whatever  position  is  the  most  suitable  at  the 
moment.  The  pot  is  cared  for  with  the  rest  of 
its  neighbours,  and  weeks  after  one  comes 
by  without  having,  perhaps,  in  the  interim 
bestowed  much  individual  care  or  thought 
upon  it,  and,  behold  !  the  cuttings  have  rooted 
and  are  growing  away  strongly.  Many  a  plant 
on  our  greenhouse  shelves  at  the  present 
moment  is  the  result  of  the  work  of  a  few  spare 
minutes. 

Now  and  then  it  may  happen  that  we  should 
have  done  better  to  wait  awhile— it  is  easy 
enough  to  be  wise  after  the  event — but  in  our 
uncertain  climate  we  are  bound  to  take  some 
risks.  The  chances  are  that  nine  times  out  of 
ten  we  gain  more  than  we  lose  by  being  well  to 
the  fore.  Then  let  us  plant  and  sow  and  prune 
our  Roses,  and  carry  on  all  our  timely  garden 
operations  with  cheerful  hearts,  doing  our  best 
and  letting  no  opportunity  slip  for  lack  of 
force  and  perseverance.  We  will  hope,  more- 
over, for  a  more  prosperous  season,  with 
sunshine  and  shower  just  whep  both  are  most 


wanted.  Yet  let  us  take  it  bravely  as  it  comes, 
believing  that  the  all-wise  Providence,  who 
visits  the  earth  and  blesses  it,  will  also  in  due 
season  bless  the  increase  thereof. 


PLANTING    TREES    AND 
SHRUBS    IN    MARCH. 

PROVIDED  the  weather  is  open  and 
the  ground  is  in  working  order  the 
planting  of  trees  and  shrubs  can  be 
carried  on  in  March.  There  are, 
however,  a  few  subjects  which 
are  better  left  until  April,  viz..  Hollies, 
Magnolias,  the  Tulip  Tree,  and  any  rare  or 
choice  plants  that  require  special  attention. 
The  two  great  points  to  bear  in  mind  in  plant- 
ing trees  and  shrubs,  especially  evergreens,  are, 
firstly,  the  amount  of  warmth  and  moisture  in 
the  ground ;  and,  secondly,  the  state  of  the 
weather  for  a  week  or  two  after  planting. 
Usually  the  ground  is  at  its  coldest  in  the 
beginning  of  March,  but  about  the  middle  of 
the  month  it  begins  to  get  warmer,  and,  being 
then  in  a  moist  condition  as  well,  plants  begin 
to  make  fresh  roots  freely.  The  weather  after 
planting  is  also  an  important  factor  in  deter- 
mining the  future  of  fresh-planted  subjects. 
Thus,  if  the  cold,  drying,  easterly  winds  so 
often  experienced  in  an  English  spring  should 
set  in,  then  plants  will  sufler  badly,  as  they  get 
dried  up  before  they  have-  made  sufficient  new 
roots  to  supply  the  amount  of  moisture  they 
require.  On  the  other  hand,  a  fortnight  of 
moist  weather— even  if  cold— after  planting 
will  establish  them  sufficiently  to  withstand 
almost  any  weather  afterwards. 

Spring  planting  of  most  hardy  trees  and 
shrubs  is  best  done  as  early  as  possible,  espe- 
cially with  the  commoner  and  hardier  kinds 
as,  though  the  ground  may  be  cold,  yet  the 
plants  get  settled  down  and  are  ready  to  make 
a  start  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  a  little 
warmer.  There  is  also  more  moisture  in  the 
air  during  the  early  spring  than  there  is  later 
on,  and  therefore  plants  do  not  sufi'er  from 
drying  winds,  which,  after  all,  are  the  greatest 
enemy  to  newly-planted  trees  and  shrubs. 

At  the  moment  of  writing  the  weather  seems 
to  have  set  in  with  spring-like  warmth  and 
sunnier  skies.  These  conditions  will  help  on 
the  planting.  The  ground  will  soon  get  drier, 
and  the  sowing  of  seeds  proceed  more  easily 
than  has  been  possible  of  late.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  the  present  pleasant  weather  will  con- 
tinue for  ruany  weeks. 
Bagshot,  Surrey.  J.  Claek. 


176 


THE   GARDEN. 


[March  12,  1904. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FORTHUOMING  EVENTS. 

March  16.  —  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Flower 
Show. 

March  22.— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting.  , 

April  5. — Royal  Horticultural  Society  s  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8.— Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

April  12.— Brighton  Horticultural  Show  (two 
days). 

History  of  the  Royal  Hortieultural 

Society.— We  have  received  "A  Short  His- 
torical Sketch  of  tlie  Royal  Horticultural  Society," 
by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  V.M.H.,  the 
president.  Sir  Trevor  first  outlines  the  formation 
of  the  society  in  1804,  the  granting  of  the  Royal 
Charter  in  1809,  and  passes  on  to  mention  the 
vicissitudes  through  which  the  society  passed  when 
its  home  was  at  South  Kensington,  the  famous 
Chiswick  shows,  the  plant  collectors  sent  out  by 
the  society,  and,  finally,  the  more  recent  history 
of  the  society,  which  i.s  a  record  of  progress. 

HOPtiCUltUPal  Club.— A  delightful  even- 
ing was  spent  on  Tuesday  last  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,  when  a  lecture  was  given  by  the  Rev. 
Professor  Henslow  on  "The  Use  and  Abuse  of 
Botanising."  There  was  a  large  attendance.  A 
full  report  will  be  given  next  week. 

Royal  Botanie  Society:  Hopticul- 

tUPa'l  Exhibition.— From  June  6  to  June  11 
there  will  be  held  in  the  gardens  of  the  Royal 
Botanic  Society,  Regent's  Park,  a  grand  horticul- 
tural exhibition.  Conferences  and  lectures  on 
gardening  will  be  held  during  the  exhibition. 
Gold,  silver,  and  bronze  medals  and  diplomas  will 
be  awarded.  The  exhibits  will  be  very  comprehen- 
sive, comprising  all  plants  and  horticultural  sun- 
dries, and  there  will  be  also  botanical,  colonial, 
and  art  displays.  Applications  for  space  must  be 
made  on  the  official  form  and  sent  to  the  offices  of 
the  society,  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park, 
London,  N.W.,  before  May  1. 

Mp.  E.  W.  GiltaePt. — Amongst  the  honours 
conferred  by  his  Majesty  the  German  Emperor,  on 
the  occasion  of  his  birthday,  we  notice  that  Mr. 
E.  W.  Gilbert  received  the  High  Order  of  the 
House  of  Hohenzollern.  Mr.  Gilbert  was  formerly 
in  the  gardens  of  the  Duke  of  Sutherland  at 
Trentham,  and  also  in  the  gardens  of  her  late 
Majesty  at  Frogmore. 

Ppimulas  fop  waterside  planting. 

Mr.  D.  S.  Fish,  in  his  interesting  notes  on  the 
above  on  page  9.3,  states  that  seed  of  Primula 
sikkimensis,  after  being  dried,  takes  a  year  to 
germinate.  However,  that  is  not  always  the  case, 
as  we  sowed  it  here  on  January  18,  and  the  seed- 
lings were  pushing  through  the  soil  by  the  end  of 
the  same  month. — G.  W.  Kerk,  Baker's  Old  Hall 
Nurseries,  Wolvei-hampton. 

The    gapden    city    movement    in 

Scotland. — A  meeting  to  promote  the  garden 
city  movement  in  Scotland  was  held  in  the  Hall  of 
the  Society  of  Arts,  Edinburgh,  on  the  29th  ult. 
The  chair  was  occupied  by  Principal  Hodgson,  and 
a  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  attended. 
After  a  sympathetic  speech  by  the  chairman  an 
address  was  given  by  Mr.  Thomas  Adams,  Secretary 
of  the  Garden  City  Association,  London,  regarding 
the  objects  of  their  association  and  its  manner  of 
working.  The  proposal  of  a  similar  one  for  Scot- 
land had,  he  stated,  been  made  chiefly  on  account 
of  the  new  naval  base  at  Rosyth,  where  it  was 
estimated  about  30,000  people  would  be  settled  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years,  and  it  was  considered 
that  every  opportunity  should  be  taken  to  have 
this  new  town  built  on  scientific  principles.  It 
was  thought  that  a  Scottish  Association  would  be 
able  to  bring  more  influence  to  bear  with  the 
Government,  in  order  to  induce  them  to  lay  out 
the  town  on  the  garden  city  principle.  Mr. 
Adams  moved  that  a  Garden  City  Association  be 
formed  in  Scotland,  and  that  an  executive  com- 
mittee be  appointed.  This  was  seconded  by  Mr. 
H.   F,    Kerr,   architect,  and  agreed  to.     An  in- 


fluential committee  was  appointed.  In  the  evening 
Mr.  Adams  addressed  a  crowded  meeting  in  the 
Queen's  Hall,  Edinburgh,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Edinburgh  Citizens'  and  Ratepayers'  Union,  Sir 
Colin  G.  Macrae,  president,  being  in  the  chair. 
Sir  Colin  Macrae,  in  the  course  of  his  introductory 
speech,  expressed  sympathy  with  the  objects  of  the 
Garden  City  Association,  but  stated  that  the 
union  was  not  to  be  held  as  committing  itself  to 
everything  which  was  said.  Mr.  Adams  then 
proceeded  with  his  lecture,  which  was  of  an 
interesting  character.  Canon  Rawnsley  moved  a 
resolution  in  support  of  the  movement,  and  it  was 
seconded  by  Dr.  Clouston,  and  unanimously  agreed 
to.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Glasse  moved  a  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  speakers,  and  a  similar  compliment  to  the 
chairman  was  moved  by  Mr.  J.  W.  M'Hattie, 
superintendent  of  Edinburgh  City  Parks.  —  S. 
Arnott. 
ppoposed  Gardeners'  Association. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  provisional  committee,  held  on 
March  8,  it  was  decided  to  arrange  for  a  public 
meeting  of  gardeners  to  be  hold  in  London  on  the 
second  day  of  the  Temple  show  (June  1),  when  a 
scheme  for  a  National  Association  of  Professional 
Gardeners  will  be  submitted  for  approval.  It  was 
also  decided  to  ask  for  donations  to  enable  the 
committee  to  print,  for  circulation  all  over  the 
country,  a  pamphlet  setting  forth  the  main  objects 
for  which  the  association  is  to  be  formed,  and 
the  advantages  of  co-operation  and  registration. 
Donations  should  be  sent  to  the  secretary,  pro. 
tern.,  W.  Watson,  Descanso , House,  Kew  Road, 
Kew. 

Gardening  at  Earl's  court  Exhi- 
bition.— It  is  always  satisfactory  to  note  the 
gardening  at  this  popular  place  of  resort.  Irre- 
spective of  this,  encouragement  has  been  given  by 
the  enterprising  directors  there  during  the  last  few 
years  to  the  exhibitions  of  some  of  our  special 
societies — the  National  Dahlia  Union  and  the 
National  Sweet  Pea  Society  —  privileges  which 
are,  I  believe,  to  be  accorded  this  season. 
Special  efforts  are  being  made  at  Earl's  Court 
this  year  to  vary  and  improve  the  gardens 
surrounding  the  exhibition,  which  will  be  devoted 
this  season  to  a  comprehensive  display  of  Italian 
art.  Messrs.  G.  W.  Bellgrove  and  Co.,  the  well- 
known  decorative  florists,  &c. ,  of  Fulham  Palace 
Road,  Hammersmith,  who  did  a  portion  of  the 
garden  work  last  season,  have  this  year  been 
entrusted  with  the  whole  undertaking.  Palms, 
some  15  feet  to  20  feet  in  height,  will,  amongst 
others,  form  some  noble  material  for  effect,  as  will 
Dracfenas,  Grevilleas,  Ficus,  and  other  suitable 
sub-tropical  subjects.  In  the  western  gardens  an 
Italian  garden  is  being  formed,  in  whose  vicinity 
will  be — appropriately — a  rich  display  of  Italian 
statuary.  Last  year  a  praiseworthy  attempt  was 
made  to  give  visitors  a  glimpse  of  Old  English 
gardening. — Quo. 

EfTects    of    the    weather    on    the 

nursery  trade.— The  wet  weather  of  the 
past  twelve  months  has  been  the  cause  of  a  great 
deal  of  loss  to  farmers  and  agriculturists  generally, 
but  its  effect  on  the  outdoor  nursery  trade  has  also 
been  a  very  bad  one.  Not  only  has  it  caused  loss 
through  the  swamping  of  low-lying  and  heavy 
lands,  and  the  consequent  ill-effects  on  the  stock 
growing  thereon,  but  it  has  also  caused  much  less 
planting  throughout  the  country  than  would  have 
been  the  case  if  this  winter  had  been  a  normal  one. 
Taken  altogether,  the  autumn  trade  was  fairly 
good,  and  the  prospect  was  promising.  The  open 
weather,  with  a  fair  rainfall,  were  inducements  to 
planting,  and  the  majority  of  outdoor  nurseries 
were  comfortably  busy,  though  not  hard  pressed. 
The  torrential  rains  of  January  and  early  February, 
however,  seem  to  have  stopped  all  planting,  and 
the  effect  has  been  felt  by  practically  every  nursery 
in  the  country.  About  five  inches  of  rain  have 
fallen  since  January  1.  As  a  rule,  an  open 
February — that  is,  one  free  from  hard  frost  and 
snow — is  one  of  the  best  months  in  the  year  for 
the  nursery  trade,  but  this  year  it  was  a  very 
bad  month  generally,  even  though  it  contained  an 
extra  day.  The  heavy  rainfall,  followed  by  a  spell 
of  wintry  weather,  has  made  nearly  all  intending 
planters  fight  shy  of  buying  plants,  to  have  them 


practically  swamped  directly  afterwards,  as  there 
is  no  guarantee  that  when  the  frost  and  snow 
disappear  we  shall  not  have  a  return  of  the  heavy 
rains  we  have  become  accustomed  to.  In  many 
low-lying  places,  where  much  planting  was  done 
in  the  early  autumn,  the  plants  have  suffered 
through  standing  in  water  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  winter.  In  ordinary  seasons  the 
autumn  is  the  best  time  for  planting,  as 
the  ground  is  moderately  warm,  and  the  plants 
will  make  fresh  roots  in  a  month  or  so  ;  but  this 
season  they  were  subjected  to  heavy  cold  rains  soon 
after  being  planted,  and,  with  a  lower  ground 
temperature,  they  have  made  no  fresh  roots,  being 
really  in  the  same,  or  even  worse,  condition  than 
when  they  were  planted.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  a 
spell  of  drier  weather  will  set  in  shortly  to  gladden 
the  hearts  of  nurserymen  generally,  as  the  present 
season  has  been  bad  enough  to  make  even  the  most 
hopeful  feel  rather  despondent. 

The  Departmental  Committee  on 

Fruit  Culture  appointed  by  Lord  Onslow 
held  sittings  on  AVednesday  and  Thursday,  the 
2-tth  and  25th  ult.  The  following  members  were 
present:  Mr.  Boscawen,  M.P.  (chairman).  Colonel 
Long,  M.P.,  Mr.  0.  W.  Radcliffe-Cooke,  Mr. 
Hodge,  Mr.  Monro,  Dr.  Somerville,  Mr.  P.  Spencer 
Pickering,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Mr.  Ernest 
Garnsey  (secretary).  Evidence  on  behalf  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  was  given  by 
i\Ir.  Rew,  of  the  Statistical  Department,  Mr. 
Brooke-Hunt,  of  the  Educational  Department,  and 
Sir  W.  T.  Thiselton-Dyer,  K.C.M.G.,  Director  of 
the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew.  Evidence  on  horticul- 
tural  instructors  for  county  councils  was  given  by 
Mr.  Luckhursc  (Derby),  Mr.  Gearing  (Sussex),  and 
Mr.  Ettle  (Somerset). 

National    Amateur    Gardeners' 

Association  report.- The  report  for  1903 
of  this  institution,  together  with  syllabus  of  lec- 
tures and  list  of  special  prizes  for  1904,  has  just 
been  issued,  and  is  most  interesting  reading.  For 
the  small  annual  subscription  (5s.)  of  its  members 
it  is  really  astonishing  what  the  executive  are  able 
to  accomplish.  Twelve  meetings  were  held  last 
year,  and  on  ten  occasions  lectures  were  given  by 
many  of  the  leading  horticultural  authorities  on 
subjects  with  which  they  are  specially  identified. 
Several  of  the  lectures  were  illustrated  by  lantern 
views,  which  added  considerably  to  the  interest  of 
such  meetings.  From  March  until  November  the 
monthly  exhibitions  always  have  something  in  them 
to  interest  and  please,  serving  the  purpose  of 
educating  the  inexperienced  amateur.  Visits  to 
gardens  and  other  places  of  horticultural  interest 
were  organised  last  season.  The  conversazione 
and  exhibition  in  July  last  was  pronounced  a  great 
success,  the  exhibition  on  this  occasion  being  one 
of  the  very  best  efforts  ever  inaugurated  by  the 
association.  The  librar}'  continues  to  provide 
useful  knowledge  to  those  who  find  time  to  read. 
The  collection  has  grown  during  the  year.  Finan- 
cially, the  association  is  in  a  most  satisfactory 
condition.  Great  care  is  observed  in  the  manage- 
ment of  its  affairs  that  money  is  not  wasted, 
and  as  a  consequence  there  is  a  good  balance 
on  the  right  side  of  assets  over  liabilities.  The 
meetings  are  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  each 
month,  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  at  Win- 
chester House,  Old  Broad  Street,  London,  E.C., 
this  being  a  good  central  position  and  a  meeting- 
place  well  known  throughout  the  countrj'.  The 
lectures  provided  for  are  the  following  :  April  12, 
"  Plant  Propagation,"  by  Mr.  A.  T.  Hemsley. 
May  3,  "An  Hour  with  the  Daffodil,"  by  Mr. 
Arthur  R.  Goodwin,  F.R.H.S.  June  7,  "  Orchids," 
by  Mr.  E.  F.  Wicks,  F.R.H.S.  July  5,  conver- 
sazione. August  9,  "Hardy  Perennials,"  by  Mr. 
E.  H.  Jenkins,  F.R.H.S.  September  (i,  "Carna- 
tions," by  Mr.  S.  Hillman.  October  4,  "  Early - 
flowering  Chrysanthemums,"  by  Mr.  D.  B.  Crane, 
F.R.H.S.  November  1,  "Alpine  Plants."  by  Mr. 
Hemsley  (Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and  Sons).  December  6, 
"  Manures  and  their  Uses,"  by  Mr.  H.  F.  Moore. 
January  3,  1905,  presidential  address,  by  Air. 
T.  W.  Sanders,  F.L.S.  The  foregoitig  clearly 
indicates  a  useful  year's  work,  and  serves  to  prove 
how  much  is  being  done  by  amateur  gardeners  in 
an  unostentatious  way. — C. 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


177 


New     schools    of    forestry.  —  Lord 

■Onslow,  President  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  has 
stated  that  he  is  going  to  start  two  schools  of 
forestry  with  the  view  of  training  men  as  woodmen 
and  giving  instruction  to  young  men  who  intend  to 
be  land  agents.  liord  Powis  has  promised  land  in 
Wales  for  one  school. 

Liichens. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Edinburgh 
Field  Naturalists'  and  Microscopical  Society,  held 
in  Edinburgh  on  the '24th  ult.,  a  paper  on  "Lichens" 
was  contributed  by  Mr.  James  M'Andrew,  who  has 
devoted  many  years  to  the  study  of  such  subjects, 
and  who,  when  resident  in  Galloway,  was  a  recog- 
nised authority  on  the  botany  of  the  province. 
Mr.  M'Andrew's  paper  was  an  excellent  one.  He 
was  warmly  thanked  for  the  paper. 

Aged  Roses. — Some  years  ago  I  noticed, 
either  in  The  Garden  or  some  other  horticultural 
journal,  that  there  was  at  Keevil  Manor,  Wiltshire, 
a  bed  of  the  old  Cabbage  Rose,  which  the  owner, 
Sir  J.  Wallington,  could  vouch  for  as  being  in 
the  possession  of  his  family  for  eighty  years.  It 
would  be  extremely  interesting  if  the  readers  of 
The  Garden  could  give  similar  instances  of  old 
age  concerning  any  special  Rose  plants  in  their 
possession.  There  is  an  erroneous  opinion  that 
standard  Roses  are  very  short  lived,  but  I  imagine 
we  should  be  surprised  if  the  age  could  be  given  of 
some  old  specimens  to  be  found  in  the  gardens  of 
England,  and  even  in  the  humble  cottage  plot. — 
Philomel. 

New  botanical  laboratory   at 

Cambridge. —  The  opening  of  the  new 
university  buildings  at  Cambridge  by  the  King  on 
the  1st  inst.  marks  another  stage  in  the  growth  of 
the  university  to  meet  its  growing  needs,  though 
up  to  the  present  the  needs  have  kept  well  in 
advance  of  the  growth.  These  new  buildings 
include  a  new  law  school  and  library,  a  new 
botanical  laboratory,  a  new  medical  school,  and  a 
new  geological  museum.  They  stand  in  the  heart 
of  Cambridge,  on  a  site  that  was  formerly  part  of 
the  grounds  of  Downing  College.  It  will  be  some 
time  before  they  are  all  completed. 

Fruit   growing    in    Scotland.— Mr. 

Hodge,  Blairgowrie,  the  Scottish  representative  of 
the  departmental  committee  on  fruit  culture,  met 
with  a  number  of  fruit  growers  and  others  inter- 
ested in  the  subject  belonging  to  the  Edinburgh 
district  in  Edinburgh  on  the  23rd  ult.  The  attend- 
ance was  highly  representative  of  market  growers, 
private  gardeners,  and  nurserymen.  Mr.  Slethven 
presided.  Mr.  Hodge  explained  the  objects  of  the 
meeting,  and  asked  those  present  to  express  their 
views,  which  they  did  pretty  fully  ;  the  opinions 
being  generally  to  the  effect  that  there  were  great 
capabilities  in  the  district  for  extension  of  fruit 
culture.  The  difficulties  to  be  encountered  were 
fully  dealt  with,  and  the  various  speakers  were 
afterwards  heartily  thanked  by  Mr.  Hodge  for  their 
valuable  expressions  of  opinion.  Mr.  Hodge  also 
gave  a  large  amount  of  interesting  information 
about  fruit  growing  at  Blairgowrie.  Mr.  Sinclair, 
Prestonkirk,  was  selected  to  give  evidence  on 
behalf  of  the  Edinburgh  district  before  the  com- 
mittee. 

Lilies  in  California.— I  had  an  experi- 
ence in  the  culture  of  Lilies  last  year  which  will, 
I  think,  be  of  interest  to  your  readers.  I  planted 
a  considerable  number  of  the  Sierran  form  of 
Lilium  washingtonianum  and  of  Humboldtii  var. 
magnificum  in  my  garden  at  The  Terraces  on  a 
very  gravelly  slope.  As  the  spring  was  a  dry  one 
I  had  a  ditch  dug  above  them  and  irrigated  at 
intervals  until  midsummer.  The  water  percolated 
to  a  depth  of  1  foot  to  2  feet,  this  subirrigating 
them.  In  both  root  growth  and  bloom  the  results 
were  unusual.  L.  washingtonianum  is  very  impa- 
tient of  surface  moisture.  This  experience  reminded 
me  of  a  lot  of  this  Lily  that  I  noticed  at  perhaps 
7,000  feet  in  the  Northern  Sierras  some  years  ago. 
It  was  midsummer,  but  quite  a  bank  of  snow  above 
them  was  melting  and  percolating,  so  as  to  keep 
the  sandy  debris  that  they  grew  in  wet.  They 
grew  out  of  low  underbrush  and  were  in  full  bloom 
at  the  time.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  many 
Lilies  are  pleased  to  grow  in  very  loose,  well- 
drained  soil,  but  with  abundant  moisture  within 
reach  o£  their  roots.     I  had  L.  Henryii  for  the  first 


time  last  year.  It  came  late  and  a  little  dry,  and 
I  gave  the  bulbs  a  variety  of  situations.  Nearlj' 
all  flowered,  and  I  was  pleased  with  the  flowers  ; 
but  if  the  lax,  rather  limp  habit  of  the  stem  is 
characteristic  I  do  not  like  it.  A  Lily  should  be 
able  to  stand  alone.  My  bulbs  increased  very  much 
in  size,  and  in  some  soils  there  was  a  phenomenal 
increase  of  bulblets  alons;  the  stem  below  the 
ground.  The  Burbank  Parryii  x  Pardalinum 
h3'brid  Lilies  vary  considerably  in  propagating 
qualities.  Some  of  the  pure  yellow-flowered  forms 
propagate  very  slowly  from  scales,  but  several 
have  increased  rapidly.  Strangely  enough,  several 
which  show  the  Pardalinum  blood  strongly  increase 
the  most  rapidly.  They  are  fragrant,  but  the 
flowers  are  not  up  to  standard.  1  planted  some 
Gladiolus  in  the  open  last  August,  and  at  Christ- 
mas picked  a  bouquet  of  very  good  stems.  At 
the  same  time  I  had  Narcissus,  Soliel  d'Or,  Grand 
Monarque,  and  Paper  White  in  the  open.  My  first 
flowers  of  Narcissus  Henry  Irving  and  Princeps 
came  recently,  as  well  as  a  few  Tulips  Proserpine. 
— Carl  Pdrdy,  Uriah. 
A  Note  from  California.- The  winter 

has  continued  to  be  a  remarkably  open  one  in 
Northern  and  Central  California.  The  rainfall  has 
not  been  heavy,  but  has  been  well  distributed,  and 
in  thirty-five  years'  experience  here  1  have  never 
seen  a  winter  with  clearer  and  brighter  days.  The 
temperature  has  not  at  any  time  been  low,  and 
everything  is  unusually  promising  at  this  date.  In 
the  South  Central  and  Southern  portion  of  the 
state  it  has  been  disastrously  dry.  Up  to  this 
time  Los  Angeles  has  not  had  rain  enough  to  start 
the  grass,  while  farther  south  it  can  be  said  that 
they  have  had  none.  At  the  present  time  their 
larger  horticultural  and  agricultural  interests  are 
little  harmed,  because  they  depend  upon  irrigation  ; 
but  cattle  and  other  grazing  animals  are  dying  of 
starvation  in  great  numbers,  and  with  little  hope 
of  saving  any.  Unless  the  fall  of  snow  is  very 
heavy  in  their  higher  mountains  from  this  on  they 
will  have  a  short  supply  of  water  for  irrigation.  A 
feature  in  the  agricultural  situation  here  is  the 
large  purchases  and  shipments  of  hay  to  the  Orient 
for  the  Japanese  and  Russian  Armies.  As  our  own 
supply  of  last  year's  hay  was  short,  it  is  a 
disturbing  feature. — Carl  Purdy,  Uriah. 
Heather  and   Snowdrops.- As  some 

correspondents  have  recently  mentioned  in  The 
Gardes,  pleasing  combinations  of  winter-flowering 
plants  are  sufficiently  rare  to  make  it  worth  while 
to  place  on  record  anj'  that  may  come  under  one's 
notice.  In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned  of 
the  association  of  Jasminum  nudiflorum  with  Iv3' 
and  Cotoneaster,  I  should  like  to  draw  attention  to 
one  that  I  saw  recently,  and  which  seemed  to  me 
to  be  the  most  attractive  mingling  of  winter 
flowers  I  yet  had  met  with.  It  is  so  simple  that  I 
wondered  it  has  not  been  thought  of  and  practised 
long  ago  ;  perhaps  it  has,  but  I  never  remember  to 
have  seen  it  before. 
The  plants  used  were  ' 
Erica    cinerea    and  • 

Snowdrops.  They  are 
planted  in  large  beds 
in  the  terrace  flower 
garden  at  Windsor 
Castle,  upon  a  slope 
facing  north.  Looking 
down  upon  them  as 
one  is  able  to  from 
the  walk  above  the 
orangery  they  are  a 
delightful  feature  in  a 
garden,  where  at  the 
present  time  there  is 
nothing  else  in  flower 
to  relieve  the  mono- 
tony of  evergreen 
shrubs  and  desolate 
borders.  The  Heaths 
have  well  filled  the 
beds,  and  in  them- 
selves make  a  bright 
and  cheering  display, 
but  when  peeping 
through  the  masses  of 
reddish  Heath  flowers 


one  sees  the  pure  white  drooping  bells  of  the 
Snowdrop,  then  the  picture  is  indeed  a 
pretty  one.  The  Snowdrops  are  not  dotted 
here  and  there,  but  there  is  an  abundance 
of  them  ;  they  are  all  over  the  beds,  and  by  their 
numbers  effectually  do  away  with  any  danger  of 
spottiness  in  the  bed  ;  had  this  been  the  case  the 
eff'eot  would  have  been  such  as  to  make  the  absence 
of  the  Snowdrops  more  desirable  than  their  presence. 
Happily,  however,  this  is  not  the  case,  the  bulbs 
were  planted  with  a  proper  knowledge  of  their 
uses,  and  the  result  is  a  charming  association  of 
winter  flowers. — A.  P.  H. 

English  Potatoes.— It  will  be  interesting 
news  to  those  who  have  the  Potato  so  much  at  heart 
to  know  that  its  cultivation  is  declining.  In  190.3 
the  Potato  area  was  less  by  10,000  acres  than 
1902.  This  is  a  decrease  of  60,000  tons,  or  1,200,000 
bags. 

New  Potato  Sutton's  Favourite.— 

When  so  much  is  being  written  about  some  of  the 
new  Potatoes  and  their  immense  superiority  over 
others,  one  is  diffident  in  bringing  any  new  sort 
forward  that  may  appear  less  known  than  its 
merits  deserve.  For  two  seasons  I  have  grown 
Favourite,  and  though  last  j'ear  was  so  unfavour- 
able it  was  surprising  to  find  the  crop  so  good  ; 
I  am  sure  that  none  of  the  new  Potatoes  that  are 
so  costly  at  the  present  moment  will  beat  Favourite. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  in  flavour  ;  and  this  should  be 
the  chief  consideration,  and  then  cropping.  With 
regard  to  the  latter  I  was  delighted  with  it.  There 
wasaveryheavycrop,  the  tubers  beingof  good  shape, 
with  scarcely  any  small  ones  ;  the  skin  is  smooth, 
and  there  is  an  absence  of  deep  eyes,  so  that  there 
is  no  waste.  The  flavour  is  excellent.  There  was 
no  di.sease  whatever,  and  this  was  more  noticeable 
as  the  seed  was  home-grown.  Other  varieties  a 
short  distance  away  were  badly  iffecled.  The 
tubers  also  keep  well.  At  this  date — the  end  of 
February — they  are  in  splendid  condition,  being 
firm  and  quite  sound.  For  many  years  the  Windsor 
Castle  has  been  our  favourite  midseason  Potato, 
but  Favourite  will  now  take  its  place,  as  it  crops 
heavier. — G.  Wythes. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


CYCLAMEN    IBERICUM. 

BOISSIER,  in  his  "Flora  Orientalis," 
makes  the  Iberian  Cyclamen  a  variety 
of  C.  Coum,  and  it  may  well  be  con- 
sidered a  geographical  form  of  that 
species.  The  corm,  however,  is  larger, 
and  it  is  more  floriferous  than  that 
species.  It  also  comes  into  flower  earlier,  and 
while  the  leaves  of  the  typical  C.  Coum  are  of  an 
uniform  dark  green,  those  of  this  plant  are  dis- 
tinctly   zoned    with   white.      The    flowers    of   the 


CYCLAMEN   IBERICUM    IN   THE   HARDY  ALPINE   HOUSE  AT  EEW. 


178 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  12,  1904. 


typical  form  are  bright  reJ,  with  a  darli  purple 
spot  at  the  base  of  the  petals.  From  this  colour  to 
white  there  is  every  gradation  of  shade  in  tlie 
cultivated  forms.  It  is  found  growing  in  mountain 
woods  in  the  Ciuoasus  and  Northern  Persia  at  an 
elevation  of  2,000  feet,  and  is  quite  hardy  in  this 
country,  but  is  apparently  more  at  home  in  the 
extreme  southern  counties.  Here  among  Ferns 
and  round  about  trees  where  the  grass  is  thin  it 
spreads  rapidly,  producing  its  flowers  in  abundance 
in  the  early  months  of  the  year.  For  cultivation 
in  pans,  as  shown  in  the  accompanying  photograph, 
it  is  better  than  C.  Coum.  Three  corms  are 
sufficient  for  each  7-inch  pan.  This  should  be 
well  drained,  and  the  soil  should  be  loam,  with 
sand  and  leaf-soil  added.  Provided  the  drainage 
is  perfect  they  may  remain  undisturbed  in  the 
same  pans  for  two  or  three  years  with  a  little  top- 
dressing  annually.  After  ilowering  they  should  be 
plunged  in  ashes  and  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  to 
ripen  the  corms  thoroughly,  removing  them  to  a 
cold  frame  for  the  winter.  Under  this  treatment 
they  flower  profusely  at  the  beginning  of  February. 
Plants  grown  as  C.  Atkinsi  are  evidently  forms  of 
this  species. 

COLCHICUM    CROCIFLORUM. 

This  charming  little  plant  looks  so  much  like  a 
Crocus  at  the  first  glance  that  the  name  given  to 


The   name   crociflorum    has    been   applied   to   two 

other  plants  belonging  to  this  genus,  one  a  form  of 

C.  auturanale  and  the  other  a  form  of  C.  montanum. 

A'eic.  W.  Irving. 


ANEMONE  HEPATICA  TORCH. 
This  bright  Hepatica  was  the  first  of  all  to  bloom 
with  me  this  year,  and  it  did  its  best  to  brighten  a 
somewhat  gloomy  time  in  the  garden,  caused  by  so 
much  rain  and  so  little  sun.  It  is  not  yet  in  com- 
merce, but  is  one  raised  by  Mr.  James  Allen,  who, 
many  will  be  sorry  to  know,  is  now  in  very 
poor  health,  and  unable  to  go  about  among  his 
favourite  flowers.  It  is  of  the  type  of  the  common 
Hepatica,  but  with  larger  and  brighter  flowers  than 
the  best  of  the  red  forms  in  ordinary  cultivation. 
The  colour  is  considerably  brighter  than  what  we 
call  the  red  Hepatica,  but  which  is,  in  reality, 
better  described  by  some  of  the  old  writers  as 
peach-coloured.  One  may  raise  many  seedlings 
without  being  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  one  like 
this.  It  is  quite  distinct  from  such  varieties  as 
A.  (Hepatica)  splendens,  and  its  flowers  are  as 
large  as  those  of  the  angulosa  section  of  Hepaticas. 

S.  Arnott. 

GALANTHUS  PLICATUS  FRASERI. 

It  is  well  known  to  many  Snowdrop  growers  that 
Galanthus  plicatus  (the  Crimean  Snowdrop)  has  an 
unaccountable  tendency 


to  die  off  and  disappear. 
This  is  not  attributable 
to  the  dreaded  Snow- 
drop disease  (Botrytis 
galanthina),  but  to  some 
other  cause.  This  is, 
to  say  the  least  of  it, 
disappointing,  for 
despite  its  rather  small 
flowers  in  proportion  to 
its  foliage,  G.  plicatus 
is  a  handsome  Snow- 
drop. It  is  not  gene- 
rally Known,  however, 
that  there  is  a  superior 
form  of  G.  plicatus 
which  appears  to  be 
much  more  permanent 
than  the  typical  form, 
and  which  is  also  finer 
in  other  respects,  having 
larger  leaves  and  finer 
flowers.  It  was  ori- 
ginally found  in  the 
garden  of  Mr.  P.  Neill- 
Fraser  of  Rockville, 
Edinburgh,  and  was 
selected  by  Mr.  W.  B. 
Boyd.  It  is  consider- 
ably superior  to  G. 
it  is  an  excellent  one.  The  flower,  however,  pos-  |  plicatus  as  we  commonly  meet  with  it,  and,  while 
sesses  entirely  the  Colchicura  type  of  structure  in  '  from  time  to  time  I  have  lost  clumps  of  the 
all  its  organs.  It  is  quite  different  in  marking  and  i  type  in  my  own  garden,  I  find  G.  p.  iraseri 
colourationfroraalltheother  species  in  cultivation,  thrive  and  increase.  Its  ornamental  leaves  have 
having  a  distinct  character  of  its  own.  While  we  the  reduplication  of  the  type,  but  the  flowers  are 
have    lilac,    with     every    shade    of    intermediate  |  larger,   and  thus  more  in   keeping   with    the   hne 


COLCHICUM   CROCirLORUM   IN   THE  HARDY   ALPINE  HOUSE   AT   KEW. 


gradation  to  pure  white  in  C.  autumnale,  C.  arena- 
rium,  and  C.  montanum,  in  the  present  species 
the  segments  havp  a  white  groundwork,  down  the 
back  of  each  of  which  run  various  markings,  which 
extend  a  little  way  down  the  tube  of  the  flower.  In 
some  forms  the  markings  consist  of  five  purple  lines, 
others  have  only  one  broad  or  narrow  line,  while 
others  are  suffused  with  pale  lilac  all  over  the 
back  of  the  segment.  Produced  six  to  seven  from 
each  corm,  the  bright  green  shining  leaves  are 
linear,  with  obtuse  points.  They  are  borne  at 
the  same  time  as  the  flowers,  but  do  not  attain 
their  full  size  till  some  time  after  the  flowering 
season  is  over.  The  number  of  flowers  produced 
from  each  corm  varies  from  four  to  six,  and  they 
have  a  tube  about  3  inches  in  length.  This  species 
was  first  found  by  Sewerzow  in  Turkestan,  and 
since  by  Dr.  A.  Kegel  in  the  Alatan  mountains. 
The  latter  sent  it  to  Kew,  where  it  flowered  in 
January,  1883.  Although  introduced  so  long  ago, 
it  is  still  a  rare  plant  in  gardens,  not  increasing  so 
readily  as  many  of  the  other  species  of  Golchioum. 


leaves. 


S.  Arnott. 


THE 


1 


ANNUALS    FOR 
GARDEN. 

F  one  were  to  remark  that  as  a  class  both 
tender  and  hardy  annuals  are  generally 
neglected,  many  would  receive  the  state- 
ment with  derision  and  not  a  few  others 
challenge  its  accuracy.  It  is  not  absolute 
neglect  so  much,  perhaps,  as  indifl'erence. 
In  all  probability  in  this  as  in  other  matters 
both  the  garden  and  the  plant  suffer  from 
what  might  be  aptly  called  a  plague  of  cheap- 
ness. Doubtless,  too,  this  cheapness  is  in  one 
sense  directly  responsible  for  the  lack  of 
display  of  beauty  and  of  profuse  floriferous- 
ness  that  so  frequently  characterises  the  growth 
and  flowering  in  our  gardens  of  many  of  the 


best  of  annual  flowers.  And  so  long  as  the 
plague  may  last  it  will  be  of  little  use  to  insist 
that  "not  more  than  one  dozen  seeds  must  be 
sown,"  when  the  packet  just  opened  may 
contain  several  hundreds.  Yet  the  value  of  a 
single  self-sown  seed,  whether  of  Xemophila 
or  Mignonette,  will  be  more  than  a  match, 
whether  in  early  or  late  flowering,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  intervening  display,  for  fifty  or 
100  seeds  as  ordinarily  sown  in  that  most 
offensive  small  circular  patch  little  more  than 
a  dinner-plate  in  size.  At  this  moment  it  is 
little  good  talking  or  writing  about  the  value 
of  autumn-sown  seeds.  Yet  I  have  a  clear 
recollection  of  October-sown  seed  of  Nemo- 
phila  insignis  giving  early  and  indescribably 
rich  patches  of  colour  month  and  month,  and 
again  of  the  same  plant  from  a  solitary  seed 
producing  a  carpet  of  the  richest  blue  nearly 
4  feet  across.  How  many  hundreds  of  flowers 
such  a  plant  would  produce  I  will  not  attempt 
to  speculate,  but  it  must  be  enormous.  Not 
only  so,  for  all  the  early  summer  flowers  from 
such  a  plant  are  infinitely  improved  in  both 
colour  and  size  compared  with  the  little  circular 
patch  into  which  a  whole  packet  of  seed  was 
emptied,  not  sown.  And  what  is  true  of  one 
kind  is  equally  true  of  many,  and  the  remedy 
is  in  the  hands  of  everyone  who  attempts  to 
sow  seeds. 

To  sow  thinly  at  the  proper  time  is  advice 
of  long  standing,  and  is  too  often  disregarded. 
A  sure  remedy  against  overcrowding  of  the 
seedlings  is  to  sow  thinly  and  prick  them 
off,  and  as  many  good  annuals  object  to 
transplanting  to  sow  a  seed  or  two  in  a  pot 
and  transfer  bodily  to  its  destined  place.  In 
this  way  a  dozen  or  fifty  plants  of  Mignonette 
or  Nemophila  may  give  surprising  results  with 
no  more  labour,  perhaps,  than  that  entailed  by 
the  ordinary  sowing  and  "  timely  thinning." 

The  same  thing  may  be  done  with  the  Stock, 
and  in  this  case  assist  in  modifying  to  some 
extent  the  heavy  loss  that  transplanting  often 
entails.  The  single  pot  system  may  with 
advantage  be  adopted  for  the  beautiful  Sweet 
Sultans  as  for  the  very  popular  Sweet  Peas. 
Thus  may  the  ill  effects  we  now  see  be  greatly 
reduced  by  two  simple  methods — viz.,  sowing 
in  small  pots  or  pricking  the  seedlings  off  before 
planting  them  in  their  permanent  places.  In 
conjunction  with  the  foregoing  early  sowing  is 
most  desirable,  and  in  some  instances  the 
highest  cultivation. 

In  this  connexion  we  may  perhaps  mention 
the  Balsam  or  Zinnia,  or  both,  as  subjects  seen 
rarely  in  good  condition  in  the  open.  The 
jjot-grown  examples  of  the  first  only  feebly 
represent  the  vigour  or  the  boldness  or  beauty 
of  the  plant  when  grown  unchecked.  It  is 
much  the  same  with  Zinnia.s,  and  these 
generally  are  poorly  grown.  To  some  extent 
this  is  due  to  a  check  in  the  early  stages, 
and  when  this  occurs  the  Zinnia  rarely 
recovers.  It  is  a  vigorous  plant,  and  one  for 
which  the  highest  cultivation  is  well  repaid. 
In  the  same  category  we  may,  place  the  Ama- 
ranthus  and  Celosia,  both  highly  desiralale  for 
large  beds  or  the  boldest  groups  or  masses,  and 
now  and  again  apiiearing  as  a  groundwork  to 
the  well-known  Humea  elegans. 

Petunia  verbena.  Phlox  Drummondi,  and 
Ageratum  are  others  that  well  repay  for  liberal 
care.  In  all  of  these  more  or  less  tender  kinds 
the  systematic  pricking  off'  of  the  seedlings  will 
naturally  receive  attention,  and  this,  with  quick 
growing  after,  will  be  very  beneficial. 

I  have  not  as  yet  mentioned  the  endless 
beauty  and  variety  found  in  the  Aster  family 
— a  family,  by  the  way,  almost  exempt  from 
the  "  plague  "  to  which  1  have  earlier  referred. 
It  may  not  be  generally  known  how  much  these 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


179 


plants  appreciate  a  dressing  of  old  mortar 
rubbish  with  the  soil,  and  especiallj^  so  in 
heavy  ground.  Where  this  is  not  available  a 
dressing  of  lime  should  be  given  the  land 
quite  early  in  the  season  before  planting. 

The  Poppy  is  also  sure  to  receive  attention, 
and  it  is  well  worthy  of  it.  But  here  again 
comes  that  insufBcient  appreciation  of  large 
groups  with  ample  space  for  plant  development 
duly  considered.  For  example,  what  splendid 
openings  there  are  for  such  as  these  or  the 
Cornflower  in  the  forefront  of  many  a  shrub- 
bery border,  where  the  leafy  soil  will  support 
them  to  the  full  in  the  time  of  flowering.  The 
sloping  bank,  too,  as  it  stretches  away  in  the 
distance  from  the  terrace  lawn  or  garden  or 
the  woodland  may  be  beautified  by  a  little 
thought  and  a  few  seeds  of  some  such  plants. 
And  in  the  borders  where  openings  are  sure  to 
occur  will  be  found  room  for  Gaillardia, 
Helichrysum,  Acroclinium,  Ehodanthe,  Candy- 
tuft, Chrysanthemum  coronarium,  and  other 
kinds.  Larkspur,  Lupin,  the  elegant  Gypso- 
phila  or  curious  Nigella,  Salpiglossis,  Dianthus, 
to  say  nothing  of  those  Californian  worthies, 
Phacelia,  and  others  far  too  numerous  to  give 
in  detail.  Then  there  are  bolder  things,  as 
Wigandia,  Ricinus,  Maize,  and  draping  or 
climbing  plants,  as  Convolvulus,  Tropaeolum, 
and  Lophospermum,  not  omitting  the  elegant 
grasses  that  possess  a  characteristic  beauty. 
But  whatever  may  be  used,  there  should  be 
only  one  object — viz.,  to  present  the  best  pos- 
sible picture  that  each  plant  is  capable  of.  In 
other  words,  let  it  so  be  done  that  the  import- 
ance of  these  cheaply-obtained  annual  flowers 
may  be  obvious  to  all  at  a  glance,  and  be  found 
worthy  of  more  frequent  imitation. 

Hampton  Hill.  E.  H.  Jenkins. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


BEDDING  EOSES  OF  FREE  GROWTH. 

ARE  we  right  in  requiring  that  our  bedding 
/%  Roses  should  be  of  compact  growth  ? 

/   %         We  condemn  the  flat,   unnatural  st3'le 
/      \        of    exhibiting    decorative    Roses,    yet 
^  J^     there  seems  to  be  a  desire  to  have  the 

bedding  kinds  made  to  pattern.  I 
must  confess  to  a  partiality  for  a  mass  of  colour, 
but  this  does  not  debar  me  from  welcoming  some 
irregular  growths  to  relieve  the  formality.  Take, 
for  instance,  that  popular  Rose,  W.  A.  Richard- 
sou.  If  grown  in  bush  form  it  will  produce  a 
glorious  mass  of  blossom,  but  its  climbing  or 
extra  vigorous  nature  will  assert  itself,  and  conse- 
quently there  are  many  growths  darting  up  here 
and  there. 

I  consider  a  large  bed  of  Gloire  de  Dijon  when 
well  grown  and  some  of  the  growths  bent  over  to 
be  one  of  the  prettiest  features  in  the  rosery,  and 
there  are  other  sorts  quite  as  useful  and  beautiful. 
Just  to  name  a  few,  in  addition  to  those  already 
mentioned,  there  are  :  Alister  Stella  Gray,  which 
is  very  beautiful  as  a  bedder,  and  so  free  and  per- 
petual, too,  its  pretty  clusters  of  nankeen  yellow 
buds  and  blossoms  a  dream  of  beauty.  Bardou 
Job  and  Gloire  des  Rosomanes  are  two  large- 
flowered  single  and  semi-double  Roses  of  much 
merit,  not  beautiful  and  fleeting  like  some,  but 
perpetual.  I  have  never  yet  met  an}'one  who  was 
not  charmed  with  the  rich  velvety  flowers  of 
Bardou  Job  or  the  glowing  scarlet  of  Gloire  des 
Rosomanes ;  and  how  beautiful  they  are  when 
massed,  especially  if  good  bold  groups  are  planted. 
Beds,  some  20  feet  across,  filled  with  such  Roses 
have  a  noble  appearance,  and  they  Would  be  even 
more  so  if  a  few  short  standards  of  the  same  were 
planted  in  the  centre  to  lift  them  up  a  little.  I 
further  strongly  recommend  the  following  as 
suitable  for  forming  stately  beds  such  as  I  have 
alluded  to: — Tea  and  Hybrid  Teas:  Longworth 
Rambler,  Mile.  Marie   Lavalle}',   Mme.    Wagram, 


Belle  Lyonnaise,  Germaine  Trochon,  Billiard  et 
Barrfi,  and  Cheshunt  Hybrid.  Perpetual  Scotch: 
Stanwell  Perpetual.  JRagosa  :  Mrs.  Anthony 
Waterer,  Conrad  Ferdinand  Meyer,  and  Blanc 
double  de  Courbet.  Multiflora:  Leuchtstern, 
Electra,  and  Crimson  Rambler.  P. 


SPRING  PLANTING. 

I  IMAGINE  many  postponed  the  usual  autumnal 
planting  in  the  hope  of  a  drier  time  pre- 
vailing later  on,  and,  although  this  is  not  the 
case,  doubtless  there  has  been  nothing  lost  by 
waiting,  as  the  plants  have  fared  much  better 
heeled  in  than  planted  where  so  much  water 
abounds  in  the  soil  and  subsoil.  Surely  one  may 
reasonably  hope  for  better  weather  in  March,  and 
with  a  fine  heap  of  prepared  compost  ready  so  that 
each  plant  may  receive  a  shovelful  at  the  time  of 
planting,  the  plants  will  have  a  good  start.  I  am 
presuming  that  the  land  was  deeply  dug  or 
trenched  some  time  ago.  How  necessary  it  is  to 
look  after  the  thorough  drainage  of  the  beds  and 
borders,  not  nearly  so  much  attention  is  given 
to  this  matter  as  its  importance  warrants.  A 
water-logged  soil  is  most  inimical  to  the  welfare  of 
the  Briar  stock,  although  this  stock  revels  in  a 
somewhat  stiff  soil,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  examples 
in  the  hedgerows.  The  seedling  Briar,  with  its 
long  tap  roots,  also  thrives  best  where  its  roots  can 
penetrate  deeply  without  being  injured  by  stagnant 
water. 

I  think  condition  of  soil  is  more  responsible  for 
success  and  failures  in  Rose  growing  than  stocks. 
Many  say  that  they  cannot  grow  certain  kinds  of 
Roses,  and  that  the  seedling  Briar  is  a  failure  with 
them.  Let  such  kinds  be  planted  out  under  glass 
in  borders  as  carefully  prepared  as  the  market 
grower  prepares  them  and  not  one  will  fail.  Now 
if  the  fault  was  in  the  stock  such  Roses  would 
not  grow  under  glass.  I  readily  grant  that  some 
sorts  possess  a  more  delicate  constitution  than 
others,  and  this  is  responsible  for  some  failures 
outdoors.  But  no  rosarian  would  plant  these  very 
tender  Roses  out  without  giving  them  a  good  sunny 
situation,  at  the  foot  perhaps  of  a  wall  or  fence. 
Where  this  is  not  practicable  rather  than  lose 
them  it  would  be  better  to  dig  them  up  in  autumn 
and  heel  them  in  in  a  shrubbery  or  at  the  foot  of  a 
wall  or  fence,  then  replanting  in  March  and  April. 
This  used  to  be  the  old  style  of  treating  the  dwarf 
Tea  Roses.  They  were  lifted  and  potted  up  every 
autumn  and  placed  in  cold  pits,  and  I  am  not  sure 
this  would  not  be  a  good  plan  to  adopt  now  in 
districts  peculiarly  affected  by  spring  frosts  or 
where  other  conditions  are  unfavourable  to  the  Tea 
Rose.  When  planting  in  spring  always  prune  the 
growths  beforehand,  even  down  to  three  or  four 
eyes  on  each  shoot.  Philomel. 


CARNATIONS     IN     THE 
TOWN    GARDEN. 

DURING  recent  years  town  gardening  has 
k  come  into  greater  prominence,  and 
I  this  is  due  in  a  large  measure  to  the 
i  influx  of  people  from  the  country  to 
the  towns  and  the  consequent  rise 
of  suburban  houses  and  gardens.  It 
is  due  also,  in  perhaps  as  great  a  degree,  to  the 
increased  interest  in  gardening  that  has  lately 
been  apparent.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 
everyone  is  fond  of  the  Carnation,  and  there  can 
be  no  town  gardener  who  would  not  willingly 
include  it  in  his  collection  of  plants  if  only  he 
were  able  to  grow  it  successfully.  The  Carnation 
has  many  good  points  as  a  town  garden  flower  ;  the 
plants  bloom  freely  and  for  a  long  time,  the  flowers 
are  excellent  for  home  decoration,  as  they  last  well 
when  cut,  some  of  the  varieties  are  sweetly  scented, 
and  a  charming  variety  of  form  and  colouring  is 
now  to  be  found  among  them.  Some  writers  of 
recent  date  have  gone  so  far  as  to  say  that  the 
Carnation  is  not  generally  a  satisfactory  plant  for 
the  town  garden,  but  it  may  safely  be  said  that 
they  had  not  exhausted  the  methods  of  culture  or 
they  would    never  have  reached   so  pessimistic  a 


conclusion.  While  it  is  true  that  many  fail  to 
grow  Carnations  successfully  in  a  town  garden,  it 
is  no  less  true  that  others  grow  them  well  under 
similar  conditions,  and  find  that  few  plants  give 
more  pleasure  during  the  summer  months.  It  has 
been  truly  said  that  the  Carnation  will  thrive 
where  the  Rose  will  not  grow,  and  no  further 
recommendation  of  its  virtues  as  a  town  garden 
flower  could  be  wished,  for  we  have  seen  Pvoses 
that  carried  away  prizes  at  an  important  exhibition 
gathered  from  plants  grown  within  six  or  seven 
miles  of  Charing  Cross.  Like  every  other  plant, 
the  Carnation  loves  pure  fresh  air,  and  it  would  be 
folly  to  say  that  it  will  grow  as  well  in  the  impure, 
often  fog-laden  atmosphere  of  a  large  town  as  in  a 
country  garden.  Some  plants  are  more  accommo- 
dating than  others,  however,  and  fortunately  the 
Carnation  is  one  of  them.  Give  it  reasonable  care 
and  intelligent  cultivation  and  the  results  will  not 
be  disappointing.  It  should  not  be  forgotten  that 
the  Carnation  is  hardy  ;  many  seem  to  have  the 
idea  that  if  allowed  to  remain  out  of  doors  all  the 
year  round  it  will  be  killed  by  frost.  Nothing  of 
the  sort  if  the  proper  varieties  are  grown.  The 
wild  Carnation  (Dianthus  caryophyllus),  from 
which  the  varieties  of  to-day  are  descended,  is 
still  found  growing  on  some  of  the  old  castles  in 
England. 

Soil  and  Position. 

To  grow  any  plant  successfully  it  is  necessary,  or, 
at  any  rate,  it  is  a  very  great  help,  to  know  some- 
thing of  its  likes  and  dislikes.  More  particularlj' 
is  this  the  case  when  the  garden  in  which  one 
has  to  work  is  at  a  disadvantage  so  far  as  soil  and 
situation  are  concerned,  then,  more  than  ever 
careful  attention  to  detail  makes  all  the  difference 
as  to  the  results.  It  is  important,  therefore,  to 
know  that  the  Carnation  likes  a  warm  and  sunny 
position.  One  would  naturally  come  to  this  con- 
clusion after  learning  that  the  Carnation  grows 
wild  on  castle  walls.  It  is  said  never  to  have  been 
found  growing  wild  in  hedges  and  fields,  where,  of 
course,  it  would  have  a  certain  amount  of  shelter 
and  shade.  It  is  not  always  advisable  when 
cultivating  a  plant  to  give  it  exactly  the  same  soil 
and  position  as  it  enjoys  when  growing  wild,  for 
the  altered  conditions  of  life,  and  probably  of  the 
plant  itself,  must  be  taken  into  consideration. 
Some  general  idea  of  the  conditions  most  likely  to 
suit  it  may,  however,  be  obtained  from  knowledge 
of  a  plant's  position  and  environment  as  growing 
wild.  In  the  shade  Carnations  lose  vigour,  their 
soft  stems  and  growth  are  likely  to  be  adversely 
affected  by  wet,  and  the  flowering  season  is 
shortened.  Choose,  then,  a  border  that  is  well 
exposed  to  the  sun,  but  which  at  the  same  time  is 
not  draughty,  for  cold  winds  play  havoc  with  a 
bed  of  Carnations.  In  a  town  garden  there  is 
not  much  danger  of  harm  resulting  from 
cold  winds,  for  it  is  usually  well  protected  by 
neighbouring  houses  and  walls.  Still,  the  point  is 
worth  bearing  in  mind.     The 

Soil 

is  an  item  to  be  carefully  considered,  for  upon  its 
composition  and  preparation  depends  in  a  large 
measure  the  success  of  the  plants.  The  Carnation 
does  not  grow  well  in  poor  soil.  One  of  our  best 
amateur  gardeners  says:  "It  is  very  difficult  to 
grow  Carnations  in  very  poor  soil ;  even  when  it  is 
carefully  prepared  they  still  feel  its  starving  and 
drying  influence,  and  show  their  distaste  by 
unusual  shortness  of  life."  My  experience  of  the 
soil  of  an  ordinary  town  garden  is  that  it  can,  with 
a  little  cultivation  and  manuring,  be  made  a  fairly 
good  medium.  If  it  is  sandy  or  gravelly  to  a 
large  extent,  of  course  it  is  a  more  ditBcult  matter 
to  improve  it.  But  even  then  the  continual  addi- 
tion of  road  scrapings,  dead  leaves,  kitchen  garden 
refuse,  and  a  good  dressing  annually  of  farmyard 
manure  will  work  wonders.  Usually,  however, 
the  town  garden  soil  is  too  heavy  and  wet, 
although  at  the  same  time  it  is  poor,  i.e.,  deficient 
in  plant  food.  Artificial  manures  are  of  great 
benefit  to  such  a  soil  as  the  latter,  while  they  are 
almost  useless  to  the  former.  The}'  are  best  if 
applied  as  a  top-dressing  when  the  plants  are  grow- 
ing, and  preferably  in  showery  weather,  so  that  the- 
manure  may  be  at  once  washed  down  to  the  roots. 


180 


THE    GARDEN. 


iMakch  12,  1904. 


In  sandy  or  gravelly  soil  all  the  properties  of  the 
manure  would  be  washed  away  owing  to  the  porous 
nature  of  the  former.  To  improve  poor,  heavy 
soil  it  should  be  well  dug  in  the  autumn,  and  left 
unbroken  during  the  winter.  The  action  of  the 
frost  pulverises  the  large  lumps,  and  renders  the 
soil  friable  and  more  conducive  to  root  growth. 
Some  manure  should  at  the  same  time  be  dug  in 
and  buried  about  0  inches  below  the  surface.  Then 
in  early  spring  the  soil  should  be  dug  over  again  ; 
this  will  thoroughly  mix  the  partially  ■  decayed 
manure  with  the  soil,  and  will  also  break  up  the 
latter  and  render  it  more  suitable  as  a  planting 
medium. 

Autumn  is  usually  considered  to  be  the  best 
time  for  planting  Carnations,  and  for  gardens  in 
the  country,  where  pure  air  and  suitable  soil  are 
enjoyed  by  the  plants,  it  is  undoubtedly  preferable, 
for  the}'  become  well 
established  before  the 
winter,  and  are  able 
to  make  a  good  start 
in  the  spring.  But 
for  Carnations  in  the 
town  garden  I  have 
no  hesitation  in  re- 
commending spring  as 
the  best  time  for 
planting.  If  the  plants 
are  put  in  the  ground 
in  early  autumn  it  is 
true  that  they  are 
well  rooted  before  the 
cold  weather;  but  how 
many  of  them  are 
worth  anything  when 
the  month  of  March 
arrives  ?  It  will  pro- 
bably be  found  —  for 
such  I  have  known 
to  be  the  case  many 
times — that  most  of 
them  have  lost  their 
centres,  or  the  leaves 
are  in  a  sorry  plight. 
Hundreds  of  Carna- 
tions in  town  gardens 
are  lost  during  the 
winter  months  as  the 
result  of  the  centres  of 

the  plants  decaj'ing ;  the  wet  gets  in  the  axils  of  the 
leaves  and  remains  there  for  days,  or  perhaps  weeks, 
for,  owing  to  the  absence  of  sun,  there  is  no  chance 
of  its  drying  up.  We  have  had  exceptionally  wet 
winters  lately,  and  the  loss  among  town  garden 
Carnations  has  been  great.  It  is  not  the  frost  that 
kills  them,  but  the  continual  damp  in  and  around 
ithem.  T.  H.  H. 

(  To  he  continued. ) 


C.  racemitiora — is  in  cultivation  ;  but  besides 
other  di.stinctive  characters  it  is  readily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  flower  scapes  being  terminal. 
It  would  be  interesting  to  know  from  readers 
of  The  Garden  in  America  if  the  true 
Cliftonia  is  obtainable  there. 


EARLY    NABCISRI   fJROWN    FOR   MARKET    IN 
LIN'COLNSHIRE. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 


N 


CLIFTONIA    LIGUSTRIjSA 

INETY  years  ago  this  shrub  was 


CYRILLA    RACEMIFLORA. 

Though  this  shritb  was  first  introduced  to 
Britain  in  176-5,  it  is  now,  as  it  always  has 
been,  a  very  rare  plant.  It  is  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  and  is  said  to  occur  in 
Florida,  where  it  assumes  the  dimensions  of  a 
tree,  also  in  the  West  Indies  and  even  Brazil. 
If  this  be  so,  the  species  no  doubt  is  one  that 
varies  considerably,  and  it  is  only  the  most 
northern  represen- 
tatives of  it  that  are 
likely  to  be  hardy 
in  this  country.  The 
specimens  in  culti- 
vation, at  any  rate, 
are  from  Carolina 
and  Georgia,  and 
they  are  small 
shrubs  as  yet.  In 
several  works  this 
Cyrilla  is  spoken  of 
as  a  greenhouse 
])lant ;  no  doubt  this 
is  correct  for  many 
parts  of  the  country, 
but  at  Kew  it  has 
grown  out  of  doors 
for  several  years 
past  without  protec- 
tion. Of  course,  our 
recent  winters  have 
furnished  no  real 
test,  but  it  is  certain 
that  it  would  flourish 
in  the  gardens  of  our 
south-western 
counties.  On  the 
question  of  hardi- 
ness it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  Ameri- 
can botanist  Nuttall  records  that  in  1840 
he  found  in  John  Bartram's  garden,  near 
Philadelphia,  a  tree  of  this  Cyrilla  20  feet 
high,  with  a  trunk  26  inches  in  diameter. 
Not  only  is  the  species  pretty  and  distinct,  it 
is  also  one  of  more  than  usual  interest.  Messrs. 
Veitch  exhibited  it  in  flower  at  one  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  meetings  in  1901, 
and  it  is  also  offered  for  sale  in  some  of  the 
American  catalogues. 

It  has  deciduous,  somewhat  Privet-like  leaves, 
2  inches  to  3  inches  long,  about  1  inch  wide, 
and  of  obovate  outline.     The  flowers  are  very 


small  and  white,  and  are  crowded  on  slender 
in  cultivation  in  this  countrj',  for  cylindrical  racemes  3  inches  to  6  inches  long. 
in  1814  it  was  figured  in  the  These  racemes  are  clustered  in  a  horizontal 
Botanical  Mai/axine,  t.  1625.  i  whorl  at  the  base  of  the  current  season's 
Whether  it  is  in  cultivation  now  I  growth,  and  appear  in  July  and  August. 


is,  I  think,  doubtful.  It  is,  at  any 
rate,  exceedingly  uncommon,  and  I  do  not 
recall  having  met  with  it  anywhere  in  English 
gardens.  In  recent  years  it  has  been  offered 
by  American  dealers  as  a  hardy  shrub,  but 
what  has  been  supplied  under  the  name  to 
Kew  has  turned  out  to  be  a  species  of  Cyrilla, 
a  nearly  allied  genus,  but  quite  distinct.  The 
Cliftonia — there  is  but  the  one  species — is  a 
native  of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  ought  to 
be  hardy  in  the  warmer  parts  of  these  islands. 
It  was  first  discovered  by  the  famous  old 
American  collector,  John  Fraser.  It  is  an 
evergreen  shrub  with  dark  green  leaves,  and 
bears  a  terminal  spike  of  white  flowers  in 
May.  As  stated  above,  it  is  closely  related  to 
the  Cyrillas,  of  which  at  least  one  species — 


AV.  .[.  Bean. 


AN     ENGLISH     INDUSTRY. 
Bulb  Growing  in  South  Lxn<'olnshiee. 
OWN    in    South   Lincolnshire,   and 


D 


more  particulaxly  in  the  county 
division  known  as  "The  Ports  of 
Holland,"  the  growing  of  all  kinds 
of  bulbs  for  the  wholesale  market 
has  of  late  years  become  a  highly 
important  industry.  Spalding — one  of  the 
oldest  towns  in  England — together  with  an 
outlying  hamlet  called  Little  London,  devote 
at  least  l.'iO  acres  to  the  cultivation  of  bulbs, 
and  the  growers  are  mostly  men  of  substance. 


Other  nurseries  are  to  be  found  in  the  parishes 
of  Moulton,  Whaplode,  Long  Sutton,  Boston, 
and  Wisbech.  The  last-named,  however,  is  in 
Cambridgeshire,  but  being  just  over  the  border 
of  the  county  of  Lincoln  the  soil  is  of  the  same 
rich  alluvial  character  as  that  of  the  neigh- 
bouring shire. 

Messrs.  J.  T.  White  and  Sons  are  the 
biggest  growers  in  the  Spalding  district, 
and  recently  I  made  a  special  visit  to  this 
neighbourhood  on  behalf  of  The  Garden, 
and  was  conducted  over  the  firm's  extensive 
grounds  bj^  Mr.  Alfred  Willis  White,  who  is 
one  of  the  junior  partners.  At  this  time  of 
the  year  the  most  important  part  of  the  work 
is  the  raising  of  forced  blooms  for  the  markets 
of  the  large  cities,  great  quantities  being 
despatched  by  rail  twice  a  week  to  London, 
Birmingham,  Manchester,  and  even  to  far-ofl' 
Edinburgh.  In  order  to  bring  this  about, 
during  September  the  bulbs,  in  lots  of  some 
300,  are  planted  in  thousands  of  boxes 
filled  with  3  inches  to  4  inches  of  ordinary 
soil,  and  laid  out  in  the  open.  About  the  first 
week  in  December  the  boxes  are  removed  to 
one  of  the  houses,  where  a  temperature  of  some 
60°  is  maintained,  and  with  moderate  watering 
the  bloom  is  ready  to  pull  in  the  middle  of 
January. 

Mr.  White  told  me  that  this  year  they  have 
had  nine  large  houses  filled  with  the  double 
yellow  Daffodil,  Narcissus  poeticus  ornatus, 
princeps  Horstieldi,  Emperor,  and  others. 
Those  that  I  saw  made  a  very  brave  show 
indeed,  and  of  these  forced  blooms  alone 
several  million  heads  will  be  gathered 
before  the  open  air  stocks  are  touched.  Year 
by  year  the  demand  becomes  greater,  not  for 
blooms  only,  but  for  the  bulbs  themselves.  And 
whereas  years  ago  stocks  were  purchased  from 
the  Dutch  growers,  several  tons  of  Lincoln- 
shire bulbs  were  in  January  shipped  to  Holland, 
Messrs.  White  being  the  consignors.  With 
regard  to  open  air  bloom  it  is  almost  certain  to 
be  late  this  season  owing  to  the  sodden  and 
cold  condition  of  the  land.  Mr.  White's  firm 
make  a  point  of  gathering  the  bloom  in  the 
half -opened  stage  so  as  to  get  it  in  as  clean  as 
possible.  The  bloom  is  then  placed  in  a 
moderately  heated  house  to  finish  development, 
and  when  fully  open  the  flowers  are  hardened 
ofl'  for  a  few  hours  in  a  cool  shed,  being  put  in 
wooden  gratings  fitted  over  little  zinc-lined 
tubs.  After  this  the  gratings  or  trays  with 
their  burden  of  flowers  are  taken  to  the 
bunching  shed,  where  the  bloom  is  tenderly 
tied  by  some  twenty  to  thirty  women  and 
girls. 

The  bundles  are  then  taken  in  hand  by  the 
packers,  the  method  of  packing  being  a  par- 
ticularly careful  one.  In  the  nursery  that  I  am 
describing  all  the  boxes  used  for  this  purpose 
are  made  on  the  premises,  some  20,000  being 
kept  in  stock,  and  each  box  is  capable  of  holding 
anything  from  300  to  1,000  blooms.  The  packer 
lines  the  box  with  blue  paper,  on  which  she 
lays  the  flowers  with  their  face  upwards.  When 
the  first  row  is  finished  a  stick  of  the  width  of 
the  box  is  pressed  down  close  under  the  chin 
of  the  flowers,  and  their  wet  stalks  covered 
with  paper  so  as  to  prevent  any  damage  being 
done  to  the  bloom  of  the  next  row. 

Of  the  wholesale  prices,  I  was  requested  by 
all  growers  with  whom  I  came  in  touch  not  to 
mention  the  actual  figures,  although  I  was 
informed  of  them  for  my  private  guidance. 
Owing  to  the  unfavourable  weather,  both  last 
year  and  this,  lu'ices  are  and  will  rule  fairly 
high.  A  small  grower  told  me  that  from  one 
week's  cutting  of  his  house  of  Narcissus  ornatus 
he  had  made  nearly  £20.  Most  of  the  bloom  is 
disposed  of  through  commission  agents,  and 


-March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GAKDEN. 


181 


in  fine  hot  weather    the  grower  often  loses 
heavily  by  reason  of  the  market  being  overfed. 

Mk.  Arthur  Stiles'  Grounds. 

Almost  adjoining  the  grounds  of  Messrs. 
White  is  the  bulb  nursery  of  Dr.  Arthur  Stiles. 
Dr.  Stiles  took  up  the  growing  of  bulbs  as  a 
hobby  some  twelve  years  back,  being  content 
at  first  with  one  little  rood  of  land.  About 
four  years  ago,  however,  he  threw  up  a  lucrative 
practice  in  order  to 
give  his  whole  time  to 
bulb  -  growing  as  a 
trade ;  in  his  nursery 
he  now  cultivates,  both 
under  glass  and  in  the 
open,  some  twenty 
varieties  of  Narcissus, 
and  having  always  had 
his  heart  in  the  work 
Dr.  Stiles  knows  per- 
haps as  much  of  bulbs 
as  does  Dean  Hole  of 
Koses.  While  chatting 
with  me  about  his 
work,  Mr.  Stiles— as  he 
now  prefers  to  be  called 
— said  that  in  the  first 
week  of  February  he 
had  cut  75,000  Narcissus 
ornatus,  all  grown 
under  glass,  and  that 
he  and  the  other 
growers  would  continue 
to  cut  forced  bloom 
until  the  Scilly  flowers 
began  to  find  their 
way  to  market  in  large 
quantities.  The  follow- 
ing are  some  of  the 
chief  varieties  grown  by 
Mr.  Stilos  out  of  doors, 
and  flowering  in  the 
order  given :  Double 
Daffodils,  coming  early 
in  March,  followed  by 
Golden  Spur,  princeps 
Sir  Watkin,  Horsfield, 
Empress,  Emperor, 
Double  Orange, 
Phcenix,  Ornatus, 
Pheasant  Eye,  and 
double  white  Narcissus, 
which  last  is  sometimes 
sold  as  a  Gardenia. 
The  season  extends 
from  the  early  part  of 
January,  when  the 
forced  double  Dafi'odils 
are  ready,  to  the  middle 
of  June,  finishing  with 
the  double  white  Nar- 
cissus. Those  bulbs 
which  are  forced  gene- 
rally take  about  four 
years  to  recover. 

During  Passion  Week 
the  station  at  Spalding 
is  crowded  with 
thousands  of  boxes 
of  bloom  bearing  labels 
to  all  parts  of  the 
country,  and  special 
trains  of  eight  to  ten  vans  are  run. 
season  more  than  500  tons  of  Narcissus  bloom 
were  sent  away,  and  a  special  weighing 
apparatus  was  put  down  by  the  radway 
authorities  so  as  to  expedite  the  handling  of 
the  traffic  as  much  as  possible. 

Women  Workers. 

As  in  the  Potato  industry,  which  is  now  the 
most  important  in  South  Lincolnshire,  women 


workers  are  largely  employed  on  the  bulb  farms. 
The  women,  however,  are  not  so  well  paid  as 
the  "  tater-pickers,"  as  for  gathering,  tying,  or 
packing  the  bloom  they  receive  but  from  Is.  6d. 
to  23.  a  day.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the 
work  is  far  lighter  in  every  way,  and  that  part 
of  it  is  done  under  cover.  A  good  woman 
worker  will  pick  perhaps  10,000  flowers  in  a 
day,  or  if  she  is  engaged  in  bunching  will  tie 
about  the  same  quantity.     To  work  the  land 


THE  POET  S   NARCISSUS   IN   THE  ALPS. 
(From  a  photograph  by  Major  McKenzie,  and  kindly  sent  by  M.  Correvon,  Florairc,  Gcueca.) 


Last 


with  the  spade  is,  of  course,  impossible  when 
so  many  acres  are  under  cultivation,  the  plough 
being  used  as  for  ordinary  field  work.  The 
effect  of  the  industry  upon  Little  London  has 
been  to  raise  it  from  a  poverty-stricken  village 
to  a  comparatively  flourishing  hamlet,  as  most 
of  the  inhabitants,  men,  women,  and  children, 
are  employed  in  the  nurseries  in  one  capacity  or 
another.     The 


Pioneer  of  South  Lincolnshire  Bulb 
Growing 
was  a  Mr.  Dickenson  of  Whaplode,  who  com- 
menced operations  some  sixty  years  ago.     The 
business  is  now  carried  on  by  his  son,  who  is  a 
very  well-known  grower  and  buyer  too,  and^ 
like  all  prosperous  men,  he  complained  to  me 
of  the  income-tax,  but  he  did  it  with  a  sly 
twinkle  in  his  eye.  Of  Aconites  Mr.  Dickenson 
says  that  they  will  not  bear  overmuch  cultiva- 
tion, and  that  therefore 
he  buys  more  than  he 
grows;  in   fact,  he  has 
just  given  an  order  for 
200,000.     The    Aconite 
really    grows    best    in 
plantations   and   under 
trees    generally.      You 
will  often  find  beautiful 
masses  of  it  mixed  with 
Snowdrops  around  old 
manor    houses,    and    I 
know    one    lady,    Mrs. 
Crawley   of  Whaplode 
Manor,  Holbeach,  who- 
adds     considerably     to- 
her  "pin    money"    by 
disposing  of  the   seeds- 
and  the  tuberous  roots. 
Strictly    speaking    the 
Aconite      is     not      an 
Aconite  at  all,  it  being; 
the  botanical  Eranthis 
hyemalis.    The  Aconite 
proper  is,  of  course,  the 
brilliant   blue  Monk's- 
hood  (Aconitum  Napel- 
lus),  which  is  used  by 
the    doctors   for    heart 
trouble  ;    and    many  a. 
farm  animal  has   been 
poisoned  by  eating  the 
foliage.      The    Winter 
Aconite— to  call  it  by 
its  popular  name  — 
blooms  as  early  as  the 
middle  of  January,  and 
lasts  until  the    end   of 
February  to  the  begin- 
ning  of    March.      The 
Buttercup  -  like    flower 
is  most  happily  set  in 
a  whorl   of  dark  green 
leaves,  flower  and  foli- 
age being  on  the  same 
sturdy  stalk.   The  neat- 
ness  of   the   growth 
makes  it  sit  wonderfully 
well  as    a    buttonhole. 
And    it   has  often 
occurred    to    me    that, 
were    it    put    on     the 
London    streets,    it 
would  find  a  ready  sale, 
for  its  general  effect  is 
quiet  and  gentlemanly. 
But  the   growers   have- 
been    telling    me    that 
the  flowers  will  not  last. 
As  to  this  I  have  worn 
the  same  flower  for  two 
days  in  succession,  and 
have  had  a  little  vase- 
of  Aconites  on  my  study  table  for  a  week,  and 
as  1  write    I  notice   that  they  are   but   now 
beginning  to  fade.     Will  my  friends  the  enter- 
prising growers  please  note  ? 

The  Winter  Aconite  is  one  of  the  most 
charming  of  early  flowers,  and  is  very  pretty 
at  the  foot  of  trees  or  in  a  bed  filled  with 
Scarlet  Dogwood  (Cornus  sibirica). 

ToYE  Vise. 


182 


TEE    GARDEN. 


[Makch  12,  1801. 


THE    LAWN. 

»   MONG   the  many  features  of  Britisli 
/\  gardens  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 

/  \  that  the  lawn  occupies  a  foremost 
/  \  place.  The  English  garden-loving 
J.  \.  public  have  possessed  lawns  of  sur- 
passing beauty  and  extent  for  so 
long  a  time  that  in  a  measure  their  value  as 
aids  to  the  furnishing  and  beautifying  of  our 
private  and  public  gardens  is  looked  upon  as 
a  matter  of  course,  and  discounted  by  this 
familiarity  ;  yet  if  the  charm  and  interest  of 
the  lawns  were  withdrawn  our  pleasure  grounds 
and  gardens  would  be  left  poor  indeed. 

For  many  features  of  our  gardens  we  are 
indebted  to  the  wealthy  and  generous  patrons 
of  horticulture  in  this  country,  but  for  the 
lawns  we  are  not  so  much  indebted  to  these 
agencies  as  we  are  to  the  free  gift  by  Nature  of  a 
climate  and  soil  so  eminently  suited  to  the 
growth  of  lawn  grasses.  In  the  past  I  have  often 
had  the  privilege  of  coming  into  contact  with 
eminent  horticulturists  from  many  parts  of  the 
world  visiting  England  for  the  first  time,  and 
it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  what  they  all 
with  one  accord  admire  most  in  English 
gardens  are  our  lawns.  It  is  altogether  a  new 
revelation  to  them,  and  in  their  estimation  is 
one  of  those  beautiful  aspects  of  gardening 
which  no  other  country  in  the  world  possesses  in 
the  same  degree.  So  much  do  owners  of  gardens 
abroad  wish  to  have  such  lawns  as  we  enjoy 
that  no  labour  or  expense  is  spared.  This  is 
only  possible  by  cultivating  and  sowing  the 
land  with  new  seed  every  year,  the  same  as  we 
■do  in  this  country  for  the  purpose  of  growing 
corn,  the  land  being  broken  up  every  autumn 
and  resown  with  new  seed  at  great  cost,  and 
watered  and  cultivated  during  summer  with  as 
much  diligence  and  care  as  we  bestow  on  our 
most  cherished  crops. 

FOEMATION   OF  A  LaWN. 

If  the  land  to  be  formed  into  a  lawn  is  part 
of  a  field  of  good  turf,  and  the  natural  contour 
of  the  land  is  pleasant  to  look  upon  and  devoid 
of  angular  and  ugly  formations,  the  expense 


and  labour  in  this  instance  will  not  be 
great,  and  will  consist  chiedy  in  levelling 
any  small  irregularities  there  may  be,  and 
in  giving  a  good  dressing  of  rich  soil  to  fill 
the  many  small  depressions  or  holes,  and  to 
nourish  the  grass,  causing  it  to  assume  that 
deep  green  shade  of  colour  we  all  so  much 
admire.  The  surface  of  the  land  should  be 
rough  harrowed  in  spring,  and  a  good  dressing 
of  soil  (with  ^  cwt.  of  bone-dust  to  the  cart- 
load added)  applied,  and  well  rolled  in  with  a 
heavy  roller  after  showers  of  rain.  March  is  a 
good  time  to  carry  out  this  work.  When 
mowing  time  comes  round  the  first  crop  must 
be  cut  off  with  the  scythe.  The  lawn  mower 
may  be  used  afterwards,  as  the  surface  soil  will 
then  have  disappeared  among  the  roots  of  the 
grass,  and  the  mower,  if  used  every  ten  days 
(or  oftener  if  the  weather  is  damp)  during 
summer,  will  in  a  short  time  transform  an 
ordinary  field  into  a  beautiful  lawn.  In  the 
case  of  extensive  lawns  such  as  we  have 
been  considering  owners  of  gardens  engage 
experienced  men  to  carry  out  the  work  ;  but 
there  are  many  others  having  smaller  gardens 
and  mote  limited  means  who  would  be 
delighted  to  superintend  and  direct  such  work 
with  the  assistance  of  less  skilled  workmen. 
To  such  a  few  suggestions  as  to  how  to  proceed 
to  lay  down  a  new  lawn  may  be  acceptable. 

It  is  useless  to  hope  to  secure  a  beautiful  turf 
of  the  best  grasses  without  the  land  in  the  first 
place  is  efficiently  drained,  either  naturally  or 
artificially.  If  the  soil  is  shallow,  and  resting 
on  gravel  or  chalk,  no  artificial  drainage  is 
necessary,  but  if  on  deep  soil  of  a  marly  or 
clayey  nature  then  the  land  must  be 

Well  Drained. 
In  land  of  this  description  the  pipes  must  not 
be  laid  too  deeply ;  in  stiff  clay  18  inches  will 
be  deep  enough  ;  and  in  soil  not  so  retentive 
2  feet  will  be  better.  The  drains  must  have  a 
moderate  fall  (towards  an  outlet)  of  at  least 
1  foot  in  100  yards ;  more  would  be  better.  The 
distance  between  the  3-inch  drains  in  heavy 
clay  should  not  be  more  than  15  feet,  and  in 
soil  not  so  heavy  20  feet  would  be  a  suitable 


DWARF   LAVENDER  AT   FOOT   OF   DRY   WALL. 


distance.  Supposing  the  land  about  to  be  con- 
verted into  a  lawn  to  be  already  under  good 
sound  turf,  the  first  question  to  consider  is 
whether  the  surface  is  of  an  uniform  level  or 
possessing  pleasing  undulations.  Should  this 
be  so,  then  the  instructions  already  given  for 
bringing  the  turf  into  proper  condition  would 
apply.  On  the  other  hand,  if  consisting  of 
angular  and  objectionable  elevations  and 
depressions,  the  turf  must  be  taken  ofl"  and 
put  on  one  side  ready  for  relaying,  the  land 
ploughed  or  dug  deeply,  the  objectionable 
irregularities  reduced  by  the  harrow  fork  and 
rake,  and  the  turf  relaid.  If  the  grass  is  rough 
and  coarse  then  it  will  be  better  to  dig  it 
deeply  under  and  sow  the  land  with  the  best 
mixture  of  lawn  grass  seed  suitable  to  the 
nature  of  the  soil,  and  which  may  be  obtained 
from  any  of  our  seed  merchants. 

COTTING  AND  KeLAYING  THE  TuEF. 

This  work  may  be  carried  out  any  time 
between  October  and  the  end  of  April  (aiid, 
indeed,  by  the  experienced  man  during  any 
month  of  the  year  in  case  of  necessity).  The 
tools  it  is  necessary  to  possess  to  carry  out  this 
work  are  an  edging  knife,  turf  knife  (or  plough, 
as  it  is  sometimes  called),  and  a  garden-line. 
The  turves  should  be  cut  into  sizes  -2  feet  long 
byl  foot  wide  and  3  inches  deep.  They  should 
be  rolled  up  and  put  by  in  convenient  heaps 
ready  for  relaying.  When  they  are  cut  into 
this  uniform  size  relaying  is  greatly  facilitated 
and  the  work  carried  out  much  more  satis- 
factorily than  if  the  turves  are  cut  in  a  hap- 
hazard way.  Dry  days  in  winter  and  showery 
days  in  spring  should  be  selected  to  carry  out 
the  work.  Before  the  turf  is  laid  the  surface 
of  the  soil  should  be  made  smooth  and  even 
with  the  rake,  and  the  turves  well  pressed  down 
with  the  feet  as  soon  as  laid.  Towards  the  end 
of  April  it  will  be  found  that  the  sun  has 
somewhat  contracted  and  warped  the  turves, 
thus  leaving  spaces  between  them.  A  dressing 
of  soil  should  then  be  given  in  order  to  fill  up 
these  openings,  and  the  dressing  should  be 
extended  to  the  whole  of  the  turf,  and  a  thin 
sowing  of  lawn  seeds  made,  at  the  same  time 
raking  it  well  in  and  rolling 
several  times  over.  This  light 
dressing  of  soil  will  prevent 
the  turves  drying  so  quickly, 
and  help  them  also  to  re- 
establish their  growth  much 
quicker  than  would  be  the  case 
without  it.  As  soon  as  the 
growth  of  the  grass  is  active 
the  soil  dressing  will  disappear. 

Making  a  Lawn  fbom  Seed. 

There  are  advantages  and 
disadvantages  associated  with 
each  system.  Laying  it  down 
with  turf  enables  the  lawn  to 
be  used  either  for  playing  or 
walking  upon  much  sooner 
than  when  seed  is  sown.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  seldom 
happens  that  the  old  turf  is 
composed  of  such  suitable 
varieties  of  grasses  as  the 
lawn  laid  down  with  seeds 
would  be,  as  these  are  selected 
with  great  care,  in  that  pro- 
portions of  sorts  and  colours 
which  long  experience  has 
taught  to  be  the  best.  The 
preparation  of  the  ground  will 
be  the  same  in  the  case  of 
seeds  as  that  recommended  for 
'  laying  down  the  turves,  ex- 
cepting that  if  the  land  is  at 
all  poor  a  dressing  of. at  leas 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


18C 


15  tons  of  good  farmyard  manure  to  the  acre 
should  be  applied.  The  best  time  to  sow  seed 
in  the  South  of  England  is  from  the  middle  of 
March  to  the  end  of  April.  In  the  North  and 
Northern  Midlands  three  weeks  or  a  month 
later  would  be  better.  Seeds  may  also  be 
sown  in  the  autumn  from  the  middle  of  August 
to  the  middle  of  September.  The  only  dis- 
advantage of  sowing  in  autumn  is  the  danger 
of  injury  to  the  young  grass  by  severe  frost 
during  winter.  Owen  -Thomas. 

(To  he  continued.) 


WALL    GARDENING. 


SOME    SUGGESTIONS. 

WE  feel  no  excuse  is  necessary 
for  giving  prominence  to  the 
subject  of  wall  gardening. 
During  recent  years  outdoor 
gardening  has  undergone  a 
vast  and  delightful  change. 
We  see  positions  for  creating  pictures  of  rare 
charm  and  beauty  hitherto  unheeded,  and  our 
eyes  are  opened  to  ways  of  adding  enjoyment 
to  country  life  pursuits  by  simple  forms  of 
English  gardening.  Wall  gardening  is  one  of 
these,  and  we  draw  attention  to  it  now,  as 
spring  is  one  of  the  best  times  to  sow  seeds, 
to  bring  some  of  the  charms  of  many  an  old 
castle  keep  to  the  walls  of  the  homestead. 
Ways  of  gardening  scarcely  thought  of  a  few 
years  ago  are  now  being  taken  up  with  great 
eagerness,  and  the  good  gardener  seeks  to 
make  gardens  of  living  beauty  of  the  water 
surface  and  the  wall.  As  a  well-known  writer 
upon  wall  gardening  recently  said  :  "The 
better  knowledge  of  many  of  the  beautiful 
flowers  of  the  Alps  has  shown  that,  though 
some  are  plants  for  our  garden  borders,  and  a 
still  greater  number  will  suit  our  rock  gardens, 
there  are  many,  and  among  them  some  of  the 
most  beautiful,  that  are  plants  whose  right 
home  in  England  is  an  actual  wall." 

We  have  not,  except  in  a  few  favoured 
gardens,  such  natural  walls  as  many  alpines 
have  the  benefit  of  at  home,  but  most  gardens 
have  some  kind  of  walls,  while  many  have 
retaining  walls  of  unmortared  stone— what  are 
known  as  dry  walls.  Now  we  have  come  to 
see  how  valuable  these  places  are,  for  there  are 
a  good  number  of  the  mountain  plants  that 
can  only  be  grown  successfully  in  an  actual 
wall,  where  their  roots  ramble  back  into  the 
cool  stony  depths,  and  the  heads  are  in  full 
sunlight.  In  many  gardens,  too,  there  are 
steep  turfy  slopes,  which  can  be  made  into 
rough  walls  in  which  numbers  of  beautiful 
mountain  flowers  will  spread  freely  and  flower 
abundantly  in  their  appointed  seasons. 

Wall  gardening  is  a  fascinating  study,  full 
of  possibilities,  and  as  yet  little  understood. 
But  the  mossy  flower-stained  walls  of  many  an 
ancient  keep,  or  some  low  cottage  wall,  should 
surely  teach  us  that  this  form  of  gardening 
might  enable  one  to  grow  many  a  rock  flower 
that  now  languishes  for  want  of  just  those 
conditions  that  the  wall  aftords.  Those  who 
have  thick  mossy  old  walls  possess  a  paradise 
for  many  a  rock  flower,  and  it  is  only  necessary 
to  go  over  the  walls,  pick  out  the  weeds  and 
rubbish,  and  retain  as  much  of  the  moss  as 
possible  to  provide  the  right  conditions  for  the 
plants.  Never  try  and  make  a  rock  garden  of 
this  wall  surface,  but  wisely  choose  first  those 
things  that  we  know  will  do  well,  and  then  as 
knowledge  increases  add  others,  until  an  ex- 
tensive collection  has  been  got  together.  Masses 
of  Wallflower,  Arabis,  purple  Aubrietia,  Vale- 
rian,   the    noble    leaved    Mulleins,    Sedums,  |  must'be"  ever  mindful  of  the  intense  heat  plants 


Saxifrages,  and  Ivy- 
leaved  Toadflax  are 

the  plants  to   begin 

with,  and  so  sow  the 

seed   or   put  in  the 

little  seedlings   that 

a  rich  splash  of  colour 

is  the  result,  not  a 

dotting  of  a  hundred 

things  for  the  sake  of 

a  mere  collection. 
It  is  a  wonder  that 

this  beautiful  way  of 

growing     many     an 

alpine  flower  has  not 

long  ago  gained  the 

affections   of   the 

earnest  gardener. 

There  are  object- 
lessons    in   the  wild 

wall      growths,     the 

thick    clustering    of 

Ferns,    and     the 

colonies  of  Snap- 
dragon and  Foxglove. 

These  and  many  other 

flowers  as  beautiful 

grow  contentedly 

with  no  other  support 
than  decaying  mor- 
tar, and  surely  make 
a  glorious  return  for 
their  small  wants. 
As  the  writer  referred 
to  points  out:  "A 
wall  of  living  beauty 
is  possible  before  the 
mixed  border  has 
become  established, 
or  in  gardens  where 
no  rock  garden  is 
possible,  many  beau- 
tiful alpines  that  love 
to  send  their  roots 
into  the  crevices  are 
quite  as  happy  here 
—  even  more  so — than 
elsewhere." 

Sometimes  there  are  in  the  garden  rough 
stone  steps  leading  perhaps  to  an  outhouse  or 
loft.  In  the  crevices  of  the  stones  it  is  possible 
to  establish  many  a  flower,  and  we  well  remem- 
ber in  a  Surrey  garden  seeing  the  crevices  of 
steps  of  this  kind  full  of  Erinus  alpinus.  A 
few  seeds  of  this  pretty  flower  were  scattered 
in  the  joints,  and  mossy  tufts  grew  and  thrived, 
taking  to  the  somewhat  unpromising  place 
with  a  cheerful  vigour  that  was  more  than  the 
expected  reward  of  what  was  only  ventured 
upon  as  a  piece  of  experimental  planting.  So 
that  one  may  confidently  advise  anyone  who 
has  a  bit  of  moss-grown  wall  or  steep  stony 
bank  to  sow  Erinus  alpinus,  and  leave  the 
accommodating  little  alpine  to  do  the  rest. 

A  host  of  plants  may  be  raised  from  .seed 
and  the  seedlings  pricked  into  the  wall,  or  the 
seed  can  be  sown  in  the  chinks,  but  when 
sowing  such  things  as  Wallflowers  and  Snap- 
dragons be  careful  that  the  seed  is  derived  from 
a  good  source.  We  made  a  liberal  sowing  of 
Snapdragons  in  an  old  wall,  but  the  results 
were  not  gratifying,  the  flower  colouring  being 
poor  and  the  growth  stiff  and  dwarf.  None  of 
the  squat  and  pigmy  forms  of  naturally  beauti- 
ful flowers  should  find  a  place  in  the  wall,  or, 
indeed,  in  any  part  of  the  garden.  Many  plants 
not  considered  wall  plants  are  happy  in  chinks 
into  which  they  can  thrust  their  roots. 

Situation  has  much  to  do  with  the  success 
of  wall  gardening.  Shade-loving  flowers  are 
unhappy   in   full  sun,  and  the  wall  gardener 


CEKASTIUM   IN   A   DKY   WALL. 

are  exposed  to  on  a  surface  of  brick  or 
stone.  We  once  noticed  in  a  garden  Arenaria 
balearica  drying  up  on  a  wall  in  full  sun,  Isut 
spreading  freely  in  a  moist,  half-shady  spot. 
It  is  by  studying  the  nature  of  the  plants  that 
success  is  attained,  and  only  in  this  way  does 
gardening  become  a  pleasurable  and  instructive 
pastime.  The  glory  of  many  an  English  village 
and  homestead  is  in  the  thick  moss-stained 
walls  where  a  hundred  lovely  flowers  have 
sent  their  roots  into  the  chinks  and  painted 
theai  with  tender  colouring,  drifts  of  yellow 
from  Toadflax,  and  manj^  other  wildings  flinging 
their  stems  from  their  rocky  hold. 


the;  flower  garden. 


THE 


1 


IMPORTANCE    OF    THINNING 
ANNUALS. 

\  is  an  excellent  practice  to  sow  many  o£ 
the  hardy  annuals,  e.  </. ,  Shirley  and  other 
Poppies,  Cornflowers,  the  various  Califor- 
nian  species,  (fee,  as  well  as  biennials,  in 
the  early  autumn.  Those  who  have  not 
tried  the  plan  can  scarcely  realise  the 
gain,  iu  normal  seasons,  to  the  flower  garden  in 
spring.  This  last  season,  however,  all  our  besi- 
laid  calculations  have  "gone  a-gley,"  for  in  most 
parts  of  the  country  seedlings  have  been  either 
washed  bodily  away  or  have  damped  off  the  surface 
of  the  sodden  earth.  If  any  of  them  should  have 
been  strong  enough  to  outlive  such  drastic  treat- 
ment— and  they  have  in  some  favoured  gardens — 


184 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Makch  12,  1904 


they  may  still  be  transplanted  from  the  seed-bed 
to  their  flowering  quarters,  where,  if  allowed 
plenty  of  room  to  develop,  they  will  attain  noble 
proportions  and  go  on  blooming  for  a  long  time. 
But  whether  or  no  this  be  the  case,  there  is  always 
spring  sowing  to  be  done  as  well,  and  the  time  for 
it  is  at  hand. 

Annuals  are  amongst  the  most  important 
additions  to  our  summer  and  autumn  flowers,  not 
only  on  account  of  their  intrinsic  beauty,  but  on 
the  score  of  their  usefulness  in  filling  up,  at  short 
notice,  the  gaps  which  will  occur  even  in  the  best 


regulated  gardens.  In  working  up  a  good  stock  of 
them,  however,  whether  hardy  or  half-hard}', 
everything  depends  upon  the  treatment  they 
receive,  for  even  the  finest  strains  of  seed  may 
easily  be  ruined  by  want  of  judgment  or  neglect. 
To  begin  with,  it  is  worse  than  waste,  for  it  is 
disastrous  as  well,  to  sow  at  the  rate  of  a  hundred 
seeds  for  every  twenty-five  seedlings  required. 
Good  seed  may  be  reckoned  upon  to  germinate 
freely,  and  those  that  come  over  and  above  the 
number  wanted  will  choke  the  life  out  of  the 
remainder,  and   we  may  be  left   in   the  long  run 


without  a  single  seedling  worth  the  saving.  To 
take  a  familiar  e.\ample,  a  single  well-grown  plant 
of  Neraophila  set  by  itself  will  carpet  2  feet  square 
or  so  of  bare  earth,  and  is  a  beautiful  sight,  as  it 
seems  to  reflect  the  blue  of  the  April  sky.  But 
sow  the  seeds  in  thick-set  patches  in  the  open  and 
leave  them  without  thinning  in  the  usual  way,  or 
allow  the  seedlings  to  spindle  up  in  pots  to  be 
transferred  just  as  they  are  later  on  to  the  border, 
and  Nemophila  presents  a  miserable  spectacle,  not  to 
be  recognised  as  the  same  plant.  Sweet  Peas,  the 
niost  popular,  perhaps,  of  all  annuals,  are  more 
sinned  against  in  the  matter  of  too  liberal 
sowing,  and  that  out  of  sheer  admira- 
tion, than  almost  any  other  class  ;  but 
the  same  remark  applies  to  almost  every 
kind  of  annual  plant,  whether  useful  or 
ornamental.  Experienced  men  know  this 
well  and  act  upon  it,  thinning  out  their 
lines  of  vegetable  crops,  no  less  than 
with  their  seedling  flowers,  to  an  extent 
which  makes  the  tyro  predict  but  a 
scanty  harvest.  All  the  same,  they 
know  perfectly  well  what  they  are  about, 
and  the  result  proves  it.  All  gardeners, 
however,  and  especially  amateurs,  are  not 
as  yet  experienced,  and  for  such  this  fact 
cannot  be  too  strongly  insisted  upon, 
that  success  or  failure  with  annuals,  and, 
indeed,  with  seedlings  of  all  kinds, 
depends  mainly  on  sowing  as  thinly  as 
possible  and  taking  care  to  prick  out 
the  young  plants  in  good  soil  before 
any  overcrowding  can  take  place. 

Sowing  in  the  open  ground  in  spring 
is  rather  hazardous  work  in  the  case  of 
choice  annuals,  and  should  never  be 
attempted  with  valuable  seed.  It  is 
better,  generally,  to  sow  in  pots  or  pans, 
pricking  out  the  seedlings  into  boxes  as 
soon  as  they  are  large  enough  to  handle. 
For  many  of  the  larger-growing  annuals, 
like  the  fine  Arctotis  grandis — and  even 
for  the  yellow  Sultan  and  its  new  white 
counterpart,  which  are  somewhat  difficult 
— it  is  best  to  put  each  seedling  sepa- 
rately into  a  2J-inch  pot,  giving  another 
shift  or  two  as  required  before  planting 
out.  This  may  seem  to  entail  a  good 
deal  of  extra  trouble,  but  it  will  be 
amply  repaid  at  flowering  time.  The 
nurserymen  who  sell  penny  packets  of 
counted  seeds  have  taught  one  very  use- 
ful lesson  to  their  patrons,  that  the 
growing  of  strong,  healthy  plants  does 
not  depend  upon  the  quantity  of  seed 
that  is  sown.  And  a  most  important 
lesson  it  is,  to  fix  in  the  mind  once  for 
all,  hence  this  timely  reminder  now  when 
seed  sowing  is  the  order  of  the  day. 

K.  L.  T>. 


THE   fKPlT   VB/S  AT  I.VWOOD. 


GARDEN     VASES     AT 
INWOOD. 

IN  WOOD  HOUSE,  Somerset,  the 
seat  of  Mr.  Merthyr  Guest,  is 
one  of  the  most  interesting  in 
England.  It  has  been  the  delight 
of  Mr.  Guest  to  adorn  his  pleasure 
grounds  with  fine  leaden  and 
stone  figures  —  the  works  of  old 
masters  in  that  neglected  art.  We 
have  many  a  time  spoken  of  the 
extreme  beauty  of  the  colour  of  old 
lead,  and  its  great  suitability  for 
garden  work.  Far  better  is  its  hue 
than  the  garish  blaze  of  marble,  or 
even  than  the  fine  character  of 
bronze.  In  old  English  gardens 
leaden  figures  were  not  uncommon, 
and  in  many  of  them,  as  at  !Mel- 
bourne  in  Derbyshire,  they  still  re- 
main. i\Ir.  Guest  has  exercised 
eclectic  taste,  and  has  brought  to 
his  Somersetshire  home  examjtles  of 


J 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


18 


■<y 


English  skill  both  in  lead  and  iron, 
and  also  of  the  work  of  French  and 
Italian  hands.  The  result  is  admir- 
able, and  in  few  places  can  there  be 
so  good  a  collection.  The  many 
ancient  leaden  figures,  vases,  water- 
tanks,  and  cisterns  are  well  placed 
for  effect,  sometimes  standing  apart, 
and  in  other  cases  framed,  as  it  were, 
in  niches  in  the  hedges  of  Hornbeam 
or  Yew.  These  charming  examples 
of  garden  sculpture  thus  give  the 
air  of  an  old-world  pleasaunce  to 
this  garden,  though,  in  fact,  it  is 
comparatively  modern,  nearly  the 
whole  having  been  laid  out  within 
the  last  twenty  years. 

Among  the  many  sculptured  adorn- 
ments of  the  place  is  a  fine  bronze 
reproduction  of  the  famous  Laocoon, 
attributed  to  Agesander,  Polydorus, 
and  Athenodorus,  the  Ehodians. 
The  unhappy  son  of  Priam  and 
Hecuba,  gripped  in  the  horrid  coils 
of  the  vengeful  serpents,  as,  with 
his  two  boys,  he  offered  sacrifice  to 
Poseidon  on  behalf  of  the  Trojans, 
does  sometimes  appear  in  gardens, 
without,  however,  lending  the  charm 
of  repose  that  we  love  in  our 
pleasaunces.  Evelyn  found  a  Laocoon 
at  St.  Cloud,  amid  the  multitude  of 
statues  there,  and  describes  in 
glowing  terms  the  Laocoon  fountain, 
which  threw  the  water  nearly  40  feet 
high,  and  was  a  "  surprising  object." 
The  statuary  group  in  question  marks 
the  strong  recoil  from  the  effeminate 
style  of  the  Praxitelean  School,  and 
possesses  anatomic  exaggeration  and 
unsculpturesque  energy  of  action  that 
caused  Euskin  to  say  no  group  had 
ever  exercised  so  pernicious  an  in- 
fluence on  art.  There  is  a  lesson 
here.  Let  us  admire  the  Laocoon 
at  Inwood  House,  which,  indeed,  is 
not  used  there  as  a  garden  feature, 
but  let  us  recognise  that  a  figure 
in  repose  is  more  suitable  for  our 
garden  adornment— a  gladiator  rest- 
ing after  his  toil  or  a  Narcissus  pen- 
sive by  his  pool.  We  reproduce  the 
beautiful  flower  and  fruit  vases  at 
Inwood,  and  also  one  made  by  Mr. 
Pulham  of  Broxbourne. 


I 


RECENT  PLANT  POR- 
TRAITS. 

Thk  March  number  of   the  Botanical 
Magazine  contains  portraits  of 

Oldenburghia  Arhuscula. — Native  of 
South  Africa,  also  known  under  the 
synonym  of  0.  grandis.  This  is  one  of 
three  known  species  of  the  genus,  and  is 
more  of  a  botanical  curiosity  than 
anything  else,  its  flowers  closely  resem- 
bling those  of  the  common  Artichoke, 
though  of  less  actual  beauty  of  colour- 
ing. They  are  borne  on  the  top  of  a 
low-growing  shrub,  with  thick,  deeply 
ribbed  foliage.  This  plant  was  raised 
from  seed  brouglit  from  the  Cape  in  1S87,  and  has 
taken  sixteen  years  to  reach  a  height  of  about  3  teet. 

Tanahi'a  radicaTis. —  Native  of  Japan.  This 
plant  is  merely  a  botanical  curiosity,  and  of  no 
beauty  whatever. 

Kirengeshoma  pahnata. — Native  of  Japan.  This 
is  a  handsome,  profuse  blooming,  and  most  inter- 
eating  plant,  with  good-sized,  light  yellow  flowers. 
This  plant  was  described  and  figured  in  The 
Garden  for  October  10  of  last  year  (pages  '245 — 6). 

Solanum  glaucophyllum. — Native  of  Brazil  and 
Uruguay.     This  is   by  no    means    a  new  plant. 


^*^ 


'^<iyiW<*i»>t?M.g' 


^i^*i»^*«-a^--'>  "^ 


A  FLOWER   VASE   AT   INWOOD. 


having  been  cultivated  in  Paris  three-quarters  of  a 
century  ago.  It  is,  however,  a  plant  of  consider- 
able interest  and  beautj',  producing  large  bunches  of 
handsome  cup-shaped  rosy  purple  flowers,  followed 
by  purple  egg-shaped  fruit.  It  has  been  in  culti- 
vation at  Kew  many  years,  and  flowers  and  fruits 
annually  in  the  Temperate  house. 

Megladinium    platyrachis. — Native    of     British  j 
Central  Africa.     This  is  an  Orchid  of  considerable 
botanic  curiosity,  but  no  beauty. 

The   second   number  of  the  Beviie  Horticole  for 
February  contains  an   excellent  portrait    of    the 


beautiful  and  well-known  Tropfeolum  speciosum, 
showing  both  the  brilliant  scarlet  flowers  and  the 
flowinj;  triplets  of  deep  blue  fruit.  The  first 
number  of  the  same  periodical  for  March  figures  the 
now  well-known  and  brilliant  Crassulad  (Kalanchoe 
Kirkii),  but  hardly  does  this  fine  plant  justice 
either  in  size  of  flower  or  brightness  of  colouring. 

j  It  first  bloomed  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew. 

The   Beviie   de   I'Horticidlure   Beige    contains   a 
portrait  of  a  very  pretty  terrestrial  Orchid  bearing 

1  the  verj'  long  name  of  Ansectochilus  thorasonianus 
var.  Gentilii.  W.  E.  Gumeleton. 


186 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  12,  1904. 


BALCONY    GARDENING 
FOR    THE    LONDONER. 

"  Visions  of  blue  Violet  plots, 
White  Daisies  and  Forget-me-nots." 

SO M E  of  US  have  a  balcony  as  well 
as  a  window-box.  Here  is  a  field 
indeed  ;  we  have  more  space,  more 
opportunity  for  display.  Rescued 
from  the  hands  of  the  florist,  balcony 
gardening  becomes  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  occupations.  Here  we  may  aspire 
to  creepers  and  climbers,  in  addition  to  shrubs 
and  flowers ;  in  a  good  aspect  (if  we  look  after 
them  ourselves)  even  to  Koses.  Imagine  it  in 
London  ! 

"  Rose  trees  either  side  the  doorway, 
Growing  lithe  and  growing  tall. 
Each  one  set,  a  summer  warder 
For  the  keeping  of  the  hall." 

Climbers  in  ijots  that  make  quick  summer 
growth  are  easiest  to  manage.  These  we  can 
get  fresh  every  season,  and  they  greatly 
brighten  up  the  old  friends  that  have  lived 
with  us  from  year  to  year  through  the  adversi- 
ties of  frost  and  fog.  Major  Convolvulus  and 
the  perennial  Morning  Glories  do  well ;  also 
Canariensis,  but  all  these  must  have  sun. 

For  a  town  wall  plant  nothing  can  surpass 
the  winter  Jasmine,  whose  yellow  blossoms 
cheer  the  dullest  months,  and  in  summer  we 
welcome  its  long,  green  trails,  which  we  must 
not  forget  to  cut  back  every  autumn,  or  it  will 
get  too  straggly.  It  is  always  the  year's  young 
s  boots  that  are  wanted  for  beauty.  Forsythia, 
with  its  golden  flowers  of  February  and  March, 
delights  us  sometimes  on  the  fronts  of  London 
houses  in  very  early  spring,  but  the  foliage  is 
not  so  decorative  afterwards,  and  for  the 
balcony  we  must  have  summer  beauty.  The 
Virginia  Creeper  that  we  have  brought  from 
the  generous  West  (along  with  other  pretty 
things)  is  now  so  familiar  that  we  forget  it  is 
really  a  newcomer.  It  was  in  1841,  at  the 
back  of  a  house  at  Rutland  Gate,  that  the 
Virginia  Creeper  made  its  first  appearance  in 
London.  Since  then  how  much  it  has  done 
to  beautify  our  towns,  both  the  common  kind 
and  the  small-leafed  Ampelopsis  Veitchii, 
whose  habit  of  self -clinging  renders  it  so 
invaluable  !  Some  critics  think  we  use  this 
creeper  too  freely,  but  I  do  not  agree  with 
them.  Either  on  grey  stone  or  brick  or  trellis- 
work  or  rails  its  graceful  festoons  of  green  or 
red  or  crimson— as  the  sun  has  dyed  them— 
give  summer  brightness,  and  are  a  never- 
failing  autumn  joy.  The  Grape  Vine  and  Fig 
tree  both  do  well  in  London,  also  the 
deciduous  Magnolia.  Of  the  Ivy  there  is  no 
occasion  to  speak,  except  to  remind  that  there 
are  more  kinds  than  one.  Good  balcony 
shrubs  for  backgrounds  are  also  easily  found, 
and  in  many  contrasting  tints  of  green  and 
gold.  With  respect  to  pot  plants,  Mrs.  Earle 
gives  a  suggestion  that  is  worth  following  up  :  — 
"  One  day  outside  a  dining-room  window  of 
a  London  house  I  noticed  some  large,  heavy, 
oblong  .Japanese  flower-pots  planted  with 
single  plants.  They  looked  very  well,  as  one 
was  able  to  see  the  growth  of  the  plants. 
The  pots  were  glazed  and  much  thicker  than 
the  ordinary  flower-pot.  This  lessens  evapo- 
ration, and  their  weight  prevents  them  fi-om 
being  blown  over."  Ordinary  flower-pots  are 
not  suitable  in  our  climate  for  outer  windows 
and  balconies. 

I  am  convinced  that  for  furnishing  the 
balcony  there  is  a  great  future  for  strong, 
well-made,  handsome  pots.  It  is  wonderful 
what  can  be  grown  in  them.  No  one  under- 
stands this  better  than  the  flower-lover  who 
has  ever  lived    in    any  of  the  West    Indian 


Islands,  where  there  is  no  soil,  and  everything 
has  to  be  grown  in  pots  and  tubs.  Tubs  are 
charming — so  cheap,  so  easy  to  naanage,  and 
so  decorative  when  tastefully  painted.  Plants 
always  take  kindly  to  tubs,  and  both  tubs  and 
pots  can  be  arranged  or  moved  about  with 
ease,  a  great  convenience  when  ladies  under- 
take the  work. 

But  tubs  and  pots  are  not  the  only  recep- 
tacles that  are  useful  for  balconies,  verandahs, 
leads,  and  windows  or  doorways.  Italian  oil 
jars  answer  very  well,  either  whole  or  sawn  in 
half  to  make  two.  Seakale  pots  serve  the 
same  purpose.     For  painting  them  in  colour 


THE    "  PAR;g  "   VASE. 
(Dcsi'jncd  by  Messrs.  Pulham  and  Son.) 

nothing  is  better  than  a  low-toned  green,  which 
harmonises  with  all  else.  There  is  a  certain 
dull  red  that  pleases  some  tastes,  but  red  is  a 
colour  that  ties. 

The  quality  of  the  material  of  the  recep- 
tacles must  be  considered  carefully,  as  it  has  a 
great  deal  to  do  with  the  amount  of  water  the 
plants  will  require.  Ordinary  flower-pot  ware 
is  very  porous,  and  plants  grown  in  large 
flower-pots  require  more  frequent  watering 
than  when  grown  in  anything  else.  The 
evaporation  through  plain  wood  is  not  nearly 
so  great  as  through  unglazed  earthenware,  and 
when    the   wood  is  painted  it  is    still    less. 


Glazing  an  ordinary  flower-pot  makes  it  more 
protective.  Old  petroleum  barrels  (when  the 
oil  has  been  turned  out)  and  butter-tubs  are 
excellent  plant-holders,  but  of  course  must 
have  ample  provision  made  for  drainage  and 
several  good-sized  holes  must  be  pierced  at  the 
bottom. 

If  the  tub  or  pot  has  not  much  depth  of 
room  underneath  it  should  be  set  on  bricks 
or  raised  in  some  other  way.  This  assists 
drainage  and  keeps  the  holes  from  being 
blocked  by  worms  or  otherwise.  Repotting  is 
very  seldom  required  if  in  the  first  instance 
good  compost  is  given.  The  best  way  of 
feeding  our  tub  plants  and  shrubs  is  very  well 
explained  in  a  paper  on  "  Tub  Gardening,"  by 
ilr.  Alger  Petts,  in  The  Garden  of  Septem- 
ber 21,  1891.  It  is  well  worth  study  by  those 
who  mean  to  take  seriously  to  tub  gardening, 
but  most  likely  the  tub  gardeners  of  the 
London  balcony  do  not  expect  their  plants  to 
live  long.  They  would  do  so,  however,  if 
properly  looked  after  and  given  a  fair  chance. 
One  great  advantage  about  flowering  pot  and 
tub  plants  is  that  they  bear  more  blossoms 
grown  in  this  way  than  if  they  were  in  tlie 
open  border  ;  the  strength  of  them  goes  to 
blossom  instead  of  root,  as  everybody  knows. 

London  in  June !  how  beautiful  it  is, 
especially  at  the  West  End,  the  best  End,  and 
who  can  doubt  it  owes  much  of  its  beauty  to 
plants  and  flowers  1  There  they  are,  in  shops 
and  dairies,  even  among  the  delicate  confec- 
tions of  the  modiste,  pots  of  green  Ferns,  even 
fragrant  blossoms.  On  a  summer's  day  in 
Bond  Street  I  have  sometimes  stopped 
involuntarily  to  feast  my  eyes  on  the  artistic 
arrangement  of  a  shop  front,  where  blocks  of 
ice  and  silvery  white  bait,  the  scarlet  lobster 
and  the  subtle  pinks  of  salmon  mingle  with 
trails  of  Grass  and  sea-weedy  green.  This  is 
refreshing,  but  we  should  like  more  of  it.  Why 
should  not  our  streets  be  even  gayer  than  they 
are  now  and  sweeter  ?  Over  the  shop  fronts 
and  on  leads,  as  well  as  in  the  window-box  or 
in  the  balcony,  we  would  see  something  fresh 
and  growing. 

Cut  flowers  are  all  very  well,  but  they 
make  only  for  beauty.  The  growing  plant  is 
a  health  -  helper  as  well  as  a  joy  to  the 
eye,  for  the  carbonic  fumes  that  kill  us  are 
positively  good  for  plants ;  they  live  on  and 
enjoy  them.  Trees  and  all  green  things  are 
good,  but  trees,  unless  a  street  is  very  wide 
indeed,  take  up  too  much  room,  robbing  us  of 
light  and  preventing  the  air  from  circulating. 
Balcony  gardening  need  never  do  this,  we  can 
keep  to  low-growing  things  and  creepers. 
Many  a  town  house  has  balconies  large  enoui^h 
to  lounge  in.  On  a  July  evening,  under  tlie 
delicate  thin  curve  of  a  new  moon  or  in  star- 
light, how  sweet  the  summer  dusk,  even  in 
London  !  There  are  fewer  fires  now  and  less 
smoke,  and  flowers  are  just  as  fragrant  here  as 
in  the  country.  Where  so  welcome  as  in  cities 
are  "  pointed  blossoms  rising  delicate  with  the 
perfume  strong  we  love."  I  was  once  a 
frequent  visitor  at  a  London  house  which  was 
always  kept  full  of  growing  iilants,  and  could 
never  enjoy  one  of  them.  Why  ?  Because  1 
knew  each  one  was  dying  every  moment. 
They  were  treated  e.xactly  like  furniture.  A 
dark  corner  would  be  "  lighted  up "  by  the 
splendour  of  a  scarlet  Geranium  in  full  bloom 
(it  did  not  remain  scarlet  long),  a  Daphne 
showed  its  pink  stars  on  a  davenport  close  to 
the  fireplace,  and  a  long  way  oflf  the  window. 
No  one  ever  picked  ott'  a  dead  leaf  or  gave  the 
plants  so  much  as  a  cupful  of  cold  water. 
Every  few  days  the  florist's  man  came  round, 
took  away  the  invalids  (for  such  they  had 
become),    and    arranged    a    fresh    lot.      Poor 


March  12,  1904.J 


THE  GARDEN. 


187 


plants !  they  had  my  sympathy.  I  do  not 
think  this  treatment  of  flowers  shows  the  least 
real  love  for  them.  Better  were  it  to  grow  the 
humblest  blooms  out  in  the  air  upon  the  open 
ba  cony.  F.  A.  B. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


PEAR    BEUERE    RANGE. 

BEURRE  RANGE  is  one  of  the 
oldest,  best-known,  and  largest  of 
winter  Pears.  I  have  had  fruits 
weighing  nearly  lib.  each.  It 
requires  a  south  or  south-west  wall 
to  bring  it  to  perfection,  and  is  in 
season  from  February  to  the  middle  of  April. 
When  well  grown  and  fully  ripe  it  is  one  of 
the  most  luscious  and  refreshing  Pears  I  know, 
having  a  flavour  of  its  own,  quite  unlike  any 
other  ;  the  only  fault  that  can  be  found  with 
it  is  that  the  flesh  is  of  a  rather  rough 
texture,  and  that  its  fruit  occasionally  cracks, 
but  this  only  occurs  on  half-starved  and  badly- 
cultivated  trees.  Iq  ordering  trees  from  a 
nursery,  double  grafted  ones  should  be  asked 
for.  Owen  Thomas. 


SOME    TROPICAL   FRUITS. 

Among  tropical  fruits  that  are  grown  in  hothouses 
in   this  country  the  Guava   is  perhaps  the  least 
commonly  met  with.     I  have  never  seen  it  thriving 
better  than  in  the  gardens  at  Harewood   Hall, 
Yorkshire,  where  Mr.   Jenkins    grows  it   trained 
upon  a  roof  trellis  in  a  warm  house.    If  I  remember 
rightly,  two  plants  are  planted  out  in  a  narrow 
border,   and  from  them  a  great   many   fruits  are 
gathered.     I  am  sure  it  would  interest  readers  of 
The  Garden  if  Mr.  Jenkins   could  be  prevailed 
upon  to  recount  his  experiences  of  Guava  culture 
in   your   columns.      The  two  species    best   worth 
culture  under  glass  in    this  country  are   Psidium 
Guava,  from  the  West  Indies,  and  P.  cattleianum, 
native  of   Brazil.     There  are  two  varieties   of   P. 
Guava,  says  Mr.  Watson,  writing  in  The 
Garden  some  time  ago — pomiferura  and 
pyriferum.     "The  fruits  are  green,  not 
unlike  a  little  Apple,  with  an  agreeable, 
somewhat   acid  flavour.     The  Guava  is 
largely  grown  in  tropical  countries   for 
its  fruits,  which  are  eaten  raw  or  form  the 
well-known  Guava  jelly."    The  fruits  of 
P.  cattleianum  are  of  a  claret  colour. 

Guava  fruits  are  said  to  be  greatly 
liked  by  the  few  who  know  of  and  eat 
them,  and  it  seems  a  pity  that  more 
gardeners  do  not  undertake  their  culture, 
and  thus  add  welcome  variety  to  the  list 
of  dessert  fruits  grown  under  glass,  which 
at  times  is  found  to  be  rather  limited. 
The  American  Fruit  Culturist  gives  some 
interesting  particulars  about  the  Guava. 
ITrom  it  we  learn  that  it  may  be  called 
the  Apple  of  the  tropics.  From  its  ori- 
ginal home  in  tropical  America  it  has 
become  dispersed  over  all  equatorial 
regions.  As  the  tops,  which  succumb  to 
several  degrees  of  frost,  are  promptly 
renewed  from  the  roots  and  bear  in  a  few 
months,  it  is  often  grown  in  a  small  way 
in  sub-tropical  climates.  As  soon  as  the 
repugnance  to  its  penetrating  and  rather 
unpleasant  odour  has  been  overcome,  it 
is  accounted  one  of  the  most  fascinating 
of  fruits,  either  fresh  or  made  into  jelly, 
marmalade,  puddings,  or  pies.  In  pro- 
ductiveness it  exceeds  almost  any  known 
fruit  tree.  In  sub-tropical  regions  the 
regular  crop  ripens  gradually  from 
August  to  October,  but  there  are  a  few 
scattered  specimens  to  be  found  maturing 
at  all  seasons.  If  the  whole  ripened  at 
once  the  branches  would  bend  to  the 
ground  with  their  load,  of  which  there 
is  a  perennial  renewal  and    no   barren 


years.  In  the  tropics  it  is  often  a  pest,  springing  up 
everywhere  from  seeds  dropped  by  birds,  and  over- 
running abandoned  plantations  till  they  become 
transformed  into  impenetrable  jungles.  In  Southern 
Florida  it  is  an  inmate  of  every  garden,  and  some 
of  the  large,  white-fleshed  kinds  brought  from  the 
East  Indies  are  among  the  most  delicious  and  fas- 
cinating fruits  in  cultivation.  The  author  mentions 
Psidium  lucidum,  which  bears  fruits  of  a  lemon  or 
cream  colour. 

Another  tropical  fruit  now  much  better  known 
in  this  country  than  it  used  to  be,  but  still  not 
generally  grown,  is  the  .Japanese  Date  Plum 
(Diospyros  Kaki).  I  have  grown  them  as  bush  trees 
in  pots,  and  have  fruited  them  fairly  well.  The 
large  orange-scarlet  fruits  are  very  handsome.  The 
plants  were  placed  out  of  doors  during  the  summer 
months  and  in  winter  were  kept  in  a  house  where  the 
temperature  was  55".  This  fruit  is  grown  at  Kew, 
but  there  the  plants  are  planted  out  in  a  border. 
Mr.  Watson  wrote  in  The  Garden  that  "it  is 
planted  out  in  a  border  of  loamy  soil  in  a  position 
where  it  gets  plenty  of  summer  sunshine  and  air, 
while  in  winter  the  atmosphere  is  dry  and  the 
temperature  never  below  50°.  The  pruning  of  this 
plant  is  identical  with  that  recommended  for 
Peaches.  In  Japan  the  trees  are  never  pruned 
with  a  knife,  the  belief  being  that  iron  causes 
injury  to  the  branches.  They  are  therefore 
thinned  by  breaking  with  the  hand.  The  soil  most 
suitable  for  the  Persimmon  is  loam,  and  a  top- 
dressing  of  manure  should  be  given  annually,  say 
in  March." 

The  Japanese  have  worked  hard  upon  their  own 
native  Diospyros  until  it  has  become  the  most 
highly  esteemed  of  all  their  fruits,  and  the  original 
little  berries  have  not  only  improved  in  flavour 
but  increased  in  size,  till  some  exceed  lib.  in 
weight.  Planted  everywhere,  it  is  now  a  con- 
spicuous feature  of  the  Japanese  landscape,  and, 
apart  from  its  value  as  food,  travellers  unani- 
mously agree  in  extolling  the  beauty  of  the  broad 
glossy  leaves  and  the  brilliant  crimson  and  golden 
tints  of  the  fruit  which  clings  to  the  branches  after 
the  fruit  has  fallen. 

Other  fruits  that  I  might  mention  as  being  well 
worthy  of  inclusion  in  gardens  where  variety  of 
dessert  is  appreciated  are  the  Loquat  and  Passion 


Flower  fruit,  to  say  nothing  of  the  Mango,  Custard 
Apple,  and  Tree  Tomato,  while  the  Banana,  of 
course,  is  now  fairly  widely  grown.  A.  P.  H. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is  not   respoiisible  for   the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents,  j 

PHORMIUM    TENAX. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  R. — I  am  sending  leaves  of  the  New 
Zealand  Flax  taken  from  a  plant  growing 
in  a  north  house  among  Ferns  with  but 
little  soil  to  support  it,  and  where  the 
thermometer  often  registers  6"=  or  8"  of 
frost.  This  plant  is  tolerably  well  known 
as  a  greenhouse  and  conservatory  subject,  but  is 
not  nearly  so  much  grown  as  it  ought  to  be. 
When  grown  to  a  medium  size  its  leaves  begin  to 
arch  over,  and  when  in  that  condition  nothing 
makes  a  more  graceful  and  distinct  plant  for  room 
or  hall.  It  may  be  grown  well  in  an  8-inch  pot,  or 
to  a  great  mass  of  bold  long  leaves  in  a  tub  .3  feet 
in  diameter.  This  plant  will  generally  be  found  to 
enjoy  a  greenhouse  temperature,  though  in  genial 
places  in  the  South  and  West  of  England  it  does 
very  well  in  the  open  air.  Its  best  use  is  for  the 
decoration  of  the  garden  in  summer,  a  few  speci- 
mens well  grown  and  plunged  in  the  grass  or  the 
centre  of  a  bed  give  a  most  distinct  aspect  to  the 
scene.  The  larger  such  plants  are  the  better  the 
effect.  Smaller  plants  will  prove  equally  useful 
and  effective  in  vases,  to  which  they  will  add  a 
grace  that  vases  rarely  now  possess.  It  is  useful 
for  house,  conservatory,  and  even  living  rooms  in 
winter.  Wherever  indoor  decoration  on  a  large 
scale  is  practised  it  is  indispensable.  Unless  for 
vase  decoration  it  requires  to  be  grown  into  good 
specimens  before  affording  mucheffectout  of  doors, 
but  when  in  large  tubs  it  is  equally  grand  for  the 
large  conservatory  and  for  important  positions  in 
the  flower  garden.  The  variegated  form  lends 
itself  equally  well  to  the  same  treatment.  Its 
leaves   are   striped  with   rich  yellow  and   white. 


:5j'8fsr«r^y''^^Trrnj7TrTrj: 


PEAR  EBURRB  RANCE.     (SUglMy  reduced.) 


188 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  12,  1904. 


This   colouring   makes  it   a   most   desirable  plant 
either  for  the  conservatory  or  the  flower  garden. 

T.  B.  Field. 

Ashwdlthorpe  Hall  Gardens,  N'ortnich. 

[We  are  glad  to  be  reminded  by  several  unusually 
fine  leaves  of  the  usefulness  of  the  plant  for  a 
position  such  as  is  described  by  Mr.  Field. — Ed.] 


EEICA  WILMOREANA. 
.  [To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — It  is  somewhat  singular  that  the  early 
history  of  this  Heath,  alluded  to  lately  in  the 
notes  from  Covent  Garden,  should,  in  common  with 
the  even  more  popular  Erica  hyemalis,  be  quite 
unknown.  This  last-named  is  the  first  to  open, 
and  is  brought  into  Covent  Garden  Market  some 
time  before  Christmas,  but  towards  the  end  of 
February  it  is  to  a  great  extent  superseded  by 
E.  wilnioreana,  which,  apart  from  its  season  of 
blooming,  differs  from  the  other  in  its  more  robust 
and  .spreading  habit  of  growth,  as  well  as  in  the 
flowers  themselves.  In  the  "  Kew  Hand  List" 
both  the  above  Heaths  are  referred  to  as  of 
garden  origin.  They  belong  to  that  section  known 
as  soft-wooded  Heaths,  which  term  includes  those 
that  can  be  propagated  by  means  of  soft  growing 
shoots,  and  which  may  as  a  rule  be  cut  back  with- 
out injury  after  flowering.  This  section  embraces 
nearly  all  those  which  are  popular  with  the  market 
grower,  the  main  reason  being  that  saleable  plants 
can  be  obtained  in  much  less  time  than  in  the  case 
of  the  hard-wooded  Heaths,  added  to  which  most 
of  the  latter  bloom  in  the  summer  when  flowers  are 
plentiful,  whereas  many  of  the  market  sorts,  such 
as  E.  gracilis,  caffra,  hyemalis,  wilmoreana, 
persoluta,  &c. ,  flower  during  the  autumn,  winter, 
and  early  spring  months.  T. 


A  WINTER-BLOOMING  VIOLA. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  Thb  Gardbn."] 
Sir, — The  winter-blooming  variety  alluded  to  re- 
cently by  Mr.  R.  Dean  is  one  evidently  much  grown 
about  Feltham.  Two  winters  ago  I  noticed  a  big 
breadth  of  several  hundreds  of  plants  in  a  small 
hardy  plant  nursery  close  to  the  road.  The  variety 
was  named  Sulphur  Queen,  Lemon  Queen,  and 
something  else.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is 
the  most  remarkable  winter-blooming  Viola  in 
commerce.  This  sulphur  Viola  is  well  worth 
taking  in  hand  as  a  seed  parent,  with  the  hope  of 
breeding  from  it  a  special  race  of  winter-flowering 
varieties.  When  I  saw  the  variety  1  was  informed 
that  it  is  quite  constant  as  a  winter-bloomer. 

K. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


prevent  excessive  evaporation.  As  soon  as  the 
seedlings  are  up  air  should  be  gradually  aSbrded  to 
prevent  damping,  and  after  the  seedlings  have 
recovered  from  the  check  of  pricking  out  the 
sturdier  they  are  grown  the  better. 

Bamboos. 
During  the  early  spring  rats  are  frequently 
troublesome,  especially  so  if  the  Bamboos  are 
growing  near  a  lake  or  stream.  At  this  time  of 
the  year  the  teeth  of  these  rodents  require  a  deal 
of  grinding  back,  and  as  the  stems  of  Bamboos 
are  very  hard  and  of  a  convenient  size  they  utilise 
them  for  this  purpose.  In  no  other  way  can  1 
account  for  the  sometimes  almost  wholesale 
destruction  of  Bamboo  culms  by  rats.  At  a  height 
of  about  3  feet  they  will  partially  gnaw  through 
stem  after  stem.  In  these  cases,  as  trapping  is 
almost  impossible  and  poisoning  is  out  of  the 
question,  I  have  found  a  little  patience  and  a 
gun  to  be  the  surest  remedy.  Unless  a  good  look 
out  is  kept  these  detestable  creatures  strip  off 
man}'  of  the  leaves  to  line  their  nests,  and  when 
growth  commences  will  eat  the  tender  shoots. 

Yuccas. 
In  many  places  more  use  might  well  be  made  of 
these  noble  plants.  When  once  planted,  whether 
as  single  specimens  or  clumps  in  the  grass  or  as  a 
bed,  they  are  but  little  trouble,  and  besides  being 
evergreen  a  group  or  bed  with  a  fair  number  in 
flower  forms  a  most  interesting  feature  in  the 
garden.  Yuccas  thrive  in  a  light,  fairly  rich  soil. 
A  good-sized  bed  may  be  made  very  effective  by 
planting  Y.  gloriosa  and  Y.  recurvifolia  at  mode- 
rate intervals,  Y.  angustifolia  in  the  spaces  as 
a  sort  of  groundwork,  and  an  outside  row  of  the 
more  approachable  Y.  filaraentosa.  In  the 
warmer  localities  Cordyline  indivisa  may  be  asso- 
ciated with  the  Yuccas.  Propagation  may  easily 
be  effected  by  lifting  an  old  clump  and  dividing  it. 
The  growths  should  be  potted  singly  and  placed  in 
a  warm  house  for  a  few  weeks,  afterwards  gradually 
hardening  them  off  and  planting  in  their  permanent 
positions.  The  fleshy  roots  if  cut  into  lengths  and 
placed  in  a  propagating  frame  will  soon  break  and 
produce  plants  much  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
tropical  DracEenas.  A.  C.  Bartleit. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


should  be  repotted  annually  in  two  parts  fibrous 
loam  to  one  of  leaf-soil,  with  a  little  dried  cow 
manure  added.  When  repotted  the  plants  do  not 
always  require  to  be  given  a  larger  pot.  They  will 
not  suffer  any  check  if  with  care  a  good  deal  of  the 
old  soil  is  shaken  away  from  the  roots,  and  they 
can  then  be  returned  to  the  same  sized  pot,  or  in 
some  cases  be  placed  in  pots  a  size  smaller.  The 
present  is  a  capital  time  to  insert  cuttings. 

Pelargoniums. 

Regulate  the  growth  of  the  plants  by  removing 
a  few  of  the  shoots  that  are  weak  and  useless,  and 
stake  and  tie  into  position  those  that  are  to  flower. 
Whilst  stimulation  to  growth  is  often  effected  by 
the  liberal  use  of  sulphate  of  ammonia,  nitrate  of 
soda,  &c.,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  plants  when, 
given  such  stimulants  flower  so  well  as  those  that 
are  fed  with  manure  liquid,  guano,  or  Clay's 
Fertilizer.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  Hidl. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Seed  Sowing. 
A   S  soon  as  the  soil  can  be  got  into  workable 
/%  condition   the   seeds   of    some    of    the 

/  %  hardier  annuals  should  be  sown  out- 
Z_X  side.  These  are  very  effective  if  sown 
X  V.  '"  patches  in  the  spaces  between  the 
regular  occupants  of  the  herbaceous 
borders.  When  possible  it  is  a  good  plan  to 
prepare  the  soil,  sow  the  seeds,  and  cover  with 
finely  sifted  soil  from  the  potting  shed.  The 
depth  of  covering  will  depend  on  the  size  of  the 
seed,  which  should  be  covered  rather  more  than 
when  the  sowing  is  done  under  glass.  Periodical 
sowings  should  be  made  of  Shirley  Poppies  and 
Mignonette  to  produce  successional  supplies  for 
border  display  and  cut  flowers.  The  seeds  should 
be  sown  thinly,  and  later  on  thinning  must  be 
rigorously  practised.  Annuals  are  apt  to  become 
overcrowded,  with  poor  results.  It  will  now  be 
necessary  to  sow  in  heat  such  as  Asters,  Stocks, 
Salpiglossis,  Phlox  Drummondii,  Salvias,  Heli- 
chrysum,  &c.  Different  methods  are  adopted, 
according  to  the  various  conveniences  and  require- 
ments. It  is  essential  to  provide  thorough  drainage, 
■o  that  the  soil  shall  not  at  any  time  become 
stagnant.  The  seed  pan,  pot,  or  box  should  be 
covered    with   a  piece  of    glass,  slate,   or   tile    to 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

The  Greenhouse. 

Ericas  and  Epacris  that  during  the  winter  have 
been  flowering  should  be  cut  well  back,  and  the 
plants  afterwards  should  be  placed  where  they  can 
be  given  air  in  abundance  and  be  syringed  to 
encourage  them  to  break  freely.  Genistas  in  the 
same  waj'  require  to  be  pruned  well  back,  and  if 
they  are  syringed  and  given  air  as  required  they 
will  soon  begin  to  grow  strongly. 

Azaleas 
immediatel}'  they  have  done  flowering  should  be 
given  attention.  The  plants  at  this  time  exhibit 
symptoms  of  exhaustion,  and  require  some  effort  to 
stimulate  them  to  make  growth.  This  is  not  the 
best  time  to  repot  them  ;  if  potted  now  they  would 
fail  to  grow  with  any  degree  of  satisfaction,  and 
would  not  flower  with  equal  success  another  year. 
In  a  temperature  of  55"  to  60°,  and  with  syringing 
two  or  three  times  daily,  they  grow  freely,  and 
should  be  assisted  with  manure  liquid  in  a  diluted 
form  and  a  light  dressing  with  Clay's  Fertilizer. 

Daphne  indioa  rubra, 

so  delightfully  scented,  is  by  no  means  an  easy 
plant  to  grow.  The  soil  in  which  we  find  it  to 
thrive  best  is  yellow  fibrous  loam,  to  which  add  a 
very  little  fibrous  peat  and  a  few  finely  broken  up 
potsherds,  and  pot  moderately  firm.  The  use  of 
large  pots  is  a  mistake,  but  they  should  be  well 
drained  and  given  a  dry  airy  atmosphere,  and  if 
occasionally  a  weak  dose  of  soot  water  be  applied 
to  the  roots — but  not  of  newly-potted  plants — the 
foliage  will  assume  a  dark  green  colour. 

LiBONIAS    FLORIEUNDA   AND    PENRHOSIENSIS 

are  gems  when  well  grown  for  flowering  during  the 
winter  months.     These  are  free-rooting  plants,  and 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Bananas. 
These  are  very  useful  as  a  change  in  dessert  and 
much  appreciated,  especially  if  ripe  fruit  can  be 
procured  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Musa  Caven- 
dishii  is  the  species  most  generally  grown  in 
England,  and  this  is  more  easily  managed  so  as 
to  give  ripe  fruit  at  a  time  when  other  choice 
fruits  are  scarce.  Some  growers  prefer  growing 
them  on  in  pots,  and  in  giving  them  one  or  two 
shifts  before  planting  out  in  tubs  or  borders.  I 
have  always  obtained  much  better  results  without 
this  extra  labour.  Where  plants  are  grown  in 
beds  suckers  are  always  plentiful,  while  those 
grown  in  tubs  generally  throw  up  one  or  two  strong 
suckers  by  the  time  the  fruit  is  ripe.  Remove  the 
suckers  when  small  and  plant  direct  into  the 
fruiting  tubs,  about  2  feet  square,  from  which 
fairly  good  results  can  be  obtained.  Allow  plenty 
of  drainage,  and  use  good  fibrous  loam,  a  fifth  part 
of  wood  ashes  and  rotten  manure,  and  a  good 
sprinkling  of  bone-meal.  Keep  a  night  tempera- 
ture of  65",  and  allow  the  house  to  run  up  to  90" 
with  sun-heat,  the  house  being  frequently  syringed 
and  damped  down  to  keep  up  a  moist  atmosphere. 
Be  careful  not  to  give  much  water  to  the  planta 
until  they  are  well  established,  after  which  they 
should  be  liberally  supplied  with  diluted  liquid 
manure.  Plants  grown  in  beds  produce  the  finest 
fruit.  It  is  not  necessary  to  remove  all  the  soil 
more  than  once  in  three  years  if  the  drainage  is 
good.  Remove  some  of  the  old  soil,  and  top-dress 
with  the  above  soil.  Select  suckers  in  good  posi- 
tions at  intervals  of  two  or  three  months,  and 
repeat  the  top-dressing  when  well  rooted  through. 
In  the  summer  months  when  the  plants  are  growing 
fast  or  swelling  their  fruit  it  is  almost  impossible 
to  over-feed  them.  No  bottom-heat  is  required^ 
but  plent}'  of  heat  and  moisture  ;  a  quick  and 
healthy  growth,  and  good  results  can  thus  be 
obtained. 

Vine  Propagation. 
Vine  eyes  started  as  advised  in  previous  calendars 
will  now  be  well  rooted  through,  and  should  be 
moved  into  5-inch  or  6-inch  pots,  returning  them 
again  to  bottom-heat  or  a  shelf  over  the  hot-water 
pipes.  If  they  are  required  for  planting  out  this 
season  this  must  be  done  before  the  roots  become 
matted,  or  they  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots. 
Pinch  out  the  lateral  at  the  first  leaf,  and  care- 
fully water  until  rooted  through.  Give  a  night 
temperature  of  05"  and  the  usual  rise  from  sun 
heat.  Syringe  them  moderately  and  keep  a  moist 
atmosphere.  Cut  back  vines.  Those  required 
for  fruiting  in  pots  next  season  will  now  need 
shaking  out  and  repotting,  using  clean  12-inch 
pots.  Give  the  vines  a  little  bottom-heat  if  pos- 
sible, and  keep  the  house  moderately  moist  and  a 
little  closer  until  they  are  well  established.  Use 
good  fibrous  loam,  a  sixth  part  of  old  lime-rubble 
and  wood-ashes,  and  a  sprinkling  of  bone-meal  and 
soot.  Give  the  canes  plenty  of  light  and  train 
near  the  glass  to  encourage  short-jointed  growth 
and  plump  buds,  keeping  the  laterals  pinched  to> 
one  leaf,  as  for  vine  eyes. 
Impney  Gardens,  Droitioich.  F.  Jordan. 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


189 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

The  new  month,  true  to  its  bad  reputation,  has 
opened  all  over  the  north  with  severe  frost,  16" 
being  registered  here  on  the  morning  of  the  first. 
Should  this  be  repeated  for  long  serious  damage 
must  accrue  to  fruit-buds  that,  owing  to  the  mild 
winter,  are  m  an  advanced  state  of  growth.  It 
will  be  well  to  see  that  plenty  of  protecting  material 
is  kept  at  hand.  Protection  must  still  be  afforded 
to  roots  in  the  ground,  and  at  night  coverings 
applied  to  Cauliflower,  Lettuce,  &c.,  wintering  in 
cold  frames.  Rhubarb  has  made  rapid  growth 
during  last  month,  and  should  now  have  some 
loose  straw  drawn  over  the  plants.  Peas  through 
the  ground  or  just  planted  out  should  be  care- 
fully protected  while  this  cold  lasts.  lo  early 
mornings  advantage  (while  the  ground  is  hard) 
should  be  taken  to  prepare  all  plots  still  to  be  dug 
by  wheeling  on  manure  and  removing  all  refuse. 

Seed  Potatoes. 
The  stock  of  these  should  now  be  looked  over 
and  cut  ready  for  planting.  If  it  is  intended  to 
plant  any  new  varieties  they  ought  to  be  procured 
at  once,  as  prices  are  rapidly  rising.  The  main 
crop  should  be  chiefly  well-tried  varieties  suitable 
to  the  district. 

Tomatoes. 

Plants  raised  from  seeds  sown  early  in  January 
will  now  be  ready  for  another  shift.  Five-inch 
pots  will  be  ample.     The  potting  material  should 


syringe 
become 


constantly     applied, 
infested    they   ought 


and     should     they 
to    be   removed   at 


General  Remarks. 

Brussels  Sprouts,  Cauliflovcers,  Onions,  &c. , 
growing  under  glass  must  be  kept  as  cool  as 
possible,  and  if  the  plants  have  made  two  good 
true  leaves  they  should  be  removed  to  cold  frames, 
keeping  them  close  to  the  glass.  During  this  bad 
weather  inspect  all  roots,  &c. ,  in  the  stove  house. 
Prepare  stakes  for  Peas,  Beans,  &c. 

Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetotm  House  Gardens,  ly.B. 


ORCHIDS. 


CYMBIDIUM   GIGANTEUM  WILSON! 

ESSES.  JAMES  VEITCH  AND 
SONS,  Limited,  Chelsea,  exhi- 
bited this  Cymbidium  on  the  23rd 
lilt,  before  the  Itoyal  Horticul- 
tural Society  under  the  above 
name,  and  it  was  then  given  an 
award  of  merit.  It  was  imported  from  i'unnan, 
China,  and  has  been  classed  by  M.  Rolfe  as  a 
variety  of  C.  giganteum.  It,  however,  differs 
from  C.  giganteum  in  being  of  dwarfer  habit 


M" 


at  the  base  of  last  season's  growth.  From  those 
that  were  repotted  last  season  in  most  cases 
simply  remove  some  of  the  surface  material  to 
allow  resurfacing  with  fresh  compost.  Good  plants 
in  small  pots  will  be  benefited  by  giving  them 
more  pot  room  for  further  development.  The 
reverse  should  be  done  to  those  that  have  deterio- 
rated ;  the  smaller  the  pot  a  weakly  plant  is  in  the 
better  it  can  be  managed.  The  necessity  of  cutting 
away  the  back  bulbs,  or  nearly  severing  the  rhizome 
in  the  case  of  those  that  have  good  healthy  eyes  at 
the  base,  should  be  kept  in  mind.  Pots  should  be 
used  for  their  culture,  giving  a  good  drainage.  I 
prefer  one  or  two  crocks,  over  which  place  some 
chopped  rhizomes.  It  is  essential  to  treat  each 
plant  separately  as  to  how  much  drainage  should 
be  afforded.  A  well-rooted  plant  does  not  require 
as  much  as  another  with  little  or  no  root.  In  the 
latter  case  the  pot  should  be  nearly  half  filled.  A 
good  compost  consists  of  two  parts  each  of  fibrous 
peat  and  chopped  sphagnum,  with  one  part  of 
good  Oak  leaf-soil,  well  mixed  together  with  some 
small  broken  crocks  and  coarse  sand. 

General  Remarks. 
With  lengthening  days  and  stronger  light  the 
temperatures  in  the  different  houses  may  be  raised 
a  few  degrees  and  kept  in  a  humid  growing  state 
whenever  the  outside  conditions  are  favourable. 
If  the  night  temperature  outside  is  low  the  houses 
must  be  drier  at      '   ' 


,,.--,  .  -  J,    „  , --   --  night.     Strong  sunshine  is  now 

and  having  a  less  vigorous  raceme  of  flowers,    often  followed  by  cold  winds  and  sharp  frost  at 
consist  of  most  part  good  loam  with  a  sprinkling  of  I  The  sepals  and  petals  are  green,  spotted  with  1  night,  causing  the  temperature  to  fall  very  rapidly 

directly  the  sunshine  is  gone. 
The  fires  should  be  started  early 
enough  in  the  day  to  counteract 
this  rapid  fall.  One  very  often 
finds  a  higher  temperature  in 
the  morning  than  was  the  case 
the  preceding  evening.  This  is 
wrong,  and  very  harmful  to  the 
plants.  The  temperature  should 
gradually  fall  from  3  p.m.  to 
6  a.m. 

Odontoglossums,  Cymbidiums, 
and  Cypripediums  will  now 
benefit   by    overhead    syringinc 


bone-meal  in  it.  Place  the  plants  on  a  shelf  near 
the  glass,  a  temperature  of  about  60°  being 
the  most  satisfactory. 

French  Beans. 

Those  sown  in  January  are  now  showing  flower 
in  abundance,  and  while  they  are  still  in  bloom 
syringing  must  be  discontinued.  As  soon  as  the 
fruits  are  set  weak  liquid  manure  should  be  given. 
Another  good  sowing  should  be  made  now, 
choosing  a  reliable  variety.  Growth  will  now  be 
much  more  rapid,  so  the  pots  ought  to  be  placed 
near  the  glass  as  soon  as  sown.  Beans  growing 
in  Melon  or  Cucumber  houses  should  be  carefully 
watched  for  the  appearance  of  red  spider  and  the 


brown,  while  the  lip  and  throat  are  white, 
heavily  marked  with  reddish  brown.  Perhaps 
upon  further  examination  this  Cymbidium  may 
be  given  specific  rank  ;  at  any  rate,  so  far  as 
growth  and  flowering  are  concerned  it  is  quite 
distinct. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

Cattleya   laeiata. 

Renewed  activity  is  evident  in  many  plants,  so 
it  will  now  be  time  to  take  in  hand  the  requisite 
repotting,  &o.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  pick  them 
out  for  repotting  when  new  roots  are  being  emitted 


on  bright  days,  yet  for  some 
time  this  should  be  done 
early  enough  in  the  day  to 
allow  of  their  becoming  dry 
before  night.  Admit  air  freely 
whenever  the  outside  tem- 
perature is  favourable.  It 
will  be  necessary  to  lower  the 
blinds  during  the  brightest 
part  of  the  day  on  most  of  the 
Orchid  houses.  Now  and  in 
the  late  summer  season  temporary  is  preferable  to 
permanent  shading  painted  on  the  glass,  yet,  even 
where  blinds  are  used,  it  is  generally  necessary  to 
paint  some  glass.  I  find  a  mixture  made  of  flour 
and  water  very  good.  If  the  glass  is  clean  when 
it  is  applied  it  generally  stands  the  season,  and 
when  no  longer  required  it  is  very  easily  removed. 
Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate.     W.  P.  BouSD. 


SoPHKOMTis  GRANDIFLORA.  — There  Were  few 
brighter  Orchids  among  the  fine  display  of  these 
flowers  in  the  Drill  Hall  recently  than  S.  grandi- 
flora  ;  several  pans  of  it  were  conspicuous  in  the 
collection  from  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  The 
brilliant  scarlet  flowers  are  most  invaluable  now. 


190 


THE    GARDEN. 


March  12,  190+ 


BOOKS. 


Flora  and  Sylva.— The  March  number 
contains  clever  illustrations  of  the  new  annuals 
Tridax  gaillardioides  and  of  Magnolia  parviflora, 
both  by  Mr.  Moon.  There  are  several  wood 
engravings,  including  a  very  beautiful  one  of 
Nepenthes  picturata  and  one  of  "An  Old  Tree  of 
the  Eastern  Plane,"  whilst  the  articles  comprise 
descriptions  of  the  Almonds,  the  Sassafras  tree, 
the  Wych  -  Hazels,  and  the  Hepaticas.  The 
following  extracts  are  of  great  interest  to  garden 
lovers : — 

"Tridax  gaillardioides. 

"There  are  onl}'  some  seven  or  eight  plants 
bearing  this  name,  nor  have  they  ever  attracted 
much  notice,  being  for  the  most  part  uninteresting 
members  of  the  vast  family  of  Composites.  There 
are,  however,  two  kinds  which  have  recently  found 
a  place  in  gardens — one  known  as  Tridax  bicolor 
rosea,  a  pretty  tender  annual  with  uncommon 
flowers  of  rose  and  yellow ;  the  other,  Tridax 
gaillardioides,  forming  the  subject  of  our  coloured 
plate.  This  new  plant  is  an  introduction  due  to 
Messrs.  Dammann  and  Co.  of  Naples,  and  is  said 
to  come  from  California,  the  other  species  being 
mostly  from  Mexico.  Through  no  fault  of  culture 
these  Central  American  plants  are  not  always  well 
flowered  in  this  country,  our  climate  rarely 
bringing  their  rich  colouring  to  perfection.  This 
plant,  however,  is  said  to  be  very  free  in  its  flowers 
of  vividly  contrasted  white  and  gold,  which  are 
borne  throughout  the  summer  upon  stems  18  inches 
to  2  feet  high.  It  should  be  planted  in  light, 
warm  soil  and  in  an  open  and  sunny  spot,  the  seed 
being  sown  in  gentle  heat,  and  the  young  plants 
treated  as  other  tender  annuals.  The  pretty  con- 
trast in  colour  and  their  length  of  stem  make  the 
flowers  useful  for  cutting. 

"Planting  Wind-swept  Shores. 

"  The  merit  of  the  Monterey  Pine  (P.  insignis) 
as  a  shore  tree  is  well  seen  at  Bodorgan,  in 
Anglesea,  where  many  trees  are  in  rude  health 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  sea.  There  is  nowhere  a 
more  wind-tortured  shore,  judging  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  few  stunted  native  trees  in  the  open 
land,  but  planting  of  an  effective  kind  has  been 
done  almost  on  the  seashore.  At  the  water's  edge 
are  the  Sea  Buckthorn,  Furze,  and  Barberry,  which 
first  bar  the  south-western  gales  and  winds,  and  a 
few  paces  within  these  rows  of  Pines  and  Ever- 
green Oaks  appear,  and  soon,  with  the  aid  of  these 
excellent  shore  trees,  almost  any  kind  of  evergreen 
planting  may  be  carried  out.  The  whole  place  is 
most  instructive  as  regards  planting  near  the  sea. 
The  contrast  between  the  wind-swept  surface  of 
the  island  and  the  noble  avenue  of  evergreen  trees 
leading  from  the  lodge  to  the  house  is  very 
striking.  Such  planting,  however,  can  only  be 
carried  out  well  where  we  plant  a  wood  and  not  a 
mere  belt,  the  trees  in  the  massed  wood  protecting 
each  other  better  than  any  artificial  shelter  that 
could  be  devised.  Into  such  a  wood  the  wind  may 
tear  fiercely,  but  is  soon  tamed  down  to  something 
like  gentleness. 

"Riverside  Colour  at  Straffan. 
"At  Straffan,  Kildare,  yesterday  (February  16), 
the  spreading  masses  of  Snowdrops  under  the  red- 
twigged  Lime  trees  on  the  lawn  gave  quite  a 
beautiful  effect.  They  are  on  the  lower  lawn  below 
the  flower  garden,  and  are  occasionally  flooded  as 
the  Liffey  overflows,  but  this  only  seems  to  increase 
their  vigour.  Just  at  this  season,  however,  the 
most  harmonious  colour  at  Straffan  is  of  the 
crimson  Dogwood  and  red  Osiers  alongside  the  now 
full-flooded  river,  and  extending  from  the  island  to 
the  great  bridge  below.  No  words  could  give 
anything  like  an  adequate  idea  of  the  soft  and 
varied  shades  of  colour,  not  alone  of  the  planted 
banks  themselves  but  of  their  still  more  soft  and 
delicate  reflections  in  the  water  below.  This  well- 
wooded  river  scene  at  Straffan  shows  how  sinipl}' 
and  naturally  most  cheerful  and  ever-varying 
winter  effects  of  colour  may  be  obtained,  and 
especially,  as  in  this  case,  near  water.  This  river 
scenery  from   Straffan  Bridge   is   luckily  seen   by 


many,  as  the  Kildare  hounds  meet  or  pass  there 
often  during  the  hunting  season,  and  it  certainly 
affords  a  lesson  in  planting  for  winter  colour  of  an 
impressive  kind,  showing  that  some  of  the  strongest 
and  best  effects  obtainable  in  our  home  scenery  are 
also   easily   obtainable   by  simple  means. — F.    W. 

BUREIDGE." 


MICHAELMAS    DAISIES. 

DURING  the  past  few  }'ears  some 
very  pretty  and  distinct  varieties 
have  been  added  to  the  Aster.  The 
only  disadvantage  in  planting  them 
in  the  garden  is  that  some  spread 
so  rapidly  that  they  soon  overgrow 
surrounding  plants,  or  when  planted  in  a  bed 
together  the  weaker-growing  soon  have  to  give 
way  to  the  stronger.  It  is  chiefly  those  of 
the  Novi  Belgii  type  which  should  be  planted 
with  caution,  though  some  of  these  are  among  the 
most  showy,  and  where  space  can  be  given  few 
things  make  a  better  effect  in  a  mixed  border, 
they  will  grow  well  in  any  soil  and  under  con- 
ditions not  favourable  to  most  plants.  They  do 
not  root  down  deep  into  the  soil,  and  are  liable  to 
suffer  from  drought,  though  this  has  not  been  the 
case  this  season.  The  wet  summer  has  at  least 
been  favourable  to  them,  and  many  of  them  have 
grown  far  beyond  the  height  usuall}'  given  in 
describing  them.  To  keep  them  properlj-  under 
control  they  should  be  divided  and  replanted 
annually,  or  at  least  once  in  two  years.  This 
applies  particularly  to  the  strong-growing  sorts, 
or  those  which  spread  so  freely  by  underground 
rhizomes.  In  the  following  list  I  have  divided 
them  as  much  as  possible  according  to  the  habits 
of  the  various  sections. 

In  some  it  is  easy  to  attach  them  to  a  particular 
species,  while  others  of  distinctly  hybrid  origin  it 
is  difBeult  to  place  under  any  section.  A.  acris  is 
very  distinct,  it  forms  a  dense  tuft  of  growth  from 
the  base,  but  does  not  spread  ;  it  is  dwarf,  and 
produces  dense  masses  of  pale  blue  flowers,  with 
narrow,  drooping  petals ;  A.  carnea,  a  small- 
growing  variety  with  blush-tinted  flowers ;  A. 
linariifolius,  similar  to  the  type,  but  taller  and 
having  very  narrow  leaves. 

A.  Amellus  is  another  decided  species  with  little 
variation  except  in  time  of  flowering  and  shades  of 
colour.  The  best  of  these  are  Onward,  deep 
purple-blue  ;  Framfieldi,  pale  blue  ;  Stella,  mauve ; 
and  Distinction,  mauve,  with  a  decided  pink 
shade.  I  may  mention  that  there  are  two  varieties 
under  the  last  name,  but  it  is  Mr.  Davis's  variety 
that  is  referred  to,  and  it  is  very  scarce  in  the 
trade.  The  Amellus  varieties  rarely  attain  to 
more  than  from  18  inches  to  2  feet  high,  and  form 
dense  masses  of  large,  showy  flowers. 

A.  Novte  Anglian  is  another  distinct  section  with 
large,  showy  flowers.  The  best  of  these  are  Mrs. 
J.  F.  Raynor,  bright  rosy  red,  one  of  the  most 
distinct  of  all  the  Asters,  and  should  be  in  every 
collection  ;  Ryecroft  Pink,  similar,  but  of  a  paler 
shade  ;  Pulchellus,  deep  purple ;  and  Precocitc, 
blue-purple,  flowers  early.  These  grow  from 
Sj  feet  to  4i  feet  high,  form  dense  masses,  but  do 
not  spread.     They  should  be  divided  annually. 

A.  cordifolius. — In  this  section  there  is  consider- 
able variation.  Some  spread  in  the  ground  rapidly, 
others  grow  close.  They  are  from  4  teet  to  5  feet 
high,  and  have  large,  cordate  leaves  at  the  base, 
tall,  slender  branching  flower-stems,  and  mostly 
very  small  flowers.  The  plants  are  light  and 
graceful  in  habit,  and  are  general  favourites, 
particularly  Diana,  elegans,  and  albulus,  and  to 
these  may  now  be  added  C.  profusus,  a  new  variet}' 
with  larger  flowers  of  a  soft  blue-mauve. 

A.  ericoides. — With  these  may  be  included 
vimineus  and  its  varieties,  and  some  which  are  put 
with  diffusus.  There  are  also  several  among  the 
new  varieties  which  are  of  the  same  dwarf- 
branching  habit,  and  should  be  included  in  the 
same  group.  Of  the  new  varieties  Delight, 
Freedom,  Thora,  and  Enchantress  are  very  attrac- 
tive, being  dwarf  and  compact,  the  long,  branching 
racemes  densely  covered  with  tiny  flowers.  The 
true  A.   ericoides  is  of   more  erect  growth,   with 


long,  slender  branches  covered  with  small  white 
flowers ;  A.  densiflorus  is  dwarf,  and  with  very 
pretty  Heath-like  foliage.  Those  more  properly 
belonging  to  A.  diffusus  have  a  coloured  disc.  A. 
horizontalis  forms  a  spreading  bush  about  2  feet 
high  with  dark  stems  and  foliage,  blush  pink 
flowers  with  an  almost  purple  disc ;  Coombefish- 
acre  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  distinct,  grows 
about  4  feet,  the  long,  spreading  branches  covered 
with  soft  blush  flowers  of  medium  size.  The 
Hon.  Edith  Gibbs  may  be  included  in  this  section. 
The  flowers,  which  are  of  a  pale  mauve  or  French 
grey,  are  produced  in  great  profusion  on  long, 
spreading  racemes,  which  droop  down  to  the 
ground.  Osprey  is  another  promising  new  variety 
of  similar  type,  with  pink  flowers,  which  change  to 
a  darker  shade.  Triumph,  a  seedling  from  Coombe- 
fishacre,  of  more  erect  habit  and  larger  flowers, 
deep  pink,  with  a  light  centre,  is  another  good 
addition  ;  and  Brightness,  which  comes  from  the 
same  parentage,  is  a  very  pretty  pink  variety  of 
erect  and  rather  close  habit ;  Vimineus  perfectus, 
very  compact,  growing  white,  with  dark  disc,  a 
very  distinct  and  pretty  variety. 

A.  Novi  Belgii. — This  is  the  most  extensive 
group  we  have,  and  includes  many  widely  distinct 
and  showy  varieties,  varying  in  height  from 
li  feet  to  5  feet  or  6  feet.  All  that  properly 
belong  to  this  section  spread  rapidly  under-ground, 
and  in  some  the  rhizomes  run  out  a  great  distance. 
Taking  the  tall-growing  sorts,  Margaret  Mathews 
and  John  Wood  are  the  best  whites  ;  Robert 
Parker  and  Top  Sawyer,  pale  blue  ;  W.  Marshall, 
mauve  ;  Autumn  Glory,  deep  blue  ;  Calliope,  blush 
pink  ;  and  Lilacina,  lavender-blue.  All  the  above 
have  large  flowers,  and  make  tall,  spreading 
bushes.  From  those  of  medium  height  I  should 
select  Candida,  white  ;  Cottage  Maid,  mauve,  with 
a  rosy  tint ;  Arcturus,  deep  blue  ;  Daisy  Hill, 
blush  mauve ;  Floribundus,  blue,  with  a  purple 
shade  ;  Nancy,  clear  blue,  one  of  the  very  best ; 
T.  S.  Ware,  mauve,  tinted  with  red  ;  Rosy  Gray, 
French  grey ;  Proserpine,  blush,  with  a  mauve 
tint ;  Maiden's  Blush,  soft  blush  pink  ;  May 
Crum,  medium-sized  white,  starry  flowers,  light, 
branching  habit,  one  of  the  best  for  cutting  from  ; 
this  has  grown  taller  this  season  ;  Jessie  Crum,  of 
same  habit,  with  lavender-blue  flowers ;  D.  B. 
Crane,  blue-mauve,  with  a  slight  rosy  tint,  large 
flowers,  produced  in  dense  corj'mbs  ;  and  Evening 
Star,  mauve,  with  a  distinct  rosy  shade,  free- 
branching  habit.  From  those  of  dwarf  habit  I 
should  take  la?vigatus,  dense  growing,  with  small 
pink  flowers  ;  Mrs.  Peters,  white  ;  Esme,  white, 
large  flowers  ;  and  Densus,  lavender-blue.  Of 
others  which  spread  freely  paniculatus  may  be 
mentioned  ;  p.  laxus,  soft  grey-mauve  flowers,  of 
medium  size,  on  long,  loose  sprays,   growing  from 

2  feet  to  3  feet  high  ;  p.  W.  J.  Grant,  a  verj' 
distinct  variet}',  flowers  flesh  pink,  with  dark  disc, 
produced  in   long,   drooping   sprays,    height   from 

3  feet  to  4  feet. 

Puniceus  is  a  distinct  species.  The  best  variety 
is  pulcherrimus  ;  it  has  large  silvery  grey  flowers 
in  long  pyramidal  spikes  4  feet  to  5  feet  high  ; 
grandis,  a  new  variety  of  similar  habit,  with  pure 
white  ray  florets  and  yellow  disc ;  turbinellus, 
pale  blue-mauve,  flowers  on  long,  slender  stems,  is 
a  very  distinct  species,  growing  about  3  feet  high  ; 
and  albus,  the  white  variety,  differs  only  in  the 
colour  of  its  flowers. 

A.  Tradescanti  is  a  late-flowering  species,  small 
flowers,  white,  with  yellow  disc,  tall,  branching 
habit,  growing  to  6  feet  high. 

A.  trinervis,  another  distinct  species,  with 
terminal  branching  corymbs  of  pale  mauve  flowers, 
2J  feet  to  3  feet  high. 

A.  macrophyllus,  large  basal  leaves,  erect, 
branching  flower-stems,  small  mauve  flowers, 
medium  height. 

A.  corymbosus  and  A.  stellatus,  dwarf  habit, 
with  spreading  corj'uibs  of  starry  white  flowers. 

Many  more  desirable  species  and  varieties  might 
be  added,  but  I  am  afraid  I  have  alreadj'  occupied 
too  much  space.  The  collections  shown  at  the 
Crystal  Palace  on  October  6  and  7,  and  those  at  the 
Drill  Hall  on  October  13,  gave  a  good  idea  of  the 
beauty  and  variety  to  be  found  in  these  useful 
autumn-flowering  hardy  plants.        A.  Hkmsley. 


March  12,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


191 


ST.    LOUIS    EXHIBITION. 

British  Royal  Pavilion  and  Garden. 

NEXT  May  at  St.  Louis  will  be 
opened  the  "  World's  Exposition," 
which  will  doubtless  prove  to  be 
the  largest  exhibition  that  has  yet 
been  seen,  eclipsing,  as  it  does,  in 
magnitude  and  beauty  of  the 
buildings  and  the  extent  of  the  grounds  the 
woiidf  rful  exhibition  at  Chicago  in  1893,  and 
those  held  at  intervals  in  Paris.  The  exhibi- 
tion is  well  advanced  towards  completion,  and, 
judging  from  illustrated  accounts,  it  will  be 
all  that  the  Americans  say  about  it.  Besides 
the  great  buildings  set  apart  for  collections  of 
international  exhibits,  it  is  customary  in 
American  exhibitions  to  erect  isolated  build- 
ings as  special  pavilions  from  the  various 
States,  and  each  foreign  country  builds  a 
pavilion  characteristic  of  its 
native  architecture,  and  sur- 
rounded by  a  garden  also 
characteristic  of  the  style 
peculiar  to  it. 

There  will  be  at  St.  Louis 
pavilions  erected  by  Great 
Britain,  France,  Germany, 
Austria,  Italy,  and  other 
European  countries,  China, 
Japan,  and  other  Eastern 
countries,  as  well  as  from  the 
South  American  Republics. 
Great  Britain  will  be  well 
represented  in  its  section,  and 
the  Royal  Commission  ap- 
pointed last  year,  with  the 
Prince  of  Wales  as  its  head 
to  represent  this  country,  com- 
prises a  representative  body 
of  our  leading  men. 

The  Royal  Commission,  in 
its  selection  of  a  characteristic 
existing  building  in  England 
for  its  Royal_  Pavilion,  made 
choice  of  an  interesting  type. 
It  was  felt  that  the  Banqueting 
Hall  or  Orangery  of  the  Royal 
Palace  of  Kensington  would 
be  very  representative  of 
English  domestic  building  at 
one  of  its  happiest  periods, 
and  would  be  a  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  a  great  archi- 
tect. Sir  Christopher  Wren,  to 
whom,  after  Inigo  Jones,  we 
owe  the  distinctly  English 
development  of  the  Renais- 
sance of  Italy,  by  which  the 
Gothic  and  Tudor  methods 
of  building  had  been  super- 
seded. From  this  master's 
hand  there  was  the  wide  choice 
of  St.  Paul's,  Greenwich 
Hospital,  and  the  many  fine 
city  churches  ;  but  in  the 
Orangery  of  Kensington  was 
found  a  building  that  could 
be  strictly  reproduced  to  its 
real  size.  With  dignity  and  fine  proportion  it 
unites  a  pleasant  homeliness  and  simplicity 
peculiarly  belonging  to  English  work.  They 
forthwith  commissioned  Messrs.  Ernest  George 
and  Yeates  as  architects  to  reproduce  a  replica 
of  this  building,  which  is  of  red  brick  and 
white  stone,  and  170  feet  in  length. 

In  the  replica  at  St.  Louis  of  Wren's  build- 
ing, the  only  departure  from  the  original  is  the 
introduction  of  an  enriched  plaster  ceiling 
such  as  would  be  found  in  a  house  of  the 
period  ;  the  Orangery  was  left  bare  and  white- 
washed.    On  the  south  side  of  the  building  is 


a  stone-paved  terrace  of  corresponding  size, 
and  on  this,  no  doubt,  royal  groups  have 
gathered  above  the  quaint  parterres,  clipped 
Yews,  fountains,  lead  statues,  and  other 
departed  glories  of  Queen  Anne's  favourite 
garden.  The  work  of  building  the  pavilion 
was  carried  out  by  Messrs.  Trollope  and  Sons 
of  London. 

Mr.  W.  Goldring  of  Kew  was  appointed  by 
the  Royal  Commission  to  design  a  garden  to 
harmonise  in  character  with  the  building,  and 
he  adopted  in  his  plans  a  modified  form  of  a 
garden  of  the  period  at  which  the  Banqueting 
Hall  was  built.  In  the  garden  surrounding 
the  pavilion  an  attempt  has  been  made  to 
reproduce  on  a  small  scale  the  style  of  garden 
that  was  generally  attached  to  the  mansion 
residences  in  England  during  the  reigns  of 


fashion  became  established  and  general 
throughout  the  country.  The  Dutch  landscape 
gardeners  whom  William  engaged  to  carry  out 
his  ideas  were  soon  followed  by  numerous 
noteworthy  English  practitioners  in  the  art, 
so  that  during  Queen  Anne's  reign  a  great 
impetus  was  given  to  this  Dutch  style  through- 
out the  country,  to  be  followed  later  by  a 
school  of  landscape  gardeners  opposed  to  the 
Dutch  ideas  of  design,  and  in  consequence 
many  of  the  finest  examples  of  the  Dutch  style 
of  gardens  were  destroyed,  to  give  place  to 
what  was  termed  the  "  natural "  style,  in  which 
formality  and  straight  lines  were  substituted 
by  irregularity. 

The  Queen  Anne  gardens  were  a  pleasing 
combination  of  the  Tudor,  Jacobean,  and  Dutch 
styles.       Their     characteristic    features    were 


William  III.  and'Mary,  about"  the  latter  part  i  stately  terraces,  shady  avenues  (or  "  pleached 
of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  at  the  time  of  1  alleys,"  as  they  were  called),  formal  parterres 


PLAN  OF  GAKI)E^f.      (Reduced  from  original.) 

Scale  of  plan  above  about  100  feet  to  1  inch.  Description  on  line  from  C  to  J) :  Bowling  green  (sank  1  foot  0  inches),  shade  trees  behind; 
terrace  (i^O  feet  ivide),  iv'ith  statues  at  end,  sun-ounded  by  Yew  hedges;  pavilion;  inner  court,  with  foimtain  and  Palms;  terrace 
(2h  feet  wide  by  100  yards  long),  with  sundials  at  ends ;  fountain  (90  feet  long  by  35  feet  wide),  centre  basin  1  foot  e  inches  above  side 
basins;  pleached  alley  of  shade  trees,  raised  S  feet  above  general  surface;  flower  garden  panels  on  each  side  of  fountain  (130  feet  by 
100  feet),  sunk  1  foot  6  inches  beloiv  general  surface,  and  3  feet  beloiv  south  terrace.  Design  of  panels  outlined  by  clipped  dwarf 
evergreen  hedges;'  centre  of  panels  of  turf,  paths  around  beds  of  paving  stones. 


Qaeen  Anne  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  Previous  to  this  period  the  large 
English  mansion  gardens  were  mostly  in  the 
Tudor  style,  and  continued  so  during  the 
troublous  times  of  the  Stuarts  ;  and  many  a 
fine  garden  as  well  as  house  sufl'ered  at  the 
ruthless  hands  of  the  Commonwealth  leaders. 

William  Prince  of  Orange  brought  over 
Datch  ideas  of  gardening,  and  it  was  he  who 
introduced  what  was  then,  and  has  since  been 
termed,  "Dutch  gardening."  He  introduced 
this  style  of  gardening  about  the  Royal 
residences,   and   it  was   not   long   before    the 


enclosed  by  hedges  clipped  into  shapes  and 
embellished  with  topiary  work,  the  forms  of 
animals  and  birds  cut  out  of  Yews  and  Box. 
This  topiary  work  was  distinctly  the  special 
introduction  from  Holland,  and  was  at  the  time 
considered  to  be  the  highest  form  of  art  in  the 
garden.  The  fashion  became  a  craze,  and  was 
carried  out  to  such  an  extent  that  it  came 
under  the  scathing  ridicule  of  Pope,  and  after 
that  declined.  There  are,  fortunately,  still 
some  of  the  most  noteworthy  examples  of 
these  Queen  Anne  gardens  preserved  in 
England,  and  the  tendency  at  the  present  time 


192 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  12,  1904. 


is  to  continue  the  style,  and  a  decided  reaction 
has  set  in  against  the  style  of  "  imitation  "  of 
Nature. 

There  is  a  charm  about  a  genuine  old  formal 
garden  that  appeals  to  most  people,  and  the 
idea  of  such  a  garden  is  shown  in  the  British 
Eoyal  Pavilion  Garden,  formed  in  six  months, 
though  the  matured  example  would  require 
six  generations  to  perfect.  A  water-basin  and 
fountain  were  always  associated  with  an  old 
garden,  and  generally  the  bowling-green  and 
pleached  alley  were  as  inseparable  from  it  as 
were  stone  and  lead  statues  (often  bad),  and 
lead  urns  and  vases,  which  were  generally 
admirable,  though  the  making  of  these  seems 
to  be  a  lost  art  nowadays.  The  long  borders  of 
old-fashioned  flowers  appeal  to  everyone  in 
England,  and  the  large  beds  of  simple  outline 
are  more  in  vogue  than  the  embroidered  par- 
terres in  the  Italian  style,  that  do  not  accord 
with  the  present  prevalent  practice  of  massing 
harmonising  groups  of  colour. 

The  work  of  carrying  out  Mr.  Goldring's 
plans  was  entrusted  to  Mr.  T.  W.  Brown, 
"formerly  of  the  Roj'al  Gardens,  Kew,  and  sub- 
sequently superintendent  of  the  gardens  of 
-the  Emperor  of  ^Morocco  at  Fez,  and  he  has 
carried  out  the  work  well  under  the  disadvan- 
tages of  restricted  time  and  a  severe  winter 
■climate. 

The  material  for  planting  the  garden 
beyond  the  trees  and  hedges  has  been  contri- 
buted by  the  various  firms  in  England,  the 
chief  exhibitors  being  the  following :  Messrs. 
Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  hardy  herbaceous 
plants  and  seeds  ;  Messrs.  J.  Carter  and  Sons, 
High  Holborn,  bulbs  and  seeds  ;  Messrs.  J. 
Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  Dahlias  ;  Messrs. 
Cutljush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  specimens  of 
topiary  work,  clipped  Yews,  Box,  c&c.  ;  Mr.  J. 
Forbes,  Hawick,  Phloxes ;  Messrs.  Hobbies, 
Limited,  Dahlias  ;  Messrs.  Kelway  and  Sons, 
Langport,  Gladioli,  Delphiniums,  and  other 
plants  and  seeds  ;  Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore 
Hill,  hardy  herbaceous  plants  ;  Messrs.  Sutton 
and  Sons,  Beading,  Gladioli,  Lilies,  Narcissi, 
and  other  bulbs. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Intekesting    Plants   is^   Flower. 


Temperate  House. 
Acacias  in  variety,  Beschorneria  tubiflora,  Cal- 
purnia  aurea,  Clematis  indivisa,  Corylopsis  pauci- 
flora,  Eriostemon  affinis,  lUioum  floridanum, 
Knipho6a  longicoUis,  Pv,hododendron  grande  and 
Strelitzia  Reginos  and  variety  citrina. 

Palm  Hoiise. 
Talacima  OandoUei. 

T  Range. 

Asarum  rnacranthum,  Carazuata  cardinalis, 
Centradenia  floribunda,  Dimorphotheca  cuneata, 
Eranthemum  graciliflorum,  Feijoa  sellowiana, 
Freesia  Armstrongii  and  F.  kewenais,  Hypolytrura 
baneanum,  Jatropha  podagrica,  and  Lachenalia 
eonvallarioides. 

Orchid  Houses. 

Arablostoraa  cernuum,  Cattleya  Trianse,  Cypri- 
pedium  argo-apicerianum,  C.  Dauthieri  albino  var., 

C.  rothschildianuni,  Dendrobium  aureum,  D.  oras- 
sinode,  D.   findlayauum,  D.    Juno,  D.   lituiflorum, 

D.  luteoluiu,  D.  Madonna,  D.  nobile,  D.  n.  var. 
cooksonianum,  D.  n.  var.  pulcherrima,  D.  n.  var. 
sanderianum,  D.  priraulinum,  D.  Rolf*,  D.  splendi- 
diasimum,  D.  wardiano-japonioum,  D.  wardianum, 
Eria  stricta,  Goodyera  procera,  Lrelia  lindleyana, 
Maadevallia  triangularis,  MaxiUaria  picta,  M.  san- 
guinea,   Plalielinis    latifolia,    Phaius    Bluniei,   P. 


grandifolius,  P.  Wallichii,  Saccolabium  violaceum 
var.  harrisonianum,  Selenipediuni  Titanum,  Spi- 
ranthes  tortilis,  and  Stella  tristyla. 

Greenhou-^e. 

Arum  palajatinum,  Clianthus  punioeus,  Clivia 
miniata,  Eupatorium  petiolare,  Hippeastrums  in 
variety,  Kennedya  prostrata,  Pentapterygium  ser- 
pens, Senecio  Petasites,  forced  bulbs  and  shrubs, 
and  many  other  things. 

Alpine  House. 
Anemone  hlanda,  Coptis  orientalis,  Corydalis 
bulbosa,  C.  kolpakowskyana,  Crocus  candidua,  C. 
biflorus  var.  Pestalozzas,  C.  Sieberi,  C.  versicolor, 
Hyacinthus  azureua  var.  robuatua,  Iris  reticulata, 
Primula  denticulata  alba,  Saxifraga  Albertii,  S. 
burseriana,  and  S.  buraeriaua  major. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


HEATHS  . — Erica  persoluta  alba  is  on 
sale  ;  E.  wilmoreana  ia  much  better 
flowered  than  those  seen  earlier  ;  E. 
fastigiata,  which  is  not  so  well  known, 
is  a  useful  Heath  ;  and  E.  hyemalis  is 
holding  out.  On  Saturday,  the  5th 
inat. ,  there  were  aome  small  plants,  well  flowered, 
on  one  stand.  The  trade  for  Heaths  through  the 
season  has  not  been  very  encouraging  to  growers, 
and  Acacias,  Boroniaa,  and  other  hard-wooded 
planta  also  find  less  favour  than  formerly.  In 
conversation  with  a  grower  we  were  told  that  if  he 
had  to  depend  on  Covent  Garden  he  would  have 
to  give  up  growing  all  hard-wooded  plants.  There 
is  still  some  good  nursery  trade  for  them,  but 
for  London  florists'  work  thej'  find  very  little 
favour. 

Hardy  deciduous  fioicering  shrubs  are  general 
favourites,  but  we  do  not  see  many  that  are  really 
well  done  in  the  market.  A  few  good  Lilacs  are 
seen,  also  Pyrus  and  double  Prunus.  Azalea  mollis 
is  not  over  plentiful,  but  aome  well-flowered  plants 
are  seen.  Rhododendrons  are  also  coming  in,  but 
with  the  early  forced  plants  the  flowers  are  rather 
small.  Genistas  are  very  plentiful,  and  on  some 
stands  aome  beautifully  flowered  planta  are  aeen, 
but  they  do  not  aell  ao  well  aa  might  be  expected. 
Splendid  Persian  Cyclamens  are  plentiful,  and  sell 
fairly  well.  Azaleas  continue  plentiful ;  the  bright 
colours  sell  best. 

Hyacinth'^  are  still  numeroua  ;  growera  can  hardly 
make  a  profit  on  these  after  deducting  the  cost  of 
the  bulbs.  Tulips  are  also  abundant ;  the  samples 
vary  considerably,  and  the  best  sell  well,  but  many 
have  to  be  cleared  out  at  very  low  prices.  All  cut 
bloom  is  plentiful,  and  there  is  a  little  improve- 
ment in  trade.  White  Azaleas  seem  quite  out  of 
favour  ;  the  short  stems  are  much  against  this. 
Anyone  starting  with  young  planta  and  growing 
them  on  vigorously  might  find  it  pay  to  cut  with 
the  longest  stems  possible.  Frequently  Azaleas  do 
not  get  treated  liberally  enough  when  they  are 
making  growth.  Liberal  supplies  of  manure  maj' 
be  given  with  much  advantage,  but  it  is  only  while 
growing  that  it  should  be  applied. 

JOiYrams  continue  plentiful,  the  longiflorums  being 
particularly  good.  Lily  of  the  Valley,  both  in 
pots  and  cut,  is  very  good,  but  prices  are  rather 
low.  Gardenias,  Eucharia,  and  Pancratiums  are 
also  below  average  prices.  The  supply  of  English 
Roses  continues  to  increase.  Of  reds,  Libertj'  and 
General  Jacqueminot  are  good  ;  the  former  makes 
the  highest  prices,  but  the  older  favourite 
sells  well.  Catherine  Mermet  and  The  Bride  are 
good. 

Carnation':. — There  is  now  a  good  supply,  and 
several  growera  have  the  American  varieties  in 
good  form.  A  great  variety  of  Dafibdils  is  now  in, 
and  aome  of  the  best  sorts  are  now  to  be  seen. 
The  supply  in  the  French  market  was  much  below 
that  of  the  previous  week,  and  prices  went  up 
fully  50  per  cent,  on  good  stuff. 


THE    FERN    GARDEN. 


HAKDY    FERNS. 

SINCE    hardy   Ferns   are   only   now   com- 
mencing to  think  of  the  growing  aeasoD, 
and   it  will   be   some   weeks   yet  before 
definite  activity  will  commence,  it  is  as 
well  to    anticipate  their  waking  up  by 
profiting   by  their    dormancy    to   repot, 
replant,  and  divide  whenever  it  is  necessary.    Last 
season's  fronds  are  still  to  the  fore  in  the  evergreen 
species,  and  whatever  is  green  and  alive  should  be 
left  intact,  while  what  is  brown  and  obviously  dead 
can  be  removed.     Out  of  doors,  however,  it  is  as 
well  to  leave  the  old  fronds  alone  until  the  end  of 
March,  as  they  act  as  great  protectors  should  those 
drying  winds  set  in  which  are  sometimes  charac- 
teristic of  the  month.     Ferns  in  pots  should  now  be 
examined,  and  if  in  any  wa}'  out  of  condition  it  is 
well  to  shake  them  out.   remove  any  soured  soil 
which  will  possibly  be  the  cause  of  their  weakness, 
and  also  any  accumulation  of  old  dead  roots,  and 
repot  them  in  freah  aoil,   a  compost  consisting  of 
good  yellow  loam   and  brown  fibrous  peat  or  leaf- 
mould  in  equal  proportions,  lightened  with  a  liberal 
sprinkling  of  coarse  silver  or  road  sand.     Plants 
in    good    health    but    which   have    formed    many 
crowns   of  the   shuttlecock   type,    such  aa   Shield 
Ferns,  Buckler  Ferns,  and  Lady  Ferns  should  be 
divided,  since  they  show  to  much  greater  advan- 
tage when  single    crowns  are  grown  than  when 
several  are  bunched  up  together,  fighting  for  dear 
life  with  each  other  and  with  their  fronds  inter- 
mingled as  well  as  their  roots.     The  fronds  of  a 
single  crown  plant  will  grow  about  twice  the  size 
of  those  produced  by  one  of  a  mob,  and  also  if  it 
be  a  choice  variety,   plumose  or  created,  which  is 
the  kind  we  have  in  view  as  we  write,  will  display 
its   character   much    more   thoroughly.     We   may 
mention  here  that  it  is  the  fine  varieties  only  that 
we   advise  to  grow.     The  common  British  Ferns, 
which  are  hawked  about  the  atreeta  or  bunched  up 
in  bo.xes  outside  nurserymen's  shops,  are  absolute 
weeds  in  the  eyes  of  the  connoiaseur   of  British 
Ferna,  and  if  seen  at  all  in  his  collection  are  only 
grown  to  complete  it  and  as  contrasts  to  those  far 
more  charming  forms  to  which   these  weeda  have 
given   rise    by   sporting.       To   effect    the   division 
aforesaid,    the  planta  are  beat   lifted,    when   it  is 
easily   seen   that   the   side   shoots  are   practically 
independent  plants,    with  roots  as  well  as  fronds 
of   their  own,  and   as   a   rule  a  blunt  instrument 
inserted  behind   them   will  easilj'  force  them   off 
when  the  roots  can  be  disengaged  from  the  general 
mass,  and  the  Fern  ia  read}'  for  planting.     Where 
aa  in  some  cases  the  main  crown  has  divided,  the 
separate  centres,  if  a   neck  exists  between  them, 
can  be  forced   or   cut   apart,    taking  care   not   to 
pinch  them,   and  so  form   independent  specimena. 
Ferna  with  travelling  rootatocka  like  the  Polj'podiea 
look  beat  aa  established  specimens,  and  should  be 
grown  in  pans  instead  of  pots,  thus  giving  them  an 
opportunity  of  spreading.     If  division  be  desired  or 
propagation  in  quantity,  every  piece  of  the  travel- 
ling rootstock  with  a  growing  tip,  a  frond  or  two, 
and  some  rootlets  will  form  an  independent  plant. 
A  number  of  the  choicest  varieties  of  Shield  Ferns 
(Polystichnum),  especially  the  plumose  ones,  have 
a  knack  of  forming  little  bulbil  plants  an  inch  or 
ao  up  the  frond  stalk  on  the  inside,  and  it  is  as  well 
when  removing  the   fronds  to   look  for  these  and 
inatal  them  with  a  bit  of  the  stalk  in  little  pans, 
when  they  will  root  and  in  time  give  new  specimena. 
These  kinds  often  are  nearly  barren  of  spores,  so 
that  this  forms  almost  the  only  way  to  propagate 
them,  and  in   any  case  much  time  is  saved,  and, 
moreover,  it  ia  fairly  certain  that  the  plants  will 
come  quite  true.     Thia  is  alao  a  good  time  for  the 
cleansing  of  pota  and  pans  and  generally  putting 
the   fernery   in    order,    since    the    least    possible 
damage  now  results  to  the  future  growth,  and  as 
the  old  fronds  have  run  their  course  a  little  damage 
to  them  is  immaterial.     It  is,  however,  not  advisable 
to   remove  green    fronds   as   it   impoverishes    the 
plant.     In  repotting   a   good   look    out  should  be 
kept  for  worms  and  grubs  of  all  kinds. 

Chas.  T.  Druery,  F.L.S.,  V.M.H. 


March  12,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN 


193 


RIVIERA     NOTES. 


Ieis  paLyEstina  has  improved  so  greatly  this 
second  season  that  it  is  worth  mentioning  as 
an  admirable  contrast  and  companion  to  Iris 
reticulata.  The  spreading  green  leaves  and 
creamy  flowers  of  Iris  pakestina  become  most 
effective  when  in  contrast  to  the  spiky  growth 
and  deep  rich  colouring  of  I.  reticulata.  Being 
of  the  alata  section  it  may  not  be  hardy 
everywhere,  but  as  it  flowers  so  much  later 
than  I.  alata  it  is  well  worth  a  trial  in  com- 
bination with  I.  reticulata.  In  this  climate  it 
needs  no  care  when  once  planted,  but  it 
prefers  a  strong  soil.  The  double  Sparmannia 
is  in  great  beauty  this  winter.  Its  heads  of 
double  white  flowers  are  so  soft  and  round  they 
almost  remind  one  of  the  Guelder  Rose  ;  its 
pale  green  leaves  are  often  too  large  and  too 
abundant,  and  in  England  it  has  a  bad  reputa- 
tion for  not  flowering.  No  doubt  the  heat  and 
drought  of  last  autumn  ripened  the  wood  very 
fully,  but  the  secret  of  success  is,  I  think,  to 
keep  it  to  a  single  stem  as  much  as  possible, 
and  if  it  does  not  flower  the  first  year  it 
will  undoubtedly  do  so  the  second,  when  it 
makes  a  branching  head.  The  common  Lilac 
has  often  much  the  same  fault ;  if  you  let  the 
suckers  grow  there  are  plenty  of  leaves  but 
not  much  flower,  while  if  you  keep  the  Lilac 
to  a  single  stem  it  flowers  abundantly  after 
the  first  or  second  season.  Certainly  when  in 
abundant  flower  the  beauty  of  the  double 
Sparmannia  is  a  thing  to  remember,  and  is 
worth  a  little  trouble. 

Peunus  divaeicata  is  out  almost  as  soon  as 
the  Almonds,  and  it  is  decidedly  hardier.  The 
white  of  its  small  blossoms  is  so  cold  that  it 
makes  one  think  of  "  Blackthorn  winter,"  which 
(in  a  measure)  reaches  us  here  when  the 
Acacia  dealbata  is  in  full  flower,  some  time  or 
other  during  the  month  of  February.  Well 
known  in  England,  it  is  not  often  seen  here, 
and  perhaps  it  is  more  valuable  in  the  north 
than  with  us.  How  beautiful  a  double  form 
of  it,  like  the  double  Blackthorn,  would  be. 

Erica  meditereanea  hybeida,  which 
has  a  flower  like  E.  carnea  on  the  growth  of 
E.  arborea,  is  a  plant  for  the  north  as  well  as 
the  south.  It  is  only  now  getting  well  known 
here,  and  in  the  future  it  should  be  as  indis- 
pensable to  the  shrubbery  as  E.  carnea  is  to 
the  flower  garden  in  winter.  The  very  best 
and  most  useful  things  are  often  neglected  at 
first,  as  in  this  case,  but  after  a  time,  when 
once  its  beauty  is  developed,  it  should  be  as 
universally  grown  as  the  Laurustinus,  and 
give  an  added  charm  to  the  early  spring 
garden.  It  stands  pruning  remarkably  well, 
and  might  even  be  employed  as  a  hedge, 
where  its  cheerful  lilac  sprays  of  blossom 
would  contrast  well  with  Forsythia  and  other 
early  spring  bloomers  behind  it.  The  colder 
weather  of  the  last  week  has  suited  the  fine 
form  of 

Megasea  LlGULATA,  commonly  grown  here 
under  trees,  where  nothing  else  can  thrive, 
and  I  note  with  surprise  that  the  forms  I 
brought  out  from  England,  thinking  them  to 
be  superior,  are,  on  the  contrary,  not  to  be 
compared,  either  for  size  or  colour,  to  that 
grown  here  for  many  years.  It  will  be  interest- 
ing to  see  if  another  season  alters  this  state  of 
things,  for  I  find  that  plants  are  much  afi'ected 
at  first  by  the  change  of  soil  and  climate, 
some  very  favourably,  and  others  quite  the 
reverse. 

The  fragrant  Iris  olbiensis  is  now  thrusting 
up  its  flowers  among  the  bent  grass  and  grey 
Rosemary  on  the  bank.  Its  deep  purple  petals  are 
a  charming  contrast  to  the  cloud  of  pink  Peach 


blossom  above  ;  the  yellow  form  is,  curiously, 
quite  a  month  later,  as  if  it  preferred  to  wait 
for  the  brown  leaves  of  the  young  Cherries 
that  expand  at  the  same  time.  Undoubtedly 
there  are  natural  affinities  among  plants,  and 
I  have  often  wondered  what  plant  or  tree  is 
the  natural  companion  of  Acacia  dealbata  in 
its  native  country,  Australia,  for  here  its 
intense  brilliancy  of  colour  (yellow)  sneers 
somehow  with  its  surroundings ;  it  is  too 
garish  and  hard,  in  spite  of  its  lightness 
and  grace,  yet  I  doubt  not  that  in  Nature  all  is 
harmonious  where  it  flowers  by  the  water- 
courses of  its  own  home. 

Cyclamen  libanoticum  has  now  proved 
itself  to  be  one  of  the  very  prettiest  of  its 
race.  In  the  wild  garden  a  tuft  or  two  of  it 
among  Anemone  blanda  (both  the  white  and 
the  blue  forms  of  which  bloom  together  with 
it)  make  as  dainty  a  group  as  can  well  be 
imagined.  I  do  not  see  any  seedlings  from 
it,  which  makes  me  fear  there  is  something 
wrong,  but  it  is  so  particularly  neat  and  attrac- 
tive in  habit,  form,  and  colour  that  I  hope  I 
never  may  be  without  some  of  it.  Not  even 
the  giant  Persian  Cyclamen  makes  a  more 
beautiful  group,  for  Cyclamen  libanoticum 
carpets  the  ground  with  its  leaves  and  flowers 
in  the  neatest  and  most  attractive  fashion, 
while  the  massive  Cyclamen  persicum  is  rather 
apt  to  be  lax  and.straggly  when  left  to  Nature. 

JVice.  Edwaed  H.  Woodall. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


THE  SUTTON  EHUBAEB  IN  SPEING. 
A  T  this  time  of  year  the  early  Rhubarb  is 
/\  much  appreciated,  and  this  variety  is  a 

/    \         great  acquisition  on  account  of  its  earli- 
Z__A        ness,    colour,    and    excellent    flavour. 
2,  %.     This  season,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of 

Apples,  there  is  a  greater  demand  for 
this  plant,  and  the  variety  named  forces  so  readily 
that  it  is  more  useful  for  that  reason.  For  many 
years  I  grew  the  Early  Red  or  Royal  Albert,  but 
it  does  not  equal  the  variety  noted  above ;  of 
late  years  more  interest  has  been  taken  in  this 
plant,  as  several  really  good  additions  have  been 
placed  before  the  fruit  committee  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  and  though  some  are  not  yet 
in  commerce  they  will  be  most  valuable  for  early 
supplies.  Even  the  one  named  above  is  not  very 
plentiful,  and  doubtless,  like  the  Potato,  it  needs 
much  time  to  work  up  a  good  stock,  and  when  lifted 
for  forcing  there  is  a  certain  waste.  This  variety 
possesses  other  advantages.  It  is  a  beautiful  colour 
when  forced  or  grown  in  the  open,  a  bright  rich 
red,  which  remains  even  when  cooked.  The  sticks 
are  large,  and  it  is  not  unlike  the  well  -  known 
Victoria,  but  more  upright  in  growth,  earlier,  and 
seeds  very  little.  It  is  well  worth  growing  by  the 
side  of  the  old  sorts,  as  then  its  better  quality  will 
soon  be  noted.  It  gives  a  heavy  return  in  good 
SO''-  S.,H.  B. 


FORCING  SPINACH  IN  SPRING. 
In  many  gardens,  especially  those  in  low-lying  posi- 
tions, it  is  difficult  to  get  good  supplies  of  Winter 
Spinach  from  December  to  May.  I  am  aware  that 
there  is  the  Beet  Spinach,  but  the  quality  is  not 
equal  to  the  round-leaved  or  prickly.  It  may  be 
thought  unnecessary  to  force  Spinach,  but  I  do  not 
think  so,  as  in  some  places  the  demand  is  great, 
and,  if  possible,  it  is  well  to  meet  it.  By  sowing 
seed  now  the  spring  crop  may  be  hastened  con- 
siderably, and  at  a  small  cost  of  labour.  Few 
vegetables  raised  under  glass  plant  out  better  than 
Spinach.  Seed  sown  now  in  small  pots  in  rich  soil, 
and  given  cold  frame  shelter  for  a  time,  may  be 
planted  out  in  a  few  weeks,  but  it  is  necessary  to 
thin  the  seedlings,  three  to  five  plants  in  a  pot 
being  ample.  I  have  also  sown  broadcast  in  a 
movable  frame,  and  got  a  much   earlier   supply. 


All,  however,  cannot  spare  glass  to  finish  the  crop, 
but  grown  thus  it  is  not  long  about,  and  some 
varieties  grow  much  quicker  than  others.  I  prefer 
the  Carter,  a  very  large-leaved  variety,  the  leaf 
being  more  solid,  a  dark  green  colour,  and  of 
quicker  growth  than  the  well-known  Victoria,  the 
last  named  being  much  superior  to  the  old  round- 
leaved  variety.  G.  W. 

Iris  g-ermaniea  in  flower.— In  one  of 

the  greenhouses  at  Sir  .John  Thornycroft's  pleasant 
Thames-side  garden  at  Chiswick  this  beautiful 
plant  is  in  flower,  three  days  earlier  than  last  year. 
The  successful  system  responsible  for  such  a  satis- 
factory condition  has  been  already  described  in 
these  columns. — Quo. 

Sales  of  Orehids.— Those  interested  in 
Orchids  should  not  fail  to  visit  Messrs.  Protheroe 
and  Morris's  rooms  on  Fridays.  There  are  always 
some  good  things  to  be  seen,  and  they  may  often 
be  secured  at  very  moderate  prices.  On  Friday, 
the  4th  inst.,  some  beautifully  flowered  plants  of 
Dendrobium  wardianum  were  sold  at  from  23.  to 
3s.  6d.  each,  which  was  not  the  value  of  the 
blooms.  Smaller  plants  of  the  variety  Lowi  made 
from  5s.  to  lOs.  each,  a  low  price  for  such  a  fine 
variety.  A  fine  piece  of  Odontoglossum  Loochris- 
tiense  made  £5.  Two  good  plants  of  Cattleya 
trianaj  alba  were  sold,  one  making  £.5,  the  other 
£3.  A  nice  piece  of  Dendrobium  Hildebrandti 
made  £3  3s.  Some  beautiful  pieces  of  Odonto- 
glossum crispum  in  flower  went  very  cheap  ;  one 
extra  good  variety  went  up  to  £1.  Some  of  the 
newly-imported  Orchids  sold  fairly  well. 

Beg'onia  semperflorens  g-ig'antea. 

A  group  of  this  shown  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  though  not  sufficiently 
developed  to  be  seen  at  its  best,  was  sufficient  to 
show  what  a  desirable  Begonia  it  is  for  flowering 
at  this  season.  It  is  by  no  means  a  novelty ; 
indeed,  it  is  less  grown  now  that  it  was  a  few  years 
ago,  being  perhaps  somewhat  eclipsed  by  the 
numerous  socotrana  hybrids  ;  but  most  of  them  are 
over  before  the  new  year  is  far  advanced.  While 
Begonia  semperflorens  is  in  itself  a  very  variable 
species,  the  variety  at  the  head  of  this  note,  as  well 
as  two  or  three  others,  were  obtained  by  the  inter- 
crossing of  that  species  with  the  Mexican  B. 
lynchiana,  which  was  first  distributed  about 
twenty  years  ago  under  the  name  of  B.  Roezli.  It 
is  a  tall-growing  epecies  of  sparcely-branched 
growth,  but  with  clusters  of  bright-coloured 
blossoms.  It  was  a  happy  thought  of  M.  Lemoine, 
of  Nancy,  to  cross  it  with  B.  semperflorens,  the 
result  being  seen  in  the  variety  at  the  head  of  this 
note,  which  in  general  appearance  greatly  resembles 
a  deep-coloured  form  of  B.  semperflorens,  but  is 
much  larger  in  all  its  parts.  It  is  in  winter  and 
early  spring  that  the  flowers  are  most  valuable, 
and  at  that  time  a  group  forms  a  very  ornamental 
feature  in  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory.  In 
growing  this  Begonia  there  must  not  be  too  much 
stopping,  as  the  weighty  clusters  of  blossoms  are 
at  their  best  on  stout,  vigorous  shoots.  This 
variety  is  often  to  be  seen  in  good  condition  in 
No.  4  greenhouse  at  Kew. — H.  P. 

The  Hepatica  at  home.— To  see  the 

Hepatica  in  its  native  beauty  one  should  see  it 
upon  the  southern  slopes  of  the  Alps,  where  it  is 
one  of  the  mountain  plants  that  creep  nearest  the 
Mediterranean  wherever  the  hills  approach  the  sea. 
Its  favourite  haunt  is  in  woods  of  Oak,  in  which 
it  is  sheltered  from  the  summer  glare  and  jet  freely 
exposed  until  its  season  of  flower  is  past,  while  in 
autumn  the  falling  leaves  drift  thickly  into  the 
nooks  and  crannies  loved  of  the  plant,  providing 
Nature's  own  shelter  and  also  food.  With  the 
first  genial  days  of  spring  their  buds  begin  to 
expand,  until  in  March  and  April,  when  the  snow 
has  gone  and  the  sun  is  hot  at  noon,  the  tufts  of 
colour  spread  as  a  vast  sheet  of  blue  in  every  tone 
and  shade,  forming  a  dense  carpet  throughout  the 
belt  of  woodland,  varied  here  and  there  by  clumps 
of  wild  Narcissus,  by  pallid  Asphodel,  or  quaint 
wild  Orchids,  and  mingling  with  Primroses  and  the 
pale  blue  Italian  Scilla.  Without  stirring  more 
than  a  few  yards  it  is  possible  to  fill  a  sack  with 
roots,  if  minded  to  enjoy  their  beauty  nearer  home. 
A  great  green  lizard  pops  up  over  a  stone  to  see 


194 


THE   GARDEN. 


[March  12,  19C4. 


what  the  stir  is  about,  and  at  long  intervals  a 
peasant  goes  by  on  his  mule,  whose  spreaduig  pan- 
niers brush  the  growth  beside  the  narrow  track, 
while  in  his  wonder  at  your  occupation  the  rustic 
almost  forgets  to  give  you  his  good-day.  But  for 
the  rest  one  is  in  a  world  of  blue;  the  bluest  of 
blue  skies  overhead,  a  blue  haze  upon  the  further 
hillsides,  in  the  distance  the  deep  dark  blue  of  the 
Mediterranean,  and  around  and  at  one's  feet  that 
all-pervading  azure  tapestry.— i'7ora  and  Sylm. 

A  Tree  Savin.— The  Savin  is  variable  in 
growth  and  habit,  several  forms  being  grown  in 
gardens,  such  as  the  horizontal,  prostrate,  and 
Tamarisk-leaved  varieties.  There  exists,  however, 
another  form,  which  of  late  years  has  caused 
discussion  among  botanists.  This  shrub  has  for 
many  years  been  grown  by  M.  Jordan  under  the 
name  of  J.  Sabina  Villars'i,  and  it  is  thus  men- 
tioned by  Villars  in  his  "Histoire  des  Plantes  de 
Dauphine  (17S9)"  :  "  VVe  have  a  tree-like  form  at 
Saint-Clement,  near  Embrun  ; "  the  plant  still  exists 
in  the  same  neighbourhood.  This  Tree  Savin  is 
also  found  around  Grenoble,  at  Mount  Sainl- 
Eynard,  the  Casque  de  Neron,  and  the  rocks  of 
C  imboire.  In  the  department  of  Hautes  Alpes  it 
occurs  as  stated  at  Saint-Clement,  and  probably 
elsewhere  in  the  district.  This  tree  should  be  of 
value  to  growers  of  pyramidal  Junipers.  It  is 
rare  in  gardens,  growing  rather  slowly,  and  bearing 
berries  of  deep  bluish  black.— Viviand  Morel, 
Lt/oii  Horticole,  in  Flora  and  Sylva. 

"Calliandpa  Tweediei.— This,  though  the 

best-known  member  of  a  large  family,  is  quite 
uncommon,  yet  for  brilliancy  few  stove  plants  can 
compire  with  it  at  this  season  when  the  flowers 
are  developed.  It  is  a  native  of  Brazil,  and  forms 
under  cultivation  a  freely-branched  bush,  with 
slender  shoots  clothed  with  pretty  bright  green 
divided  leaves,  a  good  deal  in  the  way  of  some  of 
its  relatives,  the  Acacias  and  Mimosas.  The 
flowers,  which  are  borne  in  crowded  heads,  are 
small,  except  for  the  clusters  of  long,  prominent 
stamens,  which  stand  out  like  tufts  of  crimson 
silk.  This  constitutes  the  showiest  portion  of  the 
inflorescence,  and  at  a  little  distance  suggests  some 
of  the  members  of  the  Myrtle  family,  such  as  the 
Callistemons,  Melaleucas,  Melrosideros,  &c.,  to  all 
of  which  the  term  Bottle  Brush  trees  have  at  one 
time  or  other  been  applied.  This  Calliandra  will 
grow  freely  with  the  treatment  given  to  the  general 
run  of  stove  plants,  but  in  order  to  Sower  it  well 
the  wood  must  be  thoroughly  ripened  during  late 
summer  and  autumn,  to  ensure  which  the  plants 
should  at  that  period  have  all  the  sunshine  possible. 
It  was  introduced  from  Brazil  in  1840,  and  though 
so  attractive  just  now  and  not  at  all  difficult  to 
strike  from  cuttings,  I  have  sought  for  it  in  vain 
in  the  catalogues  of  several  nurserymen.— T. 

Polygala  dalmaisiana.— This  is  one  of 

the  hard-wooded  greenhouse  plants  that  still 
retain  a  certain  amount  of  popularity,  no  doubt 
owing  to  the  fact  that  effective  specimens  may  be 
grown  in  comparatively  small  pots.  It  is  of  rather 
loose  growth,  the  shoots  being  clothed  with  ovate 
leaves  about  1  inch  in  length  and  somewhat 
glaucous.  The  flowers,  which  are  borne  in  clusters 
at  the  points  of  the  shoots,  area  bright  rosy  purple 
colour,  with  a  curious  brush-like  cluster  of  stamens. 
This  Polygala  is  a  native  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
and  to  succeed  in  its  culture  it  needs  a  compost 
made  up  of  two  parts  peat  to  one  part  loam  and  a 
liberal  sprinkling  of  sand.  The  little  hardy  Poly- 
gala Chamsebuxus,  a  delightful  rockwork  plant, 
belongs  to  the  same  group. — H.  P. 

Freesia    Armstpongi.  — This    Freesia, 

recently  noted  as  being  in  flower  at  Kew,  has  bee.i 
known  some  years,  but  even  now  it  is  very  un- 
common, and  cannot  be  obtained  from  the  usual 
trade  sources.  In  growth  and  general  appearance 
it  resembles  a  vigorous  form  of  the  popular  Freesia 
refracta  alba,  but  it  differs  markedly  in  the  colour 
of  its  blossoms,  which  are  of  a  pleasing  shade  of 
deep  pink,  particularly  towards  the  edges  of  the 
segments.  Another  feature  is  the  total  absence  of 
the  perfume  which  adds  much  to  the  popularity  of 
F.  refracta  alba.  Freesia  Armstrongi  is  named  in 
compliment  to  Mr.  W.  Armstrong  of  Port  Eliza- 
beth, who  found  it  wild,  and,  I  believe,  first  sent 
it  to  Kew.  A  second  and  very  pretty  species  (which, 


like  F.  Armstrongi,  is  scentless)  is  F.  aurea,  which, 
though  not  a  new  plant,  has  only  been  generally 
seen  within  the  last  two  or  three  years.  This, 
which  is  rather  dwarfer  than  the  others,  bears  rich 
golden-yellow  flowers.  Like  the  rest,  it  is  a  native 
of  South  Africa,  and  in  some  districts  it  occurs  in 
great  profusion. — H.  P. 


SOCIETIES. 


BOYAL  HOETICULTUKAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall  Meeting. 
There  was  an  ejccellent  display  of  plants  and  flowers  at  the 
Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  last.  Orchids  were  very  finely  shown. 
The  Orchid  committee  awarded  one  first-class  cerliflcate  and 
thiee  awards  of  merit  to  new  Orchids.  There  were  numerous 
groups  of  forced  shrubs,  hardy  plants.  Primulas  and  other 
Sreenhouse  floweis,  ferns,  &c.,  although  no  awards  to  new 
plants  were  made  by  the  Horal  committee.  The  fruit  com- 
mittee is  having  no  work  at  all  this  spring.  There  was  only 
one  dish  of  Apples  put  before  them  on  Tuesday,  at  the 
previous  meeting  there  was  no  fruit  at  all,  and  at  the  pen- 
ultimate meeting  one  dish  of  Pears  only.  The  Drill  Hall  was 
crowded  both  morning  and  evening. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  James 
O'Brien,  J.  Gurney  I'owler,  James  Dciuglas,  Walter  Cobb, 
H  Ballaptioe,  N,)rman  C.  Cookson,  de  B.  Crawshay,  Jeremiah 
Colman,  H  T.  Pitt,  J.  Charlesworth,  W.  A.  Bilney  Ric-hard 
G.  Th^aitsi,  A.  A.  McBean,  F.  W.  Ashton,  E  Hill,  i.  J. 
Thorne,  T.  W,  Bmid,  E.  Sander,  M,  Gleeson,  J.  W  Odell, 
W.  Boxall,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  A.  Tracy,  W.  H.  White,  Francis 
Welksley,  H.  Little,  and  J.  Wilson  Potter.  ,  ,,  ,j  „ 

Baron  Sir  Henry  Schroder,  Bart.,  The  Dell,  Englefleld  Green 
("ardener,  Mr.  Ballantine),  showed  some  choice  and  splen- 
didly flowered  Orchids,  for  instance,  Dendrobmm  leechia- 
num,  D.  wardianum,  D.  heterocarpum  album,  D.  hybndum, 
D  Dulce,  Cypripedium  lathamiannm,  C.  Calypso  Oaliwood 
var  C  mastersianum,  C.  macrochilum,  Calanthe  Baron 
Schroder,  Lycaste  Sliinneri  alba,  Odontoglossum  crispum 
Mrs.  H.  G.  Moon,  0.  Coradinei,  0.  Adrians,  and  0.  Memonffi 
Victoria  Kegina.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Reigate  (gar- 
dener, Mr.  W,  P.  Bound),  e.vhlbited  a  group  of  choice 
Orchids,  the  plants  finely  grown.  Cyinhidium  Lowio- 
eburneum,  Odontoglossum  crispum  roseum,  0.  ruckerianum, 
0  triumphans,  Platyclinis  glumacea,  Phaius  Gorman, 
Cattleya  Schi  otlei  le,  Acineta  Culmanii,  all  evidenced  the  best 
of  culture.  Masdevallia  courtauldiana,  Cypripedium  niveum, 
Dendrobium  Othello  Gatton  Park  var.,  Ca;logyne  cnstata 
lemoniana,  Brassavola  nodosa  grandiflora,  and  others  were 
well  shown  also.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  showed  some 
excellent  Dendrobiums  in  many  varieties,  as  well  as  other 
Orchids.  Among  the  Dendrobiums  were  D.  barbatulum,  U. 
nobile  nobilius,  D.  n.  sanderianum,  D.  n.  stattenanum,  D. 
Backhousei,D.jamesiaiium,and  D.Apoiloalbum.  Cypripedium 
Maudirc,  C.  villosum  giganteum,  C.  lathamianum,  O.  Charles 
Richmond  (barljalum  X  bellalulum),  Miltonia  vexiUaria, 
Sophronitis  grandillora,  and  Ltelia  jongheana  were  also 
shown  by  Messrs.  Cypher.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

The  group  of  Orchids  from  Messrs.  Sander  and  Son,  St. 
Albans,  contained  Dendrobium  nobile  nobilms,  Cymbldmm 
hookerianum,  C.  eburneo-lowianum,  Trichopilia  suavis  var., 
Houlletia  brocklehurstiana,  La:lio-Cattleya  bletchleyensis, 
Maxi Uariavenusta  grandiflora,  Cliysis  Chelsoni,  Zygopetalum 
crinilum,  La'lio-Cattleva  Edwardii  (cinnabarina  X  hardyana), 
Lielia  harpophylla,  Epidendrum  decandolleana,  Odonto- 
glossum ciispum  Mari:u,Zygopetalumcrinitum,andCu3logyne 
laotea,  all  Orchids  of  exceptional  attractiveness.  Silver  ilora 

medal.  ^     ,^     j   ir    i 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  \orks, 
exhibited  a  group  of  Orchids,  in  which  hybrids  of  much 
beauty  were  conspicuous.  The  brilliant  apiicot-red  of  Lrclio- 
Cattleya  Charlesworthii  made  a  bright  patch  in  the  centre, 
while  'l.-C.  Doris  (soft  apricot  sepals  and  petals),  Liclia 
Bri-ies  (lemon  yellow  with  purple  lip),  L.-C.  Myra  (primrose, 
with  purple  lip),  L.-C.  Myra  Etoile  d'Or  (rich  yellow),  and 
Oncidium  concolor  were  all  of  striking  colours.  Cattleya 
Enid  ma^nifica,  Liolio-Cattleya  haroldiana,  Lycaste  bkinneri 
Fascinator,  L.  S.  Exquisita,  and  L.  S.  Fairy  were  also  very 
handsome.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

R  G  Thwaites,  Esq.,  Chessington,  Streatham,  exhibited  a 
large  display  of  Orchids,  consisting  laigely  of  Dendrobiums. 
Some  of  the  best  were  D.  nobile  munhinianum,  D.  n.  yir- 
ginale  (raised  from  seed),  D.  Wiganiro,  D.  Euryalus  Apollo, 
D.  Cybele  elegans,  D.  wiganianum  album,  D.  Isis,  some 
Catlleyas,  and  Odontoglossums.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Walton  Grange,  Stone,  Staffs,  showed 
some  handsome  seedling  Odontoglossums,  such  as  O.  Adrianio 
var  Babette,  0.  Vuylstekei,  0.  waltouiense  (crispum  X 
polyxanthum),  and  0.  crispo-harryanum.  Silver  Banksiau 
medal. 

Messrs,  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  had  a  handsome  group 
of  Dendrobiums  ;  for  instance,  D.  Boxalli,  D.  orassmode,  D. 
c.  album,  D.  wardianum,  D.  nobile  ballianum,  D.  roeblingi- 
anum  as  well  as  Oncidium  concolor,  Coulogyne  cnstata  alba, 
Sophronitis  grandiflora,  Angnccum  citratum,  Cypripedium 
Helen  II.,  and  C.  hirsuUssimum.    Silver  Uanksian  medal. 

Captain  Holford,  C.I.E.,  Westonbirt,  Tetbury,  Gloucester 
(Orchid  grower,  Mr.  Alexander),  showed  Odontoglossum 
Adrianic  var.  Lady  Crawford,  Dendrobium  Clio  Burford  var., 
Ada  aurantiaca  Westonbirt  var.,  and  Cypripedium  Scipio. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  .Sons,  Chelsea,  showed  LicUo- 
Catlleya  Myra,  L.-C.  Myra  pallida  (a  beautiful  form,  with 
pale  primrose  sepals  and  petals  and  crimson-purple  lip), 
and  Cypripedium  Boxalli  var. 

La;lia  jongheana  var.  and  Cypripedium  villosum  X  ISiobe 
were  shown  by  F.  W.  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westtleld,  Woking. 


A  cultural  commendation  was  given  to  Leptotes  bicolor, 
shown  by  Walter  Cobb,  Esq.,  Dulcote,  Tunbridge  Wells 
(gardener,  ilr.  J.  Howes).  Mr.  Cobb  also  showed  Odonto- 
glossum Adriante  cobbianum  and  a  hybrid  Cypripedium. 

H.  I.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thurgood), 
showed  Dendrobium  aggregatum  majus,  very  finely  flowered 
(cultural  commendation),  a  very  dark-flowered  Lycaste,  and 
Liparis  purpurea. 

De  B.  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Rosefleld,  Sevenoaks  (gardener,  Mr. 
W.  J.  Stables),  showed  Odontoglossum  crispum  de  Barri  and 
0.  X  waltoneuse  rosefleldense  (crispum  X  polyxanthum). 

A  cultural  commendation  was  given  to  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.,  for  Dendrobium  Luna,  very  finely  flowered. 

Messrs.  James  ^'eitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  showed 
Cypripedium  Harri  -  leeanum  (harrisianum  superbum  X 
leeanum  superbum)  and  Lrelio-Cattleya  ilyra. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Wylam-on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr. 
H.  J.  Chapman),  showed  Dendrobium  nobile  X  Wiganiiii  and 
D.  X  McJap  (McArthifc  X  japonicum). 

C.  J.  Lucas,  Esq.,  Warnham  Court,  Horsham  (gardener,  Mr. 
G.  Duncan),  showed  Lxlio-CalMeya  warnliameusis. 

Lord  Rothschild,  Tring  Park  (gardener,  Mr.  E.  Hill),  showed 
Phalaenopsis  intermedia  Portii. 

New  Orchitis. 

LcnUo-Cattlcya  haroldiana  magmfica.—X  very  fine  form  of 
this  liybrid  Cartleya,  whose  pareuls  are  Ltelia  tenebrosa  and 
Cattleya  hardyana.  The  lip  is  large,  handsome,  and  of  rich 
velvety  purple  colouring,  and  the  soft  red-purple  petals 
are  unusually  broad.  Other  forms  of  this  hybrid  have 
previously  been  certificated.  From  Messrs.  Charlesworth 
and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford.    First-class  certificate. 

Oduntoglijssiiiii  erispiim  Mossciulak  tar.— A  well-formed 
flowei,  the  white  sepals  and  petals  and  lip  heavily  marked 
with  chocolate-red.  The  edges  of  the  lower  sepals  are 
tinged  with  purple.  From  J.  Wilson  Potter,  Esq  ,  Park  Hill 
Road,  Croydon  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  H.  Y'oung).  Award  of 
merit. 

Odontoglossum  crispum  kinlesidiaiium.—Ot  unusual  and 
somewhat  curious  appearance.  The  sepals  are  white,  except 
for  a  tinge  of  lilac,  while  the  petals,  which  point  slightly 
upwards,  are  heavily  marked  with  brick-red.  F'rom  Norman 
C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Wylam-on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr.  H.  J.  Chap- 
man).   Award  of  merit. 

Dendrobium  Mi'lanodiscuc  var.  ghiriusum.— Ibis  is  a  hand- 
some and  improved  variety  of  a  good  Dendiobium.  The 
sepals  and  petals  are  tinged  with  deep  rosy  purple.  The 
throat  is  marone-coloured,  margined  at  the  mouth  witli  a 
band  of  rich  yellow,  fallowed  by  a  band  of  white,  and  Anally 
the  lip  is  tipped  with  purple.  From  Mrs.  Haywood,  Wood- 
hatch  Lodge,  Reigate  (gardener,  Mr.  C.  J.  Salter).  Award  of 
merit. 

Fruit  Committee. 

Present :   George   Bunyard,    Esq.    (chairman),  Messrs.   J. 
Cheal,    T.   W.   Bates,   S.    Mot  timer,    W.    Pope,   Horace   J. 
Wright,   H.    Markham,  J.   Willard,  James    H.    Veitch,  K.  ■ 
Lewis  Castle,  H.  Parr,  F.  Q.  Lane,  J.  Lyne,  G.  Norman,  A.  H.  ■ 
Pearson,  W.  Poupart,  and  Oweu  Thomas. 

A  dish  of  Apples,  shown  by  Messrs.  Vokes,  Kingsworthy, 
Winchester,  was  the  only  exhibit  before  this  committee. 

Floral  Committee. 
Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  Messrs.  H,  B- 
May,  R.  Dean,  J.  F.  McLeod,  R.  W.  Wilsou-Ker,  F.S.A., 
Charles  T'.  Druery,  John  Green,  James  Hudson,  J.  Jennings, 
William  Howe,  Charles  Dixon,  W.  Bain,  J.  A.  Nix,  C.  J. 
.Salter,  Charles  E.  Pearson,  Chailes  Jeflferies,  H.  J.  Cutbush, 
R,  W.  Wallace,  William  Cuthbertson,  Charles  E.  Shea, 
W.  P.  Thomson,  Harry  Turner,  George  Paul,  J.  W.  Barr, 
R.  C.  Notcutt,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  R.  F'roebel  (visitor),  Edward 
Mawley,  K.  Hooper  Pearson,  C.  R.  Fielder,  E.  T.  Cook, 
George  Nicholson,  C  BItck,  and  George  Gordon. 

An  excellent  group  of  Ferns  from  Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son, 
Edmonton,  included  Platyceriuros,  such  as  P.  Veitohi,  many 
Davallias  and  Adiantnms,  several  fine  Gymnogramraas, 
Woodwardia  orientalis,  Adiantnm  asarifolium,  and  the  very 
distinct  Pteris  internata.  The  group  included  many  good 
and  useful  things,  all  well  grown  and  well  arranged.  Adian- 
tum  Weigandi  is  a  very  distinct  form.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

The  alpine  and  hardy  plants  from  Messrs.  Cutbush  and 
Son,  Highgate,  included  Megaseas,  Iris  reticulata,  I.  H»ld- 
reichi,  Saxifraga  apiculata,  Shortia  galacifolia  and  its 
variety  rosea,  Epigiea  repens  full  of  bloom,  tlie  pretty  yellow 
Lilhospermum  cauescens,  the  hybrid  bine  Primroses,  the 
vernal  Gentian  in  flower,  some  charming  masses  of  Hepatica, 
&c.  Rhododendron  chanuccistus  was  very  beautiful.  Messrs. 
Cutbush  also  showed  Tree  Carnations  and  a  flue  lot  of  forced 
shrubs — Prunns,  Wistaria,  Azaleamollis,  Laburnums,  Cytisus 
Adamii,  Guelder  Rose,  Ribes,  and  the  like,  with  Palms, 
Aralias,  and  other  things  interspersed.  Silver-gilt  Banksian 
medal. 

Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams,  Holloway,  also  set  up  a  group  of 
forced  shrubs.  Lilacs  in  plenty.  Azalea  ,  mollis.  Palms, 
Viburnums,  Guelder  Rose,  and  the  like.  Silver  Banksian 
medal. 

Messrs.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  had  the  blue  Primroses, 
Ericas,  Soldaiiella  alpina,  and  various  Primulas  with  rock 
shrubs  in  a  rockery  arrangement. 

Mr.  R.  Anker,  Addison  Road,  Kensington,  had  miniature 
examples  of  Cacti,  Aloes,  &c.,  together  with  pots  of  Trifolium 
repens  pentaphyllum,  &c. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  showed  Azalea 
indica,  vervtcana,  and  others.  All  the  plants  were  a  mass 
of  bloom. 

An  interesting  exhibit  of  catkin-bearing  plants  from  Lord 
Aldenham,  Elstree,  included  Gairya,  several  species  of 
AInus,  with  t'orylus  in  several  forms,  and  the  large  Populus 
alba  cauescens  penduls.  A  most  interesting  lot.  A'ote  of 
thanks. 

Ferns,  with  Gardenias  and  Boronias,  were  comprised  in 
the  exhibit  from  Mr.  U.  B.  May,  Edmonton.  Of  the  former 
Pteris  Childsii  was  notaltle,  and  with  Uavalliasand  AdiaiUum 
farleyense  gave  a  freshening  look  to  the  whole.  Gardenia 
florida,  as  pot  plants,  and  Boronia  megastigma  were  very 
attractive.    Silver  Banksiau  medal, 


^fe5t_ 


GARDEN 


No.  1687.— Vol.  LXV.] 


DESTRUCTION     OF 
BRITISH    FLOWERS. 

IT  was  well  that  tlie  Eev.  Professor 
Henslovv,  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Horticultural  Club,  drew  attention  to 
the  wholesale  destruction  of  the  British 
flora,  and  urged  Parliamentary  action 
to  protect  rare  and  even  familiar  flowers  from 
extermination.  A  sort  of  protection  exists 
over  the  fauna  of  Britain,  though  the  Act  is 
seldom  enforced,  in  spite  of  the  many  misdeeds 
committed  by  the  mercenary  and  thoughtless; 
but  flowers  may  be  dug  up  and  destroyed  with 
impunity.  All  who  love  their  gardens,  and 
therefore  the  flowers  in  them,  must  possess 
sufficient  zeal  in  the  interest  of  wild  flower  life 
to  bring  the  law  into  force  for  its  protection. 
It  is  always  the  thoughtless  that  are  the  most 
blameworthy,  but  the  collector  who  is  deter- 
mined to  stamp  out  a  species  for  the  sake  of 
boasting  that  his  herbarium  contains  the  last 
of  a  flower  that  has  gemmed  many  a  wild 
corner  with  its  beauty  for  generations  is 
despicable.  This  selfish  motive  is  revealed  not 
by  the  plant  collector  alone,  but  also  by  those 
who  collect  butterflies  and  birds'  eggs.  It  was 
mentioned  that  the  pretty  larger  Butterwort 
(Pinguicula  grandiflora)  was  almost  extinct, 
one  colony  known  to  a  speaker  at  the  meeting 
having  disappeared  in  a  year  through  this 
idiotic  and  senseless  desire  to  skin  the  English 
counties  of  their  flower  life. 

The  collector  who  is  anxious  for  knowledge 
and  specimens  for  his  herbarium  or  garden 
takes  sufficient  for  his  purpose  without  reckless 
disturbance  of  the  roots.  Those  who  search 
hill  and  dale  in  this  spirit  acquire  a  keen  love 
for  Nature  generally  and  quicken  their  powers 
of  observation.  It  is  a  health-giving  pursuit 
which  we  in  nowise  desire  to  frustrate,  but  to 
destroy  for  the  sake  of  acquiring  a  collection 
no  one  else  can  accumulate  is  nothing  short  of 
criminal.  A  herbarium  is  well  enough  in  its 
way.  Under  proper  control  it  is  invaluable 
for  botanical  reference,  as  at  Kew  ;  but  the  true 
botanist  has  no  evil  intent  when  he  attempts 
to  form  a  representative  collection  of  British 
flowers  ;  he  knows  the  way  to  lift  a  plant  or 
any  portion  of  it,  with  no  intention  of  blotting 
it  from  the  British  flora. 

Many  common  Ferns  are  rapidly  becoming 
extinct  ;  they  are  grubbed  up  in  cartloads  from 
the  lanes  of  Devonshire  and  other  well-favoured 
counties  and  sold  in  the  nearest  markets  or  in 
Covent  Garden.  The  plants  are  dragged  out 
of  the  ground  with  or  without  roots,  and  few 


survive.  This  is  the  fate  of  common  things, 
and  of  the  rare  species  it  may  be  said  that 
every  year  brings  them  nearer  to  total  exter- 
mination. 

Local  guides  are  responsible  for  much  mis- 
chief. The  haunts  of  rarities  are  pointed  out 
with  a  clearness  that  makes  access  to  them  as 
easy  as  to  some  neighbouring  pleasure  resort, 
and  the  result  is  destruction  in  a  few  summers. 
The  visitors,  filled  with  a  desire  to  reproduce 
the  local  flora  in  their  back  yards,  bring  back 
handfuls  for  themselves  and  friends,  and  in 
doing  so  flatter  themselves  they  are  devoted  to 
Nature  in  general  and  flowers  in  particular. 

We  hear  and  read  much  about  studying 
Nature— a  little  more  than  we  care  about.  The 
life-giving  breezes  of  the  moorlands  and  the 
restfulness  of  country  lanes  and  woodlands 
bring  ruddy  cheeks  to  the  tired  workers  in  the 
towns  ;  but  all  this  may  be  enjoyed  without 
destroying  the  things  that  give  the  countryside 
its  enduring  charm— the  Primrose  in  the  shel- 
tered bank,  the  Cowslip  in  the  mead,  and  the 
Dog  Eose  in  the  hedgerow.  These  gifts 
from  the  lap  of  Nature  are  for  the 
pleasure  of  all,  and  not  for  the  "Nature" 
societies  to  grasp  at  for  the  instruction  of 
the  hordes  of  so-called  pupils,  whose  bent  is 
destruction,  and  whose  love  of  flowers  is  ex- 
pressed by  dissecting  them  to  dab  between  bits 
of  blotting-paper,  never  to  see  light  again.  If 
county  councils  wish  to  encourage  half  days  in 
the  country  let  the  teachers  first  instil  in  the 
minds  of  their  pupils  that  every  wild  flower 
has  its  message  to  the  world.  Under  careful 
tuition  the  child  reverences  the  wayside  flowers, 
and  acquires  a  knowledge  of  their  names,  and 
in  time  the  places  the  botanist  has  allotted 
them  in  the  great  natural  orders. 


EARLY    CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Flowers  foe  the  Autumn  Gabden. 

Marked  progress  has  been  made  in  recent 
years  with  the  early-flowering  Chrysanthe- 
mums, and  the  time  has  come  when  a  greater 
variety  should  be  introduced  into  English 
gardens.  Only  seventeen  or  eighteen  years 
ago  the  Japanese  varieties  at  that  time 
catalogued  were  very  few  compared  with 
what  exist  to-day.  About  a  dozen  good 
Japanese  varieties  were  in  existence,  and  of 
these  not  more  than  three  or  four  are  now  in 
general  cultivation.  At  that  time  the  late 
M.  Simon  Delaux  created  a  sensation  by 
introductions  of  the  Japanese  type  of  flower. 
He  had  been  working  for  fifteen  years  to 
achieve  his  purpose,  and  his  efforts  were 
rewarded  with  success.    In  succeeding  years 


[March  I'J,  1904. 


new  and  interesting  sorts  were  raised,  and  in 
1890  the  list  had  grown  enormously.  The 
greatest  change,  however,  was  eflected  in  1891, 
when  M.  Delaux  distributed  in  one  set  125  new 
varieties,  the  Japanese  sorts  being  almost 
exclusively  represented.  It  was  impos- 
sible to  deal  satisfactorily  with  so  large  a. 
number  of  novelties  in  one  season,  and  in 
consequence  many  of  the  best  among  them 
were  soon  forgotten,  though  some  of  the 
original  set  which  had  been  lost  lor  years 
were  met  with  in  the  trials  at  Tamworth  in 
1902  and  1903. 

In  the  years  immediately  subsequent  to  M. 
Delaux's  great  achievement  English  raisers  of 
seedling  Japanese  varieties  were  also  at  work. 
So  successful  have  been  their  efi'orts  that  the 
French  and  other  Continental  raisers  are  lett 
entirely  behind.  English  raisers  have  been 
wise  enough  to  select  the  better  varieties  tor 
hybridising,  and  in  consequence  many  beauti- 
ful sorts  have  been  added.  Mme.  Mane 
Masse,  a  lilac-mauve  Japanese  variety,  intro- 
duced in  1894,  was  the  beginning  of  better 
things.  From  this  variety  have  sprung  many 
delightful  novelties.  To  begin,  it  developed 
no  less  than  four  sports- cream,  chestnut,, 
cerise,  and  yellow— and  there  are  already  quite 
a  number  of  beautiful  seedlings  in  cultivation 
from  the  same  sort.  It  is  for  the  garden  that 
these  plants  are  so  welcome.  They  are  some- 
times described  as  hardy  outdoor  Chrysanthe- 
mums, and  though  this  description  is  not 
strictly  accurate,  when  generally  applied  to  the 
section  it  is  perfectly  correct  respecting  a  large 
number  of  the  plants,  and  especially  so  of 
Mme.  Marie  Masse  and  its  sports.  This  group- 
has  a  branching  growth,  and  single  plants  will 
carry  from  100  to  150  flowers.  When  left  to- 
grow  naturally  the  plants  are  seen  to  better 
advantage.  Pinching  back  or  stopping  the 
shoots  is  quite  unnecessary  with  the  early 
sorts,  and  far  more  satisfactory  results  are  seen 
when  the  plants,  except  for  staking  and^  tying, 
are  left  to  develop  naturally.  The  constitution 
of  this  ideal  family  of  plants  is  strong  and 
robust,  and  no  matter  how  severe  the  winter 
may  be  they  come  through  the  ordeal 
apparently  unharmed.  They  are  truly  peren- 
nial, and  should  be  in  all  lists  of  hardy  plants 
Flowering  time  begins  in  late  August  and 
continues  throughout  September  and  October, 
and  in  mild  seasons,  such  as  last  autumn,  the 
display  continues  well  into  November. 

The  early  Chrysanthemums  create  brilliant 
effects.  The  smallest  plants,  if  planted 
towards  the  end  of  May,  will  make  handsome 
bushes  by  the  flowering  period.  Many  of  our 
readers  may  remember  the  trial  of  early- 
flowering  Chrysanthemums  at  Chiswick  m 
1897  "  They  made  a  magnificent  display,"  the 
Journal  of  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society- 
states,  but  those  sorts  are  completely  eclipsed 
by  those  of  to-day.  The  newer  race  shows 
great  variety,  both  in  the  colour  and  form  ot 
the  flowers.  The  warm  colourings  of  the 
early  Chrysanthemums  succeed  the  summers 


196 


?HE    GARDEN. 


[March  19,  1904- 


display,  thus  prolonging  the  brightness  of  the 
garden  for  a  month  or  two  longer.  They  are 
essentially  for  the  outdoor  garden,  as  their 
vigorous  root  action,  when  once  they  get 
established,  demands  greater  space  than  pot 
culture  alfords.  Although  we  have  referred 
almost  exclusively  to  plants  of  Jaoanese  origin, 
the  pretty  Pompons  must  not  be  forgotten. 
Progress  has  been  slow  in  this  section  ;  still, 
there  have  been  several  decided  gains  of  late 
years.  The  newer  sorts  are  distinctly  pretty, 
and  deserve  more  extended  culture. 

There  is  a  tendency  to  crowd  the  plants  in 
the  border.  Allow  plenty  of  room,  as  well- 
grown  plants  give  a  greater  wealth  of  flowers 
than  those  crowded  together. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

March  22. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  5.  —  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

April  12. — Brighton  Horticultural  Show  (two 
days). 


Royal   Hopticultupal  Society.— The 

next  fruit  and  flower  show  of  this  society  will  be 
held  on  Tuesday  next  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Bucking- 
ham Gate,  Westminster,  1 — 5  p.m.  A  lecture  on 
"Heredity  of  Acquired  Characters"  will  be  given 
by  the  Rev.  Professor  G.  Henslow,  V.M.H.  At  a 
general  meeting  of  the  society,  held  on  Tuesday, 
the  8th  inst.,  fifty  new  Fellows  were  elected, 
amongst  them  being  Sir  Henry  Pottinger,  Bart., 
Lady  Lyall,  and  Lady  Slacke,  making  a  total  of 
351  elected  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  year. 

Sale   at  the  Royal   Horticultural 
Society's    Chiswiclc   g'ardens.  —  The 

auction  sale  held  on  Thursday,  the  10th  inst., 
indicates  that  these  interesting  gardens  will  soon 
disappear.  Favoured  by  a  bright  sunny  day  there 
was  a  large  attendance,  but  many  were  there 
simply  to  take  a  last  look  at  the  old  place.  One 
could  not  help  thinking  that  much  useful  horticul- 
tural work  might  yet  be  done  in  such  a  large,  open 
space,  but  the  place  already  begins  to  bear  a 
dilapidated  appearance,  the  houses,  which  at  one 
time  were  so  well  filled  with  collections  of  useful 
plants,  being  almost  empty.  The  old  Fig  trees 
(occupying  what  was  once  the  Palm  house),  with 
their  gaunt  and  naked  appearance,  looked  as  if 
they  belonged  to  past  ages.  Buyers  for  these  were 
not  numerous,  and  the  prices  realised  did  not  come 
up  to  expectations.  Other  fruit  trees  found  very 
few  buyers,  there  being  scarcely  any  competition 
in  the  bidding.  Some  things  sold  very  well,  the 
Yucca  recurvifolia,  of  which  there  were  a  good 
many  fine  plants,  bringing  quite  a  lively  competi- 
tion, 953.  for  ten  plants  being  the  highest  price 
noted.  Some  of  the  Palms  sold  very  well.  The 
large  Camellias  in  the  entrance  also  found  several 
buyers.  The  prices  paid  were  not  high,  but  the 
cost  of  moving  will  add  considerably  to  the  auction 
price.  Some  of  the  large  specimens  were  bouglit 
for  Kew. 

Chicory  as  a  spring  vegetable.— 

This  is  not  much  grown  as  a  forced  or  spring  vege- 
table in  this  country,  but  on  the  Continent  it  is  in 
great  favour  as  a  salad.  I  would  advise  a  trial  of 
the  large  variety,  the  Witloof,  which  should  be 
boiled  in  the  same  way  as  Seakale,  and  served  hot. 
The  flavour  may  not  be  much  relished  at  first,  but 
it  soon  becomes  palatable  ;  indeed,  to  many  who 
have  lived  abroad  it  is  much  esteemed.  On  the 
other  hand,  when  grown  for  use  in  this  way  I  do 
not  mean  the  loose,  long  leaves  one  often  sees  when 
used  as  a  salad,  but  ihe  close,  compact  growth 
from  4  inches  to  6  inches  long,  with  a  rather  thick 
base  ;    indeed,   very  much  like   Seakale   cut  in    a 


young  state.  When  Chicory  is  used  in  this  way  it 
requires  simple  culture,  and  may  be  started  into 
growth  in  any  dark  place  with  a  temperature  of  I  upon    the    fruit   industry   of   Great   Britain 


50".  Of  course,  the  growths  vary  according  to  the 
roots,  but  if  seed  is  sown  in  the  spring  and  ample 
space  given  to  the  plants  they  will  make  excellent 
forcing  material  for  next  season.  The  roots  are  not 
unlike  a  large  Parsnip,  and  they  are  very  hardy, 
but  in  e.xposed  situations  they  are  lifted  and  stored. 
This  is  not  necessary  in  well-drained  soil,  and  a 
few  roots  placed  indoors  every  fortnight  from 
November  till  April  will  give  a  supply.  I  have 
noticed  that  large  quantities  of  this  plant  are  sent 
from  abroad  in  the  condition  I  have  referred  to  for 
using  as  a  vegetable,  the  variety  being  the  WiLloof 
or  Large  Brussels,  but  as  its  culture  is  so  simple  it 
is  well  worth  growing  as  a  spring  vegetable. — G. 
Wythes. 
Bulb  -  growing    at    Nairn,    N.B.— 

Although  on  a  comparatively  small  scale,  the 
show  of  bulbs  held  in  connexion  with  the  spring 
flower  show  and  industrial  exhibition  of  the  Nairn 
Seamen's  Society  on  the  9th  inst.  deserves  some 
notice.  A  feature  is  made  of  Hyacinths,  and, 
although  the  number  on  exhibition  was  smaller 
than  last  year,  it  was  stated  that  a  much  greater 
number  than  formerly  had  been  cultivated  in  the 
dwellings  of  the  fishermen.  The  bad  weather  had 
been  against  them  coming  forward.  Those  shown 
were  of  excellent  quality.  The  leading  awards 
were  :  Silver  cup,  for  best  Hyacinth  in  the  show. 
Miss  Ellen,  Union  Street ;  best  blue  Hyacinth, 
Mrs.  Cope,  Park  Street ;  white  Hyacinth,  Mrs. 
M'Pherson,  Harbour  Street ;  red,  J.  Cameron, 
Wellington  Square. 

The  National  Sweet  Pea  Society- 
Provincial  prizes.  —  The  committee  has 
arranged  with  the  Wiltshire  Horticultural  Society, 
whose  exhibition  will  be  held  on  August  10,  to 
include  in  the  schedule  a  special  class  for  Sweet 
Peas,  for  which  the  National  Society  will  provide 
the  prizes.  The  class  is  identical  with  the  audit 
class  on  page  19  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society's 
schedule,  and  all  members  of  this  society  may  com- 
pete free,  others  on  paying  the  usual  fees  of  the 
Wiltshire  Society,  of  which  Mr.  Leonard  Sly, 
Salisbury,  is  the  secretary.  The  total  prize  money 
offered  by  the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society  is 
£3  23.  6d.  and  a  silver  medal  to  the  winner  of  the 
premier  place.  Mr.  Sly  will  send  full  particulars. 
The  society  has  also  been  able  to  arrange  with  the 
Galashiels  Horticultural  Association  for  a  class  on 
behalf  of  northern  growers,  the  prizes  being  iden- 
tical with  those  oflfered  in  the  previous  case.  The 
class  here  is  similar  to  the  classification  class  on 
page  19  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society's 
schedule,  and  it  will  be  contested  on  September  10. 
Members  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society  are 
entitled  to  exhibit  free  of  special  entry  fee.  The 
secretary  of  the  Galashiels  Horticultural  Associa- 
tion is  Mr.  James  Mallen,  Galashiels,  who  will  be 
pleased  to  send  complete  details  of  the  class. — 
Horace  J.  Wright. 

Tree   Ferns   in    Glasgow  Botanic 

Gardens. — Within  recent  years  much  has  been 
done  to  make  the  Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens  more 
worthy  of  the  great  city  to  which  they  belong, 
and,  without  sacrificing  their  usefulness  to  the 
students  who  frequent  them,  to  render  them  more 
attractive  to  the  public  at  large.  The  establish- 
ment is  a  fine  one,  handicapped  although  it  is  by 
the  atmosphere  of  the  city,  and  the  recent  changes 
have  done  much  to  improve  it  in  every  way.  One 
of  its  features  is  the  Kibble  Palace,  a  noble  glass 
structure,  which  is  being  improved  by  the  substi- 
tution of  better  plants  for  the  more  common  ones 
it  formerly  contained.  A  wonderful  improvement 
has  been  effected  by  an  alteration  in  the  roof  of  the 
central  portion,  so  as  to  admit  more  light,  and  by 
planting  under  it  a  group  of  Tree  Ferns,  arranged 
in  a  strikingly  natural  manner  among  rocks.  This 
has  been  skilfully  done.  Those  who  have  visited 
these  splendid  plants  in  their  own  habitats  are 
among  those  who  praise  the  Kibble  Palace  group 
the  most.  There  are  among  them  some  noble  Dick- 
sonias  and  others,  but  it  is  in  the  skill  of  the 
grouping  that  the  main  charm  consists.  Certainly 
this  is  one  of  the  many  successes  Mr.  Whitton  has 
had  in  the  course  of  his  work  in  the  Glasgow  parks. 

The  Departmental  Committee  ap- 
pointed by  Lord  Onslow  to  enquire  into  and  report 
"  ~  held 


sittings  on  the  9th,  10th,  and  11th  inst.  The  fol- 
lowing members  were  present;  Mr.  A.  S.  T. 
GritBlh-Boscawen,  M.P.  (chairman),  Colonel  Long, 
M.P.,  Mr.  C.  W.  Radcliffe-Cooke,  Mr.  Hodge,  Mr. 
Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Somerville,  Mr.  P.  Spencer 
Pickering,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Mr.  Ernest 
Garnse}'  (secretarj').  On  the  Oth  inst.  Mr.  W.  W. 
Berry,  Mr.  Edward  Pink,  Mr.  John  Wood,  and 
Mr.  George  Smith,  as  four  Kent  growers  ;  on  the 
10th  inst.  Mr.  John  Riley,  Mr.  John  Watkins,  and 
Mr.  J.  H.  Wootton,  as  three  Hereford  growers  ; 
and  on  the  11th  inst.  Mr.  W.  J.  Lobjoit  and  Mr. 
W.  Poupart,  as  two  Middlesex  growers,  gave 
evidence.  In  addition,  on  the  11th  inst.  Mr.  J. 
Struthers,  C.B. ,  of  the  Scotch  Education  Depart- 
ment, and  Mr.  Buckmaster,  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  gave  evidence. 

Persian  Cyclamens  at  Farnham 

Royal. — A  house  of  Persian  Cyclamens  in  the 
nursery  of  Messrs.  W.  .James  and  Son,  Farnham 
Royal,  Slough,  is  bright  with  colour.  The  varieties 
are  set  out  in  groups  to  give  effect  to  the  various 
colourings,  which  pass  from  white  to  deepest 
blood-red,  and  we  have  never  seen  finer  individual 
blooms,  the  petals  having  a  look  of  strength  with- 
out any  tendency  to  coarseness.  Many  plants 
were  so  burdened  with  flowers  that  the  leaves 
were  almost  hidden.  There  is  beauty,  too,  in  the 
foliage,  which  is  sometimes  a  pale  green,  but  fre- 
quently finely  mottled  and  marbled  and  variegated, 
quite  as  much  so  as  in  many  plants  sold  for  their 
leaf  colouring  alone.  The  varieties  are  numerous, 
and  all  selected  for  the  freshness  and  clearness  of 
their  colouring,  shape  of  the  flowers,  and  freedom. 
The  cherry-red  is  a  brilliant  shade  without  trace 
of  magenta,  a  cheery  colour  that  is  pleasurable 
in  the  sunlight  and  when  in  the  house  for  decora- 
tion ;  the  white  is  as  pure  as  driven  snow,  the 
deep  crimson  of  quite  a  glowing  tone,  and  the 
salmon-pink  pure  and  distinct.  It  is  an  object- 
lesson  in  bright  and  beautiful  colours,  and  an  indi- 
cation that  only  by  rigid  selection  and  careful 
hybridising  is  it  possible  to  achieve  such  results. 
The  famous  Cinerarias  are  opening  their  first 
flowers.  We  shall  have  something  to  write  about 
these  in  due  course. 

Spring  flowers  at  Reading.— I  had 

the  pleasure  recently  of  attending  one  of  the  fort- 
nightly meetings  of  the  Reading  Gardeners'  Society 
early  in  March,  when  the  subject  under  discussion 
was  "Spring  Flowers."  Some  time  before  the 
meeting  began  many  members  were  engaged 
setting  up  cut  flowers  and  plants.  When  the  meet- 
ing opened  there  was  a  large  display  of  the  best 
kinds  of  spring  flowers,  forced  shrubs.  Orchids,  &c. 
It  was  the  finest  exhibit  I  ever  saw  at  a  meeting 
of  a  gardeners'  society,  and  this  is  an  excellent  way 
to  keep  up  interest  in  the  meetings.  I  was  im- 
pressed with  the  many  side  issues  this  society  has 
apart  from  the  lectures  and  discussions.  It  does  a 
good  work  in  connexion  with  the  Gardeners'  Bene- 
volent Institution.  One  evening  a  j'ear  the  plants 
and  flowers  exhibited  are  sent  to  the  hospital.  It 
also  assists  members  to  find  fresh  situations  when 
making  changes,  and  does  other  useful  work.  The 
members  number  nearly  300;  they  are  to  be  con- 
gratulated on  their  thriving  society. — J.  Crook. 

Edinburgh  and  East  of  Scotland 
Agricultural  College  and  horticul- 
tural teaching. — Among  the  subjects  before 
a  meeting  of  the  governors  of  the  Edinburgh  and 
East  of  Scotland  Agricultural  College,  held  on  the 
9th  inst.,  was  the  question  of  the  horticultural  class 
at  the  college.  The  matter  arose  on  the  minutes  of 
the  Central  Studies' Committee,  in  which  it  was  men- 
tioned that  the  subject  of  altering  the  horticultural 
class  arrangements  and  restarting  the  agricultural 
bookkeeping  class  had  been  remitted  to  a  sub- 
committee for  consideration.  It  appears  from  the 
statement  of  the  chairman.  Colonel  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  that  the  horticultural  class  was  not  appre- 
ciated, but  it  was  worthy  of  consideration  whether 
a  permanent  lecturer  on  horticulture  should  not 
be  arranged  for.  This  might  be  done  for  almost 
the  same  cost  as  the  present  arrangement.  Ulti- 
mately the  whole  matter  was  remitted  to  the 
committee  dealing  with  the  horticultural  class.  As 
a  contrast  it  was  reported  that  the  forestry  classes 
had  proved  very  successful. 


March  19,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


197 


Grape   competition   at   the  g^reat 

Shrewsbury  show.— It  is  interesting  to 
know  that  the  Shropshire  Horticultural  Society, 
in  the  great  champion  Grape  class  competition  in 
August  next,  will  adopt  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  "  Rules  forjudging."  Scale  of  pointing 
as  heretofore  —  Muscat  Grapes,  black  or  white, 
eleven  points  maximum,  and  for  all  others,  black 
or  white,  ten  points. 

Sranthemum    pulchellum.~lt  is 

seldom  that  one  meets  with  this  lovely  old  plant, 
but  where  large  show  houses  have  to  be  kept  gay 
during  winter  it  is  a  worthy  plant  to  grow.  The 
colour  of  the  flowers  is  an  intense  blue.  It  is  not 
handsome,  there  being  a  stiflfness  about  its  habit 
which  is  not  pleasing ;  but  when  judiciously 
mixed  with  other  plants  its  colouring  proves  very 
efiective.  It  is  easily  propagated  by  cuttings, 
which  can  be  had  abundantly  from  the  old  plants 
when  they  are  cut  down  and  placed  in  heat.  It 
will  be  found  to  thrive  well  in  the  warm  green- 
house. During  the  growing  season  the  syringe 
should  be  generously  used  to  keep  o£f  red  spider,  a 
pest  to  which  it  is  very  subject. — E.  Habriss. 
Anopteris  glandulosa.— This,  the  Tas- 

mauian  Laurel,  is  a  very  ornamental  greenhouse 
shrub,  which,  especially  when  in  flower,  would  be 
taken  rather  as  a  near  relative  of  Clethra  arborea 
or  one  of  the  Arbutus  family  than  a  member  of 
Saxifragefe.  It  is  a  freely  branched,  somewhat 
upright-habited  shrub,  plentifullj'  furnished  with 
deep  glossy  green  leaves.  They  are  about  6  inches 
long,  ovate,  and  with  the  edges  regularly  serrated. 
The  flowers,  which  are  borne  in  erect  terminal 
racemes,  are  white,  saucer-shaped,  about  A  inch 
in  diameter,  and  are  usually  at  their  best  in  March 
or  April.  It  is  bj-  no  means  a  common  subject, 
though  it  can  be  obtained  from  those  nurseries 
(now  few  in  number)  where  general  collections  of 
greenhouse  plants  are  grown,  and  in  the  favoured 
districts  of  the  south-west  it  will  succeed  out  of 
doors.  In  any  case  it  well  repays  greenhouse 
protection.  This  Anopteris  was  first  introduced 
from  Tasmania  in  1823. —T. 

Clivia  miniata. — As  a  foliage  plant  alone 
this  is  decidedly  handsome,  but  when  in  addition 
the  cluster  of  handsome  leafage  is  crowned  by  a 
massive  head  or  heads  of  showy  blossoms  it  stands 
forth  in  its  way  without  a  rival.  These  flowers  are 
in  their  turn  succeeded  by  large  Cherry-like  fruits, 
which  when  ripe  are  of  a  bright  red  colour.  By  a 
process  of  selection  a  great  improvement  has  taken 
place  in  the  Clivia  within  the  last  decade  or  two, 
as  the  best  forms  now  have  round,  well-shaped 
blossoms,  very  different  from  the  narrow-petalled 
ones  at  one  time  so  generally  met  with,  while  the 
flower  clusters  are  also  larger,  and  in  many  cases 
far  brighter  in  colour.  There  is,  however,  too 
long  a  list  of  varietal  names,  as  many  of  these 
garden  forms  approach  each  other  very  closely, 
even  if  they  are  not  actually  identical.  This 
cannot  in  any  way,  however,  be  urged  against  the 
variety  citrina.  The  flowers  of  this  are  of  a  citron 
yellow  or  straw  colour.  To  the  amateur  with  but 
a  single  greenhouse,  as  well  as  in  gardens  of  great 
pretensions,  Clivia  miniata  has  much  to  commend 
it,  for,  given  the  ordinary  treatment  of  the  general 
run  of  greenhouse  plants,  it  will  do  well.  It  is  the 
showiest  member  of  the  genus,  but  C.  cyrtanthi- 
flora  is  valuable  from  the  fact  that  it  flowers 
considerably  earlier. — H.  P. 

Beg^onia  gigantea  earminata.— This 

was  well  shown  at  a  recent  meeting  of  tne  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  and  Sons 
of  Forest  Hill,  and  on  a  recent  visit  to  the  nursery 
I  found  the  plants  in  even  belter  condition.  It  is 
one  of  those  of  which  the  male  flowers  do  not  open 
freely,  but  in  a  Imd  state  the  large  trusses  of 
brilliant  colour  are  most  effective.  The  flower 
stems  are  also  of  the  same  bright  colour,  and  stand 
up  well  above  the  bright  green  foliage.  It  may  be 
compared  with  the  variety  semperflorens  gigautea 
rosea,  but  is  deeper  in  colour  and  also  of  better 
habit.  There  are  not  too  many  good  bright- 
coloured  flowers  just  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and 
the  above  should  prove  a  very  useful  addition.  It 
belongs  to  the  vigorous-growing  section,  which 
should  be  propagated  late  in  the  season,  or  any 
time  during  June  or  July.     Three  plants  may  bo 


grown  in  each  pot,  or  single  plants  started  earlier 
and  stopped  will  branch  out  and  make  good  bushy 
plants. — A.  Hemsley. 

Fuchsia  Splendens.  — Introduced  from 
Mexico  in  1841,  this  pretty  Fuchsia  has  never 
attained  any  great  amount  of  popularity,  and  as 
far  as  I  know  it  has  not  been  used  by  the  hybridist 
in  the  production  of  any  of  the  numerous  garden 
forms.  In  common  with  several  of  the  original 
species,  it  well  merits  extended  cultivation,  and  if 
required  may  be  had  in  bloom  thus  early  in  the 
year.  It  is  naturally  of  free  growth,  and  if  allowed 
space  for  its  development  will  form  a  good-sized 
bush,  though  effective  specimens  may  be  grown  in 
8-inch  pots.  In  this  species  the  leaves  are  heart- 
shaped,  hairy,  and  pale  green,  while  the  drooping 
flowers,  which  in  shape  more  nearly  resemble 
a  Correa  than  a  Fuchsia,  are  bright  crimson  in 
colour,  tipped  with  green.  In  growing  this  Fuchsia 
it  should  be  well  exposed  to  the  sun  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  summer  in  order  that  the  wood 
may  be  thoroughly  ripened.  When  in  a  tempera- 
ture above  that  of  an  ordinary  greenhouse  it  will 
flower  early  in  the  year,  but  is  perhaps  most 
effective  when  allowed  to  develop  naturally  in 
the  spring.  The  many  garden  forms  have  to  a 
great  extent  eclipsed  these  original  species,  yet 
some,  such  as  F.  fulgens,  occasionally  bedded  out 
during  the  summer  ;  F.  coryrabiflora  and  its  white 
variety,  which  last  was  distributed  many  years  ago 
by  the  Chrysanthemum  pioneer,  Mr.  Salter,  of 
Versailles  Nursery,  Hammersmith  ;  F.  serratifolia, 
F.  triphylla,  with  the  tiny-flowered  F.  thymifolia, 
and  F.  mierophylla,  and  the  distinct  F.  pro- 
cumbens,  are  all  well  worth  growing. — T. 


THE    GARDEN    TULIP. 

IT  is  very  interesting  —  and,  perhaps,  in- 
structive —  to  note  the  craze  for  a 
certain  flower,  florist's  or  otherwise, 
at  one  period  and  its  stolid  neglect 
at  another.  The  Tulipomania  which 
raged  chiefly  in  Holland  and  the  Nether- 
lands rather  more  than  200  years  ago  is  well 
known,  and  even  in  our  own  time  exorbitant 
prices  have  been  charged  for  Tulips.  The  last 
catalogue  I  remember  with  the  high  prices 
attached  was  issued  by  Mr.  Groom  of  Wal- 
worth ;  the  highest  price  was  £105  per  bulb, 
and  there  were  several  at  fifty  and  twenty-five 
guineas.  This  was  in  18.54,  but  in  a  year  or 
two  later  all  Mr.  Groom's  Tulips  were  sold  by 
auction  by  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris  at  very 
low  prices,  and  that  was  the  last  of  the  high 
prices.  The  Dafi'odil  has  had  its  turn,  and 
now  the  Potato.  I  had  sent  to  me  recently 
a  copy  of  a  cheque,  drawn  for  £300,  the 
price  of  2lb.  weight  of  Potatoes.  The  dealer 
who  bought  at  this  price  seems  to  have  gauged 
pretty  fairly  the  character  of  his  fellow  men, 
for  he  sold  lib.  of  them  for  £160,  enough  to 
purchase  a  sixteen-acre  field  in  some  parts  of 
Essex.  This  is  not  a  healthy  state  of  affairs 
either  for  Tulips,  Dafi'odils,  Potatoes,  or  spotted 
Odontoglossums. 

At  the  present  time  the  Tulip  is  cheap,  but, 
although  they  are  cheap,  they  are  quite  as 
beautiful,  and  within  the  means  of  the  gar- 
dener who  can  aftbrd  half-a-crown  for  a  dozen 
bulbs.  The  cottager  can  now  have  as  beautiful 
a  Tulip  bed  as  the  prince  could  in  the  years  of 
long  ago,  when  Semper  Augustus  sold  for 
5,500  florins,  Admiral  Leiften  for  4,400  florins, 
&c.  But  the  most  curious  sale  was  a  root  of 
The  Viceroy;  this  cost  two  lasts  of  Wheat, 
four  lasts  of  Eye,  four  fat  oxen,  three  fat  pigs, 
twelve  fat  sheep,  two  hogsheads  of  wine,  four 
tuns  of  beer,  two  tons  of  butter,  one  thousand 
pounds  of  cheese,  one  complete  bed,  one  suit  of 
clothes,  and  one  silver  beaker.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  none  of  these  varieties  would  stand  the 
test  of  competition  against  any  of  the  bizarres, 
bybluemens,  or  roses  of  the  present  day.     The 


Tulip,  like  the  Carnation,  is  divided  into  classes 
or  sections.  The  bizarres  are  generally  placed 
first.  These  have  a  clear  yellow  ground, 
feathered  or  flamed.  What  the  fanciers  term 
a  feathered  flower  has  the  colour  pencilled 
round  the  margin  of  the  petals  only.  Some 
varieties,  such  as  Masterpiece,  are  almost  black ; 
Dr.  Hardy  has  a  reddish  tint.  Some  of  them 
have  chestnut-red  and  reddish  maroon  colour.s, 
but  all  of  them  have  difi'erent  shades  of  yellow. 
The  flamed  flowers  are  also  marked  round  the 
margins,  but  the  centre  of  the  petals  are 
pencilled  or  "  flamed  "  of  the  same  colour. 

The  same  remarks  apply  to  the  bybkemens. 
These  have  a  white  ground,  and  the  colours  are 
of  different  shades  of  purple,  lilac-purple,  and 
a  few  varieties  quite  blackish,  but  the  purple 
tints  are  there.  Roses  are  quite  charming  in 
their  purest  white  ground.  Some  may  almost 
be  described  as  scarlet,  but  the  colours  vary 
from  rose  to  scarlet,  and  it  is  laid  on  in  the 
same  way  as  in  the  other  classes.  "Whence  are 
these  colours  derived?"  someone  may  ask  who 
is  not  yet  acquainted  with  Tulip  transforma- 
tions. The  Tulip  fancier  crosses  his  different 
varieties  of  flamed  flowers  with  other  flamed 
varieties  ;  the  feather  -  edged  varieties  with 
others,  selecting  the  best  both  as  regards  form 
and  colour.  The  seedlings  produced  will 
nearly  all  be  self  colours.  These  are  termed 
"  breeders,"  because  in  the  course  of  years  the 
self  colour  will  disappear  and  a  white  or  yellow 
ground  take  its  place,  which  will  be  flamed  or 
feathered.  These  breeders  are  not  kept  unless 
the  base  is  pure  and  without  stain.  The  same 
remark  applies  to  the  stamens.  When  a  Tulip 
takes  on  its  flamed  or  feathered  state  it  is  said 
to  be  rectified  or  broken.  The  colour  of  the 
breeder  form  will  come  out  in  the  flame  or 
feather.  For  instance,  a  bizarre  breeder  will 
have  its  base  yellow,  and  the  colour  chestnut, 
red,  or  even  dark  chocolate.  The  byblcemen 
breeders  will  have  a  white  base,  with  various 
shades  of  purple,  lavender,  or  even  deep  rich 
black-purple.  The  roses,  as  they  are  termed, 
have  a  white  base,  the  petals  coloured  with 
various  shades  of  rose  and  rosy  scarlet.  The 
Tulip  fancier  who  is  also  a  seedling  raiser  has 
the  interest  kept  up  in  his  flowers  year  by  year 
watching  and  waiting  for  their  change  from 
the  breeder  to  the  rectified  form.  "  How  are 
strains  produced  1 "  is  another  question  that  may 
be  asked. 

It  comes  about  in  this  wise.  The  self- 
coloured  or  breeder  Tulips  pass  into  various 
hands,  and  after  several  years  of  cultivation 
they  appear  in  the  flamed  or  feathered  state  in 
several  collections,  but  not  all  of  them  are  of  the 
same  standard  of  excellence,  and  the  rectified 
flowers  take  the  name  of  the  garden  or  the 
individual  who  produced  them,  and  become 
Groom's  strain  or  the  Stapelford  strain  accord- 
ingly. 

The  Tulip  is  sufficiently  hardy  to  grow  and 
thrive  in  the  open  garden  anywhere  in  Britain, 
but  to  obtain  clean  blooms  of  the  best  quality 
some  protection  is  needed.  The  leaves  are 
brittle,  and  easily  injured  by  hailstorms  ;  the 
formation  of  the  leaves  is  such  as  hold  water 
at  their  base,  and,  if  the  water  freezes,  damage 
is  done  in  that  way.  No  flowers  show  to 
advantage  if  the  leaves  are  damaged,  and  few 
suffer  so  much  in  this  respect  as  the  Tulip,  for 
the  broad,  glaucous  leaves  are  truly  handsome. 
To  save  the  plants  in  the  early  stages  of  their 
growth  from  injury,  the  Tulip  fanciers  bend 
iron  hoops  over  the  beds,  the  hoops  raised 
about  a  foot  or  18  inches  above  the  beds,  mats 
or  some  protecting  material  being  thrown  over 
them  on  frosty  nights  or  to  protect  them  from 
hailstorms.  The  shifts  made  in  some  gardens 
to  protect  the  plants  causes  much  litter  from 


198 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  19,  1904- 


the  protecting  material  left  lying  about.  It  is 
much  better  and  almost  as  cheap  to  use  glass 
lights,  and  these  can  be  kept  on  through  all 
the  rough  spring  weather,  and  are  useful  to 
throw  off  superfluous  rain-water  as  well  as 
protection  from  severe  frosts.  Mats  or  canvas 
kept  over  the  beds  too  much  have  a  tendency 
to  weaken  the  plants. 

I  have  had  Tulips  planted  where  they  were 
sheltered  from  east  and  north  winds,  and  had 
not  been  removed  for  fifteen  years  ;  they  were 
common  varieties  in  clumps,  and  they  never 
failed  to  flower  freely.  Of  course,  no  one 
would  recommend  this  culture  for  choice  varie- 
ties.!; On  the  other  hand,  it  is  certainly  quite 
unnecessary  to  make  a  border  as  if  it  were 
intended  to  grow  prize  Grapes.  Splendid 
Tulips  can  be  grown  in  ordinary  garden  soil 
merely  by  working  the  ground  well  to  the 
depth  of  18  inches,  and  it  is  very  desirable  that 
the  soil  should  be  exposed  to  the  action  of  the 
atmosphere  for  two  or  three  months  before 
planting. 

The  best  time  to  plant  out  Tulip  bulbs  is 
about  the  middle  of  November  or  a  week  or 
two  earlier,  time  and  weather  permitting. 
Some  decayed  manure  should  be  mixed  with 
the  soil  at  the  time  of  trenching,  and  at  the 
time  of  planting  decayed  fibrous  loam  should 
be  placed  on  the;  surface  of  the  beds  to  the 
depth  of  4  inches.    This  will  raise  them  above 


the  ground  level.  A  good  width  for  the  beds 
is  4  feet,  and  if  there  are  several  beds  the  alleys 
between  should  be  18  inches  vride.  The  out- 
side rows  are  3  inches  from  the  edge  of  the 
beds,  and  five  more  rows  are  7  inches  asunder. 
There  are  seven  rows  in  each  bed,  and  the 
fanciers  plant  the  bulbs  so  that  the  tallest- 
growing  varieties  are  in  the  centre  of  the  beds. 
They  are  termed  first,  second,  third,  and 
fourth  -  row  flowers.  In  planting,  too,  the 
colours  are  mixed,  a  rose,  a  bybloemen,  and 
bizarre  being  planted  alternately.  In  planting 
make  a  hole  to  the  depth  of  about  4  inches, 
place  a  little  river-sand  in  the  bottom  of  the 
hole,  press  in  the  bulb,  and  drop  a  little  sand 
over  it.  Most  of  my  experience  in  growing 
Tulips  has  been  gained  in  the  London  district, 
but  I  remember  discussing  this  matter  some 
twenty  years  ago  with  the  late  Mr.  Barlow  of 
Stakehill  House,  and  he  said  it  was  better  not 
to  plant  out  the  bulbs  until  December.  He 
stated  that  if  the  bulbs  were  planted  late  they 
started  to  push  out  their  rootlets  at  once,  and 
were  not  so  likely  to  be  injured  by  the  cold, 
wet  soil.  The  root-action  in  November  is 
sluggish,  and  as  regards  the  northern  districts 
I  would  trust  to  the  information  one  may  be 
enabled  to  glean  from  their  practical  experi- 
ence. It  would  be  well  if  some  means  could 
be  adopted  to  keep  the  ground  dry  by  placing 
over  it  some  material  to  throw  ofl^  the  rain- 


water from  the  beds  previous  to  planting.  The 
Tulip  plant  near  London  will  appear  above 
ground  early  in  January  in  some  seasons,  and 
at  the  latest  by  the  end  of  that  month.  If  the 
weather  is  mild  growth  is  rapid,  and  the  plants 
certainly  should  be  protected.  Glass  is  far 
superior  to  any  other  form  of  protection. 

When  two  beds  run  parallel  to  each  other  I 
drive  a  row  of  posts  into  the  ground  on  each 
side  of  the  alley.  These  stand  4  feet  6  inches 
out  of  the  ground.  A  rail  is  nailed  on  the  top. 
Along  the  outer  sides  of  the  beds  there  must 
be  another  row  of  posts  3  feet  6  inches  out  of 
the  ground,  and  a  rail  on  top.  On  these  rails 
rest  garden  frame  -  lights  6  feet  long.  This 
carries  the  water  beyond  the  beds  and  keeps 
the  plants  dry.  Some  light  tiffany  or  canvas 
is  nailed  to  the  posts  to  keep  the  wind  from 
blowing  on  the  plants  or  to  break  the  effects  of 
drifting  rain  or  snow.  When  the  Tulip  bloom 
is  developing  it  is  easy  to  shade  the  glass  from 
hot  sunshine  ;  also,  in  order  to  get  good  blooms, 
I  mulch  the  beds  with  decayed  manure,  and  it 
may  also  be  necessary  to  give  water.  This 
should  be  applied  between  the  rows  over  the 
manure,  but  care  should  be  taken  not  to  wet 
the  foliage.  The  beautjr  of  a  Tulip  bed  is  sadly 
marred  if  the  foliage  is  injured. 

James  Douglas. 


TULIPA  KAHFMANNIANA.      (Natural  size.) 


TULIPA  KAUFMANNIANA. 
This  pretty  Tulip  has  buds  about  2  inches 
long,  tapering  to  a  point,  and  externally  flamed 
rather  decidedly  with  carmine  or  scarlet.  The 
inner  segments  are  white,  with  an  occasional 
faint  line  of  scarlet  on  the  reverse  side.  This, 
however,  is  only  seen  as  the  flowers  day 
by  day  reach  their  full  size  of  bud,  thus  creating 
an  interest  from  quite  an  early  stage.  Pre- 
sently, when  the  flowers  expand,  we  see  a  finely 
proportioned,  creamy  white,  very  substantial- 
looking  blossom,  and,  with  its  huge  blotch  at 
the  base  of  richest  orange,  possessing  all  the 
beauty  of  one  of  the  newer  Water  Lilies,  a 
notion  conveyed  by  the  substance  of  the  petals. 
It  is  amenable  to  cultivation,  not  merely 
existing,  but  succeeding  and  improving  with 
years.  The  best  position  is  a  warm  border  in 
sandy  loam,  or  a  warm  spot  in  the  rock  garden. 
This  handsome  plant  is  from  Turkestan.  No 
species  is  more  full  of  promise  fur  the  future, 
and  none  more  worthy  of  an  extended  cultiva- 
tion. J. 


THE     LAWN. 

(Continued   from   page    ISS.) 

A  FTER  sowing  the  surface  of  the  land 
/\  should  be  well  raked  with  an  iron 

/  %  rake,  and  then  rolled  several  times 
/  %  over  with  a  heavy  roller.  If  the 
X  ».  lighter  seeds  are  not  well  pressed 
into  the  soil  they  are  in  danger 
of  being  blown  away  by  the  wind.  in 
laying  down  a  lawn  many  are  under  the 
impression  that  any  ordinary  grass  seed  will 
answer  the  purpose.  This  is  a  great  mistake. 
Special  lawn  grass  mixtures  are  prepared  by 
our  best  seedsmen,  and  these  only  should  be 
sown.  One  pound  of  this  seed  to  the  pole  of 
ground  is  the  recognised  quantity  to  sow.  This 
may  appear  to  many  to  be  too  large  a  quantity 
for  so  small  an  area,  but  if  a  good  thick  growth 
is  desired  quickly  it  is  none  too  much.  If  the 
conditions  of  soil  and  weather  are  favourable  to 
the  growth  of  the  young  grass,  it  is  po.ssible 
to  have  the  lawn  in  condition  for  light  use  by 
the  end  of  the  summer  ;  but  the  owner  will  be 
well  advised  not  to  use  it  for  playing  on  until 
the  second  season.    As  soon  as  the  young  grass 


March  19,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


199 


appears  above  ground  a  light  roller  should 
be  drawn  over  it,  and  when  about  4  inches 
high  it  should  be  cut  with  the  scythe,  and  not 
too  closely.  It  is  better  to  cut  it  the  second 
time  also  with  the  scythe  ;  afterwards  the  lawn 
mower  may  bo  used,  but  care  must  be  taken 
during  the  summer  not  to  cut  the  young  grass 
too  short. 

Moss  ON  Lawns 
is  often  troublesome.     Its  presence  generally 
indicates    poverty  of  soil  or  the  absence  of 
proper   drainage.      Should   the  latter   be    the 
cause  it  is  hopeless  to  look  for  improvement 
other  than  from  effective  drainage.      If   poor 
condition  of  the  soil  is  the  cause  the  remedy 
is  easier  and  less  expensive,  and   consists   in 
raking  (or  harrowing  if  the  lawn  is  extensive) 
as  much  of  the  mosi  from  the  turf  as  can  be 
extracted   ia  this   way,  and  dressing  the  lawn 
afterwards  with  the  following   soil  mixture  : 
To  one  cartload  of  ordinary  rich  garden  soil 
add  i  cwt.  of  bone-meal,  the   same  of  quick- 
lime, a  barrowload  of    ashes  from  the   burnt 
refuse  lieap   (or   potash  in  small  quantity   in 
some  other  form),    with  a  light  sprinkling  of 
nitrate  of  soda  crushed   small,  all  to  be  well 
mixed    together   a  fortnight  or    three   weeks 
before  being  used,  and  applied  at  the  rate  of 
nine  cartloads  to  the  acre.    Choose  a  dry  day 
for  the  work.    As  soon  as  the  soil  has  been 
spread  and  is  moderately  dry  lawn  grass  seed 
at  the  rate  of  ilb.  to  the  pole  should  be  sown 
Isroadcast  over  ihe  soil   dressing,  well  raking 
it  in,  and  afterwards  roll  with  a  heavy  roller. 
I  have  never  known  this  treatment  to  fail  in 
bringing  about  a  great  improvement  in  mossy 
and  poor  Uwns,  and  if  annual  dressings  of  this 
nature  are  continued  for  a  few  years  the  lawn 
will  be    ultimately  entirely  cleared  of   moss. 
From  the  middle  of  March  to  the  middle  of 
April  is  a  good  time  to  carry  out  this  work. 
Weeds. 
Noxious    weeds  are   sure  to  find  their  way 
from  time  to  time    into   the  best  and    most 
carefully  laid  down  lawn.    Dandelions,  Daisies, 
and  Plantains  are  the  most  troublesome.     The 
best  way  of  clearing  these  weeds  I  have  found 
is  to  employ  boys  or  women  to  cut  the  roots 
deep  down   with   a   strong-bladed  knife,  and 
to  pull  up  the  Daisies  by  the  roots.     It  may 
appear  a  tedious  business,  but  it  is  wonderful 
how  soon  a  large  area  of  land  can  be  cleared 
of   weeds   in   this    way.     There   is  no  other 
method  so  effective.   Various  other  methods  are 
recommended,  such  as  applying  salt  or  carbolic 
acid  to  the  cut  stem  of  the  Plantain,  Dande- 
lion, or  Thistle,    which  are  among  the  most 
difficult  of   lawn   weeds   to   eradicate.    With 
regard    to    Daisies,    which    are     so    common 
and  give  so    much  trouble    on   lawns,  it   is 
claimed  for  a  "lawn  sand"  which  is  advertised 
that  it  will  destroy  them  without  injuring  the 
grass.    The  objection  I  have  to  these  remedies 
is  that  with  the  application  of  the  former  there 
is  danger  of  burning  some  of  the  grass  sur- 
rounding   the  stems  of  these  strong   weeds, 
leaving  behind  a  number  of  brown,  ugly  spots, 
which  disfigure  the  lawn  for  the  remainder  of 
the  season.    In  a  less  degree  the  same  danger 
applies  to  the  application  of  lawn  sand  for  the 
destruction  of  Daisies,  in  so  far  that  if  a  too 
strong  dose  is  applied,  either  through  accident 
or  ignorance,  damage  to  the  grass  for  a  time 
will  ensue ;  but  if  applied  with  care,  strictly 
according  to  the  instructions  given,  and  before 
the  growth  is  too  advanced,  this    sand    will 
undoubtedly  thin  out  the  Daisies,  and  cause 
only  a  temporary  and  harmless  discolouration 
of  the  grass. 

Watering. 
If  the  weather  ia  exceptionally  dry  in  early 
summer  provision  should  be  made  occasionally 


THE   SUGAR   MAPLE   WOODS   IN   SPRING   (AMERICA). 


to  water  the  young  grass,  or  there  is  a  danger 
that  some  of  the  lighter  seeds  may  not  ger- 
minate freely.  It  sometimes  happens  that  the 
seeds  were  not  so  evenly  distributed  at  sowing 
time  as  they  ought  to  have  been.  This  will  at 
once  be  apparent  when  the  seeds  begin  to  grow, 
and  on  any  vacant  or  thinly-covered  spaces  sow 
more  seeds,  and  cover  them  lightly  with  a 
sprinkling  of  soil  well  pressed  down. 

Mowing  the  Lawn. 
The  growth  of  the  young  grass  is  often  ham- 
pered and  weakened  by  the  use  of  a  machine 
not  in  proper  condition.  If  the  knives  are  not 
properly  adjusted  to  the  plate  the  young  grass 
is  not  cut  off,  but  torn  off,  leaving  the  grass 
bruised,  and  not  infrequently  pulling  the 
young  plants  up  by  the  roots.  It  is  most 
painful  to  see  the  harm  frequently  done  to  the 
lawn  because  of  workers  not  understanding 
how  to  manage  the  machine,  thus  leaving  the 
surface  rough  and  untidy  as  compared  with 
that  cut  by  a  machine  in  good  condition  and  in 
the  hands  of  a  competent  man. 

Owen  Thomas. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 


SOME  LITTLE-KNOWN  ORNAMENTAL 
WILLOWS. 

IN  addition  to  the  coiiiiii  .11  red  and  yellow- 
barked  Willows,  which  are  so  much  appre- 
ciated for  the  beauty  of  their  brightly 
coloured  stems  in  winter,  there  are  others 
equally  interesting  if  not  so  highly  orna- 
mental, and  the  undermentioned  species  and 
varieties  are  worthy  of  inclusion  in  anj'  collection 
of  hardy  trees  and  shrubs.  To  produce  the  best  i 
effects  with  these  Willows  it  is,  of  course,  neces- 
sary to  mass  them  in  quantity,  but  where  a  want 
of  sutBcient  space  or  other  reason  prevents  this, 
excellent  results  may  be  obtained  from  single 
specimens  or  small  groups,  especially  when  these 
are  planted  at  the  edges  of  streams,  lakes,  &c. , 
and,  as  is  well  known.  Willows  revel  in  a  heavy, 
wet  soil.  To  retain  the  pleasing  colour  of  the 
bark  it  is  necessary  that  the  shoots  receive  an 
annual  pruning,  and  this  should  be  done  about  the 
end  of  March  or  beginning  of  April,  cutting  the 
plants  clean  to  the  base,  and  thereby  inducing 
them  to  form  a  sturdy  growth.  If  it  is  desired  to 
increase  the  stock  cuttings  between  9  inches  and 


1  foot  in  length  can  be  made  of  the  prunings,  and 
they  will  root  readily  if  firmly  inserted  in  a  shady 
border. 

Salix  daphnoidea  (the  Violet  Willow). — The  twigs 
or  branches  of  this  Willow  are  a  very  pleasing  and 
distinct  colour,  being  pale  red  overlaid  with  a 
glaucous  bloom.  The  foliage  is  also  glaucous,  and 
if  the  stems  are  pruned  annually,  as  advised  above, 
this  forms  a  neat  shrub  about  4  feet  in  height. 

S.  grandiflora  moschata.  — A  striking  variety 
when  used  in  quantity,  the  bark  being  a  very  deep 
purple  or  almost  black. 

S.  habylonica  annularis. — A  most  interesting 
shrub,  the  foliage  being  peculiarly  turned  back  so 
that  each  leaf  forms  a  ring.  This  is  a  small- 
growing  variety,  and  though  of  no  value  for  winter 
colouring,  it  merits  extended  cultivation. 

<S.  purpurea  has  reddish  purple  stems,  which  are 
very  noticeable  when  massed. 

S.  laurina  is  a  strong-growing  Willow,  with 
black  stems  reaching  a  height  of  fully  7  feet  in  a 
season. 

S.  incaiia  (the  Rosemary-leaved  Willow,  some- 
times called  rosmarinifolia). — This  is  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  best  Willows  we  have,  and  if  only 
partially  pruned  soon  forms  a  spreading,  large 
bush.  The  leaves  are  green  above  and  silvery  on 
the  under  side,  and  when  gently  stirred  by  the 
wind  in  summer  have  a  most  pleasing  effect. 
Though  the  bark  is  not  very  conspicuous,  excellent 
results  are  obtained  from  the  foliage  by  planting 
in  groups  on  the  water's  edge,  especially  by  large 
lakes.  There  are,  no  doubt,  other  equally  inter- 
esting Willows,  but  the  above  are  a  few  that  can 
be  recommended  to  planters  of  ornamental  shrubs. 

Elstree.  A.  E.  Thatcher. 


THE    SUGAR    MAPLE. 

In  America  we  are  proud  of  our  aboriginal  forests  ; 
we  are  proud  of  the  large  size  of  the  trees  and  of 
their  fine  proportions  ;  we  are  proud  also  of  the 
numerous  species,  their  wide  range,  and  their 
thrifty  growth.  Yet  Americans  in  general  are  not 
so  proud  of  these  things  as  they  ought  to  be,  I 
think.  At  least  it  seems  to  me  they  are  often 
inordinately  vain  of  much  less  notable  matters. 
Amongst  our  noble  species  of  native  trees  perhaps 
none  ranks  higher  than  the  Sugar  Maple.  Through 
the  North-Eastern  States  and  Eastern  Canada  this 
is  the  most  important  and  characteristic  species. 
In  many  places  it  appears  in  large  areas  as  almost 
pure  woods,  and  in  many  places  these  Maple  woods 
are  preserved  and  encouraged  for  the  annual  yield 
of  Maple  sap.  The  sap  is  boiled  down  and  made 
into  syrup  or  sugar.  The  sugar  has  the  advantage 
of   shipping   better  to    market,  and  plays  a  large 


200 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  19,  1904- 


part  therefore  in  commercial  enterprises.  The 
desirable  product,  however,  is  the  syrup,  which  is 
much  prized  by  all  who  know  it  in  its  purity.  For 
many  years  the  demand  has  greatly  exceeded  the 
supply,  and  it  seems  probable  that  such  will  be  the 
ease  for  many  years  to  come.  The  illustration 
shows  a  "sugar  bush"  or  "sugar  orchard"  in  the 
spring,  at  the  latter  end  of  the  sap-gathering 
season.  The  snow  has  just  disappeared,  the  sap 
has  nearly  ceased  to  run,  and  the  sap  buckets  will 
soon  be  put  away  for  the  summer. 

F.  A.  Waugh. 
Department  of  Horticulture,  Massachusetts,  U.S.A. 


AN 


HOUR     WITH      THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 


Propagation. 


WE  now  proceed  to  ofier  a  few 
remarks  on  propagation.  We 
know  of  but  four  modes  of 
propagating  the  Hollyhock : 
(1)  By  seed;  (2)  by  cuttings; 
(3)  by  dividing  the  roots  ;  and 
(4)  by  grafting.  The  first  mode  has  been  already 
discussed  ;  it  remains  for  us  to  consider  the 
others.  Propagation  by  cuttings  is  the  best 
mode  of  obtaining  good  plants,  and  the  practice 
may  be  carried  on  from  March  to  October. 
Most  of  the  old  plants  give  an  abundance  of 
young  shoots  early  in  spring,  and  so  soon  as 
these  become  a  little  hard  they  may  be  cut  off 
close  to  the  stem,  leaving  about  three  of  the 
best  shoots  for  slower  spikes.  Place  three  or 
four  cuttings  around  a  5-inch  pot  in  a  rather 
light  sandy  soil  ;  plunge  them  in  a  close  frame, 
where  in  a  few  weeks  they  will  have  formed 
new  leaves  and  roots  and  may  be  potted  off, 
each  in  a  separate  4-inch  pot.  As  fresh  shoots 
form  on  the  old  plants  they  may  be  treated 
similarly  up  to  midsummer,  after  which  period 
we  would  prefer  leaving  the  wood  to  become 
quite  hard  before  making  the  cuttings.  In  the 
latter  case  a  single  eye  is  sufficient  to  make  a 
plant  ;  but  the  wood-shoots  and  not  the  flower- 
shoots  should  be  chosen.  It  sometimes  happens 
that  the  eyes  developed  at  the  base  of  a  main 
spike  produce  wood-shoots,  but  they  more 
usually  produce  flower-shoots  ;  the  latter  take 
root  and  form  plants,  but  are  not  of  the  best 
description.  Cuttings  made  from  the  single 
eyes  may  be  cut  obliquely  at  the  lower  end  and 
completely  buried  beneath  the  soil,  leaving  the 
foot-stalk  only  protruding  above  ;  they  should 
then  be  placed  in  a  closed  frame  and  the  eyes 
quickly  push  through  the  soil  and  form 
stout,  healthy  plants.  These  when  rooted  may 
also  be  transferred  to  single  pots,  there  to  await 
transplantation  in  autumn  or  spring,  as  before 
recommended. 

Propagation  by  division  is  best  carried  out  in 
autumn,  immediately  that  the  flowering  is  over. 
A  large,  well-ordered  plant  may  sometimes  be 
divided  into  several,  but  in  general  three  or 
four  is  a  more  advantageous  number.  Nothing 
certainly  is  gained  by  breaking  the  old  plants 
into  too  many  pieces  ;  every  separate  part 
should  carry  with  it  a  good  share  of  roots. 
Seedlings  and  others  that  may  bloom  late 
cannot  be  divided  till  the  spring.  March  is 
perhaps  the  best  time,  and  the  fragments,  if 
not  broken  too  fine,  will  flower  well  during  the 
first  autumn. 

Propagation  by  grafting  may  be  performed  to 
the  greatest  advantage  in  spring.  Dig  up  any 
old  plants  not  valued  for  blooming,  and  cut  oS' 
the  fleshy  roots  about  tha  thickness  of  the 
little  finger  into  1  inch  or  2  inch  lengths.  Oq 
these  graft  the  young  shoots,  inserting  the 
place  of  junction  beneath  the  soil,  giving  to 
each   a  separate  pot,  and  placing   them  in  a 


close  cold  frame.  This  mode  of  propagation 
we  describe,  but  do  not  recommend.  Plants 
raised  from  cuttings  or  seed  are  certainly 
preferable. 

It  is  but  the  few  who  grow  for  exhibition, 
but  they  are  often  the  most  ardent  cultivators, 
and  we  must  say  a  few  words  on  this  subject 
ere  we  conclude. 

There  are  two  modes  of  exhibiting  Holly- 
hocks, by  single  flowers  and  spikes.  Some 
cultivators  have  advocated  the  withdrawal  of 
prizes  for  single  flowers,  and  depending  on 
spikes  alone.  It  is  freely  admitted  that  the 
exhibition  of  spikes  creates  a  great  display,  and 
aifords  a  truer  idea  of  the  nature  and  pro- 
perties of  the  flower.  On  this  ground,  then, 
we  admit  the  desirableness  of  encouraging  this 
mode  of  exhibiting,  but  doubt  whether  the 
entire  exclusion  of  single  flowers  will  not 
prevent  many  amateurs  from  entering  the  list 
as  competitors.  To  exhibit  single  flowers  does 
little  damage  to  the  garden  at  home,  and  they 
are  easily  conveyed  to  the  place  of  exhibition. 
To  exhibit  spikes  requires  too  great  a  sacrifice 
where  a  few  plants  only  are  grown ;  and,  more- 
over, they  form,  however,  closely  stowed  away, 
a  somewhat  cumbrous  package.  We  know 
that  many  amateurs  derive  as  much  pleasure 
from  the  gratification  they  afford  others  by 
their  pursuit,  as  in  marking  the  brilliancy  of 
colour  and  symmetry  of  form,  or  inhaling  the 
sweets  of  their  favourite  flowers.  The  most 
emulous  of  such  would  pause  ere  he  cut  seven 
spikes  of  his  finest  kinds  from  a  limited  collec- 
tion. He  could  not  reconcile  himself  to  behold 
tarnished  in  a  day  what  would  have  given 
pleasure  for  a  lengthened  period  had  the  spikes 
been  allowed  to  remain  on  the  plants.  We 
think,  then,  there  should  be  two  classes,  one 
for  spikes  and  one  for  single  flowers.  Make 
the  former  the  more  valuable  prize,  as  it 
deserves  to  be,  but  do  not  exclude  the  latter. 

The  spikes  exhibited  usually  vary  in  height 
from  2  feet  to  4  feet.  The  flowers  near  the 
base  of  the  stem  are  generally  the  finest 
(although  this  depends  in  some  measure  on  the 
state  of  the  weather  in  which  they  are  formed 
and  expanded),  and  consequently  the  aim 
should  be  to  preserve  such.  To  this  end  all 
lateral  flower-spikes  should  be  destroyed,  and 
the  top  cut  off  the  main  about  4  feet  from  the 
lowest  bud,  at  the  time  this  expands  that  the 
flowers  may  close  over  the  top,  and  the 
spike  look  complete.  This,  which  is  called 
"crowning"  the  spikes,  is  most  essential  when 
cultivating  for  exhibition.  It  is  an  operation 
of  some  nicety ;  not  that  it  is  difficult  to  crown 
the  spikes  but  difiicult  so  to  manage  them  that 
they  are  in  perfection  on  a  given  day.  Practice 
is  the  best  guide  ;  indeed,  the  end  can  only  be 
obtained  with  certainty  by  the  best  considered 
practice. 

By  shading,  the  greater  part  of  the  spike 
may  be  kept  in  a  showable  condition  for 
ten  days  or  a  fortnight.  In  choosing  for  exhi- 
bition, whether  spikes  or  single  flowers,  we 
should  be  guided  by  the  standard  previously 
laid  down  ;  the  nearer  the  flowers  approach  to 
that  the  more  perfect  should  we  consider  our 
stand.  It  may  not  be  necessary  for  the  mere 
cultivator  for  amusement  to  dive  so  deep  into 
the  science  of  floriculture  ;  this,  of  course,  is  a 
matter  of  choice,  but  the  exhibitor  should 
certainly  obtain  a  clear  conception  of  what 
constitutes  a  good  flower  before  he  enters  the 
field  of  competition. 

The  Hollyhock  had,  perhaps,  scarcely  been 
exhibited  in  its  grandest  state  until  recently, 
owing  to  the  Dahlia  shows  at  which  it  had 
usually  figured  falling  behind  the  period 
of  its  greatest  beauty.  To  those,  however, 
who  witnessed   the   exhibition  at   the  Surrey 


Zoological  Gardens,  on  the  22nd  of  August  last 
year,  nothing  need  be  said  in  its  praise  as  a 
stage  flower.  The  beautiful  columns  of  bril- 
liant and  well-contrasted  colours,  relieved  by 
the  quite  protrusion  of  numberless  small  green 
leaves,  formed  a  picture  which  a  Baptiste  or  a 
Lance  might  have  rejoiced  to  look  upon  and 
longed  to  copy.  And  while  listening  to  the 
opinions  of  various  amateur  and  professional 
cultivators  as  to  the  result  of  this  first  attempt 
at  a  Hollyhock  show,  one  pronouncing  this 
flower  to  equal  the  Tulip  in  brilliancy  and 
beauty,  another  extolling  the  richness,  variety, 
and  quantity  of  colour  presented  to  the  eye,  all 
agreed  that  the  attempt  was  decidedly  success- 
ful, and  that  the  Hollyhock  would  henceforth 
rank  as  a  first-class  exhibition  plant. 

W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 
(To  be  continued.) 


THE   FLOWER  GARDEN. 


A    BED    OF    SALPIGLOSSIS. 

SALPIGLOSSIS  SINUATA,  otherwise 
known  as  S.  variabilis,  from  the  variable 
colour  of  the  flowers,  is  a  member  of  the 
Solanum  family,  closely  allied  to  tlie 
Petunia,  and  has  similarly  hairy  and 
somewhat  sticky  stems.  It  will  not 
grow  quite  of  itself  like  Sunflowers  and  Geraniumi=, 
while  the  beautiful  colours,  some  of  them  quite 
impossible  to  describe  at  all  accurately,  unless  we 
include  them  under  the  modern  term  "art  shades," 
are  such  as  do  not  appeal  to  those  whose  taste  in 
the  colour  of  flowers  has  not  been  educated.  Their 
large  pencilled,  funnel-shaped  flowers  are  some- 
times compared,  not  inaptly,  to  Alsliomerias. 
The  ordinary  varieties  of  Salpiglossis  grow  about 
2  feet  high  ;  but  there  is  a  dwarf  bedding  sort 
which  grows  from  1  foot  to  IJ  feet  only,  though  it 
is  not  to  be  preferred  even  for  bedding  purposes. 
There  is  a  distinct  variety  called  S.  variabilis 
superbissima,  which  forms  only  one  leading  stem, 
and  that  a  stout  one,  2  feet  high  and  nearly  as 
large  at  the  base  as  one's  finger,  with  the  Bowers 
thickly  clustered  round  it,  especially  on  the  upper 
part.  They  are  of  varied  colours,  but  all  veined 
with  gold.  The  older  S.  variabilis  is  of  a  much 
more  branching  habit  and  more  slender.  There 
are  several  named  sorts  of  very  beautiful  colours, 
most  of  them  veined  with  gold.  The  flowers  have 
a  rather  long  throat,  and  are  funnel-shaped,  as 
stated  above,  while  in  the  flowers  of  the  variety 
superbissima  the  throat  is  wide  open  and  short. 
If  this  latter  variety  is  grown,  its  stout  urbranched 
central  stems  render  them  unsuitable  for  pegging 
down,  as  Petunias  are  often  treated,  while  their 
compact  growth  necessitates  planting  them  more 
closely  together.  Whereas  7  inches  or  8  inches 
would  be  about  the  best  distance  for  this  variety, 
9  inches  or  10  inches,  or  even  1  foot,  would  be 
a  better  distance  for  the  S.  variabilis  if  grown 
upright,  while  IJ  feet  would  not  be  too  much  if 
they  are  going  to  be  pegged  down.  In  the  latter 
case  the  bed  can,  with  a  little  management,  be 
nicely  covered  all  over,  especially  if  a  few  reserve 
plants  are  kept  in  pots  for  putting  in  any  thin 
places.  But  with  plants  2  feet  high,  if  they  are 
planted  close  enough  together  to  hide  the  soil, 
many  of  the  side  shoots  and  lower  blossoms  will 
not  have  the  opportunity  to  show  to  advantage. 
Hence,  if  grown  upright,  it  is  a  good  plan  to 
arrange  the  bed  after  the  manner  of  a  bed  of 
Fuchsias  or  other  tall  plants,  IJ  feet  to  2  feet 
apxrt,  and  cover  the  ground  between  with  some 
dwarf  or  creeping  plants.  Sanvitalia  procumbens  is 
a  creeping  plant,  with  yellow  Daisy-like  flowers 
the  size  of  a  shilling  and  crimson-brown  centres. 
It  blooms  profusely  all  the  summer,  and  forms  a 
good  setting  for  the  Salpiglossis,  harmonising  well 
with  them,  as  so  many  of  the  varieties  are  golden 
veined,  and  sometimes  entirely  golden.  It  need 
hardly  be  added  that  sticks  must  be  put  to  them 
if  it  is  desired  that  the  upright  position  should  be 
maintained. 


March  la  1904] 


THE    GARDEN. 


201 


Whether  the  older  or  newer  sort  is  grown,  it  is 
of  much  more  interest  to  get  a  packet  of  mixed 
seed,  as  we  never  know  then  what  we  are  going  to 
get.  If  obtained  from  a  nurseryman  with  a 
specially  good  strain,  some  very  fine  varieties  will 
be  obtained.  It  is  a  half-hardy  annual,  and  should 
be  sown  in  gentle  heat  in  March,  or  in  a  cold  frame 
in  April.  The  seedlings  should  be  pricked  out 
when  large  enough  to  handle  into  some  good 
sandy  soil  in  pans  or  boxes,  and  kept  under  glass 
till  the  end  of  May,  when  they  should  be  gradually 
hardened  off,  always  remembering  that  plants, 
even  out  of  a  so-called  cold  frame — which  often 
gets  extremely  hot  in  May — suffer  very  much  if 
put  straight  out  into  the  sunshine  in  the  open. 
They  should  always  be  set  in  complete  shade  for  a 
day  or  two,  and  if  a  wet  or  damp  day  comes 
conveniently  for  the  purpose  all  the  better. 

The  Salpiglossis  is  particular  as  to  soil  and 
situation.  One  year  I  had  a  bed  of  them  in  a 
shady  position,  and  the  soil  was  a  wet  one  and  of 
close  texture.  The  plants  seemed  to  grow  very 
well  for  a  time,  but  first  one  plant  and  then 
another  withered  away,  and  even  those  that 
survived  long  enough  to  bloom  were  not  safe,  for 
one    after    another    suddenly    became    limp    and 


Salpiglossis  this  is  especially  necessary,  as  we  can 
never  be  sure  one  or  two  will  not  die,  even  in  the 
most  favourable  positions.  Algbe  Petts. 


CARNATIONS     IN     THE 
TOWN    GARDEN. 

(Continued  from  page  180.) 

CONSIDER   March   to   be    the    best  month 
for  planting  Carnations  in  the  town  garden. 


I 


An  exceptionally  wet  winter  might  cause  the  loss 
of  nearly  all  the  old  plants,  or  at  least  so  cripple 
them  as  to  render  them  next  to  useless.  In  most 
town  gardens  there  is  not  sufficient  room  to  devote  a 
whole  border  to  Carnations,  but  where  this  can  be 
done  I  should  certainly  advise  it.  Supposing  the 
borders  to  be  devoted  chiefly  to  herbaceous  peren- 
nials, the  Carnations  should  be  planted  in  email 
clumps  or  groups  at  intervals  ;  they  ought  not  to 
be  planted  singly,  dotted  about,  or  in  lines.  Six 
plants  make  a  pretty  little  clump,  and  if  several 
clunips  are  arranged  in  an  irregular  fashion  alon<r 
the  border  they  will  be  seen  at  their  best.  Restrict 
each  clump  to  one  variety  ;  do  not  mix  the  colours 
indiscriminately— make  one  clump  of  a  red  variety, 
another  of  a  white,  and  so  on.  If  this  is  done  the 
ettect  IS  much  more  pleasing  than  if  differently- 
coloured  varieties  are  planted  in  the  same  clump  • 
then  each  loses  its  individuality  and  makes  an 
inharmonious  whole. 

Summer  Treatment. 
The  first  matter  to  be  attended  to  will  be  the 
i^mportant  one  of  weeding.     Where  everything  is 


NEW   WHITE  CAKNATION  THE   URIDE   IN  SHALLOW   BENCHES   IN   A   NEW  JERSEY  NnRSBET, 


gradually  dried  up,  until  by  the  end  of  August  not 
a  dozen  plants  remained  alive  on  the  bed.  A 
friend  of  mine  had  an  experience  with  them  almost 
as  bad  in  a  somewhat  similar  soil,  though  in  a 
sunnier  situation.  The  first  necessity  for  their 
successful  culture  is  a  sunny  position,  and  the 
second  is  a  light,  rich,  sandy  loam.  Though  they 
need  a  good  soil,  yet  it  must  not  be  full  of  fresh 
manure,  as  that  seems  especially  fatal  to  them.  If 
some  thoroughly  rotted  manure  is  not  handy,  some 
old  Marrow  or  Cucumber  bed  should  be  well  mixed 
with  the  soil,  and  if  this  is  not  to  be  obtained,  it 
is  better  not  to  manure  the  bed  at  all.  The  bed 
should  be  well  in  bloom  by  the  end  of  June,  and 
in  its  full  beauty  before  the  end  of  July,  and  it 
will  last  throughout  July  and  August,  and  in  a 
favourable  season  through  most  of  September. 
They  are  admirably  adapted  for  cutting,  but  if 
wanted  for  this  purpose  it  would  be  better  to  have 
a  bed  of  them  in  the  reserve,  or  cut  flower,  garden. 
It  is  well  with  all  summer  beds  to  have  one  or 
two  plants  of  the  same  thing  grown  in  pots  to 
make  good  any   casualties  on  the  bed,  and  with 


If  the  soil  has  been  dug  and  manured  in 
the  autumn,  and  dug  again  in  the  spring, 
it  will  be  in  good  condition  by  March. 
Choose     dry     weather     for     planting,     for 

there    is    no   danger    of   the    soil    being   too   dry 

so  early  in  the  year.     It  is  a  bad  plan   to  plant 

when    the   soil   is  wet,   for  it   is   then    impossible 

to  work  the  latter  well  among  the  roots,  and  this 

is  essential.    Put  the  plants  in  the  ground  so  deeply 

that  they  will  not  sway  about  from  the  base  or 

"collar,"  as  it  is  called.     If  they  are  planted  too 

shallow  they  never  take  firm  hold  of  the  ground,  i  favourable   to   plant  'growth,    e  g       in   well-tilled 

and   consequently   do   not   grow   as    well  as  they  I  country    gardens.    Carnations     often     grow     well 

whether  the  weeds  are  destroyed  or  not, 
but  in  the  town  garden  things  are 
different;  the  plants  must  be  under  no 
disadvantages  from  which  it  is  possible 
to  free  them  easily,  and  among  these 
may  be  included  weeds.  It  is  an  easy 
matter  to  pull  them  up,  especially  if  a 
day  is  chosen  when  the  soil  is  moist ; 
they  come  up  much  more  easily  then. 
The  great  thing  is  to  begin  weeding 
early,  before  the  weeds  come  into  flower; 
once  they  have  flowered  and  seeds  have 
ripened  and  fallen,  the  weeds  have  gained 
an  advantage,  and  in  a  week  or  two 
dozens  of  tiny  green  plants  will  appear 
where  only  one  or  two  grew  before. 
Weeds  rob  the  soil  of  nourishment, 
therefore  they  must  be  rigorously 
destroyed,  and  especially  in  the  town 
garden,  where  the  supply  of  plant  food 
is  so  limited.  Another  point  worth  men- 
tioning is  the  good  that  is  done  by 
keeping  the  surface  of  the  ground  loose  ; 
this  is  especially  beneficial  in  dry  weather, 
for  it  prevents  the  escape  of  moisture, 
and  so  directly  benefits  the  plants.  Per- 
haps most  important  of  all  is  a  mulch  of 
manure  when  the  buds  are  showing  ;  it 
should  be  placed  in  and  around  the  clumps 
of  plants.  It  keeps  the  roots  moist, 
stimulates  growth,  and  improves  the 
flowers.  Staking  will  need  attention 
also,  but  this  is  quite  a  simple  operation 
now,  since  the  introduction  of  improved 
stakes.  These  are  made  of  twisted 
wire,  and  the  Carnation  stems  should  be 
intertwined  ;  tying  is  hardly  necessary. 
These  stakes  should  be  painted  sage 
green,  and  should  not  project  beyond 
,  ,  .  ,  ,  ,  ,  the  top  of  the  plant,  neither  should 
otherwise  would  ;  if  the  base  is  deeply  buried  the  i  they  be  too  short  to  support  it  properly.  They 
roots  will  be  too  far  beneath  the  surface^  and  air  I  are  of  neat  appearance,  and  a  great  improve- 
will  not  reach  them.  It  is  not  necessary  to  cover  !  ment  upon  the  old  wooden  stakes  and  raflSa 
any  of  the  leaves  ;  if  the  basal  ones  are  partially  ,  Watering  is,  of  course,  very  important,  and  ali 
covered  the  plant  will  be  deep  enough.     Make  the  I  who  value  their  plants  will  attend  to  them  care- 


soil  fairly  firm  about  the  roots,  either  with  the 
hand  or  with  the  handle  of  the  trowel  used  in 
planting.  Carnations  root  better  in  soil  that  is 
made  comparatively  firm.  They  do  not  require  a 
very  rich  soil ;  in  this  they  make  a  vigorous  but 
soft  growth,  and  are  of  little  use  the  next  year. 
If,  however,  the  growth  of  the  plants  is  harder, 
they  may  be  kept  for  another  season's  flowering. 
In  advising  the  admixture  of  manure,  I  had  in 
mind  the  kind  of  border  usually  found  in  a  town 
garden,  and  which  certainly  benefits  by  dressings 
of  manure.  I  might  mention  here  that  one  should 
never    rely    altogether    upon     plants    that    have 


fully  in  this  respect.  If  the  summer  is  dry  the 
borders  in  a  town  garden  generally  dry  quickly  ; 
so  care  must  be  taken  that  the  plants  do  not  suffer 
from  want  of  water.  Evening  is  a  good  time  to 
water  them,  for  then  the  border  becomes  thoroughly 
moistened.  If  the  watering  is  done  during  the 
day  some  of  the  moisture  evaporates,  instead  of 
reaching  and  benefiting  the  roots.  Never  let  the 
border  become  dry  or  the  plants  will  certainly 
suffer  ;  they  will  become  stunted,  and  the  flowers 
will  be  disappointing.  The  carrying  out  of  these 
cultural  details  means  much  more  to  Carnations  in 
an  urban  garden  than  to  those  in  the  country,  for 


bloomed  once  for  the  following  season's  display,  as  ,  they  must  be  aided  and  encouraged  in  every  possible 


during  the  winter  some  of  them  are  almost  sure  to 
die  off.  They  do  not  do  so  to  the  same  extent  as 
young  plants,  but  it  is  always  advisable  to  propa- 
gate every  year  to  prevent  disappointing  results. 


way. 


Varieties. 

It  would  be  useless  to  give  a  long  list  of  varie- 
ties of  Carnations  for  the  town  garden ;  the  best 


202 


THE    (lAEDEN. 


[March  19,  1904, 


better  to  withstand  the  winter's  cold  and  wet.  A 
good  many  of  them,  however,  lost  their  centres — 
their  "  hearts,"  as  gardeners  say — and  are  practi- 
cally worthless,  while  the  remainder  look  far  from 
happy.  When  I  contrast  these  with  those  that 
have  wintered  snugly  in  the  cold  frame,  I  can  have 
no  hesitation  in  saying  that  the  latter  is  a  sine  qua 
non  to  the  successful  culture  of  Carnation  layers 
during  the  winter  months. 

Propagation  by  Seed. 

Raising  Carnations  from  seed  is  a  method  that 
appeals  to  many,  and  particularly  to  the  town 
gardener.  There  is  always  a  delightful  uncertainty 
about  the  results  to  be  obtained  from  a  packet  of 
seeds,  and,  providing  one  obtains  seeds  from  a 
reliable    source,    a    good    percentage    of    double 


plan  is  for  the  owner  to  try  a  number  of  dififerent 
ones,  and  he  will  soon  find  out  by  experience  which 
are  the  most  suitable  for  the  conditions  of  soil  and 
surroundings  that  prevail  in  his  garden.  The 
following  varieties  have  been  selected  because  ot 
their  hardy  constitution  and  free-flowering  habit ; 
they  are  all  self-coloured.  The  reader  can  obtain 
a  list  of  good  fancy  varieties  from  any  Carnation 
grower  if  he  wishes  to  grow  these,  and  there  is  no 
reason  why  some  of  them,  at  any  rate,  should  not 
be  grown  successfully  in  the  town  garden.  It  would 
be  well,  however,  to  begin  with  those  mentioned. 

White.— George  Macquay,  Gloire  de  Nancy,  and 
White  Star.  ,  ,      ,        , 

Red.— The  Old  Clove,  Paul  Engleheart  (a  dwarf 
variety  of  it),  and  Uriah  Pike. 

Scarlet.— Dandee  Scarlet  and  Quentin  Durward. 

Salmon-pink. — Raby  Castle. 

Dark  j-osc— Francis  Wellesley. 

Yelloiv.— Miss  Audrey  Campbell. 

Peopagation. 
It  is  not  necessary  here  to  give  full 

details    as    to    the    propagation   of 

Carnations,  for  that  has  been  dealt 

with     on     other     occasions.       The 

shoots  should  be  layered  early,  say, 

in  late  July  or  early  August.      The 

earlier   they  are    rooted  the  better 

plants  will  they  make.   In  the  month 

of  October  it  is  usual  to  remove  the 

rooted  layers  from   the   old  plants, 

and    to    transplant    them    to   their 

permanent     quarters,    i.e.,    in     the 

border   where   they    are    to   flower. 

But  here  again  the  method  of  pro- 
cedure must  be  modified  in  the  case 

of  Carnations  in  the  town   garden. 

Instead  of  transplanting  the   layers 

to  another  border  prepared  for  them, 

they  must  be  potted   up  into  small 

pots    in    a    soil    containing    a     fair 

amount  of   leaf-soil   and    placed    in 

a   garden   frame,    there    to    remain 

during    the   winter  ;    in   fact,  until 

March,  when  they  may  be  planted 

out.     Instead  of  being  put  in  small 

pots,    the    rooted     layers    may    be 

planted  in  the  frame  in  which  a  bed 

of  light  soil  some  9  inches  deep  has 

been  prepared.     There  the  plantlets 

remain  until    planting   out  time  in 

March.     Personally,   I  much  prefer 

potting    up    the    runners,    for    the 

condition  of  the  soil  during  winter 

can   then   be  regulated   more  satis- 
factorily than  when  they  are  planted 

out.     Once  the  bed  of  soil  gets  wet 

— as  it  is  likely  to  do  in  the  middle 

of  winter— it  is  impossible  to  get  it 

dry  again    before   the   weather   im- 
proves, and  meanwhile  some  of  the 

plants  might  die.     It  is  astonishing 

how  little  water  Carnations  in  pots 

need   during   winter.      I    have  had 

them    in    a    cold    frame  throughout 

the  winter  months,  and  have  given 

them  no  water  at  all  for  weeks,  yet 

the  soil  still  remained  moist.    There 

would  seem  to  be  no  doubt  about  the  r       ,  -n   v,     i,  .^ 

wisdom  of  wintering  the  rooted  layers  in  a  cold  frame  I  flowers  in  a  great  variety  of  colours  will   be  had.. 

so  far  as  Carnation  culture  in  the  town  garden  is  i  Seed  should   be  sown  in  April  in  a  greenhouse  or 

concerned.     They  are  then  safe  from  damp,  which,  j  cold  frame,  and  preferably  on  a  hot-bed.     Carefully 

together  with  the  danger  of  their  freezing  while    attend    to    the     seedlings    as     they    progress    by 

water  is  still  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  is  the  chief  I  repotting,    watering,  and  gradually  inuring  them 

difficulty  in   keeping   them   until   the   spring.     A  |  to  the  open  air.     By  the  month  of  September  the 

cold  frame  is  very  cheap,  yet  it  is  indispensable  to  I  plants   will   be   ready   either   for   planting  in   the 


generally  practised  is  as  already  stated — i.e.,  sow 
the  seed  in  April  and  grow  on  the  seedlings  during 
summer,   finally  planting  them   out  in   September. 
If,  however,  the  seed  is  sown  in  .January  in  a  warm 
house,  and  the  seedlings  are  encouraged  to  grow 
fairly  quickly  in  an  intermediate  temperature  (not 
higher    than    60°,    or    the    tinv    plants    will    be 
weakened),  so  as  to  make  good   plants  for  placing 
out  of   doors  in   May,  then    they  will  bloom   the 
same  year  a  little  later  than  those  propagated  the 
previous  year.     This  plan  of  flowering  the  plants 
the  same  year,  treating  them  as  annuals,  has  much 
to  recommend  it  to  the  town  gardener,  for  it  does 
away   with   the   necessity   of  keeping   the    plants 
through  the  winter.    There  is  certainly  more  interest 
attached    to    the  raising  of  Carnations  from    seed 
than  from   layers.     One   always   knows    what    to 
expect  from  the  latter,  while  seed- 
lings are  a  continual  sourceof  interest 
and  expectation,  for  one  never  knows 
what  they  will  produce.     It  is  im- 
portant to  buy  good  seed,  however, 
otherwise  the  results  will   probably 
be  disappointing.      The  only  thing 
that  may  prevent  the  town  gardener 
from  adopting   the  plan  of   culture 
above  described   is    the  want   of   a 
heated  greenhouse  or  frame.     With- 
out either  it  is  impossible  to  get  the 
seedlings    along     quickly     enough. 
Still,  most  urban   gardeners  possess 
a  small  greenhouse,  and  I  am  sure  a 
small   portion   of    it   could    not   be 
turned  to  better  use  than  by  raising 
seedling  Carnations ;  in  late  summer 
and  autumn  they  will  be  invaluable 
for  cutting.     In  a  garden  within  a 
very   few   miles    of    Charing   Cross 
hundreds  of   plants    are    grown    in 
this  way,  and   tho  gardener  is  able 
to   gather  hundreds   of   blooms   for 
house  decoration.     One  of  our  best 
Carnation  growers  states  that  plants 
flowering  from  seed  sown  in  March 
of   the  previous  year  will   produce 
from   100  to  150  blooms  each  ;    one 
could  hardly    expect   to   gather   so 
many  from  plants  flowering  the  first 
year  from  seed  ;  but  they,  too,  give 
a  very  satisfactory  harvest.    Among 
seedlings  there  is  always  a  certain 
percentage   of   single    flowers  ;    but 
supposing     the     Carnations    lo    be 
required   for  home  decoration  only, 
the  singles  do  as  well  as  the  doubles ; 
in  fact,  when  arranged  with  them, 
they   improve   rather   than    detract 
from  the  display.  T.  H.  H. 

(  To  he  continued. ) 


I'LOWERS  OF  THE   BRIDE  CARNATION.     (Much  reduced.) 


those  who  wish  to  propagate  their  own  Carnations 
instead  of  annually  buying  them.  It  ia  a  pity  that 
so  many  do  the  latter  when  layering  is  so  simple. 
The  initial  cost  of  the  frame  is  saved  over  and  over 
again  by  not  having  to  purchase  plants. 

Last  year  I  tried  another  method  of  keeping  the 
layers  through  the  winter,  but  we  had  such  an 
exceptionally  wet  season  that  the  plan  can  hardly 
be  said  to  have  had  a  fair  trial.  Instead  of  removing 
the  layers  from  the  parent  plants  in  October  I  left 
them  alone,  thinking  that  with  the  assistance  they 
derived  from  the  old  plants  they  would  be  able 


border  where  they  are  to  remain  till  flowering  lime, 
or  they  may  be  kept  in  pots  throughout  the  winter 
and  planted  in  their  permanent  quarters  in  March. 
If  they  have  made  good  growth  and  are  vigorous, 
and  the  garden  soil  is  not  exceptionally  heavy  and 
likely  to  become  soddened,  the  plants  may  be  put 
at  once  in  the  border ;  but  if  they  are  rather 
weakly  and  the  soil  is  not  congenial,  keep  them  in 
the  cold  frame  until  March.     Although  it  is   not 


NEW    WHITE    CARNATION 
-THE  BRIDE. 

I  SEND  you  two  photographs  of  a  new 

white    Carnation,    showing    results 

under  glass  in  America.     Mr.  J.  N. 

May  of  Summit,  New  Jersey,  is  the 

distributor  of  this  variety.     It  has 

received  a  number  of  awards  from 

the  principal  horticultural  societies 

in  the  States.     It  is  very  free-blooming,   and   the 

white    is   quite   pure.      The   individual    flower  is 

3  inches   to  .SJ  inches  in  diameter,   and  the  stem 

14  inches  to  16  inches   long.      It   has   a  vigorous 

habit,  as  will  be  noticed  by  the  plants  growing  in 

the  shallow  benches.  D. 


IN 


AMARYLLIS    BELLADONNA 
GUERNSEY. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  H.  0.  Smith,  Caledonia 
Nursery,  Guernsey,  for  the  photograph  repro- 
duced in  the  accompanying  illustration.  Mr. 
Smith  writes  that  "  it  represents  part  of  a  bed 
usual  to  grow  border  Carnations  ,o  that'\h;;  '  of  Amaryllis  Belladonna  pnrpnrascLMis  niuxima 
flower  the  same  year  in  which  seed  is  sown,  they  m  the  Caledonia  Nursery  last  autumn.  Ihe 
can  be  made  to  do  so  by  sowing  early.  The  method  1  bed  measured  36  feet  by  18  teet,  and  when  the 


March  19,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


203 


photograph  was  taken  there  were 
over  1,000  spikes  in  bloom  and 
bud.  This  form  is  quite  the  best 
we  have  ever  grown,  and  will 
give  satisfactory  results  where 
the  ordinary  forms  of  the  Bella- 
donna Lily  are  a  failure." 


NOTES  ON  HARDY 
PLANTS. 


COLCHICUM    HYDRO- 
PHILUM. 

A  BEAUTIFUL  little 
plant  belonging  to  the 
spring -flowering  sec- 
tion of  the  genus,  in 
which  the  flowers  and 
leaves  appear  at  the 
same  time.  The  latter,  however, 
are  not  fully  developed  for  some 
time  after  the  flowers  are  over 
and  eventually  attain  a  length 
of  6  inches  and  a  width  of  over 
1  inch.  The  corms  are  about  the 
size  of  a  small  Walnut,  chestnut 
brown  in  colour,  and  produce  from  three 
to  five  flowers  each.  These  are  3  inches  to 
4  inches  high,  longer  than  the  leaves  at  the 
time  of  flowering,  and  of  a  bright  rose  colour. 
Corms  of  this  plant  were  received  from  Asia 
Minor  in  1898,  and  flowered  in  February,  1899. 
It  is  found  on  the  Taurus  Mountains  on  both 
the  north  and  south  sides,  but  not  at  a  lower 
elevation  than  3,250  feet  above  sea  level, 
extending  upwards  to  a  height  of  6,500  feet. 
It  grows  in  places  where  it  receives  an  abund- 
ance of  water,  produced  by  the  melting  snow, 
during  the  flowering  and  growing  period. 
From  July  to  October  the  same  position  is  dry, 
and  during  this  period  the  corms  are  thoroughly 
ripened  off.  A  very  useful  plant  for  the  alpine 
house  and  of  easy  culture  in  sandy  loam,  it  is 
quite  hardy  in  the  border,  but  is  more  suitable 
for  the  former  purpose,  or  for  a  corner  in  the 
rock  garden.  W.  Irving. 

ERANTHIS    (JILTCrCUS. 

This  is  a  much  finer  form  than  the  old  common 
Winter  Aconite  (Eranthis  h3'emali5),  with  larger 


evergreen,  have  an  interest  during 
winter,  and  they  are  quite  at  home 
in  a  cold  house.  At  the  same  time 
they  well  repay  a  generous  treat- 
ment. R.  Dean. 


COLCHICUM    HYDROPHILDM   IN   THE    ALPINE  HOUSE  AT   KEW 


finely  cut  leafage,  purplish  stem,  and  larger  yellow 
flowers.  This  species  generally  flowers  a  little 
later  than  the  common  Winter  Aconite. 


DIVERSITY  IN  SEEDLINGS    OF   CAM- 
PANULA   BARALLIERIL 

Though  this  Campanula  is  supposed  by  some  to  be 
a  synonsm  of  C.  fragilis,  it  is  yet  so  distinct  in 
foliage  and  in  the  colour  of  its  flowers  as  to  justify 
the  bestowal  of  a  distinctive  name,  and  there  is  a 
remarkable  diversity  of  character  in  some  of  its 
progeny  obtained  from  seeds.  Some  favour  the 
parent,  some  revert  to  fragilis,  some  partake  of  the 
downy  character  of  growth  of  Mayii,  some  are 
much  more  characteristically  pubescent,  while  a 
very  few  have  the  variegated  character.  The 
variety  in  the  seedlings  is  delightful,  and  I  am 
anticipating  the  blooming  time  with  considerable 
interest.  The  one  drawback  is  that  there  are 
so  many  seedlings  that  they  are  grown  in  my 
cold  house  to  the  discomfort  of  other  things.  I 
think  that  if  anyone  will  undertake  during  the 
coming  summer  to  cross-fertilise  C.  Mayii  and  C. 
Barallierii  that  a  very  interesting  progeny  might 
result 


IRIS   UNGUICULARIS. 

(Iris  stylosa.) 

An  evergreen  Iris,  with  long  linear 
leaves  and  showy  flowers.  If  planted 
in  a  sunnj'  spot  against  a  south,  east, 
or  west  wall  and  in  well-drained  soil 
it  will  produce  large  showy  flowers 
from  December  till  April.  There 
are  several  foims,  all  of  which  are 
well  worth  growing.  The  type  has 
rather  long,  broad  foliage,  and  large, 
pale  blue  flowers,  the  falls  slightly 
marked  white.  I.  unguicularis 
lilacinum  has  paler  flowers  and 
white  netted  falls.  I.  unguicularis 
speciosa  has  shorter  and  more 
narrow  foliage,  with  later  deep  blue 
flowers.  I.  unguicularis angustifolia 
has  narrow,  deep  green  foliage 
and  pale  blue  flowers,  and  closely 
allied  to  this  is  Iris  cretensis,  with 
graES3'-like,  glaucous  foliage,  and 
large  showy  flowers  only  just  now 
commencing  to  show.  In  colour 
they  are  similar  to  the  form  speciosa.  I.  ungui- 
cularis alba  is  a  form,  or  rather  there  are  two 
forms,  the  one  with  creamy  white  flowers,  the 
other  with  just  a  tinge  of  lilac. 


GALANTHUS     NIVALIS    VAR. 
SCHARLOKL 

This  form  of  our  common  Snowdrop  is  at  present  in 
full  flower,  and  is  noticeable  among  others  mainly 
by  its  divided  spathes,  although  on  closer  observa- 
tion a  further  distinction  is  observable  in  the 
greenish  markings  near  the  apices  of  the  small 
flowers.  It  is  one  of  the  most  singular  of  Snow- 
drops in  respect  to  its  large,  leafy,  and  divided 
spathe,  which  often  recurves,  and  then  looks  like  a 
pair  of  horns  raised  above  the  flowers.  Anyone 
can  recognise  it  among  other  Snowdrops,  and  its 
interest  is  not  lessened  by  the  knowledge  that  it  is 
a  natural  form  and  not  one  raised  in  a  garden.  Its 
history  is  well  known.  It  was  found  in  some 
copses  in  the  valley  of  the  Nahe,  in  Western 
Prussia,  a  tributary  of  the  Rhine,  by  Herr  .lulius 
Scharlok,    a   careful   botanist,    and   named  in  his 


honour  in  1868  by  Professor  Caspary  of  Koenigsberg. 
They  are  quite   hardy  pTat'its,°and,  being  i  It  has  mainly  been  distributed  by  Mr.  James  Allen, 


THE  BBLLADOJJNA  .LILY    (AMARYLLIS  BELLADONNA  VARIETY)   IN    GUERNSEY. 


204 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Mat?ch  19,  19'  4. 


I  believe,  but  it  is  not  as  yet  plentiful  even  among 
the  few  connoisseurs  of  the  Snowdrop.  From  the 
first  appearance  of  the  flower  above  the  soil  this  is 
an  interestingGalanthus.  On  account  of  the  division 
of  the  leafy  spathe  the  flowers  are  not  protected  on 
piercing  through  the  soil  in  the  same  way  as  those 
of  most  other  Snowdrops,  and  the  blossom  appears 
like  a  small  white  ball.  It  gradually  develops  until 
the  green  markings  on  the  outside  and  the  divided 
spathes  become  more  apparent.  It  does  not  strike 
one  as  a  well-formed  Galanthus  in  its  shape,  but 
it  is  undoubtedly  interesting  as  one  of  the  few 
abnormalities  among  the  plants  of  a  favourite 
genus.  1  have  a  nice  clump  of  it  now,  and  one  can 
find  about  it  something  to  study  in  the  Snowdrop 
season.  Mr.  James  Allen  has  raised  several 
seedlings  from  G.  n.  Scharloki,  but  none  of  these 
is  so  pretty  as  the  original.  They  are  remarkable, 
however,  for  the  variation  from  the  parent  they 
show.  Some  have  the  divided  spathe,  and  some  the 
green  markings  on  the  exterior,  but  a  few  are 
malformed.  They  do  not  succeed  with  me  so  well 
as  the  typical  Scharloki.  S.  Aknott. 


USES  OF  BRITISH  PLANTS. 

SoLANACEiE. 

HENBANE  (Hyoscyamus  niger).— This, 
with  opium,  &c. ,  formed  a  drug  called 
"Dwale"  in  the  Middle  Ages  to 
induce  sleep  for  operations.  The 
seeds  were  heated  on  a  hot  tile  and 
the  vapour  inhaled  in  order  "to  slay 
the  worms  in  the  teeth."  The  plant  is  in  the 
pharmacopana,  being  valuable  tor  its  narcotic 
properties.  It  is  a  plant  with  a  heavy  dis- 
agreeable odour,  clammy  to  the  touch,  from  its 
glandular  hairs.  It  bears  dull  yellow  and  dark 
veined,  bell-shaped  corollas.  The  capsule  bursts 
by  a  lid  falling  oif.  The  roots  have  been  eaten 
instead  of  Parsnips  with  serious  results. 

Bittersweet,  or  Woody  Nightshade  (Solanum 
Dulcamara).— This  common  shrub  scrambling  over 
hedges  is  well  known  by  its  clusters  of  purple 
flowers  and  scarlet  berries.  Tke  name  "  IJitler- 
sweet"  is  given  from  the  taste  of  the  bark,  which 
is  bitter,  but  followed  by  a  sweet  flavour.  The 
shoots  dried  are  used  in  British  medicine  for 
certain  cutaneous  complaints.  The  berries  have 
proved  poisonous  to  a  certain  degree  to  children. 
It  was  called  "Woody  Nightshade"  by  the  old 
herbalists  to  distinguish  it  from  the  "Deadly 
Nightshade." 

Garden  Nightshade  (Solanum  nigrum).— This  is 
a  small  herb  with  white  flowers  and  purple  berries. 
Like  the  last  it  has  been  used  for  the  same  purpose. 
The  berries  are  more  or  less  injurious,  especially  to 
children,  but  are  often  eaten  by  adults  with  im- 
punity, (rspecially  when  quite  ripe,  as  the  poisonous 
principle  is  chiefly  associated  with  all  green  parts. 

Dwale,  or  Belladonna  {Atropa  Belladonna).— A 
shrub  some  3  feet  in  height,  bearing  dingy  purple, 
bell-like  flowers  and  smooth  black  berries  when 
ripe.  These  are  intensely  sweet,  and  have  proved 
to  be  fatal  to  children  and  others  who  have  eaten 
them.  The  dried  leaves  form  the  drug  of  our 
pharmacopeia.  They  are  strongly  narcotic.  It  is 
an  anodyne,  and  used  for  allaying  neuralgia.  The 
name  Belladonna  has  its  origin  in  the  use  as  a 
cosmetic  by  Italian  ladies,  or  perhaps  for  enlarging 
the  pupil  of  the  eye,  a  property  possessed  by  the 
juice. 

The  Mandrake,  a  foreign  species  of  Atropa 
(A.  Mandragora),  was  used  in  Pliny's  day  as  an 
anaesthetic  for  operations.  The  sleeping  potion  of 
.Juliet  was  a  preparation  from  this  plant,  perhaps 
the  same  as  the  Mandrake  wine  of  the  Ancients. 

SOROPHnLARINEjE. 

Mullein  (Verbascum  Thapsus). — This  plant  has  a 
tall  stem,  with  very  woolly  leaves,  and  a  dense 
spike  of  yellow  flowers.  The  leaves  boiled  in  milk 
have  been  strongly  recommended  as  an  emollient 
for  coughs.  It  was  formerly  called  Candela,  because 
it  was  a  plant  "  whereof  is  made  a  manner  of 
Lynke,  if  it  be  tallowed,"  as  it  is  said  in  the 
"  Great  Herbal."  The  down  upon  the  leaves  con- 
sists of  stellate  hairs,  which  form  a  sort  of  felt  and 


makes  a  good  tinder  when  dry.  It  was  called 
Hag-taper,  being  supposed  to  be  the  witches' 
broom  upon  which  they  rode  through  the  air,  but 
the  true  derivation  appears  to  be  from  haga,  a 
"hedge,"  and  not  packe,  a  "witch,"  with  laper, 
a  "  candle." 

Foxglove  (Digitalis  purpurea). — This  is  danger- 
ously poisonous,  having  a  strong  action  upon  the 
heart.  It  is  used  medicinally  for  that  purpose, 
but  ignorant  people  have  been  poisoned  by  making 
a  tea  of  the  leaves. 

Figwort  (Scrophularia  nodosa  and  S.  aquatica). — 
These  plants  were  formerly  used  as  a  remedy  for 
scrofula,  hence  is  derived  the  name  of  the  family. 
They  are — as  so  many  of  this  order — emetic  and 
purgative.     It  should  be  regarded  with  suspicion. 

Cow- wheat  (Melampyrum  pratense). — This  is 
said  to  afford  good  fodder  for  cattle.  According  to 
LinniEus  the  butter  of  cows  fed  upon  it  is  remark- 
ably rich  and  of  a  deep  yellow  colour.  The  term 
"  Wheat  "  is  said  to  have  been  given  to  it  because 
of  its  sudden  appearance  among  Corn  on  land  being 
cleared  from  a  coppice  where  it  had  grown.  Cows 
and  sheep  are  very  fond  of  it.  The  Latin  name 
signifies  "  black  wheat." 

Ivy-leaved  Toad-flax  (Linaria  cymbalaria). — This 
now  common  plant  was  introduced  from  the  Con- 
tinent. It  is  eaten  as  a  salad,  having  a  hot  taste, 
like  that  of  Cress,  hence  it  has  been  thought  to 
have  anti-scorbutic  properties. 

Speedwell   (Veronica    oificinalis)    was    formerly 
used  as  a  tea,  an  old  Danish  botanist,  Simon  PauUi, 
contending  that  it  was  the  true  Tea  of  China ! 
Le.vtibularine.^. 

Butter-wort  (Pinquicula  vulgaris). — This  plant  is 
common  in  wet  places,  especially  in  the  West  of 
England.  Its  leaves  form  a  rosette,  are  spoon - 
shaped,  and  covered  with  glands,  which  catch 
insects  and  consume  the  nitrogenous  substances 
from  them.  The  Latin  name,  Gerarde  says,  refers 
to  the  "fatnes  or  fulnes  of  the  leafe."  The 
juice,  he  adds,  was  rubbed  on  cracked  udders  of 
cows,  as  it  is  done  in  Sweden.  Linnieus  states  that 
in  northern  regions  the  fresh  leaves  are  put  into 
the  reindeer's  milk  and  strained.  After  a  day  or 
two  it  acquires  a  consistence  and  tenacity  ;  the 
whey  and  the  cream  do  not  separate.  It  thus 
forms  a  favourite  food  in  the  north  of  Sweden.  It 
does  not  act  in  the  same  manner  as  cow's  milk. 

Vekbenaceje. 

Vervain  (Verbena  officinalis). — This  plant  was 
considered  to  have  many  virtues  of  old,  but  it  has 
now  fallen  into  disuse,  as  having  none.  It  was 
called  Hierobotana,  or  the  "sacred  plant."  Pliny 
tells  us  that  the  me-ssenger  sent  to  an  enemy  to 
demand  the  restoration  of  property  was  called 
verbenariiis,  for  he  carried  a  spray  of  Vervain, 
which  rendered  him  inviolable.  It  was  also  used 
for  cleansing  the  table  of  Jupiter  on  the  occasion  of 
the  feasts  of  that  god.  Houses  were  purified  with 
it.  As  a  drug  it  was  much  valued  in  the  fourteenth 
century,  as,  e.g.,  the  powder  for  stanching  blood 
and  healing  wounds.  The  following  is  a  curious 
test :  "  If  a  man  lie  sick,  to  know  whether  he  shall 
live  or  die.  Take  Vervain  in  thy  right  hand,  and  take 
his  right  hand  in  thine  ;  and  let  the  herb  be 
between,  so  that  he  does  not  know  it.  Ask  him 
how  he  fareth  and  how  he  hopeth  of  himself.  If 
he  say  he  shall  live  and  fare  well,  for  certain  then 
he  shall  live  and  fare  well.  But  if  he  say  he  hopeth 
of  no  life,  know  well  for  certain  that  he  shall  die  of 
that  evil." 

Labiate. 

No  member  of  this  easily  recognised  family  is 
poisonous,  but  the  majority  are  characterised  by 
strong  scents,  due  to  the  presence  of  essential  oils 
located  in  glandular  hairs  upon  the  foliage,  &c. 
This  imparts  the  odours  peculiar  to  different 
species,  as  Peppermint,  Thyme,  Sage,  Lavender, 
Patchouli,  &c. 

Spear-mint  (Mentha  viridis). — This  is  the  cul- 
tivated garden  Mint,  and  only  known  as  an  escape, 
but  is  believed  to  be  derived  from  the  wild  Horse 
Mint  (M.  sylvestris),  only  indigenous  in  the  South 
of  England.  It  was  much  cultivated  by  the 
Romans  and  other  Mediterranean  nations. 

Peppermint  (M.  Piperita). — This  is  also  regarded 
as  a  cultivated  form  of  Water-mint  (M.  aquatica), 


which  smells  strongly  of  Peppermint.  The  drug 
"Menthol"  is  derived  from  a  Japanese  species 
(M.  piperaEcens). 

Pennyroyal  (M.  Pulegium). — This  species  was 
formerly  highly  valued  as  a  medicinal  drug  as  well 
as  for  culinary  preparations,  hence  it  was  called 
"Pudding  Grass."  It  was  known  as  Piliole-rial  in 
the  fourteenth  century,  and  employed  for  various 
purposes,  as  to  sharpen  the  eyes.  It  entered  into 
the  composition  of  "save"  for  wounds. 

Thyme  (Thymus  Serpyllum).  —  This  familiar 
wild  flower  is  especially  abundant  on  dr3',  heathy 
soils.  The  essential  oil  is  strongly  aromatic,  so 
that  it  has  long  been  cultivated,  especially  a  variety 
known  as  Lemon  Thyme. 

Marjoram  (Origanum  vulgare). — This  plant  is  par- 
ticularly abundant  on  calcareoussoils,as  in  thesouth- 
east  of  England.  Like  others  the  oil  is  an  aromatic 
stimulant,  and  used  as  a  remedy  for  toothache. 

Ground  Ivy,  or  Ale-hoof  (Nepeta  Glechoma). — 
This  early-flowering  creeping  plant  is  bitter  and 
aromatic.  It  has  been  used  for  flavouring  ale. 
Hence  it  acquired  the  name  of  "Gill"  from  the 
French  guiller,  "  to  ferment  "  beer  ;  but  as  "  Gill" 
also  meant  a  "girl,"  the  plant  came  to  be  called 
"  Hedgemaids."  The  juice  of  this  plant  with  that  of 
Groundsell  and  Plantain  was  supposed  to  cure  small 
ulcers  in  the  eye,  and  to  remove  the  white  specks 
which  sometimes  appear  in  horses'  ej'es. 

Horehound  (Marrubium  vulgare). — This  has  long 
been  valued  as  a  remedy  for  coughs  and  pectoral 
complaints.     A  tea  is  made  from  the  woolly  leaves. 

Wood  Sage  (Teucrium  Seorodonia). — This  is  a 
common  plant  in  heathy  districts.  It  has  strong 
tonic  as  well  as  the  usual  aromatic  properties  of 
labiates.  It  was  formerly  used  as  a  substitute  for 
hops  under  the  name  of  "  Ambroisie"  in  .Jersey. 

Betony  (Betonica  officinalis). — It  is  remarkable 
that  this  plant,  which  has  no  special  virtues,  was 
long  regarded  as  a  panacea  for  all  the  ills  that  flesh 
is  heir  to.  Moreover,  recipes  and  many  pages 
descriptive  of  the  virtues  of  Betony  are  given  in  the 
fourteenth  centur}'  medical  books,  including  its  use 
for  driving  away  devils  and  despair  ! 

G.  Hbnslow. 


ALDERSEY     HALL. 

i  LDERSEY    HALL,    the    residence   of 
/\  Hugh  Alder.sey,  Esq.,  J.P.,  stands 

/  \  in  a  well-wooded  park,  nine  miles 
/ — *  south  of  Chester,  looking  towards 
1  V  the  Broxton  Hills.  Two  sides  of 
the  hall  are  bounded  by  the  park 
and  on  leaving  the  house  by  the  western  exit 
one  comes  to  a  small  lawn,  from  which  a  path 
winding  beneath  old  Yew  trees  leads  to  the 
beautiful  and  secluded  gardens.  This  side  of 
the  hall  is  entirely  covered  by  a  single  plant  of 
Ivy  (with  a  trunk  4  feet  in  circumference), 
through  which  the  cable-like  stems — some 
9  inches  to  1.5  inches  in  girth— of  a  Clematis 
Vital  ba  run  up  to  the  roof.  The  gardens  and 
pleasure  grounds  are  twelve  acres  in  extent, 
and  have  existed  in  their  present  form  since 
the  early  part  of  last  century,  though  some 
alterations  and  improvements  have  been  made 
from  time  to  time,  principally  during  the  last 
few  years.  The  garden  proper  is  laid  out  more 
or  less  in  a  natural  style,  giving  different 
aspects,  the  flowers  and  trees  being  grouped 
in  picturesque  ways.  Here  one  is  reminded 
of  the  well-known  lines : 

"  He  gains  all  ptiinta  wlio  pleasingly  cunfotinds, 
Surprises,  varies,  and  conceals  the  bounds." 

Fine  eft'ects  are  obtained  by  comliining 
various  forms  which  aid  each  other  and  give  a 
succession  of  pictures.  There  is  no  set  pattern 
to  weary  the  eye,  but  quiet  grace  and  verdure 
and  feasts  of  colour  through  .several  months  of 
the  year.  Groups  of  beds  of  sufficient  size  to 
allow  of  bold  mas.sing  are  quite  a  feature  in 
Aldersey  Hall  gardens.  It  is  impossible  to  say 
when  the  gardens  were  first  laid  out,  but  as  the 
family   has    resided    at    Aldersey    for    many 


March  19,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


205 


generations  it  is  probable  that  it  dates  from 
early  times.  That  it  existed  more  than  200 
years  ago  appears  certain  from  some  entries  in 
"  An  Almanack  for  the  Year  of  Our  Lord  God, 
1684,  being  Leap  Year,"  by  Thomas  Aldersey, 
barrister,  who  lived  from  1634  to  1715,  and 
whose  portrait  is  at  Aldersey  Hall.  He  gives  a 
list  of  about  150  Apples  grafted  during  April 
of  that  year  in  "orchard,"  "graftyard,"  and 
"  hedgerows,"  on  "  Crab  stocks,"  "  ye  stand 
stocks  in  higher  orchard,"  "ye  great  Crab 
tree,"  &c.  The  names  given  are  Redstreak, 
Golden  Redstreak,  Red  Redstreak,  Brombro 
Crab,  Bodnam  Crab,  Golden  Rennet,  Marygold, 
Harvey  Tarpley,  Golden  Pippin,  and  Ginnet 
Moyl.  Another  entry  towards  the  end  of  the 
book  appears  at  first  sight  to  relate  to  the 
garden  "  Aristolochia,  Turmerick,"  but  a  closer 
inspection  proves  it  to  be  a  recipe  for  a  "  purge 
for  mare."  This  Almanack,  "Printed  by  Mary 
Clark  for  the  Company  of  Stationers,"  is  a  thin 
leather-bound  book,  4  inches  by  2  inches, 
fastened  by  metal  clasps,  and  the  writing  being 
in  a  small,  cramped  hand  is  not 
easy  to  decipher. 

The  long  range  of  glass  comprises 
greenhouse,  early  and  late  vineries, 
and  stove,  this  latter  containing, 
among  other  things,  a  fine  plant  of 
Crinum  erubescens,  which  flowers 
nearly  the  whole  year  through.  In 
the  late  vinery  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
are  grown  on  a  trellis  below  the 
Vines,  and  very  fair  crops  of  each  are 
obtained,  as  well  as  of  late  Grapes, 
the  lateral  growths  of  the  Vines  being 
trained  to  the  main  stems  in  order  to 
give  light  to  the  trees  beneath.  The 
propagation  of  hardy  plants  is  exten- 
sively carried  out,  recourse  being  had 
to  the  nurseryman  only  for  new  plants 
and  varieties.  In  this  work  the  gar- 
dener, Mr.  J.  Chisholm,  is  very  suc- 
cessful, and  is  well  supplied  for  the 
purpose  with  pits  and  frames  in  a 
convenient  and  sheltered  frame-yard. 

The  kitchen  garden  has  very  sub- 
stantial brick  walls  14  feet  high,  that 
on  the  south  side  being  2  feet  thick, 
with  three  sections  of  parallel  flues 
throughout  its  length  of  more  than 
90  yards,  formerly  heated  by  fur- 
naces. Adjoining  this  wall  and  run- 
ning parallel  to  it  for  half  its  length, 
is  the  herbaceous  garden,  separated 
by  an  archway  of  Hops  from  the 
Rose  garden,  through  which  runs  a 
long  path  leading  up  to  the  Cedar 
tree.  On  the  further  side  of  the  Rose 
garden  is  a  long  rockery  which,  in 
the  spring  and  early  summer,  is  a 
sheet  of  colour  with  creeping  plants  and  choice 
alpines,  and  has  a  background  of  Penzance 
Briars  and  Pillar  Roses. 

There  are  many  fine  trees  in  the  garden, 
some  of  the  most  noticeable  being  a  Cedar  of 
about  80  feet  in  height,  with  girth  of  15  feet, 
and  diameter  of  branch-spread  8.3  feet.  This 
is  a  well-proportioned  tree  on  all  sides,  and  in 
spite  of  its  great  spread  of  branches  has  never 
been  damaged  by   wind  or   snowstorms.     At 

4  feet  from  the  ground  the  trunk  divides  into 
four  main  stems,  and  the  girth  given  is  the 
minimum  below  this  point.  A  handsome 
Wellingtonia  more  than  70  feet  high  with  a 
girth  at  5  feet  from  the  ground  of  8  feet  3  inches, 
and  24  feet  diameter  of  spread  of  branches. 
A^  Taxodium    distichum  has    a  trunk    4   feet 

5  inches  in  circumference  at  5  feet  up. 

The  chief  features  of  the  garden  are  the 
rockeries  and  borders  and  beds  of  hardy  plants, 
among  which  may  be  mentioned 


Daffodils. — A  collection  of  more  than  sixty 
varieties  is  grown  in  beds  on  a  long  border  under 
a  west  wall  on  one  side  of  a  path,  while  on  the 
other  side  many  kinds  are  grown  in  a  natural 
way  in  the  grass.  Mr.  Burbidge's  advice  to  raise 
seedlings  is  taken,  and  seed  is  sown  every  year. 

Sweet  Peas. — The  leading  varieties  have  been 
grown  for  a  number  of  years,  and  many  others 
raised  by  cross-fertilisation.  Whether  autumn 
or  spring-sown  all  plants  are  raised  in  pots. 
Prizes  have  been  taken  for  Sweet  Peas  when- 
ever exhibited  at  the  principal  flower  shows, 
including  nine  prizes  at  Earl's  Court  and 
Eckford's  Challenge  Cup,  and  two  first  prizes 
at  Shrewsbury  last  year. 

Roses  are  grown  in  quantity,  principally 
decorative  kinds  of  the  Hybrid  Tea,  Tea, 
China,  and  climbing  classes.  In  addition  to 
those  budded  on  Briar  stocks,  a  large  number 
are  raised  from  cuttings. 

Delphiniums  are  raised  from  seed  saved  from 
the  best  flowers  every  year,  and  are  grown  in 
masses  in  separate  beds. 


to  know  the  habits  of  dift'erent  plants,  bo  that  each 
plant  may  be  put  in  that  position  in  the  garden 
which  is  best  suited  to  it,  but  this  needs  some  years 
of  experience,  and  even  then  one  needs  to  know 
the  differences  of  soil  in  one's  own  garden.  I  have 
seen  sun-loving  plants  like  Nasturtiums,  Rock 
Roses,  and  Eschscholtzias  growing  in  a  damp,  shady 
position,  where  they  did  little  but  produce  leaves, 
and  in  the  same  garden  I  have  seen  Japanese  Plan- 
tain Lilies,  Lenten  Roses,  double  Meadowsweet, 
and  Lilies  of  the  Valley  being  literally  burnt  to 
death  in  a  hot,  dry  position.  All  these  things 
would  not  only  have  done  infinitely  better,  but 
would  have  succeeded  instead  of  failed  if  one  set 
had  changed  places  with  the  other  set.  There  are 
probably  few  gardens  where  there  are  not  some 
anomalies  of  this  sort,  so  much  labour  being  wasted 
in  trying  to  make  things  grow  in  soils  and  posi- 
tions to  which  they  are  not  suited.  The  extreme 
dryness  of  a  given  piece  of  ground  is  generally 
owing  to  the  absorption  of  its  moisture  by  the  roots 
of  large  trees,  though  the  latter  may  be  so  far  from 
it  or  so  situated  that  the  ground  is  baked  by  the 
aun  at  the  same  time.  Such  a  piece  of  ground 
should  be  turned  out  to  a]_depth  of  2  feet,  and  the 


IN    THE   FLOWER   GARDEN    AT    ALDERSEY    HALL,    CHESTER,    THE    RHSIDtNCE    OF    MR.   HUGH    ALDERSEY. 


Autumn  Phloxes  are  also  raised  from  seed, 
though  many  of  the  best  named  varieties  are 
grown.  Some  plants  of  Romneya  Coulteri 
form  large  bushes  under  a  south  wall  on  a 
sheltered  border,  and,  together  with  Choisya 
ternata,  flower  profusely. 

The  soil  of  the  garden  is  heavy  loam  on  clay 
subsoil,  and  requires  thorough  drainage  in 
order  to  grow  anything  to  perfection. 


PLANTS  FOR  DRY  PLACES 

IT  is  a  common  thing  to  hear  it  said   of  some 
particular    part    of    the    garden    that    it    is 
so  dry  that  nothing  will  grow  there.     This 
is  never  the  sole  cause  of  the  bareness  of  any 
part    of    a  garden  in  England.     Some  parts 
may    be    too   rocky,    sandy,    or    chalky,    but 
where     there    is    actual    soil    anywhere     in    this 
country    there    are    many    things    that    may    be 
grown.     It  is  a  great  secret  of  suocesstul  gardening 


bottom  well  broken  up  with  a  pickaxe,  a  few 
barrow-loads  of  exhausted  light-coloured  soil  being 
taken  out,  and  a  quantity  of  good  rotted  manure 
well  mixed  with  the  soil  which  is  put  back  into  the 
hole. 

There  is  nothing  like  deep  cultivation  for  over- 
coming drought,  and  in  such  a  case  as  this  it  will 
also  get  rid  of  a  great  many  of  the  roots  which 
cause  the  dryness.  This  is  assuming  that  the  roots 
are  of  no  consequence,  such  as  those  of  Horse 
Chestnut  trees — surely  the  most  absorbent  of  all 
with  their  masses  of  fine  fibrous  roots  penetrating 
every  inch  of  the  surface-soil  within  reach — Yews, 
Hollies,  and  the  like.  After  such  treatment  the 
border  will  do  well  for  a  couple  of  years  if  the  right 
things  are  put  into  it,  and  fairly  well  the  third 
year,  after  which  it  will  begin  to  languish  again. 
But  if  the  border  is  on  the  sunny  side  of  some  choice 
shrubs,  and  perhaps  within  reach  of  some  hungry 
tree-roots  as  well,  we  can  only  make  the  best  of  it. 

But  there  are  positions  worse  than  this,  namely, 
under  the  shade  of  evergreen  trees,  Cedars,  and 
coniferje  of   any  sort,  Portugal  Laurels,   Hollies, 


206 


THE    GARDEN. 


'Mabch  19,  1904. 


&c.  la  such  situations  it  is  quite  out  of  the  ques- 
tion to  think  of  growing  flowers  in  the  summer 
time.  We  may  grow  the  Winter  Aconite  (Eranthis 
hyemalis),  Snowdrops,  and  old-fashioned  Daffodils 
for  a  year  or  two,  and  perhaps  Primroses  and 
Polyanthuses  if  it  is  a  retentive  soil  and  we  plant 
them  afresh  every  autumn.  But  these  all  die 
down  and  leave  the  place  bare  in  the  summer, 
perhaps  all  the  more  untidy  for  having  the  dying 
leaves  of  the  plants  that  try  to  survive.  As  a  rule 
the  bulbs  will  not  bloom  more  than  two  years, 
though  they  may  often  have  their  duration  pro- 
longed by  a  dressing  of  basic  slag  in  the  autumn 
or  superphosphate  in  the  spring,  as  the  soil  in  such 
positions  is  almost  destitute  of  phosphate,  and  this 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  bulbs  if  they  are  to 
produce  anything  but  leaves.  The  best  thing  in 
such  cases  is  to  be  content  with  covering  up  the 
ground  without  hoping  for  anything  more  than  a 
few  bulbs  in  the  early  spring.  There  is  nothing 
to  beat  some  of  the  Ivies  for  this  purpose,  of  which 
there  are  now  a  score  or  two  of  varieties  to  choose 
from,  some  of  which  are  really  beautiful  foliage 
plants.  The  covering  of  the  ground  with  Ivy  need 
not  prevent  the  planting  of  some  bulbs  underneath 
it  every  autumn,  especially  some  of  the  Scillas, 
notably  S.  campanulata.  Another  thing  almost 
equally  good  for  such  positions  is  the  Berberis 
Aquifolium,  with  its  brown  -  tinted  foliage,  so 
beautiful  for  cutting  in  the  winter  to  mix  with 
late  Chrysanthemums,  early  Narcissus,  &c.  Both 
of  these  take  a  couple  of  years  to  get  established 
in  dry  places,  but,  once  established,  they  may  be 
relied  upon  to  keep  the  ground  covered  without 
any  further  attention,  while  the  leaves  from  the 
trees  above  will  afford  them  nourishment,  though 
this  may  be  supplemented  by  an  occasional  dressing 
of  manure  or  basic  slag,  preferably  both.  The 
recommendation  of  both  these  plants  is  based  upon 
the  assumption  that  the  position  is  not  dark,  but 
gets  plenty  of  light,  if  not  direct  sunlight.  The 
Rose  of  Sharon  (Hypericum  calyoinum)  will  carpet 
the  ground  under  most  trees,  but  under  the  shade 
of  conifer*  it  is  a  veritable  struggle  for  existence, 
and  it  may  or  may  not  succeed.  The  same  may  be 
said  of  the  various  sorts  of  Periwinkles,  and  also 
of  the  little  Woodruff'. 

Having  dealt  with  these  almost  impossible  posi- 
tions, let  us  turn  our  thoughts  to  those  dry  places 
where  many  flowers  will  grow,  though  at  a  great 
disadvantage,  such  as  underneath  deciduous  trees, 
in  front  of  shrubberies  and  greedy  Cherry  Laurels, 
and  other  similar  places.  Some  of  these  beds  and 
borders  might  be  turned  out  and  renovated,  as 
described  above,  with  great  advantage,  while 
others  cannot  well  be  so  treated.  In  any  case  there 
are  many  things,  principally  spring  and  early 
summer-flowering  plants,  which  do  very  well  in 
such  positions.  Foxgloves,  Evening  Primroses, 
and  Canterbury  Bells  will  do  as  well  there  as 
anywhere  if  they  are  reared  in  some  less  unfavour- 
able position  in  the  garden  and  planted  in  their 
permanent  quarters  in  these  dry  places  in  October, 
80  that  they  get  well  established  before  the  ground 
begins  to  get  dry  in  the  spring.  Antirrhinums  will 
often  stand  the  winter  in  such  positions  when  they 
do  not  elsewhere,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
Wallflowers,  the  former  being  best  planted  out  in 
the  early  spring,  as  they  do  not  stand  the  winter 
so  well  if  not  well  established.  The  old  crimson 
Peonies  will  generally  succeed,  as  they  bloom  before 
the  soil  gets  thoroughly  baked,  but  unless  there  is 
moisture  enough  in  a  normal  season  to  keep  them 
green  through  the  summer  they  will  look  untidy, 
and  will  not  continue  flowering  year  after  year 
unless  they  can  be  storing  up  plant  food  in  their 
tubers  during  the  summer.  Some  of  the  House- 
leeks  do  very  well,  notably  Sedum  spectabile,  which 
makes  a  good  show  with  its  bright  pink  flowers. 
Some  of  theordinary  rockery  plants  will  make  good 
tufts,  notably  Aubrietia,  Arabis,  Alyssum  saxatile 
compactum,  perennial  Candytuft  (Iberis  semper- 
vivum),  and  the  Rock  Roses  (varieties  of  Cistus 
and  Helianthemum).  Some  of  the  Aquilegias  will 
succeed  in  the  driest  places  if  the  ground  is  deeply 
dug  at  the  time  of  planting,  but  the  long-spurred 
ones  need  a  moister  position,  as  they  are  more 
delicate  and  bloom  later  in  the  season.  The  red 
Valerian  (Centranthus  ruber)  is  very  showy  if  the 


deep  red  variety  is  obtained,  and  lasts  in  bloom  a 
good  part  of  Juno  and  July,  keeping  green  the 
remainder  of  the  summer.  It  sometimes  grows  on 
the  very  face  of  chalk  cliff's.  It  is  well  to  sow  a 
packet  of  seed  in  the  spring  or  summer,  and  when 
they  bloom  the  following  season  weed  out  those  of 
poor  colour.  Of  the  Fumitories,  Corjdalis  bulbosa 
(purple)  and  C.  lutea  (yellow)  are  effective  in 
masses,  but  as  the  former  dies  down  in  June  it 
should  be  arranged  so  that  other  things  spread 
over  it  in  the  summer,  as  it  is  too  shallow-growing 
to  allow  of  planting  over  it.  The  latter  will  often 
grow  to  perfection  on  old  walls  upon  which  a 
deposit  of  soil  has  been  formed  by  the  growth  of 
other  plants.  The  sweet-scented  single  Rocket  will 
grow  in  the  driest  places,  and  as  it  seeds  itself 
anywhere  little  trouble  need  ever  be  taken  to  plant 
it  when  once  it  has  established  itself. 

The  old-fashioned  Honesty,  which  is  so  much 
valued  for  house  decoration  in  the  winter,  also 
adapts  itself  to  any  soil,  however  dry,  but  it  does 
not  seed  itself  freely.  The  bright  crimson  is  the 
only  variety  worth  growing,  and  this  is  really  very 
showy.  One  of  the  Brooms  (Cytisus  purpureus)  is 
another  very  suitable  plant  for  our  purpose.  It  is 
of  dwarf,  spreading  growth,  and  produces  an 
abundance  of  bright  purple  flowers.  The  ubiqui- 
tous Marigold — varieties  of  Calendula  officinalis — 
can  scarcely  be  killed  by  any  extreme.  It  seeds 
itself  everywhere,  but,  unfortunately,  rapidly 
deteriorates  in  the  quality  of  its  bloom  ;  at  least, 
if  it  is  one  of  the  choicer  varieties  to  start  with. 
Our  old  friends  the  Sweet  William  and  Jacob's 
Ladder  (Polemonium)  must  not  be  forgotten,  while 
many  of  the  hardier  Irises  will  keep  green  in 
almost  any  position,  though  they  will  not  always 
bloom  unless  they  are  fed.  The  humble  little 
Thrift  (Armeria  vulgaris)  makes  a  pretty  edging 
along  the  front  of  such  borders  or  beds  as  we  are 
catering  for. 

If  the  border  can  be  deeply  dug  and  well 
manured  there  are  some  things  which  will  do 
better  in  such  dry,  sunny  positions  than  anywhere 
else.  One  is  the  Portulaca,  a  half-hardy  annual, 
which  with  its  brilliancy  and  beauty  of  colour 
should  be  grown  wherever  a  suitable  place  can  be 
found  for  it.  It  does  not  succeed  anywhere  so  well 
as  in  a  hot,  dry  soil.  A  packet  of  the  single  mixed 
varieties  will  make  the  best  show.  Another  annual, 
though  it  does  best  sown  in  August  and  treated  as 
a  biennial,  is  the  Eschscholtzia.  In  a  damp  or  at 
all  shady  position  it  runs  much  to  leaf  and  gets 
very  unwieldy,  but  in  a  hot,  dry  position  it  is 
literally  a  mass  of  flowers  a  good  part  of  the 
summer.  The  Chrysanthemums,  too,  both  the 
early  and  late-flowering  varieties,  seldom  suffer 
much  from  drought,  especially  those  which  bloom 
from  September  onwards,  as  the  latter  usually  get 
plenty  of  moisture  at  flowering  time.  I  have  had 
to  deal  with  a  bed  and  some  borders  which  were 
simply  a  mass  of  fibres  of  Chestnut  tree  roots,  and 
have  had  some  experience  as  to  what  will  and  what 
will  not  grow  under  such  conditions,  and  I  can 
confidently  recommend  all  the  above  from  my  own 
personal  experience.  Alger  Petts. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


INDOOR    GARDEN. 

CALANTHES.  —  During  the  autumn 
and  winter  months  there  are  no 
plants  better  adapted  to  decorative 
work  than  these.  The  sorts  that 
are  grown  generally — and  they  are 
the  best — are  C.  Veitchii,  C.  vestita 
rubro  oculata,  and  C.  vestita  luteo  oculata.  From 
the  base  of  bulbs  that  have  for  some  time  been  at 
rest  may  be  seen  springing  the  new  growth,  and 
this  is  a  true  indication  that  they  require  to 
be  dressed  and  repotted  immediately.  A  very 
satisfactory  method  of  dealing  with  the  bulbs  at 
this  time  is  to  get  the  old  roots  away  from  their 
base,  and  then  to  stand  them  upright  on  a  bed  of 
leaf-mould  placed  in  shallow  boxes.  This  will 
encourage  an  immediate  and  vigorous  rootaciivity. 


and  before  they  get  far  advanced  place  them  in  the 
pots  in  which  they  are  to  flower. 

TCBEKOSES. 
Many  of  the  failures  that  occur  in  the  culture 
of  these  is  caused  through  applying  water  to  the 
soil  in  which  the  roots  are  placed  before  they  have 
commenced  to  make  leaf  growth.  Plunge  the  pots 
in  a  bottom-heat  of  6.3"  and  encourage  early  root 
action,  but  little  or  no  water  should  be  given  until 
leaf  growth  commences,  after  which  liquid  manure 
may  be  applied  with  advantage.  A  cool  house, 
with  a  light  shade  from  strong  sun,  will  preserve 
the  flowers  in  a  good  condition  for  a  long  time. 

COLEDS  THYRSOIDEDS 
when  in  flower  during  the  winter  is  very  effective. 
Plants  that  have  previously  flowered  should  now 
be  cut  down  and  be  encouraged,  by  placing  them 
in  warmth,  to  break  and  produce  shoots  for  propa- 
gating. The  young  plants  when  they  are  grown 
strong  will  produce  larger  spikes  of  flowers  than 
will  the  older  ones  ;  but  these  if  stopped  once 
or  twice  during  the  growing  season  will  make 
larger  specimens,  and  will  produce  flowers  in 
abundance. 

Campanula  pykamidalis. 

The  majestic-looking  spikes  of  flowers  that  these 
plants  produce  when  grown  in  pots  for  the  green- 
house are  indeed  everyone's  delight  to  look  upon 
during  August  and  September.  The  seeds  from 
which  a  batch  of  plants  for  flowering  next  year  is 
to  be  raised  should  be  sown  at  once  in  well-drained 
pots  or  pans,  and  will  require  to  be  placed  in  a 
temperature  of  about  65"  in  which  to  germinate. 
Directly  the  young  plants  are  well  through  the 
soil  remove  them  to  a  cooler  temperature  and 
gradually  inure  them  to  fresh  air,  as  a  medium  by 
which  they  will  be  induced  to  grow  strong  and 
keep  dwarf.  J.  P.  Leadbettek. 

The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Ivies. 
The  present  is  a  good  time  closely  to  prune 
Ivies  growing  on  arbours,  walls,  &c. ,  as  new 
growth  will  soon  commence,  and  there  will  be 
a  minimum  of  bareness.  Unless  there  are 
special  reasons  to  the  contrary,  it  is  advisable 
annually  to  clip  off  all  the  leaves.  The  new 
growth  is  then  much  cleaner,  and  there  is  not 
so  much  danger  of  winds  tearing  the  branches 
from  the  walls.  Young  plants  will  still  require 
a  little  guidance  to  ensure  the  lower  portion  of  the 
space  being  properly  covered.  Where  possible  it 
is  best  for  the  Ivies  to  cling  to  the  wall  themselves 
rather  than  nail  the  shoots,  and  with  this  end  in 
view  it  frequently  pays  to  cut  back  some  of  last 
year's  shoots  which  are  not  firmly  adhering. 

The  numerous  varieties  of  Hedera  Helix  are  so 
varied  and  beautiful  that  an  attractive  bed  might 
be  made  with  their  use  alone.  When  planting 
either  the  "tree"  or  climbing  forms  it  is  well  to 
give  as  good  a  soil  as  can  be  obtained,  and  when 
possible  use  good-sized  plants  that  have  been 
growing  in  pots. 

Lawns  and  Wali^s. 

The  sweeping  and  rolling  of  the  lawns  should  be 
continued  as  often  as  weather  and  circumstances 
permit.  Unless  done  upon  the  completion  of 
mowing  last  year,  the  lawn-mowers,  edging-shears, 
and  scythes  should  be  overhauled  to  see  that  they 
are  in  thorough  working  order,  and  that  the 
cutting  edges  are  sharp.  Any  necessary  repairs 
should  be  at  once  done,  as  the  mowing  season  will 
soon  be  upon  us.  Where  the  grass  edges  have 
become  irregular  they  should  now  be  cut  with 
the  edging-iron,  first  stretching  the  garden  line 
as  a  guide.  Especial  care  should  be  taken  to 
maintain  the  outline  of  all  curves.  C  ravel  paths 
should  be  cleaned  and  raked  smooth.  If  necessary 
the  walks  should  have  an  application  of  some 
approved  weed  killer.  A  thin  coating  of  fresh 
gravel  will  freshen  up  the  path  and  add  greatly 
to  its  appearance. 

Rooii  Plants. 

Any  alpines  or  plants  for  the  rock  garden  received 
from  the  nursery  or  that   have    wintered    in    pits 


March  19,  1904.  J 


THE  GAEDEN. 


207 


should  be  planted  out  in  their  permanent  quarters 
at  the  first  opportunity,  using  as  far  as  possible 
fresh  soil  of  a  nature  suited  to  their  various  needs. 
For  a  few  daj's  a  little  protection  will  be  beneficial, 
and  a  strict  guard  should  be  kept  against  the 
depredations  of  slugs  and  mice,  for  these  share  with 
man  a  liking  for  a  change  of  diet. 

SCHIZOSTYLIS   COOOINEA. 

The  spring  is  a  good  time  to  divide  and  replant 
clumps  of  the  beautiful  Kaffir  Lily.  This  is  a 
most  useful  plant,  flowering  as  it  does  towards  the 
end  of  the  year,  when  there  is  a  scarcity  of  showy 
plants.  A  light  rich  soil  is  the  one  best  suited  to 
its  needs.  Here  we  grow  it,  associated  with  the 
lovely  Sternbergia  lutea,  in  a  narrow  border  in 
front  of  the  range  of  hothouses. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FEUIT  GAEDEN. 
Orchard  House. 
The  earliest  Cherries  which  have  finished  stoning 
should  have  the  temperature  increased  to  50°  on 
cold  nights  and  5.5"  on  mild  ones.  Plums  and 
Cherries  are  very  often  grown  together,  and  require 
the  same  treatment  to  a  certain  period,  when 
Cherries  require  a  dryer  atmosphere  or  the  fruits 
crack.  If  Apricots,  Pears,  and  other  fruits  are 
grown  in  this  house,  and  are  in  flower,  care  must 
be  taken  not  to  excite  them  by  allowing  the 
temperature  to  rise  suddenly.  A  little  air  should 
be  left  on  always,  unless  the  weather  is  very  cold 
or  cold  winds  prevail.  Go  over  the  flowers  daily 
at  midday  with  the  brush,  and  keep  a  little 
warmth  in  the  pipes.  See  to  disbudding  the 
strong-growing  trees  first,  pinching  the  side  shoots 
to  two  leaves,  and  allow  the  weak-growing  trees  a 
little  more  time.  Green  or  black  fiy  must  be  kept 
under  by  light  fumigations.  See  that  the  trees  do 
not  suS'er  for  water  at  any  time  ;  this  is  often  a 
cause  of  the  fruits  dropping  later. 

Early  Muscats. 
In  the  earliest  house  where  the  Grapes  are 
swelling  the  Vines  should  now  be  pushed  forward. 
Give  them  plenty  of  heat  and  moisture.  Close  the 
house  at  80°  on  bright  days,  and  allow  a  further 
rise  of  10'.  Muscats  require  plenty  of  nourish- 
ment, and  should  have  alternate  top-dressings  of 
Vine  manure  and  diluted  liquid  manure.  Later 
Vines  which  are  in  flower  should  have  a  night 
temperature  of  68"  to  70",  and  a  further  rise  of 
15°  on  bright  days.  Keep  the  points  of  the 
bunches  near  the  light,  as  Muscats  do  not  set  well 
under  dense  foliage.  Go  over  the  bunches  daily 
with  a  large  camel  hair  brush,  using  Black 
Hamburgh  or  Alicante  pollen  previously  saved. 
Thoroughly  water  the  border  when  the  Grapes  are 
set  if  necessary,  and  pay  attention  to  tying  down 
shoots  and  stopping  laterals. 

Later  Houses. 

Pay  attention  to  the  disbudding  of  Vines, 
removing  the  weakest  shoots  first,  or  as  soon  as  it 
can  be  seen  which  promise  to  make  the  best 
bunches.  Select  well-shaped  bunches  in  preference 
to  large  shouldered  or  loose  ones.  Keep  a  mode- 
rately moist  atmosphere  by  syringing  the  walls 
and  damping  the  paths.  If  the  border  has  not 
been  watered  since  the  Vines  were  started  give  it 
diluted  liquid  manure  if  the  Vines  are  old,  and 
clear  water  to  young  strong  Vines  at  a  tempera- 
ture of  80°.  Give  a  night  temperature  of  58°  to 
60°,  closing  early  with  sun-heat,  as  this  helps  to 
draw  out  the  bunches. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droiiwich.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 

The  storm  seems  to  have  spent  itself,  followed  by 
sharp  winds  that  are  rapidly  drying  up  the  soil. 
Little  will  be  gained  in  committing  seeds  to  the 
earth  for  a  week  or  two  until  a  little  warmth  has 
got  into  the  soil. 

Mushrooms. 

New  beds  may  be  made  up  every  month  till  the 

end   of   May,   when   it   often  gets   too   warm    for 

successful   cultivation   indoors.      Beds   that   have 

been  in  bearing  for  some  time  and  showing  signs  of 


exhaustion  should  be  given  a  thorough  soaking  of 
water  at  a  temperature  of  about  80°  ;  a  little  salt 
dissolved  in  the  water  will  be  beneficial.  This 
should  be  applied  with  a  watering-can  having  a 
fine  rose,  going  over  the  bed  several  times  to 
ensure  a  thorough  soaking. 

Lettuce. 

In  warm  sheltered  gardens  those  that  have  been 
wintered  in  cold  frames  or  sown  early  in  the  year 
and  hardened  oft'  may  now  be  planted  on  a  warm 
border.  Where  the  walls  are  fitted  with  wide  glass 
copings  this  is  an  excellent  place  for  early  Lettuce, 
Radish,  &c.  Seed  may  also  be  sown  in  boxes  to 
keep  up  the  supply,  and  pricked  out  in  sheltered 
positions.  Plants  growing  in  frames  and  that  are 
intended  for  immediate  use  will  now  require  water 
freely  ;  a  slight  application  of  weak  liquid  manure 
will  benefit  them. 

O.VIONS. 

From  seed  sown  under  glass  in  February  seed- 
lings will  now  be  ready  for  pricking  out ;  these  will 
require  generous  treatment  if  the  best  results  are 
desired.  The  soil  should  be  rich  and  not  too  light. 
See  that  several  inches  of  rough  crocks  and  drainage 
are  put  into  the  boxes.  The  young  plants  may  be 
put  in  2  inches  apart,  and  stood  on  a  shelf  close  to 
the  glass  in  a  temperature  of  about  55°.  Exhibition 
Leeks  may  be  treated  in  a  similar  manner,  or  may 
be  potted  singly  into  3-inch  pots,  and  carefully 
grown  under  glass  till  the  end  of  April. 

Brussels  Sprouts. 

A  sowing  of  these  should  be  made  in  a  cold 
frame.  It  is  in  many  gardens  the  plan  to  sow 
the  main  crop  of  these  now,  and  plant  as  soon  as 
ready.  By  this  early  system  much  more  growth 
is  got  on  the  plants.  The  writer  saw  a  splendid 
plot  of  this  vegetable  lately  from  plants  that  were 
sown  in  the  autumn,  along  with  Cabbage,  Cauli- 
flower, &c.  I  understand  that  the  plants  are 
more  inclined  to  run  to  seed  from  this  method,  but 
no  such  thing  had  occurred  in  the  above-mentioned 
lot. 

Celery. 

Where  a  very  early  supply  is  desired  a  pinch  of 
seed  may  be  sown  now.  White  Plume  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  suitable  for  early  sowing.  Stand  the 
seed-pan  in  a  mild  heat,  and  prick  into  boxes  when 
ready.  Celery  for  the  main  crop  may  be  left  for 
some  time  yet.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  Queensferry,  N.B. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor   is   not    responsible    for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


THE    PEOPOSEI)    GARDENERS' 

ASSOCIATION. 
[To    THE    Editor    of    "The    Garden."] 

SI  R , — The  proposal  to  form  a  gardeners' 
association,  with  a  centre  in  London,  is 
simply  an  illustration  of  history  repeating 
itself.  In  addition  to  articles  which 
appeared  in  the  gardening  papers  fifteen 
and  twenty  years  ago  in  advocacy  of  some 
basis  of  combination  among  gardeners,  in  1890  Mr. 
J.  Hughes  of  Birmingham  suggested  the  federation 
of  gardeners'  societies,  and  this  suggestion  no  doubt 
led  to  the  conference  of  delegates  from  gardeners' 
societies  which  was  held  at  Tunbridge  Wells  in 
1892  ;  but,  though  there  was  a  large  attendance 
and  a  big  dinner  in  the  evening,  at  which  several 
county  magnates  were  present,  nothing  came  of  it. 
In  May,  1893,  Mr.  F.  W.  Barbidge,  in  the  pages 
of  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  advocated  the  forma- 
tion of  a  guild  or  institute  among  gardeners  for 
mutual  co-operation.  In  March,  1894,  Mr.  H. 
Elliott,  of  the  Stourvale  Nursery,  Christchurch, 
read  before  the  members  of  the  Gardeners'  Mutual 
Improvement  Association  of  Bournemouth  a  paper 
on  "  The  Present  Position  and  Future  Prospects  of 
Gardeners,  and  How  to  Improve  Them." 

This  paper  was  deemed  to  possess  so  much 
importance  that  it  was  printed  and  circulated. 
Mr.  Elliott  advocated  union;  improved  education; 
the  formation  of  a  central  society  having  its  head- 


quarters in  London,  and  local  committees  all  over 
the  country  if  they  could  be  formed  ;  the  central 
council  would  be  elected  by  the  local  committees  ; 
the  council  would  make  and  publish  rules  for  the 
guidance  of  the  local  committees  all  over  the 
country  ;  these  rules  would  regulate  a  process  of 
preliminary  education  and  examination  of  all  young 
gardeners,  and  the  granting  of  certificates  of  pro- 
ficiency to  those  qualified  to  have  them  ;  all  persons 
holding  situations  as  head  gardeners  to  be  granted 
a  certificate  without  an  examination  on  paying  a 
small  fee  when  joining  the  society  ;  a  certain  period 
of  two  or  three  years  to  be  allowed  gardeners  in 
which  to  register  themselves  and  take  up  their 
certificates,  after  which  stated  time  no  more  certifi- 
cates to  be  awarded  except  to  those  who  could 
prove  their  proficiency  before  a  practical  board  of 
examiners  appointed  by  the  society  through  its 
council.  Mr.  Elliott  left  untouched  the  question 
of  most  concern  to  the  great  body  of  working  gar- 
deners— that  of  remuneration  ;  and  that  is  just  the 
one  which  is  uppermost  in  the  minds  of  a  very 
large  number  of  gardeners  throughout  the  country. 
This  is  the  difficult  question  which  will  have  to  be 
faced  by  the  newly-formed  National  Gardeners' 
Association  in  London. 

The  general  gardener  is,  no  doubt,  alive  to  the 
importance  of  education  and  of  being  accurately 
posted  up  in  all  the  important  details  of  the  pro- 
fession, but  he  is  also  asking  :  "  What  is  the  use  of 
all  this  if  I  am  expected  to  subsist  on  poor  pay  ?  " 
It  is  material  improvement  the  gardener  wants,  in 
some  oases  to  be  better  housed,  to  have  increased 
pay,  to  be  the  unfettered  head  of  his  department 
on  an  estate  and  responsible  alone  to  his  employer. 
I  fear  that  the  aspirations  of  many  hundreds  of 
gardeners  will  be  checked  if  they  hope  to  get  such 
personal  interests  as  those  just  sketched  taken  up 
by  the  association.  There  is  a  danger,  too,  of  the 
employers  coming  to  look  upon  the  association  with 
something  of  suspicion.  There  is  much  of  the 
spirit  of  the  feudal  system  existing  in  our  county 
families.  The  gardener  is  regarded  by  them  as  a 
domestic  servant — his  residence  is  in  cases  furnished 
for  him,  he  lives  in  it  rent  free,  his  rates  are  paid 
for  him,  and  he  enjoys  other  privileges — and  he 
will  remain  a  domestic  servant.  It  is  quite  true 
that,  compared  with  any  other  superior  servant, 
it  is  requisite  that  the  gardener  be  intelligent, 
educated,  and  grounded  in  much  elementary  know- 
ledge, which  he  has  to  apply  in  the  prosecution  of 
his  work,  but  that  does  not  make  him  any  the  less 
a  domestic  servant.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  every 
action  of  the  committee  of  the  association  will  be 
fully  considered  before  it  is  made  into  a  rule,  and, 
above  all  things,  it  is  most  important  that  the 
susceptibilities  of  employers  be  not  needlessly 
alarmed.  R.  Dean. 


TUB   GARDENING. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir,— With  reference  to  the  question  by  E.  E.  St. 

Paul  in  The  Garden  for  February  27,  as  to  the 

best    mode    of 

carrying     tubs 

filled   with    soil 

and    g  r o  w  i  ng 

plants,    I    have 

found  the  easiest 

plan  was  to  have 

two   stout  cords, 

each  of    them    in 

length   rather 

more  than    twice 

the  circumference 

of  the  tub.    Fold 

each  in  the  middle 

of  its  length,  and 

in  each  case  knot 

the    ends   together.      Take   one    of   these   double 

strands     and    put    it     round    the    tub,     slipping 

the   doubled   centre   through  the   double  -  knotted 

ends.      Do     the    same    with     the     other     double 

strand,  but  so  that  the  loop  of  the  centre  of  the 

length  shall  be  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  tub. 

Then  if  a  couple  of  poles  are  slipped  through  these 

loops  two  men  can  carry  them  anywhere. 

C.  E.  F. 


208 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  1 9,  1904. 


FKUIT-TREE    PRUNING. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
SlB^  —  Mr.  W.  Crump's  note  on  this  subject 
(page  169)  is  so  excellent  that  I  should  be  glad 
to  elicit  another  letter  from  him.  His  general 
principle  of  extension  pruning  is  unanswerably 
right,  but  in  its  particular  applications  several 
questions  arise  which  demand  thought  and  expe- 
rience. Mr.  Crump's  experience  is  so  large  that  I 
for  one  desire  to  benefit  by  it.  The  model  form  of 
fruit  tree  is,  no  doubt,  as  he  says,  a  "  tree  with 
stout  and  strong,  well-regulated  branches,  every 
one  of  which  should  ultimately  become  a  perfect 
cordon  of  fruit  spurs  from  base  to  summit,  capable 
of  rigidly  supporting  its  allotted  weight  of  high- 
quality  fruit  without  danger  of  breaking  off." 
Now  these  last  words,  "  danger  of  breaking  off," 
seem  to  me  to  need  very  careful  consideration. 
Only  lately  I  was  admiring  in  a  friend's  garden 
some  standard  Apples  and  Pears  admirably  grown 
into  precisely  this  form  of  long,  well-furnished 
cordons.  They  happen  to  stand  in  a  sheltered 
position,  but  it  occurred  to  me  while  looking  at 
them  that  the  weight  and  long  leverage  of  the 
branches  would,  in  a  more  exposed  situation,  and 
in  rough  weather,  entail  great  danger  of  breakage 
at  the  base.  A  standard  left  to  grow  more  as  it 
likes,  though  less  fruitful,  distributes  the  weight 
of  its  head  in  a  much  safer  manner.  This  danger 
is,  of  course,  reduced  in  proportion  as  one  allows 
more  in  number  of  such  cordon  limbs  to  the  tree. 
To  allow,  say,  only  seven  or  eight  long  and 
weighty  cordon  branches  seems  a  perilous  pultiiiij 
of  all  one's  eggs  into  one  basket — or  into  too  few 
baskets — a  breakage  means  the  destruction  of  a 
large  portion  of  the  whole  tree. 

Again,    suppose    this   cordon  form  to  be  deter- 
mined upon,  whether  for  standards  or  for  bushes, 
this  same  question  of  how  many  branches  shall  be 
allowed  is  intimately   bound  up    with  the    whole 
welfare  of  the  tree.     If  we  allow  too  few,  the  tree 
may  for  a  while   be  fruitful,   but  will  tend  to   be 
short-lived,    just    as    the     single-3tenimed,    spur- 
pruned  Vine  is  fruitful,  but  short-lived  for  want  of 
adequate   leaf  surface  —  its  natural  forces  are  too 
severely   repressed.     I   should,    therefore,    like   to 
ask  Mr.  Crump  how  many  such  branches  he  would 
retain  on  an  average  standard  or  bush  Apple?     It 
might  be  more  practical   to  discuss  bushes   only, 
because,   however  desirable  in   theory,  in  practice 
the  owner  of  large  orchards  will  scarcely  find  time, 
or  pay  for  the  skilled  labour,  to  prune  his  standards 
cordon  fashion.       I   have    recently    planted   some- 
what   over    an    acre    of    Apples,    mostly    bushes. 
Some  are  three,   the  greater  part  two  years  old. 
My  soil  is  good,  the  trees  have  been  well  planted 
and  cared  for,  and  are  making  splendid   growth. 
For  the  first  two  years  I  shortened  them  in  rather 
strictly,  to  shape   a  good  framework.     The  three 
year  olds  are  now  furnished  with  branches  of  such 
stoutness   that   this    winter   I   have   considered  it 
sufficient  to  remove  only  about  one-third  of  their 
length,  as  the  outward  bud  to  which  I  cut  at   that 
point  looks  strong  enough  to  carry  on  a  substantial 
extension,  and   to  cut  lower  would  probably  force 
the  production  of  stronger  laterals  than  1  want.   I  am 
making  a  point  of  keeping  the  bushes  quite  hollow 
in  the  centre,  and  am  leaving  more  branches  than 
are  allowed  in  the  orthodox  treatises  on  pruning. 
My  notion  is  that,  with  the  centre  fully  open  to 
sun   and   air,    there   is    no    need    of    more    space 
between  the  branches  than  to  allow  of  the  spurs 
clearing   one  another,  and  of  the  free  passage  of 
the    hand   and   arm  in    gathering,    pruning,    &c. 
Certainly  the  mure  branches  and  leaf  surface,   in 
reason,  that  are  retained  the  fuller  should  be  the 
root  action,  and  the  healthier  and  longer-lived  the 
tree.     But   if  this   principle   is   right,  is   not   the 
"pyramid"    wrong?     In    the    pyramid,    however 
carefully  the  surrounding  branches  may  be  spaced, 
the  central  member  fills  the  centre,  and  makes  the 
tree  solid,  so  to  speak,  instead  of  hollow  and  pervious 
to  light  and  air.     The  pyramid,  described  briefly, 
is  a  solid  cone,  while  the  bush,  as  described  above, 
is  a  hollow  inverted  cone.     Surely  the  reasons  for 
the   basin-like   form   of  the   Kentish   Nut   bushes 
rau3t   apply   with   equal   cogency   to  Apple   trees. 
While  writing  I  will  ask   Mr.  Crump  whether  he 


has  had  any  experience  on  a  point  which  lies  out- 
side the  present  subject  of  pruning.  Out  of  a 
plantation  of  standard  Apples  which  I  made  in 
1902— good-looking  trees,  well  planted  in  Novem- 
ber, and  pruned  back  the  same  winter— a  few  made 
such  a  very  feeble  top  growth  that  I  determined 
to  replace  them  the  next  autumn.  To  my 
astonishment  they  had  made  a  perfect  mat  of  fine 
fibrous  surface  roots,  such  as,  I  presume,  must 
have  driven  them  into  excellent  growth  the  next 
summer  had  not  my  men  lifted  them  all  before  I 
saw  the  first.  A  friend  of  mine,  a  competent 
gardener,  had  the  same  experience  in  Gloucester- 
shire the  same  year,  so  the  cause  was  possibly 
climatic.  Most  of  the  trees  were  Worcester 
Pearraain. 
Dinton,  Wilts.  George  H.  Esgleheart. 


seeds  may  be  conserved  if  they  are  properly  pre- 
pared by  drying  in  a  suitable  high  temperature  and 
hermetically  sealed  in  that  temperature.  For  many  j| 
years  past,  seeds  thus  packed  by  my  firm  have 
been  successfully  used  in  all  climates,  and  the  box 
Mr.  Chataway  mentions  was  one  of  those  which 
every  agent  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  the 
London  Missionary  Society,  and  the  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society  receives  annually,  containing  seeds 
for  his  personal  use  in  mission  gardens  from  the 
Tropics  to  the  Arctic  Circle. 

Readinrj,  Feb.  JJ.  Martin  .J.  Sutton. 


THE    VITALITY    OF    SEEDS. 

The    following   correspondence    has    taken    place 
recently  in  the  Standard  : — 

Sir, — During  last  year  a  collection  of  vegetable 
and  flower  seeds,  specially  packed  in  a  sealed  tin 
box,  came  into  ray  possession  at  Dawson,  Yukon 
Territory.  The  box  and  its  contents,  which  had 
been  given  to  a  missionary  in  1895,  had  been  left 
unopened  by  him  on  leaving  the  Klondike  in  1900, 
and  for  years  these  seeds  lay  amongst  a  lot  of 
rubbish  subjected  to  a  winter  temperature  ranging 
as  low  as  68°  Fahr.  below  zero,  followed  by  as 
much  as  90''  Fahr.  each  summer.  Planted  by  me 
in  1903,  these  seeds  grew  perfectly  well,  a  circum- 
siance  which  not  only  throws  light  on  the  vitality 
controversy,  but  testifies  to  the  fact,  not  generally, 
I  believe,  realised  by  people  in  this  country,  that 
Dawson,  situated  as  it  is  in  a  portion  of  Canada 
almost  within  the  Arctic  Circle,  is  yet  not  entirely 
a  barren  waste  from  a  horticultural  point  of  view. 
Cambridge,  Feb.  19.  C.   C.  Chataway. 

Sir, — Will  you  allow  me  to  supplement  Mr. 
Chataway's  letter?  It  seems  important  that  it 
should  be  understood  that  the  seeds  he  mentions 
as  having  lain  exposed  from  1895  to  1903  to 
temperatures  ranging  between  68"  Fahr.  below 
zero  each  winter  to  90°  Fahr.  each  summer,  and 
which  he  found  to  germinate  freely  last  year  on 
opening  the  tin  box  containing  them,  only  endured 
those  vicissitudes  in  consequence  of  special  treat- 
ment. Some  five-and-twenty  years  since  I  read  a 
report,  written  early  in  the  nineteenth  century, 
from  an  Indian  Government  official,  calling  atten- 
tion to  the  fact  that  he  had  had  seeds  raised  by 
his  gardener  in  his  English  country  home  for  his 
use  in  India  ;  that  while  some  of  these  seeds  had 
proved  excellent  others  were  absolutely  worthless. 
On  enquiry  he  found  that  in  the  one  case  the  pods 
containing  the  seeds  had  been  hung  up  in  the 
chimney  corner  of  the  kitchen  of  the  English 
mansion  for  some  time  and  the  seeds  placed  while 
warm  in  bottles  and  sealed.  The  seeds  that  had 
failed,  although  dried  in  a  similar  way,  had  noi 
been  bottled  for  a  considerable  time  afterwards. 
This  hint  was  sufficient  to  start  me  on  a  long 
series  of  experiments,  having  for  their  object  the 
safe  elimination  of  the  excess  of  moisture  which 
all  seeds  contain  as  harvested  in  the  English 
climate,  however  dry  they  appear  when  handled. 
This  moisture  has  been  a  cause  of  very  great 
trouble  when  English  seeds,  packed  in  hermetically 
sealed  boxes,  passed  through  the  tropics,  where  the 
heat  in  the  ship's  hold  caused  the  seeds  to  sweat 
and  become  mouldy.  Naturally,  I  found  there  was 
a  very  great  diversity  in  the  amount  of  such 
moisture  contained  in  the  different  varieties  of 
seeds,  and  that,  while  some  seeds  could  safely  lose 
an  amount  of  moisture  equal  to  10  per  cent,  of 
their  weight,  others  could  not  part  with  more 
than  5  per  cent,  without  injury  ;  consequently,  the 
degree  of  dry  heat  to  which  seeds  could  be  safely 
exposed,  and  the  proper  duration  of  such  exposure 
before  packing,  varied  very  much,  while  some 
seeds  required  much  more  gradual  desiccation  than 
others.  But  before  the  experiments  were  com- 
pleted, knowledge  on  these  details  was  acquired, 
with  the  result  that  there  seems  hardly  any  limit 
to   the   period   during    which    the   germination   of 


SOCIETIES. 


EAST  ANGLIAN  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
At  the  March  meeting  of  this  club  a  good  number  of  mem- 
bers were  present,  and  over  a  dozen  new  names  were  added 
to  the  roll,  which  is  now  nearly  300.  Mr.  J.  Powley  was  in 
the  chair,  with  Mr.  1'.  B.  Field  (Ashwellthorpe)  in  the  vice- 
chair,  and  both  these  were  supported  by  many  of  the  leading 
local  professionals  and  amateurs.  Two  papers  were  read  iu 
the  competition  confined  to  single-handed  and  amateur 
gardeners  upon  "  Spring  liedding."  The  judges  awarded  the 
hrst  prize  to  Mr.  C.  Matthews,  gardener  to  Louis  Willett, 
Esq.,  Thorpe,  and  the  second  was  Mr.  D.  Howlett,  gardener 
to  Thomas  Chaplin,  Esq.,  Norwich.  During  the  discussion 
upon  the  subject,  Messrs.  J.  Clayton,  T.  B.  Eield,  H.  Perry, 
J.  C.  Abel,  and  the  president  all  pointed  out  that  the  pith 
of  the  subject,  viz.,  that  of  arrangement,  effect,  and 
massing,  had  been  missed,  the  essayists  both  following  the 
trend  ol  how  to  cultivate.  Following  this,  Mr.  H.  B.  Dobbie, 
gardener  to  E.  J.  Caley,  Esq.,  Pine  Banks,  Thorpe,  Norwich, 
delighted  those  present  with  a  paper  upon  "The  Iris 
Family."  The  way  Mr.  Dobbie  handled  the  subject,  describ- 
ing all  the  sections  of  rhizomalous  and  bulbous- rooted 
species,  deserves  every  commendation.  With  a  growing 
specimen  and  numerous  illustrations  he  was  able  to  point 
out  many  features  of  these  curiuus  tlowers.  Situations, 
soils,  treatment,  native  homes,  and  hosts  of  other  points 
were  all  clearly  explained,  and  the  interest  was  so  keen  that 
many  felt  sorry  when  the  end  was  reached.  A  capital 
discussion  followed.  Mr.  J.  Clayton  spoke  of  the  interest 
taken  in  getting  some  of  them  to  bloom,  as  also  did  Mr. 
T.  B.  Field,  who  gieatly  praised  the  writer. 

The  competitive  exhibition  was  fairly  well  contested, 
especially  the  class  fur  Rhubarb,  Mr.  C,  H.  Fox,  gardener  to 
Sir  Edward  Mansel,  Bart.,  Catton,  taking  the  leading  place. 
Mr.  F.  Williams,  gardener  to  Louis  Tillett,  Esq.,  ALF., 
Norwich,  was  able  still  to  show  a  good  dish  of  Pears,  and 
his  arrangement  of  a  bouquet  of  flowers  gave  him  a  front 
place  in  a  well-contested  class.  Mr.  A.  F.  Cooke,  gardener 
to  Canon  Ripley,  in  the  bouquet  class  had  a  charming  bunch, 
not  quite  so  effective  as  the  former,  in  which  we  noticed 
some  good  Chrysanthemnnis  ai-d  tine  Dendrobiums.  Mr. 
Charles  Matthews,  Thorpe  St.  Andrew,  brought  up  a  plant 
of  the  new  Coleus  thyrsoideus,  with  good  spikes  of  its 
pretty  blue  tlowers.  It  was  announced  that  ai  the  meeting 
on  April  13  Mr.  George  Gordon  would  give  an  illustratetl 
lantern  lecture  upon  "Beautiful  Flowering  Shrubs.'" 

HORTICULTUr.AL  CLUB. 
After  the  usual  monthly  dinner  of  this  club,  held  at  the 
Hutel  Windsor  on  Tuesday,  the  Sth  inst.,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  the  Rev.  Professor  Henslow, 
M.A.,  F.L.S.,  &c.,  gave  a  most  interesting  address  on  the 
"Use  and  Abuse  of  Botanising."  Taking  the  abuses  Hrst, 
he  severely  criticised  those  amateurs  whom  he  divided  into 
two  classes— the  mere  gatherers,  who  on  so-called  botanising 
excursions  do  so  much  to  denude  the  country  of  its  lloral 
and  ferny  gems  by  indiscriminate  rooting  up,  unly  to  be 
followed  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases  by  subsequent  throw- 
ing away  or  installations  in  gardens,  followed  by  neglect 
which  leads  to  identical  results  ;  and  collectors  who  do  a 
vast  deal  of  similar  damage  on  more  recognised  but  still 
unsystematic  lined.  Some  of  these  latter,  too,  are  guilty  of 
criminal  sellishness,  their  chief  aim  being  the  uinque  posses- 
sion of  rarities,  to  secure  which  they  actually  destroy  any 
surplus,  and  in  this  way  contribute  to  entire  extermination. 
A  noted  station  of  Pinguicula  granditlura  was  instanced  as  a 
case  in  point,  not  a  single  specimen  being  left  after  a  raid  of 
this  kind.  Mr.  Charles  E.  Pearson  subseijuently  instanced 
similar  cases  of  vandalism  in  connexion  with  rare  birds"  eggs 
and  entomological  rarities,  and  the  gist  of  the  discussion 
which  followed  the  address,  and  in  which  Messrs.  C.  T. 
Druery,  George  Paul.  T.  W.  Sanders,  Waterer.  and  U.  J. 
Veitch  participated,  was  the  absolute  necessity  of  some 
more  stringent  laws  for  the  protection  of  wild  plants  and 
wild  birds,  itc,  from  the  raids  now  made  upon  their  habitats 
by  amateui'  so-called  botanists  and  collectors  and  gatherers, 
especially  including  those  who  for  mere  purposes  of  gain 
"skin  the  planet,'"  as  Shirley  Ilibberd  put  it,  in  order  to 
supply  the  markets  with  this  vandalised  material.  Mr. 
Druery  instanced  several  cases  which  had  come  under  his 
notice  of  unique  Ferns  which  had  been  destroyed  by  the 
repeated  collection  of  their  fronds  for  the  making  of  dried 
herbarium  specimens,  so  that  now  nothing  remained  of  such 
natural  gifts  to  mankirid  but  a  few  dried  fronds  in  scattered 
herbaria,  instead  of,  as  in  cases  he  alluded  to,  not  only 
herbaria  generally,  but  collections  of  living  specimens  being 
permanently  enriched  by  the  careful  transference  of  the 
rarity  in  a  living  state  to  culture  and  its  subsequent  propa- 
gation on  an  extended  scale.  He  also  mentioned  a  kindred 
case  to  that  of  Pinguicula  grandiHora,  a  habitat  of  a  rare 
Fern  in  Scotland  being  absolutely  cleared  by  a  raid  of 
students,  led  by  a  professor  to  the  spot  which  had,  unfortu. 
nately,  become  known  to  them.     Professor  Henslow  subse. 


March  19,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


209 


quently  treated  of  the  recognised  and  invaluable  services 
rendered  by  herbaria  on  systematic  lines,  enabling  the 
comparison  by  experts  of  specimens  derived  from  all  parta 
of  the  world,  and  thus  facilitating  that  classittcation  which 
13  one  of  the  most  ditticult  botanical  tasks.  Tiunin^^  to  the 
evolution  of  botanical  knowledge,  he  went  back  to  the  old 
times  when  plants  were  only  interesting  on  account  of  their 
actual  or  assumed  medical  virtues,  when  the  herbalist  was 
practically  the  only  botanist,  and  as  an  exemplitication  of 
the  ridiculous  ideas  prevalent  in  those  days,  and  apparently 
even  in  these,  he  produced  a  recent  edition  of  Culpeper's 
"British  Herbal  and  Family  Physician,"  of  which  some 
S0,000  copies  had  been  sold  within  the  last  fifty  years,  and 
which  was  still  sufficiently  in  demand  to  pay  well  for 
publishing.  In  this  book  all  kinds  of  occult  medical  virtues 
are  associated  with  the  influences  of  the  various  planets,  in 
what  would  be  a  most  amusing  fashion  did  it  not  involve  a 
very  serious  reflection  on  the  intelligence  of  the  purchasers 
and  the  progress  of  real  knowledge  in  these  so-called 
enlightened  times. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  address  and  discussion  it  was 
announced  that  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders,  F.L.S.,  would  give  a 
paper,  entitled  "  Back  to  the  Land,"  at  the  next  meeting  of 
the  club  on  April  19.  A  very  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
Rev.  Professor  closed  the  proceedings. 

UNITED    HORTICITLTUKAL    BENEFIT    SOCIETY. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in  the 
Caledonian    Hotel,   Adelphi    Terrace,   Strand,    on    Monday 
evening  last.     Mr.  Horace  J.  Wright  was  in  the  chair,  and 
there  was  an  attendance  of  some  thirty  persons. 

The  secretary  read  the  minutes  of  the  last  general  meeting 
and  the  following 

Annual  Report. 

It  is  with  the  pleasure  that  results  from  continued  success, 
and  the  knowledge  that  the  society  is  now  filling  that  place 
In  the  horticultural  world  for  which  It  was  created  thirty- 
nine  years  ago,  that  the  committee  brings  forward  its  report 
for  the  year  1903.  Both  financially  and  numerically  the 
society  continues  to  progress  steadily. 

It  is  interesting  to  notice  that  while  some  fewer  new 
membevs  were  elected  than  in  1902,  the  number  was  eighty- 
three,  precisely  the  same  as  in  the  years  1899, 1900.  and  1901. 
Five  members  died  during  the  year,  twenty-seven  lapsed 
from  various  causes,  and  one,  having  passed  the  age  limit, 
was,  at  his  own  request,  paid  out.  This  leaves  a  nett  gain  of 
tifty  for  the  year,  and  brings  the  total  membership  to  1,016. 

The  society  also  shows  sound  financial  progress,  the  amount 
invested  during  the  year  being  £1,800,  making  a  total  of 
£22,018  12s.  7d.  now  in  trust  for  the  members.  Sick  pay  for 
for  the  year  amounted  to  £303  53.,  a  slight  increase  on  the 
payments  under  that  head  in  the  previous  year,  but  yet 
showing  a  decrease  in  the  sum  chargeable  per  head,  this 
being  7s.  2d.  and  43.  jOd.  as  compared  with  the  7s.  5d.  and 
43.  lid.  of  1902.  The  benevolent  fund  has  rendered  assist- 
ance to  the  extent  of  £129  23.  6d.  Of  this  amount,  members 
over  seventy  years  of  age  (three)  received  £61  8a.,  and 
members  transferred  from  the  sick  fund  (six)  received 
£53  153.,  all  in  weekly  allowances.  In  addition,  special 
grants  varying  from  193.  6d.  to  £5  were  made  to  Ave  members, 
the  total  amount  being  £13  19s.  6d.  The  convalescent  fund 
has  only  been  drawn  on  to  the  extent  of  £4  lOi.,  and  the 
■committee  feel  that  the  sick  and  benevolent  funds  might 
often  be  relieved  somewhat  if  members  recovering  from  an 
illness  took  advantage  of  this  fund  before  resuming  their 
■employment. 

The  committee  would  especially  draw  attention  to  the 
fact  that  lapsed  members  do  not  forfeit  any  amounts 
standing  to  their  credit  in  the  society's  books.  This  should 
not  be  lost  sight  of  when  young  gardeners  are  being  induced 
to  join  the  society.  The  total  amount  standing  to  the  credit 
of  lap3ed  members  is  £1,564  13s.  8d.,  which,  by  the  way, 
earns  interest  for  the  benefit  members.  The  largest  amount 
■credited  to  a  lapsed  member  is  just  over  £65,  and  the  lowest 
is  l8.  ;  forty-four  have  over  £10 ;  sixty-five  have  over  £5  and 
less  than  £10  ;  and  221  have  amounts  less  than  £5.  All  these 
sums  can  be  claimed  when  the  lapsed  member  reaches  the 
age  of  sixty,  and  in  the  case  of  earlier  death  by  his  nominee. 
Lapsed  members  having  £5  to  their  credit  may  be  regaided 
AS  having  belonged  to  the  society  for  about  five  years  ;  while 
those  with  from  £5  to  £10  to  their  accounts  have  an  average 
membership  of  seven  and  a-half  years. 

The  curaraittee  wishes  to  tender  its  best  thanks  to  the 
bonorary  members,  and  especially  to  Mr.  Peter  Barr. 
V.M.H,,  who  so  ably  presided  at  the  largely  attended  annual 
dinner,  held  at  the  Holburn  Restaurant  on  October  10.  The 
nurserymen  and  seedsmen  who  have  i)een  good  enough  to 
publish  the  title  and  objects  of  the  society,  together  with 
the  secretary's  name  and  address,  are  also  warmly  thanked 
lor  the  services  thus  rendered.  At  the  same  time  the  com- 
mittee wishes  to  express  its  high  appreciation  of  the  many 
services  ably  and  cheerfully  rendered  the  society  by  the 
horticultural  Biess. 

The  chairman,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report,  said 
he  thought  the  committee  could  not  have  presented  a  more 
satisfactory  report.  He  had  been  looking  through  the 
history  of  the  society,  and  thought  its  progi-ess  poor,  due, 
not  to  the  neglect  of  the  management,  but  to  that  of 
gardeners  throughout  the  country.  He  thought  they  ought 
to  have  joined  in  greater  numbers.  Mr.  Wriglit  gave  some 
figures  showing  the  progress  of  the  society  from  its  early 
days  ;  thus  in  1871  there  were  40  members,  in  1S90  there  were 
353,  in  1900  there  were  846,  and  in  1904  the  total  bad  reached 
1,016.  Much  of  the  society's  progress  in  its  early  history  was 
due  to  the  advocacy  of  its  claims  by  Mr.  John  Wright.  The 
chairman  drew  attention  to  the  advantages  this  suciety  has 
over  an  ordinary  benefit  society,  and  instanced  an  example. 
With  reference  to  the  matter  of  adverCisiiiK,  he  thought  this 
was  necessary,  although  it  was  rather  a  difticult  matter.  He 
had  met  many  gardeners  who  had  never  heard  of  this 
■society.  He  suggested  that  representation  shuuld  be  made 
to  gardeners'  societies  throughout  the  country,  asking  them 
to  set  apart  one  evening  that  someone  might  go  down  and 
bring  to  their  notice  the  benefits  that  accrue  to  members  I 


of  the  "  United."  The  chairman  then  paid  a  tribute  to  the 
management,  which  he  thought  to  be  economical  and  most 
satisfactory.  He  thought  there  was  too  much  money  in  the 
convalescent  fund.  Last  year  only  £4  10s.  was  disbursed, 
which  was  much  less  than  the  interest  received  upon  the 
lialance  in  hand  for  1903.  He  thought  lOs,  a  week  from  this 
fund  to  be  too  little,  and  if  they  could  not  afford  to  increase 
the  weekly  disbursement,  then  they  should  give  a  lump  sum 
instead  The  adoption  of  the  report  and  balance  sheet  was 
then  formally  moved. 

Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis,  in  seconding  the  resolution,  mentioned 
that  as  much  as  £117  stood  to  the  credit  of  some  of  the 
members.  If  the  society  were  broken  up,  each  member 
would  receive  about  £22.  He  thought  no  other  society  could 
show  so  much  invested  money  per  member.  They  never 
refused  a  member  who  applied  to  the  convalescent  fund. 
There  might  possibly  at  scmie  time  be  a  run  on  this  fund, 
and  if  the  weekly  disbursement  were  raised  they  would  soon 
pay  away  all  the  interest,  and  they  could  not  touch  the 
invested  funds.  The  business  of  the  society  and  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  committee  have  greatly  increased  of  late  years. 

Mr.  Brown  (Chertsey)  did  not  tbink  it  advisable  to  increase 
the  weekly  disbursement  from  the  convalescent  fund.  He 
said  that  the  National  Deposit  Association  did  a  good  work 
in  the  country,  and  It  had  the  advantage  over  their  society 
that  a  member  could  draw  a  certain  amount  of  money  at 
any  time  if  he  were  in  need  of  it.  He  thought  that  the 
fact  that  gardeners  often  could  not  afford  to  subscribe, 
was  one  of  the  reasons  that  the  United  did  not  make  more 
progress.  The  adoption  of  the  report  and  balance  sheet 
was  carried  unanimously,  and  it  was  resolved  that  3,000, 
as  last  year,  be  printed  and  circulated. 

Messrs.  Curtis,  Thompson,  Harding,  and  Woods,  retiring 
members  of  committee,  were  re-elected,  and  Messrs.  Westgar 
and  Hawes  were  elected  to  fill  the  vacancies  caused  by 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Humphries  and  Mr.  Summers,  both  of 
whom  were  heartily  thanked  for  their  services. 

Mr.  Collins  was  re-elected  secretary  upon  the  proposition 
of  Mr.  Riley  Scott.  Mr.  Collins,  in  reply,  said  he  had  been 
connected  with  the  society  for  thirty-five  years. 

Mr.  Hawes  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  James 
Hudson,  treasurer.  This  was  seconded  and  passed  unani- 
mously. A  resolution  of  sympathy  with  Mr.  Hudson  in  his 
recent  illness  was  also  passed. 

Mr.  John  Wright  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  trustees, 
Messrs.  G.  and  J.  Wheeler  and  Riley  Scott.  Mr.  Wright 
concluded  an  interesting  speech,  largely  about  the  early 
history  of  the  society,  by  quoting  the  motto  of  the  Fruiterers' 
Company  with  reference  to  the  "United,"  "May  it  grow 
and  grow,  and  flourish  root  and  branch  for  ever."  The  vote 
of  thanks  was  seconded  and  carried  neiii.  con. 

Mr.  Taylor  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Press,  to 
which  Mr.  J.  H.  Dick  »epUed.  This  concluded  the  formal 
business  before  the  meeting. 

Mr.  Brown  (Chertsey)  then  proposed  that  a  recommendation 
be  made  to  the  rules  sub-committee  that  the  committee 
receive  payment  for  travelling  expenses,  and  that  they 
endeavour  to  call  a  special  meeting  during  the  Temple  Show 
week  to  consider  the  matter.  Mr.  Brown  wished  to  put  this 
before  the  meeting  as  a  resolution,  but  it  was  ruled  out  of 
order,  and,  therefore,  altered  to  read  as  above.  After  a  good 
deal  of  discussion,  during  which  it  was  said  the  committee 
did  not  wish  for  payment,  the  recommendation  was  seconded 
by  Mr.  Price  and  passed. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  concluded  the  meeting. 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

Scientific  Committee  (March  8). 

Present;  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  F.R.S.  (in  the  chair),  Messrs. 

Chittenden,  Nicholson,  Michael,  Veitch,  B  iwles,  Drs.  Rendle 

and  Cooke,  Revs.  W.  Wilks  and  G.  Henslow  (hon.  secretary). 

Lobelia  /licotiancefolia.—A  fine  plant  was  exhibited  by  Mr. 
G.  Paul,  a  native  of  Neilgherry  Hills  and  Ceylon.  The  flowers 
were  white,  but  the  figure  {Bot.  Mag.,  tab.  55S7,  1886)  was 
violet-coloured.  A  botanical  certificate,  proposed  by  Mr. 
Veitch  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Chittenden,  was  unanimously 
awarded  to  Mr.  Paul. 

Ja^tnine  with  tuberous  growths. — Specimens  received  from 
Mrs.  Street,  Woodside,  Caterham,  were  examined  by  Mr. 
Saunders,  who  reports  as  follows  :  "  It  is  difficult  to  account 
for  the  growths,  as  there  are  no  signs  of  insect  or  fungus. 
Growths  of  a  similar  appearance  occur  on  the  roots  of  Roses, 
being  caused  by  the  itritation  set  up  by  ants." 

Palm.'i  and  xcale  insects. — Mr.  Hall,  of  Mowbray  Park, 
Sunderland,  sent  some  specimens,  upon  which  Mr.  Saunders 
reports:  "The  insects  unfortunately  arrived  in  a  bad  con- 
dition. (1)  A  parasitic  fly  (?),  nearly  allied  to  the  Ichneumons. 
(2)  Undiscoverable.  (3  and  4)  Two-winged  flies(Jam.  Myceto- 
philida;)  or  '  fungus  gnats,'  as  the  grubs  feed  on  fungi  or 
decaying  vegetable  matter ;  they  are  of  no  importance. 
(5)  Scale  insects,  but  so  covered  with  germs  as  not  to  be 
identifiable. 

BRIGHTON  AND  SUSSEX  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

Annual  Report,  1903. 
In  submitting  the  balance  sheet  for  the  past  year,  the  com- 
mittee deeply  regret  the  loss,  through  death  and  other  causes, 
of  several  of  iheir  vice-presidents  and  subscribers,  and  as 
few  new  ones  have  been  introduced  this  year,  Lhey  venture 
to  appeal  to  those  who  have  so  kindly  supported  them,  still 
further  to  assist,  by  inducing  their  friends  to  become  sub- 
scribers. The  ordinary  members'  list  shows  a  substantial 
increase,  which  is  very  gratifying  to  the  committee.  The 
spring  show  works  out  about  normal.  Owing  bo  the  generosity 
of  the  president,  Alderman  Abbey,  Mr.  T.  Billing,  and  others, 
several  new  features  were  successfully  introduced  into  the 
summer  show,  but  the  weather  was  detrimental  to  the 
receipts.  The  Chrysanthemum  show  produced  a  profit  of 
£15  3s.  5d.,  which  is  somewhat  less  than  usual,  but  here 
again  the  weather,  although  dry,  was  cold  and  cheerless.  The 
working  expenses  of  the  year  are  about  normal.  It  isgrati- 
fying.-nevertheless,  to  the  committee  to  be  able  to  present 
a  balance  sheet  showing  a  profit  on  the  year's  working  of 


£32  123.  9d.,and  a  balance  in  the  hands  of  their  bankers  of 
£193  14s.  Od.  The  thanks  of  the  society  are  due  to  the 
president,  J.  C<»lnian,  Esq.,  .T.P.,  for  a  handsome  silver  bowl; 
to  Alderman  H.  Abbey,  Mr.  T.  Billing,  and  an  anonymous 
donor,  for  substantial  cash  prizes,  and  to  the  vice-presidents 
and  subscribers  for  their  kind  support  during  the  year. 

Lectures  for  Year  1904-1905. 

April  21,  "  Forcing,"  introduced  by  Mr.  J.  Spottiswood  ; 
May  19,  open  diacu^sion,  introduced  by  Mr.  G.  Miles; 
June  16,  "  Insectivorous  Plants,"  illustrated  with  diagrams, 
by  Mr.  F.  Field  ;  September  15,  "  I'se  of  Chemical  and  other 
Manures  in  Horticulture,"  illustrated  with  lantern  slides,  by 
Mr.  T.  Sbrlvell  ;  October  20,  "  Carnations,"  by  Mr.  H.  Elliott; 
November  17,  "  Chiysmihemums,"  introduced  by  Mr.  G. 
Hart;  February  16,  1905,  open  discussion,  introduced  by 
Mr.  H.  Goldsmith. 

List  of  Shows,  1904. 

April  12  and  13,  spring  show,  at  the  Royal  Pavilion  : 
August-  23  and  24,  summer  show,  at  the  Royal  Pavilion; 
November  1  and  2,  Chrysanthemum  show,  at  the  Royal 
Pavilion.  Annual  meeting,  January  10,  19U5.  Members' 
excursion  to  Newick  Park,  June,  1904. 


NATIONAL  AURICULA  AND  PRIMULA  SOCIETY. 
Annual  Report. 
In  presenting  the  twenty-seventh  annual  report  of  this 
society,  the  committee  have  much  pleasure  in  congratu- 
lating the  members  upon  a  very  satisfactory  state  of  affairs. 
During  the  year  fifteen  new  members  have  been  added  to 
the  list  as  against  a  loss  of  eight,  who  have  left  the  society 
from  various  causes.  From  year  to  year  there  has  been  a 
steady  increase  of  members,  thus  demonstrating  the  growing 
interest  taken  in  the  beautiful  Primula  family,  and  a  striking 
proof  of  the  success  of  the  efforts  of  the  society  to  popu- 
larise this  charming  and  fascinating  class  of  flowers.  The 
society  now  numbers  ninety-one  members,  as  against  eighty- 
four  for  1902.  The  financial  position  of  the  society  is  also  in 
a  very  gratifying  condition,  the  balance  in  hand  to  be 
carried  forward  to  1904  being  £7  17s.  8d.  The  exhibition  for 
1903,  which  took  place  on  Tuesday,  April  21,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  the  Drill  Hall 
of  the  London  Scottish  Volunteers,  Buckingham  Gate, 
London,  was  one  of  the  best  held  for  mariy  years  past. 
Nearly  the  whole  of  the  prizes  offered  in  the  liberal  schedule 
were  awarded,  and,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  to  most  excel- 
lent exhibits.  The  committee  deeply  regret  to  report  the 
death  of  Mr.  William  Beale,  a  comparatively  young  member, 
who  was  so  successful  at  the  last  show  and  the  previous  one 
in  1902.  Mr.  William  Smith,  Bishop's  Stortford,  by  way  of 
encouraging  new  exhibitors,  very  kindly  offers  to  provide  the 
prize-money  for  two  new  classes  "for  those  who  have  never 
won  a  prize,"  viz.,  five  prizes  for  pairs,  and  five  prizes  for 
single  specimens  of  show  Auriculas.  Mr.  James  Douglas 
generously  offers  to  present  four  medals  (Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society's),  to  be  competed  for,  viz.,  a  silver-gilt  medal 
for  the  highest  aggregate  number  of  points  gained  in  the 
large  classes  ;  a  silver  medal  for  the  highest  aggregate 
number  of  points  gained  in  the  smaller  classes ;  a  silver 
medal  and  a  bronze  medal  for  seedlings  raised  from  the 
alpine  seed  presented  to  the  members  of  the  society  by  Mr. 
Douglas,  providing  the  exhibits  are  worthy  of  the  awards. 
A  member,  who  does  not  wish  his  name  to  be  published, 
very  generously  offers  four  prizes  for  single  specimens  of 
fancy  Polyanthus  and  four  prizes  for  single  specimens.  Prim- 
ruses,  single.  The  class  for  six  show  Auriculas  of  one  class 
is  withdrawn.  The  twenty-eighth  annual  exhibition  of  the 
society  will  be  held  in  the  Drill  Hall  of  the  London  Scottish 
Volunteers,  Buckingham  Gate,  Westminster,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  on  Tuesday, 
April  19.  Mr.  James  Douglas  of  Great  Bookham,  Surrey, 
again  generously  offers  to  supply  members  with  a 
packet  of  alpine  Auricula  seed  saved  from  best  exhibition 
vaiieties  to  such  as  will  undertake  to  sow  the  seed  them- 
selves and  cultivate  the  plants,  and  on  condition  that  they 
apply  for  the  seed  in  writing  to  Mr.  T.  E.  Henwood  before 
the  first  day  of  June. 


NATIONAL  CARNATION  AND  PICOTEE  SOCIETY. 
Annual  Report. 
The  committee  beg  to  submit  to  the  members  the  twenty- 
seventh  annual  i-eport  of  this  society,  in  the  hope  and 
expectation  that  it  will  be  considered  by  them  in  all  respects 
satisfactory.  Up  to  the  present  time  the  affairs  of  the 
society  have  exhibited  a  steady  and  most  gratifying  progress, 
and  the  committee  are  satisfied  that  it  has  not  only  done 
much  to  popularise  the  Carnation,  t)Ut  that  it  has  been  in 
great  measure  instrumental  in  bringing  about  the  marked 
improvement  in  the  flower  in  its  many  varieties,  which  has 
been  so  fully  evidenced  in  the  exhibitions  of  the  last  few 
years.  The  number  of  members  of  the  society  on  the  books 
at  the  present  time  is  350,  a  decrease  of  six  during  the  year. 
The  committee  are  anxious  to  impress  upon  the  members 
the  importance  and  necessity  of  a  continued  effort  on  the 
part  of  all  those  interested  in  the  society  to  maintain  its 
numbers,  influence,  and  prosperity.  The  committee,  on 
their  part,  are  willing  to  undertake  that  advice  from  them, 
tendered  thi'ough  their  experts,  shall  be  forthcoming  to  any 
of  their  members  who  find  unexpected  difficulties  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  flower.  A  letter  to  the  hon.  secretary, 
16,  Hamilton  Road,  Reading,  detailing  the  circumstances 
under  which  advice  is  required,  will  meet  with  immediate 
and  careful  attention.  The  president  of  the  society  deeply 
regrets  to  inform  the  members  that  he  cannot  continue 
lunger  the  annual  distribution  of  seed  from  the  Hayes  gar- 
dens. The  labour  and  trouble  involved  during  the  last  few 
years,  owing  to  the  rapidly  increasing  membership  of  the 
society,  has  compelled  him  most  unwillingly  to  relinquish 
the  practice,  which  has  become  too  heavy  a  tax  upon  his 
personal  time  and  attention.  The  committee  consider  the 
financial  position  of  the  society  to  be  in  a  very  satisfactory 
state,  the  income  for  the  year  being  £239  I7s.,  and  the 
expenses  £227  193.,  and  the  balance  in  hand  carried  forward 


210 


THE    GARDEN. 


[jMarch   V-\  1904, 


to  1904,  £146  83.  lOd.  The  exhibition  for  1904  will  take  place 
on  Tuesday,  July  26,  in  thd  New  Hall  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster.  The  committee 
beg  to  draw  the  attention  of  e.xhibitors  to  the  schedule  for 
1904.  The  division  for  undressed  blooms  is  now  confined  to 
amateurs  only  ;  the  trade  can  no  lon^rer  compete  in  this 
division.  Two  new  classes  have  been  added  to  it — one  for 
single  specimen  yellow  ground  Picotees,  and  one  for  single 
specimen  fancies.  Particular  attention  is  also  drawn  to 
Condition  6.  In  the  interest  of  the  society  this  condition 
will  be  strictly  enforced,  and  no  exhibit  allow'ed  to  be  staged 
after  11  a.m.  The  committee  would  earnestly  call  upon 
members  of  the  society  to  recognise  the  onerous  duties  of 
t^e  hon.  treasurer,  and  to  lighten  them  as  far  as  it  lies  in 
their  power  by  replying  promptly  to  Mr.  Henwood's  applica- 
tion for  subscriptions  to  the  society  when  due. 


CARDIFF  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
At  a  meeting  held  on  Tuesday,  the  Sth  inst. ,  Mr.  H.  R. 
Farmer  presiding,  Mr.  J.  Pegler,  hon.  secretary  and  repre- 
sentative of  the^Newport  Gardeners'  ilutual  Improvement 
Association,  delivered  the  last  lecture  for  the  present  session, 
entitled  "  Wonders  and  Curiosities  of  the  Vegetable  World." 
At  the  outset  the  lecturer  said  that  he  had  chosen  his 
subject  from  extracts  of  scientific  works  in  order  to  bring 
them  before  the  notice  of  the  members.  Some  of  the  chief 
items  were  the  marvellous  monstrosities  of  various  trees 
situated  in  ditferent  parts  of  the  world.  Reference  was 
made  to  some  of  the  unique  specimens  of  wood  preserved 
in  the  museum  at  Kew.  At  the  conclusion  of  a  splendid 
discussion  the  best  thanks  of  the  members  were  accorded 
Mr.  Pegler  for  his  lecture. 


HANLEY  HORTICULTURAL  FETE. 
This  will  be  held  in  the  Hanley  Park  on  Wednesday  and 
Thursday,  July  6  and   7.     There    is,  as  usual,   an  excellent 
schedule  of  prizes,  particularly  in    the    classes  for  Roses, 
other  cut  flowers,  fruit,  and  vegetables. 


CROYDOjr  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  thirty-seventh  summer  show  will  be  held  in  the  grounds 
of  Brickwood  House,  Addiscombe  Road,  on  Wednesday, 
July  6.  A  liberal  schedule  of  prizes  has  been  arranged,  and 
we  note  that  a  new  challenge  cup  will  be  offered  for  thirty- 
six  Roses  distinct  (open),  in  addition  to  a  large  number  of 
prizes  and  medals  in  all  sections. 


ROYAL  BOTANIC  SOCIETY. 
Pkeliminarv  Akrangements. 
Grand  horticultural  exhibition  for  six  days,  from  Monday, 
June  6,  to  Saturday,  June  11,  of  plants,  flowers,  fruit, 
vegetables,  and  objects  embracing  every  department  of 
horticulture.  The  exhibition  will  include  sections  devoted 
to  horticulture,  botany,  education,  colonial  horticulture, 
art,  and  sports.  Monthly  floral  exhibitions  of  plants,  flowers, 
&c.,  on  Wednesdays,  March  16,  April  13,  May  11,  June  8, 
July  6,  October  12,  and  November  9.  Gates  open  at  one 
o'clock.  Floral  decoration  competition,  by  the  students  of 
the  floral  decoration  class  of  the  society's  Ladies'  Gardening 
School  (dale  to  be  arranged).  Exhibition  of  Rhododendrons, 
by  Messrs.  Waterer,  Bagshot,  Surrey,  daily  during  June. 
Exhibition  of  hardy  flowers  and  pigmy  trees,  by  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  during  June.  Popular 
botanical  lectures,  by  Professor  W.  B.  Bottomley,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  Friday  afternoons  at  four  o'clock.  May,  June,  and 
July.  Admission  by  Fellows'  orders.  The  gardens  are  open 
daily  from  nine  to  sunset.    On  Sundays  from  lO.bO  to  sunset. 


Royal  Botanic  Society's  exhibi- 
tion.— On  Wednesday  last  an  exhibition  of  new 
plants  and  flowers,  new  fruits  and  vegetables,  new 
garden  apparatus  and  appliances,  Daffodils,  &o. , 
Was  held  in  the  gardens  of  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society,  Regent's  Park.  Particulars  of  the  exhibits 
will  be  given  next  week. 

The  Newport  (Mon.)  Hopticultupal 

Society  will  hold  their  summer  show  this  year 
on  August  4. 

Arum  palaestinum  at  Kew.— Among 

the  more  uncommon  plants  now  flowering  in  No.  4 
greenhouse  at  Kew  is  this  Arum,  which  is,  when 
at  its  best,  striking,  but  not  easil}'  grown.     True, 
large,  well- ripened  tubers  with  a  prominent  central 
crown,  such  as  are  sometimes  sent  to  this  country 
from  Italy,  usually  about  the  month  of  July',  can 
as  a  rule  be  depended  upon  to  flower  well,  but  in 
inducing  them  to  bloom  the  second  or  third  season 
I  have  not,  so  far,  met  with  success.     These  large 
imported  roots  are  sufficiently  vigorous  for  a  pot 
6  inches   in   diameter,   and  if   potted   as   soon   as 
possible  after  they  are  received,  and  given  ordinary 
greenhouse   treatment,   the   leaves   will    gradually 
develop   and   the   flowers   unfold    in    February  or 
March.     It  is  decidedly  ornamental  in   its  foliage 
alone  ;  the  leaves  are  8  inches  or  9  inches  across, 
and  borne  on  stalks  about  18  inches  high.     They 
are  very  dark  green,  and  the  flower-scape,  which 
is   usually  rather   shorter  than  the  tallest  leaves, 
bears  a  spathe  about  5  inches  wide,  and  longer  in 
proportion  to  its  width  than  those  of  the  common 
white  Arum  Lily  (Richardia  sethiopica).     In  colour 
the  spathe  is  green   on  the  outside  and    blackish 
purple  maroon  within,   while  the  erect  spadix  is 
almost   dead    black.       This    applies   to   the   finest 
forms,  for  some  are  tinged  with  green,  and  then  of 
course  the  flowers  are  much  less  striking.      The 
spathe  pales  somewhat  after  a  few  days'  expansion. 
When  first  opened  the  flowers  have  a  disagreeable 
odour,  a  feature  common  to  many  Aroids,  but  this 
passes  off  in  a  day.     Beside  the  specific  name  of 
palfestinum,  it  is  even  more  generally  known  by 
that  of  sanctum,  while  popularly  it  is  often  referred 
to  as  the  black  Calla. — T. 


Big'nonla  grandiflopa  not  flowrepingr  (R).— 
Your  want  of  success  in  inducing  the  Howers  of  Bignonia 
prandiflora  to  develop  is  in  all  probability  owing  to  the  cold 
and  sunless  summeis  that  we  have  had  for  the  last  two 
years.  From  this  cause  vegetation  of  all  kinds  has  been 
very  backward,  and  many  autumn-flowering  subjects  failed 
to  open  properly.  The  protection  of  a  glazed  light  in  the 
spring  might  do  something  to  hasten  its  growth,  but  in  all 
probability  if  we  have  a  hot  and  dry  summer  you  will  have 
no  furthe)-  cause  for  complaint. 

Planting  Dahlias  (6.  D.).— In  the  case  of  good 
strong  roots  they  may  be  planted  i\t  such  a  depth  that  the 
crowns  are  6  inches  below  the  surface  of  the  soil  :  at  least, 
where  it  is  of  a  light  and  sandy  nature.  The  time  of 
planting  will  to  a  certain  extent  depend  upon  the  locality, 
but  in  most  districts  the  middle  of  April  is  quite  early 
enough,  and  even  then  a  little  protection  in  the  shape  of 
dried  leaves  or  Bracken  is  advisable.  If  you  have  acctmimo- 
dation  it  is  a  good  plan  to  start  the  roots  in  pots,  giving 
them  the  protection  of  a  frame  till  all  danger  from  frosts  is 
over,  when  they  may  be  planted  out.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind  that  the  Dahlia  is  a  liberal  feeder,  hence  in  dry  and 
sandy  soils  a  good  plan  is  to  take  out  a  hole  about  18  inches 
deep,  and  mix  some  cow  manure  with  the  original  soil  before 
returning  it,  as  cow  manure  is  one  of  the  best  of  stimulants 
for  dry  soils. 

Pruning  a  'Vew  hedge  (G.  D.).— A  diBicult  ques- 
tion to  answer  without  seeing  the  hedge  or  knowing  some- 
thing of  the  height  and  diameter  of  the  plants  of  which  it 
is  composed,  'faking  an  average  plant  of  4  feet  high  as 
one's  standpoint,  the  top  shoots  will  in  all  probability  need 
shortening  back  in  order  to  ensure  a  bushy  growth.  Still, 
the  Yew  branches  out  so  readily  that  this  pruning  should 
not  be  too  severely  done— that  is  if  you  desire  the  hedge  to 
attain  a  greater  height  than  it  is  at  present.  The  side 
shoots,  too,  will  need  to  be  shortened ;  to  what  extent 
depends  upon  their  present  spread  and  the  thickness  yott 
wish  your  hedge  to  be.  In  trimming  the  hedge  it  should  be 
widest  at  the  base  and  gradually  sloping  upwards,  as  by  this- 
means  a  maximum  amount  of  light  is  ensured  for  the  entire- 
surface.  A  very  suitable  time  for  trimming  a  Yew  hedge  is 
the  month  of  April,  and  if  this  is  done  e\ery  year  a  beautiful) 
green  surface  is  soon  ensured.  Y'ou  have  done  quite  right  in 
allowing  it  to  stand  untouched  since  it  was  planted,  but,  as- 
it  will  be  by  now  thoroughly  established,  it  should  be  clippeci 
this  season  and  every  year  afterwards. 


ANSWERS 
TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Catalogues  Received. 

Hardif  Perennialft.—llessTs.  Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street^ 
Covent  Garden.  W.C. 

Border  and  Rock  Plants.— :SIt.  Amoa  Perry,  Hardy  Plant 
Farm,  Wincliraore  Hill,  N. 

Farm  Seeds.— Messrs.  E.  P.  Dixon  and  Sons.  Hull. 

Bu Ids. -Messrs.  H.  C.  Gibbons  and  Co.,  131,  Lambton  Quay,. 
Wellington,  N.Z.  „       ^ 

Sccd.i—UessTB.  Cooper,  Taber  and  Co.,  90  and  92,  South- 
wark  Street.  S  E. 

yciv  Dafodils.—'MT.  J.  Kingsmill,  Sharow,  Kipon. 


READING  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
The  last  fortnightly  meeting  of  the  above  association  was 
held  in  the  Abbey  Hall,  and  there  was  a  good  attendance  of 
members,  Mr.  W.  Barnes  presiding.  Mr.  J.  Crook  of  Fordo 
Abbey,  Chard,  gave  a  most  interesting  lecture  on  "Spring 
Flowers,"  contining  himself  principally  to  the  Snowdrop, 
Narcissus,  Priniiose,  Iris,  JJyosotis,  Anemone,  and 
Ciiionodoxa.  He  strongly  advocated  that  these  should  be 
planted  in  as  natural  a  manner  as  possible,  doing  away 
with  all  formality  in  theirarrangement,  and  growing  them  as 
far  as  circumstances  would  permit  in  the  grass.  A  good 
discussion  followed,  in  which  filessrs.  Barnes,  Townsend, 
Powell.  Neve,  Jennings,  and  E.\ler  took  part.  The  exhibits 
were  exceedingly  beautiful,  consisting  chiefly  of  spring 
flowers  both  indoors  and  out,  and  comprising  Ghent  Azalea, 
Azalea  mollis,  Indian  Azalea,  Polyanthus,  blue  Primroses, 
Snowdrops,  Lilacs,  Deutzias,  Hellebores.  Streptosolon  Jame- 
son!, Tulips,  Primula  floribunda,  and  P.  obconica  from  Sir. 
\V.  Townsend.  Sandhurst  Lodge  Gardens  ;  Mr.  T.  J.  Powell, 
Park  Place  Gardens  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Nash,  Bulmershe  Court 
Gardens.  Mr.  F.  Lever,  Hillside  Gardens,  staged  six  well 
trained  plants  <>i  My<.isotisoblongata  perfecta,  sed  sown 
September  2,  1903,  and  Mr.  H  Sims,  Fawley  Lodge  Gardens, 
a  specimen  i>lant  of  C>ml)!dium  lowianum. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Answers.— The  Editor  intends  to 
make  The  Garden  helpful  to  all  readers  who  desireassistance, 
no  matter  what  the  bra-nch  of  gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  will  make  a  special  feature  of  the  "  Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents" column.  All  com^nunications  should  be  clearly 
a7id  concisely  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  and 
addressed  to  the  Editor  0/ The  Garden,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strcind,  London.  Letters  on  business  shoztld  be  sent 
to  the  Publisher.  The  name  and  address  of  the  seyider  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Publications  Received. 
The  studio  for  March  is  as  varied  as  usual;  it  contains  many- 
beautiful  coloured  supplements  and  other  illustrations, 
besides  the  usual  monthly  notes  from  the  studios  that  are  so 
interesting  to  the  art  student.  It  maintains  its  high  standard 
of  printing  and  clear  reproductions. 

"Desert  Botanical  Laboratory  Bulletin  of  the  tarnegie 
Institution,"  "  Report  of  Botaidc  Gardens  and  Domanis  of 
New  South  Wales,"  the  American  Juurncd  of  Science,  &nA 
National  Potato  Society's  pamphlet,  containing  suggestions, 
for  conducting  trials  of  Potatoes. 


TRADE     NOTE. 


GARDENING    APPOINTMENTS. 

Mr.  William  Coutt.s,  announced  in  The  Garden  to  have 
been  appointed  as  head  gardener  to  A.  K.  Bulley,  Esq., 
Ness,  Neston,  Cheshire,  writes  that  he  has  been  appointed 
foreman  in  the  gardens  there,  and  not  head  gardener  as 
stated. 

Mr.  Thompson,  until  recently  gardener  to  the  late  G.  II. 
Turner,  Esq.,  Littleover,  Derby,  has  been  appointed  gardener 
to  H.  Simpson-Gee,  Esq.,  Knighton  Frith,  Leicester. 


The  Liverpool  Horticultural  Asso- 
ciation.— The  spring  flower  show  of  thi-s  society 
■will  be  held  on  April  13  next. — Harold  Sadler, 
Secretary. 


Names  of  plants.— B:  D.  if.— Sauromatum  guttatuni 

(syn.  Arum  vinosum);  native  of  Himalayas. C.  E.  l'\ — 

Impossible  to  name  positively  without  cones :   probably  a 

form  of  Abies  pectinata. J.  V.—\,  Selaginella  uncinata  ; 

2,  Reineckea  carnea  variegata ;  3,  Selaginella  africana ;  4, 
S.   cuspidata;    .''),  Oalathea  (Maranta)  Lueiani ;    C,  Begonia 

Olbia;   7,  Calathea  (Maranta)  kerchoviana. Thorn.— The 

Rhododendron  is  R.  nobleanum,  a  hybrid  between  R.  cau- 

casicum  and  the  Himalayan  R.  arboreum. C.  G.,  Surrcji.-- 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  name  garden  varieties  of  Codia-um 
(Croton)  from  leaves,  as  they  vary  so  even  on  the  same  plant. 
We  have,  however,  compared  them  with  living  specimens 
where  a  collection  is  grown,  and  believe  the  following  to  be 
correct :  1,  Countess  ;  2,  \\'eismanni  ;  4,  Jlortefontainensis  ; 
0,  Mrs.  Dorman.  The  ligures  3  and  5  were  indistinguishable 
from  each  other,  but  the  leaf  with  a  creamy  white  centre  is 
Hawkeri,  and  the  other  Sceptre. 

Rhododendrons  splitting'  bark  (Thorn).— We 
are  afraid  theie  is  no  remedy  for  Rhododendrons  splitting 
their  bark,  which  sometimes  happens  after  severe  frost  or 
from  excessive  moisture  at  the  roots.  This  last  is  probably 
the  cause  in  your  case. 

Spots  on  Dendpobium  leaves  (G.)  — The  spots 
on  your  Dendrobium  leaves  ai'e  the  evacuations  of  flies, 
which  aie  often  troublesome  in  the  autumn  when  the  cold 
weather  drives  them  indoors.  Not  being  able  to  recognise 
them  as  any  form  of  scale  we  consulted  two  or  three  Oichid 
cultivators  on  the  matter,  and  they  were  all  in  entire  con- 
currence with  our  views.  *ln  the  leaf  sent  every  spot  was  on 
the  upper  surface,  which  bears  out  the  fly  theory.  When 
dried  on  the  leaves  they  are  very  diillcnlt  to  remove,  the 
best  remedy  being  soft  soap  and  warm  water. 


Bee-keepers'  Supplies. 
Jlr.  E.  H.  TAYLOR,  Welwyn,  Herts,  issues  a  very  compre- 
hensive catalogue  of  bee-keeping  appliances.  These  are 
illustrated  and  described  in  great  variety.  Mr.  Taylor  is 
prepared  to  estimate  for  the  complete  fitting  up  of  bee- 
farms.  To  fruit  growers  a  bee  farm  is  almost  indispensable, 
very  much  larger  crops  of  fruit  being  obtained,  owing  to 
eflicient  fertilisation  of  the  flowers  by  the  bees.  Mr.  Tnylol- 
has  had  great  experience  in  bee  farms,  having  fitted  up  the 
largest  existing  in  this  country,  and  will  give  personal 
attention  and  likewise  fliid  efficient  men  to  carry  on  such 
concerns.  He  is  able,  with  confldence,  to  advise  those 
starting  bee  culture  in  the  colonies,  &c.,  thus  enabling  them 
to  avoid  disappointment  and  loss  often  experienced  by 
exporting  unsuitable  hives  and  materials. 


The  Editor  will  not  he  responsible  .for  the  rettmi  of  artistte 
or  Ulfrnni  contrilnitiinix  which  he  may  not  be  able  to  usCt 
and  the  irerint  nf  u  in-i>i>f  until  nut  be  taken  as  evidence  that 
an  arlicle  is  navijl.il. '  fiiblieatiim  in  THE  GARDEN  wilt 
alone  be  recognised  f(.s-  aceeptnnce. 


As  reijards  photographs.  If  payniriil  be 
asks  lliiil  the  price  'miiiiieil  for  irpnnltieli 
It  iniisl  be  di.itinelh/  nnihrsloxil   Hint  < 
grapher  or  owner  of  the  en/n/right  will  bt 


desired,  the  Editor 
>n  be  plainly  stated. 

lilt  the  aetnnl  photo- 

iMileil  with. 


The  Editor  welcomes  photographs,  articles,  and  nstes  but 
he  will  not  be  rcspomiblc  for  their  stt,fe  return.  All  reason- 
able cnrc,  however,  will  he  taken,  ami  where  stamps  are 
enclosed,  he  mil  endeavour  to  return  non-accepted  con- 
tribniiiins. 


•  The  Yearly  Subscription  to  THE  Garden  is. 
Foreign,  17s.  Bd. 


Inland, 


«^fey- 


GARDEN 


V«7^;^ 


No.  1688— Vol.  LXV. 


[Makch  26,  1904. 


MUDDLED     PLANTING     IN 
LONDON     PARKS. 

IN  tliese  days,  when  an  intelligent  interest 
is  shown  in  so  many  ways  in  the  home 
gardens,  we  may  reasonably  expect 
sensible  planting  in  the  London  parks, 
but  unfortunately  this  is  not  so.  Take 
•one  of  the  finest  opportunities  that  exist,  we 
should  think,  in  the  world  for  beautiful  group- 
ing and  effects,  namely,  the  peacock  enclosure 
-and  surroundings  at  the  head  of  the  Serpentine. 
It  is  nothing  more  than  jumbled  groups  of 
Holly  and  ugly  weeping  trees.  A  group  of 
Holly  is  acceptable  when  rightly  placed,  but 
Teasonable  restraint  and  the  right  feeling  are 
alone  responsible  for  beautiful  pictures. 

Standing  upon  the  fountain  at  the  end  of 
the  Serpentine  and  looking  towards  the  bridge, 
■one  pictures  in  one's  own  mind  the  beauty 
that  might  be  gained  by  simple  planting  and 
restrained  luxuriance  where  now  is  a  hotch- 
potch of  green-leaved  Holly.  Take  the  left 
•side,  and  think  how  upon  the  gentle  grass 
slopes  one  could  group  here  and  there  herba- 
ceous Phlox,  scarlet  Lobelia,  Michaelmas 
Daisies,  perennial  Sunflowers,  and  many  other 
stately  flowers,  with  Daffodils  in  the  grass  by 
the  water's  edge.  Between  the  flower  groups 
we  should  plant  one  or  more  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful of  flowering  trees— the  Crabs,  Guelder 
Eose,  Weigela,  Berberis,  Spiraea  aria^folia,  and 
Bamboos.  Here  and  there  we  would  plant 
the  best  of  weeping  trees,  not  those  with 
loranches  that  cling  to  the  main  stem,  but  those 
with  graceful  outlines  and  beautiful  leaf. 
Although  we  strongly  advise  grouping  in  a 
general  way,  weeping  trees  are  best  apart,  and 
not  planted  in  groves  or  masses. 
•  In  the  left  corner,  where  a  Weigela  struggles 
for  mastery  with  other  shrubs,  how  beautiful 
would  be  the  cardinal  and  golden  Willows  and 
■crimson  Dogwood  on  a  winter's  day,  or  the 
orange  glow  from  the  berries  of  Sea  Buckthorn, 
whilst  close  to  the  water,  with  their  feet  almost 
in  it,  flowers  that  now  give  beauty  to  many  a 
stream  and  river  would  flourish  luxuriantly — 
Tosy  Loosestrife,  Willow  Herb,  drifts  of 
Meadowsweet,  with  occasional  colonies  of 
■Globe  Flowers,  water  Forget-me-nots,  Siberian 
Iris,  and  the  English  Flag  of  our  ditches  and 
streams.  This  native  wilding  is  now  in  tangled 
masses,  but  from  these  we  know  that  vigorous 
flower  life  is  quite  possible  even  in  the  imme- 
diate neighbourhood  of  a  vast  city.  We 
picture    to  ourselves  this  left   bank  planted 


with  judgment  and  good  taste,  giving  its 
succession  of  flowers  from  the  time  of  the 
Snowdrop  until  the  Willows  glow  with  colour 
in  the  grey  winter  light. 

On  the  right  hand  such  another  simple 
scheme  may  be  carried  out,  and  where  now  is 
a  villainous  muddle  there  might  be  repose  and 
beauty  of  form.  Holly  is  everywhere,  and 
planted  so  thickly  that  through  want  of  air 
and  light  its  stems  are  gaunt  and  sickly. 
In  one  place  a  huge  Elder  is  swamping  every- 
thing. 

The  whole  of  the  present  planting  on  the 
right  bank  should  be  swept  away,  or  at  least 
so  modified  that  only  the  shrubs  in  good 
health  are  retained.  There  must  be  no  half 
measures,  and  in  the  replanting  we  should 
keep  in  mind  the  beauty  of  the  grassy  sweeps 
through  the  trees  in  the  unplanted  parts  of 
the  gardens,  and  not  obscure  them  with  tall 
shrubs. 

The  general  scheme  should  be  kept  low, 
with  peeps  here  and  there  of  the  surrounding 
vistas,  and  bold  groups  of  strong  perennials  on 
the  banks,  with,  as  on  the  opposite  side,  flowers 
in  restrained  luxuriance  by  the  water's  edge. 
Although  Kensington  Gardens  are  in  London, 
there  is  so  much  open  space  that  hardy  flowers 
would  thrive  almost  as  well  as  at  Kew.  The 
Japanese  Primrose  would  probably  seed  freely, 
and  the  colonies  in  the  course  of  time  need 
restriction.  Japanese  Roses  in  confused  masses 
are  quite  happy  already  even  in  the  choked 
shrubberies,  so  one  is  able  to  imagine  how 
lustrous  would  be  the  leafage  and  how  abun- 
dant the  flowers  when  in  a  light  and  airy  place. 

One  plant  has  run  riot  altogether.  This  is 
the  Japanese  Knotweed  (Polygonum  cuspida- 
tum).  It  is  a  weed  when  pfermitted  full 
licence,  but  in  its  place  the  graceful  stems  and 
creamy  white  flowers  have  much  charm.  At 
present  it  fights  for  the  mastery  with  Laurel 
and  Ivy,  a  tangle  of  common  things,  and 
collects  the  refuse  from  the  water  surface. 

Matted  growth  by  waterside  is  always  a 
mistake.  It  fouls  the  water,  and  near  such  a 
city  as  London  soon  becomes  unpleasantly 
apparent.  Here  are  opportunities  for  planting 
clumps  of  Water  Elder  or  wild  Guelder  Eose, 
white  with  bloom  in  early  summer,  and 
crimson  with  ruddy  fruit  in  autumn,  and  also 
of  the  noble  Eoyal  and  graceful  Lady  Ferns. 
The  banks  should  be  kept  open  and  grassy, 
with  occasional  groups  as  here  indicated. 

An  attempt  has  been  made  to  use  some  of 
the  plants  of  noble  leafage,  but  everything  is 
siifi'ering  from  the  general  disorder.    The  great 


Cow  Parsnip  (Heracleura)  is  magnificent  when 
not  smothered  by  neighbouring  growths,  and 
the  same  may  be  said  of  Thalictrum  flavum, 
with  its  feathery  heads  of  yellow  bloom,  the 
Gunnera,  the  Sedges,  and  the  Bulrushes ;  but 
all  must  be  planted  in  just  those  places  that 
seem  to  suit  their  growth. 

This  famous  sheet  of  water  might  be  made 
pictorially  beautiful  with  careful  planting  and 
wholesale  condemnation  of  the  existing 
muddle.  The  pond  facing  the  Palm  house  at 
Kew  has  altered  much  within  the  past  few 
years,  and  the  water  edge  has  been  taken 
advantage  of  for  the  many  plants  that  are 
happy  in  such  positions. 

There  is  no  spot  in  any  London  park  that 
oflers  such  obvious  facilities  for  pictorial 
effect  as  the  stretch  of  water  from  the  Bays- 
water  end  of  the  Serpentine  to  the  bridge.  It 
is  in  no  carping  spirit  that  we  draw  attention 
to  this  depressing  and  unwholesome  hotch- 
potch, and  this  in  what  should  be  a  place  of 
beauty  and  interest.  We  ask  anyone  with  a 
grain  of  right  feeling  for  beautiful  effects  to 
look  down  from  the  pump  station  and  see 
for  themselves,  and  surely  they  will  agree 
with  us  that  this  is  as  deplorable  an 
example  of  thoroughly  bad  and  wasteful 
planting  as  may  be  discovered  in  the  whole 
range  of  public  gardening.  Better  a  thousand 
times  to  have  left  the  grass  in  undisturbed 
possession  of  the  gentle  slopes  than  to  have 
crowded  into  the  prospect  stunted  shrubs 
dumped  down  anywhere  and  anyhow  to  add 
their  quota  to  wild  confusion  and  incongruity. 


GROWING    SNOWDROPS.   . 

Several  questions  are  asked  by  "Eose  of 
York  "  about  growing  Snowdrops  in  grassland, 
and  the  answers  may  be  useful  to  others. 

1.  "  Will  Snowdrops  planted  in  fairly  long 
grass  in  an  orchard  and  other  similar  places 
increase  if  they  are  allowed  to  go  to  seed  ? " 

If  the  Snowdrops  are  doing  well,  and  the  soil 
and  situation  suit  them,  I  do  not  find  that 
seeding  interferes  with  the  increase  of  bulbs. 
If  the  Snowdrops  were  weakly,  then  no  doubt  - 
the  prevention  of  seeding  (but  preserving  the 
leaves  to  ripen  naturally)  would  help  to 
strengthen  the  bulbs. 

2.  "  Does  seeding  weaken  the  bulbs  ?  " 

If  the  bulbs  are  healthy  and  strong,  and  make 
good  growth,  seeding  does  not  appear  to 
weaken  them.  If  the  bulbs  are  weakly  and 
making  poor  growth,  then  no  doubt  the  pre- 
vention of  seeding  would  be  an  advantage. 

.3.  "  Would  it  be  a  better  plan  to  transplant 
the  Snowdrops  every  few  years,  of  course  by  ■ 
dividing  the  clumps  ?  " 


212 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Maech  26,   1904. 


Where  tlie  Snowdrops  do  well,  and  the  bulbs 
increase  freely  year  by  year,  no  doubt  the  best 
way  to  increase  the  stock  is  to  lift  and  divide 
the  clumps  when  they  get  crowded  with  bulbs 
or  too  thick  in  the  ground. 

4.  "  Kose  of  York  "  says  "  he  hardly  thinks 
it  worth  while  to  leave  Snowdrops  to  seed,  and 
that  the  best  way  would  be  to  divide  and 
transplant  the  clumps  every  fourth  year  or  so." 

This  question  has  been  partly  answered  in 
the  reply  to  No.  3,  but  with  reference  to 
leaving  the  Snowdrops  to  seed,  I  presume  it  is 
intended  to  increase  the  stock  by  that  means. 
A  good  deal  would  depend  on  the  fitness  of  the 
ground  surface  where  the  seeds  fell  for  the 
germination  of  the  seed.  If  growing  among 
rough  tangled  grass  the  young  seedlings  might 
get  choked  or  the  seeds  fail  to  germinate. 
Birds  appear  to  eat  a  good  deal  of  the  seed,  and 
colonies  of  Snowdrops  frequently  make  their 
appearance  under  the  trees  where  they  roost. 
Trusting  to  natural  seeding  is  rather  a  slow 
and  sometimes  an  erratic  means  of  increasing 
Snowdrops.  Increase  by  bulbs  is  always  surer, 
and  the  more  satisfactory  method  of  multi- 
plying stock.  D.  Melville. 

Dunrohin  Castle  Gardens. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Intekesting  Plants  in  Flower. 


reticulata,  Clianthus  puniceus,  Hippeastrums 
in  variety,  Leptospermum  scoparium,  Primula 
verticillata,  and  many  other  things. 

Alpine  House. 

Anemone  Pulsatilla,  Auriculas  in  variety. 
Crocus  Malyi,  Draba  Aizoon,  D.  aizoides,  I), 
rigida,  Erythronium  citrinum,  E.  grandiflorum 
var.  giganteum,  Fritillaria  aurea,  F.  citrina. 
Primula  denticulata,  P.  d.  var.  alba,  Piomulea 
Bulbocodium,  K.  rosea,  Saxifraga  oppositifolia 
var.  rubra,  S.  scardica,  Scilla  bifolia,  Tulipa 
kaufmanniana,  T.  violacea,  and  Valeriana 
arizonica. 

Rock  Garden  and  Bulb  Borders. 

Anemone  blanda,  A.  Hepatica,  Draba  cuspi- 
data,  Fritillaria  askabadensis,  F.  Elwesii. 
Helleborus  viridis,  Iberis  gibraltarica,  Saxifraga 
apiculata,  S.  Kotschyi,  S.  Salomon!,  S.  sancta, 
and  Tulipa  kaufmanniana. 

Arboretum. 

Corylopsis  himalayana,  C.  spicata,  Erica 
arborea,  Nuttallia  cerasiformis,  and  Parrotia 
persica. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


Temperate  House. 
Acacia,  leprosa,  A.  verticillata  var.  ovida, 
and  many  others,  Arctotis  aspera  var.  alba, 
Barosma  foetidissinja,  Clematis  indivisa, 
Clianthus  puniceus,  Coriaria  nepalensis,  Cre- 
villea  linearis,  G.  sericea,  Harden bergia  comp- 
toniana,  Lissanthe  strigosa,  Melaleuca  densa, 
Meryta  Denhami,  Pomaderris  vaccinifolia, 
Pihododendron  arboreum,  and  Pi.  ciliatum. 

Palm  House. 
Barringtonia  samoensis. 

Succulent  House. 
Aloe      percrassa,      Cereus       amecamensis, 
Cotyledon     pulvinata,    Gasterias    in     variety, 
Kalanchoe  carnea,  and  Protea  cynaroides. 

Orchid  Houses. 
Amblostoma  cernuum,  Angrivcum  sander- 
ianum,  Ansellia  africana,  Catasetum  barbatum, 
Coelogyne  flaccida,  C.  liuettneriana,  C.  lenti- 
ginosa,  Dendrobium  Boxallii,  D.  timbriatum 
var.  oculatum,  D.  gracilicaule,  D.  infundi- 
bulum,  D.  Johnsome,  D.  linguiforme,  D. 
Luma,  D.  Madonna,  D.  spathaceum,  D. 
Williamsoni  and  others,  Epidendrum  chioneum, 
.Goodyera  procera,  Masdevallia  fulvescens,  M. 
melanopus,  M.  schicederiana,  !M.  triangularis, 
Maxillaria  arachnites,  M.  houtteana,  M.  picta, 
M.  sanguinea,  Oncidium  concolor,  O.  lamelli- 
gerum,  O.  phymatochilum,  O.  splendidum, 
Pelexia  olivasea,  Pholidota  clypeata,  Pleuro- 
thallis  astrophora,  Polystachya  bracteosa, 
P.  rhadoptera,  P.  pubescens,  Selenipedium 
Titanum,  Satyrium  coriifolium,  S.  odorum, 
Scuticaria  Hadweni,  Spathoglottis  aureo- 
Villardii,  Spiranthes  elata,  Stelis  Miersii, 
Vanda  suavis,  and  V.  tricolor. 

T  Range. 
Caraguata  cardinalis,  Clerodendron  myrme- 
cophilum,  Erica  versicolor  var.  excelsa,  Freesia 
Armstrongii,  F.  kewensis,  Melasphierula 
graminea,  Ornithogalum  biflorum,  Sarracenias 
in  variety,  Tillandsia  Lindeni,  and  T.  splendens. 

Greeiihouse. 
Acacia    hastulata,    A.    pulchella,     Boronia 
megastigma,    Callistemon    salignus,    Camellia 


FOETHCOMING  EVENTS. 

April  5. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Jleeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

April  12. — Brighton  Horticultural  Show  (two 
days). 

April  13.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

April  19. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Meeting 
(National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society's  Show). 

Aprif  21. — Norwich  and  Birmingham  Daffodil 
Shows  (two  days). 

April  26. — Birmingham  Auricula  Show. 

April  27. — Chesterfield  Spring  Show. 

May  3. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Meeting. 


The   Orehid    Stud   BooK.— This  work 

has  been  compiled  by  Messrs.  R.  A.  Rolfe,  A.L.S., 
and  C.  C.  Hurst,  F.L.S.,  with  the  object  of  pro- 
viding a  list  of  existing  Orchid  hybrids,  arranged 
on  a  uniform  system,  giving  the  adopted  name, 
parentage,  original  publication,  with  a  reference  to 
published  figures,  or  other  important  additional 
information,  raiser  or  exhibitor,  date  of  appear- 
ance, and  the  synonymy.  It  is  divided  into  two 
parts,  Part  I.  giving  an  alphabetical  list  of  parents 
with  the  names  of  resulting  hybrids,  and  Part  II. 
an  alphabetical  list  of  hybrids  on  the  plan  above 
mentioned.  The  work  also  aims  at  providing  a 
standard  of  nomenclature  for  Orchid  hybrids,  as 
well  as  a  ready  means  of  ascertaining  what  hybrids 
have  already  been  raised,  and  for  these  reasons  it 
is  hoped  that  it  will  be  supported  by  those  inter- 
ested in  this  fascinating  branch  of  orchidology.  In 
order  to  prevent  the  work  from  becoming  out  of 
date  it  is  intended  to  record  all  additions  as  they 
appear  in  monthly  supplements  in  the  Orchid 
Seviex;  and  these  would  naturally  be  incorporated 
in  the  body  of  the  work  in  the  event  of  a  second 
edition  being  called  for  at  a  future  period.  It  is 
hoped  that  this  work  will  prove  an  effective  means 
of  checking  the  rapidly  growing  confusion  in  the 
nomenclature  of  hybrids,  which  so  many  deplore, 
and  which  we  believe  has  largely  arisen  from  the 
difficulty  of  ascertaining  what  hybrids  have  already 
been  raised. 

AVintep  -  flowering     Heaths.  —  Few 

plants  flower  more  persistently  than  some  of  the 
winter-flowering  Heaths,  the  weather  appears  to 
affect  them  scarcely  at  ail.  A  bed  of  Erica  medi- 
terranea  h3'brida  has  been  in  full  bloom  for  some  two 
months  past,  and  it  is  still  as  bright  as  ever.  This 
is  a  free  blooming,  strong  growing  Heather,  bearing 
many  more  flowers  on  a  spike  and  lighter  in  colour 
than  E.  carnea.  Although  usually  in  Britain  this 
Heath  grows  only  about  18  inches  to  2  feet  high, 


in  the  South  of  France  it  grows  as  freely  as  the 
Laurustinus  does  at  home,  and  has  there  been 
recommended  as  a  hedge  plant.  There  are  several 
varieties  of  E.  mediterranea,  for  instance,  E.  ni. 
glauca  with  glaucous  foliage  and  almost  while 
flowers,  and  E.  m.  nana,  quite  a  dwarf  plant.  Erica 
carnea  is  now  in  flower  also,  and  a  patch  of  it  makes 
a  delightful  display  in  the  front  of  the  shrubberj- 
border  or  in  a  bed  by  itself.  The  pink  flowers  are 
closely  set  on  the  stem,  and  their  beauty  is  much 
enhanced  by  the  protruding  dark  brown  anthers. 
E.  carnea  alba  is  of  dwarfer  habit  of  growth.  Erica 
arborea  is  just  beginning  to  open.  This  Heath  is 
a  graceful  plant,  and  even  out  of  flower  is  note- 
worthy, as  also  is  the  rich  green  foliage  and  erect 
growth  of  E.  lusitanica. — A.  P.  H. 
Cpoeuses    in    Prinees    Street 

Gardens,  Edinburgh.— Among  the  many 
improvements  effected  in  the  Edinburgh  Public 
Gardens  since  the  appointment  of  Mr.  J.  W. 
M'Hattie  as  City  Gardener  few  have  given  greater 
pleasure  to  the  inhabitants  of  Edinburgh  than  the 
introduction  of  displays  of  spring  flowers  in  the 
Princes  Street  Gardens.  Last  year  the  Crocuses 
were  much  admired,  a  number  having  been  planted 
through  the  kindness  of  a  gentleman  who  gave  a 
considerable  sum  to  provide  them  as  an  experiment. 
So  satisfactory  was  the  issue  that  last  autumn 
many  more  were  planted,  with  the  lesult  that  for 
some  time  the  display  has  been  very  beautiful. 
The}'  are  planted  either  in  masses  of  one  colour  or 
in  mixed  colours,  and  the  effect,  particularlj'  of  the 
well-known  Golden  Yellow  Crocus,  has  been  really 
fine  when  viewed  from  the  Mound  or  the  North 
Bridge,  and  from  several  other  points  of  vantage 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  city  from  Princes 
Street. 

Flower  fete  in  Dublin.— "La  Floralie" 

is  the  name  Lady  Ardilaun  has  chosen  for  her 
flower  fete,  which  takes  place  on  April  14  and  15- 
in  Dublin,  in  aid  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society.  Lady  Ardilaun  will  preside  over  the 
Leinster  stall,  where  the  flowers  from  St.  Anne's, 
Clontarf,  and  from  Ashford,  Lord  Ardilaun'a  Gal- 
way  estate,  will  be  on  sale.  Lady  Castlerosse  will 
superintend  the  Munster  stall,  Ladj'  Ashtown,  who 
is  noted  as  a  Rose  grower,  will  represent  Con- 
naught,  and  the  young  Ladj'  Leitrira,  who  has 
done  very  little  in  a  public  way  since  her  marriage 
two  years  ago,  will  take  charge  of  the  Ulster 
section. 

Leontice  Altaerti. — The  most  showy  and 
distinct  species  of  this  genus  is  L.  Leontopetalum. 
This  plant,  however,  is  seldom  met  with,  owing  to 
the  difficulty  experienced  in  its  successful  culti- 
vation, the  tubers  being  unable  to  withstand  our 
damp  climate  in  winter  except  under  the  most 
favourable  conditions  and  in  a  warm,  dry  situation. 
The  subject  of  this  note  is  a  native  of  Turkestan, 
and  its  discovery  is  due  to  Albert  Regel,  who 
found  it  on  the  Western  Alatan  Jlountains.  To 
him  we  are  indebted  for  several  good  garden  plants 
from  the  same  countrj',  and  the.  present  plant 
takes  its  specific  name  from  him.  It  is  closely 
allied  to  the  older  and  better-known  L.  altaica, 
and  may  be  broadly  described  as  a  large  form  of 
tliat  species.  Introduced  into  this  country  nearly 
twenty  years  ago,  it  has  not  become  a  popular 
plant,  and  is  still  rare  in  gardens,  being  mostly 
limited  to  botanical  collections.  It  is,  however, 
perfectly  hardy,  and  given  a  dry,  warm  position  in 
sandy  loam,  planted  so  that  the  tuber  is  not  buried 
beneath  the  soil,  it  makes  a  prettj'  plant,  coming 
into  flower  early  in  March.  The  tubers  are  some- 
what like  a  Cyclamen  corm,  depressed  at  the  top, 
from  which  arise  several  stems  and  leaves.  The 
stems  attain  a  height  of  (i  inches  or  S  inches,  are 
naked  below,  with  a  pair  of  trisected  leaves  just 
below  the  conical  raceme  of  yellow  flowers.  The 
sepals  are  the  most  attractive  part  of  tlie  flower, 
and  they  are  six  in  number.  They  are  yellow, 
and  marked  with  red-brown  lines  on  the  back. — 
W.  I. 

Staking  Carnations.— The  illustration 

on  page  228  is  from  a  photograph  taken  in  the 
famous  Carnation  nurseries  of  Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton. 
Bexley  Heath,  and  shows  an  improved  method  of 
staking  Carnations,  designed  and  patented  by  Mr. 
Dutton. 


March  26,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


213 


Lachenalia  convallarioides.— Never 

was  plant  more  happily  named  than  this  South 
African  Lachenalia,  for  the  small  bell-shaped 
drooping  flowers  bear  a  great  resemblance  to  the 
Lily  of  the  Valley.  They  are  white,  tipped  with 
green,  and  are  produced  in  an  erect  raceme  some 
9  inches  high.  Several  bulbs  grown  in  a  3  inch  pot 
make  a  charming  display,  the  long,  thick,  rich 
green  leaves,  and  Lilj'  of  the  Valley-like  flowers 
are  so  unique  as  to  attract  attention  at  once. 
Another  valuable  Lachenalia  now  in  bloom  is 
L.  Nelsoni,  which  bears  strong  erect  racemes  of 
large  pendent,  flowers  of  a  clear  canary-yellow 
colour.  For  general  culture  this  may  be  said  to  be 
the  best.— A.  P.  H. 
Freesia     Apmstpongii.  —  This    is     a 

charming  Freesia,  and  one  that  is  not  yet  to  be 
generally  seen  in  gardens  unfortunately.  It  is 
quite  safe  to  predict,  however,  that  when  it 
becomes  cheaper  and  better  known  few  will  care 
to  be  without  it.  The  petals  are  rosy  lilac,  the 
throat  is  white,  and  at  the  base  of  it  there  is  a  patch 
of  yellow.  As  many  as  seven  flowers  are  borne  in 
a  raceme  produced  by  a  well  grown  bulb.  This 
Freesia  is  now  in  flower.  Another  one  even  more 
rarely  seen  is  F.  Kewensis,  a  garden  hybrid, 
evidently  with  Armstrongii  as  one  of  its  parents. 
It  is  a  striking  flower,  the  lobes  of  the  petals  rose- 
pink,  and  tne  throat  yellow — a  yellow  so  intense 
as  to  show  through  to  the  outside.  This  hybrid 
grows  strongly.  I  have  counted  eight  flowers  upon 
one  raceme,  which  speaks  well  for  its  vigorous 
constitution.  The  Freesias  are  among  the  most 
valuable  winter  flowers  for  the  greenhouse,  and  the 
above-mentioned  sorts  deserve  to  be  widely  known 
on  account  of  their  beautiful  colouring  and  the 
welcome  variety  they  provide  from  the  universally 
grown  F.  refracta  alba. — A.  P.  H. 

Poop     quality    in    last    season's 

Potatoes. — There  is  certainly  ample  room  for 
the  new  National  Potato  Society  to  work  in  the 
direction  of  getting  varieties  of  better  quality,  as  I 
never  remember  a  worse  season  in  this  respect.  It 
is  only  fair  to  add,  however,  that  the  home  grower 
is  not  to  blame  in  many  cases  ;  it  is  the  cheap 
imported  tubers  that  are  of  such  wretched  quality. 
Owing  to  the  short  crop  the  importer  this  year  can 
send  us  anything,  but  this  should  not  be  so  when 
we  have  the  means  at  home  to  grow  varieties  of 
much  better  quality;  indeed,  in  many  counties  the 
land  would  grow  splendid  tubers.  I  do  hope  the 
Potato  Society  will  take  Ireland  into  serious 
consideration.  Splendid  results  could  be  obtained 
there  if  more  attention  were  paid  to  rotation  of 
crops  and  change  of  seed.  We  have  noticed  that 
Potatoes  lifted  early,  when  the  tops  were  diseased 
or  ripened  prematurely,  are  much  poorer  than 
those  left  until  October,  the  usual  date.  It  was 
risky,  but  it  proved  the  right  course,  as  of  those 
lifted  early  quite  half  got  diseased  afterwards, 
whereas  with  those  lifted  in  October  we  did  not 
lose  1  cwt.  in  a  ton,  and  the  cooking  quality  is 
greatly  superior.  — G.  W.  S. 

National    Chpysan themum 

Society.  —  This  society  is  making  a  new 
departure,  and  adding  one  more  to  the  number  of 
exhibitions  in  its  programme  for  the  present  year, 
by  arranging  for  an  exhibition  of  market  Chrysan- 
themums, an  aspect  of  Chrysanthemum  culture 
which  has  developed  into  a  huge  industry.  The 
market  growers  and  salesmen  have  been  approached 
in  the  matter,  and  several  representative  men  have 
given  in  their  consent  to  the  scheme.  A  special 
committee  has  been  appointed,  of  which  Mr. 
Robert  Ballantine  is  chairman,  to  arrange  the 
details  and  carry  out  such  an  exhibition.  On 
consultation  with  the  market  growers  and  sales- 
men, the  date  for  this  unique  exhibition  has  been 
fixed  for  Wednesday,  December  14  next,  and,  as  it 
appeared  desirable  the  display  should  take  place 
as  near  Covent  Garden  as  possible,  the  large  Essex 
Hall,  E-isex  Street,  Strand,  has  been  engaged  for 
the  purpose.  A  preliminary  schedule  of  prizes  has 
been  prepared  and  issued  among  those  immediately 
interested  in  the  matter.  An  explanatory  circular 
accompanies  the  schedule,  in  which  it  is  set  forth 
that  should  the  response  to  the  appeal  for  assist- 
ance be  adequate,  additions  will  be  made  to  the 
schedule  of  prizes.     The  prizes  to  be  awarded  will 


be  the  medals  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society.  Though  to  be  held  with  the  sanction  and 
under  the  auspices  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society,  the  expenses  of  the  market  show  will  be 
defrayed  by  voluntary  contributions,  a  sufficiently 
large  sum  being  already  subscribed  to  justify  the 
committee  in  issuing  the  preliminary  schedule  of 
prizes  of  seven  classes,  of  which  three  are  set  apart 
for  market  growers,  viz.,  (1)  a  collection  of  market 
Chrysanthemums  in  bunches,  disbudded,  to  fill  a 
table  space  of  12  feet  by  3  feet,  the  bunches  to  be 
shown  in  vases  ;  (2)  twelve  vases  of  market  Chry- 
santhemums, in  not  less  than  six  varieties,  twelve 
blooms  in  a  vase,  disbudded  ;  and  (.3)  twelve  vases 
of  market  Chrysanthemums,  in  not  less  than  six 
varieties,  not  disbudded.  The  blooms  exhibited 
in  the  three  foregoing  classes  must  have  been 
grown  by  the  exhibitors.  Class  4  is  similarly 
worded  to  Class  1,  and  is  open  to  nurserymen  and 
Chrysanthemum  specialists.  Class  5  is  similarly 
worded,  and  is  for  market  salesmen.  The  remain- 
ing two  classes  are  open  to  all.  One  is  for  the 
best  novelty  in  market  Chrysanthemums  not  intro- 
duced prior  to  1904,  and  it  can  be  shown  as  a  plant 
or  in  a  cut  state  ;  but  if  in  the  latter  character,  it 
is  desirable  as  much  evidence  as  possible  be  forth- 
coming of  the  habit  of  growth.  The  other  is  for 
the  best  packed  two  boxes  of  cut  market  Chrysan- 
themums, one  a  box  of  blooms,  the  other  a  box  of 
bunches.  The  market  contributions  will  be  on 
view  during  the  afternoon  and  evening  both,  so  as 
to  be  judged  both  by  daylight  and  under  artificial 
light.  The  latter  will  afford  an  opportunity  for 
determining  the  colours  most  effective  under  the 
electric  light. 

THE    FIRST    VIOLET. 

When  I  espied  the  first  Violet  of  blue, 
How  sweet  was  its  scent,  and  liow  lovely  its  hue. 
The  herald  of  spring  time  I  joyfully  pressed 
With  a  hopeful  heart  to  my  swelling  breast. 

The  spring  is  over  ;  tlie  Violet  is  dead — 

The  Violet  is  dead. 
Clay  (lowers  bloom  round  me,  blue  and  red, 
But  scarce  do  I  see  them,  or  hear  the  birds  sing, 
For  the  Violet  appears  in  a  dream  of  spring — 
In  a  dream  of  spring. 

Sydney  Hesselkigge. 
—(From  the  German  of  Egon  Ebert.) 


IpiS  fOStePiana.— From  Gulran  in 
Afghanistan  comes  this  precious  early  March- 
flowering  species.  It  is  unmistakably  a  choice 
plant,  and  is  well  suited  for  a  very  warm  position 
in  the  open.  The  striated  leaves  appear  at  the 
same  time  as  the  flower,  which  is  most  usually 
solitary  on  a  stem  6  inches  or,  in  very  strong  bulbs, 
9  inches  high.  It  is  interesting  to  remark  that 
quite  small  bulbs  produce  a  flower  of  useful  size. 
The  flower  is  nearly  '2  inches  across  ;  the  leaves  are 
at  first  flat,  but  strongly  channelled  in  the  upper 
half,  deep  shining  green,  with  the  margin  con- 
spicuously striated.  The  dominant  colour  of  the 
falls  and  styles  is  yellow,  the  deflexed  standards, 
which  are  large  for  the  size  of  the  plant,  being 
reddish  violet  or  purple.  Not  only  in  colour,  but 
equally  in  size,  are  these  standards  of  more  than 
ordinary  interest,  and  it  is  remarkable  that  the 
species  is  not  abundant.  I  am  indebted  to  Messrs. 
Cutbuah  for  a  flower  of  this  charming  Iris. — E.  J. 

Childpen's  flowep  show  at  Dundee. 

Some  time  ago  the  criticisms  directed  against  the 
children's  flower  show  at  Dundee  were  referred  to 
in  The  Garden.  Whatever  justification  there 
may  have  been  for  the  statements  made  that  the 
flowers  were  not  always  cultivated  by  the  children 
in  whose  names  they  were  entered,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  the  show  is  immensely  popular  with  the 
young  people.  This  year's  show  took  place  in  the 
large  Drill  Hall  on  the  12th  inst. ,  and  the  increased 
nuiiiiber  of  exhibits  evidenced  the  pleasure  and 
interest  taken  in  the  exhibition  by  the  children 
and  their  parents.  The  array  of  flowers  was  sur- 
prising, and  in  many  cases  the  quality  was  of  a 
high  order.  Hyacinths  were  by  far  the  most 
numerous,  but  Crocuses  and  Daffodils  were  also 
shown  in  considerable  numbers.  Lord  Provost 
Barrie  presided  at  the  opening  ceremony,  which  | 


was  performed  in  a  graceful  manner  by  Mrs.  W.  G. 
Baxter.  There  was  a  large  attendance  of  members 
of  the  School  Board  and  other  public  bodies,  and  the 
opinion  was  freely  expressed  that  the  cultivation 
of  flowers  by  the  school  children  of  Dundee  was 
deserving  of  every  encouragement. — S. 

Spping-  floweps    at  Cpoydon.  —  An 

exhibition  of  spring  flowers,  Daffodils  being 
especially  encouraged,  will  take  place  at  the  Art 
Galleries,  Park  Lane,  Croydon,  on  Wednesday, 
April  20  next.  The  admission  is  free,  the  desire 
being  to  encourage  a  love  of  horticulture  in  every 
possible  way  in  the  district.  The  hon.  secretary  is 
Mr.  H.  Boshier,  62,  High  Street,  Croydon. 

Rye  distPict  flowep  show."— The  second 

exhibition  has  been  fixed  for  August  .30  next.  It 
is  pleasant  to  know  that  the  society  is  not  in  debt, 
in  spite  of  a  very  wet  day  for  the  first  venture. 
The  president  of  this  society  is  Mr.  H.  E.  Burra, 
C.C. ,  J. P.,  and  the  hon.  secretaries  are  Messrs. 
F.  H.  Chapman  and  J.  L.  Deacon.  < 

Dielytpa  spectabilis  as  a  pot  plant. 

Undoubtedly  this  is  one  of  the  most  showy  and 
useful  of  spring  flowering  plants  both  in  the  open 
border  and  under  glass.  Its  easy  culture  adds 
much  to  its  value.  It  may  be  had  in  bloom  quite 
early  in  the  year,  and  lends  itself  to  many  uses. 
Few  plants  give  more  effect  than  this  when  well 
placed.  To  see  it  at  its  best  it  should  be  on  a, 
raised  position.  This  was  brought  forcibly  to  my 
notice  on  two  occasions  recently.  In  Forde  Abbey 
now  (the  9th  inst.)  we  have  a  large  plant,  3  feet  to- 
4  feet  each  way,  standing  in  a  vase,  and  several 
smaller  ones  in  other  similar  situations.  In  Messrs 
Sutton's  nursery  recently  I  noticed  they  had  put 
plants  into  a  hanging  basket  with  good  results.  I 
have  seen  the  Dielytra  growing  on  raised  places 
in  the  open  garden  with  equally  good  effect.  Some 
think  this  plant  unsuitable  for  furnishing,  but  this 
depends  to  a  large  degree  upon  the  way  it  is 
grown.  We  make  a  point  of  growing  them  in  a 
light  airy  place.  In  this  way  they  grow  firmly, 
and  are  very  different  to  those  brought  forward  in 
a  close  house.  Plants  grown  thus  remain  in  the 
Abbey  three  or  four  weeks  by  changing  their 
positions. — J.  Crook. 

IPiS  Petieulata.— With  each  succeeding 
year  one  rejoices  to  see  the  richly-coloured  blos- 
soms of  this  Iris.  The  netted  Iris,  so  called 
because  of  the  tracery  that  stamps  the  outer  coats 
or  tunics  of  its  bulbs,  cannot  be  grown  too  largely. 
It  is  beautiful  both  in  the  open  or  in  a  cold  house. 
Heat,  and  artificial  heat  especially,  is  hurtful. 
When  grown  without  artificial  warmth  it  is  an 
ideal  pot  plant,  as  may  be  seen  now  at  Kew,  where 
some  half  dozen  pots  are  devoted  to  it.  But  this 
early-flowering  Iris  has  always  been  a  favourite  at 
early  exhibitions,  and  it  is  nearly  thirty-five  years 
ago  since  I  first  took  pots  of  it  to  South  Kensing- 
ton and  the  Royal  Botanic  spring  shows  on  behalf 
of  the  late  Mr.  Robert  Parker  of  Tooting.  At 
Tooting  this  plant  produced  seeds  in  quantity,  a 
good  proof  of  its  well  doing.  At  the  time  of 
ripening  the  seed  capsule  is  acutely  pointed  at  each 
end,  and  at  the  same  period  the  leaves  would  be 
2  feet  or  more  long. — E.  .1. 

PPUnus  davldiana — This  is  the  earliest 
ornamental  flowering  Prunus  to  open  its  blossoms, 
and  it  is  on  that  account  a  most  welcome  shrub, 
and  one  that  might  advantageously  be  more 
generally  planted  in  shrubberies  and  other  parts  of 
the  garden.  It  is  seen  to  the  best  advantage  when 
placed  so  as  to  have  a  background  of  evergreen 
foliage,  such  as  Hollies,  Yews,  Evergreen  Oaks,  &c. 
There  is  a  tree  of  this  Prunus,  some  20  feet  high, 
now  in  flower  at  Kew.  It  is  planted  in  front  of 
a  semi-circular  belt  of  evergreens,  and  against  the 
dark  foliage  of  these  the  beautiful  pink  blossoms 
are  strikingly  contrasted.  The  ground  surface  for 
some  distance  around  is  covered  with  Euonymus 
radicans,  so  that  altogether  this  bit  of  careful 
planting  is  one  of  the  brightest  spots  in  Kew  at  the 
present  time.  There  is  a  white  form  of  P.  davidiana, 
which,  however,  is  not  so  satisfactory  as  the  type. 
P.  davidiana  does  well  under  glass,  and  makes  a 
capital  shrub  for  the  greenhouse. — A.  P.  H. 

StPelitzia  Reginse.  —  The  order  Scita- 
mineaj,  to  which  the  Strelitzias  belong,  contains 
many  showy  plants,  of  which  the  following  are 


214 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


examples  :  Musa,  Canna,  Alpinia,  Curcuma,  Hedy- 
chium,  Maraata,  and  Zingiber,  this  last  furnishing 
the  Ginger  of  commerce.  Attractive  as  many  of 
these  are  when  in  dower,  none  of  them  in  this 
respect  surpass  the  Strelitzia  above  noted.  This 
has  flowers  suggesting  in  shape  the  head  of  a  bird, 
and  brilliant  orange  and  purple  in  colour.  They 
also  remain  fresh  and  bright  a  considerable  time. 
From  a  foliage  point  of  view,  the  stout  leathery 
Canna  -  like  leaves  borne  on  long  petioles  are 
decidedly  ornamental  at  all  seasons.  The  flower- 
scape,  which  well  overtops  the  foliage,  sometimes 
branches  at  the  apex,  and  bears  a  succession  of 
striking  blossoms.  There  is  a  variety  citrina,  in 
which  the  orange  of  the  original  species  is  replaced 
by  a  citron  3'ellow.  Though  not  so  showy  as  the 
type,  its  distinctness  at  once  claims  attention.  It 
is  very  rare,  but  has  been  grown  at  Kew  for  many 
years,  and  was,  I  believe,  one  of  the  plants  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Watson  during  his  South  African 
tour.  This  Strelitzia  does  well  planted  out  in  a 
warm  greenhouse,  as  at  Kew,  while  it  may  also  be 
grown  in  large  pots  or  tubs.  A  good  soil  is 
necessary,  such  as  turfy  loam  two  parts,  well- 
decayed  manure  and  leaf-mould  one  part,  with  a 
liberal  sprinkling  of  rough  sand.  The  typical 
species  was  introduced  from  its  South  African  home 
as  long  ago  as  1773. — H.  P. 
Shrubs  and  hardy  plants    after 

forcing".  —  Nowadays,  when  so  many  hardy 
shrubs,  &c. ,  are  used  to  supply  cut  flowers  during 
the  early  part  of  the  year,  there  often  arises  the 
question  what  to  do  with  them  when  out  of  flower. 
So  very  much  depends  upon  whether  they  have 
been  grown  in  pots  or  specially  prepared  the  pre- 
vious season.  For  early  forcing  nothing  equals 
those  grown  in  pots  the  year  before.  They  then 
ripen  better,  and  have  a  potful  of  roots  to  supply 
their  needs.  When  taken  up  from  the  open  ground 
it  is  generally  just  the  opposite.  Those  imported 
when  well  prepared  are  satisfactory  when  brought 
on  slowly.  This  j'ear  we  had  grand  plants  in 
bloom  early  in  February  of  Azalea  mollis,  from 
plants  grown  in  pots  the  previous  season,  whereas 
imported  ones  were  greatly  inferior.  This  being 
so,  I  would  advise  potting  good  bushy  plants  that 
have  not  been  hard  forced,  placing  them  under 
glass  till  all  danger  from  frost  is  over,  when  they 
should  be  plunged  in  the  open.  It  is  exposure  to 
cold  when  taken  from  under  glass  that  ruins  them. 
Last  year  some  Azalea  mollis  in  pots  that  were  in 
the  open  and  started  early  into  growth  had  all 
their  young  growths  killed,  but  those  put  in  a  cold 
frame  and  kept  moist  soon  made  good  growth.  We 
have  Lilac  plants  that  have  been  in  pots  for  six 
years,  and  bloom  early  every  year,  but  these  have 
shelter  till  frost  is  over.  Any  that  are  not  fit  for 
another  year  should  be  planted  out  thickly.  The 
greater  portion  will  come  in  for  placing  in  borders 
oi"  for  growing  on  to  force  again. — J.  Crook. 
Plums,  Cherries,  and  Peaches  in 

flower  indoors. — Throughout  spring  the  con- 
servatory owes  much  to  outdoor  subjects,  for,  in 
addition  to  many  bulbous  and  herbaceous  plants 
which  are  really  hardy  but  have  been  forced  into 
bloom,  there  is  a  host  of  material  in  the  hardy  tree 
and  shrub  line  which  is  well  fitted  for  forcing  for 
indoor  decoration.  Among  those  of  the  latter 
nature  the  various  species  and  varieties  of  Prunus 
are  in  every  way  desirable,  as  much  from  their 
easy  culture  as  from  their  floriferous  character, 
many  of  them  blossoming  for  several  successive 
years  if  not  very  hard  forced,  and  providing  they 
are  kept  indoors  to  finish  their  growth  after  the 
flowers  are  over.  Of  the  many  cultivated  species 
and  varieties  the  following  will  be  found  to  be  the 
most  useful  for  the  purpose  under  notice :  P. 
japonioa  var.  fl. -pi.,  a  native  of  China  and  Japan, 
making,  when  mature,  large  bushes  5  feet  to  6  feet 
high.  The  flowers  are  double  white  and  thickly 
clothe  the  whole  of  the  previous  year's  wood. 
Though  it  grows  to  a  large  size  it  flowers  freely 
when  small,  and  excellent  specimens  can  be  obtained 
in  6-inch  and  7-inch  pots.  Layers  may  be  rooted 
outdoors,  and  if  put  down  in  March  they  may  be 
forced  the  following  winter.  It  can  be  had  in 
bloom  for  Christmas,  and  a  succession  can  be  kept 
up  until  the  end  of  March.  P.  triloba  var.  fl.-pl. 
ia  a  pretty  double  flowered  Chinese  plant,  and  very 


useful  for  this  work.  It  belongs  to  the  Apricot 
section  of  the  genus,  and  has  pretty  pink  flowers, 
which  are  nearly  an  inch  across.  It  can  be  flowered 
when  dwarf,  but  when  fully  grown  it  makes  a 
specimen  8  feet  high  and  the  same  through.  P. 
cerasifera  var.  atropurpurea,  perhaps  better  known 
as  P.  Pissardi,  forms  a  lovely  picture  when  studded 
over  with  pretty  white  blossoms  and  young  bronze- 
tinted  leaves  ;  it  is  not  used  for  forcing  so  much  as 
it  should  be.  P.  pseudo-cerasus  is  a  large-flowered 
Cherry,  with  flowers  often  "2  inches  across,  and 
varying  in  colour  from  white  to  deep  rose  ;  there 
are  numerous  forms  with  single  and  semi-double 
flowers,  one  of  the  richest  coloured  being  James 
H.  Veitch.  Other  suitable  Cherries  are  P.  Avium 
var.  fl.-pl.  and  P.  cerasus  var.  Rhexii  fl.-pl.,  both 
having  double  white  blossoms,  and  P.  acida  and  its 
varieties  with  single  white  flowers.  The  Almond 
(P.  Amygdalus)  can  be  forced  into  flower  early,  and 
makes  a  brave  show,  while  the  miniature  Almond 
(P.  nana)  is  useful,  as  it  blossoms  freely  when  but  a 
foot  or  so  high.  The  Peaches  are  a  host  in  them- 
selves, and  can  be  depended  upon  to  flower  well. 
There  are  a  great  many  varieties,  those  with  double 
flowers  being  the  most  suitable,  and  these  may  be 
had  with  white,  pink,  rose,  or  red  blooms.  Of  the 
newer  species  P.  subhirtella  bids  fair  to  be  valuable 
for  forcing  when  it  becomes  better  known,  for  it 
produces  its  blossoms  freely  and  forces  readily. 
To  have  these  things  at  their  best  they  should  be 
grown  in  pots  in  a  similar  way  to  trees  in  pots  for 
fruiting,  taking  care  to  mature  the  wood  before 
turning  them  out  of  doors.  If  signs  of  deteriora- 
tion appear  a  year  or  two  in  the  nursery  will  often 
suffice  to  rejuvenate  them.  Though  the  sorts  men- 
tioned by  no  means  exhaust  the  list,  they  serve  to 
show  what  a  wide  field  for  selection  the  genus 
Prunus  ofi'ers  for  forcing. — W.  D.^llimoke. 

Erica  carnea,  Crocus  Sieberi,  and 

C.  reticulata. — In  a  note  in  last  week's 
Garden  I  see  that  "A.  P.  H."  is  as  interested  as  I 
am  in  winter  combinations  of  flowers,  and  suggests 
Erica  and  Snowdrops.  I  have  for  many  years  made 
use  of  Erica  carnea  for  winter  beds,  and  I  think  the 
spaces  between  make  cosy  corners  for  all  kinds  of 
spring  bulbs  ;  but  the  beds  I  like  best  are  those  of 
Erica  carnea  filled  up  with  the  lovely  Crocus 
Sieberi  and  C.  reticulata.  There  is  something 
wonderfully  harmonious  in  the  colouring  of  these 
lovely  delicate  mauve  Crocuses  and  the  somewhat 
wintry  brown  shade  of  the  Erica  foliage  with  its 
delicate  pink  flower-buds.  The  lilac  Crocus  fades 
before  the  full  Erica  blossom  comes  out  to  take  the 
leading  note  of  colour. — A.  J.  B.,  Harrow-on-the- 
Hill. 
Winter  pruning  competition.— This 

annual  event  of  the  Madresfield  Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  Club  took  place  at  the  Cherry 
Orchard  Farm  recently.  The  trees  were  of  the 
ordinary  farm  orchard  type,  probably  twenty 
years  planted,  and  which  had  been  somewhat 
neglected  hitherto,  chiefly  Blenheim  Orange,  War- 
ner's King,  Dumelow's  Seedling,  and  King  of 
Pippins.  These  annual  competitions  are  held  at 
the  close  of  the  course  of  the  pruning  demonstra- 
tions and  technical  instruction  of  the  club.  The 
competition  is  open  free  to  all  members  or  their 
nominees,  whether  on  the  Madresfield  estates  or 
otherwise,  and  is  divided  into  three  classes,  viz.  : 
Class  1,  farm  hands  ;  Class  2,  open  to  other  than 
farm  hands ;  Class  3,  the  champion  class,  open  to 
those  who  have  previously  won  a  first  prize  in 
the  open  class.  Two  stewards  (practical  men)  are 
appointed  previously  to  allot  trees  varying  as 
much  as  possible  as  regards  their  pruning  require- 
ments, but,  on  the  other  hand,  necessitating  about 
the  same  amount  of  work.  Each  competitor  is 
allotted  three  trees,  and  allowed  two  and  a-half 
hours  in  which  to  prune  them.  The  trees  having 
all  been  previously  numbered,  a  ballot  is  held  and 
the  signal  is  given  to  commence.  The  judging  was 
again  entrusted  to  the  very  capable  hands  of  Mr. 
.James  Dawes,  gardener  to  Lord  Biddulph  of  Led- 
bury, who  has  had  large  practical  experience  in 
this  particular  class  of  work,  and  whose  awards,  it 
is  needless  to  say,  gave  every  satisfaction.  A  large 
number  of  farmers  and  fruit  growers  were  present, 
and  took  a  very  keen  interest  in  the  proceedings. 
There   were    thirteen    competitors    in    the    three 


classes,  some  of  whom  appeared  to  have  partisans 
of  a  sporting  character.  As  each  tree  was  finished 
by  the  respective  pruners  the  judge  made  his  notes 
for  and  against  good  work,  but  the  final  awards 
were  not  read  out  until  seven  o'clock,  in  the 
schoolroom,  when  Mr.  Dawes  gave  a  lecture  upon 
"Pruning."  He  then  most  lucidly  explained  the 
many  interesting  features,  jaro  and  con.,  of  the  work 
done  by  the  various  competitors  to  a  large  and 
intelligent  audience.  Many  pertinent  questions 
were  asked,  and  a  profitable  discussion  was  the 
general  verdict  for  the  evening.  The  following 
was  the  list  of  prize-winners  :  Class  I,  farm  hands  : 
First,  J.  S.  Powell;  second,  .1.  Hall.  Class  2,  open 
to  other  than  farm  hands  :  First,  A.  Bradshaw. 
Class  3,  champion  class:  First,  C.  F.  Crump; 
second,  H.  Bishop.  It  was  curious  to  hear  the 
openly-expressed  opinions  of  the  large  number  of 
spectators  during  the  afternoon,  and  to  find  how 
correctly  many  had  prejudged  the  work  of  the 
pruners,  which  goes  far  to  show  the  amount  of 
sound  information  the  club  is  spreading  broadcast 
throughout  the  district. — W.  Crump,  Madresfield 
Court. 

Begonia  Perle  Lorraine.— This  is  quite 

distinct  from  anything  I  am  acquainted  with.  As 
grown  at  Messrs.  T.  Cripps  and  Sons'  nurseries, 
Tunbridge  Wells,  it  was  most  attractive.  Plants 
about  18  inches  high  were  smothered  with  soft 
fiesh-coloured  flowers.  The  largest  leaves,  on 
rather  long  stalks,  are  about  6  inches  by  3  inches, 
of  a  deep  bronzy  green,  the  under  side  marbled 
with  dark  red,  which  shows  through.  The  same 
plants  have  been  flowering  for  some  weeks,  and 
they  appear  likely  to  continue  for  some  time  to 
come.  It  succeeds  well  in  a  temperature  of  from 
55"  to  65",  and  may  be  flowered  well  in  compara- 
tively small  pots.  The  plants  referred  to  above 
were  propagated  from  cuttings  early  last  spring, 
and  have  made  a  free  healthy  growth,  with  the 
result  that  now,  at  flowering  time,  the  true  value 
of  the  variety  is  seen. — A.  Hemst-et. 

CornUS  IVIaS.- This  spring-flowering  shrub 
is  very  much  neglected,  and  yet  it  is  one  that 
ought  to  be  in  every  garden  of  any  size.  It  is  a 
native  of  Europe,  perfectly  hardy,  and  is  always  at 
home  in  any  soil  or  situation.  It  makes  a  large 
bush,  with  slender,  much-divided  branches,  which 
are  covered  in  March  with  clusters  of  tiny  golden- 
yellow  flowers  ;  these  are  individuall}'  small,  but 
very  striking  in  the  mass.  In  a  favourable  season 
these  are  followed  by  the  bright  red  fruits,  which 
are  about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  oval 
in  shape,  fleshy,  and  each  containing  one  hard, 
stony  seed.  They  are  ripe  in  the  autumn,  and 
from  their  colour  and  conspicuous  appearance  have 
earned  for  this  plant  the  name  of  Cornelian  Cherry. 
The  position  of  a  plant  in  a  garden  has  much  to 
do  with  its  popularity  or  otherwise,  and  this  is 
strikingly  shown  by  the  position  usually  assigned 
to  this  Cornel.  It  is  generally  in  a  shrubbery  in 
conjunction  with  other  deciduous  subjects,  or 
rising  above  low-growing  evergreens  where  its  true 
beauty  is  never  seen.  To  be  seen  at  its  best  it 
should  be  planted  in  front  of  some  dark  evergreens, 
such  as  Yews  or  Hollies,  which  show  up  the  delicate 
colouring  of  the  flowers.  There  are  five  varieties 
of  this  Cornus,  viz.  :  Var.  elegantissima,  which  has 
leaves  variegated  with  creamy  white,  and  strongly 
tinted  with  red  ;  var.  nana,  a  dwarf-growing  form, 
more  curious  than  beautiful ;  and  var.  variegata,  a 
striking  plant,  with  leaves  variegated  with  silvery 
white.  Vars.  fruotu-violaceo  and  xauthocarpa  have 
purplish  red  and  pale  yellow  fruits  respectively. 
Cornus  Mas  can  be  readily  propagated  by  seeds  or 
layers — the  green-leaved  varieties  by  layers,  while 
the  variegated  forma  do  best  when  grafted  on 
stocks  of  the  parent  plant. — J.  Clark,  Bagithol, 
Surrey. 

Maize  as  an  autumn  vegetable.— 

To  get  good  Indian  Corn  in  autumn  the  best  way 
is  to  sow  in  spring,  and  grown  thus  the  plant  gives 
little  trouble.  I  have  heard  it  stated  that  it  is 
useless  to  grow  the  Indian  Corn  in  this  country, 
and  this  is  true  as  regards  ripe  Corn,  but  this  does 
not  apply  to  the  use  of  Maize  as  a  vegetable,  espe- 
cially if  the  grower  can  sow  in  a  frame  and  trans- 
plant out  in  May.  The  plant  is  vory  tender,  and 
it  requires  warmth  and   moistur    io  perfect  the 


March  26,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


215 


green  cobs.  In  spite  of  the  cold  summer  last  year 
I  saw  some  splendid  home-grown  Maize  ;  the  seed 
was  sown  late  in  March,  and  planted  out  two 
months  later.  In  a  favourable  season  good  results 
follow  a  simple  rough-and-ready  mode  of  culture  ; 
that  is,  sowing  in  rich  soil  in  a  sunny  position  late 
in  April  or  early  in  ilay  in  rows  or  trenches  3  feet 
apart.  Place  the  seeds  (several  together)  18  inches 
apart,  and  when  well  above  the  soil  leave  all  but 
the  strongest.  Abundance  of  water  and  liquid 
manure  also  in  dry  seasons  will  build  up  fine  cobs, 
and  if  some  of  the  dwarfer  sorts  are  grown  they 
may  be  had  fit  for  the  table  in  September  or  earlier. 
It  may  be  thought  at  the  season  named  that  we 
have  no  lack  of  good  vegetables,  but  my  contention 
is  that  the  more  variety  available  the  more  interest 
is  taken  in  the  kitchen  garden.  In  these  days, 
when  owners  of  gardens  travel  about,  they  see  the 
value  of  such  vegetables,  and  if  home-grown  they 
are  certainly  appreciated  when  well  served. — G. 
Wythes. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


7  E  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
■widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and 
they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5, 
Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


A  New  Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium. 
Mr.  J.  Fisher,  the  Grove  Nursery,  Lewisham, 
sends  flowers  of  a  new  variety,  named  Princess  of 
Wales.  The  flowers  are  delicate  lilac-rose  in  colour, 
double,  but  the  petals  are  not  too  closely  packed, 
and  very  bright.  It  is  free  blooming,  and  one  of  its 
parents  is  Mrae.  Crousse. 

TnLIPA    KAUFMANNIANA. 

Mr.  Perry,  of  the  Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  Winch- 
more  Hill,  N.,  reminds  us  of  the  beauty  of  this 
Tulip  by  sending  a  boxful  of  flowers.  Curiously 
we  illustrated  this  species  last  week  from  a 
drawing  by  Mr.  Moon.  T.  kaufmanniana  is  a 
delicately  beautiful  Tulip ;  it  is  dainty  in  shape, 
and  the  colouring  is  fresh  and  unusual,  varying 
somewhat  according  to  the  variety,  one  has  more 
yellow  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  florets,  and 
another  a  broader  and  richer  striping  of  red  on  the 
outer  side,  but  this  only  increases  the  charm  of  a 
good  Tulip. 


A  Form  of  Anemone  cokonaria. 
Sir  Charles  Robinson,  C.B. ,  Newton  Manor, 
Swanage,  sends  an  abnormal  flower  of  a  scarlet 
Riviera  Anemone.  It  is  scarlet  and  white,  and  our 
correspondent's  suggestion  as  to  its  origin  is  pro- 
bably correct.  The  following  note  accompanied 
the  flower  :  "  I  enclose  a  bloom  of  scarlet  Riviera 
Anemone,  which  seems  to  me  rather  an  abnormal 
one,  and  is  in  any  case  very  beautiful.  When  first 
gathered  the  petals  were  reflexed  in  a  quite  regular 
way,  giving  the  flower  a  very  unusual  and  charming 
eflfect.  The  plant  is  a  very  young  one,  and  perhaps 
a  seedling.  It  is  in  close  proximity  to  a  large  bed 
of  St.  Brigid  Anemone.  Could  it  possibly  be  a 
hybrid  from  them  ? " 


Weee's  Perfection  Persian  Cyclamen. 
•  Mr.  R.  Milner,  Margam  Gardens,  Port  Talbot, 
sends  superb  flowers  of  the  Persian  Cyclamen  with 
the  following  note :  "This  strain  of  the  popular  Per- 
sian Cyclamen  is  really  perfection.  From  seed  sown 
in  July,  1902,  we  have  had  a  batch  of  plants  which 
have  been  admired  by  everyone  who  has  seen  them. 
Many  of  the  plants  carry  from  fifty  to  sixty  blooms 
each,  of  large  size  and  great  substance,  and  of  the 
most  charming  colours." 


Narcissus   Sprbngeri  vomerbnsis — A  New 
Hybrid. 

Mr.  William  Muller  sends  a  most  interesting 
contribution,  namely,  flowers  of  the  hybrid  Nar- 
cissus Sprengeri  vomerensis,  which  is  a  cross 
between  the  wild  Narcissus  N.  Pseudo-Narcissus 
and  N.  Tazetta.  Our  correspondent  describes  it  as 
"very  free  and  tall."  Unfortunately,  the  flowers 
were  somewhat  faded  when  we  received  them, 
otherwise  we  should  have  made  a  drawing  from 
them.  The  flowers  are  a  deep  golden  yellow 
colour,  generally  three  on  a  stalk,  and  very 
fragrant.  It  is  a  welcome  hybrid,  and  its  earliness 
counts  for  much. 

Arum  pal^stinum  tricolor. 
Mr.  Muller  also  sends  leaves  of  this  new  variety 
of  A.  palsestinum.  The  leaves  are  finely  varie- 
gated, and  have  much  beauty.  Our  correspondent 
says  "  the  plant  is  growing  here  (Vomero)  in  a 
half-shady  part  of  the  garden  of  Mr.  Sprenger  ;  it 
rivals  the  most  beautiful  Caladiums,  especially 
when  in  flower."  The  black  or  dark  brown  flowers, 
with  the  white  foliage,  are  very  distinct. 


A  Beautiful  Indoor  Rhododendron. 
Messrs.   Fisher,  Son,  and  Sibray,  Handsworth, 
near   Sheffield,   send   flowers   of   a   beautiful   new 
indoor  Rhododendron  raised  by  them  and  named 


THE     ROCK     GARDEN. 


EOCK   GARDEN-MAKING. 
X VII.— How  TO  Improve  Natural  Eocks. 

NATURE  is  so  perfect  in  her  works 
that  to  write  about  making  improve- 
ments on  natural  rocks  would  seem 
foolish.  Yet  it  often  happens  that 
a  piece  of  ground  as  left  by  Nature 
is  quite  unsuitable  for  both  garden- 
ing and  building  until  considerable  alterations 
have  been  effected.  Especially  is  this  the  case 
in  districts  where  steep  hills  and  natural  rocks 
abound.  To  obtain  a  level  spot  for  building 
the  house  under  such  circumstances  means  not 
infrequently  an  enormous  amount  of  excava- 
tion, and,  if  the  ground  to  be  excavated  is  of 
a  naturally  rocky  nature,  the  diflioulties  are 
still  further  increased.  For  the  same  reason 
the  approach  to  a  house  built  under  these 
conditions  often  entails  a  considerable  number 
of  obstacles  being  overcome,  not  the  least  of 
them  being  the  necessity  for  a  gradual  and  easy 
ascent  to  the  house.  Carriage  drives  leading 
to  houses  built  on  steep  hills  are  often  ugly 


sir   GEORGE    NEWNES'S   ROCK    GARDEN   AT    LYNTON,    NORTH    llJlVUN,    SHOWING    HOW    STli  F   SLOPES 
MADE   MORE   ATTRACTIVE    BY    EXCAVATIONS   AND    ADDITIONS. 


Duchess  fof  Westminster.  It  has  been  in  bloom 
since  November  last,  and  may  be  described  as 
perpetual  flowering.  It  is  fortunate  that  this  is 
so  ;  the  flowers  are  in  clusters,  and  their  rose-pink 
colouring  is  delightfully  fresh  and  winsome.  It  is 
the  clearest  in  colour  of  any  of  its  race,  and  that  is 
saying  a  good  deal  in  these  days  of  increased 
interest  in  hybridising  to  acquire  new  forms. 
Rhododendron  Duchess  of  Westminster  is  a  variety 
that  will  give  just  the  right  colour  for  personal 
wear  as  well  as  making  a  bright  show  in  the  plant 
house  or  indoors. 


The  Butcher's  Broom  in  Fruit. 

We  are  reminded  of  the  beauty  of  this  bush 
(Ruscus  aculeatus)  in  fruit  by  several  shoots  from 
Mr.  Ferrington,  Bryn  Bella,  St.  Asaph.  Our 
correspondent  says  "  the  bush  has  been  a  mass  of 
berries  since  November,  and  is  a  beautiful  picture 
when  the  sun  is  shining  on  it."  This  we  can  well 
believe.  The  Butcher's  Broom,  like  many  common 
things,  is  frequently  passed  over  for  much  inferior 
shrubs.  Its  green  colour  has  a  certain  welcome 
warmth,  and  the  berries,  which  are  as  large  as 
small  Cherries,  have  a  deep  crimson  glow. 


and  zigzag,  which  mar  the  otherwise  pic- 
turesque natural  scenery.  In  other  cases  it 
may  happen  that  in  order  to  get  the  desired 
gradual  ascent  a  deep  cutting  through  rocky 
soil  has  to  be  made,  in  which  case  the  rocks 
are  generally  sloped  back  to  ensure  their 
stability. 

From  merely  a  practical  point  of  view  this 
treatment  might  suffice,  but  it  would,  of 
course,  be  opposed  to  picturesqueness,  because 
rocky  slopes  under  these  conditions  would 
always  more  or  less  resemble  a  railway  cutting 
or  embankment.  The  rocks  left  may  be 
natural  enough,  but  the  cutting  of  the  drive 
and  the  regularity  of  the  slope  spoilt  their 
shape  and  made  them  barren  and  ugly.  Espe- 
cially is  this  the  case  when  such  a  cutting  is  of 
considerable  length,  and  therefore  becomes  very 
monotonous  in  appearance.  It  is  in  cases  like 
these  that  one  wants  to  give  the  stift'  and  ugly 
slopes  a  natural  outline,  partly  by  excavating 
and  removing  portions  of  the  existing  rocks  or 
stony  soil,  and  partly  by  adding  other  rocks 
built  up  artificially,  but  harmonising  with  the 


216 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


surroundings  in  such  a  way  as  to  obliterate  all 
traces  of  artificial  interference. 

To  do  this  successfully  requires,_  in  the  first 
place,  a  careful  study  of  the  rocks  in  question ; 
secondly,  a  careful  selection  and  a  still  more 
careful  manipulation  of  the  additional  stones 
to  be  used;  and  last,  but  not  least,  a  judicious 
partial  covering  of  both  old  and  new  rocks  with 
suitable  plants.  To  look  natural  the  stones 
used  must  be  in  every  respect  similar  to  the 


produced  by  simply  making  excavations  into 
the  existing  rocks,  which,  like  the  rocks  of  the 
whole  district,  consist  of  the  rugged  Devonian 
slaty  grit  known  as  bastard  shale.  How  this 
kind  of  stratified  rock  has  been  metamorphosed 
by  contact  with  igneous  rocks  I  have  shown  in 
Chapter  VII.  (see  The  Garden  of  March  7, 
190.3),  when  illustrating  precisely  the  same  kind 
of  rock  as  occurring  naturally  in  Mr.  Ford's 
garden    at    Lynraouth.      The    stones    gained 


existing  rocks,  and  if  loose  pieces,  which  have !  through  excavations  in  Sir  George  Newnes's 
long  been  exposed  to  the  weather,  can  be  '  ground  were  forthe  greater  part  too  small,  but 
obtained,  so  much  the  better.    Sometimes 


so  nmcn  tne  oeiter.  iaomeiimes  it 
may  happen  that  such  stones  can  be  quarried 
on  the  site  itself,  and  those  removed  from 
portions  of  the  slope  where  excavations  took 
place  form  the  building  material  for  projecting 
parts  of  the  new  work. 

I  have  pointed  out  in  previous  chapters  that 
the  greatest  charm  of  a  rock  garden  consists 
in  variety  of  form,  and,  to  ensure 
this,  when  treating  a  monotonous 
slope  the  irregular  forms  should  be 
emphasised  as  much  as  possible. 
When,  for  instance,  projecting  rocks 
are  adjacent  to  a  deep  recess,  the  one 
will  emphasise  the  other.  Then,  again, 
if  in  places  the  rocks  can  be  intercepted 
by  intervening  grassy  banks  or  dense 
masses  of  plants,  a  further  step  towards 
natural  effect  will  have  been  obtained. 
If  the  natural  rocks  in  the  slope  to  be 
treated  are  of  the  unstratified  or 
igneous  kind,  the  work  of  arranging 
the  new  material  will  not  be  so 
difficult  as  when  the  rocks  belong  to 
the  stratified  or  sedimentary  class. 
In  the  latter  case  the  new  work  must, 
of  course,  show  the  same  kind  of 
stratification  as  the  old  existing  rocks, 
witli  which  it  should  blend  in  such  a 
way  that  it  would  be  impossible  to 
tell  exactly  where  the  old  part  ends 
and  the  new  part  begins. 

Since  practice  is  better  than  mere 
theory  in  this  work  I  think  I  cannot 
do  better  than  give  an  actual  example 
of  such  work.  The  accompanying 
three  illustrations  represent  a  portion 
of  the  grounds  at  Hollerday,  Lynton, 
the  Devonshire  estate  of  Sir  George 
Newnes,  Bart. 

Hollerday  is  situated  on  a  lofty 
hill  commanding  a  view  of  magnificent 
scenery,  consisting  of  huge  rocks,  wood- 
lands, and  picturesque  seascape  and 
river  scenes.  To  reach  the  mansion  a 
carriage  drive  had  to  be  cut  through 
a  hill  of  rocks.  In  places  this  cutting 
is  over  20  feet  deep,  and  though  the 
rocks  were  sloped  back  their  appear- 
ance could,  nevertheless,  be  compared 
with  nothing  else  but  that  of  the 
deeprailway  cuttings  wliicharesoabun- 
dant  in  thi.s  county.  With  a  view  to  impioving 
the  someivhatstifl' and  unattractive  appearance 
of  these  slopes  extensive  excavations  -were  exe- 
cuted here  and  theie,  and  in  other  places  addi- 
tional projections  were  built  so  as  to  resemble 
the  original  natural  rock,  but  imparting  to  the 
latter  a  niore  rugged  outline.  Such  a  prcjection 
is  shown  on  the  left  in  the  foreground  of  the 
first  picture.  This  pictuie  shcpws  the  beginning 
of  the  carriage  drive  photographed  from  imnie- 
diately  inside  the  main  entrance.  By  way  of 
balance,  but  without  being  symmetrical,  smaller 
projecting  rocks  were  also  introduced  on  the 
right  hand  side  of  the  drive,  and  these  are 
visible  in  the  picture  jutting  out  from  a  mass 
of  plants  intermingled  with  stretches  of  gieen 
sward.  In  the  di.stance,  at  the  bend  of  the 
drive,  two  irregular    cave-like    recesses   were 


as  other  weatherbeaten  stones  of  similar 
appearance  could  be  had  in  abundance  close 
by  I  naturally  preferred  to  use  the  latter. 

The  second  illustration  is  from  a  photograph 
taken  near  the  further  end  of  the  same  drive. 
In  this  case  a  straight  hedge  ran  along  the  top 
of  the  stiff  slope,  but  by  removing  this  hedge 
and  by  producing  a  large  depression — after- 


in  the  foreground  are  quite  20  feet  high,  and, 
as  the  illustration  shows,  were  made  irregular 
through  excavations  in  the  form  of  large  and 
small  cave-like  recesses. 

In   adorning   these   rocks  bold  plants  with 

arching  branches,  such  as  Rosa  setigera,  various 

Briars,  rambling  Roses,  Rubus  deliciosus,  and 

others  were  put  on  the  highest  rocks,  where 

their  drooping  clusters  might  show  to  the  best 

advantage.     Lower  down,  and  more  on  a  level 

with  the  eye,  many  hundreds  of  smaller  rock 

shrubs   and   alpine   plants    too    numerous    to 

mention   were   introduced.      In    many   places 

planting  in  the  ordinary  way  would  have  been 

impossible,  and  it  was  necessary  to  make  holes 

by  means  of  bars  or   chisels  for  soil  for  the 

plants.       Colonies     of     Androsaces,     Thrifts,, 

Phloxes,    Aubrietias,    Dianthus,  &c.,   already 

look    established,    and,    in    conjunction    with 

Wallflowers,  Valerians,  Ferns,  and  other  things 

in  the  rougher  parts,  give  fair  promise 

of   a  bright  show    of   flowers  during- 

the  present  season.  Sowing  seeds  into 

chinks  and  fissures  has  also  been  tried, 

and  good  results  are  anticipated. 

F.  W.  Meyee. 


SIB  GEOKGE  NEWKES's  BOCK  GAEDEN  AT  LTNTON,.  NOKTH  DEVON. 
EXISTING  BOOKS  ALTERED  IN  SHAPE  BY  A  LAEGE  DEPBESSION, 
AND  THE- ADDITION  OF  TKESH  BOULDEES  AND  LAYEES  OF  STONE. 


wards  covered  with  sward,  boulders,  and  new 
groups  of  stratified  rock  carefully  grafted,  so 
to  speak,  to  the  existing  rocks— a  totally 
different  and  much  more  pleasing  effect  was 
obtained.  Indeed,  although  the  plants  have 
hardly  commenced  to  grow,  it  would  already 
be  difficult  to  tell  the  new  work  from  the  old, 
even  where  both  meet. 

The  third  illustration  represents  still  another 
view  of  the  drive,  i.e.,  looking  downward  in  the 
opposite  direction  to  that  given  in  the  first 
picture.  The  larger  projection  in  the  fore- 
ground of  the  first  illustration  is  in  this  third 
picture  seen  in  the  distance  on  the  right.  The 
building  (of  which  only  a  small  portion  is 
vi>ible)  is  outside  the  grounds;  it  is  the  fine 
Town  Hall  presented  by  the  generous  owner  of 
the  estate  to  the  town  of  Lynton.     The  rocks 


THE   LILIES. 

(Continued  from,  page  164-) 

ILIUM    HARRISIL  —  See    L. 
longiflorum  eximium. 

L.  Henryi  (Baker),  Dr. 
Henry's  Lily. — A  magnifi- 
cent Lily  from  Western 
China,  and  without  doubt 
one  of  the  best  finds  in  recent  years. 
Bulbs  conical,  very  large,  coloured 
vinous  purple,  blackening  with  ex- 
posure, the  scales  thick  and  clasping. 
Stems  purplish,  5  feet  to  14  feet  high, 
showing  a  disposition  to  climb  as  they 
pierce  the  soil,  but  eventually  becoming 
very  erect,  flexible,  and  rooting  freely. 
Leaves  lance-shaped,  often  with  pro- 
longed tips,  and  occasionally  rolled  or 
recurving,  dark  green,  shining,  6  inches 
to  10  inches  long.  Flowers  arranged 
in  a  compound  panicle,  coming  from 
a  cluster  of  purplish-tinted  bracts, 
the  foot-stalks  varying  from  3  inches 
to  18  inches  in  length,  drooping,  and 
very  thin.  The  petals  are  equal  in 
size,  varying  in  colour  from  pale  to 
rich  orange,  keeled,  green  externally, 
reflexing  fully  to  display  the  long 
petaloid  processes  which  adorn  the 
interior  of  the  flower  and  the  mar- 
ginal spotting  of  dark  crimson.  A 
green  star-like  nectary  adorns  the 
centre  of  the  flower,  and  the  filaments 
and  styles  are  also  green  tinted. 
The  flowers  vary  a  little  in  every 
uctoii ,  some  have  long  curved  processes  arising 
from  the  face  of  the  petals,  others  scarcely  any, 
some  reflex  fully  to  form  a  perfect  sphere,  and 
others  remain  semi-re  flexed.  Colour  variations 
are  not  so  marked  a  feature.  Of  the  many 
hundreds  we  have  flowered,  two  only,  both 
lemon  tinted,  showed  any  considerable  dif- 
ference in  colour  from  the  majority.  Common 
in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. Inhabits,  according  to  Dr.  Henry,  a 
restricted  area  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ichang, 
where  it  grows  on  the  grassy  slopes  of  preci- 
pices and  glens  at  low  altitudes.  The  wilding 
never  reaches  the  vigour  of  the  cultivated 
plant. 

Culture  and  Uses.— The  cultivation  of 
Lilium  Henryi  calls  for  no  especial  remark 
save  that  its  growth  is  unusually  precocious. 


detail ; 


March  26,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


217 


In  exposed  places  it  is  necessary  to  protect 
them  from  frosty  winds,  but  if  we  associate 
this  plant  with  strong-growing  herbs  and  low 
growing  shrubs  at  the  back  of  the  plant  border, 
or  in  the  cultivated  shrubbery  and  the  many 
other  places  where  a  vigorous  Lily  could  grow 
amid   protective   plants,  it   will   take   care  of 
itself.     We  have  seen  plantations  of  L.  Henryi 
in  the  coldest  parts  of  Scotland  thriving  really 
well,  and,  although  they  did  not  reach  the  tall 
stature  (often  la  feet)  that  this  plant  attains 
when  planted  in  a  conservatory  border,  they 
were  in  excellent  character,  and  we  feel  certain 
there  is  no  garden  in  Great  Britain  that  would 
not  grow  L.  Henryi  tolerably  well.     Although 
■excellent  as  a  border  plant,  it  reaches  its  finest 
development  in  large  pots  in   cool  conserva- 
tories ;   there  its  tall  stems,  bearing  massive, 
drooping  flowers  of  rich  colouring  and  exqui- 
site form,  are  remarkable  when  we  consider 
the  uniformly  low  stature  and  comparatively 
poor  flowering    qualities  of   the  plant    as  a 
wilding.    The  bulbs  should  be  planted  fully 
■8  inches  deep,  wherever  grown,  and  the  surface 
soil  should  be  liberally  enriched  for  the  better 
maintenance  of  the  incredible  amount  of  stem- 
roots  the  plant  makes.     We  consider  this  to  be 
the  only  Lily  that  can  be  artificially  fed  ad  lib. 
without  injuring  the  plant. 

L.  Humboldtii  (Roezl  and  Leicht.),  Hum- 
boldt's Orange  Lily. — A  grand  plant  from  the 
Sierra  Nevada  range  of  Central  and  Northern 
California,  and  introduced  long  ago  to  European 
cultivation.  Bulbs  ovoid,  laxly  built,  often  as 
large  as  a  Cocoanut,  sometimes  rhizomatous  in 
the  wilding  plant,  but  always  ovoid  under 
cultivation  ;  the  scales  oblique,  sickle-shaped, 
3  inches  to  4  inches  long,  reddish,  not  at  all 
contracted;  roots  very  stout,  contractile,  pulling 
the  growing  point  deeper  into  the  soil  every 
season,  thus  giving  to  the  bulb  its  peculiar 
curvature.  Stems  4  feet  to  6  feet  high,  stout, 
ruddy  brown,  rooting  sparsely  from  their  bases. 
Leaves  arranged  in  tour  to  five  distant  whorls, 
blunt,  coloured  a  peculiar  tint  of  bluish  green. 
Flowers  nodding  as  in  L.  speciosum,  and 
arranged  in  a  pyramidal  raceme  of  six  to 
twenty,  coloured  rich  orange,  darker  at  the 
reflexing  tips,  spotted  regularly  with  large 
vinous  red  dots  in  the  lower  half  of  each  petal. 
The  reflexed  flower  spans  6  inches  to  8  inches 
across.  A  very  beautiful  Lily.  The  bulbs 
require  two  years'  cultivation  to  induce  them 
to  flower  well  after  removal.  Common  in 
cultivation.  Flowers  in  July.  Grows  as  a 
wilding  in  various  harsh  soils  of  volcanic 
formation  and  in  various  situations  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  ranges,  generally  in  associa- 
tion with  scrub  on  woody  plateaux,  reaching 
its  finest  development  where  leaf-soil  has 
congregated,  and  always  on  well  -  drained 
slopes. 

Var.  bloomerianvm,  (Blooiner's  L.  Hum- 
boldtii). A  good  form.  The  small  bulbs  are  cer- 
tain to  flower  well  the  first  season  of  planting. 
Bulbs,  leaves,  and  stems  as  in  Humboldtii,  but 
much  smaller.  Flowers  pale  yellowish  orange, 
4  inches  across  the  fully  reflexed  petals,  the 
vinous  red  dots  having  a  distinct  yellow  ring 
around  each  of  them.  Common  in  cultivation. 
Flowers  in  July.  Inhabits  the  mountains  of 
San  Diego,  California. 

Var.  magnificum.  —  The  magnificent  L. 
Humboldtii  is  a  splendid  geographical  form, 
inhabiting  the  mountains  of  Southern  Cali- 
fornia. The  bulbs  are  purplish,  jointed,  not 
60  large  as  those  of  the  type,  but  of  similar 
formation  and  habits.  The  stems  and  leaves 
are  also  identical.  Flowers  rich  orange, 
heavily  spotted  with  dark  plum-purple,  the 
dots  set  in  a  broad  ring  of  crimson.  A  fine 
plant,  and  in  our  judgment  the  best  of  all  the 


forms  of  L.  Humboldtii.  It  flowers  well  the 
first  year  after  planting,  but  its  inflorescence 
should  be  reduced  or  the  bulbs  will  be  unduly 
taxed.  Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in 
July. 

Var.  ocellatum  (Kellogg). — Does  not  differ 
materially  from  L.  bloomerianum.  Both  this 
latter  plant  and  var.  magnificum  are  often 
called  ocellatum.  Their  spots,  though  difi'erent 
in  tint,  represent  the  colour  scheme  of  an  eye, 
hence  the  name. 

Culture  and  Uses. — It  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that,  with  present  cultivation,   we  shall 
never  be  able  to  establish  Humboldt's  Lily  in 
our  gardens.     The  peculiar  characteristics  of 
its  native  habitat  are  extremely  difficult  to 
imitate  in  most  places,  and  one  has  only  to 
study  the   peculiar   shape   and   build   of    the 
bulbs,  their  manner  of  rooting  and  growth,  and 
the  contractile   nature   of   the   older  roots  to 
discover  that  the  plant  has  found  it  necessary 
to  adapt  itself  to  the  peculiarities  of  its  natural 
situation,  and  one  could  describe  the  situation 
with  fair   accuracy  from  study  of   the   bulbs 
alone  were  it  necessary.    Situations  that  we 
would  recommend  for  this  Lily  are  the  lower 
reaches  of  rockeries,  sharp  slopes  covered  with 
shrubs,  either  of  natural  or  artificial  formation, 
and  not  necessarily  high,  so  long  as  there  is  an 
incline.     Soils  should  be  tolerably  rich,  and  if 
they  are  on  rocky  formation  so  much  the  better. 
We    have    found    with    this    plant,    as    with 
columbianum,  that  the  only  way  to  grow  it  is 
to  plant  the  bulbs  on  the  side  of  an  artificial 
ridge,   the   feeding   extremities    of   the    roots 
pointing   inwards,   the   growing   point   down- 
wards.   Thus  treated,   it    develops  well  and 
establishes  itself,  whereas  in  the  open  border 
it  absolutely  refuses  to  grow.     Its  varieties, 
happily,  make  excellent  growth  the  first  season, 
and  for  these  also  a  similar  plan  is  advisable. 
We  have  seen  a  few  examples  of  L.  Humboldtii 
in    various    districts,   where  the    bulbs  were 
surrounded   by  the  roots  of  shrubs,  and  the 
surface  soil  cultivated  to  give  the  Lily  assist 


general  level,  conditions  closely  resembling 
those  of  the  ridge  system  of  culture.  This 
Lily  is  not  suitable  for  pot  culture. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  be  continued.) 


I 


THE   FLOWER   GARDEN. 

CORRECT    PLANTING. 


ance.      The    borders  were    raised    above  the 


was  some  time  before  I  could  decide  on 
a  heading   for  the    following  notes,  the 
choice  between  the  two  suitable  adjectives 
"  correct  "  and  "  careful  "  seeming  to  me 
a  difficult  one,  but  I  eventually  selected 
the  former,  being  of  opinion  that   any- 
thing done    correctly    must   necessarily  have 
received    all    due    care  and    thought    in    its 
execution. 

Just  now,  when  most  of  us  gardeners  have 
in  hand  more  or  less  planting  of  new  subjects 
or  of  detached  portions  of  old-established  ones, 
it  is  a  matter  of  vital  importance  that  each 
shrub  or  flower  shall  find  its  new  home  in 
congenial  soil  and  surroundings,  and  that  its 
roots  shall  be  treated  with  the  utmost  care  and 
consideration  at  planting  time,  in  order  that 
their  prompt  and  vigorous  action  may  ensure 
its  future  welfare. 

Too  often  no  places  have  been  selected  for 
the  newcomers  and  increasing  stock,  and  we 
race  wildly  about  the  garden,  trowel  or  spade 
in  hand,  till  in  our  despair  and  hurry  we  select 
the  wrong  spot,  putting  a  shade-lover  in  the 
full  glare  of  the  sun  or  a  sunny  alpine  in  a 
dark  clayey  corner  with  quite  vindictive 
prodding  and  jamming  (as  if  the  poor  plants 
were  to  blame),  and  then  rush  off  to  the  basket 
for  another  victim  !     Experto  crede  ! 

Now  I  venture  to  submit  that  when  the 
long-expected  consignment  does  arrive  from 
kind  friends  or  the  nurseryman,  everything 
should  have  been  got  ready — labels  written,  if 
possible  ;  loam,  peat,  sand,  and  stones  collected 
in  sufficient  quantities ;   tools    kneeling-mat 


CARRIAGE   DRIVE  THROUGH   SIR  GEORGE   NEWXES'S  ROCK   GARDEN 

ALTERED    EY    EXCAVATIONS. 


AT   LYNTON.      STEEP  ROCKY  SLOPES 


218 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


and  barrow  waiting;  and  last,  but  not  least, 
the  sites  for  the  new  things  selected,  at  least 
approximately. 

This  is  asking  a  good  deal,  it  may  be  said, 
and  it  will  not  always  be  possible,  even  in  the 
best-ordered  garden,  to  be  in  such  an  elaborate 
state  of  preparation.  For,  of  course,  one  does 
not  invariably  know  what  shrubs  and  plants 
are  actually  coming.  Unexpected  presents 
arrive  from  friends,  and  nurserymen  often  send 
extra  plants,  and  sometimes  (though  rarely,  1 
am  thankful  to  say)  are  "  out "  of  some  par- 
ticular desideratum.  But  in  most  cases  an 
intending  planter  can  form  a  fairly  accurate 
estimate  of  what  is  coming,  and  can  do  a  great 
deal  beforehand,  thereby  lessening  his, work 
and  saving  his  nerves  considerably  by  having 
a  good  "think"  while  walking  round  his 
garden  and  noting  all  available  blank  spaces. 
And  if  he  has  ordered  or  is  expecting  plants 
requiring  careful  and  thorough  drainage  below 
their  roots,  such  as  some  of  the  smaller  Cam- 
panulas, Polemonium  confertum,  Ixias,  and  a 
host  of  alpines,  Lilies,  &c.,  he  can  collect  his 
stones,  clinkers,  or  brick  rubbish,  and  the  suit- 
able soil,  and  prepare  the  selected  sites  delibe- 
rately and  with  loving  hands,  or  superintend 
closely  the  work  as  it  is  carried  out  by  his  gar- 
dener. Under  theseconditions  the  substratum  of 
drainage  material  is  well  and  truly  laid  (with 
perhaps  just  that  suggestion  of  a  sloping  base 
that  makes  so  much  difference  in  a  wet  autumn 
and  winter),  the  layer  of  rough  peat  or  inverted 
turf  is  homogeneous  and  of  uniform  thickness, 
while  the  compost  is  thoroughly  mixed  and 
comfortably  settled  down  in  its  bed.  Contrast 
this  desirable  state  of  things  with  the  hurried, 
if  not  "  happy-go-lucky,"  mode  of  procedure  of 
the  unprepared,  especially  when  putting  in  new 
plants  against  time  in  unfavourable  weather. 

He  dives  vigorously  into  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  probably  slicing  and  uprooting  bulbs 
and  plants  on  his  way,  tearing  out  a  hole  of 
insufficient  size,  into  which  the  stones  or  bricks 
(and  perhaps  the  new  plants  too,  for  they  are 
sure  to  be  laid  down  in  an  awkward  place  and 
get  in  the  way)  are  hastily  tumbled  and 
adjusted  into  an  imperfect  layer.  Then  the 
turf  or  peat  has  to  be  fetched,  the  soil  mixed, 
and  the  label  written.  In  short,  the  entire 
pirocess  is  not  only  vexatious,  but  likely  to 
result  in  whole  or  partial  failure. 

These  scathing  remarks  mainly  apply,  of 
course,  to  those  of  us  who  like  to  do  our  own 
planting,  bat  the  principle  I  contend  for  is 
the  same,  for  the  amateur  and  his  gardener 
alike,  and  I  do  not  think  I  have  said  too  much, 
for  have  I  not  gone  through  it  all  myself, 
alas  !  very  often,  and  am  I  not  now  trying 
hard  to  practise  as  I  preach  ? 
;  It  would  be  well,  perhaps,  if  we  all  took  a 
little  more  trouble  in  the  actual  putting  in  of 
our  shrubs  and  flowers  when  their  places  are 
all  ready  for  them,  especially  our  delicate  or 
"mitfy"  ones.  Alpines  and  rock  plants 
generally  cannot  be  too  carefully  planted,  and 
such  useful  hints  as  those  recently  given  in 
The  Garden  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Meyer  in'his  articles 
on  "  The  Kock  Garden  "  are  especially  to  the 
point. 

There  are  other  excellent  sources  of  informa- 
tion available  from  which  we  may  learn  how 
to  grow  a  host  of  desirable  things,  even 
Eritrichium  nanum,  Phyteuma  comosum,  and 
llpigaea  repens,  and  I  will  not  presume  to  take 
up  any  further  space  with  remarks  on  the 
subject  of  planting  in  general  ;  but,  if  per- 
mitted, I  should  like  briefly  to  give  my 
experiences  with  the  planting  and  cultivation 
of  a  few  well  known  but  perhaps  somewhat 
difficult  subjects  which  I  have  by  good  luck 
persuaded  to  flourish  in  my  small  garden. 


Gentiaiia  acaulis. — The  glorious  Gentianella 
is  everybody's  flower  and  we  must  all  have  it, 
but  we  do  not  all  know  how  to  ensure  success 
with  it,  especially  in  light  soils.  With  me  it 
grows  but  rarely  flowers  in  a  peat  border,  and 
I  have  gradually  removed  and  broken  up 
nearly  all  the  clumps,  setting  the  plants  out  in 
soil  they  do  like  along  the  borders  in  a  hard, 
well-trodden  loam  mixed  with  a  nearly  equal 
portion  of  gravel.  When  a  new  edging  of 
Gentianella  is  made  here,  as  is  frequently  the 
case,  1  fear  the  adjoining  gravel  paths  are 
most  ruthlessly  scraped  and  robbed  1  This 
addition  of  pebbles  and  firm  treading  of  the 
soil  is  doubtless  well  known  to  most  of  your 
readers,  but  some  may  be  glad,  as  I  was  a  few 
years  ago,  to  hear  of  it.  I  hardly  ever  lose  a 
plant  or  fail  to  secure  a  fair  bloom  now. 

Gentiana  verna. — This  is  by  no  means  an 
easy  thing  to  establish,  but  the  same  thoroughly 
firm  soil  and  admixture  of  stones  recommended 
for  the  Gentianella  is  the  secret  of  success. 
Planted  in  full  sun  on  a  very  gentle  slope 
slightly  raised  above  the  border,  in  a  mixture 
of  good  loam,  a  little  peat,  sand,  and  broken 
limestone,  well  pressed  down  or  beaten  with 
the  spade,  this  lovely  species  has  prospered 
here,  and  delighted  us  all  with  an  annual  feast 
of  divine  blue  flowers.  The  plants  growing 
next  to  the  edging-stones  of  the  path  have 
sent  out  some  underground  side  shoots,  and 
are  showing  every  sign  of  happiness.  If 
planted  carefully  under  the.ie  conditions 
between  bits  of  stone  and  well  watered  almost 
daily  during  the  summer,  everything  in  the 
shape  of  a  weed  being  scrupulously  extracted 
from  the  sacred  precincts,  it  seems  to  me  that 
we  can  all  grow  this  alpine  gem  successfully. 
Of  course,  it  goes  without  saying  that  there  is 
a  correct  time  for  planting  (about  November), 
and  that  it  is  no  good  putting  in  weak  or 
badly-rooted  specimens.  They  should  be 
established  in  pots,  and  carefully  transferred 
from  these  direct  to  their  new  homes. 

Nierembergia  rividaris. — Last  summer  I  sent 
a  photograph,  with  a  short  explanatory  article, 
of  my  clump  of  this  pretty  flower  in  full 
bloom  to  The  Garden,  but  at  the  risk  of 
repeating  myself  I  venture  now  again  to 
describe  what  I  consider  to  be  the  causes  of 
my  success.  In  the  first  place,  like  the  two 
preceding  species,  N".  rivularis  likes  full  sun, 
plenty  of  water  in  summer,  and  a  thoroughly 
firm  loamy  soil.  It  also  delights  to  dive  under 
the  edging  stones  into  the  gravel  path,  where 
it  flowers  superbly,  while  it  has  been  evident 
that  those  portions  of  the  clump  which  are 
adjacent  to  the  stones  bloom  the  most  freely. 
Therefore  I  have  this  winter  added  pieces  of 
stone  of  some  size  and  a  layer  of  gravel 
throughout,  and  hope  for  even  better  results  in 
future. 

Yalding,  Kent.  S.  G.  R. 

(To  he  continued.) 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 

SAXIFRAGA   LILACINA. 

REPRESENTATIVES  of  this  fine  genus 
in  cultivation  from  the  Himalayan 
region  are  few  in  number,  and 
consist  chiefly  of  members  of  the 
^  large-leaved  or  Megasea  section. 
This  region,  however,  is  the  home 
of  many  fine  species,  but  owing  to  the  great 
distances  and  difficulty  of  reaching  their 
habitats,  as  well  as  of  the  successful  transporta- 
tion of  the  seed  when  collected,  they  have  yet 
to  be  introduced  into  this  country.  In  the 
present  new  species  we  have  a  totally  different 


type  of  plant,  one  that  forms  dense  cushion- 
like tufts  similar  to  the  well-known  Europeai* 
species  S.  cassia,  S.  tombeanensis,  and  S. 
squarrosa,  but  with  flowers  somewhat  after  the 
style  and  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  S.  oppositi- 
folia.  The  combination  of  crusted  foliage  and 
rose  -  coloured  flowers  is  uncommon,  the 
European  species  with  this  kind  of  leaf  having 
mostly  white  or  yellow  flowers,  with  the 
exception  of  S.  media,  S.  porophylla,  and  S. 
Griesbachii,  which  have  small  dark  red 
flowers.  Seeds  of  S.  lilacina  were  collected  at 
a  high  elevation  in  the  Kumaon  Himalaya  in 
1899,  and  were  received  at  Kew  in  the  spring 
of  1900  from  the  Government  Botanic  Gardett 
at  Saharunpur.  Only  a  few  seeds  germinated, 
and  have  now  formed  tufts  2  inches  or  .3  inches 
in  diameter,  flowering  for  the  first  time  in  the 
alpine  house  early  in  March.  It  was  received 
under  the  name  of  S.  ramulosa,  and  bears  some 
resemblance  to  that  species  in  its  tufted  habit, 
but  the  latter  plant  has  yellow  flowers.  On 
comparison  with  herbarium  specimens  it  was 
determined  to  be  a  new  species,  and  given  the 
present  name  by  Mr.  Duthie,  who  until 
recently  was  Director  of  the  Botanic  Depart- 
ment of  Northern  India  at  Saharunpur.  The 
leaves,  densely  packed  on  short  stems,  are  very 
short  and  fleshy,  concave  on  the  upper  side, 
with  2—4  chalk  pits  on  the  margin  near  the 
apex.  The  flowers  are  borne  singly  on  .stems 
about  1  inch  high.  These  stems,  as  well  as 
the  obtuse  sepals,  are  glandular,  and  are  fur 
nished  with  2—3  very  small  leaves.  The  light 
rose-coloured  petals  are  obovate,  with  deeper 
coloured  lines  traversing  them.  It  has  so  far 
been  grown  in  a  cold  frame,  under  the  same 
treatment  usually  accorded  to  small-crusted 
Saxifragas,  but  has  not  yet  been  tried  outside, 
although  it  will  probably  prove  hardy  enough. 

W.  Irving. 


THE      ALLIUMS. 

AVERY  extensive  genus  is  the  Onion 
family,  comprising  in  all  over  300 
species.  Kegel,  in  his  monograph 
of  the  genus  in  1875,  enumerated 
^  263  species,  since  which  time  quite 
fifty  more  have  been  found  and 
described.  They  are  distributed  over  Europe, 
North  Africa,  Abyssinia,  Asia,  North  and 
Central  America,  but  their  headquarters 
appear  to  be  in  the  Orient ;  Boissier,  in  his  flora, 
giving  139  species  ;  Europe,  according  to- 
Richter,  is  the  home  of  SO  species  ;  while 
America  claims  .50,  and  the  Himalayas  27. 

Although,  generally  speaking,  the  members  of 
this  genus  are  not  what  may  be  called  "decora- 
tive "  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word,  a  few 
of  them  are  pretty  and  attractive  enough  for 
use  in  the  rock  garden,  or  for  naturalising  in 
the  wild  garden  or  0])en  woods.  Others  are 
more  striking  and  may  with  justice  be  called 
handsome,  but  the  great  majority  are  quite 
worthless  from  a  garden  point  of  view,  being 
also  characterised  by  a  most  offensive  smell. 

They  are  hardy  bulbous  plants  of  easy 
culture  ;  many  are  perennial,  and  others  are  of 
biennial  duration,  with  flat  or  rounded  leaves 
and  capitate  heads  of  flowers.  They  may  be 
readily  increased  by  oflsets,  bulbils,  or  seeds. 
The  genus  has  an  economic  value  as  well,  the 
well-known  Onion,  Leek,  Shallot,  c'i.-c,  having 
their  origin  in  species  belonging  to  this  genus. 
The  following  list  includes  all  the  best  species 
in  cultivation  : 

A.  acnininatum.—k  native  of  North-Westero 
America  and  a  pretty,  small  growing  plant, 
remarkable  for  the  long,  acuminate  points  of 
the  flower  segments.  About  1  foot  high,  with 
narrow,  Rush-like  leaves  as  long  as  the  flower 


March  26,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


219 


scape,  with  the  flowers  borne  in  loose  umbels 
in  July.  These  are  rose-coloured,  with  darker 
shaded  points,  and  there  is  also  a  variety  with 
deep  red-purple  flowers.  A  pleasing  feature  of 
this  plant  is  the  absence  of  the  unpleasant 
smell  pertaining  to  most  of  the  species.  It 
has  been  in  cultivation  since  1840. 

A.  albopilosum. — This  recently-introduced 
plant  is  the  most  handsome  one  belonging  to 
this  genus  yet  introduced  to  our  gardens.  It 
is  a  most  imposing  species,  with  leaves 
18  inches  long  and  1  inch  to  2  inches  wide, 
glabrous  on  the  upper  surface,  with  long,  scat- 
tered white  hairs  on  the  under  side,  from 
whence  it  receives  its  name.  The  scape  is 
stout,  from  1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  and  bears 
large  umbels  up  to  9  inches  or ,  more  in 
diameter,  each  containing  fifty  to  eighty  or 
more  flowers.  These  are  large  for  the  genus, 
nearly  2  inches  in  diameter,  and  deep  lilac  in 
colour.  This  species  was  collected  for  Messrs. 
Van  Tubergen,  of  Haarlem,  in  the  mountain 
range  that  divides  Transcaspia  from  Persia,  in 
1901,  and  flowered  for  the  first  time  in  this 
country  with  the  Hon.  Charles  Ellis  at  Hasle- 
mere  in  June,  1902. 

A.  AmpelojirasiiTn  (wild  Leek). — A  strong 
growing  species,  with  dense  globular  umbels  of 
pale  purple  flowers.  A  native  of  Europe  and 
the  Orient,  it  is  naturalised  on  steep  Holmes 
Island,  in  the  estuary  of  the  Severn. 

A.  Ascalonicum  (the  Shallot). — A  dwarf 
plant,  with  globose  umbels  of  purple  flowers, 
and  was  introduced  from  Palestine  in  the 
middle  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

A.  atroj^urjmreum  is  a  distinct  species,  with 
flat  leaves  and  strong  scapes  bearing  rather 
loose  heads  of  dark  red  flowers  on  long  pedicels. 
A  native  of  Hungary. 

A.  cabulicum. — This  belongs  to  the  section 
Molium,  which  includes  the  British  A.  ursinum. 
It  produces  a  broad.  Tulip-like  leaf  6  inches  to 
8  inches  long  and  2  inches  broad.  On  a  round 
scape  3  inches  to  4  inches  high  the  dense 
globose  umbels  of  flowers  are  produced.  These 
are  whitish,  with  a  keel  of  red-brown  on  each 
segment,  which  is  finally  reflexed.  A  native  of 
Kabul,  it  was  introduced  in  1892.  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  7294. 

A.  coeruleum  (blue  Leek  ;  also  known  by 
the  name  of  A.  azureum). — This  is  a  handsome, 
tall  -  growing  plant,  reaching  a  height  of 
2  feet  to  3  feet,  with  globular  heads  of  variable 
bright  blue  flowers  in  June.  It  is  one  of  the 
species  which  frequently  produces  bulbils  in 
the  flower  heads,  by  means  of  which  it  may  be 
readily  increased.  Found  in  abundance  on  the 
salt  plains  of  Siberia.    Introduced  in  1834. 

A.  carinatum. — The  Mountain  Garlick  is  a 
free  growing  perennial,  quickly  making  itself 
at  home  in  almost  any  position,  seedlings 
coming  up  all  around  in  profusion.  It  is  from 
1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  with  narrow,  somewhat 
succulent  leaves  slightly  keeled  at  the  back, 
and  loose  umbels  of  flowers  on  long,  spreading 
pedicels.  The  flowers  are  reddish  brown  in 
colour,  with  a  darker  keel  on  each  segment.  A 
native  of  Europe,  and  generally  found  in 
fields ;  it  is  also  naturalised  in  parts  of  this 
country. 

A.  caspmm.— This  fine  species  is  figured  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  4598,  where  it  states 
that  it  was  found  by  Dr.  Stocks  in  Scinde. 
Bulbs  were  sent  to  this  country  by  him 
flowering  in  May,  1851.  It  is  so  unlike  an 
Onion  that  it  has  been  called  an  Amaryllis  and 
Crinum,  but  possesses  all  the  characters  of 
Allium,  with  its  unpleasant  odour.  The  scape 
is  said  to  vary  from  2  feet  to  10  feet  high,  with 
large  lax  umbels  of  green  flowers  tinged  with 
purplish  red.  The  filaments  of  the  stamens 
are  also  a  deep  red.     It  is  probably  not   in 


I 


cultivation.    A  native  of  the  Caspian  region' 
and  growing  in  the  deserts  of  Astrakhan. 

A.  Cepa  (common  Onion).— The  origin  of  the 
garden  Onion,  this  species  has  fistular  rounded 
leaves  and  scapes  up  to  3  feet  high,  with 
globular  heads  of  whitish  flowers.  A  native  of 
Persia.  W.  Irving. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


ROSE    PLANTING    IN    MARCH. 

A  T    any    other     time    than     November    the 
J\         planting    of    Roses    to    some   is   little 
/  \        short  of   utter  folly.      I  do  not  go  so 
/      \       far  as  to  recommend   March  as  a  more 
/         IL      suitable  time  than    November,  for  all 
authorities  on  Rose  culture  agree  that 
there  can  be  no  better  month  wherein  to  plant; 
but  I  do  believe  that  cold,   heavy,  badly-drained 
soils  are  not  in  a  fit   state    to  receive  the  plants 
before  the  spring  unless  the  ground  is  well  pre- 
pared beforehand  by  trenching  or  ridging.     Rather 
than  plant  when  the  ground  is  wet  and  sticky,  the 
plants  would  be  better  heeled  iu  under  some  north 
wall  or  hedge  until  March,  when  wind  and  frost 
will   have   played   their  parts  in  sweetening    and 
aerating  the  soil.     Its  condition   should  be  some- 
what  similar  to   that    which  all    good    gardeners 
wish  for  when   potting,   namely,  neither  too  dry 
nor  too  wet.     If  the  land  is  unfit,  wait  for  the  first 
favourable  opportunity  in  February  or  March.     P. 

ROSE    GRANDE    DUCHESSE 
ANASTASIE. 

This  beautiful  Tea  Rose  has  been  rather  over- 
looked, as  it  can  only  be  found  in  one  or  two 
English  catalogues.  I  consider  that  it  is  a  first- 
class  Tea-scented  variety,  not  large,  perhaps,  but 
of  such  an  exquisite  globular  form  that  it  is  sur- 
prising to  me  exhibitors  have  allowed  the  Rose  to 
pass  almost  into  oblivion.  The  colour  is  midway 
between  Maman  Cochet  and  Corinna,  and  just  the 
warm  flush  of  rosy  salmon  with  a  suspicion  of 
yellow  so  characteristic  of  the  latter  when  seen  at 
its  best.  Grande  Duchesse  Anasjasie  comes  from  a 
raiser,  M.  Nabonuand,  who  has  given  us  many 
worthy  sorts,  and,  like  most  of  them,  it  is  a 
splendid  grower.  P. 


CARNATIONS     IN     THE 
TOWN    GARDEN. 

(Continued  from  page   iJOJ.) 
Marguerite  Carnations. 

NO  town  garden  should  be  without  these, 
for  they  are  essentially  plants  for  the 
suburban  plot.  They  will  begin  to 
flower  in  six  months  from  sowing  the 
seed,  and  surely  that  is  a  very" short 
time  to  wait  for  such  lovely  flowers  as 
are  included  in  a  good  strain  of  Marguerite  Carna- 
tions. Sow  the  seed  in  heat  in  February  and  March, 
pot  on  as  they  require  it,  and  gradually  harden  so  as 
to  be  able  to  place  them  out  of  doors  in  April  or  May ; 
they  will  begin  to  flower  about  August.  They  may 
either  be  planted  out  in  the  border  or  kept  through- 
out the  summer  in  pots.  I  think  the  best  flowers 
are  obtained  by  the  latter  method,  which,  however, 
entails  more  trouble  in  watering,  &c.  If  the 
plants  are  lifted  from  the  garden  borders  and 
brought  into  a  warm  greenhouse  they  will  continue 
to  bloom  until  Christmas  more  or  less,  the  degree 
of  success  depending  in  a  large  measure  upon  the 
weather  and  the  attention  they  receive.  Weekly 
applications  of  guano- water  are  a  great  help  to 
their  continued  flowering.  If  seed  is  sown  in  the 
autumn  the  resulting  plants  will  bloom  the  fol- 
lowing spring  ;  thus  by  sowing  seed  in  spring  for 
flowers  in  autumn,  sowing  seed  in  April  or  propa- 
gating  by   layers    (border  varieties)  in  July  and 


August  for  flowers  the  following  summer,  and  by 
sowing  seed  in  autumn  for  blooms  the  next  spring, 
it  is  possible  to  have  Carnations  in  bloom  almost 
or  quite  all  the  year  round. 

Marguerite  Carnations  will  yield  a  good  supply 
of  flowers  most  useful  for  cutting  if  the  plants  are 
looked  after  and  encouraged  to  grow.  Guano  or 
Clay's  Manure  occasionally  sprinkled  on  the  soil  is 
a  great  help  to  them,  especially  if  growing  in  poor 
soil.  It  is  necessary  also  to  thin  out  a  number 
of  the  buds  in  order  to  allow  the  remaining  ones 
an  opportunity  of  developing  properly. 

Tree  Carnations. 
These  are  easily  grown,  and  are  invaluable  con- 
servatory plants  during  the  late  autumn,  winter 
and  early  spring,  and  even  into  summer.  Cuttings 
take  root  quite  easily  at  any  time  of  the  year  if 
they  are  given  the  right  treatment.  For  the 
purpose  of  the  town  garden  it  will  probably  be 
necessary  to  take  them  only  once  a  year — about  the 
end  of  January,  so  as  to  produce  plants  for  flower- 
ing the  following  winter  and  spring.  Those,  how- 
ever, who  grow  flowers  of  the  Tree  Carnation  for 
market  take  cuttings  at  all  times  of  the  year,  so 
that  they  may  have  plants  always  in  bloom,  and, 
in  fact,  they  do  so.  The  method  of  rooting  Tree 
Carnation  cuttings  adopted  by  perhaps  the  largest 
market  grower  of  these  plants  is  as  follows  :  A. 
large  piece  of  slate  is  placed  over  the  hot-water 
pipes  in  a  corner  of  a  warm  house,  and  a  wooden 
frame  about  10  inches  deep  was  put  over  the  slate. 
Some  6  inches  or  8  inches  of  silver  sand  are  then 
placed  in  the  frame,  which  is  covered  with  a  glass 
light.  The  cuttings,  made  about  2  inches  long 
and  cut  off  below  a  joint,  are  then  dibbled  in  the 
sand  after  a  day  or  so  has  elapsed,  so  as  to  let  the 
sand  become  warmed  through.  In  two  or  three 
weeks  the  cuttings  will  have  rooted,  and  may  either 
be  transferred  to  small  pots  or  boxes.  The  former 
are  preferable  when  the  quantit}'  of  plants  to  be 
grown  is  limited,  but  when  large  numbers  are 
cultivated  it  is  more  convenient  to  use  boxes. 
When  the  rooted  cuttings  are  potted  ofl',  still  keep 
them  in  a  warm  house,  and  as  the  weather  becomes 
warmer  gradually  harden  them  off  until  they  can 
be  removed  with  safety  to  a  cold  frame.  They 
may  remain  there  all  the  summer,  or  may  be 
placed  out  of  doors  in  a  sheltered  part  of  the 
garden.  The  final  repotting  should  be  into  pots  of 
6  inches  diameter.  Take  them  into  the  green- 
house again  in  September  and  give  them  occasional 
waterings  with  manure  water,  and  they  will  soon 
begin  to  show  signs  of  flowering.  When  the  plants 
are  about  3  inches  high  and  well  rooted,  the  pointa 
of  the  shoots  should  be  pinched  out  so  as  to  give 
them  a  bushy  habit  of  growth  ;  one  pinching  or 
stopping  is  usually  sufficient  to  ensure  this.  It  is- 
important  to  keep  Tree  Carnations  free  from  insect 
pests  or  the  leaves  will  be  damaged  and  the  plants 
will  suffer.  A  selection  for  the  town  garden  green- 
house would  include  Uriah  Pike,  dark  crimson  ; 
William  Robinson,  scarlet  ;  Primrose  Day,  yellow  ; 
Comus,  white  ;  Mile.  Terese  Franco,  pink,  although 
there  are  many  other  good  ones. 

Carnations  in  Tdes  and  Window  Boxes. 
If  border  space  is  limited  Carnations  may  be 
successfully  grown  in  tubs  or  boxes.  Tubs  well 
filled  with  Carnations,  however,  form  attractive 
objects  in  any  garden,  and  are  especially  suited  for 
arranging  on  the  top  of  steps,  on  low  walls,  &c.  In 
this  way  Carnations  may  be  grown  in  a  garden  even 
where  there  are  no  borders.  Tub  gardening  is  a- 
phase  of  horticulture  that  is  yet  but  little  practised^ 
yet  it  has  great  possibilities  and  may  be  turned  to 
"good  account  by  the  town  gardener  as  well  as  by 
those  whose  gardens  are  larger  and  more  fortunately 
situated.  If  the  culture  is  successful  the  plant  will 
grow  and  flower  so  well  that  the  tubs  are  almost 
hidden  from  view.  Paraffin  casks,  cut  in  half,  do 
admirably  for  growing  the  Carnations  in,  but  if 
these  are  used  some  of  the  plants  must  be  placed 
at  the  edge  of  the  tub  and  inserted  in  the  soil  side- 
ways, so  that  the  growths  and  flowers  will  droop 
over  the  sides.  Pinks  may  be  used  as  an  edging 
instead,  and  Carnations  planted  so  as  to  fill  the  rest 
of  the  tub  surface  soil.  The  best  results  I  have 
seen  from  this  method  of  Carnation   culture  wa» 


220 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


when'the  tubs  were  a  good  size,  some 
4  feet  high,  and  with  holes  around  the 
sides  so  that  when  planted  and  the 
plants  fully  grown  the  tubs  were  fur- 
nished all  round.  The  plants  are  put 
in  in  March,  and  must  be  carefully 
planted,  especially  those  in  the  holes 
around  the  side.  Make  them  firm,  and 
see  that  proper  drainage  is  provided  so 
-as  to  allow  of  the  exit  of  superfluous 
water.  This  may  be  secured  by  placing 
two  or  three  drain  pipes  (on  top  of  each 
other  so  as  to  form  a  channel)  in  the 
centre  of  the  tub,  and  making  holes  in 
them  here  and  there  for  the  water  to 
run  through. 

A  deal  of  water  will  be  necessary 
during  the  summer,  for  one  tub  will 
need  a  good  many  plants  to  furnish  it 
well,  and  they  must  have  a  good  supply  j  ^ 

of  water,  mixing  guano  with  it  when  ^  ;> 
buds  begin  to  show.  It  is  not  wise  to 
keep  the  plants  in  the  tubs  for  more 
than  one  season,  for  by  the  following 
year  they  would  be  untidy  and  the  soil 
also  would  need  renewing.  Do  not  stand 
the  tubs  or  boxes  upon  the  ground,  but 
place  two  or  three  bricks  underneath 
so  as  to  raise  them. 

I  often  wonder  why  Carnations  are 
not  more  generally  grown  in  window 
boxes;  they  bloom  a  long  time,  and  are 
delightful  flowers  to  have  in  front  of 
one's  window.  "In  Switzerland,"  says 
Canon  Ellacombe,  "they  are  grown 
(especially  the  Crimson  Clove)  in  the 
window  boxes  of  the  chalets,  and  are 
allowed  to  hang  down,  and  so  grown 
they  are  very  beautiful." 

Carnations  do  not  mix  very  well,  they 
always  look  best  when  alone  rather 
than  among  other  flowers,  therefore  I 
should  suggest  that  one  window  box  be 
filled  with  Carnations.  Some  may  be 
siipporteil  by  means  of  the  green  wires 
I  have  already  mentioned,  then  the 
criticism  of  the  writer  already  quoted 
that  "  a  bed  of  Carnations  shows 
•almost  as  many  sticks  as  flowers  "  will 
not  apply ;  allow  those  planted  near  the 
edge  of  the  box  to  droop  naturally.  If 
preferred   the  edging  may  be  of  Pinks. 

The  Carnation  is    one   of    the    most 
beautiful  of  garden  flowers.     It  seems 
to   succeed    everywhere,  in    the    town 
garden  and   by  the  sea,  where  perhaps  the  finest 
results  are  gained.    Without  Carnations  the  English 
garden  loses  a  great  charm  at  all  times,  for  in  winter 
the  silvery  tufts  are  very  beautiful.         T.  H.  H. 


should  suddenly  become  hot  and  dry 
before  the  young  plants  are  well  rooted, 
they  should  be  shaded  by  a  flower-pot 
during  the  daytime.       Alger  Petts. 


ZENOBIA  SPECIOSA. 

Ok  the  large  class  of  hardy  flowering 
shrubs,  broadly  known  as  Andromeda, 
and  for  the  most  part  natives  of  North 
America,  none  are  more  beautiful  than 
this  plant  and  its  near  relative,  Z. 
pulverulenta  ;  and  no  flowering  shrubs 
of  modest  growth  are  more  desirable 
where  garden  ground  or,  still  better, 
wild  garden  spaces  present  conditions 
favourable  to  their  well-being.  They 
thrive  in  moist,  peaty  earth,  and  accord 
most  pleasantly  with  the  wild  Heaths, 
Whortleberry,  and  Mosses  that  in  such 
soils  form  the  natural  undergrowth. 
The  flower  of  Zenobia  speciosa  is  a 
handsome  spike,  more  fully  set  with 
the  waxy  white  bells  than  perhaps  any 
other  of  the  Andromedas,  and  the  indi- 
vidual bells  are  of  more  solid  texture. 
This  beautiful  shrub  is  also  known  as 
Andromeda  cassinsefolia,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  distinct  and  charming  of  the 
entire  race.  T. 


NOTABLE   GARDENS. 


NOTES 


T 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

ILEX     AQUIFOLIUM    VAE. 
CAMELLI^FOLIA. 

WEITING  in  The  Garden  of  the 
20th  ult.  about  this  Holly,  Mr. 
Bean  say.s  :  "  The  variety  we 
grow  at  Kew  under  this  name 
I  regard  as  the  finest  of  the 
green-leaved  sorts.  Of  erect, 
pyramidal  habit  and  quick  growing,  it  has 
leaves  .5  inches  to  6  inches  long,  often  entirely 
without  spines,  and  rarely  with  more  than 
three  or  four  ;  they  are  usually  less  than  half 
as  wide  as  they  are  long,  and  of  the  deepest 
and  most  lustrous  green.  This  variety  is  also 
known  as  laurifolia  longifolia."  The  tree  shown 
in  the  accompanying  illustration  is  20  feet  high 
and  9  feet  through  at  the  base. 

SPIR^A  FILIPENDULA  FLOEE-PLENO 

Both  the  foliage  and  the  flower  of  this  plant  are  so 
beautiful  that  one  is  surprised  it  is  not  more 
generally  grown.      Perhaps   the  reason  is   to  be 


ILEX    CAMELLI^FOLIA   AT    KEW. 

found  in  the  short  duration  of  its  blossom, 
especially  if  the  weather  is  hot,  as  often  happens 
at  the  season  when  it  is  in  bloom,  namely,  in  June. 
It  is  the  double  variety  of  the  Dropwort  of  our 
English  meadows,  and  a  member  of  the  order  of  the 
Rose,  unlikely  as  it  seems  at  a  first  glance.  It 
grows  about  1  foot  high,  and  each  flower-stalk 
bears  a  cluster,  or  what  botanists  call  a  panicled 
cyme,  of  small  white  to  cream-coloured  flowers,  the 
buds  of  which  are  pink  before  they  open.  The 
foliage,  with  its  multitude  of  small,  finely-divided 
leaflets,  is  equal  to  most  Ferns,  and  makes  a  very 
good  edging  to  a  border,  as  it  keeps  green  most  of 
the  year.  If  used  for  this  purpose  it  is  well  to 
keep  the  flower-buds  picked  off  so  as  to  get  stronger 
foliage.  Its  fondness  for  lime  is  shown  by  the  wild 
species  from  which  it  has  been  obtained  being 
found  on  limestone  or  chalky  pastures.  Hence  if 
the  soil  is  poor  in  lime,  as  most  old  garden  soils  not 
actually  overlying  chalk  or  limestone  usually  are, 
some  mortar-rubbish  or  lime  should  be  added  to 
the  soil  before  planting.  It  prefers  a  shady  position 
and  a  moist  soil,  the  flowers  lasting  much  longer 
under  such  conditions  than  in  the  full  sunshine.  If 
the  soil  in  which  it  is  planted  has  been  deeply 
dug  and  manured  it  will  make  a  good-sized  clump 
in  three  to  four  years,  and  it  is  well  then  to  take 
it  up  and  divide  it.  This  is  best  done  in  September 
or  October,  but  may  also  be  done  well  in  damp 
weather  in  April,  when,  if  a  supply  of  plants  is 
preferred  to  that  season's  blossom,  it  may  be  cut  up 
into  small  pieces,  and  everj'  piece  possessing  the 
smallest  amount  of  root  will  grow  and  make  a  good 
flowering  plant  the  following  season.  If  the  weather 


FROM  SANDHURST 
LODGE. 
HIS  interesting  garden  repays 
a  visit  at  any  time  of  the 
year,  and  especially  to  those 
who  have  seen  the  change 
that  has  taken  place  in  it 
during  the  past  twenty  years. 
What  was  then  rough  waste  land  is  now 
converted  into  a  lovely  part  of  the 
garden.  Every  portion  is  literally  full 
of  the  best  material — trees,  shrubs, 
bulbs,  and  hardy  plants  of  all  kinds. 
Scarcely  can  a  meritorious  hardy  plant 
be  named  that  may  not  be  found  here, 
and  the  soil  seems  full  of  bulbs,  &o. 
Since  my  last  visit,  four  years  ago, 
another  interesting  feature  has  been 
added,  namely,  flowering  trees  and 
shrubs  grown  in  pots.  With  a  few 
highly -coloured  Prunus,  Pyrus,  Cherries,  &c.,  I 
observed  some  fine  bushes  of  Magnolias,  such 
as  M.  conspicua,  M.  snulangeana,  and  other 
good  ones.  These  were  full  of  buds,  and  promise 
to  give  abundance  of  bloom.  The  flowering  shrubs 
and  trees  are  all  grown  in  pots,  from  9  inches  to 
14  inches  diameter,  and  vary  from  3  feet  to  6  feet  in 
height.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  they  were  plunged 
in  the  turf  where  they  are  to  bloom.  When  the 
season  has  advanced  they  are  removed,  and  their 
places  filled  with  tender  plants,  also  grown  in  pots, 
viz.,  Fuchsias,  Plumbagos,  Solanum  jasminoides, 
and  other  things ;  20U  Fuchsias  alone  are  used 
every  year,  and  other  things  in  proportion. 

Among  these  are  planted  Daffodils  of  sorts,  and 
it  must  be  a  lovely  sight  to  see  these  and  the 
shrubs  in  bloom  at  one  time.  Flowering  plants 
are  a  great  feature  here  ;  masses  of  Rhododendrons, 
Azaleas,  and  climbing  Roses  are  almost  everywhere. 
Even  in  a  small  garden  of  bush  Apple  trees  there 
are  Daffodils,  &c. ,  now  springing  up. 

Border  and  rock  plants  are  largely  planted  also. 
I  was  told  that  6,000  plants  of  Polyanthus  Forde 
Abbey  strain  are  grown,  and  are  used  in  groups  on 
the  grass.  In  borders  and  beds  close  under  the 
windows  Pansies  are  grown.  In  a  swampy  portion 
of  the  grounds  I  observed  Primula  losea  by  the 
yard,  and  others  of  the  cashmiriana  type.  These 
are  close  to  the  Lily  ponds.  The  glass  accommo- 
dation is  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  provide  material 
for  the  open  garden,  conservatory,  cutting,  &c. 
Mr.  Townsend  showed  me  a  large  frame  full  of 
the  best  kinds  of  Lobelia  of  the  cardinalis  type  all 
in  pots  ;  these  are  grown  in  the  turf  in  a  moist 


Maech  26,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN 


221 


place  beside  a  brook.  Although  so  much  attention 
is  given  to  the  op«n  garden,  the  glass  department 
■does  not  suffer  neglect. 

I  never  remember  seeing  a  finer  display  of 
•Cyclamen  in  a  private  garden.  In  the  same  house 
forced  shrubs,  bulbs,  and  Freesias  made  a  grand 
xlisplay.  Nothing  could  be  finer  than  the  flowering 
shrubs,  chiefly  grown  in  9-inch  to  12  inch  pots. 

In  another  house  I  saw  a  grand  batch  of  Primula 
obconica  grandiflora  and  the  variety  rosea.  On  the 
roof  was  Hidalgoa  Wereklei,  much  resembling  a 
single  red  Dahlia,  with  two  varieties  of  climbing 
Tropseolums.  The  Bermuda  Oxalis  was  charming, 
its  bright  yellow  flowers  and  green  foliage  covering 
the  pots.  This  is  a  plant  that  should  be  more 
^rown  for  winter  flowering.  Large  numbers  of 
Habrothamnus  of  sorts  are  grown  here  for  placing 
in  the  open,  and  had  just  been  potted  ;  these  were 
irom  3  feet  to  5  feet  high,  and  Mr.  Townsend 
assured  me  they  commenced  to  bloom  as  soon  as 
growth  began.  Viburnum  macrocephalum  was 
blooming  grandly  in  pots  under  glass.  It  is  not 
liardy  in  the  open  except  when  against  a  wall.  It 
is  a  most  desirable  plant,  having  large  blooms  of 
the  purest  white,  and  it  is  evergreen. 

Fruit  culture  is  not  extensively  practised  under 
^lass.  In  one  house  I  saw  evidence  of  what  may 
be  done  in  a  limited  space.  At  the  back  of  a 
lean-to  were  standard  Peach  trees  in  pots.  These 
bad  a  good  crop  of  fruits  set.  There  were  also 
upwards  of  two  dozen  pot  Figs  from  2  feet  to  4  feet 
high,  full  of  fruit  about  half  developed.  On  the 
front  stage  Strawberries  in  pots  were  coming  into 
tloom.     Underneath  the  space  was  used  by  forcing 


Asparagus  in  deep  boxes,  and  there  was  a  grand 
lot  ready  to  cut. 

I  was  impressed  with  the  use  of  the  flowering 
Currants,  Broom,  and  other  free-growing  shrubs. 
These  are  placed  in  large  groups  among  Rhododen- 
drons, &c. ,  and  make  a  wonderful  show  when  in 
bloom.  J.  Crook. 


WATER    GARDENING. 


PLANTING   WATER   LILIES. 

NO  garden  of  any  pretensions  can  be 
considered  complete  unless  it  con- 
tains a  pond  or  stream  or  other 
facilities  for  carrying  out  some  phase 
of  vpater  gardening.  During  the 
summer  months  perhaps  no  part  of 
the  garden  is  more  appreciated  than  the  corner 
where  Nymphieas  and  other  water-loving  plants 
grow.  Even  the  smallest  pond  is  a  delightful 
feature,  and  in  hot  weather  is  refreshing  and 
restful  as  no  other  part  of  a  garden  can  be. 
When  its  banks  are  covered  with  luxuriant 
plant  growth,  and  Water  Lilies  spread  them- 
selves upon  the  surface,  then  it  becomes  full  of 
interest  as  well.  To  those  through  whose 
garden  runs  a  stream  similar  to  that  shown  in 
the  illustration,  this  will  show  more  eloquently 
than  words  how  greatly  a  few  Water  Lilies, 
judiciously  planted,  can  add  to  its  beauty.    At 


this  time  of  year  the  water  garden  needs  atten- 
tion, and  preparation  must  soon  be  made  for 
planting.  The  best  months  for  planting  Nym- 
phaeas  are  April,  May,  and  .June,  and  even  in 
July  and  August.  They  should  first  be  planted 
in  baskets  previously  filled  with  good  loam, 
taking  care  to  make  them  firm.  Then  lower 
the  baskets  into  the  water  where  the  Lilies  are 
to  remain.  The  baskets  will  not  decay  for 
several  years,  and  by  that  time  the  Nymphaeas 
will  be  well  established.  Some  of  the  stronger- 
growing  sorts — the  Marliacea  hybrids,  for 
instance — if  not  planted  fairly  deeply,  say, 
3  feet,  will  in  a  year  or  two  push  their  leaves 
quite  out  of  the  water,  making  a  massive 
clump,  and  thereby  losing  somewhat  in  beauty. 
Nymphteas  will  succeed  even  when  planted 
6  feet  deep  or  more.  Of  course,  with  the  less 
vigorous-growing  ones  shallow  planting  is  quite 
satisfactory,  for  the  long,  slender  petioles  spread 
out  and  the  leaves  float  gracefully. 

Water  Lilies  may  also  be  grown  in  tubs,  so 
that  they  are  not  denied  even  to  those  with 
only  quite  a  small  garden.  The  best  sort  for 
this  is  Nymphaja  pygmtea  Helvola,  which  has 
a  small  yellow  flower,  and  is  very  charming 
when  in  full  bloom.  When  the  smaller-growing 
hybrids  and  varieties  are  grown  in  a  large  lake 
or  pond  they  should  be  planted  near  the  edge, 
as  then  the  flowers  can  be  seen,  and  the  plants 
kept  free  from  stronger  neighbours.       H.  T. 


WATER  LILIES   IN   A   QUIET  BACKWATER. 


222 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


THE     FRUIT     GARDEN. 

SPEING  TREATMENT  OF  NEWLY- 
PLANTED  FRUIT  TREES. 

WE  do  not  expect  fruit  trees  to  bear 
the  first  season,  and  should  not 
let  them  if  they  are  inclined  to 
do  so,  except  to  a  small  extent 
in  the  case  of  cordons.  All  or 
nearly  all  the  buds  burst  out 
that  would  have  done  so  if  the  trees  had  not  been 
moved,  assuming  that  they  were  cut  back  to  some 
extent  when  planted  ;  it  is  a  very  trying  time 
for  the  tree  when  it  has  to  meet  "this  suddenly 
increased  demand  for  moisture  and  nourishment 
before  its  roots  get  a  proper  hold  of  the  soil.  One 
way  in  which  we  can  help  the  tree  is  by  picking  off 
the  blossoms  before  they  open,  but  our  object 
must  be  to  help  the  tree  to  get  established  quickly. 
The  chief  way  in  which  we  can  help  the  tree  is 
by  increasing  the  soil  warmth,  as  this  helps  the 
formation  of  new  roots  and  the  production  of 
nitrates  in  the  soil  by  nitrification.  Plants  can 
only  absorb  nitrogen  in  the  form  of  nitrate,  and  the 
conversion  of  the  organic  matter  in  the  soil  first 
into  ammonia  and  then  into  nitrate  is  practically 
suspended  when  the  temperature  of  the  soil  is  below 
40°,  but  becomes  active  above  this,  the  rate  of 
production  increasing  rapidly  as  the  temperature 
rises.  Hence  farmers  find  that  the  Corn  turns 
yellow  during  a  cold  spell  of  weather  in  April  or 
May  through  the  partial  suspension  of  the  forma- 
tion of  the  nitrates,  of  which  the  young  plants  are 
in  need. 

The  problem  is,  then,  to  increase  the  warmth  of 
the  soil,   and  it  is,   fortunately,   a   simple   one   in 
practice.     In  the  first  place  the  mulching  material 
that    was    put    over    the    soil    occupied    by    the 
roots  at   the  time  of  planting  should  be  removed 
as   soon   as  the  danger  of  severe  weather  is   over 
— say,    towards    the  end  of   March — thus  letting 
the  sun  shine  on  the  soil  and  warm  it ;    but  this 
is  only  the  first  step.     The  soil  under  the  mulch 
will   be   very  wet   and  close,  and  as   fast   as   the 
moisture  in   the   surface   soil   is  evaporated  more 
cold   water   comes   up   from    below  by    capillary, 
attraction,  thus  keeping  the  soil  cold  in  two  ways 
for  it   has  been   found   that  to  evaporate  lib.   of 
water  at  62°  Fahr.  takes  as  much  heat  as  to  raise 
l,000lb.  of  water  one  degree.     If  it  does  not  get 
this  heat  from  the  sun  it  gets  it  from  the  soil  in 
which  it  is  contained,  thus  lowering  its  tempera- 
ture, and  if  it  gets  the  heat  from  the  sun  entirely 
it  is  absorbing  heat  which  would  otherwise  have 
been  used  in  warming  the  soil.     Now,  if  when  we 
remove  the  mulch  we  lightly  hoe   the  surface  soil 
we  check  the  rise  of  water  from  below,  with  the 
result,  as  everyone  has  observed,  that  the  surface 
soil   soon   gets  dry.     If  on  a  sunny  day,  even  as 
early  as  the  end  of  March,  we  put  a  hand  on  this 
dry  surface  it  will  be  found  that  it  is  quite  warm, 
while  the  damp  ground  is  still  cold.     The  result  of 
this   warming  of  the  soil   will  be  that  the  roots 
which  are  nearest  the  surface  will  be  stimulated 
into  activity,  and  these  are  just  the  roots  which, 
with  a  view  to  the  future  fruitfulness  of  the  tree, 
we  want  to  encourage.     The  warmth  of  the  soil, 
too,  will  induce  nitrification,  and  hence,  when  the 
young  trees  begin  to  put  forth  leaves,  there  will 
be  a  supply  of  nitrate  ready  for  the  roots  to  feed 
upon,  and  the  result  will  be  seen  in  dark-coloured 
vigorous  foliage. 

It  is  not  only  the  greater  warmth  of  the  soil 
which  promotes  the  formation  of  nitrate,  for  the 
aeration  of  the  soil  induced  by  the  working  of  the 
surface  supplies  the  oxygen  which  is  necessary  for 
the  bacteria  to  carry  on  their  work.  I  had  an 
instance  of  the  converse  of  this  some  years  ago. 
I  had  planted  a  row  of  cordon  Pears  in  the  autumn 
in  the  open  on  a  cold  soil,  and  had  not  only  put 
over  the  soil  the  straw  in  which  the  trees  were 
packed,  but  a  coating  of  manure  over  the  straw. 
This  was  left  through  the  spring — a  very  cold  one. 
The  trees  put  out  a  few  leaves,  and  then  for  two 
or  three  weeks  almost  stopped  growth,  the  leaves 
becoming  yellow,  and  in  some  cases  rusty,  while 
none  of  the  blossom  set.  I  did  not  know  then 
that  the  trees  were  simply  starving  for  want  of 


nitrate  and  air,  besides  being  in  such  a  cold  wet 
medium  that  they  could  not  make  the  growth 
necessary  to  keep  pace  with  the  demands  of  the 
leaves.  ALiiER  Petts. 


POINTS  ABOUT   GRAFTING. 

Though  young  fruit  trees  are  mostly  raised 
nowadays  by  the  quicker  and  generally  favoured 
method  of  budding,  grafting  plays  an  important 
part  in  fruit  culture  as  a  means  of  changing 
the  character  of  existing  trees  and  placing 
new  heads  on  old  shoulders.  Who  was  the 
originator  of  grafting  is  a  moot  question,  but  no 
modern  generation  of  gardeners  can  claim  the  dis- 
tinction, for  Shakespeare  describes  the  work  as 
being  "an  art  which  doth  mend  Nature,  change  it 
rather,  for  the  art  itself  is  Nature."  I  think  there 
can  be  little  doubt  that  Nature  was  the  teacher  in 
the  first  instance,  because  examples  of  natural 
grafting  are  not  uncommon.  I  know  of  one  illus- 
tration in  a  cottage  garden  where  two  branches  of 
separate  Apple  trees  came  into  contact,  and  after 
rubbing  and  embracing  each  other  for  some  time 
they  united  and  formed  a  natural  graft. 

In  orchards  and  fruit  gardens  there  can  be  no 
two  opinions  about  the  usefulness  of  grafting  as  a 
means  of  increasing  desirable  varieties  and  changing 
useless  trees  into  profitable  specimens.  We  hear  a 
good  deal  in  these  days  about  the  inferior  Apples 
produced  in  home  orchards,  but  in  many  cases  it  is 
the  varieties  that  are  poor,  and  if  the  trees  that 
bear  the  second-rate  fruit  were  headed  back  and 
grafted  with  better  sorts  the  general  standard 
would  be  raised.  In  fruit-growing  districts  the 
work  of  renovating  and  changing  by  means  of 
grafting  goes  on  every  year,  and  during  April  the 
work  is  performed  by  men  who  have  become  expert 
at  it  through  long  practice.  Occasionally  extremes 
are  gone  to,  and  I  sometimes  see  old  trees  being 
grafted  that  are  so  time-worn  that  a  more  fitting 
place  for  them  would  be  the  timber  stack.  Yet  the 
time  when  a  tree  is  too  far  gone  to  be  regrafted  is 
a  matter  of  opinion,  and  in  the  way  of  Apples 
there  are  some  varieties  that  seem  especially 
adapted  for  grafting  on  old  stocks.  A  case  in  point 
is  Bramley's  Seedling.  I  have  seen  this  variety 
grafted  on  to  old  stocks  that  seemed  as  if  they 
were  not  worth  the  trouble,  but  it  appeared  as 
though  the  vigour  of  the  variety  was  imparted  to 
the  stock,  with  the  result  that  the  trees  were 
rejuvenated  and  crowned  once  more  with  young, 
vigorous  heads. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  grafting  itself  is  a 
simple  operation,  it  is  rather  surprising  that  so 
many  trees  are  allowed  to  go  on  year  after  year, 
till  at  last  old  age  provides  a  reasonable  excuse  for 
letting  them  continue  as  they  are.  About  the 
actual  operation  of  fixing  the  scions  on  the  stocks 
a  few  words  may  be  said,  and  in  this,  as  in  other 
work,  certain  methods  seem  too  common  to  certain 
locilities.  Really  trees  irtended  for  grafting 
should  be  headed  back  some  time  beforehand,  and 
then  all  the  operator  has  to  do  when  he  has  got 
his  scions  ready  is  to  saw  off  another  inch  or  two 
of  the  stumps  of  the  branches  to  get  fresh  wood 
into  which  to  insert  the  grafts.  Likewise  it  is 
customary  to  take  oif  scions  some  time  before  they 
are  wanted  and  lay  them  in  the  ground  so  that 
the  growth  in  the  stock  may  be  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  graft  when  the  latter  is  fixed.  These  rules, 
however,  need  not  deter  anyone  from  cutting  back 
a  tree  now  and  grafting  it  straight  away  with 
reasonable  hope  of  success. 

The  method  known  as  whip  or  tongue  grafting 
is  good  when  thin  shoots  are  being  operated  upon 
and  stock  and  scion  are  about  the  same  thickness, 
but  for  thick  branches  on  established  trees  it  is  of 
course  unsuitable.  In  some  parts  cleft  grafting  is 
a  common  mode  of  procedure,  and  is  practicable 
only  when  the  branches  are  not  too  thick  to  be 
split.  The  stump  is  split  about  1  inch  down  and 
the  cleft  held  open  by  means  of  a  chisel  inserted  in 
it,  while  the  scion,  which  is  pared  down  to  fit,  is 
fixed  at  the  outer  edge  on  one  or  both  sides,  so 
that  the  inner  layers  of  the  barks  of  scion  and 
stock  are  brought  into  contact  with  each  other. 
Unions  are  readily  obtained  by  means  of  cleft 
grafting,    but    there    are    disadvantages    in    the 


splitting  of  the  branch  which  is  necessary,  as  the 
wood  does  not  always  unite  again  and  canker  ia 
apt  to  set  in.  On  the  whole  rind  grafting  is  a 
much  better  method,  and  well  adapted  to  thick 
limbs.  After  sawing  the  latter  off  level  an  incision 
is  made  through  and  down  the  bark  about  2  inches 
long,  and  the  bark  is  lifted  by  means  of  a  piece  of 
hard  wood  or  bone,  so  as  to  m.ake  room  for  the 
graft,  which  is  pared  down  and  pushed  into 
position.  It  is  then  tied  firmly  with  matting  and 
covered  over  with  grafting  wax  to  exclude  the  air. 
Several  grafts  may  be  inserted  in  this  way  on  the 
end  of  a  large  limb,  but  if  they  all  grow  they 
should  be  thinned  out  sufficiently  to  avoid  any 
congestion  of  shoots.  There  is  no  advantage  ir> 
having  long  scions,  and  if  these  are  furnished  with 
two  or  three  buds  they  are  quite  sufficient.  How 
long  time  will  elapse  before  a  successfully  grafted 
tree  is  in  a  state  of  bearing  depends,  of  course,  on 
the  character  of  the  variety,  but  if  all  the  shoot* 
breaking  from  the  stock  are  promptly  removed  the 
vigour  is  thrown  into  the  scions,  and  in  a  few 
years  a  new  head  is  formed  on  the  tree. 

G.  H.  HOLLINGWORTH. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


A' 


THE  CLUBBING   OF   BRASSICAS. 

S  the  time  is  now  close  at  hand  for  the 
sowing  of  this  important  section  of 
vegetables,  a  note  on  this  subject  may 
be  of  no  little  importance  to  readers- 
who  have  experienced  great  trouble 
with  clubbing  and  failed  to  eradicate 
it.  The  following  remedy  has  never  failed  with 
me.  When  preparing  the  seed-bed  work  down  to. 
as  fine  a  surface  as  possible,  then  draw  the 
drills,  and  take  one  part  of  Veltha,  mix  with 
100  parts  of  finely  sifted  soil,  give  the  bed  a. 
good  dusting  all  over,  and  then  sow  the  seed.  It 
is  important  to  do  this  in  the  seed-bed.  When 
planting  out  time  arrives  plant  in  the  ordinary 
way,  then  give  each  plant  a  dusting  round  the 
surface,  which  will,  of  course,  reach  the  roots 
either  by  rain  or  by  watering.  Treated  in  this 
way  I  have  never  experienced  clubbing,  and  can 
recommend  Veltha  as  an  excellent  stimulant  to 
such  plants ;  but  it  requires  to  be  carefully 
applied.  Veltha  used  as  recommended  is  excellent 
for  the  cultivation  of  Tomatoes,  either  to  prevent 
clubbing  or  as  a  stimulant.  J.  S.  HiGGlNS. 

BAg  Gardens,  Corwen,  North  Waies. 

CAULIFLOWER    EARLY    DWARF 
ERFUET. 

For  a  first  crop  in  the  open  this  Cauliflower  is; 
most  reliable  in  every  way.  It  often  happens  that 
the  forced  Cauliflowers  do  not  last  long,  and  there 
is  a  break  between  those  raised  in  the  autumn  and 
given  protection  and  those  sown  early  in  the  year,, 
either  in  frames,  boxes,  or  on  a  warm  border.  For 
a  quick-growing  crop  the  true  Early  Dwarf  Erfurt, 
will  be  found  most  valuable.  I  wish  to  emphasise 
the  word  true,  as  I  have  seen  very  poor  types  sent 
out  as  the  true  Erfurt,  and  anything  but  dwarf.. 
There  is  a  large  variety  called  the  Maraniothr 
Erfurt  ;  this  should  not  he  grown  for  a  first  crot> 
or  spring  sowing.  The  Early  Dwarf,  as  its  name 
implies,  is  of  compact  growth,  and  has  pure  white, 
small,  closely-formed  heads,  which  keep  solid  for 
a  considerable  time.  The  plant  grows  quickly  if 
the  seed  can  be  given  glass  protection  at  the 
start.  The  Erfurt  is  equal  to  the  varieties  advisetl 
for  forcing  :  unfortunately,  it  is  not  always  sent 
out  true.  The  true  Erfurt  is  very  distinct  and 
dwarf  indeed.  Once  grown,  it  is  readily  knowtj 
from  others,  and  its  value  is  in  its  earliness,  quick 
growth,  and  excellent  flavour.  G.   W. 


EARLY    SPRING    CABBAGE. 

The  mild  winter  has  been  favourable  for  the  firs 
crop  of  Cabbages.     In  our  own  case  not  a  single 
plant  was  lost,  and  this  in  so  wet  a  season.     Of 
course,  this  onlj'  applies  to  the  southern  part  of 
the  country  and  on  a  light  soil,  but  the  plants  are 


March  26,  1904.J 


THE  GARDEN. 


223 


well  exposed  and  on  a  sloping  bank.  I  do  not 
think  there  ia  any  gain  in  coddling ;  it  is  far 
better  to  secure  a  strong  sturdy  plant,  as  by  so 
doing  there  are  fewer  losses.  We  sow  even  earlier 
than  is  advised  for  spring  supplies,  and  plant  out 
sooner. 

I  admit  there  are  difficulties.  In  some 
seasons  some  of  the  plants  bolt,  but  this  greatly 
depends  upon  the  variety,  and  I  find  Little  Gem 
most  reliable  in  this  respect ;  but  should  a  small 
percentage  bolt,  the  remainder,  coming  in  so  early, 
are  a  distinct  gain.  As  a  market  Cabbage 
Little  Gem  is  useless ;  it  is  very  dwarf  and 
compact  and  even,  and  when  full  grown 
remains  good  a  considerable  time. 
This  season  we  cut  heads  all  through 
February,  and,  though  earlier  than  usual, 
it  is  still  good  ;  the  later  plants  will  give 
a  supply  to  the  end  of  the  month.  By 
growing  these  small  Cabbages  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  having  a  supply  all  the  year 
round.  G.  Wtthbs. 

Syon  Gardens,  Brentford. 


Ranunculus. — Some  very  fine  double  varieties  in 
separate  colours,  crimson,  orange-yellow,  rose-pink, 
and  the  curious  crimson  with  green  centre  are  to  be 
seen.  These  are  imported  in  large  quantities. 
They  do  not  seem  to  be  so  much  favoured  by 
English  growers;  probably  they  would  not  pay 
for  marketing,  but  they  should  find  a  place  in 
every  garden. 

The  Blue  Cornflower  (Centaurea  Cyanus)  of  a 
very  deep  shade  of  colour  is  now  plentiful.  The 
purple     Iris     germanica    is    already    in     market. 


A 


with 


PRUNING    ROSES. 

S  this  is  iiruning  time,  the  following 
notes  by  Mr.  E.  Mawley,  secretary 
of  the  National  Kose  Society,  in 
"  Roses  for  English  Gardens,''  will 
be  helpful  just  now : 
There  are  few  things  connected 

Rose   culture   so    little    understood    by 


amateurs  and  gardeners  generally  as  pruning 


IDENTICAL    PEAS. 

In  these  days  of  so  many  varieties  of 
culinary  Peas,  and  fresh  additions  every 
year,  it  is  not  surprising  that  many  of  the 
so-called  distinct  varieties  in  cultivation 
should  resemble  each  other  so  much  as  to 
be  practically  identical.  By  way  of  illus- 
tration, I  have  a  great  fancy  for  that 
splendid  first  early  Pea  Early  Giant,  but 
I  am  continually  being  met  with  the 
assertion  that  it  is  identical  with  Gradus, 
another  well-known  Pea.  I  have  grown 
both,  and  am  of  the  opinion  that,  though 
they  greatly  resemble  each  other,  Early 
Giant  is  the  stronger,  the  more  pro- 
lific, and  consequently  the  better  of  the 
two. 

General  opinion,  however,  that  the  two 
are  identical  seems  to  contradict  these 
views,  and  I  think  it  would  be  inter- 
esting to  Pea  growers  in  general  if  Mr. 
Beckett  or  Mr.  Wythes  would  give  their  views  as 
to  the  distinctiveness  or  otherwise  of  these  well- 
known  varieties.  G.  H.  H. 


/ 


t    r'"- 


V     .V.       if 


/ 


A   GARDEN    ROSE   BEFORE    AND    AFTER   PRUNING. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


ROSES  are  now  coming  in  more  plentifully. 
Liberty  and  General  Jacqueminot  being 
the  best  reds.  Catherine  Mermet  is 
very  fine,  also  Bridesmaid  of  the  deeper 
^  shade.  Caroline  Testout  is  a  lovely 
pink,  and  Niphetos  are  excellent.  The 
Bride,  with  long  stems  and  good  foliage,  sells 
well.  Ma  Capucine  is  small  but  bright  in  colour. 
Sunrise  is  also  very  pretty,  Safrano  is  coming 
in  from  English  growers  now,  and  there  are  still 
some  very  good  blooms  of  this  from  France.  Perle 
des  Jardins  also  comes  over  in  large  quantities,  and 
there  are  some  fairly  good  pink  Roses  out  with  long 
stems  ;  the  way  these  come  over  would  indicate 
that  they  grow  most  luxuriantly. 

Anemones. — These  are  now  very  plentiful,  and 
several  distinct  sorts  are  coming  in.  A.  stellata, 
mostly  scarlet,  striped  with  white,  is  very  pretty; 
A.  s.  fulgens,  the  bright  scarlet,  is  very  attractive; 
A.  coronaria  is  in  mixed  colours,  also  in  scarlet, 
bunched  separately.  This  is  particularly  good  ; 
the  purple  is  also  seen  in  quantity,  but  does  not  sell 
so  freely  as  the  scarlet.  The  double  pink  from 
France  is  seen  in  large  quantities.  This  is  now  a 
great  favourite,  but  it  does  not  look  very  attractive 
until  it  has  been  in  water  in  a  warm  place  for  a 
little  while.  The  St.  Brigid  varieties  are  also 
very  good.  All  Anemone  flowers  should  be 
kept  dry,  but  the  stems  should  be  put  into 
water  as  soon  as  they  are  received,  and  a  little 
warm  water  will  freshen  them  up  quickly  if  they 
are  withered. 


Myosotis  is  plentiful.  Violets  continue  to  come 
from  France.  Some  very  fine  English  are  also  to 
be  seen.  Our  attention  was  called  to  some  very 
large  blooms,  deep  in  colour  and  very  sweet ;  they 
were  made  up  into  bunches  of  six  blooms  in  each, 
with  leaves  for  button-holes,  and  the  lowest  price 
taken  in  market  was  6s.  per  dozen  bunches,  or  Id. 
each  for  the  blooms. 

Orchid,  hloom  is  plentiful,  particularly  Dendro- 
biums,  Cojlogynes,  and  Odontoglossums,  and  there 
are  some  good  Cattleyaa,  but  these  are  not  quite 
so  plentiful. 

Eucharis  are  again  coming  in  plentifully.  Lily 
of  the  Valley  is  not  quite  so  abundant.  Scarlet 
Geraniums  are  now  plentiful,  and  there  are  a  few 
pot  plants  coming  in,  but  they  are  rather  leggy. 
Callas,  white  Azaleas,  Tulips,  Hyacinths,  and 
Liliums  continue  plentiful.  The  supply  of  good 
Carnations  continues  to  increase.  No  good  yellows 
are  yet  to  be  seen,  but  all  other  shades  are  plentiful, 
and  the  prices  are  much  lower. 

Euphorbia  jacquiniceflora  is  very  good.  Cut 
Lilac  of  various  sorts,  including  some  of  the  best 
new  double  varieties,  is  to  be  seen.  There  is  very 
little  that  is  quite  fresh  in  general  pot  trade.  The 
Spiraeas  are  better  now,  and  some  very  finely 
flowered  plants  of  Erica  wilmoreana  are  for  sale. 
Cyclamens  and  Cinerarias  are  very  good  and 
plentiful,  also  Daffodils.  Hardy  roots  for  spring 
planting  are  coming  in  in  large  quantities.  Quite 
a  large  trade  in  these  will  be  done  during  the  next 
few  weeks  unless  we  get  frost  sharp  enough  to  stop 
them.     Large  supplies  of 

Palms  are  arriving,  but  trade  is  not  yet  very 
brisk,  though  there  is  a  little  improvement.  Ferns 
sell  better,  and  the  supplies  increase.  Adiantum 
cuneatura  is  now  plentiful,  but  the  plants  seen  are 
all  with  new  fronds,  which  are  yet  very  tender. 
Aspleniums  are  very  good,  but  for  many  Ferns  it 
is  just  now  rather  a  trying  time,  the  old  fronds 
being  of  rather  a  sombre  hue,  and  the  new  ones  not 
yet  quite  hard  enough. 


and  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  the  number 
of  different  kinds  of  Roses,  and  the  very  dif- 
ferent treatment  many  of  them  require  at  the 
hands  of  the  pruner,  cannot  but  make  this 
operation  seem  at  first  sight  a  very  puzzling 
one.  The  following  simple  directions  will, 
however,  serve  to  show  that  it  is  not  nearly  so 
complicated  as  it  is  generally  thought  to  be. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Cooling,  in  an  e.x:cellent  paper 
read  before  the  National  Rose  Society  in  1898, 
very  cleverly  separates  the  numerous  classes  of 
Roses  into  two  broad  and  distinct  divisions. 
In  the  first  of  these  divisions  he  places  the 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  Hybrid  Teas,  and  Teas- 
all  of  which  (the  climbing  varieties  alone 
excepted)  require  more  or  less  hard  pruning  : 
while  in  the  second  division  we  find  the  Hybrid 
Sweet-briers,  the  Austrian  Briers,  all  the  extra 
vigorous  and  climbing  Roses  and  many  garden 
or  decorative  Roses,  which,  although  of  com- 
paratively dwarf  habit,  need  little  spring 
pruning,  or  none  at  all. 

Before  proceeding  to  treat  of  the  various 
kinds  of  Roses  more  in  detail  it  may  be  well 
to  point  out  a  few  considerations  which  apply 
to  the  art  of  pruning  generally.  In  the  first 
place,  the  object  of  pruning  is  to  add  increased 
vigour  to  the  plant,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
regulate  its  growth.  It  is  difficult  to  under- 
stand at  first,  but  nevertheless  perfectly  true, 
that  the  more  severely  a  Rose  plant  is  pruned 
the  stronger  will  be  the  shoots  which  result 
from  that  apparently  murderous  treatment. 
There  is  also  another  general  rule  which 
naturally  arises  out  of  the  foregoing,  and  that 
is  the  weaker  the  plant  the  more  closely  it 
should  be  cutback,  and  the  more  vigorous  it  is 
the  longer  should  the  shoots  be  left.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  pruning  consists  of  two  opera- 


224 


THE   GARDEN. 


[March  26,  3904. 


tions,  which  are  altogether  distinct. 
Firstly,  thinning  out  all  the  decayed, 
crowded,  and  otherwise  useless  shoots ; 
secondly,  the  pruning  proper,  that  is 
to  say,  the  shortening  back  of  the 
shoots  that  remain  after  the  thinning 
out  process  has  been  completed.  There 
is  no  Rose  that  does  not  from  time 
to  time  require  some  thinning  out,  but 
there  are  many  which  require  very 
little,  if  any,  shortening  back.  When 
removing  the  useless  shoots  they  should 
be  cut  clean  out,  either  down  to  the 
base  of  the  plant  or  to  the  shoot  from 
which  they  spring,  as  the  case  may 
be.  Then,  again,  in  the  case  of  dwarf 
or  bush  Roses,  the  pruner  has  to 
decide  whether  he  requires  a  small 
number  of  extra  large  flowers  or  a 
larger  number  of  moderate-sized  ones. 
If  the  former,  both  the  thinning  out 
and  pruning  must  be  severe,  whereas 
in  the  other  case  rather  more  should 
be  allowed  to  remain,  and  these  may 
be  left  longer.  After  a  very  cold 
winter  the  pruner  will  find  that,  ex- 
cept in  the  case  of  quite  hardy  varie- 
ties, he  has  little  choice  in  the  matter 
of  pruning,  the  keen  knife  of  the 
frost  having  come  before  him  and 
already  pruned  his  Roses  after  its  own 
ruthless  fashion.  In  this  case  all  the 
dead  shoots  should  be  cut  away,  and 
those  that  remain  be  afterwards  examined.  At 
first  sight  they  may  appear  altogether  uninjured, 
but  on  cutting  them  it  will  be  seen  that  scarcely 
any  sound  wood  is  anywhere  to  be  found.  The 
best  test  of  frost  injuries  is  the  colour  of  the 
pith.  If  this  be  white,  cream-coloured,  or  even 
slightly  stained,  the  wood  may  be  regarded  as 
sufficiently  sound  to  cut  back  to,  but  if  the 
pith  be  brown  sounder  wood  must  be  sought 
for,  even  if  this  is  only  met  with  beneath  the 

surface  of  the  beds. 

Armed  with  a  pruning-knife,  which  should 

be  of  medium  size  and  kept  always  with  a  keen 

edge,  an  easy  pair  of  gardening  gloves,  a  hone 

on   which    to 

sharpen    the 

knife,    and    a 

kneeling  pad, 

the  pruner  will 

require  nothing 

more  except   a 

small    saw, 

which    will 

prove   of   great 

service    in     re- 
moving   extra 

large  shoots  and 


AN   EXHIBITION   ROSE  BEFOKE  AND   AFTER  PRUNING. 


A  STANDARD  H.P.  EOSE  :  THE  SAME  ROSE  PRUNED  AND  UNPRUNED, 


dead  stumps.  A  really  good  secateur  may  be 
used  instead  of  a  knife  if  preferred.  In  prun- 
ing, the  cut  should  be  always  made  almost 
immediately  above  a  dormant  bud  pointing 
outwards.  In  all  but  an  exhibitor's  garden 
the  best  time  to  prune  Roses  is  early  in  April. 

1.  Roses  which  Require  to  be  more  oe 
LESS  Closely  Pruned.— Under  this  heading 
is  included  at  least  three- fourths  of  the  Roses 
most  frequently  grown  in  gardens  at  the 
i  present  time  as  dwarf  plants.  All  the  weak 
and  moderate-growing  varieties  must  be  pruned 
hard  each  year,  and  also  all  plants,  with  few 
I  exceptions,  intended  for  the  production  of 
extra  large  flowers.  But  those 
Roses  which  have  been  planted 
for  the  decoration  of  the  gar- 
den, or  for  the  production  of 
cut  flowers,  need  not  be  so 
severely  dealt  with,  while  those 
planted  as  Rose  bushes  will 
require  comparatively  light 
pruning. 

Ilyhrid  Perpetuals.  —  The 
first  year  after  planting  all  the 
dead,  sappy,  and  weakly  shoots 
should  be  cut  clean  out,  and 
those  remaining  left  from 
3  inches  to  6  inches  in  length, 
whatever  the  variety  may  be. 
This  hard  pruning  is  necessary 
the  first  spring,  but  in  the 
following  years  it  need  not  be 
so  severe.  The  dead,  sappy, 
weakly,  and  worn-out  shoots 
should,  as  before,  be  cut  clean 
out,  also  some  of  the  older 
ones  and  any  others  where 
they  are  too  crowded,  more 
particularly  those  in  the  centre 
of  the  plant.  The  object  kept 
in  view  should  be  an  even 
distribution  of  the  shoots 
allowed  to  remain  over  the 
entire  plant,  except  in  the 
centre,  which  should  be  kept 
fairly  open  to  admit  light  and  I 
air.  In  pruning  the  shoots  may 
be  left  from  3  inches  to  1  foot  in  I 


length,  according  to  the  condition  of  the  wood, 

the  strength  of  the  plant,  and  the  object  for 

which  the  blooms  are  required.  Provided  that  the 

frosts  of  the  previous  winter  months  will  allow, 

that  the  plants  are  sufficiently  strong,  and  that 

the    shoots    are    not    permitted    to    become 

in  any  way  crowded,  the  upper  shoots  may  be 

as  much  as  3  feet  above  the  ground.    In  this 

way  good-sized  bushes  may  in  a  few  years  be 

obtained,  which  will  form  handsome  objects  in 

the  garden  and  yield  a  large  number  of  good 

flowers.      By    similar    treatment    the    more 

vigorous  varieties  in  this  and  other  sections 

may  be  induced  to  become  pillar   Roses,  or 

even  to  climb  some  distance  up  a  wall.     It  is 

the  want  of  hardiness  in  many  of  the  Roses  of 

the  present  day,  that  are  usually  grown  as 

dwarf  plants,  which  alone  stands  in  the  way  of 

their  suitability  for  the  formation  of  handsome 

bushes  or  for  their  employment  as  climbers 

and  pillar  Roses. 

Hybrid  Teas. — The  pruning  of  the  Hybrid 
Teas  should  be  carried  out  on  similar  lines  to 
those  recommended  for  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals, 
only  it  should  be  less  severe.  Indeed,  in 
the  case  of  varieties  like  La  France,  which  are 
of  sufiiciently  strong  growth  to  allow  of  this 
being  done,  better  results  are  obtained  by 
moderate  thinning  out,  and  rather  light  prun- 
ing, as  is  recommended  in  the  case  of  the 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  where  good-sized  bushes 
are  required. 

Teas  and  Noisettes. — Owing  to  the  tender 
character  of  their  shoots,  it  is  only  after  a  mild 
winter  that  the  pruner  has  much  choice  in  the 
method  of  pruning.  In  any  case,  all  the 
decayed,  weak,  and  sapjiy  shoots  should  be 
cut  clean  out,  and  where  there  are  enough 
sound  shoots  left  they  should  be  shortened 
back  one  half  their  length. 

Bourbons. — The  Bourbons  should  be  pruned 
in  the  same  way  as  advised  for  the  strong- 
growing  varieties  of  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  and 
Hybrid  Teas. 

Provence,  Moss,  and  China. — These  hardy 
Roses  should  be  well  thinned  out  to  prevent 
their  growths  becoming  crowded,  and  the 
remaining  shoots  shortened  one  half  their 
length. 


March  26,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


22.5 


2.  Roses  which  Rkquirb  very  Little 
Prunino. — To  whatever  section  a  Rose  may 
belong,  if  it  be  grown  as  a  climber  or  as  an 
arch  or  pillar,  it  will  not  do  to  cut  it  back  hard, 
or  it  will  bear  but  few  if  any  flowers.  But  there 
are  also  certain  other  Roses  which,  although 
not  of  extra  strong  growth,  will  not  flower 
satisfactorily  if  cut  back  at  all  severely.  It  is 
by  cutting  away  the  flowering  wood  of  such 
kinds  that  the  greatest  mistakes  in  pruning 
usually  occur. 

Climbing,  Pillar,  and  other  strong-growing 
Hoses. — In  the  spring  these  need  very  little 
attention  beyond  securing  the  best  shoots  in 
the  positions  they  are  required  to  occupy,  and 
to  shorten  back  or  remove  altogether  any 
other  shoots  which  may  not  be  required  at  all. 
Within  July,  however,  all  these  strong-growing 
Roses  should  be  examined,  and  every  year 
some  of  the  shoots  which  have  flowered  be 
entirely  removed,  and  the  best  of  the  strong 
young  growths  encouraged  to  take  their 
place,  cutting  out  altogether  those  not  needed. 
The  object  of  thinning  out  the  shoots  that  have 
flowered,  and  tying  or  laying  in  the  strong 
young  shoots  of  the  current  year,  is  to  enable 
the  latter  to  make  better  growth,  and  by 
exposure  to  light  and  air  to  become  ripened 
before  the  winter  sets  in. 

Austrian  Briers. — Beyond  removing  the 
dead,  injured,  and  worn-out  shoots,  the 
Austrian  Briers  should  not  be  touched  at  all 
with  the  knife. 

Scotch  Briers. — These  require  similar  treat- 
ment to  the  Austrian  Briers. 

Hybrid  Sioeet-briers. — The  Sweet-briers  need 
no  spring  pruning  at  all  ;  but  in  July,  after 
flowering,  it  will  be  well  to  cut  out  some  of 
the  older  shoots  where  crowded,  in  order  to 
give  the  younger  ones  a  chance  of  making 
better  growth. 

Pompon.  —  The  free-flowering  miniature 
Pompon  Roses  should  have  their  shoots  well 
thinned  out,  and  those  left  shortened  one  half 
their  length. 

Rugosa  or  Japanese  Roses. — This  hardy 
section  requires  but  little  pruning.  Some  of 
the  old  and  crowded  shoots  should  be  entirely 
removed,  and  the  younger  growths  either  tied 
in  or  moderately  shortened. 

Banhsia. — The  pruning  of  this  particular  class 
of  Rose  differs  somewhat  from  that  of  nearly  all 
the  climbers  in  that  they  require  but  little 
thinning.  After  flowering,  the  strong  shoots 
of  the  present  year's  growth  not  required  to 
furnish  the  plant  should  be  removed,  and  the 
rest  of  them  tied  in  and  slightly  shortened. 
Care  should  be  taken  not  to  cut  away  the 
twiggy  growths,  as  the  flowers  are  borne  on 
these  laterals. 

Gallica  or  French  Roses. — Only  the  striped 
varieties  in  this  class  are  now  grown.  They 
should  be  pruned  in  the  same  way  as  recom- 
mended for  the  Provence  Roses. 

Single-flowered  Roses. — As  these  belong  to 
so  many  different  sections,  it  is  impossible  to 
give  the  exact  treatment  all  of  them  require. 
Those  of  vigorous  growth  should  be  pruned  as 
advised  for  other  climbing  and  pillar  Roses, 
while  the  bush  and  dwarf  varieties  should  be 
only  thinned  out  and  the  points  of  the  remain- 
ing shoots  removed.  The  few  dwarf  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  bearing  single  flowers  should,  how- 
ever, be  rather  severely  pruned. 

Pegging  down  Roses.  —  When  suitable 
varieties  are  selected,  this  way  of  growing  Roses 
in  beds  has  much  to  commend  itself  ;  indeed, 
in  no  other  way  can  such  a  number  of  blooms 
of  the  larger-flowered  Roses  like  the  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  be  obtained  from  the  same  number 
of  plants.  In  the  spring  only  a  few  of  the 
longest  and  best  shoots  on  each  plant  should  be 


retained.  After  cutting  off  just  the  ends  of 
these  long  shoots  they  should  be  careiully  bent 
and  pegged  down  to  within  a  few  inches  of 
the  soil.  In  the  following  spring  the  shoots 
that  have  flowered  should  be  cut  away  and  the 
strong  young  growths  pegged  down  in  their 
place. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 
Pines. 

FRUITS  which  have  been  swelling  during 
the  winter  months  will  now  be  colour- 
ing. Early  Queens,  started  as  advised 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  will  now 
be  making  rapid  progress.  Remove  all 
small  suckers  which  appear  round  the 
base  of  the  fruit,  and  reduce  the  suckers  to  one  or 
two  of  the  strongest  and  best,  according  to  require- 
ments. Guano  is  one  of  the  best  artificial  manures 
to  use  at  this  stage.  Avoid  getting  too  strong  a 
heat  in  the  pipes  early  in  the  day  when  there  is 
promise  of  a  bright  day.  During  the  month  of 
April  let  the  temperature  be  75°  on  mild  nights 
or  5"  lower  on  very  cold  ones.  Extra  care  is 
required  during  April  in  giving  ventilation  when 
the  weather  is  so  changeable.  The  fires  should  be 
started  steadily  early  in  the  afternoon  to  assist  the 
sun-heat  and  prevent  the  temperature  of  the  house 
going  down  quickly.  The  bottom-heat  must  be 
kept  steady  at  about  90°. 

SucoEssioN  Pines. 
These  will  now  be  growing  freely,  and  the 
house  should  be  closed  at  85°,  well  syringing  the 
walls  and  damping  the  paths,  slightly  dewing  the 
plants  over  on  bright  days  only.  A  temperature 
of  65",  with  free  ventilation  during  the  early  part 
of  the  day,  will  suit  these  plants.  Where  the 
glass  is  inferior  a  very  light  shading  will  be  neces- 
sary in  the  middle  of  the  day.  The  plants  require 
careful  watering  during  April  until  well  rooted. 
Continue  to  put  in  suckers  as  required,  and  pot  on 
any  plants  that  were  left  over  into  7-inch  or  8-inch 
pots,  according  to  their  size. 

Apricots. 
By  the  time  these  notes  appear,  if  the  present 
mild  weather  continues,  these  trees  will  be  ready 
to  burst  into  bloom.  If  the  trees  are  protected  by 
a  coping  board  slight  frosts  will  not  affect  them. 
Frigi  Domo  or  netting  is  easily  fixed  should  frosts 
occur.  Whatever  material  is  in  use  this  should 
be  removed  or  rolled  up  during  the  day,  if  possible, 
to  allow  full  light  to  the  blossoms. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  cover  these  as  soon  as  the 
flowers  open  when  the  nights  are  frosty.  More 
harm  than  good  is  done  by  applying  protection  to 
these  trees  before  there  is  any  danger.  If  severe 
frosts  occur  the  coverings  should  not  be  removed 
early  ;  wait  until  a  gradual  thaw  has  taken  place. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Tub  Plants. 
Specimen  plants  growing  in  tubs  should  now  be 
thoroughly  overhauled.  After  the  necessary 
pruning  is  done  cleaning  should  receive  attention, 
and  finally  top-dress  and  retub.  A  short  period 
in  moderate  heat  will  be  found  beneficial.  The 
recent  discussion  dealt  so  fully  with  this  delightful 
style  of  gardening  that  besides  these  remarks  I 
will  content  myself  with  emphasising  the  necessity 
for  good  drainage. 

Bog  Garden. 
On  the  whole  it  has  been  a  comparatively  mild 
winter,  and  the  bng  t^arden  again  claims  attention. 
Here  and  there  Caltha  palustris  gives  welcome 
patches  of  colour.  It  is  a  great  pity  that  the 
gorgeous  Water  Buttercup  is  a  native,  for  if  it 
were  a  rare  exotic  much  more  use  would  be  made 
of  it  in  our  gardens.  Although  found  growing 
in  or  on  the  baiiks  of    streams  it  will  grow  and 


flower  freely  in  a  fairly  shady  border.  Almost  any 
soil  suits  it,  but  to  see  the  Marsh  Marigold  at  its 
best  several  large  clumps  should  be  planted  on  the 
margin  of  a  stream  in  a  natural  deposit  of  soil  and 
decayed  leaves. 

GUNNERAS. 

These  noble  foliage  plants  are  pushing  up  their 
leaves,  and  the  winter  covering  should  be  removed. 
A  light  temporary  covering,  such  as  a  bundle  of 
Bracken,  should  be  kept  handy  in  case  of  a  sudden 
frost.  The  spring  frosts  are  a  great  drawback  to- 
the  successful  cultivation  of  Gunneras.  It  occa- 
sionally happens  that  an  unexpected  frost  ruins  the 
first  leaves  when  their  stalks  are  .3  feet  or  4  feet 
high.  Gunneras  delight  in  a  rich,  moist  soil.  A 
liberal  application  of  ammonia  just  as  growth  com- 
mences increases  the  size  of  the  leaf  to  a  surprising 
degree.  Gunnera  manicata  is  the  most  attractive 
species ;  it  differs  from  G.  scabra  in  having  a 
larger  and  thinner  leaf,  with  light  green  or  nearly 
white  ribs,  whilst  those  of  the  latter  are  pinkish 
in  colour.  The  inflorescence  is  cone-shaped,  and 
here  again  that  of  G.  manicata  is  nearly  double  the 
size  of  G.  scabra. 

Herbaceous  Phloxes. 

In  many  gardens  these  handsome  perennials 
require  to  be  annually  renewed  to  keep  the  col- 
lection in  a  state  of  good  health.  Some  authorities 
attribute  the  decimating  disease  to  which  Phloxes 
are  subject  to  overfeeding,  but  I  am  more  inclined 
to  believe  that,  in  a  light  soil  at  any  rate,  root 
disturbance  is  frequently  the  cause  of  failure. 
Plants  which  were  raised  from  cuttings  last  year 
and  grown  in  nursery  beds  will  now  be  fit  for 
planting  in  their  flowering  quarters.  Fresh  cuttings 
should  be  inserted,  and  when  rooted  these  should 
be  grown  in  a  similar  manner  for  flowering  next 
year.  Pentstemons  which  were  struck  last  autumn 
may,  after  being  hardened  off,  also  be  planted  in 
their  permanent  quarters.  If  preferred,  seedling 
plants  may  be  utilised.  Seed  sown  at  once  and 
placed  on  a  gentle  hotbed  will  quickly  germinate. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 

INDOOR   GARDEN. 

Plants  after  Forcing. 
It  is  no  uncommon  practice  to  east  aside  directly 
they  have  finished  flowering  such  plants  as  Lilac, 
Deutzia,  Syringa,  Viburnum,  Prunus  triloba,  and 
others,  and  although  these  plants  are  hardy  and 
will  submit  to  what  may  be  termed  capital 
punishment,  they,  naturally  with  proper  treat- 
ment after  flowering,  will  respond  more  satis- 
factorily to  future  demands.  Generally  it  is  the 
eyes  towards  the  apex  of  the  shoots  that  start 
into  growth  with  the  opening  flowers,  while  the 
lower  or  basal  eyes  remain  dormant.  It  is  to 
the  latter  that  the  shoots  should  be  cut  back, 
afterwards  placing  them  in  a  temperature  of  50° 
to  55°,  syringing  two  or  three  times  a  day.  An 
occasional  watering  with  liquid  manure  will 
encourage  them  to  make  good  growth,  and  which 
will  eventually  readily  mature  if  they  are  given  a 
well-exposed  sunny  position  out  of  doors. 

LiUDMS  Harrisii  and  longiflorum. 
Those  bulbs  that  were  potted  up  early  the 
previous  autumn  are  rapidly  coming  into  flower, 
and  liquid  manure  applied  to  the  roots  will  help 
the  plants  considerably.  The  growth  from  bulbs 
that  were  potted  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  is 
making  good  progress,  the  healthy  state  of  which 
will  be  maintained  by  a  top-dressing  of  rough 
turfy  loam  and  dried  cow  manure.  They  delight 
in  having  plenty  of  air,  as  well  as  being  near  the 
glass,  and  on  no  account  attempt  to  force  them 
into  flower  in  a  close,  high  temperature,  or  failure 
will  result.  Water  carefully  with  soot  water 
to  impart  a  dark  green  colour  to  the  foliage ; 
abundance  of  water  as  growth  advances  will  be 
required.  The  bulbs  of  Lilium  speciosura  Melpo- 
mene and  L.  Kr^tzeri  should  be  potted  up  without 
delay,  and  their  flowers  for  decorative  work  during 
September  will  be  found  very  useful.  A  compost 
consisting  of  fibrous  loam,  peat,  or  good  leaf-mould, 
dry  cow  manure,  and  a  very  little  coarse  sand  will 
be    found    to   be   a    very    suitable    compost.     The 


226 


THE    GARDEN. 


[March  26,  1904. 


following  Lilies  for  culture  in  pots  are  also  recom- 
mended,  viz.,  Lilium    Brownii,    L.   superbum,    L- 
sulphureum,  L.  elegans,  L.  Batemanni,  L.  Krameri, 
and  L.  auratum  rubro  vittatum. 
Primulas. 

For  decoration  during  the  autumn  and  early 
spring  months  when  well  grown  these  are  invalu- 
able. A  few  well-grown  examples  occasionally  are 
seen  at  the  various  exhibitions,  but  these  in  many 
instances  are  two  year  old  plants,  which  reason- 
ably goes  to  prove  the  advantage  derived  by 
sowing  the  seeds  earlier  than  is  the  custom,  and 
•especially  does  this  apply  to  the  north,  as  then 
they  would  have  a  longer  and  better  season  in 
which  to  develop  a  good  growth.  An  oppor- 
tunity of  growing  a  few  large  plants  will  be 
-afforded  by  sowing  a  portion  of  the  seeds  at  once, 
the  remainder  of  which  may  be  sown  at  intervals 
to  suit  convenience.  The  pots  in  which  the  seeds 
are  to  be  sown  must  be  well  drained,  and  the 
■compost  should  be  of  a  light,  sandy  nature,  and 
should  not  during  the  period  of  germination  be 
iallowed  to  approach  the  least  degree  of  dryness. 
In  a  close,  warm  temperature  of  60°  to  65°,  and 
■shaded  from  the  sunlight,  the  seeds  will  germinate 
satisfactorily ;  afterwards  encourage  the  tender 
young  seedlings  to  grow  freely.  Primula  stellata, 
Sutton's  Mont  Blanc,  The  Duchess,  Reading 
Blue,  Crimson  King,  and  Pearl  are  all  varieties 
worthy  of  a  trial.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

Tranby  Croft  Gardens,  Hull. 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Peas. 
Another  sowing  of  these  should  be  made,  choosing 
the  best  of  the  second  early  varieties.  If  sown  in 
the  open  quarter  a  line  of  Spinach  may  be  sown 
between  the  rows,  which  should  be  from  4J  feet  to 
5i  feet  apart.  Where  it  is  possible  to  sow  Peas 
from  15  feet  to  20  feet  apart  and  to  crop  with 
Cabbages,  Cauliflower,  or  Potatoes  between  the 
rows,  much  better  crops  of  Peas  may  be  had  than 
from  those  grown  close  together.  Peas  ready  for 
planting  from  boxes  should  be  carefully  hardened 
before  planting  out.  Those  growing  and  fruiting 
in  pots  require  copious  supplies  of  water  now  that 
the  sunshine  is  increased.  Keep  as  near  to  the 
light  as  possible,  and  continue  giving  liquid  manure. 

Turnips. 
Make  a  good  sowing  of  Extra  Early  Milan  on  a 
eouth  border.  Sow  thinly  in  shallow  drills  about 
1  foot  apart.  Sowing  should  be  made  every  three 
weeks.  As  the  warm  weather  advances  these 
become  very  stringy,  and  a  change  of  variety  is 
advised  from  June  onward.  Turnips  in  frames 
will  now  be  thinned  and  growing  freely.  Give 
frequent  light  waterings  overhead  and  air  on  all 
favourable  occasions. 

Carrots. 
Also  make  a  sowing  on  an  early  border  ;  Early 
French  Horn  is  a  good  sort.  Before  sowing  give 
the  plot  a  dusting  of  wood  ashes  and  soot.  The 
main  crop  of  Carrots  will  be  in  good  time  if  sown 
towards  the  middle  of  next  month.    A  large  plot  of 

Potatoes 
should  now  be  got  in,  choosing  early  and  second 
early  varieties.  Two  feet  between  the  rows  will 
be  ample  for  the  Ashleaf  kinds.  A  change  of  seed 
is  advised  if  those  about  to  be  planted  have  been 
grown  for  several  years.  The  land  should  be 
forked  over  and  drills  drawn  about  5  inches  deep. 
I  consider  it  a  mistake  to  grow  a  big  collection  of 
varieties.  Choose  a  few  that  are  suitable  to  the 
district,  and  only  add  such  as  are  of  proved  merit. 
Earlier  plantings  that  are  coming  through  the 
ground  should  have  the  soil  drawn  over  the  tops 
as  soon  as  they  are  visible.  On  a  warm  border 
put  in 

Sowings  of  Cauliflower, 
Cabbage,  Savoys,  Sprouts,  and  nearly  all  the 
members  of  this  family.  Where  birds  are  trouble- 
some the  seed  should  be  rolled  in  red  lead  that  has 
been  slightly  moistened,  or  the  plot  of  ground 
closely  netted.  In  this  district  ohalHnches  are  the 
most  troublesome,  and  it  is  most  difficult  to  keep 
them  out,  even  after  the  ground  has  been  carefully 
netted.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.  B. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor    is    not    responsible  f(yr    the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 


RISKS    OF   EARLY   SEED   SOWING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SIR,  —  There  are  few  seasons  when  some 
measure  of  disappointment  does  not  await 
the  vegetable  grower  when  he  has  to 
make  early  sowings  outside,  but  I  think 
it  will  be  found  that  the  current  spring 
will  give  more  than  its  usual  average  of 
failures.  There  are  two  causes  which  are  likely  to 
bring  these  troubles,  and  some  seedsmen  enclose  a 
warning  note  with  the  seed  packages  advising  a 
freer  hand  in  the  sowings  than  usual.  This  implies 
immaturitj'  of  seed  and  a  weaker  germinating 
power.  Thus  one  cause  of  probable  failure  from 
early  outdoor  sowing  is  made  clear.  Another  is 
derived  from  the  now  familiar  cry  of  rain-soddened 
land  and  its  consequent  coldness.  Only  for  two 
days  this  year  has  there  been  any  weather  to  make 
a  dry  surface  and  give  one  an  opportunity  to  sow  a 
few  seeds.  This  was  towards  the  end  of  February, 
and  even  then  it  was  necessary  to  use  boards  in  order 
that  the  surface  should  not  be  unduly  trodden. 
The  cold  weather  that  has  followed — rain,  snow, 
and  frost — almost  intermittently,  or  at  least  up  to 
the  time  of  writing,  will  have  a  bad  influence,  and 
the  fear  is  that  with  the  lower  germinating  power 
of  seeds  the  chances  are  very  much  against  a  suc- 
cessful issue. 

Peas  sown  in  pots  and  placed  in  a  cold  house — 
and  this  course  is  often  advised  in  that  a  more 
hardy  growth  results  than  is  the  case  with  Peas 
produced  in  heat  and  afterwards  hardened  off — 
have  recently  shown  in  a  marked  degree  the  low 
germinating  standard  of  the  seeds,  for  instead  of  a 
spontaneous  and  sturdy  growth  they  are  slow, 
irregular,  and  weakly.  One-  grows  accustomed  to 
ungenial  March,  but  when  the  ground  has  been 
previously  warmed  and  dried  by  the  action  of  sun- 
shine and  wind  some  help  and  encouragement  is 
afforded.  The  month  of  March,  usually  such  an 
active  one  in  the  garden,  is  advancing,  yet  is 
bringing  with  it  no  opportunities.  Seldom  has  so 
much  effort  been  rendered  necessary  to  forward 
seeds  in  pots  and  boxes  under  glass  for  future 
planting  as  this  year,  and  the  further  thought  of 
slug  troubles  makes  even  this  phase  of  garden 
work  doubtful.  Truly  the  year  is  beset  with 
trouble  for  the  gardener.  W.   S. 


SINGLE  AND  DOUBLE  VIOLETS. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — It  does  not  seem  long  since  the  variety  Cali- 
fornia, the  pioneer  of  the  giant  Violet  of  to-day, 
made  its  appearance.  Comparing  it  with  the  old 
favourite.  Czar,  which  had  done  duty  for  such  a 
long  time,  one  was  lost  in  admiration  at  the  size 
of  flower  and  unusually  long  stalk.  Since  that 
time  others,  notably  Princess  of  Wales  and  La 
France,  have  made  their  appearance,  and  judging 
from  present  demands  they  are  destined  to  remain 
in  favour.  While  to  so  many  Violet  lovers  this 
craze  for  mere  size  satisfies  for  the  time,  others 
disparage  the  merits  of  these  giant  forms.  Fashion 
is  fickle,  though  in  the  case  of  sweetly  scented 
flowers  like  Violets  it  may  not  be  so  fleeting. 
Quite  recently,  in  the  course  of  conversation 
with  a  local  florist,  the  fact  was  related  to 
me  that  there  were  practically  no  enquiries 
for  double  Violets,  the  rage  being  all  for  the 
large  singles.  No  doubt  for  personal  adornment 
the  long-stemmed  singles  are  more  attractive. 
As  a  man's  coat  flower,  however,  commend  me  to 
the  double  Violet.  The  rosy-hued  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Aator  (blue),  Marie  Louise,  and  White  Comte 
Brazza  are  charming  doubles.  Both  Princess  of 
Wales  and  La  France  are  well  adapted  for  culture 
in  the  light  market  growers'  structures,  with 
or  without  the  use  of  fire-heat,  and  give  flowers 
over  a  long  period.  In  a  house  furnished  with  hot- 
water  pipes  frost  cannot  arrest  their  succession,  as 
with  frame-grown  plants,  which  must  be  covered  and 


for  the  time  kept  in  perfect  darkness.  Arranged 
in  vases  the  large  singles  are  certainly  most  deco- 
rative. W.  Strugnell. 


CARNATION  SOUVENIR  DE  LA  MAL- 
MAISON  OUT  OF  DOORS. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — It  is  gratifying  to  me  to  find  that  my 
description  of  the  outdoor  treatment  of  some 
plants  of  the  above  Carnation  interested  Mr. 
Higgins,  and  it  is  also  satisfactory  to  hear  that  it 
surprised  him,  for  the  fact  of  the  treatment  being 
distinctly  different  from  that  usually  followed  was 
the  reason  for  my  notes  being  written.  Vour 
correspondent  intimates  that  he  would  like  to 
know  which  variety  was  referred  to,  and  alluded 
to  the  fact  of  the  old  blush  and  pink  sorts  being 
more  difficult  to  manage  than  the  majority  of 
others ;  but  notwithstanding  this  the  variety  in 
question  is  the  old  blush,  and  the  following  further 
particulars  respecting  the  plants  may  not  be  with- 
out interest.  Owing  to  its  being  the  beginning  of 
September  when  the  plants  were  observed  they 
were  not  layered  at  the  usual  time,  and  were  not 
ready  for  lifting  until  the  middle  of  October, 
when  they  were  potted  into  3-inch  pots.  They 
were  shifted  into  5-inch  pots  at  the  end  of 
January,  at  which  time  we  exchanged  several 
dozen  of  them  for  some  choice  tree  varieties,  and 
were  complimented  upon  the  splendid  state  in 
which  they  were  received.  We  have  at  the 
present  time  upwards  of  250  of  these  plants  in 
perfect  health,  with  strong  clean  foliage  and  robust 
stems,  furnished  at  their  base  with  healthy  young 
growths.  Our  ordinary  stock  of  young  plants  of 
such  varieties  as  Lord  Welby,  Lord  Rosebery, 
Nell  Gwynne,  Margot,  Calypso,  Princess  of  Wales, 
&c. ,  were  layered  beneath  glass  protection  early  in 
August,  and  were  -subsequently  treated  in  the 
ordinary  way,  but  they  are  (except  in  some 
instances  a  little  larger)  in  no  better  condition  than 
are  those  of  the  old  blush.  When  the  plants  were 
lifted  in  October  the  border  in  which  the  old 
plants  had  been  grown  for  two  years  was  replanted 
with  a  portion  of  the  best  rooted  of  the  young 
ones.  They  are  at  the  present  time  in  excellent 
health,  and  appear  likely  to  succeed  as  well  in 
every  way  as  their  parents.  T.  Coomber. 


FRUIT-TREE    PRUNING. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — While  not  in  accord  with  Mr.  Tallaok  on 
the  extension  system  he  advocates,  I  am  convinced 
that  there  is  far  too  much  cutting  done  with  the 
knife  among  young  fruit  trees,  with  the  idea  that 
such  hard  pruning  promotes  fruit  buds,  when,  in 
the  majority  of  instances,  it  does  quite  the  reverse. 
With  young  trees,  either  Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  or 
Cherry,  that  are  making  extra  strong  growth, 
much  may  be  done  by  root  pruning,  or,  in  the 
worst  cases,  complete  transplanting  is  the  best 
remedy  ;  but  even  then  it  is  unwise  to  leave  intact 
shoots  that  may  have  grown  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  in 
length  during  the  season,  as  fruit  buds  would  only 
form  near  the  extremity  of  the  branch,  while  a 
distance  of  18  inches  to  2^  feet  at  their  base 
would  be  bare.  I  consider  all  leading  branches 
should  be  out  back  to  within  9  inches  to  15  inches 
from  their  starting  point,  according  to  their 
strength,  at  the  winter  pruning,  until  the  bush  or 
pyramid  tree  has  filled  its  allotted  space.  A  great 
mistake  is  often  made  in  leaving  loo  many  main 
branches  to  form  a  tree,  with  the  result  that  over- 
crowding favours  ill-ripened  wood  with  little  or  no 
fruit,  and  I  have  observed  in  many  amateurs' 
gardens  where  trees  have  been  neglected  spurless 
shoots  quite  2  feet  in  length,  while  in  others  the 
leading  or  main  branches  are  cut  back  to  within 
4  inches  of  their  base,  which,  in  the  latter  case, 
only  means  lextra  strong  growth  year  after  year 
and  fruit  few  and  far  between.  I  am  a  great 
advocate  for  the  summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees, 
and  begin  earlier  than  most  cultivators,  as  well  as 
stopping  at  a  greater  length  from  the  shoot's 
origin,  namely,  4  inches  to  5  inches  ;  this  pre- 
vents sublaterals  emanating  from  near  the  base, 


March  26,  1904.] , 


THE    GARDEN. 


227 


but  tends  to  form  fruit  buda  there  by  the  extra 
light  and  air  admitted.  This  is  done  from  the 
middle  of  June  onwards,  tackling  the  wall  trees 
first.  Many  bush  and  pyramid  Apple  trees  make 
but  6  inches  or  so  of  growth  during  the  season.  If 
it  is  desired  to  e.xtend  the  tree's  dimensions  the 
points  must  be  removed  where  a  fruit  bud  has 
formed,  and  many  varieties  do  this.  If  not 
denuded  of  this  bud  a  season's  growth  is  lost, 
t  -^Bicton.  James  Mayne. 


ORCH  I  DS, 


DENDROBIUM    THYRSIFLORUM. 

A   M  O  N  G   recent  importations    of   this 

l\        species   a   great   deal   of  variation 

/  \        exists  in  the  flowers  both  in  shape 

L — ^      and  colour.     The  typical  form  has 

J.        \.    the  sepals  and  petals  clouded  white, 

the    lip    yellow    of    varying    tints. 

From    a    small  consignment  of    this   Orchid 

received  two  years  ago  there  are  several  varie- 


complete  in  August,  and  a  month  in  the  open 
air  is  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  them,  the 
slight  check  serving  to  make  them  flower  more 
freely.  During  winter  the  temperature  may 
be  kept  at  from  45°  to  50",  allowing  just 
sufficient  water  to  keep  the  pseudo-bulbs 
plump.  The  best  season  for  repotting  is 
directly  the  flowers  are  past,  watering  care- 
fully until  new  roots  are  being  emitted.  The 
pots  used  should  be  large  enough  to  accommo- 
date the  plants  for  three  or  four  years,  as  they 
dislike  frequent  disturbance.  A.  P.  H. 


DENDROBIUM   THYRSIFLORUM, 

ties  in  flower  ;  one  has  very  loose  racemes,  the 
blossoms  being  individually  very  large,  the 
sepals  and  petals  suffused  with  rose,  the  lip 
bright  orange.  Another  pretty  variety  has  the 
petals  distinctly  crimped  on  the  edges,  the 
colour  being  of  the  purest  snow-white,  and 
there  are  one  or  two  others  more  or  less 
■distinct  from  the  type.  There  are  few  more 
useful  Orchids  than  Dendrobiums,  and  none 
more  ornamental  than  D.  thyrsiflorum  and  the 
closely-related  D.  densiflorum.  Their  culture 
is  of  the  simplest  description,  and  they  thrive 
in  an  ordinary  plant  stove  if  care  is  taken  to 
^ive  them  the  proper  resting  and  growing 
seasons.  If  there  is  not  proper  convenience 
for  ripening  the  pseudo-bulbs,  the  plants  may 
be  taken  out  of  doors  when  the  growth  is 


OECHIDS    AT    KEW. 

The  warm  Orchid  house  in  the  Royal  Gardens, 
Kew,  is  now  bright  with  a  display  of  flower,  largely 
contributed  by  Dendrobiums.  Few  Orchids  give 
such  a  harvest  of  flower  as  the  Dendrobiums,  and 
most  of  them  are  of  comparatively  easy  culture. 
If  a  plant  is  worth  growing  at  all  it  is  worth  grow- 
ing well,  and  this  is  very  true  of  Dendrobiums, 
which  are  a  delight  when  strong  pseudo-bulbs  are 
produced,  which  bear  flowers  nearly  their  whole 
length.  They  are  bloom- 
ing well  at  Kew  this  year, 
and  among  those  beat 
now  flowering  are  D. 
crassinode,  D.  wardia- 
num,  D.  splendidissi- 
raum,  D.  nobile  vars.,  D. 
lituiflorum,  native  of 
Burmah,  a  striking 
flower,  with  deep  purple 
sepals  and  petals,  cream- 
coloured  lip,  and  dark 
velvety  throat ;  D.  Ains- 
worthii,  D.  wardiano- 
japonicum,  a  dainty 
white  flower,  with  a 
green  blotch  at  the  base 
of  the  lip,  and  a  crimson 
band  just  below ;  D. 
Curtisii,  D.  luteolum, 
from  Burmah,  a  pretty, 
fragrant,  cream  or  palest 
primrose  -  coloured 
flower,  the  throat  faintly 
streaked  with  purple, 
and  having  a  ridge  of 
yellow  hairs  down  the 
centre  of  the  lip.  Other 
Orchids  in  bloom  that  are 
worthy  of  note  are  Lselia 
harpophylla,  a  favourite 
and  valuable  species  from 
Brazil ;  its  warm  bright 
colouring,  distinguished 
at  once,  may  be  described 
as  apricot,  with  a  sufi'u- 
sion  of  scarlet.  The 
flowers  are  borne  from 
the  ends  of  the  slender 
pseudo-bulbs  in  a  raceme 
of  about  five.  Caslogyne 
humilis,  from  Northern 
India,  flowers  from  leaf- 
less bulbs.  The  flower- 
stalks  are  only  about 
1 J  inches  long,  the  sepals 
and  petals  of  the  slightly  drooping  flowers  are 
blush  or  palest  lilac,  around  the  fringed  lip  runs  a 
band  of  purple,  while  the  throat  is  lined  with  a 
darker  shade  of  the  same  colour  upon  a  white 
ground.  Phaius  Blumei,  P.  Cooksoni  var.,  P. 
Martha;,  P.  tuberculosus,  and  P.  Assamicus  x 
Marthse  were  also  in  flower.  A.  P.  H. 


MASDEVALLIAS    IN    SCOTLAND. 

The  successful  culture  of  Masdevallias  does  not 
appear  to  be  so  general  as  was  the  case  years  ago  ; 
in  fact,  they  are  not  even  grown  in  many  gardens 
now,  and  principally  only  in  those  where  Orchids, 
and  particularly  the  less  showy  ones,  are  thought 
highly  of.  Yet  there  are  many  beautiful  flowers 
among  the  Masdevallias,  as  well  as  some  interest- 
ing and  curious  ones.  It  was  a  great  pleasure,  in 
that  it  is  a  comparatively  rare  one,  to  find,  when 


recently  visiting  the  garden  of  Dr.  Tait,  Broomend, 
Inverurie,  that  among  the  collection  of  Orchids 
there  Masdevallias  are  given  a  prominent  place, 
and  are  also  very  skilfully  and  succeasfuUy  culti- 
vated. Mr.  W.  J.  Hutchinson,  the  gardener, 
takes  an  especial  pride  in  Masdevallias,  and  even 
in  mid-February  had  such  specimens  to  show  as 
are  rarely  seen.  The  collection  of  Orchids  here  is 
only  of  moderate  size,  but  Mr.  Hutchinson  devotes 
a  good  deal  of  time  to  them,  and  with  the  best 
results.  Even  thoso  Masdevallias  not  then  in 
flower  were  remarkable  for  their  clean  and  healthy 
growths.  The  specimens  in  bloom  were  Masde- 
vallia  ignea,  in  a  5-inch  pot,  bearing  fourteen 
flowers,  and  M.  harryana,  in  a  pot  of  similar  size, 
with  seventeen  flowers.  These  are  two  of  the 
brightest  and  cheeriest  of  the  winter-blooming 
Masdevallias,  and  are  highly  thought  of  at  Broom- 
end.  Another  Orchid  in  flower  that  I  remarked  is 
Brassavola  cucuUata  (cuspidata),  with  a  broad 
hooded  lip,  shaded  with  green.  A.  P.  H. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

Dendkobium  Culture. 
Dendrobiums  should  have  a  very  open  compost  to 
encourage  the  roots  to  keep  inside  the  receptacle 
in  which  they  are  grown.  I  feel  sure  that  one 
root  inside  is  worth  several  of  those  outside.  A 
very  good  mixture  is  made  up  of  two-thirds  good 
clean  sphagnum,  chopped  up  a  little,  and  one-third 
good  fibrous  peat  that  has  had  the  fine  particles 
taken  from  it,  well  mixed  together,  with  a  liberal 
sprinkling  of  small  crocks  and  coarse  sand.  We 
are  finding  pots  without  any  side  holes  far  better 
for  their  culture  than  Orchid  pans  or  baskets. 
Grown  in  pots  the  roots  keep  more  inside,  and 
they  require  far  less  water  either  during  the  grow- 
ing season  or  when  they  are  at  rest ;  and  another 
great  advantage  is  that  when  the  time  comes  that 
they  require  repotting  again,  it  can  be  done  with- 
out causing  any  injury  to  the  roots.  A  few  crocks 
should  be  placed  over  the  base  of  the  pot,  over 
which  should  be  added  some  chopped  rhizomes  to 
complete  the  drainage,  filling  the  pot  to  the  depth 
of  one-third.  Potting  should  be  done  rather  firmly, 
but  by  no  means  hard,  keeping  the  base  of  the 
new  growth  and  the  surface  of  the  compost  rather 
below  the  rim  of  the  pot,  deferring  the  surfacing 
of  Dendrobiums  till  the  new  roots  are  further 
advanced.     I  advise  placing  the 

Newly -POTTED  Plants 
apart  from  those  that  have  only  been  resurfaced 
or  so  far  not  touched,  for  after  potting  great 
discretion  must  be  exercised  in  watering,  at  least 
till  the  roots  have  taken  a  good  hold  of  the 
compost,  otherwise  the  n6w  roots  will  damp  off, 
and  possibly  the  young  growth.  Water  should 
only  be  afforded  when  the  pseudo- bulbs  are  showing 
signs  of  shrivelling,  and  then  only  in  sufficient 
quantities  just  to  damp  the  compost  through,  so 
that  the  plant  can  again  soon  become  dry.  Newly 
potted  plants  should  be  kept  fairly  well  shaded  ; 
the  early  morning  and  late  afternoon  sun  is  bene- 
ficial. Although  Dendrobiums  have  lost  with 
some  the  popularity  they  once  enjoyed,  we  have 
very  few  Orchids  that  give  better  returns  for  the 
energy  expended  on  them,  providing  they  are  well 
cultivated  ;  and  now  that  growers  are  introducing 
pots  instead  of  shallow  pans,  and  rhizomes  in  the 
place  of  crocks  which  used  to  fill  half  of  the  pan  or 
basket,  and  a  mixture  in  place  of  lumps  of  peat 
and  sphagnum,  I  consider  the  greatest  difficulty 
is  removed.  I  do  not  think  there  are  many 
who  gave  up  Dendrobium  culture  because  they  did 
not  like  them,  but  rather  for  the  reason  that  they 
did  not  grow  satisfactorily. 

Trichosma  suavis. 
This  fragrant  and  pleasing  winter-flowering 
species  should  now  be  potted,  if  necessary,  in  a 
compost  of  fibrous  peat  two  parts  and  one  part 
sphagnum,  mixed  together  with  some  coarse  sand. 
Fill  the  pot  to  the  depth  of  one-half  with  rhizomes 
to  allow  of  copious  supplies  of  water  being  given 
when  the  new  roots  have  taken  a  good  hold  of  the 
compost.  It  thrives  in  the  intermediate  house 
temperature,  and,  although  seldom  seen,  it  amply 
repays  the  room  afforded  it. 


228 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[Mauch  26,  1904. 


TnnNiAS. 
These  are  now  starting  into  growth,  and  should 
be  repotted  in  a  compost  of  fibrous  loam  one-half, 
and  one-quarter  each  of  peat  and  leaf-soil,  well 
mixed  together  with  a  liberal  sprinkling  of  small 
crocks  and  coarse  sand.  Pots  should  be  used, 
filling  them  nearly  one-third  with  crooks.  All  the 
old  compost  should  be  shaken  away,  and  only  retain 
enough  old  roots  to  hold  the  plant  in  position  when 
potted.  They  may  be  either  potted  singly  or 
otherwise,  and  each  growth  should  be  secured  to  a 
neat  stake.  A  position  close  to  the  glass  in  a  hot, 
sunny  house  should  be  afforded  until  flowering 
time,  then  they  may  have  with  advantage  a  slight 
shade  during  the  brightest  part  of  the  day.  Very 
little  water  will  suffice,  but  as  the  pots  get  filled 
with  roots  and  growth  advances  the  supply  must 
be  increased.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens:,  Reigate. 

THE  PHALvENOPSIS. 
These  are  amongst  the  most  difficult  Orchids  we 
have  to  cultivate,  but  to  give  a  reason  for  this  is  a 
problem  not  easily  answered.  I  have  seen  them 
successfully  grown  in  one  house,  and  when  moved 
to  another  apparently  the  same  and  treated 
similarly  they  have  soon  showed  signs  of  deteriora- 
tion. The  house  in  which  they  seem  most  at  home 
is  one  in  which  the  atmosphere  can  be  easily  kept 
in  a  hot,  humid  state,  such  as  a  well-made  propa- 
gating house.  So  long  as  the  weather  continues 
sunless  and  cold  the  plants  should  have  little  water. 
It  often  happens  that  they  will  produce  spikes 
when  in  a  very  weak  state,  but  to  let  such  plants 
flower  would  be  fatal.  The  spikes  on  the  strong 
plants  should  be  tied  down  so  that  they  do  not 
come  in  close  contact  with  the  glass.  It  is  essential 
that  the  moss  should  not  be  allowed  to  overgrow 
the  centre  of  the  plant. 

Those  plants  that  are  not  being  allowed  to  flower 
this  season  may  have  the  necessary  resurfacing  or 
potting  as  the  case  demands.  We  have  always 
grown  Phala?nopsis  in  Teak  baskets,  and  plants 
well  established  in  them  are  difficult  to  remove, 
but  weakly  ones  with  few  roots  should  be  placed 
in  pans,  in  a  compost  of  equal  parts  of  good  fibrous 
peat  and  sphagnum  well  mixed  together,  with 
small  crocks  and  some  coarse  sand.  A  few  crocks 
may  be  placed  over  the  bottom  of  the  pan  and  fill 
the  pan  to  the  depth  of  one-half  with  rhizomes. 
Pot  very  lightly  indeed,  keepint;  the  compost  well 
below  the  rim,  and  surface  with  good  living  chopped 
sphagnum.  After  potting  they  should  be  suspended 
in  a  well  shaded  house.  They  will  require  very 
little  direct  watering  at  any  season  ;  if  the  con- 
dition of  the  house  is  humid,  as  it  should  be,  slight 
dampings  of  the  surface  moss  will  suffice.  When 
future  repotting  is  required  the  pan  may  be 
smashed  and  the  plant  potted  on  intact ;  whereas, 
when  baskets  are  used  and  the  plants  have  made 
many  roots,  the  only  thing  that  the  grower  can  do 
is  to  place  the  basket  inside  a  much  larger  one  than 
the  plant  requires  for  its  well-being. 

^  W.  P.  BonND. 


to  base.  When  in  season  it  is  bright  scarlet  on  the 
side  which  faced  the  sun,  the  remainder  being 
yellow.  It  is  a  remarkably  solid  Apple,  specimens 
no  bigger  than  a  good-sized  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  or 
King  of  the  Pippins  weighing  a  good  quarter  of  a 
pound.  Hence  its  excellent  keeping  properties, 
being  very  firm  as  late  as  April  if  well  matured 
and  afterwards  carefully  stored.  Fur  its  proper 
maturation  it  should  be  allowed  to  hang  on  the 
tree  till  November,  unless  a  very  hot  season  ripens 
it  before.  Its  flavour  is  sometimes  spoken  of  as 
resembling  a  Pine,  and  perhaps  this  is  the  most 
suitable  comparison  that  can  be  made.  The  Apple 
that  comes  nearest  to  it  in  flavour,  as  far  as  my 
experience  goes,  is  the  D'Arcy  Spice,  or  Baddow 
Pippin,  a  great  favourite  in  Essex,  where  it  was 
originally  raised.  Someone  recently  writing  to 
one  of  the  gardening  papers  spoke  of  it  as  a  poor 
grower,  shy  bearer,  and  especially  subject  to 
canker.  Therefore  it  would  be  advisable  to  plant 
it  on  a  rich  and  well-drained  soil  to  avoid  the 
manifestation  of  these  defects,  though  I  have  not 
seen  them  myself.  Alger  Petts. 


TREE      CARNATIONS. 

The  pre.sent  popularity  of  the  Tree  Carnation 
is  undoubtedly  due  to  the  great  strides  made 


HARDY     FRUITS      IN 
SEASON. 

Apple  Lord  Burghley. 
This  is  an  Apple  of  comparatively  recent  intro- 
duction, originating  some  time  in  the  sixties,  and 
it  has  not  been  bloomed  nearly  so  much  as  some 
Apples  inferior  to  it  in  quality,  though  it  has 
received  the  certificate  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society.  I  have  not  seen  it  grown  as  a 
standard",  and  it  is  said  by  some  to  be  an  insuffi- 
ciently strong  grower  for  that  form,  but  it  makes 
excellent  pyramids  and  bushes,  with  its  strong, 
upright  shoots.  It  is  very  prolific,  but  often  has  a 
habit  of  continuing  growth  till  very  late  in  the 
season,  and  when  this  is  the  case  the  unripened 
portions  of  the  shoots  should  be  removed  at  the 
autumn  pruning.  In  appearance  this  Apple  is  not 
very  unlike  Ribston  Pippin  (though  this  latter 
varies  tremendously  in  diti'erent  localities),  but  is 
rather  more  angular,  and  less  in  diameter  from  top 


off  after  rooting.  As  soon  as  the  plants'ar& 
established  a  cold  house  with  side  and  top- 
ventilation  is  all  they  require.  The  plants- 
should  be  stopped  once,  from  two  weeks  to  a, 
month  after  they  are  rooted,  and  should  be 
repotted  into  6-inch  pots  as  soon  as  the  plants 
have  started,  never  letting  them  become  pot- 
bound.  If  the  plants  are  placed  outside,  or, 
better  still,  in  a  cold  frame  from  May  till  the- 
end  of  August,  they  may  be  then  taken  to  their 
flowering  quarters — a  house  in  which  a  night 
temperature  of  ib^  to  b?>°  can  be  maintained 
through  the  winter  months — always  bearing  in 
mind  that  a  little  heat  and  good  ventilation  are- 
the  main  factors.  The  plants  should  never 
be  watered  unless  the  soil  is  on  the  dry  side. 
Disbudding  should  be  carefully  attended  to 
to  secure  stems  2  feet  to  3  feet  in  length.  It  is 
not  extravagant  to  disbud.  An  experienced 
grower  myself,  I  have  proved  that  it  is  the 
flower  and  not  the  stem  that  takes  the  greatest 
vitality  from  the  plant.  Every  grower  of  the- 
beautiful  Tree  Carnation  is  undoubtedly  in- 
creasing its  popularity.  A.  F.  D. 


The  illustration  shows  a  good  new  patent  wire 
plant  support,  which  is  particularly  suitable 
for  Tree  Carnations.  The  photograph  shows  the 
plants  in  September  throwing  up  their  winter 
crop  of  bloom.  Its  advantages  are :  Compara- 
tively no  shade,  compared  with  the  old  method 
of  tying  to  canes  ;  it  allows  the  plant  to  grow  quite- 
naturally,  and  yet  gives  sufficient  support  to  carry 
the  stem  and  bloom  erect  without  any  tying  being 
nt'cessary  ;  it  is  a  great  saving  in  labour,  the  plants^ 
always  look  neat  and  tidy,  and  the  bloom  is- 
gathered  with  great  ease,  as  no  ties  have  to  be  cut. 
The  patent  support  consists  of  two  or  three  wire- 
rings  on  three  legs,  which  are  inserted  in  the  pot 
about  3  inches.  When  not  in  use  they  are 
collapsible,  and  can  be  stored  away  in  a  very  small 
space. 


OBITUARY. 


NEW    PATENT    WIRE    PLANT   StIPPORT. 


by  the  hybridiser.  He  conceived  the  idea  of 
what  was  wanted,  namely,  length  and  erect- 
ness  of  stem,  colour,  fragrance,  freeness,  and 
perpetual  bloom,  and  lastly,  but  not  least 
important,  a  flower  of  good  keeping  quality 
with  a  perfect  calyx.  In  Mrs.  Thomas  W. 
Lawson,  the  beautiful  rich  pink  bloom  that  is 
now  so  popular  and  familiar  to  all  amateurs 
and  gardeners,  he  may  fairly  be  .said  to  have 
reached  this  ideal.  The  Tree  Carnations  of 
this  type  can  be  flowered  in  both  winter  and 
summer  by  the  amateur  in  his  small  conserva- 
tory, or  the  gardener  with  his  hundred  is  able 
to  furnish  the  house  with  a  constant  supply 
throughout  the  year. 

Many  people,  if  they  only  knev/  how  simple 
is  the  treatment  of  the  Tree  Carnation,  would 
find  them  a  home  in  the  greenhouse  to  brighten 
the  dull  winter  months.  The  plants  are  easily 
increased  from  cuttings  struck  in  heat  from 
January  to  March,  gradually  hardening  them 


MR. 


SAMUEL  AINSWORTH. 

AINSWORTH,  who  died  on  the 
r2th  inst.  at  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
was  long  associated  with  the  seedi 
firm  of  Messrs.  James  Carter  and 
Co.,  High  Holborn.  He  joined  the 
house  in  1850,  and  on  the  death  of 
.James  Carter,  Mr.  Ainsworth,  in  conjunction  with 
Mr.  E.  J.  Beale  and  Mr.  J.  H.  White,  took  over 
the  business  and  assumed  the  title  of  .James  Carter 
and  Co.  There  are  perhaps  some  living  who- 
retain  a  knowledge  of  the  old  seed  shop  in  High 
Holborn,  which  was  in  remarkable  contrast  to  the 
imposing  premises  now  occupied  by  the  firm.  The 
energy  shown  by  Mr.  Ainsworth  and  his  business 
capacity  contributed  materially  to  the  rapid 
development  of  this  enterprising  firm.  In  order 
to  extend  the  connexion  he  visited  the  then  little- 
known  seed-growing  districts  of  France  and 
Germany,  by  so  doing  contributing  greatly  to  the 
growth  of  the  international  trade  relations  which 
are  now  so  firmly  established  with  most  of  the 
London  seed  houses.  Mr.  Ainsworth  took  a  great 
interest  in  the  new  annuals  introduced  from  Cali- 
fornia and  elsewhere  ;  he  had  to  do  with  the  many 
new  selections  made  by  the  firm  time  after  time, 
and  his  exertions  did  much  to  popularise  the  new 
introductions.  It  was  he  who  gave  the  name  of 
Tom  Thumb  to  the  dwarf  forms  of  Troptuolum 
majus,  now  so  much  grown  in  gardens. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  sixties  Mr.  Ainsworth 
severed  his  connection  with  the  firm  of  Carter  and 
Co.  and  went  to  Australia,  intending  to  embark  in 
the  Grape-growing  industry,  but,  having  to  face  a 
year  of  heavy  floods,  he  abandoned  the  enterprise, 
and,  returning  to  England,  he  rejoined  the  Holborn 
house,  and  undertook  the  management  of  Messrs. 
Carter  and  Co. 's  flower  seed  department.  In  this 
position  be  remained  until  1903,  when  increasing 


March  26,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


22{> 


ill-health  necessitated   his  retirement  from  active 
participation  in  the  business. 

Mr.  Ainsworth's  knowledge  of  popular  annuals, 
iS:e.,  and  their  seeds  was  large ;  his  practical 
acquaintance  with  them  surpassed  that  of  many  of 
his  contemporaries  in  the  seed  trade  ;  and  he  was 
a  recognised  authority  on  the  origin  and  develop- 
ment of  many  of  them.  This  knowledge  he  brought 
to  bear  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a 
member  of  the  floral  committee  of  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society  for  several  years.  His  geniality 
and  amiability  of  disposition  were  two  of  his  chief 
characteristics.  He  leaves  a  widow,  two  daughters, 
and  a  son.  The  latter,  who  gained  his  knowledge 
in  the  London  seed  houses,  is  now  a  member  of 
the  staff  of  Mr.  Ernest  Senary,  Erfurt,  Germany. 


ME.  HEEBST. 
It  is  with  extreme  regret  that  we  hear  of  the  death 
of  Hermann  Carl  Gottlieb  Herbst,  V.M.H.,  at  his 
residence  at  Stanmore,  Richmond,  on  Friday,  the 
18th  inst.,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four,  after  a  brief 
attack  of  pneumonia  supervening  upon  influenza. 
Although  for  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Herbst  had 
been  debarred  from  attending  the  meetings  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  owing  to  two  paralytic 
strokes,  the  last  of  which  entirely  disabled  him, 
his  memory  will  be  long  cherished  by  all  who  knew 
him  personally,  both  on  account  of  his  amiable, 
cultured,  kindly  and  hospitable  disposition,  and  of 
the  recollection  that  in  some  of  the  chief  develop- 
ments of  market  horticulture  he  was  the  absolute 
pioneer,  especially  in  the  direction  of  forced  Lily 
of  the  Valley  culture  and  the  introduction  of 
Palms,  Adiantums,  and  similar  exotics  on  a  wide 
commercial  scale.  Cocos  weddeliana,  Iresine 
Herbstii,  Dipterocanthus  Herbstii,  and  many  other 
high  class  plants  were  introduced  by  him,  either  to 
this  country  or  to  the  public,  and  the  popularity 
of  Epiphyllum  truncatum  was  first  induced  by  his 
recognition  of  its  peculiar  decorative  value.    During 


THE  LATE  MB.  HEBEST. 

his  long  career  he  travelled  much,  spending  many 
years  in  Brazil,  where  he  was  Director  of  the 
Botanic  Gardens  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  and  going 
thence  to  the  Mauritius  and  the  Cape,  by  command 
of  the  Emperor  of  Brazil,  to  collect  the  best  varie- 
ties of  Coffee  and  Sugar  Cane  prior  to  settling  in 
this  country,  upon  the  very  ground  where  he  died 
after  a  well-earned  and  comfortable  retirement. 
Trom  the  mass  of  certificates  of  character  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  the  writer,  it  is  abundantly  evident 
that  his  career  from  beginning  to  end  was  an  exem- 
plary one  for  the  young  and  ambitious  gardener  to 
follow.  Thoroughness  in  both  study  and  labour, 
coupled  with  intelligent  appreciation,  not  merely 


of  the  plants  themselves,  but  of  their  adaptability 
to  the  public  taste,  characterised  it  throughout, 
conjoined  with  a  keen  business  instinct  which  one 
fact  alone  brings  to  light  most  prominently.  On 
reaching  England  from  Brazil,  he  looked  about  for 
an  eligible  nursery  site,  and,  having  fixed  upon  the 
selected  one  at  Richmond,  he  visited  Covent 
Garden  to  see,  not  what  was  already  in  vogue,  but 
what  they  had  not  (jot,  and  as  a  result  commenced 
to  remedy  the  shortcomings  noted  by  the  cultiva- 
tion on  a  large  scale  of  the  several  classes  of  plants 
above  cited,  which,  well  grown  and  well  exhibited, 
at  once  created  a  demand  which,  to  judge  by  a 
marked  catalogue  of  an  auction  sale  by  Messrs. 
Protheroe  and  Morris  in  1877  of  some  25,000  rare 
and  new  Palms,  &c. ,  must  have  well  repaid  him 
for  his  acumen  and  outlay.  It  was  in  recognition 
of  these  tangible  public  services  and  the  high 
horticultural  genius  which  underlay  them  that  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  selected  Mr.  Herbst 
as  one  of  the  first  recipients  of  their  Victoria  Medal 
of  Honour,  and  he  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the 
most  worthy  of  that  distinction.  Prior  to  his 
disablement  by  paralysis  he  constantly  attended 
the  floral  committee,  where,  on  account  of  his  long 
and  extensive  knowledge,  he  was  recognised  as  one 
of  the  highest  authorities  in  his  particular  line. 
His  death  will  be  mourned  by  a  large  circle  of 
appreciative  friends.  By  his  own  desire  his  body 
was  cremated  at  Woking  Cemeterj',  where,  on 
Tuesda}',  the  22nd  inst.,  this  function  was  well 
attended  by  many  of  those  who  knew  him. 

C.  T.  D. 


AN    HOUR    WITH    THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 

(Continued  from  page  SOO.) 

Cus  now  consider  what  is  the  best 
description  of  box  for  conveying  the 
flowers  in.  As  it  will  not  be  recjuirecl 
to  show  them  in,  but  merely  to  pro- 
tect them  during  transition,  the  more 
economically  this  can  be  contrived 
the  better.  It  may  be  made  of  three-ciuarter  inch 
deal,  the  boards  closely  fitted  to  exclude  dust, 
rain,  ckc.  The  length  should  not  be  less  than 
4  feet,  and  a  box  to  hold  seven  spikes  should 
be  3  feet  wide  and  14  inches  deep  ;  a  common 
lid,  with  shifting  hinges,  lock  in  front,  and 
handles  at  ends  complete  the  shell.  The 
interior  fittings  are  trifling.  About  3  inches 
from  one  end  a  second  end  must  be  made  with 
holes  bored  thus 


large  enough  to  receive  the  lower  end  of  the 
spike,  which,  when  placed  there,  must  be 
tightly  wedged,  filling  the  space  between  the 
two  ends  with  wet  moss.  Now,  at  the  other 
end  of  the  box,  a  false  end  is  necessary,  formed 
of  three  pieces,  the  lowermost  fixed,  the  others 
movable  at  will,  and  made  to  slide  up  and 
down  in  a  groove,  with  holes  corresponding  to 
those  in  the  opposite  direction.  These  holes 
should  be  bored  on  the  exact  line  where  two 
pieces  meet,  so  that  when  the  centre  piece  is 
removed  the  half  of  each  hole  is  withdrawn 
with  it.  In  these  holes  drop  the  small  end  of  the 
spikes,  surrounding  the  part  in  contact  with 
the  wood  with  wadding  before  sliding  down 
the  corresponding  piece.  Flowers  thus  packed 
have  travelled  from  London  to  Edinburgh 
without  receiving  the  slightest  injury. 

The  best  contrivance  for  showing  the  spikes 
is  perhaps  in  large  pots  filled  with  wet  sand 
and  nicely  covered  with  green  mos.?.  When 
single  flowers  are  shown,  a  common  box,  such 
as  is  used  for  Dahlias,  Roses,  and  the  like,  is 
all  that  is  required. 

Can  we  dispense  with  the  Hollyhock "?  The 
Rose  is  a  more  general  favourite,  and  in  its 
various  states  of  standard,  climber,  and  bush, 


is  more  available ;  the  Dahlia  is  still  the 
"  Queen  of  Autumn  ; "  but  for  the  odd 
nooks  and  corners  ir  small  garden.s,  and  for 
planting  in  ma.sses  lor  distant  effect  in  large 
gardens,  there  is  no  flower  so  suitable  as  the 
Hollyhock.  As  to  the  height  to  which  it 
grows,  this  cannot  be  fairly  urged  to  its 
disadvantage  ;  there  are  positions  in  almost 
every  g.arden  for  which  this  feature  renders 
it  peculiarly  adaptable.  The  best  of  our 
"bedding  plants"  are  of  lowly  growth;  we 
must  look  down  upon  them  to  appreciate  their 
beauty.  But  we  cannot  always  be  looking 
down  be  the  prospect  ever  so  charming.  And 
there  is  a  new  feature  of  beauty  in  that  garden,, 
where  on  raising  the  bent  head  and  downcast 
eye  we  meet  with  spikes  of  Hollyhocks 
breaking  the  flatness  of  the  general  surface  by 
streaks  or  lines  of  rich  and  varied  colours 
rising  high  among  the  leafy  trees.  In  many 
beautiful  gardens  that  we  have  visited  we  have 
been  more  than  disconcerted  by  the  abrupt 
transition  from  "  bedding  plants "  to  tree*;, 
moderated  as  this  has  sometimes  been  by 
raised  baskets  and  pillars  of  summer  climbeis. 
Beautiful  as  are  these  latter  they  are  not 
sufiiciently  massive.  The  Hollyhock,  and,  as 
far  as  we  know,  the  Hollyhock  alone,  efl'ectively 
fills  the  vacuity.  We  know  that  it  has  been 
the  fashion  with  some  to  decry  this  plant, 
calling  it  coarse,  formal,  and  weedy.  Admitting 
that  there  is  some  truth  in  this,  may  we  be 
permitted  to  ask,  is  it  not  also  bold,  striking, 
and  effective,  and  are  not  these  elements  worth 
combining,  at  some  sacrifice,  with  the  rich,  the 
bright,  the  beautiful  ? 

Thus  far  of  its  value  in  garden  scenery.  But 
it  has  lately  come  to  be  considered  as  a  florist's 
flower.  The  busy  brain  and  hand  of  the 
cultivator  have  been  engaged  in  its  improve- 
ment, and  those  who  remember  the  Hollyhock 
of  twenty  years  ago  cannot  fail  to  remark  how 
complete  has  been  the  success.  Not  only  has 
it  become  even  more  uteful  and  efl'ective  for 
garden  decoration,  but  it  has  received  a  degree 
of  elegance  and  symmetry  from  the  hands  of 
the  cultivator  that  has  fitted  it  to  take  a 
position  in  company  with  the  most  distin- 
guished of  Flora's  subjects. 

W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 
(To  he  continued.) 


USES  OF  BRITLSH   PLANTS 

Chenopodiace.e. 

GooSEFoOT  (Chenopodium  sp.). — Three,  if  not  more, 
species  of  this  genus  have  been  used  as  potherbs  or 
salads,  but  they  are  now  generally  replaced  by 
Spinach,  an  introduced  plant  and  not  a  native. 
One  species  (C.  niaritimuni)  is  a  seaside  plant,  and 
bears  fleshy  leaves.  It  is  one  of  the  several  mari- 
time plants  which  formerl}'  supplied  "Barilla,"  an 
impure  carbonate  of  soda,  for  glass-making.  They 
are  now  superseded  by  an  article  manufactured 
from  sea-salt. 

Marsh  Samphire  (Salicornea  herbacea). — Like 
the  last-mentioned,  this  frequents  salt  marshes. 
It  is  remarkable  for  its  jointed,  succulent,  anct 
leafless  stem.  It  was  also  collected  for  Barilla. 
It  is  sometimes  used  for  pickling,  as  a  substitute 
for  Samphire,  and  called  in  consequence  Marsh 
Samphire. 

Saltwort  (Salsola  Kali). — This  also  was  used  for 
extracting  Barilla.  It  is  easily  recognised  by  its 
prickly  leaves,  which  are  somewhat  fleshy  at  the 
base,  but  terminating  in  a  sharp  point. 

Beet  (Beta  maritima). — This  is  now  the  most, 
useful  number  of  the  family.  It  is  naturally  a 
perennial,  but  imder  cultivation  it  has  become  a 
biennial.  It  was  well  known  to  the  Ancients,  who 
cultivated  "black  and  white"  varieties,  the  names 
referring  to  the  colour  of  the  leaves,  as  it  was 
only  grown  for  salad  or  as  a  pot-herb.  The  mid- 


230 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Makch  I'G.  1904. 


rib  of  the  white — presumably  meaniag  pale  greeo — 
was  called  "  Sicula,"  now  spelt  "  Cycla,"  and,  like 
the  same  part  of  the  blanched  Artichoke  leaves, 
is  called  "Chard."  Gerarde  in  15!)7  alludes  to  the 
j;reac  variety  of  colours  of  the  toliage  produced 
by  seed,  observing  of  it:  "With  which  plant 
Nature  doth  seeme  to  plaie  and  sport  hirselfe  ;  for 
the  seeds  taken  from  that  plant  which  was  alto- 
gether of  one  colour  and  sowen,  doth  bring  foorth 
plants  of  many  and  variable  colours."  These  are 
often  now  cultivated  for  ornamental  purposes.  No 
use  was  made  of  the  root,  but  Gerarde  says  of  it : 
"What  might  be  made  of  the  red  and  beautifuU 
roote,  I  refer  unto  the  curious  and  cunning  Cooke, 
who  no  doubt  when  he  hath  had  the  view  thereof, 
and  is  assured  that  it  is  both  good  and  holsome, 
will  mike  thereof  many  and  divers  dishes  both 
faire  and  good."  At  the  present  daj'  it  is  the  root 
only  which  is  of  value.  There  are  several  varieties 
of  the  kitchen  garden  forms,  and  also  of  Mangold 
AVortzsl  of  the  farm  crops.  Basides  these  it  is 
cultivated  abroad  for  sugar.  This  is  the  variety 
Cycla,  which  also  supplies  the  Chard. 

POLYGONACE.E, 

Bistort  (Polygonum  Bistorta). — This  species  is 
not  uuoommon  in  moist  fields  of  northern  counties, 
as,  e.j/. ,  Dirbyshire.  It  is  conspicuous  for  its 
•dense  spike  of  pink  flowers.  The  specific  name, 
meining  "  twice  bent,"  is  derived  from  the  twisted 
rhizome,  which  bears  tuberous  roots.  It  is  this 
underground  stem  which  is  useful  on  account  of 
the  large  amount  of  tannin  it  possesses,  being  one 
of  the  most  astringent  of  British  plants.  It  also 
contains  starch,  so  that  after  being  roasted  it  has 
formed  a  useful  article  of  food  in  Russia  and 
viiberia  in  times  of  scarcity. 

Sorrel  (Runiex  Acetosa). — The  acidity  of  the 
leaves  of  this  well  known  and  common  plant  is 
due  to  the  presence  of  binoxalate  of  potash.  This 
is  really  of  a  poisonous  nature,'  being  sold  as 
"Silts  of  Lemon,"  useful  for  removing  ink  stains 
(when  the  ink  is  made  from  Oak  galls  and  a  salt  of 
iron).  In  the  plant,  however,  it  is  not  sufficiently 
strong  to  be  injurious,  so  that  the  plant  has  long 
been  used  as  a  salad  plant.  Nevertheless,  children 
have  suffered  from  eating  the  leaves  too  freely. 

Thyjielace.!:. 
Mezereon  (Daphne  Mezereum). — This  is  not  a 
very  common  shrublet  wild,  but  it  is  often  grown 
in  gardens  for  its  pink  flowers,  which  appear  before 
the  leaves,  and  its  scarlet  berries.  The  whole 
plant,  as  also  that  of  the  common  Spurge  Laurel 
<U.  Laureola),  is  powerfully  irritant.  The  juice 
will  cause  inflammation,  and  has  accordingly  been 
used  for  blistering.  A  few  berries  will  even  cause 
death.  The  bark  constitutes  a  recognised  drug  in 
our  British  pharmacopoeia.  It  is  used  externally  as 
an  irritant.  G.  Henslow. 

(  To  he,  continued. ) 


SOCjE^JIES. 

fiOYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SDCIEIY. 
There  was  an  excellent  display  of  plants  and  flowers  at  the 
Drill  Hill  on  Tuesday  last.  Orchids  were  magnificent,  two 
gold  medals  beins  awarded  by  the  Orchid  committee,  one  to 
a  lar:;e  group  of  Dendrobiums  from  5Ir.  \V.  A.  Bilney,  the 
other  to  some  Odontoglossum  hybrids  of  remarkably  rich 
colouring  from  Mr.  Norman  C.  Cookson.  There  were 
numerous  awards  to  new  Orchids.  Hardy  flowers,  forced 
shrubs,  Daffodils,  &c.,  were  exhibited  in  quantity,  and, 
together  with  hot  house  plants,  added  greatly  to  the  general 
display.  The  fruit  and  vegetable  committee  had  oiily  one 
exhibit  before  them.  During  the  afternoon  everyone  seemed 
to  be  complaining  of  their  inability  to  see  the  flowers  pro- 
perly owing  to  the  crush.  The  new  hall  is  progressing  apace, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  visitors  will  be  able  to  examine 
the  exhibits  there  with  some  degree  of  comfort. 

fLORAL  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  Jlessrs.  H.  B. 
IVHy,  Charles  T.  Drnery,  R.  Dean,  .T.  Green,  .T.  .Jennings, 
AVilliam  Howe,  Charles  Dixon,  C.  J.  Salter,  Charles  .Tefferies, 
George  Gordon,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  R.  W.  Wallace,  William 
Cuthbertso?!,  Charles  E.  .Shea,  W.  P.  Thompson,  E.  H. 
Jenkins,  George  Paul,  Charles  Blick,  E.  T.  Cook,  and  H.  J. 
Jones. 

The  very  fine  exhibit  of  alpines  on  rockwork,  from  Slessrs. 
Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate,  attracted  a  good  deal  of  atten- 
tion. Not  only  did  it  contain  much  that  was  good  and  rare, 
but  the  arrangement  was  both  natural  and  in  good  taste. 
We  have  no  room  to  cite  the  100  or  so  different  kinds  shown, 
but  select  Stylophorura  diphyllum  (a  yellow-flowered  plant 
of  much  distinction  and  beauty),   Arnebia  echioides.  Iris 


Uaynei  (best  briefly  described  as  a  glorifled  I.  atrofusca), 
several  llaphnes,  Shortia  galacifolia,  many  choice  Saxi- 
frages, JIuscari  botryoides  album,  Gentiana  verna,  and  the 
very  pretty  Thiaspi  rotnndifolia,  &c.  Shrubs  in  foliage  and 
tlower  in  ide  a  capital  background.  Silver-gilt  Binksian 
medal. 

From  Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  came 
a  very  tine  grouping  of  Camellias,  large  bushes  full  of  bloom 
and  in  rude  health.  That  these  greenhouse  shrubs  are  worth 
the  growing  is  well  proved  by  the  exhibit  now  under  notice, 
in  which  some  eighteen  varieties  were  seen.  Conspicua, 
red;  alba  plena  ;  iaibricata,  red  ;  Madonna,  pink  ;  Bjadicea, 
soft  pink  :  Adelina  Patti,  salmon,  edged  white  ;  mathotiana, 
red-crimson;  Mirs,  crimson  ;  Rsine  des  Flenrs.  rose-scarlet ; 
and  Mirchioness  of  E'ceter,  salmon-scarlet,  were  among  the 
best  doubles.  Mercury  (new),  semi-double  crimson  ;  Wal- 
tham Glory,  single  crimson,  gold  anthers ;  and  Jupiter, 
salmon-scarlet,  of  fine  form,  were  other  notable  ones.  A 
batch  each  of  Clematis  indivisa  and  C.  i.  lobata  were  in  the 
forefront  of  this  display.     Silver-gilt  Flo)-a  medal. 

Mr.  J.  Russell,  Richmond,  had  a  large  exhibit  of  flowering 
shrnbi,  notably  .Azaleas,  with  Forsythia  suspensa,  Staphylea 
colchica,  Wistaria  sinensis,  and  a  lot  of  Clematis  inter- 
spersed.    Silver  Binksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate,  had  a  very  large  bank 
of  forced  shrubs.  Lilacs,  Wistarias,  Guelder  Rose,  Prunns, 
Rlbes,  the  richly  coloured  Magnolia  Lennei,  and  other 
plants. 

A  simiLar  exhibit  of  shrubs  came  from  Messrs.  B.  S. 
Williams  and  Son,  HoUowav,  but  here  Azalea  raollis  was 
freely  used  both  as  standards  and  dwarfs,  standard  Lilacs, 
standard  Prunuses,  many  fine  Palms,  with  Acer  foliags  here 
and  there,  completed  a  large,  imposing  array  of  this  useful 
class  of  plants.     Silver  Binksian  medal. 

Mr.  .T.  Jlav,  St.  Margaret's,  Twickenham,  had  a  remarkably 
rtne  lot  of  Cyclamen  persicum  giganteum.  The  strain  is  an 
excellent  one,  and  the  flowers  are  remarkable  for  size  and 
fine  colouring,  and  some  150  plants  were  set  up  in  shades  of 
crimson,  white,  lilac,  &c.  There  were  also  named  varieties. 
The  plants  are  eighteen  months  old,  the  seed  having  been 
sown  in  September,  1902.  Mr.  May  has  upon  many  occasions 
displayed  the  results  of  his  labour  and  skill,  but  we  thuik  he 
has  upon  this  occasion  quite  surpassed  all  previous  etforts. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  R.  Anker,  Napier  Road,  Kensington,  showed  small 
pots  of  Trifolium  repens  pentaphyllnm,  a  dark-leaved 
creeping  Shamrock.  The  plants  in  small  pots  attracted  a 
good  deal  of  notice. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware  and  Co.,  Limited,  Feltham,  had  a  group 
of  hardy  things,  in  which  single  and  double  Primroses, 
Aubrietiaa,  and  early  Saxifragas  were  seen  to  advantage. 
Some  of  the  Cushion  Irises,  as  I.  Haynei,  I.  atrofusca,  I. 
susiana,  I.  iberica,  etc.,  were  shown  in  flower.  Very  beautiful, 
too,  were  Anemone  blanda,  and  such  Primulas  as  P.  viscosa 
nivalis,  P.  denticuUta,  P.  mollis,  and  many  forms  of  P. 
Sieboldi.  Megasea  Straoheyi,  Soldanella  alpina,  and  the  pink- 
flowered  Androsacea  carnea  were  also  noted. 

Pot  Tulips  and  Narcissi  were  well  shown  in  quantity  by 
Mr.  Howe,  gardener  to  Lady  Tate,  Streatham.  Such  Tulips 
as  Duchess  de  Parme,  Unique,  Grace  Darling,  Vermilion, 
Urilliant,  and  others  were  noted.  In  the  Narcissus  we  noted 
Empress,  Glory  of  Leiden,  Sir  Watkin,  Emperor,  and  Golden 
Spur,  pots  of  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Spirxas,  and  Solomon's  Seal, 
with  Palms,  completed  a  fine  group.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton,  had  an  exhibit  of  Clematis  in 
flower,  such  as  .Albert  Victor,  mauve;  Miss  Bateman,  white; 
iMarcel  Moser,  rosy  mauve  ;  I'air  Rosamond,  white  ;  Lord 
Wolseley,  reddish  purple,  and  others,  arranged  amid  Ferns, 
Boronia  heterophylla,  Gardenias,  (ic. 

A  batch  of  fifteen  plants  of  Primula  Forbesi  crowded  with 
flower  spikes  constituted  an  exhibit  from  Mr.  W.  C.  Modral, 
Biggleswade.  The  mass  of  rosy  lilac  white-eyed  flowers  was 
very  charmin,a.     Bronze  Banksian  medal. 

Pot  Tulips  with  Polyanthus  Narcissus,  both  in  considerable 
variety,  came  from  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Upper 
Holloway. 

The  exhibit  from  Messrs.  Wallace  and  <.'o.,  Colchester, 
contained  many  flue  things  in  masses,  such  as  Shortia  galaci- 
folia. Anemone  Pulsatilla,  Iris  reticulata.  Primula 
megastefoiia,  Hepaticas,  Saxifraga  burseriana  major.  Iris 
slylosa.  Primula  rosea,  Anemone  blanda,  Gentiana  verna, 
and  many  Crocus  species  in  charming  variety. 

The  cut  Roses  from  Mr.  Geoi-ge  Mount,  Canterbury,  were, 
as  usual,  very  tine,  strong  stemmed  flowers.  Many  sorts  were 
shown,  the  most  notable  being  Jlrs.  Sharman  Crawford,  Mrs. 
J.  Laing,  Ulrich  Brnnner,  Captain  Hayward,  rich  in  colour 
and  fine  in  texture  ;  La  France,  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant  being 
very  handsome.     Silver  I'lora  medal. 

Jlessrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  a  small 
grotip  of  Corylopsis  pauciflora,  as  well  as  a  much  larger 
exhibit  of  Hydrangea  hortensia  rosea,  whose  flowers  were  of 
quite  gentian  blue,  due  in  all  probability  to  the  chemical 
constituents  of  the  soil  ;  one  or  two  plants,  however,  had 
rose  coloured  heads,  apparently  uninfluenced  by  it.  Rhodo- 
dendron Veitchii,  a  pure  white,  made  an  exquisite  exhibit; 
R.  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  a  richly  coloured  variety  of  a  red- 
scarlet  shade,  and  cut  blooms  of  Camellia  reticulata  were  also 
shown.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Hardy  plants,  mostly  Primulas  and  Auriculas,  came  from 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  and  Son,  West  Norwood.  Primula  denticulata 
alba  was  very  good,  and  with  many  Saxifragas  and  other 
early  flowers  a  pretty  show  was  made. 

Tree  Carnations  from  Messrs.  Cutbush  were  very  beautiful, 
some  dozen  or  more  varieties  being  shown  in  the  cut  state, 
Mrs.  Brooks,  Winter  Beauty,  Duchess  of  Portland,  Jlrs. 
J.  L<;wson,  Hon.  H.  Fellowes,  and  Chas.  H.  Curtis  being  of 
the  liest. 

The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  sent  a  pretty  group  of 
early  things.  .Megasea  Strachcyi,  Draba  aizoides,  Saxifraga 
oppositifolta  alba,  S.  apiculata,  a  very  tine  mass  of  yellow, 
Anemone  blanda,  Primrose  Miss  JIassey,  Saxifi-aga  sancta, 
and  a  few  of  the  shrubby  A'eronicas. 

A  collection  of  Violets  from  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough, 
were  of  more  than  ordinary  interest,  and  the  plants  as  shown 
in  large  masses  gave  a  capital  idea  of  their  worth.  La  l''rauce. 


very  dark  ;  Princess  of  Wales,  Marie  Louise,  wellsiana, 
Comte  de  Brazza,  white ;  Mrs.  J.  J.  Astor,  reddish  ;  aud 
New  York,  pale  blue,  were  among  those  shown.  Two  dozen 
plants  of  the  new  crimion  Polyantha  Rose  Mme.  H.  Levavas- 
senr  were  also  exhibited  in  flower  by  Mr.  Turner.  It  is  a 
pretty,  free  flowered,  serai-double  variety,  the  plants  flower- 
ing well  when  1  foot  high.     .Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  had  a  fine  group  of  the 
forms  of  Cineraria  stellata  in  great  variety,  while  near  by- 
Messrs.  Cripps  and  Son,  TUEibridge  Wells,  staged  on  the 
floor  a  splendid  lot  of  Acers.  A  large  number  of  sorts  were 
noted,  the  fine-leaved  forms  being  especially  good  and 
pleasing.  Some  of  the  best  were  A.  palmatum  dissectum 
variegatum,  A.  p.  roseura  magnirtcum,  A.  p.  dissectum  pur- 
pureum,  A.  japonicum  aureum,  A.  palmatum  flavescens,  Ac 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Primroses  in  much  rariety,  single  and  double.  Polyan- 
thuses in  many  colours,  and  the  old  blue  Primula  elatior,  in 
company  with  the  pale  salmon  and  quilled  Daisy  Alice  (so 
recently  figured  in  Thk  Garden)  were  prominent  among 
many  things  from  the  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Knutstord"^ 
Cheshire.  Other  interesting  things  were  Scilla  bifolia  rosea, 
of  which  a  good  tuft  was  shown,  some  of  the  early  .Saxi- 
frages, and  other  spring  flowers.    Vote  of  thanks. 

A  new  double  Violet  of  the  Mirie  Louise  type,  with  large 
blossoms,  came  from  Mrs.  Brassey.  Chipping  Norton.  It  was 
named  Countess  of  Caledon,  and  is  certainly  free  and  sweetly 
perfumed. 

Messrs.  Birr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  were  in  strong 
force  with  alpines  and  hardy  things  in  one  direction,  and 
forced  Daffodils  in  another.  Of  the  latter  we  noted  flne 
masses  of  such  rich  yellows  as  maximus,  Santa  Maria, 
Golden  Spur,  Henry  Irving,  the  large  form  of  N.  Bulba- 
codium,  and  the  pigmy  minimus,  while  Princess  Ida,  Mme. 
de  Graaff,  Victoria,  and  Gloria  Mundi  were  representatives 
of  other  sections.  In  the  alpine  and  herbaceous  things, 
Lenten  Roses,  Anemone  tulgens,  .i.  coronaria  in  variety.  Iris 
stylosa,  Scillas,  Muscaris,  Erythroniums,  and  Narcissus 
cyclamineus,  some  with  4.inch  stems  as  the  result  of  quite 
ordinary  culture,  and  others  established  and  growing  in 
damp  ground,  with  stems  more  than  1  foot  long,  were 
included.  Quite  an  array  of  choice  alpines  were  also  shown. 
Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  staged  a  flne  lot  of 
forced  shrubs,  well  grown  and  well  disposed.  Lilacs  in 
variety  (dwarfs  and  standards).  Azalea  mollis  and  A.  occi- 
deutalis  vars.,  the  former  resplendent  in  many  shades  o£ 
colour.  Wistarias,  Laburnums,  Prunuses.  the  Guelder  Rose, 
and  others  associated  with  Palms  made  a  most  ettective 
display.     Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Elwes,  Colesbourne,  Gloucastershire,  showed 
Cantua  dependens,  with  its  large  tubular  carmine-crimson 
flowers  in  terminal  drooping  bunches.  It  is  a  most  striking' 
plant  for  the  greenhouse. 

From  the  Wisley  garden  of  the  Riyal  Iljrticultural 
Society  came  a  most  interesting  lot  of  things,  Iris  alata 
(good  in  everv  way),  I.  reticulata,  Chionodoxa  gigantea. 
Dog's-tooth  Violets,  Narcissus  cyclamineus  (a  beautiful 
irathering,  with  strong  stems  1  foot  long),  N.  variiformis, 
N.  obvallaris,  Fritillaria  askhabadensis,  and  others. 

Awards. 
Aiuninne  (Ilepath-a)  awjidiixa,  atha.~U  was  to  this 
excellent  spring  flower  that  the  only  award  was  made  by 
this  committee  on  Tuesday  last.  The  variety  is  not  new, 
but  now,  as  always,  very  scarce.  It  is,  as  the  name  implies, 
a  white  form  of  the  plant  long  known  as  Hepatica  angulosa, 
and  as  such,  with  its  florin-large  white  flowers,  requires  no 
further  recommendation  or  description.  From  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden.    Award  of  merit. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esi|.  (chairman),  Messrs- 
James  O'Brien,  Walter  Cobb,  H.  Ballantine,  Norman  C. 
Cookson,  de  B.  Crawshay,  Jeremiah  Column,  H.  T.  Pitt 
J.  Charlesworth,  W.  A.  Bilney,  A.  A.  McBean,  F.  W.  Ashton, 
F.  Sander,  M.  Gleeson,  J.  W.  Odell,  W.  Boxall,  W.  H.  Young 
H.  A.  Tracy,  Francis  Wellesley,  H.  Little,  J.  Wilson  Potter 
H.  G.  Morris,  H.  J.  Chapman,  and  F.  .V.  Rehder. 

A  splendid  bank  of  Dendrobiums  was  shown  by  W.  A 
Bilney,  Esq.,  Weybridge.  The  plants  filled  one  side  of  a 
long  table,  and  being  finely  flowered  made  a  grand  display. 
D.  nobile  nobilius  was  conspicuous  throughout  by  its  deep 
colouring,  and  there  were  large  specimens"  of  U.  wardianum 
with  an  abundance  of  bloom.  D.  w.  virginale,  with  its  white 
sepals  and  palest  sulphur  coloured  lip,  was  one  of  the  most 
attractive,  and  among  others  worthy  of  special  note  were 
D.  Wigania;,  D.  Ainsworthii  aureum,  D.  Ainsworthii  Gwen- 
dolen, D.  rubens  gi-andlHorum,  D.  Cybele  gigauteuu),  D. 
nobile  ballianum,  D.  n.  Cooksoni,  D.  Juno,  D.  Hebe,  1). 
brymerianum,  D.  thyrsiflorum,  and  D.  Hmbriatuni.  One 
of  the  plants  of  D.  nobile  nobilius  had  no  less  than  17.', 
flowers.  A  gold  medal  was  awarded  by  the  Orchid  committee 
to  this  exhibit. 

A  gold  medal  was  also  awarded  to  Norman  0.  Cookson, 
Esq.,  Wylam-on-Tyne  (gardener,  .\[r.  H.  J.  Chapman),  for 
a  group  consisting  chiefly  of  beautiful  forms  of  Odontoglos- 
snms.  There  ;were  some  charming  unspotted  forms  of  O. 
crispum  and  0.  Pescatorei,  and  these  added  to  the  efl'ect 
of  the  display,  towards  which  heavily  spotted  forms  of 
0.  wilckeanum,  (>.  crispum  Mariie,  O.  harrvano  crispum, 
O.  crispum  massangeana.O.  c.  Lncianix,  and  o^c.  amesianuni, 
contributed  largely,  as  well  as  others  which  obtained  awards 
and  are  described  under  "  New  Orchids." 

.Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  .Vlbans,  exhibited  a  group  ot 
Orchids  that  contained  many  good  things,  some  of  which 
obtained  awards  and  are  described  elsewhere.  Odonto- 
glossum wilckeanum  var.  Emperor  was  conspicuously  line 
among  the  Odontoglossums.  Dendl'obiums  were  well  repre- 
sented, D.  devonianuni  being  very  good.  Oncidiiim  concolor 
made  a  bright  bit  of  colour,  and  .Miltonia  bleuana  nobilior, 
Trichopilia  suavis,  Lrelio-Cattleya  calunmata,  L..C.  Fan- 
qanana,  several  Pbains,  Epidendrum  paniculatum,  Catt'eya 
^'ulcan,  and  Cynibidium  ebnrneo-lowianum  were  also  vei'y 
good.    Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 


^!fey- 


GARDEN 


No.  1689.— Vol.  LXV. 


[April  2,  1904. 


DESTRUCTION      OF     WILD 
FLOWERS. 

WE  are  gratified  that  the  remarks 
in  The  Garden  recently  in 
condemnation  of  the  wanton 
destruction  of  British  wild 
flowers  has  aroused  interest. 
It  is  a  subject  surely  that  should  touch  the 
hearts  of  all  who  love  the  flowers,  and  the 
birds,  and  the  delights  of  country  life,  and  it 
is  not  unreasonable  to  hope  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  the  flora  of  these  beautiful 
isles  will  be  saved  from  extinction.  Many 
species  are  already  lost  to  us,  or  practically  so, 
and  even  the  Primrose  on  the  warm,  sheltered 
bank  and  the  Fritillary  in  the  lush  meadow 
are  in  peril  of  complete  annihilation  if  this 
senseless  grubbing  up  of  wildflowersis  tolerated 
for  another  generation. 

One  correspondent  writes  :  "  I  am  delighted 
with  the  article  in  The  Garden  on  the  destruc- 
tion of  wild  flowers,  and  I  am  very  glad  to  see 
that  the  subject  has  been  brought  before  the 
Horticultural  Club.  My  sister  and  myself 
have  long  thought  that  some  Bill  ought  to  be 
brought  into  Parliament  to  prevent  the  wanton 
destruction  that  is  going  on  !  We  are  quite  in 
the  country  and  four  miles  from  a  station,  but 
even  here  we  are  often  met  with  Ferns  and 
Primrose  roots  on  their  way  to  Brighton. 
Nearer  the  railway  Primroses  have  entirely 
disappeared  from  places  where  they  were 
abundant  a  few  years  ago.  It  is  quite  time 
some  check  should  be  put  to  such  destruction." 
Mr.  J.  K  Jackson,  Lympstone,  Devonshire, 
writes  :  "  The  question  of  the  destruction  of 
British  wild  plants,  both  by  scientific  and 
wholesale  collectors,  which  formed  the  subject 
of  a  leading  article  in  The  Garden  of  the 
19th  ult.,  page  19.5,  and  which  was  founded  on 
a  paper  read  by  the  Eev.  George  Henslow  at  a 
recent  meeting  of  the  Horticultural  Club,  is  a 
matter  that,  whatever  may  be  the  case  in 
other  parts  of  England,  has  not  escaped  the 
attention  of  the  authorities  in  the  county  of 
Devon.  Very  frequent  convictions  take  place. 
That  the  game  is  a  profitable  one  is  more  than 
proved  by  the  payment  of  the  fines  and  the 
constant  repetition  of  the  offence.  With  the 
view  of  meeting  the  difficulty  in  suppressing 
this  trade,  Mr.  W.  P.  Hiern,  M.A.,  F.L.S., 
of  The  Castle,  Barnstaple,  who  is  a  well-known 
botanist  and  author  of  a  valuable  '  Monograph 
of  the  Ebenacese,'  &c.,  and  who  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Devon  County  Council,  had  a 
motion   at   a    recent   meeting  of  the  Council 


at  E.xeter  for  the  introduction  of  a  bye-law 
'  Providing  that  any  person  above  the  age  of 
fourteen  or  anyone  who  induced  any  child 
below  that  age  to  uproot  Ferns  and  wild  plants 
should  be  liable  to  a  fine  not  exceeding  £2  for 
the  first  offence  and  £5  for  the  second.' "  Com- 
menting on  this  the  Devon  and  Exeter  Gazette, 
which  has  taken  a  lead  in  the  preservation  of 
the  natural  beauties  of  the  county,  calls  atten- 
tion to  two  advertisements  recently  appearing 
in  a  London  newspaper,  which  we  copy  as 
illustrations  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
trade  : 

"  Beautiful  hardy  North  Devon  Ferns,  from 
the  borders  of  Dartmoor,  named  varieties, 
splendid  for  rockeries,  sha,dy  corners,  and  cool 
greenhouses;  20,  Is.  6d.  ;  40,  2s.  6d.  ;  100,  .5s.; 
free;  payment  preferred  after  plants  are 
received.  Extra  and  larger  specimens  sent 
if  per  rail,  carriage  forward."  :    , 

"Devonshire  Ferns,  various,  40  beautiful 
roots,  Is. ;  50 assorted,  23. ;  12  for  windows,  Is.; 
25  large  rockery  roots,  2s. ;  30  Hart's-tongues, 
Is. ;  free." 

We  suppress  the  names  and  addresses  of 
these  dealers,  which  are  given  by  our  contem- 
porary, not  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  their 
trade,  but  with  the  view  of  stopping  it  by 
drawing  attention  to  -those  who  aid  and  abet 
such  practices,  but  we  agree  that  "  it  would 
seem  that  men  sent  from  London  are  not  the 
only  ones  to  whom  the  authorities  might,  with 
advantage,  give  their  attention." 

The  Koyal  Horticultural  Society,  with  its 
powerful  influence  for  good  in  horticultural 
matters,  might  take  up  this  question  and  bring 
pressure  to  bear  in  the  right  direction.  A 
lecture  after  one  of  the  fortnightly  meetings 
would  bring  the  subject  to  more  general 
notice,  and  encourage  the  Fellows  individually 
to  use  their  best  endeavours  to  put  down  the 
practice.  Many  beautiful  estates  are  entered 
for  the  sake  of  collecting  roots  to  sell  in  the 
nearest  markets,  and  greater  vigilance  on  the 
part  of  the  owners  would  lead  to  more  frequent 
convictions.  The  wilder  country  lanes  and 
woodlands  are  of  easy  access  in  these  days  of 
bicycles  and  other  ready  means  of  locomotion, 
and  we  are  glad  the  beauty  spots  in  this  fair 
land  of  ours  are  not  hidden  from  the  toilers  in 
town  and  suburb,  but  to  destroy  the  things 
that  give  this  refining  influence  is  disgraceful. 
A  few  societies,  the  Selborne  in  particular,  are 
earnest  in  their  endeavours  to  preserve  the 
flower  and  bird  life  of  this  country,  but  save  us 
from  the  well-intentioned  efforts  of  many 
"Nature"  and  County  Council   organisations 


who  let  loose  troops  of  men  and  women  to 
study  the  flowers  of  the  field  on  the  spot.  The 
first  lessons  to  instil  in  their  minds  should  be 
a  right  understanding  of  the  mission  of  a 
flower,  to  study  it  in  the  same  spirit  as  one 
would  collect  posta!ge  stamps  shows  little 
reverence  for  these  jewels  of  the  earth,  which 
bring  their  sweet  messages  as  the  seasons  pass 
by  to  those  who  are  willing  to  heed  them. 


THE     NEWER     EARLY 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Flowers  for  the  Autumn  Garden. 

The  early-flowering  Chrysanthemums  recently 
introduced  are  a  great  advance  upon  pre- 
vious introductions,  and  our  thanks  are 
chiefly  due  to  the  French  raisers,  although 
English  raisers  have  raised  several  beautiful 
varieties.  The  new  English  race  of  early- 
flowering  Chrysanthemums  supplies  a  distinct 
break.  The  novelties  which  now  abound  have 
flowers  of  charming  form  and  beautiful  colours. 
They  are  not  semi-double,  but  large  and  full. 
It  is  as  plants  for  the  outdoor  garden  that  the 
early-flowering  Chrysanthemums  promise  so 
well.  In  beds  and  borders  where  they  can  be 
planted  freely  they  make  a  remarkable  display 
in  August,  September,  and  October,  and  their 
culture  from  May  onwards  is  very  simple.  Of 
the  many  beautiful  seedlings  seen  last  autumn, 
those  in  the  subjoined  list  are  among  the  best. 

Japanese. 

Flame. — A  charming  Japanese  sort ;  colour, 
bright  crimson,  with  golden  centre,  and  golden 
buff  reverse.  The  flowers  are  of  medium  size, 
and  the  plant,  which  is  of  branching  growth, 
is  very  free.     Height  .3  feet. 

Howard  H.  Crane.— 1h\s,  is  excellent.  The 
colour  is  bright  chestnut,  shaded  scarlet,  with 
golden  in  the  centre  and  reverse  side  of  the 
florets.  The  Cactus-like  flowers  are  extremely 
handsome.  A  most  effective  plant.  Height 
3  feet. 

Doro  Blick. — A  distinct  Cactus-shaped  flower, 
produced  in  charming  clusters  on  long  stalks> 
and  making  handsome  sprays  for  cutting. 
Colour  soft  pink,  tinted  mauve,  tinted  and 
tipped  with  gold.     Good  habit. 

Illuminator. — This  colour  is  always  much 
admired  ;  it  is  bright  yellow  flamed  with  red. 
The  plant  is  very  free,  and  the  flowers  large. 
Height  3  feet  to  4  feet. 

Firefly. — A  very  free -flowering  Japanese, 
with  flowers  of  bright  crimson-scarlet,  tinted 
with  gold. 

Achievement. — Those  who  are  familiar  with 
the  lilac-mauve  flowers  of  Mme.  Marie  Masse 
will  appreciate  this  new  sort  when  it  is  said  to 
be  somewhat  like  that  variety,  but  the  flowers 
are  larger.  The  plant  is  very  free.  Height 
3  feet. 


232 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  2,  ia04. 


Sujyreme.— This  bears  its  flowers  on  very 
stout  and  erect  stems.  The  colour  is  a  striking 
canary-yellow.    Height  2i  feet. 

Firelight.— Th\s,  variety  has  flowers  of  a 
beautiful  warm  reddish  crimson,  with  golden 
reverse,  also  tippsd  gold ;  the  medium-sized 
blooms  are  in  graceful  sprays.  The  plant  has 
a  good  branching  habit  of  growth,  and  blooms 
profusely.    Height  2i  feet. 

Captivation.—Tlh.\i  is  first  among  varieties 
of  a  bright  rosy  amaranth  colour  ;  the  petals 
have  a  silvery  reverse,  and  the  centre  of  tlie 
flower  is  golden.  The  flowers  are  large,  and 
developed  in  elegant  sprays.     Height  2i  feet. 

Pride  of  /iTeston.— From  100  selected  .Japa- 
nese seedlings,  each  worthy  of  extensive  cul- 
ture, this  variety  was  chosen  for  its  all-round 
quality.  First  of  all,  its  colour  is  very  distinct; 
it  is  reddish  amaranth,  with  bright  silver 
reverse.  Each  flower  is  of  perfect  form  with- 
out disbudding.     Height  3  feet. 

Mrs.  A.  Cooi-so)i.— Another  Cactus  -  shaped 
flower,  clear  rose  in  colour,  tipped  with  gold. 
The  flowers  are  on  erect  stems  in  handsome 
sprays,  so  useful  to  cut  for  decoration.  Height 
3i  feet. 

'Nina  Blick.—A  fine  addition;  the  colour 
may  be  described  as  bright  scarlet-red,  with 
age  passing  to  a  rich  golden  -  bronze.  This 
variety  is  of  special  value  for  bunching,  and 
may  be  regarded  as  a  most  distinct  Chrysan- 
themum. Those  who  have  seen  this  fine  sort 
cannot  speak  too  highly  of  it.     Height  2  feet. 

Bocket.— This  is  considered  to  be  a  much 
improved  Crimson  Marie  Masse,  but  the  flowers 
are  fuller,  and  they  appear  at  the  same  time. 
The  colour  is  chestnut-bronze,  though  when 
first  opening  an  intense  crimson-chestnut  better 
describes  the  colouring. 

Hylda  Blick.—K  welcome  addition  to  the 
bright  rose-coloured  sorts.  The  flowers  are 
lined  with  white,  and  the  centre  is  primrose  ; 
of  Cactus  shape,  and  the  blossoms  set  well 
apart,  the  latter  being  in  graceful  sprays,  and 
the  plants  are  remarkably  free.  It  is  safe  to 
give  this  new  variety  a  high  place  in  the  collec- 
tion.    Height  .3  feet. 

Janie  Broion. — Another  pretty  Cactus-like 
flower,  borne  in  profusion.  The  colour  is  a 
distinct  shade  of  purple-amaranth,  and  dis- 
tinctly pleasing.    Height  ,3  feet. 

Nina  Williams. — Goacher's  Crimson  is  now 
so  well  known  that  it  is  interesting  to  meet 
with  a  seedling  that  is  likely  to  supersede  it. 
This  variety  is  much  brighter  in  colour  and 
also  more  lasting.  The  flowers  are  not  so  large, 
however,  but  they  are  more  freely  produced, 
and  there  is  a  golden  reverse  to  the  petals. 
Height  3  feet. 

Constancy. — In  this  instance  the  colour  is 
a  glorious  shade  of  orange-amber,  with  a  red- 
dish tint.  The  flowers  are  full,  of  good  shape, 
and  the  plant  is  dwarf  in  growth. 

Dainti/. — As  the  name  implies  this  is  a  flower 
of  dainty  form  and  charming  colour,  which  is 
a  delicate  shade  of  soft  pink.  For  use  in  the 
garden  it  has  a  special  value  for  its  dwarf  and 
compact  growth. 

Highgate,  N.  D.  B.  CeANE. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 


Drill 


FGETHCOMING  EVENTS. 

April   5. — Royal   Horticultural  Society's 
Hall  Meeting. 

April  8. — Truro  Daffodil  Show  (two  days). 

April    12. — Brighton    Horticultural    Show  (two 
days). 

April    13.  —  East   Anglian    Horticultural   Club 
Meeting. 

April  26. — Birmingham  Auricula  Show. 


Royal  Hopticultupal  Society.— Fifty 

five  new  Fellows  were  elected  at  the  recent  meeting, 
among  them  the  Earl  of  Tankerville,  the  Earl 
Waldegrave,  Lady  Finlay,  Lady  Lease,  Lady 
Katherine  Somerset,  and  Captain  W.  Percy 
Standish.  The  next  meeting  and  show  of  the 
society  will  be  held  on  the  Tuesday  in  Easter 
week,  the  5th  inst.,  when  a  paper  on  "Villa 
Gardens  "  will  be  read  by  Mr.  Hugh  P.  C.  Maule. 

The  King  and  the   Royal   Hopti- 

CUltUPal  Society. —A  crowded  general 
meeting  of  the  Fellows  of  the  society  was  held 
at  the  last  meeting,  when  the  following  letter  from 
His  Majesty  the  King  was  read  : — 

Buckingham  Palace,  March  10,  1004. 
Gentlemen, — I  am  commanded  by  the  King 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  8th  instant,  sent  to  His  Majesty  through 
the  Home  Secretary,  and  to  inform  you  that 
His  Majesty  is  pleased  to  accede  to  the  request 
of  the  President  and  Council  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society — to  become  Patron  of 
the  society.  I  have  the  honour  to  be.  Gentle- 
men, your  obedient  servant, 

D.  M.  Probyn,  General,  Keeper  of  Hii 
Majesty's  Privy  Purse. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence.  Bart.,  K.C.V.O.,  J.  Gurney 
Fowler,  Esq.,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A. 

This  letter  was  unanimously  ordered  to  be  entered 
on  the  minutes,  and  the  following  reply  was 
ordered  to  be  sent  to  His  Majesty  : — 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  March  22,  1904. 
To  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty. 

May  it  please  Your  Majesty,  We,  the 
President,  Council,  and  Fellows  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  being  this  day  in  General 
Meeting  assembled,  would  most  humbly  and 
dutifully  convey  to  Your  Majesty  our  most 
grateful  thanks  for  bestowing  on  us  the  favour 
and  support  of  Your  most  gracious  Patronage, 
conjointly  with  that  of  Her  Majesty  the  Queen, 
in  commemoration  of  the  completion  of  the 
first  century  of  our  society's  efforts  for  the 
benefit  and  improvement  of  British  Horti- 
culture. At  the  same  time,  we  would  also 
venture  to  approach  Y'^our  Majesty  with  the 
expression  of  our  deep  sense  of  grief  at  the 
heavy  loss  which  Your  Majesty's  Royal  House 
has  sustained  by  the  death  of  His  Royal  High- 
ness the  Duke  of  Cambridge,  K.G.,  beside 
whose  grave  the  whole  nation  mourns  at  heart 
to-day.  No  class  of  \''our  Majesty's  subjects 
are  more  devotedly  attached  to  Your  Throne 
and  Person  than  the  Horticulturists  of  this 
country,  who  will  ever  pray  that  Your 
Majesty  may  long  be  spared  to  reign  over 
this  happy  realm. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  Fellows, 

Trevor  Lawrence,  President. 
J.  Gdkney  Fowler,  Treasurer. 
W.  Wilks,  Secretary. 

London   Dahlia  Union. —  The  annual 

exhibition  by  the  Union  will  be  held  in  the  Prince's 
Hall  of  the  London  Exhibitions  on  Thursday  and 
Friday,  September  1.5  and  16.  The  schedule  of 
prizes  has  been  extended,  and  one  feature  of  more 
than  ordinary  interest  at  this  exhibition  will  be 
the  competition  for  the  special  prizes  offered  by 
Mr.  F.  G.  Gledstanes  for  six  vases  of  Cactus 
Dahlias,  distinct,  three  blooms  of  one  variety  in  a 
vase,  of  the  sorts  best  adapted  for  garden  decora- 
tion, the  flowers  to  be  on  stems  raising  them  well 
above  the  vase,  and  no  supports  to  the  stems  will 
be  allowed.  Mr.  Gledstanes,  who  is  a  great  admirer 
of  the  Cactus  Dahlia  as  a  border  plant,  is  offering 
a  series  of  four  prizes,  extending  over  three  years, 
for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  the  development  of 
Cactus  Dahlias  for  border  decoration,  old  as  well 
as  new  varieties.  This  should  prove  an  interesting 
as  well  as  an  educational  class,  and  be  of  decided 
practical  value.  The  secretary  is  Mr.  R.  Dean, 
V.M.H.,  Ranelagh  Road,  Ealing,  W. 

A  gpeat  Opchid  sale. — At  the  great  sale  of 
the  Harefield  Hall  collection  of  Orchids  on  Wednes- 
day and  Thursday,  the  23rd  and  24th  ult.,  some 
remarkable  prices  were  obtained.  A  plant  of 
Odontoglossum  crispum  ashworthianum  was  sold  to 


Messrs.  McBean  of  Cooksbridge  lor  340  guineas. 
Mr.  Morris,  of  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris, 
announced  that  this  was  a  record  price  with  them 
under  the  hammer.  The  plant  only  had  one  bulb. 
Cattleya  guttata  Prinzii  var.  Sander*  (six  bulbs), 
the  albino  C.  guttata  was  bought  by  Mr.  Duck- 
worth for  200  guineas.  A  very  small  plant  of  C. 
Mendelii  Bluntii  var.  E.  Ashworth  fetched 
32  guineas,  and  Cypripedium  insigne  Harefield 
Hall  variety  realised  11  guineas  and  13  guineas 
respectively.  A  very  small  plant  of  Cattlej'a 
superba  alha  var.  E.  Ashworth  went  for  31  guineas. 

Training  Chimonanthus  fpagans. 

On  looking  over  back  numbers  of  The  Garden  I 
came  across  a  note  on  the  Winter  Sweet,  by  Mr. 
H.  T.  Martin  (page  161),  in  which  he  advocates 
close  training  to  a  wall,  as  with  a  Plum  tree,  and 
the  spurring  in  of  the  shoots  in  the  manner 
practised  with  this  fruit.  Such  advice  is 
doubtless  valuable  in  the  colder  portions  of  the 
British  Isles,  but  I  should  be  inclined  to  deprecate 
its  universal  adoption  in  the  warm  climate  of  the 
south-west,  where  I  know  many  specimens  of  the 
Chimonanthus  grown  in  bush  form  which  are  really 
decorative  objects  in  the  winter  time,  whereas, 
when  this  shrub  is  tightly  trained  to  a  wall  it  has 
no  ornamental  value  whatever,  the  pale,  3'ellowi8h 
green  flowers  being  practically  inconspicuous 
against  the  stones.  A  large  bush  grown  on  a  lawn 
and  backed  by  a  Yew  or  other  evergreen  tree  is  a 
pretty  sight  when  in  full  flower,  its  innumerable 
blossoms  on  their  leafless  branches  being  thrown 
into  high  relief  by  the  dark  background.  I  know 
of  one  example  so  situated,  measuring  about  8  feet 
in  height  and  7  feet  through,  that  is  always  a 
delightful  sight  at  Christmastide,  while  on  still 
days  the  air  is  scented  for  yards  around  with  the 
fragrance  of  its  blossoms.  This  specimen  has  not 
been  touched  by  the  knife  for  years,  yet  never  fails 
to  bloom  freely.  In  the  same  garden  is  another 
much  larger  example  of  the  form  known  as  grandi- 
florus,  which  is  about  15  feet  in  height,  but  is  far 
less  effective  than  the  specimen  first  mentioned,  as 
it  was  originally  planted  against  a  low  wall,  and 
when  it  had  topped  that  was  allowed  to  grow  as 
it  would,  with  the  consequence  that  it  has  formed 
a  bushy-headed  small  tree,  whose  flowers  are  dis- 
played somewhat  ineffectively  against  the  sky. 
Where  the  production  of  flower  sprays  for  indoor 
decoration  is  the  only  object  aimed  at,  however, 
there  is  no  objection  to  the  shrub  being  trained  and 
pruned  as  advised  in  the  note  alluded  to.  The 
blossoms  are  always  welcome  in  the  house  when 
arranged  in  shallow  bowls  from  the  delicious  per- 
fume they  exhale. — S.  W.  Fitzhereert. 

Exhibiting  GPapes.— In  The  Garden 
for  the  19th  ult.,  page  197,  appears  a  notice  that 
the  Shropshire  Horticultural  Society  will  adopt 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  "  Rules  for 
Judging"  scale  of  pointing  :  Muscat  Grapes,  black 
or  white,  eleven  points,  maximum  ;  and  for  all 
other,  black  or  white,  ten  points.  The  finding  of 
eleven  points,  even  in  a  perfect  bunch  of  Muscat 
Grapes  appears  to  trouble  not  a  few  good  Grape 
growers  ;  and  so  it  is  with  the  other  varieties,  for 
which  ten  points  are  to  be  the  maximum.  After 
size  and  symmetry  of  bunch,  size  of  berry,  colour, 
ripeness,  flavour,  variety,  and  general  appearance, 
how  are  the  other  two  or  three  points,  as  the  case 
may  be,  enumerated?  To  intending  Grape  exhi- 
bitors at  the  above  or  any  other  exhibition  a  little 
further  enlightenment  as  to  the  real  finding  of  the 
points  would  be  interesting,  and  would  save 
much  unpleasantness  to  the  parties  concerned. — 
J.  P.  Leadbetter,  The  Oarden-i,  T>-a>iby  Croft, 
Hull. 

"  Hepedity   of   Acquiped   Chapac- 

tePS," — At  the  recent  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  Professor  Henslow  delivered 
a  lecture  on  the  "  Heredilj'  of  Acquired  Charac- 
ters," in  which  he  pointed  out  that  the  changes  in 
plants  are  produced  by  change  in  external  sur- 
roundings, and  after  giving  the  views  formerly 
held  by  Darwin  and  Wiseman,  and  explaining  the 
terms  "germplasm,"  "protoplasm,"  "stomas," 
&o.,  he  showed  that  as  the  plant  grows  it  builds 
up  just  the  fruit,  flowers,  or  seeds  it  requires. 
He  illustrated  his  remarks  with  some  magnificent 
cartoons  of  the  same  plants  in  the  greatest  possible 


April  2,  1904.3 


THE  GARDEN. 


233 


variety  in  different  parts  of  the  world  and  under 
varying  conditions,  such  as  the  Ranunculus  family 
growing  in  water,  in  mud,  or  in  the  ground. 

Cestpum  aupantiaeum.  —  Under 
favourable  treatment  this  makes  a  very  pretty  pot 
plant  for  the  autumn,  but  it  is  very  rarely  we  meet 
with  it  in  good  condition;  probably,  if  it  could  be 
reintroduced  as  a  new  plant  we  should  hear  more 
of  its  merits.  The  bright  orange-yellow  flowers  are 
produced  in  terminal  panicles,  and  it  may  be 
flowered  well  as  a  dwarf  plant  in  a  4J-inch  pot.  It 
may  be  propagated  any  time  during  spring.  Short 
cuttings  from  strong  shoots  make  the  best  plants. 
Grown  on  in  an  intermediate  temperature  the 
plants  may  be  stopped  once,  or  they  may  be  grown 
without  any  stopping  and  will  produce  large 
terminal  branching  panicles  of  the  richly  coloured 
flowers.  It  is  a  plant  of  easy  culture,  the  chief 
requirements  being  good,  rich  potting  compost, 
and  liberal  supplies  of  manure  after  the  pots  are 
well  filled  with  roots.  It  is  not  much  troubled 
with  insect  pests,  ..at  least  when  I  have  grown  it  I 
have  never  found  it  so.  It  is  chiefly  as  a  small  pot 
plant  that  I  have  grown  it,  but  it  is  also  suitable 
for  planting  against  a  wall,  and  forms  a  good  com- 
panion to  Oestrum  Newelli,  or  elegans,  which  is 
better  known  in  gardens  as  Habrothamnus.  I  may 
add  that  Oestrum  aurantiacum  was  introduced 
from  Guatemala  in  1842,  but  like  a  good  many 
other  old  friends  it  has  been  overlooked  in  the  race 
for  modern  novelties. — A.  Hemsley. 

Potatoes  in  1903.  —  According  to  the 
"  Agricultural  Returns "  used  by  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  the  "  Potato  crop  of  the  past  year  was 
very  indifferent,  the  estimated  average  being  only 
5  16  tons,  as  against  5  57  tons  in  1902.  In  only  four 
counties  of  England  and  Wales  was  the  crop 
reported  as  exceeding  the  decennial  average.  The 
main  crop  in  the  important  Potato-growing  county 
of  Lincoln  was  much  diseased,  and  badly  harvested 
owing  to  the  wet  condition  of  the  laud.  In  Lan- 
cashire a  large  extent  of  land  was  reported  to  be 
unproductive  from  the  same  cause,  the  tubers 
rotting  in  the  ground.  One  result  has  been  to 
create  an  active  demand  for  disease-resisting  sorts 
for  seed.  In  Scotland  the  position  appears  to  have 
been  somewhat  more  satisfactory  than  South  of  the 
Border,  though  a  good  deal  of  disease  is  reported 
in  the  crop.  In  the  southern  counties  the  results 
were  summarised  by  one  estimator  as  follows  : 
'  The  crop  was  a  partial  failure  owing  to  cold,  too 
much  wet,  and  want  of  sun.  Growers  began  to 
lift  the  crop  late  in  the  autumn  under  unfavourable 
conditions,  and  on  heavy  soils  it  was  thought  that 
an  appreciable  proportion  of  the  crop  would  be 
unfit  for  table  use.'" 

A  new  Smilax.— The  new  Myrtle-leaved 
Smilax  Medeloa  or  Myrsiphyllum  asparagoides 
myrtifolia  is  a  plant  that  appeals  to  the  gardener 
as  one  that  may  be  of  exceptional  value.  It  will 
prove  as  valuable  as  Asparagus  Sprengeri,  and  is 
quite  as  beautiful,  though  of  an  entirely  different 
type.  It  is  very  much  more  delicate  and  graceful 
than  the  common  Smilax,  the  leaves  being  much 
smaller — only  about  one-sixth  the  size — and  the 
young  tendrils  being  much  more  artistic  than  the 
stiff  branches  of  the  common  Smilax  make  it  a 
more  beautiful  green  for  decorative  purposes.  The 
newcomer  produces  many  more  lateral  shoots  than 
the  common  Smilax,  and  on  this  account  it  is 
advisable  to  carry  it  up  on  several  strings,  thus 
making  it  a  more  profitable  plant  to  grow, 
especially  for  the  home.  It  is  a  stronger  and 
more  vigorous  grower  than  the  common  Smilax, 
and  its  hardiness  and  durability  are  more 
remarkable,  strings  remaining  fresh  six  to  eight 
days  after  being  cut  and  eight  to  twelve  days  when 
placed  in  water.  It  will  commend  itself  to  every 
grower  of  cut  flowers,  as  there  is  so  little  variety 
in  good  greens  for  cut  flower  work.  This  Smilax 
originated  in  Europe  about  six  years  ago,  and  has 
proved  constant  since.  Thus  far  no  seed  has  been 
obtained,  propagation  being  effected  by  division  of 
the  bulbs  only,  which  are  produced  very  rapidly. — 
ATnerican  Oardening. 

Fruit  -  growing  in  Nova  Scotia. 
Model  orchards.  —  Fruit-growing  in  this 
favoured  province  of  the  Dominion  is  an  industry 
of  the  first  importance.     The  Nova  Scotia  Govern- 


ment, by  the  establishment  of  twenty-five  model 
orchards — in  every  county  of  the  province — is 
wisely  influencing  the  range  of  profitable  fruit 
cultivation.  The  possibility  of  growing  Peaches 
on  a  commercial  basis  in  Nova  Scotia  has  always 
been  a  very  debatable  subject,  but  the  results  now 
obtained  on  systematic  lines  go  far  to  prove  that 
Peaches  can  be  made  an  important  asset  in  the 
fruit-growing  industry.  The  moat  successful  varie- 
ties are  the  Elriv  and  the  Elrose,  crosses  of  the 
Elberta  and  Early  Rivers',  and  Elberta  and  Moun- 
tain Rose  respectively.  In  late  Plums,  Oox's 
Emperor  and  the  Late  Orange,  imported  originally 
from  England,  have  now  been  demonstrated  to  be 
valuable  market  sorts  for  Nova  Scotia  ;  the  former 
ripened  by  October  1,  while  the  Late  Orange  was 
not  ripe  until  October  10,  and  was  still  in  good 
condition  by  December  1.  The  latter  variety  should 
prove  valuable  for  canning  purposes,  as  it  comes 
late  in  the  season,  when  most  of  the  other  kinds 
are  gone.  At  these  model  orchards  much  valuable 
information  is  being  accumulated  and  distributed 
on  such  matters  as  spraying  with  different  insecti- 
cide solutions,  and  the  seeding  down  orchards  with 
cover-crops  of  nitrogenous  and  non-nitrogenous 
plants,  such  as  Clovers,  Vetches,  Alfalfa,  and  Buck- 
wheat. The  prevention  of  winter  killing  of  trees, 
which  is  mainly  confined  to  the  Peach  and  Apricots, 
is  being  successfully  overcome  by  getting  trees  into 
a  dormant  state  early  in  the  autumn  by  stopping 
cultivation  late  in  June  and  sowing  a  cover-crop. 
There  is  also  the  Government  School  of  Horticul- 
ture at  Wolfville,  where  the  tuition  is  free. 


SPRING'S    LEGACY. 

The  Spring  to  me  did  say, 
"  I  must  from  here  away ; 
But  all  my  joy  and  glee 
I  gladly  leave  to  thee. 
Guard  it  within  thy  heart, 
But  give  the  world  a  part. 
To  every  lorest  fling 
A  tender  dream  of  Spring. 
To  every  flow'ret  sweet, 
And  to  thy  loved  one's  feet. 
Thus  they  shall  not  forget 
Me,  nor  my  charms  regret, 
Until  I  come  again, 
In  loveliness  to  reign." 

Sydney  Hesselrigge. 
—(From  the  German  of  Eiickert.) 


Freesia  Armstrong-ii.— In  reference  to 
my  note  concerning  this  Freesia  in  The  Garden 
(page  194)  I  have  received  the  following  communi- 
cation from  Mr.  Gumbleton,  and  as  it  contains 
much  interesting  matter  bearing  on  the  genus 
Freesia,  I  have  forwarded  it  for  insertion  :  "  Allow 
me  to  take  exception  to  some  of  your  statements 
about  the  above-named  bulb  in  paragraph  appearing 
in  last  issue  of  The  Garden.  You  say  it  is  not  to 
be  had  from  the  ordinary  trade  sources,  yet  I 
purchased  three  bulbs  of  it  last  autumn  at  Ss.  each 
from  a  leading  Haarlem  nurseryman  and  bulb 
importer.  Then  you  say  it  is  a  more  vigorous 
grower  than  what  is  commonly  known  as  F. 
refracta  alba.  I  cannot  agree  with  you,  as  it  has 
much  narrower  foliage  and  more  slender  growth, 
with  a  taller  and  more  branched  spike.  My  best 
spike,  not  yet  open,  has  four  branches,  bearing 
eighteen  flower-buds.  I  wish  I  could  get  the 
common  error  corrected  as  to  the  name  of  F.  alba, 
which  is  not  refracta,  belonging  as  it  does, 
according  to  my  friend  Mr.  Baker,  to  a  different 
section  of  the  family,  in  which  it  stands  alone. 
He  divides  the  family  into  three  sections:  (1) 
Odorata,  embracing  all  the  forms  known  as 
Leichtlini,  L.  major,  tricolor,  lilacina,  the  late- 
blooming  bella,  and  so  on;  (2)  alba,  distinct  by 
itself ;  (3)  refracta,  embracing  aurea,  and  I  am 
sure  also  Armstrongii,  and  quite  scentless.  The 
typical  form  of  this  lot  (figured  by  P.  J.  Redouts 
in  his  work  "  Les  Liliacees"  as  Gladiolus  refractus) 
I  got  bulbs  of  some  years  ago  from  Sir  Michael 
Foster,  M.P.,  and  had  to  grow  them  for  nine  years 
before  they  bloomed,  and  when  I  saw  the  flower  it 
was  such  a  dull,  ugly,  greenish  yellow  that  I  threw 
them  away.  I  am,  however,  pretty  sure  that  the 
new  rosy  purple  form    of   F.    odorata    (not   yet 


specifically  named)  recently  imported  by  Mr. 
Wallace  of  Colchester,  and  which  I  hope  to  bloom 
in  July  or  August,  will  quite  throw  F.  Armstrongii 
into  the  shade,  if  it  is  what  a  coloured  drawing 
done  at  the  Cape  when  his  bulbs  were  in  flower 
and  sent  me  by  Mr.  Wallace  shows  it  to  be." 
Concerning  the  exceptions  to  a  part  of  my  previous 
article,  I  may  say  that  having  enquired  of  several 
nurserymen  I  failed  to  find  one  who  kept  it  in 
stock,  while  the  statement  as  to  its  vigour  was 
based  principally  on  the  behaviour  of  some  bulbs 
of  it  imported  from  South  Africa,  while  I  have 
known  it  at  Kew  for  some  years  as  of  free  growth. 
— H.  P. 

Aspidium  anomalum.  —  This  remark- 
able Fern  is  closely  allied  to  our  British  species 
A.  aculeatum,  possibly  only  an  abnormal  form. 
Botanically  it  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of 
the  whole  Fern  order,  and  to  the  practical 
gardener  a  curiosity.  As  seen  in  the  illustra- 
tion, the  sori  are  developed  on  the  upper  surface 
of  the  frond,   none   being  produced  on  the  under 


ASPIDItJM   ANOMALDM— AN   INTERESTING  FERN. 

side.  Probably  this  is  the  only  Fern  possess- 
ing this  characteristic.  One  or  two  species 
occasionally  develop  a  few  sori  on  the  upper 
surface,  notably  Deparia  Moorei,  but  in  this  species 
they  are  chiefly  developed  on  the  edge  of  the  frond. 
The  fronds  are  18  inches  to  2  feet  in  length, 
10  inches  to  1  foot  in  width,  sub-coriaceous  texture, 
deep  green  in  colour,  and  the  stipes  are  densely 
clothed  with  brown  scales,  especially  near  the  base. 
Growing  at  considerable  elevation  in  Ceylon, 
greenhouse  temperature  is  sufficient,  but  a  little 
warmer  treatment  in  spring  when  producing  new 
fronds  is  desirable.  Little  water  should  be  given 
during  winter,  as  it  requires  a  resting  period. 
Soil — fibrous  loam  and  leaf-mould,  with  a  liberal 
addition  of  coarse  sand.  The  plant  from  which 
the  photograph  was  taken  is  one  of  six  received  at 
Kew  from  Hakgala  Botanic  Garden,  Ceylon,  in 
1898. — A.  OsBORN,  Royal  Gardens,  Kew. 
The  Cornelian  Cherry   (Cornus  Mas) 

is  now  one  of  the  brightest  objects  in  the  shrubbery 
or  pleasure  grounds.  The  slender,  twiggy  branches 
are  studded  with  small  bunches  of  clear  pale 
yellow  flowers,  each  bunch  of  about  ten  being 
surrounded  by  an  involucre  of  four  greenish 
brown   bracts.     A  tree  some  lo  feet  high,  all  its 


234 


THE    GAUDEN. 


[April  2,  1904. 


slightly  drooping  branches  covered  with  flowers,  is 
a  cheerful  sight  on  a  winter's  day,  especially  if  the 
yellow  of  the  blossoms  is  made  brighter  still  by  a 
gleam  of  sunshine.  This  and  Hamamelis  arborea 
are  indispensable  winter- flowering  shrubs. — A.  P.  H. 

Forced  shrubs  in  the  greenhouse. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  much  of  the  attractive- 
ness of  the  greenhouse  is  due  to  the  presence  of 
forced  shrubs  in  flower.  I  should  like  to  mention 
a  few  that  one  does  not  often  see  thus  made  use  of, 
yet  which  are  of  the  greatest  value  as  flowering 
plants.  Pyrus  floribunda  is  one  of  the  best  of  them. 
A  bush  plant  about  6  feet  high,  bearing  an  abund- 
ance of  white  (sometimes  faintly  tinged  with  pink), 
starry-petalled  flowers,  and  with  leaves  of  a  rich 
light  green,  peculiar  to  forced  shrubs,  makes  a 
handsome  object  in  the  greenhouse.  Another  good 
shrub  that  forces  well  is  Prunus  persica  flore-roseo- 
pleno,  the  Chinese  Double  Peach  ;  it  bears  rather 
large  flowers  of  the  richest  pink,  and  its  leaves  are 
hardly  developed  at  all  until  the  flowers  are  over. 
This  Pyrus  has  dark  stems  which  contrast  finely 
with  the  rich  pink  flowers  clustered  about  them. 
Prunus  japonica  flore-albo  pleno  bears  a  mass  of 
double  white,  ball-like  flowers,  clustering  on 
numerous  slender  stems.  The  small  green  leaves 
peeping  between  give  welcome  relief,  and  add  to 
the  plant's  attractiveness.  Prunus  Pseudo- 
Cerasus  flore-roseo-pleno,  the  Double  Cherry, 
with  its  bunches  of  large  blossoms,  pink  and 
blush  coloured,  and  handsome  bright  green  leaves, 
also  makes  an  admirable  display.  Prunus  Cerasus 
Rhexii  fl.-pl.  bears  clusters  of  white  double  flowers 
towards  the  top  of  the  shoots,  and  much  resembles 
a  pot-grown  tree  in  bloom  of  a  dessert  Cherry. 
Prunus  cerasifera  atro-purpurea,  some  5  feet  to 
6  feet  high,  with  bronze  leaves  and  numerous 
rather  small  white  flowers  has  a  very  pretty  effect 
and  deserves  to  be  more  often  made  use  of  in  the 
decoration  of  the  greenhouse. — A.  P.  H. 

IpomcBa    rubro-coerulea  as    a 

window  plant. — By  the  words  "  window 
plant"  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  this  Ipomoea 
may  be  used  as  an  ordinary  window-box  plant  ;  it 
is  to  its  use  in  a  window  recess  inside  the  house 
that  I  wish  to  recommend  it.  I  have  seen  plants 
trained  on  balloon  or  other  shaped  trellises  used 
most  effectively  for  the  decoration  of  sunny  win- 
dows in  September.  This  charming  plant  is  really 
half-hardy,  but  its  flowers  are  so  delicate  that  if 
produced  out  of  doors  they  are  soon  disfigured.  It 
must  be  grown  under  glass — at  any  rate,  in  most 
parts  of  the  country — to  be  seen  at  its  best.  Seeds 
may  now  be  sown  in  heat,  giving  the  seedlings 
cool  treatment,  gradually  harden  them  off,  and, 
finally,  pot  into  8-inch  pots.  They  will  flower  in 
these  pots,  and  should  be  trained  to  the  trellises 
soon  after  repotting. — H.  A.  P. 

Daphne  indica  and  Violets.— Have 

any  of  your  readers  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
in  a  room  at  the  same  time  one  or  two  plants  of 
Daphne  indica  and  a  vaseful  of  Princess  of  Wales 
Violets?  If  80,  they  will  know  the  delicious  scent 
that  pervades  the  air  from  the  mingling  of  the 
perfume  of  the  Daphne  and  the  Violets.  Of  course, 
either  one  or  the  other  of  these  flowers  alone  per- 
fumes a  room,  but  the  two  together  produce  a 
fragrance  that  is  even  more  pleasing.  Those  who 
are  fond  of  flower-scents  in  their  rooms  would,  I 
am  sure,  be  pleased  with  the  result  if  they  were  to 
associate  the  two  plants  named. — A.  P.  H. 

Fuchsia  SplendenS.—"T.'3"appreciation 
of  this  old  favourite  comes  at  an  opportune  time, 
for  although  many  people  properly  make  their 
summer  bedding  arrangements  during  the  previous 
autumn,  some,  for  various  reasons,  have  not 
decided  on  all  details,  and  may  care  to  include  this 
Fuchsia.  Many  pleasing  combinations  will  readily 
suggest  themselves.  Last  summer  I  saw  Fuchsia 
fulgens  and  F.  corymbiflora  effectively  used  as  dot 
plants  in  two  long  scroll  beds  of  Pelargonium 
(Geranium)  Aurora  Borealis.  On  paper  this  seems 
perhaps  bizarre,  but  in  reality  it  was,  especially 
during  a  comparatively  sunless  summer,  very 
striking.  When  at  Dropmore  Mr.  Herrin  made 
good  use  of  these  Fuchsias  as  centre  plants,  in  that 
portion  of  the  gardens  known  as  the  Beeches. 
The  plants  were  old  ones,  5  feet  to  6  feet  high. 
A  standard  Fuchsia  macrostemma  gracilis,  some 


12  feet  high,  had  a  stem  fully  20  inches  in  circum- 
ference, and  ten  j'ears  ago  it  was  said  to  have  been 
bedded  out  for  seventy  years.  With  me  Fuchsia 
corymbosa  is  a  much  stronger  grower  and  hardier 
than  its  companion  F.  fulgens,  which,  however, 
has  the  brighter  flowers  and  deeper  green  leaves. 
The  rosy  midrib  in  the  leaves  of  F.  corymbosa  is 
very  attractive.  "  Nicholson's  Dictionary  of 
Gardening"  gives  the  dates  of  introduction  as 
1830  (Mexico)  for  F.  fulgens,  and  1840  (Peru)  for 
F.  corymbiflora. — A.  C.  Bartlett,  Bodmin. 


THE   FLOWER  GARDEN. 

GARDEN-  POLYANTHUSES. 

FROM  the  first  of  the  now  annual  exhibi- 
tions of  the  National  Auricula  Society 
till  the  present  the  executive  have 
put  into  their  schedule  of  classes  two 
or  three  for  both  garden  Polyan- 
thuses and  Primroses.  As  a  rule  these 
classes  have  produced  very  attractive  features, 
and  the  chief  matter  for  regret  has  been  that 
so  far  these  classes  could  not  be  materially 
extended.  I  think  this  year  there  is  a  new 
class  for  a  group  of  moderate  dimensions  of 
Polyanthuses,  and  if  so  that  is  some  gain.  But 
I  have  failed  to  notice  that  there  has  been  in 
relation  to  the  general  quality,  form,  or  beauty  of 
the  flowers  shown  any  advance  whatever  for  many 
years.  May  not  this  largely  be  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  society  fails  to  recognise  in  these  flowers, 
and  in  the  Polyanthuses  especially,  any  of  those 
points  or  features  which  are  not  only  looked  for 
but  are  indispensable  to  Auriculas  and  to  gold- 
laced  Polyanthuses.  These  two  sections  liave  long 
beeu  recognised  florists'  flowers,  and  it  is  upon  the 
lines  laid  down  by  florists  that  these  flowers  are 
judged.  That  being  so,  there  is  applied  constant 
stimulus  to  growers  not  only  to  maintain  in  their 
flowers  a  high  standard  of  excellence,  but  even  to 
aim  still  higher  if  possible,  as  they  sometimes 
successfully  do  when  they  raise  superior  seedlings. 
Why  cannot  some  such  stimulus  be  applied  to  the 
bright  attractive  but  too  often  ill-formed  and 
marked  garden  Polyanthus  ? 

It  is  an  unfortunate  fact  that  we  do  not  see  such 
good  flowers  on  these  plants  as  were  in  evidence 
fifteen  years  since.  When  flowers  are  staged  in 
competition  for  prizes  at  an  exhibition  of  high-class 
florists'  flowers,  and  under  the  auspices  of  an  old 
florists'  society,  we  are  entitled  to  look  for  some 
evidences  of  those  fine  qualities  which  are  essential. 
When  an  exhibitor  of  these  Polyanthuses  some 
years  ago,  I  invariably  sought  for  plants  that  had 
good,  even  heads  of  bloom  borne  on  stiS',  erect 
stems.  The  flowers  sought  for  also  had  good 
rounded  form,  clearly  defined  colours  or  markings, 
correct  thrum  eyes,  and  clear  lemon  or  yellow 
well-defined  centres.  Of  the  plants  staged  how 
many  have  flowers  on  long  drawn  stems  that  fail 
to  support  their  blooms  !  Although  the  require- 
ments of  thrum  eyes  and  clearly  defined  lemon  or 
yellow  centres  in  tliese  flowers  are  apt  to  be 
disregarded,  yet  who  would  look  at  an  Auricula 
or  gold-laced  Polyanthus  that  had  not  these 
features  !  There  is  so  much  room  for  the  improve- 
ment of  garden  Polyanthuses  that  amateur  growers 
should  jump  at  the  opportunity  they  offer  to 
perform  good  work  as  florists.  A.  D. 

ASTER  CORDIFOLIUS  ELEGANS. 
Anyone  ordering  perennials  at  this  season  of  the 
year  should  not  fail  to  include  this  beautiful 
Michaelmas  Daisy.  It  is  better  to  get  the  plants 
in  the  spring  than  the  autumn,  as  newly-purchased 
plants  are  usually  small,  and  slugs  are  specially 
fond  of  this  variety,  with  its  shining,  more  or  less 
heart-shaped,  leaves.  It  grows  about  5  feet  high, 
but  is  too  slender  to  stand  without  support. 
Though  very  easy  to  grow,  it  does  not  spread  like 
some  of  the  rampant  kinds,  the  stool  remaining  as 
compact  as  that  of  a  Phlox.  It  produces  long, 
graceful  sprays  of  very  small  soft  lilac  flowers  in 
the  greatest  abundance,  and  at  a  time  when  most 
valued,  namely,  in  October.     For  table  decoration 


it  is,  perhaps,  the  most  valuable  of  all  the  Michael- 
mas Daisies,  its  delicate  sprays  of  flowers  of  a  low 
colour  tone  going  well  with  almost  anything  else, 
and  giving  a  bouquet  of  flowers  just  that  light  and 
airy  gracefulness  which  is  so  much  prized.  It 
might  be  termed  the  "  autumn  Gypsophila,"  as 
with  the  late  perennial  Sunflowers,  border  Chry- 
santhemums, &c. ,  it  just  takes  the  place  of  that 
popular  plant.  It  should  be  given  good  cultiva- 
tion, a  deeply-dug,  richly-manured  soil,  not  neces- 
sarily in  a  sunny  place,  but  a  fairly  moist  one  ; 
all  Michaelmas  Daisies  like  moisture,  and  present 
a  pitiable  spectacle  with  the  leaves  hanging  down 
the  stems  as  if  they  had  been  scalded.  A  mulch 
should  be  put  round  it  in  a  dry  summer,  though  on 
our  Essex  clays  it  seems  as  if  it  would  need  a 
remarkable  summer  to  render  mulching  necessary. 

Alger  Petts. 


CARNATIONS    FROM   SEED. 

If  quantity  of  bloom  is  wanted,  growers  of  Carca- 
tions  would  be  well  advised  to  raise  their  plants 
from  seed  rather  than  from  layers.  Seedling  plants 
flower  throughout  a  much  longer  period  than  those 
raised  from  layers.  September  is  early  enough  to 
sow  the  seed.  This  should  be  sown  in  pans,  and 
the  seedlings  subsequently  pricked  off  into  small 
pots  and  wintered  in  a  cold  frame.  They  may  now 
be  planted  out  in  the  border  or  wherever  they  are 
to  bloom,  and  may  be  relied  upon  to  be  in  flower 
from  July  to  late  autumn,  which  is  more  than  one 
can  say  for  layered  plants.  Those  who  grow  Car- 
nations chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  providing  cut 
flowers  will  find  it  much  more  satisfactory  and  a 
great  deal  more  interesting  to  raise  their  plants 
from  seeds  every  year  than  from  layers. 

H.  A.  P. 


THE   ALLIUMS. 

{Continued  from   page    S17,) 
ALLIUM    CHAMCEMOLY.— A    minia- 
/\         ture  species  with  leaves  only  a  few 

/  \  inches  long,  and  few  flowered 
/ — ^  umbels  produced  just  above  the 
1  jL  level  of  the  ground.  The  flowers 
are  white,  suifased  on  the  outside 
of  the  perianth  with  green  or  purple.  It  is 
found  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Tunis  and  in 
Sicily  and  Naples.  Botanical  Magazine, 
t.  1203. 

A.  cyaneum.—A.  pretty  dwarf  tufted  species 
closely  allied  to  A.  kansuense,  from  which  it 
differs  in  having  the  stamens  exserted  from  the 
mouth  of  the  perianth  The  leaves  are  narrow 
and  grasslike  ;  the  scapes  are  6  inches  to 
12  inches  high,  and  bear  nodding  umbels  of 
blue  flowers.  It  is  very  easily  grown,  and 
succeeds  well  in  sandy  loam.  It  is  a  plant  for 
the  rock  garden.  A  native  of  the  province 
of  Kansu,  in  North- West  China,  and  was  intro- 
duced in  1890. 

A.  Ellisii.—A.  recent  introduction,  this  is  a 
very  tine  species,  somewhat  resembling  A. 
karataviense  in  foliage,  but  having  dense 
flowered  globose  umbels  of  larger  individual 
flowers  of  a  deeper  colour.  The  leaves,  1  foot 
long  by  2i  inches  broad,  are  produced  four  to 
five  to  a  "bulb,  with  stout  scapes  1  foot  high 
and  bright,  rose-coloured  flowers.  A  native  of 
the  province  of  Khorassan,  in  Persia.  Plants 
of  this  species  flowered  in  the  garden  of  the 
Hon.  Charles  Ellis  in  July,  1900.  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  7875. 

A.  Erdelii.—K  rare  species  from  Palestine, 
and  closely  allied  to  A.  orientale  in  general 
appearance,  but  smaller  in  all  parts,  and  with 
fewer  flowers  in  each  umbel.  The  flowers  are 
white  with  a  green  keel.  Being  rather  tender, 
it  requires  a  warm  position.  Introduced  in 
1879. 

A.  fistidomm.—  'Vhei  Welsh  Onion  has  been 
known  in  gardens  since  the  days  of  Parkinson, 
but  it  is  seldom  used  in  this  country.    The 


April  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDjiN. 


235 


Russians  call  it  the  Rock  Onion,  and  it  is  a 
favourite  article  of  food  with  them,  although 
the  smell  and  taste  are  very  powerful.  An 
inhabitant  of  certain  deserts  of  European  and 
Asiatic  Russia.    Botanical  Magazine,  t.  1230. 

A.  giganteum. — Also  known  as  A.  elatum, 
and  one  of  the  most  stately  of  the  group  of 
Central  Asian  species  characterised  by  their 
height,  broad  leaves,  and  large  heads  of  small, 
bright  lilac  flowers.  Each  bulb  produces  six 
to  nine  leaves  IJ  feet  long  and  2  inches  broad; 
the  stems  reach  a  height  of  3  feet  to  4  feet, 
and  bear  a  dense  globose  umbel  4  inches  in 
diameter.  Introduced  in  1883.  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  6828. 

A.  kansuense. — An  interesting  little  tufted 
plant,  which  may  not  be  suitable  for  the 
general  border,  but  is  pretty  enough,  and  well 
worth  a  place  in  the  rock  garden.  It  is  about 
6  inches  to  9  inches  high,  and  has  narrow, 
grasslike  leaves.  It  is  remarkable  for  its  dense, 
slightly-nodding  heads  of  bright,  steel  blue 
flowers,  which  are  borne  on  slender,  wiry  stems. 
While  not  so  free  as  some  of  the  other  members 
of  this  genus,  it  will  increase  in  light,  sandy 
loam  in  an  open  position,  and  lasts  in  flower 
for  a  considerable  time  in  summer.  A  native 
of  Tibet  and  Western  China,  it  was  one  of 
the  last  plants  described  by  the  late  Dr.  Regel, 
of  St.  Petersburg,  who  worked  so  much  among 
the  Alliums,  and  who  sent  bulbs  of  it  to  Kew, 
where  it  flowered  in  the  summer  of  1892.  Also 
known  as  A.  cyaneum  var.  brachystemon,  and 
is  figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7290. 

A.  karataviense. — A  most  distinct  plant, 
reinarkable  for  its  handsome,  broad  leaves,  of 
which  there  are  usually  two  to  each  bulb.  They 
are  about  6  inches  to  9  inches  long  and  over 

3  inches  broad,  dull  green  in  colour,  and  have  a 
glaucous  tinge.  The  flower  stems  are  stout, 
about  6  inches  high,  and  carry  a  dense  globose 
umbel  of  light  purplish  flowers  3  inches  to 

4  inches  in  diamater.  It  is  a  good  plant  for 
the  border,  where  its  bold  foliage  would  attract 
attention,  and  most  resembles  A.  nigrum  of 
the  older  types  of  Allium,  but  is  much  dwarfer, 
with  broader  leaves,  more  prominently  veined. 
Found  on  the  Alatau  range  of  mountains,  in 
Central  Asia,  by  Dr.  Albert  Regel  in  1876,  and 
sent  by  him  to  St.  Petersburg,  whence  bulbs 
were  sent  to  Kew,  where  it  flowered  in  1879. 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  6451. 

A.  macrantkum. — This  is  a  fine,  tall  East 
Himalayan  Allium  belonging  to  that  section  of 
the  genus  in  which  the  root-stock  is  scarcely  at 
all  bulbous.  It  was  gathered  by  Mr.  Elwes  in 
an  excursion  to  the  Chumbi  Valley,  and  first 
flowered  with  him  at  Cirencester  in  July,  1883. 
Most  nearly  allied  to  A.  narcissiflorum  of  the 
European  species,  but  is  of  more  robust  habit, 
with  numerous  linear  leaves  1  foot  or  more 
long  and  thin  in  texture.  It  varies  in  height 
from  1  foot  to  3  feet,  according  to  the  suit- 
ability of  soil  and  position  ;  the  scapes  are 
freely  produced,  bear  lax  umbels  of  bright 
mauve-purple  flowers,  sometimes  as  many  as 
fifty  in  one  head.  When  well  grown  it  is  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  finest  species  in  the  genus. 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  6789. 

A.  margaritaceum. — Rather  a  dwarf  plant, 
growing  in  tufts  a  foot  or  more  high.  The 
leaves  are  round  and  hollow,  and  the  small 
white  flowers  are  densely  packed  in  a  nearly 
globose  umbel.  It  is  a  native  of  South  Europe 
east  of  Italy,  and  is  rather  tender  and  requires 
a  warm  position. 

A.  Moly. — Amongst  the  numerous  members 
of  this  genus  there  are  very  few  with  flowers 
of  the  colour  possessed  by  the  Yellow  Garlic, 
or  Moly.  An  old  inhabitant  of  our  gardens, 
it  has  been  in  cultivation  since  the  beginning 
of  the  seventeenth  century.     Its  bright  yellow 


flowers  are  very  eflfective  when  seen  in  a  large 
clump,  as  they  form  a  mass  of  colour  in  the 
month  of  June.  The  leaves  are  few  in  number, 
broadly  lanceolate,  and  12  inches  to  15  inches 
long.  The  scapes  are  10  inches  to  12  inches 
high,  very  freely  produced  in  almost  any 
situation,  and  the  plant  succeeds  well  on  dry 
banks.  It  is  also  known  as  A.  flavum.  '  This 
species  is  spread  over  Central  Europe  from  the 
Pyrenees  to  Hungary.  Botanical  Magazine, 
t.  499.  W.  Irving. 


TREES    AND     SHRUBS. 

NUTTALLIA   GERASIFORMIS. 
A    LTHOUGH  this  Californian  plant  is  less 
/%  showy  than  a   large  number  of  hardy 

/  %         rosaceous     shrubs,     it     is     of     much 
/      \        interest,   for  not   only  does  it  flower 
£         ^     freely  and  early,  but  it  has  ornamental 
fruit.     Of  the  many  shrubs  which  start 
early  into  growth  this  is  one  of  the  forerunners, 
for,  if   the  weather  is  mild  when  the  days  com- 
mence to  lengthen,  the  buds  almost  at  once  begin 
to  burst,  and   the  racemes  are  soon  in  evidence, 
the   white  flowers    appearing  in  March.       When 
lature  it"  grows  6   feet  or  so  high,  [and  is  very 


by  large  branching  panicles  of  small  creamy-white 
blossoms,  it  holds  its  own  as  one  of  the  most 
attractive  of  small  trees  or  shrubs.  Some  speci- 
mens throw  up  suckers  so  freely  as  to  form  a  mass 
composed  of  several  stems  of  varying  heights, 
while,  if  these  are  removed  as  soon  as  noticed,  it 
will  form  a  clear  stem,  which  branches  out  when 
but  a  little  height  from  the  ground.  The  leaves 
and  stems  are  more  or  less  spiny,  but  in  this 
respect  there  is  a  good  deal  of  variation. 


LONICERA  PILEATA. 
This  new  Honeysuckle  from  Central  China,  which 
was  introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch  of  Chelsea,  and 
by  whom  dried  specimens  were  exhibited  before  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  at  the  Drill  Hall, 
about  a  year  ago,  is  at  present  in  flower  at  Kew. 
Among  the  hardy  Lonioeras  it  comes  as  a  distinct 
break,  being  quite  difierent  in  general  appearance 
from  any  other  in  cultivation.  It  is  very  deceptive 
at  first  sight,  and  anyone  might  be  excused  for 
mistaking  it  for  a  small-growing  Privet  when  not 
in  flower.  It  is  a  dwarf  shrub  of  spreading  habit, 
the  older  parts  of  the  plant  being  glabrous  ;  the 
bark  of  the  young  wood,  however,  is  hairy,  and  a 
few  hairs  are  to  be  seen  on  the  very  young  leaves. 
The  foliage  is  evergreen  and  deep  green.  In  form 
the  leaves  are  lanceolate,  with  slightly  recurved 
margins.  The  larger  ones  are  1  inch  long,  and 
rather  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wide.     The 


AEALIA  SPINOSA   AT   KEW. 


bushy,  a  large  number  of  branches  springing  up 
from  one  root-stock.  As  the  male  and  female 
organs  are  rarely  perfect  on  the  same  plant,  it  is 
necessary  to  get  specimens  of  both  sexes  before  the 
pretty  red,  Cherry-like  fruits  can  be  had.  In 
general  appearance  both  male  and  female  plants 
are  very  similar,  but  a  variation  is  noticeable  when 
the  racemes  appear.  The  bracts  are  quite  different 
in  shape,  and  it  is  possible  to  distinguish  the  two 
sexes  by  these  alone.  In  the  male  inflorescences 
they  are  short  and  wide  in  comparison,  narrowing 
quickly  three-fourths  of  the  way  along  to  a  small 
point  at  the  apex,  while  in  the  female  plant  they 
are  quite  half  as  long  again,  and  acuminate, 
tapering  from  the  base  to  the  apex.  Its  cultivation 
is  quite  simple,  as  it  will  grow  in  any  ordinary 
garden  soil,  and  can  be  increased  by  cuttings, 
layers,  or  division.  W.  D. 

ARALIA   SPINOSA. 

With  the  exception  of  one  or  two  very  near 
allies,  even  if  they  are  not  identical,  this  Aralia  is 
quite  distinct,  in  both  foliage  and  flower,  from  any 
of  our  hardy  shrubs,  and  it  is  additionally  attrac- 
tive when  in  flower  in  the  autumn,  as  shown 
in  the  illustration.  When  in  good  soil  in  a  fairly 
sheltered  position  the  huge  wide-spreading,  com- 
pound leaves  are  quite  of  sub-tropical  appearance, 
and    when   the     principal    shoots    are     crowned 


flowers  are  borne  very  freely,  in  pairs,  along  the 
under  side  of  the  branches  from  the  leaf  axils. 
They  are  from  a  quarter  to  half  an  inch  in  length, 
cream,  with  a  greenish  tinge,  and  very  fragrant. 
The  Kew  plants  which  are  in  flower  were  lifted 
from  the  open  border  and  flowered  indoors,  but 
plants  left  outside  look  as  if  they  will  not  blossom 
for  another  six  or  eight  weeks.  Dr.  Henry  says 
that  in  China  he  found  it  growing  in  rocky  and 
damp  situations,  and  rarely  more  than  a  foot  in 
height,  and  from  the  elevation  at  which  it  is  found 
he  considers  that  it  will  be  perfectly  hardy  in  this 
country.  As  a  subject  for  the  rockery,  or  for  a 
position  where  a  dwarf  evergreen  is  required,  this 
should  prove  excellent. 

Kew.  W.  Dallimoke. 


CUPRESSUS  TORULOSA 
In  the  grounds  at  Hewell  Grange  there  are  two 
fine  specimens  of  this  tree,  apparently  about  sixty 
years  old.  C.  torulosa  is  a  conifer  that  is  rarely 
met  with  in  British  gardens.  It  makes  a  "  tall 
fastigiate  tree,  with  short  ascending  branches, 
much  rarified  at  the  extremities ;  the  branchlets 
are  slender,  short,  twisted,  and  covered  with 
imbricated  glaucous  leaves.  In  young  trees  the 
leaves  are  slightly  spreading,  but  in  older  ones  they 
are  adpressed  to  the  stem."  "  Veitch's  Manual  of 
Coniferse  "  says  that  this  cannot  be  called  a  satis- 


/ 


236 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[April  2,  1904. 


factory  tree  for  garden  purposes,  for  although 
sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  an  average  English 
winter  without  injury,  in  exceptionally  severe  ones 
large  specimens  have  succumbed."  Thia  makes  the 
two  trees  above  mentioned  all  the  more  interesting. 
They  are  not  much  sheltered,  being  planted  at  the 
top  of  a  hill,  and  exposed  to  the  west.     A.  P.  H. 

SCIADOPITYS  VERTICILLATA. 
One  rarely  sees  a  good  specimen  of  this  handsome 
and  distinct  conifer  in  British  gardens,  and  this  is 
to  be  deplored,  for  if  a  position  sheltered  from 
cutting  winds  and  a  good  soil  are  provided  cold 
seems  not  to  affect  it.  In  warmer  parts  of  the 
country  it  will,  of  course,  make  quicker  growth, 
but  that  it  is  eminently  suited  to  Midland  gardens 
will  be  evident  when  I  say  that  in  the  gardens  at 
Hewell  Grange,  near  Birmingham,  there  is  a 
specimen  15  feet  high.  It  is  in  a  position  well 
sheltered  by  surrounding  trees,  and  is  planted  on  a 
sloping  bank  in  ordinarily  good  soil.  No  collection 
of  conifers  should  be  without  the  Sciadopitys,  for 
it  is  both  distinct  and  beautiful.  Thinking  that 
perhaps  the  scarcity  of  large  specimens  might  be 
due  to  its  comparatively  recent  introduction  into 
this  country,  I  referred  to  "  Veitch's  Manual  of 
Coniteraj,"  which  gives  the  date  of  introduction  as 
1861,  and  says  it  was  introduced  through  Mr.  J.  G. 
Veitch,  although  about  the  same  time  Robert 
Fortune  sent  plants  to  the  late  Mr.  Standish  of 
Ascot.  The  first  living  plant  was  received  in 
England  in  1853  ;  in  that  year  Mr.  Thomas  Lobb 
obtained  one  from  the  gardens  of  the  Dutch 
Governor  of  Natal,  which  he  forwarded  to  Messrs. 
Veitch's  Exeter  nursery.  The  plant  arrived  in 
very  feeble  health,  and  all  attempts  to  restore  it 
proved  fruitless.  Cones  and  seeds  were  sent  home 
eight  years  later  by  Mr.  J.  P.  Veitch,  from  which 
some  of  the  finest  specimens  in  England  were 
raised.  The  height  of  this  Sciadopitys  in  its  native 
country  (.Japan)  is  given  as  100  feet.  In  Britain, 
however,  it  has  proved  to  be  a  slow  grower,  and 
it  would  be  interesting  to  hear  from  any  who  know 
of  finer  specimens  than  the  one  at  Hewell.  Really 
good  trees  of  this  conifer  are  still  sufficiently  rare 
to  render  particulars  of  them  worthy  of  record. 

A.  P.  H. 


AN      HOUR     WITH      THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 

(Continued  from  page  229.) 

HOLLYHOCKS  flower  naturally  in 
August,  but  by  a  little  manage- 
ment the  bloom  may  be  prolonged, 
and  continued  from  July  to 
November.  Old  plants  that  have 
bloomed  the  year  before  will 
bloom  the  second  year  in  July  and  August. 
Cuttings  taken  and  rooted,  or  seed  sown 
out  of  doors  the  previous  summer  will  bloom 
in  August  and  September.  Seed  sown  in 
pans,  as  soon  ripe,  and  wintered  under  glass, 
will  bloom  in  October  of  the  following 
year.  By  using  these  three  sorts  of  plants  a 
succession  of  flowers  may  be  kept  up.  If  an 
early  bloom  only  is  required,  old  plants  must 
be  planted  ;  if  a  late  bloom,  young  plants  and 
seedlings. 

In  planting  for  effect  we  would  always 
recommend  planting  three  or  more  of  the  same 
sort  close  together  in  a  group,  choosing  the 
clearest  and  most  distinct  colours,  and  those 
which  produce  the  densest  and  broadest 
spikes.  When  growing  for  exhibition  the  form 
of  the  flower  is,  of  course,  the  primary  point 
for  consideration,  and  here  it  is  usual  to 
plant  in  lines  3  feet  or  4  feet  apart,  that  the 
culture  of  the  plants  may  be  more  carefully 
and  more  conveniently  attended  to.  There  are 
some  sorts  which  are  alike  suitable  for  exhibi- 
tion and  garden  decoration,  but  both  objects 
can  scarcely  be  obtained  conjointly  But  as 
to  culture,  the  Hollyhock  is  not  particular  in 


regard  to  soil  :  it  will  grow  and  flourish 
almost  anywhere.  The  finest  spikes  we  have 
yet  seen  were  grown  on  a  strong  moist  loam 
that  had  been  deeply  trenched,  richly  manured, 
watered  in  dry  weather,  and  well  cultivated 
by  frequent  and  deep  hoeing. 

Cuttings  of  Hollyhocks,  single  eyes  taken  in 
July  and  August,  and  placed  round  pots  in 
a  cold  frame,  will  root  in  a  month,  and  may  be 
placed  in  single  pots  and  stored  in  a  cold  frame 
through  the  winter,  repotting  into  larger  pots 
in  February  and  April.  Seed  should  be  sown 
from  the  best  formed,  the  smoothest,  and  the 
most  double  varieties  only,  and  to  ensure  a  fair 
crop  of  seed  it  is  necessary  to  pull  the  flowers 
from  their  stalks  so  soon  as  the  former  begin  to 
decay. 

There  are  two  seasons  at  which  the  seed  may 
be  sown  ;  first,  in  July,  in  the  open  ground, 
the  seedlings  to  be  transplanted,  or  not 
according  to  the  convenience  of  the  culti- 
vator ;  and,  secondly,  in  October,  in  pans,  to  be 
potted  into  single  pots  in  November,  and  kept 
under  glass  till  planted  out  in  April.  If  the 
seedlings  sown  in  the  open  ground  are  to  be 
transplanted  before  flowering,  October  is  the 
best  time,  and  next  to  that  April. 

In  planting  out,  whether  from  the  ground  or 
pots,  a  showery  day  should  be  chosen,  and  after 
planting  the  stems  should  be  surrounded  with 
a  little  stable  manure,  if  the  weather  or  soil 
be  dry,  water  copiously  till  the  flowering 
declines.  The  Hollyhock,  with  its  large  surface 
of  leaves  and  perspiratory  powers,  consumes  a 
great  quantity  of  water,  especially  at  that  period 
of  its  growth,  in  June  and  July,  when  the 
leaves  so  rapidly  increase  in  size.  So  soon  as 
the  spikes  rise  from  the  crown  of  the  plants 
stakes  should  be  driven  in  at  least  i  feet  deep, 
and  allowed  to  remain  the  same  height  above 
the  ground,  which  is  sufiicient  to  hold  any 
spike,  and  will  not  interfere  with  the  flowers. 
One,  two,  or  three  spikes  may  be  left  to  each 
plant,  remembering,  however,  that  the  fewer 
the  spikes  the  larger  will  be  both  spikes  and 
flowers.  Sometimes  the  flowers  are  so  thick 
on  the  spike  as  to  interfere  vpith  the  expansion 
of  the  guard  petals.  In  such  cases  thin  out  the 
flower-buds  when  about  the  size  of  a  nut.  Tie 
up  with  string  bast  from  time  to  time  as  the 
spikes  rise.  Top  the  spikes  at  any  given 
height ;  in  sheltered  situations  they  may  be 
allowed  to  rise  to  9  feet,  but  where  much 
exposed  to  wind  7  feet  should  be  the 
maximum.  Shading  is  necessary  if  growing 
for  exhibition,  especially  with  the  delicate- 
coloured  varieties,  which  quickly  soil  if  exposed 
to  sun,  wind,  and  rain.  Fortunately  this  soiling 
is  not  sufficiently  great  to  interfere  with  the 
effect  of  the  spike  in  the  garden,  and  as  shading 
is  troublesome  and  unsightly,  it  may  well  be 
dispensed  with,  except  where  growing  for 
exhibition. 

Some  few  years  ago  the  Hollyhock  suffered 
great  depreciation  from  being  attacked  by  a 
disease  which  baffled  the  best  cultivators. 
Thousands  of  plants,  both  young  unbloomed 
seedlings  and  named  sorts,  suddenly  decayed, 
often  just  as  the  first  flowers  were  expanding, 
when  it  was  impossible  to  refill  their  places. 
This,  we  believe,  was  attributable  to  the 
unwholesome  plan,  too  generally  adopted,  of 
forcing  the  plant,  causing  it  to  grow  out  of 
season,  and  in  a  close  unnatural  atmosphere,  in 
order  to  obain  a  more  rapid  and  extensive 
increase  by  root-grafting.  If  we  have  rightly 
studied  the  vegetable  kingdom,  there  are  few 
plants  will  bear  this  strain  put  upon  them 
without  suffering  a  diminution  of  vital  power, 
not  always  quickly  recovered,  but  often  con- 
veyed downwards  to  the  offspring,  alike 
through    cuttings    and    seeds.    Certain   it  is 


that  by  the  continuance  of  this  practice  the 
disease  gradually  disappeared,  as  far  as  we 
know,  and  is  now  almost  extinct. 

W.  Paul,  F.L.S. 


RIVIERA     NOTES, 


M' 


Y  best  thanks  are  due  to  the  raisers 
of  those  excellent  early 

Sweet  Peas  Earliest  of  All 
AND  Mont  Blanc— Hitherto,  no 
matter  when  you  might  sow  your 
Sweet  Peas  in  autumn,  they  would 
not  condescend  to  flower  until  late  in  April. 
However  strong  they  might  be  when  winter 
came,  nothing  would  induce  them  to  flower  in 
winter.  Now,  thanks  to  these  new  early 
varieties,  you  can  sow  Sweet  Peas  in  the  open 
the  middle  or  end  of  October  and  have  a 
bountiful  supply  of  flower  by  the  middle  of 
March  at  the  latest,  a  few  blooms  appearing 
the  last  days  of  February.  This  fragrant 
flower  is  therefore  most  welcome  in  the 
winter  gardens  on  this  coast,  where  till  now 
but  few  residents  ever  saw  their  Sweet  Peas 
in  flower  before  it  was  time  to  leave. 

Jasminum  PRiMaLiNTJM  is  now  finely  in 
flower.  It  grew  so  wildly  last  autumn  when 
the  rains  fell  that  I  hardly  thought  it  could 
set  flower.  It  is  larger  and  paler  than  J.  nudi- 
fforum,  and  the  frequently  double  and  semi- 
double  flowers  are  set  off'  to  great  advantage 
by  the  glossy  foliage.  It  is  too  soon  to  decide 
on  its  real  value,  as  it  flowers  here  with  the 
Forsythias  and  other  spring  shrubs  ;  but  if  it 
proves  an  autumn  bloomer  it  will  indeed  be  a 
great  acquisition. 

Bignonia  venusta  has  been  very  bright 
all  this  winter  on  the  wall  of  the  house  until 
the  heavy  and  cold  rains  of  February  starved 
it,  causing  myriads  of  buds  to  fall  off'.  Bou- 
gainvillea  spectabilis  was  not  aflPected  in  the 
same  way,  though  really  a  more  tender  plant. 
Both  are  drought-loving  plants,  and  of  the 
two  Bignonia  venusta  is  the  more  sensitive  to 
wet,  while  the  Bougainvillea  sulfers  most  from 
an  occasional  frosty  night. 

Genista  monospeema,  the  lovely,  fragrant 
white  Broom  from  Teneriffe,  where  it  clothes 
many  miles  of  the  dry  slopes  of  the  volcano, 
is  another  drought-loving  plant  which  is  just 
now  in  the  greatest  beauty.  The  evil  habit  of 
French  gardeners  to  plant  Palms  on  artificial 
grass  and  water  them  all  summer  has  banished 
this  lovely  shrub  from  most  gardens.  To 
English  folk,  however,  who  know  and  love 
their  lawns  in  England  these  attempts  at  turf 
are  regrettable,  especially  when  so  many  beau- 
tiful things  are  thereby  banished  from  the 
average  garden.  All  Brooms  are  lovely,  but 
this  is  when  in  perfection  the  loveliest  of  them 
all,  and  worth  planting  and  waiting  for,  as  it 
is  a  slow  grower  in  its  young  state,  and  not 
flowering  for  some  years  after  being  sown. 

Another  very  beautiful  shrub  this  week  is 
the 

Everoeeen  Gooseberry  (Ribes  fuchsioides) 
or  Grossulariafolia.  —  The  contrast  of  its 
pendent  crimson  bells  and  glossy  evergreen 
foliage  with  the  airy  sprays  of  the  Genista 
monosperma  is  quite  delightful,  and  there  is  a 
long  succession  of  flower  during  the  winter. 
It  succeeds  quite  well  in  England  against  a 
wall,  but  is  far  more  beautiful  grown  in  the 
open,  where  it  makes  a  big  bush  in  strong 
soils.  It  is  far  too  rarely  seen  here,  just 
because  it  cannot  be  propagated  quickly  and 
takes  two  or  three  years  before  it  is  sufficiently 
large  to  be  effective.  Consequently  it  is  only 
to  oe  found  in  gardens  where  both  master  and 
man    have  a  little  patience.    As  a  cool,    or 


April  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


237 


rather  cold,  greenhouse  shrub  it    should    be 
splendid  in  England. 

Iris  Buchaeica  reminds  me  too  much  of 
I.  orchioides ;  but  it  is  a  bigger  and  better 
thing.  The  white  in  it  is  not  pure— at  any 
rate,  in  this  garden — and  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  it  is  a  yellow  Iris  of  the  sindjarensis 
or  assyriaca  type,  flowering  at  each  axil  of  the 
leafy  stem. 

TuLiPA  SAXATiLis  at  last  seems  to  have 
found  what  it  likes,  and  is  flowering  this  year 
in  the  rich,  red,  ferruginous  soil  brought  from 
the  mountains. 

TuLiPA  Grbigi,  on  the  contrary,  evidently 
dislikes  this,  and  prefers  the  ordinary  cal- 
careous soil  of  the  garden,  where  it  likes 
more  moisture  than  I  expected  at  first.  Like 
Iris  tingitana  it  requires  a  long 
dry  rest,  but  evidently  likes 
plenty  of  moisture  and  even 
manure  when  growing  in  this 
climate. 

KosES. — That  charming  climb- 
ing Rose  Anemone,  the  first  hy- 
brid between  R.  sinica  and  H.P. 
General  Jacqueminot,  is  proving 
itself  a  very  constant  bloomer 
during  the  winter;  indeed,  I 
think  that  it  and  the  strong 
climbing  Rose  Noella  Nabon- 
nand,  when  autumn  pruned,  will 
prove  the  most  perpetual  and 
free  winter  climbers  yet  known. 
Dr.  Rouges  also  deserves  a  place 
of  honour  among  winter  climbers, 
and  the  rich  red  young  growths 
are  almost  as  brilliant  in  winter 
as  a  flower  could  be.  When  one 
looks  back  for,  say,  ten  years  or 
so,  the  gain  in  climbing  Roses 
that  will  give  some  winter  bloom 
is  very  evident. 

Nice.  E.  H.  Woodall. 


Selfs,  as  a  rule,  carry  more  than  either  green, 
grey,  or  white  edges.  The  truss  should  be 
level  and  uniform ;  each  pip  should  be  indepen- 
dently displayed.  To  assist  this  small  bits  of 
soft  moss  or  lint  can  be  tucked  between  the 
footstalks,  so  as  to  place  the  pips  a  suffi- 
cient distance  apart  to  open  freely  without 
touching. 

Slightly  fumigate  to  keep  the  aphis  or  green 
fly  in  check.  Crosses  for  obtaining  seed  must 
now  be  decided  upon  and  the  plants  intended 
for  this  purpose  fertilised.  Young  plants 
should  be  selected,  as  there  is  more  certainty 
of  obtaining  seed.  Prick  off  seedlings  of  the 
previous  year  as  soon  as  they  can  be  handled, 
and  give  any  that  have  been  already  potted  a 
shift  to  keep    them    growing.    All    Auricula 


4  /^-"■^^j^'^ 


THE  ROSE  GARDEN. 


A' 


THE    AURICULA. 

Work  in  April. 

The  wealth  of  bloom  which 
may  now  be  expected  is  the 
reward  of  the  patient  Auricula 
grower,  and  now  comes  the  test 
whether  the  previous  eleven 
months'  constant  and  unremit- 
ting attention  have  been  sound 
or  faulty.  With  the  pleasure  of 
admiring  the  favourite  and  well- 
established  sorts  of  other  growers 
is  combined  the  great  charm  of 
criticising  seedlings  of  his  own 
on  which  no  eyes  but  his  own 
have  feasted,  and  which  may  in 
due  time  take  rank  with  the 
choicest  varieties  of  his  day. 

Every  possible  attention  must 
be  given  to  the  plants  to  assist 
in  the  formation  of  a  perfect 
truss  of  bloom.  Water  may  be 
more  freely  given  as  the  season 
advances,  and,  although  early 
morning  sun  will  be  advanta- 
geous, care  must  be  taken  that  its  scorching 
rays  are  not  admitted  to  the  frames  or  Auricula 
house,  which  will  injure  the  delicate  texture  of 
the  blooms.  As  the  trusses  of  the  rising  bloom 
begin  to  expand  and  swell  the  pips  must  be 
gradually  and  judiciously  thinned  out  with  a 
pair  of  sharp-pointed  scissors  or  tweezers,  as 
few  plants  will  carry  to  perfection  all  the  buds 
they  make. 

_  Eleven  to  nine  pips  a  truss  may  be  con- 
sidered very   good,  seven   good,    five  small. 


NEW  RED  ROSE. 
Etoile  de  France. 
FRIEND  (a  large  grower  and  raiser 
of  Roses)  who  saw  this  Rose  grow- 
ing last  year  in  the  nurseries  of  the 
raisers,  wrote  me  at  the  time  that  I 
was  to  look  out  for  it,  as  it  was,  he 
.  .  thought,  to  be  "something  good, 
and  distinctly  above  the  average  of  the  Conti- 
nental new  Roses  ;  a  real  crimson  bedder."  I 
have  yet  to  see  the  Rose,  but  I  have  just 
received  a  notification  from  the  raisers,  Messrs. 
Pernet-Ducher  of  Lyons,  that  it  will  be  distri- 
buted this  autumn.  It  is  a  Hybrid  Tea,  the 
seed  parent,  that  excellent  de- 
corative garden  Rose  Mme.  Abel 
Chatenay,  fertilised  with  the 
old  Hybrid  Perpetual  Fisher 
Holmes  ;  and  the  raisers  describe 
it  as  having  all  the  vigour, 
constitution,  and  free-blooming 
qualities  of  the  former,  coupled 
with  the  brilliant  colour  of  the 
latter. 

If  this  be  so,  we  have  in  Etoile 
de  France  an  excellent  Rose  that 
we  shall  all  want  to  grow.  Let 
us  hope  it  will  fulfil  all  the 
requirements  of  a  good  crimson 
bedder.  I  look  forward,  I  must 
admit,  with  rather  more  than 
my  usual  amount  of  sanguineness 
when  I  remember  what  a  series 
of  "great  Roses"  we  have  had 
from  this  well-known  firm  in 
the  past.  To  mention  only  a 
few,  there  is  Caruline  Testout, 
now  that  we  have  a  climbing 
sport, possibly  the  finest  all-round 
Rose  of  the  present  day  ;  Sou- 
venir de  President  Carnot,  a 
lovely  Rose  that  is  not  half 
enough  grown  ;  Mme.  Abel 
Chatenay,  unique  in  colour  and 
shape,  and  one  of  the  freest 
blooming  of  the  Hybrid  Teas; 
then  Mme.  Ravary  and  Prince 
de  Bulgarie,  newer  introductions, 
but  both  excellent,  &c. 

No  doubt  we  shall  see  some 
flowers  of  Etoile  de  France  during 
the  coming  season.  Possibly 
some  of  our  up-to-date  Rose 
growers  have  made  arrangements 
to  have  some  on  exhibition  at  the 
Temple  show  of  the  National 
Rose  Society.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
I  think  all  interested  in  new 
Roses  should  make  a  note  of  it. 
Herbert  E.  Molyneux. 
Brantwood,  Balham,  S.  W. 


rORTUNES   YELLOW    ROSE  ON   THE  HOUSE  OF   MB.  FREDERICK   HOLM  AN, 
PORTLAND,    OREGON. 

(This  Rose  lowers  in  wurm  corners  in  our  southern  counties.    A  plant  in  a  sunny  nook 
in  a  Berkshire  garden  is  quite  a  success.) 


members  of  the  three  sections  of  the  National 
Auricula  Society  will  now  be  looking  forward 
to  the  coming  shows  held  this  month  in 
London,  Birmingham,  and  Manchester,  and 
hearty  greetings  and  good  fellowship  will  be 
exchanged  at  these  annual  gatherings,  where 
some  of  the  most  ardent  and  enthusiastic 
florists  of  the  day  meet  in  friendly  rivalry. 

W.  Smith. 
[We  hope  the  Auricula  shows  about  to  take 
place  will  be  well  sujyported. — Ed.] 


FORTUNE'S  YELLOW  AND 
ALFRED  CARRIERE 
ROSES. 

I  AM  an  amateur  rosarian,  and  do 
most  of  the  work  on  my  500  Rose 
bushes.  The  climate  and  soil  of  Western  Oregon, 
in  which  Portland  is  situated,  are,  I  believe, 
of  the  best  in  the  world  for  growing  all 
varieties  of  Roses,  and  especially  the  Hybrid 
Teas  and  Hybrid  Perpetuals.  I  have  been 
endeavouring  for  some  time  to  make  Portland 
distinctively  a  Rose  city,  and  I  have  accom- 
plished a  good  deal  in  that  direction.  In 
growing  Roses  in  my  own  garden  I  combine 
exhibition  Roses  with  garden  decoration.  Climbing 
Roses  grow  exceedingly  well  here.  I  enclose 
a  photograph   of   a   Fortune's    Yellow,   and  also 


238 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  2,  1904. 


two  bushes  of  Mme.  Alfred  Carri^re  which  grow 
on  my  house  in  Portland.  They  were  taken 
in  May  or  June,  1903.  You  will  see  that  these 
Roses  grow  well  here.  The  Mme.  Alfred  Carri^re 
on  the  side  of  the  house  is  between  30  feet  and 
35  feet  high,  and  the  one  on  the  end  of  the  house 
is  nearly  30  feet  high. 

Portland,  Oregon.         Frederick  V.  Holmak. 


HOSE   MME.    ALFRED   CARRIERE  AT  PORTLAND,    OREGON. 
(This  Rose  is  quite  happy  in  English  gardens.) 


ROSES  ON  WALLS. 
How  to  have  Roses  in  bloom  for  as  long  a  portion 
of  the  year  as  possible,  and  in  all  sorts  of  positions, 
is  a  matter  worth  consideration.  There  are  two 
classes  of  Rose  growers,  besides  those  who  grow 
for  sale  ;  the  one  has  for  his  principal  object  the 
production  of  blooms  for  exhibition,  while  the 
other  grows  thera  for  decoration  and  the  produc- 
tion of  flowers  for  cutting.  Now  there  are  so 
many  families  of  the  Rose,  and  so  many  varieties 
belonging  to  each  family,  that  suitable  Roses 
may  be  found  for  almost  all  kinds  of  uses  and 
positions. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  uses  of  and  positions 
in  which  Rose  plants  may  be  put  in  a  garden,  viz., 
beds,  borders,  shrubberies,  poles  and  pillars,  arches, 
arbours,  walls  (north,  south,  east,  or  west),  hedges, 
screens,  &c.  Before  entering  into  any  particulars, 
however,  as  to  the  different  kinds  of  Roses  adapted 
to  the  various  purposes  just  mentioned,  I  should 
like  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  more  or  less 
important  subject  of  soil.  I  say  "more  or  less" 
here,  because  if  only  the  commoner  kinds  of  Roses 
be  grown,  the  kind  of  soil  is  a  matter  of  small 
importance.  The  old  summer-blooming  climbing 
Roses  belonging  to  the  Boursault,  Ayrshire,  and 
sempervirens  classes,  as  well  as  most  of  the  varie- 
ties belonging  to  the  Gallica,  Hybrid  China, 
Hybrid  Bourbon,  Austrian  Briar,  and  many  other 
summer-blooming  families  are  not  at  all  particular 
in  the  matter  of  soil.  Where  the  best  kinds  of 
continuous-blooming  Roses  are  required  to  thrive 
and  repay  the  cultivator,  there  the  soil  must  either 
be  naturally  good  or  adapted  to  the  purpose  by 
artificial  means.  For  poles,  pillars,  arches,  arbours, 
walls,  sides  of  houses,  and  high  buildings,  &c. , 
only  those  Roses  are  suitable  which  have  more 
or  less  of  what  is  called  a  climbing  habit  of 
growth. 

Roses  which  make  long  rambling  growths,  whose 
shoots  are  unable  to  stand  up  without  support,  are 
the  sorts  which  do  duty  as  climbers.  Before, 
however,  determining  on  the  kind  of  climber  to 
plant,  the  height  the  plants  are  required  to  attain 
to  must  be  considered.  Most  of  the  vigorous 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  and  Teas  will  reach  a  height 
of  from  8  feet  to  15  feet  if  the  soil  be  good, 
and  on  warm  sheltered  walls  4  feet  or  5  feet  or 
more. 

The  extra  strong  growers  of  the  same  classes,  with 
the  Noisettes  and  Hybrid  Noisettes,  will  cover  well 
up  to  15  feet  or  20  feet  or  more.  The  Banksian 
Roses  are  excellent  as  climbers,  but  should  only  be 
planted  against  walls  in  rather  sheltered  positions  ; 
they  are  only  summer  bloomers.  The  old  blush 
and  crimson  China  Roses  will  also  run  up  a  wall 
freely  to  a  height  of  30  feet,  and,  as  before  stated, 
for  continuous  blooming  qualities  they  are  unsur- 
passed by  the  varieties  of  any  other  family  of 
Roses. 

The  old-fashioned  summer-blooming  Roses  before 
alluded  to  are  capable  of  almost  anything  in  the 
way  of  height.  They  completely  cover  them- 
selves with  flowers  during  the  blooming  period  if 
rightly  treated,  and  all  the  treatment  they  require, 
if  in  good  soil,  consists  in  tying  them  to  their 
supports,  pruning  out  weak  and  exhausted  wood, 
and  encouraging  to  the  utmost  such  vigorous  young 
shoots  as  may  be  required.  No  growths  need  be 
shortened  except  to  keep  them  within  the  bounds 
allotted  to  the  plant,  and  to  take  off  unripened 
ends. 

Climbing  Roses  may  be  used  to  screen  unsightly 
buildings  and  other  objects  by  training  them  to 
galvanised  wire  or  other  fences  or  supports,  and, 
except  when  the  leaves  are  oS',  they  answer  this 
purpose  admirably.  All  the  above  methods  of 
growing  Roses  not  only  produce  beautiful  effects, 
but  give  supplies  of  flowers  for  cutting.      T.  W. 


Apkil  a,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


239 


AN  ARTISTS   NOTE-BOOK. 


ARUM    PAL^STINUM. 
A   EUMS  are  widely  distributed,  and  most 
/%         species    are,    generally    speaking, 
/  \        more   remarkable  for   the  curious 
/     \       character  of  the  flowers  than  for 
J.        V     their  beauty.     Still,  some  of  them 
are  very  handsome.    Among  these 
is  our   native   species,  Arum  maculatum,  the 
Cuckoo-pint,  or  Lords  and    Ladies,  as  it  is 
popularly  named,  which  produces  its  whitish 
flowers  in    spring  or   early  summer.      These 
are  in  turn  succeeded  by  scarlet  berries,  which, 
crowded  into  a  dense  spike,  furnish  many  a 
bright  bit  of  colour  in  the  leafless  hedgerows 
during  late  autumn  and  winter.    The  Palestine 
Arum,  a  larger  grower  than  the  English  repre- 
sentative of  the  genus,  is  a  striking  plant,  and 
though  not  hardy  unless  under  very  favourable 
conditions,  it  deserves  a  glass  structure.    The 
manner    of    growth    is 
against     its     successful 
culture  out  of  doors,  as 
it  begins  to  push  up  its 
leaves  from  a  large  flat- 
tened  tuber   about    the 
end     of     the     summer, 
grows      slowly     during 
autumn  and  winter,  and 
flowers,  as  a  rule,  in  the 
spring.     In     July    and 
August  firm,  well-rij)ened 
tubers  with  a  prominent 
central  crown  can  be  ob- 
tained  from  most  bulb 
dealers,  who,  I  believe, 
draw  the  greater  part  of 
their  supplies  from  Italy, 
where    the    climate    is 
favourable    for    full 
developme|nt  of  this 
plant.    These  tubers  can 
be    depended    upon    to 
flower 
well  with 
little 
trouble, 
all  that  is 
needed 
being    to 
pot  them 
into 
5  -  inch 
or  6-inch 
pots,  in  a 

mixture  of  loam,  leaf-mould,  and  sand,  and  place 
them  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse.  Little  water 
should  be  given  till  they  start,  but  in  the  case 
of  well  ripened  tubers  this  will  not  take  many 
days.  When  the  roots  are  very  active  plenty  of 
moisture  is  essentia],  but  good  drainage  is 
necessary.  The  large  leaves  are  dark  green, 
while  the  flower  scape,  which  reaches  much 
the  same  height  as,  or  a  little  less  than,  the 
tallest  leaves,  is  terminated  by  a  striking 
flower,  the  spathe  of  which  is  about  8  inches 
or  9  inches  long,  and  more  than  half  that  in 
width.  In  colour  the  outside  of  the  spathe  is 
green,  while  the  inside  is  velvety  blackish 
purple.  The  erect  spadix  is  almost  black. 
After  a  few  hours'  expansion  the  flowers  lose 
the  disagreeable  odour  that  they  have  at  first. 
A  group  of  half  a  dozen  plants  or  so  forms  a 
striking  feature  in  the  greenhouse,  but  it  is 
scarcely  likely  to  appeal  to  those  (and  they  are 
many)  who  regard  every  plant  according  to  its 
value  for  cutting  from.  After  the  flowers  are 
over  the  plants  should  be  watered  as  before 
till  the  leaves  turn  yellow,  when  moisture  must 
'■>e    entirely   withheld.     During  the    resting 


period  the  best  place  for  them  is  on  a  sunny 
shelf  in  the  greenhouse,  as  a  thorough  baking 
in  the  sun's  rays  tends  to  the  production  of 
flowers,  though  even  then  they 
are  not  likely  to  equal  the 
results  from  imported  tubers. 
Though  very  uncommon,  this 
Arum  has  been  known  here 
for  about  forty  years,  either 
under  the  above  specific  name 
or  that  of  sanctum,  which  is 
still  frequently  used.  Popu- 
larly it  is  often  termed  the 
Black  Calla.  A  closely  allied 
species,  native  of  the  same 
region,  is  Arum  Magdalense, 
described  as  having  a  yellow 
spathe,  marbled  and  spotted 
with  purple.  It  was  figured 
and  described  in  an  Italian 
publication  ten  years  ago,  but 
1  am  not  aware  of  its  being 


now  in  cultivation.  At  all  events,  it  does  not 
figure  in  the  latest  "Kew  Hand  List  of 
Herbaceous  Plants."  H.  P. 


1/ 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 


From  a  drawing  by 


H.  G.  Moon. 


The  Winds  of  March. 

IN  a  garden  one  has  to  take  March  winds 
as  one  takes  medicine— something  which 
one  would    much    rather    go  without, 
alt;h9Ugh  it  "does  good."    A  fortnight 
ago  it  may  have  been  delicious  to  bask 
in  the  unwonted  warmth  of  the  sun  and 
watch  the  haze  of  hive-bees  over  the  deep  blue 
of  that  stiff  but  sweet  and  lovely  little  Iris 
I.  reticulata.    Then  the  yellow  Crocuses  were 
almost  too  dazzling  to  look  at,  and  the  air 
shimmered  with  small  insects.    So  it  may  be 
again  to-morrow— so  it  will  almost  certainly 
have  been  again  before  these  lines  are  printed— 
but  to-day  the  eager,  nipping  air  makes  one 
like  the   sheltered  corners  round  about  our 
gardens  best.     There  one  can  listen   to  the 
wind    among    the  Pines  and  philosophically 
congratulate  things  in  general  upon  the  good 
that    the    driving,    drying 
winds  are  doing  to  them. 
The   Toads  Come  Forth. 
'The  toad  is  another  thing 
which  does  a  lot  of  good  in 
a  garden  without  being  a 
welcome    object    in    itself, 
and    on  the    21st  ult.  our 
toads    all    came    out   and 
began  to  crawl  slowly  about 
in  the  early  dusk  of  even- 
ing.   But  the  minds  of  the 
toads    were   not    then    set 
upon  philanthropic  labour, 
to    clear    the     garden     of 
"noxious  insects."    The 
consuming  fire    of    love  — 
strange  as  the  words  may 
seem    in    connexion    with 
toads — was    goading    them 
to   find    their  way  to   the 
ditch     where     they     were 
hatched    as    tadpoles    into 
this    contemptuous    world, 
there  to  meet  their  pimply 
sweethearts,  and  after  a  time 
to  return  toilsomely  to  the 
garden,  leaving  the  next  generation  of  toads,  in 
the  shape  of  strings  of  jelly-eggs,  among  the 
herbage  of  the  ditch.   Wise  men  in  plenty  have 
eloquently  marvelled  at   the   mystery  of  the 
migration  of  birds  ;    but,  if  there  were  any 
mystery  at  all  in  the  way  by  which  a  swallow 
finds  its  way  to  Africa  and  back  again,  this 
annual  exodus  and  return  of  the  toads  would 
seem  to  me  the  more  surprising. 

Migration  to  the  Ditch. 
One  could  understand  that  they  should  have 
some  instinctive  scent  of  water  at  a  distance 
and  find  their  way  thither  ;  but  what  "in- 
stinct "  could  it  be  which  tells  them  exactly  in 
which  direction  to  crawl,  inch  by  inch,  in 
order  to  reach  their  ancestral  ditch  ?  Within 
twenty  yards  of  one  of  our  garden  gates  lies  a 
considerable  pond,  populated  by  swans  and 
many  ducks,  and  horses  and  cattle  throng 
thither  to  drink.  But  neither  frog  nor  toad 
resorts  to  the  pond  to  spawn,  though  150  yards 
further  on,  where  there  is  a  little  half-dry 
ditch,  the  batrachians  swarm  at  breeding- time  ; 
yet  the  toads  which  leave  our  garden  for  this 
purpose  every  spring  must  pass  close  by  the 
pond  to  reach  the  ditch,  and  wandering  in  any 
other  direction  they  would  be  hopelessly  logt 


240 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Apf.il  2,  1904. 


long  before  they  could  reacli  water  of_  any 
kind.    How  and  why  do  they  go  to  the  ditch  ' 

Not  by  Landmarks. 
For  the  location  of  a  garden  seems  to  make 
little  difference  in  its  supply  of  toads.  Pro- 
vided that  no  absolutely  insupera,ble  obstacles 
intervene,  every  garden  will  have  its  toads,  and 
every  spring  will  see  them  setting  out  to  find 
their  ancestral  ditch.  That  they  could  travel 
by  remembered  landmarks  seems  scarcely 
possible,  because  the  range  of  vision  of  a  squat 
toad,  travelling  with  belly  on  the  ground,  nvust 
ordinarily  be  limited  to  a  very  few  inches.  The 
toad,  indeed,  can  usually  reach  his  horizon  with 
his  tongue.  Besides,  such  landmarks  as  would 
impress  themselves  upon  his  eye  would  surely 
be  such  things  as  the  Dock  leaf  under  whose 
shade  he  rested  for  the  whole  of  one  hot  day, 
the  hoof-print  into  which  he  fell  and  extricated 
himself  with  much  difficulty  and  many  tumbles 
on  his  back,  or  the  red  pebble  off  which  he 
dabbed  an  incautious  fly  with  his  projectile 
tongue.  The  Dock  leaf  withered  in  autumn  and 
is  gone,  the  pebble  was  thrown  into  the  pond 
by  the  cowboy,  and  as  for  the  hoof-print,  the 
whole  place  is  a  bewildering  maze  of  new  hoof- 
prints  leading  in  every  direction  from  the 
pond. 

The  Swallow's  Parallel. 

When  we  speculate  upon  the  means  by 
which  wild  creatures  migrate  to  their  breeding 
haunts  we  are  apt  to  forget  that  with  the 
changing  seasons  the  country  must  present  to 
them  an  entirely  new  aspect,  which  they  have 
never  seen  before  and  in  the  majority  of 
cases  will  never  see  again.  It  is  certain  that 
the  average  length  of  life  of  a  wild  swallow 
must  be  less  than  a  year  ;  and  from  the 
multiplicity  of  young  which  toads  annually 
produce  without  becoming  more  numerous,  it 
is  manifest  that  they  are  very  short-lived  too  ; 
yet,  whether  it  is  a  swallow  journeying  from 
Africa  to  its  home  in  England  for  the  first  time, 
or  a  toad  even  more  laboriously  migrating  from 
a  garden  to  a  ditch  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away, 
inexperience  leads  to  no  errors.  Against  con- 
trary winds  even  the  strong-winged  swallow 
may  beat  in  vain  to  sight  the  land,  and  the 
toad  may  tumble  into  any  hole  and  spend  the 
rest  of  his  life  there  ;  but,  barring  accidents, 
spring  will  always  find  the  swallow  twittering 
round  the  barn'  where  he  was  born,  and  the 
toad  croaking  lugubriously  in  the  ditch 
where  he  once  was  a  slimy  egg. 

A  Simple  Explanation. 

In  both  cases  the  explanation  is  probably 
simple.  The  swallow  merely  follows  the 
guidance  of  the  warm  wind,  and  the  toad 
follows  the  trend  of  the  ground.  Both  obey 
their  instinct  to  travel  at  the  right  time,  and 
both  keep  to  the  line  of  least  resistance, 
simply  reversing  their  previous  movement. 
Last  year  the  swallow  flew  whenever  the  cold 
north  wind  blew  until  he  reached  the  sunny 
south  ;  last  year  the  toad  climbed  out  of  the 
ditch  and  went  on  travelling  uphill  by  easy 
stages  till  he  reached  a  place  where  he  found  a 
comfortable  home.  Now  the  swallow  flies  back 
with  the  warm  wind,  and  the  toad  wanders 
downhill,  like  the  rainwater,  finding  its  way, 
like  the  rainwater,  to  the  ditch  at  last.  It  is 
no  doubt  the  moisture  in  the  ground  which 
guides  the  toad  to  water,  as  it  is  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  air  which  guides  the  swallow.  But 
why,  it  may  be  asked,  do  our  toads  always  pass 
by  the  pond  and  find  their  way  to  the  com- 
paratively distant  ditch  ?  Simply  because  the 
pond  happens  to  have  been  artificially  con- 
structed, with  raised  banks,  and  is  fed  by 
springs  from  beneath.    When  a  pond  forms  the 


natural  drainage  centre  of  the  surrounding 
country  it  is  thronged  with  frogs  and  toads  at 
breeding  time  ;  but  in  this  case  the  ditch,  and 
not  the  pond,  drains  the  neighbourhood,  and 
the  toads  find  their  way  thither  in  the  same 
way  as  the  water  does,  by  following  the  hne 
of  least  resistance.  They  make  mistakes  by 
the  way,  of  course,  and  meet  frequent  disap- 
pointments at  the  start  in  depressions  of  ground 
where  no  water  stands;  but  they  achieve 
their  purpose  in  the  end,  and  I  think  it  lends 
some  dignity  to  the  otherwise  ungainly  aspect 
of  the  travelling  toad  in  March  if  we  can 
regard  him  as  a  unit  of  a  vast  multitude 
marching  with  certainty  to  a  definite  end  in 
obedience  to  a  natural  law  which  is  as  simple 
as  it  is  effective.  E-  K-  R- 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor   is   not    responsible    for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


THE    KOYAL    HORTICULTURAL 

SOCIETY    AND   ITS    GARDEN. 
[To    THE    Editor    of    "The    Garden."] 

SIR,— In  your  excellent  leader  (page  159) 
you  conclude  with  these  words:  "The 
society  is  in  strong  hands  ;  its  watch- 
word is  the  safe  one— Horticulture,'  and 
with  these  words  I  thoroughly  agree, 
and  would  add  :  Lec  it  be  Horticulture 
of  the  best  kind.  In  common  with  many  more 
Fellows,  the  society  at  its  new  gardens  should,  we 
think,  leave  trading  alone ;  it  has  never  paid,  and 
it  is  not  at  all  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the 
society  to  see  them  retail  their  wares.  I  think 
the  plant  distribution  to  the  Fellows  should  be 
given  up  ;  it  is  of  little  value,  and  gives  the  officials 
much  work.  Many  of  the  Fellows  who  do  not 
know  much  about  horticulture  expect  a  lot  more 
than  they  get,  and  surely  they  get  enough  in  the 
way  of  admission  to  shows  and  the  Journal  without 
these  small  doles  which  can  be  got  elsewhere.  I 
am  aware  that  in  the  matter  of  new  plants  or  seeds 
the  society  may  wish  to  send  out  it  would  appear 
a  dog  in  the  manger  policy  not  to  distribute  them, 
but  it  could  easily  be  done  by  selling  the  stock  to 
a  leading  nurseryman,  and  the  proceeds  could  be 
given  to  the  library  or  other  good  work  connected 
with  the  society.  With  these  things  abolished 
there  will  be  more  time  to  make  the  new  garden  at 
Wisley  an  educational  one.  There  is  a  wide  opening 
for  this,  though  we  have  no  wish  to  have  a  second 
Kew.  There  is  also  a  great  opening  for  improved 
vegetable  culture,  trials  of  new  fruits,  florist's 
flowers,  horticultural  appliances,  and  other  things 
that  cannot  always  be  satisfactorily  carried  out  in 
private  places.  ^  Fellow. 

THE  GARDEN    TULIP,  AND  PRICES 
PAID    FOR   DAFFODILS. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir,— In  The  Garden  of  the  19th  ult.  there  is  an 
article  on  "The  Garden  Tulip."  It  is  always 
interesting  to  read  about  this  flower.  It  brings 
back  a  flavour  of  the  distant  past,  of  the  old 
churches  with  their  rectory,  village  inn,  and 
stocks,  and,  however  familiar  the  Tulip  may  be, 
one  is  never  tired  of  hearing  about  it  again.  I 
cannot  quite  agree  with  Mr.  Douglas  when  he  says 
that  none  of  the  old  varieties  would  stand  the  test 
of  competition  against  any  of  the  present  day.  The 
water-colour  drawings,  as  well  as  process  prints, 
prove  one  of  two  things— either  that  our  forefathers 
grew  their  flowers  much  better,  or  that  the  sorts 
were  finer  than  anything  of  to-day.  I  have  grown 
Tulips  for  many  years,  and  my  father,  grandfather, 
and  great-grandfather  before  me,  and  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  I  know  the  points  of  a  Tulip,  and  I 
feel  sure  that  they,  like  the  Auricula  and  the 
Polyanthus,  were  grown  better  than  they  are  now. 
Of  course,  J  am  aware  that  many  of  the   finest 


Polyanthuses  are  extinct,  but  of  those  we  have 
perhaps  the  finest  that  survives  is  George  IV.  Is 
it  ever  seen  so  fine  as  represented  in  the  old  prints  ? 
I  am  now  looking  at  a  painting  of  an  extinct 
Polyanthus — Kingfisher,  with  eight  perfect  pips, 
besides  flowers  in  shadow.  I  have  never  seen  so 
perfect  a  flower,  yet  I  am  pretty  sure  the  painting 
is  not  exaggerated.  Another  grand  old  sort  is  now 
quite  lost,  viz.,  Pearson's  Alexander.  The  last 
plants  I  knew  of  belonged  to  the  Rev.  —  White- 
house  of  Amblecote,  a  rare  old-fashioned  florist, 
who  lost  it  during  one  winter's  illness.  The 
Auricula,  too,  seemed  to  have  been  better  grown 
fifty  to  sixty  years  ago — that  is  if  you  can  rely 
upon  the  drawings  in  existence — but  the  Auricula, 
like  the  Potato,  wears  out  in  time.  When  John 
Simonite  first  came  out  I  thought  it  was  the  finest 
white  edge  I  ever  saw  ;  now  it  has  gone  clean  out. 
I  cannot  agree  with  Mr.  Douglas  in  saying,  when 
referring  to  the  high  prices  paid  for  Tulips,  that 
the  Daffodil  has  had  its  turn.  The  high  prices 
paid  at  the  Birmingham  show  for  the  fine  white 
trumpets  last  April,  and  the  increasing  demand  for 
the  choicest  sorts,  proves  that  whatever  the  future  of 
the  Daifodil  may  be  there  is  at  present  an  increasing 
demand  for  the  highest  priced  ones,  and  holders 
of  fine  varieties  ask  higher  prices  than  formerly. 
The  first  raiser  of  a  scarlet  trumpet  of  1  inch  long 
only  would  get  twice  as  much  as  ever  has  been  paid 
for  any  previous  Daffodil.  I  know  enthusiasts  in 
Daffodils  all  over  the  world,  and  nearly  all  of  them 
raising  seedlings.  In  a  Christmas  number  of  a 
Christchurch  illustrated  paper  appeared  sketches 
of  seedling  Daffodils  raised  there.  Daffodils  do  not 
require  the  same  attention  as  Tulips.  When  once 
well  planted  they  take  care  of  themselves  for  two 
or  three  years  if  necessary.  They  last  in  bloom 
four  months,  increase  rapidly,  and  are  very  useful 
for  house  decoration.  The  florist's  Tulip  wants 
great  care  in  planting,  shading  from  the  sun,  and 
lasts  in  bloom  one  month.  It  has  to  be  dug  up 
every  year,  increases  slowly,  and  is  of  no  use  for 
house  decoration,  and  can  only  be  appreciated  by 
an  enthusiast  who  has  a  trained  eye. 

King's  Norton.  Joh.n;  Pojpb. 

RUBUS  ROS^FOLIUS. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — The  notes  on  Rubus  rosjefolius  (Sm.)  in  your 
issues  of  November  14  and  21  are  of  interest  here, 
for  although  the  "Index  Kewensis"  gives  its 
habitat  as  Tropical  Asia,  it  is  a  very  common  plant 
in  Eastern  Australia  also.  With  us  it  is  abundant 
on  the  banks  of  creeks  (brooks),  or  on  the  skirts 
of  "  brushes,"  i.e.,  rich  land,  well  watered,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  poorer  open  or  forest  country. 
With  us  it  is  a  dense,  erect,  prickly  shrub  of 
3  feet  or  4  feet.  "Neat"  would  be  the  proper 
adjective  for  it,  as  the  white  flowers  are  not  showy 
and  the  fruit  is  small  and  often  dingy.  Mr.  Alder- 
son  says  the  fruits  are  "greatly  wanting  in  dis- 
tinctive flavour,"  which  is  a  temperate  way  of 
putting  it.  They  are  full  of  seeds,  and  rarely 
eaten  except  by  aborigines  and  children.  But 
perhaps  the  Asiatic  form  yields  a  better  fruit,  and 
perhaps  it  has  been  improved  by  cultivation. 
Botanic  Gardens,  Sydney.  J.  H.  Maiden. 


SPARROWS    DESTROYING    CROCUS 
FLOWERS. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — As    no    one    appears    to    have     challenged 
"  E.    K.    R.'s"   statement   in   your  issue   of    the 
5th    ult.    regarding    the     innocency    of    sparrows 
among    Crocuses,    I    venture    to    do   so.      In    the 
article   "A    Human   Prejudice,"    it    is    suggested 
the     "youthful"     sparrow    comes    to     make    ex- 
periments   with    flowers,   or  to  amuse   himself  by 
investigating  their  properties  scientifically.     Alas  ! 
these  investigations  begin  and  end  with  eating  my 
Crocuses,  and  sparrows'  interesting  habits  must  be 
alike  in  every  garden.     It  is  not  in  the  nature  of 
the  voracious,  busy,  unajsthetic  sparrow  to  waste 
time   in   mere  amusements,  and  my  small  garden      / 
(overlooked  by  every  window  in  the  house),   with 
hundreds  of  decapitated  Crocuses  in  all  directions, 
is  strong  and  melancholy  testimony  to  his  depre 


/ 


April  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


241 


dations.  Old  and  young,  they  settle  down  in 
threes  and  fours  in  the  beds  of  spring  flowers, 
with  a  business-like  intent  and  purpose  too  marked 
to  be  mistaken.  One  by  one  they  pull  up  (or, 
rather,  cut)  the  petals,  eat  the  succulent  bit  at  the 
end  of  the  flower,  drop  it,  and  pass  on  to  another 
in  regular  and  systematic  order,  and  with  the  dire 
results  I  have  mentioned.  1  enclose  some  speci- 
mens of  my  Crocuses  after  they  have  been  discussed 
by  these  enquiring  sparrows,  also  some  my  own 
hand  has  pulled  out.  The  effect  of  their  greedy 
taste  for  Crocuses  is  very  marked,  the  succulent 
stem  of  those  1  have  "played"  with  being  very 
apparent — not  so  in  the  others.  M.  R.  R. 


ORCHIDS. 


DENDROBIUMS   AT   WOODHATCH 
LODGE. 

DIFFICULT  indeed  it  would  be  to  find 
a  finer  display  of  Dendrobiums  than 
I  is  now  to  be  seen  in  the  gardens  at 
f  Woodhatch  Lodge,  Reigate,  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  Haywood.  The 
illustration  shows  part  of  one  house 
filled  with  these  Orchids  in  flower,  but  there 
are  two  others  which  contain  an  equally  good 
collection  of  plants.  Mr.  Salter  is  not  only  a  very 
successful  cultivator  of  Orchids,  but  he  has  also 
raised  many  hybrids,  particularly  among  the 
Dendrobiums.  Several  of  these  have  been  honoured 
by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  with  certifi- 
cates or  awards  of  merit.  Not  only  are  the  Wood- 
hatch  Dendrobiums  well  grown  and  finely  flowered, 
but  there  are  no  poor  forms  among  them,  and  many 
are  hybrids  of  recognised  value  raised  by  Mr. 
Salter.  To  see  how  remarkably  well  flowered 
these  plants  are  one  has  but  to  refer  to  the  illus- 
tration, but  it  may  be  worth  while  mentioning  that 
a  plant  of  D.  Hildebrandtii  x  wardianum  had  no 
less  than  seventy-seven  flowers  on  one  pseudo-bulb 
of  last  year's  growth.  Among  the  finest  Dendro- 
biums in  the  collection  are  such  as  D.  nobile 
nobilius,  D.  n.  ballianum,  with  pale  lip,  a  delicately 
beautiful  flower ;  D.  Silteri,  which  received  an 
award  of  merit  last  year,  and  is  the  result  of  a 
cross  between  D.  splendidiasimum  and  D.  findlay- 
anum  ;  D.  splendidissimum  Mrs.  Haywood,  a  large, 
handsome  variety ;  and  D.  melanodiscus  Sunray, 
given  an  award  of  merit  last  year. 

D.  splendidissimum  and  D.  findlayanum  have 
played  a  large  part  in  the  hybrids  obtained  by  Mr. 
Salter ;  he  has  made  frequent  use  of  D.  findlay- 
anum particularly.  Nothing  is  more  remarkable  in 
the  results  of  Orchid  hybridisation  than  the  great 
disparity  noticeable  among  seedlings,  even  those 
obtained  from  seeds  out  of  one  seed-pod.  But  this, 
of  course,  makes  it  all  the  more  interesting,  one 
never  knows  what  to  expect  even  from  parent 
flowers  that  may  have  shown  little  or  no  variation. 
In  another  house,  a  small  lean-to  facing  north, 
Phalasnopsis  were  in  rude  health  and  apparently 
quite  at  home.  The  plants  have  enormous  leaves, 
and  P.  stuartiana  and  others  were  just  coming  into 
flower.  Masdevallias,  too,  although  few  of  them 
were  in  bloom,  were  the  picture  of  good  health,  as 
infallibly  indicated  by  their  rich  green  foliage. 
M.  tovarensis,  its  white  flowers  conspicuously 
noticeable,  was  also  thriving  wonderfully  well. 

T. 


ORCHIDS  AT  THE  GRANGE,  OLD 
SOUTHGATE. 
Orchids  are  usually  associated  with  country  resi- 
dences miles  away  from  London,  but  London 
horticulturists  may  be  proud  of  the  fact  that 
within  a  twelve  mile  radius  are  to  be  found 
some  of  the  choicest  collections  of  Orchids  in 
the  south  of  England.  On  the  east  side,  situate 
at  Woodford,  is  the  collection  formed  by 
J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  ;  in  the  south-west,  at 
East  Sheen,  the  well-known  Clare  Lawn  collection 
of  Sir  Frederick  Wigan,  Bart.  ;  at  Streathara  the 
Woodland's  collection  owned  by  R.  H.  Measures, 
Esq.,  while  Southgate  to  the  north  has  two,  that 


of  C.  H.  Feiling,  Eeq.,  and  the  subject  of  the 
present  notes,  the  collection  owned  by  .J.  Bradshaw, 
Esq.  Perhaps  selection  would  be  the  better  term 
than  collection,  for  Mr.  Bradshaw's  aim  has  been 
not  so  much  to  form  a  comprehensive  collection  as 
to  have  the  best  forms  of  certain  genera  and  species. 

In  Cattleyas,  The  Grange  is  particularly  rich, 
poor  and  mediocre  forms  being  rigorously  weeded 
out.  Catlleya  Mantinii  and  its  variety  nobilior 
(hybrids  between  Cattleya  aurea  and  bowringiana) 
are  represented  by  over  twenty  well  grown  examples, 
which  make  a  blaze  of  colour  in  autumn.  C.  inter- 
media alba,  C.  labiata  varieties,  &o.,  are  equally 
as  well  represented,  but  the  present  notes  are 
written  more  especially  to  record  as  far  as  possible 
the  Cattleya  TrianiE,  of  which  a  number  of 
exceptional  forms  were  in  bloom  on  the  occasion  of 
a  visit  paid  during  the  first  week  in  March. 
Trianse  is  prominent  among  winter  -  flowering 
Cattleyas,  but  few,  if  any,  collection  can  present 
such  a  charming  series  of  forms  as  those  under 
mention.  The  following  varieties  were,  perhaps, 
the  better  and  most  worthy  of  notice  : — 

Jiosa. — A  remarkable  form,  reminding  one 
strongly  of  a  superb  form  of  Cattleya  Schioder;e. 
The  colour  of  the  flowers,  too,  is  not  unlike  that  of 
Schroderte,  but  far  richer  than  any  form  of  that 
species  seen  by  the  writer.  The  colour  on  the 
sepals  and  petals  is  of  a  deep,  warm  shade  of  rose- 
lilac,  but  little  darker  on  the  lip,  where,  however, 
it  is  intensified  by  contrast  with  the  deep  orange- 
yellow  of  the  throat. 

Exquisite  is  almost,  if  not  quite,  an  ideal  flower, 
the  sepals  and  petals  are  of  great  breadth  and 
substance,  soft  rose-lilac,  both  segments  being 
broken  at  the  apices  by  flames  of  purple,  the 
petals  more  so  than  the  sepals.  The  full,  rounded 
lip  is  of  bright  crimson-purple,  the  throat  pencilled 
with  ochre-yellow  on  a  lighter  ground. 

Rajah  is  similar  but  even  finer  than  Exquisite, 
excelling  that  form  in  size  and  colour  ;  in  fact, 
when  exhibited  at  Manchester  it  was  pronounced 
by  experts  to  be  the  finest  seen. 

Circe. — A  bold,  handsome  variety,  with  large 
shapely  flowers  of  a  colour  best  described  as  white, 
entirely  overlaid  with  a  light  heliotrope  blush  ;  the 
petals  with  darker  pencillings  towards  the  edges, 
the  lip  soft  rose-lilac,  the  margin  daintily  denticu- 
lated, and  the  throat  deep  glossy  ochre. 


Alba  is  represented  by  several  good  forms,  but 
even  more  beautiful  because  less  often  met  with 
are  a  number  of  forms  with  white  sepals  and  petals, 
and  more  or  less  coloured  labellums.  The  first  of 
these, 

EiifieJdense,  is  very  beautiful.  The  sepals  and 
broad  petals  are  snow  white,  in  contrast  to  which 
the  finely  frilled  labellum  has  the  apical  half  entirely 
suffused  with  light  carmine-pink,  abruptly  finish- 
ing where  it  meets  the  light  orange-yellow  of  the 
throat. 

Fairy  Queen  is   a    flower  of  perfect  shape,   the 

colouring  very  similar  to  that  seen  in  E'lfieldense  ; 

,  the  sepals  and  petals    are    white,   but  the  lip  has 

the  advantage  of  a  daintily  gophered  white   frill 

encircling  the  carmine  on  the  edges. 

Mavoureen  is  an  exquisite  form.  The  flowers 
are  shapely  and  well  balanced,  and  the  sepals  and 
petals  quite  white.  The  lip  is  large,  finely  frilled, 
j  of  a  soft,  flesh  pink  tint,  the  colour  extending 
wedge-like  into  the  throat,  where  it  is  bordered 
j  on  either  side  with  lemon-yellow.  Both  shape  and 
colouring  render  this  form  exceedingly  attractive. 

Lowiiju. — Another  grand  form  would  be  alba  but 
for  the  suspicion  of  a  flush  on  the  finely  frilled 
lip  and  a  receded  light  lilac  suffusion  on  the 
external  surfaces  of  the  side  lobes.  With  Lowise 
may  be  classed 

Rana,  another  most  beautiful  albino,  with  finely 
shaped  sepals  and  petals,  and  a  broad,  round, 
spreading  lip,  with  the  softest  of  rose  flushes  on 
the  central  area  and  the  external  surfaces  of  the 
side  lobes. 

The  foregoing  Trianfes  with  others  were  all 
staged  at  one  end  of  the  Cattleya  house,  the 
central  position  among  them  being  accorded  to  the 
plant  of  Brasso-Lffilia,  purpurato-digbyana  var. 
The  Mikado,  which  visitors  to  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  exhibition  of  the  2,3rd  ult.  will 
undoubtedly  remember  as  a  remarkably  fine  form, 
the  sepals  and  petals  being  more  in  proportion  wilh 
the  wonderful  fringed  labellum  than  is  usually  the 
case,  while  the  purple  rays  of  the  lip  are  darker 
and  brighter  in  colour.  In  addition  this  variety  is 
very  sweet,  resembling  that  of  the  lemon-scented 
Verbena. 

The  Orchids  at  The  Grange  and  the  skill  and 
excellence  with  which  they  are  grown  show  the 
keen  interest   taken  in  them  by   Mr.    Bradshaw, 


DENDROBIUMS   IN   THE  GARDEN   OF   MRS.    HAYWOOD,    WOODHATOII   LODGE,   REIGATE. 


242 


THE  GAEDEN. 


[April  2,  1904. 


while  Mr.  Whitelegge,  the  head  gardener,  is  quite 
as  enthusiastic. 

In  a  cool  house  of  mixed  Orchids,  containing 
specimens  of  Cymbidium  Lowio-eburneum, 
hookerianum  (grandiflorum),  lowianum  and  its 
variety  concolor,  and  winnianum  (a  huge  plant), 
many  different  Oncidiums  were  noticed,  0.  mar- 
ehallianum  with  vigorous  bulbs,  well  capable  of 
supporting  the  huge  spikes,  at  present  only  in  bud, 
but  far  enough  advanced  to  indicate  the  glorious 
display  to  come.  A  batch  of  0.  concolor  promises 
well.  Forbesii  grows  equally  well,  and  two  plants 
of  the  unique  golden-yellow  variety  Bradshawi* 
were  pointed  out.     Though 

Cypripediums 
are  not  a  strong  feature  in  this  collection,  room  has 
been  found  for  a  few  good  C.  inaignes,  including 
the  variety  Sanderte.  Quite  a  feature,  too,  was  a 
bank  of  Lycaste  Skinneri,  each  a  selected  form, 
their  massive  wax-like  flowers  showing  to  full 
advantage  against  the  background  of  their  own 
grass-green  leaves.  All  were  really  worthy  of  a 
varietal  name,  but  only  the  very  best  had  been  so 
distinguished,  among  them  being  Enchantress, 
with  huge  flowers,  soft  white,  flushed  and  marbled 
with  rose  ;  Armeniaca,  white  of  sepal  and  petal, 
with  a  clear  apricot  yellow  lip ;  Darkness — most 
aptly  named — the  petals  are  entirely  of  a  deep 
amethyst  purple  shade,  the  lip  is  edged  with  deep 
maroon,  while  the  sepals,  though  having  a  creamy 
white  ground,  are  heavily  flushed  with  deep  rose- 
lilac  ;  Fairy  is  the  reverse  in  effect,  it  has  tall 
spikes,  very  large  sepals,  stone  white,  suffused  with 
light  pink,  petals  flushed  with  pale  ruby,  dappled 
with  a  darker  tint,  lip  creamy  white,  sparsely 
spotted  with  amethyst ;  Alice,  a  squarely-built 
flower,  lip  creamy  white,  with  bright  rose-purple 
spots,  the  base  black-purple ;  L.  S.  alba  is 
represented  by  several  plants,  but  this,  with  Lady 
Gladys,  one  of  the  finest  known  Skinneri  forms, 
were,  unfortunately,  not  in  flower,  nor  was  Balliae, 
the  beautiful  hybrid  between  Skinneri  and  plena 
measuresiana. 

Odontoglossums 
at  The  Grange  are  well  grown.  The  house  con- 
taining them  is  of  considerable  dimensions.  Few 
were  in  bloom  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  but  numerous 
spikes  are  showing,  while  to  a  cultivator's  eye 
nothing  could  be  more  pleasing  than  the  healthy, 
vigorous  appearance  of  the  plants,  the  thick  sub- 
stantial foliage,  glossy  green,  just  tinged  with 
brown-purple,  proof  of  perfect  root  action. 

A  number  of  special  varieties  of  crispum,  hybrids, 
&e.,  are  included,  and,  luckily,  a  most  distinct  and 
handsome  form  of  crispum,  to  which  the  varietal 
name  of  coruscana  has  been  applied,  happened  to 
be  in  flower.  The  plant,  a  comparatively  small 
one,  is  flowering  for  the  first  time,  hence  it  may 
reasonably  be  expected  to  surpass  its  present 
efforts  when  flowering  again.  Even  now  the 
flowers  are  above  the  average  size,  of  good  shape 
and  outline,  the  petals  well  crisped,  finely  toothed, 
and  with  high  shoulders  ;  the  broad  sepals  are  white, 
flushed  with  rose,  markedly  so  on  their  backs,  the 
colour  showing  through  on  to  the  front  surfaces, 
which  are  thickly  blotched  with  bright  terra-cotta 
red.  The  petals  are  equally  beautiful  in  colour, 
but  the  blotches  are  not  so  numerous  and  more 
central.  The  lip  is  very  large  and  full,  much 
broader  than  usual,  finely  fringed  white  with  a 
clear  yellow  crest,  the  yellow  extending  into  the 
surrounding  parts.  There  are  a  few  red  spots  on 
the  sides,  and  a  deeper  coloured  large  blotch 
midway  between  the  apex  and  the  crest. 

As  showing  the  progress  made  by  skilfully 
cultivated  plants,  it  may  be  said  that  the  Odonto- 
glossum  Bradshawaj  (0.  harryanum  x  0.  ander- 
sonianum),  which  received  a  first-class  certificate 
last  year,  now  consists  of  three  good  plants,  all 
growing  well.  Near  them  are  several  plants  of 
Odontoglossum  harryano-crispum,  one  fine  form 
with  ten  flowers  on  the  spike  being  very  prominent 
by  reason  of  the  size  and  brilliancy  of  the  blossoms  ; 
the  broad  lip  is  very  noticeable  from  its  exquisite 
markings  of  wine-purple  and  white,  and  the  bright 
golden,  ragged  crest,  derived  from  the  harryanum 
parent. 

A  very  good  form  of  Odontoglossum  ander- 
sonianum  also  calls  for  notice  ;  the  flowers  large 


with,  for  andersonianura,  very  broad  segments, 
the  ground  colour  milk-white,  evenly  marked,  in 
strong  contrast,  with  bold  bright  red  spots. 

The  Odontoglossum  excellens,  of  which  several 
grand  forms  are  represented  here,  together  with 
the  best  forms  of  crispum,  wilckeanum,  &c.,  are  all 
well  worthy  of  mention.  Akgutus. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


A' 


FLOWER  GAEDEN. 

Christmas  Koses. 
the  varieties  of  Helleborus  niger  pass 
out  of  flower  the  frames  or  hand-lights 
should  be  removed.  If  the  ground  has 
been  trampled  upon  in  gathering  the 
flowers  the  surface  should  be  lightly 
forked  over  before  applying  a  good 
mulch  of  decayed  manure.  The  Christmas  Roses 
grow  and  flower  best  when  left  undisturbed,  but  if 
the  bed  has  got  into  an  unsatisfactory  condition  it 
will  be  best  to  lift  the  clumps  carefully  and  replant. 
If  possible,  a  fresh  site  should  be  given.  In  any 
case,  before  planting  the  ground  should  be  deeply 
dug  and  well  dressed.  Plant  moderately  firm  and 
mulch  with  some  non-manurial  material.  Helle- 
borus colchicus,  olympious,  and  orientalis  should 
either  have  lights  placed  over  them  or  be  mulched 
with  Cocoanut  fibre  to  prevent  the  rain  splashing 
the  soil  on  the  flowers.  When  flowering  is  over  these 
should  be  treated  as  advised  for  Helleborus  niger. 

General  Remarks. 

During  suitable  weather  ply  the  Dutch  hoe  on 
all  borders ;  an  hour  when  they  are  fairly  free  of 
weeds  will  do  better  work  than  a  day  if  hoeing  is 
left  until  the  borders  are  infested  with  weeds. 
Sweet  Peas  raised  under  glass  should  be  planted 
out,  choosing,  if  possible,  a  mild,  dull  day,  taking 
care  not  to  break  the  roots.  After  planting  place 
a  few  branches  of  Silver  Fir  along  the  rows  as  a 
temporary  screen.  As  the  spring-sown  seeds 
germinate  draw  the  soil  lightly  among  the  young 
plants  and  give  short  sticks.  Autumn-sown  plants 
are  now  growing  fast  and  require  longer  sticks, 
which  should  not  be  too  thickly  disposed.  Bedding 
Calceolarias  and  Gazinia  splendens  should  be 
transplanted  to  cool  frames,  using  a  soil  suitable 
for  the  production  of  fibrous  roots.  If  the  Calceo- 
larias are  to  flower  in  a  light  soil,  the  final  planting 
should  be  done  early  to  get  the  plants  established 
before  the  hot,  dry  weather  sets  in.  Many  bedding 
plants  may  now  be  moved  into  cold  pits  and  frames, 
keeping  the  plants  on  the  dry  side  for  a  few  days. 
The  main  stock  of  Cannas  and  Dahlias  should  be 
started  into  growth.  As  soon  as  they  are  large 
enough  to  handle  all  seedlings  should  be  pricked 
off,  giving  the  young  plants  sufficient  room  for 
development. 

Violas 
should  now  be  placed  in  their  flowering  quarters, 
which,  for  preference,  should  be  partially  shaded. 
Given  such  a  position  and  a  well-worked  rich  soil, 
sufficiently  open  to  allow  the  free  passage  of  water, 
the  culture  of  these  plants  is  a  comparatively  easy 
matter,  and  a  good  display  for  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  year  can  be  ensured. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FEUIT  GARDEN. 
Strawberries. 
After  the  fruits  are  picked  from  the  earliest  plants 
they  should  be  removed  to  a  pit  or  any  place  of 
shelter.  If  they  receive  proper  attention  and  are 
planted  out  as  soon  as  hardened  off  good  fruits  can 
be  obtained  in  September  if  the  weather  is  favour- 
able. Later  plants  in  the  houses  will  require 
attention  almost  daily  in  thinning,  leaving  six  or 
eight  fruits  on  each  ;  place  a  small  forked  stick  to 
support  the  fruits.  On  bright  days  and  with 
drying  winds  plants  will  want  looking  over  twice 
daily  for  water ;  if  once  allowed  to  get  dry  they 
seldom  recover.  Give  liquid  manure  water  liberally 
until  the  fruits  change  colour.  Keep  the  plants 
clear  of  runners  and  remove   to  a  cooler  house. 


where  more  air  and  rather  less  water  can  be  given, 
so  as  to  improve  the  colour  and  flavour  of  the  fruits. 
Continue  to  introduce  plants  from  the  cold  frames 
as  required  to  keep  up  a  constant  supply. 

Grafting. 

If  the  trees  were  headed  down  as  advised  in 
previous  calendars,  and  the  sap  has  begun  to  rise  in 
the  stocks,  grafting  may  be  proceeded  with.  The 
end  of  March  or  beginning  of  April  is  generally  the 
best  time  for  carrying  out  the  work,  but  much 
depends  on  the  locality  and  season.  It  is  necessary 
to  exercise  great  care  in  grafting,  and  to  have 
healthy,  dormant  scions,  which  were  cut  off  last 
December  and  laid  in  soil  under  a  north  wall.  The 
scions  should  have  four  to  six  buds  each  ;  the  middle 
portion  of  the  shoot  is  the  best.  Crown  grafting  is 
generally  preferred  for  large  branches  ;  remove  a 
small  portion  of  the  branch  to  where  the  wood  is 
smoothest  and  in  the  best  position  for  receiving  the 
grafts.  The  ends  being  made  smooth  with  a  sharp 
knife,  cut  the  rind  about  2  inches  down  the  stock. 
The  scion  should  be  cut  wedge-shaped,  and  should 
have  a  small  shoulder  that  will  rest  on  the  top  of 
the  stock.  Let  the  cut  part  of  the  scion  be  the 
same  length  as  the  cut  part  of  the  stock.  Insert 
the  scion  and  see  that  the  inner  bark  exactly  joins 
on  both  sides.  Tie  the  grafts  in  firmly  with  ralfia, 
and  cover  with  grafting  wax,  which  is  easily  applied 
and  is  better  than  clay.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  support 
the  grafts  with  a  stake  to  keep  them  from  being 
blown  out.  Where  the  stock  and  scion  are  about 
the  same  size  whip  grafting  is  best.  Cut  a  slip  in 
an  upward  direction  from  the  stock,  and  one  the 
same  size  from  the  scion,  cut  a  small  tongue  in  the 
scion  to  fit  a  similar  one  in  the  stock.  Tie  together 
firmly  and  wax  over.  Remove  any  suckers  which 
appear  below  the  graft.  The  ties  should  be 
removed  as  soon  as  union  has  taken  place. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEN. 

Cauliflowers. 
Plants  wintered  in  cold  frames  should  now  be 
planted  out  on  a  warm  border  and  drills  be  drawn 
a  few  inches  deep  so  as  to  afford  as  much  shelter 
to  the  plants  as  possible  ;  twigs  of  Spruce  may  be 
placed  round  each.  In  the  event  of  severe  frost  it 
may  be  necessary  to  cover  the  plants  with  flower- 
pots for  a  few  nights.  Those  from  early  sowings 
in  boxes  may  now  be  placed  in  a  sheltered  position 
to  harden  off.  Very  early  heads  may  be  had  where 
they  can  be  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  warm  wall, 
but  they  require  great  care  in  maturing.  Plant  out 
autumn-sown  Cabbages  in  the  open  quarter.  Lift 
the  plants  carefully  with  a  trowel,  and  make  firm 
when  planting ;  drills  for  the  early  sorts  may  be 
about  "20  inches  apart,  the  larger  sorts  '2  feet  apart. 

Parsnips. 

For  this  crop  select  a  piece  of  ground  of  good 
depth,  stirring  and  breaking  it  well  with  a  digging 
fork.  The  seeds  must  be  sown  in  very  shallow 
drills  about  15  inches  apart.  Sow  two  or  three  seeds 
together  at  8  inches  to  10  inches  apart,  afterwards 
thinning  them  to  single  plants  ;  rake  very  lightly 
after  sowing.  If  extra  large  or  exhibition  roots 
are  desired  holes  should  be  made  with  a  large 
dibber,  filling  these  with  a  mixture  of  rich  sandy 
soil,  which  should  be  made  quite  firm.  Sow  a  few 
seeds  in  each  and  cover  lightly. 
Broad  Beans. 

A  large  sowing  of  these  should  now  be  made,  as 
the  ground  is  still  rather  wet  and  cold.  A  fairly 
dry  and  sheltered  spot  should  be  chosen  for  the 
first  sowing,  as  the  seeds  are  very  liable  to  rot. 
Dibble  the  seeds  in  6  inches  apart.  If  they  have 
been  sown  in  boxes  early  in  the  year  they  should 
now  be  standing  in  cold  frames.  Plant  out  early 
next  month  in  rows  '2  feet  apart. 

Adtcmn-sown  Onions. 

These  should  now  be  transplanted  on  a  rather 
heavy  soil.  Take  out  a  small  trench  with  the 
spade  and  spread  the  roots  out  carefully.  The 
rows  may  be  1 5  inches  apart  to  allow  the  hoe  to  be 
used  with  freedom.  If  the  plants  have  been  grown 
in  a  sheltered  position  and  become  drawn  the  tops 
may  be  shortened   without  harm.      If  the   store 


April  2,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


243 


Onions  are  running  short  some  of  these  may  be  left 
in  the  seed-bed,  as  they  will  soon  come  into  use. 

Parsley. 

A  sowing  should  now  be  made  in  some  warm 
corner  of  the  garden.  Plants  raised  in  heat  should 
be  hardened  off  ready  tor  planting  out  early  in  the 
month.  Plants  out  of  doors  are  now  beginning  to 
grow,  and  may  be  encouraged  by  a  slight  dressing 
of  chemical  manure  sprinkled  between  the  rows 
and  hoed  in.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopeloun  House  Oardens,  Queens  ferry,  N.B. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Wb  have  now  come  to  a  period  in  relation  to  the 
Chrysanthemum  which  marks  one  of  the  most 
important  stages  in  their  cultivation,  especially  to 
those  growing  the  plants  to  produce  exhibition 
flowers.  If  all  has  gone  well  with  the  young  plants 
these  should  by  now  be  quite  ready  for  shifting  on  ; 
the  majority,  which  will  include  all  the  more 
robust,  into  6-inch,  and  the  weaker  varieties  and 
plants  in  a  size  smaller  pot,  viz.,  5  inches  in 
diameter.  It  is  fatal  to  allow  too  much  pot  room 
at  any  period  of  their  growth,  and  especially  so  at 
this  time,  or  the  plants  are  apt  to  become  over- 
watered,  and  when  this  is  the  case  they  seldom 
recover  completely.     The  pots  and  crocks  should 


required  for  a  few  days.  During  bright  weather 
and  cold  cutting  winds,  which  we  often  experience 
at  this  time  of  year,  frequent  dampings  overhead 
and  a  thin  shading  will  prove  beneficial  until  the 
plants  have  recovered  from  the  slight  check.  After 
three  or  four  days  thoroughly  water  in,  filling  up 
the  pots  at  least  three  times,  thus  making  quite 
sure  that  every  particle  of  the  soil  is  well 
moistened,  when  air  should  be  gradually  admitted 
more  freely.  Never  allow  the  growths  to  become 
drawn,  as  short,  stock}'  joints  must  be  encouraged. 
Very  little  water  will  be  required  at  the  roots  for 
some  days,  but  syringe  the  foliage  frequently,  dust 
the  points  every  ten  days  with  tobacco  powder, 
which  is  best  done  in  the  evening,  and  well  syringe 
the  following  morning. 

Sdmmer-flovvering  Border  Varieties. 
These  now  play  an  important  part  in  brightening 
the  borders  during  late  summer,  when  the  majority 
of  flowers  are  on  the  wane.  They  are  of  great 
value  for  cutting,  and  the  ease  with  which  they  are 
grown  recommends  them  to  all.  When  selecting 
varieties  those  of  dwarf  or  medium  habit  should  be 
chosen,  as  these  require  less  staking  and  are  more 
suitable  for  massing.  To  see  them  to  the  best 
advantage  devote  a  border  entirelj-  to  their  culture, 
and  this  should  have  been  previously  well  trenched 
or  deeply  dug  and  some  well-decayed  manure  freely 


the  old  double  white  primula  in  messes,  cripps'  nursery,  tuneridge  wells. 


be  scrupulously  clean  and  thoroughly  dried  before 
use,  and  well  soak  the  new  pots. 

Drainage. 
This  may  appear  a  small  matter  ;  it  is  essential 
to  produce  the  best  results.  Place  one  large 
inverted  crock  over  the  hole,  gradually  building 
up  the  various  sizes,  which  should  be  at  least  three, 
finishing  off  with  quite  fine  ones  free  from  dust, 
over  which  should  be  placed  sufficient  fibre  taken 
from  the  loam  heap  to  prevent  the  soil  clogging. 
A  suitable  compost  is  as  follows  :  Four  parts  good 
fibrous  loam  and  one  part  finely-sifted  old  Mush- 
room bed  manure,  to  which  should  be  added  a 
6-inch  pot  each  of  crushed  charcoal,  bone-meal,  and 
sufficient  coarse  silver  sand  or  clean  road  sand  to 
make  it  porous.  Prepare  and  thoroughly  mix  the 
compost  in  an  open  shed  several  days  before  using, 
making  quite  sure  it  is  in  a  suitable  condition, 
being  neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry  before  the  pot- 
ting takes  place.  When  everything  is  in  readiness 
proceed  with  the  work,  disturbing  the  roots  as 
little  as  possible,  and  pot  thoroughly  firm,  using 
the  potting-stick  for  the  purpose,  and  finishing  off 
with  a  little  of  the  finest  of  the  compost.  Neatly 
stake,  damp  over  the  surface,  and  arrange  the 
plants  in  a  workmanlike  manner  in  cold  frames,  if 
possible  facing    south.      Very  little  air    will  be 


incorporated.  As  the  ground  is  now  in  a  workable 
condition,  knock  over  the  surface  with  a  fork  to 
break  up  the  lumps,  so  that  it  will  rake  down 
finely  when  planting  time  comes  earl}'  in  April. 
The  varieties  chosen  should  be  distinct,  and  if 
planted  in  masses  or  rows  of  one  sort,  paying 
attention  to  the  heights  and  colours,  the  effect  will 
be  pleasing.  Those  wintered  under  glass  should 
now  have  plenty  of  air  to  thoroughly  harden  the 
growth.  B.  Beckett. 

Aldenham  Mouse  Gardens,  Elstree. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 

POINSETTIA  PULCHERRIMA. 

Flowers  in  winter  appear  to  be  quite  as  much  in 
demand  as  during  the  summer,  and  to  meet 
requirements  a  little  forethought  is  needed.  For 
the  purpose  there  is  no  plant  more  in  request  than 
the  Poinsettia,  which  is  appreciated  for  decorative 
work  of  every  kind.  The  finest  coloured  bracts 
are  produced  upon  plants  that  are  propagated 
from  cuttings  annually,  and  to  have  them  good 
by  November  next  put  into  heat  at  once  a  few  old 
plants,  syringe  and  encourage  them  to  make 
young  shoots,  which  by  the  early  part  of  June 
would  be  ready  for  taking  off  as  cuttings.  It  will 
be    necessary    to    propagate  later    batches,    but 


cuttings  for  the  purpose  will  be  easily  obtained 
from  plants  kept  in  a  cold  frame. 

DlI'LADENIAS. 
The  plants  no  doubt  in  many  instances  have  been 
given  previous  attention  in  the  way  of  repotting 
and  starting  into  growth.  A  stock  of  young 
plants  can  be  obtained  by  taking  cuttings  from  the 
young  growths  as  they  become  sufficiently 
advanced.  The  pots  in  which  the  cuttings  are  to 
be  inserted  must  be  thoroughly  drained.  Two 
parts  sand  and  one  of  peat  make  a  good  compost. 
A  bottom-heat  of  75'  is  necessary  in  which 
to  plunge  them,  and  a  bell-glass  should  be  placed 
over  the  cuttings.  The  young  growths  of  plants 
intended  for  specimens  should  not  be  trained  over 
the  trellis,  but  up  strings  extending  from  the  pot 
to  the  roof  of  the  house,  as  in  this  way  they  are 
much  easier  to  keep  clean,  and,  naturally,  through 
greater  exposure  to  air  and  light,  are  short  jointed 
and  firm  and  better  prepared  for  flowering.  Mealy 
bug,  red  spider,  and  thrips  are  the  principal 
insects  that  infest  these  plants,  and  while  the 
former  can  be  kept  in  check  by  sponging,  the  two 
latter  can  be  got  rid  of  by  syringing  and  by 
fumigating  occasionally  with  XL  All  Vaporiser. 

Aspidistras. 
These  more  than  any  other  plant  will  bear  with 
impunity  the  rough  and  tumble  experience  of 
decorative  work.  The  present  is  a  capital  time  to 
propagate,  and  this  is  effected  by  dividing  the 
rhizomes,  which  are  hard,  and  must  be  cut  through 
with  a  sharp  knife.  Each  division  should  have 
one  or  more  crowns  attached;  pot  them,  and 
afterwards  place  thickly  together  in  a  house  (the 
temperature  of  which  should  range  between  50' 
and  60*)  and  syringe  well. 

Cinerarias. 

Sowing  seeds  is  a  matter  to  which  attention  may 
be  called,  as  much  of  the  after  success  in  Cineraria 
culture  depends  upon  the  time  the  young  plants 
are  raised  and  the  way  in  which  they  commence  to 
develop.  Sow  the  seeds  thinly  on  the  surface  of  a 
light,  sandy  compost,  and  with  more  of  the  mix- 
ture rendered  fine  by  passing  it  through  a  fine 
sieve.  Cover  them  over  lightly,  and  finally  apply 
water  from  a  fine-rosed  can. 

The  seeds  will  soon  germinate  in  a  close  tem- 
perature of  60°  to  65",  and  the  seed-pots  shculi 
have  pieces  of  glass  laid  over  the  top,  anl  the 
whole  be  covered  with  paper  or  other  material  to 
exclude  light  and  maintain  the  soil  in  a  moist 
condition.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Crojt,  Hidl. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN. 


THE   OLD   DOUBLE    CHINESE 
PRIMULA. 

WITH  all  the  advance  that  has 
been  made  with  Primulas  we 
have  not  yet  got  anything  to 
supersede  this  old  favourite. 
I  do  not  know  when  it  was 
first  introduced,  but  it  must 
be  over  forty  years  ago,  and  though  during 
this  period  it  has  had  to  be  propagated  from 
cuttings,  it  still  maintains  its  character  as  one 
of  the  most  useful  winter-flowering  plants  we 
have.  As  usually  grown  for  cut  bloom  for 
market,  the  plants  begin  to  flower  about  the 
end  of  September,  and  a  continuous  supply  of 
bloom  is  kept  up  until  well  into  the  spring. 
It  is  usual  to  finish  picking  flowers  at  Easter. 
The  plants  are  then  prepared  for  propagating 
for  the  following  season's  supply.  They  may 
be  kept  rather  dry  for  a  few  days,  and  should 
then  have  all  the  old  leaves  taken  off,  the 
stems  carefully  cleaned  of  any  stalks  which 
may  have  been  left  when  taking  old  leaves  off 
earlier.  Any  stray  bloom-stems  should  also  be 
removed.  After  cleaning  it  will  be  found  that 
there  is  a  good  length  of  bare  stem,  and  this 


244 


THE    GARDEN. 


t  April  2,  l904. 


is  covered  by  "  earthing  up  "  with  leaf -mould, 
loam,  and  sand  in  equal  parts,  pressing  it 
round  quite  close  to  the  base  of  the  leaves 
or  a  little  above.  The  crown  of  the  plant 
must  not  be  covered  but  be  placed  in  a  warm 
house  and  kept  moderately  moist.  New  roots 
will  soon  be  produced  from  the  portion  of 
stem  that  has  been  covered  up  and  new 
growths  without  flower-stems  will  start.  When 
sufficiently  rooted  they  may  be  cut  off  close  to 
the  old  soil,  and  several  rooted  plants  will  be 
obtained  from  each,  which,  if  potted  carefully 
in  a  light,  sandy  compost,  will  soon  fill  the 
pots  with  roots.  They  must  be  kept  close  and 
shaded  until  they  get  a  good  start.  There  may 
be  some  that  have  not  made  roots,  and  these  may 
be  put  in  as  cuttings,  and  will  root  if  put  in  the 
close  propagating  pit  and  kept  well  shaded. 
Primulas  do  not  like  bright  sunshine  at  any 
time.  Even  in  the  winter  if  it  comes  out  very 
bright  it  will  cause  them  to  wither.  In 
growing  the  plants  through  the  summer  they 
will  do  well  in  a  pit  with  a  northern  aspect. 
They  like  a  moist,  cool  bottom  to  stand  on,  but 
too  much  moisture  on  the  foliage  will  cause 
damping.  After  the  plants  are  well  established 
manure  may  be  used  freely,  but  it  should  be 
of  only  moderate  strength.  Various  composts 
may  be  used  for  potting.  I  have  always 
succeeded  well  with  a  good  loamy  compost, 
say,  fibrous  loam  two  parts  and  one  part  made 
up  of  leaf-mould,  manure,  and  sand.  Good 
drainage  should  be  given,  and  the  plants 
potted  moderately  firm,  keeping  the  crowns 
well  down.  They  should  be  taken  indoors 
early  in  the  autumn  or  before  much  wet 
weather  occurs.  During  the  winter  they  will 
continue  to  flower  well  in  a  temperature  of 
from  55°  to  65°  Fahr.  Plenty  of  light  is 
essential,  and  careful  attention  to  watering. 

The  illustration  represents  a  portion  of  a 
house  in  Messrs.  T.  Cripps  and  Sons'  nursery, 
Tunbridge  Wells.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
add  that  these  Primulas  are  well  grown  there. 

A.  Hemsley. 


RESTING  FREES  IAS. 

In  the  cultivation  of  these  ever-popular  flowers 
the  common  mistake  so  often  made  with  these  and 
other  hulbous  plants  is  the  too  hasty  drying  ofif 
after  flowering  is  over.  It  was  no  uncommon  sight 
to  see  Freesia  pots  placed  aside,  and,  so  far  as  the 
water  is  concerned,  altogether  forgotten,  with  the 
result  that  their  growth  prematurely  dried  up 
just  at  a  time  when,  for  the  welfare  of  the  corms, 
it  was  80  much  needed.  If  those  who  have  hitherto 
failed  to  obtain  vigorous  and  freely-bloomed  pots  of 
Freesias  from  Christmas  onwards  were  to  take  the 
same  care  of  them  after  as  before  the  flowering 
period,  no  complaint  would  be  heard  in  succeeding 
years.  The  efifort  of  the  plant  is  devoted  first  to 
the  production  of  leaf  and  flower,  and  then  follows 
the  development  of  the  corm.  The  result  of 
repeatedly  cutting  down  the  foliage  of  the  Crocus 
or  Daffodil  in  a  green  state  has  almost  exactly  the 
same  baneful  influence.  A  shelf  is  an  excellent 
position  for  any  plants  awaiting  maturity,  but 
while  this  is  true  under  the  charge  of  a  careful 
grower,  it  is  just  as  unsuited  to  the  one  addicted  to 
irregular  methods  of  work.  The  roots  will  rest  in 
safety  anywhere  once  the  foliage  is  ripe  and  the 
soil  is  kept  dry.  W.  Struonell. 


ADIANTUM  FARLEYENSE. 
This  is  the  most  handsome  of  warm  house  Ferns. 
Many  cannot  grow  it  to  their  satisfaction,  however, 
and  frequently  this  arises  from  want  of  sufficient 
heat.  I  am  convinced  that  it  needs  a  lot  of  heat  and 
moisture.  For  years  we  could  not  succeed  with  it. 
Having  some  improvement  made  in  our  stove,  and 
having  a  disused  flue  to  cover  with  Ferns,  &o., 
we  planted  out  three  plants  of  this  Fern  close  to 
and  at  the  back  of  the  boiler.  We  used  loam  and 
sand,  placing  the  plants  between  stones.    Although  I 


when  planted  they  looked  very  unhappy,  they  soon 
began  to  grow.  This  was  four  years  ago  ;  they 
still  continue  to  increase,  spreading  more  every 
year,  and  throwing  up  three  lots  of  fronds  annually. 
Abundance  of  water  is  given  all  through  the  year. 
In  America  this  Fern  is  given  strong  bottom-heat, 
so  as  to  force  the  young  divided  crowns  rapidly. 

J.  Crook. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


PLANTING    LARGE    POTATO  TUBERS. 

SO  far  as  is  practicable  I  purpose  testing 
this  season,  in  one  way  only,  the  respec- 
tive merits  of  planting  large  whole  sets, 
such  as  those  varying  from  6oz.  to  8oz. 
each  in  weight,  instead  of  cutting  them 
into  two  or  three  pieces  and  planting  them 
as  ordinary  sets.  It  so  rarely  happens  that  under 
ordinary  planting  cut  sets  do  well.  All  who  pur- 
chase planting  tubers  cannot  have  all  their  sets  of 
one  size.  Some  will  certainly  be  larger  than 
others,  and  unless  planted  whole,  which  seems  to 
be  a  wasteful  method,  under  ordinary  culture,  they 
must  cut  them  into  two  or  three  pieces.  I  purpose 
planting  ray  tubers  whole  on  mounds  4  feet  apart, 
but  having  only  one  of  each  variety,  some  of  which 
are  rather  rare,  I  can  adopt  only  that  method  of 
planting.  Still  it  is  one  well  worth  testing,  and 
the  results  may  be  interesting.  I  had  sent  me 
from  the  North  as  a  gift  three  or  four  tubers  of  so 
many  varieties  all  new.  It  was  their  possession 
which  gave  me  the  idea,  and  therefore  I  sought  for 
and  obtained  some  others,  so  that  now  I  have 
Northern  Star,  Discovery,  Sim  Gray,  King 
Edward  VII. ,  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  Evergood,  The 
Factor,  Up-to-Date,  Great  Central,  Gold  Coin, 
Alpha,  Diamond,  and  several  others.  These,  all 
labelled  with  their  names,  are  set  up  on  end  in  a 
shallow  box  in  a  cool  room  and  near  the  light.  All 
have  broken  shoots  well,  and  by  the  time  I  plant 
it  will  he  easy  to — if  thought  desirable — disbud 
down  to  some  five  or  six  stems,  quite  enough  for 
any  purpose.  Holes  will  be  made  as  mentioned, 
have  the  bottoms  well  broken  up,  some  manure 
buried  low  down,  then  refilled,  leaving  mounds,  so 
that  it  will  be  but  needful  with  a  trowel  to  draw 
out  small  holes  to  hold  the  tubers.  After  growth 
is  made  fresh  soil  will  be  liberally  added  to  each 
mound.  A.  D. 


NEW  VARIETIES  OP  POTATOES. 
I  NOTiOE  that  Potatoes  are  still  causing  much 
anxiety  in  Lincolnshire,  as  it  was  announced  in  one 
of  the  London  dailies  on  the  16th  ult.  that  there 
was  a  rush  for  the  Eldorado  variety  at  £2  10s. 
per  ounce.  No  one  can  say  that  horticulture  is  not 
in  a  flourishing  condition  when  such  prices  as  these 
are  given.  From  the  grower's  point  of  view  it  is 
absurd.  Others  that  have  been  recently  described 
as  disease  proof  are  not  so.  It  will  be  interesting 
to  note  later  on,  when  these  new  varieties  have  as 
it  were  settled  down,  how  they  compare  with  the 
older  sorts.  I  am  giving  them  a  trial — at  least 
those  I  can  afford  to  buy.  Still,  these  have  got  a 
wonderful  name,  and  I  shall  be  well  satisfied  if 
they  turn  out  as  well  as  the  old  Magnum  Bonum  did 
with  me  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.     A  Grower. 


THE  NEWER  PARSNIPS. 
The  Parsnip  is  generally  considered  of  little  im- 
portance, but  it  is  one  of  the  most  profitable 
roots  grown,  and  it  is  in  such  seasons  as  this, 
when  the  Potato  is  poor  in  quality,  that  the 
Parsnip  is  valuable.  The  older  varieties,  such  as 
the  Hollow  Crown,  are  not  esteemed  owing  to  their 
sweet  flavour.  This  is  not  altogether  the  fault  of 
the  root,  but  of  the  grower  and  the  cook.  The 
roots  are  generally  not  cooked  long  enough,  and 
insufficient  water  is  given.  The  sweet  flavour  is 
more  noticeable  in  very  large  roots,  those  lifted 
early  in  the  season,  say  October  or  November,  and 
stored  in  a  dry  and  at  times  in  too  warm  a  place, 
causing  shrivelling.  I  would  strongly  advise 
leaving  Parsnips  in  their  growing  quarters  till  the 
end  of  March,   and   then  placing  in  a  clamp  or 


covering  with  soil.  This  will  give  much  better 
flavoured  roots,  and  in  the  end  less  trouble.  Should 
it  be  necessary  to  lift  in  autumn  heel  in  thickly  or 
clamp,  and  in  this  way  the  roots  will  be  kept  plump. 
As  regards  flavour  a  medium-sized  root  is  much 
better  than  a  large  one.  I  would  also  advise  later 
sowings.  Only  small  varieties  should  be  chosen  and 
the  roots  cooked  whole.  They  are  of  better  appear- 
ance on  the  table,  more  digestible,  and  equal  to 
choicer  vegetables.     I  now  come  to  the 

Newer  Varieties, 
and  these  are  very  limited.  They  have  smaller 
roots  than  the  older  ones,  less  core,  and  are  not 
quite  so  sweet.  The  quicker  the  growth  the  better. 
There  is  no  need  of  large  quantities  of  manure; 
indeed,  none  at  the  time  of  sowing,  as  fresh 
manures  encourage  a  forked  growth,  but  land  that 
was  manured  for  a  previous  crop  will  do  well.  At 
the  same  time,  deep  cultivation  is  essential,  and  it 
is  a  good  plan  to  trench  in  autumn.  Of  course  by 
early  sowing  a  long  season  of  growth  and  large 
roots  are  secured.  It  is  not  necessary  to  sow  so 
early.  Many  do  so  as  soon  as  the  soil  is  workable 
in  February,  and  this  is  alright  for  large  roots.  I 
once  had  a  stiff  clay  soil  to  deal  with,  and  sowing 
operations  were  delayed  one  season  well  into  April, 
and  we  never  had  better  Parsnips  than  in  that  year, 
smaller  certainly,  but  sounder  and  of  superior 
quality.  I  do  not  grow  the  large  varieties,  such  as 
the  large  Hollow  Crown  or  Guernsey,  as  a  Parsnip 
a  yard  long  is  of  no  advantage  whatever.  Of  late 
years  we  have  grown  Intermediate  and  Tender  and 
True.  These  are  of  recent  introduction.  The 
Intermediate  is  the  better  of  the  two,  and  in  the 
future  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  grow  more  than 
this  ;  it  is  not  unlike  a  well-grown,  large  stump- 
rooted  Carrot,  and  in  soils  that  are  at  all  shallow 
this  new  Parsnip  will  be  a  decided  gain  ;  the  foliage 
is  small,  and  the  flesh  is  not  unlike  that  of  the 
Student  in  qualitj'.  The  last  named  is  one  of  the 
best  of  the  larger  types.  We  make  two  sowings, 
one  in  March  for  early  use  and  one  later  for  use 
from  December  to  May.  G.  Wythes. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

HARDY  SHRUBS  FORCED. 

VISITORS  to  the  meetings  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  and  the  various 
exhibitions  held  during  the  spring 
must  notice  the  increased  interest  in 
forced  shrubs  and  the  great  numbers 
that  are  now  exhibited.  True,  forcing 
has  been  indulged  in  from  time  immemorial,  but 
whereas  it  was  in  the  olden  days  limited  to  a  very 
few  kinds  we  now  see  quite  a  representative 
collection  brought  on  under  glass.  Taken  altogether 
the  Azaleas,  among  shrubs  for  forcing,  occupy 
perhaps  the  front  rank,  for  the  colours  range  from 
white  through  the  whole  gamut  of  yellows,  pinks, 
and  reds,  while  in  form  of  the  flower  and  growth 
of  the  plant  the  different  varieties  show  great 
distinctness.  The  compact  habit  of  Azalea  sinensis, 
or  mollis,  combined  with  its  great  profusion  of 
bloom,  renders  it  and  the  hybrids  once  removed 
therefrom,  in  which  much  of  the  habit  of  the 
original  is  retained,  the  most  popular  section  for 
forcing,  but  much  may  be  said  for  Ghent  Azaleas, 
which  are  taller  and  looser  in  growth,  and  have 
smaller  but  in  many  cases  brightly  coloured  and 
sweet-scented  flowers.  Generally  speaking  the 
varieties  with  bright  yellow,  orange,  or  flame- 
coloured  flowers,  of  which  Anthony  Koster  may 
be  taken  as  a  popular  example,  are  most  sought 
after.  The  pretty  little  Azalea  ama;na,  a  repre- 
sentative of  quite  another  class,  brings  us  more 
closely  in  touch  with  the  Indian  Azaleas,  whose 
beauty  as  greenhouse  plants  is  so  universally 
recognised.  That  charming  hybrid  Rhododendron 
prsecox  claims  especial  recognition  for  this  mode 
of  treatment,  as  its  somewhat  pictureeqtie  growth 
and  profusion  of  bright  mauve-pink  blossoms  are 
conspicuous. 

Of  other  members  of  the  Heath  family  (Ericacete) 
to  which  all  the  above  belong,  and  are  quite  as 
useful  for  forcing,  may  be  mentioned  Andromeda 


April  2,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


245 


floribunda  and  A.  iaponica  ;  and  the  Kalmias, 
usually  limited  to  K.  latifolia,  but  the  early- 
flowering  K.  glauca  is  equally  desirable. 

The  different  members  o£  the  extensive  Rose 
order  (Rosacete)  loom  largely  among  the  shrubs 
used  for  forcing,  as,  apart  from  the  Rose  itself,  we 
have  Almonds,  Cherries,  Plums,  and  Peaches,  all 
now  included  in  the  genus  Prunus.  The  Almonds 
may  be  easily  forced,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
the  several  double-flowered  Peaches.  None  of 
these  are,  however,  adapted  for  flowering  when 
very  small,  and  it  is  perhaps  for  this  reason  that 
the  little  Prunus  japonica,  or  sinensis,  is  so 
popular  for  the  purpose,  as  tiny  bushes  in  6-inch 
pots  can  be  depended  upon  to  produce  a  wealth 
of  their  comparatively  large  rosette-like  blossoms. 
Of  the  Himalayan  Prunus  triloba  too  much 
cannot  be  said.  Of  double  Cherries  the  Japanese 
varieties,  such  as  James  H.  Veitch,  stand  in  the 
front  rank,  as  we  have  had  many  opportunities 
of  seeing  at  the  meetings  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  within  the  last  few  years. 

Some  of  the  Spirseas,  both  herbaceous  and 
shrubby,  are  among  the  best  of  flowering  plants. 
Of  shrubs  the  most  popular  for  forcing  is  S.  con- 
fusa,  or  media,  but  it  does  not  stand  alone,  being 
closely  followed  by  S.  arguta,  S.  Van  Houttei, 
S.  Thunbergi,  and  prunifolia  fl.-pl.  All  bear  white 
flowers,  but  in  the  last-named  they  are  double. 

The  graceful  Pyrus  Malus  floribunda,  represented 
by  varieties  differing  principally  in  the  depth  of 
colour  in  the  blossoms,  is  also  of  exceptional  merit. 

Deutzia  gracilis  has  long  been  a  universal 
favourite,  but  the  new  hybrid  Lemoinei  is  be- 
coming more  popular  for  forcing,  and  is  now  in 
some  trade  establishments  largely  grown  for  the 
purpose.  Lilacs,  one  of  the  oldest  of  plants 
treated  in  this  way,  still  retain  their  popularity, 
and  I  should  be  afraid  to  hazard  a  guess  as  to 
the  number  of  neat  little  bushes  studded  with 
flower-buds  that  are  sent  annually  to  this  country 
from  the  Continent. 

Of  other  good  hardy  shrubs  for  forcing  the 
following  may  be  briefly  mentioned :  Choisya 
ternata  (Mexican  Orange  Flower) ;  Clematises, 
now  frequently  seen  among  early  flowering  sub- 
jects ;  Cytisus  andreanus,  very  rich  in  colour  under 
glass,  where  it  is,  however,  liable  to  be  attacked 
by  aphides ;  Forsythia  suspensa,  which  as  a 
large  plant  is  very  beautiful  with  its  wealth  of 
golden  blossoms  ;  Laburnums  ;  Magnolias  of  sorts, 
from  which  M.  stellata  must  on  no  account  be 
omitted  ;  Ribes  sanguineum  (Flowering  Currant)  ; 
Staphylea  colchica,  with  white  agreeably  scented 
flowers ;  Viburnum  Opulus  sterile  (the  Guelder 
Rose);  and  Its  Japanese  representative,  V.  plicatum. 

As  a  standard  the  Wistaria  is  very  beautiful,  the 
pendulous  racemes  of  blossoms  are  then  seen  to  the 
best  advantage  ;  and  the  long  racemes  of  W.  multi- 
juga  afford  a  pleasing  change. 

At  the  present  day,  when  so  much  is  heard  of 
the  vast  sums  we  pay  the  foreigner  for  difi'erent 
things  that  might  be  just  as  well  produced  in  this 
country,  it  would  be  interesting,  and  perhaps 
instructive,  to  know  the  amount  spent  annually  on 
the  Continent  for  forcing  shrubs  alone.         H.  P. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
■widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and 
they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5, 
Southampton  Street,  )Strand,  London. 


AOACIA  AKMATA  AND  BoRONIA  MEGASTIGMA. 

A   few  sprays  of  Acacia  armata  and   Boronia 
megastigma  for  your  table.     These  are  extremely 


useful  plants  for  the  conservatory  at  this  season 
of  the  year.  The  plants  here  have  made  remark- 
able growth.  When  they  were  bought  two  years 
ago  they  were  about  9  inches  or  1'2  inches  in  height ; 
now  they  are  several  feet.  The  Boronia  is  very 
sweet-scented,  one  plant  being  sufficient  to  scent  a 
large  greenhouse.  They  have  been  potted  in  a 
mixture  of  peat,  loam,  leaf-soil,  charcoal,  and  sand. 
The  principal  reason  they  grow  so  vigorously  is 
that  they  are  fed  with  urine,  diluted  with  about 
thirty  times  its  bulk  of  water. — F.  W.  Pearce, 
Te7nplemere,  Weyhridge. 

Very  interesting  flowers.  The  Boronia  is  one  of 
the  most  fragrant  of  all  plants,  and  the  Acacia  is  a 
deep  rich  yellow  ;  it  is  the  most  popular  of  all 
Acacias  for  pots. 

lONOPSIDIUM   ACAULE. 

I  am  sending  you  a  tiny  plant  for  your  table, 
which  I  think  is  interesting  as  being  in  flower  at 
this  time  of  }'ear.  It  is  an  annual — lonopsidium 
acaule — the  seeds  of  which  we  first  had  from  the 
Hardy  Plant  Nursery  at  Guildford,  where  we  were 
told  it  was  quite  worth  sowing  in  patches  on  the 
rockery,  as  it  would  flower  freely  all  the  season. 
We  also  sowed  a  long  line  of  it  in  front  of  a  mass 
of  Visoaria  of  many  colours  last  year,  and  this  plant 
is  a  self-sown  seedling  in  that  border.  It  has  been 
in  flower  for  more  than  three  weeks,  and  has  gone 
through  extraordinary  variations  of  temperature 
during  that  time,  from  7"  to  12"  of  frost  alter- 
nately with  warm  spring  days.  The  seeds  should 
be  sown  in  the  spots  where  the  plant  is  desired  to 
flower. — J.  M.  N. ,  Tunbridge  Wells. 

A  pretty  little  annual  from  Portugal,  quite 
tufted,  and  very  free. 


A  Series  of  Orchids. 
Mr.  Bradshaw  sends  from  The  Grange,  South- 
gate,  N.,  a  series  of  fine  varieties  of  certain  Orchids, 
particularly  of  Cattleya  Triana;.  Fairy  Queen  is 
very  delicate  in  colour  and  of  dainty  shape,  quite  a 
gem  in  its  way  ;  amesiana  is  very  beautiful,  the 
sepals  and  petals  pure  white,  and  the  lip  light  lilac 
in  front,  with  pale  yellow  colouring  in  the  throat ; 
aurantiaca  shows  a  suffusion  of  light  purple  over 
the  whole  flower,  with  yellow  in  the  throat ;  Rajah 
is  a  wonderful  colour,  the  lip  intense  rose-purple 
and  yellow  at  the  base,  the  sepals  and  petals  soft 
purple,  with  a  darker  stain  on  the  upper  part,  a 
variety  of  great  beauty.  Mr.  Bradshaw  also  sends 
several  varieties  of  Lycaste  Skinneri.  One  is  named 
Apple  Blossom  ;  the  flower  is  while,  except  for  a 
brick-red  suffusion  in  the  throat.  Other  forms 
were  very  deep  crimson  ;  altogether  a  most  inter- 
esting series. 


Flowers  trom  Exeter. 
The  Lady  Acland  sends  from  Killerton  many 
interesting  plants,  and  all  from  the  open  garden 
except  ClianthusDampieri.  Narcissus  cyclamineus 
is  one  of  the  most  welcome  of  its  race  ;  it  is  of 
quaint  shape,  and  the  colouring  of  the  flowers  is 
rich.  We  are  pleased  to  see  this  pretty  Narcissus. 
Iris  stylosa  and  its  white  variety  are  not  too  well 
known,  but,  as  mentioned  in  a  separate  note,  they 
are  very  useful  in  winter,  when  the  flowers  may  be 
used  for  vases  ;  the  white  is  very  pure.  It  is  quite 
happy  at  the  foot  of  a  warm  wall.  Iris  orchioides 
was  welcome ;  its  rich  yellow  flowers  and  long, 
strap-shaped  leaves  have  much  charm.  Drimys 
aromatica  has  warm  red  bark  ;  it  makes  a  pretty 
upright  bush  7  feet  or  8  feet  high  at  Killerton,  and 
the  bright  bark  shows  well  through  the  glossy 
leaves.  Lithospermum  prostratum  has  been  in 
flower  all  through  the  winter.  Other  plants  sent 
were  Grevillea  rosniarinifolia,  the  sweet-smelling 
Lonicera  fragrantissima.  Erica  lusitanica  and  the 
Mediterranean  Heath  (E.  mediterranea),  the  beauti- 
ful winter  Heath  (E.  cinerea),  Rhododendron 
prascox,  and  a  few  other  early  varieties  in  flower  ; 
Primula  denticulata  in  charming  variet}',  one  the 
pure  white,  and  others  of  varying  shades  ;  and 
Pieris  (Andromeda)  japonica.  It  is  a  pity  that  a 
shrub  so  beautiful  as  the  Pieris  is  not  in  every  good 
English  garden  ;  the  flowers  are  like  strings  of 
white  bells,  and  appear  in  profusion.  The  only 
flower  not  from  the  open  was  Clianthus  Dampieri 


(the  Glory  Pea).  This  is  in  a  greenhouse  at  Killer- 
ton, and  grafted  on  Colutea  arborescens.  We  have 
seldom  received  a  more  interesting  collection  of 
open-air  flowers  at  this  time  of  the  year. 


USES  OF  BRITISH  PLANTS, 


M^ 


( Conlinutd  frmn  page  S30.) 

Loranthace^:. 
ISTLETOE  (Viscum  album).— The  Eng- 
lish name  is  derived  from  "Mistil-tan," 
meaning  "different  twig"  in  Anglo- 
Saxon.  In  the  fourteenth  century  it 
was  spelt  Mystyldene,  and  was  also 
called  Lignumcrucis.  The  white  berries, 
f  am  iliar  to  all  at  Christmas,  are  used  for  making  bird- 
lime. In  the  fourteenth  century  there  is  a  recipe  for 
making  a  lye  of  the  ashes  of  the  Mistletoe  growing 
on  the  Oak,  Quince,  and  Apple  tree.  If  persons 
washed  their  heads  with  it  it  is  said  to  make  the 
hair  yellow.  The  stems  and  foliage  have  been  given 
to  sheep  in  winter  when  fodder  was  scarce,  and 
they  are  said  to  have  much  relished  it. 

Euphorbiace^. 

Mercury  (Mercurialis  perennis). — This  herb,  of 
which  the  male  and  female  flowers  are  on  separate 
plants,  is  very  common  in  thickets,  &c.  It  is  very 
acrid  and  poisonous.  When  steeped  in  water  it 
yields  a  purple  dye,  but  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  used  as  such.  It  has  proved  fatal  to  sheep, 
but  dried  in  hay  it  is  a  harmless  fodder.  When 
boiled  it  has  been  eaten  as  a  Spinach.  The  annual 
species  which  has  been  introduced  is  equally  dan- 
gerous. Gerarde  writes  :  "  I  found  it  under  the 
dropping  of  the  Bishop's  house  at  Rochester,  from 
whence  I  brought  a  plant  or  two  into  my  garden, 
since  which  time  I  cannot  rid  my  garden  from  it." 
It  is  most  abundant  in  Malta. 

Caper  Spurge  (Euphorbia  Lathyris). — This  is  a 
doubtful  native,  being  often  naturalised,  as  it  has 
long  been  cultivated.  It  is  a  South  European  plant. 
The  name  ' '  Caper  "  is  given  to  it  because  the  unripe 
fruit,  which  much  resembles  that  of  the  garden 
Nasturtium  (Trop^olum  majus)  has  been  pickled 
in  salt  and  vinegar  ;  but  as  the  milky  juice,  charac- 
teristic of  all  the  Spurges,  is  poisonous,  it  is  a  dan- 
gerous plant,  and  should  not  be  used.  The  oil  of 
the  seeds,  like  that  of  Castor  Oil  and  Croton  of 
the  same  family,  is  purgative.  The  milk  of  the 
several  Spurges  of  our  fields  and  gardens  has  the 
reputation  of  curing  warts. 

Box  (Buxus  sempervirens).— This  is  regarded  as 
truly  native  on  ]3ox  Hill.  As  it  can  be  easily 
clipped,  it  has  been  cultivated  for  "  topiary  "  work 
from  the  time  of  the  Romans,  the  operator  being 
called  a  "  topiarius."  It  was  invented  by  a  friend 
of  Julius  Cfesar  at  the  beginning  of  the  first 
century,  and  much  practised  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  II.  in  England,  as  it  is,  indeed,  to-day. 
The  wood  has  a  remarkably  close  grain,  so  that  the 
annual  rings  are  almost  imperceptible.  Hence  it 
possesses  great  value  for  mathematical  instruments 
and  for  wood  engravers.  The  bark  and  leaves 
were  used  medicinally  formerly,  while  a  decoction 
is  said  to  give  an  auburn  colour  to  the  hair. 

URTICACE.E. 

Stinging  Nettle  (Urtica).— We  have  three  species, 
thediiBceous  (U.  dioica),the  monceoious  (U.  urens), 
and  the  introduced  Roman  Nettle  (U.  pilulifera). 
The  young  leaves  of  the  first  supply  a  good  substi- 
tute for  Spinach  in  early  spring,  and  dried  in  hay 
make  an  excellent  fodder.  The  stems  supply  a 
strong  fibre,  formerly  used  as  a  substitute  for  Flax. 
The  so-called  "China  Grass"  (Boshmeria  nivea)  is 
an  ally  to  the  Nettle,  aud  makes  a  very  good  imita- 
tion of  linen.  Medicinally,  Nettle  Tea  is  often 
used  in  the  country.  It  is  slightly  astringent.  In  the 
Middle  Ages  Nettles  were  used  in  various  recipes. 

Hop  (Humulus  lupulus).  —  It  is  somewhat 
doubtful  whether  the  Hop  be  a  true  native,  though 
common  enough  on  our  hedges,  and  was  so  in  the 
sixteenth  centur}'.  Before  its  use  a  number  of 
herbs  with  bitter  leaves  were  used,  the  drink 
being  called  ale,  throughout  the  Middle  Ages ; 
but  when  Hops  were  used  the  German  word 
"  beer "  came  into  use.  The  young  shoots  are 
sometimes  eaten  like  Asparagus.      G.  Henslow. 


246 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[ApniL  2,  1904. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


ALPINE     AND     AUTUMN      STRAW- 
BERRIES. 

iSToTES  IN  Season. 

THOSE  wlio  study  flavour  in  fruit  and 
require  a  long  supply  will  do  well  to 
give  the  alpine    section  more  con- 
sideration, and  the  autumn-fruiting 
sorts    are   well   worth    including    if 
special  culture  is  given.    Many  object 
to  the  alpines  on  account  of  their  size,  but  this 
point  will,  I  think,  be  met,  as  some  of  the 
newer  ones,  such  as  the  Sutton  Large  Eed  and 
others,  are  much  bigger  than  the  older  varieties. 
There  are,  however,  other  points  to  consider 
apart  from  mere  size,  namely,  flavour  and  long 
bearing,  as  I  have  seen  the  alpines  raised  from 
seed  at  this  date  continue  in  fruit  from  July 
to  October.    It  may  appear  somewhat  out  of 
place  to  write  on  alpine  Strawberries  e.irly  in 
spring  to  those  who  have  not  grown  them,  but 
this  is  the  best  time  to  sow  the  seed  for  next 
season's  crop.    The  alpine  is  so  well  grown  at 
Gunnersbury  House  by  that  splendid  culti- 
vator Mr.  Hudson,  who  has  on  many  occasions 
staged  these  fruits  in  grand  condition,  that  I 
am  sure  he  will  pardon  me  when  I  say  that  he 
prefers  seed  to  runners,  though  I  will  briefly 
touch  upon  the  latter.    To  quote  Mr.  Hudson's 
words,  he  says,  "  those  who  are  contemplating 
the  cultivation  of  alpine  Strawberries  cannot 
do  better  than  raise  their  stock  from  seeds, 
as   seedlings    are    incomparably    better    than 
runners."     The    culture    is    simple.     On  the 
Continent    the    seed    is    generally    sown    in 
autumn,  or  as  soon  as  it  is  ripe.    When  grown 
thus  the  plant  is  treated  as  an  annua),  and 
there  is  no  question  that  the  results  from  seed 
are  far  superior  to  those  from  runners.     If 
grown  from  the  latter,  choose  the  early  or  first 
ones    if    possible,   not    those  from   weakened 
plants,  or  from  ihose  that  have  been  a  long 
time  on  the  ground.     The  seed  should  be  sown 
thinly  in  shallow  boxes,  very  lightly  covered, 
and  given  gentle  heat  if  possible,  though  a 
little  later  I  have  raised  seed  in  cold  frames, 
but  grown  thus  they  require  less  moisture  at 
the  start.      The   seeds   germinate   quickly  in 
heat,  but  the  seedlings  must  not  remain  too 
long  when  well  above  the  soil,  but  be  pricked 
ofif  singly  and  given  warmth  till  established, 
giving  a  light,  sandy  soil  with  old,  fine,  decayed 
manure  or  leaf -soil.     They  must  be  treated 
much  in  the  same  manner  as  an  early  crop  of 
Celery  plants  would  be  at  the  start.    When 
the  plants  are  well  established  they  can  be 
removed  to  a  cold  frame  close  to  the  glass  and 
gradually  inured  to  the  air,  so  that  by  the  end 
of  May  they  will  be  large  enough  to  plant  out. 
I  have  seen  quite  as  good  results  by  diverse 
treatment ;  the  seed  is  sown  in  pans,  and  the 
seedlings  pricked  out  in  frames  in  rich  soil  and 
then   transplanted    later  in   their    permanent 
quarters.     Another  plan,  but   one   that  takes 
more  time  to  get  plants  full  sized,  is  to  sow  on 
a   warm   border    and    transplant   when    large 
enough,  but  I  do  not  advise  the  latter.     There 
is  a  gain  in  some  respects  by  sowing  in  early 
autumn,  as  then  the  plant  is  treated  like  an 
annual.     It  fruits  well  the  following  autumn, 
and  is  then  at  its  best  if  attention  has  been 
paid  to  cultural  details  ;  but  to  do  so  the  soil 
must  be  made  suitable,  the  drainage  must  be 
good,  and  a  sheltered  position  selected. 

Planting  Out  and  Pkeparation  of  Beds. 

I  prefer  beds,  but  the  soil  should  not  be 
heavy,  and  deep  cultivation  is  essential,  as 
this  preserves  the  plants  from  injury  by  drought. 


Though  the  plant  is  a  shallow  rooter  it  requires 
much  food  and  moisture  to  build  up  succession 
crops.  An  open  position  or  a  sloping  bank 
will  suflice.  if  the  position  is  cold  or  the  soil 
heavy  give  a  good  supply  of  well-decayed 
manure.  Work  it  in  when  digging  and  keep 
the  food  near  the  surface,  so  that  the  roots 
quickly  lay  hold  of  it,  if  the  plant  is  grown  as 
an  annual,  but  place  it  lower  down  if  treated 
as  a  biennial.  The  seedlings  may  be  planted 
15  inches  apart,  and  18  inches  between  the 
rows.  I  have  grown  them  12  inches  apart, 
but  this  does  not  give  room  for  cleaning  or 
mulching  ;  the  latter  in  dry  summers  is  a  great 
gain. 

Use  light,  rich  material.  The  plants  will 
show  fruit  like  the  ordinary  Strawberry  in 
the  spring,  but  the  trusses  should  be  removed 
till  the  end  of  June,  as  the  plants  will  then 
have  a  chance  to  strengthen  and  build  up  a 
good  autumn  crop.  This  more  refers  to  spring- 
sown  plants.  I  have  had  several  crops  from 
autumn-sown,  as  the  first  runners  will  provide 
the  succession  crop.  In  dry  seasons  the  plants 
will  require  watering  during  growth  in  early 
summer,  and  to  be  watered  overhead  late  in 
the  day  to  ward  off  red  spider.  For  the  latest 
supplies  the  spring-sown  plants  of  the  previous 
season  will  give  a  wonderful  crop  if  given  food. 
The  value  of  sloping  borders  for  these  plants 
is  more  evident  in  autumn  than  at  any  other 
time,  as  then  the  plants  dry  more  quickly,  and 
are  more  easily  ripened.  With  shortening 
days  the  fruits  need  full  exposure,  and  by 
allowing  ample  room  at  the  planting  they  ripen 
better. 

The  Best  Varieties 

are  Sutton's  Large  Eed,  a  valuable  introduction, 
the  fruits  are  much  larger  than  the  old  alpine ; 
this  fruits  till  the  end  of  October.  Another 
very  fine  type  is  the  Rouge  Ameliore,  a  great 
favourite  with  Mr.  Hudson.  It  has  long  red 
fruits.  The  White  Alpine  or  Blanc  Ameliore, 
Berger's  Improved,  a  rich  crimson  fruit  ;  Belle 
de  Meaux,  also  red  and  highly  flavoured— these 
are  true  alpines,  and  are  all  worth  growing. 

The  Perpetual  Type 
is  so  closely  identified  with  the  alpine  that  at 
times  it  is  grown  as  such,  but  these  hybrids 
are  mostly  obtained  by  crossing  the  garden 
variety  with  the  alpine,  and  the  results  are 
later  fruits.  Though  smaller  than  the  one 
parent,  they  are  most  valuable  for  autumn 
supplies.  These  are  usually  grown  from 
runners,  though  the  St.  Antoine  de  Padoue  and 
the  St.  Joseph  can  be  grown,  like  the  alpine, 
from  seed.  When  grown  from  runners  layer 
these  in  the  beds  and  peg  down  into  some 
turfy  loam.  When  rooted  transfer  them  into 
their  fruiting  quarters,  or  they  may  be  layered 
into  small  pots.  I  have  seen  excellent  crops 
of  late  fruit  obtained  by  layering  the  strongest 
runners  into  .5-inch  pots  in  June  or  July,  and 
these  make  good  fruiting  plants  for  placing 
indoors  later  on  for  an  October  supply.  When 
planting  out  it  is  well  to  give  a  little  more 
room,  as  these  varieties  make  more  growth 
than  the  alpine— at  least,  some  of  them  do. 
Eighteen  inches  to  2  feet  each  way  is  none  too 
much,  and  make  a  plantation  yearly.  Like 
the  alpine,  if  for  autumn  supplies  the  spikes 
should  be  removed,  and  the  first  runners  taken 
for  pot  work  or  first  crop  next  season.  Planted 
out  in  rich  soil  in  August  or  later,  and  kept 
clear  of  flower-spikes  the  next  season  till  May 
or  June,  they  will  give  a  supply  in  advance  of 
the  alpines.  For  a  succession  Strawberry  to 
follow  the  ordinary  ones  plant  the  perpetual 
varieties  under  a  north  wall.  Grown  thus 
they  follow  the  summer  fruiters.  The  plants 
should  be  kept  free  of  runners  other  than  those 


required  for  stock.  If  the  plants  are  kept  more 
than  one  season  the  new  growths  should  be 
layered  for  the  next  crop.  Cut  out  the  old 
crowns.  I  prefer  layering,  however,  and  jilant- 
ing  yearly,  as  then  the  ground  is  given  better 
cultivation.  The  best  varieties  are  those  I 
have  referred  to  above,  also  Louis  Gauthier,  a 
large  white  fruit  with  pink  shading.  It  is 
robust,  and  requires  more  room.  La  Constanta 
is  also  excellent.  G.  Wythes.Jui 


OBITUARY. 

MR.    DAVID    DRUMMOND. 

AS  head  of  the  well-known  firm  of  William 
Drunimond  and  Sons,  seed  merchants 
and  nurserymen,  Mr.  Drummond  (who 
,  died  on  March  15,  aged  ninety-one  years) 
^  held  a  prominent  place  in  our  mercantile 
community,  and  was  highly  esteemed. 
It  is  now  more  than  si.'cty  years  since  Mr.  Drum- 
mond left  Scotland,  his  native  country,  and  settled 
down  in  Dublin,  where  his  business — conducted  on 
sound  principles  and  with  a  keen  appreciation  of 
the  wants  of  his  numerous  patrons — prospered  with 
the  passing  years  until  he  found  himself  prominent 
in  the  ranks  of  our  most  successful  city  merchants. 
His  worth  as  a  citizen  and  as  a  man  of  business  was 
recognised  at  different  times  by  his  appointment  to 
various  public  positions.  During  his  long  and 
active  life  he  was  a  director,  for  more  or  less 
lengthened  periods,  of  the  Midland  Great  Western 
Railway,  the  Royal  Bank  of  Ireland,  the  Alliance 
Gas  Company,  the  Merchants'  Warehousing  Com- 
pany, and  the  Dublin  General  Cemetery  Company. 
Much  as  he  will  be  missed  in  commercial  circles, 
his  death  will  leave  a  blank  in  connexion  with 
manj-  charitable  institutions  which  will  not  be 
easily  filled.  As  chairman  of  the  Hospital  for 
Incurables  he  took  a  deep  interest  in  its  manage- 
ment and  well-being,  and  his  purse  was  ever  open 
when  its  funds  were  low  to  meet  any  claims  made 
upon  its  finances.  His  philanthropic  spirit  lefused 
to  be  bound  by  distinctions  of  creed  ;  he  was  ever 
ready  to  aid  the  sorrow-stricken  and  afflicted,  and 
poverty  never  appealed  to  him  in  vain.  At  one 
period  of  his  life  he  interested  himself  in  the  public 
questions  of  the  time,  and  had  the  honour  of  being 
invited  to  contest  the  city  along  with  Sir  Arthur 
Guinness,  an  honour  which,  however,  he  declined. 
Although  he  held  the  Commission  of  the  Peace  for 
County  Dublin,  he  rarely  took  part  in  magisterial 
functions,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  and 
energies  on  the  one  hand  to  such  matters  of  busi- 
ness as  required  his  personal  attention,  and  on  the 
other  to  those  benevolent  works  with  which  his 
name  will  long  be  associated. — Iridi  Times. 


MRS.    SPENCER. 

We  regret  to  learn  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Spencer, 
wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Spencer,  head  gardener  to  H.  0. 
Moffat,  Esq.,  Goodrich  Court,  Herefordshire, 
which  took  place  on  the  24th  ult.  Mr.  Spencer 
has  been  gardener  at  Goodrich  Court  for  many 
years,  and  both  he  and  his  son,  who  is  foreman 
there,  were  formerly  pupils  with  Mr.  Colman  at 
Eastnor  Castle. 


MR.    NICHOLSON,   ALFORD,   N.B. 

By  the  death,  on  Wednesday,  the  23rd  ult.,  of  Mr. 
GeorgH  Nicholson,  head  master  of  the  school  of 
Alford,  N.B.,  that  district  has  lost  one  who  was 
not  only  an  ardent  amateur  gardener  himself,  but 
who  did  his  utmost  in  other  ways  to  promote  horti- 
culture among  those  with  whom  he  lived.  In  addi- 
tion to  other  work  for  the  promotion  of  gardening 
Mr.  Nicholson  was  for  a  number  of  years  the  secre- 
tary and  treasurer  of  the  Alford  Horticultural 
Society,  and  only  relinquished  these  offices  last 
year,  when  failing  health  prevented  his  discharging 
them  any  longer.  He  was  held  in  great  respect  in 
the  district. 


■♦^  «gfey- 


GARDEN 


*'^=:zr 


^yi 


No.  1690.— Vol.  LXV. 


[April  9,  1904. 


FRUIT    PROSPECTS. 


W 


'  ITH  the  bitter  recollections  of 
last  year  still  fresh  in  mind, 
it  is  only  natural  that  fruit 
growers,  and  particularly  those 
who  grow  fruit  for  a  living, 
should  be  more  than  usually  anxious  about 
the  prospects  this  season.  At  the  moment  of 
■writing  the  outlook  is  promising,  but  it  is 
never  safe  to  prophecy,  because  the  flowering 
time  is  not  over  yet,  and  we  know  from 
experience  that  a  spell  of  spring  frost  is  liable 
to  occur  at  any  time.  Never  were  fruit 
prospects  brighter  than  last  year  until  those 
fatal  nights  and  days  in  April,  and  after 
that  all  was  ruin. 

Apples  and  Pears. 
During  the  past  year  of  perpetual  rain  and 
little  sunshine  pessimistic  remarks  have  been 
frequently  made  about  the  unripened  state  of 
wood,  and  fears  have  been  expressed  that, 
according  to  accepted  theories,  a  fruitful  season 
could  hardly  be  expected  to  follow  so  sunless 
a  summer  and  autumn.  But  Nature  has  a 
way  of  her  own  of  upsetting  theories,  and  on 
Apples  and  Pears,  in  orchards  and  gardens, 
everywhere  the  wood  is  firm  and  healthy,  and 
the  abundance  of  fruit  buds  now  rapidly 
swelling  give  promise  of  abundant  blossoming. 
Last  year  the  April  frosts  were  so  severe  that 
they  ruined  Pears  that  were  set  and  Apples 
that  were  only  in  the  bud  ;  but  the  severity 
was  exceptional.  It  has  been  hard  all  along 
to  observe  any  redeeming  features  in  the  fruit 
famine  of  last  year,  but  they  exist,  never- 
theless, and  in  going  through  gardens  and 
plantations  of  late  we  have  observed  trees, 
hitherto  weakly,  that  have  made  strong  growth. 
In  fact,  they  have  had  a  rest,  and,  being  for  a 
season  under  no  strain  of  fruit  bearing,  they 
have  occupied  their  energies  in  making  wood. 
In  this  they  were  assisted  by  the  climatic 
conditions  of  last  year,  and  the  result  is  that 
hundreds  of  trees  now  look  as  though  they  had 
taken  a  new  lease  of  life.  In  the  same  way 
trees  already  strong  are  charged  with  still 
more  vigour,  and  in  these  cases  nothing  is 
more  desirable  than  heavy  crops,  if  only  for 
the  purpose  of  checking  excessive  exuberance. 

Stone  Fruits. 
What  a  blessing  it  would  be  to  have  another 
good  Datnson  year.  Some  seasons  ago  tons  of 
this  useful  fruit  rotted  on  the  ground  because 
it  did  not  pay  to  harvest,  but  crops  have  been 
poor  since  then.     like  other  early-flowgpng 

'  ':    P     \',^''\  '■'''''    '■'"'■■■■  ,i..;" /■■    '•■'       '.      ^r.  ■   "^"^  '  - 


fruits.  Damsons  run  risks  in  April,  but  at  this 
time  buds  are  plump  and  numerous,  and  it 
would  seem  that  only  a  favourable  spring  is 
needed  to  ensure  a  crop.  Though  Damsons 
are  widely  grown,  they  are  found  in  quantity 
in  particular  localities  that  seem  peculiarly 
adapted  to  them,  and  naturally  it  is  in  these 
districts  that  the  greatest  anxiety  is  felt  about 
the  prospects  for  the  season.  As  with  Damsons, 
so  with  Plums.  We  can  remember  seasons  of 
glut  and  seasons  of  famine,  and  last  year  the 
few  growers  who  were  able  to  pick  high-class 
dessert  varieties  or  common  cooking  sorts 
made  money  out  of  both.  Prospects  are  now 
fair,  and  growers  are  hopeful,  but  they  will  be 
glad  to  see  the  flowering  season  passed  safely 
over. 

Judging  from  the  rapidly  swelling  state  of 
the  buds  at  the  moment  of  writing,  the  Cherry 
orchards  of  Kent  will  soon  be  masses  of  bloom. 
No  fruit  crop  in  the  southern  county  is  more 
important  than  the  Cherry,  and  the  miles  and 
miles  of  orchards  practically  supply  the  country 
with  home-grown  Cherries.  Last  year  many 
orchards  that  were  expected  to  yield  tons  only 
gave  a  few  bushels,  and  some  nothing  at  all, 
so  the  loss  was  heavy,  and  growers  are 
naturally  looking  forward  to  a  better  state  of 
things  this  year.  Whatever  may  be  said  about 
ways  of  fruit  growing  generally.  Cherries  have 
done  well  in  Kent,  and  when  the  crop  fails  it 
is  not  the  fault  of  the  grower.  For  the  sake  of 
the  growers,  pickers,  dealers,  and  consumers  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Cherries  will  pass 
safely  through  the  trying  ordeal  of  the  next 
few  weeks. 

Bush  Fruits. 

One  cannot  hope  for  much  in  the  way  of 
Black  Currants,  for  no  matter  how  favourable 
the  season  may  be,  the  bud-mite  has  made 
great  headway  during  the  past  few  years,  and 
bushes  everywhere,  both  in  gardens  and  plan- 
tations are  covered  with  distorted  buds.  At 
the  present  time  the  bud-mite  is  master  of  the 
situation,  and  Black  Currant  growing  is 
rapidly  becoming  a  lost  industry,  which  is 
very  unfortunate,  considering  what  a  highly 
prized  and  profitable  fruit  this  has  become. 
The  past  wet  year  has  been  favourable  to  the 
spread  of  the  pest.  Of  varieties  of  Black 
Currant,  Baldwins  and  Champions  have  been 
the  mainstay  of  market  growers  for  years,  but 
these  are  now  giving  way  to  Boskoop  Giant 
and  a  few  others  that  are  not  so  subject  to 
disease. 

Gooseberries  and  Gurfants  farely  fSH,  but 
the  buds  of  both  these  frUits  and  Pluios  have 


suffered  terribly  from  bullfinches.  Several 
market  growers  have  spent  pounds  in  covering 
the  bushes  with  strands  of  thread  as  a  means', 
6i  protection,  and  soot  and  lime  have  been  used' 
wholesale.  Gooseberry  bushes  protect  them- 
selves against  frost  with  their  own  foliage,  and 
by  doing  so  last  year  this  was  one  of  the  few', 
crops  which  escaped,  and  in  most  districts  it 
was  profitable. 

The  flowering  season  of  fruit,  with  the  possi- 
bilities  of   spring   frosts,  never   comes  round' 
without  means  of  protection  being  discussed, ' 
and  much  is  done  in  gardens  in  this  direction 
by  covering  trees  and  bushes  when  in  flower ' 
with  some  light  material.    In  orchards  and 
market  plantations,  however,  no  such  means 
are  adopted,  and  the  growers  are  entirely  at , 
the  mercy  of  the  weather.    The  day  may  come 
when  some  practical  means  of  protecting  fruit  ' 
blossom    generally    against    the    dangers    of  [ 
spring  frosts  will  be  adopted,  but  that  day  is 
still  in  the  future.     We  read  accounts  some- 
times of  the  coalition   formed    between    the 
meteorological    authorities    and    the    Orange 
growers  in  Florida  and  elsewhere,  by  which 
the  former  give  warning  of  the  frosts  that  may 
be  expected  while  the  trees  are  in  bloom,  and 
the   latter   set   smudge  fires  going  under   the 
trees,  and  the  smoke,  rising  upwards,  keeps  the 
frost  away,  and  the   crop  is  saved.      To  the 
British    fruit    grower    all    this    may    sound 
very    far-fetched    and    impracticable,    but    a 
future  generation  may  see  the    necessity  of 
similar   methods,    and    perhaps    marvel    that 
they  were  never  tried  before. 


DESTROYING    FERNS. 

Two  Men  Sent  to  Prison. 
It  is  with  very  great  pleasure  we  read  in  the 
Daily  Mail  of  Saturday  last  that  "the  Axmin- 
ster  magistrates  have  sent  to  prison,  without 
the  option  of  a  fine,  two  men  who  had  robbed 
a  plantation  of  its  Ferns.  With  a  third  man 
they  had  been  found  with  a  cart  containing 
iaetween  700  and  800  plants;  the  plantation 
from  which  these  had  been  taken  was  left  in 
the  condition  of  a  dug-up  garden.  The  two 
men  sentenced  were  old  ofifenders ;  the  third 
had  the  option  of  paying  a  fine.  There  are 
parts  of  the  country,  an  old  resident  says, 
which  by  such  men  have  been  stripped  utterly 
bare  of  Ferns,  and  even  Lichens.  Pleasant 
roadsides  and  banks  have  been  turned  into 
dreary  wastes.  Some  wild  Ferns  have,  per- 
haps, totally  disappeared.  In  the  spring  the 
worst  damage  is  done,  for  then  there  is  a  large 
demand.  The  plants,  too,  are  small  and  very 
saleable.  Ferns  are  best  potted  in  the  autumn, 
but  there  is  less'.deipiand  then.    .^  spq^jis  the 


248 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


fresh  greenery  shows  itself  on  the  brown  soil  it 
is  ruthlessly  torn  away,  and  the  roadside  is 
robbed  of  at  least  a  year's  beauty.  Cartloads  of 
wild  Ferns  are  not  unusual.  The  people  who 
collect  them  go  round  the  laries  as  a  rule  with 
a  bag  and  a  spud,  and  dispose  of  their  finds  in 
a  neighbouring  large  town.  There  exists  asort 
of  informal  Fern  fair,  where  people  of  gipsy 
appearance  dispose  of  .small  quantities  at 
practically  any  price  they  will  fetch.  And 
perhaps  the  largest  market  is  through  the 
post.  What  might  be  called  the  serious  trade 
does  not  touch  wild  Ferns  to  any  gi-eat  extent. 
Hot-house  varieties  are  more  remunerative. 
With  Ferns  Primroses  suffer,  as  they  bloom  at 
the  same  season — ^just  when  people  take  the 
greatest  interest  in  their  gardens." 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FORTHCOMING   EVENTS. 

April  12.— Brighton  Horticultural  Show  (two 
days). 

April  13.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

April  19.— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Meeting 
(National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society's  Show). 

April  21. — Norwich  and  Birmingham  Daffodil 
Shows  (two  days). 

April  26. — Birmingham  Auricula  Show. 

April  27. — Chesterfield  Spring  Show. 

May  3.— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Meeting. 


Midland  Daffodil  Society's  show.— 

Alteration  of  date. — It  may  be  of  interest 
to  jour  readers  to  know  that  at  a  recent  com- 
mittee meeting  it  was  decided,  on  account  of 
the  lateness  of  the  season,  to  postpone  our  exhi- 
bition until  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  the  26th  and 
27lh  inst.,  that  is,  instead  of  Thursday  and  Friday, 
the  21st  and  22nd  inst. ;  and,  again,  it  will  not  in  any 
way  clash  with  the  other  shows  which  are  being  held 
on  the  21st  and  22nd  inst.,  viz.,  Wisbech,  Ipswich, 
Norwich,  and  Colchester.  The  Rev.  G.  H. 
Engleheart  will  exhibit  his  usual  lot  of  new 
seedlings,  which  are  generally  one  of  the  leading 
features  of  our  show. — Herbert  Smith,  Hon. 
Secretary. 

Royal    Caledonian    Hoptieultural 

Society. — This  society,  in  view  of  the  improved 
membership  during  the  past  two  years,  and  in 
view  of  the  international  show  to  be  held  in  1905, 
is  endeavouring  to  continue  the  increase  of  its 
membership,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  council  held 
in  Edinburgh  on  Wednesday,  the  30th  ult., 
thirty-eight  new  members  were  admitted.  The 
essays  sent  in  in  competition  for  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Martin  White's  prizes  for  essays  on  the  cutting 
and  preserving  of  flowers  in  water,  were  submitted 
with  the  judge's  recommendations,  and  on  opening 
the  sealed  envelopes  it  was  found  that  the  prizes 
were  to  be  awarded  in  the  following  order  ;  First, 
Mr.  R.  P.  Brotherston,  The  Gardens,  Tyninghame, 
Preatonkirk  ;  second,  Miss  Perkins,  care  of  Messrs. 
J.  and  A.  Selh,  florists,  Queensferry  Street, 
Edinburgh ;  third,  Mrs.  E.  J.  Castle,  Fairview, 
Fallsbroob  Road,  Streatham,  and  Miss  Mary 
Grant,  House  Hill,  Nairn,  equal.  Twenty-three 
plans  have  been  sent  in  for  adjudication  in  the 
plan  competition  open  to  under-gardeners.  The 
awards  will  be  announced  at  the  society's  show  on 
the  25th  prox. 

Southern       Counties      Carnation 

Society* — We  aimounced  some  time  ago  that 
the  Southern  Counties  Carnation  Society  had 
decided  to  hold  no  more  exhibitions,  Mr.  W. 
Garton,  jun.,  having  resigned  the  honorary 
secretaryship,  Since  the  meeting  the  council  of 
the  Southampton  Royal  Horticultural  Society  has 
been  approached.  The  members  of  the  Carnation 
Society  have  been  canvassed  by  circular,  and  a  very 
large  majority  have  consented  to  transfer  their 
subscriptions  to  the  llortictiltural  Society,  several 
doubling  the  anipunt  conditionally  upon  that 
society    oontiouih^-tiie-  Cartiatipn'  shows.      The 


representatives  of  the  committees  of  the  two 
societies  met  on  Tuesday,  the  29th  ult.,  and 
arranged  satisfactory  terms  for  the  amalgamation 
of  the  societies,  and  provisionally,  on  confirmation 
by  the  council  of  the  S.R.H.S.,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  revise  the  schedule  of  prizes,  to  which 
same  very  handsome  donations  have  been  pro- 
mised. It  was  also  resolved  to  hold  the  show  on 
the  ^pier  at_the  end  of  July,  the  date  being  left 
open  for  the  pressnt.  The  council  of  the  society 
met  on  the  fonbwing  Thursday  evening  and  unani- 
mously confirmed  the  arrangement  made  by  the 
committee  for  the  amalgamation.  The  special 
committee  will  include  Mr.  W.  Garton,  jun.,  and 
several  members  of  the  late  Carnation  society. 
Schedules  will  be  ready  in  about  a  fortnight's 
time,  and  may  be  obtained  of  Mr.  C.  S.  Fuidge, 
the  secretary,  London  Road,  Southampton. 

An    international    botanical    and 
horticultural  conference  will  be  held 

under  the  auspices  of  the  Societe  la  Rarabertia, 
which  formed  the  alpine  gardens  at  Rochers  de 
Naye,  where  M.  Correvon  is  director.  This  confer- 
ence will  be  held  on  August  16  and  17,  in  the 
gardens  above-mentioned,  under  the  presidency  of 
Prince  Poland  Bonaparte. 

Rules    for    judging"     Grapes     at 

Shrewsbury. — With  reference  to  the  note  in 
The  Garden  of  the  2iid  inst.  from  Mr.  J.  P. 
Leadbetter,  Tranby  Croft  Gardens,  Hull,  upon 
this  subject,  we  are  now  informed  that  the 
amended  rules  for  judging  Grapes  at  the  Shrews- 
bury show  which  have  been  adopted  are  these  : 
"Each  bunch  will  be  judged  on  its  merits,  and 
points  awarded  as  follow  :  A  maximum  of  11  points 
may  be  given  to  Muscat  of  Alexandria  ;  a  maximum 
of  10  points  may  be  given  to  all  other  Muscats, 
black  or  white,  and  also  to  black  Hamburgh;  a 
maximum  of  9  points  may  be  given  to  all  other 
varieties  of  Grapes.  The  bunches  to  be  staged  on 
boards  (singly  if  possible),  and  the  whole  arranged 
on  a  table  space  8  feet  by  4i  feet,  in  two  tiers 
2  feet  3  inches  width.  For  the  purpose  of  this 
competition  Bowood  Muscat,  Charlesworth  Tokay, 
and  Tyninghame  Muscat  cannot  be  shown  as  dis- 
tinct varieties  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Gros 
Maroc  and  Cooper's  Black  are  also  considered 
S)'non3'nious.  Superior  cultivation  and  finish  will 
be  considered  of  the  greatest  importance.  At  the 
request  of  intending  competitors  and  for  the  sake 
of  uniformity  in  point  judging,  the  above  arrange- 
ment has  been  come  to  after  careful  consideration 
and  opinions  given  by  experts,  and  will  be  the 
basis  of  this  and  future  competitions.  Each  col- 
lection must  be  decorated,  flowering  or  foliage 
plants  (in  pots  not  exceeding  5  inches  diameter). 
Also  cut  flowers  or  foliage,  in  glass  or  ware  or 
loose,  allowed  at  the  exhibitor's  discretion. 

Cinerarias  at  Farnham   Royal.— 

We  have  written  more  than  once  of  the  Cinerarias 
in  the  nursery  of  Messrs.  W.  J.  James  and  Son,  at 
Farnham  Royal,  near  Slough.  This  strain  is  world- 
famous.  It  has  been  brought  to  its  present  perfec- 
tion by  skilful  hybridisation  and  a  rigid  restriction 
to  pure  and  beautiful  colourings.  Harsh  and  strong 
magentas,  and  purple  mingled  with  magenta,  spoil 
many  of  the  varieties  of  the  past  and  present,  but 
Mr.  .James  eliminates  these  unpleasant  shades,  and 
the  result  is  groups  of  refined  colours,  here  a  mass 
of  cherry-red,  there  while  as  pure  as  a  snowdrift, 
and  in  another  place  a  full  blood-crimson,  the 
petals  as  deeply  dyed  as  those  of  a  Do  Sagan  Rose. 
All  this  brilliant  and  subtle  colouring  is  very 
pleasant,  and  years  of  patient  striving  have  been 
necessary  to  achieve  it.  The  plants  are  dwarf  in 
growth,  compact,  as  we  read  in  catalogues,  and 
thick,  with  broad,  healthy  foliage,  a  background  to 
the  luxuriant  flowers,  which,  taken  individually, 
have  a  strength  of  petal  and  shapeliness  that  compel 
admiration.  The  colours  include  crimson  with  a 
white  centre,  purple  edged,  blue  edged,  self  crimson, 
and  many  shades  of  blues.  The  blue  colours  are 
very  beautiful,  some  varieties  being  wholly  self, 
others  deepened  by  contrast  with  a  white  centre. 
One  large  house  is  filled  entirelj'  with  white  and 
creamy  white  flowers,  and  this  is  a  pleasant  picture 
in  April  days  when  the  indoor  garden  should  be 
full  of  colour  and  fragrance,  It  is  worth  a  long 
journey  to  am  one  ini^jresiexi  in  Cinerarias,  Icsee 


this  home  of  a  flower  we  regard  as  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  varied  in  colouring  at  this  or  any 
other  season  of  the  year.  In  another  house  the 
stellata  hybrids  are  approaching  their  flower 
beauty.  These,  as  many  of  our  readers  are  well 
aware,  are  marked  by  extreme  gracefulness  of 
growth;  the  flowers  are  like  stars  set  on  long, 
willowy  stems,  and  give  cloud-like  effect.i  in  the 
conservatory  in  spring.  Mr.  James  has  not  been 
slow  in  acquiring  a  beautiful  series  of  the  stellata 
hybrids,  which  are  the  glory  of  the  indoor  garden 
during  March  and  April  and  into  May.  The 
Cineraria  has  never  lost  its  hold  upon  the  afl'ectionB- 
of  a  flower-loving  public,  and  the  raoie  recent 
hybrids  have  increased  this  popularity. 

Screens  of  Ivy. — Considering  the  number 
of  decorative  plants  that  are  annually   spoilt"  by 
being  placed  in  empty  fireplaces  and  dark  corners 
of  rooms' during  the   summer,  I  am  surprised  that 
Ivj'  screens  are   not  used  more  for  the  above  pur- 
poses ;    indeed,  these  screens  are  extremely  useful' 
in  any  establishment    where   much   decoration   ia 
done.     Oblong  boxes  should  be  made  about  4  inches 
wide  inside  and  of  lengths  according   to  require- 
ments.    Screens  of   light    wooden   latticework   or 
wire  should  be  fixed  at  the  back,   and   over   this 
the  Ivy  climbs.     The  exposed  parts  of  the  boxes., 
may  be  covered  with  cork  or  Oak  bark  to  hide  the 
bareness  of  the  timber,  and  trailing  plants  may  be 
grown  as  well  as  Ivy  to  hang  over  the  front  of  the' 
box.     Small-leaved  Ivies  are  the  best  for  .screens,, i 
and  if  two  or  three  plants  are  placed  in  a  box  and  ^ 
the  growths  trained  on  the  latticework  the  latter' 
is  quickly  covered   with  foliage.     At  any  lime  of 
the  year  Ivy  screens  are  very  useful  for  standing  ' 
in  places  un'fuitable  for  more  tender  plants. — H. 

National    Association    of    Retail 

Nurserymen. — Following  a  banquet  of  local 
nurserymen  in  Rochester,  New  York  (the  19ih  ult. ), 
was  organised  a  National  Association  of  Retail 
Nurserymen.  It  is  intended  to  solicit  membership 
from  retail  nurserj'men  throughout  the  United 
States.  The  objects  of  the  association  are  to 
promote  cordial  business  relations  between  mem- 
bers and  to  obtain  mutual  benefits  through  united 
action  in  legislative,  shipping,  and  other  matters 
pertaining  to  the  nursery  business.  All  the 
Rochester  nursery  houses,  wholesale  and  retail,  . 
were  represented  at  the  meeting,  and  several  from 
Geneva,  Newark,  and  Waterloo. 

Sparrows  and  springy  flowers.— All 

who  love  gardens  and  their  associations  have  great 
objection  to  destroying  any  description  of  liird  life. 
But,  unfortunatelj',  the  kindness  shown  I  hem  is 
not  always  appreciated.  It  is  folly  to  as-ume, 
as  some  do,  that  in  destroj'ing  the  flowers  of 
Crocuses,  Polyanthuses,  Primroses,  and  some  other 
early  flowers,  even  those  of  the  Gooseberry  some- 
times, that  these  feathered  depredators  are 
animated  by  pure  love  of  mischief.  That  cannot 
be  so.  They  search  for  food.  But  it  is  all  the 
same  strange  to  note  how  differently  the  birds 
behave.  In  some  gardens,  even  near  towns,  not  a 
flower  is  touched,  but  in  others  everything  is 
destroyed.  That  may  be  because  in  the  former 
case  the  birds  have  not  tasted  of  the  sweets 
secreted  in  the  tubes  of  the  flowers.  But  the  harm 
done  to  the  flowers  and  the  destruction  of  floral 
beauty  in  the  spring  are  most  exasperating,  and 
demand  some  form  of  protection.  Netting  over 
the  flowers  is  out  of  the  question.  A  liberal  use 
of  black  cotton  fixed  just  over  the  flowers  is 
protective  to  a  moderate  degree,  but  even  that 
birds  in  time  become  accustomed  to.  Ultimately 
there  seems  to  be  no  other  course  open,  if  the 
flowers  are  to  be  saved,  than  to  destroy  the  depre- 
dators. That  is  a  course  which  few  care  to  take, 
hut  if  they  want  flowers  shooting  is  inevitable. 
Poison  the  sparrows  they  may  not,  but  shoot  them' 
they  may.  Much  also  may  be  done  to  reduce 
their  numbers  by  destroying  their  nests  and  con- 
tinuing to  do  so  as  fast  as  eggs  are  laid.  Many' 
may  be  netted  at  night  where  the  birds  roost  in  Ivy 
on  walls  or  in  thick  hedges  or  evergreen  shrubs. 
These  courses  may  seem  Objectionable,  but  they 
leave  no  other  alternative. — A.  D.  [We  have 
found  that  black  cotton  or  netting  is  sufficient 
protection.  Wholesale  destruction  of  bird  life  is 
to  be'deplpred.— Ed.],  ,         ,7  ■. 


Apkil  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


249 


A  school  of  hoptieultupe  In  Nova 

Scotia.. — Mr.  Sears,  director  of  this  school  of 
horticulture,  sends  a  report  of  its  progress.  This 
has  been  excellent.  In  looking  through  the  report 
we  notice  an  interesting  reference  to  the  importance 
in  Nova  Scotia  of  Apple  trees  from  England.  On 
page  6  it  is  mentioned:  "We  have  added  quite 
largely  to  our  plantings  in  the  experimental  orchard, 
as  will  be  seen  by  comparing  the  lists  of  the  dif- 
ferent fruits  given  below  with  similar  lists  in  my 
report  for  last  year.  Another  large  consignment 
of  trees  was  ordered  from  England  for  the  reasons 
given  last  year — namely,  that  English  varieties 
seem  more  likely  to  succeed  in  our  maritime  climate, 
and  if  successful  should  prove  more  valuable  for 
shipment  to  the  English  market,  since  they  would 
be  already  known  there."  There  is  a  commendable 
desire  to  restrict  the  number  of  varieties  by  growing 
large  collections  to  find  out  the  most  suitable. 
This  was  the  object  of  the  Apple  Conference  at 
Chiswick  in  the  time  of  the  late  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron, 
and  a  good  work  was  accomplished  in  drawing 
attention  to  the  evil  of  very  large  collections  of 
varieties,  many  of  which  differ  from  one  another  in 
name  only. 
LiBctupe      at     Edinburgh     Royal 

Botanic  Gardens.  —  On  the  evening  of 
Tuesday,  the  22nd  ult. ,  an  interesting  and  sug- 
gestive lecture  was  delivered  in  the  lecture  hall  of 
the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh,  by  Pro- 
fessor Bretland  Palmer,  Examiner  in  Botany  to 
Edinburgh  University.  His  subject  was  "The 
Biological  Significance  of  Malignant  Growths,"  one 
which  is  at  present  attracting  a  large  amount  of 
attention  from  the  light  thrown  upon  such  diseases 
by  the  researches  of  Professor  Farmer  and  Mr. 
J.  E.  S.  Moore,  with  whom  he  has  been  collabo- 
rating. The  lecture  was  a  lucid  exposition  of  their 
discoveries,  which,  as  is  known  to  readers  of 
modern  scientific  literature,  were  largely  founded 
upon  observations  made  with  plants  and  animals, 
and  show  the  resemblance  between  reproductive 
cells  and  those  which  take  the  form  of  malignant 
growths  in  the  higher  organisms.  One  lesson  in 
particular  pressed  home  by  Professor  Farmer  was 
that  it  was  necessary  for  those  who  had  to  deal 
with  disease  in  its  various  forms  to  have  a  proper 
training  in  organic  life,  as  shown  in  the  plants  and 
lower  animals.  Professor  Bay  ley -Balfour,  in  appre- 
ciative terms,  moved  a  vote  of  thanks,  which  was 
heartily  accorded. 

Fruit  prospects.  —  In  our  garden  most 
fruit  trees  are  thickly  set  with  blossom -buds,  espe- 
cially where  the  trees  are  somewhat  aged  and  have 
not  recently  made  much  growth.  Some  bush 
Apples  and  Pears  are  a  mass  of  blossom-buds. 
Pears  on  walls  are  very  full ;  Jargonelle  on  a  south 
wall  will  be  in  bloom  the  first  week  in  April. 
Plums,  both  on  walls  and  in  the  open,  give  promise 
of  a  fine  crop.  Although  Apricots  suffered  so  much 
from  frost,  they  are  blooming  abundantly.  Our 
trees  are  sheltered  by  a  glass  coping,  with  curtains 
hung  in  front  and  rolled  up  each  morning.  Shrubs 
promise  to  bloom  well  also,  this  no  doubt  arising 
from  their  having  had  plenty  of  water  when  making 
growth.  Most  cultivators  will  be  anxious  to  see 
what  the  fruit  crop  will  be.  Seeing  that  we  have 
had  two  cold,  wet,  sunless  summers,  if  a  crop 
depends  on  a  dry  autumn  to  ripen  the  wood  then 
the  outlook  is  a  poor  one.  It  may  be  that  we  over- 
estimate the  value  of  this. — J.  Cbook,  Forde  Abbey, 
Chard. 

Royal    Caledonian    Horticultural 

Society. — The  following  letter  from  Lord 
Balfour  of  Burleigh,  president  of  this  society,  has 
been  circulated  : 

"  Kennet,  Alloa,  March,  1904. 
"Sir, — As  president  of  the  Royal  Caledonian 
Horticultural  Society,  I  desire  to  make  an  appeal 
to  all  the  members  to  increase  their  efforts  on  its 
behalf.  In  view  of  the  arrangement  for  our  great 
international  show  in  the  autumn  of  next  year,  the 
present  time  seems  an  appropriate  one  to  call 
special  attention  to  the  condition  and  work  of  our 
society.  Since  I  accepted  the  office  of  president 
three  years  ago  the  committee  have  been  doing  all 
in  their  power  to  increase  the  membership  and  to 
improve  the  position  of  our  national  society,  and 
after  deducting  losses  by  death  and  by    a   few 


resignations,  the  increase  has  been  256  ;  137  in 
1902,  and  119  last  year.  In  1903  we  were  able 
to  increase  our  funds  by  £212,  without  in  any  way 
curtailing  either  the  scope  of  our  shows  or  reducing 
the  money  value  of  the  prizes  offered.  I  think  the 
committee  and  the  secretary,  whose  self-denying 
efforts  and  work  on  our  behalf  are  worthy  of 
special  notice,  have  done  their  part,  and  I  am  sure 
I  shall  not  appeal  in  vain  to  the  members  to  take 
their  turn  and  do  all  in  their  power  still  further 
to  extend  alike  the  membership  of  the  society  and 
its  usefulness  to  the  country  at  large.  Our  last 
international  show  was  held  in  1891.  Next  year 
we  are  preparing  for  a  larger  and  more  important 
gathering.  We  aim  at  offering  £1,500  in  prizes, 
nearly  £500  of  which  is  already  promised,  and 
the  King  has  given  a  silver  cup,  which  will  be 
offered  as  a  champion  prize  in  the  competitive  fruit 
classes.  A  committee,  representative  of  the  various 
horticultural  interests  throughout  the  country,  and 
with  representatives  from  the  Continent,  has  been 
formed  to  co-operate  with  the  council  in  carrying 
out  the  international  show,  and  the  scientific  side 
of  horticulture  will  be  provided  for  in  a  manner 
which  should  bring  together  exhibits  of  great 
variety  and  interest.  In  view  of  the  increasing 
prosperity  of  the  society  and  this  international 
show  we  ought  to  have  during  this  and  next  year 
a  very  considerable  increase  of  membership.  The 
preliminary  prize  list  setting  out  the  principal 
classes  and  competitions  accompanies  this  letter. 
It  will  give  a  good  idea  of  the  character  of  the 
show  we  have  in  view,  and  I  appeal  with  confi- 
dence to  the  enterprise  and  patriotism  of  my 
fellow  members  to  aid  our  efforts  and  to  secure 
success.  If  everyone  will  but  do  a  little  that 
success  is  certain,  and  the  result  will  be  a  lasting 
prosperity  to  the  society,  and  much  benefit  to  the 
horticultural  interests  of  Scotland. — I  am,  faith- 
fully yours,  Balfour  OF  Bdrleigh." 


THORNS    AND    PETALS. 

Whether  she  smiles  or  frowns  on  me 

My  love  a  Rose  will  ever  be. 

When  she  smiles,  "  The  hundred-petalled 

Flower  "  I  call  her  ;  so  that's  settled. 

When  she  storms  and  rages  madly, 

"  Hundred-thorned  one,"  breathe  I  sadly. 

Ever  my  love  a  Rose  will  be 

Whether  she  smiles  or  frowns  on  me. 

Sydney  Hesselkioge. 
-(From  the  German  of  Eiickert.) 


Opening-    of   Dundee    flower    and 

fruit  market. — The  opening  of  the  Craig 
Street  Market,  Dundee,  for  flowers,  vegetables, 
and  fruits,  took  place  on  the  25th  ult.  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  attendance.  The  opening 
ceremony  was  performed  by  Councillor  Perrie, 
chairman  of  the  markets  committee  of  the  Town 
Council,  who  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  movement  which  led  to  the  council 
converting  the  market  into  one  for  the  sale  of 
horticultural  produce.  As  Councillor  Perrie  ex- 
plained, it  was  due  to  a  letter  from  Messrs.  Storrie 
and  Storrie  that  the  subject  was  taken  up  and 
eventually  carried  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion. 
Councillor  Perrie  was  heartily  thanked  for  his 
address  on  the  call  of  Mr.  D.  Storrie,  who  said 
that  if  the  public  would  do  their  part  the  florists 
would  do  theirs,  so  as  to  make  the  market  one  not 
readily  matched  in  any  Scottish  town.  Business 
was  then  proceeded  with,  and  there  is  every 
appearance  that  the  market  will  be  taken  advantage 
of.  At  present  the  market  will  be  open  on  Fridays 
and  Saturdays,  but  in  the  fruit  season  it  will  be 
open  on  Tuesdays  also. 
Nelson     Street    Schools     Flower 

ShO'W. — The  third  show  of  spring  flowers  grown 
by  the  children  attending  Nelson  Street  Board 
Schools  was  held  on  the  30th  ult.,  when  there  was 
an  exceptionally  large  display  of  excellent  blooms. 
The  children  were  given  bulbs  in  the  autumn,  and 
had  to  grow  them  at  home.  The  flowers  were 
staged  in  the  schoolroom,  where  the  children  and 
a  number  of  their  parents  gathered  to  inspect 
them  and  to  take  part  in  the  distribution  of  prizes. 
Mr.  W.  Field,  vice-president  of  the  East  Anglian 
Horticultural    Society,    judged    the    flowers    and 


awarded  the  prizes.  Mr.  Field,  in  reporting  on  the 
competition,  said  he  had  been  agreeably  surprised 
at  the  excellent  results  obtained.  After  the  very 
dull  and  wet  weather  he  had  expected  a  very  poor 
show,  and  he  was  surprised  to  see  so  many  beautiful 
flowers.  He  thought  all  had  done  extremely  well. 
There  were  more  exhibits  by  twenty  than  on  any 
previous  occasion,  and  they  were  better  than  they 
bad  ever  been.  They  were  all  so  good  that  if  he 
could  afford  it  he  would  give  almost  every  child  a 
consolation  prize. 

Blue  Primroses.— I  have  noticed  this 
year  how  much  better  the  blue  Primroses  grow 
and  how  much  more  freely  they  flower  when 
grown  in  a  cold  greenhouse  than  when  grown 
in  the  open.  A  month  or  two  ago  I  lifted  a  clump 
that  was  growing  out  of  doors,  divided  it  into  three 
rather  small  plants,  and  put  them  in  a  round  seed 
pan.  They  are  now  a  mass  of  blue  flowers.  Upon 
counting  these  I  found  that  there  were  over  fifty 
on  the  three  plants  and  numerous  buds  besides. — 
Miss  A.  Smallpeice,  Cross  Lanes,  Guildford. 

Cyclamen  at  Hatfield.— Rarely  have  we 
seen  a  finer  display  made  by  Cyclauien  than  we  were 
recently  shown  in  the  gardens  at  Hatfield  House. 
The  plants  were  arranged  in  a  span-roofed  green- 
house, and  in  a  diS'erent  manner  to  that  usually 
adopted.  The  house  was  full  of  them  and  all  were 
on  the  same  level  ;  the  large  central  and  smaller 
side  stages  were  a  mass  of  colour,  for  the  plants 
were  finely  bloomed  and  the  colours  good  and 
distinct.  What  added  so  much  to  the  effect  of 
the  display  were  Grevilleas,  Dracaenas,  and  a  few 
other  plants  with  elegant  foliage,  which  were 
freely  interspersed.  One  often  sees  somewhat 
similar  small  displays  of  Cyclamen,  but  a  whole 
house  devoted  to  them  is  rarely  met  with.  Pro- 
bably in  many  gardens  it  is  not  thought  worth 
while  to  devote  a  house  to  Cyclamen  alone,  but  it 
seems  to  me  that  such  a  display  as  Mr.  Norman 
has  at  Hatfield  is  much  more  effective  than  a  small 
group  of  miscellaneous  plants.  A  bold  arrange- 
ment of  one  kind  of  plant  invariably  produces  a 
more  striking  display  than  a  mixed  group.  In  the 
outdoor  garden  this  plan  is  now  generally  recog- 
nised and  acted  upon,  and  I  think  if  the  practice 
were  to  be  extended  to  indoor  gardening  the 
appearance  of  conservatory  and  stove  interiors 
would  considerably  benefit. — A.  H.  P. 

Eucalyptus  globulus.— This  plant  or 
tree  is  suttieiently  rarely  met  with  out  of  doors  in 
the  Midland  and  South  Midland  counties  to  make 
it  worth  while  to  record  any  good  specimen. 
There  is  a  tree  of  this  Eucalyptus  in  the  gardens 
at  Hatfield  House,  Hertfordshire,  finer  than  I 
remember  to  have  seen  outdoors  north  of  the 
Thames.  Although  I  have  not  the  actual  measure- 
ments, the  tree,  which  is  growing  in  a  fairly 
exposed  position,  must  be  some  25  feet  high.  It 
has  been  out  of  doors  for  some  years  now,  and 
appears  to  be  none  the  worse  for  having  weathered 
several  winters.  The  pretty  blue-grey  foliage  of 
this  tree  and  the  whitish  bark  of  the  stem  make  it 
quite  distinct  from  any  other  tree  or  shrub,  and 
where  it  can  be  established  it  is  well  worth  culture. 
Mr.  Norman  has  given  it  no  special  treatment ; 
although  it  is  to  some  extent  protected  by  suri 
rounding  trees,  the  position  in  which  it  is  planted 
cannot  be  said  to  be  a  sheltered  one.  Ceanothus 
veitchianus  is  another  shrub  that  Mr.  Norman 
thinks  highly  of.  It  is  growing  against  a  high 
wall,  and  has  now  climbed  to  the  top.  C. 
veitchianus  has  been  described  as  one  of  the 
loveliest  species  of  the  genus,  the  flowers  being  of 
a  deep  blue,  produced  in  dense  clusters  at  the 
ends  of  leafy  branches.  When  in  flower  in  summer 
C.  veitchianus  is  a  grand  object  against  a  high 
wall.  At  Hatfield  the  wall  upon  which  it  is 
growing,  together  with  numerous  other  shrubs, 
makes  an  admirable  background  to  a  large  border 
devoted  to  herbaceous  plants  and  Roses.  C. 
veitchianus  also  does  well  when  grown  in  pots 
under  glass.  Two  points  to  bear  in  mind  in  this 
connexion  are  bushy  habit  and  encouragement  of 
flower-buds.  These  latter"  are  best  produced  by 
orowing  the  plants  in  full  sun.  During  the  summer 
the  plants  may  be  plunged  in  pots  out  of  doors,  or 
they  may  be  planted  out  and  potted  in  early  autumn 
if  wanted  to  flower  in  the  spring. — A.  H.  P. 


250 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 

G-ALA.NTHUS    FOSTER! 

WITH  reference  to  my  notes  on 
GalanthusFosteri,  which  appeared 
in  The  Garden  a  short  time  ago, 
I  have  to  thank  Sir  Michael 
Foster  for  his  courtesy  in  sending 
me  some  blooms  of  this  Snowdrop 
from  his  own  garden.  These  flowers  were  from 
descendants  of  the  originals,  and  they  were  vastly 
superior  to  the  blooms  from  plants  now  being 
imported  and  established  plants  iu  most  gardens. 
These  flowers  quite  justified  the  encomiums  pro- 
nounced upon  this  Snowdrop  b}'  Mr.  Max  Leichtlin, 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  regret,  as  I  pointed  out  in  my 
former  notes,  that  so  many  inferior  forms  have 
come  into  cultivation,  and  that  the  process  of 
selection  has  not  been  carried  out  as  it  should 
have  been.  S.  Armott. 


CROCUS  RETICULATUS  ALBICANS. 

This  rare  and  beautiful  little  Crocus  is  at  present 
in  flower,  and  even  amid  the  wealth  of  Crocus 
beauty  at  this  season  it  is  well  worthy  of  a  note. 
It  is  very  smiU,  and  almost  pure  white  outside 
and  inside.  Although  unlike  it  in  outward 
appearance,  it  has  long  been  recognised  as  a  form 
of  Crocus  reticulatus,  for  it  was  described  by  Dean 
Herbert  iu  the  Botanical  Register  in  1841,  Misc.  83, 
and  also  in  the  same  publication  in  1847,  when  it 
was  figured.  Yet  it  remains  exceedingly  rare,  and 
is  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  procurable  from  the 
ordinary  trade  sources.  It  appears  to  be  very 
slow  of  increase,  for  I  see  from  ray  plant  record 
book  that  it  came  to  me  iu  March,  19f50.  At  that 
time,  through  the  kindness  of  another  Crocus  lover, 
I  received  one  corm,  and  now  four  years  after  there 
is  still  only  one  plant.  It  will  probably  multiplj' 
faster  on  some  soils. 

Carsethorn,  by  Dummies,  N.B.         S.  Arnott. 


SAXIFRAGA    LILAC  INA. 

The  illustration  represents  the  pretty  new  species 
of  Saxifrage  (S.  lilacina)  which  is  now  in  flower  in 
the  Alpine  House  at  Kew.  It  is  described  by  Mr. 
Irving  on  page  218  of  The  Gakden  of  the  26th  ult. 

IRIS    TINGITANA. 

In  most  gardens  this  beautiful  Iris  has  proved 
very  difficult  to  flower.  Here  we  have  grown  it 
for  several  years  with  indifferent  success.  I  grew 
it  in  rather  poor  sandy  soil  (this  with  the  idea  of 
getting  the  bulbs  well  ripened),  in  which  it  did 


well  and  increased  rapidly,  but  only  produced  a 
few  stray  flowers.  After  the  foliage  died  down 
the  bulbs  were  lifted  and  stored  until  replanted 
daring  September  and  October.  Last  season  they 
were  planted  in  a  bed  of  rich  loam  and  well-rotted 
manure,  in  which  they  made  splendid  growth. 
Now  this  season  we  are  rewarded  by  nearly  every 
bulb  showing  flower.  Of  course,  this  is  only  the 
result  of  one  season  ;  but  everything  seems  to  point 
to  the  fact  that  they  require  to  be  very  well 
grown  and  have  a  long  period  of  rest.  Thej"  are 
growing  at  the  bottom  of  a  south  wall. 

Killerton  Gardens,  Exeter.  J.  Coutts. 


IRIS    HAYNEL 

A  NEW  and  very  beautiful  species  from  Palestine. 
It  is  closely  allied  to  I.  atro-fusca  and  I.  sofarana, 
both  of  which  are  from  Palestine,  and  in  the  matter 
of  cultivation  it  is  likely  to  prove  more  easily 
managed  than  most  of  the  Oncocyclus  group,  the 
root-stocks  being  exceptionally  large.  It  produces 
tufts  of  glaucous  green  sub-falcate  leaves  18  inches 
high,  stems  1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  bearing  a  magni- 
ficent flower  each,  the  predominating  colours  being 
purple-grey  suffused  with  royal  purple.  The 
standards  are  2^  inches  wide  and  3J  inches  long, 
purple-grey  and  dotted  deeper  purple  ;  the  falls 
are  nearly  equal  in  size,  coloured  deep  brown, 
and  furnished  with  a  large  black  patch,  whilst  the 
styles  are  suffused  ruddy  bronze  and  purple.  The 
whole  flower  is  "shot"  with  a  lustrous,  satiny 
sheen,  which  intensifies  and  diminishes  according  to 
the  degree  of  light.  Collected  plants  are  flowering 
freely  under  protection,  and  colonies  in  the  open 
are  exceptionally  strong,  rivalling  I.  sofarana 
magnifica  and  I.  lupiuarobusta  in  growth.  Whether 
this  beautiful  species  will  stay  with  us  longer  than 
its  fellows  have  done  is  a  matter  of  doubt,  but  a  few 
hot  dry  seasons  will  do  more  towards  helping  the 
cultivation  of  Oncocyclus  Irises  than  all  the  lime 
in  the  universe.  G.  B.  Mallett. 


rally  six  to  ten  on  each  stem,  and  their  long 
pedicels  give  the  inflorescences  a  drooping  habit 
that  adds  greatly  to  their  charm.  Moreover, 
the  stems  average  1  foot  in  height  and  are 
unusuall3-  vigorous,  in  some  cases  carrying  flowers 
in  two  whorls.  As  a  garden  plant  this  variety  is 
a  great  advance  on  the  type,  and  one  hopes  that 
other  forms  now  in  process  of  development  may 
lead  the  way  to  a  wealth  of  variety,  as  in  P. 
Sieboldi  and  P.  Auricula.  In  P.  raegascefolia  there 
is  a  tendency  to  defer  flowering  till  a  more  suitable 
season.  Old-established  plants  that  flowered  in 
December  two  seasons  ago  have,  as  they  gained 
strength,  bloomed  in  January,  and  in  cases  where 
the  first  lot  of  spikes  were  cut  down  a  second  batch 
are  now  pushing  up  (March  25)  and  beginning  to 
expand.  There  is  no  doubt  that  P.  megascefolia 
will  become  a  popular  and  useful  garden  plant. 
Heat  it  dislikes.  G.  B.  Mallett. 


PRIMULA 


VAR. 


MEGAS^FOLIA 
SUPERBA. 
Since  P.  megas^folia   (Boissier)   was    introduced 
from   Pontus,  Asia  Minor,  a  few  years  ago,  much 
doubt   has    been   expressed  as   to   its    value   as  a 
garden  plant,  and   the  number  of  weedy  forms  or 
ill-cultivated  specimens    that  one    sees  in  various 
places  suggests  that  the  plant  is  more  variable  than 
one  considered  possible,  or  that  its  cultivation  is 
imperfectly  understood.     Doubtless   the  haste   to 
propagate  a  new  plant  is  responsible  for  the  poor 
forms  one  sees  to-day,  and  the  introduction  to  heat 
in  order  to  induce  growth  is  now  regarded  as  a 
great  mistake.     Nothing  ruins  this  plant  so  quickly 
as      greenhouse      treat- 
ment.   All  the  Primulas 
are   rich   in   variations, 
and   this   species   is   no 
exception  to  the  rest,  in 
that    two    forms,    both 
differing  from  the  type 
in    excellent     floral 
characters,    have     been 
selected     among      seed- 
lings,   and    for    one    of 
these    the    above   name 
has    been    chosen.      In 
colouring   it   is  a  great 
improvement.    The  blue 
which  formed  the  basis 
of  the  purple  of  the  type 
has  been  eliminated  and 
a    clear    deep     reddish 
mauve     is     left.       The 
colouring  of  the  eye  has 
resolved    itself   into   an 
orange  star,  very  clearly 
defined    and    rich,    and 
the  white  surroundings 
are  in  the  form  of  a  per- 
fectly    regular     margin 
without       ramifications 
into  the  general  colour- 
ing.     The    flowers    are 

THE    NEW    SAXirRAOA   LILACINA  IN    THE    HARDY    PLANT    HOUSE    AT    KEW.  IJ    inoheS    acrOSS,     gene- 


I    THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 

ROSE  ARCHES  AND  THEIR 

MANAGEMENT. 

With  Special  Reference  to  Light  Soils. 

ONE  of  the  most  popular  forms  of  Rose 
V  culture  at  the  present  day  is  the 
I  above,  and,  although  the  subject 
i  has  often  been  ventilated  in  The 
Garden,  I  am  induced  to  bring  it 
forward  again  by  reason  of  the 
many  unsatisfactory  results  which  are  con- 
stantly met  with.  Climbing  Roses  are,  in  my 
opinion,  the  most  difficult  of  the  whole  race  to 
keep  in  thorough  health,  and  unless  considerable 
skill  is  employed  in  their  management  they  are 
best  left  entirely  alone.  The  causes  which  usually 
lead  to  failure  are  numerous,  but  they  may  be 
summarised  under  two  main  headings — poverty  of 
soil  and  inconsiderate  pruning  and  training. 

Poverty  of  Soil. 

Undoubtedly  this  is  the  greatest  cause  of  failure. 
Those  rosarians  who  have  an  ideal  Rose  soil,  and  a 
good  depth  of  it  into  the  bargain,  are  to  be  envied, 
but  my  experience  is  that  numbers  of  them  are  in 
a  like  position  to  myself,  and  have  to  make  the 
best  of  a  shallow  and  poverty-stricken  soil.  All 
my  Rose  growing  has  had  to  be  done  on  a  soil 
which  is  wholly  unsuited  for  the  purpose — being 
dry,  sandy,  and  gravelly — so  that  I  can  at  least 
lay  claim  to  a  knowledge  of  how  it  should  be 
prepared  for  planting.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that 
they  are  surface  rooters,  Roses  of  all  kinds  require 
a  good  depth  of  soil,  and  in  the  case  of  climbers 
which  may  have  to  stand  for  ten  or  twenty  years 
in  the  same  position,  we  not  only  have  to  make 
provision  for  their  immediate  wants,  but  maintain 
them  in  health  and  vigour  in  after  years.  Success 
or  failure,  therefore,  absolutely  depend  upon  care- 
ful preparation  of  the  root-run,  as  no  amount  of 
pruning  or  subsequent  attention  will  compen- 
sate for  any  neglect  in  this  direction  at  the 
commencement. 

How  TO  Improve  It. 

Bearing  this  in  mind,  we  must  start  by  getting 
out  a  good  hole  for  each  plant — not  less  than  3  feet 
wide  by  3  feet  deep— and  if  the  whole  of  the 
natural  soil  is  poor  it  will  have  to  be  replaced  by 
good  loam  and  manure.  This  may  be  regarded  as 
rather  an  undertaking,  but  my  contention  is  that 
it  pa3'S  to  expend  almost  as  much  care  in  preparing 
stations  for  climbing  Roses  as  in  the  making  of  a 
Vine  border.  It  is  true  that  these  Roses  do  not 
have  the  strain  imposed  upon  them  of  producing 
large  exhibition  flowers,  but  against  this  we  must 
set  the  fact  that  their  energies  are  expended  on 
making  a  large  amount  of  strong  growth  each  year 
in  addition  to  their  masses  of  blossom.  Generally 
speaking,  if  we  fail  to  get  some  good,  strong, 
healthy  shoots  from  the  base  of  each  plant,  the 
arches  soon  become  bare,  patchy,  and  tiowerless  ; 
although,  of  course,  however  carefully  the  ground 
is  prepared,  some  varieties  cannot  be  induced  to  do 
so.  With  Roses  of  the  multiflora  and  wichuraiana 
sections,  such,  for  instance,  as  Aglaia  and  Dorothy 


April  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


251 


CORRECT  PLANTING 
IN  THE  FLOWER 
GARDEN.— II. 


H 


HARDY   CYCLAMENS   IN    MARCH,    SHOWING  THE  PLACE  THE  PLANTS  ARE   MOST  HAPPY   IN. 


Perkins,  it  is  impossible  to  maintain  them  in 
health  unless  fresh  basal  shoot  growth  is  made 
each  year,  and  it  is  also  well  to  remember  that  in 
dealing  with  the  preparation  of  stations  for  such 
rampant  varieties  their  roots  are  bound  to  extend 
in  proportion  to  their  top  growth,  and  should  on 
no  account,  therefore,  be  cramped  for  room.  In 
advising,  then,  that  the  minimum  hole  to  be  got 
out  for  each  plant  should  be  3  feet  by  3  feet,  I  do 
not  think  I  have  overstepped  the  mark,  and, 
indeed,  in  my  own  garden  I  have  long  ago  proved 
that  any  less  space  only  results  in  suppressing 
gro  '.vth. 

1  hose  of  us  who  have  to  deal  with  a  poor, 
shallow,  light  soil  know  how  extremely  important 
it  is  to  secure  a 

Good  Depth 

of  moisture-holding  soil  for  our  plants,  andi 
although  during  the  past  two  seasons  the  import- 
ance of  this  has  not  been  so  apparent,  yet  many  of 
us  will  not  have  forgotten  how  very  stunted  was 
the  growth  of  climbing  Roses  on  dry  soils  during 
the  very  hot  summers  of  a  few  years  ago.  Books 
on  Rose  culture  af-^  extremely  numerous,  and  most 
of  them  have  ciiiS  fault,  i.e.,  they  take  it  for 
granted  the  reader  is  in  a  district  where  the 
indigenous  soil  is  a  loam  or  clay.  Thus  it  follows 
that  strict  injunctions  are  given  as  to  the  necessity 
of  providing  good  drainage.  Well,  in  dealing  with 
a  porous  soil  we  have  to  proceed  in  a  diametrically 
opposite  direction,  and  instead  of  encouraging  the 
rapid  descent  of  water,  we  have  to  do  all  we  can 
to  avoid  it.  It  will  be  asked,  How  is  this  best 
accomplished  ?  And  in  reply  I  cannot  do  better 
than  outline  the  plan  which  I  have  followed  for 
some  considerable  time.  Supposing  that  we  have 
marked  out  the  positions  for  our  plants,  the  first 
thing  to  do  is  to  remove  the  best  of  the  top  soil 
and  put  it  on  one  side.  Then  the  entire  sub-soil  to 
the  depth  already  mentioned  should  be  taken  away. 
Bearing  in  mind  that  our  main  object  is 

Preservation  or  Moisture, 

we  must  commence  by  placing  a  layer  of  stiff  loam 
or  clay,  9  inches  to  1  foot  in  depth,  all  over  the 
bottom  of  the  hole.  (Of  course,  before  going  any 
further  I  might  as  well  say  that  Rose  growing  on  a 
thin  and  poor  sandy  soil,  such  as  is  found  in  this 
and  many  other  localities,  is  rather  a  hopeless 
operation  unless  clay  or  loam  of  some  kind  can  be 
procured.  Where  such  is  the  case  money  is  far 
better  spent  in  this  than  in  purchasing  manure, 
and  though  I  very  frequently  come  across  people 
who  grudge  laying  out  money  in  soil,  yet  after 
doing  BO  they  have  never  regretted  it.)  The 
remainder  of  the  hole  should  be  filled  up  with  a 


mixture  of  good  top  spit  loam  from  a  pasture  and 
the  best  of  the  natural  soil  which  was  put  aside. 
If  some  well-rotted  cow  manure  and  some  bone- 
meal  are  incorporated  with  this  natural  soil 
previous  to  mixing  it  with  the  loam,  an  almost 
ideal  Rose  soil  will  be  the  result,  and  some  time 
will  elapse  before  it  is  found  necessary  to  apply 
any  other  than  liquid  manure  to  the  plants.  By 
such  thorough  preparation  of  the  ground  and 
affording  the  plants  a  liberal  root-run  to  begin 
with,  success  is  assured,  because  not  only  does  this 
cause  them  to  grow  away  and  cover  the  arch 
almost  in  a  season,  but  it  also  saves  a  great  amount 
of  trouble  in  their  after  management. 
Kidderminster.  A.  R.  Goodwin. 

(To  he  continued.) 


ROSE    SHOVT    FIXTURES    FOR 
1904. 

June  15  (Wednesday). — York.f 

,,     27  (Monday).— Isle  of  Wight  (Ryde). 

,,     29  (Wednesday). — Chippenham  andFarning- 
ham. 

,,  30  (Thursday). — Canterbury  and  Colchester. 
July     2  (Saturday). — Sutton  (Surrey). 

6  (Wednesday).— Temple  Gardens  (N.R.S.), 
Croydon,  Ealing,  Ipswich,  and  South- 
ampton.* 

,,        7  (Thursday). — Chipping  Norton,  Norwich, 
and  Walton-on-Thames. 

,,        8  (Friday). — Brookham. 

,,        9  (Saturday). — Warminster  and  Windsor. 

,,      12  (Tuesday). — Wolverhampton. t 

,,      13  (Wednesday). — Formby,  Reading,  Thorn- 
ton Heath,  and  Stevenage,  ■ 

,,      14  (Thursday). — Bath,  Eltham,  Helensburgh, 
and  Woodbridge. 

,,      15  (Friday). — Gresford  and  Ulverston. 

,,      19  (Tuesday).— Saltaire  and  Tibshelf. 

,,      21  (Thursday).— Halifax. 

,,     27  (Wednesday). — Cardiff*  and  Newcastle- 
on-Tyne.t 
Aug.   13  (Saturday).— Sheffield. 
Sept.  20  (Tuesday). —Royal    Horticultural    Hall, 
Westminster  (N.R.S.). 

*  Shows  lasting  two  days.        t  Lasting  three  days. 

The  above  are  the  only  dates  of  Rose  shows,  or 
of  other  horticultural  exhibitions  where  Roses  form 
a  leading  feature,  definitely  fixed,  that  have  yet 
reached  me.  I  shall  be  glad  to  receive  notice  of 
any  other  Rose  show  fixtures  for  publication  in  the 
next  list,  which  will  appear  early  in  May. 

Edward  Mawley. 

Rosehank,  Berkhamnted,  Herts. 


AEDY    CYCLAMENS.— 
These  are  fortunately  easy 
to  grow,  and  flourish  alike 
in    border   and    turf,   my 
object  in  mentioning  them 
being  chiefly  to  point  out 
that  they  simply  revel  in  shady  places 
in  leaf -mould  to  which  a  liberal  pro- 
portion of  old  lime  rubbish  has  been 
added.    This  "  tip  "  I  obtained  from 
a  good  friend  and    gardening   neigh- 
bour, Mr.  Charles  E.  Fletcher.     When 
planting  them  in  turf  under  trees  it 
is  desirable  to  incorporate  something 
of  a  calcareous  nature  with  the  soil ; 
the     healthy    foliage     and     brilliant 
flowers  resulting    from    this    process 
are     well    worth     the    slight    extra 
trouble.     Can  anything  be  more  beau- 
tiful or  more  truly  welcome  than  a 
successful    group    of    the    Coum,    or 
Atkinsi,  species  in  late   winter  and 
early  spring,   when  the  garden   is  a 
dreary    expanse    of     brown     earth, 
withered    stems,    and    sombre    ever- 
greens,  and  the  morning  tour  of    inspection 
becomes  a  melancholy  and  depressing  duty  ? 
How  carefully  one  leaves  the  Cyclamen  corner 
as  a  bonne  houche  to  the  last,  and  how  sud- 
denly sweet  are  the  whifl's  of  the  after-breakfast 
pipe  at  that  much-loved  spot !     I  have  just 
been  to  have  another  look  at  it,  and  shall  soon 
go  again,  for  it  is  a  joy,  not  for  ever,  but  for 
many  weeks  at  this  time  of  year. 

My  hardy  Cyclamens  are  nearly  all  in  one 
small  area  under  the  light  shade  of  evergreen 
trees,  growing  on  low  mounds  of  nearly  pure 
leaf-mould  and  old  mortar,  and  there  is  always 
one  species,  sometimes  more,  in  bloom,  while 
the  delicately-marbled  leaves  are  alone,  to  my 
mind,  worth  any  amount  of  careful  cultivation. 
The  nomenclature  of  the  whole  group  is 
decidedly  puzzling,  so  I  will  not  attempt  to 
give  my  own  ideas  on  the  subject,  and  thereby 
"  make  confusion  worse  confounded,"  but  I 
will  say  that  all  the  species  are  without  excep- 
tion delightful,  and  well  repay  the  slight  amount 
of  trouble  necessary  for  their  successful  growth. 
Some  of  the  corms  apparently  root  from  the 
under  side  only,  others  from  the  top  as  well, 
so  that  some  discrimination  would  seem  neces- 
sary in  adjusting  them  at  their  proper  depth 
in  the  soil.  But  I  have  invariably  put  all  mine 
in  about  2  inches  below  the  surface,  and  they 
have  done  fairly  well.  In  the  light  leaf-mould 
mixture  in  which  I  grow  them  it  is  more  than 
likely  that  each  corm  soon  settles  itself  at  its 
own  particular  level. 

I  may  add  that  when  the  north-east  winds 
are  more  than  usually  vindictive  I  put  in  a 
few  bushy  Yew  or  Fir  boughs  to  form  what 
we  term  in  Kent  a  "  lew  "  or  "  loo,"  and  in  the 
autumn  I  give  the  whole  group  a  light  covering 
of  the  "mixture  as  before";  but  the  genus  is, 
thank  goodness,  truly  hardy,  perhaps  with  the 
exception  of  the  greenhouse  species  Persicum, 
and  that  I  hope  all  Cyclamen  lovers  will  even- 
tually proceed  to  try  out  of  doors  in  the  British 
Islands.  It  has  proved  a  success  already, 
though  I  cannot  call  to  mind  where,  and  I  am 
certainly  going  to  experiment  with  it.  Fancy 
a  group  of  those  glorious  crimson  and  snowy- 
white  indoor  Cyclamens  in  a  shady  border  ! 
It  is  worth  the  trial,  at  any  rate,  though  in 
the  favoured  climate  of  the  south  of  Europe 
the  foliage  is  apparently  apt  to  flop  about  and 
become  rather  untidy. 


252 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


Calochortus. 

My  experience  of  these  beautiful  flowers  is 
limited  to  the  Venustus,  or  Mariposa  Lily, 
group,  and  as  I  have  already  sent  a  photograph 
and  a  brief  description  of  my  bed  to  The 
Garden,  I  fear  I  am  only  once  more  repeating 
myself.  Still,  I  trust  a  few  remarks  may  be  of 
use.  The  Venustus  section  is  probably  the 
easiest  to  grow  and  certainly  one  of  the  most 
lovely.  My  bulbs  were  planted  many  years 
ago  in  a  slightly  raised  border,  sloping  to  the 
south-west,  composed  of  loam,  peat,  leaf -mould, 
and  .sand,  and  they  have  never  yet  failed  to 
bloom  satisfactorily. 

Even  now,  after  the  adversely  sunless  and 
wet  weather  of  1903,  and  in  spite  of  the  fact 
that  they  were  never  covered  in  any  vpay 
during  the  wet  autumn  and  winter,  the  bed 
resembles  a  promising  hayfield,  and  I  look 
forward  confidently  to  another  good  blaze  of 
colour  this  summer. 

A  good  light  soil,  a  warm  corner,  and  a 
decided  slope  to  south  or  south-west  are  pro- 
bably essential ;  careful  weeding  and  the 
addition  of  some  light  top-dressing,  such  as  peat 
and  fine  ashes,  in  November  are  also  necessary. 

In  heavy  soils  it  would  doubtless  be  desir- 
able to  ensure  perfect  drainage  by  cutting  a 
moderately  deep  trench  round  the  bed,  which 
could  be  neatly  filled  up  for  the  sake  of 
appearance  with  large  and  small  stones  lightly 
covered  with  ashes  or  leaf-mould.  The  bulbs 
should  be  planted  in  August,  certainly  not  later 
than  September,  .3  inches  deep.  Seedlings 
come  up  all  over  my  bed,  but  I  leave  them  to 
themselves,  and  find  that  they  work  their  way 
down  to  their  proper  level  without  any  assist- 
ance—at least,  I  presume  they  do  so  from  the 
way  in  which  they  grow  and  flower. 

OORISIA  COCCINEA. 

The  instructions  given  in  the  best  gardening 
books  for  growing  this  plant  differ  consider- 
ably as  to  the  proper  aspect,  soil,  drainage,  &c., 
to  be  selected,  consequently  a  few  notes  on  a 
flourishing  specimen  from  its  first  start  maj^ 
be  useful. 

Some  years  ago  I  put  a  small  root  into  a 
shallow  bed  of  gritty  peat  resting  on  a  very 
stifi' loamy  subsoil  in  the  lowest  part  of  a  small 
rockery.  It  was  well  tucked  in  against  the 
edging  of  Kentish  "  rag  "  stones  (limestone) 
and  soon  began  to  grow  away,  till  last  summer 
it  covered  a  space  about  -2,  feet  square  and  sent 
up  twenty-eight  flower-spikes.  Just  now,  of 
course,  it  looks  a  bit  unkempt  and  sorry  for 
itself,  like  many  other  plants  in  our  gardens, 
but  new  growths  are  pushing  outwards,  and 
there  is  abundant  promise  of  healthy  foliage, 
and,  I  hope,  flowers  later  on.  No  protection 
or  fresh  soil  has  ever  been  given,  but  the 
stones  are  occasionally  eased  a  bit  outwards 
to  give  it  more  room. 

I  give  these  notes  for  what  they  are  worth. 
Perfect  drainage  is  certainly  not  there,  for  the 
heavy  clayey  loam  is  barely  a  foot  below  the 
surface,  and  is  always  moist  and  cool.  The 
aspect  is  south-east  and  the  position  fairly 
sheltered  from  cutting  winds,  though  exposed 
to  the  full  power  of  the  sun  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  day.  In  dry  summer  weather  a 
good  watering  is  frequently  given,  the  soil 
never  being  allowed  to  get  dust  dry. 

Primula  rosea. 

In  the  peat  bed  above  mentioned  and 
adjacent  to  the  Ourisia  is  a  group  of  this  most 
delightful  Himalayan  Primrose,  or,  rather,  the 
form  of  it  known  as  grandiflora. 

We  are  told  that  it  is  a  most  easy  plant  to 
grow,  and  has  become  quite  acclimatised,  pre- 
ferring deep  rich  loam  in  a  moist,  shady  part 
of  the  rock  garden.     I  have   heard  wonders 


concerning  its  performances  in  an  Essex  garden, 
where  it  flourishes  luxuriantly  and  seeds  itself 
freely  ;  it  certainly  does  well  in  a  peaty  bog  in 
the  Kew  rockery,  and  my  friend  Mr.  Herbert 
Green  has  a  strong  clump  among  stones  at  the 
edge  of  his  rockery  pond  at  Tovil  which  blooms 
magnificently  from  year  to  year.  I  do  not 
remember  to  have  seen  it  growing  well  else- 
where, and  until  I  took  to  planting  it  in  wet 
gritty  peat  in  full  sunshine  I  failed  miserably 
with  it  myself.  It  is  worth  any  amount  of 
trouble,  however,  instructive  failures  making 
one  more  and  more  determined  to  grow  it.  All 
I  can  vouch  for  is  that  it  loves  moisture  and 
does  not  object  to  sunshine ;  also  that  those 
unspeakable  slugs  are  uncommonly  fond  of  it. 

An  unsightly  palisading  of  wire  gauze  and 
a  surface  of  sharp  ashes  or  cocoanut  fibre  are  at 
all  times  indispensable  for  its  protection  in  my 
garden.  And  even  when  the  poor  plants  have 
survived  to  perfect  their  sweetly  pretty  flowers 
some  evil  beast,  doubtless  the  long-tailed  red 
mouse,  will  often  wantonly  bite  through  the 
stems  and  leave  the  blooms  to  wither  untouched 
on  the  ground.  For  such  an  act  of  vandalism 
no  mouse-trap  can  be  sufficient  punishment. 
Christmas  Eoses. 

Though  not  difficult  to  grow,  the  various 
forms  of  Helleborus  niger  are  not  always  to  be 
found  in  a  flourishing  condition  in  gardens  or 
planted  in  the  most  suitable  soil  and  situation, 
and  I  therefore  venture  to  say  a  few  words  on 
these  matters. 

The  flnest  specimens  I  ever  saw  years  ago 
were  growing  in  huge  glazed  earthenware 
drain-pipes  set  up  on  end  at  the  cottage  of  a 
man  in  charge  of  some  extensive  waterworks, 
and  I  often  wondered  subsequently  why  they 
did  so  well  in  such  a  peculiar  situation.  Now 
that  I  have  tried,  and  failed  at  first,  to  grow 
them  myself,  I  know  the  reason,  and  it  is 
expressed  in  one  single  word,  "  drainage." 
Two  other  words  will  complete  the  magic 
spell  and  ensure  success,  and  they  are  "  soil  " 
and  "shade"— the  soil  to  be  good,  rich,  and 
not  too  heavy,  and  the  shade  what  is  termed 
partial,  not  necessarily  dense. 

Of  course,  I  am  but  giving  a  very  simple 
prescription,  and  one  which  doubtless  has  often 
been  tried  and  found  successful.  In  my  own 
case  the  result  of  moving  all  my  plants — some 
half-dozen  varieties— to  the  north-west  side  of 
an  Ivy-covered  fence  into  quite  3  feet  of 
good  light  mixed  soil  resting  on  a  thick  layer 
of  brick  rubbish,  is  that  I  never  had  such 
foliage  or  such  an  amount  of  bloom  before, 
and  I  notice  a  steady  improvement  each  suc- 
ceeding winter. 

Yalding.  S.  G.  K. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE    ALLIUMS. 

(Gontimied  from    "page    335.) 
k  LLIUM  NAECISSIFLORUM.  —  One 
J\         of  the  most  beautiful  of  the'pre- 
/  %        sent    family,  and    also    known  in 
/ — *       gardens    under    the    name    of    A. 
i         \     pedemontanum.     Some  authorities 
consider  that  the  two  names  repre- 
sent  distinct  species,  one  form,  with    slightly 
two-edged  scapes,  being  found   in    the  Pied- 
mont,   and     the    other,    stated    to    have    a 
rounded  scape,   coming  from  Northern  Italy. 
All  that  1  have  seen  in  cultivation  have  scapes 
with  edges.     Belonging  to  the  large  group  of 
species  in  which  the  annual  bulbs  arise  from 
a  creeping  perennial   root,  it  prefers  a  loamy, 
calcareous   soil,   as   it   is  generally   found    on 
limestone  mountains.     The    leaves    are    flat, 
glaucous,  and  somewhat  fleshy,  and  the  rich 


rose-purple  flowers  are  bell-shaped,  and  borne 
ill  pendulous  bunches  on  stems  about  a  foot 
high.  To  see  this  plant  to  the  best  advantage, 
it  should  be  planted  rather  high  up  in  the  rock 
garden,  so  that  one  can  look  up  into  the 
flowers  and  catch  the  full  beauty  of  the  rich 
colouring.  Introduced  in  1817.  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  6182. 

A.  neapolitanum. — A  handsome  and  fragrant 
species,  native  of  the  South  of  Europe,  and 
introduced  into  this  country  in  1823.  It  is 
rather  tender  and  requires  a  warm  position  in 
light  soil,  where  it  will  increase  freely  by 
means  of  oft'sets.  The  leaves  are  produced  two 
to  three  to  a  bulb,  are  channelled  on  the  upper 
side  and  keeled  beneath,  with  a  glossy  green 
surface.  The  scapes  are'  three-sided,  longer 
than  the  leaves,  and  bear  a  many- flowered 
umbel  of  slightly-nodding  white  flowers.  These 
have  a  distinct  nerve  down  the  centre  of  each 
segment,  and  are  borne  on  long,  loosely- 
spreading  pedicels.  Flowering  in  the  open  in 
early  summer,  this  pretty  species  is  also  grown 
in  pots  for  furnishing  the  greenhouse. 

A.  nigrum. — A  very  old  inhabitant  of  our 
gardens,  this  has  been  cultivated  since  the 
days  of  Gerard.  With  little  or  no  scent,  the 
leaves  are  6  inches  to  12  inches  long  by  1  inch 
to  2  inches  broad.  The  scapes  are  stout,  1  foot 
to  3  feet  high,  with  large  umbels  of  flowers. 
These  are  white,  with  a  purple  or  green  tinge 
on  the  outside  of  the  perianth.  It  is  a  native 
of  the  Mediterranean  region,  and  known  as  A. 
magicum,  under  which  name  it  is  figured  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  1148. 

A.  nceanum. — A  species  from  Asia  Minor, 
with  thin  leaves  12  inches  long  and  1  inch 
broad.  The  scapes  are  shorter  than  the  leaves, 
and  bear  a  many-flowered  umbel  of  rose- 
coloured,  rarely  white  flowers  on  long  pedicels. 
Introduced  in  1896. 

A.  odorum. — (Jommon  in  most  parts  of 
Siberia,  the  flowers  of  this  plant  are  sweet- 
scented,  although  the  other  parts,  when 
bruised,  have  the  characteristic  unpleasant 
smell.  Introduced  in  1787,  the  flowers  are 
greenish  white  with  a  reddish  keel.  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  1142. 

A.  oleraceum. — A  native  of  this  country,  the 
Field  Garlic  is  generally  found  in  dry,  grassy 
places  and  on  the  borders  of  fields.  The 
umbels  are  few-flowered,  with  numerous 
bulbils.  The  flowers  are  pale  olive  streaked 
with  red. 

A.  oreophihim.  —  This  comes  from  the 
Caucasus,  and  is  closely  allied  to  A.  ostrowski- 
anum,  but  dwarfer,  with  darker  -  coloured 
flowers.     Introduced  in  1873. 

A.  orientah. — One  of  the  prettiest  Alliums, 
and  nearly  allied  to  A.  nigrum,  but  dwarfer, 
with  a  compact  umbel  of  large,  fragrant,  white 
flowers  keeled  with  green.  The  ovary  being 
black  and  the  filaments  of  the  stamens  having 
a  stain  of  bright  claret-purple  at  their  base, 
the  flowers  appear  to  have  a  distinct  eye.  The 
leaves  are  broadly  linear,  6  inches  to  9  inches 
long,  three  to  four  to  a  bulb.  A  native  of  Asia 
Minor  and  Syria,  it  is  figured  as  A.  Erdelii  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  6426. 

A.  ostroivskianum. — This  fine  species  was 
discovered  in  Western  Turkestan  by  Mr. 
Fetisow,  and  introduced  into  this  country  in 
1883.  Dwarf,  with  generally  two  leaves  over 
a  foot  long  produced  to  each  bulb,  the  scapes 
are  slender,  rather  more  than  half  as  long  as 
the  leaves,  and  bear  umbels  3A  inches  in 
diameter.  The  flowers  are  cup-shaped  and 
bright  rose-red  in  colour.  A  most  desirable 
species,  and  well  worth  a  place  in  a  limited 
collection.     Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7756. 

W.  Irving. 
(To  be  continued.) 


Apeil  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


253 


THE   FLOWER   GARDEN. 


HARDY     AND     ANNUAL     FLOAVERS 
FOR    DRY    GROUND. 

IT  seems  rather  out  of  place  to  speak  of  dry 
ground  after  the  wet  we  had  last  year,  but 
we  do  not  as  yet  know  what  the  coniinc; 
summer  may  be  like,  so  perhaps  a  word  on 
the  few  herbaceous  plants  I  have  found  do 
well  with  rae  may  not  be  amiss,  though 
perhaps  a  little  late.  My  borders  are  on  a  hillside 
facing  south-east,  with  a  light  and  very  porous 
sandy  soil,  which  is,  however,  3  feet  or  more  deep, 
and  resting  on  red  sand  and  gravel.  It  is,  in  fact, 
a  regular  sieve,  through  which  the  water  runs  as 
fast  as  it  falls.  There  is  no  facility  for  watering, 
except  for  a  few  special  things,  and  even  these 
have  sometimes  to  go  without,  as  I 
cannot  always  spare  the  time  to  attend 
to  them.  At  one  time  I  was  under 
the  impression  that  deep-rooting  plants 
would  be  the  best  to  use,  but  many 
surface-rooting  subjects  also  do  well. 
Certain  Roses  are  fairly  good,  mostlj- 
of  the  older  and  sturdier  ."lorts,  such 
as  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Boule  de  Niege, 
Baroness  Rothschild,  La  France,  Sena- 
teur  Vaisse,  and  John  Hopper.  This 
year  I  am  trying  Conrad  F.  Meyer, 
Caroline  Testout,  Grace  Darling,  Duke 
of  Connaught,  Gloire  Lyonnaise,  and 
Crimson  Rambler.  In  planting  these 
I  have  put  a  good  layer  of  well- rotted 
manure  well  below  them,  and  a  little 
on  the  top  clear  of  the  roots.  There  is 
no  fear  of  them  getting  down  into 
poor  soil,  as  there  is  a  good  depth  of 
mould,  such  as  it  is. 

Alyssum  saxatile,  Iberis  semper- 
virens,  and  Arabis  alpina  all  thrive 
well,  forming  large  clumps  S  feet  to 
6  feet  in  diameter.  After  they  have 
gone  out  of  flower  each  year  I  trim 
them  all  over  with  a  pair  of  shears, 
which  seems  to  make  them  grow 
stronger  than  ever.  I  have  two 
Phloxes,  Mont  Blanc  and  Boule  de 
Feu,  which,  with  Coreopsis  grandiflora, 
Pyrethrums,  and  Antirrhinums,  I 
replant  annually,  or  at  the  most  bien- 
nially. I  find  the  Coreopsis  and 
Antirrhinums  do  best  when  treated 
as  biennials,  as  they  do  not  last  more 
than  two  years  in  this  light  soil  to  be 
satisfactory.  By  replanting  the  Phloxes 
rather  deeply  in  the  autumn  I  find  they 
stand  the  drought  better.  Delphiniums 
I  am  trying  this  year  for  the  first 
time,  chiefly  because  I  have  been  told 
they  will  not  do.  I  suppose  I  shall 
find  out  my  mistake.  Lychnis  coro- 
naria  looks  very  shabby  in  hot  weather, 
but  quickly  recovers  after  a  rain.  This 
is  best  as  a  biennial.  L.  Viscaria  flore- 
pleno  grows  well,  but  the  colour  clashes 
so  with  nearly  everything  else  that  I 
have  discarded  it.  Erigerou  speeiosum 
only  grows  about  I  foot  high  with  me, 
but  flowers  freely  and  looks  healthy, 
so  that  it  is  quite  a  valuable  plant 
for  dry  soils.  Spirtea  filipendula  and  its  double 
form  are  veritable  weeds,  growing  very  freely, 
and,  if  they  are  moved,  leaving  a  whole  colony 
of  young  plants  behind  them.  Wallflowers  are 
a  failure,  as  they  club  worse  than  Cabbages.  I 
have  tried  them  in  various  ways,  but  the  only 
place  where  they  will  live  is  at  the  foot  of  a  Yew 
hedge,  probably  the  hottest  and  driest  part  of  the 
garden.  Carnations  and  Dianthus  get  burnt  up  in  a 
week  of  hot  weather,  except  forms  of  D.  plumarius, 
which  grow  rapidly,  and  seem  to  enjoy  bright 
sunshine.  Solidago  multibracteata  and  Chrysan- 
themum uliginosum  both  do  well,  but  the  former  is 
very  fleeting  in  hot  weather.  This  is  a  pity,  as  it 
is  very  beautiful  when  at  its  best.  The  best 
annual  I  find  is  Lupinus  Cruikshankii,  which  grows 
nearly  5  feet  high  in  a  season,  and  bears  its  blue 


and  white  flowers  from  .June  till  cut  off  by  frost. 
The  colour,  too,  blends  with  practically  everything 
else  that  is  in  flower  at  the  same  time.  I  find  a 
few  seeds  of  this  invaluable  for  filling  up  gaps 
where  something  hag  died  and  it  is  getting  too  late 
to  plant  afresh.  The  only  other  annuals  I  use  are 
Mignonette,  Tropajolum  Tom  Thumb,  and  Nemo- 
phila  insignis.  Seed  of  the  latter  is  sown  in 
autumn. 

Bagshot,  Surrej/.  J.  Clark. 


THE    ANNUAL    THUNBERGIAS. 

Though  the  Thunbergias  come  under  the  heading 
of  tender  annuals,  they  are  capable  of  being  used 
with  effect  in  the  outdoor  garden  in  summer. 
Thunbergia  is  a  large  genus  comprising  both 
annuals  and  perennials,  but  those  to  be  dealt 
with   are    the   varieties  of   T.    alata,  the  winged 


April  in  warmth,  and  when  the  seedlings  are  large 
enough  to  handle  be  placed  singly  in  pots  or  two 
or  three  in  baskets,  as  used  in  this  way  they  are 
very  effective.  They  should  be  grown  liberally  and 
vigorously  in  a  compost  made  up  of  good  loam  two 
parts,  well-decomposed  manure  and  leaf-soil  one 
part,  with  some  sand.  The  plants  should  be  grown 
on  vigorously  in  bottom-heat  when  young,  and  then 
be  gradually  hardened  off  for  the  summer  outdoor 
service  required  of  them.  In  all  stages  generous 
culture  is  requisite  ;  to  starve  the  plants  is  to  court 
failure. 

When  in  a  country  district  on  the  confines  of 
Middlesex  last  summer  I  noticed  in  a  well-kept 
garden  of  a  country  inn  several  pots  of  different 
varieties  of  Thunbergias  on  wire  plant  stages,  and 
was  gratified  to  find  how  well  they  were  doing,  but 
it  was  because  the  host  made  special  favourites  of 
them  and  gave  them  the  best  attention,  not  forget- 
ting to  give  them  occasional  doses  of 
weak  liquid  manure,  which  had  the 
effect  of  maintaining  a  bold  and 
healthy  foliage  and  keeping  in  check 
red  spider ;  this  is  apt  to  affect 
the  plants  when  grown  in  the  dry 
atmosphere  of  a  greenhouse,  and  espe- 
cially so  when  not  looked  after  in  the 
matter  of  watering, 

A  most  effective  method  of  growing 
the  Thunbergia  in  the  open  border  is 
to  place  three  plants  in  a  slightly 
raised  mound  of  rich  soil,  and  put 
around  them  a  few  sprays  of  Hazel, 
forming  a  fence  IS  inches  in  height. 
As  soon  as  the  plants  are  well  estab- 
lished they  grow  freely,  they  fill  up 
the  centre,  and,  the  shoots  trailing 
over  the  sides,  form  mounds  of 
foliage,  followed  by  flowers  that 
appear  at  all  points  under  bright  sun- 
shine. Under  such  circumstances  red 
spider  troubles  them  but  very  little, 
and  there  is  a  succession  of  bloom  until 
the  cold,  damp  weather  causes  the 
decay  of  the  plants.  There  is  need  for 
a  revival  of  interest  in  the  Thun- 
bergia. R,  Dean. 


JAPANESE    WAYS    OF 
GARDENING. 


1 


STONE  STEPS   IN   A  JAPANESE  GARDEN. 

Thunbergia,  a  native  of  South  Africa.  They  form 
a  group  of  annual  twiners,  blooming  freely  and 
continuously  in  summer.  The  type  T.  alata  has 
buff-coloured,  roundish  blossoms,  with  a  dark  disc 
in  the  centre ;  its  variety  alba  is  white,  but  also 
with  the  dark  disc  ;  aurantiaca  is  wholly  orange  ; 
Bakeri,  pure  white  ;  Fryeri,  pure  buff;  and  Dodsii 
is  pale  orange,  sometimes  bordered  with  white,  and 
deep  violet  centre.  All  seed  freely  when  they  are 
doing  well. 

Time  was  when  Thunbergias  could  be  found  in 
almost  every  greenhouse,  the  plants  trained  in 
some  form  or  used  as  an  edging  to  other  plants, 
the  shoots  hanging  down  and  producing  abundant 
blossoms.  They  have  come  to  be  used  more  in  the 
open  garden  than  formerly,  either  as  plants  in  pots 
or  planted  out.     Seeds  may  be  sown  in  March  and 


N  observing  the  Japanese 
methods  ol  gardening  we  are 
almost  led  to  say  that  to  the 
beauty-lover  all  things  are 
beautiful,  since  all  can  be 
made  to  serve  the  ends  of 
beauty ;  either  by  contrast  to 
brighten  an  undertone,  or  by  miti- 
gation to  soften  some  too  positive 
perfection  ;  to  smooth  rival  splen- 
dours by  fair  degrees  to  helpful 
ha,rmonies  ;  or,  finally,  to  lead  the 
mind  to  the  solemn  loveliness  of 
life,  and  death,  and  life  that 
springs  from  death.  It  seems 
strange  that  this  happy  -  hearted 
people,  whose  gay  philosophy  has 
never  coined  a  word  for  despair, 
should  so  rejoice  in  recalling  the  sovereignty 
of  death.  A  withered  tree,  a  blasted  rock, 
a  tangle  of  dry  leaf  and  cobweb,  or  sundered 
branch  is  fair  to  them,  not  only  because  of 
what  we  should  call  its  artistic  value,  but 
because  of  a  tender  symbolism,  which, 
though  rarely  spoken  of,  is  ever  present  to 
their  minds.  It  may  be  that  this  gentle  fami- 
liarity with  Nature's  unbending  laws  has  taught 
them  to  look  upon  the  end  of  life  as  a  passing 
and  a  change,  as  a  healthy  plunge  back  into 
"  God's  great  course  of  things,"  rather  than  as 
a  terrible  temporary  sundering  of  the  dying 
body  from  the  living  spirit  to  which  it  must 
be   united    in   the   eternal   agony   or   bliss   of 


254 


THE     GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


emphasised     individuality    which     we     have 
trained  our  Western  souls  to  face. 

To  the  flower-lover  of  our  own  country  the 
sight  of  dead  leaves  or  withered  branches  is 
usually  a  hurt,  an  offence  ;  all  suggestion  of 
death  must  be  as  carefully  eliminated  from  the 
garden  as  from  the  verses  on  a  birthday  card, 
or  the  talk  at  a  smart  dinner-table.  We  remove 
our  plants  at  the  first  sign  of  decay,  and  replace 
them  by  budding  flowers  which  shall  speak  of 
life  for  a  week  or  two,  and  then  bs  pushed  out 
to  make  room  for  still  fresher  beauties  ;  it  is 
always  life,  vigour,  colour  that  we  cry  for — life, 
and  the  consummation    of  the  eye's  desire  or 


emptiness  in  the  winter  garden  ;  for,  while 
content  to  stand  as  background  for  the 
summer's  play,  when  the  sun  sets  early  in  his 
southing  they  dominate  the  clouds  of  grey 
twigs,  and  spaces  of  brown  earth  with  a  resolute 
tone  of  verdure,  never  brilliant  (except  in  the 
case  of  the  rare  and  beautiful  camphor  tree), 
but  deep  and  warm  to  look  upon,  and  pleasant 
in  an  unchanging  encouragement  to  hope  for 
better  things.  There  is  in  .Japan  a  garden  city, 
imperial  Tokyo.  From  its  stately  heart,  where 
the  moated  Palace  stands  ringed  by  miles  of 
splendid  pleasure  grounds,  so  forested  with 
rare  and  venerable  trees  that  hardly  a  gable 


occupations,  their  handicrafts,  even  their  cares, 
to  go  and  gaze  on  the  fleeting  loveliness  ;  and 
in  the  groves  and  gardens  where  they  gather, 
every  leaf  and  stone  and  lakelet  has  its  part 
to  play  in  the  perfect  whole.  Is  the  prevailing 
variety  a  delicate  leaf,  flushed  like  a  Rose, 
fine  pointed  as  a  star  t  Then  be  sure  that 
behind  it  a  sombre  Pine  or  deep  -  leaved 
Camellia  will  be  set  to  throw  out  the  Maple's 
incomparable  tints,  making  it  look  like  a  sunset 
cloud  against  the  darkness  of  a  thunderous 
sky.  And  where  the  Maples  are  to  shed  their 
leaves  there  must  be  water,  smooth  and  deep 
perhaps,  so  that  the  leaves  may  float  in  fairy 


m^ 


^aiKjfl 


MANGAN.TI  GARDEN'  AT  NIKKO,  JAPAN. 


ever  the  heart  has  learned  the  tender  discipline 
of  hope — life,  and  the  instant  renewal  of  the 
hour  to  rob  us  of  the  chastening  sweetness  of 
regret.  This  passion  for  expressing  from  each 
moment  its  fullest  value  is  a  part  of  our 
national  temperament  and  a  factor  in  our 
success  ;  but  we  might  do  well  to  borrow  some 
measure  of  the  Oriental's  calm  in  our  converse 
with  Nature,  and  sometimes  subordinate  our 
activity  to  her  slow  and  faultless  march. 

This  need  not  bring  desolation  in  its  train, 
and  the  .Japanese,  like  wise  gardeners  of  every 
clime  provide  some  cheer  for  the  wintry 
hours  when  all  the  flowers  are  underground, 
and  the  sap  that  makes  the  blossom  is  at  ebb 
in  the  fruit  tree's  root.  The  bold  use  of  their 
many  hardy  evergreens  tempers  the  sense  of 


lifts  its  gilded  carvings  into  sight,  out  and 
away  to  the  humble  brown  villages  that 
straggle  in  from  the  plain,  like  dust  fringing 
some  royal  robe,  there  is  scarcely  a  house  that 
has  not  its  garden,  great  or  small.  Among 
them  it  would  be  hard  to  find  one  which  has 
not  some  individual  aspect,  one  which  has 
not  been  differentiated  from  its  neighbours  by 
a  thought,  a  subtle  touch,  a  throwback  to 
Nature's  inexhaustible  variety,  or  a  reaching 
out  to  the  symbolism  which  transforms  Nature 
into  Religion.  In  the  autumn  season  innumer- 
able gardens  there  are  flaming  with  the  life 
and  death  ;  fires  of  the  Maple  expiring  in 
glory  like  some  triumphant  saint.  No  day 
passes  during  autumn  in  which  thousands  of 
people  of  every  class  do  not  lay  aside  their 


fleets  of  gold  and  crimson  for  a  day  or  two 
longer  in  the  magic  autumn  prime  ;  or  a 
j  curtain  of  spray  leaping  down  from  a  rock  in 
a  dancing  net  of  gold  and  pearl— a  net  whose 
meshes  catch  the  pretty  spoils  and  whirl  them 
away  in  a  mystic  maze. 

At  Oji,  the  famous  Maple  garden  near 
Tokyo,  the  trees  have  grown  so  great  and 
strong  that  one  wonders  idly  how  these  stately 
Elders  can  care  to  prank  themselves  in  such 
dazzling  guise  ;  yet  even  in  these  old  gardens, 
where  tree  follows  tree,  and  the  roots  are  as 
big  as  the  trunks,  there  is  no  overcrowding — 
nothing  that  hurries  you  with  the  sense  of 
beauties  lost  or  missed. 

It  is  impossible  to  imagine  any  sight  more 
lovely  than  that  of  Maple  groves  reflected  in 


April  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


2.55 


calm  water  ;  and  where  these  can  only  be  seen 
from  the  water  itself  a  bridge  will  tempt  you 
out  into  mid-stream,  where  you  can  hang  over 
a  delicate  parapet,  and  watch  the  level  flood 
as  it  quivers  under  the  picture  of  the  steep- 
sided  glen,  its  sunset  tints  all  ruffled  by  some 
sudden  breeze,  and  perhaps  the  sunset  sky 
lending  an  unearthly  radiance  to  the  scene.  It 
is  a  wonderful  experience  to  take  a  little  boat 
and  pull  in  and  out  where  the  trees  hang  low 
over  the  water,  and  a  floating  star  of  crimson 
settles  on  your  oar  as  if  dropped  by  a  friendly 
hand.  Nature  seems  very  near  in  such 
moments,  but  the  garden  artist  is  the  usher 
who  has  brought  us  into  her  presence. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

LOROPETALUM    CHINENSE. 

WERE  it  only  for  its  value  as  a 
winter-flowering  plant  for  a 
greenhouse  or  conservatory 
this  Chinese  shrub  is  well 
worth  cultivating.  When 
grown  in  6- inch  or  8-inch  pots, 
as  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons  have  recently 
exhibited  it,  a  group  of 
this  Loropetalum 
makes  an  admirable  dis- 
play. The  plant  is  of 
uncommon  appearance, 
for  at  some  little  dis- 
tance it  seems  to  be 
veiled  with  clusters  of 
ribbons,  the  white, 
thong-shaped  petals  are 
very  distinct  ;  under 
cool  treatment  the 
plants  flower  well.  It 
is  less  eflective  as  a 
shrub  in  the  open  than 
when  grown  under 
glass.  Loropetalum 
chinense  is  not  of 
recent  introduction  ;  in 
1894  it  was  given  a 
first  class  certificate  by 
the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  it  was 
introduced  to  cultiva- 
tion fourteen  years 
previously.  Our 
illustration  is  from  a 
drawing  in  Messrs. 
Veitch's  Nursery. 


country  it  will  stand  all  but  the  most  severe 
frosts,  especially  if  on  the  approach  of  a  epell  of 
severe  weather  some  dry  leaves  or  a  little  hay  are 
shaken  among  the  branches  and  round  the  collar. 
Although  under  favourable  conditions  it  will  grow 
to  a  height  of  20  feet,  it  seldom  reaches  anything 
like  that  height  here  ;  a  few  specimens  12  feet  to 
15  feet  high  have,  however,  been  recorded.  When 
out  of  flower,  the  many-branched  stems,  covered 
with  tiny  deep  green  leaves,  have  a  pretty  plume- 
like character,  and  are  distinctly  ornamental.  The 
flowering  time  is  from  the  end  of  March  until  May, 
and  during  that  period  the  plants  are  a  mass  of 
white,  the  blossoms  being  borne  in  such  profusion 
as  almost  to  hide  the  leaves.  Between  this  and 
the  allied  Portuguese  species,  E.  lusitanica,  a 
hybrid  has  appeared  ;  it  was  sent  out  a  few  years 
ago  by  Messrs.  Veitch  of  Exeter,  and  is  very 
pretty.  Of  E.  arborea  there  is  a  dwarf  form, 
which  is  known  as  E.  a.  alpina.  It  is  not,  however, 
very  common.  W.  D. 


THE  JUNE  BERRY. 
(Amelanohier  canadensis.  ) 
This  is  certainly  one  of  the  finest  of  early  blooming 
trees,  and  is  not  nearly  so  well  known  as  it  deserves 
to  be.  Loudon  concisely  sums  up  the  merits  of  the 
June  Berry  as  follows  :  "  A  very  ornamental  tree, 
from  its  profusion  of  blossoms  early  in  April  and 
from  its  rich  autumnal  foliage  ;  and  even  the  fruit 
is  not  altogether  to  be  despised,  either  eaten  by 
itself  or  in  tarts,  pies,  and  puddings.  The  wood  is 
white,  and  it  exhibits  no  difference   between  the 


ERTCA  ARBOREA. 
The  early -flowering 
Ericas  should  be  grown 
in  every  garden  where 
peat-loving  shrubs  thrive, 
for  they  flower  over  a 
considerable  period,  and 
are  not  injured  by  slight 
spring  frosts.  About 
London  E.  arborea  is  the 
third  to  bloom,  coming 
after  E.  mediterranea 
var.  hybrida  and  E. 
carnea.  It  is  a  native 
of  the  Mediterranean 
region  and  the  Caucasus, 
and  has  been  long  in 
cultivation,  the  date  of 
its  introduction  being 
given  as  1658.  Owing 
to  the  fact  of  its  being 
somewhat  tender  when 
young  it  is  not  met  with 
so  often  as  many  other 
species,  but  in  the 
warmer    parts     of      the 


heart  and  the  sap  It  is  longitudinally  traversed 
by  small  bright  red  vessels,  which  intersect  each 
other  and  run  together — a  physiological  peculiarity 
which,  Miehaux  observes,  occurs  also  in  the  red 
Birch."  In  a  wild  state  it  occurs  from  Hudson's 
Bay,  south  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Nebraska  and 
the  Indian  territory.  The  wood  is  exceedingly  hard, 
heavy,  and  strong.  As  might  be  expected  from  a 
tree  spread  over  so  wide  a  geographical  area,  the 
June  Berry  varies  considerably  in  size  and  habit. 
Under  favourable  conditions  it  attains  a  height  of 
40  feet.  The  effect  of  a  fine  specimen  in  spring 
with  its  mantle  of  snowy  white  blossoms,  and  in 
autumn  with  the  rich  golden  yellow  of  the  decaying 
leaves,  can  easily  be  imagined.  The  fruits,  which 
are  of  a  purple  colour,  are  collected  in  immense 
quantities  on  the  Upper  Peace  River,  and  form 
quite  an  article  cf  food  and  trade.  The  June 
Berry  is  perfectly  hardy  in  this  country.  It  is 
easily  propagated  either  from  seeds  or  by  grafting 
on  the  Apple  stock.  At  its  northern  limits  the 
ground  is  frozen  for  the  greater  part  of  the  year. 
Besides  the  name  of  June  Berry,  Amelanohier 
canadensis  is  also  known  in  the  United  States  and 
Canada  as  Shad  Bush,  Service  Tree,  Indian  Pear, 
and  Sugar  Plum,  in  addition  to  its  Indian  appellation 
Suskatum.  It  is  of  easy  cultivation  in  England, 
and  is  a  handsome  adornment  to  any  garden, 
either  planted  in  the  shrubbery  or  as  a  lawn 
specimen.  An  established  tree  flowers  most  pro- 
fusely. 


256 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


THE     FRUIT     GARDEN 


COVERING-   WALLS   OF   FRUIT 
HOUSES. 

BACK  walls  of  lean-to  houses  devoted  to 
fruit  culture  are  usually  bare,  as  it 
is  often  impossible  to  grow  fruit  upon 
them  successfully,  especially  if  the 
trees  on  the  roof  of  the  house  are 
allowed  to  reach  the  top.  Bare  walls 
are,  however,  an  eyesore,  and  some  attempt  should 
be  made  to  cover  them  with  greenery.  I  know  of 
nothing  that  is  more  suitable  than  Smilax  and 
Asparagus.  In  one  garden  I  visited  recently  A. 
plumosus  has  been  used  for  covering  the  back  walls 
of  vineries  with  great  success.  Starting  into 
growth  with  the  Vines  or  Peach  trees,  the 
Asparagus  or  Smilax  makes  rapid  progress,  and 
appears  not  to  mind  the  heavy  shade  of  the  fruit 
trees'  foliage.  In  the  garden  in  question  A. 
Sprengeri  is  about  to  be  tried,  and  if  it  succeeds, 
and  the  long  growths  in  time  are  allowed  to  depend 
gracefully  from  their  support,  the  result  should  be 
charming.  The  Similax  and  Asparagus  are  cut 
down  almost  to  the  ground  annually,  so  that  fresh 
growth  may  spring  up  every  year.  They  are  not 
trained  to  a  permanent  trellis,  but  simply  to  string 
stretched  from  pegs  in  the  ground  to  the  top  of  the 
house  ;  thus  when  the  Smilax  or  Asparagus  is  cut 
down  the  string  is  at  the  same  time  cleared  away, 
and  the  house  can  be  given  a  thorough  cleansing 
during  winter.  Apart  from  their  value  as  a  wall 
covering,  the  plants  mentioned  provide  most  useful 
material  for  cutting.  For  table  decoration  it  need 
hardly  be  said  that  the  sprays  are  invaluable. 

H.  A.  P. 


WOOLLY  APHIS  ON  DWARF  APPLES. 

In  many  places  last  summer  dwarf  Apple  trees 
were  much  infested  with  wooUj'  aphis.  Though 
not  easily  visible  in  the  winter  or  early  spring,  it 
need  not  be  supposed  that  it  has  disappeared,  for 
it  is  only  hibernating,  while  eggs  are  probably 
waiting  in  minute  crevices  for  the  warm  weather 
of  the  spring  to  hatch  them.  Winter  is  the  time 
to  make  a  raid  upon  this  pest.  The  spraying  with 
a  caustic  solution  so  often  recommended  for  fruit 
trees  is  not  always  practicable  with  dwarf  Apples, 
as  they  are  so  often  in  close  proximity  to  plants 
which  would  be  damaged  by  it,  and,  besides,  the 
syringing  of  small  bush  trees  when  the  leaves  are 
ofl'  means  that  much  more  solution  is  wasted  than 
is  used  in  washing  the  trees.  In  such  cases  it  is 
best  to  apply  some  solution  to  the  stems  and 
branches  with  a  stiff  brush. 

Canker  in  its  early  stages  may  be  arrested  by 
this  means.  This  cleansing  of  the  trees  may  be 
done  at  any  time  until  the  buds  begin  to  burst, 
but  if  done  after  that  care  is  necessary  or  the 
buds  of  blossom  or  leaf  may  be  much  damaged. 

There  are  various  substances  suitable  for  this 
purpose.  One  is  a  strong  solution  of  Calvert's 
Carbolic  Soap,  using  a  couple  of  ounces  to  a  pint 
of  water,  and  a  pint  of  water  will  wash  a  good 
number  of  trees  when  used  with  a  brush.  A  still 
better  thing  is  a  strong  solution  of  a  paraffin 
emulsion  of  soft  soap,  or  a  paraffin-naphthalene 
emulsion  of  the  same.  The  latter  is  best  obtained 
from  a  purveyor  of  garden  sundries,  but  the  former 
can  be  very  simply  prepared  by  boiling  a  pint  of 
soft  soap  in  a  quart  of  soft  water,  and  adding  to 
the  liquid  while  still  boiling,  though  away  from 
the  fire,  half  a  pint  of  paraffin,  and  churning  up 
the  mixture  with  a  small  hand  syringe  for  a  minute 
or  two.  Though  for  syringing  trees  in  leaf  this 
mixture  should  be  diluted  with  ten  times  its 
volume  of  water,  three  or  four  times  its  volume 
will  be  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of  cleaning  the 
bark.  For  the  paraffin-naphthalene  emulsion — 
perhaps  the  best  insecticide  on  the  market — two 
to  three  ounces  to  a  pint  of  water  make  a  very 
deadly  compound  to  insect  or  parasitic  life,  either 
animal  or  vegetable.  In  all  these  cases  the  sub- 
stance needs  boiling  water  properly  to  dissolve  it. 
My  own  practice  is  to  put  the  requisite  amount  of 
the  paraffin-naphthalene  emulsion  in  a  disused  soft 


soap  tin  with  the  necessary  amount  of  water,  and 
then  set  it  on  a  gas  ring  till  all  is  dissolved.  If  a 
handle  is  fitted  to  the  tin  with  a  piece  of  wire  the 
material  and  the  containing  vessel  are  all  ready  for 
taking  into  the  garden  for  use.  All  greenness  of 
the  bark  which  is  so  common  after  a  wet  season 
will  be  removed  at  the  same  time  by  this  process. 

Alger  Petts. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The 


Editor  is  not    responsible  for    the 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


opinions 


[To 

S" 


THE  LATE  MR.  H.  HERBST,  V.M.H. 
[To  THE  Editor  of   "The  Garden."] 

B, — As  one  who  knew  Mr.  Herbst  well 
for  a  considerable  period  will  you  kindly 
insert  the  following?  I  knew  him  in 
business  and  in  private  life  ;  he  was  first 
associated  with  Mr.  Stenger,  but  the 
whole  undertaking  was  eventually  in  the 
energetic  hands  of  the  subject  of  this  little  memoir. 
It  was  an  education  to  anyone  interested  in  Palms 
especially  (to  mention  only  one  class  of  plants)  to 
visit  his  establishment  and  note  how  superbly  he 
grew  these  plants  for  market.  As  a  member  of  the 
Chiswick  Garden  Board  of  Direction,  many  years 
ago,  he  rendered  practical  and  sound  service  to  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  the  old  historic 
garden  at  Chiswick.  In  the  special  lines  of  culture 
of  which  he  was  a  past  master,  his  presence  and 
opinion  at  the  floral  committee  meetings  of  the 
society — a  member  of  which  body  he  was  for  so 
many  years — were  of  deserved  value ;  opinion 
always  expressed  in  a  quiet,  unassuming  manner 
characteristic  of  the  man.  The  Gardeners'  Orphan 
Fund  loses  in  him  a  most  generous  supporter.  In 
association  with  Mr.  Barron,  Mr.  George  Deal  (its 
first  chairman),  and  others  too  well  known  to  need 
mention,  he  did  effective  work  at  its  foundation  ; 
work — for  the  real  love  of  it — that  continued  as 
long  as  his  health  permitted.  The  last  issued 
annual  report  (1904)  of  the  fund  (page  31)  gives 
eloquent  testimony  as  to  his  practical  and  hearty 
interest  in  it.  This  splendid  charity  can  ill  afford 
to  lose  such  a  warm  supporter ;  rather  does  it 
sorely  need  the  addition  of  many  another  as 
generously  minded  as  Hermann  Herbst.         Quo. 


seeds  and  potted  the  plants  afterwards,  I  was,  of 
course,  greatly  interested  in  the  matter,  though 
not  in  a  pecuniary  sense.  The  Lily  of  the  Valley 
with  which  Mr.  Herbst  was  so  successful  realised 
a  shilling  a  spike  throughout  the  Christmas  season, 
and  at  times  well  into  January,  a  price  that  the 
retarding  process  has  entirely  revolutionised. 

Though  so  successful  in  anticipating  the  public 
demand  for  Palms,  the  same  measure  of  success 
did  not  fall  to  his  share  when  the  culture  of 
Bromeliads  was  taken  in  hand,  for,  though 
favourites  on  the  Continent,  the  British  public 
would  have  none  of  them,  and  the  greater  part 
were  thrown  away.  Other  subjects  besides  those 
mentioned  that  were  first  sent  to  market  from  the 
Kew  Road  nursery  were  Marguerites,  for  which  as 
cut  flowers  large  bushes  of  the  typical  Chrysan- 
themum frutescens  were  grown.  These  proved 
so  remunerative  as  to  soon  oust  the  Camellias 
which  shared  the  structure  with  them.  Major 
Clarke's  Begonia  weltoniensis  is  another  that  comes 
back  to  my  memory,  and  among  the  many  Ferns 
the  major  type  of  Pteris  serrulata  was  a  great 
success.  Among  those  who  spent  a  time  at  the 
the  nursery  may  be  mentioned  the  late  Mr.  C.  F. 
Bause,  who  went  from  thence  to  Chiswick,  where, 
as  propagator,  he  raised  some  new  garden  varieties 
of  Coleus  (which  were  so  striking  that  six  of  them 
realised  £250  at  Stevens's  rooms),  golden-leaved 
Caladiums,  Dieffenbachia  Bausei,  &c.  After  a 
time  at  Messrs.  Veitch's  and  then  with  Mr.  Wills 
at  Anerley,  he  started  on  his  own  account  at  the 
Morland  Road  Nurseries,  where  he  died,  and  the 
business  is  now  carried  on  by  his  sons.  T. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN. 


I 


peat, 


[To  THE  Editor  or  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — To  the  kindly  and  sympathetic  notice  of 
the  death  of  Mr.  Herbst,  on  page  '229,  allow  me, 
as  one  who  was  associated  with  him  for  many 
years,  to  add  a  few  words.  At  first  the  business 
was  carried  on  as  Herbst  and  Stenger,  but  the 
partnership  did  not  last  long,  and  Mr.  Herbst 
soon  had  the  entire  business  on  his  hands.  Although, 
as  stated,  Mr.  Herbst  was  a  most  energetic  man, 
with  a  keen  business  instinct,  he  was,  moreover, 
extremely  fortunate  in  taking  up  the  culture  of 
plants  for  market  at  a  time  when  far  higher  prices 
were  realised  than  is  the  case  at  the  present  da}', 
and  with  the  cost  of  production  practically  the 
same  the  profits  were  consequently  much  larger. 
This  applies  to  plant  growing  all  round  ;  indeed, 
the  decade  from  1870  to  1880  was  a  particularly 
favourable  period  for  the  growers  of  indoor  plants. 
To  his  foresight  much  of  Mr.  Herbst's  success  was 
undoubtedly  due,  for  with  the  taste  for  Palms  once 
established  he  (who  had  his  houses  filled  with 
these  plants)  was  able  to  take  them  into  the 
market,  whereas  others  less  fortunate  were  obliged 
to  wait  two  or  three  years  before  they  could  com- 
pete with  him.  This  foresight  was  partly  due  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  Continent,  where  Palms  were  at 
that  time  more  popular  than  with  us,  and  the 
success  attending  it  owed  something  at  least  to  the 
Franco-German  War,  which  drove  many  wealthy 
people  from  the  Continent  to  this  country,  and 
with  them  their  taste  for  Palms.  Again,  the  sale 
of  Palms  referred  to  in  the  article  in  question, 
including  6,000  of  the  then  rare  Cocos  weddeliana, 
yielded    most   gratifying    results,    buyers    coming 

from  all  parts  of  the  country  and  the  Continent,    lauLo    u.ivo    uuo.i    a^j^, 
hence  competition  was  keen.     Having  sown  all  the  I  liberally,    there    again 


GARDENIAS    FAILING. 

NOW  send  you  the  roots  of  an  old  plant  that 
you  will  see  better  the  cause.  The  plant  in 
question  is  three  years  old,  and  up  to  this 
last  winter  it  grew  well,  but  about 
Christmas  the  foliage  began  to  flag.  The 
treatment  has  been  as  follows :  Soil, 
turf,  and  leaf-mould  ;  water,  sometimes 
tap  water  from  the  limestone  and  rain  water ; 
temperature,  summer  00"  to  80",  and  in  winter  50" 
to  65".  As  to  the  cause  of  this  disease,  I  am  at  a 
loss. — H. 

[The  specimen  sent  is  evidently  that  of  a  plant 
that  has  been  hitherto  thriving  well.  Having 
perused  the  letter  describing  the  treatment  given 
the  plants,  we  cannot  find  any  cause  therein  save 
in  the  record  of  temperatures,  that  given  as  the 
minimum  in  winter  being  lower  than  we  ourselves 
should  like  to  risk  our  plants  in.  We  are  very 
much  disposed  to  think  that  this  is  the  cause  of 
failure.  On  a  close  investigation  we  can  discern 
that  the  lower  part  of  the  stem  where  it  came  into 
contact  with  the  soil  (and  that  next  the  roots)  is 
in  a  worse  state  of  decay  than  higher  up  where 
severed  from  the  branches.  This  is  just  what  we 
should  expect  to  see  if  the  plants  had  been  in 
too  low  a  temperature,  more  especially  if  in  any 
way  over-watered  during  that  period.  The  roots 
and  parts  contiguous  to  them  would  first  feel  the 
effects  of  cold,  the  soil  being  relatively  cooler  than 
the  atmosphere.  When  50"  is  given  as  the 
minimum,  it  is  just  possible  that  during  the  severe 
frosts  the  temperature  fell  even  lower  than  that 
without  "H.'s"  knowledge.  We  remember  in 
the  case  of  some  plants  of  our  own  that  the 
same  thing  occurred  when  they  were  subjected  to 
too  low  a  temperature,  the  foliage  flagging  through 
the  supply  of  sap  being  cut  off,  the  wood  growth 
in  the  branches  showing  no  actual  disease.  We 
have  a  shrewd  suspicion  that  this  is  the  cause  of  the 
mischief.  Water  taken  from  the  limestone  would 
not,  in  our  opinion,  be  at  all  favourable  to  the 
health  of  the  plants.  Gardenias  thrive  naturally 
in  alluvial  deposits  wherein  there  is  an  absence  of 
lime  to  a  great  extent,  if  not  entirely.  Rain 
water,  on  the  other  hand,  would  be  congenial  to 
them.  It  is  not  stated  if  artificial  manurial  stimu- 
lants   have    been    applied ;    if    so,    and    that   too 


so, 
is    a    source   of    mischief. 


April  9,  1904.1 


THE    GARDEN. 


257 


Another  source  of  injur}'  would  be  in  the  use  of 

strong  insecticides  to  liill  the  mealy  bug.  Sup- 
posing, for  instance,  that  paraifin  oil  had  been 
mixed  with  water  and  applied  to  eradicate  this 
plant  pest,  this  mixture  would  largely  run  down 
the  stems  and  enter  the  soil  at  the  base  of  the 
plants  ;  the  water  there,  when  coming  into  contact 
with  the  soil,  would  be  separated  from  the  paraffin, 
leaving  the  latter  strong  enough  probably  to  work 
the  injury  of  itself  alone.  Without  a  personal 
investigation  it  is  not  possible  to  arrive  at  more 
precise  decisions  than  those  now  sketched  out  as 
probable  causes.  In  starting  afresh  we  would 
advise  53°  as  the  minimum  temperature  most 
certainly,  the  other  suggested  items  being  at  the 
same  time  avoided. — Ed.] 


THE    KITCIHEN    GARDEN. 

BROCCOLI. 

VAST  strides  have  been  made  during 
recent  years  in  the  improvement  of 
this  important  vegetable.  Though  it 
generally  lacks  the  delicacy 
of  the  better  varieties  of 
Cauliflowers,  it  forms  a 
splendid  substitute,  and  by  making  a 
careful  selection  a  well-managed  garden 
should  maintain  an  unbroken  supply  of 
one  or  the  other  during  the  whole  year. 
Nevertheless,  to  ensure  this  a  proper 
system  of  management  must  be  insisted 
upon;  and  as  we  have  once  more  arrived 
at  the  season  for  beginning,  I  will 
endeavour  to  give  my  experience  for 
the  benefit  of  those  who  may  be  anxious 
to  obtain  the  best  results.  It  must  be 
perplexing  to  know  the  sorts  to  select 
from  the  large  number  catalogued,  and 
to  make  an  attempt  to  grow  only  a  fair 
percentage  would  require  more  space  and 
labour  than  are  generally  allowed. ,  If  this 
could  be  accomplished  little  or  nothing 
would  be  gained,  as  many  so-called 
varieties  are  distinct  in  name  only.  The 
great  point  is  to  choose  those  sorts  which 
develop  their  heads  at  various  seasons, 
say  from  October  to  June,  and  three 
sowings  at  least  should  be  made,  varying 
from  the  last  week  in  March  till  the 
first  week  in  May. 

A  small  sowing  of  the  earliest  sorts 
should  be  made  under  glass  in  a  cool 
house.  Scatter  the  seed  thinly  in  boxes, 
and  in  due  course  prick  off  the  seedlings 
either  in  cold  frames  or  in  a  sheltered 
position  where  protection  can  be  given 
during  inclement  weather.  A  second 
sowing  of  all  the  sorts  to  be  grown 
should  be  made  about  April  10  on  well- 
prepared  seed  beds  in  an  open  position  ; 
sow  the  seed  thinly  broadcast,  and 
thoroughly  protect  against  birds. 
Where  clubbing  exists  apply  a  good  dressing  of 
finely  sifted  cinder  ashes.  The  final  sowing  should 
be  made  the  first  week  in  May  under  similar 
conditions.  I  never  think  it  is  necessary  to 
prick  off  these,  providing  the  plants  are  not  over- 
crowded, as  generally  at  such  a  busy  season  there 
is  better  work  to  do. 

Planting. 
Immediately  the  plants  are  large  enough  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  planting  tliem  in  their  permanent 
quarters,  and  except  for  the  early  sorts,  which 
come  in  during  October  and  November,  the  ground 
should  not  be  dug,  as  the  firmer  the  land  the 
sturdier  and  harder  the  growth,  and  so  much  safer 
the  crop  in  severe  winters.  Always  allow  plenty  of 
space  between  the  plant?  so  that  light  and  air  can 
reach  them.  At  least  2  feet  6  inches  should  be 
given  between  the  rows  and  2  feet  3  inches  from 
plant  to  plant.  Select,  if  possible,  an  open  site, 
and  it  is  always  a  good  plan  to  plant  these  in 
quarters  that  have  been  occupied  with  mid-season 
Peas.  Holes  should  be  bored  with  an  iron  bar, 
using  a  little  fine  soil  on  heavy  ground,  and  give  a 


thorough  watering  in.  If  the  work  is  done  before  other  sorts  are  past  their  best  and  early  Cauli- 
the  Peas  are  removed  all  the  better,  as  during  hot  flowers  are  not  plentiful.  The  quality  is  excellent, 
weather  these   will  give  the  plants  just  sufficient  |  and  the  heads  are  wonderfully  protected  naturally 


shade  to  allow  them  to  recover  quickly  from  the 
transplanting.  After  the  Peas  are  taken  away 
fork  over  the  surface  to  the  depth  of  about  3  inches, 
and  hoe  frequently,  when  the  plants  will  grow 
away  apace,  and  require  no  further  attention  till 
about  the  middle  of  November.  At  that  time 
means  must  be  adopted  to  protect  them.  I  know 
of  no  more  simple  or  eS'eetive  plan  when  properly 
performed  than  laying  them  down,  which  will 
render  them  secure  during  any  ordinary  winter, 
and  in  any  localities,  but,  as  before  stated,  the 
work  must  be  thoroughly  done.  A  good  trench 
should  be  opened  and  the  heads  carefully  turned 
over,  inclining  them  to  the  north.  The  stems 
should  be  well  covered  close  up  to  the  top  growth, 
breaking  up  the  soil  finely  and  treading  it 
thoroughly  firm  about  them.  It  is  well  to  remem- 
ber   that    the    softer    part   of   the   stem    suffers. 


by    foliage.      Late    Queen    is    also 
variety.  E. 

Aldenham  House.  Gardens,  Elstree. 


very    useful 
Beckett. 


LITTLE    GROWN   VEGETABLES. 
Vegetables  that  are   grown  far   less  than  tneir 
merits  deserve  are  the  following  ; 

CouvE  Tronchdda, 

also  known  as  the  Portugal  Cabbage,  comes  into 
use  at  the  close  of  the  summer  months,  and  proves 
most  useful.  All  that  is  needed  is  to  raise  the  plants 
early,  treating  them  similarly  to  autumn  Cauli- 
flowers. Not  being  hardy,  this  must  have  attention, 
so  as  to  get  the  plants  forward  enough  to  enable 
their  being  set  out  early.  In  favourable  districts 
the  sowing  may  take  place  early  in  April  in  a  warm 
consequently  extra  care  should  be  taken  to  make  and  sheltered  border,  taking  care  that  the  soil  is  in 
this  secure;  and  if  this  is  efficiently  done  one  may  a  rich  and  friable  state.  This  vegetable  is  of  large 
rest  content  that  in  all  ordinary  winters  the  crop  growth,  and  when  cooked  it  is  of  a  very  delicate 
is  practically  ensured;   but    in    case    of    unusual    flavour.      It  is  the  midrib  of  the  large  outer  leaves 


BROCCOLI   protected  IN   WINTER  AND  EABLY^SPRING.     (A  photogmxjh  taken  ill  the  gardens  o^  Aldenham  House,  Elstree.) 


severity,  or  even  after  a  sunless  season  like  the 
last,  some  light  material  should  be  placed  over  the 
tops,  and  even  then  during  severe  frosts  the  heads 
will  go  on  developing. 

Varieties. 

Sutton's  Michaelmas  White  is  unquestionably  a 
valuable  addition,  and  very  nearly  allied  to  the 
Cauliflower  both  in  foliage  and  head  ;  it  should  be 
grown  in  every  garden.  Webb's  Vanguard  is 
likewise  a  first-rate  kind,  and  very  distinct. 
Sutton's  Christmas  White  I  have  grown  since  its 
first  introduction,  and  it  has  never  once  failed  to 
produce  its  crop  at  or  about  the  season  which  it 
takes  its  name  from.  Snow's  Winter  White  still 
holds  its  position,  when  a  true  stock  can  be 
obtained,  as  one  of  the  best  winter  Broccoli. 
Leamington  is  a  very  old  but  still  a  most  reliable 
variety,  which  we  always  depend  upon  to  follow 
the  last-named.  Carter's  Summer  Broccoli,  a  very 
distinct  and  useful  sort,  is  one  of  the  very  best. 
Webb's  May  Queen  is  also  a  splendid  late  variety. 
Veitch's  Model  I  regard  as  the  finest  late  type  in 


which  is  parted  and  then  cooked  as  Seakale.  After 
all  the  outer  leaves  have  been  taken  and  used,  the 
centre  heart  may  be  cut  and  boiled  as  a  Cabbage. 
As  it  is  very  essential  that  the  growth  be  rapid 
and  vigorous,  plant  out  on  a  deep  and  rich  soil  well 
exposed  to  the  sun,  allowing  ample  space  for 
development.  It  is  best  cultivated  in  a  single  row, 
setting  the  plants  3  feet  'apart,  taking  care  that 
they  are  not  smothered  up  with  other  crops.  The 
plants  should  be  ready  for  the  ground  at  the  time 
the  autumn  Cauliflowers  are  planted.  In  a  dry 
season  copious  supplies  of  water  and  an  occasional 
soaking  of  liquid  manure  must  be  given  or  the 
midribs  will  not  be  so  tender  as  they  ought  to  be. 

Geleriao 

can  never  be  expected  to  take  the  place  of  Celery 
as  a  vegetable  in  this  country,  although  it  proves 
useful  as  a  change,  and  a  few  dozen  in  any  garden 
of  the  smallest  size  do  not  take  up  much  room.  The 
seeds  it  sown  now  in  a  gentle  heat  will  produce 
plants  fit  for  planting  at  the  same  time  as  Celery. 
But  while  Celery  is  planted  in  trenches  of  rich  soil 


cultivation.     It  comes  in  at  a  season  when  many  i  and  earthed  up  to  blanch  the  stems,  Celeriac  must 


258 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  9,"1904. 


be  planted  on  the  level.  The  soil  must  also  be  rich 
and  light,  as  on  sandy  soils  the  growth  is  more 
satisfaotor}'.  At  the  time  of  planting  all  sucker 
growths  must  be  carefully  removed  ;  if  allowed  to 
remain  they  branch  out  and  form  divided  roots, 
instead  of  one  main  central  root  or  root-stock, 
whichever  may  be  the  correct  term.  The  plants 
are  set  out  with  the  base  just  resting  on  the  surface, 
care  being  taken  to  plant  firmly.  It  is  best  to  form 
a  separate  bed,  setting  out  the  plants  15  inches  or 
18  inches  apart.  To  keep  them  growing  freely, 
water  must  be  as  plentifully  supplied  as  for  Celery. 
After  planting,  and  when  they  are  growing  freely, 
go  over  them  and  press  the  soil  quite  down  to  the 
base  of  the  plant,  also  removing  any  sucker  growths 
which  may  appear  throughout  the  growing  season. 
At  the  end  of  the  season,  or  when  frost  is  likely  to 
appear,  the  roots  may  be  either  lifted  and  stored 
in  sand,  or  heavily  moulded  up  with  soil,  the 
whole  being  surfaced  with  dry  leaves.  The  roots 
protected  in  this  manner  retain  their  flavour  and 
also  winter  better  than  when  taken  up. 

Salsafy  and  Scorzonera 
when  well  grown  are  highly  appreciated  by  many 
people,  although,  as  is  ver}'  often  the  case,  the 
roots  are  not  forthcoming  in  good  condition.  They 
must  be  clean  and  straight  and  devoid  of  flower- 
stem.  The  latter  is  on  account  of  too  early  sowing, 
the  first  or  second  week  in  May  being  cjuite  time 
enough.  Soil  that  will  grow  good  and  clean  Carrots 
will  suit  the  two  vegetables  under  notice.  Soil 
with  manure  near  the  surface  will  result  in  forked 
roots.  If  the  soil  is  not  sufficiently  fertile  to  grow 
good  and  clean  roots,  take  out  a  trench  15  inches 
or  18  inches  in  depth,  putting  the  manure  in  the 
bottom  and  filling  up  with  the  soil  taken  out, 
adding  some  burned  refuse  and  old  potting  soil  if 
the  staple  should  be  at  all  heavy,  as  this  latter  is 
the  worst  kind  for  growing  good  roots.  Of  course, 
trenches  need  only  be  formed  in  exceptional  cases, 
but  it  is  much  better  to  do  this  and  grow  roots 
worthy  the  name  than  the  poor  and  forked  ones  so 
often  seen.  A  couple  of  rows,  each  about  25  yards 
in  length,  will  give  sufficient  produce  for  any 
ordinary  establishment.  A. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


If  there  are  no  bulbs  growing  among  the  Ferns 
the  surface  soil  should  be  very  lightly  pricked  over 
and  a  good  dressing  applied.  Most  Ferns  delight 
in  a  heavy  mulch  of  half-decayed  leaves,  which  not 
only  conserves  the  moisture,  but  also  provides  a 
good  rooting  medium.  In  making  a  new  fernery 
it  is  advisable  to  select,  as  far  as  possible,  a  fairly 
moist  and  partially  shaded  spot.  For  the  majority 
of  Ferns  a  good  loam  mixed  with  a  little  leaf-mould 
and  some  broken  soft  brick  or  sandstone  to  keep 
the  soil  porous  will  prove  a  suitable  compost. 
Ample  room  should  be  given  to  allow  the,  strong 
growers  to  develop.  The  Osmundas  will  want 
plenty  of  moisture,  and  a  shady  recess  will  suit 
such  genera  as  Hymenophyllum  and  Trichomanes. 
The  smaller  growing  kinds  should  be  kept  well  to 
the  front.  The  Maidenhair  Spleenwort  (Asplenium 
Trichomanes)  grows  freely  in  a  rough  wall  facing 
north  or  north-east.  A  collection  of  all  the  kinds 
found  growing  locally  will  add  greatly  to  the 
interest  of  the  fernery.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Hardy  Cacti. 

DURING  the  resting  period  damp  is  a  far 
greater  enemy  than  a  low  tempera- 
j  ture  to  these.  Although  the  winds 
'  have  been  cold  and  we  have  had 
some  sharp  frosts,  these  interesting 
plants  have  shown  a  marked  im- 
provement since  the  recent  spell  of  dry  weather 
set  in.  The  surface  soil  should  be  frequently 
stirred  ;  any  pieces  of  sandstone  that  are  dis- 
coloured with  moisture  should  be  replaced  with 
freshly  broken  stone.  A  few  pieces  of  charcoal 
around  the  stems  will  absorb  a  lot  of  moisture. 
Any  decaying  portions  of  the  plants  must  be  care- 
fully removed.  All  coverings,  lights,  &c. ,  should 
be  taken  off  as  often  as  the  weather  permits.  The 
collection  of  hardy  Cacti  growing  around  the  Palm 
House  at  Kew  is  an  admirable  object-lesson  in  the 
successful  culture  of  these  plants.  There  the  well- 
drained,  raised  beds  of  loam  and  pieces  of  sand- 
stone are  sheltered  in  the  recesses  between  the 
buttresses  of  the  building,  and  no  doubt  there  is 
an  appreciable  warmth  from  the  heat  in  the  Palm 
house.  At  Kew  during  severe  weather  a  garden 
net  is  thrown  over  the  plants.  If  detachable  lights 
could  be  arranged  so  as  to  throw  off  the  rains  and 
afford  protection  during  cold  weather  the  plants 
would  be  more  quickly  established.  There  is  an 
increasing  number  of  species  and  varieties  to  select 
from.  Several  nurserymen  who  specialise  the 
rarer  hardy  and  half-hardy  plmts  have  imported 
collections  from  the  mountains  of  Colorado,  New 
Mexico,  &c. 

The  Fernery. 
Hardy  Ferns  will  soon  be  pushing  up  their  new 
fronds.     Last  year's  fronds  may  now  be  removed. 


annually  about  this  time  or  earlier.  They  germinate 
freely  in  a  light  sandy  compost,  and  in  a  moist 
warm  temperature  of  65*.  The  plant  is  dwarf, 
and  can  be  grown  to  a  high  state  of  perfection, 
with  the  assistance  of  stimulating  manures,  in 
very  small  pots.  The  only  pest  with  which  they 
are  troubled  is  green  fly,  and  this  is  easily  kept  in 
check  by  fumigation.  J.  P.  Leadbetteil 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  HiUl. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

DiSA   GRANDirLORA. 

This,  the  Table  Mountain  Orchid,  is  not  one  of  the 
easiest  plants  to  cultivate  successfully.  Sometimes, 
however,  they  are  found  thriving  favourably,  but 
only  when  the  treatment  they  receive  is  such  as  to 
imitate  very  closely  the  conditions  under  which 
the  plants  are  situated  naturally.  Avoid  high 
temperatures  and  cold  draughts,  but  admit  fresh 
air  in  abundance.  It  matters  not  whether  they 
are  grown  in  pots  or  planted  out ;  a  sweet  compost 
and  an  efficient  drainage  are  important.  The 
plants  are  now  growing  freely,  and  while  their 
surroundings  must  be  kept  cool  and  moist  by 
syringing,  avoid  wetting  them  overhead,  or  the 
water  will  lodge  in  the  crowns  of  the  growing 
shoots  and  probably  cause  them  to  decay.  Afford 
them  all  the  light  possible,  with  shade  from  strong 
sun,  and  keep  a  keen  look  out  for  green  fly  and 
thrips,  with  which  these  plants  frequently  get 
infested.  Destroy  the  pests  by  fumigating  lightly 
for  two  or  three  nights  in  succession  with  XL  All 
Vaporiser. 

Malmaisok  Carnations. 
These  plants,  if  the  collection  is  healthy,  are 
now  making  good  growth,  and  to  apply  stimu- 
lating manures,  especially  such  as  are  artificially 
prepared,  to  their  roots  with  a  view  to 
making  them  grow  strong  is  a  mistake.  Beyond 
an  occasional  dose  of  soot  water,  and,  as  the  flower- 
buds  begin  to  form,  one,  or  not  more  than  two, 
dressings  with  Clay's  Fertilizer  are  sufficient  for 
first  year's  plants,  but  two  year  old  plants  will 
derive  much  benefit  if  given  a  little  cow  or  sheep 
manure  liquid.  One  year  old  plants  should  not 
be  allowed  to  carry  more  than  one  flower-spike, 
from  which  all  side  flower-buds  should  be  removed. 
The  second  year's  plants  will  require  exactly  the 
same  attention  in  respect  to  disbudding,  and  also 
will  require  to  be  carefully  staked  and  supported. 
The  plants  sometimes  are  affected  by  damp  during 
foggy  weather,  but  if  the  minimum  temperature  is 
45°  there  need  be  no  anxiety  in  this  respect. 
Abundance  of  fresh  air  should  be  admitted 
at  all  times,  and  occasionally  fumigate  to  prevent 
green  fly. 

CORDYLINB  TNDIVISA. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  graceful  as  well  as  most 
useful  green  decorative  plants  in  cultivation.  They 
are  easily  raised  from  seeds,  which  should  be  sown 
at  once  and  placed  in  a  moist  warm  temperature  to 
germinate.  When  once  established  they  afford 
very  little  trouble,  and  can  be  maintained  in  a 
perfectly  healthy  condition  in  a  greenhouse  tem- 
perature. 

Streptocarpus. 

Great  improvement  in  colouring  and  floriferous- 
ness  of  these  plants  have  been  lately  effected  by 
Messrs.  Veitch  of  Chelsea.  The  flowers,  which  are 
Gloxinia-like  in  character,  are  produced  in  great 
profusion  and  in  many  shades  of  colour,  and  are 
well  adapted  for  decorative  work.  Young  plants 
perhaps  grow  and  flower  the  best,  and  especially  so 
when    raised    from    seeds,    that    should    be   sown 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Slight  frosts  still  continue  and  retard  work  in 
the  kitchen  garden.  I  am  writing  this  calendar 
while  on  a  visit  to  the  north  of  Scotland.  Little 
difference  is  to  be  noticed,  vegetation  being 
advanced  just  as  far  sixty  miles  north  of  Aberdeen 
as  near  Edinburgh. 

Carrots. 
Sow  the  main  crop  of  this  vegetable  where  the 
soil  is  in  suitable  condition.  Intermediate  or  St. 
Valery  are  the  most  suitable  for  this  sowing.  The 
land  for  this  crop  should  have  been  carefully 
prepared  in  the  autumn,  manure  then  put  down 
at  least  1  foot ;  a  heavy  dressing  of  fresh  sea  sand 
or  seaweed  will  do  much  to  ensure  success  with 
this  crop.  Before  sowing  give  the  soil  a  good 
dressing  of  soot  and  and  wood  ashes.  Sow  rather 
thinly  in  drills  15  inches  apart.  If  roots  fit  for 
exhibition  are  desired  the  dibber  must  be  used, 
holes  to  the  depth  of  15  inches  or  18  inches  being 
made,  and  filled  up  with  finely-sifted  soil  to  which 
has  been  added  soot  and  a  sprinkling  of  salt, 
sowing  a  few  seeds  in  the  middle  of  each.  To 
ensure  good  clean  Carrots  all  through  the  summer 
sow  every  three  weeks  till  about  the  beginning  of 
August ;  make  a  larger  sowing  then,  and  this  will 
carry  one  far  into  the  winter,  when  the  larger 
roots  of  the  main  crop  sowing  may  be  brought  into 
use.  Pay  careful  attention  to  Carrots  growing  in 
frames,  admitting  plenty  of  air  in  fine  weather, 
and  by  not  letting  the  soil  get  dry. 

French  Beans. 

Frequent  sowings  must  still  be  made  for  fruiting 
in  pots.  Where  a  warm  pit  is  available  they  may 
now  be  grown  successfully.  See  that  the  soil  is 
about  15  inches  from  the  glass,  and  sow  in  rows 
about  18  inches  apart,  keeping  the  frame  close  till 
the  seedlings  appear.  Also  make  a  good  sowing  in 
boxes  for  planting  out  towards  the  end  of  April. 
Sow  the  seeds  thickly,  and  avoid  placing  them  in 
strong  heat,  but  grow  them  sturdily  in  cool  quarters. 
Beetroot. 

A  small  sowing  may  be  made  for  early  use  of  any 
variety,  but  the  main  crop  sowing  may  be  left  for 
several  weeks. 

Celery. 

The  main  crop  should  now  be  sown.  Sow  not 
too  thickly  in  boxes,  place  in  genial  warmth  till 
the  seedlings  appear,  then  remove  to  slightly 
cooler  quarters.  Do  not  let  the  plants  when 
pricked  out  suffer  from  want  of  water  or  over- 
crowding, these  being  the  chief  causes  of  Celery 
running  prematurely  to  seed. 

General  Remarks. 

Ply  the  hoe  among  all  growing  crops  on  fine 
days,  give  liquid  or  other  manure  to  Spinach, 
autumn -planted  Cabbage,  Rhubarb,  and  other 
crops  that  are  in  active  growth.  Carefully  tend 
Onions,  Leeks,  Parsley,  &o.,  that  are  being 
forwarded  in  heat.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  Bouse  Gardens,  Queemferrt/,  N.B. 


FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Early  Permanent  Vines. 
Where  the  fruit  has  commenced  to  develop  after 
stoning  the  border  should  be  well  watered  with 
liquid  manure.  A  temperature  of  65"  to  70"  at 
night  will  be  suitable,  closing  early  in  the  day  at 
80°,  with  plenty  of  moisture.  Go  over  the  bunches 
to  regulate  them  for  the  last  time,  and  remove  any 
seedless  berries.  See  to  the  stopping  of  strong 
laterals,  and  allow  the  weaker  ones  a  little  more 
extension.  As  the  Grapes  approach  ripening 
reduce  the  temperature  gradually  to  about  60°  at 
night,   increasing    the   air  a  little,   also  keep  the 


April  9,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


259 


atmosphere  drier.  If  red  spider  makes  its  appear- 
ance carefully  sponge  the  leaves  with  soft  soap  and 
sulphur  before  it  spreads  and  becomes  general,  or 
paint  over  the  pipes  when  hot  with  milk  and 
sulphur. 

Sdccbssion'  Vines. 
Vines  started  early  in  February  are  now  making 
rapid  progress.  Continue  to  regulate  the  shoots 
and  stop  the  laterals,  but  avoid  overcrowding  the 
principal  leaves.  A  temperature  of  65"  is  suitable 
at  night  for  the  flowering  season  of  most  varieties 


in  light  soils,  should  be  mulched  with  short  stable 
litter. 

On  heavy  soils,  if  the  weather  continues  wet 
and  cold,  the  mulching  must  be  delayed  until 
the  soil  is  warmer.  Trees  newly  planted  from  the 
nurseries  should  have  permanent  labels  fixed  to 
them,  as  nursery  labels  do  not  last  long,  and  much 
trouble  and  inconvenience  are  often  caused  by  not 
doing  so.  Acme  labels  are  cheap  and  easily  fixed, 
and  last  as  long  as  anything.  Allow  plenty  of 
rooni],when  fixing  the  wires  for  the  branches  to 


WHERE   ALPINE  TLOWERS   GROW- 
ROCHERS   DE   NAYE. 


excepting  Muscats.  Maintain  a  moist  atmosphere, 
ventilate  freely  early  in  the  day,  close  early,  and 
avoid  a  high  night  temperature.  Commence  to 
thin  the  bunches  as  soon  as  it  can  be  seen  which 
berries  are  swelling,  remove  all  surplus  bunches, 
and  avoid  overcropping  the  Vines.  Sprinkle  the 
paths  and  borders  at  night  with  weak  liquid 
manure  water  or  weak  guano  water,  loz.  to  a  gallon. 

Late  Vines. 

Disbud  and  tie  down  these.  Where  young 
Vines  are  breaking  regularly  remove  the  shoots  to 
15  inches  or  18  inches  apart.  Do  not  keep  too 
close  an  atmosphere  in  these  houses,  but  secure 
strong,  healthy  foliage  by  free  ventilation  and  low 
night  temperatures. 

Mulching  Fruit  Trees. 

Any  fruit  trees  recently  planted  which  are 
worked  on  surface-rooting  stocks,  and  especially  if 


swell.      Older  trees  should  be  examined  and  the 
wires  untied  if  they  are  cutting  the  bark. 
Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


ALPINE    FETE    AT    THE 
ROCHERS    DE    NAYE. 

WE  receive  from  Mr.  Correvon  an 
invitation  to  take  part  in    a 
botanical  fete   and   conference 
on  August   16   and  17   at   the 
Rochers  de  Naye,  a  very  beauti- 
ful mountain  place  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  6,000  feet  above  the  Lake  of  Geneva. 
Our  readers    already  know    that,   thanks  to 
Mr.  Correvon's  indefatigable  industry,  aided 


by  some  financial  support  from  lovers  of  alpine 
flowers,  two  botanical  gardens  have  been  estab- 
lished—the older  one  (La  Linnsea)  at  Bourg 
St.  Pierre,  on  the  road  to  the  Great  St.  Bernard; 
the  younger  (La  Eambertia)  at  the  Rochers  de 
Naye. 

The  latter  place  is  the  rendezvous  of  the 
August  meeting.  An  alpine  railway  rises  from 
Territet  (between  Montreux  and  Villeneuve), 
its  mountain  terminus  being  an  hotel  of  the 
Glyon-Naye  Company,  which  takes  a  hospit- 
able part  in  the  fete  by  giving  a  dinner  to  the 
assembled  botanists.  On  the  second  day  an 
excursion  is  planned  to  the  garden  at  Bourg 
St.  Pierre.  ^ 

The  meeting  is  in  the  interest  of  these  and 
other  such  botanical  stations  and  their  relation 
to  the  botanical  world  generally,  the  object  of 
the  mountain  stations  being  the  testing  and 
observation  of  plants  from  all  mountain  places, 
production  of  seed  for  interchange,  (fee. 

We  gather  that  the  invitation  to  take  part 
in  this  interesting  meeting  is  extended  not 
onljf  to  botanists,  but  to  all  who  sympathise 
with  the  work  of  the  committee.  The  modest 
sum  of  twelve  francs  covers  all  the  expenses  of 
the  part  relating  to  the  Rochers  de  Naye. 
Those  who  wish  to  take  tickets  or  to  receive 
further  information  are  requested  to  communi- 
cate with  Mr.  Correvon  at  Floraire,  Chene- 
Bourg,  Geneva. 


ORCHIDS. 


CCELOGYNE  CRISTATA  AT  HATFIELD. 

FOR  culture  in  a  private  garden  this 
is   a   particularly   valuable   Orchid. 
It   is   an   Orchid  that  no  gardener 
should  be  without,  no  matter  how 
small  his  garden  may  be.     The  finest 
collections  of   Ccelogynes  are  asso- 
ciated in  one's  mind  with  such  gardens  as  Chats- 
worth,  The  Dell,  Egham,  and  others ;  but  in 
numerous  places  not  so  famous  as  these 
Ccfilogyne  cristata  has  long  been  treasured 
as  a  most  useful  Orchid.   During  a  recent 
visit   to  the  gardens  at  Hatfield  I  was 
shown  a  house  full  of  this  Orchid.     Most 
of  them  were  growing  in  pans,  these  being 
quite  close  together,  and  the  plants  were 
literally  cascades  of  flowers  ;   they  made 
a  charming  display.     Besides  C.  cristata 
the  best    varieties    are  also  grown,   for 
instance,  I  noticed  lemoniana,  Chatsworth 
variety,  and  maxima.     At   this  time  of 
year,  either  for  cut  bloom  or  for  a  display 
in  a  house,  nothing  could  be  much  more 
profitable  than  a  number  of  well-grown 
Ccelogynes ;  they  could  hardly  fail  to  be 
appreciated  by  all  who  saw  them.     Mr. 
Norman  has  grown  the  large  number  of 
Ccelogynes  that  he   now  has   from   two 
plants  given  to  him  some  years  ago,  surely 
a    record    in    this    direction.      The    fact    of 
his    having    been    able    to    grow    sufficient 
plants     to     fill    a     fairly    large    span-roofed 
house     from     two     plants     originally,     in,    I 
believe,  fourteen  years,  speaks  well  for  the 
satisfactory  nature    of    the  Ccelogyne    when 
given  suitable  culture.     The  conditions  essen- 
tial to  its  well-being  seem  to  be  a  compost  of 
sphagnum  moss  and  fibrous  peat,  well  drained 
pans  or  baskets,  careful  watering,  and  a  cool 
temperature.  A.  P.  H. 

WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

Deciduous    Calanthes. 

These  Orchids  find  a  home  in  manj'  gardens,  and 

we  have  few  plants  that  repay  more  fully  the  time 


260 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  9,  1904. 


spent  on  them.  Flowering  during  the  dullest  por- 
tion of  the  year,  they  make  a  grand  show  in  the 
houses  staged  among  Ferns,  &o.,  or,  if  required  for 
decoration  in  the  dwelling-house,  they  can  be  used 
without  any  harm  accruing.  New  growth  is  now 
in  evidence,  so  they  should  be  potted  up  forthwith 
in  a  mixture  of  two-thirds  fibrous  loam  and  one- 
third  Oak  leaf-soil,  well  mixed  together  with  a 
liberal  sprinkling  of  coarse  sand  and  small  crocks. 
A  thorough  drainage  should  be  afforded.  I  prefer 
potting  them  all  singly  in  4-inch,  5-inoh,  and  6-ineh 
pots,  according  to  the  size  of  the  pseudo-bulbs. 
They  require  potting  firmly,  the  soil  should  be  kept 
below  the  rim  of  the  pot,  and  the  base  of  the  new 
growth  just  below  the  surface  of  the  compost. 
Large  pseudo-bulbs  should  be  secured  to  a  small 
stake  to  keep  them  rigid  till  the  new  roots  have 
taken  hold  of  the  compost.  At  first  a  sunny  posi- 
tion should  be  afforded  in  a  humid  house  where  the 
night  temperature  does  not  fall  below  65".  Until 
the  young  growths  are  from  4  inches  to  6  inches 
high  they  should  only  be  watered  when  the  soil 
has  become  quite  dry.  By  allowing  a  certain 
amount  of  sunshine  to  the  plants  when  they  are 
starting  into  growth,  gradually  reducing  it  as  they 
develop, 

A  Hardee  Growth 
is  produced.  This,  together  with  keeping  the 
compost  dry  during  the  early  stages  of  growth,  is 
very  helpful  in  warding  off  the  spot  which  so  often 
infests  the  foliage.  I  do  not  advocate  the  use  of 
any  manure  either  in  the  compost  or  given  in  liquid 
form.  Without  manure  the  flowers  are  produced 
much  closer  together  on  the  spike,  are  more  effec- 
tive, and,  above  all,  there  is  much  less  fear  of  the 
black  rot  setting  in,  which  often  ruins  the  entire 
stock.  I  know  there  are  many  who  would  no  more 
think  of  growing  their  Calanthes  without  dried 
cow  manure  in  the  compost,  and  applied  in  liquid 
form  during  growth,  than  they  would  of  growing 
Chrysanthemums  without  the  aid  of  manure.  To 
those  I  say  "  Try  some,"  and  I  am  sure  the  whole 
stock  would  soon  be  treated  likewise. 

Odontoglossum  crispum. 

The  question  "  When  should  they  be  potted  ?  " 
often  crops  up.  My  opinion  is  that  they  want 
potting  when  the  new  growth  is  1  inch  or  '2  inches 
high,  irrespective  of  any  season.  Some  plants  are 
more  or  less  in  flower  every  month,  consequently 
the  growth  must  likewise  be  very  irregular,  so 
when  a  plant  wants  potting  the  right  time  to  do 
it  is  when  it  is  ready.  Ic  is  a  great  mistake  to 
confine  the  potting  seasons  to  autumn  and  spring. 
The  compost  should  be  made  up  of  two-fifths 
fibrous  peat,  two-fifths  chopped  sphagnum,  and 
one-fifth  leaf-soil,  well  mixed  together  with  some 
coarse  sand.  A  moderate  drainage  of  rhizomes 
should  be  afforded,  and  pot  rather  lightly,  keeping 
the  compost  below  the  rim  of  the  pot  to  allow  of  a 
good  surfacing  of  sphagnum.  Old  pseudo-bulbs 
should  be  removed  or  nearly  cut  through,  retaining 
not  more  than  three  behind  each  lead.  Many 
spikes  will  now  be  in  evidence,  and  they  should 
be  drawn  to  the  desired  position.  Weakly  plants 
should  have  the  spike  removed  to  allow  the  plants 
to  recuperate ;  those  making  vigorous  growth 
should  be  afforded  water  freely,  keeping  those  that 
are  dormant  on  the  dry  side.  Admit  air  freely 
whenever  the  outside  temperature  is  genial,  and 
keep  the  entire  surroundings  well  damped  and 
syringe  freely. 

Odontoglosstim  bictonense. 

This  must  now  have  attention.  If  it  requires 
repotting  this  season  use  the  same  compost  as 
advised  for  0.  crispum.  A  rather  warmer  tempera- 
ture should  be  given  it  than  that  of  the  cool  house. 
A  very  suitable  house  is  the  cool  intermediate, 
where  plenty  of  fresh  air  is  admitted. 
Odontoglossum  citrosmum. 

These,  having  been  given  a  thorough  rest  since 
the  completion  of  last  year's  growth,  will  be  start- 
ing again,  and  more  water  should  now  be  given. 
Do  not  hasten  the  growth  in  any  way  till  the 
flower-spikes  are  visible.  A  light  position  is  bene- 
ficial, gradually  reducing  the  amount  of  sunshine 
as  the  spikes  develop,  and  increase  the  supply  of 
water.     After  the  flowering  season  is  over  is  the 


best  time  to  do  any  necessary  repotting  in  the 
same  compost  as  previously  advised.  Give  an 
ample  drainage  of  rhizomes.  Pans  without  side 
perforation,  or  ordinary  pots  that  have  three  small 
holes  by  which  to  suspend  them,  provide  suitable 
receptacles.  They  must  be  suspended  on  account 
of  the  pendulous  spikes.  During  active  growth 
they  will  take  water  freely,  and  overhead  syringing 
is  beneficial  on  bright  days.  The  temperature  of 
the  intermediate  house  is  well  suited  to  their 
requirements  at  all  seasons.  W.  P.  BonuD. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


THE    LILIES. 

( C ontinued    from   page    217.) 

¥  ILIUM     JANK^    (Kern),    the    yellow 

I  Turncap  Lily.— A  very  rare   plant 

I  of    the  Martagon   type,   but  little, 

I  if  at  all,  known  to  general  cultiva- 

»      ^     tion.  It  inhabits  the  lower  reaches  of 

the   Julian  Alps   of  Carniolia,   and 

proves  exceedingly  difficult  to  import  in  good 

order.  The  bulbs,  leaves,  and  stems  are  identical 

with  L.  Martagon,  and  the  flowers  are  yellow. 

The  plant  generally  grown  in  Europeas  L.  Jankae 

is  L.  albanum  of  Griesbach,  a  plant  of  carnio- 

licum  type.    Culture  and  uses,  see  L.  Martagon. 

L.  japonicum  (Thunb.),  the  Beautiful  Pink 
Japan  Lily. — A  variable  species  from  the  Japa- 
nese mountains,  and  widely  known  as  L. 
Krameri.  Its  colouring  varies  somewhat,  but 
all  the  forms  are  beautiful.  Bulbs  like  those 
of  small  L.  auratum,  very  tender,_and  easily 
damaged  ;  roots  distinctly  perennial.  Stems 
slender,  2  feet  to  3  feet  high,  dotted  purplish 
low  down,  glaucous,  and  rooting  freely  from 
their  bases.  Leaves  mere  scales  of  short 
duration  below,  narrowly  lance-shaped  above, 
broadest  and  longest  near  the  inflorescences, 
pale  green,  five-nerved,  scattered.  Flowers  one 
to  five  in  a  lax  umbel,  and  varying  in  colour 
from  vfhite  to  pink,  the  darkest  forms  few- 
flowered,  the  white  forms  four  to  five-flowered 
and  broadly  funnel-shaped,  4  inches  across, 
like  L.  candidum  in  outline,  but  more  wavy  ; 
the  petals  of  delicate  texture  and  excellent 
finish  ;  colour  pale  rose-pink,  silvery  pink,  or 
white,  the  low-level  plants  palest,  those  occur- 
ring at  elevations  of  3,000  feet  to  5,000  feet  the 
richest,  darkest,  and  dwarfest  forms  ;  anthers 
small  and  daintily  poised,  red.  Common  in 
cultivation.  Flowers  in  July  and  August. 
Inhabits  rocky  plateaux  of  the  Senano  Moun- 
tains, Island  of  Nippon,  Japan,  in  association 
with  low-growing  scrub  and  herbs. 

Culture  and  Uses. — This  beautiful  Lily 
is  diflicult  to  manage.  There  are,  however, 
thriving  colonies  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  all  of  which  owe  their  well-being  to 
association  with  shrubs  ;  indeed,  we  are  fully 
assured  that  this  is  the  only  way  in  which  this 
Lily  can  be  well  grown.  The  fibrous  nature  of 
its  outer  scales  indicates  conditions  approaching 
the  alpine,  and  we  would  suggest  beds  of 
Ericas,  hybrid  Azaleas,  or  any  planting  of 
peat-loving  shrubs  as  suitable  homes  for  L. 
japonicum.  It  is  almost  hopeless  to  attempt 
its  cultivation  in  the  plant  border  ;  semi- wild 
conditions,  where  the  bulbs  can  be  planted  in 
a  tangle  of  roots  and  the  stems  can  find  their 
way  through  the  protective  plants,  appear  in 
our  judgment  to  form  ideal  positions.  Even  in 
pot  culture  that  specimen  with  a  few  weeds 
about  its  base  thrives  better  than  the  others. 
In  all  cases  shade  should  be  attbrded  to  the 
young  shoots.  Once  the  plants  have  become 
strong  they  enjoy  full  sunshine  overhead. 
Avoid  manure  or  very  rich  soil.  All  the  help 
the  plants  require  will  be  a  slight  mulch 
of  leaf-soil  when  a  few  inches  high.  This 
species  grows  well  in  pots  under  cool  house 


treatment.    It  needs  abundant  drainage  and 
gentle  forcing. 

Var.  Alexandrce  (Hort.  Wallace),  Queen 
Alexandra's  Lily.  —  A  very  beautiful  form, 
unknown,  so  far  as  we  are  aware,  as  a  wilding, 
and,  in  our  judgment,  a  hybrid  that  originated 
in  Japanese  gardens  between  L.  longiflorum 
and  L.  japonicum,  the  plant  showing  exactly 
intermediate  characters.  Bulbs  as  in  longi- 
florum, small,  milk  white,  very  tender,  and 
apt  to  get  injured  by  rough  handling  and 
exposure.  Roots  stout  and  freely  produced,  as 
in  longiflorum.  Stems  green,  stout,  stiffly 
erect,  18  inches  high,  rooting  freely  from  their 
bases  as  in  longiflorum.  Leaves  five-nerved, 
deeply -channelled,  pale  green,  4  inches  to 
6  inches  long  below,  smaller  above,  resem- 
bling those  of  wild  L.  longiflorum.  Flowers 
openly  funnel-shaped  as  in  L.  japonicum,  one 
to  five  on  each  stem,  white,  tinged  with  green 
internally  and  externally  low  down,  6  inches 
long  and  wide,  poised  sub-erect  if  one-flowered, 
horizontally  if  more  than  one,  the  inner  petals 
broadest,  all  are  undulating,  little  or  much 
recurved.  Filaments  and  styles  as  in  longi- 
florum. Anthers  ruddy  brown  as  in  japonicum. 
Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  .July. 
Habitat  unknown,  but  the  Lily  is  widely 
cultivated  in  Japan.  A  very  beautiful  plant, 
but  diflicult  to  grow  and  flower  for  many  years 
in  succession  in  this  country.  We  have  seed- 
ling hybrids  between  L.  japonicum  and  longi- 
florum in  the  course  of  development,  which, 
we  hope,  will  settle  the  disputed  hybrid  origin. 

Culture  and  Uses. — This  Lily  requires 
the  same  culture  as  L.  longiflorum.  A  cool 
shady  border  will  grow  it  well,  choosing  as 
associates  for  it  Aubrietias  or  the  common 
Woodruff  in  the  form  of  a  protective  carpet. 
It  must  have  a  light  soil,  for  the  bulbs  are 
very  susceptible  to  decay,  and  in  early  spring 
a  few  Fir  boughs  should  be  placed  over  the 
site,  otherwise  the  young  shoots  may  be  injured 
by  frost.  We  have  grown  it  well  in  a  cool 
frame,  but  have  seen  it  even  better  in  a 
Midlothian  garden,  there  almost  equalling 
normally-grown  L.  longiflorum  in  stature.  It 
grows  exceedingly  well  under  pot  culture,  and 
provided  the  specimens  are  not  unduly  forced, 
and  are  carefully  tended  after  flowering, 
they  do  well  for  several  seasons,  better  than 
plants  in  the  open,  and  we  think  this  is  the 
best  way  to  grow  them.  G.  B.  Mallett. 

(To  be  continued.) 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


EASTER      TRADE. 

SUPPLIES  ih  Covent  Garden  Flower 
Market  were  fully  equal  to  all  demands. 
Altogether  there  was  a  brisk  trade,  and 
on  Saturday  morning,  in  addition  to  the 
ordinary  trade  buyers,  there  were  many 
private  people  in  the  market,  and  at 
one  time  it  was  quite  crowded.  There  was  a 
very  brisk  trade  earl}'  in  the  morning,  and 
a  slight  advance  in  prices  in  most  things,  but  it 
could  scarcely  be  said  that  anything  went  much 
above  ordinary  prices.  Lilium  longiflorum  was 
perhaps  an  exception,  these  making  lOs.  to  123. 
per  dozen  blooms.  There  were  a  few  Madonna 
Lilies,  which  also  made  good  prices.  L.  speciosum 
rubrum  was  very  fine,  but  did  not  sell  so  well.  L. 
tigrinum  was  also  good.  Callas  were  fairly  plentiful ; 
there  is  always  a  good  demand  for  these  at  Easter 
time,  and  prices  went  up  to  8s.  per  dozen  blooms 
for  best.  These  also  sold  well  in  pots.  Most 
white  flowers  sold  readily.  Azaleas  were  very 
plentiful,  and  sold  fairly  well.  Some  beautifully 
flowered  plants  of  Deutsche  Perle  were  in  ;  also  the 


Abril  9:.  I  aoi, ' 


THE    GARDEN. 


261 


newer  white  Niobe.  Good  bright  colours  were 
also  plentiful.  Azalea  mollis  was  very  good,  but 
did  not  sell  so  well,  Some  good  Rhododendrons 
were  also  seen  ;  some  large  plants,  well  flowered, 
did  not  find  purchasers.  Crimson  Rambler  Ruses 
were  much  better  flowered  than  those  previously 
seen.  There  were  also  a  tew  other  Rosea  in  pots  ; 
and  cut  Roses  were  plentiful  and  very  good  ;  for  the 
next  week  or  two  they  will  be  better  than  later  on. 
They  generally  fall  a  little  short  after  the  first  crop 
is  off. 

Daffodils  were  in  great  abundance,  but  the  demand 
was  also  large,  and  they  sold  freely  at  slightly 
advanced  prices.  In  all  cut  flowers  there  was  a 
better  trade  than  for  pots.  Marguerites  were  very 
goiid  and  plentiful.  The  same  might  be  said  of 
Genistas,  beautiful  plants  selling  at  63.  per  dozi^n. 
Cyclamens  were  also  good,  and  sold  fairly  well. 
Among  Heaths  there  are  now  a  few  Cavendishi 
and  candidissima  coming  in.  The  wilraoreana  and 
persoluta  alba  continue  good  and  plentiful.  We  find 
the  last-named  is  now  a  favourite  for  cutting  ;  it 
works  in  well  among  large  flowers  for  wreath 
work  and  other  designs.  White  intermediate 
Stocks,  the  Wallflower-leaved  variety,  in  pots  are 
npw  coming  in.  There  is  also  a  good  supply  of 
out  double  Stocks  in  several  colours.  These  are 
now  much  used  for  a  groundwork  for  wreaths,  &c. 
We  have  seen  the  purple,  pink,  and  white  used  as  a 
cushion  for  other  flowers  to  stand  above. 

Hyacinths  and  Tulips  continue  plentiful.  On 
Saturday  there  were  splendid  white  Hyacinths 
three  in  a  pot.  They  were  realising  10s.  per  dozen 
pots,  but  some  were  left  over  at  closing  time.  Good 
Lily  of  the  Valley  in  pots  were  plentiful.  Hydran- 
geas are  now  coming  in  from  several  growers,  the 
white  Thomas  Hogg  very  good,  and  sells  well,  but 
the  pink  Hortensia  is  hardly  good  enough  in  colour 
yet.  Cinerarias  continue  plentiful.  Pelargoniums 
are  not  yet  plentiful,  but  a  few  very  good  plants 
are  coming  in.  Zonals  are  more  abuadant,  and 
among  them  the  white-stemmed  sport  from  H. 
Jacoby,  King  Edward,  is  well  worthy  of  note,  and 
will  make  one  of  the  best  for  early  work.  Well- 
flowered  plants  were  making  8-1.  per  dozen. 

For  Palms  and  Ferns  there  was  only  a  moderate 
demand,  and  other  foliage  did  not  go  much  better. 
Acer  Negundo  variegatum  was  seen  on  some  stands, 
well-furnished  plants,  but  they  did  not  sell  very 
readily.  At  Eister  the  greatest  demand  is  for  cut 
flowers  and  well-flowered  plants  in  pots,  of  the 
ordinary  4J-inch  size. 


THE  HAMMOCK  UNDER 
THE  OAKS. 


A  Bank  of  Blue  Flowers. 
Or  all  the  wild  blossoms  that  bloom  by  pond 
or  stream,  in  shady  woodland,  along  green 
pastures,  or  on  mountain  slopes,  none  are  so 
appealing  to  the  flower  lover  as  those  of 
ccerulean  hue.  Perhaps  this  is  because  Nature 
is  so  much  more  lavish  in  the  use  of  all  the 
other  colours  on  her  palette  to  make  her  floral 
pictures. 

Here,  in  Eastern  America,  for  instance,  there 
is  no  tree  oi-  shrub  of  any  size  that  bears  blue 
blossoms.  To  be  sure  there  is  Caryopteris 
Mastacanthus  in  our  gardens,  but  that  is  not  a 
native.  It  flourishes  in  our  gardens,  however, 
and  is  almost  the  only  shrub  having  blue 
flowers  that  can  endure  our  climate.  In  our 
garden  here  the  Caryopteris  makes  quite  a 
large,  spreading  bush,  about  4  feet  in  height, 
but  it  is  not  absolutely  hardy,  and  has  to  be 
protected  in  winter.  Then,  too,  the  flowers  of 
Caryopteris  are  not  a  true  sky  blue,  but  are 
tinged  with  k  vender.  ,   .,. 

Ceanothuses  and  shrub  Veronicas  are  not 
hardy  hare.  Our  native  Ceanothus  americanus 
is  a  small  shrub  having  tiny -white  flowers  in 
clusters:.,''_ The, species, that  h9,ye'  blue  flowers 
are  aU  more  or  less  tender.    The  same  may  he' 


said  of  shrubby  Veronicas.  Besides  the  Cary- 
opteris, the  only  bush  that  we  have  here  at 
Kose  Brake  that  produces  blue  flowers  is  Vitex 
Agnus-castus,  a  very  old  shrub  from  South 
Europe,  with  small  lavender-blue  flowers  in 
clusters  late  in  the  summer.  This  shrub  is  not 
very  hardy  in  this  climate,  and  its  flowers  are 
few  and  inconspicuous— so  chary  is  Nature  in 
the  use  of  blue  for  mere  terrestrial  purposes. 
A  French  writer  speaks  of  "the  little  blue 
flower  of  romance,"  and  one  of  our  American 
writers  has  embodied  almost  the  same  idea  in 
a  volume  of  stories  called  "The  Blue  Flower," 
only  in  his  case  the  blue  flower  diligently  sought 
for  by  his  characters  typifles  the  search  for 
happiness.  Many  of  the  poets  have  attached 
ideas  of  romance  and  of  tenderness  to  blossoms 
of  celestial  colouring.  Witness  the  legend  of 
the  Forget-me-not,  and  Tennyson's  delicate 
reference  to  the  "little  Speedwell's  darling 
blue."  It  is  with  peculiar  affection  that  I  have 
come  to  regard  the  flowers  of  this  colour  that  I 
can  coax  into  bloom  in  my  garden.  So  greatly 
do  I  prize  blue  flowers  that  I  have  even  tried 
to  induce  Viper's  Bugloss  and  wild  Chicory  to 
content  themselves  in  shrubbery  beds.  Do 
English  readers  know  Viper's  Bugloss?  It 
came  to  us  gratuitously  as  an  emigrant  from 
Europe  or  Asia,  and  belongs  to  the  Borage 
family,  which  furnishes  us  with  so  many  blue 
flowers,  such  as  Myosotis,  Lithospermum, 
Mertensia,  Verbena,  and  Symphytum  or  Com- 
frey.  Its  full  name  is  Echium  vulgare,  and 
although  it  is  a  coarse  and  prickly  plant,  there 
is  no  doubt  about  the  beautiful  colour  of  its 
flowers.  Sometimes  in  this  neighbourhood  one 
sees  neglected  pastures  overrun  with  this  plant, 
which  farmers  consider  a  pest. 

It  was  not  until  last  autumn  that  the  idea 
occurred  to  me  of  clothing  part  of  a  gently 
sloping  bank  that  we  pass  in  the  little  journey 
from  the  dwelling-house  to  the  hammock 
under  the  Oaks  with  some  of  my  favourite 
plants  with  blue  flowers.  This  bank,  on  a 
foundation  of  limestone  rock,  is  composed  of 
a  very  stiff  red  clay,  much  of  which  had  to  be 
removed,  and  a  good  compost  of  soil  from  the 
site  of  an  old  wood-pile,  leaf -mould,  and  barn- 
yard manure  well  incorporated  with  the  upper 
spit  of  the  original  soil  of  the  bank.  Some 
large  stones  dug  out  of  it  in  process  of  pre- 
paring it  for  planting  were  replaced  as  nearly 
as  possible  according  to  the  directions  given  in 
The  Garden  for  rockwork.  As  we  wished 
the  bank  to  begin  to  be  beautiful  as  soon  as 
possible,  we  did  not  here  experiment  with 
plants  whose  needs  we  did  not  understand 
from  long  experience,  but  selected,  for  the 
most  part,  those  that  were  pretty  sure  to  do 
well.  Around  the  rocks  we  planted  some  blue 
and  white-flowered  Columbines.  A  part  of  the 
bank  vs-as  devoted  to  a  low -growing  Delphinium 
—  Queen  of  the  Blues,  which  is  a  fine  colour. 
We  also  put  in  some  Campanula  glomerata  and 
one  or  two  other  species  that  do  well  here. 
Patches  were  formed  of  the  native  Conoclinium 
cfelestinum,  and  around  some  of  the  rocks  we 
made  colonies  of  our  wild  Hepaticas.  The 
lovely  blue  European  Anemones  are  scarce  and 
almost  impossible  to  procure  in  America,  and 
such  as  I  have  tried  have  not  done  well.  We 
succeed,  however,  with  Musoari,  Scillas,  and 
Chionodoxas,  and  so  we  made  groups  of  these 
in  several  places  and  filled  up  the  interstices 
with  mats  of  creeping  Veronicas.  These,  in 
several  species,  do  remarkably  well  in  our  dry 
soil  and  in  a  sunny  situation.  Of  course. 
Forget-me-nots  need  more  shade  and  moisture 
than  we  can  supply,  so  we  ,did  not  attempt 
them.  Of  the  Veronicas  we  found  V.  ame- 
thystoides  one  of  the  first  to  bloom.  It  spreads 
qjiite  rapidlT^,^a,hd  took  'kindly  to  the  bank,  §,^. 


once.  But  why  is  it  called  amethystoides  1  I 
am  sure  that  I  never  saw  an  amethyst  so  blue 
aa  its  blossoms.  Danske  Dandeidgb. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our   table,  as   by 
this   means    many    rare    and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
widely  known.     We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.     We  , 
welcome  anything   from  the  garden,  whether 
Iruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and  , 
they  should   be  addressed  to  The  Editor,   5,,^ 
Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London.  ,-;..e---^ 


Webb's  Superb  Cineraria.  .  ,'.    ,  ^ 

Cinerarias  have  long  been  finely  grown,  and  a-' 
great  improvement  in  varieties  has  been  effected  by 
Messrs.   Webb  and.  Sons,   Wordsley,  Stourbridge. 
We  have  received  a  selection  of  their  Superb  strain 
of   these  flowers,  whose   characteristics  are   large 
flowers,    rich    colouring,   and    distinct    markings. 
The   blue  is  a  particularly  handsome  flower,  the 
petals  broad  and  thick,  and  of  rich  blue  ;  a  larger 
flower,  with  petals  of  deeper  blue  and  white  ej'e,  ,• 
is  very  effective,  while  finest  of  all,  perhaps,  is  an  •' 
unusually  large  bloom   of  true  crimson  colouring.  ' 
Others  worthy  of  note  are  the  white  variety  with  ' 
purple-black   centre,   blue   with  large   white  eye, 
deep  purple,  magenta,  bright  crimson  with  white 
eye,  rich  purple  with  large  white  eye,  and  brilliant  '■ 
crimson  almost  with  a  tinge  of  blue.     Any  of  these;, 
would  make  a  grand  display  in  the  greenhouse. 


BOOKS. 

Les     Fleups     Natlonales     et    les 

FleUPS  Politiques  (par  Georges 
Gibault). — This  is  a  neat  little  paper  -  covered 
pamphlet,  with  several  illustrations,  recently  pub- 
lished by  the  Librairie  Horticole,  84,  Rue  de 
Grenelle,  Paris.  As  its  title  implies  it  deals  with 
flowers  from  purely  a  national  or  political  stand- 
point. As  emblems  of  parties  we  have  often  seen 
flowers  chosen  by  the  adherents  of  some  royal 
house  or  political  faction.  The  Rose  of  England, 
the  Lily  of  France,  and  the  Chrysanthemum  of 
Japan  are  instances  of  the  first-named,  while  the 
Primrose  has  more  recently  been  adopted  by  a 
political  party  in  England.  Others,  like  the  Thistle 
and  the  Shamrock,  are  well  known  floral  emblems 
of  our  neighbours.  Of  these  and  others  M.  Gibault 
tells  the  story  in  his  little  treatise  now  under 
notice,  which  may  have  some  interest  for  those  of 
our  readers  who  have  any  leaning  towards  the  use 
of  flowers  in  the  direction  indicated. 

Maladies  et  Parasites  du   Clipy- , 

santheme  (par  J.  ChifHot).  —  This  handy 
manual,  by  Dr.  ChifHot  of  Lyons,  a  well  known 
authority  on  the  subject  of  plant  diseases  and 
insect  pests,  is  also  published  by  the  Librairie 
Horticole  of  Paris.  At  most  of  the  annual  con- ' 
ferences  organised  by  the  French  National  Chrysan- 
themum Society  there  has  been  a  paper  read  by 
Dr.  ChifHot  on  the  subjects  treated  by  him  in  this 
work,  and,  indeed,  the  work  is  practically  issued 
under  the  auspices  of  the  society,  which  has  also 
published  a  large  coloured  plate  to  accompany  the  , 
book,  although  both  are  sold  quite  separately.  The 
preface  is  by  M.  R.  Gerard,  the  directeur  of  the 
Botanical  Garden  at  Lyons,  of  which  Dr.  ChifHot  is 
the  sub-director.  The  body  of  the  work  runs  into 
about  fifty  pages  or  more,  and  is  divided  into  three 
main  divisions,  viz..  Parasites  animaux,  parasites 
v^g^taux,  and  maladies  physiologiques.  Further 
sub-divisions  are  made,  such  as  parasites  of  the  ; 
iroot,of  the  stem,  of  the  foliage,  of  the  buds,;  '&c.  ' 
Rpqaedial  fuea^ures  %r?  given,  and  the  zp£(lp,i}s.cultj,».>. 


262 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Apeil  9,  1904. 


vator  of  the  Chrysanthemum  who  can  read  French 
ought  to  have  but  very  little  difficulty  in  recognising 
any  ill  that  his  plants  are  heir  to  and  in  treating 
them  accordingly.  Especially  so  i£  a  copy  of  the 
coloured  plate  is  obtained  with  the  hook.  The 
author  gives  black  and  white  illustrations  in  his 
treatise,  which  is  certainly  the  first  independent 
work  that  has  yet  been  published  on  diseases  of  a 
popular  favourite.  The  rust,  of  course,  is  not 
omitted,  and  by  way  of  further  information  the 
author  at  the  end  gives  a  list  of  the  principal  works 
he  has  consulted  in  connexion  with  the  matters 
under  consideration. 


OBITUARY. 

M.  BEDINGHAUS. 
We  learn  with  regret  of  the  death  of  M.  E.  J. 
Bedingham,  a  Belgian  amateur,  whose  gardens  at 
Wondelgem  near  Ghent  contained  such  fine  collec- 
tions of  rare  and  interesting  plants.  The  splendid 
specimens  of  New  Holland  plants  which  he  showed 
at  the  Ghent  Quinquennial  Exhibitions  will  be  fresh 
in  the  minds  of  many.  As  examples  of  good 
culture  they  were  probably  unique.  M.  Beding- 
haus  was  sixty-four  years  old. 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  HaIl  Meeting. 
There  was  not  quite  so  large  a  display  in  the  Drill  Hall  on 
Tuesday  last  as  usual,  neither  was  the  hall  so  crowded,  but 
thefact  of  the  meeting  being  in  Easter  week  was  doubtless 
responsible.  Hardy  flowers,  especially  Narcissi,  forced 
shrubs,  indoor  flowers,  among  which  forced  Roses  were 
perhaps  most  attractive,  and  Orchids  were  all  largely  shown. 
The  Orchid  committee  gave  a  gold  medal  to  the  group  sent 
by  Mr.  H.  T.  Pitt,  which  included,  among  many  other  fine 
Odontoglossums,  O.  crispum  Fred.  K.  Sander,  probably  the 
flnest  of  all  the  varieties  of  0.  crispum.  One  first-class 
certificate  and  four  awards  of  merit  were  given  by  this  com- 
mittee. The  floral  committee  gave  awards  of  merit  to  a 
new  Azalea  and  other  plants,  and  a  flrst-class  certifi- 
cate to  Clerodendron  myrmecophilum.  The  Narcissus 
committee  recommended  an  award  of  merit  to  Narcissus 
Alert  from  Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  and  Sons,  while  there  were 
no  exhibits  at  all  before  the  fruit  and  vegetable  committee. 
Orchid  Committee. 
Present:  Messrs.  Norman  C.  Cookson  (chairman),  James 
O'Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  R.  Brooman  White,  H.  M.  Pollett, 
H.  Ballantine,  Walter  Cobb,  J.  Douglas,  Francis  Wellesley, 
W.  A.  Bilney,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  H.  T.  Pitt,  A.  A.  McBean 
F.  W.  Ashton,  M.  Gleeson,  W.  Boxall,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  A 
Tracy,  H.  G.  Morris,  and  H.  Little. 

In  the  group  exhibited  by  H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq. ,  Stamford  Hill,  N. 
(gardener,  Mr.  F.  W.  Thnrgood),  Odontoglossums  figured 
largely ;  among  them  were  0.  crispum  F.  K.  Sander,  perhaps 
the  flnest  variety,  a  large  shapely  fl  .wer  heavily  and  regularly 
marked  with  reddish  crimson  ;  0.  c.  Abner  Hassall,  O.  Pes- 
catorei  Pitts  variety,  0.  andersonianum,  0.  c.  King  Richard, 
O.  c.  Maud  Rochford,  0.  c.  Prebendary  Bevan,  ana  0.  c' 
Briton's  Queen,  all  finely  marked  varieties.  Other  Orchids 
were  Cypripedium  bellatulum,  Oncidium  concolor,  Cym- 
bidium  eburneum,  Cypripedium  lawrenceanum  hyeanum, 
Anguloa  Clowesii,  Epidendrum  sceptrum,  Sophronitis 
grandiflora,  and  others.    Gold  medal. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  e.-chibited  a  very 
bright  group  of  Orchids,  that  contained,  among  others, 
Oncidium  concolor,  Zygo-colax  amesiana,  Phaius  Norman, 
Miltonia  vexillaria  Empress  Augusta  (a  splendid  variety, 
rich  rose,  with  yellow  and  white  eye),  .Masdevallia  igneai 
L.-C.  luminosa  var.  Fascinator,  some  good  Odontoglossums 
Angrsecum  sanderiauum,  Cattleya  Schroderie,  Chysis  bractes- 
cens,  Cattleya  elata,  Ac.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Walton  Grange,  Stone,  showed  some 
very  flne  Odontoglossums.  O.  crispum,  O.  Pescatorei,  0. 
Adrians,  0.  sceptrum  aureum,  0.  s.  nobilior,  and  0. 
triumphans  were  the  chief  species  represented,  and  the 
forms  and  variations  of  them  were  very  beautiful.  Silver 
Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  showed  a  pretty 
group  of  Orchids  that  included  Dendrobium  Boxalli  (finely 
flowered),  Lycaste  costata  (with  eight  flowers),  Miltonia 
Rojzlii,  Odontoglossum  cavendishianum,  O.  harryano- 
crispum,  0.  gloriosum,  Cattleya  intermedia  superba,  C.  i. 
alba,  C.  Trianaj  alba,  a  flne  plant  of  Cypripedium  Roebelinii, 
Eria  obesa,  Cypripedium  niveum,  and  others.  Silver  Bank- 
sian  medal. 

H.  Little,  Esq.,  The  Barons,  Twickenham  (gardener,  Mr. 
A.  Howard),  showed  Cattleya  Schrbderse  Little's  variety  and 
C.  8.  Miss  Little,  white,  except  for  the  lilac-tinged  lip  and 
purple  throat. 

Cypripedium  Albertonense  Westfield  var.  and  Cattleya 
guttata  Prinzii  were  shown  by  F.  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield 
Common,  Woking  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  Hopkins). 

J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate  (gardener,  Mr 

Whitelegge),  exhibited    CattleJ-a   Trianaj  var.   Perfecta   (a 

large,     handsome,     well-formed     flower),     Brasso-Cattleya 

Schrbdera;  alba,  and  Odontoglossum  excellens  var.  Lowi. 

Messrs.  Linden  and  Co.,  Brussels,  exhibited  Cypripedium 

,  Mi^e.  Linden  (C.    gtande    X   C.    caudatunr  Wallisi);    aiid 


*«»*.■ 


Cymbidium  Lowi  var.  Luciani,  bearing  a  raceme  of  seventeen 
flowers,  the  sepals  and  petals  green,  with  brown  lines,  the 
lip  crimson-brown  and  white. 

Eriopsis  rutidobulbon  and  Odontoglossum  luteo-purpureum 
var.  were  shown  by  W.  C.  Walker,  Esq.,  Peru  Lodge, 
Winchmore  Hill  (gardener,  Mr.  E.  Bunney). 

Cypripedium  harrisianum  Excelsior  was  shown  by  F.  C. 
Rehder,  Esq.,  The  Avenue,  Gipsy  Hill,  S.W.  (gardener,  Mr. 
Harris). 

A  cultural  commendation  was  given  W.  J.  Gurney  Fowler, 
Esq.,  Glebelands,  South  Woodford,  for  a  finely-fiowered 
plant  of  Dendrobium  wardianum  Fowleri. 

Mr.   .Tames  Douglas,  Edenside,  Great  Bookham,   showed 
Cypripedium  spicero-chamberlainianum. 
New  Orchids. 

OdontogtosHum  cirrhosum  Pitt's  variety.  —  A  large  and 
striking  form  of  0.  cirrhusum,  sepals  and  petals  blotched 
with  brown  upon  a  white  ground,  with  yellow  lip.  This 
variety  was  given  an  award  of  merit  last  year.  From  H.  T. 
Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thurgood). 
First-class  certificate. 

Loilio-Cattleya  Mona. — A  hybrid  of  very  pleasing  colouring, 
sepals  and  petals  and  lip  are  of  an  uniform  deep  primrose 
colour,  while  the  throat  is  a  richer  yellow.  The  parents  are 
Cattleya  Schroderie  and  Lselia  flava.  From  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea.    Award  of  merit. 

Brasso-Cattteya  digbyano  -  Schrbderce  alba.  —  An  albino 
hybrid,  the  result  of  a  cross  between  Cattleya  Schrbderai  alba 
and  Brassavola  digbyana.  There  is  a  faint  blush  tinge  in  the 
sepals,  and  the  throat  is  greenish  yellow,  otherwise  the 
fiower  is  white.  The  large  beautifully  fringed  lip  with  the 
greenish  throat  is  very  attractive.  From  J.  Bradshaw,  Esq., 
The  Grange,  Southgate  (gardener,  Mr.  Whitelegge).  Award 
of  merit. 

Cymbidium  Lorn  var.  Luciani. — A  flower  of  striking  and 
distinct  colouring,  sepals  and  petals  green  marked  with 
brown  lines,  the  lip  white  below  the  column  and  marked 
with  crimson-brown  at  the  edge.  The  plant  shown  bore  a 
raceme  of  seventeen  fiowers.  From  Messrs.  Linden  and  Co., 
Brussels.    Award  of  merit. 

Floral  Committee. 
Messrs.  Marshall  (chairman),  George  Nicholson,  James 
Walker,  R.  Dean,  J.  Green,  J.  F.  McLeod,  W.  Howe,  R.  H. 
Pearson,  J.  Jennings,  C.  E.  Fielder,  Charles  Dixon,  George 
Eeuthe,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  Charles  E.  Pearson,  J.  W.  Barr, 
George  Gordon,  William  Cuthbertson,  H.  J,  Jones,  W.  P. 
Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  W.  J,  James,  Charles  E.  Shea, 
George  Paul,  C.  T.  Druery,  and  R.  W.  Wallace. 

Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  showed  some 
three  dozen  plants  in  fiower  of  Xanthoceras  siobifolia.  The 
Bowers  are  white  with  a  stain  of  reddish  hue  at  the  base 
and  produced  in  dense  axillary  clusters.  Some  (.f  the  plants 
had  as  many  as  a  dozen  fiowering  shoots.  The  effect  in  the 
mass  was  very  fine.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  staged  a 
good  lot  of  early  alpines  in  fiower  for  the  most  part.  We 
were  most  struck  with  the  mass  of  Shortia  galacifulia,  Prim- 
rose Miss  Massey,  Anemone  Pulsatilla,  Puschkinia  libanolica, 
Muscari  botryoides  alba,  very  fine ;  Epiga3a  lepens,  very 
charming  ;  Gentiana  verna,  double  crimson  Primrose,  very 
flne,  together  with  a  group  of  Oncocyclus  Irises.  Tree 
Pffionies  in  flower,  Weigelas,  and  other  flowering  shrubs 
added  to  the  bright  appearance.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  T.  .S.  Ware,  Limited,  Fellham,  exhibited  a  flne  lot 
of  Clematises,  forced  plants  in  flower  in  pots.  A  large 
number  of  sorts  weie  shown,  including  Nellie  iloser,  red  bar 
on  white  ground;  Lord  Neville,  dark  purple;  Mrs.  Jack- 
man,  while  ;  Beauty  of  Worcester,  deep  blue  ;  and  many 
more. 

A  large  exhibit  of  forced  shrubs  from  Messrs.  William 
Cutbush  and  Son  included  fine  examples  of  Magnolia  stellata, 
M.  Soulangeana,  M.  aniabilis,  and  others  in  strong  force  ; 
these  were  associated  with  Azalea  mollis,  Lilacs,  Piunuses,  &c. 

Mr.  E.  Potten,  Cranbrook,  Kent,  had  a  pot-grown  group 
of  Rose  Dorothy  Perkins,  together  with  good  examples  of 
Lady  Battersea,  and  cut  blooms  of  Corallina,  The  Bride, 
Innocence,  and  others. 

Messrs.  George  Jackman  and  Son,  Woking,  had  groups  of 
alpines  in  boxes,  such  as  Shortia  galacifolia,  Anilrosace 
pyrenaica.  Anemone  Pulsatilla  alba.  Iris  Bucharica,  Megasea 
ciliata,  Primula  frondosa,  and  P.  viscosa  nivea  were  among 
the  most  notable  in  a  pretty  lot.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

A  fine  lot  of  cut  zonal  Pelargoniums  came  from  Messrs. 
Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  the  trusses  and  the  fiowers  as 
flne  as  could  be  desired.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Daffodils  from  Miss  Currey,  Lismore,  Ireland,  were  quite 
representative,  singles  and  doubles,  bicolors  and  selfs,  all 
were  of  good  quality.  Duke  of  Bedford,  a  fine  bicolor  ;  King 
Alfred,  Victoria,  and  a  seedling  bicolor  with  strongly  rimmed 
cup  were  prominent.  Maclean,  a  miniature  bicolor,  was  also 
noted.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  had  a  group  of 
Crotons,  Palms,  Dracama  Victoria,  Aralias,  Dracicna 
gOldieana,  with  Asparagus  and  other  things. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  made  his  first  appear- 
ance in  1904  with  a  capital  lot  of  hardy  things.  Especially 
good  were  Saxifraga  oppositifolia.  Iris  reticulata.  Primula 
denticulata  alba,  Slsyrinchium  grandifiorum.  Primula  rosea, 
Aubrietia  Perry's  blue  ;  Scilla  bifolia,  Saxifraga  apiculata, 
Tulipa  kaufmanniana,  and  others.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

The  Roses  from  Mr.  George  Mount  of  Canterbury  were 
undoubtedly  one  of  the  features  of  the  show.  A  large 
number  of  handsome  blooms  o(  a  few  sorts  were  displayed. 
The  visitor  was  face  to  face  with  several  dozens  each  of 
Captain  Hayward,  glowing  crimson ;  Mrs.  Laing,  Mrs. 
Sharman  Crawford,  and  lesser  numbers  of  Ulrich  Brunner, 
Bessie  Brown,  and  others.  Of  those  flrst-named  we  have 
never  seen  finer  or  better  coloured  flowers.  Silvei'-gilt  Flora 
medal. 

Mi-.  Charles  Turner,  Slough,  contributed  a  group  of  Azaleas 
iq  pote,  one  of  which,  Teinperaiice,  is  of  a  mauve-lilac  tone. 
Very  effective  alone. but  diftlcult  to  arrange  successfully  with 
other  shSdes,  and  those  of  red  especially.  A  batch  of.Rose 
Mme.-ir.-LevavttisiiA  was"als6  ffioWhia'-floWe?;"   Th'e  'gliaV 


is  a  capital  one  for  pot  culture,  and  blooms  abundantly  at 
15  inches  high. 

Mr.  C.  Dawson,,  Gulval,  Penzance,  set  up  a  very  choice  lot 
of  Narcissi.  Puritan,  a  chaste  delicate  bicolor  ;  Pilgrim,  a 
pale  form  after  Katherine  Spurrell  type,  Weardale  Per- 
fection, Blackwell,  Cardinal,  Lucifer,  Flambeau,  Torch,  Red 
Eagle,  Blood  Orange,  and  Sirius  are  all  of  the  rich  cupped 
type,  while  Homespun  is  a  soft  pale  shallow-cupped  Sir 
Watkin  and  Kitty  Wake  an  approach  to  White  Queen.  A 
very  beautiful  lot.  Some  flne  Primroses  were  also  shown 
Silver  Floral  medal. 

Boxes  of  alpines  and  Primroses  of  various  colours  came 
from  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley.  Among  other 
things  Anemone  blanda  and  Omphalodes  verna  were  very 
beautiful.  Daphnes  and  other  shrubs  in  flower  made  a 
suitable  background. 

Schizanthus  Wistonensis  and  Rose  Crimson  Rambler  were 
the  chief  things  from  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill 
Park,  N.  Of  the  former  there  were  some  two  dozen  well- 
fiowered  plants,  showing  much  variety  of  colour. 

Messrs.  John  Peed  and  Son,  West  Norwood,  S.E.,  con- 
tributed Auriculas  in  vaiiety,  with  many  Primulas,  Squills, 
Saxifrages,  Arabis,  and  other  things  in  boxes. 

Messrs.  Frank  Cant  and  Co.,  Colchester,  had  a  grind  lot  of 
Roses  in  the  cut  state,  such,  for  example,  as  Lady  Roberts, 
very  rich  in  colour ;  Felix  Faure,  crimson  marone  ;  Liberty, 
Perle  van  Godesburgh,  large  white  ;  Peace,  creamy  ;  Mme. 
Hoste,  Lady  Battersea,  Souv.  de  W.  Robinson,  coppery  red, 
with  orange  tints  internally ;  Goldeste,  a  finely-for-ned 
yellow  ;  and  others.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  George  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  showed  a  large  array  of 
alpines  in  pots,  of  which  we  noted  Soldanellas,  Androsace 
carnea  in  pretty  masses,  Shortia  galacifolia.  Primula  rosea, 
the  lovely  Tecophilaa  cyanocrocus,  many  pots  of  Primulas, 
and  several  pots  of  Orchis  species.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  again  exhibited 
forced  shrubs.  Azaleas,  Guelder  Roses,  Lilacs,  and  such 
things  were  plentiful.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  the  Old  Rose  Gardens, 
Colchester,  exhibited  large  and  profusely  Howered  speci- 
mens of  Rose  Blush  Rambler.  Also  the  new,  large,  serai- 
double  climbing  Rose  Maharajah,  which  is  not  yet  in 
commerce.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  in  a  large  exhibit 
of  forced  Narcissi,  had  Gloria  Mundi,  Victoria,  C.  J.  Back- 
house, Monarch,  King  Alfred,  Peter  Barr,  Lord  Roberts, 
VVearJale,  Mme.  de  Graaff,  and  Henry  Vilmorin.  Lucifer, 
Janet  Image,  and  Triandrus  albus  were  also  noted.  A  small 
exhibit  of  hardy  alpines  was  arranged  beside  the  above. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin,  contrilmted  a  large 
assortment  of  Irish  grown  Narcissi,  in  which  such  as 
Emperor,  Sir  Watkin,  Mme.  Plemp,  King  Alfred,  .Maxiraus, 
Princess  Ida,  Horsefieldi,  and  others  were  seen  in  good 
condition.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Mr.  John  Russell,  Richmond,  staged  a  group  of  Wistaria 
sinensis,  and  by  surrounding  the  plants  with  Clematises  in 
pots  in  several  colours,  with  a  background  of  Palms,  pro- 
duced a  pleasing  effect.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Azaleas  and  Olivias  were  shown  by  A.  Little,  E-q.,  The 
Barons,  Twickenham,  and  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Son,  Limited, 
Feltham,  had  several  Hippeastrums,  a  group  of  Begonia 
Agatha,  and  a  pretty  new  Corydalis  (C.  Wilsoni)  from  Central 
China,  with  glaucous  leaves  and  golden  yellow  blossoms. 
Freesia  Armstrong!  was  shown  by  M.  C.  G.  Van  Tubergen, 
Holland. 

Awards. 
Clerodendron  myrmecophilmii.~X  striking  and  distinct 
species,  with  large,  ovate-acuminate,  glaucous  leaves,  oppo- 
sitely disposed  in  pairs.  The  inflorescence  is  pyramidal  in 
outline.  The  fiowers,  which  are  yellow  or  pale  orange  in 
colour,  are  abundantly  produced  in  rather  close,  horiz4)ntaI 
whorls  on  dark  stems.  As  shown  the  plant  was  about  3  feet 
high.  From  Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans.  First- 
class  certificate. 

Azalea  Mme.  Emile  Eekhantc— One  of  the  Indian  Azaleas, 
with  rose  and  pink,  white-edged  flowers  of  good  size  and 
substance.  From  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough.  Award  of 
merit. 

Cyrtantfms  X  Marian.— This  is  a  hybrid  raised  by  Mr. 
J.  O'Brien,  Harrow-on-the-Hill.  The  parents  are  C.  lutes- 
cens  and  0.  angustifolius.  It  much  resembles  the  latter  in 
colour  and  form.  The  flowers  are  orange-red,  tubular  or 
nearly  so,  and  rather  crescent  shaped  in  outline.  We 
believe  the  stock  has  passed  to  Mr.  George  Reuthe,  Keston, 
Kent.    Award  of  merit. 

Iris  Haynei.—A.  new  species  from  Palestine  that  may  be 
likened  to  I.  atrofusca,  with  the  exception  that  the  former 
is  of  better  colour  and  superior  altogether.  The  warm  rosy 
purple  standards  are  very  flne.  From  Messrs.  William 
Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate.    Award  of  merit. 

Clicia  Lord  Bathutst. —This  is  perhaps  the  most  shapely- 
fiowered  Clivia  we  have  yet  seen,  both  as  regards  the  indi- 
vidual blossoms  and  the  inflorescence.  The  flowers  are  pale 
orange.  From  Lady  Bathurst,  Cirencester  (gardener,  Mr.  T. 
Arnold).    Award  of  merit. 

Primula  obeonica.—A  white-flowered  form,  with  fringed 
petals.  An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  the  strain  subject 
to  the  disuse  of  any  Latin  varietal  term.  From  Mr.  G. 
Schneider,  Ifleld  Road,  Fulham. 

Narcissus  Committee  Award. 
Narcissits  Alert.— This  is  virtually  an  improved  N.  obval- 
laris.  The  fiower  is  very  sturdy  and  strong.  It  differs 
chiefly  in  the  greater  vigour  of  leafage  and  greater  constancy. 
For  ttiese  reasons  it  will  prove  valuable.  From  Messrs.  J.  R. 
Pearson  and  Sons,  Chilwell  Nurseries,  Lowdham,  Notts. 
Award  of  merit. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present :   Mr.  George  Bunyard  (chairman),  Messrs.  T.  W. 

Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  Alex.  Dean,  Horace  J.  Wright,  Edwin 

Beckett,   H.    Parr,    G.    Reynolds,    J.  Jaques,   J.   Willard, 

J.  Mclndoe,  Thomas  Arnold,  James  H.  Veitch,  and  Owen 


Thelfe 


were  no  exhibits  before  this  committee. 


.•i^Au^h*- 


.»*l-  ta  ri.ili«hflUii  r  iS.r6/.»>'* 


J.^K.^Hw.'C  " 


..H^i'Kv*''-^  :'■'■*—"■■'    — '^ 


-w.v*.'.-.-t»'— *;  J«j 


GARDEN 


-^^- 


No.  1691.— Vol.  LXV. 


[April  16,  1904. 


FRUIT    TREE    PRUNING. 

IT  may  be  said  that  no  work  connected 
with  the  culture  of  fruit  trees  is  of 
greater  importance  than  pruning,  since 
if  this  is  carelessly  or  wrongly  done  all 
other  labour  may  be  counted  as  lost. 
For  some  time  past  fruit  tree  pruning  has  been 
the  occasion  of  numerous  articles  and  notes  in 
The  Garden.  All  our  correspondents  appear 
to  agree  that  the  desideratum  is  a  tree  of  a 
size  proportionate  to  the  space  at  disposal,  and 
that  each  branch  should  be  "a  perfect  cordon 
of  fruit-spurs  from  base  to  near  the  other 
extremity,"  but  are  at  variance  as  to  the 
methods  best  suited  to  obtain  it.  The  chief 
point  of  difference  appears  to  be  whether 
shortening  the  shoots  of  an  Apple  tree  (after 
the  shape  is  assured)  does  or  does  not  conduce 
to  the  formation  of  fruit-buds.  We  have  lately 
seen  shoots  upon  Apple  trees,  where  the  one 
year  old  shoots,  i.e.,  shoots  made  during  the 
summer  of  1903,  were  left  intact,  and  the  two 
year  old  wood  carried  a  splendid  lot  of  fruit- 
buds  which  will  bear  this  year.  On  the  other 
hand,  however,  we  have  also  noticed  trees  with 
the  shoots  thus  left  unpruned,  where  two  year 
old  wood  was  almost  destitute  of  flower-buds, 
and  trees  whose  shoots  were  partially  shortened 
had,  on  the  contrary,  plenty  of  iiower-buds. 
This  experience,  then,  goes  to  prove  nothing, 
and  we  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  fruit 
growers  upon  the  subject,  which  is  one  of  great 
importance  to  all  who  cultivate  fruit  trees, 
whether  in  large  or  small  numbers.  Below  is 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Crump,  who  is  widely  known 
as  an  experienced  fruit  grower.  We  hope 
shortly  to  have  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Norman  of 
Hatfield  Gardens,  where  the  Apple  and  Pear 
trees  are  of  the  finest. 

"With  pleasure  I  respond  to  my  generous 
critic's  questions  (page  208),  the  first  of  which 
asks :  '  How  many  branches  should  be  retained 
on  an  average  standard  or  bush  tree  ? '  To 
this  I  reply,  unlimited,  but  the  number 
entirely  depends  upon  the  variety  and  the 
superficial  area  of  head-room  at  command, 
but,  generally  speaking,  just  as  the  annual 
radius  of  the  young  tree's  branches  increases, 
so  in  like  proportion  should  the  number  of 
stout,  strong,  well-regulated  branches,  every 
one  of  which  should  ultimately  become  a  per- 
fect cordon  of  fruit-spurs  from  base  to  near 
the  other  extremity,  averaging  from  18  inches 
to  24  inches  apart  throughout.  This  distance 
apart  of  branches  will  allow  the  admission  of 
sun,  light,  and  air  to  the  interior  of  the  tree. 


and  thus  preserve  healthy  foliage,  which  alone 
can  develop  and  maintain  the  fruiting  spurs 
and  plump,  well-ripened  flower-buds  year  by 
year  on  every  branch  throughout,  and  which 
ought  to  be  the  most  important  object  in 
skilful  pruning.  Any  observer  can  see  for 
himself  the  results  of  the  opposite  system  in 
hundreds  of  orchards,  for,  when  the  interior  of 
the  tree  is  allowed  to  become  crowded  with 
lateral  shoots  and  foliage,  the  fruiting  spurs 
on  the  interior  branches  become  choked,  con- 
sequently die,  leaving  a  lot  of  objectionable 
dead  wood  and  lanky,  unfruitful  branches  all 
through  the  middle  part  of  the  trees. 

"  The  great  point  is  thus  to  build  up  the 
tree  by  rational  extension  pruning,  so  that 
every  leaf  shall  obtain  proper  air  and  light, 
adding  more  branches  in  number  as  required, 
and  slightly  shortened  in  accordance  with  the 
vigour  of  the  specimen  in  hand  and  the  par- 
ticular habit  of  the  several  varieties  considered. 
In  small  gardens  space  is  naturally  limited  and 
the  trees  soon  fill  their  allotted  space,  in  which 
case  the  aforesaid  method  must  be  somewhat 
modified,  and,  in  order  to  keep  the  said  cordon 
branches  furnished  and  healthy,  the  only  way 
to  do  so  is  to  run  up  a  fresh  shoot  from  as  near 
the  base  as  possible,  periodically  trimming 
away  the  old  spur  growth  wherever  it  becomes 
in  the  way  of  the  new  shoot,  removing  the  old 
shoot  entirely  in  the  course  of  time,  something 
after  the  fashion  of  long  rod  pruning  of  Vines, 
this  being  in  part  extension  pruning  in  a 
restricted  space. 

"  It  should  be  mentioned  that  no  tree  can 
remain  healthy  and  fruitful  for  long  without 
some  extension  of  wood  growth  annually.  We 
often  see  the  results  of  tree  pruning  of  this 
character  where  the  jobbing  gardener  is  the 
autocrat  of  the  suburban  garden,  where  the 
trees  make  a  thicket  of  strong  wood  growth  in 
the  summer,  every  bit  of  which  is  so-called 
pruned  off  in  the  winter.  Such  treatment  soon 
brings  the  trees  operated  upon  into  a  state  of 
unfruitfulness  and  chronic  debility,  with  corre- 
sponding disappointment  to  the  owner.  Mr. 
J.  H.  Veitch  tells,  in  that  excellent  book  of 
his — '  Traveller's  Notes  in  Japan  ' — of  the 
system  the  .Japanese  have  of  fixing  a  flat  wood 
trellis  covering  the  entire  orchard,  and  laid 
'  beneath  the  heads  of  the  trees,  only  a  few  feet 
high,  and  the  branches  tied  down  to  the 
trellis.'  This  method  doubtless  gives  them 
high  quality,  for  we  know  how  clever  and 
ingenious  the  Japanese  are  and  how  cheap 
labour  is,  but  such  would  not  pay  in  this 
country  for  ordinary  fruits. 


"  Question  No.  2  asks  :  '  Why  the  refusal  of 
certain  trees  to  grow  away  kindly  after  careful 
planting  ? '  I  may  say  I  have  had  similar 
experience,  and  in  my  case  was  able  to  trace 
the  cause  unmistakably,  which  was  that  the 
said  trees  had  been  taken  up  in  the  nursery 
that  they  had  grown  in,  carried  to  the  '  bays ' 
near  to  the  packing  sheds,  but  where  they  had 
to  wait  for  several  days,  until  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  things  other  goods  (part  of  the  order) 
could  be  collected  from  other  departments. 
Whilst  thus  waiting,  and  under  probable  ex- 
posure, a  frost  set  in,  which  penetrated  the 
exposed  roots  then  above  ground,  and  doubt- 
less very  serious  injury  ensued  to  the  roots  by 
this  rapid  freezing,  drying,  and  thawing  alter 
nating. 

"Of  course,  this  injury  was  quite  invisible 
at  the  time,  as  the  roots  all  seemed  moist 
and  right  in  their  apparent  careful  packing, 
but  doubtless,  as  was  seen  from  investigation 
afterwards  as  to  this  failure  to  grow  kindly^ 
the  roots  had  died  back  some  distance  from 
their  extremities,  and  had  to  push  out  small, 
weakly  rootlets  nearer  to  the  base,  but  too  late 
to  support  the  earliest  started  growth  of  the 
head  shoots  and  leaves.  Hence  the  serious 
check  to  the  tree  and  consequent  loss  and 
disappointment,  caused  solely  by  the  retarded 
root  action.  The  same  thing  happened  to  a 
larger  consignment  of  English  Yews,  but 
at  a  different  period.— W.  Ceump,  Madresfield 
Court." 


DAFFODIL    NOTES. 

The   Lateness   of  the  Season. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  winter  proved 
remarkably  mild — 11°  of  frost  being  the  highest 
which  the  exposed  thermometer  registered  here 
between  November  1  and  the  last  day  of 
February— Daftbdils  are  unusually  late,  and 
on  Easter  Day  N.  pallidus  prtecox,  N.  obval- 
laris,  and  N.  Telemonius  plenus  were  the  only 
ones  available  for  cutting.  Last  season  a  clump 
of  the  Tenby  Daftbdil  on  a  sunny  bank  in  the 
rock  garden  came  into  bloom  on  February  23, 
while  this  year  this  same  clump  (which  has  not 
been  disturbed  in  any  way)  had  but  one  flower 
expanded  on  ilarch  24,  or  exactly  one  month 
later.  This  tardiness  is  probably  due  to  the 
fact  that  the  bulbs  were  never  properly  ripened 
ofl'  last  summer,  and  also  because  the  ground 
during  August  and  September  was  in  such  a 
cold,  saturated  condition  that  they  did  not  start 
into  growth  as  quickly  as  they  would  have 
done  under  more  normal  conditions.  Varieties 
which  were  not  lifted  last  season  are  not 
flowering  as  freely  as  those  which  were,  and  this 
goes  to  prove  how  important  it  is  for  inost 
Dattbdil   bulbs   to  get    a   thorough    ripening 


264 


THE    GARDEN. 


TApkil  16,  1901. 


There  appears  to  be  not  the  slightest  doubt 
that  the  flowers  will  lack  both  colour  and 
quality  this  season,  and,  although  the  trumpet 
section  (as  far  as  I  can  j  udge  at  present)  promise 
to  be  of  fair  substance,  yet  I  am  rather  afraid 
that  the  general  run  of  flowers  will  be  weak 
and  flimsy.  At  the  last  Drill  Hall  meetiug  the 
Irish  growers  were  complaining  much  about 
this. 

The  Naecissus  Commitiee. 
So  far  there  has  not  been  much  business  for 
this  committee  to  transact.  At  the  meeting 
on  the  5th  inst.  there  was  au  interesting  collec- 
tion of  flowers  from  Wisley,  which  included  a 
gathering  of  the  Hoop  Petticoat  (N".  corbularia) 
■varieties;  they  were  interesting  as  showing  how 
wonderfully  these  dainty  little  things  thrive 
there. 

Daffodil  Alert. 
It  is  pleasing  to  record  that  an  unanimous 
award  of  merit  was  given  to  an  excellent  little 
early  Daflbdil  from  Messrs.  Pearson  of  Lowd- 
ham.     The  committee  are  fully  aware  of  the 
importance  of  encouraging  raisers  to  improve 
the  early  flowering  section,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  in  years  to  come  we  may  see  some  really 
first-class  flowers  a  fortnight  before  the  host  of 
mid-season  varieties.    Alert,  which  is  the  name 
of  this  new  variety,  may  be  described  as  an 
improved  form  of  N.  obvallaris,  with  a  lighter 
and   firmer  perianth  and    a  wider   and  more 
reflexed  trumpet  than  that  varietj^     As  most 
people  are  aware,  N.  obvallaris  refuses  to  grow 
on  some  soils,  and  on  the  stifle  soil  at  Lowdbam 
Mr.  J.  D.  Pearson  informs  me  that  it  does  not 
succeed  nearly  so   well  as  Alert,   which   is   a 
chance  seedling   of  very    strong   constitution. 
Early  flowers  must  necessarily  be  sturdy  and 
possess  petals  of  good  texture,  so  as  to  be  able 
to  stand  the  rough  weather  which  is  generally 
associated  with  the  month  of  March. 
New  Daffodils. 
Notwithstanding  the   backwardness   of  the 
season  some  very  fine  flowers  were  staged  at 
the  Drill  Hall  on  the  5th  inst.    Mr.  Charles 
Dawson,  of  Gulval,  near  Penzance,  had  a  highly 
meritorious     collection,     which     included     a 
number  of  flowers  never  previously  exhibited. 
The  following  is  a  brief  description  of  the  best 
of  these  new  varieties  : — ■ 

Puritan. — A  bicolor  Ajax  with  large,  deep 
lemon  trumpet,  widely  expanded  and  reflexed 
at  the  mouth.  Segments  creamy  white  and 
incurved.  A  grand  seedling  from  Mme.  de 
GraafF,  and  opening  about  ten  days  earlier  than 
that  variety. 

Pilgrim. — An  exciuisite  Leedsi  of  the  same 
shape  as  White  Lady,  with  pointed  segments, 
broad  and  overlapping,  in  colour  creamy 
white.  Crown  longer  than  in  White  Lady, 
crinkled,  and  bright  lemon  in  colour.  A 
distinct  variety. 

Cardinal. — An  incomparabilis  of  moderate 
size,  with  small,  deep  orange  cup  and  creamy 
white  segments,  not  overlapping,  and  tinged 
with  lemon  at  their  base. 

Phant07ii. — A  very  pretty  bicolor  trumpet  of 
triandrus  origin,  with  wide,  pointed,  over- 
lapping segments,  and  bright  lemon  trumpet, 
widely  expanded,  and  frilled  at  the  brim. 

Kittituake. — A  magnificent  white  Leedsi  of 
large  size,  raised  from  Minnie  Hume.  In  this 
the  long  crown  is  of  palest  lemon  and  very 
daintily  frilled,  while  the  long  white  segments 
closely  overlap. 

Northern  Light. — A  remarkably  beautiful 
incomparabilis,  with  wide  overlapping  seg 
ments,  resembling  those  of  Monarch  both  in 
colour  and  character.  Crown  of  medium  size, 
crinkled,  and  of  a  bright  orange.  Said  to  be 
a  hybrid  from  Luhvorth. 


Fair  Ladye. — A  small  Ajax,  with  short) 
spreading  trumpet  of  drooping  habit,  and 
stifl',  overlapping,  pointed  segments  of  a  lemon- 
white  colour.  Probably  a  cross  between 
triandrus  and  a  yellow  Ajax. 

Other  lovely  things  were  Siren  (Johnstoni), 
Silver  Spray  (Leedsi),  and  Homespun,  which 
was  exhibited  in  such  splendid  form  at  Truro 
last  season.  As  showing  how  highly  this  latter 
variety  is  esteemed,  during  the  meeting  a  well- 
known  grower  purchased  a  bulb  of  it  for 
twelve  guineas.  One  more  variety  calls  for 
special  mention,  this  being 

Osiris,  which  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Barr 
and  Sons.  This  is  a  very  large  Ajax,  growing 
about  15  inches  high,  with  broad,  creamy  white 
perianth,  and  handsome  large  bold  canary- 
yellow  trumpet,  with  mouth  expanded  and 
elegantly  crinkled.  It  is  quite  distinct,  and  if 
three  flowers  had  been  exhibited  no  doubt  it 
would  have  received  an  award. 

Kidderminster.        Arthur  Pi.  Goodwin. 


NOTES    OF    THE    WEEK. 

FOPbTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

April  19. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Meeting 
(National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society's  Show). 

April  21. — Norwich  Daffodil  Show. 

April  26. — Birmingham  Auricula  and  Daffodil 
Show  (two  days). 

April  27. — Chesterfield  Spring  Show. 


Royal   Horticultural  Society.— The 

next  show  of  this  society  has  been  fixed  to  be  held 
at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  next,  when  special 
prizes  will  be  given  by  the  society  for  Dattbdils, 
and  the  annual  show  of  the  National  Auricula  and 
Primula  Society  will  take  place.  Mr.  George 
Masse  will  read  a  paper  on  "Diseases  of  the 
Potato"  at  the  general  meeting  o£  the  Fellows  to 
be  held  that  afternoon. 

National    Chrysanthemum 

Society. — The  annual  report  of  this  society  and 
schedule  of  prizes  for  1904  is  just  to  hand,  and, 
all  things  considered,  must  be  regarded  as  a  satis- 
factory indication  of  the  progress  of  the  society. 
The  contents  are  similar  to  those  of  preceding  years, 
with  a  few  variations,  viz.  :  Report  for  1903, 
financial  statement,  rules,  report  of  classification 
committee,  awards  of  floral  committee,  census  of 
blooms  staged  at  the  November  show,  supplement 
to  the  society's  catalogue  of  1903,  report  of  the 
deputation  to  the  Lille  show,  lists  of  affiliated 
societies  and  members,  &c. 

Primula  meg'asesefolia  (Boisset  Bal.). 

May  I  call  your  attention  to  the  incorrect  spelling 
in  last  Saturday's  Garden  of  the  name  "  Primula 
niegasejefolia,"  a  plant  which  I  introduced  into 
England  in  1901.  Under  its  correct  name  I  was 
given  an  award  of  merit  by  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society  at  their  March  meeting  of  the 
same  year.  The  reason  for  the  spelling  of 
"  megaseasfolia"  is  obvious.  — E.  Willmott, 
Warley,  Esse.v. 

Lachenalia     convallarioides.— This 

plant,  recently  noted  in  The  Garden  as  being  in 
flower  in  the  Cape  House  at  Kew,  is  an  interesting 
addition  to  the  cultivated  Lachenalias,  as  it  is  dis- 
tinct in  its  short,  bell-shaped  Lily  of  the  Valle3'-like 
white  flowers,  combined  with  solitary  leaves  from 
t)  inches  to  1  foot  long,  1  inch  broad  at  the  base, 
narrowing  gradually  upwards  to  the  apex,  and  in 
its  delicious  and  penetrating  Heather-like  odour. 
The  Kew  plants  were  obtained  from  Grahamstown 
four  years  ago,  where  they  were  collected  by  Mr. 
C.  A.  Pym.  The  buds  are  of  a  purplish  pink 
colour.  The  species  is  described  by  Baker  as 
having  a  globose  bulb,  a  solitary  linear  leaf,  a 
slender  peduncle  4  inches  to  U  inches  long,  the 
raceme  of  flowers  an  inch  long,  the  flowers  white 
tinged  with  red.  He  also  describes  a  variety 
robusta,  with  leaves  4  inches  to  7  inches  by 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  to  half  an  inch.  The  Kew 
plants  are  larger  even  than  this  robust  variety,  but 


the  difference  is  probably  due  to  cultivation.  They 
are  still  nicely  in  flower. — W.  W. 

AVindsor  and  Eton   Rose  Society. 

Mr.  W.  Titt,  Thames  Street,  Windsor,  honorary 
secretary  of  the  Windsor  and  Eton  Rose  and 
Horticultural  Society,  writes  that  the  next  exhi- 
bition will  be  held  on  Saturday,  July  9,  in  the 
grounds  of  Windsor  Castle,  under  the  patronage  of 
their  Majesties  the  King  and  Queen  and  H.R.H. 
Princess  Christian. 

Nurserymen's  General  Hailstorm 
Insurance     Corporation.  —  The    ninth 

annual  general  meeting  of  The  Nurserymen, 
Market  Gardeners',  and  General  Hailstorm  Insur- 
ance Corporation,  Limited,  was  held  at  the  Regis- 
tered Office.  41  and  42,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  on  Fridav,  the  8th  inst.  The  chairman, 
Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  presided  over  a  good 
attendance  of  shareholders.  The  premium  income 
for  the  year  amounted  to  £2,391  2s.  6d.  on 
34,423,3ti3  square  feet  of  glass.  The  interest  and 
ground  rents  from  investments  amounted  to 
£542  183.  Id.  The  business  done  by  the  Company 
in  all  its  branches  showed  a  satisfactory  increase, 
whilst  the  working  expenses  were  at  the  ratio  of 
£19  133.  4d.  per  cent.,  a  very  low  one  for  an 
Accident  Insurance  Company.  A  dividend  of 
5  per  cent,  and  a  bonus  of  2A  per  cent,  were 
declared,  free  of  Income  Tax  ;  £1,480  was  carried 
to  the  reserve  fund,  making  the  reserves  £7,500  ; 
and  £506  23.  2d.  was  carried  forward.  The  share- 
holders expressed  their  satisfaction  at  the  con- 
tinued progress  and  the  economical  management  of 
the  business.  Seven  claims  were  paid  for  damage 
done  by  hail  during  the  year  in  six  different  counties. 

Saxifraga     Elizabethse.  —  This    new 

hybrid  is  a  distinct  addition  to  the  number  of  rock 
plants  already  contained  in  this  valuable  genus. 
Forming  cushion-like  tufts  of  green  foliage  as  dense 
and  close  as  the  smaller  forms  of  S.  burseriana,  it 
is  very  free  in  growth,  quickly  forming  good-sized 
plants.  Mr.  F.  Sundermann,  of  Lindau,  in 
Bavaria,  from  whom  plants  were  first  obtained  in 
1899,  says  that  it  is  a  hybrid  between  S.  sancta  X 
burseriana,  and  was  raised  by  himself.  Although 
it  has  grown  freely,  no  flowers  appeared  on  these 
plants  till  this  spring,  but  now  that  it  has  com- 
menced to  flower  it  promises  to  be  as  free  as 
either  of  its  parents.  With  the  close  habit  of 
S.  burseriana  it  is  not  glaucous  like  that  species, 
but  has  the  green  colour  of  S.  sancta,  with  leafy 
flower-stems  tinged  with  red-brown,  as  in  the 
latter  plant,  2  inches  to  3  inches  high.  The  flowers 
take  the  colour  of  S.  sancta,  but  are  much  larger, 
approaching  in  size  those  of  the  other  parent,  three 
or  four  in  each  head.  With  the  constitution  of 
S.  sancta,  added  to  the  size  of  flower  obtained  from 
S.  burseriana,  it  should  prove  a  useful  and  hardy 
plant.  Slugs  are  fond  of  it,  and  many  of  the 
growing  points  were  eaten  out  during  the  winter. 
— W.  I. 
The  National  Potato  Society  and 

the  New  Hall. — We  regret  to  learn  from  the 
report  made  to  the  executive  of  this  society  by  the 
secretary  recently  that  should  a  Potato  exhibition 
be  organised  in  the  autumn,  it  is  not  likely  to  take 
place  in  the  New  Horticultural  Hall.  Communi- 
cations were  entered  into  with  the  council  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  and  the  directors  of 
the  Crystal  Palace  Company.  The  former  replied 
that  a  scale  of  rates  for  letting  the  New  Hall  was 
under  consideration.  The  latter  made  a  clear, 
definite  offer  at  once,  which  may  or  may  not  be 
accepted.  The  Crystal  Palace  ofl'ers  many 
advantages  to  such  societies  as  that  devoted 
to  the  Potato,  but,  unfortunately,  it  is  some 
distance  from  the  metropolis,  a  matter  which 
causes  considerable  inconvenience  to  exhibitors, 
although,  as  M-as  seen  in  the  days  of  the  great 
international  Potato  shows,  they  made  light  of 
those  difficulties,  and  remarkable  exhibitions  were 
held.  But  there  can  be  no  question  as  to  the 
feeling  of  disappointment  experienced  by  horti- 
culturists generally,  and  subscribers  to  the  New 
Hall  fund  particularly,  in  finding  that  their  hopes 
of  the  New  Hall  being  a  real  horticultural  home 
for  all  special  societies  is  not  likely  to  be  realised. 
If  the  Dahlia  Society  felt  driven  to  Sydenham,  the 
Potato  Society  will  probably  do  the  same. 


J 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE  GAEDEN. 


265 


Royal    Scottish   Arbopieultupal 

Society. — A  meeting  was  held  in  Edinburgh  on 
the  6th  inst.,  Mr.  Steuart  Fothringham  of  Murthly, 
president,  in  the  chair.  Ten  new  members  were 
elected.  Dr.  J.  Nisbet  was  appointed  honorary 
editor  of  the  society's  "Transactions,"  and  Mr. 
A.  D.  Richardson,  Sciennes  Gardens,  Edinburgh, 
assistant  editor.  It  was  agreed  that  the  University 
of  Edinburgh  and  the  East  of  Scotland  and  West 
of  Scotland  Agricultural  Colleges  be  invited  to 
confer  with  the  society  regarding  forestry  education 
with  a  view  to  the  submission  of  a  scheme  to  the 
Scottish  Education  Department.  The  arrangements 
for  the  annual  excursion  were  discussed,  and  it  was 
decided  that  it  take  the  form  of  an  excursion  to 
Perthshire  on  July  20  and  21,  and  that  the  general 
meeting  and  conference  should  be  held  at  Perth 
on  July  22,  the  members  who  purposed  going  to 
France  leaving  in  the  beginning  of  the  succeeding 
week.  The  photographs  for  the  St.  Louis  Exhibi- 
tion were  on  view. 
Notes  from  Baden-Baden.— Among 

Anemone  blanda  several  distinct  varieties  have 
appeared.  One  has  deep  indigo-blue  and  the 
other  purplish  pale  blue  flowers.  Both  are  desir- 
able. A  nice  companion  to  A.  blanda  is  the  as  yet 
rare  A.  intermedia,  the  citron-yellow  flowers  of 
which  harmonise  well  with  the  deep  blues  of  the 
former.  Hepatioa  angulosa  nivea  is  vigorous  in 
growth,  and  has  sturdy,  well-formed  flowers  ;  it  is 
superior  to  H.  angulosa  alba.  H.  a.  lilacina  is  a 
new  variety,  which  is  extremely  free.  Chionodoxa 
Lucilise  also  shows  variation  in  form,  size,  and 
colouring  of  the  flowers,  the  latter  being  lilac,  rose, 
and  white.  A  superior  variety  is  C.  Lucilia?  alba 
grandiflora,  the  spikelets  of  this  being  richer  and 
larger  than  those  of  the  type ;  but  by  far  the 
most  remarkable  is  the  lovely  C.  amabilis  Leicht- 
lini  (Hort. ),  one  of  the  prettiest  spring-flowering 
bulbs  ever  seen.  It  is  at  least  a  fortnight  later  in 
bloom  than  the  others.  The  flowers  are  IJ  inches 
across,  having  broad,  full  segments  of  a  soft 
creamy  white,  with  a  shade  of  rosy  purple,  a 
colour  difficult  to  describe.  It  is  quite  sure  to 
become  a  favourite.  —  Max  Leichtlin,  Baden- 
Baden. 

Countess  of  W^arwick's  Secondary 
and  Agricultural  School.— In  1897  the 
Countess  of  Warwick,  who  had  been  much  im- 
pressed with  the  need  of  scientific  education  in 
rural  districts,  and  who  saw  that  the  only  hope  for 
the  improved  farming  of  the  future  was  to  begin 
with  the  young,  bought  from  the  Fitzgerald  family 
the  estate  and  hall  of  Bigods,  a  couple  of  miles 
outside  Dunmow,  and  there  established  an  unique 
school,  designed  to  confer  a  higher  grade  of  educa- 
tion on  a  district  remote  from  urban  centres.  The 
idea  of  the  Countess  was,  primarily,  to  benefit  this 
portion  of  Essex  ;  and,  secondly,  to  give  help 
towards  the  elevation  of  the  status  of  farmers'  sons 
and  daughters  generally.  Coming  as  it  did  at  a 
time  when  the  educational  facilities  of  towns  and 
cities  were  being  enormously  developed,  the  experi- 
ment had  wide  approval.  On  the  principle  that 
the  young  sapling  is  more  easily  trained  than  the 
half-grown  tree  or  old  stock,  a  course  of  instruction 
was  drawn  up  which  would  be  suitable  for  boys  and 
girls  of  ages  varying  from  twelve  to  seventeen 
years.  Whilst  still  so  young  it  was  considered 
undesirable  to  specialise  in  one  particular  subject, 
and  it  was  therefore  so  planned  that  the  pupils 
should  receive  instruction  in  the  ordinary  subjects 
which  would  be  essential  to  every  boy  and  girl, 
whatever  path  in  life  they  might  afterwards  enter 
upon.  Along  with  this,  during  the  three  years' 
course,  the  elements  of  theory  and  practice  of  agri- 
culture, horticulture,  poultry,  dairy  work,  and 
bee  keeping  are  also  taught,  the  work  becoming 
more  advanced  as  each  succeeding  year  is  entered 
upon,  whilst  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  have 
completed  their  three  years,  and  for  older  boys  who 
enter  the  school  with  more  definite  ideas  as  to  their 
future,  there  is  a  special  course,  which  deals  almost 
exclusively  with  agriculture,  horticulture,  dairy, 
poultry,  and  wood  and  metal  work.  The  school 
buildings  comprise  large,  airy  class  and  lecture 
rooms,  completely  equipped  laboratories,  wood  and 
metal  workshops,  and  a  gymnasium.  Adjoining 
the  school  is  more  than  an  acre  of  ground,  divided 


into  experimental  plots  worked  by  pupils.  One 
section  is  laid  out  as  a  miniature  farm,  where 
the  principle  of  rotation  in  cropping  is  shown. 
Situated  in  this  enclosure  is  a  fully  equipped 
meteorological  station,  where  observations  as  to 
the  state  of  the  weather  are  daily  taken  and 
recorded  by  pupils. 

Experimental  fruit  farms  in 
Sussex. — It  is  possible  that  in  time  Sussex  may 
prove  as  great  a  fruit-growing  centre  as  its  neigh- 
bouring county  of  Kent.  With  Mr.  W.  Goaring 
as  their  adviser  the  Education  Committee  of  the 
East  Sussex  County  Council  have  resolved  to  prove 
how  easily  the  Sussex  soil  can  be  turned  to  profit. 
With  the  idea  of  creating  and  encouraging  the 
cultivation  of  hardy  fruit,  the  County  Council  have 
decided  to  establish  in  various  parts  of  the  county 
experimental  fruit  gardens,  where,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  a  horticultural  expert,  cultivation  may  be 
made  of  commercial  value.  The  County  Council 
will  obtain  plots  of  land — each  about  a  quarter  of 
an  acre  in  extent — in  various  parts  of  the  county, 
and  under  exceptionally  reasonable  conditions  the 
villagers  will  be  invited  to  become  holders. 
Arrangements  will  be  made  between  the  County 
Council  and  the  property  owner  as  to  the  supply  of 
trees.  But  all  the  plots  are  to  be  under  the  direct 
control  of  Mr.  Goaring,  who  holds  that  the  secret 
of  fruit  growing  is  purely  a  question  of  treatment 
of  the  land  and  the  pruning  of  the  tree.  The  im- 
portance and  value  of  these  two  points  Mr.  Goaring 
will  practically  demonstrate  to  the  villagers,  and, 
given  fair  conditions,  it  is  held  that  a  new  industry 
may  flourish  in  Sussex.  The  places  in  which  the 
experiments  are  likely  to  be  first  tried  are  Rye, 
Hailsham,  Mayfield,  Groombridge,  Frant,  East 
Grinstead,  and  Heathfield.  Much  interest  is 
centred  in  the  scheme,  which  is  exceptional  in  the 
way  of  county  experiments. 

Sale  of  Orchids.— The  Warrenhurst  col- 
lection of  Orchids  was  sold  at  the  Cross  Key  Room, 
Grosvenor.  Hotel,  Manchester,  by  Mr.  John  Cowan, 
and  the  sale  was  well  attended.  Some  very  fine 
plants  were  offered  of  Crelogyne  pandurata,  which 
fetched  6j  guineas,  20  guineas,  and  8  guineas ;  a 
plant  with  three  growths  of  Cypripedium  insigne 
SanderiB,  4|  guineas  ;  C.  insigne  Harefield  Hall  var. , 
two  growths,  15  guineas ;  C.  insigne  Millie  Don, 
4  guineas  ;  C.  i.  cobbianum,  4  guineas  ;  C.  Chap- 
mani,  3  guineas  ;  Odontoglossum  crispum  guttatum 
xanthoglossum,  18  guineas  ;  0.  c.  Warrenhurst 
var.,  10  guineas  ;  0.  Loochristense  Lord  Kitchener, 
11  guineas  ;  0.  harryano-crispum,  6  guineas  ; 
Lsilio  -  Cattleya  Callistoglossa,  6  guineas  and 
10  guineas ;  L.  -C.  Henry  Greenwood,  5  guineas ; 
Cypripedium  lawrenceanum  hyeanum,  two 
growths,  29  guineas  ;  Cattleya  Skinneri  alba, 
3J  guineas ;  C.  intermedia  alba,  5j  guineas  ;  C. 
gaskelliana  alba,  5  guineas ;  C.  Mantinii  inversa, 
15  guineas. 

Amaryllises  at  Liverpool.  —  During 
the  last  few  years  the  Parks  and  Gardens  Com- 
mittee of  the  City  Council  of  Liverpool  have  done 
much  to  popularise  the  parks  and  open  spaces 
under  their  charge  by  making  special  exhibits  of 
various  flowering  plants  arranged  in  quantity.  Of 
these  it  appears  that  the  Amaryllis  is  the  most 
popular,  for  at  Sefton  Park  and  the  Botanic 
Gardens  the  number  of  visitors  exceeded  50,000 
during  the  Easter  holidays,  the  numbers  at  the 
Botanic  Gardens  being :  Good  Friday,  9,200 ; 
Saturday,  3,000  ;  Easter  Sunday,  5,300 ;  and 
Easter  Monday,  11,800,  or  a  total  of  29,300.  A 
similar  number  would  be  present  at  Sefton  Park, 
which  would  fully  total  the  number  given.  The 
exhibition  lasts  six  weeks,  with  an  average  number 
of  bulbs  in  bloom  of  500,  being  about  equal  in 
number  at  each  place.  The  Palm  house  at  Sefton 
Park  is  an  admirable  place  for  such  an  exhibition. 
There  is  plenty  of  room,  an  abundance  of  light, 
with  a  background  of  immense  Palms  and  other 
foliage  plants.  The  position  allotted  to  them  at 
the  Botanic  Gardens  is  not  so  satisfactory,  a  long, 
narrow,  front  stage  in  the  stove  being  too  limited 
and  too  formal.  More  room  would  be  an  acquisi- 
tion, so  that  greenery  could  be  more  freely  utilised 
and  the  individual  flowers  more  clearly  seen.  The 
number  of  plants  is  about  2,000  at  each  place,  and 
they  are  grown  in  pots  of  4A  inches  to  51  inches. 


The  bulbs  are  above  the  average  in  size,  and  throw 
in  some  cases  three  spikes,  with  over  a  dozen 
blooms,  although  it  is  questionable  if  four  blooms 
on  one  spike  are  not  quite  sufficient  to  be  seen  at 
their  best.  Undoubtedly  the  present  exhibitions 
are  the  best  yet  seen,  and  are  highly  creditable  to 
Mr.  H.  Herbert,  Superintendent  of  the  Liverpool 
Parks  and  Gardens,  and  Mr.  J.  Guttridge,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Botanic  Gardens.  Many  of  the 
plants  have  flowers  excellent  in  form,  substance, 
and  size,  but,  naturally,  to  raise  such  a  large 
collection  in  four  years  must  mean  that  many  are 
lacking  in  quality.  That  will  be  gradually  im- 
proved upon  by  selecting  from  the  hundreds  of 
seedlings  raised  each  year,  and  discarding  those 
that  do  not  reach  the  proper  standard.  Alderman 
Ball,  the  chairman  of  the  Parks  and  Gardens 
Committee,  speaks  in  glowing  terms  of  their 
magnificent  display. — R.  G.  Watekman,  Woollon. 

Asparag'US  and  frost.— Few  vegetables 
are  more  quickly  injured  than  Asparagus.  Our 
forced  beds  of  Asparagus  are  very  much  poorer 
this  season  than  usual,  and  this  I  attribute  to  the 
severe  frost  last  May,  as  at  that  date  the  growths 
were  well  advanced,  and  they  were  cut  down  to 
the  level  of  the  soil.  Of  course,  permanent  beds 
in  the  open  would  not  suffer  so  much,  owing  to  the 
growths  being  kept  cut.  In  the  beds  referred  to 
the  plants  were  then  completing  their  growth  for 
another  season's  work,  and  I  noticed  that  those 
from  the  base  afterwards  were  stunted  and  poor. 
In  the  case  of  young  plants  for  planting  or  forcing 
the  same  results  are  found — indeed,  if  anything, 
worse.  I  find  some  of  the  roots  dead.  They 
refused  to  make  a  second  growth,  but  doubtless 
this  was  helped  in  a  measure  by  the  excessively 
wet  season.  I  feel  sure  the  early  plants  will  fail 
this  season  to  give  the  usual  returns,  as  the  crowns 
are  weaker.  This,  of  course,  may  only  refer  to 
this  part  of  the  country,  and,  I  may  add,  our  beds 
have  several  times  been  flooded,  so  that  may  have 
been  equally  injurious.  Still,  I  think  a  great  deal 
was  due  to  the  fearful  weather  we  had  last  May. — 
G.  Wythes,  Syon,  Middlesex. 

Pseonia  lUtea.  —  Though  this  beautiful 
Pjeony  has  been  known  for  over  twenty  years  it  is 
still  very  rare,  and  was  only  last  season  awarded  a 
first-class  certificate  by  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society.  There  is  at  present  no  signs  of  its  becoming 
plentiful,  for  in  the  recent  catalogue  of  M.  Lemoine 
of  Nancy  it  is  quoted  at  50  francs  each.  As  this 
Pseonj'  promises  to  be  of  great  value  to  the  hybridist 
from  its  bright  yellow  colour,  it  is  more  than  pro- 
bable that  M.  Lemoine  will  employ  it  largely  in 
this  way,  and  some  striking  hybrids  may  in  time 
emanate  from  the  noted  establishment  at  Nancy. 
-H.  P. 

Protea  Cynaroides.— The  genus  Protea 
is  an  extensive  one,  but  is  limited  to  the  African 
continent,  nearly  all  the  species  being  natives  of 
South  Africa.  In  this  country  they  are  by  no 
means  popular,  and  outside  a  botanic  garden  are 
rarely  seen.  One  of  the  most  striking  is  P.  cyna- 
roides, which  is  well  grown  at  Kew,  where  it  is 
now  in  flower.  It  forms  a  sturdy-growing,  sparely- 
branched  shrub,  whose  main  stem  is  peculiarly 
thickened  towards  the  base.  The  oblong  leaves 
are  of  a  firm  leathery  texture,  while  the  flowers 
are  particularly  striking.  They  are  pink,  borne  in 
a  crowded  terminal  head,  and  surrounded  by  large 
bracts  suggesting  the  Globe  Artichoke,  hence  the 
specific  name  of  cynaroides.  The  bracts  are  more 
or  less  silvery,  and  this  character  is  particularly 
noticeable  just  before  the  flower  opens,  when  the 
large  unexpanded  bud  resembles  a  whitish  cone. 
The  treatment  required  by  this  Protea,  and,  indeed, 
all  the  other  members  of  the  genus,  is  the  protection 
of  a  light  airy  greenhouse,  little  or  no  shading,  and 
a  soil  composed  principally  of  sandy  peat,  combined 
with  thorough  drainage,  for  it  needs  plenty  of 
water  during  the  growing  season,  and  at  the  same 
time  much  dislikes  stagnant  moisture.  A  near 
relative  of  the  above  is  the  Cape  Silver  Tree 
(Leucadendron  argenteum),  whose  leaves,  especially 
when  grown  in  the  dry  climate  of  South  Africa, 
are  intensely  silvery,  but  in  this  country,  even 
when  it  succeeds,  which  is  not  always  the  case, 
this  character  is  less  pronounced  than  in  its  native 
land.— H.  P. 


266 


THE     GARDEN. 


[April  16,  1904. 


The     world's    bird    life    passingr 

away. — The  extent  to  which  the  slaughter  for 
millinery  purposes  of  beautiful  birds  is  carried  is 
instanced  by  the  report  just  issued  by  the  Bird 
Protection  Society.  At  the  first  sale  of  the  present 
year  in  the  Commercial  Sale  Rooms — the  central 
market  of  the  plume  trade  in  London — no  fewer 
than  2,687  birds  of  paradise  were  sold.  As  these 
birds  are  restricted  to  a  comparatively  small  area 
of  the  globe,  it  is  almost  safe  to  prophesy  their 
early  extinction  if  fashion  continues  to  call  for 
them.  During  the  year  probably  10,000  will  come 
under  the  hammer.  Impeyan  pheasants  suffered 
to  the  number  of  1,828.  400  tiny  Indian  owls 
were  sold  for  a  farthing  each.  A  large  number  of 
the  Indian  owl,  Ketupa,  a  by  no  means  common 
bird,  realised  threepence  each.  Humming  birds 
have  been  mercilessly  butchered  to  swell  the  list, 
11,440  passing  into  the  hands  of  the  milliner. 
Despite  the  outcry  against  the  wearing  of  osprey 
plumes,  there  has  been  a  brisk  demand  for  them, 
as  much  as  £9  12s.  6d.  per  ounce  being  paid.  In 
America  feather  millinery  is  not  nearly  so  exten- 
sively used  as  in  this  country.  The  influence  of 
bird  protection  societies  and  the  stringency  of 
laws  passed  to  prohibit  the  destruction  of  birds 
have  been  so  efifective  that  the  milliners  of  New 
York  have  pledged  themselves  not  to  trade  in  gulls, 
terns,  egrets,  grebes,  herns,  or  humming  birds. 
We  have  the  laws  here,  but  are  they  enforced  ? 

Poop  quality  Potatoes.— Your  corre- 
spondent "  G.  W.  S."  does  not  appear  to  be  quite 
consistent  in  his  note  on  page  213  on  the  above 
subject,  for  after  suggesting  that  the  National 
Potato  Society  should  work  in  the  direction  of 
getting  varieties  of  better  quality,  he  goes  on  to 
say  that  "  it  is  the  cheap  imported  tubers  that  are 
of  such  wretched  quality,"  so  I  take  it  that  it  is 
not  so  much  the  quality  of  home-grown  Potatoes 
that  "G.  W.  S."  has  to  complain  about  after  all. 
I  think,  however,  that  the  chief  aim  of  the  English 
market  grower  is  quantity,  and  in  a  shop  the  other 
day  I  noticed  some  Potatoes  offered  for  sale  of  a 
most  unprofitable  character  to  the  consumer. 
Many  of  the  tubers  were  unwieldy,  large,  and  fur- 
nished with  such  deep  eyes  that  half  the  vegetable 
would  be  cut  away  in  peeling,  besides  the  chance 
of  the  huge  specimens  being  hollow  in  the  middle. 
Speaking  from  experience,  I  have  no  reason  to 
think  that  last  season  had  any  ill-effect  on  the 
eating  quality  of  tubers,  and  mine  were  all  lifted 
by  the  middle  of  September. — G.  H.  H. 

Roses  and  Lobelias.— There  have  lately 
been  several  notes  in  The  Garden  upon  combina- 
tions of  various  flowers  and  plants,  and  I  venture 
to  add  another  which,  however,  is  probably  well 
known  to  many  of  your  readers,  still  to  some  it 
may  not  be  familiar.  The  association  is  that  of 
Roses  and  Lobelias.  The  appearance  of  beds 
planted  with  Roses  is  often  considerably  detracted 
from  by  the  surface  soil  being  bare  and  unsightly, 
with  not  a  vestige  of  direct  covering.  Many,  I 
believe,  prefer  to  have  Rose  beds  devoted  to  Roses 
alone,  and  in  the  case  of  some  of  the  stronger 
growing  sorts,  which  develop  into  a  mass  of  growth 
and  flowers,  I  am  inclined  to  agree  that  this  is  pre- 
ferable, but  with  many  I  think  that  a  suitable 
ground  covering  adds  much  to  the  appearance  of 
the  display,  and  it  is  in  this  connexion  that  I 
venture  to  recommend  Lobelia  Erinus,  the  common 
blue  bedding  Lobelia.  In  the  gardens  at  St.  Pagan's, 
Lord  Windsor's  Glamorganshire  seat,  Roses  in  beds 
are  largely  grown,  and  one  year  many  of  the  beds 
in  the  rosary  were  planted  with  Lobelia  so  as  to 
hide  the  bare  earth.  Of  course  discretion  must  be 
used,  it  is  more  effective  beneath  Roses  of  light 
shades  than  associated  with  dark  varieties  ;  with 
the  former  I  think  it  associates  admirably,  the 
Lobelia  grows  freely,  and  soon  completely  covers 
the  surface  of  the  bed  and  partially  envelopes  the 
stems  of  the  Roses. — A.  H.  P. 

New  Hydrangeas.— In  the  catalogue  of 

M.  Leraoine  of  Nancy,  just  received,  three  varieties 
of  Hydrangea  are  announced  for  distribution,  and 
described  as  seedlings  from  the  Japanese  Hydrangea 
Mariesi,  which  has  in  this  country  attracted  a  good 
deal  of  attention  by  reason  of  its  large  sterile 
blossoms.  The  three  new  forms,  with  their 
descriptions,  are  as   follow :     H.    Mariesi   grandi- 


flora,  leaves  medium,  much  toothed,  large  corymbs 
attaining  a  diameter  of  30  centimi-tres,  normal 
flowers  violet-mauve,  large  sterile  ones  measuring 
7  centimetres  to  S  centimetres  across,  of  a  pale 
flesh  colour,  the  reverse  of  the  petals  when  fading 
being  suflTused  with  dull  red.  H.  Mariesi  lilacina, 
leaves  deep  green,  paler  on  the  undersides,  branches 
terminated  by  large  corymbiform  inflorescences  of 
20  centimi-tres  to  25  centimetres  in  diameter,  the 
fertile  flowers  are  of  a  sky  blue  colour,  the  sterile 
ones,  seven  or  eight  in  number,  are  large,  toothed, 
and  bluish  lilac.  H.  Mariesi  perfecta  has  large 
handsome  leaves,  the  centre  of  the  corymb  is  com- 
posed of  normal  flowers  of  a  bluish  lilac  tint,  while 
the  outside  has  sterile  ones  of  a  clear  mauve  shade. 
When  one  bears  in  mind  the  many  beautiful  plants 
that  we  have  in  years  past  received  from 
M.  Lemoine  it  arouses  a  desire  to  see  these 
Hydrangeas  in  flower. — T. 


THE      ALLIUMS. 

(Continued  from  page  252.) 

A  LLIUM    POERUM.  —  The    cultivated 
/\  Leek,  vchich  is  not  met  with  in  a 

/  \        wild  state. 

/■ %  A.   roseum.  —  A    native    of    the 

/  m.  Mediterranean  region,  this  species 
was  introduced  in  17.J2.  It  grows 
from  12  inches  to  18  inches  high,  and  has 
pale  lilac-rose  coloured  flowers  in  summer. 
Botanical  Maga-.ine,  t.  978. 

A.  sativuni—The  Garlic,  with  fiat  leaves 
and  umbels  of  white  flowers,  attended  by 
bulbils.  A  native  of  Sicily,  and  introduced  in 
1.548. 

A.  Schw^ioprasum.— Chives  is  found  distri- 
buted over  a  great  part  of  the  Northern 
Hemisi)here,  including  this  country.  It  grows 
about  1  foot  high,  and  has  umbels  of  purple 
flowers,  which  are  produced  in  .June  and  July. 

A.  Schuberti.— This  species  is  remarkable 
for  the  great  length  of  the  pedicels,  which 
vary  from  4  inches  to  10  inches  in  one  umbel. 
A  very  striking  plant,  and  discovered  in  the 
Plain  of  Jesreel,  near  Nazareth,  by  the 
traveller  whose  name  it  bears.  Bulbs  were 
received  at  Kew  from  Messrs.  Herb  and  WuUe, 
of  Naples,  in  1896,  and  it  flowered  in  an  open 
border  in  .June,  1897.  It  grows  about  2  feet 
high,  has  broad  leaves,  the  umbel s_  often 
attaining  a  diameter  of  more  than  20  inches. 
All  the  numerous  pedicels  of  various  lengths 
bear  perfect  rose-red  flowers  of  the  same  size. 
It  has  an  extended  geographical  distribution 
in  Western  Ahia,  ranging  from  Syria  to 
Turkestan.     Botanical  Alagaxine,  t.  V587. 

A.  .ncubim. — This  species  has  the  distinction 
of  having  a  more  powerful  and  disagreeable 
scent  than  any  other  member  of  the  genus. 
The  leaves  are  narrow,  and  the  scapes,  1  foot 
to  3  feet  high,  bear  loose  umbels  of  drooping, 
bell-shaped  flowers.  These  are  green,  with 
purple  tips.  Also  known  as  Nectaroscordum 
siculum.  It  is  a  native  of  shady  valleys  in 
Sicily  and  parts  of  Italy.  Introduced  in  1832. 
A.  siMnrsutum.— A nutiye  of  South  Europe, 
with  more  or  less  hairy  leaves  and  umbels  of 
white  flowers  with  a  purplish  nerve,  on  a 
scape  6  inches  to  12  inches  high. 

A.  Smvormui.—A  tall-growing  plant,  closely 
allied  to  A.  giganteum,  and  found  in  the 
Kirghis  Desert  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Bokhara, 
in  Central  Asia.  The  leaves  are  produced  six 
to  seven  to  a  bulb,  are  1^  feet  long  by  1  inch 
broad,  and  the  dense  heads  of  mauve-purple 
flowers  are  borne  on  scapes  2  feet  to  3  feet 
high.  Introduced  in  1 887.  Botanical  Magazine, 
t.  G994. 

A.  triquetrum.  —  A  free-growing  species, 
rapidly  spreading  when  once  introduced,  it  is 
now  naturalised  in  many  parts  of  this  country. 


The  stems  arc  three-cornered,  and  the  flowers, 
which  are  somewhat  bell-shaped  and  white, 
have  a  green  keel  down  the  centre  of  each 
perianth  segment.  Frequently  not  more  than 
two  or  three  flowers  are  produced  in  an  umbel, 
their  place  being  filled  b.y  bulbils.  A  native 
of  South  Europe.    It  was  introduced  in  1789. 

A.  ursinum  (Ramsons). — Also  naturalised  in 
many  parts  of  this  country,  and  succeeding 
well  in  shady  woods,  it  is  spread  over  Europe 
and  Northern  Asia,  and  grows  about  1  foot 
high.  The  leaves  are  broad  and  lanceolate  and 
on  long  stalks,  and  the  umbels  of  flowers  are 
pure  white.  A  mass  makes  an  effective  display 
where  little  else  will  grow. 

A.  Victoridlis. — A  rare  species,  and  con- 
spicuous for  its  broad  leaves.  The  flowers  are 
greenish  white  in  many  flowered  heads,  and 
on  scapes  li  feet  to  2  feet  high.  From  Eastern 
Europe  and  Siberia,  and  introduced  in  1739. 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  1222. 

A.  xebdancnse.  —  A  free-flowering  species, 
with  umbels  of  pure  white  flowers  after  the 
style  of  A.  neapolitanum.  A  native  of  Syria 
and  Armenia,  and  introduced  in  1899. 

W.  IrVIN(!. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


COEYDALIS   RUT.EFOLIA. 

RESEMBLING  somewhat  the  Turkestan 
C.  ledebouriana  in  the  nature  of  its 
glaucous  foliage,  this  pretty  little 
species  is  more  compact  in  habit, 
,^  without  the  long,  straggling  fluwer- 
stems  of  the  former.  Other  points  of 
difference  are  the  longer  pedicels  of  C.  rula;folia, 
with  a  more  lax  inflorescence  and  more  slender 
spurs  to  the  flowers.  It  is  seldom  more  than 
3  inches  high,  and  one  of  the  smallest  representa- 
tives of  this  genus  ;  it  is  more  adapted  fur  culture 
in  pans  than  in  the  rock  garden,  where,  although 
it  is  quite  hardy,  it  has  not  pioved  salisfactory. 
The  flowers  are  borne  in  a  raceme,  and  they  are 
light  in  colour  at  first,  gradually  changing  to  a 
rich  rose  and  eventually  chocolate-brown  with 
age.  A  native  of  the  alpine  regions  of  Asia  Minor, 
Syria,  and  Northern  Persia,  it  has  been  considered 
sufficiently  distinct  to  be  raised  to  generic  rank 
under  the  name  of  Cryptoceras  pulchellum.  There 
are,  however,  no  salisfactory  reasons  for  its 
separation  from  the  genus  Corydalis.  It  blooms  at 
the  end  of  February,  and  the  flo«'prs  last  for  a 
considerable  time.  W.  iKViMi. 


CROCUS  CANDIDUS. 

A  FEW  bright  days,  too  long  delayed  for  a  lover  of 
the  Crocus,  have  induced  many  Crocus  species  to 
open  their  flowers.  One  of  the  most  attractive  of 
the  Crocus  species  now  in  bloom  is  C.  candidus, 
which,  planted  in  clumps,  along  with  C.  Imperati 
and  some  of  the  yellow  forms  of  C.  aureus,  have  a 
fine  effect  in  the  garden.  It  is  a  fair-sized  and 
beautifully  -  formed  species,  with  lovely  white 
flowers  when  open  ;  the  anthers  and  filaments  are 
orange.  When  closed  the  flowers  are  either  white, 
white  suffused  with  purple,  or  feathered  with  the 
same  colour.  Mr.  Maw  figures  both  the  forms 
suffused  and  feathered  with  purple.  The  former 
was  first  found  by  Dr.  E.  D.  Clark  on  Mount 
Gargarus  in  1800,  but  the  specimens  were  lost  for 
more  than  half  a  century.  The  latter  was  figured 
by  Mr.  Maw  from  specimens  collected  by  Dr.  Kirk 
at  Renkioi,  near  the  Dardanelles,  which  were  seen 
by  Mr.  Maw  in  the  herbarium  of  the  Edinburgh 
Botanic  Gardens. 

The  form  in  my  garden,  obtained  from  two 
different  sources,  is  that  of  Dr.  Clark,  and.  in  mv 
opinion,  the  most  beautiful  of  all.  "Suffusion" 
hardly  describes  the  graining  of  the  colour  on  the 
exterior  of  the  flower,  while  "purple"  hardly 
seems  to  give  an  idea  of  the  delicacy  of  the  tint  on 
the  outer  segments.     It  is  a  lovely  Crocus,  and  one 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


267 


which  should  be  secured  by  all  who  are  admirers 
of  this  flower.  There  can  be  no  question  about  the 
hardiness  of  Crocus  candidus.  S.  Arnott. 


ANEMONE  BLANDA  ELORI/EL. 
The  Greek  Windflower  is  one  of  the  most  delightful 
of  early  flowers,  and  we  rejoice  when  we  see  it  open 
its  starry  blossoms  above  its  prettily  cut  leaves. 
There  are  many  forms  of  this  flower,  and,  as  is 
well  known,  some  are  much  superior  to  others. 
We  owe  Florizel  to  Mr.  James  Allen  of  Shepton 
Mallet,  who  selected  this  variety.  In  a  note  which 
accompanied  the  plant  Mr.  Allen  so  kindly  sent 
me,  he  says  it  is  "  the  finest  I  have  seen,"  and  one 
can  only  quote  his  words  and  express  agreement 
with  them.  The  flowers  are  both  large  and  beauti- 
fully formed,  while  in  respect  of  colour  they  are 
superb,  being  of  a  rich  and  deep  blue.  I  have  had 
it  since  August,  1902,  so  that  it  has  flowered  with 
me  for  the  second  time  this  season.  Compared 
with  all  the  forms  of  A.  blanda  I  have  grown  it 
possesses  qualities  which  mark  it  as  superior  to 
any  other  of  its  colour.  S.  Arnott. 

mis  STYLOSA. 
This  has  been  in  flower  since  November  ;  it  grows 
like  a  weed  here,  but  if  planted  in  rich  soil  it 
makes  too  much  foliage.  In  a  bed  of  several  hundred 
plants  there  is  considerable  variation  in  colour  and 
marking  of  the  flowers. 

Kilhrton  Oardens,  Exeter.  J.  Coutts. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


ROSE  ARCHES  AND  THEIR  MANAGE- 
MENT. 
(Continued  from  page  251.) 

CCED  at  from  almost  any  point  of  view, 
there  can  be  no  gainsaying  the  fact  that 
liquid  manure  is  the  cleanest,  quickest, 
and  most  advantageous  form  of  feeding 
Roses.  By  its  use  we  do  away  with 
all  the  dirtiness  and  unsightliness  of 
stable  or  foal  yard  manure,  and  as  Rose  arches  are 
usually  placed  inconspicuous  positions,  this  is  a  great 
consideration.  Of  course,  I  do  not  intend  to  say 
that  climbing  and  all  other  Roses  are  not  benefited 


by  a  mulch  of  manure,  but  there  can  be  no  real 
beauty  in  gardens  as  long  as  people  will  insist  in 
coating  the  ground  around  their  Roses  just  like 
they  treat  their  Strawberry  beds.  One  does  not 
object  to  the  use  of  well-decomposed  manure  in 
autumn  for  mulching  purposes,  and  in  the  spring 
this  may  be  hidden  by  a  light  carpet  of  Violas  or 
other  low-growing  flowers,  which  will  keep  the 
ground  beneath  cool  and  open  and  in  no  way  inter- 
fere with  the  practice  of  giving  liquid  manure. 
May  and  June  are  the  months  I  generally  choose 
to  feed  my  climbers  in  this  way,  selecting  a  cool 
evening  and  as  soon  as  possible  after  rain.  The 
application  of  liquid  manure  after  July  is  a  mistake, 
as  it  generally  results  in  causing  the  plants  to 
make  shoots  which  do  not  have  time  to  ripen 
unless  the  autumn  is  a  particularly  favourable  one. 

Another  Mistake 
is  to  give  liquid  manure  while  the  plants  are  at 
rest.  I  am  well  aware  that  this  is  recommended 
by  several  high  authorities,  but  my  own  experience 
is  against  it.  My  chief  objections  are,  firstly, 
because  the  plan  is  a  wasteful  one  ;  and,  secondly, 
it  is  apt  to  cause  injury  to  the  plants  by  stimu- 
lating them  into  growth  too  early.  Dealing  with 
the  first  objection,  I  cannot  do  better  than  quote 
Mr.  Foster-Melliar,  who,  in  his  "  Book  of  the 
Rose,"  strongly  advocates  the  use  of  liquid  manure, 
and  remarks  that  "Roses  drink  but  cannot  eat." 
Liquid  manure  is  the  most  efficacious  and  quick 
acting  of  all  manures,  simply  because  the  roots, 
instead  of  having  to  go  in  search  of  their  food, 
have  it  brought  to  them  in  a  condition  best  suited 
to  their  requirements.  When,  therefore,  this 
mode  of  manuring  is  adopted,  it  should  only  be 
carried  out  either  just  before  the  plants  start  into 
activity  or  when  growth  has  already  commenced. 
By  means  of  an  autumn  mulch,  the  soluble  part  of 
which  is  gradually  washed  into  the  ground  by  rain, 
we  can  supply  the  roots  with  all  the  sustenance 
they  require  through  the  winter.  But  if  instead 
we  apply  liquid  manure  about  Christmas,  as  I  have 
seen  advised,  most  of  it,  especially  on  light  soils, 
is  lost,  because  the  roots  are  only  in  a  serai-active 
condition  and  cannot  absorb  it.  As  to  the  second 
objection,  it  is,  from  my  point  of  view,  a  more 
serious  one.     I  live  in  a  valley  where 

Spring  Frosts 
are  very  prevalent,  and  every  rosarian  knows  what 
irreparable  damage  is  wrought  by  these  to  all  kinds 


AIMEB    VIBERT   AND   OTHER  LOSES  OVER   GARDEN  ARCH. 


of  Roses,  and  more  especially  to  the  summer- 
flowering  climbing  Roses,  most  of  which  form  their 
buds  very  early.  Aglaia,  The  Dawson,  and  such- 
like Roses  frequently  get  damaged  here,  and  my 
one  object,  therefore,  is  to  avoid  pushing  them  into 
growth  too  early.  On  that  account  I  avoid  giving 
any  liquid  manure  until  the  last  ten  days  of  May, 
and  except  for  those  who  are  fortunate  enough  to 
live  in  a  district  where  spring  frosts  do  not  often 
occur,  this  method  is  undoubtedly  the  safest  to 
pursue.  In  connexion  with  this  subject  there  is 
one  more  point  about  which  enquiry  is  frequently 
made  to  which  I  wish  to  refer.  This  is  as  to 
whether  it  is  advisable  to  give  liquid  manure  the 
first  year  after  planting  or  not.  Well,  here  again 
there  exists  a  slight  difference  of  opinion.  The 
reply  generally  given  to  this  question  is  "  No,  it  is 
unnecessary."  I  cannot,  however,  quite  fall  in 
with  this  view,  because  there  are  very  often  times 
when  it  proves  wrong.  For  instance,  where  an 
arch  has  been  planted  with  identical  varieties,  both 
of  which  are  of  equal  size  and  have  been  given  the 
same  soil  and  treatment,  we  frequently  find  that 
one  plant  will  outstrip  the  other.  It  may  be, 
perhaps,  that  this  is  caused  by  position  and  the 
fact  that  it  gets  more  sun  than  the  other.  But 
whatever  the  cause  this  is  annoying,  because  half 
the  beauty  of  an  arch  depends  upon  the  way  it  is 
clothed,  and  any  unevenness  of  growth  will  cause 
it  to  look  lop-sided.  The  great  point,  then,  is  to 
ensure 

Regularity  or  Growth, 
and  if  one  plant  is  found  to  be  lagging  behind  the 
other  the  first  season  after  planting  there  should 
be  no  hesitation  in  encouraging  it  with  a  little 
weak  liquid  manure.  A  great  deal  depends  upon 
the  way  the  plants  are  treated  the  first  year,  and 
unless  they  grow  freely  there  is  not  much  likeli- 
hood of  success  afterwards.  I  have  known  cases 
where,  in  spite  of  every  care  in  cultivation,  one 
individual  plant  will  have  a  stunted  and  unhealthy 
appearance,  and  when  this  occurs  the  best  thing  is 
not  to  waste  time  tinkering  with  it,  but  to  replace 
with  a  healthy  one  as  soon  as  possible. 

Pruning. 
Provided  this  is  not  thoroughly  understood,  all 
the  labour  of  soil  preparation  may  be  counted  as 
lost.  The  subject  is  a  never-ending  one,  but  I  will 
do  my  best  to  make  it  clear  in  as  brief  a  manner  as 
The  first  trap  that  the  unwary  amateur 
usually  falls  into  is  in  buying  those 
selected  3  feet  to  6  feet  plants  from  the 
open  ground,  which  my  nurserymen 
friends  tell  me  are  those  most  sought 
after.  I  have  nothing  whatever  to  say 
against  these — in  fact,  I  always  choose 
them  myself — but  at  the  same  time  they 
are  frequently  the  source  of  much  dis- 
appointment. The  temptation  to  tie 
their  long  shoots  up  to  the  arch  is 
irresistible  to  the  beginner,  who  fondly 
imagines  that  by  so  doing  he  is  scoring 
over  a  friend  who  has  only  purchased 
small,  young  plants.  I  know  that  this 
was  my  idea  when  first  starting  Rose 
growing,  and  how  I  scorned  the  advice 
of  a  friend  to  "Cut  those  climbers  down 
to  the  ground  the  first  year  !  "  But  we 
all  have  to  learn,  and  although  this 
warning  will  be  needless  to  the  "old 
hands,"  yet  there  may,  perhaps,  be 
among  readers  of  The  Garden  beginners 
as  "  green  "  as  I  once  was,  and  to  them  I 
would  say  by  all  means  buy  these  strong 
plants,  but  cut  them  down  to  1  foot  from 
the  ground  the  first  season.  This  will 
strengthen  the  plants  by  equalising  the 
balance  of  growth  between  root  and 
stem,  and  some  good,  strong,  sturdy 
shoots  from  the  base  of  the  plants  will 
be  the  result.  As  regards  ordinary 
pruning,  avoid  it  as  much  as  possible. 
Cut  out  old  worn-out  or  frost-injured 
wood,  and  alwa3's  make  a  practice  of 
trying  to  lay  in  some  new  shoots  from 
the  base  of  the  plants  every  year.  Of 
course,  some  varieties,  such  as  Mme. 
B^rard,  cannot  be  induced  to  break  from 


268 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Apbil  16,  1904. 


the  bottom.  Such  Roses  should  be  avoided  on  arches 
or  grown  in  conjunction  with  another  variety 
which  has  not  got  this  bad  habit.  Never  hesitate 
when  a  variety  looks  worn  out  and  leggy  to  cut  it 
right  down  to  the  ground.  A  season's  bloom  or 
more  may  be  lost,  but  the  plant  will  be  healthier 
and  produce  more  flowers  afterwards.  Unripe 
shoots  should  also  be  cut  hard  back.  Many 
established  climbing  Roses  are  ruined  by  being 
overpruned,  and  Mr.  William  Paul,  in  "The  Rose 
Garden,"  tells  us  that  "when  a  climbing  Rose  is 
full  grown  close  pruning  is  not  advisable,  for  the 
object  here,  as  in  pillar  Roses,  is  masses  of  bloom." 
It  is  impo3sible  to  lay  too  much  emphasis  on  this 
point.  A.  R.  Goodwin. 

(To  be  continued. J 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


THE   CACTUS   DAHLIA   FOR 
EXHIBITION. 


H 


AVING  considered  the  propagation  of 
the  cuttings  right  through  till  ready 
for  planting  out,  we  now  give  our 
attention  to 

The  Old  Tobers. 
Although    in    many   ways    not  so 
suitable  for  the  production  of  exhibition  flowers  as 
plants  from   cuttings,  there  are  some  qualities  to 
be  found  in  them  which  for  certain  purposes,  and 
in  conjunction  with  young  plants,  make  a  few  of 
them,    when   well   grown,    of   considerable   value. 
One  of  the  most  useful  features  of  old  roots  is  their 
early  flowering,  and,  in  fact,  very  often  it  is  only 
the  early  blooms  which  are  really  first  class  ;  and 
so  where  a  large  number  of  Dahlias  are  grown,  and 
especially  if  one  wishes  to  compete  at  both  early 
and  late  shows,  there  is  no  better  plan  than  relying 
on  the  old  roots  for  the  first  shows  and  the  plants 
for  the  later  ones.     If  it  is  thought  too  tedious  to 
pot  them,  they  may  with  equally  good  results  be 
placed  iu  their  permanent  quarters  at  once.     Our 
usual  course  is  to  let  the  tubers  get  well  started, 
so  that  we  can  see  the  situation  of  the  eyes,  and 
then  part  them,  always  getting  at  least  two  or 
more  tubers  with  fibrous  tufts  of  roots  at  the  end, 
with  a  shoot  or  two  well  connected  to  the  tubers. 
These  may  remain  a  daj'  or  so  to  heal,  and  then  be 
planted.     Holes  should  be  dug  out  and  well  rotted 
manure  mixed  in,   say  two  gallons  to  each,  and, 
having  filled  in  some  of  the  ordinary  garden  soil 
for  the  root  to  rest  on,  fill  in  round  it  and  leave 
the  crown  about  2  inches  below  the  surface.     If 
time  is  precious  and  work  pressing  the  tubers  may 
be  put  in  as  above  in  practically  unworked  ground, 
and  the  soil  made  suitable  later  on.     On  the  other 
hand,  the  old  roots  may  be  parted  and  potted.     I 
have  more  than  once  seen  cutting  ofi'  of  the  tubers 
advocated,  or  rather  trimmed  off  to  fit  the  pot.     In 
my  opinion  this  is  a  very  bad  plan  indeed.     It  is 
far  better  to  cut  off  the  old  root  in  such  a  way  as 
to  ensure  each  strong  shoot  having  one  or  more 
whole  tubers  attached,  and  then  when  potted  the 
young  roots  will  sprout  out  in   batches.     At  the 
same  time  any  long  ungainly   tubers  or  partially 
broken  ones  may  be  cut  off.     Almost  any  fairly 
good  soil  will  do  with  which  a  fifth  part  of  sifted 
coal   ashes   is   added.     The   potted  roots   may  be 
placed  in  a  frame   where  they  will   make  strong 
sturdy  plants.     One  of  the  most  frequent  mistakes 
where  Dahlias  are  divided  and  potted  is  getting 
them    too    early   and    letting    the    roots    become 
matted.      Leave   them   till   later,   and  then   plant 
them.      Only  those   sorts  which   have  fiowers   of 
good  depth  should  be  selected. 

The  Best  Varieties  for  Exhibition. 

The  best  Cactus  varieties  for  exhibition  are  as 
follows :  Ajax,  orange ;  Britannia,  pale  rose  ; 
Columbia,  red,  tipped  white  ;  Clara  G.  Stredwick, 
bright  salmon  ;  Iceberg,  purest  white ;  Etna,  a 
shade  of  lilac  ;  Florence,  yellowish  orange  ;  F.  H. 
Chapman,  dark  orange  ;  Galliard,  scarlet ;  H.  J. 
Jones,  yellow,  shaded  at  tips  with  rose;  H.  F. 
Robertson,     pure     deep     yellow ;     lanthe,     buff, 


blended  rosy  pink  ;  Ida,  yellow  ;  J.  H. 
Jackson,  maroon  ;  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  crimson- 
purple  ;  J.  Weir  Fife,  purplish  maroon  ;  Lord 
Roberts,  creamy  white  ;  Mrs.  Crowe,  light  yellow  ; 
Mrs.  Winstanley,  orange-scarlet ;  Mr.  Seagrave, 
rosy  purple  ;  Mrs.  Carter  Page,  crimson  ;  Mabel 
TuUoch,  pink  ;  Princess,  violet,  with  suspicion  of 
rose  ;  P.  W.  TuUooh,  light  salmon-red  ;  Phineas, 
crimson ;  Prince  of  Orange,  orange,  shaded  ; 
Richard  Dean,  red,  tipped  white;  Raymond  Parks, 
light  crimson.  In  addition  to  these  there  are  the 
new  certificated  varieties  of  this  year,  but  of 
course  it  is  impossible  to  say  anything  about  these  ; 
but  perhaps  as  many  readers  may  not  be  members 
of  the  National  Dahlia  Society,  I  will  give  the 
names  of  those  sorts  which  were  awarded  a  first- 
class  certificate  by  that  body  last  year.  These 
were — I  quote  from  the  National  Dahlia  Society's 
schedule :  Comet,  pink  ground,  striped  and 
speckled  crimson  ;  Dainty,  lemon  yellow,  shaded 
pink,  tipped  gold  ;  Florence  M.  Stredwick,  pure 
white ;  George  Gordon,  yellow  base  shading  to 
orange ;  Hereward,  white  striped  and  speckled 
crimson  ;  H.  W.  Tillem,  vermilion-red  ;  Mrs. 
H.  L.  Brousson,  pale  yellow  ground,  shaded 
salmon  ;  Mrs.  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  deep  rosy  pink 
with  lighter  centre  ;  Pearl,  rich  pink  with  lighter 
tips  ;  Rainbow,  light  pink  ;  Sirius,  yellow  ground, 
thickly  striped,  and  speckled  crimson  ;  Sweet  Mell, 
deep  pink  with  paler  centre. 

It  will  be  seen  that  in  many  cases  the  new  sorts 
are  of  pink  colouring,  a  fact  which  is  worth  the 
notice  of  exhibitors,  as  these  are  very  telling  in 
competition ;  but  I  am  afraid  the  price  is  prohibitive 
to  the  majority  of  growers.  This  year  the  usual 
price  for  a  plant  is  7s.  6d.  Still,  some  who  wish 
to  be  cup  winners  will  no  doubt  speculate  in  new 
ones  more  or  less,  and  the  first-class  certificate  of 
the  National  Dahlia  Society  is  the  hall-mark  of 
merit. 

The  Quantity  to  Grow. 
We  must  now  decide  the  sorts   to  grow  and  the 
quantity  of   each,  a   most   important  question  in 
exhibiting  if  one  wishes  to  exhibit  in   the  bunch 
classes,    either    threes    or    sixes.       It    is    useless 
disguising   the  fact   that  a  very  large  number  of 
plants  must  be  grown  to  cut  even  nine  threes  on 
any  given  morning,  and  at  first  sight  probably  the 
number  of  plants  will  appear  out  of  all  proportion 
to  the  blooms  required.      It   is   one  thing   to   go 
round  a  Dahlia  bed  and  casually  inspect  the  flowers 
which    hang   in   abundance,    and   another   to   cut 
three  flowers  of  a  sort  fit  to  stand  in  competition 
at   noon   the   following   day.     Taking,    then,   this 
fact    into    consideration,    grow    from    sixteen    to 
twenty  sorts  three  or  four  of  each,  to  ensure  being 
in  good  trim  for  any  show  of  importance.     I  give 
these  numbers  for  nine  threes,  and,  of  course-,  any- 
one can  add   or  otherwise  in  proportion.     What- 
ever is  grown,  be  sure  to  have  sufficient  of  each 
sort,  and  not  a  large  number  of  sorts  one  of  each, 
or  on  the  fateful  show  day  it  will  be  found  that 
there  is  a  bloom  of  this,  and  two  of  that,  and  so 
on,  but  barely  a  good  three  of  one  variety  any- 
where.    Gardeners  and  amateurs  should  not  aim 
at   a  big   class,  when  the  same  energy  expended 
intelligently  on   a  smaller  one  would  result  in  a 
first   prize.      If,    in   conjunction   with    the   bunch 
classes,  the  grower  tries  to  win  in  the  single  bloom 
division  as  well,  a  few  additional  sorts,  one  of  each, 
may  be  grown,  and  here  a  few  plants  of  the  newer 
varieties  are  useful,  and  possibly  with  good  culti- 
vation there  may  at  times  be  three  flowers  on  a 
plant  all  first-class.     Before  leaving  this  portion  of 
the  work,  I  strongly  advise  the  exhibitor  to  pur- 
chase the  plants  in  good  time,  so  as  to  set  them 
strong  before  planting  time,  instead  of  leaving  it 
till  the  minute  they  are  wanted,  and  then  find  that 
flowers  cannot  appear  in  time  for  the  exhibitions. 
Plants  obtained  in  early  May  ought  to  be,  with 
reasonable  care,  strong  by  planting  time.     As  soon 
as  the  plants  arrive  from  a  nursery  pot  them  into 
4i-inch   pots  in  a  good  fresh  compost,  and  keep 
them  somewhat  warm  and  close  for  a  few  days 
until  they  have  started,  and  then  put  them  into 
the  frame.     As  a  rule,  plants  from  a  nursery  have 
probably  been  earlier  in  the  season  in  rather  more 
heat  than  those   at   home,   and    must   be  treated 
accordingly.  Exhibitor. 


THE  DOUBLE  CRIMSON  PRIMROSE. 
Probably  the  rarest  double  Primrose  is  the  Double 
Crimson,  or  Pompadour,  i.e..  Primula  acaulis  rubra 
fl.-pl.  In  the  intense  velvet  crimson  of  its  flowers, 
the  latter  attaining  to  the  size  of  a  crown  piece 
under  the  highest  cultivation,  the  variety  has  no 
equal,  and  is  much  prized  when  in  good  condition. 
In  most  English  gardens  the  plant  is  short  lived, 
yet  it  can  be  grown  to  the  highest  excellence  if 
properly  treated.  In  some  parts  of  Ireland,  ano 
possibly  also  of  Scotland,  favoured  localities  have 
been  found  where  this  remarkable  form  will  grow 
fairly  well.  It  would  appear,  however,  that  even 
in  the  most  favoured  places  no  large  tufts  are  to  be 
found  since  frequent — i.e.,  annual  or  biennial — 
division  is  necessary  to  vigorous  growth,  which  is 
in  no  degree  less  than  in  others  ;  indeed,  the 
crimson  form  would  appear  to  possess  a  greater 
vigour  than  some,  and  its  unsatisfactory  condition 
may  be  attributable  to  other  things. 

For  some  years  I  grew  it  in  large  numbers,  and 
I  have  never  seen  such  vigour,  or  even  approaching 
it,  as  resulted  from  the  special  treatment  I  then 
adopted.  My  object  was  plant  production,  and  in 
any  fresh  batch  of  plants  received,  beyond  proving 
their  identity,  no  flowers  were  in  the  first  season 
permitted  to  open.  As  part  of  the  special  treat- 
ment given,  a  pit  frame  in  a  low-lying  position, 
receiving  the  thin  shade  of  distant  trees,  was 
selected,  and  old  potting  soil  1  foot  deep,  a  free 
mixture  into  which  peat,  loam,  and  the  general 
mixture  from  various  departments  entered,  was 
thrown  in.  Before  the  soil  a  heavy  layer  of  cow 
manure  was  placed  in  at  9  inches  deep.  The  plants 
in  March  or  early  April  were  cut  up  into  single 
crowns  and  replanted  at  6  inches  apart.  A  point 
strongly  enforced  was  the  burying  of  the  plants 
much  deeper  than  before,  to  ensure  bringing 
into  active  use  the  many  roots  issuing  from  the 
upper  portion  of  the  trunk-like  root  stock.  Spare 
lights  were  used  to  cover  the  plants,  and  were 
more  strictly  used  for  this  purpose  during  summer. 
Watered  liberally  and  freely  when  in  growth,  and 
in  summer  given  a  good  shower  bath  each  evening, 
a  greater  vigour  was  presently  assured  by  watering 
the  plants  overhead  with  weak  liquid  manure  and 
soot  water  combined  ;  this  was  given  twice  weekly. 
During  summer  hardly  a  ray  of  sun  reached  the 
plants,  and  in  their  low-lying  pit,  often  saturated 
by  heavy  rains,  and  with  the  treatment  I  have 
detailed  an  amazing  vigour  and  growth  resulted. 
Thegreater  proof  came  in  the  spring  ensuing  when 
the  huge  and  finely-coloured  flowers,  often  larger 
than  a  crown  piece  and  very  full,  appeared  in  such 
numbers.  This  may  certainly  appear  a  lot  of 
trouble  to  take  with  a  Primrose,  yet  the  means 
I  now  advocate  produced  the  richest  display  of 
flowers  I  have  known.  I  have  heard  it  stated  that 
this  plant  especially  dislikes  manure.  This  must 
be  mere  fancy,  however,  when  by  the  treatment  I 
have  cited  above  the  plants  may  be  made  to  develop 
so  strong  a  vigour.  It  is  so  simple,  too,  that 
anyone  may  test  its  worth.  Above  all,  it  is  one 
way  of  growing  this  exceptional  plant  to  perfection. 
Hampton  Hill.  E.  H.  Jenkins. 


TREES  AND    SHRUBS. 


RHODODENDRON  TRIFLORUxM  VAR. 

A  DISTINCT  form  of  R.  triflorum  has 
recently  flowered  at  Kew,  the  growth 
being  quite  different  from  that  of  the 
type,  while  the  flowers  are  similar  in 
^  size,  shape,  and  colour.  Seeds  of  it 
were  sent  to  Kew  in  1001  by  Mr. 
Barr,  who  described  it  as  a  pretty  hardy  Rhodo- 
dendron. R.  triflorum  is  a  Sikkim  species  .S  feet 
or  more  high,  of  somewhat  loose  growth,  and  with 
small  twiggy  branches.  The  leaves  are  broadly 
lanceolate,  2  inches  long,  deep  green  above  and 
glaucous  beneath,  the  flowers  being  pale  yellow 
and  nearly  2  inches  across.  The  variety  is  very 
compact,  and  is  at  present  from  2  inches  to  4  inches 
high.  The  tiny  plants  have  blossomed  freely,  and 
the  flowers  are  quite  as  large  as  those  of  the  type. 
At  present  it  looks  as  if  it  will  never  grow  higher 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


269 


than  a  few  inches,  its  flowering  so  freely  when 
very  young  favouring  that  idea.  If  it  should  prove 
perfectly  hardy  it  will  be  useful  for  the  rock 
garden.  W.  D. 


PAKROTIA  PERSICA. 
Two  species  of  Parrotia  are  in  cultivation  in 
gardens — P.  jacqueniontiana,  a  native  of  Kashmir, 
still  very  rare  ;  and  P.  persica,  of  Persian  origin, 
which  is  more  often  met  with.  Like  several  other 
members  of  the  order  Haniamelidese,  the  flowers 
are  attractive  though  small,  those  of  the  Indian 
species  being  remarkable  for  the  large  bracts,  and 
of  the  Persian  plant  for  the  bright  red  anthers. 
Though  more  inclined  to  form  a  bush,  P.  persica 
can  with  a  little  training  be  coaxed  into  attaining 
the  dimensions  of  a  small  tree  with  a  fair-sized 
trunk.  The  leaves  are  more  or  less  ovate,  and 
turn  in  autumn  to  rich  orange  and  red  tints.  The 
flowers  appear  during  March,  each  one  being  about 
1  inch  across,  and  containing  upwards  of  100 
stamens,  the  red  anthers  of  which  are  very  effec- 
tive, especially  on  a  sunny  day.  When  planting 
this  species  it  is  advisable  to  provide  a  place  where 
it  will  not  be  injured  by  cold  north  or  east 
winds.  Light  loamy  soil  suits  it  well,  but  it  must 
not  be  expected  to  grow  very  fast  when  young. 
Near  the  main  gate  at  Kew  a  specimen  is  now  in 
flower.  W.  Dallimore. 


ARALIA  SPINOSA. 
This  shrub,  which  was  illustrated  in  The  Garden 
(page  235),  has  always  been  somewhat  of  a  puzzle 
to  me,  and  I  notice  that  the  difi^erent  writers  are 
rather  vague  as  to  the  points  (if  any)  which  sepa- 
rate it  from  its  Chinese  representative,  known 
usually  in  gardens  as  Dimorphanthus  mands- 
churicus.  Turning  to  the  "  Kew  Hand  List  "  for 
elucidation,  I  see  the  Chinese  plant  is  referred  to 
as  Aralia  chinensis  elata,  with  the  synonyms  of 
Aralia  mandschurica,  Dimorphanthus  elatus,  and 
Dimorphanthus  mandschuricus.  Three  varieties  are 
given,  viz.,  albo-marginata,  canescens,  and  pyra- 
midalis.  The  North  American  Aralia  spinosa  has 
no  synonyms  in  the  list  in  question.  There  are 
numerous  fine  specimens  scattered  about  the 
gardens  at  Kew  which  are  each  autumn  of  great 
beauty.  Without  being  able  to  distinguish  between 
Aralia  spinosa  and  Dimorphanthus  mandschuricus 
as  usually  grown  in  gardens  and  nurseries,  I  have 
noted  the  following  distinct  forms — albo-marginata 
or  variegata,  which  has  attracted  much  attention 
within  the  last  two  or  three  years.  In  this  all  the 
leaflets  have  a  clearly  defined  edging  of  white. 
The  variety  pyramidalis  is  a  curious  dense-growing 
form,  which  originated  in  the  nursery  of  MM. 
Barbier,  Orleans,  France,  so  long  known  as  Tran- 
son's  nursery.  Besides  these  there  is  canescens, 
which  I  do  not  know.  There  is,  however,  a  speci- 
men at  Kew  in  the  dell  near  the  flagstaff  which  is 
quite  distinct  from  that  generally  grown.  It  has 
been  suggested  to  me  that  it  is  probably  the  true 
Aralia  spinosa,  or  it  may  be  the  variety  canescens 
above  mentioned.  The  individual  in  question  is 
more  compact  in  growth,  which  extends  even  to 
the  flower  panicles,  and  the  leaves  are  somewhat 
glaucescent.  It  is — at  least,  from  my  point  of 
view — a  very  desirable  Aralia,  and  in  this  respect 
I  do  not  stand  alone,  for  in  a  walk  around  the 
gardens  of  Holland  House  some  time  since  I  noticed 
a  specimen  of  it  there.  Though  Mr.  Dixon,  the 
gardener,  could  give  me  no  distinctive  varietal 
name,  he  concurred  in  the  opinion  that  it  was  the 
best  of  its  section. 

Some  years  ago  iji  The  Garden,  Mr.  Bean,  in  an 
article  on  "  Hardy  Shrubby  Araliads,"  in  reference 
to  this  group,  said  :  "The  true  North  American 
Aralia  spinosa  is  not  common  in  gardens,  having 
given  place  to  the  Manchurian  plant  (here  described 
as  Aralia  chinensis),  which  is  hardier.  Aralia 
chinensis  (Dimorphanthus  mandschuricus). — The 
leaves  of  this  are  bipinnate,  like  those  of  A.  spinosa, 
and  of  the  same  or  greater  size.  The  leaflets, 
however,  are  broader  and  more  coarsely  serrate 
than  those  of  the  American  plant,  and  also  more 
glaucous  and  pubescent  on  the  lower  surface. 
These  are  the  chief  points  of  distinction."  Though 
there  may   be    diflerences    of  opinion  as   tc   the 


correct  nomenclature  of  this  Aralia,  there  can  be 
none  as  to  its  striking  appearance  when  well  grown 
and  crowned  with  large,  branching  panicles  of 
blossoms.  A  fairly  sheltered  position  and  a  moist 
soil  suit  it  best,  but  it  will  hold  its  own  under  very 
difierent  conditions.  T. 


ILEX    AQUIFOLIUM    VAR.    HANDS- 
WORTHENSIS. 

In  my  notes  on  "  Evergreen  Hollies,"  on  page  146 
of  the  present  volume,  I  described  the  variety 
handsworthensis  as  one  of  the  "silver  variegated 
varieties."  The  Holly  I  had  in  mind  was  the  fine 
one  known  as  "  Handsworth  New  Silver."  This 
was  described  as  handsworthensis  by  the  late  Mr. 
Thomas  Moore  in  the  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  for  187.5, 
Vol.  IV.,  page  741,  and  a  figure  was  given.  His 
name  as  there  applied  has  been  used  in  the  Kew 
collection.  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Atkinson  of  the 
Handsworth  Nurseries  for  pointing  out  to  me  that 
this  is  wrong.  The  true  handsworthensis  is  a 
variety  with  small  green  leaves,  not  in  the  least 
like  the  variegated  plant  ;  it  was  raised  in  the 
Handsworth  Nurseries,  where  the  original  speci- 
men still  stands.     On  looking  over  Moore's  mono- 


not  whether  in  city  or  country,  the  growth  ia 
satisfactory.  Its  very  good  appearance  near  cities 
is  in  a  great  measure  owing  to  its  doing  so  much 
better  than  other  varieties  in  similar  situations, 
and  this  good  doing  is  no  doubt  due  to  its  thick 
leaves,  enabling  them  to  withstand  the  smoke  and 
dust  associated  with  such  localities. 

This  Rose  makes  an  admirable  hedge  for  a 
boundary  line  ;  it  is  so  hardy,  so  bushy,  and  so 
ornamental  in  leaf,  flower,  and  fruit.  It  needs  but 
little  trimming,  only  enough  to  keep  it  in  place, 
as  the  plant's  habit  is  to  grow  bushy  and  not  tall. 
As  a  hedge  it  becomes  so  broad  and  bushy  in  time 
that  a  wide  space  must  be  allowed  it  when  set. 
The  plants  could  be  set  red  and  white  flowered 
alternately  if  desired,  as  both  grow  exactly  alike. 

Propagation  of  these  plants  is  carried  on  by 
layering,  by  seed  sowing,  and  by  cutiings  chiefly. 
Layering  is  always  a  sure  way,  but  seed  sowing  is 
the  best  of  all.  Gather  the  large  pods  in  winter, 
pound  them  until  the  pulp  can  be  washed  away 
from  the  seed.  Then  preserve  the  seed  in  damp 
soil  in  a  cool  place  until  spring,  sowing  it  then  out- 
doors as  early  as  possible,  and  every  seed  should 
grow.  It  is  true  that  Rugosa  Roses  give  us  their 
best  display  of  flowers  in  June,  but  all  through  the 


WAHLENBERGIA   SAXICOLA. 


graph  again  I  found,  curiously  enough,  that  he  had 
called  the  true  small  green-leaved  variety  "hands- 
worthensis," but,  overlooking  this  in  a  later  part  of 
his  monograph,  had  used  the  same  name  again  for 
the  variegated  form.  This,  of  course,  explains  the 
confusion.  The  "  Handsworth  New  Silver  Holly," 
if  it  requires  any  other  name,  may  be  known  as 
"handsworthensis  argentea."  The  green-leaved 
variety  may  be  described  as  follows  : 

Handsworlhe.nsis. — A  Holly  of  neat  and  rather 
dense  habit,  with  small  green,  stiff  foliage,  rather 
closely  set.  The  wood  is  purplish  on  the  most 
exposed  side.  The  leaves  are  1  inch  to  li  inches 
long  and  three-quarters  of  an  inch  or  so  wide,  of  a 
dark  and  very  lustrous  green.  The  margins  are  set 
with  numerous  slender,  but  stiff,  spines. 

W.  J.  Bean. 


summer  at  intervals  there  are  blossoms  appearing, 
even  to  the  last  day  of  autumn. 

Joseph  Meehan,  in  Florists'  Exchange 
(New  York). 


RUGOSA    ROSES. 

Although  the  value  of  the  Rosa  rugosa  has  been 
recognised  since  its  introduction,  now  a  good  many 
years  ago,  it  is  rarely  that  any  introduction 
maintains  its  popularity  to  such  a  great  degree  as 
this  has  up  to  the  present  day.  Its  well  doing 
everywhere  is  the  main  cause  of  this.     It  matters 


MOUNTAIN     FLOWERS    OF 
NEW    ZEALAND. 

I  HAVE  sometimes  felt  surprise  when  I 
observed  tiiat  apparently  none  of  our 
New  Zealand  Celmisias  were  in  culti- 
vation in  Britain,  where  rock  gardens 
are  numerous  and  extensive.  In  the 
colony  the  taste  for  alpines  is  only 
beginning  to  develop,  and  rock  gardens  are  few 
and  small.  Yet  some  of  our  mountain  plants 
have  been  grown  in  gardens  with  more  or  less 
success  for  years.  Many  people  have  a  plant 
or  two  of  the  Mountain  Lily  as  it  is  called 
(Ranunculus  Lyallii),  or  the  yellow  R.  insigne, 
and  several  of  the  Celmisias,  or  Mountain 
Daisies,  more  particularly  C.  verbascifolia,  C. 
coriacea,  and  C.  Holosericea  are  not  infrequently 


270 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  16,  1904. 


to  be  met  with,  as  are  some  of  the  Ourisias, 
such  as  O.   macrophylla,  with  its  handsome 
trusses  of  white  flowers  forming  a  spike  1  foot 
or  1  foot  6  inches  in  height,  or  the  mossy-like 
O.  cajspitosa,  with  its  compact,  bright  green 
foliage  studded  with  its  pure  white  flowers, 
each  on  a  separate  stemlet  just  rising  above 
the  green  cushion  of  the  plant.     Most  of  our 
mountain  plants,  if  grown  under  suitable  con- 
ditions, should  be  hardy  in  Britain.     Damp  is 
more  fatal  to  them  than  frost,  and  when  the 
two  are  combined  the  plants  will  be  killed  by 
the  frost  at  a  temperature  much  higher  than  j 
they  will  stand  in  their  native  habitat,  though 
perhaps,  when  the  thermometer  is  at  its  lowest,  \ 
they  are    there    snugly    tucked  away    under 
several  feet  of  snow.     As  an  illustration  of  the 
evil  arising  from  a  damp  situation,  which  is  i 
well  known,  I  may  instance  my 
plant  of  Celmisia  Hectori,  which 
was  growing  in  a  very  dry  situa- 
tion on  my  rockery,  the    bright 
silvery  rosettes    of    which   came 
quite  scathless  through  our  recent 
severe  winter,  whilst  a  friend  who 
had  several  of  the  same  plants 
in  the  open  ground  lost  them  all. 
Some  of  the  Celmisias  are  more 
amenable     to     cultivation     than 
others,  and  so  far  as  my  experience 
goes   I   have   found   C.  petiolata 
(formerly  C.  Rakiura)  one  of  the 
easiest  to  grow.   It  has  dark  green, 
some  what  drooping  leaves,  covered 
on  the  under  side  with  a  thick 
brownish    tomentum.      The    ray 
florets  are  rather   short,  but  the 
plant  is  worth  growing.     C.  ver- 
bascifolia  is  decidedly  the  hand- 
somest of  the  genus,  and  is  not 
difficult  to  grow.     It  is  a  very 
striking    plant,    with    grey-green 
leaves    about    a   foot    or    rather 
more    in   length,    white    on    the 
lower     surface,     from     amongst 
which  rise  the  flower-stems,  each 
crowned    with    as    handsome    a 
Daisv  as  one  could  desire  to  see, 
sometimes     as     much    as    over 
3  inches  across.    The  narrowness 
of  the  petals  in  proportion  to  their 
length  renders  it  a  distinct  and 
pleasing  flower.    The  number  of 
species  met  with  in  New  Zealand 
is  legion,  and  the  list  is  continu- 
ally being  added  to.    Some  are 
very  local,  and  one  might  almost 
say  that  every  mountain  range  has 
its  peculiar  species,  though  others 
are    of   wide    distribution.      The 
habit   of   growth    varies   greatly. 
Most  of  them  grow  in  a  tuft  or 
bunch,  of  which  C.  coriacea  may 
be  taken  as  an  example.    Its  stiff, 
pointed    silvery    leaves    growing 
regularly  from  a  common  centre 
render  it  a  pleasing  object,  even 
when  not  in  bloom.     Its  flowers,  however,  are 
not  quite  so  handsome  as  those  of  some  other 
species.    Some  of  the  Celmisias  are  of  a  trailing 
or  creeping  habit,  as  C.  Lindsayii,  which  drapes 
the  rocks  at  the  Ruggets,  on  the  south-eastern 
coast  of  this   island.    This   species  is    easily 
grown,  and  as  it  roots  along  its  trailing  stems 
ft  soon  forms  a  large  mat.     Others,  such    as 
C.  prosepens,  of  which  more  anon,  creep  under 
ground.     That  .such    plants  are  not    always 
obtainable  without  difficulty  may  be  gleaned 
from    the    following    short    account    of     an 
expedition      to      gather      mountain      plants 
which   I   undertook  in   December  last    with 
two  friends. 


Our  destination  was  the  Rock  and  Sillar 
range,  a  mountain  chain  in  Central  Otago, 
which  has  an  altitude  of  nearly  .5,000  feet  at 
its  highest  point.  We  were  driven  from  the 
hamlet  of  Middlemarch  to  the  base  of  the 
mountain  in  the  early  morning,  and  commenced 
the  ascent  before  eight  o'clock.  A  light  mist 
hung  halfway  up  the  range,  and  everything 
promised  a  hot  day,  so  some  of  us  discarded 
our  vests,  which  we  left  in  the  buggy  before 
beginning  our  climb.  We  were  soon  amongst 
the  flowers,  though  they  were  nearly  all  small 
and  of  dwarf  growth.  Pratia  angulata,  a  plant 
named  in  English  catalogues,  was  in  flower 
amongst  the  tussocks  on  the  lower  slopes.  We 
soon  left  it  behind,  but  Ranunculus  Nov;b 
Zealandias  accompanied  us  higher.  Its  flowers 
are  not  so  large  as  those  of  the  British  Butter- 


alone  we  found  eight  species,  some  of  them 
insignificant,  others  very  fine.  Most  of  the 
plants  in  flower  were  low  growing,  but  the  base 
of  the  mountain  was  bright  with  the  yellow 
spikes  of  Anthericuin  Hookeri,  commonly 
called  the  Maori  Onion.  It  is  also  known  as 
Chrysobactron  Hookeri  ;  and  "  thereby  hangs 
a  tale."  Once  when  sending  a  small  order  for 
plants  to  Holland  I  ordered  amongst  other 
things  this  Chrysobactron,  which  was  described 
as  "  a  fine,  hardy  herbaceous  plant  of  recent 
introduction,  rare,  and  exceedingly  telling  as 
an  exhibition  plant."  When  the  plants  arrived 
the  majority  of  them  were  dead,  but  the 
Chrysobactron  was  alive  and  wore  a  familiar 
appearance.  I  carefully  planted  the  survivors 
and  watched  them  with  interest,  and  at  last 
the  Chrysobactron  developed  into  the  common 
Maori  Onion.  Another  pretty 
little  lilaceous  plant  we  found  in 
flower  was  Arthropodium  candi- 
dum,  which,  with  its  grasslike 
leaves  and  delicate  drooping 
bunches  of  flowers,  is  a  little  gem 
in  its  way.  The  yellow  Oxalis 
corniculata  and  its  white  cousin 
O.magellanica  were  both  in  flower, 
as  were  the  New  Zealand  Blue- 
bells Wahlenbergia  saxicola  and 
W.  gracilis.  Though  popularly 
so-called,  they  have  only  a  faint 
bluish  tinge,  and  are  often  pure 
white.  The  pretty  little  Lagunea 
tetragonum  was  past  flowering. 
Dunedin.  A.  Bathgatt. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE     LILIES. 

(Continued   from  page  360.) 
LILIUM    JAPONICUM. 


V 


LAGUNEA   TETRAGONUM   IN    NEW   ZEALAND. 

cup,  but  are  plentiful  and  quite  sessile,  so  that 
in  places  the  ground  was  begemmed  with 
golden  stars.  The  pretty  little  Lobelia  lin- 
Uceoides,  with  its  white  flowers  borne  on  thin 
little  reddish  stems,  was  tolerably  plentiful, 
whilst  ever  and  anon  we  came  on  large  patches 
of  that  pretty  little  lilaceous  plant  Herpolirion 
Nov;e  Zealandi;e  in  full  bloom.  Its  flowers, 
which  are  usually  of  a  most  exquisite  shade 
of  blue,  were  nearly  all  white.  They  may  be 
described  as  absolutely  destitute  of  stalk,  but 
their  little  cups  nestling  among  the  grassy 
leaves  had  a  peculiar  beauty  of  their  own. 
Space  would  not  permit  an  enumeration  of 
the  various  plants  met  with.     Of  Celmisias 


AR.     COLCHESTER- 

ENSE(Hort.  Wallace). 
—  Another  beautiful 
Lily  allied  to  L. 
japonicum,  with  bulbs 
6  inches  to  10  inches 
in  circumference,  white,  composed 
of  thick  fleshy  scales  almost 
rounded  at  their  tips.  The  growing 
point  of  the  bulbs  is  much 
depressed.  Stems  purplish  below, 
.3  feet  high,  stout  and  erect, 
rooting  freely  from  their  thickened 
bases.  Leaves  broadly  lance- 
shaped,  broadest  at  the  tips, 
edged  brown,  the  brown  lines 
continuing  for  some  distance  down 
the  stems,  3  inches  to  6  inches 
long.  Flowers  well  shaped, 
0  inches  long,  6  inches  across 
the  funnel,  of  very  stout  sub- 
stance, retlexing  at  the  tips, 
coloured  golden-yellow  internally, 
changing  to  a  rich  cream  with 
age,  and  flushed  externally  with  irrepulnr 
patches  of  ruddy  brown.  It  is  never  entirely 
brown,  as  in  L.  Brownii  ;  when  grown 
in  shade  the  brown  colouring  is  not 
developed,  and  patches  of  citron-yellow  take 
its  place.  Very  fragrant ;  a  very  beautiful 
Lily  of  sterling  worth.  Common  in  cultiva- 
tion.    Flowers  in  .(uly. 

C'uLTURE  AND  ILsES. — The  treatment  of  this 
plant  is  the  same  as  for  L.  Brownii. 

L.  Kelloiigii  (Hort.  Purdy),  Kellogg's  Cali- 
fornian  Martagon  Lily.— A  jiretty  and  excep- 
tionally dainty  species  from  the  HunilKildt 
County,  California,  and  newly  introduced  to 
cultivation.     Bulbs  small,  laxly  ovoid,  the  size 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


271 


of  a  hen's  egg,  white, 
forming  a  few  very 
stout  roots  from  below 
the  new  growths. 
Stems  3  feet  to  5  feet 
high,  pale  green,  slen- 
der, hollow,  not  rooting 
from  the  base  in  the 
specimens  we  have 
grown.  Leaves  in 
whorls,  like  a  small 
L.  washingtonianum, 
narrow,  scattered 
above  and  below  the 
middle.  Flowers  in  an 
umbel  of  five  to  twelve, 
resembling  those  of 
L.  Martagon  in  outline, 
coloured  lilac-purple, 
with  a  median  line  of 
yellow  running  down 
each  petal,  minutely 
dotted  claret  on  the 
margins  of  each  petal 
in  the  basal  half  inter- 
nally ;  very  fragrant. 
Rare  in  cultivation. 
Flowers  in  July.  Mid- 
way in  shape,  habit, 
and  floral  details 
between  L.  rubescens 
and  L.  Martagon. 

Culture  and  Uses. 
—This    Lily  is  quite 

new  to  cultivation,  and  as  only  imported  bulbs 
have  been  available,  and  these  in  a  more  or 
less  bruised  condition  incidental  to  travel,  it  is 
hardly  possible  to  form  a  fair  estimate  of  its 
garden  value,  but  from  its  bulb  formation, 
manner  of  rooting,  and  our  two  years'  expe- 
rience in  its  cultivation,  we  gather  that  it 
prefers  conditions  considered  good  for  L. 
columbianum.  It  has  not  thriven  in  a  plant 
border,  but  bulbs  planted  on  sloping  ground 
have  established  themselves.  The  dainty  habit 
and  pleasing  colouring  of  this  Lily  are  delight- 
ful features,  and  we  hope  it  will  prove  easy  to 
grow.  G.  B.  Mallett. 


RAOULIA   EXIMIA   {VEGETABLE   SHEEP)    IN   NEW   ZEALAND 


have  lost  two  of  the  plants  and  have  had  to 
put  others  in  their  places,  the  general  growth 
has  been  strong  and  luxuriant  ever  since,  and 
the  vivid  mass  of  sweet  pink  flowers  an  annual 
joy,  the  round  bed  at  Beccles  not  being  "in  it." 
I  have  been  obliged  to  alter  the  footpath  and 
give  the  encroaching  Daphnes  more  room,  for 
they  grew  all  over  the  original  path,  and  their 
delicate  shoots  were  continually  crushed  under 
the  Juggernaut  of  the  passing  wheelbarrow. 
The  foliage  does  not,  perhaps,  look  as  healthy 


CORRECT  PLANTING  IN  THE 
FLOWER  GARDEN.— III. 

DAPHNE  CNEOEUM.-Many  years 
i  ago  I  first  saw  this  lovely  dwarf 
I  shrub  in  full  bloom  in  a  round 
'  bed  in  front  of  a  cottage  at 
Beccles,  in  Suffolk,  and  though  at 
that  time  I  had  no  soul  for  gar- 
dening, nor  the  remotest  idea  what  the  flowers 
were,  I  have  never  forgotten  the  occasion,  and 
have  ever  since  patiently  cherished  the  idea  of 
eventually  possessing  just  such  another  round 
bed  of  my  own.  But  though  I  had  meanwhile 
discovered  the  name  of  the  much-admired 
plant,  and  formed  some  idea  of  how  to  grow  it, 
it  was  not  till  my  numerous  wanderings  from 
one  hired  house  to  another  had  ceased,  and  1 
found  myself,  a  few  years  ago,  comfortably 
settled  here  in  Kent  that  I  was  able  to  carry 
out  my  deep-laid  scheme. 

Then  one  fine  day,  in  1898  I  think  it  was,  I 
removed  about  half  the  loam  from  a  piece  of 
warm  border,  replacing  it  with  a  similar 
amount  of  peat  and  a  little  sand,  made  up  a 
delightful  mixture  for  my  six  new  Daphnes, 
and  carefully  planted  them  some  18  inches 
from  the  path.  The  fates,  I  may  remark,  were 
against  me  at  the  critical  moment,  and  I  could 
not  manage  the  long-projected  round  bed,  to 
my  great  regret.  The  result  surprised  myself, 
and  my  gardening  friends  too,  for  though  I 


NABCISSOS  PALUDDS  PR.a;COX  WITH  THREE  BLOOMS. 


as  usual  this  spring, 
but  this  may  be  the 
resultof  that  miserable 
1903.  Anyhow,  J  do 
not  think  there  is 
much  the  matter,  and 
the  flower-buds  are  as 
numerous  as  ever.  I 
am  going  to  try  this 
species  as  an  edging 
in  my  new  "  colour 
border,  and  pray  for 
similar  success. 

If  I  may  be  allowed 
to  draw  conclusions 
from  my  rather  limited 
experience, I  should  be 
inclined  to  tabulate 
the  requirements  of 
this  Daphne  as 
follows  :  (1)  Good 
bushy  roots  to  start 
with,  not  a  few  weak 
fibres  at  the  end  of 
the  layered  shoot ;  (2) 
a  sunny  position  at  the 
ordinary  ground  level ; 
and  (3)  a  mixture  of 
loam  and  peat  in  equal 
parts,  with  a  little 
sand. 

There  is  a  larger- 
flowered  variety 
known  as  major  or 
grandiflora,  but  I  have  not  tried  it,  nor 
have  1  ever,  to  my  knowledge,  seen  it.  If 
it  is  an  improvement  on  the  type  it  is  indeed 
worth  growing.  Can  any  reader  of  The 
Gaeden  tell  us  about  it? 

Naecis.sus  pallidus  pe,«cox. 

I  have  not  grown  this  beautiful  early 
Daffodil  in  moist  grass  land,  where  it  is  said  to 
flourish,  but  I  have  tried  it  in  various  parts  of 
my  garden  with  signal  want  of  success,  and  it 
was  not  till  I  discovered  what  I  take  to  be  its 
peculiar  requirements  that  I  managed  to  keep 
it  alive  for  more  than  a  couple  of  years.  Now 
I  have  it  apparently  quite  at  home  in  a  peaty 
bed  under  the  shelter  of  thin  overhanging 
branches  of  Rhododendrons,  and  it  blooms 
well  every  year,  seeming  to  improve  steadily 
the  while.  Some  of  the  bulbs  at  the  present 
moment  are  carrying  from  three  to  seven 
flowers,  while  in  one  case  no  less  than  three, 
and  in  another  two,  blooms  are  on  one  stalk, 
"  fasciated ,"  of  course.  Is  not  this  fasciation 
very  unusual  among  Narcissi  1  The  accom- 
panying illustration  gives  a  very  fair  idea  of 
the  triple  head.  There  was  a  note  in  The 
Garden  quite  recently  recommending  a  very 
similar  situation  for  this  Dafi'odil,  so  I  think 
there  must  be  something  in  it. 

LiTHOSPIEMUM   PEOSTKATUJI. 

This  does  remarkably  well  with  me  here  in 
Kent,  so  well  that  I  have  never  lost  a  single 
plant  or  had  a  sickly  (me  so  far.  Absit  omen  ' 
My  advice  to  those  wishing  to  succeed  with  it 
is  to  begin  with  good,  well-rooted  specimens, 
plant  them  carefully  in  light,  loamy  soil,  with 
sand  and  leaf-mould  or  peat,  but  no  manure  of 
any  kind,  in  a  warm,  sunny,  and  well-drained 
position,  the  roots  being  close  against  the 
edging  stones  of  the  rockery  or  border.  It  is 
not  necessary  that  they  should  be  planted 
above  the  existing  ground  level,  though  those 
that  have  done  best  with  me  are  raised  a  foot 
or  two.  I  seldom  water  my  plants,  but  in 
very  dry  weather  in  spring  or  summer  I 
give  them  a  good  soaking  with  rain  water 
occasionally. 


272 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  16,  1904. 


At  one  time  I  was  afraid  tliat  the  lime 
in  the  Kentish  ragstone  would  be  bad  for 
Lithospermums,  but  I  do  not  suppose  that 
much  of  this  is  dissolved  out  of  the  very  hard 
compact  stones  I  use.  Anyhow,  my  plants 
look  exceedingly  well,  and  it  is  a  pleasure  to 
have  such  nice  healthy  specimens,  never  with- 
out a  flower  or  two,  even  through  the  winter, 
and  with  no  sickly  yellow  foliage  to  disfigure 
them. 

TeCOPHIL.EA   cyANOCROCUS. 

There  are  certain  flowers  that,  when  first 
seen  in  perfection,  take  one's  breath  away,  so 
to  speak,  and  go  straight  to  one's  inmost  horti- 
cultural soul.  Just  as  the  artist,  at  first  sight 
of  one  of  Nature's  most  enchanting  scenes, 
thrills  with  the  desire  to  transmit  those 
wondrous  effects  to  his  canvas,  so  the  enthusi- 
astic gardener,  in  his  delight  and  admiration 
when  he  first  comes  across  a  new  and  lovely 
flower,  takes  out  pocket-book  and  pencil,  reads 
the  label  or  ascertains  the  name  from  the 
proud  owner,  makes  a  note  of  it,  and  then 
and  there  registers  a  solemn  and  silent  vow 
that  nothing  short  of  death  shall  prevent  his 
obtaining  and  growing  the  same  beautiful 
thing  himself. 

Such  a  flower  is  the  subject  of  these 
remarks.  It  is  a  thing  of  wondrous  beauty, 
and  I  believe  it  will  prove  to  be  hardy  in  the 
British  Islands,  except  in  wet  and  cold  districts, 
and  flourish,  if  we  can  only  ascertain  its  real 
requirements. 

It  seems  to  be  universally  accepted  now  that 
the  corms  must  be  planted  deep,  '.)  inches  or  so 
beneath  the  surface,  and  that  the  soil  must 
be  light  and  well  drained.  I  have  grown  it 
out  of  doors  for  some  years,  but  I  cannot  say 
with  much  success,  thougii  a  few  of  the  corms 
have  flowered  annually.  Perhaps  I  should 
have  done  better  had  I  not  so  often  moved 
them  about  from  one  "specially  selected" 
position  to  another.  Last  autumn  I  dug  them 
all  up  once  more  and  replanted  them  in  a 
warm,  sunny,  deep  bed  of  peat  and  leaf-mould 
facing  due  south,  where  they  are  now  sending 
up  fairly  promising  tufts  of  leaves,  but  to  my 
great  disa|)pointment  I  have  lately  been  told 
by  a  neiglibour,  who  is  more  successful  with 
them  than  I  am,  that  they  do  not  like  the  hot 
roasting  corners  invariably  recommended  in 
the  gardening  books,  preferring  a  westerly 
aspect  with  no  sun  till  the  afternoon.  Shall 
I  have  to  dig  them  up  yet  again  ?  I  suppose 
so,  for  I  will  not  be  beaten  by  any  Tecophiliea 
that  ever  was  "  cormed  !  "  This  spring  I  shall 
get  over  the  difticulty  by  putting  in  a  few 
evergreen  boughs  to  keep  ofi'  the  midday  sun, 
and  see  what  happens,  but  I  am  afraid  I  dare 
not  do  more  here  than  suggest  the  conditions 
under  which  experiments  should  be  carried 
out  by  intending  growers.  These  appear  to  me 
to  be  (1)  deep  planting,  (2)  light  peat  and  leaf- 
mould  soil,  and  (3)  a  westerly  aspect  in  a  warm 
position. 

I  may  add  that  I  am  trying  the  variety 
Leichtlini  for  the  flrst  time  in  the  same  peat 
bed,  but  with  a  more  westerly  outlook,  and  am 
looking  forward  anxiously  to  its  performances, 
hoping  at  some  future  time  to  be  allowed  to 
report  upon  them. 

In  concluding  this  article,  I  would  venture 
to  express  the  hope  that  my  various  failures 
and  successes  may  be  of  some  use  to  brother 
and  sister  gardeners,  and  that  they,  in  their 
turn,  will  further  the  good  cause  by  making 
known  their  own  experiences  with  some  of  our 
"difficult"  plants  and  shrubs,  so  that  we 
may  all  start,  at  any  rate,  with  "correct 
planting." 

Yaldinff,  Kent.  S.  G.  K. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


MAKING    USE   OF    FOKCED    STRAW- 
BERRY  PLANTS. 

1\      /I ANY  forced  Strawberry  plants  will  soon 
/*     /■        have   produced  their  crops  of  fruit, 
/  %  /   ^        and  will  be  cleared  out  of  the  fruit 
/     ■/    I        houses  to  make  room  for  successional 
J^      Y     J[_      plants.     Very   often   they   are    con- 
signed to  the  rubbish  heap  after  the 
fruit  has  been  gathered  from  them,  but  some  at 
least  deserve  a  better  fate,  that  is  if  a  few  Straw 
ber 

almost  every  one  likes  variety  in  dessert,  it  is  safe 
to  assume  that  Strawberries  will  not  be  despised  in 
the  month  of  September.  When  the  plants  are 
removed  from  the  forcing  houses,  select  a  certain 
number  of  the  best,  say  fifty  or  a  hundred  or  more, 
as  ma3'  be  desired.  As  they  will  have  been  in  a 
fairly  cool  house  while  the  fruits  were  ripening, 
no  harm  will  result  by  placing  them  directly  out 

of  "  

however 


STRAWBERRY  LOUIS  GAUTHIER. 
Have  any  readers  of  The  Garden  attempted  to 
force  this  Strawberry  '!  It  has  been  recommended 
for  this  purpose,  but  I  have  had  no  experience  with 
it  so  far  as  forcing  is  concerned.  As  to  its  value 
in  the  outdoor  garden  there  can,  I  think,  be  no  two 
opinions ;  it  is  a  splendid  cropper,  and  Mr. 
Bunyard  says  it  resists  hot  weather  well,  and  also 
gives  a  second  crop  of  fruit  in  the  autumn.  It  is 
hardy  and  a  vigorous  grower,  so  that  those  whose 
gardens  are  situated  in  an  unfavourable  neighbour- 
hood, as  in  the  vicinity  of  large  towns,  might  grow 
this  variety  with  every  propect  of   success.     Not 


early'   autumn    are    appreciated.     As  ^^^^y^V^^-^^  ^o'  ^  .'"^''''''u^"'*'^''^"^'  ^""^  ^'''! 
•'-■-  ■      •  ...    I  may,  perhaps,  account  for  the  comparative  neglect 

of  Louis  Gauthier ;  to  say   it  is  white,  however, 

hardly  conveys  a  correct  idea  of  its  colour,  which 

may  be  more  properly  described  as  pale  pink  ;  the 

flesh  is  white,  and  the  flavour  very  pleasant.     If 

the  public  would  only  overcome  a  prejudice  against 

the  colour  of  this  variety,  I  am  sure  so  far  as  other 

cjualities  are  concerned  they  would  find  nothing  to 

doors.      Choose    a -partially   shaded    position,    complain   of.      But    it   seems   to   be    with    white 

vever,  for  April  is  a  treacherous  month,  and  the    Strawberries  as  with  yellow  Tomatoes,  the_ public 

_.„  u  '  .: i5,„„  ;„  „  i,„„o„„   t^^  o — o  »;™„    Will  have  none  of  them. 


A.  P.  H. 


plants  having  been  in  warm  houses   for  some  time 

they  are  all  the  more  susceptible  to  bad  weather. 

It  is  best  to  give  them  no  more  water  than  is  abso-  Ti7-Txi¥^r»Tir     /-<  a  DT-^-CMTKr/-" 

lutely  necessary  for  a  time,  so  as  to  allow  them  to  AVINDOAV     GARDENING. 

enjoy   a  certain   amount    of    rest   after   the   hard      HYACINTHS  AND  NaecISSI  IN  MoSS  FiBRE. 
forcing  they  have  had.     When  thev  begin  to  make    ,^11  o  r     m     1       oi       i. 

fresh  growth,  say  in  the  middle  of  May,  the  surface  M.R.  RoBEET  SYDENHAM  of  Tenby  Street 
soil  10  the  depth  of  about  1  inch  should  be  removed  Birmingham,  kindly  sends  a  photograph  ot 
and  replaced  by  fresh  ;  use  good  loam  with  which  i  Hyacinths  and  Narcissi  grown  in  moss  fabre 
a  little  bone-meal  has  been  mixed.  Some  of  the  |  mixed  with  ground  shell.  We  reproduce  this 
finest  plants  may  be  potted  into  larger  pots  if  they  !  with  pleasure,  as  it  shows  a  very  simple  and 
appear  to  require  it,  say  into 
those  of  8  inches  diameter  ; 
as  a  rule,  however,  it  is 
better  to  leave  them  undis- 
turbed, except  for  the  top- 
dressing.  Give  each  plant 
plenty  of  room  so  as  to  allow 
them  to  benefit  fully  from 
sun  and  air  during  the  sum- 
mer months.  They  must  be 
ill  a  sunny  spot,  otherwise 
the  growth  made  will  be 
sappy  and  the  trusses  of 
blossom  will  be  weak. 

They  will  give  no  trouble 
except  that  occasioned  by 
watering,  weeding,  removing 
runners,  and  pricking  up  the 
surface  soil  sometimes. 
Watering,  however,  is  an 
important  item,  the  plants 
will  need  an  abundance 
during  hot  weather,  and 
they  must  not  be  allowed 
to  suffer  from  the  want  of 
it  or  unsatisfactory  results 
are  almost  sure  to  follow.  If 
the  runners  are  removed  as 
they  appear  the  plants  gain 
a  good  deal  in  strength,  and 
keeping  the  surface  soil  loose 
makes  it  more  congenial  to 
the  roots  than  if  it  is  allowed 
to  get  hard,  besides  which 
the  soil  is  then  more  likely 
to  keep  moist.  When  the 
flowers  open  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  place  each  plant 
upon  a  pot  so  as  to  raise  it 
from  the  ground,  a  better 
"  set  "  is  thus  obtained,  and 
when  the  fruits  are  formed 
they  will  be  more  likely  to 
keep  clean  than  if  the  plants 
are  on  the  ground.  Manure 
water  should  be  given 
several  times  a  week  after 
the  fruits  are  formed.  Under 
such  treatment  I  have  found 
thatforoed  Strawberry  plants 
will  produce  quite  a  satisfac- 
tory second  crop  of  fruits  in 
September.  A.  P.  H. 


HYAGISTHS   AND   NARCISSI   IN    MOSS  FIBRE. 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


273 


successful  way  of  growing  the  early  bulbous 
flowers  of  the  year.  The  bulbs  shown  were 
grown  by  Mrs.  E.  H.  Grossman,  Willcotte, 
Nesscliffe,  Shrewsbury,  and  they  are  in  china 
jars  without  any  drainage.  It  will  be  noticed 
that  the  receptacles  are  of  various  sizes  and 
shapes.  A  most  interesting  way  of  growing 
flowers  in  the  house. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor    is    not    responsible  for    the   opinioTis 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 

BOLTED     CABBAGES. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  R , — A  spring  never  goes  by  without 
some  of  the  Cabbages  running  to  seed. 
I  know  of  nothing  more  disappointing 
after  one  has  gone  to  a  lot  of  trouble 
over  a  bed  of  Cabbages  which  promise  to 
turn  in  early  to  find  the  greater  part  of 
the  plants  bolt,  but  it  seems  to  be  a  disappoint- 
ment that  most  gardeners  meet  with  at  different 
times  during  their  career.  Too  early  sowing  is 
often  given  as  a  cause  of  bolting,  and  there  may  be 
something  in  it,  but  it  is  more  often  a  question  of 
after  conditions.  I  dare  say  I  am  only  relating  the 
experience  of  others  when  I  say  that  I  have  sown 
Cabbage  on  a  certain  day  and  have  never  had  a 
plant  bolt ;  and  another  year,  though  sown  on 
the  same  day  of  the  month,  quite  three  parts  of 
the  plants  have  run  to  seed.  In  consequence  of 
these  uncertainties  there  is  no  safeguard  against 
bolting.  Some  people  make  a  practice  of  nipping 
a  piece  off  the  end  of  the  root-stem  when  planting, 
and  have  faith  in  it  as  a  means  of  prevention, 
others  make  a  slip  through  the  root-stem  above  the 
ground  and  pass  a  little  piece  of  wood  through.  If 
the  plants  do  not  happen  to  bolt  they  point  to  this 
as  a  reliable  means  of  prevention,  but  forget  that 
Cabbages  do  not  always  run  to  seed,  and  probably 
would  not  have  done  so  if  no  such  measures  had 
been  adopted. 

To  ensure  against  the  bolting  trouble  so  far  as 
possible  I  like  to  make  two  sowings,  one  towards 
the  end  of  July  and  another  about  the  middle  of 
August,  and  make  a  planting  from  each.  My 
reason  for  this  course  is  that  I  have  noticed  in 
mild  autumns  that  the  plants  from  the  earlj' 
sowing  make  loo  much  growth  before  the  winter 
and  show  a  tendency  to  run  to  flower  in  the  spring. 
In  these  cases  plants  from  the  second  sowing  are 
more  to  be  relied  on.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the 
autumn  is  not  so  favourable  for  growth,  the  plants 
from  the  first  sowing  are  better  than  those 
obtained  from  the  second.  Generally  speaking, 
spring  Cabbages  are  late  this  year  in  spite  of  the 
mild  winter,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  case 
referred  to  I  have  not  seen  many  instances  of 
bolting.  With  regard  to  varieties,  I  think  that 
some  are  more  prone  to  bolting  than  others,  and 
two  which,  according  to  my  ideas,  are  not  so  liable, 
are  EUam's  Early  and  Sutton's  Flower  of  Spring. 
After  all  has  been  said,  however,  a  good  deal  of 
uncertainty  remains  respecting  the  bolting  problem, 
and  as  it  is  a  matter  which  affects  everybody  at 
some  period  or  other  and  is  of  general  interest,  I 
should  like  to  hear  the  views  of  others  as  to  the 
possibilities  of  prevention. 

G.  H.  HOLLINGWORTH. 


CARNATIONS  FROM  SEED. 

[To  THE  Editor  of   "  The  Garden."] 

Sir, — I  was  somewhat  surprised  to  find  "  H.  A.  P." 
recommending  the  sowing  of  Carnation  seed  in 
September  for  the  production  of  flowers  tlie 
following  year.  I  do  not  doubt  that  seedlings 
raised  thus  late  in  the  year  will  produce  some 
flowers,  provided  the  young  plants  are  thoroughly 
well  grown  during  the  winter,  but  a  cold  frame  is 
not  a  suitable  place  for  them  if  this  is  to  be  accom- 
plished. The  young  plants  must  be  kept  growing 
throughout  the  winter,  and  in  order  to  do  this 
they  must  be  provided  with  suitable   temperature 


and  atmosphere,  such  as  an  airy  house  or  heated 
pit,  where  plenty  of  warm,  dry  air  is  admitted. 
Surely  this  could  not  be  given  in  cold  frames,  for 
there  the  damp  will  collect.  Do  what  we  may 
during  damp,  foggy  weather,  this  will  greatly 
interfere  with  the  growth  of  the  young  plants,  and 
growth  they  must  make  before  they  can  develop 
flower-stems.  At  any  rate,  they  cannot  compare 
with  those  sown  in  spring.  Of  course,  it  will 
greatly  depend  on  the  kind  of  Carnations 
"  H.  A.  P."  has  in  mind  as  to  the  number  of 
flowers  he  will  get.  If  he  is  speaking  of  Marguerites 
the  quantity  of  flowers  will  no  doubt  be  greater, 
as  these  take  much  less  time  to  form  flowering 
plants.  Supposing,  however,  these  are  the  sorts 
meant,  it  is  altogether  too  late  to  sow  seeds  for 
a  good  crop  of  flowers  the  following  season.  I 
have  raised  many  thousands  of  seedling  Carnations, 
and  I  have  sown  them  as  late  as  September,  but 
not  with  the  idea  of  securing  many  flowers  the 
following  season,  but  rather  with  the  idea  of 
perpetuating  certain  good  sorts  and  for  propa- 
gating purposes  as  far  as  possible. 

This  season  I  am  raising  some  ,3,000  or  -1,000 
from  seed,  but  the  seed  is  already  sown,  and, 
indeed,  some  of  the  seedlings  are  well  advanced, 
while  others  are  just  showing  through  the  soil. 
These  I  shall  expect  to  form  good  bushy  plants  by 
the  coming  autumn,  and  I  shall  expect  many  thou- 
sands of  flowers  from  them  next  year.  More  than 
this,  they  will  require  no  coddling  whatever,  for  I 
shall  prick  them  oft  into  nursery  beds  straight  from 
the  frames  where  they  are  sown,  and  from  the 
nursery  beds  they  will  be  transplanted  to  the 
flowering  beds  next  October.  It  will  need  a  hard 
winter  to  kill  them,  or  my  previous  experience 
counts  for  little,  for  I  have  seldom  lost  many 
seedling  Carnations  through  frost.  What  I  most 
dread  is  damp,  such  as  we  have  had  the  past  two 
winters.  The  failures,  however,  among  the  seed- 
lings are  very  few.  I  am  very  sorry  to  say  this 
does  not  apply  to  layers.  These  have  suffered  very 
much  indeed,  and  are  still  going  off.  I  refer  to 
those  planted  out  last  autumn,  also  those  left  on 
the  parent  plants.  The  safest  way  is  to  pot  the 
layers  early  in  autumn  and  winter  them  in  cool, 
airy  frames,  where  they  can  receive  every  attention 
in  the  way  of  watering,  pricking  off  decayed  leaves, 
cfec.  I  also  find  that  ashes  do  not  provide  the  best 
material  upon  which  to  stand  the  pots.  The  best 
bottom  for  frames  where  Carnations  are  to  be 
wintered  is  cement.  I  can  very  strongly  recom- 
mend this.  It  dries  very  quickly  indeed,  and  does 
not  absorb  moisture.  I  think  those  who  have  not 
already  tried  this  will  be  very  pleased  with  results 
if  they  will  give  it  a  trial  for  their  Carnations 
during  winter.  It  is  equally  bad  for  summer,  but 
this  is  easily  remedied  by  covering  it  with  ashes 
or  gravel,  which  can  be  taken  off  as  required. 

T.  A. 


HARDY  FLOWERING  SHRUBS  AND 
TREES  FOR  FORCING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sib, — I  have  grown  these  very  largely  for  several 
years,  and  have  found  most  of  the  flowering  shrubs 
— generally  grown  in  the  garden  shrubbery — to 
force  readily  with  a  little  variation  in  the  treat- 
ment of  a  few  sorts.  They  nearly  all  flower  very 
freel}',  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  have  a  lot  of  glass 
room  to  keep  up  a  good  supply  of  out  flowers  and 
plants  to  fill  conservatory  and  rooms  from  Christ- 
mas until  flowering  takes  place  naturally.  The 
glass  here  is  very  limited  for  the  quantity  of  plants 
required  to  be  grown.  I  am  forced  to  economise 
space  in  every  possible  way,  so  that  these  plants 
are  under  glass  as  short  a  time  as  possible.  I 
devote  two  small  houses  to  their  growth.  No.  1  to 
force  in,  till  ihey  just  begin  to  open  their  flowers  ; 
they  are  then  placed  in  No.  2  house,  which  is  kept 
only  slightly  warm.  Here  they  harden  a  little 
before  they  are  taken  into  the  rooms  and  conserva- 
tory. By  this  means  I  keep  up  a  good  supply  of 
cut  bloom  and  plants.  Instead  of  leaving  these 
plants  in  warmth  to  make  new  growths,  at  the 
first  signs  of  the  flowers  fading  or  dropping  the 
plants  are  cut  hard  back  and  placed  outdoors  in 
sheltered  places  to  make  fresh  buds  to  provide  new 


flowering  growth  for  the  next  season's  flowers. 
This  practice  saves  me  a  large  amount  of  glass  room, 
and  much  care  in  hardening  the  new  growths.  For 
early  forcing  I  have  found  the  following  do  well, 
and  stand  the  hard  pruning  back  well  :  Spiriea 
van  Houttei,  S.  procumbens,  S.  Thunbergi,  and 
S.  prunifolia  ;  All  the  double-flowered  Almonds, 
double  and  single  -  flowered  Lilacs,  Staphylea 
eolchica,  Prunus  triloba,  P.  Pissardi,  the  different 
sorts  of  Ribes,  Forsythia  suspensa,  F.  viridissima, 
Exochorda  grandiflora.  Viburnum  plicatum,  V. 
Opulus,  V.  tomentosa,  and  the  Weigelas.  These 
can  be  forced  early  and  hard  cut  back.  For  forcing 
later  through  the  month  of  April :  All  the  double- 
flowered  Thorns,  the  varieties  of  Crabs  (both 
fruiting  and  flowering),  double-flowered  Peaches, 
double-flowered  Cherries,  the  deciduous  Magnolias, 
Mespilus  canadensis,  Cydonias,  Berberis  steno- 
phylla,  Laburnums,  Wistaria  sinensis,  W.  s.  alba 
and  multijuga.  These  all  flower  freely  through 
April  with  very  gentle  forcing.  They  can  be  had 
earlier  if  required,  but  I  prefer  to  keep  these  later, 
as  they  cannot  be  cut  back  so  hard  as  the  former 
list.  To  be  successful  the  plants  must  have  plenty 
of  attention  during  the  summer,  and  be  grown  in 
the  pots  one  summer  before  forcing  is  attempted. 
At  the  beginning  of  April  I  commence  to  pot  up 
any  new  plants  for  forcing,  and  to  repot  or  top- 
dress  the  plants  that  have  been  forced.  I  prefer  to 
keep  them  in  pots  as  small  as  they  can  be  grown 
in,  and  the  wood  gets  better  ripened.  A  good 
compost  is  fibrous  loam  three  parts,  well-decayed 
leaf-soil  one  part ;  fine  bone-meal  and  wood  ashes 
with  a  sprinkling  of  soot  can  be  added  and  well 
mixed  in  the  soil.  The  pots  should  be  carefully 
crocked  with  as  few  crocks  as  possible.  My  plants 
are  rather  roughly  treated.  I  cut  off  a  good  deal 
of  the  outer  roots,  and  take  away  quite  half  of  the 
old  soil,  and  generally  pot  them  into  the  same  sized 
pot  again.  Some  of  the  plants  have  been  growing 
in  the  same  sized  pots  a  number  of  years.  The 
compost  is  well  rammed  in,  but  ample  space  is  left 
for  watering.  After  potting  they  are  placed  in  a 
sunny  position,  and  carefully  watered  till  the  roots 
have  taken  possession  of  the  new  soil.  They  then 
receive  occasional  waterings  of  guano  and  soot- 
water.  About  the  middle  of  May  they  are  plunged 
in  ashes  in  an  open  sunny  place,  where  they  can  be 
kept  well  watered  till  growth  is  finished  and  the 
leaves  begin  to  fall.  Before  severe  frost  sets  in 
the  pots  are  covered  with  long  litter,  and  the 
plants  are  taken  to  the  forcing  house  as  required. 

W.  .J.  TOWNSEND. 

Sandhurst  Lodge  Gardens. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


M 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 
Melons. 

ELONS  sown  as  advised  in  previous 
calendars  will  now  be  approaching 
maturity.  The  night  temperature 
should  be  kept  at  70°  to  7o°  at  night, 
with  a  steady  bottom-heat  of  80°  to 
85°.  Keep  the  atmosphere  of  the 
house  slightly  drier,  with  a  freer  circulation  of  air 
on  warm  days.  This  will  improve  the  flavour  of 
the  fruits.  Do  not  water  the  plants  at  this  stage 
with  liquid  manure,  and  slightly  reduce  the  supply 
of  water  to  the  roots,  but  never  allow  the  soil  to 
become  so  dry  as  to  cause  the  foliage  to  flag  ;  these 
sudden  changes  often  cause  the  fruits  to  split.  Cut 
the  fruits  as  soon  as  they  crack  round  the  stem, 
and  place  on  some  dry  airy  shelf  thoroughly  to 
ripen.  Young  plants  should  be  in  readiness  to 
plant  the  house  again  as  soon  as  it  can  be  cleaned, 
and  new  beds  made  up  as  previously  advised.  If 
the  bottom-heat  can  be  kept  steady  it  is  only 
necessary  to  remove  a  portion  of  the  soil.  Attend 
to  stopping  and  tying  later  plants,  and  as  soon  as 
the  required  number  of  fruits  are  large  enough 
support  them  with  nets  to  secure  against  accidents. 
Plants  set  out  H  feet  and  '2  feet  apart  will  mature 
four  good  fruits.  Give  liquid  manure,  also  lightly 
top-dress  the  plants  and  give  a  sprinkling  of 
Thompson's  Manure.  Now  is  a  good  time  to 
commence   operations   for  growing    pit    or  frame 


274 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  16,  1904. 


Melons  to  produce  good  fruits  from  July  to  Sep- 
tember. Make  beds  of  fresh  stable  manure  and 
leaves  in  about  equal  parts,  and  turn  two  or  lliree 
times.  The  beds  should  be  about  4  feet  deep  at 
the  back,  sloping  to  the  front,  and  made  firm. 
Place  turves  grass  side  downwards,  and  make 
mounds  of  a  compost  of  loam  and  wood  ashes,  with 
a  sprinkling  of  bone-meal.  Plant  one  or  two  plants 
to  a  light  when  the  temperature  of  the  bed  is  85° 
to  90".  Do  not  use  plants  that  have  been  starved 
in  small  pots,  but  rather  sow  seeds  on  the  mounds 
and  remove  the  weakest  later.  Hero  of  Lockinge 
is  a  good  and  reliable  variety. 
Cdcumbers. 

Plants  growing  in  houses  will  now  be  in  full 
bearing,  and  if  intended  to  remain  long  they  should 
not  be  over-cropped  or  they  soon  become  exhausted. 
Pinch  the  growths  of  vigorous  plants,  and  do  not 
crowd  them  ;  remove  all  old  leaves  as  soon  as 
they  become  discoloured.  Give  liberal  supplies  of 
liquid  manure,  with  rich  top-dressings,  occasional 
sprinklings  of  Thompson's  Manure,  and  a  night 
temperature  of  7.5",  with  bottom-heat  at  85°,  and 
plenty  of  moisture.  Plants  grown  in  frames  do 
not  require  such  liberal  feeding  as  those  grown  in 
houses,  as  the  roots  penetrate  the  manure.  Place 
pieces  of  slate  under  the  fruits  in  frames  to 
prevent  their  being  blanched. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  .Jordan. 

KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Peas. 
To  ensure  a  constant  and  regular  supply  of  Peas 
from  the  end  of  May  till  lato  September  sowings 
ought  to  be  made  every  fortnight.  The  large  Marrow- 
fats are  always  most  appreciated.  These  must  be 
sown  thinly  ;  one  quart  should  sow  about  110  feet. 
These  fine  Peas  are  seen  to  best  advantage  when 
sown  in  trenches  prepared  as  for  Celery.  This 
method,  however,  entails  a  good  deal  of  labour, 
and  in  many  gardens  cannot  be  carried  out.  What- 
ever the  method  adopted  the  best  land  available 
should  be  chosen  for  this  important  crop.  Make 
the  soil  firm  before  sowing  ;  the  drills  should  be 
flat  at  the  bottom,  (j  inches  wide  and  4  inches  deep. 
It  is  not  advisable  to  give  a  selection,  as  most  gar- 
deners have  their  own  favourite.  The  varieties 
sent  out  by  our  firms  are  exceptionally  fine. 

Vegetable  Marrows. 
Seeds  of  these  may  now  be  sow  n  in  heat.  Avoid 
watering  till  the  seedlings  appear,  when  they  may 
be  potted  singly  into  4inch  or  5-inch  pots  ;  harden 
off  quickly,  keeping  the  plants  near  to  the  glass 
as  they  are  apt  to  get  weakly,  being  of  very  rapid 
growth.  Marrows  will  do  well  in  any  odd  corner 
providing  they  have  sunshine  ;  they  may  be  suc- 
cessfully grown  on  heaps  of  garden  refuse  or  on 
prepared  hotbeds.  Make  the  beds  firm  and  see 
that  the  soil  on  the  top  is  not  too  rich.  When 
planted  out  they  will  require  a  handlight  or  frame 
for  a  short  time  till  the  plants  begin  to  grow. 

Tomatoes. 
In  many  gardens  it  is  quite  useless  to  try  these 
out  of  doors,  even  in  the  best  of  summers.  In  the 
south  of  Scotland  (Dumfriesshire)  I  have  seen 
splendid  crops  of  Tomatoes  grown  on  the  wall  of  a 
plant-house.  This  seems  to  be  a  most  suitable 
place  for  them.  The  plants  chosen  for  planting 
out  should  be  of  the  best  and  strongest,  and  ought 
to  be  sturdy  and  in  0-inch  pots  about  the  middle 
of  May.  If  seed  has  not  been  sown  it  should  be 
put  in  at  once  in  heat.  The  varietj'  referred  to 
above  was  Challenger,  but  more  suitable  sorts  for 
outdoor  cultivation  may  now  be  obtained.  It  is 
advisable  to  stop  the  plants  when  several  trusses  of 
fruit  are  set,  and  then  to  feed  the  plants  liberally. 
The  fruit  obtained  may  not  be  of  the  best  quality, 
but  will  be  useful  in  many  ways  in  the  kitchen. 

Cuf-'UMEERS. 

Seeds  may  now  be  sown  for  planting  in  frames. 
Cucumbers  may  be  most  successfully  grown  in  cold 
frames  if  the  airing  is  carefully  attended  to. 
Telegraph  is  a  most  suitable  sort  for  this  work. 
Plant  at  the  top  of  the  frame  on  mounds  several 
inches    higher   than   the    surrounding    soil.     The  | 


plants  must  be  syringed  regularly  in  the  afternoon, 
and  the  frames  closed,  shutting  in  as  much  sun-heat 
as  possible.  Pinching  must  be  attended  to  care- 
fully if  this  crop  is  to  be  a  success,  the  same  method 
being  adopted  as  for  plants  on  a  trellis  in  the 
Cucumber  house.  Thomas  Hay. 

HopeJoun  Home  Gardens,  N.B. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 
Work  Amoni:  Orchids. 
These  plants  require  a  little  extra  attention  at 
this  season,  for  while  it  is  necessary  to  repot  some 
and  to  resurface  others,  it  is  very  desirable  that 
the  plants  should  first  be  cleansed.  Good  fibrous 
peat,  fresh  sphagnum  moss,  charcoal,  and  clean 
crocks  are  the  ingredients  in  which  the  roots  of 
Orchids  like  to  ramble,  and  to  these  in  some 
instances  may  be  added  good  fibrous  loam  and 
dried  cow  manure.  The  supply  of  water  to  the 
roots,  as  well  as  the  atmosphere,  should  be  regu- 
lated according  to  weather  conditions,  for  while 
during  bright  weather  moisture  in  abundance  is 
required,  it  would  be  unreasonable  to  apply  it  in 
quantity  during  cold  and  sunless  periods.  Regu- 
late also  the  temperatures.  Forcing  the  plants  to 
make  growth  under  circumstances  altogether  at 
variance  to  their  requirements  can  have  no  other 
than  an  unsatisfactory  result. 

Fuchsias. 

Still  a  few  of  these  plants  are  grown  in  pyramidal 
form  as  specimens  for  exhibition,  but  present-day 
requirements  have  so  altered  the  style  of  culture 
that  now  the  most  useful  plants  are  those  propa- 
gated annually  from  cuttings  inserted  in  March. 
These  are  quite  ready  for  potting  up  singly  into 
3-inch  pots  in  a  compost  of  which  leaf-mould  forms 
the  major  part,  with  a  very  little  sand  added. 
Afterwards  place  them  in  a  close  but  cool  house  or 
frame,  and  for  a  few  days  afford  them  a  light 
shade  from  strong  sunlight,  after  which  they 
should  be  given  full  exposure  to  air,  light,  and 
sun.  Their  culture  is  simple,  but  to  grow  the 
plants  well  and  to  have  them  from  18  inches  to 
24  inches  high  and  well  flowered  by  August  next 
necessitates  strict  attention  to  details,  the  most 
important  of  which  are  keeping  the  atmosphere 
moist  during  hot  weather  and  nipping  out  the 
points  of  their  shoots  frequently  to  cause  them  to 
branch  freely.  The  dark-flowered  varieties  are  not 
quite  so  much  in  request  as  the  lighter-flowered 
ones. 

Gladiolus. 

The  hardy  nature  of  these  plants  makes  them 
unsuitable  for  culture  in  pots.  Place  a  few  bulbs 
of  Childsii,  Lemoine's  hybrids,  and  the  newer 
Nanceianus,  three  in  a  6-inch  or  five  in  an  8  inch 
pot,  grow  them  well,  and  when  in  flower  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  summer  they  are  admirable. 
For  decorative  work,  either  as  plants  for  grouping 
or  as  cut  flowers,  they  are  excellent.  Good  rich 
loam,  leaf-mould,  and  a  .little  coarse  sand  form  a 
capital  compost.  The  plants  may  be  encouraged  to 
grow  strongly  and  the  size  of  the  flowers  increased 
by  applying  liquid  manure  to  the  roots. 

J.  P.  Leadeetter. 

The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Kniphofias. 
In  many  parts  of  the  country  it  is  necessary  in 
autumn  either  to  tie  the  leaves  together  over  the 
crowns  or  to  cover  the  crowns  with  ashes  or  leaves 
as  a  protection.  These  may  now  be  dispensed 
with,  and  the  plants  will  benefit  by  a  good  mulching 
of  farmyard  manure.  Any  Kniphofias  which  have 
wintered  in  cold  pits  should  be  planted  out  in  iheir 
permanent  positions.  Groups  of  these  showy  plants 
are  very  effective  when  planted  in  such  places  as 
the  banks  of  a  stream  or  on  the  margin  of  a 
wood.  They  are  also  suitable  for  the  mixed  border, 
and  a  few  of  the  dwarfer  ones,  including  the 
K.  caulescens  and  K.  Northi:e,  might  be  planted 
in  the  lower  portion  of  the  rockery.  The  two 
species  named  are  somewhat  tender,  as  compared 
with  the  common  Flame  Flower  (Kniphofiaaloides). 


To  propagate  these  arborescent  species,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  cut  off  their  heads,  when  the  stems  will 
produce  a  number  of  shoots  which  will  root  readily 
if  inserted  in  sandy  soil  and  kept  close  for  a  few 
weeks. 

Without  going  in  for  the  expensive  novelties — 
which  in  some  cases  are  of  questionable  merit — a 
good  succession  and  displaj'  may  be  made  with  the 
older  sorts,  such  as  Kniphofia  Tuckii  and  K. 
Leichtlini  for  the  earliest  flowers,  followed  by  K. 
Macowanii,  K.  grandis,  and  K.  nobilis.  Abundant 
use  should  be  made  of  the  old  Tritoma  Uvaria 
grandiflora. 

Campanula  pvramidalis. 

Too  often  in  private  gardens  these  stately 
flowers  are  confined  to  pot  culture  for  the  conserva- 
tory. Seeds  should  now  be  sown  in  gentle  heat, 
and  after  the  necessary  pricking  off  the  seedlings, 
when  large  enough,  should  be  planted  out  in  a 
moist  soil.  For  borders  which  are  exposed  to 
rough  winds  the  newer  Campanula  pyramidalis 
compacta  is  preferable  to  the  taller  type. 

Violets. 

If  really  good,  presentable  flowers  are  required 
it  is  not  wise  to  allow  the  plants  to  occupy  the 
same  place  for  a  longer  period  than  three  years. 
At  the  completion  of  flowering  is  the  best  time  to 
make  new  beds  and  borders  of  Violets.  The 
position  will  be  determined  by  the  soil  and  locality. 
In  light  soils  the  single  sweet  Violets  thrive  on  a 
north  border,  but  in  a  colder,  heavy  soil  a  more 
sunny  position  is  desirable.  The  double  varieties, 
especially  Lady  Hume  Campbell,  are  deserving  of  a 
most  extended  cultivation  on  warm  outside  borders. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


RECENT    PLANT    PORTRAITS. 

In  the  April  number  of  the   Botanical  Magazine 
are  portraits  of 

A  rundinaria  Fakoneri.  — Native  of  the  temperate 
Himalayas.  This  is  also  known  as  A.  falcata,  A. 
nobilis,  and  Thamnocalamus  Falconeri.  This  is, 
p:;rhaps,  the  most  common  and  best  known  form 
of  what  are  generally  called  Bamboos  in  our  gar- 
dens, and  was  introduced  into  cultivation  in  1847, 
when  Captain  Madden  sent  seed  of  it  to  Sir  W. 
Hooker. 

Aloe  Bauniii.  —  Native  of  South- West  Africa. 
This  is  a  handsome  dwarf  Aloe,  with  heavily 
marbled  and  very  prickly  foliage,  and  tall  spikes  of 
pale  rose-coloured  flowers.  The  specimen  figured 
came  from  the  garden  of  Sir  T.  Hanbury  at  La 
Mortola. 

Crossosoma  californica. — Native  of  California. 
This  is  a  member  of  a  small  family  of  which  only 
two  other  species  are  known,  named,  respectively, 
C.  Bigelowii  (a  native  of  the  mountains  of  the 
mainland  of  California)  and  C.  parviflora  (a  native 
of  Sonora,  in  North-West  Mexico).  The  species 
figured  is  found  only  on  the  small  islands  of  Santa 
Catalina  and  Guadalupe,  and  produces  globular 
pure  white  flowers. 

Crotalaria  capensis. — Native  of  South  Africa. 
This  is  also  known  under  the  synonyms  of  C. 
arborescens  and  C.  incanescens.  It  is  a  handsome 
free-blooming  plant,  producing  pendulous  bunches 
of  large  yellow  Pea-shaped  flowers,  with  a  reddish 
shaded  under  petal.  It  was  introduced  to  Kew 
Gardens  so  far  back  as  in  1774. 

Dipodium  picltim. — Native  of  Malaya.  This  is 
also  known  under  the  synonyms  of  Wailesia  picta, 
W.  rosea,  Lespardanthus  scandens,  Grammato- 
phyllum  scandens.  and  Hydranthus  scanden.s.  A 
bright-flowered  Orchid,  with  bunches  of  yellow 
flowers,  deeply  spotted  with  carmine.  It  is  closely 
allied  to  the  Vandas. 

The  first  part  of  the  Rente  Hor/icote  for  April 
contains  the  portrait  of  a  most  beautiful  hybrid 
Cypripedium  named  Oaslon  Bnltel,  raised  in  the 
Luxembourg  Gardens,  Paris,  by  crossing  C.  Mme. 
Cofhnet  with  C.  fairieanum. 

The  April  number  of  the  Rt  rue  de  l' Horticulture 
Belt/e  contains  a  double-plate  portrait  of  a  graceful 
stove  Palm,  Areca  lUemanni. 

W.    E.    GUMBLETON. 


April  16,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


275 


ORCHIDS. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM    CIRRHOSUM 


PITT'S   VARIETY. 

ON  the  5tli  inst.,  this  Orchid,  which 
k  had  received  an  award  of  merit 
I  on  May  5,  1903,  was  given  a  first- 
f  class  certificate  by  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society.  An  ordi- 
nary form  of  Odontoglossum 
cirrhosum  can  be  bought  for  a  few  shillings, 
but,  as  in  the  present  case,  when  the  variety  is 
unusually  fine  the  price  may  be  very  high. 
Mr.  H.  T.  Pitt,  who  exhibited  the  forni  illus- 
trated, gave  a  large  sum  for  the  plant  in  1902; 
it  is  undoubtedly  the  finest  O.  cirrhosum  yet 
seen.  The  flowers  are  large,  white,  the  seg- 
ments tapering  to  unusually  long,  undulating 
tails.  The  sepals  are  much  broader  than  in 
the  type,  and  beautifully  spotted  with  choco- 
late-red. The  basal  part  of  the  petals  is  more 
than  an  inch  broad,  with  fewer  spots  of  the 
same  colour.  The  apical  part 
of  the  lip  is  sparsely  spotted 
with  chocolate,  the  expanded 
basal  portion  being  yellow,  with 
purplish  violet  radiating  lines 


Dend  robes  represents  some  seven  years'  labour 
only  in  the  field  of  Orchid  culture.  Less  than  a 
decade  ago  neither  Mr.  Bilney  nor  his  gardener 
(Mr.  Whitlook)  knew  anything  about  Orchids.  It 
happened  that  someone  offered  him  several  Orchids, 
which  he  accepted  with  the  remark  that  he  knew 
nothing  about  them,  but  would  try  and  grow  them. 
Bit  by  bit  master  and  man  puzzled  the  thing  out, 
gradually  new  plants  were  purchased,  and  now 
there  is  probably  no  better  grown  lot  of  Orchids 
in  the  country.  This  should  be  a  lesson  and  an 
encouragement  to  those  who  have  had  no  early 
training  in  Orchid  culture.  Get  a  good  work  on 
the  subject,  read  The  Garden  regularly,  and  you 
will  in  time  achieve  success.  J.  Cornhill. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 
Phaids. 
Thanks  to  the  hybridist  we  have  now  some  very 
beautiful  Phaius,  such  as  P.  Norman,  P.  amabilis, 
P.  Cooksoni,  and  P.  Marthaj,  that  flower  freely 
when  well  grown.  Soon  after  the  flowering  season 
is  over  new  growth  will  be  emitted.  Potting  should 
then  be  done  in  a  mixture  of  turfy  loam,  two  parts. 


DENDROBIUMS    AT 
WEYBRIDGE. 

"Come  and   see  ray  Dendrobes," 

wrote   Mr.   Bilney,   "  you  will  be 

pleased."     I  went,  I   saw,  and   I 

was    more    than    pleased — I   was 

surprised.      In    my    young    days 

thousands    of    pounds'    worth    of 

Orchids  passed  through  my  hands, 

but  never  since  1   had    Cattleya 

Skinneri    with    upwards    of    300 

blooms,  and  Miltonias  and   Zygo- 

petalums    equally    good,    have    I 

seen  anything  that  could  equal  the 

display    of     Dendrobes    at     Fir 

Grange.       One     section    of     the 

Orchid   house   20   feet  long,  with 

four   rows   of   shelves,   is   simply 

crowded     with     the     exquisitely 

formed,  delicately  tinted  flowers, 

so  numerous,  indeed,  that  I  should 

be  sorry  to  have  the  task  to  count 

them.     Very  prominent  are  nobile 

nobiliusand  wardianum,  and  when 

I  say  that  one  plant  of  the  former 

carries  about  170  blooms,  and  that 

five    plants    average    130    flowers 

each,  your  readers  will  have  a  fair 

idea  of  the  way  in  which  Dendrobes 

are  managed  at  Fir  Grange. 

As  regards  these  two  Den- 
drobiums  one  scarcely  knows 
which  to  admire  most  —  the 
refined  delicacy  of  wardianum  or 
the  soft  brilliance  of  nobilius — but 
one  may  safely  say  that  as  grown  at  Fir  Grange 
nothing  in  the  way  of  floral  life  can  surpass  them. 
My  notes  were  rather  hurriedly  made,  so  that  it  is 
impossible  to  accurately  describe  all  the  beautiful 
species  and  hybrids  in  bloom.  Ainsworthi  was 
conspicuous  and  in  fine  condition,  as  was  also  the 
Hazelborne  variety,  the  plant  carrying  a  spike  of 
bloom  1  foot  in  length,  and  as  solid  and  densely 
crowded  as  a  Hyacinth.  The  delicate  beauty  of 
nobile  virginale  cannot  be  passed  by,  and  the  lovely 
hybrids  Hebe,  Gwendolen,  and  Rainbow,  the  latter 
having  a  large  lip,  with  maroon  throat  and  orange 
eye,  a  fascinating  combination  of  colours.  Luna, 
white,  with  yellow  eye,  is  delightful,  as  is  also  a 
hybrid  of  heterocarpum  and  Curtisi,  which  is 
to  be  named  Nancy.  Brymerianum,  with  yellow, 
curiously  fringed  flowers,  is  very  distinct,  and 
fimbriatum  contrasts  well  with  the  more  chaste- 
flowered  sorts.  A  plant  of  thyrsiflorum  in  a  7-inch 
pot  carries  thirteen  trusses,  and  Cooksoni  is  bearing 
about  100  good  blooms.  It  may  surprise  many 
when  I  say  that  the  high  development  of  these 


soil.  Mix  the  ingredients  together  with  some 
coarse  sand  and  small  crocks,  fill  the  pots  to  the 
depth  of  one-third  with  rhizomes,  and  pot  rather 
firmly,  leaving  sufficient  space  for  a  top-dressing  of 
sphagnum.  When  finished  the  base  of  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  and  the  surface  of  the  compost  should  be  on 
a  level  with  the  rim  of  the  pot.  This  section  of 
Cattleya  should  be  afforded  a  position  in  the 
Cattleya  house  where  they  can  be  given  more 
sunshine  than  most  of  the  short-bulbed  varieties 
require.  At  first  water  should  only  be  given  when 
the  compost  has  become  dry,  but  when  the  new 
pseudo-bulb  is  fast  developing  they  will  benefit  by 
copious  supplies,  which  should  be  continued  till  the 
flowering  season  is  over.  If  the  back  bulbs  are 
removed  as  I  have  often  advised,  preserving  the 
young  roots,  there  is  no  reason  why  they  should 
not  grow  freely,  and  when  well  grown  they  are 
very  beantiful  and  have  proved  most  useful  to  the 
hybridiser. 

Anguloas. 
These  will  now  show  renewed  activity  after 
having  been  practically  dormant  during  winter. 
When  the  new  growth  is  fairly  started  potting 
should  be  done.  These  Orchids  benefit  by  being 
shaken  out  and^given  fresh 
material  annually.  "  They  revel  in 
a  moderate  retentive  compost  of 
fibrous  loam  two  parts,  and  good 
leaf-soil  two  parts,  well  mixed 
with  some  coarse  sand  and  Email 
crocks  to  keep  the  compost 
porous.  A  drainage  of  clean  crocks 
such  as  would  he  given  to  a 
Croton  is  ample.  Pot  rather 
firmly,  keeping  the  compost  below 
the  rim  of  the  pot.  When  the 
plants  are  growing  freely,  and 
until  the  completion  of  the  new 
pseudo-bulb,  water  should  be 
very  freely  given.  The  tempera- 
ture of  the  intermediate  house 
suits  them,  shading  them  well 
when  growing  freely.  These  are 
very  interesting  Orchids  to  culti- 
vate on  account  of  the  cradle-like 
formation  of  their  flowers.  Among 
the  best  are  A.  Clowesii,  A. 
eburneum,  A.  uniflora,  and  A. 
Ruokerii.  W.  P.  Bodnd. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Reiyate. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 


T 


ODONTOGLOSSDM   CIRRHOSUM    PITT's   VARIETY. 

and  one  part  each  of  peat  and  leaf-mould,- with  a 
good  sprinkling  of  small  crocks  and  coarse  sand. 
A  good  drainage  of  clean  crocks  or  pieces  of  soft 
red  brick  is  essential,  over  which  place  some  fibrous 
loam  to  keep  the  water  passage  clear.  Keep  the 
base  of  the  plant  below  the  rim  of  the  pot,  and 
surface  with  good  chopped  living  sphagnum.  P. 
grandifolius,  P.  Blumei,  and  P.  Humboldti  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  way,  but  in  every  case  potting 
should  be  deferred  till  the  new  growth  is  well 
started.  The  hybrids  obtained  from  P.  tubercu- 
losus  are  very  productive  of  basal  growths.  These 
should  be  taken  away  and  potted  up  singly,  and 
they  will  soon  make  strong  flowering  plants.  A 
shady  position  in  the  stove  Orchid  house  should  be 
given  them. 

Long-buleed  Cattleyas. 
Many  of  these  will  now  be  starting  into  active 
growth,  among  them  being  C.  bicolor,  C.  granulosa, 
and  C.  velutina,  and  potting  should  be  taken  in 
hand,  using  a  compost  of  two  parts  fibrous  peat 
and  one  part  each  of  chopped  sphagnum  and  leat- 


BORONIAS. 
HE  delicious  fragrance 
of  Boronia  megastigma 
renders  it  a  general 
favourite,  for  very  few, 
if  any,  of  the  occupants 
of  the  greenhouse  in 
early  spring  can  compare  with  it 
in  this  respect.  Last  year  saw 
the  advent  of  a  distinct  variety, 
in  which  the  blossoms  are  yellow, 
and  under  the  name  of  B.  mega- 
stigma aurea  an  award  of  merit  was  bestowed 
upon  it  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  As 
shown  it  was  pretty  enough  to  merit  that  distinc- 
tion, which  falls  to  but  few  hard-wooded  plants 
nowadays.  While  the  above  is  the  most  fragrant 
member  of  the  genus,  the  honour  of  being  the 
showiest  must,  I  think,  be  assigned  to  Miss  North's 
Boronia  (B.  heterophylla),  which  first  flowered  at 
Kew  in  1886  from  seeds  sent  by  this  lady.  It 
rapidly  became  popular,  and  splendid  examples  are 
now  disposed  of  by  some  of  our  nurserymen  who 
still  grow  hard-wooded  plants.  The  flowers  of 
this  are  bell-shaped,  and  of  a  rich  rosy  carmine 
colour.  They  are  borne  in  such  profusion  that 
every  twig  is  densely  packed  with  them.  Though 
light  and  air  are  very  essential  in  the  culture  of 
this,  as  in  all  other  Boronias,  direct  sunshine  soon 
causes  the  blossoms  to  lose  a  good  deal  of  their  rich 
colour,  hence  shading  is  very  necessary  when  in 
flower. 

Next  in  popularity   to  the  two  above    named 
comes  B.  elatior,  a  far  more  vigorous  grower  than 


276 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  16,  1904. 


either,  and  also  later  in  flowering.  The  pinnate 
leaves  of  this  are  of  a  rich  green  tint,  while  the 
flowers  are  bright  rosy  red.  It  is  one  of  Messrs. 
Veitch's  introductions,  having  been  sent  out  by 
them  in  1S74.  In  nurseries  where  Boronias  are 
grown  in  quantity  this  species  is  generally  included, 
as  it  affords  a  succession  to  the  others.  A  singular 
species  is  B.  serrulata,  which  is  verj'  particular  in 
its  cultural  requirements,  and  on  that  account  is 
not  so  generally  grown.  It  is  a  low-growing  plant, 
whose  spreading  shoots  are  clothed  with  curious 
trapeziform-shaped  leaves,  among  which  the  bright 
rose  flowers  nestle  in  considerable  numbers.  It 
has  been  known  in  this  country  for  nearly  a 
century,  and  used  to  be  considered  a  good  test  of 
the  cultivator's  skill,  but  this  is  a  matter  little 
considered  at  the  present  time.  Other  species  are 
B.  crenulata,  B.  pinnata,  B.  polygalifolia,  and  B. 
pulchella,  but  they  are  seldom  met  with.  T. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


A    LT 

A 


CULTIVATING  AND  EXHIBITINtl 

THE  POTATO. 

LTHOUGH  within  the  last  fifteen  or 
twenty  j'ears  g'eat  strides  have  been 
made  in  the  cultivation  and  selection 
of  most  vegetables  for  exhibition,  the 
Potato  seems  to  have  been  neglected 
in  the  matters  of  selecting,  washing, 
staging,  &c.  How  otten  one  sees,  especially  at 
local  shows,  dish  after  dish  of,  say,  six  tubers  all  of 
dift'erent  sizes,  and  frequently  of  different  shapes 
too.  Not  only  is  this  difference  in  size  and  shape 
most  noticeable,  but  the  careless  washing  of  the 
tubers  is  a  still  greater  drawback.  For  the  benefit 
of  those  who  are  anxious  to  grow  and  show  the 
Potato  in  its  best  form  I  propose  to  give  a  few 
practical  hints. 

I  may  say,  to  begin  with,  that  I  am  a  firm 
believer  in  deep  cultivation  for  all  kitchen  garden 
crops,  therefore  the  ground  should  be  well  trenched 
not  later  than  December,  and  should  at  the  same 
time,  if  manure  is  plentiful,  have  a  good  dressing  of 
well-rotted  farmyard  manure,  unless  the  Potatoes 
are  following  a  crop  for  which  the  ground  was 
heavily  manured,  in  which  case  manuring  may  be 
deferred  till  planting  time,  and  a  fair  dressing 
may  then  be  put  in  the  bottom  of  the  trenches  as 
planting  proceeds.  In  trenching  heav3',  clayey 
soils  I  would  advise  the  use  of  plenty  of  road 
scrapings,  sand,  leaf-mould,  and  burnt  garden 
refuse,  or  anything  that  will  help  to  aerate  and 
lighten  the  soil,  providing  that  it  is  not  likely  to 
b3  deleterious  to  the  tubers  ;  and  this  would  cer- 
tainly be  the  case  with  coal  ashes  and  newly-slaked 
lime.  To  secure  clean,  perfect  tubers  t  attach 
more  importance  to  the  free  use  at  planting  time 
of  plenty  of  leaf-mould  (preferably  Oak  and  Baech), 
burnt  vegetable  refuse,  and  soot,  than  to  any  other 
medium.  Although  our  natural  soil  is  a  good  Potato 
soil  for  ordinary  purposes,  we  should  not  get  the 
results  we  do  were  we  to  neglect  the  use  of  the 
materials  I  have  just  mentioned.  If  the  soil  is 
heavy  old  potting  soil  should  be  s.aved,  and,  after 
passing  it  through  a  quarter-inch  sieve,  mix  it  with 
the  leaf-mould,  sand,  and  soot,  the  latter  to  be  in 
the  proportion  of  about  one  in  ten  or  twelve  of  the 
other  ingredients,  and  the  whole  to  be  thoroughly 
well  mixed  together.  Before  planting  the  sets  this 
compost  should  be  spread  2  inches  deep  in  the 
bottom  of  the  trench — over  the  manure  if  any  is 
used — and  after  planting  the  sets  must  be  covered 
with  the  compost  to  a  depth  of  another  inch  or 
two,  finishing  off  to  the  level  of  the  natural  soil. 
Another  point  to  which  I  attach  great  importance 
is  the  deep  forking  over  of  the  soil  a  few  days 
before  planting,  selecting  for  this  operation  a  dry 
day  ;  in  fact,  all  operations  such  as  digging, 
forking,  hoeing,  earthing  up,  &c.,  for  Potatoes 
should  be  done  when  the  soil  is  dry. 

I  may  here  say  that  I  am  not  an  advocate  for  the 
use  of  any  kind  of  artificial  manures  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  Potatoes  providing  the  land  is  fairly  good 
in  quality.  On  poor  soils  a  light  dressing  of  kainit, 
in  addition   to  a  good  coating  of  well-rotted  farm- 


j'ard  manure,  might  be  .beneficial  ;  or  kainit  and 
superphosphate  together  form,  perhaps,  one  of  the 
best  stimulants  to  healthy  growth  and  abundance 
of  fine  tubers.  Apply  at  the  rate,  say,  of  5  cwt. 
per  statute  acre.  The  cultivator  who  knows  his 
soil  fairly  well  will,  however,  be  the  best  judge  as 
to  whether  any  artificial  manure  is  likely  to  be 
required  or  not.  In  growing  for  exhibition  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  have  sprouted  sets  to 
obtain  the  best  results.  If  this  has  not  already  been 
done  they  should  be  set  up  at  once  in  shallo%v  boxes 
and  put  into  any  such  place  as  a  Mushroom  house 
for  a  time  until  the  sprouts  are,  say,  an  inch  long, 
being  afterwards  gradually  inured  to  light  and 
air  to  harden  the  sprouts,  or  "  sprits,"  as  they  are 
termed  in  Lancashire.  A  day  or  two  before  planting 
(I  usually  plant  about  April  20)  the  Potatoes  should 
be  cut  up  to  allow  of  the  cut  portion  healing. 
Only  one  sprout  should  be  allowed  to  each  set,  all 
others  being  taken  out  with  the  point  of  a  knife. 
By  following  this  method  much  finer  tubers  are 
secured,  though,  of  course,  less  of  them.  On  heavy 
soils  it  is  perhaps  advisable  to  follow  the  ridge 
system  of  planting  ;  on  medium  and  light  soils  I 
prefer  planting  on  the  flat.  When  the  Potatoes 
are  about  6  inches  high  they  should  be  earthed  up, 
but  a  few  hours  previous  to  earthing  I  would 
advise  that  the  ground  between  the  rows  be  forked 
over  to  a  depth  of  4  inches  or  5  inches  or  even  a 
little  more.  This  operation  dries  and  sweetens 
the  soil.  After  earthing  up  little  more  is  necessary 
except  weeding. 

I  am  afraid  that  many  Potato  growers  make  a 
great  mistake  in  planting  too  thickly.  This  is,  I 
am  sure,  one  of  the  greatest  mistakes  in  Potato 
cultivation,  especially  with  strong  -  growing 
varieties,  which,  if  too  closely  planted,  become 
such  a  tangled  mass  of  growth  that  if  disease  appears 
ruin  is  certain.  It  given  sufficient  room  to 
develop  strong,  sturdy  growth,  among  which  some 
light  and  air  can  play,  there  is  much  less  chance  of 
disease  appearing.  Strong-growing  varieties  should 
be  planted  1  yard  apart  from  row  to  row,  and  not 
less  than  15  inches  from  set  to  set  in  the  rows. 
When  lifting  Potatoes  for  exhibition  very  great 
care  should  be  exercised  to  handle  them  so  that  the 
skins  are  not  broken,  and  as  the  lifting  proceeds 
only  the  verj'  best-shaped  tubers  should  be  selected, 
all  others  being  put  on  one  side  for  ordinary  use 
or  for  planting  again  the  following  year.  In 
selecting  tubers  for  planting  choose  the  best 
remaining  after  the  exhibition  tubers  have  been 
selected. 

When  the  tubers  are  lifted — and  this  should 
always  be  done  the  day  before  the  show  it  possible — 
take  them  at  once  to  the  shed  to  be  washed.  This 
is  one  of  the  most  important  operations  the 
exhibitor  his  to  deal  with,  as  it  carelessly  performed 
all  his  previous  labour  is  wasted.  Three  vessels  of 
water,  preferably  tepid,  are  necessary.  In  the 
first  take  off  carefully  all  the  rough  dirt  with  a 
sponge,  and  as  each  tuber  is  washed  pass  it  into 
the  second  vessel,  which  should  contain  water  in 
which  sufficient  common  soap  has  been  rubbed  to 
make  a  good  lather.  A  soft  brush  should  be  used 
now,  and  the  skin  may  by  careful  washing  be  made 
to  look,  as  one  individual  said  when  viewing  a  col- 
lection of  Potatoes  of  mine  at  a  Liverpool  show,  as 
if  they  had  been  "sand-papered."  I  advised  that 
individual  to  try  sand-papering  a  few  and  note  the 
results.  After  washing  in  this  soapy  water  dip 
into  clean  water  and  drj'  by  dapping,  not  rubbing, 
with  a  clean  cloth.  All  tubers  should  be  laid  out 
on  a  clean  bench,  each  variety  together,  and  should 
be  covered  with  paper  or  cloths  until  all  have  been 
washed,  after  which  selecting  the  tubers  for  each 
dish  may  commence.  In  doing  this  select  first  a 
good  typical  example,  and  keep  as  near  to  it  all 
through  as  possible.  All  dishes  should  contain 
tubers  aa  nearly  alike  as  possible.  Uo  not  on  any 
account  be  tempted  because  you  find  a  specially 
fine  tuber  to  put  it  in,  thinking  it  may  gain  you 
points  ;  it  is  more  likely  to  lose  you  one  or  two. 
When  all  are  selected  name  every  dish  carefully, 
and  at  once  proceed  to  wrap  each  tuber  in  o  separate 
piece  of  clean  paper  and  pack  into  your  hampers, 
the  last  number  first — that  is  to  saj',  if  you  have 
twenty  dishes  commence  at  the  bottom  with 
No.  20,  woiking  backwards  till  you  come  to  No.  1. 


When  unpacking  at  the  show  this  helps  one  to 
stage  quickl}',  and  so  keep  on  good  terms  with  the 
staging  stewards.  The  name  of  each  variety  should 
when  packing  be  put  with  the  last  tuber  as  packing 
proceeds,  these  to  be  substituted  by  neatly  written 
or  printed  tickets  when  placed  on  the  dishes.  As 
each  dish  is  staged  it  should  be  carefully  covered 
with  paper,  removing  this  at  the  last  moment. 
Covering  the  tubers  after  staging  maj'  seem  to 
beginners  needless  trouble,  but  such  is  not  the 
case,  as  Potatoes,  especially  while  the  skins  are 
tender,  when  exposed  to  light  and  air  quickly  turn 
green  and  lose  that  freshness  which  is  absolutely 
essential  to  success;  and  whatever  is  worth  doing  is 
worth  doing  well. 

Varieties  of  Potatoes  are  almost  innumerable. 
I  will  name  a  few  that  I  consider  first-class  exhibi- 
tion sorts.  It  must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind 
that  many  Potatoes  give  both  round  and  pebble 
or  kidney-shaped  tubers  from  the  same  root,  so 
that  the  description  round  and  kidney  shaped  is  not 
always  absolutely  accurate.  Of  coloured  kidneys 
the  following  are  the  best  I  know :  Mr.  Bresee, 
Kerr's  Leda,  Edgeeote  Purple,  Edward  VII.,  and 
Peerless  Rose.  Coloured  round :  Reading  Russet, 
Lord  Roseberv,  Webb's  Red  King,  Carter's  King 
of  Russets,  Pink  Perfection,  Purple  Perfection, 
Herd  Lxddie,  The  Dean,  and  Vicar  of  Laleham. 
White  kidneys:  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  Snowdrop, 
Webb's  New  Guardian  (grand  for  exhibition), 
Daniel's  Duke  of  York,  Ro3'al  Kidney,  Sutton's 
Ideal,  Ninetyfold,  and  Discover3',  Webb's  Progress, 
British  Lion,  Fvlde  Wonder,  British  Queen, 
General  Buller,  Kerr's  General  Roberts,  and 
Sutton's  Satisfaction ;  and  I  might  add  Inter- 
national Kidnej',  which  has  perhaps  been  awarded 
more  prizes  than  any  Potato  ever  grown,  though 
its  fine  appearance  is  its  only  recommendation. 

Good  round  rarieties  are  (vihMe)  :  Webb's  Gold- 
finder,  Carltonian,  Windsor  Castle,  Cartel's 
Monarch  and  Snowball,  Sutton's  Al,  Best  of  All, 
and  Abundance,  Northern  Star,  Daniel's  Sensation, 
Kerr's  Jubilee,  and  Bountiful.  B.  AsHTON. 

Lathom  Park  Gardens   Ormskirk. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


CES. — Since  Easter  there  has  been  a  large 
increase  in  the  suppl3',  and  L.  longi- 
fiorum  is  now  most  plentiful,  with  a 
great  fall  in  price.  This  is  partl3'  owing 
to  the  cheek  from  dull  weather  previous 
to  Eister.  One  large  grower  had  antici- 
pated having  a  good  supply  tor  Easter,  but  failed 
to  get  them  in  time,  and  a  week  later  saw  them  in 
full  glor3'.  There  are  few  things  which  are  more 
difficult  to  get  just  at  any  given  time.  Even  the 
most  experienced  were  a  little  behind  for  the 
Easter  markets.  L.  lancifolium  album  and  L. 
candidum  are  more  plentiful,  also  L.  auratum. 
A  few  fairly  good  pot  Liliums  are  seen,  but  the 
longiflorums  are  rather  tall,  the  dwarf  variety 
Harrisii  being  very  scarce. 

Ericas. — Well-iiowered  plants  of  sorts  previously 
referred  to  continue  to  be  plentiful,  and  other 
spring  sorts  are  now  added.  Of  those  Cavendishi, 
perspicua,  and  propendens  are  good. 

Uargtieriles, — There  continues  to  be  an  over- 
supply  of  these,  many  of  the  growers  having  well- 
flowered  plants,  some  quite  large.  The  best  in 
4i-inch  pots  are  most  in  demand.  A  good  many 
small  plants  in  3-inch  pots  are  now  coming  in,  also 
large  supplies  of  rooted  cuttings  in  store  boxes. 

Genistas. — The  whole  market  is  perfumed  with 
these.  Owing  to  the  few  days  of  milder  weather 
they  have  come  on  very  rapidh',  and  it  is  a  little 
too  early  for  them  to  be  used  in  large  quantities  for 
window  boxes  yet. 

Spiricas. — Tliere  is  now  a  plentiful  supply  of 
these,  and  the  qualil3-  has  much  improved.  In 
addition  to  the  old  favourite  "  japonica,"multiflora, 
compacta,  and  astilboides  floribunda  are  very 
good.    Cinerarias  continue  good  and  very  plentiful. 

Indian  Azaleas  still  make  a  bright  show,  and  are 
seen  all  round  the  market.  The  bright  colours  are 
plentiful,  and  whites  are  beautifully  flowered 


April  3  6,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


277 


Hydrmujea  Thomas  Hogg  is  chiefly  in  4J-inch 
pots,  with  several  good  heads  of  bloom  on  each, 
but  there  is  not  yet  a  very  good  demand  for  them. 
There  are  also  some  better-coloured  pinli  Hortensia 
coming  in  now.  Cyclamens  are  not  so  plentiful, 
but  one  or  two  growers  still  have  them  very 
good.  Crimson  Rambler  Roses  coming  in  now  are 
much  better  flowered. 

Bedding  plants. — Already  a  good  many  growers 
have  started  sending  the  ordinary  spring-bedding 
plants,  zonal  Pelargoniums  in  small  pots,  also  in 
store  boxes.  Marguerites  are  also  to  be  had  in 
pots  and  store  boxes,  but  mostly  it  is  in  store 
boxes  that  they  are  to  be  seen,  and  anyone  having 
the  convenience  for  potting  off  or  otherwise  pre- 
paring the  various  things  for  planting  out  later  may 
secure  good  stuff  at  a  small  cost  —  Fuchsias, 
Calceolarias,  Lobelia,  Harrison's  Musk,  Tropieo- 
lums.  Stocks,  Asters,  Nicotiana  atljnis,  P3'rethrum 
aureum,  and  other  things.  Some  are  yet  very  soft, 
and  would  require  carefully  hardening  off,  and  I 
am  afraid  a  good  deal  that  is  sold  never  lives  to 
flower.  Some  good  Violas  are  coming  in,  and  these 
are  useful  for  immediate  planting. 

Pansies. — Some  growers  have  now  started  with 
these,  and  every  warm  day  will  make  a  great 
difference  to  the  quantity.  It  is  surprising  what 
quantities  of  these  are  sold  in  Covent  Garden  every 
season.  At  one  time  by  far  the  largest  portion  of 
the  trade  was  done  by  one  firm,  Messrs.  Heath 
Brothers,  whose  strain  has  long  been  recognised  as 
the  very  best  for  market.  There  are  now  several 
good  growers,  and  Pansies  will  be  coming  in  in  van 
loads  for  several  weeks.  They  are  mostly  put  up 
in  the  small  boxes  as  used  for  Lobelia,  &c. ,  about 
two  dozen  plants  in  each  box,  each  plant  having  at 
least  one  bloom  open.  During  the  time  they  are 
most  in  demand  the  prices  vary  from  23.  6d.  to 
Ss.  6d.  per  box,  or  a  few  specials  may  make  more, 
and,  of  course,  there  may  be  some  cleared  out  at 
less. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
"widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and 
they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5, 
Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


Narcissus  pallidus  pr.ecox  and  N.  cersuds 

PLENUS. 
The  Lord  Kesteven  sends  flowers  of  these  beau- 
tiful Narcissi.  The  former  seedlings  were  raised 
at  home,  and  the  flowers  sent  are  of  very  rich 
colour  and  the  leaves  strong  in  growth,  but  this 
Narcissi  varies  greatly  from  seed.  We  were  pleased 
to  see  the  charming  double  cernuus ;  it  is  a  flower  of 
dainty  colouring,  and  is  a  great  success  with  our 
correspondent  in  his  garden  at  Stamford. 


The  Pasque-elower. 
Mr.  Molyneux  sends  from  Swanmore  Park, 
Bishop's  Waltham,  flowers  of  Anemone  Pulsatilla. 
A  group  of  this  wilding  in  the  rock  garden  is  always 
interesting.  There  is  a  great  charm  in  the  silky 
violet  flowers  that  seem  to  shine  in  the  sunlight  of 
spring.  We  have  always  found  a  gritty,  well- 
drained  soil  and  full  exposure  bring  out  its  full 
freedom  both  of  growth  and  flower. 


The  May-flower  and  Cornus  Mas. 
Mr.  Anthony  Waterer  sends  from  his  nursery  at 
Kuaphill,  Woking,  many  flowering  stems  of  the 
May-flower  or  Ground  Laurel  of  America  (Epigasa 
repens),  a  delightful  little  evergreen  found  in  sandy 
soil  under  the  shade  of  Pines  in  the  States.     It  was 


at  one  time  seriously  considered  whether  the 
Epigsea  should  not  be  chosen  as  the  national  flower 
of  America;  it  is  just  one  of  those  things  to 
establish  in  peaty  soil  in  the  shade  of  trees,  and  at 
this  time  the  pretty  pink  clusters  of  sweet  smelling 
flowers  are  welcome.  We  are  glad  to  be  reminded 
of  the  golden  beauty  of  Cornus  Mas,  or  the  Cornelian 
Cherry  as  it  is  called.  When  this  flowers  spring 
has  come. 


NEW   AND    RARE    PLANTS. 

A    NEW    SMILAX. 
(Myesiphyllum  asparagoides  myetifolia.) 

FEW  plants  are  of  more  value  to  the 
l^ardener  who  has  a  good  deal  of 
decorative  work  to  do  than  Smilax, 
and  it  is  interesting,  therefore,  to 
chronicle  the  advent  of  a  new  one. 
For  dinner-table  decoration,  draping 
vases  of  cut  flowers,  or  for  use  in  many  other 
ways,  Smilax  (Myrsiphyllum  asparagoides)  is 
invaluable.  Of  the  new  variety,  which  is 
named  myrtifolia,  we  give  an  illustration  made 
from  a  photograph  of  a  plant  sent  to  us  by 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park 


I  Nurseries,  Enfield,  N.,  who  hold  the  whole 
stock  of  the  plant  in  this  country.  A  writer 
in  American  Gardeniwi  recently  gave  the 
following  particulars  about  the  Myrtle-leaved 
Smilax  :  "  It  is  a  plant  that  appeals  to  the 
gardener  as  one  that  may  be  of  exceptional 
value.  It  will  prove  as  valuable  as  Asparagus 
Sprengeri,  and  is  quite  as  beautiful,  though  of 
an  entirely  difterent  type.  It  is  very  much 
riiore  delicate  and  graceful  than  the  common 
Smilax,  the  leaves  being  much  smaller — only 
about  one-.sixth  the  size — and  the  young  ten- 
drils being  much  more  pleasing  than  the  stiff 
branches  of  the  common  Smilax  make  it  a 
more  beautiful  green  for  decorative  purposes. 
This  new  variety  produces  many  more  shoots 
than  the  type,  and  on  this  account  it  is  advis- 
able to  carry  it  up  on  several  strings,  thus 
making  it  a  more  profitable  plant  to  grow, 
especially  for  the  house.  It  is  a  stronger  and 
more  vigorous  grower  than  the  common  Smilax, 
and  its  hardiness  and  durability  are  more 
remarkable,  strings  remaining  fresh  six  to  eight 
days  after  being  cut,  and  eight  to  twelve  days 
when  placed  in  water.  It  will  commend  itself 
to  every  grower  of  cut  flowers,  as  there  is  so 
little  variety  in  good  greenery  for  cut-flower 
vFork.  This  Smilax  originated  in  Europe  about 
six  years  ago,  and  has  proved  constant  since. 
Thus  far  no  seed  has  been  obtained,  propaga- 
tion being  effected  by  division  of  the  bulbs 
only,  which  are  produced  very  rapidly." 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants    in    Flowee. 


A    NEW    smilax  (MVRSIPHYLLnM    ASPARAGOIDES 
MYUTirOLIA). 


Tenvperate  Hmise. 
Clianthus  poniceus,  Coriaria  nepalensis, 
Hypocalymma  robustum,  Lobelia  nicotianae- 
folia,  Mucuna  sempervirens,  Olearia  stellulata, 
Ehododecdron  arboreum,  R.  Beauty  of  Tre- 
mough,  E.  Cunninghamii,  E.  Dalhousi<B,  E. 
Falconeri,  E.  formosum,  R.  forsterianum,  R. 
nilagiricum,  and  E.  racemosum. 

Palm  House. 

Barringtonia  ramoensis  and  Sterculia  neo- 
mexicana. 

Orchid  Houses. 

Aerides  houlletianum,  Ansellia  africana,  A. 
humilis,  A.  nilotica,  Arpophyllum  spicatum, 
Bulbophyllum  fuscum,  Oalanthe  discolor, 
Catasetum  macrocarpum,  Cattleya  lawrecce- 
ana,  C.  citrina,  C.  guatemalensis,  Cirrhopeta- 
lum  fimbriatum,  C.  picturatuni,  Cymbidium 
eburneum,  Cynorchis  kewensis,  Cyrtopodium 
punctatum,  Dendrobium  brymerianum,  D. 
crepidatum,  D.  devonianum,  D.  infundibulum, 

D.  Loddigesii,  D.  Madonna,  D.  Pierardi,  D. 
spathaceum,  D.  tortile,  Epidendrum  Allemanii, 

E.  ciliare  var.  cuspidatum,  E.  o'brienianum,  E. 
stamfordianum,  Eria  erubescens,  E.  stricta, 
L«lio-Cattleya  highburiensis,  Lycaste  locusta, 
L.  gigantea,  Masdevallias  (various  species), 
Megaclinium  falcatum,  Miltonia  Eoezlii,  Odon- 
toglossum  citrosmum,  O.  triumphans  and  others, 
Oncidium  altissimum,  O.  lamelligerum,  O. 
leucochilum,  O.  phymatochilum,  Ornithocepha- 
lus  grandiflorus,  Pelexia  olivacea,  Pholidota 
chinensis,  Satyrium  coriifolium,  S.  odorum, 
Scuticaria  Hadweni,  Selenipedium  grandis,  S. 
titanum,  Spiranthes  picta,  Tetramicra  bicolor, 
Trichopilia  sanguinolenta,  and  Vanda  suavis. 

T  Range. 
Anoiganthus  breviflorus,  Babiana  speciosa, 
Cephielis  Manni,  Dracontium  gigas,  Dys- 
choriste  Hildebrandtii,  Eucomis  Jacquini, 
Eranthemum  graciliflorum,  Gesnera  cardinalis, 
G.  Eegin;e,  Gothea  kermesiana,  Melasphajrulea 


278 


THE     GARDEN. 


[Apkil  16,  1904. 


graminea,  Sarracenias  in  variety,  Scilla  plumbea, 
Sparaxis  plumbea,  Tetranema  mexicana,  and 
Utricularia  montana. 

Greenhouse. 
Acacia  hastulata,  Correa  speciosa  vars., 
Cytisus  fragrans,  Daphne  oleoides,  Darwinia 
hookeriana,  Dicentra  spectabilis,  Hippeastrums 
in  variety,  Mignonette,  Salvia  Heerii,  Xantho- 
ceras  sorbifolia,  and  many  other  things. 

Alpine  Home. 
Brodieea  uniflora,  Cyclamen  repandum,  Dode- 
catheon  ellipticum,  Erythronium  Johnsoni, 
Fritillaria  Guicciardi,  Muscari  atlanticum,  M. 
conicum,  Primula  frondosa,  Trillium  nivale,  T. 
sessile  var.  album,  Tulipa  Lownei,  T.  prrestans, 
T.  pulchella  and  var.  rosea,  and  Valeriana 
arizonica. 

Rock  Garden. 

Anemone  nemorosa  var.  bosniaca,  A.  Pulsa- 
tilla, Arabis  Billardieri,  Cardamine  digitata, 
Corydalis  cava  and  var.  albiflora,  C.  bracteata, 
Draba  brunifet'olia,  D.  stellata.  Daphne  blagay- 
ana,  Epimedium  pinnatum,  Lathyrus  cyaneus, 
L.  vernus  var.  carnea,  iMertensia  pulmonari- 
oides.  Primula  clusiana,  P.  denticulata  and 
vara.,  P.  discolor,  P.  rosea,  Saxifraga  apicu- 
lata,  Sisyrinchium  grandiflorum,  Thalictrum 
anemonoides,  and  Viola  odorata  var.  sulphurea. 

Arboretum. 

Akebia  lobata,  A.  quinata,  Arctostaphylos 
glauca,  Corylopsis  spicata,  Cydonia  japonica, 
Forsythia  intermedia,  F.  suspensa,  F.  viridis- 
sima.  Magnolia  conspioua,  M.  stellata,  Prunus 
divaricata,  P.  Jacquemontii,  P.  subhirtella,  P. 
tomentosa,  P.  triloba,  Rhododendron  ciliatum, 
Ribes  aureum,  R.  sanguineum,  R.  speciosum, 
Stachyurus  pneoox,  Xanthorrhiza  apiifolia,  and 
other  things. 


OBITUARY. 


ME.  WILLIAM    CARMICHAEL. 

WE  regret  to  record  the  death  of 
Mr.  William  Carmichael,  for 
nearly  ten  years  gardener  at 
Sandringham,  which  took  place 
at  14,  Pitt  Street,  Edinburgh,  on 
Wednesday,  the  6th  inst.  Mr. 
Carmichael,  who  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-eight,  was  a  native  of  Comrie,  Perthshire, 
and,  after  gradually  working  his  way  up  in  the 
ranks  of  gardeners,  he  was  eventually  appointed 
gardener  to  his  present  Majesty  King  Edward, 
then  Prince  of  Wales,  at  Sandringham,  for  whom 
he  laid  out  the  grounds  there,  and  in  whose  service 
he  remained  for  nearly  ten  years  until  his  retire- 
ment several  years  ago.  Mr.  Carmichael  was  per- 
haps the  last  of  the  men  who  were  under  the  late 
Mr.  William  McNab,  of  the  Edinburgh  Botanic 
Gardens,  and  at  one  time  occupied  the  position  of 
foreman  there.  He  afterwards  went  to  Bath,  and 
thence  to  Drummore,  Stirling,  where  he  had  charge 
of  both  the  garden  and  farm,  from  where  he  went 
to  Sandringham.  Mr.  Carmichael  was  an  able 
gardener,  who  cultivated  particularly  successfully 
many  plants  of  various  kinds,  fruit  was  one  of 
his  favourite  departments,  and  in  latter  years  he 
devoted  much  attention  to  the  raising  of  new 
Strawberries,  some  of  which  have  been  put  into 
commerce.  He  is  also  credited  with  having  been 
the  first  to  cross  Azalea  amceoa  and  A.  indica, 
from  which  cross  he  raised  some  good  hybrids. 
Although  for  a  long  time  in  a  feeble  state  of 
health,  Mr.  Carmichael  retained  to  the  last  his 
interest  in  horticulture,  and  only  a  few  }'ears  ago 
exhibited  a  new  Godetia  of  his  own  raising  at  one 
of  the  Royal  Caledonian  Society's  shows.  His 
remains  were  interred  in  Warriston  Cemetery, 
Edinburgh,  on  the  9th  inst.,  the  funeral  being  a 
private  one. 


SOCIETIES. 

TRURO  DAFFODIL  SHOW. 
On  the  Sth  inst.  the  Cornwall  Daffodil  and  Spring  Flower 
Society  held  their  annual  show  in  the  spacious  Market  Hall 
of  Truro.  The  patroness  of  the  society  is  Her  Majesty  the 
Queen,  and  the  president  is  Her  Koyal  Highness  the  Princess 
of  Wales,  while  amony,'  the  vice-presidents  are  the  Earl  of 
Mount  Edgcumbe,  the  Viscountess  Falmouth,  and  Mr.  T.  A. 
Dorrien-Smith  of  the  Isles  of  Scilly.  The  season  is  un- 
doubtedly a  late  one,  and  the  majority  of  the  Narcissi  were 
perhaps  scarcely  so  large  as  usual,  though  there  were  some 
notably  fine  examples  of  the  better  known  varieties,  and  the 
show  of  recently-raised  seedlings  was  particularly  excellent 
and  large.  In  the  Hon.  John  Boscawen  the  society  are 
fortunate  in  possessing  a  most  capable  and  energetic  hon. 
secretary,  whose  arrangements  left  nothing  to  be  desired. 
The  exhibits,  though  numerous,  were  given  ample  space, 
which  added  much  to  the  comfort  of  visitors  bent  upon 
making  a  close  inspection  of  the  flowers  staged,  a  process 
often  rendered  difficult  at  flower  shows  owing  to  over- 
crowding. Fthododendrons  were  exhibited  in  quantity,  and 
added  an  effective  display  of  bright  colouring.  Violets  were 
present  in  quantity,  and  were  of  a  high  order  of  merit,  while 
the  competition  for  herbaceous  spring  flowers  and  for  un- 
forced, hard-wooded  flowering  shrubs  was  very  keen,  and 
brought  together  a  remarkable  assortment  of  outdoor 
flowering  subjects  such  as  would  be  impossible  for  any 
district  but  the  south-west  of  England  to  produce  at  this 
season  of  the  year.  The  day  was  fortunately  fine,  and  the 
attendance  was  very  large,  including  not  only  residents  in 
Cornwall  and  the  neighbouring  county  of  Devon,  but 
representatives  of  the  Metropolis  and  other  distant  centres. 

Prize  List. 
The  best  collection  of  not  less  than  thirty  or  more  than 
forty  varieties  of  Daffodils  :  First,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams,  with 
an  excellent  stand  containing  King  Alfred,  very  fine  ;  Jacko, 
Monarch,  Hector,  Weardale  Perfection,  Homespun,  a  clear 
yellow,  distinct  in  form  ;  White  Queen,  Iiicugnita,  unique 
with  its  spreading  buff  cup;  Buttercup,  Cardinal,  with  white 
perianth  and  brilliant  orange  cup ;  Firework,  with  pale 
lemon  perianth  and  wide  scarlet-rimmed  cup;  Dante,  a 
beautiful  poeticus  ;  Firebrand,  pale  canary  perianth  and 
orange-scarlet  cup  ;  Minor  Poet,  lemon-white  perianth  and 
spreading  orange-scarlet  cup,  after  the  style  of  Will  Scarlet  ; 
the  delicately-beautiful  White  Lady,  and  seventeen  unnamed 
seedlings,  many  of  which  were  quite  first-class,  No.  300,  a 
poeticus,  having  a  wide  central  disc  of  bright  yellow,  edged 
with  a  broad  band  of  scarlet,  the  petals,  however,  slightly 
lacking  in  breadth  ;  second.  Rev.  A.  T.  Boscawen,  with  a 
very  bright  stand,  containing,  amongst  others,  Lucifer,  still 
the  most  striking  of  all  Daffodils,  very  fine  ;  Flambeau, 
Oriflamme,  and  C.  J.  Backhouse;  third,  Lady  Margaret 
Boscawen. 

In  Classes  2  to  9,  inclusive,  only  flowers  from  bulbs  not 
exceeding  lOs.  in  value  were  admitted. 

Six  distinct  Magni-Coronati :  First,  Mr.  E.  H.  Williams, 
with  M.  J.  Berkeley,  Emperor,  Golden  Bell,  Victoria,  Hors- 
fieldi,  and  Mme.  de  Graaff ;  second,  Miss  Mabel  Williams  ; 
third,  Mr.  Johnathan  Rashleigh;  fourth.  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke. 

Six  distinct  Medio-Coronati  :  First,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke,  with 
Katharine  Spurrell,  Crown  Prince,  Lulworth,  Mrs.  Langtry, 
Frank  Jliles,  and  Princess  Mary  ;  second,  Mr.  R.  J.  Daniell  ; 
third.  Miss  Mabel  Williams  ;  fourth,  Mr.  Johnathan 
Rashleigh. 

Six  distinct  Parvi-Coronat  i :  First,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke,  with 
Falstaff,  John  Bain,  Ellen  Barr,  Poeticus  ornatus.  Baroness 
Heath,  and  Beatrice  Heseltine;  second,  Mr.  W.  N.  Came; 
third,  Mrs.  J.  Nowell-Usticke. 

Six  distinct  Polyanthus  Narcissus  :  Second,  Mr.  W.  N. 
Carne  ;  third,  Mrs.  J.  Nowell-Usticke. 

Fifteen  distinct  varieties,  any  section  :  First,  Mr.  E.  H. 
Williams,  with  Victoria,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Emperor,  Cassandra, 
Empress,  Poeticus  ornatus,  Lulworth,  Minnie  Hume,  Prin- 
cess Mary,  C.  J.  Backhouse,  Autocrai,  albicans,  P.  R.  Barr, 
Ellen  Barr,  and  Santa  Jlaria  ;  second,  Mr.  A.  Blenkinsop  ; 
third  ;  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke  ;  fourth,  Mrs.  J.  Nowell-Usticke. 

Finest  bloom  of  Magni-Coronati :  First,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke, 
with  Mme.  de  Graff;  second.  Mr.  C.  Dawson,  with  Victoria; 
third.  Miss  Rhoda  Williams,  with  Mme.  Plemp. 

Finest  bloom  of  Medio-Coronati :  First,  Mr.  E.  H.  Williams, 
with  Lulworth  ;  second,  Mrs.  J.  Nowell-Usticke,  with  Fairy 
Queen  ;  third,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke,  with  Mrs.  Langtry. 

Finest  bloom  of  Parvi-Coronali ;  First,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke, 
with  Almira ;  second,  Mr.  E.  H.  Williams,  with  Almira  ; 
third,  Miss  Rhoda  Williams,  with  John  Bain. 

Nine  distinct  Magni-Curonati :  First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Tenby  seedling,  Mme.  de  Graaff,  Emperor,  J.  B.  M. 
Cann,  P.  R.  Barr,  Victoria,  Maximus,  fine;  M.J.Berkeley, 
very  good  ;  and  Empress  ;  second,  Lady  Margaret  Boscawen  ; 
third,  Mr.  A.  V.  Nix. 

Nine  distinct  Medio-Coronati  :  First,  Rev.  A.  T.  Boscawen, 
with  Albatross,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Seagull,  Bridesmaid,  Lucifer, 
Madge  Matthew,  perfect,  which  received  an  award  of  merit 
as  the  best  incomparabilis  in  the  show  ;  Gloria  Mundi, 
Ensign,  and  Peach  ;  second,  Mr.  P.  D  Williams,  whose  stand 
contained  Tom  Tit,  Bullfinch,  Kitliwake,  Bairi  Sensation, 
and  four  unnamed  seedlings. 

Six  distinct  Parvi-Coronati :   First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 

with  Horace,  undoubtedly  tlie  flnest  of  the  poeticus  section  ; 

Chaucer,  Incognita,  Ptarraican,  Blood  Orange,  and  Redbreast. 

Three  distinct  double  Narcissi  :    First,  Mri.   J.  Nowell- 

T'sticke  ;  second.  Miss  Mabel  Vivian. 

Finest  bloom  of  Magni-Coronati  in  commerce:  First,  Mr. 
A.  Blenkinsop,  with  Weardale  Perfection,  very  fine  ;  second, 
Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with  the  same. 

Finest  bloom  of  ^Mediu-Coronati  in  commerce  :  First,  Rev. 
A.  T.  Boscawen,  with  Lady  Margaret  Boscawen  ;  second, 
Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with  Diana. 

Finest  bloom  of  Parvi-Coronati  in  commerce  :  First,  Mr. 
P.  D.  Williams,  with  Horace,  excellent;  second,  Mr.  E.  H. 
Williams,    with    Oriflamme  ;    third,   Mr.   C.   Dawson,   with 
i  Dante. 


Finest  bloom  of  English-raised  Magni-Coronati  not  in 
commerce  :  First,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams,  with  a  fine  unnamed 
while;  second,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams,  with  an  unnamed  bicolor 
with  pale  yellow  trumpet  ;  third,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with 
Averil,  white  perianth  with  pale  yellow,  narrow  trumpet. 

Finest  bloom  of  English-raised  Medio-Coronati  not  in 
commerce  :  First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with  a  large,  unnamed 
flower  having  a  white  perianth  and  yellow  cup  edged  with 
orange  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams,  with  Pilcnui,  an  Engle- 
heart  seedling,  pale  yellow  ;  third.  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams. 

Finest  bloom  of  English-raised  Parvi-Coronati  not  in 
commerce  :  First,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams,  with  an  unnamed 
seedling  having  a  white  perianth  and  spreading  cup  brighter 
in  tint  than  that  of  Incognita:  second,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Chaflinch,  an  Engleheart  seedling  with  white  perianth 
and  cup  edged  with  deep  border  of  brilliant  orange-scarlet ; 
third,  Mr.  J.  C.  Williams. 

The  classes  for  English-raised  seedlings  not  in  commerce 
were  particularly  interesting,  thirty-five  blooms  being 
staged,  the  majority  of  which,  to  the  credit  of  Cornish 
growers,  were  raised  in  the  county.  A  clear  golden-yellow 
with  an  unfringed  trumpet,  which  was  passed  over  by  the 
judges,  was  very  distinct  and  striking,  and  was  thought  by 
many  experts  to  have  deserved  the  premier  award. 

One  class  was  confined  to  exhibitors  who  had  never  won  a 
prize  at  the  society's  shows,  and  another  to  children  under 
fifteen  years  of  age. 

Three  bunches  of  Anemones  (excluding  A.  fulgens) :  First, 
Hon.  Mrs.  Gilbert. 

Three  bunches  of  Anemone  fulgens  :  First,  Miss  A.  C. 
Williams ;  second,  Mrs.  W.  Tyacke. 

Six  varieties  Polyanthus  :  First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with 
an  excellent  e.xhibit ;  second,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williams;  third, 
Hon.  Mrs.  Gilbert. 

Three  varieties  Primroses  :  First,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williams, 
with  very  excellent  flowers  ;  second,  Hon.  Mrs.  Gilbert. 

Collection  of  hardy  herbaceous  spring  flowers,  not  exceed- 
ing thirty  varieties  :  First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  with  double 
blue  Hepatica,  Anemone  blanda,  A.  b.  scythica,  A.  apennina, 
Chionodoxa  Lucilirc,  C.  sardensis,  C.  gigantea,  double  Arabis, 
Muscari  Heavenly  Blue,  M.  szovitzianum  subctcruleum, 
Tnlipa  saxatilis,  T.  odoratamajor,  Fritillaria  Jleleagris  alba, 
Iris  tuberosa,  I.  Warleyensis,  I.  orchioides,  Primula  rosea, 
P.  denticulata,  P.  d.  alba,  P.  d.  pulcherrima,  Cardamine 
trifoliata,  Erythronium  giganteum,  Daisy  Alice,  Caltha 
palustris  fl. -pL,  Omphalodes  verna,  Triteleia  uniflora, 
Doronicum  H;irpnr  Crewe,  Trillium  sessile  californicum,  and 
FicHria  granditlora  ;  second,  Mr.  B.  H.  Shilson. 

Collection  of  twelve  varieties  of  hardy,  herbaceous  spring 
flowers:  First,  Mrs.  A.  T.  Boscawen,  with  Iris  tingitana, 
very  beautiful  ;  Fritillaria  imperialis,  F.  obliqua  and  F. 
latifolia  major,  both  of  which  received  an  award  of  merit; 
F.  verticillata  alba,  Helleborus  colchicus,  Muscari  Heavenly 
Blue,  Primula  denticulata  alba,  Parochetus  communis, 
Puschkinia  scilloides,  Mertensia  virginica,  and  Iris  tuberosa ; 
second,  Mr.  D.  H.  Shilson. 

Three  bunches  single  Violets,  distinct  varieties  :  First,  Mr. 
R.  Fox,  with  Kaiser  Wilhelm,  La  France,  and  Princess  of 
Wales. 

Three  bunches  double  Violets,  distinct  varieties:  First, 
Mr.  R.  Fox,  with  Comte  de  Brazza,  Marie  Louise,  and  Lady 
Hume  Campbell;  second,  Colonel  F.  J.  Hext ;  third,  Mr. 
Johnathan  Rashleigh. 

Three  bunches  single  Violets,  one  variety  :  First.  Mr.  R. 
Fox,  with  Kaiser  Wilhelm  ;  second,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Williams, 
with  La  France  ;  third.  Colonel  F.  J.  Hext,  with  Princess  of 
Wales. 

Three  bunches  double  Violets,  one  variety  :  First,  Mr.  R, 
Fox,  with  Comte  de  Brazza  ;  second.  Colonel  F.  J.  Hext,  with 
Lady  Hume  Campbell;  third.  Miss  Rlioda  Williams,  with 
Marie  Louise. 

The  best  group  of  Rhododendron  blooms :  First,  Mr.  D.  F. 
Shilson,  with  a  splendid  collection  of  15(i  trusses,  amongst 
which  was  the  new  seedling  Duke  of  Cornwall,  a  fine  crimson 
with  large  leaves,  which  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate. 
The  trusses  exhibited  of  this  variety,  though  handsome, 
were  far  from  representing  it  at  its  best,  as  the  earlier  ones 
with  much  finer  flowers  had  passed  their  best  at  the  time  of 
the  show,  and  only  the  later  with  smaller  blossoms  were 
available  for  staging.  Other  varieties  and  species  were 
argenteum,  Thompsonii.  Shilsonii,  Dalhousia;,  barbatum, 
fulgens.  Countess  of  Haddington,  albescens,  sesierianum, 
Edgworthii,  fragrantissinium,  racemosuni,  Veitchii,  arbo- 
reum,  a.  album,  a.  roseum,  and  numerous  seedlings  ;  second, 
Mr.  R.  Fox :  third.  Mrs.  J.  Williams. 

Six  varieties  outdoor  Rhododendrons  ;  First,  Mr.  E.  Back- 
house, with  Aucklandi  seedling,  which  obtained  an  award  of 
merit ;  Shilsonii,  and  four  arboreum  seedlings  ;  second,  Mr. 
R.  Fox. 

Six  varieties  of  Rhododendrons  grown  under  glass  :  First, 
Mr.  R.  Fox  ;  second,  Mr.  D.  H.  Shilson. 

Finest  truss  of  outdoor  Rhododendron  :  Firet,  Mr.  Johna- 
than Rashleigh,  with  argenteum  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  C.  Daubuz, 
with  exiraium. 

Finest  truss  of  Rhododendron  under  glass  :  First,  Mrs.  J. 

Williams, with  Nuttallii,  splendid  ;  second,  Mr.  R.  Fox,  with 

Glory  of  Penjerrick. 

Six  blooms  of  outdoor  Camellias  :  First,  Mrs.  J.  Williams. 

Six  blooms  of  Camellias  under  glass  ;    First,   Mr.   J.  C. 

Daubuz. 

Finest  bloom  of  outdoor  Camellia  :  First,  Mrs.  J.  Williams, 
with  C.  reticulata  well  over  7  inches  in  diameter ;  second, 
Mrs.  A.  T.  Boscawen. 

Kinest  bloom  of  (_'amellia  under  glass:  First,  Mr.  J.  C. 
Daubuz  ;  second,  Jlrs.  J.  Williams. 
Twelve  trusses  of  Azalea  mollis  :  First,  Jlr.  D.  U.  Shilson. 
Collection  of  twenty  varieties  of  unforced  shrubs  :  First, 
Mr.  R.  Fox,  with  Berberis  Darwinii,  Acer  ruhruni,  Pitto- 
spnrum  tenuifolium,  Olearia  Gunnii,  Forsythia  viridissima. 
Acacia  verticillata.  Magnolia  conspicua,  Drimys  aromatica. 
Erica  mediterranea,  E.  carnea,  E.  arborea,  Pyrus  japonica, 
P.  j.  alba,  Andromeda  japonica,  t'ytJsus  racemosus.  Daphne 
indica,  Skimraia  japonica.  Azalea  amtena,  and  Piltosporum 
Tobira  ;  second.  Sir  A.  Pendarves  Vivian,  in  whose  stand 
were  Erabothrium  coccineura,  Grevillea  sulphurea,  &c. 


^fey- 


GARDEN 


2!sy^ 


No.  1692.— Vol.  LXV. 


[April  23,  1904. 


THE    AURICULA     SEASON. 

THE  Auricula  season  of  1904  is  dis- 
tinctly a  late  one  all  round,  and  the 
lateness  applies  to  plants  in  the 
open  border  as  well  as  to  those  under 
glass  in  houses  and  frames.  The 
spring  movement  in  the  growth  of  the  plants, 
which  in  a  favourable  season  will  begin  at  the 
end  of  January  and  early  in  February,  was, 
owing  to  the  wetness  and  coldness  which  then 
prevailed  and  continued  for  so  long  a  period, 
considerably  retarded ;  the  want  of  invigo- 
rating sunshine  was  generally  experienced.  The 
retarding  character  of  the  season  was  especially 
seen  in  the  case  of  plants  in  the  open,  for  it 
is  from  such  a  supply  of  seed  the  alpine 
Auricula  has  to  be  depended  upon.  Even  by 
the  third  week  in  April  few  plants  will  be  in 
full  bloom  in  the  open  border  unless  in  warm 
and  snug  spots.  The  border  Auricula  does 
best  in  a  fairly  heavy  soil,  and  when  it  is 
constantly  saturated  with  wet,  as  in  the 
autumn  of  1903  and  the  early  part  of  1904,  the 
effect  is  distinctly  retarding.  But  when  more 
kindly  conditions  prevail  and  with  a  rising 
temperature  there  conies  a  drier  soil,  invigo- 
rated by  helpful  sunshine,  progress  becomes 
rapid,  and  in  the  absence  of  cutting  frosts 
flowers  in  plenty  may  be  confidently  antici- 
pated. Primrose  and  Polyanthus  have  been  in 
flower  since  October  last,  yet,  notwithstanding 
such  a  waste  of  floral  energy,  the  plants  in  April 
are  very  free,  and  there  is  every  probability  of 
a  great  improvement  upon  the  scant  seed 
season  of  1903.  It  may  be  presumed  this  will 
be  equally  true  of  the  border  Auriculas. 

In  these  days  the  majority  of  those  who  culti- 
vate choice  collections  of  Auriculas  prefer  to 
have  them  in  adaptable  glass  houses  for  the  sake 
of  having  them  under  more  perfect  control,  and 
also  for  inspecting  the  plants  in  unseasonable 
weather.  As  a  rule  such  houses  are  artificially 
heated.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  there  is 
any  attempt  to  force  the  Auricula,  as  the  plant 
is  impatient  of  such  treatment.  But  it  is  well 
generally,  and  especially  so  in  the  case  of 
scarce  and  expensive  varieties,  not  to  have  the 
soil  frozen  hard  about  the  roots  of  the  plants 
in  midwinter,  as  sometimes  happens  when  they 
are  in  an  unheated  house  or  frame.  The 
Auricula  appreciates  an  equable  temperature 
at  all  seasons,  and  if  therefore  a  little  artificial 
warmth  is  given  at  night,  when  frost  and  cold 
winds  occur,  it  is  in  order  to  preserve  as 
nearly  as  possible  the  conditions  of  the  day 
temperature  that  artificial  heat  is  applied  so 


that  there  shall  be  no  critical  check.  The 
plants  are  thus  brought  along  evenly,  their 
vigour  and  health  being  cared  for  by  the 
admission  of  abundant  ventilation.  A  check 
from  a  fall  of  temperature  when  the  pips  are 
unfolding  will  materially  affect  the  quality  of 
the  developed  truss. 

A  considerable  impetus  has  been  given  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  choice  varieties  of 
alpine  and  show  Auriculas  in  pots  during  the 
past  fifteen  years.  The  show  varieties  in 
particular  are  very  fascinating,  so  that  their 
increasing  popularity  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 
Auriculas  can  be  grown  under  conditions  which 
are  at  the  command  of  those  with  quite  small 
gardens.  At  no  season  of  the  year  are  the 
plants  without  interest  to  the  cultivator.  It 
compels  a  constant  round  of  attention  which 
is  a  delight  to  the  grower,  and  there  is  no 
other  plant  which  undergoes  such  quick 
deterioration  when  neglected. 


AMONG     THE     SWEET 
VIOLETS. 

Foe  many  years  the  Russian  Violet  was  the 
only  one  well  kno^vn  in  gardens.  Although 
the  blooms  are  small  and  the  stalks  very  short, 
it  is  welcome  in  the  borders,  as  it  flowers  in 
midwinter,  and  is  very  hardy  and  neat  in 
growth.  The  first  break  that  I  can  recollect 
was  The  Czar,  raised,  I  believe,  by  Mr.  Lee  of 
Clevedon,  Somerset,  a  noted  grower.  After 
that  came  the  larger-flowered  Victoria  Regina, 
also  from  Mr.  Lee.  We  then  seemed  to  have 
reached  a  climax.  For  many  years  no  better 
varieties  came  to  the  fore,  until  Mr.  Charles 
Turner  introduced  the  massive  sturdy-flowered 
Wellsiana.  This  is  still  in  cultivation,  but  is 
rather  uncertain,  and  does  not  flower  so  freely 
as  many,  and  in  the  open  is  only  a  spring 
bloomer.  The  next  to  appear  was  a  Conti- 
nental variety,  Princesse  de  Galles,  which 
under  its  English  name.  Princess  of  Wales,  at 
once  took  a  foremost  position,  which  its  Pansy- 
like flowers,  sweet  perfume,  and  very  long 
stalks  entitle  it  to  retain  even  now,  when  so 
many  so-called  new  ones  are  offered. 

California,  which  as  a  spring-flowering  sort 
is  one  of  the  best,  appeared  soon  afterwards. 
It  is  very  free  and  good,  but  not  equal  to  the 
varieties  Kaiser  Wilhelm  and  La  France,  which 
are  very  much  alike,  and  with  the  King  of 
Violets  cannot  be  easily  separated.  The  flowers 
of  the  trio  are  very  large,  on  stout,  long  foot- 
stalks, and  they  rank  among  the  best  for 
spring  flowering.  But  for  bloom  in  the  autumn 
and  early  winter  Princess  of  Wales  is  the  best 
for  the  open.  Gloire  de  France  is  so  like  La 
France  that  it  is  not  worth  keeping  distinct. 
The  Italian  varieties,  Italia,  Primavera,  Bourg 
la    Reine,  and    Edmond  de  Terte   are    very 


spreading  in  growth,  and  have  large  white 
centres  ;  they  are  the  Violets  which  come  in 
such  large  quantities  from  the  Riviera  during 
the  winter  and  early  spring  months,  but,  as 
grown  here,  are  deficient  in  perfume  and  want- 
ing in  colour.  Luxonne,  which  has  a  white 
eye,  is  a  very  good  Violet,  but  not  distinct 
enough  from  California  to  make  it  worth 
culture.  Lee's  odoratissima  is  a  fine  spring 
flower  of  pale  slate-blue,  very  sweet  indeed, 
but  not  a  very  good  grower.  The  most  distinct 
new  large  Violet  is  Admiral  Avellan.  This  is 
verj'  free,  and  has  rich  violet-purple  flowers 
on  fairly  long  stems,  sweet,  and  striking  in 
colour. 

To  come  to  the  sorts  with  smaller  blossoms, 
Reine  Augustine  is  very  fine,  of  a  blackish 
violet  colour,  on  wiry,  dark  stems,  very  free 
and  striking.  As  a  contrast,  the  two  red 
Violets,  Perle  Rose  and  odorata  rubra,  are  both 
good  and  alike,  and  with  Reine  Augustine  pro- 
duce sheets  of  flowers  which  are  conspicuous 
even  from  a  distance.  If  contrasted  with 
Rawson's  White  (a  form  of  the  wild  white 
Violet),  they  would  all  be  charming  to  form 
masses  on  banks  or  to  front  partially  shaded 
shrubberies.     The  four  are  very  sweet. 

St.  Helena  is  a  perfectly  distinct  pale  blue 
flower,  very  sweetly  scented,  vigorous  in  growth, 
and  it  flowers  in  autumn  and  spring  too ; 
Princess  Beatrice  is  practically  the  same  as 
Victoria  Regina ;  Princess  Soumonte  is  a  sky 
blue  striped  flower,  of  no  value  except  as  a 
novelty  ;  and  the  yellow  Violet  (odorata  sul- 
phurea)  is  pale  orange  -  yellow,  a  botanical 
species  or  variety,  but  it  has  no  scent  to  speak 
of,  and  is  only  a  curiosity. 

These  are  all  the  single  varieties  which  I 
have  grown  and  proved  in  the  open  fields. 
Where  cultivated  in  the  stronger  soil  of  gar- 
dens the  blossoms  are  much  larger.  For  a 
continuous  winter  supply  in  frames  Princess 
of  Wales,  La  France,  and  California  are  the 
best,  but  the  double  sorts  about  to  be  named 
are  special  favourites  for  this  purpose. 

Amateurs  frequently  do  not  get  full  value 
from  V^iolets,  because  they  neglect  to  put  out 
fresh  plants  each  year  in  April.  For  winter 
flowers  this  is  most  essential,  and  the  old  beds 
can  only  bo  depended  on  for  blossom  in  March 
and  April,  except  m  a  warmer  county  than 
Kent.  The  past  wet  and  "  choppy "  winter 
weather  has  been  destructive  of  a  crop,  but 
since  the  end  of  March  there  have  been  fine 
long  stalks  and  bold  flowers. 

Violets  with  Double  Flowees. 

The  old  double  purple  Violet,  which  at  one 
time  was  kept  to  a  single  crown  and  sold  as  a 
Tree  Violet  in  the  market,  is  now  represented 
by  Chambers'  Victoria,  very  double,  and  deli- 
ciously  sweet,  but  too  short  in  the  stalk  when 
grown  outside.  Speaking  generally,  the  double 
Violets  are  only  successful  when  placed  in  cold 
or  slightly  heated  frames  in  September.  They 
should  be  close  to  the  glass,  and  have  free 
ventilation  on  all  fine  days. 


280 


THE   GAEDEN. 


[Apbil  23,  )9C4. 


Marie  Louise  is  perhaps  the  best  of  all ;  its 
grey-blue  blossoms  with  white  centres  are  very 
charming,  it  is  very  sweet,  and  flowers  the 
whole  winter.  Comte  de  Brazza's  White  is  a 
fitting  companion  for  the  above.  The  flowers 
are  large  and  very  sweet.  This  is  also  called 
Swanley  White.  The  old  Neapolitan  is  of  a 
pretty  mauve-blue,  and  rather  later  to  flower. 
De  P'arme  is  practically  the  same.  Mrs.  Astor 
is  a  reddish-flowered  Violet,  which  is  hardie.st 
with  me  in  the  open,  and  produces  its  flowers 
very  freely.  Like  ilarie  Louise  it  has  a  white 
ej'e,  and  is  very  taking.  Lady  Campbell  is 
in  colour  between  the  Neapolitan  and  Marie 
Louise. 

Some  years  back  a  very  large-flowered  double 
white,  with  purple  outside  petals— Keine  des 
Violettes— was  introduced,  but  it  has  fallen 
out  of  culture.  The  blossoms  are  very  fragrant. 
These  notes  may  be  very  useful  to  planters  at 
this  time,  when  new  beds  should  be  made. 

Maidstone.  George  Bunyakd. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


or  some  other  vigorous  type.  Rosette  is  a  very 
pretty  flower.  Mr.  Cornhill  also  sent  the  following 
note:  "Flowers  of  seedling  Daffodils  which  have 
been  raised  here  during  the  past  fifteen  years  ; 
they  are  the  result  of  crossing  single  sorts  with 
Telamonius  plenus.  The  small  white  is  between 
N.  nioschatus  and  N.  Telamonius.  As  you  will 
see,  it  is  even  more  double  than  the  pollen  parent, 
which  in  the  matter  of  colour  has  exercised  but 
small  influence  on  the  progeny,  the  blooms  being 
almost  white.  Only  three  plants  came  from  this 
cross,  two  of  which  have  bloomed,  the  other  being 
simply  a  glorified  moschatus.  That  named  Rosette 
was  shown  several  years  ago.  It  is  between  obval- 
laris  and  Telamonius,  and  is  earlier  than  the  latter 
by  some  days.  It  ought  to  be  a  good  market 
sort." 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
■flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower,  and 
they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor,  5, 
Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


Cineraria  stbllata. 
Now  that  the  colours  of  these  starr}'  Cine- 
rarias have  been  so  greatly  improved  they  are 
quite  invaluable  for  the  greenhouse  in  spring. 
Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge, 
have  sent  us  some  heads  of  flowers  of  their  strain 
of  C.  stellata,  and  among  the  many  bright  and 
distinct  shades  of  colour  are  the  following  :  Palest 
lilac-pink  (very  charming),  rich  blue,  pale  blue, 
violet,  magenta,  purple,  and  lilac-rose.  We  have 
not  seen  the  plants,  but  judging  from  the  number 
•of  blooms  in  each  spray  we  should  imagine  they 
must  have  been  finely  flowered.  Messrs.  Webb's 
strain  is  fully  typical  of  the  improvement  that  has 
been  effected  by  the  liybridiser  in  these  flowers. 


■Primroses  a.vd  Polyanthuses  from  Bbonwylfa 
St.  Asafh. 
Mr.  W.  A.  Watts  sends  a  superb  gathering  of 
Primroses  and  Polyanthuses,  raised  by  the  sender 
from  carefully  selected  seed.  The  Primroses  began 
to  bloom  in  the  autumn,  and  continued  to  do  so 
during  winter.  The  seed  was  sown  in  the  autumn 
■of  1902;  the  young  plants  were  pricked  out  in 
boxes  in  the  early  spring,  and  planted  out  as  soon 
as  large  enough  about  June.  The  soil  in  Mr. 
Watts'  garden  is  a  good  loam  inclined  to  be  heavy, 
and  this  suits  them  admirably.  The  flowers  were 
as  fine  as  anything  we  think  we  have  seen  in  the 
Primrose  way  ;  they  were  not  only  large  in  size, 
but  varied  in  colouring,  ranging  troni  the  purest 
white  through  crimsons,  reds,  yellows,  and  other 
-shades,  and  richly  scented.  A  well-selected  race 
of  Primroses  indeed. 


Narcissus  cerndds  var. 

Mr.  T.  Smith  sends  from  Daisy  Hill  Nursery, 
Newry,  a  very  distinct,  though  not  very  beautiful, 
form  of  N.  cernuus,  and  our  correspondent  writes 
that  it  "has  now  flowered  for  four  seasons  and 
never  varies."  The  colour  is  that  of  the  species, 
but  the  form  is  distinct  and  not  without  a  certain 
quaintness  ;  the  segments  are,  as  it  were,  divided, 
reminding  one  of  those  of  a  Honeysuckle  flower, 
and  notched  at  the  apex. 


Polyanthuses  from  Bath. 
Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon,  Twerton  Hill 
Nursery,  Twerton-on-Avon,  Bath,  send  a  selection 
of  Polyanthuses  which  are  not  only  of  very  beautiful 
colours  but  remarkably  strong.  The  whites  and 
deep  crimsons  are  especially  fine,  the  shades  very 
pure  and  telling. 


A  Remarkably  Fine  Dbndroeiom. 
Mr.  Robert  H.  Measures,  The  Woodlands, 
Streatham,  has  sent  us  a  flower  of  Dendrobium 
wardianum  var.  Miss  Measures.  Mr.  Measures 
says:  "I  think  you  will  agree  with  me  that  it  is 
one  among  many  thousands,  and  few  people  would 
believe  it  possible  to  have  D.  wardianum  so  fine." 
We  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  a  variety  of 
this  popular  Orchid  with  such  large  flowers. 
From  tip  to  tip  of  the  petals  the  distance  was  just 
over  5  inches,  the  width  of  each  petal  was 
li  inches,  and  of  the  upper  sepal  1  inch.  Sepals 
and  petals  are  waxy  white,  the  ends  tipped  with 
purple  ;  the  lip  is  large,  and  has  a  centre  of  rich 
yellow. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


Seedling  Double  Daffodils. 

Mr.  Cornhill,  Byfleet,  Surrey,  sends  an  interest- 
ing series  of  seedling  Daffodils  to  show  what  can 
'be  done  with  the  pollen  of  Telamonius  plenus.  We 
hope  our  correspondent  will  continue  his  work  of 
hybridising,  and  instead  of  Narcissus  moschatus, 
which  has  a  weak   growth,   try   Mme.    de  Graaff' 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

April  26. — Birmingham  Auricula  and  Daffodil 
Show  (two  days). 

April  27. — Chesterfield  Spring  Show. 

May  1. — Dusseldorf  International  Horticultural 
Exhibition  opens. 

May  3— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill  Hall 
Meeting  ;  National  Amateur  Gardeners'  Associa- 
tion's Meeting. 

May  11. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club's 
Meeting ;  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Horticultural 
Show. 

May  17. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

May  19. — Bath  and  West  of  England  Horticul- 
tural Show  at  Swansea  (five  days). 

May  25. — Edinburgh  Spring  Show  (two  days). 

New  Fellows  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society.— At  the  general  meeting 
held  on  Tuesday  last  fifty-one  new  candidates 
were  elected  Fellows,  including  the  Marchioness  of 
Winchester,  Lady  Brunnet,  Hon.  Mrs.  Raymond 
White,  Hon.  Mrs.  Warren  Vernon,  Mr.  R.  H. 
Adams,  Mr.  B.  Lewis  Day,  and  Mr.  Arthur 
Greenstreet. 

Bequests  to  gardening  charities.— 

We  learn  from  Messrs.  G.  NicholMunarid  W.  Botting 
Hemsley,  the  executors  under  the  will  of   the  late 


Mr.  H.  Herbst,  that  the  deceased  bequeathed  ,-tlOO 
each  to  the  Gardeners'  Roj'al  Benevolent  Institu- 
tion and  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund. 

Mr.  S.  T.  Wright.- The  address  of  Mr. 
S.  T.  Wright,  (harden  Superintendent  to  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Societ}',  after  the  23rd  inst.  will  be 
R.H.S.  Gardens,  Wisle}',  Ripley,  Surrey. 

Tring  Park;  Gardens.— It  is  stated  that 

Mr.  Dj'er,  who  has  been  foreman  in  the  gardens  at 
Tring  Park  for  eleven  years,  has  been  appointed  to 
succeed  the  late  Mr.  E.  Hill  as  head  gardener  to 
Lord  Rothschild. 

Belvoir  Castle  spring  flowers.— A 

few  of  the  earliest  fiowers,  such  as  Rhododendrons 
altaclarense  and  nobleanum,  Saxifraga  ligulata. 
Polyanthus  (white  and  yellow),  and  Hyacinths  and 
Narcissi  in  variety  are  now  at  their  best,  but  the 
greater  part  will  not  be  in  full  flower  until  after 
May  2,  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season.  The 
flower  gardens  are  open  to  the  public. 

Abnormal  flowering  of  Daffodils.— 

Referring  to  "  S.  G.  R.s"  note  and  the  accom- 
panying photograph  of  a  Narcissus  pallidus  praecox 
with  three  blooms  on  one  stem,  I  have  once  noted 
a  flower-stem  of  this  variety  with  two  blooms,  and 
amongst  other  unusual  developments  in  Daffodils  I 
have  this  season  had  a  Horsfieldii  bloom  with  eight 
stamens  and  another  with  seven,  and  have  seen  a 
Sir  Watkin  in  a  garden  here  with  eight  petals  or 
perianth  segments,  and  another  with  seven.  I  may 
say  that  my  pallidus  precox  has  not  again  shown 
two  blooms  on  one  stem.  —  W.  A.  Watts, 
Bronwylfa,  St.  Asaph. 

The  proposed  gardeners'  associa- 
tion.— I  do  not  think  that  it  is  fully  understood 
by  many  gardeners  that  a  real  and  substantial 
effort  is  now  being  made  to  found  a  Professional 
Gardeners'  Association,  open  to  all  properly  qualified 
gardeners,  and  for  the  benefit  of  all.  (1)  Registra- 
tion of  gardeners,  (2)  regulation  of  wages,  and 
(3)  regulation  of  hours  are  what  are  set  forth  as  the 
objects  in  view  by  the  strong  provisional  committee 
which  at  present  has  the  affairs  of  the  proposed 
association  in  hand.  What  could  be  better  ?  No 
one  can  deny  that  the  above  are  urgent  needs  in  the 
gardening  world  of  to-day,  and  I  have  strong  hopes 
that  a  realisation  of  the  great  benefits  they  will 
reap  from  No.  1  (registration)  will  induce  many 
employers  to  meet  pacifically  the  association's 
suggestions  regarding  Nos.  2  and  3.  I  will  con- 
clude by  urging  all  gardeners  to  bestir  themselves 
and  actively  aid  this  movement  on  their  behalf. 
An  excellent  example  has  been  set  by  the  Kew 
gardeners,  sixty  of  whom  met  last  week,  and  practi- 
cally signified  their  approval  of  what  is  being  done 
by  making  a  collection  towards  the  cost  of  the 
pamphlet  about  to  be  distributed  b}'  the  provisional 
committee.  Donations  to  this  end  will  be  gladly 
received  by  the  hon.  secretary  of  the  committee, 
W.  Watson,  Descauso  House,  Kew. 

Corylopsis  himalayana.— On  a  west 

wall  at  Kew  an  example  of  this  rare  species  is  now 
(early  April)  bearing  a  number  of  racemes  of 
flowers.  Like  all  the  others,  the  flowers  are  often 
damaged  by  frost.  Altogether  there  are  four 
species  in  cultivation,  all  being  Asiatic,  China  and 
Japan  claiming  three  and  India  one.  C.  himalayana 
was  first  discovered  by  Mr.  Griffith  in  Bhotan,  at 
a  height  of  from  "i.OOO  feet  to  8,000  feet.  It  was 
subsequently  found  in  the  Khasia  Mountains  at  a 
lower  elevation  of  1,000  feet.  According  to  the 
description  of  this  plant  given  in  the  Botanical 
Maijauiie,  it  varies  considerablj'  in  size,  sometimes 
being  met  with  assuming  the  proportions  of  a  small 
tree  20  feet  high,  and  at  other  times  having  the 
habit  of  a  Hazel  bush.  It  was  first  introduced 
into  English  gardens  in  1879  by  Dr.  King,  who 
sent  seeds  of  it  to  Kew.  The  leaves  are  Hazel-like 
in  appearance,  broadly  ovate,  and  -1  inches  to 
(i  inches  long  with  prominent  nerves.  The  flowers 
are  primrose -yellow,  and  in  pendulous  racemes 
2  inches  or  so  long.  At  the  base  of  the  flowers 
moderate-sized  bracts  are  produced  which  are 
similar  in  colour  to  the  flowers.  As  a  wall  plant  it 
may  be  cultivated  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the 
country,  and  in  Cornwall  it  will  doubtless  thrive 
in  the  open,  but  in  the  colder  parts  of  this  country 
a  cold  house  should  be  given. — VV.  Dallimokk. 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


281 


Spring^  flowers  at  Hampton  Court. 

We  have  never  seen  this  famous  old  garden  so  bright 
at  this  season  of  the  year.  A  visit  to  the  palace 
and  gardens  in  the  delightful  spring  weather  which 
has  so  far  prevailed  will  be  well  repaid.  Hyacinths, 
Tulips,  Narcissi,  Grape  Hyacinths,  Scillas,  Chiono- 
doxas,  Polyanthuses,  Arabis,  Double  Daisies, 
Primroses,  and  many  other  things  are  flowering  in 
profusion. 

Bamboo    flowering    in    a   pot.  — A 

Bamboo  (Arundinaria  Simoni),  an  offshuut  of  one 
of  my  outdoor  "tree  Grasses,"  is  now  flowering  in  a 
6-inch  pot  in  the  conservatory.  It  is  a  young, 
straggling,  and  rather  weakly  plant,  4J  feet  in 
height.  It  will  be  curious  to  see  whether  the  act 
of  flowering  either  kills  or  disables  the  Bamboo. — 
F.  C. ,  ErleAgh,  Reading. 

Dusseldorf  International  Exhibi- 
tion.— The  following  is  a  list  of  all  the  shows 
which  will  form  part  of  the  above  exhibition,  which 
opens  on  May  1  :  May  1  to  9,  general  spring  show  ; 
May  6  to  9,  special  display  of  French  and  Italian 
cut  flowers  ;  May  1  to  3,  Orchid  show  ;  May  12  to 
15,  exhibition  of  vegetables,  forced  fruits,  and 
floral  decorations ;  June  12  to  23,  displays  of 
cactaceous  plants  ;  June  25  to  29,  Rose  show ; 
September  3  to  11,  general  autumn  exhibition  ; 
September  6  to  13,  Dahlia  show  ;  September  17  to 
20,  exhibition  of  floral  decorations  ;  September  24 
to  October  2,  vegetable  show  ;  October  8  to  16, 
fruit  show  ;  October  20  to  23,  exhibition  of  Chry- 
santhemums, Orchids,  and  Cyclamens.  Also  from 
May  12  to  the  end  of  August  there  will  be  weekly 
exhibitions  of  various  products. 

BelgTOVe,    QueenstOWn.  —  The    Eeme 

Horticoie  for  April  16  contains  an  appreciative 
article  by  M.  Edouard  Andr(=  upon  Mr.  W.  E. 
Gumbleton's  Irish  garden.  M.  Andre  writes  :  "  It 
would  be  impossible  to  enumerate  all  the  species 
and  varieties  of  interest  that  Mr.  Gunibleton 
showed  to  us  during  a  hurried  visit.  Everywhere 
we  saw  evidence  of  careful  selection  ;  bad  or  in- 
diiferent  plants  are  rigorously  rejected.  The  result 
is  a  collection  of  plants  quite  out  of  the  ordinary, 
charming  to  the  amateur,  and  incomparable  as  an 
example  of  what  ornamental  plants  should  be. 
From  Kew  and  other  gardens  plants  are  often  sent 
to  Mr.  Gunibleton  for  experimental  culture,  as 
they  grow  better  at  Belgrove  than  near  London, 
and  enable  a  correct  opinion  to  be  formed  of  their 
decorative  value."  M.  Andre  gives  a  list  of  some 
of  the  rare  plants  to  be  found  in  Mr.  Gumbleton's 
garden. 

Primroses  at  Hounslow.— The  strain 

of  coloured  Primroses  now  being  grown  in  Mr.  R. 
Dean's  Primrose  Nursery,  Bath  Road,  Hounslow, 
has  always  been  remarkable  for  the  deep  and  even 
brilliant  hues  of  rose-purple  and  crimson  found 
among  them.  They  are  now  in  the  full  flush  of 
their  spring  beauty,  and  the  plants  have  been  in 
bloom  continuously  since  October  last.  Finding  a 
demand  for  seeds  of  Primroses  in  colours,  such  as 
crimson,  rose,  purple,  white,  &a.,  they  are  grown 
in  beds  of  distinct  tints,  though  no  one  colour  can 
be  depended  upon  to  reproduce  itself  in  great 
proportion  from  seeds.  The  crimson  shades  are 
particularly  brilliant  in  the  sunshine.  Mr.  Dean 
endeavours  to  obtain  broad,  stout,  well-rounded 
flowers,  with  pure  yellow  circular  centres,  such  as 
are  prized  in  the  alpine  Auricula.  To  this  end 
seeds  are  saved  only  from  the  finest  flowers  of  each 
colour  ;  the  seeds  are  sown  either  in  the  autumn  or 
in  early  spring,  pricked  off  into  boxes,  and,  as  soon 
as  large  enough,  planted  out  in  the  open.  A  large 
batch  of  seedlings  is  thus  raised  every  year.  A 
bed  of  white  varieties  in  full  beauty  shows  consider- 
able size  of  bloom  and  purity  of  colour.  The  finest 
results  are  from  strong  two  year  old  plants  ;  after 
that,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  particularly  fine 
varieties  retained  for  pedigree  purposes,  the  old 
plants  give  place  to  younger  ones.  Some  selected 
yellows  were  bearing  very  large  flowers.  The  blue 
varieties  have  done  somewhat  indifferently  in  the 
heavj'  loam  owing  to  the  rains  of  autumn  and 
winter,  but  in  a  cold  frame  with  the  protection  of 
glass  they  are  ver_y  fine. 

A  flower  fete  in  Dublin.— In  another 
column  will    be  found    a  report  of    a  combined  | 


bazaar  and  flower  show  which  was  organised  by 
Lord  and  Lady  Ardilaun  on  behalf  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland.  Lord  Ardilaun, 
who  opened  the  floral  fete,  said  :  I  have  no  doubt 
you  all  know  that  the  society  was  in  very  deep 
water,  and  that  there  was  some  difficulty  in  avoid- 
ing its  bankruptcy.  The  only  way  then  that  was 
open  to  us  was  to  have  this  floral  exhibition.  We 
trust  that  most  of  the  citizens  of  Dublin  will  come 
to  see  it,  and  thus  aid  the  society  which  has  done 
so  much  good  in  the  cause  of  horticulture  for  many 
years,  and  that  it  will  be  re-established  on  a  sure 
and  firm  basis.  Mr.  F.  W.  Moore  said  it  devolved 
upon  him  as  chairman  of  the  council  of  the  society 
to  propose  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Lord  and  Lady 
Ardilaun  for  all  that  they  had  done  for  the  society, 
and  for  the  trouble  they  had  taken  in  coming  to 
open  the  show.  Most  of  those  present  were  aware 
that  the  idea  of  holding  this  show  was  inaugurated 
at  a  meeting  convened  by  Lady  Ardilaun  a  few 
months  ago.  Since  that  time  Lady  Ardilaun  had 
gone  to  great  trouble  and  inconvenience  in  order 
to  be  there.     This  floral  fete  was  also  made  the 


Kew  a  large  bush  may  be  seen  in  flower  in  the 
Berberis  dell.  In  the  open  it  grows  about  6  feet 
high,  but  in  the  temperate  house  at  Kew  it  is  quite 
■i  feet  higher.  In  growth  it  forms  a  dense, bush 
composed  of  numerous  reddish  branches.  ;The 
leaves  are  broadly  lanceolate,  4  inches  to  6  inches 
long,  with  serrated  margins.  The  flowers  are 
yellow,  and  in  axillary,  pendulous  racemes,  each  of 
which  contain  a  dozen  or  more  flowers.  It  thrives 
in  any  good  garden  soil,  and  gives  very  little 
trouble.— W.  D. 

Presentation  to  Mr.  Hutcheson,  of 
Messrs.    Storrie   and   Storrie, 

Dundee. — in  honour  of  his  approaching  mar- 
riage, Mr.  D.  C.  Hutcheson,  of  the  firm  of  Messrs. 
Storrie  and  Storrie,  nursery  and  seedsmen,  Dundee,, 
was  entertained  at  a  smoking  concert  held  in 
Young's  Rooms,  Dundee,  a  few  days  ago,  and  was- 
presented  in  the  course  of  the  evening  with  a- 
valuable  marble  clock  and  ornaments,  the  gifts  of 
a  number  of  horticultural  friends.  Bailie  Melville 
presided,  and  the  presentation  was  made  by  Mr. 
William   Grant,  Fernhall  Gardens,  in  an  appro^ 


y 


^y 


A  TYPE   OF   BnNOH-FLOWERED   PRIMROSE   SHOWN^   AT   THE   NATIONAL   AURICULA  SOCIETY'S 
EXHIBITION   ON   TUESDAY   LAST. 


occasion  of  the  annual  spring  show  of  the  society, 
and  there  were  many  groups  of  flowers,  fruits,  and 
vegetables,  besides  the  displays  made  by  the  flower 
stalls.  Among  the  presidents  of  the  stalls  were 
Lady  Ardilaun,  the  Countess  of  Mayo,  the  Countess 
of  Leitrim,  Lady  Bellew,  Viscountess  Skerrin, 
Lady  Holmpatriek,  Hon.  Misses  Hamilton,  Lady 
Arnott  and  Miss  Arnott,  Lady  Talbot  de  Matahide, 
Lady  Ashtown,  Lady  Castlerosse,  and  the  Misses 
Plunkett.  The  first  da}'  of  "La  Floralie,"  as  this 
fete  was  called,  fully  realised  all  the  hopes  of  its 
promoters. 

Stachyurus    prseeox.— Two  species  of 

Stachyurus  have  been  introduced  to  our  gardens, 
S.  prseeox  from  Japan  and  S.  himalaicus  from  the 
Himalaya.  Neither  are  largely  grown,  and  S. 
himalaicus  is  rare.  S.  prfecox  is  widely  distributed 
about  the  mountains  of  Japan,  and  is  also  stated 
to  be  cultivated  largely  in  Japanese  gardens.     At 


priate  speech.  Mr.  Hutcheson,  in  thanking  the 
donors,  made  a  feeling  and  suitable  reply.  Mr. 
David  Storrie,  who  also  spoke,  assured  those 
present  that  he  felt  that  those  who  had  subscribed 
were  not  only  showing  regard  for  Mr.  Hutcheson, 
but  were  also  doing  an  honour  to  the  firm  with 
which  he  was  connected.  Mr.  Storrie  also  referred 
in  high  terms  of  appreciation  to  Mr.  Hutcheson's 
work  in  connexion  with  the  firm  in  the  several 
positions  he  had  occupied — of  apprentice,  journey- 
man, manager,  and  partner.  Miss  Brand,  one  of 
the  employees  of  the  firm,  afterwards  presented 
Mr.  Hutcheson,  on  behalf  of  the  staff  of  the 
nurseries  and  seed  warehouse,  with  an  easy  chair 
and  a  shaving  mirror,  as  a  token  of  their  regard 
and  esteem  and  of  their  good  wishes.  Mr. 
Hutcheson  briefly  replied.  The  toast  of  the  guest 
of  the  evening  was  proposed  by  the  chairman  and 
most  heartily  received. — S. 


282 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904. 


Ppinees    Street    Gardens,    Edin- 

toUPgh. — In  consequence  of  6ome  renewals 
Tendered  necessary  by  sewage  works  in  the  West 
Princes  Street  Gardens,  Edinburgh,  the  gardens 
'have  been  closed  to  the  public  for  a  short  time. 
The  opportunity  is  being  seized  to  make  some 
-desirable  improvements  and  renovations.  It  is 
probable,  also,  that  the  greenhouses  will  be 
removed  to  Inverleith  Park,  where  the  other  glass 
structures  used  for  the  growth  of  the  plants 
required  for  the  parks  stand.  The  Park?  Com- 
mittee have  agreed  to  recommend  that  this  should 
be  done  at  a  cost  of  about  £1,300.  In  the  East 
Princes  Street  Gardens  there  will  shortly  be  a  fine 
display  of  spring  flowers.  A  number  of  the 
Narcissi  are  in  bloom  in  the  more  sheltered  parts, 
and  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  and  other  flowers  are 
•coming  on  rapidly. 

Fruit  Industry  Government  Com- 
mittee.— The  departmental  committee  appointed 
■by  Lord  Unslow  to  enquire  into  and  report  upon 
the  fruit  industry  of  Great  Britain  held  sittings  on 
the  13th,  14th,  and  loth  inst.  The  following 
members  were  present :  Mr.  A.  S.  T.  Griffith- 
Bnscawen,  M.P.  (chairman).  Colonel  Long,  M.P., 
Mr.  C.  W.  Radcliffe-Cooke,  Mr.  Hodge,  Mr. 
Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Somerville,  Mr.  P.  Spencer 
GPickering,  F.B.S.,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Mr. 
Ernest  Garnsev  (secretary).  On  the  13th  inst.  Mr. 
-George  Hughes,  Mr.  E.  T.  Field,  and  Mr.  J.  H. 
Wakeman-Best  as  Worcestershire  growers  ;  on  the 
14th  Mr.  W.  Welchman,  Mr.  Collins  Clayton,  both 
representatives  of  the  Wisbech  district,  and  Mr. 
Tslruse,  a  grower  from  Truro,  Cornwall ;  and  on  the 
15th  Mr.  G.  Kerswell,  Mr.  0.  Trevathan,  as  Devon 
growers,  and  Mr.  P.  Spencer  Pickering,  M.A., 
F.R.  S. ,  as  a  technical  expert,  gave  evidence. 

A  new  early  Onion.— This  is  known  as 

Yellow  Globe.  I  am  not  certain  if  it  has  been  put 
into  commerce,  but  I  saw  it  last  season  in  the  trial 
seed  grounds  of  Messrs.  W.  W.  Johnson  and  Son, 
Limited,  seed  growers,  Boston.  It  is  so  quick  in 
turning  in  that  it  ripens  with  the  earliest  of  the 
Italian  Queen  Onions,  which  are  soft  and  do  not 
keep  long.  But  this  new  type  is  a  yellow-skinned 
Onion,  quite  hard  and  lasting,  so  much  so  that  it 
has  been  known  to  keep  perfectly  sound  and  fit  for 
table  use  for  a  year.  It  produces  but  very  little 
top.  Its  prime  characteristic  is  the  quickness 
with  which  it  turns  in.  It  can  be  sown  at  the 
■same  time  as  the  Early  Queen  type. — R.  D. 

Auriculas  at  Slough.— In  the  Auricula 
•world  there  are  few  more  honoured  names  than 
Turner  of  Slough.  The  firm  has  never  lost  its 
enthusiasm  for  a  flower  that  is  interesting  to  the 
florist  and  invaluable  in  the  garden  in  spring,  when 
■the  beautiful  colourings  and  warm,  rich  fragrance 
seem  to  have  a  special  delight.  Perhaps  it  is  the 
■feeling  of  joy  that  spring  is  born  and  hedgerow  and 
garden  are  bursting  into  flower  or  leaf  ;  but  there 
■is  another  reason,  the  Auricula  gives  its  flowers 
freely  for  small  expense  in  seed  and  labour.  We 
are  not  writing  of  the  edged  varieties  but  of  the 
■many  beautiful  seedlings  selected  from  Mr.  Turner's 
•own  seed,  which  fill  one  large  house.  We  went 
carefully  through  this  collection,  being  interested 
in  the  selfs  and  shaded  flowers,  and  could  not 
-diioover  a  seedling  that  was  poor  in  form  or  in 
colour.  The  alpine  Auriculas  have  always  received 
special  attention  at  Slough,  and  we  have  to  thank 
this  firm  for  many  productions.  Some  are  too 
familiar  to  the  Auricula  grower  to  describe,  others 
are  in  bloom  now  for  the  first  time,  seedlings  that 
will  please  the  growers  of  the  future.  Some,  too, 
are  in  pots,  oihers  in  the  open  ground ;  but 
wherever  they  are  the  colours  and  fragrance  are 
■not  lost.  We  urge  those  who  have  not  yet  grown 
the  alpine  Auriculas  to  do  so.  If  the  garden  is  too 
small  to  plant  them  out  of  doors  grow  a  collection 
■under  glass,  and  study  the  flowers  in  comfort,  for 
they  are  worth  as  much  care  in  growing  them  in 
■pots  as  anything  else  that  requires  glass  protec- 
tion. There  is  abundant  choice,  and  with  a  good 
collection  it  will  be  possible  to  enter  into  rivalry 
at  the  exhibitions  of  Auriculas  held  in  spring. 
The  self  varieties  at  Slough  are  exquisite.  The 
blue  sapphire  colouring  of  the  variety,  named  after 
the  precious  stone  sapphire,  is  very  beautiful,  and 
one  of  the  best  things  that  has  been  raised  by  the 


Kev.  F.  D.  Horner,  whose  notes  are  always 
welcome  in  The  Garden.  Then  there  is  the  rich 
red  of  Lord  of  Lome,  the  sapphire  shading  of 
Elegance  (Turner),  and  the  dark  marone  of  Black 
Bess.  Mr.  Turner  excels  in  the  other  classes, 
those  that  require  the  education  of  a  whole-hearted 
florist  to  thoroughly  enjoy,  we  mean  the  edged 
varieties  green,  grey,  and  white.  The  flowers  of 
these  groups  are  a  study  of  shades,  and  the 
collection  here  is  complete.  We  noticed  among 
the  green-edged.  Lovely  Ann  and  the  Rev.  F.  D. 
Horner ;  among  the  grey-edged  Colonel  Champ- 
noys  (a  flower  of  warm  colouring),  George  Rudd, 
and  William  Brocklebank  ;  and  among  the  white- 
edged  Acme,  Rachel,  and  Smiling  Beauty.  Mr. 
Turner  also  has  several  seedlings.  One  is  Lyric,  a 
flower,  we  think,  will  surprise  even  the  Auricula 
enthusiast  when  it  is  exhibited.  The  flower  is  of 
perfect  shape,  finely  edged,  and  with  a  splendid 
paste  or  centre.  But  it  is  impossible  to  describe 
such  a  collection  as  this  without  introducing  a  list 
of  names.  Descriptions  are  not,  as  a  rule,  enter- 
taining. The  best  way  for  those  who  intend  to 
grow  Auriculas  is  to  visit  a  good  show  of  them,  or 
such  a  nursery  as  Mr.  Turner's. 

Clerodendron    myrmecophilum.  — 

The  introduction  of  a  thoroughly  good  flowering 
plant  is  always  interesting,  not  only  for  its  own 
intrinsic  beauty,  but  also  for  the  possibilities  that 
may  be  in  time  developed  by  the  hybridist. 
Whether  this  last-named  will  benefit  by  the  intro- 
duction of  the  Clerodendron  in  question  is  at 
present  problematical,  but  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  we  were  introduced  to  a  thoroughly  good 
flowering  plant  for  the  stove  at  the  Drill  Hall  on 
the  5th  inst.,  when  Clerodendron  myrmecophilum 
had  a  first-class  certificate  awarded  it.  About  a 
year  ago  it  flowered  at  Kew  for,  I  believe,  the  first 
time  in  this  country,  and  formed  the  subject  of 
several  notes  in  the  horticultural  papers.  The 
numerous  members  of  the  genus  Clerodendron 
differ  considerably  in  their  habits  and  cultural 
requirements,  that  under  notice  forming  an  erect- 
growing  plant,  clothed  with  long,  ovate,  lanceolate 
leaves  of  a  glaucous  hue,  and  terminated  by  a  large 
pyramidal-shaped  panicle  of  flowers,  arranged  in 
regular  whorls.  The  individual  blossoms  are  about 
li  inches  across,  and  of  a  bright  orange-amber 
colour.  As  in  several  other  species,  the  long  and 
slender  stamens  are  very  noticeable,  their  colour 
in  this  instance  being  bright  red.  This  Cleroden- 
dron is  a  native  of  Singapore,  where  it  is  said  by 
its  discoverer — Mr.  Ridley,  of  the  Botanic  Gardens 
there — to  grow  about  3  feet  high,  and  as  being  an 
unbranched  or  few-branched  shrub.  Certainly  its 
behaviour  here  suggests  that,  like  the  Aphelandras, 
it  will  be  seen  to  the  best  advantage  when  confined 
to  a  single  stem.  From  its  native  habitat  the 
warmest  part  of  the  stove  will  be  in  all  probability 
necessary  to  its  well-doing.  There  is  little  doubt 
that  this  Clerodendron  has  a  great  future  before 
it ;  at  all  events,  if  this  does  not  prove  to  be  the 
case  I  shall  be  much  disappointed. — T. 

A  way  of  g-rowing  the  Forsythia. 

Probably  the  finest  efl'ect  at  Kew  annually  is 
made  by  Forsythia  suspensa.  As  a  rule  it  is  at  its 
best  about  mid-April,  and  at  that  time  it  is  a 
really  glorious  sight,  the  general  outline  of  the 
plant  being  light  and  graceful,  the  branches,  many 
of  which  are  from  4  feet  to  5  feet  long,  being  laden 
from  end  to  end  with  bright  golden  blossoms,  as 
many  as  ten  flowers  often  appearing  from  a  single 
bud.  Though  a  well  known  and  common  shrub 
it  is  rarely  met  with  in  such  fine  condition  as  at 
Kew,  and  visitors  are  repeatedly  asking  for  informa- 
tion respecting  the  Kew  method  of  culture.  With 
this  in  view  I  am  giving  a  few  hints  as  to  the 
necessary  treatment  required  for  obtaining  the  best 
results.  Until  the  young  plants — which  by  the  way 
are  raised  from  cuttings — are  three  years  old  they 
are  kept  in  the  nursery.  At  the  end  of  the  second 
year  they  are  cut  back  fairly  hard  to  encourage 
stout  branches  near  the  ground  line.  When  three 
years  old  they  are  placed  in  permanent  positions, 
beds  of  rich  loamy  soil  li  feet  to  2  feet  deep 
being  provided  for  them.  As  soon  as  the  flowers 
are  over  the  spring  following  the  planting  all  the 
strongest  growths  are  headed  back  to  a  height 
of  24    feet  or   3    feet    above  the    ground,   weak 


branches  being  removed  altogether.  During 
summer  a  number  of  strong  branches  are  made 
from  these  cut-back  ones,  while  several  strong 
shoots  also  spring  from  the  base.  These  become 
well  ripened  and  flower  finely  the  following  spring. 
After  the  flowers  are  over,  pruning  is  done  in  a 
similar  way  to  the  previous  year's,  and  the  plants 
being  well  established  very  strong  shoots  are 
made,  branches  4  feet  to  5  feet  in  length  being 
common.  From  this  time  onwards  an  annual 
top-dressing  with  manure  is  given,  severe  annual 
pruning  being  an  exhaustive  process.  The  points 
to  be  borne  in  mind  in  practising  this  method  of 
culture  are  to  prune  as  soon  as  the  flowers  are 
over,  so  as  to  give  as  long  a  growing  season  as 
possible,  thin  the  spurs  well,  and  substitute  young 
for  old  branches  when  an  opportunity  occurs. 
When  grown  to  cover  a  wall  or  trellis  the  main 
branches  are  allowed  to  extend  as  far  as  desirable, 
and  all  secondary  branches  are  spurred  back. 
When  grown  on  this  system  of  severe  pruning  it 
is  not  so  long  lived  as  when  left  to  grow  naturally  ; 
it  will,  however,  go  on  well  for  at  least  ten  or 
twelve  years,  and,  as  it  is  readily  increased 
from  cuttings,  a  bed  can  be  easily  renewed. 
There  are  two  forms  of  F.  supensa  in  cultivation, 
one  being  of  much  weaker  and  more  pendulous 
growth  than  the  other  ;  of  the  two  the  stronger 
one  is  best  fitted  for  beds  in  the  open,  the  other 
being  more  suitable  for  walls.  Although  this 
pruning  has  such  favourable  results  with  regard 
to  F.  suspensa  it  does  not  do  with  either  F.  viri- 
dissima  or  F.  intermedia,  a  slight  thinning  at  the 
most  being  all  that  is  required  by  either  of  these. — 
W.  Dallimore. 

A  rare  double    blue    Hepatica.— 

Those  interested  in  the  Hepaticae  are  to  some 
extent  aware  that  there  are  several  forms  of  the 
favourite  double  blue  form,  which  is  rather  difficult 
to  keep  in  health  in  some  gardens.  There  is  some 
difference  in  the  shade  of  blue,  and  also  in  the  size 
of  the  blooms.  It  is  not  generally  known,  however, 
that  there  is  in  existence  a  very  distinct  form, 
which  has  its  flowers  with  only  the  anthers  in  the 
centre  converted  into  "petals"  (if  one  may  take 
the  liberty  of  using  this  term  to  make  the  matter 
clear  to  the  non-botanical  reader).  The  outer 
portions  of  the  flower  are  of  the  ordinary  form  of 
the  single  blue,  so  that  the  flower  reminds  one  in 
its  formation  of  the  blooms  of  plants  with  what 
are  commonly  called  "guard  petals."  I  was 
indebted  to  Mr.  Boyd  of  Faldonside  for  bringing 
it  before  my  notice,  and  this  season  he  has  sent  me 
flowers  of  this  variety.  He  informs  me  that  it 
has  been  in  a  Wiltshire  garden  for  many  years. 
The  revived  taste  for  the  Hepaticas  makes  this 
form  of  great  interest  at  the  present  time. — S. 
Arnott. 

A  new  hardy  Calanthe.— Although  I 
am  unable  to  say  how  many  hardy  species  of 
Calanthe  there  are  in  cultivation,  several  works  of 
reference  I  have  consulted  give  none  at  all,  and  in 
the  "  Kew  Hand  List  of  Herbaceous  Plants  "only 
one  is  mentioned,  namely,  Calanthe  japonica 
(Japan).  Evidently  then  there  are  not  many  hardy 
species  known  in  gardens.  It  is  all  the  more 
interesting,  therefore,  to  note  the  exhibition  of  a 
new  one.  At  a  show  held  in  the  Botanic  Gardens, 
Regent's  Park,  last  week,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Royal  Botanic  Society,  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son, 
Highgate  Nurseries,  N.,  sent  Calanthe  discolor 
speciosa,  described  as  a  new  hardy  plant  from 
Northern  Japan.  The  specimen  shown  was  about 
12  inches  high,  the  small,  dainty  flowers  having 
green  and  brown  sepals  and  petals  and  pink  lip. 
Judging  from  its  appearance  this  Calanthe  would 
seem  to  promise  well  either  for  culture  in  pots  in  a 
cold  house  or  for  planting  in  the  rock  garden.  It 
is  of  neat  habit  of  growth,  and  even  out  of  flower 
would  be  noticeable  by  reason  of  the  attractive 
leaves.  At  the  same  exhibition  Messrs.  Cutbush 
also  showed  Daphne  Genkwa  and  Megasea  gigantea, 
a  vigorous  plant  with  heads  of  large  pale  purple 
flowers,  and  newly  introduced  from  Yunnan, 
China.  Another  new  plant  that  attracted  attention 
was  Verbena  F.  A.  Bevan,  which  has  pink  flowers 
with  white  centre.  It  was  shown  by  Mr.  Henry 
Parr,  gardener  to  F.  A.  Bevan,  Esq.,  Trent  Park 
Gardens,  Barnet. — A.  H.  P. 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


283 


Trees    and    shrubs   in    flower   at 

Finsbury  Parle. — Mr.  John  MaWille,  super- 
intendent of  Finsbury  Park,  writes  that  the  trees 
and  shrubs  in  flower  in  the  conservatories  there  are 
now  at  their  best,  and  make  an  excellent  display. 
They  are  invaluable  spring-flowering  greenhouse 
plants,  and  a  group  of  well-grown  specimens  is 
most  instructive. 

Kew  g^i^deners  and  organisation. 

A  meeting  of  gardeners  employed  in  the  Royal 
Botanic  Gardens,  Kew,  was  held  on  the  II th  inst. , 
sixty  being  present.  Mr.  J.  Besant  occupied  the 
■chair.  After  a  lengthy  and  interesting  discussion 
of  the  tendencies  and  results  of  associated  effort, 
the  following  resolution  was  put  to  the  meeting, 
and  adopted  with  enthusiasm:  "That  this  meeting 
of  gardeners  employed  in  the  Royal  Botanic 
•Gardens,  Kew,  heartily  supports  the  action  of  the 
provisional  committee  of  the  proposed  British 
Gardeners'  Association  in  its  efforts  to  secure : 
1 ,  registration  of  gardeners ;  2,  regulation  of  wages ; 


STTLOPHOEUM 

DIPHTLLUM. 

(Slightly  reduced.) 

I>rawn  by  H.  G.  Moon, 


3,  regulation  of  working  hours  ;  and  urges  all  gar- 
deners and  gardeners'  societies  to  support  the  move- 
ment by  every  means  in  their  power."  Donations 
towards  the  initial  expenses,  amounting  to  several 
pounds,  were  subsequently  collected. 

Judging    Grapes    by  points.— 

Probably  the  "Rules  for  Judging  Grapes"  will  be 
well  understood  by  intending  exhibitors  at  Shrews- 
bury, but  the  point  at  issue  is  not  the  "  Rules  for 
Judging,"  but  an  explanation  is  wanted  of  the 
■principle  on  which  judging  by  points  in  Grapes  is 
based,  •'.  e. ,  a  correct  definition  of  the  eleven  separate 
points  which  may  be  given  as  the  maximum  to  a 
perfect  bunch  of  Muscat  Grapes.  Further,  is  it 
possible  to  find  nine  points  as  the  maximum  that 
may  be  given  to  a  perfect  bunch  of  any  other 
variety  of  Grape,  and  how  are  these  individually 
defined  ?— J.  P.  Leadbbttkr,  The  Gardens,  Tranby 
Croft,  Hvll. 


Violet   Dr.  Jameson.  —  Until   recently 

this  Violet  was  new  to  me,  but  it  seems  to  be  one 
that  is  well  worth  culture.  The  chief  value  lies  in 
its  earliness — now  it  is  over — but  it  has  been  in 
bloom  since  Christmas  time.  The  flowers  are 
single,  of  good  size,  and  there  is  nothinc;  remark- 
able about  the  colouring,  which  is  violet.  How- 
ever, on  account  of  its  freedom  of  flowering  and 
earliness  the  variety  Dr.  Jameson  is  well  worth  a 
trial.— A.  H.  P. 

The  Almond  (Amygdalus  com- 
munis).— This  is  a  beautiful  tree  for  the  shrub- 
bery or  lawn  with  a  background  of  green  foliage. 
Although  common  in  Surrey,  there  are  many 
gardens  where  this  deciduous  tree  and  its  varieties 
have  not  yet  found  a  place.  Flowering  as  it  does  far 
in  advance  of  other  flowering  trees  and  shrubs,  it 
is  worth  a  place  in  every  garden.  Sprays  of  the 
Almond  are  very  useful  for  house  decoration,  a 
large  vase  of  which  looks  quite  as  effective  as  many 
shrubs  grown  in  pots,  and  the  shrubs,  of  course, 
require  attention  all  the  year  round.  —  F.  W. 
Pbarce,  Temphmere,  Weyhridge.. 

The  Yellow  Root    (Xanthorrhiza 

apiifolia). — A  group  of  this  curious  shrub  is  at 
present  in  flower  in  the  Berberis  Dell  at  Kew,  and 
though  by  no  means  so  showy  as  many  spring 
flowering  shrubs,  it  is  very  interesting  and  worth 
looking  after  by  those  who  like  to  grow  out-of-the- 
way  things.  Xanthorrhiza  is  a  genus  of  Ranunou- 
laceae,  the  species  under  notice  being  a  native  of 
the  southern  United  States  and  the  only  one 
grown.  A  distinctive  feature  about  it  is  the  bright 
yellow  colour  of  the  roots  and  stems,  this  colouring 
giving  rise  to  the  common  name  of  "  Yellow  Root " 
by  which  the  plant  is  known  in  America.  It 
grows  here  to  a  height  of  from  IJ  feet  to  2  feet, 
and  makes  a  spreading  mass  by  reason  of  a  large 
number  of  branches  springing  from  one  common 
root-stock.  The  leaves  are  bright  green  and 
pinnate,  the  lobes  being  again  deeply  divided.  The 
flowers  are  small,  star-shaped,  dull  purple  in 
colour,  and  borne  during  late  March  and  early 
April  in  loose,  terminal  panicles.  According  to 
the  "  Treasury  of  Botany  "  the  American  aborigines 
obtained  a  yellow  dye  from  this  plant,  and 
American  physicians  of  the  present  day  use  it 
medicinally  as  a  tonic— W.  Dallimore. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


GROWING    THE    BLUE    PRIMEOSES. 

WITH  Miss  A.  Smallpieee,  in  her 
advocacy  of  cultivating  blue 
Primroses  in  a  cold  house  or 
frame  in  preference  to  the  open 
ground,  I  am  quite  in  agreement. 
The  cold,  wet  winter  has  cost  me 
many  plants  in  the  open,  my  soil  being  a  heavy 
loam  and  retentive  of  moisture,  but  I  had  taken 
the  precaution  of  growing  all  the  best  varieties 
planted  out  in  a  cold  frame,  and  they  are  simply 
superb.  Plenty  of  air  has  been  given  at  all  times, 
but  they  have  been  screened  from  the  storms  of 
rain  so  frequent  in  the  early  part  of  the  year. 
Nor  have  they  been  hastened  in  any  way.  The 
soil  about  the  plants  was  frozen  hard  on  several 
occasions,  and  the  lights  drawn  off  on  all  favour- 
able occasions.  I  think  there  is  just  a  touch  of 
delicacy  in  the  constitution  of  the  blue  Primrose 
which  makes  it  impatient  of  a  retentive  soil.  Not 
only  are  the  blooms  freely  produced  on  plants  in 
the  frame,  but  the  blossoms  are  very  fine  and 
richly  coloured.  Few  flowers  produce  such  a 
variety  of  tints  of  blue  as  the  Primrose  ;  I  have 
them  from  very  deep  blue  to  azure.  I  find  that 
the  blue  Primrose  seeds  much  less  sparingly  than 
the  other  coloured  varieties,  and,  as  there  is  every 
probability  that  seed  will  always  be  scarce,  it  is 
only  reasonable  to  suppose  that  a  better  seed  crop 
can  be  produced  on  plants  under  glass  than  on 
those  in  the  open,  exposed  as  they  are  to  so  many 
risks  of  climate  and  storm. 

One  of  your  contemporaries  has  taken  me  to  task 
for  stating  that  among  the  pale  shades  of  blue  are 
some  approaching  azure ;    but  I  feel  justified  in 


using  this  term,  for  some  of  the  flowers  come  very 
near  to  the  clear  azure  blue  of  the  sky.  Oue 
requires  to  be  a  grower  of  blue  Primroses  and 
familiar  with  the  varied  lints  of  blue  they  furnish 
to  understand  something  of  the  range  of  colours 
they  present  to  view.  I  notice  with  some  concern 
the  tendency  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  blue  Prim- 
roses to  change  to  crimson  tlie  second  year  of 
flowering.  It  may  be  that  the  late  Mr.  G.  F. 
Wilson  developed  the  blue  from  the  crimson,  and 
that  the  act  of  changing  colour  is  simply  a  reversion 
to  an  anterior  form.  It  is  well,  therefore,  to  raite 
a  batch  of  seedlings  annually  from  seeds  taken  only 
from  the  very  best  flowers.  That  there  is  ample 
room  for  improvement  in  the  blue  Primrose  was 
seen  in  the  generally  inferior  character  of  those 
staged  in  various  collections  of  plants  in  the  Drill 
Hall  on  the  .5th  inst.  Here  and  there  was  a  large 
and  well-formed  variety,  but  many  were  small, 
washy,  and  ragged  in  outline.  R.  Dean. 


STYLOPHOEUM    DIPHYLLUM. 

The  genus  to  which  this  ornamental  plant  belongs 
is  limited  to  two  species,  the  present  one  being  a 
native  of  the  shady  woods  of  the  Western  States  of 
North  America,  and  the  other  one,  S.  japonicum, 
is  an  inhabitant  of  Japan  and  a  portion  of  North - 
Eastern  Asia.  A  third  species  has  been  credited 
to  this  genus  from  the  Himalayas  under  the  name 
of  S.  laclucoides,  the  correct  name  of  which  is 
Chelidonium  franchetianum,  closely  allied  to  the 
well  -  known  Meconopsis.  The  chief  difl'erence 
between  the  two  genera  is  in  the  dehiscence  of  the 
capsule,  which  in  the  present  plant  splits  to  the 
base  into  four  valves.  It  was  introduced  into  this 
country  just  fifty  years  ago.  S.  diphyllum  some- 
what resembles  the  common  Celandine  (Chelidonium 
majus)  in  general  appearance  ;  it  grows  from  1  foot 
to  2  feet  high,  with  perennial  rhizomes  and  glaucous, 
pubescent  leaves,  which  are  deeply  pinnatifid,  inlo 
five  to  seven  oblong,  sinuate  lohed  divisions.  The 
bright  yellow  flowers  remind  one  of  those  of  the 
Welsh  Poppy,  and  are  about  2  inches  in  diameter, 
borne  singly  on  short  peduncles  springing  from 
the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves.  It  is  a  free-flowering 
plant  when  placed  in  a  suitable  situation  in  strong 
loam  and  partial  shade,  where  the  flowers  last 
longer  than  when  it  is  planted  in  full  sun,  and  is 
well  worth  a  place  in  any  but  the  most  select 
border.  The  other  species,  S.  japonicum,  was  not 
introduced  into  cultivation  till  nearly  twenty  years 
after  S.  diphyllum,  and  the  true  plant  is  seldom 
seen.  It  is  of  about  the  same  size,  both  in  habit 
and  in  the  diameter  of  its  yellow  flowers,  and 
differs  in  having  pinnate  leaves,  the  segments  of 
which  are  evenly  serrated.  The  whole  plant  is 
glabrous,  not  hairy,  as  in  S.  diphyllum. 

W.  Irving. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


THREE    NEW    ROSES. 

k    T  the  exhibition  of  plants  and  flowers  held 
l\  in  the  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park, 

/    %         recently  Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Son, 

L a        Waltham  Cross,  showed  three  new  Roses 

/  V      in  a  group  of  these  plants.     They  are 

named  Agnes,  Dora,  and  Warrior. 
Agnes  is  a  Tea  variety,  with  pale  primrose- 
coloured  flowers  ;  Dora  is  a  Hybrid  Tea,  which 
bears  very  large,  silvery-pink  blooms  that  should 
prove  valuable  for  exhibition  ;  Warrior  is  after  the 
style  of  Papa  Gontier,  but  the  flowers,  whose 
colour  may  perhaps  best  be  described  as  deep 
cherry-red,  are  said  to  keep  their  colour  better. 
The  buds  of  this  and  of  the  pale  j'ellow  Agnes  are 
of  excellent  form.  Warrior  is  recommended  as  a 
first-class  forcing  variety.  A.  H.  P. 


NEW    HYBRID    PERPETUAL    ROSE. 
(Commandant  Felix  Faure.) 
The    influx    of    Hybrid    Teas  —  although    it    has 
enriched  our  gardens  with  a  beautiful  race  of  Roses 
—is  directly  responsible  for  the  banishment  of  many 
of    those  gorgeous    Hybrid  Perpetuals  which  in 


284 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904, 


years  goue  by  were  the  delight  of  all  rosarians. 
Until,  however,  the  great  deficiency  of  good  dark 
and  vivid  red  varieties,  which  is  the  weak  point  of 
the  Hybrid  Tea  class,  is  made  good,  it  will  be  quite 
impossible  to  dispense  with  such  magnificent 
flowers  as  A.  K.  Williams,  Prince  Camille  de 
Rohan,  Horace  Vernet,  and  others  of  bright  rich 
colouring.  The  varietj'  under  notice  belongs  to 
this  latter  class,  and  judging  by  its  behaviour 
under  glass  I  have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it 
to  be  a  variety  of  the  highest  excellence,  and  one 
which  will  probably  quite  surpass  Crown  Prince 
and  Duke  of  Edinburgh.  Commandant  Felix 
Faure  was  distributed  for  the  first  time  in  1902  by 
a  French  nurseryman  named  Boutigny,  who  had 
previously  gained  several  awards  for  it.  The 
flowers  are  large,  full,  and  well  made,  and  from  all 
appearances  promise  to  be  quite  good  enough  for 
exhibition.  The  colour  is  a  rich  lake  flushed  with 
lurid  crimson,  and  the  fragrance  is  most  delicious. 

A.  R.  Goodwin. 


ROSE 


ARCHES    AND    THEIR 
MANAGEMENT. 

(Continued  from  page  26S.) 
Another  point  to  remember  ia  the  thinning  and 
training.  Do  not  run  too  many  shoots  to  a  plant, 
or  else  instead  of  getting  good  growth  it  will  become 
weak  and  puny,  and,  worst  of  all,  immature. 
Take  care  also  to  tie  the  shoots  which  are  left 
carefully  in  to  the  arch  ;  a  week's  neglect  may  see 
them  broken  by  wind  or  spoilt  by  chafing  against 
one  another.  A  bad  plan,  and  one  which  is, 
unfortunately,  sometimes  seen,  is  to  tie  one  shoot 
closely  to  another.  Not  only  does  this  prevent 
both  from  getting  the  full  benefit  of  sun  and  air, 
but  they  are  rendered  more  liable  to  injury. 

Formation  of  Arches. 
I  do  not  care  much  for  the  arches  one  usually 
sees  in  ironmongers'  shops.  Several  are  in  use 
in  the  garden  here,  but  their  method  of  construc- 
tion and  fantastic  design  are  against  the  Roses 
taking  kindly  to  them.  Simplicity  never  seems  to 
appeal  to  the  makers  and  designers  of  such  garden 
ornaments  as  these,  and  as  a  rule  little  thought  is 
given  as  to  their  suitability  to  the  purpose  they 
are  made  for.  In  this  district  Oak  is  easily  obtain- 
able, owing  to  the  proximity  of  the  Wyre  Forest, 
and  is  very  generally  used  for  making  pillars  and 
arches.  In  order  to  make  the  uprights  as  durable 
as  possible  no  better  plan  can  be  recommended 
than  dipping  them  in  the  wood  preservative 
which  I  referred  to  some  time  ago  in  the  pages 
of  The  Garden.  Or  another  good  plan  is  to 
procure  ordinary  drain-pipes  slightly  larger  in 
circumference  than  the  posts.  These  should  be 
sunk  in  the  ground  to  the  soil  level  and  the  bottom 
of  each  filled  up  with  cement.  Then  the  posts 
should  be  inserted  and  the  space  between  them  and 
the  pipes  filled  right  up  to  the  top  with  cement 
so  as  to  exclude  all  moisture. 

Iron  versus  Wood. 
For  my  own  part  I  prefer  arches  made  of 
iron  and  wire  to  those  made  of  wood,  simply 
because  of  their  durability,  and  in  our  damp 
climate  this  is  surely  of  some  importance.  Of 
course,  I  am  well  aware  that  many  people  have  an 
objection  to  the  use  of  iron,  giving  as  their  reason 
that  the  plants  never  do  so  well  as  when  growing 
upon  wood.  However,  I  am  not  prepared  to 
accept  this  statement,  as  some  of  the  finest 
examples  of  Rose  arches  which  it  has  been  my 
good  fortune  to  see  were  constructed  of  iron  and 
wire.  It  is  interesting  to  recall  what  Dean  Hole 
says  about  wood  rer.ms  iron:  "The  former  com- 
mends itself  to  the  eye  (and  the  pocket)  at  once, 
and  I  well  remember  the  satisfaction  with  which 
I  surveyed  an  early  experiment  with  Larch  poles, 
the  lower  part  well  charred  and  tarred  and  driven 
deep  into  the  ground,  and  looking  from  the  first 
so  rustic  and  natural.  The  Rose  trees  grew 
luxuriantly,  and  for  three  or  four  summers  I 
esteemed  myself  invincible  in  the  game  of 
pyramids.  Then  one  night  there  came  heavy  rain, 
attended  by  a  hurricane,  and  when  I  went  out  next 
morning  two  of  my  best  trees  were  lying  flat  upon 
the  ground  with  their  roots  exposed   (the  poles, 


having  decayed,  had  snapped  suddenly),  and 
several  others  were  leaning  like  the  tower  at  Pisa 
or  the  spire  of  Chesterfield  Church,  some  hopelessly 
displaced  and  others  deformed  and  broken. 
Shortly  afterwards  I  had  another  disaster,  caused 
by  a  similar  decay — the  top  of  a  pole,  in  which 
two  iron  arches  met  each  other,  giving  way  to  a 
boisterous  wind,  and  so  causing  a  divorcement 
between  Brennus  and  Adelaide  d'Orleans,  long  and 
lovingly  united."  Those  who  have  gone  through  a 
similar  experience  will  not  be  surprised  therefore 
at  my  reiterating  our  veteran  rosarian's  advice  to 
stick  to  iron.  It  is  really  wonderful  what  a  neat 
and  inexpensive  arch  can  be  made  with  old  gas 
piping  and  wire  tastefully  arranged  and  painted. 
Where  a  greater  outlay  is  possible  a  careful  black- 
smith will  soon  make  the  iron  uprights  and  any 
other  parts  required,  and  by  this  means  one  can 
form  one's  own  design  and  ensure  that  simplicity 
which  is  unobtainable  in  the  ready-made  arches. 
One  of  the  best  arches  for  Roses  is  made  with  four 
upright  iron  posts,  two  on  either  side  of  the  walk, 
connected  at  the  top  with  a  cross-piece,  and 
running  parallel  with  the  walk.  The  span  is 
formed  with  two  semi-circles  of  half-inch  round 
iron,    and    the    space    between    these    should    be 


trellised  over  with  galvanised  wire.  This  will 
make  an  arch  of  neat  and  light  appearance,  and 
quite  strong  enough  for  the  purpose. 

Position  and  Arrangement  of  Varieties. 

We  are  frequently  and  rightly  told  that  a 
pergola  should  alwaj'S  lead  somewhere,  and  that 
it  should  never  have  a  dropped-frora-the-sky- 
appearance,  as  my  friend  Mr.  Filzherbert  once 
expressed  it.  To  a  certain  extent  the  same  holds 
good  for  arches — at  any  rate,  they  should  never  be 
dotted  about  all  over  the  place  and  allowed  to 
obscure  the  view  of  more  important  objects.  At 
the  junction  of  walks  or  at  intervals  along  a  border 
of  hardy  flowers  they  look  their  best,  more 
especially  if  care  be  taken  to  keep  them  in  harmony 
with  the  other  subjects  they  come  in  contact  with. 
The  best  arches  are  generally  those  which  have  the 
same  varieties  planted  on  either  side,  but  amateurs 
with  limited  space  are  not  always  willing  to  do 
this,  and  in  that  case  a  good  plan  is  to  plant  a 
summer-blooming  variety  on  one  side  and  an 
autumnal  bloomer  on  the  other.  There  is  no  need 
for  me  to  give  a  list  of  varieties  suited  to  this 
work,  as  they  have  oftentimes  been  noted  in  The 
Garden.  Those  who  wish  to  have  some  arches 
and  could  not  do  the  work  last  autumn  should 
remember  that  there  is  yet  plenty  of  time  to  carry 
it  out  by  means  of  established  pot  plants,  which 
are  obtainable  from  any  of  our  best  Rose  nurseries. 
May  is  quite  soon  enough  to  plant,  and  if  the 
plants  are  well  supplied  with  moisture  they  will 
soon  make  headway  and  catch  up  those  which 
were  planted  in  the  autumn. 

Worcestershire.  A.  R.  Goodwix. 


THE 


HAMMOCK    UNDER 
THE    OAKS. 


H 


(Continued  from  fic-^J^  261.) 
EPATICAS,  so  well  protected  by  a 
woolly  covering,  which  consists 
of  silky  hairs  on  stems,  leaf-buds, 
and  calyx,  were  the  first  plants 
to  vouchsafe  us  a  flower  last  spring. 
Sometimes  they  open  on  sunny 
banks  in  late  February  or  early  in  March.  The 
bank  I  am  describing  faces  the  south-east,  and 
was  covered  lightly  with  dead  Oak  leaves 
through  the  winter.  When  this  covering  was 
removed  late  in  March  the  Hepaticas  were  just 
ready  to  bloom.  They  were  soon  followed  by 
colonies  of  Scillas,  Blue-bells,  and  Chionodoxas. 
Then  came  the  sheets  of  Mertensia  virginica, 
which  had  been  interesting  for  some  days 
before  they  flowered  for  their  dark  plum- 
coloured,  almost  black,  leaf-buds,  peering 
above  the  mould,  and  growing  lighter  almost 


every  hour,  until  the  expanded  leaves  change 
to  a  dull  green,  fall  back,  and  disclose  the 
scorpoid  racemes  of  pink  buds  and  light  blue 
flowers  within.  Veronica  amethystoides  was  a 
sheet  of  blue  early  in  May,  and  was  soon 
followed  by  the  blossoms  of  a  pretty  and 
delicate  species,  V.  rupestris,  a  charming 
trailer,  fitted  to  hang  over  rock  ledges,  not 
nearly  so  rampant  of  growth  as  the  specie^ 
first  named. 

A  patch  of  Veronica  incana  is  doing  very 
well  on  this  bank,  and  bears  out  the  theory 
that  plants  with  grey  foliage  are  especially  well 
adapted  to  resist  hot  suns  and  drought.  The- 
flowers,  however,  are  more  purple  than  blue. 

Veronica  spicata  is  a  late-blooming  species 
which  furnished  us  with  a  good  patch  of  colour 
in  July. 

Some  of  our  native  wild  Veronicas  have 
quite  pretty  flowers.  One  of  these  that  is 
quite  abundant  here  is  Veronica  oflicinalis.  I 
call  it  a  native,  but  botanists  are  in  doubt 
whether  to  class  it  as  adventitious  orindigenous. 
I  believe  it  is  common  in  Europe.  I  have  just 
obtained  from  a  plant  dealer  a  species  of 
Veronica  that  he  calls  V.  vulgaris.  It  looks- 
like  one  of  our  native  Veronicas,  but  I  do  not 
recognise  the  name,  which  is  probably  a 
misnomer. 

V.  gentianoides  and  V.  longifolia  subsessilis 
are  also  established  on  this  bank,  and  are  no- 
doubt  well  known  to  English  gardeners. 

The  Delphiniums  and  Campanulas  on  the 
bank  did  unusually  well  last  summer,  owing,  I 
suppose,  to  the  unprecedented  wet  and  cool 
weather  we  had.  Indeed,  the  watering-pot  has 
had  a  long  vacation,  and  only  now — October — 
has  been  brought  again  into  use  for  our  potted 
plants. 

We  sowed  some  seeds  of  annual  Larkspurs 
on  the  bank  in  May,  and  these  are  now  in 
flower.  We  also  sowed  annual  mixed  Collinsias, 
but  these  all  turned  out  to  be  purple  and  white. 
There  is  a  blue  flowering  wild  Collinsia 
sometimes  to  be  met  with  in  our  woods.  It 
is  Collinsia  verna,  but  I  have  not  yet  had  an 
opportunity  to  naturalise  it.  Just  now  Nature 
has  supplied  us  with  an  unasked  but  acceptable 
drapery  for  the  bank  in  the  shape  of  light  and 
dark  blue-flowered  Morning  Glories,  which  are 
something  of  a  nuisance  in  this  garden.  Just 
in  this  place,  however,  they  are  too  pretty  to 
be  destroyed. 

This  is  a  meagre  list  of  blue  flowers,  but  the 
efl'ect  has  been  good.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
have  a  large  variety  of  flowers  to  produce  a  good 
mass  of  colour  ;  indeed,  it  is  best  to  use  as  few 
kinds  as  possible.  In  this  instance  plants  that 
would  keep  up  a  succession  of  bloom  throughout 
the  flowering  season  had  to  be  selected. 

I  am  now  making  an  edging  to  this  bank, 
where  the  path  borders  it,  of  Plumbago 
LarpentK.  This  Plumbago  is  hardy ;  is,  with 
us,  rather  sparing  of  its  deep  blue  flowers, 
which  is  its  greatest  fault,  but  it  has  the  merit 
of  changing  in  autumn  to  beautiful  tints  of 
salmon,  red,  and  orange,  so  that  it  is  a  valuable 
plant  to  use  as  an  edging. 

On  August  15  last  I  had  occasion  to  pay  a 
short  visit  to  Washington,  which  is  .sixty  miles 
from  my  home.  The  express  train  by  which  I 
travelled  stopped  at  Weverton,  a  manufac- 
turing town  on  the  Potomac.  The  track  at 
this  point  ran  for  some  miles  along  the  river- 
side, and  there  was  a  stretch  of  sloping  bank 
alongside  which  was  covered  with  some 
herbaceous  plant  with  fresh  green  foliage, 
starred  with  pretty  blossoms  of  azure  blue.  I 
was  unable  to  determine  what  they  were,  as 
the  train  went  by  too  fast  for  me  to  get  more 
than  an  indistinct  impression  of  their  shape 
and  size.    They  seemed,  however,  to  be  about 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


285 


the  size  of  an  English  shilling.  They  were 
not  in  clusters,  but  were  dotted  about  the 
plants,  and  so  freely  produced  as  to  make  a 
pretty  blending  of  green  and  blue.  I  have  in 
vain  ransacked  my  books  on  American  wild 
flowers  to  try  to  give  a  name  to  this  blue-eyed 
stranger.  On  the  way  back  from  the  city,  a 
week  later,  I  armed  myself  with  a  good  spy- 
glass. But,  alas !  the  train  went  by  at  full  speed 
and  made  no  stop  at  Weverton,  so  I  see  nothing 
for  it  but  to  submit  to  the  tantalising  puzzle 
for  nearly  a  year,  until  next  August,  when  we 
■can  go  on  a  botanising  excursion  to  Weverton 
with  trowels  and  lunch-baskets  in  quest  of  the 
"little  blue  flower."     Danske  Dandridge. 


THE    FLOWER   GARDEN. 


SOME     EEMINISCENCES    OF    THE 
HOLLYHOCK. 

YO  U  have  done  well  to  reproduce  Mr. 
William  Paul's  essay  on  the  Holly- 
hock. It  was  originally  published  in 
1855,  and  I  am  sure  the  veteran  author, 
who  is  still  with  us,  will  be  gratified 
to  find  his  work  of  half  a  century  ago 
held  in  such  honour.  I  think  the  golden  age  of 
the  Hollyhock  extended  from  the  early  fifties 
until  the  middle  of  the  seventies,  tor  the  disease 
was  at  the  later  time  devastating  collections,  and 
the  veteran  William  Chater,  at  Saffron  Walden, 
was  bewailing  the  extinction  from  this  cause  of 
some  of  the  finest  varieties  he  had  raised.  Every- 
thing that  it  seemed  possible  for  mortal  to  devise 
he  applied  to  arresting  the  destructive  disease,  but 
with  only  partial  success.  Almost  before  the 
expiration  of  the  fifties  the  culture  of  the  Holly- 
hock had  to  be  abandoned  at  the  Royal  Nursery, 
"Slough,  from  this  cause. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  1848  complaints 
were  being  made  that  the  Hollyhock  was  a 
neglected  flower,  and  that  few  cared  to  busy 
themselves  with  its  improvement.  Two  or  three 
years  after  the  work  set  in  in  earnest,  Paul  (of 
■Cheshunt),  Rivers  (of  Siwbridgeworth),  \V.  Chater, 
R.  B.  Bircham,  Roake,  and  others  were  all  busy 
improving  on  the  work  commenced  by  Charles 
Baron  a  few  years  previously.  Mr.  Chater  once 
told  me  that  neither  Baron  nor  himself  employed 
foreign  seed  ;  they  simply  selected  from  their  very 
best  flowers.  Mr.  Thomas  Rivers  raised  a  variety 
named  Aurantia  from  foreign  seed,  and  this 
Mr.  Chater  found  of  value  in  giving  him  certain 
tints  of  colour  ;  but  during  the  whole  course  of  his 
■career  as  a  raiser  he  found  the  Hollyhock  very 
sportive  indeed  from  seed. 

These  early  raisers  were  bent  upon  improving 
■the  double  form.  They  got  single  varieties  and 
also  semi-doubles  among  their  seedlings,  but  they 
were  rejected  ;  seed  from  them  would  mean 
■reversion.  They  aimed  at  petals  of  thick  substance, 
•smooth  and  even  on  the  edges  and  not  jagged. 
They  laid  down  the  principle  that  the  compact 
■mass  of  florets  forming  the  centre  should  be  closely 
and  symmetrically  arranged,  rising  in  the  middle 
so  as  assume  a  halt  globular  form.  Then  there 
were  the  basal  or  guard  petals,  and  these  were 
.prone  to  assume  a  width  out  of  proportion  with 
the  centre ;  it  was  held  that  the  guard  petal 
■should  be  flat  and  stiff  and  extending  half  an  inch 
or  so  beyond  the  central  ones.  lu  this  way  was 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  magnificent  double 
iHoUyhocks  which  William  Chater  and  the  Rev. 
Jidward  Hawke  used  to  show  against  each  other 
at  Bishop  Auckland  in  the  early  seventies.  Will 
a  time  of  revival  of  interest  in  the  Hollyhock 
■come  in  the  near  future,  and  collections  of  spikes 
of  bloom  averaging  3  feet  in  length  be  once  more 
a  striking  feature  at  our  late  summer  flower  shows  ? 
What  a  feature  they  could  be  made  to  be  at  the 
Shrewsbury  Flower  Show  in  August  ! 

Mr.  Chater  always  controverted  the  opinions 
expressed  by  some  that  the  fine  double  Hollyhocks 
•deteriorated  in  course  of  time  and  became  single. 
If    the    plants    were    neglected    there   would    be 


deterioration  in  the  blooms,  but  it  was  only  a 
transient  condition.  It  would  happen  that  when 
roots  of  Hollyhocks  were  divided  the  blooms  would 
not  be  so  fine  the  first  year,  but  the  second  year, 
with  proper  cultivation,  they  came  very  perfect  in 
development,  and  the  Hollyhock  has  always  been 
remarkable  for  its  constancy  of  character. 

R.  Dean. 


ROCKY    STEPS    IN    THE    GARDEN. 

In  many  gardens  in  hilly  districts  rock  or  stone 
steps  are  essential  to  enable  one  to  get  from  one 
part  to  another,  and  however  picturesque  the 
garden  it  cannot  be  beautiful  unless  there  are  such 
pretty  ways  as  these.  Glaring  bricks  and  the  clean- 
struck  joints  of  the  finished  bricklayer  or  mason  are 
out  of  place  and  not  suitable  for  the  growth  of 
alpine  flowers.  There  are  gardens  in  Surrey, 
Yorkshire,  Derbyshire,  and  other  places  where 
these  things  have  received  proper  attention,  where 
crack  or  crevice  has  been  made  the  home  for  some 
little  plant  that  would  be  able  to  increase  and 
spread  as  the  days  went  on.  In  one  garden  of 
which  I  had  charge  some  years  ago  there  were  about 
a  dozen  or  fourteen  different  flights  of  garden  step3 ; 
some  with  as  many  as  a  score  of  steps  or  treads  to 
each  flight,  some  passed  through  woodland  and 
wild  parts,  others  came  into  touch  with  rock, 
water,  or  bog  garden,  and,  again,  others  were  in 
closer  touch  with  ttrrace  or  lawn.  Needless  to 
say,  no  one  treatment  suited  all,  and  whde  oaken 
branches  did  well  for  the  woodland  portion,  sand- 
stone or  other  rocky  substance  did  the  same  in 
those  instances  bordering  on  the  rock  garden 
or  like  places.  While 
Vincas,  London  Pride, 
and  the  like,  with  wild 
Violet  or  Primrose,  were 
happy  in  woodland 
places,  in  the  stony  or 
rocky  steps  were  such 
things  as  Erinus,  the 
small  Linarias,  Erysim- 
mura  or  Wallflowers, 
Armeria,  Aubrietias, 
Sedums,  Saxifragas,  and 
the  like.  What  should 
be  kept  in  view  when 
gardening  in  such 
restricted  areas  is  the 
established  growth  of 
the  plant  employed,  so 
that  nothing  unduly 
vigorous  is  used.  Linaria 
alpina  and  L.  hepatiese- 
foliaand  Erinus  are  most 
useful  in  a  general  way. 
On  the  other  hand,  the 
more  carpeting  subjects, 
as  Aubrietia,  should  be 
cautiously  employed,  and 
then  not  on  the  tread  of 
the  step,  but  to  drape 
the  side  wall.  Corners 
may  be  occupied  by 
Corydalis  lutea,  and  the 
blue  and  white  of  (Cam- 
panula pumila  will  be 
found  among  the  most 
serviceable  of  plants.  In 
all  cases  the  original 
planting  should  be  a  thin 
one,  as  thouajh  seedlings 
had  cropped  up  among 
the  stones.  In  this  way  a 
more  natural  furnishing 
will  result. 

E.  H.  Jenkins. 


World,  yet  many  of  the  former  are  most  interesting; 
from  their  peculiar  forms,  their  bizarre  colours,  and 
sweet  perfume.  The  most  striking  peculiarity  in 
our  indigenous  Orchids  is  their  "mimicry,"  which 
few  of  our  hot-house  Orchids  can  equal.  Aceras 
anthropophora  simulates  a  hanging  man,  Cypripe- 
dium  Calceolus  is  Venus'  Slipper.  The  Ophrys  are 
especially  peculiar  in  their  forms  :  0.  apitera 
resembles  a  bee ;  0.  arachnites,  a  hornet ;  0. 
aranifera,  a  spider  ;  0.  bombilifera,  a  silkworm  ; 
0  muscifera,  a  fly  ;  0.  scolopax,  a  woodcock  ;  and 
0.  tenthredinifera,  a  saw  handle  ;  in  short,  the 
resemblance  of  these  flowers  to  insects  is  really 
most  striking,  the  shapes  are  manifest,  and  the 
colours  often  well  adapted  to  the  shapes.  The 
Orchises  are  not  less  peculiar,  0.  galeata  resembles 
a  helmet,  and  0.  papilionaoea  a  miniature  butterfly. 
This  brief  enumeration  can  give  but  a  very  feeble 
idea  of  the  oddities  of  these  little  flowers,  many  of 
which  belong  to  our  fl')ra,  and  great  bunches  of 
which  we  often  gather  in  the  meadow^,  on  the  hill 
and  woodsides,  and  on  the  brinks  of  the  marshes. 
The  area  of  their  dispersion  is  very  varied,  and 
while  some  species  will  only  grow  in  very  dry 
places,  others,  on  the  contrary,  require  a  moist 
and  marshy  soil.  This  is  an  important  considera- 
tion of  which  we  shall  speak  again  when  treating  of 
their  cultivation. 

The  number  of  Orchids  which  grow  in  the  open 
air  is  extensive,  but  only  a  small  number  among 
them  are  worthy  of  a  placs  in  the  garden;  we  will 
briefly  mention  them  :  Aceras  anthropophora  with 
its  spike  of  little  green  flowers,  representing  a 
hanfing  man,  is  always  a  curiosity;  Anacamptis 
pyramidalis  loves  dry  situations,  where  in  May  and 


HARDY  ORCHIDS. 

It  is  not  for  a  moment 
my  intention  to  compare 
the  modest  Orchid  which 
grows  in  the  fields  and 
woods  or  by  the  margin 
of  our  marshes  with  the 
incomparable  species 
indigenous   to   the  New 


STONE   STEPS   IN    FLOWER   GARDEN. 


286 


THE     GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904, 


June  it  shows  its  spike  of  bright  purple  flowers  ; 
Bletia  hyaointhina,  or  Japanese  Hyacinth,  has 
beautiful  flesh-coloured  pink  flowers,  it  must  be 
cultivated  in  pots  ;  Epipactis  alba,  which  resembles 
ihe  May  Lily,  prefers  a  partly  shaded  and  moist 
situation  ;  Cypripedium  Calceolus  and  others 
succeed  under  trees  and  in  peaty  soil  ;  Limodorum 
arbortivum  is  a  curious  plant  with  upright  bare 
stems,  violet-coloured  like  the  flowers  ;  it  is  an 
inhabitant  of  ancient  upland  forests.  The  Ophrys 
with  their  fantastic  forms  ought  to  be  included. 
0.  apifera,  0.  aranifera,  0.  arachnites,  and  0. 
rayodes  are  to  be  found  in  meadow  lands  at  a  slifrht 
elevation  above  the  sea  level  or  on  the  borders  of 
woods  ;  they  are  all  interesting  and  worthy  of 
cultivation.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  Orchis. 
Who  has  not  gathered  in  April  and  May  the 
flowers  of  0.  maacula,  with  its  spikes  of  purple  or 
white,  and  its  leaves  as  prettily  spotted  with  black 
as  those  of  some  of  our  exotic  Cypripediums?  This 
Orchid  is  met  with  everywhere  in  uncultivated 
lands.  It  is  the  same  with  0.  Morio,  which 
blossoms  in  May  and  .June.  On  the  other  hand, 
0.  maculata,  whose  leaves  are  similarly  spotted, 
and  its  white  flowers  speckled  with  purple,  loves 
the  shelter  of  trees  and  humid  meadows  especially. 
0.  odoratissima  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  meadow, 
where  it  betrays  its  presence  in  June  and  July  as 
much  by  the  colour  of  its  purple  flowers  as  by 
their  sweet  scent.  Orchis  papilionacea,  of  which 
there  are  nianj'  varieties  with  white  or  purple 
flowers,  is  a  beautiful  species,  which,  as  well  as 
0.  italica,  is  worth  cultivating  in  pots.  Serapias 
Lingua  is  a  beautiful  Italian  species  with  purple 
flowers  :  it  likes  sun  and  a  light  soil. 

With  hardy  Orchids,  especially  those  which 
are  indigenous  to  the  country,  one  may  realise  the 
dream  of  having  a  natural  and  apparently  uncul- 
tivated garden  by  planting  them  in  the  turf  or 
under  the  trees,  for  they  must  have  the  same  con- 
ditions in  our  gardens  as  they  have  growing  wild  ; 
the  whole  secret  of  success  lies  in  this.  The  places 
where  they  may  be  planted  are  many.  Every 
garden  of  any  extent  has  its  "wild"  corner.  In 
a  small  lawn  some  Orchis  or  Ophrys  may  be  placed 
here  and  there  ;  approaches  to  the  undergrowth  in 
woods  are  the  favourite  spots  for  many  species, 
and  in  order  to  learn  how  to  dispose  them  in  these 
places  a  lesson  must  be  taken  from  a  forest  glade, 
or  from  beneath  an  old  forest  tree,  so  that  one  may 
learn  how  Nature  herself  has  planted  them.  The 
banks  of  a  stream  of  water  can  in  the  same  way  be 
made  bright  with  Orchis  maculata.  Thus  then,  if 
a  situation  approaching  as  closely  as  possible  to 
that  of  Nature  be  giveu  to  our  indigenous  Orchids, 
one  may  hope  to  keep  them  ;  but  when  once 
planted  they  must  not  be  disturbed.  With  time 
they  will  grow  larger,  form  tufts,  and  increase  in 
beauty. 

It  is  not  the  same  with  the  species  of  southern 
origin,  which  require  shelter  during  the  winter, 
and  which,  consequently,  are  better  cultivated  in 
pots.  We  may  add  that  the  indigenous  species 
can  be  equally  well  grown  in  pots.  The  compost 
which  appears  best  to  suit  most  of  these  Orchids  is 
an  equal  mixture  of  leaf-mould,  loam,  and  sand, 
with  good  drainage.  The  pots  are  plunged  in  a 
half-shaded  cold  frame,  and  are  covered  with  a 
little  natural  moss.  During  growth  the  soil  should 
be  kept  more  or  less  moist,  according  to  the  species, 
but  after  flowering  watering  is  discontinued  and 
the  plants  left  exposed.  These  general  conditions 
ought  to  be  aided  by  other  cultural  care,  but  they 
are  the  chief  requirements.  One  of  the  most  im- 
portant points  is  planting.  Many  people,  attracted 
by  the  beauty  of  an  Orchid  which  they  meet  with 
in  a  wood  or  field,  carefully  uproot  it  and  place  it 
in  a  pot  or  in  a  spot  similar  to  that  in  which  it 
naturally  grew  ;  but  these  plants,  having  no  strong 
root-system,  thus  torn  up  while  in  full  growth, 
always  suffer,  and  sometimes  die.  This  operation 
should  only  be  effected  during  their  period  of 
repose,  that  is,  in  September,  or  October  at  the 
latest.  At  this  time  growth  is  suspended,  new 
bulbs  are  formed,  and  they  may  be  regarded  as 
flowering  bulbs,  but  they  must  be  replanted 
immediately  after  being  taken  up,  for  they  will 
not  stand  being  kept  a  long  time  out  of  the  ground. 
Jdles  Rudolph,  in  La  Rtvue  Horticole. 


TREES     AND     SHRUBS. 


XANTHOCEEAS    SOEBIFOLIA. 

JUDGING  by  comments  at  the  Drill 
Hall  meeting  on  the  5th  inst. ,  when  a 
fine  group  of  this  beautiful  shrub  (well 
showing  its  adaptability  for  flowering  in 
pots)  was  contributed  by  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  and  Sons,  it  is  by  no  means  gene- 
rally known,  yet  it  has  been  cultivated  in  our 
gardens  for  many  years.  The  one  drawback  is 
that  as  a  shrub  in  the  open  ground  in  this  countrj* 
it  is  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  sharp  frosts  and 
cutting  winds  of  spring,  though  where  it  escapes  it 
forms  a  delightful  object,  and  one  perfectly  dis- 
tinct from  any  other  shrub  in  cultivation.  The 
actual  winter  frosts  have  no  efl'ect  whatever  on  it, 
and  in  this  respect  the  Xanthoceras  resembles 
many  other  natives  of  Eastern  Asia,  from  where 
it  was  introduced  by  L'Abb^  David  in  1S68,  though 
it  was,  I  believe,  long  known  to  botanists  previous 
to  that  time,  having  been  discovered  by  the  German 
botanist  Bunge,  who  accompanied  a  Russian  mission 
which  travelled  overland  from  Russia  to  Pekin. 
This  Xanthoceras,  which  is  the  only  member  of  the 
genus,  belongs  to  the  order  Sapindacea;,  and  is 
therefore  a  near  ally  of  the  Horse  Chestnut  and  of 
the  Chinese  Kolreuteria  paniculata. 

The  Xanthoceras  forms  a  sturdy-growing  shrub 
or  small  tree,  with  stout,  ascending  branches, 
clothed  with  pinnate  leaves  of  a  bright  glossy 
green  tint.  These  leaves  consist  of  seven  to  nine 
leaflets  with  serrated  margins,  bearing  in  general 
appearance  a  certain  resemblance  to  those  of  the 
Sorbus,  hence  its  specific  name.  The  flowers,  which 
make  their  appearance  simultaneously  with  the 
leaves,  are  densely  packed  in  shortish  racemes 
produced  from  the  terminal  buds  of  the  preceding 
year's  growth.  Individually  the  flowers  are  about 
1  inch  in  diameter,  and  in  colour  white,  with  a 
coppery  red  centre,  caused  by  the  base  of  the 
petals  being  of  that  hue.  The  Xanthoceras  must 
not  be  forced  hard,  but  simply  given  glass  protec- 
tion ;  the  flowers  and  foliage  develop  without  a 
check  in  early  spring.  In  particularly  favoured 
districts  the  flowers  are  succeeded  by  comparatively 
large  capsules,  not  unlike  some  of  the  smooth- 
fruited  forms  of  ^Esculus.  The  black,  shining 
seeds  are  said  to  be  edible.  As  illustrating  the 
fact  that  this  Xanthoceras  is  by  no  means  a  novelty, 
it  may  be  mentioned  that  it  formed  the  subject  of 
one  of  the  flrst  coloured  plates  in  The  Garden, 
having  been  illustrated  nearly  thirty  years  ago. 

H.  P. 


MOUNTAIN     PLANTS    OF 

NEW    ZEALAND. 

(Continued  from  page  :1'70.) 

WHEN  near  the  summit  we  foitnd 
on  the  side  of  a  steep  spur 
several  large  patches  of  the 
Bog  Pine  (Daorydium  Bidwillii) 
intermingled  with  a  stunted 
growth  of  Phyllocladus  alpinus. 
The  former  is  always  dwarf,  but  though  the 
latter  usually  attains  the  stature  of  a  small 
tree,  here  it  was  not  more  than  a  couple  of  feet 
in  height.  Further  u]!  in  the  same  gully  we 
found  Celmisiaprosepens,  of  which  lower  down 
we  had  seen  severaismallplants  growingin  large 
patches  in  great  profusion  and  flowering  freely. 
It  is  a  lovely  form,  for  though  its  leaves  are  not 
.showy,  the.  flower-stems,  unlike  most  of  the 
Celmisias,  are  graceful,  and  the  hillside  on 
which  they  grew  formed  a  delightful  picture. 
Still  further  on,  however,  we  saw  the  best  sight 
we  met  with.  It  was  an  alpine  meadow  of 
two  or  three  acres  in  extent,  having  a  very 
gentle  slope  towards  the  stream,  which  was 
covered  with  Celmisia  viscosa,  growing  in  beds 
varying  from  a  foot  or  two  across  to  several 
yards.  Most  of  them  were  covered  with  multi- 
tudes of  flower  buds,  whilst  a  few  were  white 


veith  the  expanded  blossoms.  Though  indi- 
vidually the  fiowers  hardly  equal  those  of  C. 
prosepens,  the  effect  produced  by  them  in  mass 
was  very  charming.  On  many  of  the  plants 
the  petals  of  the  unopened  buds  were  suffused 
on  the  outside  with  a  delicate  shade  of  pink,  a 
colour  I  have  never  before  observed  in  any  of 
the  genus.  The  rosettes  formed  by  the  short, 
thick,  viscid  leaves  of  a  dark  green  were  a 
better  setting  for  the  flowers  than  was  the 
foliage  of  U.  prosepens  and  the  rather  longer 
rayed  and  more  graceful  flowers,  though  really 
it  was  difficult  to  say  which  was  the  better 
plant. 

In  many  of  the  moister  places  the  pretty 
little  Viola  Cunninghamii  displayed  in  abund- 
ance its  white  blossoms,  whilst  many  boggy 
places  were  whitened  by  the  flowers  of 
Euphrasia  repens,  and  among  the  rocks  near 
the  streams  Ourisia  CEesyjitosa  was  in  bloom. 
Several  species  of  Aciena  and  Aciphylla  were- 
found.  The  former,  which  I  see  are  grown  at 
home  in  rock  gardens,  were  fortunately  only 
in  flower,  as  when  in  seed  they  cling  to  the 
garments  of  those  walking  amongst  them.  The 
popular  name  of  the  genus  is  Bid-a-bid.  Of 
the  Aciphyllas  the  most  interesting  was  perhaps 
A.  Traillii,  a  small  species,  which  suggests  a 
young  Palm  by  its  habit.  Near  the  crest  of  the 
range  Gentiana  pleurogynoides  was  abundant 
with  its  flower-.stems  rising  aboitt  6  inches  in 
height,  but  not  yet  in  flower.  One  of  the  most 
curious  of  the  Celmisias,  C.  sessiliflora,  and  its 
variety  minor,  now  elevated  to  specific  rank  as 
C.  argentea,  were  found  in  abundance,  but  not 
in  flower.  They  grow  in  large  cushions  formed 
of  small  rosettes  of  silvery  grey  narrow  leaves, 
resembling  somewhat  those  curious  New 
Zealand  composites  the  Eaoulias. 

The  most  remarkable  of  these  plants,  the 
Vegetable  Sheep  (R.  eximia)  is  to  be  found  in 
the  Central  Otago  District  on  Mount  Ida,  but 
it  is  a  very  local  plant.  It  attains  an  enormous- 
size,  and  is  not  infrequently  nearer  the  dimen- 
sions of  a  bullock  than  a  sheep.  We  found 
three  species,  R.  Hectori,  R.  glabra,  and  R. 
grandiflora.  The  last-named  was  in  flower, 
and  some  plants  were  covered  with  sluggish 
black  beetles,  but  whether  they  were  eating  the- 
plants  or  only  extracting  the  nectar  from  the 
flowers  I  could  not  linger  to  determine,  as  a 
mist  was  beginning  to  gather  about  us.  I  saw 
a  large  weta,  a  brown  cricket-like  insect, 
carrying  off  one  of  the  beetles  in  its  mandibles. 
Life,  however,  except  plant  life,  was  scarce  ; 
even  the  usually  ubiquitous  ralsbit  was  not 
numerous.  We  saw  several  of  the  pretty 
banded  dotteril  and  numbers  of  the  larg& 
black-backed  seagull,  which  nests  on  the  moun- 
tain, though  what  it  feeds  either  itself  or  its 
young  upon  is  puzzling.  A  pair  of  the  hand- 
some paradise  ducks  and  a  few  English  sky- 
larks, two  nests  of  which  we  found,  complete 
the  list  of  the  fauna.  The  mist  gathered 
cjuickly,  and  we  proceeded  to  retrace  our  steps. 
We  had  left  our  lunch  basket  and  some  plants- 
lower  down,  and  though  Ave  had  marked  the 
place  by  its  proximity  to  a  patch  of  snow,  we 
had  considerable  difticulty  in  locating  it,  but 
eventually,  after  wandering  about  for  a  time,, 
we  found  it,  and  also  another  deposit  of  plants 
lower  down.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon we  called  a  halt  and  eat  a  few  biscuits 
and  an  Apple  remaining  over  from  lunch,  but  as- 
I  had  filled  my  vasculum  early  in  the  day,  and 
had  been  putting  plants  in  the  basket,  I  threw 
away  all  the  food  that  remained  in  case  any  of 
my  plants  should  fall  out  by  the  way,  a  stei> 
which,  like  the  leaving  of  our  waistcoats,  we 
deeply  regretted  afterwards.  We  then  expected 
to  reach  Gladbrook  Station  on  the  Stratl> 
Taieri  Plain  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  in 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


287 


One  of  our  party  had 
a  few  Figs  in  his  pocket, 
whilst  another  had  an 
Apple,  so  we  supped  on 
one  Fig  and  the  third 
of  an  Apple  each. 
Slowly,  very  slowly,  the 
night  wore  away,  and  at 
dawn  we  breakfasted  on 
a  couple  of  Figs  apiece 
and  set  out,  as  we  hoped, 
on  our  homeward  way. 
A.  Bathgatt. 
(To  he  continued.) 


ORCHIDS. 


F 


DENDKOBIDM    WARDIANUM    IN    THK    GAKDEN    OF   MB. 
TOTLBY   HALL,    SHLFFIBLD. 


about  a  couple  of  hours'  time,  as  we  supposed 
we  were  in  a  gully  leading  right  down  to  it. 
We  little  knew  that  we  had  struck  a  gully 
which,  though  starting  in  the  right  direction, 
gradually  trended  away  to  the  south.  The 
mist  had  grown  very  dense,  and  after  clam- 
bering down  the  gully,  which  grew  very  rough 
and  rocky  till  about  seven  o'clock,  when  vve 
realised  that  we  had  lost  our  way.  We 
scrambled  out  on  to  a  sloping  tableland,  which 
we  traversed  downwards  till,  to  our  joy,  we 
struck  a  fence.  We  supposed  we  could  not 
go  wrong  in  following  this  down  hill,  but,  as 
we  afterwards  learned,  if  we  had  followed 
it  up  hill  it  would  have  joined  another 
fence,  which  would  have  led  us  to  the 
homestead. 

The  course  we  took  led  us  still  farther  away 
from  our  destination.  After  a  long  tramp  the 
fence  ended  in  a  deep  gully  with  a  considerable 
stream  in  the  bottom,  which  we  followed 
downwards  till  about  nine  o'clock,  when  it  was 
too  dark  to  make  travelling  wise  in  such 
rough  country.  We  resigned  ourselves  to  our 
fate  and  a  "  lodging  on  the  cold  ground."  Our 
feet  and  legs  to  well  above  the  knees  were 
soaked  through  by  the  moisture  which  hung  on 
every  blade  of  the  long  snow-grass  tussocks, 
but  we  made  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  cir- 
cumstances would  permit  under  the  shelter  of 
an  overhanging  rock. 


D  E  N  D  E  O  B  I  U  M 
WARDIANUM. 

ROM    Totley 
Hall,  Sheffield, 
Mr.    W.    A. 
Milner  writes ; 
"You     may 
perhaps     be 
interested    in    seeing    a 
photograph  I  have  taken 
of  three  of  my  plants  of 
Dendrobium  wardianum. 
The  threelongest  growths 
measure    47    inches,    4.3 
inches,    and    41i   inches 
respectively,  and  at   the 
present    time    there   are 
221  flowers  on  the  three 
plants."     We    reproduce 
with  pleasure  the  photo- 
graph sent  by  Mr.  Milner, 
as  it  shows  this  beautiful 
Dendrobium  at  its  best. 
There  are    few    more 
charming    Orchids    than 
this     even     among    the 
numerous  hybrids  which 
have  been  raised  during 
recent  years.    Mr.  Milner 
has    evidently    correctly 
diagnosed    the    require- 
ments  of   this   Dendro- 
bium,  as    the    illustration    well    shows,    and 
perhaps  he  will  kindly  give  some  particulars 
of  the  treatment  of  his  plants. 


W.    A.    MILNER, 


WOKK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

OnCIDIUM    MACRANTHUM,    0.    MONACHIUM,    AND 
0.    SERRATUM. 

The  new  growth  of  these  charming  Orchids  is 
very  forward  on  those  not  producing  flower  this 
year,  enabling  potting  to  be  done.  That  the  thick 
fleshy  roots  may  easily  enter  the  pots  the  material 
used  should  be  o£  a  light  nature,  and  pot  so  that 
when  finished  the  compost  is  somewhat  loose.  If 
potting  is  done  firmly  most  of  the  roots  will  be 
generally  found  outsicie  the  pots.  Equal  parts  of 
peat,  from  which  the  fine  particles  have  been 
removed,  and  clean  cliopped  sphagnum  with  a  little 
coarse  sand  will  provide  a  good  rooting  medium, 
filling  the  pots  quite  one-third  with  rhizomes  for 
drainage. 

Slightly  damping  the  surface  to  help  the  moss 
to  grow  will  be  enough  for  those  newly  potted  ; 
frequent  dampings  between  the  pots  and  overhead 
on  favourable  days  will  prove  very  beneficial.  The 
Odontoglossum  house  is  a  suitable  place  for  them. 
Plants  that  are  carrying  flower-spikes  will  not 
require  attention  as  regards  potting  till  the 
flowering  season  is  over  and  the  new  growths  are 
6  inches  high,  then  they  should  be  treated  likewise. 
I  always  prefer  to  pot  the  plants  the  year  the}' 
flower.  Owing  to  the  long  time  taken  by  these 
species  to  develop  their  flowers  the  plants  should 


be  in  robust  health  before  being  allowed  to  bloom  ; 
we  adopt  the  system  of  cutting  away  the  back 
parts  and  potting  the  plant  back  after  flowering,  so 
that  it  may  be  grown  on  without  a  check  till' 
strong  enough  to  carry  another  spike. 

Those  now  about  to  flower  will  require  a  fair 
amount  of  water  and  plenty  of  overhead  spraying, 
and  I  even  advise  the  removal  of  the  spikes  at  this 
season  if  the  plant  shows  signs  of  distress. 

Oncidium  zebrinum. 
This  may  also  be  grown  under  the  same  condt 
tions,  but  on  account  of  the  scandent  nature  of  its 
growth  it  is  not  possible  to  bring  the  base  of  the 
leading  pseudo-bulbs  to  the  level  of  the  compost,, 
and  it  should  be  afforded  even  more  overhead 
syringing  than  advised  for  the  preceding  ones. 

ONCIDinid    VARICOSUM    RoGERSII. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  lovely  Orchids  we  have, 
and  can  generally  be  obtained  very  cheaply  now. 
It  should  be  grown  by  every  lover  of  flowers.  /V 
mixture  of  two-fifths  peat,  the  same  of  sphagnum 
moss,  and  one-fifth  leaf  soil  well  mixed  together  suits- 
its  requirements.  Pots  are  suitable  receptacles; 
give  a  good  drainage  of  chopped  rhizomes.  The 
plants  are  best  potted  just  when  new  roots  arer 
visible.  This  should  be  done  rather  firmly,  top- 
dressing  with  sphagnum.  I  strongly  recommend 
the  intermediate  house  or  the  coolest  end  of  the 
Cattleya  house  for  their  culture.  Until  the  roots 
have  well  permeated  the  new  compost  water  only 
when  the  latter  is  really  dry,  but  when  the  new 
growth  is  developing  its  pseudo-bulbs  they  will 
benefit  by  copious  suppUes ;  overhead  spray- 
ings are  helpful  during  bright  weather.  Plants 
that  shrivelled  badly  during  the  flowering  seasoo 
should  be  given  a  rest  by  removing  the  next  flower- 
spikes  ;  in  fact,  no  plant  should  be  allowed  to- 
flower  if  there  are  any  signs  of  deterioration. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Reigate.   W.  P.  Bound. 


NOTES  ON    SPRING  FROSTS. 

As  spring  is  with  us  again,  with  its  inevitable  frosty 
nights,  one  or  two  hints  may  not  be  out  of  place. 
With  May  frosts  the  damage  is  not  caused  so  much 
by  the  actual  freezing  of  the  plants  and  blossoms  as 
by  the  after  thawing.  Those  who  are  out  suffi- 
cientlv  early  in  the  morning  will  have  observed 
that  leaves  which  appear  to  be  unharmed  while 
the  frost  is  on  them  present  a  woeful  appearance 
when  the  frost  is  off.  This  is  especially  the  case  if 
the  sun  shines  upon  them  while  they  are  still  in  a 
frozen  state,  so  that  the  thawing  is  rapid,  as  this 
causes  the  bursting  of  the  plant-cells  and  the 
consequent  destruction  of  the  tissues.  Hence  the 
advisability  of  putting  plants  subject  to  injury  by 
spring  frosts  in  such  positions  that  the  sun  does 
not  reach  them  till  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  by  which  time  the  frost  will  have 
gradually  dispersed.  But  this  cannot  always  be 
managed.  Bush  fruits,  especially  Black  Currants 
and  Gooseberries,  have  suffered  especially  from 
late  frosts  the  last  two  years,  and  may  do  again 
this  year,  late  though  the  season  is  ;  but  the  damage 
to  them  may  be  much  lessened — and,  in  fact,  pre- 
vented altogether  with  any  normal  frost — if  the 
bushes  are  watered  over  the  tops  with  a  rose 
before  they  begin  to  thaw.  The  temperature  of 
the  water  is  pretty  certain  to  be  well  above  freezing 
point,  and  the  effect  of  watering  the  leaves  and 
blossoms  of  the  trees  will  be  to  wash  off  the  hoar 
frost  and  very  slowly  thaw  the  tissues  of  the 
plants,  thus  minimising  the  effect  of  the  frost  upon 
them.  It  is  a  very  simple  remedy,  and,  by  means 
of  a  two-gallon  can  with  a  good  rose,  a  consider- 
able number  of  bushes  may  be  thoroughly  wetted 
in  five  minutes.  It  is  worth  while  adopting  the 
same  plan  with  half-hardy  plants  and  shrubs,  and 
even  with  some  hardy  plants,  such  as  Dicentra 
(syn.  Dielytra)  spectabilis,  which  sometimes  have 
their  beauty  spoilt  for  the  season  by  one  untimely 
frost.  Early  Potatoes,  too,  are  worth  the  trouble, 
but  there  is  another  way  of  preserving  them  apirt 
from  covering  them  up,  and  that  is  by  moulding: 
up  earth  round  the  stems  as  soon  as  they  are  up. 
If  the  main  stems  are  kept  from  frost,  even  though 
the  leaves  may  be  cut  off,  they  will  break  out  again 


288 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904. 


case  the  central  stem  needs  to  be  kept  tied  to  a  !  larger  than  is  necessary  to  comfortably  hold  the 
strong  stick,  while  side  branches  up  the  stem  roots,  and,  in  the  case  of  taking  up  from  the  open 
should  be  allowed  to  grow  to  a  pair  of  leaves  and  ground,  no  bigger  than  will  just  contain  them, 
then  pinched,  and  so  with  the  secondary  shoots,  as  When  moved  from  one  pot  or  tub  to  another,  the 
these  will  help  to  thicken  the  stem,  though  the  ball  of  earth  containing  the  roots  should  not  be 
stems  rarely  become  sufficientlj'  strong  to  support  broken  if  it  can  be  helped,  but  it  should  be 
spent  if  the  frost  comes.  For  the  preservation  of  |  the  weight  of  the  heavy  heads  outdoors,  as  ihey  scratched  all  round  with  a  small  hand  fork,  so  that 
Potatoes  from  frost  this  is  safer  than  the  watering,  l  feel  the  full  force  of  the  wind  and  rain  with  their  it  may  be  sufficiently  reduced  in  size  to  admit  of  a 
as  the  Potato  is  such  a  tender  plant  that  even  the    thick  foliage.  fair  amount  of  fresh  soil  when  repotting  without 

watering  will  not  enable  it  to  stand  more  than  3°  The  formation  of  the  heads  needs  considerable  giving  too  much  root  run.  The  ideal  to  aim  at  is 
or  4".  As  damp  situations  are  more  liable  to  I  care,  as  we  want  strong,  self-supporting  branches,  i  sufficient  vigour  of  growth  to  produce  fine  heads  of 
spring  frosts  than  dry  ones,  so  the  liability  to  frost    When  the   central   stem   has   nearly   reached   the  [  bloom   without   rampancy  of   growth  of   leaf  and 


and  sustain  very  little  injury,  but  if  these  sterna 
are  cut  the  plants  have  to  make  new  shoots  below 
ground,  and  time  is  lost  and  the  plants  weakened, 
so  that  a  good  crop  of  Potatoes  is  never  secured. 
It  may  be  necessary  to  mould  them  up  a  second 
time  if  frost  threatens,  but  it  will  be  labour  well 


may  be  slightlj'  lessened  if  the  surface  of  the 
ground  is  kept  hoed,  when  it  is  both  drier  and 
warmer  on  the  surface  than  it  would  be  if  in  a 
<;lose  and  sodden  condition. — Alger  Petts. 


THE    GERANIUM    AS 
STANDARD. 


A 


HE  term  "Geranium  "  is  here  used  in  the 
popular  sense  to  describe  one  of  the 
most 


T 

■  univer- 

l  sally 
grown 
of  all  flowers  in  this 
country,  but 
botanists  will  cor- 
rect me  and  say 
that  I  ought  to 
speak  of  zonal 
Pelargoniums,  as 
the  flower  we 
usually  call  a 
Geranium  does  not 
belong  to  the 
Oeranium  genus, 
all  the  members  of 
which  are  hardy 
plants,  but  to  the 
genus  Pelargonium , 
being  varieties  of 
P.  zouale  and  P. 
inquinans.  This 
popular  flower  can 
be  grown  in  prac- 
tically any  form — 
as  compact  bushy 
plants  for  beds  or 
pots,  as  greenhouse 
■climbers,  and  even 
outdoor  wall  shrubs 
if  taken  in  in 
winter,  as  creeping 
•or  hanging  plants, 
for  the  rockery,  as 
large  bushes,  or 
as   small    standard 

trees.  It  is  of  the  latter  I  wish  to  speak.  Only  sometimes  causes  an  important  branch  to  split 
those  who  have  seen  them  know  what  handsome  1  from  the  stem,  and  so  an  ugly  gap  is  made  which 
standards   zonal    Pelargoniums    will    make,    with    takes  a  long  time  to  fill  up. 

<!lear  stems  3  feet  long  and  as  large  round  as  a  If  the  plants  are  grown  in  the  open  ground  in  the 
man's  wrist,  with  well-shaped,  compact  heads  summer  they  should  be  carefully  taken  up  in  the 
■3  feet  in  diameter.  The  long  stem  has  a  some-  j  autumn,  potted,  and  put  in  a  warm  temperature 
what  restrictive  influence  upon  the  growth  of  j  until  they  are  well  rooted  in  their  new  medium, 
leaf  and  branch,   with   the  result    that   standards  I  so  that  the  plants  do  not  sustain  too  great  a  check 


height  required  attention  has  to  be  given  to  the  stem, 
formation  of  those  branches  in  the  desired  positions  '  It  is  a  truism  to  say  that  the  sorts  of  Geraniums 
by  judicious  pruning,  shoots  being  cut  to  a  bud  ;  are  very  numerous,  and  there  is  an  ever-flowing 
pointing  in  the  desired  direction.  Though  the  bud  stream  of  new  ones,  the  favourites  of  to-day  being 
may  not  be  visible,  we  know  there  is  one  in  the  often  superseded  by  others  which  do  not  always 
axil  of  a  leaf  not  occupied  by  a  blossom  stem,  seem  much  superior.  Therefore  it  is  not  of  much 
Some  recommend  the  training  of  the  young  use  recommending  particular  sorts,  but  each  should 
branches  to  a  circular  hoop  until  they  become  self-  choose  the  most  likely  plants  from  his  own  coUec- 
supporting,  and  if  the  standards  are  to  spend  the  tion  for  the  purpose  of  forming  standards,  always 
summer  in  the  open  it  might  be  as  well  to  retain  trying  to  rear  more  than  one  wants,  as  some  of  the 
these  hoops  at  least  for  a  year  or  two,  arranging  plants  chosen  will  probably  not  make  good  speci- 
them  so  that  they  are  well  concealed.     A  storm    mens.     Double  Geraniums  are  not,  as  a  rule,  good 

for  bedding,  but 
some  of  them 
make  excellent 
standards,  and  con- 
sequently it  would 
make  a  greater 
variety  in  the 
garde  n  if  any 
Geraniums  to  be 
grown  as  standards 
were  double  rather 
than  single.  If 
single  varieties  are 
grown  there  is 
something  to  be 
said  in  favour  of 
raising  some  plants 
from  seed,  and 
choosing  the  best 
among  them  for 
this  purpose,  both 
as  to  growth  and 
flower,  seedlings 
being  always  of 
more  robust  growth 
than  cuttings. 
Their  tendency  to 
produce  excessive 
foliage  will  be  rec- 
tified as  the  plants 
attain  a  good  size. 
Growing  the  zonal 
Pelargonium  in  this 
form  is  very 
pleasing,  and  the 
plants  are  effective 
when  in  full  flower. 
It  is  seldom,  however,  that  they  are  seen  in 
this  form,  so  that  these  notes  may  be  of  more 
than  passing  interest.  A. 


BLOOMS    OF    CARNATION    FAIR    MAID    IN    MR.   BUTTON  S    NCRSERY. 


are   more    than   ordinarily   floriferous,    sometimes 
presenting  the  appearance  of  great  scarlet  globes. 

Of  course,  varieties  of  zonal  Pelargoniums,  like 
varieties  of  other  flowers,  differ  very  much  in 
habit,  some  having  an  upright,  vigorous  tendency, 
and  others  a  weak,  straggling  one.  Plants  to  be 
used  for  this  purpose  need  to  be  carefully  selected, 
not  only  as  regards  the  sort,  but  as  regards  the 
particular  plants  of  that  sort,  as  the  most  vigorous 
plants  are  necessary,  choice  being  made  by  prefer- 
■ence  of  those  which  have  an  upright  central  stem 
or  branch  of  greater  strength  and  vigour  than  the 
other  branches.  The  most  vigorous  growth  must 
be  encouraged  for  a  year  or  two,  though  at  the 
■expense  of  blossom,  which  is  as  well  kept  picked  off 
■as  soon  as  the  buds  appear,  plenty  of  pot  room 
feeing  allowed,  and  liquid  manure  given.  Some 
.grow  them  in  the  open  ground  during  the  summer 
season  so  as  to  get  stronger  growth,  giving  them  a 
•deep,  rich,  moist  soil  in  a  sunny  position.     In  any 


by  the  move.  In  winter  time  they  should  have  a 
dry,  airy  greenhouse,  with  a  temperature  of  50", 
too  much  moisture  being  avoided,  both  in  the  air 
and  in  the  soil,  as  we  do  not  want  to  encourage  a 
succculent  growth.  They  may  be  treated  in  this 
way  year  after  year,  though  when  the  heads  get 
well  formed  they  make  very  fine  plants  for  tubs  or 
large  pots  in  the  open,  and  will  last  for  ten  or  a 
dozen  years,  needing  very  little  attention  indeed 
beyond  an  annual  repotting.  When  fully  grown 
they  should  not  be  given  too  much  root  room,  nor 
too  much  moisture,  as  the  extra  nourishment 
obtained  beyond  a  certain  amount  is  used  in  the 
formation  of  leaf  and  stem  rather  than  blossom. 
A  rich,  loamy  soil  with  plenty  of  fibre  in  it  is  the 
best  for  them,  though  they  will  grow  in  almost 
anything. 

Whether  kept  in  pots  throughout  the  year,  or 
planted  out  in  the  summer  and  potted  up  in  the 
autumn,    the   pots   or    tubs  should   not    be  much 


NEW    AND    RARE    PLANTS. 


a 


MAEICA  NORTHIANA. 
F  three  species  of  Marica  which  are 
grown  in  a  few  .nurdens  where 
uncommon  and  attractive  plants 
are  appreciated  this  is  one.  The 
best  of  the  trio  is  M.  cajrtilea,  of 
which  an  e.xcellent  coloured  plate 
was  published  in  The  Garden,  A'ol.  XX.KIIL, 
page  .56.  It  grows  and  flowers  freely  in  a 
sunny  greenhouse  at  Kew,  where  it  is  planted 
in  a  border  of  gravelly  soil.  The  scapes  are 
about  !">  leet  high,  and  they  continue  to  pro- 
duce flowers  for  a  month  or  more  in  mid- 
summer. The  colour  of  the  flowers  is  bright 
lilac-blue,  with  bars  of  brown,  yellow,  and 
white  on  the  inner  segments.  M.  northiana 
differs  from  this  in  having  shorter  and  less 
elegant  leaves  and  scapes,  and  in  the  colour  of 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


289 


the  flowers,  the  outer  segments  being  pure 
white.  Mr.  Baker  says  it  is  "perhaps  not 
more  than  a  white-flowered  variety  of  M. 
coerulea."  It  was  introduced  from  Brazil  in 
1789  by  Mrs.  North,  the  wife  of  the  then  Lord 
Bishop  of  Winchester,  and  was  first  figured  m 
"  Andrews'  Botanical  Repository,"  t.  255,  under 
the  name  of  Morasa  northiana,  with  the  follow- 
ing particulars  :  "  It  is  a  native  of  the  Brazils, 
flowers  about  July  or  August,  propagates  itself 
by  suckers,  which  it  makes  from  the  root, 
should  be  planted  in  light  rich  earth,  and 
-should  be  treated  as  a  tender  hot -house  plant. 
The  leaves  grow  frequently  to  a  length  of  2  feet 
-or  more,  forming  the  appearance  of  a  large 
fan,  the  flower-stem  proceeding  from  near  the 
centre.  The  flowers  surpass  m  delicacy  and 
beauty  of  pencilling  any  of  this  very  handsome 
tribe,  and  are  as  transitory  as  beautiful,  their 
■duration  being  but  of  six  hours  at  most. 
Nothing  need  be  added  to  this  excellent 
description  and  direction,  written  a  century 
ago,  except  that  the  plant  will  thrive  in  a  warm 
greenhouse  and  that  it  likes  plenty  of  water. 
The  third  species,  M.  gracilis,  is  a  smaller  plant 
of  elegant  habit,  and  is  useful  for  shady,  moist 
borders  in  greenhouses.     W.  W. 

This  beautiful  plant,  with  its 
long,  drooping  leaves  and  blue 
and  white  flowers,  produced  at  the 
■extremity  of  long,  strap-like  in- 
florescences nearly'  .3  feet  long, 
and  an  inch  or  more  in  width, 
is  one  of  the  most  strikingly 
■decorative  objects  one  can  have 
for  the  warm  conservatory.  It 
is,  perhaps,  seen  to  the  greatest 
-advantage  grown  in  a  basket,  and 
for  this  mode  of  culture  it  is  more 
particularly  adapted.  It  may  be 
:grown  into  fine  specimens  in  a 
.short  time,  and  is  very  efl'ective  if 
planted  together  with  Anthurium 
■Bchertzerianum,  Nephrolepsis, 
Anthericum  variegatum,  or  Aspa- 
ragus. With  the  former  plant  it 
is  charming.  The  tops  of  the 
baskets  are  aglow  with  the  scarlet 
■spathes  of  the  Anthuriums  nestling 
amidst  their  upright,  leathery, 
•dark  green  leaves,  while  the  lower 
part  is  clothed  with  the  depending 
leaves  and  long  spikes  of  the 
Marica  crowned  with  their  showy 
blue  and  white  blossoms.  The 
individual  flowers  of  the  latter  do 
not  last  more  than  two  or  three 
■days,  but,  as  is  the  case  with 
many  of  the  Iridaceis,  to  which 
the  Marica  belongs,  the  flowers 
•are  produced  in  succession  for  a 
■considerable  period. 

Marica  northiana  is  a  Brazilian 
species,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
■beautiful  of  the  genus.  The  outer 
segments  of  the  perianth  are 
rmilky  white,  elegantly  mottled 
with  reddish  brown  at  the  base  ; 
the  inner  segments  are  curved  and 
barred,  blue  and  white,  the  blue 
predominating.  Young  plants  are 
iormed  on  the  apex  of  the  flower- 
stems,  and  make  in  time  con- 
siderable sized  tufts,  having  a  very  quaint  and 
•ornamental  appearance,  and  never  fail  to 
•attract  attention,  while  a  well-flowered  plant 
•always  eomaiands  admiration.  A  good  ordinary 
soil  suits  the  Marica  admirably,  and  anyone 
looking  for  a  strikingly  beautiful,  useful,  and 
luncommon  plant  cannot  fail  to  be  pleased 
with  it.  Joseph  Godsefp. 


TREE  CARNATIONS  ALL 
THE  YEAR  ROUND. 

ANY  gardeners  only  grow  Tree 
Carnations  to  provide  flowers 
during  the  winter  months,  and 
to  the  majority  perhaps  they  are 
then  most  valuable.  During  sum- 
mer and  early  autumn  border 
varieties  out  of  doors  provide  plenty  of  material 
for  cutting,  and  this  is  doubtless  the  reason  that 


M' 


duction  of  new  varieties  within  the  last  few 
years,  most  of  them  from  America,  Tree  Carna- 
tions are  much  more  worthy  of  being  had  in 
flower  all  the  year  round  than  formerly. 
They  have  a  symmetry,  colour,  delicacy,  and 
fragrance,  too,  that  sometimes  are  lacking  in 
border  varieties.  In  the  market  Tree  Carna- 
tion blooms  fetch  better  prices  than  border 
varieties,  and  for  the  reasons  just  stated. 
Those  who  grow  Tree  Carnations  during  the 
winter  months  never  see  them  at  their  best. 
In  summer  the  flower-stems  are  twice  the 
length,  the  foliage  is  more  robust,  and  the 
blooms  themselves  are  larger,  of  better  colour- 
ing and  more  substance,  and  so  last  longer  in 
beauty. 

All  the  accompanying  illustrations  are  from 
photographs  taken  in  the  nursery  of  Mr.  A.  F. 


From  a  drawing  bif  H 


■  Messrs.  Sanders'  Nursery, 


St.  Alhans. 


Tree  Carnations  are  so  rarely  seen  after  early 
spring.  To  have  Tree  Carnations  at  their  best 
the  flowers  must  be  protected  from  sun  and 
rain,  and  this  necessitates  their  being  grown 
under  glass,  which,  of  course,  is  an  expense 
that  few  perhaps  are  inclined  to  undertake 
when  plenty  of  beautiful  Carnations  can  be 
had  from  the  open  border.     With  the  intro- 


Dutton,  Bexley  Heath,  Kent,  who 
grows  nothing  but  Tree  Carnations, 
and,  as  usually  is  the  case  when  a 
grower  devotes  himself  to  one  plant 
only,  grows  them  exceedingly  well. 
Mr.  Button  sends  flowers  to  market 
all  the  year  round,  the  daily  average 
during  summer  being,  of  course, 
much  higher  than  in  winter,  but 
even  at  the  latter  season  many 
dozens  of  blooms  are  sent  away 
every  week. 

Probably  another  reason  why 
Mr.  Button  is  so  successful  with 
these  Carnations  is  because  he  grows 
only  a  few  varieties  which  are  of 
proved  worth,  instead  of  a  long  list 
of  good,  bad,  and  indifferent,  as  some  are  apt  to 
do  Thirteen  varieties  are  grown  in  the  Bexley 
Heath  nurseries,  and  Mr.  Button  says  of  them 
that,  "  I  have  proved  all  to  be  the  very  freest, 
and  to  have  the  best  qualities  found  in  Iree 
Carnations.  Not  one  has  a  bursting  calyx, 
and  all  are  fragrant."  The  thirteen  sorts  are  as 
folio  VST :  Mrs.  Thomas  W.  Lawson,  cerise  pink, 
the  celebrated  American  Carnation  that  has 
become  so  popular  in  England,  easily  grown 
•ind  very  free  flowering  ;  Enchantress,  flesli 
pink,  a  strong  grower,  early  and  continuous 
bloomer  :  Fair  Maid,  light  rose-pink,  a  dainty 
variety  ;  Floriana,  coral  pink,  a  splendid 
winter  variety  ;  Melba,  light  pink,  best  for 
early  spring  and  summer  ;  Harry  Fenn,  crim- 
son very  free  ;  G.  H.  Crane,  brilliant  scarlet, 
e-xcellent  for  Christmas  and  Easter;  Queen 
Louise,  white,  the  best  white  for  market ; 
Morning  Glory,  deep  flesh  pink  ;  Alpme  Glow, 
deep  salmon  pink  ;  Royalty,  a  lovely  pink  ; 
Governor  Roosevelt,  crimson ;  and  Norway, 
white.    It  will  be  noticed  that  these  varieties 


290 


THE    GARDEN. 


[AnuL  23,1904.]. 


are  all  either  white,  crimson,  scarlet,  or  shades 
of  pink  ;  these  are  the  favourite  colours  in 
Carnations.  The  public  appears  not  to  appre- 
ciate yellow  Carnations,  so  Mr.  Button  grows 
none  of  them. 

A  knowledge  of  the  methods  of  culture  prac- 
tised by  Mr.  Button  may  be  useful  to  many. 
Cuttings  are  best  propagated  from  January  to 
April  in  any  cool  greenhouse.  It  is  a  great 
advantage  to  have  bottom-heat  10°  above  the 
house  temperature,  say  40'^  or  50°  to  50°  or  60°. 
Insert  the  cuttings  in  42-inch  or  6-inch  pots, 
using  fresh  loam  with  one-third  sand.  Shade 
till  rooted,  and  pot  into  3  inch  pots  before  the 
roots  become  entangled.  Shade  again  the  first 
week,  but  after  then  give  plenty  of  light  and 
ventilation.  Stop  them  once  while  in  the 
3-inch  pots,  and  repot  into  6- inch  pots  before 
they  become  pot-bound.  Plants  can  be  put 
outside  from  May,  or,  better  still,  under  a  cold 
frame,  which  keeps  the  watering  under  the 
grower's  control.  Stop  all  shoots  that  may 
run  to  bloom  before  July  10,  then  no  further 
stopping  is  required.  Take  the  plants  into 
their  fioweriug  quarters  about  the  end  of 
August.  A  house  where  a  temperature  of  40° 
to  50°  can  be  maintained  through  the  winter 
months  makes  an  ideal  house  for  Tree  Carna- 
tions, and  they  can  be  grown  with  most  other 
greenhouse  plants  that  do  not  require  too  high 
a  temperature  or  too  moist  an  atmosphere. 
Stake  and  tie  the  plants  as  soon  as  required, 
not  allowing  the  shoots  to  become  too  long,  so 
as  to  secure  strong,  erect  stems.  Bisbudding 
is  very  simple.     Kemove  all  buds  except  the 


crown  and  any  side  shoots  till  the  length  of 
stem  required  is  procured.  It  is  a  mistake  to 
suppose  that  budding  is  extravagant,  as  ex- 
perience has  proved  that  it  is  the  individual 
flower  and  not  the  stem  that  takes  vitality 
from  the  plants. 

To  give  some  idea  of  the  quantity  of  plants 
that  Mr.  Button  grows  annually,  we  may 
mention  that  he  has  already  propagated  46,000 
this  season.  Buring  the  winter  he  has  been 
gathering  flowers  from  36,000  plants,  and 
many  of  these  will  continue  to  bloom  until 
those  recently  propagated  come  into  flower. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


A    HODSE   OK   CARSATION    CUTTINGS. 


INDOOR    GARDEN. 

Stove  Plants. 

SYRINGE  these  plants  well  twice  a  day 
and  the  stages  and  paths  oftener  during 
bright  sunny  weather  in  order  to  maintain 
a  moist  atmosphere.  Do  this  to  check  red 
spider — a  troublesome  pest — and  with 
which  frequently  the  plants  are  infested. 
Fumigate  occasionally  in  the  evening  with  XL  All 
Vaporiser  to  destroy  green  fly  and  thripg.  Dipla- 
denias,  AUamandas,  Clerodendrons,  Stephanotis, 
and  other  stove  climbers  that  are  growing  freely 
will  require  careful  watering.  Much  benefit  will 
accrue  if  a  light  top-dressing  of  Clay's  Fertilizer  be 
given,  as  well  as  an  occasional  dose  of  diluted  liquid 
sheep  and  cow  manure.  Mealy  bug  may,  with  the 
exercise  of  much  care,  be  completely  destroyed  by 
syringiug  them  with  paraflin  during  the  evening, 
using  a  wineglassful  to 
four  gallons  of  water. 
The  operator  should  keep 
the  oil  and  water  well 
mixed  together  by 
returning  one  syringeful 
to  the  can  and  the  next 
one  on  the  plants.  Palms 
which  have  become  pale 
green  through  being  in 
small  pots  may  be  made  a 
darker  green  bj'  occasion- 
ally mixing  soot  with  the 
water  that  is  given  to 
their  roots.  This  may  be 
applied  with  good  effect 
to  the  roots  of  Gloxinias, 
Achimenes,  and  Cala- 
diums. 

Greenhouse  RHononEN- 

DRONS. 

There  are  few  plants 
better  adapted  than  these 
for  decorative  work  at 
this  season  of  the  year. 
The  plants  of  many  sorts 
are  now  beginning  to  lose 
their  beauty  as  their 
flowers  commence  to  fall ; 
it  will  be  necessary  to  tie 
down  the  shoots,  so  that 
when  the  new  growth  is 
completed  the  plants  will 
assume  a  more  or  less 
regular  form.  Syringe 
them  twice  daily  as  well, 
and  moisten  the  stages, 
&c.  ;  this  is  a  very  im- 
portant detail  in  helping 
the  plants  to  make  a 
pood  growth  and  to 
flower  well  afterwards. 
Repotting  will  be  neces- 
sary only  in  a  few 
instances,  as  the  plants 
do  equally  well,  or  rather 
better,  in  small  than  large 
pots.  Two  parts  peat  to 
one  of  fibrous  loam,  with 
a  very  little  sand  added, 


forms  a  good  compost,  and  in  potting  make  the- 
soil  firm.  Apply  water  very  sparingly  to  the 
roots  of  newly-potted  plants,  but  to  others  that 
have  not  been  disturbed  apply  liquid  sheep  and 
cow  manure  in  a  well-diluted  form  ;  or  apply  Clay's 
or  other  chemical  fertiliser. 

ViNCAS. 
These  plants,  of  which  V.  alba  and  V.  rosea  are- 
most  effective  when  in  flower,  will  now  require 
cutting  back,  and  should  be  given  a  warm,  raoist^ 
atmosphere  to  encourage  them  to  grow.  Young 
plants  are  best,  and  they  are  easily  obtained  by 
inserting  a  few  cuttings  of  the  soft  young  shoots. 
Put  three  or  four  shoots  in  a  3-inch  pot ;  after 
insertion  plunge  the  pots  in  the  propagating-bed 
and  shade  them  from  strong  sun.  The  old  plants,. 
after  being  rested  for  a  time,  should  be  cut  hard 
back,  and  directly  they  start  into  fresh  growth 
repot  them  into  pots  smaller  than  they  previously 
occupied.  To  do  this  reduce  the  ball  of  soil  and' 
roots  by  one  half. 

Stroeilanthes  dyerianus. 

Not  often  is  this  plant  seen  in  the  best  possible 
condition.  The  reason,  perhaps,  is  because  it  is- 
often  starved  instead  of  being  grown  into  a  hand- 
some foliage  plant.  The  efi'ect  of  its  foliage 
against  that  of  other  plants  for  decorative  work  is 
very  pleasing,  especially  when  the  leaves  are  well 
developed  and  coloured.  It  is  not  difficult  to  pro- 
pagate, as  cuttings  of  the  young  shoots  will  readily 
strike  root  in  a  brisk  bottom-heat. 

J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  Hull. 


FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Water  Lilies. 

Althoiigh  the  best  time  to  plant  or  increase  the 
hardy  Ny  mphseas  is  just  as  they  begin  to  grow,  these' 
operations  can  be  successfully  performed  ac  any- 
time during  the  next  three  months.  Many 
established  clumps  of  the  stronger  growing  sorts, 
such  as  Nymphfea  marliacea  chromatella,  require  to- 
be  annually  thinned,  as  they  produce  such  numbers- 
of  large  leaves  that  the  flowers  are  almost  if  not 
quite  hidden,  and  masses  of  leaves  are  pushed  up- 
out  of  the  water  fully  a  foot  high.  With  these- 
strong  growers  it  is  advisable,  as  the  summer- 
advances,  periodically  to  remove  sufficient  of  the- 
leaves  to  allow  the  remainder  to  float  on  the  surface- 
of  the  water  clear,  or  nearly  so,  of  each  other. 
Planting  Water  Lilies  in  a  natural  piece  of  water- 
is  a  comparatively  simple  matter.  Firmly  plant- 
them  in  a  loosely  made  basket — for  this  purpose  I' 
keep  worn-out  kitchen  garden  baskets  and  roughly 
mend  the  bottoms — using  good  loam  and,  if  the- 
plant  is  weakly,  a  proportion  of  leaf-soil,  and  grit 
ma}-  with  advantage  be  added.  Finish  off  with  good' 
sized  pieces  of  fibrous  loam,  and  lace  over  the  top  of- 
the  basket  with  a  few  nut  branches,  and  at  once 
gently  sink  the  basket  into  its  allotted  place.  The- 
depth  of  water  will  depend  on  the  strength  of  the- 
plant.  The  vigorous  marliacea  hybrids  should  be- 
planted  in  from  2  feet  6  inches  to  4  feet  of  water, 
if  planted  deeper  than  this  they  will,  unless  it  is  a 
very  warm  situation,  be  late  in  flowering.  The- 
small-growing  N.  odorata,  N.  pygnii\ja,  and  their 
varieties  will  flower  freely  in  from  9  inches  to 
IS  inches  of  water.  Where  there  is  a  fair  deposit  at- 
the  bottom  of  the  water  the  roots  will  soon  push- 
through  the  basket  and  fend  for  themselves,  but- 
with  an  artificial  bottom  it  is  necessary  to  place  the- 
basket  in  a  mound  of  soil  and  annually  top-dress.  A 
few  turves  laid  around  with  the  grass  side  inwards- 
will  give  good  results. 

The  Common  Arom 
is  much  hardier  than  is  generally  supposed,  and- 
will  stand  at  least  20°  of  frost.  They  are  amenable- 
to  the  same  culture  as  the  Ny  mph.-eas.  During  the 
winter  the  leaves  disappear  and  the  plants 
commence  to  grow  in  thesprinc,  flowering  through- 
out the  summer  and  autumn.  The  Cape  Pond  Weed 
(Aponogeton  distachyon)  is  also  hardy.  It  flowers 
best  when  growing  in  running  water.  As  the- 
flowers  aie  verj'  fragrant  it  should  be  planted  near- 
theedge.  Such  things  as  Sagitlarias,  Pontederias,. 
I  Ranunculus  Lingua,  Butomus  umbellatus,  Caltha. 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


291 


palustris,  &o. ,  may  with  advantage  be  added.  The 
pigmy  Water  Lilies  are  well  adapted  for  growing  in 
tubs  of  water  stood  out  in  the  full  sunshine. 

Bedding  Plants. 

Geraniums,  &e. ,  should  now  be  placed  in  frames 
and  temporary  structures  where  they  may  be 
quickly  covered  on  the  approach  of  frost.  If 
more  Heliotrope,  Iresine,  Altenanthera,  &c. ,  are 
required  cuttings  will  root  readily  and  soon  be  fit 
for  hardening  off  if  inserted  at  once  and  placed  in 
a  brisk  heat.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  GardeiM,  Bodmin. 


KITCHEN   GAEDEN. 

Celery. 
Trenches  should  now  be  made  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. Many  prefer  to  grow  this  vegetable 
always  on  the  same  piece  of  ground.  Where  this 
is  carried  out  the  ground  may  be  left  a  short  time 
to  settle.  A  plot  recently  cleared  of  Broccoli  or 
other  green  crop  is  very  suitable  for  this  purpose. 
Trenches  should  be  wide  enough  to  hold  three  or 
four  rows  of  plants,  this  method  being  economical 
and  giving  as  good  results  as  when  grown  in  single 
trenches.  Trenches  made  for  three  rows  should  be 
3  feet  wide  and  about  1  foot  in  depth  when  ready 
for  the  manure.  See  that  the  manure  for  this 
crop  is  of  the  best  well-rotted  cow  manure  that 
has  been  carefully  turned  during  the  winter  and 
spring.  After  a  good  layer  has  been  placed  in  the 
trenches  enough  of  the  surface  soil  shouM  be 
returned  to  plant  in.  About  4  feet  should  be 
allowed  between  the  trenches.  The  ridges  between 
the  celery  may  be  planted  with  Lettuce  or  French 
Beans,  as  the  crops  will  be  over  before  the  soil  is 
required  for  earthing  up.  Celery  sown  for  extra 
early  use  may  now  be  hardened  off  and  planted  out 
in  May.  The  main  crop  will  require  careful  atten- 
tion if  pricked  into  frames,  and  must  at  no  time 
suffer  for  lack  of  water. 

General  Sowings. 
Salsafy  may  be  sown  this  month  on  rich,  deeply 
trenched  soil ;  sow  in  rows  15  inches  apart,  and 
thin  out  to  about  6  inches  apart  in  the  rows. 
Scorzonera  should  be  sown  later,  as  it  is  so  apt  to 
run  to  seed.  A  pinch  of  Chervil  may  also  be  put 
in  on  the  herb  border.  Mustard  and  Cress  may 
now  be  brought  forward  in  the  open  ground, 
choosing  a  sheltered  position. 

General  Remarks. 

As  soon  as  the  earliest  Carrots,  Onions,  Parsnips, 
&c.,  come  through  the  ground  advantage  should 
be  taken  of  a  dr}'  day  to  run  the  hoe  through  the 
soil  between  the  rows  ;  this  will  destroy  small 
weeds  and  admit  air  and  sunshine.  In  the  case  of 
Carrots  thin  the  plants  as  soon  as  the  first  true 
leaf  is  formed  to  about  2  inches  apart,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  the  second  and  final  thinning  should  be 
given.  This  operation  should  be  carried  out  in 
damp  weather.  After  each  thinning  give  a  dressing 
of  soot ;  on  dry  and  fine  days  ply  the  hoe  among 
all  growing  crops  and  where  the  surface  of  the  soil 
has  become  hardened.  Kitchen  garden  walks 
should  be  carefully  hoed  with  the  Dutch  hoe  ;  all 
edgings  should  now  be  repaired  and  fresh  gravel 
put  on  where  required.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  Qiieensferry ,  N.B. 

THE  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
The  Earliest  Peaches. 
The  fruit  in  this  house  will  now  be  swelling  after 
stoning,  and  should  be  given  a  higher  temperature 
—65°  by  night  will  be  suitable,  slightly  lower  on 
very  cold  nights,  80«  to  85°  by  day  with  sun-heat. 
Syringe  the  trees  morning  and  afternoon,  and 
otherwise  keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  moist. 
Untie  any  shoots  that  press  the  fruits  against  the 
wires  or  shade  them  from  the  light,  and  keep  away 
the  leaves.  Syringing  the  trees  must  be  dis- 
continued as  soon  as  the  fruits  begin  to  ripen,  or  it 
will  cause  the  skin  to  crack,  and  also  impart  a 
musty  flavour  to  them.  See  that  the  trees  do  not 
lack  water  at  the  roots,  give  liquid  manure  to  old 
trees  which  are  heavily  cropped  or  not  making 
satisfactory  growth,  care  being  taken  not  to  over- 
feed young  strong  growing  trees. 


SncoESSiON  Peaches. 
During  the  stoning 
period  the  temperature 
should  not  exceed  60° 
by  night,  ventilate  freely 
during  the  day  when  the 
weather  is  favourable. 
Tie  down  the  shoots  as 
they  grow,  but  avoid 
overcrowding  the  trees 
with  young  growth. 
Stop  any  extra  strong 
growing  shoots  to  balance 
the  flow  of  sap.  See  that 
the  trees  are  kept  clear 
of  aphis  by  syringing 
with  quassia  water  or 
light  fumigation  with 
XL  All.  In  later  houses 
thin  fruits  early,  re- 
moving all  those  from 
behind  or  underneath  the 
shoots  first.  The  final 
thinning  must  be  done 
later,  when  they  are  the 
size  of  marbles ;  very  few 
more  need  be  left  at  this 
season  than  are  required 
for  a  full  crop.  Attend 
to  the  disbudding  of  the 
trees  as  they  advance  in 
growth  ;  see  that  the 
foliage  is  dry  at  night  in 
houses  where  no  fire-heat 
is  used  until  danger  from 
frost  is  over. 

Figs. 
The  earliest  fruits  will 
soon  be  approaching 
maturitj'and  less  syring- 
ing and  a  drier  atmos- 
phere will  be  necessary 
to  obtain  the  best  flavour. 
Give  a  temperature  of 
68°  at  night,  falling  to 
65°  in  the  morning,  and 
75°  to  85°  by  day  with 
sun-heat.  Trees  grown 
in  pots  or  in  restricted 
borders  make  short- 
jointed  growth,  which 
should  not  be  stopped 
—  it  is  easily  ripened  and 
furnishes  excellent  crops 
of  fruit.  Later  trees 
syringed    twice   daily  to  _ 

Apply  warm  weak  liquid  manure  water  frequently, 
and  let  the  temperature  of  the  house  be  about  60° 
at  night,  15°  higher  by  day,  until  the  trees  have 
passed  the  flowering  stage.  Remove  all  weakly 
growths  not  required  for  furnishing  the  trees. 

Pot  Vines. 

The  fruit  on  the  earliest  Vines  will  now  be 
colouring  rapidly.  More  air  should  be  admitted 
and  a  drier  and  cooler  atmosphere  maintained. 
Manure  water  should  be  given  less  frequently  and 
be  discontinued  as  the  fruit  ripens.  Freely 
ventilate  the  house  on  mild  bright  days,  and  leave 
the  ventilators  slightly  open  at  night.  Allow  the 
laterals  more  extension,  as  this  will  improve  the 
size  and  colour  of  the  fruit.  F.  Jordan. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droilwicli. 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

The  bulk  of  the  plants  which  are  being  expressly 
cultivated  with  a  view  to  produce  large  blooms 
should  now  be  thoroughly  established  in  5-inch  and 
6-inch  pots,  and  sufficiently  hardened  to  be  taken 
from  the  cold  frames  which  have  accommodated 
them  since  potting  to  a  properly  prepared  and 
sheltered  place  in  the  open.  Plenty  of  light  and 
air  are  absolutely  essential  to  their  well-being,  but 
at  the  same  time  protection  must  be  given  in  case 
of  frost  and  cold,  cutting  winds.  A  temporary 
shelter  should  be  erected,  preference  being  given 
to  that  facing  south  or  west,  with  a  background  of  i 


carnations  packed  in  box  for  market. 


should    be 
down 


thoroughly 
red   spider. 


from  the  north   and  east.     Arrange  the  plants  on 
boards  and  allow   a  good   space  between  each  so 
that  plenty  of  light  and  air  can  play  about  them. 
Each  plant  should  be  well  supported  with  a  stake 
sufficiently   long  to     secure    them    till    the    final 
potting.     No   insect   pests   should   be   allowed   to 
infest   them,   and  as  prevention   is  always  better 
than  cure,  dust  the  points  frequently  with  tobacco 
powder    during     the    evening  ;     this    should    be 
thoroughly   syringed   out   the   following    morning 
with  soft,  tepid  water.     During  hot,  drying  days 
the   plants   will    derive    much    benefit    by    being 
syringed   overhead    three   or  four    times    a    day. 
Should    the  pots   become   thoroughly    filled   with 
roots  rather  than  be  in  too  great  haste  in  giving 
them    their  final  potting,    give    weak    stimulants 
every  other  watering,  just  sufficient  to  keep  them 
in  a  healthy,  growing  condition.     Never  give  any 
water  until  the  plants  are  quite  ready  for  it,  then 
fill  up  the  pots  at  least  two,  and,  better  still,  three 
times,  thus  making  quite  sure  that  every  particle 
of  the  soil  becomes  moistened.       Late-struck  and 
the  more  weakly  plants  should  still   receive   the 
shelter  of  a  cold  frame,  and  nurse  them  along  so 
that   they  maj'  be  ready   for   shifting   into   their 
flowering  pots  with  the  rest,  but  abundance  of  air 
should  be  given  whenever  possible,  thus  avoiding 
any  attempt  at  coddling,  the  lights  being  used  to 
ward  off  heavy  rains,  but  fully  blocked  up,  and  the 
same  at  night,  except  when  severe  frosts  are  likely 
to  occur. 

Specimen  Plants. 

These  should  now  receive  one  more  shift  before 
some  kind  which  will  ward  off  cold,  biting  winds  1  the  final   one.     Stop   and   procure  ^the    necessary 


292 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904. 


number  of  breaks  as  speedily  as  possible.  Care- 
fuUj'  train  out  the  young  growths  so  that  these  do 
not  become  crowded,  at  the  same  time  strictly 
avoid  tying  them  down  like  a  pancake,  as  any- 
thing more  objactionable  and  unnatural  I  cannot 
imagine.  Early-blooming  varieties,  which  are 
grown  chiefly  for  conservatory  and  greenhouse 
decoration,  such  as  Mme.  Desgrange,  its  sports, 
and  Source  d'Or  should  be  placed  in  their 
flowering  pots  as  soon  as  possible,  7-inch  generally 
being  the  most  useful.  These  are,  as  a  rule,  most 
serviceable  when  treated  as  medium  sized  bush 
plants.  The  stopping  should  be  discoutiuued  by 
the  end  of  the  present  month  or  the  first  week  in 
May  ;  tie  out  and  regulate  the  growths  as  they 
require  it.  The  variety  Mme.  Dasgraiige  is  very 
susceptible  to  attacks  of  mildew,  especially  in 
low,  damp-lying  districts,  consequently  frequent 
applications  of  sulphur  should  be  made  to  the 
underside  of  the  foliage.  E.  Beckett. 

Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Ehtree. 


ROSE    GARDEN. 

Seasonable  Notes. 

The  sunless  days  of  early  spring  are  a  severe  trial 
to  the  grower  of  forced  Roses,  and  our  American 
friends,  whenever  they  visit  us,  marvel  that  we 
are  able  to  produce  such  fine  flowers.  But  lately 
we  have  been  having  some  bright  days,  and  this 
has  tested  our  plants  to  the  utmost.  Where  steady 
growth  and  abundant  ventilation  have  been  afforded 
the  plants  are  the  better  prepared  to  stand  the 
sun-heat  at  this  time  of  3ear.  Lean-to  houses  for 
early  forcing  have  their  advantages  in  the  more 
abundant  light  and  direct  rays  of  the  sun.  If 
latticed  staging  is  provided  care  must  be  taken 
that  a  piece  of  slate  or  a  handful  of  moss  be  placed 
beneath  each  pot  to  prevent  too  rapid  evaporation. 

Roller  Blinds 
*re  a  necessity  to  those  who  grow  for  exhibition. 
The  skilful  use  of  the  blinds  has  helped  many  an 
individual  to  win  prizes.  A  pot  Rose  loses  many 
points  if  it  is  on  the  wane.  One  prefers  the  beauty 
of  the  half-developed  flower  to  one  fully  expanded. 
Syringing  with  cold,  soft  water  is  not  only  an  aid  to 
cleanliness,  but  it  tends  to  check  mildew  by  pro- 
ducing hardened  foliage.  I  prefer  to  have  the 
work  done  by  9  a.m.  and  continued  every  morning, 
unless  the  weather  be  wet  and  cold. 

Watering 
must  be  attended  to  each  morning,  especially  when 
there  are  a  number  of  plants  in  various  sized  pots. 
Here,  again,  soft  water  is  a  great  boon.  This  may 
be  given  fresh  from  the  tanks,  but  tap  or  pump 
water  needs  a  slight  chilling,  unless  the  tanks  are 
in  the  same  house  as  the  Roses,  which,  of  course, 
should  be  the  case.  Tap  each  plant,  and  only  give 
water  when  the  sound  is  perfectly  clear  and 
bell-like.  Roses  planted  out  need  much  less 
watering.  The  surface  soil  is  just  prodded  over 
occasionally  with  a  fork,  and  then  a  real  good 
soaking  afforded  when  the  plants  seem  to  need  it. 

Green  Fly 
will  not  be  so  troublesome  vi  here  the  d  illy  syringing 
with   cold  water  is  practised,  but  when  it  is  seen 
the  XL  Vaporiser  should   bo  employed,  or,  failing 
that,  the  XL  tobacco  sheets. 

Mildew 
has  now  no  terrors  for  cultivators,  for  there  is  the 
Sulphur  Vaporiser  available.  I  can  recommend 
this,  having  seen  the  great  utility  of  the  invention. 
A  fine  mildew  destroyer  is  that  advocated  by  Dr. 
Cooke,  namely,  two  parts  flowers  of  sulphur  to  one 
part  of  slaked  lime.  Dust  this  ou  foliage  on  a 
tine  morning  and  the  mildew  soon  disappears. 

The  little  black  maggot  has  been  very  trouble- 
some this  year.  Nothing  but  hand  picking  can 
stop  his  depredations.  Where  much  side  air  has 
to  be  given  I  prefer  to  mulch  the  plants  with  some 
old  hot-bed  manure.  This  prevents  the  too  rapid 
evaporation,  and  at  each  watering  a  gentle  stimu- 
lant is  aS'orde  1  through  the  mulch.  Where  plants 
seem  to  need  more  help  a  dusting  of  some  approved 
fertiliser  or  Peruvian  guano  before  applying  the 
mulch  is  a  capital  aid  to  good  quality  of  blossom. 


The  application  of  liquid  manure  to  pot  Roses 
must  be  regulated  by  how  we  prepared  the 
compost.  If  some  bone-meal  and  wood  ashes  were 
incorporated  then  the  plants  will  not  need  much 
stimulant  until  buds  are  developing.  It  is  at  this 
latter  stage  that  all  Roses,  both  indoor  and  outdoor, 
soon  exhaust  the  fertilisers  within  their  reach. 

Standard  Roses  in  Pots 

need  a  little  artificial  aid  in  the  spreading  out  of 
their  heads.  What  is  known  as  sixteenths  wire  is 
best  for  this.  Dwarf  Ramblers  as  pot  plants  must 
become  very  fashionable.  Where  the  colours  differ 
from  the  ordinary  dwarf  Polyanthus  they  will  be 
most  welcome.  The  beautiful  novelty  Dorothy 
Perkins  may  be  grown  quite  dwarf  ;  .so  also  may 
Crimson  Rambler,  Leuchtstern,  etc.  I  confess  I 
prefer  to  see  such  Roses  in  the  stately  pillar  form, 
but  for  table  or  decorative  plants  the  dwarfs  will 
be  most  useful.  Young  grafted  plants  should  be 
potted  on  as  soon  as  they  require  the  shift,  and  all 
blooms  picked  off. 

Climbers  on  roofs  need  watching  to  prevent  the 
growths  touching  the  glass.  For  small  spaces  tne 
dwarf  Teas  are  more  serviceable  on  a  roof  than  the 
rambling  kinds,  and  three  or  four  crops  of  bloom 
may  be  gathered  against  the  one  of  the  strong 
climbers.  Cuttings  should  now  be  inserted  from 
strong-flowering  wood,  and  plunged  in  a  bottom- 
heat  of  about  70°.  The  foliage  must  be  preserved 
and  sprlnked  three  or  four  times  a  day  until 
cuttings  are  rooted.  Pot  off  into  3-inch  pots  when 
roots  are  about  half  an  inch  long.         Philomel. 


WASTE    IN    PLANTING. 


E 


EVERYTHING  which  tends  to  simplify 
the  work  of  planting  is  a  gain  in  all 
ways,  and  much  of  the  work  given  to 
it  is  needless  and  wasteful — particularly 
trenching  and  draining — two  costly 
labours.  I  live  in  a  cool  country  with  a 
wet  soil,  and  never  drain  for  any  kind  of  planting 
in  woods,  adapting  the  plants  to  the  soil,  the  true 
way.  There  are  trees,  American  and  European, 
that  will  almost  stand  in  water  and  be  not  the 
worse  for  it.  Another  costly  labour  is  trenching, 
and,  I  think,  needless.  I  have  young  woods  of 
Pine  planted  in  arable  fields,  and  not  of  specially 
good  soil,  which  people  say  they  have  never  seen 
surpassed  in  vigour  and  beauty  for  their  age,  and 
the  ground  for  them  was  never  either  trenched 
or  dug.  The  poor  hill  lands  that  are  now  recog- 
nised as  worth  planting  seldom  need  draining,  as 
they  are  often  uplands  and  naturally  well  drained. 
One  of  the  pleas  for  planting  such  is  that  the 
planting  arrests  denudation  and  conserves  the 
moisture  and  fertility  of  the  soil.  And  even  where 
soil  is  too  wet  much  can  be  done  to  drain  it  by  a 
good  choice  of  kind.s.  The  Poplar,  Willow,  and 
iSpruce,  if  planted  thickly  enough,  will  prove  ver}' 
good  and  cheap  drainers.  There  are  cases,  owing 
to  a  deadly  uniformity  of  surface,  where  some 
draining  may  be  needed,  but  for  forest  work 
generally  it  is  needless — beyond  what  is  needed  to 
keep  the  rides  dry.  Even  in  heavy  soils  I  avoid 
draining. 

Light  sandy  soils,  and  hill  soils  generally, 
seldom  or  never  need  draining,  except  when  they 
lie  upon  a  hard  pan,  such  as  is  here  and  there  found 
in  peaty  districts,  and  where  the  water  stands, 
however  light  the  rainfall  may  be.  Where  the 
surface  soil  in  such  cases  is  not  very  deep,  and  an 
outfall  can  be  found — not  an  easy  matter  on  level 
tracts — the  surface  water  can  be  led  olf  by  open 
drains,  but  when  the  peat  is  deep  the  water  will 
not  subside  below  the  drain  levels.  Some  of  the 
best  German  foresters  hold  that  in  many  soils  the 
best  system  is  that  of  trees  of  different  ages,  dif- 
ferent kinds,  and  different  times  of  cutting, 
grouping  the  trees  according  to  soil  and  situation, 
and  this  way  helps  one  to  avoid  the  heavy  costs  of 
draining  and  trenching.  It  is  a  better  way  than 
the  dead  level  mixture  we  so  often  see,  and  which 
has  to  adapt  itself  to  all  conditions.  This  grouping 
and  massing  way  also  leads  to  beauty,  as  by  its 
means  we  keep  and  accentuate  any  varied  incidents 
of  the  surface.     Putting  the  Willows  and  spiry- 


leaved  trees  in  wet  and  hollow  places  ;  this  system 
of  planting  is  one  means  of  obviating  draining  to 
some  extent,  and  by  planting  the  different  spots 
with  Austrian  Larch,  Scotch  Fir,  and  Beech  on  the 
drier  ground.  Spruce,  Sitka,  and  Douglas  Fir  in 
the  sheltered  and  moist  hollows.  Oak,  Ash,  Syca- 
more, and  Elm  on  the  cool  ground,  and  Poplar, 
Willow,  Alder,  and  Birch  wherever  the  soil  is  wet. 
This  is  a  better  plan  than  the  mixing  of  kinds 
together  on  the  same  spot,  no  two  of  which  are 
alike  in  their  wants. 

Trenching  does  not  add  to  the  staple  of  poor 
soils  such  as  are  generally  planted  with  forest 
trees,  useful  though  it  may  be  in  rich  garden 
ground,  where  a  rank  quick  growth  is  sought. 
Even  if  we  can  face  the  great  cost  of  trenching  the 
labour  is  not  always  to  be  had.  I  have  seen  a 
countryside  denuded  of  labourers  in  order  to  trench 
ground  for  planting,  and  the  result  is  no  better 
than  if  a  plough  had  been  run  through  the  land,  or 
even  if  the  trees  had  been  planted  in  the  sod.  One 
of  the  best  things  about  a  wood  is  that  it  finds  its 
own  soil,  and  if  we  plant  closely  and  well,  and 
choose  the  right  trees,  it  very  soon  begins  to  do 
this,  as  many  of  the  finest  natural  woods  have  done 
it  for  ages.  Woods  planted  a  dozen  years  will  be 
found  to  have  a  good  deposit  of  leaf-soil — this  is  in 
cases  where  the  tree  suits  the  ground,  and  where 
the  young  trees  are  thick  enough  to  discourage  the 
grass  to  their  own  benefit.  In  our  open,  loose  way 
of  planting  we  may  look  in  vain  for  any  such 
deposit,  as  the  grass  absorbs  it  all.  The  effect  of 
the  heavy  fall  of  leaf-soil  from  the  lower  branches 
of  Pines  and  other  trees  is  that  in  hot  and  dry 
seasons,  when  farmers  and  gardeners  are  at  their 
wits  end  to  get  water,  the  wood  is  cool  and  safe. — 
Flora  and  Sylva  (April). 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


F 


A  VALUABLE    WINTER   TURNIP. 

OR  several  years  I  have  grown  largely 
for  winter  and  spring  use  Webb's  Prize- 
taker,  a  green  top  variety  of  much 
merit.  It  is  very  distinct  from  any 
variety,  thoroughly  hardy,  and  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  We  always  make  a 
late  sowing,  which  gives  a  supply  of  really  good 
Turnips  well  into  May,  and  have  just  lifted  and 
stored  under  a  north  wall  a  large  quantity,  the 
seed  of  which  was  sown  on  September  14  last. 
Several  other  sorts  sown  on  the  same  date  are 
practically  worthless,  except  for  supplying  greens, 
and  I  strongly  advise  any  who  are  expected  to 
keep  up  a  late  supply  to  trj'  the  above.  I  venture 
to  say  they  will  not  regret  doing  so.  It  also 
makes  an  ideal  Turnip  for  exhibition  for  November 
shows,  as  it  is  shapel}-,  and  the  under  portion  is 
snow  white. 
Etstree.  E.  Beckett. 


POTATO   SETS. 

I  AM  glad  that  such  an  excellent  authority  on 
Potatoes  as  "  A.  D."  (on  page  244)  is  going  to  try, 
as  far  as  practicable,  the  value  of  planting  large 
sets.  For  some  years  I  have  advocated  the  planting 
of  larger  seed,  and  this  year  I  regret  to  observe 
our  seedsmen  have  sent  out  smaller  sets  than  usual ; 
indeed,  some  were  so  small  that  I  did  not  plant 
them.  I  do  not  like  small  seed,  but  would,  at  the 
same  time,  point  out  the  necessity  of  ample  space 
between  the  rows.  I  note  "  A.  D."  says  4  feet. 
Of  course,  this  cannot  he  generally  adopted,  but 
more  space  could  often  be  given  if  larger  seed  is 
used.  Doubtless  the  reason  some  of  our  Potato 
seed  is  so  small  is  that,  owing  to  the  very  wet 
spason,  in  certain  soils  the  growth  was  restricted. 
Very  poor  crops  were  obtained  from  Potatoes 
that  were  cut  down  by  frost  late  in  May.  With 
reference  to  "  A.  D.'s"  remarks  about  the  cutting 
of  the  sets  previous  to  planting,  I  think  this  is  a 
point  overlooked  at  limes,  as  in  dry  seasons  in 
light,  poor  soils  I  have  frequently  seen  very  poor 
returns  from  cut  sets,  and  in  heavy  soils  in  wet 
seasons  these  decay  quickly  unless  the  seed  was 
out  some  time  in  advance  of  the  planting  and  the 


April  23,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


293 


cut  portion  dried  by  exposure  to  light  and  air.  I 
should  say  that  "  A.  D."  will  find  the  new  seed  he 
has  received  from  the  North  will  be  much  superior 
as  regards  vigour  to  seed  that  has  long  been  grown 
in  the  same  locality.  I  find  it  so  at  Syon,  seed 
grown  here  two  or  three  years  becomes  ao  weak 
that  only  half  a  crop  is  obtained,  but  this  may  be 
the  fault  of  the  soil,  the  latter  having  been  in 
cultivation  many  years,  and  the  atmosphere  is  not 
of  the  best,  so  that  by  planting  new  seed  it  is  our 
only  chance  of  getting  good  results.  I  think  that, 
as  far  as  Potato  culture  is  concerned,  far  better 
results  would  be  secured  in  open  fields  if  the  same 
care  in  planting,  selection  of  variety,  and  rotation 
of  crops  could  be  given  as  to  ordinary  garden  crops. 
In  our  light  soil  we  get  the  best  results  by  deep 
cultivation,  ample  room,  and  growing  the  tubers 
on  the  flat,  disbudding  freely. 
Syon.  ~  G.   Wythes. 


POTATO  TRIALS. 
Thekb  are  few  garden  products  the  testing 
of  which  by  growth  and  cropping  creates  so 
much  interest  as  Potatoes.  No  doubt  that 
interest  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that,  whilst 
we  can  see  the  plant  tops,  which  have  for  us 
comparatively  little  interest,  that  portion  of  the 
produce  we  most  desire  to  see  is  hidden  from  view, 
and  must  remain  so  until  the  whole  root 
and  plant  is  lifted.  When  that  is  so, 
and  the  tuber  produce  is  a  great  one,  it 
is  doubtful  whether  it  is  possible  to  find 
in  any  other  description  of  trial  the 
same  degree  of  pleasurable  satisfaction. 
For  that  reason,  if  for  no  other,  it  is 
well  if  everyone  who  has  a  garden — 
large  or  small — would  have  their  own 
trials,  even  if  not  exceeding  twelve 
varieties.  No  waste  of  any  description 
results  from  these  trials,  as  the  tuber 
produce  can  always  be  eaten  ;  but  when 
several  fresh  varieties  are  obtained 
each  year,  if  but  a  few  pounds  of  each, 
and  planted  in  rows  side  by  side,  from 
the  appearance  of  the  first  tops  to  the 
final  lifting  interest  is  created,  culmi- 
nating when  the  tuber  product  is  seen. 
It  is  not  at  all  needful  that  anyone 
wishing  to  have  a  trial  of  this  nature 
should  purchase  costly  varieties.  Those 
who  have  not  Sir  J.  Llewelyn,  Snowball, 
Syon  House  Prolific,  Evergood,  The 
Factor,  King  Edward  VII.,  Lim  C4ray, 
General  Roberts,  Up-to-l3ate,  Royal 
Kidney,  Gold  Coin,  and  The  Crofter, 
may  purchase  small  quantities  of  these 
at  moderate  prices  and  plant  them .  Those 
few  which  seem  to  be  much  the  best 
— and  Potatoes  vary  so  much  in  diverse 
soils — can  be  saved  for  planting  the 
following  year  with  a  few  others,  which 
may  then  include  Discovery,  Northern 
Star,  Diamond,  and  other  new  ones,  and 
thus  maintain  interest  that,  so  long  as 
good  varieties  are  grown,  will  never 
flag.  Our  chief  disinterested  trial  of  Potatoes 
yearly  so  far  is  that  conducted  by  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  hitherto  for  so  many  years 
held  at  Chiswick,  but  this  year  to  be  on  entirely 
fresh  soil  in  the  new  garden  at  Wisley.  The  year's 
trial  will  include  some  sixty  varieties,  the  majority 
of  which  are  new  or  seedling  ones,  hence  a  study 
of  that  trial  each  year  is  well  worth  the  attention 
of  all  who  are  interested  in  Potatoes.  Seedsmen 
and  trade  growers  have  their  own  trials,  but  none 
others  so  far  hitherto  have  been  conducted  on  the 
same  open  and  entirely  disinterested  lines  that  are 
found  under  the  auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society.  The  new  Potato  Society  will  this 
year  conduct  about  a  score  of  trials  in  diverse 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  but  these  in  each  case  will 
be  limited  to  some  ten  or  twelve  varieties,  all 
simultaneously  grown.  The  results  of  these 
trials  when  ultimately  published  will  have  great 
interest. 

No  doubt  the  new  society  would  extend  its  know- 
ledge of  new  varieties  if  it  obtained  the  sanction 
of  the  council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 


to  see  the  results  of  the  Wisley  trials  also,  as  the 
knowledge  thus  gained  might  help  to  make  good 
selections  for  the  National  trials  next  year. — A.  D. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is  not   responsible  for   the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


DESTRUCTION  OF   WILD   FLOWERS. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 

SIR, — It  is  consoling  to  see  tliat  a 
crusade  against  the  destruction  of 
wild  flowers  in  rural  districts  lias 
been  well  inaugurated.  Probably 
there  is  hardly  a  county  in  England — 
or,  for  the  matter  of  that,  in  the 
British  Isles — which  cannot  tell  its  tale  of  the 
ruthless  uprooting  and  even  extinction  of  some 
rare  local  plant.  In  Sussex  we  believe  our- 
selves to  be  exceptionally  victimised.  Just  at 
this  season,  when  woods  and  hedgerows  are 
beginning  to  look  their  loveliest,  one  may  meet 
in  the  course  of  a  short  country  walk  half-a- 
dozen  different  sets  of  able-bodied  men  and 


by  these  wandering  pilferers,  for  they  are 
nothing  less. 

Mushrooms  and  Blackberries  in  the  autumn 
may  at  the  first  glance  be  considered  more 
legitimate  prey  for  such  wayfarers,  and  no  one 
would  grudge  them  for  their  personal  use,  as 
the  ingathering  of  them  does  not  involve  the 
same  destruction.  But,  in  truth,  these  belong 
to  the  owners  and  tenants  of  the  land,  and  the 
hedges  and  fields  are  often  so  completely- 
denuded  that  it  is  hard  even  for  the  farmers, 
and  cottagers  themselves  to  get  their  rightful 
share  of  these  simple  luxuries,  while  the  village 
children  are  deprived  of  their  chance  of  turning 
an  honest  penny  by  getting  them  for  the  neigh- 
bours who  have  no  time  to  spare  to  do  it  for 
themselves. 

Time  was  when  there  were  localities  in  many 
different  parts  of  England  famous  for  certain' 
wild  flowers  in  large  numbers.  A  Kentish 
wood,  well  known  years  ago  to  the  writer,  was 
the  home  of  countless  thousands  of  Lilies  of 
the  Valley,  but  the  marauders,  with  their 
sacks  and  costermongers'  carts,  have  carried 
them  all  away.  The  same  has  happened  with 
Lent  Lilies  and  Snowdrops,  which  are  locally 


CARNATION   MRS.,  LAWSON   IN  FLOWER  AT   MR.  BUTTON'S. 


boys,  or  rough,  stout  women  of  the  genus 
tramp,  with  sacks  full  of  Primrose  roots,  and 
baskets  slung  over  their  shoulders  piled  high 
with  Ivy  trails,  moss  and  lichen,  '&.C.,  which 
they  are  carrying  for  sale  to  the  nearest  town. 
These  are  common  things — for  we  have  no 
wish  to  give  a  clue  to  the  hidden  treasures  of 
the  county — and  Nature  is  bountiful,  but  the 
depredators  are  mostly  the  idle  loafers  from 
the  seaside  towns  in  which  Sussex  is  so  rich, 
who  will  not  do  an  honest  day's  work  if  it  is 
found  for  them,  but  prefer  to  pick  up  a  casual 
living  as  best  they  may.  We  sometimes  forget 
that  village  folk  take  as  keen  a  delight  in  the 
beauty  of  the  woodland  flowers,  and  need  the 
refreshment  of  their  sweet,  restful  influence 
quite  as  much  as  more  sophisticated  people 
with  issthetic  tastes.  Holly  for  Christmas  is 
another  tempting  bait,  and  many  a  bitter 
lament  is  uttered  in  country  places  over  the 
wanton  destruction  done  in  the  getting  of  it 


naturalised  in  great  quantities,  and  it  is  high 
time  that  these  should  be  looked  upon — as, 
indeed,  they  are — as  the  property  of  their 
owners.  High  cultivation  and  the  "demon 
builder"  lessen  year  by  year  the  number  of 
habitats  of  our  rarer  British  plants.  Let  us 
unite  to  do  our  utmost  to  preserve  what  a 
prodigal  Nature  still  spares  to  us.     K.  L.  D. 


[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — All  lovers    of    field   and    woodland  scenery 
must  rejoice  that  the  question  of  the  heedless  and 
wicked  destruction  of  our  native  Ferns  and  wild 
flowers  is  coming  to  the  fore. 

None  too  soon.  Almost  everywhere,  but  especi- 
ally in  the  neighbourhood  of  towns,  the  havoc  is 
deplorable.  Not  a  dippled  Foxglove  nor  tufted 
Primrose  nor  clinging  Violet  is  left  us,  and  as  for 
wayside  Ferns  they  are  the  spoil  of  every  tramp. 

The  just  punishment  that  overtook  the  depre- 
dators of  a  plantation  near  Axminster  the  other 
day  is  a  step  in  the  right  direction.     It  is  well  to 


294 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Apr>iL  23,  1904. 


have  the  fact  pressed  home  that  theft  is  theft, 
and  must  be  considered  and  treated  as  such, 
■whether  the  thing  stolen  is  a  live  chicken,  or  a  live 
fish,  or  a  living  plant ;  nay  more,  the  very  fronds 
and  blooms  themselves  have  owners. 

Wild  birds  at  last  are  protected,  and  since  the 
Act  about  them  has  been  enforced  more  rigorously 
much  good  has  been  done.  Can  we  do  nothing  to 
protect  those  other  living  creatures  that  are  served 
so  ruthlessly?  In  most  cases  the  plants,  whether 
stolen  or  taken  from  common  land,  fare  badly, 
from  being  rooted  up  without  the  slightest  care, 
and  generally  replanted  under  the  very  worst 
•conditions  for  their  survival. 

One  dire  result  of  all  this  thieving  of  plants  and 
flowers  is,  that  many  of  the  open  spaces,  both 
parks,  and  woods,  and  meadow  lands,  so  dearly 
prized  by  true  flower  lovers,  are  closed  to  the 
public  by  their  owners,  who  cannot  be  expected  to 
acquiesce  in  the  spoliation  of  their  property  ;  much 
innocent  enjoyment  is  hereby  lost. 

The  owners  of  suburban  gardens,  in  a  small  way, 
share  the  same  annoyances  as  the  large  land- 
owners. Their  growing  Ferns  are  grubbed  up  and 
sold  about  by  boys  or  tramps  as  soon  as  they 
appear  above  the  ground  ;  people  who  live  upon  a 
highway  have  told  me  they  despair  of  keeping 
them,  and  do  we  not  all  know  the  aspect  of  the 
shabby  "loafer"  with  his  whine  and  his  basket 
of  poor  innocents,  in  their  most  lamb-like  stage, 
■who  offers  for  sale  the  very  things  he  took  out  of 
your  garden  a  few  hours  before?  An  excellent 
thing  it  would  be  if  people  who  were  starting 
ferneries  would  make  their  purchases  at  some 
respectable  firm,  and  not  try  to  get  plants  for 
next  to  nothing.  Better  value  would  be  had  for 
the  money,  and  such  a  course  if  persisted  in  would 
go  far  to  spoil  the  illegitimate  market. 

It  has  often  struck  me  that  we  might  do  some 
good,  if  not  to  the  lowest  class  of  all,  at  all  events 
to  the  heedless  'Arrys  and  'Arrietts  at  their 
school-time  period  of  life,  by  teaching  them  the 
precious  value  of  a  growing  plant.  To  alter 
character  our  prey  must  be  caught  young.  Often 
have  I  sighed  at  cottage  flower  shows  when  looking 
at  the  "best  collections  of  wild  flowers,"  for 
which  prizes  were  offered  and  given.  These  col- 
lections (senseless  and  ugly)  meant  that  the  country 
round  had  been  ransacked  for  miles  and  bared 
of  every  flower  that  was  rare  or  pretty  (prizes 
were  given  for  the  most  sorts),  and  a  large  bunch 
of  dying  or  dead  flowers  was  the  result.  Why 
not  give  prizes  for  the  best  collection  of  living 
wild  flowers  grown  at  home  ?  (If  we  must  have 
wild  flowers  at  all.) 

Another  alternative  would  be  a  collection  of 
wild  flowers  pressed  and  dried  and  named.  For 
little  children  there  need  not  be  classification, 
simply  the  received  name,  and  the  local  one  if 
known,  or  all  the  names  that  could  be  found  for 
the  same  plant  or  flower.  This  would  create  real 
interest,  and  foster  a  spirit  of  care  and  loving 
kindness  which  are  just  the  sentiments  we  want 
to  cultivate.  Or  there  is  photography,  which  has 
turned  many  a  butterfly  collector  (and  murderer) 
into  a  harmless  and  delightful  artist,  since  he  took 
to  seizing  the  lovely  things  with  the  camera  instead 
of  with  the  net.  Many  a  flower-spray  and  graceful 
grass  has  its  picture  taken  unawares,  for  the  sake 
of  its  visitors.  Even  School  Board  children  are 
using  Kodaks  nowadays. 

It  is  my  happiness  to  live  far  enough  away  from 
any  towns  to  enjoy  the  deep  repose  of  country 
solitudes,  where  the  banks  and  hedgerows  of 
spring  and  early  summer  are  so  exquisite  in  their 
natural  beauty  that  no  man-made  garden  could 
compete  with  them.  This  makes  my  sympathies 
go  out  all  the  more  to  those  who  are  debarred 
from  the  same  joys. 

"Pleasure  is  spread  through  the  earth,  in  stray 
gifts  to  be  claimed  by  whosoever  shall  find."  Yes, 
indeed,  but  the  pleasure  is  meant  to  be  shared  by 
all,  and  not  snatched  greedily  for  the  whim  of 
one,  or  still  worse,  wilfully  wasted.  Even  in  the 
country,  sad  to  say,  the  same  spirit  of  destructive- 
ness  is  latent ;  a  larger  population  would  soon 
work  mischief.  To  believe  this  one  has  only  to 
walk  home  along  the  lanes  from  Sunday  evening 
church.      Tracks    and    "spoors"   are   visible 


along  the  pathways  in  the  shape  of  dying  wild 
flowers  idly  gathered,  then  thrown  aside,  betraying 
too  clearly  the  ruthless  treatment  they  had  received. 
The  spotted  Orchis,  for  instance,  not  being  quite 
so  common  a  flower  as  the  Primrose  or  the  Dog 
Violet,  is  always  singled  out  for  destruction,  and 
the  worst  of  it  is  the  stems  are  not  cut  carefully 
but  dragged  and  pulled  at  without  compunction, 
roots  and  bulbs  and  all,  so  that  we  are  very  sure 
the  little  Orchis-plant  will  never  again  be  able  to 
take  his  "annual  step  across  the  earth."  It  is 
very  pitiful.  Let  anj'one  who  has  any  suggestion 
to  make  come  forth  and  make  it,  ere  it  is  too  late. 
In  no  political  sense,  but  in  the  interests  of  our 
dear  English  Ferns  and  wild  flowers,  let  us  all  cry 
out  "Protection  !  "  F.  A.  B. 


EUCALYPTUS    GLOBULUS. 

[To  THE  Editor  of   "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — With  reference  to  the  note  in  The  Garden 
of  the  9th  inst.  it  may  interest  your  readers  to 
know  that  there  is  a  specimen  of  Eucalyptus 
globulus  in  the  gardens  here  43  feet  .3  inches  in 
height,  with  a  trunk  3  feet  2  inches  ;  also  Euca- 
lyptus coocifera  27  feet  9  inches  in  height.  Both 
were  raised  from  seeds  ten  years  ago.  Among  the 
several  Bamboos  growing  here  is  Bambusa  palmata, 
planted  in  April,  1898.  It  has  covered  the  ground 
76  feet  round,  and  it  is  8  feet  3  inches  in  height. 
Phormium  tenax  is  also  quite  at  home  here.  Some 
plants  are  over  27  feet  round  and  7  feet  9  inches  in 
height.  H.  G.  Jones  (Bailiff). 

Cefnamwlch,  Pwllheli,  North  Wales. 

SCIADOPITYS    VERTICILLATA. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 

Sir,— The  note  by  "  A.  P.  H."  on  page  236  of  The 
Garden  calls  attention  to  a  much-neglected 
conifer.  There  is  a  large  specimen  at  Pennyhill 
Park,  Bagshot,  fully  25  feet  high,  growing  in  a 
moderately  sheltered  situation  on  a  natural  terrace 
halfway  down  a  slope.  It  is  not,  however,  a  really 
first-class  specimen,  as  it  has  been  allowed  to 
make  several  leaders  ;  but  the  plant  is  now  being 
taken  in  hand,  and  will  probably  be  more  shapely 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years.  A  great  point  with 
this  conifer  is  to  keep  it  to  a  single  stem,  as  it  has 
a  great  tendency  to  make  several  leaders,  especially 
in  a  young  state.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  it 
S.  verticillata  requires  a  deep  soil,  moderately  light 
but  not  too  wet.  It  is  of  very  slow  growth,  and 
after  being  transplanted  I  have  known  the  trees 
stand  for  a  year  without  making  any  fresh  roots, 
though  keeping  in  good  health.  Like  many  other 
slow-growing  trees,  however,  it  will  stand  a  great 
deal  of  injury  without  being  killed.  It  is  a  conifer 
that  is  worth  planting,  as  it  is  distinct  and  hand- 
some ;  and  I  believe  a  deep  soil  with  an  admixture 
of  leaf-soil  or  peat  will  be  found  to  suit  it  best. 
Bagshot,  Surrey.  J.  Clakk. 


THE    EARLY   CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 

Sir, — All  lovers  of  Chrysanthemums  have  had 
their  attention  directed  to  the  production  of  early- 
flowering  varieties  within  recent  years.  Many 
writers  have  repeatedly  pointed  out  the  advantages 
of  raising  them,  and  at  the  leading  shows  the 
specimens  exhibited  have  been  such  a  distinct 
advance  upon  the  older  families  that  it  is  no  wonder 
the  newer  sorts  have  become  popular.  But  it  is 
surprising  that  Mr.  D.  B.  Crane  is  apparently 
unaware  of  the  existence  of  many  superb  varieties. 
In  the  list  in  Thk  Garden  of  the  2nd  inst.  varieties 
are  omitted  regarding  the  excellence  of  which  there 
can  be  no  doubt.  For  instance,  Mr.  Crane  includes 
in  his  list  a  plant  called  "  Flame  "  but  omits  "  The 
Champion  "  ;  he  places  a  little  stranger  known  as 
Dainty  among  "the  best,"  but  has  nothing  to  say 
for  White  Masse.  Yet  The  Champion  gained  the 
award  of  merit  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
last  autumn,  and  White  Masse  was  given  the  first- 
class  certificate  at  Edinburgh.  I  venture  to 
append  a  list  of  early-flowering  varieties  which 
may  interest  your  readers  : — 


The  Champion. — A  deep  yellow,  the  colour  of 
W.  H.  Lincoln.  A  magnificent  flower,  slightly 
incurving. 

White  Masne. — A  pure  white,  being  a  sport  from 
Marie  Masse. 

Vifian  Prince. — A  deep  yellow  sport  from  Ivy 
Stark. 

Rosalind. — A  splendid  plant,  with  a  flower  of  a 
lovely  blush  pink,  shaded  cream ;  it  is  quite 
i  inches  across. 

Blush  Beauty. — Almost  the  same  colour  as  Mrs. 
J.  R.  Pitcher,  but  producing  a  much  greater 
profusion  of  flowers.     Exquisite  in  sprays. 

Golden  Beatity. — Large  flowers  of  a  rich  golden 
shade.     Very  free  flowering. 

Orange  Pet. — Another  golden  colour,  bearing 
large  and  exquisite  flowers. 

Market  Yellow. — A  yellow  sport  from  Market. 
White. 

Eoi  des  Blancs. — A  glorious  white,  and  fully 
deserves  its  royal  title. 

La  Parisienne. — White,  with  a  cream  centre, 
changing  eventually  to  pure  white  when  fully 
expanded.     Very  free  flowering. 

The  Sparkler. — Crimson,  slightly  incurving,  and 
especially  suited  to  borders. 

September  Belle. — Pearl  pink,  magnificently  free, 
and  suitable  for  sprays. 

Chelmsford.  Henry  Barnes. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


HIPPEASTRUMS     (AMARYLLIS)     AT 

CHELSEA. 

A  S  the  month  of  April  comes  round  the 
/%  Hippeastruras  in  the  Chelsea  nursery 

/  %         of    Messrs.    James    Veitch   and  Sons, 

/  \  Limited,  make  an  unique  and  attrac- 
y  J^      tive   display.      This   season    they   are 

arranged  in  a  low  span-roofed  house. 
Upon  entering  the  house  one  is  first  impressed  by 
the  fact  that  the  blooms  are  unusually  large,  due 
probably  both  to  good  culture  and  improved 
varieties.  We  measured  the  flower  of  one  variety 
named  Brabante  and  found  that  the  upper  sepal 
was  4J  inches  wide,  from  tip  to  base  the  bloom 
measured  9  inches,  and  the  average  width  of  the 
sepals  and  petals  was  3.J  inches. 

All  the  plants  are  growing  in  pots,  one  bulb  in  each 
pot,  some  of  the  bulbs  have  produced  two  scapes  of 
flowers.  There  are  1,150  plants  in  the  house,  all 
in  bloom,  so  it  is  needless  to  say  that  the  resulting 
display  is  a  good  one.  The  finest  varieties  so  far 
as  good  form,  large  flowers,  and  rich  colouring  are 
concerned  appear  to  be  among  the  scarlets,  crimsons, 
and  near  shades  of  colour,  although  many  of  the 
blooms  with  white  ground,  more  or  less  marked 
with  some  shade  of  red,  are  of  very  dainty  and 
pleasing  appearance. 

Some  of  the  finest  varieties  are  Minterne,  red- 
crimson,  with  deep  crimson  centre,  a  strikingly 
handsome  flower  ;  Rupert,  deep  scarlet,  with 
intense  crimson  centre,  very  shapely  ;  Elvina,  large, 
scarlet,  with  pure  white  throat,  the  white  also 
running  into  the  petals  ;  Cyrus,  pure  white  ground, 
marked  with  light  red  ;  Adrastis,  of  perfect  form, 
the  ground  colour  white  and  sulphur,  prettily 
netted  with  red  ;  The  Favourite,  rich  velvety 
scarlet,  suffused  with  crimson  ;  Conqueror,  brick- 
red,  suffused  with  scarlet,  a  large  handsome 
flower  ;  Phoedon,  deep  scarlet,  with  darker 
centre,  the  dark  colouring  suffusing  into  the 
petals  ;  Juvantes,  of  medium  size,  with  sulphur 
ground  colour  and  light  crimson  markings  ; 
Eglamour,  a  very  large  handsome  bloom,  deep 
scarlet,  with  a  suffusion  of  crimson  in  the  centre  ; 
Himera,  a  dainty  bloom,  the  ground  colour  white, 
with  rose-red  markings  ;  Herinita,  the  predomi- 
nating colour  is  orange-red,  or  red-brown,  while 
there  is  a  suffusion  of  magenta  here  and  there,  the 
centre  is  green  ;  Linda  is  a  charming  flower  of 
good  form,  the  white  ground  colour  being  netted 
with  brick-red  ;  Mesona  is  of  medium  size,  perfect 
shape,  with  finely  recurving  sepals  and  petals,  the 
colour  is  rich  scarlet,  with  white  centre,  and  white 
showing  through  in  other  places.      Although  we 


Apkil  23,  1904.J 


THE  GARDEN. 


295 


could  not  find  a  white  Hippeastrum,  we  noted  that 
the  ground  colour  of  many  of  the  lighter  flowers  is 
a  much  purer  white  than  used  to  be  the  case,  eo 
this  may  be  said  to  be  an  advance  in  the  right 
direction.  It  remains  but  to  eliminate  the  faint 
■colouring  on  some  varieties  and  then  we  shall  have 
a  pure  white.  As  these  flowers  approach  nearer  to 
the  ideal  in  the  matter  of  form  and  colour  it 
becomes  increasingly  difiicult,  of  course,  to  produce 
new,  improved  varieties,  therefore  progress  is  not 
so  rapid  or  so  easy  now  as  it  was  some  years  ago. 
Some  of  the  scarlet  Hippeastrums  in  Messrs. 
Veitch's  collection  are  very  fine,  and  few  plants 
now  in  flower  can  surpass  them  for  rich  colouring. 
We  have  rarely  seen  the  conservatory  at  the 
Chelsea  nursery  looking  better  than  it  does  now. 
Immediately  inside  the  door  there  is  a  bank  of 
those  lovely  Rhododendrons  R.  Veitchii  and  R. 
exoniensis,  behind  these  and  filling  the  centre  of 


M  I  S  C  E  LLA  N  E  O  U  S . 

SOME    RECENT    NEW    PLANTS. 


D 


GREY-EDGED    AURICULA  WILLIAM  EROCKBANK   (LIFE  SIZE). 
r.  ^(Sfuywn  on  Tv£Sday  last  at  the  National  Auricula  Society's  exhibition,) 


the  house  are  standard  Lilacs,  Rhododendrons, 
Viburnum  Opulus,  Azaleas,  Laburnum,  Wistaria, 
&o.,  towering  above  dwarf  plants  of  the  same  kind. 
The  side  stages  are  bright  with  groups  of  Dicentra, 
Deutzias,  Boronias,  Lilacs,  Ericas,  Ghent  Azaleas, 
Cyclamen,  Spiraeas,  and  other  plants  in  flower. 
Altogether  the  display  is  exceptionally  bright  and 
attractive.  The  fragrance  of  Liliums  auratum, 
longiflorum,  and  others  mingling  with  that  of 
Boronia,  Stapbylea,  &c. ,  makes  a  visit  to  this 
house  of  still  greater  interest.  Some  plants  of 
Begonia  Agatha  were  pointed  out  to  us  as  being  of 
exceptional  interest ;  they  are  in  small  pots,  and 
now  flowering  freely  for  the  second  time  this 
season.  Some  four  months  ago  they  were  finely  in 
bloom.  H.  H.  t. 


URING  the  past  few  years  Messrs. 
James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Chelsea,  have  introduced  to  cultiva- 
tion several  interesting  and  meri- 
torious plants,  and  it  may  not  be 
without  interest  now  to  mention  the 
most  important  of  them. 

AconituTn  Wilsoni,  said  to  be  synonymous  with 
A.  Fischeri,  A.  aulumnale,  and  A.  calilornicum,  is 
a  native  of  China.  It  is  a  tall,  erect-growing 
species,  5  feet  to  6  feet  high,  with  large  pale  blue 
flowers.  It  commences  to  bloom  about  the  begin- 
ning of  September  and  continues  until  the  end  of 
October. 

Senecio  tanguticus  is  a  new  and  distinct  species, 

raised  from  seed 
sent  home  by 
Mr.  Wilson  from 
Central  China. 
It  is  a  strong- 
growing,  her- 
baceous peren- 
nial, with  erect, 
leafy  stems, 
reaching  a  height 
of  from  6  feet  to 
7  feet,  and 
bran  ching 
upwards.  The 
flowers  are  pro- 
duced in  dense 
panicles  at  the 
apices  of  the 
branches.  They 
are  golden 
yellow,  small 
individually,  but 
conspicuous  in  a 
mass. 

Astilhe  Davidii 
is  a  most  attrac- 
tive   hardy   her- 
baceous     plant, 
native  of  China, 
where      Messrs. 
Veitch     say     it 
grows    in   shady   places    and    by    water 
courses.    It  is  a  strong-growing  perennial, 
with  elegant  tufted  leafage  and  graceful 
spikes  ot  deep  rose-violet,  borne  on  stems 
6  feet  or   more    high.      The   leaves   are 
bronze    green     when    young,    becoming 
bright  green  when  mature.   The  flowering 
stem  is  2  feet  to  3  feet  high. 

Actmidia  chinensis  is  considered  to  be 
the  most  important  species  of  a  genus 
so  far  as  its  garden  value  is  concerned. 
Messrs.  Veitch  say  that  it  has  long  been 
known  to  science,  specimens  having  been 
sent  home  by  Fortune  when  travelling 
for  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and 
later  by  Maries,  but  by  neither  was  it 
introduced  to  cultivation.  It  has  recently 
been  raised  from  seed  sent  home  by 
Wilson  from  Hupeh,  Central  China,  and 
has  proved  hardy  and  of  rapid  growth  in 
the  Coombe  Wood  Nursery.  The  plant 
is  a  climber,  with  leaves  resembling  those 
of  a  Vine,  but  varying  in  shape,  dark 
green  above,  tomentose  beneath.  It  has  not  yet 
flowered  in  Britain,  but  in  its  native  country 
it  produces  handsome  yellow  flowers  IJ  inches  in 
diameter,  borne  in  clusters.  They  are  succeeded 
by  edible  fruits  about  the  size  of  Walnuts  and  with 
the  flavour  of  ripe  Gooseberries.  Messrs.  Veitch 
recommend  this  Actiuidia  as  a  pillar  or  pergola 
plant. 

Among  new  ornamental  Vines  Vitis  armata  and 
Vitis  ThoTfixmiii  appear  to  be  the  most  valuable. 
V.  armata  has  bold  and  striking  foliage,  both  stems 
and  leaf-stalks  armed  with  curious  green  hook-like 
growths  which  can  hardly  be  called  prickles.  The 
leaves  are  large,  cordate,  deep  green,  turning  a 
rich  crimson  in  autumn.  V.  Thomsonii  has  purple 
foliage  and  stems,  and  is  a  very  graceful  plant. 


Each  leaf  is  divided  into  five  leaflets  ;  the  upper 
surface  is  greenish  purple,  with  purple  mid-rib  and 
margin,  claret  colour  underneath.  This  purple 
hue  changes  to  deep  purplish  red  in  autumn. 

Buddleia  alhiflora,  with  pale  mauve  flowers, 
with  orange  throat ;  Ji,  variabilis  var.  veitchiana, 
more  robust  than  the  species,  and  with  larger 
flower-spikes  ;  Jaaniinum  primidinum,  with  larger 
and  brighter-coloured  flowers  than  J.  nudiflorum,  and 
contemporary  with  the  leaves ;  and  JJavidia  involu- 
crata,  a  tree  which  when  in  full  flower  in  Central 
China  is  said  to  be  a  marvellous  sight,  owing  to  the 
intermingling  of  the  large  white  bracts  and  green 
leaves,  are  other  notable  plants  of  recent  intro- 
duction. A.  H.  P. 


SOCIETIES. 


FLORAL  FETE  AT  DUBLIN. 
On  the  14th  inst.  a  floral  fete  was  held  in  Dublin 
on  behalf  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of 
Ireland,  and  in  which  Lord  and  Lady  Ardilaun 
took  great  interest  and  gave  much  practical  help. 
That  artistic  taste  and  intelligent  skill  well  directed 
had  co-operated  together  enthusiastically  for  the 
making  of  "La  Floralie "  specially  distinguished 
among  flower  shows  was  evident  at  first  to  those 
who  went  to  the  University  Building,  Earlsfort 
Terrace,  on  a  recent  afternoon.  First,  there  was  a 
fine  collection  of  plants  and  flowers,  very  beautiful 
and  refreshing  to  look  upon,  and  there  was  a  huge 
crowd  of  ladies  who  came  to  admire  the  show,  to 
gratify  their  love  for  flowers,  and  to  help  the 
worthy  object  for  which  this  special  exhibition  and 
fete  were  undertaken.  The  spacious  concert  hall 
was  the  bazaar  or  place  of  sale  where  flowers  and 
plants  of  every  description  were  ofiered  for  sale  at  a 
mere  nominal  rate.  Here  four  stalls,  representing 
the  four  provinces  of  Ireland,  were  established,  and 
they  were  a  novelty  in  the  way  of  bazaar  stalls. 
There  was  none  of  the  garish  trappings  which  one 
is  accustomed  to  see  at  other  fancy  fairs.  These 
stalls  were  decorated  with  curtains  of  Ivy  and  other 
trailing  plants,  studded  here  and  there  with  bunches 
of  yellow  Daffodils,  and  the  stock  which  was 
offered  for  sale  consisted  solely  of  flowers  and 
plants.  The  aspect  of  the  hall,  as  may  be  imagined, 
was  very  pretty.  As  this  was  made  also  the  annual 
spring  show  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  there 
were  a  great  many  exhibitors  of  flowers  and  plants 
and  vegetables.  These  exhibits  found  a  place  in 
the  small  concert  hall  and  in  the  gallery  of  the 
central  hall,  where  they  presented  many  attrac- 
tions in  bloom  and  colour.  The  central  hall  was 
converted  into  a  tea-room — more  like  a  garden  than 
a  room — where  tall  Palms  and  plants  and  flowers 
lent  the  saloon  quite  a  luxurious  air.  At  the  end 
of  this  hall  a  smoking  divan  was  fitted  out,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  large  concert  hall  there  was  a  space 
suitably  furnished  where  those  who  felt  tired  could 
lounge  at  will,  and  watch  all  that  was  going  on  about 
them.  What  may,  for  want  of  a  better  terra,  be 
described  as  side-shows,  were  also  very  attractive, 
and  were  well  patronised. 

With  regard  to  the  private  exhibits  and  nursery- 
men's exhibits,  one  can  only  say  that  they  were, 
some  of  them,  the  best  that  have  been  seen  at  the 
society's  shows  for  some  years  past.  For  pot  Roses, 
Mr.  John  Mullen,  of  Baggotrath  House,  was 
awarded  the  president's  (Lord  Ardilaun's)  challenge 
cup,  value  £10.  A  challenge  cup  value  £15  was 
won  by  Mr.  Ernest  Bewley,  of  Cowper  Road,  for  a 
collection  of  Roges,  twenty-four  blooms ;  and  in 
the  nurserymen's  class  a  gold  medal  was  recom- 
mended to  be  given  to  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  and 
Sons  for  their  fine  show  of  Roses,  Tulips,  Hyacinths, 
and  Narcissi.  Miss  Currey,  of  Lismore,  was  re- 
commended for  a  gold  medal  for  a  choice  show  of 
Narcissi,  and  silver  medals  were  recommended  to 
Sir  J.  Gore  Booth  and  Mr.  C.  M.  Doyne,  of  Gorey. 
Messrs.  Pennick  and  Co.,  of  Delgany,  showed  a  fine 
group  of  decorative  plants,  for  which  they  were 
commended.  Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson  of 
Dublin,  were  recommended  a  silver  medal  for  their 
fine  collection  of  Narcissi,  which  included  all 
the  most  recent  additions  to  this  interesting 
family. 


296 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  23,  1904. 


It  only  remains  to  be  stated  that  the  opening 
ceremony  and  the  first  day  of  '*  La  Floralie"  fully 
realised  all  the  hopes  of  its  promoters.  There 
was  a  good  -  attendance  on  the  second  day  and 
the  evening.  The  scene  well  repaied  a  visit. 
There  was  a  large  attendance  when,  shortly  after 
two  o'clock,  Lord  and  Lady  Ardilaun  arrived.  They 
were  received  at  the  entrance  by  the  committee,  a 
number  of  the  stallholders,  and  others,  and  were 
conducted  in  processional  order  to  the  platform. 

Lord  Ardilaun,  in  declaring  the  fete  open,  said 
Lady  Ardilaun  has  asked  me  to  declare  on  her 
behalf  this  floral  fete  open,  and  I  have,  therefore, 
great  pleasure  in  doing  so.  We  are  very  grateful 
to  all  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  have  contri- 
buted to  the  making  of  this  great  fete  on  behalf  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  you  all  know  that  the  society  was  in  very  deep 
water,  and  that  there  was  some  ditfieulty  in  evading 
its  bankruptcy.  The  only  mode  then  that  was 
open  to  us  was  to  have  this  floral  exhibition.  We 
trust  that  you  may  enjoy  the  show  that  has  been 
provided  for  you,  aud  the  entertainments  which 
accompany  it,  and  that  most  of  the  citizens  of 
Dublin  wili  come  to  see  it,  and  thus  aid  the  society 
which  has  done  so  much  good  in  the  cause  of  horti- 
culture for  many  years,  and  that  it  will  be 
re-established  on  a  sure  and  firm  basis. 

Mr.  F.  W,  Moore  said  it  devolved  upon  him,  as 
chairman  of  the  council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  to  propose  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Lord  and 
Lady  Ardilaun  for  all  that  they  had  done  for  the 
society,  and  for  all  the  trouble  which  they  had 
taken  to  come  and  open  the  show:  The  proposition 
he  made  was  not  a  mere  stereotyped  one,  it  was  the 
sincere  expression  of  the  gratitude  of  the  council  of 
the  society  towards  all  those  who  had  contributed 
to  make  the  fete  a  success.  Most  of  those  present 
were  aware  that  the  idea  of  holding  this  show  was 
inaugurated  at  a  meeting  convened  by  Lady  Ardi- 
laun, and  held  a  few  months  ago  at  the  Shelbourne 
Hotel.  Since  that  time  Lady  Ardilaun  had  not 
ceased  to  take  the  deepest  interest  in  the  work  of 
promoting  the  show.  Besides  that.  Lord  and  Lady 
Ardilaun  had  gone  to  great  trouble  and  incon- 
venience in  order  to  be  here  to  open  the  fete. 
Therefore,  there  was  ample  reason  for  passing  this 
vote  of  thanks.  He  availed  of  the  opportunity  of 
thanking  the  presidents  and  stallholders  and  all 
those  who  assisted  them  during  the  past  few  days 
in  decorating  the  stalls,  in  bunching  the  flowers, 
and  in  arranging  the  other  numerous  details.  He 
desired  also  to  thank  those  who  had  contributed 
plants  and  cut  flowers  for  sale  ;  and  finally  the 
council  had  to  thank  the  senate  of  the  University 
for  having  placed  the  building  at  their  disposal  for 
holding  of  the  fete. 


PLYMOUTH  DAFFODIL  SHOW. 
The  Devon  Daffodil  and  Spring  Flower  Society,  which  was 
formed  last  year  under  the  presidency  of  the  Earl  of  Morley, 
held  its  initial  show  in  the  Guildhall,  Plymouth,  on  the 
12i:.h  inst.  The  exhibition  proved  a  great  success,  entries 
being  numerous  and  of  high  quality.  Though  there  are 
many  very  beautiful  gardens  in  Devon  whose  owners  take  a 
keen  interest  in  their  flowers,  the  cult  of  the  Narcissus  has 
not  been  studied  to  the  same  extent  as  in  the  neighbouring 
county  of  Cornwall,  and  it  was  hoped  by  the  originators  of 
the  Devon  society  tliat  if  Curnish  growers  could  be  induced 
to  compete  an  object-lesson  would  lie  given  to  residents  in 
Devon  which  would  lead  them  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
hybridisation  of  the  Narcissus,  and  in  the  growth  of  the 
rarer  varieties  of  that  beautiful  flower  Fortunately,  the 
Cornish  Daffodil  growers  responded  nobly  to  the  invitation, 
and  had  their  reward  in  carrying  off  the  chief  prizes  both  in 
the  open  and  amateurs'  sections  with  magnificent  stands  of 
rare  and  lovely  flowers,  which  were  scrutinised  with  the 
closest  attention  by  the  crowds  of  visitors  who  thronged  the 
hall,  many  of  whom,  it  is  lo  be  hoped,  are  already  fired  with 
the  ambition  to  make  the  culture  of  the  Narcissus  their 
hobby.  The  exhibition  was  divided  into  three  sections,  the 
first  being  open  to  all,  the  second  to  private  growers,  and 
the  third  to  residents  in  the  county  of  Devon.  In  the  last 
section  the  entries  were  very  numerous,  but  the  stands, 
although  many  were  of  high  quality,  lacked  the  colour  effect 
gained  in  the  Cornish  stands  by  the  rarer  blossoms. 
Prize  List.— Division  I. 
Collection  of  forty  varieties  Daffodils.— Silver  cup  value 
£10,  Rev.  A.  T.  Buscawen,  with  a  splendid  stand  containing 
P.  R.  Barr,  Horsfteidii,  t^ieen  of  Spain,  Siren,  Golden  Bell, 
J.  B.  M.  Cauim,  Glory  of  Leioen,  Mnie.  de  Graaff,  Mme. 
Plemp,  Mrs.  Camm,  bicolor  from  Dunston,  Captain  Nelson, 
John  Bain,  Peach,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Beatrice  Heseltine,  l^ueen 
Bess,  Flamingo,  Miriam  Barton,  Seagull,  Gloria  Mundi, 
Horace,  Lucifer,  M.  M.  de  Graaff,  Autocrat,  Dr.  Fell,  Falstaff, 
Ban-i  conspicuus,  Mabel  Cowan,  Odorus  plenus.  Ensign, 
Little  Dirk,  Lulworth,  Beatrice,  C.   J.   Backhouse,  Madge 


Matthew,  Dorothy  Yorke,  Resolute,  Flora  Wilson,    Poeticus 
prrecox  grandiflnrus  ;  second,  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons. 

Twelve  distinct  Magni-Coronati. — First,  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons,  with  Glory  of  Leiden,  Excelsior,  King's  Norton, 
Maximus,  Victoria,  Mme.  de  Graaff,  Duchess  of  Normanby, 
tortuosus,  J.  B.  M.  Camni,  Mi's.  Batteridge. 

Twelve  distinct  Medio-Coronati.— First,  Rev.  A.  T.  Bos- 
cawen,  with  Katharine  Spnrrell,  Dr.  Fell,  Princess  Mary, 
Mrs.  Langtry,  Bridesmaid,  Lucifer,  Madge  Matthew,  Gloria 
Mundi,  Lulworth,  Flora  Wilson,  Peach,  Seagull  ;  second, 
ilessrs.  Pope  and  Sons. 

Six  distinct  varieties  truePoeticus. — First,  Jfr.  C.  Dawson, 
with  an  e.xceptiouHlly  fine  stand  containing  Juliet,  Horace, 
Dante,  Sapho,  Almira,  and  P.  ornatus. 

Three  distinct  liouliles. — Second,  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons. 

Single  bloom  Magni-Coronati. ^First,  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons,  with  King's  Norton,  very  fine. 

Single  bloom  Medio-Coronali.— First,  Rev.  A.  T.  Boscawen, 
with  Lady  Margaret  Boscawen  ;  second,  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons,  with  White  tjueen. 

Single  bloom  Parvi-Coronati.— First,  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons, 
with  Poeticus  pra?cox  a:randiflorus  ;  second,  ilr.  C.  Dawson, 
with  Horace;  third,  Rev.  A.  T.  Boscawen,  with  unnamed 
seedling. 

Six  pot  Roses.— First,  the  Devon  Rosary,  Torquay. 

Division  II.— Open  to  Private  Giiowers  Only. 

Collection  of  twenty  varieties  Daffodils.— First,  Mrs.  E.  H. 
Williams,  with  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Victoria,  Emperor,  Empress, 
P.  R.  Barr,  Mme.  de  Graaff,  Barri  conspicuus.  Autocrat, 
Princess  Mary,  White  Lady,  Flora  Wilson,  Madge  Matthew, 
Lulworth,  Rajah  Brooke,  Cassandra,  Falstaff,  Firebrand, 
Ellen  Barr,  poeticus  ornatus,  Queen  of  Spain  ;  second.  Misses 
Bayly. 

Twelve  distinct  Daffodils. — First,  Miss  Mabel  Williams, 
with  White  Lady,  Emperor,  Victoria,  Una,  C.  J.  Backhouse, 
Mme.  de  Graaff,  Captain  Nelson,  Princess  Mary,  poeticus 
ornatus,  Falstaff,  John  Bain,  Almira. 

Twelve  distinct  Daffodils,  no  bulb  costing  over  10s. — Equal 
first,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williams  and  Mrs.  Walker  Tyacke  ;  third, 
Miss  Mabel  Williams. 

Six  distinct  Magni-Coronati. — First,  Mr.  Coryndon  Mat- 
thews, with  Emperor,  Empress,  Maximus,  Victoria,  P.  R. 
Barr,  J.  B.  M.  Camm ;  second,  Misses  Bayly ;  third,  Mr. 
E.  H.  Hawker. 

Six  distinct  Medio-Coronati. — First,  Lady  Margaret  Bos- 
cawen, with  a  perfect  stand  containing  Lucifer,  Katharine 
Spurrell,  Waterwitch  (very  beautiful),  Lady  Margaret  Bos- 
cowan,  Gloria  Mundi,  Enid  ;  second,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  a  stand  but  little  inferior;  third,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williams; 
fourth.  Miss  Mabel  Williams.     A  very  good  class. 

Six  distinct  Parvi-Coronati. — First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Blood  Orange,  Dawn,  Ptarmigan,  Oriflamcne,  John 
Bain,  Shooting  Star,  a  beautiful  and  bright  stand  ;  second, 
Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons. 

Six  varieties  true  poeticus. — First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Horace,  Cassandra,  P.  ornatus,  Chaucer,  Dante,  Alraira. 

Six  distinct  Daffodils,  no  bulb  costing  over  os. — First, 
Mrs.  Walker  Tyacke  ;  third,  Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons. 

Three  distinct  doubles. — Second,  Mr,  E.  W. Hawker  ;  equal 
third.  Miss  Carew  and  Captain  Pailby. 

Single  bloom  Magni-Coronati. ^First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Maximus,  grand  ;  second,  Mrs.  Walker  Tyacke,  with  Mme. 
de  Graaff;  third,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williams,  with  Mme.  de  Graafi^. 

Single  bloom  Medio-Coronati —First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Ivory  Gull,  very  beautiful;  second,  Mrs.  Walker 
Tyacke,  with  Gloria  Mundi ;  third,  Mrs.  E.  H.  AVilliams, 
with  White  Lady. 

Sincle  bloom  Parvi-Coronati. — First,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams, 
with  Horace,  a  perfect  flower  ;  second,  Mrs.  Walker  Tyacke, 
with  Alraira  ;  third,  Mrs.  E.  H,  Williams,  with  Homer. 

Collection  of  twelve  hardy  spring  flowers. ^First,  Sirs.  W. 
Cory  ton,  with  Lenten  Roses,  double  white  Primrose, 
Doronicum  Harpur  Crewe,  Leucojum  restivum,  Francoa 
raraosa.  Anemone  fulgens,  A.  ranunculoides,  Tiarella  cordi- 
folia,  Aubrietia  deltoidea,  Muscari  botryoides.  Primula 
Sieboldi,  Saxifraga. 

Three  bunches  single  Violets. — First,  Captain  Parlby. 

Three  bunches  double  Violets.— First,  Captain  Parlby  ; 
second,  Mr.  F.  Bradshaw  ;  third,  Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Group  of  Rhododendrons.- First,  Mrs.  W.  Coryton ; 
second,  Mrs.  J.  Williams. 

Six  trusses  Rhododendrons. — First,  Mrs.  W.  Coryton  ; 
equal  second,  Mrs.  J.  Williams  and  the  Earl  of  Morley; 
fourth,  Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Finest  truss  Sikkim  Rhododendron.— First,  Mrs.  W. 
Coryton  ;  second,  Mrs.  J.  Williams. 

Fmest  truss  of  outdoor  Rhododendron, — First,  Mrs.  W. 
Coryton  ;  second,  Mrs.  J.  Williams. 

Six  blooms  Camellia^.— First,  Mrs.  J.  Williams  ;  second, 
the  Earl  of  Morley. 

Three  bunches  Anemones,  excluding  A.  fulgens.— First, 
Miss  R.  Williams. 

Six  bunches  Anemone  fulgens. — First,  Miss  R.  Williams ; 
second,  Mr.  H.  G.  Hawker  ;  third,  Mrs.  Walker  Tyacke. 

Group  of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants.— First,  Admiral 
Parker;  second,  Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Twelve  Cyclamen.— First,  Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Division  III.— Open  to  Devon  Only. 

Fifteen  varieties  Daffodils.— Equal  flrst,  Mrs.  R.  Mallock 
and  Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons  ;  equal  third,  the  Earl  of  Morley 
and  Dr.  Clay. 

Six  distinctilagni-Coronati. — First,  Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons  ; 
second,  Mr  F.  Bradshaw  ;  third,  Mr.  H.  G.  Hawker ;  fourth, 
Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Six  distinct  Medio-Coronati. — First,  Miss  Carew;  second, 
Mr.  H.  Collins-Splatt ;  third,  Mr.  H.  G.  Hawker  ;  fourth, 
Mrs.  Yonge. 

Six  distinct  Parvi-Coronati. —First,  Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons. 

Three  distinct  Magni-Coronati,— First,  Miss  L.  Hawker ; 
second.  Captain  Parlby  ;  third,  Mrs.  J.  Mallock. 

Three  distinct  Medio-Coronati.— First,  Captain  Parlby ; 
second,  Mrs.  J.  Mallock  ;  third,  Mrs.  Yonge. 

Three  distinct  Parvi-Coronati.— First,  Mrs.  R.  Mallock  ; 
second,  Mr.  Coryndon  Matthews. 


Single  bloom  Magni-Coronati.- First,  Mr.  T.  Batson,  with 
Cymry,  a  seedling  of  clear  yellow  colour  with  spreading- 
trumpet  and  short  perianth  ;  second,  Mr.  F.  Bradshaw,  with 
Mme.  de  Graaff  ;  equal  third,  the  Earl  of  Morley,  with  Glory 
of  Leiden,  and  Mr.  H.  G.  Hawker,  with  Victoria. 

Single  bloom  Medio-Coronati.— First,  Mr.  T.  Batson,  with 
Chryseis,  a  pretty  seedling ;  second,  Mr.  H.  G.  Hawker, 
with  Mrs.  Barton  ;  third.  Captain  Parlby,  with  Sir  Watkin. 

Single  bloom  Parvi-Coronati.— First,  Mr.  G.  S-dtau-Symons,. 
with  Bullfinch  ;  third,  Mr.  Coryndon  Matthews,  with  John 
Bain. 

The  Daffodil  classes  in  the  Devon  division  were  very  well 
filled,  and  Sir.  T.  Batson's  seedlings  were  especially  good^ 
and  would  probably  have  gained  recognition  in  the  open 
division. 

Six  bunches  Polyanthus.— First,  Mr.  R.  Watts;  second, 
Mr.  T.  Bulteel  ;  third,  Mrs.  R.  Mallock. 

Three  bunches  Primroses.- First,  Mr,  T.  Bulteel ;  secoDd^ 
Mr.  F.  Bradshaw  ;  third.  Miss  Richardson. 

Three  bunches  single  Violets.— First,  Mr.  J,  Pode;  second,. 
Mrs.  R.  Mallock  ;  third,  Mr.  T.  Martin. 

Three  bunches  double  Violets.— First,  MisaConran;  second^ 
Captain  Parlby  ;  third,  Dr.  Clay. 

Collection  of  twelve  hardy  spring  fiowers.-  First,  Mrs.  R. 
Mallock,  with  Lenten  Roses,  Muscari  bo'^ryoides,  Corydalis 
solida,  Polyanthus,  Wallflower,  Fritillaria  imperialis,  Iri& 
Btylosa,  double  Violets,  Anemone  apennina,  Erythronium, 
Violet  Perle  Rose  ;  second.  Miss  Richardson  ;  third,  Sir.  G, 
Soltau-Symons  ;  fourth,  Mr.  E.  Hawker. 

Three  pots  trumpet  Daffodils.— First,  Mr.  G.  Soltau- 
Symons;  second.  Captain  Parlby;  third,  Mrs.  Bainbridge. 

Six  pots  Auriculas.— First,  the  Earl  of  Morley;  second^ 
Mr.  T.  Batson. 

Six  pots  single  Tulips.— First,  Mrs.  Bainbridge  ;  second,. 
Dr.  Thompson. 

:Many  prizes  were  given  for  other  pot  plants,  which  were 
well  contested  for. 

Certificates  of  Merit 
were  awarded  to  Mrs.  Bainbridge  for  six  pots  of  Mignonette,, 
very  fine  ;  to  Sliss  Carew,  for  tliree  splendid  pots  of  Persian 
Cyclamen  ;  to  Messrs.  T.  Challice  and  Son,  for  Clianthus 
puniceus  albus  and  the  spotted  Pi.hododendron  Princess  of 
Wurteraburg;  toMr.G.  ReutheforlrisHeynei  and  Narcissus 
Maud  ;  to  Messrs.  R.  Veitch  and  Son  for  Tree  P:cony  Ellen 
Willmott ;  to  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  for  Narcissus  Gipsy 
Lad  ;  to  Mr.  T.  Batson  for  seedling  Narcissus  Doreen,  a 
white  flower,  two  or  three  blooms  being  held  on  a  stem,  a 
ci'oss  between  N.  calathinus  and  N.  Emperor  ;  to  Mrs.  E,  H. 
Williams  for  a  seedling  Narcissus  Rajah  Brooke  ;  to  the  Rev. 
E.  Bourne  for  a  seedling  Narcissus  ;  and  to  Mr.  R.  Sydenham 
fur  bulbs  grown  in  fibre. 

A  silver  cup  given  for  not  more  than  thirty  varieties  of 
flowering  shrubs  was  won  by  Mrs.  W,  Coryton,  who  staged 
Berberis  Aquifolium,  B.  Darwinii,  Choisya  ternata,  Prunus 
PissaTdi,  P.  domestica,  Clianthus  puniceus.  Azalea  mollis, 
A.  amcena,  Magnolia  soulangeana,  M.  stellata.  Daphne 
indica,  D.  laureula,  Skiniraia  japonica.  Erica  codonodes, 
double  Kerria,  Rhododendron  ciliatum,  Camellia,  Cytisus 
racemosus,  Piptanthus  nepalensis,  Spirjca  prunifolia  fl.-pl., 
Pieris  formosa,  Amygdalus,  Forsythia  suspensa,  Pyrus 
japonica,  Acer  rubrura,  Lapageria,  Ceanothus  rigidus,  Ribes 
sanguinea,  Illiciuni  religiosuni,  and  Acacia  longifoJia. 

A  silver  cup  given  for  the  best  Narcissi  shown  in  the 
Devon  classes  was  won  by  Mr.  G.  Soltau-Symons. 

Nurserymen 
made  a  very  effective  display. 

The  Devon  Rosary,  Torquay,  had  a  flne  collection  of  pot 
Roses  in  bloom,  containing  many  of  the  best  and  newest 
varieties  of  Hybrid  Perpetuals  and  Teas. 

Jlessrs.  Wallace,  Colchester,  staged  Iris  sindjarensis, 
I.  Warleyensis,  Anemone  Pulsatilla,  A.  P.  alba,  Tulipa 
prrestans,  Bellis  sylvestris,  Shortia  galacifolia,  Galax  aphj'lla, 
Cypripedium  Calceolus,  Gerbera  Jamesoni,  and  other  plants. 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  had  Tecophiieacyanocrocus 
(very  Hne),  Parochetus  communis.  Orchis  sambucina,  O. 
longicorna,  Daphne  Phillipi,  Grevillea  alpina,  Trillium 
ovatum,  Muscari  botryoides  carneum,  SL  commutatum,. 
Cyrtanthus  Flambeau,  C,  JSIarian,  Saxifrages,  Primulas, 
Anemones,  and  Daffodils. 

Messrs.  R.  Veitch  and  Son,  Exeter,  showed  a  large  and 
bright  exhibit,  having  Camellia  reticulata,  Lotus  pelior- 
hyncus,  Canarina  campanulata,  Dimorphotheca  Ecklonis» 
Corylopsis  pauciflora,  splendid  Amaryllis,  Primula  Kewensis, 
Boronias,  Magnolias,  Acacias,  Correas,  large-flowered 
Clematis,  and  flowering  shrubs. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Feltham,  staged  Iris  Korolkowi 
Leitchlini,  I.  Eggeri,  Cacti,  Echinocacti,  Calochorti,  Sarra- 
cenias,  Megasea  Stracheyi,  Ramondias,  Cypripedium 
japonicum,  Incarvillea  Delavayi,  Mertensia  paniculata, 
Trillium  erectura,  with  Primula  denticulata,  and  P,  d.  alba,, 
very  fine. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  exhibited  a  fine  stand  of  Narcissi,, 
among  which  were  Peter  Barr,  Gipsy  Lad,  Firebrand,  Duke 
of  Bedford,  Lucifer,  and  all  the  leading  varieties. 

Messrs.  T.  Challice  and  Son,  Plympton,  had,  besides 
Clianthus  puniceus  albus  and  Rhododendron  Princess  of 
Wurtemburg,  which  received  certificates  of  merit,  Cal- 
listemons,  Andromedas,  Bamboos,  Anthuriums,  Chorizemas, 
and  Magnolia  Lennei. 

Mr.  R.  Sydenham,  of  Tenby  Street,  Birmingham,  showed  a 
group  of  Daffodils  and  Tulips  grown  in  moss  fibre. 

Messrs.  Saunders  and  Biss,  Exeter,  had  a  stand  of  models 
and  photographs  exhibiting  their  patent  method  of  glazing. 

UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT  AND  PROVIDENP 

SOCIETY. 
The  usual  monthly  meeting  was  held  at  the  Caledonian 
Hotel,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  on  the  4th  inst., 
Mr.  E.  Burge  in  the  chair.  Three  new  members  were 
elected.  Nine  members  were  reported  on  the  sick  fund, 
the  amount  paid  out  for  the  month  being  £31  Is.  The 
usual  quarterly  grants  were  made  to  members  on  the 
1  benevolent  fund. 


Apkil  23,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


297 


ROYAL  BOTANIC  SOCIETY. 

The  second  of  a  series  of  exhibitions  was  held  in  the 
Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Paik,  on  April  13,  and  many 
attractive  groups  of  plants  aTid  flowers  were  shown. 

Miss  Adanison,  South  Villa,  Regent's  Park  (gardener,  Mr. 
G.  Keif),  e.vliibited  a  very  pretty  group  of  miscellaneous 
foliage  and  flowering  plants  and  Orcliids,  arranged  so  as  to 
make  a  most  effective  display.     Gold  medal. 

Messrs.  Stanley,  Ashton  and  Co.,  Southgate.  N.,  exhibiteda 
bright  group  of  Orchids,  which  comprised  such  as  Oncidium 
concolor,  0.  varicosum  Rogersii,  Cattleya  Schroderai, 
various  Odontoglossuras,  Cypripediunis,  Lycaste  Skinneri 
virginalis,  Cymbidium  lowianum,  &c.    Gold  medal. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate,  N.,  made  a  good 
display  witll  shrubs  in  flower,  such  as  Magnolias,  Azaleas, 
Lilacs,  'Viburnum  Opulus,  Prunus  triloba,  P.  Malus  Hori- 
bunda.  Laburnum  Alkekengeri,  &c.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  exhibited  a  group 
of  Amaryllis  (Hippeastrums).  Achilles,  Mikado,  and  Fire- 
brand were  good  sorts.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messis.  Frank  Cant  and  Co.,  Braiswick  Nursery,  Col- 
chester, had  an  admirable  display  of  cut  Roses.  Mar^chal 
Niel,  Perle  von  Godesberg,  Princess  Beatrice,  Mme.  Jean 
Dupuy,  and  others  were  beautiful.     Gold  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited,  Wisbech,  had  a  group  of 
Daffodils,  in  which  many  bunches  of  good  varieties  were 
shown.  Henry  Irving,  "Telamonius,  Albicans,  Horsfieldi, 
Alma,  White  Queen,  Achilles,  Emperor,  and  others  were 
included.     Large  silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Sons,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts, 
had  a  group  of  flowering  Peaches  and  Roses  in  pots.  Among 
the  latter  were  Mme.  Durand,  Comtesse  de  Cayla,  Mme. 
Jules  Gravereaus,  Warrior,  Dora,  and  Agnes  (the  three 
last  quite  new).  All  these  Roses  were  very  beautiful. 
Agnes  is  a  primrose-coloured  Tea,  Dora  is  a  Hybrid  Tea, 
with  large  silver-pink  blooms,  while  Warrior,  a  first-class 
forcing  variety,  has  deep  cherry-red  flowers.  Large  silver- 
gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  G.  Cuthbert  and  Sons,  Southgate,  N.,  had  a 
brilliant  display  of  forced  shrubs  in  flower.  The  varieties 
of  Azalea  mollis  were  very  striking,  and  their  rich  colouring 
was  relieved  by  Spirseas,  Kibes  albidum,  Choisya  ternata, 
4fec.    Gold  medal. 

Mr.  John  Russell,  Richmond,  exhibited  a  collection  of 
Clematises  in  pots,  all  of  the  Jackmanni  type.  Large 
silver  medal. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
exhibited  Daffodils  in  great  variety,  such  good  things  as 
Peter  Barr  (the  White  Trumpet),  King  Alfred,  Lord  Roberts, 
Big  Ben,  Duke  of  Bedford,  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Weardale 
Perfection,  Lucifer,  Gloria  Mundi,  Apricot,  Firebrand, 
Mme.  de  Graaf,  Alice  Knights,  and  many  more  beautiful 
Narcissi.  Besides  these  there  were  Anemone  Pulsatilla, 
Spanish  Irises,  Tulips,  and  some  rock  plants.  Gold 
medal. 

Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  the  Old  Rose  Gardens, 
Colchester,  exhibited  a  group  of  Roses,  in  which  their  new 
Blush  Rambler  was  very  conspicuous.  Cut  blooms  of 
Bridesmaid,  Duke  of  Wellington,  Fisher  Holmes,  Mrs.  W. 
J.  Grant,  and  other  good  varieties  were  also  included. 
Silver-gilt  medal. 

Table  decorations  were  shown  by  Mr.  Williams,  Oxford 
Road,  Ealing.    Silver  medal. 

Messrs.  Barton  and  Sons,  Limited,  Walsall,  showed 
improved  double-pointed  spikes  for  garden  fences. 

Messrs.  Champion  and  Co.  exhibited  their  tubs  for  shrubs, 
and  the  Charteras  Protector  was  shown  by  the  Charteras 
Protector  Company,  Charterhouse  Square,  E.C. 

Mr.  A.  P.  Bruce,  Chorlton-cum-Hardy,  Manchester, 
showed  his  flower  displayers. 

Clertificates  of  merit  were  granted  to  Narcissus  Peter 
Barr,  N.  King  Alfred,  and  N.  Strongbow  (all  from  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden)  ;  to  Calanthe  discolor 
speciosa,  a  new  hardy  species  from  Northern  Japan  (from 
Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate) ;  and  to  'Verbena 
F.  A.  Bevan,  with  pink,  white  centred  flowers  (from  Mr. 
Henry  Parr,  Trent  Park  Gardens,  New  Barnet). 

A  demonstration  of  the  working  of  motor  and  manual 
lawn  mowers  and  edge-cutting  machines  was  conducted 
by  Messrs.  Ransomes,  Sims  and  Jefferies,  Ipswich. 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

There  was  a  splendid  display  of  flowers  and  plants  on 
Tuesday  last  at  the  Drill  Hall.  It  was  the  occasion  of  the 
annual  show  of  the  National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society 
also,  so  naturally  these  flowers,  which  are  mentioned  else- 
where, were  extensively  exhibited.  Daffodils  were  perhaps 
at  their  best,  so  far  as  being  shown  at  the  Drill  Hall  is 
concerned,  while  Orchids,  hardy  plants,  forced  shrubs,  cut 
Roses,  ornamental  shrubs,  indoor  plants,  as  Hippeastrums, 
were  all  well  represented.  The  Orchid  comiuittee  granted 
three  first-class  certificates  and  three  awards  of  merit.  The 
floral  committee  awarded  two  certificates  and  seven  awards 
of  merit,  while  the  fruit  and  vegetable  committee,  as  has 
become  usual,  had  practically  nothing  to  do.  In  the  after- 
noon Mr.  ifassee  of  the  Kew  Herbarium  gave  a  lecture  on 
"  Diseases  of  the  Potato." 

J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South  Woodford,  exhibited  a 
group  of  Orchids,  consisting  largely  of  Dendroliium  devonia- 
num,  the  long  slender  pseudo-bulbs  masses  of  flower,  and 
making  a  charming  display.  Other  Ol'chids  included  were 
Cymbidiums,  Oncidium  concolor,  Dendrobium  wardiatum 
album,  Cattleya  SchrOderre  alba,  several  Cypripediums,  &c. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

In  the  group  from  Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  were 
Lycaste  schilleriana  magnifica,  Lcelio-Cattleya  dominiana, 
Cattleya  lawrenceana  hyeana,  L.  purpurata  alba,  L.-C. 
Bird  of  Paradise  (L.  flava  x  C.  Mendelii),  L.  purpurata 
alba,  Anguloa  Clowesi,  Odontoglossum  wilckeanura  Fairy 
Queen,  0.  bellatulum  (crispum  X  tripudians),  0.  loochris- 
tiense,  0.  Pescatorei,  Chondrorhynca  Chestertonii,  Zygo- 
petalura  Sanderii,  and  others,  forming  a  very  attractive 
display.    Silver  Flora  medal. 


H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  F.  W. 
Thurgood),  showed  a  very  pretty  group  of  miscellaneous 
Orchids  that  contained  many  good  things.  In  the  centre 
was  a  flue  plant  of  Cymbidium  lowianum  Pitt's  variety, 
Odontoglossum  crispum  Lindenii,  O.  c.  Pittiic,  0.  c.  Maud 
Rochford,  0.  c.  King  Richard,  all  excellent  varieties; 
Cattleya  Schroderie  alba,  Oncidium  concolor,  Cattleya 
schilleriana,  C.  lawrenceana,  Oncidium  phyraatochilum, 
Vanda  teres,  some  Cypripediums,  &c..  made  a  collection  of 
great  interest.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Vcitch  and  Sous,  Limited,  Chelsea,  exhibited 
Orchids  in  considerable  variety.  Lwlia  Latona,  with  its 
apricot-coloured  sepals  and  petals  and  purple  lip,  was  very 
bright,  and  so  also  were  Masdevallia  ignea,  L.-C.  highbury- 
ensls,  L.  cinnabarina,  Epiriendrum  Delphi  (orange  red),  and 
Sophronitis  grandiflora.  Cattleya  Mendelii,  L.-C.  Frederick 
Boyle,  L.  Mrs.  M.  Gratrix,  L.-C.  Zephyr,  C.  intermedia  alba, 
Odontoglossum  Pescatorei,  O.  luteo-purpureum,  O.  crispum, 
Dendrobium  crepidato-nobile,  D.  wiganianuni,  Oncidium 
concolor,  Epidendrum  elegantulum,  Cymbidium  lowianum, 
and  others  were  noticed.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  J.  and  A.  McBean,  Cooksbridge,  showed  a 
splendid  group  of  varieties  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  and 
others.  Alany  were  finely  spotted  forms,  and  the  plants 
were  well  grown,  as  was  evidenced  by  the  vigour  of  the 
racemes.  Cattleya  intermedia  alba,  Oncidium  concolor,  and 
others  were  included  in  this  exhibit.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  H.  Whateley,  Kenilworth,  showed  several  good 
Odontoglossums  (vote  of  thanks),  and  M.  Vuylsteke, 
Looohristi,  Ghent,  also  sent  some  finely  spotted  forms. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfleld,  had  a 
small  group  of  Orchids,  that  included  Dendrobium  jamesi- 
anum,  D.  wardianum  Lowii,  D.  crepidatum,  D.  tortile 
roseum,  D.  chrysotoxum  superbum,  Cymbidium  lowianum 
Bush  Hill  variety,  with  more  yellow  in  petals  and  lobes  of 
the  lip  ;  D.  devouianum,  Trichopilia  suavis,  Brasso-Cattleya 
Thorntoni,  several  Odontoglossums,  &c.    Vote  of  thanks. 

Cymbidium  lowianum  var.  Exquisitum  and  Lailio-Cattleya 
Gertrude  (L.  elegans  x  C.  intermedia)  were  shown  by  J.  0. 
Clarke,  Esq.,  20,  Avenue  Road,  N.W.  The  Cymbidium  bore 
twenty-four  blooms  on  one  raceme. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam-on-Tyne, 
showed  several  fine  Odontoglossums,  one  of  which  obtained 
a  first-class  certificate,  and  is  described  elsewhere.  Den- 
drobium X  Venus  Oakwood  variety  was  also  shown  by  Mr, 
Cookson. 

Ne'SV  Okohids. 

Zygopetalum  r/ottoiana.—Tbe  parents  of  this  new  hybrid 
Zygopetalum  are  Z.  Gauterii  and  Z.  Perrenoudii,  and  the 
result  of  crossing  them  has  been  to  produce  a  strikingly 
beautiful  flower.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  chocolate-brown, 
with  green  showing  through  near  the  edges.  The  large  lip  is 
marked  with  violet  upon  a  white  ground,  and  it  has  a  broad 
margin  of  white.  The  association  of  the  brightly-coloured 
lip  and  dark  sepals  and  petals  is  very  effective.  From 
Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans.    First-class  certificate. 

Dinidnibhm  Thwaitesce  Veitch's  oarietij.—A  large,  hand- 
some flower  of  rich  colouring,  the  result  of  a  cross  between 
D.  splendidissimum  grandiflorum  and  D.  WigauK.  The 
sepals  and  petals  are  of  a  uniform  pale  apricot  colour.  In 
the  centre  of  the  expanded  lip  is  a  large  red-brown  blotch, 
that  shows  well  against  the  .lighter  colouring.  F'rom  Messrs. 
.Tames  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea.  First-class 
certificate. 

Odonfo(jlos.^um  crisjjum  xanthotes  Cookwni(e.—A  lovely 
form,  with  pure  white  sepals  and  petals,  marked  with  one  or 
two  small  yellow  blotches.  The  lip  is  rich  yellow  in  the 
centre,  with  a  white  margin.  A  flist-class  certiflcate  was  given 
to  this  beautiful  variety.  From  Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq., 
Oakwood,  Wylam-ou-Tyne. 

Cypripedi urn  wellesleyanunu — This  is  a  natural  hybrid, 
whose  supposed  parents  are  C.  bellatulum  album  and  C. 
concolor.  The  leaves  are  prettily  marked  with  gieen  and 
white.  The  small  dainty-looking  flower  has  a  primrose- 
coloured  ground ;  the  sepals  and  petals  are  dotted  with 
crimson,  while  the  well-formed  lip,  which  is,  perhaps,  the 
best  part  of  the  flower,  has  a  few  dots  near  the  mouth  only. 
From  F.  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfleld,  Woking.  Award  of 
merit. 

Cattleya  Schrodera  Fowler's  variety.— The  chief  attrac- 
tiveness of  this  flower  lies  in  the  handsome  lip,  which  is 
rich  orange  below  the  mouth,  and  in  the  throat  also.  A 
band  of  purple  surrounds  the  orange,  and  in  turn  is 
bordered  by  palest  lilac,  which  forms  a  margin.  F'rom 
Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South  Woodford.    Award  of  merit. 

Odoiitoqto^isinn  eii^puui  Venus.— K  large,  shapely  flower, 
with  broad  sepals  and  petals,  the  latter  rounded  and  prettily 
crinkled.  The  sepals  are  suffused  with  pale  purple,  the 
petals  are  white,  and  the  long,  pointed  lip  is  yellow  in  the 
centre,  and  surrounded  by  a  broad  white  margin.  The 
raceme  on  the  plant  shown  was  exceptionally  strong,  bearing 
seven  open  flowers  and  seven  buds.  From  de  B.  Crawshay, 
Esq.,  Sevenoaks  (gardener,  Mr.  Stables).     Award  of  merit. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  W.  Marshall  (chairman),  Messrs.  C.  T. 
Druerv,  R.  Dean,  C.  E.  Shea,  Amos  Perry,  J.  Jennings, 
J.  A.  Nix,  C.  R.  Fielder,  C.  Dixon,  E.  Hooper  Pearson,  Harry 
Turner,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  E.  T.  Cook,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  J.  W. 
Barr,  C.  E,  Pearson,  W.  Cuthbertson,  H.  J.  Jones,  E. 
Wilson-Ker,  W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  G.  Paul,  James 
Hudson,  and  E.  Mawley. 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  had  Ramondias,  Narcissus, 
Viola  pedata.  Anemone  vernalis  alba,  Fritillaria  citrina, 
Erythronium  Johnsoni,  Narcissus  triandrus,  some  interesting 
Orchises,  Primroses,  Anemone  robinsoniana,  and  other  choice 
plants  mostly  of  the  alpine  class,  forming  a  most  interesting 
lot.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Pulhani,  Elsenhani,  Essex,  also  showed  a  rockery 
and  alpine  exhibit  in  which  Soldanella,  Anemone  Pulsatilla 
rosea  carnea,  and  such  things  were  prominent. 

Messrs.  Balchin  and  Sons,  Brighton,  set  up  a  highly 
interesting  lot  of  hard-wooded  things,  in  which  such  as 
Aphelexis  macrantha  purpurea,  Tetratheca  ericoides, 
Dlosma  capitata,  and  Erica  propendens,  with  Acacia  diffusa. 


and  Qenetylia  fuchsioides  made  a  charming  and  unusual 
display.  A  good  batch  of  Primula  verticillata  was  also 
noticeable.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Boxes  of  Polyanthus  in  variety  displaying  a  good  strain 
were  shown  by  Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley ;  red 
shades,  however,  predominated. 

Pot  plants  of  Primula  obconica  in  several  shades  of  colour 
were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Storrie  and  Storrie,  Dundee  ;  and 
the  plants  were  most  freely  flowered. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton,  had  a  showy  group  of  green- 
house plants,  in  which  the  cluster  Roses  made  a  very  cheerful 
and  pleasing  feature.  Gardenia  Horida  in  pots  in  flower  was 
also  prominent  in  the  foreground.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Cinerarias  of  the  stellata  section  with  Hippeastrums  made 
a  brave  show  as  arranged  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons, 
Limited,  Chelsea.  .Some  of  the  best  Hippeastrums  were 
Rouda,  crimson  ;  Florian,  white,  scarlet  truss ;  Marsus, 
marone-crimson  ;  Verna,  deep  crimson  ;  Hydrangea  hortensia 
rosea,  and  Jasminum  primulinum  were  also  finely  shown. 
Kalanchoe  Felthamensis  with  brilliant  red  flowers  was  very 
good. 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  staged  an  inter- 
esting lot  of  Primulas,  Auriculas,  and  such  plants.  Among 
the  latter  were  many  of  the  best  of  the  green  and  grey- 
edged  varieties,  together  with  a  large  colony  of  alpines.  Of 
Primulas  there  were  representatives  of  all  the  known  species 
and  garden  forms,  many  quite  rare,  especially  among  the 
alpine  section.  Gold-laced  sorts  were  largely  represented, 
and  equally  so  those  requiring  greenhouse  treatment. 

Double  white  and  double  yellow  Banksian  Roses  with 
Lilacs  and  other  things  came  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son, 
Cheshunt.  The  former  were  freely  grown  on  plants  of  the 
climbing  type,  and  the  profusion  of  blossoms  made  them 
very  charming.  Arching  branches  of  the  yelloiv  variety 
were  simply  studded  with  flowers. 

Messrs.  Cripps,  Tunbridge  Wells,  showed  a  highly  inter- 
esting lot  of  Acers,  all  very  beautiful  and  pleasing,  and 
distinctly  valuable  for  decoration. 

The  Roses  from  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  and  Co.,  Colchester, 
attracted  attention.  Some  varieties  as  Souv.  de  Pierre 
Netting  were  past,  but  Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
Ethel  Brownlow,  and  others  were  beautiful.  In  the  back- 
ground Leuchstern  and  others  were  set  up  in  pots. 

The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  had  many  beautiful 
alpines  and  other  hardy  things.  Saxifraga  Rhei,  Primula 
frondosa,  P.  nivalis.  Primrose  Miss  Massey,  crimson ;  Iris 
pumila.  Anemone  fulgens,  Thalictrum  anemonoides,  Ompha- 
lodes  verna,  Rubus  arcticus,  and  Atragene  alpina  alba  were 
all  beautiful. 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  showed  alpines  and 
other  hardy  things  in  boxes.  Aubrietia  Moerheimi,  rosy 
lilac,  was  very  fine,  also  Epimedium  roseum,  Lithospermum, 
and  Phlox  canadensis.  Gentiana  verna  was  very  fine.  With 
a  background  of  shrubs,  such  as  Ribes,  Magnolia  stellata, 
Skimmia,  Berberis,  &c.,  they  made  a  pleasing  show.  Bronze 
medal. 

The  alpine  exhibit  of  Messrs.  Jackman  and  Son,  Woking, 
was  of  much  interest.  Primula  rosea,  P.  nivalis,  Cornus 
canadensis  (white  flowers  in  a  three  to  five-lobed  leaf 
setting),  Mertensia  virginica,  Haberlea  rhodopensis.  Ranun- 
culus amplexicauU3(white),  Edraianthus  serphyllifolia  (with 
rich  purple  flowers),  Adonis  vernalis,  and  Gerbera  Jamesoni 
were  among  the  choicer  things  in  a  fine  lot  of  plants. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham,  had  a  collection  of 
Roses,  such  as  Bridesmaid,  Belle  Siebrecht,  Perle  des  Jar- 
dins,  Mildred  Grant,  and  the  new  hybrid  Rugosa  Conrad 
Ferdinand  Meyer.  Dorothy  Perkins,  a  pink  cluster,  and 
Sunrise  were  also  good. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  set  up  an  exhibit  of 
zonal  Pelargoniums,  and  of  new  varieties  we  select  King 
Victor  1904,  brilliant  crimson-scarlet ;  Charles  Curtis  1904, 
crimson,  very  rich  and  fine  ;  Queen  of  Italy,  salmon  ;  and 
Mr.  A.  J.  Bell,  salmony  scarlet,  all  of  large  size  and  rich 
colouring.    A  really  fine  display.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  exhibited  a  selec- 
tion of  Narcissi,  such  as  King  Alfred,  Sir  F.  Drake,  Victoria, 
Horsfleldii,  and  others  essential  in  a  large  gathering  of 
these  flowers. 

From  Messrs.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester,  came  a  highly 
interesting  lot  of  hardy  things— Fritillaria  Meleagns  in 
variety.  Anemone  nemorosa  ccerulea,  Adonis  vernalis,  Tulipa 
Eichleri  (crimson,  with  dark  base),  Gerbera  Jamesoni,  Ery- 
throniums,  Fritillaria  recurva,  Gentiana  verna,  and  many 
others.    Acers  and  other  foliage  plants  were  also  good. 

Roses  from  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  the  Old  Rose 
Gardens,  Colchester,  were  very  fine.  Blush  Rambler, 
Austrian  Yellow  Briar,  Mrs.  Sharman  Crawford,  Caroline 
Testout,  Soleil  d  Or,  with  Austrian  Copper  were  all  fine. 
The  profusion  of  Blush  Rambler  was  very  beautiful.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfleld,  showed  Schizanthus, 
yellow  Callas,  the  yellow  Auricula  Queen  Alexandra,  Mal- 
maison  Carnations,  and  Borouias  in  good  condition. 

Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cnthbert,  Southgate,  staged  a  grand  lot 
of  forced  shrubs.  Azaleas,  Lilacs,  Staphylea.  Acers,  white 
and  blue  Wistarias,  Deutzias,  and  others.  Silver-gilt  Flora 
medal.  ,     ^  ,  ^     * 

Alessrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  in  a  select  lot  ot 
Daffodils  showed  Peter  Barr,  Phil  May,  Baron  de  Soutel- 
linho  (a  fine  bicolor).  Monarch,  King  Alfred,  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Barr  (a  flower  very  near  Peter  Barr),  King  Alfonso  (soft 
lemon  trumpet),  Elvira,  Pyramus  (soft  yellow  bicolor),  and 
Henri  Vilmorin  (a  soft  creamy  trumpet  flower)  were  among 
the  best. 

The  silver  vase  given  by  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent 
Garden,  was  won  by  R.  A.  Danvers,  Esq.,  Shepperton,  with  a 
choice  assortment  in  capital  condition.  Captain  Nelsou, 
Golden  Nugget,  Gloria  Mundi,  M.  J.  Berkeley,  Sir  \yatkin, 
poeticus  Almira,  Duchess  of  Westminster,  Glory  of  Leiden, 
id  Mrs.  W.  Ware  were  among  the  best  in  this  lot. 
Mr.  ilelville  Brenstone,  Lincoln,  also  showed  a  flne  repre- 
sentative lot,  in  which  we  noted  King  Alfred,  Mme.  Plemp, 
and  others.  „ 

Another  fine  collection  was  from  J.  A.  Nix,  Esq.,  Crawley, 
the  flowers  well  disposed  in  a  mossy  bank.  Silver  Flora  medal. 


298 


THE    GARDEN. 


fAPNiL  23,  JS04. 


Messrs.  Hogg  and  Kobertson,  Dublin,  staged  a  good  and 
varied  lot  of  Narcissi,  in  which  King  Alfred  and  Lady 
Margaret  Boscawen  were  conspicuous.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Alpines  and  allied  things  in  boxes  came  from  Messrs.  Peed 
and  Sons,  West  Xurwood,  and  a  group  of  Anemone  King  of 
Scarlets  from  Mis.  Luther  Holden,  Ipswich. 

Alpines,  Primroses,  Daisies,  and  the  yellow  Auriculas 
Golden  Queen  and  Queen  Alexandra  were  the  chief  things 
from  the  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Cheshire.  The  Auriculas 
were  very  charming. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Bourne,  Lincoln,  showed 
Anemones  in  superb  form,  King  of  Scarlets,  and  the  double 
and  semi -double  forms  of  St.  Brigid.  These  are  very 
dazzling  and  showy  just  now  in  the  garden. 

Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  a  large 
array  of  Narcissi  of  all  sections,  the  beat  sorts  being  shown 
freely  in  masses.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons,  Birmingham,  had  a  fine  lot  of  new 
Daffodils,  in  which  Surprise  (a  giant  trumpet),  Giant, 
Kings  Norton,  and  Weardale  Perfection  were  all  fine 
blooms  of  the  trumpet  class.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Miss  F.  \V.  Currey,  Lismore,  Ireland,  also  had  a  formid- 
able array  of  Daffodils,  all  sections  of  the  flower  being  well 
represented.  Enid,  King  Alfred,  Lady  M.  Boscawen,  White 
Queen,  Lucifer,  and  Maximus  superbus  were  conspicuous. 
Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

Mr.  Charles  Dawson,  Penzance,  had  a  choice  lot.  Some 
notable  thincs  were  Shearwater,  a  Leedsi  with  orange-tinted 
cup;  Orange  Peel;  Pilgrim,  a  large  bicolor  Leedsi;  Will 
Scarlett,  verv  fine  ;  Kingfisher,  a  nearly  white  Queen  of 
Spain  type  ;  Elizabeth,  a  very  soft  small  Sir  Watkin  flower  ; 
with  White  Lady  and  Marie  Louise,  a  fiery-cupped  kind,  as 
the  best.    Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  R.  H.  Bath,  Wisbech,  also  had  a  choice  assortment. 
Three  vases  of  Weardale  Perfection,  and  Duke  of  Bedford, 
White  Queen,  King's  Norton,  M.  J.  Berkeley,  Lucifer, 
Apricot,  and  others,  all  well  shown.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Narcissi  were  shown  by  H.  K.  Darlington,  Esq.,  Potter's 
Bar,  a  choice  lot  being  staged.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

The  E,oses  from  Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  were  a  grand 
feature,  and  displayed  in  numbers.  Captain  Hay  ward, 
Catherine  Merraet,  Mme.  A.  Ch^tenay,  I'Irich  Brunner, 
La  France,  Anna  Olivier,  and  Niphetos  were  all  shown  in 
masses,  and  were  most  effective.    Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

The  Narcissi  from  the  Kev.  G.  Engleheart,  Dinton,  Wilts, 
as  usual,  were  a  great  treat.  A  few  noted  were  Scarletta, 
most  intense  cup  ;  Glitter,  an  improved  Barri  conspicuus  ; 
Virgil,  a  pueticus  with  rich  crown  ;  Hildago,  soft  lemon, 
with  deeper  cup.  Sir  Watkin  type  ;  and  Will  Scarlett ;  with 
Argent  and  Plenipo  doubles. 

Miss  Willraott,  Warley  Place,  Essex,  had  a  small  group  of 
Narcissi,  of  which  three  varieties  obtained  awards.  Apart 
from  these,  to  which  we  shall  refer  next  week,  was 
Cormoran,  a  fine  bicolor  Ajax  of  the  largest  size.  Some 
Cernuus  forms  were  also  shown. 

The  plants  and  flowers  to  which  awards  were  given  by  the 
floral  committee  will  be  described  next  week. 


AWAKDS. 

A    first-class    certificate    was    awarded 
Snowdon    (Mr. 


development.  Gas  lime  will  kill  this  disease  if  it  is  used  at 
the  proper  time — May  to  June — the  fungus  is  then  most 
sensitive  and  most  easily  destroyed.  Gas  lime  has  nu  effect 
when  the  mycelium  has  taken  hold  of  the  plant.  Lime, 
although  beneficial,  is  not  so  good  as  gas  lime. 

Black  Scab.— With  reference  to  this  disease,  Mr.  Massee 
said  it  always  starts  in  the  Potato  sprouts.  1"he  spi  res  may 
be  lurking  in  the  "eyes,"  but  there  is  no 'real  disease  until 
sprouting  begins.  This  can  only  enter  into  soft  delicate 
tissues.  The  black  scab  fungus  differs  from  the  Peronospora 
infestans  in  tliat  it  has  only  a  resting  spore  condition,  and, 
therefore,  is  rather  more  difficult  to  treat.  The  resting 
spores  are  impervious  to  all  outward  applicatioTis  except  in 
May  and  June,  then  the  protoplasm  is  naked,  and  the 
minutest  trace  of  gas  lime  will  destroy  it.  Turning  up  the 
soil  in  winter  is  labour  in  vain,  the  spores  like  frost.  The 
remedy  for  black  scab  is  flowers  of  sulphur,  although,  said 
Mr.  Massee,  its  application  on  a  large  scale  may  not  at 
present  be  practicable.  Tubers  covered  with  sulphur  and 
planted  will  be  free  from  black  scab.  The  sulphur  kills  the 
organisms  as  they  emerge  from  their  case  to  attack  the 
sprouts.  Although  it  may  be  impracticable  to  introduce 
sulphur  throughout  a  large  acreage  of  land,  it  is  valuable  to 
know  that  this  would  prevent  the  disease.  Potatoes  when 
dry  should  be  sulphured  before  storing. 

Winter  Rut. — This,  the  third  disease,  is  mainly  spread  by 
tiny  mites  in  spring.  The  application  of  sulphur  also 
prevents  this  disease.  When  the  tubers  are  dry  they  should 
be  sprinkled  with  it  before  storing.  Mr.  Massee  said  that 
the  Potato  scab  could  he  cured  by  a  mixture  of  half  a  pint  of 
formalin  dissolved  in  15  gallons  of  water.  Soak  the  tubers 
for  two  liours,  and  then  put  them  to  dry  for  three  or  four 
days  before  planting. 

Mr.  Alex.  Dean  said  he  had  found  that  black  spot 
generally  followed  after  a  tuber  had  been  bruised.  With 
reference  to  the  way  in  which  Peronospora  infestans  per- 
petuates itself,  Mr.  Dean  said  that  Mr.  Worthington  Smith 
held  the  opinion  that  it  was  by  resting  spores,  but  he  under- 
stood that  Mr.  Massee  thought  it  was  continued  year  by 
year  by  planting  diseased  tubers.  It  would  be  of  great 
importance  if  this  question  were  to  be  decided. 

Dr.  Masters,  who  was  in  the  chair,  said  that  growers 
neglected  to  take  proper  precautions  to  prevent  the  spread 
of  disease.  Mr.  Massee  and  Mr.  Dean  had  hoped  ihere 
would  be  experiments  in  the  Wisley  garden  with  a  view 
to  learning  more  about  Potato  diseases,  but,  said  Dr. 
Masters,  those  carried  out  at  Chiswick  some  twenty  years 
ago  were  of  great  value,  and  should  not  be  forgotten,  ilr 
Massee  was  accorded  a  hearty  vole  of  thanks  for  his  lecture. 


to    Hippeastrum 
W.     H.    Burns,    Hatfield)    and    to    Pteris 
Summersi  (Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton). 

An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  each  of  the  following  : 
Hippeastrum  Ronda  (Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited); 
Fritillaria  inodora  (Mr.  C.  J.  Van  Tubergen,  jun.,  Holland); 
Ribes  King  Edward  VII.  (Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons, 
Eynsford);  Iris  Lorteti  alba  (Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons, 
Highgate,  N.);  Rhododendron  Harry  iMangles  and  R.  Rose 
Queen  (both  from  Mr.  H.  A,  Mangles,  Scale);  and  R.  Glory 
of  Penjerrick  (Mr.  R.  Fox,  Falmouth). 

The  Narcissus  committee  gave  one  first-class  certificate  and 
eight  awards  ot  merit.  We  shall  describe  the  fiowers  next 
week. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present  :  Mr.  A.  Dean  (chairman),  Messrs.  J.  Willard,  E. 
Beckett,  W.  Pope,  W.  Fyfe,  H.  Parr,  J.  Line,  G.  Norman, 
W.  Crump,  G.  Reynolds,  R.  L.  Castle,  H.  J.  Wright,  G.  Keif, 
F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Wythes,  J.  Mclndoe,  and  S.  Mortimer. 

The  only  exhibits  before  this  committee  were  some  few 
vegetables.     No  awards  were  made. 

Lecture. 
Mr.  G.  Massee,  of  the  Herbarium,  Kew,  gave  a  lecture  upon 
"Diseases  of  the  Potato."  The  three  most  important 
Potato  diseases,  said  Mr.  Massee,  are  Peronospora  infestans 
(commonly  called  the  Potato  disease),  black  scab,  and 
winter  rot.  Dealing  first  with  Peronospora  infestans,  the 
lecturer  said  that  the  disease  germ  must  have  a  certain 
combination  of  conditions,  suitable  temperature,  moisture 
(the  latter  especially),  &c.,  before  it  can  germinate.  The 
spores  cannot  germinate  upon  a  dry  surface.  The  fungus 
may  be  said  to  be  always  present  awaiting  suitable  condi- 
tions for  its  development.  He  mentioned  the  folly  of 
ploughing  diseased  Potatoes  into  the  ground  ;  so  long  as  the 
spores  remain  underground  no  harm  is  done,  but  some  of 
them  are  sure  to  get  to  the  surface,  be  blown  about,  and  so 
help  to  spread  the  disease.  The  lecturer  said  that  a  good 
deal  of  Potato  disease  was  due  to  negligence,  it  would  really 
pay  in  the  end  tc)  clear  away  and  burn  every  diseased  tuber. 
Cleanliness  is  a  most  important  item  in  the  prevention  of 
disease.  Another  cause  of  disease  was  the  planting  of 
diseased  sets ;  this  should  on  no  account  be  done.  Many 
diseased  tubers,  however,  showed  no  external  signs  of  disease, 
yet  when  cut  open  rusty  stains  may  be  seen  which  are 
unmistakable  evidence  (jf  its  presence.  This  is  one  reason  in 
support  of  cutting  Potat«»es  before  planting.  Mr.  Massee 
said  that  if  it  were  possible  to  burn  every  diseased  tuber  for 
five  years  this  Potato  disease  might  be  stamped  out.  While 
admitting  the  good  results  of  change  of  seed,  he  said  that 
there  was  a  danger  of  importing  diseased  tubers  at  the  same 
time.  With  regard  to  spraying,  he  said  that,  so  far  as  its 
application  tea  large  acreage  of  Potatoes  is  concerned,  it 
was  of  doubtful  value  as  a  disease  killer.  It  has  the 
advantage,  however,  of  prolonging  the  life  of  the  plants  some 
ten  days,  and  this  enables   the  tubers   to   attain    better 


NATIONAL    AURICULA    AND    PRIMULA    SOCIETY. 

The  general  verdict  given  by  experts  is  that  the  exhibition 
held  in  the  Drill  Hall  on  the  19th  inst.  was  remarkably  good 
for  such  a  season  ;  indeed,  not  only  was  great  surprise 
expressed  that  so  large  a  display  was  brought  together,  but 
also  that  the  quality  was  so  good  throughout.  Quite  a  record 
was  set  up  from  the  fact  that  six  collections  each  of  fifty 
Auriculas  were  staged,  and  it  was  a  source  of  regret  to  the 
judges  that  they  were  prohibited  by  the  state  of  the  finances 
from  awarding  an  extra  prize  in  this  class.  Show  Auriculas 
were  staged  plentifully  and  in  surprisingly  good  character ; 
the  fine  sunny  weather  of  the  few  days  previously  had  not 
only  brought  the  fioweis  into  bloom,  but  had  imparted 
refinement  to  them.  The  alpine  Auriculas  were  numerous, 
brilliant  in  colour,  and  refined  in  character,  and  though 
there  was  but  one  collection  of  twelve  species  of  Primulas, 
the  examples  were  very  good.  There  were  no  double  Prim- 
roses ;  not  a  single  collection  of  six  species.  The  giant  Poly- 
anthus were  very  fine  indeed  ;  Mr.  S.  Moilimer,  and  also 
Mr.  J.  Douglas,  in  particular,  staging  varieties  of  great 
excellence.  Primroses  were  not  so  plentifully  shown  ;  they 
are  earlier  to  bloom  than  the  Polyanthus.  The  gold-laced 
Polyanthus  was  represented  by  a  few  finely-flowered  plants 
from  Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley,  of  Manchester,  supplemented  by 
some  smaller  specimens  of  southern  growth.  The  day  was 
brilliantly  fine.  There  was  a  large  company,  and  it  was 
ditticult  to  see  the  plants  during  the  afternoon,  thus  marking 
the  interest  shown  in  our  popular  spring  flowers. 

Show  Auriculas. 

There  were  five  collections  of  twelve  show  Auriculas,  and 
Mr.  James  Douglas,  Great  Bnokham,  asserted  his  old 
supremacy  by  taking  the  first  prizes  with  well-giown  plants, 
which  included— Green  edges.  Dr.  Hardy,  Abraham  Barker, 
and  Grasshopper ;  grey  edges,  Lancashire  Hero  (almoaL 
green).  Amy  Roossrt,  and  George  Lightbody  ;  white 
edges.  Magpie,  Conservative,  and  Vesta  ;  selfs,  M  rs.  Potts,  Mrs. 
Phillips,  and  Ruby,  a  deep  red  self.  Mr.  J.  Sargent,  Cobham 
was  second  with  a  very  praiseworthy  twelve.  He  had  of 
green  edges,  Shirley  Hibherd  (in  very  flue  character,  though 
a  little  over-sized),  F.  D.  Horner,  and  Abb6  Lizst ;  grey 
edges.  George  Lightbody  and  Richard  ITeadly  ;  white  edges, 
Mrs.  Dodwell,  Perseverance,  Acme,  and  Heather  Belle  ;  selfs, 
Gerald,  Ruby,  and  Mrs.  Potts.  Mr.  William  Smith,  Bishops 
Stortford,  was  a  good  third,  and  Mr.  Charles  Turner  fourth. 

The  class  for  six  show  Auriculas  is  always  a  very  popular 
one,  and  there  were  seven  competitors,  Mr.  J.  Sargent 
winning  the  first  prize  with  a  well  balanced  half-dozen, 
having  of  green  edges.  Gladiator  and  Abb6  Lizst ;  grey  edge, 
Richard  Headly  ;  white  edges,  Acme  and  Elaine;  and  selfs, 
Gerald.  Mr.  J.  T.  Beiinett-P(je,  Ashley  Place,  came  second, 
also  with  good  specimens,  he  had  of  green  edges,  Abbii  Lizst 
and  Mrs.  Uenwood  ;  urey  edges,  Richard  IJeadly  and  George 
Rudd  ;  white  edge,  Acme  ;  and  self,  Ruby.  Third,  Mr.  J. 
Douglas.    Two  other  prizes  were  awarded. 

There  were  seven  comjietitors  with  four  Auriculas.  Mr. 
F.  A.  Wellesley,  Westfield,  Woking,  taking  the  first  prize 
with  a  good  quartette  consisting  of  green  edge,  Shirley 
Hibberd  ;  grey  edge,  Georce  Rudd  ;  white  edge,  Acme  ;  and 
self,  Mrs.  Potts.  Mr.  J.  H.  Wilson,  Shelfield,  came  second. 
He  had  green  edge,  James  Hannaford  ;  white  edge.  Acme; 
and  selfs,  Ruby  and  Cleopatra.  Three  other  prizes  were 
awarded  in  this  class. 


There  were  four  competitors  with  a  pair  of  Auriculas,  Mr. 
A.  S.  Hampton,  Reading,  taking  the  first  prize  with  George 
Lightbody  and  Ruby,  very  ttne  in  colour.  Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley, 
Stakehill,  Manchester,  came  second  with  Heather  Bell  and 
Ruby.     Mr.  R.  Holding,  Birmingham,  was  third. 

Then  came  the  classes  for  single  specimens,  several  plants 
being  staged  in  competition,  seven  prizes  being  awarded  in 
each  class,  if  a  suflicient  number  of  plants.  Mr.  C.  Turner 
came  first  with  F.  D.  Horner;  Mr.  J.  Sargent  was  second 
with  the  same  ;  and  Mr.  W,  Smith  third  with  a  variety 
unnamed— an  award  in  defiance  of  the  rule  that  all  plants 
must  be  legibly  named.  Grey  edges.— Mr.  J.  T.  B.-Poe  was 
first  and  second  with  George  Lightbody.  apparently  the  only 
two  exhibited.  White  edges.— This  was  a  weak  class.  Mr. 
W.  Smith  came  first  with  John  Simonite,  and  second  with 
Acme  ;  Mrs.  Dodwell  was  third,  but  the  name  of  the  exhi- 
bitor aid  not  appear.  Selfs  were  more  strongly  represented. 
Mr.  W.  Smith  came  first  with  Mrs.  Phillips;  Mr.  Hennell 
second  with  Zulu,  very  dark,  Mrs.  Potts  being  placed 
third. 

Fifty  Auriculas.— As  already  stated,  there  were  six  exhibits 
of  these,  and  they  filled  a  considerable  space  of  table.  The 
collection  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Douglas  outdistanced  all  th6 
rest,  the  leading  varieties,  most  ol  which  were  in  duplicate, 
being:  Green  edges,  Abb6  Lizst,  Rolt's  Green,  and  a  seed- 
ling; grey  edges,  Durham  Ringleader,  Amy  Robsart, 
Lancashire  Hero,  George  Rudd,  and  Ajax  ;  white  edges. 
Perseverance,  Rachel,  Heather  Bell,  Conservative,  and 
Acme  ;  selfs.  Ruby,  Mrs.  Phillips,  Sapphire,  Mrs.  Potts,  and 
Black  Bess.  Second,  Mr.  W.  Smith,  who  had  F.  D.  Horner, 
Shirley  Hibberd,  Rachel,  Durham,  Gleorge  Lightbody,  Acme, 
Mrs.  Dodwell,  Blackbird,  Mrs.  Phillips,  and  seedlings.  Mr. 
C.  Turner  was  third. 

There  was  a  maiden  class  for  four  Auriculas,  in  which  Mr. 
C.  Blick  was  first ;  also  for  two  Auriculas,  in  which  Mr.  A.  J. 
Cooper  was  first,  and  Mr.  S.  J.  Culpeck  second  ;  also  classes, 
for  single  specimens,  but  none  was  shown  in  the  green  and 
grey  classes.  The  best  white  edge  was  The  Miller  (Douglas), 
There  were  also  several  selfs,  but  no  award  appears  to  have 
been  made.  The  premier  show  Auiicula  was  a  plant  of 
Shirley  Hibbeid,  shown  in  his  second  prize  twelve  by  Mr.  J. 
Sargent. 

Alpine  Auriculas. 

These  made  a  fine  display.  There  were  several  collections 
of  twelve  varieties,  Mr.  .T.  Douglas  taking  the  first  prize 
with  a  finely  developed  lot  of  plants,  having  Dunsford,  Dean 
Hole,  Urania,  Duke  of  York,  Firefly,  and  Teviotdale 
(Douglas),  a  beautiful  white  ct-ntre  ;  Thetis,  Ganymede,  &c. 
Messrs.  Phillips  and  Taylor,  Bracknell,  Beiks,  weresecond. 
They  had,  of  golden  centres,  Mrs.  M.  P.  Smith,  Sol,  Firefly, 
Kathleen,  Niphetos,  Duke  of  Yoik,  Admiral  Togo,  and 
Mildred,  with  white  centre  Purity,  Mr.  C.  Turner  was 
third. 

There  were  eight  exhibitors  of  six  alpines.  Mr.  J.  Douglas 
was  again  first  with  Rosy  Morn,  Urania,  Firefly,  and  Duke  of 
York  ;  Messrs.  Phillips  and  Taylor  were  again  second  ;  Mr. 
Price,  Beckenham,  was  third. 

Mr.  Price  came  in  first  with  four  alpines,  all  very  fine,  the 
gold  centres  Urania,  Sunset,  Duke  of  York,  and  a  seedling; 
Mr.  Pi.  Holding  came  second,  and  Mr.  Martin  R.  Smith  was 
tbirel. 

The  best  gold  centre  was  Charmer,  from  Messrs.  Phillips 
and  Taylur  ;  .Mr.  HHmpt<m  was  second,  and  Mr.  Price  third. 

White  Centres —Mr.  Purnell-Purnell  was  first  with  Mrs. 
H.  Turner,  and  Messis.  Phillips  and  Taylor  were  second  with 
Thetis. 

Premier  alpine. — This  was  Teviotdale,  a  beautiful  pure 
white  centre,  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Douglas  in  his  first  prize 
twelve. 

Seedling  Alpines. 

The  best  gold  centre  was  Mabel  of  the  Manor,  from  Mr. 
R.  Holding,  Messr-.  Phillips  and  Taylor  coming  second  with 
an  unnamed  seedling.  Messrs.  Phillips  and  Taylor  had 
the  best  white  centre,  staging  an  unnamed  seedling ;  Mr. 
C.  Turner  was  second,  also  with  an  unnamed  variety.  Mr. 
J.  Douglas's  silver  medal  for  six  seedlings  raised  from  seed 
supplied  by  him  was  won  by  Mr.  R.  Holding  with  unnamed 
varieties. 

Mr.  J.  Douglas  was  first  and  the  only  exhibitor  in  the  class 
for  fancy  Auriculas. 

Species  of  Primulas. 

There  was  but  one  exhibitor  of  twelves  in  Mr.  Purnell- 
Purnell,  and  he  had  fine  masses.  There  was  no  entry  for  six 
species.  Boxes  and  baskets  of  species  and  varieties  were 
admirably  shown.  Mr.  J.  Grandfeild,  Hayes,  was  first  with 
a  very  fine  collection,  thoroughly  and  admirably  grouped  ; 
Mr.  Purnell-Purnell  came  second,  also  with  a  very  inter- 
esting collection  ;  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Handsworth  was  third. 

Fancy  Polyanthus. — These  were  very  finely  shown  in  huge 
specimens  by  Messrs.  S.  Mortimer,  Ksmham.  and  J.  Douglas ; 
Mr.  R.  Dean  was  third.  With  single  specimens  Mr.  P.  D. 
Williams,  St.  Keverne,  came  first  with  a  very  fine  dark 
variety,  Mr.  Mortimer  coming  second  and  third  with  a 
yellow  and  a  rose-coloured  variety. 

Primroses.— With  twelve  Primroses  Mr.  J.  Douglas  was 
first  aiid  Mr.  R.  Dean  second,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams  coming 
first  and  second  with  single  specimens,  being  first  with  a 
large  crimson  and  second  with  a  white.  Double  Primroses 
in  sixes  were  not  represented. 

Polyanthus,  gold-laced.— With  three  varieties  Mr.  G.  W. 
Bentley,  Stakehill,  came  first  with  strongly-grown  and  finely- 
bloomed  plants  of  Sarah  Holden,  a  fine  new  black  ground  ; 
George  IV.,  and  Middleton  Favourite,  red  grounds.  Mr. 
R.  Dean  came  second  with  Lancashire  Hero  and  Tiny,  black 
grounds,  and  Middleton  Favourite,  red  ground.  The  Misses 
Hopkins,  Knutsford,  were  third.  With  single  specimens 
Mr.  Bentley  was  first  with  Sarah  Holden,  and  second  with 
Mrs.  Brownhill,  Mr.  K.  Dean  coming  third  with  Middleton 
Favourite. 

Groups  of  Primrose  and  Polyanthus  made  a  very  fine 
display.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  came  first  with  a  brilliant  lot  of 
fancy  Polyanthus  ;  Mr.  J.  Grandfeild  was  second,  also  with  a 
ttne  lot,  and  Mr.  T.  H.  Barnard,  Bedford,  third. 


%i^jir^^— - 


GARDEN 


-j^- 


■p&^ 


No.  1693.— Vol.  LXV. 


[April  30,  1904. 


WILD 


FLOWERS 
SEED. 


FROM 


THE  extinction   of   our  rarer  British 
plants  is  a  subject  which  is  exer- 
cising many  minds  at  present,  and 
not  a  moment  too  soon.     A  remedy 
which      concerns      the      gardening 
public,  who  sometimes  infringe  the  laws  of 
property  in   this   direction   no   less   than  the 
offending  vagrant,  may  be  suggested. 

Many  of  us  derive  much  enjoyment  from 
collecting  seeds  of  unfamiliar  plants  which  we 
may  happen  to  come  across  in  our  travels,  and 
how  many  happy  memories  of  scene  and 
circumstance  are  revived  by  plants  so  translated 
to  our  gardens  which  otherwise  might  never 
be  recalled.  Many  a  waif  and  stray  of  this 
kind,  made  priceless  by  association,  has  found 
a  home  in  our  own  garden.  There  are  young 
fan  Palms  raised  from  seeds  picked  up  in  the 
exquisite  cloister  of  St.  -John  Lateran  ;  Coluteas 
from  a  single  inflated  pod  left  hanging  after 
wintry  wind  and  rain,  and  spied  and  brought 
back  from  Hadrian's  Villa ;  there  are  tall 
Campanulas  whose  seeds  ripened  in  alpine 
meadows ;  and  bright  rosy  Pinks  whose 
progenitors,  let  us  hope,  still  adorn  their 
native  sunny  rocks.  It  was  pleasant  rest  Avork 
to  sort  and  label  such  treasure-trove  when  the 
day's  expedition  was  ended. 

Why  should  not  holiday  makers  do  the 
same  when  they  happen  to  meet  with  some  of 
the  less-known  British  plants  in  vacation 
rambles?  Whether  we  go  north,  south,  east, 
or  West,  some  local  plant  is  sure  to  attract  our 
attention  of  which  it  would  be  worth  while  to 
gather  ripe  seeds,  if  they  are  to  be  had.  It 
may  be  a  few  heps  of  the  tiny  Burnet  Eose 
(R.  pimpinellifolia)  from  Welsh  sand-dunes,  or 
orange  berries  of  Sea  Buckthorn  (Hippophfe 
rhamnoides)  from  the  East  Coast,  or  spiked 
beaks  of  blue  Meadow  Crane's-bill  (Geranium 
pratense)  from  some  Scotch  "  den,"  or  pods 
tilled  with  shining  black  beads  of  the  little 
grey  Cornish  Squill  (Scilla  verna).  The  list  is 
too  long  to  be  here  given  of  native  plants 
which  might  worthily  fill  some  corner  or 
another  of  our  gardens ;  but  how  much  better 
to  transport  them  by  means  of  seed  than  to 
tear  or  dig  up  roots,  burdensome  to  carry 
away  and  all  uncertain  in  their  prospect  of 
ultimate  establishment. 

Of  all  native  plants  none  are  more  dearly 
coveted  by  the  ordinary  tourist  than  Ferns. 
Now  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  garden 


operations  is  the  raising  of  Ferns  from  spores. 
To  collect  the  spores  is  a  simple  matter.  A 
few  envelopes  to  contain  separate  fragments  of 
fronds  in  fruit  of  any  species  which  may  please 
our  fancy  will  furnish  all  needful  preparation. 
An  inexperienced  eye  will  not  find  it  hard  to 
judge  whether  the  sori  at  the  back  of  the 
fronds  are  ripe  and  fit.  In  some  species,  when 
ready,  they  are  of  a  bright  golden  brown  ;  in 
others  so  dark  as  to  be  almost  black.  Taken 
in  right  condition,  as  they  are  almost  sure  to 
be  in  autumn,  these,  if  rightly  treated,  will 
give  a  vast  deal  of  pleasure,  and  may  lay  the 
foundation  of  a  life-long  interest.  To  raise 
Ferns  is  not  difficult,  but  it  requires  patience. 
Some  well- crocked  pots  with  a  layer  of  moss 
laid  over  the  broken  sheards  to  keep  the 
drainage  free,  some  finely-sifted,  sandy  loam 
and  leaf-mould  or  peat,  mixed  with  small 
fragments  of  stone,  some  saucers  for  the  pots 
to  stand  in,  to  be  filled  now  and  then  with 
water  to  give  just  sufficient  dampness  to  the 
soil,  and  some  squares  of  glass  to  place  over 
the  rim  of  the  pots,  will  constitute  all  the 
garden  ground  that  is  requisite,  and  space  for 
these  small  needs  may  generally  be  found  even 
in  a  London  lodging.  A  Wardian  case  of  the 
simplest  construction  is,  of  course,  a  boon,  but 
it  is  a  luxury  that  may  be  dispensed  with  for 
hardy  Ferns.  The  brown  powder  which  we 
find  staining  the  inside  of  the  folded  packet  we 
have  so  carefully  brought  home  must  be 
dusted  thinly  on  the  surface  of  the  damp  soil 
and  covered  with  glass,  and  in  due  time,  with 
care  and  patience  and  gradual  potting  of  the 
young  Ferns  as  they  require  it,  we  shall  reap 
our  reward.  The  Osmunda  that  we  came 
upon  suddenly  in  some  marshy  Devon  wood  ; 
Parsley  Fern  from  the  Lake  District,  perhaps, 
though  that  is  difficult,  and  would  be  a  triumph 
of  skill  ;  pale  fronds  of  the  brittle  Bladder 
Fern  (Cystopteris  fragilis)  from  a  Yorkshire 
haunt  ;  quaint  scaly  Ceterach  from  Somerset- 
shire dykes — how  pleasant  to  think  that  we 
have  enriched  ourselves  with  all  these 
mementos  of  delightful  holidays  gone  by, 
without  having  robbed  one  single  spot  of  even 
a  solitary  root  of  its  choice  local  treasures. 

In  gathering  seeds  we  need  not  be  deterred 
by  the  fear  that  we  may  have  no  immediate 
opportunity  of  sowing  them  ourselves.  Those 
germs  of  plant  life  will  be  exceeding  precious, 
we  may  be  sure,  in  the  eyes  of  some  gardening 
friend  whose  lot  is  more  circumscribed  than 
our  own.  But  the  length  of  time  during  which 
seeds  and  Fern-spores  will  retain  their  vitality  is 
a  most  interesting  point  to  test  by  personal  ex- 


periment. ltisalwayswell,inpacketinganykin(i' 
of  seed,  to  write  upon  it  the  date  of  gathering. 
We  may  be  fairly  safe  in  concluding  that  most 
leguminous  seeds  will  retain  their  germinating;- 
power  for  several  years,  and  seeds  of  many 
crucifers  will  come  up  well  after  an  interval  of 
two  or  three  .seasons.  Some  grains  of  Bis- 
cutella  Itevigata  collected  in  1001,  and  sown 
less  than  a  fortnight  ago,  sprang  up  freely  in  a. 
week.  Seeds  of  Gentians,  Primulas,  and 
Anemones,  on  the  contrary,  should  be  com- 
mitted to  earth  as  soon  as  possible  after  they 
ripen,  otherwise  germination  is  greatly  retarded,, 
though  their  vitality  may  not  be  destroyed. 
The  contents  of  one  ripe  capsule  of  G.  acaulis- 
sown  as  soon  as  gathered  will  yield  hundreds- 
of  seedlings,  which  come  up  as  freely  and/ 
almost  as  quickly  as  Cress  ;  but  keep  the  pod 
over  till  the  spring  and  it  is  then  more  than., 
likely  that  not  a  seedling  will  appear  till  a  year 
has  passed. 

Seeing,  then,  that  rare  or  beautiful  plants^ 
raised  from  seeds  harvested  personally,  either 
abroad  or  within  the  compass  of  the  British. 
Isles,  do  possess  a  peculiar  value,  it  is  not. 
untimely,  perhaps,  to  remind  all  garden  lovers- 
of  this  means  of  adding  to  their  treasures.  It. 
is  fervently  to  be  desired  that  seed  x>ackets, 
stowed  away  safely  in  hand-bag  or  valiscj. 
might  by  degrees  take  the  place  of  the  drooping? 
sorry-looking  Ferns  and  plants  which  may  be- 
be  seen — on  their  way  to  almost  certain  doom, 
—attached  to  passengers'  luggage  at  every 
railway  station.  At  any  rate,  those  of  us  who^ 
lament  the  thoughtless  destruction  of  plants- 
which  takes  place  year  by  year,  may  set  a  good 
example  ourselves,  and  also  do  something- 
towards  spreading  amongst  others  the  doctrine 
of  perpetuation  v.  annihilation  by  the  simple- 
plan  of  gathering  seeds  and  growing  them  at 
home,  instead  of  dragging  up  and  carrying  ofT 
wholesale  the  roots  of  plants  which  are  every 
season  becoming  scarcer  in  their  native  hajbitats- 


THE  EDITORS  TABLE. 


Flowering  Shrubs. 
Mr.  Beckett  sends  from  the  Aldenham  House- 
Gardens,  Elstree,  an  interesting  collection  of  hardy 
flowering  shrubs.  The  varieties  of  Ribes  san~ 
guineum  were  of  more  than  passing  interest.  The 
type  is  well  known,  but  not  so  the  double  variety 
(flore-pleno),  of  which  the  flowers  are  quite  double, 
each  like  a  little  crimson  rosette,  and  produced 
thickly  in  the  raceme.  We  hope  to  plant  this 
bright  Ribes  ;  its  flowers  remain  in  beauty  longer- 
than  those  of  the  ordinary  flowering  Currant  owing 
to  this  doubling.  Atrosanguinea  is  well  named  j. 
its  flowers  are  richer  in  colouring  than  those  of  ths: 


soo 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  30,  1904- 


5)arent  and  borne  as  plentifully  on  the  shoots.  It 
is  one  of  the  richest  in  colour  of  all  shrubs  in 
flower  no«'  in  the  garden.  Carnea  grandiflora  is 
very  soft  in  colouring,  but  not  weak  ;  it  is  pink, 
■as  the  name  suggests,  and  the  racemes  are  very 
large.  Mr.  Beckett  sends  two  more  Ribes,  one 
the  fairly  well  known  aureum  and  the  other 
R.  gordonianum,  in  which  there  is  quite  an 
orange  shading  to  the  flower  ;  it  is  very  distinct 
and  showy  in  the  sun.  This  orange  colouring  is  the 
result  of  its  hybrid  nature.  It  is  a  cross  between 
Tl.  aureum  and  R.  sanguineum,  and  the  influence  of 
its  parents  is  very  distinct.  We  were  pleased  to 
see  a  flowering  shoot  of  Prunus  triloba.  Of  all  its 
family  this  is  the  freest  in  bloom  ;  the  shoots  are 
pink  with  colour  at  this  time  from  the  thick 
clustering  of  double  flowers.  The  complete  list  of 
•flowering  shrubs  sent  by  Mr.  Beckett  is  as  follows  : 
Porsythia  suspensa,  Azira  microph3'lla  (deliciously 
scented),  Berberis  dulcis,  B.  Darwinii,  B.  Aqui- 
•folium  (splendid  for  massing),  Amelanchier 
canadensis,  A.  vulgaris,  A.  oligocarpa  (little 
known  but  a  fine  kind),  Prunus  triloba,  Spir:ea 
Thunbergii,  Viburnum  Tinus,  Myrica  Gale  (very 
sweetly  scented  and  interesting),  Nuttallia  cerasi- 
formis,  Amygdalus  persica  fl. -pi. ,  Prunus  Pissardi 
(magnificent  as  a  specimen),  Ribes  sanguineum 
albidum,  R.  s.  carnea  grandiflora.  R.  s.  atrosan- 
guineum,  R.  s.  flore-plenum,  R.  aureum,  R. 
gordonianum,  Andromeda  floribunda  (fine  for 
■massing),  and  Magnolia  stellata  (early  and  very 
free  ;  a  beautiful  dwarf  shrub). 


D.4FF0DILS  PROM  IrELAXD. 
Mr.  Hartland  sends  from  Ard-Cairn,  Cork,  many 
varieties,  with  the  following  note  :  "  These  are  my 
own  introductions  except  the  two  Leedsii  forms. 
Spread  Eagle  is  a  yellow  seedling  from  princeps 
and  Emperor,  or  it  may  be  niaximus.  It  is  a  very 
strong    grower,    and    has    bluish     green    leaves." 

■  Spread  Eagle  is  a  flower  of  rich  yellow  colouring, 
and  suggests  the  cross  indicated  by  Mr.  Hartland. 
Prom   the   specimens  sent  it  is  strong,    free,    and 

■  quite  distinct.  White  Wings  is  of  almost  white 
colouring,  trumpet  and  segments  the  same,  a  very 
tender  shade.  Buttercups  is  a  rich  yellow  trumpet, 
and  Maximus  superbus  from  the  flowers  before  us 
is  a  large  form  of  this  beautiful  Daffodil,  and  with 
the  same  intense  colouring.  Other  varieties  sent 
from  Cork  were  Jeannie  Woodhouse,  Mr.  J. 
Berkeley,  Lorna  Doone,  Leedsi  Mrs.  Langtry,  and 
Leedsi  Duchess  of  Westminster,  which  are  the  most 

■charming  of  their  race. 

RnBUS  SPECTABIUS. 
The  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Knutaford,  Cheshire, 
«end  this  Rubus,  which  has  been  in  flower  with 
them  for  some  time.  The  blooms,  produced  singly, 
-are  large  and  a  purple-red  colour.  It  grows 
vigorously,  and  has  stout  thorny  shoots  and  large 
leaves,  much  like  those  of  our  native  Brambles.  An 
•  excellent  plant  on  steep  stony  banks  or  rough 
■woodland  corner. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

May  1. — Dusseldorf  International  Horticultural 
^Exhibition  opens. 

May  3. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill  Hall 
Meeting  ;  National  Amateur  Gardeners'  Associa- 
tion's Meeting. 

May  11. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club's 
Meeting ;  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Horticultural 
;Show. 

May  17. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

May  19,— Bath  and  West  of  England  Horticul- 
tural Show  at  Swansea  (five  days). 

May  2'). — Edinburgh  Spring  Show  (two  days). 


Royal   Hoptieultural   Society.— The 

inext  fruit  and  flower  show  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
■tural     Society   will   be    held    on    Tuesday    next, 


in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate,  Westminster, 
1 — 5  p.m.  At  three  o'clock  a  paper  on  "  Enemies 
of  the  Apple  tree,"  by  M.  Charles  Baltet,  will  be 
read.  At  a  general  meeting  of  the  society  held 
on  Tuesday,  the  19th  inst. ,  51  new  Fellows  were 
elected,  making  a  total  of  498  elected  since  the 
beginning  of  the  present  year. 

National   Auricula   and    Primula 
Society.  —  Award     of    medals     for 

points. — The  large  silver-gilt  medal  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  given  by  .J.  Douglas,  Esq., 
for  highest  aggregate  number  of  points  in  classes 
1,  -2,  .5,  6,  7,  S,  14,  1.5,  17,  IS,  19,  and  22  was  won 
by  Mr.  Sargent  of  Stoke  D'Abernon.  The  silver 
medal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Societ}',  also 
given  by  J.  Douglas,  Esq.,  for  highest  aggregate 
number  of  points  in  classes  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  14,  16, 
17,  IS,  19,  and  22  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Price,  an 
amateur  from  Reading.  The  above  awards  could 
not  be  verified  in  time  for  the  general  report  on 
Tuesday,  the  19th  inst. 

The   National    Rose    Society's 

forthcoming'  shows.— We  have  received 
the  schedules  of  the  summer  show  of  the  society, 
to  be  held  in  the  Temple  Gardens  on  Wednesday, 
July  a  next,  and  of  the  autumn  display  in  the 
New  Hall  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
Tuesday,  September  20.  We  hope  both  will 
receive  the  support  of  all  who  love  the  Rose.  We 
predict  a  great  success  for  the  autumn  show,  when 
the  majority  of  the  Tea,  Hybrid  Tea,  and  China 
Roses  are  in  their  richest  beauty.  It  is  pleasant 
to  notice  that  those  responsible  for  these  schedules 
have  not  forgotten  that  in  these  daj's  visitors 
enjoy  something  else  than  lines  of  green  boxes. 
In  many  of  the  classes  the  flowers  must  be  exhi- 
bited in  glasses  only. 

A  beautiful  race  of  Polyanthuses. 

Mr.  Crook  sends  from  the  Forde  Abbey  Gardens, 
Chard,  flowers  of  his  beautiful  varieties  of  Pol)'- 
anthus  which  received  an  award  of  merit  at  the 
recent  exhibition  of  Auriculas  and  Primulas  in  the 
Drill  Hall,  Westminster,  a  very  bright  form  of 
Primula  obconica,  named  rosea,  being  shown  on 
the  same  occasion.  At  Chard  the  Polyanthuses 
are  planted  in  the  grass,  and  groups  planted  six 
years  ago  are  now  very  vigorous,  and  are  flowering 
abundantly.  The  colours  are  very  bright.  There 
are  soft  yellow,  rich  orange,  and  pure  white,  but 
it  is  the  warm  reds,  crimsons,  and  purples  that 
make  this  strain  so  welcome.  The  purples  are  not 
magenta,  but  of  deep  and  telling  shades. 

Spring    flowers    at   Croydon.— The 

Croydon  society  is  carrying  on  useful  work  among 
amateurs  and  others  interested  in  gardening.  The 
aim  of  the  society  is  to  create  general  interest  in 
the  cultivation  of  plants  for  windows  and  gardens. 
The  exhibition  of  spring  flowers  held,  at  the  Art 
Galleries,  Park  Lane,  on  the  20th  inst. ,  was  most 
interesting,  the  promoters  carrying  this  out  on 
ratherdifferent  lines  to  those  ordinarily  adopted.  No 
prizes  were  offered  and  no  entrance  fees  charged, 
the  result  being  a  well-filled  show-room,  and  no 
disappointments  in  regard  to  one  being  placed 
before  another  in  the  prize  list.  It  seems  to  us 
that  we  might  often  get  better  displays  at  local 
flower  shows  if  some  other  system  of  awarding 
prizes  could  be  adopted.  There  are  many  who 
value  the  prizes,  or,  rather,  the  distinction  of 
gaining  them  far  beyond  their  ordinary  worth,  but 
the  greatest  misfortune  is  that  at  almost  every 
show  there  are  those  who  think  the  judges  have 
not  placed  them  in  their  proper  position,  and  this 
often  leads  to  some  unpleasant  arguments.  The 
entire  absence  of  any  grumbling  at  this  meeting 
seems  to  point  to  the  fact  that  the  "no  prize" 
system  is  a  good  one,  and  the  beautiful  display 
made  was  evidence  that  a  good  show  may  be  got 
together  without  offering  prizes.  Among  the 
principal  exhibitors  were  Mr.  F.  Oxtobj',  gardener 
to  J.  J.  Beid,  Esq.,  who  had  some  fine  plants  of 
Asparagus  Sprengeri  in  baskets ;  also  Cineraria 
stellata,  Mignonette,  Azalea  mollis,  and  other  good 
things.  Mr.  W.  Bentley,  gardener  to  G.  Curling, 
Esq.,  Elgin  House,  Addiscombe,  had  a  pretty  group 
in  which  Primula  obconica,  Alon.soa,  and  Begonias 
were  good.  Mr.  A.  Heritage,  gardener  to  S.  Ellis, 
Esq.,  Thornley,  South  Norwood,  had  a  nice  group, 
consisting  of  Cinerarias,    Azaleas,  Callas,  Roses, 


and  other  plants.  Mr.  A.  Edwards,  gardener  to 
J.  Pascall,  Esq.,  Ambleside,  Addiscombe,  showed 
some  large,  well-flowered  plants  of  Cineraria 
stellata.  Mr.  W.  A.  Cooke,  gardener  to  Colonel 
Simpson,  Shirlej^  Park,  had  a  collection  of  flowering 
and  foliage  plants,  including  Amaryllis,  double 
pink  Petunias,  Narcissus,  Azaleas,  and  Arum 
sanctum,  the  odour  of  which  was  anything  but 
pleasant.  Mr.  D.  J.  Ricketts,  gardener  to  F.  R. 
Docking,  Esq.,  Grafton  House,  Sydenham,  had  a 
group  of  Primula  obconica  in  distinct  shades  of 
colours,  the  plants  being  compact  and  well 
flowered.  Mr.  B.  Acock,  gardener  to  R.  A.  Laing, 
Esq.,  also  showed  this  Primula  well,  and  P. 
verticillata.  Mr.  A.  Barlow  showed  several  plants 
of  a  very  good  rich  crimson  Pansy,  with  a  well- 
defined  yellow  margin.  Mr.  C.  A.  Blogg,  of  South 
Croydon,  had  an  interesting  collection  of  Cacti, 
including  some  rare  sorts.  Of  trade  exhibits 
Messrs.  Bath,  of  Wisbech,  made  a  big  display  of 
Daffodils,  many  of  which  were  new  or  rare.  Mr. 
J.  R.  Box  showed  Daffodils,  Hyacinths,  the  new 
Fritillaria  inodora,  and  a  good  collection  of  rock 
plants.  Messrs.  Cheal  and  Sons  also  had  a  collec- 
tion of  rock  and  alpine  plants,  backed  up  with 
larger  hardy  shrubs.  Mr.  Thomas  Butcher  had  a 
group  of  miscellaneous  plants  and  cut  flowers. 
Mr.  W.  Fourney  made  up  a  pretty  group,  which 
included  zonal  Pelargoniums,  Cinerarias,  and  a 
variety  of  other  useful  flowering  plants.  Mr.  E. 
Kromer  had  plants  of  Myosotis  stricta — a  very 
pretty  variety — and  a  fine  specimen  of  Pteris 
Childsi.  Messrs.  Peed  and  Sons  had  a  large  col- 
lection of  rock  plants  and  a  basket  of  Saintpaulia 
ionantha,  and  Mr.  T.  W.  Shrubshall  had  a  miscel- 
laneous group.  The  hall  was  well  filled,  but  not 
over-crowded,  and  the  committee  deserve  praise 
for  getting  together  such  a  good  display. 

1903  and  the  Daffodils.— I  am  glad  to 

say  that  in  spite  of  the  abnormally  wet  and  sunless 
weather  of  the  past  j'ear,  and  the  somewhat 
gloomy  forecast  of  Mr.  Goodwin  in  The  Garden 
of  the  16th  inst.,  the  Daffodils  in  this  part  of  Kent 
have  been  exceptionally  good  this  spring.  Mine 
were  never  so  glorious,  and  I  have  seen  some 
splendid  displays  in  neighbouring  gardens.  I  see 
also  that  at  the  Plymouth  show  on  the  12th  inst.  the 
entries  were  numerous  and  of  high  quality.  So  it 
would  be  interesting  to  learn  how  other  districts 
have  fared,  and  how  far  1903  has  influenced  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  the  blooms  throughout  the 
kingdom.  From  the  earliest  minimus  to  the  unex- 
panded  forms  of  poeticus  there  have  been  no 
failures  in  mj'  small  garden,  and  I  hope  many 
others  have  had  the  same  experience.  I  may 
mention  that  since  I  wrote  the  notes  on  pallidus 
pra?cox  in  The  Garden  of  the  10th  inst.,  describing 
a  triple-headed  bloom  of  that  species,  I  have  had  a 
fasciated  head  of  cernuus  with  no  less  than  four 
flowers  and  a  leaf  in  combination,  while  on  the 
same  clump  was  a  double-headed  bloom  as  well. — 
S.  G.  R. ,  Yalding. 

In  The  Garden  of  the  16th  inst.  Mr.  Goodwin 
of  Kidderminster  writes  in  Daffodil  notes  "  that 
the  only  Daffodils  available  for  cutting  on  Easter 
Day  (in  the  open)  were  N.  pallidus  prrecox,  N. 
obvallaris,  and  N.  telamonius  plenus.  I  have  for 
two  or  three  years  grown  N.  Ard  Righ,  and  found 
it  very  satisfactory  for  early  blooming.  Last 
autumn  I  planted  iOO  new  bulbs  of  this  varietj', 
and  on  Easter  Day  they  were  all  in  full  bloom, 
having  begun  to  open  the  Thursday  previous.  I 
enclose  a  photograph  taken  by  my  son,  a  school- 
boy, of  one  of  the  groups.  I  grow  at  present  only 
Ard  Righ  and  N.  Horsfieldi  in  quantity.  Both  do 
well  in  this  town  garden,  but  Ard  High  was  in 
bloom  this  vear  exactly  a  fortnight  before  the  first 
flowers  of  N.  Horsfieldi.— (Mrs.)  W.  I>DGUAN,  The 
Downs,  Alfriiicham,  Cheshirv. 

"  In  Cyderland,"  a  musical  play  written 
by  Mr.  R.  Carey  Tucker  and  composed  by  Mr. 
Edward  Sherwood,  will  be  produced  in  the  Cripple- 
gate  Theatre,  Cripplegate  Institute,  next  Wednes- 
day, with  the  full  orchestra  of  the  "  Hurst  and 
Son"  Musical  Society.  This  note  will  interest 
horticulturists.  Mr.  Sherwood  is  a  son  of  Jlr.  N. 
Sherwood,  and  it  is  interesting  to  know  that  the 
majority  of  the  performers  are  members  of  this 
famous  firm. 


April  30,  1904.J 


THE    GAilDEN. 


801 


To  encourage  window  decoration. 

There  has  lately  been  established  in  Paris  an  asso- 
ciation for  the  encouragement  of  window  gardening 
and  a  love  of  flowers  and  plants.  This  new  society 
hopes  to  distribute  to  schools,  institutions,  cfcc, 
seeds  and  plants,  in  order  that  dwellers  in  even 
the  most  modest  house  may  enjoy  the  pleasures  of 
a  garden. 

Lysiciiitum     camtscliatcense.  —  A 

specimen  of  this  showy  and  interesting  genus  of 
Aracese  is  now  flowering  freely  in  the  Himalayan 
house  at  Kew,  where  it  makes  a  striking  object 
among  other  marsh-loving  plants  which  surround 
the  margins  of  the  two  rocky  pools.  It  is  also  to 
be  seen  among  other  swamp  plants  in  the  rock 
garden,  but  in  this  position  it  is  not  so  vigorous  as 
it  is  indoors.  Lysichitum  is  a  monotypic  genus 
and  is  very  widely  distributed,  being  found  in 
various  parts  of  Northern  Asia,  North  America, 
and  Japan.  The  Kew  plants  were  sent  by  Mr. 
James  Anderson  from  British  Columbia  in  1901, 
and  last  year,  when  they  flowered  well  for  the  first 
time,  a  figure  was  prepared  for  the  Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  7937.  When  under  natural  conditions 
it  is  said  to  vary  considerably  in  size,  sometimes 
being  found  but  1  foot  in  height,  while  at  other 
times  it  is  thrice  that  size.  The  leaves  are  very 
handsome,  being  from  IJ  feet  to  3  feet  long,  and 
from  6  inches  to  9  inches  wide.  The  inflorescence 
is  thrown  up  to  a  height  of  1  foot  or  IJ  feet,  the 
spadix  being  from  4  inches  to  6  inches  long.  The 
spathe  is  the  attractive  part  of  the  inflorescence, 
being  bright  yellow  in  colour,  and  6  inches  or  so 
long  by  almost  the  same  in  width.  The  base  of 
the  spathe  has  a  curious  way  of  clasping  the  stalk 
of  the  flower-spike,  the  sheath  being  several  inches 
long.  Altogether  it  forms  a  very  striking  and 
interesting  plant,  and  is  worth  the  attention  of 
plant  lovers. — W.  D. 

Rliododendron    fopsterianum.— 

Among  the  various  hybrid  Rhododendrons  that 
need  in  most  parts  of  the  country  the  protection  of 
a  greenhouse,  those  of  a  white  or  very  light  tint 
(exclusive  of  the  members  of  the  Javanese  section) 
greatly  preponderate,  and  that  under  notice  forms 
no  exception  to  the  rule.  Though  not  so  free  in  a 
small  state  aa  some  of  the  hybrids  claiming 
parentage  directly  or  indirectly  from  R.  ciliatum, 
it  is  in  some  respects  the  finest  of  all  the  white- 
flowered  Rhododendrons  of  this  class,  being  remark- 
able for  the  large  size  of  its  flowers.  It  was  raised 
many  years  ago.by.Mr.  Otto,  Forster'[of  Lehenhof 


/    X 


in  Austria  by  fertilising  the  flowers  of  the  Moul- 
mein  R.  veitchianum  with  the  pollen  of  R.  Edge- 
worthi,  a  native  of  the  Himalayas,  and  a  species 
largely  used  by  the  hybridist  in  the  production  of 
many  well-known  forma.  The  flowers  of  R. 
forsterianum,  which  are  borne  in  open  clusters,  are 
individually  large,  pure  white  except  a  yellowish 
stain  at  the  base  of  the  upper  segments,  while  the 
edges  of  the  petals  are  prettily  crisped.  In  this 
respect,  however,  there  is  a  certain  amount  of 
variation,  probably  owing  to  more  than  one  plant 
having  been  raised  from  the  same  cross.  The 
Moulmein  R.  veitchianum,  above  alluded  to  as  one 
of  its  parents,  differs  widely  in  the  fringing  of  the 
petals,  some  having  this  feature  very  pronounced, 
while  in  others  they  are  quite  smooth.  To  this 
last  the  varietal  name  of  lajvigatum  has  been  given. 
As  a  rule,  the  smooth-edged  forms  are  more  bushy 
in  habit  than  the  very  crisped  ones. — T. 

PPUnUS  SUtaliiPtella.— This  is  one  of 
many  Japanese  trees  which  have  been  sent  to  this 
country  within  recent  years,  and  which  add  con- 
siderably to  the  beauty  and  interest  of  our  gardens. 
Of  the  various  Plums  and  Cherries  it  is  one  of  the 
rarest,  being  in  cultivation  in  only  a  few  places. 
At  Kew  there  are  several  plants,  the  largest  one 
being  on  the  east  side,  near  the  north  end  of  the 
Pagoda  Vista.  This  particular  specimen  was  sent 
to  Kew  aa  a  small  plant  in  1895  by  Professor 
Sargent  of  the  Arnold  Arboretum,  and  it  flowered 
the  following  year,  a  figure  being  prepared  at  that 
time  for  the  Botanical  Magazine,,  t.  7508.  It  is 
stated  to  be  found  wild  in  the  mountains  of  Nippon, 
but  it  is  cultivated  in  various  parts  of  Japan. 
When  mature  it  forms  a  small  tree  with  a  dense 
head  of  somewhat  twiggy  branches.  The  leaves 
are  2  inches  to  3  inches  long,  and  prominently 
nerved,  the  nerves  being  in  twelve  or  fourteen 
pairs.  The  flowers  are  borne  from  the  buds  of  the 
previous  year's  wood,  and  are  usually  in  threes. 
In  colour  they  are  pale  pink,  and  in  size  nearly 
1  inch  across.  It  has  been  tried  at  Kew  for  forcing 
with  marked  success,  the  colour  being  then  nearly 
white.  Cuttings  of  soft  wood  have  been  found  to 
root  well,  a  thing  which  is  not  of  frequent  occur- 
rence in  the  genua  Prunus.  Early  April  is  the 
time  of  flowering  out  of  doors. — W.  Dallimobb. 

Lilium  eandidum.— The  uncertainty  of 
success  in  the  culture  of  the  Madonna  Lily,  even 
after  the  greatest  care  has  been  taken,  has  become 
proverbial.  This  Lily  seems  to  delight  in  nullifying 
all  attempts  to  unravel  the  mystery  of  its  require- 


Jit     **»•  * 
1/     ^'     '^'fl 


ments.  When  by  all  known  canons  of  gardening  it 
ought  to  succeed  it  does  not,  and  when  planted 
without  any  thought  as  to  position  or  soil  it  proves 
a  surprising  success.  There  surely  must  be  some 
soil  and  position  that  it  prefers,  and  in  which  it 
will  thrive  best,  if  the  bulbs  are  free  from  disease. 
I  am  led  to  write  this  note  from  having  recently 
seen  in  the  small  front  garden  of  a  villa  in  the 
suburb  of  a  Berkshire  town  a  row  of  plants  of 
Lilium  eandidum,  whose  equals,  eo  far  as  vigour 
and  healthy  foliage  are  concerned,  I  have  not  seen 
for  many  a  day.  The  front  of  the  house  faces 
south,  and  the  narrow  border  where  they  are 
planted,  backed  by  a  low  wall,  is  on  the  left  of  the 
path  leading  to  the  door  of  the  house,  and  therefore 
has  an  easterly  exposure.  They  would  receive  the 
full  sun  until  about  eleven  o'clock,  and  after  that 
time  the  border  would  gradually  fall  into  shade. 
Some  time  ago  I  happened  also  to  plant  some  bulbs 
of  this  Lily  in  an  exactly  similar  position,  and  in 
ordinary  garden  soil,  which,  however,  ia  rather 
gritty,  and  they,  too,  have  done  remarkably  well. 
They  are  now  making  strong  growth,  and  give 
every  promise  of  flowering  successfully  this  season. 
If  one  may  venture  to  deduce  anything  from  these 
two  instances,  it  is  that  L.  eandidum  appreciates 
the  morning  sun,  a  fairly  sheltered  border,  but  is 
indifferent  as  to  the  soil,  that  is  providing  it  is  not 
below  the  quality  of  that  in  an  average  garden. 
Grit  or  sand,  which  helps  to  keep  the  soil  open,  is 
also  probably  an  advantage. — A.  H.  P. 


CARNATIONS   IN  AN  AMERICAN   GARDEN  :     THE   DARK  VARIETY  IS  HARLOWARDEN  AND   THE  LIGHT  ONE 

IS  HER  MAJESTY. 


AMERICAN     CARNATION 
CULTURE. 

THE  Carnation  stands  second  only  to 
the  Rose  in  extent    of  culture  in 
America,    and,    without    available 
statistics,  it  may  still  in  truth  be 
asserted    that    millions   are  grown 
annually,  some  enormous  establish- 
ments being  devoted  solely  to  Carnations,  and 
anyone  of  these  having  an  annual  output  of 
flowers  running  into  hundreds  of   thousands. 
The  varieties  are  all  of  American  origin,  and 
belong  to  the  tree  or  perpetual-flowering  race. 
Their  progenitors  were  French  varieties  of  the 
Alegatiere  strain,  imported  about  thirty-five 
years  ago,  and  from  these  has  been  evolved  a 
race  of  winter-blooming  Carnations  sur- 
passing anything  in  Europe.    Three  years 
ago  I  visited  some  of  the  great  Carnation 
gardens  in  the  South  of  France,  where 
the  culture  is  extensive  and  well  done, 
but  the  varieties  are  poor,  splashed  or 
striped,  and  washy  in  colour,  and    most 
of    the    flowers    bursters    of    the    worst 
description.    In  those  same  places  it  is 
reasonable  to  assume  our  American  Car- 
nations should  do  splendidly. 

In  England  it  is  doubtful  if  ever  they 
will  show  their  full  beauty  and  freedom 
from  lack  of  sunshine  in  winter.  At  the 
Drill  Hall  in  February  of  this  year  I 
saw  there  exhibited  flowers  of  three  of 
our  Carnations,  Mrs.  T.  W.  Lawson, 
Maceo,  and  The  Queen,  and  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  I  would  not  have 
recognised  them  only  for  their  labels, 
although  I  grow  all  three,  and  the  flowers 
there  shown  would  not  be  accepted  as 
a  gift  by  even  the  street  flower  vendors 
of  New  York.  This  fact  is  not  cited  in 
a  derogatory  sense,  but  to  show  the  efi'ect 
of  conditions  and  environment.  We  can 
do  nothing  here  with  the  English  Mal- 
maisons,  nor  with  the  grand  outdoor 
varieties  yoii  have,  and  similarly  our 
Carnations  raised  and  grown  continuously 
beneath  bright  winter  skies  make  a  sorry 
display  of  their  merits  under  the  adverse 
conditions  of  the  English  climate  in 
winter. 


802 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  30,  1904. 


The  varieties  most  favoured  here  are  selfs  of 
clear,  distinct  colours,  from  white  through  all 
shades  of  pink  to  rose,  red,  and  dark  crimson. 
They  must  have  good  stems  from  18  inches  to 
30  inches  in  length,  and  no  toleration  is  shown 
to  "  bursters,"  as  a  variety  that  bursts  its  calyx 
is  useless  for  the  cut  flower  market.  Great  im- 
provements have  been  made  in  our  Carnations 
during  the  last  few  years,  and  the  popular  and 
profitable  varieties  of  to-day  are  giants  in  com- 
parison to  those  of  ten  years  ago.  A  great  deal 
of  this  is  due  to  the  American  Carnation 
Society,  admittedly  one  of  the  best  and  most 
active  societies  we  have.  It  meets  in  February 
or  March  of  each  year  in  one  or  other  of  our 
large  cities  and  holds  a  large  exhibition.  The 
best  testimony  to  its  efficiency  is  the  extent  to 
which  raisers  seek  to  secure  its  certificate  of 
merit  by  exhibiting  their  new  varieties  at  its 
annual  meetings.  It  would  be  difficult  to  name 
a  single  variety  of  any  prominence  that  had  not 
had  official  endorsement  prior  to  its  distribu- 
tion. The  scale  of  points  by  which  they  are 
judged  is  as  follows  :  Colour,  25  ;  size,  20  ; 
stem,  20  ;  form,  15  ;  substance,  10  ;  calyx,  5 ; 
fragrance,  5.  A  variety  must  score  85  out  of 
the  total  of  100  in  order  to  obtain  a  certificate. 

CULTUKE. 

The  cultural  methods  pursued  are  practically 
the  same  everywhere,  in  small  private  gardens 
as  in  the  great  commercial  places,  and  that  is 
the  Carnations  are  planted  out  upon  the  green- 
house bench  in  42  inches  to  5  inches  of  soil. 
The  young  plants  are  all  propagated  from 
cuttings.  January  and  February  are  the  two 
best  months  for  propagation.  Strong  young 
shoots  at  the  base  of  a  flowering  stem  are 
chosen  and  inserted  closely  in  a  bed  of  4  inches 
of  sharp  sand  in  a  propagating  house,  which  is 
kept  as  near  as  possible  at  a  temperature  of 
55°.  With  ordinary  care  and  attention  every 
cutting  roots.  In  some  commercial  propaga- 
ting houses  batches  of  100,000  maybe  seen, out 
of  which  not  more  than  2  per  cent,  have  failed. 
In  about  four  weeks  the  cuttings  are  sufficiently 
rooted,  and  are  then  taken  from  the  sand  and 
planted  in  light  rich  soil  in  flats,  and  placed  in 
a  light  airy  house  or  planted  on  the  benches. 
This  applies  to  those  growing  large  numbers,  as 
the  small  grower  would  pot  them  up.  They 
are  encouraged  to  grow  sturdily  in  a  tem- 
perature of  50°,  and  gradually  hardened  off  to 
prepare  them  for  planting  out.  Early  in  May 
they  are  planted  in  the  open  ground  in  rows, 
having  a  space  of  at  least  18  inches  between 
to  admit  of  surface  hoeing.  The  main  shoot  is 
pinched  to  induce  side  breaks  either  before  or 
after  planting,  as  the  strength  and  condition  of 
the  plant  warrants,  and  a  second  or  third 
pinching  may  be  given  to  induce  a  bushy  plant 
having  a  number  of  shoots  that  will  later  grow 
up  and  flower. 

Whilst  the  young  plants  are  in  the  field  the 
houses  are  prepared  for  their  reception.  The 
old  plants  that  have  occupied  the  benches 
during  the  winter  are  thrown  out  about  the 
end  of  June,  the  benches  being  thoroughly 
cleaned,  repaired  if  necessary,  and  given  a  good 
coat  of  lime-wash.  They  are  then  refilled  with 
fre.sh  soil,  the  preparation  of  which  is  made  in 
advance.  Small  growers  usually  make  up  a 
compost  heap  late  in  the  previous  summer, 
using  turf,  if  procurable,  and  cow  manure  in 
proportion  of  about  four  of  soil  to  one  of 
manure.  Many  of  the  large  growers  have  no 
turf  available,  but  take  the  top  soil  of  their 
land,  and  previous  to  winter  give  it  a  heavy 
dressing  of  stable  manure  and  plough  this  in.  In 
spring  the  ground  is  again  manured,  usually 
with  bone,  and  wood  ashes  are  much  in  favour, 
or  in  some  cases  lime  only  is  used  and  ploughed 


two  or  three  times  during  the  early  summer 
months,  then  carted  to  the  houses  and  wheeled 
in  upon  the  benches. 

A  critical  time  for  the  grower  is  when  the 
plants  have  to  be  transplanted  from  the  field 
to  the  house.  The  time  varies  according  to  the 
date  at  which  it  is  desired  to  have  flowers,  but 
of  late,  and  independent  of  this,  growers  are 
planting  earlier  than  formerly.  Some  com- 
mence in  July,  and  the  majority  now  plant  in 
August.  The  plants  are  carefully  lifted,  taken 
to  the  house  and  planted  upon  the  benches  at 
about  1  foot  apart,  the  distance  varying  a  little 
either  way  in  accordance  with  the  growth  of 
the  variety.  Care  must  be  exercised  not  to 
plant  them  deeper  than  they  were  originally, 
and  as  soon  as  planted  they  must  have  a 
thorough  watering.  A  light  shade  is  given 
for  a  few  days,  a  minimum  of  ventilation,  and  a 
moist  atmosphere  maintained  till  new  root 
growth  is  apparent,  when  the  shading  is 
gradually  removed  and  additional  ventilation 
given.  When  once  established  they  will  enjoy 
all  the  light  and  air  that  can  be  given,  with  a 
night  temperature  of  55°  and  a  rise  of  10°  by 
day.  Some  very  successful  growers  are  now 
experimenting  with  a  view  to  obviate  planting 
in  the  open  ground.  They  have  cleared  out 
their  houses  at  an  earlier  date,  and  planted  the 
young  plants  direct  upon  the  newly  filled 
benches,  and  they  have  shown  wonderful 
results  during  the  past  winter. 

According  to  the  date  of  planting  cutting 
commences.  The  early  flowers  are  a  little  short 
in  stem,  but  from  November  to  June  long- 
stemmed  flowers  are  in  the  market  in  large 
quantity.  A.  Herrington. 

Madison,  Neiv  Jersey,  U.S.A. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


ness  and  delicious  scent.  This  Lily  requires  a 
heavier  soil  than  auratum,  and  as  long  as  it  keeps 
healthy  should  never  be  replanted  or  disturbed. 
A  striped  variety,  Aureum  marginatum,  is  worth 
growing.  A.  G.  GoDMAN. 


LILIUM     AURATUM     AND     LILIUM 
CANDIDUM. 

SO  much  is  known  and  has  been  written 
about  the  culture  of  Lilies  that  it  seems 
almost  superfluous  to  write  more  con- 
cerning the  commoner  ones.  Of  L 
auratum  there  are  several  varieties, 
including  Platyphyllum,  Parkraanni, 
Rubro-vittatum,  Wittei,  &c.  The  most  suitable 
soil  for  them  is  two  parts  peat,  one  part  sea  sand, 
sea  sand  being  preferable  as  it  holds  moisture,  and 
this  Lily,  in  particular,  likes  a  damp  situation. 
Manure  should  never  be  dug  in  with  the  soil, 
though  after  the  bulbs  are  well  established  a  top- 
dressing  of  it,  with  road  scrapings  and  dry  clay 
broken  small,  is  desirable.  It  is  of  importance  to 
give  L.  auratum  a  sheltered  position,  nothing 
being  so  fatal  as  wind,  or  even  draughts.  They 
must  be  staked,  their  slender  stems  alone  not 
being  strong  enough  to  support  the  cluster  of  large 
blossoms  which  a  well-grown  bulb  develops.  The}' 
also  need  to  be  screened  from  hot  sun.  After 
removing  any  outside  decay  from  them,  freshly- 
imported  bulbs  should  be  carefully  stored  in 
moderately  damp  Cocoanut  fibre  till  they  lose  their 
shrivelled  appearance  and  roots  are  on  the  point 
of  starting  from  the  base.  They  should  then  again 
be  carefully  cleaned  of  all  decay  and  the  bulb 
surrounded  with  a  little  sand  when  planted.  I 
know  a  garden  in  Cornwall  where,  in  a  sheltered 
position,  there  was  a  magnificent  clump  of  this 
handsome  bulb,  the  plants  being  14  feet  to  17  feet 
high,  bearing  an  immense  number  of  blossoms  on 
each  stem  and  scenting  the  air  far  and  wide.  L. 
eandidum,  though  the  most  common  and  hardy  of 
all  the  Lilies,  is  uncertain.  Under  what  appear 
highly  favourable  circumstances  it  sometimes 
becomes  small,  poor,  and  attacked  by  a  scaly 
disease,  which  renders  the  leaves  limp,  spotty,  and 
unsightly,  and  eventually  kills  the  bulb.  Again, 
sometimes  neglected  and  uncared  for  it  will 
flourish  abundantly,  glorious  in  its  snowy  white- 


DOUBLE  PRIMROSES. 

I  TEAR  very  few  who  would  like  to  grow  double 
Primroses  could  give  to  them  the  generous  treat- 
ment which  Mr.  Jenkins  mentions  he  gave  to  the 
double  crimson  in  days  gone  by.  What  is  notice- 
able is  that  whilst  some  twenty  to  twenty-five 
years  ago  double  Primroses  were  fairly  common  in 
gardens  in  the  South,  now  they  are  rarely  seen. 
The  double  white  and  the  lilac,  always  the  best 
growers  under  ordinary  conditions  of  culture,  used 
CO  be  grown  in  quantity  in  some  of  our  Middlesex 
market  gardens  for  the  production  of  flowers  for 
bunching,  but  they  seem  to  have  entirely  dis- 
appeared. Possibly  that  is  due  to  insect  pests, 
which  prey  upon  the  leafage  in  summer,  and  when 
the  foliage  is  once  destro3'ed  the  crowns  are  inca- 
pable of  reproducing  other  than  very  weak  leaves 
later,  and  no  flowers.  Whenever  a  double  Pi  imrose 
is  seen  at  the  Drill  Hall  now  it  is  always  a  weakling 
grown  in  a  pot  or  pan  and  housed  in  a  cold  frame. 
Such  plants  do  not  represent  what  double  Prim- 
roses ought  to  be  ;  indeed,  when  well  grown  and 
flowered,  as  we  used  to  see  them  many  j'ears  ago, 
they  were  very  beautiful.  We  had  at  one  time  in 
commerce  fully  a  dozen  distinct  varieties,  white, 
lilac,  salmon,  sulphur,  large  sulphur  or  yellow, 
purple,  crinipon,  blush,  and  one  or  two  others  I 
cannot  just  now  name.  Even  as  long  ago  as  this 
it  was  found  most  difficult  to  keep  the  plants  alive 
during  summer.  Even  very  robust  plants  obtained 
from  Ireland  or  Scotland  in  the  autumn  could 
hardlj-  be  induced  to  live  even  with  the  greatest 
care  in  watering,  shade,  and  generous  culture. 
These  Primroses  need  a  cool,  humid  atmosphere, 
such  as  can  be  found  near  the  sea  coast  or  in 
Ireland  or  the  North,  but  not  in  the  parching 
South.  The  tendency  on  the  part  of  the  Primrose 
to  double  seems  to  have  died  out,  so  also  is  it  with 
the  allied  Polyanthus,  in  which  we  saw  a  good 
deal  of  doubling  tendency  some  years  since. 
Doubling  was  also  a  marked  feature  thirty  to 
forty  years  ago  in  the  Chinese  Primrose,  but  that 
facility  to  thus  change  from  single  to  double  seems 
to  be  exhausted.  Semi-double  flowers,  of  which 
there  are  so  many  and  so  fine,  do  not  develop  into 
actual  infertile  doubles  as  the  earlier  singles  did. 
All  double  Primroses  originated  evidentlj  from 
thrum-eyed  singles.  The  anthers  changed  from 
bearing  pollen  cases  into  petal-producing  organs, 
and  they  will  also  revert.  I  have  noticed  that 
this  is  the  case  with  both  white  and  lilac  varieties  ; 
indeed,  we  once  had  in  commerce  a  single-flowered 
selection  under  the  name  of  Lilacina,  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  singles  named.  Auriculasflora,  rich 
crimson,  with  thrum  eye,  well  known  in  the  early 
seventies,  was,  I  believe,  a  reversion  from  the 
double  crimson.  A.  D. 


POLYANTHUSES    IN    GRASS. 

Considering  what  a  simple  charm  there  is  about 
Primroses  blooming  on  a  grass  bank  it  is  a  wonder 
that  more  people  do  not  adopt  this  method,  taught 
by  Nature,  of  planting  Polyanthuses.  As  a  rule, 
beds  and  borders  are  considered  to  be  the  orthodox 
places  for  these  delighful  spring  flowers,  but  in  no 
situation,  I  think,  are  they  so  effective  as  when 
springing  up  from  a  bed  of  green  turf.  This  mode 
of  culture  has  been  adopted  with  charming  resulls 
by  Mr.  A.  Ward  in  the  gardens  at  Godinton 
Manor,  near  Ashford,  Kent,  a  quaint  Elizabethan 
mansion  belonging  to  Mr.  Ashley-Dodd,  and  I  do 
not  remember  ever  seeing  a  prettier  picture  in  the 
spring.  The  Polyanthuses,  all  seedlings  of  a  good 
strain,  were  planted  in  the  grass  under  a  belt  of 
tall  trees  last  season,  where  they  have  stood  the 
winter,  and  when  I  called  a  short  time  ago  they 
were  blooming  in  a  manner  which  proved  how 
much  they  enjoy  the  conditions  under  which  they 
are  growing.  I  understand  the  plants  will  be  left 
where  they  are  to  become  naturalised.  It  ia  gene- 
rally  admitted    that  the    most   efl'ective    way    of 


April  30,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


303 


growing  Dafifodils  is  in  grass,  and  in  the  Polyan- 
thus we  have  a  plant  which  makes  a  delightful 
companion  to  the  above,  for  no  combination  could 
well  be  more  charming  than  the  two  growing 
together  as  I  saw  them  at  Godinton  Manor.  Mr. 
Ward  raises  the  stock  from  seeds  saved  from  his 
own  plants.  Speaking  of  Polyanthuses,  I  remember 
seeing  a  fine  display  of  these  plants  a  few  years  ago 
in  Lord  Burton's  garden  at  Rangemore,  near  Burton- 
on-Trent,  and  in  this  case  a  happy  combination 
was  formed  with  the  above  plants  grown  with 
Forget-me-Nots.  S.  H.  H. 


MOUNTAIN    FLOWERS    OF 
NEW    ZEALAND. 

(Continued  from    page    SSS.) 

DUEING  the  night  the  mist  had 
^  cleared  once  or  twice  sufficiently 
I  to  give  us  a  transient  glimpse  of 
f  the  Southern  Cross,  which 
appeared  in  a  part  of  the  sky 
where,  according  to  our  reckon- 
ing, it  had  no  right  to  be.  We  then  realised 
that  we  had  been  travelling  south^  instead 
of  east,  so  we  decided  to  abandon 
the  gully  we  were  in,  which  we 
feared  would  lead  us  into  a 
rough,  uninhabited  tract  of 
country.  One  of  our  number 
was  very  confident  that  he  could 
pilot  us  out,  so  at  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning  we  started, 
steering  by  the  sun.  But  the 
mist  was  as  dense  as  ever,  and 
we  could  only  locate  the  sun  by 
a  lighter  spot  in  the  clouds  by 
which  we  were  enveloped,  which 
had  a  nasty  trick  of  disappearing, 
and  when  we  saw  it  again  it 
would  be  on  the  wrong  side  of  us, 
whether  a  "false  sun  "  or  we  had 
lost  our  bearings  we  could  not 
tell ;  so  up  spurs  and  along 
ridges  we  wandered  till  about 
ten  o'clock.  Our  leader  was  still 
hopeful,  but  at  last  we  came  to  a 
place  where  we  had  been  an  hour 
or  two  before.  Our  leader  was 
unwilling  to  admit  such  a 
possibility,  but  after  a  short 
discussion  he  was  obliged  to 
do  so.  There  was  no  other 
course  left  but  to  follow  down- 
wards the  first  stream  we  came 
to,  even  if  it  led  us  far  from  our 


fall,  so  notwithstanding  our  anxiety  that  our 
friends  should  know  of  our  safety  we  deter- 
mined to  rest  for  the  afternoon  and  spend  the 
night  where  we  were.  There  was  a  shallow 
cave  in  a  rock,  which  we  made  as  level  as  pos- 
sible with  flat  stones,  on  which  we  laid  a 
covering  of  tussock  grass,  where  we  lay  down 
in  the  hope  of  getting  a  little  sleep  while  it 
was  yet  warm.  In  this  we  were  none  of  us  very 
successful.  The  afternoon  wore  away,  as  did 
the  succeeding  night,  which  we  felt  much 
colder  than  the  preceding  one,  notwithstanding 
that  we  were  better  sheltered  and  our  clothing 
was  dry. 

Four  o'clock  next  morning  saw  us  once 
more  afoot,  and  we  reached  Gladbrook  out- 
station  a  little  after  eight  o'clock.  Our  first 
care  was  to  send  off  a  messenger  to  the  nearest 
telegraph  office  with  telegrams  to  our  homes, 
and  after  a  wash  we  sat  down  to  breakfast, 
which  we  enjoyed  as  we  had  never  done 
before. 

I  greatly  regretted  the  loss  of  my  plants,  but 
I  think  my  chief  recollection  is  the  keen  gusto 
with  which  I  supped  a  plate  of  porridge,  which 


THE   INDOOR  GARDEN. 


1 


was  food  for  the  gods  !  We  learned  that  parties  [  overlooked, 


HARDY   FLOWERING    SHRUBS    FOR 

FORCING. 

AM  sure  many  of  your  readers  will  find  a 
mine  of  information  in  the  perusal  of  Mr. 
Townsend's  notes  (page  273)  dealing  with 
the  forcing  of  hardy  shrubs  in  early  winter 
and  spring,  because  a  list  is  given  of  kinds 
which  are  by  no  means  commonly  used  for 
such  purposes.  With  forced  shrubs  many  fail  to 
get  a  useful  and  efifective  display  of  flowers  after 
the  first  season's  forcing,  and  this  particularly 
refers  to  Lilacs.  I  suppose  that  the  plants,  which 
are  forced  this  season,  are  not  subject  to  the  same 
ordeal  within  the  next  twelve  months,  but  rather 
two  sets  of  plants  are  provided,  so  that  each 
obtains  alternately  a  season's  work  and  rest 
preparatory  to  forcing.  A  common  experience  is 
found  in  the  comparatively  poor  growth  following 
the  forcing  and  cutting  down  after  flowering.  The 
shrubby  Spiraeas  I  find  particularly  useful,  and 
with  careful  treatment  after  the  cutting  down 
they  make  bushes  fit  for  forcing  again  within  the 
j'ear.     The  value  of  plants  in  small  pots  cannot  be 


PERSIAN  CYCLAMEN  BUTTERFLY. 

(Circumference  7  feet  SincJies,  number  of  expanded  Jlojvers  150. 
Hon.  Cecil  Parker.) 


destination.      At    this    point    I 

threw  away  nearly  all  my  plants, 

only  keeping  one  or  two  of  the  lighter  ones  in  my  j  had  been  out  searching  for  us  from  the  night 

vasculum,  and  as  I  emptied  the  lunch  basket  1 1  before,   and     that    others    had    started    that 

found   a   packet  containing  three  very  smair  morning,  but  none  of  them  tried  the  southern 

sandwiches.    The  number  fortunately  agreed  j  part  of  the  mountain,  as  the  highest  point  lay 


with  that  of  our  party,  and  they  were  speedily 
disposed  of. 

We  carried  our  plan  into  execution,  and, 
after  finding  a  small  stream,  we  followed 
it  down  till  we  got  below  the  mist,  but  when 
we  first  _  saw  the  open  country  we  failed 
to  recognise  any  feature  of  it.  However,  we 
saw  a  distant  hilltop  which  we  knew,  and  so 
fixed  our  directions.  After  wandering  amongst 
the  lower  spurs  of  the  mountain  for  some 
time  we  at  last  got  a  glimpse  of  the  Taieri 
river  and  some  cultivated  land,  which  told  us 
exactly  where  we  were.  We  gained  the  banks 
of  the  Sutton  stream,  a  tributary  of  the  Taieri, 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  but  a 
stretch  of  low  rocky  hills  was  between  us  and 
our  goal. 

We  were  tired  out  and  did  not  think  we 
could  reach  the  station  homestead  before  night- 


to  the  northward  of  the  spur  we  had  ascended, 
and  the  summit  is  the  usual  goal  of  mountain 
climbers. 

In  due  course  we  reached  the  home- 
stead, and,  catching  the  afternoon  train, 
returned  to  our  homes  in  Dunedin,  none  of 
us,  fortunately,  any  the  worse  for  our 
exposure  or  fatigue,  to  say  nothing  of  our 
forty  hours  with  practically  neither  food  nor 
sleep. 

The  illustrations  given  of  a  few  of  the 
plants  mentioned  are  from  photographs  by 
Mr.  H.  J.  Matthews,  the  New  Zealand  State 
Forester,  who  was  one  of  our  party,  and  who 
is  an  enthusiastic  cultivator  of  our  mountain 
flora.  Some  were  taken  from  his  cultivated 
plants,  others  among  the  mountains. 

A.  Bathgatt. 

Dunedin,  January  SO,  1904. 


Mr.  Townsend  omits  from  his  exhaus- 
tive list  a  most  familiar  shrub,  but 
possibly  he  may  have  done  so  on 
the  score  of  scent,  which  some  con- 
sider unpleasant,  especially  when 
confined  in  a  dwelling  room  or  con- 
servatory, namely,  the  Mock  Orange 
or  Philadelphus.  Some  of  these 
are  strongly  fragrant  and  quite 
unsuited  to  room  decoration.  The 
freedom  of  their  growth  and  the 
readiness  with  which  they  will 
bloom  in  successive  years  when  con- 
fined to  pots  makes  them  most 
desirable  spring  forcing  flowers. 

Everything  depends  on  their 
summer  treatment.  It  is  not  desir- 
able to  place  such  plants  in  the  full 
sun  with  no  protection  to  the  roots 
and  pots.  Last  year,  wet  and  sunless 
though  it  was,  our  plants  were 
partly  plunged  in  the  soil  on  a  north 
border,  yet  despite  the  absence  of 
sunshine  and  the  extremely  humid 
atmosphere  due  to  the  frequent 
rains,  these  shrubs  flowered  as  well 
this  April  as  when  purchased  from 
the  nursery.  The  value  of  sunshine 
and  its  influence  on  wood  ripening 
seems  to  me  to  be  often  over- 
estimated. A  common  plaint  of  the 
year  1903  was  the  prospective  imma- 
turity of  flowering  wood  and  a  con- 
sequent paucity  of  blossom.  The 
present  outlook  as  regards  flowering 
trees  disposes  most  effectually  of  all 
such  fears,  for  never  were  the 
prospects  more  assuring.  The  lessons  thus  taught 
might  well  apply  to  forcing  plants,  deciduous  or 
evergreen.  If  instead  of  standing  pot-grown  plants 
in  sunny  aspects  more  shady  ones  were  sought  ii) 
future,  I  feel  sure  a  greater  and  a  richer  harvest  of 
spring  blossom  would  result.         W.  Struonell. 


In  the  garden  of  the 


A  REMARKABLE  CYCLAMEN. 
The  accompanying  illustration  shows  one  of  a 
remarkable  batch  of  Persian  Cyclamen  at  present 
in  flower  in  the  gardens  of  the  Hon.  Cecil  T. 
Parker  at  Eccleston  Paddocks,  and  which  were 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  January,  1902.  When 
the  plant  was  photographed  (February  27  last)  it 
measured  7  feet  3  inches  in  circumference,  and  had 
153  fully  expanded  flowers,  30  not  quite  open, 
and  25  had  been  removed  previously.  The  variety 
figured  is  that  known  as  Sutton's  Butterfly.  In 
these  days  of  record-breaking  it  would  be 
interesting  to  hear  if  there  has  been  a  larger  or 
more  floriferous  plant  of  this  variety  grown.  Mr. 
Raw,  the  gardener,  is  to  be  congratulated  on  his 
success  with  these  plants.  The  Hon.  Mrs.  Parker 
takes  a  keen  interest  in  gardening.  N.  F.  B. 


304 


THE   GARDEN. 


[Aphh.  30,  1904. 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 


HEDGES  AND  SHELTERS  OF  HOLLY, 

CUR  country  is  tortunate  in  having  as 
k  a  wild  tree  the  most  beautiful 
I  evergreen  of  Western  Europe,  and 
■  one  denied  to  much  of  the  country 
'  in  Central  and  Northern  Europe  and 
a  vast  region  in  North  America, 
where  it  will  not  withstand  the  winters.  In  beauty 
other  evergreen  Hollies  are  inferior  to  it,  hence 
its  berried  branches  are  sent  in  quantities  to 
North  America  at  Christmas.  In  too  many 
places  in  our  country  there  is  the  unfortunate  use 
of  the  iron  fence,  which  has  neither  beauty  nor 
endurance  and  is  useless  for  shelter.  A  well-made 
live  fence  will  last  three  times  the  life  of  an  iron 
one  ;  and  of  all  possible  living  evergreen  fences 
the  best  is  Holly,  in  close  but  not  stiffly  clipped 
lines.  Better  still  is  the  free  undipped  Holly 
hedge,  as  it  makes  a  fine  shelter  as  well  as  a  good 
background,  of  which  there  is  a  fine  example 
above  the  kitchen  garden  at  Batsford  Park.  In 
Warwickshire  and  other  counties  we  have  often 
seen  it  making  as  good  a  shelter  round  fields 
as  any  shed.  Of  the  clipped  Holly  hedges  fine 
examples  are  at  Woolverstoue  in  Suffolk.  Where 
land  is  not  valuable — either  from  its  poverty,  or 
elevation,  or  other  reasons — it  matters  little 
whether  the  hedge  is  clipped  or  not,  especially 
round  woodland  and  for  cutting  off  woods  from 
pasture  fields.  For  such  a  case  the  finest  hedge 
is  that  of  undipped  Holly,  because  then  we  get 
its  fruit  and  protection  and  fine  form.  Such 
hedges  might  be  either  of  Holly  alone  or  mixed 
with  Sloe  or  Quick. 

Where  from  the  nature  of  the  soil  it  is  not  easy 
to  raise  Hollies   from  seed — as  they  should  have 
friable  open  ground  in  the  young  state — it  is  best 
to  buy    small  plants    from    the    forest    nurseries. 
The  worst  enemy  of  the  Holly  hedge  is  the  rabbit. 
I  have  lost  thousands  of  plants  in  that  way,  and 
although  many  places  are  not  so  much  infested, 
still  great  care  must  be  taken,  or  in  hard  winters 
the  Hollies  are  sure  to  be  destroyed,  especially  if 
newly  planted.     Where  Holly  comes  naturally,  as 
it  does  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  the  destruc- 
tion ia  not  noticeable,  except  after  hard  winters, 
when  I  have  seen  even  old  woods  of  it  destroyed. 
Being  a  close-growing  shrub  it  forms  a  shelter  for 
cattle,   and    as   it   grows    much    better   than   the 
Hawthorn  under  hedgerow  trees   it   ought  to   be 
more  often   adopted   for   enclosing   meadows   and 
pastures.     It  keeps  itself  almost  free  from  weeds, 
owing   to   the   closeness   of    its    branches    at   the 
bottom,  and  it  is  free  from  insects.     Holly  is  found 
flourishing   on   dry   gravelly   land   as   well   as   on 
strong  clay,  but  sand  and  sandy  loam  are  the  soils 
it    delights    in    most.       On   flat   ground    the   site 
intended  for  the  Holly  hedge  should  be  trenched 
and  manured  before  the  time  of  planting,  but  the 
chief  thing  is  to  have  the  soil  open  and  fertile,  and 
nothing  can  be  better  as  an  addition  than  well- 
rotted  farmyard  manure  ;  the  same  should  be  used 
for   mulching  after   planting,    but    any   mulch   is 
better  than  none,  even  grass,  or  weeds,  or  litter. 
The  ordinary  raised  bank  made  for  fences  in  many 
districts  of  the  south  is  preparation  enough. 

The  distance  between  the  plants  should  be  at 
least  a  foot,  and,  if  they  are  very  bushy,  15  inches 
apart  will  be  close  enough.  In  order  that  they 
may  stand  firm  and  upright  they  should  be 
trod  gently  immediately  after  the  roots  are 
covered.  For  the  first  two  seasons  the  hedge 
will  require  no  pruning,  but  after  the  third  year 
such  parts  of  the  sides  as  become  broad  and 
irregular  had  better  be  clipped  uniformly.  I  say 
clipped,  meaning  by  the  hedge  shears,  for  the 
Holly  is  too  thick  and  its  leaves  too  numerous  to 
allow  of  its  being  trimmed  with  a  hedge-bill.  The 
clipped  Holly  hedge  should  be  perfectly  straight, 
broad  at  bottom,  and  gradually  taper  to  the  top. 
The  time  for  clipping  is  in  October,  and  it  is  not 
necessary  that  it  should  be  done  more  than  once  a 
year.  In  many  cases  this  clipping  may  be  neces- 
sary, but  by  far  the  finest  hedge  is  the  naturally- 
grown,  undipped  one.— F/ora  and  Sy/va. 


AZARA.    MICROPHYLLA. 

This  makes  a  handsome  evergreen  shrub  where  it 
succeeds,  but  unfortunately  it  is  rather  tender,  and 
cannot  be  grown  except  in  favoured  or  sheltered 
spots.  It  is  well  worth  a  trial  everywhere,  as  it 
is  unlike  any  other  hardy  evergreen  in  appearance. 
It  is  a  native  of  Chili,  and  makes  a  large  branching 
shrub  upwards  of  20  feet  in  height,  with  a  graceful 
appearance.  The  branches  are  flattened  and 
spreading,  and  clothed  with  tiny  leaves  of  a  dark 
shining  green.  The  leaves  are  alternate,  about 
half  an  inch  long,  and  oval  in  shape.  At  the  base 
of  each  leaf  is  another  tiny  leaf  rather,  less  than  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  long,  which  is  turned  back 
towards  the  base  of  the  shoot  and  lying  along  it, 
and  is  probably  a  natural  protection  to  the  branches 
from  the  rays  of  the  sun  in  its  native  habitat.  The 
flowers  are  yellow  in  colour,  very  small  and  incon- 
spicuous, and  appear  in  April  on  the  lower  sides  of 
the  branches  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They  are 
strongly  scented  like  vanilla,  and  this  is  usually 
the  first  sign  of  their  appearance,  as  they  are 
easily  overlooked.  Though  this  plant  is  often 
badly  cut  by  frost,  it  will  stand  15°  to  20°  without 
injury  when  well  established,  but  is  rarely  killed 
outright,  as  if  cut  to  the  ground  it  will  come  up 
afresh  and  grow  freely  the  following  season.  It  is 
easily  propagated  by  cuttings  or  laj'ers. 

Bagshot,  Surrey.  J.  Clark. 


MAGNOLIA    STELLATA. 

This  handsome  spring-flowering  shrub  is  about 
a  fortnight  later  in  blooming  this  year,  and  so  far 
has  not  been  cut  by  frost,  so  that  the  full  beauty 
of  its  lovely  flowers  has  been  seen.  As  a  rule,  the 
flowers  get  browned  by  frost  as  soon  as  they  appear 
unless  protected,  which  generally  is  not  thought  of 
until  it  is  too  late.  It  is  an  ideal  shrub  for  the 
cold  house,  but  is  not  amenable  to  pot  culture  for 
more  than  two  years.  As  it  does  not  grow  very 
large  it  can  be  planted  out  in  a  cold  house  if  room 
can  be  spared  for  it.  All  the  Magnolias  are 
difficult  subjects  to  move  in  the  open  ground  unless 
properly  attended  to,  and  M.  stellata  is  no  excep- 
tion to  the  rule.  If  not  planted  permanently  they 
should  be  moved  every  year,  either  in  early  autumn 
or  late  spring. 

Bayshot,  Surrey.  J.  Clark. 


the  second  species,  was  long  known  to  botanists 
before  its  introduction  about  ten  years  ago.  In 
this  the  leaflets,  which  are  borne  in  threes  instead 
of  fives,  are  larger  and  deciduous  in  winter.  The 
flowers,  too,  disposed  as  in  the  preceding,  are 
somewhat  smaller,  while  the  branches  are  thicker, 
and  the  long,  rambling  shoots  have  not  that 
extreme  flexibility  which  is  characteristic  of  A. 
quinata.  Botanically,  the  Akebias  belong  to  the 
order  Berberidaceae,  and,  apart  from  the  genus 
which  gives  its  name  to  the  said  order,  their 
immediate  hardy  relatives  are  Holboellia  latifolia, 
Stauntonia  hexaphylla,  Lardizabala  biternata,  and 
Berberidopsis  corallina.  H.  P. 


AKEBIAS. 

To  Robert  Fortune  we  are  indebted  for  the  oldest 
and  best-known  member  of  this  family,  viz.,  A. 
quinata  ;  indeed,  the  second  and  only  other  species 
(A.  lobata)  is  of  quite  recent  introduction.  The 
older  species  is  more  beautiful  than  the  other,  and, 
apart  from  its  value  as  a  hardy  climber  in  most 
parts  of  the  countrj-,  it  is  delightful  in  the  cool 
greenhouse,  where,  especially  in  spring  when  laden 
with  flowers,  it  is  for  some  time  very  attractive. 
The  slender,  wiry  stems  wind  round  any  support 
that  ia  within  reach,  and  failing  this  they  twist 
around  each  other  in  such  a  way  as  to  form  a  dense 
entangled  mass.  Under  glass  or  in  mild  winters 
in  the  open  ground  it  is  evergreen,  but  even  then 
a  considerable  number  of  young  leaves  make  their 
appearance  simultaneously  with  the  flowers. 
These  leaves,  made  up  of  five  separate  leaflets,  are 
of  a  fresh  bright  green  when  first  developed,  but 
darken  with  age.  The  flowers,  of  which  male  and 
female  ones  are  borne  separately,  are  in  slender 
pendent  racemes,  the  male  ones  at  the  upper  part 
and  the  females  at  the  base.  These  last  are  bj-  far 
the  most  conspicuous,  being  over  1  inch  across  and 
dark  lurid  purple.  The  male  flowers  are  much 
smaller  and  of  a  lighter  tint.  In  addition  to  its 
other  desirable  features,  the  flowers  of  this  Akebia 
are  very  sweetly  scented.  This  Akebia  grows 
readily  in  any  good  garden  soil,  but  the  best 
display  is  when  the  plants  are  so  situated  that  the 
shoots  are  thoroughly  ripened  during  the  summer. 
Propagation  is  readily  effected  by  cuttings,  or  in 
the  case  of  established  plants  some  of  the 
straggling  branches  will  often  root  where  they 
come  in  contact  with  the  soil.  The  fruits,  some- 
what like  an  elongated  Plum,  are  rarely  seen,  but 
a  good  specimen  from  Dorsetshire  was  illustrated  in 
The  Garden,  Vol.  LX.,  page  352.     Akebia  lobata. 


DAFFODILS     FOR     HOUSE 
DECORATION. 

FEW  plants  enjoy  greater  popularity  than 
Daffodils,  and  although  there  is  but 
little  need  to  plead  for  the  use  of  these 
lovely  flowers  in  our  homes,  seeing  that 
for  this  purpose  they  are  always 
welcome,  yet  at  this  season  a  few 
remarks  on  the  subject  may  not  be  out  of  place. 
Ten  years  ago  who  could  have  dreamed  that  the 
Daffodil  would  have  broken  into  such  an  exquisite 
range  of  colours  as  we  now  possess  ?  It  is  mainly 
due  to  this,  I  think,  that  the  popularity  of  the 
flower  has  so  increased,  and  it  is  now  quite  possible 
for  those  who  have  an  aversion  to  yellow  (several 
of  whom  I  have  come  across)  to  even  exclude  varie- 
ties of  that  colour  and  yet  form  a  good  collection. 
For  house  decoration  this  gain  in  widening  the 
range  of  colouring  is  precious,  because  it  has 
brought  the  flower  into  more  general  use,  and 
thus  enabled  people  to  follow  out  its  particular 
lines  of  beauty  more  fully.  Surely  nothing  in  its 
season  can  be  more  lovely  for  table  decoratior  than 
a  vase  or  centrepiece  of  some  of  these  newer 
varieties  with  their  richly  coloured  glowing  cups 
and  delicately  tinted  segments. 

Vases  of  Faulty  Design. 

Too  often,  however,  the  arrangement  of  Daffodils 
and  other  flowers  is  hindered  by  the  want  of  suit- 
able vases  and  bowls  ;  what  should  be  a  pleasure 
becomes  not  only  a  trial  but  a  labour.  Judging  by 
what  one  sees  in  the  shop  windows  and  upon  the 
tables  at  public  dinners  many  makers  of  vases  and 
so-called  ornaments  seem  to  think  that  receptacles 
should  be  of  crude  and  vivid  colouring  and  daubed 
with  a  floral  design.  Shape,  which  to  those  who 
have  to  arrange  the  flowers  is  such  an  important 
consideration,  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  effort  to  twist 
the  material  into  some  absurd  and  meaningless 
design.  Nor  does  the  matter  end  even  here,  for 
often  what  might  have  been  a  good  design  is  com- 
pletely marred  by  the  addition  of  some  raised 
decoration.  If  there  is  one  flower  more  than 
another  for  which  it  is  important  to  choose  a  vase 
of  plain  shape  and  quiet  tone  it  is  certainly  the 
Daffodil.  Unfortunately,  suitable  vases  combining 
these  two  qualifications  are  not  easy  to  obtain, 
and  I  had  much  ditBculty  in  getting  some  light 
table  vases  to  arrange  Poet's  Narcissi  in.  Nearly 
every  one  submitted  to  me  had  some  defect, 
generally  in  shape.  This  season  will  see  the  advent 
of  some 

New  Glasses 

for  cut  Daffodils,  which  have  been  designed  by  Mr. 
Engleheart  and  made  by  Messrs.  James  Green  and 
Nephew,  the  makers  of  the  now  famous  Munstead 
glasses.  Both  for  exhibition  and  house  decoration 
these  will  undoubtedly  prove  most  suitable,  and 
their  good  points  are  so  manifest  that  they  are 
certain  to  come  into  favour.  These  glasses  are  in 
three  sizes,  the  tallest  being  12  inches,  the  next 
9  inches,  and  the  third  6  inches  in  height.  Their 
shape  and  good  points  may  be  summed  up  as 
follows  :  (a)  Plain  cylindrical  form,  which  is  the 
best  for  Daffodils  ;  (b)  stability  given  by  the  wide 
base  of  solid  glass  ;  (c)  facility  of  cleaning  because 
of  the  simple  concave  bottom  and  absence  of  angles 
to  hold  dirt ;  (d)  transparency,  which  enables  one 
to  see  when  the  flowers  require  water.  The  stone- 
ware vases  used  at  exhibitions    are    troublesome 


April  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


305 


especially   in  hot  rooms,   where   the   water  soon 
evaporates. 

Arrangement  of  Bowls. 
One  of  the  moat  interesting  classes  at  the  Midland 
Daffodil  Society's  show  is  that  for  "a  bowl,  vase, 
or  centrepiece  of  cut  Daffodils  in  water,  not  to 
exceed  12  inches  inside  diameter."  Last  season 
nearly  every  exhibitor  used  a  china  bowl.  For  my 
own  part  I  do  not  care  for  the  imitation  Japanese 
bowls  which  are  now  so  generally  used,  preferring 
either  those  of  a  quiet  self  colour  or  those  made  of 
glass.  Where  there  is  ample  space  nothing  is  more 
effective  than  a  bowl  arranged  with  the  bold  massive 
flowers  of  Emperor,  Empress,  Sir  Watkin,  and 
others  of  that  type,  and  as  brass  wires  can  now 
be  obtained  to  fit  any  size  of  bowl,  there  is 
no  difficulty  in  making  the  flowers  stand  up. 
A  bowl  of  Emperor  arranged  by  this  means 
was  exhibited  by  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to 
J.  A.  Kenwick,  Esq.,  at  the  Midland  Daffodil 
show.  Another  well-known  method  is  to  obtain 
strips  of  lead  about  one  inch  in  width  and  formed 
into  waves.  These  are  put  in  the  bowl  and  the 
stalks  fixed  in  the  loops.  Though  a  more  trouble- 
some way  this  has  its  advantages  ;  it  leads  to  the 
flowers  being  arranged  in  a  more  natural  manner 
and  not  overcrowded.  With  the  brass  wires  there 
is  rather  a  tendency  to  arrange  the  flowers  so 
evenly  that  a  great  deal  of  their  charm  is  lost. 

Foliage. 
Like  many  other  lovers  of  Daffodils  I  have 
repeatedly  tried  to  discover  a  suitable  substitute 
for  their  own  foliage,  but  must  confess  myself 
beaten.  It  is  true  that  these  flowers  will  some- 
times look  well  with  such  things  as  Berberis 
(Mahonia)  aquifolium,  wild  Arum,  Asparagus  Fern, 
and  other  greenery,  yet  even  then  some  of  their 
own  foliage  has  had  to  be  interspersed  before  the 
arrangement  could  in  any  way  be  called  successful. 
Most  people  are  agreed  that  cutting  the  leaves 
damages  the  bulbs,  so  that  it  is  best  to  grow 
common  varieties  in  some  out  of  the  way  part  of 
the  garden  solely  for  this  purpose.  In  this  con- 
nexion it  may  be  of  interest  to  quote  a  passage 
from  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  (Vol.  XXVIIL)  for  October  last,  which  is 
as  follows  :  "  Cutting  the  leaves  impoverishes  the 
bulbs  ;  it  stands  to  reason  that  it  must  do  so.  We 
used  to  think  it  did  grave  injury,  but  we  have  had 
reason  to  modify  our  opinion  somewhat.  It  chanced 
that  we  had  a  grand  lot  of  some  thousands  of 
blossoms  in  a  somewhat  exposed  position  which 
were  wanted  specially  at  Easter.  Fearing  to  lose 
them,  we  gathered  every  one  on  the  Wednesday 
evening  before  Easter,  and,  as  it  proved,  not  one 
whit  too  soon,  for  that  very  night  it  had  been 
planned  to  steal  them,  and  the  thieves  coming  and 
finding  all  the  blossoms  gone  showed  their  spite  by 
regularly  reaping  all  the  foliage  off  at  the  ground 
level.  Some  of  it  they  appeared  to  have  taken 
away,  but  the  greater  part  was  left  lying  on  the 
beds.  We  expected  the  bulbs  to  be  much  injured, 
but  as  a  matter  of  fact  in  the  succeeding  year  there 
was  no  apparent  difference  between  these  beds  and 
others  which  had  been  untouched.  Whilst,  then, 
we  are  convinced  that  some  injury  must  be  done 
by  cutting  too  much  of  the  foliage,  we  think  the 
harm  is  greatly  overrated." 

Table  Decoration. 
There  are,  of  course,  many  ways  in  which  a  table 
could  be  decorated  with  Daffodils,  and  my  intention 
is  only  to  offer  a  few  brief  suggestions.  Perhaps 
the  moat  important  of  all  is  to  cut  the  flowers 
before  they  are  fully  expanded,  and  with  as  long 
stalks  as  possible.  For  a  table  of  the  average  size 
light  glasses  are  admirable,  and  the  only  point  to 
remember  is  never  to  overcrowd  them — half  a  dozen 
blooms  carefully  arranged  with  Daffodil  foliage  will 
look  better  than  when  twice  that  number  are  used. 
There  is  no  need  for  all  the  flowers  to  be  fully 
expanded  when  they  are  arranged.  One  of  the 
most  beautiful  things  with  Daffodils  is  the  extra- 
ordinary charm  of  the  buds  of  some  of  the 
various  kinds,  and  to  see  the  flowers  in  their 
several  stages  will  give  pleasure  and  interest  to 
many.  Tall  growing  sorts,  like  most  of  the  Poet's 
Narcissi,  will  look  best  in  the  te^Uer  glass,  and  the 


dwarfer  sorts  in  similar  relation.  The  choice  of 
varieties  must,  of  course,  vary  according  to  indivi- 
dual taste.  I  prefer  the  poeticus,  Leedsi,  and 
Burbidgei  varieties,  also  such  bright  things  as 
(J.  J.  Backhouse.  The  Redcups  are  essentially 
house  flowers,  as  they  will  not  withstand  hot 
sunshine  in  the  garden.  At  Torquay  Spring  show 
last  season  I  noticed  two  exquisitely  arranged 
tables,  one  being  composed  of  poeticus  ornatus  and 
La  France  Violets,  the  other  a  beautiful  combina- 
tion of  Barri  conspicuus  and  well  bloomed  sprays 
of  Berberis  Darwinii. 

Worcestershire.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


ROSES  FOR   MARKET. 

JUDGING  from  the  market  prices  for  cut 
Roses,  the  variety  Liberty  commands  the 
highest  figure.  One  is  not  surprised  at 
this,  for  its  glorious  colour,  which  is  so 
well  maintained,  is  sure  to  be  in  request. 
No  other  crimson,  not  even  General 
Jacqueminot,  can  equal  it  for  brilliancy.  Captain 
Hayward  is,  perhaps,  a  finer  flower,  but  it  does  not 
bloom  with  such  freedom  as  Liberty.  There  is  also 
this  difference.  Liberty  answers  when  well  planted 
out,  but  Captain  Hayward  is  best  pot  grown,  using 
budded  plants  potted  up  one  season  in  advance  for 
the  purpose.  I  should  say  it  will  be  some  time 
before  we  have  anything  to  surpass  Liberty.  There 
is  one  announced  from  America,  General  McArthur, 
which  is  said  to  surpass  both  Liberty  and  The 
Meteor,  but  one  must  not  be  too  positive  about 
this.  The  following  six  sorts  appear  to  command 
the  next  highest  prices :  Bridesmaid,  Catherine 
Mermet,  The  Bride,  Mme.  Abel  Chatenay,  Kaiserin 
Augusta  Victoria,  and  Caroline  Testout.  The 
small  bud  varieties  such  as  Perle  des  Jardins, 
Sunrise,  W.  A.  Richardson,  Niphetos,  Papa 
Gontier,  Sunset,  Safrano,  &c.,  do  not  fetch  more 
than  half  the  price  of  the  six  sorts  already  men- 
tioned. It  would  seem  that  even  for  decorative 
purposes,  size  and  quality  of  blossom  counts,  and 
one  must  admit  that  three  or  four  flowers  with 
long  stems  placed  carelessly  in  a  deep  vase  have 
a  striking  effect. 

New  Roses  must  be  of  exceptional  quality  before 
they  are  taken  up  by  the  commercial  florist.  I 
quite  expect  to  find  Lady  Roberts  and  the  equally 
beautiful  Boadicea  used  for  market  very  soon. 
Raisers  would  confer  a  great  boon  on  market 
growers  and  others  it  they  would  produce  a  yellow 
and  a  crimson  Catherine  Mermet.  Who  knows  but 
what  they  will  be  obtained  by  one  of  the  many  rosa- 
rians  now  embarked  in  the  raising  of  new  kinds?  P. 


of  Electra  with  dot  plants  among  the  branches,  of 
Papa  Gontier  or  Mme.  Abel  Chatenay,  another 
of  Leuchtstern  with  dot  plants  of  Mme.  Ravary, 
and  so  on.  If  we  are  to  utilise  all  the  good  things 
available  among  these  rambler  Roses  we  must  find 
other  uses  for  them  than  the  ubiquitous  arch  or 
pergola,  and  not  a  few  of  the  kinds  lend  themselves 
to  the  mode  of  culture  recommended  above. 

Philomel. 


ROSA  XANTHINA. 
This  beautiful  Rose  is  well  worth  growing.  Its 
single  flowers  are  of  a  pure  yellow  colour.  I  notice 
M.  Gravereaux  in  his  "  Catalogue  of  the  Roseraie 
de  I'Hay  "  places  R.  xanthina  in  the  section  Pim- 
pinellifolia;,  and  it  certainly  has  a  close  resemblance 
to  the  Scotch  Roses.  It  would  be  interesting  to 
know  if  this  Rose  is  really  R.  Ecas,  and  if  so  which 
is  the  correct  name.  "  Nicholson's  Dictionary  of 
Gardening"  says  that  R.  xanthina  is  the  correct 
name  of  R.  Ecie.  Professor  Crepin,  in  his 
classification  given  in  the  paper  read  at 
the  Rose  Conference  in  1889  and  pubb'shed 
in  Vol.  Xt.,  part  3  of  the  Journal  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  places  R.  xanthina  under 
Pimpinellifolias,  and  gives  as  synonyms  R.  platy- 
acantha  and  Rosa  Ecae.  He  also  says  there  is  a 
double  form  of  R.  xanthina  grown  in  China.  I 
wonder  if  this  is  what  we  know  here  as  Rosa  lutea 
Harrisonii?  I  am  persuaded  that  Rose  growers 
must  not  lose  sight  of  any  yellow-flowered  species, 
however  modest  it  be,  for  there  is  a  possibility  of 
working  up  a  hardy  race  of  yellows  from  such 
species.  P. 


ELECTRA  AS  A  BEDDING  VARIETY. 
Many  visitors  to  Kew  Gardens  must  have  noticed 
in  June  the  splendid  bed  of  the  above-named  Rose, 
and  many,  doubtless,  resolved  to  plant  such  a  bed 
in  their  own  gardens.  It  seems  to  me  to  be  an 
excellent  method  of  using  these  rambler  Roses,  or 
at  least  such  of  them  as  blossom  freely.  Electra  is 
of  this  type,  and  it  is  not  only  a  free  bloomer  but  a 
vigorous  grower  also.  I  should,  perhaps,  explain 
that  this  Rose  and  a  few  others  of  similar  habit  are 
allowed  to  grow  as  they  like,  consequently  we  find 
long,  half-pendulous  shoots  bent  down  with  their 
weight  of  blossom.  Upon  one  growth  I  counted  as 
many  as  twenty-six  trusses  of  about  ten  blooms, 
and  buds  for  each  truss,  and  one  of  the  plants  had 
as  many  as  eight  such  growths,  so  that  it  will  be 
readily  imagined  what  an  effective  Rose  it  is  for 
the  purpose  named.  There  are  four  rows  of  petals 
in  the  flowers  of  this  Rose,  and  the  colour  is  creamy 
white,  the  buds  being  a  soft  yellow.  Even  if  space 
cannot  be  afforded  for  a  whole  bed  of  one  Rose,  at 
least  a  single  plant  could  be  placed  in  a  conspicuous 
position  and  its  growths  allowed  to  spread  out  in 
the  way  described  above.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  the  effect  is  for  a  short  time  only,  but  I  do  not 
see  why  some  Tea  Roses  of  the  dwarf  bedding  type 
could  not  be  planted  close  by  this  one  plant,  so  that 
they  would  carry  on  the  flowering  period  well  into 
the  autumn.     A  lovely  contrast  would  be  one  plant 


PRUNING    ROSES. 

Your  correspondent  Mr.  A.  R.  Goodwin,  in 
his  article  upon  "  Rose  Arches  and  their  Manage- 
ment," does  well  to  emphasise  the  necessity 
of  cutting  hard  back  the  growths  of  climbii  g 
Roses  after  planting.  The  same  advice  applies 
with  equal  force  to  dwarf  bush  Roses.  Many 
amateurs,  in  their  eagerness  to  have  a  crop  of 
blooms  the  first  season  after  planting,  are  tenjpted 
to  leave  the  shoots  several  inches  long,  instead  of 
cutting  them  as  low  down  as  they  can  do  consistent 
with  safe  pruning.  The  result  must  be  weak 
growths,  and  consequently  a  poor  foundation,  that 
must  result  in  an  unsatisfactory  Rose  bush.  Again, 
lots  of  amateur  Rose  growers  are  afraid  to  cut  back 
their  Roses  hard  in  case  they  should  fail  to  grow 
at  all.  They  will  not  understand  that  buds  which 
are  not  to  be  seen  without  close  examination  are 
there,  and  will  burst  into  growth  if  the  upper  buds, 
perhaps  already  started,  are  cut  off,  and  will 
produce  stronger  shoots  than  the  latter  could  have 
done.  When  the  plants  are  established  it  does 
not  matter  so  much,  that  is  supposing  Roses  for 
home  use  are  required,  but  even  then  it  is  useless 
to  leave  long  weak  shoots.  Amateur  Rose  growers 
often  complain  that  their  plants  become  weak  and 
worn  out  after  a  few  years,  and  I  think  this  is  often 
due  as  much  to  bad  pruning  as  to  bad  soil  and 
indifferent  planting.  Weak  growths,  instead  of 
being  removed  altogether,  are  allowed  to  crowd  the 
plants,  too  much  wood  is  left  on  the  shoots  annually, 
and  the  effect  is  soon  apparent  in  an  altogether 
weakened  plant.  It  is  a  pity  that  so  much 
ignorance  prevails  about  Rose  pruning.  It  is  quite 
a  simple  opsration,  yet  growers,  of  course  beginners 
in  particular,  blunder  in  the  strangest  ways,  and 
frequently  cut  down  the  shoots  of  climbers  instead 
of  thinning  out  the  weakly  ones.  An  excellent 
article  on  the  pruning  of  Roses  appeared  a  short 
time  ago  in  The  Garden.  A.  P.  H. 


PAUL  LEDE. 
There  is  no  great  advance  in  the  recent  Hybrid 
Tea  novelties  from  M.  Pernet-Ducher,  except, 
perhaps.  Prince  de  Bulgarie.  This  is  a  genuine 
acquisition.  I  think,  too,  the  variety  Paul  Lede 
will  prove  to  be  a  valuable  addition.  The  blending 
of  orange,  peach,  and  buff  tints  in  the  beautiful 
globular-formed  flower  is  very  striking.  I  suppose 
one  must  not  expect  too  great  an  advance  nowa- 
days, but  where  the  collection  is  so  extensive  we 
only  seem  to  want  sterling  novelties.     If  raisers 


306 


THE   GARDEN. 


[April  3i,  1904. 


would  give  us  some  good  scarlets  and 
crimsons  in  the  Hybrid  Teas,  Rose 
growers  would  be  grateful.  There  is  at 
present  no  really  good  crimson  that  can 
be  used  for  bedding.  Liberty  is  too  poor 
a  grower,  and  Grilss  an  Teplitz  too  late 
to  be  generally  esteemed,  although  both 
sorts  have  gained  many  friends  for  their 
otherwise  good  qualities.  P. 


NOTES  ON    HARDY 
PLANTS. 

THE    EDELWEISS. 

(Leontopodiuh    alpinum.) 

VERY  few  of  the  true  alpines 
have  greater  interest  than 
the  Edelweiss.  To  botanists 
and  the  cultivators  of  good 
alpines  the  plant  is  always 
fascinating.  Much  of  its 
garden  value  is  in  the  distinctness  of 
the  plant  when  associated  with  other 
alpine  plants  in  the  rock  garden. 
More  or  less  herbaceous  in  British 
gardens,  the  plant,  while  perennial  in 
character,  gives  much  the  best  results 
when  treated  as  a  biennial  ;  that  is, 
raising  the  plants  from  seeds  in  the 
early  part  of  one  year — say,  January 
or  February — and  planting  them  in 
their  allotted  place  in  May  or  early 
June  to  make  as  full  a  growth  as  possible 
for  the  next  year.  The  plant  may  be 
raised  quite  easily  from  seeds,  and 
when  liberally  treated  will  grow  a  foot  or  more 
high.  Many  years  ago  in  a  Berkshire  garden, 
where  the  plant  was  used  to  edge  the  beds 
of  hardy  things,  a  greater  height  was  attained, 
but  this  did  not  increase  the  beauty  of  the 
plant.  To  those  who  wish  to  preserve  as 
much  as  possible  the  alpine  character  of  the 
garden,  one  cannot  do  better  than  grow  it  on 
rocky  ledges  of  rookwork,  behind  which  there  is 
an  ample  provision  of  loam  and  either  old  mortar 
or  limestone  chippings.  In  the  more  sandy  soils 
this  admixture  is  not  essential  to  growth,  yet  it  is 
desirable  in  any  case  where  the  whiter  character  of 


THE  DOUBLE  ARABIS  (A.  ALEIDA  FL.-PL. )  IN  THE  GARDEN  OF  MR.  CARRUTHERS,  EDEN  GROVE,  CARLISLE. 


the  growth  and  inflorescences  are  most  appreciated. 
On  chalky  soils  and  in  limestone  districts  gene- 
rally the  plant  is  at  home  usually  in  the  ordinary 
soils,  and  again  oc  the  red  sandstone  formations, 
even  where  there  is  a  red  livery  clay.  The  class 
of  soil  the  Edelweiss  dislikes  most  is  composed  of 
clay,  where  the  lias  clay  is  in  mixture  or  forms  a 
substratum  below.  In  such  instances  provision 
must  be  made  as  above  suggested.  Growing  plants 
in  the  rock  garden  where  the  drainage  is  liberal 
and  free  should  be  copiously  watered  during  the 
summer,  and  upon  a  good  early-developed  growth 
depends  much  of  the  flowering  to  follow  later.     In 


the  above  connexion  it  should  be  remembered  that 
the  plant  formerly  inhabited  the  higher  pastures  of 
the  mountains,  where  the  ground  in  summer  is 
often  quite  moist.  The  flowers  are  yellowish  and 
not  showy,  but  the  star-like  whorl  of  leaves, 
covered  with  dense  white  down,  is  that  which  has 
aroused  so  great  an  interest  in  the  plant.  There 
is  a  form  known  as  L.  a.  himalayanum,  less  white  and 
beautiful,  and  usually  of  taller  growth.         E.  J. 


THE  DOUBLE  ARABIS. 
It  is  seldom  that  a  new  flower  bounds  into  popu- 
larity at  once,  but  this  has  been  the 
ease  with  the  double  Arabis  (A.  albida 
fl.-pl.),  which,  as  shown  in  the 
photograph,  blooms  with  wonderful 
freedom.  The  individual  flower  is 
like  a  little  pearly  white  rosette, 
and  not  only  is  the  plant  useful  for 
its  efi^ectiveness,  but  it  may  be  cut 
for  the  house.  It  grows  quite  as 
strongly  as  the  t3'pe. 


EPELWEISS  BY   PATUSIDE. 


SAXIFKAGA   BURSERIANA 
MAJOR. 

I  ENCLOSE  two  photographs  of  Saxi- 
fraga  burseriana  major,  which  repre- 
sent a  plant  of  two  years'  growth. 
Two  years  ago  it  was  a  tiny  piece 
1  inch  or  2  inches  across.  I  find  it 
does  well  in  moist  gritty  loam,  with 
abundance  of  coarse  grit  on  the  sur- 
face, which  serves  to  keep  the  roots 
moist  and  to  soak  up  any  superfluous 
moisture  that  may  be  present  in  a 
rain}'  season  such  as  the  one  we  have 
just  experienced.  S.  burseriana  does 
best  in  half  sun  facing  north-west 
or  north-east,  and  objects  both  to 
dryness  and  excessive  moisture.  It 
grows  easily  from  cuttings.  Each 
small  tuft  if  dibbled  into  a  mixture 
of  moist  loam  and  grit  will  take  root 
and  soon  make  a  fine  plant.  It 
flowers  in  February,  and  forms  one 
of  the  handsomest  plants  of  its 
genus,  the  large  white  flowers  con- 
trasting with  the  red  stems  and 
beautiful   deep  green  of    the  mossy 


April  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


307 


tufts  of  leaves.    No  rook  garden  should  be  without 
this  pretty  species.  Allan  B.  Hall. 

Southfields,  Soiuerby,  Tliirsh. 


ANDROSACE  HEDREANTHA. 
This  charming  little  Androsace  was  in  flower  in 
the  rock  garden  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens, 
Edinburgh,  the  other  day.  It  is  as  yet  a  rare 
plant  in  gardens,  but  if  it  will  grow  as  well  every- 
where as  it  seems  to  do  at  Edinburgh  it  will  be 
much  sought  after  by  admirers  of  the  Androsaces. 
It  grows  only  1  inch  or  2  inches  high,  has  foliage 
of  corresponding  size,  and  lovely  little  flowers  of  a 
very  pale  purple.  The  Edinburgh  plant  was  growing 
on  a  rather  steep  rockery  facing  the  sun,  and  was 
covered  with  a  sheet  of  glass  to  throw  off  excessive 
rainfall,  a  precaution  which  should  be  taken  with 
nearly  all  the  Androsaces  in  most  parts  of  the 
kingdom.  There  is  but  little  information  available 
about  this  Androsace.  Grisebach  is  the  authority 
for  the  name,  and  the  plant  is  a  native  of  Thrace. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  many  good  new  plants  in 
the  rock  garden  at  Edinburgh  Botanic  Gardens. 

S.  Arnott. 


ARCTOSTAPHYLOS  GLAUCA. 
The  genus  Arctostaphylos  is  known  to  many 
the  two  species  which  are  found  in  some  parts 
Britain,  namely,  A.  Uva-ursi,  the  com- 
mon Bearberry,  and  A.  alpina,  which 
is  sometimes  called  the  Black  Bear- 
berry.  These  two  are  small-leaved, 
prostrate  shrubs,  which  are  common 
in  many  parts  of  the  Northern 
Hemisphere,  and  differ  greatly  from  the 
subject  of  this  note  in  general 
appearance.  A.  glauoa  is  a  native  of 
California,  and  at  Kew  is  represented 
by  a  specimen  which  may  be  seen 
in  flower  near  the  collection  of 
Arbutus. 

In   habit   it    forms   a    low-growing, 
straggling  bush,  with  broadly  ovate,  or 
sometimes  almost  cordate,  leaves,  which 
are   thick  in  texture  and   resemble  to 
a  certain  extent  those  of  some  species 
of   Eucalyptus.      In   colour    they    are 
light   green,  with  a   slightly  glaucous        "% 
tinge,  the  glaucous  colouring,  however,         I    ^rfj. 
being    far    less     pronounced     than    is         •'Vf^/ 
shown  by  Californian-grown  specimens. 
The    flowers,     which     are    very     like 
those  of   Arbutus  in  appearance,  are 
pink,  and  in  short,  dense,  terminal  panicles, 
flowers  in  April.  W.  Dallimore 


inner  segments  of  the  flower.  It  is  also  said 
by  Boissier  to  have  only  single  flowers  on  each 
stem,  but  this  character,  however,  may  be 
rendered  valueless  by  cultivation.  They  both 
flower  about  the  same  time  in  April,  and 
increase  rapidly  by  offsets  from  the  bulbs, 
which  are  small  for  the  size  of  the  plant. 
Useful  and  interest- 
ing on  account  of  its 
earliness  in  flower- 
ing, it  is  not  showy 
enough  to  become  a 
popular  plant,  and 
it  will  only  find  a 
place  in  the  gardens 
of  those  who  are 
fond  of  novelties. 
W.  Irving. 


A  VALUABLE 
INSECTICIDE 
NEGLECTED. 

Considering  thegreat 
value  attached  to  the 
of  "  cyanide 


AN  ARTIST'S   NOTE-BOOK. 


FRITILLAEIA  ELWESII. 

THE  Fritillarias  are  well  represented  in 
that  particular  part  of  the  world 
from  which  this  curious  plant  comes, 
and  several  well-known  favourites 
which  are  members  of  this  genus 
hail  from  that  quarter.  The  subject 
of  the  illustration  belongs  to  the  section  of  the 
genus  known  by  the  name  Trichostyte.  It  is 
a  tall-growing  plant,  reaching  a  height  of 
18  inches,  with  eight  to  ten  narrow,  glaucous, 
incurved  leaves  5  inches  to  6  inches  long.  The 
flowers  are  nodding,  and  are  produced  singly 
or  in  pairs,  and  show  a  curious  combination  of 
colour.  The  three  outer  segments  of  the 
flower  are  green,  edged  with  purple,  the  inner 
segments  are  of  a  uniform  purple,  not 
tesselated,  while  the  inside  of  the  flower  is  a 
yellowish  green.  The  plant  was  collected  by 
Mr.  Elwes  in  the  rocky  woods  of  Caria  in  Asia 
Minor,  and  flowered  with  him  in  1876,  when 
it  was  figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine, 
t.  6321,  as  F.  acmopetala.  The  latter  species, 
although  closely  allied  to  this  plant,  differs  in 
having  a  large  apical  tesselated  blotch  on  the 


From  a  drawing  by  H,  G.  Moon. 

(The  lower  wan  sent  by  Messrs. 
Cutbmh  oflligligate.) 


hydrocyanic  acid  gas  in  the 
United  States  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  insect  pests  on  fruit 
trees  in  the  open  air,  it  seems 
scarcely  conceivable  that  the 
practice  should  have  remained 
for  so  long  more  or  less  a 
mystery  rather  than  a  true 
friend  to  the  growers  of  this 
country.  Vague  recommenda- 
tions have  been  set  forth  from 
time  to  time  as  to  the  strength 
and  materials  to  be  used. 
But  in  many  cases  the  results 
which  followed  were  as  destruc- 
tive to  plant  life  as  to  the 
insects  themselves,  while  in 
other  oases  both  escaped  uninjured.  This  clearly 
demonstrated  the  want  of  true  knowledge  regarding 
the  properties  and  uses  of  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  as 
a  fumigant  in  this  countr}-.  The  conditions  pre- 
vailing here  are  totally  difl[erent  to  those  abroad, 


and  it  was  recognised  that  to  be  successful  it  must 
be  adapted  to  meet  our  requirements.  With  a 
view  to  arriving  at  these  requirements  and  placing 
the  operation  of  "  cyaniding  "  from  an  experimental 
to  an  established  basis,  a  series  of  tests  were 
carried  out  at  the  gardens  of  the  Botanic  Society. 
One  large  range,  150  feet  long,  20  feet  wide,  and 
13  feet  high,  and  a  smaller  one  were  successfully 
done.  In  these  ranges  plants  infested  with  mealy 
bug,  thrips,  red  spider,  scale,  greenfly,  &c.,  were 
collected,  and  in  the  short  space  of  two  hours  from 
start  to  finish  all  these  pests  were  completely 
destroyed  without  injury  to  plant  life.  The  pre- 
parations consisted  of  arranging  all  ventilators, 
doors,  &c.,  to  open  from  the  outside,  and  safely 
fastening  the  same  to  prevent  any  person  entering 
during  the  operation.  The  amount  of  cubic  air 
space  having  been  previously  calculated  and  1,000 
feet  adopted  as  a  unit,  the  proper  proportions  of 
cyanide  and  sulphuric  acid  required  were  to  hand 
ready  for  use.  Shallow  earthenware  pans  were 
adopted  as  generators,  and  into  these  the  required 
volume  of  water  and  sulphuric  acid  was  placed. 
Boards  about  11  inches  -wide  and  5  feet  long  were 
hung  over  each  generator  for  the  purpose  of 
evenly  distributing  the  gas,  and  worked  by 
attached  cords  from  outside  the  house  during 
generation.  The  cyanide  was  then  arranged  in  a 
shallow  tin  with  a  special  tipping  arrangement 
attached  to  the  air  fan.  After  carefully  placing 
the  cyanide  tins  in  proper  position,  beginning  at 
the  farthest  end  of  the  house  and  finishing  near  the 
door,  the  operator  leaves  the  structure  and  makes 
the  door  fast.  The  fans  are  then  started,  the 
cyanide  tipped,  and  gas  rapidly  generated.  The 
air  fan  should  be  worked  for  a  period  not  exceeding 
ten  minutes,  and  five  are  often  sufficient.  The 
time  of  commencing  to  generate  gas  is  noted,  and 
the  period  of  exposure  commences.  This  varies 
according  tothe  temperature,  atmospheric  moisture, 
nature  and  condition  of  plant,  and  pests  to  be 
destroyed.  At  the  expiration  of  this  period  the 
ventilators  and  doors  may  be  opened  and  fully 
cleared  from  gas  before  any  person  is  allowed  to 
enter.  No  person  must  either  remain  in  the 
building  after  mixing  the  cyanide  and  acid  or  enter 
until  quite  clear.  JMaterials  of  standard  quality 
should  be  used,  and  the  English  method  of  using 
"sodium  cyanide  "in  place  of  potassium  cyanide 
should  be  adopted.  Better  results  are  obtained  by 
doing  this,  and  the  C3'anide  is  of  an  even  quality 
and  a  more  concentrated  form.  This  is  known  as 
the  "Strawson  sodium  cyanide  process,"  invented 
by  Mr.  G.  F.  Strawson,  who,  in  conjunction  with 
Mr.  W.  F.  Emptage  and  myself,  carried  out  and 
recorded  the  experiments.  Other  tests  carried  out 
in  Messrs.  Ladds'  nurseries  at  Swanley,  in  Scot- 
land, and  elsewhere  on  the  above  lines  thoroughly 
endorse  our  opinion  as  to  the  value  of  "cyaniding  " 
when  carefully  carried  out. 

Eldekbert  F.  Hawes. 
Hoi/al  Botanic  Gardens,  Beyent's  Park,  N.  }V. 

[Mr.  Hawes  enclosed  notes  of  the  proportions  to 
use  for  various  purposes,  and  probably  he  would  be 
glad  to  send  them  to  anyone  interested. — Ed.J 


THE  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

LOUIS   GAUTHIER   STRAW- 
BERRY. 

ON  page  272  "A.  P.  H."  enquires 
,  if  any  reader  of  The  Garben 
I  has  attempted  to  force  the 
'  above  -  named  Strawberry, 
and  with  what  success.  I 
have  some  under  trial  which 
show  every  promise,  the  lateness  and 
freedom  when  grown  outdoors  suggested 
its  trial  in  pots.  In  replying,  however, 
to  "A.  P.  H.'s"  enquiry  I  do  not  depend 
on  my  own  experience,  but  give  that  of  a 
neighbour  who  earlier  placed  it  under 
trials.  I  recently  saw  under  the  charge  of 
Mr.  E.  P.  Bound,  gardener  at  Leighton  House, 
Westbury,  a  very  healthy,  heavily  cropped  batch 
of  Louis  Gauthier,  which  cannot  fail  to  prove 
satisfactory.     Being  naturally  a  late  variety,  no 


308 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  30,  1904. 


attempt  is  made  to  force  it  unduly.  This  probably 
would  end  in  failure,  as  it  does  sometimes  with 
another  popular  forcing  Strawberry,  Auguste 
Nicaise.  Allowed  to  advance  slowly  under  con- 
ditions favourable  to  Maincrop  and  late  Peaches, 
this  variety  will  give  handsome  results.  We  have 
seen  this  Strawberry  at  Leighton  in  past  years 
varying  from  2oz.  to  '2Joz.  in  weight.  Louis 
Gauthier  is  better  described  as  pale  pink  than 
white  ;  at  least,  the  better-grown  berries  assume 
this  colour  externally,  and  though  the  colour  does 
not  commend  the  fruit  to  the  inexperienced,  the 
flavour  test  will  quickly  dispel  any  doubts.  It 
cannot  compare  with  .some  others  in  richness,  but 
there  is  a  refreshing  sweetness  in  well-ripened 
fruits.  W.  Strdg.sell. 


pseudo-bulbs  often  carry  from  ninety  to  one  hundred 
flowers.  I  do  not  know  the  largest  number  on  a 
pseudo-bulb  in  the  group  shown  by  Mr.  Gurney 
Fowler,  but  the  latter  were  well  developed  and 
could  hardly  have  borne  more  flowers  than  they 

Dendrobium  devonianum  was  discovered  by  Mr. 
Gibson,  who  sent  it  to  the'^Duke  of  Devonshire's 
gardens  at  Chatsworth.  It  flowered  there  for  the 
6rst  time  in  1840,  and  was  named  in  compliment 
to  the  sixth  Duke,  then  the  holder  of  the  title. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Gower,  writing  in  The  Garden  some 
years  ago,  says:  "I  imported  a  great  quantity 
from  Assam  in  1875,  in  which  the  growths  were 
over  3  feet  in  length,  and  it  appeared  to  be  in  the 
wild  state,  as  I  had  always  known  it  at  home  as  a 


FRUIT  TREE  PRUNING. 

A  PARAGRAPH  in  your  instructive  leading  article  of 
the  16th  inst.  by  Mr.  Crump  recalls  a  similar  case 
to  that  related  that  we  once  expe- 
rienced. Some  standard  Apple  trees 
were  received  from  a  distant  nursery 
during  a  spell  of  severe  frost,  which 
penetrated  the  ground  to  a  considerable 
depth,  and  the  trees,  though  their 
roots  were  carefully  wrapped  in  straw, 
were  frozen  through.  The  bundles  as 
received  were  laid  in  a  cool  shed  and 
well  covered  with  dry  litter,  where 
they  remained  until  the  trees  and  the 
ground  had  perfectly  thawed.  The 
trees  were  then  unpacked  and  planted 
in  the  usual  manner.  The  following 
spring  they  all  started  into  growth, 
but  made  very  unsatisfactory  pro- 
gress, and  they  subsequently  showed 
signs  of  canker.  The  following  year 
they  lingered,  and  the  canker  increased 
considerably.  In  fact,  the  general  con- 
dition of  the  trees  became  so  bad  as  to  be 
considered  pastrecovery,  and  they  were  consequently 
uprooted  and  burned.  They  were  then  found  to 
have  made  little  root  progress,  while  some  of  the 
principal  ones  had  died  and  were  white  with 
fungus.  The  supposed  origins  of  canker  are  many 
and  diverse,  but  in  this  case  it  was  undoubtedly 
the  effect  of  frost  upon  the  partially  exposed  roots, 
for  the  trees  were  young,  clean,  and  otherwise 
splendidly  grown  when  received.      T.  Coomeer. 


ORCHIDS, 


ODONTOGLOSSUM    CRISPUM 
KINLESIDIANUM. 

A  VARIETY  of  unusual  and  somewhat 
curious  markings.  The  sepals  are 
■white,  except  for  a  tinge  of  lilac, 
■while  the  petals,  which  point  slightly 
L  upwards,  are  heavily  marked  with 
brick-red.  This  Odontoglossum  was 
exhibited  by  Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Oak- 
wood,  Wylam-on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr.  H.  J. 
Chapman),  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  and  received  an  award 
of  merit. 

DENDROBIUM  DEVONIANUM. 
Probably  no  exhibit  attracted  more  attention  at 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill  Hall  show 
on  the  19th  inst.  than  the  group  of  this  beautiful 
Dendrobium  from  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South 
Woodford,  who  is  treasurer  of  the  society.  The 
numerous  plants,  their  long,  semi-pendent  slender 
pseudo-bulbs  smothered  with  blossoms,  made  a 
charming  display,  such  as  few  Dendrobiuma  could 
do.  The  flowers  of  D.  devonianum  have  a  distinct 
charm  ;  they  are  perhaps  the  daintiest  and  also 
the  prettiest  of  Dendrobes.  The  sepals  and  petals 
are  creamy  while,  tinged  with  pink,  and  the  petals 
are  tipped  with  magenta  ;  the  beautiful  fringed  lip 
is  white,  margined  with  purple,  and  orange  coloured 
at  the  base.  It  has  been  called  "  the  King  of 
Pendrobiijms."     Nicholson  says   that  well-grown 


FLOWER  or   ODONTOGLuSSnM   CRISPOM   KINLESI- 
DIANUM.     (Natural  size.) 

very  graceful  plant."  Mr.  Gower  mentions  that 
the  forms  of  this  Dendrobium  from  Burmah  are 
much  superior  to  those  imported  from  Assam.  He 
goes  on  to  say  that  he  has  never  been  able  to  keep 
flowers  of  this  species  in  beauty  for  more  than 
eight  or  nine  days,  or  for  a  fortnight  at  the  most, 
and  attributes  the  partially  neglected  culture  of 
D.  devonianum  to  this  reason — the  short  life  of 
the  flowers.  Some  people  find  a  difficulty  in  grow- 
ing Dendrobium  wardianum,  while  with  others  it 
seems  to  give  no  trouble  at  all.  An  important 
item  is  to  give  it  a  very  moist  atmosphere.  If 
the  latter  is  dry,  red  spider  is  liable  to  attack  the 
leaves,  which  are  easily  disfigured,  and  the  health 
of  the  plant  impaired.  It  grows  well  in  a  well- 
drained  basket  in  a  compost  of  peat  and  sphagnum 
moss.  The  basket  should  be  hung  near  the  glass, 
so  that  the  plant  may  have  plenty  of  light  and  air. 
After  growth  is  completed  the  plants  should  be 
moved  into  a  cooler  house.  A.  P.  H. 


largest  and  most  crowded  plants  are  the  ones  that 
demand  attention  first ;  this  radical  treatment  of 
the  others  may  be  deferred  till  another  season.  A 
suitable  compost  consists  of  two  parts  fibrous  peat, 
one  part  each  of  fibrous  loam  and  chopped  sphag- 
num, mixed  well  together  with  some  coarse  sand 
and  small  crocks.  Pans  provide  the  most  suitable 
receptacles,  giving  preference  to  those  that  have 
no  side  perforations.  Place  over  the  bottom  a  few 
large  crocks,  filling  the  pan  to  the  depth  of  one- 
third  with  rhizomes  to  ,  complete  the  drainage. 
Great  care  should  betaken  in  rebuilding  a  specimen 
to  see  that  there  is  material  between  each  section 
of  the  plant,  and  the  leads  so  placed  that  when 
finished  the  plant  is  well  balanced.  The  surface  of 
the  compost  should  be  on  a  level  with  the  rim  of 
the  pan.  The  varieties  lemoniana  and  alba,  that 
make  long  rhizomes  and  soon  overgrow  the  pans, 
should  be  drawn  inwards,  using  pegs  made  of  wire 
for  the  purpose. 

Generai,  Work. 
With  the  advance  of  the  season  it  is  essential 
that  the  houses  are  kept  well  supplied  with  mois- 
ture, but  even  now  discretion  is  necessary.  This 
work  must  be  carried  out  from  day  to  day  in 
accordance  with  outside  conditions.  Judicious 
ventilating  and  thorough  damping  of  every  part 
of  the  house  are  important  items  at  this  time 
iif  year,  remembering  that  all  Orchids  require 
Iresh  air.  Cattleyas,  Lfelias,  Masdevallias,  and 
Lycastes  on  bright  days  may  be  now  slightly 
sprayed  over,  but  such  as  Cymbidiums,  Odonto- 
glossums,  Sobralias,  Cypripediums,  Disas,  the 
acandent  Epidendrums,  Spathoglottis,  Epiphro- 
nitis  Veitchi,  and  Lselia  anceps  will  benefit  on 
favourable  daj's  by  several  overhead  sprayings,  but 
for  the  next  six  weeks  the  last  spraying  should  be 
done  early  enough  to  allow  the  foliage  to  become 
practically  dry  before  the  evening.  When  the 
weather  is  very  bright  and  the  nights  warm  I  like 
to  see  some  moisture  on  the  foliage  in  the  evening, 
but  at  this  season,  when  the  temperature  changes 
so  very  quickly,  it  is  preferable  to  leave  the  foliage 
dry  by  the  time  the  sun  sets.  The  cool  Cypri- 
pediums, Odontoglossums,  Disas,  and  Cymbidiums 
will  benefit  by  fire-heat  only  if  there  is  any  fear  of 
the  temperature  in  the  house  falling  below  50°.  I 
am  not  a  believer  in  high  night  temperatures. 
When  the  sun-heat  maintains  a  high  temperature 
during  the  daytime  and  the  plants  are  growing 
freely  it  is  a  great  mistake  to  think  they  do  not 
want  to  rest  during  the  night. 

W.  P.  Bound. 
Gallon  Parle  Gardens,  Reigate. 


WORK    FOR    THE    WEEK. 

CffiLOGYNB  CRISTATA  AND   ITS  VARIETIES. 

The  renovation  of  these  should  now  be  taken  in 
hand.  From  those  that  have  been  repotted  within 
the  last  two  or  three  years  only  remove  some  of 
the  surface  material  and  add  fresh.  If  the  centres 
are  getting  crowded,  cut  away  some  of  the  back 
pseudo-bulbs,  fill  up  the  space  with  new  material, 
and  direct  leading  growths  to  the  vacant  spots.  To 
keep  a  vigorous  batch  of  plants  each  year  some 
should  be  overhauled,  and  all  back  bulbs  should  be 
cut  away  with  the  exception  of  three  to  each  lead. 
The  plants  may  then  be  made  up  to  any  desired 
size,  leaving  room  for  development;  then  they  need 
not  be  disturbed  for  three  or  four  veara.     The 


Li' 

S' 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor   is   not   responsible  for   the  opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.) 

SCIADOPITYS  VERTICILLATA  IN 
SCOTLAND. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
I R, — I  am  at  one  with  your  corre- 
spondent "A.  P.  H.,"  on  page  2.36, 
no  collection  of  conifers  should  be 
without  the  handsome  Umbrella 
Pine ;  it  well  deserves  some  little 
attention  in  the  selection  of  suitable 
soil  and  situation.  In  "  Veitch's  Manual  of 
Conifeiifi "  it  is  stated  that  "  where  Rhodo- 
dendrons thrive  the  Sciadopitys  will  grow."  I 
can  confirm  that  remark.  The  following  par- 
ticulars of  specimens  growing  in  Scotland  may 
be  of  interest.  Unquestionably  the  finest  to 
my  knowledge  is  at  Shandon,  near  Helens- 
burgh. When  in  the  family  of  the  Napiers  of 
Shandon  this  place  was  well  known  for  the 
fine  collection  of  Rhododendrons  and  coniferse. 
For  many  years  it  has  been  run  as  a  fashionable 
hydro.  The  specimen  there  is  24  feet  high  and 
8  feet  through  at  the  base,  and  is  in  perfect 
health.  Another  fine  plant  is  at  Munches, 
Dalbeattie,  height  18  feet,  spread  of  branches 


Apiur.  30,  1904.] 


THE    GAEDEN. 


309 


at  base  9  feet,  girth  of  stem  3  feet  from  ground 
15  inches.  The  tree  at  present  is  well  fur- 
nished and  carrying  a  great  many  cones.  The 
late  Mr.  Maxwell  of  Munches  was  an  old 
personal  friend  of  mine,  and  I  well  remember 
it  was  a  source  of  great  disappointment  to  him 
when  I  came  across  the  Sbandon  specimen,  as 
both  of  us  were  under  the  impression  that  he 
had  on  his  property  the  finest  plant  in  the 
country.  Yet  another  fairly  good  plant  is  at 
Tynningbame,  East  Lothian  (13  feet  6  inches), 
but,  as  Mr.  Brotherston  says,  "  it  has  a  great 
struggle  for  existence  among  Elms  and 
Beeches."  The  Murthly  specimen  is  barely 
8  feet,  and  apparently  is  not  planted  in  a  suit- 
able situation.  At  Ochtertyre  Mr.  Croucher 
reports  that  a  small  plant  procured  in  1892 
18  inches  high  is  making  good  growth  and  is 
now  6  feet  6  inches.  I  may  have  something  to 
say  about  Umbrella  Pines  in  Ireland  next  week. 
Most  of  the  Sciadopitys  verticillata  grown  at 
Castlewellan,  County  Down,  are  young  and  are 
10  feet  in  height.  One  plant  is  14  feet  in 
height,  but  is  not  a  very  shapely  specimen. 
Twelve  years  ago  we  had  a  plant  18  feet  high 
but  it  got  broken  and  had  to  be  cut  down. 
Pinhhill,  Murrayfield,  N.B.  D.  P.  L. 

OLD  AND  NEW  VAEIETIES  OF 
POTATOES. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — This  is  referred  to  on  page  244,  and  there  is 
no  question  whatever  that  new  varieties  are  wanted. 
If  we  take  up  a  seed  list,  say,  of  the  sixties  or 
later  it  will  be  seen  that  scarcely  any  of  the  old 
sorts  are  left,  and  this  would  not  be  the  case  had 
they  been  profitable.  Those  who  have  made  Potato 
culture  a  study  for  some  time  will  have  observed 
how  quickly  some  sorts  die  out,  and  this  is  not 
always  the  result  of  the  tubers  being  of  poor 
quality.  I  fear  in  some  instances  it  is  because  they 
do  not  continue  to  give  the  same  return  year  after 
year  in  the  same  soil.  This  is  a  point  that  the 
new  society  should  study.  I  well  remember  twenty- 
five  years  ago  my  employer  insisting  on  only  one 
variety  being  grown  ;  it  had  done  well  for  years. 
And  what  was  the  result  ?  From  home-grown  seed 
we  did  not  get  a  quarter  of  a  crop,  and  finally 
disease  claimed  the  whole.  Then  Magnum  Bonum 
was  introduced,  and  the  old  ones  were  gradually 
weeded  out.  As  far  as  quality  was  concerned,  not 
crop,  I  never  had  a  better  Potato  than  the  old 
Victoria ;  another  was  the  Lapstone  kidney,  and 
the  large  red  Regent  grown  in  fields.  These  are 
now  out  of  date.  For  many  years  I  kept  the 
old  early  May  Ashleaf,  owing  to  its  earliness  and 
flavour,  but  the  crop  dwindled,  so  that  it  will  be 
seen  there  is  need  for  new  varieties.  6.  W. 


HAEDY  SHRUBS  AFTER  FORCING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Quite  recently  an  article  appeared  in  The 
Garden  on  the  subject  of  hardy  shrubs  now  used 
for  forcing,  which  concluded  with  a  remark  that 
it  would  be  interesting  and  perhaps  instructive 
to  know  the  amount  spent  annually  on  the  Conti- 
nent for  forcing  shrubs  alone.  Doubtless  if  the 
figures  could  be  obtained  they  would  astonish 
many,  but  the  point  I  would  draw  attention  to  is 
that  the  amount  is  greater  than  it  need  be  if  these 
plants  were  taken  greater  care  of  after  serving 
their  time  in  the  forcing  house.  Hundreds  of 
growers  have  proved  that  though  it  is  not  to  be 
expected  that  hardy  shrubs  can  be  forced  year  after 
year  with  impunity,  yet  under  careful  treatment 
they  may  be  used  time  after  time  for  this  purpose, 
if  a  season  or  two  is  allowed  to  intervene  between. 
Unfortunately,  there  are  many  who  have  yet  to 
learn  this  lesson,  and  though  the  neglect  of  plants 
after  forcing  may  be  a  means  of  putting  money 
into  the  pockets  of  foreign  growers,  it  is  neverthe- 
less an  instance  of  deplorable  waste. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  observe  that  the  heat 
which  is  required  to  force  shrubs  into  flower  also 


forces  growth,  and  when  the  blossoms  are  cut  or 
have  faded  and  the  room  is  required  for  something 
else,  this  delicate-forced  growth  needs  careful  nur- 
turing if  the  plant  is  to  live  and  thrive  and  serve 
some  useful  purpose  in  the  future.  In  many  gardens 
there  are  plants  of  Lilacs,  Azaleas,  Deutzias, 
Spiraeas,  Slaphyleas,  Liburnums,  &c. ,  that  have 
been  forced  over  and  over  again,  and  yet  under  the 
treatment  they  get  in  between  they  do  not  seem 
as  though  they  have  lost  much  of  their  vitality. 
All  credit  is  due  to  growers  who  make  the  most  of 
the  material  they  have  at  hand  in  this  way.  There 
is  nothing  to  be  said  against  buying  in  plants  for 
forcing  in  order  to  supplement  the  home  stock, 
but  there  is  no  excuse  tor  such  plants  perishing 
ignominiously  on  the  rubbish  heap  after  they  have 
borne  one  crop  of  flowers. 

Any  man  who  has  a  regard  for  his  forced  shrubs 
naturally  thinks  first  of  the  flowers,  but  these  over 
he  centres  his  attention  on  the  growth,  and  keeps 
the  plants  in  warmth  for  a  time,  afterwards 
removing  them  to  a  cooler  temperature,  and  finally 
out  of  doors  to  ripen  and  harden.  They  should  be 
allowed  a  season  or  two  of  natural  growth  in  order 
that  they  may  be  able  to  recoup  themselves  after 
the  strain  of  forcing,  and  then  they  are  ready  to 
serve  the  same  purpose  again.  By  having  a 
reasonable  number  of  plants,  and  occasionally 
buying  in  a  fresh  stock,  with  a  methodical  method 
of  dealing  with  them  during  the  time  they  are  not 
being  forced,  useful  supplies  of  early  flowers  may  be 
obtained  and  waste  be  avoided.  G.  H.  H. 


CUSHION    (ONCOCYCLUS)   IRISES. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — I  can  assure  Mr.  Mallett  (see  The  Garden, 
page  250)  that  it  will  require  something  more  than 
"a  few  hot  dry  seasons"  before  these  beautiful  Irises 
will  enjoy  the  climatic  conditions  of  .Britain.     No 


failure,  and  seeing  the  failure  has  been  openly 
declared  long  ago,  one  is  surprised  at  Mr.  Mallett's 
closing  words  respecting  it.  But  even  the  "  lime" 
was  no  haphazard  guess,  but  rather  the  outcome  of 
much  thought  and  correspondence,  and,  to  those 
who  undertook  the  task,  considerable  expense.  Un- 
fortunately, however,  owing  to  the  cost  of  analysis  of 
soils  from  the  native  haunts  of  these  Irises,  present- 
day  cultivators  have  gained  little  so  far  as  the 
permanent  success  of  the  plants  in  British  gardens 
is  concerned.  There  is,  therefore,  a  wide  field 
open  if  Mr.  Mallett  desires  to  experiment,  and  I 
for  one  should  eagerly  read  of  any  success  that 
may  be  regarded  as  permanent.  At  the  same  time 
the  experimentalist  of  to-day  possesses  a  decided 
advantage  over  those  of  years  past,  and  the  failures 
will  not  render  it  necessary  to  tread  the  same 
ground  again.  Indeed,  these  should  prove  of 
material  assistance  as  to  what  is  best  to  avoid. 

[n  all  probability,  however,  these  interesting 
plants  will  never  long  be  satisfied  with  the 
English  climate.  Equally  probable,  too,  is  it 
that  the  winter  season  here  hinders  satisfactory 
growth  and  the  forming  anew  a  good  flowering 
crown  or  rhizome  to  replace  that  developed  in  the 
native  habitat  of  the  plant  and  virtually  exhausted 
by  its  first  flowering.  Starting  into  growth 
practically  with  the  opening  of  an  English  winter, 
the  conditions  prevalent  do  not  favour  that  root 
development  so  essential  to  permanent  success. 
Once  the  cultivator  has  secured  the  conditions  of 
good  growth  in  these  plants,  in  place  of  the  much 
enfeebled  growth  of  present  day  culture,  a  decided 
advance  will  have  been  made  towards  securing 
permanently  good  results.  With  such  growth 
existing  "  the  hot  dry  season  "  will  play  its  part 
undoubtedly.  What  the  British  gardener  lacks  is 
the  plant,  and  remembering  that  its  growing 
season  is  from  November  to  May  inclusive,  it 
seems  pretty  certain,  so  far  as  open  air  culture  is 
concerned,  the  difficulty  in  the  future  will  be  as 
great  as  in  the  past. 

Hampton  Hill.  E.  Jenkins. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


THE  RARE  PH(ENIX  ROiEELENII  IN  THE  NURSERY 

OF   MESSRS.  K.  B.  LAIRD   AND   SONS, 

MURRAYFIELD,  N.B. 

solitary  worker  among  these  plants  has  striven  so 
long  and  so  faithfully  as  the  late  Mr.  Ewbank,  at 
Ryde,  expending  lavishly  both  money  and  time, 
with  the  one  hope  that  the  requirements  of  these 
things  should  be  once  and  for  all  settled.  The  old 
parsonage  garden  at  Ryde  may  well  be  described  as 
a  sun  garden,  for  there  is  no  shade  in  it  naturally, 
and  what  was  obtained  was  given  to  those  things 
requiring  it.  Yet  apart  from  this  natural  exposure 
every  effort  was  made  to  give  these  Irises  that 
complete  rest  in  summer  by  growing  the  plants  in 
specially  designed  frames,  where  abundance  of 
light  and  air  reached  the  plants  without  the 
slightest  moisture.  The  "  lime  theory,"  in  which 
Mr.  Ewbank  had  centred  so  much  hope,  was,  as  I 
have    already  stated    in    The  Garden,    quite   a 


A  MONG     the     leading     nursery     and     seed 

/%  businesses   around   Edinburgh  a   high 

/    %         position   must  be  assigned  to  that  of 

L a        Messrs.  R.  B.  Laird  and  Sons,  Limited, 

/  \      Edinburgh.     Mr.   R.   B.   Laird,  whose 

name  is  still  retained  in  the  firm's 
designation,  was  a  native  East  Lothian,  where  he 
was  born  in  1823.  He  entered  upon  his  trade  career 
with  his  brother,  Mr.  W.  P.  Laird  of  Dundee,  a 
business  now  well  known  under  the  name  of  W.  P. 
Laird  and  Sinclair.  Mr.  Laird  afterwards  obtained 
an  appointment  with  the  old-established  firm  of 
Dicksons  and  Co.,  Edinburgh,  and  in  1848,  in 
conjunction  with  the  late  Mr.  John  Downie,  he 
began  business  in  the  nursery  and  seed  trade.  The 
principal  place  of  business  of  the  firm  at  that  time 
was  at  the  Royal  Winter  Gardens,  West  Coates, 
Haymarket,  Edinburgh,  a  noted  establishment  in 
its  day,  but  owing  to  building  operations  it  has 
disappeared.  The  then  firm  of  Downie  and  Laird 
rapidly  established  a  large  business,  and  early  in 
the  fifties  it  was  found  necessary  to  acquire 
additional  nursery  ground.  This  was  secured  at 
Pinkhill,  near  Murrayfield,  a  capital  situation. 

The  business  of  the  firm  grew  apace,  a  large 
trade  being  done  in  florists'  flowers,  then  greatly  in 
vogue,  and  the  increasing  connexions  of  the 
business  led  to  Messrs.  Downie  and  Laird  opening 
a  branch  in  London,  and  their  assumption  of  Mr. 
John  Laing  as  a  partner,  the  designation  adopted 
being  that  of  Downie,  Laird,  and  Laing.  Some 
time  afterwards  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  and 
Mr.  R.  B.  Laird  assumed  as  partners  his  two  sons, 
Mr.  David  P.  Laird  and  Mr.  Robert  Laird,  the 
present  managing  partners  in  the  business  carried 
on  at  West  Coates,  Pinkhill,  and  Frederick  Street, 
Edinburgh.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  R.  B.  Laird  in 
1895  the  firm  was  converted  into  a  limited  liability 
company,  the  whole  capital  remaining  in  the  hands 
of  the  family  of  the  late  Mr.  Laird,  which  is  thus 
alone  interested  in  its  success.    The  entire  manage- 


rsio 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  30,  1904. 


SEED   BEDS  AT   MURRAYFIELD. 


ment  is  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  David  P.  Laird,  one  of 
the  beat-known  men  in  the  trade  in  Scotland,  who 
has  the  control  of  the  nursery  department,  and  his 
brother,  Mr.  Robert  Laird,  who  has  the  manage- 
ment of  the  extensive  seed  and  bulb  trade  of  the 
firm,  which  is  conducted  in  suitable  premises  in 
Frederick  Street,  Edinburgh.  These  have  been 
continuously  occupied  by  them  since  the  establish- 
ment of  the  firm  in  18-18. 

In  the  year  1875  the  firm  added  to  their  Pinkhill 
grounds  a  considerable  tract  of  land  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  road,  and  here  their  present  offices  and 
the  extensive  ranges  of  glass  were  erected  in  1893, 
when  the  winter  gardens  at  West  Coates  were 
taken  down.  As  already  mentioned  in  the  early 
part  of  the  career  of  the  firm,  florists'  flowers  were 
a  great  speciality,  but,  with  a  view  to  the  develop- 
ment of  other  departments,  in  1890  a  lease  of  the 
farm  of  Beechwood  Mains,  close  to  the  other 
nurseries,  was  secured  for  the  cultivation  of  forest 
trees  and  fruit  trees,  then  growing  into  a  large 
department  of  the  business. 

Recently  the  construction  of  the  Corstorphine 
Railway  led  to  a  small  encroachment  upon  the 
lower  nursery  grounds,  but  last  year  this  was  more 
than  compensated  for  by  the  acquisition  of  a  lease 
of  the  Corstorphine  Glebe,  where  ornamental 
shrubs  and  forest  trees  are  cultivated  on  an  exten- 
sive scale. 

In  the  offices  Mr.  D.  P.  Laird,  who  also  acts 
as  horticultural  valuer  and  auctioneer,  has  an 
interesting  collection  of  photographs  and  sections 
of  trees,  forestry  being  a  subject  in  which  he  takes 
great  delight.  Among  these  sections  is  one  2  feet 
9  inches  in  diameter,  from  a  tree  of  Araucaria 
imbricata,  cut  down  when  fifty  years  of  age  at 
Daart  Castle,  Mull.  In  the  conservatories  and 
other  houses  a  great  feature  is  made  of  forcing  and 
decorative  plants,  a  department  in  which  the  firm 
has  achieved  a  wide  reputation,  helped,  doubtless, 
by  the  many  splendid  groups  they  have  exhibited 
at  the  Edinburgh  shows,  many  of  which  have  been 
subjects  of  the  greatest  admiration  to  visitors. 
Many  gold  and  other  medals  have  been  awarded 
the  firm  for  these,  as  well  as  certificates  for  other 
exhibits.  Some  of  the  groups  at  the  spring  shows, 
composed  mainly  of  forced  shrubs,  have  been 
exceptionally  beautiful. 

An  inspection  of  the  conservatories  showed  many 
forcing  plants  in  splendid  condition.  Exceedingly 
attractive,  for  example,  were  the  neat  plants  in 
pots  of  the  old  double  Kerria  japonica,  full  of 
flowers,  which  were  darker  than  those  one 
generally  sees  on  outside    plants.      Spirreas  and 


Astilbes  {Washington  the  best  for  forcing), 
Prunuses,  Lilacs,  Japanese  Maples,  Cytisus, 
Sweet  Peas,  and  many  others  were  in  great 
abundance.  Azaleas,  greenhouse  Rhododendrons, 
Cinerarias,  Schizanthus  wisetonensis,  and  a 
great  variety  of  other  flowering  plants  are  grown 
in  large  quantities.  A  striking  feature  here  is  the 
collection  of  Acacias,  of  which  an  unusual  number 
of  the  best  species  is  grown.  One  noted  in  passing 
along  such  as  cordata,  the  fine  lineata,  riceana, 
armata,  saligna,  and  a  number  of  others.  Mr. 
D.  P.  Laird  is  very  fond  of  these  decorative  plants, 
and  has  thoroughly  realised  their  capabilities  for 
decorative  purposes. 

Specially  good,  also,  are  the  Palms,  of  which 
there  are  many  fine  specimens,  not  only  in  the 
conservatories,  but  also  in  the  Palm  houses,  while 
in  other  departments  there  are  thousands  of 
smaller  plants  of  those  most  in  demand.  The 
decorative  trade  of  the  firm  requires  a  large  stock 
of  specimens,  and  Messrs.  Laird  have  a  great 
many  of  suitable  size,  comprising  not  only  the 
popular  species,  but  some  less  well  known.  One 
observed  a  fine  plant  of  Kentia  kersteniana,  K. 
sanderiana  with  Rhapis  flabelliformis,  Phrenix 
Ro;belenii,  and  a  noble  specimen  of  Caryota  urens. 
One  cannot,  however,  venture  on  lengthened  detail 
of  such  a  good  collection.  Bamboos  in  pots  are 
also  found  useful,  and  are  much  grown,  while  there 
are  great  numbers  of  Araucaria  excelsa,  Asparagus 
Sprengeri,  and  others  of  the  genus,  with  Fuchsias, 
Pelargoniums,  Boronias,  and  others.  Orchids  are 
also  largely  cultivated,  chiefly  for  cut  flowers  to 
meet  the  extensive  cut  flower  trade  of  the  firm. 
Among  these  there  was  an  exceptionally  fine 
Cypripedium  elliottianum. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  glass  houses  on  the 
ground,  all  filled  with  healthy,  well-grown  plants, 
of  Crotons  (Codisums),  Drac«nas,  and  stove  plants 
generally.  One  may  mention  that  several  of  the 
best  Crotons,  such  as  Lady  Tennant  and  Mrs. 
Steele,  originated  in  the  Pinkhill  nurseries,  as  well 
as  what  are  considered  about  the  best  lot  of 
narrow-leaved  Dracienas  in  the  trade.  Of  the 
latter  may  be  named  Mrs.  D.  P.  Laird,  Princess 
May,  and  Miss  Glendinning.  There  is  a  splendid 
lot  of  Caladiums  also,  several  being  of  the  firm's 
own  raising.  In  the  outdoor  department  adjoining 
the  houses  a  great  quantity  of  general  nursery 
stock  is  cultivated. 

The  new  portion  of  the  nurseries  at  the  Glebe  is 
in  hand,  but  not  yet  fully  planted,  but  the  flourish- 
ing condition  of  that  which  was  planted  last  year 
shows  the  wisdom  of  the  selection  of  this  land, 


which  is  quite  convenient  to  the  other  nurseries. 
Here  Hollies,  Rhododendrons,  ornamental  and 
forest  trees  will  be  cultivated  in  extensive  quantity. 

The  original  Pinkhill  nurseries,  which  lie  on  a 
slope  facing  the  south  and  fully  exposed,  are  exten- 
sive and  interesting.  Here  is  the  old  house  of 
Pinkhill,  occupied  now  by  Mr.  D.  P.  Laird,  and 
here  a  countless  number  of  good  florists'  flowers 
have  been  raised  and  sent  out.  The  old  days  of 
the  Pansy  are  held  in  remembrance  by  the  part 
still  known  as  "the  Pansy  frames,"  although  that 
flower  is  not  now  extensively  cultivated  by  the 
firm.  There  are,  however,  hosts  of  Violas,  while 
a  general  stock  of  hardy  florist's  and  herbaceous 
plants  is  cultivated,  the  latter  numbering  the  best 
standard  plants.  The  collection  of  perennial  Asters 
is  a  very  complete  one,  and  Irises,  Hellebores, 
Phloxes,  Doronicums,  and  other  good  flowers  are 
well  grown.  In  addition  there  is  a  very  large 
stock  of  ornamental  shrubs  and  trees.  The  old 
Beech  hedges  are  quite  a  feature  of  the  place. 
The  glass  department  here  is  both  interesting  and 
extensive.  Much  of  it  is  used  for  propagating  or 
for  the  supply  of  cut  flowers.  There  are  some 
magnificent  Camellias,  which  remind  one  of  the 
old  days  when  these  were  so  fashionable.  A  very 
fine  strain  of  Clivias,  and  an  equally  fine  one  of 
Hippeastrums,  attract  one's  attention  among  other 
things,  while  one  sees  thousands  of  Ivies,  forming 
an  unusually  complete  collection.  Pelargoniums, 
Marguerites,  Clematises,  and  other  plants  too 
numerous  to  detail  are  in  great  numbers.  Conifers 
in  course  of  propagation  should  be  mentioned. 

From  Pinkhill,  with  its  many  interesting  features, 
a  visit  was  paid  to  Beechwood  Mains  to  have  a 
glance  at  the  forest  trees.  These  comprise  all  the 
best  genera  and  species  with  their  varieties.  This 
important  department,  like  the  others  undertaken 
by  the  firm,  is  thoroughly  done.  One  must  not 
omit,  in  conclusion,  that  fruit  trees  and  bush  fruits 
are  a  large  department  in  themselves,  and  that 
care  is  taken  to  give  as  much  attention  lo  these  as 
ro  the  other  branches  of  the  large  business  of  this 
important  firm.  S.  A. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Bamboos. 

ESSENTIAL  points  in  the  successful  culti- 
vation of  hardy  Bamboos  are  a  well- 
drained  soil — for  theBamboo  is  impatient 
of  stagnant  moisture  —  and  complete 
shelter  from  any  cutting  winds,  no 
matter  from  what  quarter  they  come, 
for,  despite  the  tough  appearance  of  the  Bamboo 
leaves,  they  are  easily  torn  and  discoloured.  The 
best  time  to  plant  is  just  as  growth  commences, 
although  with  well-established  plants  in  pots, 
properly  hardened  off,  planting  if  properly  per- 
formed may  be  successfully  done  at  almost  any 
time  except  during  the  dead  of  winter.  When 
planting  out  Bamboos  from  pots  it  is  best  to  break 
the  pot  rather  than  to  risk  injury  to  the  extremely 
brittle  roots.  After  planting  a  good  mulch  should 
be  applied,  and  during  the  growing  season  plenty 
of  moisture  is  required.  The  plants  should  be 
enclosed  with  small-meshed  wire  netting,  as  rats 
are  very  fond  of  the  sweet,  succulent  young 
growths,  which  are  so  brittle  that  a  slight  touch 
is  often  sufficient  to  break  them.  Established 
plants  greatly  benefit  from  a  mulch  of  farmyard 
manure  applied  at  this  period.  Once  established, 
Arundinaria  japonica  (Bambusa  Metakc)  is  a 
rampant  grower,  and,  if  not  kept  within  bounds, 
will  smother  the  more  delicate  sorts.  Nearly  all 
the  species  may  easily  be  propagated  by  removing 
the  offsets  with  a  piece  of  root  attached.  In  the 
warmer  counties  these  may  be  planted  out  of  doors, 
but  in  colder  localities  it  is  desirable  to  pot  them 
and  place  the  plants  in  a  warm  house  for  a  time. 
These  offsets  and  plants  which  have  been  trans- 
planted will  sometimes  remain  dormant — to  all 
appearances  dead — for  twelve  months,  and  more 
rarely  two  years  before  making  any  growth.  Many 
of   the  Reeds   and   Grasses,    such   as  the   Pampas 


April  30,  1904.] 


THE  GARDEN. 


§11 


Grass,  Arundo  conspicua,  A.  donax  and  its  varie- 
ties, Paniouni  Gauntletti,  Eulalias  gracillima, 
glauca,  and  zebrina  may  with  advantage  be  asso- 
ciated with  the  Bamboos. 

Pkuning  Evergreens. 

Any  evergreens,  Bays,  Laurels,  &o. ,  which  require 
to  be  cut  hard  back  may  now  be  pruned.  Fresh 
growth  will  soon  commence.  Many  of  the  Aucubas 
are  still  attractively  laden  with  their  red  berries, 
and  it  will  be  as  well  to  delay  for  a  time  any 
pruning  that  may  be  necessary.  Box  edgings  may 
now  be  clipped. 

Seed  Sowing. 

Seeds  of  Wallflowers,  Polyanthus,  and  Forget- 
me-not  sown  on  an  outside  border  will  furnish 
plants  suitable  for  the  autumn  planting  of  the 
flower-beds.  A  selection  of  the  numerous  varieties 
of  Wallflower  is  indispensable  for  spring  bedding. 
The  bulk  of  the  plants  of  Polyanthus  and  Forget- 
me-not  will  be  obtained  from  plants  divided  and 
planted  after  the  spring  bedding  is  over,  but  it  is 
advisable  to  sow  some  seed.         A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR   GARDEN. 

LVDIA.-J     Az.\LEAS. 

The  flowering  period  of  these  is  now  practically 
over,  and  the  plants  should  be  encouraged  to  grow 
by  removing  all  decaying  flowers  as  well  as  seed- 
pods.  It  is  important  to  keep  moist  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  house  in  which  the  plants  are  situated, 
and  they  should  be  syringed  well  at  least  twice 
daily.  Mistakes  sometimes  at  this  period  are  made 
by  allowing  the  soil  about  their  roots  to  become 
dry,  a  condition  that  not  infrequently  ends  fatally. 
Afford  copious  applications  of  cow  and  sheep 
manure  liquid,  with  which  also  a  little  soot  may 
be  mixed,  and  much  benefit  will  be  derived  if  a 
dose  or  two  of  Clay's  Fertilizer  or  some  other 
chemically  prepared  manure  is  given.  Repotting 
the  plants,  except  in  very  urgent  cases,  should  be 
deferred  until  the  month  of  September.  To  check 
thrips,  with  which  these  plants  frequently  become 
infested,  fumigate  occasionally  with  XL  All,  or 
syringe  them  well  with  Bentley's  Insecticide. 

Cannas. 

These  are  most  useful  for  decorative  work  when 
allowed  to  produce  one  flower-spike  and  grown  in 
6-inch  pots.  Apply  liquid  manure  liberally  to  the 
roots,  and  afford  them  a  position  in  which  they 
will  enjoy  plenty  of  light  and  fresh  air.  Should 
any  of  the  plants  show  a  tendency  to  produce 
several  good  strong  crowns,  repot  them  into  8-inch 
and  10-inch  pots,  and  afford  them  a  compost  of 
two  parts  fibrous  loam  with  one  part  peat  or  leaf- 
mould,  dried  cow  manure,  and  a  little  coarse  sand. 

AOHIMEUES 

that  are  now  growing  vigorously  should  be  removed 
from  the  stove  to  a  cooler  temperature,  such  gene- 
rally as  is  afforded  by  the  intermediate  house,  as 
with  more  light  and  air  their  growths  will  be  less 
likely  to  become  drawn  and  long-jointed.  Stake 
and  tie  up  the  shoots  as  they  develop,  but  allow 
complete  liberty  to  those  that  are  growing  in 
baskets  suspended  from  the  roof. 

Primulas  and  Cinerarias. 

The  young  plants  of  these  that  have  been  raised 
from  seeds  sown  early  are  ready  for  potting  singly 
into  3-inch  and  4-inch  pots.  Give  them  for  a  time 
a  position  that  is  slightly  shaded  and  moist,  but 
after  they  are  well  rooted  expose  them  to  more 
light  and  air.  In  the  course  of  another  week  or 
two  they  may  be  safely  placed  in  a  cold  frame. 
Useful  decorative  plants  can  be  raised  from  seeds 
to  be  sown  now,  and  grow  them  in  small  pots  ; 
they  will  require  only  a  cold  frame  for  their 
culture. 

Gesneras. 

These  are  useful  decorative  plants  for  the  autumn, 
and,  if  the  tubers  are  not  already  started,  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  caretuUy  shaking  away  the  old 
soil  and  in  getting  them  replaced  into  the  new 
compost  to  start.  Plenty  of  peat,  fibrous  loam, 
coarse  sand,  and  charcoal  form  a  compost  in  which 


they  will  grow  freely,  especially  if  they  are  given  a 
moist  position  in  the  stove  and  well  syringed. 

J.  P.  Leadbetter. 
The  Gardens,  Tranhy  Croft,  Hull. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Apricots. 

Thin  the  fruits  of  these  as  soon  as  it  can  be  seen 
which  specimens  are  taking  the  lead.  As  Apricots 
sometimes  drop  during  the  stoning  period  it  is 
wise  not  to  thin  too  freely.  Continue  to  disbnd 
the  trees,  and  stop  any  strong-growing  shoots  that 
are  not  required  for  extension.  Secure  natural 
spurs  wherever  it  is  possible,  or  form  artificial  ones 
where  necessary  from  foreright  shoots  by  pinching. 
On  walls  with  fixed  copings  if  the  weather  continues 
mild  netting  and  other  protecting  material  may 
be  removed.  The  borders  should  also  be  examined 
near  the  walls,  and  if  found  at  all  dry  should  be 
thoroughly  watered. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. 
If  the  young  shoots  of  these  trees  are  sufficiently 
developed  they  should  now  be  disbudded.  This 
work  should  be  carried  out  carefully  at  intervals 
of  five  or  six  days  until  the  trees  are  finished. 
Commence  at  the  top  of  the  trees  first.  Retain 
the  two  lowest  buds  on  each  shoot,  and  a  leader  to 
form  the  bearing  wood  for  next  season.  First 
remove  all  foreright  shoots  and  those  at  the  back, 
also  any  strong-growing  ones  that  have  started 
from  dormant  buds,  unless  they  are  required  to 
furnish  the  base  of  the  tree.  Do  not  be  tempted  to 
lay  in  more  wood  than  is  required  for  next  season. 
Young  trees  require  rather  different  treatment, 
and  more  shoots  should  be  left  than  in  old  trees, 
but  even  these  should  be  from  4  inches  to  6  inches 
apart.  Aphis  is  almost  sure  to  make  its  appearance, 
and  must  be  checked  with  tobacco  powder  or 
syringed  with  quassia  water. 

Raspberries. 

Autumn  or  spring-planted  canes  cut  down  as 
advised  will  now  be  throwing  up  strong  shoots 
from  the  base.  Only  the  strongest  canes  should  be 
allowed  to  remain.  Remove  all  suckers  springing 
up  between  the  rows  of  old  plantation.s,  and  also 
weak  ones  in  the  rows.  Give  a  rich  dressing  of 
manure. 

General  Work. 

The  rains  of  last  week  have  done  a  great  amount 
of  good  in  this  neighbourhood  to  fruit  trees  and 
vegetation  generally.  All  small  fruit  quarters 
should  be  hoed  to  keep  the  weeds  in  check ;  any 


grafting  not  done  should  receive  attention  at  once, 
and  stocks  which  were  grafted  last  year  should  be 
looked  over,  and  the  grafts  made  secure  to  stakes 
if  necessary.  Rub  off  shoots  springing  up  from 
the  stocks.  Freshly  grafted  trees  should  be 
examined,  and  the  cracks  in  the  clay  filled  up  by 
moistening.  It  is  not  always  necessary  to  use  rich 
animal  manure  as  a  mulch  ;  this  often  keeps  the 
borders  cold  and  forces  gross  late  growth,  but 
established  trees  which  are  expected  to  carry  good 
crops  of  fruit  require  rich  top-dressings. 
Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Peas  in  Pots. 
These  are  now  in  bloom,  the  earliest  being  set, 
and  will  require  careful  watering  and  as  much  ven- 
tilation as  possible.  The  plants  enjoy  a  temperature 
of  55"  at  night.  If  growing  in  a  house  where 
syringing  is  necessary,  the  plants  should  be  kept 
as  dry  as  possible  when  in  bloora.  As  soon  as  the 
pods  are  formed  they  may  be  lightly  syringed 
twice  daily  in  sunny  weather.  To  assist  the  pods 
give  them  weak  applications  of  soot  water  and 
liquid  manure.  Turn  the  pots  frequently  and 
allow  the  sunshine  to  reach  all  sides  of  the  plants. 

French  Beans. 
The  weather  is  now  too  warm  to  manage  these 
successfully  in  glass  houses.  Red  spider  will  make 
its  appearance.  Beans  should  now  be  cleared  out 
of  houses  containing  other  plants  and  grown  in  cool 
or  slightly  heated  pits.  Begin  this  crop  out  of 
doors  by  making  a  sowing  on  a  sunny  border.  Sow 
in  rows  3  inches  deep  and  2  feet  apart.  Canadian 
Wonder  is  a  good  early  sort,  and  may  be  followed 
by  Veitch's  Favourite  and  Negro  Long  Pod.  A 
sowing  should  also  be  made  of  Runner  Beans, 
sowing  the  seeds  6  inches  apart  in  double  rows. 
As  soon  as  they  are  about  4  inches  high  draw  up 
the  soil  to  them  and  stake  ;  a  dusting  of  lime  or 
soot  will  act  as  a  preventive  against  slugs. 

Potatoes. 
All  these  should  be  planted  this  month.  The 
earliest  plantings  are  now  coming  through  the 
ground,  and  a  sharp  watch  should  be  kept  in  case 
we  have  frost  towards  the  end  of  the  month.  Mats 
laid  along  the  rows  or  an  inverted  flower-pot  placed 
over  the  growths  will  be  the  surest  safeguard. 
Those  growing  in  frames  should  be  freely  ventilated 
by  day  and  given  plenty  of  water.  Before  earthing 
these  up  they  should  be  given  a  thorough  good 
watering. 


IN   THE   PINK    hill   NURSERY   OF   MESSRS.  R.  E.  LAIRD   AND  SONS. 


312 


THE    GARDEN. 


[April  30,  1904. 


Walks  and  Edgings. 

Box  edgings  may  now  be  trimmed  and  clipped 
with  the  shears.  Care  should  be  taken  to  do  this 
work  well.  Blank  spaces  should  be  made  good. 
Water  the  newly-planted  parts  in  dry  weather. 
Edgings  of  Polyanthus  are  common  in  many 
gardens;  these  should  be  relaid  immediately  after 
flowering.  On  fine  days  use  the  hoe  frequently 
on  the  garden  paths.  Thomas  Hat. 

Sopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.  B. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


COVENT  GARDEN.— This  is  the 
most  interesting  time  of  year  for 
visiting  Oovent  Garden  flower 
market.  There  are  flowers  every- 
where, in  addition  to  the  ordinary 
covered-in  market ;  heaps  of  bloom 
may  be  seen  outside,  and  under  the  new  French 
market  it  was  nearly  occupied  with  stalls  filled 
with  spring  bedding  plants  and  hardy  flower  roots. 
What  is  called  the  new  French  market  is  over- 
laden with  bloom  ;  but  much  that  is  seen  now 
comes  from  Holland,  the  Channel  Islands,  and  the 
Scillies.  It  is  surprising  that  such  large  imports 
should  continue  to  pour  in  when  we  find  much 
that  is  sold  does  not  realise  sufficient  to  pay 
freight  and  other  charges  which  have  to  be  made 
before  the  growers  get  anything.  Last  Saturday 
morning,  the  23rd  inst. ,  boxes  of  Narcissus  from 
Holland  were  being  sold  at  ridiculously  low  prices, 
yet  the  flowers  all  looked  fresh  and  in  the  best 
possible  condition.  I  cannot  quite  understand 
how  these  sales  are  conducted,  but  in  a  chat  with 
one  of  the  market  officials  I  gathered  that  senders 
from  France  had  some  guarantee  through  their 
agents  and  from  moneys  deposited  in  a  bank.  A 
certain  amount  per  box  or  pad  could  be  drawn  for 
all  certified  as  having  passed  through  the  agents 
in  good  condition,  and  that  the  English  agents  had 
to  pay  out  something  like  2s.  on  each  package 
before  handling.  This  was  stated  in  reference  to 
some  which  had  to  be  cleared  out  at  from  6d.  to 
Is.  per  box,  thus  causing  a  loss  to  the  salesman  of 
from  Is.  to  Is.  6d.  ;  but  there  must  be  some  way 
of  making  up  for  this,  otherwise  the  salesmen 
could  not  go  on  long. 

From  what  I  could  gather,  however,  there  seems 
one  thing  certain — that  is,  that  all  foreign  produce 
is  handled  in  the  most  economic  and  systematic 
manner  possible.  Yet,  at  the  same  time,  the 
assertion  that  English  growers  have  no  chance 
against  such  competition  is  hardly  to  be  taken 
seriously.  It  is,  however,  much  to  be  desired  that 
our  English  growers  should  be  able  to  get  better 
terms  in  regard  to  railway  rates  and  other  regula- 
tions, which  would  ensure  all  produce  going  on  the 
markets  on  a  more  economic  system. 

Hoses  continue  very  plentiful,  and  some  remark- 
ably fine  blooms  are  seen.  Most  growers  now 
cut  them  with  long  stems,  but  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  with  so  much  foliage  the  blooms  do 
not  last  so  long.  Bridesmaid  is  a  great  favourite  ; 
Marechal  Niel  is  now  very  good  ;  Kaiserin  A. 
Victoria,  Mme.  A.  Chatenay,  Mrs.  J.  Laing, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  and  La  France  are  worthy  of 
note.  Ard's  Pillar  is  a  very  fine  crimson,  which 
should  be  worth  looking  after  by  all  Rose  growers. 
The  blooms  I  have  seen  were  of  a  peculiarly  rich 
colour  and  of  good  size,  and  I  am  told  that  grown 
in  the  same  manner  as  Crimson  Rambler  it  makes 
a  grand  pot  plant.  Crimson  Rambler  is  now  coming 
in  very  good.  There  are  also  Roses  in  4i-inch  and 
6-inch  pots. 

Lilies  are  now  very  plentiful.  L.  longiflorum  in 
pots  are  very  good  ;  L.  auratum,  L.  speciosura, 
and  L.  tigrinum  are  good  as  cut  flowers.  Lily  of 
the  Valley  both  in  pots  and  cut  has  been  most 
plentiful,  and  some  extra  fine  blooms  are  seen. 
Carnations  are  now  more  plentiful ;  the  American 
varieties  continue  to  take  the  lead,  but  there  are 
some  very  good  Miss  Joliffe,  and  also  Mme. 
Therese  Franco  to  be  seen. 


Daffodils  continue  over  plentiful ;  there  are 
not  quite  so  many  in  pots,  but  cut  flowers  are 
coming  in  from  all  sources,  and  just  now  there  is 
quite  a  glut.     Much  of  the  winter  stock  is  over. 

Hydrangeas  are  coming  in  plentifully,  the  pink 
variety  being  much  better  coloured,  and  the 
Thomas  Hoggs  are  very  good  in  various  sizes. 

There  is  now  a  brisk  trade  for  all  plants  required 
for  window  boxes.  Intermediate  Stocks,  crimson 
and  white,  sell  well ;  zonal  Pelargoniums  are  now 
more  plentiful,  and  there  are  some  well-flowered 
Ivy-leaved  varieties  to  be  seen,  Galilee  and  Mme. 
Crousse  being  the  leading  sorts.  Fuchsias  are  now 
very  good,  also  Heliotropes  ;  Verbena  Miss  Ellen 
Willmott,  well-flowered  plants  in  4J-inch  pots, 
sell  readily.  H. 


A    REMARKABLE    ACCIDENT. 

At  the  Gloucester  County  Court  last  week  a 
gardener  named  Joseph  Jesse  Richings  made  a 
claim  under  the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act  in 
respect  of  injury  of  a  kind  stated  to  be  unique 
in  the  history  of  such  proceedings.  The  applicant, 
whilst  in  the  employment  of  Mrs.  Ancrum,  St. 
Leonard's  Court,  Gloucester,  stooped  to  pick  up 
some  dead  leaves,  when  he  inadvertently  brought 
his  face  in  contact  with  an  American  Aloe  plant, 
a  spike  of  which  penetrated  the  left  eye,  causing 
serious  injury.  The  doctor  thought  probably  the 
juice  of  the  Aloe  acted  as  an  irritant  poison,  judge 
EUicott  awarded  the  applicant  half  a  guinea 
weekly,  plus  half  the  rateable  value  of  the  house 
he  occupied. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

ASPARAGUS    AND    FROST. 

ANYONE  can  understand,  as  mentioned  by 
Mr.  Wythes,  that  serious  injury  would 
be  done  to  Asparagus  cut  down  by 
1  frost  after  it  had  nearly  completed  but 
^  not  matured  its  growth.  Damage 
would,  of  course,  be  inevitable.  I  have 
seen  plants  of  Bocconia  cordata  and  clumps  of  the 
common  Bracken,  &c. ,  after  having  been  cut  down 
very  late  in  spring  weakened  in  like  manner  to  the 
Asparagus  that  Mr.  Wythes  alludes  to.  I  quite 
agree  with  the  opinion  that  the  flooding  of  the 
beds  and  the  heavy  rainfall  may  have  killed  the 
roots  of  the  young  plants,  as  upwards  of  twenty 
years  ago,  when  we  had  a  series  of  very  wet 
seasons,  established  Asparagus  beds  here  were 
utterly  ruined  by  their  saturated  condition.  Many 
of  the  plants  died  outright,  while  the  remainder 
were  so  weakened  as  to  be  worthless.  This  hap- 
pened to  beds  that  were  well  drained,  yet  partially 
composed  of  our  heavy  cold  soil.       T.  Coomber. 


THE    NEWER    BORECOLE    OR  KALES 
IN    SPRING. 

The  list  of  good  green  vegetables  in  the  early 
spring  is  none  too  great,  and  those  that  are  avail- 
able, such  as  the  Kales,  are  very  valuable  ;  they 
are  hardy  and  productive.  In  our  variable  climate 
we  are  not  able  to  rely  upon  the  Broccoli,  though 
the  sprouting  varieties  run  the  Kales  very  close 
both  in  quantity  and  quality  ;  indeed,  many  prefer 
the  Purple  Sprouting  to  the  Borecole,  it  is 
hardier  than  other  sorts,  and  a  delicious  vegetable 
when  young.  Private  growers  who  cut  their  own 
supplies  of  green  vegetables  have  a  great  advan- 
tage over  those  who  are  compelled  to  purchase. 
The  Kales  sent  to  market  differ  greatly  from  the 
tender  green  shoots  gathered  at  home.  In  the 
former  there  is  a  large  proportion  of  old  coarse 
leaves,  stalk  also.  This  is  useless.  Few  vegetables 
give  a  better  return  or  are  grown  more  rsadily,  and 
almost  any  soil  is  suitable.  Of  late  years  a  marked 
improvement  has  been  noticeable  in  the  growth  of 
the  plant ;  there  is  more  heart,  less  coarse  leafage, 
and  a  dwarfer  and  more  shapely  growth.  The 
latter  point  is  a  gain,  as  with  a  dwarfer  plant  in 
exposed  situations  there  is  less  damage  in  severe 
weather.     I  well  remember  in  the   severe  winter 


of  1880  our  tall  Scotch  Kales  being  much  injured 
by  severe  frost,  the  portion  most  readily  affected 
being  the  exposed  part  of  the  stem,  but  with  the 
dwarfing  of  the  plant  this  is  not  the  case  ;  at  least, 
so  far  I  have  never  experienced  such  losses,  and  I 
have  grown  all  the  newer  varieties. 

I  am  not  sure  that  the  curled  varieties  are  the 
best  flavoured  ;  they  are  certainly  the  best  to  look 
at,  and  no  charge  can  be  made  against  them  as 
regards  productiveness,  but  plain-leaved  varieties, 
which  produce  shoots  so  freelj'  from  now  to  the 
middle  of  May,  are  little  inferior  to  Asparagus  if 
gathered  in  a  young  state.  Of  late  years  these 
Kales  appear  to  me  to  be  less  grown,  and  this  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at.  I  regret  to  say  they  have 
been  badly  infested  with  a  fungus  that  appears  in 
early  autumn  and  destro3's  the  young  growth. 
This  may  only  be  local,  but  I  saw  some  large 
breadths  that  must  prove  a  loss  to  the  grower. 
To  describe  all  the  good  Kales  would  take  too 
much  space,  and  I  will  briefly  refer  to  a  few  of  the 
more  recent  introductions.  One  of  the  most  valu- 
able is  doubtless  Read's  Improved  Hearting.  It 
cannot  be  called  new,  having  been  in  cultivation 
for  some  years,  but  it  is  a  splendid  advance  on  the 
old  curled  varieties,  and,  being  a  very  late  variety 
of  compact  growth,  it  is  all  the  more  valuable,  as 
it  is  the  last  to  run  to  seed.  The  same  raiser  has 
recently  shown  a  new  sprouting  variety,  which  is 
also  dwarf  and  very  hardy.  This  promises  to  be 
quite  as  valuable  as  the  earlier  introduction.  This 
when  cooked  very  much  resembles  the  larger  plain- 
leaved  Borecoles. 

Another  distinct  Kale  is  Drumhead.  It  is  very 
distinct,  in  shape  not  unlike  a  Drumhead  Cabbage, 
and  has  broad  leaves.  It  can  be  used  in  various 
ways,  as  if  the  broad  midrib  of  the  leaf  is  cooked 
separately  it  much  resembles  Asparagus  in  quality. 
Like  the  other  Kales,  this  one  when  the  heads  are 
cut  produces  a  quantity  of  young  shoots,  which 
are  excellent  when  cooked.  The  Drumhead  Kale 
is  earlier  than  those  noted  above,  and  for  this 
reason  may  be  more  valuable  to  amateurs,  who,  by 
cutting  the  heads — that  is,  the  first  crop — from, 
say,  October  to  December,  will  later  on  have  a 
plentiful  supply  of  sprouts  for  spring  use.  I  am 
unable  to  state  if  this  variety  is  as  hardy  as  the 
ordinary  Borecoles,  as  I  have  not  yet  tested  it  in  a 
severe  winter.  I  should  advise  sowing  the  seed 
now,  as  a  long  season  of  growth  is  required. 

I  now  come  to  a  very  different  class — the  Arctic 
Kales,  both  White  and  Purple — the  leafage  closely 
resembles  the  Scotch  types,  but  the  plants  have  a 
longer  leaf,  and  the  growth  is  dwarfer,  the  leaf 
curling  down  to  the  soil,  so  that  in  severe  weather 
this  protects  the  stem.  We  have  had  no  losses  in 
the  worst  winters.  I  do  not  think  this  variety 
equal  to  some  as  regards  quantity,  but  the  growth 
is  compact,  so  that  a  number  of  plants  can  be 
grown  in  a  small  space. 

Another  very  fine  Kale  is  Sutton's  Improved 
Hearting  ;  it  is  of  delicate  flavour,  and  recently 
received  an  award  of  merit  from  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society.  It  is  a  most  valuable  introduc- 
tion, and  much  like  Read's  in  this  respect,  also  for 
crop  and  good  keeping.  There  are  other  Kales 
t.hat  have  been  introduced  of  late  years.  Only 
quite  recently  I  saw  a  splendid  exhibit  of  varie- 
gated Kales  ;  the  colour  was  beautiful,  and  most 
effective  for  decorative  purposes,  but  I  do  not 
advise  their  culture  as  a  vegetable.  The  other 
sorts  are  so  much  better  in  flavour,  and  yield  far 
greater ;  indeed,  these  highly-coloured  Kales  are 
not  very  robust.  April  is  a  good  time  to  sow, 
and  even  that  is  full  earl)'  in  the  south.  The 
quarter  the  Kales  are  grown  in  should  be  ready 
for  the  seedlings,  as  the  plants  soon  sufi'er  if  sown 
too  thickly  or  are  left  too  long  in  the  seed-bed. 
By  getting  a  strong  plant,  early  planting  out  in 
deeply  dug  soil,  few  vegetables  give  a  better  return 
or  for  a  longer  season.  G.  Wythes. 


BOLTED  CABBAGES. 

This  is  a  problem  of  perennial  occurrence,  as  Mr. 
Hollingworth  very  truthfully  points  out,  and  many 
in  past  days  have  found  that  a  possible  solution  of 
one  year  finds  an  absolute  reverse  in  the  next.  The 
time  of  seed  sowing  has  been  often  given  as  the 


Apeil  30,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


313 


•cause  of  boltiag,  but  ag  far  as  my  experience  goes 
there  is  not  much  truth  in  it.  Out  of  a  bed  of  some 
•300  plants  situated  on  a  sheltered  border  I  find 
there  are  two  only  that  have  run  to  seed.  Wheeler's 
Imperial  and  Sutton's  April  are  the  varieties 
planted,  and  the  failures  are  equally  divided.  The 
value  of  shelter  in  our  case  is  very  marked  this 
spring  in  the  Cabbage  bed.  A  much  larger  planta- 
tion in  the  open  will  require  some  weeks  yet  ere 
they  are  fit  for  the  table,  while  from  the  same 
^sowing  we  commenced  cutting  firm  little  heads 
before  the  middle  of  April.  Though  Wheeler's 
is  usually  the  first  to  be  readj',  I  find  Sutton's 
April  fuil-hearted  just  as  soon  this  year.  These 
were  sown  on  July  20,  and  planted  after  Onions  on 
September  19.  EUam's  and  Early  Offenham  are 
two  other  Cabbages  that  are  chosen  in  addition  to 
those  already  named  for  main  crop  ;  the  latter  is 
an  older  sort,  but  none  the  less  desirable  for 
;general  cultivation. 

Mr.  HoUingworth  is  wise  in  advising  two  sowings 
as  a  safeguard  against  wholesale  loss  should  the 
■season  favour  bolting.  Early  matured  beds  in  this 
■neighbourhood  are  of  rare  occurrence  ;  in  one 
.garden  recently  visited  they  were  weeks  behind 
■their  usual  season  of  cutting.  In  another  case, 
where  there  appeared  a  good  prospect  of  an  early 
bed,  almost  all  the  plants  were  bolting.  The  arti- 
■ficial  means  resorted  to  by  some  enthusiasts,  and 
■instanced  by  your  correspondent,  I  hold  to  be 
wasteful  of  time  and  result ;  a  remedy  which  may 
seem  helpful  in  one  season  is  useless  in  another. 
The  only  safeguard  is  to  make  at  least  two  sowings, 
•one  In  mid-.July  and  the  other  a  month  later.  If 
the  plants  from  the  latest  do  not  mature  as  early 
as  one  can  wish,  they  will  at  least  save  the  grower 
the  unenviable  position  of  being  without  Cabbages 
lin  early  summer.  W.  Stbugnell. 


SOCIETIES. 

MIDLAND  DAFFODIL  SOCIETY. 
'The  sixth  annual  exhibition  of  this  society  was 
■held  on  Tuesday  last  in  the  Botanical  Gardens, 
lEdgbaston,  and  was  acknowledged  to  be  a  very 
fine  display  of  the  flower,  both  in  extent  and 
•quality.  The  exhibits  were  exceptionally  fine, 
and  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Mr.  John  Pope,  and 
their  colleagues  are  certainly  to  be  congratulated 
■upon  the  continued  and  increasing  success  that 
attends  the  exhibitions  of  the  Midland  Dafibdil 
•Society.  The  attendance  on  the  first  day  was 
large,  and  in  the  afternoon  it  was  difficult  to 
approach  many  of  the  groups.  Miss  Willmott,  the 
Hevs.  G.  H.  Engleheart  and  S.  E.  Bourne,  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  Messrs.  Pearson  and  Sons,  Mr. 
E.  M.  Crosfield,  Mrs.  Backhouse,  and  others  exhi- 
bited many  new  varieties,  and  numbers  of  first- 
-class certificates  and  awards  of  merit  were  given  by 
the  committee.  Although  Narcissi  were  chiefly 
■responsible  for  the  display,  other  flowers,  such  as 
Tulips,  Anemones,  Roses,  Carnations,  &o.,  were 
■also  largely  shown.  The  various  groups  were 
■arranged  in  the  glass-roofed  corridor  of  the  Botani- 
•cal  Gardens,  and  transformed  this  for  the  time 
into  quite  a  house  of  flowers.  A  good  deal  of  work 
in  connexion  with  the  exhibition  fell  to  the  lot  of 
Mr.  T.  Humphreys,  curator  of  the  Botanical  Gar- 
dens, and  a  word  of  praise  should  be  given  to  him 
■for  the  arrangements  made  for  the  convenience  of 
•exhibitors  and  others. 

Prize  List. 
Fifty  varieties  of  Daffodils:  First,  Mr.  E.  M. 
'Crosfield,  Little  Acton,  Wrexham,  with  an  exhibit 
that  contained  many  fine  blooms  of  the  best  sorts. 
The  first  prize  was  a  silver  Daffodil  vase,  given  by 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  and  the  society's  gold 
■medal.  Two  varieties  in  this  collection  obtained 
awards  of  merit,  viz.,  Saladin  and  Maid  Marion. 
'Other  good  things  were  Horsfieldii,  Glory  of 
Leiden,  Indamore  (seedling  trumpet).  Emperor, 
King  Alfred,  Weardale  Perfection,  Milady  (seed- 
ling trumpet).  Grandee,  Waveren's  Giant,  all 
trumpets  ;  and  of  others  there  were  Chaucer,  Nel- 
ssoni  major.  Albatross,  Duchess  of  Westminster, 
Mrs.  Langtry,  and  Herrick.  A.  S.  Leslie  Mel- 
ville,  Esq.,   was    second    (gardener,   Mr.    Curtis), 


showing  some  very  good  blooms  also.  Messrs.  Pope 
and  Sons,  King's  Norton,  were  third  ;  and  Mr. 
F.  A.  Walton,  Handsworth,  fourth. 

Twenty-five  varieties  of  Daffodils:  First,  Mr. 
Henry  B.  Young,  Metherington,  Lincoln,  with  an 
exhibit  of  bright,  fresh  flowers.  Among  them  were 
Barrii  Flora  Wilson,  Queen  of  Spain,  incompara- 
bilis  Lulworth,  poeticus  ornatus,  Ellen  Barr, 
Crown  Prince,  .J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Captain  Nelson, 
Mme.  de  Graaff,  Grandee,  Glory  of  Leiden,  and 
others  ;  second.  Rev.  .J.  Jacob,  White  well  Rec- 
tory, Whitchurch,  Salop.  Barri  conspicuus,  .John 
Nelson,  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  and  M.  J.  Berkeley  were 
of  the  best.  Third,  Mr.  J.  H.  Hartill,  Arden  Vale, 
Olton. 

Twelve  varieties  of  Daffodil  seedlings  (not  in 
commerce  four  years)  :  First,  Miss  Willmott,  War- 
ley,  Essex,  with  a  beautiful  lot  of  recent  and  new 
varieties.  Many  of  the  latter  received  certificates 
or  awards  of  merit,  and  are  described  elsewhere. 
Second,  Messrs.  Van  Waveren  and  Sons,  Haarlem, 
Holland,  who  also  showed  some  good  blooms. 

Six  varieties  of  Daffodil  seedlings,  all  to  be 
raised  by  the  exhibitor:  First,  Mrs.  R.  0.  Back- 
house, Sutton  Court,  near  Hereford.  Two  of  the 
varieties  obtained  awards  of  merit,  and  are  described 
elsewhere.  Miss  Spurrell,  Hanworth,  Norwich, 
was  second. 

Twelve  varieties  of  trumpet  Daffodils  :  First, 
Mr.  J.  H.  Hartill,  Arden  Vale,  St.  Bernard's 
Road,  Olton,  with  fine  Mrs.  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Ard 
Righ,  raaximus.  Emperor,  Mme.  Plemp,  Glory  of 
Leiden,  and  others;  second,  Mr.  Henry  B.  Young, 
Metherington,  Lincoln,  whose  Captain  Nelson, 
Mme.  de  Graaff',  and  Glory  of  Leiden  were  the 
best ;  third,  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons,  King's  Norton. 

Six  varieties  of  trumpet  Daffodils  :  First,  Rev. 
T.  Buncombe,  Penylan  Rectorj',  Ruabon,  with 
some  excellent  blooms  ;  second,  A.  S.  Leslie  Mel- 
ville, Esq.,  Branston  Hall,  Lincoln  (gardener,  Mr. 
W.  Curtis)  ;  third.  Rev.  J.  Jacob,  VVhitewell  Rec- 
tory, Whitchurch. 

'Twelve  Medio-Coronati  varieties :  First,  A.  S. 
Leslie  Melville,  Esq.,  Branston  Hall,  Lincoln 
(gardener,  Mr.  Curtis),  with  Gloria  Mundi,  Beauty, 
Catherine  Spurrell,  and  Commander  as  the  best  ; 
second,  Mr.  Alex.  M.  Wilson,  East  Keal,  Spilsby, 
whose  Lucifer  and  Gloria  Mundi  were  very  good  ; 
third,  Mr.  J.  H.  Hartill,  Arden  Vale,  Olton,  with 
good  blooms  also. 

Six  distinct  varieties  of  Medio-Coronati  :  First, 
Rev.  T.  Buncombe,  Penjdan  Parsonage.  Ruabon  ; 
second,  Mr.  C.  S.  Branson,  Coleshill  Park  Gardens, 
Coleshill  ;  third,  Rev.  J.  Jacob,  Whitchurch  ; 
fourth,  Mr.  Deedman,  Edgbaston. 

Six  varieties  of  Parvi-Coronati :  Equal  first, 
Messrs.  Pope  and  Son,  King's  Norton,  with  Ori- 
flamme,  Picotee,  and  others,  and  A.  S.  Leslie 
Melville,  Esq.,  with  Blood  Orange,  Falstaff,  &c.  ; 
third,  Mr.  Henry  B.  Y'oung,  Metherington. 

Six  varieties  of  true  poeticus :  First,  Mr.  Alex. 
M.  Wilson,  East  Iveal,  Spilsby,  with  lovely  blooms 
of  Virgil,  Almira,  Dante,  Homer,  poetarum,  and 
others  ;  second,  Mr.  James  Douglas,  Great  Book- 
ham,  with  Horace,  Chaucer,  Burns,  and  Homer 
very  good  ;  third,  iVIr.  H.  B.  Young. 

There  was  only  one  exhibit  in  the  class  for  six 
distinct  varieties  of  Narcissus  (bulbs  not  more  than 
3s.  per  dozen  ;  prizes  given  by  Messrs.  Pope). 
First,  Rev.  T.  Buncombe. 

Twelve  varieties  with  orange  cups  :  First,  Mr. 
F.  A.  Walton,  The  Friary,  Handsworth,  with 
Gloria  Mundi,  C.  J.  Backhouse,  and  others  ; 
second,  Mr.  .James  Douglas,  with  fine  Albatross, 
Barri  conspicuus,  and  Gloria  Mundi. 
Seedlings. 

Twelve  distinct  varieties  of  Narcissus :  First, 
Mr.  R.  C.  Cartwright,  King's  Norton,  with  an 
excellent  exhibit  ;  second,  Mr.  S.  S.  Jones,  Shrop- 
shire House,  Frees ;  and  third,  Mr.  Wyndham 
Brodie,  EUesmere,  Wylde  Green. 

Six  distinct  Narcissi  :  First,  Mr.  .John  Sceaney, 
Harborne  ;  second,  Mrs.  Muston,  Edgbaston  ;  and 
third,  Mr.  Herbert  Smith,  Birmingham. 

Six  varieties  of  Daffodils  (first  prize  offered  by 
Mr.  F.  W.  Burbidge)  :  First,  Mr.  A.  R.  Goodwin, 
Kidderminster,  with  Mrs.  W.  Ware,  Barri  con- 
spicuus, Leedsi  Gem,  and  Emperor  as  the  best  ; 
second,  Mrs.  Muston,  Twyning  Road,  Edgbaston  ; 


and  third,  Mr.  S.  S.  .Jones,  Shropshire  House, 
Prees.  This  class  was  restricted  to  tho.se  who 
had  never  won  a  prize  at  any  Daffodil  show. 

Six  varieties  of  Daffodils  :  First,  Mr.  .lohn 
Sceaney,  Harborne,  with  very  good  blooms ; 
second,  Mrs.  Muston  ;  and  third,  Mr.  Herbert 
Smith. 

Miscellaneous. 

Nine  varieties  of  Tulips  :  First,  Mr.  R.  C.  Cart 
Wright,  King's  Norton,  with  good  blooms  on  long 
stems.  Yellow  Queen  and  Duchesse  de  Parma  being 
the  best :  second,  no  name ;  and  third,  Mr.  John 
Gregg,  Bournville. 

Twelve  vases  of  hardy  spring  flowers :  First, 
Mr.  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Edgbaston  ;  second.  Rev.  .J. 
.Jacob,  Whitewell  Rector}',  Whitchurch,  Salop, 
who  showed  Freesia,  which  was  marked  by  the 
judges  as  not  hardy. 

Group  of  out  Daffodils  :  First,  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons,  King's  Norton,  with  a  handsome  and  effec- 
tive exhibit,  the  flowers  arranged  on  a  small  round 
table ;  second,  Miss  Clarke,  Ash  Mount,  Spark 
brook  ;  and  third,  The  Midland  Spring  Gardens, 
Northfield.  This  class  was  very  well  contested, 
and  some  pretty  exhibits  were  arranged. 

Bowl,  vase,  or  centrepiece  of  Daffodils:  First, 
Mrs.  Martin,  Lyndhurst,  Erdington,  with  Barri 
conspicuus  effectively  and  simply  arranged  ;  second, 
Mr.  James  Douglas,  Great  Bookham  ;  and  third, 
Mr.  A.  J.  Kenrick,  Edgbaston.  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons  were  also  given  a  first  prize  in  this  class  for  a 
bowl  of  Daffodils. 

Bouquet  of  Daffodils  :  First,  Messrs.  Pope  and 
Sons,  King's  Norton,  with  a  handsome  arrange- 
ment ;  a  good  second,  Messrs.  Felton  and  Sons, 
Hanover  Square,  W.  ;  and  third,  Mrs.  Muston, 
Twyning  Road,  Edgbaston. 

Twelve  pots  of  Daffodils:  First,  Mr.  R.  C. 
Cartwright,  with  finely-grown  plants  ;  and  second, 
Mr.  J.  A.  Kenrick. 

Six  pots  of  Daffodils  :  First,  Mr.  John  Sceaney, 
Harborne ;  and  second,  Mr.  W.  L.  Deedman, 
Edgbaston. 

Six  pots  of  Polyanthus  Narcissus :  First,  Mr. 
R.  C.  Cartwright,  with  splendidly-bloomed  plants; 
a  good  second,  Mr.  Deedman  ;  and  third,  Mr.  J.  A. 
Kenrick. 

Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street,  Birming- 
ham, gave  prizes  for  three  vases  or  bowls  of 
Polyanthus  Narcissus,  and  Messrs.  Hogg  and 
Robertson,  Dublin,  gave  prizes  for  six  pots  of 
single  Tulips.  There  were  also  classes  for  Lily  of 
the  Valley,  .Spanish  Iris,  Liliums,  and  boxes  of 
cut  bloom. 

Non-competitive  Exhibits. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  exhibited  a  group  of  Narcissi,  in  which 
Trumpet  varieties  were  conspicuous.  Mme.  de 
Graaff'  was  finely  shown  in  large  numbers,  and 
Glory  of  Leiden,  Emperor,  King  Alfred,  Cloth 
of  Gold,  Peach,  Apricot,  Vesuvius,  Lady  Godiva, 
Sulphur  King,  and  Aurantius  were  representatives 
of  various  sections.  Messrs.  Barr  also  showed  a 
group  of  new  seedlings,  and  among  them  we 
noticed  Alabatross,  Rhea  (white  perianth,  rich 
yellow  Trumpet),  Loveliness,  Agnes  Harvey, 
Salmonetta,  Sceptre,  Egret,  Apricot,  Pha'uix, 
Rosalind,  and  others,  making  a  most  attractive 
displa3'.  Gloria  Mundi  made  a  fine  show  in  itself. 
Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin,  exhibited 
Tulips  in  great  variety,  and  they  made  a  brave 
show.  The  reds  and  scarlets  were  very  fine,  for 
instance,  Belle  Alliance,  Vermilion  Brilliant, 
Carlisle,  T.  ostrowskyana,  Prince  of  Austria,  and 
Imperator  rubrorum.  Light- coloured  varieties 
were  represented  by  Van  der  Temple,  iSuaveolens, 
Brunhilde,  Princess  Ida,  Princesse  Marianne, 
Snowflake,  and  others.  Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robert- 
son also  showed  a  collection  of  Narcissi,  in  which 
C.  J.  Backhouse,  Mme.  de  Graaff,  White  Wing, 
Lady  M.  Boseawen,  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Leedsi 
Beatrice,  Apricot,  bifrons,  and  others  were  promi- 
nent. The  blooms  were  well  arranged,  and  made 
a  pretty  group.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  and  Sons,  Chilwell  Nur-^ 
series,  Lowdham,  Notts,  exhibited  an  extensive 
group  of  Narcissi,  in  which  many  fine  flowers  and 
good  varieties  were  noted.     Among  the  trumpets 


il4 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[April  30,  1004, 


were  Glory  of  Leiden,  Captain  Nelson,  Emperor, 
Sir  Watki'n,  Weardale  Perfection,  and  King  Alfred. 
Others  were  incomparabilis  Beauty,  i-  Frank  Miles, 
C.  J.  Backhouse,  Jlinnie  Hume,  F.  W.  Burbidge, 
Lulworth,  Lucifer,  Cyclops,  Waterwitch,  Maurice 
Vilmorin,  Mary,  Ellen  Barr,  and  other  beautiful 
varieties.      Silver-gilt  medal. 

From  Messrs.  Dickson's  Nurseries,  Chester,  was 
sent  a  brave  display  of  Daffodils,  many  fine  blooms 
among  them.  Doubles  included  albus  sulphureus 
plenus,  aurantius  plenus,  allius  aurantius  plenus  ; 
trumpets  comprised  King  Alfred,  Mrs.  Walter 
Ware,  Victoria,  Mme.  Plemp,  and  others.  Elaine 
s  a  new  ivory-white  Leed^i  of  much  charm.  Bulbo- 
codium  conspicuum  was  very  pretty  with  its  large 
quaint  blooms  of  rich  yellow.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  Gunn  and  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham, 
showed  a  bank  of  alpine  and  other  plants  lifted 
from  the  open  ground.  Aubrietias,  Saxifrages,  blue 
Primroses,  Violas,  Heuohera,  Iberis,  Erica,  Celosia 
pontioa  were  among  them.  Messrs.  Gunn  also 
showed  some  bouquets  of  Roses  and  baskets  of 
Carnations.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

From  the  bulb  farm  of  Sir  Josslyn  Gore-Booth, 
Bart.,  Lissadell,  Sligo,  an  attractive  exhibit  of 
Narcissi  was  sent.  In  addition  to  many  well-known 
sorts  we  noticed  Nelsoni,  Lady  Gore-Booth  (white 
perianth  with  lemon  yellow  cup,  incomp. ),  Lady 
Arnott,  J.  M.  Berkeley  (rich  yellow  trumpet), 
Burbidgei  Baroness  Heath,  bicolor  of  Haworth 
(incomp.),  Queen  Sophia,  Barri  Flora  Wilson,  and 
others.     Silver  medal. 

Messrs.  Reamsbottom  and  Co.,  Alderborough 
Nursery,  Geashill,  King's  County,  Ireland, 
exhibited  the  Alderborough  strain  of  the  double 
St.  Brigid  Anemones,  and  they  made  a  very 
attractive  group.  We  have  rarely  seen  them 
brighter.  There  were  blue,  scarlet,  purple,  pink, 
crimson,  and  white,  and  the  flowers  were  arranged 
with  their  own  greenery  upon  a  white  ground. 
Silver  gilt  medal. 

The  Misses.  F.  W.  Currey,  the  Warren  Gardens, 
Lismore,  Ireland,  exhibited  Daffodils  in  variety,  the 
white  blooms  being  noticeably  pure.  In  Ellen  Barr, 
Marvel,  Ossian,  Cassandra,  poeticus  poetarum. 
Epic,  Rosalind,  Sequin  (this  was  especially  marked), 
Mavirice  Vilmorin,  Jonquil  Jonquilla,  Frank  Miles, 
Lucifer,  Redstar,  Katherine  Spurrel,  Marina,  and 
While  Lady  were  among  other  beautiful  flowers. 
Silver  medal. 

Messrs.  Hewitt  and  Co.,  Solihull,  Birmingham, 
exhibited  some  excellent  Carnation  blooms  in 
vases.  Mrs.  Lawson  was  perhaps  the  best.  Silver 
medal. 

Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street,  Birminff- 
ham,  exhibited  Tulips,  Daffodils,  and  Spanish  Irises 
growing  in  pots  in  moss  fibre  without  drainage. 
The  vases  are  filled  with  the  new  moss  fibre  and 
ground  shell,  with  a  few  small  lumps  of  charcoal 
at  the  bottom.  All  bulbs,  such  as  Hyacinths, 
Tulips,  Iris,  and  especially  Narcissus,  do  well 
treated  this  way,  and  make  useful  and  charming 
table  decoration.     Large  silver  medal. 

Many  beautiful  hybrid  and  seedling  Narcissi  of 
his  own  raising  were  shown  by  the  Rev.  G.  H. 
Engleheart,  Dinton,  Wilts.  Those  that  obtained 
awards  are  described  elsewhere. 

Messrs.  Felton  and  Sons,  Hanover  Square,  W., 
showed  a  handsome  bank  of  plants  and  flowers 
very  tastefully  set  up.  The  vases  of  Cirnations, 
Orchids,  and  Roses,  as  well  as  pot  plants  of  Ericas, 
Genistas,  Verbenas,  &c. ,  combined  to^  make  an 
attractive  display.     Gold  medal. 

Messrs.  W.  K.  Simpson  and  Sons,  Birmingham, 
showed  a  group  of  miscellaneous  Narcissi  plants 
growing  in  pots,  as  well  as  cut  blooms.  Silver 
medal. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Bourne,  Lincolnshire, 
made  a  very  bright  display  with  Anemones,  A. 
coronaria  King  of  Scarlets  being  especially  fine  and 
telling.     Silver  medal. 

Messrs.  J.  W.  Cross,  Wisbech,  displayed  Nar- 
cissi, Tulips,  and  Anemones  extensively,  making  a 
bright  exhibit.  Some  of  the  Tulips  were  very 
handsome,  and  the  trumpet  Daffodils  were  good 
also.     Silver-gilt  medal. 

Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  the  Old  Rose 
Gardens,  Colchester,  exhibited  their  new  seedling 
climbing   Polyantha   Rose   Blush   Rambler.       The 


plants  were  in  pots  and  bore  an  abundance  of  bloom. 
Silver  medal. 

The  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Knutsford,  Cheshire, 
showed  a  pretty  group  of  hardy  flowers,  and 
prominent  among  them  were  the  beautiful  pink 
Daisy  Alice  and  the  large  yellow  Auricula  Alex- 
andra. Primulas  and  Polyanthuses  were  well 
represented.  The  blue  Primroses  were  very  good, 
as  also  were  the  double  white  ones  and  the  double 
purple  Marie  Choune.  Aubrietia  Dr.  Mules  and 
Saxifraga  Rhei  were  also  prominent. 

Mrs.  J.  G.  Thompson,  Handsworth,  exhibited  a 
group  of  Cactaceous  plants.     Silver  medal. 

From  the  Midland  Spring  Gardens,  Northfield, 
was  shown  a  small  group  of  Narcissi  in  variety. 

An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  Mr.  .1.  Kings- 
mill,  Ripon,  for  choice  Narcissi,  and  to  Mr.  W.  A. 
Watts,  St.  Asaph,  for  Polyanthus. 


Awards. 


A  first-class  certificate  was  granted  to  each  of  the 
following  Narcissi : 

Great  Warley.  —  A  bold  and  striking  trumpet 
variety,  pr-ianth  dull  white,  almost  transparent, 
the  trumpet  a  good  yellow  with  wide  mouth.  From 
Miss  Willmott,  Warley  Place,  Essex. 

Moonstone. — A  triandrus  hybrid,  one  of  the 
parents  being  Minnie  Hume.  The  flat  or  slightly 
recurving  perianth  is  sulphur-white,  as  also  is  the 
prettily  dentated  cup.     From  Miss  Willmott. 

An  award  of  merit  was  granted  to  each  of  the 
following  Narcissi : 

Sa/adin. — A  trumpet  flower  not  unlike  a  large 
Mme.  de  Graaff,  the  trumpet,  however,  is  rather  a 
deeper  colour  (pale  lemon),  it  recurves  at  the  mouth. 
From  Mr.  E.  M.  Crosfield,  Little  Acton,  Wrexham. 
ilaud  Marion. — Much  like  Mme.  de  Graaff,  the 
trumpet  is  sulphur  colour  and  the  perianth  rather 
lighter.     From  Mr.  E.  M.  Crosfield. 

Count  Vuconti. — A  beautiful  Johnstoni  form, 
deep  lemon  yellow,  the  long  straight  trumpet  rather 
a  deeper  shade  than  the  perianth.  From  Miss 
Willmott. 

Warley  Scarlet.  —  This  has  sulphur  -  coloured 
perianth,  and  the  flat  cup  is  yellow  with  an  intense 
orange-scarlet  edge,  which  is  very  striking.  From 
Miss  Willmott. 

Snowdrop. — A  lovely  Johnstoni  hybrid  of  an 
uniform  sulphur-white  throughout  perianth  and 
the  long  straight  trumpet.    From  Miss  Willmott. 

Furstin  Maria  Oettingen. — A  bicolor  Johnstoni 
with  creamy  white  perianth  and  rich  lemon-yellow 
trumpet  rather  wide  at  the  mouth.  From  Miss 
Willmott. 

Janet  Image. — A  large  and  beautiful  Leedsii  form 
with  white  perianth  and  orange  cup.  From  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden. 

Snow  Elf  and  White  Knight.  —  Shown  by  De 
Graaff  Brothers,  Leiden,  Holland.  We  were  unable 
to  fipd  these. 

Dainty. — A  Johnstoni  hybrid  with  deep  lemon- 
yellow  trumpet  and  paler  perianth.  From  Mrs. 
R.  0.  Backhouse. 

Elhelbert. — A  fine  poeticus  form  with  white, 
rounded  perianth  segments  and  yellow  cup  with 
deep  orange-coloured  rim.  From  Mrs.  Backhouse. 
Fearles'i. — A  bicolor  incomparabilis  with  creamy 
white  perianth  and  golden  cup  crinkled  at  the 
mouth.     From  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart. 

Ooldeye. — Belonging  to  the  Engleheartii  section. 
The  large,  flat,  rich  yellow  cup  with  orange  rim  is 
strikingly  effective  in  association  with  the  white 
perianth.     From  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart. 

Acme. — A    poeticus    hybrid    with    pure    white 

perianth   and    flat   orange-red    cup.     A    handsome 

flower  of  fine  form.      From  Rev.  6.  H.  Engleheart. 

Epic. — A  large  poeticus  form  with  orange-crimson 

edged  cup.     From  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart. 

White  Muticus. — A  botanical  certificate  was 
awarded  to  this.     Shown  by  Rev.  S.  E.  Bourne. 

Rose  Mvie.  Levavassoir, — A  first-class  certificate 
was  given  to  Messrs.  Felton  for  this  Rose. 

Carnation  Leander. — A  tree  Carnation.  From 
Messrs.  Felton.     First-class  certificate. 

Annoal  Dinner. 

Annually,  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day  of  the 
exhibition  of  this  society,  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham 
and    Mr.     John    Pope    entertain    to    dinner     the 


principal  exhibitors,  judges,  and  visitors.  On 
Tuesday  evening  last  a  large  gathering  assembled 
at  the  Old  Royal  Hotel,  Birmingham,  in  response 
to  the  invitation.  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  pre- 
sided, and  was  supported  by  Miss  Willmott, 
Professor  Hillhouse,  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart,  and 
Rev.  S.  E.  Bourne.  Others  present  were  :  Miss 
Currey,  Rev.  .1.  .Tacob,  Messrs.  J.  Duncan  Pearson, 
W.  A.  Watts,  W.  B.  Latham,  H.  B.  Young,  P. 
Pvudolph  Barr,  F.  W.  Burbidge,  A.  R.  Goodwin, 
T.  Humphrej's,  .lames  Douglas, de  Graaft',  Waveren, 
Jeeves,  R.  Dean,  W.  P.  Wright,  and  manj'  more. 

After  the  chairman  had  given  the  loyal  toasts. 
Professor  Hillhouse  proposed  "The  Judges  and 
Exhibitors,"  the  Rev.  S.  E.  Bourne  and  Mr.  J.  D. 
Pearson  responding. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Burbidge  proposed  "The  Midland 
Daffodil  Society,"  and  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham 
replied.  Mr.  Sydenham  proposed  "The  Visitors," 
and  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright,  who  replied,  said  how 
much  everj'one  appreciated  the  hospitality  snown 
by  Mr.  Sj'denham  and  Mr.  Pope.  Other  toasts 
proposed  were  "The  Foreign  Visitors,"  replied  to 
by  M.  de  Graaff,  and  "  The  Chairman." 

After  dinner  Mr.  P.  R.  Barr  made  some  remarks 
on  "The  Present  Classification   of  the  Narcissus 


Family."  Mr.  Barr  said  the  two  most  important 
questions  with  reference  to  this  subject  were  how- 
to  classify  those  flowers  with  flat,  disc-like  crowns- 
and  the  triandrus  hybrids  somewhat  resembling 
Leedsii.  As  Mr.  Bourne  had  already  mentioned, 
said  Mr.  Barr,  it  was  felt  by  several  that  the- 
former  should  be  placed  in  a  section  to  be  called 
Engleheartii,  subject  to  Mr.  Engleheart  being: 
agreeable.  It  was  also  suggested  that  as  Miss 
Willmott  possessed  the  stock  of  most  of  the 
triandrus  hybrids  and  exhibited  them  they  should 
form  a  class  to  be  known  as  Willmottii.  If  not, 
said  Mr.  Barr,  they  would  have  to  be  included 
with  Leedsii.  Those  of  the  Engleheartii  section 
had  been  judged  to  be  parvi-coronati,  not  medio- 
coronati. 

The  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart,  after  referring,  as 
Mr.  J.  D.  Pearson  had  done,  to  the  greater 
pleasure,  comfort,  and  convenience  of  this  Birming- 
ham meeting  than  the  Drill  Hall  meetings  of  th& 
Royal  Horticultural  Societ}',  went  on  to  say  that 
many  of  the  present-day  Narcissi  defy  classifica- 
tion. Hybridising  has  only  really  just  commenced, 
and,  when  in  future  years  the  hybrids  of  to-day 
shall  have  given  rise  to  still  other  hybrids,  a  new 
classification  made  now  will  be  quite  inadequate 
then.  He  was  content  to  leave  this  matter  o£ 
classification  with  others,  and  humorously  remarked 
that  he  wished  them  good  luck  in  their  task.  Th& 
speaker  said  he  looked  upon  the  trumpet  Daffodil 
as  almost  perfect,  and  regarded  it  rather  as  a, 
means  to  the  production  of  better  things.  Mme. 
de  Graaff  was  a  most  valuable  flower ;  it  was  a. 
great  advance  upon  Emperor  and  Empress.  Some' 
said  that  the  Daffodil  craze  would  pass  away,  but 
he  thought  there  was  no  fear  of  this,  as  there  was 
no  other  hardy  spring  flower  to  take  the  place 
of  it.  Speaking  about  minor  cultural  points,  Mr. 
Engleheart  saiil  he  should  like  to  hear  whether 
other  growers  thought  it  best  to  leave  bulbs  in  the 
ground  for  one  or  two  years. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Burbidge  said  he  knew  of  two  places 
— one  in  England,  the  other  in  Ireland — where  the> 
finest  Daffodils  were  grown  not  in  a  border,  but  on 
grass  land.  He  thought  that  the  finest  Narcissi  of 
the  future  would  come  from  moist  grass  land.  The 
Daffodil  is  a  water-loving  plant.  Mr.  Burbidge 
thought  that  the  public  taste  now  favoured  large 
flowers  too  much,  and  that  the  more  beautiful  ones 
will  not  be  fully  appreciated  until  the  public  taste 
is  educated  up  to  them. 

The  Rev.  J.  Jacob  said  that  he  understood  from 
Miss  Currey  that  Daffodil  bulbs  which  had  been  in- 
the  ground  two  years  forced  into  bloom  some  ten 
days  sooner  than  those  taken  up  annually. 

Miss  Currey  thought  that  by  leaving  the  bulbs 
in  the  ground  two  years  they  started  earlier  into 
growth  the  second  year,  ripened  earlier,  and  con- 
sequently bloomed  earlier. 

Mr.  Pearson  had  found  that  bulbs  two  years 
planted  passed  through  a  wet  season  better  than 
those  planted  annually,  and  he  thought  the  reasorv 
to  be  that  they  were  better  established. 


«gfey- 


GARDEN 


-y^=^ 


i.^^^^^ 


No.  1694.— Vol.  LXV. 


[May    7,  1904. 


PREPARING  FOR  SUMMER. 

SELDOM,  if  ever,  has  the  weather 
encouraged  a  fairer  display  of  early 
flowers  than  has  been  seen  this  spring. 
Whilst  the  public  enjoy  this  rich 
colouring,  the  gardener  and  those 
responsible  for  providing  an  unbroken  succes- 
sion of  beauty  from  spring  to  late  autumn 
know  only  too  well  preparations  must  be  going 
forward  for  summer.  The  term  summer 
bedding  refers  more  particularly  to  the  decora- 
tion of  the  flower  garden  with  such  things  as 
are  planted  annually  for  this  purpose,  whether 
hardy  or  half-hardy,  and  are  specially  intended 
to  produce  either  brilliant  floral  colour  efl^ect  in 
themselves,  or  in  combination  with  plants  of 
rich  and  beautiful  foliage,  or  73lants  of  hand- 
some form  and  habit  of  growth.  The  plants 
used  for  this  purpose  are  usually  common 
enough,  and  by  some  garden  enthusiasts  are 
considered  too  commonplace  to  be  worth  a 
second  thought.  The  subject  may  conveniently 
be  classed  under  three  heads— namely,  first, 
the  planting  in  masses  of  dwarf  plants  of 
brilliant  colours  in  the  flower  garden  ;  second, 
a  combination  of  dwarf  plants,  either  foliage 
or  flowering,  of  brilliant  colouring,  with  taller 
plants  planted  singly  or  in  groups  amongst  the 
dwarfer  ones  ;  third,  the  massing  and  grouping 
of  bold,  ornamental,  exotic,  or  hardy  foliage 
and  flowering  plants  in  order  to  produce  a  rich, 
bold,  and  tropical  effect.  As  regards  the  first 
the  zonal  Pelargonium  still  stands  unrivalled 
in  usefulness,  whether  for  the  flowers  of  the 
green  foliaged  varieties  or  for  the  foliage  and 
flowers  combined  of  the  silver,  variegated, 
bronze,  and  tricolors.  In  the  Begonia  of  late 
years,  through  the  improvement  wrought  in 
many  sections  of  these  plants  by  the  late  Mr. 
John  Laing  and  others,  a  valuable  addition  has 
been  made  to  the  list  of  summer  bedding 
plants.  The  Pansy  is  another  plant  which  has 
been  greatly  improved  of  late  years,  and  is 
indispensable  in  the  garden.  The  Calceolaria 
and  the  following  among  a  host  of  others  may 
be  mentioned  as  serviceable  :  The  Verbena, 
especially  those  of  distinct  colours,  such  as 
Miss  Willmott,  Heliotropes,  Marguerites, 
Petunias,  Phlox  Drummondii,  Fuchsias  in 
variety.  Lobelias,  Celosias,  and  many  others. 

The  form  and  size  of  the  garden  to  be  planted 
must  first  have  consideration.  If  arranged  in 
a  geometrical  design,  so  many  beds  balancing 
one  another,  it  is  usual  to  plant  them  in  pairs 
in  duplicate  colours.  But  if  the  garden  is  less 
formally  laid    out,  then    the    effect  is  more 


pleasing  by  the  introduction  of  greater  variety 
of  plants  in  a  bed,  but  bold  masses  of  some 
single  colour.  Indeed,  in  the  arrangement  of 
dwarf  plants  for  distinct  colour  effect,  the 
chief  point  to  bear  in  mind  to  secure  success  is 
to  avoid  having  too  many  varieties  of  plants 
in  combination  in  any  one  bed.  A  bed 
planted  with  Bright  Star  silver  -  variegated 
Pelargoniums,  1  foot  apart,  with  a  pale  blue 
Viola  planted  between  as  a  groundwork, 
edged  with  a  broad  band  of  Alternanthera, 
makes  one  of  the  prettiest  beds.  A  simpler 
combination  still  is  a  bed  of  Brighton  Gem 
Pelargoniums  (in  colour  bright  scarlet),  with  a 
bold  edging  of  Centaurea.  Another  pleasing 
and  effective  association  is  to  be  had  by 
planting  the  old  Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium 
Manglesi  among  a  groundwork  of  Verbena 
venosa,  the  bed  being  edged  with  a  broad  band 
of  Cerastium  tomentosum.  Take,  again,  a 
harmony  in  gold,  bronze,  and  white.  Here  an 
excellent  effect  may  be  produced  by  planting 
good  plants  of  the  best  varieties  of  Celosia, 
edging  the  bed  with  the  pretty  Kibbon  Grass 
Dactylis  glomerata.  Where  it  is  desired  to 
have  a  bed  of  a  claret  shade  of  colour,  nothing 
gives  better  effect  than  the  old  Coleus 
Verschafeltii.  Others  might  be  mentioned, 
but  enough  has  been  indicated  to  help  the 
learner  to  arrange  further  beautiful  and 
harmonious  combinations  of  colours  for 
himself  out  of  the  abundance  of  material 
available. 

Beds  planted  with  a  groundwork  of  dwarf 
plants,  with  taller  growing  specimen  plants 
between,  are  well  worth  introducing  to  this 
style  of  planting,  in  conjunction  with  the 
method  above  described,  however  small  the 
garden  may  be.  If  the  work  is  to  be  a  success 
too  many  sorts  of  plants  in  a  bed  must  be 
avoided,  and  some  simple  arrangement  taken 
advantage  of.  As  instances  we  may  mention 
a  few  examples,  say  a  groundwork  of  Geranium 
Flower  of  Spring,  silver  variegated,  with 
specimen  plants  of  Acalypha  macafeeana  3  feet 
high,  and  planted  3  feet  apart.  The  bronze 
foliage  of  this  plant  is  most  effective  with  the 
silver  variegated  Pelargoniums.  This,  with  a 
broad  edging  of  Gazania  splendens  or  Tagetes 
pumila  makes  a  very  pretty  bed.  Another 
example  of  this  style  of  bedding  is  the  follow- 
ing :  Some  variety  of  scarlet  Pelargonium  as 
groundwork,  planted  1  foot  apart,  with 
standard  plants  of  Fuchsia  Ballet  Girl,  one  of 
the  best  light  varieties  of  recent  introduction, 
planted  at  intervals  of  2i  feet  or  3  feet,  edging 
the  same  with  Koniga  maritima. 


Standard  Heliotrope  or  pyramid  plants  of 
Plumbago  capensis,  planted  in  a  carpet  of  a 
pink  Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium,  give  a  beautiful 
result.  There  are  many  other  plants  both 
dwarf  and  tall  which  may  be  utilised  together 
in  this  way,  and  which  will  suggest  themselves 
as  the  work  proceeds. 

{These  notes  will  be  continued  next  weeh.) 


THE    EDITOR'S    TABLE. 


Nabcissi  from  Ireland. 
Mr.  W.  Baylor  Hartland  sends  from  his  bulb 
grounds  at  Ard  Cairn,  Cork,  some  beautiful  seed- 
ling Narcissi,  chiefly  poeticus,  Barri,  Burbidgei, 
and  Nelsoni  hybrids.  The  colouring  of  some  of 
the  crowns  or  cups  is  very  brilliant,  the  shades  of 
orange  and  scarlet  very  beautiful,  and  associate 
most  effectively  with  the  creamy  white  or  white 
perianths.  Mr.  Hartland  also  sends  Daffodil  Erin, 
a  large  double  flower,  similar  to  the  old  Butter  and 
Eggs,  but  much  finer.  The  fiowers  are  larger  and 
are  produced  on  long,  stout  stalks  well  above  the 
foliage. 


Polyanthuses  from  Coeham  Hall  Gardens. 

Mr.  F.  R.  Cuckney  sends  from  Gravesend  a  box 
of  bunch  Polyanthuses  and  Acer  in  flower,  with 
the  following  remarks:  "Our  Polyanthuses  are 
delightful,  especially  in  masses.  The  Acer  gives 
quite  a  glow  of  colour,  even  amidst  the  varied 
shades  of  green  we  have  in  such  beauty  at  this 
season." 

The  Polyanthuses  were  of  remarkable  rich 
colourings,  the  reds  in  particular.  A  very  beauti- 
ful race,  and  the  Acer  is  a  reminder  of  the  quiet 
but  very  beautiful  flower  colouring  of  many  of  our 
forest  trees. 


Narcissus  Leedsi  Elaine. 
Messrs.  Dickson  of  Chester  send  flowers  of  a 
beautiful  form  of  Narcissus  Leedsi  named  Elaine. 
It  was  raised  by  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart,  and 
received  a  first-class  certificate  from  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  on  May  7,  1901.  The  flower 
is  graceful  and  of  exquisite  colouring,  a  tender 
lemon  shade,  with  deeper  cup.  It  looks  frail,  but 
this  is  simply  from  its  gracefulness  and  lovely 
colouring — a  fl.ower  to  grow  in  quantity  for  the 
house.  At  present  the  bulbs  are  two  guineas  each, 
and  will  be  distri  buted  by  Messrs.  Dickson  in  the 
autumn. 


ToLiPA  Greigii. 
Mr.  Arnold  sends  from  The  Gardens,  Cirencester 
House,  Cirencester,  superb  flowers  of  this  Tulip, 
with  the  following  interesting  note:  "I  am 
sending  herewith  the  above  Tulip  for  your  table. 
I  think  you  will  agree  with  me  that  it  is  one  of 
the  finest  species  of  Tulip  ever  discovered.  Its 
colour  is  so  fine  and  the  general  form  of  the  flower 
is  so  good  that  it  always  arrests  attention.  Per- 
haps it  requires  a  little  more  attention  than  we 
give  to  the  general  collection  of  Tulips.  It  should 
be  carefully  harvested  each  year.  The  plants 
should  be  allowed  to  thoroughly  complete  their 
growth  and  the  foliage  well  on  the  way  to  decay 


316 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


before  the  bulbs  are  lifted,  and  then  they  should 
not  be  exposed  to  the  full  glare  of  the  sun  imme- 
diately after  being  taken  from  the  soil.  Do  this 
gradually.  They  must  be  well  baked  in  the  full 
sun  and  afterwards  stored  in  a  little  dry  ashes  in 
shallow  boxes  in  a  cold  but  thoroughly  dry  room. 
Damp  will  prove  fatal  to  them.  Plant  again  in 
fine  weather  in  September  and  not  later,  as  this 
Tulip  flowers  early,  ripens  early,  and  will,  conse- 
quently, lose  vitality  if  kept  out  of  the  ground 
after  September  very  rapidly.  Every  little  bulblet 
should  be  saved,  for  in  this  respect  it  is  rather  shy 
in  producing  these." 

Poppy  Anemones. 

Mrs.  Wakeman-Newport,  Hanley  Court,  Ten- 
bury,  Worcestershire,  writes  :  "  I  am  sending  you 
a  few  flowers  of  Anemones  and  Wallflowers  for 
your  table.  The  Anemones  are  some  of  Reams- 
bottom's  Irish  ones,  and  seem  to  flourish  well  in 
this  garden,  which  is  nearly  700  feet  above  sea 
level.  They  are  grown  in  a  border  facing  south, 
in  stifi',  loamy  clay.  We  plant  the  bulbs  in 
September,  lifting  and  resting  them  when  the 
foliage  has  died  down  for  a  couple  of  months.  The 
Wallflowers  are  from  Sutton's  Superb  Mixed  and 
Cloth  of  Gold  sued." 

A  beautiful  gathering  of  Anemones.  We  have 
on  more  than  one  occasion  described  this  strain. 
The  colours  are  wonderfully  rich  and  varied,  and 
we  wish  the  plant  would  grow  in  all  gardens.  The 
Wallflowers  were  of  decided  colours,  the  yellow 
particularly  rich. 


Vekbena  Miss  Willmott. 
Mr.  A.  Derry,  The  Gardens,  Fairford  Park, 
Fairford,  Gloucestershire,  sends  flowers  of  this 
well-known  Verbena,  one  of  the  most  welcome  of 
its  race,  either  for  the  greenhouse  or  for  the  open 
garden.  It  is  largely  grown  for  the  market.  Mr. 
Derry  says:  "I  have  a  fine  group  of  plants  in 
flower  in  5-inch  pots,  and  I  find  it  most  useful  for 
the  house  and  conservatory  at  this  time  of  year." 
The  fresh  salmon-pink  of  the  flowers  is  delightful. 


Polyanthuses  erom  Torquay. 
Miss  Mitchell  sends  from  the  School  of  Horti- 
culture, Torquay,  some  exceptionally  fine  varieties 
of  Polyanthuses,  the  colours  decided   and  varied. 
A  warm  red  was  particularly  welcome. 


NOTES   OF^HE   WEEK. 

FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

May  11. — East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club's 
Meeting ;  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Horticultural 
Show. 

May  17. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

May  19.— Bath  and  West  of  England  Horticul- 
tural Show  at  Swansea  (five  days). 

May  25. — Edinburgh  Spring  Show  {two  days). 

May  .30. — Kew  Guild  Dinner. 

May  31. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Temple 
Show  (three  days). 


Royal  Hoptieultural  Society.— The 

next  fortnightly  show  will  be  held  at  the  Drill  Hall 
on  Tuesday,  the  17th  inst. ,  and  in  conjunction  with 
which  the  Royal  National  Tulip  Society  will  hold 
their  Southern  Division  show.  Separate  classes 
are  provided  for  Tulips  of  all  kinds  and  varieties, 
including  feathered,  flamed,  rectified,  breeder  kinds, 
and  bizarre,  rose,  byblcemen,  and  other  types.  A 
lecture  will  be  delivered  by  Mr.  R.  Hedger  Wallace 
on  the  "  Horticultural  Phase  of  Nature  Study." 

Temple    Flower    Show.  —  The  Royal 

Horticultural  Society  will  hold  its  seventeenth 
great  annual  flower  show  in  the  Inner  Temple 
Gardens,  London,  E.G.  (by  the  kind  permission  of  the 
Treasurer  and  Benchers)  on  the  3l8t  inst.  and  June  1 
and  2.  Intending  exhibitors  can  obtain  a  schedule, 
with  entry  form,  &c.,  on  application  to  the 
Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  117,  Vic- 
toria Street,  Westminster.  A  penny  stamp  should 
be  enclosed  to  cover  postage. 


The  Gardeners'  Association.  —  We 

have  received  a  leaflet  from  Mr.  Watson,  Descanso 
House,  Kew,  entitled  "Plea  for  a  Gardener's  Asso- 
ciation," but  owing  to  pressure  on  our  space  we 
cannot  refer  to  it  more  fully  now.  We  hope  to 
give  fuller  particulars  next  week. 

Polyanthuses  and  Primroses  from 

St.  Asaph.  —  One  of  the  most  interesting 
exhibits  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  last  consisted 
of  the  Polj'anthuses  and  Primroses  from  Mr.  W.  A. 
Watts,  Bronwylfa,  St.  Asaph.  These  received  a 
first-class  certificate  at  the  National  Auricula  and 
Primula  Show  at  Birmingham  on  April  26.  The 
colours  are  pure  and  distinct.  There  are  many 
strains  of  these  flowers  in  existence  now,  and  this  is 
one  of  the  finest. 

Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund.— 

The  sixteenth  annual  dinner  will  take  place  at  the 
Hotel  Cecil,  Strand,  W.C.,  on  Tuesday,  the  17th 
inst.,  under  the  presidency  of  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.,  K.C.V.O.,  president  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society.  The  Secretary,  30,  Wel- 
lington Street,  Strand,  will  be  glad  to  hear  from 
anyone  wishing  to  be  present. 

Tritonia  Prince  of  Orange,  shown 

by  Miss  Willmott  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  meeting  on  Tuesday  last,  and  given  an 
award  of  merit,  is  a  flower  of  rich  beauty.  Its 
freedom  is  remarkable,  and  the  strong  stems  bear 
many  flowers  of  a  wonderful  orange  red  colouring. 
It  is  a  flower  for  all  gardens. 

Descriptive  List  of  Garden  Plants. 

Many  readers  of  The  Garden  may  be  glad  to 
know  that  a  list  of  the  new  garden  plants  brought 
into  cultivation  every  year  is  published  as  an 
appendix  of  the  Keio  Bulletin,  and  may  be  pur- 
chased at  the  Gardens,  price  42d.  if  sent  by  post. 
A  list  of  this  kind  has  been  prepared  and  published 
at  Kew  for  many  years,  and  in  1900  an  alphabetical 
descriptive  list  of  all  the  new  plants  introduced 
to  cultivation  in  the  years  from  1876  to  1896  was 
published  as  an  additional  series  to  the  Bulletin, 
its  price  being  4s.  This  and  the  annual  lists  for 
the  years  from  1896  to  the  present  form  a  most 
useful  index  to  cultivated  plants  of  all  kinds.  For 
instance,  in  the  1876-96  list  there  are  7,600  plants 
briefly  described,  and  a  reference  is  given  in  each 
case  to  the  original  description,  with,  in  many 
cases,  a  reference  to  a  figure.  The  number  in  each 
annual  list  is  now  about  500.  That  for  1903  has 
just  been  published.  It  includes  not  only  plants 
brought  into  cultivation  for  the  first  time  during 
the  year,  but  the  most  noteworthy  of  those  which 
have  been  reintroduced  after  being  lost  to  culti- 
vation. All  species,  varieties,  and  hybrids  with 
botanical  names  are  included,  and  where  the 
published  name  is  not  correct  or  is  a  synonym  a 
correction  is  given  in  brackets.  The  name  of  the 
person  in  whose  collection  the  plant  was  first 
noticed  or  described  is  given.  The  following  may 
be  taken  as  examples  of  the  information  given 
with  each  plant:  "Tulipa  prjestans  (Botanical 
Magazine,  t.  7,920 ;  Gardenem'  Chronicle,  1903, 
Vol.  XXXIII. ,  page  364;  Garden,  1903,  Vol. 
LXIII. ,  page  240). — A  new  early-flowering  species 
nearly  allied  to  T.  suaveolens  and  T.  kaufmanniana. 
The  leaves  and  peduncles  are  covered  with  minute 
white  hairs.  Perianth  segments  all  uniform  in 
shape,  elliptic,  somewhat  pointed,  light  scarlet- 
vermilion,  with  yellow  at  the  base.  Bokhara. 
Van  Tubergen,  Haarlem.  Cattleya  sylvanus 
(Garden,  1903,  Vol.  LXIV,  page 408).  Agarden 
hybrid  between  C.  Alexandrte  and  C.  labiata.  R. 
J.  Measures."— W.  W. 

Early  Tulips  at  Birmingham.— On 

the  occasion  of  the  annual  exhibition  ot  the  Midland 
DaS'odil  Society  at  Birmingham  it  is  possible  to 
see  some  of  the  leading  varieties  of  early  single 
Tulips  grown  to  great  perfection  and  exhibited  in  a 
manner  which  challenged  general  admiration. 
There  was  a  class  for  nine  varieties  shown  in 
bunches  in  their  own  foliage,  six  blooms  in  a  bunch 
was  the  maximum  number,  and  they  were  tastefully 
set  up  in  vases.  For  this  purpose  strong-stemmed 
varieties  of  the  white  Pottebakker  type  are  neces- 
sary, as  weak-stemmed  varieties  would  result  in 
the  blossoms  falling  down  over  the  sides  of  the 
vases.  Such  varieties  as  Unique  (in  beautiful 
character),  Joost  van  Vondel  and  its  white  variety, 


Keizer's  Kroon,  Fabiola,  M.  Tresor,  Duchesse  de 
Parma,  Cerise  Grisdelin,  Spaaendock,  and  Proser- 
pine were  among  the  leading  varieties  grown  in 
this  way.  In  the  class  for  six  varieties  grown  in 
pots  not  to  exceed  7  inches  in  diameter,  six  bulbs 
being  placed  in  a  pot,  some  very  fine  examples 
were  staged,  the  blooms  of  the  following  being 
noted  :  Unique,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  introduc- 
tions of  late  j'ears;  a  white  Pottebakker  with  a 
flame  of  yellow  running  up  each  petal ;  Keizer's 
Kroon,  the  largest  of  the  early  Tulips,  and  one  of  the 
very  best  for  pot  culture  or  bedding  ;  Van  Spaen- 
donk,  cherry  rose,  with  plentiful  flakes  of  cream 
striking  through  the  petal  edges,  very  distinct; 
Golden  Queen,  a  very  fine  deep  yellow,  probably 
the  largest  of  all  the  yellow  Tulips ;  Fabiola,  striped 
and  flaked  deep  violet  and  white,  a  very  fine  variety 
when  well  grown  ;  Joost  van  Vondel,  deep  rosy 
red,  feathered  and  flaked  with  white,  a  large  deep 
flower ;  also  its  white  varietj'.  White  .Joost  van 
Vondel,  the  largest  of  the  early  white  Tulips,  and 
a  very  fine  subject  for  pot  culture  ;  Queen  of  the 
Netherlands,  a  large  and  beautiful  variety,  white 
tinted  with  blush  or  pink,  extra  fine  for  pots ; 
Proserpine,  carmine-rose,  extra  fine;  and  American 
Lac,  a  distinct  and  novel  variety,  a  mixture  of 
salmon,  rose,  and  delicate  tints  of  pink  and  mauve. 
These  were  shown  in  SA-inch  pots,  and  they  were 
grandly  grown  and  bloomed.  Probably  something 
is  owing  to  the  fact  that  they  are  grown  from 
selected  bulbs,  certainly  the  incitement  of  competi- 
tion results  in  the  production  of  splendid  blooms, 
and  demonstrating  the  possibilities  ot  the  early 
Tulip  when  subjected  to  high  cultivation — R.  Dean. 

The  Departmental  Fruit  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  Lord  Onslow  to  enquire 
into  and  report  upon  the  Fruit  Industry  of  Great 
Britain  held  sittings  on  the  27th,  28ih,  and  29th 
ult.  The  following  members  were  present ;  Mr. 
A.  S.  T.  Griffith-Boscawen,  M.P.  (chairman), 
Colonel  Long,  M  P.,  Mr.  C.  W.  Radolifl'e-Cooke, 
Mr.  Hodge,  Mr.  Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Somer- 
ville,  Mr.  P.  Spencer  Pickering,  and  Mr.  Ernest 
Garnsey  (secretary).  The  following  witnesses 
gave  evidence  :  Mr.  F.  King,  of  St.  Ives,  Hunts  ; 
Mr.  Spencer  Pickering,  M.A. ,  F.R,S.,  a  member  of 
the  committee ;  Mr.  C.  D.  Wise,  of  Toddington, 
Gloucester;  Mr.  John  Idiens,  of  Evesham,  Wor- 
cester ;  Mr.  W.  Templeton,  of  Netherburn, 
Lanarkshire  ;  Mr.  George  Sinclair,  of  East  Linton, 
Midlothian  ;  and  Mr.  James  MacDonald,  of  Welton, 
Blairgowrie. 

School  teachers'  examination  in 
cottage  and  allotment  gardening.— 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  hold  an 
examination  in  cottage  gardening  on  Tuesday, 
June  21  next.  This  examination  is  intended  for 
and  will  be  confined  to  elementary  school  teachers. 
It  has  been  undertaken  in  view  of  the  increasing 
demand  in  country  districts  for  schoolmasters 
capable  of  teaching  the  elements  of  cottage  gar- 
dening. This  examination  will  be  on  similar  lines 
to  that  of  the  more  general  examination.  A  copy 
of  the  syllabus  with  full  particulars  may  be 
obtained  by  sending  a  stamped  and  directed 
envelope  to  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural 
Societj',  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster. 

Magnolia  conspicua  in  spring  at 

Syon. — Owing  to  the  favourable  weather  and 
absence  of  frost  these  trees  this  season  are  flowering 
well.  I  have  never  seen  the  noble  trees  at  Syon 
better,  though  where  the  flowers  are  much  exposed 
to  the  north-east  the  colouring  is  less  pure.  M. 
conspicua  flowers  profusely  in  a  sheltered  position  ; 
the  big  chalice-like  cups  are  much  liked.  The  trees 
alluded  to  are  of  a  good  age.  So  far  we  have  never 
lost  any  branches  by  severe  weather,  and  I  have 
observed  after  a  warm  summer  that  the  new  wood 
is  much  firmer  and  the  flowers  of  greater  substance 
and  larger,  though  there  is  always  the  same  wealth 
each  jear.  Shelter  from  cold  winds  is  needful  in 
exposed  gardens.  I  have  grown  them  more  as 
bushes  than  trees,  with  a  good  b.tckground  of  ever- 
greens, and  they  are  most  effective.  A  few  years 
ago  we  planted  some  of  the  newer  introductions, 
but  so  far  they  do  not  seem  quite  at  home,  as  the 
growth  is  very  slow.  Such  kinds  as  M.  acuminata 
grow  well,  but  the  trees  do  not  flower  freely. — 
G.  Wythes. 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


317 


Daffodils  and  Narcissi  in  an  old 

OPChard. — I  think  a  note  on  this  subject  may 
interest  readers  of  The  Garden,  as  by  judicious 
planting  many  old  orchards  may  be  made  beautiful 
quite  six  weeks  before  the  fruit  trees  are  in 
flower.  Here  we  plant  them  in  uneven  and 
irregular  groups ;  the  effect  is  charming,  and  I 
have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  they  give  more 
delight  to  those  who  see  them  than  almost  any 
other  plant  in  the  garden.  The  varieties  we  grow 
are  Emperor,  Empress,  Sir  Watkin,  Horsfieldi, 
white  Stella,  yellow  Stella,  princeps,  Barri  con- 
spicuus,  and  the  most  beautiful  poeticus  ornatua, 
the  display  finishes  with  the  May  flowering  Tulips. 
—J.  S.,  BerU 

Judi^ingr  Grapes  by  points.— I  gather 

from    the   note    on    this   subject   written   by   Mr. 

Leadbetter   that  he  infers   because  in   the  case  of 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  at  Shrewsbury,  for 

instance,  eleven  points  constitute  the  maximum,  that 

L        therefore  eleven  diverse  features  must  be  found  in 

I        the  Grape  in  question.  Surely  that  is  not  the  ease.  If, 

W-       for  instance,  flavour  be  appraised  in  this  fine  Grape 

I         by  three  points,  and  two  each  are  given  to  appear- 

I  anoe   of    bunch,  size  of  berry,  colour,   and  finish, 

all   the  primary  points   in    such  a   Grape   obtain 

recognition,  and  it  cannot  be  diflicult  for  expert 

judges  to  apportion  these  points  justly.     But   it 

does  not    follow   that    all    Muscat    Grapes,    even 

Muscat  of  Alexandria,  always  merit  the  award  of 

eleven  points.    Even  if  flavour  be  there,  some  other 

feature  may  be  imperfect.     That  a  greater  number 

of    points  should   be    given    to    flavour    than    to 

any     one    other    feature     is    natural,    but    even 

flavour,  let  it  be  ever  so  good,    cannot   dominate 

indifferent  culture  or  appearance.      I  expect  Mr. 

Leadbetter   knows   the   points  of   Grapes  as  well 

as  anyone  does  after  all. — D. 

Fopsythia  and   Museapi.— A  bed  of 

Forsythia  suspensa  is  in  itself  a  beautiful  sight ; 
in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  there  are  large  beds  of 
this  shrub  that  are  a  prominent  feature  in  the 
garden  landscape.  Even  from  a  distance  it  is  easy 
to  distinguish  them  ;  the  graceful,  semi-pendent 
shoots  are  wreathed  with  yellow  bell-like  flowers, 
and  produce  an  effect  that  is  hardy  surpassed  by 
any  other  shrub  now  in  flower.  The  surface  of  the 
beds  is  covered  with  the  growth  of  an  early 
blooming  dwarf  bulbous  plant,  presumably  Scilla, 
which,  of  course,  is  now  out  of  flower.  It 
occurred  to  me  that  if,  instead  of  Scilla,  Muscari 
conicum  had  been  planted,  their  rich  blue  flowers 
would  have  associated  well  with  the  golden  yellow 
of  the  Forsythia  blossoms.  Possibly  they  would 
not  thrive  well  beneath  the  rather  closely-planted 
Forsythias,  but,  judging  from  the  many  positions 
I  have  seen  them   in,  I  should  imagine  that  they 

I  are  to  a  large  extent  indifferent  as  to  situation. 
If  Muscari  were  planted  in  place  of  the  Soillas  the 
display  of  flowers  would  not,  of  course,  be  con- 
tinued over  so  long  a  period,  but  I  venture  to 
suggest  that  when  such  an  opportunity  for  a 
pleasing  association  of  plants  occurs  it  is  too  good 
to  be  missed. — A.  H.  P. 

FPUit  tPeeS  and  flOWePS.— In  the  Lin- 
colnshire market  gardens  no  ground  is  allowed  to 
remain  idle ;  I  had  almost  said  that  no  ground 
surface  is  uncovered.  There  are  acres  of  Plum  and 
Apple  orchards,  and  between  the  rows  of  the 
standard  fruit  trees  are  planted,  in  some  cases  bush 
fruits,  in  other  cases  flowers,  more  especially  spring 
flowers.  Besides  the  value  of  these  plants  as 
market  produce,  the}'  make  brilliant  bits  of  colour 
in  the  orchards  now,  and  with  the  trees  in  full 
blossom,  and  masses  of  such  things  as  Muscari, 
Polyanthuses,  Tulips,  Forget-me-nots,  Fritillarias, 
&c. ,  in  between  the  rows,  a  charming  picture  is 
the  result.  Nothing  more  attractive  can  be 
imagined  than  some  of  the  orchards  of  Plum  trees, 
smothered  with  their  small  pure  white  blossoms 
and  the  ground  beneath  covered  with  a  pale  blue 
carpet  of  Forget-me-not  or  the  richer  blue  of 
Muscari  conicum.  These  early-flowering  plants 
seem  to  do  well  in  such  a  position  ;  they  are  able 
to  make  good  growth  before  the  fruit  trees  become 
clothed  with  foliage. — A.  H.  P. 

GlaSg'OW  paPkS. — At  a  meeting  of  the 
Town  Cjuncil  of  Glasgow,  on  April  21,  a  letter  was 
read  from  Mr.  Hugh  Reid,  Belmont,  Springburn, 


in  which  Mr.  Reid  said  that  he  desired  to  hand 
over  to  the  Corporation  of  the  city  his  house  at 
Mosesfield,  with  the  adjoining  wooded  grounds, 
for  inclusion  in  Springburn  Park.  The  grounds 
extend  to  about  two  acres,  and  it  was  stated  by 
Mr.  Bilsland,  convener  of  the  parks  committee, 
that  this  gift  would  enable  the  laying  out  of  Spring- 
burn  Park  to  be  completed  as  originally  intended. 
The  Lord  Provost  (Sir  .lohn  Ure  Primrose)  said 
that  he  was  sure  he  expressed  the  minds  of  the 
Corporation  when  he  said  they  gratefully  accepted 
the  munificent  offer  of  Mr.  Reid.  Mr.  Reid  suggests 
that  the  ground  floor  of  the  house  should  be  set 
apart  for  the  public  as  a  resting-place,  and  for  such 
games  as  chess,  and  that  simple  refreshments  should 
be  sold  there  also.  The  gift  will  be  a  great  addi- 
tion to  the  attractions  of  the  Springburn  Park.  At 
the  same  meeting  of  the  Town  Council  it  was  agreed 
by  a  majority  to  accept  the  recommendations  of 
the  parks  committee  that  they  be  authorised  to 
take  over  from  the  Improvements  Department 
about  10,000  square  yards  of  ground  to  the  east  of 
Park  Avenue,  which,  if  built  upon,  would  have 
spoiled  the  vista  of  Kelvingrove  Park.  The  value 
of  the  land  is  said  to  be  about  £l"2,000. 

APetOtiS  aspepa — This  is  one  of  the 
most  striking  of  plants  in  the  No.  -t  greenhouse  at 
Kew  just  now.     It  is  a  bushy  plant  some  3  feet  to 

4  feet  high,  with  handsome  leaves  and  brightly 
coloured    flowers.     The    leave.s    are    (i    inches    to 

5  inches  long  and  silky  underneath,  and  the 
flowers  about  i  inches  in  diameter,  the  ray  florets 
being  of  rich  orange-yellow  colour.  This  brilliant 
colouring  is  noticeable  at  a  considerable  distance. 
It  is  not  at  all  difficult  to  grow,  succeeding  under 
much  the  same  treatment  as  a  Pelargonium,  but 
only  as  a  large  plant  is  this  Aretotis  seen  at  its 
best.  The  date  of  its  introduction  is  given  as  1710, 
so  that  it  must  be  entitled  to  a  place  among  the 
oldest  of  South  African  plants.  The  nomenclature 
of  the  members  of  this  genus  is  in  such  a  confused 
state  that  any  attempt  to  unravel  it  by  means  of 
books  only  leads  to  greater  confusion,  as  authorities 
differ  so  greatly.  Over  twenty  years  ago  a  coloured 
plate  of  A.  aureola  appeared  in  The  Garden,  and 
the  name  occurs  in  many  lists,  including  the  last 
supplement  to  the  "  Dictionary  of  Gardening," 
but  in  the  "Kew  Hand  List"  only  two  names  are 
given,  viz.,  A.  aspera  and  the  pretty  little  A. 
acaulis.  Aretotis  aureola  is  there  referred  to  as 
A.  aspera. — H.  P. 

FpitlUaria    impepialis    (Cpown 

ImpePial). — The  Crown  Imperials  are  now  at 
their  best.  It  is  difficult  to  understand  why  they 
are  so  seldom  seen,  as  at  this  early  season  they 
have  a  distinct  value.  Ours  are  not  of  any  par- 
ticular variety  that  we  are  aware  of,  but  appear  to 
be  good  forms  of  the  yellow  and  orange-red.  In 
the  first  instance  we  had  only  six  bulbs  of  each 
sort,  and  two  years  since  we  lifted  and  divided 
them,  and  they  gave  us  quite  a  lot  of  bulbs  of 
various  sizes.  Last  season  some  of  the  larger 
ones  flowered  satisfactorily,  but  during  the  month 
of  April  the}'  developed  well,  and  at  the  time 
of  writing  (the  '20th  ult.)  there  is  a  large  and 
handsome  group  of  plants,  with  stately  spikes  of 
growth,  crested  by  large,  dense  whorls  of  drooping 
bell-like  flowers.  Its  curious  odour,  perhaps,  is 
against  it,  but  in  a  large  border  this  does  not 
matter.  Each  year  we  try  a  few  plants  i,n  9-inch 
pots,  and  their  effect  in  the  conservatory  is  very 
striking.  The  glass  structure  is  freely  ventilated, 
and  by  this  means  the  temperature  is  kept  down. 
— D.  B.  0. 

Feijoa  sellowiana.— About  half  a  dozen 
years  ago  attention  was  directed  to  this  shrub  as  a 
new  fruit  for  such  districts  as  the  countries  border- 
ing on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean.  Being  a 
native  of  southern  Brazil  it  is  far  from  hardy  in 
this  country.  Judging  by  a  specimen  in  the 
economic  house  at  Kew,  where  it  is  trained  up  the 
glass  at  the  end,  it  well  merits  recognition,  for  the 
flowers  are  showy,  very  distinct,  and  produced  over 
a  long  season.  The  rather  slender  branches  are 
clothed  with  oblong-shaped  leaves,  3  inches  to 
4  inches  in  length,  while  the  most  conspicuous 
feature  of  the  flower  is,  as  in  many  of  the  Myrtaceaj 
(to  which  this  belongs),  the  cluster  of  long  pro- 
minent brightly  coloured  stamens.     The  individual 


flowers  are  about  2  inches  across,  and  composed  of 
four  fleshy  petals  of  a  curious  hooded  shape.  These 
petals  are  purplish  inside,  and  almost  white  on  the 
exterior,  but  owing  to  their  hooded  shape  the 
interior  is  almost  hidden  by  the  incurving  of  the 
edges,  thus  exposing  the  paler  tint  outside.  The 
long  slender  filaments,  arranged  in  a  brush-like 
cluster  in  the  centre  of  the  flower,  are  bright  red 
with  yellow  anthers.  Whether  the  specimen  at 
Kew  will  fruit  remains  to  be  seen,  but  at  all  events 
it  merits  more  than  a  passing  notice  as  a  flowering 
shrub  for  the  warm  house.  Regarding  the  early 
history  of  this  Feijoa  it  was  introduced  by  M.  Ed. 
Andre  in  1800,  though  it  has  been  known  to 
botanists  long  previous  to  that.  Its  native  country 
is  southern  Brazil  and  Uruguay,  where  it  is  said  to 
attain  the  dimensions  of  a  large  shrub  or  small  tree. 
Separated  only  from  the  Guava  (Psidium)  by  slight 
botanical  features,  its  fruit  is  said  to  be  yellowish 
green  in  colour,  egg-shaped,  Guava-like,  richly 
perfumed,  and  of  a  delicious  aromatic  spicy  flavour. 
As  far  as  I  know  it  has  not  yet  fruited  in  this 
country,  but  as  above  stated  this  is  compensated 
for  by  its  flower  beauty.  —  T. 

Ciipysanthemum  Mps.  J.  Dunn.— 

A  few  days  ago  I  saw  a  lot  of  plants  of  this  new 
.Japanese  variety,  and  from  appearances  it  cannot 
be  spoken  of  too  highly.  There  were  quite  100 
plants  in  the  earliest  batch,  and  they  were  strong, 
short-jointed,  and  had  stout  foliage.  Among  the 
many  good  varieties  seen  last  season  for  the  first 
time,  this  was  one  of  the  most  promising,  and  by 
some  it  was  considered  to  be  one  of  the  best 
.Japanese  seen  since  the  introduction  of  the  famous 
Mme.  Carnot.  In  Mrs.  .J.  Dunn  the  petals  are  very 
long,  droop  gracefully,  and  are  quite  white. — C. 

Tufted  Pansy  Mps.  E.  A.  Cade.— 

Of  the  rayless  yellow  tufted  Pansies  this  is  one  of 
the  best.  Its  growth  is  strong  and  sturdy,  and 
the  plant  has  flowered  throughout  the  winter. 
This  is  saying  a  great  deal,  as  there  are  only  a 
very  few  sorts  that  will  give  anything  like  so  good 
a  result.  At  the  present  time  the  plants,  both 
young  and  old,  are  flowering  in  profusion,  and  the 
rich  and  bright  shade  of  j'ellow  peculiar  to  this 
variety  has  a  charm  that  few  others  possess.  The 
flowers  develop  on  a  stout,  erect  foot-stalk  well 
above  the  leaves,  and  they  are  very  fragrant. 
When  used  for  some  of  the  smaller  vases  and 
bowls  they  are  quite  refreshing  indoors. — C. 

Edintaupg-h    Royal    Botanic 

Gardens. —  Within  the  last  few  mouths  a 
considerable  number  of  improvements  have  been 
made  in  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 
New  paths  have  been  made,  a  work  which  has 
necessitated  the  removal  and  replanting  of  a 
number  of  fine  specimen  trees.  The  tree  lifting 
appliances  of  the  establishment  are,  however,  well 
adapted  for  such  work,  and  the  trees  have  been 
most  successfully  dealt  with.  Visitors  to  the 
gardens  this  season  will  also  observe  that  a  number 
of  shrubs  are  now  set  apart  for  the  use  of  students. 
This  will  not  only  add  to  the  value  of  this  part  of 
the  gardens  for  botanical  study,  but  will  increase 
the  eB'ect  of  the  beds.  In  the  arboretum  a 
number  of  changes  have  been  made  for  the  purpose 
of  grouping  together  plants  of  the  same  genus. 
Thus  the  genus  Ilex  is  represented  by  a  splendid 
collection  of  Hollies,  grown  together  instead  of 
scattered  over  the  grounds,  the  same  arrangement 
being  made  with  other  genera  also.  A  number  of 
structural  improvements  which  have  been  in 
progress  for  some  time  are  approaching  completion. 
Among  the  minor  improvements  is  one  which  will 
be  found  very  convenient.  This  is  the  introduc- 
tion of  elactrio  light  into  the  potting  sheds,  offices, 
and  other  buildings.  This  will  be  of  great  service 
in  many  ways,  and  the  arrangement  of  the  potting 
sheds  could  not  well  be  improved  upon. 

Hypocalymma  potaustum.— The 

Australian  flora  is  wonderfully  rich  in  the  Myrtle 
family,  well-known  examples  being  found  in  such 
genera  as  the  Beaufortias,  Callistemons,  Eucalj'p- 
tus,  Darwinias,  Metrosideros,  and  others,  in  nearly 
all  of  which  the  long  prominent  stamens  form  a 
noticeable  feature  of  the  inflorescence.  Those  in 
which  the  flowers  are  borne  all  around  the  shoots 
have  received  the  popular  name  of  Bottle  Brush 
plants.     Hypocalymma  robustum  is  a  member  of 


318 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


the  same  order,  but  ia  general  appearance  it  is 
very  different  to  several  of  those  above  mentioned. 
It  forms  a  graceful  twiggy  shrub  about  2  feet  high, 
with  slender  shoots  clothed  with  linear  oppositely- 
arranged  leaves,  from  the  axils  of  which  the  flowers 
are  borue.  They  are  not  more  than  half  au  inch 
across,  and  of  a  pretty  shade  of  pink.  Being 
produced  for  a  considerable  distance  along  the 
shoots,  a  specimen  of  this  is,  when  in  full  flower, 
remarkably  pleasing.  It  was  introduced  from 
Western  Australia  over  sixty  years  ago,  and  in  the 
days  when  hard-wooded  plants  were  popular  was 
far  more  generally  met  with  than  it  is  now— 
indeed,  it  is  difficult  to  get  from  nurseries  at  the 
present  day. — T. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 

SEASONABLE    WORK. 

NO  W  is  a  very  busy  time  for  the 
rosarian  both  inside  and  out.  Roses 
under  glass  are  in  full  growth  and  are 
constantly  demanding  attention  if 
one  is  to  keep  them  in  good  health. 
Whether  the  plants  have  been  forced 
since  Christmas  or  only  allowed  to  come  on 
naturally  in  a  cool  house,  there  is  ample  work 
to  attend  to.  It  is  during  the  changeable 
weather  of  this  month  that  Roses  are  so  often 
spoilt  by  the  amateur  and  least  experienced  gar- 
deners. The  sun  is  often  shining  brightly  for  an 
hour  or  so  at  a  time,  and  it  becomes  a  hard  matter 
to  ventilate  the  house  judiciously.  There  would 
be  much  less  difficulty  about  this  if  the  wind  and 
air  were  not  so  keen.  An  hour  of  sunshine  and 
the  temperature  rises  with  a  bound,  to  fall  again 
almost  as  suddenly  when  the  sun  is  behind  a  cloud. 
I  use  very  little  fire-heat  indeed  during  this  month, 
generally  letting  the  fires  out  early  in  the  morning 
and  lighting  up  again  about  six  o'clock  at  night. 
By  shutting  the  house  up  early  in  the  afternoon 
and  damping  down  the  walls  and  walks  slightly, 
one  can  secure  a  sufficiently  high  temperature 
until  the  pipes  are  able  to  replace  it.  It  is  less 
expense,  both  in  time  and  fuel,  to  let  the  fires  out 
during  the  daytime  if  one  can  manage  enough 
heat  by  careful  ventilation.  When  the  house  is 
kept  up  to  the  maximum  temperature  required  by 
the  use  of  fire-heat,  it  quickly  gets  too  hot  when 
the  sun  comes  through  for  an  hour  or  two.  It  is 
also  quite  natural  for  the  house  to  be  colder  in  the 
early  morning  than  at  any  other  time  during  the 
twenty-four  hours,  and  the  slight  warmth  given  by 
stirring  the  fire  up  and  then  allowing  it  to  burn 
out  is  generally  quite  sufficient  for  Roses  during 
the  months  of  April  and  May.  Slight  shading  will 
be  very  beneficial,  and  as  this  can  easily  be  applied 
so  as  merely  to  break  the  glare  of  the  sun,  I  find 
it  much  better  to  have  it  done  in  time.  My  plan 
is  to  mix  a  little  whiting  with  skim  milk,  and 
apply  this  with  a  brush.  A  very  thin  solution  will 
suffice  during  these  two  months,  and  will  be  found 
a  great  help  in  maintaining  an  even  temperature. 
Much  of  the  solar  heat  will  be  secured  without  the 
burning  effect  the  sun  has  when  shining  through 
clear  glass.  Another  advantage  is  the  freedom 
with  which  you  may  use  the  syringe  without  fear 
of  burning  the  young  growth,  and  a  gentle  syring- 
ing during  the  hottest  part  of  a  bright  day  helps 
the  plants  a  great  deal  as  well  as  moderating  the 
temperature.  When  the  glass  is  slightly  shaded 
it  is  not  necessary  to  admit  air  so  freely  during 
bright  weather,  and  this  also  is  a  great  gain,  be- 
cause the  outside  air  during  these  months  is  often 
very  keen  and  will  bring  on  mildew  in  an  astonish- 
ingly short  time. 

While  the  Roses  are  making  healthy  growths 
of  considerable  strength  is  the  beat  time  to 
afford  them  some  assistance  in  the  way  of  liquid 
manure.  It  is  altogether  wrong  to  give  stimulants 
to  weakly  growing,  comparatively  speaking,  dor- 
mant plants.  Yet  we  often  see  this  done  under 
the  mistaken  impression  that  the  weaker  subject 
is  the  one  that  requires  it  most.  The  exact  oppo- 
site is  the  more  correct  treatment,  as  it  is  only  the 
stronger  growing  plants  which  are  able  to  utilise 
any  liquid  manures  to  advantage.     Manure  water 


is  very  apt  to  make  the  soil  sour  and  stagnant,  un- 
less the  roots  of  the  plants  are  sufficiently  vigorous 
to  assimilate  such  food  quickly.  Both  for  healthy 
and  weakly  growing  Roses  the  ammonia  arising  from 
an  occasional  damping  down  with  liquid  manure 
is  very  beneficial.  Such  assistance  as  this  will 
often  give  the  necessary  impetus  towards  a  healthy 
and  more  vigorous  growth.  I  also  find  that  the 
ammonia  is  useful  in  checking  insects,  and  never 
consider  that  manure  water  is  wasted  when  used 
in  this  manner.  Do  not  be  afraid  to  let  the  tempe- 
rature rise  as  high  as  SO"  or  So"  Fahr.  in  preference 
to  admitting  any  keen  air  upon  a  bright  day.  Pro- 
vided the  glass  has  been  ever  so  slightly  shaded 
you  may  moderate  the  heat  and  ease  the  plants  by 
a  gentle  syringing  overhead  ;  in  either  case,  shaded 
or  not,  you  can  assist  them  by  damping  down  the 
walks  and  surface  soil  as  much  as  possible  without 
sprinkling  the  foliage.  Clear,  soft  water  will  be 
necessary  for  such  syringing,  and  care  must  be 
taken  that  it  is  not  used  too  cold.  I  would  recom- 
mend that  it  never  be  colder  than  65°. 

As  I  have  frequently  advised  in  these  pages,  cold 
air  and  drought  at  the  roots  must  be  carefully 
avoided,  or  mildew  is  pretty  sure  to  attack  the 
plants.  Nothing  can  be  more  injurious  than  this 
disease,  and  too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  in 
avoiding  it.  The  frequent  use  of  a  weak  solution 
of  some  reliable  insecticide  is  the  finest  antidote 
that  I  know  of,  and  this  will  always  prevent  the 
mildew  from  getting  so  firm  a  hold  of  the  plants,  as 
would  otherwise  be  the  case.  Sometimes  the  air 
comes  in  through  a  chink  in  the  woodwork  or 
bricks,  also  through  the  corner  of  a  broken  square 
of  glass  ;  any  foliage  near  to  these  places  is  often 
attacked  by  this  fungoid  disease.  Such  foliage 
should  be  removed  at  once  and  destroyed.  It  will 
also  be  well  to  stop  up  the  holes  in  some  way. 
Roses  are  partial  to  fresh  air,  but  it  must  never  be 
colder  than  they  have  been  used  to,  nor  must  it 
come  to  them  in  the  form  of  a  draught.  Sooner 
than  this  I  would  keep  the  house  entirely  closed. 

There  is  also  a  great  deal  to  be  done  in  the  out- 
side rosery  during  April  and  May.  The  early  part 
of  April  is  the  best  month  for  pruning  Roses  in 
northern  or  cold  and  exposed  situations,  and  is 
also  the  best  time  for  the  more  tender  Tea-scented 
and  Noisette  varieties  even  in  warm  and  sheltered 
places,  while  the  end  of  April  is  quite  soon  enough 
for  this  class  if  the  situation  be  in  any  way  ex- 
posed. Having  pruned  the  plants,  give  the  surface 
ground  a  light  forking  over  again,  and  as  soon  as 
the  eyes  are  pushing  into  growths  of  about  2  inches 
to  4  inches  take  the  first  seasonable  opportunity  to 
work  the  hoe  among  the  plants.  This  will  check 
any  seedling  weeds  and  at  the  same  time  assist  the 
plants.  Soon  after  the  plants  have  reached  this 
stage— which  will  generally  be  about  the  end  of 
May— they  are  likely  to  be  troubled  with  the  Rose 
maggot  or  caterpillar.  These  must  be  hand-picked 
as  soon  as  they  appear.  Many  birds  will  assist  in 
clearing  off  these  enemies,  and  I  have  often  watched 
the  common  house  sparrow  eating  them.  This 
bird  is  a  great  nuisance  in  many  ways,  but  he  has 
his  good  qualities  as  far  as  the  rosarian  is  con- 
cerned. The  strange  thing  to  me  is,  that  when 
these  birds  have  tasted  the  maggots  they  are  posi- 
tively ravenous  after  them,  and  yet  in  some  seasons 
they  do  not  seem  to  eat  them  at  all.  R- 


IN     THE     TIME     OF 
DAFFODILS. 

A   S  was  to  be  expected,  there  was  no  lack  of 
/\  flowers  at  the  Drill  Hall  on   the  19th 

/  \         ult.,     and,    although     some    beautiful 
/      \        novelties  were  shown  for  the  first  time, 
/         %       yet  the  quality  of  the  blooms  was  dis- 
tinctly below  the  average.     Altogether 
it   has   been  a   peculiar    season.     At   the    end    of 
March  everyone  thought  that   we    were   going  to 
have  an  exceptionally  late  season,  and,  indeed,  at 
one  time  it  appeared  as  if  this  would  be  the  case. 
But  April,  though  windy,  has  been  dry  and  warm, 
and  the  sun  has  consequently  had  more  power  than 
usual.     The  result   has   been   that   early  varieties 
like  Sir  Walkin,  which  were  late,  were  hurried  into 


bloom,  and  the  unusual  spectacle  has  been  seen  of 
Sir  Watkin,  Emperor,  Empress,  Horsfieldi,  and 
King  Alfred  all  in  perfect  condition  together. 
It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  colour  is  always 
deficient  when  the  flowers  open  quickly,  and  this 
season  there  is  certainlj'  a  most  extraordinary 
absence  of  it.  Barri  conspicuus,  Kelsoni  aurantius, 
Lucifer,  Flambeau,  and  others  are  all  very  poor  iu 
this  respect,  and  I  should  imagine  that  this  is 
solely  due  to  the  season.  The  question  as  to  what 
makes  colour  is  a  very  vexed  one,  and  also  one 
about  which  little  or  nothing  is  known.  Whether 
the  extremely  wet  season  has  had  anything  to  do 
with  this  total  absence  of  colour  in  many  of  those 
varieties  which  usually  possess  it  is  only  thrown 
out  as  a  suggestion,  but  whatever  the  cause  it  is 
certainly  disappointing. 

The  Narcissus  Committee 
had  a  two  hours'  sitting,  and  some  remarkably 
fine  varieties  were  put  before  it.  At  the  same 
time  it  is  a  pity  that  some  growers  do  not  use  a 
little  more  discrimination  in  sending  flowers  to 
the  table.  Quite  a  number  of  second-rate  varieties 
were  put  up  for  awards,  as  well  as  a  number  of 
good  varieties,  the  condition  of  many  of  which 
was  so  indifferent  that  thej'  had  to  be  passed  over. 
It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  committee  has 
to  judge  the  flowers  as  they  are,  and  not  as  they 
have  been,  and  it  is  manifestly  unfair  to  expect  a 
flower  which  is  exhibited  when  greatly  out  of  con- 
dition to  receive  any  commendation  whatever. 

New  Daffodils. 

Miss  Willmott's  small  stand  of  flowers  was  one 
of  the  chief  centres  of  attraction,  and  it  is  pleasing 
to  note  that  not  only  were  all  the  varieties  of  high 
merit,  but  they  were  splendidly  grown  and  most 
tastefully  arranged.  The  first  to  attract  attention 
was 

Great  Warley,  a  glorious  incomparabilis,  which 
can  best  be  described  as  a  much-improved  Lady 
Margaret  Boscawen.  The  flower  is  4A  inches 
across,  and  the  cup  (almost  a  trumpet)  2  inches  in 
width.  This  latter  was  a  bright  clear  yellow 
colour,  wide  open,  slightly  crinkled,  and  something 
after  the  style  of  Sir  Watkin.  The  perianth  seg- 
ments are  of  Horsfieldi  character,  pointed,  over- 
lapping, and  sulphur  white.  .Under  the  name  of 
Coronation  Year  it  was  given  an  award  of  merit  by 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  deputation  to 
Truro  Spring  Show  on  April  15,  1902.  On  the 
present  occasion  it  was  worthily  given  a  first-class 
certificate. 

Cormoran,  though  it  just  failed  to  get  an  award 
of  merit,  is  another  grand  flower.  This  is  a  large 
bicolor  trumpet,  something  after  the  Mme.  Plemp 
style,  but  far  more  refined.  The  light  3-ellow 
trumpet  measures 2  inches  in  length,  and  is  prettily 
fringed  and  expanded  at  the  mouth.  The  creamy 
lemon  segments  are  of  fair  substance. 

Zenith  is  one  of  the  Engleheartii  section,  with 
white,  beautifully  rounded  segments  and  an 
exquisite  centre,  something  like  Mr.  Engleheart's 
Gold  Eye,  but  slightly  deeper  in  colour,  and  edged 
with  orange  scarlet.  The  flower  is  SA  inches 
across.     Unanimous  award  of  merit. 

Warley  Scarlet  is  so  far  the  finest  of  all  the 
Engleheartii  section,  and  probablj'  the  loveliest 
flower  which  has  been  put  before  the  committee 
this  season.  The  creamy  lemon  segments  are  very 
wide  and  overlapping.  The  flat  red  crown  is 
almost  1  inch  across,  and  very  nearly  the  colour  of 
Will  Scarlett. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  had  a  very  fine  group, 
which  included  several  novelties.  Of  these  three 
received  awards  of  merit.  The  finest  was 
undoubtedly 

Henri  Vi/morin,  which  I  described  in  The 
Garden  of  September  26  last  year.  It  has  a  pale 
yellow  trumpet  closely  resembling  that  of  Peter 
Barr,  but  neither  so  pure  nor  so  large.  The  lanceo- 
late segments  are,  however,  better  than  those  of 
this  latter,  being  of  great  substance  and  stiff. 

Pyranms  is  a  large  bicolor  evidently  raised  from' 
Mme.  de  Graaff.  The  trumpet  is  \\  inches  long, 
very  large,  and  widelj'  rovolute  at  the  mouth.  The 
segments  are  of  the  colour  of  Mme.  de  Graaff,  but 
in  shape  and  appearance  resemble  those  of  Petec 
Barr. 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


519 


Elvira  belongs  to  the  so-called  poetaz  section, 
being  a  cross  between  N.  poetious  and  N.  Tazetta. 
The  former  is  the  seed  bearer.  It  is  a  grand 
garden  plant,  growing  2  feet  in  height,  with  three 
or  four  large  well-forraed  flowers  on  each  stem. 
The  petals  are  broad,  white,  and  o£  good  sub- 
stance, while  the  cup  is  bright  yellow  edged  with 
orange. 

Mrs.  R.  0.  Backhouse,  Sutton  Court,  Hereford, 
had  two  particularly  pleasing  seedlings,  one  of 
which,  Dewdrop,  gained  an  award  of  merit, 
while  Silver  Mist,  the  other  variety,  was  still 
more  beautiful,  and  was  quite  worthy  of  an 
award. 

Dewdrop  is  a  small  Leedsi,  with  wide,  ovate, 
overlapping  petals  of  poeticus  character  and  a 
small  crinkled  cup  of  palest  lemon  faintly  edged 
with  orange. 

Silver  Mist  is  a  perfectly  unique  Leedsi  with 
poeticus  segments  and  flat,  pure,  glistening  white 
Raucer,  tinged  with  green  in  the  centre  ;  evidently 
a  seedling  from  Minnie  Hume. 

Two  other  flowers  which  gained  awards  of  merit 
were  Surprise,  a  large  Aja.'c  with  bright  yellow 
funnel-shaped  trumpet  over  2  inches  across  at  the 
mouth,  from  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons,  King's 
Norton ;  and  Beiinett-Poe,  a  Johnstoni  from  Mr. 
Kingsmill,  Harrow  Weald,  which  may  be  best 
described  as  a  small  Cecil  Rhodes. 

In  Mr.  Charles  Dawson's  exhibit  there  were 
some  most  notable  flowers.  Undoubtedly  the  finest 
was 

Marie  Louise,  an  improved  and  refined  Will 
Scarlett,  with  a  slightly  smaller  but  even  brighter 
coloured  cup,  elegantly  fringed  and  crinkled.  The 
segments,  which  are  pure  white  and  of  poetarum 
character,  are  considerably  better  than  those  of 
Will  Scarlett.  Altogether  a  most  striking  gain, 
and  one  of  Mr.  Dawson's  own  seedlings. 

Ptarmigan  (Williams)  is  very  much  like  White 
Lady,  but  the  segments  are  a  trifle  smaller  and 
inclined  to  recurve.  The  oup,  which  is  almost  flat, 
is  very  much  crinkled  and  of  a  lemon  colour,  shaded 
at  the  base  with  citron. 

Kingtisher  has  a  long,  gun-barrel  shaped  trumpet 
IJ  inches  in  length  and  pale  yellow  in  colour. 
The  segments  are  lemon  white  and  slightly 
incurving.  A  triandrus  hybrid  with  two  flowers 
on  a  stem. 

Seashell  is  a  pretty  starry  flower  of  the  Leedsi 
section,  with  sharp-pointed  narrow  segments  of 
palest  lemon  white.  The  crown  is  1  inch  in  width, 
and  tinged  with  a  peculiar  shade  of  citron  lemon 
passing  to  pale  lemon  white,  almost  the  colour  of 
the  segments. 

Christina  Rossetti  is  a  poeticus  of  perfect  beauty. 
Ic  is  larger  than  Horace,  and  has  better  and 
smoother  petals.  The  large  eye  is  of  ornatus 
character  and  beautifully  edged  with  deep  orange 
red.     A  really  first-rate  flower. 

Penguin  is  an  Engleheart  seedling,  with  long 
white  pointed  segments  tinted  with  pale  lemon  at 
their  base.  The  straight  crown  is  1  inch  in  length, 
prettily  frilled  at  the  mouth,  and  pale  lemon  with 
a  tinge  of  citron  in  the  centre. 

Yellowstone. — This  is  a  distinct  Johnstoni,  and 
very  graceful.  The  spreading  bright  yellow 
trumpet  is  H  inches  long  and  the  petals  creamy 
lemon. 

While  Pearl. — A  remarkable  ivory  white 
Johnstoni  of  the  highest  beauty  and  refinement. 
Exactly  the  shape  of  Queen  of  Spain,  but  with 
three  flowers  on  a  stem.  The  trumpet  is  IJ  inches 
in  length,  and  the  segments  of  perfect  form.  The 
whole  flower  is  of  great  purity,  and  beyond  the 
fact  that  the  perianth  tube  is  tinged  with  citron 
yellow  the  whole  of  the  flower  is  ivory  white. 
This  is  quite  the  loveliest  flower  of  the  John- 
stoni section  which  has  yet  been  exhibited  this 
season. 

Elizabeth. — An  exquisite  medium-sized  incom- 
parabilis  midway  between  Minnie  Hume  and  Sir 
Watkin.  The  feature  of  the  flower  lies  in  its 
wonderful  glistening  creamy  lemon  petals,  which 
are  ovate  and  of  splendid  texture.  The  crown 
is  a  bright  lemon  yellow,  widely  expanded  and 
crinkled. 

Worcestershire.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 


TREES  AND    SHRUBS. 


T 


THE  ALDER  (ALNUS  GLUTINOSA). 

"  O'er  the  dark  pond,  whose  sullen  bosom  shows 
No  curliiif;  waves  to  greet  the  passing  breeze, 
The  rigid  Alder  its  stiff  image  throws, 
Gloomy  and  sad    .     .    .     ." 

^HE  Alder  has  had  perhaps  more  unkind 
things  said  about  it  than  any  other 
British  tree  that  attains  to  timber- 
producing  size.  It  is,  however,  one  of 
the  most  suitable  of  all  trees,  native  or 
foreign,  for  planting  in  wet  situations. 
It  is  said  b}'  Loudon  to  thrive  in  places  too  moist 
for  even  the  Willow  and  Poplar,  and  for  planting 
on  steep  banks  of  streams  and  ponds  it  is  useful 
because  its  roots  hold  the  soil  well  together.  In 
habit  the  Alder  varies.  At  Whitton  Park,  near 
Hounslow,  growing  on  the  margins  of  the  lake  are 
some  tall  specimens  90  feet  or  so  high.  Trees  such 
as  these,  however,  erect  and  straight  of  trunk, 
whilst  better  for  timber,  are  not  so  pleasing  to  the 
eye  as  the  gnarled  and  rugged  yet  picturesque 
specimens  seen  in  the  illustration  of  Alders  at 
Courlown  on  this  page.  The  number  of  trees  that 
can  be  grown  in  very  moist  situations  is  not  so 
great  but  that  the  Alder  may  be  welcomed  among 
them.  To  the  more  graceful  outlines  of  Willow  or 
Poplar  the  stiffer  carriage  of  the  Alder  affords  a 
contrast  that  not  only  pleases  in  itself  but  is  valu- 
able in  that  it  accentuates  the  beauties  of  its 
associates.  The  stunted  somewhat  Oak-like 
character  of  the  Alders  at  Courtown  is  not  so 
common  to  the  species  as  a  more  erect,  even 
pyramidal,  type  of  growth,  but  it  is  much  more 
charming  in  such  a  winter  scene  as  is  here  shown. 
It  is  probably  due  to  a  constantly  swampy  water- 
logged state  of  the  soil, 
for  the  Alder,  fond  of 
moisture  as  it  is,  grows 
most  freely  where  there 
is  natural  drainage. 
Several  varieties  of  the 
Alder  are  sold  in  nur- 
series. The  best  known 
of  these  is  laciniata,  a 
tree  wild  in  the  north 
of  France,  and  more 
ornamental  than  the 
type  because  of  the 
deeply-cut  leaves.  Of 
a  similar  type,  but  even 
better,  is  the  variet}' 
imperialis.  There  is  a 
golden  -  leaved  variety 
(aurea)  which,  though 
not  one  of  the  best  of 
golden-leaved  trees,  is 
useful  because  of  the 
situations  in  which  it 
can  be  grown. 

W.  Beax. 

The  Earl  of  Courtown 
writes  :  "Having 
recently  noticed  in  The 
Garden  some  remarks 
on  Alders,  with  illus- 
tration of  a  young  tree, 
I  think  it  may  be  of 
interest  to  show  what 
the  Alder  can  become 
in  its  age.  I  enclose  a 
photograph  of  some  fine 
old  Alders  growing  near 
my  house  in  the  County 
Wexford  ;  they  are  in 
a  very  favourable  posi- 
tion, being  sheltered 
and  in  good  soil.  They 
are  on  the  bank  of  a 
tidal  river  and  verj- 
near  the  sea." 


drons,  but  when  it  comes  to  the  propagation  of 
several  thousands  the  task  becomes  more  difficult, 
as  there  must  not  be  many  failures,  or  the  work  will 
become  too  expensive  to  be  profitable.  There  are 
many  ways  of  grafting  Rhododendrons,  but  the 
method  employed  on  a  large  scale  is  that  of  saddle- 
grafting.  Some  prefer  side  grafting,  but  this 
method  takes  up  too  much  room  to  be  of  use 
where  the  work  has  to  be  done  on  a  large  scale. 
A  propagating  house  with  proper  ventilating  and 
shading  appliances,  an  intermediate  house  which 
can  be  heated,  and  a  set  of  cold  frames,  not  too 
deep,  are  required.  After  the  grafts  have  taken,  a 
week  or  two  in  the  intermediate  house  prepares 
them  for  the  cold  frames,  where  they  can  be 
gradually  hardened  off  before  planting  outside. 

The  first  thing  in  grafting  Rhododendrons  is  to 
procure  a  sufficient  quantity  of  good  stocks,  and  in 
working  a  large  number  this  is  a  more  important 
matter  than  would  be  supposed,  as  good  stocks  are 
not  too  easily  obtained.  A  good  stock  varies  from 
the  thickness  of  a  lead  pencil  to  the  size  of  a  man's 
finger,  and  must  be  clean  and  well  grown.  The 
common  Rhododendron  ponticura  is  used,  and  as 
this  has  a  tendency  to  grow  bushy,  making  several 
stems  instead  of  one,  only  about  one-half  the 
plants  grown  are  of  use  as  stocks.  These  are 
taken  up  in  the  autumn  as  soon  as  matured,  and 
laid  in  thickly  in  a  sheltered  spot  until  required. 
During  frosty  weather  a  few  mats  are  thrown 
over  them  at  night,  not  for  protection,  as  they  are 
hardy  enough,  but  to  ensure  their  being  ready  for 
use  if  necessary.  Theoretically,  a  stock  should 
start  into  growth  before  being  worked,  but  in 
practice  the  stocks  are  often  grafted  on  the  same 
day  as  they  are  potted,  and  always  within  a  week. 
This  is  opposed  to  all  that  is  taught  by  the  leading 
authorities,  but  as  this  method  yields  from  95  per 


PROPAGATION  OF 
RHODODENDRONS. 
It  is  an  easy  matter  to 
graft  a  few  Rhododen- 


OLD  ALDEKS  at  courtown  house,  GOREY,  IRELAND. 


320 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


cent,  to  98  per  cent,  of  "takes,"  and  is  also  much 
quicker,  there  is  every  reason  for  following  it. 
The  stocks  are  potted  singly  in  3-ineh  pots,  the  ball 
of  soil,  if  too  large,  being  made  small  enough  to  go 
into  the  pot.  No  cutting  of  the  roots  is  allowed, 
as  the  plants  are  found  to  be  longer  in  making 
fresh  roots  if  cut. 

The  grafts  are  procured  from  the  ripened 
growths  of  the  previous  year,  and  must  correspond 
in  size  to  the  thickness  of  the  stocks.  The  work 
of  grafting  commences  by  cutting  off  the  top  of  the 
stock  about  2  inches  above  the  pot  and  trimming 
the  sides  of  the  stump  evenly  to  a  point.  The 
graft  is  cut  to  fit  this  saddle  by  making  a  cleft  in 
the  base.  It  is  then  put  on,  taking  care  that  two 
at  least  of  the  sides  fit  evenly,  tied  tightly  with  a 
piece  of  matting,  and  put  in  the  propagating  case 
in  a  temperature  of  from  65"  to  70".  In  a  fort- 
night or  three  weeks  they  become  united,  and  are 
transferred  to  the  intermediate  house.  When  they 
are  being  shifted  any  that  have  not  become  exactly 
united  are  retied  and  dressed  with  a  clay  paste  to 
keep  them  moist.  The  first  batch  is  worked  in 
December,  and  successively  until  the  middle  of 
April.  The  annual  percentage  of  failures  varies 
from  2  per  cent,  to  5  per  cent.,  which  must  be 
considered  good,  as  there  are  always  unexpected 
difficulties  cropping  up,  which  have  to  be  met  with 
and  overcome.  Rhododendron. 


HARDY    EVERGREEN   OAKS. 

(QCJBECUS.) 

AMONG  our  larger  trees  the  Oaks  have 
always  been  held  in  peculiar  esteem. 
No  doubt  this  is  largely  due  to  the 
.  associations  that  belong  to  not  only 
L  our  native  species,  but  to  many 
exotic  ones  also.  As  trees  for  the 
park  and  garden  they  possess  many  fine  quali- 
ties. Their  legendary  attributes  of  strength 
and  durability,  which  probably  only  the  Yew 
can  rival,  render  them  peculiarly  fitted  for 
planting  on  ancestral  domains,  as  memorial 
trees,  or  anywhere  where  it  is  particularly 
desired  that  the  tree  should  be  one  that  will 
survive  for  generation  after  generation  to  see. 
Many  of  the  Oaks,  too,  are  beautiful  trees. 
Throughout  the  whole  range  of  our  arboreal 
vegetation  nothing  is  finer  than  perfect  speci- 
mens of  our  common  Oak,  the  Turkey  Oak,  or 
the  Holm  Oak.  The 
American  species,  many 
of  which  have  been  intro- 
duced and  thrive  well  in 
this  country,  include  some 
of  the  most  gorgeously 
autumn-tinted  of  all  trees. 
In  this  series  I  desire 
more  particularly  to  deal 
with  the  evergreen  species 
of  Quercus.  The  finest  of 
these  —  Q.  Ilex,  or  the 
Holm  Oak  —  holds  an 
unique  place  among  our 
hardy  trees,  for,  excepting 
some  of  the  conifers — 
and  they  constitute  quite 
a  distinct  type — it  is  the 
largest  of  the  evergreen 
plants  we  can  grow. 
Although  no  other  ever- 
green species  equals  it  in 
value,  many  others  are 
very  ornamental  and  in- 
teresting. The  rugged, 
corky  bark  of  Q.  Suber 
always  attracts  notice ; 
the  golden  colour  on  the 
lower  side  of  the  leaves  of 
Q.  alnifolia  is  as  striking 
as  in  the  golden-leaved 
Chestnut    (Castanopsis) ; 


(a)  typical  leaf 
qdbbccs  ilex. 
(Na  ural  size.) 


and,  as  lawn  shrubs,  such  species  as  Q. 
coccifera,  cuspidata,  phillyrajoides,  and  glabra 
are  not  only  effective,  but  are  a  welcome 
change  from  the  things  in  common  use. 
Evergreen  Oaks  require  very  careful  manage- 
ment in  transplanting.  It  is  probably 
this  that  makes  many  of  them  so  rare  in 
gardens,  and  not  easy  to  obtain  from  nurseries. 
The  general  rule  that  evergreens  should  not  be 
transplanted  during  the  dormant  season— say, 
from  November  to  March— particularly  holds 
good  with  regard  to  these  Oaks.  From  the 
middle  to  the  end  of  September,  or  during  a 
showery  week  in  late  May,  are,  I  believe,  the 
best  times. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  species  here 
dealt  with.  It  includes  all,  or  nearly  all,  that 
are  grown  out  of  doors  in  Britain  : 

European. 
Q.  alnifolia.  Q.  coccifera. 

Q.  Ballota.  Q.  Ilex. 

Q.  occidentalis.  Q.  Suber. 

Q.  Turneri  (hybrid). 

Asiatic. 
Q.  acuta.  Q.  cuspidata. 

Q.  glabra.  Q.  glauca. 

Q.  phillyrasoides.  Q.  vibrayeana. 

Ameeicak. 
Q.  agrifolia.  Q.  chrysolepis. 

Q.  densiflora.  Q.  virginiana. 

Q.  Wislizeni. 

Q.  Ilex  (Holm  Oaic)  and  its  Varieties. 

The  Holm  Oak  is,  in  this  country,  the  finest 
of  all  the  evergreen  species.  In  some  respects 
it  is  the  finest  of  all  introduced  evergreen  trees. 
Apart  from  the  conifers,  none  other  attains  to 
so  great  a  size,  and,  in  its  heavy  picturesque 
masses  of  foliage,  it  is  one  of  the  most  distinct 
and  characteristic.  Not  unlike  the  Olive  in 
habit  and  foliage,  it  recalls  in  our  northern 
latitudes  perhaps  more  than  any  other  tree 
that  we  commonly  grow  the  arborescent  vege- 
tation of  Italy  and  other  parts  of  Southern 
Europe.  Although  a  native  of  those  warmer 
countries,  it  is  perfectly  hardy  in  the  southern 
parts  of  England.  At  Kew,  in  twenty  years  I 
have  never  known  it  injured  in  the  least  degree 
beyond  a  discoloration  of  some  of  its  leaves  in 
exposed  positions  in  early  spring,  and  it  has 
been  planted  in  great  numbers  and  frequently 
in  most  exposed  situations.  There  are  some 
very  fine  specimens  there.  The  following 
dimensions  are  of  a  tree  near  the  Victoria 
Gate  :  Height,  50  feet ;  diameter  of  head, 
70  feet ;  and  circumference  of  trunk  (at  2  feet 
from  the  ground),  12  feet.  Just  above  this 
measurement  the  trunk  divides  into  four  great 
limbs,  the  largest  of  which  has  a  circumference 
of  7  feet.  Some  of  the  older  employes  can 
remember  the  large  Holm  Oaks  at  Kew  losing 
all  their  foliage  during,  or  after,  a  frost  of  great 
severity  about  forty  years  ago.  The  trees  burst 
into  fresh  leaf,  however,  in  the  spring,  and 
suffered  no  further  injury.  For  dry,  sandy 
soils  this  Oak  appears  to  be  particularly  well 
suited.  During  the  long  series  of  droughty 
summers  previous  to  1902  I  never  once  noticed 
any  sign  of  the  trees  suffering  from  lack  of 
moisture  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  revelled  in 
the  heat  and  sunshine. 

The  Holm  Oak  is  not  grown  abundantly  for 
sale,  the  reason  being,  I  think,  that  it  is  so 
difficult  to  transplant.  It  is  a  tree  that  should 
be  given  a  permanent  place  early.  Even  when 
a  transplanting  machine  is  used  it  is  advi-sable 
to  root- prune  the  tree  the  previous  year,  cutting 
the  roots  back  to  the  size  of  the  ball  of  earth 
it  is  intended  to  move  with  the  tree.  In  any 
case — and  more  especially  where  root  dis- 
turbance is  involved — I  consider  it  best,  unless 


-1 


/ 


v 


^ 


(b)  leaf  gathered  from  same  tree  at  same 

TIME   AS   (a),  but  from   A   SUOKEE  GROWTH. 
(Xatural  size.) 

it  can  be  done  in  early  autumn,  to  defer  trans- 
planting till  May,  that  is,  till  the  young 
growths  begin  to  show.  This  tree  is  one  that 
is  naturally  of  a  bushy  habit,  and  in  open 
situations  its  tendency  is  to  increase  as  much 
(or  more)  in  width  as  in  height.  For  this 
reason  it  is  frequently  necessary  to  induce  it 
to  grow  in  height  by  pruning.  No  tree  responds 
more  readily.  All  that  is  required  is  to  see 
that  the  leading  shoot  maintains  its  place,  to 
shorten  back  any  side  branches  that  become 
too  vigorous,  and  to  thin  out  the  branches 
where  they  are  too  crowded.  When  once  the 
basis  of  a  clean,  erect  trunk  sufficiently  high 
has  been  formed,  the  tree  may  be  left  to  assume 
the  shape  natural  to  it.  It  is,  however,  a  very 
variable  tree,  not  only  in  habit  but  in  foliage. 
The  tree  in  its  typical  form  has  its  lower 
branches  more  or  less  drooping.  In  some 
forms  the  branches  over  the  whole  tree  are 
very  pendulous,  whilst  in  others,  especially 
when  small  or  of  the  middle  size,  the  branches 
are  so  erect  as  to  give  the  tree  an  almost 
fastigiate  appearance. 

There  is  a  great  variability  in  the  foliage  of 
the  Holm  Oak.  In  its  average  form  the  leaf  is 
lanceolate,  2  inches  to  3  inches  long,  deep 
glossy  green  above,  and  covered  beneath  with 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


a  close  grey  felt.  In  old  trees  the  leaves  are 
entire,  or  nearly  so,  but  in  seedlings  and  young 
trees  or  sucker  growths  they  are  toothed. 
There  is  often  a  great  difference  in  leaves  from 
the  same  tree,  as  is  shown  in  the  accompanying 
sketches,  which  show  the  natural  size  and  out- 
line of  two  leaves  taken  from  the  same  tree  on 
the  same  day.  The  larger  one,  however,  was 
from  a  sucker  growth  at  the  base.  The  Acorn 
is  small,  and  ripens  only  in  hot  seasons.  The 
following  varieties  are  in  cultivation,  most 
of  them  differing  chiefly  in  regard  to  their 
foliage: 

Q.  crispa.—A.  curious  variety  of  little  value, 
the  leaves  being  small  (about  half  an  inch  long), 
almost  orbicular,  the  margins  wrinkled,  but 
without  teeth.  It  was  grown  in  Loddiges' 
nursery  seventy  years  ago. 

Q.  diversifolia.— This  is  a  variety  with  very 
variously  shaped  leaves  ;  they  are  U  inches  to 
2|  inches  long,  the  middle  portion  usually  very 
narrow  (one-eighth  of  an  inch  to  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  wide),  but  the  terminal  part  swelling 
out  into  a  club-shaped  apex.  Often  there  are 
two  or  three  lobes  at  the  base,  varying  in 
length  and  shape  ;  sometimes  the  whole  leaf  is 
cut  up  into  lobes.  There  are,  however, 
scarcely  two  leaves  of  the  same  shape. 
Q.  Fordii.— One  of  the  best  known 
of  the  Holm  Oaks.  This  variety  is 
also  one  of  the  most  distinct  and 
desirable.  It  is  to  be  recognised  by 
the  peculiarly  glossy  dark  green  of 
its  leaves,  also  by  their  long,  narrow 
shape  ;  they  are  mostly  toothed  and 
wavy  at  the  margins. 

Q.  Genabii.—A  big-leaved  variety, 
which  used  to  be  grown  (perhaps  is 
now)  by  Messrs.  E.Smith  of  Worcester. 
I  have  measured  leaves  nearly  5  inches 
long  by  2i  inches  in  width;  the 
terminal  half  is  toothed. 

Q.  Gramuntia  (Quercus  Gramuntia 
of    Linnasus).  —  Though    now    con- 
sidered to  be  a  variety  of  Q.  Ilex, 
this  Oak  is  one  of  the  most  distinct. 
It  may  be  regarded  as  the  Spanish 
type  of  the  Holm  Oak,  for  it  used 
to  be  very  abundant  on  the  peninsula. 
The    name,   however,    refers    to  its 
having  been  found  on  the  Grammont 
Estate,  near  Montpelier.     It  differs 
from  Q.  Ilex  in    several  ways;    in 
habit  it  is  more  stiif  and  stunted,  and 
its  leaves  are  more  rigid,  never  taper- 
ing to  a  long  point,  but   oblong  or 
roundish,  and  armed  with  numerous 
stiflF,  spiny  teeth.    The   Acorns   are 
said  to   be  equal  or  superior  to  the 
Sweet  Chestnut  in  flavour  if  pro- 
perly ripened. 

Q.  lat?'folia.~  This  variety  and 
Genabii  appear  to  be  very  similar.  The  leaves 
are  very  large.  Loudon  mentions  having  seen 
them  5  inches  long  and  nearly  3  inches  broad. 
There  are  a  few  teeth  only  on  the  terminal 
part. 

Q.  rotundifolia.— The  distinctive  character 
of  this  variety  is  implied  by  the  name.  The 
leaves  are  almost  as  broad  as  long,  have  scarcely 
any  toothing,  and  are  li  inches  to  2  inches 
loiiS-  ^^  W.  J.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


321 


as  they  go  off  bloom.  The  system  of  early 
potting  IS  the  one  usually  adopted,  but  it  may 
be  delayed  till  the  beginning  of  August  A 
safe  and  suitable  soil  may  consist  of  two- 
thirds  good  rich  fibrous  loam  from  an  old 
pasture,  with  a  mixture  of  the  turf  fibre 
in  It,  and  one-third  rich  and  friable  leaf- 
mould,  old  rotten  manure  from  a  Cucumber 
frame,  and  enough  sharp  sand  to  keep  the 
soil  well  open.  Firm  potting  is  indispen- 
sable, and  plenty  of  crocks  to  ensure  perfect 
drainage. 

After  repotting  place  them  in  a  cold 
frame,  closely  shut  up  for  a  week  or  ten 
days,  admit  air  gradually,  and  water  only 
when  the  plants  show  signs  of  actually 
wanting  it  :  this  gives  the  roots  a  chance  of 
taking  to  the  new  soil.  Another  important 
function  is  the  saving  of  seed.  The  raising  of 
seed  ings  should  occupy  the  serious  attention 
ot  all  growers,  and  should  be  almost  looked 
upon  as  a  duty  in  order  to  keep  up  a  strain  of 
healthy  and  robust  plants  to  replace  the  older 
varieties,  which  in  many  cases  become  weak 
and  delicate  after  years  of  cultivation.  The 
desire  should  be  not  only  to  emulate,  but  to 


A 


WALL     GARDENING. 

WILD    FLOWERS     IN     THE    WALL 
GAEDEN. 

this  season  the  wall  garden  is  in  its 
fullest  beauty.  Drifts  of  Arabis, 
Alyssum,  and  Aubrietia  make  foun- 
tains of  colour,  but  these  are  not 
wildmgs.  We  have  frequently  written 
t  ...  .  ,°f  plants  raised  from  seed  which  are 
familiar  in  the  border,  but  succeed  even  better  in 
cool  wall  chinks  Another  phase  of  wall  gardening 
IS  the  growth  of  wild  flowers,  and  this  subject  if 
dealt  with  by  Miss  Jekyll  in  "Wall  and  Water 
Ga.rdens.  These  notes  will  interest  those  who 
delight  m  walls  covered  with  as  great  a  varietv  of 
plants  as  possible.  ^ 

"When  a  wall  garden  has  been  established  for 
some  years  one  may  expect  all  kinds  of  delightful 
surprises,  for  wind-blown  seeds  will  settle  in  the 
joints  and  there  will  spring  up  thriving  tufts  of 
many  a  garden  plant,  perhaps  of  the  most  unlikelv 
kind.  -Foxgloves-plants  that  in  one's  mind  are 
associated  with  cool,  woody  hollows-may  suddenlv 
appear  in  a  sunny  wall ;  so  may  also  the  great 
garden   Mulleins.     When   this    happens,    and    the 


LOW   ROUGH    WALLS    OF   PLOWBES,    TWO    YEARS    PLANTED,    AMD    NOW    IN    FULL'  BEADTY. 

BERKSHIRE. 


A    KIVEESIDE    GARDEN"    IN 


THE    AURICULA.— MAY. 


excel  those  raised  by  their  predecessors.  The 
anthers  of  each  pip  should  be  removed,  ,and  the 
pollen  introduced  in  the  exposed  pistil  by  a 
camel's-hair  pencil  from  another  plant.  Here 
comes  scope  for  skill  and  judgment  in  selecting 
sorts  likely  to  make  a  judicious  cross.  It  need 
hardly  be  said  that  the  fertilisation  should  be 
confined  to  each  particular  class,  viz.,  green, 
white,  grey  edges,  and  selfs.  A  favourable 
result  could  scarcely  be  expected  by  crossing  a 
green  with  a  white-edged  flower.  The  plants 
must  then  be  placed  in  the  full  sun  and  exposed 
to  all  kinds  of  weather,  for,  as  the  annual 
routine  of  plant  life  ends  in  the  production 
of  seed,  this  rough  treatment  stimulates 
the  plant  to  bear  seed,  and   the  nearer  it  is 


DuEiNGthisandtheprevious  month  Auricula,  one  piant  to  Dear  seed,  and   the  nearer  it  is 

and  w  us  hon/fP^r  *'"'""'''^°''^r^"''^'rTS^*  to  Nature  the  greater  effort  Nature 
and,  let  us  hope,  ample  compensation  for  past  makes  to  reproduce  itself  in  the  production  of 
labours.    May  brings  its  usual  routine  of  work,   seed.  pioaucoion  oi 

the  most  important  being  repotting  the  plants  |     Bishop's  Stortford.  W.  Smith. 


roots  travel  back  and  find  the  coolness  of  the 
stone,  the  plants  show  astonishing  vigour.  I 
had  some  Mulleins  (Verbascuni  phlomoides)  that 
appeared  self-sown  in  a  south-west  wall ;  they 
towered  up  to  a  height  of  over  9  feet,  and  were 
finer  than  any  others  in  the  garden,  while  everv- 
thing  that  is  planted  or  that  sows  itself  in  the  wall 
seems  to  acquire  quite  exceptional  vigour. 

"  It  sometimes  happens  also  that  some  common 
native  plant  comes  up  in  the  wall  so  strongly  and 
flowers  so  charmingly  that  one  lets  it  be  and  is 
thankful.  An  illustration  shows  a  case  of  this 
where  the  wild  Stitchwort  (Stellaria  Holostea) 
appeared  in  the  wall  and  was  welcomed  as  a 
beautiful  and  desirable  plant.  Close  to  the  tuft, 
which  has  now  for  five  years  been  one  of  the  best 
things  in  the  place  at  its  own  flowering  time,  is  a 
colony,  also  spontaneous,  of  the  Shining  Crane's- 
bill  (Geranium  lucidum),  whose  glistening,  roundish, 
five-lobed  leaves  turn  almost  scarlet  towards  the 
end  of  summer.     These  are   both  common   hedge 


322 


THE   GAKDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


weeds,  but  so  dainty  is  their  structure  and  kind  of 
beauty  that  we  often  pass  them  by  among  the 
coarser  herbage  of  the  country  lanes  and  hedges, 
and  only  find  that  they  are  worthy  garden  plants 
when  we  have  them  more  quietly  to  ourselves  in 
the  rock  wall.  There  are  other  wild  plants  that 
are  also  worthy  of  wall  space.  The  Wall  Penny- 
wort (Cotyledon  Umbilicus),  so  common  in  the 
south-west  of  England,  is  a  precious  plant,  and  is 
especially  happy  in  combination  with  hardy  Ferns. 
Linaria  Cymbalaria  is  a  gem  in  a  rough  wall,  and, 
though  a  doubtful  native,  is  so  generally  found  as 
a  wild  wall  plant  that  it  takes  its  place  in  books 
of  British  botany.  The  yellow  Toadflax  (Linaria 
vulgaris)  is  also  a  grand  wall  plant,  and  so  is  the 
yellow  Corydalis  (C.  lutea),  though  the  paler- 
flowered  and  more  daintily-leaved  C.  capnoides, 
also  known  as  C.  ochroleuoa,  is 
a  better  plant ;   just  a  good  shade  „  ..  __,...  ^ 

more  delicate  and  more  beautiful 
throughout.  In  considering  the 
best  of  the  native  plants  for  wall 
gardening,  the  Welsh  Poppy 
(Meconopsis  cambrica)  must  not 
be  forgotten  ;  its  place  is  at  the 
foot  of  a  wall,  and  in  its  lower 
courses  among  Ferns.  Nearly  all 
the  British  Ferns  can  be  grown  in 
walls,  many  of  them  acquiring 
great  luxuriance.  As  nearly  all 
are  plants  that  love  shade  and 
coolness  and  some  degree  of 
moisture,  they  should  be  in  walls 
that  face  east  or  north  ;  the 
larger  kinds  in  the  lower  joints 
and  quite  at  the  foot,  and  many 
of  the  smaller  ones  in  the  upper 
joints.  The  common  Polypody 
runs  freely  along  the  joints,  and 
the  shelter  preserves  the  fronds 
from  winter  injury,  so  that  often, 
when  severe  weather  kills  the 
wild  ones  in  the  lanes  and  hedges, 
those  that  have  the  protection  of 
the  wall  will  carry  their  fronds, 
as  will  also  the  Hart's-tongue, 
green  and  perfect  throughout  the 
winter. 

"It  would  be  well  worth  having 
a  bit  of  cool  wall  for  British  plants 
and  Ferns  alone ;  its  beauty  would 
scarcely  be  less  than  that  of  a 
wall  planted  with  exotics. 

"  There  are  two  small  English 
Ferns  that  do  not  object  to  a 
dry  and  sunny  place,  namely', 
Aspleniura  Piula  -  muraria  and 
Asplenium  Trichomanes.  They 
seem  to  be  fond  of  the  lime  in 
ihe  joints  of  old  mortar-jointed 
walls,  and  able  to  endure  almost 
any  amount  of  sunshine.  Of  the 
other  English  plants  that  like 
warm  wall  treatment  three  come 
at  once  to  mind  ;  all  of  them 
plants  so  good  that  for  hundreds 
of  years  they  have  been  culti- 
vated in  gardens.  These  are 
Thrift,  Wallflower,  and  Red 
Valerian.  In  a  sunny  wall  all 
these  will  bo  at  home.  Wall- 
flowers never  look  so  well  as  in 
a  wall,  where  air  and  light  is  all 
around  them,  and  where  they  grow  sturdy  and 
stocky  and  full  of  vigour.  Compare  a  close-growing, 
bushy  Wallflower  in  a  wall,  with  its  short-jointed, 
almost  woody  stem,  stout  and  unmoved  in  a  gale  of 
wind,  with  one  planted  out  in  a  bed.  The  garden- 
nurtured  plant  will  be  14  feet  or  2  feet  high,  and 
its  large  heavy  head  will  be  beaten  about  and 
twisted  by  the  wind  till  it  has  worlted  a  funnel- 
shaped  hole  in  the  ground,  and  is  perhaps  laid  flat. 
Thrift,  that  lovely  little  plant  of  rooky  sea-shore 
and  wind-blown  mountain  top,  is  indispensable  in 
all  rock  and  wall  gardening,  neat  and  well  clothed 
all  through  the  year,  and  in  summer  thickly  set 
with  its  flower-heads  of  low-toned  pink.  It  loves 
in  nature  to  grow  along  rocky  cracks,  sending  its 
long  neck  and   root   far  down  among  the   stones. 


There  is  a  garden  form  with  bright  green  leaves 
and  darker-coloured  flowers,  but,  though  it  is 
undoubtedly  a  more  showy  plant,  it  is  scarcely  an 
improvement  on  the  type  ;  much  of  the  charm  is 
lost. 

"  The  Red  Valerian  (Centranthus  ruber)  is  a 
chalk-loving  plant  ;  it  will  grow  in  ordinary  soil, 
but  is  thankful  for  lime  in  some  form.  In  this  the 
garden  form,  of  deeper  colour,  is  a  better  plant 
than  the  type,  the  colour  in  this  case  being 
deepened  to  a  good  crimson.  Another  British 
plant  of  the  chalk  that  will  also  be  handsome  in 
the  rock  wall  is  the  fine  blue-flowered  Gromwell 
(Lithospermura  purpureo-cferuleum) ;  it  throws  out 
long  runners  like  a  Periwinkle  that  root  at  the  tips. 
They  seem  to  feel  about  over  the  surface  of  the 
wall  till  they  come  to  a  joint  where  they  can  root. 


any  soil,  though  preferring  lime,  is  the  yellow 
Rock  Rose  (Helianthemum  vulgare),  common  on 
sunny  banks  in  chalk  districts,  and  one  of  the  few 
species  (the  others  rare  or  local)  that  are  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  large  Cistus  tribe  of  Southern 
Europe.  One  more  chalk-loving  plant  should  also 
be  in  the  sunny  wall.  Reseda  lutea,  the  Wild 
Mignonette  ;  tall,  graceful,  and  sweet-scented.  It 
is  best  sown  in  the  wall  if  seed  can  be  obtained. 

"  There  are  still  some  native  plants  for  the  warm 
wall  of  the  succulent  class.  The  Houseleek,  so 
frequent  on  the  roof  of  the  cottage  out-house  ;  the 
tall  and  stout  Sedum  Telephium,  the  Live-Long  of 
old  English  naming  (for  a  spray  of  it  in  a 
room  without  water  will  live  a  month  almost 
unchanged)  ;  and  the  smaller  Stonecrops,  S. 
anglicum,  S.  album,  and  S.  acre. 

"There  are  still  to  be  named 
for  a  wild  wall  in  a  cool,  shady 
place  some  of  our  small  wood 
plants  ;  indeed,  they  seem  never 
happier  than  when  they  become 
established  in  the  wall  joints  and 
chinks.  Such  an  one  is  the  Wood 
Sorrel,  one  of  the  daintiest  of 
spring  flowers,  whether  in  wall, 
garden,  or  wild.  Primroses  also 
take  kindly  to  the  lower  joints  on 
the  shady  side,  and  the  cool  wall- 
foot  is  the  place  of  all  others  for 
one  of  the  native  Irises,  I.  fcetidis- 
sima,  whose  dark  green  sword-like 
leaves  are  good  to  see  throughout 
the  winter,  while  in  October  the 
seed-pods  are  opening  and  showing 
the  handsome  orange-scarlet  fruit. 
"  Then  the  purple  Columbine 
is  a  grand  cool  wall  plant ;  the 
delicate  yellow  -  flowered  Wood 
Pimpernel  (Lysimachianemorum) 
will  trail  happily  in  some  lower 
joints  ;  the  larger  Moneywort  is 
one  of  the  best  of  wall  draperies  ; 
and  even  two  moisture  -  loving 
small  things,  the  Moschatel 
(Adoxa)  and  the  golden  Saxifrage 
(Chrysospleniuni)  will  be  satisfied 
with  the  coolness  of  the  lowest 
joints  and  the  comfort  of  the 
mossy  wall-foot." 


NOTES  ON  HARDY 
PLANTS. 


ARABIS    AEENOSA. 


M' 


RED    VALERIAN    (CENTRANTIIUS)    IN    AN    OLD    CASTLE    WALL, 


"Two  of  the  British  wild  Pinks,  namely,  Dian- 
thus  c«sius  and  D.  deltoides,  are  among  the  best 
of  plants  for  a  sunny  wall ;  and  another,  not 
exactly  showy,  but  neat  and  shrub-like  and  of 
considerable  interest,  well  worthy  of  a  warm  place, 
is  the  Wood  Sage  (Teuorium  Scorodonia). 

"Another  charming  wild  plant  for  sunny  joints 
and  places  on  a  level  with  the  eye,  or  for  such 
wall-tops  as  would  be  only  as  high  as  eye  level,  is 
the  Sheep's  Scabious  (Jasione  montana)  ;  neat  and 
pretty,  and  worthy  of  cultivation  on  wall  or  dry 
rock  garden,  where  the  little  plants,  each  with  its 
large  flower-head,  can  be  grouped  rather  more 
closely  than  in  the  heathy  wastes  where  they  are 
generally  in  a  thin  sprinkle  among  short  grass. 
Another  plant  for  wall-top,  growing  willingly  in 


0  S  T  people  would 
consider  this  little 
European  crucifer 
scarcely  worth 
notice,  but  the  neat 
habit  of  its  symmet- 
lical  rosettes  as  it  grows  up"n 
rocks  and  banks  on  the  confijje.s 
of  Prussia  tempted  us  to  gather 
some  of  the  ripe  seed-pods.  No 
opportunity  occurred  for  sowing 
Ihe  seed  for  two  jears,  yet  it 
germinated  freely.  In  due  time 
a  certain  number  of  seedlings  were 
pricked  off,  three  together,  in 
3-inch  pots  and  summered  out  of  doors,  for  the  sake  of 
experiment  for  flowering  in  aoold  greenhouse  inearly 
spring.  Some  were  shifted  into  pots  of  a  larger  size, 
others  were  left  alone  as  they  were  in  the  8-inch 
pots,  and  it  is  to  these  last  that  it  now  seems  worth 
while  to  make  some  reference,  inasmuch  as  they 
threw  up  numerous  slender  stems  4  inches  to 
G  inches  high  crowned  with  a  profusion  of  delicate 
rose-lilac  flowers,  which  were  extremely  pretty  and 
fragrant.  The  plants  which  were  treated  more 
liberally  have  thriven  well  and  have  flowered 
abundantly,  but  are  commonplace  in  character,  and 
altogether  destitute  of  the  refined  beauty  of  those 
which  were  starved  and  stunted.  This  goes  to 
prove  that  a  little  neglect  occasionally  serves  a 
good  purpose.     As  a  rule  we  are  apt  to  give  more 


May  7,  1904,] 


THE    GARDEN. 


323 


pot  room  than  is  needed, 
which  tends  to  vigour  of 
leaf  rather  than 
abundance  of  flower. 
Naturally  the  usual  posi- 
tion for  A.  arenosa  is  on 
a  dry  wall  or  in  a  rock 
garden,  where  its  pretty 
rosettes  are  very  effective, 
even  when  not  in  flower, 
if  rightly  placed,  but  this 
little  biennial  may  some- 
times he  used  with 
advantage,  for  example, 
in  a  glass  porch  or  on  a 
cool  window  -  ledge,  to 
give  lightness  and  variety 
in  grouping  with  more 
substantial  plants. 


PEIMULA  MEGASE^FOLTA. 

Althodoh  discovered  by  the  celebrated  botanist 
Balansa  as  long  ago  as  the  year  1866  in  the 
environs  of  Rizeh,  in  Lazistan,  at  an  altitude  of 
about  1,000  feet,  growing  in  humid  ravines,  it 
seems  strange  that  this  Primrose  was  not  brought 
into  cultivation  until  recent  years  by  Miss  Willmott. 
This  is  evidently  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that, 
although  widely  distributed  in  the  Caucasus, 
Persia,  and  Afghanistan,  it  is  nowhere  common, 
only  growing  luxuriantly  in  a  few  localised 
habitats.  Its  position  in  the  large  genus  Primula 
was  considered  by  Boissier  to  be  nearest  to  that  of 
P.  grandis,  also  a  rare  Caucasian  plant,  remarkable 
for  its  large  leaves  and  tall  stems,  bearing  numerous 
flowered  umbels  of  rather  small  yellow  flowers 
when  considered  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the 
plant.  The  leaves  of  P.  megasea^f  jlia  are  variable 
in  form,  ranging  from  ovate  to  orbicular,  .3  inches 
to  5  inches  long  and  4  inches  broad.  Its  specific 
name  is  due  to  the  resemblance  of  its  leaves  to 
those  of  some  of  that  section  of  the  genus  Saxifraga, 
which  have  been  distinguished  under  the  generic 
name  of  Megasea.  Like  its  foliage,  the  flowers 
show  distinct  variations  in  size,  form,  and  colour, 
and  though  there  are  some  poor  varieties  uf  it  in 
cultivation,  other  forms  are  really  handsome,  and 
on  the  whole  it  is  probable  that  it  will  prove  a 
valuable  plant.  Although  perfectly  hardy  it  has  not 
proved  a  suitable  plant  outside  at  Kew,  losing  its 
leaves  during  winter,  which,  under  the  cold  frame 
treatment,  are  retained  till  after  the  flowering 
period,  when  new  leaves  push  up,  attaining  their 
full  development  during  April.  W.  I. 


RAXIFKAGA  SCARDICA. 
Though  found  on  Mount  Scardus,  in  Macedonia, 
as  long  ago  as  the  year  1857  by  Grisebach,  whose 
name  is  now  familiar  in  connexion  with  the  red- 
flowered  species  from  the  same  country,  named 
after  him,  this  pretty  little  rock  plant  has  only 
found  its  way  into  cultivation  during  the  last  few 
years.  The  name  scardica,  however,  is  familiar  as 
being  one  of  the  several  synonyms  which  have  been 
applied  at  various  times  to  the  now  well-known 
and  useful  S.  apiculata,  which  is  considered  to  be 
a  hybrid  between  S.  rocheliana  x  sancta.  Collected 
again  in  Macedonia  in  1897  by  the  members  of  an 
expedition  sent  from  Sofia,  the  true  plant  was 
received  at  Kew  in  1901,  and  flowered  the  same 
year.  It  is  closely  allied  to  S.  burseriana  and  S. 
Vandellii,  and  the  three  together  form  a  small 
section  of  the  genus  spread  over  the  Alps  from 
Switzerland  to  Macedonia,  S.  Vandellii  being  the 
western  one,  with  S.  burseriana  connecting  the 
two  species.  With  dense  cushion-like  tufts  similar 
to  those  of  the  latter  species,  but  less  glaucous  in 
the  foliage,  the  leaves  are  rather  broader  and  more 
obtuse,  and  the  flowers  are  of  good  size,  ivory- 
white,  produced  three  to  four  in  a  head  on  the  top 
of  slightly  pubescent  leafy  stems  2  inches  to  .3  inches 
high.  The  illustration  represents  plants  growing 
in  a  pan  in  the  alpine  house  at  Kew,  in  a  mixture 
of  soil  with  which  plenty  of  lime  rubbish  has  been 
mixed.  While  succeeding  well  under  this  cold 
frame  treatment,  it  has  also  proved  quite  hardy  in 
the  rock  garden,  standing  the  damp  weather  much 
better    than   S.   burseriana,   and  flowering  freely 


face  of  it,  it  seems  probable  that  the  bulbs 
would  rot  if  planted  in  ground  that  is  wet  during 
some  part  of  the  year  and  moist  at  all  seasons.  The 
opinion  of  another  Daffodil  grower  of  wide  expe- 
rience, Mr.  .J.  D.  Pearson,  as  given  in  your  report, 
appears  not  to  favour  this  point  of  view,  for  he  has 
found  that  bulbs  left  in  the  ground  for  two  years 
were  better  able  to  withstand  moisture  than  those 
lifted  annually.  As  bulbs  planted  b}'  the  lake-side 
or  on  the  banks  of  streams  would  presumably  be 
planted  permanently,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  they  would  be  able  still  better  to  withstand 
moisture,  as  being  well  established  seems  to  be  the 
crux  of  the  matter.  Perhaps  other  readers  of  The 
Garden  have  had  experience  of  Daffodil  culture 
in  moist  grass  land.  If  the  finest  flowers  can  be 
had  from  plants  growing  undisturbed  on  grass 
land,  then  it  seems  useless  to  take  so  much  trouble 
to  give  Daffodils  a  well-prepared  border.  With 
less  trouble  one  would  have  finer  flowers.  Mr. 
Burbidge  has  a  wide  experience  of  the  Daffodil, 
its  likes  and  dislikes,  and  his  opinion  should  be 
worth  having.  Is  it  possible,  however,  that  local 
circumstances  had  something  to  do  with  the  success 
of  the  Daffodils  growing  in  the  gardens  referred  to 
by  him,  such  as  especially  suitable  soil  or  favour- 
able climate  ?  A.  H.  P. 


FLOWERS    OF   PRIMOLA    MEGASE.g?Fi)I.I.f 


(Xatura 


Fi-mn  a  dran't'ujf  htj  JI.  Q.  Mtum. 


about  the  same  time  or  a  little  later  than  that 
plant.  Like  the  other  species  belonging  to  this 
section  it  is  readily  increased  by  division  of  the 
roots  after  flowering.  It  is  not  confined  in  its 
geographical  distribution  to  Macedonia  ;  it  is  also 
found  in  Albania,  and  sparingly  in  the  superior 
region  on  Mount  Olympus,  in  Thessaly,  at  an 
elevation  of  8,000  feet.  W.  I. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


DAFFODILS    IN    MOIST    GROUND. 

In  your  report  of  the  Midland  Daffodil  Society's 
show  and  conference  at  Birmingham,  Mr.  F.  W. 
Burbidge  is  stated  to  have  given  it  as  his  opinion 
that  the  finest  Daffodils  of  the  future  will  be  urown 
on  grass  land,  and  that  the  Daff'odil  is  a  water- 
loving  plant.  Mr.  Burbidge  is  further  reported  to 
have  said  that  in  two  gardens— one  in  England  and 
the  other  in  Ireland— the  finest  Daff'odils  were  cut, 
not  from  the  cultivated  border,  but  from  moist 
grass  land.  This 
statement  seems  to 
me  to  open  up 
several  interesting 
points.  I  do  not 
think  it  is  generally 
known      that      the 

Daffodil  is  a  water-        W^  ^ 

loving  plant,  at  any        |R         ^^-^ 
rate  it  is  very  rarely        BBHS-  *«■ 

seen  planted  by  the 

sides  of   streams  or        SHHHIb'^  T'^^^^'^ifl^ 
lakes  in  gardens.     If        ^^^^^H»v^..i4K^  ^>, 
it  could  be  persuaded 
to  establish  itself  in 

such  positions,  then        1^^  SIW*f    T-A.^ 

the    list    of     plants 

suitable    for   water-        »5^      ■y    aE!»      j 
side     gardening       ff^wL  ":TL'SM^     t 
would    undoubtedly 
receive  a  most  valu- 
able addition.     The        I5^3i 
general      opinion 
seems     to    be    that 
Daffodil    bulbs   dis- 
like   moisture,    and 
on  that  account  they 

are  usually  planted        j^^^^^ggH^i^BftHJl^''^'^' 
in  a  soil  that  is  well 
drained    and    of     a 
somewhat    sandy 
nature.        On      the  the  new  saxifraga 


NOTES  FROM  A  YORKSHIRE  GARDEN. 

IT  is  a  great  pleasure  to  see  the  herbaceous 
plants  once  more  pushing  through  the 
ground,  opening  out  their  leafage  in  all  the 
delicate  tints  of  green,  so  eloquent  of  spring. 
It  is  a  late  season  with  us,  the  Daffodils 
being  three  weeks  later  than  last  year,  and 
the  growth  of  other  plants  proportionately 
retarded.  Perhaps  this  is  an  advantage  after  all, 
for  we  may  escape  the  ravages  caused  by  late  frosts 
such  as  we  had  last  year  in  the  late  spring,  and 
which  did  so  much  damage.  In  Easter  week  we 
had  very  boisterous  winds,  and  it  was  a  comfort 
to  know  that  the  climbing  Roses  had  been  tied  in 
to  their  stakes  and  pillars  just  in  time,  or  the  new 
shoots  would  have  been  sadly  battered. 

Arabis,  Aubrietias,  Saxifrages,  and  yellow 
Alyssum  are  coming  into  bloom,  and  the  first  of 
the  Doronicums  will  soon  be  out.  The  sparrows 
seem  to  have  tired  of  pulling  Primrose  petals  off, 
or  rather  the  quantity  of  these  ever-welcome 
flowers  is  great  enough  to  allow  of  a  few  torn  ones 
going  almost  unnoticed. 

The  coloured  Primroses  are  also  very  gaj'  ;  these 
were  raised  two  years  ago  from  Sutton's  Perfection 


SCARDICA  IN   THE  ALPINE  HOUSE   AT  KEW. 


324 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


strain.  It  was  rather  disappointing  work  to  raise 
these  Primroses  from  seed,  but  the  few  plants  in 
the  garden  have  been  very  showy,  the  colours  being 
so  rich  and  clean.  The  older  favourites  Double 
White,  Double  Yellow,  and  Harbinger  may  be 
planted  amongst  the  coloured  ones  with  advantage 
to  each.  These  will  soon  be  followed  by  Polyanthus 
of  many  hues,  interspersed  with  blue  Forget-me- 
nots. 

The  scent  of  the  young  leaves  of  Penzance 
Briars  is  noticeable  ;  not  so  that  of  some  Crown 
Imperials  planted  in  a  neighbouring  border,  nor 
are  more  than  half  the  bulbs  going  to  flower  this 
year.  How  is  it  that  they  so  often  come  "  blind  "  y 
The  matter  has  recently  been  referred  to  in  The 
Garden,  some  writers  having  had  no  trouble  and 
others  failing  to  get  flowers. 

My  Veronica  Andersoni,  variegated,  has  died 
during  the  winter,  as  expected,  not  being  a  hardy 
plant  in  our  district ;  but  some  cuttings  taken 
from  it  last  autumn  and  wintered  in  a  cold  frame 
have  made  good  growth,  and  will  now  be  transferred 
to  the  open  border.  I  have  very  few  of  these 
lender  plants,  as  things  that  will  not  winter  out  of 
doors  are  not  for  the  northern  gardener.  I  have 
just  been  talking  to  a  friend  of  mine  who  is 
deploring  the  amount  of  bare  earth  in  his  garden, 
as  well  as  the  great  and  annually-recurring  trouble 
of  putting  out  his  bedding  plants,  and  I  think  there 
is  now  another  convert  to  the  ranks  of  those  who 
find  in  the  mixed  border,  the  Eose  garden,  and  the 
portion  devoted  to  rock  plants  the  truest  ideal  of 
gardening.  ,     .        . 

Surely  half  the  joy  that  comes  of  gardening  is 
felt  in  watching  the  whole  life  history  of  the  plants 
as  they  daily  show  fresh  growth  and  ever-changing 
form  and  colour  ;  and  though  the  Crocus  and  the 
Snowdrop  and  the  Aconites  and  the  lovely  Chiono- 
doxas  have  faded  away,  their  places  are  being 
taken  by  the  flowers  of  early  summer,  whose 
leafage  protects  the  small  bulbs  and  conceals  any 
unsightly  dying  leaves. 

Beechwood.  Walter  Jesper. 


P^ONY    LUTEA   FRANCHET. 

In  the  midst  of  the  recent  floral  splendours  at 
Ghent  a  hardy  plant  attracted  the  attention  of 
connoisseurs,  a  herbaceous  Pa;ony,  with  flowers  of 
a  beautiful  golden  yellow,  clear,  bright,  and  pure 
in  colour.  The  plant  was  exhibited  by  Victor 
Lemoine  and  Sons.  It  seemed  a  little  eclipsed  by 
the  striking  colours  of  the  new  Azaleas,  and  by  the 
very  beautiful  Bromeliads  of  M.  Duval ;  but  those 
who  were  alive  to  good  things— and  notably  all  the 
reporters  for  horticultural  papers— placed  the  new 
Pfeony  as  a  plant  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the 
judges  who  gave  it  the  highest  award  in  their 
power.  Emile  Lemoine  has  written  as  follows 
regarding  this  plant  in  the  Revue  de  l' Horticulture 
Beige:  "Among  some  seedlings  from  seed  sent  to 
the  .Tardin  des  Plantes  at  Paris  by  the  Abbe 
Delavay  years  ago  was  found  this  new  woody, 
yellow- flowered  Paeony." 

In  an  interesting  article,  accompanied  by 
coloured  photographs,  Louis  Henry,  eleven  years 
later,  related  how  the  Museum  of  Natural  History 
at  Paris,  having  received  seed  of  this  Poppy  from 
the  Abbti  Delavay,  set  out  to  raise  and  flower  some 
plants.  The  packet  was  labelled,  "  Alpine  plant 
seed  received  upon  the  Che-Te-Hotze  below 
Tapin-tze,  October  15,  1S86."  It  contained 
twenty  -  six  common  -  looking  seeds,  of  which, 
planted  upon  their  arrival,  three  seeds  germinated 
May  28,  1888.  The  first  flower  opened  in  early 
June,  1891.  The  following  year  it  flowered  again, 
and  was  shown  by  Professor  Maxime  Cornu  before 
the  National  Society  of  Horticulture  of  France  at 
its  session  of  June  9.  In  189.3  it  was  again  shown 
on  May  2.5.  Successful  grafting  and  seeding 
enabled  the  museum  to  distribute  young  plants  to 
various  botanical  establishments,  notably  to  the 
Kew  Gardens,  and  the  Botanical  Magazine  gave  a 
description  of  it  in  1901  with  a  coloured  plate.  A 
plant  and  some  grafts  were  sent  to  Lemoine  and 
Sons,  who  introduced  it  in  1902. 

It  is  a  small,  smooth  shrub,  forming  clumps 
reaching  3  feet  in  height,  and  produces  new  shoots 
from  the  roots  freely.     The  stalks  are  woody  and 


more  or  less  persistent,  with  greyish  bark.  The 
leaves  are  large,  composed  of  three  leaflets,  which 
are  divided  nearly  to  their  bases,  of  a  deep  green 
above,  pale  or  glaucous  green  below.  The  flowers 
are  solitary  upon  their  peduncles,  and  two  or  three 
are  produced  by  each  branch.  The  slender  peduncles, 
clear  green  or  bronze,  are  often  stimate  or  horizontal. 
The  petals  measured  from  6  inches  to  11  inches  in 
diameter  ;  colour,  the  beautiful  lustrous  yellow  of 
the  Caltha.  The  numerous  golden  yellow  stamens 
form  a  dense  ring  around  the  three  to  five  greenish 
yellow  carpels.  The  flowers  appear  regularly  in 
early  June  ;  that  is  when  the  Tree  Preonies  are 
done  blooming  and  a  little  ahead  of  the  herbaceous 
Pa;onies.  They  are  agreeably  fragrant.  The  seeds 
are  large,  round,  a  little  angular,  deep  brown, 
variable  in  number,  and  enclosed  in  the  carpels, 
which  remain  green  and  fleshy,  not  becoming  dry. 
This  Pffiony  is  a  variable  species.  There  are  two 
distinct  forms  already.  One  has  branches,  petioles, 
and  nerves  of  the  leaves  of  a  reddish  brown,  stems 
green  up  to  the  leaves,  flowers  2  inches  to  2 J  inches, 
with  six  to  eight  petals  of  a  brilliant  yellow,  a 
little  late  in  flowering.  The  other  has  bronze 
leaves  when  first  opening,  then  passing  to  deep 
green,  as  do  the  branches  and  petioles,  large 
flowers  Si  inches,  nine  to  eleven  petals  of  a  bright 
yellow,  filaments  reddish  brown,  and  a  little  early 
in  opening  its  flowers.  The  first  variety  has  been 
distributed  ;  the  last  is  the  one  shown  at  the  late 
exposition  in  Ghent,  which  was  a  pot-grown  young 
plant,  and  does  not  give  a  full  idea  of  what  a  larger 
plant  grown  in  the  open  would  be.  The  plant  has 
proved  hardy,  but  it  will  be  wise  to  protect  it  with 
a  few  leaves.  Ordinary  garden  soil  suits  it,  and  it 
is  easily  grafted  on  the  roots  of  the  herbaceous 
Pasony,  or  can  be  increased  by  dividing  the  old 
plants. — American  Florist. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 

MESSES.    S.    S.    MARSHALL,   LIMITED, 
BARNHAM. 

SUSSEX  is  a  delightful  county,  abounding 
in  well-wooded  hills  and  dales,  and 
the  district  around  Barnham,  some  few 
miles  from  Littlehampton  and  Bognor,  is 
not  the  least  delightful  part  of  it.  Nur- 
serymen, of  course,  are  not  influenced  by 
jesthetic  considerations  when  deciding  upon  a  posi- 
tion for  growing  trees  and  plants,  but  it  would  be 
difficult  to  find  a  nursery  more  pleasantly,  and  at 
the  same  time  more  advantageously,  situated  than 
that  of  Messrs.  Marshall  at  Barnham.  The  la,nd 
is  high,  and  exposed  to  the  south-west  winds  which 
blow  from  the  English  Channel  (only  some  four 
miles  distant),  so  that  a  hardy  growth  of  trees, 
shrubs,  and  other  plants  is  assured.  The  compara- 
tively small  rainfall  of  the  district,  and  the  large 
amount  of  sunshine  with  which  it  is  usually 
favoured,  are  conducive  to  the  production  of 
sturdy,  well-ripened  wood  that  all  professional 
fruit  and  Rose  growers  well  know  the  value  of. 
These  nurseries  are  quite  easy  of  access,  for  they 
practically  adjoin  Barnham  Junction  Station, 
on  the  Portsmouth  line  of  the  London,  Brighton, 
and  South  Coast  Railway,  and  may  be  reached  in 
about  an  hour  and  a  half  from  Victoria.  There 
are  about  eighty  acres  of  nursery  stock  altogether, 
including  some  thirty  acres  of  fruit  trees,  which 
may  be  said  to  be  the  special  feature  of  the  Barn- 
ham nurseries.  Roses  are  also  cultivated  in  large 
quantities,  as  well  as  herbaceous  plants,  forest 
trees,  and  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs.  Taking 
first 

The  Fruit  Trees 
as  the  most  important  item  in  the  nursery,  we  saw 
a  great  many  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Cherries,  &c. , 
in  all  generally  grown  forms — as  standards,  pj'ra- 
mids,  bushes,  and  trained  trees  for  wall  or  espalier 
culture,  and  their  sturdy,  firm  growths  spoke  well 
of  the  suitability  of  the  land  and  climate  for  fruit 
tree  culture.  The  trained  specimens  were  excep- 
tionally good,  and,  still  further  to  individualise, 
cordon  Pears  we  have  not  seen  more  finely  grown 
for  a  long  time ;    trees  some  two  or  three  years 


old  and  trained  on  both  sides  of  a  wire  espalier 
were  bristling  with  fruit-buds.  The  maiden  trees 
of  Apples  and  other  kinds  of  fruit  had  made  strong, 
firm  shoots,  that  promise  well  for  whatever  form  of 
trees  they  may  develop  into.  There  is  nothing 
like  a  good  start  in  life ;  fruit  trees  appreciate  it 
thoroughly,  and  in  future  years  will  yield  a  high 
rate  of  interest  on  the  outlay  in  the  shape  of  heavy 
and  continuous  crops  of  fruit.  Bush  Apple  trees, 
Nuts,  Currant  and  Gooseberry  bushes,  trained 
Peach  trees,  and  Morello  Cherries  were  others 
whose  appearance  bore  satisfactory  testimony  to 
the  culture  they  receive. 

Roses 
are  extensively  grown  ;  many  thousands  are  budded 
annually.  In  addition  to  new  varieties  of  Roses, 
which  after  trial  Messrs.  Marshall  consider  are 
likely  to  find  a  permanent  place  in  British  gardens, 
there  is  a  large  collection  of  older  varieties  of 
sterling  merit  among  both  Hybrid  Perpetuals  and 
Hybrid  Teas,  numbers  of  which  are  now  rarely 
seen.  There  is  a  good  stock  of  the  newer  wichu- 
raiana  hybrids,  such  as  Alberic  Barbier,  Auguste 
Barbier,  Paul  Transon,  and  others.  They  are 
delightful  trailing  Roses,  and  have  made  rapid 
strides  in  popular  favour  since  their  introduction. 
The  old 

Moss  Roses, 
too,  are  well  grown  here.  Messrs.  Marshall  have 
twelve  or  more  varieties  of  this  charming  Rose, 
which  appears  to  be  not  nearly  so  much  grown  as 
it  used  to  be.  In  how  many  amateurs'  gardens 
that  contain  perhaps  an  up-to  date  collection  of 
Teas  and  Hybrid  Teas  would  you  find  half  a  dozen 
Moss  Roses  ? 

Trees  and  Shrubs 
occupy  a  considerable  portion  of  the  nursery,  and 
we  noticed  large  plots  of  ground  planted  with  Oak, 
Beech,  Huntingdon  Elm,  Scotch  Elm,  English  Elm, 
Cornish  Elm,  Portugal  Laurel,  Arbor  Vit«,  Nor- 
way Spruce,  and  various  conifers.     Among  the 

Herbaceous  Plants 
we  found  many  old  favourites.  Large  quantities 
of  familiar  plants  were  to  be  seen,  and  there  seems 
to  be  a  large  demand  for  them.  They  comprised 
such  as  Physalis  Franchetti,  Achillea  Ptarmica  The 
Pearl,  Althtea  frutex,  Spiraea  Anthony  Waterer, 
Campanula  persicifolia,  CEnothera  Fraseri,  CE. 
Youngi,  Arabis  alhida  flore-pleno,  Tiarella  cordi- 
folia,  Pieonies,  Phloxes,  Michaelmas  Daisies,  St. 
John's  Wort,  &c.  Coquelicot  is  far  and  away  the 
most  popular  Phlox,  according  to  the  sales  of  this 
plant  from  the  Barnham  nurseries,  and  P.  Mrs. 
Jenkins  is  found  to  be  one  of  the  best  whites.  We 
were  interested  to  hear  about 

The  Shasta  Daisv, 
which  has  created  such  a  stir  in  America  recently, 
and  of  which  a  good  stock  is  held.  It  has  not  up 
to  the  present  proved  so  good  as  Chrysanthemum 
maximum  W.  H.  Gibb,  but  as  the  plants  were  only 
imported  from  California  last  spring  it  may  improve 
as  it  becomes  better  acclimatised.  Violet  Dr.  Jame- 
son, a  very  early  single  variety  (violet  coloured),  is 
thought  highly  of  here.  Such  plants  as  Bamboos, 
Eulalias,  Gynerium  argenteum,  Phormium  tenax, 
and  Tritomas  have  a  considerable  piece  of  ground 
devoted  to  them.  They  are  always  in  demand. 
Briefly  put,  such  are  the  chief  features  of  these 
delightfully  situated  Sussex  nurseries. 


POT  AND  PARAPET 
GARDENING  FOR  THE 
POOR    OF    TOWNS.— I. 

"  Every  joy  is  gain, 
And  gain  is  yain,  liowever  small." 

IN    my   little   "Book   of   Town   and  Window 
Gardening "    sundry    chapters    relating    to 
"Plants    for   the    City    Poor"    and    "Roof 
and    Back    Yard    Gardens "   have   resulted 
in    so   many    letters    and    enquiries    from 
East    End    Clergy,    Poor    Law   Guardians, 
and  members  of   different   philanthropic   societies 
that  it  seems  a  duty  as  well  as  a  pleasure  to  set 
forth  simply  such  advice  and  counsel  as  I  am  able 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE    (jaKDEN. 


325 


to  give,  the  moat  valuable  part  of  which  will 
certainly  be  the  collected  experiences  of  others  who 
have  been  pioneers  in  the  same  work — the  work, 
that  is,  of  encouraging  a  love  of  plants  and  garden- 
ing among  the  labouring  classes  in  the  densely- 
crowded  neighbourhoods  of  towns.  No  one  claims 
for  a  moment  that  there  is  any  novelty  in  the  idea 
of  bringing  the  joys  of  gardening  within  reach  of 
these  poor  people  ;  it  is  simply  that  it  is  now  the 
earnest  desire  of  many  to  make  these  joys  more 
general,  and  spread  their  happy  influences  more 
widely. 

What  can  be  done  among  the  factories  and 
chimney-pots  of  big  towns  ?  That  is  the  question. 
It  is  found  impossible  to  draw  up  any  code  of  rules 
or  to  formulate  any  schemes  that  can  be  applied  to 
all.  Needs  and  facilities  differ  widely.  Each 
ease  requires  consideration  on  its  own  merits.  A 
notice  of  the  sort  of  classes  from  whom  appeals  for 
advice  have  been  received  will  give  some  idea  of 
the  varied  character  of  their  necessities.  Among 
the  number  are — beside  the  East 
End  Clergy  and  Poor  Law  Guar- 
dians already  mentioned — superin-  ' 
tendents  of  scattered  homes  for 
boys  and  girls,  guilds  of  ladies  who 
are  befriending  factory  girls,  over- 
seers of  working  boys'  homes,  and 
sundry  energetic  spirits  among  the 
heads  of  Sunday  Schools.  Besides 
the  differences  in  people  and  their 
positions,  even  in  slumland  there 
are  divers  sorts  and  kinds  of  houses 
and  of  streets  and  of  aspects.  The 
places  from  which  appeals  or  letters 
have  come  include  the  districts  of 
JSIillwall,  Mile  End,  Poplar,  Ber- 
mondsey,  and  Battersea.  In  many 
of  these  regions  it  appears  that 
back  yards  are  a  feature  generally 
absent,  and  front  yards — what  few 
there  are — are  mostly  wanted  for 
business  purposes  and  not  the  graces 
of  life.  vSo  it  comes  about  that  one 
has  to  find  out  what  can  be  done 
for  the  best  in  the  way  of  gardening 
tor  those  who,  generally  speaking, 
have  nothing  but  pots  to  grow  any- 
thing in,  and  nothing  better  than 
narrow  parapets  on  which  to  place 
them.  Many  people,  indeed,  there 
will  always  be  who  have  no  outside 
space  whatever  to  call  their  own, 
but  have  to  stand  their  pots  of 
plants  indoors  as  near  the  light  of 
the  window  as  they  can.  Plants 
have  to  share  "pot-luck"  with  the 
family,  dividing  with  it  the  scanty 
measure  that  is  afforded  them  of 
air  and  sunshine.  Again,  there  may 
be  some  favoured  spots  where  a 
window-box  may  be  contrived,  or, 
better  still,  some  boxes  hung  by 
wires  or  nailed  outside  upon  the 
walls.  These  deserve  all  praise. 
Whether  upon  the  walls  of  yard  or 
house,  they  are  most  useful  and 
likely  to  succeed,  having  the 
further  advantages  that  no  inmate 
of  the  house  is  robbed  by  them  of 
his  share  of  the  light  or  air,  and  the 
plants  themselves  are  sheltered  from 
all  draughts. 

It  takes  very  little  experience  to  show  that  there 
are  some  few  points  on  which  all  the  would-be 
gardeners  of  the  poorer  districts  are  in  precisely 
the  same  positions.  Across  the  path  of  every  one 
of  them  three  stumbling-blocks  are  lying ;  they 
are  want  of  money,  want  of  time,  and  want  of 
experience.  Serious  additions  these  to  the  usual 
difficulties  that  beset  town  gardeners,  rich  and 
poor  alike,  namely,  want  of  air,  want  of  light, 
want  of  space,  and  the  hindrances  of  smoke,  smuts, 
cats,  and  sparrows.  Bat  not  one  of  the  three 
stumbling-blocks  need  cause  dismay.  Let  us  take 
them  in  detail.     Firstly, 

Want  of  Means. 
There  are  plenty  of  people  ready  and  more  than 
willing  to  assist  with  gifts  in  money  and  in  kind  if 


only  their  efforts  could  be  directed,  and  if  some 
centres  were  established  to  which  gifts  could  easily 
be  sent.  Ah  !  there  is  great  hope  in  this  direction. 
There  are  the  brooks,  the  running  streams  of 
sympathy  and  kindness  ;  it  is  only  guidance  that 
is  lacking  for  these  rivers  to  flow  outward  and 
onward,  bringing  fresh  life  and  beauty  to  many  a 
dark  and  dreary  place.     Secondly, 

Want  of  Time. 

Well,  those  who  know  most  about  the  care  of 
plants  and  flowers  are  well  aware  that  growing 
ihem  is  not  a  thing  that  calls  for  any  great  ex- 
penditure of  time  ;  it  is  more  the  daily  but  never 
omitted  almost  momentary  look  and  touch  that 
tells.  Morning  and  evening,  night  and  day,  just 
a  few  moments  stolen  from  getting-up  and  going- 
to-bed  hours — these  would  suffice.  Factory  boys 
and  girls,  school  boys  and  girls,  fathers  and  mothers 
of  families — all  can  give  up  as  much  time  as  this, 
and  neither  be  hindered  in  their  work  nor  feel  that 


PRIZE  WINDOW  GARDEN   OF   MR.  H.  A.  WILLEY,  EXETER, 
From  a  photograph  sent  by  Mrs.  Bardsivell.) 

they  have  been  sacrificing  too  precious  moments. 
In  one  respect  the  poor  are  better  off  than  are 
their  richer  neighbours.  How  often  from  people 
luxuriously  placed  we  hear  the  complaint,  "  We 
cannot  grow  flowers  in  London,  because  during  the 
holidays  there  is  no  one  to  look  after  them."  At 
all  events,  this  drawback  is  not  a  difficulty  to  the 
poor  people  who  have  no  holidays  at  all,  or  only 
very,  very  short  ones  that  come  like  angels'  visits, 
long  looked  for  and  long  remembered.  Pottering 
about  and  dawdling  over  one's  flowers  is  very 
delightful,  and  there  is  no  doubt  they  like  it  very 
well  (almost  as  much  as  we  do),  but  it  can  be  done 
without.  And  there  is  such  an  amiable  indepen-  , 
dence  and  willingness  to  take  a  hint  about  all 
plants.     Look  at  this  trailer  outside  your  window  ' 


this  fine  June  morning.  He  is  not  quite  sure 
which  way  to  turn.  You  give  him  a  twist  or  a  tie  ; 
it  did  not  take  a  moment  to  do,  but  see  the  result 
at  night.  If  you  had  lost  your  presence  of  mind, 
and  not  helped  the  poor  little  thing  to  make  up  its 
mind,  it  might  have  fluttered  indecisively  for 
hours,  and  perhaps  got  blown  about  and  broken. 
It  is  just  the  same  with  watering  and  with  every- 
thing else.  It  is  the  stitch  in  time  that  saves,  the 
drop  of  water  not  too  long  withheld,  the  guiding 
hand,  the  timely  shading  from  the  too  hot  sun — 
no,  we  need  not  be  afraid  that  want  of  time  will  be 
a  hindrance.     Thirdly, 

Want  of  Experience. 

This  is  the  most  serious  of  the  stumbling-blocks. 
It  has  been  suggested  that  leaflets  of  very  easy 
instructions  should  be  distributed  wherever  seeds 
or  pots  of  plants  are  given  out  to  beginners.  Not 
a  bad  idea,  if  the  instructions  are  at  the  same  time 
simple  and  varied  enough  ;  but  better  results  would 
be  obtained  by  a  few  verbal  hints 
and  practical  demonstrations.  To 
bring  up  a  pot  plant  already  started 
written  instructions  might  do  well 
enough,  but  for  planting  slips  or 
seeds  or  bulbs,  or  any  real  gardening, 
it  is  better  for  the  beginners  to  see 
it  done.  What  seems  so  easy  to 
the  practised  hand  does  not  come  by 
nature.  To  plant  firmly  and  not 
too  tightly,  to  scatter  seeds  just 
rightly  and  give  them  enough  but 
not  too  much  moisture  ;  such  trifles 
as  mingling  the  smaller  seeds  with 
sand  to  ensure  sufficiently  thin 
sowing  and  shading  :  the  differing 
needs  as  regards  water  and  drainage 
of  flowering  plants  and  Ferns — all 
these  things  must  be  learned,  and 
are  much  better  learnt  from  obser- 
vation and  experience.  An  excellent 
plan  that  has  been  adopted  and  found 
to  answer  well  is  for  a  committee  to 
allow  itself  to  be  appointed,  the 
members  of  which  give  free  advice 
and  instructions  to  any  who  may 
apply  for  them. 

But,  happily,  gardening  and  a  love 
for  it  comes  naturally  to  most  poor 
people  ;  they  have  an  inborn  sym- 
pathy with  nature  which  sometimes 
struggles  almost  pathetically  for 
expression.  Grottoes  with  bits  of 
Fern  in  them,  a  few  sticks  with 
Scarlet  Runners  brightening  some 
unlikely  corner  —  these  are  the 
straws  which  show  which  way  the 
wind  blows.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city  and  of 
slumland,  once  started  on  the  right 
track,  would  strike  out  fresh  paths 
for  themselves.  Other  things  hold 
flowers  besides  pots  ;  there  are  tins 
and  boxes  made  of  wood,  which,  with 
holes  pierced  and  a  little  manipula- 
tion, make  capital  flower  receptacles. 

"  The  most  unfurnished  with  the  means  of 

life, 
And  they  that  never  pass  their  brick  wall 

bounds, 
Yet  feel  the  burning  instinct ;  overhead 
Suspend  their  crazy  boxes,  planted  thick 
And  watered  duly." 

Can  we  do  nothing  to  help  the  poor  "unfurnished?" 
In  the  next  chapter  those  experienced  workers 
who  have  been  either  written  to  or  interviewed 
shall  make  their  remarks  and  give  their  advice  as 
far  as  possible  in  their  own  words.  F.  A.  L. 


NOTES    FROM    W^ORCESTER- 
SHIRE. 

Fritillaria  askhabadensis. — Though  not  showy, 
this  has  many  good  qualities,  chief  amongst  which 
are  the  lasting  character  of  the  flowers  and  the  neat 
way  in  which  they  fade — so  different  to  most  of  the 
Crown  Imperials.  It  is  so  early  above  ground  that 
to  be  seen  at  its  best  it  must  be  planted  in  a  posi- 
tion where  neither  morning  sun  nor  wind  can  reach 


326 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


it.  In  this  garden  it  made  its  appearance  on 
February  17,  coming  into  flower  on  March  22,  and 
remaining  in  good  condition  for  neary  three  weeks. 
Its  distinct  appearance  and  graceful  habit  have 
attracted  mote  attention  from  niv  gardening  friends 
than  I  had  expected. 

Ibis  sindpeks  (sindjarensia  x  persica),  which 
I  obtained  through  a  friend  from  Van  Tubergen, 
has  been  splendid  in  my  cold  greenhouse.  The 
foliage  i.s  arranged  like  that  of  I.  persica,  but  is 
narrower,  more  lax,  and  of  a  deeper  shade  of 
glossj-  green  than  I.  sindjarensis.  The  flowers  are 
not  stem-clasping,  as  in  the  latter,  and  are  some- 
what larger.  The  standards  are  a  silvery  blue- 
grey,  slightly  narrower  than  those  of  I.  sindjaren- 
sis ;  the  crest  prominent,  as  in  that  variety,  but 
more  brightly  marked  with  yellow.  The  falls  are 
a  peculiar  combination  of  gre}',  slate  blue,  and 
green.  The  fragrance  is  more  delicious  than  I. 
sindpers,  and  really  resembles  that  of  Violets. 
My  one  bulb  is  large  and  elongate-oblong  in  shape, 
and  it  has  produced  five  flowers. 

I.        RETICULATA       CYANEO    -    ALBA,       from        Max 

Leichtlin,  is  a  dainty  little  plant  with  flower-stems 
only  2  inches  high.  The  flower  is  very  small, 
being  easily  covered  by  a  half-crown,  and  the  best 
description  I  can  give  of  it  is  a  miniature,  pure 
white  form  of  I.  reticulata,  with  the  usual  rich 
orange  banding  and  foliage  of  the  type. 

I.  RETICULATA  Ariadne,  also  from  Baden- 
Baden,  has  standards  of  dark  mauve-blue  several 
shades  darker  than  the  lovely  I.  r.  Melusine.  In 
my  plant  two  of  the  falls  were  of  a  rich  violet 
colour,  while  the  third  was  peculiarly  marked  half 
white  and  half  violet,  evidently  a  kind  of  sport. 
Of  my 

Snowdrops,  G.  Elwesii  unguiculatus  has  been 
the  one  1  liked  best.  Apparently  it  only  differs 
from  the  type  in  the  larger  size  of  its  flowers,  and 
also  in  the  segments  of  the  perianth,  which  are 
oval  and  taper  at  the  base  into  a  comparativel}' 
long  stalk.  It  is  certainly  a  better  plant  than 
G.  Elwesii  as  far  as  my  experience  with  it  goes. 
On  the  12th  inst.  that  superb 

Dafeodil  King  Alfred  opened.  This  and 
Anemone  blanda  var.  scythinica  are  now  the 
loveliest  flowers  in  the  garden.  Unfortunately, 
this  noble  Daffodil  will  not  succeed  everywhere, 
and  in  some  soils  gets  the  "yellows,"  a  trouble  with 
which  most  growers  are  acquainted.  On  some 
soils  I  hear  of  King  Alfred  quite  dying  out,  and  it 
evidently  inherits  some  of  the  uncertain  qualities 
of  N.  maximus.  This  latter,  by  the  way,  does 
well  here  on  a  deep,  warm,  south  border  in  light 
loam,  and  is  left  undisturbed  as  long  as  it  flowers 
satisfactorily.  My  plants  of  Anemone  blanda  var. 
scythinica  came  from  Max  Leichtlin,  and  are  beset 
with  dozens  of  flowers,  an  exquisite  combination  of 
white  and  blue  with  yellow  stamens.  Surely  this 
is  the  plant  to  grow  with  Erica  carnea,  as  here 
they  are  both  out  together,  and  would  make  an 
admirable  contrast. 

Trop^olum  speciosum  has  come  through  the 
winter  without  being  cut  down,  and  is  now  break- 
ing strongly  from  last  year's  stems  about  12  feet 
from  the  ground  as  well  as  from  the  base.  It 
always  flowers  much  earlier  and  more  profusely 
when  it  is  not  cut  down,  but  this  only  occurs  in  a 
mild  winter. 

Solanum  jasminoides  and  Jasminum  primu- 
LINUM  are  both  starting  well  into  growth,  and  the 
latter  on  a  very  sheltered  and  shady  wall  is  show- 
ing flower.  It  may  just  prove  hardy  enough  to 
succeed  outside,  but  will  never  be  so  useful  a  plant 
as  the  old  J.  nudiflorum. 

Anemone  fulgens  has  baffled  me  for  some  years, 
and  at  length  I  have  succeeded  in  growing  it. 
Three  years  ago  I  planted  some  roots  amongst  Tea 
Roses  on  a  warm  south  border  sheltered  by  a  low 
wall  and  greenhouse.  The  (made)  soil  is  a  sandy 
loam,  and  the  position  almost  the  same  that  suits 
Narcissus  maximus  so  well.  The  first  year  after 
planting  the  plants  flowered  sparsely,  and  the 
second  year  showed  only  a  slight  improvement. 
This  year  its  leaves  and  flowers  have  simply 
covered  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  wall,  and 
there  has  been  a  grand  display.  I  often  hear  of 
this  plant  thriving  well  in  the  South,  and  have  had 
some  remarkable  blooms  sent  me  which  were  grown 


in  Hampshire,  but  aa  yet  I  have  not  seen  anyone 
in  the  North  and  Midlands  refer  to  it.  If  this  note 
chances  to  catch  the  eye  of  a  successful  cultivator  in 
either  of  the  districts  named  perhaps  he  or  she  will 
further  enlighten  me  as  to  the  correct  mode  of 
treatment  of  this  grand  flower.  I  am  anxious  to 
see  how 

Rosa  sinica  Anemone  is  going  to  do.  It  was 
planted  twelve  months  ago  last  autumn  on  the 
same  wall  which  shelters  Solanum  jasminoides, 
and  made  fair  growth,  though  if  the  winter  had 
happened  to  have  been  severe  I  am  afraid  that  not 
much  of  it  would  have  been  left,  as  it  did  not  get 
enough  sun  to  ripen  its  wood  properly.  However, 
it  is  growing  away  well  now,  and  is  already  in  bud, 
so  that  I  hope  to  have  it  in  flower  before  May 
is  out. 

Kidderminster.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Recently    Planted    Shrubs. 

J*      jW     ARCH     and     April     have    been    so 

/•     /■        unusually  dry  that  many  trees   and 

I   S  /  I        shrubs  which  were  planted  this  year 

'     «/    I       and  laat  autumn  will  be  better  for  a 

T     JL      copious  watering.      Before  watering 

remove   the   mulching  material    and 

bank  the   soil  around   the  shrub  so   as  to  form  a 

basin  to  receive  the  water.    If,  previous  to  replacing 

the  mulch,  the  surface  soil  is  lightly  raked,  it  will 

prevent,    excessive    evaporation.       Where    rabbits 

abound  the  wire  guards  must  be  securely  pegged 

down. 

Climbing  Plants. 
The  young  shoots  of  Clematis  will  frequently 
require  regulating  and  t3'ing.  Many  of  the  young 
Rose  leaves  are  curled  up,  and  it  is  here  that  we 
must  look  for  green  fly,  which,  when  detected,  must 
be  exterminated  before  the  numbers  increase. 
Syringing  with  Quassia  Chips  water  is  a 
cleanly  remedy,  and  the  Quassia  leaves  a  peculiar 
bitter  taste,  which  evidently  is  unpalatable  to 
green  fly  for  some  time.  As  such  wall  plants  as 
the  Forsythias,  Ceanothus  cuneatus,  C.  rigidus, 
&;c. ,  pass  out  of  flower  they  should  receive  any 
needful  pruning  ;  but  in  many  private  gardens 
where  quantities  of  cut  flowers  are  required,  these 
plants,  and,  indeed,  most  flowering  shrubs,  need 
but  little  pruning.  The  cutting  for  the  vases,  if 
done  with  judgment,  suihces.  In  the  colder  parts 
of  the  country  any  wall  plants  of  doubtful  hardi- 
ness will  ripen  their  growths  better  and  be  more 
likely  to  withstand  cold  weather  if  the  growths  are 
kept  well  thinned.     In  a  cool,  fairly  moist  soil 

Trop.eolum  speciosum 
can  be  grown  nearly  as  well  in  the  southern  counties 
as  further  north.  Two  years  ago  I  saw  a  good 
specimen  growing  against  the  east  wall  of  a 
dwelling-house  in  the  south  of  Cornwall.  Tropa^o- 
lum  tuberosum  succeeds  under  the  same  treatment 
as  T.  speciosum,  but  the  soil  must  not  be  so  rich  or 
there  will  be  more  leaves  than  flowers.  T.  lobbia- 
num,  the  Canary  Creeper,  and  the  tall  growing 
forms  of  T.  majus  are  also  most  useful  for  quickl}' 
covering  a  bare  space.  Tubers  and  seeds  may  now 
be  planted  and  sown  in  the  open  ground. 

Herbaceous  Borders. 

Many  of  the  Pieonies,  Delphiniums,  &c. ,  now 
require  staking  and  tying.  In  the  case  of  the 
Pajonies  it  is  usually  sufficient  to  place  a  tie  around 
the  stems  beneath  the  leaves,  taking  care  not  to 
"  bunch  "  the  plants.  As  both  the  single  and 
double  forms  of  the  Pheasant's  Eye  Narcissus 
frequently  fail  to  burst  the  flower  sheath  it  is  wise 
to  snip  off  the  ends  of  the  sheaths  with  a  pair  of 
scissors.  A.  C.  Bartlbtt. 

Pencarroio  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Pines. 

The  fruits  of  the  earliest  Queens  are  now  swelling 

rapidly,  and  the  plants  must  be  kept  moist  at  the 


roots.  Give  guano  water  and  diluted  liquid 
manure  water  with  alternate  waterings  until  the 
fruits  change  colour.  Do  not  syringe  the  plants 
heavily  overhead  or  large  crowns  will  be  the 
result.  Merely  spray  them  when  closing  the  house, 
damp  the  paths,  walla,  &c.  Close  the  house  early 
and  allow  the  temperature  to  reach  Do".  When 
the  fruits  change  colour  keep  the  atmosphere  of 
the  house  drier,  withhold  water  from  the  roots, 
and  have  a  freer  circulation  of  warm  air.  If  only 
one  or  two  fruits  are  changing  colour  remove  the 
plants  to  a  cooler  house.  If  more  fruits  are  ripening 
than  are  required  remove  the  plants  to  a  cool 
vinery  or  fruit  room,  where  the3'  will  keep  in  good 
condition  some  time.  Plants  in  flower  should  be 
kept  in  a  drier  atmosphere  until  the  flowers  are 
fertilised,  after  which  they  will  require  the  same 
treatment  as  the  earliest  plants.  Shade  lightly 
during  the  brightest  part  of  the  day.  Plants 
potted  in  February  and  March  should  be  encou- 
raged to  make  sturdy  growth  by  giving  air  freely 
in  the  early  part  of  bright  days.  Guard  against 
hot  pipes,  and  take  advantage  of  sun-heat  by  closing 
earl}'  and  allow  the  temperature  to  run  up  to  90°, 
falling  to  6S°  in  the  morning.  Give  weak  aoot 
water  and  diluted  liquid  manure  occasionally,  and 
guard  against  scorching  by  shading  from  about 
10.  .30  to  2.30.  Pot  on  anj'  plants  which  were  not 
repotted  last  month,  and  repot  auckera  sufficiently 
rooted,  also  put  in  suckers  as  required  as  soon  as 
they  become  large  enough. 

Strawberries. 
All  these  plants  should  now  be  removed  from 
the  vineries  and  Peach  houses,  the  shelves 
thoroughly  syringed  with  insecticide  that  will 
destroy  red  spider.  Later  plants  will  ripen  their 
fruit  better  in  a  cool  house  or  Peach  case,  where 
the  syringe  can  be  well  uaed  all  round  them. 

Cherries  and  Plums. 

Late  varieties  in  cool  houses  have  had  most 
favourable  weather  during  the  time  they  have  been 
in  flower,  and  a  good  set  is  the  result ;  the  house 
should  now  receive  a  light  fumigation.  Grubs 
should  be  looked  for  daily  by  examining  curled 
leaves.  Trees  grown  in  pots  or  planted  outahould 
be  mulched  ;  those  planted  out  should  be  well 
watered  shortly  before  the  fruit  changes  colour, 
and  thoroughly  syringed  on  bright  mornings  only. 
The  feeding  and  syringing  of  Plums  may  be  con- 
tinued much  longer  than  Cherries.  Thin  the  fruits 
freely  on  trees  grown  in  pots,  and  keep  the  growths 
in  check  by  constant  pinching. 

Iinpney  Gardens,  Droitwlck.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Beetroot. 
The  main  crop  may  now  be  got  in,  the  land  should 
be  well  prepared  and  manured  with  well  rotted 
material  ;  fresh  manure  is  apt  to  cause  too  strong 
and  coarse  growth.  Beetroot  seed  is  often  badly 
ripened,  and  it  is  well  to  teat  before  sowing.  If 
the  seed  is  fresh  it  may  be  sown  thinly  in  drills 
1.5  inches  apart.  Let  the  seedlings  be  thinned 
first  to  about  3  inches  apart,  and  three  weeks  later 
to  about  6  inches.  If  blanks  occur  in  the  rows  they 
may  be  safely  transplanted,  and  if  this  is  done  in 
showery  weather  results  will  be  quite  satisfactory. 
The  best  variety  for  all  purposes  is  Dell's  Crimson, 
and  if  two  sorts  are  desired  Pragnell's  Exhibition 
is  a  good  sort  and  is  fit  for  use  earlier.  If  very 
early  roots  are  required  a  little  seed  of  the  Turnip- 
rooted  sorts  should  be  sown  at  once,  as  they  are  fit 
for  use  several  weeks  in  advance  of  the  long-rooted 
varieties. 

Early  Cabbages. 

To  ensure  a  succession  of  Cabbages  to  those  sown 
in  frames  in  February,  a  good  aowing  should  be 
made  now  or  a  little  later  in  May,  so  as  to 
come  into  use  in  September  and  October.  Before 
planting  out  those  in  frames  or  boxes  they  must  be 
hardened  off.  When  planted  they  should  stand 
about  18  inches  apart  each  way.  Ellam's  Early  is 
a  good  sort  at  all  seasons.  See  that  firm  planting 
is  carried  out. 

Early  Brussels  Sprouts. 

Plants  raised  from  seed  sown  at  the  same  time 
as  Early  Cauliflower  will  now  be  large  enough  to 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


327 


plant  out,  and  will  make  a  good  succession  to  those 
sown  in  the  autumn.  Select  a  good  piece  of  ground 
that  has  been  trenched,  draw  drills  4  inches  deep 
and  2i  feet  apart,  the  plants  should  be  2  feet  apart 
in  the  rows.  If  the  ground  is  subject  to  grub  the 
roots  may  be  dipped  in  a  mixture  of  soil  to  which 
has  been  added  a  handful  of  soot  and  lime,  the 
whole  made  into  a  paste.  They  may  be  given  a 
good  soaking  of  soot  water  frequently. 

Peas. 

Put  stakes  to  any  that  are  in  need  of  support. 
Place  the  stakes  several  inches  from  the  rows,  and 
see  that  they  are  sharp  at  the  ends.  They  should 
be  placed  in  slantingly,  the  tendrils  then  get  hold 
sooner,  and  small  sticks  at  the  bottom  are  not 
required. 

General  Remarks. 

Close  attention  must  now  be  paid  to  keep 
up  a  succession  of  Lettuce,  Radish,  Spinach,  &c. ; 
sowing  in  each  case  should    be    done  fortnightly. 


L^LIA  JONGHEANA   AT   KEW 


Draw  the  soil  to  Cabbages,  Peas,  Beans,  and  other 
growing  crops.     Ply  the  hoe  on  fine  days. 

Thomas  Hay. 
Hopetoun  Hoitse  Gardens,  Queenrferry,  N.  B. 


INDOOR   GAEDEN. 

Hydrangea  paniculata  grandiflora. 

Whether  grown  as  standard  or  dwarf  plants  this 
is,  equally  useful.  It  is  of  easy  culture,  and  if  sub- 
mitted to  abundance  of  air  and  light  the  growth 
■\i'ill  be  short  jointed  and  strong,  and  may  be 
expected  to  produce  fine  large  heads  of  flowers. 
The  plants  will  require  a  liberal  supply  of  stimu- 
lants, liquid  cow  and  sheep  manure,  together  with 
a  little  soot  water  and  a  dose  or  two  of  Clay's 
Fertilizer  being  suitable  manures  for  the  purpose. 
Syringing  the  plants  two  or  three  times  a  day  is 
necessary  to  keep  red  spider  in  check.  Prune 
back  the  shoots  to  within  one  or  two  eyes  of  their 
base  on  those  plants  required  for  late  flowering, 
and  place  them  in  a  close  but  cool  position,  and 
syringe  occasionally  to  induce  them  to  break 
strongly  and  freel}'. 

Hydrangea  hortensis. 

This  should  be  propagated  by  inserting  at  once, 

singly  in  3-inch  pots,  a  few  cuttings  obtained  from 

.  shoots  that  are  not  showing  flower.     If  plunged  in 


a  gentle  bottom-heat  in  a  close  warm  frame  these 
will  soon  emit  roots.  Afterwards  give  them  cooler 
treatment.  Directly  they  are  ready  give  them  a 
shift  into  4-inch  or  5-inch  pots,  and  grow  them 
throughout  the  summer  with  full  exposure  to  air, 
light,  and  sun  to  ripen  the  growth.  Plants  grown 
from  cuttings  taken  the  previous  autumn  are  now 
rapidly  developing  their  flowers,  and  will  require 
all  the  assistance  that  can  be  given  in  the  way  of 
stimulants. 

Gardenias. 

An  abundance  of  heat  and  moisture  is  required 
by  these  plants.  Generally  the  best  results  are 
obtained  by  planting  them  in  a  bed.  The  roots  of 
plants  that  are  confined  in  pots  will  require  mois- 
ture in  abundance  and  to  be  well  nourished  by  the 
application  of  manure  liquid  as  well  as  a  little  of 
Clay's  Fertilizer.  Directly  the  first  crop  of  flowers 
is  over,  such  plants,  if  pruned  back  and  treated 
liberally  afterwards  in  respect  of  heat  and  moisture, 
will  grow  well  and  flower  again  during  the  autumn. 

C;a  l  a  d  I  d  m 
Argyrites. 

Of  all  the 
varieties  that 
are  cultivated, 
this,  for  table 
decoration,  is 
perhaps  the 
most  useful. 
Not  always  are 
the  plants  seen 
in  a  perfectly 
healthy  condi- 
tion, which 
may  be  due,  in 
a  measure,  to 
the  treatment 
they  receive. 
First,  the  soil 
into  which 
their  roots  will 
enter  freely 
should  consist 
of  good  peat 
two  parts, 
fibrous  loam 
one  part,  with 
a  fair  amount 
of  sand.  Drain- 
ing the  pots 
well  is  very 
important,  as 
no  stagnant 
water  must 
remain  about 
their  roots. 
They      delight 

in  heat,  with   moderate  shade  from  strong  sun,  as 

well  as  moisture  in  the  atmosphere. 

Tranhy  Croft,  Hull.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 


ORCHIDS. 


CYPRIPEDIUM    EOTHSCHILUIANUiM. 

FROM  The  Gardens,  Monk's  Manor,  Lin- 
coln, Mr.  O.  T.  Warrington'  writes  : 
"  I  send  you  a  photograph  of  Cypri- 
pedium  r o  t  h  s  c  h i  1  d  i  a n  u  m — [Unfortu- 
nately, not  suitable  for  reproduction. — 
Ed.] — which  you  may  care  to  publish. 
I  received  the  plant  when  quite  small  nine  years 
ago.  It  has  been  grown  in  an  ordinary  stove,  and 
has  flowered  regularly  for  the  last  six  years.  This 
year  it  has  five  spikes,  which  carried  nineteen 
flowers.  No  particular  treatment  has  been  given. 
The  plant  is  potted  in  peat,  sphagnum,  with  a 
little  loam  and  charcoal  intermixed." 


ODONTOGLOSSUM    ANDER- 
SONIANUM. 

This  is  a  natural  hybrid  between  0.  crispum  and 
0.  gloriosum.  It  varies  greatly,  a  variety,  flowers 
of  which  have  been  sent  by  Mr.  D.  M.  Grimsdale, 
Kent  Lodge,  Oxbridge,  having  exceptionally  good 


sepals,  on  account  of  the  bright  large  chestnut- 
brown  blotches.  Judging  the  flower  all  round,  it 
may  well  be  classed  as  a  good  variety,  but  is  not 
so  tine  as  several  known  forms.  We  have  seen  a 
variety  lately  with  one  bulb  carrying  over  sixty 
flowers,  and  the  blooms  were  4A  inches  from  petal 
to  petal  and  from  sepal  to  sepal. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

L/ELIA    JONGHEANA. 

This  is  a  most  useful  and  beautiful  Orchid,  flower- 
ing when  these  flowers  are  scarce,  and  having  a 
good  constitution.  New  roots  will  now  be  emitted 
from  the  last  made  growth,  and  then  the  requisite 
repotting  or  resurfacing  is  best  accomplished.  We 
find  it  to  succeed  better  when  suspended.  The 
best  receptacles  are  pots  with  three  small  holes  for 
hanging  them  by,  or  non-perforated  pans.  A  good 
compost  consists  of  two  parts  fibrous  peat,  two 
parts  chopped  sphagnum,  and  one  part  leaf-soil, 
mixed  together  with  some  small  crocks  and  coarse 
sand.  Potting  should  be  done  rather  firmly,  keep- 
ing the  compost  low  enough  to  allow  of  a  top- 
dressing  of  sphagnum.  Grow  them  in  the  inter- 
mediate house  in  a  light  position,  shading  them 
from  strong  direct  sunshine. 

Cattleya  House. 

This  house  needs  a  good  deal  of  attention  at 
this  season.  Many  plants  are  emitting  roots  from 
the  base  of  the  last  made  pseudo-bulb.  These 
should  be  resurfaced  or  repotted  as  the  case 
demands.  C.  Mossi«,  C.  Mendelii,  and  many 
hybrids  are  now  throwing  up  their  flowers,  and 
well-rooted  plants  should  be  kept  well  supplied 
with  water  and  given  a  light  position.  C.  Schro- 
deree  is  now  passing  out  of  flower,  and  will  require 
little  water  till  new  growth  begins.  C.  aurea  and 
C.  gigas,  that  have  been  kept  rather  dry  since  early 
winter,  are  now  starting  into  growth,  and  some 
may  be  emitting  roots.  The  latter  may  be  resur- 
faced or  potted,  using  the  compost  as  advised  for 
Cattleyas  in  previous  calendars.  From  now  till 
the  completion  of  growth  gradually  increase  the 
quantity  of  water  as  the  growths  develop.  In  most 
Cattleya  houses  there  are  some  large  plants  that 
show  signs  of  deterioration,  which,  if  not  taken  in 
hand,  will  soon  become  very  unsightly.  If  "  collar 
root  ■'  appears  the  plants  should  be  carefully  pulled 
to  pieces  and  rebuilt  after  the  old  back  pseudo- 
bulbs  have  been  removed.  C.  bowringiana  may 
still  be  kept  rather  dry,  increasing  the  supply 
when  new  growths  appear.  Potting  should  be  done 
when  the  new  roots  are  visible.  C.  Skinneri  will 
be  ready  for  potting  soon  after  passing  out  of  flower. 
C.  gaskelliana  may  now  be  potted  or  otherwise 
renovated.  Some  C.  Trianie  are  now  growing  well, 
and  some  are  still  resting,  so  that  discrimination 
when  watering  must  be  exercised.  From  now  till 
the  end  of  August  we  shut  our  Cattleya  houses  for 
two  or  three  hours  during  the  afternoon,  which  we 
find  very  beneficial.  Air  is  again  put  on  about 
o.  30,  and  left  on  till  the  next  afternoon,  regulating 
it  according  to  the  outside  condition.  By  this 
means  the  atmosphere  is  kept  buoyant  and  pure, 
and  is  not  conducive  to  soft,  sappy  growth. 

Gallon  Park  Gardena,  Reigate.    W.  P.  Bound. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

TREES  AND   SHRUBS  UNDER  GLASF 
AT   FINSBURY   PARK. 

IT  was  our  pleasure  a  few  days  since  to  visit 
Finsbury  Park,  there  to  see  the  interesting 
collection  of  flowering  trees  and  shrubs  that 
have  been  acquired  in  recent  years.  Mr. 
Melville,  the  superintendent,  has  spared  no 
pains  to  make  the  display  an  interesting 
one,  and  the  large  conservatory  shows  well  how 
beautiful  these  trees  and  shrubs  are  under  glass. 
Such  a  display  cannot  fail  to  impress  those  who 
see  it  with  the  beautiful  character  of  the  subjectp 
brought  before  their  notice  in  this  way.  The 
majority  of  London  residents— and  many  of  those 
too,  who  live  in  its  suburbs — are  unfamiliar  with 


328 


THE    GARDEN. 


TMay  7,  1904. 


the  abundance  of  flowering  trees  and  shrubs  that 
may  be  acquired  so  cheaply.  To  make  the  visitors 
to  Finsbury  Park  familiar  with  some  of  the  beauti- 
ful things  now  at  their  best,  the  fine  display  in  the 
conservatory  serves  this  purpose.  The  grouping  is 
excellent.  Down  the  centre  of  the  house  there  is 
a  serpentine  path,  and  the  plants  are  grouped  for 
colour  effect  in  a  most  pleasing  manner.  Form  of 
individual  plants  has  also  been  considered,  so  that 
the  grace  and  beauty  of  one  contrasts  with  the 
stiffer  -  growing  character  of  the  other.  The  dif- 
ferent shrubs  are  disposed  with  care,  so  that  each 
one  assists  in  the  displaj',  and  a  finish  is  given  bj' 
the  ordinary  occupants  of  the  glass  structure. 

Large  and  handsome  bushes  of  Spiraea  confusa 
had  been,  and  were  still,  in  fine  form,  bearing  an 
abundance  of  dainty  clusters  of  white  flowers. 
The  flowering  Crabs  were  exceptionallj'  fine,  and 
of  these  there  was  a  good  number.  Their  free- 
flowering  branches  in  different  shades  of  colour 
were  distinctl3'  pretty,  and  the  specimens  were  also 
of  fine  proportions.  We  specially  mention  Pyrus 
Malus  floribunda,  P.  M.  atrosanguinea,  and  P. 
spectabilis  fl.-roseo-pleno.  These  three  plants  in 
themselves  were  most  effective.  Contrasted  with 
the  last-mentioned  were  occasional  specimens  of 
the  double  flowering  Almond  (Amygdalus  persica 
fl.-pl.),  with  its  deep  pink  blossoms  of  a  most 
attractive  shade  of  colour.  A  very  dainty  bush 
was  the  beautiful  Prunus  sinensis  albo  pleno,  the 
blossoms  being  profusely  developed,  and  the  speci- 
mens large.  Of  Lilacs  there  were  Charles  X. 
(under  glass  quite  a  pale  colour),  and  a  fine  white, 
Marie  Legraye.  The  lovely  double  rose  flowering 
Cherry  (Cerasus  Watererii)  was  most  striking,  and 
good  use  was  made  of  it.  Other  interesting  plants 
were  Forsythia  viridissima.  Magnolia  alba  superba, 
and  the  snow-white  Guelder  Rose  (Viburnum  pli- 
catum),  the  latter  being  specially  attractive.  The 
sweetly-scented  Staphylea  colchica,  with  dense 
clusters  of  white  flowers,  was  much  admired.  Good 
specimens  of  the  Deutzias  were  also  in  evidence, 
and  these,  together  with  such  plants  as  Dielytra 
spectabilis,  completed  a  beautiful  display.  There 
were  many  other  plants  out  of  doors  in  pots,  to  be 
brought  indoors  to  continue  the  display,  so  that 
the  spring  will  be  well  advanced  before  this  feature 
at  Finsbury  Park  is  over.  The  Ghent  and  mollis 
Azaleas,  and  quite  a  number  of  other  things  will, 
at  a  later  date,  add  to  the  display.  This  exhibition 
of  flowering  trees  and  shrubs  has  much  to  com- 
mend it,  and  other  London  parks  might  well  follow 
the  excellent  example  set  at  Finsbury. 

D.  B.  C. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor    is    not   responsible  for    the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 

THE    EFFECT    OF    EXHIBITIONS    ON 
POTATO  CULTURE. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  R, — I  am  tempted  to  write  these  notes 
through  reading  a  remark  by  Mr.  B. 
Ashton,  in  his  interesting  article  on 
cultivating  and  exhibiting  the  Potato, 
page  276.  After  giving  a  list  of  suitable 
varieties  for  the  purpose  in  view,  Mr. 
Ashton  observes,  "and  I  might  add  International 
Kidney,  which  has  perhaps  been  awarded  more 
prizes  than  any  Potato  ever  grown,  though 
its  fine  appearance  is  its  only  recommendation." 
There  is  food  for  a  considerable  amount  of  thought 
in  the  above  sentence,  assuming  that  the  state- 
ment is  substantially  correct.  Here  we  have  a 
variety  of  Potato,  a  record  prize-winner,  which  has 
fine  appearance  to  recommend  it,  and  nothing  else. 
Surely  there  is  something  that  needs  altering  here  1 
Gardening  societies  and  shows  are  supposed  to 
exist,  so  far  as  vegetables  aTe  concerned,  in  order 
to  promote  and  encourage  the  cultivation  of  the 
best  and  most  profitable,  yet  here  we  have  a 
Potato,  and  it  is  not  the  only  one  by  any  means, 
that  wins  prizes  frequently,  and  yet,  with  regard 
to  flavour,  it  is  not  worth  growing  compared  to 
many  others.     I  will  venture  to  say  that  there  are 


numerous  Potatoes,  besides  the  one  referred  to,  that 
would  quickly  be  discarded,  and  in  a  short  time 
would  drop  out  of  cultivation  altogether  if  it  were 
not  for  exhibitions.  The  fact  is,  they  happen  to 
possess  the  charm  of  good  looks,  and,  having 
nothing  but  appearance  on  their  side,  they  are 
grown  simply  for  show,  and,  unfortunately,  they 
often  take  prizes  over  the  heads  of  infinitely  better 
varieties.  There  would  not  be  so  much  room  for 
complaint  if  all  really  good  Potatoes  were  ugly, 
but  such  is  not  the  case.  A  Potato  (and  there  are 
plenty  of  them  in  the  market)  which  combines 
good  looks  with  high  quality  and  heavy  cropping 
powers  is  an  ideal  variety  for  a  man  to  grow, 
whether  he  is  an  exhibitor  or  otherwise,  because 
everj'one  knows  that  an  ugly,  deep-eyed  tuber  is 
unprofitable,  because  the  best  part  of  it  is  cut  to 
waste  in  the  process  of  peeling. 

Exhibitions  are  a  mistake  when  they  encourage 
varieties  that  have  good  looks  to  recommend  them 
and  nothing  else.  It  is  an  undisputed  fact  that  at 
the  majority  of  shows  Potatoes  are  judged  entirely 
by  appearance,  and  with  an  array  of  dishes  before 
them  the  eyes  of  the  adjudicators  fall  at  once  on 
the  nicest-looking  tubers.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at  that  exhibitors  are  alive  to  all  this.  They  know 
it  is  the  pretty  tuber  that  catches  the  judge's  eye, 
and  their  object  is  to  win  prizes,  consequently  a 
number  of  admittedly  poor,  though  nice-looking. 
Potatoes  are  grown  purely  and  simply  for  show, 
and  at  their  hands  far  better  varieties  suffer  defeat. 
The  deduction  which  naturally  follows  is  that 
shows  are  keeping  in  cultivation  a  class  of 
inferior  Potatoes  which  could  readily  be  dispensed 
with.  Is  there  no  remedy?  It  is  quite  obvious 
that  Potatoes  at  shows  cannot  be  cooked  to  test 
their  eating  qualities,  and,  again,  varieties  vary 
considerably  when  grown  under  different  con- 
ditions, so  it  comes  to  be  largely  a  question  of 
knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  judges.  Most  of  the 
nice-looking  but  practically  worthless  varieties 
have  been  exhibited  long  enough  to  become  known, 
and  every  person  who  takes  upon  himself  the 
judging  of  Potatoes  is,  or  ought  to  be,  acquainted 
with  them.  In  a  word,  they  should  be  passed 
oyer  with  a  spirit  of  boycott,  the  reason  being 
given,  and  they  would  soon  cease  to  appear 
on  show  tables.  Another  way  would  be  for 
every  society  to  have  a  black  list  of  undesirable 
varieties,  and  insist  on  all  dishes  of  Potatoes 
exhibited  being  correctly  named.  In  a  few  instances 
something  is  done  in  this  direction,  and  as  a  case  in 
point  I  am  acquainted  with  a  society  the  members  of 
which  exhibited  largely  a  well-known  local  Potato 
of  pleasing  appearance  but  otherwise  worthless. 
After  a  good  deal  of  discussion  it  was  finally 
decided  that  no  prize  should  be  given  to  the 
variety  in  question  at  any  meeting  of  the  society, 
and  the  result  was  that  it  was  at  once  banished 
from  the  gardens  of  the  members  for  the  sake  of 
something  better. 

I  only  mention  the  above  as  suggestions,  which 
might  probably  be  improved  upon,  but  it  is  time 
that  something  was  done  to  prevent  worthless 
Potatoes  winning  prizes  at  exhibitions.  No  one 
ought  to  be  able  to  say  that  vegetable  shows  do  not 
encourage  the  cultivation  of  the  best,  and  the  best 
alone,  but  while  this  haphazard,  unsatisfactory  way 
of  awarding  prizes  to  Potatoes  which  please  only  the 
eye  exists,  the  above  charge  can  not  only  be  made 
but  proved  into  the  bargain.  G.  H.  H. 


DESTRUCTION  OF  WILD  FLOWERS. 
Unlawful  in  Munich. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — In  reply  to  the  call  for  suggestions  at  the 
finish  of  "  F.  A.  B.'s"  vigorous  appeal  on  the 
above  subject  in  The  Garden  on  the  2.3rd  ult.,  I 
may  mention  that  to  stop  the  wholesale  destruction 
of  the  indigenous  flora  the  magistrates  of  Munich 
have  only  quite  recently  decreed  the  offering  for 
sale  in  the  Munich  markets  or  by  hawkers  of  wild 
plants  with  roots  to  be  unlawful.     E.  Heinricii. 


Wild  Flowers."  I  for  one  shall  be  glad  to  unite 
with  others  in  doing  all  I  can  to  stop  this 
pernicious  practice.  A.  .J.  Keen. 

Buddand  Gardens,  Bwlch,  R.S.O.,  Breconshire. 


[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir,— I  read  with  great  pleasure  the   letters    of 
"K.  L.  D."  and  "F.  A.  B."  on  "Destruction  of 


POTATO  SETS. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — I  was  very  pleased  to  notice  in  The 
Garden  the  remarks  regarding  Potato  seed  from 
such  an  experienced  cultivator  as  Mr.  Wythes.  I 
can  confirm  what  he  says  as  to  the  small  sets  sent 
out  this  season  by  seedsmen  for  seed  purposes.  I 
have  had  several  lots  from  some  of  our  large 
English  seed  firms,  and  I  have  been  very  much 
disappointed  with  the  sets  that  were  sent  to  me. 
In  the  majority  of  cases  they  were  very  small 
indeed  ;  in  fact,  some  were  just  the  size  of  an 
ordinary  marble.  If  it  were  not  for  the  reputation 
of  some  of  the  growers  I  should  have  had  consider- 
able hesitation  in  planting  the  stock.  However, 
the  varieties  are  scarce  and  expensive,  and  I 
suppose  this  is,  in  no  small  measure,  the  cause  of 
the  small  sets  that  are  being  sold.  I  am  also  glad 
to  hear  such  a  high  opinion  expressed  regarding 
northern-grown  seed  from  such  an  authority  as 
Mr.  Wythes,  and  his  experience  is  fully  confirmed, 
I  notice,  by  other  large  southern  growers.  In 
every  case  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  watching 
I  find  that  Scotch-grown  seed  has  always  given 
great  satisfaction,  and  has  produced  a  much 
heavier  crop  than  the  home-grown.  I  find  here 
in  Midlothian  that  we  get  better  results  from 
seed  secured  from  further  north,  and  the  crop  is 
always  heavier  and  healthier.  It  will  be  inter- 
esting to  growers  to  know  the  result  of  trials 
which,  I  notice,  "A.  D."  is  making  this  year. 
Doubtless,  the  information  will  be  communicated 
to  The  Garden  in  due  time.  Along  with  man5' 
others  I  will  watch  carefully  for  this,  and  I  hope 
that  "A.  D."  will  give  the  benefit  of  his  expe- 
riences this  coming  season  with  the  varieties  he  is 
growing.  I  am  testing  here  two  new  varieties 
which  I  understand  will  be  distributed  from 
Scotland  this  autumn.  One  is  an  early  kidney, 
and  the  other  is  a  second  earlj'  round  variety. 
Both  are  reputed  to  be  enormous  croppers,  and  'are 
said  to  be  disease-resisting,  but  a  good  many 
independent  tests  this  year  with  varieties  of  proved 
merit  will  settle  the  above  points.  One  good 
feature  about  the  stock  that  will  be  placed  on  the 
market  is  this,  none  of  it  has  been  rushed,  that  is 
to  say,  it  has  not  been  propagated  from  single  eyes 
grown  in  2-^-inch  pots,  &c.  This  practice  is,  I  am 
afraid,  playing  sad  havoc  with  the  constitutions  of 
several  of  our  newer  varieties  of  Potatoes,  and  is, 
in  my  opinion,  taking  what  vigour  and  strength 
there  is  in  them  rapidly  away  before  they  reach  a 
price  at  which  they  can  be  profitably  grown  by  the 
majority  of  gardeners  and  farmers. 
Inveresk,  Midlothian.  G.  M.  Taylor. 


THE    PROPOSED    GARDENERS' 

ASSOCIATION. 

[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — Permit  me  to  endorse  the  opinions  of  your 
correspondent  in  The  Garden  of  the  23rd  ult.  in 
his  belief  that  the  proposed  Gardeners'  Association 
will  eventually  benefit  both  employer  and  employed. 
Registration  of  gardeners  and  regulation  of  wages 
and  of  working  hours  are  sadly  wanted.  Writing 
as  one  who  knows  gardeners  very  well,  I  feel 
certain  that  the  knowledge  he  is  overworked  and 
poorly  paid  is  a  great  drag  upon  almost  any  man's 
usefulness,  and  I  often  feel  bound  to  admire  the 
energy  and  love  that  gardeners  display  in  their 
work  contrasted  to  the  encouragement,  both  in 
praise  and  in  wages,  that  they  receive.  It  is  also 
my  belief  that  better  conditions  for  the  gardener 
would  greatly  tend  to  check  the  perpetual  change 
of  staff'  which  is,  to  my  mind,  the  bane  of  many 
gardens.  It  is  well  enough  for  the  young  man  to 
be  journeying  about  gleaning  experience,  but  when 
he  reaches,  say,  twenty-five,  what  with  head 
gardeners'  positions — posts  so  hard  to  get — and 
journeymen's  and  even  foremen's  positions  barely 
affording  a  living  wage,  the  future  is  indeed  a 
problem   to  him.     I  am   certain   that  employers 


May  7,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


329 


would  find  a  larger  proportion  of  better-paid 
permanent  hands  a  great  boon  to  their  gardens, 
and  it  is  by  initiating  a  movement  in  this  direction 
that  I,  amongst  others,  anticipate  good  from  the 
proposed  Gardeners'  Association,  and  therefore 
heartily  support  its  formation.  Jason. 


ROSE    SHOW^    FIXTURES    FOR 

1904. 

June  15  (Wednesday). — York.f 

,,     27  (Monday).— Isle  of  Wight  (Ryde). 

,,     29    Wednesday).  —  Chippenham,    Farnham, 

Farningham    and  Richmond  (Surrey). 
,,     30  (Thursday). — Canterbury  and  Colchester. 
July     2  (Saturday). — Sutton  (Surrey). 
,,        4  (Monday). — Maidstone. 
,,       6  (Wednesday).— Temple  Gardens  (N.R.S.), 

Croydon,  Ealing,  Hanley,*   Ipswich, 

and  Southampton.* 
,,       7  (Thursday). — Chipping  Norton,  Norwich, 

and  Walton-on-Thames. 
,,        8  (Friday). — Brockham. 
,,        9  (Saturday). — Warminster  and  Windsor. 
,,      12   (Tuesday).  —  Gloucester    and    Wolver- 
hampton, t 
,,      13  (Wednesday). — Formby,  Harrow,  Reading, 

Stevenage,  and  Thornton  Heath. 
,,      14  (Thursday). — I?ath,  Elthara,  Helensburgh, 

Southsea,*  and  Woodbridge. 
,,      15  (Friday). — Gresford  and  Ulverston. 
,,      16  (Saturday). — Manchester. 
,,      19  (Tuesday).— Saltaire  and  Tibshelf. 
„      21  (Thursday).— Halifax. 
,,     27  (Wednesday).  — Cardiff*  and  Newcastle- 

on-Tyne.t 
Aug.  13  (Saturday).— ShefiBeld. 
Sept.  20  (Tuesday). — Royal    Horticultural    Hall, 

Westminster  (N.R.S.). 

*  Shows  lasting  two  days.        t  Lasting  three  days. 

Edward  Mawley. 
Bosebank,  BerhJiamsted,  Herts. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


GIANT  MIGNONETTE.— Mignonette 
is  perhaps  one  of  the  plants  most 
prone  to  deterioration  unless  great 
care  is  taken  in  the  selection  of 
stock.  I  have  before  me  some  speci- 
mens of  Machet,  the  largest  spikes 
measuring  74  inches  in  circumference  and  about 
6  inches  deep ;  the  individual  flowers  are  very  large. 
The  grower,  Mr.  Ward  of  Southgate,  tells  me  that 
his  father  took  half  the  first  pound  of  seed  that 
was  sent  over.  They  have  kept  to  the  same  stock 
ever  since,  but  have  greatly  improved  it.  The 
plants  now  in  the  market  are  from  seed  sown  last 
August,  and  grown  on  singly  in  4j-inch  pots,  being 
stopped  once  and  pegged  down,  which  induces  the 
side  shoots  to  start  evenly.  Each  plant  produces 
from  five  to  seven  or  eight  large  spikes  of  liloom. 
Good  culture,  of  course,  has  something  lo  ilu  with 
the  enormous  spikes  of  bloom.  Mr.  Ward  is 
fortunate  in  possessing  such  a  fine  strain. 

Zonal  Pelargoniums. — These  are  now  a  great 
feature  in  the  market ;  beautifully-flowered  plants 
are  coming  from  several  growers.  As  flowering 
plants  in  4J-ineh  pots  they  have  certainly  come 
much  to  the  front  during  the  last  few  years.  The 
semi-double  varieties  are  the  most  prominent  just 
now,  but  the  singles  will  be  equally  plentiful 
shortly.  The  best  crimsons  are  F.  V.  Raspail, 
improved  and  double  H.  Jacoby,  light  or  rosy 
scarlet ;  Ville  de  Poitiers  is  very  good.  In  pinks, 
Roty,  a  newer  variety,  appears  very  promising  ; 
Berthe  de  Presilly  is  a  lovely  shade  of  pink,  and 
is  now  seen  at  its  best.  King  of  Denmark  still 
holds  its  place  as  the  best  semi-double  salmon- 
coloured  sort,  and  Hermione  is  the  favourite  white. 
In  single  varieties  Hall  Caine  and  Robert  Hayes 
are  worthy  of  note.  For  window  boxes  and 
bedding  West  Brighton  Gem  is  much  in  demand, 


and  well-flowered  plants  are  plentiful.  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums  are  also  coming  in  plentifully  now — 
Galilee  and  Mme.  Crousse,  beautifully  -  flowered 
plants  in  4i-inch  pots.  Show  Pelargoniums  are 
also  more  plentiful  now,  but  they  are  not  yet  quite 
up  to  what  we  used  to  see  a  few  years  ago. 

Bhodanthe,  which  market  growers  do  so  well,  is 
now  plentiful.  This  sells  well  in  pots,  but  many 
buy  to  cut  off  and  dry  the  flowers  ;  that  which 
comes  in  early  is  best  for  this  purpose,  as  the 
flowers  are  not  too  far  advanced,  and  keep  better 
after  they  are  dried. 

Intermediate  Stocks.— The  crimsons  are  always 
most  in  demand,  but  the  whites  have  been  most 
plentiful.  Harrison's  Musk  is  now  plentiful,  but  it 
is  not  quite  so  much  in  demand  as  formerly. 

Verbenas. — The  success  of  Verbena  Miss  E.  Will- 
mott  has  led  growers  to  try  other  sorts.  I  have 
not  yet  seen  the  scarlet  Warley,  but  there  is  a  good 
purple  and  a  white  variety  coming.  Heliotropes 
are  now  very  plentiful  in  well-flowered  plants. 
Hydrangeas,  both  pink  and  white,  are  now  at  their 
best. 

Single  Petunias.— It  is  surprising  what  large 
quantities  of  these  are  sold  during  the  season  ;  one 
grower  told  me  he  had  60,000  in  pots,  and  I  believe 
there  are  several  others  who  grow  them  in  equally 
large  quantities.  Minmlus  is  another  favourite, 
and  the  Covent  Garden  growers  have  a  very  fine 
strain,  the  flowers  being  of  great  size  and  rich  in 
colouring.  Purchasers  should  give  them  good 
ground  with  plenty  of  manure,  and  they  will  do 
well.  A.  H. 


SOCIETIES. 


KOYAL    HORTICULTUUAL    SOCIETY. 
Drill  hall  Meeting. 
There  was  a  splendid  display  of  plants  and  flowers  at  the 
Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  laat,  perhaps  as  tine  an  exhibition  as 
has  ever  been  held  there.     Roses,  hardy  flowers,  Daffodils, 
Tulips,  Orchids,  and  trees  and  shrubs  in  flower  were  shown 
in  bewildering  quantity.     There  were  several  new  plants 
and  flowers  of  merit,  which  are  fully  described  below. 
Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  (chairman),  Messrs.  James 
O'Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  H.  M.  Pollett,  Norman  C.  Cookson, 
Walter  Cobb,  Francis  Wellesley,  Jeremiah  Colman,  James 
Douglas,  W.  A.  Bihiey,  H.  T.  Pitt,  Richard  G.  Thwaites, 
A.  A.  McBean,  F.  W.  Ashton,  T.  W".  Bond,  M.  Gleeson,  H.  G. 
Morris,  H.  A.  Tracy,  G.  F.  Moore,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  J. 
Chapman,  W.  H.  White,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  F.  Sander,  H. 
Little,  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  and  W.  Boxall. 

The  group  of  Orchids  shown  by  H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford 
Hill,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thurgood),  contained  many  choice 
plants.  Odontoglossum  wilckeanum  Pittire  (cultural  com- 
mendation), carrying  a  raceme  of  sixteen  flowers,  was  very 
fine.  O.  erispum  cannonianum,  heavily  spotted  with  choco- 
late; 0.  c.  The  Geisha,  yellow  ground,  with  chocolate 
markings  ;  0.  c.  Pink  Pearl,  O.  Adrianre,  0.  A.  Canary  Bird, 
Oncidium  leucochilum,  Vanda  denisoniana,  Cattleya  Schro- 
derae,  C.  lawrenceana,  C.  William  Murray,  La;lia  purpurata 
Novelty,  and  Anguloa  uniflora  were  other  good  things  in 
this  group.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Wylam-on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr. 
Chapman),  exhibited  a  group  of  miscellaneous  Orchids,  in 
which  Cattleya  Jupiter  Oakwood  var.  was  splendid  ;  C. 
William  Murray,  C.  oakwoodiensis,  hybrid  Phaius  (among 
them  P.  Phoebe),  some  very  handsome  spotted  forms  of 
Odontoglossum  erispum,  Cypripedium  callosum  Sanderte,  and 
C.  lawrenceanum  hyeanum  (Oakwood  seedling)  were  others. 
Among  the  OdonLoglossums  were  0.  c.  xanthotes  var. 
Cooksoniai  and  0.  c.  Clive.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  exhibited  a  group  of 
Orchids,  in  which  Cymbidium  lowianum  Illustre,  Cattleya 
intermedia  alba,  Laslio-Cattleya  Martineti  (C.  Mossire  X  L, 
tenebrosa),  L.-C.  Aphrodite,  L.-C.  Mozart,  Odontoglossum 
polyxanthum,  0.  triumphans  latisepalum,  0.  erispum  vars., 
Miltonia  vexillaria  Augusta  Victoria,  and  Cypripedium  Annie 
Measures  were  some  of  the  best  things  shown.  Silver  Flora 
medal. 

H.  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Putney  (gardener,  Mr.  George  E. 
Day),  exhibited  a  pretty  display  of  Orchids,  among  which 
finely-flowered  Dendrobium  wardianum,  D.  crassinode,  and 
D  nobile  were  prominent.  There  were  also  Phaius,  Cattleya 
Mendelii,  Zygopetahiin  crinitum,  Oncidium  concolor,  Cat- 
tleya citrina,  and  others.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

In  the  group  from  Messrs.  James  Cypher  and  Sons,  Chel- 
tenham, were  some  good  Ltelia  purpurata  in  several  varie- 
ties, that  made  an  effective  centre.  Cattleya  Skinneri,  C. 
Skinneri  X  Lrelia  purpurata,  C.  Schrodera?,  C.  citrina,  Mil- 
tonia vexillaria,  Oncidium  varicosum,  Masdevallia  harryana 
Scarlet  King,  and  M.  Heathii  were  also  well  shown.  Silver 
Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Stanley,  Ashton,  and  Co.,  Southgate,  N.,  had  some 
excellent  Oncidium  varicosum  Rogersii,  Odontoglossum 
erispum  varieties,  0.  Adrianre,  Laslia  elegans,  Cymbidium 
lowianum  concolor,  Cattleya  schilleriana,  Masdevallia  Pour- 
baixii,  &c.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  had  a 
very  bright  exhibit  of  Orchids  in  variety,  among  which  were 


some  very  choice  things,  for  instance,  Laslio-Cattleya  G.  S* 
Ball,  L.-C.  Mercia,  Cattleya  Schrddera)  majestica,  C.  Jupiter 
(C.  lawrenceana  X  C.  gigas),  L.-C.  Dora,  Brasso-Cattleya 
Schrbderaj-digbyana,  L.-C.  welleiana  alba,  Brasau-Cattleya 
Mossijc-digbyana,  Spathoglottis  khiiballiana,  Odontoglossum 
Adrians,  and  L.-C.  hyeana  splendens  (L.  purpurata  X  C. 
lawrenceana).     Silver  Flora  medal. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Baron  Sir  Henry  Schroder, 
Bart.,  The  Dell,  Eghara  (gardener,  Mr.  Ballantine),  for  cut 
racemes  of  some  luvely  Odontoglossums.  Among  them  were 
O,  Pescatorei  schrbderianum,  0.  luteo-purpureum,  O.  wilcke- 
anum, 0.  w.  giganteum,  0.  triumphans  var.  latisepalum,  and 
O.  excellens  var.  dellense. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfteld, 
showed  a  small  group,  in  which  we  noticed  Cypripedium 
grande,  C.  caudatum,  Cattleya  intermedia  alba,  C.  Mozart 
(C.  lobata  x  C.  lawrenceana),  Miltonia  Roezlii,  Lycaste 
aromatita,  &c.    Vote  of  thanks. 

C.  J.  Lucas,  Esq.,  Warnham  Court,  Horsham  (gardener 
Mr.  G.  Duncan),  showed  some  beautiful  forms  of  Odonto- 
glossum erispum,  0.  triumphans,  O.  andersonianum,  and 
others. 

J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  Southgate,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  George 
Whitelegge),  exhibited  a  group  of  Orchids,  in  which  some 
good  forms  of  Lycaste  Skinneri  were  to  be  seen.  Cattleya 
Schrddertc,  C.  S.  alba,  C.  intermedia  alba,  C.  lawrenceana, 
C.  Mendelii,  Lcelia  Latona,  L.-C.  lucasiana,  Lycaste  Balli», 
and  some  pretty  spotted  and  unspotted  forms  of  Odonto- 
glossum erispum  were  also  included,  as  well  as  finely- 
flowered  plants  of  Cymbidium  lowianum  and  Oncidium 
marshallianum.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  H.  Druce,  St.  John's  Wood,  showed  some  hybrid  Cypri- 
pediums,  which  included  C.  concolor  x  bellatulum,  bellatu- 
lum  nobilior,  chamberlainianum  X  concolor  Kegnieri,  and 
niveum  X  bellatulum. 

New  Orchids. 

Odontoglossum  erispum  Clio.— A  fairly  large  flower  of 
excellent  form.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  lilac-purple, 
fading  to  white  towards  the  edge,  and  are  marked  with  a 
few  red  spots.  From  W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  The  Grange, 
Stone.    Award  of  merit. 

Odontoglossum  nebulosum  Gurney  Wilson. — A  heavily- 
spotted  form  of  the  "  cloudlike  Odontoglossum."  The  large, 
broad  petals  make  the  outUne  of  the  flower  almost  square. 
They  are  white,  the  sepals  are  tinged  with  pink,  and  both 
are  heavily  blotched  with  brown  and  pale  purple.  From 
G.  Wilson,  Esq.  Glenthorne,  Hayward's  Heath.  Award  of 
merit. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  W.  Marshall  (chairman),  Messrs.  E.  H. 
Jenkins,  George  Nicholson,  J.  Green,  J.  F.  McLeud,  William 
Howe,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  C.  R.  Fielder,  Charles  Dixon,  W. 
Bain,  J.  Jennings,  Charles  Jefferies,  C.  J.  Salter,  W.  P. 
Thomson,  Charles  E.  Shea,  W.  J.  James,  H.  Turner,  George 
Paul,  C.  T.  Druery,  J.  W.  Barr,  and  James  Hudson. 

Messrs.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  had  a  mixed  group  of 
flowering  shrubs  and  alpines.  The  former  contained  Lilacs 
in  variety,  Prunus,  Cytisus  purpureus  pendula  (a  very  grace- 
ful plant),  many  beautiful  Magnolias,  Acers,  and  other  good 
early  things.  In  the  alpines  we  noted  Epimedium  niveum, 
Orchis  mascula,  Primula  japonica  in  many  shades,  early 
Phlo.tes,  &c.  Gunnera  Monnierii,  with  peltate  leaves  and 
crowded  inflorescences,  not  more  than  3  inches  high,  was 
extremely  interesting.  Primula  scotica  was  also  in  good 
form.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  a 
fine  lot  of  flowering  shrubs,  in  which  Cerasus  pseudo-Cerasus 
var.  Watereri  was  a  prominent  plant.  The  great  trusses  of 
pale  pink  blossoms  are  very  fine.  Pyrus  Mains  Schiedeckerii, 
with  ruddy  buds  and  rose-pink  flowers,  was  also  beautifuL 
Hydrangea  Hortensia  Veitchii,  with  large  white  bracts  in  a 
terminal  umbel,  was  very  fine.  Good,  too,  was  Fabiana 
imbricata  in  flower,  the  stems  wreathed  with  the  tubular 
white  blooms.  Cytisus  kewensis,  with  pale  yellow  flowers, 
was  also  shown.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mr.  J.  Russell,  Richmond,  showed  Clematises  in  flower. 
We  noted  Miss  Bateman,  white ;  Lucie  Lemoine,  double 
white;  Mrs.  George  Jackman,  very  fine  white;  Mrs.  S.  A. 
Baker,  soft  pink,  very  good  form  ;  and  Sir  Garnet  Wolseley, 
reddish  purple. 

Acers  formed  the  exhibit  from  Messrs.  Peed  and  Son, 
West  Norwood.  The  pale  green  of  some  of  these  is  very 
pleasing  just  now,  and  it  is  hardly  possible  to  over-estimate 
their  value  as  decorative  subjects  indoors  or  outdoors.  Rose 
Dorothy  Perkins,  the  plants  from  3  feet  to  12  feet  high, 
showed  to  advantage.  Each  lateral  shoot,  extending  1  foot 
or  more,  had  its  terminal  truss  of  deep  rose-coloured  flowers, 
and  in  a  setting  of  Pteris  tremula  made  a  really  fine  display. 
Bronze  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Carter  and  Co.,  High  Holborn,  staged  in  many 
brilliant  colours  Cinerarias  of  the  stellata  group,  in  company 
with  the  older  forms  so  well  known.  Large  in  blossom, 
striking  in  colour,  and  of  excellent  form  were  scores  of 
plants  that  for  symmetry  and  free  flowering  could  hardly  be 
excelled.  Some  of  the  pure  white  forms  were  especially 
good,  that  with  a  pale  butf -coloured  disc  being  a  distinct 
advance  upon  existing  forms.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  again  showed 
flowering  shrubs;  Azaleas,  Lilacs,  Deulzia  crenata  fi.-pl., 
Laburnums,  and  Smilax  plants,  with  Acers  here  and  there  iu 
the  groundwork.  The  Ghent  Azalea  Bronze  Unique  is  a  fine 
piece  of  colour,  well  meriting  the  distinctive  name.  Silver 
Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co..  Enfield,  staged  a  most 
interesung  and  varied  lot  of  plants  ;  Boionias,  unequalled  for 
their  fragrance,  Agathea  ca;lestis,  Schizanthus  Wistoueusis, 
the  yellow  Calla  elliottiana,  and  Chorizema  Lowi,  white. 
A  fine  lot  of  Auricula  Queen  Alexandra  displayed  this  good 
garden  plant  to  advantage. 

From  Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree,  Herts  (gardener,  Mr. 
Beckett),  came  a  most  interesting  and  varied  lot  of  cut 
shoots  of  flowering  shrubs  and  trees.  These  made  quite  a 
valuable  exhibit,  demonstrating  the  value  of  such  things  in 
the  open  garden.    Among  the  more  important  we  noted 


330 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  7,  1904. 


Magnolia  conapicua  soulangeana,  Kerria  japonica,  very 
beautiful ;  Amelanchier  canadensis,  Forsythia  viridissima, 
Choiaya,  Berberis  stenophylla  and  other  Lilacs,  Spirjea 
arguta,  Daphne  pontica,  Eleagnua  longipes,  and  many  more. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Hobbies  Limited,  Dereham,  sent  a  great  variety  of  climb- 
ing and  other  Kosea,  and,  as  may  have  been  expected,  a  few 
Dahlia  blooms  even  at  this  aeason  of  the  year.  The  Roses 
were  of  the  Rambler  class,  such  as  Blush  Rambler,  Crimson 
Rambler,  also  Lady  Roberts,  Margaret  Dickson,  Boadicea, 
Purity,  and  others.    Bronze  Banksian  medal. 

Hardy  Primulas,  mostly  of  the  P.  Sieboldi  group,  formed 
the  chief  of  an  exhibit  from  Messrs.  Ware  and  Co.,  Feltham. 
Some  dozen  or  more  sorts  were  shown  in  pans,  and  were 
very  freely  flowered.  Other  things  noted  were  Sarracenia 
flava.  Primula  Sikkimensis,  P.  involucrata,  Anemone 
narcissiflora,  Cypripedium  pubescens,  Gentiana  verna,  with 
Tree  Pieonies  and  other  plants.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  R.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester,  staged  a  fine  group 
of  Tulips,  in  which  T.  retroflexa,  T.  Golden  Crown,  T. 
cornuta,  T.  vitellina,  and  T.  viridiflora  prajcox  were  all  in 
good  form.  Of  Darwin  Tulips  Pride  of  Haarlem,  St.  Bruno, 
and  Diamond  were  well  represented.  Arnebia  echioides, 
Liliura  tenuifolium,  and  Fritillaria  recurva  were  also  well 
shown  in  flower. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton,  had  a  fine  lot  of  zonal  Pelar- 
goniums in  pots,  the  plants  grouped  in  their  colours.  Inter- 
spersed with  Ferns  the  group  was  extremely  effective. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  George  Jackman  and  Son,  Woking,  again  showed 
choice  alpines,  as  Ramondias,  Viola  pedata,  Cypripedium 
macranthum,  C.  parviflorum,  Cornus  canadensis,  double 
Arabis,  and  others. 

Messrs,  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  Corydalis 
thalictrifolia,  very  fine ;  starry  Cinerarias  in  variety ; 
Kalanchce  felthamensis,  Clianthus  puniceus,  Hydrangea 
Hortensia  rosea,  &c.  A  very  distinct  plant  is  Cineraria 
Antique  Rose  ;  it  gives  the  impression  of  a  single  Pyrethrum 
rather  than  a  Cineraria. 

Messrs.  Thomas  Cripps  and  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  had  a 
charming  group  uf  Crimson  Rambler  Rosea,  Acers,  Clematises, 
and  other  plants,  that  with  a  bordering  of  Eurya  latifolia 
made  a  very  pleasing  exhibit.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Schizanthus  Wistonensis  was  admirably  shown  by  W.  G. 
James,  Esq.,  AVest  Dean  Park,  Chichester  (gardener,  Mr.  W. 
Smith).  The  plants  were  perfect  bushes,  and  represented 
some  very  distinct  colours.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  a 
large  array  of  bedding,  parrot,  and  cottage  Tulips.  Darwin 
sorts  were  less  numerous,  but  all  were  good  and  showy  in 
the  extreme. 

Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin,  also  showed  Tulips 
very  finely.  Of  early  May-flowering  sorts,  Rouge  Eblous- 
sante  is  very  fine,  lilac  and  red,  striped  white  ;  La  Reve, 
Pink  Beauty,  Lady  Roberts,  White  Swan,  Golden  Eagle. 
Tulipa  kolpakowskiana  miniata  is  very  charming,  also 
T.  Batalinii. 

Alpines  and  havdy  plants  generally  were  shown  by  Mr.  M. 
Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants.  Scillas,  Phloxes,  Fritillaria, 
Tiarella  cordifolia,  Epimediums,  &c.,  being  all  in  good  bloom. 
Onosma  alba,  in  fine  condition,  was  here  too.  (See  awards.) 
Bronze  Banksian  medal. 

Rock  plants  and  choice  alpines  from  the  Guildford  Hardy 
Plant  Nursery  were  very  beautiful.  Epimediums,  Dryas, 
Saxifrages,  Gentiana  verna,  a  lovely  mass  of  colour. 
■  Atragene  alpina,  Onosma  alba  rosea.  Phlox  canadensis, 
Gentiana  acaulis,  and  Saxifraga  Guildford  Seedling  were 
among  the  most  charming  of  this  lot.  Bronze  Banksian 
medal. 

Mr.  George  Mount,  Canterbury,  had  a  display  of  Roses 
surpassing  all  his  previous  efforts.  The  masses  of  cut  blooms 
were  very  fine  ;  the  climbing  plants  of  the  Rambler  class  very 
pleasing.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Beiutiful  Roses  also  came  from  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant,  Old 
Rose  Gardens,  Colchester.  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  The  Bride,  Duke 
of  Wellington,  Mar^chal  Neil,  the  climbing  Dorothy  Perkins, 
and  the  pretty  white  Garland  were  of  the  best.  Silver  Flora 
medal. 

A  grand  lot  of  Nicotiana  Sanderoi  in  pots  came  from 
Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans.  The  plant  is  a  really 
fine  addition  to  good  garden  plants.  Some  eighteen  freely 
branched  specimens  were  shown  in  full  bloom.  (For  fuller 
description  see  awards.)    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Narcissi  and  Tulips  from  Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited, 
Wisbech,  were  showy  and  good,  quite  representative  of  the 
late  Daffodils  and  the  early  Tulips.  The  latter  were  in 
several  sections  and  very  fine.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Sons,  Bourne,  Lincolnshire,  showed 
Anemones  in  single  and  double  forms  in  some  twelve  distinct 
sorts.  The  double  scarlet  were  extremely  showy  and  good, 
the  semi-double  forms  displaying  much  variation  in  colour. 
A  pale  form  of  A.  fulgens  is  called  The  Queen.  Silver  Bank- 
sian medal. 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  had  a  good  display  of  alpines, 
together  with  choice  Daffodils.  Meconopsis  cambrica 
aurantiaca  fl.-pl.,  Arnebia  echioides,  Cheiranthus  alpinus, 
several  species  of  Orchis,  Viola  pedata  bicolor,  Primula 
verLicillata,  and  Armeria  cicspitosa  were  all  noticeable. 

Cut  Camellias  in  great  variety  were  sent  by  Sir  F.  T. 
Barry,  Bart.,  M.P.,  and  demonstrated  the  value  of  these 
things  in  the  open  garden.  It  was  stated  that  the  flowers 
were  cut  from  plants  planted  out  of  doors  from  four  to 
thirty-three  years  ago.     Bronze  Banksian  medal. 

Hardy  Rhododendrons  in  pots  came  from  Messrs.  J. 
Waterer  and  Son,  Bagshot,  many  beautiful  sorts  in  good 
flower  being  shown.  Attention,  however,  centred  chiefly 
upon  Pink  Pearl,  exquisite  in  colouring,  and  of  great  size  in 
flower  and  truss.  It  is  very  handsome.  Silver  Banksian 
medal. 

Daffodils  and  Tulips  from  Messrs.  Barr  were  very  numerous 
and  in  good  condition.  Of  the  former,  Gloria  Mundi.  Willie 
Barr,  Lord  Roberts,  Duke  of  Bedford,  Egret,  Gaiety,  Ranger, 
Lady  Audrey,  Stella  fl.-pl.,  Vivid,  and  Salmonetta  were  some 
of  the  beat.  Tulips  were  also  very  flne.  Darwin,  Parrot, 
and  other  varieties  were  all  in  great  numbers.  Silver-gilt 
Flora  medal. 


r.  ^^^i?-  J°"?°'  Cranbrook,  Kent,  had  a  group  of  the  Rose 
Dorothy  Perkms  in  pots,  very  pleasing  and  well  flowered 
fh?il;  f  ^'■f^'  ^^»".^^"^ore  Hill,  had  a  good  display  of  hardy 
wi^fflnwi'^^l'  >'?,'°^  ^'^'^^'  ^""^"'^  ^°«ea.  double  yellow 
Wallflower  Pritillana  recurva,  Geum  Heldreichi  Iris 
nazarensis  (very  fine)  Mertensia  Virginica,  HaberTea  rhod^ 
ft.Tl'J/'^^?'''^'u^'  Megaseas  in  variety,  Trilliums.  Aubrie- 
tias  and  other  showy  and  good  flowers  were  included 

Alpines  and  other  hardy  flowers  were  well  shown  by 
SrLp^'^Fn'^  ^"*^  Sons,  Highgate.  Gentians,  TriU.ums^ 
Saxifrages  Epiga'a  repens,  Ins  sofarana  magniflca.  Primula 
ITllX'^vn'^T fl*^'^'-  ^''^7":  Jamesoni,  and%thers  weraU 
^^vefFlor^a  mid'll.'  "^"^^  "'  ^'^"^^  ^^^"^^^^  ^^«  ^''^  ^^own. 

Messrs.  Cooper,  Taber,  and  Co.,  Southwark  Street,  S.E.. 

RnI>1,Hm!,T  ^Q  ^°-'?  ^^°'^''  ^^'"^-  ^^^^^tti-  ^^^^  the  Royal 
Horticultuial  Society  s  gardens  at  Wisley  numbers  of 
spring  flowers  were  show 

^^C-?\'  ^'  ■^'atts,  Bronwylfa,  St.  Asaph,  North  Wales, 
exhibited  a  group  of  hybrid  Polyanthus  Primroses,  evidently 
a  vigorous  free-flowering  strain. 

A  botanical  certificate  was  given  to  Digitalis  canariensis 
from  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham 

Lady  ChichelePlowden,  Aston  Rowant  House,  Oxon,  sent 
Algerian  and  English  Sweet  Peas;  both  strains  were  sown 
on  September  2/,  1903  ;  the  Algerian  varieties  were  in  flower 
*^^a,\^P".y'  1004  and  the  English  ones  apparently  not  yet. 
b-lhe  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Knutsford,  Cheshire,  had  a 
pretty  little  group  of  hardy  flowers,  among  which  Primula 
Sieboldi,  Auricula  Queen  Alexandra,  Daisy  Alice,  Aubrietias, 
Arabis,  &c.,  were  shown. 

Mr.  Richard  Anker  (Frantz  de  Letre),  Conlich-les-Amers, 
Belgium,  showed  Cacti  and  Erica  persoluta  alba,  and  Azalea 
indica  in  tiny  pots,  evidently  much  sought  after  for 
decoration. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Son,  Swanley,  Kent,  had  an  admirable 
display  of  zonal  and  fancy  Pelargoniums  in  many  gorgeously 
coloured  varieties.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Mr  John  R.  Box,  AVest  Wickham,  arranged  a  small  rockery 
planted  with  various  alpines  and  dwarf  hardy  plants,  such 
as  Arabis  albida fl.-pl.,  Alyssum,  SaxifragasSedum,  Aubrietia, 
liarella  cordifolia,  Asperula,  Geummontanum,  &c. 

Pteris  cretica  Wimsetti  plumosa  was  shown  by  Mr  W  A 
Cull,  Bury  House  Nursery,  Edmonton. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Mr.  Frank  Lloyd,  Coombe 
House, Croydon,  for  P-insy  Mark  Mills.  Very  large,  purple- 
raarone,  with  broad,  well  defined  yellow  edge. 

Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough,  exhibited  a  very  attractive 
group  of  Auriculas  in  numerous  good  varieties. 

Rose  Fortune's  Yellow  was  finely  shown  from  the  gardens 
of  Lady  Wantage  of  Lockinge  Park  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  Fyfe). 
The  flowers  were  cut,  and  as  arranged  in  vases  with  theirown 
foliage  they  were  very  beautiful. 

The  cut  Roses  from  Mr.  Will  Tayler,  Osborn  Nursery, 
Hampton,  were  extremely  good,  thehirge,  handsome  blooms 
on  stout  stems  forming  a  very  imposing  display. 

The  general  meeting  of  Fellows  held  during  the  afternoon 
was  well  attended,  and  M.  Charles  Baltet  read  a  paper  on 
"Enemies  of  the  Apple  Tree."  Fifty-five  candidates  were 
elected  Fellows,  making  a  total  of  553  since  January  1 
last.  Amongst  those  elected  were  Lady  Evelyn  Cobbold, 
Commander  Arthur  Lingham,  R.N.,  and  Sir  Nathaniel 
Nathan. 

Floral  Committee  Awards. 
Nicotimm  Sanderte.— This  is  a  charming  new  annual  suited 
to  the  million,  and  in  the  near  future  it  will  doubtless  be 
largely  grown.  The  plant,  as  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Sander  of 
St.  Albans,  is  about  3  feet  high,  freely  branched  from  base  to 
summit,  and  covered  with  rosy  carmine  flowers.  These 
latter  in  size  remind  one  of  N.  aftinis,  while  the  plant 
before  us  opens  its  flowers  in  the  daytime.  We  remember 
the  plant  as  shown  last  year  at  the  Temple,  when  in  the 
distance  it  gave  the  impression  of  a  mass  of  richly  coloured 
Calanthe,  and,  indeed,  it  is  of  just  such  a  shade  that  is  now 
seen  in  this  excellent  garden  plant.  The  plant  is  also  said 
to  be  equal  to  N.  affinia  in  hardiness,  so  that  we  have  here  a 
plant  of  no  ordinary  merit.  Messrs.  Sander  set  up  a  group 
of  some  eighteen  plants  wonderfully  alike  in  size,  in  the 
freedom  of  branching,  and  in  other  ways.  We  have  nothing 
but  the  highest  possible  praise  for  this  remarkable  plant. 
First-class  certificate. 

Lomaria  Mayi.— Good  novelties  in  Tree  Ferns  are  not 
abundant,  but  we  have  here  a  plant  full  of  promise.  It  is 
said  to  have  appeared  in  a  batch  of  L.  ciliata,  and  is  by  no 
means  a  solitary  example.  The  fronds  are  some  2;V  feet  in 
length,  6  inches  broad,  and  very  firm  in  texture.  The 
exhibited  plant  displayed  its  early  inclination  to  form  a 
stem,  and  doubtless  we  shall  see  this  excellent  plant  again. 
From  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton.     First-class  certificate. 

Onosma  alba.—This  is  a  beautiful  new  alpine.  The  woolly 
or  silken  leaves  somewhat  spathulate  in  outline,  the  habit 
spreading  and  compact.  The  plant  must  not  be  confounded 
with  O.  albo-roseum.  The  flowers  are  tubular  and  droop  at 
first,  but  expand  later  to  bowl  shape,  with  slightly  con- 
tracted mouth.  A  choice  and  rare  plant.  From  Mr.  M. 
Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants.    First-class  certificate. 

Clivia  miniata  aurca.—A  new  shade  in  these  plants  which 
may  provide  an  improved  race  in  the  near  future.  It  is  of 
a  soft  yellow,  with  deeper  shade  at  the  base  of  the  segments. 
Shown  by  Mrs.  Powys  Rogers,  Perranwell,  Cornwall.  Award 
of  merit. 

Tritonia  Prince  of  Orange.— We  have  here  a  plant  that 
may  briefly  be  described  as  a  glorified  T.  croatica.  The 
large  blossoms  are  of  a  clear  orange  shade  that  should  prove 
most  serviceable  in  decoration.  The  plant  is  a  most  profuse 
bloomer.  From  Miss  Willmott,  Great  Warley.  Award  of 
merit. 

Saxifraga  Rlici  superba. — This  is,  perhaps,  the  best  and 
most  profuse  flowering  plant  of  the  coloured  i  mossy 
kinds.  Blossoms  three-quarters  of  an  inch  across,  flat  when 
fully  open.  Plant  9  inches  high  when  established  in  good 
ground,  or  taller  if  in  moist  soil.  It  is  excellent  in  every 
way,  and  far  more  abundant  and  profuse  in  flowering  than 
is    S.    Rhei.     Shown    by    Messrs.    T.    S.    Ware,    Limited, 


Feltham,  and  by  Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent.    Award  ol 
merit. 

Carnation  Leander.— This  is  a  salmon-pink  self  Carnation 
with  much  of  the  form  of  Hermione,  but  less  bright  and 
good.  The  flowers  are  of  large  size,  with  good  calyx,  and 
are  very  fragrant.  From  Messrs.  Felton  and  Sons,  Hanover 
Square,  W.     Award  of  merit. 

Auricula  Vcata. — A  very  flne  grey-edged  variety  of  excel- 
lent form  and  size  and  well-defined  centre,  and  green  leafage. 
Habit  vigorous  and  good. 

A.  Triumph.— A  splendid  variety  with  heavy  green  edge 
and  well-defined  white  paste.  Truss  and  pip  large,  habit 
vigorous.    A  green-leaved  sort. 

A.  Golden  Crown.— This  is  an  alpine  variety  of  good  size, 
and  excellent  shape  and  form  generally.  The  predominant 
marginal  colour  is  reddish  chestnut,  the  prominent  centre  of 
a  rich  yellow.  Habit  vigorous,  stem  stout,  with  capital 
truss. 

The  above  each  received  the  award  of  merit,  and  all  were 
exhibited  by  that  well-known  fiorist,  Mr.  James  Douglas  of 
Bookham, 

Narcissus  Committee  Awards. 

Xarci^-sus  Count  Viaconti. — A  Queen  of  Spain  type  of  flower 

very  much  enlarged.      The  colour  is  a  good  yellow  shade, 

the  long,  handsome  trumpet  nearly  cylindrical  in  outline. 

Obviously  a  bold  and  vigorous  kind.    First-class  certificate. 

J.V.  W/iite  Ensign.— This  is  probably  a  Leedsi,  very  pure  in 
the  perianth,  the  lemon-yellow  cup  widely  expanded.  Award 
of  merit. 

X.  2*lag  of  Truce.— Almost  a  pure  white  Queen  of  Spain, 
but  with  larger  parts  and  other  variations.  It  is  a  beautiful 
sort.     Award  of  merit. 

The  above  set  were  all  exhibited  by  Mies  Willmott,  Great 
Warley,  Essex. 

Tulip  I  ngleacombe  Pink.— "'Pink"  may  he  an  approach  to 
the  beauty  of  colouring  as  seen  in  this  handsome  flower, 
but  it  fails  to  do  it  justice.  Mingled  with  the  pink  there  is 
salmon  or  salmon  rose  delicately  blended,  and  with  the  edges 
lightly  bordered  and  finely  pencilled  with  yellow  there  is 
rare  colour  beauty  with  good  form.  All  this  is  seen 
externally.  Internally  a  warmer  tone  prevails,  with  a  base 
of  sea-green.  A  really  fine  Tulip  of  the  Darwin  or  May 
fiowering  set.  From  Messrs.  W.  T.  Ware  and  Co.,  Limited, 
Bath.     Award  of  merit. 

T.  De  IIV^— A  fine  bedding  Tulip,  flamed  orange  and 
yellow.     Award  of  merit. 

T.  Sir  T.  Lipton.—A  crimson-scarlet  sort  of  large  size  and 
good  form.     Award  of  merit. 

These  were  from  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Chelsea. 

T.  Moucheron.—A  very  fine  early  Tulip  of  crimson  hue. 
Exhibited  by  Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited,  Wisbech.  Award 
of  merit. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons  were  given  a  cultural  commenda- 
tion for  two  baskets  of  Sutton's  Early  Giant  Pea. 

Sutton's  May  Queen  Potato  was  shown  by  S.  Heilbut,  Esq., 
The  Lodge,  Holyport,  Maidenhead  (gardener,  Mr.  T.  Cham- 
berlain). 

Hobday's  Giant  Rhubarb  was  well  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Hobday, 
Havering  Road,  Romford. 

Messrs.  Henry  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  obtained  a 
cultural  commendation  for  Eynsford  Early  Cabbage. 

NORFOLK    AND    NORWICH. 

The  annual  spring  exhibition  of  flowers,  fruits,  and  vege- 
tables of  this  society  was  held  in  the  St.  Andrews  Hall, 
Norwich,  on  the  21st  ult.  The  chief  exhibit  was  cut  Nar- 
cissi, arranged  in  banks  on  a  table  running  the  whole  length 
of  the  centre  of  the  hall.  The  chief  class  here  was  for 
thirty-six  varieties,  three  blooms  of  each,  and  three  very 
good  collections  were  staged.  Mr.  George  Davison,  gardener 
to  Major  Petre,  Westwick  House,  Norwich,  secured  the 
premier  position  with  flowers  of  perfect  form  and  colour, 
and  the  arrangement,  too,  was  charming.  All  the  leading 
varieties  were  represented.  There  were  also  classes  for 
twenty-four,  twelve,  and  six  varieties,  to  suit  various 
growers,  and  these  were  well  contested.  Lord  Justice  Cozens- 
Hardy  being  a  prominent  winner.  His  lordship's  gardener, 
Mr.  Woodhouse,  also  staged  a  collection  of  over  100  varieties, 
not  for  competition.  For  Anemones,  Mr.  W.  Allan,  gardener 
at  Gunton  Hall,  was  first  for  grand  lilooms.  Tulips  were 
weak  numerically,  but  of  good  form  and  colour.  There  were 
nice  collections  also  of  cut  greenhouse  flowers,  Mr.  W. 
Chettleburgh,  gardener  to  Colonel  Rous,  Worstead  House, 
taking  flrst  position.  Lily  of  the  Valley  and  Violets,  six 
bunches  of  each,  made  a  good  class,  and  in  both  these  Mr. 
Allan  secured  first  prize  with  flne  blooms.  In  the  hardy 
flowers  and  flowering  shrubs  all  classes  were  well  fllled,  and 
an  effective  group  they  made.  Here,  again,  Mr.  G.  Davison 
was  first  in  both  classes  with  his  bold  bunches  of  choice 
things  from  the  hardy  borders.  Pot  plants  included  such  a 
wide  range  as  Amaryllis,  Auriculas,  Azaleas,  Caladiums, 
Calceolarias,  Cinerarias,  Cyclamens,  Coleus,  Mignonette, 
Orchids,  Pelargoniums.  Roses,  and  foliage  plants. 

Strawberries  were  the  chief  representatives  of  the  fruit 
section,  and  some  fine  lierries,  both  off  and  on  the  plants, 
were  exhibited.  Vegetables  were  fairly  represented,  lieans. 
Broccoli,  Mushrooms,  and  Cucumbers  being  in  good  condi- 
tion. There  were  one  or  two  nicely  arranged  baskets  of 
salad. 

To  supplement  the  competitive  exhibits  there  was  also  a 
charming  collection  of  over  eighty  varieties  of  Narcissi,  set 
up  by  Messrs.  Daniels  IJruthers,  Limited,  Norwich,  in  their 
best  style.     This  was  much  admired  by  the  visitors. 

At  Messrs.  Hobliios',  Limited,  stand  there  was  a  pretty 
group  of  Dorothy  Perkins,  Blush  Rambler,  and  other  ctimb- 
ing  Roses,  which  were  tastefully  intermixed  with  Tea  Rosea 
and  Clematia  in  variety. 

Meaars.  Barr,  Covent  Garden,  set  up  a  good  collection  o 
the  newest  and  raiest  Daffodils,  including  Peter  Barr,  for 
which  they  were  prepared  to  book  orders  at  fifty  guineas  per 
bulb.    The  day  kept  flne,  and  a  good  attendance  resulted. 


May  7, 1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


Vll. 


BRISTOL  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
Presentation  to  the  Hon.  Seoketary. 
The  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  made  additionally 
Interesting  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  advantage  was  talcen 
of  the  occasion  to  make  a  small  presentation  to  the  assistant 
hon.  secretary  (Mr.  H.  Kitley).  This  took  the  form  of  an 
aneroid  barometer,  suitably  inscribed,  and  a  "Swan" 
fountain  pen.  Mr.  Poole,  the  retiring  chairman,  in  making 
the  presentation,  spoke  of  the  untiring  energy  of  Mr.  Kitley, 
who,  during  his  term  of  office,  had  in  every  possible  way 
sought  to  increase  the  usefulness  of  the  society.  The  mem- 
bers appreciated  the  unstinting  service  he  continually 
rendered,  and  asked  him  to  accept  the  gifts  as  a  small 
token  of  their  regard  and  gratitude. 

Mr.  Kitley  received  a  warm  welcome  on  rising  to  respond. 
He  confessed  himself  unable  to  adequately  express  what  he 
felt,  but  sincerely  thanked  them  for  the  beautiful  gifts  and 
the  kindly  feeling  which  had  prompted  them.  The  work  he 
had  done  had  always  been  a  pleasure,  because  he  felt  that 
the  society  was  filling  a  place  amongst  the  gardeners  of  the 
district  in  a  way  that  could  not  be  done  by  other  methods. 
He  hoped  to  have  a  long  connexion  with  it,  feeling  sure  that 
with  the  continued  co-operation  of  the  members  even  more 
success  could  be  accomplished  in  the  future  than  in  the 
past,  and,  speaking  for  himself,  he  was  always  anxious  to  do 
what  he  could  to  make  that  success  sure. 


BROUGHTY  FERRY  HORTICULTURAL  ASSOCIATION. 
THE  usual  monthly  meeting  of  the  above  association  was  held 
on  Tuesday,  the  19th  ult.,  Mr.  James  Slater,  president  of  the 
association,  occupying  the  chair.  The  lecture  of  the  evening 
was  given  by  Mr.  W.  Kennedy,  Ardarroch  Gardens,  his 
subject  being  "Insect  Peats."  Mr.  Kennedy  gave  a  most 
interesting  and  valuable  lecture  on  the  subject,  and  a  good 
discussion  ensued  as  to  the  best  means  of  dealing  with  the 
various  pests  which  are  so  troublesome  and  destructive  in 
gardens.  Some  good  exhibits  were  on  view,  noteworthy 
being  those  from  Fernhall  Gardens. 


NATIONAL  AMATEUR  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
There  was  a  large  attendance  at  the  monthly  meeting  of 
this  association  on  Tuesday,  the  12th  ult.  Mr.  A.  Hemsley 
lectured  on  "Plant  Propagation."  The  chair  was  taken  by 
the  president,  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders,  F.L.S.,  and  after  the 
election  of  judges  (Messrs.  D.  B.  Crane,  Boulton,  and  E.  F. 
"Wicks)  and  other  preliminary  business  had  been  got  through, 
Mr.  Hemsley  said  there  were  many  ways  of  propagating 
plants,  and  first  there  was  the  method  from  seed.  Seed 
should  be  kept  cool,  and  that  of  Primulas  and  kindred  plants 
placed  in  a  moist  rather  than  a  dry  position.  Care  should 
be  taken  not  to  overcover  it  when  sowing.  Soil  with  a 
disposition  to  cake  should  be  avoided,  chopped  sphagnum 
moss  and  sand  being  recommended  as  a  remedy  for  such 
soil.  Seeds  that  remain  long  before  germinating  should  be 
soaked  before  sowing,  taking  care  not  to  make  this  too 
prolonged  for  fear  of  fermentation.  Some  seeds  lost  their 
vitality  if  they  once  got  dry. 

The  lecturer  then  went  on  to  discuss  the  propagation  of 
plants  by  cuttings.  A  frame  over  hot-water  pipes  was 
recommended.  Cuttings  from  slips  with  a  heel  attached 
were  not  recommended.  In  a  few  instances,  however,  the 
lecturer  said  it  was  necessary.  Stem  cuttings  from  such 
plants  as  Fuchsias  and  Bouvardias  were  best,  although  some 
plants  require  the  stem  to  be  cut  at  a  joint,  of  which  the 
Carnation  was  a  good  illustration,  and  they  were  difficult  to 
strike.  Cuttings  should  have  a  greater  bottom  than  top 
heat,  as  the  latter  drew  the  sap  upwards  and  so  prevented 
root  action.  Short  cuttings  were  preferred  to  long,  for  if 
planted  too  deep  the  base  often  rotted.  Illustrations  were 
given  of  subjects  where  long  cuttings  were  absolutely  fatal. 
Between  their  separation  from  the  plant  and  insertion, 
the  cuttings  should  be  kept  fresh,  and  it  was  better  not  to 
make  them  until  everything  was  ready.  Succulents,  such  as 
Kalosanthes,  were  an  exception  to  the  latter  rule.  Mr. 
Hemsley  summed  up  successful  propagation  in  the  following 
remark:  "  Attention,  and  this  not  upon  six  days  of  the  week 
only,  but  upon  the  whole  seven."  Still  another  method,  and 
that  by  root  cuttings,  was  considered.  Any  plant  that  throws 
up  suckers  from  roots  can  be  increased  by  root  cuttings. 
Clematis  in  many  instances  were  increased  in  this  way  by 
grafting  them  upon  seedlings  of  the  wild  Clematis.  By  leaf 
cuttings  was  another  method,  and  was  seen  in  such  plants  as 
the  Gloxinia  and  Begonia.  Stem  grafting  was  clearly  defined 
also,  and  examples  of  this  once-popular  practice  given  in 
detail. 

The  lecture  was  concluded  by  Mr.  Hemsley  saying  that 
peat,  loam,  and  sand  in  equal  parts  were  the  three  ingre- 
dients he  used,  witha  top-dressing  of  sand.  Fungus  was  not 
encouraged  by  their  use.  Leaf-mould  should  be  avoided  as 
promoting  fungoid  growth.  The  chairman  supplemented 
very  fully  Mr.  HemBley's  remarks,  and  subsequently  a  hearty 
vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  the  latter. 

The  exhibition  was  one  of  the  very  best  spring  displays 
ever  brought  together  under  the  auspices  of  the  association. 
Narcissi  came  from  Messrs.  C.  Coates,  H.  A.  Woodbridge, 
W.  D.  Barnes,  D.  B.  Crane,  and  G.  M.  Gross  ;  cut  flowers  in 
charming  variety  by  Messrs.  G.  Hobday,  W.  D.  Barnes,  and 
C.  Coates;  Cinerarias  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Levi,  Weybridge;  Orchids 
by  Mr.  R.  D.  Forbes,  Tottenham  ;  Tulips  by  Mr.  W.  Bentley, 
and  cut  flowers  by  Mr.  F.  M.  Yokes,  Southampton.  The 
dinner-table  decorations  by  the  ladies  were  very  pretty. 
Miss  Welch,  Mrs.  Levi,  and  Miss  Gross  being  placed  in  the 
order  of  their  names,  and  for  a  large  vase  of  cut  Narcissus 
Miss  Sanders  was  first  with  beautifully  arranged  flowers,  and 
Miss  Welch  was  second.  It  is  impossible  to  mention  more 
than  just  a  tithe  of  the  exhibits. 


Dalfodils,  there  were  groups  of  plants  and  beautiful  Roses, 
which  was  natural,  seeing  the  show  was  in  the  very  heart  of 
Rose  land.  Plants  in  pots  were  represented  by  groups 
filling  a  space  of  100  feet,  the  first  prize  going  to  a  very 
fine  one  from  .Miss  Willmott,  Warley  Place,  admirably 
arranged  by  her  gardener,  Mr.  Preece,  in  which  handsomely 
grown  stellate  Cinerarias  played  a  prominent  part ;  Mr. 
H.  G.  Egerton  Green,  King's  Ford,  was  second,  and  a  third 
prize  was  also  awarded.  In  the  class  for  twelve  Roses  in 
pots  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  Colchester,  had  a  consider- 
able variety,  including  their  Blush  Rambler,  the  brilliant 
Persian  yellow,  various  H.P.'s,  &c.  ;  Mr.  H.  P.  Egerton 
Green  being  again  second,  but  with  plants  only  partially 
bloomed.  Azaleas  were  represented  by  the  mollis  type  ;  there 
were  Spirajas,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Polyan- 
thuses, and  Primroses.  Baskets  of  Primroses  and  Polyanthuses, 
which  should  have  included  plants,  were  in  error  decorated 
with  cut  blooms. 

The  best  collection  of  cut  Narcissi  in  not  less  than  fifteen 
distinct  varieties,  to  fill  a  definite  space  of  tabling,  came 
from  Miss  Willmott,  whohad  in  fine  character  Great  Warley, 
Golden  Spur,  Grandee,  Victoria,  Glory  of  Leiden,  Empress, 
Queen  of  Spain,  Princess  May,  Minnie  Hume,  Sirius,  Lul- 
worth.  Viscountess  Falmouth,  Aloonray,  Lilian,  &c.,  quite 
a  representative  collection.  Mr.  .Tames  Douglas,  Great 
Bookham,  who  confined  himself  to  fifteen  bunches  only,  had 
in  fine  character  Glory  of  Leiden,  Mme.  Plemp,  Shakespeare, 
Victoria,  Weardale  Perfection,  Golden  Ball,  Duchess  of 
Westminster,  Sea  Gull,  c&c.  ;  Mr.  F.  Chapman  was  third. 
As  Miss  Willmott  was  the  donor  of  a  silver  cup  as  the  first 
prize  in  this  class,  she  very  generously  passed  it  on  to  Mr. 
Douglas.  With  a  collection  of  Narcissi  filling  a  space  of 
12  feet,  Mrs.  Berkeley,  Great  Warley,  came  first.  Her  leading 
blooms,  which  were  very  good,  included  Noble,  Glory  of 
Leiden,  Lady  Jlary  Boscawen,  Coronet,  Ariadne,  Astradente, 
Diana,  Will  Scarlet,  Dorothy  Yorke,  &c.  ;  Mr.  A.  Pretty, 
Ipswich,  was  second.  With  six  bunches  shown  by  amateurs, 
Mr.  W.  Marriage,  Dilbridge  Hall,  was  first.  He  had  in  fine 
character  Emperor,  Empress,  Horsfieldi,  Sir  Watkin,  &c. ; 
Mrs.  Berkeley  was  second.  With  three  bunches  of  Magni- 
Coronati,  Mrs.  Berkeley  came  first  with  King  Alfred,  Schon, 
a  very  fine  bicolor,  and  Mme.  de  Graafi;  Captain  W.  0. 
Grantley,  Lexden,  was  second.  Mrs.  Berkeley  was  also  first 
with  six  Medio-Coronati,  having  C.  Wolley-Dod,  Diana, 
and  Gloria  Mundi  ;  Mr.  W.  Marriage  was  second.  Equally 
successful  was  Mrs.  Berkeley  with  three  Parvi-Coronati, 
having  Incognita,  Cresset,  and  Oriflamme  ;  Mr.  H.  J.  E. 
Green  was  second. 

There  were  classes  for  collections  of  Tulips,  also  of  bunches 
of  Anemones,  but  they  did  not  fill.  Primroses  and  Polyan- 
thuses were  also  shown  in  bunches. 

One  highly  attractive  class  was  for  twenty-four  blooms  of 
cut  Roses,  in  not  less  than  twelve  varieties,  Messrs.  Frank 
Cant  and  Co.,  Colchester,  taking  the  first  prize  with  very  fine 
blooms,  Mildred  Grant,  Suzanne  Eodocanachi,  Caroline 
Testout,  Papa  Lambert,  Mme.  Crobier,  Ards  Pillar,  Lady 
Mary  Currey,  Mme.  Berkeley,  Mar<5chal  Niel,  &c.  Messrs. 
B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  Colchester,  were  second  ;  they  had  some 
very  fine  blooms  also,  including  Caroline  Testout,  B.R.  Cant, 
Fisher  Holmes,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Dr.  Audrey,  Marquise  Litta,  &c. 

Table  decorations  were  numerous  ;  they  included  tables 
S  feet  by  3  feet,  the  best  coming  from  Mrs.  Arthur  Cant,  it 
was  neatly  arranged  with  white  Tulips  and  Gypsophila. 
Mrs.  O.  G.'Orpen,  Colchester,  was  second,  a  mixture  of  Arum 
Lilies,  pale  Narcissi,  and  Violets  being  employed.  Miss 
Groves  took  the  first  prize  for  an  epergne,  and  also  for  a 
bowl  of  flowers,  using  bicolor  Narcissus.  Miss  Chapman 
was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  a  vase  of  flowers.  Bouquets, 
sprays,  and  buttonholes  were  also  shown. 

Miscellaneous  exhibits  introduced  some  very  fine  features. 
At  one  end  of  the  hall  Messrs.  B.  E.  Cant  and  Sons  staged  a 
very  fine  bank  of  plants  of  Roses,  including  their  Blush 
Rambler  in  fine  colour,  various  Hybrid  Perpetuals, 
Teas,  &c.  At  the  other  end  Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt,  Ipswich,  had 
a  group  of  plants,  which  included  standard  Lilacs,  Guelder 
Roses,  &c.  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  and  Co. ,  Colchester,  had  an 
imposing  bank  of  Daffodils  in  great  variety,  also  a  most 
interesting  collection  of  hardy  plants.  Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath, 
Limited,  Wisbech,  had  Daft'odils  in  variety  and  Tulips. 
Messrs.  J.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Bourne,  had  quite  a  representa- 
tive collection  of  Anemones,  including  their  double  Scarlet. 
Mr.  E.  A.  Abbott  had  a  collection  of  Daffodils  and  Tulips. 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Son,  Covent  Garden,  a  fine  collection  of 
Daffodils.  Messrs.  Reanisbottom  and  Co.,  Geashill,  King's 
County,  had  a  splendid  collection  of  their  Alderborough  strain 
of  Anemones  in  very  fine  character,  and  Miss  Currey  also 
brought  from  Lismore,  Ireland,  a  representative  collection 
of  Narcissi  she  grows  so  successfully. 


SPRING  FLOWER  SHOW  AT  COLCHESTER. 
Daffodils  were  seen  in  fine  and  varied  character  at  an 
exhibition  of  spring  flowers  at  the  Corn  Exchange,  Colchester, 
on  the  21st  ult.  The  Exchange  is  commodious  and  well 
lighted,  and  being  in  the  heart  of  the  town  is  reached 
without  dilficulty.    There  were  many  spring  flowers  besides 


Dusseldopf  International  Exhibi- 
tion.— The  first  of  a  series  of  horticultural  shows 
to  be  held  in  connexion  with  the  above,  opened  on 
the  1st  inst.  Orchids  proved  a  great  attraction,  and 
were  arranged  in  an  imposing  structure  specially 
erected  to  receive  them.  Among  the  exhibitors 
were  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co,  Enfield,  who 
had  a  general  collection  of  Orchids  now  in  flower, 
as  well  as  a  number  of  plants  destined  to  show  the 
best  Orchids  to  grow  so  as  to  have  some  in  flower 
all  the  year  round  ;  they  were  given  the  first  prize 
in  this  class.  Messrs.  Charlesworth,  Bradford, 
also  exhibited  Orchids.  Others  who  had  displays 
of  these  flowers  were  Messrs.  Vincke  du  Jardin, 
Ghent ;  0.  F.  Karthaus,  Potsdam ;  Max  Von 
Furstenberg,  Sohloss  Hugenport,  Dusseldorf  (a 
collection  of  botanical  Orchids) ;  Theodore 
Francke,  Otterslieben,  Magdeburg ;  Ch.  Maron, 
Brunoy  (a  fine  lot  of  hybrids) ;  Vuylsteke,  Ghent 


(whose  group  contained  Odontoglossum  ardentis- 
simum  Imperatrice,  Augusta  Victoria,  0.  a.  regale, 
0.  a.  incandum,  0.  exornatura)  ;  George  Magne, 
Boulogne-sur-Mer  ;  Charles  Beranek,  Paris  ;  Duval, 
Paris  (Anthuriums),  Otto  Beyrodt  (a  large  display 
of  Odontglossums),  and  Mme.  Louise  de  Hemptein, 
Ghent  (the  most  noticeable  plant  being  a  large 
specimen  of  Cyrtopodium  punctatum). 

Potato  Al  (JeffePies') — While  there  is 
a  great  deal  said  about  certain  new  Potatoes,  there 
are  also  some  varieties  which  are  little  known 
outside  the  district  where  they  originated.  I  fear 
this  is  the  case  in  the  present  instance.  This 
variety  has  been  sent  out,  for  the  first  time,  I 
believe,  this  season  by  Messrs.  J.  Jefferies  and  Son 
of  Cirencester.  I  had  the  privilege  of  seeing  a 
portion  of  the  crop  lifted  last  autumn  ;  it  was  a 
very  heavy  one  indeed.  I  do  not  remember  seeing 
one  diseased  tuber  on  the  whole  quarter.  It  was 
one  of  the  very  best  Potatoes  I  tasted  last  season. 
It  has  been  very  largely  planted  in  this  district. — 
T.  A. 

Saxifpaga  Ferdinandi  -  Cotaupgi.— 

This  charming  little  plant  was  one  of  the  several 
interesting  discoveries  made  in  Macedonia  by  a 
botanical  expedition  from  Sofia,  in  Bulgaria,  in 
the  year  1897.  It  was  collected  at  an  elevation  of 
4,500  feet  above  sea-level,  growing  on  rocks  of 
limestone  formation,  in  company  with  another  rare 
species  belonging  to  this  varied  and  extensive 
genus  S.  luteo-viridis.  Proving  to  be  a  new 
species  it  was  given  its  rather  cumbersome  name 
in  honour  of  Prince  Ferdinand  of  Bulgaria.  Plants 
were  obtained  from  F.  Sundermann  of  Lindau,  in 
Bavaria,  in  1902,  but  they  did  not  flower  till  this 
year,  after  making  tufts  about  3  inches  in  diameter. 
It  may  be  compared  to  S.  aretioides  in  size  and 
habit,  and  is  certainly  in  close  affinity  with  that 
species,  but  the  dwarf  glaucous  tufts  are  not  quite 
so  densely  packed  and  are  of  rather  freer  growth. 
The  rich  yellow  flowers  are  also  larger  than  those 
of  aretioides,  and  as  many  as  five  or  six  are  pro- 
duced on  each  leafy  pubescent  stem,  which  is 
about  2  inches  high  and  tinted  with  a  red- brown 
colouring.  Although  the  yellow-flowered  Saxi- 
fragas  are  fairly  well  represented  in  our  gardens, 
the  above  species  is  quite  distinct  from  them  all, 
and  will  undoubtedly  prove  a  welcome  addition  to 
the  number  of  charming  little  plants  which  brighten 
the  rock  garden  in  the  early  spring. — W.  Ikving. 

Napeissl,  Tulips,   and   spping 

flOWePS  at  SuPtaitOn.— The  nurseries  of 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  can  be  visited  at  all  seasons 
of  the  year  with  interest,  but  perhaps  it  is  in 
Dafi'odil  and  Tulip  time  that  the  broad  wind-swept 
acres  seem  to  appeal  to  the  flower  lover  most  strongly. 
Then  the  superb  collection  of  Narcissi  are  in  beauty, 
to  be  followed  a  few  days  later  by  the  Gesner's, 
cottage,  and  self  Tulips.  When  the  waving  groups 
of  Daffodils  and  Narcissi  are  in  their  freshest 
beauty  there  seems  a  sea  of  yellow,  lemon,  and  pure 
white,  but  now,  at  the  moment  of  the  opening  of  the 
Tulips,  this  is  changed  to  colours  that  have  caught 
the  very  rays  of  the  sun — scarlet,  crimson,  fawn, 
and  bronzy  shades  that  give  to  the  month  of  May 
its  greatest  splendour.  Many  of  the  newer  Nar- 
cissi were  at  their  best  when  we  went  to  this 
nursery.  N.  Leedsi  Sylvia,  a  pure  white  with 
yellow  cup  ;  Rosalind,  white  also,  the  scarlet  rim 
to  the  cup  in  rich  contrast ;  Gaiety,  yellow,  cup 
orange  scailet  ;  Salmonetta,  white,  witji  a  cup  of 
deepest  orange;  the  glorious  yellow  of  King  Alfred, 
a  tall,  strong,  and  free-blooming  Narcissus  ;  and 
Peter  Barr,  one  of  the  finest  Daffodils  ever  raised. 
We  counted  six  flowers  to  a  bulb,  and  these  of 
tender  colouring,  the  segments  white  and  the 
trumpet  of  softest  primrose.  Of  the  spring  flowers 
besides  the  Narcissi  and  Tulips,  of  which  we  hope 
to  write  further,  there  was  a  delightful  collection 
of  Fritillarias  in  full  beauty,  Dodecatheons,  Mus- 
cari  Heavenly  Blue  grouped  with  Queen  of  Spain 
Daff'odils,  a  delightful  contrast,  and  Primulas. 
Those  who  are  interested  in  the  species  and  varieties 
of  Tulips  in  particular  will  be  well  rewarded  by  a 
visit  to  this  nursery  next  week. 

Stpawbeppy  blossom  and  spping 

fPOStS.— The  early  Strawberry  crop  last  year 
failed  so  badly  and  the  damage  was  so  sudden 
that  anyone  who  has  early  varieties  on  a  warm 


IHE    GARDEN. 


TMay  7,   1904. 


border  will  do  well  to  protect  them  at  this 
season.     In  some  cases  it  means  considerable 
labour  to  do  this,  but  it  is  well  repaid,  as 
it  must  be  evident   to   everyone   that   the 
earliest  Strawberries  for  sale  are  the  most 
valuable,  and  the  first  fruits  are  the  best. 
I    do    not    mean   a   stray    fruit   here    and 
there,    but  the   first   few  gatherings.     The 
flower-stalk    is    very    tender,    and   a    few 
degrees  of  frost    soon    injure   it,  and    fre- 
quently the  centre  of  the  fruit  or  portion 
most   exposed   is    blackened    and   rendered 
useless.      Last   year   we  had   14°   of  frost, 
which  quite  crippled  the  early  crop,  and  it 
was  so  unexpected  that  a  lot   of   late  pot 
plants    plunged     in     ashes     were     ruined, 
whereas  a  little  shelter  in  the  way  of  tiffany 
or  even  long  litter  would  have  saved  them. 
It  is  not  difficult  to  cover  early  plants — 
usually  occupying  narrow  borders— and  we 
adopt   a   simple   plan,    one    that   takes   up 
little  time.     Short  posts,   about  18  inches 
high,    are    placed   at    intervals,   and    over 
this  we  strain  galvanised  wire.  The  covering 
is  put  on  each  night  and  taken  off  in  the 
morning.     Any  sheeting  that  is  at  hand  is 
used,  but  our  best  cover  is  No.  5  shading. 
This   is   a    closely-woven   woollen    shading 
and  a  splendid  protector.      It  may  be  had 
wide   enough  to   hang  down  at  the  sides, 
and    is   readily   placed    in    position.      The 
shading   is  not   removed    till    the    fruit   is 
gathered,  so  that  it  answers  a  double  pur- 
pose.    It  is  most  useful  to  support  the  nets 
that  are  put  up  as  a  protection  from  birds,  so 
that  the  nets  do  not  rest  on  the  plants,  and  very 
little   time  is   necessary  to   cover.     I    have  when 
short  of  shading  used  cotton  sheeting,  also  a  double 
thickness   of   square   half-inch    mesh   netting.     It 
makes    an   efficient   protector,   and    may  be   used 
singly  later  on  for  other  purposes.     It  is  surprising 
how  slight  a  protector  is  needful  to  keep  off  frost, 
and  this  when  used  just  as  the  flowers  emerge  from 
the  crown  of  the  plant  will  safeguard  the   early 
crop.      Such    varieties    as   Royal   Sovereign   show 
their  flower  trusses  very  early,  and  are  not  so  well 
protected  by  the  foliage  as  varieties  of  the  class  of 
Vicomtesse  Herieart  de  Thury.     I  noticed  on  the 
28th  ult.  that  a  few  of  the  earliest  trusses  of  Royal 
Sovereign  were  very  forward,  so  that  protection  will 
soon  be  necessary. — G.  Wythes. 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Answers.— TAe  Editor  intends  to 
make  The  Garden  helpfulto  all  readers  who  deeire  assistance, 
no  matter  what  the  branch  of  gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  will  make  a  special  feature  of  the  "  Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents" column.  All  communications  should  be  clearly 
and  concisely  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  arid 
addressed  to  the  Editok  of  The  Gakden,  0,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London.  Letters  on  business  should  be  sent 
to  the  PUBHSHER.  The  name  and  address  of  the  sender  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Names  of  plants.— ^.  B.  »r.— The  Arum  Lily  sent  is 
Richardia  Nelsoni,  a  comparatively  new  and  uncommon  one 
which  has  been  imported  from  .South  Africa,  That  exhibited 
last  year  at  the  Temple  show,  and  given  an  award  of  merit 
as  Richardia  hybrida  Solfatara,  is  much  the  same,  if  not 

identical. ft   C.   Lees  Miines.—'Ihe  wild    Tnlip    (Tulipa 

aylvestris). jF".- The    large-leaved    Rhododendron    is    K. 

Countess  of  Haddington  ;   the  small-leaved,  K.  formosum  x 

E.  DalhousiEc,  raised  by  the  late  Mr.  Anderson-Henry. 

C.  Oridib.— The  Rhododendron  is  E.  venuatum  ;  the  white 
flower,  Trichopilia  albida ;  the  yellow,  Dendrobium  ochre- 
atum  (a  poor  form) ;  and  the  red,  Anthurium  andreanum  x 

A.  Lindeni. Mrs.  Alderson.—The  pink  flower  is  Prunus 

persica  pl.-fl.,  the  yellow  one  Uvularia  grandiflora. 

Growing'  Mignonette  (A.  C.  Foeth).— After  many 
years'  experience  with  Mignonette  planted  out,  we  have 
found  that  on  stiff  soil  it  was  always  the  best  for  producing 
a  flne  mass  of  growth  and  Bower.  .Seeds  may  be  sown  in  a 
frame  near  the  glass  or  in  shallow  boxes  under  glass  ;  then 
every  seed  grows.  Outdoors  no  such  result  may  be  looked 
for,  as  Mignonette  seed  often  takes  long  to  germinate,  and 
any  that  is  imperfectly  ripened  fails  to  grow.  If  so  soon  as 
the  young  plants  are  i  inches  high,  and  have  been  well 


.■■  ■^:'^''i;;**li» 


GREEN'S    PETROL   MOTOR    MOWER. 


exposed  to  the  air,  they  are  carefully  lifted  and  dibbled  out 
into  the  open  ground,  V2  inches  apart  each  way,  they  will 
perhaps  have  a  rough  look  for  a  week  or  two,  then  will  start 
into  growth  and  develop  into  wonderfully  fine  ones.  If 
planted  out  to  form  carpets  at  the  end  of  May,  a  sowing  made 
about  the  middle  of  April  will  doubtless  answer  very  well. 
If  the  weather  is  dry  an  occasional  watering  may  be  needful, 
but  a  little  moisture  suffices  to  keep  the  plants  alive.  When 
seed  is  sown  on  dry  soils  outdoors  the  process  of  germination 
is  often  very  irregular  and  not  infrequently  fails,  much, 
of  course,  depending  on  local  conditions.  The  white,  red, 
and  yellow  varieties  differ  in  habit  as  well  as  in  colour,  and 
should  not  be  intermixed. 

Tennis  lawn  weeds  (H.  H.)-— The  feathery-leaved 
weed  on  your  lawn  is  the  common  Milfoil  or  Yarrow,  and 
botanically  is  Achillea  millefolium.  It  has  a  stoloniferous 
habit,  sending  out  root-like  shoots  just  beneath  the  soil,  and 
from  these  new  leaves  come  up.  In  that  way  it  spreads 
rapidly,  yec  its  main  roots  go  deep,  hence  in  hot  dry  weather, 
when  shallow-rooting  grass  is  burnt  up,  the  Milfoil  remains 
green  and  vigorous.  If  you  cannot  cut  out  the  patches  of 
these  weeds,  thus  removing  them  altogether,  replacing  them 
with  good  grass  turf,  then  use  a  sharp-toothed  iron  rake 
hard  backward  and  forward  over  the  patches  and  thus  root 
out  a  great  quantity  of  them.  Then  spread  a  little  flne  soil 
over  the  patches  and  sow  at  once  a  pinch  of  grass  seed  on 
each  one,  well  rolling  it  in.  The  other  weed  is  apparently 
one  of  the  Sorrels,  and  should  be  treated  in  the  same  way. 
A  good  many  of  these  weed  patches  may  be  pulled  out  by 
hand,  still  the  frequent  use  of  an  iron  rake  will  keep  them 
in  check. 

Making-  ha-ha  (H.  P.).— If  the  intention  is  to  have 
a  sunk  wall  as  a  protection  from  cattle,  3  feet  6  inches  is 
not  sufficiently  high.  The  wall  should  be  not  less  than 
4  feet  6  inches.  The  ditch  on  the  wall  side  should  be  9  feet 
wide,  sloping  from  the  bottom  of  the  wall  to  the  natural 
level  of  the  ground.  As  to  the  cost,  we  cannot  advise 
without  knowing  the  cost  of  rough  stonework  per  cubic  yard 
in  the  locality.  The  cost  of  excavating  the  soil  and  placing 
it  within  20  yards  of  the  site  of  the  wall  would  be  from  9d. 
to  Is.  per  cubic  yard,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil.  A 
ha-ha  can  be  made  without  a  wall  by  fixing  an  iron  fence 
against  the  bank. 

Slug's  on  Stpawbeppies  (Belbroughton).— We 
do  not  think  that  your  idea  would  be  practicable  ;  indeed,  it 
may  do  more  harm  than  good.  Much  depends  upon  the 
closeness  of  the  plants ;  if  nearly  touching  each  other  you 
could  not  use  salt  with  safety.  In  wet  weather  the  salt 
would  quickly  lose  its  power  on  the  surface  of  the  soil,  and 
get  absorbed  by  the  roots.  This  the  Strawberry  could  not 
stand,  and  your  material  and  labour  would  be  lost.  You 
ask  what  remedy  could  be  safely  adopted.  In  our  case  we 
would  advise  more  frequent  beds  ;  that  is,  not  to  allow  the 
plants  to  remain  too  long  on  the  soil.  Where  beds  are  only 
kept  one  or  two  years  there  is  no  trouble  with  slugs,  for  the 
reason  that  the  land  is  better  cultivated  and  it  is  easy  to 
dress  the  soil,  and  by  so  doing  there  is  no  fear  of  slugs  for 
some  time.  We  are  aware  this  is  not  practicable  in  all  cases; 
still,  if  possible,  it  is  worth  a  trial.  In  our  case  we  dress  the 
land  in  the  early  autumn  for  spring  planting,  and  in  the 
early  apiing  for  summer  planting,  using  flne  ga9-lime,  and 
allowing  this  to  pulverise  by  exposure  for  a  short  time  before 
digging  in.  Ordinary  lime  would  do,  and  with  many  slugs 
deep  digging  would  soon  arrest  their  progress.  In  soil  badly 
infested  we  have  found  lime  and  charred  garden  rubljish  an 
excellent  preventive.  You  will  say  our  advice  more  con- 
cerns the  future  than  the  present,  and  that  is  so,  but  in 
your  query  you  do  not  help  us  much  as  regards  the  age  of 
your  plants.    If  old,  the  slugs  are  far  more  diflicult  to  get 


at :  they  have  such  secure  nesting  places  in  the  crowns  'of 
the  plants.  Are  your  plants  close  together?  If  so,  it  is 
more  difficult  to  dress  between.  Soot  is  very  distasteful  to 
this  pest,  but  it  is  not  pleasant  when  the  ripe  fruits  touch 
the  soil  later  on.  Fresh  lime  you  could  use,  but  not  in  any 
((uantity.  We  have  used  lime  and  soot  mixed,  but  this  is 
soon  lost  in  wet  seasons.  Sawdust  mixed  with  lime  is  not 
relished  by  the  sluirs,  but  it  is  not  good  when  used  in 
quantity.  It  should  be  absorbed  before  the  fruit  is  ripe. 
We  think  the  best  remedy  would  be  to  use  a  liquid  watering 
round  the  plants,  and  here  you  would  soon  get  rid  of  any 
unpleasant  eft'ects.  We  have  used  a  solution  of  tobacco 
water,  mixed  with  rain  water.  There  is  also  a  special 
powder  that  has  recently  been  put  on  the  market,  called 
Bentley's  Powder  Insecticide.  This  when  dusted  round  the 
plants  will  get  rid  of  tlie  slugs ;  it  is  manufactured  by 
Bentley,  Barrow-on-Humber,  Hull.  The  old  -  fashioned 
remedy  of  soap-suds  is  a  good  one.  We  have  used  this,  adding 
a  wineglassful  of  petroleum  to  two  gallons  of  the  suds. 
This  latter  may  be  used  with  rain  water  in  the  same  pro- 
portion, but,  as  the  petroleum  floats  on  the  surface,  it  must 
be  well  stirred  ;  indeed,  it  is  far  better  to  mix  it  with  soft 
soap  and  make  it  a  solution..  Of  course,  any  of  the  above 
must  not  be  used  on  the  foliage. 


trade:    note:. 


Gkeen's  Petrol  Motor  Mower. 
Motor  Lawn  Mowers  have  lately  come  into  greater  promi 
nence,  and  they  bid  fair  to  take  the  place  of  the  pony  lawn 
mower  in  time  where  lawns  of  large  extent  have  to  be 
mown.  The  petrol  motor  mower  shown  in  the  accompanying 
illustration  has  been  specially  designed  by  Messrs.  Green 
and  Son,  Limited,  to  take  the  place  of  a  pony  machine.  It 
can  be  made  in  different  sizes  ;  the  one  reproduced  is  the 
'24  inch  size,  and  has  a  2}  h.p.  motor.  It  is  easy  to  start, 
and  all  parts  are  so  arranged  as  to  be  easily  adjusted.  The 
man,  who  steers  in  the  usual  way  when  walking  behind,  has 
the  machine  under  perfect  control.  The  motor  and  parts 
are  very  simple,  and  the  whole  mechanism  forms  a  very 
compact  machine  ;  in  fact,  any  intelligent  youth  can  soon 
be  taught  to  work  it.  The  mower  will  do  a  great  amount  of 
work  in  a  very  short  time,  as  it  travels  as  fast  as  a  man  can 
walk  ;  it  also  possesses  an  absolute  advantage  over  the 
horse  machine,  inasmuch  as  it  leaves  no  trace  of  the  horse's 
hoofs  on  the  lawn  after  it  has  done  its  work,  which  is  a 
consideration.  Another  new  lawn  mower  is  Green's  "  New 
Iloyal,"  specially  suited  for  golf  links.  This  is  a  portable 
side-wheel  machine,  easy  to  adjust,  the  gearing  thoroughly 
protected,  with  large  side  driving  wheels,  and  is  fitted  with 
six  steel  crucible  blades.  It  is  specially  adapted  for  cutting 
long  grass,  and  is  strongly  recommended  to  anyone  requiring 
a  first-class  light-running  machine.  Messrs.  Green  say  they 
are  fully  convinced  it  will  surpass  any  yet  introduced  of  this 
type,  but  it  will  not,  of  course,  take  the  place  of  their  well- 
known  roller  machine,  the  "  Sileus  Messor."  It  may  be  used 
either  with  or  without  grass  box. 


GARDENING    APPOINTMENT. 

Mil.  R.  Maktin,  for  the  past  two  years  general  foreman  at 
Castle  Boro  Gardens,  Enniscorthy,  has  been  appointed  head 
gardener  to  E.  Tighe,  Esq., Woodstock  Park,  Inistioge,  County 
Kilkenny. 


*^-^  The  Yearly  Sub8criptio7i  to  THE  GARDEN  in  :  Inland^ 
15s. ;  I  oreign,  17s.  6'rf. 


^fey- 


^§r^—- 


GARDEN 


1^5^ 


No.  1695.— Vol.  LXV. 


[May    U,  1904. 


THE     NATIONAL 
SOCIETY. 


TULIP 


ON  Tuesday  next  in  the  Drill  Hall, 
i  James  Street,  the  National  Tulip 
I  Society  holds  its  annual  exhi- 
bition. It  is  always  an  inter- 
esting event,  and  one  that  has  a 
flavour  of  past  generations,  when  the  keen 
florists  of  those  days  saw  in  the  markings  of  a 
flower  its  greatest  perfection.  We  have  no 
desire  to  see  that  earnest  flower-love  grow 
faint.  There  was  something  to  admire  in  the 
devoted  florists  of  the  past,  in  spite  of  obvious 
shortcomings,  but  there  is  no  reason  why 
the  complexion  of  the  exhibition  should  not 
be  altered  to  meet  present-day  desires.  While 
maintaining  the  same  keen  interest  in  the 
essentially  florist  Tulip,  distinguished  by 
beautiful  feathering  and  striping  of  colours, 
there  should  be  more  thought  for  the  species 
varieties,  and  hybrids.  The  Gesners  and  late 
Tulips  arc  approaching  their  richest  beauty, 
and  what  this  means  those  who  plant  the 
bulbs  in  groups  know  full  well.  No  race  of 
bulbous  flowers  has  the  dashing  colour  of  the 
Tulips,  whether  it  comes  from  the  big  scarlet 
chalice  of  T.  Greigi,  T.  kaufmanniana,  or 
T.  gesneriana  itself,  most  famous  of  early 
summer  flowers,  and  the  parent  of  many  of 
the  forms  that  now  bring  beauty  to  the  home 
garden. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  the  popularity 
of  the  May  Tulip  is  largely  due  to  the  autho- 
rities at  Kew,  who,  before  the  value  of  this 
wonderful  race  was  recognised,  planted  in  the 
beds  on  each  side  of  the  long  walk  and  in  front 
of  the  Palm  house,  and  elsewhere  in  the 
gardens,  T.  gesneriana,  elegans,  retroflexa, 
macrospeila,  and  the  finer  selfs  which  meet  the 
flowers  of  spring  and  of  summer  and  open 
their  chalices  to  the  May  sun.  A  massing  of 
200  or  300  bulbs  of  Tulipa  gesneriana  is 
welcome  and  satisfying ;  it  is  the  richest 
floral  feast  of  the  year,  and  puts  to  shade  a 
grouping  even  of  the  Henri  Jacoby  Geranium. 
What  is  tenderer  than  the  soft  yellow  of  T. 
retroflexa,  a  flower  of  curling  and  twisting 
segments,  or  more  graceful  than  the  curves  of 
T.  elegans?  Whether  in  the  larger  gardens, 
each  colour  in  a  bed,  or  massed  in  a  free  way 
in  the  wilder  grounds,  these  noble  flowers 
show  their  garden  value. 

We  have  planted  gesneriana  major,  in 
particular,  in  groups  in  open  shrubbery 
walks  where  the  sun  can  reach  them  and 
against    thin    bushes    to    show    the    flower 


colouring  against  a  background  of  tender 
green.  A  mass  of  300  bulbs  planted  in  this 
way  is  at  the  present  moment  as  brilliant  as 
the  grouping  of  Torch  Lily  near  the  same 
place  in  August  and  September.  Let  us  remind 
the  owners  of  country  places  who  are  un- 
acquainted with  the  self  May  Tulips  that  a 
day  may  be  pleasantly  spent  notebook  in 
hand  at  Kew  or  in  one  of  the  great  nurseries, 
such  as  Barr  of  Long  Ditton,  among  the 
Tulips.  The  flowers  are  beautiful  even  in  the 
dull  light  of  the  Drill  Hall,  but  it  is  in  the 
full  sun  that  their  wonderful  colouring  is 
disclosed,  chalices  of  crimson  and  yellow,  and 
white  and  rose,  with  intense  inky  bases  within. 
The  Tulip  Society  is  accomplishing  much, 
but  it  is  capable  of  even  greater  endeavours. 
There  are  the  species,  some  of  great  garden 
importance,  others  that  appeal  to  the  botanist, 
and  the  glorious  late  race,  the  Darwins,  and 
the  Gesner  Tulips  that  have  given  them  birth. 
It  is  this  group  that  the  Tulip  Society  may 
well  strive  to  bring  into  greater  prominence, 
and  in  doing  so  still  maintain  the  old  love  for 
the  "  rectified  "  flowers  that  appeal  to  us  in  the 
same  way  as  an  edged  Auricula  or  a  bizarre 
Carnation. 


PREPARING  FOR  SUMMER. 

(Continued  from  page  315.) 
Massing   and    Grouping    Plants. 

SOME  of  the  beds  in  our  London  parks 
are  clever  associations  of  colouring 
and  bold  arrangements  for  effect, 
and  in  many  instances  reflect  the 
greatest  credit  on  the  judgment  and 
taste  of  those  responsible  for  the  work. 
These  luxurious  beds  are  costly  to  produce  in 
the  first  instance,  and  costly  also  in  so  far  that 
duplicate  plants  have  to  be  grown  and  kept  in 
reserve  during  the  summer  to  make  up 
deficiencies  caused  by  decaying  plants  and 
failures,  which  are  sure  to  take  place  from 
time  to  time.  Few  private  gardeners,  there- 
fore, have  the  opportunity  of  distinguishing 
themselves  in  this  aspect  of  the  art  of  garde)  i 
ornamentation.  Many  plants  are  used  in  com- 
bination for  this  purpose,  which  a  few  years 
ago  were  supposed  to  succeed  only  under  the 
shelter  of  our  greenhouses.  Such  are  the 
Acalyphas,  especially  macafeana,  which  is 
perhaps  the  most  handsome ;  Dracaenas  in 
variety,  the  hardiest  Palms,  Nerines,  Lilies, 
Eicinus,  Bamboos,  Diosmas,  Eriostemons, 
Hydrangea  paniculata,  Campanula  pyramidalis, 
Humea  elegans,  Yuccas,  Funkias,  and  Aralias. 
As  an  undergrowth  the  following,  among  others, 
are  well  adapted  :  Dwarf  Abutilons,  Fuchsias, 
Sweet-scented  Cape  Pelargonium,  and  Petunia. 


Even  Selaginella  denticulata  may  be  used  itu 
this  way. 

The  charm  of  this  sort  of  arrangement  is  the- 
variety  in  size  and  form  of  the  plants  which 
may  be  used,  and  anyone  starting  the  work  for- 
the  first  time  cannot  do  better  than  bear  in 
mind  one  of  the  groups  arranged  for  effect  at 
a  good  flower  show.  Of  course,  a  less  number- 
of  kinds  and  varieties  of  plants  will  have  to  bo- 
used, but  this  will  not  interfere  with  the  effect.. 
An  arrangement  of  this  sort  is  of  much  interest 
at  a  time  of  the  year  when  the  weather  is  too- 
warm  to  enjoy  plants  in  hot-houses.  A  shel- 
tered terrace  or  a  warm  corner  near  the  house- 
is  a  suitable  position  for  such  a  display.  The 
soil  in  the  beds  must  be  of  good  quality  and 
moderate  depth,  and  fairly  enriched  wiih. 
decayed  cow  or  horse  manure  before  planting. 
The  plants  used  must  be  strong,  sturdy 
specimens  of  their  sort  at  the  time  of  planting. 
It  is  absolutely  useless  for  this  sort  of  decora- 
tive gardening  to  use  stunted,  weak,  or  poorly- 
developed  plants,  as  there  is  no  time  for  themi 
to  recoup  before  the  summer  is  over. 

O.  Thomas. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

May  17. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting  ;  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund 
Dinner,  Hotel  Cecil,  7  p.m.,  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  in  the  chair. 

May  19.— Bath  and  West  of  England  Horticul- 
tural Show  at  Swansea  (five  days). 

May  25. — Edinburgh  Spring  Show  (two  days). 

May  30. — Kew  Guild  Dinner. 

May  31. — Royal  Horticultura,l  Society's  Temple 
Show  (three  days). 


Horticultural  Cluto.— The  house  dinner 
and  lecture  announced  for  the  17th  inst.  has  been 
unavoidably  postponed,  as  the  annual  festival  of 
the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund  occurs  on  that 
evening. 

The   New   Horticultural    Hall. 

Among  the  most  recent  donations  to  the  Building 
Fund  of  the  New  Hall  is  one  from  Messrs.  Smith 
and  Ebbs,  Limited,  of  Northumberland  Alley, 
Fenchurch  Street,  stationers  to  the  society, 
for  £25. 

Temple    flower     show,    May     31, 

June  1  and  2. — For  the  seventeenth  year  in 
succession  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will 
hold  their  great  annual  flower  show  in  the  Inner 
Temple  Gardens  (by  the  kind  permission  of  the 
Treasurer  and  Benchers)  on  May  31,  June  1  and  2. 
Every  year  the  desire  of  growers  to  exhibit 
increases,  and  the  otEcials  of  the  society  have  a 
very  anxious  task  in  endeavouring  to  do  justice  to 
those  who  regularly  support  the  fortnightly  shows 
of  the  society,  and  yet  at  the  same  time  to 
encourage  others  to  come  forward.  The  space  is 
absolutely  limited  by  order  of  the  Temple  authori- 
ties ;  no  more  or  larger  tents  can  be  erected,  hence 
every  new  exhibit  which  is  accepted  means  curtail- 
ment of  the  space  allotted  to  previous  supporters. 
The  society  will  issue  an  official  catalogue  containing 


332 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  14,  1904. 


centennial  notes  on  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
particulars  of  the  meetings  and  exhibitions,  both 
at  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate,  and  at 
Holland  House,  Kensington,  and  in  the  society's 
New  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  also  a  schedule  of  the 
exhibits,  with  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the 
Temple  exhibitors  entered  up  to  May  20.  There 
will  also  be  the  programme  of  the  music  to  be 
performed  each  day  by  Lieutenant  Charles 
Godfrey's  band.  The  judges  will  meet  at  the 
secretary's  tent  at  10.30  a.m.  on  May  31,  at  which 
hour  punctually  the  tent  will  be  cleared  of  all 
exhibitors  and  their  assistants.  The  fruit,  floral, 
and  Orchid  committees  will  assemble  at  the 
secretary's  tent  at  11  a.m.  sharp,  and  the  show 
will  be  opened  at  12.30.  All  plants  for  certificate 
must  be  entered  on  or  before  Thursday,  May  26. 
Address? :  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
117,  Victoria  Street,  London,  S.W. 

The    Rev.   C.  Wolley-Dod.  —  We  are 

grieved  to  hear  of  the  serious  illness  of  Mr.  Wolley- 
Dod.  All  who  have  enjoyed  his  friendship,  his 
descriptions  of  hardy  flowers,  and  the  help  of  his 
great  classical  knowledge  at  Eton  will  hope  for  his 
speedy  recovery. 

Royal  Botanic  Society  of  London. 

Lord  Redesdale  has  accepted  the  presidency  of 
the  horticultural  section  of  the  exhibition  to  be 
held  under  the  auspices  of  this  society  in  the 
Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  from  June  6  to  11.  At 
the  exhibition  of  plants  and  flowers  held  in  the 
Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  on  Wednes- 
day last,  many  groups  of  hardy  flowers.  Orchids, 
and  shrubs  were  shown,  making  the  long  corridor 
and  the  large  conservatory  quite  a  beautiful  sight. 
In  the  afternoon  Dr.  Robert  Boxall  gave  a  lecture 
on  "  Seeds  Collected  from  the  West  Indies  :  Their 
Use  as  Ornaments,  &c." 

"In  CydePland."^A  happy  evening  was 
spent  on  Wednesday,  the  -tth  inst.,  in  the  Cripple- 
gate  Institute  in  listening  to  a  musical  play  written 
by  Mr.  R.  C.  Tucker  and  composed  by  Mr.  E. 
Sherwood,  son  of  Mr.  N.  N.  Sherwood.  It  was  a 
private  performance,  a  meeting  together  of  the 
workers  in  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Hurst  and  Son, 
of  which  Mr.  Sherwood  is  one  of  the  leaders, 
and  a  few  personal  friends.  The  excellent  little 
theatre  has  seldom  echoed  with  heartier 
laughter,  or  held  an  audience  filled  with  kindlier 
feelings  to  those  responsible  for  the  pleasant 
entertainment.  Mr.  E.  Sherwood  conducted 
the  orchestra  of  the  Hurst  Musical  Society 
with  a  whole-heartedness  that  won  well-deserved 
applause.  It  was  not  an  occasion  for  severe 
criticism.  It  is  sufficient  that  several  of  the  songs 
and  the  overture,  particularly  to  the  second  act, 
gave  promise  of  great  future  success.  We  hope 
that  the  play  will  be  repeated  in  aid  of  a  gar- 
dening charity.  The  whole  performance  was 
thoroughly  enjoyable,  and  this  says  much  for  so 
ambitious  an  effort. 

Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund  Festival 

Dinner. — Writing  from  Burford,  Dorking,  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  says:  "I  have  gladly 
■consented  to  take  the  chair  at  the  annual  dinner  of 
the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund  on  May  17.  and 
venture  to  ask  for  support  on  that  occasion.  The 
year  1904  is  one  of  special  interest  to  all  who  love 
a  garden  ;  and  in  this  land  of  gardens  who  does 
not?  It  is  the  centenary  of  the  great  garden 
society,  the  Royal  Horticultural,  which  has  done 
yeoman's  service  in  popularising  the  art  and  science 
of  gardening.  But  what  would  be  the  value  of  this 
art  and  science  were  it  not  for  the  ceaseless  labours 
and  unrivalled  skill  of  our  gardeners  ?  It  is  upon 
them  that  the  real  burden  and  responsibility  rest. 
Want  of  skill  and  knowledge,  or  even  a  alight 
relaxation  of  attention,  vigilance,  and  care  may 
frustrate  at  any  time  the  best  directed  efforts  and 
most  generous  expenditure.  Can  we  show  our 
appreciation  of  our  gardeners'  labours,  and  our 
recognition  of  a  success  which  adds  so  much  to  our 
pleasures,  in  any  better  way  than  by  succouring 
their  orphan  children  ?  There  are  now  ninety- 
eight  children  on  this  fund,  each  receiving  5s.  a 
week,  and  many  candidates  waiting  election.  At 
least  £1,250  will  be  required  for  the  current  year. 
May  [  ask  all  lovers  of  gardens  to  help  in  the  good 
work  of  this  fund." 


A  New  Primula— Buttercup.— The 

following  note  appears  in  Gardeniny  (America) : 
"  Our  illustration  shows  a  new  Primrose  grown  by 
W.  K.  Harris,  of  Philadelphia,  in  quantity  for  the 
Christmas  work  this  season,  which  has  been 
received  with  marked  appreciation.  It  is  un- 
doubtedlj'  a  relative  of  P.  floribunda,  but  its 
identity  is  not  known  by  Mr.  Harris,  neither  has 
any  plantsman  thus  far  been  able  to  name  it 
positively.  The  flowers  are  bright  yellow,  slightly 
fragrant,  and  produced  in  continuous  succession 
for  months  ;  other  characteristics  are  well  shown  in 
the  picture.  It  was  at  first  thought  to  be  P. 
kewensis,  a  novelty  offered  by  Veitch  this  season, 
but  a  comparison  with  a  photograph  of  P.  kewensis 
shows  the  latter  to  have  a  long  corolla  tube, 
whereas  Mr.  Harris's  plant  has  a  very  short  tube. 
Whatever  it  may  be,  it  is  certainly  a  very  useful 
addition  to  the  list  of  acceptable  house  plants,  and 
as  it  reproduces  readily  from  seed  will  undoubtedly 
soon  become  widely  disseminated."  The  illustration 
shows  a  plant  of  great  freedom. 

Anemone  blanda  var.  seythinica. 

I  think  without  hesitation  that  this  fine  plant 
may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  of  early  spring 
flowers.  The  rich  blue  and  white  of  the  flowers 
make  a  strong  colour  contrast.  All  the  flowers  are 
sun  lovers,  so  to  speak,  and  the  influence  of  its  rays 
must  be  felt  before  they  expand.  A  year  or  two 
ago  a  fine  form  hailing  from  Belvoir  Castle  Gardens 
was  shown  by  Mr.  Divers  at  the  Drill  Hall  and 
labelled  A.  cypriana.  In  the  Kew  list  of  herba- 
ceous plants  A.  blanda  var.  C3'priana  is  made 
synon3'mous  with  A.  b.  seythinica,  though  from 
a  garden  point  of  view  the  two  plants  are 
quite  distinct.  In  the  above  plant  the  petals 
are  linear,  obtuse,  the  leaf  lobes  more  finely 
and  more  deeply  cut,  the  petioles  2  inches 
long,  sub-erect.  In  A.  b.  oypriana  the  petals 
are  oblong,  obtuse,  the  petioles  barely  an 
inch  long,  horizontal,  the  shorter  leaves  more 
roundly  terminated  and  less  finely  and  deeply  cut. 
The  latter  plant  is  quite  a  month  later  in  starting 
to  flower  and  very  shy  seeding.  My  experience  of 
the  two  is  that  while  A.  b.  cypriana  is  the  best 
formed  flower,  the  subject  of  this  note  is  by  far  the 
best  garden  plant,  and  should  be  grown  by  all. — 
E.  H.  Jenkins,  Hampton  Hill. 

StrelitZia  Reg-inse.— This  handsome 
South  African  plant  is,  when  in  good  flower,  one 
of  the  moat  ornamental  of  conservatory  subjects. 
Its  great  orange  and  purple-blue  blossoms,  the 
tints  of  which  are  but  rarely  met  with  in  flowers, 
standing  well  above  the  finely-shaped  Canna-like 
leaves,  have  a  particularly  striking  and  attractive 
effect,  and  a  few  large  pots  of  this  Strelitzia,  each 
with  half-a-dozen  or  more  expanded  blooms,  form 
a  telling  group  in  a  conservatory  in  the  early  spring. 
In  shape  the  flowers  bear  a  certain  resemblance  to 
the  head  of  a  beautiful  bird,  and  the  plant  has 
been  called  the  Bird  of  Paradise  flower,  from  a 
fancied  likeness  of  its  blos.som  to  the  head  of  that 
bird.  In  well-grown  plants  the  flower-stems  attain 
a  height  of  4  feet,  slightly  overtopping  the  leaves. 
It  succeeds  well  in  a  compost  of  fibrous  loam,  leaf- 
mould,  and  a  little  manure,  and  requires  a  liberal 
supply  of  water  during  the  summer.  I  have  seen 
this  plant  as  well  as  Clivia  miniata  permanently 
planted  out  in  a  sheltered  garden  in  the  south- 
west, but  neither  appeared  in  robust  health,  though 
Agapanthus  umbellatus,  from  the  same  habitat,  is 
perfectly  happy  in  the  open  in  the  same  district. 
The  variety  citrina,  in  which  the  orange  in  the 
flower  is  replaced  by  yellow,  is  not  such  a  strong 
grower  and  is  scarcely  so  decorative  as  the  type. — 
S.  W.  F. 

O ver-  propag-ating    Potatoes.  —  Mr. 

G.  M.  Taylor,  in  deprecating  strongly  the  practice 
of  propagating  Potato  stocks  by  forcing  early 
growths  under  glass  in  warmth,  then  pulling  them 
off  and  rooting  them  separately  in  pots,  ultimately 
planting  them  out,  as  likely  to  lead  to  the  pro- 
duction of  weakness  and  loss  of  constitution,  is 
repeating  what  so  many  other  gardeners  say  and 
think.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  the  other  day  from 
Mr.  A.  W.  Sutton,  of  the  famous  Reading  seed 
firm,  that  they  were  this  year  conducting  experi- 
ments expressly  to  test  this  matter.  They  have  a 
multitude  of  seedling  Potatoes,  ample  room,  and 


special  facilities  for  conducting  such  experiments, 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  results  will  be 
published.  I  have  been  opposed  to  the  artificial 
propagation  to  which  Mr.  Taylor  refers,  on  the 
ground  that  because  it  is  unnatural  it  must  lead 
to  evil  results.  Still,  that  judgment  may  be  wrong, 
and  I  only  hope  that  Messrs.  Sutton's  tests  will  be 
thorough  and  will  be  continued  for  two  or  three 
years. — A.  D. 

Clematis  alpina — This  is  one  of  the 
earliest  Clematis  to  flower,  being  at  its  best  during 
the  latter  half  of  April  and  Maj'.  For  covering  a 
low  fence  or  for  clothing  a  group  of  rough  branches 
it  is  excellent,  for  it  grows  freely  and  makes  a 
pretty  informal  mass.  The  flowers  appear  with 
the  young  leaves,  and  are  at  their  best  while  the 
foliage  is  in  its  most  delicate  stage.  The  flowers 
are  composed  of  a  dozen  or  ao  small,  dull  white 
petals  and  four  large,  narrow  sepals,  which  are  a 
very  delicate  shade  of  blue.  They  are  borne 
singly  on  long,  thin  stalks,  and  a  large  number  of 
blossoms  are  produced  by  each  plant.  In  addition 
to  the  t3'pe  there  are  varieties  with  white  and 
reddish  purple  flowers.  C.  alpina  is  found  on 
limestone  mountains  in  Southern  Europe,  and  has 
been  cultivated  for  upwards  of  100  years.  It  is 
also  known  as  Atragene  alpina. — W.  D. 

New   Straw^taerry   the    Laxton 

Forced. — Several  notes  have  appeared  in  The 
Garden  recommending  this  new  Strawberry  for  its 
good  quality  when  grown  in  the  open,  but  so  far  I 
have  not  noticed  any  remarks  about  its  forcing 
qualities,  so  that  a  brief  note  as  to  its  value  when 
forced  may  not  be  out  of  place.  I  potted  this 
variety  later  than  others  last  season,  as  at  first  I 
did  not  think  of  forcing  it  in  any  way,  but  I  must 
say  it  has  done  remarkably  well.  The  newer 
Laxton  may  with  advantage  be  grown  to  follow 
the  Royal  Sovereign,  as  it  forces  very  quickly  and 
the  fruits  are  very  fine.  They  set  well  with  me, 
and  I  noticed  that  the  plants  produced  large 
fruits,  there  being  an  absence  of  small  ones.  The 
plants  make  more  foliage  than  the  Royal  Sovereign, 
and  the  trusses  are  bold  and  the  flavour  is  excel- 
lent. The  plants  alluded  to  were  forced  slowly 
and  not  very  early.  I  have  not  given  it  a  trial  for 
very  early  forcing,  I  mean  before  the  end  of  April, 
but  from  the  appearance  of  the  plants  growing  by 
the  side  of  Royal  Sovereign  it  should  force  quite  as 
well.  The  fruits  are  a  splendid  colour.  Messrs. 
Laxton  have  given  us  an  acquisition. — G.  Wythes. 

Spiraea  confusa  in  spring-.— This  is 

one  of  the  best  of  the  early-flowering  Spirteas.  It 
is  not  always  grown  under  this  name,  but  as  S. 
media.  Many  of  our  flowering  shrubs  are  as  hardy 
as  the  Holly,  but  few  were  planted  years  ago,  and 
the  result  is  a  vast  quantity  of  things  not  worth 
growing.  This  is,  however,  being  partially 
remedied.  Flowering  shrubs,  however,  must  not 
be  neglected.  Timely  pruning  is  necessary,  and  it 
is  an  easy  matter  to  get  new  growths  from  the 
base.  Remove  older  ones  and  form  a  compact 
bush.  There  are  beds  at  Syon  of  this  Spirrea, 
which,  if  not  too  much  crowded,  are  charming  at 
this  season,  the  large  clusters  of  pure  white  flowers 
being  produced  in  great  quantities  early  in  spring. 
The  flowering  shrubs,  to  do  them  justice,  should 
have  space  to  develop.  Under  large  trees  or  in 
crowded  shrubberies  they  are  not  a  success,  but  in 
groups  they  are  most  effective. — G.  Wythes. 

Double  Primroses.— Having  grown  most 
of  the  varieties  for  years  I  can  endorse  all  that 
"A.  D."  says  as  to  the  diflioulty  of  keeping  them 
healthy.  Our  practice  was  to  grow  them  in  a  cold, 
shady  position  in  sandy  loam,  and  divide  them  in 
autumn  just  as  they  began  to  grow.  The  most 
difficult  one  was  the  double  crimson.  We  had 
occasionally  to  get  fresh  plants  from  Ireland  ;  but 
we  found  no  difficulty  in  growing  the  double 
white,  yellow,  lilac,  and  purple  varieties.  It  is 
most  desirable  to  keep  the  leafage  clean  in  summer. 
This  cannot  be  done  if  the  plants  are  in  an  exposed 
dry  position.  When  at  Hackwood  Park,  about 
April  20,  I  was  surprised  to  see  a  row  of  the  double 
lilac,  about  6  j'arda  long  and  1  foot  wide,  literally 
covered  with  bloom.  Nothing  could  be  more  lovely 
as  an  edging  to  a  border.  The  position  was  some- 
what shaded,  being  screened  from  the  midday 
sun  by  a  high  wall. — J.  Crook. 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


338 


Mp.  AV.  Crump,  Madresfield  Court  Gardens, 
has  been  elected  on  the  Education  Committee  of 
the  Worcestershire  County  Council.  We  are  glad 
to  see  that  Mr.  Crump's  work  has  been  recognised. 
For  some  years  he  has  been  very  earnest  in  his 
endeavours  in  connexion  with  the  County  Council's 
scheme  of  technical  education  for  improving  the 
knowledge  of  hardy  fruit  culture,  which  is  such  an 
important  industry  in  the  southern  and  western 
portions  of  the  county. 

PPOtecting  Carnations.  —  Town  gar- 
deners perhaps  more  than  gardeners  in  the  country 
suffer  from  the  depredations  of  sparrows,  and  Car- 
nations are  generally  severely  attacked.  It  seems 
to  me  a  great  waste  of  time  to  go  to  the  trouble  of 
placing  black  thread  over  these  plants  in  order  to 
keep  off  the  sparrows  ;  after  a  time  the  birds  get 
accustomed  to  the  thread  and  it  loses  what  efficac3' 
it  first  had,  while  the  threads  are  often  broken  or 
displaced.  I  have  always  found  it  much  simpler 
and  also  more  effective  to  cover  the  bed  with 
ordinary  garden  netting.  One  has  only  to  place 
forked  sticks  at  intervals  over  the  bed  and  put  the 
netting  over  them,  pegging  it  down  around  the 
edge  of  the  bed,  the  plants  are  then  perfectly 
secure  from  birds,  and  probably  they  appreciate 
the  covering  in  another  way  also,  for  the  netting 
helps  to  shelter  them  from  the  sun,  and  small 
plants  especially  seem  to  like  this  slight  shade. 
— H.  A.  P. 

Improper  tree  pruning. —I  had  an 

excellent  opportunity  recently  of  seeing  the  results 
of  good  and  bad  forest  tree  pruning,  a  subject  that 
Mr.  Bean  and  others  have  on  several  occasions 
drawn  attention  to  in  The  Garden.  As  they  have 
pointed  out,  if,  when  cutting  a  large  branch  from 
a  tree,  a  stump  is  left  which  juts  out  from  the  tree 
for  an  inch  or  two,  this  is  almost  certain  in  time  to 
perish,  either  by  decay  caused  by  dampness  or  by 
disease;  it  never  properly  heals,  because  the  cam- 
bium (that  is  the  growing)  layer  does  not  form  a 
tissue  to  cover  it.  If,  however,  the  branch  is  cut 
back  level  with  the  trunk  or  branch  from  which  it 
originated,  the  out  surface  gradually  becomes 
completely  covered  with  a  woody  tissue  arising 
from  the  cambium  layer.  The  tree  which  plainly 
showed  the  two  cases  of  good  and  bad  pruning  was 
an  old  Cedar,  which  had  been  cut  down.  In  the  one 
instance  where  the  branch  had  not  been  properly 
cut  back  decay  had  set  in,  and  had  spread  down  a 
large  limb  ;  in  the  other,  the  wound  had  become 
covered  with  woody  tissue,  and  no  harm  at  all  had 
followed  the  operation.  It  was  most  instructive 
to  notice  the  great  difference  in  the  results  of 
cutting  back  the  branch  close  to  the  tree  and  in 
leaving  a  stump  an  inch  or  two  long. — H.  A.  P. 

Gertaera    Jamesoni.  —  This    beautiful 

composite,  commonly  known  as  the  Transvaal 
Daisy,  has  of  recent  years  become  a  favourite  plant 
for  the  cool  greenhouse.  Those  who  are  growing 
it  under  such  conditions  should  be  rewarded  for 
the  little  care  that  it  is  necessary  to  bestow  upon 
it,  for  now  the  plants  are  throwing  up  their  solitary 
flower  -  heads  of  brilliant  orange  -  crimson.  The 
flowers  might  well  be  used  for  decoration,  as  they 
are  of  a  pleasing  shade  and  produced  on  long  stems  ; 
they  will  remain  fresh  when  cut  for  many  days. 
Gerbera  is  often  compared  to  a  Dandelion,  but, 
beautiful  as  the  Dandelion  is  (and  we  should  think 
it  more  so  if  it  were  less  common),  this  comparison 
does  not  do  justice  to  Gerbera.  Some  excellent 
notes  in  past  numbers  of  The  Garden  by  Mr. 
R.  I.  Lynch  tell  us  how  well  adapted  this 
plant  is  to  outside  culture  in  a  position  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun.  A  description  has  also 
appeared  of  the  magnificent  clumps  to  be  seen  in 
a  well-known  garden  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  in  a 
favourable  position  and  a  light  sandy  soil. — H.  C. 

Primrose    flowers    destroyed.  —  I 

notice  in  The  Garden  of  the  30th  ult.  that  a 
correspondent  makes  enquiry  as  to  what  insect  or 
bird  it  is  that  destroys  the  flowers  of  his  Primroses 
and  Polyanthuses.  In  reply,  I  may  first  of  all 
state  that  your  correspondent  is  by  no  means  alone 
in  this  respect,  as  I  have  had  a  great  many  flowers 
of  both  destroyed  this  season,  and  have  also  heard 
others  complain  of  the  same  thing  taking  place. 
With  regard  to  the  depredators,  these  are  in  my 
case  both  sparrows  and  wood-pigeons,  and  I  fancy 


if  your  correspondent  would  keep  a  sharp  look-out 
he  would  find  one,  or  perhaps  both,  to  be  the 
cause  of  the  mischief  in  his  particular  instance.  I 
had  never  suspected  wood-pigeons  of  pulling  off 
the  flowers  of  either  Primroses  or  Polyanthuses 
before,  but  had  the  matter  brought  forcibly  before 
me  a  few  days  ago  in  consequence  of  one  of  the 
men,  whose  duty  it  is  to  unlock  the  garden  gates 
first  thing  in  the  morning,  having  put  up  some  of 
these  birds  from  off  the  kitchen  garden  flower- 
borders.  On  going  to  the  spot  the  ground  was 
strewn  with  freshly  plucked  off  flowers,  and,  on 
further  enquiry,  I  found  they  had  been  seen  doing 
the  same  mischief  on  another  part  of  the  estate  a 
few  days  previously.  Why  they  do  it  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  explain,  as  the  flowers  are  simply  pulled  off 
and  left.  With  regard  to  the  sparrow,  this  bird 
pulls  off  the  flowers  out  of  sheer  mischief,  and  I 
found  some  plants  under  a  Quick  hedge  almost 
entirely  bereft  of  flowers  by  these  birds  a  few  days 
since,  so  that  your  correspondent  will  see  that  the 
damage  is  not  confined  to  gardens  alone.  In  spite 
of  netting  and  shooting  sparrows  are  more  numerous 
than  ever  this  spring,  and  I  am  afraid  that  their 
depredations  complained  of  above  will  be  as  nothing 
compared  to  the  damage  they  will  be  inflicting  soon 
on  Peas,  &c. — A.  W. 

Schizanthus   retusus   Grahami.— 

Few  greenhouse  plants  are  more  useful  or  more 
easily  grown  than  the  Schizanthus,  and  there  are 
some  good  things  among  them  now.  For  instance, 
S.  wisetonensis — whose  flowers  vary  through  a  wide 
range  of  colour,  cream,  pink,  mauve,  marone, 
bronzy  brown,  &a. — is  a  charming  plant,  and  with 
this  as  with  other  Schizanthus  flowers  may  be  had 
practically  all  the  year  round  if  successive  sowings 
are  made  at  proper  intervals.  S.  retusus  Grahami, 
the  subject  of  this  note,  is  another  beautiful  form, 
rich  pink,  with  bright  yellow  lip,  making  a  fine 
display  in  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory  at  this 
time  of  year.  With  this  and  S.  wisetonensis,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  better  known  ones,  quite  a 
pretty  group  might  be  made,  and,  doubtless,  many 
a  greenhouse  would  be  the  brighter  for  their 
inclusion. — A.  H.  P. 

Muscari  moschatum.  —  Some  of  the 

Muscari  are  invaluable  for  planting  in  the  spring 
garden  where  colour  masses  are  wanted.  What 
other  plants  then  in  flower  can  provide  such 
glorious  groups  of  blue  as,  say,  M.  oonioum,  M. 
grandifolium,  M.  botryoides,  and  others  ?  To  see 
really  what  a  display  they  are  capable  of  making 
they  must  be  planted  in  groups  or  colonies,  it  is  no 
use  dotting  them  about.  The  one  under  notice, 
however,  has  no  such  claim  to  distinction  as  those 
mentioned,  for  the  colour  of  its  flowers,  greenish 
yellow,  with  a  pale  lustrous  blue  tint,  does  not 
make  them  conspicuous.  This  plant  soon  makes  its 
presence  known,  however,  by  reason  of  its  powerful 
and  pleasing  fragrance,  and  for  that  reason  a  clump 
of  it  in  the  garden  is  well  worth  having.  It  is  a 
good  plant  for  the  town  garden  (as,  indeed,  are  the 
most  brilliant  Muscari),  the  conditions  prevailing 
there  do  not  appear  to  affect  it  adversely.  I  believe 
I  am  correct  in  saying  that  this  is  the  true  Musk 
Hyacinth,  the  typical  species.  One  rarely  sees  it 
in  gardens,  and  probably  because  of  its  quiet 
colouring.  Fashion  nowadays  in  gardening  appears 
to  favour  plants  with  rich  and  brilliant  hued  flowers, 
and  as  a  result  many  of  those,  which,  like'M.  mos- 
chatum, are  less  conspicuous,  are  neglected. — 
A.  H.  P. 

Droitwieh  Experimental  Garden. 

The  eighth  annual  report  of  this  garden,  the  fourth 
annual  report  of  the  County  Instruction  Gardens, 
and  the  twelth  annual  report  of  gardening  instruc- 
tion have  been  issued  together  by  the  Technical 
Instruction  Committee  of  the  Worcestershire 
County  Council.  The  greater  part  of  the  booklet 
is  taken  up  with  the  report  of  the  Droitwieh 
Experimental  Garden,  by  Mr.  James  Udale.  From 
it  we  learn  that  the  garden  is  two  acres  in  area, 
numerous  experiments  are  proceeding  in  regard  to 
pruning  and  non-pruning  of  fruit  trees,  the  effects 
of  lime  as  a  manure  to  fruit  trees,  the  eradication 
of  finger  and  toe  disease,  and  also  as  to  results 
from  different  kinds  of  manures  to  various  crops  of 
vegetables  growing  under  equal  conditions  in  all 
other  respects.     In  1897  there  were  991  visitors 


to  the  garden,  in  1903  there  were  2,043.  The 
report  is  full  of  valuable  information.  With  respect 
to  Apples  we  read  that  the  most  fruitful  varieties 
in  1903  were  Beauty  of  Kent,  Ecklinville  Seedling, 
Bramley's  Seedling,  Cellini,  Betty  Geeson,  Duchess' 
Favourite,  Lord  Grosvenor,  Mr.  Gladstone,  Potts' 
Seedling,  Ringer,  Royal  .Jubilee,  Stirling  Castle, 
and  Schoolmaster.  Sixty-four  varieties  flowered 
and  thirty-nine  varieties  gave  fruit,  the  total 
weight  of  Apples  being  5B61b. ,  the  second  best 
crop  since  the  trees  were  planted.  Lime  appears 
to  have  a  direct  influence  upon  the  fruitfulness  of 
Apple  trees.  Of  those  trees  bearing  fruit  in  the 
years  1900,  1901,  1002,  and  1903  a  majority  had 
annually  received  an  application  of  51b. ,  and  latterly 
61b.  of  lime.  During  1903  273  boys  received  in- 
struction in  gardening  in  Worcestershire  County 
Instruction  Gardens  at  eighteen  centres.  The 
gardening  instruction  of  the  county  is  still  com- 
mitted to  the  Union  by  the  County  Council,  and 
Mr.  James  Udale  and  Mr.  Joseph  Lansdell  continue 
to  do  excellent  work  as  instructors  for  Worcester- 
shire. During  the  twelve  mouths  ending  August  31 
last,  fifty-seven  lectures  were  given,  the  average 
attendance  being  thirty-six. 

British  Forestry.— In  a  paper  read  before 
the  Farmers'  Club  recently  on  "  British  Forestry 
as  a  Rural  Industry,"  Mr.  A.  C.  Forbes,  Longleab 
Nurseries,  came  to  the  conclusion  that,  under 
certain  conditions,  timber-growing  in  this  country 
is  likely  to  pay.  It  pays  to  grow  Ash  and  Larch, 
and  probably  also  Douglas  Fir  on  suitable  ground. 
Coniferous  timber  will  only  pay  when  grown  in 
larger  quantities  than  is  now  the  case  on  the 
poorer  soils.  He  estimated  that  the  produce  of 
some  5,250,000  acres  of  Pine  forest  is  consumed 
annually  by  railways  and  coal  mines,  and  that  the 
supply  from  this  country  is  never  likely  to  exceed 
the  demand.  Planting  of  poor  agricultural  land 
gives  every  promise  of  paying  if  carried  out  on  the 
proper  lines ;  a  larger  bulk  of  suitable  timber 
instead  of  a  number  of  samples  of  doubtful  type 
should  be  grown,  and  this  must  stand  until  mature, 
and  yet  not  too  long  to  become  half  rotten. 


PLEA    FOR  A  GARDENERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 

An  effort  is  now  being  made  to  realise  a  long-felt 
desire  for  an  association,  which  shall  include  all 
who  are  professionally  employed  in  any  branch  of 
horticulture,  including  private  and  public  gardens, 
the  nursery  and  seed  trade,  and  market  gardens. 

The  objects  of  the  association  will  be:  (1)  regis- 
tration of  gardeners ;  (2)  regulation  of  wages ; 
(3)   regulation  of  working  hours. 

These  three  are  admittedly  the  most  urgent 
matters  requiring  attention.  Other  questions 
which  the  association  might  take  up  subsequently 
are  the  proportion  of  apprentices  or  improvers  to 
journeymen,  especially  in  private  gardens;  foreign 
or  alien  labour ;  the  assistance  of  sick  and  aged 
members  and  of  gardeners'  orphans  who  may  be  in 
need. 

There  is  no  reason  why  gardener?  working 
together  and  in  the  true  co-operative  spirit  should 
not  obtain  such  control  over  questions  of  this 
kind,  which  directly  affect  the  welfare  and  happiness 
of  the  individual  and  the  best  interests  of  British 
horticulture,  as  would  enable  them  to  deal  effec- 
tively with  grievances  as  they  arise.  There  is 
little  doubt  that  the  employer  has  often  cause  to 
complain  of  the  dull-witted,  unskilled  "gardener" 
who  does  so  much  to  keep  the  status  of  the  profes- 
sion at  zero,  and  who  will  continue  to  foist  himself 
on  the  employer  so  long  as  means  are  not  adopted 
to  secure  to  the  employer  some  guarantee  of  the 
competence  of  the  candidate  for  employment. 

Although  gardening  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
also  one  of  the  most  important  industries  of  this 
country,  its  votaries  are  absolutelj"  without  organi- 
sation. It  is  said  that  there  are  10,000  gardeners 
in  England  alone,  but  if  we  include  commercial 
and  trade  gardeners  there  are  probably  at  least 
as  many  more.  An  association  that  succeeds  in 
uniting  them  on  co-operative  lines  will  constitute  a 
force  which,  under  proper  guidance,  will  lift  the 


334 


l^fiE    GARDEN. 


[May  14,  1904. 


being  too  often  observable  in  them.  It  is  also  to 
be  feared  that  boys  are  acceptpd  as  garden 
apprentices  who  are  too  dull  and  unpromising 
to  find  employment  in  other  industries.  The 
association  will  be  opposed  to  all  such 
weakening  influences  as  these.  It  is  only  by 
insisting  on  a  higher  standard  of  intelligence, 
as  well  as  of  professional  knowledge  and  skill 
in  the  youths  who  desire  to  qualify  as  gar- 
deners, that  the  position  of  the  gardener  can 
be  improved.  Employers  who  have  reason  to 
complain  of  the  want  of  skill  and  forethought 
in  the  men  to  whom  they  have  entrusted 
their  gardens  will  no  doubt  recognise  the 
desirability  of  an  organisation  the  main  object 
of  which  is  to  guarantee  trustworthy  gar- 
deners of  sound  ability,  and  to  secure  for 
them  reasonable  remuneration  for  services 
rendered. 

Regulatiox  of  Workixg  Hours. 
The  working  hours  for  gardeners  vary  in 
different  parts  of  the  country.  There  is  also 
considerable  disparity  between  the  time 
worked  in  private  gardens  and  public  gardens 
in  the  same  district.  Gardeners  cannot  hope 
to  get  an  eight  hours'  day,  but  it  ought  not 
to  be  difficult  to  fix  the  limits  of  a  day's 
work,  beyond  which  all  labour  should  be 
counted  as  overtime.  A  small  staff  of  efficient 
men,  properly  controlled  and  working  a 
reasonable  day,  will  do  more  work,  and  do  it 
better,  too,  than  twice  as  many  men  left  to 
drag  through  a  long  day  doing  what  is  called 
routine  work  without  either  interest  or 
intelligence.  Excessive  work,  whether  from 
long  hours  or  from  overwork,  is  disastrous 
morally  and  socially,  as  well  as  mentally 
and  physically,  and  at  the  same  time,  by  its 
exhaustive  process,  it  really  diminishes  the 
productive  power  of  the  worker. 

It  is  important  that  gardeners  employed  in 
commercial  horticulture  should  take  part  in 
profession  into  a  higher  position  than  it  occupies  ■  get  labour  as  cheaply  as  they  can.  In  many  cases  i  this  movement.  Commercialism  has  affected  horti- 
now.  The  right  of  workers  to  combine  for  mutual  i  the  agent  or  manager  controls  such  matters,  and  culture,  as  it  has  so  many  other  arts  in  this 
protection  and  assistance  is  now  recognised  and  it  is  certain  that  if  the  price  of  garden  work  were  I  country,  and  there  has  been  an  enormous  increase 
even  encouraged.  Trade  unions,  friendly  societies,  raised,  employers  would  pay  it  as  they  do  that  of  !  in  the  number  of  nurseries  and  market  gardens  in 
co-operative  societies,  and  similar  institutions  pro-  |  other  skilled  labour,  the  price  of  which  has  been  j  the  last  twenty-five  years.  The  training  to  be 
vide  a  means  for  attaining  and  conserving  that  ,  increased  25  per  cent,  to  50  per  cent,  within  the  j  obtained  in  some  nurseries  is  of  such  a  quality  that 
independence  which  is  not  only  a  source  of  last  twenty-five  years,  whilst  the  gardener's  wages  |  it  should  be  sought  by  j'oung  men  actuated  bj'  the 
strength,    but   the    foundation   of   prosperity  and    have  stood  still.  !  progressive  spirit,  for   this  country  offers  oppor- 

happiness.  There  can   be   no   question  that   the  individual  |  tunities   to    the   gardener   where   the   farmer   has 

An     objection     urged     against     the     proposed  j  workman  has  little  chance  of  obtaining  fair  wages    failed,  and   there   are   many   capable   young    men 


ROCK   GARDEN   MAKING. — AN   ORDINARY  GRASS   JIELD   TRANSrORMED   INTO   A  ROCK   AND   WATER  GARDEN 

AT   ABBOTSBURY,  NEWTON   ABBOT,    DEVON. 


association  by  a  few  employers  and  gardeners 
is  that  it  would  cause  strife  between  employer  and 
employed.  This  objection  is  a  remnant  of  that 
prejudice  against  all  workmen's  combinations 
which  a  century  ago  led  to  their  prohibition  by 
law.  But  a  very  different  view  prevails  now.  A 
few  years  ago  a  select  committee  of  the  House  of 
Lords,  after  an  elaborate  enquiry  into  what  is 
known  as  the  sweating  system  in  many  branches 
of  industry,  reported  that   "With  respect  to  low 


unless  all  of   the  same  class  agree  not  to   accept  ,  "champing  the  bit"  in  private  gardens  who  might 
less,  and  there  can  be  no  agreement  that  will  hold  I  be   profitably  employed,  both  for  themselves  and 


without  a  properly  organised  association,  con- 
trolled and  guided  by  a  desire  to  promote  the 
interests  of  both  employer  and  employed.  Low 
wages  do  not  always  mean  cheap  labour.  A  dis- 
contented man  is  not  actuated,  as  he  ought  to  be, 
by  a  sense  of  duty,  and  is,  in  consequence,  often  a 

poor   workman.      He   labours   under   a  feeling   of    and  the  costly  system  of  distribution 
unfair  treatment,  and   his  work  suffers  in   conse- 


the  community,  in  some  department  of  commercial 
horticulture.  The  Gardeners'  Association  may  be 
able  to  assist  by  endeavouring  to  obtain  land  on 
easy  terms  for  horticultural  industries.  It  may 
also  do  something  towards  removing  other  dis- 
abilities and  obstacles,  such  as  insecurity  of  tenure 


wages  and  excessive  hours  of  labour,  we  think  that  quence.  The  success  of  British  workmen  corn- 
good  may  be  effected  by  the  extension  of  co-opera-  I  pared  with  those  of  other  nations  is  due  as  much 
tive  societies,  and  by  well-considered  combination  |  to  their  healthy,  independent  condition  as  to 
among    workmen."      The   late    Duke    of    Argyll,    their  inherent  skill. 


whose  views  will  command  respect,  said :  "  The 
instincts  of  men,  truer  often  than  the  conclusions 
of  philosophy,  have  rebelled  against  the  doctrine 
that  they  are  the  sport  of  circumstances ;  yet 
finding  by  hard  experience  that  this  is  often  true 
of  the  individual  standing  alone,  they  have  resolved 
to  try  whether  it  is  equally  true  of  the  collective 
will,  guided  by  the  spirit  and  strengthened  under 
the  discipline  of  association." 


Public  Meeting. 

The  meeting  to  be  held  in  London,  on  Wednes- 
day, June  1  next  (the  second  day  of  the  Temple 
show),  should  be  supported  by  all  who  are  inter- 
ested. The  movement  is  essentially  a  co-operative 
one,  and  its  success,  therefore,  depends  on  individual 
effort.     It  is  most  important  that  the  first  meeting 


Registration. 

The  association  will  endeavour  to  control  and 
regulate  the  labour  market  for  gardeners  by  !  should  be  representative  of  the  whole  field  ol 
keeping  a  register  of  members,  in  which  will  be  horticulture,  and  gardeners  of  all  classes — private 
recorded  the  qualifications  and  experience  of  gardeners  and  journeymen,  gardeners  and  assistants 
every  certificated  member.  It  will  be  open  to  in  parks  and  public  gardens,  nurserymen,  their 
every  employer  to  make  enquiry  as  to  the  com-  |  foremen  and  assistants,  seedsmen  and  their  assis- 
petence  and  character  of  an  applicant  for  employ-  |  tants,  horticultural  instructors— all  are  urged  to  be 
Whatever  mistakes  may  have  been  made  by  other  ment,  who,  if  not  a  member,  would  probably  i  present, 
combinationsofworkers.it  is  not  the  intention  of  the  be  known  to  some  of  those  who  are.  By  this'  The  meeting  will  be  held  in  the  Essex  Hall, 
promoters  of  the  Gardeners' Association  to  attempt  means  the  association  will  ensure  to  employers  Essex  Street,  Strand,  at  (i  p.m.  (doors  open 
anything  inconsistent  with  the  rights  either  of  more  reliable  testimony  as  to  a  gardener's  character  at  5.30).  All  those  who  sympathise  with  this 
employer  or  employed,  or  which  will  not  commend  and  qualifications  than  is  generally  to  be  obtained  movement  should  write  to  the  secretary,  W. 
itself  to  all  who  have  the  welfare  of  horticulture  at    now.  Watson,  Kew  Road,   Kew,   who  will  be   glad    to 

heart.     The   question  of   wages  will  undoubtedly  j      It   will   be   to   the    best  interests    of    the   asso-    receive     contributions     towards      defraying     the 
demand  attention.  Generally  the  wages  of  gardeners  j  elation  to  insist  on  as  high  a  standard  of  skill  as  I  expenses  of   printing  and   distributing   this   pam 


are  less  than  those  of  ordinary  mechanics  who  build 
their  greenhouses,  &c. ,  and  whose  intelligence  and 
responsibility  are,  as  a  rule,  below  those  expected 
in  the  average  gardener.  The  argument  that 
gardeners'  wages  are  low  because  gardening  is  a 
luxury   is    not   worth    consideration.       Employers 


possible  among  its  members,  and  to  refuse  to  help  j  phlet,  and  of  the  meeting  to  be  held  in  June, 
the  impostor  and  one  who  is  otherwise  unworthy,  j  Copies  of  the  pamphlet  for  distribution  may  be 
Every  member  should,  therefore,  consider  himself  obtained  from  members  of  the  committee, 
a  auardian  of  the  status  of  his  profession.  The  j  [We  are  very  pleased  to  print  these  notes 
inefficiency  of  many  gardeners  is  unfortunately  too  1  sent  to  us  by  Mr.  Watson,  Curator  of  the  Royal 
true,  alack  of  education  as  well  as  bad  training  I  Gardens,  Kew. — Ed.] 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


335 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS. 


M 


NEW    CORYDALIS. 

■  ANY  of  the  plants  introduced  from 
China  during  the  past  fifteen  years 
are  much  sought  after,  and  their 
culture  has  quickly  spread.  Others 
less  remarkable  have  remained  in 
the  background,  and  have  been  culti- 
vated only  by  amateurs.  Again,  some,  being  only 
of  botanical  interest,  have  been  looked  at,  named 
or  not  as  the  case  may  be,  and  then  lost.  The 
genus  Corydalis  must  be  placed  in  the  second 
category. 

Modern  discoveries  in  China  and  the  neigh- 
bouring regions  make  up  the  total  number  of 
species  known  from  100  previously  known  to  150. 
Most  of  these,  it  is  true,  exist  only  as  specimens  in 
the  herbarium,  but  several  have  been  grown  in 
European  gardens,  and  are  retained  on  account  of 
their  interest.  We  should  like  to  make  some  of 
the  latter  known  to  our  readers,  for  they  deserve 
attention,  especially  by  those  who  cultivate  rook 
garden  plants. 

Corydalis  tomentosa  (N.  E.  Brown). — This  species 
is  allied  to  C.  tomentella,  from  which  it  differs  by 
having  more  spreading  leaves  covered  with  long 
white  hairs,  by  its  radical  flowering  stems,  and  by 
the  flowers,  which,  although  yellow,  are  of  different 
form.  A  native  of  China,  introduced  into  England 
in  1902  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson  for  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  and  Sons. 

C.  Wilsoni  (N.  E.  Brown). — The  plant  is  glabrous 
in  all  its  parts;  the  leaves,  glaucous  green,  produced 
in  rosettes,  are  bipinnate.  The  flowers  are  rather 
large,  of  a  deep  yellow  marked  with  green,  freely 
produced  in  bunches.  A  native  of  China,  intro- 
duced into  England  in   1902  by  Mr   EH    Wilson 


GRASS  FIELD  TRANSEORMED  INTO  ROCK  AND  WATER  GARDEN  IN  THE  GEOUNDS 
OF  THE  LATE  MR.  EDWARD  MSHBR,  ABBOTSBURT,  NEWTON  ABBOT,  DEVON. 


for  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons.  These  Cory- 
dalis, coming  from  regions  of  varying  temperature 
and  climate,  have  difierent  cultural  requirements, 
which  it  may  be  useful  to  point  out.  C.  tomentella, 
which,  unfortunately,  is  not  very  vigorous,  and 
does  not  do  well  in  the  open  air,  except  during 
summer,  should  be  planted  in  warm  and  dry  places. 
It  does  not  stand  the  cold  and  wet  of  winter,  but 
is  easily  preserved  under  a  cold  frame.  It  is 
rather  short-lived,  but  is  easily  propagated  by 
sowing  seeds. 

C.  cheilanthifolia  is,  on  the  contrary,  an 
extremely  robust  plant,  standing  our  winters 
perfectly,  even  preserving  its  foliage,  and  is  of 
peculiar  decorative  effect  from  the  abundance  of 
its  bright  yellow  erect  flowers,  which  begin  to  open 
about  the  middle  of  March.  With  age  it  forms 
rather  large,  compact  tufts,  which  have  an  elegant 
appearance,  and  are  not  unlike  some  Ferns.  The 
plant  produces  seed  which  sows  itself. 

C.  thalictrifolia,  which  maybe  rightly  considered 
as  one  of  the  most  beautiful  species,  is  a  native  of 
the  same  locality  as  the  Chinese  Primrose,  and, 
like  it,  requires  the  shelter  of  the  greenhouse.  Its 
long  rhizomes  are  found  growing  among  stone,  and 
this  indicates  in  .some  measure  the  treatment 
which  suits  it.  It  is,  however,  much  more 
delicate  than  most  of  its  congeners,  and  also  rather 
difficult  to  grow.  We  have,  however,  seen  some 
very  fine  groups  in  the  large  temperate  house  at 
Kew. 

C.  ophiocarpa  is  really  more  curious  than  beau- 
tiful, but  it  has  the  advantage  of  readily  accommo- 
dating itself  to  our  climate,  where  it  seeds,  spreads, 
and  becomes  naturalised.  The  thick,  angular 
stems  and  peculiarly -tinted  foliage  render  it 
attractive  when  it  is  grown  in  masses.  It  is  too 
early  to  speak  with  certainty  of  the  culture  of  the 
two  latter,  but  their  affinities  seem  to  indicate  that 
C    tomentosa  requires  the  same  treatment  as  C. 

tomentella,     and    C. 

Wilsoni     probably    the 

same    as  C.    cheilanthi 

folia. 

S.  MOTTET, 

_  in  the  Revue  Horlicole. 

"^  lEIS   BUCHARICA. 

This  charming  Iris  is 
doing  well  here  this  sea- 
son, and  is  now  very 
beautiful.  It  is  of 
recent  introduction,  and 
was  awarded  a  first- 
class  certificate  by  the 
Royal  Horticultural 
Society  in  1902 — a  well- 
deserved  honour.  It  is 
not  described  in  Mr. 
J.  G.  Baker's  "Hand- 
book of  the  Iridese," 
but  belongs  to  the  same 
group  as  I.  orchioides, 
which  it  greatly 
resembles  in  general 
appearance.  It  possesses 
the  erect,  firm  habit  of 
that  species,  and  its 
fine  leaves  are  equally 
shining,  as  if  varnished. 
The  leading  flower  is  at 
the  top  of  the  stem,  and 
is  of  good  size,  creamy 
white,  with  a  broad  fall 
of  bright  yellow,  pen- 
cilled with  brown.  From 
the  axils  of  the  leaves 
additional  flowers  are 
produced.  It  has  been 
grown  here  in  the  open 
without  any  protection 
in  a  sandy,  peat  soil, 
and  in  a  sunny  position. 
I.  bucharica  should 
become  a  favourite 
flower  with  those  who 
can  grow  such  Irises  as 
I.     orchioides    and    its 


forms   and  allies, 
about  April  20. 


The  first  flower   opened    here 
S.  Arnott. 


IRIS  WARLEYENSIS. 
Like  Iria  bucharica,  I.  warleyensis  is  proving  one 
of  the  finest  and  most  ornamental  of  the  Irises  of 
the  orchioides  group,  while  in  its  colouring  it 
presents  a  greater  variety  from  the  typical  I. 
orchioides  than  the  first  named.  It  has  been  here 
since  the  autumn  of  1902,  and  flowered  both  last 
year  and  this.  The  colour  is  pale  purplish  blue, 
while  the  fall  has  a  deep  violet  patch  which  almost 
surrounds  the  yellow.  In  its  general  appearance 
it  is  easy  to  discern  the  relationship  to  I.  orchioides. 
The  leaves  partly  sheath  the  stem,  and  shine  as  if 
varnished.  In  addition  to  the  flower  produced  on 
the  top  of  the  plant  others  proceed  from  the  axils 
of  the  leaves.  I  have  found  no  difficulty  in  culti- 
vating these  Irises  in  light  sandy,  peat  soil  and  in 
a  sunny  position.  I  have  not  found  that  they 
require  any  protection  in  winter,  though  late 
frosts,  if  severe,  might  injure  their  flowers 

Carselhorn,  hy  Dumfries,  N.B.         S.  Arnott. 


THE     ROCK     GARDEN. 


ROCK    GARDEN-MAKING. 
XVIII.— Water   in   the  Rock   Garden. 

CKY,  indeed,  is  the  owner  of  a  garden 
who  has  a  stream  of  running  water 
through  his  grounds.  Water  is  the 
life  of  scenery.  Picturesque  vegeta- 
tion, blended  with  rocks  and  running 
water,  is  the  most  fascinating  picture 
Nature  can  produce.  Hence,  in  the  rock 
garden,  where  we  try  to  follow  Nature's  laws 
in  the  arrangement  of  everything,  the  addition 
of  water  is  a  most  important  factor,  enabling 
us  to  impart  to  the  silent  rocks  the  charm  of 
life  and  beauty,  pleasant  not  only  to  the  eye 
which  follows  the  rippling  water  in  its  merry 
dance  over  rocks  and  boulders,  but  also  to  the 
ear  on  which  the  soothing  murmur  of  running 
or  falling  water  has  a  particularly  pleasing 
effect.  I  do  not  wish  to  imply  that  no  rock 
garden  can  be  perfect  without  water  ;  on  the 
contrary,  I  have  shown  in  previous  chapters 
that  without  the  presence  of  any  water  what- 
ever very  interesting  and  even  picturesque 
rock  gardens  might  be  constructed,  but  so 
great  are  the  additional  advantages  of  water 
that  whenever  the  chance  occurs  to  have  it 
introduced  into  the  rock  garden  it  would  be 
foolish  not  to  take  full  advantage  of  such  a 
chance.  Nor  is  it  from  a  picturesque  point  of 
view  only  that  water  is  so  desirable,  but  it  is 
most  useful  as  well.  Since  mountain  plants 
from  high  alpine  regions  require  a  moisture- 
laden  atmosphere  to  flourish  in,  this  can  be 
supplied  in  the  rock  garden  through  the 
constant  evaporation  from  ponds  or  streams. 
For  watering  purposes,  too,  the  water,  say  from 
a  pond  among  the  rocks,  is  more  beneficial  tc 
the  plants  than  if  supplied  by  means  of  a  pipe 
or  hose. 

Evils  of  Stagnant  Pools  and  Fountains. 
Desirable  as  water  may  be,  there  are,  how- 
ever, two  forms  of  it  which,  in  my  opinion,  are 
most  unsuitable  to  a  rock  garden,  namely,  a 
stagnant  pool  and  a  fountain.  The  former  is 
an  abomination  wherever  it  may  be.  It  becomes 
covered  with  slime  and  filth  injurious  to  choice 
Water  Lilies,  &c.,  to  say  nothing  of  the  evil 
odours  constantly  arising  from  such  a  pool. 
A  fountain  is  free  from  such  danger,  but  it  is 
equally  objectionable  for  other  reasons.  When 
we  make  a  rock  garden  we  try  to  imitate 
Nature,  and  endeavour  to  place  the  rocks  in 
such  a  way  as  to  conceal  their  artificial  origin, 
and  strive  to  make  our  handiwork  as  bold  and 


3.36 


THE   GARDEN. 


[May  14,  1904. 


rugged  as  possible.  But  a  squirting  water- 
spout, or  in  other  words  a  fountain,  is  utterly 
out  of  harmony  amongst  such  surroundings. 
In  a  formal  garden,  or  even  on  a  lawn  or  amongst 
beds  of  flowers  in  a  more  or  less  regular  part 
of  a  pleasure  ground,  a  fountain  may  be  quite 
desirable,  but  in  a  rock  garden  it  is  one  of  the 
things  to  be  avoided  at  all  times. 

On  the  other  hand,  such  forms  of  water  as  a 
Lily  pool  fed  by  a  streamlet,  a  running  brook, 
a  spring  emerging  from  a  cleft  in  a  rock,  water- 
falls of  various  kinds,  or  a  bog  garden  are 
desirable,  and  if  adorned  with  an  appropriate 
fringe  of  vegetation  such  forms  of  water  would 
greatly  enhance  the  charm  of  a  rock  garden, 
even  if  this  be  only  on  the  most  modest  scale, 
because  it  would  make  it  more  interesting  and 
picturesque,  and  last,  but  not  least,  it  would 
enable  us  to  grow  an  infinitely  larger  variety 
of  plants. 

The  Ideal  Site  foe  a  Eock  and  Water 
Garden 

would  be,  say,  an  old  disused  quarry  pit  with  a 
running  streamlet  near  it.  On  such  a  site  both 
rocks  and  water  would  provide  endless  scope, 
and  might  be  arranged  in  a  variety  of  ways 
without  much  trouble.  It  would,  in  fact,  be 
possible  to  obtain  the  maximum  of  effect  at  a 
minimum  of  labour  and  cost.  All  that  might 
be  needed  in  such  a  case  would  probably  be  to 
make  the  outlines  of  the  quarry  as  rugged  as 
possible  by  excavations  and  additions,  and  to 
use  some  of  the  stones  thus  gained  for  the 
judicious  embellishment  of  the  natural  stream, 
which  might  otherwise  be  left  practically 
unaltered  in  its  course. 

It  is  seldom,  however,  that  such  ideal  con- 
ditions prevail,  and  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of 
a  hundred  it  would  most  probably  be  neces- 
sary to  have  the  water  laid  on  in  pipes,  &c., 
and  to  have  the  sides  and  bottom  of  streams 
and  ponds  secured  by  a  substantial  concrete, 
preferably  cement.  I  have  a  great  aversion  to 
cement  in  a  rock  garden,  and  never  use  it 
when  I  can  avoid  doing  so.  But  in  the  case 
of  water  artificially  introduced  there  is,  as  a 
rule,  no  help  for  it.  And,  after  all,  what  does 
it  matter,  as  long  as  every  trace  of  cement  is 
afterwards  masked  in  such  a  way  that  no  one 
can  possibly  suspect  its  presence,  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  permanent  stability  is  secured 
by  its  use.  The  mistake  most  people  make 
when  constructing  ponds  or  other  forms  of 
water  in  the  rock  garden  or  any  other  part  of 
their  grounds  is  that  they  have  the  masonry 
part  carried  above  the  waterline  in  such  a 
way  as  to  leave  an  uniform  and  continuous 
margin  of  cement  or  stones  plainly  visible  at 
all  times,  even  when  the  pond  is  quite  full. 
This  method  I  consider  absolutely  wrong, 
since  it  is  impossible  to  reconcile  such  a  stiff 
margin  with  the  idea  of  Nature's  work.  In 
order  to  illustrate  my  own  method  of  dealing 
with  this  difficulty  (if  it  can  be  so  called)  I 
have  photographed  two  views,  which  show 
portions  of  the  rock  and  water  garden  at 
Abbotsbury,  Newton  Abbot. 

The  site  for  this  rock  garden  was  an  ordinary 
grass  field.  All  irregularities  had  to  be  pro- 
duced by  excavating  or  filling,  and,  to  confine 
the  water,  cemented  channels  and  concreted 
ponds  had  to  be  constructed.  A  glance  at  the 
illustrations,  however,  will  show  that  there  is 
no  indication  of  this  or  of  masonry  of  any 
kind.  The  first  picture  shows  a  Lily  pool 
adjoining  a  bog  garden  fed  by  the  overflow. 
The  plants  in  the  centre  are  Iris  Kaempferi 
and  the  broad-leaved,  white-flowering  Gentiana 
thibetica.  In  the  pond  itself  are  choice 
Nymphasas.  The  margin  is  not  continuous, 
but  is  broken  here  and  there  by  grassy  banks 


dipping  into  the  water,  and  studded  with 
Scirpus,  Carex,  and  groups  of  German  Iris. 
In  other  portions  the  rocks  reach  down  into 
the  pond,  and  are  clothed  with  an  abundance 
of  good  rock  plants  of  every  description. 

The  second  illustration  shows  in  the  distance 
a  portion  of  the  stream  (an  artificial  one) 
which  feeds  the  pond.  From  the  spot  from 
which  the  photograph  was  taken  the  remainder 
of  the  streamlet  (though  visible  from  other 
points)  is  hidden  from  view  by  various  Grasses, 
and  by  Osmunda  regalis,  Saxifraga  peltata, 
and  other  plants. 

A  detailed  description  how,  in  the  case  of 
the  above  illustrations,  all  cement  work  was 
masked  I  will  give  in  the  next  chapter,  where, 
by  way  of  further  explanation,  I  will  illustrate 
also  a  pond  in  the  preparatory  stage,  the  half- 
finished,  and  the  finished  stage. 

Elmside,  Exeter.  F.  W.  Meyer. 

(To  be  continued.) 


AUTOMATIC    PLANT 
WATERING. 

To  water  plants  properly  is  a  matter  of 
care ;  to  do  so  just  at  the  proper  time 
requires  an  experience  which  ia  not 
acquired  all  at  once.  Those  who  have 
little  time  to  devote  to  their  plants  can 
secure  their  correct  watering  without 
personally  giving  much  attention  to  it.  It  can  be 
done  by  using  for  the  purpose  an  apparatus 
which,  working  upon  the  principle  of  capillary 
attraction,  ensures  water  entering  the  soil, 
and  also  that  the  soil  imbibes  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  it.  We  have  often  had  occasion 
to  call  the  attention  of  our  readers  to  dift'erent 
systems  of  automatic  watering  for  plants  in  pots, 
principally  to  that  of  the  underground  vessel  of 
Dr.  Martinetti.  We  cannot  insist  too  much  upon 
their  utility  and  convenience,  especially  for 
the  watering  of    the  plants  cultivated  in  rooms. 

Making  use  of  the  same  idea,  continuous 
and  regular  watering  can  be  effected  by 
the  aid  of  a  contrivance — the  "Automatic 
Waterer."  This  acts  in  the  same  way  as 
the  little  glass  drinking  vessels  used  for 
supplying  water  to  birds.  It  distributes 
the  water  in  a  methodical  and  rational 
manner,  the  flow  being  in  proportion  to 
the  suction  of  the  soil  as  the  latter 
becomes  dry  either  from  the  moisture  taken 
up  by  the  roots  or  from  evaporation.  This 
apparatus  has  the  advantage  of  being 
visible,  and  of  permitting  a  better  regu- 
lation of  the  supply  of  water.  It  consists 
of  two  distinct  parts — (1)  a  glass  globe, 
terminating  in  a  neck  which  fits  into  (2) 
a  cylinder  of  porous  terra-cotta.  The 
brim  of  this  cylinder  is  level  with  the 
surface  of  the  soil ;  the  lower  part  is  the 
shape  of  a  bottle  from  which  the  upper 
part  has  been  cut  off.  It  is  used  in  the 
following  manner :  The  little  cylinder 
being  held  between  the  thumb  and  index 
finger  of  the  left  hand,  with  the  index 
finger  inside  the  basin  so  as  to  stop  the 
orifice  of  the  little  tube,  the  latter  is  filled 
with  moist  soil,  which  is  slightly  pressed, 
in  order  that  it  may  remain  in  its  place 
when  the  cylinder  is  turned  up  as  it  is 
deposited  in  the  soil.  For  this  purpose,  in 
the  spot  where  the  apparatus  is  to  be 
placed  a  little  circular  hole  is  dug.  Into 
this  hole  the  little  cylinder  is  fitted,  being 
sunk  until  its  upper  brim  is  exactly  level 
with  the  surface  of  the  soil.  The  glass 
globe  is  then  filled  with  water  and  turned 
upon  the  cylinder,  with  the  neck  fitting 
exactly  into  the  orifice  of  the  latter. 
The  water  immediately  flows  and  fills 
the  cavity  at  the  bottom,  the  earth  in  the 
tube  is  moistened,  and  communicates  its 
moisture  to  the  earth    in   the   flower-pot. 


From  that  moment  the  action  is  regular.  The 
more  rapidly  absorption  takes  place,  the  more 
rapidly  the  globe  is  emptied.  When  that 
ceases  the  water  cannot  flow.  When  empty 
it  is  refilled  and  replaced  ;  there  is  no  neces- 
sity to  remove  the  cylinder  from  the  neck  in  order 
to  do  this.  It  is  prudent,  however,  to  remove  the 
cylinder  every  second  month,  to  clean  it  thoroughly, 
and  then  to  change  its  situation  in  order  to  avoid 
having  too  much  moisture  in  the  same  spot,  lest 
it  should  encourage  the  decomposition  of  the  soil 
at  that  place. 

It  will  easily  be  understood  that  the  apparatus 
is  not  powerful  enough  for  a  large  volume  of  soil, 
and  that  the  watering  under  such  conditions  can 
only  be  irregular  with  a  single  apparatus.  It  is 
the  same  with  plants  placed  in  the  full  sun  in 
summer,  but  in  this  case  watering  is  not  such  a 
delicate  affair  as  it  is  with  plants  grown  in  rooms, 
an  excess  of  moisture  being  then  less  to  be  feared. 
Consequently,  in  order  to  obtain  regularity  of 
watering,  one  apparatus  will  be  required  for  pots  of 
from  12  centimetres  to  15  centimetres  in  diameter  ; 
two  will  be  necessary  for  those  of  from  15  centi- 
metres to  20  centimetres  ;  three  for  those  of  from 
21  centimetres  to  25  centimetres  ;  and  four  for  pots 
of  greater  diameter  or  for  tubs  of  moderate  dimen- 
sions. Except  where  there  are  only  one  or  two  of 
them  in  a  pot  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  change 
the  positions  of  the  apparatus  ;  as  for  the  others, 
they  can  remain  in  the  same  spot,  only  care  must 
be  taken  to  clean  the  cylinder. 

We  may  add  that  this  apparatus  is  not  only  of 
use  for  plants  grown  in  rooms  (especially  if  the 
rooms  are  heated  by  stoves),  but  it  is  also  of  excel- 
lent service  in  securing  the  regular  watering  of 
plants  grown  in  baskets  and  jardinieres,  and  which 
it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  keep  in  a  moist  state. 
Indeed,  it  used  to  be  difficult  enough  to  keep  these 
corbeilles  and  baskets  (especially  when  not  pro- 
vided with  an  inner  zinc  receptacle)  properly 
watered — the  water  escaped  and  soiled  everything 
— but  now  plants  in  these  as  well  as  in  pots  can  be 
regularly  watered  without  giving  too  much  if  the 
apparatus  is  set  to  work  normally.  If,  owing  to  a 
long  spell  of  wet  weather,  the  soil  appears  to  hold 
too  much  moisture,  one  has  only  to  lift  up  the  glass 


CROSS   DIAL,    COM  [-TON. 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN 


bulb  ;  if,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  too  dry,  and  the 
bulb  does  not  supply  sufficient  moisture  for  a  few 
days,  there  will  be  no  harm  in  giving  one  or  two 
ordinary  waterings. 

Albert  Maumene,  in  Le  Petit  Jardin. 


AN     OLD     SUNDIAL. 

A   Fragment. 

A  CRUMB  LING  sundial  in  the  midst 
of  a  sunny,  old-fashioned  garden — 
if  such  be  ours,  let  us  reverence  it 
and  leave  it,  as  far  as  may  be,  in 
L  its  own  surroundings,  for  it  is 
precious  beyond  price.  We  are  — 
or  so  it  seems  to  us — bringing  back  the  old- 
world  sundial  by  modern  device.  Hoary 
and  grey,  however,  is  the  old  sundial,  the 
work  of  an  age  gone  by,  dappled  with  tawny 
lichen — the  mute  recorder  of  the  passing  of 
long  summer  days,  the  patient  butt  of  count- 
less winter's  frosts — with  broken  angles  and 
worn  and  fretted  lines,  which  once  came  sharp 
and  clear  from  the  carver's  chisel.  There  it 
stands — as  mayhap  it  has  stood  for  a  century 
past  —to  tell  of  the  flight  of  Time. 

Did  Time  ever  fly,  we  ask  ourselves,  in  those 
old,  old  days,  when  the  hours  seemed  to  creep 
by  so  silently  on  tip-toe  ;  while  yet,  neverthe- 
less, in  the  stillness  great  deeds  were  planned 
and  carried  out,  and  noble  thoughts  conceived 
and  graven  as  in  the  rock  for  ever  1  Or,  does 
it  indeed  fly  more  swiftly  now — that  we  have 
the  world's  news  of  yesterday  lying  upon  our 
breakfast  tables  to  be  scanned  in  five  minutes, 
and  the  whirr  of  the  motor-car  panting  breath- 
les.sly  along  our  quiet  country  lanes  ? 

We  are  bidden  in  this  twentieth  century 
never  to  moralise.  What  room,  then,  can  be 
found  in  the  garden  of  to-day  for  a  gnomon 
that  points  the  most  solemn  m.oral  in  the 
world  1  And  yet— do  we  not  steal  away  to 
the  rambling,  old-fashioned  garden  or  the 
flagged  courtyard,  more  dear  to  us  than  any 
trim  parterre,  and  trace  out  there  the  worn 
letters  of  the  ancient  legend  which  speaks  its 
God-given  message  of  the  passing  hours  1  We 
fancy,  perhaps,  that  it  is  merely  the  quaint 
beauty  of  the  old  sundial  in  its  tranquil  setting 
that  draws  us  to  the  spot,  but  the  secret  lies 
deeper  far  than  this,  and  ever,  as  the  years  go 
on  and  we  are  wise  and  happy,  we  thankfully 
lay  to  heart  for  Time  and  for  Eternity  its  silent 
reminder  : 

"  Time  is— and  is  not. 
Tjet  us 
Each  passing  liour 
<  Serve  God 

And  one  anotlier." 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


POLYANTHUSES    FOR 
BEDDING. 


SPRING 


WE  T  and  mild  winters  seem  to 
suit  the  Polyanthuses,  for  they 
have  ever  since  the  middle  of 
March  been  making  a  grand 
display.  The  strain  worlied  up 
and  so  much  improved  by  Mr. 
Crook  of  Forde  Abbey,  Chard,  is  a  very  beautiful 
strain,  the  flowers  are  very  large,  and  have  great 
variety  of  bright  and  showy  colours.  Many  of  the 
flowers  cannot  be  covered  by  a  five  shilling  piece. 
Some  few  years  back  I  did  not  think  the  Polyan- 
thus effective  enough  for  beds  for  spring  bedding, 
the  majority  of  the  flowers  were  small  and  dull, 
and  the  gold  lacing  was  too  narrow  to  be  eflfective 
at  a  distance  from  the  plants,  although  very  pretty 
close  to  it.  Some  five  years  ago  Mr.  Crook  walked 
through  the  gardens  here,  and  after  looking  at  the 
different  patches  of  Polyanthus,  asked  me  to  try 
gome  seed  frooi  his  strain,  and  these  so  delighted 


my  employer  and  my- 
self that  we  have  now 
got  planted  out  in  beds, 
borders,     and     in     the 
grass  over  6,000  plants, 
and  I  do  not  think  any 
plant  is  more  lovely  for 
spring     bedding     than 
this.    The  seeds  should 
be  sown  at  the  end  of 
April  or  quite  early  in 
May    in    boxes,    in    a 
compost    of    loam    and 
leaf-mould,  and  placed 
in  a    close   cold    frame 
till   they    have    germi- 
nated, and   as  soon  as 
strong     enough     prick 
them    out   in   boxes   in 
the  same  sort   of  com- 
post and  return  to  the 
cold  frame.   Shade  from 
bright     sunshine,    and 
when  well  rooted  give 
air  freely  except  when 
the  wind  is  very  drying. 
As  soon  as   the  plants 
get  Urge  enough  plant 
them  out  in  a  well  pre- 
pared nursery  bed,  and 
give    plenty   of   water. 
Keep    the   hoe   moving 
between    them    during 
the     summer.       About 
November,     when    the 
beds  and   borders    will 
be     ready     for     them, 
they  can  be  lifted  with 
a  ball  of  earth  and  care- 
fully planted.  They  will 
grow  freely  and  begin  to 
Sower    quite    early    in 
March.     The  two  year 
old  plants  make  grand 
plants  for  large  beds. 
W.  J.  T. 
Sandhurst  Lodge. 


MIGNONETTES. 
The  deepest  red  is  the 
Victoria;  it  is  richer  in 
colour  than  the  Crimson 
Giant,  which  is  a 
strong   -    growing 

Mignonette.  Machet  is  a  rather  dwarfer-growing 
Mignonette,  and  a  general  favourite.  GoldeS 
Queen  and  Golden  Machet  lead  the  way  with 
the  yellow  Mignonettes.  To  do  Mignonettes 
full  justice  they  should  be  allowed  to  flower  where 
they  are  sown.  As  a  rule  they  transplant  indif- 
ferently, and  the  plants  sustain  a  considerable 
check.  A  new  white  variety  of  the  Machet  is  one 
of  the  novelties  of  the  present  year.  R.  D. 

1903  AND  THE  DAFFODILS. 
I  HAVE  much  pleasure  in  responding  to  the  invita- 
tion of  S.  G.  R. ,"  Yalding,  anent  this  subject,  and 
can  safely  say  that  I  have  never  known  Daffodils  to 
llower  more  satisfactorily  than  they  have  done  this 
.season.  Of  the  many  thousands  I  grow  in  the 
flower  borders  and  wild  garden  there  has  not  been 
a  single  failure  so  far,  and  in  many  instances  the 
individual  blooms  have  been  abnormally  large, 
ihe  season  opened  with  N.  pallidus  prajoox  and 
the  pretty  little  N.  minimus,  and  then  followed  in 
quick  succession  N.  Trumpet-Major,  N.  Golden 
bpur,  N.  princeps,  N.  Orange  Phcenix,  and  many 
others  too  numerous  to  mention.  At  the  time  of 
writing  the  flowers  of  N.  poeticus  ornatus  are 
lading,  and  these  have  flowered  with  the  greatest 
treedora  N.  poeticus  is  not  yet  open,  but  will  be 
so  in  the  course  of  a  day  or  so,  while  the  double 
variety  or  the  Gardenia-flowered  Narcissus  is  quite 
as  promising  as  last  season,  each  clump  having  sent 
up  a  number  of  flower-spikes.  These  latter  will 
oring  the  Daffodil  season  to  a  close,  and  providing 
the  promise  held  out  by  them  is  fulfilled  then  thl 
season  will  have  been  a  most  satisfactory  one  in 


SUNDIAL   AT   EELTON  HALL:   TIME  AND  CUPID. 


every  sense  of  the  term.  Two  seasons  ago  I  planted 
a  good  many  of  the  Polyanthus  Narcissi  outdoors, 
such  as  Gloriosa,  Newton,  Lord  Canning,  Jaune 
Supreine,  and  Grande  Monarque.  With  the 
exception  of  the  last  named  all  have  succeeded  very 
well  indeed,  and  flowered  freely  enough  this  season 
under  the  shelter  of  beds  of  flowering  shrubs,  and 
in  company  with  N.  incomparabilis  Stella,  N.  i. 
Figaro,  and  N.  Barri  conspicuus.  Grande  Monarque 
appears  to  be  too  tender  for  outdoor  culture,  and 
it  does  not  increase  as  the  other  varieties  named. 

A.  W. 


THE    FUCHSIA    AND    ITS    USES. 

There  are  few  flowering  plants  that  surpass  the 
Fuchsia  for  utility  and  effectiveness,  as  well  as 
the  varied  uses  to  which  it  may  be  put.  No 
matter  for  what  purpose  the  plants  are  grown, 
they  are  always  attractive  and  graceful,  and  are 
easy  to  propagate  and  grow.  For  forming  speci- 
mens in  pots  for  the  conservatory  and  home  there 
is  no  better  form  of  training  than  the  pyramid,  for 
then  the  intrinsic  beauty  of  the  plant  is  seen  to 
advantage.  There  are  many  garden  varieties  now 
in  commerce  that  do  not  form  well-shaped  speci- 
mens. The  best  I  have  grown  are  Mme.  Jules 
Chretien,  Rose  of  Castille,  Mrs.  Marshall,  Ava- 
lanche, Beauty  of  Trowbridge,  Lye's  Own,  Gazelle, 
and  Improvement.  These  are,  without  exception, 
of  good  habit  and  free  growth.  Cuttings  may  be 
struck  in  pots  filled  with  light,  sandy  soil,  and 
plunged  in  the  propagating  bed.  When  rooted 
pot  off  singly,  and  keep  growing  in  a  humid 
temperature  of  about  55"  to  65°.     Do  not  pinch 


338 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[May  14,  190-1. 


out  the  point  of  the  leading  shoot  until  it  is 
12  inches  high.  When  the  point  is  taken  out  the 
plant  will  naturally  break  away  strongly  from  the 

The  lateral  shoots  should  be  pinched  when 
they  are  3  inches  long.  Allow  another  strong 
shoot  at  the  apex  to  form  a  secondary  leader. 
Place  a  neat  stake  to  the  main  stem  early,  and 
keep  the  leader  tied  loosely  to  it.  For  the  growth 
to  be  unchecked  from  the  rooted  cutting  to  the 
finished  specimen  is  the  secret  of  success  in  the 
pot  culture  of  the  Fuchsia. 

Frequent  syringings  with  tepid  water  are  essen- 
tial, in  conjunction  with  a  genial  temperature. 
The  soil  should  consist  of  equal  parts  loam,  leaf- 
soil,  and  decomposed  cow  manure,  with  plenty  of 
sharp  sand  or  road  grit  added. 
If  good  loam  is  unobtainable,  then 
some  peat  should  be  used.  As 
the  roots  permeate  the  new  soil  move 
the  plants  into  larger  pots.  When 
the  roots  reach  the  sides  of  the  pots 
in  which  the  plants  are  to  flower  a 
weakly  application  of  liquid 
manure  or  soot  water  should  be 
given.  Pinch  out  the  points  as 
growth  advances  to  induce  a  sturdy 
habit. 

As  a  bedding  plant  the  Fuchsia 
ranks  high.  Good  varieties  of  garden 
origin  for  this  purpose  are  Mme. 
Cornellison,  Lye's  Own,  Charming, 
and  Mrs.  Marshall.  Uniform  growth 
is  essential  for  bedding  purposes, 
and  these  varieties  may  be  expected 
to  fulfil  this  requirement.  To  ensure 
having  strong  plants  for  bedding  out 
in  early  June  the  cuttings  should  be 
struck  in  autumn  when  the  wood  is 
half  ripe.  The  young  plants  may  be 
potted  off  singly  in  February,  a,nd 
grown  on  freely  prior  to  being 
hardened  off  for  placing  in  the 
beds.  These  plants  may  be  lifted 
in  autumn  and  potted  up  for  bedding 
again  the  next  year. 

Hardy  Fuchsias  are  well  worthy 
of  more  attention.  I  can  recommend 
Riocartoni,  gracilis,  coccinea,  globosa, 
and  Fortunei.  For  forming  a  per- 
manent hedge  or  clump  these  answer 
well,  and  in  districts   near   the   sea 

coast,  where    they   are   seldom    cut 

down    by   frost,  hedges    or    clumps 

of  Fuchsias  are  remarkably  effective. 

Occasionally   one    sees    the   Fuchsia 

trained  up  the  rafters  or  pillars  of  the 

conservatory,  and    here   the  beauty 

of    the   plant    is  well   displayed,   as 

their  flowering  shoots  are  allowed  to 

droop  naturally. 

The  best   varieties  I  have   grown 

for    this    purpose    are    Beauty    of 

Swanley,      Lucy     Mills,      Earl     of 

Beaconsfield,    Mrs.    Marshall,    Lady 

Heytesbury,  Lye's   Own,   and    Rose 

of    Castille.      These   may  be   grown 

on  in  pots,  and  when  large  enough 

placed     permanently    in     restricted 

borders   or    in    large    pots.      When 

well  established  feed  highly,  always 


Dicentra  chrysantha,  —  Native  of  California. 
Also  known  under  the  synonyms  of  Dielytra 
chrysantha,  Capnorchis  chrysantha,  and  Bikulla 
chrysantha.  This  is  a  rather  pretty,  hardy  border 
perennial  with  yellow  flowers. 

Chlorcea  cmpra.— Native  of  Chile.  This  is  a 
handsome  terrestrial  Orchid,  with  large  and  showy 
pure  white  flowers,  for  which  the  synonyms  given 
of  Cymbidium  luteum  and  Epipaotis  flore  luteo 
seem  strangely  inappropriate.  It  was  introduced 
into   cultivation  in   1901    by  Mr.    H.    J.    Elwes, 

F.R.S. 

Iris  (Xiphion)  tocn-^cj/eiwis.— Native  of  Bokhara. 
This  is  a  most  delicately-beautiful  bulbous  Iris  of 
the  section  of  which  I.  orchioides  is  the  type.  It 
was    introduced     into      ultivation    by    Mr.    Van 


NEW   AND    RARE    PLANTS. 

HIPPEASTKUM    SNOWDON. 

A  FTER  long  and  persistent  cross  breeding 
/\  among    Hippeastrums,   Mr.    C.   R. 

/  \  Fielder,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Burns, 
f — \  North  Mymms  Park,  Hatfield, 
1  \.  has  managed  to  produce  a  white- 
flowered  variety.  This  was  exhibited 
before  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
the  21st  ult.,  and  then  received  a  first-class 
certificate  from  the  floral  committee.  A  white 
Hippeastrum  has  long  been  the  dream  of 
hybridisers  among  these  plants,  but  so  far 
Snowdon  is  the  first  to  make  its 
appearance.  It  is  white  with  a 
tinge  of  green  at  the  base,  and 
of  large  size,  the  segments  are  of 
good  form  and  finely  proportioned, 
giving  to  the  flower  a  refined 
appearance  that  is  often  wanting 
in  large  blooms. 


SUNDIAL    ON    THE   SOUTH    FRONT    OIT    MELEUKY    CASTLE. 


betLtfn  mrd1hatr'Ura!whenin  active ,  Tubergen  of  Haarlem   for  whom  it  was  collected 
"°*      p  '  ,.     ,  ...uu  <■!,„  i,oo„f  f„    T   TinpVin.rifin.  hv  Herr  Piintenis. 


growth,  is  a  gross  feeder. 
Stoneleigh. 


H.  T.  Martin. 


RECENT    PLANT    PORTRAITS 

The  May  number  of  the  Botanical  Maijazine  con- 
tains portraits  of 

Epipremnum  girjaiiteum. — Native  of  the  Malayan 
Peninsula.  Also  known  under  the  synonyms  of 
Pothos  giganteus,  Scindapsus  giganteus,  a,nd 
Monstera  gigantea.  This  is  a  very  vigorous-growing 
parasitic  Aroid,  with  large,  pale  yellow  spathe  and 
spadix.     It  requires  stove  temperature. 

Marsdenia  Imthumii.—'i^a.tive  of  British  Guiana. 
This  is  a  curious  Asclepiad  of  only  botanical 
interest, 


with  the  beautiful  I.  Bucharica  by  Herr  Sintenis. 

The  second  part  of  the  Hevue  Horticole.  for  April 
contains  portraits  of  two  most  beautiful  Gloxinias, 
named  Mme.  Eugene  Vallerand,  raised  by  Messrs. 
Vallerand,  and  Renee  Fargeton,  which  is  claimed 
by  the  raisers  of  that  name  to  be  quite  a  new 
break  in  Gloxinias,  with  a  pure  white  throat  and 
deep  rose-coloured  border. 

The  first  part  of  the  same  periodical  for  the 
month  of  May  contains  a  portrait  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  beautiful  of  all  hybrid  Gladioli, 
G.  princeps,  raised  by  an  American  florist.  Doctor 
Van  Fleet.  The  Seoue  de  I'HorHcuUm-c  Beige  for 
May  contains  portraits  of  two  fine  hybrid  Cypri- 
pediums  named  C.  Chapmani  and  C.  Ashburtomaj 
expansum.  W.  E.  Gumjjleton. 


NARCISSUS  GREAT 
WARLEY. 

Among  many  other  beautifu 
Narcissi  recently  shown  by  Miss 
Willmott,  Wai'ley  Place,  Essex, 
the  new  trumpet  called  Great 
Warley  has  been  conspicuous.  It 
has  received  a  first-class  certificate 
from  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Narcissus  committee 
and  from  the  Midland  Daflbdil 
Society.  Narcissus  Great  Warley 
is  a  giant  bicolor  of  the  Sir 
Watkin  type,  the  large,  spreading, 
creamy  white  perianth  and  the 
long  yellow  wide-mouthed  trum- 
pet making  a  handsome  and 
striking  flower.  It  has  a  much 
finer  trumpet  than  Sir  Watkin. 


EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


W'  E  invite  our  readers 
to  send  us  any- 
thing of  special 
beauty  and  in- 
terest for  our 
table,  as  by  this 
means  many  rare  and  interesting 
plants  become  more  widelyknown. 
We  hope,  too,  that  a  short  cultural 
note  will  accompany  the  flower 
so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more 
instructive  to  those  who  may 
wish  to  grow  it.  AVe  welcome  any- 
thing from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub.  Orchid,  or 
hardy  flower,  and  they  should  be 
to    The    Editor,    5,    Southampton 


addressed    -- 

Street,  Strand,  London. 


Blue  Primroses  and  Narcissus  poeticus 

grandiflorus. 
The  blue  Primroses  sent  by  Mr.  George  W. 
Taylor,  Pinkiehill,  Inveresk,  Midlothian,  were 
very  pure  in  colouring,  and  the  Narcissi  of  much 
interest.  We  like  to  see  the  Primroses  planted 
against  Moss-covered  stone,  where  the  colouring  is 
generally  very  rich  and  has  a  suitable  background. 
The  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson,  who  originated  this 
race,  grew  them  largely  in  this  way. 

Akebia  lobata. 
From  Newstead  Abbey  Gardens,  Nottingham, 
Mr.  E.  W.  Dick  writes :    "  I  am  sending  you  (at 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


339 


petals ;  M.  conspicua,  white,  save  for  a  faint 
shading  of  pink,  is  very  charming;  M.  Alexandrina 
is  smaller,  more  compact,  and  more  deeply 
coloured  ;  while  M.  rustioa  fl.  rubro  is  true  cup- 
shaped,  not  so  long  in  the  petals,  which  are  red- 
purple  in  colour.  Messrs.  Waterer  also  enclose 
twelve  shoots  of   seedling   Berberis   stenophylla. 


this  spring,  I  suppose  on  account  of  the  wet  and 

late  season.  The  bed  the  flowers  were  picked  from 
is  a  beautiful  sight.  If  placed  in  sun  in  water  the 
flowers  open  out  beautifully." 


Polyanthuses  and  Primroses. 

Flowers  of  beautiful  colourings,  the  red  shades 

especially,  come  from  Mr.   T.   B.  Field,  Ashwell- 

thorpe  Gardens,  Norwich.     The  colours  are  very 

varied  and  pure,  and  the  individual  bloom  of  large 

size.     Our  correspondent  sends  the  following  note: 

"I    am    sending   for   your   table   a   gathering    of 

Polyanthuses    and    Primroses    raised    from     seed 

obtained  from  Mr.  Douglas.     The  seed  was  sown 

in    May    last    year.       The     young     plants     were 

planted  out  early  in  the  autumn,  about  12  inches 

apart,  on  a  west  border  ;  the  soil  is  rather   heavy, 

but  rich.     Many  of  the  plants  are  now  more  than 

12  inches  across,  and  a  perfect  mass  of  bloom.     No 

garden  should  be  without  these  charming  spring 

flowers,  and  the  best  way  to  get  up  a  collection  of 

all  the  finest  types  of  Polyanthuses  and  Primroses 

IS  to  raise  them  from  peed.     The  work  of  selection 

is  most  interesting.     The  best  should  always 

be    kept   for   the   flower   garden,    and    the 

remainder  planted    in    the  woods  or  wild 

"en." 


y 


'-^csr" 


NARCISSUS   GREAT  WARLET.      (Natural  size.) 
Recently  shown  by  Miss  Willmott  before  the  lioyal  Hortienltural  Society,  and  given  a  first-class  certificate. 


Narcissi  from  Messrs.  Dicksons. 
The  time  of  the  Narcissus  is  passing,  and 
we  shall  probably  not  receive  this  year  a 
more  interesting  collection  of  Narcissi  than 
those  recently  sent  by  Messrs.  Dicksons  of 
Chester.  N.  poelicus  Almira  is  a  jewel  of 
its  race,  the  flowers  are  very  fragrant,  the 
segments  clear  and  strong,  and  the  cup  deep 
yellow  with  brilliant  orange-scarlet  rim. 
Another  beautiful  variety  is  Barrii  Mrs.  C. 
Bowley,  with  very  intense  orange-scarlet 
cup,  a  bright  and  pleasing  flower.  Leedsii 
White  Lady  reminds  one  of  the  pure 
colouring  of  Elaine  recently  sent  by  Messrs. 
Dicksons,  the  pale  shade  of  the  segments  is 
set  off  by  a  cup  of  self  yellow.  Incom- 
parabilis  Gloria  Mundi  is  a  flower  of  striking 
ijeauty,  and  the  variety  Mme.  de  Graaff 
was  also  in  the  collection. 


the  request  of  Miss  Webb)  a  few  blooms  and  leaves 
of  Akebia  lobata.  Fruit  from  the  same  plant  was  sent 
to  you  some  time  last  year,  and  was  figured  in  The 
Garden.  This  climber  is  at  the  present  time  one 
mass  of  bloom,  and  has  been  so  for  the  past  three 
weeks.  A.  quinata,  growing  on  the  same  wall, 
shows  no  sign  of  flowering." 


Clianthus  puniceos  and  C.  p.  albus. 
From  Mr.  S.  W.  Fitzherbert,  Kingswear,  South 
Devon,  we  have  received  flowering  sprays  of  these 
plants.  The  blooms  of  C.  puniceus  are  brightest 
red,  while  those  of  C.  p.  albus  have  a  faint  greenish 
tinge  throughout  the  white.  Mr.  Fitzherbert 
writes  that  both  are  now  in  full  bloom  on  a  wall. 
"  You  may  remember  that  I  sent  you  flowers  of 
the  type  at  Christmas,  since  then  the  plant  has 
never  been  entirely  without  blossoms.  Now  it  is 
a  sheet  of  bright  red.  I  also  send  a  few  scapes  of 
Gladiolus  tristis  var.  sulphureus  (the  flowers  are 
primrose  colour,  marked  with  greenish  yellow  in 
the  centre  of  the  petals),  which  has  been  in  bloom 
for  the  past  fortnight.  This  form  is,  I  think,  very 
uncommon.  It  is  deliciously  scented  at  night,  my 
clump  of  fifty  flower-spikes  then  exhales  an  almost 
Magnolia-like  perfume." 

Magnolias  erom  Bagshot. 
From  Messrs.  John  Waterer  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Bagshot,  we  have  received  a  splendid  gathering  of 
blooms  of  the  deciduous  Magnolias.  Finest  of  all, 
perhaps,  is  M.  Lennei,  most  beautiful  in  bud  on 
account  of  the  rich  colouring  of  the  exterior  of  the 
petals,  a  rich  red-purple,  inside  they  are  cream- 
coloured,  the  bud  is  large  and  compact,  and  the 
petals  firm  and  thick,  a  very  handsome  species  ; 
M.  soulangeana  has  smaller,  more  fragile  flowers, 
Vbite,   tinged  witb  purple    at    the  base  of    the 


each  out  from  a  different  plant.  They  are  very 
beautiful,  festoons  of  yellow,  orange,  and  red,  for 
several  shades  of  these  colours  are  represented  by 
the  sprays  sent,  showing  how  greatly  seedling 
plants  vary. 

Iris  susiana. 
Mr.  .James  Blackraore,  Chalfont 
Grange  Gardens,  Gerard's  Cross,  sends 
a  flower  of  this  Iris,  which  has  been 
grown  in  a  cool  greenhouse,  and  has 
flowered  for  the  second  time.  We  are 
always  pleased  to  see  this  noble  kind, 
but  it  is  quite  happy  outdoors  in  many 
gardens. 

Abnormal  Tulip  Leaf  Growth. 

Mr.  Reginald  Rankin,  Ashmead, 
Dursley,  sends  a  remarkable  Tulip 
leaf  with  the  following  note:  "Here- 
with the  leaf  of  a  May-flowering  Tulip 
from  the  open  border.  It  appears  to 
me  to  be  unusually  large  ;  when  mea- 
sured freshly  plucked  it  was  18J  inches 
long  and  8§  inches  wide."  Our  corrt- 
spondent  then  asks  "whether  any 
readers  of  The  Garden  consider  this 
out  of  the  common?"  We  should  say 
"Yes"  deeidedl}',  but  a  note  from 
others  will  be  welcome. 


Poppy  Anemone. 
Mr.  Ferrington,  Bryn  Bella,  St. 
Asaph,  sends  a  wonderful  assortment 
of  flowers  of  St.  Brigid  Anemones 
raised  from  seed  and  blooming  for  the 
first  time.  Our  correspondent  says  : 
' '  They  have  ppt  been  so  eayly  or  so  fine 


THE   new   white  HIPPEASTRUM  SNOWDON. 
(Bedwced  about  one-third  from  natural  size.) 


340 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  14,  1904. 


Narcissi  and  Primula  intermedia. 
Mr.     J.    W.    Gaunt,     Summerfield,     Bramley, 
Leeds,    writes:      "I     send     you    a    few    flowers 
for    your     table.       The     Narcissi    are    seedlings 
of  my  own.     I  have   other   and,   I   think,   better 
varieties,    but   they  are  j'et  unopened,  so  that  I 
cannot  send  them  at  the  same  time.     I  notice  the 
best  varieties   increase   very  slowly.     It  is  about 
twenty   years   since   I    first   commenced  to   grow 
seedling  Narcissi,  and  in  one  or  two  cases  I  have 
not  more   than  two   bulbs   yet,    although   I   have 
dozens  of  others  sown  at  the  same  time.     They  are 
all   crosses  of   Poetious,   mostly  Poetarum  (pollen 
parent)  and  various  seed  parentage,  N.  triandrus, 
N.  Corbularia,  and  others.     I  have  many  seedlings 
yet  uubloomed  of  various  ages.     I   may  say  that 
the  last  of  the  first  batch  only  bloomed  last  year, 
so  that  it  is  either  very  slow  work  or  I  have  a  lot 
to   learn,  which   is   more   than   likely.      I  wish  I 
knew  if  there  was  any  safe  way  of  ensuring  quicker 
increase  of   the    bulbs,   and   I  should  esteem  it  a 
great  favour  if    you  could    tell   me   how  I  could 
get  to  know.     I  think  there  must   be  some  such 
means    known    to    the    Daffodil    experts.      Also, 
I  send  you  a  plant  of  a  rather  pretty  Auricula  P. 
intermedia,  which   grows  pretty  freely  here,  and 
is,  I  consider,  a  beautiful  thing  in  its  wa}'.     It  was 
raised   about   a   generation  ago  by  one  Fuller  of 
Headingley,  near  Lseds,  and,  I  believe,   was  put 
into  the  hands  of  William   Bull  of  Chelsea.     My 
stock    came   from   the   raiser    through    a    mutual 
friend.      I    grew    it   in    the   greenhouse,   and   so 
did    he   for    years,   when,    seeing   it   was    dying, 
I  put  it  outside,  when  it   immediately  began  to 
thrive.     I  have  many  seedlings  from  it,  but  none, 
I   think,    quite   so   good   in   every   respect  as  the 
original." 

Mr.  Gaunt  sends  a  series  of  very  interesting  and 
beautiful  seedlings,  and  the  fragrant  little  Auricula 
reminds  us  of  the  value  of  many  specips  and 
hybrids  for  the  rock  garden  in  spring.  We  are 
sure  Mr.  Engleheart  or  some  keen  Narcissus 
hybridist  will  help  our  correspondent. 


Camellias  appear  to  grow  in  almost  any  aspect,  but 
are  naturally  sun-lovers,  and  though  preferring 
peat,  they  will  do  in  most  other  soils,  provided 
that  there  is  no  lime  present.  The  points  of  the 
young  roots  are  very  sensitive  to  drought,  so  should 
be  protected  until  well  established  by  light 
mulching  or  a  surrounding  growth,  from  the  risk 
of  being  withered  up  by  a  fierce  sun  striking  the 
ground  in  which  they  are  starting.  Unlike  many 
other  shrubs,  they  seem  to  have  the  advantage  of 
being  exempt  from  the  destructive  attention  of 
rabbits  ;  perhaps  when  snow  is  on  the  ground 
they  might  be  barked,  but  I  do  not  remember  to 
have  noticed  it.  Apart  from  the  question  of 
varieties,  it  may  be  well  to  draw  attention  to  the 
fact  that  only  strong,  healthy  plants  should  be 
turned  out,  for  sickly  specimens  from  a  greenhouse 
or  conservatory  are  very  slow  indeed  to  make  a 
start,  and  will  remain  sometimes  for  an  astonishing 
number  of  years  in  almost  the  same  pitiable  state. " 


ORCHIDS, 


Rhododendrons  from  Count?  Donegal. 
Mr.  H.  C.  Hart,  Carrablagh,  Portsalon,  County 
Donegal,  sends  fjowers  of  rare  and  interesting 
Rhododendrons,  including  an  unnamed  hybrid,  of 
which  R.  grande  is  evidently  one  of  the  parents 
and  R.  niveum  probably  the  other.  Mr.  Hart 
also  sends  R.  lanata,  a  frail  flower,  and  one  of  the 
rarest  in  cultivation,  and  has  not  flowered  before 
in  this  interesting  garden.  R.  campylocarpum 
does  not  open  freely,  but  it  blooms  freely  at 
Carrablagh.  Also  in  this  gathering  were  a  white 
R.  arboreiim  and  R.  campanulatum  and  a  Thom- 
soni  hybrid. 

Camellia  Flower  from  the  Open. 
Mr.  Christie,  Framingham,  Norwich,  sends  a 
Camellia  flower  gathered  from  a  plant  growing  in 
the  open  border.  Notes  about  Mr.  Chrislie's 
Cimellias  appeared  in  the  last  volume  of  The 
Garden  (page  440).  The  flower  sent  was  as  fine 
as  anything  one  could  expect  in  a  greenhouse  or 
conservatory.  It  is  not  so  generally  known  as  it 
should  be  that  the  Cimellia  is  a  good,  hardy 
flowering  shrub.  In  The  Garden,  March  30,  1901 
(page  22V),  Mr.  Sorase  Dickins  gives  some  inter- 
esting information  about  it.  Tliis  is  as  follows  : 
"  The  best  Camellias  for  planting  out  of  doors  in 
the  open  air  are  those  which  bloom  late  and  start 
late  into  growth,  such,  for  instance,  as  Chandleri 
elegans  or  Anemonieflora ;  the  varieties  with 
broad,  roundish  leaves  appear  to  grow  in  more 
robust  fashion  than  those  having  narrow  pointed 
ones  with  a  serrated  edge,  though  the  latter  will 
sometimes  make  very  compact  bushes.  It  is 
possible  that  the  sorts  with  dark  red  flowers  are 
hardier  than  those  with  pink.  The  old  double 
white  seems  to  stand  the  cold  well  enough,  but  it 
hides  its  flowers  rather  too  much  among  tlie  foliage 
to  make  any  effective  display  of  them,  though  in 
this  way  they  are  often  secured  from  frost  or  bad 
weather  and  made  serviceable  for  cutting.  To 
train  against  a  trellis  or  wall  Donckelaari  is  very 
good,  and,  next  to  reticulata,  one  of  the  most 
beavitiful  when    well  grown,  blooming  so  freely. 


OECHIDS    AT    THE    GRANGE, 
SOUTHGATE. 

ALTHOUGH    at    the    present    season 
/\         Orchids  are  the  greatest  attraction 
/  \        in    the   gardens    at    The    Grange, 
/      %       Southgate    (the    residence    of    J. 
X        \.     Bradshaw,  Esq.),  they  are  by  no 
means  the  sole  feature  of  interest 
there.     One  rarely  sees  a  small  garden  that 
is  made  the  most  of,  but  we  have  no  hesitation 
in  saying  that  this  is  an  exception.    We  do 
not  know  the  extent,  but  there  cannot  be  more 
than  two  or  two  and  a  half  acres  of  ground 
altogether,  yet  one  fails  to  see  that  any  inter- 
esting phase  of  gardening   has  been  omitted. 
There  are  herbaceous  borders,  boldly  planned 
and  carefully  planted,   a    rock  garden,   bulb 
borders,  a  Eose  garden,  shrubberies,  fruit  and 
vegetable  garden,  etc.,  as  well  as  a  charming 
bit  of  lawn,  without  which  no  English  garden 
is  considered  complete.     From  the  centre  of 
the  south  side  of  the  house  one  looks  down  a 
grass  path,  the  beds  on  either  side  filled  with 
Delphiniums,    Pentstemons,    &c.,   and    imme- 
diately   behind    them    two    hedges    of    Eose 


Crimson  Eambler,  even  now  recognisable  by 
their  peculiarly  rich  green  foliage.  When  the 
borders  are  gay  with  plants  in  flower  and  the 
Eambler  Eose  in  full  blossom  it  is  not  difficult 
to  imagine  that  the  outlook  from  the  house 
down  this  green-pathed  vista  must  be  unusually 
attractive.  Even  now  the  herbaceous  borders 
are  full  of  interest.  Crown  Imperials,  Doroni- 
cums,  Arabis,  &c.,  are  in  bloom,  and  the 
variously  tinted  growths  of  other  plants — from 
the  red-brown  of  the  Pi«onies  to  the  bright 
green  of  Phloxes  and  the  darker  hues  of  Lilies 
or  Aconites — give  promise  of  what  is  to  come. 
The  fruit  and  kitchen  garden  is  bright  with 
Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  and  Cherry  trees  in  flower ; 
arches  span  the  walks  at  intervals,  and  fruit 
trees  are  trained  over  them.  The  shoots  are 
now  laden  with  blossom,  so  that  in  what  is 
usually  a  prosaic  and  unattractive  part  of 
a  garden  beauty  and  usefulness  are  cleverly 
associated. 

The  most  interesting  plants  in  flower  among 
the  Orchids  are  shown  in  the  two  accompanying 
illustrations— Lycaste  Skinneri  and  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum.  Mr.  Bradshaw  has  a  splendid 
collection  of  Lycaste  Skinneri,  and  some  of  the 
varieties  are  very  beautiful.  They  have  been 
much  admired  when  shown  before  the  Eoyal 
Horticultural  Society  on  several  occasions. 
Odontoglossum  crispum  is  represented  by  many 
valuable  varieties,  both  spotted  and  unspotted, 
and  the  illustration  will  give  some  idea  of  the 
beautiful  sight  they  now  are.  There  are  several 
thousands  of  plants  in  the  house,  and  there  is 
quite  a  miniature  forest  of  flower-spikes  ready 
to  burst  into  bloom  and  continue  the  display 
for  weeks  to  come.  Mr.  G.  Whitelegge,  Mr. 
Bradshaw's  gardener,  is  a  most  successful 
Orchid  grower.  The  pseudo-bulbs  of  some  of 
the  Odontoglossums  are  remarkable  for  their 
vigour,  and  are  producing  splendid  racemes  of 
flower.  Among  other  Orchids  in  bloom  were 
Lycaste  gigantea,  with  large,  drooping,  olive- 
green  sepals  and  petals  and  purplish,  yellow 
margined  lip  ;  Cattleya  intermedia  alba,  Cym- 
bidiums,  Cattleya  Mendelii,  Cattleya  citrina, 
and  others.  All  the  Orchids  are  the  picture  of 
health,  and  evidently  fully  enjoy  the  conditions 
under  which  they  are  grown. 


odontoglossum  crispum  in  the  grange  gardens,  southgate. 


May  14,  1904.1 


THE   GARDEN. 


341 


WOKK    FOR    THE    WEEK. 

Cypripbdium  nivecm. 
Thts  beautiful,  yet  with  many  a  very  difficult 
Orchid  to  grow,  haa  once  again  been  imported, 
providing  an  opportunity  to  replenish  stock.  When 
the  plants  are  received  place  them  for  a  few  days 
in  a  somewhat  cool  and  moist  shady  house,  and 
on  a  bed  of  good  sphagnum  moss.  The  roots  will 
soon  begin  to  recover,  when  potting  may  be  pro- 
ceeded with,  using  a  compost  of  two-thirds  good 
loam  and  one  -  third  leaf -soil,  with  a  liberal 
sprinkling  of  small  crooks,  old  mortar  rubble,  and 
coarse  sand.  Pots  made  for  suspending  are  the 
most  suitable  receptacles,  as  depth  is  more 
important  than  width.  After  all  the  dead  roots 
and  leaves  have  been  cut  away,  place  the  live  roots 
so  that  they  go  straight  down  and  build  up  the 
compost  around  them,  intermixing  pieces  of  soft 
red  brick  about  the  size  of  a  Walnut.  I  consider 
this  important.  We  find  the  roots  naturally  take 
a  straight  downward  course,  so  by  building  up,  so 
that  when  finished  there  are  practically  rows  of 
compost  and  rows  of  soft  brick,  the  roots  strike 
down  freely  between.  We  find  this  species  grows 
very  freely  when  treated  thus,  while  it  deteriorates 
rapidly  when  grown  on  the  principle  of  keeping 
the  plants  on  the  dry  side.  We  now  have  flowers 
practically  all  the  year.  Suspend  the  plants  in  the 
warmest  and  shadiest  part  of  the  Cattleya  house. 

C.  CONCOLOK,   C.  BELLATULUM,  AND  C.  GODEFROY^ 

all  succeed  if  treated  in  the  same  way.  I  am 
convinced  that  many  failures  have  accrued  from 
keeping  this  section  of  Cypripedium  much  too  dry, 
and  by  potting  in  such  a  way  that  the  roots  are 
prevented  from  going  in  the  direction  they  prefer. 
We  do  not  repot  more  than  is  absolutely  necessary. 
From  time  to  time  it  is  essential  to  divide  the 
plants  ;  the  divisions  soon  start  growing,  and  the 
stock  is  thus  increased  and  kept  vigorous. 

Lycaste  Skinnbki. 
This  favourite  species  is  now  commencing  to 
grow,  and  potting  may  be  done.  Use  a  compost  of 
two  parts  fibrous  loam  to  one  part  of  good  leaf-soil, 
adding  some  small  crocks  and  coarse  sand.  Afford 
a  fair  drainage  and  pot  rather  firmly,  keeping  the 
compost  low  enough  to  allow  of  a  top-dressing  of 
chopped  sphagnum.  A  position  in  the  coolest  part 
of  the  intermediate  house  is  suitable,  but  shade 
from  strong  sunshine.  L.  aromatica,  L.  Deppei, 
L.  Candida,  L.  leucantha,  and  L.  cruenta  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  way,  potting  when  the  new 
growths  are  about  2  inches  high. 

BiFRBNAEiA  (Lycaste)  Harrtsoni.?; 
has  begun  to  grow  now  the  flowering  season  is 
over,  so  if  repotting  is  necessary  it  may  now  be 
done.  This  Orchid  thrives  best  when  suspended. 
A  compost  of  fibrous  peat  two  parts  and  one  part 
each  of  leaf-soil  and  chopped  sphagnum  is  suitable. 
Give  a  good  drainage  of  rhizomes.  Place  in  a  light 
position  in  the  intermediate  house,  watering  them 
freely  when  growth  is  active,  and  syringing  them 
overhead  on  bright  days.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


SOME   OF  THE  FINEST   FORMS   OF  LYCASTE  SKINNERI   IN   MR.  J.  BRADSHAW'S   COLLECTION. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Spring  Bedding. 

BEFORE  proceeding  to  lift  the  bulbs 
which  have  finished  flowering,  it  is 
advisable  first  to  closely  mow  the  grass 
around  the  beds  and  cut  or  clip  the 
edges.  Any  Jonquils,  Narcissi,  &o. , 
which  are  likely  to  be  of  use  for  next 
year  should  be  carefully  planted  in  rows  in  a  cool 
spot  where  they  will  not  mature  too  rapidly.  Keep 
each  sort  separate  and  correctly  labelled.  The 
weaker  bulbs  may  be  planted  straightway  in  the 
wild  garden  or  closely  in  rows  in  the  reserve 
quarter,  where  they  will  furnish  a  fair  amount  of 
cut  flowers.  The  warm  dry  days  have  hastened 
the  flowering  period  of 

Wallflowers, 
which  in  many  cases  may  now  be  cleared  away. 
These  are  not  worth  saving  ;  far  better  results  are 


obtained  from  the  use  of  seedling  plants.     Such  as 

Arabis,  Aubrietia,  Myosotis,  Polyanthus,  and  the 

single  and  double  Primroses,  when  lifted,  should 

be  retained  in  the  required  quantities  for  use  next 

year.      Divide   and   plant   in   rows  not   less   than 

9  inches  apart,  so  as  to  allow  ample  room  for  the 

hoe    to    be   worked   during   the   summer.       After 

planting  a  copious  watering  will  be  necessary. 

Planting. 

Except  in  some  highly  favoured  localities  it  is 

too  soon  to  plant  safely  the  bulk  of  summer  bedding 

plants.     But  a  start  may  well  be  made  with  some 

of   the   hardier  things,    such   as   Fuchsias,    which 

have  been  well  hardened  off,  Cannas,  and  Dahlias 

from    the    stove  which    have    started    naturally. 

If  these  roots  are  at  all  dry  they  should  first  be 

immersed  in  tepid  water.     Calceolarias  and  Violas 

recently  planted  will  now  require  a  good  watering. 

An   occasional   light   sprinkling   at   three   or  four 

o'clock  on  an  unusually  hot  day  will  be  beneficial. 

Lawns. 

It  has  been  a  favourable  spring  for  grass  seeds. 

The  seedlings  are   now  growing  freely,   and   will 

soon   require  cutting.     All  perennial  weeds  must 

be  carefully  removed  with  a  Dai.iy  weeder.     Unless 

they  are  very  obtrusi  ve  the  annual  weeds  may  remai  n , 

as  after  the  first   cutting  most  of  them  will  die. 

Well  roll  the  grass  with  a  fairly  heavy  roller,  and 

when  cutting  is  necessary  it  should  be  done,  for  the 

first  twice  at  least,  with  a  sharp-edged  scythe.     If 

the  lawn-mower  is  used  it  is  very  liable  to  pull  up 

the  grass  by  the  roots. 

Azalea  indica. 
Any  plants  of  Azalea  indica,  A.  amojna,  and 
their  varieties  which  are  of  a  poor  form,  or  for  any 
reason  are  not  required  for  future  use  in  the  green- 
house, should,  after  the  fresh  growth  is  made,  be 
planted  out  of  doors.  Although  rarely  seen  grow- 
ing in  the  open,  these  Azaleas  are  really  quite 
hardy,  and,  as  they  do  not  often  flower  before  the 
end  of  May,  there  is  but  little  danger  of  frosts 
spoiling  their  beauty.  They  are  not  particular  as 
to  soil;  anything  which  grows  Rhododendrons  will 
also  suit  the  Azaleas.  Plant  firmly,  and  keep  the 
plant  a  trifle  higher  than  the  surrounding  soil. 
Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin.       A.  0.  Bartlett. 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Asparagus. 

This  vegetable  is  now  plentiful,  and  should  be 

inspected  every  morning,  cutting  all  heads  that  are 


4  inches  to  6  inches  in  length.  Although  it  is 
better  cooked  the  same  day  as  gathered,  it  may  be 
kept  fairly  good  if  tied  in  bundles  and  placed  in 
1  inch  or  2  inches  of  water  in  a  cool  place.  When 
cutting  do  not  thrust  the  knife  deeply  into  the 
ground  or  you  may  cut  other  growths  not  yet 
above  the  soil.  Give  an  application  of  manure 
every  ten  days.  If  the  plants  are  very  strong  the 
shoots  may  be  cut  down  for  some  time  ;  but  if 
weak  leave  some  of  the  growths  to  encourage  root 
action.  Seedlings  sown  in  heat  early  in  the  year 
may  now  be  planted  out  on  specially  prepared  beds. 
These  should  be  slightly  raised.  Choose  a  damp 
day  for  planting,  and  if  dry  weather  sets  in  see 
that  the  plants  are  given  a  liberal  supply  of  water. 

Salads. 
To  keep  going  a  regular  supply  of  salads  Lettuce 
should  be  sown  every  third  week,  a  border  being 
reserved  for  it.  Radishes  should  be  sown  every 
fortnight  in  a  cool  border,  a  northern  aspect  being 
best  in  the  summer  months.  Sow  the  Turnip- 
rooted  varieties  during  May.  They  do  not  stand 
drought  so  well  as  the  deeper-rooted  sorts,  which 
may  be  used,  therefore,  for  summer  sowings.  To 
have  perfect  eating  Radishes  they  must  be  grown 
rapidly.  Abundant  and  frequent  waterings  are 
essential ;  the  best  time  for  this  is  the  evening.  In 
very  dry  weather  freshly-sown  seeds  may  be  covered 
with  a  damp  mat  till  they  have  germinated. 
Endive  and  Mustard  and  Cress  may  now  be  grown 
under  a  north  wall. 

Ge.n'eral  Remarks. 
If  seeds  of  early  Celery  were  sown  as  advised  in 
an  earlier  calendar  and  thoroughly  hardened  off, 
the  seedlings  will  now  be  ready  for  planting. 
Water  the  plants  well  before  removing  them  from 
the  boxes.  If  small  suckers  appear  round  the 
edge  of  the  plants  remove  these.  Open-air  Tomatoes 
now  in  3-inch  pots  ought  to  have  another  shift,  this 
time  into  6-iuch  pots.  They  may  be  replaced  in 
heat  till  growth  again  commences,  in  order  to  have 
the  plants  ready  for  planting  out  at  the  end  of  the 
month.  Pot  on  seedling  Marrow  plants,  using  loam 
and  a  little  leaf -soil.  Keep  them  near  the  glass  in 
a  cool  house.  The  bed  in  which  the  Marrows  are 
planted  may  now  be  got  ready.  Broccoli  heads 
are  plentiful,  and  if  it  is  necessary  to  prolong  the 
supply  they  may  be  lifted  and  placed  in  a  cool 
shady  position.  The  ground  may  be  got  ready  for 
another  crop.  Where  a  number  of  varieties  of  this 
vegetable  are  grown  a  note  should  be  made  of  those 


342 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[Mat  14,  1904. 


that  really  do  well,  and  ihe  seed  procured  from  a 
reliable  source.  Parsnips  sown  in  March  will 
shortly  require  their  first  thinning.  This  should 
not  be  done  severely  in  case  accidents  happen.  A 
little  soot  or  bone-meal  may  be  sprinkled  previous 
to  hoeing  between  the  rows.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  Home  Gardens,  Queensferry ,  N.  B. 


INDOOK    GARDEN. 

The  Fernery. 
Day  by  day  as  the  season  advances  the  fernery 
becomes  more  and  more  attractive.  The  various 
Ferns  are  continually  sending  up  new  fronds,  some  of 
which  are  a  beautiful  green  in  colour,  while  others 
again  are  delicately  tinted.  Beyond  advising  that 
the  atmosphere  of  the  house  should  be  kept  con- 
tinually humid,  and  that  water  in  abundance  be 
given  to  the  roots,  with  a  little  stimulant  occa- 
sionally, nothing  further  need  be  said  in  respect  to 
the  robust-growing  sorts,  but  every  care  and 
attention  should  be  given  to  the  delicate  ones. 
Adiantum  gracillimum,  A.  farleyense,  and  A. 
WiUiamsii  should  be  given  elevated  positions,  as 
then  there  will  be  less  likelihood  of  moisture 
hanging  about  the  young  fronds,  and  causing,  as  it 
frequently  does,  the  young  and  delicate  pinnie  to 
damp,  and  finally  to  rot  away.  Clay's  Fertilizer 
in  moderation  may  with  advantage  be  applied  to 
the  roots  of  all  Ferns,  and  the  liquid  made  from 
burnt  stick  ashes,  together  with  guano  and  soot- 
water,  is  most  beneficial. 

In  the  Greenhouse. 
Generally  this  structure  contains  a  varied  collec- 
tion of  plants,  all  of  which  do  not  require  the  same 
treatment,  for  while  many  of  them  may  be  in 
flower  others  are  making  growth,  and  a  few  also 
may  be  going,  as  it  were,  to  rest.  Those  in  flower 
ought  at  this  season  to  be  given  a  shady  and  airy 
position,  and  care  in  watering  should  be  exercised. 
Among  the  plants  commencing  to  grow  some  will 
require  repotting.  Much  disturbance  of  the  roots 
when  growth  is  well  advanced  would  prove  a 
serious  matter.  Avoid  the  too  frequent  mistake 
that  is  made  of  applying  stimulants  to  the  roots 
which  they  at  the  time  are  not  prepared  to  assimi- 
late. Manures  may  with  advantage  be  applied  to 
those  that  are  active  in  both  root  and  top  growth. 
Heavily  syringing  plants  has  not  always  the  effect 
it  is  intended  to  have,  and  ic  is  often  better, 
especially  during  cold  weather,  to  create  and 
sustain  humidity  by  syringing  water  about  the 
stages  and  paths  and  among  the  pots.  Those 
plants  that  show  signs  of  going  to  rest  should  be 
removed  to  cool  and  well-ventilated  quarters. 
This  can  be  done  by  affording  them  the  conditions 
stated,  but  at  the  same  time  sufficient  water  to 
rnaintain  them  in  a  healthy  condition  must  be 
given  without  unduly  exciting  the  plants  to  make 
a  premature  effort  to  grow. 

J.  P.  Leadbbttek. 
Tranhy  Croft  Gardem,  Hidl. 


temperature  of  60*^  will  be  suitable  at  night. 
Decrease  the  moisture  with  a  freer  circulation  of 
warm  air.  Endeavour  to  keep  red  spider  in  check, 
and  as  soon  as  the  Grapes  are  cut  thoroughly 
syringe  and  clean  the  foliage,  and  give  the  border 
a  good  watering  with  liquid  manure  or  a  sprinkling 
of  Vine  manure. 

Succession  Vines. 
These  Vines  will  carry  and  mature  heavier  crops 
of  fruit  than  early  ones.  Continue  to  stop  the 
laterals,  and  tie  down  the  permanent  shoots.  Tying 
down  is  best  deferred  until  after  the  bunches  have 
flowered.  Do  not  stop  the  laterals  during  the  time 
the  Vines  are  in  flower.  Give  frequent  applica- 
tions of  liquid  manure  and  occasional  sprinklings 
of  Thompson's  Vine  Manure.  Afterwards  mulch 
the  border  with  decayed  farmyard  manure.  Remove 
surplus  bunches,  and  thin  all  free-setting  varieties 
as  soon  as  they  are  out  of  bloom.  Muscats,  Lady 
Downe's  Seedling,  and  similar  varieties  are  best 
left  until  it  can  be  seen  which  berries  are  taking 
the  lead.  Tie  up  the  shoulders  of  early  ones,  and 
otherwise  regulate  the  bunches  before  they  com- 
mence to  colour.  Some  gardeners  never  shade 
their  Vines  ;  I  always  lightly  shade  Muscats,  Lady 
Downe's,  and  Gros  Colniar,  and  find  it  beneficial, 
especially  if  the  Vines  are  weak. 

Planting  Young  Vines. 

Now  is  a  good  time  to  plant  out  young  Vines 
raised  from  eyes  in  February.  Do  not  disturb  the 
roots  when  planting.  Give  a  moderate  watering 
with  tepid  water  when  finished,  and  keep  a  rather 
close  atmosphere  for  a  time.  Shade  from  bright 
sun  until  they  are  well  established.  Afterwards 
encourage  them  to  make  sturdy  growth  by  early 
ventilation. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Pot  Vines. 
Those  which  were  started  in  November  are  now 
bearing  ripe  fruit,  and  clear  water  only  must  be 
given  them.  Keep  up  a  constant  circulation  of 
drier  and  cooler  air  than  before.  This  house 
should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  as  soon  as  the  Grapes 
are  cut  to  make  room  for  Tomatoes  or  other  plants. 
Pot  Vines  intended  for  fruiting  next  year  are 
growing  freely,  and  soon  they  must  be  given  liberal 
supplies  of  warm  weak  liquid  manure  water.  Keep 
the  atmosphere  of  the  house  moist  by  frequent 
dampings,  and  use  the  syringe  freely  after  closing. 
The  laterals  must  be  kept  closely  stopped,  and  the 
points  pinched  out  a  few  buds  above  the  required 
length,  when  the  canes  will  soon  increase  in  thick- 
ness and  the  buds  become  prominent. 

Early  Permanent  Vines. 
Grapes  on  Vines  started  in  December  are  now 
approaching  ripeness.  If  the  border  was  well 
watered  and  mulched  these  Vines  will  not  require 
more  water  until  the  Grapes  are  cut.  If  the 
Grapes  are  kept  hanging  long  and  the  Vines  need 
water,   choose  a   fine  dry   day   for  the  work.     A 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Trained  Specimens. 
Though  these  are  not  so  much  grown  as  they  were 
a  few  years  ago,  owing  a  great  deal,  no  doubt,  to 
the  poor   encouragement  offered   by   most   of   the 
Chrysanthemum  societies,  there  is  no  question  that 
when  at    their   best   they  form    one  of   the    most 
attractive   features   at   any   exhibition.      Unques- 
tionably,  as  in  growing  most  specimen  plants,  a 
lot  of  work,  independent  of  the  cost  of  conveying 
them    to   and    from    the   shows,    is   entailed,    and 
unless  more  substantial  prizes  are  offered  than  is 
generally  the  case  we  cannot  hope  to  see  them  in 
such  fine  condition  as  they  were  in  years  gone  by. 
During  the   palmy  days  of   the  Kingston   shows, 
which  were  then  generally  admitted  to  be  second 
to  none  in  the  country,  trained  specimens  formed 
one  of  the  most  important  features,  which  included 
dwarf- trained,  large-flowered  Pompons,  pyramids, 
and   standards,   all   being    presented   in   the   best 
possible  condition,  and  competition  was  very  keen, 
good  substantial  prizes  being  then  an  inducement 
to  grow  them.     Many  of  the  newer  Japanese  lend 
thernselves  admirably  to  such  treatment  owing  to 
the  improvement  in  their  habit  and  the  large  range 
of  colours  to  select  from.     As  I  have  often  pointed 
out,  to  be  successful  the  earlier  the  foundation  of 
the  plants  is  formed  in  the  season  the  better  will 
be  the  after  results.     The  chief  points  to  aim  at 
are  good  foliage,  fine  blooms,  and  suitable  training. 
The  barbarous  method  of  tying  down  the  growths 
in  a  flat,  unnatural  way  must  be  condemned,  conse- 
quertly  the  formation  of  the  plants  should  be  made 
early,  after  which  allow  the  shoots  to  be  regulated 
and   induce    them    to  assume   as    pleasing  a  form 
as  possible.    Medium-sized,  well-finished  specimens 
are  much  to  be  preferred  to  those  of  larger  propor- 
tions,  which  lack  high    finish,  and   endeavour   to 
produce  these  in  the  smallest-sized   pot   possible. 
If  due  regard  is   paid  to  watering  and  feeding,  it 
is,  indeed,   surprising  what  little  pot  room   these 
require.     In  addition  to  such   plants  gaining  high 
distinction   in   competition,    they  are  much   more 
serviceable  and  beautiful  for  home  decoration. 

The  plants  should  now  be  encouraged  to  make  a 
free,  sturdy  growth  in  a  suitable  temperature,  a 
light  pit,  with  a  flow  and  return  hot-water  pipe 
running  through  it,  being  most  suitable.  The 
young  growths  should  be  stopped  at  every  third  or  I 


fourth  joint  till  the  requisite  number  of  growths 
are  assured.  Carefully  tie  down  the  shoots,  fumi- 
gate frequently,  syringe  twice  daily  in  fine  weather 
air  freely  on  all  favourable  occasions,  and  pot  on 
as  required. 

Standards. 
These  are  very  beautiful,  especially  the  Pompons, 
Pompon  Anemones,  and  singles,  when  grown  much 
in  the  same  way  as  a  well-balanced  standard  Rose, 
and  are  well  worthy  of  cultivation  for  the  con- 
servatory. These  should  be  run  up  to  the  required 
height  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse,  and  stopped  till 
a  fair  number  of  shoots  are  ensured.  There  are 
many  ways  of  treating  the  head  by  securing  the 
shoots  in  a  safe  position,  but  probably  the  best  is 
to  fix  a  stout  green  painted  stake,  to  which  should 
be  fixed  the  cross  pieces,  and  then  a  medium-sized 
green  painted  wire  hoop,  to  which  the  growths 
should  be  trained,  making  them  proof  against 
wind.  The  plants  should  be  arranged  and  plunged 
in  a  sheltered  but  open,  sunny  position  during 
summer,  and  placed  under  glass  in  good  time  in 
the  autumn  to  prevent  destruction  by  gales. 
Strictly  avoid  tying  the  flowers  too  severely  to  the 
framework,  otherwise  the  plants  will  lack  that 
pleasing  effect  so  much  to  be  desired. 

E.  Beckett. 
Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 


THE  FLORAL  FAEMS,  WISBECH. 

IMAGINE  a  farm  of  some  500  acres  devoted  to 
the  culture  of  bulbs  and  all  sorts  of  hardy 
flowers  as  well  as  fruit  trees  ;  imagine  also 
some  thirty  acres  of  Narcissi,  half  a 
million  early  flowering  Tulips,  large  quan- 
tities of  Hyacinths  all  in  full  bloom,  some 
100,000  May-flowering  Tulips  and  Darwins  in  bud, 
the  long  double  rows  of  standard  Plum  trees  a  mass 
of  snow-white  blossom,  and  the  ground  surface 
beneath  them  covered  with  sheets  of  rich  blue 
Musk  Hyacinth,  the  lighter  blue  of  Forget-me-nots, 
multi-coloured  Polyanthuses,  driftsof  Rock  Cresses, 
and  colonies  of  Fritillarias,  and  you  will  have  a 
very  fair  idea  of  the  appearance  in  late  April  of  the 
floral  farms  of  Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited, 
Wisbech,  which  are  situated  in  the  three  counties  of 
Norfolk,  Cambridgeshire,  and  Lincolnshire.  You 
will  not,  it  is  true,  be  able  justly  to  conjure  up  the 
scene  as  it  really  is,  for  the  masses  of  rich  and 
brilliant  colouring  provided  by  the  Tulips,  or  the 
more  graceful  effect  of  the  large  breadths  of  Daf- 
fodils, the  flowers  daintily  nodding  and  the  leaves 
gently  swaying  to  every  breeze  that  blows  across 
the  eight  or  nine  miles  of  flat  land  to  the  Wash 
must  be  seen  to  be  appreciated.  One  can  feel  the 
invigorating  salt  breezes  as  they  come  across  the 
broad  expanse  of 

Fields  of  Flowers, 
and  the  plants  evidently  enjoy  them,  too,  if  the 
healthy  vigour  of  foliage  and  stout  flowering-stems 
speak  for  anything.  It  is  a  glorious  and  suggestive 
picture  that  stretches  before  the  onlooker  ;  acres 
and  acres  of  English  fields,  whose  surface  is  a 
carpet  of  such  rich  and  varied  colouring  that  few 
who  have  not  seen  a  flower  farm,  and  especially  a 
bulb  farm,  would  think  possible  in  the  British 
Isles,  can  be  described  by  no  other  word  than 
glorious,  while  the  suggestive  character  of  this 
scene  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  proves  that 
bulb  farming  in  England  can  be  made  to  pay, 
for  it  is  no  secret  that  there  is  money  in  these 
acres  of  lovely  flowers.  In  fact,  one  of  the  largest 
bulb  growers  in  Holland,  when  on  a  visit  to  Wis- 
bech recently,  said,  with  reference  to  a  bed  of  a 
certain  Tulip,  "They  are  finer  than  we  can  grow 
in  Holland."  Such  a  remark  from  a  grower  of 
Dutch  bulbs,  which  have  a  world-wide  reputation, 
shows  that  the  very  finest  bulbs  can  be  grown  in 
this  country.  Perhaps  the  most  charming  bit  that 
we  saw  when  making  a  tour  of  the  farms  was  a 
five-acre 

Field  of  the  Poet's  Narcissus, 
the  flowers  in  the  full  flush  of  beauty.     This  Nar- 
cissus  could  hardly   be  better  named,   for  surely 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE   GAUDEN 


S48 


there  never  was  a  flower  of  more  grace  or  refined 
beauty,  and  small  wonder  that  poets  should  have 
waxed  enthusiastic  about  it.  Another  expanse  of 
Narcissi,  ten  acres  in  all,  comprising  such  varieties 
as  Emperor,  Golden  Spur,  Horafieldii,  Empress, 
and  Sir  Watkin  was  also  a  striking  sight.  It 
was,  in  fact,  an  animate  sea,  a  sea  of  nodding  gold 
and  waving  green.  To  describe  other  large  masses 
of  Mme.  de  Graaff,  Weardale  Perfection,  Mrs. 
Walter  Ware,  Glory  of  Leiden,  W.  P.  Milner 
(wonderfully  free  flowering),  as  well  as  the  Poly- 
anthus Narcissi,  of  which  Her  Majesty  and 
Bazleraan  Major  were  the  best,  would  be  wearying 
repetition,  so  mention  of  them  must  suffice. 
Besides  all  these  acres  of  Daflbdils  in  the  open 
some  of  the  orchards  and  fruit  plantations  were  full 
of  them.  They  made  panels  of  yellow  and  white 
between  the  long  rows  of  Apples,  Plums,  and 
Cherries,  and  furnished  an  admirable  illustration 
of  beauty  and  usefulness  going  hand  in  hand. 
Charming  though  the  Daffodils  are,  one  is  irresistibly 
attracted  sooner  or  later  by  the 

Gorgeous  Colouking  of  the  Tulips, 
so  rich  and  brilliant  as  to  appear  foreign,  out  of 
place  in  this  country  of  ours — almost  a  breath  of 
the  tropics  at  home. 

For  intense  gorgeous  colours  there  is  nothing 
among  hardy  flowers  to  equal  the  Tulip  ;  among 
selfs  there  are  purest  white,  richest  scarlet, 
brightest  yellow,  deepest  purple,  while  the  fancies 
are    indescribable.      Some  of   the    most    striking 


pointed  out  to  us  among  the  vast  array  are  the 
following  :  Primrose  Queen,  true  primrose  colour  ; 
Golden  Lion,  intense  orange  scarlet,  edged  gold  ; 
Moucheron,  deep  crimson  ;  Suaveolens,  rich 
orange  scarlet  ;  Greigii,  orange  scarlet ;  Premier 
Gladstone,  double,  cerise  ;  Raphael,  the  finest 
double  pink  ;  Toreador,  crimson  outside, 
orange  within,  double ;  Couleur  de  Cardinal, 
which  is  self-descriptive  ;  White  Joost  van 
Vondel,  the  finest  white  ;  Scarlet  Duo  van  Thol, 
small  brilliant  scarlet;  Imperator  rubrorum, 
crimson,  double ;  Yellow  Prince ;  Retroflexa,  a 
yellow  form  of  Elegans.  Leaving  the  Tulips  one 
passes  in  succession  some  three  acres  of  Pteonies, 
whose  rich  red-brown  shoots  are  well  through  the 
ground  ; 

Beds  of  Empress  Pansies, 

the  flowers  2  inches  to  3  inches  across,  and  their 
colouring  so  varied  and  beautiful  as  to  render  futile 
any  attempt  at  description.  We  may  say,  how- 
ever, that  the  yellow,  purple,  and  marone  varieties 
were  really  magnificent ;  beds  of  seedling  Polyan- 
thuses and  Primroses  of  such  form  and  variety  of 
colour  as  surely  to  satisfy  the  most  fastidious. 
Much  finer  plants  are  obtained  from  seed  than  by 
division ;  continually  dividing  them  up  soon 
weakens  them.  The  gold-laced  Polyanthuses  were 
perfectly  marked  and  of  lovely  colouring.  Double 
white  Primroses,  sheets  of  Myosotis  Elizi 
Fonrobert  (pale  blue),  and  M.  Fairy  Eyes  (deeper 
blue),    to    say  nothing    of    Muscari,    Fritillaria, 


WBiB   pauHcd    on   the 


and  other  plants   in   bloon 
way  to  the 

One  Hundred  Thousand  Violets, 
some  in  frames,  many  out  of  doors,  and  most  of  them 
raised  from  cuttings  last  autumn.  Marie  Louise, 
Comtede  Brazza,  and  Lady  Hume  Campbell  are  the 
best  doubles,  while  among  the  singles  are  Amiral 
Avellan,  Comtesse  Edmond  de  Tertre,  La  France, 
and  Princess  of  Wales.  The  plants  will  be  ready 
tor  distribution  next  September.  There  are  several 
acres  of  Pyrethrums  and  garden  Pansies,  both  of 
which  seem  to  be  popular  flowers.  We  were  shown 
a  field  of  from  8,000  to  10,000  standard  P.oses 
(among  which  we  were  able  to  distinguish  W.  A. 
Richardson  growing  very  strongly,  and  all  were 
on  splendid  stocks),  as  well  as  seven  acres  of 

Dwarf   Roses. 

It  would  be  hopeless  to  try  and  describe  all  that 
we  saw,  however,  within  the  limits  of  one  article. 
We  will  remain  content  with  a  passing  mention  of 
the  Strawberry  fields  planted  with  the  varieties 
Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  Royal  Sovereign,  and  The 
Laxton  ;  a  plantation  of  a  new  Raspberry  yet 
unnamed,  but  which  promises  in  the  near  future  to 
make  a  name  for  itself ;  Apple  Emneth  Early,  the 
best  local  variety,  and  largely  grown  for  market  in 
this  neighbourhood.  In  the  houses  were  hundreds, 
we  might  safely  say  thousands,  of  Carnations, 
Malmaison,  tree  or  winter-flowering  and  border 
varieties    (the    Malmaisons    were    especially  fine), 


I 


AMONG  THE  DAFFODILS   IN   THE   NURSERIES   OF   MESSRS.  R.  H.  BATH,  LIMITED,  WISBECH. 


344 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[May  14,  1904. 


Dahlias,  Arum  Lilies,  Roses  in  pots,  Ampelopsis, 
and  Clematis,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  bedding 
plants.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  nursery  that 
would  better  repay  a  visit  than  the  Wisbech  Floral 
Farms,  for  apart  from  the  peculiar  interest  that 
attaches  to  them  as  being  English,  they  possess, 
as  we  have  endeavoured  to  show,  many  other  note- 
worthy features.  H.  H.  T. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  House. 
AcRADENiA  Franklini.e,  Agapetes  buxifolia, 
Boronia  polygalifolia,  Brachysema  Drummondii, 
Brunfelsia  eximia,  B.  macranlha.  Calceolaria 
violacea,  Calpurniaaurea,  Cassia  australis,  Cestrum 
Newellii,  Chorizema  ilicifolium,  Clematis  indivisa. 
Erica  uroeolaris,  Eutaxia  niyrtifolia,  Grevillea 
eericea,  G.  thelemanniana,  Hardenbergia  comp- 
toniana,  Hibbertia  amplexicaulis,  Illicium  verum, 
Irapatiens  Oliveri,  Kennedya  rubicunda,  Lepto- 
sperraum  scoparium,  Lonicera  affinis,  Lysichitum 
caratschaticense,  Macleania  insignis,  Mangifera 
iodica,  Olearia  stellulata,  Polygala  myrtifolia, 
Prostanthera  denticulata,  P.  nivea,  Pultentea 
fiexilis.  Rhododendron  Beauty  of  Treniough, 
R.  ciliioalyx,  R.  Falconeri,  R.  formosum,  R. 
iorsterianum,  R.  griffithianum,  R,  kewense,  R. 
linearifolium,  R.  serpyllifolium,  and  Strelitzia 
Reginse. 

Palm  House. 

Napoleona  iniperialis  and  Petrea  arborea. 
Water  Lily  House. 

Aristolochia  saocata. 

'  Range. 

Albuca  minor,  Asystasia  scandens,  Bignonia 
tweediana,  Clerodendron  myrmecophilum,  Ixora 
salicifolia,  Kleinia  fulgens,  Lachenalia  pustu- 
lata,  Medinilla  magnifica,  Miconia  hookeriana, 
Ornithogalum  lacteum,  0.  thyrsoides,  0.  steosper- 
mum  moniliferum,  Oxalis  Ortgiesii,  Physostelma 
Wallichii,  Tritonia  speciosa,  and  Ultricularia 
monlana. 

Succulent  House. 

Cereus  flagelliformis,  C.   Mallisoni,   Epiphyllum 
Gsertneri,  and  Gasterias  in  variety. 
Orchid  Houses. 

Acanthophippium  sylhetense,  Ansellia  africana, 

A.  humilis,  Bulbophyllum  fulcum,  B.odoratissimum, 

B.  quadrifarium,  Calanlhe  discolor,  Cirrhopetalum 
pioturatum,  Cymbidium  ballianum,  Cypripedium 
lawrenceanum,  Cyrtopodium  palmifrons,  C. 
punotatum,  Uendrobium  cretaceum,  D.  de- 
vonianum,  D.  hercoglossum,  D.  recundum,  D. 
thyrsiflorum,  D.  transparens,  T).  undulatum,  Epi- 
dendrum  ciliare  var.  cuspidatum,  E.  gluniaceum, 
Eria  extinotoria,  Eulophia  lurida,  Lycaste  crinita, 
Masdevallia  bella,  M.  Chimera  var.  backhouseana, 
M.  houtteana,  M.  radiosa,  M.  veitchiana,  M.  ves- 
pertilis,  and  others,  Maxillaria  flava,  M.  luteo- 
alba,  Microstvlis  Scottii,  Odontoglossuni  cilros- 
mum,  0.  fJSrstedi,  Oncidium  altissimum,  0. 
leucoehilura,  0.  sphacelatum,  Ornithocephalus 
grandiSorus,  Pelexia  niaculata,  Physoaiphon 
Moorei,  Rodriguezia  fragrans,  Selenipedium 
titanura,  Sculicaria  Hadweni,  and  Vanda  teres. 

Greenhouse. 

Aretotisaapera,  Aslilbe  japonioa.  Auricula  Queen 
Alexandra,  Corydalis  thalictrifolia,  Crowea  angus 
tifolia,  Dleenlra  spectabilis.  Erica  propendens, 
Helichrysum  humile  var.  purpureura,  Lathyrus 
pubescens,  Schizanthus  pinnatus,  Scutellaria 
mooeiniana,  Senecio  kewensis,  S,  Moorei,  S.  canta- 
bridgensis,  Tetratheca  pilosa,  and  Veronica  diosmi- 
folia. 

Alpine  House. 

Androsace  lactea,  A.  Laggeri,  Anemone  vernalis, 
Arnieria  majellensis.  Auriculas  in  variety,  Clay- 
tonia  caroliniana,  Coptis  trifolia,  Dodeeatheon 
ellipticum,  D.  .Jeflfreyi  var.  alpinum,  I),  pauoi 
florum,  Draba  fiadnizensis,  Erigeron  trifidus, 
ErinuB  alpinus  var.  glabratus.  Erysimum  kotsehy- 


anum,  E.  rupestre,  Muscari  paradoxum,  Ornitho- 
galum armeniacum  var..  Phlox  divaricata,  Primula 
Fortunei,  P.  frondosa,  Pinguicula  grandiflora. 
Ranunculus  amplexicaulis,  Romanzotfia  sitchensis, 
Saxifraga  lingulata  var.  lantoscana,  S.  muscoides 
var.  atropurpurea,  Tellima  parviflora,  and  other 
things. 

Rod-  Garden. 

Anemone  trifolia,  Armeria  juncea,  Cardamine 
pinnata,  Chirysanthemum  caucasicum,  Doronicum 
Columns;,  Lathyrus  cyaneus,  L.  vernus,  Macro- 
tomia  echioides,  Matricaria  Tchihatchewii,  Morisia 
hypogfea,  Primula  sub-auriculala  var.  hirsuta  and 
others,  Rhodothamnus  Chamfecistus,  Saxifraga 
Wallacei,  Stylophorum  diphyllum,  Trillium  grandi- 
florum,  T.  sessile,  Tulipa  sylvestris,  T.  wilsoniana, 
and  Valeriana  rotundiloba. 

Bulb  Borders  and  Iris  Garden. 

Fritillaria  acmopetala,  F.  acutiloba,  F.  arniena, 
F.  aurea,  F.  latifolia,  F.  lusitanica,  F.  Meleagris, 
F.  pallidiflora,  F.  pontica,  F.  tenella,  Muscari, 
Tulipa  and  Narcissus  (numerous  species  and  varie- 
ties), and  Uvularia  grandiSora. 

A  rhoret  um. 
Acers  in  variety,  Cydonia  japonica,  C.  Mauleii 
C.  sinensis  (on  wall),  Cytisus  biflorus,  C.  prajcox, 
Erica  arborea,  E.  australis,  E.  lusitanica,  E. 
mediterranea  and  varieties.  Magnolia  conspicua 
and  hybrids,  M.  obovata,  Prunus  (many  species), 
P^'rus  (man}'  species).  Rhododendron  Luscombei, 
R.  racemosum,  R.  rubiginosum  and  many  other 
species  and  varieties,  Ribes  aureum,  R.  pinetorum 
and  others,  Spira?a  arguta,  S.  Thunbergii,  and  a 
large  number  of  other  things. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


ROSE    DOROTHY    PERKINS. 

I  CANNOT  refrain  from  sending  you  a  short 
note  about  the  way  this  beautiful  P^ose  has 
grown  in  the  short  time  it  has  been  planted 
here.  I  planted  two  trees  on  the  top  of  a 
retaining  wall  on  April  14,  190.3,  out  of 
pots,  and  they  {lowered  beautifully  from 
the  end  of  June  to  the  end  of  November  and  made 
shoots  15  feet  long.  Buds  are  now  showing  the  whole 
length.  On  some  of  the  weaker  shoots  I  made  a 
slight  under  cut,  just  the  same  as  in  layering  Car- 
nations, and  pegged  tliem  down  in  August.  Tbey 
rooted  very  freely.  Some  of  these  were  taken  off 
and  planted  in  the  autumn,  having  made  good 
strong  plants  which  will  flower  well  this  year  ; 
very  different  from  plants  obtained  from  cuttings 
or  buds  in  the  same  time,  and  with  less  trouble. 
I  think  Dorothy  Perkins  has  a  very  great 
future  ;  the  flower  is  a  beautiful  pink  colour,  and 
the  foliage  is  charming.  When  seen  growing  on  a 
low  wall  it  is  most  beautiful. 

Berkshire.  J.   S. 


ROSE    MARIE    VAN    HOUTTE. 

I  THINK  this  is  one  of  the  best  Roses  for  training 
on  a  south  wall,  where  rampant  growth  is  not 
required.  Here  it  is  growing  on  the  house,  and  at 
the  present  lime  several  flowers  are  open  and 
hundreds  of  buds  are  showing  colour,  and  with  the 
bronze  foliage  the  effect  is  very  good. 

Berkshire.  J.  S. 


A    NEW   CLIMBING    ROSE. 

A  beautiful  fast-growing  Rose  for  the  roof  of 
the  Rose  house  or  conservatory  is  Mme.  .Jules 
Gravereaux.  No  better  climbing  Rose  has  appeared 
for  some  time  ;  the  flower  is  quite  good  enough  for 
exhibition,  it  has  the  substance,  form,  and  colour 
of  a  show  bloom.  The  colour  is  buff,  tinted  peach, 
form  high  centred  with  reflexed  petals.  The  centre 
is  somewhat  wanting  in  finish,  but  no  one  will 
condemn  the  Rose  on  that  account,  the  variety 
being  so  good  in  all  other  ways.  It  must  make  a 
fine  standard,  as  it  has  a  large  spreading  head,  such 
as  we  seem  to  require  on  our  standard  Roses, 
especially  when  they  are  isolated.  Mme.  Jules 
Gravereaux  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  Reve 


d'Or  and  Vicountess  Folkestone.  I  do  not  know 
whether  this  is  correct  or  not,  an3'how  there  is  not 
a  suspicion  of  the  Reve  d'Or  about  it  except  in 
growth.  The  Rose  seems  to  partake  more  of  the 
habit  of  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  apparently  quite  as 
free.  P. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor   is   not    responsible  for    the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


WILD    FLOWERS    FROM    SEED. 

[To  THE  Editor  or  "  The  Garden."] 

SI  R, — With  reference  to  the  article  on  the 
above  subject  of  April  30  I  need  hardly 
say  how  heartily  I  sympathise  with  any 
suggestion  calculated  to  reduce  the 
depletion  of  our  native  flowers  and  Ferns 
by  injudicious  collectors,  who  root  them 
up  wholesale  and  thus  threaten  to  exterminate 
them.  With  regard,  however,  to  our  native  Ferns 
it  seems  to  me  that  a  better  remedy  for  their 
indiscriminate  collection  would  be  an  extension  of 
the  knowledge  that  far  more  beautiful  forms  than 
the  wild  ones  exist,  and  are  obtainable  at  very 
little  expense,  or  even,  if  spore  sowing  be  adopted, 
packets  of  spores  can  be  obtained  and  a  good  collection 
of  the  right  sorts  to  cultivate  raised  with  no  more 
trouble  than  would  be  incurred  by  sowing  the  wild 
or  common  forms  as  suggested.  A  single  shilling 
expended  in  this  way  would  result  in  probably 
scores  of  varieties  of  numerous  species,  and  thus 
yield  a  far  richer,  infinitely  more  interesting 
harvest  than  it  would  be  possible  to  obtain  by 
sowing  the  forms  found  wild.  Comparatively  few 
people,  even  among  those  who  profess  to  love 
Ferns,  and  express  their  affection,  as  a  rule,  by 
rooting  them  up  and  subsequently  killing  thera  by 
neglect,  appear  to  be  aware  that  there  are  at  least 
2,000  curious  and  beautiful  varieties  in  the  various 
collections,  amateur  and  professional,  about  the 
country. 

The  majority  of  these  have  been  found  as  wild 
"sports"  among  the  common  or  normal  ones, 
Nature  apparently  amusing  herself  by  occasionally 
producing  a  Fern  which  will  be  extremely  different 
from  the  common  or  parental  form,  and  yet 
endowed  with  a  capacity  for  reproducing  its  novel 
type  through  its  spores,  so  that  practically  a  new 
race  is  created.  Nearly  all  our  native  species  have 
sported  in  this  way,  and  for  more  than  half  a 
century  the  hunting  for  these  "  sports  "  has  formed 
a  hobby  for  many  people,  who  have  not  only  made 
collections  of  them,  but  by  raising  them  from 
their  spores  have  profited  by  further  variation  to 
improve  the  original  types  into  such  magnificent 
ones  that  no  exotic  Ferns  can  compare  with  them. 
Furthermore,  no  one  who  has  once  taken  up  the 
hobby  either  of  this  form  of  Fern  discovery  or  simply 
as  collectors  of  varieties  ever  dreams  of  admitting 
the  wild  forms  into  their  collections,  except 
perhaps  as  single  examples  for  comparison.  Hence 
there  is  absolutely  no  doubt  that  were  the  public 
taste  generally  educated  up  to  this  level  our  wild 
Ferns  would  cease  entirely  to  be  vandalised,  and 
would  only  be  regarded  as  forming  material  for 
research  as  regards  the  "sports"  in  question.  The 
legitimate  Fern  hunter  of  this  kind  is  content,  and 
indeed  happy,  if  after  a  week  or  a  fortnight's  revel 
in  the  beauties  of  our  native  Fernland,  he  or  she 
returns  with  even  half  a  dozen  prizes,  plus  perhaps 
a  dozen  of  uncertainties  for  trial.  The  indis- 
criminate Fern  lover  (?)  ransacks  the  nearest  hedges 
and  coppices,  and  fills  a  hamper  with  the  produce, 
leaving  gaps  in  the  frequented  Fern  habitats  which 
form  terrible  eyesores  to  the  true  lover  of  Nature. 
The  connoisseur,  on  the  other  hand,  seeks  his 
prizes  in  the  more  unfrequented  spots,  and  in  the 
search  enjoys  the  beauty  of  mountain  and  lake 
and  sylvan  glen  to  the  utmost,  while  as  his  finds 
are  almost  invariably  solitary  specimens,  he  leaves 
practically  no  mark,  and,  what  is  more,  that 
which  he  does  acquire  is  carefully  tended  and  culti- 
vated and  probably  increased  a  thousandfold  for 
general  distribution,  so  that  a  substantial  con- 
tribution is  made  to  our  Fern  wealth,  instead  of  a 
substantial  reduction  on  vandalistio  lines.  As  these 


May  14,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


345 


varieties,  crested  or  tasselled  in  many  fashions, 
with  their  feathery  character  greatly  enhanced 
and  varied  in  many  ways,  are  raised  in  large 
numbers  by  the  few  nurserymen  who  make  a 
speciality  of  them,  most  of  the  beautiful  forms  are 
obtainable  for  a  few  pence  or  a  shilling  apiece,  no 
very  prohibitive  price  as  regards  a  trial  of  their 
■quality. 

Once  purchased  they  not  only  exist  for  a  lifetime 
with  ordinary  care,  but  increase  by  means  of  offsets 
and  bulbils  quite  independently  of  their  spores. 
As  they  are  fully  as  hardj  as  the  common  sorts, 
they  demand  no  heat  in  the  winter,  so  that  their 
-culture  is  easy  and  inexpensive,  and,  as  they  revel 
in  moderate  shade,  they  are  exactly  fitted  for 
frames  or  greenhouses  where  there  is  insufficient 
sunshine  for  healthy  floral  growth.  They  are  also 
■equally  at  home  in  the  shaded  garden  rockery,  so 
that  practically  their  culture  is  open  to  every 
garden  lover.  If,  therefore,  these  remarks  ger- 
minate in  the  brain  of  any  reader  unacquainted 
with  these  charming  plants,  and  yet  claiming  to  be 
a  Fern  lover,  let  him  or  her  try  the  experiment  by 
getting  a  few  choice  male  Ferns,  Lady  Ferns,  Shield 
Ferns,  and  Hart's-tongues  as  a  start,  when  I  am 
sure  another  British  Fern  lover  proper  will  be 
added  to  the  far  too  limited  coterie  already 
existing.  Chas.  T.  Drueky,  F.L.S.,  V.M.H. 


THE   BIRD    PLAGUE. 

[To  THE  Editok  or  "The  Garden."] 

■Sib, — A  note  recently  appeared  in  The  Garden 
■dealing  with  the  ravages  caused  by  sparrows 
■amongst  spring  flowers,  and  at  the  foot  there  was 
■an  editorial  comment  deploring  any  wholesale 
■destruction  of  bird  life.  I  quite  agree  with  the 
'  latter  sentiments,  and  I  am  glad  to  say  that  I  do 
not  know  the  man  who  would  destroy  wild  birds 
merely  for  the  sake  of  doing  so  ;  but  there  are 
moments  when  gardeners  and  fruit-growers  are 
■driven  to  exasperation  by  the  ravages  of  birds,  and 
drastic  measures  have  to  be  adopted  for  preventing 
their  depredations.  Grave  charges  are  frequently 
hurled  at  the  homely  sparrow,  who  has  got  a 
reputedly  bad  name  for  mischief,  and  doubtless 
■does  considerable  damage  in  suburban  gardens  and 
other  places,  but,  according  to  my  experience,  the 
evil  wrought  by  sparrows  this  spring  has  been 
nothing  compared  to  the  depredations  of  bull- 
finches. These  birds  seem  to  be  particularly 
numerous  in  the  south  just  now,  and  I  have  seen 
numerous  instances  in  which  the  buds  on  Plums, 
Currants,  and  Gooseberries  have  been  destroyed 
wholesale  by  bullfinches.  What  is  the  grower  to 
do  in  such  a  ease  ?  He  may  have  a  natural  reluct- 
ance to  destroy  bird  life,  but  he  has  his  crops  to 
■consider,  and  he  cannot  afford  to  put  sentiment 
first.  In  the  matter  of  bush  fruits  he  may  have  a 
remedy  in  dusting  with  soot  and  lime  or  covering 
his  bushes  with  strands  of  thread — I  know  of  one 
large  grower  who  has  spent  many  pounds  this  year 
in  the  latter  operation — but  thread,  soot,  and  lime 
■are  useless  where  tall  trees  are  concerned.  There 
is  only  one  course  open  to  the  grower  ;  he  must 
shoot,  and  the  gun  is  the  most  effective  means  of 
■dealing  with  bullfinches.  Shooting  does  not  neces- 
sarily mean  wholesale  destruction,  for  though  in 
the  moment  of  his  wrath  the  gardener  or  fruit 
grower  may  fire  to  kill,  if  he  is  there  early  in  the 
■morning,  and  has  the  gun  handy  whenever  the 
birds  appear,  they  soon  learn  to  regard  the  weapon 
with  wholesome  fear,  and  subsequently  give  the 
gun-protected  area  a  wide  berth. 

Fortunate,  I  consider,  is  the  gardener  who  has 
•never  made  the  acquaintance  of  another  bird  of  the 
bullfinch  type  that  has  a  strong  natural  taste  for 
green  Peas.  I  refer  to  the  hawfinch  or  grosbeak, 
which  is  furnished  with  a  thick  strong  bill  that 
might  have  been  intended  by  Nature  for  tha  sole 
purpose  of  mutilating  Pea-pods.  In  some  districts 
this  bird  is  quite  unknown,  in  others  it  is  sparsely 
represented,  but  in  others  again  hawfinches  are 
plentiful  and  a  sore  thorn  in  the  sides  of  Pea 
growers.  Some  years  ago  I  was  acquainted  with  a 
village  in  the  Midlands  where  most  of  the  cottagers 
gave  up  the  attempt  to  grow  green  Peas  owing  to 
the   ravages  of   the  birds   in  question  during  the 


time  that  the  men  were  away  at  work.  Personally 
I  have  had  painful  dealings  with  hawfinches,  but 
never  found  any  real  remedy  except  a  gun,  and  in 
the  use  of  this  one  has  to  be  alert,  for  the  gros- 
beak is  wary  and  is  not  easily  scared  when  feeding 
on  his  favourite  diet.  He  is  an  early  feeder,  too, 
and  if  the  Pea  grower  would  defend  his  crop  he 
must  be  in  the  garden  soon  after  dawn.  Fre- 
quently the  birds  move  about  in  pairs,  and  a 
couple  of  hawfinches  will  quickly  destroy  a  row 
of  Peas  in  pod  if  left  unmolested. 

A  considerable  item  in  the  expenses  account  of 
Kentish  Cherry  growers  is  for  the  payment  of  men 
who  patrol  the  orchards,  gun  in  hand,  when  the 
fruit  is  ripe  in  order  to  protect  it  from  birds,  and 
from  daylight  to  dark  the  reports  of  gunshots  may 
be  heard  on  every  side.  This  protection  is  abso- 
lutely necessarj',  and  though  some  growers  employ 
scares  and  rabbles,  shooting  is  mostly  resorted  to. 
Generally  speaking,  the  amount  of  killing  done  is 
not  great,  the  object  being  more  to  frighten,  but 
the  sporting -instincts  in  the  breast  of  the  average 
Briton  are  so  marked  that  it  is  too  much  to  expect 
that  a  man  with  a  gun  in  his  hand  will  shoot  at 
an  object  without  doing  his  best  to  hit  it. 
Various  birds  have  a  strong  regard  for  ripe 
Cherries,  but  the  starling  is  one  of  the  worst 
offenders,  and  it  seems  to  know  just  when  the 
Cherries  are  ripe,  judging  from  the  quantities 
which  congregate  round  the  orchards  at  the 
time. 

Indeed,  birds  are  such  a  trouble  in  Kent  that 
combined  efforts  have  to  be  made  to  keep  them  in 
check.  Institutions  known  as  sparrow  clubs  are 
established  in  many  villages,  and  during  the  winter 
months  the  working  members  undertake  to  present 
so  many  heads  of  birds  injurious  to  crops  to  the 
committee  at  the  periodical  meetings  of  the  club. 
Everything  connected  with  the  working  of  a 
properly-conducted  sparrow  club  is  done  in  a 
businesslike  manner.  Officers  are  appointed,  the 
names  of  the  birds  to  be  destroyed  are  set  forth  on 
the  rules,  and  the  proper  season  for  doing  it. 
Prizes  are  given  and  fines  imposed,  and  not 
infrequently  the  season's  working  finishes  up  with 
an  annual  dinner.  None  but  injurious  birds  suffer 
at  the  hands  of  sparrow  clubs,  and  though  doubt- 
less the  loss  to  fruit-growers  would  be  greater  but 
for  these  institutions,  there  is  no  fear  of  extermina- 
tion, and  the  clubs  do  nothing  more  than  keep 
down  the  feathered  foes,  which  would  otherwise 
become  an  intolerable  nuisance. 

The  thing  to  be  deplored  is  the  ruthless  killing 
of  birds  that  are  extremely  useful  and  do  little  or 
no  injury.  There  is  the  owl,  for  instance,  that 
weird  bird  of  the  night,  whose  hoot  and  screech  are 
so  familiar  in  some  districts.  No  feathered 
creature  does  more  towards  destroying  the  small 
and  injurious  animals  of  the  field,  but  because  the 
bird  is  suspected  of  picking  up  a  young  game  bird 
sometimes  this  is  counted  to  be  sufficient  reason 
why  owls  should  be  destroyed  by  game  rearers  and 
others.  We  must  be  reasonable.  Crops  have  to 
be  protected  against  birds  just  as  they  have  to  be 
against  injurious  insects,  but  no  one  wishes  to  see 
woods  and  hedgerows  denuded  of  the  members  of 
the  feathered  tribe,  and  it  may  be  said  that  there 
is  no  fear  of  this  through  the  amount  of  destruction 
that  is  necessary  to  the  welfare  of  cultivated  crops. 

G.   H.  HoLLINGWORTH. 


RIVIERA     NOTES, 


E 


■^UPATORIUM  PETIOLARE  has 
been  decidedly  useful  this  winter. 
In  autumn  its  vigorous  growth  and 
bright  green  leafage  are  attractive 
even  before  its  corymbs  of  white 
bloom  fully  develop.  As  a_  com- 
panion to  Ageratum  mexicanum  it  is  quite  an 
addition,  for  it  fiowers  with  it  and  contrasts 
eflfectively  with  it,  while  its  foliage  and  growth 
are  even  more  luxuriant  in  this  climate.  When 
gathered  and  in  water  in  the  house  it  has  a 
faint  perfume,  but  the  light  and  elegant  heads 
of  bloom  are  its  greatest  attraction. 


Feeesia  Armstrongi  cannot,  I  think,  be 
classed  with  valuable  new  additions  to  the 
gardens  on  this  coast.  Its  lilac-pink  sprays  of 
flower  are  jiretty  when  in  sufiicient  quantity, 
but  the  individual  flowers  are  much  smaller 
than  in  F.  refracta.  Perhaps  a  larger  and 
purer  pink  flower  may  soon  be  obtained,  and 
that  will  really  be  worth  growing  in  quantity. 
The  deep  blood-red 

Cyclamen  persicum,  shown  in  quantity  at 
Nice  ten  days  ago  at  the  flower  show,  created 
a  great  sensation  among  the  visitors,  while  the 
salmon-pink  shades,  which  are  so  much 
admired  in  England,  were  passed  over  without 
remark.  Many  hundreds  of  Olivias  were 
shown,  but  all  were  of  the  poorest  form  and 
colouring,  a  most  curious  thing  when  there  are 
so  many  richly  coloured  and  handsome 
forms  in  commerce.  The  standards  of 
Hydrangea  Horten.sia  cyanoclada,  carefully 
grown  and  well  watered  with  sulphates  of  iron 
and  copper,  were  of  extraordinary  beauty.  It 
is  impossible  to  describe  the  intensity  and 
purity  of  the  blue  produced  by  this  method. 
Even  when  tied  up  with  blue  ribbon,  as  is  the 
fashion  here,  they  quite  defied  all  competition 
in  their  colouring. 

This  season  the  burst  of  summer  weather, 
that  coincided  with  the  flowering  of  the  Tree 
PiEonies  and  the  Banksian  Roses,  has  produced 
a  most  splendid  show.  The  intensity  of  the 
sunlight,  combined  with  a  high  temperature, 
has  made  the  colours  of  all  flowers  even  more 
brilliant  than  usual.  After  four  years  expe- 
rience of  some  thirty  varieties  of  Tree  Pteonies 
one  begins  to  realise  the  comparative  merits 
of  most  varieties,  and  one's  standpoint  of 
vision  requires  alteration  in  consequence. 
Perhaps  my  experience  may  be  helpful  to 
others.  It  is,  at  any  rate,  this  :  It  is  the 
habit  of  the  variety  that  is  of  more  import- 
ance than  the  mere  beauty  of  the  flower.  In 
no  other  plant  is  there  so  curious  a  variety  of 
habit. 

Some  are  tall,  thin,  and  straggling  in 
habit ;  others  add  to  that  so  weak-necked  a 
flower  that  it  hangs  down  unseen  inside  the 
foliage  and  cannot  be  seen  at  all  unless  looked 
for  and  tied  up  to  a  stick.  There  are  a  few  of 
the  excellent  habit  of  the  original  Moutan 
type,  and  it  is  those  only  that  are  things  of 
such  extraordinary  beauty  in  the  garden.  As 
cut  blooms  I  have  not  yet  found  one  single 
variety  of  any  sort,  either  among  doubles  or 
singles,  that  is  not  beautiful  when  well  grown, 
which  is  more  than  I  should  be  inclined  to 
.=ay  of  most  flowers ;  but  the  number  of 
varieties  with  first-class  habit  and  vigour  is 
select,  to  put  it  mildly.  Fragrans  maxima 
(blush  pink).  Souvenir  de  Ducher  (purple), 
and  Peine  Elizabeth  (red)  are  the  very 
sturdiest  and  most  vigorous  of  all  here.  There 
are  many  others  very  good  and  even  more 
brilliant  in  colour,  such  as  Stuart  Low  (flame 
colour).  Cup  de  Tuder  (soft  pink),  and  Bijou  de 
Chusan  (pure  white,  loveliest  of  all  in  my 
eyes),  but  they  are  not  quite  as  vigorous  as 
the  flrst  lot.  And  so  I  could  go  on  through 
the  list,  till  at  last  there  are  six  or  seven 
varieties  that  are  so  straggling,  weedy,  and 
untidy  that  I  think  I  shall  harden  my  heart 
and  dig  them  up,  though  that  lovely  single 
Marie  Stuart  almost  redeems  its  miserably 
weedy  growth.  An  old  bush  of  Reine 
Elizabeth  in  a  neighbour's  garden  had  on  it 
sixty  huge  blooms  out  at  one  time,  and  the 
biggest  flowers  were  within  an  inch  of  being 
3  feet  in  circumference.  This  will  make  it 
evident  that  where  all  are  so  beautiful  it  is  of 
the  first  importance  that  they  should  grow 
strongly  and  show  their  flowers  well  above  the 
handsome  leaves.    It  is  the  merit  of  the  Tree 


346 


THE    GARDEN. 


PKony  to  delight  in  a  good,  strong,  and 
calcareous  soil,  so  those  who  cannot  grow 
Khododendrons  should  console  themselves  by 
growing  Pi«onies.  I  have  seen  them  very 
good  in  the  north  of  England  and  excellent  in 
Norfolk,  so  it  is  soil,  situation,  and  shelter, 
rather  than  a  warm  climate,  that  they 
need.  Frost  in  spring  is,  of  course,  their 
bane,  and  that  is  the  drawback  to  their 
culture  in  England,  which  is,  fortunately, 
absent  here. 

Rose  Perle  von  Gudesberg  is  one  of  the 
few  new  sorts  that  have  proved  of  some 
merit  this  spring,  tor  the  sudden  and  sus- 
tained heat  has  forced  on  and  even  destroyed 
the  beauty  of  young  Roses  that  have  not  yet 
had  time  to  root  deeply.        E.  H.  Woodall. 


NOTES    FROM    SW^ANS^VICK. 

The  winter  here  has  been  happily  uneventful. 
There  were  no  severe  frosts  ;  wet  everything  seems 
to  take  as  a  matter  of  course  after  last  summer, 
and  the  cold  winds  we  always  have  in  April  and 
May  are  perhaps,  so  far,  rather  less  biting  than 
usual.  North-west  is  where  the  wind  has  been 
hanging  for  weeks  past,  and  when  the  sun  is  bright 
we  can  almost  imagine  ourselves  nice  and  warm, 
so  we  do  not  coniplam.  A  few  things  have  not  so 
much  died  of  the  winter  as  dwindled  away  in  its 
course,  because  they  had  become  very  weakly 
before  it  began.  Daphne  striata  is  one  of  these. 
It  had  a  bad  start,  coming  from  an  auction  very 
much  dried  up,  which,  of  course,  it  resented  in  the 
implacable  way  of  hard-wooded  plants,  and  now 
out  of  six  sizeable  bushes  I  have  but  one  with  any 
hope  about  it.  I  do  not  think  the  soil,  full  of  lime 
as  it  is,  or  the  situation  is  to  blame,  for  a  very 
small  plant  of  Daphne  blagayana,  so  small  that  1 
scarcely  thought  it  could  survive,  has  done  very 
well,  and  the  Spurge  Laurel,  that  presumably 
likes  the  same  conditions,  is  a  perfect  weed  in  the 
shrubbery.  It  is  an  engaging  shrub,  always  cheer- 
ful with  its  glossy  evergreen  leafage,  and  at  the 
earliest  hint  of  spring  covered  with  the  waxy, 
inconspicuous  greenish  yellow  flowers  that  have  an 
intensely  sweet,  though  delicate,  scent.  The  flower 
of  Daphne  striata  is  not  much,  not  nearly  so  pretty 
as  that  of  D.  Cneorum,  which  it  resembles,  though 
smaller  and  duller  in  tint,  and  if  it  were  not  rather 
uncommon  it  would  not  be  so  much  regretted. 

The  prettiest  sight  of  the  garden  just  now  is  in 

the  bit  of  border,  backed  by  a  low  Box  hedge,  and 

behind   that  again   a    bank   of  grass   and    shrubs, 

where  there  is  a  mass  of  Barriconspicuus  Daffodils, 

with  a  stretch  of  lilac  Aubrietia  as  a  flat  edging  in 

front.     Then   comes   a   little   tread-path  of   burnt 

earth,    such  as  we  make  to   break    up    blocks   of 

kitchen  garden  where  there  is  not  space  enough  for 

a  wide  gravel  path,   and  on  the  other  side  of  this 

some  long  irregular  lines  of  Tulips  of  all  colours, 

red,  rosy,  striped,  white,   and  yellow.     The  value 

of  the  mauve  or  lilac  Aubrietia  in  this  little  bit  of 

mosaic  is  incalculable.     There  is  something  about 

it  and  the  grey  silver-green  of  its  foliage  cushions 

that   harmonises  deliciously   with   the   Barri  con- 

spicuus  leafage,  also  of  a  silvery  tone  from  a  distance, 

and  when  you  get  well  above  the  whole  picture, 

and  .50   yards  or  GO  yards  off,  as  you  do  by  going 

indoors   and  looking   out   of   a  glass   gallery  that 

some  foolish  builder  added  to  the  north-east  side  of 

the  house  instead  of  to  the  opposite  aspect,  you 

realise  that  there  are  other  uses  for  Aubrietia  than 

the  clothing  of  banks  along  the  sides  of  carriage 

drives.     The  newer  light  and  dark  pink-purple — 

or    one   might  excusably   say   magenta-pink — and 

bluish   tones    in    Aubrietias    look    horrid  in    this 

garden,   whatever  they    may   do    elsewhere.      No 

doubt  they  have  larger  and  finer  flowers  (and  also 

longer  and  much  more  straggly  stalks  and  habit), 

but  their   colour  is  not  the  perfect  tenderness  of 

tone  that   Nature   intended   and  achieved   in  the 

neat,     low     and     compact     growing     pale     lilac 

variety.     As  to  the  double  white  Arabia,  however, 

there  can  hardly  be  two  opinions.     Here,  a  single 

plant  of  two  seasons  ago  is  now  a  spread  of  yards 

and  yards,  all  one  mass  of  exquisite  blossom  ;  and 


last  year  it  was  beautiful  all  through  the  summer. 
Any  scrap  stuck  in  anywhere  and  at  any  time 
grows  riotously,  but  the  flowers  are  finer,  the 
white  spikes  larger  and  longer  in  sun  than  in  shade. 
I  had  some  double  Violets — Marie  Louise  and 
Comte  de  Brazza — which  had  been  over  a  year  in 
the  open  garden.  They  did  not  do  well,  for 
although  this  is  Violet  soil,  and  the  singles  spread 
in  it  like  wildfire,  they  seemed  starved  and  poor, 
with  small  leaves  and  meagre  flowers,  when  there 
are  any  at  all.  So  last  September  they  were  taken 
up,  divided  into  small  clumps,  and  planted  in  loam 
and  leaf-mould  about  1  foot  deep,  with  a  frame 
over  them.  They  began  to  bloom  in  February  ; 
enormous  flowers,  the  blue  ones  splendid  in  colour, 
the  white  beautifully  pure,  and  full  of  scent.  Now, 
however,  the  bloom  is  quite  over,  so  that  their 
season  has  only  been  just  over  two  months  long. 
The  question  is,  whether  it  is  worth  while  to  grow 
them  at  all,  since  they  use  up  a  little  time  in  the 
winter,  although  all  they  need  is  to  have  the  lights 
taken  on  and  put  off,  and  to  be-  occasionally 
watered,  and  sometimes  to  have  liquid  manure 
later  on.  While  they  are  there,  however,  the 
flowers  are  so  very  lovely,  and  they  last  so  grandly 
in  water — keeping  fresh  and  sweet  for  nearly  a 
fortnight,  while  the  singles  are  scentless  in  two 
days  and  wilted  in  three — that  I  almost  think  the 
game  does  deserve  the  candle.  Possibly,  better- 
prepared  roots  might  have  flowered  longer  ;  but  I 
hardly  think  the  health  of  these  plants — when 
they  had  once  established  themselves  the  change 
in  them  was  magical — could  have  been  surpassed 
immediately  before  and  during  their  flowering. 

I  have  several  bushes  of  Andromeda,  which  are 
exceedingly  pretty  just  now.  They  were  auction 
plants,  put  in  last  year  about  February  or  March. 
When  planted  they  were  in  bud,  and  they  subse- 
quently flowered,  but  the  blossoms  looked  dry  and 
lifeless,  like  paper,  and  quite  unattractive  and 
uninteresting.  After  that  I  felt  sure  they  would 
die,  although  we  had  given  them  as  much  peat  as 
possible,  and  removed,  so  far  as  was  feasible,  the 
native  lime-impregnated  soil  from  about  them. 
The  wet  summer,  however,  was  their  salvation, 
and  now  they  are  in  full  glory  of  nice,  plump, 
waxen  little  white  Heath-bells,  and  their  Box- 
like leaves  are  evidence  of  complete,  and,  I  hope, 
not  merely  temporary  satisfaction.  "  Wait,"  said 
a  pessimistic  friend  last  summer,  in  presence  of  the 
Rhododendrons  I  showed  him,  making  good 
growth  after  a  first  flowering,  "  until  the  lime  gets 
thoroughly  into  their  tissues,  and  then  you'll  see." 
Probably  the  Andromedas  will  resent  it  when  they 
spread  be)'ond  their  local  peat  area.  Some  of  the 
Rhododendrons  in  question  already  have  a  sickly 
cast,  and  certainly  a  good  Rhododendron  mass  is, 
so  far  as  I  know,  not  to  be  seen  anywhere  about 
Bath. 

Perhaps  the  garden  guest  whose  vernal  return 
has  been  greeted  with  fondest  acclamation  is 
Ranunculus  glacialis.  A  very  fine,  strong  seed- 
ling and  a  much  smaller  and  leas  sappy-looking, 
but  much  older,  pot-plant  were  set  together  about 
the  same  time  last  year,  and  under  precisely 
similar  conditions.  The  former  immediately  made 
it  its  business  to  die,  not  with  greedy  haste,  but 
thoroughly,  and  making  the  most  of  the  process. 
The  plant,  however,  sat  sturdily  on  until  its 
normal  retreat  for  the  winter,  and  has  just 
reappeared,  happy  and  healthy  and  brilliantly 
polished  of  leaf.  A  vile  blackbird,  rooting 
furiously  in  the  leaf-mould  mulch  of  the  shady 
rockery,  tore  up  the  crown,  and  with  it  all  the 
life,  of  my  one  cherished  Conandron  ramondioides, 
and  also  my  Schizocodon  soldauelloidea — which, 
perhaps,  was  a  righteous  judgment  on  me  for 
planting  "in  ones,"  only  that  I  feel  perfectly  sure 
it  would  have  served  groups  exactly  the  same — 
and  further  destroyed  the  little  planting  of  Shortia 
galacifolia.  All  these  plants  needed  a  leaf-mould 
mulch,  and  yet,  if  I  plant  them  again,  as,  of 
course,  I  shall  when  I  have  got  over  my  present 
attitude  of  disgusted  despair,  they  will  have  to  do 
without  it,  because  in  this  garden  those  hateful 
birds  with  the  devastating  yellow  bills  are  on  the 
spot  inatanter  when  any  sort  of  mulching  is 
employed.  Not  that  they  eat  slugs  ;  oh  !  dear  no, 
nothing    furtcer    from    their    thoughts    or    their 


[May  14,  1904. 


delicate  palates.  On  the  shady  rockery  thp 
Epimediums,  especially  one,  which  I  take  to  be 
E.  purpureum,  and  in  which  the  exquisitely  deli- 
cate leafage  on  its  trembling,  hair-like  stems  is  of: 
a  faintly  flushed  rosy  bronze  to  match  the  fragile- 
seeming  and  yet  ver}^  enduring  blossoms  that  are 
touched  with  pink  and  primrose  in  the  centre,  are 
just  now  quite  enchanting.  Even  the  unlearned, 
who  generally  take  no  notice  of  such  quietly 
beautiful  things,  all  notice  the  misty  delicate 
loveliness  of  this  plant  the  moment  they  come  to 
it.  It  and  a  pale  yellow-flowered  form  with 
pinkish  leafage  are  the  pioneers,  the  rest  of  about 
a  dozen  varieties  I  have  are  still  in  an  undeveloped 

M.  L.  W. 


''Holland   in    Ireland."— So  much  has 

been  already  written,  and  well  written,  by  experts 
and  others  of  the  wonderfully  successful  industry 
carried  on  by  Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson  at  their 
bulb  farm.  Rush,  County  Dublin,  that  little  remains 
to  be  said  that  is  new.  The  industry  is  a  most 
attractive  one,  and  though  of  comparatively  recent 
origin,  it  has  been  very  successful.  Messrs.  Hogg 
and  Robertson,  if  they  have  done  nothing  eke,  have 
proved  beyond  all  doubt  the  suitability  of  Irish 
soil  for  flower  growing.  The  exquisite  beauty  of 
the  picture  which  is  revealed  when  the  myriads  of 
plants  have  burst  into  full  bloom  is  not  easily 
forgotten,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  annually 
the  farm  attracts  increasing  numbers  of  cross- 
Channel  visitors.  Situated  within  fifteen  miles  of 
Dublin  the  bulb  farm  now  extends  to  twenty-five 
acres,  on  which  there  are  grown  no  fewer  than  300 
varieties  of  Daffodils  and  Tulips.  In  other  words, 
seven  miles  are  laid  down  with  these  plants,  whole 
acres  of  which  have  already  burst  into  bloom. 

LathyPUS  pubescens.— Although  some- 
times met  with  growing  in  sheltered  positions  out 
of  doors  in  the  south  of  England,  the  ideal  place 
for  this  plant  is  a  cool,  airy  greenhouse.  Seldom  is 
it  met  with  flowering  so  profusely  as  it  is  at  present 
at  Kew,  both  on  the  roof  and  covering  a  pillar. 
Some  of  the  growths  are  quite  20  feet  in  length. 
The  colour  is  a  pleasing  shade  of  lavender.  The 
compact  racemes  bear  an  average  of  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  flowers,  although  several  have  as  many  as 
eighteen.  Individually  the  flowers  are  scarcely  so 
large  as  the  common  Sweet  Pea.  The  name  pubes- 
cens  is  admirably  descriptive,  the  leaves  being 
covered  with  down.  It  produces  young  growths 
from  the  old  stems  as  well  as  from  the  base.  If 
given  a  suitable  position  it  climbs  readily  by 
tendrils.  At  Kew  the  plants  are  growing  in  a 
well  drained  border.  When  planted  last  year  a 
little  peat  and  sand  were  mixed  with  the  loam, 
but  the  roots  have  now  penetrated  far  beyond  this. 
Several  sprays  of  L.  pubescens  were  exhibited  at 
the  last  Drill  Hall  meeting  by  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.  It  is  a  native  of  South  America,  and 
figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine.,  tab.  399G. — A.  O. 

Polyanthuses  in  grass.— On  page  302 

"S.  H.  H."  mentions  the  use  of  these  on  grass 
land.  I  am  pleased  to  endorse  his  remarks,  having 
grown  them  in  the  pleasure  grounds  here  for  at 
least  ten  years.  Many  that  were  planted  six  and 
eight  years  ago  are  still  doing  well  in  many 
positions,  and  are  almost  as  good  as  in  the  first 
year.  Our  custom  has  been  to  plant  them  in 
groups  frequently  among  the  wild  Primroses,  and 
now  we  have  abundance  of  coloured  wild  hybrids. 
This  last  autumn  I  planted  some  of  the  blue 
Primroses  on  a  shady  bank  beside  the  wild  ones  to 
see  the  effect  of  cross-breeding.  We  have  both 
Primroses  and  Polyanthuses  mixed  with  the 
common  Daffodils,  and  a  glorious  piece  of  colour  is 
the  result.  This  plan  is  largely  adopted  at  Sand- 
hurst Lodge,  where  the  grounds  abound  with  all 
kinds  of  spring  flowers.  As  regards  the  foliage 
when  the  grass  is  cut,  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Gardeners'  Society  at  Reading  Mr.  Townsend  said 
it  did  them  no  harm  providing  the  grass  was  not 
mown  too  early,  and  this  is  my  experience. 
We  generally  mow  our  grass  from  July  1  to 
.July  14.  Polyanthuses  are  far  more  effective  when 
planted  in  colours  than  Primroses,  and  do  not  get 
splashed  by  the  soil  as  in  borders. — J.  Ceook, 
Forde  Ahhey  Gardens,  Somerset. 


isfey- 


GARDEN 


No.  1696.— Vol.  LXV. 


[May   21,   1904. 


KEW   IN   EARLY   SUMMER. 

ALL  who  are  interested  in  trees  and 
shrubs  should  visit  the  Koyal 
Gardens,  Kew,  before  the  great 
k  groups  of  early  summer  flowering 
species  and  varieties  pass  out  of 
bloom.  This  is  a  year  of  abundant  blossoming, 
a  remarkable  upset  of  opinions  expressed 
earlier  in  the  year— that  1904  would  be  flower- 
less  and  fruitless  through  the  ill-ripening  of 
the  wood  in  the  abnormally  wet  summer  and 
autumn  of  1903.  But  quite  the  reverse  has 
happened,  and  this  is  no  doubt  due  to  the 
summer  warmth  in  June  last,  the  three 
brightest  weeks  of  the  whole  year,  when  tree 
and  shrub  were  perfecting  the  buds  that  are 
now  expanded  flowers.  Kew,  at  the  moment 
of  writing— a  warm  sun,  tempered  Avith  a 
pleasant  breeze — is  full  of  scents  and  colour. 
The  collections  of  Pyrus,  Prunus,  Berberis, 
Lilac,  SpiriEa,  Broom,  and  many  other  families 
are  in  their  richest  beauty,  which  is  empha- 
sised by  a  grouping  that  we  can  find  in  few 
private  and  public  gardens. 

If  we  were  asked  to  name  a  garden  to  train 
the  eye  to  beautiful  eflfects  and  a  right  setting 
out  of  trees  and  shrubs  we  should  say  Kew  ; 
and  this  grouping  is  not  confined  to  the  wood- 
land, but  is  seen  in  all  parts  of  the  grounds  — 
perhaps  a  massing  of  Doronicum,  of  Lily,  or 
of  Japanese  Primrose.  The  Daffodils  in  the 
grass  have  faded,  but  the  Tulips  are  in  their 
splendour,  the  Darwin  varieties,  or  "  May- 
flowering,"  as  we  prefer  to  call  them,  for  they 
are  simply  forms  of  Tulipa  gesneriana,  filling 
many  beds  in  front  of  the  Palm  house.  Some- 
times there  is  a  daring  association  of  colour, 
in  one  instance  a  large  group  of  an  intense 
plum-coloured  Tulip,  The  Sultan,  we  think, 
and  dark  Wallflower,  an  effect  we  have  never 
seen  elsewhere — lurid,  interesting,  and  un- 
common. 

The  Lilacs  are  at  their  best.  A  mass  of  the 
finest  varieties  may  be  seen  near  the  entrance 
from  Kew  Green,  and  with  the  shrubs  plainly 
labelled  there  is  no  difficulty  in  making 
a  selection  for  planting  in  the  autumn.  Here 
the  dark  purple  of  Souv.  de  Louis  Spath  is 
shown  against  the  double  -  white  Marie 
Legraye,  and  varieties  one  is  not  accustomed 
to  find  in  the  average  garden  should  be  noted 
for  future  planting.  Mme.  Jules  Finger  is  one 
of  these,  a  variety  of  tender  shade,  almost  the 
same  as  the  pure  colouring  of  the  common 
Lilac  of  our  gardens,  quite  double,  but  not 
with  little  rosettes  tightly  packed  in  a  heavy 


cluster.  A  feature  of  some  of  the  newer 
varieties  is  an  unwelcome  stodginess  in  the 
clustering  of  flowers.  We  cannot  improve 
upon  the  gracefulness  of  the  common  Lilac, 
which  in  its  colouring  is  the  most  prized  of  its 
race. 

A  few  yards  from  this  instructive  grouping 
of  Lilacs  is  a  mass  of  Pyrus  Schiedeckeri,  a 
supposed  hybrid  between  P.  spectabilis  and 
P.  Toringo.  It  is  as  if  a  pink  foam  were 
dashing  over  the  trees — a  misty  cloud  of 
colour,  more  beautiful  even  than  the  veil  of 
flowers  that  covers  Pyrus  floribunda,  which  of 
all  the  Pyruses  is  happily  the  most  popular. 

In  the  arboretum  the  student  or  seeker  after 
merely  the  best  shrubs  in  their  respective 
genera  will  find  a  wealth  of  beautiful  species 
and  varieties  in  bloom,  and  see,  too,  that  many 
of  the  commoner  trees  and  shrubs  have  a  special 
value  in  the  woodland  in  spring.  The  Mahaleb 
Cherry  and  its  weeping  variety  are  a  sea  of 
grey  and  white,  the  slender  branches  floating! 
as  it  were,  in  the  fragrant  air ;  Prunus 
serrulata,  its  flower- laden  branches  dark  and 
stiff  against  the  sky ;  Berberises,  fountains  of 
yellow  and  orange  ;  and  drifts  of  white  from 
Spir;ea  and  Cherry. 

It  seems  unsympathetic  to  find  fault  when 
so  great  a  work  has  been  accomplished  and  is 
continuing,  but  the  practice  of  sticking  labels 
in  the  centre  of  a  bush,  as  in  the  Hollies,  is 
unsatisfactory.  The  label  should  be  placed 
firmly  in  the  ground  outside,  and  not  hidden 
like  a  bird's-nest  in  the  centre  for  those  who 
wish  to  discover  the  name  to  poke  out. 

From  now  onwards  till  the  Kniphofias  and 
the  Asters  tell  of  the  ending  of  autumn  Kew 
should  be  visited  as  often  as  an  opportunity  is 
given.  The  seasons  bring  their  own  flowers, 
and,  as  this  is  a  botanic  garden  as  well  as  a 
pictorially  beautiful  place  in  itself,  visits  must 
be  frequent  and  lengthy  if  the  many  rare  and 
uncommon  plants  are  to  be  seen  in  flower. 
It  was  Kew,  as  we  pointed  out  last  week,  that 
led  the  way  in  planting  the  May  Tulips  in 
brave  masses  ;  at  Kew  was  built  one  of  the 
first  plant  houses  for  sheltering  the  early 
flowers  of  the  year  ;  and  this  progressive  and 
intelligent  spirit  dominates  the  whole  work 
that  is  accomplished  in  every  department. 
It  is  right  to  praise  where  praise  is  due,  and 
this  we  can  give  unstintingly  to  the  Director 
and  his  helpers.  The  Koyal  Gardens  are  no 
longer  a  dry-as-dust  living  herbarium,  but 
beautiful  in  themselves  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year. 


MAYTIME. 

Now  every  twig  and  leaflet 

Into  freali  May-green  breaks ; 
The  larks  are  soaring  skywards, 

The  purple  Violet  wakes. 
With  golden  light  the  hill-tops  dart — 
O  World,  how  beautiful  thou  art 
In  May  ! 
And  when  the  buds  are  bursting. 

Low  !  all  the  earth  is  atirr'd ! 
The  brooklets  ripple  madly, 

The  merry  birds  are  heard. 
There  rings  the  song  from  every  heart : 
O  World,  how  beautiful  thou  art 
In  May  ! 
How  gladly  sway  the  flowers 

Beneath  the  sunny  sky  ! 
How  high  the  birds  are  mounting  ! 

I,  too,  would  mount  as  high, 
And  soaring  thus,  pour  out  my  heart — 
0  World,  how  beautiful  thou  art 
In  Way  1 

Sydney  Hesselkigge. 
—(From  the  German  of  J.  Uodenberg.) 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

May  25. — Edinburgh  Spring  Show  (two  days). 

May  30. — Kew  Guild  Dinner. 

May  31. — Royal  Horticultura,l  Society's  Temple 
Show  (three  daj's). 

June  1. — Proposed  Gardeners'  Association  Public 
Meeting,  Essex  Hall,  Strand,  5  30  p.m. 


New  plants  at  the  Royal  Hoptl- 

CUltUPal  Society.  —  One  of  the  most  in- 
•teresting  meetings  that  we  have  attended  for  some 
time  past  was  that  of  Tuesday  last,  when  the  Drill 
Hall  was  filled  with  Tulips  of  all  classes,  and 
several  plants  were  shown  for  the  first  time.  The 
little  group  of  Onco-Regalia,  or  hybrid  Oncocyclus 
Irises,  from  Mr.  C.  G.  Van  Tubergen,  of  Haarlem, 
was  a  delight.  They  were  hybrids  between 
I.  Korolkowi  and  I  iberica,  and  with  such  a 
parentage  an  uninteresting  progeny  is  impossible. 
The  flowers  possessed  both  graceful  beauty  and 
delicate  colouring,  with  veined  and  shaded 
standards  and  falls  that  almost  defy  description. 
Notes  appear  about  them  on  another  page.  Mrs. 
Mangles,  Valewood,  Haslemere,  sent  a  Rhododen- 
dron named  Dawn,  which  may  be  compared  to 
Pink  Pearl ;  its  flowers  are  4  inches  across,  deeper 
in  colour,  and  make  up  a  noble  truss.  Another 
hybrid  came  from  Mr.  H.  A.  Mangles,  Farnham, 
Surrey,  and  was  named  Beauty  of  Littleworth. 
The  flowers  are  the  same  size  as  those  of  Dawn, 
but  of  purest  white  with  a  few  chocolate-crimson 
spots  on  the  lower  petal — a  lovely  flower.  R. 
Gertrude  Jekyll  came  from  the  same  exhibitor. 
This  is  quite  a  diS'erent  style  of  flower,  large,  some- 
what hard  in  outline,  and  white  with  a  sharply 
defined  bordering  of  red.  It  stands  up  well,  and 
would  be  effective  in  the  garden,  though  it  has 
little  of  the  graceful  charm  of  the  two  others  named. 

The  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 

Institution. — On  the  5ch  iust.,  by  the  con- 
tinued kindness  of  the  president  of  the  Worcester 
Auxiliary,  the  Earl  Beauchamp,  the  beautiful 
gardens  of  Madresfield  Court  were  again  placed  at 


,348 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


the  services  of  that  committee  in  aid  of  the  funds 
of  the  parent  institution.  A  small  charge  was 
made  for  admission,  upwards  of  £21  was  taken 
at  the  gates,  and  about  700  people  were  present. 
The  weather  was  cold  and  threatening,  which  pro- 
bably deterred  many  from  enjoying  so  great  a 
privilege.  The  gardens,  needless  to  say,  were,  as 
usual,  in  the  pink  of  perfection,  and  visitors  were 
loud  in  their  praises  of  the  many  beautiful  com- 
binations and  harmony  of  colour  of  the  naturalised 
bulbs  and  other  spring  flowers  in  the  grass,  the 
same  having  bsen  planted  artistically  on  a  colossal 
scale  during  the  last  ten  years.  The  grouping  of 
hardy  flowering  shrubs  in  large  irregular  masses 
was  much  admired.  The  kitchen  gardens,  hot 
houses,  and  hardy  fruit  plantations  were  also 
open,  each  of  which  found  unstinted  praise  ;  the 
latter  contains  a  large  number  of  faultless  specimens 
in  great  variety,  the  like  of  which  would  be  hard 
to  beat,  and  now  so  full  of  promise,  blooming  in  the 
greatest  profusion.  A  pleasant  afternoon  was 
spent,  full  of  the  greatest  interest  to  one  and  all. 
It  was  hoped  that  other  large-hearted  owners  of 
gardens  would  do  likewise  by  giving  so  much 
pleasure  to  the  gardening  public  and  consequently 
helping  such  a  deserving  cause.  Gardeners,  follow 
up  our  worthy  patron's  advice  and  "wake  up," 
and  do  your  part  in  putting  that  advice  into 
practice. — Communicated. 

StrawbePPy  pPOSpeetS.— The  country 
is  smiling  this  year,  and  as  yet  no  glaring  head- 
lines have  appeared  in  the  daily  press  telling  of 
the  hopeless  ruin  of  this  or  that  fruit  crop  through 
frost  or  some  other  cause.  To  the  market  Straw- 
berry grower  the  first  blooms  which  appear  on  the 
plants  are  of  great  importance,  as  they  mean  not 
only  early  but  fine  fruits,  and  these  are  the  speci- 
mens which  command  the  best  prices  in  the  market 
before  there  is  any  danger  of  a  glut.  Last  year 
the  Strawberry  crop  was  a  disappointing  one,  the 
first  blooms  in  most  cases  being  ruined  by  frost, 
with  the  result  that  there  was  little  fruit  to  pick 
at  the  time  when  it  would  have  fetched  the  most 
money.  After  the  early  check,  however,  the  plants 
recouped  themselves,  flowered  freely,  and  fruited 
heavily,  but  all  the  produce  came  in  at  once,  with 
the  usual  disappointing  results  which  accompany 
an  over  supply.  So  far  frosts  have  kept  ofl^,  and 
Strawberry  fields  look  very  promising,  as  trusses 
of  fine  flowers  may  be  seen  showing  above  the 
outline  of  the  foliage.  If  no  sharp  frost  comes  to 
blacken  the  centres  of  these  early  flowers,  there  is 
every  reason  to  think  that  fine  fruit  will  be  in  the 
market  in  good  time  and  in  plentiful  quantitv  this 
year.  So  far  as  varieties  are  concerned,  Royal 
Sovereign  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  are  still  the  main- 
stay of  commercial  growers.  Varied  opinions  are 
expressed  regarding  the  merits  of  the  new  Laxton, 
which  has  not  been  out  long  enough  yet  to  have  a 
fair  trial  as  a  commercial  variety,  though  private 
growers  generally  speak  well  of  it.  It  is  curious 
to  observe  that,  in  spite  of  the  many  Strawberries 
in  cultivation,  only  a  very  few  varieties  are  suitable 
for  the  purposes  of  the  market  growers,  and  these 
are  grown  almost  to  the  exclusion  of  all  others.— 
G.  H.  H. 

Thpee  beautiful  Tulips. —  Shown   by 

Messrs.  R.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Kilnfiold  (iardens, 
Colchester,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural S  wiety  on  Tuesday  last  were  the  following  : 
Inglescombe  Pink,  a  bold  handsome  flower,  shot 
with  a  bright  pink  shade,  buff,  and  a  trace  of 
salmon,  a  perfect  harmony  of  colouring  diffieult  to 
describe,  but  enjoyable  in  the  full  sunlight  when  the 
flowers  open  out  to  disclose  the  pool  of  blue-green  in 
the  centre;  Kathleen,  a  delicately  beautiful  flower, 
a  form  of  Gesneriana  ixioides,  pale  yellow,  with 
inky  base  ;  and  Flame,  a  superb  scarlet  colour,  as 
the  name  suggests,  and  intensely  bright  in  the  sun. 
A  bed  of  this  must  be  a  wonderful  mass  of  colour. 

Royal   Gapdeneps'  Opphan  Fund. 

The  sixteenth  annual  dinner  of  this  fund  was  held 
at  the  Hotel  Cucil  on  Tuesday  last,  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Birt. ,  in  the  chair.  There  was  a  record 
attendance,  and  almost  a  record  subscription  list ; 
the  latter  totalled  £815.  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  was 
supported  by  Sir  .lohn  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  the 
Hon.  John  Bosoawen,  Mr.  C'icil  Hanbury,  Mr. 
Jeremiah  Colman,  Mr.  Harry  Veitch,  Mr.  Lwuard 


AN   ORCHID   BOUQaET. 

Sutton,  and  others.  A  full  report  of  the  proceed- 
ings will  be  found  on  another  page. 

An  OPChid  Bouquet.— Messrs.  Charles- 
worth  and  Co.,  the  great  Orchid  growers  at 
Bradford,  send  a  photograph  of  the  bouquet  made 
by  them  for  presentation  to  the  Princess  of  Wales 
on  her  recent  visit  to  Bradford.  We  reproduce  it 
with  pleasure. 

The    new   Edinbupg-h  Papk.  —  Mr. 

J.  W.  McHattie,  the  city  gardener,  has  prepared 
plans  for  the  laying  out  of  the  park  at  Saughtonand 
Balgreen,  acquired  some  time  ago  by  the  City  of 
Edinburgh  for  recreation  grounds.  As  the  land 
was  intended  principally  for  this  purpose,  pro- 
vision has  been  made  on  a  considerable  scale  for 
golf  and  other  games,  but  the  horticultural  side 
has  not  been  overlooked,  for  it  is  intended  to  have 
herbaceous  and  Rose  gardens,  for  which  the  old 
garden  is  well  adapted.  There  is  also  to  be 
nursery  ground.  The  plans  appear  calculated  to 
meet  the  ends  in  view,  and  to  provide  what  will  be 
a  great  boon  to  people  at  that  side  of  the  city. 

Kew  Guild  dinner.- We  are  requested 
to  remind  our  readers  who  are  old  Kewites  that 
the  annual  dinner  will  take  place  at  the  Holborn 
Restaurant  on  the  30th  inst.  at  7.30  p.m.,  and  that 
the  secretary,  Mr.  Winn,  would  be  glad  to  hear 
before  the  23ril  from  all  who  intend  to  be  present. 
The  Earl  of  Onslow,  president  of  the  Board  of 
Agriculture,  and  Sir  W.  T.  Thiselton-Dyer, 
director  of  Kew,  will  be  present. 

Proposed      testimonial      to      Mp. 

Mawley. — It  is  good  news  that  the  members  of 
the  National  Rose  Society  have  determined  to 
make  a  presentation  to  Mr.  Mawley,  as  some 
token  of  his  devoted  services  as  honorary  secretary 
since  this  famous  organisation  was  founded.  In 
December  last  the  society  completed  twenty-seven 
years  of  existence,  and  until  the  past  two  or  three 
years  the  Rev.  H.  D'ombrain  and  Mr.  Mawley 
worked  hand  in  hand.  Failing  health  resulted  in 
Mr.  D'ombrain'a  retirement,  and  since  then  Mr. 
Mawley  has  carried  out  the  work  alone.  There 
are  over  1,000  members  of  the  society,  and  the 
work  is  increasing.  A  circular  has  been  issued  by 
a  small  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  A.  Dickson, 
Newtownards,  County  Down,  Ireland,  Mr.  H.  P. 
Landon,  58,  New  Broad  Street,  EC.,  and  the 
Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering,  Romford,  to 
whom  subscriptions  may  be  sent.  We  hope  the 
response  will  be  a  liberal  one. 

Notes  from  Baden-Baden.— Lobelew 

skia  lithophila  is  flowering  freely,  and  keeps  on 
for  several  weeks.  It  is  a  white-flowered  Crucifer, 
with  a  multitude  of    heads  about  30  centimetres 


high,  and  deserves  a  place  in  any  large  collection. 
My  clumps  of  Podoph3'llum  Emodi  majus  are  quite 
stately.  One  of  the  clumps  had  fifteen  flowers, 
and  is  now  nearly  1  metre  high.  Primula  capi- 
tellata  (B  )iss)  is  in  the  way  of  denticulata,  but  is 
more  freely  flowered  and  deeper  in  colour.  Iris 
tectorum  album  is  in  great  beauty,  and  the 
numerous  flowers  of  I.  gracilipes  are  quite  lovely  ; 
they  are  lilac,  with  a  white  blotch  and  crest. 
Anemone  globosa  is  not  gaudy,  but  its  small 
magenta-red  flowers  are  botanically  interesting. 
Pulsatilla  regeliana  is  good  ;  the  flowers  are 
violet,  clothed  with  silky  hairs.  To-day  (the  15th 
inst.)  the  first  blooms  of  Incarvillea  grandiflora 
are  out.  Owing  to  the  rainy  weather  the  showiest 
of  all  Tree  Paionies  (Gloria  Belgarum)  is  magnifi- 
cent. It  has  sixteen  flowers  of  a  fiery  salmon 
colour,  which  are  quite  25  centimetres  across. — 
Max  Leiceitun,  Baden-Baden. 

Two  ppetty  Daisies  in  flower  in  a  border 
at  Kew  just  now  are  Longfellow  and  Snowball. 
The  former  may  be  likened  to  a  little  reflexed 
Chrysanthemum  ;  its  petals  are  suffused  with  a 
clear  pink  colouring,  and  the  unfolded  centre  of 
the  flower  is  purple.  Snowball,  as  its  name 
suggests,  is  white,  with  a  centre  of  yellow.  Those 
who  care  for  the  double  Daisies  should  add  them 
to  their  other  varieties. 

Veg-etation    pecopds.— On    the   1st  of 

May  some  years  ago  I  noted  the  state  of  some 
indigenous  trees  and  shrubs  with  a  view  to  future 
comparison,  if  spared,  at  the  same  date.  Each 
year  since  this  has  been  carried  out.  So  far  the 
spring  of  1893  has  been  the  earliest.  In  that  year 
I  picked  open  flower-spikes  of  Horse  Chestnut,  Haw- 
thorn, English  Lilac,  and  Laburnum.  I  venture  to 
suggest  to  some  of  3'our  younger  correspondents 
and  readers  that  it  would  be  interesting  to  them 
in  the  3'ears  to  come  if  they  were  to  begin  in  time 
and  keep  a  few  similar  notes.  It  is  necessary  to 
alwa3's  take  one's  observations  from  the  same 
specimen,  whether  tree  or  shrub.  Within  a  short 
distance  of  where  I  am  writing  there  are  two  large 
Beeches  not  30  3'ards  apart.  One  of  them  is  in 
almost  full  leafage,  while  the  other  is  only  throwing 
off  its  bud  scales.  This  occurs  each  year  more  or 
less,  though  from  some  cause  or  other  the  difference 
this  year  is  more  marked  than  usual.  It  will  be  fully 
a  week  before  the  Chestnut  and  other  specimens 
mentioned  are  in  flower. — H.  J.  Clayton,  Griniflon 
Garden^!,  Tadcas'er. 

Royal  Botanic  Society  of  London. 

In  connexion  with  the  great  horticultural  exhibi- 
tion to  take  place  from  .lune  6  to  June  11  the 
committee  of  the  horticultural  section  have 
arranged  a  conference  on  forestry  to  be  held  on 
Wednesday,  June  S,  under  the  presidency  of  Lord 
Redesdale.  Professor  Schlich  will  give  an  address 
on  the  subject.  On  Thursday,  June  9,  Mr.  H. 
Somers  Rivers  will  read  a  paper  on  "Fruit 
Culture." — F.  Gomer  Waterer,  Secretary  Horti- 
cultural Section. 

Rhododendron  pacemosum  — A  small 

bed  of  this  delightful  little  Rhododendron  at  the 
back  of  the  Palm  house  at  Kew  just  now  shows 
well  its  beauty,  distinctness,  and  value  for  flowering 
during  the  month  of  April  or  later.  A  dozen  years 
ago  it  made  its  first  appearance  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Societ3',  when  it  was  exhibited 
by  Messrs.  Veitch,  and  a  first-class  certificate 
awarded  it.  This  Rhododendron  is  quite  hardy,  and 
of  dwarf  and  compact  habit.  The  leaves  are  about 
an  inch  long,  dark  green  above  and  tomentose 
beneath.  The  flowers,  which  are  borne  in  terminal 
and  axillary  clusters  from  the  upper  parts  of  the 
shoots,  are  individually  about  an  inch  in  diameter, 
white  tinged  with  pink,  which  deepens  into  bright 
rose  at  the  tips  of  the  segments.  The  plant  is 
seldom  more  than  a  foot  in  height.  When  filling  a 
small  round  bed,  as  at  Kew,  it  is  seen  to  great 
advantage.  It  is  equally  at  home  as  a  rockwork 
shrub,  while  it  may  be  readily  grown  in  pots  for 
flowering  under  glass.  It  is  a  native  of  the  moun- 
tainous parts  of  Yunnan  in  Western  China,  where  it 
is  said  to  occur  at  an  elevation  of  (i.OOO  feet  to 
10,000  feet.  This  district  is  very  prolific  in  Rhodo- 
dendrons, man3'  of  which  have  found  their  way 
into  cultivation  within  the  last  few  years,  though 
as  yet  they  are  not  generally  distributed. — T. 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE  GARDEN. 


849 


Narcissus   minimus.  —  This,  in  small 

colonies,  was  very  bright  and  pretty  in  early  spring 
in  Mr.  Bilney's  garden  at  Weybridge.  It  is  a 
lovely  little  species,  delighting  in  a  warm,  well 
drained  soil.  Evidently  it  is  much  in  demand 
now,  for  last  year  it  was  difficult  to  get 
flowering  bulbs  even  from  the  big  trade  growers. — 

J.  CoRNHILIj. 

Meptensia  virginiea.— I  saw  this 

throwing  up  strongly  in  Mr.  Bilney's  garden  at 
Weybridge,  where  it  is  evidently  well  established 
in  a  cool,  rather  moist,  position,  and  where  it 
enjoys  a  certain  amount  of  protection  from  hot 
sun.  These  conditions  are  absolutely  necessary  for 
the  permanent  well  being  of  this  lovely  but  rather 
capricious  hardy  flower.  In  hot,  dry  places  it 
simply  lingers  and  dies. — J.  Cornhill. 

Magnolia  eonspieua.— From  The 

Gardens,  Newick  Park,  near  Lewes,  Sussex',  Mr. 
Joseph  Hickson,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  F.  S.  Sclater, 
writes  :  "  I  send  you  a  photograph  of  Magnolia 
eonspieua  [unfortunately  not  suitable  for  reproduc- 
tion.— Ed.]  growing  in  the  kitchen  garden  here. 
It  is  a  bush  tree,  and  was  planted  against  a  low 
wooden  fence,  probably  for  protection  when  the 
plant  was  quite  small.  It  is  now  18  feet  high  and 
2.5  feet  through.  The  flowers  opened  pure  white 
this  year,  without  a  tinge  of  brown  on  them." 

Cydonia  japonica  pygmsea.— In  the 

collection  of  Japanese  Quinces  at  Kew  is  a  very 
pretty  variety  bearing  the  above  name.  It  is  a 
neat,  compact  plant  less  than  a  couple  of  feet 
high,  and  profusely  laden  with  bright  crimson 
flowers.  In  stature  it  forms  an  admirable  com- 
panion to  Cydonia  Maulei  ;  indeed,  in  colour 
the  flowers  are  a  good  deal  in  the  way  of  that 
known  as  C.  Maulei  superba.  The  "  Kew  Hand 
List  of  Trees  and  Shrubs "  gives  among  other 
synonyms  of  Cydonia  Maulei  the  names  of  C. 
japonica  alpina,  C.  japonica  pygmaea,  and  C. 
Sirgenti.  The  latter,  which  was  distributed  by 
M.  Lemoine  of  Nancy  a  few  years  ago,  was 
announced  as  having  been  discovered  by  Professor 
Sargent  on  the  mountains  of  Japan.  It  appears  to 
me  identical  with  the  plant  flowering  at  Kew  as 
C.  japonica  pygmsea,  but  in  any  case  it  is  in  colour 
widely  removed  from  the  typical  C.  Maulei.  If  a 
form  of  C.  Maulei,  it  is  at  all  events  worthy  of  a 
distinct  varietal  name.  From  the  above  it  will  be 
seen  that  these  plants,  bandied  about  for  years 
from  Cydonia  to  Pyrus,  are  in  the  latest  "Hand 
List "  classed  under  the  generic  name  of  Cydonia, 
but  in  the  previous  one  they  were  Py ruses.  It  is 
indeed  a  difficult  matter  to  keep  up  with  all  these 
changes. — T. 

Impatlens  Olivieri.— This  Balsam  now 
flowering  at  Kew  bloomed  there  last  year  for,  I 
believe,  the  first  time.  It  is  a  native  of  Uganda, 
and  for  its  introduction  we  are  indebted  to  Sir  John 
Kirk,  who  sent  seeds  to  Kew.  It  forms  a  stout, 
freely-branched,  somewhat  upright-growing  speci- 
men 3  feet  or  so  in  height,  with  very  succulent 
stems.  The  flowers,  suggesting  in  shape  and 
the  manner  in  which  they  are  borne  those  of 
1.  Sultani,  are  considerably  larger,  being  nearly 
3  inches  across,  lilac-pink,  with  a  lighter  centre. 
Though  by  no  means  showy,  it  is  certainly  a 
striking  plant,  and  one  likely  in  time  to  be  exten- 
sively grown.  It  may,  too,  prove  of  value  to  the 
hybridist,  being  a  decided  break  from  the  other 
species  in  cultivation.  While  on  the  subject  of 
these  warm  house  Balsams  it  may  be  noted  that 
Impatiens  Hawkeri,  at  one  time  so  highly  thought 
of,  has  now  almost  dropped  out  of  cultivation. — 
H.  P. 

Cinepapia    Lady  Thiselton  -  Dyep. 

Within  the  last  few  years  quite  a  distinct  race  of 
Cinerarias  has  been  obtained,  many  of  the  varieties 
of  which  are  now  very  popular  in  gardens.  They 
are  characterised  by  a  taller  and  looser  habit  of 
growth  and  smaller  flowers  than  the  ordinary 
garden  forms.  Collectively,  the  members  of  this 
section  are  usually  referred  to  as  Cineraria  stellata, 
but  to  a  few  well-marked  sorts  distinct  names  have 
been  given.  One  of  the  best  of  all  is  Lady  Thisel- 
ton-Dyer,  raised  at  Kew  by  crossing  Cineraria 
Heritieri,  a  native  of  the  Canaries,  with  the  pollen 
of  a  pretty  blue  variety  known  as  Kew  Blue.  In 
habit  and  general  appearance  this   hybrid   much 


resembles  the  typical  C.  Heritieri,  particularly  in 
the  small,  hoary  leaves.  It  grows  to  a  height  of 
2  feet  or  thereabouts,  the  upper  part  consisting  of 
large,  spreading  heads  of  blossoms,  so  that  when 
at  its  best  it  is  a  mass  of  flowers.  The  individual 
flower-heads  are  over  an  inch  across,  the  florets 
being  white  at  the  base  and  blue  towards  the  upper 
part.  I  am  not  aware  of  this  variety  having  pro- 
duced seeds,  but  it  can  be  readily  struck  from 
cuttings,  the  best  being  those  taken  from  the  base 
of  the  plant,  that  are  freely  pushed  up  just  as  the 
blossoms  are  developing.  This  variety  has  also 
the  great  merit  of  remaining  in  bloom  a  consider- 
able time.  While  on  the  subject  of  these  plants  it 
may  be  pointed  out  that,  though  to  botanists  they 
are  Senecios,  the  name  of  Cineraria  is  not  likely  to 
be  superseded  in  gardens. — T. 

Ppoposed  Gardeners'  Association. 

May  I  say  a  few  words  about  this  association  ? 
At  present  many  gardeners  seem  to  fight  shy  of 
this  proposed  association  for  their  ultimate  benefit, 
but  they  will  warm  to  it  when  they  learn  that  the 
objects  and  methods  of  the  promoters  are  honest 
and  straightforward.  Gardeners  must  be  con- 
vinced— by  some  course  of  procedure — that  it  will  be 
a  gradual  development.  No  employer  with  a  sense 
of  fair  play  can  object  to  a  movement  intended  to 
improve  the  lot  of  the  genuine  worker  by  weeding 
out  the  impostors  and  wasters,  thus  making  more 
room  for  the  really  capable  men,  and  so  lifting  the 
profession  a  little  higher — certainly  needed.  Gar- 
deners are  somewhat  conservative,  very  slow  to 
action  in  such  a  movement  as  the  one  under  dis- 
cussion, a  laudable  caution  in  many  things,  but 
prejudicial  to  their  highest  interests  if  carried  too 
far  in  a  vital  matter  of  combination  and  unity  for 
their  ultimate  good.  Naturally  the  gardener  has 
not  that  close  touch  with  life  that,  say,  the  town 
mechanic  has,  but,  speaking  generally,  the  present- 
day  conditions  of  our  industries  and  civilisation 
seem  to  tend  to  making  all  concerned  therein  but 
mere  spokes  in  some  gigantic  labour  wheel,  thus 
materially  detracting  from  that  keenness  and 
interest  which  should  exist  for  individual  advance- 
ment and  progress,  such  individual  keenness  and 
interest  must  leaven  the  whole  mass,  only  provided 
it  has  proper  play  and  intelligent  scope  for  action. 
It  is  to  be  earnestly  hoped  that  gardeners,  after 
seeing  the  beauty  of  the  Temple  show,  will  muster 
at  the  meeting  called  for  June  1  to  discuss  a  truly 
vital  matter,  one  fraught,  it  may  be,  with  great 
potentialities  and  consequences  to  the  future  of  a 
profession  which  ministers  so  largely  to  the  peace, 
comfort,  and  highest  happiness  of  countless  numbers 
at  the  present  daj'.  — Quo. 

Owing  to  the  many  opinions  expressed  it  seems 
a  pity  the  provisional  committee   has  not  endea- 


CAENATION   DUCHESS  OF  FIFE  IN   MR.  MAY  S 
NURSERIES   AT  TBDDINGTON. 


voured  to  ascertain  the  general  feeling  on  the 
subject.  The  previous  meeting  held  could  not 
have  been  attended  by  many  private  gardeners  or 
market  employees,  or  surely  there  would  have  been 
a  larger  proportion  elected  on  the  provisional 
committee.  In  order  to  ascertain  the  various 
opinions,  and  solely  to  assist  in  arriving  at  a  correct 
solution,  will  all  gardeners,  market,  and  nursery 
hands  who  have  been  employed  in  horticultural 
work  for  the  past  ten  years  send  a  post  card  with 
their  full  name  and  address  and  the  figures  (1),  (2), 
(3),  or  (4),  as  best  corresponds  with  their  views, 
viz. :  (1)  Are  you  in  favour  of  a  society  to  include 
gardeners,  nursery  and  market  growers,  and  horti- 
culturists generally  ?  (2)  Are  you  in  favour  of  a 
societ}'  for  private  gardeners  only  ?  (3)  Are  you  in 
favour  of  a  society  for  nursery  and  market  em- 
ployees only  ?  (4)  Are  you  against  any  association 
being  formed  ?  Will  all  interested  kindly  respond, 
and  I  will  endeavour  to  tabulate  and  give  results 
in  time  for  the  meeting  to  be  held  on  .June  1. — 
William  E.  Close,  :'JS,  Lanrjthoriie  Street,  Fulham, 
S.  W.  [We  print  this  letter,  but  an  opportunity  is 
given  on  June  1  for  those  who  attend  to  state  their 
views  ;  this  is  one  of  the  objects  of  the  meeting. 
It  must  be  understood  the  committee  is  purely 
"  provisional,"  and  much  will  be  heard  at  the 
meeting  called  for  June  1  of  the  work  already 
accomplished  and  to  be  done  in  the  future. — Ed.] 

Begonia  Triomphe  de  I'Est.— 

MM.  Victor  Lemoine  et  fils  recently  showed  a  new 
Begonia  which  belongs  to  the  same  group  as 
B.  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  Caledonia,  kc,  and  which, 
like  them,  is  remarkable  for  its  extraordinary 
floriferousness.  The  flower-stems  rise  well  above 
the  foliage,  which  is  hidden  by  the  multitude  of 
flowers  ;  these  are  smaller  than  those  of  the  varie- 
ties just  named,  and  are  of  a  distinct  colour — deep 
coppery  red.  B.  Triomphe  de  I'Est  is  a  hybrid 
between  B.  socotrana  and  an  unknown.  According 
to  the  information  given  by  MM.  Lemoine  it  blooms 
later  than  B.  Gloire  de  Lorraine ;  the  plants  shown 
at  Paris  on  the  14th  ult.  began  to  flower  in  the 
middle  of  January.  This  new  variety  has,  up  to  the 
present,  produced  male  flowers  only. — F.  Powell. 


BORDER    CARNATIONS    FOR 
MARKET. 

Much  has  been  written  in  The  Garden  of  the 
Tree  Carnation  for  flowering  all  the  year,  or  at 
least  for  the  greater  part.  This,  however,  is  only 
successfully  carried  out  when  the  plants  are  grown 
in  large  numbers,  that  is,  thousands  of  one  sort,  and 
in  possibly  two  or  three  stages.  This  is  the  result 
of  successive  batches  of  cuttings  inserted  probably 
over  three  or  four  months  and  even  longer.  Some 
growers  insert  large  batches  of  cuttings  from  Sep- 
tember to  November,  and  these  naturally  make 
fine  bushes  when  a  year  old.  Quite  early  in 
.January  propagation  begins  again,  and  is  continued 
until  April  or  May  in  the  endeavour  to  maintain 
a  steady  supply  of  flowers  at  all  seasons.  It  is  in 
this  connexion  that  certain  border  Carnations  may 
be  said  to  form  a  useful  adjunct  to  the  tree  section 
by  way  of  perpetuating  the  supply  of  bloom.  Not 
many  sorts  are  grown,  for  the  reason  probably  that 
their  flowering  would  clash  with  the  second  or 
spring  flowering  of  the  tree  varieties,  which  would 
neither  be  desirable  nor  profitable.  One  of  the 
best  and  most  popular  of  the  border  Carnations  is 
the  pink  Duchess  of  Fife,  of  which  an  illustration  is 
now  given.  The  delicate  colouring  comes  out 
clearly  under  glass  in  the  months  of  May  and  June 
and  later.  Owing  to  this  pink  colouring  the  glass 
houses  are  generally  heavily  shaded  at  the  approach 
of  the  flowering  period,  and  for  the  same  reason  the 
variety  when  grown  in  the  open  is  always  best  for 
a  slightly  shaded  position. 

The  general  cultivation  is  simple  enough  though 
somewhat  different  from  the  ordinary  methods  of 
growing  the  border  varieties.  The  plants  are  pot 
grown  alwaj's.  A  start  is  made  with  young  layers 
which  are  grown  in  5-inch  pots  for  the  first  flower- 
ing and  then  given  a  shift  to  a  larger  size,  or 
layered  if  more  stock  is  required.  In  all  large 
nurseries  where  this  Carnation  is  a  leading  feature 
plants  will  be  found  up  to  those  of  three  years  old, 


350 


THE   GARDEN. 


[May '21,  1904. 


a  shift  being  given  each  year.  Contrary  to  expec- 
tation it  is  these  old  bushes  that  yield  the  finest 
flowers.  When  the  plants  reach  this  age  they  are 
discarded,  save  a  few  of  the  strongest  that  are 
used  for  layering  again. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  no  treatment  as  yet 
known  will  cause  this  or  other  border  Carnations 
to  bloom  in  winter.  Where  thousands  of  plants 
are  grown,  however,  there  are  bound  to  appear 
occasional  flowering  shoots  which  are  always  prized. 
To  give  some  idea  of  the  wealth  of  bloom  produced 
one  has  but  to  take  a  solitary  layer  that  having 
flowered  will  develop,  say,  half  a  dozen  shoots, 
which  in  the  ordinary  way  would  be  layers.  In  the 
market  nursery  when  stock  is  abundant  these 
shoots  are  not  layered,  and  the  plant  is  simply 
potted  into  a  pot  of  larger  size,  in  the  next  year 
each  of  the  half  dozen  shoots,  or  layers  as  they 
would  be  in  ordinar3'  circumstances,  produces  its 
spike  of  bloom,  and  as  each  spike  carries  from  four 
to  six  blooms  it  will  at  once  be  seen  how  serviceable 
is  the  variety  for  producing  flowers  in  quantity. 

It  is  in  this  connexion  that  the  system  should 
commend  itself  to  all  gardeners  requiring  choice 
Carnations  in  spring  and  early  summer.  The 
mistake  should  not  be  made  of  trying  to  force  the 
plants.  Housed  in  October  or  later  in  pits  or 
frames,  just  keeping  out  frost,  little  progress  is 
made  before  the  middle  of  February,  when  the 
spike  comes  slowly  away.  The  two  and  three 
year  old  plants  naturally  flower  earliest,  their 
growth  having  in  the  past  year  been  made  early 
under  glass.  Thus  it  is  that  layering  is  often 
done  in  June,  and  the  "grass  "  developed  early  in 
this  way  roots,  and  the  growing  season  is  much 
longer  after  potting.  Germania  and  Lord  Roberts 
are  yellow  and  well  suited  to  the  same  system,  and 
if  disbudded  produce  very  handsome  flowers.  The 
photograph  from  which  the  illustration  was  pre- 
pared was  taken  in  Mr.  George  May's  nursery  at 
Upper  Teddington.  Mr.  May  is  a  large  grower  of 
Carnations  generally.  E.  J. 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 


A  Philosophy  op  Roses. 

HO  W  little  we  learn  of  the  lessons 
that  our  gardens  teach.  Everyone 
who,  in  the  early  year,  pruned  his 
Roses  with  judicious  severity — or, 
better  still,  as  the  old  maxim 
advises,  entrusted  the  task  to  a 
friend,  lest  weak  fondness  for  favourites  should 
check  the  hand  that  held  the  knife— has  a 
bounteous  reward  in  prospective  now.  Mag- 
nificently strong  and  leafy  shoots,  crowned 
each  with  its  swelling  bud,  promise  finer  Roses 
than  each  plant  ever  bore  before,  and  in 
anticipation  one  can  almost  already  enjoy  the 
pleasure  of  selecting  the  most  perfect  blooms 
—  it  may  be  for  the  applause  of  multitudes  at 
the  show  or  for  the  admiration  of  grateful 
friends,  or,  perhaps,  only  for  one's  private 
pleasure  in  a  bowl  on  the  writing-table.  But 
in  whichever  channel  our  ambitions  run,  how 
seldom  we  look  for  other  value  in  the  careful 
growing  of  Roses  than  the  mere  enjoyment  of 
their  blooms  ! 

The  Benefit  of  Pruning. 
How  seldom  it  occurs  to  us  to  think  why 
this  remorseless  chopping  off  of  what  at  first 
sight  might  seem  the  most  promising  portions 
of  the  Rose  tree  should  result  in  the  production 
of  vastly  finer  fiowers  ;  and,  even  when  we 
think  that  we  comprehend  the  philosophy  of 
the  matter,  how  far  we  are,  as  a  rule,  from  the 
kernel  of  the  truth  !  Why  do  we  get  the  finer 
blooms  by  cutting  out  all  the  old  wood  of  some 
Roses,  and  by  cutting  back  the  young  wood  of 
others  t  It  is  easy  to  answer  this  question,  of 
course.  It  is  because,  by  concentrating  the 
strength  of  the  tree  upon  a  limited  number  of 
buds,  and  by  removing  those  parts  which  con- 
tribute less  than  nothing  to  the  plant's  vigour 


in  proportion  to  the  air  and  sunlight  space 
which  they  occupy,  we  specialise  its  energies 
upon  the  production  of  perfect  flowers. 

Only  Half  an  Answer. 
With  this  ready  answer  we  are  usually  con- 
tent, and  many  copy-book  maxims  might  be 
framed  from  the  smug  experience  of  the 
average  Rose  grower.  Wielding  his  knife  or 
scissors  with  remorseless  equity,  he  finds  even 
Solomon's  maxim  against  "  sparing  the  rod " 
congenial  to  his  mind,  and,  in  the  hardest  of 
twentieth  century  senses,  he  argues  that  to 
"  specialise  "  is  the  secret  of  success.  Yet  it  is 
a  hard,  Spartan  wisdom,  this  of  the  pruning- 
knife  ;  and  it  does  not,  after  all,  cut  through 
even  the  fringe  of  the  veil  of  mystery  which 
enwraps  success  in  Rose  growing.  Nature  is 
very  wise — wise  with  the  experience  of  unnum- 
bered ages  of  stress  and  strife— and,  if  so 
simple  a  matter  as  concentration  of  energy  or 
specialisation  made  all  the  difference,  would 
not  Nature  have  learned  to  concentrate  and 
specialise  long  ago?  Why  should  a  Rose, 
growing  as  Nature  bids  it,  produce  indifferent 
blossoms  and  few  in  proportion  to  its  foliage  ? 
For  a  plant  which  grows  under  natural  condi- 
tions we  may  be  sure  that  Nature's  plan  is  the 
best.  What,  then,  is  the  difference  in  con- 
ditions which  makes  our  defiance  and  contra- 
diction of  Nature's  rules  produce  the  best 
results  1 

The  Real  Reason. 
This,  it  seems  to  me,  is  the  question  which 
all  who  grow  Roses  should  ask  before  they 
dogmatise  upon  the  philosophic  aspects  of 
their  work.  Yet  how  few  ask  it,  and  has  any- 
one ever  stated  the  answer  1  Yet  it  is  simple. 
Go  out  now,  before  the  new  leafage  of  spring 
has  completely  veiled  the  practice  of  Nature  in 
filling  all  her  spaces  with  vigorous  greenery. 
Look  at  any  wild  Rose  or  Bramble  or  Thorn 
bush,  and  you  will  see  the  answer  plainly.  In 
a  state  of  Nature  the  great  problem  of  a  plant's 
existence—  the  question  beside  which  all  others 
are  comjaaratively  unimportant — is  how  to 
obtain  protection  against  herbivorous  animals. 
Many  and  various  are  the  devices  which  dif- 
ferent plants  adopt ;  but  the  Rose  belongs  to 
a  class  which,  for  good  or  ill,  has  adopted  the 
device  of  thorns  or  prickles,  and  upon  this  the 
whole  theory  and  practice  of  the  pruning  of 
Roses  depends. 

Nature's  Devices. 
Different  as  the  wild  Rose,  the  Blackberry, 
and  the  Hawthorn  may  seem  in  their  habit 
and  mode  of  growth,  all  are  really  guided  by 
the  same  principle  and  achieve  the  same  end 
by  almost  identical  means.  Relying  upon 
thorns  for  protection,  it  is  manifest  that  the 
soft,  growing  shoots,  which  cannot  be  armed 
with  hard  thorns,  would  be  at  the  mercy  of 
browsing  animals  if  they  were  not  partly  pro- 
tected by  the  hard,  thorny  wood  of  the  previous 
year.  This  is  why,  in  a  state  of  Nature,  the 
Rose  burdens  itself  with  the  upkeep  of  old 
branches,  which  add  nothing  to  the  bloom  or 
fruit  of  the  year.  Also,  it  is  manifest  that 
strong-growing  shoots  which  pass  beyond  the 
protecting  circle  are  liable  to  be  bitten  off  by 
Ijrowsing  animals ;  and  so  Nature  has  taught 
the  Rose  to  rely,  if  necessary,  upon  the  half- 
dozen  or  so  of  buds  near  the  base  of  each  shoot 
for  its  display  of  bloom.  Of  course,  if  a  Rose 
tree  or  Thorn  bush  is  so  lucky  as  to  escape  the 
attack  of  herbivorous  animals,  by  means  of  its 
long  shoots,  it  quickly  reaches  an  altitude 
beyond  their  reach  ;  and  it  is  no  small  proof 
of  Nature's  wise  experience  in  this  respect  that 
the  upper  branches  of  thorny  trees  are  usually 
thornless.  But  in  the  majority  of  cases  the 
bushes  are  bitten  back  by  browsing  animals ; 


and,  if  we  prune  our  Roses,  we  do  but  give 
Nature  free  play  in  the  production  of  blossom 
without  the  burden  of  supporting  the  old  wood 
or  sending  out  long  shoots  to  get  beyond  the 
reach  of  browsing  animals. 

Relief,  not  Severity. 
Where,  then,  are  our  Spartan  maxims  about 
"  sparing  the  rod,"  &c.  ?  In  our  Rose  garden 
we  have  a  certain  number  of  plants,  wisely 
taught  by  Nature  to  conserve  their  protection 
of  old,  thorny  wood,  and  to  send  out  shoots 
far  longer  than  is  necessary.  These— since 
herbivorous  animals  do  not  browse  in  our  Rose 
garden — we  are  able  to  relieve  of  the  burden 
of  the  old  wood  and  of  the  superfluous  length 
of  the  young  shoots.  In  other  words,  we 
simply  take  from  our  Roses  the  great  incubus 
which  the  struggle  for  existence  under  natural 
conditions  imposes  upon  them.  Yet,  whether 
we  grow  them  for  public  fame,  for  the  applause 
of  friends,  or  for  our  own  private  pleasure,  we 
take  all  the  credit  to  ourselves,  and  draw  a 
foolish  conclusion  that  severity  of  training 
necessarily  produces  good  results.  The  con- 
verse is  the  fact,  however  ;  and  with  children, 
as  with  Roses,  you  have  only  to  relieve  them  of 
the  burdens  which  they  still  bear,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  struggle  for  existence  through 
which  the  race  has  passed,  to  produce,  with  the 
ready  aid  of  Nature,  results  fit  for  life's  best 
prizes.  E.  K.  R. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS. 


TWO    DWARF    EARLY    TULIPS. 

OF  late  years  the  regions  of  Central  Asia 
,  have  furnished  us  with  several 
I  brilliant  and  showy  members  of  this 
'  popular  genus,  among  which  the  two 
following  species  take  a  foremost 
place  for  refinement  and  beauty. 
Others,  like  T.  Greigi,  may  be  larger  and  more 
gorgeous,  but  these  may  be  considered  two  of  the 
choicest  gems  of  the  family  : 

T.  Batalini,  which  takes  its  name  from  Professor 
Batalin,  was  found  in  Eastern  Bokhara  about 
twenty  years  ago,  and  was  first  exhibited  at  one  of 
the  meetings  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in 
1896.  It  is  not,  however,  a  common  plant,  although 
not  at  all  difficult  to  grow,  and  quite  amenable  to 
the  usual  treatment  given  to  this  class.  The  bulbs 
are  small  and  have  a  woolly  tunic,  and  the  stems, 
which  vary  in  height  from  5  inches  to  8  inches, 
bear  about  six  or  eight  linear  lanceolate  glaucous 
leaves  5  inches  to  6  inches  long,  the  margins  of 
which  are  much  undulated.  The  pale  lemon-yellow 
fiowers  are  over  4  inches  in  diameter,  with  ovate 
acuminate  segments,  each  \\  inches  broad  at  the 
widest  part.  Almost  destitute  of  a  blotch  at  the 
base  of  the  perianth  segments,  this  consists  of  a 
slightly  darker  shade  of  yellow.  A  lovely  plant, 
and  worth  a  place  in  any  garden,  however  small. 

T.  linifolia. — The  figure  of  this  handsome  species 
given  in  Kegels  Oartcnflora,  t.  1235,  does  it  but 
scant  justice,  and  few  would  feel  inclined  to  obtain 
it  from  seeing  that  figure  alone.  It  was  found  in 
Turkestan  in  1883  growing  at  elevations  of 
4,500  feet  to  6,000  feet,  and  was  brought  into 
cultivation  two  or  three  years  later.  Like  the 
above  species,  it  has  a  small  brown,  woolly-coated 
bulb,  which  produces  stems  varying  from  1  inch 
to  9  inches  in  height.  In  the  dwarfer  forms  the 
much-undulated  linear  leaves,  eight  to  ten  in 
number  and  5  inches  to  7  inches  long,  lie 
on  or  close  to  the  ground,  surmounted  by  the 
brilliant  scarlet-coloured  flowers,  each  between 
4  inches  and  5  inches  in  diameter.  In  the  taller 
forms  the  leaves  are  not  so  close  together  on  the 
stem,  and  have  less  wavy  margins.  The  perianth 
segments  are  ovate  acuminate,  '1\  inches  long,  and 
\\  inches  broad,  with  a  dark,  almost  black  blotch 
at  the  base.  A  fit  companion  for  the  above,  it  is 
equally  easy  of  cultivation.  W.  Irving. 


Mat  21,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


351 


FRITILLARIA  PERSICA. 
The  majority  of  the  Fritillariaa  are  by  no  means 
among  the  easiest  of  plants  to  grow  successfully, 
but  the  subject  of  this  note  shares  with  the  hand- 
some Crown  Imperial  (Fritillaria  imperialis)  a 
robust  constitution  that  renders  it  practically  in- 
different to  soil  and  site.  The  Crown  Imperial  is 
indeed  a  very  showy  and  effective  plant,  and  is  far 
superior  in  qualities  of  display  to  the  Persian 
Tritillary,  yet  the  latter  plant  is  not  without  its 
own  special  charm,  and  its  rather  sombre-tinted 
flower  -  spike  is  interesting  if  not  particularly 
striking.  Strong  plants  throw  up  flower-stems 
fully  4  feet  in  height,  the  upper  16  inches  of  which 
hold  blossoms.  I  have  just  counted  thirty  blooms 
on  my  strongest  spike.  The  flowers  are  purplish 
maroon  in  tint,  much  the  colour  of  a  Black  Ham- 
burgh Grape,  and  carry  a  Grape-like  bloom.  They 
are  pendent,  of  open  bell-shape,  and  measure  1  inch 
in  diameter  across  the  mouth.  On  turning  them 
up  the  dark  interior  is  seen  to  be  beautifully  con- 
trasted with  the  golden  anthers.  The  leaves  are 
lanceolate,  and  glaucous  green  in  tint,  the  lower 


willingly  be  without  it,  more  especially  as  its 
culture  is  of  the  simplest,  and  it  will  flourish  in 
gardens  where  all  other  more  gaily  coloured  of  the 
spring  Irises  incontinently  die.  It  flowers  as  well 
in  the  poorest  and  stoniest  of  soil  as  in  a  bed  of 
deep  loam,  and  does  not  resent  transplantation 
even  when  in  full  growth,  as  I  have  found  from 
being  compelled  to  shift  it  on  one  occasion  when  in 
that  condition.  The  flowers  are  borne  on  foot- 
stalks about  18  inches  in  height,  and  the  leaves 
exceed  2  feet  in  length.  The  leaf  is  curious  in 
form,  being  quadrilateral  in  shape,  with  a  distinct 
ridge  at  each  corner.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Levant, 
but  has  become  naturalised  in  some  parts  of  South 
Devon,  where  it  now  grows  wild.  S.  W.  F. 


W^ALL      GARDENING. 

I  SEND  you  three  photographs  taken  in  my 
garden  on  the  2Uih  ult.  by  my  son,  Mr,  E.  C. 
Wolseley.  No.  1  is  of  Primula  purpurea  in  the  rock 
garden.  This  has  flowered  wonderfully  well  this 
year.     It  began  flowering  at  the  end  of  February, 


A  WALL  or  FLOWBES  IN  SIR  CHARLES  WOLSEI.EV  S  GARDEN',  WULSELEY,    STAFFORD. 


ones  being  6  inches  in  length  and  1  inch  in  breadth, 
diminishing  in  size  higher  up  the  stem.  The 
plant  is  of  graceful  growth,  and  has  a  striking  and 
unique  personality  which  renders  it  welcome  in  the 
border.  S.  W.  Fitzherbbrt. 


IRIS  TUBEROSA. 
The  Snake's-head  Iris,  as  this  plant  is  popularly 
termed,  is  by  no  means  a  showy  garden  subject, 
for  the  flowers,  with  their  velvet-black  falls  and 
pale  green  standards,  are  of  somewhat  sad  colour- 
ing. This  Iris  is  the  "La  Vedovina"  of  Italian 
gardens — the  "  Little  Widow,"  a  title  not  inap- 
plicable to  the  dainty  black-draped  flower.  The 
blossoms  have  a  delicate  and  subdued  beauty,  and, 
being  endowed  with  a  pleasing  fragrance,  are 
welcomed  for  indoor  decoration,  especially  since  in 
the  south-west  they  are  in  full  beauty  in  mid- 
February,  when  the  open  garden  affords  but  few 
flowers  for  the  house.  Much  is  written  of  the 
numerous  spring-flowering  Irises,  but  La  Vedovina 
is  treated  with  almost  complete  neglect.  Those 
who  know  the  quaintly -pretty  flower  would  not 


and  although  several  times  flowers  have  been  cut 
from  it,  when  photographed  it  had  eighteen  fully 
formed  flowers  on  it,  and  is  still  in  bloom  at  the 
time  of  writing.  The  plant  just  below  it  is  Orobus 
alpestris,  also  in  flower.  The  other  two  pictures 
show  a  portion  of  a  wall  garden.  It  was  an  old 
stone  wall  forming  a  ha-ha,  the  boundary  of  the 
flower  garden,  which  I  planted  about  two  years 
ago  with  wall  plants  and  alpines  by  cutting  holes 
in  the  wall  and  enlarging  the  joints.  At  the 
bottom  of  the  wall  are  Primulas  and  Polyanthuses, 
which  have  flowered  splendidly  this  year.  The 
plants  in  flower  falling  in  masses  at  intervals  are 
Aubrietias.  Besides  these  there  are  Cistuses, 
Heliantheniums,  Saxifrages,  Sedums,  Wallflowers, 
Linaria,  Campanulas,  and  innumerable  other 
plants,  and  from  now  to  November  it  will  be  con- 
tinually changing  its  colour  and  effect.  The  bank 
facing  it  has  been  planted  with  Azaleas,  but  the 
photographs  do  not  show  this. 

WoUdey,  Stafford.  C.  M.  Wolseley. 

[We  reproduce  with  pleasure  one  of  the  photo- 
graphs sent,  showing  a  wall  garden  of  flowers. — Ed.] 


THE    LILIES. 

( C ontinued   from   page    271.) 

I  ILIUM   KEWENSE    x   (W.  Wats.),  the 

LKew  Hybrid  Lily.  —  One  of  the 
few  hybrid  Lilies  of  recent  intro- 
duction, and  a  good  garden  plant 
for  indoor  cultivation  ;  it  is  derived 
from  crossing  L.  Henryi  with  L. 
Brownii  van  Chloraster.  Bulbs  purplish, 
the  scales  densely  spotted  pale  red,  resemb- 
ling those  of  L.  Henryi.  Stems  wiry,  not 
very  stout,  6  feet  high,  purplish,  rooting 
freely  from  their  bases.  Leaves  lance-shaped, 
deep  green,  scattered,  recurving,  6  inches 
to  8  inches  long,  resembling  tho.se  of  Brownii. 
Flowers  three  to  six  in  a  loose  umbel,  each 
8  inches  across,  reflexing  but  slightly,  and 
resembling  in  size  and  shape  a  narrow-petalled 
L.  auratum.  The  flower  is  buflf,  varying  in 
tint  from  pale  buflf  to  nankeen  yellow  in 
different  specimens,  but  the  colouring 
is  always  paler  near  the  petal  margins. 
Very  rare  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in 
.July  and  August. 

_  Culture  and  Uses. — Our  expe- 
rience with  this  plant  in  a  sheltered 
place  is  altogether  disappointing,  and 
we  have  only  been  able  to  grow  it 
well  in  a  cool  greenhouse.  It  would 
probably  thrive  in  a  light  soil  and 
warm  situation,  but  until  the  bulbs 
are  available  in  quantity  for  extended 
experiment  we  cannot  speak  for  cer- 
tain of  its  garden  worth  as  a  border 
plant.  It  is  only  fair  to  add  that  the 
bulbs  we  have  tried  were  raised  and 
developed  under  glass,  and  that  these 
would  naturally  be  more  tender  than 
those  developed  under  cooler  condi- 
tions. It  should  prove  hardy  and  an 
excellent  doer,  for  the  bulb  is  that  of 
Henryi,  the  stems  an,d  leaves  those 
of  Brownii  var.  Chloraster. 

L.     Krameri    (Hook.    fil.).  ^  See 
japonicum.     (Thunb.). 

L.   lancifolmm  (Hort.).— See    spe- 
ciosum. 

L.  Leichtlinii.  (Max  Leichtlin's 
yellow  Tiger  Lily).  —  A  beautiful 
Japanese  Lily  of  dainty  colouring 
and  slender  habit.  Bulbs  small, 
conical,  as  large  as  a  Walnut,  yellowish, 
the  tips  very  prominent.  Stems  3  feet 
to  4  feet  high  above  ground,  brown, 
very  slender,  rooting  freely  at  their 
bases,  and  bearing  one  to  six  bulbils 
where  covered ;  the  shoots  develop 
at  right  angles  with  the  bulbs,  and  they 
travel  6  inches  to  12  inches  distant 
before  piercing  the  soil.  Leaves  narrowly  lance- 
shaped,  scattered,  b  inches  to  6  inches  long, 
recurving,  and  very  lax.  Flowers  two  to  five 
in  a  shortened  spike,  recurved  as  in  the 
familiar  Tiger  Lily,  rich  lemon-yellow,  .5  inches 
across,  the  petals  dotted  with  claret  dots  in  the 
lower  half.  Filaments  and  styles  also  yellow. 
Common  in  cultivation.    Flowers  in  August. 

Culture  and  Uses. — This  Lily  rambles 
greatly,  a  feature  more  or  less  characteristic  of 
the  lesser  Tiger  Lilies.  Their  running  stems, 
bearing  bulbils,  here  and  there  offer  a  ready 
means  for  increasing  the  stock,  but  this  habit 
is  a  nuisance  in  gardens.  To  appreciate  this 
Lily  grow  it  in  colonies  in  a  warm  border, 
choosing  a  sunny  exposure  and  shelter  from 
winds.  The  soil  should  be  light  and  sandy, 
as  the  bulbs  rarely  develop  in  a  heavy  loam  or 
clay.  It  might  be  associated  with  Heaths  and 
small  shrubs  in  a  peat  bed,  or  with  flowering 
plants  of  low  growth  in  a  border.    The  growth 


352 


THE   GAKDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


is  not  strong  and  the  bulbs  are  never  very- 
large,  but  they  increase  rapidly  and  develop 
quickly.  We  have  seen  this  Lily  grown  well 
in  pots,  but  this  way  cannot  be  recommended. 

L.  leiicanthwn  (Baker),  the  white-flowered 
L.  Brownii.— One  of  Dr.  Henry's  discoveries  on 
the  Ichang  gorge  of  the  Yang-tze-Kiang,  and 
allied  to  L.  sulphureum  and  L.  Brownii. 
Bulbs  globose,  dark  purple,  2i  inches  in 
diameter,  provided  with  thick,  permanent 
roots,  which  descend  deeply.  Stems  slender, 
4  feet  to  5  feet  high,  bearing  bulbils  in  the 
leaf  axils  on  the  upper  portions,  and  stout 
roots  at  their  bases.  Leaves  mere  bracts  low 
down,  narrowly  lance  -  shaped  elsewhere, 
scattered,  very  numerous,  much  recurved,  very 
thin  in  texture,  and  pale  green. 
Flowers  one  to  three  in  a  short  ^- 
spike,  each  7  inches  long,  horizon-  ' 
tally  poised  or  drooping,  funnel- 
shaped,  white  throughout,  greenish 
externally  and  internally  low 
down,  very  fragrant,  connects  *  ■ 
L.  Brownii  vpith  L.  sulphureum,  |* 
and  differs  from  the  latter  plant 
in  having  hairy  filaments.  Rare 
in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  August. 

Culture  and  Uses.— This  is  a 
slender  Lily  little  known  to  cul- 
tivation. It  requires  a  warm, 
sheltered  situation  in  the  plant 
border,  a  well-drained  soil  freely 
charged  with  rubble,  and  where 
the  limits  of  the  rock  garden 
will  admit  of  so  tall  a  plant  being 
introduced,  it  would  do  better  in 
clefts  amid  boulders  buried  deeply 
than  anywhere  else.  It  reaches  its 
finest  development  under  pot 
cultivation,  and  it  requires  drier 
treatment  than  the  majority  of 
Lilies.  Its  slender,  weakly  sterns 
require  the  utmost  shelter  in 
every  case,  and  at  no  time  is  it 
very  vigorous. 

G.  B.  Mallett. 
(To  be  continued.) 


bloom   will  be   in  proportion.     Some  flowers 
measure  over  5  inches  across. 


m< 


E.  H.  WOODALL. 


HYBRID   TEA    ROSES   CLASSIFIED. 

This  beautiful  group  has  increased  so  rapidly  that 
it  seems  to  me  some  attempt  at  classi6oation  would 
be  serviceable.  I  admit  the  matter  is  difficult,  as 
there  are  so  many  varieties,  and,  as  Hybrid  Teas 
are  popular,  raisers  seem  to  place  their  novelties  in 
this  group  regardless  of  their  fitness  for  the  same. 
In  spite  of  these  small  difficulties  there  is  certain 
ground  to  work  upon,  and  doubtless  in  the  future 
the  distinctions  will  be  more  pronounced.  Taking 
that  splendid  achievement  of  the  late  Mr.  Henry 
Bennett's   hybridising   skill,   namely,  Lady    Mary 


ROSE  GARDEN. 


ROSA    SINICA    ANEMONE. 

SO    greatly    admired    this 
season  in  gardens  on  this 
coast  has  been  thishybrid 
between  Rosa  sinica  and 
HP.     General    Jacque- 
minot, that  the  illustra- 
tion,  taken   from   a    photograph, 
will  be  of  some  interest.     Ladies 
I  notice  generally  call  it  the  Pink 
Velvet  Rose,  which,  perhaps,  may 
explain  the  charm  its  large  single 
blossoms     exercise.      It    is    very 
free-flowering,    very   vigorous    in       •- 
growth,  evergreen,  and   hardy  in 
all  positions  here,  so  the  nursery- 
men tell  me  the   demand    for   it 
increases  rapidly.     Pruned  at  the 
end  of  August  or  early  September,  it  flowers  in 
December  with  other   winter   Roses,  and    by 
March  it  is  again  covered  with  its  large  and 
lovely    blooms,     which     expand     by    degrees 
till  they  become  quite  flat  open.     The  photo- 
graph   was   taken   from  three   freshly-budded 
plants,   which    were    put    in    last   August    at 
the   foot   of   a  dead   Dracaena,  and   in   March 
the   trunk   was   densely  clothed    with   foliage 
and    flowers    to   a   height   of    .5   feet.      Next 
autumn  the  vphole  stem  will  be  hidden  to  a 
height  of  10  feet  or  12  feet,  and  the  harvest  of 


ROSE   SINICA  ANEMONE  AT  NICE. 
(From  a  photograph  kindly  nent  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Woodalt.) 

Fitzwilliam,  one  seems  to  see  its  influence  running 
through  the  great  majority  of  the  Hybrid  Teas, 
and  yet  I  believe  in  a  few  years  this  race  will  have 
to  be  discarded  to  make  way  for  the  better-growing 
Caroline  Testout,  Mnie.  Abel  Chatenay,  and  similar 
groups.     The 

Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam  race  appears  to  be  the 
most  numerous.  I  do  not  pretend  to  name  all 
the  varieties,  but  such  good  sorts  as  Antoine 
Rivoire,  Mme.  Cadeau  Ramey,  Mme.  E.  BouUet, 
Marquise  Litta,  Souv.  de  Mme.  E.  Verdier,  Souv. 
du  President  Carnot,  White  Lady,  Tennyson,  Paul 
Led^,   Mme.   Paul  Olivier,   Alice    Furon,   Beauty 


Lyonnaise,  Amateur  Teyssier,  Charlotte  Gillemot, 
Marie  Louise  Poiret,  Nelly  Briand,  Violoniste 
Eraile  Leveque,  Mildred  Grant,  and  Papa  Lambert 
all  appear  in  this  group.  They  are  all  excellent 
varieties,  but  have  stumpy  growth,  which  detracts 
considerably  from  their  usefulness.  What  a  con- 
trast when  compared  to  the  lusty 

Caroline  Teatoiit  group.  Here  we  have  vigour 
and  freedom  of  flowering.  The  names  of  some  of 
the  best  known  are  Admiral  Dewey,  Killarney, 
L'Innocence,  Gladys  Harkness,  Mme.  Augustine 
Hamont,  Lady  Moyra  Beauclerc,  Mme.  Marie 
Croibier,  William  Askew.  Helene  Guillot,  Mar- 
guerite Guillot,  Mme.  de  Kerjegu,  and  Apotheker 
G.  Hofer.  Nearly  everj'  one  of  these  would  har- 
monise in  growth  with  the  parent,  so  that  a  useful 
purpose  may  be  served  in  enabling  planters  to 
group  the  tribes  together  in  beds  and 
borders.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there 
are  no  crimsons  in  this  group.  I  do 
not  expect  we  shall  have  to  wait 
long  before  there  are  some  produced. 
Mme.  Abel  Chatenay  is  a  beautiful 
Rose,  as  useful  in  the  forcing  house 
as  in  the  garden.  Flowers  were 
fetching  as  much  as  '20dols.  per  100 
in  the  Chicago  wholesale  market 
about  Christmas.  A  good  crimson 
of  this  type  would  be  welcome. 
Whether  we  have  it  in  M.  Pernet- 
Ducher's  Etoile  de  France  remains  to 
be  seen.  The  varieties  that  appear 
to  belong  to  this  group  are  Mina 
Barbanson,  Ferdinand  .lamin,  Frau 
Peter  Lambert,  Mme.  Edmee  Metz, 
Princess  Charles  de  Ligne,  and 
William  Netting.  The  latter  I  have 
heard  good  accounts  of,  but  prefer 
to  wait  and  see  it  before  recom- 
mending it. 

Kai^erin  Augii.sta  Victoria  is  my 
next  representative  of  a  group,  and 
a  most  valuable  one  it  is  too.  Some- 
how at  present  raisers  do  not  appear 
to  have  improved  on  the  growth, 
save,  perhaps,  one  sort — Duchess  of 
Portland.  This  if  anything  is  rather 
more  vigorous.  In  addition  to  the 
latter  we  have  Perle  Von  Godes- 
berg,  Goldquelle,  Goldelse,  Friedrich 
Harms,  Grossherzog  Victoria  Melita, 
and  Georges  Schwartz.  Some  of 
these  are  of  fine  colouring,  but  the 
growth  must  be  improved  upon  before 
they  will  succeed  in  this  climate. 
They  are  charming  forcing  Roses.  X 
have  not  included  the  climbing 
sports  of  any  of  the  tribes  named,  as 
they  hardly  come  under  the  scope  of 
this  paper.     The 

La  Fraiwe  group  should,  perhaps, 
have  appeared  first,  so  important  and 
well  known  is  it.  The  varieties  that 
may  be  grouped  here  are  Duchess  of 
Albany  and  Augustine  Guinoisseau, 
sports  of  La  France  ;  Aurora,  Ex- 
quisite, Farbenkonigin,  Grand  Duo 
I  J  de  Luxembourg,  and  Denmark.  Here 
'  there  is   room    for   a   good    red   and 

yellow,  also  a  pure  white   with  the 
delicious  fragrance  of  the  type. 

Mrs.    ir.   ./.   Grant,    or   Belle   Sie- 

brecht,  is  a  Rose  of  surpassing  beauty, 

but  its  hybrid  origin  appears  to  have 

imparted  to   it  a  somewhat  weakly 

growth,  which  all  growers  cannot  overcome.    But 

it  is  so  good  that  no  one  will  grudge  planting  it  at 

frequent  intervals.     Most  assuredly  Libert}'  is  of 

this  type,  and  Mme.  .Jules  Grolez  bears  a  striking 

resemblance,  although  a  better  grower.     Pharisaer 

is  an  advance,  for  it  is  a  stronger  grower.     Other 

varieties  of  this  group  are  Robert  Scott  and  Lady 

Battersea. 

I  must  rapidly  pass  over  the  other  groups.  Per- 
haps some  exception  will  be  taken  to  this  grouping, 
and  no  one  will  be  more  pleased  than  myself  if  this 
matter  of  grouping  can  be  placed  upon  some  tangible 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


353 


Viscountess  Folkestone :  Bessie  Brown,  La  Tosoa, 
Josephine  Marot,  and  Rosomane  Gravereaux. 

Captain  Christy :  Red  Captain  Christy  and  Gloire 
Lyonnaise. 

Camoens :  Marquise  de  Salisbury. 

Gustave  Regis:  Mme.  Pernet - Ducher,  Mme. 
Charles  Monnier,  Billiard  et  Barrel,  and  Germaine 
Trochon. 

Grace  Darling:  Countess  of  Pembroke,  Mme. 
■  Wagram,  and  Countess  of  Caledon. 

Souvenir  de  Wootton :  Princess  Bonnie  and  Ma 
Tulipe. 

Oriiss  an  Teplitz :  Bardou  Job. 

Mme.  Ravary :  Le  Progriis. 

Clara  Watson :  Prince  de  Bulgarie,  M.  Bunel, 
and  Pauline  Bersez. 

A  glance  at  these  lists  will  show  the  reader  what 
is  still  desired  in  order  to  fill  out  the  various 
groups.  The  last  two  we  cannot  well  have  too 
man}'  of.  No  more  beautiful  novelty  has  appeared 
for  some  time  than  Mme.  Ravary.  I  sincerely  hope 
this  group  will  increase,  and  some  good  hardy 
yellows  of  a  more  intense  colour  in  the  open  flower 
be  added.  We  want  a  yellow  bedding  Rose  as 
brilliant  in  effect  as  the  Polyanthus  or  the  Daffodil. 
At  present,  where  is  it?  Surely  such  a  Rose  is  not 
out  of  the  range  of  practical  eross-fertilisition.  I 
think  if  raisers  would  work  more  for  some  definite 
object,  rather  than  haphazard,  we  should  not  have 
so  long  to  wait  for  the  desired  colours.  P. 


POT  AND  PARAPET 
GARDENING  FOR  THE 
POOR   OF    TOWNS.— II. 

( Continued  from  page  3-^5.) 

*'  Man  immured  in  cities  still  retains 
His  inborn,  inextinguishable  thirst 
Of  rural  scenes,  compensating  his  loss 
By  supplemental  shifts,  the  best  he  may." 

ONE  of  the  first  to  be  applied  to  for  advice 
^      and   particulars   was   Mrs.    Richard 
I      Free,   who,    with    her   husband   the 
i      Rev.    Richard   Free,   Rector   of   St. 
Cuthberl's,    Mill  wall,   E.,   has  done 
so    much   in   encouraging    and   pro- 
moting   the    love    of    gardening,    and    especially 
window  gardening,  amongst  her  poor. 

Mrs.  Free's  Window-box  Society  has  flourished 
for  several  years.     Its  rules  are  very  simple  : 

1.  An  annual  fee  of  2d.  admits  to  membership, 
entitles  the  member  to  a  share  in  the  plants  that 
are  sent  for  distribution,  and  gives  the  right  of 
competing  for  prizes  at  the  annual  exhibition. 

2.  Judges  to  be  strangers,  and  their  decisions 
final. 

3.  Competition  to  be  end  of  July  in  each  year. 

4.  All  members  to  encourage  each  other  to 
further  the  objects  of  the  society. 

5.  Enrolment  as  a  member  to  be  taken  to  mean 
adherence  to  object  and  rules. 

Each  member  is  given  a  card,  his  or  her  name  is 
written  on  it,  and  a  request  to  hang  the  card  up. 
The  rules  are  printed  on  it,  and  the  list  of  prizes  to 
be  competed  for,  which  are  as  follows  :  For  best 
window-boxes  ;  for  best  groups  outside  ;  for  best 
groups  inside,  ground  floor  ;  for  best  back  gardens  ; 
for  best  front  gardens ;  for  best  plants  grown 
indoors  ;  and  for  best  Begonia  grown  in  a  pot. 

There  is  also  a  list  of  the  committee  (five)  ;  the 
name  of  hon.  secretary  and  treasurer,  which  happens 
to  be  Mrs.  Free ;  the  list  of  patrons  and  patronesses 
(20)  ;  and  the  notice  that  advice  wilt  be  given 
gladly  by  the  committee  to  any  members  re- 
quiring it. 

The  writer  sent  Mrs.  Free  a  list  of  the  following 
seeds  and  plants,  asking  if  she  considered  them 
suitable  for  growing  under  city  conditions  : 

Plants. — Fuchsia,  Marguerite,  Marigold,  Creep- 
ing Jenny,  Petunia,  Geranium  and  Ivy  Geranium, 
Heliotrope  (Cherry  Pie),  Lobelia,  Musk,  and  Fern. 

Seeds. — Candytuft,  Larkspur,  Lupin,  Mignonette, 
Virginian  Stock,  Nasturtium,  Sweet  Peas,  Convol- 
vulus, Canary  Creeper,  and  Scarlet  Runner. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  her  letter  of 
reply  :  "With  regard  to  seeds  and  plants  I  cannot 
recommend  Cherry  Pie  ;  it  takes  a  sort  of  blight. 


Nor  Musk,  which  requires  so  much  water  as  to  be 
detrimental  to  other  things.  Fuchsias,  Mar- 
guerites, Marigolds,  Creeping  Jenny,  and  Tufted 
Violas  are  all  desirable,  especially  Petunias,  and 
also  Stocks  of  all  kinds.  For  seeds  your  list  is 
good  where  there  is  space  to  grow  them." 

The  Millwall  flower  show  of  1903  took  place  on 
August  4.  An  extra  prize  was  given  for  "Best- 
looking  House,"  that  is,  most  prettily  adorned  with 
greenery  or  flowers. 

The  next  extracts  are  from  particulars  kindly 
furnished  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Davies,  The  Rectory, 
Spitalfields,  E. 

Open  to  the  whole  of  Spitalfields. 

We  always  distribute  young  plants  (not  seeds)  to 
(a)  adults  and  (h)  children. 

Each  plant  is  sealed  with  a  tape. 

The  children  and  adults  pay  Id.  each  for  the 
plant. 

All  the  plants  are  in  pots  when  we  give  them 
out. 

We  never  give  seed.  It  would  be  almost  hope- 
less here.  The  difference  between  the  cost  of  the 
plant  to  us  and  the  sum  we  receive  from  intending 
exhibitors  amounts  to  about  £5. 

Our  sources  of  income  are  :  (a)  Afternoon  tea  on 
the  opening  day  ;  (h)  a  few  voluntary  subscrip- 
tions ;  (c)  flowers  given  and  sold  ;  and  (d)  money 
paid  for  admissions. 

We  also  try  to  encourage  window  gardening. 

We  give  neither  mould  nor  plants  for  these 
boxes,  but  the  prizes  may  be  7s.  6d.  or  os. ,  and 
this  gives  encouragement. 

Spitalfields  Flower  Show. 

This  is  held  on  July  7  and  8. 

Admission:  Thursday,  4  p.m.  to  7  p.m.,  6d  ; 
7  p.m.  to  10  p.m.,  2d.  Friday,  7  p.m.,  2d. 
Children  and  exhibitors  half-price. 

Geraniums  and  Fuchsias  are  distributed  to 
scholars  at  the  two  schools  during  the  week  ending 
May  16.  Prizes  are  given  for  the  best  plants 
grown  from  these  stamped  plants.  There  are  also 
prizes  open  to  the  whole  of  Spitalfields  for  best 
buttonhole  flower,  made  up  by  exhibitor,  and  for 
best  window  garden  (entries  by  June  1.3).  Also 
for  best  plants  in  pots  furnished  by  competitors, 
but  these,  too,  must  be  sealed  with  tapes. 

"  The  fiowers  that  won  prizes  at  the  last  flower 
show  included  Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  Musk,  Ferns, 
climbing  Plants,  and  miscellaneous  plants." 

A  copy  of  the  report,  lists,  &o.,  from  Aldenhara 
Street  Institute  in  connexion  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  Regent's  Square,  N.  W.,  also  con- 
tains much  that  is  instructive.  No  doubt  here 
conditions  are  better,  therefore  we  find  that  seeds 
play  a  more  important  part. 

The  committee  allow  Sunday  School  scholars 
and  all  members  of  the  institute  and  of  the  Working 
Girls'  Club  to  compete  at  the  annual  flower  show. 
In  April,  1903,  520  packets  of  various  seeds  were 
distributed,  and  on  May  12  a  further  distribution 
was  made  of  different  kinds  of  plants  in  pots. 
From  these  were  exhibited  at  the  flower  show  four 
boxes  of  annuals,  147  annuals  in  pots,  and  193 
plants.  All  the  plants  already  mentioned  were  on 
the  list,  with  the  addition  of  Calceolaria  and 
Golden  Feather.  The  seeds  also  were  much  the 
same  as  those  already  named,  but  prices  are  higher. 
Seeds  were  sold  at  id.  per  packet,  and  plants  from 
IJd.  up  to  2d.  and  3d.  Pots  were  charged  for  at 
the  rate  of  ^d.  each.  At  the  flower  show  held  last 
year  at  the  Aldenham  Institute  there  were  also 
exhibited  thirteen  of  last  and  previous  years'  plants. 

Mrs.  Clementi-Smith  of  St.  Andrew's  Rectory, 
Doctor's  Commons,  E.C.,  was  another  authority 
we  could  not  but  apply  to,  because  if  any  people 
can  conquer  difficulties  it  is  Mrs.  and  the  Rev. 
Clementi-Smith.  The  following  is  from  a  letter 
kindly  sent  me  : 

"  It  is  a  little  difficult  for  us  to  give  you  much 
real  help  on  the  subject  you  ask  me  about,  and  for 
this  reason  :  We  look  upon  the  places  you  mention 
as  town  to  be  practically  country  as  compared  with 
us — places  where  they  would  at  any  rate  get  sun, 
which  is  our  chief  want  here,  as  you  may  remem- 
ber how  surrounded  we  are  by  high  walls. 

"Some  of  the  things  you  mention  I  think  might 
do  in  some  places,  but  I  do  not  myself  think  that 


Forget-me-not  would  do  well,  and  I  cannot  manage 
London  Pride.  I  know  that  Auriculas  and  Sun- 
flowers will  do  in  many  strange  places,  also  Creeping 
.Jenny,  and,  of  course,  any  of  the  Ivy-leaved 
Geraniums,  because  they  have  shiny  leaves.  The 
dirt  very  soon  clogs  all  other  kinds,  and  they 
cannot  be  washed  because  they  are  so  hairy. 
Everybody  says  that  Carnations  ought  to  do  in 
London,  and  I  believe  they  would  ;  but  it  is  not 
everybody  in  the  country  who  can  grow  them. 
Still,  there  are  some  common  sorts  which  anyone 
might  manage.  As  you  say,  Ferns  will  consent  to 
exist,  but  only  the  common  ones  ;  and  I  find  that 
although  the  Hart's-tongues  have  the  most  shiny 
leaves,  they  die  at  once  in  our  garden. 

"In  the  places  you  mention  I  should  think  that 
Nasturtium  would  certainly  do  well.  I  can  get 
the  seeds  to  come  up  all  right,  but  they  will  not 
flower  here,  or  anywhere  without  sun.  I  noticed 
Carnation  seed,  sown  in  the  spring,  flowered  in  the 
Embankment  Charing  Cross  Gardens."  F.  A.  B. 
(To  he  concluded.) 


HARDY     EVERGREEN     OAKS. 

(Continued   from  page    321.) 

QUEKCUS  ACUTA.  — This 
Oak  is  one  of  a  distinct  type  of 
evergreen  species,  native  of  Japan, 
with  leaves  somewhat  Laurel-like 
in  character,  and  considerably 
larger  than  those  of  any  of  our 
European  species.  Belonging  to 
the  same  type  are  cuspid ata,  glauca,  glabra,  and 
vibrayeana,  all  of  which  will  be  described  in 
this  paper.  It  is  one  of  Messrs.  Veitch's  intro- 
ductions, and  in  the  Coombe  Wood  Nursery  is 
one  of  what  1  suppose  were  the  original  plants, 
now  a  fine  specimen  upwards  of  20  feet  high. 
This  and  all  the  other  representatives  of  the 
species  I  have  seen  in  Britain  are  rounded  and 
shrubby  in  habit.  Yet  Sargent  says  that  in 
Tokio,  where  it  is  common,  he  saw  trees  more 
than  80  feet  high.  Its  largest  leaves  are  about 
6  inches  long  and  2  inches  wide ;  the  smallest 
one-third  as  large.  They  are  of  ovate-lanceo- 
late shape,  of  stiff  leathery  texture,  dark  glossy 
green,  and  undulated  or  slightly  toothed  at  the 
margin.  The  acorn  is  oblong,  and  less  than 
1  inch  in  length.  Eaised  from  seed,  this  species 
shows  considerable  variation  in  habit  and  size 
of  leaf.  Some  forms  so  raised  have  been  named, 
such  as  robusta,  with  broader,  larger  leaves; 
and  pyramidalis,  with  a  more  erect  habit. 

Q.  agrifolia  (Enoina).  —  Introduced  from 
California  to  Great  Britain  by  the  Horticul- 
tural Society  in  1849,  this  evergreen  Oak  is 
still  one  of  the  rarest  of  cultivated  species.  A 
single  specimen  nearly  .30  feet  high,  with  a 
thick  trunk  dividing  near  the  base,  is  in  the 
collection  of  Oaks  at  Kew.  It  is  the  largest 
specimen  I  have  seen,  but  there  is,  I  believe,  a 
finer  specimen  in  Lord  Ducie's  arboretum  at 
Tortworth.  Of  bushy  habit,  with  a  rounded 
head  of  dark  foliage,  it  is  in  general  aspect 
very  similar  to  the  common  evergreen  Oak  (Q. 
Ilex).  No  doubt  its  similarity  to  their  native 
species  led  the  original  Spanish  colonists  in 
California  to  call  it  "  Encina,"  which  is  the 
Spanish  name  for  Q.  Ilex.  In  its  native  state 
Q.  agrifolia  is  described  as  occasionally  attain- 
ing a  stature  of  80  feet  to  90  feet,  but  as  a  rule 
it  is  a  low,  rounded  tree,  with  a  short  trunk, 
dividing  a  few  feet  up  into  large,  spreading 
limbs.  It  carries  a  dense  head  of  foliage  of 
darkest  green,  the  leaves  being  roundish-oblong 
and  from  1  inch  to  2?  inches  long.  When  young 
they  are  coated  beneath  with  a  grey  down,  but 
as  they  get  older  this  turns  brown  and  falls  off 
except  in  the  axils  of  the  veins.  The  leaves 
are  usually  toothed,  but  sometimes  are  nearly 
or  quite  entire.  The  acorn  averages  about 
1  inch  in  length,  and  is  narrow  and  tapers  to  a 


354 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


point ;  the  cup  encloses  about  one-third  of  its 
length.  In  parts  of  California  it  appears  to 
be  very  common,  and  the  seeds  are  used  as  food 
by  the  Indians.  In  regard  to  its  value  in  the 
Californian  landscape,  Sargent  says  ("  Silva  of 
North  America,"  t.  403) :  "  The  valleys  and  low 
hills  of  the  California  coast  owe  their  greatest 
charm  to  this  Oak,  which,  dotting  their  cover- 
ing of  vernal  green  or  their  brown  summer 
surface  with  its  low,  broad  heads  of  pale  con- 
torted branches  and  dense  foliage,  gives  them 
the  appearance  of  beautiful  parks." 

Q.  alnifolia  (the  Golden  Oak  of  Cyprus).— 
When  it  was  first  introduced,  now  a  little  over 
twenty  years  ago,  doubts  were  expressed 
as  to  this  species 
proving  hardy  in 
this  country. 
Judging,  how 
ever,  by  its 
behaviour  at 
Kew  during  that 
time,  I  think  we 
may  conclude 
that  it  will  with- 
stand any  cold  we 
are  likely  to  ex- 
perience in  the 
London  district, 
and  for  the  warm 
south  -  western 
counties  it  is 
admirably 
adapted.  But, 
like  several  of 
the  evergreen 
Oaks,  whilst  it 
has  proved  un- 
expectedly hardy, 
it  is  very  slow- 
growing.  It  is  a 
native  of  the 
mountains  of 
Cyprus,  and  is  a 
remarkably  dis- 
tinct species. 
From  all  other 
hardy  Oaks  it  is 
at  once  distin- 
guished by  the 
deep  yellow  down 
or  felt  that  covers 
the  lower  surface  of  the  leaves.  It  is  on 
the  young  leaves  that  this  is  brightest  and 
most  effective,  but  probably  it  is  never  so 
highly  coloured  out  of  doors  here  as  it 
is  in  its  warmer  native  country.  There 
are  two  plants  at  Kew— one  in  the  Oak  collec- 
tion, the  other  in  the  Himalayan  house,  and 
the  latter  has  the  golden  colour  much  more 
developed.  The  leaf  is  stiff  and  hard,  and  is 
usually  almost  round,  with  a  mucronate  tip 
and  crenately  toothed  margins,  the  upper  surface 
dark  green.  The  acorns  are  curiously  shaped, 
being  about  IJ  inches  long  and  one-eighth  of 
an  inch  to  half  an  inch  broad,  and  broadest 
towards  the  top  ;  they  are  somewhat  club  or 
truncheon  -  shaped.  There  are  said  to  be 
several  forms  of  this  Oak  in  Cyprus, 
varying  more  especially  in  the  shape  of  the 
leaf,  but  all  have  the  beautiful  golden  under 
surface. 

Q.  Ballota  (Sweet  Acorn  Oak). — There  is  an 
old  tree  of  this  species  in  the  Kew  collection 
about  30  feet  high,  but  like  so  many  of  the 
evergreen  Oaks  it  is  a  very  rare  tree  in  British 
gardens.  It  belongs  to  the  Q.  Ilex  group  and 
bears  some  resemblance  to  the  var.  Gramuntia. 
The  leaves  are  about  li  inches  long,  usually 
slightly  pointed,  but  often  almost  round,  the 
margins  set  with  fine  teeth  ;  from  the  leaves  of 
Q.  Ilex  they  differ  in  not  being  covered  with 


felt  beneath,  but  in  having  tufts  of  down  in  the 
axils  of  the  veins.  The  tree  has  a  dense  head 
of  rounded  form,  and  does  not  grow  anything 
like  so  fast  as  Q.  Ilex.  The  Acorn  is  rather 
larger  than  in  that  species,  the  base  enclosed  in 
a  hemispherical  cup.  Loudon  says  there  are 
vast  forests  of  this  tree  on  the  mountains  of 
Algeria  and  Morocco,  and  that  the  Acorns  are 
used  as  an  article  of  food  by  the  Moors.  It  is 
a  native  also  of  Spain  and  Portugal. 

Q.  chri/solepis  (Maul  Oak).— So  few  speci- 
mens of  this  Oak  have  been  introduced  to  this 
country  that  it  is  scarcely  possible  yet  to  judge 
of  its  value.  It  is,  at  any  rate,  well  worth 
trying  in  the  south-western  counties,  having 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


A  MON( 
A        «' 


LAVATERA  TEIMESTEIS. 
MONG  annuals  there  are  few  that  make 
such  a  magnificent  display  in  the 
flower  garden  as  Lavatera  trimestris. 
Under  good  cultivation  the  plant 
eaches  a  height  of  3  feet  or  4  feet, 
and  produces  an  abundance  of 
bright  rose  Mallow-like  flowers.  Of  tall-growing 
annuals  this  one  perhaps  is  best  worth  planting. 
To  .see  it  at  its  best  a  large  group  should  be 
made  of  it.  In  the  gardens  at  St.  Fagan's 
Castle  in  Glamorganshire,  where  annual  flowers 

are  a  feature,  and 


makea  wonderful 
show  in  the 
month  of  August, 
Lavatera  trimes- 
tris is  largely 
made  use  of. 
There  are  many 
big  masses  of  it, 
which  when  in 
full  bloom  in 
August  form  a 
delightful  feature 
in  the  garden  and 
grounds.  It  also 
makes  an  excel- 
lent summer 
hedge,  as  may  be 
seen  from  the 
accompa  nying 
illustration.  To 
make  a  hedge  of 
this  plant  is  quite 
an  uncommon 
practice,  yet  it  is 
one  to  be  recom- 
mended, both 
from  its  rarity 
and  also  the 
success  which 
attends  it.  As 
with  many  other 
annuals,  this 
Lavatera  must  be 
well  grown  or  the 
results  will  be 
unsatisfactory, 

lived  outside  at  Kew  and  at  Coombe  Wood  for  '  and  few  plants,  I  think,  succeed  in  giving  more 
several  years  past.     It  is  a  native  of  the  coast   complete   dissatisfaction    than    badly  -  grown 


HEDGE    or   THE   TREE    MALLOW    {LAVATERA   TRIMESTKIS). 


ranges  of  California,  and  was  discovered  by 
Hartweg  near  Monterey  in  1846.  In  its  native 
state  it  is  said  by  Professor  Sargent  to  be 
"  surpassed  in  majestic  dignity  and  massive 
strength  by  no  other  American  species  except 
the  Live  Oak  of  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
States "  (Q.  virens).  At  low  elevations  it  is 
40  feet  to  !i>0  feet  high,  with  a  short  trunk 
3  feet  to  .5  feet  in  diameter  and  immense 
spreading  limbs.  The  heads  of  single  speci- 
mens measure  as  much  as  50  yards  across.  The 
species,  however,  becomes  shrubby  at  the 
highest  elevations.  On  young  trees  the  leaves 
are  elliptical  or  oblong,  1  inch  to  2  inches  long, 
the  margins  set  with  numerous  spiny  teeth. 
As  the  tree  gets  older  they  become  less 
toothed  and  are  finally  entire.  The  young 
shoots  and  the  under  surface  of  the 
unfolding  young  leaves  are  covered  with  a 
close  down  of  golden  colour  which  becomes 
dull  with  age. 

Var.  vaccinifolia  is  the  form  that  occurs  at 
high  elevations.  It  is  a  shrub  2  feet  to  3  feet 
high,  and  forms  dense  thickets.  The  leaves 
are  1  inch  long,  entire,  and  rather  like  those  of 
a  small -leaved  Phillyrea. 

Kew.  W.  J.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


annuals.  It  is  better  to  sow  the  seed  in  boxes  in 
a  cold  frame  than  to  sow  in  the  open  border.  The 
seedlings  can  then  be  looked  afterniuch  better, 
and  may  be  encouraged  to  make  strong  little 
plants  before  being  put  out  in  the  border.  It 
is  important,  too,  that  the  soil  of  the  border  or 
bed  should  be  well  dug  and  made  suitable  as  a 
rooting  medium  ;  it  is  not  advisable,  however, 
to  make  it  very  rich  by  manuring,  for  in  good 
land  Mallows  have  a  tendency  to  grow  strongly 
and  flower  but  little.  I  have  grown  this 
Mallow  on  very  poor  land,  and  it  has  flowered 
very  freely,  but  the  plants  were  stunted  in 
growth  and  the  foliage  poor  ;  in  fact,  most  of 
the  leaves  had  fallen  by  the  time  the  flowers 
opened.  This  is  not  what  one  wants,  however, 
so  that  it  is  a  mistake  also  to  plant  the  seedlings 
in  impoverished  soil. 

In  The  Garden  for  January  22,  1898,  a 
coloured  plate  was  given  of  Lavatera  trimestris 
and  L.  t.  alba,  and  also  the  following  particulars 
concerning  it  :  L.  trimestris  is  a  native  of 
Southern  France,  Spain,  Morocco,  and  most  of 
the  countries  that  surround  the  Mediterranean 
Sea.  It  was  first  introduced  into  Britain  in 
1633,  and  is  certainly  one  of  the  showiest  of 
hardy  annuals.  It  grows  about  3  feet  high ;  the 
leaves  towards  the  base  of  the  stem  are  larger 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


and  more  rounded  than  those  near  the  top, 
where  they  become  narrow,  pointed,  and  lobed. 
The  flowers  are  each  3  inches  to  3J  inches  in 
diameter,  and  in  the  typical  plant  are  of  a 
bright  rose  colour  with  a  patch  of  maroon  in 
the  centre.  In  the  variety  alba  they  are  pure 
white.  The  flowering  season  extends  from 
July  to  September.  The  flowers  are  charming 
for  indoor  use.  The  greater  part  of  the  stem, 
with  its  open  and  unexpanded  blossoms,  should 
be  cut  and  arranged  in  vases,  (fee,  in  which  the 
blooms  will  continue  to  open  and  remain  in 
full  beauty  for  several  days.  The  plant  is 
worth  growing  in  a  reserve  plot  for  this  purpose 
alone.  The  seed,  which  can  be  purchased  for 
a  few  pence  from  any  seedsman,  may  be 
sown  in  March  or  early  April  on  the  border 
where  the  plants  are  desired  to  grow  and 
flower,  thinning  them  out  when  an  inch  or  two 
high.  A.  H.  P. 


A    W^HITE    NGRINE. 

I  AM  sending  you  herewith  a  water  colour 
painting  of  the  most  beautiful  Nerine  I  ever 
saw,  and  which  has  just  bloomed  in  my  con- 
servatory. The  colour  is  of  snowy  whiteness, 
rivalling  even  in  purity  the 
white  of  the  Watsonia  alba 
Ardernei,  and,  like  its  close 
relative  the  ordinary  Nerine 
sarniensis  (should  be  capensis), 
its  corolla  has  a  most  beautiful 
sheen — not  golden,  as  in  the 
ordinary  variety,  but  resembling 
frosted  silver.  The  original 
bulb  was  discovered  in  a  valley 
near  Caledon,  some  90  miles 
from  Cape  Town,  a  single  plant 
growing  amongst  thousands  of 
the  pink  variety,  so  it  is  a  true 
hisus  naturcB.  It  has  seeded 
freely  with  me,  and  I  am  sending 
a  few  of  them  to  the  Nerine 
specialist,  Mr.  Elwes,  hoping  he 
may  succeed  in  further  hybri- 
dising them. 

H.  M.  Aedeene. 
Cape  Town. 


under  surface,  which  ia  marked  with  small  brown 
dots.  The  flowers  are  borne,  usually  singly,  from  the 
axils  of  the  young  leaves  during  April  and  May,  and 
are  cream  coloured,  dotted  on  the  outer  side  with 
small  brownish  spots.  Individually  they  are  small, 
but  what  they  lack  in  size  is  made  up  for  by  numbers. 
The  fruit  ripens  in  July,  and  is  of  a  deep  orange 
colour  and  acid  to  the  taste.  In  America  it  has 
been  grown  for  its  fruit  with  some  success,  and 
certain  forms  have  been  selected  with  larger  truits. 

W.  D. 


ERICA  MEDITERRANEA. 
This  Heath  and  its  varieties  are  responsible  for  a 
very  effective  display  at  Kew  at  the  present  time, 
a  large  group  being  in  flower  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  temperate  house.  E.  mediterranea 
is  found  in  the  south-west  of  France,  Spain,  and 
the  warmer  parts  of  Ireland,  and,  according  to 
Loudon,  it  has  been  cultivated  in  British  gardens 
for  upwards  of  400  years.  When  mature  it  forms 
a  large  bush,  which  occasionally  attains  a  height 
of  10  feet ;  more  often,  however,  it  is  found  about 
half  that  height.  Under  cultivation  it  is  not  met 
with  in  quantity  very  often,  probably  through  the 
fact  of  its  being  liable  to  injury  from  frost  in 
severe  winters.  In  Loudon's  description  of  it  he 
says  that  plants  at  Syon,  which  had  stood  half  a 
century  and  were  above  10  feet  high,  were  killed 


to  the  ground  by  the  winter  of  18.37-38.  In  places 
however,  where  very  severe  frost  is  experienced 
on  rare  occasions  only,  it  is  a  plant  well  worth 
growing.  Cuttings  may  be  rooted  in  July  and 
August,  and  in  two  years  the  young  plants  are 
large  enough  to  place  in  permanent  positions. 
Under  ordinary  conditions,  at  six  years  of  age 
they  will  be  from  IJ  feet  to  2  feet  high,  with  a 
similar  diameter.  The  flowers,  which  are  rosy  red, 
are  borne  profusely  during  April  and  May,  being 
at  their  best  for  a  period  of  six  weeks.  The  best- 
known  varieties  are  alba,  with  white  flowers ; 
glauca,  having  glaucous  foliage  (a  plant,  however, 
of  little  value  compared  with  the  others) ;  hiber- 
nica,  the  Irish  form  ;  and  hybrida,  a  low-growing 
hybrid  claiming  E.  carnea  for  its  other  parent. 
This  latter  form  is  a  prolific  bloomer,  and  remains 
in  good  condition  for  four  or  five  months.  Early 
in  December  of  last  year  a  good  number  of  flowers 
were  open,  and  now  (the  end  of  April)  it  is  still 
attractive,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  it  has  been  a  perfect  mass  of  red. 

W.  Dallimoke. 


TREES  &.  SHRUBS. 


EL^AGNUS    MULTI- 
FLOEUS. 

m  IWOST  of  the  cultivated 
j\  /■  species  of  Elseagnus 
/  %  /  h  are  well  worth 
I  >f  I  growing  in  gardens, 
J^  y  4^  some  for  the  leaves, 
others  for  theflowers, 
and  others,  again,  for  both.  E. 
multiflorus  belongs  to  the  latter 
set,  and  a  third  recommendation 
may  be  urged  in  its  favour,  for 
the  fruit  is  very  ornamental, 
and  is  occasionally  used  for 
culinary  purposes,  jelly  being  made 
from  it.  It  is  a  native  of  China 
and  Japan,  and  has  been  known 
under  several  names,  E.  longipes 
being  the  most  common.  Under 
ordinary  conditions  it  makes  a 
bush  8  feet  or  so  high  and  10  feet 
or  more  through,  growing  naturally 
into  a  symmetrical  specimen, 
but  with  a  free  and  graceful  out- 
line. The  leaves  are  usually  deci- 
duous, but  sometimes  in  mild 
winters  and  in  places  not  visited 
by  severe  frost  it  is  almost,  if  not 
quite,  evergreen.  They  are  silvery 
in  appearance,  especially  on   the 


FENDLERA  RUPICOLA. 
This  is  a  very  rare  and  interesting  shrub,  and  in 
places  where  it  does  well  a  showy  one  also.  At 
Kew  a  small  plant  is  now  flowering  against  the 
Orchid  house  wall,  a  much  larger  specimen  in  the 
open  ground  having  not  yet  shown 
signs  of  blossoming.  Two  species 
only  of  Fendlera  are  known,  the 
one  under  notice  and  F.  utahensis. 
F.  rupicola  is  found  in  South-West 
Texas,  New  Mexico,  Utah,  and 
Arizona,  growing  on  dry  rocks 
exposed  to  full  sun.  When  mature 
it  forms  a  fairly  dense  bush  4  feet 
to  6  feet  high.  The  branches  are 
ver}'  small  and  twiggy,  and  are 
clothed  with  tiny  leaves,  which 
are  densely  covered  with  soft  grey 
hairs.  The  flowers  are  white  and 
produced  in  May.  They  are  curious 
by  reason  of  the  four  petals  being 
widely  separated  from  each  other, 
and  also  by  their  peculiar  shape. 
They  are  white,  with  golden 
anthers.  Although  it  was  known 
to  Mr.  Gumbleton  of  Cork  in  1882, 
according  to  the  Botanical  Maga- 
zine, it  does  not  appear  to  have 
made  much  headway,  for  it  was 
not  included  in  the  new  plant  lists 
until  1888.  Hot  summers  appear 
to  suit  it  better  than  wet  ones  like 
the  last.  W.  Dallimore. 


A    WHITE    NERINE. 


(From  a  drawing  sent  by  Mr,  Arderne,  The  Hill,  Claremont,  Cape  Town. 

natural  size.) 


Aboxit  onc-haU 


DECIDUOUS  MAGNOLIAS. 

The  spring  -  flowering  Magnolias 
have  rarely  been  better  than  they 
are  this  year.  They  have  escaped 
being  cut  by  frost,  which,  in  two 
years  out  of  three,  browns  the  tips 
of  the  petals  before  they  are  pro- 
perly expanded.  The  plants  in 
flower  at  the  present  time  are 
M.  conspicua,  M.  Lennei,  M. 
soulangeana,  M.  Alexandrina,  and 
M.  rustica  flore  rubio. 

M.  conspicua  (the  Yulan). — This 
is  a  native  of  China  and  Japan, 
and  bears  pure  white  flowers 
nearly  6  inches  across  when  ex- 
panded, and  of  good  substance. 
They  are  borne  in  large  numbers 
on  old-established  plants,  but  more 
sparingly  on  young  ones. 

JI.  Lennei. — This  is  one  of  a 
series  of  hybrids  between  M. 
obovata  (purpurea)  and  M.  con- 
spicua. M.  obovata  is  a  Chinese 
species  of  no  great  ornamental 
value  in  itself,  but  the  combination 
of  the  two  species  has  resulted  in 
several  valuable  garden  plants, 
varying  in  a  greater  or  less  degree. 
M.  Lennei  is  a  strong-growing  but 


356 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


rather  straggling  plant,  with  purple  flowers,  which 
are  rather  too  large  and  heavy  to  be  handsome. 

i/.  .'^oulangeana.— This  is  the  commonest  and  the 
best  known  of  the  conspicua  hybrids,  and  makes  a 
handsome  spreading  tree  15  feet  to  20  feet  in 
height.  The  flowers  are  about  the  same  size  as 
those  of  M.  conspicua,  and  are  white  and  purple. 
The  upper  part  of  the  flower  is  white,  while  the 
basal  half  is  pale  purple.  It  blooms  freely  as  a 
large  plant,  and  fairly  well  in  a  young  state.  M.  s. 
var.  nigra  is  a  form  with  darker  wood  and  deep 
purple-coloured  flowers. 

AI.  Ale.vandrina. —This  is  also  a  hybrid  form, 
probably  from  the  same  batch  of  seedlings  as  M. 
soulangeana,  which  it  much  resembles  in  every 
way.  The  tree,  however,  has  a  more  spreading 
and  looser  habit,  and  the  flowers  are  about  ten  days 
later  in  opening  and  have  a  deeper  purple  colouring. 

M.  ruMica  /lore  ruhro. — This  is  a  form  of  Conti- 
nental origin,  and  has  undoubtedly  been  raised 
from  M.  conspicua  and  M.  obovata,  either  as  a 
direct  hybrid  or  as  a  seedling  from  one  of  the 
existing  forms.  X  have  only  observed  for  two 
years,  but  it  seems  to  be  a  strong,  upright  grower 
and  a  free  bloomer.  The  flowers  are  as  large  as 
those  of  M.  Lennei,  with  the  colouring  of  M. 
Alexandrina.  The  two  latter  are  from  a  week  to 
a  fortnight  later  in  flowering  than  the  others. 

Bagshot.  J-  Clark. 


A    GARDEN    IN    SCOTLAND. 

SUMMERVILLE,    DUMFRIES,    N.B. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  gardens  in  the  imme- 
diate neighbourhood  of  Dumfries  is  that  of  Mr. 
James  Davidson  of  Summerville,  on  the  Kirkcud- 
brightshire side  of  the  river  Nith,  and  just  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  burgh  of  Maxwelltown.  Although 
not  of  great  extent,  it  shows  how  interesting  a 
garden  may  become  when  its  owner  is  himself  a 
lover  of  flowers,  and  takes  a  special  interest  in 
them.  For  a  considerable  number  of  years  alpine 
plants  have  been  favourites  of  Mr.  Davidson,  and 
the  collection  is  a  good  one,  although  no  attempt 
is  made  to  cultivate  these  on  elaborate  rockwork. 
Simple  rock  beds  on  the  grass — a  capital  way  of 
growing  many  good  alpines — are  always  interesting, 
and  this  is  the  system  adopted  with  the  greater 
number  at  Summerville. 

Among  the  most  prominent  features  is  the 
collection  of  Saxifrages,  which  all  do  well.  It 
includes  the  greater  number  of  the  best  of  the 
various  sections.  Among  the  most  pleasing  this 
year  has  been  S.  apiculata,  which  in  large  sheets 
has  been  very  fine.  Some  of  the  choicer  encrusted 
ones,  such  as  S.  aretioides,  do  very  well.  Alpine 
Dianthi  are  also  successfully  grown,  D.  alpinus 
being  unusually  fine  in  a  small  rock  bed  in  front  of 
the  conservatory.  The  dwarfer  Campanulas  are 
also  rather  largely  grown,  and  other  favourite 
genera  are  well  represented.  Among  the  others 
are  Synthyris  reniformis  (excellently  grown),  hardy 
Primulas,  Orchis  foliosa,  the  Kilmarnock  form  of 
O.  maculata,  Bryanthus  erectus,  and  many  others. 
Hardy  border  flowers  are  also  favourites,  and 
the  borders,  mainly  in  the  walled  garden,  contain 
the  majority  of  the  best  flowers  of  recent  years, 
with  choice  old  plants.  Many  flowers  generally 
grown  on  rockwork  find  a  congenial  place  in  the 
borders,  which  are  attractive  at  almost  all  times, 
beginning  with  the  earliest  bulbs  and  keeping  up 
a  constant  succession  until  frost  cuts  down  the 
last  of  the  Asters.  The  Eremuri  do  well,  and  fine 
spikes  of  E.  himalaicus  are  generally  to  be  seen  in 
the  flowering  season.  The  old  double  Delphinium 
sibiricum  is  very  successful  here.  Trilliums, 
Eryngiums,  Rudbeckias,  Erythroniums,  Fritil- 
larias,  Spirseas,  majestic  Rheums,  Helianthuses, 
Achilleas,  Narcissi,  including  a  fine  form  of  N. 
Iriandrus  albus,  and  many  other  bulbs  are  well 
grown.  Mr.  Muir,  Mr.  Davidson's  head  gardener, 
is  entitled  to  much  credit  in  this  department,  as 
well  as  in  others,  for  the  well  kept  condition  of 
the  borders.  Dahlias  and  other  half-hardy  plants 
are  also  cultivated.  Shrubs,  including  several 
Bamboos,  do  well  in  the  grounds. 

Another  feature  here  is  the  collection  of  Orchids, 
for  which  new  houses  were  erected  a  few  years  ago. 
Mr.   Davidson  spends  much  of    bis  time  among 


these,  and  recently  there  is  a  considerable  improve- 
ment in  the  appearance  of  the  plants.  The  most 
numerous  are  the  Odontoglossums,  and  in  the 
Odontoglossum  house  are  to  be  seen  some  fine 
forms  of  the  best  species.  Some  of  these  are  from 
imported  plants,  but  fine  forms  are  purchased  from 
time  to  time.  The  other  Orchids,  although  hardly 
so  well-coloured  in  their  pseudo-bulbs  and  foliage 
as  one  has  seen,  are  also  very  creditable,  and 
recently  some  of  the  newer  hybrid  L^lias  have 
been  added  to  the  collection.  Stove  plants  are 
also  rather  numerous  and  good,  while  the 
greenhouse  and  conservatory  stock  shows  a  great 
improvement  upon  what  it  was  a  number  of  years 
ago.  Show  Pelargoniums  and  Chrysanthemums 
are  generally  well  grown,  the  latter  being  mostly 
on  the  large  bloom  system.  The  other  glass 
departments,  such  as  the  Peach  house  and  the 
vinery,  are  looking  well  this  year,  while  outdoor 
fruit  and  vegetables  receive  a  due  share  of  atten- 
tion. It  is  seldom  that  a  garden  of  its  character 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  provincial  town  such  as 
Dumfries  contains  so  many  objects  of  horticultural 
interest.  Since  the  writer  first  saw  the  garden, 
now  a  good  many  years  ago,  it  has  steadily  grown 
in  interest.  S.  A. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor   is   not   respcmsihle  for   the  opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 


THE  PEESERVATION  OF  OUR  WILD 

FLOWERS  AND  FERNS. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

SI  E,— It  is  certainly  not  wonderful  that 
English  public  opinion  is  beginning 
to  awaken  to  the  necessity  of  doing 
something  to  check  the  threatened 
extermination  of  many  of  our  rarer 
or  more  beautiful  wild  flowers  and 
Ferns  to  the  manifest  detriment  of  the  rural 
beauty  of  our  land.  When  the  vast  and,  com- 
paratively speaking,  sparsely-populated  United 
States  has  already  decided  in  several  cases  on 
taking  legislative  measures  for  such  a  purpose, 
our  older  and  far  denser  population  may  well 
be  considered  to  have  rendered  a  similar  course 
necessary.  The  damage  done  by  the  growth 
of  towns  and  the  steady  advance  of  buildings 
seems  inevitable.  Cyperus  fuscus,  by  no  means 
an  attractively-beautiful  species,  no  longer 
grows  on  Eelbrook  Common,  nor  probably 
the  beautiful  Simethis  bicolor  on  the  outskirts 
of  Bournemouth.  Drainage  and  other  agricul- 
tural and  forestal  operations  are  sure  to 
exterminate  some  species,  at  least  locally. 
Quarrying  may  also  endanger  rarities,  such  as 
Arabis  stricta,  on  the  gorge  of  the  Bristol 
Avon.  In  such  cases  something  may  be  done 
by  transplanting  or  re-sowing  beyond  the  reach 
of  immediate  harm.  On  the  other  hand,  such 
needless  trimming  of  our  roadside  strips  of 
turf,  as  destroyed  the  only  Northamptonshire 
locality  for  Eryngium  campestre,  or  their 
replacement  by  stone  kerbs,  might  be  lessened 
could  we  only  educate  public  taste  and  opinion 
in  the  matter.  Though  the  cottagers  may 
occasionally  transfer  most  of  such  conspicuous 
species  as  Liliuni  Martagon  or  Doronicum 
plantagineum  to  their  gardens,  and  though  on 
the  outskirts  of  almost  every  village  children 
offend  the  eye  by  littering  the  ground  with 
withering  handfuls  of  picked  flowers,  rare  or 
common  alike,  probably  but  little  extermina- 
tion has  resulted  from  either  of  these  two 
causes.  Even  the  hooliganism  of  Nottingham 
"  lambs "  has  no  more  exterminated  Crocus 
vernus  than  have  repeated  hay  harvests 
destroyed  Tulipa  sylvestris  at  Southgate. 
Trippers  generally  "  go  for "  showy  species, 
and  more  often  pick  the  flowers  than  dig  up 


the  roots.  They  seem,  however,  to  have  gone 
a  long  way  towards  exterminating  so  prolific  a 
species  as  the  Foxglove  in  Epping  Forest.  It 
is  not,  however,  the  tripper  who  is  reducing 
our  Primroses,  or  entirely  eradicating  most 
species  of  Ferns  within  a  wide  radius  of  our 
large  towns.     It  is  the  trade  collector. 

I  do  not,  however,  think  the  scientific 
botanical  collector  is  free  from  blame.  There 
are  private  collectors  who  will  gather  fifty 
specimens  of  the  rarities  of  Teesdale  or  the 
Lizard,  and  there  are  private  herbaria  in  which 
one  sees  similar  large  suites  of  specimens  of 
non-variable  species,  the  only  excuse  for  which 
is  "  exchange,"  which  then  becomes  remarkably 
like  trade.  Nor  should  our  charity  in  this 
matter  begin  and  end  at  home.  The  collector 
who  takes  every  bulb  he  can  find  of  some  new 
or  rare  species  in  the  mountains  of  Portugal, 
Greece,  or  Asia  Minor,  though  he  may  be 
beyond  the  reach  of  any  possible  British  law, 
is  as  culpable  as  any  of  those  whom  we  hope 
to  punish  for  such  action  nearer  home. 

Though  fully  alive  to  the  many  difiiculties 
in  dealing  with  the  matter  preventively, 
there  are  four  methods  which  at  present  com- 
mend themselves  to  me  :  First,  the  education 
of  our  children  in  school,  and  of  adults  by 
means  of  lectures  and  leaflets,  in  a  greater 
respect  for  the  beauty  of  wild  nature;  secondly, 
the  adoption  by  all  local  natural  history  socie- 
ties as  one  of  their  objects,  "the  discouragement 
of  the  practice  of  removing  rare  plants  from 
the  localities  of  which  they  are  characteristic, ' 
and  the  appointment  by  every  such  society  of 
a  committee  to  report  on  plants  in  danger  of 
extermination  and  the  means  of  preventing  it  ; 
thirdly,  the  establishment  of  gardens,  like  that 
of  M.  Henri  Correvon  at  Geneva,  for  the  culti- 
vation of  rarities  ;  and,  fourthly,  that  county 
councils  should  be  empowered  to  enact  bye- 
laws  to  prohibit  (a)  the  rooting  up  of  any 
plants  within  certain  circumscribed  areas,  as 
indicated  by  notices,  or  {b)  the  rooting  up  or 
destroying  of  plants  on  other  people's  land  in 
quantity,  for  purpose  of  sale  or  profit,  through- 
out the  area  of  their  jurisdiction. 

I  must  not  trespass  longer  upon  your  space 
to  dilate  on  these  methods,  so  will  only  add 
that  the  last  is  that  recommended  by  the 
Devon  County  Council  on  the  motion  of  Mr. 
Hiern,  and  that  for  the  third  and  the  first  part 
of  the  fourth  I  would  suggest  that  the  Lizard, 
Ben  Lawers,  and,  perhaps,  the  New  Forest  and 
Upper  Teesdale  should  be  "  proclaimed,"  and 
that  gardens  in  the  Channel  Islands,  Cornwall, 
and  the  Scottish  Highlands  would  almost 
suffice.— G.  S.  BouLGEE,  Editor  of  JVattire 
Notes,  the  Selborne  Society's  Magazine. 


CABBAGES  BOLTING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garde.n."] 
Sir, — Much  has  been  written  respecting  this  ten- 
dency in  Cabbages,  and  many  supposed  causes  have 
been  given.  After  thirty-five  years'  observation  I 
have  come  to  regard  it  in  the  same  light  as  Mr. 
Strugnell  (page  312).  During  the  past  few  seasons 
I  have  tried  many  varieties,  sowing  at  diflerent 
periods,  planting  early  and  late.  This  year  we 
have  1,500  growing  side  by  side,  in  five  well-known 
sorts.  Half  the  plants  were  from  seed  sown  on 
July  23,  the  other  half  from  seed  sown  on 
August  3.  All  were  planted  out  when  large 
enough  on  land  that  Onions  had  been  grown  on, 
without  digging.  The  sorts  are  Mein's  No.  I, 
Flower  of  Spring,  First  and  Best,  EUam's  Early 
Dwarf,  with  Veitch's  Main  Crop.  Of  First  and 
Best  only  two  bolted ;  Flower  of  Spring,  six  ; 
EUam's,  fifteen ;  Mein's  No.  1,  rather  a  large 
number.  Most  of  the  bolted  plants  were  in  the 
first  sowing  and  planting.  When  at  Hackwood 
Park  on  April  20,  and  looking  over  the  kitchen 
garden  with  Mr.   Bowerraan,   we    inspected    the 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


35? 


my  garden  (North  Cornwall).  It  has  passed 
through  the  last  two  winters  without  any  pro- 
tection ;  it  has  never  been  cut  in  the  slightest 
degree,  and  is  now  established  and  beginning 
!  to  make  good  growth.  It  appears  to  be  hardier 
'  than  the  Orange,  and  very  nearly  as  hardy  as 
the  Olive.  Athelstan  Riley. 


BY   THE    HEATH    PONDS. 
(From  "Old  West  Sitrrey."    Loitjjinan^.) 

Cabbage  quarter — 3,000  plants,  all  from  seed  sown 
the  middle  of  July.  The  varieties  were  EUam's 
Early  and  Flower  of  Spring  chiefly  ;  they  were 
growing  on  ground  (not  dug)  previously  planted 
with  Onions.  They  were  planted  out  in  two  lots, 
the  first  as  soon  as  the  plants  were  large  enough, 
the  others  about  three  weeks  afterwards.  Of  the 
first  planting  3  per  cent,  had  bolted  of  Flower  of 
Spring,  while  of  EUam's  25  per  cent,  had  bolted. 
In  the  last  planting  scarcely  a  plant  of  Flower  of 
Spring  had  bolted,  and  about  5  per  cent,  of  EUam's 
Early. 

As  all  the  plants  were  from  the  same  sowing, 
this  proves  that  bolting  was  not  due  to  the  time  of 
sowing.  We  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  arose 
chiefly  from  a  coarse,  strong  growth.  No  doubt 
much  depends  upon  the  selection  of  stocks  for 
seeding.  I  have  proved  on  several  occasions  that 
plants  raised  from  the  same  packet  of  seed  sown 
in  the  middle  of  July  were  no  more  prone  to  bolt 
that  when  sown  a  month  later.  But  there  is  an 
immense  gain  in  the  spring  from  early  sown  plants. 
This  was  plainly  evident  at  Hackwood  Park.  At 
the  time  of  my  visit  a  good  number  of  heads  were 
cut,  and  many  were  ready.  It  is  of  considerable 
importance  to  clear  the  ground  early.  Mr.  Bower- 
man  intends  planting  Celery  for  autumn  use.  I 
shall  use  our  land  for  Parsnips  and  Carrots,  with 
Salsify  and  probably  some  Beetroot.  As  regards 
varieties,  Mr.  Bowerman  does  not  intend  growing 
EUam's  again,  considering  it  no  earlier  than 
Flower  of  Spring.  With  me  First  and  Best  was 
ready  first,  although  good  heads  could  be  cut  from 
each  variety  at  the  end  of  April  from  the  July 
sowing.  Those  from  the  August  sowing  are  ten 
days  or  so  later. 

Forde  Abbey,  Chard.  John  Crook. 


FEIJOA    SELLOWIA.NA   IN    NORTH 
CORNWALL. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Your  correspondent  in  The  Garden  of  the 
14th  inst.  says  of  this  fruit  tree  :   "  Being  a  native 
of   Southern   Brazil  it  is   far    from  hardy  in    this 
country."     It  may  interest  your  readers  who  are 
interested  in  sub-tropical   fruits   to   know    that   I 
have  a  Feijoa  growing  out  of  doors  on  a  wall  in 


LILIUM    PARKMANNI. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — I  was  pleased  to  learn  from  the  letter  of 
your  correspondent  A.  G.  Godraan  (page  .302), 
that  Lilium  Parkmanni  is  still  in  cultivation, 
for  I  had  an  idea  it  was  long  since  lost,  as  I 
have  not  heard  of  it  for  many  years.     It  was — 
or   shall    I   say   is? — a    most    beautiful   Lily, 
raised  in  the  United  States  by  Mr.   Parkman 
about  the  year  1866.     According  to  the  raiser 
it  was  obtained   by  fertilising  some  flowers  of 
Lilium  speciosuni   with   the   pollen  of   Lilium 
auratum.     About  fifty  seedlings  re.'sulted,  the 
first  of  which  flowered  in  the  summer  of  1869. 
It  proved  to  be  a  magnificent  flower  9^  inches 
in   diameter,  resembling  auratum  in  fragrance 
and  form,    and  the   most   brilliant  variety  of 
L.    speciosum   in    colour.       In    the    following 
year    the   flower   measured    nearly    12   inches 
from  tip  to  tip  of  the  extended  petals.     It  was 
the  only  one  that  flowered  like   this,  all    the 
other    seedHngs    from    the   same    pods    being 
simply   L.    speciosum.     To  test    the  influence 
of  the  male  parent  on  the  second   generation 
several   of    the    others    were    fertilised    with 
pollen  of   L.  auratum,   and   of  their  progeny, 
some  ten  in  number,  one  somewhat  resembled 
Parkmanni,  though  greatly  inferior,  while  the 
others  were  again  simply  speciosum.     Such,  in 
short,   is    the   early   history  of   Lilium    Park- 
manni,  the  stock  of   which   all  came  from    a 
single  bulb.     In  time  it  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
the    entire    stock    being    purchased    by   the    late 
Mr.    Anthony    Waterer,    who     obtained    a    first- 
class  certificate  for  it  at  a  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  at  South  Kensington  in  the 
summer  of  1880.     It  was  my  first  introduction  to 
this  superb  Lily,  the  memory  of  which  is  in  no  ways 
diminished  by  the  long  time  that  has  elapsed  since 
then.  H.  P. 


BOJ3KS. 

Old  West  Surrey. "' — It  is  impossible  not 
to  feel  regret  at  the  change  which  of  late  years  has 
come  over  the  life  and  habits  of  simple  country 
folk.  Invention  following  invention  in  quick 
succession  has 
brought  the 
remote  rural  dis- 
tricts into  close 
contact  with  the 
artificial  life  of  the 
great  cities,  and 
this  influence  on 
the  character  of 
the  rural  swain  has 
not  been  for  the 
best.  In  "Old 
West  Surrey" 
Miss  J  e  k  y  1  1 
describes  in  a 
delightful  way  the 
life  of  the  working 
classes  in  that 
district,  with 
which  she  has 
been  familiar  since 
childhood,  and 
points  out  regret- 
fully the  gradual 
disappearance  of 
all  that  lends  such 
a  distinctive 
character  to  rural 
life.  Until  about 
fifty  years  ago  the 
inhabitants  of 
villages    were 


entirely  dependent  on  local  materials  and  loca 
labour  for  building,  and  so  each  district  had 
a  distinct  style  of  its  own.  Nothing  could 
be  more  picturesque  than  the  old  cottages  of 
which  we  are  shown  many  illustrations,  with 
their  tiled  roofs  and  trailing  creepers,  and  the 
quaint  stone-paved  paths.  They  were  certainly 
not  perfection,  but,  as  Miss  .Jekyll  says,  "that 
is  no  reason  why  new  cottages  of  the  old  pattern 
should  not  be  made  sound  and  wholesome  and 
delightful  to  live  in." 

From  the  outside  of  the  cottage  and  farm  Miss 
Jekyll  passes  to  the  inside,  and  here  the  deteriora- 
tion is  still  more  marked.  In  olden  days  the 
cottagers  provided  themselves  only  with  such 
furniture  and  utensils  as  were  absolutely  necessary, 
and  they  were  solid  and  unpretentious.  There  was 
no  vulgar  attempt  at  display,  and  none  of  the  cheap 
rubbish  that  is  so  easily  obtainable  nowadays.  Yet 
where  they  could  they  indulged  in  ornamentation, 
as  is  to  be  seen  from  the  elaborate  carving  on  linen 
chests,  or  linen  hutches,  as  they  were  more  com- 
monly called,  and  other  articles  of  furniture.  A 
utensil  which  we  do  not  remember  to  have  seen 
before  is  the  "  cat,"  of  which  there  is  an  illustra- 
tion on  page  70  ;  but  still  more  curious  is  the  bed- 
waggon  on  page  72.  The  writer  describes  it  as 
follows:  "An  odd-looking  contrivance  generally 
in  use  in  farms  in  the  olden  days  was  the  bed- 
waggon.  It  is  for  warming  a  large  bed,  and  must 
have  done  its  work  most  efficiently.  The  one 
shown  is  3  feet  long,  but  they  were  generally 
longer.  The  woodwork  is  all  of  oak,  the  bent 
hoops  passing  through  the  straight  rails,  which  are 
tied  together  with  round  rods.  The  whole  thing  is 
light  and  strong.  A  pan  of  hot  embers  drops  into 
the  trivet,  which  stands  on  a  sheet-iron  tray. 
Another  sheet  of  iron  is  fixed  under  the  woodwork 
above  the  fire,  so  that  there  is  no  danger  of  burning 
the  bed."  The  chimney-crane  on  page  82  is  a 
beautiful  example  of  ornamental  work,  as  are  also 
the  fire-dogs  and  fire-backs  which  were  in  general 
use  in  the  farmhouses. 

The  methods  of  lighting  the  cottages  before  the 
invention  of  matches  were  necessarily  of  the  most 
primitive  description.  Miss  Jekyll  gives  an  in- 
teresting description  of  the  preparation  and  use  of 
rushlights  until  the  tallow  candle  began  to  take 
their  place.  If  one  may  judge  by  the  samplers  of 
which  photographs  are  shown,  the  cottagers  must 
have  been  very  clever  needlewomen,  and  if  they 
would  take  such  pains  with  what  was  purely 
ornamental,  one  can  imagine  what  care  they  would 
expend  on  what  had  also  to  serve  a  useful  purpose ; 
indeed,  the  patchwork  quilts  and  smocks  shown  by 

*  "Old  West  Surrey."  By  Gertrude  Jekyll.  Published  by 
Longmans,  39,  Paternoster  Row,  EC.    Price  13s.  nett. 


THE  everlasting  PEA  AT  A  COTTAGE  DOOR.    (From  "Old  West  Surrey.'     Longmans.) 


358 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


BANKSIAN  ROSE  ROUND  A  COTTAGE  WINDOW.    (From  •'Old  West  Surrey."  Longmans.)  Roses 

Miss  Jekyll  give  ample  evidence  of  this.  M  iny  of 
the  rural  industries  are  dying  out.  There  is  no 
longer  much  use  for  the  hurdle-maker,  fjr  wire 
netLing  la  cheaper  and  just  as  effective  as  the 
wattled  hurdles  which  used  to  enclose  the  sheep 
folds.  Another  industry  now  almost  extinct  in  this 
neighbourhood  was  the  catching  of  moles  with  the 
old  wooden  mole-trap,  which  is  here  described  in 
detail.  The  old  country  folk  who  still  retain  the 
speech  and  manner  of  the  earlier  part  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  are  thus  described  by  Miss  Jekyll : 

"  They  are  good  to  have  to  do  with,  these  kindly 
old  people.  Bright  and  cheerful  of  face,  pleasant 
and  ready  of  speech,  courteous  of  manner,  they  are 
a  precious  remnant  of  those  older  dava  when  men's 
lives  were  simpler  and  quieter.  Free  from  the 
stress  and  strain  and  restless  movement,  and  end- 
less hurry  and  struggle  against  time,  and  from  all 
the  petty  worrying  distracliona  that  fret  the  daily 
life  of  the  more  modern  worker.  So  pleasantly 
does  this  make  itself  felt,  that  to  be  with  one  of 
these  old  people  for  an  hour's  quiet  chat  is  a 
distinctly  restful  and  soothing  experience." 

The  disappearance  of  old  words  and  local  expres- 
sions, together  with  that  of  any  distinctive  form 
of  dress,  is  especially  deplored  by  the  author. 
Perhaps  one  of  the  pleasantest  chapters  in  the 
book,  and  one  of  the  most  beautifully  illustrated, 
is  that  on  cottage  gardens,  and  this  we  reproduce  : 

"Cottage  folk  are  great  lovers  of  flowers,  and 
their  charming  little  gardens  in  villages  and  by  the 
roadside  are  some  of  the  most  delightful  incidents 
of  road  travel  in  our  southern  counties. 

"The  most  usual  form  of  the  cottage  flower 
garden  is  a  strip  on  each  side  of  the  path  leading 
from  the  road  to  the  cottage  door  ;  but  if  the  space 
is  a  small  one  it  is  often  all  given  to  flowers. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  the  smaller  the  space  the  more 
is  crammed  into  it.  One  tiny  garden  that  I  used 
to  watch  with  much  pleasure  had  nearly  the  whole 
space  between  road  and  cottage  filled  with  a  rough 
staging.  It  was  a  good  example  of  how  much 
could  be  done  with  little  means  but  much  loving 
labour.  There  was  a  tiny  greenhouse  ....  that 
housed  the  tender  plants  in  winter,  but  it  could 
not  have  held  anything  like  the  quantity  of  plants 
that  appeared  on  the  staging  throughout  the 
summer.  There  were  Hydrangeas,  Fuchsias,  show 
and  zonal  Geraniums,  Lilies,  and  ISegonias  for  the 
main  show  ;  a  pot  or  two  of  the  graceful  Francoa 
and  half-hardy  annuals  cleverly  grown  in  pots  ;  a 
Clematis  smothered  in  bloom  over  the  door  ;  and, 
for  the  protection  of  all,  a  framework  to  which  a 
light  shelter  could  be  fixed  in  case  of  very  bad 
weather. 


"It  must  have 
given  pleasure  to 
thousands  of 
passers-by,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  pride 
and  delight  that  it 
must  have  been  to 
its  owner. 

"  There  is  scarcely 
a  cottage  without 
some  plants  in  the 
window;  indeed, 
the  windows  are 
often  so  much  filled 
up  with  them  that 
the  light  is  too 
much  obscured. 
The  wise  cottagers 
place  them  outside 
in  the  summer  to 
make  fresh 
growth  and  gain 
strength.   .   .   . 

"The  old  double 
white  Rose,  brother 
of  the  prettv  pink 
Maiden's  Blush, 
never     seems    so 
happy  or   looks   so 
well  as  in  a  cottage 
garden,  and  the  old 
kinds     of      cluster 
are      gieat 
favourites. 
"The  deep-rooting  Everlasting  Pea  ('Winter- 
bean  '  is  its  local  name)  is  a  fine  old  cottage  plant, 
and  Nasturtiums  ramble  far  and  wide.     Nowhere 
else  does  one  see  such  Wallflowers,  Sweet  Williams, 
and  Canterbury  Bells  as  in  these  carefully-tended 
little  plots. 

"  It  is  a  sign  of  careful  guiding  and  good  up- 
bringing when  the  little  boys  of  a  family  are  seen 
on  the  roads  with  old  shovels  and  little  improvised 
handcarts  collecting  horse  manure.  It  means  that 
the  plants  will  have  a  nourishing  surface  mulching 
that  will  be  much  to  their  benefit. 

"China  Asters  are  great  favourites — 'Chaney 
Oysters '  the  old  people  used  to  call  them— and 
Dahlias,  especially  the  light  formal  show  kinds, 
are  much  prized  and  grandly  grown. 

"Sweet-smelling  bushes  and  herbs,  such  as 
Rosemary,  Lavender,  Southernwood,  Mint,  Sage, 
and  Balm,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  were  to  be 
found  in  the  older  cottagers' garden  plots  ;  perhaps 
Southernwood  was  the  greatest  favourite  of  all. 
An  old  man  said  that  when  he  was  young  he  used 
to  put  Bergamot  (Monarda)  into  his  hair-grease. 
'  Just  did  please  the  girls,'  he  said. 

"Here  and  there  is  a  clipped  Yew  over  a  cottage 
entrance,  but  this  kind  of  work  is  not  so  frequent 
as  in  other  parts  of  the  country. 

"  These  little  gardens  always  seem  to  me  to  speak 
of  the  joy  of  life  and  cheerfulness  of  disposition, 
that  are  such  fine  attributes  of  the  character  of  our 
genuine  country  folk.  It  was  less  clearly  shown 
two  generations  ago,  when  men's  lives  were  less 
hurried  and  more  concentrated,  and  when  the 
simple  country  life  was  fuller  and  more  satisfying." 

Gardening-  for  Beg-inners.t— We  have 

received  the  third  edition  of  this  book  for  begin- 
ners. So  earnest  is  the  raiser  of  new  flowers  in 
these  days  that  a  book  is  quickly  out  of  date,  and 
the  introductions  from  abroad  of  beautiful  new 
trees  and  shrubs  make  it  imperative  to  alter  con- 
siderably the  lists  of  things  for  even  the  beginner 
when  a  new  edition  is  called  for.  Wherever  altera- 
tions were  deemed  necessary,  these  have  been  made 
and  nearly  100  illustrations  added,  without  increas- 
ing the  size  of  the  book.  Thia  has  been  accomplished 
by  careful  revision. 

Parkinson's   "  Paradlsus."  —  Messrs. 

Methuen's  reprint  of  John  Parkinson's  "  Paradisi 
in  Sole  Paradisus  Terrestris"  will  be  produced  in 
the  exact. size  of  the  original,  and  will  contain  all 
the  old  illustrations  to  the  number  of  over  100. 
Thia   edition    is  limited    in  number,    and    will   be 


issued  at  £1  10a.  net,  this  price  being  raised  to 
£2  2s.  net  after  the  day  of  publication.  An 
edition  of  twenty  copies  on  Japanese  paper  has 
also  been  printed. 


THE    EDITOR'S   TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interestingfjlants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower,  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower, 
and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor, 
.3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


t  "  Gardening  for  Beginners."  By  E.  T.  Cook.  Third 
edition.  Published  from  the  ofllces  of  Connln/  Life,  and  by 
Messrs.  George  Newues,  Limited.    Price  123.  (ij. 


Primula  Sieboldi. 
Mr.  Cornhill  sends  from  Byfleet  a  charming 
gathering  of  P.  Sieboldi,  the  flowers  in  some  cases 
prettily  fringed,  and  all  of  good  colour — bright 
crimson,  white,  lilac,  and  pink.  The  seedlings 
were  very  fine.  Mr.  Cornhill  writes  :  "  The  flowers 
were  taken  from  a  bed  of  plants  some  30  feet 
square  ;  the  soil  is  light  and  the  position  open." 


Cinerarias. 
Mr.  George  Merry,  The  Ashe  Gardens,  Etwall, 
Derby,  sends  a  brilliant  selection  of  Cinerarias, 
with  the  following  interesting  note:  "Of  all 
flowers  to  make  a  fine  show  in  the  conservatory 
there  is  nothing  to  surpass  the  Cineraria.  The 
plants  we  now  have  in  bloom  were  grown  from  seed 
supplied  by  Messrs.  Webb  of  Wordsley,  Stour- 
bridge. The  habit  of  the  plants,  the  size  of  the 
flowers,  and  the  various  colours  cannot  be  sur- 
passed. They  have  now  been  in  flower  for  three 
or  four  weeks,  and  are  still  quite  fresh.  I  make 
two  sowings — the  first  at  the  end  of  April,  and  the 
second  at  the  end  of  May.  I  always  use  good 
turfy  loam,  with  about  half  rotten  manure  and 
leaf-mould,  and  a  good  sprinkling  of  silver  sand.  I 
sow  the  seed  in  shallow  boxes,  and  prick  the  seed- 
lings out  into  small  pots  as  soon  as  they  are  large 
enough,  potting  them  on  into  larger  pots  when  the 
small  pots  are  full  of  roots,  finally  potting  into 
8-inch  pots  for  flowering.  The  soil  used  is  rather 
rough  for  the  final  potting.  I  always  grow  them 
in  cold  frames  in  a  shady  position  all  through  the 
summer.  About  the  end  of  November  I  place  them 
in  a  cold  vinery  and  keep  them  very  cool  till  they 
flower.  In  this  way  I  do  not  often  have  to  fumi- 
gate, as  I  am  not  troubled  with  green  fly." 

A  Seedling  Primrose. 
"A  North  Man  "  sends  a  few  flowers  of  a  hardy 
Primrose  that  appeared  among  a  lot  of  self-sown 
seedlings  last  spring.  It  is  certainly  a  striking 
variety.  The  stem  is  of  great  vigour,  and  the 
flowers  abundant  and  a  good  strong  red,  with 
yellow  centres.  It  is  a  flower  we  recommend 
"  North  Man  "  to  select  and  try  and  get  some  other 
rich  colourings  from,  not  running,  however,  into 
magentas  and  purples. 


Flowering  Shrubs  from  Ireland. 
Mr.  T.  Smith,  Daisy  Hill  Nursery,  Newry,  sends 
flowering  shoots  of  several  beautiful  shrubs.  Among 
them  are  Azalea  Vaseyii,  the  growths  leafless,  but 
bearing  pretty  rich  pink  flowers,  mottled  with  red 
in  the  centre  ;  Exoohorda  grandiflora,  whose  pure 
while  five-petalled  flowers  and  light  green  foliage 
associate  very  pleasingly;  Cerasus  Drumreaske, 
which,  we  are  told,  is  "on  its  own  roots,  and  runs 
about  like  Amygdalus  nanus  or  a  Raspberry" — it 
has  double  white  flowers  ;  C.  serrulata  rosea  is  full 
of  rosy  pink  blossoms  and  buds,  and  a  plant  of  it 
must  make  a  brave  show  ;  and  C.  s.  alba  is  not  so 
free  -  flowering,  judging  from  the  shoots  sent, 
although  its  large  white  single  blossoms  are  very 
attractive. 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


359 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Temperate  House. 
AoTtrs  GRACILLIMA,  Asystaaia  bella,  Beaumontia 
grandiflora,  Boronia  pulchella,  Corydalis  thalictri- 
folia,  Datura  chlorantha,  Macleania  insignia,  Penta- 
pterygium  serpens,  Pimelia  rosea,  P.  spectabilis, 
Psoralea  pinnata,  Rhododendron  Daliiousim,  R. 
Keyaii,  R.  Nuttallii,  R.  triflorum,  Seneoio  auricu- 
latissimua,  Solanum  seaforthianum,  Thoniasia  pur- 
purea, and  Tibouchina  heteromalla. 
T   Range. 

Chirita  haniosa,  Medinilla  niagnifica,  Ornitho- 
galum  laoteuni,  0.  thyraoides,  Paaaiflora  racemosa, 
Scilla  plumbea,  Stigniaphyllon  ciliatum,  Tabernaj- 
montana  longiflora,  Tillandaia  regeliana,  T.  splen- 
dens  var.  major,  and  Utricularia  montana. 
Orchid  Houses. 

Bulbophyllum  quadrifarium,  Chloriea  virescens, 
Cymbidium  lowianuni,  Dendrobium  Benson*,  D. 
chloropg,  I),  secundum,  D.  thyrsiflorum,  D.  undu- 
latum,  Epidendrum  Harlii,  Lycaate  crinita,  Mas- 
devallia  Chimera  var.  baokhouseaua,  M.  C.  var. 
Rttzlii,  M.  C.  var.  severa,  Oncidium  altissimum, 
0.  leucochilum,  0.  phymatochilum,  Selenipedium 
grande,  S.  Titanum,  Sobralia  macrantha,  and  Vanda 
teres. 

Astilbe  japonica.  Begonia  semperBorens  vars., 
Celsia  Aroturus,  C.  cretica,  Helichrysum  humile 
var.  purpureum,  Lathyrus  pubescens,  Senecio 
cantabridgensia,  S.  kewenais,  S.  Lady  Thiaelton- 
Dyer,  and  S.  Moorei. 

Avoid  House. 

Amherstia  nobilia. 

Alpine  House. 

Achillea  ageratifolia,  ArmenaWelwitachii,  Dode- 
catheon  Jeff'reyi,  D.  media,  Gentiana  verna,  Hea- 
perochironcaliforniea,  Lychnia  alpina.  Orchis  moris, 
Phlox  divaricata,  Primula  oortusoides,  and  Silene 
pennsylvaniea. 

Rock  Garden. 

Adonis  pyrenaica.  Anemone  pratensis  var.  nigri- 
cans, Cheiranthua  AUionii,  C.  alpinua,  Cornus 
canadensis,  Corydalis  nobilis.  Daphne  Cneorura  var. 
major,  Epimedium  muasohianum,  Erodium  pelar- 
gonifiorum,  Lathyrus  luteua  var.  aureus,  Orchia 
papilionacea,  Phlox  reptans,  and  Saxifraga  mus- 
coides  var.  atropurpurea. 

Walls. 
Adenocarpus  deoorticans,  Anthyllia  Barba-jovis, 
Ceanothus  velutinus,  Choisya  ternata,  and  Ribes 
viburnifolium. 

Arhoretum. 
Trees  and  shrubs  are  now  at  their  best,  and  a 
large  number  of  species  of  most  of  the  following 
genera  are  to  be  seen  :  Berberis,  Cytisus,  Elasagnus, 
Erica,  Prunua,  Pyrus,  and  Spiraea  ;  also  Daphni- 
phyllum  maoropodum,  Enkianthus  japonicus, 
Eothergilla  major,  Kerria  japonica,  Purshia  tri- 
dentata,  and  other  things. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Window-boxes. 

UNLESS  they  are  fixtures,  an  effort 
should  be  made  to  plant  the  window- 
boxes  in  the  potting  ahed,  and  keep 
them  under  cover  for  a  few  days 
before  putting  them  in  their  places. 
As  a  big  display  will  have  to  be  made 
from  a  comparatively  small  rooting  space  the 
compost  used  must  be  fairly  rich  and  contain  a 
good  proportion  of  loam.  A  thin  layer  of  crocks 
covered  with  rough  pieces  of  loam  should  provide 
sufficient  drainage.     Plant  firmly. 

The    class    of    plants    employed    will    depend 
largely  on  the  requirements  of  the  place.     White 


Marguerites  and  scarlet  Geraniums,  with  pink  Ivy- 
leaved  Pelargoniums  trailing  over  the  fronts  of  the 
boxes,  are  very  pretty,  but  how  tired  one  gels  of 
this  combination.  As  a  rule,  whatever  is  used 
must  be  of  a  character  to  produce  a  display 
throughout  the  summer  and  autumn.  Where 
sweet-scented  flowers  and  plants  are  esteemed  we 
must  depend  largely  on  such  aa  Heliotrope,  Lippia 
citriodora,  and  the  acented  Geraniums.  An  occa- 
aional  plant  of  the  Pine-apple  scented  Salvia 
rutilana  will  be  appreciated,  and  will  flower  freely 
during  a  mild  autumn.  Fuchsias  and  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums  are  too  brittle  for  use  in  windy 
localities,  but  Manglesi  variegata  will  withstan<l 
more  wind  than  moat  varieties.  In  such  localities 
the  old  Tom  Thumb  and  West  Brighton  Gem 
Pelargoniums  are  useful  for  producing  a  continuous 
display  of  colour,  and  the  Creeping  Jenny  is 
invaluable  as  a  trailing  plant. 

Rhododendrons. 
Tlieae  greatly  benefit  by  an  early  removal  of  the 
aeed-pods.  Where  large  numbers  are  grown  it  is 
sometimes  an  almost  impossible  task  to  go  over 
them  all,  but  if  a  start  is  made  as  soon  as  the 
earliest  have  finished  flowering,  and  the  work 
continued  at  convenient  intervals,  such  as  during 
showery  weather,  much  may  be  accomplished. 
For  the  first  four  or  five  years  after  planting  it  is 
imperative  that  the  seed  vessels  be  annually 
removed.  Plants  out  of  health  will  improve  if  a 
a  mulch,  even  though  only  of  leaf-soil  or  grass 
from  the  lawn-mower,  be  applied. 

Annuals. 

Many  of  the  first  sowing  now  require  thinning. 
In  view  of  the  unusual  numbers  of  slugs  and  snails 
which  are  about  this  work  should  be  done  gradually 
or  there  will  probably  be  blanks.  Shirley  Poppies, 
Mignonette,  kc,  should  finally  be  allowed  ample 
room  for  development,  and  more  seed  should  be 
sown  for  future  displays.  The  annuals  raised  in 
heat  and  pricked  off  in  boxes  are  now  sufficiently 
hardened  to  be  transferred  to  their  flowering 
positions.  If  this  can  be  done  during  dull  or 
showery  weather  the  check  of  removal  will  be 
slight.  A.  C.  Baktlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Early  Peaches. 
Such  varieties  of  Peaches  as  Alexander  and  Water- 
loo, Advance  and  Cardinal  Nectarines,  started  in 
January  are  now  ripe  or  ripening.  The  atmosphere 
of  the  house  must  be  kept  drier,  with  a  freer 
circulation  of  air.  As  soon  as  all  the  fruit  is 
gathered  syringe  the  trees  with  some  insecticide  to 
clear  the  foliage  of  red  spider,  and  endeavour  to 
keep  the  leavea  healthy  by  syringing.  Keep  the 
ventilators  wide  open  night  and  day,  and  give  the 
trees  a  good  wateting  and  occasional  waterings 
with  liquid  manure.  Remove  any  laterals  and 
leaves  which  shade  the  fruits,  and  keep  a  circula- 
tion of  warm  air  to  ensure  high  colour  and  good 
flavour. 

Succession  Peaches. 

The  night  temperature  during  the  stoning  period 
should  not  exceed  60°,  with  free  ventilation. 
Commence  to  air  early  at  6.5*,  and  increase  as  the 
temperature  rises.  Tie  down  the  shoots  and  pinch 
the  laterals  ;  remove  shoots  that  carry  no  fruit, 
and  so  avoid  crowding  the  growths.  See  that  the 
trees  do  not  suffer  for  want  of  water  at  the  roots, 
and  give  liquid  manure  water  to  old  trees  carrying 
heavy  crops,  care  being  taken  not  to  overfeed  young 
trees.  Keep  the  trees  clear  of  fly  and  thripa  by 
light  fumigation  with  XL  All  and  frequent 
syringings.  Mulch  the  borders  with  half-decayed 
manure  or  horse  manure.  Thin  the  fruits  on  trees 
approaching  stoning,  leaving  two  on  strong  shoots 
and  one  on  weaker  onea.  Keep  the  shoots  thinly 
trained,  so  that  plenty  of  light  may  reach  the 
fruits.  Pinch  any  strong-growing  shoots  to  keep 
both  side-!  of  the  trees  uniform.  A  temperature  of 
65°  to  68°  at  night  will  be  suitable,  rising  to  8.5° 
by  day  with  sun-heat. 

Disbud  the  trees  in  late  houses,  and  thin  the 
fruits  freely  ;  tie  down  the  shoots  as  they  increase 
in  length  ;    syringe  the  trees  night  and  morning, 


unless  the  nights  are  likely  to  be  cold.  If  the  trees 
are  grown  in  unheated  houses  close  early  to  allow 
the  foliage  to  become  dry  before  nightfall. 

Fifis. 

Trees  grown  in  pots,  of  such  varieties  as  St. 
.John's,  of  which  the  fruit  has  been  gathered  must 
be  well  syringed  to  keep  the  foliage  clean,  and  well 
watered.  Early  planted  out  trees  whose  fruita  are 
approaching  maturity  will  require  less  water,  with 
a  freer  ventilation  and  less  direct  syringing.  When 
the  firat  crop  is  gathered  syringe  the  trees  freely, 
and  give  liberal  supphes  of  liquid  manure  to  trees 
requiring  it.  Thin  the  fruits  freely,  tie  down  the 
shoots,  remove  any  weak  growths,  and  allow  the 
fruits  the  full  benefit  of  light  and  air. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

French  Beans. 

The  weather  and  state  of  the  soil  are  now  such 
that  a  first  sowing  of  these  may  be  put  in.  In  cold, 
wet  gardens  it  is  advisable  to  wait  until  the  soil  is 
in  proper  condition  before  sowing,  otherwise  many 
of  the  seeds  will  rot,  and  those  that  do  come  up 
will  be  weakly.  Choose  a  south  border,  and  for 
the  first  sowing  sow  rather  thickly.  Canadian 
Wonder  is  a  good  sort  for  this  sowing.  In  the 
event  of  cold  winds  being  prevalent  when  the 
plants  come  up  place  some  leafy  twigs  along  the 
rows.  A  row  of  the  climbing  variety  may  also  be 
got  in,  as  this  produces  large,  handsome  pods, 
similar  to  the  dwarf  sorts.  I  think  it  a  mistake, 
however,  to  depend  on  the  climbing  Bean  for  a 
crop,  as  in  some  gardens  it  is  far  from  being 
satisfactory.  Plants  of  the  dwarf  sorts  raised 
under  glass  for  planting  out  may  now  be  got  in  if 
well  hardened.  Plant  in  a  warm  sheltered  spot, 
and  if  the  ground  is  dry  give  water  when  necessary 
till  they  become  established.  Those  growing  in 
pits  or  frames  will  require  plenty  of  water  and 
careful  airing. 

Seakale. 
An  inspection  of  this  crop  should  now  be  made. 
The  new  plantations  will  require  to  be  disbudded. 
Remove  all  shoots  but  one — the  strongest — as  this 
will  form  the  crown  for  forcing  next  season. 
Permanent  beds  may  be  given  a  dressing  of  old 
manure  before  growth  is  too  far  advanced. 

Early  Potatoes. 
The  early  crops  in  pots  will  soon  be  over. 
Those  growing  in  frames  will  come  into  use  shortly. 
The  sashes  may  now  be  taken  off  the  plants  alto- 
gether, and  if  the  plants  are  likely  to  be  twisted 
about  by  winds  a  stake  should  be  placed  to  each 
until  they  show  signs  of  ripening.  Early  Potatoes 
coming  through  the  soil  should  be  frequently  hoed 
through  to  check  the  growth  of  seedling  weeds, 
now  showing  in  plenty.  Loosen  the  soil  between 
the  rows  before  earthing  up  the  crop.  This  should 
be  done  when  the  plants  are  about  6  inches  high. 
If  any  artificial  manure  is  to  be  applied  it  may  be 
spread  on  the  surface  just  before  hoeiug. 

Chicory. 
Where  this  is  in  demand  it  may  be  sown  now 
safely,  there  being  not  the  same  danger  of  the 
plants  running  to  seed  as  from  April  sowing.  Any 
fairly  good  soil  is  suitable  if  not  shaded  by  trees 
The  rows  may  be  15  inches  apart,  thinning  early  to 
6  inches  between  the  plants. 

Endive. 
If  this  should  be  required  early  in  the  autumn  a 
small  quantity  of  seed  may  be  put  in  now.     Sow 
thinly  in  shallow  drills,  and  transplant  carefully  to 
a  rich  soil  1  foot  apart  each  way. 

Thomas  Hay. 
Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.  B. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 
Although  the  weather  until  now  has  scarcely 
been  favourable  to  placing  Chrysanthemums  in 
their  summer  quartera  out  of  doors,  there  must  be 
no  further  delay  in  doing  this  or  their  shoots  will 
become  weak.  Prepare  at  once  for  potting  these 
plants  into  their  flowering  pots  ;  the  compost  to  be 
used  may  consist  of  lumps  of  good  fibrous  loam  and 


360 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


half-deoayed  leaf-soil  in  equal  parts,  with  half  a 
part  of  coarse  sand  and  a  little  broken  charcoal. 
To  every  barrowful  of  the  mixture  use  one-fourth 
part  of  horse  manure,  and  a  5-inoh  pot  full  of  soot 
to  every  four  barrow-loads. 

Upon  the  strength  of  the  plants  will  depend  the 
sizes  of  pots  they  should  be  given,  but  generally 
8J-inch  to  9-inch  pots  are  large  enough.  These 
should  be  drained  well,  and  on  the  top  of  the  crocks 
sprinkle  a  few  J-inch  bones.  Pot  firmly,  and  in 
doing  so  place  the  top  of  the  old  ball  well  below 
the  surface  of  the  new  soil.  Directly  the  plants 
are  again  established  stop  the  shoots  of  those  that 
require  it  for  the  last  time.  Inserting  a  few  tops 
of  shoots  as  cuttings,  three  in  a  3-inch  pot,  and 
rooting  them  in  a  close  frame  is  a  capital  method 
of  producing  a  few  useful  decorative  plants,  which 
after  being  rooted  should  be  given  a  shift  into 
rather  larger  pots. 

Cockscombs. 

Plants  that  have  been  raised  from  seeds  sown 
during  February  or  early  in  March  are  beginning 
to  show  their  combs,  and  are  ready  for  being 
removed  from  small  pots  into  their  flowering  pots. 
Equal  parts  fibrous  loam  and  leaf-mould,  with  a 
little  dried  cow  manure  in  a  lumpy  state  and  a 
small  proportion  of  coarse  sand,  will  form  a  capital 
compost;  and  to  keep  the  plants  dwarf  they  should 
be  potted  rather  deeply  in  the  new  soil. 

To  encourage  early  root  action,  plunge  the  pots 
in  a  gentle  bottom-heat,  or  place  them  on  a  shelf 
close  to  the  glass  in  a  house  having  a  temperature 
of  60°,  and  for  a  few  days  afford  Ihera  shade  from 
strong  sunlight,  and  syringe  abundantly  to  main- 
tain a  moist  atmosphere.  Afterwards  remove  them 
to  a  cooler  temperature,  where  they  can  be  given 
plenty  of  air  and  light,  as  well  as  a  liberal  supply 
of  liquid  manure  to  assist  them  to  develop  fine 
large  combs. 

Celsia  Abctorus. 

The  cool  greenhouse,  where  plenty  of  air  can 
circulate  about  the  plants,  or  even  a  cold  frame  are 
positions  in  which  to  grow  this  plant  successfully. 
To  form  large  specimens  place  three  plants  in  a  pot, 
but  for  general  decorative  work  and  for  grouping 
they  are  better  grown  singly. 

CiNEEARIAS. 

Plants  raised  from  seeds  sown  at  this  time 
usually  do  best,  as  generally  they  grow  away 
without  a  check.  Sow  the  seeds  in  well-drained 
pans  filled  with  sandy  soil,  and  place  them  in  a 
close,  but  not  a  high  temperature,  where  plenty  of 
shade  and  moisture  can  be  afforded. 

Tranby  Croft,  Hull.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 


CHRYS  ANTHEMUMS. 

Final  Potting. 

By  the  time  these  lines  are  in  print  the  great 
majority  of  the  plants  which  have  been  nursed 
along  with  so  much  care  during  the  past  three  or 
four  months  should  now  be  strong  and  sturdy, 
well  rooted,  and  quite  ready  to  be  shifted  on  into 
whatever  size  pots  it  is  intended  to  flower  them  in. 
A  difference  of  opinion  exists  among  first-class 
growers  as  to  the  amount  of  pot  room  required 
to  produce  the  best  high-class  flowers.  I  never  was 
an  advocate  for  large  pots,  and  unquestionably 
some  of  the  finest  flowers  ever  seen  have  been 
obtained  when  finished  in  7-inch,  8-inch,  and 
10-inoh  pots,  but  when  the  pot  is  small  the  strictest 
attention  is  needful  in  the  way  of  feeding  and 
watering  during  the  summer  months. 

Compost. 
This  should  be  always  well  prepared  some  days 
before  it  is  used,  so  that  it  can  be  turned  often  and 
the  various  ingredients  thus  become  thoroughly 
incorporated  ;  but  it  often  happens  that  owing  to 
pressure  of  work  at  this  very  busy  season  of  the 
year  this  has  to  be  put  off  till  the  last  moment,  and 
when  this  is  so  too  much  care  can  hardly  be  taken. 
Frequently  the  mixture  is  used  when  either  too  wet 
or  too  dry,  and  this  may  mean  that  the  plants  will 
receive  a  serious  check.  A  happy  medium  should 
always  be  observed.  Good  fibrous  loam  of  a 
medium  texture  is  certainly  the  principal  in- 
gredient,   that    cut    from    an    old    pasture    and 


stacked  about  six  months  ago  being  preferable. 
At  least  three  parts  should  be  used  out  of  four, 
one  part  being  made  up  of  finely-sifted  horse 
manure,  well-decayed  leaf-soil  finely  sifted,  and 
sufficient  road  sand  and  finely-broken  mortar  rubble 
to  render  it  porous.  Add  to  every  two  bushels 
one  6-inch  pot  full  each  of  J-inch  or  J-inch  bones, 
Thompson's  Plant  Manure,  and  finely-crushed 
charcoal. 

Drainage. 

One  of  the  most  important  items  in  connexion 
with  successful  Chrysanthemum  culture  is  a  free 
and  uninterrupted  waterway,  consequently  the 
crocks  used  should  be  thoroughly  clean,  dry,  and 
carefully  arranged.  Three  sizes  at  least  should  be 
used,  the  top  layer  being  very  fine  but  free  from 
dust.  A  sufficient  layer  of  clean  fibre  taken  from 
the  loam  heap  should  be  placed  over  it,  and  on  this 
scatter  a  few  J-inch  bones.  See  that  each  plant 
before  potting  is  not  dry,  and  watering  should  be 
done  some  hours  before  turning  them  out.  Pot 
firmly,  using  a  proper  potting  stick  for  the  purpose, 
and  when  the  soil  is  in  good  condition  this  can 
hardly  be  practised  too  severely  except  the  surface, 
which  should  receive  a  good  sprinkling  of  the  finest 
soil,  not  rammed.  Stake  each  plant  neatly  as  the 
work  proceeds,  correctly  label,  damp  over  the 
plants  and  soil  with  a  fine  rose  watering-can,  and 
arrange  them  in  beds  in  a  sheltered  position  where 
they  can  be  frequently  syringed  and  attended  to 
until  they  recover  from  the  slight  check  which 
they  necessarily  must  have  received.  Keep  the 
points  constantly  dusted  with  tobacco  powder, 
which  should  be  applied  durine  the  evening  and 
thoroughly  washed  out  the  following  morning. 
This  does  no  harm,  and  prevents  the  foliage  getting 
crippled  with  aphis  and  thrips.  Keep  a  sharp 
look  out  for  the  leaf-miner,  which  often  at  this 
season  does  much  damage  to  the  lower  leaves. 
Soot  quite  fresh  is  obnoxious  to  the  fly,  and  if 
applied  often  sufficiently  early  in  the  season  it  will 
to  a  great  extent  prevent  them  from  depositing 
their  eggs  ;  but  immediately  the  young  maggot  is 
noticed  to  be  working  between  the  tissues  of  the 
leaves  carefully  pick  it  out  with  a  pointed  stick. 
About  three  or  four  days  after  potting  the  plants 
should  be  thoroughly  watered  in,  filling  up  the 
pots  at  least  three  or  four  times,  thus  making 
quite  certain  that  every  particle  of  the  soil  becomes 
moistened,  after  which,  until  the  plants  become 
thoroughly  rooted,  the  greatest  care  in  watering 
must  be  exercised.  Once  allow  the  soil  to  become 
sour,  and  the  plants  sufler  considerably. 

E.  Beckett. 

Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


VERBENA  KING  OF  SCARLETS  ia 
one  of  the  very  best  for  pots.  Mr. 
Sweet  of  Whetstone  is  now  sending  it 
to  market.  The  plants  are  in  44-inch 
pots,  and  from  8  inches  to  10  inches 
high,  carrying  a  good  number  of  trusses 
of  bloom.  The  individual  flowers  are  not  quite  so 
large  as  those  of  the  variety  Miss  E.  Willmott, 
but  they  are  of  a  peculiar  rich  crimson-scarlet.  It 
should  make  a  most  valuable  plant  for  bedding  as 
well  as  for  pot  work,  and  it  is  evidently  a  favourite 
with  the  florists,  for  it  sells  most  readily  at  a  good 
price.  Several  growers  are  now  bringing  in  the 
variety  Miss  E.  Wilmott,  those  on  Mr.  E. 
Rochford's  stands  being  remarkably  well  flowered. 
Cotyledon  pyramidalis. — Some  years  ago  this 
was  well  grown  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Chiswick  Gardens.  It  is  a  most  useful 
plant  at  this  season  of  the  year,  yet  very  few 
market  growers  seem  to  have  taken  it  up.  Mr. 
Sweet  is  now  sending  in  some  well-grown  plants, 
with  the  pyramidal  racemes  of  white  blooms  fully 
18  inches  high.  Some  plants  will  produce  offsets 
instead  of  flowering,  and  the  strongest  of  these,  if 
potted  and  grown  on  in  a  cold  pit,  flower  the 
following  spring,  or  the  smaller  ones  may  require 
to   be   kept  until   another   year.     They   may   be 


potted  in  any  good  loamy  soil,  the  addition  of  a 
little  old  mortar  rubbish  will  be  beneficial.  They 
may  be  taken  into  warmth  when  the  flower-spikes 
show,  otherwise  they  are  better  in  a  pit  if  frost 
can  be  kept  from  them. 

Carnation  Duchess  of  Fife. — This  is  still  a 
favourite  with  many  market  growers,  and  just  now 
cut  blooms  of  it  are  very  plentiful.  Although 
belonging  to  the  border  varieties,  it  may  be  grown 
in  pots  for  early  spring-flowering,  and  succeeds 
very  well.  The  soft  pink  with  a  silvery  shade  is  a 
great  favourite  with  florists.  Mrs.  F.  W.  Flight 
is  a  newer  variety  which  I  grew  last  year,  and 
found  a  most  useful  Carnation.  It  is  a  rather 
deeper  shade  of  colour  than  the  above,  with  broad, 
smooth  petals.  Princess  May  is  one  of  the  most 
useful  of  the  Malmaison  section.  It  is  one  of  the 
best  growers,  and  the  large,  bright  pink  blooms 
always  find  a  read3'  sale  in  the  market.  On  a 
recent  visit  to  Messrs.  H.  Low  and  Co.'s  Bush 
Hill  Park  Nursery  I  found  they  were  devoting  a 
large  house  almost  entirely  to  the  culture  of  this 
one  variety,  and  the  plants  were  all  in  the  most 
promising  condition. 

Yellow  Calceolarias. — The  old  floribunda  seems 
to  have  quite  gone  out  of  cultivation,  at  least,  as 
far  as  its  culture  for  Covent  Garden  Market  is 
concerned,  but  in  Golden  Gem  we  have  an  equally 
good  one,  though  perhaps  it  does  not  produce  such 
large  heads  of  bloom.  It  has  the  advantage  of 
being  of  better  constitution.  Growers  are  now 
bringing  this  in  fine  condition  well-flowered 
plants  in  4J-inch  pots.  On  Saturday  last  there 
was  a  good  demand  for  them  at  higher  prices  than 
are  usually  made  for  this  class  of  plants.      A.  H. 


A    FEAST    OF    TULIPS. 

As  I  stood  on  a  recent  warm  afternoon  in  the 
midst  of  the  great  expanse  of  May-blooming  Tulips 
Messrs.  Barr  have  at  Long  Ditton,  I  realised  that 
these  flowers  have  a  special  glory.  The  April 
Tulips,  rich  in  colour  as  they  are,  are  somewhat 
dwarf  and  generally  stiff.  They  may  do  well  for 
spring  bedding,  but  they  lack  the  grace  and 
brilliancy  of  the  later  Tulips.  How  wonderfully 
these  so-called  Darwins,  though  I  think  the 
term  May  Tulips  to  be  better  and  more  compre- 
hensive, increase  in  variety  and  in  flower  beauty. 
In  a  few  years,  when  these  become  plentiful  and 
cheap,  the  varieties  now  so  abundant  may  be 
regarded  as  rather  out  of  date.  All  the  same,  it  is 
difficult  to  see  any  variety  at  Long  Ditton,  no 
matter  how  plentiful  or  how  cheap  it  may  be, 
without  becoming  interested  in  its  beauty  and 
colours.  Even  the  old  Sultan,  still  perhaps  the 
darkest  of  all,  though  now  greatly  exceeded  by 
other  dark  ones  in  size  of  bloom,  yet  seen  in 
quantity,  attracts  the  most  admiration.  How  poor 
is  the  effect  of  the  flowers  at  the  shows  and  in  open 
beds.  I  made  a  selection  of  some  twenty-three 
varieties,  which  I  briefly  note,  giving  my  own 
colour  descriptions  :  Very  dark  is  Sultan,  almost 
black  ;  Auber,  rich  maroon,  with  red  shading  ; 
Purple  Perfection,  very  fine,  purplish  maroon  : 
Grand  Monarque,  deep  maroon  ;  King  Harold, 
deep  crimson,  shaded  maroon  ;  Cordelia,  soft  lake, 
white  veined,  shaded  maroon ;  Glow,  brilliant 
crimson-scarlet ;  Glory,  very  fine  rich  vermilion- 
scarlet  ;  Charles  Dickens,  very  striking,  deep 
reddish  lake  ;  Pride  of  Haarlem,  very  large  flowers 
tending  to  double,  crimson  -  scarlet,  flushed 
magenta  ;  Je  Maintiendal,  fine,  rich  violet-purple  ; 
White  Queen,  soft  creamy  white,  slightly  flushed 
lilac  ;  Antony  Roosen,  bright  pink,  flushed  rose  ; 
Painted  Lady,  white,  slightly  flushed  mauve ; 
General  Hohler,  vivid  crimson  ;  Coquette,  deep 
rosy  red,  edged  pink  ;  Norah  Ware,  white,  much 
flushed  with  soft  mauve  ;  Mrs.  Krelage,  fine  form, 
rosy  lake,  edged  flesh  white ;  Edouard  Andr(5, 
purplish  lake,  shading  off  to  white,  a  lovely  flower; 
The  Bride,  rosy  magenta,  shading  off  to  white,  a 
charming  variety  ;  Clara  Butt,  colour  salmon-rose, 
very  refined,  delicately  tinted,  and  singularly 
beautiful.  A  couple  of  good  yellows,  a  hue  not 
found  in  the  accepted  Darwins,  are  Mrs.  Moon, 
petals  long  and  pointed,  colour  bright  yellow,  and 
Pauline,  externally  pale  lemon,  within  bright 
yellow,  a  charming  variety.     Those  who  cannot 


May  21,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN 


361 


see  these  Talips  for  themselves  may  accept  this 
as  a  first-rate  selection,  and  includes  most  of  the 
best  varieties  that  are  in  commerce.  Colours, 
especially  in  the  selfs,  as  seen  in  bright  sunlight, 
seem  so  diverse  from  the  hues  found  in  the  dim 
light  of  a  hall  or  tent.  Siill  farther  it  is,  when  seen 
in  perhaps  100  varieties  all  growing  in  bulk  side  by 
side,  BO  much  more  easy  to  select  those  which  seem 
to  present  the  most  pleasing  form  and  colour 

A.  D. 


OBITUARY. 


Mr. 


HUGH    DICKSON. 

WE  learn  with  great  regret  of  the 
deathof  Mr.  Hugh  Dickson,  of  the 
Royal  Nurseries,  Belmont,  Bel- 
fast. Mr.  Dickson  was  seventy 
years  of  age,  and  started  busi- 
ness for  himself  at  the  Belmont 
Nurseries  about  forty  years  ago.  He  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  tjlster  Horticultural  Society, 
in  the  affairs  of  which  he  took  a  keen  interest.  Mr. 
Dickson  leaves  a  widow  and  several  grown-up 
children.  Two  of  his  sons  have  been  in  the  business 
for  some  years,  and  will  continue  to  carry  it  on. 

Mrs.  J.  JAMES. 
We  are  very  sorry  to  hear  of  the  death  of  Mrs. 
James,  wife  of  the  late  Mr.  J.  James  of  Farnhara 
Royal,  Slough,  whose  work  among  the  Primulas, 
Cyclamens,  Calceolarias,  and  Cinerarias  is  world- 
famous.  Mrs.  James  was  in  her  seventy-fifth  year. 
The  nursery  has  been  carried  on  by  her  only  son 
since  the  death  of  Mr.  James,  and  the  beautiful 
strains  of  flowers  are  grown  to  as  great  a  perfection 
as  in  the  days  long  ago. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
There  was  another  grand  display  of  plants  and 
flowers  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  last,  the 
occasion  of  the  annual  exhibition  of  the  National 
Tulip  Society.  Tulips,  of  course,  were  most 
numerous,  and  alone  made  a  beautiful  show.  There 
were  also  many  Orchids,  shrubs,  and  hardy  flowers, 
among  the  laiter  some  new  hybrid  Oococyclus 
Irises.  Awards  were  made  to  new  plants,  flowers, 
and  fruits  by  each  of  the  committees. 
Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  (chairman), 
Messrs.  James  O'Brien,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H. 
White,  H.  Ballantine,  H.  M.  PoUett,  H.  A.  Tracy, 
de  B.  Crawshay,  Frank  A.  Rehder,  James  Douglas, 
H.  Little,  William  Bolton,  Frank  Wellesley,  W.  A. 
Bilney,  Jeremiah  Colman,  G.  F.  Moore,  H.  T. 
Pitt,  Richard  G.  Thwaites,  H.  O.  Morris,  A.  A. 
McBean,  F.  W.  Ashton,  T.  W.  Bond,  J.  W.  OJell, 
W.  Boxall,  and  W.  H.  Young. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  exhibited 
some  large,  well-fiowered  plants  of  Cattleya  inter- 
media and  C.  Skinneri.  Other  beautiful  Cattleyas 
were  C.  Mossife,  C.  M.  reineckiana,  and  C.  Men- 
delii.  L«lia  purpurata  Baron's  Halt  variety,  too, 
was  shown  in  this  group,  as  also  were  Masdevallia 
schroderiana,  Dendrobium  Bensonias  xanthinum, 
Lyeaste  aromatica,  L.  cochleata,  and  Laslia  oinna- 
barina.     Silver  Baaksian  medal. 

In  the  group  from  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and 
Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  Laelio-Cattleya  wellsiana, 
L.-C.  hyeaua,  L. -C.  highburyensis,  L. -C.  Daphne, 
L.-C.  Thorntoni,  Laslia  Latona,  and  other  hybrids 
were  noticeable.  Masdevallia  Veitchii,  with  its  rich 
apricot-red  flowers,  was  very  bright,  and  Cattleya 
Mossi*,  C.  Mendelii,  C.  citrina,  Dendrobium  Ben- 
soniae,  Oncidium  sarcodes,  0.  marshallianum,  Vanda 
tricolor,  and  Lfelia  purpurata  were  all  well  shown. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

H.  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Fairlawn,  West  Hill, 
Putney  (gardener,  Mr.  G.  E.  Day),  showed  a  pretty 
e.xhibit  of  miscellaneous  Orchids,  which  comprised 
Odontoglossums,      Cattleyas,      Oncidiums,      Den- 


drobiums,  &c.,  well  arranged,  and  making  a  good 
display.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam- 
on-Tyne  (gardener,  Mr.  Chapman),  showed  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum  grairieanum,  0.  c.  Raymond 
Crawshay,  and  0.  c.  Harold,  all  varieties  of  most 
beautiful  marking. 

A  botanical  certificate  was  given  to  Cypripedium 
californicum,  shown  by  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son, 
Highgate,  N. 

H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  N.,  showed 
Cattleva  intermedia  lauryana, 

F.  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking,  exhibited 
Lfelio- Cattleya  Lucia  Westfield  variety  (C.  Mendelii 
X  L.  cinnabarina),  a  striking  flower  with  yellow 
sepals  and  petals  and  purple  lip;  L.-C.  Venusia 
ignescens  (L.  tenebrosa  X  L.-C.  Phcebe),  Cypri- 
pedium Colossus  (villosum  giganteum  x  Sallieri 
aureum),  and  C.  hopkinsianum  (bellatulum  x  mas- 
tersianum),  and  two  other  hybrid  Lajlio-Cattleyas, 
but  no  awards  were  made  to  them. 

De  Barri  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Sevenoaks  (gardener, 
Mr.  Stables),  exhibited  some  beautiful  forms  of 
Odontoglossom  crispum,  viz.,  Raymond  Crawshay, 
crawshayana.  Angel,  and  Theodora  (award  of 
merit),  as  well  as  Zygopetalum  Sedeni  rosefieldiense. 

Three  splendidly  flowered  plants  of  Dendrobium 
devonianum  were  shown  by  C.  A.  Morris  Field, 
Esq.,  Beechy  Lees,  Sevenoaks. 

New  Orchids. 

CymUdimn  Sanderw.—h.  new  and  distinct  species 
from  the  East  Indies.  The  flowers  are  bold  and 
well  formed,  sepals  and  petals  creamy  white,  the 
lip  large  and  open,  heavily  marked  with  purple 
upon  a  white  ground  ;  there  is  yellow  in  the  centre 
and  a  margin  of  white.  The  flowers  had  developed 
on  the  journey  home.  From  Messrs.  Sander  and 
Sons,  St.  Albans.     First-class  certificate. 

Odontoglossum  crispum  Harold. — This  variety 
has  previously  received  an  award  of  merit.  The 
flower  is  of  good  form,  the  white  sepals  and  petals, 
which  have  toothed  margins,  are  marked  with  a 
few  brown  spots.  The  lower  sepals  have  a  central 
streak  of  yellow.  From  Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq., 
Oakwood,  Wylam-on-Tyne.     First-class  certificate. 

Sohralia  Ruckeri — A  very  beautiful  flower,  the 
sepals  and  petals  of  an  uniform  rich,  rather  light, 
shade  of  purple.  The  throat  is  almost  white,  and 
down  the  centre  is  a  broad  ridge  of  deep  primrose 
vellow  ;  the  lip  has  a  broad  margin  of  deep  purple. 
From  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart. ,  Burford,  Dorking. 
Firsi -class  certificate. 

OdontoylosHum  crUpum  Theodora, — A  handsome 
variety,  with  while  toothed  sepals  and  petals 
marked  with  large  blotches  of  rich  red-brown  ; 
the  lip  is  heavily  blotched  with  the  same  colour, 
the  sepals  are  tinged,  especially  on  the  margins, 
with  rosy  purple.  From  de  Barri  Crawshay,  Esq., 
Sevenoaks.     Award  of  merit. 

Odonloglossum  crispum  xan/hotes  Snow  Queen. — 
A  rather  large  flower,  the  margins  toothed  ;  sepals 
and  petals  are  pure  white,  while  the  lip  and  top  of 
the  column  are  marked  with  rich  yellow.  A  beau- 
tiful flower.  From  H.  T.  Pitt,  E^q.,  Stamford 
Hill,  N.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thurgood).  Award  o£ 
merit. 

Lcdia  purpurata  (Baron's  Halt  variety).— A 
beautiful  light  variety  of  Ltelia  purpurata  ;  sepals 
and  petals  are  white,  the  lip  is  streaked  with  light 
purple,  and  also  the  throat,  which  is  yellow.  From 
H.  Little,  Esq.,  Twickenham.  Award  of  merit. 
Fruit  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  George  Bunyard  (chairman), 
Messrs.  Joseph  Cheal,  J.  Mclndoe,  S.  Mortimer, 
Alexander  Dean,  Horace  J.  Wright,  John  Lyne, 
George  Keif,  Edwin  Beckett,  John  Jaques,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  H.  Farr,  G.  Norman,  James  H.  Veitch, 
A.  H.  Pearson,  H.  Somers  Rivers,  Owen  Thomas, 
and  G.  Reynolds. 

A  cultural  commendation  was  given  to  Mr.  6. 
Reynolds,  Gunnersbury  Park  Gardens,  Acton,  for 
a  dish  of  Peach  Dake  of  York. 

Mr.  G.  Hobdav,  Havering  Road,  Romford, 
showed  Rhubarb  Hobday's  Giant,  the  leaf  stems 
nearly  5  feet  long. 

A  silver  Banksian  medal  was  given  to  John 
Hodges,  Esq.,  Fay  Gate  Station  (gardener,  Mr. 
T.   M.    Le    PiUey),  for    Black  Hamburgh  Grapes 


shown  in  baskets.  They  were  of  good  colour, 
and  altogether  excellent  for  so  early  in  the  year. 
New  Fruit. 
Melon  The  Inlander.— This  is  a  fairly  large 
green-fleshed  Melon  of  excellent  quality,  sweet  and 
juicy.  It  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  Ritchings' 
Perfection  and  Sion  House.  The  plant  is  said  to 
be  a  vigorous  grower,  setting  freely  and  bearing 
abundantly.  From  Mr.  Charles  Ritchings,  High- 
lands, Catel,  Guernsey.     Award  of  merit. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  Marshall  (chairman),  Messrs.  H.  B- 
May,  George  Nicholson,  R.  Dean,  J.  Hudson,  J- 
.Jennings,  W.  Howe,  J.  W.  Barr,  C.  Dixon,  J.  A- 
Nix,  C.  Jeffries,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  C.  E.  Shea,  W.  P- 
Thomson,  E.  H.  .Jenkins,  W.  .J.  James,  C.  Blick, 
H.  J.  Jones,  E.  Mawley,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  C.  T. 
Druery,  and  E,ev.  F.  Page  Roberts. 

A  good  strain  of  Calceolarias  in  pots  came  from 
Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent,  the 
plants  models  of  good  culture  and  in  much  variety 
of  colour.  From  the  same  source  came  Pelar- 
goniums, zonal,  decorative,  and  others.  In  the 
former  Countess  of  Hopetoun  was  very  fine  ;  in 
the  latter  group  W.  E.  Boyes,  Hypatia,  Defiance, 
and  Duchess  of  Westminster.  Verbena  Ellen  Will- 
mott  was  also  well  shown.     Bronze  Flora  medal. 

A  group  of  several  dozen  plants  of  Schizanthus 
wisetonensis  from  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons 
left  nothing  to  be  desired.  The  plants  in  6-inch 
pots  were  models  of  culture  and  of  a  useful  size, 
not  more  than  12  inches  high  in  many  instances. 
Kalanchoe  felthamensis,  Epiphyllum  Ga^rtneri.with 
reddish  orange  flowers,  and  Tillandsia  Lindeni  were 
also  shown. 

The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Company  (proprietor, 
Mr.  A.  Upton),  showed  a  charming  lot  of  alpines 
and  other  hardy  things.  If  we  select  the  best  and 
most  rare  we  take  Haberlea  rhodopensis,  Oxalis 
enneaphvUa,  Gentiana  verna,  Onosma  tauricum, 
Tulipa  Haageri  var.  nitens,  Alyssum  saxatile  flore- 
pleno,  Androsace  sarmentosa.  Ledum  palustre(with 
charming  trusses  of  white  flowers).  Anemone 
sylvestris  major,  and  Rhododendron  myrtifolium 
roseum.  Cypripediums,  Ramondias,  Primula  in- 
volucrata,  and  others  completed  a  most  interesting 
group.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  had  a 
nice  lot  of  stove,  decorative,  and  table  plants,  such 
as  Crotons,  Aralias,  Dracffinas,  small  Palms,  and 
similar  things.  The  plants  were  exceptional  in 
their  neatness  and  cleanliness,  giving  a  good  idea 
of  their  value. 

Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt,  set  up  a  small 
exhibit  of  climbing  Ro.ses.  Snowstorm,  a  hybrid 
probably  of  R.  moschata,  that  is  also  perpetual  in 
its  flowering,  the  blooms  white,  and  borne  in  great 
profusion  on  the  tips  of  the  branches  ;  and  Tea 
Rambler,  a  charming  Rose,  soft  pink  in  colour, 
were  included.  Lonicera  Hildebrandtii,  Rubus 
deliciosus,  and  Ribes  speciosa  were  also  shown. 
Pajony  Emodi,  Alyssum  saxatile  fl.-pl.,  Tiarella 
cordifolia,  with  Saxifrages  and  other  early  flowers, 
and  Darwin  and  other  Tulips  were  also  from  this 
firm. 

A  good  strain  of  Streptocarpi  came  from  Messrs. 
Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  together  with  a  large 
circular  group  of  greenhouse  decorative  plants. 

A  very  beautiful  exhibit  of  Roses  came  from 
Messrs.  Ware  and  Co.,  Feltham.  The  plants  were 
arranged  on  the  floor  and  produced  a  capital  efiect. 
Singles  and  doubles,  in  conjunction  with  the 
rambler  sorts,  were  all  in  charming  array,  and 
with  good  varieties  of  Acers  here  and  there  gave  a 
very  pleasing  result.  Some  of  the  more  prominent 
were  Mildred  Grant,  Marechal  Niel,  Lady  Roberts, 
Souv.  de  P.  Netting,  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Austrian 
Copper,  Liberty,  Lady  Battersea,  and  Royal  Scar- 
let, a  fine  hit  of  colour.    Bronze  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had 
a  nice  lot  of  Pvrus  Mains  Schiedeekeri  Cerasus 
Pseudo-Cerasus  James  H.  Veitch,  Pyrus  floribunda, 
with  Hydrangea HortensiaVeitchi  in  a  very  pretty 
group.  Watsonia  Ardernei,  4  feet  high  or  more, 
and  bearing  many  of  its  white  flowers,  was  also  in 
this  group.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley,  had  a  large 
table  devoted  to  cut  sprays  of   flowering   shrubs, 


)62 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[May  21,  1904. 


Pyrus,  Azalea,  Lilacs,  Brooms,  Cerasus,  Pernettya 
speciosa,  Amelanchier  florida,  and  other  like  plants 
now  in  bloom.  A  small  group  of  alpines  included 
Phloxes  of  the  setacea  group,  also  P.  canadensis, 
&c.,  with  Primulas,  Saxifrages,  alpine  WallHowers, 
Ramondias,  Androsace  sarmentosa,  very  charming, 
and  other  plants.     Bronze  Flora  medal. 

A  nice  lot  of  alpines  and  hardy  things  from 
Messrs.  Jackman,  Woking,  included  (Enothera 
speciosa  rosea.  Delphinium  nudicaule,  TroUius, 
Incarvillea  Delavayi,  very  fine  ;  Saxifraga  granu- 
lata  plena,  Ramondias  in  plenty,  Conandron 
ramondioides,  Cyclamen  repandum,  with  Lilacs, 
Clematises,  and  many  other  good  and  showy 
plants. 

Messrs.  J.  Feitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea, 
had  a  grand  array  of  Tulips,  Uarwins,  Cottage, 
Parrot,  and  other  sorts,  giving  a  wondrous 
blaze  of  colour  impossible  to  picture  in  words. 
The  Darwin  Queen  of  Roses,  Pride  of  Haarlem, 
Margarita,  Frau  Angelica,  very  dark ;  Hecla,  a 
claret  shade  ;  The  Fawn,  and  Clara  Butt,  rose, 
were  of  the  best.  Many  others  were  shown,  and 
of  these  Summer  Beauty  was  most  effective. 
Silver  Banksian  Medal. 

Tulips  in  strong  force  also  came  from  Messrs. 
Wallace,  Colchester.  Here,  too,  were  Darwins, 
Cottage,  and  other  sorts,  with  species.  Parisian 
Yellow,  Flame,  fine  scarlet ;  gesneriana  major, 
ixioides,  gesneriana  aurantiaca,  Inglescombe 
Scarlet ;  Kathleen,  soft  yellow ;  King  Harold, 
Eurasian,  and  others  ;  in  all  a  really  superb 
display  of  these  highly  valuable  garden  flowers. 
Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

The  Fern  group  from  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton, 
was  made  up  of  some  three  dozen  species  and 
varieties  of  Gymnogramma  most  pleasingly 
arranged.  Prominent  among  those  shown  were 
schizophylla  gloriosa  and  s.  superba,  Martensii, 
Argentea  grandiceps  (very  dwarf),  grandiceps 
superba  (rich  golden),  elegantissima,  and  others. 
Verbenas  King  of  Scarlets,  Ellen  Willmott,  and  a 
good  strain  of  Petunias  were  also  shown.  Silver- 
gilt  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin,  again 
brought  Tulips  in  great  force,  though  Darwins  to 
a  large  extent  prevailed.  It  was  certainly  a  most 
imposing  display,  rich,  varied,  and  extensive 
in  character.  Among  the  more  notable  of  Darwins 
were  Noire  {very  dark),  Gustave  Dore,  Zulu  (very 


dark).  Sultan  (also  dark),  The  Fawn,  itc.  '  edged  sorts.  A  hybrid  Dianthus  raised  from 
Zomerschorn  was  very  fine  aud  showy,  and  many  '  crossing  the  Sweet  William  and  Uriah  Pike  Car- 
species  and  other  sections  were  well  represented,    nation  was  also  shown. 


Silver  Flora  medal. 

The  Roses  from  Mr.  George  Mount,  Canterbury, 
were  very  good.  Ulrich  Brunner  and  Mme.  A. 
Chatenay    were    superb  ;     General    Jacqueminot, 


Messrs.  J.  Peed  and  Sons,  West  Norwood,  exhi- 
bited low  alpines  in  boxes,  as  on  former  occaBions. 
Bronze  Banksian  medal. 

Mr.   Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  set  up  a  big 


Catherine  Mermet,  Mrs.  Grant,  and  Mrs.  J.  Laing;    group  of  hardy   things — Geum  Heldreichi,   Cypri- 
were  all  excellent,  and   with   towering  masses  of    pedium  acaule,  C.  Calceolus,   Iris  vaga,   I.  pumila 


Crimson  Rambler,  together  with  columns  of  the 
same,  formed  a  really  superb  gathering.  Silver- 
gilt  Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  showed 
hard-wood  plants,  as  Pimeleas,  Boronias,  Heaths, 
with  Gerbera  Jamesoni,  Dimorphotheca  Eoklonis, 
and  Clerodendron  Balfouri,  &c. 


in  variety,  I.  Korolkowi  Leichtlini,  Phlox  cana- 
densis, P.  canadensis  Perry's  variety,  Tulips, 
TroUius,  double  Arabis,  Calochortus,  double  red 
Wallflower,  alpine  Poppies,  and  many  other 
good  and  showy  subjects  for  the  garden.  Silver 
flora  medal. 

Mr.   M.    Prichard,    Christchurch,    had  a    showy 


A  group  of  Tulips  (Darwins  and  Cottage  sorts)  ;  group,  in  which  Tree  Pteonies  played  an  important 
"  T,     ,  1        1      o.  part.     Other  good  things  were  Epimediums,  Gen- 

tiana  verna,  very  fine  mass ;  Anthemis  Aizoon, 
Alyssum  saxatile  plenum,  Asperula  tuberosa,  very 
charming  Pinguicula  grandifiora.  Primula  japonica, 
Eremurus  robustussuperbus,  very  fine;  and  a  pretty 
lot  of  Scillas.     Silver  flora  medal. 

Alpines    such     as     Phloxes,     Auricula     Queea 


came  from  Mrs.  Benson,  Buckhurst,  Sussex 
(gardener,  Mr.  Philpott).  The  flowers  were  very 
fine,  and  in  the  first-named  very  massive.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Bourne,  Lincolnshire, 
showed  a  batch  of  Anemones  of  the  St.  Brigid 
strain,  splendidly  grown  and  rich  and  effective  in 


colour.      Varied   and   most  pleasing,   these  things  '  Alexandra,  Daisy   Alice,  Primroses,  Gentians,  and 


attracted  a  good  deal  of  attention.  King  of 
Scarlets  is  intense  in  colour,  and  The  Bride  is  a 
nearly  white  flower.  Some  sixteen  varieties  were 
set  up.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

From  Belfast  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  and  Sons 
brought  a  fine  lot  of  Tulips,  Darwins  and  late 
May-flowering    principally.       Of    the    first    Rev. 


the  like  came  from  the  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,. 
Cheshire,  and  were  a  fresh  little  group  of  the  good 
things  of  springtime. 

The  Tulips  from  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent 
Garden,  were  a  highly  attractive  lot — Cygnet, 
pure  white  with  dark  anthers ;  Golden  Crown, 
Inglescombe  Pink,  Clara  Butt,  Gipsy  Queen,  White 


Harpur   Crewe,    Gustave    Dore,   and   The   Sultan  ,  Queen,  Mrs.  RoUage,    Grand  Monarque,   Dorothy, 


were  all  fine.  Chameleon,  Rose  Pompon,  and 
Vitellina  (palest  yellow)  were  other  good  ones. 
The  flowers  were  all  very  good  and  fresh-looking, 
making  a  most  dazzling  display.  Silver  Flora 
medal. 

Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited,  Wisbech,  had  a 
glorious  exhibit  of  Tulips,  splendidly  arranged,  and 
forming  a  most  imposing  display  of  these  flowers. 
We  take  a  few  of  the  best — May  Queen,  Yellow 
Perfection,  Gesneriana  major.  Noire,  very  dark  ; 
The  Sultan,  Admiral  Kingsbergen,  crimson  flaked, 
white  on  both  surfaces  ;  Europa,  scarlet,  pure 
white  base  ;  Mrs.  Moon,  yellow  ;  Golden  Crown, 
Clara  Butt,  the  most  important.  Silver-gilt  flora 
medal. 

A  charming  dozen  of  Auriculas  came  from  Mr. 
Douglas,  Great  Bookham,  chiefly  alpine  and  green 


-5^'^^ 


PRUNUS   SERRULATA    NOW    IN    FLOWER   IN    TlIK   ROYAL   GARDENS,    KEW.     (See  page  M,7.) 


Didieri  alba.  Coquette,  Sir  J.  Hooker,  Charles- 
Dickens,  Marie,  a  fine  Rose,  were  among  the 
more  noticeable.  A  large  lot  of  English-named 
Tulips  were  shown  in  company  with  these.  Silver 
flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  had  a  large 
collection  of  hardy  Orchids  and  Orchises  ;  of  the 
hardy  Cypripediums  the  rarely  seen  C.  candidum 
was  in  strong  force,  while  of  others  shown  in 
plenty  we  remarked  C.  acaule,  C.  occideutale,  C. 
spectabile,  C.  pubescens,  C.  parviflorum,  and 
others.  There  were  some  dozen  species  of  Orchis, 
and  Ophrj's  were  staged  with  Goodyera  pubescens, 
Bletia  hyacinthina,  and  like  plants,  all  being  of 
great  interest.  A  few  Ferns  with  Bamboos  com- 
pleted a  verj'  fine  exhibit  of  these  plants. 
1  Mr.  J.  R.  Box,  Croydon,  showed  Begonias  in  his- 
usual  style  and  quality,  some  handsome 
flowers  of  the  double  kinds  being  staged. 
Mr.  R.  Anker,  Kensington,  again  staged 
Cacti  and  miniature  pots  of  Erica  persoluta 
alba,  with  Azaleas  and  other  plants. 

Calceolarias  and  Gloxinias  came  from 
Mr.  J.  A.  Young,  West  Hill,  Putney 
(gardener,  Mr.  J.  H.  Street).  In  both 
instances  the  plants  were  well  grown  and 
profusely  flowered,  certainly  highly 
creditable  as  the  first  attempt  of  an 
amateur  gardener.  Bronze  Banksian 
medal. 

Floral  Committee  Awards. 

The  following  received  the  first-class 
certificate: — 

Rhododendron  Beauty  of  Litileworth. — 
A  very  handsome  large-flowered  truss  of 
openly  campanulate  flowers,  nearly  pure 
white,  and  copiously  dotted  with  dark 
spots  on  the  lower  petals.  A  very  beau- 
tiful free-flowered  hybrid.  From  Mr. 
H.  A.  Mangles,  Littleworth,  Faruham. 

R.  Dawn. — This  reminds  one  of  Pink 
Pearl,  but  scarcely  so  pyramidal  in  the 
outline  of  the  truss,  which  is  of  great  size. 
The  blossoms  are  of  a  more  rosy  hue  than 
in  Pink  Pearl,  and  with  deeply  undulate 
margin  to  the  well-expanded  flowers  a 
charming  colour  is  seen.  It  is  a  great 
beauty.  From  Mrs.  J.  H.  Mangles,  Vale- 
wood,  Haslemere. 

Iris  Iphryenia  (Onco-Regelia  var.). — 
A  new  hybrid  Iris  of  great  beauty,  the 
falls  of  which  are  dark  purplish  red, 
reticulated  at  the  base,  and  heavily 
blotched.  The  standards  are  of  satin  rose 
purple  and  very  large. 


GARDEN 


-jS^^ 


>^ij^:^^^ 


^ 


No.  1697.— Vol.  LXV. 


[May    28,  1904. 


THE 


4    Fi 

A 


OUTLOOK 
FRUIT. 

FEW  weeks  ago  we  wrote  hopefully 
about  the  prospects  of  the  fruit 
crops,  but  anticipations  then  were 
necessarily  guarded,  for  it  was 
April,  and,  while  the  chances  of 
severe  frost  that  might  have  upset  everything 
were  by  no  means  remote,  only  the  earliest  of 
the  trees,  such  as  Cherries,  Pears,  Plums,  and 
Damsons  were  in  bloom.  Up  to  the  moment 
of  writing  again — and  May  is  now  drawing  to 
a  close— all  things  have  gone  happily,  and 
never,  perhaps,  were  prospects  brighter  for  a 
good  fruit  year.  During  the  past  few  seasons 
we  hxve  come  to  regard  May  as  not  a  very 
kindly  month  in  the  way  of  weather.  Gloomy 
skies,  cold  rains,  and  chilling  winds  prevailed 
last  year  and  the  year  before,  and  the  detri- 
mental effect  on  growing  crops  was  seen  the 
season  through. 

This  year,  however.  May  is  more  true  to  her 
traditions.  The  early  blossom  is  mostly  gone  ; 
no  longer  are  the  Pear,  Plum,  and  Cherry 
orchards  sheets  of  living  whiteness,  but  the 
trees  instead  are  mantled  with  green.  Anxiety 
for  the  time  is  over,  and  hope  rises  high  when 
close  examination  is  made,  and  in  the  place 
of  blossoms  one  finds  setting  fruits.  During 
the  last  few  weeks  a  complete  revolution  has 
taken  place.  Vegetation  of  all  kinds  has 
developed  amazingly,  and  the  bright  green  of 
foliage  everywhere  has  not  yet  had  time  to 
assume  that  matured  look  which  it  naturally 
acquires  as  the  summer  advances. 

The  flower  of  the  moment — so  far  as  the 
fruit  department  is  concerned — is  that  of  the 
Apple,  and  it  is  almost  safe  to  say  that  the 
crop  will  be  a  heavy  one.  All  the  pessimistic 
doubts  which  arose  through  the  fear  that  the 
wood  could  only  be  partially  ripe  have  been 
swept  away.  It  has  come  in  easy  stages,  as  it 
always  does,  and,  whilst  the  petals  on  the 
earliest  -  blooming  varieties  are  falling,  some 
are  fully  opened,  others,  again,  are  at  the  pink 
and  white  stage  of  unfurling,  while  the  latest 
of  all  are  not  so  far  advanced.  Generally 
speaking,  we  have  to  complain  about  some 
varieties  flowering  indifferently  or  even  not 
blooming  at  all,  but  this  year  there  seem  to 
be  no  exceptions,  and  every  individual  tree  in 
the  orchard  or  garden  seems  to  be  competing 
with  its  neighbour  to  see  which  can  make  the 
brightest  display. 

Does  this  promising  state  of  affairs  teach  a 
1 1.    We  think  so,    After  the  killing  frosts 


F  O  R  °^  last  year  had  dashed  all  hopes  of  crops,  it 
was  our  lot  to  look  upon  trees  for  the  rest  of 
the  season  fruitless,  and,  for  the  time  being, 
profitless.  To  say  the  very  least  of  it,  the 
experience  was  disappointing,  but  Nature  was 
working  things  out  in  her  own  way.  Whilst 
growers  were  complaining  the  trees  were  rest- 
ing and  recouping  their  energies,  and  the  result 
of  it  may  be  seen  in  the  promising  aspect  of 
things  at  the  present  time. 

It    is    curious    how    thoughts   veer    round, 
particularly  amongst  those  who  grow  fruit  for 
profit,  and  already  the  word  "glut"  is  being 
whispered  in  various  quarters.     A  few  weeks 
ago  this  word  was  never  thought  of,  and  there 
was  a  general  anxiety  for  a  good  fruit  year. 
As  the  prospect  of  this  grows  safer  day  by  day, 
the  fear  works  its  way  in  that  crops  may  be 
exceptionally  heavy  and  prices  will  run  low  in 
consequence.     A  great  demand  there  is  sure  to 
be,  owing  to  the  all-round  scarcity  last  year  ; 
but  it  must  also  be  remembered  that  as  yet 
our   methods  for  the  distribution  of  quickly 
perishable  fruit  are  by  no  means  perfect,  and 
growers   in   fruit  areas   have  recollections   of 
seasons    of    abundance    when    they  had    the 
painful  experience  of  seeing  their  produce  go 
to  waste  through  their  inability  to  get  it  to 
the  consumers  at   a   price   which   would   pay 
expenses  and  leave  a  margin  of  profit.     It  may 
appear  ungrateful  to  cherish  any  such  fears  at 
the  present  moment,  and  perhaps  they  are  out 
of  place  ;  but  fruit  growers  are  only  human, 
and  they  know  what  has  happened  in  the  past. 
In  view  of   the  reasonable  expectations  of 
heavy  crops  we  are  reminded  of  the  assertion 
often  repeated  that,  so  far  as  Apples  and  Pears 
are  concerned,  good  fruit  always  sells.     Just 
so ;  but  a  season  that  is  favourable  for  good 
fruit  is  equally  so  for  inferior  produce,  and  the 
fact  remains  that  a  large  quantity  of  second 
and  third  rate  stuff  is  grown  and  offered  for 
sale,  and  this  has  a  telling  effect  on  the" market. 
Time  will  doubtless  bring  about  a  change,  for 
thousands  of  trees  have  been  planted  of  late 
years  which  are  coming  into  bearing,  and  it 
must  be  said  to  the  credit  of  the  [iresent  day 
fruit  grower  that  he  is  careful  to  plant  only 
good  recognised  varieties.     But  in  the  mean- 
time there  are  thousands  of  old  trees  of  inferior 
varieties  and  uncertain  origin  which  still  bear, 
and  the  produce  sells  at  some  price  or  other, 
While  these  trees  remain  poor  British  fruit 
will  continue  to  find  its  way  into  the  market ; 
but    when    they   pass  away  in    the  ordinary 
course  of  nature,  then  will  the  door  be  opened 
wider  fgr  the  growers  of  high-cl£t?s  varieties. 


For  the  moment,  however,  we  are  concerned 
with  the  outlook,  which  is  promising,  and, 
beyond  a  passing  reference,  this  is  hardly  the 
time  to  discuss  the  possible  difficulties  of 
distribution. 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


E  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  in- 
teresting plants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more 
instructive  to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it. 
We  welcome  anything  from  the  garden, 
whether  fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy 
flower,  and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The 
Editor,  3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


The  Pearl  Bush  (Exochorda  grandiflora.  ) 

Twigs  of  this  beautiful  shrub  come  from  Mr. 
R.  C.  Notcutt,  Broughton  Road  Nursery,  Ipswich 
and  we  are  glad  to  be  reminded  of  so  fair  a  flower., 

Mr.  Noicutt  writes  :  "  The  Exochorda  is 
flowering  very  freely  with  me  this  season.  It  is 
growing  in  light,  sandy  soil  in  an  open  position. 
The  busli  is  now  8  feet  to  10  feet  high,  and  is  about 
the  same  in  width." 

Mr.  J.  Clark  also  sends  a  note,  which  is  as  follows : 
"  Common  names  of  plants  are  usually  misleading 
and  generally  incorrect,  but  the  name  of  Pearl 
Bush  given  to  this  plant  is  thoroughly  justified 
when  it  is  seen  in  flower.  It  is  a  native  of  China, 
and  blooms,  as  a  rule,  about  the  middle  of  April, 
but  this  year  it  is  about  three  weeks  later,  and 
can  be  seen  in  its  full  perfection  untouched  by 
spring  frosts.  The  flowers  are  of  the  purest  white, 
nearly  1  inch  across,  six-petalled,  and  borne  in 
upright  terminal  and  sub-terminal  spikes.  As  they 
are  produced  from  the  wood  of  the  previous  year, 
appearing  as  soon  as  the  leaves,  it  will  be  seen  how 
important  it  is  to  have  this  plant  in  a  position 
where  it  is  least  likely  to  start  early  into  growth. 
I  have  seen  it  thriving  wonderfully  well  in  the 
partial  shade  of  some  big  Birches,  where  it  has 
plenty  of  light,  and  is  also  protected  from  frost  by 
the  thin  screen  of  the  leaves  of  the  trees.  When 
fully  developed  E.  grandiflora  makes  a  large  shrub 
8  feet  to  10  feet  high,  and  about  the  same  in  width. 
The  branches  are  slender  and  twiggy,  and  clothed 
with  grass-green  leaves.  It  likes  a  fairly  rich  but 
rather  light  soil,  but  should  not  be  allowed  to 
become  too  dry  in  hot  weather.  Propagation  is 
effected  by  seeds,  which  ripen  late  in  the  autumn 
and  readily  germinate." 


Mr. 


Dendrobium  waedianum. 
H.  A.  Page,   gardener  to  Mr.   J.   S.   Berg- 


heim,  sends  a  few  flowers  of  this  beautiful  Den- 
drobium.  Our  correspondent  writes  :  "  We  have 
at  present  half  a  dozen  in  good  condition,  after 
having  been  used  in  the  drawing-room  and  else- 
where. One  plant  has  upwards  of  100  flowers  open. 
Some  of  the    pseudo-bulbs    h^ve    flowered    froni 


364 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


fifteen  nodes,  which  I  think  you  will  agree  with 
me  is  very  good  after  such  a  sunless  autumn  as 
that  of  last  year.  Oar  first  flower  of  D.  wardi- 
anum  opened  in  December  last,  thus  showing  the 
great  length  of  time  this  noble  species  may  be  had 
in  bloom  where  a  sufficient  number  of  plants  are 
grown." 


Wallflowers  from  Stourbridge. 

We  have  received  from  Messrs.  E.  Webb  and 
Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge,  flowers  of  Wallflower 
Kinver  Favourite  and  Canary  Bird.  Both  are  of 
strong  self  colours,  the  individual  flowers  large,  but 
not  coarse.  The  colour  in  the  former  is  a  dark 
crimson,  while  the  latter  is  a  rich  yellow.  The 
breadths  of  these  varieties  in  Messrs.  Webb's  seed 
farms  at  Kinver  make  a  great  display.  Good  self 
colours  are  to  be  welcomed. 


Gypsophila  elegans  as  a  Pot  Plant. 
We  were  glad  to  receive  a  boxful  of  this  pretty 
pink  annual,  which  is  too  little  seen  in  gardens, 
though  why  it  should  be  overlooked  is  strange 
considering  its  grace  and  tender  colouring.  Mr. 
J.  S.  Higgins,  Rug,  Corwen,  North  Wales,  is  the 
sender  of  this  annual,  and  with  the  flowers  was 
this  instructive  note  :  "  Just  a  word  in  praise  of 
this  graceful  annual.  Those  who  have  used  it  in 
the  flower  garden  for  cutting  from  during  the 
summer  know  how  useful  it  is  in  many  ways,  espe- 
cially in  the  arrangement  of  cut  flowers  in  vases  ; 
it  is  so  graceful,  and  the  pink  flowers  are  very 
pretty.  But  very  rarely  does  one  meet  with  it  in 
pots.  It  is  difficult  to  mentioa  an  annual  more 
pleasing  to  the  eye  in  flower  at  this  time  of  the 
year.  If  the  seed  is  sown  towards  the  end  of 
August  and  grown  as  cool  as  possible,  just  to 
exclude  frost,  it  will  be  in  flower  at  this  period. 
Mixed  with  Schizinthus,  Mignonette,  Pelar- 
goniums, (fee,  the  effect  is  all  that  can  be  desired, 
and  the  flowers  last  a  long  time  in  bloom." 


May-flowering  Tulips  from  Colchester. 
Messrs.  R.  Wallace  and  Co.,  KilnSeld  Gardens, 
Colchester,  send  a  large  gathering  of  Tulips  which 
flower  in  the  month  of  May.  All  were  of  beautiful 
colouring,  and  they  serve  as  a  reminder  of  the 
great  effects  that  may  be  got  from  these  Talips 
when  planted  freely  in  the  garden  in  large  or  small 
groups.  Those  especially  worthy  of  note  were 
the  well-known  Vitellina,  a  flower  of  refined  colour 
and  pretty  shape  ;  Striped  Beauty,  striped  with 
red,  cream,  white,  and  purple,  a  medley  of  shades, 
but  in  pleasant  harmony  ;  Orange  King,  rich  orange 
glow,  deep  crimson,  one  of  the  most  glowing  in 
colour  of  all  the  so-called  Darwins  ;  georgeana, 
carmine  ;  The  Fawn,  a  lovely  Tulip,  the  name 
suggests  the  colouring  ;  Gold  Flake,  the  segments 
striped  with  yellow  and  crimson  ;  Hippolyta,  dark 
purple-magenta,  not  a  harsh  colour,  but  pure  and 
effective  ;  La  Merveille,  bright  orange-scarlet,  a 
very  handsome  flower  ;  billietiana,  yellow,  flushed 
with  red  ;  Fairy  (Jueen,  flushed  with  purple  and 
yellow ;  La  Candeur,  white  ;  Innovation,  white, 
tipped  with  crimson  ;  gesneriana  lutea  pallida,  a 
ver3'  soft  self  yellow  ;  Coronation  Scarlet,  which 
has  tapering  segments  of  warm  colour  ;  and  elegans 
maxima  lutea,  deep  butter-yellow,  very  rich. 

Tulips  from  Mr.  Hartland. 
Mr.  Hartland  sends  from  Ard  Cairn,  County 
Cork,  a  splendid  gathering  of  Tulips,  but  regrets 
they  cannot  be  seen  in  the  full  sun.  The  flowers 
are  beautiful  in  their  rich  colourings  on  our  table, 
and  we  know  their  effectiveness  in  the  open  garden. 
A  few  of  the  more  important  of  the  forms  sent  are 
as  follows  :  Gold  Flake,  bright  orange,  very  showy  ; 
fulgens  lutea,  bright  golden,  very  large,  the  pointed 
segments  adding  to  the  quaintness  of  the  flower  ; 
Buenoventura,  scarlet,  flaked  with  gold,  a  small 
but  striking  variety  ;  Firefly,  deep  red,  with  yellow 
markings  ;  Eyebright,  yellow,  flaked  with  red,  very 
showy  ;  The  Fawn,  which  we  have  described  on 
several  occasions  ;  Cloth  of  Gold,  golden,  with  red 
flush  ;  Dainty  Maid,  marked  with  rose-lilac  on  a 
white  ground,  very  handsome  ;  Picotee,  one  of  the 
best   of   its   class ;    ixioides  ;    elegans   lutea,   very 


show3',  its  yellow  colour  relieved  with  a  reddish 
suffusion ;  the  soft  primrose  vitellina ;  Sunset, 
golden  and  red,  a  bright  flower  ;  aurantiaca,  the 
type,  ricli  scarlet  ;  La  Merveille,  one  of  the  finest 
of  all,  the  colouring  salmon-rose,  mingled  with 
orange-red  and  yellow  ;  Shandon  Bells  ;  Columbus, 
very  fragrant,  blotched  with  vermilion  and  gold  ; 
Fairy  Queen,  rose-heliotrope,  with  yellow  margin  ; 
Emerald  Gem,  red  ;  globosa  grandiflora,  a  noble 
flower,  silky  crimson  ;  Bronze  Queen,  golden- 
bronze  ;  Glare  of  the  Garden,  bright  scarlet  ;  lutea 
pallida,  pale  primrose  ;  and  gesneriana  lutea.  Mr. 
Hartland  sent  several  others,  but,  unfortunately, 
want  of  space  prevents  further  descriptions. 


A  Beautiful  New  Rose  (H.T.  Friedrich 

Harms). 
Mr.  Goodwin  sends  flowers  of  a  very  beautiful 
new  Rose,  reminding  one  of  the  grace,  colour,  and 
perfume  of  Marechal  Niel,  but  it  is  quite  distinct. 
Mr.  Goodwin  writes  :  "  I  send  you  a  bloom  of  this 
new  Hybrid  Tea  Rose,  which  has  been  extremelv 
good  here  under  glass.  It  was  sent  out  by  N. 
Welter  in  1902,  and  described  as  a  yellow  Kaiserin 
Augusta  Victoria.  Although  I  have  not  yet  tested 
it  in  the  open  ground,  I  fancy  it  will  be  a  good 
addition  to  this  class.  So  far  it  appears  to  be  an 
excellent  variety  for  forcing.  The  plant  grows 
well,  and  the  flowers  are  of  large  .size  and  deli- 
ciously  scented."  The  scent  is  very  strong  and 
sweet. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

May  .30. — Kew  Guild  Dinner. 

May  31. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Temple 
Show  (three  days). 

June  1. — Proposed  Gardeners'  Association  Public 
Meeting,  Essex  Hall,  Strand,  6  p.m. 


The  British  Gardeners'  Associa- 
tion.— Will  you  kindly  allow  me  to  inform  your 
readers  who  are  interested  in  the  proposal  to  form 
an  association  of  professional  gardeners  to  include 
all  sections  of  horticulture  that  the  provisional 
committee  will  submit  a  definite  scheme  for  its 
immediate  formation  at  the  meeting  to  be  held  in 
the  Essex  Hall,  Strand,  at  6  p.m.  on  June  I.  The 
committee  have  had  assurances  of  support  from 
many  gardeners  of  all  classes,  including  nursery- 
men, seedsmen,  park  superintendents,  &c. ,  and 
there  is  now  every  prospect  that  the  association 
will  be  a  success.  There  is  seating  accommodation 
for  600  only  in  the  Essex  Hall,  and  as  it  is  hoped 
that  the  proceedings  will  begin  at  six  o'clock, 
those  who  desire  to  get  a  seat  should  be  in  time. — 
W.  Watson,  Hon.  Secretary  Prorhional  Commillee. 

National  diploma  in  ag^riculture. 

At  the  recent  examination  of  the  National  Agri- 
cultural Examination  Board,  appointed  by  the 
Royal  Agricultural  Society  of  England  and  the 
Highland  Agricultural  Society  of  Scotland,  Mr. 
R.  C.  Gaut,  undergraduate  of  the  Victoria 
University,  and  formerly  a  student  gardener  at 
Kew,  has  been  successful  in  gaining  the  National 
Diploma  in  the  Science  and  Practice  of  Agriculture. 

A   note   from   Naples.— [  am  sending 

some  flowers  of  Auriculas,  a  fine  lot  raised  by  Mr. 
C.  Sprenger.  I  hope  that  they  will  arrive  in  good 
condition.  In  the  Vomero  Garden  the  South 
Africa  composites  are  now  in  splendid  bloom. 
Arctotis  aureola  robusta  is  covered  with  hundreds 
of  large  orange-coloured  flowers,  a  noble  plant ; 
Arctotis  revoluta,  with  lemon-coloured  and  black 
disc,  is  very  free  flowered  ;  and  Arctotis  aspera, 
with  white  Bowers,  is  also  in  bloom.  The  Gazanias 
are  a  speciality  of  Mr.  Sprenger  ;  he  has  more  than 
thirty-five  quite  distinct  hybrids.  The  most 
brilliant  are  Sir  Michael  Foster,  very  large,  deep 
orange  ;  Italia,  very  large,  clear  lemon  coloured,  on 
tall  erect  stalks,  a  splendid  plant  ;  Parthenope, 
orange,  with  dark  brown  circle  in  the  centre  ; 
Trinacria,  Darro,  and  many  more.  All  the 
(iazanias  are  very  robust,  and  should  be  more 
grown.      The    new    Ga^ania    I^ichtensteini    from 


South  Africa  is  now  covered  with  the  little  lemon 
coloured,  black-spotted  flowers,  a  very  interesting 
species.  Thousands  of  Gerberas  are  in  flower, 
especially  the  sorts  sanguinea,  illustris,  and 
transvaliensis.  These  have  larger  flowers  than  the 
type,  and  of  deeper  colour.  Calanthe  discolor 
aurea  and  C.  discolor  speciosa  have  flowered  very 
well,  they  are  cultivated  the  whole  year  in  the 
open  ;  also  Epipactis  erecta,  with  yellow,  pretty 
flowers  ;  Bletia  hyacinthina  and  the  while  form. 
Asparagus  filicinus  from  China  is  also  in  flower; 
this  species  is  hardy  here,  it  is  like  Pteris  aquilina 
in  growth.  Hemerocallis  in  different  species  and 
hybrids.  Iris  tectorum,  dwarf  variety  from  China; 
the  typical  blue  and  the  variety  alba  are  splendid 
plants.  The  blue  is  cultivated  here  on  the  side  of 
terraces,  and  is  doing  very  well.  The  white  is  a 
jevel  for  pot  growing.  Shrubs  in  flower  are  the 
new  and  rare  Sophora  moorcroftiana,  with  pale 
blue  flowers,  from  China  ;  Rubus  trifidus,  ever- 
green, with  large,  pure  white  flowers  ;  Hypericum 
balearicum,  a  shrubby  species,  with  thick,  dark 
green  leaves  and  yellow  flowers,  very  pretty. 
Maenolia  Watsoni  will  be  in  flower  next  week. 
Of  Yuccas  many  hybrids  are  in  flower,  also  Yucca 
treculeana  and  recurvata  pendula. — W.  Mullek, 
Vo7nero,  Naple-i. 

Gardeners    at    cricket.  —  A    match 

between  the  Dover  House  Gardens  and  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew,  took  place  at  Dover  House,  on 
Siturday,  the  21st  inst.  Going  in  first  the  home 
eleven  compiled  60,  Kew  replying  with  Til  (Elliot 
22  not  out)  Great  excitement  prevailed  towards 
the  close,  Kew,  at  the  fall  of  the  ninth  wicket, 
still  requiring  two  runs  to  avert  defeat.  Elliot 
soon  put  the  issue  beyond  doubt,  hitting  the  ball 
out  of  the  grounds.  Tea  and  a  visit  to  the  gardens 
closed  a  pleasant  day. 

Two  good  Peaches.— Messrs.  Rivers  and 
Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  Herts,  have  sent  fruits  of 
two  of  their  Peaches  of  recent  introduction. 
Duchess  of  Cornwall  and  Duke  of  York.  The 
former  is  primrose  colour,  striped  and  blotched 
with  red  ;  the  flesh  is  juicy  and  melting,  and  has 
a  smack  of  Nectarine  flavour.  This  variety  forces 
well,  and  is  an  improvement  on  the  early  American 
sorts ;  it  received  an  award  of  merit  from  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  1901.  Peach  Duke 
of  Y'ork  is  a  highly  coloured  fruit  of  splendid 
flavour,  and  excellent  for  forcing.  It  also  received 
an  award  of  merit  in  1902.  Messrs.  Rivers  and 
Son  will  exhibit  both  these  varieties  at  the  Temple 
show. 

Sale  of  valuable  Orchids.— On  Tues- 
day next,  at  3  p.m.,  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris 
will  hold  a  sale  at  their  rooms  in  Cheapside  of 
duplicate  plants  of  the  rare  and  valuable  hybrid 
Orchids  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Norman  C. 
Cookson,  Oakwood,  Wylam-on-Tyne.  The  reserve 
price  of  one  plant  is  .£500,  and  those  of  others 
are  in  proportion,  so  that  a  good  attendance  of 
Orchid  enthusiasts  may  be  expected. 

An  old  Pear  tree  in  Dublin.  — Many 

visitors  to  Dublin  during  the  spring  show  of  the 
Royal  Dublin  Society  every  year  will  have  seen 
the  noble  Jargonelle  Pear  tree  in  flower,  as  trained 
up  the  front  of  No.  14,  Merrion  Square.  This 
tree  is  said  to  been  planted  by  the  late  Sir  Philip 
Crampton,  a  celebrated  surgeon,  in  or  about  the 
year  1S14.  Its  roots  are  in  the  area  and  basement, 
and  probably  much  further  afield,  or  rather  under 
the  roadwa}',  while  its  top  reaches  ver}'  nearly  to 
the  third  floor  windows.  Its  gnarled  old  stem  and 
branches  are  just  now  studded  with  great  clusters 
of  white  flowers.  It  is  well  known  to  residents  in 
Dublin  as  "  the  Pear  tree  in  the  square,"  and 
though,  perhaps,  somewhat  less  luxuriant  than 
formerly,  it  is  still  a  most  remarkable  tree.  Apart 
from  its  beauty  when  in  flower,  it  has  at  times 
borne  very  good  crops  of  fruit.  It  has  often  been 
photographed,  and  Miss  Barton  has  painted  a 
charming  picture  of  it  in  flower.  As  an  object- 
lesson,  it  stands  a  living  proof  that  fruit  tree 
cultivation  is  not  impossible,  even  in  town  house 
areas  like  this  at  Dublin.  There  are  one  or  two 
other  Pear  trees  in  Merrion  Square,  but  none  so 
large  and  fertile  as  this  particular  specimen,  to 
which  we  have  referred  before  in  these  columns. — 
The  field, 


May  28,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


365 


Bpunfelsla  calyclna.— Some  bushes  of 

this  Brunfelsia  planted  out  in  a  border  of  the 
Mexican  portion  of  the  temperate  house  at  Kew 
have  this  spring,  as  for  several  years  past,  been 
remarkably  attractive,  not  only  from  their  wealth 
of  richly-coloured  blossoms,  but  also  owing  to  the 
handsome  leafage.  In  many  gardens  it  may  not 
be  possible  to  plant  out  such  subjects,  but  where  it 
can  be  done  better  results  may  reasonably  be 
anticipated  than  in  the  case  of  those  grown  in 
pots.  The  plant  as  above  may  be  unknown  to 
many,  but  as  Franciseea  calycina  it  will  be  familiar 
to  most  gardeners.  — T. 

Veponiea  diosmaefolia.— This,  one  of 

the  innumerable  shrubby  Veronicas,  native  of  New 
Zealand,  forms  a  very  pretty  pot  plant,  and  in 
this  way  it  is  employed  for  decorative  purposes  in 
the  greenhouse  at  Kew.  Neat  little  bushes  may 
be  grown  in  pots  5  inches  in  diameter,  and  when 
laden  with  flowers  they  have  a  very  pretty  effect. 
The  Veronica  in  question  branches  freely,  the 
slender  shoots  somewhat  spreading  in  habit,  being 
clothed  with  small,  rather  narrow,  sharply-pointed 
leaves,  and  terminated  by  corymbs  of  small  flowers 
of  a  pleasing  shade  of  pale  mauve.  Like  most  of 
the  New  Zealand  Veronicas  it  is  in  all  probability 
nearly  hardy.  Cuttings  strike  root  readily,  and  its 
cultural  requirements  are  not  at  all  exacting. — 

A    new   hopticultural   industry.— 

There  is  nothing  new  in  propagating  Potatoes  from 
cuttings.  It  is  upwards  of  forty  years  ago  since  I 
first  knew  of  its  being  done,  but  selling  Potatoes 
ill  pots  seems  to  be  a  more  modern  innovation.  I 
believe  some  Northern  Star  in  pots  were  sold  last 
year.  This  year,  however,  there  seems  quite  a  big 
trade  being  done  in  Potatoes  in  pots.  I  know  of 
one  grower  who  has  sold  upwards  of  £200  worth  of 
Eldorado  plants  in  pots,  and  others  may  have  done 
even  more  than  this,  for  I  find  several  growers  are 
advertising  plants  in  pots,  some  being  priced  as 
high  as  four  guineas  each.  As  a  pound  of  seed 
Potatoes  would  produce  at  least  2,000  plants,  this 
should  be  a  most  profitable  enterprise. — A.  H. 
Pseonia  lutea  (Franehet).— A  mistake 

is  made  on  page  324  in  describing  this  as  a  herba- 
ceous Pieony,  for  it  is  in  reality  a  shrubby  species 
after  the  manner  of  the  woU-known  Pasonia  Moutan, 
though  the  newcomer  does  not  appear  likely  to 
attain  the  dimensions  of  the  older  one.  Later  on 
in  the  same  article  it  is  described  as  a  shrub,  so  that 
the  first  portion  is  an  obvious  slip.  It  is  now  fairly 
well  known,  though  the  price  of  50fr.  each,  which 
is  quoted  in  Lemoine's  catalogue,  will  show  that  it 
is  far  from  common.  It  was  shown  in  April  of 
last  year  at  a  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  was  then  awarded  a  first-class  certi- 
ficate. Apart  from  its  own  intrinsic  beauty  there 
is  the  probability  that  it  will  perhaps  prove  of 
considerable  value  to  the  hybridist,  as,  in  conjunction 
with  Pseonia  Moutan,  it  may  give  us  many  new 
shades  of  colour  among  tree  P.-eonies. — H.  P. 

Fabiana  imbPieata.— This  pretty  flower- 
ing shrub,  which  was  so  noticeable  in  Messrs. 
Veitch's  exhibit  at  the  Prill  Hall  on  the  3rd  inst., 
is,  apart  from  its  beauty,  of  considerable  interest, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  it  would  be  taken  at  once 
by  the  uninitiated  for  a  member  of  the  Heath 
family,  while  as  a  matter  of  fact  it  belongs  to  quite 
a  different  order,  viz.,  Solanacese,  thus  having  for 
its  immediate  allies  the  Potato,  Datura,  Oestrum, 
or  Habrothamnus,  and  others.  The  Fabiana  forms 
a  fairly  quick-growing  evergreen  shrub  of  a  some- 
what upright  habit.  The  shoots  are  crowded  with 
small  Heath-like  leaves,  while  the  resemblance  is 
increased  when  the  plant  is  in  flower,  as  individually 
and  in  the  manner  in  which  they  are  borne  they 
are  exactly  like  some  of  the  Heaths.  Of  a  some- 
what wax-like  texture  the  blooms  are  tubular  in 
shape  and  pure  white  in  colour.  It  was  introduced 
from  Chili  in  1838,  and  like  many  other  plants 
from  that  region  it  is  only  moderately  hardy  in  this 
country,  requiring  as  it  does  the  protection  of  a 
greenhouse  in  many  parts.  We  must  go  to  the 
South-west  or  to  Ireland  to  see  this  delightful 
shrub  at  its  best,  tor  beside  the  milder  winters 
there  experienced  the  extra  amount  of  humidity 
which  prevails  is  greatly  in  its  favour.  In  many 
of  the  southern  counties  it   will  thrive  with  the 


protection  of  a  wall,  but  trained  thereto  it  is  less 
attractive  than  as  a  shrub  in  the  open  ground. 
Cuttings  of  the  half-ripened  shoots  put  in  a  close 
frame  are  not  at  all  difficult  to  root.— H.  P. 


MAGIC. 

All  tender  green  one  evening 

The  Jasmine  went  to  sleep, 
But  when  next  day  the  sunbeams 

Began  to  dance  and  peep, 
It  suddenly  awoke — sncjw-white  ! 
"What  /m.s'  come  to  me  in  the  night?" 
Ah,  often  happens  such  a  thing 
To  those  who  go  to  sleep  in  spring  ! 

Sydney  Hesselkigoe. 
-(E'rom  the  German  of  Suokert.) 


Salvia  carduaeea.— Salvias  are  all  very 
interesting,  but  Salvia  carduaeea  is  especially  so. 
It  is  very  different  from  the  other  members  of  the 
genus — an  odd  and  striking  plant.  It  looks  very 
much  like  a  Thistle,  whence  its  name.  It  has  been 
known  to  horticulture  only  through  Californian 
collectors.  I  am  told  that  recently  some  of  the 
seedsmen  in  the  Eastern  States  have  offered  it  in 
their  catalogues,  but  no  such  advertisement  has 
come  under  my  notice.  It  has  been  figured  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  4874,  but  it  is  not  common, 
I  think,  in  British  gardens.  We  have  not  tested  it 
in  outdoor  plantings,  but  find  it  a  striking  plant 
for  the  greenhouse  in  a  moderate  temperature. 
The  seed  does  not  germinate  well,  and  the  plant 
is  rather  hard  to  handle  until  it  becomes  established 
in  pots.     It  is  a  thrifty  and  rampant  grower  when 


SALVIA  CARDUACEA. 
(The  natural  width  of  the  Hower  is  4  inches./ 

once  established.  The  flowers  are  delicate,  light 
blue,  very  much  dissected  on  the  lip,  spreading, 
and  conspicuous.  The  whole  plant  is  striking — 
not  to  say  beautiful — in  every  respect.  The  leaf- 
less stems  reach  a  height  of  18  inches  to  30  inches, 
and  number  from  two  to  five  whorls  of  flowers. 
The  whorls  are  from  2  inches  to  4  inches  in 
diameter. — F.  A.  Wadgh,  Massachusetts  Agricul- 
tural College,  Amherst,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 

Capnation  Leandep.— This  will  make  a 

most  useful  variety  for  cutting  from.  I  have 
flowers  before  me  which  were  cut  a  week  ago,  and 
they  still  retain  their  freshness.  The  flowers, 
which  are  of  a  pleasing  shade  of  rosy  salmon,  are  of 


good  size  and  have  a  perfect  calyx.  They  have 
long  stiff  stems  more  after  the  American  varieties, 
but  the  flowers  have  broad  smooth  petals  instead 
of  fringed  edges.  I  have  not  yet  seen  growing 
plants,  but  from  the  appearance  of  the  long- 
stemmed  blooms  it  should  prove  just  the  right 
variety  we  want.  It  well  deserved  the  award  of 
merit  which  it  gained  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  the 
3rd  inst.  I  may  mention  that  the  name  may  mis- 
lead, as  there  is  a  good  yellow  variety  which  came 
out  under  the  same  name  a  few  years  ago. — A.  H. 

Daffodils  in  moist  gpound.— Referring 

to  "A.  H.  P.'s"  notes,  page  323,1  may  mention 
that  within  a  few  miles  from  this  place  there  are 
two  places  where  Daffodils  are  apparently  indi- 
genous. In  both  cases  the  natural  soil  is  moist. 
One  of  them  is  near  to  the  River  Wharfe,  which  in 
the  winter  months  occasionally  overflows  its  banks. 
In  the  other  case  the  soil  is  stiffer,  though  not 
actually  subject  to  flooding.  One  large  grass 
enclosure  has  been  called  the  "  Daffy "  field  for 
generations.  The  variety  that  grows  there  is 
nearly  all  the  old  single  one,  though  there  are 
patches  of  the  old  double  one. — H.  J.  Clayton, 
Grimston,  Tadcaster. 

Cytisus  Paeemosus.— This  greenhouse 
shrub,  a  native  of  Teneriffe,  is  now  in  fine  bloom 
in  the  open  in  the  south-west.  One  specimen 
grown  in  bush  form  in  a  neighbouring  garden  is 
fully  10  feet  in  height  and  almost  as  much  through, 
and  is  now  a  beautiful  sight,  being  a  cloud  of 
bright  yellow.  In  some  cases  this  Cytisus  is 
trained  against  house  walls,  in  which  position  it 
has  attained  a  height  of  over  20  feet,  and  walla 
covered  with  its  blossoming  racemes  are  now  sheets 
of  gold.  This  bright  flowering  shrub,  in  common 
with  the  Mexican  Orange-flower  (Choisya  ternata), 
usually  enters  upon  a  second  season  of  bloom  in 
the  south-west  during  late  autumn,  and  bushes  of 
each  may  be  often  seen  in  good  bloom  in  November 
and  December.  The  Cytisus  is,  indeed,  often  in  flower 
in  open  winters  at  Christmastide.  It  appears 
fairly  hardy,  as  I  have  seen  it  exposed  to  several 
degrees  of  frost  at  that  season  without  any  injury 
being  done  to  flowers  or  foliage.— S.  W.  F. 

Sang'uinapia    canadensis.- The 

Canadian  Blood-root,  so  called  on  account  of  the 
coral-red  colour  of  its  root,  is  a  charming  spring- 
flowering  plant  too  seldom  met  with  in  gardens. 
It  commences  to  make  growth  in  February,  and 
generally  flowers  in  March.  The  large  palmate- 
lobed  leaves  are  about  7  inches  across,  and  are 
handsome  in  form,  while  their  undersides  are  of  a 
glaucous  grey  tint.  A  large  patch  with  some 
dozens  of  white  flowers  fully  expanded  in  the 
sunlight  has  quite  a  dazzling  effect.  The  variety 
stellata  has  more  and  narrower  petals,  which 
impart  a  semi-double  appearance  to  the  flower.  A 
soil  of  sandy  peat  or  leaf-mould  and  a  sheltered 
position  partially  screened  from  the  direct  rays  of 
the  sun  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  day 
appear  to  be  best  suited  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Sanguinaria,  though  I  have  seen  it  doing  well  in  a 
rather  dry  sandy  loam  with  a  northern  exposure. 
I  have  once  met  with  it  planted  by  the  side  of  a 
little  streamlet  in  the  wild  garden,  where  it  had 
an  exquisite  effect  when  iu  flower,  and  there  are 
many  favourable  sites  to  be  found  which  would 
gain  in  beauty  by  the  introduction  of  this  pretty 
spring-flowering  plant,  which  is  quite  inexpensive. 

— S.  W.  FlTZHEKBERT. 

PyPUS  SpeetabiliS.— The  various  species 
of  Pyrus  are  very  effective  when  smothered  with 
flowers,  and  a  number  of  the  best  should  be  found 
in  ever3-  garden,  for  in  addition  to  flowering  freely 
they  are  easily  grown,  and  when  once  established 
give  little  trouble  except  an  occasional  pruning.  P. 
spectabilis  is  one  of  the  most  ornamental  of  all,  and 
in  addition  to  the  type  there  are  several  varieties 
which,  if  anything,  are  finer.  It  is  a  native  of 
China  and  Japan,  and  was  introduced  about  a 
century  and  a  quarter  ago.  In  general  appearance 
it  is  much  like  an  ordinary  Apple  tree.  The 
flowers  are,  however,  much  larger,  being  nearly 
2i  inches  across  when  expanded.  When  fully  open 
they  are  a  delicate  shade  of  pink,  with  here  and 
there  shading  of  deeper  colour.  In  the  bud  stage 
the  colour  is  richer,  being  then  bright  pink.  The 
best  varieties  are  P.  s.  flore  albo  with  white  floivers, 


366 


THE   GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


p.  8.  flore-pleno  with  aemi-double  flowers,  and 
P.  s.  Kaido  with  deeper  coloured  and  rather 
smaller  flowers  than  the  type.  Of  the  three  the 
form  with  semi-double  blossoms  is  most  often  met 
with,  and  of  this  many  fine  specimens  are  to  be 
found.  The  variety  Kaido,  though  not  so  common, 
is  quite  as  worthy  of  cultivation,  the  colour  being 
very  fine.  All  are  very  fragrant  and  keep  in  good 
condition  for  several  weeks.  In  autumn  the  foliage 
turns  to  a  brilliant  orange  red.— W.  Dallimoke. 

Daphne  Cneopum  is  now  a  beautiful 

sight  in  the  rook  garden  at  Kew.  There  is  a  mass 
of  it  covering  several  square  feet  of  ground,  and 
now  simply  covered  with  its  rich  pink  flowers. 
The  plants  are  growing  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
rock  garden  ;  that  is  to  say,  they  have  a  western 
exposure.  It  likes  a  moist,  sandy  soil,  and,  given 
these  conditions,  appears  to  do  remarkably  well. 
It  is  commonly  known  as  the  Garland  Flower,  and 
is  a  native  of  most  of  the  mountain  chains  of 
Europe.  The  small  evergreen,  lanceolate  lea,ves 
are  thickly  distributed  on  the  trailing  stems,  which 
rarely  exceed  12  inches  in  height.  The  beautiful 
fragrant  pink  flowers  are  so  freely  produced  as 
almost  to  hide  the  leaves  and  stems.  This  Daphne 
does  not  like  a  chalky  soil,  neither  does  it  require 
to  be  grown  in  almost  pure  sand  as  has  been  recom- 
mended.—H.  A.  P. 

The  flOPifePOUS  Viola.— Last  year  I 
obtained  in  spring  a  number  of  seedling  Violas 
from  Messrs.  l)obbie  and  Co.'s  selected  strain,  and 
planted  them  out  in  good  soil,  where  they  bloomed 
remarkably  well  and  continuously.  In  the  autumn 
the  ground  between  the  plants  was  cleared  of 
weeds,  and  a  full  top-dressing  of  vegetable  mould 
given.  The  result  is  the  plants  are  now  huge 
cushions  of  flowers,  and,  the  colours  being  mingled, 
the  effect  is  very  fine  indeed.  Really,  a  half-dozen 
of  them,  from  their  decided  colours,  habit  of 
growth,  and  freedom  of  bloom  might  appropriately 
be  named,  so  fine  is  their  quality.  Named  varieties 
still  appear  from  time  to  time,  but  strains  are  now 
so  fine  that  the  act  of  naming  is  almost  a  work  of 
superogation.  Everyone  likes  novelties,  however, 
and  the  colouring  of  some  recent  Violas  is  very 
charming. — R  D. 


DAFFODIL    NOTES. 

A  Retrospect. 
Y  the  time  these   notes  appear 


BY  the  time  these   notes  appear  the 
Daffodil   season  of   1904  will  be  a 
thing  of  the  past.  At  its  commence- 
ment I  wrote  in  rather  a  pessimistic 
mood  as  regards  the  prospects,  but 
this  was  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at. 
We  had  had  months  of  incessant  rain,  and  the 
weather  throughout  February  and  March  was 
miserable.  However,  I  am  bound  to  confess  that 
my  own  Daffodils  have  been  splendid,  and  that 
all  has  come  right  in  the  end,  thanks  mainly  to 
a  genial  if  windy  April.    The  substance  of  the 
flowers  has  certainly  been  below  the  average, 
and  colour,   as  I  remarked  before,   has  been 
generally  poor,    though    Mr.    Engleheart  for 
instance,  also  many  of  the  southern  growers, 
have  not  experienced  this  trouble.     The  fact 
that  most  of   the    Daffodil  shows  have  had 
record  entries  scarcely  proves  that  the  season 
has  been  an  especially  favourable  one.    Each 
year  sees  additions  to  the  ranks  of  those  who 
are  watching  the  development  of  this  flower 
with  keen  interest,  and  the  result  is  naturally 
reflected  in  the  increasing  number  both  of  com- 
petitors and  visitors  at  the  shows.    We  heat  a 
good   deal  about   how  there   must  soon  be  a 
slump  in  the  high  prices  which  are  now  being 
obtained  for  many  of  these  new  varieties,  but 
for  my  own   part  1  fail  to  see  how  this  can 
occur  when  growers  of  the  flower  increase  in 
number  each  succeeding  year.     It  is  only  the 
inferior  varieties  which  are  likely  to  fall  rai)idly 
in  price,  and   those  who   buy   fresh  varieties 
should,  if  they  are  expensive,  be  careful  what 
they  select. 


The  Midland  Show. 

The  week  following  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  meeting  of  April  19  came  the  famous 
Midland  show,  and,  although  at  one  time 
doubts  had  been  expressed  as  to  the  wisdom 
or  otherwise  of  altering  the  date,  yet  the 
alteration  apparently  suited  all  but  the  most 
southern  growers.  As  has  already  been  stated 
in  The  Garden  there  was  a  magnificent 
collection  of  flowers,  and  although  some 
varieties  were  quite  past  their  best  the  high 
quality  for  which  this  exhibition  is  noted  was 
well  maintained. 

Mr.  Crosfield's  Exhibit. 

As  one  who  has  attended  each  of  these  shows 
since  their  inauguration,  I  can  safely  say  that  I 
have  never  seen  a  finer  exhibit  in  competition 
for  the  class  of  fifty  distinct  varieties  than  that 
staged  by  Mr.  E.  M.  Crosfield  of  Wrexham. 
Not  only  were  the  flowers  tastefully  arranged, 
but  they  were  also  remarkably  well  grown. 
The  flowers  of  Minnie  Hume  were  almost  the 
size  of  those  of  White  Queen.  These  fifty 
varieties  were  as  follows :  In  the  poeticus 
section  there  were  six  varieties  exhibited, 
viz.,  Horace,  Cassandra,  Sir  Walter  Scott, 
Chaucer,  Herrick,  and  Almira.  Sixteen  trumpet 
Daffodils  (four  of  these  seedlings)  were  imluded, 
these  being  Weardale  Perfection,  Emperor, 
King  Alfred,  Van  Waveren's  (iiant,  Mme.  de 
Graaff,  Mme.  Plemp,  Mrs.  Vincent,  Grandee, 
Horsfieldii,  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Victoria,  and 
Glory  of  Leyden.  The  four  seedlings  were 
Saladin,  Maid  Marion,  Indamora,  and  Milady, 
all  sulphur- white  trumpet  Daffodils.  Three  of 
these  which  call  for  special  mention  on  account 
of  their  high  excellence  are  as  follows  : 

Saladin.— An  improved  bat  paler  Weardale 
Perfection,  raised  from  a  cross  between  the 
latter  and  Mme.  de  Graaff.  The  width  across 
the  mouth  of  the  trumpet,  which  is  fringed 
and  revolute,  is  1^  inches.  The  segments  are 
of  Mme.  de  Graaff"  character. 

Ilaid  Marion— This  also  has  segments  of 
Mme.  de  Graaff  character,  but  the  pale  yellow 
trumpet  is  considerably  shorter  and  very  widely 
expanded,  its  width  at  the  mouth  being  no  less 


than  If  inches. 

Indamora.— in  this  the  pale  yellow  trumpet 
is  2  inches  long,  and  scarcely  recurved  at  the 
mouth  at  all.  The  segments  are  like  those  of 
the  previous  two  varieties,  and  the  whole 
flower  closely  approaches  Messrs.  Barr's  Lady 
Audrey. 

In  the  Leeds!  section  Mr.  Crosfield  showed 
nine  varieties,  viz..  White  Lady,  Minnie  Hume, 
Catherine  Spurrell,  Albatross,  Duchess  of 
Westminster,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Madge  Matthew, 
Ariadne,  and  Waterwitch.  The  incomparabilis 
section  was  also  represented  by  eight  varieties : 
Golden  Rose,  Sulphur  Phtenix,  Lucifer,  Frank 
Miles,  Lady  Margaret  Boscawen,  Black  well. 
Princess  Mary,  and  Constellation ;  while  the 
varieties  belonging  to  other  sections  were  Barri 
conspicuus.  Crown  Prince,  Sensation,  Vivid, 
Egret,  J.  Barri,  Sceptre,  Citron,  Nelsoni  major, 
Nelsoni  aurantius,  and  Whitewing.  A  more 
representative  collection  it  would  be  difficult 
to  select,  and  Mr.  Crosfield  is  greatly  to  be 
congratulated  on  winning  the  first  prize  with 
this  magnificent  exhibit. 

Miss  Willmott's  Gold  Medal  Group. 
But  the  crowning  event  of  the  season  was 
a  group  of  flowers  from  Miss  Willmott's  Essex 
garden,  which  it  is  safe  to  say  has  never  been 
excelled  in  the  annals  of  Datt'odil  history. 
Standing  before  this  array  of  beautiful  forms 
one  could  not  help  thinking  of  the  years  of 
patient  toil  which  must  have  been  employed 
to  yield  such  glorious  results.  Apparently 
there  is  no  limit  to  the  art  of  the  hybridist, 


and  each  year  as  it  passes  leaves  us  the  richer 
with  some  new  forms  of  delicious  hue  and 
beauty.  To  make  a  selection  from  amongst 
so  many  beautiful  things,  or  even  an  attempt 
to  compare  them  proved  a  most  difticult  task. 
Therefore,  I  will  only  describe  just  a  few  of 
those  which  appealed  to  my  fancy  most :  — 

Flar/  of  Truce.  —  A  delicately  beautiful 
triand'rus'hybrid  of  the  Snowdrop  type.  It  is, 
however,  smaller  and  whiter  than  the  latter. 

Furstin  Maria  Oettitigen.— A  lo\e]y  trumpet 
Daffodil  of  most  distinct  character  and  great 
charm.  'The  whole  flower  is  of  very  drooping 
habit;  the  delicate  lemon-white  trumpet 
1^  inches  long,  slightly  crinkled  at  the  mouth, 
and  the  rim  recurved.  The  segments  are  dis- 
posed like  those  of  Mme.  de  Graaff,  and  are 
white,  wide,  and  very  overlapping. 

Lincoln  Green  is  a  perfectly  unique  flower 
of  the  Engleheartii  section.  It  is  not  very 
large,  being  only  2^  inches  across.  The  coin- 
like cup  is  rich  golden  orange,  and  the  centre 
deep  citron  green.  Exhibited  at  Birmingham 
as  Golden  Noon,  but  the  name  has  now  been 
changed  as  above. 

Wkite  Ensign.  —  This  was  exhibited  at 
Birmingham  last  season,  and  has  greatly  im- 
proved since  tbien.  It  is  best  described  as  a 
greatly  improved  Burbidgei  Bianca,  with  a 
larger  and  flatter  saucer.  This  saucer  is  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  width,  bright  yellow, 
daintily  edged  with  a  faint  border  of  orange. 
The  broad  glistening  white  segments  overlap 
considerably,  and  the  whole  flower  is  3|  inches 
across. 

Adjutant.— A  clear  soft  yellow  incom- 
parabilis, with  overlapping  segments  of  perfect 
shape.  The  crown,  which  is  a  shade  deeper 
than  the  divisions  of  the  perianth,  is  beautifully 
fringed  and  crinkled.  The  flower  is  of  medium 
size,  and  in  colour  reminds  me  rather  of 
Homespun. 

Aladdin. — Another  incomparabilis  form. 
This  has  a  very  short  and  spreading  wide 
open  crown  of  bright  yellow.  The  short  lemon- 
white  segments  are  pointed  and  of  great  width 
in  the  middle. 

Countess  of  Strathmore.— A  flower  rather  of 
the  Dorothy  Kingsmill  type,  but  better  than 
that  variety.  The  trumpet  is  almost  the  same 
in  colour  as  this  latter,  while  the  divisions  of 
the  perianth  are  of  palest  lemon,  pointed,  and 
overlapping.  .on 

Worcestershire.  A.  1\.  G. 


(  ^( 


THE     LILIES. 

(Continued  from  jyage  S52.) 
ILIUM  LONGIFLORUM  (Thunb.),  the 
long -tubed  White  Lily.— A  very 
variable  species  in  habit,  and  many 
geographical  and  garden  forms  are 
grown.  There  is  no  Lily,  not  even  L. 
auratum,  that  is  so  generally  useful 
as  this.  We  are  well  within  the  mark  in 
stating  that  hundreds  of  acres  of  glass  are 
used  solely  for  the  cultivation  of  L.  longi- 
florum,  and  its  use  in  all  forms  of  floral 
decoration  has  reached  such  limits  that  a 
cessation  of  the  bulb  supply  would  cause 
a  panic  in  the  floral  farms.  Its  adaptability 
for  outdoor  cultivation  is  also  well  marked, 
provided  we  do  not  expect  too  much  and 
are  content  with  one  superb  floral  display, 
in  the  production  of  which  practically  all  the 
strength  of  the  plants  will  be  spent.  Bulbs 
globose,  with  flattened  tops,  pale  yellow,  the 
scales  unjointed  and  with  acute  tips,  roots 
numerous,  but  slender.  Stems  2  feet  high, 
green  throughout,  very  stout,  rooting  freely 
from    their    bases.      Leaves     lance  -  shaped, 


May  28,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


J67 


5  inches  to  6  inches  long,  five-nerved,  slightly 
revolute,  pale  green.  Flowers  one  to  four 
in  a  compact  umbel,  trumpet-shaped,  the  tubes 
narrow,  gradually  widening  from  the  middle, 
the  petals  recurved,  5  inches  to  6  inches  long. 
Filaments  unequal,  so  that  the  anthers  are  in 
two  parallel  ranks  of  three  each,  pure  white, 
no  trace  of  pink  is  found  in  any  part  of  the 
flowers.  It  is  common  in  cultivation,  and 
flowers  in  August.  Thunberg's  original  form 
is  here  described.  It  is  the  least  desirable 
of  the  whole  set  for  garden  use,  as  it  does  not 
flower  freely,  and  the  growth  is  dwarf.  It 
grows  in  widely  different  areas  of  Japan  and 
the  Chinese  littoral,  and  under  varied  con- 
ditions of  soil  and  situation,  but  is  always 
confined  in  its  distribution  to  the  cooler 
temperate  regions. 

Far.  albo-marginatis  (Hort.),  the  variegated 
long-tubed  White  Lily,  is  a  garden  variety. 
The  flowers  are  snowy  white,  and  the  leaves 
glaucous  green,  margined  and  striped  with 
silvery  white.  This  variety  in  its  size,  leafage, 
and  shape  of  flower  is  an  excellent  illustration 
of  the  true  L.  longiflorum.  The  majority  of 
Japanese-grown  long-tubed  Lilies  are  either 
multiflorum,  Takesima,  or  more  generally 
eximium  —  all  improvements  on  the  type 
from  various  points  of  view.  This  varie- 
gated form  is  very  beautiful,  and  if  used 
with  discretion  is  invaluable  in  pots  or  for 
decorations. 

Var.   eximium  (Court.).— This  is   the  best 
white  Lily  known  to  cultivation,  grown  by  the 
ton  on  Japanese  Lily  farms  for  the  English 
bulb  market.      Bulbs  very    large,   yellowish, 
often  12  inches  to  15  inches  in  circumference. 
Stems  stout,  4  feet  to  5  feet  high,  green,  and 
rooting  very  freely  from  their  bases.    Leaves 
three-nerved,  dark  green,  6  inches  to  8  inches 
long,  recurving,  and  much  scattered.    Flowers 
five    to    eight    in    an    umbel,    funnel-shaped, 
7  inches  to  8  inches  long  when  fully  reflexed, 
the   tube    narrow,  low  down,  the  free  ends 
completely  rolled,  so    that    the    tips  of    the 
three  outer  petals   touch  the  midribs.     Pur 
white     throughout.       The     flowers 
are  of  considerable  substance, 
and    droop    to    the    extent  the 
variety  Takesima  does.     It  is 
common  in  cultivation,  and  flowers 
in  August. 

Var.  form,osanum  (the  Formosan 
long-tubed  White  Lily)  is  a  very 
pretty  variety  of  dwarf  growth,  and 
can  be  grown  for  years  in  the  open 
in  Britain.  It  is  the  hardiest  and 
dwarfestof  allthe  longiflorums.  Bulbs 
as  in  the  type,  but  more  frequently 
compound,  three  to  six  crowned,  their 
roots  numerous  and  very  strong. 
Stems  purplish  below,  green  above, 
rooting  very  freely  from  their  bases, 
where  also  two  to  six  bulbils  are 
generally  borne,  rarely  exceeding  the 
length  of  the  flowers.  Leaves  lance- 
shaped,  mere  bracts  above,  clasping 
the  flower-stalk  if  the  flower  is 
solitary.  Flowers  one  to  three,  very 
early  and  very  fragrant,  expanding 
twenty  days  before  those  of  any 
other  longiflorum,  the  perianths  nar- 
rowing gradually  from  the  slightly 
reflexing  tips  to  the  bases,  5  inches 
to  6  inches  long,  and  heavily  flushed 
with  pink  externally.  A  newer 
introduction,  the  var.  multi/lormn, 
appears  to  be  a  strong  growing,  wholly 
white  -  flowered  form  of  this.  i 
is  taller,  but  similar  in  many  ways, 
especially  in  the  shortened  foot- 
stalks of  the  flowers,  of  which  five 


to  six  are  usually  borne  on  each  stem- 
Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  July  and 
August. 

(Ih  be  continued.) 


THE    FLOWER   GARDEN. 

WHITE  HONESTY. 

FOR  the  wild  garden  the  white  Hoaesty  is 
a  very  valuable  plant,  but  as  a  rule  only 
the  type  which  bears  flowers  of  an 
offensive  shade  of  magenta-purple  is 
seen.  This  should  never  be  allowed  in 
gardens,  but  as  the  white  variety 
springs  just  as  readily  from  seed  and  is  quite  as 
vigorous  as  the  type,  forming,  where  it  has  suflB- 
cient  space,  bushes  4  feet  in  height  and  3  feet 
through,  there  is  every  reason  why  seed  of  this 
form  should  be  sown  instead.  For  rough  spots 
and  poor  soil,  where  few  other  things  will  grow, 
the  white  variety  of  Honesty  (Luuaria  annua  alba) 
proves  an  excellent  plant. 

Two  years  ago  a  small  garden  that  belonged  to 
an  empty  house  was  let  to  another  tenant,  who  had 
to  make  a  way  into  it  through  the  wall  abutting  on 
the  high  road.  Immediately  behind  the  wall  there 
had  originally  been  a  space  about  10  feet  wide  at 
the  same  level  as  the  road,  at  the  back  of  which 
space  rose  a  precipitous  bank,  some  12  feet  in 
height,  that  formed  the  lower  limit  of  the  garden 
ground,  which  sloped  steeply  up  a  hillside.  Upon 
making  an  opening  in  the  wall  it  was  found  that 
the  10  foot  space  between  the  wall  and  the  bank 
had  been  used  for  generations  as  the  receptacle  of 
all  manner  of  rubbish,  which  had  filled  it  up  to  a 
depth  of  6  feet.  In  making  a  sloping  pathway 
from  the  entrance  to  the  garden  above  it  was 
found  that  the  heterogeneous  collection  consisted 
of  large  stones,  portions  of  bricks,  tin  cans,  broken 
slates,  crockery  and  medicine  bottles,  fragments 
of  tiles,  old  iron,  and  other  litter.  It  was  decided 
that  the  expense  of  removing  some  fifty  loads  of 
this  matter  would  not  be  justified  by  the  results  to 
be  obtained,  and  the  surface  was  therefore  roughly 
levelled  and  covered  with  6  inches  of  soil.  Over  a 
portion  of  this  seeds  of  white  Honesty  were  sown, 
and  how  well    hey  succeeded  may  be  seen  from  the 


illustration.      The   Winter   Heliotrope   (Tussilaeo 
fragrans)  was  planted  in  another  portion.  Curiouslv 
enough,  close  to  the  wall,  among  the  Tussilago,  a 
single  Bca,r  et  Dahlia  has  thrown  up  a  dozen  or  more 
stems  and  has  flowered  well  for  the  last  two  years, 
the  tubers  evidently  having  been  thrown  away  and 
become  buried  in  the  rubbish.     Campanula  rapun- 
culoides,  a  pest  in  the  border,  may  here  spread  to 
Its  hearts  content.     Tigridias  are  now  flowering 
admirably     and    self-sown    Rose    Campions     and 
Mu  leins  help  to  cover  the  ground.     On  the  steep 
banks  of  rubbish  on  either  side  of  the  path  Arabis, 
Aubnetia,     and    Malva     munroana    (SphEeraleea) 
grow  fairly  well,  and  already  hide  a  portion  of  the 
broken  shard  edges.     On  the  other  side  of  the  path 
Jirysimum  perofl'skianum    has  spread  a  sheet  of 
glowing  orange,  and  close  to  the  wall  a  large  plant 
of   Arctotis  arborescens,    nearly  6  feet  through, 
which  came  through  last  winter  unprotected,   is 
doing  well.     Bordering  the    path,   just  before  it 
reaches  the  level  of  the  garden  above,  Woodruff 
(Asperula   odorata)    is     growing    rampantly    and 
spreading  in  all  directions  under  the  shade  of  young 
Holm  Oaks  and  Sweet  Bay,  and  on  the  wall-coping 
hempervivums  are  well  established.      Weeds  are 
kept  down,  and  seeds  of  annuals  and  biennials  are 
occasionally  sown  in    the  barer   spaces,   but  the 
perennials  in  possession  are  left  to  work  out  the 
survival  of  the  fittest  by  their  own  efforts.     The 
struggle  for  supremacy  will  be  an  interesting  one, 
but  1  incline  to  the  belief  that  in  a  few  years'  time 
the  Winter  Heliotrope  will  have  annexed  all  the 
space  on  one  side  of  the  path  and  the  Woodruff 
that  on  the  other.     At  any  rate,  what  was  once  an 
eyesore  is  so  no  longer,  and  the  transformation  has 
been  effected  at  a  merely  nominal  expense. 

S.  W.  FlTZHERBBRT. 

MOSSY  SAXIFRAGAS  WITH 
COLOUEED  FLOWERS. 
With  the  advent  of  the  Saxifraga  known  aa 
Guildford  Seedling  a  fresh  impetus  has  been  given 
to  the  group  generally  known  as  Mossy,  and  of 
which  the  well-known  S.  hypnoides  may  be  taken 
as  an  example.  For  many  years  the  only  coloured 
member  of  the  group  was  the  dwarf  S.  muscoides 
purpurea,  now  quite  eclipsed  in  beauty  by  Guild- 
ford Seedling.  As  there  are  now  several  distinct 
coloured  kinds,  and  as  Guildford  Seedling  has  been 


A  GROUPING   OF   WHITE  HONESTi". 


368 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


described  as  an  old  plant  with  a  new  name,  I  have 
endeavoured  to  obtain  all  the  forms  possible  that 
readers  of  The  Garden,  by  the  comparisons  I 
have  made  of  the  plants  side  by  side,  may  have 
some  definite  knowledge  concerning  them.  I  am 
the  more  interested  in  the  Guilford  plant  because 
I  was  one  of  those  who  saw  it  in  flower  in  the 
garden  of  the  late  Mr.  Selfe-Leonard,  when 
about  half  a  dozen  tiny  bits  constituted  the  whole 
stock. 

Visiting  Mr.  Selfe-Leonard  in  the  month  of 
May,  almost  his  first  words  were  "I've  got  a 
Saxifraga  that  will  interest  you,  something  quite 
new,  and  I  would  like  your  opinion  of  it."  There 
was  not  half  a  dozen  blossoms  to  look  at,  but  it  was 
easy  to  see  that  when  the  plant  became  established 
and  covered  with  the  brilliant  flowers  on  a  carpet 
,  of  verdant  green  it  would  be  very  fine.  I  urged  Mr. 
Selfe-Leonard  to  work  up  a  stock.  It  is  no  doubt  a 
chance  seedling,  and  probably  its  birthplace  was 
Guildford,  for  Mr.  Selfe-Leonard  told  me  he  knew 
nothing  of  it  beyond  having  occurred  there  as 
suggested.  Moreover,  Mr.  Selfe-Leonard  further 
remarked,  "  There  is  nothing  like  it,"  and  I  then 
pointed  out  the  nearly  allied  S.  Rhei,  and  the  two 
plants  were  at  once  compared.  I  am  led  to  give 
what'  I  know  of  the  early  history  of  the  plant 
because  of  the  statement  made  that  the  plant  was 


S.  Rhei  uttperha. — This  is  a  most  excellent  plant, 
a  fair-sized  example  in  flower,  embracing  shades  of 
pink  and  deep  rose,  that  with  the  slightly  coloured 
stems  renders  it  of  value  in  the  garden.  Plant, 
6  inches  to  9  inches  high,  abundant  and  profuse 
bloomer  ;  blossoms  fully  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
across,  nearly  fiat  when  fully  open  ;  rosettes  dis- 
tinctly elongated  ;  peduncles  much  more  warmly 
coloured  than  in  S.  Rhei,  hence  a  better  efl'ect.  I 
regard  this  as  one  of  the  best,  an  ideal  plant  for 
the  garden  or  rockery,  and  very  free  blooming  in 
April  and  throughout  May. 

<S.  Guildford  Seedling. — Presumably  a  chance 
seedling  from  S.  Pihei,  the  leaf  characters  being 
practically  the  same.  Plant,  3  inches  to  5  inches 
high,  stems  distinctly  glandular,  in  S.  Rhei  these 
are  almost  destitute  of  hairs  ;  peduncles,  calyces, 
and  flower-buds  reddish  crimson ;  stem  leaves 
acutely  pointed  and  linear  even  to  the  rosette.  In 
other  kinds  the  upper  stem  leaves  are  more  ovate 
pointed,  the  lower  ones  twice  or  thrice  cleft.  There 
is,  therefore,  apart  from  the  vivid  carmine-crimson 
flowers,  abundant  distinction  in  this  plant  from  all 
else.  It  is,  indeed,  a  gem,  with  much  of  the 
stature,  when  pot  grown,  of  a  true  alpine.  Habit 
neat  and  dense,  the  plant  flowering  freely  and 
profusely.  On  April  27  this  opened  its  first 
flowers,    the   plants    quite    exposed    in    the   open 


A   FIELD   OF   POET'S  NARCISSUS   IN   LINCOLNSHIRK. 


by  no  means  a  novelty,  and  that  S.  Rhei  purpurea 
was  identical.  I  can  only  say  now  that  there  is 
only  one  Guildford  Seedling,  and  this  the  plant  I  saw 
in  Mr.  Selfe-Leonard's  keeping  several  years  ago. 
There  is,  I  believe,  one  named  S.  Fergusoni,  and 
this  I  have  not  yet  grown.  The  following  brief 
descriptions  will  assist  in  the  identification  of  the 
several  forms  : — 

S.  muscoides  atro-purpiirea, — A  very  dwarf  plant 
of  dense  growth,  with  rosettes  small  individually. 
Flowering  stem  reddish,  freely  branched  ;  colour, 
rosy  red  ;  flowers,  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter; 
height  of  stem,  2  inches  to  .S  inches.  This  is  the 
most  densely  flowered  of  all.  Flowering  period 
April  to  May  inclusive.  The  widely  separated 
stigmas  are  quite  distinct  in  this  kind. 

S.  Rhei.—Thm  is  given  in  the  "  Kew  Hand  List" 
as  a  form  of  S.  muscoides.  The  manner  of  flowering 
and  the  form  of  the  rosettes  are,  however,  distinct. 
Plant,  4  inches  to  8  inches  high  ;  stems,  pale  pink, 
with  few  hairs  ;  flowers,  pink  at  first,  much  paler 
later  ;  rosettes,  bright  green,  spreading,  the  divi- 
sions of  the  thrice  cleft  leaves  bluntish  and  more 
fleshy  than  in  the  above.  This  is  a  sparsely 
flowered  plant  in  comparison  to  the  first. 


and  in  pots.  It  is,  therefore,  the  latest  to  begin 
flowering. 

S.  Rhei  purpurea  is  another  name  for  S.  R 
superba,  and  of  others  I  have  tested  that  received 
under  S.  hypnoides  purpurea— a  Continental  name  I 
believe — is  very  near  to  S.  Rhei  superba,  differing 
only  in  the  more  rosy  coloured  flowers.  In  all 
probability  it  is  one  of  a  batch  of  seedlings. 

Hampton  Hill.  E.  H.  .Jenkins. 


A     NARCISSUS    FARM. 

A  FEW  days  ago  one  of  the  finest  sights  in  Linooln- 
shire  was  the  hulb  farm  of  Mr.  Wellband  at  Little 
London,  a  hamlet  in  the  parish  of  Spalding.  Our 
illustration  shows  a  field  of  Narcissus  poeticus.  a 
brave  mass  of  white,  and  scenting  the  wind  with  its 
sweet  fragrance.  We  wrote  of  Daffodil  growing  in 
Lincolnshire  in  a  recent  issue,  so  further  notes  are 
needless  now.  The  Narcissus  growing  industry 
in  Lincolnshire  has  assumed  large  proportions, 
and  tons  of  flowers  are  sent  from  these  broad 
acres  to  the  London  market  in  spring,  especially 
of  N.  poeticus. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 

STRAWBERRIES   AT  GUNNERSBUEY 
HOUSE. 

PROBABLY  there  are  few  gardeners  who 
are  nearer  to  the  solution  of  the 
problem,  how  to  furnish  a  supply  of 
Strawberries  all  the  year  round,  than 
Mr.  Hudson  at  Gunnersbury  House. 
It  may  be  that  others  are  largely  doing 
the  same,  but  this  is  not  generally  known.  In  any 
case  what  is  done  at  Gunnersbury  is  general 
knowledge.  That  Strawberries  are  furnished 
there  for  some  eight  months  in  succession  is,  I 
believe,  the  case.  Once  forcing  begins  from  early 
April  onward,  the  supply  till  the  end  of  October, 
or  even  into  November,  is  constant  and  plentiful. 
With  great  quantities  of  plants  in  pots,  chiefly  of 
Royal  Sovereign,  keeping  up  the  supply,  there 
follow  pits  or  frames  filled  with  plants  under  cool 
treatment,  which  precede  by  a  week  or  ten  days 
the  fruiting  of  the  plants  grown  in  the  open 
ground.  Then  those  take  up  the  supply,  and 
ordinary  sorts  carry  it  on  for  several  weeks.  At 
the  same  time  the  old  breadths  of  the  alpines  are 
giving  fruit  in  plentj'.  By  the  time  the  outdoor 
stocks  of  the  Royal  Sovereign  and  other  large 
fruiters  are  over,  and  the  old  beds  of  the 
alpines  become  less  productive,  the  younger 
beds  of  these,  from  which  in  the  spring  the 
flower  trusses  were  gathered,  come  into  bearing, 
and  fill  up  the  space  that  would  exist  in  those 
gardens  where  alpines  are  not  grown.  Of  these  Mr. 
Hudson  has  on  a  south  border,  and  in  considerable 
quantity,  St.  Joseph,  St.  Antoine,  and  Oregon, 
from  all  of  which  the  summer  flowers  are  removed 
to  induce  the  plants  to  fruit  freely  in  the  autumn, 
as  they  undoubtedly  do.  But  there  is  still 
obtained  from  Royal  Sovereign  a  good  supply  of 
excellent  fruits.  Outdoors  early  forced  plants  put 
out  into  good  soil  invariably  flower  and  fruit 
freely  in  September  and  October.  A  few  hundreds 
of  similar  plants,  so  soon  as  their  fruiting  in  heat  is 
over,  are  taken  to  the  potting  bench,  turned  out  of 
pots,  which  are  as  fast  washed  and  dried,  the  balls 
of  soil  and  roots  hard  rubbed  down,  and  the  plants 
at  once  repotted  into  their  old  6inch  pots,  and 
stood  out  in  the  full  sunshine  to  make  new  roots 
and  crowns,  as  they  do  in  a  remarkable  way. 
Then  in  the  late  autumn  placed  on  shelves  i'n 
gentle  warmth  these  plants  fruit  again  well.  If 
kept  till  the  spring  they  again  fruit,  in  their  pois 
and  in  heat.  Seed  of  alpine  Strawberries  is  sown 
every  year.  Just  now  the  seedlings  are  bursting 
through  the  soil  in  shallow  boxes  in  f;eiiil«  heal. 
Yet  there  is  nothing  done  at  Gunnerlury  House 
that  cannot  be  accomplished  in  any  other  good 
garden.  a.  Li. 


THE  PEACH  BLISTER  IN  SPRIKG. 

The  season  so  far  has  been  favourable  to  the 
tender  growths  of  the  Peach,  and  there  should  be 
much  less  trouble  with  this  pest  this  season  than 
last,  but  trees  in  exposed  places  may  be  attacked 
yet.  Much  depends  upon  the  soil,  whether  heavy 
or  wet.  Many  growers  may  not  agree  with  me, 
but  from  close  observation  I  have  found  that  it  is 
most  diflBcult  to  arrest  blister  in  such  soils.  There 
can  be  no  question  that  some  varieties  are  more 
readily  attacked  than  others.  Trees  on  a  wfst 
aspect  escape,  whilst  those  in  full  south  are  badly 
blistered.  Trees  on  a  west  aspect,  no  matter  what 
variety,  I  have  known  to  escape,  whilst  those  on 
a  south  are  in  a  bad  state.  This  is  easily  explained, 
when  the  east  winds  have  had  free  play  the  trees 
suffered  badly.  I  have  referred  to  soils  and  the 
condition  of  the  roots.  Only  recently  I  saw  some 
trees  that  had  suffered  for  a  few  seasons,  which 
when  removed  to  a  better  soil  and  on  a  western 
aspect  recovered.  The  one  remedy  that  everyone 
must  adopt  is  the  removal  of  the  worst  leaves. 
This  i.s  only  a  partial  one,  as  those  left  are  more  or 
less  affected,  and  the  best  help  is  genial  weather, 
so  that  the  trees  may  grow  out  of  the  trouble,  and 
this  in  a  way  may  be  forwarded  by  a  little  shelter 
from  blinds,  mats  at  night,   or  even    branches  to 


May  28,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


369 


break  the  force  of  the  cold  winds.  Much  can  be 
done  in  cold  soils  by  raised  borders.  One  often 
sees  the  border  lower  at  the  wall  than  the  ground 
in  front,  and  this  I  would  reverse  in  places  where 
the  trees  suffer  badly,  as  once  the  trees  are  in  a 
healthy  state  and  there  is  a  free  flow  of  sap  there 
is  less  blister.  I  have  never  seen  trees  grown 
under  glass  blistered,  I  mean  those  that  received 
proper  attention,  so  that  the  evils  referred  to  must 
be  greatly  influenced  by  unsuitable  conditions, 
mostly  climatic.  If  anything  can  be  done  for  a 
short  season  to  assist  growth  there  is  a  great  gain, 
as  once  the  trees  become  bad  or  are  allowed  to 
take  their  chance  the  new  growths  are  very  poor. 
They  soon  become  badly  swollen  and  most 
unsightly,  the  crop  is  lost,  and  the  next  season's 
wood  also.  G.  W.  S. 


THE    BEST    OUTDOOR    TOMATO. 

It  will  be  difBeult  to  find  a  variety  of  Tomato  for 
outdoor  work  so  capable  of  standing  the  changes 
in  our  variable  climate  as  Sutton's  Earliest  of  All. 
The  plants  should  be  got  out  as  early  as  pos-sible  in 
deeply-dug,  fairly  light  land,  not  too  lavishly 
manured.  In  some  parts  of  Lincolnshire  Conference 
has  been  successfully  grown  as  an  outdoor  variety  ; 
but  in  this  ease  an  early  start  in  the  open  is  of  the 
utmost  importance,  as  well  as  a  warm  position  and 
suitable  soil.  R.  D. 


what  to  us  is  more  important,  we  get  an  earlier 
supply.  If  only  a  few  days  are  gained  this  is 
important,  as  at  this  time  of  year  good  fruit  is  so 
scarce  chat  the  outdoor  Strawberry  crop  is  doubly 
welcome.  It  is  a  relief  to  Strawberry  forcers  to 
clear  out  their  stock  from  under  glass,  which  when 
grown  in  fruit  houses  is  so  liable  to  red  spider. 
I  should  point  out  that  the  earliest  flowers  are 
usually  the  best,  and  these  are  worth  protecting  in 
some  seasons.  Last  year  the  weather  during  the 
third  week  in  May  crippled  the  early  Strawberry 
crop  in  the  south  and  western  portion  of  the 
country,  so  that  for  home  supplies  timely  shelter, 
which  costs  little,  is  worth  a  trial.     G.  Wythes. 


THE    EARLIEST    STRAWBERRIES    ON 
SHELTERED    BORDERS. 

For  some  years  the  aim  of  Strawberry  raisers  has 
been  to  get  earlier  fruits  of  good  quality.  With 
regard  to  the  latter  I  shall  be  brief,  as  the  culture 
is  different  in  certain  soils.  What  one  may  regard 
as  of  first-rate  quality  in  one  place  is  not  so  in 
another.  Earliness  is  a  great  gain,  though  it  must 
not  be  achieved  at  the  expense  of  flavour,  crop, 
and  free  growth.  A  few  years  ago  several  very 
early  sorts  were  sent  out  that  did  not  find  great 
favour  ;  I  refer  to  the  small  sorts,  such  as  No.  1 
and  Black  Prince.  Both  these,  as  regards  flavour, 
could  not  be  beaten,  but  the  fruits  were  small  and 
unprofitable.  Of  larger  fruits  of  lecent  introduc- 
tion Royal  Sovereign  heads  the  list,  but  its  earli- 
ness is  a  fault.  The  flower  truss  is  produced  so 
early  and  when  the  foliage  is  scanty  that  the 
embr3'o  fruits  suffer  when  severe  weather  occurs 
early  in  May  ;  of  course,  this  applies  to  the  south, 
though  in  the  north  with  later  bloom  there  is  the 
same  difliculty.  Take  the  older  Vicomtesse 
H^ricart  de  IThury ;  this  is  an  early  variety. 
Here  we  have  a  very  different  plant.  The  flower 
truss  is  less  prominent  early  in  the  season  and  the 
leafage  greater,  so  that  the  early  flowers  (though 
not  so  early  as  Royal  Sovereign,  which  must  be 
taken  into  account)  are  rarely  injured. 

The  Laxton,  introduced  in  the  autumn  of  1901, 
is  not  quite  so  early  as  one  of  its  parents,  the 
Royal  Sovereign,  but  it  can  be  included  in  this 
note,  as  it  differs  greatl3'  from  the  parent.  The 
growth  is  very  free,  and  the  flower-stalk  less 
prominent,  the  flowers  being  better  protected. 
Even  early  in  May  there  is  a  good  growth  of 
leafage,  which  is  well  above  the  flower  trusses. 
Shelter  is  necessary  during  the  next  week  or  two. 
For  our  earliest  supplies  we  grow  maiden  plants, 
the  chief  merits  being  earliness,  large  fruit,  and 
greater  freedom  from  insect  pests,  which  in  poor 
or  light  soils  are  troublesome.  I  refer  more 
particularly  to  wireworm,  which  is  difficult  to  get 
rid  of  when  the  plants  remain  a  long  time  in  one 
place,  no  matter  what  variety  is  grown. 

To  forward  early  plants  spare  frames  are  an 
advantage,  and  in  gardens  where  glass  is  plentiful 
the  frames  used  thus  are  invaluable,  as  they  serve 
so  many  purposes.  We  use  them  largely  for 
vegetables  in  winter  and  salads  in  autumn.  Of 
course,  large  breadths  cannot  be  covered  in  the  way 
described.  It  is  surprising  what  a  lot  of  frost 
even  a  slight  protection  will  ward  off,  but  when 
severe  weather  is  likely  we  double  the  nets,  and 
with  a  few  of  the  most  forward  plants  use  canvas 
or  a  warmer  shading.  I  must  admit  the  work  in 
the  garden  is  added  to,  but  it  is  labour  well 
repaid,  as  a  much  longer  season  is  obtained  ;  but. 


APPLE  LANE'S  PRINCE  ALBERT. 

In  some  of  the  Lincolnshire  market  gardens  and 
orchards  this  Apple  is  a  great  favourite  on  account 
of  its  firm,  handsome  fruits,  abundant  crops,  and 
healthy  constitution.  It  has  to  a  large  extent 
superseded  Lord  Suffield  and  Lord  Grosvenor, 
although  it  is  not,  of  course,  such  an  early  variety 
as  either  of  these.  Still  growers  are  much  more 
certain  of  a  good  crop  from  Lane's  Prince  Albert 
than  from  the  other  two  mentioned,  and  for  this 
reason  it  is  a  more  profitable  market  Apple.  As 
an  Apple  for  general  culture,  whether  in  a  small 
or  large  private  garden  or  in  a  market  orchard. 
Lane's  Prince  Albert  is  a  variety  that  is  hard  to 
beat.  I  have  known  it  to  bear  splendid  crops 
regularly  for  years  as  a  bush,  and  it  is  no  less 
fertile  as  a  standard.  Mr.  Bunyard  says  of  it 
that  "it  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  Apples, 
retaining  its  freshness  to  the  last.  It  bears  very 
freely,  and  being  of  pendent  growth  is  valuable  for 
grafting  on  old  trees.  It  does  not  make  a  stout 
standard,  but  as  a  plantation  tree  on  the  Paradise 
stock  it  bears  enormously.  The  branches  should 
be  thinned  and  kept  open."  This  Apple  is  in 
season  any  time  after  November,  and  fruits  may 
be  kept  well  until  April.  A.  H.  P. 


In  gardens.  Why  this  should  be  so  it  is  difficult  to 
say,  for  it  is  a  native  of  China,  is  perfectly  hardy, 
and  exceedingly  ornamental  both  in  its  flowers  and 
foliage.  Its  one  drawback  is  that  its  blossoms  and 
leaves,  being  produced  simultaneously  in  the  month 
of  May,  are  sometimes  damaged  by  late  frosts  and 
bitter  winds  while  tender  and  undeveloped.  Though 
introduced  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  there  are 
many  gardens  containing  good  collections  of 
flowering  shrubs  in  which  the  Xanthoceras  is  not 
represented.  The  blossoms,  which  are  borne  in 
dense  racemes,  are  in  the  best  form  pure  white, 
rather  over  an  inch  in  diameter,  with  a  band  or 
blotch  of  carmine  at  the  base  of  the  petals.  The 
foliage,  which  closely  resembles  that  of  Spiriea 
lindleyana,  is  very  ornamental,  each  leaf-stalk 
bearing  seven  serrated,  pinnate  leaflets  of  a  bright 
green  colour,  so  that,  even  when  out  of  flower,  the 
Xanthoceras  is  a  decorative  object.  The  finest 
specimen  that  I  know  is  about  12  feet  in  height 
and  as  much  through,  and  is  standing  in  an 
isolated  position  on  a  sheltered  lawn,  where  it 
makes  a  beautiful  picture  when  in  full  flower. 
This  example  fruits  annually.  The  fruits  are 
much  after  the  style  of  those  of  the  Horse  Chestnut, 
the  husk  splitting  open  in  the  autumn  into  three 
divisions  and  disclosing  the  brown  seeds  within, 
from  which  young  plants  are  easily  raised.  The 
Xanthoceras  is  occasionally  trained  against  a  wall, 
but  its  shrubby  habit  of  growth  renders  it  quite 
unsuited  to  such  treatment.  There  are  some  forms 
evidently  raised  from  seed  in  which  the  colour  of 
the  flowers  is  of  a  grey-white,  and  the  blotch  at  the 
base  of  the  petals  is  dull  in  tint,  while  the  flowers 
vary  considerably  in  size,  so  that  it  is  well  to  see 
a  plant  in  flower  previous  to  procuring  it.  We 
have  lately  been  shown  that  this  shrub  is  valuable 
for  early  flowering  under  glass.  S.  W.  F. 


TREES     Aivm     SHRUBS. 

AMELANCHIER    CANADENSIS. 

OF  all  the  early  spring-flowering  small 
trees  there  is  none  so  beautiful  and 
so  graceful  as  this,  the  Snowy 
Mespilus  or  June-berry.  Perhaps 
this  is  a  rather  strong  statement 
to  make,  but  as  it  is  the  first  large 
shrub  or  small  tree  with  white  flowers  to  come 
into  bloom  it  more  strongly  recommends  itself. 
Unlike  the  Almonds  and  flowering  Peaches,  it  is 
not  cut  by  spring  frosts,  unless  they  are  excep- 
tionally severe.  It  is  usually  said  to  grow  to  a 
height  of  6  feet  to  8  feet,  but  here  we  have  several 
large  bushes  of  it  about  12  feet  high  and  8  feet  or 
so  in  diameter.  In  the  autumn  the  leaves  turn  to  a 
bright  golden-yellow  colour.  The  fruit  is  a  small 
purple-red  berry  of  no  economic  value  in  this 
country,  though  in  America  (its  native  habitat) 
it  is  used  for  cooking  and  preserving.  The  fruits 
of  A.  canadensis  ripen  in  June,  and  are  cleared  by 
birds  before  they  are  properly  ripe,  by  which 
means  they  have  become  scattered  about  through 
the  Pine  woods  here  to  such  an  extent  that  they 
are  to  be  seen  in  all  sizes  and  ages.  In  the  middle 
of  the  heath,  nearly  half  a  mile  from  any  other  plant 
of  Amelanchier,  there  is  a  fine  bush  which  has 
grown  from  a  seed  carried  by  birds.  A.  cana- 
densis can  be  grown  as  a  standard  by  keeping  it  to 
a  single  stem,  but  it  is  best  to  let  it  form  a  bush. 
It  grows  and  flowers  best  on  moderately  dry,  sandy 
ground,  growing  rapidly  when  once  established, 
and  is  very  easy  to  transplant.  It  can  be  propa- 
gated by  detaching  suckers  with  a  portion  of  root 
attached  in  the  winter-time  ;  or  by  seeds,  which 
readily  germinate  after  the  fruits  have  been  mixed 
with  sand  and  are  rotten,  and  keeping  them  until 
the  next  spring. 

Bagshot,  Surrey.  J.  Clark. 


XANTHOCERAS    SORBIFOLIA. 
This  handsome  flowering  shrub  is,   as  stated  by 
"H.  P."  (page  286),  by  no  means  generally  known 


FLOWERING  CURRANTS. 
Since  its  introduction  by  David  Douglas,  collector 
for  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  in  1826,  the 
Californian  Ribes  sanguineum  has  proved  itself 
well  suited  to  the  English  climate,  and  in  most 
parts  of  these  islands  it  occupies  a  prominent 
position  among  flowering  shrubs.  The  fact  that  a 
variety  (King  Edward  VII.)  was  given  an  award  of 
merit  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  has  directed  renewed  attention  to 
the  several  desirable  forms  of  this  beautiful  flower- 
ing Currant,  some  of  which  differ  considerably 
from  the  type.  Most  notable  among  them  are 
album  or  albidum,  with  whitish  blossoms  ;  atro- 
sanguineum  and  atrorubens,  two  richly  -  tinted 
forms,  to  which  must  now  be  added  the  newer 
King  Edward  VII.  ;  malvaceum,  the  flowers  of 
which  are  of  a  peculiar  lilac-pink  ;  and  Qore-pleno, 
a  very  desirable  variety,  with  double  flowers,  which 
are  later  in  expanding  than  the  others.  They  are 
of  a  pronounced  rich  red  colour.  Though  written 
more  than  fifty  years  ago,  Loudon's  words  con- 
cerning this  Ribes  are  as  applicable  now  -as  they 
were  at  the  time.  He  says:  "By  far  the  most 
ornamental  species  of  the  genus.  It  is  easily 
propagated,  and  as  hardy  as  the  common  Black 
Currant.  It  flowers  profusely,  and,  coming  into 
bloom  early  in  the  season,  forms  the  most  splendid 
bush  to  be  seen  in  British  shrubberies  from  the 
middle  or  end  of  March  to  the  beginning  or  end  of 
May."  The  foliage  of  the  flowering  Currant,  too, 
is  rarely  troubled  by  insects,  while  it  has  of  late 
been  more  used  for  flowering  under  glass  than  it 
was  formerly. 

A  second  species — Ribes  aureum,  known  popu- 
larly as  the  Missouri  Currant — scarcely  has  its 
merits  sufficiently  recognised,  for  it  is  certainly  a 
very  desirable  shrub.  It  is  of  looser  growth  than 
R.  sanguineum,  while  the  rather  pale  green  leaves 
are  quite  smooth.  The  flowers  are  of  a  bright 
golden-yellow,  and  therefore  quite  distinct  from 
any  of  the  varieties  of  R.  sanguineum.  A  hybrid 
between  the  two  named  species  has  been  long  in 
cultivation,  and  is  a  distinct  and  beautiful  shrub. 
This  latter  remark  should,  however,  have  been 
limited  to  the  best  forms,  for  R.  gordonianum,  or 
hybridum  as  it  is  often  called,  varies  a  good  deal 
in  merit,  a  peculiarity  common  to  many  hybrids. 
The  flowers  show  a  curious  blending  of   red  and 


370 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


yellow.  There  is,  I  believe,  a  certain  amount  of 
doubt  regarding  its  origin,  but  it  is  generally  con- 
sidered to  have  been  raised  by  the  late  Mr.  Donald 
Beaton  (of  zonal  Pelargonium  fame)  while  gardener 
at  Shrubland  Park  about  fifty  years  ago,  but  whether 
an  accidental  seedling  or  not  I  cannot  say.        T. 

PAULOWNIA  IMPEKIALIS. 
This  handsome  flowering  tree  is  not  often  seen  in 
perfect  bloom  in  this  country,  for,  the  buds  being 
formed  in  the  autumn,  winter  frosts,  and  more 
especially  those  that  occur  in  the  spring  when  the 
buds  are  swelling,  have  a  disastrous  efl:ect  on  the 
subsequent  flowering,  the  buds  being  so  injured 
that  but  few  of  them  are  able  to  expand  and, 
instead  of  the  long,  upright  racemes  holding  ten  or 
a  dozen  large,  lavender  -  blue.  Gloxinia  -  like 
blossoms,  but  one  or  two  expand  on  each  flower- 
spike,  this  paucity  of  bloom  detracting  greatly 
from  the  effect  of  the  tree.  A  sheltered  site 
absolutely  protected  from  the  north  and  east  winds 
should  therefore  be  selected  for  planting  the 
Paulownia,  and  in  such  a  situation  the  flowering 
has  the  greatest  chance  of  being  satisfactory, 
though  even  in  such  an  ideal  spot  a  bitter  winter 
will  often  leave  its  mark  in  a  poor  display  of 
blossom.  This  year  a  fine  specimen  in  the 
public  gardens  at  Torquay  is  flowering  better  than 
it  has  for  many  seasons,  for  the  past  winter  has 
been  an  exceptionally  mild  one.  This  tree  is 
growing  immediately  beneath  a  lofty  perpen- 
dicular cliff,  which  completely  shelters  it  on  the 
north-eastern  side.  In  Spain  the  Paulownia  flowers 
superbly,  and  I  remember  some  years  ago  seeing, 
early  in  the  month  of  April,  the  fine  trees 
surrounding  the  large  square  at  Ferrol  in  full 
bloom,  every  tree  a  cloud  of  lavender-blue.  There 
are  many  good  examples  in  the  south-west,  one  of 
the  finest  that  I  know  being  about  30  feet  in 
height.  The  tree,  which  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and, 
therefore,  fairly  hardy,  was  introduced  into  this 
country  more  than  sixty  years  ago.  The  Paulownia 
is  often  used  with  excellent  results  for  sub-tropical 
effect.  If  planted  from  3  feet  to  4  feet  apart, 
cut  down  to  within  an  inch  of  the  previous  year's 
growth,  and  confined  to  a  single  stem,  they  will 
attain  a  height  of  from  10  feet  to  12  feet  in  the 
season,  and  produce  enormous  leaves,  often  exceed- 
ing 2  feet  in  diameter.  S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 


HARDY   EVERGREEN    OAKS. 

(Continued  from  page  3S4.) 

QUEKCUS  COCCIFERA  (the 
i  Kermes  Oak).  —  In  its  native 
I  countries  the  Kermes  Oak  is 
'  sometimes  a  small  tree,  but 
usually  it  is  a  shrub  of  neat, 
dense  habit,  and  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  distinct  of  the 
dwarf  evergreen  Oaks.  The  largest  specimens 
I  have  seen  in  Great  Britain  are  a  little  more 
than  10  feet  high,  and  of  rounded,  bushy  form. 
It  grows  very  slowly,  and  so  thickly  set  are 
its  crowded  branches  with  small  spine-tipped 
leaves  that  healthy  specimens  are  almost 
impenetrable.  The  leaves  vary  somewhat  in 
size  in  the  different  forms  of  the  species,  but 
they  are  always  small — usually  half  an  inch  to 
1  inch  long— of  oblong  or  obovate  outline,  and 
bright  green  on  both  sides.  Sometimes,  how- 
ever, they  are  2  inches  long.  The  teeth  with 
which  the  margins  are  armed  are  stiff  and 
Holly-like.  The  acorns  are  not  always  ripened 
in  this  country,  but  during  the  long  series  of 
hot,  droughty  summers  at  the  close  of  the  last 
century  they  came  to  perfection  several  times, 
and  young  plants  were  raised  from  them.  Such 
seasons,  of  course,  approximate  most  closely 
those  of  the  countries  of  its  origin.  It  occurs 
wild  along  the  north  shores  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean from  Spain  to  Asia  Minor. 

Before  the  discovery  of  aniline  and  other 
dyes,  this  Oak  used  to  be  of  some  economic 
jmportafice  as  the  source  of  a  crimson  dye. 


This  is  furnished  by  the  Kermes— small  insects 
that  attach  themselves  to,  and  feed  on,  the 
leaves  and  bark  of  this  Oak.  This  dye  is 
described  as  being  so  permanent  an  one  that 
"  the  old  Flemish  tapestries  dyed  with  it  two 
centuries  ago  have  lost  none  of  their  brilliancy." 
Q.  cmpidata.— In  England  Messrs.  Veitch 
appear  to  have  been  the  first  to  cultivate  this 
Japanese  species  with  success. 
It  has  been  introduced  to  culti- 
vation by  them  in  quantity.  But 
the  credit  of  its  first  introduction 
to  Europe  belongs  to  Siebold, 
who  sent  home  acorns  enveloped 
in  clay  as  long  ago  as  1830. 
Wliilst  in  Japan  it  is  described 
as  a  beautiful  tree  30  feet  to 
40  feet  and  more  high,  it  is  in 


x^s* 


narrow,  blunt  apex.  The  acorns  are  small  and 
pointed,  being  half  an  inch  to  three-quarters  of 
an  inch  long,  but  I  am  not  aware  of  its  having 
fruited  in  Britain. 

Var.  variegata,.~ln  this  pretty  variety  the 

centre  of  the  leaf  is  green,  the  margins  having 

a  broad,  irregular  band  of   yellowish  white. 

The  leaves  are  smaller  than  in  the  green-leaved 

type.    In  spring  they  are  exceedingly 

pretty,  and  the  plant  is  sometimes  used 

for  greenhouse  decoration. 

Q.  densiflora  (Tan-bark  Oak).— Of 
the  Californian  evergreen  Oaks  this 
appears  to  be  one  of  the  most  likely  to 
succeed  in  Britain.  It  is,  however,  very 
rare.  There  are  only  two  trees  in  Kew, 
which  are  18  feet  and  20  feet  high 
respectively,  and  I  do  not  know  of 
any  elsewhere.  The  species  is  evi- 
dently quite  hardy,  and  has  not  suffered 
during  any  of  the  winters  of  the  last 
twenty  years.  Were  Oaks  as  popular 
with  planters  as  they  used  to  be,  it 
would  be  worth  while  to  endeavour  to 
introduce  the  tree  in 


-\ 


which    is 


NARCISSUS 


VISCOUNTESS 


FALMOUTH. 


(From  a  drau'iiig  by 


H.  G.  Moon.) 


This  Narcissus  was 
shown  by  Miss 
Willmott  last 
year  ;  in  its  cla^s 
it  is  one.  of  the 
most  beautiful  in 
form  and  colour. 


this  country  distinctly  shrubby.  In  habit  it  is, 
perhaps,  the  most  elegant  of  all  the  evergreen 
Oaks,  the  branches  being  slender  and  pendu- 
lous towards  the  ends.  The  leaves  average 
from  21  inches  to  3i  inches  in  length  and  from 
1  inch  to  li  inches  wide  ;  they  are  pale  glossy 
green  above,  with  a  grey,  rather  silvery  sheen 
beneath.  The  margins  have  a  few  shallow, 
blunt  teeth,  frequently  reduced  to  mere  undu- 
lations, and  the  end  is  drawn  out  into  a  long, 


quantity.  This  would 
not  be  a  difficult 
matter,  for  the  tree  is 
abundant  in  Western 
North  America,  espe- 
cially in  the  coast 
region  of  California. 
Owing  to  the  great 
value  of  its  bark, 
very  rich  in  tannin, 
the  tree  is,  however,  being  felled 
in  great  quantities  for  tanning 
purposes.  It  grows  to  heights  of 
50  feet  to  70  feet  (occasionally 
more),  and  in  open  places  develops 
a  shapely  head  ;  even  our  young 
Specimens  assume  a  well-balanced,  some- 
what pyramidal  outline  without  artificial  aid. 
On  our  young  trees  the  leaves  vary  from 
2  inches  to  6  inches  in  length,  are  thick  and 
hard  in  texture,  oblong  and  pointed,  and  promi- 
nently toothed.  In  old  trees  the  toothing  of 
the  leaf  is  not  so  constant.  The  lower  surface 
of  the  quite  young  leaves  and  the  young  shoots 
are  covered  with  a  white  felt,  which  makes  the 
tree  very  ornamental  in  spring.  As  the  season 
advances  this  felt  gets  duller  in  colour  and  falls 
off  to  a  great  extent.  The  tree  has  flowered  in 
this  country,  but  has  not,  I  believe,  fruited. 
The  acorn  is  oval,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  to 
1|  inches  long,  the  base  enclosed  in  a  cup,  the 
outside  of  which  is  coated  with  narrow,  linear, 
hairy  scales.  Botanically,  this  species  is  very 
interesting,  because  some  of  its  characters 
approach  those  of  Castanea  (Sweet  Chestnut) 
so  closely  as  to  make  it  a  connecting  link 
between  the  two  genera. 

Q.  <7?a6ra.— Mention  was  made  of  this  species 
in  the  note  on  Q.  acuta  as  being  one  of  the 
Oaks  from  Japan  with  Laurel-like  leaves.  It 
is  a  shrubby  species  under  cultivation,  growing 
more  in  width  than  in  height,  but  in  Japan  is 
a  tree  30  feet  or  so  high.  The  leaves  are  much 
like  those  of  CJ.  acuta,  being  4  inches  to  7  inches 
long,  and  from  li  inches  to  2  inches  wide,  of 
firm,  leathery  texture,  and  deep  lustrous  green. 
They  are,  however,  to  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  Q.  acuta  by  their  shape  ;  in  the  latter 
the  blade  is  broad  and  cut  ofi"  more  or  less 
laluntly  at  the  base,  where  it  joins  the  leaf- 
stalk, whereas  in  Q.  glabra  it  always  tapers 
very  gradually  down  to  the  leaf-stalk,  and  is 
more  pointed  at  the  base  than  at  the  apex. 
This  Oak  has  produced  acorns  at  Kew.  They 
take  two  seasons  to  reach  maturity,  and  are 
then  rather  under  1  inch  in  length,  narrow, 
and  taper  to  a  point.    As  happens  with  other 


May  28,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


371 


evergreen  Oaks,  batches  of  seedlings  show  some 
diversity  in  shape  of  leaf.  Some  forms  thus 
obtained  have  been  named,  such  as  latifolia, 
with  broader  leaves ;  and  longifolia,  with  longer 
ones  than  what  are  regarded  as  typical,  but 
these  diiferences  to  my  mind  are  scarcely  worth 
distinguishing. 

Q.  glauca. — In  a  wild  state  this  Oak — a 
native  of  Japan  and  China— is  very  variable  in 
its  leaf  character.  On  the  same  tree  even 
leaves  may  be  found  that  differ  from  each  other 
more  than  they  do  from  those  of  distinct  species 
The  average  leaf,  however,  is  Laurel-like,  more 
or  less  blue-white  beneath,  3  inches  to  5  inches 
long  by  1  inch  to  2  inches  wide,  the  margins  on 
the  terminal  part  being  set  with  incurved  teeth. 
Usually  the  leaves  are  quite  smooth,  but  in 
one  variety  they  are  covered  with  silky  hairs 
beneath.  Dr.  Henry  collected  this  species  in 
Ichang,  China,  and  describes  it  there  as  "  20  feet 
high  and  producing  excellent  wood."  In  Japan 
it  is  40  feet  or  more  high.  The  acorns,  usually 
solitary,  but  occasionally  two  or  three  together, 
are  borne  on  very  short  stalks.  Only  shrubby 
examples  exist  in  cultivation  in  Britain,  and 
they  are  very  rare. 

Q.  occidentalis  (the  Western  Cork  Oak). — 
Very  similar  to  Q.  Suber — the  true  Cork  Oak — 
and  often  confused  with  it,  this  species  pro- 
bably exists  in  several  places  in  this  country  as 
Q.  Suber.  The  differences  between  the  two 
species  were  first  detected  and  pointed  out  by 
the  botanist  Gay.  nearly  fifty  years  ago.  It  has 
the  same  general  aspect  as  Q.  Suber,  similar 


corky  bark  and  somewhat 
similar  leaves,  but  it  differs 
in  requiring  two  seasons  (or 
fifteen  or  sixteen  months)  to 
ripen  its  fruits,  whilst  Q. 
Suber  ripens  them  in  one 
season  (or  in  about  four  or 
five  months).  Other  cha- 
racters of  less  importance 
distinguish  the  two  species, 
as  does  also  their  geogra- 
phical distribution.  As  the 
name  of  the  present  species 
implies,  it  is  found  on  the 
Western  or  Atlantic  side 
of  South  Europe,  while  Q. 
Suber  is  found  north  and 
south  of  the  Mediterranean. 
It  is  represented  in  the  Kew 
collection  by  trees  about 
20  feet  high,  now  bearing 
the  half-grown  acorns  of  last 
year,  which  under  favour- 
able circumstances  would 
ripen  the  present  season. 

Q.  phillyro'oides. — This  is 
one  of  the  handsomest  and 
most  desirable  of  shrubby 
evergreen  Oaks.  It  is  a 
native  of  Japan,  and  was 
introduced  to  Kew  by 
Kichard  Oldham,  a  collector 
sent  out  from  that  establish- 
ment to  Japan  in  1861.  One 


ROSE  FBAU   KARL  DRTJSOHKl.      (Much  reduced.) 


BOSH  l'ideaL.      (ihich  reduced.) 


specimen  introduced 
by  him  is  now  in  the 
collection  of  Oaks  at 
Kew,  and  has  grown 
into  a  handsome  bush 
9  feet  or  so  high.  The 
species  is  always 
bushy  in  habit,  the 
plant  forming  a  dense 
leafy  mass  not  unlike 
a  Laurustinus  or  a 
large-leaved  Philly- 
rea.  The  largest 
leaves  are  2  inches  to 
3  inches  long  and 
about  half  as  wide ; 
the  smallest  have 
about  half  those 
dimensions.  Both 
surfaces  are  quite 
smooth  and  bright 
green,  and  the 
margins,  more  espe- 
cially towards  the 
apex,  are  set  with 
incurved  teeth.  The 
leaves  vary  in  out- 
line,  some  are 
narrow-oblong, 
others  obovate  or 
elliptical.  Though 
the  species  is  indis- 
putably hardy  I  do 
not  remember  to 
have  seen  this  Oak 
produce  acorns  in 
this  country.  Its 
neat  habit  and  uni- 
formly bright  and 
cheerful  green  give  it 
a  special  value  as  a 
lawn  shrub. 

Q.  Suber  (the  Cork 
Oak).  — Whilst  this 
Oak  is  not  equal  to 
the  Holm  Oak  either 
in    size    or   beauty. 


nor  has  the  same  garden  value,  it  is  quaint 
and  picturesque  in  habit,  and  is,  besides, 
particularly  interesting  as  the  source  of  the 
cork  in  every-day  use.  It  is  a  native  of  Spain, 
South  France,  Italy,  and  Algeria.  Average 
specimens  are  20  feet  to  30  feet  high,  but  in 
favoured  situations— more  especially  by  the 
sea— it  reaches  a  stature  of  more  than  40  feet. 
There  is  a  fine  specimen  at  Goodwood  with  a 
trunk  over  4  feet  in  diameter,  and  in  the 
famous,  but  now  derelict,  garden  of  former 
Dukes  of  Argyll  at  Whitton  Park,  near  Houns- 
low,  there  are  specimens  45  feet  high.  Devon- 
shire is  also  rich  in  noteworthy  examples.  The 
habit  of  the  tree  is  dense  and  spreading,  and  it 
is  often  as  wide  as  it  is  high.  Its  most  charac- 
teristic feature,  and  the  one  that  distinguishes 
it  from  all  other  Oaks  except  its  ally  (or,  per- 
haps, variety)  Q.  occidentalis,  is,  of  course,  the 
thick,  rugged,  corky  bark.  In  cold  districts  its 
growth  is  slow,  but  it  is  hardy,  and  at  Kew  has 
never  suffered  any  serious  injury  by  frost.  The 
leaves  are  variable  in  shape,  but  are  usually 
oblong,  Ij  inches  to  3  inches  long,  more  or  less 
lobed  or  toothed,  and  covered  beneath  with  a 
very  close  pale  down.  The  acorn,  which  usually 
fails  to  ripen  here,  is  about  1  inch  long,  and 
half  of  it  is  enclosed  in  the  cup. 
Kew.  W.  J.  Bean. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE  ROSE  GARDEN. 

ROSES  FEAU  KAEL   DRUSCHKI  AND 
L'IDEAL. 

IT  would  be  difficult  to  name  two  Roses 
more  unlike  than  these.  Frau  Karl 
Druschki  is  a  Hj'brid  Perpetual,  and  a 
perfect  show  flower  of  a  dead  white 
colour.  Something  of  its  almost  perfect  form 
is  shown  in  the  accompanying  illustration; 
but  it  is  the  purity  of  the  whiteness  that  is  so 
charming  to  me.  I  hope  to  show  it  well  this  year. 
Every,  good  Rose  grower  knows  L'Ideal ;  it  is  a 
Noisette,  very  strong  in  growth,  and  the  flowers 
are  a  warm  red  colour  which  stands  sun  well. 

ROSARIAN, 


c!72 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904, 


A     NEW     KOSE— PHAEISAER. 

This  beautiful  new  Rose  will  be  much  sought 
after  by  all  who  can  appreciate  a  variety  with 
exceptionally  long  buda.  It  is  undoubtedly  a 
seedling  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  but  has  a  far 
better  constitution  ;  in  fact,  the  growth 
appears  to  be  very  much  more  vigorous,  and  yet 
quite  as  free-flowering.  The  flowers  are  thin,  but 
the  petals  are  of  such  splendid  texture  that  they 
remain  closed  up  for  a  considerable  time  before 
they  expand.  They  are  very  large,  and  of  a  lovely 
salmon-rose  colour,  shaded  silvery  white.  P. 


A    GOOD    KOSE    SEASON. 

It  is,  perhaps,  somewhat  early  to  make  the  above 
statement,  but  we  have  not  had  such  a  promising 
season  for  some  jears  so  far  as  the  present  one. 
If  frosts  will  but  keep  off  Roses  should  be  grand  at 
the  exhibitions.  Of  course  the  aphis  and  maggot 
are  troublesome,  but  when  is  it  they  are  not?  And 
we  cannot  expect  to  have  everything  running 
smoothly.  Let  amateurs  be  on  the  alert  for  frosts. 
Eirly  syringing  with  cold  water  before  the  sun 
rises  is  a  well-tried  remedy,  and  the  ardent 
rosarian  should  make  such  arrangements  in  order 
that  his  Roses  receive  this  timely  attention,  and 
much  vexation  will  be  saved.  P. 


THE  FAKQUHAR  ROSE. 
This  is  a  climbing  Rose  of  the  Pol}'antha  type, 
none  the  less  welcome  because  of  American  origin. 
It  is  the  result  of  crossing  Rosa  wichuriana  with 
the  Crimson  Rambler,  the  colour  of  the  flowers, 
which  are  semi-double,  pink,  passing  to  white,  and 
it  is  said  to  be  a  valuable  addition  to  the  climbing 
Rosea.  R.  D- 


THE   INDOOR   GARDEN. 

A   NEW   CYCLAMEN. 

CYCLAMEN  PERSICUM  GIGAN- 
TEUM  (ROCOCO)  is  among  the 
novelties  recently  introduced  by 
Schmidt  of  Erfurt.  There  is  more 
than  one  beautiful  variety  among  the 
giant  flowered  Cyclamen,  but  there 
is  not  one  of  them  to  compare  with  this 
novelty.  The  Papilio  cyclamens  were  one  of 
the  first  introductions  of  this  kind  ;  they  produced 
beautiful  and  varied  forms  of  flower,  but  they  had 
this  fault,  that  they  were  not  strong,  compact 
growers,  and  the  flower -stems  were  weak.  The 
variety  Rococo,  on  the  contrary,  forms  strong, 
compact  plants,  bearing  large  flowers  of  beautiful 
colouring,  and  an  abundance  of  leaves  upon  tall, 
stiff  stems.  This  variety  equals  in  this  respect  the 
best  of  the  Cyclamen  persicum  giganteum  splendens 
strain.  One  difference  between  the  old  and  the 
new  varieties  is  that  the  five  or  six  petals  are  not 
generally  erect  and  turned  inwards,  but  form  a 
large  round,  flat  flower.  The  diameter  of  a  flower 
is  sometimes  as  much  as  13  centimetres;  among 
ihem  there  are  veritable  giants.  The  petals  are 
finely  undulated  and  frilled,  and  the  colour  of  the 
flowers  is  very  charming.  Pure  white,  white  with 
a  darker  centre,  deep  red,  and  pink  in  the  moat 
beautiful  shades  are  found  in  this  new  race. — Le 
Jardin. 

CANARINA  CAMPANULATA. 
Among  the  more  uncommon  plants  at  the  meeting 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  3rd  inst. 
were  some  specimens  of  this  Canarina.  It  is  a 
native  of  the  Canary  Islands,  from  where  it  ia  said 
to  have  been  introduced  as  long  ago  as  1696,  so 
that  the  claim  of  novelty  which  is  to  many  such  a 
great  recommendation  cannot  be  put  forward  on  its 
behalf.  This  C-inarina  is  a  herbaceous  plant,  and 
forms  a  stout  fleshy  root-stock  that  produces  stout, 
succulent  shoots  that  reach  a  heiglit  of  3  feet  or 
more.  These  shoots  branch  out  towards  the  upper 
part,  and  are  there  plentifully  furnished  with  leaves. 
The  flowers  are  drooping,  bell-shaped,  and  about 
the  size  of  an  Abulilon,  to  one  of  which,  A. 
Parwini,  they  bear  in  colour  a  considerable  resem- 
blanse,  being  yellowieh  red,  veined  with  a  deeper 


tint.  After  flowering  it  gradually  goes  to  rest, 
passes  the  summer  in  a  dormant  state,  and  starts 
into  growth  in  the  autumn.  Cultivators  are  by  no 
means  uniformly  successful  in  inducing  it  to 
flower,  though  to  some  it  gives  but  little  trouble 
in  this  respect.  The  most  successful  method  of 
culture  is,  directly  the  leaves  turn  yellow,  which 
they  do  soon  after  flowering  is  past,  to  gradually 
lessen  the  water  supply  till  by  the  time  the  plants 
are  dormant  it  is  discontinued  altogether.  A 
sunny  shelf  in  the  greenhouse  or  in  some  similar 
position  is  then  best  for  the  plants,  and  there  they 
can  be  allowed  to  remain  till  summer  is  well 
advanced.  During  that  period  no  water  need  be 
given.  Towards  the  end  of  the  summer  or  in  early 
autumn  the  new  shoots  will  make  their  appearance, 
when  the  plants  may  be  shaken  almost  clear  of  the 
old  soil  and  repotted,  after  which  a  little  water 
should  be  given,  increasing  the  supply  as  the  plants 
develop.  A  mixture  of  loam,  leaf-mould,  and 
sand  suits  it  well.  It  will  be  found  a  very  good 
plan  to  put  the  plants  at  first  into  comparatively 
small  pots,  and  shift  them  into  their  flowering  ones 
afterwards.  Good  strong  specimens  will  nefd  pots 
9  inches  to  10  inches  in  diameter  for  their  develop- 
ment. The  temperature  of  an  ordinary  greenhouse 
is  all  they  need.  Some  cultivators  pinch  out  the 
tops  of  the  growing  shoots  when  the  plants  are  a 
few  inches  high,  while  others  prefer  to  let  them 
grow  unchecked.  H.  P. 


ORCHIDS. 


CYPRIPEDIUM    ROMULUS. 

A  HANDSOME  hybrid  Cypripedium,  known 
also  as  C.  nitens  Cleverley's  variety. 
It  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  C. 
L  nitens  and  C.  insigne  Chantini,  the 
^  former  being  the  seed  parent.  It 
reminds  one  a  good  deal  of  C.  insigne 
Chantini,  which,  however,  it  surpasses  both  by  the 
beauty  and  dimensions  of  its  flowers.  The  flower- 
stem  is  vigorous  ;  in  colour  it  is  green,  heavily 
marked  with  purple-brown.  The  dorsal  sepal  is 
broadly  obovate,  the  lower  part  revolute ;  the 
upper  half  is  pure  white,  the  lower  half  green  or 
yellowish  green,  heavily  blotched  with  deep  purple- 
brown.  The  petals  are  greenish  yellow,  tinged 
and  lined  with  deep  brown.  The  pouch  is  large, 
rather  shorter  than  the  lower  sepal,  yellowish 
green,  lined  and  suffused  with  purple-brown.  A 
good  coloured  representation  of  this  Orchid  is  given 
in  the  Dktionnaire  Iconographique  d'.s  Orchidees. 


L^LIO-CATTLEYA    OLIVE. 

This  beautiful  Lfelio-Cattleya  is  a  hybrid  obtained 
by  Mr.  Norman  C.  Cookson,  Oakwood,  Wylam-on- 
Tyne,  between  Cattleya  dowiana  and  La^lia  pra;3- 
tans,  the  former  being  the  seed  parent.  It  was 
first  shown  by  Mr.  Cookson  in  September,  1893, 
but  was  exhibited  in  much  finer  form  in  September, 
1896,  when  a  first-class  certificate  was  given  to  it. 
It  is  closely  related  to  L. -C.  Ingramii  (L.  dayanax 
C.  dowiana  aurea),  and  it  might  be  described  as  a 
variety  of  L.-C.  Ingramii,  if,  as  many  maintain, 
one  admits  that  L  prajstans  and  L.  dayana  are 
simply  varieties  of  L.  pumila.  In  general  appear- 
ance the  plant  much  resembles  L.  prsestans,  but  it 
is  more  robust  and  the  flowers  are  larger.  The 
sepals  and  petals  are  bright  lilac-rose;  the  lip  is 
large,  with  crimped  edges,  and  crimson-purple  in 
colour,  with  a  beautiful  golden-yellow  throat.  In 
the  Diclionnaire  Iconographique  de«  Orchideen  for 
March  there  is  an  excellent  coloured  plate  of  this 
hybrid. 


L^LTO- CATTLEYA    TRUFFAULTIANA 
VAR.    FOURNIERL 

This  is  a  very  handsome  flower  of  exceptionally 
rich  colouring.  It  is  a  hybrid  obtained  by  M. 
Louis  Eournier  of  St.  Barnabc,  near  Marseilles. 
The  parentage  of  this  variety  differs  from  that  of 
the  type  L.-C.  truffaultiana,  in  that  Cattleya 
dowiana  var.  marmorata  was  the  pollen  parent  of 
the  former,  whereas  ia  the  gi^se  o{  il;e  le^ttef  i(/  yia,s 


C.  d.  aurea.  L.  -C.  t.  Fournieri  is  a  good  deal  like 
the  type  so  far  as  the  general  appearance  of  the 
flower  is  concerned.  The  petals  are  less  distinctly 
lined  with  deep  red  ;  the  lip  is  lightly  marked  wiih 
yellow  in  the  front  portion  ;  the  sepals  and  petals 
are  orange-yellow,  while  the  large  open  lip  ia  rich 
purple.  An  unusually  handsome  flower.     A.  H.  P. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK 

Peristeria  elata. 
PoTTiNii  may  now  be  taken  in  hand.  Use  a  com- 
post of  two  parts  good  loam  and  one  part  each  of 
peat  and  leaf  soil  mixed  well  together  with  plenty 
of  small  crocks  and  coarse  sand,  to  keep  the 
compost  porous  ;  afford  a  good  drainage  of 
clean  crocks,  filling  the  pot  to  the  depth  of  one- 
third.  Over  the  crocks  place  some  good  lumps  of 
fibrous  loam  to  prevent  the  fine  particles  working 
down  and  clogging  the  drainage.  Keep  the  com- 
post sufficiently  low  to  allow  of  a  top-dressing  of 
sphagnum.  Give  them  a  light  position  in  the 
stove  Orchid  house,  and  water  very  carefully  till 
the  growths  have  made  a  good  start  from  the 
time  the  leaves  begin  to  unravel  themselves  till 
the  completion  of  growth.  Healthy  plants  will 
benefit  by  copious  supplies.  After  full  develop- 
ment the  supply  should  be  gradually  reduced,  and 
during  the  resting  period  ver^'  little  will  suffice, 
but  enough  should  be  given  to  maintain  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  in  a  plump  condition. 

Cattleya  superba. 
This  somewhat  difficult  species  is  now  starting 
into  growth,  and  if  repotting  is  necessary  it  may 
now  be  done,  using  a  compost  of  peat  two-fifths, 
chopped  sphagnum  two-fifths,  and  one-fifth  of  leaf- 
soil.  Fill  the  pots  to  the  depth  of  one  halt  with 
rhizomes  and  put  very  lightly,  and  surface  with 
sphagnum.  The  Dendrobium  house  or  a  light 
situation  in  the  stove  Orchid  house  is  preferable  to 
the  Cattleya  house  during  the  growing  season. 
During  active  growth  afford  water  freely,  and 
spray  them  overhead  on  bright  days  frequently. 

Shadixo. 
Some  Orchids  benefit  by  a  shading  of  tiffany  or 
lath  blinds,  others  prefer  more  gloomy  conditions, 
so  it  is  necessary  as  far  as  possible  to  group  the 
plants.  In  addition  to  our  movable  blinds  we 
paint  over  the  glass  where  we  have  Orchids,  using 
a  mixture  of  plain  flour  and  water.  All  such 
Orchids  as  Odontoglossums,  .brides,  Vandas, 
Phaius,  Cypripediums,  Phalaiuopsis,  and  all  young 
seedlings  should  be  now  given  this  additional  shade. 
During  days  when  the  sun  is  not  powerful  the 
movable  blinds  need  not  be  lowered. 

ExHiiuTiNG  Orchids. 
During  the  next  few  months  a  large  number  of 
Orchids  will  have  to  stand,  in  some  cases,  two  or 
three  days  in  the  show  tent.  Generally  this  can 
be  done  without  any  great  harm  accruing,  provided 
the  plants  have  been  prepared  for  the  ordeal,  and 
are  specially  treated  for  a  few  days  after  their 
return  home.  Those  in  the  hot,  moist  houses 
demand  most  attention  both  before  and  after  the 
exhibition.  Much  harm  can  soon  be  done  if  they 
are  taken  direct  from  their  growing  quarters  to  the 
show  tent;  the  change  should  be  gradual.  Soon 
after  the  flowers  are  perfectly  developed — not 
before,  otherwise  they  would  be  inferior — the  first 
change  should  be  given,  gradually  reducing  the 
supply  of  water  as  they  are  placed  into  cooler  and 
drier  houses.  For  two  or  three  daj's  previous  to 
packing  no  water  should  be  given  ;  much  less  risk  is 
run  if  the  plants  remain  dry  during  the  time  they 
are  away  from  home.  It  may  shrivel  them  a  little, 
but  if  the  roots  are  preserved  from  chill,  which  is 
much  more  easily  done  when  the  plants  are  quite 
dry,  they  soon  recover.  The  flowers  should  be 
removed  immediately  the  plants  arrive  home,  and 
no  water  should  be  given  for  a  few  days  after  the 
plants  have  been  restored  to  the  various  houses. 
The  same  treatment  is  suitable  when  Orchids  have 
to  be  taken  into  the  dwelling-house  with  few 
exceptions. 

SoPIIRONITIS   GRANDIFLORA. 

The  present  season  is  a  favourable  one  to  give 
tliis   charming   Orchid    a,    thorough    overhauling, 


May  ?S,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


373 


cutting  out  any  dead  pseudo-bulbs,  and  when 
potting  is  not  necessary  renovate  tiie  surface  by 
removing  the  old  and  adding  fresh.  This  species 
should  not  be  disturbed  more  than  is  absolutely 
necessary.  Pans  are  the  most  suitable,  and  a  good 
drainage  of  crocks  and  rhizomes  should  be  given, 
half  filling  the  receptacle.  Equal  parts  of  fibrous 
peat  and  chopped  sphagnum  provide  a  good 
rooting  medium.  This  plant  is  generally  grown 
in  the  Odontoglossum  house,  but  we  find  the 
coolest  end  of  the  cool  intermediate  house  gives  the 
best  results.  Water  at  all  seasons  should  be  care- 
fully given,  yet  sufficient  to  maintain  the  bulbs  and 
leaves  in  a  plump  state  is  essential,  and  when 
grown  in  the  warmer  house  more  will  be  required 
ihan  is  necessary  in  the  cool  house. 

OnCIDIUM   MARSHALLIANUM   and   0.    CURTUM. 

Apply  water  very  freely  to  those  developing 
flowers,  and  place  them  in  a  light  position.  Do 
not  allow  the  spikes  to  remain  on  the  plants  too 
long,  especially  so  when  they  are  carrying  fine 
spikes.  After  flowering  less  water  will  be 
required,  and  the  necessary  repotting  should  be 
done  when  the  new  growths  have  made  a  good 
start.  Suspend  them  in  the  cool  intermediate 
house,  and  at  no  season  should  they  be  allowed  to 
shrivel.  The  flower-spikes  should  always  be 
removed  if  they  have  failed  to  produce  good  growth, 
which  often  occurs  if  they  have  flowered  freely  the 
preceding  year. 

Oncidium  lbuoochilum. 

Many  plants  not  flowering  have  their  growth 
auificiently  forward  to  enable  potting  or  resurfacing 
being  done.  This  Orchid  is  better  suited  when 
grown  on  the  stage  in  the  cool  intermediate  house. 

W.  P.  BOUKD. 

Gatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


A    LITTLE    KNOWN    VEGETABLE. 

A  SUBSCRIBER  recently  wrote  to  request 
some  hints  on  the  cultivation  of  Fennel, 
adding  that  he  found  this  an  excellent 
vegetable.  Fennel  is,  indeed,  a  good 
^  vegetable  —  not  the  common  Funnel 
(Fceniculum  vulgare),  but  Sweet  Fennel 
(F.  dulce) — and  its  culinary  uses  deserve  to  be 
better  known.  The  base  of  the  petioles  swells 
above  the  collar,  forming  a  succulent  mass,  which 
may  attain  the  size  of  one's  fi-t.  It  can  be  eaten 
raw  or  cooked,  like  Celery,  which  it  surpasses  in 
delicacy  of  flavour  and  sweetness.  The  plant  will 
scarcely  stand  the  winter  in  the  climate  of  Paris, 
where  it  may  be  regarded  as  an  annual.  It  is 
sown  in  spring  and  gathered  during  the  summer. 
Sowing  is  done  in  rows  from  40  centimetres  to 
50  centimetres  apart,  the  young  plants  are  thinned 
out  so  as  to  leave  a  space  of  from  12  centimetres  to 
15  centimetres  between  each,  and  frequent  and 
abundant  waterings  are  given.  When  the  collar 
of  the  plant  has  reached  the  size  of  an  egg  it  is 
earthed  up  ;  ten  days  after  the  gathering  may  be 
commenced,  beginning  with  the  most  advanced 
plants. — La  Revue  Horticole. 


ABOUT  POTATOES. 
When  the  Tulip  mania  in  Holland  was  at  its 
height  single  bulbs  of  some  varieties  were  sold  at 
prices  which,  to  growers  of  the  present  day,  seem 
ridiculous.  The  Tulip  was  never  worth  so  much 
mone}',  and  we  may  take  it  for  granted  that  in 
years  to  come  Potato  growers  will  wonder  how 
any  variety,  however  good,  could  have  been 
deemed  worth  more  than  its  weight  in  gold.  The 
worst  feature  of  this  boom  in  new  varieties  is  that, 
through  feverish  anxiety  to  increase  their  stock, 
some  traders  and  private  growers  have  resorted  to 
a  method  of  increase  which,  I  fear,  in  the  long  run 
must  exercise  a  weakening  influence  on  the  consti- 
tution of  these  expensive  sorts.  Up  to  the  present 
time  I  believe  there  is  no  record  of  Potatoes  being 
systematically  propagated  from  cuttings. 

In  their  anxiety  to  meet  the  demand,  and  reap 
quick  and  large  returns  for  money  invested,  some 


trade  growers  have  resorted  to  the  expedient  of 
putting  the  tubers  early  in  the  season  in  warmth, 
and  taking  off  the  shoots  as  they  form,  which  of 
course  make  roots  readily.  In  this  way  one 
grower  stated  that  from  lib.  of  Northern  Star,  for 
which  he  paid  lOs.,  he  obtained  nearly  2.501b., 
which  ho  sold  at  3s.  6d.  per  lb.  As  he  remarked, 
nothing  could  pay  better ;  but  how  about  the 
influence  which  this  forcing  method  of  increase 
must  have  on  future  generations  of  the  Potato? 
I  should  be  sorry  to  know  that  I  was  buying  seed 
which  in  any  way  owed  its  origin  to  stock  thus 
obtained.  At  the  present  time  plants  of  Eldorado 
are  being  ottered  at  £4  each.  Just  fancy  Potatoes 
being  sent  out  in  a  way  that  demands  as  much 
care  in  packing  as  an  Orchid  !  There  is,  perhaps, 
in  an  age  when  competition  is  so  great,  some 
excuse  for  trade  growers  acting  in  this  way,  and 
when  a  man  invests  £50  in  a  few  Potatoes  he 
naturally  wants  to  see  some  of  his  money  back  as 
soon  as  possible.  For  an  amateur  to  practice  this 
unnatural  system  of  increase  is  as  foolish  as  it  is 
reprehensible.  I  recently  saw  in  a  contemporary 
a  reply  to  a  correspondent  who  wished  to  know 
how  to  make  the  most  of  an  expensive  Potato  about 
the  size  of  a  thimble.  He  was  told  to  put  it  into 
warmth,  take  off  the  shoots  as  they  appeared,  and 
root  them  in  small  pots.  It  is  well  known  that  the 
constitution  of  the  Verbena  and  Calceolaria  was  so 
weakened  many  years  ago  by  the  express  system  of 
increase  adopted  to  work  up  a  stock  of  new  sorts, 
that  in  the  end  they  were  so  liable  to  disease  that 
they  could  no  longer  be  relied  on  to  stand  the 
vicissitudes  of  our  English  summers.  What  can  we 
expect  of  these  new  Potatoes  in  a  few  years,  when 
in  the  earliest  stages  of  their  existence  they  are 
being  increased  in  such  an  unnatural  manner  ? 
Using  a  Potato  the  size  of  a  thimble  is  bad  enough, 
but  when  the  growths  are  rooted  in  warmth 
nothing  less  than  permanent  deterioration  can  be 
expected.  It  is  to  be  feared  that  the  temptation 
to  increase  these  expensive  varieties  in  such  a 
quick  and  easy  manner  will  in  the  future  be  more 
than  trade  and  many  private  growers  will  be  able 
to  withstand. 

A  few  days  ago  an  instance  of  what  is  probably 
occurring  in  a  great  many  private  gardens  through- 
out the  country  came  under  my  notice.  A  gentle- 
man's gardener  gave  203.  for  lib.  of  a  new  variety 
last  season,  from  which,  under  high  culture,  he 
obtained  over  501b.  This  year  these  were  cut  up 
into  small  bits  with  one  eye,  and  were  being  set 
out  in  a  field.  I  quite  fail  to  see  that  it  is  in  the 
interest  of  any  private  grower  to  increase  a  new 
variety  by  express  speed.  There  is  a  pretty  general 
consensus  of  opinion  among  those  who  grow 
Potatoes  for  profit  that  much  is  gained  by  frequent 
change  of  seed.  The  experience  of  the  last  three 
seasons  has  so  strengthened  the  faith  of  many 
growers  in  this  district  that  very  few  breadths 
will  have  been  planted  with  home-grown  seed. 
Supposing  that  one  gives  2Qi.  for  sixteen 
ounces  of  Potatoes,  it  will  take  several  years  to 
work  up  a  fair  stock,  and  by  that  time  there 
should  be  a  change  of  seed.  In  my  opinion  it  is 
better  to  wait  until  the  price  comes  down  low 
enough  to  justify  purchasing  by  the  hundredweight, 
getting  them  from  a  different  soil  and  as  far  from 
home  as  possible. 

Some  of  these  new  sorts  appear  to  be  such 
enormous  croppers  that  it  will  be  impossible  to 
keep  up  the  price  of  seed  for  any  length  of  time. 
Take  Northern  Star,  for  instance  ;  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  its  cropping  powers  are  far  in  advance 
of  Magnum  Bonum,  Up-to-Date,  and  other  standard 
varieties.  On  Surrey  loam  and  under  high  culture 
these  sorts  have  been  yielding  at  the  rate  of  15  tons 
per  acre.  If  Northern  Star  and  Eldorado  are 
to  justify  their  existence  they  must  yield,  under 
the  same  cultural  conditions,  from  20  tons  to 
25  tons  per  acre.  In  the  long  run  I  fear 
that,  however  advantageous  the  advent  of  these 
enormous  croppers  may  be  to  the  consumer,  they 
will  not  prove  an  unmixed  blessing  to  the  grower 
for  profit.  When  Magnum  Bonum,  Scotch  Cham- 
pion, and  Up-to-Date  were  at  their  best,  the  best 
samples  were  sold  at  SOs.  per  ton  in  our  big  markets 
— in  fact,  some  large  growers  were  obliged  to  feed 
their  piga  with  a  portion  of  their  produce.     This 


occurred  late  in  the  season,  when  it  was  found 
impossible  to  sell  even  at  £1  per  ton. 

Everyone  knows  that  a  very  abundant  fruit  year 
brings  prices  down  so  low  that  it  does  not  pay  to 
send  anything  but  very  prime  samples  to  market. 
In  the  same  way  the  Potato  grower  must  make  a 
certain  price  in  order  to  pay  expenses,  and  these 
are  so  heavy  that  in  a  big  yielding  season  the 
margin  is  sometimes  so  small  as  to  reduce  the 
profits  to  a  very  low  point.  Last  year  was  very 
bad  for  Potatoes,  in  some  places  the  crops  being  a 
dismal  failure,  and  yet  they  are  being  retailed  in 
this  district  at  Ss.  6d.  per  bushel.  A  large  grower 
sold  90  tons  for  £4  lOs.  per  ton  on  the  place.  It  is 
evident,  therefore,  that  in  some  places  the  yield 
must  have  been  very  heavy,  otherwise  good  samples 
would  have  cost  nearer  .53.  per  bushel.  As  a  fact, 
Potatoes  in  this  district  varied  remarkably,  in 
marked  contrast  to  the  miserable  appearance  of 
Potatoes  generally.  One  came  across  here  and 
there  some  breadths  that  left  nothing  to  be  desired. 
In  nearly  every  case  where  good  crops  were 
secured  the  Seed  came  from  a  distance.  One  grower 
was  digging  and  selling  Early  Rose  at  Os.  per 
bushel  when  his  neighbours  had  nothing ;  but  his 
seed  came  from  France.  Talking  to  an  acquaint- 
ance on  this  subject,  he  said,  "  Lincolnshire  is  not 
far  enough  away.  We  must  go  to  Scotland  or 
France."  Seed  can  be  bought  at  £4  per  ton  in 
France,  the  cost  of  carriage  to  the  home  counties 
being  about  los.,  so  that,  it  does  not  come  any 
dearer  than  English-grown  seed.  For  Lincolnshire- 
grown  seed  of  Puritan  and  Early  Rose  one  has  to 
give  83.  per  cwt. ,  and  I  see  that  some  dealers  are 
offering  imported  seed  of  Early  Rose  at  that  price. 
A  friend  of  mine  had  excellent  crops  from  Scotch 
seed,  while  in  gardens  all  round  him  Potatoes  had 
a  most  wretched  appearance. 

Byfieet,  West  Surrey.  J.  Corshill. 


POT  AND  PARAPET 
GARDENING  FOR  THE 
POOR    OF    TOWNS.— III. 

"  Look  bub  at  the  gardener's  pride, 
How  he  glories  when  he  sees 
Roses,  lilies,  side  by  side, 
Violets  in  families." 

VERY  interesting  are  the  next  extracts. 
They  are  from  a  letter  written  by  Mr. 
William  Pindard,  who  for  ten  years 
was  superintendent  of  the  Home  for 
Working  Boys  at  Pelham  House, 
Bishopsgate,  and  while  there  did 
wonders,  making  a  bare,  unsightly  zinc  roof  into 
a  bower,  not  to  say  a  jungle.  He  has  now  retired, 
and  cultivates  a  small  patch  at  the  East  End, 
somewhat  further  from  the  smuts  and  chimney- 
pots. As  a  little  boy  he  competed  for  flower  show 
prizes,  under  the  Rev.  W.  II.  Davies,  of  Spital- 
fields,  and  this  no  doubt  fostered  his  natural  taste 
for  flowers  and  gardens. 

"  Re  your  enquiry,"  he  says,  "as  to  competitions 
suitable  for  window-gardening,  I  can  only  state  a 
few  particulars,  viz.  :  Bills  advertising  same  are 
distributed  in  parish  or  workroom,  offering  the 
prize  in,  say,  two  classes  for  window  gardening — 
1st,  those  that  face  the  street ;  2nd,  those  that 
face  the  back  of  house.  In  these  competitions  each 
one  provides  their  own  boxes  and  plants,  and  does 
as  he  or  she  likes. 

"  For  pot  flowers,  it  is  arranged  on  a  given  day  or 
evening  to  supply  plants  in  pots  at  Id.  each,  and  a 
sealed  piece  of  tape  is  fixed  round  plant  at  base. 
This  to  prevent  imposition.  Plants  such  as 
Geranium,  Fuchsia,  Tobacco  plants.  Calceolaria 
(yellow,  small).  Lobelia,  Creeping  Jenny,  Musk, 
Marguerite,  and  Marigold.  These  were  well  started 
in  4j-inch  pots,  and  distributi  d  in  the  month  of 
April,  and  the  flower  show  held  a  ,  the  end  of  July. 
Seeds  would  be  a  failure,  so  far  as  I  am  a  judge. 
I  do  not  think  Forget-me-not,  Pinks,  Wallflower, 
or  Candytuft  would  do  in  pots  in  slumland. 

"  I  have  never  done  well  by  Nasturtium  seeds. 
In  fact,  the  poor  East-Enders  want  to  see  how  the 
seeds  are  getting  on  every  now  and  then.  A  little 
chap  I  know  very  well  was  told  that  money  grew. 


374 


THE    GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


and  put  three  half-pennies  into  the  ground  in  the 
back  yard  Some  men  at  work  in  a  workshop 
near  saw  the  act,  and,  shame  to  say,  soon  disposed 
of  it.  (I  was  the  little  chap,  and  I  believe  it  was 
my  first  attempt  at  gardening). 

"  The  pots  and  plants  cost  us  IJd.  each,  so  that 
Jd.  was  lost  in  each  competition.  Don't  forget 
the  London  sparrows ;  they  nip  off  every  tiny 
shoot,  not  because  they  like  them,  but  out  of  pure 
mischief.  I  do  not  say  seeds  will  not  be  successful 
in  some  neighbourhoods,  but  to  the  poor  plants 
are  so  much  more  encouraging.  I  certainly  should 
not  try  seeds,  but  if  they  should  be  attempted  I 
would  suggest  that  the  cheap  and  easily-made 
forcing  house  be  used.  Two  strips  of  cane  and  a 
well-oiled  piece  of  newspaper  over  it,  to  cover 
the  pot  up  and  keep  the  seeds  safe  till  well  up. 
Then  remove  the  paper  and  tie  pieces  of  rag  on 
canes  to  flutter  in  the  wind." 

Enough  has  been  said  to  show  that  there  does 
exist  now  in  the  poorer  part  of  London  and  its  en- 
virons an  earnest  desire  that  they  should  share  the 
joys  of  flowers  and  gardening  ;  also  to  prove  that  for 
this  wish  to  be  realised  is  no  idle  dream,  but  a 
matter  that  lies  within  the  bounds  of  practical 
workability.  Talking  with  a  lady,  who  is,  perhaps, 
as  well  acquainted  with  the  poor  of  slumland  as  it 
is  possible  for  anyone  to  be.  "You  really  think  it  is 
worth  while  to  make  an  effort  to  give  these  poor 
people  flowers  and  plants,  and  help  them  to  under- 
stand and  grow  them  ? "  The  reply  came  promptly, 
"  Oh  yes,  indeed.  It  would  be  doing  a  great  good, 
you  could  hardly  realise  how  much." 

People  have  said  to  me  sometimes,  "Have  not 
the  East  End  poor  got  parks  ?  Why  cannot  poor 
people  be  satisfied  with  them  ?  The}'  see  better 
flowers  there  than  ever  they  could  grow  for  them- 
selves." Truly,  with  their  flowers  and  trees  and 
walks  parks  are  a  blessing,  but  they  are  not 
everywhere,  nor  do  they  satisfy  all  cravings. 
Really  to  enjoy  a  flower  one  must  have  grown  it. 
In  no  other  way  can  we  get  all  the  good  out  of  it 
that  it  is  capable  of  giving.  Staring  at  flowers 
that  other  people  have  watered  and  tended  has  but 
little  effect  upon  the  mind.  It  brings  forth  no  in- 
telligence, has  called  forth  noself-denial,  no  affection, 
no  kindly  feelings.  Do  not  we  see  something  of  this 
even  at  flower  shows  got  up  for  the  pleasure  of  the 
rich  ?  The  look  of  boredom  on  the  faces  of  the 
uninitiated,  the  vacant  gaze  of  the  mere  onlooker, 
contrasted  with  the  expression  of  content  which 
overspreads  the  features  of  some  flower  grower  who 
sees  his  ideal  realised,  or  some  favourite  for  the 
first  time  in  full  perfection.  The  poor  people  who 
enjoy  flowers  the  most,  both  in  parks  and  public 
gardens,  are  always  those  who  have  some  know- 
ledge of  the  same  things  at  home.  And  it  is 
human  nature  to  enjoy  what  is  our  own.  We 
might  as  well  expect  to  feel  the  same  delight  and 
interest  in  other  people's  nurseries  and  children 
that  we  find  among  our  own  little  ones  and  their 
surroundings,  as  think  to  understand  and  enjoy 
the  gardens  and  flowers  of  others,  no  matter  how 
perfect  they  may  be,  as  much  as  if  they  were  our 
very  own. 

*'  Even  in  the  stifling  bosom  of  the  town 
A  garden  in  which  nothing  thrives  has  charms 
That  soothe  the  rich  possessor." 

"  Possessor,"  aye,  there  is  a  point  of  which  we 
ought  not  to  lose  sight. 

One  more  word  in  answer  to  those  who  say  the 
poor  of  cities  have  no  room  for  gardening.  Are 
there  not  roofs  and  parapets  as  well  as  yards  and 
walls  ?  I  have  known  Potatoes  (excellent)  and 
Beetroots  grown  on  roofs  among  the  chimney-pots. 
And  look  at  the  .Japanese,  who  manage  to  do 
landscape  gardening,  with  precipices,  waterfalls, 
gnarled  trees  and  mossy  crannies,  in  a  pan  6  inches 
by  8  inches,  or  get  a  stretch  of  park,  with  trees 
and  glades,  into  a  tiny  pot  2  feet  by  1  foot.  I 
confess  that  sooner  than  spend  my  time  on  these 
small  miracles  I  would  festoon  my  roof  with  Scarlet 
Runners  and  Canary  Creeper,  and  make  a  bower  of 
every  buttress  ;  but  a  miniature  rock  garden  in  a 
window-box  is  quite  a  feasible  thing  and  very 
charming.  Here  is  an  idea  for  one,  contributed  by 
Miss  Jekyll  herself. 

"  Of  bulbs  a  pretty  mixture  would  be  Snowdrops 
and    SciUa    eiberica,    with    a    mossy    Saxifrage." 


Miss  Jekyll  also  thinks  that  Double  Daisies,  red 
and  white,  might  do  fairly  well  in  towns.  Bulbs 
would  appear  to  the  writer  most  excellent  things 
for  the  poor  to  grow  in  smokeland,  because  they 
are  so  hardy  under  town  conditions,  doing  better 
than  any  other  flowering  plant,  but  it  seems  they 
call  for  too  much  faith  on  the  part  of  their  culti- 
vators during  the  waiting  period.  Why  not,  when 
bulbs  are  given  out,  supplement  them  with  some 
mossy  Saxifrage,  such  as  is  mentioned  by  Miss 
Jekyll,  or  tufts  of  the  evergreen  London  Pride 
(there  is  more  than  one  sort  of  London  Pride), 
which  would  furnish  something  cheerful  to  look 
at  till  the  first  green  spears  of  the  buried  bulb 
appeared. 

'The  most  experienced  of  the  workers  in  slum- 
land  advise  that,  as  far  as  possible,  all  schemes 
should  be  self-supporting,  and  a  spirit  of  indepen- 
dence encouraged.  Also,  that  a  sentiment  of  mutual 
encouragement  should  be  fostered.  Flower  shows 
and  prize  giving  are  desirable.  These,  of  course, 
want  a  little  help  in  money  and  a  great  deal  of  help 
in  supervision. 

Means  and  markets  are  open  to  everyone. 
Among  many  firms  that  are,  no  doubt,  equally 
good,  the  writer  is  able  to  recommend  two  as  being 
reasonable  and  to  be  depended  upon.  Mould, 
difficult  to  cart  about,  and  all  the  more  expensive 
on  this  account,  is  supplied  by  Messrs.  Small  aud 
Co.,  of  23,  Lime  Street,  E.  Potting  soil,  carefully 
prepared  for  the  purpose,  can  be  purchased  of 
them  at  Is.  6d.  per  bushel ;  for  short  distances, 
say  to  Bermondsey,  delivered  free.  Should  the 
distances  be  great,  an^  the  van  kept  away  for 
several  hours,  there  would  be  a  further  charge,  say 
of  about  53. 

Poi.s.— Flower  pots  of  4j-inch  or  5-inch  size 
would  be  supplied  at  85.  4d.  per  100.  The 
quantity  of  soil  needed  for  100  4i-inch  pots  would 
be  from  two  to  three  bushels.  Crocks  for  drainage 
are  also  supplied.  Growing  flowers  in  pots  can 
also  be  supplied  by  nurserymen. 

In  conclusion,  would  it  be  possible  to  get  a 
list  of  those  people  in  the  City  and  slumland  who 
would  be  glad  to  receive  gifts  in  kind  at  certain 
seasons,  in  certain  places,  and  also  a  list  of  those 
who  are  able  and  willing  to  bestow  them  ?  If  the 
one  set  of  people  were  introduced  to  the  other, 
excellent  results  might  follow.  F.  A.  B. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FLOWER   GARDEN. 
Summer  Bedding. 

FO  R  a  period  varying  with  the  amount  of 
bedding  out  to  be  done,  the  principal 
work  in  the  flower  garden  will  be 
clearing  away  the  plants  and  bulbs 
which  have  completed  their  display, 
and  preparing  the  beds  for  replanting 
with  the  summer  occupants.  When  possible  it  is 
best  to  plant  "dot  plants"  in  the  bed  first,  but  if 
from  any  cause  they  are  not  ready  or  are  more 
tender  than  the  other  plants  for  the  bed  the  neces- 
sary spaces  should  be  left  and  the  remainder  of 
the  bed  filled.  During  very  bright  weather  it  is, 
as  a  rule,  wise  to  discontinue  planting  for  a  few 
hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  This  applies  more 
to  plants  grown  in  boxes  than  those  well  established 
in  pots  and  thoroughly  hardened  ofi'.  In  the  case 
of  seedling  plants  and  any  which  have  not  been  long 
exposed,  they  will  suffer  less  in  the  moving  if  the 
planting  can  be  delayed  for  a  few  days  until  dull 
or  showery  weather  sets  in.  After  planting  any 
tender  subject  a  little  temporary  shading,  such  as 
a  few  branches  of  Silver  Fir,  will  be  advisable. 

Staking. 
The  fewer  stakes  there  are  to  be  seen  in  the 
flower  garden  the  better,  but  where  supports  are 
needful  they  should  be  given  at  once,  choosing  a 
straight,  neat  stake,  and  tying  the  plant  in  as 
inconspicuous  a  manner  as  possible.  In  spite  of  the 
many  arguments  sometimes  used  against  the  prac- 
tice, I. prefer,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  do  whatever 
watering  is  necessary  during  the  latter  part  of  the 


afternoon  rather  than  in  the  morning,  discontinuing 
early  enough  to  allow  the  foliage  to  dry  before 
dark. 

Lawn  Mowing. 

Where  lawns  are  extensive  the  mowing  will  for 
a  few  weeks  longer  entail  a  deal  of  labour.  Occa- 
sionally one  hears  the  complaint  that  the  mower 
"goes  hard,"  and  this  is  due  frequently  to  insuffi- 
cient oiling.  Some  patterns  of  lawn-mowers 
require  to  be  oiled  more  frequently  than  others, 
but  with  most  makes  it  will  be  found  that  they 
will  work  much  easier  if  well  oiled,  and,  of  course, 
during  hot,  sunny  weather  more  lubrication  is 
required  than  when  it  is  dull.  On  no  account 
should  men  be  permilted  to  oil  the  machine  while 
on  the  grass  or  a  brown  spot  will  soon  appear. 
With  an  otherwise  properly  adjusted  mower  a  too 
short  pulling  rope  entails  a  waste  of  power. 
During  the  dinner-hour  the  machine  should  be 
placed  in  a  shady  spot.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardem,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

PoiNSETTIA   PULCHERRIMA. 

Old  plants  that  a  month  or  so  ago  were  put  into  a 
gentle  heat  to  encourage  the  production  of  shoots  for 
propagating  having  responded,  these  are  now  ready 
for  being  taken  off  either  as  cuttings  in  the  ordinary 
way  or  with  a  heel  of  the  old  wood  attached,  and 
if  properly  treated  they  will  strike  root  freely 
enough  either  way.  The  object  should  be  to  expose 
the  cuttings  for  as  short  a  period  as  possible. 
They  should  be  inserted  in  the  pots  and  be  placed 
in  the  propagating  box  or  frame  as  quickly  as 
possible,  and  be  kept  close  and  lightly  shaded  to 
prevent  the  leaves  from  flagging.  Sometimes  three 
are  inserted  around  the  sides  of  3-inch  pots,  but 
usually  we  prefer  putting  them  singly  in  the 
centre  of  small  pots,  as  then  they  can  when  rooted 
be  potted  into  larger  pots  without  suffering  a 
check,  and  generally  for  decorative  work  they  are 
more  useful.  Immediately  the  first  batch  of 
cuttings  have  been  taken  remove  the  old  plants  to 
cooler  quarters.  A  close,  cold  frame  is  a  very  suit- 
able position  ;  the  cuttings  for  subsequent  batches 
will  then  be  firmer  and  much  easier  to  propagate. 

Euphorbia  jacquini.i:flora. 

Healthy,  firm  tops  of  the  shoots  should  be 
secured  and  inserted  as  cuttings — three  to  five — 
around  the  sides  of  3-inch  and  4-inch  pots.  When 
rooted  they  should  be  potted  and  grown  on. 
Cuttings,  to  the  base  of  which  is  attached  a  heel 
of  the  old  wood,  should  be  taken  by  the  time  they 
are  2  inches  in  length,  as  generally  they  take 
longer  to  root,  and  would  be  likely  to  suffer  more 
than  those  obtained  from  the  tops  of  well-developed 
shoots.  With  ample  convenience  it  is  a  good  plan 
to  plunge  the  pots  containing  the  old  plants  in  the 
propagating  bed.  Then  peg  down  the  long  stems 
of  these  horizontally,  previously  notching  them  at 
every  joint.  Cover  them  and  at  each  joint  roots 
will  be  emitted,  after  which  sever  them  and  pot 
up  singly.  They  may  be  placed  three  to  five  in 
pots  large  enough  to  receive  them,  and  in  this  way 
may  be  grown  into  good  specimens. 
Cyclamen  tersicum. 

These  plants  have  just  received  their  final  shift 
into  5-iiich  and  6i-inch  pots.  The  loam  in  this 
district  is  not  of  the  best,  in  consequence  of  which 
more  peat  than  loam  is  used  in  the  compost,  the 
other  ingredients  being  leaf-mould,  sand,  and  a 
few  broken  crocks  or  brick  ;  the  pots  are  well 
drained.  When  placing  the  plants  in  their 
flowering  pots  a  mistake  frequently  made  is  in 
putting  the  corms  too  low  down  in  the  soil ;  nearly 
a  third  should  be  above  the  soil.  Plunging  the 
pots  in  bottom-heat  is  not  practised,  but  the  plants 
are  raised  near  to  the  glass  and  a  moist  atmosphere 
is  maintained  by  frequent  syringings.  A  tempera- 
ture not  higher  than  SO''  at  night,  with  a  rise  of  5'^ 
in  the  day,  is  suitable.  The  aim  should  be  to 
produce  thick  leathery  leaves  with  short  leaf- 
stalks, and  this  can  be  done  only  by  careful 
attention  to  airing  as  well  as  shading,  special 
attention  being  paid  to  the  latter,  which  must  not 
be  excessive.  J.  P.  Leadbettkr. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  Hull. 


May  28,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


S75 


KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Leeks. 
Those  sown  early  in  the  year  and  grown  on  in 
heat  should  now  be  ready  for  planting  out.  If  the 
very  best  results  are  desired  this  crop  requires  a 
great  deal  of  care  and  attention.  The  Leeks  must 
be  planted  in  trenches  prepared  as  for  Celery,  and 
carefully  turned  out  of  their  pots  and  placed 
15  inches  apart.  Shade  for  a  tew  days  if  there  is 
strong  sunshine.  Leeks  for  kitchen  use  may  be 
grown  on  any  good  garden  soil  by  simply  planting 
deeply  with  a  dibber.  After  making  the  hole  pui 
in  the  young  plants  deeply,  leaving  only  2  inches 
or  3  inches  above  the  soil.  Let  a  little  soil  into 
the  holes  ;  they  will  be  gradually  filled  up  when 
hoed  or  watered.  The  rows  should  be  IS  inches 
and  the  plants  9  inches  apart. 

Celery 
sown  for  very  early  use  will  now  be  fit  to  plant 
out.  If  the  plants  are  in  boxes  carry  these  to  the 
trenches.  If  they  are  taken  out  carefully  little 
check  will  be  given.  Choose  a  dull  day  for 
planting,  and  in  dry  weather  give  frequent 
waterings  till  the  plants  begin  to  grow.  For  the 
main  crops  the  seedlings  should  now  be  ready  to 
prick  out.  This  will  have  been  done 
already  in  many  gardens,  but  as  the  plants 
are  liable  to  run  to  seed  if  sown  too  early, 
they  are  still  in  good  time.  To  get  good, 
strong  plants  with  plenty  of  soil  adhering 
to  the  roots  the  frame  should  be  emptied 
to  the  depth  of  IJ  feet.  Place  some  old, 
short,  well-rotted  manure  in  the  bottom, 
with  about  2i  inches  of  soil  on  top,  and 
prick  the  seedling  plants  in  about  3  inches 
apart  each  way.  If  they  are  carefully 
attended  to  the  plants  will  be  ready  in 
about  a  month  for  planting  out. 

Parsley. 

The  main  sowing  should  row  be  made. 
This  should  be  done  on  a  fairly  dry  piece 
of  ground.  The  thinnings  may  be  used 
for  pricking  into  frames  to  ensure  a 
supply  during  the  winter  months.  Plants 
raised  in  heat  and  planted  out  early  in 
April  are  now  growing  freely.  Give 
occasionally  during  the  summer  a  sprink- 
ling of  manure,  and  hoe  frequently  among 
the  plants.  Parsley  is  an  important  item 
in  all  gardens,  and  should  receive  careful 
attention.  A  well-grown  row  or  bed  is 
also  very  attractive. 

General  Remarks. 

Take  advantage  of  every  fine  day  to  ply 
the  hoe.     In  all  places  where  weeds  are 
showing    stirring    the   surface   encourages 
growth  and  kills  the  weeds.     Draw  soil  to 
Potatoes  and  Cabbages  in  time,  thus  pre- 
venting damage  by  wind.     Clear  the  land 
of  all  last  season's  crops  still  remaining. 
Broccoli  will  soon  be  over,  and  the  ground 
should  be  deeply  dug  for  Peas,    Turnips, 
or     Potatoes.       Remove     the     flower-stems    from 
Rhubarb.     If  seed  is  required  a  few  may  be  left. 
Plant  out  on  the  herb  border  Basil,  Marjoram,  &c., 
raised  from  seed  under  glass.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  Gardens,  South  Queensferry ,  N.B. 

FEUIT    GARDEN. 

Melons. 

The  earliest  house  of  Melons  having  been  cleared 
of  fruit,  young  plants  sown  as  advised  last  month 
will  now  be  ready  for  replanting.  I  do  not  advise 
a  second  crop  being  taken  from  the  same  plants. 
A  part  of  the  old  soil  should  be  removed  from  the 
bed  and  fresh  loam  added  and  made  up  as  given  in 
previous  calendars.  The  house  must  be  thoroughly 
cleaned  or  red  spider  is  sure  to  make  its  appear- 
ance later  in  the  season.  If  the  fruits  are  required 
for  any  particular  date  about  three  months  should 
be  allowed  from  the  time  of  sowing,  and  a  little 
longer  for  frame  Melons.  Shade  the  plants  in  the 
middle  of  the  day  until  well  established.  In 
houses  where  the  fruits  are  colouring  reduce  the 
supply  of  water  at  the  roots,  but  not  sufficient  to 


cause  the  foliage  to  flag.  Pay  attention  to  pinching 
and  tying  in  shoots  on  succession  plants  and  the 
fertilisation  of  the  blooms,  and  try  to  get  as  even 
a  set  as  possible.  I  have  found  nothing  better  as 
a  stimulant  than  diluted  liquid  manure.  Keep  the 
plants  free  from  red  spider  by  maintaining  plenty 
of  atmospheric  moisture,  closing  early  in  the  after- 
noon, and  allow  the  temperature  to  rise  freely. 
Sow  seeds  at  intervals  of  about  three  weeks  to 
keep  up  a  succession.  Any  ordinary  pit  or  frame 
will  grow  good  Melons  at  this  season.  Plants 
grown  in  frames  do  not  require  as  much  water  at 
the  roots  as  those  grown  in  houses.  Thin  out 
weak  growths  to  avoid  overcrowding,  and  place 
the  fruits  on  inverted  pots  as  soon  as  large  enough. 
Ventilate  carefully  and  shade  lightly  in  the  middle 
of  the  day,  syringe  and  close  early  in  the  afternoon, 
covering  up  the  frame  with  mats  on  cold  nights. 

General  Remarks. 

We  have  had  very  little  rain  in  this  district 
lately,  and  heavy  ground  is  beginning  to  crack 
badly.  The  surface  soil  must  be  kept  well  stirred, 
and  on  fruit  tree  borders  at  the  foot  of  walls  should 
be  stirred  2  inches  deep  with  a  fork  to  allow  the 
water    to  reach   the   roots.      Continue   to  disbud 


PLANTING  OUT    DAHLIAS. 

When  the  ground  has  been  thoroughly  prepared 
and  the  plants  hardened  off  planting  can  begin, 
choosing  either  the  last  week  of  May  or  the  first 
of  June.  To  do  this  well  much  labour  is  needful. 
Decide  where  the  first  row  is  to  be,  put  a  stick 

j  where  the  top  and  bottom  plants  are  to  be  planted, 
and  then  stretch  a  line  about  9  inches  to  one 
side,  i.e.,  9  inches  away  from  the  stick  where  the 
plants  will  eventually  stand.  Then  beginning  at 
the  first  stick  set  out  the  row  to  take  plants,  say 
i  feet  apart,  pultin).'  in  a  twig  to  show  position  of 
each.  At  each  of  these  slicks  dig  out  a  hole  reach- 
ing from  the  line  on  the  one  side  to  an  equal 
distance  on  the  other,  allowing  for  the  stick  to  be 
the  centre,  and  so  all  round.     This  hole  should  be 

'  rather  over  a  foot  deep,  if  the  soil  will  allow,  but 
it  is  not  much  good  burrowing  down  into  clay  it 
that  be  the  subsoil.  Having  made  the  hole  put  in 
about  two  gallons  of  manure,  and  then  well  work  a 
portion  of  the  surrounding  soil  with  it,  finally 
filling  up  and  levelling  off  the  surface  as  if  no  hole 
had  been  made.  Now  replace  the  little  stick  in 
the  centre  so  that  the  exact  position  of  the  hole  is 
kept,  and  so  on  until  the  row  is  ready.     The  line 


THE    MOONLIGHT    BROOM    (CiTTISUS    SCUPARIUS    VAR.    PALLIDI  s), 


Peach  and  Nectarine  trees.  Syringe  the  trees  with 
Quassia  Extract  according  to  directions,  and  wash 
the  trees  on  bright  afternoons  with  the  garden 
engine.  This  will  help  to  keep  down  fly  and 
spider  and  encourage  healthy  growth.  Morello 
Cherries  must  be  kept  clear  of  black  fly  either  by 
syringing  or  dipping  the  points  of  the  shoots  in 
Quassia  water. 
Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


THE    MOONLIGHT    BROOM. 

This  Broom  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  dwarf 
shrubs  in  flower  in  early  summer  in  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew.  It  is  a  very  old  variety,  as  it  was 
described  by  Loudon  sixty  years  ago,  but  it  is  still 
rare,  and  not  easily  obtainable.  Its  pale  yellow 
flowers  are  in  beautiful  harmony  with  the  rich 
yellow  of  the  type  scoparius.  Mr.  Goldring  wrote 
about  it  last  year  in  The  Garden,  and  mentioned 
that  the  only  private  garden  in  which  he  had  seen 
it  in  an  established  mass  was  in  that  of  Mrs.  Robb 
at  Liphook.  I  do  not  know  it  it  comes  true  from 
seed,,.but  I  fancy  not.  W. 


on  the  one  side  is  simply  a  guide  to  keep  the  holes 
straight.  When  a  row  is  finished,  the  plants  can 
be  put  in  at  once,  placing  the  ball  of  earth  just 
comfortably  below  the  surface.  I  might  here  say 
that  if  the  ground  is  at  all  dry  when  the  holes  are 
got  out  it  is  advisable  when  filled  in  to  tread 
each  more  or  less  firmly,  but  not,  of  course,  too 
hard.  When  selecting  the  sorts  for  planting  con- 
sider the  different  heights  of  the  varieties,  otherwise 
it  will  be  found  later  on  that  the  5-foot  giant  is 
next  to  the  2i-foot  dwarf.  I  would  also  strongly 
advise  that  when  planting  the  piece  begun  each 
day  should  also  be  finished,  not  only  planted,  but 
each  plant  properly  staked  at  the  back,  leaning 
well  back,  as  others  will  be  required  soon  to  form 
a  triangle.  Tie  the  plants  securely.  Do  not  be  led 
by  the  somewhat  unsightly  look  of  the  big  stakes  to 
put  off  this  part  of  the  work  till  the  plants  get 
bigger,  but  stake  at  once. 

From  the  time  the  plant  is  safely  installed  in  its 
summer  quarters  till  the  end  of  almost  a  month  no 
great  amount  of  work  is  needed,  but  this  is  in  itself 
a  source  of  danger,  the  whole  lot  being  left  for  a 
time  unattended.     The  slugs  are,  however,  busy 


376 


THE   GARDEN. 


[May  28,  1904. 


Lilfektf    -' ,  ., 


A  STANDARD   GOOSEBERRY. 


and  if  ilry  weather  sets  in  thripsmay  get  a  firm  hold 
in  the  hearts  as  well.  The  slugs  frequently  eat  off 
the  rind  of  the  plants  just  above  the  ground.  When 
this  occurs  the  plant  is  practically  useless,  although 
it  will  probably  shoot  up  from  the  base  it  will  be  so 
late  that  flowers  will  not  be  in  time  for  the  shows. 
The  best  way  to  exterminate  slugs  is  to  go  out  at 
night  with  a  knife  and  a  lantern,  but  an  excellent 
plan  also  is  to  sprinkle  lime  round  the  stem,  and,  if 
badly  infested,  over  the  foliage  as  well.  Through 
June,  apart  from  a  light  hoeing,  hardly  anything 
need  be  done  during  the  daj-,  but  a  slight  sprinkle 
from  a  syringe  or  water-can  with  the  rose  on  in 
the  evening  of  hot  days  does  much  to  keep  the 
plants  healthy.  If  any  of  the  varieties  run  up  and 
produce  a  bud  cut  off  the  top,  say,  three  joints 
down,  and  on  no  account  whatever  leave  the  bud 
to  flower  ;  it  is  astonishing  what  an  amount  of 
nourishment  a  bloom  like  this  takes  out  of  a  small 
plant.  Very  often  the  whole  strength  of  the  plant 
goes  to  producing  the  flower  to  the  neglect  of  the 
side  shoots. 

(  To  he  continued. ) 


STANDARD    GOOSEBERRIES. 

Growing  the  Gooseberry  in  standard  form  is 
not  extensively  .<!een  in  this  country,  yet  it  has 
its  advantages.  There  are  instances  where  they 
have  been  grown  with  excellent  results.  Under 
proper  cultivation  standard  trees  will  bear  large 
quantities  of  fine  fruits  of  good  flavour,  and, 
apart  from  this,  the  trees  are  exceedingly  orna- 
mental. I  would  not,  however,  recommend 
planting  large  numbers  of  standard  trees  for 
producing  the  chief  supply  of  fruit  for  culinary 
use  ;  the  cordon  or  bush  system  is  the  most 
profitable  for  this  purpose.    The  advantages  of 


the  standard  form  of 
training  for  the  pro- 
duction of dessert  fruits 
are  several.  Firstly, 
the  trees  are  beautiful 
as  well  as  useful  ; 
secondly,  they  occupy 
but  little  room,  which 
in  many  gardens  is  a 
consideration;  thirdly, 
the  fruits,  being  borne 
well  above  the  surface 
of  the  ground,  do  not 
become  splashed  dur- 
ing rainy  weather;  and, 
lastly,  they  derive  full 
advantage  from  sun 
and  air,  thus  ensuring 
highly-flavoured  fruits 
in  abundance 

In  the  selection  of 
varieties  choice  should 
be  made  of  those  that 
are  known  to  be  of 
more  or  less  pendent 
habit.  By  purchasing 
the  trees  from  nursery- 
men who  make  fruit 
tree  culture  aspeciality, 
the  best  sorts  for  this 
form  of  training  are 
supplied,  and  it  would 
be  well  for  the  uniniti- 
ated to  leave  the  selec- 
tion to  the  nursery- 
man. The  stems 
should  be  clean  and 
straight,  and  about 
•'5  feet  high.  Over- 
rrowding  the  branches 
must  be  avoided,  and 
any  shoots  that  have 
--'  '  a  tendency  to  grow 
upright  may  be  tied 
down  during  the 
summer,  when  they  are 
supple,  in  order  to  maintain  well-shaped  heads. 
At  the  winter  pruning  the  .strongest  shoots  may 
be  left  full  length,  provided  all  the  wood  is 
well  ripened.  Weakly  growths  should  be 
shortened  back  to  a  few  eyes  on  well- ripened 
wood.  Place  a  neat  iron  stake  against  the 
stem,  and  tie  the  tree  securely  to  it.  To  pro- 
long the  season  of  ripe  fruit  for  dessert  some ! 
trees  may  be  planted  in  cool  and  partially  I 
shaded  parts  of  the  garden,  where  the  sun  only 
reaches  them  for  a  few  hours  daily.  As  far  as 
my  experience  goes  the  flavour  of  the  fruit  is 
not  impaired  by  this  procedure  provided  the 
culture  is  good.  It  is  sometimes  advisable  to 
thin  the  berries,  and  this  should  be  done  while 
they  are  green.  H.  T.  Martin. 

Stoneleigh  Abbey  Gardens,  Kenilworth. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor   is  not   responsible  for    the   opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


OLD    AND    NEW    VAEIETIES    OF 

POTATOES. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 

SIR, — I  have  read  with  great  interest  the 
various  notes  on  this  subject  which  have 
appeared  in  recent  numbers  of  The 
Garden,  and  also  notice  that  a  Potato 
society  has  been  formed,  which  I  think 
will  be  the  means  of  bringing  good 
results.  There  is  no  doubt,  it  the  present  high 
prices  of  some  new  varieties  are  realised,  that  in 
the  future  a  still  larger  number  of  new  ones  will 
appear.     In  the  numerous  notes  on  the  subject  of 


the  depreciation  and  decline  of  the  old  varieties 
very  little  difference  of  opinion  has  been  expressed, 
all  attributing  the  cause  to  the  Potato,  instead  of 
enquiring  whether  the  growers  themselves  are  at 
fault.  Some  time  since,  Mr.  A.  Dean  mentioned 
in  one  of  the  gardening  papers  that  Mr,  Fenn  had 
still  some  of  the  first  seedling  varieties,  which  were 
still  as  good  as  when  raised,  the  result  of  careful 
selection  of  tubers  (as  well  as  of  intelligent  cultiva- 
tion). This,  I  think,  is  one  of  the  methods  by 
which  our  stocks  of  Potatoes  may  be  at  all  events 
kept  in  better,  if  not  perfect,  condition.  It  is  very 
strange  that  such  a  valuable  source  of  food  supply 
should  be  so  neglected  in  this  respect,  when  most 
other  vegetables,  as  well  as  the  cereals,  are  rigidly 
selected.  I  gather  from  my  observations,  extend- 
ing over  many  years,  that  the  principal  cause  of 
degeneracy  is  through  the  crop  being  graded  for 
market,  leaving  a  great  proportion  of  the  tubers 
which  from  various  causes  do  not  grow  sufficiently 
large  to  be  used  as  seed.  This,  of  course,  for  one 
generation  would  not  materially  influence  the 
standard,  but  it  happens  that  a  few  of  these  again 
produce  none  or  very  few  good  tubers,  which  swell 
the  bulk  of  small  ones  to  be  again  used  as  sets. 
Thus  an  inferior  standard  is  set  up  by  probably 
20  per  cent,  or  .30  per  cent,  in  two  generations,  to 
be  further  weakened  by  successive  seed  selections. 
If,  however,  on  the  contrary,  intelligent  selection 
of  seed  sets  were  maintained  by  choosing  proper 
tubers,  the  quality  of  the  whole  stock  would  in  a 
few  years  be  raised  both  in  respect  to  size  of  tuber, 
quality,  and  quantity  of  production. 

B.  Ladhams. 


SEEDLING  DAFFODILS. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sib, — I  have  read  with  great  interest  Mr.  Gaunt's 
remarks  on  seedling  Daffodils,  and  have  much 
sympathy  with  him  in  the  difficulties  he  mentions, 
viz.,  the  small  increase  obtained  from  some  of  the 
best  seedlings.  Maj'  I  suggest  that  not  a  flower 
should  be  wasted  if  it  is  wished  to  increase  a  good 
variety  ?  Ff  rtilise  each  bloom  carefully  with  its 
own  pollen,  and  sow  the  seed  resulting.  This  way 
of  increasing  a  variety  takes  time  and  patience,  I 
know,  but  Mr.  Gaunt,  as  a  raiser  of  Daffodil 
seedlings  for  the  past  twenty  years,  will  know  well 
that  time  and  patience  are  the  two  principal 
essentials  in  this  pastime.  Hortbnsis. 


THE  NATIONAL  TULIP  SOCIETY. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sib, — The  National  Tulip  Society  is  not  in  a 
position  to  undertake  all  that  you  suggest  should 
be  among  its  aims.  Even  were  it  necessary  to  do 
so,  which  is  doubtful,  it  has  not  the  means  at  its 
command.  It  enjoys  only  a  limited  income,  and 
that  is  supplied  by  a  few  enthusiasts  who  are 
content  to  devote  themselves  to  the  cultivation  of 
one  section  of  Tulips,  and  one  only.  In  this  respect 
the  members  of  the  society  do  wisely.  They 
possess  a  goodly  heritage,  for  the  lines  upon  which 
they  work  were  laid  down  generations  ago.  The 
gradual  development  of  the  types  of  Tulips  they 
cultivate  has  been  the  work  of  years,  and  the 
Tulip  Society  adheres  to  these  lines,  achieving 
more  or  less  success  according  to  the  character  of 
the  season.  The  members  are  content  with  the 
bizarres,  byblramens,  roses,  and  selfs,  or 
"  breeders,"  as  the  first  stage  of  seedling  Tulips 
is  technically  termed.  The  florist's  Tulip  has  a 
physiology  almost  or  quite  unknown  in  connexion 
with  any  other  flower  ;  and  it  is  the  singular  trans- 
formations to  which  the  flower  is  subject  that 
possess  for  cultivators  such  an  absorbing  fascination. 
Cultivators  are  not  insensible  to  the  attractions 
of  the  various  species  of  the  May-flowering  and 
Darwin  Tulips.  They  see  in  them  much  that  is  of 
great  value  for  garden  decoration,  but  they  appraise 
them  much  below  their  refined  rectified  forms  and 
striking  breeders.  They  think  the  species  of  May- 
flowering  and  Darwin  Tulips  are  well  looked  after 
by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  They  appear 
at  their  bi-monthly  meetings  in  great  quantity  and 
variety  when  in  season.  There  is  a  Narcissus 
committee  specially  appointed  to  deal  with  them, 


May  28,  1904.1 


THE    GARDEN. 


377 


and  awards  are  frequently  made  to  attractive 
forms.  No  one  can  say  they  are  neglected  ;  the 
Tulip  will  be  as  largely  represented  at  the  Temple 
show  as  any  other  flower.  A  certain  amount  of 
sportiveness  appears  among  the  early-flowering 
single  varieties  ;  but  there  is  no  other  section  of 
Tulips  that  presents  to  view  the  singular  changes 
which  are  the  nature  of  the  florist's  type.  The 
time  may  come  when  the  florist's  show  Tulips  will 
go  the  way  of  the  once-popular  Ranunculus.  Till 
then,  I  hope,  as  one  who  has  been  acquainted  with 
the  section  for  nearly  seventy  years,  that  there 
will  be  found  some  attracted  by  the  bizarres, 
byblcemens,  and  breeders,  and  grow  them  as  things 
too  beautiful  to  be  neglected.  R.  Dean. 


\ 


HINTS    ABOUT    CUT    FLOW^ERS. 

It  is  a  common  experience  that  some  flowers  will 
not  continue  fresh  in  water  even  for  a  day.  Not 
only  do  they  fade,  but  the  whole  thing  withers  as  if 
the  stalk  failed  to  reach  the  water.  By  a  know- 
ledge of  a  few  simple  facts  much  disappointment 
and  vexation  may  be  avoided.  In  the  first  place 
all  flowers  should  be  put  in  water  as  soon  as 
possible  after  they  are  cut.  If  left  out  of  water  for 
some  time  the  cut  ends  become  dry  and  shrivelled, 
with  the  result  that  some  of  them  have  a  much 
lessened  power  of  absorption  of  water.  In  such 
oases  a  half-inch  or  so  should  be  cut  off  the  ends  of 
the  stalks  immediately  before  they  are  put  in 
water.  This  is  a  good  plan  to  adopt  with  flowers 
which  have  been  travelling,  in  addition  to  which,  in 
such  cases,  the}'  should  be  immersed  in  water  up  to 
their  heads  for  an  hour  or  so,  and  if  the  water  is 
tepid  so  much  the  better.  Some  flowers,  like 
Poppies,  Stephanotis,  Convolvulus,  and  some  Cam- 
panulas, need  a  little  extra  care,  as  the  juice 
sometimes  solidifies  at  the  end  of  the  stalk,  and  so 
impedes  the  absorption  of  water  into  the  tissues. 
For  these  and  similar  flowers  split  the  cut  ends  a 
little  way  immediately  before  putting  them  in 
water,  when  the  milky  juice  exuded  is  washed 
away.  Lenten  Roses,  Gaillardias,  and  some  per- 
ennial Sunflowers  and  Phloxes  are  often  very 
unsatisfactory  as  cut  flowers,  especially  the  two 
last  named,  as  anyone  looking  at  the  cut  flower 
section  of  a  summer  flower  show  must  have  noticed. 
If  the  stalks  are  split  a  good  way  up  immediately 
before  being  put  in  water  and  the  whole  of  the 
split  portion  immersed  the  tendency  of  these 
flowers  to  wither  will  be  reduced,  and  sometimes 
they  will  last  as  long  as  anything  else. 

It  is  the  flowers  with  woody  stems  that  often 
present  the  greatest  ditKuultv — Lilac,  Guelder 
Roses,  Syrinsja,  French  Currant  ( Ribes  sanguineum). 
May,  Wild  Roses,  &c.  In  addition  to  cutting  the 
ends  off  the  stems  or  stalks  just  before  putting 
them  in  water,  some  recommend  in  such  cases 
peeling  the  bark  2  inches  from  the  end  ;  others 
slitting  the  stems  a  little  way  up  ;  others  loosening 
the  bark  without  removing  it ;  and  others  cutting 
off  the  ends  with  a  long  slanting  cut.  All  these 
devices  are  more  or  less  effectual,  some  answering 
better  with  one  thing,  and  some  with  another. 
This  has  to  be  learned  by  experience.  Some  aquatic 
plants,  too,  are  very  difficult  to  keep  alive  when 
cut.  Our  English  Horse-tails  and  some  of  the  tall 
water  Reeds  will  only  keep  well  in  water  if  several 
inches  of  the  stem  are  immersed,  and  little  notches 
made  along  the  immersed  portion — one  notch  in  the 
upper  part  of  each  inter-nodal  portion — so  as  to 
let  the  whole  stem  be  filled  with  water. 

Though  it  is  a  bad  practice  to  recommend,  there 
are  some  wild  flowers  which  almost  refuse  to  live 
in  water  unless  a  portion  of  the  root  is  pulled  up 
with  them.  This  is  notably  the  case  with  the 
Poppies,  which,  if  gathered  in  this  way,  the  whole 
stem  with  a  piece  of  the  root  attached  will  last 
well  for  days,  many  unopened  blooms  unfolding. 
As  there  is  no  fear  of  exterminating  our  gaudy 
friend,  this  may  safely  be  quoted  as  an  instance, 
but  certain  others  none  too  plentiful  I  refrain  from 
mentioning. 

Changing  the  water  every  day  helps  to  preserve 
the  flowers  in  beauty,  and  is  advisable  in  the  interests 
of  the  health  of  the  household.  The  water  very  soon 
teems  with  infusoria,  and  these  rapidly  set  up 
decay  in  the  cut   ends  of  the  stems.     It  is  often 


possibb  to  change  the  water  without  disarranging 
the  flowers,  while  certain  floral  aid  contrivances 
for  wide  open  bowls  permit  of  the  flowers  being 
taken  out  en  hloc  and  the  bowl  emptied  and 
refilled.  With  very  choice  and  scarce  flowers  it  is 
worth  while  again  cutting  off  the  ends  of  the;stalk3 
at  the  same  time.  Various  things  are  sold'to  put 
in  the  water  to  make  cut  flowers  last  longer, 
possibly  by  arresting  putrefaction.  A  teaspoonful 
of  Condy's  Fluid  to  a  pint  of  water  is  probably  as 
good  as  any  of  these.  Alger  Petts. 


NURSERY    GARDENS. 

MESSRS.    HUGH    LOW   AND    CO., 
ENFIELD. 

IN  the  Bush  Hill  Park  Nursery,  Enfield,  of 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.  plants  are 
not  grown  in  dozens  but  in  thousands. 
It  would  be  more  appropriate  to  say 
they  are  produced  than  to  say  they  are 
grown,  yet,  paradoxical  as  it  may  seem,  they 
are  well  grown  nevertheless.  House  after  house  is 
filled  with  Palms  of  all  sizes  and  almost  all  sorts. 
You  are  shown  30,000  Heaths,  20,000  pot  Roses, 
10,000  to  15,000  Genistas,  thousands  upon 
thousands  of  Orchids,  and  so  on.  You  pass  through 
house  after  house  filled  with  plants  until  you  are 
lost  sometimes  in  a  miniature  forest  of  Palms,  again 
among  a  bewildering  quantity  of  Cattleyas,  which 
fill  the  side  stages,  the  central  stage,  and  a  gocd 
deal  of  the  space  overhead.  At  this  time  of  year 
you  see  a  house  full  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  in 
bloom,  perhaps  the  loveliest  sight  for  an  Orchid 
enthusiast,  or  the  Dendrobiums  provide  a  feast  of 
colour  that  even  few  exotics  can  excel.  Among 
the  homelier  plants  the  Carnations  prove  a  great 
attraction  for  both  Malmaison  and  tree  varieties  are 
in  bloom  ;  the  gorgeous  blaze  of  yellow  Genistas 
(small  plants  in  small  pots,  but  a  mass  of  flower) 
rivets  your  attention  for  the  moment,  until  a  group 
of  that  lovely  Schizinthus,  S.  wisetonensis  in  many 
and  varying  shades  of  colour,  is  pointed  out  to  you. 
But  to  descend  from  generalities  to  particulars. 
Several  large  houses  are  filled  with  Carnations, 
whose  healthy  appearance  might  afford  an  object- 
lesson  to  those  who  fail  to  grow  Carnations  near 
London.  Among  the  Malmaisons  perhaps  the 
best  were  Princess  of  Wales  (pink)  and  Church- 
warden (crimson-scarlet),  although  other  very  fine 
ones  were  Horace  Hutchinson  (brilliant  scarlet), 
Nell  Gwynne  (white).  Sir  Charles  Freemantle  (deep 
rosy  pink),  and  Lord  Rosebery  (salmon  scarlet). 
We  were  shown  what  probably  very  few  people 
know  to  exist,  and  of  whose  existence  we  were 
previously  ignorant,  namely, 

A  Yellow  Malmaison  Carnation, 
which,  when  it  is  distributed — and  this  we  believe 
will  not  be  for  some  time— will  undoubtedly  be 
much  sought  after.  A  yellow  Malmaison  has  long 
been  talked  about,  and  at  last  it  is  a  reality. 
Doubtless  there  will  be  a  few  plants  of  this  new 
variety  at  the  Temple  Show,  and  should  this 
be  the  case  it  will  prove  quite  an  attraction  in 
itself.  Among  the  Tree  Carnations  were  such  good 
things  as  Mrs.  Thomas  W.  Lawson,  rich  pink  ; 
Albatross,  white,  strong  clove  scent;  Cecilia, 
yellow  ;  Enchantress,  light  pink  ;  Ethel-  Croker, 
pink  ;  H.  J.  Cutbush,  scarlet ;  Winter  Cheer, 
crimson-scarlet ;  Floriana,  rosy  pink  ;  Fair  Maid, 
pink ;  Norway,  white ;  Primrose  Day,  deep 
yellow,  and  others. 

SCHIZANTHUS   WISETONENSIS 
we  have  already  referred  to.     It  is  a  plant  of  great 
value  for  the  greenhouse,  and  some  lovely  shades  of 
colour  are  now  contained  in  a  good  strain. 

We  were  chiefly  attracted  by  the  Orchids 
during  our  recent  visit,  for  many  of  them  were  in 
flower.  A  low  span-roofed  house  partially  filled 
with  Dendrobium  devonianum  was  a  lovely  sight — 
such  a  picture  as  only  this  Dendrobium  could  make 
it— the  creamy  white  sepals  and  petals  tinged 
with  pink,  and  the  white-fringed,  orange-blotched 
lip  go  to  make  a  charming  and  dainty  flower, 
and  when  you  see  hundreds  of  plants,    many   of 


whose  pseudo-bulbs  are  literally  rods  of  bloom, 
the  display  cannot  be  otherwise  than  very  beautiful. 
Laslia  harpophylla,  with  its  rich  orange-red 
flowers,  made  warm  bits  of  colour,  and  for  this 
reason  refused  to  remain  unnoticed  as  we  passed 
from  house  to  house. 

Cattleya  citrina, 
the  waxy  yellow  blooms  hanging  quaintly  from 
baskets  or  pans  suspended  from  the  roof,  was 
perhaps  less  likely  to  attract  attention,  but  solely 
by  reason  of  its  position,  for  none  could  deny  its 
beauty.  Cattleya  lawrenceana  and  C.  Harrisoni 
were  also  in   bloom. 

To  digress  for  one  moment  from  Cattleyas  to 
Dendrobiums,  we  omitted  to  say  that  all  or  nearly 
all  of  these  are  growing  in  pots  suspended  about 
15  inches  from  the  gravel-covered  stage  instead  of 
being  placed  on  inverted  pots,  as  they  usually  are. 
They  evidently  appreciate  their  position  and  treat- 
ment, for  they  had  made  splendid  growth.  Messrs. 
Low  use  leaf -mould  mixed  with  peat  in  the  compost 
made  up  for  potting  Orchids.  Many  of  the  stages  are 
covered  with  small  shells  ;  these  are  found  to  eon- 
serve  the  moisture  even  better  than  gravel. 
Phah-enopsis,  Vandas,  Cypripediums,  Oncidiums, 
&c. ,  fill  many  houses.  Cypiipedium  niveum,  C. 
tonsum,  C.  god.seffitnum,  and  others,  together  with 
Oncidium  papilioy  were  finely  in  flower.  We  saw 
quantities  of 

Newly-imported  Orchids, 
and  those  who  did  not  know  would  find  it  very 
difficult  to  believe  that  the  dry,  sticklike  looking 
objects  that  had  recently  been  unpacked  were 
capable  of  producing  the  loveliest  of  flowers. 
The  collections  of  New  Holland  plants  and  stove 
and  greenhouse  plants  cultivated  in  these  nurseries 
are  most  extensive,  and  it  may  safely  be  said  that 
any  plant  that  comes  under  the  above  designation 
and  is  worth  culture  will  be  found  in  the  Bush 
Hill  collection. 

MeDIOLA  ASPAKAGOIDES. 
This  charming  trailing  plant  cannot  be  too  highly 
valued  for  all  decorative  purposes  in  floral  work, 
being  much  finer  in  the  leaflets  than  the  well-known 
older  sort,  besides  having  much  longer  trails.  It 
is  sure  to  be  very  greatly  in  demand,  and  justly  so, 
judging  the  advantages  it  has  over  ordinary  Smilax. 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.  hold  the  entire 
stock  in  this  country,  and  are  to  be  congratulated 
in  again  distributing  a  plant  of  such  meritorious 
qualities.  They  hope  to  show  it  for  the  first  time 
at  the  Temple  show.  In  conclusion,  let  us  remind 
intending  visitors  to  Messrs.  Low's  nurseries  that 
the  proper  way  is  to  go  to  Bush  Hill  Park  Station 
on  the  Great  Eastern  Railwav,  and  not  to  Enfield 
on  the  Great  Northern  Railway.  The  latter 
station  is  a  long  way  from  the  nurseries,  while  the 
former  is  quite  close. 


SOCIETIES, 


THE  TURIN  INTERNATIONAL  EXHIBITION. 
Under  the  influence  of  the  genial  sun  and  thoroughly 
Italian  atmosphere  the  e.\hibiiion  which  the  Horticultural 
Society  of  Piemont  had  organised  to  celebrateits  jubilee  was 
opened  on  the  10th  inst.  by  the  Duchess  of  Aosta,  accom- 
panied by  the  Duke  of  Genoa,  both  taking  great  interest  in 
all  matters  connected  with  agriculture  and  horticulture. 

The  Park  Valentino,  in  which,  in  conjunction  with  a  flne 
arts  exhibition,  it  is  held,  is  particularly  well  situated  for 
such  a  display,  the  high  hills,  which  form  a  natural  back- 
ground, greatly  adding  to  the  beauty  of  the  show.  It  is 
pleasant  to  record  that  this  great  undertaking  has  been  a 
thorough  success,  and  the  just  reward  of  the  untiring 
efforts  of  the  executive  committee,  who  did  all  in  their 
power  to  secure  adhesions  to  their  pet  scheme  from  all 
countries.  Unfortunately,  so  far  as  English  horticulture  is 
concerned,  the  exertions  of  the  representatives  who  visited 
England  for  that  purpose  have  proved  fruitless. 

The  international  character  of  the  undertaking,  however 
was  well  sustained,  thanks  to  the  exhibits  from  France' 
Belgium,  and  Holland,  which,  with  those  from  Italy,  made 
it  altogether  a  very  interesting  and  exceedingly  instructive 
exhibition,  the  international  character  of  which  was  further 
illustrated  by  the  composition  of  the  jury,  which  comprised 
many  notabilities,  such  as  Mr.  Fischer  de  Waldheim,  from 
St.  Petersburg ;  Max  Kolb,  from  Munich ;  Correvon,  O. 
Ballif  and  Dufour,  J.  De  Cock  and  Soupert,  from  Switzerland 
Belgium,  and  Luxembourg  ;  Andre  Truflaut,  Chatenay,  Leon 
Duval,  Louis  Leroy,  Dr.  Chifflot,  Rivoire,  Jacquier,  Moser 
Marl,  Riffaud,  Niebart,   and  Vilmorin,  from   France;  Sir 


578 


THE    GARDEN. 


TMay  28,  1904. 


Thomas  Hanhury,  and  Messrs.  J.  Bevan,  C.  Harman  Payne, 
and  G.  Schneider,  from  England. 

Asmay  naturally  have  been  expected,  the  greatest  number 
of  exhibitors  were  from  Italy,  and  some  of  their  products 
were  remarkably  interesting.  „       .   .  . 

The  sympathetic  director  of  the  Royal  Gardens  at  Stupmigi, 
Sienor  Cavaliere  A.  Scalarandis,  had  reproduced  from  the 
plans  found  in  the  castle  an  Italian  garden  of  the  eighteenth 
century  in  all  its  purity  of  style,  but  planted  with  Ageratums, 
Phlox  canadensis,  tricolor  and  gold  and  bronze  Geraniums, 
Gnaphaliunis,  and  other  plants  unknown  at  the  time  the 
garden  was  originally  designed.  The  Poraological  and  Hor- 
ticultural School  of  Florence  was  awarded  a  prize  of  honour 
for  a  most  interesting  exhibit  cnraprising  superb  Anthurium 
hybrids  of  the  Andreanum  x  Ferrierense  section  with  very 
large  flowers,  some  of  which  measure  10  inches  by  S  inches  ; 
also  splendid  Marantas,  Caladiums,  and  other  members  ot 
the  Aroids,  plants  seldom  seen  nowadays.  Mr.  Jules  Van 
den  Daele,  director  of  the  gardens  at  Monte  Carlo,  also 
received  a  prize  of  honour  for  a  splendid  presentation  con- 
taining a  collection  of  extra-sized  Crotons.  one  of  exotic 
Ferns,  an  unique  collection  of  Pandanus  comprising  several 
species  which  one  never  sees  now,  splendid  specimens  of 
Anthurium  crystallinura,  Jacobinia,  Vanilla  aromatica, 
bearing  over  100  pods,  and  many  other  interesting  plants. 

Prize"  of  honour  were  also  presented  to  Mr.  J.  Moser  and 
M.  de  Vilmorin  for  their  very  interesting  exhibits  in  Rhodo- 
dendrons,  Azaleas,  hardy  Ferns,  &c.  ;   Messrs.  J.  De  Cock 
(the  Van  Houtte  P^re  Society),  Rivoire,  Molin,  and  others,  I 
who  had  larg^iv  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  exhibition  ;  I 
also  to  Mr.  Leon  Duval,  to  whom  prizes  were  awarded  for  i 
Bromeliads  and  for  Anthurium  scherzerianum  of  his  own 
raising.    All  the  presentations  were  made  with  much  taste,  r 
and  highly  cotiducive  to  the  success  of  the  undertaking,  the  I 
results   of    which,    it    is    to    he 
hoped,  will   be  beneficial  to  the 
society.     A  cordial  welcome  was 
given  to  all  comeia. 

ROVAL    HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
Scientific  Committee,  May  3. 
Present  :    Dr.    M.    T.    Masters, 
F.R.S.  (chairman),  Messrs.  Oriell, 
Sutton,    Worsdell,    Saunders, 
Massee,     Holmes,    Douglas,    and 
Chittenden,   Drs.   Cnoke  and 
Rendle,     Revs.    W.    Wilks    and 
G.  Henslow  (hon.  sec). 

RiicketH  attacked  byimects.—'MT. 
Saunders  reported  upon  plants 
spnt  to  the  last  meeting  by  Mr. 
Holmes:  '*The  Rockets  are 
attacked  hy  the  caterpillar  of  a 
small  moth,  one  of  the  Tineina, 
probably  Plutella  porrectella, 
which  Stainton  says  is  a  quiet 
garden  insect,  always  to  he  found 
amongst  Hesperismatronalis.  The 
moth  measures  rather  more  than 
half-an-inch  across  the  wings 
when  they  are  fully  expanded ; 
the  wings  are  whitish,  streaked 
with  brownish  yellow." 

ArahiH  albida,  jifoliferoits.— Mr. 
Chittenden  sh!)wed  sprays  illus- 
trating this  form  of  "dimbling," 
in  which  the  calyx  and  corolla 
only  are  repeated  on  an  elongated 
axis.  It  was  mentioned  that 
such  occurred  also  in  Ranunculus 
amplexicaulis,  Heliantheum  sp., 
the  "Harper-Crewe"  yellow  Wall- 
flower, Mr.  Balchin's  Mignonette, 
&c. 

Capsicum  witluntt  pungencif. — Mr.  Holmes  exhibited  a 
depressed  globular  form  of  fruit  from  Spain,  the  usual  form 
being  oblong ;  though  possessing  the  scent  of  Cayenne 
penper,  it  has  none  of  the  pungency. 

Bulbiipfnilliiin  sfiiirncep/ialtnii. — Mr.  Odell  showed  a  spike 
of  this  remarkable  Orchid,  as  the  stem  is  very  thick,  fleshy, 
and  purple,  carrying  small  sessile  flowers. 

Osiiunithns  ilici/'dim,  dimorp/nc.~I>r.  Masters  showed  a 
branch  bearing  both  entire  and  spinescent  leaves,  proving 
that  they  were  not  different  species,  as  some  had  supposed. 
The  Holly  not  infrequently  is  similarly  dimorphic. 


Pelargonium  (E.  M.  L).— There  does  not  appear  to 
be  a  good  book  devoted  to  the  culture  of  the  Pelargonium. 
Many  useful  articles  have  appeared  in  the  various  horticul- 
tural papers  at  different  times,  and  it  is  somewhat  remark- 
that  no  useful  book  has  been  published,  especially  considering 
that  a  special  society  was  for  a  long  time  devoted  to  the 
advancement  of  this  useful  and  beautiful  class  of  plants. 
Some  good  articles  on  the  culture  of  Pelargoniums  have 
appeared  in  earlier  numbers  of  The  Garden,  and  we  hope 
to  eive  further  notes  on  their  culture  at  ati  early  date. 

Plants  for  pivepside  (Fred  Townsend).— Trollius 
europaius,  T.  asiaticus,  Seiiecio  macrophyllus,  S.  japonicus. 
Aster  puniceus  and  many  others,  Rudbeckia  laciniata, 
Altha3a  officinalis,  Astilbe  rivulari>!.  Bocconia  cordata, 
Solidago  canadensis,  S.  lanceolara,  Helianthus  giganteus, 
Helenium  autumnale,  Lactuca  Bourgjei,  Polygonum  poly- 
stachyum,  and  P.  Weyrichii.  All  these  are  strong- 
growing  plants  that  would  be  suitable  for  riverside  mud 
deposits. 

Insects  on  Capnations  (Mrs.  T.).— The  insects 
are  specimens  of  one  of  the  small  kinds  of  ground  beetles; 
they  belong  to  the  genus  Notiophilus,  which  are  perfectly 
harmless  to  all  plants.  All  the  ground  beetles  feed  on 
animal  matter,  such  as  smaller  insects,  slugs,  etc.,  thoueh 
some  are  very  fond  of  ripe  Strawlierries.  We  do  not  think 
the  little  beetlps  will  injure  the  plants  in  any  way. 

Watep  Lilies  in  tubs  (E.  E,  St.  Paul).— The  usual 
parathn  cask  will  make  two  good  Water  Lily  tubs.  Saw  it 
in  halves,  then  well  burn  the  oil  out  of  the  wood.  Place  it 
in  a  sunny  sheltered  position  ;  it  is  best  sunk  in  the  ground. 
Put  in  6  inches  of  any  good  g-irden  soil ;  the  stiffer  the  sriil  is 
the  better.  Plant  the  Lily,  and  fill  up  the  tub  with  water 
that  has  previously  stood  in  the  sun  and  air  to  soften.  Add 
about  one  gallon  of  fresh  water  to  the  tub  every  other 


OBITUARY. 


ANSWERS 
TO   CORRESPONDENTS. 


Names  of  plants.— L.  M.—i,  Nephrolepis  daval- 
lioides  f urcans  ;  2,  D-ivallia  canariensis  (barren  frond);  3, 
Davallia  canariensis  (fertile  frond);  4,  Nephrolepis  crdi- 
folia  ;  5,  Davallia  fijiensis  robusta ;  G,  Polypodium  (Pleo- 
peltis)  pustulata.    No.  2  may  he  a  seedlintr  variety  a  little 

different  to  the  type. Chark-s  E.  Ffctc/irr.—  Vhe  tree  is 

Tratjcgus    coccinea  (Scarlet-fruited  Thorn);    the  Bioom  is 

CytisUB    sessilifolius. IF.    A.    Watts. — B'assica    oleracea, 

Cochlearia  officinalis,  and  -Salix  repens. Charleii  Pnintis.— 

Fritillaria  pyrenaica.  The  Primrose  has  an  almormal  develop- 
ment of  sepals  ;   this  is  not  at  all    unusual. J.    M.—\, 

Cunningham's  White  ;    2,  faded  ;    3,   R.  coriaceum  ;    4,  R. 
ruasellianum  superhum  ;  5,  E.  Mangle«ii ;  G,  flowers  withered, 

but  appears  to  be  R.  coriaceum. M.  T.  //.—The  white  is 

R.  caucasicum  stramineum  ;  the  pink  and  dark  pink,  are  poor 

seedlings  of  R.  ponticum. Lady  HopklnH. — Polemonium 

hybridum  (P.  coeruleum    x    reptans);    the    Primula  is  P. 
pubesc^ns  var,  alba  (nivalis). 


MR.   white's    GAKDEX   SEAT    DESIGN. 

morning  through  a  rose  water  can  just  to  make  the  tub 
overflow  a  little.  The  water  that  is  added  should  have  been 
in  the  sun  or  in  the  open  air  some  time  previously.  If  these 
precautions  are  taken,  Water  Lilies  will  thrive  even  with 
deep  well  water.  Most,  of  the  other  water  plants  may  be 
grown  in  the  same  way.  Earthenware  pans  are  even  better 
than  tubs  for  water  plants.  Do  not  be  tempted  to  use  arti- 
ficial manures  of  any  kind  ;  no  other  compost  is  equal  to 
good  kitchen  garden  soil. 


TRADE    NOTE. 


Garden  Seats,  Houses,  Pavilions,  and  Vases. 
Me.  John  P.  White,  the  Pyghtle  Works,  Bedford, 
sends  his  excellent  book  of  garden  furniture  and 
garden  ornaments  in  wood,  iron,  lead,  and  stone.  It 
is  freely  illustrated  with  this  maker's  designs,  and 
one  of  these  we  have  chosen  to  show  that  the 
object  of  Mr.  White  has  been  a  simple  beauty 
without  elaboratB  ornamentation  or  rustic  work 
distortions.  Mr.  White's  houses  in  particular  have  a 
certain  dignity  that  the  majority  of  such  construc- 
tions entirely  lack,  and  we  feel  it  is  safe  to  recom- 
mend this  book  of  designs,  knowing  how  greatly 
the  charm  of  a  garden  may  be  marred  by  unsightly 
erections  which  force  themselves  upon  one's  notice 
by  their  conspicuous  ugliness.  On  the  threshold  of 
summer,  when  we  seek  the  garden  for  rest 
and  health,  it  is  well  to  know  of  Mr.  White's 
designs. 


Mr.    THOMAS    SMITH. 

We  regret  to  announce  the  death  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Smith,  sen.,  the  head  of  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Thomas 
Smith  and  Sons,  Rose  growers  and  nursery  and 
.seedsmen,  Stranraer,  N.B.,  which  took  place  at 
Black  Park,  Stranraer,  on  the  18th  inst.,  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year.  Mr.  Thomas  Smith  was  born 
on  August  31,  1820.  At  the  early  age  of  thirteen 
he  entered  the  employment  of  Messrs.  Stewart, 
nursery  and  seedsmen,  Perth.  Thence  he  went  to 
Whittiebery  Lodge,  where  he  was  for  some  time. 
He  was  thereafter  appointed  one  of  the  foremen  at 
Dalkeith  Palace  Gardens,  then  under  the  charge  of 
Mr.  Mcintosh. 

After  two  years  in  these  famous  gardens 
Mr.  Smith  went  as  foreman  to  Eglinton  Castle 
Gardens,  where  he  remained  for  two  years.  He 
left  Eglinton  Castle  to  fill  the  important  position 
of  head  gardener  to  Mr.  Garnett  of  Qaernmore 
Park,  Lancaster,  in  which  post  he  remained  until 
1857,  when  he  was  appointed  head  gardener  to  the 
Marquis  of  Londonderry  at  Mount  Stewart,  County 
l)own.  Here  he  carried 
out  a  great  many  improve- 
ments in  the  grounds 
and  gardens.  In  1861  Mr. 
Smith  commenced  business  in 
Stranraer,  N.B. ,  where  he 
founded  the  well-known  firm 
of  Thomas  Smith  and  Sons. 
Under  his  management,  asso- 
ciated with  that  of  his  sons, 
the  firm  soon  acquired  a  wide 
reputation  and  an  extensive 
business,  Roses  and  Rhodo- 
dendrons being  their  leading 
specialities,  and  many  awards 
have  been  carried  off  by  the 
firm  at  the  principal  shows 
in  the  three  kingdoms.  Until 
recently  !Mr.  Smith  took  an 
active  part  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  business. 

Mr.  Smith  was  frequently 
called  upon  to  act  as  a  judge 
at  flower  shows,  and  he  fre- 
quently acted  in  this  capacity 
at  the  shows  of  the    Royal 
Caledonian    Horticultural 
Society    and     the    National 
Rose    Society.       In    person 
Mr.    Smith   was    a    man   of 
strikingly     picturesque 
appearance.      his      stalwart 
figure  bearing  little  or  no  in- 
dication that  he  had  spent  about  seventy  years  as 
an  active  member  of  the  ranks  of  horticulture.     He 
was  a  man  of  strict  integrity  in  all  his  doings,  and 
a  general  favourite  with  all  who  knew  him.     The 
business  is,  we  learn,  to  be  carried  on  as  usual  by 
his  two  sons,  who  have  been  associated   with  him 
in  it  for  many  years.      His  funeral  took  place  on 
the  20th  inst.,  and  was  very  largely  attended. 

Mrs.  Hartland. — We  also  regret  to  learn  of 
the  death  of  Mrs.  Hartland,  wife  of  Mr.  W.  B. 
Hartland  of  Ard  Cairn,  Cork,  who  passed  away 
last  week  after  a  long  illness  of  some  years  dura- 
tion, borne  with  fortitude  and  resignation. 


Pdblioations  Received. 

Messrs.  George  Newnes,  Limited,  Southampton  Street, 
Straofi,  send  the  monthly  issues  of  their  various  publications. 
The  Wide  World  M'i<ia:iiu'  maintains  its  lii^^h  tone  and 
interest,  Fri/'n  Maf]ft:i nv  is  of  especial  interest  this  month  to 
motorists  and  cycliots,  tlie  Ca/itaui  is  tilled  with  healthy 
tales  for  boys  and  youths,  and  the  "Survey  Gazetteer  of  the 
British  Isles"  has  reached  Part  9,  leavinp  eleven  to  he  issued 
before  the  woi'k  is  completed.  This  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
boftks  ever  published  by  Messrs.  Newnes. 

Dictionnaire  Iconographique  des  Orchid^es  ;  The  Country 
Gentleman's  Reference  Catalogue  ;  Botanical  Survey  of  a 
Pasture,  by  R.  C.  Gaut ;  Schedule  of  the  Nottinghamshire 
Horticultural  and  Botanical  Society  ;  Catalogue  of  Summer 
Bedding  and  Border  Plants,  Dahlias,  &c.,  Dicltsons',  Chester 


*,•  The  Yearly  Subscription  to  Tgu  Gakdki!  ij;   In'and, 
los.;  foreign,  I7s,  6d, 


GARDEN 


-^p- 


No.  1698.— Vol.  LXV. 


[June   4,  1904. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY, 

The    Temple    Show. 

IT  was  a  grey  day  on  Tuesday  when  the 
society  opened  its  exhibition  in  the 
gardens  of  the  Inner  Temple,  rain  from 
early  morn  until  evening,  without  a 
gleam  of  sunshine  to  gladden  what  has 
become  one  of  the  most  fashionable  events  of 
the  London  season.  We  must  repeat  what  we 
have  written  many  times  before,  that  one 
Temple  show  is  much  like  another  ;  but  on  this 
occasion  the  exhibits  were  certainly  more  varied, 
the  flowers  fresh  and  bright,  aud  the  groups 
for  the  most  part  arranged  with  skill  and  discre- 
tion. The  advice  so  repeatedly  given  that  it  is  to 
the  interest  of  trade  growers  to  avoid  crowded 
collections  for  the  sake  of  variety  is  bearing 
good  fruit.  A  jumbled  mass  of  common  things 
is  not  instructive,  and  would-be  purchasers  pass 
from  \vearisome  collections  to  groups  in  which 
the  individual  plant  is  well  displayed  and 
plainly  and  carefully  labelled. 

The  tents  were  surrounded  with  beautiful 
groups  of  trees  and  shrubs,  a  marked  improve- 
ment upon  those  of  last  year ;  but,  un- 
fortunately, the  drenching  rain  of  the  first  day 
made  an  inspection  of  them  uncomfortable  and 
depressing. 

Orchids  were  superb,  and  many  of  the  leading 
trade  and  amateur  collectors  were  represented. 
Roses,  as  usual,  the  variety  Dorothy  Perkins  in 
particular,  attracted  crowds  of  visitors,  and 
both  hardy  and  indoor  plants  were  of  quite 
average  merit.  The  keen  horticulturist  seeks 
for  the  new  plants  at  the  Temple  show  ;  it  is  an 
occasion  for  the  showing  of  many  beautiful 
novelties.  The  hybrid  Niootianas  from  Messrs. 
Sander  and  the  Gerberas  from  Mr.  Lynch, 
curator  of  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Gardens,  may 
be  singled  out  for  special  reference,  and  the 
Odontioda  Vuylstekete,  a  cross  between 
Odontogiossum  Pescatorei  and  Cochlioda 
noezliana,  was  the  most  remarkable  hybrid 
among  the  Orchids. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  first  day  the 
show  was  graced  by  the  presence  of  the 
King  and  Queen.  It  was  a  memorable 
show  in  a  memorable  year,  and  great  praise 
is  due  to  those  who  have  worked  with 
such  enthusiasm  to  make  the  centenary 
exhibition  in  the  Temple  Gardens  worthy  of 
so  historic  an  occasion.  To  the  council, 
and  especially  to  the  secretary,  the  Eev.  W. 
Wilks,  and  to  Mr.  Wright,  the  superintendent 
of  the  show,  the  heartiest  praise  is  due. 


THE     COUNCIL. 

A  CENTENARY  must  always  be  an  interesting 
celebration.      As  our  readers  are  aware,  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  has  now  completed 
the  lOOtli   year  of  its  existence,  having  been 
established  in  March,  1804.     The  story  of  its 
long    and    honourable   career    has    been   told 
already,  but  never  at  any  point  of  its  history 
has  it  shown  greater  vitality  or  has  gathered 
in  a  larger  roll  of  Fellows  than  in  1904.     This 
remarkable     accession    of    members     is     due 
primarily  to  the  widespread  interest  in  horti- 
culture that  seems  to  permeate  all  classes,  but 
the  council,  which  is   of   course   the   guiding 
hand  in  all  affairs  of  the  society,  have  had  a 
large    share    in    promoting  this  success,  and 
sending  the  old  institution  on  a  path  of  peace 
and  prosperity.      The  present    council    have 
worked  loyally  and  unselfishly  towards  making 
this    year    a  memorable  one,   and  will  leave 
the  fruits  of   their   great    efforts    in    a   new 
hall  in  Vincent  Square  and  the  partial  equip- 
ment of  the  garden  at  Wisley,  given  by  Sir 
Thomas  Hanbury,  K.C.V.O.,  V.M.H.    To  Sir 
Trevor    Lawrence,   Bart.,  V.M.H.,  the  presi- 
dent, friends  and  foes  alike  will  give  unstinted 
praise  for  his  devoted  service  to  the  society  for 
nearly  twenty  years — years  of  storm  and  sun- 
shine ;  but  whatever  the  difficulty,  by  tact  and 
courtesy  and  genuine  love  for  horticulture,  he 
has  brought  the  old  ship  into  the  calm  waters 
of    prosperity,     and     made     its     watchword 
"  Horticulture,"  and    nothing    else.      By    his 
side  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  the  Vicar  of  Shirley^ 
has  worked  for  almost  as  long  a  period.    If 
Mr.    Wilks    had    only    raised    the    beautiful 
Shirley  Poppies  his  name  would  have  become 
a  household  word  in  gardening  circles  ;  but  he 
has,  by  a  determination  and  skill  worthy  of 
admiration,    placed    the    society   on    a    sure 
foundation.    It  is  due  to  the  secretary  that 
the  .Journal  was  re-established,  and  what  that 
means  every  thinking    Fellow  knows.      The 
meetings  at  the  Drill  Hall  are  more  interesting, 
and    the   lectures    more    varied.     Baron    Sir 
Henry   Schroder,   Bart.,   has    throughout    his 
long  life  made  horticulture  the  study  of  those 
quieter     moments     which     give     health     and 
interest  to  a  busy  life,  and  without  his  ready 
help  in  all   ways   the  new  Hall  would   have 
remained    a    thing    strived    for     but    never 
obtained.     We  are  happy  in  writing  this  with 
a  knowledge  that  the  practical  work  of   the 
society  begun  at  Chiswick  will  not  lapse,  but 
continue  with  greater  fervour  at  Wisley.     Mr. 
William  Marshall  has  served  longer  than  any 


member  of  the  council,  joining  in  1869.  His 
work  in  the  past  in  the  arduous  duties  with 
the  society's  employees  of  managing  the 
country  shows  is  not  forgotten.  He  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  floral  committee 
on  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Joshua  Dix  in  1870, 
and  served  until  1873,  when  the  council  was 
turned  out.  After  acting  as  chairman  of  the 
fruit  committee  in  1888,  Mr.  Marshall  served 
in  a  similar  position  for  the  floral  committee. 
It  is  almost  needless  to  write  of  the  zeal  of  Mr 
Harry  J.  Veitch  in  bringing  the  society  to  its 
present  position,  and  of  his  liberality  and 
unwearied  efforts  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of 
gardeners  in  their  distress,  for  that  is  known 
to  all  who  have  horticulture  at  heart,  and  the 
earnest  work  of  Mr.  George  Bunyard,Mr.  Alfred 
H.  Pearson,  and  Mr.  H.  B.  May  has  been  for  the 
bettering  of  the  society  in  all  ways. 

For  many  years  also  the  society  has  had  the 
invaluable  help  of  Mr.  Gurney  Fowler,  the 
treasurer,  and  never  have  his  duties,  so 
willingly  given,  proved  more  arduous  than 
during  the  past  few  months,  when  the  erection 
of  the  new  Hall  has  made  this  office  anxious 
and  unenviable.  We  feel  it  is  necessary  with 
the  publication  of  a  supplement  to  write  of  the 
members  of  the  council  who  are  there  repre- 
sented, but  there  is  a  difficulty  when  all  work 
so  assiduously  in  preserving  a  proper  balance 
of  appreciation.  The  Earl  of  Ilchester,  through 
his  kind  permission,  has  allovs'ed  the  society  to 
hold  a  great  show  in  summer  in  the  beautiful 
grounds  of  Holland  Park,  and  associated  with 
him  in  his  work  on  the  council  are  men  whose 
names  are  known  the  world  over — Captain 
G.  L.  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O.,  and  the  Hon. 
John  Boscawen.  Of  late  years  the  R.H.S.  has 
had  the  help  of  Mr.  Frederick  Lloyd,  J.P.,  and 
Mr.  Arthur  L.  Wigan,  and  with  such  a  council, 
all  endeavouring  to  maintain  the  traditions 
and  remove  the  faults  of  the  past,  this  powerful 
society  for  the  promotion  of  horticulture 
will  continue  its  great  and  interesting  work  at 
home,  and  spread  its  influence  wherever 
practical  horticulture  is  a  serious  industry  ;  for 
an  industry  it  is,  and  as  the  years  roll  on  this 
will  become  more  and  more  apparent.  Mr. 
Bilney  is  the  member  appointed  a  few  weeks 
ago,  when  Lord  Redesdale  was  compelled 
through  family  reasons  to  resign,  a  resignation 
that  all  who  know  his  enthusiasm  for  trees  and 
shrubs  and  Bamboos  will  unfeignedly  regret. 

While  thinking  of  the  good  work  of  the 
present  council,  we  are  not  forgetful  of  the 
services  of  those  who  have  laboured  in  the 
past. 


380 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


SOME     SEA -COAST 
FLOWERS. 

A  DAY  late  in  May  upon  the  northern 
coast  of  Cornwall.  A  coast-line  of 
bold  headland,  and  shore  beset  with 
tumbled  masses  of  jagged  slate- 
rock  ;  a  western  outlook  over  the 
endless  sea  towards  America. 

The  headlands  rise  to  a  towering  height  and 
overhang  in  a  way  terrifying  to  look  at  from 
such  landward  points  below  as  can  be  reached 
when  the  tide  is  out.  Their  seaward  bases 
plunge  down  into  deep  water.  Within  the 
tide-levels  they  are  scooped  into  great  caves 
and  hollows.  The  place  is  always  in  shade. 
From  its  position  no  ray  of  sunlight  can  ever 
fall  upon  it  ;  it  is  gloomy — horrible.  The 
consciousness  of  the  vast  mass  of  overhanging 
cliff,  the  wet  blackness  of  the  rocky  wall 
fretted  to  a  spiny  surface  as  hard  as  iron,  the 
unceasing  thunder  of  the  bursting  waters  — 
give  an  impression  of  Nature  in  her  most 
savage  and  cruel  mood.  Even  the  colour  of 
the  sea  in  this  dusky  hollow,  a  dull,  deep, 
sullen  green,  as  seen  from  above,  accords  with 
the  general  impression  of  pervading  gloom. 

It  is  a  relief  to  turn  away  from  it  and  to 
move  northward  towards  the  regions  of 
sunlight.  Within  sight  is  a  place  between 
two  down-capped  heights  that  looks  possibly 
accessible,  something  between  an  undercliff 
and  a  moraine.  It  is  beyond  a  little  valley 
where  a  rushing  stream  runs  down  into  the 
sea.  It  proves  not  to  be  difficult  of  access,  for 
an  old  footpath  passes  a  point  that  is  very  near 
it.  The  path  first  winds  up  a  rough  rocky 
track,  and  later  becomes  a  green  trough  with 
steep  sides  of  close,  short  turf.  Many  cen- 
turies old  this  path  must  be,  first  worn  a  little 
hollow  by  foot  traffic  from  the  shore  to  a  coast 
hamlet,  and  thence  inland  (probably  the  scene 
of  much  smuggling  in  the  end  of  the  eighteenth 
and  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  centuries)  ; 
then  deepened  gradually  by  rushing  rain. 

A  scramble  out  of  the  grassy  trough— the 
banks  are  steep  and  8  feet  to  12  feet  high — 
and  a  little  way  to  the  left  towards  the  sea 
and  there  is  the  broken  ground,  ridged  with 
sheep-tracks  and  bounded  above  by  the  rocky 
wall.      Here  all  is  cheerful  light  and  bright- 
ness.   It  is  a  paradise  of  wild  flowers.    The 
upward  edge  of  each  little  sheep-track   is  a 
flowery  rock-wall,  the  home  of  the  Sea  Pink, 
our  familiar  garden  Thrift.     Though  so  willing 
a  plant  in  cultivation  it  only  grows  sponta- 
neously within   sound   and   smell  of   the  sea. 
Except    in    the    most    sheltered   hollows   the 
stalks  of    the  flowers  are  short,  2   inches    to 
4  inches  being  the   average,  but  in  the  most 
exposed  places  the  dense  cushions  have  short 
leaves  lying  quite  flat  and  closely-compacted, 
so  that  when  only  in  young  bud,  as  many  of 
the   plants    are    now,   it    is    hard  to    believe 
that  it  is  not  a  tuft  of  Silene  acaulis.    The 
colour  of  the  bloom  varies  much,  from  almost 
white  to  the  usual  pink  of  the  one  most  familiar 
in  gardens.     The  colour,  whether  light  or  dark, 
is  always  very  low  in  tone.    This  is  specially 
noticeable  in  a  garden,  where  I  have  found 


that  it  requires  to  be  carefully  placed,  prefer- 
ably with  jjlants  of  grey  foliage  only,  or  with 
other  indefinite  Pinks,  such  as  those  of  the 
Cud-weeds  (Antennaria).  It  is  one  of  the  most 
charming  of  rock  plants,  but  best  grown  in 
poor,  stony  soil,  where  it  will  retain  its  dwarf 
habit  and  freedom  of  bloom. 

It  is  lovely  in  the  rocky  ledges  Some  of 
these  have  their  closely-packed,  sharp-edged 
slaty  strata  twisted  into  fantastic  forms,  as  if 
they  had  been  constrained  into  their  final 
shape  while  still  writhing,  plastic  with  heat  or 
intolerable  pressure  in  the  far  away  ages  of 
their  structure  or  upheaval.  All  along  the 
fissures  of  the  pained  and  tortured  rock  sit  the 
neat  cushions  of  the  sweet,  tenderly-tinted 
flowers  cheerily  laughing  in  the  sunlight. 
Where  a  space  of  ledge  comes  nearly  level 
with  the  eye,  and  the  pink  flowers  show  in 
whole  sheets  and  drifts  against  the  grey  rock, 
the  heart  of  the  beholder  just  melts  into  a  Te 
Deumoi  praise'and  thankfulness.  No  gardening 
done  by  human  hands  can  approach  it.  One 
can  only  look  and  look,  and  humbly  strive  to 
learn  the  lesson.  And  tumbling  out  of  rifts  in 
the  sheer  rock,  just  above  this  lovely  ledge,  are 
sheets  of  the  white  Sea  Campion,  with  its  large 
milk-white  bloom  and  blue-grey  leaves. 

What  a  lesson  in  good  gardening  !  A  few 
square  yards  of  broken  cliff;  shattered  ledge 
and  upright  rock  ;  and  just  two  kinds  of  plants 
growing  in  gracious  companionship. 

In  general  we  cannot  imitate  Nature  exactly 
in  our  gardens,  yet  here  is  an  example  that 
might  perhaps  be  nearly  reproduced  ;  but  the 
teaching  of  it  may  be  readily  understood  and 
applied.  It  is  that  in  our  gardens  we  are 
always  tempted,  from  our  love  of  the  beauty  of 
individual  plants,  to  have  a  crowd  of  specimens, 
rather  than  to  restrict  the  numbers  in  order  to 
have  the  garden  more  beautiful  and  its  scheme 
and  aim  more  restful  and  comprehensible. 

Passing  onward  along  the  face  of  the  broken 
cliff,  the  sheep- track  narrows  and  ends  abruptly 
in  a  sheer  descent.  Immediately  to  the  right 
is  upright  rock  6  feet  to  9  feet  high,  to  the  left 
broken  rock  and  grassy  inclines  too  steep  for 
foothold  ;  then  cliff",  and,  far  below,  waves 
coming  in  from  the  whole  wide  Atlantic,  break- 
ing against  the  ridges  of  black  rocks  with  a 
never-ending  thunderous  roar. 

The  explorer  must  return,  for  there  is  no 
going  on  ;  but,  looking  up,  there  is  another 
whole  flower-picture  !  Above  the  wall  of  rock 
that  is  now  on  the  left-hand  side  of  the  path 
and  between  it  and  the  foot  of  the  upper  cliff, 
is  a  steep,  inaccessible  slope  of  short  turf.  It 
is  so  thickly  set  with  some  small  pale  blue 
flower,  and  the  eye  catches  the  whole  width 
of  the  slope  —  some  1-5  feet  —  so  much  fore- 
shortened, that  the  flowers  tell  almost  as  a 
mass.  And  they  are  so  nearly  of  a  height  with 
the  blades  of  grass,  and  the  blue  of  the  blossom 
and  the  green  of  the  grass  are  so  closely  inter- 
woven, that  the  efl'ect  is  like  what  in  draper's 
jargon  is  called  "  shot  " — as  in  a  piece  of  silk, 
when  two  distinct  colours  are  woven  together, 
or  as  the  differer^t  colours  show  in  a  pigeon's 
neck.  It  was  difficult  at  first  to  see  what  the 
flower  was,  though,  it  was  easy  to  guess ;  but 


one  or  two,  growing  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock  wall 
within  hand  reach,  proved  that  it  was  rightly 
taken  to  be  Scilla  verna,  the  lovely  little 
Squill  so  common  on  the  Cornish  coasts. 

Other  plants  in  abundance  are  the  ever- 
delightful  Bird's-foot  Trefoil  (Lotus  cornicu- 
latus)  and  the  showy  Lady's  Fingers  (Anthyllis 
vulneraria).  This  hangs  out  of  the  rocks  in 
places  for  the  most  part  inaccessible.  It  was  not 
yet  fully  in  bloom,  and  all  that  were  to  be  seen 
were  of  the  typical  yellow  colouring.  It  is  a 
peculiarity  of  these  west-country  sea-cliffs  that 
they  produce  a  variety  of  this  handsome  plant 
of  more  stunted  habit,  with  flowers  often  of  red 
or  purplish  colouring. 

Frequent  among  the  cliffs,  and  in  the  hedges 
for  half  a  mile  inland,  are  two  of  the  Scurvy- 
Grasses,  the  common  and  the  Danish  ;  weedy- 
looking  things  generally,  but  some  of  the  tufts 
of  the  common  kind  are  so  densely  flowered 
that  they  have  quite  a  handsome  appearance 
with  the  general  effect  of  an  Iberis. 

Wall  Pennywort  is  everywhere,  in  cliff',  and 
wall,  and  stone-built  hedge,  and  with  it  a  quan- 
tity of  a  Stonecrop,  probably  S.  acre,  but 
possibly  S.  anglicum  ;  much  of  this  is  of  a 
beautiful  red  colour.  It  grows  in  sheets  in  the 
slight  depressions  of  some  rocky  slabs  lying 
nearly  flat,  the  close  leaf  masses  of  all  shades  of 
colour  between  rosy  red  and  tender  green. 

The  rushing  stream  at  the  bottom  of  the 
little  valley  has  large  patches  not  yet  in 
flower  of  the  yellow  Miraulus,  that  has  become 
naturalised  in  so  many  districts.  Ferns  are 
everywhere  ;  nine  of  the  common  kinds  are 
abundant,  the  most  frequent  being  Scolopen- 
drium  and  Asplenium  Adiantum  nigrum  ;  both 
in  great  quantity  in  the  stone-built  and  other 
hedge-banks.  G.  J. 


THE    LILIES. 

(Continued    from   2)age    367.) 
LILIUM    LONGIFLOEUM. 

VAE.  GIGANTEUM.-See  eximium, 
of  which  it  is  a  selection  only. 
Var.  Harris! i  (the  Bermudan 
long-tubed  White  Lily)  is  a  strong- 
growing  form  of  var.  eximium.  Its 
robust  growth  is,  or  was,  main- 
tained by  good  cultivation  in  Bermuda.  This 
plant  grown  side  by  side  with  var.  eximium 
does  not  differ  greatly  from  it,  and  its  early 
ffowering,  which  gives  it  the  name  of  Easter 
Lily,  is  the  natural  result  of  cultivation  in  a 
warmer  climate  and  earlier  growing  season 
than  our  own  or  that  of  Japan. 

Var.  Insulare  is  a  recently  introduced  form 
from  an  island  of  the  Bonin  group  in  the 
Megalhaes  Archipelago.  It  is  very  robust,  and 
equal  in  stature  to  the  variety  Harrisii  ; 
indeed,  its  resemblance  to  the  Bermudan  Lily 
is  so  marked  that  when  first  sent  to  this 
country  it  was  considered  to  be  the  wilding 
from  which  Harrisii  originated.  This  variety 
difl'ers  from  all  the  other  forms  of  longiflorum 
(excepting  Harrisii)  in  its  widely  expanded 
tubes— more  resembling  a  well-developed  L. 
japonicum  colchesterense  in  this  respect.  The 
bulbs  resemble  those  of  L.  Harrisii  exactly  ; 
they  have  the  same  high  shoulder  and  pro- 
longed scale  tips.  It  grows  well  in  the  o)ien 
border,  far  better  than  in  a  pot,  and  makes 
huge    masse.s  of   stem    roots.     The    unusual 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


381 


activity  of  these  relieves  the  bulbs  of  consider- 
able strain,  and  they  are  therefore  enabled  to 
flower  better  in  the  second  and  third  seasons 
than  is  usual  with  L.  longiflorum. 

Var.  Takesima  (Hort.),  (Jama-jari  of 
Siebold)  is  a  very  distinct  form  from  high 
altitudes,  and  is  hardier  than  any  of  the  large- 
flowered  trumpet  Lilies.  This  variety  is 
always  chosen  for  forcing  in  the  one  case  and 
retarding  in  the  other.  Its  season  of  growth 
being  naturally  short  and  rapid,  it  responds 
readily  to  heat,  and  the  bulbs  do  not  suffer 
from  the  freezing  process  in  ihe  least.  It  will 
supersede  all  the  other  forms  of  longiflorum 
for  earliest  and  latest  forcing,  and  though 
under  normal  conditions  in  the  open  air  it  is 
not  so  eflfective  as  eximium,  it  will  last  more 
than  two  seasons  if  well  grown.  Bulbs  large, 
distinctly  shouldered,  quite  flat  on  the  top, 
the  centre  somewhat  depressed,  roots  very 
numerous.  Stems  2  feet  to  3  feet  high, 
purplish  below,  green  above,  with  a  few  purple 
fines  at  the  insertion  of  the  leaves,  rooting 
very  freely  from  their  bases.  Leaves  narrowly 
lance-shaped,  recurving,  thickly  arranged  on 
the  stem,  very  dark  green.  Flowers  four  to 
six  in  a  close  umbel,  always  slightly  drooping, 
keeled  pink  along  each  mid-rib  externally. 
The  free  ends  of  the  petals  do  not  reflex  to 
any  extent,  and  the  funnel  is  very  wide  at  the 
mouth,  and  gradually  narrows  to  the  base. 
Total  length  7  inches  to  8  inches.  Filaments 
equal. 

Var.  Wilsoni. — See  var.  eximium,  of  which 
it  is  a  selection  only. 

CuLTUEE  AND  UsES.  —  The  longiflorum 
group  of  Lilies  is  of  the  greatest  use  for  the 
greenhouse  and  the  conservatory,  and  they  are 
generally  described  as  hardy,  but  this  is  not 
always  the  case.  The  bulbs  flower  grandly  the 
first  year,  moderately  well  in  the  second,  but 
what  they  will  do  in  the  third  year  depends 
entirely  upon  the  cultivator.  It  is  possible  by 
careful  treatment  to  keep  them  for  several 
years,  but  the  trouble  involved  is  great,  and  it 
is  better  to  root  them  out  and  replant  with 
fresh  bulbs.  It  is  a  pity  they  are  not  more 
used  than  at  present  in  the  mixed  borders. 
They  are  efi'ective  massed  in  beds  ;  in  fact,  we 
know  of  no  other  Lily  so  suitable  for  this 
purpose  —  they  will  grow  well  in  any  soil 
in  shade  or  in  strong  sunshine.  As  to 
choice  of  varieties,  there  is  nothing  better 
than  eximium  for  general  purposes,  but  for 
lasting  Takesima  and  the  less  important 
formosanum  are  the  better  plants.  These 
should  be  used  where  a  display  in  successive 
years  is  required  rather  than  as  temporary 
bedding  plants.  It  is  as  pot  plants  for  the 
decoration  of  the  conservatory  that  they  prove 
of  greatest  use.  Here,  again,  eximium  is  the 
finest  variety  when  normally  grown — its  form 
Harrisii  for  the  earliest  display,  Insulare  to 
succeed  it,  with  Takesima  for  later  growth  prove 
the  best  in  their  respective  seasons.  We  prefer 
large  roomy  pots  capable  of  containing  three  or 
four  bulbs,  for  in  this  way  well  developed  speci- 
mens are  obtained,  the  small  weakly  plants 
seen  in  markets,  though  useful  in  their  way, 
give  little  idea  what  T.  longiflorum  is  like 
when  well  grown.  It  is  best  to  plant  the  bulbs 
an  inch  or  two  above  the  drainage,  and  the  stem 
roots  as  they  appear  should  be  fed  little  by 
little  as  they  grow.  Thus  treated  they  reach 
their  finest  development,  and  are  better 
in  every  way  than  plants  in  the  open. 
The  cultivation  of  retarded  bulbs  calls  for  a 
few  additional  remarks.  In  the  first  place  it 
is  quite  unnecessary  to  give  in  the  retarding 
process  a  lower  temperature  than  29°  to  30° 
Fahr.,  as  lower  than  this  does  harm.  At 
■whatever    season   they  may  be   started  into 


growth  the  normal  temperature  of  their  proper 
growing  seasons  must  be  maintained,  choo.sing 
50°  Fahr.  as  the  safest  mean  temperature.  These 
retarded  bulbs  are  of  great  service  in  filling  up 
blanks  in  the  plant  borders,  especially  where  it 
is  desirable  that  the  gardens  should  be  at  their 
best  in  September.  Planted  in  May  they  grow 
freely  and  flower  quite  as  well  as  non-retarded 
roots,  but  they  require  unusual  attention  in 
watering  when  the  summer  is  very  dry.  Those 
forms  of  L.  longiflorum  that  have  tints  of  pink 
on  the  outside  of  the  flowers  are  the  hardiest  of 
the  group,  and  these,  it  is  suggested,  should  be 
used  for  general  planting,  although  they  do 
not  bloom  so  freely  as  pure  white  flowered 
varieties.  G.  B.  Mallett. 

(To  be  continued.) 


NOTES    FROM    SW^ANSAVICK. 

A  riNAL  experiment  in  broadcast  sowing  of  such 
flower  seeds  as  Sweet  Sultan,  annual  Chrysan- 
themums, Portulaca,  Marigold,  and  ao  on  has 
convinced  us  that  in  heavy  land  like  this  it  is  a 
failure,  and  that  it  is  far  better  to  sow  in  boxes. 
The  extra  labour  of  pricking  out  is  more  than 
balanced  by  the  facts  that  out-of-door  sowings 
come  up  very  irregularly,  and  are  accompanied  by 
such  masses  of  weeds  that  they  occupy  a  great 
deal  of  valuable  time  in  the  necessary  hand- 
weeding  and  thinning.  If  the  seeds  were  not 
there  the  ground  could  be  forked  over  and  the 
weeds  buried  wholesale  once  or  twice  before  the 
box  plants  were  put  out,  a  job  that  would  be  done 
in  a  few  minutes  and  be  radically  effective. 

We  are  now  having  splendid  growing  weather, 
mild  nights,  strong  sun,  and  warm  showers.  I 
have  never  seen  Primula  Sieboldi  so  good,  in  fact 
all  the  garden  Primulas,  from  P.  rosea  grandiflora 
onwards,  have  been  grand.  The  latter  is  a  most 
exquisite  bit  of  colour,  the  only  true  pure  rose-pink 
visible  just  when  it  flowers,  and  thus  inestimable. 
I  have  a  piece  of  border  that  for  twenty  years  lay 
untouched  under  Fig,  Medlar,  and  other  half 
derelict  fruit  trees,  at  the  bottom  of  a  bank.  It 
was  a  mass  of  undergrowth,  the  only  flowers  a  few 
degenerate  Columbines,  and  when  we  dug  it  the 
soil  was  mainly  fibre.  In  this,  without  any  manure 
having  been  added.  Narcissi — Barri  conspicuus, 
poeticus,  a  few  William  Goldring,  and  quantities 
of  early  Trumpets — have  done  splendidly,  and  it 
also  grows  to  perfection  Primula  cortusoides,  P. 
rosea,  P.  japonica,  Hemerocallis  flava,  Saxifraga 
granulata  plena,  good  Aquilegias,  Anemone  japonica 
in  variety,  and  Michaelmas  Daisies.  There  is  some 
water  under  the  surface  at  one  end,  which  accounts 
for  the  success  of  the  Primulas  ;  the  other  end  is 
drier.  I  believe  manure  to  be  very  much  overdone 
in  many,  if  not  most,  flower  gardens,  and  I  am 
sure  that  if  fibrous  stufi^,  decayed  turf,  and  leaf- 
mould  were  often  substituted  heavj'  soils  would  be 
much  improved.  In  this  garden  stable  manured 
seems  little  short  of  poisonous  to  a  good  many 
plants.  It  kills  coloured  Primroses  wholesale,  and 
even  some  Pyrethrum  roseum  clumps  set  in  manured 
soil  nearly  died,  while  a  planting  of  the  same  where 
only  leaf-mould  and  a  little  burnt  stufi:  had  been 
used  went  ahead  beautifully,  and  are  twice  as  fine 
again  this  season.  Also,  we  seem  to  get  slugs  on 
the  manured  land  in  great  excess  over  what  trouble 
us  on  that  not  so  dressed.  For  vegetables,  of 
course,  stable  and  farm  manures  are  necessary  even 
on  this  land,  and  I  say  nothing  about  them.  But 
even  Roses,  gross  feeders  as  they  are,  do  not  seem 
to  benefit  at  all  by  having  buried  manure  about 
them  ;  they  do  best  if  it  is  left  alone  and  only 
given  aa  top-dressing  after  they  are  a  few  years 
planted. 

Ranunculus  glacialis  is  flowering  well,  but  I  am 
disappointed  that  my  flowers  are  pure  white — like 
a  small  fleshy  Buttercup — and  show  no  tinge  of 
pink.  I  greatly  wished  to  flower  it  as  it  is  seen  in 
the  illustration,  plate  2,  of  "  Hoffmann's  Alpine 
Flora,"  where  it  is  a  bright  rose-pink.  It  is 
set  at  the  foot  of  a  rather  steeply  sloped  and  very 
damp  rockery,  on  a  level  strip  about  a  foot  wide, 
between  the  stone  edging  of  the  path  and   the 


beginning  of  the  slope,  on  which  Epimediums  are 
planted  and  do  well.  It  is  in  peat,  sand,  and 
very  fibrous  loam,  thoroughly  mixed  with  pounded 
limestone,  which  ought  to  be  sandstone,  but  we 
have  none.  It  gets  about  three  hours'  sun  in  the 
middle  of  the  day.  The  Epimediums  on  the  bank 
above  are  underplanted  with  Aca^na,  which  gives 
a  very  pretty  effect.  Close  by  there  is  a  sunk  pan 
of  water,  planted  round  with  Genliana  verna  now 
flowering,  despite  the  fact  that  it  only  gets  the 
same  modicum  of  sun  as  the  Ranunculus.  It  was 
associated  with  a  small  planting  of  Primula 
farinosa,  but  although  the  crowns  came  strongly 
about  February,  they  then  died  completely  off, 
after  having  a  slight  covering  of  leaf-mould, 
which  I  thought  would  protect  them  from 
cold  winds  and  frost,  and  now  only  one  is  left. 
The  Gentiana  verna  came  from  Ireland,  the  tufts 
mixed  with  fine  grass,  which  it  was  impossible  to 
separate,  and  ever  since  the  grass  and  the  Gentians 
have  grown  together,  to  the  apparent  satisfaction 
of  the  latter. 

We  did  not  take  up  a  single  Tulip  again  last 
season,  and  never  mean  to  engage  in  the  great 
labour  of  doing  so  again,  for  never  had  we  a  finer 
show  than  of  those  that  have  now  been  three  years 
in  the  ground.  They  do  not  deteriorate  at  all  here, 
the  originals  all  came  up,  early  dwarfs  and  May 
Tulips  alike,  and  with  them  many  small  ones.  This 
was  by  no  means  our  experience  in  a  former 
garden,  where  the  soil  was  lighter,  and  where  the 
advice  one  always  gets,  to  lift  annually,  was  fully 
justified.  The  only  failure  was  of  T.  saxatilis, 
which  was  all  blind.  M.  L.  W. 


THE    TEMPLE    SHOW. 

Official  List  of  Awards, 

The  order  in  which  the  names  are  entered  has  no  signifi- 
cance, but  is  purely  accidental. 

Vcitcfiiaii  (!i(^.— Messrs.  W.  Paul  and  Son. 

Gold  medal.— Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Son,  for  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants ;  Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  for  Orchids ;  Mr. 
A.  J.  A.  Bruce,  for  Sarracenias  ;  Messrs.  Fishsr,  Sun,  and 
Sibray,  for  trees  and  shrubs  ;  Mr.  G.  Mount,  for  Koses  ; 
Messrs.  Rivers  and  Son,  for  fruit  trees  ;  Messrs.  E,.  Wallace 
and  Co.,  for  Lilies,  Irises,  Tulips,  &c.  ;  and  Baron  Schroder, 
for  Orchids. 

Special  prizes  for  arrangoucuf.— Sir  Frederick  Wigan, 
Bare,  Messrs.  Jaines  Veitch  and  Son,  and  Messrs.  R,  Wallace 
and  Co. 

Silver  cnp.—'Mr.  Irwin  Lynch,  for  hybrid  Gerberas  ;  Messrs. 
Cannell  and  Son,  for  vegetables,  Cannas,  &c.  ;  Mr,  J.  Russell, 
for  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  &c.  ;  Jlessrs.  W.  Cutbush 
and  Son,  for  clipped  Yews  and  herbaceous  plants  ;  Messrs. 
Paul  and  Son,  for  Roses  and  herbaceous  plants;  Messrs. 
Cuthbert,  for  Azaleas,  &c. ;  Messrs.  Hill  and  Son,  for  Ferns  ; 
Messrs.  Jackman,  for  Clematis  and  herbaceous  plants; 
Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  for  Cinerarias,  Gloxinias,  &c.  ; 
Messrs.  Cheal,  for  trees  and  shrubs ;  Messrs.  R.  Smith  and 
Co.,  for  Clematis  and  herbaceous  plants  ;  Mr.  CharlesTurner, 
for  Roses;  Sir  A.  Henderson,  Bart.,  Faringdon,  for  vege- 
tables ;  Mr.  S.  Heilbut,  Maidenhead,  for  pot  Vines  and 
Cherries ;  Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon,  Twerton-on- 
Avon,  for  Begonias  ;  Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton, 
Bradford,  for  Orchids  ;  J.  Colma'n,  Esq.,  Reigate.  for  Orchids; 
Messrs.  J.  Backhouse  and  Son,  York,  for  alpine  and  rock 
plants  ;  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  and  Sons,  Belfast,  for  Tulips; 
Messrs.  H.  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  for  Figs,  Carnations,  and 
Orchids  ;  and  Captain  George  Holford,  CLE  ,  C.V.O.,  for 
Orchids. 

SiUer-(jilt  Lindley  medal.— K.  Vuylsteke,  for  Odontiuda 
Vuylstekeie,  a  very  extraordinary  hybrid  Orchid. 

Silver-gilt  Flora  )?u'(?«;.— Messrs.  J.  Laing,  for  Begonias  and 
Caladiums ;  Messrs.  Barr  and  Son,  for  pigmy  trees  and 
herbaceous  plants ;  Messrs.  Ware  and  Co. ,  for  Koses, 
Begonias,  &c. ;  Messrs.  Peed  and  Son,  for  Caladiums  and 
Begonias  ;  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  for  Ferns,  d'c.  ;  Mr.  Amos  Perry, 
for  herbaceous  plants  ;  Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  for 
Orchids  and  foliage  plants ;  Messrs.  Cripps,  for  Acers  and 
trees  and  shrubs ;  Mr.  R.  Farrer,  for  rock  garden  plants  ; 
Messrs.  Pritchard,  for  herbaceous  plants;  Messrs.  Hobbies, 
Limited,  for  Roses  and  Carnations ;  Messrs.  John  Waterer 
and  Sons,  for  Rhododendrons;  R.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  for 
Orchids;  Messrs.  Cowan,  for  Orchids;  Messrs.  Cypher,  for 
Orchids  ;  Messrs.  Carter  and  Co.,  for  Calceolarias,  Gloxinias, 
&c.  ;  and  Messrs.  Fromow,  for  trees  and  shrubs. 

Silver-gilt  Knightlan  medal.— ^Iv,  C.  Ritchings,  Guernsey, 
for  JMelons  and  Tomatoes. 

Silver-gilt  Bankaian  medal. — Messrs.  Balchin  and  Sons, 
Hassocks,  for  hard-wooded  plants ;  Messrs.  Pulhara,  Elsen- 
ham,  for  rock  plants  ;  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Company, 
Guildford,  for  herbaceous  and  alpine  plants  ;  Messrs.  Dobbie 
and  Co.,  Rothesay,  for  Dablias,  Violas,  &c.  ;  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones, 
Lewisham,  for  Sweet  Peas,  Begonias,  Ac.  ;  Mr.  W.  J. 
Godfrey,  Exmouth,  for  Pelargoniums,  Poppies,  &c.  ;  Mr.  G. 
Reuthe,  for  herbaceous  plants  and  alpines  ;  Messrs.  Frank 
Cant  and  Co.,  for  Roses;  J.  Rutherford,  Esq.,  for  Orchids 
Messrs.  Ladhams,  for  hardy  perennials  ;  and  E.  Ascherson, 
Esq.,  for  Calceolarias,  &c. 

Silver  Flora  metZftL— Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  for 
Geraniums ;  Hon.  A.  H.  T.  Montmorency,  for  Tulips,  &c. ; 

ud  Lord  Aldenham,  for  Streptocarpus. 


s82 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


Silver  Knightian  medal.— Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  (or  Cucumbers 
and  Tomatoes  ;  and  Mr.  R.  Stephenson,  for  Asparagus. 

Silvci-  Bniiksian  medal.— Miss  Crooke  (Lady  Warwick 
Hostel),  tor  vesetables  ;  Mr.  J.  Cuckney,  for  Strawberries  ; 
Mr.  A.  J.  Harwood,  for  Asparagus  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Godfrey,  tor 
Asparagus. 

Cultural  commmdation.  —  Mr.  J.  Hudson,  V.M.H., 
Gunnersbury  Park  Gardens,  \V.,  tor  Eoses. 

Orchid  Committee  Awards. 

First-class  certificate.— To  LaiUo-Cattleya  digbyano-Mossia; 
Westonbirt  variety,  from  Captain  Holford,  Westonbirt,  Tet- 
bury,  Gloucester;  Odontioda  Vnylstekere,  from  M.  Ch. 
Vuylsteke,  Loochristi,  Ghent ;  and  Lalio-Cattleya  Fascinator 
variety  King  Edward  and  L.-C.  canhamiana  ilosslyn  variety, 
from  Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford. 

Award  of  merit.— To  Lajlio-Cattleya  X  Martineti  Tring 
Park  variety,  from  the  Hon.  \V.  Rothschild,  Tring;  Odonto- 
glossum  venustulum  and  O.  concinnum  lajtum,  from  M.  Ch. 
Vuylsteke,  Loochristi,  Ghent ;  and  Cattleya  Stepmani,  from 
M.  A.  A.  feeters,  Brussels. 

Cultural   commendation.  —  To    Cymbidium    devonianum, 
from  Sir  F.  Wigan,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen. 
Floral  Committee. 

Fir.'<t-cla.-<s  certificate.— To  Gloriosa  rothschildiana,  from 
the  Hon.  W.  Rothschild,  Tring  Park,  Tring. 

Award  of  merit. — To  Pteris  Binotii,  from  Messrs.  J".  Hill 
and  Son,  Lower  Edmonton ;  decorative  Pelargonium  Lady 
Decies,  from  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough  ;  Wahlenbergia 
serpyllifolia,  from  Mr.  R.  Farrer,  Ingleborough,  Lanes ; 
Begonia  (double)  Mr.  W.  H.  Edwards,  from  Messrs.  T.  S. 
Ware,  Limited,  Feltham,  Middlesex;  RosePerle  des  Neiges, 
from  Messrs.  AVilliam  Paul  and  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  N.  ; 
Begonia  Avalanche  and  B.  Lady  Curzon,  from  Messrs.  Black- 
more  and  Langdon,  Twerton-on-Avon,  Bath  ;  Dodecatheon 
Dame  Blanche,  from  Messrs.  E.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester ; 
Campanula  rupestris,  from  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  and  Son, 
Highgate ;  Azalea  mollis  x  sinensis  Ellen  Cuthbert,  from 
Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate  ;  Lupinus  polyphyllus 
rosea,  from  Messrs..!.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley  ;  and  hybrid 
perennial  Lupins  (for  strain),  from  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons, 
12,  King  Street,  W.C. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 

FOKTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

June  6. — Royal  Botanic  Society's  Grand  Horti- 
cultural Exhibition,  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's 
Park  (six  days). 

.June  8.  —  East  Anglian  Horticultural  Club 
Meeting. 

June  14. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting ;  Horticultural  Club,  House  Dinner 
6.30,  Discussion  opened  by  Sir  John  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  on  "  Himalayan  Rhododendrons." 

June  15. — York  Gala  (three  days). 

.June  28. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

July  6.  — National  Rose  Society's  Temple  Show  ; 
Southampton  (two  days),  Croydon,  Hereford,  and 
Hanley  (two  days)  Horticultural  Shows. 

July  7. — Norwich  Horticultural  Show. 

July  12. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Holland 
House  Show  (two  days). 


Royal  Botanic  Society's  exhibi- 
tion.— In  connexion  with  the  great  horticultural 
show,  to  be  held  in  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens  next 
week,  it  was  announced  that  Professor  Schlich 
would  give  a  lecture  on  forestry  on  Wednesday. 
Professor  Schlich,  however,  has  been  called  to  the 
Continent  on  business,  and  Professor  Fisher, 
Cooper's  Hill  College,  will  lecture  on  the  same 
subject  in  his  stead. 

Scientific  work   of  the   Royal 

Horticultural  Society.  ~  Reference  has 
already  been  made  to  the  council's  intention 
to  start  a  scientific  station  at  Wisley  as  soon  as 
the  new  Hall  has  been  paid  for  and  the  more 
general  work  of  the  gardens  organised.  The  initial 
cost  of  the  laboratory  and  other  buildings,  and  of 
the  necessary  instruments,  can  hardly  be  far  short 
of  £1,500  or  £2,000,  and  the  annual  expense  for 
salaries  and  general  upkeep  would  be  at  least  .£500 
a  year.  It  is  confidently  hoped  that  the  horticul- 
tural research  station  will  be  the  pioneer  of  many 
such  centres  of  study  and  investigation  throughout 
the  country.  The  students  being  trained  in  the 
gardens  will  also  in  due  time  thus  have  the  addi- 
tional advantage  of  an  insight  into  the  methods  of 
modern  scientific  research.  The  many  problems  in 
plant  breeding,  in  the  treatment  and  investigation 
of  plant  diseases,  and  in  hybridisation,  will  be 
approached  in  time  from  every  side,  and  the  appli- 
cation of  gases,  of  electricity,  and  of  various 
chemical    agents    will     be    both    practically    and 


scientifically  demonstrated.  Scientificmeteorological 
work  has  already  been  begun  at  Wisley,  and  the 
observing  station  in  the  gardens  bids  fair  to  rank 
as  one  of  the  best  in  the  kingdom.  The  instru- 
ments in  use  are  as  follows :  1.  A  standard 
maximum  thermometer,  Negretti  pattern.  2.  A 
standard  minimum  thermometer,  Rutherford  pat- 
tern. .3.  A  psychrometer — dry  and  wet  bulb 
standard  thermometers.  4.  Three  soil  ther- 
mometers, Symons'  pattern — {a)  one  at  1  foot 
deep,  (6)  one  at  2  feet  deep,  (c)  one  at  4  feet  deep. 
5.  Two  terrestrial  radiation  minimum  thermometers 
with  cylindrical  bulbs.  6.  A  stout  8-inch  copper 
rain-gauge,  Meteorological  Ofiice  pattern.  7.  A 
Campbell-Stokes  sunshine  recorder,  new  Meteoro- 
logical Office  pattern.  The  thermometer  screen  is 
a  "Stevenson,"  Royal  Meteorological  Society's 
pattern.  All  the  thermometers  have  certificates 
from  the  Kew  Observatory,  giving  their  errors  at 
all  parts  of  the  scale,  and  the  whole  station  has 
been  placed  under  the  inspection  of,  and  is  being 
worked  in  co-operation  with,  the  Government 
Meteorological  Office. 
"Kew  Hand   List  of  Orchids."— A 

second  edition  of  the  hand  list  of  Orchids  culti- 
vated in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  has  just  been 
published.  In  the  preface  to  this  edition  the 
Director  of  the  Royal  Gardens  says :  "  The 
collection  now  includes  a  larger  number  of  genera 
(220)  than  in  1896,  and  a  somewhat  larger  number 
of  species  (1,850),  including  well-marked  hybrids. 
Only  varieties  of  botanical  interest  have  been 
enumerated.  What  may  be  called  '  garden 
hybrids,'  the  number  of  which  now  known  may  be 
counted  by  hundreds,  are  of  little  scientific 
interest,  though  commercially  some  of  them  are  of 
great  value.  They  are  only  sparingly  represented 
at  Kew.  The  Kew  collection  has  much  improved 
in  health  since  the  reconstruction,  in  1898,  of  the 
houses  accessible  to  the  public.  A  few  changes  in 
nomenclature  have  become  necessary,  the  most 
important  being  the  separation  of  species  formerly 
included  under  Cattleya  labiata  and  the  breaking 
up  of  the  genus  Cypripedium." 

Sciadopitys  vertieillata  at  Cran- 

broolc. — Lord  Medway  kindly  sends  a  photo- 
graph of  this  interesting  tree,  but,  unfortunately, 
it  was  impossible  to  get  a  good  reproduction.  The 
tree  is  between  29  feet  and  .30  feet  high. 

Kew  Guild  Dinner. — Members  of  the 
Kew  Guild,  an  association  consisting  of  those  who 
are  working,  or  those  who  have  worked,  in  the 
Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  foregathered  on  the  occa- 
sion of  their  annual  dinner  on  Monday  last  at  the 
Holborn  Restaurant.  Mr.  W.  Watson,  curator  of 
the  Royal  Gardens  and  president  of  the  Kew 
Guild,  occupied  the  chair,  and  was  supported  by 
the  director.  Sir  W.  T.  Thiselton-Dyer,  Mr. 
W.  J.  Bean,  assistant  curator,  and  practically  all 
the  Herbarium  and  garden  staff.  Lord  Onslow, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  was  the 
chief  guest,  and  among  others  invited  were  Mr.  F. 
Sander  of  St.  Albans,  Mr.  W.  Robinson,  and 
Mr.  E.  T.  Cook.  Mr.  Watson,  in  proposing,  and 
the  director  in  replying  to  the  toast  of  "The 
Guild,"  referred  to  the  good  work  it  had 
done  in  bringing  into  touch  those  who  per- 
haps had  lost  sight  of  each  other  for  years  ; 
both  by  means  of  the  Journal  and  also  through 
their  annual  meeting.  The  cosmopolitan  cha- 
racter of  the  Guild  was  well  shown  by  the  numbers 
of  foreign  members  present,  and  as  evidence  of  the 
far-reaching  influence  of  Kew  and  Kew  men,  it 
may  be  mentioned  that  the  latter  were  present 
from  Hong-Kong,  Trinidad,  various  parts  of  India, 
Straits  Settlements,  West  Africa,  and  other  far-off 
countries.  Both  the  director  and  the  curator 
referred  to  the  good  that  is  accomplished  by  asso- 
ciation and  combination.  The  director  referred 
to  Kew  as  the  Eton  of  horticulture,  and  said  that 
the  Guild  fostered  an  e-iprit  cle  corjri  among  Kew 
men,  both  past  and  present.  There  was  prolonged 
applause  when  Lord  Onslow  said,  though  he  was 
an  agriculturist  by  compulsion,  he  was  a  gardener 
by  choice.  He  wished  them  to  think  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  as  comprising  horticulture 
also.  Ijord  Onslow  said  how  much  the 
pioneer  work  of  Kew  men  in  the  colonies  was 
appreciated.     He  wished  continued   prosperity  to 


the  Guild,  and  said  that  Kew  would  ever  have  the 
sympathy  of  his  Board.  Between  the  speeches 
and  songs  men  who  had  been  strangers  for  years 
took  the  opportunity  of  renewing  acquaintance, 
and  altogether  a  most  enjoj'able  time  was  passed. 

Lathyrus  pubeseens.— As  I  have  read 

a  good  deal  written  about  the  tenderness  of  the 
above  perennial  Pea,  I  think  I  might  mention,  as 
an  inducement  to  others  to  try  it,  that  I  have  a 
plant  that  has  been  out  in  the  open,  though  in  a 
sheltered  corner,  all  the  winter,  and  it  is  now 
flowering  beautifully.  It  is  such  a  good  thing  and 
so  sweet — which  no  other  perennial  Pea  that  I 
know  of  is — that  it  is  worth  taking  some  trouble 
with.  If  it  will  grow  in  the  cold  climate  of 
Cheshire — particularly  in  this  part  of  Cheshire, 
away  from  the  sea  influence — it  should  do  in  most 
places.  I  have  it  also  growing  over  the  roof  of  a 
greenhouse. — B. ,  Asth  Hall,  Chelford,  Cheshire. 

Iberis  Snowflake.  — This  perennial 
Candytuft  is  one  of  the  best  of  this  family,  and  I 
am  sure  when  it  becomes  more  widely  known  it 
will  be  greatly  appreciated.  For  the  rock  garden 
or  front  of  the  border  it  is  excellent,  having  a  very 
compact  growth,  which  does  not  get  straggling  as 
with  some  of  the  other  varieties.  The  flower- 
heads  are  large,  as  are  also  the  flowers  individually, 
and  pure  white.  These  last  in  perfection  a  long 
time,  and  are  at  their  best  about  the  third  week  in 
May.  Cuttings  taken  during  the  summer  root 
easily  if  placed  in  a  cold  frame,  and  these,  if 
planted  out  early  the  following  spring,  flower  pro- 
fusely fully  a  fortnight  before  those  which  have 
been  outside  during  winter.  This  is  evidently  a 
variety  of  I.  sempervirens,  and  was  raised,  I 
believe,  by  Mr.  Smith  of  Newry. — A.  E.  Thatcher, 
El.ftree. 

The  beauty  of  wall  plants.— I  think 

the  subject  of  wall  gardening  deserves  more  atten- 
tion than  is  usually  given  to  it.  Here  (Berkshire) 
we  have  several  retaining  walls  varying  in  height 
from  18  inches  to  5  feet.  They  are  all  planted, 
and  have  been  very  gay  since  the  beginning  of 
March.  We  either  sow  seeds  or  put  in  little 
plants.  I  find  the  autumn  to  be  the  best  time 
tor  planting,  as  the  plants  then  have  a  chance 
of  establishing  themselves  during  the  winter,  and 
from  seed  sown  now  good  plants  can  be  obtained 
ready  for  planting  in  November,  or  cuttings  can 
be  struck  in  a  close  frame.  Some  of  the  best  wall 
plants  for  early  flowering  are  Arabis  albida,  A.  a. 
argeutea  variegata,  A.  alpina  plena,  Draba  aizoides, 
Aubrietias,  Wallflowers,  Alyssum  saxatile  com- 
pactum,  A.  s.  variegatum,  A.  sulphureum,  Arenaria 
balearica,  A.  montana,  Achillea  argentea  (a  beauti- 
ful plant  either  in  or  out  of  bloom),  Cerastium 
tomentosum,  Cheiranthus  alpinus,  Corydalis  lutea, 
Dielytra  eximia,  Erodium  macradenum,  E.  pelar- 
goniiflorum,  Euphorbia  Myrsinites,  E.  polychroma, 
Saponaria  ocymoides,  Iberis  Little  Gem,  I.  semper- 
virens, I.  gibraltarica,  mossy  and  crested  Saxifrages 
of  many  kinds,  and  other  plants,  but  those  named 
are  among  the  most  showy.  One  must  not  forget 
Gentiana  acaulis.  This  is  planted  on  the  top  of  a 
low  stone  wall  facing  north,  and  is  a  great  success. 
The  little  G.  verna  is  planted  in  a  brick  wall  facing 
west  ;  it  is  charming,  and  has  been  in  flower  for 
quite  a  month. — J.  S. 

A  blue  Everlasting  Pea.— May  it  not 

be  possible  to  get  a  cross  between  Lathyrus  pubes- 
eens and  the  hardy  L.  latifolius,  in  the  hope  of 
ultimately  securing  a  hardy  blue-flowered  perennial 
variety  ?  The  flowers  of  the  former  recently  shown 
at  the  Drill  Hall  from  Burford  certainly  evidenced 
that  this  greenhouse  species  has  growth  that  closely 
allies  it  to  latifolius.  The  chief  difficulty  presented 
in  securing  a  cross  is  apparently  the  fact  that 
whilst  L.  pubeseens  flowers  under  glass  in  May, 
L.  latifolius  does  not  do  so  until  some  two  months 
later.  But  that  difficulty  might  be  overcome  by 
having  plants  of  the  two  species  in  large  pots,  and 
whilst  retarding  one  in  a  cool  place  help  to 
accelerate  the  flowering  of  the  other  in  warmth, 
and  thus  get  them  to  bloom  simultaneously. 
Efforts  to  intercross  the  odoratus  or  annual  section 
with  the  perennials  seem  so  far  to  have  failed.  It 
does  not  follow,  therefore,  that  the  various  species 
of  perennial  Peas  may  not  intercross  and  possibly 
produce  some  charming  hybrids. — A.  D. 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


383: 


National  Potato  Society.— Sir  J.  T.  D. 

Llewelyn,  Barb.,   has  kindly  consented  to  become 
president  of  the  above  society. 

CdwaPdsiaS  find  a  home  with  many  other 
rare  and  beautiful  flowering  shrubs  in  the  gardens 
at  Fortfield,  the  residence  of  L.  Perrin  Hatchell, 
Esq.,  only  a  few  miles  from  the  city  of  Dublin. 
Edwardsia  grandiflora  may  be  seen  just  now  in  full 
bloom,  covered  from  top  to  bottom  with  its  massive 
golden  flowers.  It  is  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  brick 
wall  facing  west,  where  it  seems  quite  at  home, 
growing  vigorously  and  flowering  annually. 
Edwardsias  are  considered  by  most  gardeners  as 
difficult  plants  to  flower,  but  I  think  the  difficulty 
can  be  overcome  by  selecting  a  well-sheltered 
border  thoroughly  drained  and  fully  exposed  to  the 
sun,  so  that  the  flowering  wood  is  well  ripened 
before  the  autumn.  There  are  five  or  six  sorts 
in  cultivation,  most  of  which  are  deciduous  and 
natives  of  New  Zealand.  It  may  be  interesting  to 
some  to  know  that  the  genus  is  named  after 
S.  Edwards,  celebrated  as  a  botanical  draftsman 
more  than  100  years  ago.  — Samdel  Bryan,  The 
Gardens,  Fortfield  Hmi.se,  County  Dtiblin. 

Horticiiltupal     exhibition     at 

Regent's  Parli. — From  the  6th  to  the  11th 
inst.  a  grand  horticultural  exhibition  will  be  held 
by  the  Royal  Botanic  Society  of  London  in  their 
gardens  at  Regent's  Park.  The  Right  Hon.  the 
Earl  of  Aberdeen  has  kindlj'  consented  to  be  present 
at  the  conference  of  the  education  section,  of  which 
Sir  William  Collins  is  president.  The  following 
addresses  will  be  given  on  Tuesday  next:  11  a.m. — 
Address  on  "Nature  Study  and  its  Cognate  Educa- 
tional Subjects,"  by  Sir  George  W.  Kekewich, 
K.C.B.,  D.C.L. ,  president  of  the  School  Nature 
Study  Union.  2  p.m. — (1)  A  paper  on  "  Horticul- 
tural Teaching  Among  Adults,"  by  Mr.  J.  Weathers, 
F.R.H.S.,  instructor  in  horticulture,  Middlesex 
County  Council ;  (2)  A  paper  on  "  School  Gardens 
and  Horticultural  Teaching  in  Schools,"  by  Mr. 
E.  Caesar,  Hale  Council  Schools,  Farnham  ;  (3)  A 
paper  on  "Nature  Study  in  Schools,"  by  Miss  V. 
James,  Heidelberg  College,  Ealing. 

Government  Fruit  Enquiry  Com- 
mittee. —  The  Departmental  Committee  ap- 
pointed by  Lord  Onslow  to  enquire  into  and 
report  upon  the  fruit  industry  of  Great  Britain 
held  sittings  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th  inst. 
The  following  members  were  present :  Mr.  A.  S.  T. 
GriflSth-Boscawen,  M.P.  (chairman).  Colonel  Long, 
M.P.,  Mr.  C.  W.  Radcliffe-Cooke,  Mr.  Hodge, 
Mr.  Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Somerville,  Mr.  P. 
Spencer  Pickering,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  Rev.  W.  Wilks, 
and  Mr.  Ernest  Garnsey  (secretary).  The  fol- 
lowing witnesses  gave  evidence :  Mr.  Hodge  of 
Blairgowrie,  Scotland,  a  member  of  the  committee; 
Mr.  Clark,  K.C.,  the  legal  adviser  to  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  and  Fisheries  ;  Mr.  Bell,  the  Super- 
intending Inspector  of  Taxes  at  Somerset  House ; 
Mr.  Sams  of  Worthing  ;  Mr.  Rochfort  of  Cheshuut ; 
Mr.  A.  J.  F.  Gibbons  of  Guernsey ;  Mr.  Russell  of 
Glasgow  ;  and  Mr.  George  Bunyard  of  Maidstone. 

Floral  emblems  in  churchyards.— 

We  cut  the  following  from  the  Daily  Mail  of 
the  23rd  ult.  :  "The  vicar  of  Whaplode,  in  his 
parish  magazine,  asks  the  residents  to  note  that  he 
cannot  approve  of  jam  pots  being  used  to  decorate 
graves.  Even  earthenware  wreaths  in  glass  cases 
are  not  approved  of,  and  these,  when  broken,  will 
be  removed.  Flowers  are  preferred,  or  for  per- 
manent memorials  arrangements  may  be  made 
with  the  vicar  for  simple,  inexpensive,  wooden 
crosses.  Those  who  use  real  flowers  he  hopes 
will  remove  them  from  the  graves  when  faded." 
This  subject  was  referred  to  in  The  Garden, 
June  1,  1901,  and  what  we  wrote  there  may  well 
be  in  part  reprinted.  "We  feel  sure  that  many 
good  and  kindly  people  who  wish  to  honour  their 
dead  by  the  placing  of  some  more  or  less  per- 
manent token  of  affection  on  their  graves  hardly 
know  what  they  are  doing  when  they  buy  these 
glass  cases.  They  only  perceive  that  the  thing 
they  acquire  has  (to  the  uneducated  eye)  a  certain 
prettiness,  and  does  not  cost  much,  either  of 
money  or  trouble.  They  forget  that  while  they 
are  thus  satisfying  their  own  kindly  impulses  they 
are  destroying  the  beauty  of  the  churchyard,  and 
bringing  into  it  an  element  of  vulgar  tawdriness 


that  is  wholly  in  opposition  to  what  should 
prevail  in  the  consecrated  space  of  ground  where 
we  lay  our  well-loved  dead  to  rest.  These  glass- 
covered  things  are  of  foreign  origin,  and  those  who 
know  the  horror  of  French  churchyards,  with  their 
quantities  of  cheap  bazaar  articles  made  of  beads, 
and  erections  like  dolls'  houses,  filled  with  various 
personal  articles,  cannot,  without  deep  concern, 
see  in  our  beautiful  churchyards  what  look  like  the 
forerunners  of  all  this  endless  train  of  frivolity  and 
even  desecration.  We  have  seen  quite  commonly 
in  these  churchyards  an  iron  wire  frame  like  a  hat- 
rack  fixed  on  graves  for  the  convenience  of  hanging 
up  these  miscellaneous  objects.  To  all  of  us  the 
churchyard  is  a  sacred  place,  and  while  it  is  our 
duty  to  make  it  aa  beautiful  as  we  may,  it  is 
equally  our  duty  to  preserve  its  dignity,  and  to 
suffer  nothing  that  shall  mar  its  unity  and  repose  ; 
above  all,  not  to  permit  the  introduction  of  things 
glaringly  vulgar.  A  Yew  tree  or  Cypress  well  and 
carefully  planted,  a  white  Rose  bush  on  a  child's 
grave,  a  wreath  or  cross  of  natural  flowers,  made 
with  loving  care  and  placed  on  a  dear  grave  on 
some  anniversary  or  festival  of  the  church,  and  with 
equal  exactitude  removed  when  withered,  these 
are  the  ornaments  that  can  offend  no  one,  while  the 
tree  or  bush  will  grow  on  to  the  permanent  beauti- 
fying of  the  sacred  place.  The  glare  and  flash  and 
glitter  of  these  horrible  glasses  in  some  times  of 
sunlight  make  it  almost  impossible  to  walk  with 
any  comfort  in  churchyards  and  cemeteries,  while 
anyone  but  the  most  obtuse  cannot  but  see  how 
this  insidiously  encroaching  foreign  custom  destroys 


viola  pbdata  in  a  pot  (kew). 

the  reposeful  beauty  of  our  country  graveyards. 
Let  us  hope  that  the  wide-spread  protest  that  is 
now  being  made  may  be  the  means  of  checking  this 
thoughtless  practice  before  it  has  led  to  more 
serious  evils." 

Viola  pedata — The  Bird's-foot  Violet,  as 
Viola  pedata  is  commonly  called,  is  a  native  of  dry, 
sandy  woods  and  rocky  hills  in  North  America,  and 
was  introduced  from  that  country  in  1759.  The 
flowers  are  large,  usually  bright  blue,  sometimes  pale 
or  even  white,  and  appear  during  May  and  June. 
The  leaves  are  very  distinct,  being  deeply  divided. 
Although  the  most  handsome  of  North  American 
Violas,  V.  pedata  is  still  comparatively  rare  in 
cultivation.  There  are  several  varieties.  Atro- 
purpurea  has  dark  purple  flowers,  and  in  bicolor, 
perhaps  the  most  beautiful  of  all,  the  two  upper 
petals  are  deep  violet  and  the  three  lower  ones 
delicate  blush  colour.  The  variety  alba  is  very 
rare.  Viola  pedata  grows  well  in  a  light  rich  soil 
in  partial  shade,  and  clumps  of  it  in  bloom  are  now 
very  attractive.  It  may  also  be  successfully  grown 
in  pots,  as  shown  in  the  accompanying  illustration. 
— W.  Irving. 

Tulipa  Batalini.  —  A  notice  in  The 
Garden  (page  350)  on  the  above-named  Tulip 
induces  me  to  send  this  note.  No  one  can  deny 
the  beauty,  and,  still  less,  the  remarkable  distinc- 
tion of  this  species  of  Tulip  in  what  I  fear  I  must 
call  its  "first  phase,"  but  the  question  is  whether 


it  retains  its  colour  (which  I  think  is  better 
described  as  apricot  or  apricot-cream  than  lemon>- 
in  cultivation.  Last  year,  or  it  may  have  been 
two  years  ago,  I  thought  I  had  lost  it,  for  though, 
the  bulbs  came  up  duly  under  the  label  which 
indicated  T.  Batalini,  the  blooms  were  pale  lemon, 
yellowish  white,  or  what  you  will — any  way,  quite- 
a  common  colour  in  Tulips.  The  same  thing  has- 
happened  this  year,  when  the  clump  has  bloomed 
stronger  ;  and  when  I  was  in  my  friend  and  neigh- 
bour Captain  Reid'a  garden  recently,  he  made 
exactly  the  same  complaint.  It  would  be  inter- 
esting to  know  whether  others  have  noticed  this- 
loss  of  distinctive  colour  in  this  species,  which,  I 
observe,  has  considerably  risen  in  price  within  the 
last  few  years. — .1.  C.  L. 

Adaptation  of  land  for  aflbresta* 

tion. — In  order  to  encourage  forestry  in  the 
United  Kingdom,  the  Worshipful  Company  of 
Carpenters  offered  prizes  some  months  ago  for  the 
best  essays  on  "The  Adaptation  of  Land  for 
Afforestation,"  and  the  company  has  now  had  the 
two  essays,  which  were  awarded  the  prizes, 
printed  and  published.  They  are  by  Mr.  A.  C. 
Forbes  and  Professor  W.  R.  Fisher  respectively. 
The  publishers  are  Messrs.  Laughton  and  Co., 
Limited,  Essex  Street,  Strand,  W.C. 
The  late  double  yellow  Primrose. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  floral  com- 
mittee of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
the  16th  ult.,  this  old  double  yellow  Primrose  was 
sent  by  two  difierent  persons  as  a  novelty,  it 
having,  it  was  said,  been  discovered  wild  in  th& 
woods.  In  each  case  the  exhibitor  appeared  to- 
think  he  had  acquired  something  distinctly  new. 
It  would,  therefore,  apppear  that  the  common 
single  yellow  Primrose  will  here  and  there  develop 
into  the  double  form.  Did  all  the  many  varieties 
of  double  Primroses  come  originally  from  the  single 
form  ?  Some  years  ago  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  made  an  award  to  the  double  yellow  as  Cloth 
of  Gold,  but  it  cannot  be  accepted  as  distinct  from 
the  ordinary  late  double  yellows. — R.  D. 

Nature  study  at  the  Horticultural 

College,  Swanley.— A  course  for  those  who 
are  desirous  of  furthering  their  knowledge  of 
Nature  study  will  be  held  at  the  Horticultural 
College,  Swanley,  from  August  1  to  13.  The 
instruction  will  be  given  entirely  (weather  per- 
mitting) out  of  doors,  rambles  in  the  country  under 
the  guidance  of  naturalists  being  the  chief  feature. 
An  introductory  and  a  valedictory  lecture  will  be 
given  by  the  Hon.  Sir  John  Cockburn,  K.C.M.G., 
and  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Medd  respectively.  Application 
for  form  of  entrance  and  further  particulars  should 
be  made  to  Miss  Sieveking,  hon.  secretary,  17, 
Manchester  Square,  W.  In  the  annual  report  of 
the  Swanley  Horticultural  College  we  read  that 
"the  demand  for  women  gardeners  continues,  but 
though  the  supply  of  students  possessing  the 
necessary  amount  of  experience  for  posts  as  head 
gardeners  is  insufficient  to  meet  the  demand,  yet  a 
greater  choice  of  under  gardeners'  situations  would 
be  welcomed  to  ensure  further  scope  and  variety  of 
knowledge  for  beginners. 

Meteorological    notes    for  1903.— 

Mr.  James  Whitton,  superintendent  of  parks,. 
Glasgow,  has  issued  his  annual  Meteorological 
Notes  for  1903,  and  the  effect  of  the  weather  upon 
vegetation.  In  order  to  preserve  the  continuity 
of  the  series,  the  notes  have  been  compiled,  as  in 
former  years,  from  the  records  kept  at  Queen's  Park,. 
Glasgow.  "  Comparing  the  records  -n-ith  those 
of  previous  years,  the  most  outstanding  feature 
of  1903  is  the  heavy  rainfall  registered,  the  amount 
(55 '52  inches)  being  greatly  in  excess  of  the  average 
of  the  past  twelve  years.  The  first  three  months- 
were  abnormally  wet.  March  proved  the  wettest 
month  of  the  year,  having  only  two  dry  days,  and 
a  rainfall  of  8-31  inches.  The  other  months  with 
excessive  rainfall  were — January,  with  7  04  inches  ; 
February,  with  7'11  inches;  August,  with  6-28 
inches ;  and  October,  with  7 '10  inches.  The  heaviest 
fall  for  twenty-four  hours  was  2  02  inches,  regis- 
tered on  the  morning  of  February  9.  The  other 
occasions  when  over  an  inch  was  recorded  were — ■ 
.lanuary  10,  with  1-30  inches  ;  February  8,  with 
1'71  inches;  and  August  31,  with  1'25  inches. 
April  again  belied  its  reputation  for  showers,  as  it 


384 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


was  the  driest  month  of  the  year,  having  only 
1'42  inches  of  rain.  April,  1902,  however,  had 
only  0  83  inch.  The  number  of  days  on  which  no 
rain  was  registered  was  138,  compared  with  185 
dry  days  in  1902.  Regarding  the  temperature,  in 
comparing  the  records  with  those  of  the  preceding 
year,  it  is  found  that  the  monthly  averages  are 
again  low,  and  it  is  remarkable  that  the  averages 
for  the  year  are  practically  the  same  as  those  of 
1902.  The  thermometer  in  the  shade  was  at  or 
below  freezing  point  (32°  Fahr.)  on  sixty-seven 
days,  and  on  forty-eight  occasions  frost,  amounting 
in  all  to  286",  was  registered,  as  compared  with 
392°  on  fifty  occasions,  with  the  freezing  point 
reached  sixty-five  times,  in  1902.  The  lowest 
reading  of  the  thermometer  was  on  January  13, 
when  it  registered  20°  of  frost.  The  lowest 
reading  in  the  preceding  year  was  10°,  or  22°  of 
frost,  on  February  14.  On  eight  days  during  the 
year  the  temperature  did  not  rise  above  freezing 
point  ;  the  same  happened  in  1902.  January  was 
the  coldest  month,  with  frost  on  thirteen  days, 
totalling  113°.  In  1902  January  had  134°  on 
twelve  days,  and  February  149°  on  fourteen  days, 
the  latter  being  thus  the  coldest  month  of  that 
year.  The  warmest  month  was  July,  with  an 
average  maximum  temperature  of  62°  and  an 
average  minimum  of  50°.  The  absence  of  heat  is 
noteworthy,  as  the  thermometer  in  the  shade  was 
only  at  70°  on  three  occasions  during  the  year, 
while  in  1902  it  was  at  or  above  70°  six  times,  and 
in  1901  twenty-four  times." 

Tulip  notes. — We  were  much  struck  with 
the  enormous  wealth  of  the  Darwin,  cottage,  and 
other  May-flowering  Tulips  that  were  gathered 
together  on  Tuesday,  May  17,  at  the  Drill  Hall, 
from  so  many  sources  and  from  such  long  dis- 
tances. There  is  in  this  an  ample  proof  of  the 
far-reaching  effect  and  importance  of  bringing 
these  showy  flowers  to  what  is  both  practically 
and  virtually  the  head-quarters  of  British  horti- 
culture, where  they  can  be  seen  by  a  large  repre- 
sentative body  of  flower  lovers,  both  of  town  and 
country.  On  the  last  occasion  there  were  large 
collections  of  Tulips  from  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson 
and  Son,  Limited,  of  Belfast  and  Dublin  ;  from 
Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  also  of  Dublin ; 
from  Messrs.  Bath,  Wisbech  ;  from  Messrs.  Barr, 
Messrs.  Veitch,  and  from  the  well-known  bulb 
firm  of  Messrs.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester. 
What  cannot  fail  to  impress  even  a  casual  visitor 
is  the  great  solidity  of  many  of  the  kinds,  a 
feature  alone  that  so  admiraby  fits  them  for  garden 
use  and  general  decorative  purposes.  The  brilliant 
colours  in  some  of  these  goblet-like  flowers,  the 
great  firmness  and  substance  of  the  segments,  the 
long  duration  of  the  flowers  when  expanded,  assist 
in  making  these  Tulips  famous  in  the  garden  in  the 
month  of  May.  But  famous  as  they  are,  there  is 
room  for  a  freer  use  of  them  as  garden  flowers 
generally.  Imagine  some  of  these  monster-cupped 
fiowers  on  giant  stems,  2  feet  high,  and  further 
imagine  a  spacious  bed  with  a  hundred  or  two 
hundred  bulbs  so  placed  that  the  midday  sun  is 
■over  them,  and  a  picture  of  brilliance  is  revealed 
of  which  no  other  May-flowering  plant  is  capable. 
We  have  experience  of  some  of  these  flowers  and 
some  idea  of  their  great  merit,  and  we  plead  for  a 
greater  use  of  the  flower  that  surpasses  all  else  in 
brilliant  colouring.  They  are  as  amenable  to  the 
field  and  the  farm  as  to  the  ordinary  flower-bed  in 
the  garden  ;  indeed,  it  may  surprise  not  a  few  of 
those  who  saw  the  flowers  on  Tuesday  week  to 
learn  that  the  large  majority  were  from  the  open 
■field,  the  blossoms  cut  direct  from  broad  acres  in 
rude  health  and  vigour.  We  make  this  statement 
as  we  frequently  hear  remarks  about  their  having 
■been  grown  under  glass  and  so  forth.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  a  glass  structure  is  exactly  what  these 
May-flowering  kinds  most  dislike,  and  nothing 
-would  more  quickly  prove  their  undoing  than  the 
weakening  effect  of  a  glass  structure  upon  these 
handsome  and  bold  flowers.  Another  item  of  which 
.a  mistaken  view  is  by  no  means  uncommon  is  that 
these  Tulips  are  expensive,  whereas  the  majority 
of  the  best  and  most  worthy  are  extremely  low 
priced.  Novelties  there  are,  without  doubt,  and 
ever  will  be,  but  these,  while  of  course  desirable, 
;are  not  essential.     How  greatly  these  things  are 


prized  may  be  seen  in  the  eager  applications  for 
flowers  on  the  day  of  the  show  ;  and  certainly, 
whether  in  the  garden  or  the  drawing-room,  the 
wealth  of  beauty  these  reveal  must  be  ever 
welcome  ;  indeed,  it  is  not  too  much  to  suggest 
that  a  good  selection  should  be  grown  entirely  for 
cutting,  for  which  purpose  the  more  showy  self 
kinds  would  prove  invaluable.  Of  those  we  have 
in  mind  are  such  as  Clara  Butt,  salmon  rose ; 
Calypso,  cerise-crimson  ;  Loveliness,  rose-carmine  ; 
Margaret,  soft  pink  ;  Europe,  carmine ;  Norma, 
salmon  rose,  with  pink  border  ;  Pride  of  Haarlem, 
brilliant  dark  rose  ;  Mrs.  Farncombe  Sanders,  fine 
crimson-scarlet ;  Suzon,  delicate  pink,  with  rose- 
pink  internally.  In  the  nearly  black  flowered 
kinds  the  Sultan,  Zulu,  Le  Noir,  and  Negro  are 
all  conspicuous  and  good.  Quite  apart  from  the 
above,  all  of  which  are  of  the  Darwin  section, 
there  is  yet  an  endless  wealth  of  beauty  in  the 
so-called  cottage,  single,  late,  or  May-flowering 
Tulips.  In  these  alone  there  is  not  only  much  to 
admire,  but  ample  variety  to  suit  all,  and  at 
prices  low  enough  to  tempt  a  large  number  of 
flower  lovers  into  growing  them  by  the  hundred 
or  thousand. — E.  H.  Jenkins. 

A    prospective    schedule    of    the 
National    Rose    Society    wanted.— 

Would  it  not  be  practicable  to  issue  a  memoran- 
dum with  the  ordinary  schedule  of  this  society  to 
intimate  certain  special  classes  which  will  be  open 
for  competition  in  the  following  year  ?  In  making 
such  a  suggestion,  I  have  in  mind  principally  the 
decorative  features  of  the  exhibition,  such  as  pillar 
Roses  in  pots  and  other  Roses  in  pots  to  form 
arches  or  to  illustrate  bedding  and  massing.  All 
who  grow  this  class  of  plant  know  only  too  well  how 
important  it  is  to  have  plants  established  two  or 
three  years,  especially  those  of  a  climbing  nature, 
and  no  one  can  say  that  a  well-flowered  plant  of  a 
climbing  or  pillar  Rose  can  be  produced  in  one  year. 
I  think  this  National  Show  is  deprived  of  much 
beautj'  owing  to  the  inability  of  growers  to  make 
arrangements  for  pot  plants  in  the  short  time  at 
their  disposal  between  the  issuing  of  the  schedule 
and  the  exhibition  itself,  whereas  if  the  provisional 
notice  were  given  there  would  be  an  opportunity 
to  would-be  exhibitors  to  make  such  arrangements 
as  they  thought  desirable.  I  do  not  think  we 
shall  have  a  perfect  National  Rose  Show  until 
there  are  arches  of  Roses,  with  the  fresh  appear- 
ance which  pot  plants  would  give  and  which  cut 
sprays  do  not  supply — pillars  of  Roses,  standard 
Roses,  and  other  picturesque  features  produced  by 
pot-grown  specimens.  If  the  beautiful  feature  of 
the  May  Rose  Show  at  the  Temple  could  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  July  exhibition  at  the  same  place 
what  a  grand  show  it  would  be.  I  bring  this 
matter  forward,  knowing  as  I  do  that  there  is  a 
desire  on  the  part  of  the  officials  to  conform  to  the 
wishes  of  the  public  for  more  picturesque  displays, 
and  I  feel  that  sufficient  notice  is  not  now  given  in 
order  to  obtain  the  best  results. — P. 

Destroying  garden   pests.— At  this 

time  of  the  year  garden  pests  are  accumulating 
greatly,  and  their  work  will  soon  cause  an  outcry 
of  complaint  of  riddled  Cabbages  of  all  varieties. 
Gooseberry  bushes  denuded  of  foliage,  worm-eaten 
Apples,  &c.  I  always  look  to  my  Gooseberry 
bushes,  and  by  lifting  up  the  branches  can  gather  a 
goodly  quantity  of  pests  and  drop  them  into  a  can 
of  liquid  that  soon  kills  them.  But  now  is  the 
grand  time  for  the  insidious  butterfly  and  moth. 
Little  do  many  think  about  the  pretty  little  white- 
winged  insect  flitting  airily  from  plant  to  plant 
of  carefully  treasured  Enfield  Market,  Savoys, 
Brussels  Sprouts,  &c.,  forgetful  of  the  fact  that 
each  time  she  settles  for  a  moment  she  deposits  on 
the  leaf  an  egg  that  in  a  few  days  becomes  a  green 
caterpillar,  to  the  ruin  of  the  crop.  For  seasons  I 
have  been  going  to  suggest  a  very  practical  plan  for 
destroying  these  pests,  that  I  have  successfully 
adopted  for  many  years.  It  was  revealed  to  me  by 
accident.  I  was  then  a  young  man  with  a  family, 
and  whilst  sticking  some  Peas  I  held  a  good 
branching  light  piece  of  birch,  very  sprayed,  that 
I  was  going  to  place  in  the  row,  when  on  an  adja- 
cent bed  of  rich  young  Cabbage  plants  just  planted 
I  observed  several  white  butterflies  sporting  to  my 
detriment.     Skipping  hurriedly  across,  in  a  minute 


I  had  struck  down  five  of  the  marauders,  every  time 
I  struck  down  went  ray  enemy.  With  a  cap  or  a 
net  it  is  difficult  to  catch  a  butterfly,  but  here  was 
a  splendidly  effective  weapon.  I  soon  gave  one  to 
each  of  my  boys  and  girls,  and  inaugurated  butterfly 
hunts  so  successfully  that  when  others  complained 
of  having  their  plants  riddled  I  could  show  beds 
of  splendid  plants,  thanks  to  my  butterfly  bats  and 
hand  picking.  Such  being  the  result  of  an  indi- 
vidual exeition,  what  would  be  the  result  if  the 
plan  were  generally  adopted  ?  Butterflies  would 
soon  become  scarce,  especially  if  whole  families  of 
children  in  each  village  were  stimulated  to  the 
work  by,  say,  Id.  per  100  for  dead  ones.  I  leave 
to  others  to  calculate  how  many  eggs  a  butterfly 
deposits  in  a  season. — 6.  R.  King,  Eaat  Horndon, 
Emex. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


IRIS    TINGITANA. 

1WAS  interested  in  reading  Mr.  Coutts'  note 
from  Killerton  ou  this  Iris  (page  250),  which, 
as  a  rule,  proves  a  difficult  subject  to  flower. 
In  my  note  that  accompanied  the  photograph 
of  Iris  tingitana  in  flower  in  a  Cornish  garden 
(Vol.  LXIII.,  page  41)  I  stated  that  about  a 
foot  beneath  the  bulbs  a  thick  layer  of  manure 
had  been  placed,  and  I  notice  that  Mr.  Coutts 
mixed  well-rotted  manure  with  his  rich  loam,  with 
the  satisfactory  result  that  almost  every  bulb 
flowered.  It  is,  therefore,  apparently  evident  that 
in  this  country  the  Tangiers  Iris  requires  rich  food, 
although  it  does  not  receive  this  in  its  native 
habitat.  This  bears  out  Mr.  Elwes's  theory  that 
Cape  bulbs  and  those  from  warmer  countries  than 
our  own  require  stimulants  to  counteract  the 
effects   of    our    colder   climate.     The    bed   of   Iris 


MECONOraiS   ACPLEATA. 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEM. 


385 


tingitana  illustrated  in  Vol.  LXIII.  has  not 
flowered  satisfactorily  this  season,  but  I  saw  some 
expanded  blossoms  when  I  was  in  Cornwall  in 
March,  and  was  told  by  a  friend  that  he  saw 
twenty-four  full-blown  flowers  in  a  bed  in  a 
Penzance  garden.  My  own  dozen  bulbs,  though 
they  flowered  well  last  year,  have  not  bloomed 
this  season.  Had  they  been  lifted  after  they  died 
down  and  replanted  in  October  after  the  bed  was 
^remade  they  would  doubtless  have  behaved  in  a 
more  satisfactory  manner.  At  all  events  this 
treatment  will  be  followed  in  the  present  season. 

S.  W.  FiTZHBRBEBT. 


MECONOPSIS    ACULEATA. 

A  VERY  fine  form  of  this  handsome  Himalayan 
perennial  Meconopsis,  which  flowered  in  the  rock 
garden  at  Kew  in  the  middle  of  May,  is  shown  in 
the  illustration.  It  is  seldom  little  more  than  a 
foot  in  height,  but  the  present  specimen  is  quite 
2J  feet  high,  with  leaves  the  largest  of  which  is 
■Sinches  long  and  between  2  inches  and  3  inches 
broad  at  the  widest  part.  The  large  flowers, 
3  inches  in  diameter,  on  first  opening  have  a  tinge 
of  purple  in  them,  but  change  after  a  time  to  a 
beautiful  blue.  The  beauty  of  the  flower  is  further 
enhanced  by  the  ring  of  yellow  stamens,  which 
have  blue  filaments,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  seen 
the  round  green  capsule.  Seeds  of  this  particular 
plant  were  received  from  the  botanic  garden  of 
Saharunpur  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1900,  having 
been  collected  in  the  district  of  Hazara  in  the 
previous  year.  A  few  seeds  only  germinated,  and 
one  of  the  plants  flowered  last  year,  but  was  only  a 
few  inches  high  with  small  flowers.  This  year, 
however,  it  attained  its  present  size,  but  other 
plants  which  were  raised  at  the  same  time  have 
not  yet  flowered.  It  is  planted  in  a  mixture  of 
peat  and  loam,  and  in  a  position  facing  north,  but 
It  is  exposed  to  most  of  the  morning  sun.  This 
species  is  a  native  of  the  Western  Himalayas, 
from  Kashmir  to  Kumaon,  growing  at  elevations 
of  11,000  feet  to  15,000  feet.  It  first  flowered  in 
this  country  in  June  of  1864,  when  it  was  figured 
in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  5456.  The  flowers 
are  here  represented  of  a  purple  colour,  while  in 
Royle'a  "  Botany  of  the  Himalayan  Mountains  " 
the  colour  is  almost  brick-red.  This  has  been 
explained  by  the  fact  that  the  figure  was  drawn 
from  dried  specimens.  It  is  evidently  variable  in 
colour,  as  Mr.  Duthie  tells  me  that  he  has  seen  a 
pure  white  form,  but  was  unable  to  procure  seeds 
at  the  time,  so  that  this  desirable  variety  has  yet 
to  be  obtained. 

Although  the  number  of  species  contained  in  this 
genus  is  over  twenty,  less  than  six  are  in  general 
cultivation,  including  the  well  known  Welsh  Poppy 
M.  oambriea.  This  and  two  Californian  species, 
M.  heterophylla  and  M.  crassifolia,  are  the  only 
western  representatives  of  a  genus  which  is 
essentially  Asiatic,  being  spread  over  the  Himalayas 
to  Tibet  and  China  and  Japan. 

M.  grandis,  from  Sikkim,  where  it  is  found  at 
an  elevation  of  14,000  feet,  is  a  perennial,  forming 
tufts  with  lanceolate  leaves  1  foot  in  length  on 
long  petioles.  The  large  flowers  .3  inches  to 
4  inches  in  diameter,  of  a  purple  colour,  passing 
into  blue,  with  a  ring  of  orange  stamens,  are  pro- 
duced singly  on  naked  peduncles  about  1  foot  high. 
M.  nepalensis  is  a  tall-growing  biennial  with 
dark  purple  flowers,  in  habit  like  M.  Wallichii,  of 
which  it  has  been  called  a  variety  under  the  name 
of  rubro-f  usca. 

M.  paniculata,  the  yellow-flowered  biennial,  is  a 
handsome  plant,  and  has  long  been  grown  under 
the  name  of  M.  nepalensis,  which  name  it  still 
retains  in  many  gardens. 

M.  Wallichii,  the  Satin  Poppywort,  is  perhaps 
the  best  known  and  one  of  the  most  useful  plants 
of  the  genus.  It  reaches  a  height  of  5  feet  or 
more,  and  bears  numerous  flowers  in  branching 
panicles.  Like  some  of  the  other  species,  the 
flowers  vary  in  colour  from  purple  to  blue.  Also 
a  biennial,  this  plant  dies  after  flowering,  and  as 
it  is  often  two  to  three  years  in  reaching  this 
stage,  it  is  necessary  to  raise  plants  every  spring 
and  have  them  coming  on  in  pots  ready  to  plant 
out  when  of  sufficient  size. 


ANDBOSACE  SARMENTOSA   IN  TUB  ROCK   GARDEN   AT   KEW. 


Other  species  recently  introduced  and  sparingly 
represented  in  various  seedling  stages  in  one  or 
two  gardens  and  nurseries  are  MI.  hella,  a  dwarf 
tufted  plant,  4  inches  to  5  inches  high,  with 
pinnatisect  leaves  and  solitary  flowers,  from  Sikkim. 
M.  integrifolia,  from  China  and  Tibet,  with  entire 
narrow  leaves  9  inches  to  12  inches  long  and  rather 
stout,  leafy  stems,  bearing  large  yellow  flowers 
about  6  inches  in  diameter.  31.  piinicea,  a  solitary 
flowered  species,  also  from  China,  with  entire 
leaves  and  flowers  as  large  as  the  preceding  species. 
M.  racemosa  has  a  habit  similar  to  that  of  M. 
aculeata,  and  is  very  prickly  like  that  plant,  but 
has  entire  leaves.  It  is  a  native  of  China  and 
Tibet.  M.  simplicifolia,  from  Sikkim  and  Tibet, 
has  almost  entire  leaves,  incised  on  the  margins, 
and  solitary  violet-purple  flowers.  The  last  species 
was  introduced  before  in  1855.  The  Californian 
species  M.  heterophylla  is  a  charming  annual,  with 
pinnatisect  leaves  and  branching  stems,  about 
1  foot  high,  and  nearly  brick-red  flowers  with  a 
dark  centre.  A  free-growing  plant,  it  ripens  seed 
freely,  and  although  only  introduced  a  few  years 
ago  it  promises  soon  to  become  plentiful. 

W.  Irving. 


ANDROSACE  SARMENTOSA. 
The  members  of  this  genus  are  not  considered  to 
be  among  the  easiest  plants  to  grow,  but  given 
suitable  positions  a  few  of  them  well  repay  the  little 
extra  care  and  trouble  necessary  to  ensure  their  well 
being.  Among  these  few  is  A.  sarmentosa,  a  native  of 
rooky  pastures  in  the  Himalayas,  from  Sikkim  to 
Kashmir,  at  elevations  of  11,000  feet  to  12,000  feet. 
A  variable  plant  in  some  of  its  forms  it  approaches 
A.  lanuginosa,  but  is  less  silky  than  that  species, 
with  larger  rosettes  of  broader  leaves,  and  pro- 
ducing stolons,  which  root  as  they  spread,  quickly 
forming  large  carpets,  and  studded  with  umbels  of 
rose-coloured  flowers  in  May.  The  flowers  are 
deeper  in  colour  towards  the  centre,  which  is  pale 
yellow.  Given  a  rocky  ledge  in  full  sunshine, 
planted  in  light,  sandy  loam  or  peat,  it  soon 
makes  itself  at  home,  and  even  when  not  in  flower 
its  rosettes  of  leaves  are  attractive.  Suffering 
from  damp  in  the  winter  it  is  generally  necessary 
to  cover  the  whole  plant  with  a  piece  of  glass  raised 
a  few  inches  above  it  and  in  a  slanting  direction  to 
throw  off  the  rain.  In  the  "Flora  of  British 
India "  four  varieties  of  this  species  are  given, 
including  A.  foliosa,  which  is  generally  regarded 
as  a  distinct  species,  but  which,  taken  in  a  broad 


sense,  is  really  the  maximum  form  of  the  species 
connected  with  the  ordinary  one  by  intermediate 
varieties.  The  present  illustration  is  from  a  photo- 
graph taken  in  the  rook  garden  at  Kew  of  a  plant 
in  a  sunny  position  facing  south.  W.  I. 

HOMERIA  COLLINA. 
This  pretty  Cape  bulb  is  rarely  met  with  in 
gardens,  yet  none  who  have  once  grown  it  would 
dream  of  discontinuing  its  culture.  Where 
Sparaxis  succeed  the  Homeria  will  undoubtedly 
flourish,  as  it  is  hardier  than  the  Sparaxis  and 
increases  much  more  rapidly,  while  it  is  far  more 
robust  than  the  Ixia,  and  proves  thoroughly  at 
home  in  a  border  where  the  Ixia  will  not  live  two 
seasons.  The  flowers  are  of  a  charming  buff-pink 
colour,  with  a  yellow  eye,  and  measure  2J  inches 
across.  Four  or  more  are  borne  on  a  stem  about 
30  inches  in  height,  and  the  foliage  is  long  and 
narrow,  the  leaves  being  over  4  feet  in  length  and 
five-eighths  of  an  inch  in  breadth.  The  Homeria 
is  now  in  full  flower,  and  a  large  clump  of  about 
fifty  bloom-spikes  creates  a  beautiful  picture  in  the 
full  sunlight.  The  flowers  close  in  the  evening  and 
remain  shut  through  the  night.  I  was  given  a 
small  clump  which  had  made  a  few  inches  of 
growth  three  years  ago,  and  the  bulbs  increased  so 
rapidly  that  I  was  able  to  give  away  150,  some  of 
them  flowering  bulbs,  when  I  divided  the  clump 
last  autumn.  S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 


HARDY    EVERGREEN     OAKS. 

(Continued   from  page    S71.) 

QUERCUS  TURNER!  (Turner's 
k  Hybrid  Oak).  —  According  to 
I  Loudon,  this  Oak  was  raised  in 
'  a  nursery  in  Essex  about  1795. 
It  is  generally  supposed  to  be  a 
hybrid  between  the  Holm  Oak 
-  (Q.  Ilex)  and  the  common  Oak. 
From  the  first  of  these,  of  course,  it  inherits 
its  evergreen,  or  nearly  evergreen,  character, 
]  but  in  size  and  shape  of  leaf  it  more  nearly 
resembles  those  of  the  deciduous  parent.  They 
are  from  2i  inches  to  5  inches  long  by  1  inch 
to  If  inche"s  wide,  and  bright  dark  green.  The 
margins  are  handsomely  cut  into  large,  rounded 
teeth.  Both  surfaces  are  smooth,  the  lower 
one  rather  glaucous,  but  the  midrib,  leaf -stalk, 


386 


THE    GAKDEN. 


[June  4,  1904, 


and  more  especially  the  young  bark  are  bairy.  question.  Q.  vibrayeana  in  Japan  forms  a  tree 
In  habit  this  Oak  is  naturally  a  small,  bushy  40  feet  high.  Its  slender-stalked  leaves  are 
tree,  branching  near  the  ground.  It  produces  i  narrow,  lanceolate,  2  inches  to  4  inches  long, 
fertile  acorns,  which  are  rather  less  than  1  inch  with  a  long,  tapering  point,  some  of  them 
long.  Although  its  origin  and  general  charac-  almost  Willow-like.  The  margins  from  the 
terwere  clearly  defined  by  Loudon,  the  identity  middle  to  the  apex  are  minutely  toothed,  and 
of  this  Oak  appears  to"  have  been  lost  until ,  the  lower  surface  is  slightly  glaucous.     It  is 


appears 
recently.  It  has  been,  and  is,  known  in 
nurseries  by  several  other  names,  the  com- 
monest of  which  is  Q.  austriaca  splendens.  It 
has  also  been  confused  with  a  Japanese  species, 
Q.  glandulifera,  and  was  described  and  figured 
as  such  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  Decem- 
ber 4,  1880.  It  is  a  handsome  and  interesting 
Oak,  and,  whilst  not  strictly  evergreen— for  it 
loses  its  leaves  towards  the  end  of  a  hard 
winter— it  is  a  desirable  tree  in  positions  where 
only  low  trees  can  be  planted.    It  has  in  times 


undoubtedly  closely  related  to  the  Q.  glauca 
already  described,  but,  according  to  M.  I'ranchet, 
it  diflers  by  its  female  flowers  being  more 
numerous  and  forming  an  elongated  spike.  The 
greater  part  of  these  fall  away  without  being 
fertilised,  and  ultimately  but  two  or  three  of 
the  narrow  ovate  acorns  are  left  to  ripen  on 
the  spike. 

Q.  virginiana  syn.  Q.  virens  (Live  Oak). — 
It  is  only  in  such  districts  as  Cornwall  or  the 
mildest  parts  of  Ireland  that  this  Oak  is  likely 


past  been  extensively  planted  in  the  grounds  to  thrive  \vithin  the  limits  of  the  British  Isles. 


at  Kew.  One  of  the  largest  specimens  is  over 
30  feet  high,  with  a  trunk  nearly  4  feet  in 
circumference. 

Q.  vibrayeana.— This  Oak  was  named  by  the 
late  M.  Franchet  in  honour  of  the  Marquis  de 
Vibraye,  whom  he  described  as  a  well-known 
French  arboriculturist,  who  interested  himself 
particularly  in  the  cultivation  of  the  Japanese 
evergreen  Oaks,  of  which  this  is  one.  Under 
its  correct  name  the  species  is  little  known  in 
gardens  at  present,  and  but  two  small  speci- 
mens, which  were  received  from  the  Tokio 
Botanic  Garden,  are  in  the  Kew  collection.    I 


It  would  be  interesting  to  know  of  any  speci- 
mens that  may  exist  in  Great  Britain.  Philip 
Miller  is  said  to  have  cultivated  it  in  the 
Chelsea  Botanic  Garden  in  1739,  so  that  if  it 
will  thrive  at  all  there  ought  to  be  specimens 
of  goodly  size  somewhere  in  the  country. 
Loudon,  sixty  years  ago,  mentioned  a  tree  at 
Kew  between  40  feet  and  .50  feet  high,  and 
also  published  an  illustration  of  a  specimen 
growing  at  the  same  time  in  the  Duke  of 
Devonshire's  garden  at  Chiswick.  It  is  almost 
certain,  however,  that  neither  of  them  was  the 
true  Live  Oak  of  North  America,  but  simply 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


A' 


am,  however,  inclined  to  think  that  it  has  been  ,  forms  of  Q.  Ilex.  Plants  have  been  obtained 
for  some  years  in  cultivation  under  other  i  within  the  last  few  years  from  America  for 
names.  The  Q.  bambustefolia  of  Dr.  Masters  I  the  Kew  collection,  but  in  spite  of  the  mild- 
(also  known  as  Q.  acuta  var.  bambusajfolia)  \  ness  of  recent  winters  the  species  has  shown 
appears  to  me  to  be  the  same  thing,  and  1 1  that  it  is  too  tender  for  our  climate.  It  is  a 
have  seen  plants  of  Q.  glauca  which  in  foliage  :  native  of  the  south-eastern  United  States,  and 
at  least  do  not  differ.  In  the  absence  of  acorns, '  reaches  no  further  north  than  Virginia.  Both 
&c.,  however,  one  cannot  dogmatise  on  such  a  cultivated  and  wild  it  is  a  magnificent  tree, 

and  its  timber  is  exceedingly  valu- 
able. In  the  southern  cities  of  the 
United  States  it  is  extensively 
planted  as  a  shade  tree  for  streets. 
The  leaves  are  2  inches  to  3  inches 
long,  oblong,  whitish  beneath  when 
young,  blunt  at  the  apex,  and 
entire.  The  little  woodcuts  that 
Loudon  published  in  his  "Arbo- 
retum" show  pointed,  distinctly 
toothed  leaves,  which  appears  to  be 
a  further  proof  that  the  trees  he 
knew  were  really  Q.  Ilex. 

Q.  Wislize?ii.So  far  as  I  am 
aware,  this  species  is  only  repre- 
sented in  English  gardens  as  yet 
by  small  specimens.  It  appears  to 
have  been  first  introduced  to  Kew, 
where  it  is  evidently  quite  hardy. 
It  is  a  native  of  Western  North 
America,  being  very  plentiful  in 
parts  of  California  near  the  coast. 
It  has  the  habit  common  to  most 
of  the  evergreen  Oaks,  being  a 
round-topped  tree  with  a  short, 
thick  trunk  and  spreading  branches. 
It  varies  in  size  according  to  the 
conditions  under  which  it  exists, 
from  a  mere  shrub  to  trees  70  feet 
or  more  high.  Usually  it  is  about 
midway  between  those  extremes. 
The  leaf  is  narrow,  oblong,  with 
a  tapering,  pointed  apex,  deep 
shining  green  above,  paler  beneath ; 
on  our  specimen  they  measure  from 
1  inch  to  3  inches  long  by  half  an 
inch  or  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
wide,  the  margins  set  with  thin 
teeth,  and  the  surface  smooth.  The 
acorn  is  about  1  inch  long,  of  slender 
shape,  the  lower  half  or  two-thirds 
clasped  by  the  cup.     W.  J.  Bean. 


PRUNING   FRUIT  TREES. 

the  object  of  fruit  tree  pruning  is  to 
maintain  trees  in  health  and  en- 
courage fruitfulness,  their  habits  of 
growth  must  have  consideration. 
Apple  trees  in  their  early  stages 
grow  freely  and  quickly  develop 
into  good-sized  trees,  therefore  to  prune  them 
to  such  an  extent  as  to  restrict  them  consider- 
ably neither  tends  to  promote  health  nor 
fruitfulness.  During  a  long  period,  ending 
about  fourteen  years  ago,  I  pruned  a  section  of 
trees  of  difi'erent  forms  on  what  is  termed  the 
cordon  or  spur  system.  Leading  growths  were 
cut  back  to  within  about  1  foot  of  their  bases, 
and  the  side  growths  to  2  inches  or  3  inches. 
By  this  method  trees  were  formed,  each  with 
cordon-like  branches  covered  with  spurs  their 
full  length.  So  far  as  appearance  is  concerned 
they  were  all  that  could  be  desired,  but  on  the 
whole  they  did  not  fruit  so  freely  as  could  be 
wished,  neither  was  the  health  of  the  trees 
satisfactory.  Canker  was  present,  which  I 
believe  was  brought  about  to  a  great  extent 
by  excessive  pruning.  While  this  section  was 
being  pruned  there  was  another  plantation  of 
standards  left  almost  unpruned,  and  which 
bore  much  better  crops.  The  better  cropping 
of  the  unpruned  trees  suggested  that  close 
pruning  was  not  conducive  to  fruitfulness  ; 
therefore,  since  the  period  mentioned,  upon 
the  trees  which  had  been  closely  pruned 
previously  the  annual  growths  were  left  their 
full  length.  To  prevent  crowding  of  foliage 
and  the  exclusion  of  sun  and  air,  instead  of 
being  pruned  closely  growths  were  thinned  out 
while  the  foliage  was  off.  The  trees  which 
were  closely  pruned  in  the  earlier  period  have 
increased  in  size,  and  much  improved  in  health 
and  fruitfulness. 

One  illustration  represents  Apple  Claygate 
Pearmain,  taken  after  its  growths  had  been 
thinned.  It  is  about  20  feet  high,  and  as  nearly 
as  m  any  feet  through.  Trees  thus  allowed  to  grow 
freely  occupy  a  large  space  of  ground.  They 
need  to  be  planted  10  feet  from  the  edge  of 
walks,  and  20  feet  must  be  allowed  between 
them  in  the  line. 

Plum  trees  in  the  open  fruit  well  when  the 
growth  is  thinned  in  the  same  way  as  for 
Apples  instead  of  being  closely  pruned.  Pear 
trees  are  more  amenable  to  close  pruning  ;  the 
cordon  or  spur  system  answers  well  for  them. 
The  other  illustration  is  of  a  Pear  tree 
(Thomson's)  about  14  feet  high. 

The  Gardens,  Hatfield.  G.  Noeman. 


IN 


A  TREE   OF  THOMPSON  S    1"'«' 
COKKECT  fRUMNG. 


AT   IIATFIFI.li,    SHOWING 
(Hciijlt  II,  feet.) 


PROTECTING    STRAWBERRIES 
FLOWER. 

As  several  correspondents  have  pointed  out,  protec- 
tion of  some  sort  is  often  necessary  if  a  good  Straw- 
berry crop  is  to  be  obtained.  While  the  method 
advocated  of  arranging  a  framework  of  wood  and 
covering  with  canvas  or  a  double  thickness  of 
netting  is  an  excellent  arrangement  for  narrow 
borders,  it  is  not  practicable  with  most  gardeners 
for  use  on  a  large  scale,  and  in  many  small  gardens 
it  may  be  inconvenient.  I  am  not  criticising  the 
efficacy  of  the  method,  but  rather  the  difficulty 
sometimes  of  putting  it  into  practice.  It  is  sur- 
prising what  an  effectual  protection  is  given  to 
Strawberry  plants  by  covering  them  with  straw 
litter,  just  shaking  this  lightly  over  them  at  night 
when  frost  is  anticipated.  It  is  easily  and  quickly 
done,  and  if  a  sharp  frost  occurs  this  precaution 
may  make  all  the  difference  between  a  good  crop 
and  a  bad  one.  I  remember  once  of  an  instance 
where  during  a  severe  frost  in  May  nearly  an  acre 
of  Strawberry  plants  was  protected  in  this  way, 
and  a  satisfactory  crop   of  fruit  was  eventually 


June  4,  1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


387 


gathered,  while  in  neighbouring  gardens,  where 
the  main  crop  plants  were  left  to  take  their 
chance,  the  quantity  of  fruit  obtained  was  very 
small.  H.  A.  P. 


I 


THE  PROMISE  OF  FRUIT. 

I  HAVE  rarely,  if  ever,  seen  such  a  remarkable 
quantity  of  blossom  on  fruit  trees  as  this  spring, 
on  Pears,  Cherries,  and  Plums  especially.  The 
gardens  and  market  orchards  in  many  parts  of  the 
country  have  been  a  beautiful  sight  during  the  last 
week  or  two.  In  the  near  neighbourhood  of 
London  Pear  trees  are  simply  loaded  with 
blossom,  and  the  Plum  orchards  of  Lincolnshire 
and  the  Cherry  plantations  in  Oxfordshire  are  now 
making  a  wonderful  display,  to  mention  just  three 
widely  separated  districts  I  have  recently  visited. 
While  on  this  subject  I  am  led  to  allude  to  the 
value   of   fruit    trees  as   ornamental 

flowering  trees  through  having  visited  - ^ 

quite  recently  a  garden,  where  every 
walk  in  that  part  devoted  to  the 
culture  of  fruit  and  vegetables  was 
partially  covered  by  arches,  over 
which  fruit  trees  are  trained.  The 
arches  are  planted  some  6  yards 
apart,  and  are  connected  by  means 
of  wires.  Over  the  arches  and  along 
the  wires  Apple,  Pear,  Cherry,  and 
Plum  trees  extend  their  shoots,  and 
at  the  present  time  they  make  a 
display  that  few,  if  any,  purely 
ornamental  flowering  shrubs  could 
surpass.  The  growths  of  the  Cherry 
trees  in  particular  are  simply  loaded 
with  bunches  of  blossom.  In  these 
positions  the  trees  fruit  well  also. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  garden 
gains  considerably  in  attractiveness 
when  the  walks  are  thus  covered, 
and  the  space  could  not  be  more 
eoonomioally  utilised.  The  abundance 
of  blossom  on  fruit  trees  this  year 
seems  to  upset  altogether  the  belief, 
which  most  gardeners  seem  to  have, 
that  a  dry,  sunny  autumn  is  essential 
to  a  good  set  of  fruit  the  following 
year.  Last  autumn  was  one  of  the 
wettest  we  have  ever  had,  yet  I 
should  think  that  fruit  trees  have 
rarely  been  more  heavily  loaded  with 
blossom.  Some  gardeners  are  com- 
plaining that  the  trees  will  sufl'er  in 
growth  through  flowering  so  freely, 
but  it  is  not  the  flowering  but  the 
fruiting  which  taxes  the  trees,  and 
it  is  rather  early  to  say  that  a  good 
crop  of  fruit  is  certain,  for  frost  may 
do  much  damage  yet.         A.  H.  P. 


Othello. — Dark  crimson,  small,  stained  base,  well 
formed. 

Glare  of  the  Garden. — Shining  shaded  crimson  ; 
long,  narrow  petals,  dark  base  ;  as  dark  as  Othello. 

Stella. — Rosy  crimson,  with  a  flush  of  violet  and 
stained  base  ;  a  fine  bold  flower  of  good  colour. 

Blue  Star. — Deep  bright  violet-rose,  dark  base, 
in  the  way  of  Rosalind,  but  with  more  violet  ; 
good  form,  and  very  showy. 

Rosalind. — Bright  deep  rosy  red,  pure  base; 
good  build  ;  like  a  florist's  rose  breeder. 

Tlie  Moor. — Bright  crimson-red,  with  a  black 
base  ;  medium -sized  ;  good  form. 

Firefly. — Bright  crimson,  with  slight  flakes  of 
yellow  flashing  up  from  the  base ;  medium-sized  ; 
good  form. 

Emerald  Gem. — Glistening  pale  red,  with  a  slight 
tint  of  orange  on  the  petal  edges,  dark  base ; 
medium  size. 


laid    in   a 
The  petals 


FLOWER_GARDEN. 

SOME    IRISH    TULIPS. 

A    BOXFUL  of  glorious  Tulips 

l\  has  just  reached  me  from 

/   %         Mr.    W.     B.    Hartland, 

/      \        which  were  sent  from  his 

y         ]^     grounds   at    Ard   Cairn, 

Cork.     The  flowers  were 

simply    tied    in    bunches    of    three 

or  four  blooms,   on   long  stems,    and 

box  with  some  soft  paper  about  them. 

had  welted  a  little  in  the  course  of  the  journey,  but 

a  night  in  water  stiffened  them  up  wonderfully, 

and   when   carefully  examined    the  next   morning 

they  were  as  fresh  and  rigid  as   when  first   cut. 

For  the  sake  of  ready  reference  I  have  grouped  the 

varieties  in  colours,  and  the  largest  group  includes 

maroon  and  almost  black,  crimson,  and  deep  rose, 

all  self  flowers. 

JVigrette  is  the  darkest,  almost  black,  with  a 
•dark  base ;  fine  shape,  and  solid  in  petal.  Then 
follows 

Globosa  grandiflora. — Shining   maroon-crimson; 
a  fine,  deep,  showy  flower  ;  petals  long,  but  narrow 
good  shape. 


5  APPLE  CLAYGATE  PEARMAIN  AT   HATFIELD, 
(Height  20  feet.) 


SHGWIN*  FREE  PRUNING 


Atirantiaca  maculata.  —  Scarlet,  flushed  with 
orange  ;  long,  bold  blooms,  with  a  dark  base. 

La  Merveille. — A  large  flower  of  a  deep  rosy  red 
colour,  with  a  slight  feathering  of  amber  ;  long 
petals  ;  a  bold  and  striking  flower,  with  a  slightly 
stained  yellow  base. 

Bronze  Queen. — Coppery  rose,  with  a  slight  amber 
feather ;  scarcely  an  attractive  colour  ;  medium 
size  ;  dark  base.     Of  yellow  selfs  there  are  several : 

Elegans  lutea  maxima. — Yellow,  with  a  slight 
wire  edging  of  red  to  the  petals  ;  occasionally  a 
flower  will  come  delicately  feathered  with  the 
same;  long,  pointed  petals,  pure  base;  very  showy. 

Cloth  of  Gold. — A  small  yellow,  with  an  occa- 
sional narrow  beading  of  red  to  the  petals  ;  good 
colour  ;  pointed  petals. 


tj'esnrriana  lutea. — A  glorious  pure  deep  yellow 
self,  pure  base  ;  very  large  and  bold. 

I.rioides. — Pale  bright  yellow,  with  a  black  base  ; 
good  shape. 

Lutea  pallida. — A  very  fine  soft  pure  yellow 
Tulip  ;  one  of  the  best  of  the  yellow  selfs. 

Leghorn  Bonnet. — Straw-yellow,  with  a  slightly 
darker  flame  up  each  petal,  pure  base  ;  large  and 
very  striking. 

Vitellina. — Delicate  primrose,  with  a  slight  flush- 
ing of  yellow  on  the  petal  edges  ;  very  pure ;  good 
build  ;  a  beautiful  variety.  The  only  white  self  in 
the  collection  is 

Siiouxlon. — Creamy  white,  the  points  of  the 
petals  having  a  slight  tint  of  pale  green,  pure 
base  ;  good  shape.  Striped  and  flaked  flowers  were 
represented  by 

Picta  aurea. — Deep  yellow,  feathered  with  pale 
scarlet ;  good  size  and  shape. 

Gold  Flake. — A  medium-sized,  irre- 
.   —  gularly  flaked  yellow  and  red,  pure 

'       base  ;  well-built  flower. 

Eyehright. — A  small  flower,  flaked 
yellow  and  crimson-scarlet,  slightly 
stained  base. 

Columbus.  —  Flaked  crimson  and 
gold,  pure  base ;  a  showy  variety 
with  long,  pointed  petals. 

Buenaventura. — Flaked  scarlet  and 
gold,  pure  yellow  base ;  rather  pointed 
petals ;  a  good  and  attractive  variety. 
Summer  Beauty.  —  Flaked  with 
delicate  pinky  white  and  bright  rose- 
stained  base  ;  good  petal ;  fine  bold 
flower. 

Dainty  Maid. — A  flamed  byblce- 
men,  the  pale  purple  -  violet  flame 
with  a  feathering  of  crimson-maroon, 
stained  base  ;  a  gay  variety.  A  few 
showy  varieties  can  come  under  the 
head  of  feathered  flowers,  such  as 

Sunset,  —  Gold,  heavily  feathered 
and  splashed  with  bright  orange-red; 
large  flower,  long  petals,  stained 
base  ;  very  showy. 

Billietiana  hyhrida.  —  Clear  deep 
yellow,  feathered  with  rosy  red,  pure 
base  ;  pointed  petals. 

Bibersteiniana. — Pale  yellow,  with 
a  slight  feathering  of  pale  red,  a  pure 
base,  and  very  pretty. 

Marjoleti.  — A  small  flower  of  good 
shape,  pale  yellow,  with  a  feathering 
of  crimson-scarlet  at  the  base  of  each 
petal,  stained  green  base. 

John  Buskin. — The  most  beautiful 
Tulip  of  the  whole  group,  and  one  a 
little  difficult  to  describe.  Delicate 
lilac-pink  flame,  with  a  feathering  of 
soft  yellow,  pure  base ;  a  real  gem, 
having  large,  long,  stout  petals. 

Picotee. — A  very  popular  variety, 
creamy  white,  bordered  with  pale 
pinkish  rose,  on  some  flowers  more 
heavily  than  on  others ;  pointed 
petals,  pure  base  ;  very  pretty. 

Alba  -  marginata.  —  White,    with 
slight  rosy  pmk  feathering  ;    a  small 
and   chaste   variety.       Three   others 
possess  an  individuality  of  their  own: 
Viridiflora.  —  Pale    green    petals, 
deeply   edged   with   yellow,   a   com- 
bination which  finds  many  admirers. 
The  Favm. — Soft  in  tint  and  very  beautiful,  the 
petals  flamed  with  delicate  pinkish  lilac,  with  blush 
feathering  and  pure  yellow  base  ;    medium-sized  ; 
fine  in  build  ;  a  charming  flower. 

Fairy  Queen. — Heliotrope  base,  and  pale  flame 
feathered  with  yellow  ;  medium-sized;  distinct  and 
novel. 

Most  of  the  foregoing  were  of  strong  growth, 
with  stiff,  erect  stems,  the  petals  of  some  of  the 
largest  reflexing  somewhat,  but  very  showy  in 
appearance.  The  May-flowering  species  and  varie- 
ties will  always  be  popular,  and  to  be  seen  at 
their  best  in  the  garden  should  be  in  masses  of  one 
variety.  Some  will,  no  doubt,  prefer  the  more 
symmetrical-shaped  Darwin  breeders,  but  tastes 
are  comprehensive  enough  to  include  all.     May  is 


388 


THE   GAKDEN. 


[June  4,  1904, 


the  month  of  the  Tulip,  and  if  the  flowers  are  cut 
when  about  two-thirds  expanded  they  become 
lasting  in  water,  but  a  change  of  water  and  slight 
shortening  of  the  stem  are  requisite  every  second 
day  at  least.  R.  Dean. 

SWEET  LAVENDER. 

This  old-fashioned  plant,  while  not  very  extensively 
grown  by  the  florist,  is  always  more  or  less  in 
demand  by  those  having  a  garden,  because  of  the 
lasting  fragrance  of  the  flowers,  which  are  valued 
by  the  good  housewife  to  put  in  the  linen-closet 
and  such  like  places.  It  is  rather  difficult  to 
propagate,  unless  handled  at  the  right  time  in  the 
right  way.  Cuttings  taken  in  December  from 
plants  out  of  doors,  even  when  frozen,  root  very 
readily  when  placed  in  sand  in  a  greenliouse 
having  a  temperature  of  about  60°.  The  after 
treatment  is  very  simple,  consisting  of  potting 
into  3-inch  pots,  in  which  they  can  stay  until  the 
weather  is  warm  enough  to  plant  them  in  the  open 
ground. 

The  first  year  they  will  produce  plants  about 
6  inches  high  and  6  inches  in  diameter  and  bear  a 
few  flowers.  They  grow  so  compact  and  bushy 
with  a  little  trimming  that  it  is  a  wonder  they 
have  not  been  more  extensively  used  for  edging 
walks,  &c.,  as  it  is  possible  to  keep  this  plant 
trimmed  as  closely  as  box.  In  the  Old  Country  the 
Lavender  is  often  used  as  a  small  hedge  to  separate 
the  vegetable  from  the  flower  garden,  a  very  suit- 
able place,  as  it  combines  the  qualities  of  utility 
and  ornament.  The  main  crop  of  flowers  is  pro- 
duced about  the  end  of  June,  and  if  these  are 
desired  the  shearing  should  not  take  place  until 
after  that  time,  as  they  are  produced  on  the 
strongest  shoots  of  the  new  wood.  There  seems 
to  be  some  doubt  as  to  which  is  the  true  Lavender, 
Lavendula  spica  or  Lavendula  vera.  Plants  of  both, 
obtained  from  reliable  sources,  have  always  proved 
synonymous.  As  regards  the  hardiness  of  this 
plant,  this  is  questionable  north  of  New  York.  If 
planted  on  sandy,  well-drained  soil,  it  will  come 
through  the  winters  much  better  than  when  on 
heavy  wet  soil. 

Eknest  Hemming,  in  Florists'  Exchange. 


ROOF      GARDENING. 

"  The  city  now  doth  like  a  garment  wear 
The  beauty  of  the  morning,  silent,  bare, 
Shops,  towers,  domes,  theatres,  and  temples  lie 
Open  unto  the  fields  and  to  the  sky, 
All  bright  and  glittering." 

IF  we  were  up  in  a  balloon,  and  gazing  at 
the  great  wide  sea  of  London  spreading 
at  our  feet,  we  could  not  help  seeing  that 
it  is  chimneypot-land  that  gets  the  best 
of  it  in  many  ways  ;  the  most  air,  the 
most  sunshine,  and  the  most  light.  If 
all  the  roofs  were  gardens,  how  charming 
would  be  the  summer  view  !  Considering  the 
chances  that  lie  open  to  us  and  the  advantages 
that  are  offered,  we  cannot  help  thinking  a 
good  many  opportunities  of  town  gardening 
are  lost  because  of  our  forgetfulness  of 
the  area  that  lies  between  the  roof  and  the 
sky. 

Of  course  there  are  difficulties  about  the 
use  of  these  open  spaces  for  making  gardens. 
English  houses  are  not  built  suitably  for  the 
purpose.  To  set  foot  upon  our  roofs  at  all  is 
frequently  an  acrobatic  performance  only 
possible  to  the  athletic,  and  water  is  burden- 
some to  carry  up  and  down,  but  a  little 
carpentering  and  engineering  does  wonders 
to  smooth  the  path  in  these  directions.  Steps, 
ladders,  and  rails  are  easily  arranged  and  give 
a  feeling  of  safety  on  the  giddiest  height,  and 
rain-water  may  be  caught  and  stored  in  tanks. 
But  roof  gardening  is  not  confined  merely  to 
high  altitudes,  there  are  also  the  more  accessible 
leads,  both  of  lower  buildings  and  bow  win- 
dows, and  there  are  the  upper  surfaces  of 
porches  and  doorways.    Moreover,  if  we  take 


roof  gardening  in  its  widest  sense,  verandahs 
and  balconies  may  also  be  included. 

Experience  teaches  us  that  the  most  success- 
ful gardening  in  all  these  positions  is  carried 
out  by  means  of  pots,  boxes,  barrels,  and  tubs  ; 
beds  of  soil  are  far  more  difficult  to  deal  with 
and  less  well  suited  to  the  requirements  of 
town  plants.  Tubs  are,  perhaps,  the  best 
receptacles  of  all,  and  those  who  do  not  care 
for  the  expense  of  buying  them  in  quantity 
can  easily  make  them  out  of  empty  paraffin 
casks,  or  what  the  trade  call  "  fusty "  beer 
barrels,  which  are  easily  procured  in  a  brewery 
district.  They  must  be  sawed  in  two,  exactly 
in  the  middle,  be  pierced  at  the  bottom  with 
sufficient  holes — five  at  least—  and  girded  round 
with  stout  zinc  rings  nailed  on.  If  the  barrels 
are  painted  green  and  the  circles  black  the 
effect  is  very  good.  The  tubs,  however,  want 
inside  treatment.  As  soon  as  they  are  cut  in 
two  each  half  should  be  set  upside  down  over 
a  little  fire  of  shavings  or  dry  straw  till  the 
under  surface  is  well  charred.  This  preserves 
the  wood  and  destroys  anything  that  might 
injure  the  plants.  Stout  handles  screwed  on 
are  indispensable,  as  one  is  sure  to  want  to 
move  the  tubs  about.  Now  we  have  our  tubs 
and  can  consider  how  to  furnish  them. 

Perennials  for  the  most  part  are  best  avoided, 
all  but  a  few  evergreens,  which  are  decorative, 
and,  if  kept  clean,  do  well,  but  annuals  and 
bulbs  are  the  prop  and  mainstay  of  the  roof- 
gardener  who  lives  in  town,  and  he  will  find 
that  rock  and  wall  plants  too  grow  freely. 

The  association  of  plants  with  barrels  pro- 
duces results  of  beauty  that  are  amazing. 
When  smothered  in  foliage  and  flowers  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  believe  the  foundations 
are  so  homely.  During  April  and  May  we  can 
have  the  Rock  Cresses,  Aubrietias,  and  Arabis 
tumbling  over  the  sides  and  covering  them 
with  cascades  of  blossom.  Sometimes  a  few 
holes  pierced  midway  down  the  sides  will  help, 
when  even  Creeping  Jenny  is  not  to  be  despised. 
These  flowers  will  give  gold  colour,  white, 
pink,  and  purple.  From  March  to  June  there 
are  those  dainty  Pinks,  Dianthus  caesius,  and 
D.  fimbriatus,  Saxif raga  hypnoides,  Gypsophila 
cerastoides,  the  Iberises  and  Veronicas,  with 
Myosotis  dissitiflora  the  earliest  Forget-me- 
not.  Onwards  from  June  there  are  Cam- 
panulas, Lobelias,  Ivy-leaf  Geranium,  Verbenas, 
Petunias,  Heliotrope,  Carnations,  and  Fuchsias, 
all  delightful  flowers  and  suitable  for  growing 
in  tubs,  as  they  are  free  spreaders  and  fall 
about  so  gracefully.  Carnations  only,  with  or 
without  a  border  of  Pinks,  are  very  pretty  and 
do  well  in  towns.  They  should  have  no  sticks 
among  them,  but  the  sprays  should  be  allowed 
to  grow  quite  naturally  in  a  way  we  often  see 
abroad,  but  seldom  in  England.  In  Switzer- 
land the  window-boxes  of  the  chalets  often 
billow  over  with  them,  when  the  old  Red 
Clove  looks  lovely.  Strawberries,  too,  grow 
prettily  in  tubs  and  are  worth  having,  if  only 
for  the  flowers  and  foliage. 

The  common  hardy  annuals  we  sow  in  April 
with  seed  out  of  explanatory  packets,  make  a 
brilliant  summer  show,  that  lasts  us  into 
autumn.  None  of  them  are  more  pleasing 
than  Virginia  Stock — a  plant  of  rare  good 
temper,  equally  content  in  shade  or  sun. 
Another  favourite  is  Alyssum  maritimum, 
honey-scented  and  white  as  snow.  These  two 
are  never  prettier  than  when  growing  side  by 
side. 

The  cultivation  of  annuals  is  particularly 
advantageous  to  the  roof  gardener  whose  space 
is  limited,  because  he  can  clear  the  tubs  and 
boxes  in  which  he  grew  them,  and  use  the 
same  receptacles  for  the  planting  of  his  bulbs. 
1  Casting  aside  the  last  dimmed  remnants  of 


one's  summer  flowers,  nothing  cheers  one  up  so 
much  as  making  a  nice  soft  bed  in  which  to 
lay  the  brown  and  curious  new  comers.  The 
bulbs  will  not  want  barrels,  fairly  shallow 
boxes  are  quite  deep  enough  both  for  them 
and  for  the  annuals. 

Bulbs  give  the  town  gardener,  whether  he- 
is  planting  on  a  roof  or  in  a  park,  the  most 
splendid  chances  of  success,  for,  like  the  people 
at  combination  picnics,  they  come  provided 
with  so  much  of  their  own  food.  Sunshine 
and  air  of  far  more  favoured  places  have  gone 
to  make  them  what  they  are,  magic  store- 
houses of  scent  and  colour,  densely  packed 
and  hidden  away  ;  but  a  very  simple  charni 
betrays  the  treasure,  their  "  Open  sesame  ! "  is 
the  first  spring  shower  and  ray  of  sun.  How 
gay  and  merry  looks  the  crowd  !  Besides  the 
Crocuses  and  Snowdrops  and  Tulips  and 
Daflbdils,  dancers  in  white  and  yellow  and 
scarlet,  there  are  Scillas,  Anemones,  Winter 
Aconites,  Muscari,  and  the  early  Irises. 

What  is  to  be  done  with  the  bulbs  after  they 
have  done  flowering?  Well,  it  is  almost  toO' 
much  to  expect  them  to  bloom  a  second  year  ; 
we  had  better  give  them  away  to  be  planted 
in  some  wild  garden  in  the  country,  where  they 
will  recover  themselves  eventually. 

Roof  gardening  is  sometimes  usefully  em- 
ployed in  making  screens  at  the  back  of  towri 
houses  to  hide  unsightly  buildings.  Such  a 
screen  was  very  successful  on  a  roof  belonging 
to  a  house  in  Belgrave  Square.  Very  often  Ivy 
is  the  only  thing  that  can  be  grown,  for  want 
of  sunlight,  but  now  and  again  it  happens 
that  some  leads  are  very  hot  and  much  exposed 
to  the  sun.  In  a  case  of  this  sort,  a  very 
beautiful  screen  has  been  made  of  Tropseolum 
Fireball  and  Salvia  splendens  nana.  The 
colours  of  these  two  plants  are  very  similar, 
but  their  methods  of  growth  quite  diflerent, 
so  they  go  together  perfectly  and  look  brilliant. 
So  placed,  they  naturally  require  a  good  deal 
of  feeding  and  mulching. 

But  flowers  are  not  the  only  things  that 
grow  on  roofs,  one  hears  of  enterprising  people 
who  also  cultivate  vegetables  between  the 
leads  and  sky.  In  one  instance  the  vegetable 
was  the  Tomato.  They  were  grown  bya  gardener 
who  utilised  the  flat  roof  of  a  kitchen  that 
was  built  up  to  the  gable  end  of  a  house,  and 
faced  south.  A  long  box  was  fixed  against  the 
gable  wall  to  hold  the  plants,  which  were 
trained  up  it  on  single  stems  and  much  enjoyed 
their  sheltered  corner.  The  proprietor  of  this 
roof  garden  had  to  carry  soil,  plants,  stakes, 
water,  in  fact,  all  his  gardening  paraphernalia, 
up  a  ladder,  so  he  richly  deserved  the  success 
that  crowned  his  labours. 

In  another  case  the  roof-grown  vegetable 
was  the  Potato.  Its  successful  cultivator  is  a 
gentleman  who  lives  near  Regent's  Park,  and 
is  very  fortunate  with  his  flowers,  but  is  still 
prouder  of  his  Potatoes,  and  well  he  may  be, 
for  I  do  not  know  of  any  other  roof  gardener 
who  can  boast  of  a  Potato-patch.  But  "  patch  " 
is  hardly  the  right  word  for  a  Potato-garden 
on  the  lead  roof  of  a  porch  10  feet  by  10  feet, 
where  everything  is  grown  in  wine-boxes  or 
pots.  Tarragon,  Chervil,  and  Radishes  are 
also  cultivated,  the  latter  for  the  sake  of  the 
seed-pods,  not  the  roots. 

Sometimes,  even  in  the  country,  roofs  are 
convenient  for  flower  growing.  In  my  own 
windy  garden  the  sloped  roof  of  a  sheltered 
outhouse  was  chosen  about  sixty  years  ago  by 
some  benevolent  ladies  as  the  most  favourable 
spot  for  growing  House-Leeks.  They  were 
wanted  to  provide  the  poor  folk  round  about 
with  healing  juices.  The  Leeks  (no  longer 
medically  used)  still  thrive  and  spread  along 
the  old  red  tiles,  and  with  some  Stone-cropa 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


389 


we  have  added,  and  sundry  Dandelions  that 
have  added  themselves,  make  a  roof  garden 
that  is  not  without  its  charm,  and  is  so  hardy 
that  it  would  flourish  anywhere,  even  in  a 
smoky  town.  F.  A.  ri. 


THE    FERN    GARDEN. 

ACROSTICHUMS. 

THIS  genus  consists  of  a  number  of  widely 
distinct  and  beautiful  species.  Several 
of  them  are  perhaps  better  known  under 
other  generic  names.  In  Hooker's 
"Species  Filicum "  1.32  species  are 
described,  and  in  Schneider's  "  Book  of 
Choice  Ferns  "  upwards  of  250  species  and  varieties ; 
but  of  these  many  are  little  known,  and  some  not 
even  in  cultivation  at  the  present  lime.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  some 
time  ago  Messrs.  Hill  and  Son  of  Edmonton  exhi- 
bited a  large  group,  consisting  chiefly  of  the  most 
useful  Acrostichums.  In  regard  to  their  cultural 
requirements  and  habits  they  vary  almost  as  much 
as  they  do  in  growth.  They  are  nearly  all  stove 
Ferns,  and  many  of  them  delight  in  a  very  moist, 
shady  position,  with  plenty  of  moisture  at  the 
roots.  With  good  drainage  there  will  be  little 
danger  of  over-watering.  The  following  are  among 
the  most  desirable  for  a  limited  collection  : 

Acrostichum  aureum.  —  Erect  growing,  with 
thick  pinnate  fronds  of  a  peculiar  soft  green  shade. 
It  comes  freely  from  spores  and  grows  rapidly. 
When  fully  developed  the  fronds  attain  to  fully 
4  feet  in  length.  This  species  has  thick  fleshy 
roots,  and  succeeds  best  in  a  loamy  compost. 

A.  drynarioides.—A  distinct  Fern,  with  broad 
pinnatifid  fronds  of  a  peculiar  rigid  texture,  pro- 
duced from  a  thick  rhizome.  It  should  be  potted 
in  a  rough  open  compost,  with  which  may  be 
mixed  some  charcoal  and  sphagnum  moss,  and  the 
pots  made  nearly  half  full  of  crocks. 

A.  osmundaceum.— This  has  large  spreading 
fronds  of  a  bright  texture.  The  barren  fronds 
closely  resemble  those  of  Polystichum  coriaceum, 
but  when  fertile  the  upper  pinna;  are  contracted 
and  covered  with  sporangia  as  in  the  Osraundas. 

A.  scandens  (more  generally  known  as  Steno- 
chlsena  scandens).— A  beautiful  Fern  with  large 
pinnate  fronds,  produced  on  slender  spreading 
rhizomes.  When  planted  out  the  rhizomes  soon 
spread  a  great  distance  or  will  cling  to  a  damp 
wall.  It  also  makes  a  fine  plant  when  grown  in  a 
suspended  basket.  It  will  grow  freely  in  almost 
any  ordinary  compost. 

A.  crinitum,  better  known  as  Hymenodium 
crinitum,  and  sometimes  called  the  Elephant's-ear 
Fern,  is  very  distinct,  having  broad  fronds  covered 
on  the  surface  with  large  dark  hairs  or  scales  ;  the 
short  thick  stem  is  also  covered  with  these 
almost  black  hairs.  This  is  a  most  desirable  Fern 
for  a  collection,  but  is  hardly  suitable  for  ordinary 
decorations.  This  succeeds  best  with  a  good 
proportion  of  peat  in  the  compost. 

A.  Caenopteris.— This  has  long,  rather  narrow 
pinnate  fronds  on  slender  rhizomes,  which  spread 
freely.  It  should  be  grown  on  a  small  tree  trunk, 
about  a  3-foot  length  fixed  in  a  pot,  and  covered 
with  sphagnum  moss.  With  a  little  attention  to 
fixing  the  rhizomes  as  they  spread  they  soon  cover 
the  stem,  and  make  a  pretty  effect  in  the  Fernery. 
A.  viscosum. — This  is  a  neat-growing  species, 
with  rather  long,  narrow,  drooping,  simple, 
undivided  fronds.  These  are  covered  with  a 
brownish  woolly  down,  and  are  produced  from  a 
very  short  prostrate  stem  or  rhizome.  A.  tomen- 
tosum  is  another  of  similar  habit  with  larger 
fronds. 

A.  muscosum. — This  also  is  of  similar  growth. 
It  forms  a  close  mass  of  narrow  fronds  of  a  thick 
leathery  texture  and  covered  with  tomentum. 
These  may  be  grown  in  a  rough  peaty  compost, 
and  the  plants  may  be  divided  before  they  get  too 
thick. 

A.  peltatum.— This  is  an  interesting  and  pretty 
little  Fern,  quite  a  contrast  to  any  of  the  fore- 
going.     The  tiny  fronds  are  produced  on  slender 


creeping  rhizomes,  the  barren  ones  are  finely  cut 
into  narrow  segments,  and  the  fertile  fronds  are 
entire  and  nearly  round.  They  vary  in  shape, 
being  sometimes  two-lobed.  This  should  be  potted 
in  a  compost  consisting  of  peat,  a  little  loam, 
sphagnum,  sand,  and  charcoal,  and  should  have  a 
warm  moist  position.  In  a  suitable  position  it 
grows  freely,  but  failure  often  occurs  through 
neglect  in  watering. 

A.  quercifolium  is  another  small-growing  species, 
and,  as  its  name  implies,  the  fronds  somewhat 
resemble  Oak  leaves.  The  fertile  ones  are  much 
contracted,  and  have  longer  stalks  (or  stipes). 
This  comes  freely  from  spores,  and  several  plants 
may  be  grown  together  in  shallow  pots. 

A.  Hemsley. 


FUCHSIAS    INDOORS    AND 
OUTDOORS. 

FOR  general  decoration  few  plants  rival 
the  Fuchsia,  which  of  late  years  has 
been  greatly  improved,  the  flowers  of 
the  single  ones  being  very  elegant  and 
beautiful,  with  their  long  tubes,  regu- 
larly reliexed  sepals,  and  distended 
corollas  of  such  rich  colours.  It  is  a  question 
whether  the  double  kinds  should  be  encouraged, 
and  yet  they  have  their  admirers,  lumpish  and 
heavy  though  some  of  them  be,  which  shows  that 
the  doubling  has  been  carried  too  far  or  quite  far 
enough  in  their  case.  The  way  to  set  about 
crossing  the  different  sorts  is  to  select  those 
having  the  best  properties,  such  as  habit,  freedom 
of  growth,  and  flowering,  and  with  the  most 
regularly  formed  flowers  and  distinct  colours,  as 
in  all  Nature  like  begets  like,  and  in  breeding 
anyone  may  get  almost  what  he  aims  at,  the 
results  of  a  cross  being  generally  something  inter- 
mediate between  the  two  parents,  a  portion  of  the 
seedlings  partaking  more  of  the  character  of  the 
one  than  the  other,  according  to  whether  it  supplied 
the  pollen  or  seed. 

Having  determined  which  to  breed  from,  and 
made  choice  of  plants,  they  should  be  stood  in  a 
light,  airy  house  where  they  are  handy  and  easy  to 
gel  at,  as  every  day  the  flowers  will  need  watching, 
and  those  intended  for  seed-bearers  must  have 
their  anthers  snipped  off  directly  the  blossoms 
unfold,  or  the  pollen  will  ripen  and  drop  on  the 
stigma,  and  self-fertilisation,  of  course,  follow. 
The  stigma  will  quickly  show  when  it  is  ready 
to  receive  the  foreign  pollen  by  having  a  glutinous 
or  viscid  substance  exuding  from  it,  to  which  the 
pollen  adheres  if  the  part  be  touched  with  it,  and 
that  is  an  easy  matter  to  perform,  as  the  whole 
flower  of  the  kind  to  be  crossed  with  it  may  be 
held  between  the  finger  and  thumb  and  the  anthers 
rubbed  gently  against  the  stigma,  which  done,  the 
work  is  complete.  In  a  day  or  two  after,  if  im- 
pregnation has  taken  place,  the  base  of  the  flower 
where  the  ovary  is  situated  will  begin  to  swell  and 
go  on  increasing  till  it  becomes  quite  large  ;  soon 
after  which  the  pod  will  change  colour,  from  green 
to  plum  or  violet-blue,  and  quickly  ripen.  As 
soon  as  the  pods  reach  this  stage  they  should  be 
gathered  and  placed  in  a  paper  bag  and  laid  in 
some  dry,  warm  position,  when  in  a  week  or  so 
they  will  be  fit  for  sowing  or  storing  till  the 
following  spring.  Fuchsia  seed  can  also  be  pur- 
chased of  any  of  the  chief  nurserymen,  and  where 
one  does  not  particularly  desire  to  possess  named 
kinds  it  is  a  good  plan  to  raise  Fuchsias  by  obtain- 
ing seed,  especially  where  many  are  wanted  for 
bedding  or  planting  out,  a  purpose  for  which 
Fuchsias  are  not  half  as  much  used  as  their  merits 
deserve. 

Raising  Fuchsias. 
The  way  to  raise  them  is  to  prepare  a  pot  or  pan 
by  draining  and  then  filling  nearly  full  with  fine 
sandy  soil,  on  which  the  seed  should  be  sown  and 
then  covered  to  the  depth  of  a  quarter  of  an  inch, 
gently  watered,  and  after  that  a  pane  of  glass  laid 
over  the  top.  To  get  the  seed  to  germinate  freely, 
a  warm  house  or  frame  is  necessary,  and  when  the 
plants  are  up  and  large  enough  to  handle  they 
should  be  pricked  off  in  light  rich  soil  and  moved  on 


in  a  warm  pit  or  frame  where  they  are  not  exposed 
to  the  sun,  as  the  direct  solar  rays  cause  the  shoots 
to  become  hard  and  woody.  If  Fuchsias  are  to  be 
grown  from  cuttings,  and  good  big  plants  are 
required,  the  propagation  should  be  effected  early 
in  the  autumn  by  taking  any  nice  soft  young  shoots, 
as  free  from  flower  as  they  can  be  obtained, 
inserting  them  in  sharp  sandy  soil,  and  keeping 
them  close  and  moist  under  a  hand-light.  If  attended 
to  and  gently  syringed  or  bedewed  daily  they  will 
soon  strike,  and  when  rooted  should  be  potted 
singly  into  small  pots,  and  then  stood  in  a  frame 
where  they  can  be  shut  up  early  in  the  afternoon, 
to  give  them  a  start.  During  the  winter  they 
must  be  kept  gently  moving  by  standing  them  m 
a  temperature  of  between  40"  and  .50°,  and  in 
spring  should  have  an  increase  of  5°  or  10°,  or  be 
stood  in  some  vinery  or  Peach  house  at  work.  As 
soon  as  the  plants  begin  to  grow  freely  it  will  be 
necessary  to  decide  in  what  form  they  are  to  be 
trained,  whether  as  bushes,  pyramids,  or  standards, 
as  in  the  last  case  they  must  have  side  shoots 
stopped  close  and  be  run  up  to  the  desired  height 
with  clean  stems;  but  in  stopping  the  main  leaves 
should  not  be  taken  off,  as  the  loss  of  so  much 
foliage  weakens  the  plants.  To  gel  nice  symmetrical 
heads,  all  the  shoots  when  they  attain  a  length  of 
6  inches  or  so  should  have  the  points  pinched  out, 
and  the  same  again  till  the  plants  get  properly 
furnished.  In  starting  with  pyramids  all  side 
branches  must  be  encouraged,  and  the  leading 
shoot  tied  loosely  and  trained  up  a  stake,  but  it  is- 
necessary  to  nip  the  head  out  after  a  plant  gets 
from  1  foot  to  18  inches  high,  or  side  shoots  will 
not  form.  These  will  need  stopping  occasionally, 
and  a  fresh  leader  must  be  run  up  and  again 
stopped,  and  any  requisite  thinning  done,  so  as  to 
have  the  plant  perfectly  balanced  and  regular  all 
round,  and  the  same  from  base  to  summit,  this 
forming  a  handsome  specimen  when  the  plant  gets 
into  bloom,  and  that  without  stakes  or  sticks, 
except  just  in  the  centres,  as  they  are  quite  un- 
necessary in  the  training  of  Fuchsias.  Bush  plants 
are  easy  enough  to  grow  and  form,  but  they  are  not 
very  desirable,  as  they  do  not  show  off  their  flowers 
so  well  as  those  of  the  shapes  referred  to,  unless 
they  are  elevated  and  brought  more  on  a  level 
with  the  eye  by  standing  them  on  pedestals  or 
suspending  them  in  baskets.  In  cases  where  there 
are  lofty  conservatories  or  greenhouses  to  furnish, 
the  latter  is  a  good  way  of  using  Fuchsias,  as  in 
baskets  they  are  very  telling,  especially  those  of  a 
drooping  or  pendulous  habit,  of  which  there  are 
many  varieties,  and  they  make  a  capital  show. 
Others,  again,  are  well  adapted  for  growing  as 
climbers  up  pillars  or  under  rafters,  and  when  so 
used  they  produce  a  most  striking  effect  in  a. 
house. 

Fuchsias  in  the  Summer  Garden. 
Of  late  years  Fuchsias  have  been  employed  for 
bedding  or  planting  out,  and  they  make  grand 
ornaments,  either  alone  or  in  groups,  and  have  been 
much  admired  in  the  parks  and  private  gardens 
during  the  last  season  or  two.  When  required 
for  outdoor  decoration  it  is  necessary  to  keep  the 
old  plants  from  year  to  year,  which  is  a  very  easy 
matter,  as  they  may  be  wintered  in  any  shed  or 
cellar  that  frost  does  not  reach,  but  as  they  are 
woody  they  must  not  be  kept  too  dry  at  the  root, 
the  proper  thing  being  to  have  the  soil  just  moist, 
and  then  the  main  stems  and  branches  will  keep- 
plump  and  live.  Specimens  for  exhibition  or  other 
purposes  must  be  kept  in  the  same  way  if  wanted 
early,  as  there  is  not  lime  to  grow  them  to  a  large 
size  and  flower  them  before  the  autumn,  but  by 
saving  old  plants  they  may  be  had  in  full  beauty 
by  June  or  July.  The  way  to  manage  them  is  te 
start  them  soon  after  the  turn  of  the  year  by 
standing  them  in  some  vinery  at  work  or  other 
house  where  there  is  a  little  heat,  to  which  they 
soon  respond  and  break  if  kept  moist  by  syringing, 
but  little  or  no  water  should  be  given  till  they  get 
into  leaf.  As  soon  as  the  young  shoots  can  be  seen 
or  the  buds  burst,  any  thinning  out  that  is  requisite 
should  be  done  and  the  side  shoots  shortened 
back  to  about  half  their  length,  after  which  the 
plants,  if  to  be  grown  in  pots,  will  need  to  have 
the  balls  reduced  and  then  be  potted  again  in  fresh 
soil.     That  most  suitable  for  Fuchsias  is  a  good 


S90 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


"friable  loam, 
rather  new  than 
not,  and  mixed 
■with  a  little  leaf- 
mould  and  well- 
rotted  manure,  to 
which  a  dash  of 
sand  should  be 
added  to  keep  the 
whole  porous. 
After  being  potted 
in  this  mixture  the 
plants  will  have 
to  be  kept  close 
■and  warm  for  a 
time  to  give  them 
a  start,  and  only 
watered  very 
sparingly  till 
^growth  is  quite 
free.  Shade 
favours  this,  but 
shading  must  not 
be  carried  too  far 
or  the  shoots  will 
be  long,  pointed, 
and  drawn.  As 
soon  as  the  pots 
have  become  well 
filled  with  roots, 
liquid  manure,  if 
-applied  weak,  may 
be  given  whenever 
the  plants  need 
water,  and  daily 
«yringing3  are  a 
great  help  in 
keeping  them 
healthy  and  clean. 
The  only  insects 
that  are  at  all 
troublesome  to  Fuchsias  are  green  fly,  and  the 
«afest  remedy  is  to  fumigate  with  tobacco,  giving 
a  mild  dose  overnight,  repeating  the  same  again  in 
the  morning.  S. 


a  6-inch  pot  turned 
upside  down  in 
frames.  In  frosty 
weather  cover  the 
glass  with  mats  ; 
if  very  severe  with 
litter  also.  As  the 
flower-stems  grow 
up  place  the  plants 
in  a  cold  vinery  or 
other  cool  house  or 
pit,  always  keeping 
cool  with  plenty 
of  air.  Excellent 
plants  can  be 
grown  in  6-inch 
and  7-inch  pots." 


BURFORD,    DORKING,   THE  RESIDENCE   OF  SIR  TREVOR  LAWRENCE,    BART. 


THE   EDITOR'S   TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interesting  plants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
"flower,  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub,  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower, 
■and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor, 
3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 

Hybrid  Onoo-Regelia  Irises  from  Mr.  C.  G. 
Van  Tceergen,  jun. 
Fuller  descriptions  of  the  beautiful  hybrid  Irises 
shown  by  Mr.  Tubergen  of  Haarlem,  Holland, 
before  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be 
given  than  is  possible  in  these  notes.  We  are 
-again  reminded  of  this  hybridist's  remarkable 
success  by  a  boxful  of  buds  of  the  hybrids  shown 
on  the  17th  inst.  These  have  opened  out  and  dia- 
olosed  the  beautiful  veining  and  colouring  which 
excited  so  much  admiration  at  the  crowded  meeting 
ireferred  to. 


Rhododendrons  Dochess  of  Portland  and 
N.  N.  Sherwood. 

Messrs.  Fisher,  Son,  and  Sibray,  The  Royal 
Nurseries,  Handsworth,  Sheffield,  send  two  beauti- 
ful Rhododendrons,  which  are  quite  distinct,  and 
-very  welcome  at  this  season.  One  is  named  Duchess 
of  Portland  ;  it  has  received  an  award  of  merit 
irora  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and  we 
remember  the  shrub  when  shown,  a  dense  bush  of 
ifine  foliage  almost  hidden  beneath  a  snowy  burden 


of  flowers,  pure  white,  somewhat  bell-shaped,  and 
crowded  in  trusses  of  immense  size.  It  is  one  of 
the  finest  Rhododendrons  raised  of  recent  years. 
A  novelty  is  the  variety  N.  N.  Sherwood,  for  which 
there  is  a  great  future  ;  the  truss  is  large,  but  with 
no  trace  of  coarseness,  the  flowers  campanulate, 
and  a  fresh  bright  pink  in  colour,  a  pure  and 
charming  shade,  which  stands  out  clearly  against 
the  handsome  foliage.  These  Rhododendrons  are 
quite  hardy.  They  have  their  value  in  the  open 
garden  and  in  pots  for  the  greenhouse  and  con- 
servatory. 


Lilac. 
From  Swanmore 
Park  Gardens, 
Bishop's  Wal- 
thara,  Mr.  E. 
Molyneux  sends 
flowering  shoots  of 
some  beautiful 
varieties  of  Lilac. 
One  of  the  most 
remarkable  is 
Congo,  with  very 
large  inflorescence 
of  deep  purple 
flowers ;  Charles 
X.  is  well  repre- 
sented ;  and  Marie 
Legraye  is  very 
beautiful,  the  large 
bunches  of  pure 
white  blooms 
being     very     fine. 


Cineraria  stellata. 
Mr.  George  Merry,  The  Ashe  Gardens,  Etwall, 
Derby,  sends  a  very  beautiful  selection  of  Cineraria 
stellata,  with  the  accompanying  note:  "For  ihe 
conservatory  and  room  decoration,  as  a  companion 
plant  to  the  large-flowering  Cineraria,  there  is  none 
which  makes  a  more  telling  effect  with  its  grace- 
ful, branching  growth  and  long,  strong,  slender 
branches  of  small  flowers  of  many  shades  of  colour 
than  C.  stellata.  The  flowers  are  most  useful  for 
large  or  small  vases,  and  I  find  that  they  will  last 
a  long  time  in  a  cool  room  in  water  when  out.  The 
plants  are  most  useful  for  room  decoration.  As  to 
culture,  1  sow  the  seed  and  grow  them  on  in  cold 
frames  in  the  same  way  as  the  large  ■  flowered 
Cineraria." 


HERBACEons  Calceolarias. 
Mr.  George  Merry,  The  Ashe  Gardens,  Etw.all, 
Derby,  sends  a  series  of  Calceolaria  flowers  of  rich 
markings  and  large  size,  with  the  following  note  : 
"  As  a  flowering  plant  for  the  conservatory,  to 
follow  after  the  Cinerarias,  what  is  more  useful,  in 
cold  frames  in  a  shady  position  during  the  summer 
months,  than  the  Calceolaria,  with  its  beautiful 
self  colours  and  spotted  and  blotched  flowers.  I 
BOW  the  seed  in  shallow  pans  the  second  week  in 
June,  in  good  turfy  loam,  leaf-mould,  and  rotten 
manure,  with  silver  sand,  and  place  the  pans  in  a 
cold  frame  in  a  shady  position,  with  a  piece  of  glass 
on  each  till  the  small  plants  can  be  seen.  As  soon 
as  large  enough  I  prick  them  out  into  pans  till 
large  enough  for  small  pots,  and  pot  them  on  finally 
into  8-inch  pots  in  October,  and  place  each  pot  on 


Mme.  Kreutzer,  purple ;  Belle  de  Nancy,  lilac, 
double  (the  inflorescences  of  both  varieties  rather 
small) ;  Mme.  Casimir  -  Perier,  white  ;  Alphonse 
LavalliSe,  and  President  Carnot,  with  very  large 
inflorescences  of  pale  lilac  double  flowers,  were 
other  varieties  of  more  than  ordinary  merit  among 
these  favourite  garden  flowers.  During  recent 
years  new  and  much  improved  varieties  of  Lilac 
have  been  introduced,  and  the  selection  sent  by 
Mr.  Molyneux  is  most  representative. 


Tulips  from  Surbiton. 
A  very  large  and  interesting  collection  of  late 
Tulips — Gesner's,  cottage,  and  Darwin  forms — 
comes  from  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  of  Surbiton. 
As  the  majority  of  these  were  described  in  The 
Garden  of  last  week  in  a  note  about  the  masses 
of  Tulips  in  flower  there  a  few  days  ago,  further 
notes  are  unnecessary. 


Seedling  Azaleas. 
We  are  reminded  of  the  wonderful  display  now 
made  by  the  Azaleas  at  Mr.  Anthony  Waterer's 
Knap  Hill  Nursery,  Woking,  by  the  receipt  of  a 
boxful  of  flowering  shoots.  They  are  in  a  bewil- 
dering variety  of  colours — rich  yellow,  old  gold, 
bronze,  white,  many  shades  of  red,  pink,  and 
intermediate  tints  impossible  to  describe.  All 
these  flowers  were  cut  from  unnamed  seedling 
plants  (Knap  Hill  strain),  and  it  is  easy  to  imagine 
from  the  sprays  sent  that  the  show  of  colour  niupt 
now  be  quite  remarkable.  Mr.  Waterer  also  sends 
flowering  shoots  of  Magnolia  Fra.seri  (aurioulata), 
with  creamy  yellow  flowers  borne  singly  at  the 
ends  of  the  shoots,  and  large,  light  green  leaves. 


TuLirs  from  Ireland. 
From  Ard  Cairn  Bulb  Grounds,  Cork,  Mr.  W. 
Baylor  Hartland  sends  a  delightful  gathering  of 
cottage  Tulips,  remarkable  alike  for  their  beautiful 
form,  dainty  colouring,  and,  in  some  cases,  fragrant 
perfume.  Among  them  are  gesneriana  lutea : 
ixioidee,  primrose  colour  ;  fulgens  lutea  Mrs. 
Moon ;  Othello,  deep  scarlet  ;  lutea  pallida, 
sweetly  scented  ;  .John  Ruskin,  blush,  with  yellow 
margin  ;  The  Fawn  ;   globosa  grandiflora,  scarlet ; 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


391 


annerette,  pale  yellow,  with  scarlet  markings  ; 
and  Bishop's  Mitre,  golden-yellow,  with  scarlet 
edge. 


Flowers  from  Mr.  Greenwood  Pim. 

Mr.  Greenwood  Pim  sends  from  Dublin  the 
following  flowers  and  notes  :  "I  am  sending  you 
a  few  flowers  for  your  table. 

"  Rhodotx/pu/i  k-errioides. — A  pretty  shrub,  some- 
what like  a  Syringa,  though  much  more  nearly 
related  to  the  common  Kerria  often  found  on 
cottaee  walls,  usually  in  the  double  form. 

"  Tidipa  persica. — Forms  a  lovely  clump  of 
golden  stars  about  4  inches  high,  and  is  quite  at 
home  on  a  dry,  sunny  rockery.  It  is  a  native  of 
Persia,  and  has  been  manj'  years  in  cultivation, 
though  very  seldom  seen. 

"  Dimorphotheca  Echlonis. — This  is  a  verj' pretty 
greenhouse  perennial,  with  Daisy-like  flowers, 
greyish  blue  outside  and  pure  white  within.  The 
disc  is  deep  purplish  blue,  occasionally  powdered 
with  bright  yellow  pollen.  It  strikes  freely  from 
cuttings. 

"  Veronica  lebaudiana. — A  neat  little  sub-shrubby 
Veronica,  with  small,  round,  dark  leaves,  the 
whole  plant  not  measuring  more  than  6  inches  to 
8  inches  in  height.  It  is  covered  in  May  with 
racemes  of  small  white  flowers,  which  are  so  closely 
packed  as  to  seem  quite  double.  It  is  easily 
propagated  from  cuttings,  and  in  this  climate  at 
least  is  quite  hardy. 

"  Sparaxis  p^dcherrima. — I  also  enclose  a  few 
flowers  of  this  Sparaxis,  which  include  the  most 
dazzling  shades,  varying  from  scarlet  to  velvety 
black,  as  well  as  other  less  showy  colours.  They 
and  their  cousins  the  Ixias  do  well  on  a  dry,  hot 
border  thoroughly  drained,  without  any  attention, 
and  if  at  times  they  disappear  they  can  be  replaced 
for  a,  couple  of  shillings  per  hundred,  and  make  a 
grand  show  for  the  money." 


many  beautiful  hybrids  have  been  raised  in 
the  extensive  range  of  houses.  Those  who 
enjoy  the  quiet  and  strange  beauty  of  the 
species  of  Orchids  will  find  a  rich  feast  at  fiur- 
ford.  To  describe  these  in  detail  woitld  require 
more  space  than  is  at  present  at  our  disposal. 


BURFORD,     DORKING. 

The  home  of  the  President  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  possesses  a  certain 
interest  to  horticulturists,  for  the  good  reason 
that  the  man  who  occupies  that  position  must 
have  no  ordinary  love  ^for  flowers  and  a 
deep  interest  in 
horticulture 
generally. 
Burford  nestles 
under  the  famous 
Box  Hill,  where 
shrub  and  tree 
add  their  note  of 
colour  on  the 
steep  chalky 
sides.  Here 
George  Meredith 
is  a  welcome 
guest,  resting  and 
thinking  under 
the  shade  of  leafy 
trees,  and  enjoy- 
ing in  the  full 
summer-tide  the 
glowing  colours 
of  Mar  liac's 
Water  Lilies. 
Burford,  to  the 
horticulturist,  is 
perhaps  more 
famous  for  its 
Orchids  than  for 
its  trees  and 
summer  garden. 
Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence possesses 
one  of  the  largest 
and  most  in- 
teresting collec- 
tions of  Orchids 
in    Britain,   and 


THE    AURICULA.— JUNE. 

The  important  operation  of  repotting  will  have 
been  done  by  those  who  adopt  the  principle 
of  early  potting.  The  greatest  care  must  be 
taken  against  over-watering,  for  the  roots  will 
not  take  hold  of  the  fresh  soil  if  waterlogged. 
Provided  it  was  in  proper  condition  when  used 
very  little  water  will  be  required— a  sprinkle 
overhead  now  and  then  will  prevent  flagging— 
as  the  plants  have  been  closed  up  in  frames  or 
hand-lights  for  a  fortnight  or  so,  and  not  until 
the  plants  almost  ask  for  it  must  anything  like 
a  copious  watering  be  given.  Advantage  may 
be  taken  of  a  slight  shower,  which  will  refresh 
and  assist  in  starting  new  growth  of  both  foliage 
and  rootlets.  Seedlings  must  be  potted  on  as 
fast  as  possible  so  long  as  they  keep  growing, 
and  as  soon  as  any  of  their  young  roots  touch 
the  sides  of  the  pots  give  them  no  rest.  _  Keep 
them  on  the  move  by  potting  on,  for  it  is  a 
natural  desire  to  bring  seedlings  to  the  flower- 
ing stage  as  quickly  as  possible  and  make  room 
for  another  batch.  Any  plants  set  aside  as 
seed-bearers  should  be  exposed  to  the  full  sun 
and  all  kinds  of  weather.  This  rough  treat- 
ment is  conducive  to  the  production  of  seed, 
even  if  it  may  do  some  injury  to  the  plant,  for 
where  seed  is  desired  this  risk  must  be  run.  A 
sharp  look-out  must  be  kept  for  green  fly,  which 
can  be  removed  by  a  camel's-hair  pencil,  or,  in 
the  case  of  large  collections,  by  fumigating 
with  XL  All  Vaporising  Liquid,  care  being 
taken  not  to  injure  the  foliage  by  too  strong 
an  application  of  this  remedy.  Every  atten- 
tion must  be  paid  to  shading  the  plants  through 
the  summer  months,  never  forgetting  to  give 
abundance  of  air.  W.  Smith. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


EPIDEKDKUM    STAMrOEDIANUM    IN    BURFORD    GARDENS 


EOSE-COVERED    PORCHES. 

HOW  is  it  that  plants  are  often  seen 
flourishing  in  cottage  gardens  with  a 
luxuriance  which  seems  unattainable 
in  those  where  all  conditions  appear 
to  be  so  much  more  favourable  ?  The 
great  masses  of  Hepaticas,  for  instance, 
in  the  cottagers'  gardens  in  some  of  the  western 
shires  are  unsurpassed,  while  the  clumps  (some- 
times almost  forests)  of  Madonna  Lilies  are  the 
envy  of  passers-by,  ind  the  climbers  by  which  the 
cottage  is  often  half  hidden  seem  to  grow  with 
more  freedom  than  anywhere  else.  Perhaps  the 
reason  may  not  be  further  to  seek  than  in  the 
employment  of  materials  well  suited  to  the  climate 
and  conditions,  for  there  is  no  doubt  that  common 
plants  well  grown  are  more  decorative  than  halt- 
starved  specimens  of  more  brilliant  things,  tor 
whose  proper  cultivation  the  requisite  means  are 
not  attainable  ;  and  a  cottage  porch  smothered 
with  Honeysuckles  and  some  old-fashioned  Kose  is 
about  aspleasant  a  sight  as  can  be  seen,  in  spite  of 
the  climbers  being  neither  rare  nor  costly.  But 
the  supposition  that  the  denizens  of  cottage  gardens 
are  so  fine  because  they  are  indigenous  or  ex- 
ceptionally hardy  plants  is  not  sufficient  to  account 
for  the  handsome  subjects  there  so  often  met 
with;  the  finest  Catherine  Mermet  I  ever  saw  was 
climbing  on  the  chimney  of  a  cottage  by  the 
roadside  in  Surrey,  and  in  a  similar  position  in 
another  part  of  the  same  county  I  have  seen 
blooms  of  Gloire  de  Dijon  such  as  I  have  never 
seen  elsewhere,  even  in  celebrated  Rose  gardens. 
Every  reader  will  doubtless  recall  Dean  Reynolds 
Hole's  description  of  the  noble  specimens  upon 
the  walls  of  a  cottage  of  the  glorious,  but  hardly- 
to-be-flowered.  Noisette  Cloth  of  Gold,  which  so 
rarely  gets  sun  enough  to  ripen  its  shoots  in  this 
climate,  and  even  more  rarely  succeeds  in  pre- 
serving them  uninjured  until  the  flowering  time. 
I  myself  have  experienced  the  pangs  of  jealousy 
when  passing  a  house  masked  with  a  climbing 
Devoniensis  in  full  bloom,  the  cultural  attention 
to  which  consisted  in  its  being  occasionally  gone 
over  with  a  long-handled  bill-hook,  such  as  is  used 
in  trimming  hedges,  "  just  to  keep  the  shoots  from 
"  rattlin'   on    the 

windows." 

In  spite  of  these 
seemingly  ano- 
malous instances, 
however,  the  real 
reason  of  the  pre- 
sence of  striking 
specimens  in 
cottage  gardens 
will  probably  be 
found  in  the  fact 
that  each 
plant  is  tended 
and  looked  after 
with  the  greatest 
care  ;  the  precious 
and  carefully  col- 
lected road-scrap- 
ings, not  having  to 
be  spread  over  a 
wide  area,  are  put 
round  specia 
favourites  to  pro- 
vide at  once  food 
and  protection 
and  thus  is  en 
couraged  that 
luxuriance  of 
growth  which 
renders  possible 
the  Rose-covered 
porches  of  our 
Surrey  cottages, 
whereby  a  pleasant 
feast  of  brightness 
is  afforded  to 
travellers  passing 
by.  T.  W. 


392 


THE   GARDEN. 


[JUNK  4,  1904. 


EOSE    MME.    N.    LEVAVASSEUR. 

This  Rose  is  an  acquisition  to  the  varieties  for 
iriassing  or  pots.  I  wish  the  colour  was  as  brilliant  as 
in  Crimson  Rambler,  it  is  even  not  quite  so  bright 
as  Perle  des  Rouges,  but  the  trusses  of  bloom  are 
larger,  and  doubtless,  in  the  mass,  the  effect  will 
be  more  glowing.  It  may  be  that  we  shall  yet  obtain 
a  scarlet-flowering  dwarf  form  of  the  perpetual 
Polyanthas,  but  until  then  the  Rose  under  notice 
is  a  good  substitute.  That  it  is  a  cross  with 
Crimson  Rambler  is  seen  immediately  in  the  pale 
green  foliage.  The  individual  flower  is  smaller 
than  that  of  Perle  des  Roufjes.  Of  course,  it  is  no 
trouble  to  get  dwarf  flowering  plants  of  Crimson 
Rambler.  They  strike  freely  from  cuttings  under 
glass,  and  a  little  judicious  pinching  during 
summer,  and  thorough  ripening  of  the  wood,  will 
bring  them  into  a  flowering  condition,  when,  as 
table  plants,  they  are  really  most  serviceable. 
Dorothy  Perkins,  too,  also  Leuohstern,  and  most 
of  the  multiflora  ramblers,  as  well  as  Polyantha 
and  wichuraianas  may  be  flowered  as  quite  dwarf 
plants,  and  all  who  have  great  calls  for  decorative 
plants  should  make  provision  for  some  of  these 
Roses  during  the  coming  summer.  Some  of  the 
delightful  wichuraianas,  such  as  Alberic  Barbier, 
make  drooping  pot  plants  it  pruned  back  to  about 
3  feet  from  the  top  of  the  pot  and  gradually  brought 
into  a  bushy  form.  I  am  persuaded  there  is  no  limit 
to  their  usefulness  as  decorative  plants.  P. 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 

"Good  Eain." 

THERE  is  a  good  deal  of  human  nature 
in  a  gardener.  Like  the  tourists 
who  were  going  against  the  trade 
winds  and  prayed  for  favourable 
weather,  although  the  whole  com- 
merce of  the  world  was  going  the 
other  way ;  so  our  gardener  spares  little 
thought  for  the  drenched  crowds  of  Whitsun 
holiday  makers,  but  congratulates  himself 
upon  the  "  good  rain  "  that  has  fallen  upon  his 
little  plot.  And,  barring  the  serious  incon- 
venience and  disappointment  to  some  odd 
millions  of  one's  fellowmen,  it  certainly  tvas 
a  good  rain.  Things  jumped  forward  all  over 
the  garden,  as  if  they  had  been  previously  held 
back  by  some  invisible  spring  which  the  rain 
had  loosed. 

Unequal  Marching. 

If  everything  profited  equally  by  the  welcome 
moisture  after  a  week  of  dry  weather,  how 
easy  it  would  be  to  keep  a  perennial  border 
always  trim  and  orderly.  But  there  was  never 
a  batch  of  newly-caught  recruits  that  marched 
with  more  uneven  step  than  the  picked  bat- 
talion of  your  garden  favourites  after  rain. 
Oriental  Poppies,  placed  far  enough  apart,  as 
you  thought,  to  mark  conspicuous  intervals  in 
your  array  of  flowers  with  their  great  scarlet 
flags,  are  now  reaching  their  great  hairy-fingered 
leaves  to  each  other  over  the  suffering  heads 
of  half  a  score  of  daintier  plants,  which,  unless 
you  adopt  stern  discipline  with  the  Poppies, 
will  not  be  seen  again  until  summer  is  fairly 
past,  and  will  be  poor  things  then. 

A  Splendid  Savage. 

Some  people  can  deny  themselves  the  Oriental 
Poppy  on  account  of  this  smothering  habit, 
but  there  is  no  other  flower  that  strikes  the 
same  keynote  of  barbaric  splendour.  It  was 
a  blind  man  who  shrewdly  .said  that  mention 
of  scarlet— which  he  had  never  seen,  of  course — 
reminded  him  of  the  sound  of  a  trumpet  ;  and 
in  the  same  way  the  blaze  of  the  Oriental 
Poppy  suggests  in  the  scale  of  colour  music 
such  clashing  of  brass  as  would  fitly  herald  the 
entry  of  some  pagan  summer  god  into  our 
Christian  gardens.    It  is  rugged,  savage,  and 


magnificent  without  peer  among  our  hardy 
plants,  and  to  expel  it  for  observing  no  duty 
towards  its  neighbours  is  to  expect  too  much, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  deprive  your  garden 
of  something  which  no  cunning  grouping  of 
other  blooms  can  restore. 

Taking  Correction  Kindly. 
It  is  easy  to  become  a  slave  to  your  garden, 
forgetting  to  recognise  your  own  right  to  dis- 
regard the  rules  which  you  have  made  for  the 
orderly  conduct  of  your  flower-beds  ;  while  one 
of  the  best  features  of  riotous  plants  like  the 
Oriental  Poppy  is,  that  they  take  subsequent 
correction  kindly.  If  you  let  them  romp  at 
large  at  first  for  the  sake  of  their  massed 
brilliance  of  bloom  in  season,  you  can  cut  them 
level  with  the  ground  immediately  afterwards, 
and  make  "  other  arrangements "  to  conceal 
the  bare  place  which  they  occupied,  without 
apparently  interfering  in  any  way  with  their 
luxuriance  next  summer.  Sometimes,  indeed, 
they  will  seem  to  attempt  to  heap  coals  upon 
your  head  by  producing  a  second  crop  of 
flowers  in  autumn  in  return  for  your  harsh 
treatment. 

Good  Flowers  Make  Bad  Weeds. 

Indeed,  all  things  considered,  it  is  lucky 
that  the  Oriental  Poppy  is  not  a  weed  of 
cultivation  in  Britain.  Its  weaker  relatives, 
springing  annually  from  seed  in  our  cornfields, 
are  nuisance  enough,  and  one  hardly  knows 
what  the  farmer  would  do  with  so  stubborn  a 
"  weed,"  expanding  from  year  to  year  in  more 
masterful  clumps,  thriving  upon  ill-treatment, 
and  growing  apparently  from  any  scrap  of 
broken  root  left  by  accident  in  the  ground. 
Then  no  doubt  we  should  think  as  little  of  the 
Oriental  Poppy,  as  a  garden  flower,  as  we  do 
now  of  yellow  Furze  or  Broom,  Dog  Rose  or 
Crab  Apple,  each  in  its  way  as  beautiful  as 
the  majority  of  our  garden  shrubs,  but  all 
neglected  because  they  are  common  British 
things. 

The  Sparrow's  Merits  and  Demerits. 

Circumstances  always  considerably  alter 
such  cases,  and  it  is  not  the  prophet  only 
who  lacks  honour  in  his  own  country.  An 
English  lady  in  India,  who  had  taken  little 
stock  of  birds  at  home,  called  her  husband  one 
morning  into  the  bungalow  verandah  to  see 
"  two  stick  pretty  little  birds  "  ;  and  they  were 
sparrows  !  Sometimes,  indeed,  even  in  England 
one  is  compelled  to  admit  that  the  cock 
sparrow  is  a  remarkably  handsome  bird.  You 
cannot  realise  this  within  range  of  City  soot, 
which  makes  even  the  Thames  swans  look 
grubby,  but  in  the  clean  country  the  sparrow, 
with  his  tasteful  harmonies  of  chestnut  and 
auburn,  black,  white,  and  pearly  grey,  often 
compels  admiration.  As,  however,  his  best 
hues  and  most  elaborate  antics  to  display  them 
are  peculiar  to  the  breeding  season,  when  he  is 
also  as  a  rule  engaged  in  devastating  your 
flower-beds,  one  admires  him  very  grudgingly. 
Reluctantly,  too,  one  admits  that  at  this  season 
he  has  merits  as  a  grub  destroyer  on  behalf  of 
the  hungry  youngsters  crowded  into  his  untidy 
nest,  when  one  catches  glimpses  of  the  materials 
of  which  that  nest  is  composed.  Of  seven 
nests,  pulled  down  from  a  long  verandah  where 
the  presence  of  sparrow  families  is  not  desired, 
there  is  not  one  without  its  faded  sprays  of 
double  Arabis,  white  Saxifrage,  and  other 
flowers,  which,  for  some  reason,  the  sparrows 
select  as  suitable  nest  material.  It  is  probably 
for  the  same  purpose  that  these  feathered 
brown  imps  tug  at  the  Primroses  and  nip  the 
Crocuses  in  earlier  spring,  being  misled  by  the 
yellow  colour  to  expect  that  the  blooms  will  be 
of  straw-like  tsxture. 


The  Greenfinch's  Mischief. 
It  is  not  the  sparrow,  however,  who  works 
most  mischief  with  the  Primroses,  except 
where  these  are  grown  in  open  flower-beds. 
Often,  where  Primroses  have  commenced  to 
bloom  abundantly  under  natural  conditions  in 
shrubbery  or  coppice,  one  is  annoyed  to  find 
that  practically  every  blossom  has  been  neatly 
nipped  oS"  a  number  of  plants  and  thrown  upon 
the  ground  ;  and  the  mischief  will  go  on  until, 
in  a  coppice  where  you  ought  to  be  able  to 
get  a  wheelbarrowful  of  Primroses  if  you 
wanted  them,  you  will  not  find  it  easy  to 
gather  a  single  flower.  The  method  of  this 
destruction  is  so  different  from  the  untidy 
work  of  the  sparrow,  and  sparrows  are  so 
reluctant  to  trust  themselves  upon  the  ground 
among  bushes  and  undergrowth  where  enemies 
might  lurk,  that  some  other  culprit  is  manifestly 
to  blame.  But  it  is  not  always  easy  to  catch 
the  cunning  greenfinch  red-handed,  or  rather 
Primrose-billed.  One  day,  however,  you  may 
do  so,  and  will  be  surprised  at  the  methodical 
rapidity  with  which  he  and  his  friends  nip  oflF 
the  blossoms  and  cast  them  aside,  taking  only 
the  tiniest  bit  out  of  the  bottom  of  the  embryo 
seed-vessel.  As  it  would  take  many  hundreds 
of  these  atoms  of  food  to  make  a  square  meal 
for  a  greenfinch,  and  the  birds  seem  always  to 
stay  so  long  as  appetite  lasts,  one  can  under- 
stand why  the  destruction  is  carried  out  on 
such  a  wholesale  scale.  E.  K.  E. 


ORCHIDS. 


SOME    HAKDY    CYPRIPEDIUMS. 

OF  hardy  Cypripediums  the  most  satis- 
,  factory  for  general  culture  is  C. 
I  spectabile,  the  Mocassin  flower  ;  and 
'  it  is  also  very  attractive,  the  white 
sepals  and  petals  and  large,  inflated, 
rich  rose-coloured  pouch  combining 
to  make  a  quaintly  charming  flower.  C.  spectabil© 
may  be  grown  without  difficulty  in  moist,  peaty 
soil  and  shaded  position.  If  the  plants  do  well 
they  will  develop  into  quite  large  clumps,  and 
when  in  flower  make  a  display  that,  for  interest  as 
well  as  attractiveness,  would  be  bard  to  beat. 
Instances  have  been  recorded  of  C.  spectabile 
throwing  up  spikes  nearly  3  feet  high,  and  bearing 
flowers  3  inches  across.  The  hardy  Cypripediums 
generally  like  a  soil  that  is  composed  of  about 
equal  parts  of  rough  fibrous  peat,  leaf-mould,  and 
loam,  adding  to  these  a  little  gravel  or  limestone 
grit.  Give  the  plants  a  semi-shaded  position,  so 
that  the  soil  in  which  they  are  growing  never 
becomes  dried  up. 

C.  acaule  (now  called  C.  humile)  may  also  be  said 
to  be  of  fairly  easy  culture.  It  does  well  when 
planted  in  moist  positions  in  the  rock  garden  or 
semi-wild  garden.  The  sepals  and  petals  are 
whitish,  and  the  pouch  is  bright  rose,  veined  with 
crimson.  C.  occidentale,  too,  is  not  difficult  to 
grow ;  the  sepals  and  petals  of  this  species  are 
maroon-brown  ;  the  lip  is  white,  and  marked  with 
streaks  and  spots  of  red.  C.  Calceolus,  the  British 
species ;  C.  macranthum,  with  large,  handsome, 
rosy  pink  flowers,  streaked  with  red  and  white  ; 
C.  pubescens,  with  pale  yellow  lip,  narrow  petals 
pale  yellow  streaked  and  spotted  with  brown ; 
and  C.  parvifolium,  sepals  and  petals  narrow, 
shining  brown  lined  with  deep  purple,  the  lip 
large,  drooping,  lemon-yellow  spotted  with  red. 
Some  of  these  hardy  Cypripediums  are  admirably 
suited  to  culture  in  pots  and  pans  in  a  cold  house, 
as  may  be  seen  in  the  alpine  house  at  Kew.  Several 
pans  are  filled  with  C.  acaule,  C.  macranthum,  and 
others,  and  very  beautiful  they  are  now.    A.  P.  H. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

CoiLOGYNE    PANDUEATA. 

This  is  rather  a  difficult  plant  to   manage,  yet 
from  time  to  time  fine  specimens  are  seen,  thus 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


393 


proving  that  it  is  not  impossible  to  cultivate  it  in 
this  country.  When  this  charming  species  is  well 
grown  and  flowered  its  fascinating  beauty  amply 
repays  all  the  trouble  and  time  given  it.  The  new 
growths  are  now  starting  away,  offering  the  most 
favourable  season  to  repot  or  renovate  the  surface 
material.  Use  a  compost  of  two  parts  coarse 
fibrous  peat,  two  parts  chopped  sphagnum,  and 
one  part  leaf-soil,  mixed  together  with  some  coarse 
sand  and  small  crocks.  In  potting  enough  room 
should  be  left  to  allow  of  a  top-dressing  of 
sphagnum  moss.  The  choice  of  a  receptacle  is 
rather  difficult  on  account  of  the  long  rhizomes. 
I  favour  cutting  away  the  back  part  to  allow  the 
plant  being  grown  in  a  pan  in  preference  to 
retaining  the  back  part  and  growing  it  on  a  raft. 
In  repotting  keep  the  base  of  the  plant  close  to  the 
side  of  the  pan  to  allow  the  growths  room  to 
develop  without  overgrowing  the  pan  for  at  least 
two  seasons.  A  shady  position  in  the  stove  Orchid 
house  should  be  given  it,  watering  carefully  till 
the  growth  has  half-developed.  From  then  till  its 
completion  it  will  require  copious  supplies,  when 
the  supply  may  be  again  reduced,  and  during  the 
winter  months  only  give  enough  to  prevent  the 
plant  from  shrivelling. 

Dendrobium  Phal^nopsis  schrodeeianum. 

This  useful  Orchid  is  now  well  starting  into 
growth,  and  when  the  young  leads  are  about 
3  inches  high  is  the  best  time  to  repot  if  it  is 
necessary.  Use  a  compost  of  equal  parts  fibrous 
peat  and  chopped  sphagnum.  Three  bulbs  are 
ample  behind  the  lead.  The  old  bulbs  that  are  cut 
away  may  be  laid  under  the  stage,  and  new  growths 
will  often  start  away  from  them,  which  will  in  a 
comparatively  short  time  make  the  finest  plants. 

I  prefer  pots  that  are  provided  with  holes  for 
suspending.  A  liberal  drainage  should  be  afforded 
of  chopped  rhizomes,  and  potting  should  be  done 
rather  firmly,  keeping  the  compost  low  enough  to 
allow  of  a  top-dressing  of  sphagnum.  No  belter  house 
can  be  given  these  than  the  Croton  house,  providing 
they  are  so  placed  that  the  strongest  direct  sun- 
shine does  not  reach  them.  Water  should  be 
sparingly  applied  till  the  growths  show  signs  of 
lengthening  out ;  then,  if  the  conditions  are  favour- 
able and  a  high  temperature  can  be  maintained, 
water  should  be  freely  given.  Those  living  near 
large  towns,  or  in  districts  where  fogs  are  prevalent 
during  the  early  winter,  should  use  every  device 
to  hasten  growth,  so  that  the  flowers  may  be 
produced  earlier  in  their  season,  when  less  risk 
would  be  run  of  having  the  flower  ruined  by  fog. 

Dendrobium  bigibbum,  D.  statteeianum,  and 
D.  superbiens 
may  all  be  treated  in  the  same  way.  When  this 
section  of  Dendrobiums  is  well  grown  and  arranged 
with  the  foregoing  they  present  one  of  the  most 
gorgeous  shows  it  is  possible  to  have.  They  also 
have  a  great  advantage  over  most  other  Dendro- 
biums on  account  of  the  long  stems  making  them 
so  useful  for  table  or  other  decoration. 

W.  P.  Bound. 

Oatton  Park  Gardens,  Beigate. 


THE     KITCHEN     GARDEN. 


UNPROFITABLE  VEGETABLE 
MARKOWS. 

FOR  some  years  the  Vegetable  Marrow  has 
not  been  grown  to  the  best  advantage. 
This  occurs  frequently  in  a  few  private 
places,  and  failure  may  be  traced  to 
overfeeding  ;  they  have  a  rich  root  run, 
with  the  result  that  a  wealth  of  foliage 
and  few  fruits  are  produced.  The  Marrow,  when 
given  field  culture  in  market  gardens,  gets  very 
diflferent  treatment,  but  even  then  I  do  not  think  the 
best  results  are  always  secured.  Amateurs  can  grow 
this  plant  to  advantage,  cutting  the  fruits  in  a 
smaller  state.  Many  think  that  by  doing  so  there 
is  a  loss,  but  this  is  not  so,  as  the  longer  the  fruits 
are  left  seeds  are  being  formed,  and  when  this  is 
the  case  they  soon  begin  to  show  fewer  fruits  and 
become    unprofitable.     Few  vegetables   are   more 


delicious  than  the  Marrow  when  cooked  whole 
before  the  seeds  begin  to  swell,  or  even  form  ;  but 
cut  when  the  size  of  a  cricket  ball  or  a  little 
larger  the  fruits  are  much  nicer. 

I  have  referred  to  growing  the  plants  with  a  rich 
root  run.  How  often  the  plants  occupy  an  old  bed 
of  decayed  or  even  fresh  manure,  and  not  always 
in  the  best  possible  position.  I  am  aware  at  times 
the  Marrow  is  useful  for  covering  up  unsightly 
places,  but  then  it  cannot  be  grown  to  the  best 
advantage.  I  recently  saw  an  enthusiastic  amateur 
who  told  me  he  had  just  procured  a  good  load  of 
decayed  manure  for  two  Marrow  plants.  Last 
year  he  had  two  enormous  fruits.  Excess  of  food 
at  the  root  is  the  cause  in  wet  seasons  of  the  fruits 
turning  yellow  in  a  small  state,  whilst  the  plant  is 
making  long,  trailing  growth  with  very  few  fruits. 
I  do  not  advise  starving,  but  what  one  would  call 
fair  treatment.  Stop  closely  if  necessary,  and 
avoid  crowding.  Another  point  often  lost  sight  of 
is  that  a  sturdy  plant  at  the  start  is  far  preferable 
to  one  drawn  and  given  much  heat.  Of  course, 
timely  shelter  is  well  repaid,  but  far  better  results 
follow  if  there  is  no  coddling.  These  plants  do 
well  grown  on  the  flat  in  an  open  sunny  position, 
and  given  a  little  food  at  the  start.  If  at  the 
planting  a  few  spadefuls  of  soil  are  taken  out,  the 
space  filled  in  with  good  food,  and  the  soil  replaced, 
thus  making  a  small  mound,  the  plants  do  much 
better  than  when  given  a  load  of  rank  manure.  It 
will,  therefore,  be  seen  that  simple  cultural  details 
are  best.  Later  on  food  given  in  the  shape  of 
liquid  manure  is  well  repaid.  The  fruits  should 
be  cut  regularly  and  before  they  are  overEjrown. 

S.  H.  B. 


BROCCOLI  LATE  QUEEN. 
For  years  I  have  grown  most  of  the  late  Broccoli 
with  the  intention  of  getting  the  supply  to  last 
until  the  early  Cauliflowers  are  ready.  Most 
growers  of  Broccoli  will  admit  that  it  is  erratic  in 
growth  ;  but  Late  Queen  is  less  influenced  by  the 
weather  than  others,  and  there  will  be  no  difficulty 
in  bridging  over  the  dates  between  the  Broccoli 
and  Cauliflower  supply.  To  be  on  the  safe  side 
one  cannot  plant  all  the  crop  on  the  same  quarter. 
I  find  we  have  a  much  better  supply  when  the 
quarters  are  varied  as  much  as  possible,  our  latest 
being  grown  on  a  north  border.  The  plants  are 
less  afiected  by  frost  than  on  a  warmer  site.  I 
may  add  doubtless  they  are  hardier  and  dwarfer 
than  the  others.  As  Late  Queen  is  of  very  dwarf 
and  compact  growth  it  is  less  afiected  by  frost  than 
larger  varieties.  With  us  it  follows  Veitch's 
Model,  the  last-named  being  a  grand  variety  to 
precede  it,  and  not  unlike  it  in  hardiness  and  good 
quality.  For  a  May  supply  in  the  south  and  later 
in  the  north  the  Late  Queen  is  the  most  useful 
vegetable  we  have  ;  the  heads  are  well  protected, 
the  curd  is  close,  and  the  quality  equal  to  the 
Cauliflower.  But  no  matter  how  grown,  the  heads 
should  be  cut  in  a  small  state  before  the  curd 
opens.  Sent  to  table  in  this  way  they  are  more 
appreciated.  G.  Wythbs. 

A  NEW  RHUBARB. 
The  fruit  and  vegetable  committee  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  had  before  them  on  the  3rd 
inst.  a  particularly  fine  exhibit  of  a  new.  Rhubarb 
shown  by  Mr.  G.  Hobday,  a  clever  and  enthusiastic 
amateur  of  Havering  Road,  Romford.  The  in- 
dividual stalks  were  upwards  of  3  feet  in  length, 
straight,  and  of  wonderful  thickness.  It  received 
a  cultural  commendation,  which  it  most  worthily 
deserved,  and  I  understand  it  received  the  same 
award  and,  in  addition,  a  silver  medal  the  same 
evening  at  a  meeting  of  the  Amateur  Gardeners' 
Association.  The  origin  of  this  grand  variety  was 
not  given.  It  somewhat  resembles  Victoria,  but 
is  apparently  quite  distinct  and  far  superior.  It 
was  certainly  the  finest  I  have  ever  seen,  and  one 
member  of  the  committee  stated  he  had  attended 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  meetings  for 
upwards  of  twenty  years  and  had  never  before 
seen  anything  like  it.  Mr.  Hobday  is  to  be  con- 
gratulated on  producing  such  a  fine  novelty,  which 
I  trust  will  be  distributed  to  the  public  in  due 
course.  E.  Beckett. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


BEDDING  PLANTS  are  the  most  im- 
portant feature  in  Covent  Garden 
Market  at  the  present  time,  and  the 
supplies  all  round  are  very  good.  For 
London  work  an  immediate  effect 
must  be  produced,  and  the  growers 
who  are  careful  to  bring  bedding  plants  in  with 
expanded  flowers  secure  the  best  trade  and  best 
prices. 

Calceolaria.':  are  very  plentiful,  and  mostly  free 
healthy  plants,  which  should  do  well.  In  Verbenas 
there  seems  quite  a  revival,  and  many  are  now 
using  these  old  favourites,  but  a  large  portion  of 
those  seen  in  the  market  are  seedlings.  The 
colours  of  these  cannot  be  depended  upon,  but  the 
varieties  do  remarkably  well  when  planted  out, 
and  many  of  the  flowers  prove  quite  equal  to  the 
old  named  varieties. 

Lobelia.— The  blue  Lobelia  is  always  much  used, 
and  those  who  can  get  good  plants  in  44-inch  pots 
in  flower  early  can  always  depend  upon  a  good 
trade  for  it.  This  season  it  seems  rather  later  than 
usual,  but  it  is  now  coming  in  good  condition  and 
sells  well.  It  used  formerly  to  be  largely  grown 
in  small  pots,  but  many  now  plant  out  from  the 
store  boxes.  These  have  been  very  plentiful  this 
season.  All  kinds  of  seedlings  and  cuttings  in  the 
small  store  boxes  are  over  plentiful.  At  one  time 
this  trade  was  very  profitable  to  growers,  but  it 
has  now  come  down  so  much  in  price,  and 
altogether  the  supplies  are  in  excess  of  all  demands. 
At  one  time  prices  ranged  from  Is.  6d.  to  2b.  6d. 
per  box,  now  the  same  thing  can  often  be  bought 
at  from  6d.  to  Is.  per  box,  and  it  must  be  some- 
thing special  to  make  up  to  Is.  6d.  per  box. 

Marguerites.— The  young  spring-grown  plants 
are  now  in  from  several  sources,  and  there  are  still 
a  good  many  of  the  larger  plants  from  autumn 
stock.  I  have  seen  a  few  good  plants  of  the 
yellow  variety,  but  they  are  scarce  and  make  18s. 
per  dozen,  but  we  are  now  getting  the  Chrysan- 
themum segetum,  the  single  yellow,  and  also  semi- 
double.  These  take  the  place  of  the  yellow 
Marguerites  to  a  great  extent.  Yellow  Calceo- 
larias are  plentiful,  and  the  Golden  Gem  proves 
much  more  serviceable  than  the  old  favourite 
floribunda. 

Pelargoniums  are  now  coming  from  several 
growers,  and  some  well-flowered  plants  are  seen, 
but  there  are  many  far  from  being  of  first  quality. 
Zonals  are  much  better ;  since  the  trade  for  these 
has  so  much  increased  growers  have  given  them 
better  attention,  and  they  are  now  among  the 
most  showy  flowering  plants  seen  in  the  market. 
The  Ivy -leaved  varieties  are  also  well  done.  As 
a  pot  plant  the  variety  Galilee  has  no  equal. 
Baden  Powell  and  Leopard  are  now  seen,  but  not 
in  quite  first-class  condition.  They  should  both 
prove  useful,  if  well  finished,  as  pot  plants. 
Souvenir  de  Chas.  Turner  is  now  very  fine,  and  the 
variety  Mme.  Crousse  is  coming  from  several 
growers  in  very  large  quantities.  Fuchsias  are 
very  plentiful  in  well-flowered  plants ;  in  fact, 
there  is  now  a  most  plentiful  supply  of  all  season- 
able subjects. 

Cut  Flowers.— The  Iceland  Poppies  are  among 
the  most  recent  additions  to  cut  flowers.  These 
are  now  very  good.  One  grower  has  a  remarkably 
fine  strain,  the  flowers  being  larger  than  the 
ordinary  type,  and  the  colours  of  a  peculiarly  soft 
and  attractive  shade.  Sweet  Peas  are  plentiful  and 
very  fine  from  several  growers  ;  the  whites  are 
most  prominent,  but  we  now  have  the  pink  and 
mauve.  Prices  are  not  very  good,  but  we  may 
expect  to  see  an  improvement.  The  florists  do  not 
seem  to  care  to  start  with  them  too  soon.  Roses 
continue  verv  good  and  plentiful.  I  have  never 
seen  the  market  better  supplied  than  at  the 
present  time ;  and  most  of  them  now  seen  are  cut 
with  long  stemsand  good  foliage.  A  few  years  ago 
it  would  have  been  thought  impossible  to  get  such  a 
supply  of  Roses  on  long  stems.  Cutting  so  much 
wood  may  be  detrimental  to  further  supplies  of 
blooms  from  the  same  plants,  but  the   American 


394 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Junk  4,  1904. 


system  of  flowering  young  stock,  and  cutting  all 
the  stem  possible  with  new  plants  for  further 
supplies  will  be  found  to  pay  best.  Taking  what  is 
now  seen  in  the  best  florists'  shops  it  is  more 
evident  that  we  must  have  most  flowers  on  long 
stems.  A.  H. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor    is    not   responsible  for    the  opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 

CABBAGES    BOLTING. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "  The  Gabden."] 

SIR, — I  read  with  interest  Mr.  Crook's 
article  in  a  recent  issue  of  The 
Garden  on  the  above  subject.  May  I 
be  allowed  to  express  my  own  views  in 
this  matter.  I  happen  to  be  employed 
in  the  Bodorgan  Gardens,  where  the  late 
Mr.  EUam  was  head  gardener  for  many  years, 
and  who  was  the  raiser  of  EUam's  Early 
Cabbage,  which  Mr.  Crook  does  not  seem  to 
favour.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  it,  it 
is  one  of  the  best  Cabbages.  Out  of  a  bed 
of  some  1,300  plants  here  not  a  single  one  has 
bolted.  We  grow  no  other,  and  I  should  say 
neither  Mr.  Crook  nor  Mr.  Bowerman  can 
have  the  true  Ellam's  Early.  Certainly, 
when  one  loses  25  per  cent,  of  a  batch  of 
plants  it  is  a  serious  item.  I  should  like  to 
know  if  Mr.  Crook  saves  his  own  seed,  as 
with  growing  several  varieties  I  should  say 
most  certainly  he  cannot  depend  on  the 
seed  being  true.  Soils,  I  believe,  have  a 
good  deal  to  do  with  the  bolting  of  Cabbages, 
as  no  two  garden  soils,  I  suppose,  are  alike. 
It  certainly  is  not  drought  this  year,  if  our 
friends  in  England  have  experienced  the  same 
weather  as  we  in  North  Wales. 

G.  S.  Jordan. 
Bodorgan  Gardens,  Anglesey,  North  Wales. 


to  cut  these  down  and  to  graft  Black  Hamburgh  on 
them.  These  Black  Hamburgh  on  the  roots  of 
Madresfield  Court  are  doing  excellently,  bearing 
heavy  crops  every  year.  Next  year  I  intend  plant- 
ing another  vinery  chiefly  with  Black  Hamburgh 
and  Foster's  White  Seedling,  and  also  four  canes 
of  Madresfield  Court.  Now  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
how  I  shall  act.  Whether  I  shall  plant  Black 
Hamburgh  and  Foster's  Seedling  only,  and  after- 
wards graft  Madresfield  Court  on  the  young  growth 
of  these  or  to  plant  Madresfield  Court  and  let  it 
grow  on  its  own  roots.  When  I  was  in  England  I 
saw  Madresfield  Court  on  their  own  roots  ;  they 
were  grand,  but  these  were  grown  in  houses  by 
themselves  and  may  have  been  specially  treated. 

St.  Petersburg.  R.  K. 

[The  question  here  asked  may  have  an  interest  to 
many  others  who  may  be  perplexed  with  a  similar 
difficulty  when  many  varieties  of  Grapes  have  to 
be  grown  in  the  same  vinery.  We  hope  the 
question  asked  by  our  Russian  correspondent  may 
elicit  useful  information  from  some  of  our  British 


[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Mr.  J.  Crook's  testimony  in  relation 
to  the  bolting  or  non-bolting  of  certain  early 
Cabbages  is  in  exact  accord  with  the  results 
of  the  trial  of  some  twenty-six  varieties  con- 
ducted for  the  Surrey  County  Council  at 
Egham  two  years  since.  Of  July  and  August 
sowings  and  later  plantings  about  5  per  cent, 
of  the  first  and  1  per  cent,  of  the  second 
planting  only  bolted.  We  found  invariably 
that  the  bolters  were  of  coarser  growth  than 
■were  the  general  body  of  plants  of  each 
stock,  the  moral  being  that  in  taking  plants 
of  Cabbages  from  beds  or  drills  it  is  wise 
to  reject  any  that  bear  an  appearance  of 
extra  strength,  as  these  may  prove  to  be 
untrue,  or,  as  we  term  them,  "rogues." 
That  there  are  varieties  quite  unfit  for 
autumn  sowing,  because  of  their  annual 
heredity,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  and  they 
should  be  avoided,  whilst,  all  the  same, 
they  do  well  and  carry  excellent  hearts  if  sown 
in  the  spring.  Happily,  we  hear  few  complaints 
as  to  bolting  Cabbages  now,  doubtless  because 
the  peculiarities  of  certain  varieties  are  better 
understood.  A.  D. 


MADRESFIELD    COURT    VINE    A 
FAILURE. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "  The  Garden."] 
Sir, — Will  you  kindly  give  me  an  answer  in  The 
Garden  to  the  following  question  :  In  which  way 
Is  it  best  to  grow  Madresfield  Court  Vine  ?     On  its 
own  roots  or  grafted  on  one  of   the  following  three 
varieties,  Black   Hamburgh,  Foster's  Seedling,  or 
Gros  Colmar.    I  have  no  other  sorts.  Ten  or  twelve 
years  ago  I  planted  a  vinery  with  Black  Hamburgh 
and  Gros  Colmar,  and  among  these  I  also  planted 
four  Madresfield  Court.     These  did  very  well  for 
some  four  or  five  years,  afterwards  they  became 
weaker  and  weaker  (whilst  the  other  two  varieties 
continued  to  do  well),  so  that  I  made  up  my  mind 


growing  this  Grape  well  than  in  growing  any  other. 
This  Vine  is  not  of  so  robust  a  growth  as  Black 
Hamburgh  for  instance,  and  to  produce  the  best 
results  forcing  the  Vine  or  subjecting  it  to  great 
heat  at  any  time  must  be  avoided.  Indeed,  this 
superb  Grape  succeeds  excellently  in  a  vinery 
without  artificial  heat ;  therefore,  in  planting  the 
four  Muscats  we  would  advise  our  correspondent 
to  plant  them  at  the  coolest  end  of  his  vinery,  and 
in  the  summertime,  while  growth  is  active,  to  ven- 
tilate freely  when  the  weather  is  fine,  and  to  leave 
a  little  air  on  all  night  as  well  as  day,  until  the 
fruit  is  ripe.  The  variety  is  most  prolific,  and  the 
fatal  error  is  made  by  many  of  leaving  too  many 
bunches  for  the  Vine  to  mature.  This  i.s,  perhaps, 
more  often  the  cause  of  failure  than  any  other.  The 
number  of  bunches  a  healthy,  well  -  established 
Vine  of  this  variety  should  carry  must  be  deter- 
mined by  the  size  and  weight  of  the  bunches. 
Usually  the  bunches  range  from  lAlb.  to  31b.,  and 
these  are  the  most  useful  sizes,  although  it  is  quite 
possible  to  have  them  51b.  or  more.  Six  bunches 
of  31b.  each,  or  twelve  smaller  ones,  are  the 
most  that  should  be  allowed.  As  regards 
planting  four  Vines  of  Madresfield  Court  next 
year,  we  should  advise  our  correspondent  to 
act  on  the  suggestion  he  makes,  that  is,  to 
plant  Black  Hamburgh  and  graft  Madresfield 
Court  on  them.  The  Hamburgh  stock  is  one 
of  the  best  for  any  Vine  to  be  worked  upon, 
and  as  the  former  has  failed  on  its  own  roots 
it  may  succeed  better  on  the  other  stock  ; 
in  any  case  we  are  confident  it  will  succeed 
as  well.  By  taking  care  not  to  over-crop  the 
Vine  or  subject  it  to  too  much  forcing,  we 
believe  our  correspondent  will  yet  succeed  in 
growing  this  excellent  Grape  as  well  as  he  has 
succeeded  in  growing  the  Black  Hamburg. 
—Ed.] 


ilex  MITNDYI.     (Lea    otitline  reduced.) 

Grape  growers.  In  replying  to  an  ordinary  question 
of  this  kind,  the  most  general  and  ready  reply 
would  be  to  say  that  the  roots  were  at  fault,  from 
one  cause  or  another,  but  this  theory  is  knocked  on 
the  head  by  the  fact  stated  in  the  question  that 
Black  Hamburgh  grafted  on  the  roots  of  Madres- 
field Court,  which  failed,  succeeded  well  afterwards, 
showing  conclusively  that  the  fault  was  not  to  be 
found  in  defective  root  action.  This  compels  the 
thought  that  the  failure  was  due  to  some  defect  in 
providing  suitable  cultural  details.  Speaking 
generally,  it  must  not  be  lost  sight  of  that  the 
Madresfield  Court  Vine  partakes  more  or  less  of  the 
delicate  constitution  of  the  Muscat,  and  our 
experience  of  its  culture  goes  to  prove  that  a 
warmer  and  better  drained  border  is  necessary  than 
for  ordinary  Grapes,  such  as  Black  Hamburgh, 
Foster's  Seedling,  &c.  By  a  warmer  and  better 
drained  border  we  mean  a  border  of  higher  elevation, 
and  formed  with  a  more  liberal  admixture  of  broken 
bricks  and  old  mortar  rubble  added  to  the  soil. 
This  provided,  we  have  found  no  more  difficulty  in 


HOLLIES   AT    HANDS- 
WORTH. 

IT  may  appear  a  strange  season  to 
write  of  the  Hollies.  We  think  of 
the  glossy-leaved  shrub — the  pride 
of  the  English  hedgerow,  strong, 
leafy,  and  ruddy— when  the  Christ- 
mas bells  ring  out  their  message 
through  the  frosty  air  ;  but  as  this  is  the 
season  to  plant  it  is  more  important  to 
think  of  the  Holly  now  than  in  winter. 
When  writing  of  Holly  planting  our 
thoughts  go  back  to  a  September  day  last 
year  spent  in  the  nurseries  of  Messrs. 
Fisher,  Son,  and  Sibray  at  Handsworth,  a 
few  miles  outside  the  city  of  Sheffield. 
All  Holly  lovers  are  acquainted,  or  should 
be,  with  this  beautiful  nursery  of  trees 
and  shrubs,  of  fruits  and  flowers,  and  of 
plants  in  general,  but  we  will  write 
now  only  of  the  Hollies  of  thi.s  great 
firm.  Here  is  to  be  found  scattered 
through  the  broad  acres  a  collection  of 
species  and  varieties  which  are  of  interest 
not  only  from  the  fine  series  there  repre- 
sented, but  from  the  fact  that  here  are 
veterans  many  feet  high  and  of  great  width, 
the  parent  plants  from  which  have  spread 
the  thousands  of  shrubs  that  adorn  the 
gardens  of  Britain  and  over  the  seas.  Many  a 
good  Holly  has  been  raised  here,  and  other 
shrubs  also,  although  we  fear  it  is  not  known 
generally  that  many  of  the  plants  now  familiar 
in  gardens  were  born  in  the  Handsworth 
nurseries. 

A  few  weeks  ago  the  Hollies  were  fully 
described,  and  we  may  well  refer  our  readers  to 
the  excellent  monograiih  there  published.  All 
these  species  and  varieties  are  represented  in 
full  vigour  at  Handsworth.  The  outline  of  a 
leaf  of  Mundyi,  Wilsoni,  and  Shepherdi  accom- 
pany these  notes.    Shepherdi  is  well  known ; 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


395 


not  so,  however,  Mundyi  and  Wilsoni.  Both 
of  these  were  raised  at  Handsworth,  and  will 
be  the  Hollies  of  the  future.  The  former, 
named  after  Mr.  Mundy  of  Shipley  Hall, 
Derby,  has  a  glossy  green  leaf  of  firm  texture, 
and  distinguished  by  a  certain  stiffness  which 
gives  it  a  peculiar  value  for  shelter  ;  the  growth 
is  strong  and  erect.  Wilsoni  is  a  great  favourite 
of  the  writer.  Its  leaves  are  large,  lustrous  in 
colour,  conspicuously  toothed,  and  clothe  the 
shoots  in  such  a  way  that  a  specimen  taken 
reasonable  care  of  presents  a  solid  surface  of 
green,  relieved  in  winter  with  large  deep  red 
berrie.s.  All  these  are  varieties  of  the  Holly 
of  hedgerow  and  woodland,  and  no  form  is 
unrepresented,  whether  it  is  beautiful  in  itself 
or  of  interest  botanically.  Donningtonensis  is 
there,  the  curious  Hedgehos  Holly  or  Ferox, 
the  Ibeautiful  Moonlight  Holly  (flavescens), 
Fisheri,  handsworthensis,  the  beautiful  Hands- 
worth  New  Silver  Holly,  the  yellow-berried 
fructu-luteo,  Hodginsii,  Marnocki  (a  beautiful 
Holly  raised  in  these  nurseries,  and  thick  with 
scarlet  fruit),  nobilis,  ovata,  platyphylla,  and 
scotica.  Huge  specimens  of  the  golden  and 
silver  variegated  varieties  stand  out  clear  and 
bright  in  the  winter  days,  and  give  a  fresh 
colouring  to  the  garden  which  no  other  varie- 
gated tree  or  shrub  can  impart.  We  know  not 
at  what  season  the  Handsworth  nurseries  are 
most  interesting.  At  the  present  moment  the 
extensive  collection  of  flowering  trees  and 
shrubs  is  in  full  bloom,  and,  as  elsewhere,  the 
abundant blossomingthis  year hasbeen  as  enjoy- 
able as  the  groups  of  Roses  in  their  summer 
flower,  for  in  Rose  time  a  visit  to  Handsworth 


is  well  repaid  by  the  enormous 
quantities  that  are  grown  in 
these  broad  acres.  The  collection 
of  bush  Ivies  is  complete,  but  of 
this  we  shall  write  shortly,  giving 
at  the  same  time  illustrations  of 
the  beautiful  amurensis  at 
Handsworth  and  Hatfield.  The 
Holly  is  the  shrub  to  plant  for 
shelter,  and  for  the  sake  of  its 
varied  beauty.  Those  who  have 
large  gardens  and  estates  in 
which  the  ordinary  Holly  only  is 
planted  should  make  a  greater 
acquaintance  with  the  family 
and  visit  such  a  nursery  as  this, 
or  read  what  has  been  already 
written  of  this  great  group  of 
hardy  shrubs. 


GARDENING    OF 
THE  WEEK. 


ILEX  WILSONI.      (Leaf  outline,  slight  reduction.) 


FRUIT   GARDEN. 

CUCDMBEES. 

AS  soon  as  the  plants  grown 
in    frames   are    in   full 
bearing,  the  old  ones  in 
the   houses  being  more 
^     or  less   exhausted,  and 
often  infested  with   red 
spider,   should    be    replaced    with 
young  ones.    Light  top-dressings  of 
loam,  leaf-mould,  and  horse  manure 
should       be 
given     to 
plants  which 
show  signs  of 
weakness 

from  over-cropping.  Water 
with  diluted  liquid  manure, 
thin  the  growths,  and  crop 
lightly  for  a  time.  Thoroughly 
syringe  the  plants  on  bright 
days,  and  close  early  in  the 
afternoon. 

Cherries. 
The  houses  where  ripe  fruit 
is  hanging  should  be  securely 
netted  to  keep  out  the  birds, 
and  be  kept  dry  and  cool. 
Trees  growing  in  borders, 
watered  and  mulched  as 
advised  in  previous  calendars, 
will  require  very  little,  if 
any,  water  until  the  fruit  is 
gathered.  If  water  is  neces- 
sary, remove  the  mulch, 
water  the  border  moderately, 
and  replace  the  mulch, 
choosing  a  fine  morning  for 
carrying  out  the  work. 

Figs. 
Trees  grown  against  walls 
are  later  than  usual  in 
making  growth  ;  as  soon  as 
the  shoots  become  large 
enough  they  must  be  dis- 
budded freely,  allowing 
plenty  of  space  between  the 
shoots,  so  that  the  wood 
may  thoroughly  mature. 
Secure  the  growths  as  they 
increase  in  length,  thin  the 
fruits,  and  give  liquid  manure 
freely  to  old  trees,  especially 
those  growing  on  light  soils. 
Pears  and  Plums  grown  upon 
walls  should  have  all  the 
strongest  shoots  pinched  back 
to  about  four  buds,  starting 
at  the  top  of  the  trees  and 
doing    the    bottom    half    of 


ILEX   SHEPHERDI. 


(Leaf  outlinCf  slight  rednctwn.) 


the  trees  a  few  days  later.  Tie  in,  as  soon  as 
they  become  large  enough,  those  shoots  required 
for  furnishing  the  trees.  Pyramid  and  bush 
Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Cherries  should  be 
treated  the  same.  This  will  clear  the  trees  of 
large  numbers  of  maggots  and  aphis  if  all  the 
curled  leaves  are  removed  at  the  same  time.  Give 
the  trees  a  good  washing  afterwards  with  the 
garden  engine  with  clear  water  ;  this  will  help  to 
clean  the  fruit  and  foliage. 
Vines. 

Disbud  the  shoots  of  Vines  growing  against 
walls,  leaving  one  or  two  shoots  to  a  spur,  allow 
plenty  of  space  between  the  shoots,  at  least 
12  inches.  Tie  in  the  shoots  as  they  become  large 
enough,  and  stop  at  first  or  second  leaf  beyond  the 
bunch  ;  thin  early  and  leave  one  bunch  to  a  shoot. 
Where  the  Loganberry  is  grown  in  rich  soil  and 
well  established  strong  shoots  will  now  be  throwing 
up  in  quantity.  Select  the  strongest  of  these  and 
train  in  between  the  fruiting  ones,  removing  the 
weakest.  Give  liquid  manure  water  when  neces- 
sary, and  mulch  with  short  manure. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Thinning  Crops. 
Onions  will  be  the  first  to  require  attention. 
They  need  not  be  thinned  too  severely,  as  many 
may  be  pulled  quite  young  and  are  useful  in  the 
kitchen.  If  there  are  blanks  in  the  rows  some 
may  be  transplanted.  Take  care  not  to  plant  too 
deeply.  Make  the  plants  firm  after  thinning,  and 
give  a  dressing  of  soot  or  wood  ashes.  If  small 
Onions  are  required  for  pickling  a  portion  of  the 
bed  may  be  left  unthinned,  as  this  will  keep  them 
small.  Carrots  should  be  thinned  early.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  thin  the  early  sorts  severely,  as  they 
can  be  used  when  quite  small.  For  the  main 
crop  thin  to  6  inches  apart.  A  dressing  of  soot 
will  also  benefit  this  crop.  Parsnips  should  be 
thinned  to  about  8  inches.  If  Parsley  has  come  up 
thickly  it  will  be  the  better  for  a  slight  thinning, 
and  those  taken  out  may  be  used  for  transplanting 


396 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


into  frames  for  winter  use, 
a    foot    apart,    putting 


Thin  Lettuce  to  about 

the    thinning    for    a 

eucceasion.     On  no   account  should   the   work   be 

carried  out  in  very  dry   weather,  as  many  Carrot 

crops  are  lost  in  this  way. 

Peas. 

Another  good  sowing  should  be  made  at  this 
time  of  the  large  podded  sorts,  such  as  Duke  of 
Albany,  Duchess,  and  many  other  sorts  not  suit- 
able for  early  sowings.  These  fine  Peas  may  be 
sown  much  thinner  than  the  round-seeded  early 
varieties.  Sow  .5  feet  between  the  lines.  A 
sowing  of  Spinach  may  be  put  in  between  the  rows 
if  economy  of  space  has  to  be  considered.  These 
Peas  will  require  taller  stakes  than  the  earlier 
sowings.  Stake  and  earth  up  all  Peas  as  soon  as 
they  are  4  inches  high. 

General  Sowings. 

A  sowing  of  Turnips  should  be  made  every 
three  weeks.  Golden  Ball  being  a  suitable  sort  for 
June  sowings.  A  few  short  lines  of  Lettuce  should 
be  put  in  frequently,  the  thinnings  being  trans- 
planted. It  is  a  good  practice  to  do  this  at  stated 
intervals  as  a  guard  against  mishaps.  A  sowing  of 
Carrots  in  June  often  proves  useful,  especially 
•where  the  main  crop  of  Carrots  is  not  to  be 
depended  on.  Choose  a  shady  border.  Another 
sowing  of  French  Beans  should  also  be  got  in,  as 
the  early  sowings  are  not  to  be  depended  on  in 
cold  soils.  To  ensure  a  constant  supply  of  Spinach 
this  must  be  sown  every  fortnight. 

Cabbage  and  Caoliflower. 

These  raised  on  a  warm  border  from  March 
sowings  are  now  ready  for  planting,  and  if 
possible  this  should  be  done  in  showery  weather  ; 
2  feet  apart  will  be  found  suitable  for  most 
varieties.  This  planting  will  be  a  succession  to 
those  wintered  in  frames.  If  the  plot  for  Cauli- 
flower has  a  southern  exposure  a  small  portion 
only  should  be  planted  with  the  variety  Autumn 
Giant,  and  a  large  planting  should  be  made  on  a 
piece  of  ground  having  a  northern  aspect,  as  finer 
heads  will  be  the  result,  and  a  much  longer  supply 
afforded.  Should  dry  weather  set  in  after  planting 
a  watering  should  be  given  in  the  evening.  If 
time  allows  the  earliest  planted  Cauliflower  will 
be  greatly  benefited  by  weak  applications  of  liquid 
manure  or  a  rich  top-dressing. 

Thomas  Hay. 

Sopetoun  House  Gardens,  JV.  B. 


When  planted  in  rich  soil  Musa  Ensete  develops 
the  brilliant  colour  of  its  leaf  midrib  to  a  greater 
degree  than  when  plunging  is  practised,  and  the 
foliage  is  much  more  luxuriant.  While  the  Mada- 
gascar Banana  is  more  suitable  as  an  isolated 
specimen,  the  Japanese  Musa  Basjoo  (M.  japonica) 
is  very  striking  when  grouped,  especially  so  if  the 
plants  are  of  different  sizes.  A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Sub-tropical  Plants. 

In  many  gardens  where  house  room  is  limited  it  is 

often  a  difficult  matter  properly  to  harden  off  many 

of    the   fine-foliaged   plants   used    in    sub-tropical 

gardening.      Often   for   want   of   a   more   suitable 

structure  Palms,  Bananas,  &c.,  are  placed  early  in 

the  year  in  vineries  and  Peach  houses.     While  in 

these  houses  the  plants  do  extremely  well ;  here 

they  find  the  conditions  suitable  for  the  free  and 

luxuriant    growth    so    much    admired.      But   the 

trouble    commences    when    the    time    arrives   for 

hardening   off.      The    vine  foliage    overhead  has 

become   thicker  and  the  shade  denser,  and,  as  a 

result,  the  plant's  growth  beneath  is  quite  unfit  to 

withstand   rough   winds,    bright   sunshine,    or   an 

occasional  low  night  temperature.     But  necessity 

is   the   mother    of    invention,   and    the    gardener 

improvises   various   shelters    and    devices,    gladly 

availing  himself  of  the  friendly  protection  afforded 

by  any  neighbouring  Beech  trees.     When  possible, 

advantage  is  taken  of  a  dull  period  to  plunge  or 

plant  the  specimens  in  their  respective  places.    The 

ensuing  week  or  ten  days  is  a  most  anxious  time, 

for   until  they  are   thoroughly   hardened   Banana 

leaves  are  damaged  and  discoloured  quickly,  and 

such  Palms  as  Kentias  and  Latanias  are  liable  to 

be  spoilt  for  the  remainder  of  the  season  by  a  few 

minutes    strong    sunshine.      It    is    well   to   keep 

bandy  some  poles  and  pieces  of  tiffany,  and  place 

as  a  temporary  covering  over  these  plants  during 

rough  winds,  and  for  a  few  hours  in  the  middle  of 

hot  days.     This  protection  may  soon  be  dispensed 

with.     I  am  greatly  in  favour  of  planting  such  as 

Musaa  rather    than  plunging    the   pots  or  tubs. 


INDOOR  GARDEN. 

Pelargoniums  as  Wall  Plants. 
It  is  sometimes  a  puzzle  to  know  with  what  to 
clothe  the  back  wall  of  a  vinery  or  Peach  house, 
and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  in  two  or  three 
years'  time  such  a  position  can  be  made  of  much 
interest  and  beauty  by  planting  Pelargoniums. 
The  present  is  a  capital  time  to  plant,  and  the 
border  which  the  plants  are  to  occupy  should  be 
drained  well  and  be  filled  with  good  turfy  soil. 
To  this  add  some  old  mortar  rubble.  With  good 
plants  and  a  little  attention  a  fair  amount  of  the 
wall  space  will  be  covered  by  the  following  autumn. 
Attend  well  to  their  roots  with  water  during  the 
growing  season,  manurial  aid  being  unnecessary 
until  the  border  is  well  filled  with  roots  and  the 
plants  thoroughly  established.  The  only  other 
attention  necessary  is  to  thin  out  a  few  of  the 
weak  shoots  before  growth  commences  early  in  the 
year.  Ivy-leaved  as  well  as  zonal  Pelargoniums 
may  be  planted  in  association,  and  the  varieties 
will  depend  upon  individual  taste,  as  they  may  all 
be  scarlet  or  mixed  colours. 

Verbena  Ellen  Willmott. 
From  now  onward  there  are  few  plants  that 
will  afford  a  more  attractive  display  than  a  well- 
flowered  batch  of  this.  Strike  the  cuttings,  five 
or  seven  in  a  3-inch  pot,  and  directly  they  are  well 
rooted  transfer  them  without  disturbance  into5-inch 
and  6-inch  pots,  these  being  clean  and  well  drained. 
In  equal  parts  of  turfy  loam  and  leaf-mould,  with 
a  little  sand  added,  the  plants  will  grow  well.  The 
cold  frame  is  a  good  place  to  grow  them,  and  if 
they  are  syringed  and  their  shoots  stopped  about 
twice  they  will  soon  develop  good  bushy  plants 
and  produce  a  wealth  of  bloom.  Worked  in  batches 
they  can  be  had  in  flower  at  any  season,  but,  need- 
less to  say,  they  are  most  admired  when  in  flower 
during  the  early  spring  and  late  autumn. 

Rose  Mme.  N.  Levavassecr. 
In  every  character  except  habit  of  growth  this 
useful  new  dwarf  Rose  is  an  exact  counterpart  of 
the  well-known  Crimson  Rambler.  For  all  kinds 
of  decorative  work  it  is  a  gem,  and  efforts  to 
increase  the  stock  by  propagating  from  cuttings 
should  be  made  at  once.  Obtain  these  from  plants 
that  have  previously  flowered.  Take  off  the  young 
growths  and  insert  as  cuttings,  three  around  the 
sides  of  3-inch  pots.  Plunge  them  in  a  gentle 
bottom -heat  in  a  close  cold  frame,  and  they  will 
readily  strike  root,  and  may  soon  be  grown  into 
good  plants  for  flowering. 

Gloxinias. 
Young  plants  raised  from  seed  sown  early  in  the 
year  should  have  good  attention.  By  the  beginning 
of  September  they  should  be  good  flowering  plants. 
The  plants  grow  best  in  low-roofed  houses,  where 
they  can  be  placed  near  to  the  glass  and  obtain 
plenty  of  light.  Weak  but  frequent  applications 
of  guano  and  soot  water  will  encourage  the  develop- 
ment of  large  leaves,  good  crowns,  and  abundance 
of  flowers.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 

Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  Hull. 


showing  the  beauty  of  its  autumn  tints  of  crimson 
and  brown.  There  are  also  figures  of  the  type  and 
the  variety,  showing  their  natural  growth,  of 
V.  Thomsoni,  V.  megaphylla,  V.  aconitifolia,  V. 
fiexuosa  var.  Wilsoni,  V.  harryana,  V.  lecoides, 
V.  Romaneti,  V.  sinensis,  V.  heterophylla, 
V.  Delavayi,  and  V.  flexuosa  var.  chinensis. 
Dr.  Cooke  continues  his  invaluable  notes  about 
fungoid  pests  of  the  garden,  and  Mr.  Wyatt,  whose 
ripe  judgment  Dahlia  growers  esteem,  suggests 
rules  for  judging  the  flowers.  He  urges  the 
necessity  for  more  definite  and  stringent  rules,  as 
"  at  present  there  is  very  little  to  guide  one,  and 
especially  a  beginner,  in  the  selection  of  the  flowers 
to  show,  and  that  very  much  of  the  merit  of  a 
Cactus  Dahlia  is  left  to  the  personal  and  individual 
taste  of  the  judges,  tastes  which  oftener  than  not 
are  entirely  unknown  to  the  exhibitors,  and  one 
can  quite  imagine  in  a  close  competition  an  award 
being  given  to  one  or  other  of  the  stands  in  which 
some  flowers,  or  some  special  features  about  them 
which  happen  to  be  in  favour  with  the  judges, 
predominate.  One  judge  may  think  size  of  chief 
importance,  and  there  are  many  such ;  another  will 
allow  bright  colour  to  influence  his  decision ;  another 
some  other  property.  The  award  may  be  perfectly 
correct,  but  in  the  absence  of  any  code  for  judging 
a  great  weight  is  laid  on  the  responsibility  of  the 
judges,  and  a  great  deal  of  insecurity  on  the  fate  of 
the  exhibitors."  There  are  four  lectures  on  vege- 
tables, an  excellent  one  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Divers  on 
"Vegetables  All  the  Year  Round,"  by  Mr.  W.  G. 
Lobjoit  on  their  culture  for  market,  by  Mr.  Edwin 
Beckett  for  exhibition,  and  the  correct  ways  to 
cook  them  bj'  Dr.  Bonavia.  The  other  principal 
contents  are  "  On  the  Productivity  of  Seeds," 
F.  J.  Eaker;  "The  Hollyhock,"  George  Webb; 
"  Autumn  Raspberries  and  Strawberries,"  Mr. 
James  Hudson  ;  "  On  Size  in  Flowers,  Fruits,  and 
Vegetables,"  E.  T.  Cook;  "Germination  of 
Amaryllidete,"  A.  Worsley  ;  "  Variation  Under 
Wild  Conditions,"  C.  T.  Druery ;  "  Mediaeval 
Medicine,"  Rev.  Professor  Henslow  ;  "The  Pruning 
of  Roses,"  M.  Viviand  Morel  ;  "Rock  Garden  and 
Waterside  Irises,"  Eleonora  Armitage ;  "Hardy 
Irises,"  W.  J.  Caparne ;  "Albinism,"  John  Bidgood ; 
"  Heredity  Experiments,"  Charles  C.  Hurst ;  and 
"  In  Hawaiian  Islands,"  the  Rev.  Canon  Wey- 
mouth. The  editor  has  written  a  pithy  description 
of  the  society,  its  past  and  present  position,  and 
there  are  the  usual  notices,  abstracts,  and  common- 
place notes.  The  Journal  of  the  society  increases 
in  usefulness,  and  to  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  the 
editor,  horticulturists  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude. 


BOOKS, 

Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society. — The  volume  of  the  society's 
journal  which  has  juat  reached  us  is  the  most 
interesting  and  freely  illustrated  of  any  that  have 
yet  appeared.  The  lecture  by  Mr.  James  H.  Veitch 
upon  **  Hardy  Ornamental  Vines,"  and  reproduced 
here,  is  an  important  contribution  to  the  subject, 
and  we  have  nothing  but  praise  for  the  coloured 
illustration  of  a  leaf  of    Vitis    armata  Veitchii, 


We  take  the  following  from  the  recently  issued  Journal  :— 

The  Centenaky,  iS04— 1904. 

All  Fellows  will  be  delighted  to  hear  that  His  Majesty  the 
King  has  graciously  directed  that,  in  honour  of  the  centenary, 
His  Majesty's  name  should  be  added  to  that  of  the  Queen  as 
joint  patrons  of  our  old  society. 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  has  now  been  established 
exactly  lUO  years,  and  on  surveying  the  past  century  of  its 
existence  we  are  confident  that  it  is  in  great  measure  due  to 
the  work  done  by  the  society  that  British  gardening  and 
gardens  now  by  universal  admission  take  such  a  foremost 
place  amongst  the  horticulture  of  the  whole  world.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  dwell  on  the  events  and  history  of  the  past 
100  years,  for  these  are  all  readily  accessible  in  the  Journal 
of  the  society  and  elsewhere.  The  society  has  passed  through 
many  vicissitudes  of  fortune,  it  has  had  several  homes  and 
at  least  three  other  gardens,  but  never  has  it  had  such  a 
home  or  such  a  garden  as  those  into  the  possession  of  which 
it  is  now  about  to  enter. 

It  should  be  specially  noted  that  the  society  has  worked 
throughout  the  whole  of  its  century  of  existence  without  any 
single  subsidy  whatever  from  Government  or  from  any  other 
public  source,  although  much  of  its  work  has  been,  and  is, 
of  distinctly  national  character  and  advantage. 

The  council  believe  that  the  society  is  now  entering  on  a 
period  of  peace  and  prosperity  such  as  it  has  never  known 
before,  and  that  it  has  both  a  record  in  the  past  and  a  mission 
in  the  future  of  which  any  society  may  be  most  justly  proud. 

Much  still  remains  to  be  done,  and  the  council,  whilst 
themselves  doing  their  utmost,  venture  to  call  upon  every 
Fellow  also  to  do  his  best. 

(1)  To  still  further  increase  the  society's  numbers, 

(2)  To  help  wipe  out  the  debt  on  the  Hall,  and 

(;i)  To  provide  a  properly  e(iuipped  Horticultural  Re- 
search Station  for  the  new  gardens  at  Wisley. 

The  last  is  a  pressing  want  for  British  horticulture  gene- 
rally, but  the  council  do  not  feel  themselves  justified  in 
embarking  on  the  expenditure  it  involves  out  of  the  society's 
general  income  until  the  new  Hall  and  its  furniture  are  paid 
for  entirely. 

The  council  recognise  that  it  is  very  largely  due  to  the 
individual  efforts  of  the  Fellows  that  they  have  been  able  to 


•Junk  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


397 


elect  2,600  new  subacvibers  durina;  the  past  two  years,  but 
they  think  that  every  use  should  be  made  of  the  present 
unique  occasion  of  the  society's  centenary  for  still  further 
increasing  tlie  roll  of  the  Fellows. 

Of  the  now  nearly  8,000  members  about  1,200  have  con- 
tributed to  the  building  fund  according  to  their  means,  but 
as  all  the  Fellows  will  enjoy  the  more  convenient  and  more 
spacious  exhibition  hall,  lecture  room,  and  library,  the 
council  trust  that  all  who  have  not  yet  sent  a  oontrinution 
will  now  do  so,  in  order  that  it  may  indeed  be  the  Hall  of  the 
whole  society  and  not  of  a  certain  number  of  the  Fellows 
only.  Let  there  not  be  one  single  Fellow  when  the  Hall  is 
opened  who  cannot  say  he  has  done  his  share  (no  matter  how 
small)  towards  the  cost  of  its  erection,  even  though  he  may 
have  paid  for  but  a  few  bricks  in  the  foundation. 

When  we  look  back  over  the  past  century  and  see  the 
wonderful  changes  it  has  introduced  in  every  branch  of 
horticulture,  as  in  everything  else,  we  hesitate  to  forecast 
what  improvements  may  not  be  made  in  even  a  few  years 
to  come,  both  in  plants  themselves  and  in  gardening 
appliances  and  operations.  Hybridisation  will,  no  doubt, 
play  the  foremost  part  in  the  immediate  future,  but  to 
■make  full  gain  of  all  its  wondrous  possibilities  its  laws 
require  to  be  more  fully  studied  and  made  known.  Elec- 
tricity, also,  will  possibly  be  gradually  applied  in  many 
•ways ;  and  almost  all  the  natural  laws  and  phenomena  of 
plant  life  have  to  be  still  further  investigated,  and  other 
such  useful  work  to  be  done.  None  of  these  questions  can 
be  adequately  dealt  with  without  the  establishment  of  a 
really  scientific  research  station  in  connexion  with  the 
gardens  at  Wisley,  where  experiments  can  be  made  and 
carried  on  side  by  side  in  the  laboratory  and  in  the  gardens. 
The  council  have  decided  to  proceed  with  this  work  as  soon 
as  the  New  Hall  is  paid  for  and  the  finances  satisfactorily 
adjusted,  but  they  do  not  feel  justified  in  embarking  on  it 
•so  long  as  the  present  liabilities  remain  undischarged. 
Donations  to  either,  or  both,  of  these  objects  will  be  grate- 
fully received,  and  the  council  appeal  to  all  the  Fellows  to 
rally  round  them,  and  each  and  every  one  to  do  his  utmost 
to  give  the  grand  old  society  a  splendid  start  into  the 
second  century  of  its  work  and  usefulness. 

The  New  Hall,  which  is  to  be  called  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Hall,  measures  14-2  feet  by  75  feet,  which,  with  the 
two  annexes  opening  into  it,  each  47  feet  by  '24  feet,  gives  a 
total  floor  space  of  nearly  13,000  superficial  feet  for  the 
purposes  of  the  society's  fortnightly  and  other  shows.  This, 
compared  with  the  7,000  feet  available  at  the  present  Drill 
Hall,  shows  that  the  frequent  disappointment  experienced 
in  the  past,  of  exhibits  not  being  able  to  be  staged  for  lack 
of  room,  will  be  almost,  if  not  entirely,  removed. 

■Vincent  Square  lies  just  behind  the  Army  and  Navy 
Stores  in  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  and  is  only  five 
minutes'  walk  from  the  present  Drill  Hall.  It  is  exactly 
midway  between  Westminster  Abbey  and  Victoria  Station, 
and  is  most  accessible  from  all  parts  of  London.  The 
nearest  railway  stations  are  Victoria  and  St.  James's  Park. 

The  council  have  already  taken  out  the  necessary  licence, 
and  when  not  being  used  by  the  society  they  are  prepared  to 
let  the  hall,  the  council,  committee,  and  lecture  rooms  to 
other  socier.ies  for  shows  and  exhibitions,  and  for  entertain- 
ments, bazaars,  concerts,  and  the  like.  Particulars  of  terms, 
-dates,  (fee,  and  conditions  of  letting,  can  be  had  on  applica- 
tion to  the  secretary.  The  council  particularly  ask  all 
IFellows  to  make  it  as  widely  known  as  possible  what 
spacious  and  convenient  premises  they  have  for  letting,  as 
to  that  source  of  income  they  look  to  maintain  a  material 
part  of  the  annual  expense  of  the  upkeep  of  the  building. 

The  west  wing  of  the  second  floor  will  be  devoted  to  the 
purpose  of  worthily  housing  the  library  of  the  society,  with 
"which  is  included  the  incomparable  collection  of  horticul- 
tural works  known  as  the  Lindley  Library. 

The  first  of  the  fortnightly  shows  to  be  held  in  the  Eoyal 
Horticultural  Hall  is  fl.xed  to  take  place  on  Tuesday,  July  26, 
and  after  that  date  all  the  society's  work  will  be  conducted 
from  Vincent  Square  instead  of  Victoria  Street.  Fellows 
are  therefore  requested  to  note  the  change  in  the  address. 
The  telegraphic  address  will  still  be  "  Hortensia,  London," 
and  the  telephone  will  be  installed  as  soon  as  the  change  of 
quarters  actually  takes  place. 


grounds.  A  detailed  description  of  the  groups 
and  plants  and  flowers  of  special  merit  will  be 
found  in  the  appended  report. 

Orchids. 

There  was  a  magnificent  exhibit  of  Orchids  in 
variety  from  Baron  Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham,  in 
which  Odontoglossums  were  conspicuous.  Cym- 
bidiums,  Ljelias,  Vandas,  &c.,  made  a  bright 
background,  while  Catlleyas,  Cypripediums,  and 
other  Orchids  in  choice  sorts  were  extensively 
shown  also.  To  single  out  a  few  of  the  best  we 
should  mention  Odoritoglossuni  orispum  Rex,  0.  c. 
grande  maculatum,  0.  c.  Luciani,  0.  hybridum,  0. 
triumphansdellense,  0.  elegantius,  0.  polyxanthum 
(Kegeljani),  and  other  choice  hybrids;  Vanda 
teres,  Cattleya  Skinneri,  C.  Mossise,  Cypripedium 
barbatum,  C.  callosum  Sanderfe,  several  Masde- 
vallias,  and  Dendrobium  Bensoniae  were  finely 
flowered,  while  Miltonias,  Lielio-Gattleyas,  Phaloe- 
nopsis,  and  Lycastes  added  variety  and  colour  to 
the  display.  Lailia  X  Edward  VII. ,  a  digbyana 
hybrid,  with  enormous  fringed,  rose-coloured  lip, 
was  particularly  noticeable. 

In  the  group  from  Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq., 
Gatton  Park,  Reigate  (gardener,  Mr.W.  P.  Bound), 
Miltonia  vexillaria  in  several  shades  of  pink  and 
rose  made  a  very  pretty  centre,  while  immediately 
on  either  side  of  it  were  small  groups  of  Odonto- 


THE   TEMPLE    SHOW. 

»   LTHOUGH  it  may  seem  a  mere  repetition 
f\  of  what  we  have   written  in   former 

/  %  years  to  write  that  the  Temple  show 
/  \  of  1904  is  better  than  any  of  its  pre- 
J  %  decessors,  this  opinion  was  generally 
expressed,  and  was  fully  borne  out  by 
the  splendid  display  of  plants  and  flowers  and  fruits. 
There  were  masses  of  hardy  flowers  in  marvellous 
variety,  gorgeous  hued  Uannas  and  Azaleas  vied  with 
the  almost  equally  brilliantly  tinted  Calceolarias, 
Begonias,  and  Pelargoniums ;  Rhododendrons  were 
a  host  in  themselves,  and  miscellaneous  flowering 
shrubs  were  also  well  represented.  Roses  and 
Carnations  made,  as  they  always  do,  a  remarkable 
•display  alone,  and  even  to  mention  the  Orchids 
at  the  Temple  show  is  to  conjure  up  a  feast 
of  beauty  that  this  year  was  as  rich  as  ever.  Nor 
must  the  foliage  plants  be  forgotten,  for  apart 
from  their  real  value  they  served  to  accentuate  the 
effect  of  the  more  brilliant  plants  around  them  ; 
and  out  of  doors,  too,  the  ornamental  trees  and 
shrubs  were  much  admired ;  they  served  to  hide  the 
tents,  and  added  quite  a  picturesque  touch  to  the 


MESSRS.  VEITCH  S  EEGONIA   AGATHA. 
(Flowering  for  the  second  time  in  four  months.) 

glossuras,  and  beyond  these  again  Cattleyas  were 
arranged.  Among  the  Odontoglossums  0.  crispum 
Castanea,  0.  c.  Mrs.  Causton,  0.  o.  colmanianum, 
0.  c.  Lady  Roxburgh,  0.  polyxanthum  Gatton 
Park  variety,  0.  Adrianaj,  and  0.  hunnewellianiim 
Illustre  were  most  notable.  The  Cattleyas  included 
some  fine  varieties  of  C.  Mossise,  C.  intermedia 
ccerulea  Gatton  Park  variety,  C.  louryana,  and  C. 
Mendelii,  while  miscellaneous  Orchids  comprised 
Miltonias,  Cy  m  bidiums,  Masdevallia  harryana  Bull's 
Blood,  Lselia  purpurata,  Epidendrum  prismato- 
carpum,  O.  citrosmum  punctatissimum,  and  others. 
The  group  from  Sir  Frederick  Wigan,  Bart., 
Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  was  arranged  more  flatly 
than  the  groups  around  it,  and  the  background  of 
Adiantum  was  more  plainly  visible,  owing  to  the 
plants  being  quite  thinly  disposed.  The  masses  of 
Cattleya  Mossise  and  C.  Mendelii  were  fine,  and 
were  largely  responsible  for  the  charming  effect  of 
this  display.  Lielio-Cattleya  G.  S.  Ball  and  L.-C. 
Hippol3-ta  var.  Phoebe  made  bright  bits  of  colour 
among  Cattleya  Skinneri  alba,  Miltonia  bleuana 
nobilior,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Phalsenopsis 
grandiflora    rimestadtlana,    and    others    of    light 


shades ;  Lselio-Cattleya  canhamiana  var.  Mar- 
guerite, with  pure  white  drooping  sepals  and  petals 
and  rich  purple  lip,  was  very  tine,  and  other  good 
things  were  Cypripedium  bellatulum,  G.  b.  album, 
C.  niveum,  Thunias,  Sobralias,  Lielio-Cattleya  can- 
hamiana 'A  Lselia  tenebrosa,  and  Brassia  brachiata. 
A  cultural  commendation  was  given  to  Cymbidium 
devonianum. 

M.  Ch.  Vuylsteke,  Loochristi,  Belgium,  exhibited 
some  forms  of  Odontoglossums,  remarkable  for  their 
intensely  beautiful  markings.  OdontiodaVuylstekeie, 
the  result  of  a  cross  between  Cochlioda  noezliana 
and  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei  was  of  unique 
colouring.  The  lower  half  of  sepals  and  petals  is 
red,  thus  giving  a  red  centre  to  the  flower.  This 
bright  colouring  is  surrounded  by  a  narrow  line  of 
white,  the  upper  part  of  sepals  and  petals,  i.e.,  the 
outer  part  of  the  flower,  is  rose  colour,  while  the 
margins  are  purple.  The  lip  is  deeply  lobed  in  the 
centre,  the  lower  half  being  creamy  white  marked 
with  red. 

Captain  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE.  (Orchid 
grower,  Mr.  Alexander),  exhibited  a  small  group 
of  choice  and  well-grown  Orchids.  Cattleyas  and 
Lselio-Cattleyas  chiefly  were  shown,  and  the  flowers 
were  unusually  fine.  Lielio-Cattleya  digbyano- 
Mossiae  Westonbirt  variety,  with  lilac-rose  sepals 
and  petals,  the  lip  greenish  yellow  in  the  centre 
with  rose  margin,  was  perhaps  the  most  striking 
flower.  L.-C.  Fascinator  nobilior,  L.-C.  lolanthe, 
Cattleya  Warneri,  C.  W.  Westonbirt  variety, 
C.  Lawre-Mossia,  L.-C.  Baden-Powell,  C.  Mossise 
Wagneri,  L^lia  purpurata  alba,  L.-C.  Hippolyta, 
L.-C.  hyeana,  L.-C.  G.  S.  Ball,  and  L.-C.  Ascania 
were  other  beautiful  things.  Cypripedium  Lawrebel, 
C.  callosum  Sanderse,  C.  Maudise,  and  Cymbidium 
tigrinum  were  also  included. 

Dendrobium  crepidatum  album  was  shown  by 
D'Arcy  E.  Taylor,  Esq.,  The  Rocks,  Marshfield, 
Chippenham. 

The  group  of  Orchids  from  Messrs.  Sander  and 
Sons,  St.  Albans,  differed  in  arrangement  from  all 
the  others.  It  was  relieved  by  plants  being  raised 
on  pedestals  and  pots,  thus  breaking  the  formal 
outline  and  with  good  effect.  Odontoglossums  in 
many  and  choice  forms  occupied  the  centre  of  the 
group,  while  on  either  side  were  Cattleyas,  Phaius, 
and  miscellaneous  Orchids.  At  one  end  of  the 
display  were  some  fine  Phaius  Phrebe  and  P.  Cook- 
sonia3,  their  erect,  many  flowered  racemes  making 
a  brave  show.  Then  came  PhaUenopsis,  Oncidiums, 
various  Cattleyas,  Lycastes,  &e,  leading  up  to  a 
mass  of  Lfelio-Cattleya  Martineti  var.,  a  bold, 
richly  coloured  flower  (C.  Mossise  x  L.  tenebrosa). 
Next  came  a  small  group  of  Odontoglossums  in 
many  choice  forms,  conspicuous  among  them  being 
0.  ardentissimum  Queen  Alexandra.  Among  the 
miscellaneous  Orchids  staged  in  the  other  portion 
of  Messrs.  Sander's  group  were  Cattleya  Mrs. 
Myra  Peelers  (C.  gaskelliana  alba  X  C.  Warneri 
alba),  pure  white  except  for  a  yellow  throat, 
Cypripedium  Phrebe  var.  splendidissimum,  C. 
rothschildianum,  some  very  fine  L.-C.  canhamiana 
var.,  Vaoda  teres,  Lfelia  purpurata,  Vanda 
coerulea,  Miltonia  vexillaria  maxima,  and  Thunia 
Marshallias. 

In  the  display  of  Orchids  from  Messrs.  Cypher 
and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  Odontoglossums  were  pro- 
minent in  the  centre,  while  Cattleyas,  Cypripediums, 
&c.,  were  largely  represented.  Odontoglossums 
were  chiefly  represented  by  light  forms  of  0. 
crispum,  although  there  were  spotted  varieties  also, 
0.  hystrix,  0.  Uro-Skinneri,  0.  andersonianum, 
0.  Pescatorei,  andothers  were  included.  Dendrobium 
nobile,  Cypripedium  grande,  La^lia  tenebrosa,  L. 
purpurata,  Vanda  terres,  &c.,  formed  a  background, 
and  Cattleya  Mossise  and  C.  Mendelii  were  repre- 
sented by  good  varieties.  Masdevallia  veitchiana 
grandiflora  made  a  brilliant  bit  of  colour.  Cattleya 
Skinneri  (oculata),  Cypripedium  niveum,  C.  law- 
renceanum,  C.  callosum  Sanderse,  Phalajnopsis 
reimstadtiana,  Masdevallia  harryana,  and  Maxillaria 
sanderiana  were  also  noticeable. 

Messrs.  Cowan  and  Co.,  Gateacre,  Liverpool, 
exhibited  a  very  good  lot  of  Cattleyas,  Odonto- 
glossums, &c.  Good  forms  of  0.  crispum  were 
largely  shown,  some  of  them  finely  spotted,  0. 
concinnum  var.,  0.  wilekeanum,  and  0.  Adrianfe. 
Among    the    Cattleyas    were  C.   Mossiai    and   C. 


398 


THE   GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


Mendelii,  Loelio-Cattleya  canhamiana,  L.  purpurata 
X  digbyana,  Cailogyne  pandurata  (a  lovely  flower 
with  green  sepals  and  petals,  the  lip  and  throat 
green  beautifully  lined  and  marked  with  black), 
Cypripedium  Vipani,  C.  villosum  X  Exul,  C. 
Kolfea;,  Masdevallias,  and  Dendrobiums  were  also 
included  in  this  display. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  had 
some  good  Cymbidiuras,  Oncidiums,  Masdevallias, 
Miltonias,  Odontoglcssums,  &c.,  in  their  nicely 
arranged  group  of  Orchids.  Some  of  the  larger 
Oncidiums,  Cymbidiums,  and  L»lia  purpurata 
formed  the  background,  while  below  these  were 
Cattleya  Mossiaj  Countess  and  other  forms  of  C. 
Mossiie,  C.  Schrciderie  albescens,  C.  Mendelii,  C.  M. 
Doris,  and  Lselia  purpurata  Queen  Alexandra  ([pure 
white,  except  for  the  yellow-brown  lined  throat). 
Numerous  Odontoglossums,  0.  Adrians,  0.  A. 
Chelsiense,  and  0.  C.  Fairy  were  other  prominent 
Orchids.  A  mottled  variety  of  Cattleya  Mossiie 
called  Sunray  was  noticeable.  C.  M.  gigantea,  too, 
was  very  good. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford, 
Yorks,  had  a  wonderful  display  of  Orchids,  con- 
sisting largely  of  Odontoglossums  and  Cattleyas. 
In  the  centre  was  a  large  plant  of  Cattleya 
Skinneri  covered  with  flowers,  and  throughout  the 
group  Cattleyas  formed  a  groundwork  from  which 
the  arching  racemes  of  Odontoglossums  rose  grace- 
fully. Cattleya  Mossiai  Wageneri,  with  white 
sepals  and  petals  and  yellow  throat,  Lfelio-Cattleya 
canhamiana,  L.-C.  Fascinator,  Cattleya'  Warneri 
alba,  C.  Mendelii  Constance,  C.  Mossiee  vestalis, 
0.  M.  reineckiana,  L.-C.  Fascinator  var.  Prince 
George,  Brasso-Lailia  purpurato-digbyana,  and 
Cattleya  Mossife  M.  Cahuzac  deserve  a  special 
word  of  praise.  Among  the  Odontoglossums  it 
was  equally  easy  to  find  good  things,  for 
instance,  0.  vuylstekeanum,  with  sepals  and  petals 
heavily,  almost  wholly,  blotched  with  yellow,  the 
large  fringed  lip  white  with  yellow  blotch  in  the 
centre  ;  0.  Pescatorei  Charlesworthii,  a  pretty 
variety  with  rich  purple  spots  ;  and  0.  crispura 
Rosamund,  a  lovely  flower  dotted  and  blotched 
with  red  upon  a  ground  of  varying  shades  of  lilac- 
purple.  There  were  other  fine  unnamed  varieties 
also.  Other  Orchids  worthy  of  special  mention 
were  Cojlogyne  pandurata,  Laelio-Cattleya  G.  S. 
Ball,  Cypripedium  callosum  hyeanum,  Vanda  teres, 
Miltonias,  &c. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  fine  masses  of  Cattleya  Skinneri, 
C.  Mossiffi  (carrying  sixteen  spikes),  as  well  as 
smaller  plants  of  C.  M.  excellens,  C.  M.  reinec- 
kiana splendens,  L.-C.  Aphrodite  alba,  C.  law- 
renceano-gigas,  Brasso-Cattleva  Thorntoni,  and 
some  other  good  varieties  of  C.  Mossi«.  Dendrobium 
Bensoniaj  was  very  good.  Among  the  Cypripe- 
diums  were  C.  lawrenceanum  hackbridgense,  C. 
rothschildianum  Low's  var.,  C.  callosum  Sanderae, 
C.  walkerianum,  C.  Goweri  magnifieum  Schofield's 
var.  Cattleya  intermedia  alba,  L.  -  C.  Phcebe, 
Cymbidium  lowianum,  good  forms  of  0.  crispum, 
O.  Pescatorei  virginale,  Vanda  teres,  and  Epiden- 
drum  prismatocarpum,  too,  were  shown. 

Mr.  John  Robson,  Bowden  Nurseries,  Altrinc- 
ham,  Cheshire,  showed  a  large  group  of  Odonto- 
glossums, chiefly  forms  of  0.  crispum  and  0. 
Pescatorei.  Among  the  named  ones  were  0. 
crispum  Model,  0.  c.  Purity,  0.  c.  giganteum, 
0.  o.  xanthotes  var.,  as  well  as  many  unnamed 
forms.  0.  andersonianum,  Phalsenopsis  amabilis 
var.  grandiflora,  Masdevallia  harryana,  Lajlia 
purpurata  var.  Ashfieldiense,  and  Dendrobium 
Phaljenopsis  schruderianum  were  also  included  in 
Mr.  Robson's  group. 

John  Rutherford,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Beardwood, 
Blackburn  (gardener,  Mr.  John  Supton),  exhibited 
a  small  group  of  Orchids  that  contained  some  fine 
varieties  of  C.  Mossife,  for  instance,  C.  M.  Empress 
Queen  and  others,  as  well  as  Odontoglossum 
loochristiense  rochfordianum,  0.  Queen  Alexandra 
var.  (0.  harryanum  X  0.  triumphans). 

M.  A.  A.  Peeters,  62,  Chaussee  de  Forest, 
Brussels,  showed  Lslio-Cattleya  Martineti  var. 
The  Coronation  (L.  tenebroaa  X  C.  Mossije)  and 
Cattleya  Stepmani  (C.  corbeilensis  x  C.  Warsce- 
wiezii).  An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  the 
latter. 


M.  Jules  Hye  de  Crom,  Ghent,  exhibited  Odonto- 
glossum japonais  (c.  album   x  Rolfse). 

Frank  Wellesley,  E?q.,  Weatfield,  Woking, 
showed  Cattleya  Mendelii  var.  W.  E.  Dickson, 
L^lia  purpurata  Mrs.  N.  A.  H.  Mitchell,  Cattleya 
Mossife  arnoldiana  Mrs.  Francis  Wellesley,  C.  M. 
Bishop  Amigo,  C.  M.  wellesleyana,  and  L.-C. 
Captain  Percy  Scott  Westfield  variety. 

R.  G.  Thwaites,  Esq.,  Chessington,  23,  Christ- 
church  Road,  Streatham,  showed  Odontoglossum 
crispum  Boltonii,  a  very  handsome  flower,  heavily 
blotched  with  purple-brown  upon  a  light  ground. 
This  Odontoglossum  did  not  receive  any  award 
because  it  had  been  disbudded,  otherwise  it  doubt- 
less would  have  been  honoured.  A  few  other  new 
Orchids  were  similarly  placed. 

Richard  Ashworth,  Esq.,  Ashlands  Hall,  New- 
church,  Lancashire,  had  an  attractive  group  of 
miscellaneous  Orchids.  Odontoglossums  comprised 
some  very  good  forms  of  0.  crispum,  as  0.  c. 
punctatissimum  Princess  Maude,  0.  c.  Black 
Prince,  0.  c.  King  Arthur,  0.  c.  Victoria  Regina, 
and  0.  c.  Gaston  Linden.  Cypripedium  callosum 
hyeanum,  C.  lawrenceanum,  C.  Goweri  splendens, 
L.-C.  Edwardii,  L.-C.  canhamiana  Mrs.  R.  Ash- 
worth, and  L  -C.  Eudora  were  also  noticeable. 

The  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  Tring  Park,  Tring 
(gardener,  Mr.  Hill),  exhibited  Laelio-Cattleya 
digbyano-Arnoldii  and  L.-C.  Martineti  var.,  the 
latter  receiving  an  award  of  merit. 

New  Orchids. 

A  first-class  certificate  was  given  to  each  of  the 
following  : 

Odontioda  VuyUtekea'. — A  wonderful  new  hi- 
generic  hybrid  between  Cochlioda  noezliana  and 
Odontoglossum  Pescatorei.  This  is  quite  an  unique 
plant,  and  was  the  centre  of  attraction  so  far  as 
Orchids  are  concerned.  The  flower  resembles  an 
Odontoglossum  in  form  of  petals  and  sepals,  but 
the  lip  is  deeply  lobed  in  the  middle.  The  lower 
half  of  the  sepals  and  petals  is  red,  with,  perhaps, 
a  tinge  of  orange  ;  around  this  colouring  is  a  line 
of  white.  The  upper  half  of  the  sepals  and  petals 
is  rosy  purple,  the  latter  colour  prevailing  most  at 
the  edges.  The  lobed  lip  is  white,  tinged  with 
pink,  and  spotted  with  red.  It  may  be  described 
as  a  red  Odontoglossum.  From  M.  Ch.  Vuylsteke, 
Loochristi,  Ghent. 

Lcelio  -  Cattleya  dighyano  -  Mossife  Westoniirt 
variety. — A  very  large,  handsome,  well-formed 
flower.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  of  uniform 
colouring,  rich  lilac-rose,  while  the  lip  has  a 
greenish  yellow  centre  and  a  fringed  margin  the 
same  colour  as  the  sepals  and  petals.  From 
Captain  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O.,  Westonbirt, 
Tetbury  (Orchid  grower,  Mr.  Alexander). 

Lailio-Cattleya  canhamiana  Rosslyn  variety. — 
A  particularly  handsome  flower,  with  rich  rose- 
coloured  sepals  and  petals  and  velvety  purple  lip, 
the  throat  being  lined  with  yellow.  The  lip  is  of 
good  form  and  rich  colouring,  and  associates 
admirably  with  the  rose-coloured  sepals  and  petals. 
From  Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, Yorks. 

Lii'lio  -  Cattleya  Fascinator  King  Edward. — A 
flower  that  is  very  striking  on  account  of  its  dainty 
and  beautiful  colouring.  The  sepals  and  petals  are 
faintest  blush  and  almost  transparent,  the  lip  is 
large,  the  purple  on  the  side  lobes  fading  away  at 
the  base  and  also  above.  The  throat  is  rich  yellow, 
this  colour  being  separated  from  the  purple  below 
by  a  band  of  white.  From  Messrs.  Charlesworth 
and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford. 

An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  each  of  the 
following  : 

Odontoglossum  vennstuluni. — This  is  the  result  of 
a  cross  between  harryano- crispum  and  ardentissi- 
mum.  A  large  flower  with  dull  white  ground 
heavily  marked  with  purple-brown  over  sepals  and 
petals.  The  colour  fades  away  towards  the  margins. 
The  lower  half  of  the  lip  is  white,  making  it  most 
conspicuous.     From  M.  Vuylsteke,  Ghent. 

Odontoglossum  concinnum  hi'tnm.^O.  Pescatorei 
and  0.  sceptrum  are  the  parents  of  this  hybrid- 
The  ground  colour  is  creamy  white,  the  sepals 
blotched  with  chocolate,  and  the  petals  more 
lightly  marked  with  the  same  colour.  The  lip  is 
white,  except  for  a  few  spots  at  the  top,  and  has 


a    wide    spreading    base.      From   M.    Vuylsteke, 
Ghent. 

Lidio-Cattleya  Martineti  var. — A  very  handsome 
variety.  The  flower  is  large,  sepals  and  petals 
spreading,  rich  deep  rose,  the  lip  is  widely 
expanded,  rich  crimson-purple,  with  yellow  at  the 
base  of  the  throat.  From  the  Hon.  Walter 
Rothschild,  Tring  Park,  Tring. 

Cattleya  Stepmani.  —  A  beautiful  hybrid,  the 
result  of  a  cross  between  C.  corbeilensis  and  C. 
Warscewiczii.  Sepals  and  petals  are  uniform  rich 
rose-purple  ;  the  lower  half  of  the  lip  in  intense 
velvety  purple,  the  upper  half  cream  coloured,  the 
yellow  from  the  base  of  the  throat  running  into  it. 
From  M.  A.  A.  Peeters,  Chaussee  de  Forest,  Brussels. 

Stove  and  Greenhouse  Pi^ants. 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  made  one 
of  their  handsome  groups  of  Cannas.  The  gorgeous 
hues  of  these  flowers  impressed  the  public  with 
their  full  worth  for  grouping  purposes,  in  which  for 
striking  effects  there  are  few  flowers  equal  to  them. 
The  plants  were  well  grown,  and  carried  immense 
spikes  of  bloom  of  superb  quality.  Black  Prince, 
Jean  Tissot,  Duke  Ernst,  J.  B.  van  der  Schoot,  and 
Jupiler  were  some  of  the  better  sorts  in  this  grand 
display. 

Quite  one  of  the  chief  features  in  the  large  tent 
was  the  choice  and  beautiful  group  of  hardy 
Azaleas  set  up  by  Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert, 
The  Nurseries,  Southgate.  In  the  centre  of  the 
group  there  was  a  grand  mound  of  Antony  Koster, 
in  fine  condition,  with  numberless  trusses  of  finely 
developed  flowers.  Azalea  Daviesi,  good  ; 
Isabella  van  Houtte,  and  a  grand  mass  of  J.  C. 
Van  Tol,  a  lovely  salmon,  made  a  fine  feature.  The 
pretty  Ghent  Azaleas  were  finely  represented. 

The  group  of  new  and  choice  plants  from  Messrs. 
Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  is  always  an  inter- 
esting exhibit,  and  the  present  occasion  was  no 
exception  to  the  general  rule.  The  new  Nicotiana 
Sanderfe  was  seen  freely  disposed  in  the  group, 
its  pretty  rose-coloured  blossoms  being  very  efiec- 
tive.  The  flowers  appear  to  vary  much  in  colour 
according  to  their  age.  There  was  also  N. 
SanderiB  alba  in  evidence.  The  new  foliage  plants 
were  splendid.  Begonia  bowringiana.  Phoenix 
Roebelini,  Dracaena  sanderiana,  D.  Broomfieldi 
superba,  and  Araucaria  Rex  (a  fine  plant),  making 
a  handsome  exhibit. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Chelsea,  also  set  up  a  magnificent  group  of  a  mis- 
cellaneous character.  Rhododendrons  in  variety, 
R.  Sigismund  Rucker,  Mrs.  Holford,  Doncaster, 
and  Marchioness  of  Lansdowne  being  conspicuous. 
Eremurus  himalaicus,  Azaleas  in  variety,  Weigela 
Eva  Bathke,  Lilium  Henryi,  Deutzias,  Laburnums, 
Clematis,  and  numerous  other  plants,  each  con- 
tributed to  make  a  fine  show. 

Messrs.  John  Peed  and  Sons,  Rospell  Park 
Nurseries,  West  Norwood,  had  a  fine  bank  of  well- 
grown  Caladiums.  The  plants  were  beautifully 
fresh  and  well  set  up.  Noteworthy  examples  in 
this  collection  were  W.  E.  Gladstone,  Oriflamme, 
Candidum  (very  good),  John  Peed,  Riode  Janeiro, 
and  the  new  Golden  King,  a  great  improvement  on 
Her  Majesty.  The  group  was  edged  with  pretty 
well-grown  examples  of  C.  Argyrites. 

At  one  end  of  the  large  tent  Mr.  T.  Jannock, 
Dersingham,  King's  Lynn,  set  up  a  group  of  Lilacs, 
and  his  well-known  form  of  Lily  of  the  Valley. 
The  latter  were  well  displayed  in  pyramidal  form 
in  the  centre,  large  spikes,  with  handsome  bells 
of  a  chaste  character.  The  Lilacs  were  very  re- 
presentative, those  grown  under  glass  being 
contrasted  with  those  grown  in  the  open. 

Messrs.  Jackman  and  Son,  Woking  Nurseries, 
Woking,  set  up  a  very  beautiful  group  of  Clematis, 
embracing  numerous  varieties  of  difierent  types. 
The  plants  showed  excellent  culture,  and  the  group 
as  a  whole  was  charmingly  displayed.  Fairy 
Queen,  Mrs.  George  Jackman,  Mrs.  Hope,  Jack-  . 
mani  rubra  (new),  alba  magna,  King  Edward  VII., 
Mrs.  Crawshay,  and  Nelly  Moser  were  among  the 
singles.  Of  the  doubles  the  best  were  Belle  of 
Woking,  Duchess  of  Edinburgh,  Lucy  Lemoine, 
and  Princess  of  Wales. 

Calceolarias  from  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons, 
Wordsley,   Stourbridge,   made  a  welcome  break. 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


399 


The  plants  were  beautifully  dwarf  and  compact, 
carrying  large  and  handsome  individual  blooms  in 
a  pleasing  assortment  of  colours.  There  was  a 
display  of  Gloxinias  from  the  same  firm,  the 
flowers  of  wonderfully  bright  colours. 

E.  Asoherson,  Esq.,  Pett  Place,  Charing,  Kent, 
showed  a  pretty  little  group  of  Calceolarias  and 
Streptocarpuses.  The  former  were  grand  sped  mens, 
freely  flowered,  and  highly  coloured.  The  latter 
were  interesting  and  diverse  in  character. 

The  well-grown  tuberous-rooted  Begonias  from 
Mr.  A.  L.  Gwillim,  Cambria  Nursery,  New 
Eltham,  contained  flowers  of  large  size  and  excel- 
lent form  well  displayed.  Some  of  the  single- 
flowered  sorts  were  very  large  and  handsome,  and 
the  doubles  were  of  excellent  type  and  good  form. 

From  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Victoria 
Nurseries,  Upper  HoUoway,  N.,  came  a  large  group 
of  Heaths,  Boronias,  and  Rhododendrons.  Of  the 
latter  Mme.  Masson  and  John  Walters  were 
striking  and  effective.  The  Heaths  were  very  well 
done,  and  the  Boronias  also  freely  flowered.  Acer 
japonica  variegata  and  Eulalia  japonioa  created  a 
welcome  contrast. 

A  rather  closely  packed  group  of  Caladiums  of  a 
representative  character  came  from  Messrs.  John 
Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  S.E.  B.  S.  Williams, 
Ignatu,  Flambeau,  Candiduni,  John  Laing,  and 
many  other  sorts  were  freely  set  up  in  the  display. 
This  exhibit  suffered  for  want  of  accommodation. 

Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries, 
Lower  Edmonton,  as  usual,  had  a  charming  exhibit 
of  Ferns,  &c.  This  was  most  representative, 
embracing  an  immense  variety  of  forms  of  unique 
and  interesting  character.  Adiantums  were  fine. 
Others  were  Davallia  Assamica  and  Fijiensis, 
Oymnogramme  peruviana,  G.  argyrophylla,  G. 
grandiceps  superba,  Gleichenia  rupestris,  and  G. 
dicarpa  longipiunata,  and,  besides  many  other 
plants,  a  good  specimen  of  Polypodium  pectinatum 
superbum. 

Mr.  John  Russell,  Richmond,  Surrey,  had  a  fine 
group  of  miscellaneous  foliaged  plants.  This  em- 
braced Alocasias,  Dracaenas,  Aralias,  Caladiums, 
and  quite  a  lot  of  other  plants,  Heliconia  illustris 
rubicaulis,  Alooasia  Martin  Cahuzac,  A.  argyrea, 
and  A.  watsoniana,  Dracfena  Queen  Victoria, 
Phyllanthus  nervosus,  and  several  excellent 
Aralias. 

The  Sarracenias  from  Mr.  A.  J.  A.  Bruce,  Edge 
Lane,  Chorlton-cuni-Hardy,  are  always  a  very 
welcome  feature  at  the  Temple  show,  and  the 
display  on  the  present  occasion  was  of  a  high  order 
of  merit.  The  group  was  large  and  fully  repre- 
sentative, and  the  individual  specimens  well  grown. 
Some  of  the  best  were  S.  Williamsii,  S.  Farnhamii, 
S.  Fildesi,  S.  Stevensi,  S.  flava  maxima,  and  S. 
fiava  ornata.  Darlingtonia  californica  and  D. 
rubra  (very  fine)  were  much  admired.  S.  pur- 
purea, S.  Flambeau,  and  S.  swaniana,  among 
others,  will  give  one  some  idea  of  the  wealth  of 
material  available. 

A  superb  group  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  W.  Bal- 
chin  and  Sons,  Hassocks,  containing  many  of  their 
specialities.  A  grand  lot  of  the  beautiful  Lesche- 
naultia  biloba  major  was  finely  flowered.  Boronias 
were  well  done,  B.  hetrophylla  and  B.  elatior 
were  examples  of  cultural  exoellence.  Richardia 
elliotiana,  Scutellaria  mocciniana.  Erica  Caven- 
dishi,  and  the  pretty  E.  propendens  were  others  in 
this  interesting  display. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Dyson's  Lane  Nurseries,  Edmon- 
ton, showed  a  large  group — one  half  zonal  Pelar- 
goniums and  the  other  half  Ferns  and  foliage 
plants.  Of  the  first  named,  Mrs.  H.  B.  May, 
Conan  Doyle,  and  Hall  Caine  in  the  singles.  Lord 
Kitchener  and  Captain  Flayelle  in  the  semi- 
doubles,  and  in  the  full  doubles  Captain  Jolivet, 
Lady  Ilchester,  and  Apotheose  were  striking  sorts. 
The  new  Polyantha  Rose  Mme.  L.  Levavasseur  was 
well  displayed  also.  In  the  second  half  of  the 
pfroup  Davallia  rufa,  D.  fijiensis  robusta,  Adiantuni 
farleyense,  A.  Veitchi,  Pteris  Childsii,  P.  Sum- 
mersii,  Polypodium  Mayii,  and  the  pretty  Aspara- 
gus myriocladus  all  contributed  to  make  a  fine 
exhibit. 

Begonias  were  a  special  feature,  many  very  fine 
exhibits  being  made.  Just  inside  the  tent  was  a 
group  from  Messrs.  John  Laing  and  Sons,  Forest 


Hill,  S.E.  There  were  several  fine  plants  in  this 
group,  doubles  and  singles  being  about  equally 
balanced.  Lady  Donaldson,  Lady  Jeune,  Lady 
Howard,  Earl  Clarendon,  Sir  F.  T.  Barry,  and 
Lady  Tale  were  some  of  the  best  doubles. 

Mr.  .John  R.  Box,  Croydon,  also  had  a  fine  group, 
excellence  characterising  his  display.  Large  and 
handsome  blooms  of  good  form  and  beautiful  colour 
were  in  evidence.  Good  doubles  were  Mrs.  .John 
R.  Box  (white),  Bernice  (flesh  pink),  Thora  (edged 
salmon),  Ethel  Sparshot  (white),  Countess  of 
Craven  (apricot).  Sir  Joseph  Renals  (crimson),  Ida 
(frilled  salmon-blush),  and  Mrs.  Webster  (pretty 
picotee). 

Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon,  Twerton  Hill 
Nursery,  Bath,  showed  in  their  usual  good  form, 
their  group  of  I5egonias  being  remarkable  for  plants 
of  superb  culture.  Of  the  double-flowered  sorts  the 
following  were  of  the  best:  Mme.  A.  Patti  (salmon), 
Mrs.  Portman  Dalton  (soft  rose),  Lady  Curzon 
(bright  rich  salmon).  Avalanche  (frilled,  white), 
PoUie  (rose),  and  Frilled  Beauty  (frilled,  salmon). 
Good  quality  characterised  the  plants  throughout. 

Tuberous-rooted  Begonias  from  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Davis  and  Sons,  Yeovil,  were  also  very  good,  the 
plants  well  flowered.  The  grand  double  white  The 
Bride  is  a  lovely  thing  ;  Eileen,  also  a  good  white, 
is  large  and  full ;  and  Constance,  a  lemon-yellow  of 
good  form,  is  pretty.  Altogether  the  display  was 
of  considerable  merit. 

An  excellent  display  was  that  made  bj'  Messrs. 
Thomas  S.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham.  The  plants 
were  well  grown,  the  flowers  also  being  particularly 
fresh  and  clean,  and  the  colours  varied.  Form  of 
flower  was  exquisite,  showing  improvement  in  the 
doubles,  of  which  this  group  was  almost  exclusively 
composed,  e.g.,  George  Wells,  crimson-carmine; 
Lord  Clarendon,  orange-salmon ;  Miss  .Jessie 
Pope,  blush  pink,  very  fine ;  Miss  Mary  Pope, 
pure  white ;  Countess  of  Dartmouth,  blush  ; 
Duchess  of  Norfolk,  amber ;  and  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Edwards,  blush  pink. 

A  charming  group  of  Gloxinias  from  Messrs. 
John  Peed  and  Son  was  well  set  up.  Some  spotted 
varieties  and  some  good  self-coloured  sorts  were 
pleasingly  disposed  among  Ferns,  Asparagus,  and 
Palms. 

Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  from  M.  L.  J. 
Draps-Dom,  Laeken,  Brussels,  Belgium,  was  shown 
in  fair  form,  the  journey  having  evidently  told 
against  the  plants. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons  had  a  pretty  lot  of 
Anthuriums.  A.  schertzerianum  var.  Crimson  King 
and  var.  Model  were  fine.  A.  rothschildianum  var. 
nobilior  is  also  a  very  good  plant.  These  stood  in 
a  groundwork  of  Maidenhair  Fern. 

A  specially  fine  lot  of  brightly-coloured  Gloxinias 
was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons. 
There  were  four  sorts — a  good  crimson,  a  good 
white  self,  and  two  pretty  white-edged  sores,  one 
with  a  purple  ground,  and  the  other  a  crimson- 
scarlet  ground.  Ferns,  Palms,  and  Begonias  added 
attractiveness  to  the  display.  Cacti  from  the  same 
firm  afforded  considerable  pleasure  to  the  large 
number  of  enthusiastic  admirers  of  these  curious 
plants  visiting  the  show.  This  was  a  thoroughly 
representative  display.  Echinocacti,  Cereus  colu- 
briiius,  C.  Baumanni,  and  a  host  of  other  subjects 
were  splendidly  staged. 

A  fine  example  of  Pandanus  gramina;folius  was 
exhibited  by  M.  L.  J.  Draps-Dom,  and  excited 
much  interest. 

A  group  of  well-grown  plants  of  the  Star  Cine- 
rarias, from  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley, 
Stourljridge,  was  a  fine  feature,  the  colours 
being  pleasingly  diverse  and  the  plants  freely 
flowered. 

Messrs.  James  Carter  and  Co.,  High  Holborn, 
London,  had  a  grand  display  at  the  Embankment 
entrance.  The  stellate  Cinerarias,  Verbenas, 
Stocks,  Spir^as,  Calceolarias,  seedling  Carnations, 
Gloxinias,  alpine  plants,  and  Japanese  pigmy  trees 
all  contributed  to  make  a  really  fine  exhibit.  (4ood 
quality  throughout  characterised  the  different 
plants. 

Gloxinias  from  Messrs.  John  Laing  and  Sons 
were  well  shown.  Plants  with  large  flowers  of 
good  form  and  colour,  nicely  arranged,  made  an 
attractive  exhibit. 


Calla  elliotiana  from  Mr.  N.  L.  Cohen,  Bound 
Oak,  Englefield  Green,  Surrey,  was  a  fine  feature, 
large  flowers  on  well-grown  plants. 

Streptocarpuses  from  the  Right  Hon.  Lord 
Aldenham,  Elstree,  Herts  (gardener,  Mr.  K. 
Beckett),  were  of  much  interest.  A  large  bank  of 
well-grown  plants,  freely  flowered,  and  all  un- 
pleasing  shades  of  colour  deleted,  made  a  very  fine 
feature. 

Mr.  W.  .J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  Devon,  made  an 
attractive  displa}'  of  show,  regal,  and  fancy  Pelar- 
goniums. Arthur  Bourchier,  Mary  Godfrey,  and 
Gretchen  were  among  the  many  good  things  to  be 
seen.  A  new  bedding  zonal,  Dachess  of  Cornwall 
(a  blush  pink),  was  a  pretty  addition  to  these 
flowers. 

Mr.  H.  .J.  .Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham, 
S.  E.,  showed  both  double  and  single  Begonias 
and  a  fine  mound  of  Verbenas.  V.  Miss  Ellen 
Willmott  was  conspicuous.  Sweet  Peas  were 
seen  in  grand  form  and  pleasing  variety,  all  the 
best  of  the  new  sorts  being  represented.  These 
were  daintily  set  up.  Countess  Spencer,  Miss 
Willmott,  Dorothy  Eckford,  and  Hon.  F.  Bouverie 
were  very  fine.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  in  handsome 
bunches  were  displayed,  as  were  all  the  better 
show,  fancy,  and  regal  Pelargoniums. 

Cut  zonal  Pelargoniums  from  Mr.  Vincent  Slade, 
Staplegrove  Nursery,  Taunton,  made  an  attractive 
exhibit.  There  were  fifty  bunches  nicely  set  up  in 
charming  variety.  The  individual  pips  were  good 
and  the  colours  excellent,  and  altogether  the 
di.splay  was  commendable. 

The  Ranelagh  Nurseries  Company,  Leamington 
Spa,  made  a  pretty  group  of  foliaged  plants  that 
included  their  interesting  Asparagus  myriocladus, 
which  increases  in  favour.  Crotons,  Caladiums, 
and  other  plants  helped  to  make  an  attractive 
group. 

Messrs.  John  Laing  and  Sons'  group  of  Strepto- 
carpus  was  much  admired.  There  were  many  new 
breaks  in  colour  and  markings  that  commended 
them  to  those  who  have  a  liking  for  these  flowers. 

The  pigmy  trees  from  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons, 
Covent  Garden,  were  in  a  special  pavilion,  which 
was  thronged  with  visitors.  The  trees,  varying 
from  twenty  to  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  years 
of  age,  created  much  interest,  and  satisfied  those 
who  at  first  were  incredulous. 

The  display  in  the  pavilion  of  Messrs. 
Sutton  and  Sons,  Reading,  was  quite  a  feature  of 
the  show.  The  Star  Cinerarias  made  a  beautiful 
bank  at  one  end.  Then  there  was  a  handsome 
group  of  Calceolarias,  somewhat  compact  perhaps 
in  appearance,  yet  very  fine  notwithstanding. 
Gloxinias,  too,  were  excellent.  Spotted,  mar- 
gined, and  self-coloured  flowers  were  all  very  good 
indeed.  Tuberous-rooted  Begonias  also  received 
their  due  share  of  attention,  and  Messrs.  Sutton's 
strain  of  seedlings  was  satisfactorily  exemplified. 
This  group  was  arranged  in  a  special  tent,  and 
was  most  attractively  set  up.  The  different  plants 
were  shown  in  masses,  the  outline  of  the  group 
was  undulating,  so  that  the  result  was  all  that 
could  be  wished.  Mirrors  arranged  at  the  back 
and  sides  of  the  tent  added  still  more  to  the  effect. 

From  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Chelsea,  there  was  a  beautiful  group  of  Strepto- 
carpus,  Kalanehce,  Schizanthus  wisetonensis, 
Rehmannia  angulata,  &c.  The  Streptocarpuses  were 
displayed  in  distinct  shades  of  colour,  and  in  this 
way  the  public  appeared  to  appreciate  them. 
Fine  e.xamples  of  Lobelia  tenuior  were  well  set 
up,  and  showed  the  value  of  this  plant.  The 
Schizanthuses  were  seen  in  most  delightful  shades 
of  colour. 

Hardy  Plants  and  Flowers. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  we  do 
not  hesitate  to  say,  have  never  before  set  up  an 
exhibit  displaying  such  good  taste,  attractive 
arrangement,  and  striking  beauty  as  upon  this 
occasion.  Much  variety  well  disposed  was  the 
order  here,  and  we  record  the  fact  with  pleasure. 
Everything  was  in  masses.  Primulas,  Poppies,  and 
the  inimitable  Spanish  Irises  made  a  big  show 
alone.  Pjeonies  of  the  early  officinalis  type  were 
also  abundant,  while  of  the  more  unusual  things 
Iris   susiana    made   a   display    unequalled    in    its 


400 


THE    GARDEN. 


rJxJNE  4,   1904. 


picturesque  beauty.  Lilies  and  Ixias  blended 
together  ;  the  ever-admired  Lilium  candidum  was 
without  spot  or  blemish  ;  the  St.  Brigid  Anemones 
were  most  showy,  and  Oriental  Poppies  made  a 
gorgeous  display.  Of  rare  things  Fritillaria  Kams- 
chalica  (the  black  Lily)  was  fine  ;  Uianthus 
alpinus,  very  good  ;  Ourisia  coccinea,  a  delightful 
feature ;  with  Cypripedium  montanum  ;  Iris 
graeilis,  a  charming  plant  ;  Iris  nigricans,  and 
Conandron  ramondioides,  with  a  pretty  lot  of 
alpines,  completed  a  most  interesting  array  of  the 
choicest  hardy  things. 

Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt,  Ipswich,  staged  the  more 
showy  of  flowers  in  plenty.  Poppies,  Pseonies, 
Flag  Irises,  Pyrethrums,  Lupins,  Heuchera  san- 
guinea,  very  good  ;  Achillea  mongolica,  Cheiran- 
thus  alpinus,  Phlox  canadensis,  and  Cheiranthus 
AUionii,  a  fine  orange,  were  among  the  most  con- 
spicuous. Papaver  orientale  Lady  Roscoe  is  a  fine 
addition,  brilliant  in  colour,  bold  and  erect  in 
growth,  and  handsome  in  flower. 

Messrs.  G.  Stark  and  Son,  Ryburgh,  Norfolk, 
had  Viola  Royal  Sovereign  prettily  arranged  in  a 
group.     The  flowers  are  very  fine. 

The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nurser}'  (proprietor, 
Mr.  A.  R.  Upton)  set  up  a  characteristic  group 
of  alpines  on  rockwork,  in  which  Saxifragas, 
Thymus,  Sempervivum  arachnoideum,  the  charm- 
ing Globularia  cordifolia,  Gentiana  verna,  Asperula 
nitida,  Anthyllis  montana,  a  fine  rock  trailer, 
and  Edraianthus  serpyllifolius,  very  beautiful, 
with  Bog  Primulas  and  hardy  Cypripediums, 
were  some  of  the  most  interesting. 

The  hardy  plants  from  JNIr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston, 
Kent,  were  a  most  engaging  lot  and  beautifull3' 
arranged,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  we  thought 
the  presence  of  semi-hardy  shrubs  undesirble. 
Sarracenia  flava,  the  hardy  Cypripediums,  the 
very  rare  Orchis  hiroina  and  0.  fusca  in  lovely 
variety  ;  iJianthiis  alpinus,  Mertensia  echioides, 
very  fine ;  Primula  Sikkimensis,  the  rare  rosy 
crimson  Rhodothamnus  Kamschaticura,  and  Crino- 
dendron  Hookeri,  with  Ourisia,  Ramondia,  hardy 
Sarracenias,  and  Iris  tenax  major  were  among  the 
best,  and  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  most  ardent 
enthusiast. 

The  exhibit  from  Mr.  M.  Pcichard.Christchurch, 
Hants,  contained  the  more  showy  things  generally. 
There  were  masses  of  single  and  double  Pyre- 
thrums, Oriental  Poppies,  towering  spikes  of 
Eremuri,  yellow  Lupins,  Incarvillea,  Globe 
Flowers,  Flag  Irises,  and  other  showy  flowers 
galore.  Of  rare  things  Pinguicula  Reuteri, 
Thalictrum  pubescens,  Potentilla  ambigua,  and 
Ajuga  Brockbanki.a  fine  blue,  were  most  noticeable. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester,  had 
a  rich  display  of  Spanish  Irises,  Tulips,  early 
Gladioli,  Lilium  candidum,  and  St.  Brigid 
Anemones ;  and  from  Mr.  G.  Kerswell,  Exeter, 
came  a  fine  basket  of  Gentianella. 

Messrs.  Paul  and  Sons,  Cheshunt,  had  Pseonies, 
Flag  Irises,  TroUius,  Lupins,  &c. 

Messrs.  J.  Carter  and  Co.,  Holborn,  showed  a 
small  rockery  exhibit  of  dwarf  alpines,  Saxifraga, 
Linaria,  Anthemis  Aizoon,  Thrift,  (iurisia,  Funkias, 
and  other  things.  Incarvillea  and  Saxifraga 
pyramidalis  were  prominent  plants. 

Columbines  of  a  capital  strain  came  from  Messrs. 
Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay.  Many  beautiful 
colours  were  included. 

Mr.  B.  Ladhams,  Southampton,  had  a  most 
showy  group,  in  which  Lupins,  single  Pyrethrum, 
Heuchera,  perennial  Cornflowers,  Geums,  Flag 
Irises,  and  the  like  made  a  good  show.  Large 
masses  of  each  were  well  disposed. 

From  Messrs.  James  Backhouse  and  Son,  York, 
there  was  an  exhibit  of  more  than  ordinary  interest. 
The  orange  double  varieties  of  the  Cambrian  Poppy, 
a  beautiful  mass  of  Aquilegia  glandulosa,  Ramondias 
here  and  there  on  rocky  slopes,  the  richly-coloured 
Ourisia,  hardy  Cypripediums,  with  Saxifragas, 
Androsaces,  Orchises,  Gentians,  the  rich  violet  of 
Pinguicula,  and  a  lovely  mass  of  Dianthus  neglectus 
were  among  the  most  notable. 

Alpines  from  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  High- 
gate,  were  a  feature.  At  once  we  noted  Ramondia 
pyrenaica  alba,  a  fine  colony  in  flower  ;  Haberlea 
rhodopensis,  Edraianthus  serpj'Uifolius,  Litho- 
spermum  canesoens,  Gentiana  verna,  and  Aquilegia 


Stuarti  were  among  the  most  beautiful.  The 
double  crimson  Pompadour  Primrose  was  very 
fine. 

From  the  Craven  Nursery,  Clapham,  Lancaster, 
Mr.  R.  J.  Farrer  brought  a  fine  array  of  good 
alpines.  Gentians,  Ramondias,  a  rare  Saxifrage  in 
S.  odontophylla.  Primula  Munroi,  Trilliums,  Oxalis 
enneaphylla,  very  good,  and  Primula  farinosa,  a 
fine  mass  that  defies  description  were  there. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Pulham,  Elsenham,  Essex,  had  many 
choice  things  on  a  rockwork  exhibit.  Onosma 
echioides.  Columbines,  Phlox  Vivid,  Achillea 
argentea.  Genista  pilosa,  Geunis,  Rock  Roses, 
Campanula  puUa,  and  Aster  alpinus  roseus  were 
notable  things. 

The  Misses  Hopkins,  Mere,  Cheshire,  had  a 
pretty  exhibit,  in  which  the  pink  Daisy  Alice,  with 
Trollius,  Primula  sikkimensis,  Haberlea,  Heuchera, 
hardy  Cypripediums,  and  the  crimson  Pompadour 
Primrose  were  among  other  good  plants. 

Messrs.  J.  Cheat  and  Sons,  Crawley,  on  a  nicely- 
arranged  rockery,  exhibited  many  choice  things. 
Primula  japonica,  Lithospermum  canescens,  and 
L.  prostratum,  Saxifraga  leptophylla,  a  mass  of 
white  ;  hardy  Cypripediums,  Campanula  muralis, 
very  charming ;  fine  rosettes  of  Sempervivums, 
a  capital  plant  in  Lupinus  polyphylliis  albus,  and 
Saxifraga  pyramidalis  were  finely  shown. 

The  group  of  hardy  perennials  from  Mr.  Amos 
Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  was  very  fine.  The  masses 
of  colour  and  also  the  variety  were  excellent, 
reflecting  the  highest  credit  upon  the  taste  of  those 
in  charge  of  the  arrangement.  Incarvillea  Delavayi, 
with  a  score  of  spikes  bearing  their  Gloxinia-like 
flowers ;  Perry's  variety  of  Phlox  canadensis, 
Ixiolirion  tataricum,  a  fine  bit  of  pale  blue ; 
Orobus  aurantiacus,  Veronica  hankeana,  Geum 
Heldreichi  luteum,  masses  of  Oriental  Poppies, 
Primula  sikkimensis,  a  glorious  array  of  Cypri- 
pedium acaule,  surrounding  the  even  more  lovely 
Water  Lilies  in  pans  ;  Heucheras,  and  the  gorgeous 
Papaver  Mrs.  Marsh,  Pieonies,  Sarracenias,  tower- 
ing Eremuri,  the  rare  Chamailirium  carolinianum, 
and  the  pretty  Lithospermum  intermedium  were 
among  the  best  in  a  group  that  has  never  been 
surpassed  at  these  shows. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate,  had  a  large 
group,  in  which  Lilies  and  Eremuri  played  a  most 
important  part.  The  latter  were  chiefly  E.  hima- 
laicus,  and  constituted  a  feature  of  the  group.  Of 
the  Lilies  we  noted  L.  colchicum,  L.  Brownii,  L. 
Hansoni  (a  very  fine  lot),  L.  giganteum,  and  many 
forms  of  L.  davuricum.  In  addition  there  was  a 
general  collection  of  hardy  Cypripediums  in  some 
dozen  sorts,  including  the  rare  C.  californicum. 
C.  speotabile  was  also  very  fine.  Water  Lilies 
were  a  choice  lot  and  in  many  varieties. 

The  richly-coloured  flowers  of  the  St.  Brigid 
Anemones,  with  the  intense-coloured  King  of 
Scarlets  variety,  from  Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son, 
Bourne,  Lines,  made  a  dazzling  display. 

Some  very  fine  Poppies  were  sent  by  Mr.  God- 
frey, Exmouth,  and  we  noted  Black  Prince, 
Masterpiece  (pink,  with  black  spots).  Loveliness 
(similar),  and  Harmony  (a  deeply-coloured  flower) 
as  among  the  best.  The  flowers  were  well  disposed 
and  very  showy. 

Messrs.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester,  in  an 
extensive  exhibit,  set  out  to  good  advantage,  had 
large  masses  of  Eremuri,  such  as  E.  himalaicus 
and  E.  robustus,  in  company  with  Flag  Irises, 
Ixiolirion  Pallasii,  Fortin's  Lily  of  the  Valley, 
Lilium  colchicum  and  L.  Hansoni  (a  dozen  spikes 
of  each),  the  variegated  Iris  pallida,  pretty  groups 
of  Heuchera,  Lilium  rubellum,  L.  longiflorum 
giganteum,  and  L.  testaceum  towering  above. 
Delightful  colonies  of  hardy  Cypripediums,  of 
which  C.  occidentalis  was  most  charming  ;  Lilium 
Brownii,  L.  Marhan  Miss  Willmott  (very  fine),  a 
wealth  of  Columbines,  Calochorti,  and  Ixias,  in 
company  with  Cushion  and  Flag  Irises,  made  a 
grand  display. 

A  lovely  group  of  St.  Brigid  Anemones  was  set 
up  by  Messrs.  Reamsbottom  and  Co.,  Alderborough 
Nursery,  Geashill,  King's  County,  Ireland.  The 
gorgeous  colours  of  these  flowers  impelled  admira- 
tion from  all  who  saw  them. 

Messrs.  George  Jackman  and  Sons,  Woking,  had 
large  masses  of   Flag  Irises,  Dodecatheon,  Globe 


Flowers,  Oriental  Poppies,  and  Primula  japonica. 
Ramondias  and  the  lovely  Gentiana  verna  were 
seen  to  advantage. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham,  had  a  good 
display  of  the  more  showy  hardy  plants,  in  which 
Eremuri,  Ourisia  coccinea,  Watsonia  Ardernei, 
Irises,  Day  Lilies,  Poionies,  Ostrowskia  magnifica, 
and  other  good  plants  were  seen. 

Pieonies  and  Pyrethrums  from  Messrs.  Kelway 
and  Sons,  Langport,  made  a  rich  display.  The 
former  chiefly  were  of  the  tree  section,  and  in  many 
beautiful  shades  of  colour,  with  large  blossoms. 
Of  Pyrethrums  we  noted  Grizzel  (carmine).  War- 
rior (crimson),  and  Devonshire  Cream,  all  singles  ; 
of  doubles,  Lord  Rosebery  (crimson)  and  Alfred 
were,  perhaps,  the  best. 

Roses. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  great  tent  Mr.  Charles 
Turner,  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough,  had  a  handsome 
group  of  Roses.  The  plants  were  very  freely 
flowered.  There  were  grand  specimen  plants  of 
La  France,  Juno,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Ulrich 
Brunner,  Souvenir  de  Mme.  Eugene  Verdier, 
L'Innocence,  Camille  Bernardin,  and  a  charming 
assortment  of  Polyantha  and  other  garden  Roses. 
The  disposition  of  the  group  was  all  that  could  be 
desired. 

From  Messrs.  W.  Paul  and  Son,  Waltham  Cross, 
Herts,  there  came  a  really  magnificent  displaj'. 
The  pretty  Waltham  Rambler  was  in  fine  form,  as 
were  Queen  Alexandra,  Dorothy  Perkins,  Marie 
Jacquier,  and  Crimson  Rambler  among  the  garden 
ramblers.  Grand  plants  of  Gloire  Lyonnaise,  Mrs. 
Sharman  Crawford,  Mme.  Lacharme,  the  new 
Etoile  de  France,  Duchess  of  Albany,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Boadicea,  and  many  other  lovely 
things  were  shown.  This  was  a  beautiful  exhibit, 
and  much  admired.  The  Veitchian  Cup,  awarded 
for  the  best  arranged  exhibit  in  the  show,  was 
given  to  this  group. 

Hobbies,  Limited,  Dereham,  made  an  attractive 
exhibit.  The  beautiful  rambling  Rose  Dorothy 
Perkins  was  shown  growing  freely  in  pots,  and 
also  in  a  cut  state ;  Crimson  Rambler  was  in 
evidence,  and  many  charming  flowers  of  other 
types.  Souvenir  de  Pierre  Notting,  Bridesmaid, 
Golden  Gate,  Mme.  Cusin,  Florence  Pemberton, 
and  White  Maman  Cochet  were  a  few  of  many 
good  things.  Sweet  Peas  in  variety  bordered  this 
group. 

Messrs.  Frank  Cant  and  Co.,  Braiswick  Nursery, 
Colchester,  had  a  pleasing  exhibit  of  plants  as 
well  as  cut  blooms.  Garden  Roses  and  those  of  a 
decorative  character  were  shown  in  good  form. 
Wichuraiana  rubra.  Queen  Alexandra,  Leuchstern, 
Crimson  Rambler,  and  others  made  a  brave  show. 
Good  exhibition  sorts  were  also  very  freely 
displayed. 

Mr.  George  Mount,  Canterbury,  had  an  excel- 
lent display.  Crimson  Rambler,  Leuchstern, 
Electra,  and  Thalia  among  the  ramblers,  Caroline 
Testout,  Catherine  Mermet,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  La 
France,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  and  numerous  examples 
of  exhibition  Roses  combined  to  make  a  most 
effective  group. 

Messrs.  Benjamin  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  The  Old 
Rose  Gardens,  Colchester,  made  a  very  good 
exhibit  at  one  end  of  the  long  tent.  Roses  of  many 
types  were  prettily  displayed,  and  all  that  is  best 
in  them  well  illustrated.  Austrian  Yellow, 
Austrian  Copper  (both  charming  singles)  were 
much  admired  ;  Blush  Rambler,  The  Garland, 
Leuchstern,  and  many  other  delightful  varieties 
were  in  e.xcellent  form. 

A  delightful  lot  of  decorative  Roses  came  from 
Messrs.  Thomas  Ware,  Limited — Crimson  Rambler, 
Claire  Jacquier,  Helene,  and  Dorothy  Perkins  ;  in 
fact,  a  display  of  all  types  of  the  flower.  They  were 
well  set  up,  so  that  the  good  qualities  of  each  were 
properly  shown. 

Messrs.  G.  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt,  made  one  of 
their  interesting  displays.  Climbing  as  well  as  exhi- 
bition Roses  were  freely  displayed,  and  these  were 
attractively  set  up  in  a  group  at  one  corner  of  the 
large  tent.  Crimson  Rambler  was  dotted  here  and 
there,  and  Dorothy  Perkins,  too,  was  very  pretty. 
Wichuraiana  rubra.  Blush  Rambler,  Tea  Rambler, 
Psyche,  and  an  endless  variety  of  good  things  were 


June  4,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


401 


to  be  seen.  The  new  Hybrid  Tea  David  Harum 
was  much  adniii-ed,  as  were  also  Lady  Battersea 
and  Frau  Karl  Druschki. 

Tkebs  and  Shrobs  Odt  of  Doors. 
The  most  beautiful  group  among  the  trees  and 
shrubs  came  from  Messrs.  Fisher,  Son,  and  Sibray, 
Limited,  of  the  Handsworth  Nurseries,  ShefBeld. 
It  was  a  break  away  from  the  monotonous  traditions 
of  the  past.  The  plants  were  grouped  as  if  they 
were  there  permanently,  and  this  happy  thought 
resulted  in  a  pretty  picture  ;  here  a  dash  of  colour 
from  some  Rhododendron  or  Azalea,  and  there  the 
brightness  of  a  variegated  Dimorphanthus  mands- 
ohuricus.  The  silvery  argentea  has  been  shown  on 
more  than  one  occasion,  but  aureo-marginatus  was 
shown  for  the  first  time.  It  is  a  beautiful  shrub, 
the  leaves  of  a  soft  green,  splashed  with  creamy 
yellow.  Another  rare  shrub  was  Glyceria  spectabilis 
varieg.ata,  a  bright  and  pretty  species,  and  those 
who  care  for  Irish  Ivies  will  welcome  the  charming 
Hedera  himalaica,  a  graceful  Ivy,  with  glistening 
green  leaves  that  remind  one  of  those  of  amurensis, 
but  smaller.  A  bush  of  this  will  give  a  fresh 
interest  to  the  garden.  Quercus  concordia,  Q. 
handsworthensis.  Maples  of  many  sorts,  a  beautiful 
variegated  Privet,  Ligustrum  excelsum  superbum 
(green  margined  and  splashed  with  yellow),  masses 
of  Weigela  Eva  Rathke,  a  glorious  mass  of  Rhodo- 
dendron Pink  Pearl,  and  R.  Mrs.  Charles  Butler,  a 
beautiful  variety  of  soft  pink  colouring,  and  in 
graceful  clusters.  A  group  of  the  Watsonia 
Ardernei  gave  a  dash  of  purest  while  amongst  the 
greens  of  the  Oaks  and  the  crimsons  of  the  Maples. 

From  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley, 
Sussex,  a  lovely  group  of  plants  was  set  up. 
Azaleas,  Viburnums,  Rhododendrons,  Lilacs, 
Cytisut',  Magnolias,  and  other  trees  and  shrubs 
were  conspicuous.  Acers  in  charming  variety,  the 
golden  Oak  (Qaercus  concordia),  also  Q.  Souvenir  de 
Franz  van  der  Baur,  Q.  pedunculata  nigra  {the  new 
purple  Oak),  and  many  other  choice  sons.  Cupressus 
in  variety  were  well  shown.  C.  lawsoniana  Wisselii 
(a  pretty  form),  Picea  pungens  glauca  (the  blue 
Spruce),  and  the  golden  Japanese  Maple  (Acer 
japonicum  aureum),  with  many  other  kindred  sub- 
jects, made  a  grand  display. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester, 
showed  a  very  interesting  group  of  trees  and  shrubs, 
a  large  number  of  choice  sorts  being  seen.  We  felt 
it  was  a  great  pity  that  many  of  the  good  things 
here  were  unnamed. 

The  group  of  Japanese  Maples  from  Messrs. 
Thomas  Cripps  and  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells  Nur- 
series, was  an  excellent  representation  of  these 
hardy  trees.  Diver.se  forms  and  lovely  tones  of 
colour  were  there.  This  firm  is  noted  for  its  col- 
lection of  these  trees,  and  the  present  display  was 
of  a  high  order  of  merit. 

The  best  display  of  Messrs.  Thomas  Cripps 
and  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  however,  was  at  the 
Embankment  end  of  the  gardens.  This  was,  indeed, 
a  fine  effort.  Japanese  Maples  in  graml  form  and 
greatly  diverse  were  superbly  displayed.  Choice 
shrubs  also  call  for  special  notice,  as  these  were  in 
capital  form  and  condition.  The  new  Acer,  A. 
palmatum  septemlobum  purpureum  macrophyllum, 
is  a  beautiful  plant. 

Choice  hardy  decorative  plants  for  the  outdoor 
garden  came  from  Messrs.  John  Laing  and  Sons, 
Forest  Hill.  Japanese  Maples,  Ivies,  and  an  assort- 
ment of  beautiful  trees  and  shrubs  were  shown. 
Clematises,  too,  were  staged  here  and  there. 

A  pretty  collection  of  Iris  was  shown  in  square 
pans  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited, 
Chelsea.  There  were  many  good  Flag  Irises. 
Magnificent  examples  of  Eremurus  hinialaicus,  E. 
Bungei,  E.  robustus,  E.  r.  elwesianus,  and  others 
were  disposed  between  choice  shrubs.  In  the  back- 
ground Sciadopitys  verticillata  was  splendidly 
represented  growing  in  tubs.  Primula  japonica 
assisted  to  give  a  fioish  to  this  exhibit. 

A  bold  arrangement  of  hardy  ornamental  outdoor 
trees  and  shrubs  came  from  Mr.  Fi,ussell,  Rich- 
mond. The  grouping  in  this  instance  was  finely 
conceived,  nothing  stiff  or  formal  being  noticeable 
in  the  disposition  of  the  different  plants.  The 
foliage  was  beautifully  coloured,  and  there  were 
contrasts  and  harmonies  frequently  very  striking. 


Japanese   Maples,    Ivies,    Copper  Beech,   Prunus 
Pissardi,  and  others  were  seen  at  their  best. 

.lapanese  Maples  were  beautifully  grouped  by 
Messrs.  W.  Fromow  and  Sons,  Sutton  Court 
Nursery,  Chiswick.  The  best  of  the  newer  sorts 
and  a  splendid  collection  of  other  proved  varieties 
of  merit  were  set  up,  and  proved  of  considerable 
interest. 

The  clipped  trees  of  Alessrs.  W.  Cutbush  and 
Sons — always  a  feature — were  again  in  evidence  on 
this  occasion,  some  200  specimens  being  displaced. 
Box  and  Yew  were  the  two  subjects  requisitioned, 
and  with  them  peacocks,  rings,  vases,  dogs,  chairs, 
serpents,  pheasants,  tables,  and  other  designs  were 
well  done.  This  method  of  training  trees  and 
shrubs  apparently  appealed  to  many,  judging  from 
the  interest  evinced  in  the  display. 

A  beautiful  lot  of  Araucaria  excelsa  glauca  from 
Messrs.  James  Carter  and  Co.  was  a  feature  of 
interest.  The  plants  were  small,  but  were  wonder- 
fully well  grown. 

Messrs.  W.  Fromow  and  Sons,  Chiswick,  set  up 
a  good  group  of  Rhododendron  Lord  Roberts,  with 
a  groundwork  of  hardy  plants  for  effect.  The  new 
Cape  Daisy,  Marguerite  Queen  Alexandra,  a  pretty 
Anemone-flowered  sort,  is  a  plant  of  considerable 
value  when  used  for  cut  flowers.  There  was  a 
nice  batch  of  this  plant. 

Stove  and  Greenhoiise. 

Messrs.  .James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited. 
Chelsea,  set  up  a  very  bold  and  handsome  group  of 
miscellaneous    foliage  plants.      Specimens  of   the 


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THE  VBITOHIAN   CUP. 
(Won  by  Mcssis.  William  Paul  and  Son.) 

best  Caladiunis,  as  Mme.  John  Box,  Ronoador, 
Baron  A.  de  Rothschild,  Rose  Laing,  B.  S. 
Williams,  Sir  Henry  Irving,  and  Harry  Lovatt 
were  most  conspicuous.  Crotons  in  charming 
variety,  Nepenthes,  Alocasias,  Anthuriums, 
Marantas,  and  many  other  choice  plants  combined 
to  make  a  most  attractive  display. 

A  gorgeous  show  was  made  by  a  group  of 
standard  zonal  Pelargoniums  exhibited  by  Leopold 
de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Asoott  (gardener,  Mr.  J. 
.Jennings).  The  plants  were  profusely  flowered, 
each  one  carrying  large  trusses  of  bloom.  This 
was  quite  a  welcome  feature  in  the  large  tent. 
The  front  of  the  group  was  finished  with  Palms 
and  Ferns  in  variety. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  and  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  displayed  an  interesting  group  of  foliage 
plants.  Tree  Ferns  formed  the  background,  with 
Crotons,  Dracaenas,  Aralias,  Nepenthes,  Pandanus, 
Ferns,  and  many  other  plants  in  front. 

The  group  from  Messrs.  William  Cutbush 
and  Sons,  Highgate  and  Barnet  Nurseries,  was, 
as  usual,  arranged  in  one  corner  of  the  large 
tent.  Great  taste  and  skill  were  displayed  in  the 
disposition  of  the  plants.  The  new  Rose,  Dorothy 
Perkins,  was  there,  and  aUo  Crimson  Rambler. 
Verbenas  Maiden's  Blush,  Princess  of  Wales,  and 
Ellen   Willraott  were  very  fine.     Of   Malraaison 


Carnations  there  were  many  handsome  specimens, 
Mercia,  Lord  Rosebery,  Calypso,  and  Duchess  of 
Westminster  among  othe-s  being  in  evidence. 
Liliums,  Hydrangeas,  Azaleas,  Calla  elliotiana, 
with  a  background  of  Palms,  &c. ,  completed  this 
fine  group. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester,  had 
a  most  attractive  exhibit  of  well-flowered  Clematis, 
with  a  background  of  Crimson  Rambler  Rose. 
Fairy  Queen,  Sensation,  Lady  Caroline  Neville, 
Excelsior,  Grand  Duchess,  and  Gloire  de  St.  .Julien 
were  conspicuous  examples.  Nellie  Moser,  with 
reddish  markings,  was  also  noteworthy.  A  fine 
example  of  Polypodium  smithianum  was  arranged 
in  front  of  the  group,  as  was  also  a  good  plant  of 
Pteris  tremula  smithiana.  This  was  in  every 
sense  a  capital  displaj'. 

From  M.  L.  .J.  Draps-Dom  came  good  examples 
of  Croton  Souvenir  de  Laeken  and  a  superb  plant 
of  Draciena  Victoria. 

Mr.  William  Iceton,  Putney,  S.W.,  made  a 
grand  bank  of  retarded  Lily  of  the  Valley.  The 
plants  were  well  grown,  and  the  spikes  of  blossom 
very  good. 

An  interesting  group  of  Cacti  was  arranged  by 
M.  Frantz  de  Laet,  Napier  Road,  Kensington,  W. 
Pilocereus  senilis,  Cereus  giganteus,  and  an  assort- 
ment of  many  other  interesting  forms  of  the  quaint 
and  curious  Cacti  were  set  up  in  the  open. 

Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  The  Nurseries,  Bexley  Heath, 
showed  a  delightful  exhibit  of  Tree  Carnations, 
most  attractively  arranged  in  tall  vases.  Among 
the  varieties  were  Fair  Maid,  pale  pink  ;  Floriana, 
rose-pink  ;  G.  H.  Crane,  scarlet ;  Gov.  Roosevelt, 
dark  crimson ;  Harry  Fenn,  crimson ;  Norway, 
white  ;  Queen  Louise,  white  ;  Mrs.  Thomas 
Lawson,  perhaps  the  loveliest  of  all,  rich  cerise- 
(link.  AH  these  Carnations  had  long  stems,  thus 
enabling  them  to  be  shown  to  the  best  advantage. 
They  formed  quite  a  charming  display  of  these 
ever-popular  flowers. 

Floral  Committee.— New  Plants. 

A  first-class  certificate  was  given  to  : 

Gloriosa  rothschUdiana. — A  remarkable  addition 
to  this  small  genus.  The  flowers  are  of  a  crimson- 
lake  tint,  the  segments  bordered  with  gold.  Seg- 
ments 3  inches  long,  contracted  and  involute  at  the 
base,  where  the  colour  is  green  merging  into  gold. 
The  anthers  are  golden.  Leaves  4  inches  to  6  inches 
long,  tapering,  with  tendrils  at  the  end,  and  of 
clear  Pea  green  colour.  The  richly  coloured  flowers 
span  nearly  6  inches.  A  very  beautiful  and  highly 
ornamental  climber.  From  the  Hon.  Walter 
Rothschild,  Tring  Park,  Tring  (gardener,  Mr.  Hill). 

An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  each  of  the 
following  : 

Azalea  mollis  X  sinensis  Ellen  Cuthbert. — A  good 
and  distinct  variety,  with  orange  coloured  flowers 
flamed  with  Indian  red  in  the  upper  petals.  A  very 
free  bloomer.  From  Messrs.  R.  and  G.  Cuthbert, 
Southgate. 

Liipinus  polyphyllus  rosetis. — A  very  pretty  and 
distinct  rose-pink  variety  of  this  useful  perennial. 
The  colour  varies  from  pale  to  deep  pink.  It  is  said 
to  come  fairly  true  from  seed.  From  Messrs. 
J.  Cheal  and  Sons,  Crawley. 

Begonia  Lady  Curzon.  —  A  double-flowered 
variety.  The  handsome,  well-formed  flowers  are 
about  5  inches  across,  and  of  a  deep  salmon  colour 
with  orange  shade.  A  very  telling  and  shapely 
flower.  From  Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon, 
Bath. 

Dodecatheon  Dame  Blanche.— In  all  probability 
this  belongs  to  D.  Meadia,  but  it  is  of  bolder 
growth.  The  flowers  are  white,  the  segments 
having  a  dark  base.  From  Messrs.  Wallace  and 
Co.,  Colchester. 

Campanula  rupesiris. — A  very  interesting  and 
charming  alpine.  The  radical  leaves  are  petiolate, 
roundly  ovate,  slightly  crenate,  hoary,  and  covered 
with  tomenlum.  Flowering  stems  procumbent,  or 
nearly  so  ;  leaves  roundish,  stems  ti  inches  to 
8  inches  long.  The  flowers  are  erect,  pale  bluish 
with  violet  stripes  in  the  early  stages  internally, 
one  to  three  appearing  on  pedicels  1  inch  long  from 
every  leaf  axil.  An  ideal  rock  plant  in  every  way 
and  a  most  profuse  bloomer.  From  Messrs.  William 
Cutbush  and  Sons,  Highgate. 


402 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  4,  1904. 


Soae  Perle  de  Neige. — This  is  best  described  as 
a  Polyantha  type  of  flower  with  the  rambler  habit 
of  growth.  Tlie  flowers  are  pure  white,  prettily 
formed,  and  freely  produced.  From  Messrs.  William 
Paul  and  Son,  Waltham  Cross. 

Begonia  Avalanche. — A  verj'  fine  double  variety 
with  flowers  6  inches  across.  The  petals  have  a 
deeply  undulated  margin.  The  flower  generally  is 
of  an  imposing  character.  From  Messrs.  Black- 
more  and  Langdon,  Bath. 

WaJdenheryia  ( Edraianlhtit)  si:rpi/llifoHa.  — A 
nearly  prostrate  alpine  from  Dalmatia  with  intense 
violet  or  royal  purple  erect  bell-shaped  flowers 
nearlj'  1  inch  across.  The  plant  belongs  to  the 
Campanula  family,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  rock 
plants  extant.  It  is  not  a  novelty  in  the  strict 
sense,  yet  far  too  little  known  and  grown  at  the 
present  time.  The  plant  was  seen  in  man}'  collec- 
tions. From  R.  Farrer,  Esq.,  Ingleborough, 
Lancaster. 

Pelargonium  Lady  Decies. — A  decorative  variety, 
with  palest  pink  blooms  of  fair  size.  A  dark 
blotch  is  seen  on  each  of  the  two  upper  petals. 
A  free  grower  and  an  abundant  bloomer.  From 
Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough. 

Begonia  Mr.  W.  H.  Edwards. — A  double- 
flowered  variety  of  the  finest  form,  the  flowers 
white,  suffused  with  palest  pink.  Very  handsome 
and  telling.  From  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited, 
Feltham.     Award  of  merit. 

Pteris  Binoti. — This  species  was  discovered  in 
Brazil,  and  would  appear  to  possess  some  aifinity 
to  P.  ludens  and  P.  palmata.  It  is  the  latter 
generally  that  the  newcomer  most  resembles.  The 
basal  fronds  are  palmate,  the  upper  fronds  more 
decidedly  fingered,  and  the  lobes  deeply  incised 
and  acutely  pointed.  The  plants  shown  were 
about  1  foot  high.  From  Messrs.  E.  G.  Hill  and 
Son,  Edmonton. 

Lupinus polyphyllus  (strain). — A  strain  of  bicolor, 
and  in  some  instances  nearly  tricolor,  forms  of  this 
plant.  From  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent 
Garden. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

No  awards  to  new  fruits  or  vegetables  were 
made  by  this  committee,  and  the  exhibits  were  not 
numerous.  Messrs.  Rivers  and  Son  of  Sawbridge- 
worth  exhibited  a  grand  lot  of  Peach  and  Nectarine 
trees  in  pots,  carrying  highly-coloured  fruits.  The 
display  consisted  of  about  forty  trees,  and  was  a 
striking  feature  of  the  show.  Of  the  Nectarines 
Cardinal  (of  which  a  basket  of  fruits  was  shown  in 
addition  to  those  on  the  trees)  is  a  fine  fruit  of 
good  colour,  and  said  to  be  the  earliest  of  all  Nec- 
tarines. Peaches  Duke  of  York  and  Duchess  of 
Cornwall  were  included  in  this  group  ;  both  are 
Peaches  of  recent  introduction.  The  former  is  a 
highly-coloured  fruit,  of  splendid  flavour  and 
excellent  for  forcing.  Peach  Duchess  of  Cornwall 
is  primrose  colour,  striped  and  blotched  with  red. 
The  flesh  is  juicy  and  melting,  and  has  a  smack  of 
Nectarine  flavour.  Plum  Curlew,  plants  carrying 
splendid  crops  of  medium-sized  fruits,  attracted 
much  attention.  Messrs.  Rivers'  exhibit  of  fruit 
trees  in  pots  at  the  Temple  show  is  one  that  always 
commands  attention.  The  trees  are  models  of 
good  culture,  and  serve  to  show  how  well  fruit 
trees  can  be  grown  in  pots. 

S.  Heilbut,  Esq.,  The  Lodge,  Holyport,  Maiden- 
head (gardener,  Mr.  Camp),  exhibited  Grapes, 
Cherries,  and  Strawberries  in  pots.  The  Vines 
were  carrying  good  bunches.  Two  plants  each  of 
Black  Hamburgh,  Foster's  Seedling,  and  Gradiska 
(a  white  Grape  similar  to  Foster's  Seedling)  were 
shown.  Of  Cherries,  two  plants  each  of  Early 
Rivers'  and  Guigne  d'Annonay,  all  carrying  fine 
crops  of  tempting  fruit,  were  set  up.  A  number 
of  plants  of  Strawberry  Royal  Sovereign  had  good 
crops  of  well-ripened  fruit  of  good  size. 

Mr.  T.  R.  Cuckney,  Cobham  Hall^  Gardens, 
Gravesend,  showed  some  splendid  fruits  of  Straw- 
berry Royal  Sovereign  in  boxes,  forty-eight  fruits 
in  each  box,  some  of  the  finest  we  have  seen  this 
season. 

Mr.  C.  Ritohings  of  Highlands  Catel,  Guernsey, 
had  some  good  Melons.  Among  them  were  Silver 
King,  a  netted  variety,  somewhat  similar  to  Hero 
of  Lockinge  ;  Best  of  All,  a  large  yellow,  smooth 


skin  ;  and  Goldfinder,  a  pale-skinned  variety.  He 
also  sent  Tomatoes.  Of  these  Brinn's  Superlative, 
Winter  Beauty,  and  Lawrenson's  No.  3  were  all 
good,  smooth  varieties. 

From  the  Imperial  Cold  Storage  Company, 
Tottenham,  a  collection  of  Apples,  all  in  good  con- 
dition, was  exhibited. 

Mr.  G.  Hobday  of  Romford  showed  his  giant 
Rhubarb,  pulled  from  the  open  ground,  the  stalks 
being  of  immense  size. 

Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons  had  a  collection  of 
Melons,  among  which  Hero  of  Lockinge,  which  has 
long  been  one  of  the  first  favourites  for  market 
culture,  was  prominent. 

Sir  A.  Henderson,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Buscot  Park, 
Faringdon,  Berks  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  L.  Bastin), 
showed  a  very  fine  collection  of  vegetables  and 
Tomatoes.  The  Currant  Tomatoes  in  pots  carried 
long  bunchesof  bright  red  fruits.  Of  other  Tomatoes, 
Sutton's  Princess  of  Wales,  Magnum  Bonum,  and 
the  yellow  Golden  Gage  were  good.  There  were 
several  sorts  of  Peas,  of  which  Duke  of  Albany', 
May  Queen,  and  Early  Giant  were  worthy  of  note. 
Of  Beans,  Sutton's  Reliance  and  Tender  and  True 
were  very  good  ;  of  Cauliflowers,  Purity  and 
Magnum  Bonum,  though  small,  were  good  ;  and  of 
Broccoli,  Satisfaction  and  Latest  of  All  were  well 
shown.  Of  four  sorts  of  Cabbage,  Sutton's  Early 
Market  appeared  the  best  ;  of  Carrots,  Sutton's 
Inimitable  Forcing  was  a  good  short  and  Favourite 
an  intermediate  variety.  Potatoes  included  good 
examples  of  Early  Ashleaf,  Sharp's  Victor,  and 
May  Queen  ;  Turnips  included  Sutton's  Snowball 
and  Early  Milan.  Of  several  sorts  of  Cucumbers, 
Sutton's  Prize-winner  was  the  best.  Cabbage 
Lettuces,  P^adishes,  Mushrooms,  Rhubarb,  &e. , 
were  all  well  shown. 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Farnham,  made  a  good  display 
of  Cucumbers  and  Tomatoes,  having  about  eighteen 
dishes  of  the  latter  and  eleven  boxes  of  Cucumbers, 
of  which  Tender  and  True  was  one  of  the  best,  and 
Aristocrat,  a  new  variety,  looked  very  promising. 
Some  growths  of  this  showed  it  to  be  a  wonderful 
cropper.  Sutton's  A  1,  Lord  Roberts,  Progress, 
and  others  were  shown.  Tomatoes  Best  of  All,  a 
large,  round,  smooth  variety  is  evidently  a  good 
one  ;  Peerless,  Sutton's  A  1,  Sutton's  Satisfaction, 
and  Winter  Beauty  were  good  fruits. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  had  a  grand 
exhibit,  which  included  twenty-four  varieties  of 
Potatoes  (new  tubers)  all  in  fine  condition.  Snow- 
drop and  New  Perfection  being  good  white 
Kidneys  ;  Mr.  Breeze,  a  clean  pink-skinned 
variety ;  Crimson  Beauty,  red  skinned ;  Early 
Purple,  very  dark  ;  Factor,  large  tubers  ;  Spring- 
field, round  white ;  King  Edward  and  Reading 
Russet  were  good  ;  in  fact,  the  whole  collection 
was  remarkably  fine  for  so  early.  Several  sorts  of 
Peas  were  shown.  Duke  of  Norfolk,  King  Edward, 
and  English  Wonder  were  noted  among  the  best. 
Cabbage  Cannell's  Defiance,  evidently  a  fine  early 
variety,  and  Tomato  Cannell's  Perfection,  a  round, 
smooth  fruit,  were  noticeable.  Cucumber  Cannell's 
Favourite  should  make  a  good  market  sort. 
Carrots,  Cauliflower,  Turnips,  Broad  Beans,  Scarlet 
Runners,  and  other  Beans  and  Marrows  were  all 
well  staged. 

Mr.  R.  Stephenson,  Burwell,  Cambridgeshire, 
sent  some  very  fine  Asparagus. 

Mr.  Harwood  of  Colchester  showed  six  bundles 
of  fine  quality  Asparagus. 

Mr.  W.  .1.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  was  also  an 
exhibitor  of  excellent  Asparagus. 

From  Lady  Warwick's  College,  Studley  Castle, 
Warwick,  was  sent  an  interesting  collection  of 
vegetables,  which  comprised  earlj'  Potatoes,  some 
fine  heads  of  Late  (Jueen  Broccoli,  Vegetable 
Marrows,  good  early  Cabbage,  Tomatoes,  Radishes, 
&c.,  all  grown  by  the  girl  students  under  the 
supervision  of  Miss  Crooke,  the  head  gardener, 
who,  assisted  by  some  of  her  stafl',  staged  the 
collection  in  excellent  st3'ie. 

Mr.  J.  F.  Groves  of  Horn,  Surre}',  exhibited 
plants  of  Potato  Eldorado,  also  tubers  with  shoots 
ready  for  taking  off  for  propagating  purposes. 

Miscellaneocs. 

Messrs.  George  Boyes  and  Co.,  Aylestone  Nur- 
series, Leicester,  showed  a  group  of  Tree  Carnations 


in  several  varieties,  both  plants  in  pots  and 
cut  flowers  in  vases.  Among  the  varieties  shown 
were  Hon.  A.  Lyttelton,  salmon  ;  Lord  Kitchener, 
dark  crimson  ;  William  Robinson,  scarlet ;  Alma, 
dark  crimson  ;  Edna  Lyall,  blush  pink  ;  Lady  de 
Trafford,  salmon-scarlet ;  A.  G.  Steel,  scarlet ; 
and  Mark  Twain,  blush,  splashed  with  red. 

Messrs.  Storrie  and  Storrie,  Dundee,  showed  a 
very  bright  group  of  Auriculas,  hardy  Primulas, 
and  Polyanthuses.  Yellow  in  various  shades  was 
the  prevailing  colour,  and  many  good  varieties 
were  on  view.  The  exhibit,  too,  was  attractively 
set  up. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B.,  ex- 
hibited a  most  attractive  display  of  Pansies  and 
Violas.  The  back  of  the  group  consisted  of  sprays 
of  Violas,  and  very  beautiful  they  were,  the 
flowers  large,  and  of  rich,  distinct  colouring. 
Single  blooms  of  the  fancy  Pansies  were  arranged 
along  the  front. 

Mr.  Alfred  Young,  Elgin,  N.B.,  showed  a  small 
rockery  of  alpine  plants. 

Sweet  Peas  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  C.  Aubrey 
Watts,  1.5,  Leadenhall  Street,  E.G. 

Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin,  had  a 
delightful  group  of  Tulips,  gorgeously-coloured 
flowers,  that  made  a  brilliant  show.  Darwin, 
Cottage,  and  Gesner  varieties  commingled  in 
harmonious  association,  and  the  result  was  all  that 
one  could  wish. 

Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  and  Sons,  Newtownards, 
exhibited  Tulips  in  great  variety.  The  effect  of 
this  group  was  very  striking.  Rich  and  sombre- 
coloured  flowers  were  in  such  proportions  and  so 
placed  as  to  enable  all  to  be  seen  at  their  best. 
Wb  need  not  individualise,  for  once  to  commence 
would  mean  never  to  cease  if  justice  were  to  be 
done. 

Mr.  R.  Irwyn  Lynch,  curator  of  the  Botanic 
Garden,  Cambridge,  exhibited  a  group  of  hybrid 
Gerberas,  man}'  of  them  of  lovely  shades  of  colour. 
These  created  a  great  deal  of  interest,  as  being  a 
most  noteworthy  and  successful  attempt  at  hybri- 
disation in  a  new  direction.  The  flowers  varied  in 
size,  some  being  3  inches  or  4  inches  across, 
while  others  were  barely  2  inches.  Some  of  the 
most  remarkable  were  Brilliant,  large,  vermilion  ; 
Mayflower,  large,  rosy  buff;  a  large  unnamed 
yellow  ;  Evangeline,  smaller,  a  lovely  pink  ;  Hia- 
watha, small,  a  beautiful  soft  rosy  red  ;  and  canta- 
bridgensis,  varying  from  white  to  rich  pink.  Mr. 
Lynch  is  to  be  heartily  congratulated  upon  such  a 
successful  attempt  at  hybridising  a  genus  that  is  at 
present  very  poorly  represented  in  gardens.  The 
parents  of  these  hybrids  are  from  South  Africa. 
Jamesoni  and  viridifolia  played  a  most  important 
part  in  their  production  ;  in  fact,  these  two  were 
the  parents  of  most  of  the  hybrids  shown. 

Mr.  Robert  S3'denham,  Tenby  Street,  Birming- 
ham, had  a  delightful  exhibit  of  Sweet  Peas 
in  all  the  best  varieties.  They  were  prettily 
arranged  in  vases,  and  made  a  most  attractive 
display. 

Messrs.  Baker,  Wolverhampton,  showed  Violas 
and  Pansies  in  quantity,  making  a  very  attractive 
display.  The  Violas  were  very  pretty,  among 
them  being  Rose  Noble,  rich  yellow  ;  Mary 
Robertson,  primrose ;  Seagull,  white ;  Mrs.  W. 
Waters,  rich  purple ;  and  Colonel  Plumer,  pale 
purple.  Fancy  Pansies  were  largely  shown. 
Greenery  was  tastefully  arranged  among  the 
flowers,  and  a  delightful  display  resulted. 

Messrs.  Jones  and  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  exhibited 
Sweet  Peas  in  great  variety  as  well  as  Spanish 
Irises,  and  a  very  pretty  display  resulted. 

Messrs.  Watkin  and  Simpson,  Tavistock  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  W.C. ,  showed  a  very  pretty  group 
of  hardy  annual  flowers,  which  comprised  good 
strains  of  Mignonette,  Colliusia,  Schizanthus, 
Cornflower,  &c. 

Obituary. — We  regret  to  hear  of  the  death 
of  Mr.  William  Kerr,  the  seed  Potato  specialist  of 
Dumfries.  Mr.  Kerr  died  on  Saturday  last.  He 
raised  many  excellent  varieties  of  Potatoes, 
perhaps  the  best  of  them  being  Duchess  of 
Cornwall,  which  beat  Northern  Star  and  other 
famous  sorts  in  Mr.  Williamson's  Potato  trials  in 
Ireland. 


iiupplement  to  IHE  garden,  Jwk  -f,  inoi/ 


THE     COUNCIL     OF     THE     ROYAL     HORTICULTURAL     SOCIETY. 


The  Hun.  Juun  BuhUAWBx. 


SOCIETY 

ESTABLISHED 

MARCH, 

1804. 


HaKK^    .),    V|.;j-irH,  i    L  S. 


Henry  B.  May. 


Captain  O.  L  Hulford,  C.I.K  ,  C  V.O. 


Hkv.  W.  WiLKS,  M.A.,  iSaailary. 


Sir  Trevor  LAWitEMno,  Ba 

;  rrcf^iilcnt  o/  the  Ilvyal  L  \ 


RT..KC-V.O.,V.M.H. 

liii-ticullural  Soeifty. 


TuE  RiuuT  Hus.  THE  Eael  of  Ilchester. 


Arthur  L.  Wigak. 


THE 

CENTENARY 

CELEBRATION, 

1904. 


J.  (.iUKNEY  Fowler,  Treasurer. 


FHEDKKICli    '■     Ll.nVD,  .T.P.,  D.L. 


William  Marshall. 


Alfred  H.  Pearsov. 


George  Bunvaru,  V..M.1I. 


James  Hudson,  V.M.H. 


VV.  A.  BiLSBV. 


<gfey- 


GARDEN 


-y^- 


No.  1699.— Vol.  LXV. 


[.June   11,  1904. 


THE  BRITISH  GARDENERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 

HELD  in  the  Essex  Hall  on  the 
1st  inst.,  the  meeting  was  well 
attended,  and  resolved  that  the 
proposed  association  should  be- 
come an  accomplished  fact.  It  is 
well  to  emphasise  the  point  insisted  upon  by 
Dr.  Masters,  the  chairman,  that  this  association 
is  not  intended  to  be  what  is  popularly  known 
as  a  trades  union.  Far  from  desiring  to  promote 
antagonism,  its  aim  will  be  to  unite  the  common 
interests  of  employers  and  employed,  and  to 
recognise  and  help  forward  their  mutual  rights 
— trustworthy  efficiency  on  the  one  hand,  and 
on  the  other  a  just  appreciation  and  adequate 
payment  for  work  well  done.  Questions  of 
wages,  working  hours,  and  other  details  of  the 
kind  naturally  come  within  the  scope  of  regu- 
lations having  for  their  object  the  betterment 
of  the  gardener's  position.  Whatever  there  is 
to  be  said  on  these  points  in  good  horticultural 
establishments,  whether  private  or  commercial, 
at  any  rate,  where  an  adequate  staff  of  men  is 
employed,  there  is  not,  as  a  rule,  much  room 
for  complaint.  In  very  many  instances  bothies 
— built  with  every  modern  arrangement  for 
health  and  comfort— are  provided  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  employes,  whose  welfare  is 
cared  for  with  all  kindness  and  consideration. 
The  bad  bothy  system  is  now  practically  a 
fossil  relic  of  antiquity. 

There  must  always  be  rank  and  file  in  every 
profession.  Some  must  remain,  as  it  were, 
hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  to  their 
lives'  end  ;  nor  need  we  flout  at  such  because 
they  possess  greater  strength  of  muscle  than 
powers  of  mind.  We  could  ill  do  without  them 
in  any  walk  of  life.  But  it  takes  a  man  with 
both  muscle  and  brains  to  rise  to  any  respon- 
sible position,  and  the  greater  number  of  single- 
handed  gardeners  are  called  upon  to  exercise 
both.  It  might  be  a  mistake  to  make  hard  and 
fast  rules  which  would  encourage  men  of  this 
class  to  quarrel  with  their  bread  and  butter  ; 
for  it  is  an  ominous  fact  that  for  one  such 
situation  advertised  there  are  frequently  fifty 
applicants.  Two  instances  of  this  kind,  which 
are  by  no  means  exaggerated,  have  come  within 
our  own  knowledge  during  the  last  few  weeks 
in  different  counties.  To  shut  out  the  younger 
single-handed,  gardener,  who  is  at  the  same 
time  a  "  handy  man,"  from  the  privileges  of  the 
association  would  be  a  pity,  as  thousands  of 
capable  men  are  occupying  this  position  in  the 


smaller  country  houses  and  rectories  through- 
out the  land,  with  all  honour  to  themselves 
and  satisfaction  to  their  employers.  An  agita- 
tion for  higher  wages  than  the  £1  a  week 
with  a  cottage,  or  its  equivalent,  which  is  the 
average  rate  for  such  posts,  might  be  disastrous 
at  the  present  juncture,  when  a  reduction  in 
expenditure  is  undoubtedly  being  made  on  all 
sides. 

But  we  feel  sure  that  there  is  room  for 
much  excellent  work  to  be  done  in  a  quiet 
way  by  a  National  Gardeners'  Association^ 
if  it  advances  soberly  on  right  lines.  One 
of  its  main  objects  should  be  to  raise  the 
status  of  the  gardener  in  the  upper  ranks 
of  the  profession  ;  and  to  that  end  such  a 
CO  operative  society  ought  to  be  a  very  real 
help,  by  giving  to  the  younger  members  that 
impetus  vvhich  all  of  us  need  as  a  stimulus 
to  the  best  efforts.  Culture  and  sell-improve- 
ment^ and  not  merely  a  rise  in  salary,  are, 
doubtless,  the  main  factors  in  all  social 
uplifting ;  and  it  cannot  be  too  often  or  too 
strongly  impressed  upon  young  men  that  they 
are  bound  to  be  the  architects  of  their  own 
fortunes,  for  neither  patron  nor  guild  can 
bolster  incompetence  into  an  honourable  posi- 
tion. But  many  an  able  man  before  now  has 
not  known  where  to  turn  to  find  a  helping 
hand  to  real  advancement  in  his  calling ;  and 
herein  lies  one  great  advantage  in  being 
enrolled  as  a  member  of  a  powerful  society. 
The  establishment  of  a  National  Gardeners' 
Association,  however,  whilst  it  should  ensure 
that  the  good  man  shall  be  in  no  danger  of 
being  left  out  in  the  cold,  will  also  inevitably 
mean  a  sifting  out  of  the  chaff  from  the 
wheat. 

Hitherto  there  has  been  no  organised  gar- 
deners' society  to  which  both  employer  and 
employed  could  apply  to  be  put  into  mutual 
reliable  communication  ;  therefore  both  parties 
to  a  garden  contract  will  surely  be  gainers  by 
the  new  departure.  Of  late  years  educated 
men— and  women — have  taken  up  horticulture 
as  a  profession,  and  this  fact  in  itself— though 
it  may  seem  at  first  sight  to  tread  unduly  on 
the  heels  of  competition — helps  to  raise  the 
gardener's  social  status.  As  we  have  before 
pointed  out  in  these  pages,  however,  there  is 
no  occupation  in  which  competent  men  in  all 
grades  of  the  craft  are  brought  more  closely 
or  more  pleasantly  into  contact  with  their 
employers,  and  the  position  of  an  upright, 
manly,  and  intelligent  gardener,  who  respects 
himself  and  yet  has  the  good  sense  not  to 
expect  impossibilities,  will  leave  nothing  to  be 


desired,  for  he  will  grow  in  time  to  be  the 
trusted  colleague  and  honoured  friend  of  his 
employer. 


THE 


ROYAL    BOTANIC 
SOCIETY. 


We  quite  thought  the  beautiful  grounds  of 
this  society  had  been  permanently  given  over 
to  tea  shops  and  fancy  fairs,  but  we  are  agree- 
ably mistaken.  Through  the  efforts  of  the 
council,  of  Mr.  Sowerby,  the  secretary ;  Mr. 
Hawes,  superinteodent  of  the  gardens  ;  and 
Mr.  Gomer  Waterer,  secretary  of  the  horti- 
cultural section,  the  exhibition  which  has  been 
so  largely  advertised  was  reminiscent  of  the 
days  when  the  grassy  slopes  and  glades  of 
these  restful  grounds  were  thronged  with 
visitors  intent,  as  the  crowds  at  the  Temple 
show,  on  profiting  by  the  new  plants  and 
groups  which  filled,  in  the  days  gone  by, 
one  of  the  largest  tents  ever  erected  for  a 
horticultural  display.  A  show  at  the  Botanic 
Gardens  was  an  event  in  the  London  season, 
and  we  are  pleased  that  so  earnest  an  effort  is 
being  made  to  restore  the  grounds  to '  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  intehded.  "  The 
exhibition  which  opened  on  Saturday  evening 
with  an  inaugural  dinner  and  closed  to-day, 
will  not,  we  hope,  prove  a  financial  failure  — 
it  certainly  was  not  horticulturally.  There 
was  plenty  to  see— groups  of  Roses,  hardy 
flowers,  colonial  produce,  garden  rollers  and 
other  appliances,  which  are  noted  in  our  report. 
During  the  week  lectures  have  been  given  on 
various  subjects,  the  most  interesting  being 
those  by  Mr.  Somers  Rivers  on  "  Fruit  Culture  " 
and  by  Professor  Fisher  on  "  Forestry."  There 
were,  unfortunately,  many  side  shows — pierrots, 
palmistry,  cinematographs,  illuminated  fetes, 
and  entertainments  as  foreign  to  i-erious 
horticulture  as  a  music  -  hall  performance. 
We  were  sorry  to  see  this,  feeling^  that  the 
Royal  Botanic  Society,  or  a  few  in  autho- 
rity, were  determined  to  remove  the  impres- 
sion that  the  society  is  nothing  more  ihan 
a  mixture  of  science,  gardening,  fairs,  dog  and 
cat  shows,  with  an  occasional  dash  of  floral 
exhibition.  We  write  this  in  no  unfriendly 
spirit  ;  but  the  great  work  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  must  occur  to  inind  when 
contemplating  a  flower  exhibition  in  which  so 
much  that  is  distracting  and  not  always  amusing 
forces  itself  to  the  front.  The  society  at  Regents 
Park  must  dispense  with  its  pantaloons  if  it  is  to 
command  the  respect  of  all  serious  horticul- 
turists, and  it  is  hoped  that  the  next  exhibition 
on  so  ambitious  a  scale  that  takes  place  in 
these  leafy  grounds  will  emulate  the  instructive 
and  beautiful  shows  that  have  been  given  in 
recent  years  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
The  promoters  of  this  exhibition  deserve  encou- 
ragement in  their  efforts  to  place  the  scientific 
and  gardening  aspect  of  the  society  on  so  sound 
a  basis.  ■ 


404 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  11,  1904. 


The  display  of  Rhododendrons  by  Messrs- 
John  Waterer  and  Sons,  of  Bagshot,  was 
superb.  We  have  seldom  seen  bushes  more 
densely  flowered  or  represented  in  such  great 
variety. 


THE    EDITOR'S   TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and 
interestingplants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower,  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more  instruc- 
tive to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it.  We 
welcome  anything  from  the  garden,  whether 
fruit,  tree,  shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy  flower, 
and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The  Editor, 
3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 


Primula  japonioa. 
"  We  have  received  from  Mr.  Crook,  Forde  Abbey 
Gardens,  Chard,  Somerset,  spikes  of  a  very  handsome 
crimson  variety  of  the  Japanese  Primrose,  which  is  so 
useful  for  growing  in  boggy  soil  and  in  half  shade. 
The  varieties  raised  from  this  species  are  of  many 
shades,  one  a  pure  white  with  orange  eye,  and 
there  are  pink  and  other  colours,  while  the  plants 
remain  in  beauty  for  several  weeks.  Mr.  Crook 
writes  :  "  These  spikes  are  about  2i  feet  long,  and 
cut  from  plants  that  have  been  growing  in  the 
same  position  for  about  nine  years."  Mr.  Crook 
also  sends  some  excellently  grown  Lilies  of  the 
Valley,  cut  from  plants  growing  amongst  pyramid 
and  bush  Apple  trees  in  the  kitchen  garden. 

Rhododendron  Keysii  and  R.  triflorum. 

A  boxful  of  these  beautiful  species  from  Messrs. 
Pennick  and  Co.,  Delgany  Nurseries,  Wicklow, 
is  most  welcome.  R.  Keysii  comes  from  Bhotan, 
and  has  tubular  flowers  of  red  and  yellow 
colouring,  IJ  inches  in  length,  and  make  a  brave 
show  when  the  bush  is  well  flowered.  Messrs. 
Pennick  write  that  this  Rhododendron  has  flowered 
exceptionally  well  this  year,  and  this  free  flowering 
of  tree  and  shrub  is  a  general  experience. 


Flowers  from  Armagh. 
Mr.  McWalters,  The  Mall,  Armat^h,  sends  a 
large  bunch  of  the  beautiful  double  Welsh  Poppy 
(Menconopsis  cambrica  fl.-pl.)  perfectly  double  and 
rich  in  its  yellow  and  red  colourings.  Also 
Cheiranthus  alpinus  and  crimson  Maple. 


Orchis  purpurea  and  Fortune's  Yellow  and 
Banksian  Roses. 
Mr.  F.  R.  Ctickney  sends  for  our  table  0. 
purpurea  and  Fortune's  Yellow  Rose  with  the 
toUowing  notes.  We  suppress  the  address  for  the 
good  reason  our  correspondent  gives.  Our  wild 
flowers  are  too  precious  to  indicate  their  where- 
abouts. "  I  am  sending  for  your  table  a  few 
spikes  of  Orchis  purpurea.  We  may  have  wild 
flowers  as  beautiful,  but  I  think  none  more  so  than 
this  charming  Orchis.  My  deep  regret  is  that  they, 
with  many  of  our  choicest  gems,  are  becoming  so 
scarce.  Some,  I  am  afraid,  are  on  the  \'erge  of 
extinction.  If  you  notice  them  in  your  interesting 
notes  kindly  give  no  district.  One  has  to  take 
every  precaution  to  preserve  them.  The  enclosed 
are  our  first  Roses  from  outside.  Fortune's 
Yellow  comes  from  a  south  wall,  the  flowers  are  a 
fair  colour,  but  not  so  delicate  or  so  rich  as  when 
grown  in  a  cool  house.  The  yellow  Banksian,  unfor- 
tunately, is  not. often  planted;  it  requires  little 
pruning,  and  then  only  immediately  after  flowering. 
This  is  my  practice.  The  sprays  sent  tell  of  its 
success." 


may  think  worth  notice.  As  you  will  see  a  number 
of  apparently  perfect,  but  quite  miniature  flowers, 
each  with  its  own  stem,  involucre,  and  system  of 
florets,  springs  from  inside  the  involucre  of  the 
main  flower." 

The  abnormal  Daisy  blossom  sent  is  very  curious, 
and  we  presume  it  is  from  a  wild  plant  from  its 
appearance.  We  have  never  known  uncultivated 
Daisies  produce  this  kind  of  blossom  before,  but  it 
is  of  the  same  nature  as  the  variety  of  the  common 
cultivated  pink  double  Daisy  (Bellis  perennis  var. 
prolifera),  known  as  the  Hen  and  Chicken  Daisy, 
when  the  central  flower  or  "  hen  "  is  of  the  normal 
type,  but  is  surrounded  by  a  number  of  smaller 
ones  which  are  produced  from  the  base  of  the 
involucral  scales.  In  the  specimen  sent  the  central 
flower  does  not  appear  to  be  much  larger  than 
those  which  encircle  it.  It  would  be  interesting  if 
the  plant  be  a  wild  one  to  see  if  it  produces  any 
more  similar  blossoms,  either  this  season  or  next. 
It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  cultivated  variety  was 
originally  descended  from  a  wild  parent. 


Calceolarias. 
Messrs.    James   Veitch,    King's  Road,   Chelsea, 
send   flowers  of  their  strain    of  Calceolarias,    the 
colours  clear  and  varied.     There  is  also  an  absence 
of  coarseness  in  the  flower  itself. 


Iris  Gatesi. 
Lady  Ardilaun  sends  from  St.  Ann's,  Clontarf, 
County  Dublin,  Ireland,  a  flower  of  the  beautiful 
I.  Gatesi,  which  is  queen  of  the  whole  family.  The 
plant  has  been  in  its  present  position  at  St.  Ann's 
— a  narrow  south  border — for  five  years,  and  has 
never  failed  to  flower.  This  year  the  flowers  are 
much  larger  and  the  stem  longer  than  is  usually  the 
case.  We  measured  the  falls  of  this  exquisite 
flower,  they  were  nearly  6  inches  in  width  and 
as  much  in  length,  a  delicate  study  in  grey  and 
white. 


them  growing  and  flowering  in  a  cold  Peach  house  ; 
they  have  proved  a  rare  sight  during  the  past  three 
weeks."  There  is  a  freshness  and  sweetness  about 
the  flowers  of  the  Sweet  Pea  at  this  season  that 
even  those  in  summer  do  not  possess. 

Tulip  Goloonda. 
Mr.  Hartland  sends  from  Ard  Cairn,  Cork, 
flowers  of  a  very  fine  Tulip,  which  he  names 
Golconda.  The  colour  is  deep  crimson,  with 
golden  base,  and  the  segments  are  strong  and  stifl'. 
A  Tulip  that  would  stand  much  buffetting  from  an 
unkind  spring. 


Malmaison  Carnations  and  Sweet  Peas. 
A  delightful  contribution  to  our  table  comes  from 
Mr.  J.  R.  Batty,  Shelton  Castle  Gardens  ;  it  con- 
sists of  some  finely-grown  flowers  of  the  Malmaison 
Carnation  and  a  gathering  of  Sweet  Peas  in  many 
colourings.  We  quite  agree  with  the  sender  when 
he  mentions  that  "flowers  of  Sweet  Peas  at  this 
time  of  year  are  very  acceptable  for  table  decora- 
tion.    We  have  about  two  dozen  9-inch  pots  of 


ROYAL     HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

Temple  Flower  Show — Supplementabt  Award 
List. 

Gold  medal. — Sir  F.  Wigan,  Bart.,  for  Orchids. 

Silver  cups. — Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  for  pigmy 
trees  and  herbaceous  plants,  and  Messrs.  Cripps 
and  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells. 

Silver  Flora  medals. — Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt,  Wood- 
bridge,  for  herbaceous  flowers,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  Jones 
and  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  for  Sweet  Peas,  Irises,  &c. ; 
Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  Colchester,  for  Roses 
in  pots ;  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  HoUoway, 
for  Rhododendrons,  &c.  ;  Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Bexley 
Heath,  for  Tree  Carnations  ;  Messrs.  E.  Webb  and 
Sons,  Stourbridge,  for  Gloxinias,  Calceolarias,  &c.  ; 
Mr.  T.  .Tannoch,  Dersingham,  for  Lilies  of  the 
Valley,  Lilacs,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  B.  R.  Davis  and  Sons, 
Yeovil,  for  Begonias ;  Mr.  John  R.  Box,  West 
Wickham,  for  Begonias  ;  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham, 
Birmingham,  for  Sweet  Peas ;  Messrs.  Reams- 
bottom  and  Co.,  Geashill,  King's  County,  for 
Anemones;  N.  L.  Cohen,  Esq.,  Englefield  Green, 
for  Calla  elliottiana  ;  Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson, 
Dublin,  for  Tulips  and  Irises  ;  Mr.  John  Robson, 
Altrincham,  for  Orchids ;  and  Mr.  W.  Iceton, 
Putney,  for  Lilies  of  the  Valley  and  foliage  plants. 

Silver  Banksian  medals. — The  Ranelagh  Nurseries 
Company,  Leamington  Spa,  for  foliage  plants  and 
Crotons  ;  Messrs.  Storrie  and  Storrie,  Dundee,  for 
Auriculas  and  Strep tocarpuses  ;  Mr.  Vincent  Slade, 
Taunton,  for  Pelargoniums  ;  Messrs.  Boyes  and 
Co.,  Leicester,  for  Carnations;  Misses  Hopkins, 
Knutsford,  for  alpines  and  rock  plants  ;  Messrs. 
Watkins  and  Simpson,  Covent  Garden,  for  collec- 
tion of  annuals  in  pots  ;  Messrs.  Kelway  and  Son, 


A  Curious  Daisy  Flower. 
The  Hon.  John  Mansfield,  Sheringham,  Norfolk, 
writes :  "  I  enclose  a  double  Daisy  flower,  which  you 


the  rose   group   from    MESSRS.    WILLIAM   PAUL  AND   SON,    WALTHAM   CROSS,    AT   THE  TEMPLE 
SHOW.      THIS  GROUP   WON   THE   VEITCHIAN   CUP. 


Junk  ll,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


405 


Langport,  for  Pyrethrums  ;  Messrs.  Gilbert  and 
Son,  Dyke,  Bourne,  Linos,  for  Anemones  ;  Messrs. 
W.  and  J.  Brown,  Stamford,  for  greenhouse 
plants  ;  Messrs.  R.  Anker,  Kensington,  for  Cacti ; 
M.  L.  J.  Draps-Dom,  Brussels,  for  Begonias,  foliage 
plants,  &c.  ;  and  Mr.  A.  Ll.  Gwillim.NewEltham, 
for  Begonias. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


SEEDLING    AURICULAS. 

SEEDLINGS  raised  from  selected  strains  of 
both  show  and  alpine  varieties  which 
were  sown  in  March  can  now  be  pricked 
off  into  boxes  or  pans.  The  seeds 
appeared  to  germinate  very  slowly,  pos- 
sibly because  of  the  cold  and  wet 
character  of  the  spring,  but  when  transplanted 
from  the  seed-pans  into  suitable  soil  they  make 
rapid  progress  as  soon  as  established.  Both  in 
sowing  seeds  and  transplanting  the  seedlings  it  is 
not  well  to  use  finely-sifted  soil,  as  it  is  apt  to 
become  pasty  and  solid.  I  use  a  compost  made  up 
of  good  fibrous  yellow  loam,  leaf-mould,  a  little 
well-decomposed  manure,  and  silver  sand,  and 
make  it  roughly  fine  by  rubbing  it  to  pieces  in  my 
hands,  thus  retaining  the  fibre.  At  the  bottom  of 
the  boxes  I  place  a  layer  of  half-decomposed 
manure,  over  this  some  of  the  roughest  portions 
of  the  soil,  then  filling  up  with  the  compost,  then 
adding  a  surfacing  of  the  finest  particles  of  the 
compost  and  a  sprinkling  of  silver  sand  ;  a  gentle 
spraying  with  water  is  given,  and  in  two  or  three 
hours  transplanting  may  be  done.  As  I  prefer  a 
fairly  firm  soil  I  press  all  down  to  make  it  solid,  as 
young  seedling  Auriculas  appear  to  grow  the  fastest 
in  a  firm  root-run.  Auricula  seeds  invariably 
germinate  somewhat  irregularly,  and  some  plants 
are  larger  and  more  vigorous  than  the  others. 
These  I  keep  together  in  one  box,  and  place  the 
smaller  plants  together  in  another.  It  does  not 
necessarily  follow  that  the  most  vigorous  plants 
represent  the  best  varieties  when  they  bloom,  as 
the  reverse  is  often  the  case.  If  the  plants  are 
kept  shaded  for  a  few  days  until  they  form  new 
roots  they  may  then  be  fully  exposed  to  the  light 
and  sun,  care  being  taken  that  they  do  not  at  any 
time  suffer  from  want  of  moisture.  A  soft  summer 
shower  greatly  encourages  growth,  or,  failing 
this,  a  gentle  spraying  overhead.  In  pricking  oil" 
the  seedlings  care  should  be  taken  that  sufficient 
space  is  left  for  development,  by  the  end  of  the 
summer  the  plants  have  formed  good  masses  of 
roots,  and  they  can  then  be  potted  into  small  pots 
in  which  to  bloom.  Some  will,  no  doubt,  flower  in 
the  autumn,  and  if  indifferent  in  quality  they  can 
be  ri-jeeted.  Seedling  border  varieties  can  be 
transferred  to  the  open  in  autumn,  having  the 
bed  in  an  open  spot,  and  raising  it  a  little  above 
the  ground  level.  In  making  up  such  a  bed  I  place 
on  the  surface  a  dressing  of  ashes  from  the  burnt 
rubbish  heap,  and  as  I  plant  place  some  of  it  about 
the  roots,  which  appear  to  run  freely  in  it.  The 
■worms  are  apt  to  cause  some  trouble  during  the 
winter  by  working  round  the  plants,  especially  so 
in  wet  weather,  and  in  doing  so  they  thrust  the 
soil  away  from  the  stems  of  the  plants,  leaving 
them  partly  bare.  During  favourable  weather  at 
the  end  of  February  or  early  in  March  it  is  well 
to  go  through  the  plants,  pressing  the  soil  firmly 
about  the  roots,  and  adding  a  surface  dressing  of 
fine  compost.  R.  Dean. 


PINKS. 
The  garden  Pinks  succeed  the  May  Tulips,  though 
they  are  by  no  means  alone  in  their  floral  service. 
But  the  Pink  is  hardy,  free-blooming,  fragrant,  and 
charming  for  cutting  purposes,  of  pretty  border 
varieties  there  are  many,  and  the  laced  Pinks  such 
as  Mrs.  Dark,  Modesty,  John  Ball,  Mrs.  Pettifer, 
&c.  These  have  a  sturdy  habit  of  growth,  and 
throw  up  their  flowers  on  stiff  stems.  As  a  matter 
of  course  the  fine  lacing  on  the  petal  edges  will  not 
be  nearly  so  perfect  as  when  cultivated  by  the 
■florist  in  a  prepared  bed  and  shaded  from  the  sun. 
Then  of  the  border  varieties  the  best  are  Albino, 


THE   INTERESTING  HYBRID   GKRBBRAS   RAISED   BY   MR.    IRWIN   LYNCH,    AND   SHOWN    BY   HIM    AT  THE 
EXHIBITION    IN    THE   TEMPLE   GARDENS   LAST    WEEK. 


white;  Anna  Boleyn,  rosy  purple;  Ernest  Lad- 
hams,  blush  white,  with  a  crimson  centre,  but 
much  given  to  bursting  its  calyx  ;  Mrs.  Lakin, 
white  ;  Paddington,  pink,  with  red  centre ;  and 
Samuel  Barlow,  crimson  centre,  with  a  white 
margin.  The  last  named  is  a  compact  grower,  and 
very  free  of  bloom.  There  are  other  border  varie- 
ties, but  the  foregoing  may  be  accepted  as  repre- 
sentative of  some  of  the  best  of  them.  There  is  no 
lack  of  new  varieties,  but  opportunities  of  seeing 
them  are  rare,  and  a  trial  of  the  newer  border 
Pinks  might  be  made  an  interesting  feature  in 
1905.  Pinks  can  be  propagated  by  means  of  pipings 
or  by  layers,  but  the  former  strike  readily  in  a 
sandy  soil  under  ahandlight.  I  have  seen  cases  on 
allotment  gardens  where  working  men  put  in  Pink 
pipings  under  the  shade  of  their  Gooseberry  trees 
and  root  them  without  difficulty.  The  Pink  will 
always  be  a  favourite  garden  plant,  and  it  appears 
to  be  at  home  in  almost  any  position.     R.  Dean. 


THE  COLOURING  OF  DAFFODILS 
AND  SOIL  INFLUENCE. 
The  two  articles  in  The  Garden  of  the  7th  ult. — 
one  by  "A.  H.  P.,"  and  the  other  by  Mr.  Good- 
win— interested  me  greatly,  as  they  touched  on 
subjects  that  I  have  been  trying  to  solve  in  my 
own  garden,  namely,  whether  Daffodils  can  be  well 
grown  in  moist  ground,  and  what  makes  flowers  a 
good  colour.  Daffodils  grow  wild  in  the  wet 
meadow  land  of  the  Pyrenees,  and  I  shall  never 
forget  the  sight  of  the  golden  flowers'  growing  by 
the  side  of  a  stream  in  company  with  large  bright 
violet  Columbines.  But  in  France  and  Spain, 
however  wet  the  ground  is  in  winter  and  spring, 
the  streams  almost  run  dry  and  the  meadows  get 
baked  by  the  sun  in  summer  and  autumn,  and, 
though  I  know  by  practice  that  near  London 
Daffodils  can  be  grown  in  an  extremely  wet  place 
with  success  the  first  year,  I  have  yet  to  prove 
that  they  will  continue  to  do  so.  The  end  of  ray 
garden  is  wet  nearly  all  the  year  round,  partly 
through  want  of  drainage  when  it  was  originally 
made,  and  partly,  being  very  narrow,  it  is  over- 
shadowed summer  and  autumn  by  the  forest  trees 
in  neighbouring  gardens — those  trees  whose  roots 
are  the  bane  of  suburban  gardens.  Facing  east  it 
only  gets  sunshine  for  a  few  hours  in  the  morning. 
However,  Ferns,  some  kinds  of  Roses,  Orange 
I  Lilies,  Lilies  of  the  Valley,  Iris,  blue  and  white 


Scillas,  Polyanthuses,  Primroses,  'and  many^  other 
moisture  and  shade-loving  plants  do  splendidly 
there.  Last  autumn  the  ground  was  so  wet  that 
I  waited  until  December  15  before  planting  some 
fresh  Barri  conspicuus  in  a  bed  cut  in  the  lawn  in 
front  of  the  Polyanthuses. 

I  was  afraid  to  keep  the  bulbs  out  of  the  ground 
any  longer,  but  the  stiff  loam  was  quite  wet,  and 
still  is  if  I  dig  1  foot  deep.  The  Daffodils  flowered 
and  were  large  and  rich  in  colour.  They  began 
flowering  on  April  19,  and  were  only  just  fading 
on  May  9.  Against  a  background  of  green 
foliage  and  Polyanthuses,  with  Forget-me-nots  next 
to  them,  these  beautiful  flowers  look  down  on  a 
broad  belt  of  mixed  Fritillaries  and  the  red-brown 
Pansy  Meteor,  a  pleasing  combination  of  colours. 
The  Pansy  will  go  on  flowering  for  many  more 
months,  and  tuberous  Begonias  will  be  planted  on 
the  top  of  the  bulbs.  In  regard  to  colour,  the 
flowers  of  Barri  conspicuus  in  a  south  border  opened 
early  in  the  morning  two  days  before  those  in  the 
bed,  just  as  rich  in  colour  at  first.  The  deep  yellow 
could  almost  be  seen  to  ebb  away  during  a  day  of 
sunshine  and  dry  wind.  In  this  garden  the  blue 
of  Larkspur,  Cornflower,  and  Forget-me-not  is 
much  deeper  and  lasting  in  the  sheltered  spots. 
Perhaps  it  was  fancj',  but  it  seemed  to  me  that  of 
the  Daffodils  shown  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  April  19 
the  flowers  that  came  from  Ireland  were  more 
highly  coloured  than  the  English-grown  ones,  and 
I  ■wondered  if  the  humid  atmo£=phere  had  anything 
to  do  with  it. 

In  a  dry  part  of  France  Prinirosesand  Toad- 
flax are  white  instead  of  yellow,  and  the  wild 
flowers  in  Devonshire,  where  the  air  is  soft  and 
mild,  are  brighter  in  colouring  than  those  in 
Kent.  But  then,  to  prove  the  fallacy  of  this  belief, 
I  remember  a  wind-swept  hill-top  garden  in  Surrey, 
where,  when  flowers  could  be  got  to  grow  at  all, 
they  beat  all  those  grown  in  the  valley  gardens  in 
colour.  Certainly  pure  air  is  one  of  the  chief  factors 
in  making  colour  ;  certain  ingredients  in  the  soil  are 
another.  It  is  well  known  that  charcoal  has  a 
brightening  effect  on  red  colours.  For  this  reason 
a  layer  of  charcoal  used  to  be  put  at  the  bottom  of 
pot  Roses  and  Geraniums,  iron  filings  to  make 
Hydrangeas  blue,  and  I  remember  reading  years 
ago,  possibly  in  a  number  of  The  Garden,  that 
some  solution  of  copper  when  mixed  with  the  soil 
deepened  the  colour  of  Daffodils. 

W.  Spurling. 


406 


THE    GAliUEN. 


[June  11,  1904 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FOETHCOMING  EVENTS. 

June  14  — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting ;  Horticultural  Club,  House  Dinner 
6.30,  Discussion  opened  by  Sir  John  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  on  "  Himalayan  Rhododendrons." 

June  15. — York  Gala  (three  days). 

.Tune  28.— Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

July  6. — National  Rose  Society's  Temple  Show; 
Southampton  (two  days),  Croydon,  Hereford,  and 
Hanley  (two  days)  Horticultural  Shows. 

July  7. — Norwich  Horticultural  Show. 

July  12. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Holland 
House  Show  (two  days). 

The  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent 

Institution. — The  sixty-lirst  anniversary  festi- 
val dinner  in  aid  of  the  funds  will  be  held  at  the 
Whitehall  Rooms,  Hotel  Metropole,  on  Tuesday, 
June  28,  under  the  presidency  of  the  treasurer, 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq. 

The   National    Rose    Society.— Mr. 

Mawley,  hon.  secretary,  writes  as  follows  :  "  I  am 
sending  you  some  reports,  prospectuses,  &c.,  with  a 
view  to  help  j'ou  to  obtain  for  the  society  a  few 
new  members.  Last  year  at  the  same  time  it  was 
our  modest  ambition  to  raise  the  number  of  members 
to  1,000.  This,  owing  in  a  great  measure  to  the 
kind  exertions  of  our  local  secretaries  and  others,  we 
easily  succeeded  in  doing.  This  year  we  have  two 
additional    attractions     to     offer    new    members. 

(1)  Tickets  for  the  finest  Rose  show  ever  held  by  the 
society,  and  consequently  the  largest  and  finest 
display  of  Ruses  ever  seen  in  any  part  of  the  world. 
The  Temple  Rose  shows  of  1902  and  1903  were  but 
sorry  representations  of  the  capabilities  of  the 
National  Rose  Society,  but  this  year  the  season  has 
up  to  the  present  time  been  so  favourable,  and  the 
fixture  promises  to  be  so  well  timed,  that  an  excep- 
tionally grand  show  may  reasonably  be  anticipated. 

(2)  In  addition  to  the  other  publications,  a  new 
pruning  book.  This  will  be  issued  to  members  in 
November  next,  and  will  meet  a  long  felt  want 
amongst  amateur  rosarians  generally.  It  is  being 
drawn  up  by  a  special  committee  of  experts,  and 
every  care  is  being  taken  to  make  it  in  all  respects 
the  best  and  most  practical  work  on  pruning  Roses 
yet  published." 

University   Colleg-e,   Reading-.  —  A 

gathering  of  great  interest  to  horticulturists  will 
take  place  at  Reading  on  the  24th  inst.,  when  the 
Earl  of  Onslow,  president  of  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, will  open  the  new  training  gardens  attached 
to  this  college.  The  ceremony  will  be  accompanied 
by  a  reception  by  the  president  of  the  college, 
Mr.  Alfred  Palmer  and  Mrs.  Palmer,  on  the  college 
lawn.  The  gardens  comprise  the  old  Portland 
Road  Nursery,  so  long  possessed  by  Messrs.  Sutton 
and  Sons.  There  is  peculiar  satisfaction  in  knowing 
that  land  so  long  associated  with  first-class  horti- 
culture should  be  reserved  as  a  horticultural 
experimental  garden  for  an  indefinite  time.  That 
everything  done  in  these  gardens  is  of  first-class 
description  is  certain,  and  visitors  to  the  official 
opening  will  be  well  repaid. 

Notes  from  Baden-Baden.    I  once  got 

seed  of  Papaver  aculeatum  from  Natal,  and  was 
astonished  that  this  delicate  looking  plant,  which 
never  had  known  cold  in  its  native  habitat,  could 
stand  frost  at  all.  Why  should  not  Lathyrus 
pubescens  stand  the  regular  winters  of  England  ? 
As  to  crossing,  or  rather  hybridising,  I  would 
recommend  "A.  D."  to  use  the  everlasting,  per- 
fectly hardy  L.  Mulkak  as  female  parent,  or  vice 
versa.  This  latter  will  be  presently  in  full  flower, 
and  has  much  the  appearance  of  latifolius,  only  the 
flowers  are  somewhat  larger,  deeper  in  colour,  and 
fragrant.  Among  many  hundreds  of  Tulipa  Batalini 
which  went  through  my  hands,  all  were  of  uniform 
colour,  a  mixture  of  sulphur  and  ochraceous  yellow  ; 
but  one  bulb  had  a  crimson  flower  of  a  wonderful 
soft  tone.  Lilium  giganteum  yunnanense,  a  very 
hardy  variety,  is  now  showing  18  flowers  on  one 
stem  8  feet  high  ;  they  are  larger  and  better  coloured 


than  those  of  the  type.  Pentatemon  glaber  alpinus 
is  very  fine  ;  the  dense  spikes  are  1  foot  to  2  feet 
high  and  the  blooms  are  a  bright  glistening  blue. — 
Max  Lbichtlin,  Baden-Baden. 

Some    hig-h-prieed    Orchids.  —  At 

Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris's  rooms  in  Cheap- 
side,  an  important  sale  of  Orchids  from  the  collection 
of  Mr.  Norman  C.  Cookson,  Oakwood,  Wylam-on- 
Tyue,  was  held  last  week.  Some  very  high  prices 
were  realised,  the  amount  received  for  the  eighty- 
one  lots  being  more  than  £5,000.  Odontoglossum 
crispum  Cooksoniaj,  a  variety  that  has  received  the 
gold  medal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
fetched  £672;  0.  crispum  Franz  Mazreel,. £598  lOs.; 
0.  c.  mundyanum,  £456 ;  0.  c.  Grace  Ruby, 
£220  lOs.  ;  0.  c.  grairianum,  £388  lOs.  ;  0.  cook- 
sonianum,  £231  ;  0.  c.  ashworthianum,  £294;  and 
Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderse  Oakwood  variety 
made  250  guineas. 

Messrs.  John  Waterer's  Rhodo- 
dendrons at  the  Temple  show.— in 

our  report  of  the  great  flower  show  held  in  the 
Temple  Gardens  last  week  we  unfortunately 
inadvertently  omitted  to  mention  the  group  of 
Rhododendrons  from  Messrs.  John  Waterer  and 
Sons,  Limited,  Bagshot.  These  made  a  striking 
and  beautiful  display  ;  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  if  one  retained  a  vivid  impression  of  any 
particular  flowers  among  the  many  thousands 
shown  Rhododendron  Pink  Pearl  would  certainly 
be  one  of  them.  It  was  the  best  of  the  many  good 
things  in  Messrs.  John  Waterer's  group ;  the  large 
heads  of  rich  pink  blossoms  made  a  charming  dis- 
play. There  were  many  other  varieties  shown  in 
the  group,  and  among  them  Gomer  Waterer,  a 
very  large,  handsome  flower,  white,  slightly 
blushed  ;  Lady  Cathcart,  bright  clear  rose,  with 
crimson  spots  ;  Sappho,  white,  with  black  spots; 
and  Duke  of  Connaught,  rosy  crimson,  with  light 
centre. 

Dropmore,  Maidenhead,  in  early 

June. — There  are  few  fairer  gardens  than  Drop- 
more,  near  Maidenhead,  when  the  great  bushes  of 
Azalea  and  Rhododendron  are  in  full  beauty.  The 
flowers  were  fading  when  we  went  to  Dropmore  a 
few  days  ago,  but  there  was  sufficient  colour  to 
light  up  the  sombre  conifers  and  bring  relief  to  the 
grassy  ways  and  slopes  which  intersect  this  pleasant 
retreat.  Seen  from  the  root  mound,  the  view 
stretches  across  the  Thames  Valley,  a  glade  of 
Rhododendrons  and  Foxgloves  is  immediately 
below  this  leafy  eyrie,  and  in  the  distance  the 
stately  Royal  Castle,  stern  and  grey  in  its  setting  of 
forest  and  park.  Rhododendrons  break  in  on  the 
view  at  every  turn.  A  leafy  walk,  then  suddenly 
a  fountain  of  purple,  or  as  it  were  tongues  of  fire 
from  a  sunlit  Azalea,  opening  to  a  grassy  glade, 
where  Mr.  C.  Page  has  planted  the  Himalayan 
species,  which  are  now  exercising  the  minds  of  lovers 
of  tree  and  shrub.  Here,  sheltered  from  the  wind, 
which  is  so  harmful  to  their  welfare,  are  R. 
arboreum  roseum,  R.  Thomsoni,  R.  Falconeri,  and 
many  others  which  will  probably  grow  with  the 
same  vigour  that  astonishes  those  who  see  the 
Himalayan  Rhododendrons  in  the  gardens  of 
Ireland  and  the  south  of  England.  The  old-world 
mixed  borders  are  full  of  Irises,  Lupins,  Heucheras, 
and  many  early  summer  flowers,  and  soon  the 
Rose  walks  and  arches  will  be  bowered  over  with 
blossom.  We  hope  to  describe  Dropmore  fully  in  a 
few  weeks. 

A  Rhododendron  exhibition.— Per- 
haps the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  horticul- 
tural exhibition  being  held  in  the  Royal  Botanic 
Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  this  week  is  the  display  of 
Rhododendrons  from  Messrs.  John  Waterer  and 
Sons,  Limited,  Bagshot.  These  alone  were  well 
worth  going  to  see.  The  plants  are  grouped  in 
large  beds  on  undulating  ground,  and  as  they  are 
planted  out  this  part  of  the  Botanic  Gardens  is  to 
all  appearances  a  Rhododendron  garden.  Looking 
from  the  highest  part  of  the  ground  one  sees  masses 
of  Rhododendrons  in  many  beautiful  varieties, 
veritable  banks  of  colour  around  the  margin,  while 
large  beds  occupy  the  centre.  Walks  intertwine 
between  beds  and  borders,  and  enable  one  closely 
to  examine  the  many  beautiful  sorts  that  go  to 
make  this  unique  display.  Pink  Pearl  makes  a 
lovely  show  in   the  centre  of  the  dell,  while  all 


around  it  dozens  of  other  varieties  in  indescribable 
shades  of  colour  make  up  a  garden  of  flowers.  This 
year  most  of  the  plants  are  in  bloom  at  the  same 
time,  and  the  result  is  one  of  the  best  displays  we 
remember  to  have  seen.  Other  varieties  worthy 
of  special  mention  besides  Pink  Pearl  are  Gomer 
Waterer,  white  with  blush  tinge  ;  Charlie  Waterer, 
scarlet  with  light  centre  ;  Mum,  a  lovely  white 
with  lemon-culoured  eye ;  Mrs.  Fritton,  very  bright 
crimson  with  light  centre ;  Lady  Clementina 
Walsh,  a  light  variety  edged  with  pink,  very 
beautiful ;  and  Francis  B.  Hayes,  white  with  black 
spots,  quite  distinct. 

CytiSUS  purpureUS.  —  Throughout  the 
numerous  Broom  family  the  different  tints  repre- 
sented in  the  flowers  consist  for  the  greater  part 
of  some  shade  of  yellow  or  white,  but  in  this  we 
have  a  totally  different  colour,  for,  as  indicated  by 
the  specific  name,  the  flowers  are  purpli3h.  It  is 
of  a  low,  somewhat  spreading  growth,  the  com- 
paratively long  arching  shoots  being,  when  in 
good  condition,  studded  with  Pea-shaped  flowers 
throughout  the  greater  part  of  their  length.  A 
bed  ot  this  carpeted  with  the  still  lower  growing 
C.  Ardoini,  or  the  comparatively  new  C.  kewensis, 
forms  a  delightful  picture,  while  C.  purpureus  is 
also  well  suited  for  planting  on  rookwork.  Apart 
from  its  other  features  it  is  more  than  interesting 
as  having  played  a  part  in  the  production  of  the 
singular  C.  Adami,  which  has  given  rise  to  much 
controversy.  This  is  said  to  have  originated  from 
a  bud  of  C.  purpureus,  which  was  inserted  into  a 
plant  of  the  Laburnum.  A  graft  hybrid  was  the 
result,  but  it  does  not  remain  constant,  hence  the 
singular  spectacle  may  be  sometimes  seen  of  a  tree 
bearing  three  kinds  of  blossoms — first  the  ordinary 
Laburnum,  next  C.  purpureus,  borne  in  tufts, 
and  lastly,  C.  Adami,  with  yellowish  purple 
blossoms,  being  in  colour  about  midway  between 
the  two. — T. 

The  late  Mr.  'William  Kerr.  —  Mr. 

Kerr  was  a  native  of  Dumfriesshire,  and  from  his 
boyhood,  being  spent  on  a  farm,  he  early  took  an 
interest  in  agriculture  and  horticulture.  He  entered 
the  employment  of  Messrs.  Thomas  Kennedy  and 
Co.,  nurserymen  and  seedsmen,  Dumfries,  rising  to 
a  responsible  position  under  the  firm.  He  after- 
wards entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Milligan, 
who  for  some  time  had  carried  on  a  florist  business 
in  Castle  Street,  Dumfries,  the  partnership  being 
carried  on  under  the  name  of  Milligan  and  Kerr. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Milligan,  Mr.  R.  P. 
Fotheringham,  from  Messrs.  Drummond's  of 
Stirling,  was  taken  in  as  a  partner,  the  designation 
being  Kerr  and  Fotheringham.  The  firm  afterwards 
removed  to  Whitesands,  Dumfries,  and  established 
there  a  Corn  Exchange.  Mr.  Kerr  retired  from  the 
firm  shortly  afterwards  and  took  up  Potato  growing, 
farming,  and  general  nursery  work.  He  raised  a 
number  of  good  Potatoes,  some  of  which  are  well 
known  at  the  present  time  ;  while  Violas  were 
among  the  plants  to  which  he  devoted  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  attention.  Mr.  Kerr  was  a 
keen  exhibitor,  especially  with  Potatoes,  and  he 
carried  off  many  prizes  for  these  tubers  at  the 
Crystal  Palace  and  other  leading  shows.  His  gold 
and  other  medals  were  in  themselves  of  an  interest- 
ing character,  and  showed  his  success  in  these 
competitions.  Mr.  Kerr  took  at  onetime  an  active 
part  in  the  promotion  of  several  local  movements, 
and  acted  for  some  time  as  secretary  of  the  old 
South  of  Scotland  Horticultural  Society,  with 
which,  however,  he  had  no  connexion  for  some 
time  before  his  death.  During  a  collapse  of  the 
society  he  carried  on  annual  shows  on  his  own 
responsibility,  band  contests  being  held  in  con- 
nexion. These  were  not,  however,  profitable,  and 
it  was  unfortunate  that  so  many  of  Mr.  Kerr's 
enterprises  proved  unremunerative  to  him.  He 
was  a  devoted  admirer  of  music,  and  rendered 
great  services  to  the  Dumfries  and  Maxwelltown 
Philharmonic  Society.  Of  late  years  his  public 
work  was  confined  to  acting  as  secretary  of  the 
South  of  Scotland  Ploughing  Tournament.  Mr. 
Kerr  is  survived  by  Mrs.  Kerr  and  several  of  a 
family.  One  of  his  sons,  Mr.  Georue  W.  Kerr,  is 
manager  at  Messrs.  Baker's,  Old  Hall  Nurseries, 
Codsall ;  another,  Mr.  James  Kerr,  is  a  florist  in 
Dumfries. — S.  A. 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


407 


Saxifpag'a  apetioides  ppimulina.— 

Later  in  flowering  than  those  of  the  S.  burseriana 
group,  the  above  plant  is  certainly  one  o£  the  gems 
among  the  more  miniature  of  the  encrusted  section 
of  Saxifragas,  and  a  scarce  plant.  It  will  probably 
long  remain  so,  for  the  simple  reason  that  it  is  of 
garden  origin  and  of  slow  growth.  Some  years 
ago  I  flowered  what  may  have  been  a  unique  speci- 
men, and  an  illustration  of  it  appeared  in  The 
Garden.  Unfortunately,  a  season  or  so  later, 
after  having  grown  the  plant  for  some  sixteen 
years  without  the  least  difficulty,  the  specimen 
was  attacked  by  fungus,  and  I  had  some  difficulty 
in  saving  even  the  outer  portions.  These  fungoid 
attacks  appear  with  remarkable  suddenness,  and 
are  only  seen  when  the  mischief  is  done,  and  the 
rosettes  quite  dead  or  dying.  Last  year  a  large 
tuft  of  S.  ciesia  was  ruined  in  the  same  way.  This 
latter  is  more  readily  replaced,  however,  but  the 
great  fear  is  one  does  not  know  what  is  to  suffer 
next.  Does  any  lover  of  alpines  know  of  a  remedy, 
or,  better  still,  a  preventive  measure  for  this 
dreaded  fungus?— E.  H.  Jenkins. 

Onosma  taUPieum.— This,  more  strictly, 
I  suppose,  called  0.  echioides,  may  be  regarded  as 
among  the  choice  alpines  of  the  year.  A  good 
tuft  covering  a  high  rocky  ledge,  with  its  roots  far 
away  in  loam  and  rocky  debris  or  slate  chippings, 
may  be  kept  in  good  health  for  several  years  ; 
indeed,  oven  when  the  plant  in  winter  suffers,  there 
are  usually  a  few  breaks  to  put  forth  anew  those 
growths  that  will  flower  a  year  later.  The  plant 
is  not  fastidious  as  to  soil,  but  prefers  a  rather 
holding  loam,  with  plenty  of  sand  or  its  equiva- 
lent. Manure  and  very  rich  soils  are  quite  unsuit- 
able. Early  June  is  the  best  time  of  the  whole 
year  for  inserting  cuttings  of  the  species.  The  only 
good  cuttings  are  those  having  a  heel  attached, 
and  such  as  are  of  current  growth.  These  may  in 
many  instances  be  found  too  short  to  stand  erect 
when  inserted  in  sand,  and  to  assist  them  a  short 
peg  may  be  tied  to  each  cutting,  and  so  inserted 
that  the  heart  growth  is  not  buried.  Sand,  loam, 
and  fine  brick  rubble  in  equal  parts,  a  quite  close 
handlight  in  a  perfectly  shaded  spot  in  the  open, 
and  a  month  will  suffice  to  root  the  cuttings. 
Older  material  for  cuttings  is  by  no  means  so  good, 
and  will  produce  more  blanks  than  prizes.  The 
knife  should  never  be  used  in  making  the  cutting, 
and  avoid  artificial  heat. — E.  H.  Jenkins. 

Ppimula  POSea. — in  the  interesting  and 
instructive  notes  by  "  S.  G.  R."  on  "Correct 
Planting,"  recently  given  in  The  Garden,  this 
fine  species  was  noticed.  Ostensibly  a  moisture- 
loving  or  semi-bog  plant,  it  is  not  always  so 
content  when  given  the  moisture  it  would  appear 
so  much  to  need.  On  the  other  hand  and  in  other 
circumstances  the  plant  flourishes  amazingly  when 
treated  on  the  semi-bog  plan  or  principle.  Those 
of  your  readers  whose  experience  of  the  latter 
treatment  permits  them  to  refer  to  examples  of  at 
least  15  inches  high  and  plants  as  much  through  at 
IS  months  old  are  justified  in  continuing  giving 
this  moisture,  otherwise  they  are  not ;  indeed, 
under  the  wet  treatment  I  have  seen  plants  but 
little  more  than  6  inches  or  8  inches  high  at  their 
flowering  time.  If  any  of  your  readers  have  this 
experience,  I  would  suggest  that  a  12-inch  deep  bed 
of  soil,  placed  above  the  bed  of  wet  soil,  would 
most  likely  produce  in  the  same  aspect  plants 
nearly  treble  the  size,  and,  of  course,  flowers  in 
proportionate  degree.  It  is  simply  another 
instance  where  certain  well-known  moisture-loving 
plants  refuse  to  be  happy  in  the  very  probably 
stagnant  moisture.  In  a  general  way  the  plant 
attains  its  greatest  vigour  and  freedom  of  flowering 
when  in  retentive  loam  and  shade.  On  the  other 
hand,  some  of  the  finest  examples  I  have  grown 
were  in  a  deep,  very  sandy  soil,  with  a  high 
wall  near  and  shelter  from  a  belt  of  trees  on  north 
and  east.  Here  it  was  that  a  large  collection  of 
double  Primroses  grew  apace.  All,  indeed,  save 
the  double  crimson  were  a  success,  and  here  it  was 
when  Primula  rosea  was  first  distributed  that  a  bed 
of  its  seedlings  was  planted  for  trial.  Cow  manure 
was  always  freely  used  abundantly  in  the  soil,  and 
for  the  new  Primula,  which  had  a  strong  recom- 
mendation with  it,  a  specially  heavy  dressing  was 
dug  in.     Strong  seedlings  were  put  out  early,  and 


when  eighteen  months  old  the  leaf-tufts  were 
15  inches  high  and  nearly  as  much  through  ;  the 
flowering  also  was  very  good.  No  one  need  wish 
for  greater  vigour  or  beauty  than  in  this  case,  and 
with  a  little  thought  imitation  is  easy.  Strong, 
freshly-established  seedlings  in  pots  render  progress 
and  ultimate  success  a  simple  thing. — E.  H. 
Jenkins,  Hampton  Hill. 
The  Royal  Caledonian   Hoptieul- 

tUPal  Society. — The  Earl  of  Leven  and 
Melville,  the  Lord  High  Commissioner  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
visited  the  spring  show  of  the  Royal  Caledonian 
Horticultural  Society  in  the  Waverley  Market, 
Edinburgh,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  opening  day 
(May  25).  His  lordship,  who  was  received  by 
Mr.  D.  P.  Laird  (one  of  the  vice-presidents),  Mr. 
P.  Murray  Thomson,  S.S.C.  (secretary  and  trea- 
surer), and  several  members  of  the  council,  made 
an  inspection  of  the  show,  and  expressed  himself  as 
highly  pleased  with  the  exhibits.  The  Earl  of 
Leven  and  Melville  was  particularly  pleased  with 
the  hardy  herbaceous  and  alpine  flowers,  and 
generously  intimated  that  he  would  give  £30  to  be 
competed  for  in  prizes  for  hardy  flowers  at  the 
international  exhibition  to  be  held  by  the  society 
in  the  autumn  of  next  year.  Owing  to  the  wet 
evenings  the  receipts  at  the  spring  show  were 
about  £39  less  than  last  year's  show. 


AVOODS    IN    GERMANY. 

Alone  the  birds  and  me  : 

These  woods  in  early  spring 
Are  carpeted  with  green 
And  pale  Anemone. 
Around  sweet  perfumes  show 
Where  Violets  have  been, 
And  through  their  leaves,  all  tender,  pale, 
Appear  the  Lilies  of  the  Vale. 

Hush  !  cuckoo,  cease  to  sing, 

Or  you  will  break  my  heart ; 
From  happy  England  now 
I  cannot  bear  to  part. 
I  think  of  sunset  glow, 

Across  those  well-lov'd  hills ; 
And  that  slim  figure,  neatly  drest. 
Ah !  God,  I  need  uot  say  the  rest ! 

The  Cowslip,  dropping  gold, 

A  ghost  of  pleasure  seems. 
And  Lilies  that  unfold 

The  figure  of  my  dreams. 
The  vision  that  they  bring 

My  heart  with  sadness  fills — 
Those  promises  already  dead, 
Those  words  that  never  can  be  said. 


M.  C.  D. 


Daffodil  yellow-stPipe  disease.— As 

it  is  now  the  season  of  Dafibdil  growth,  it  would 
be  well  if  every  grower  would  endeavour  to  decide 
what  is  the  cause  of  the  disease  manifested  by 
yellow  stripes  in  the  foliage,  and  sometimes  yellow 
stripes  on  the  flower-stalk,  running  on  into  white 
stripes  in  the  yellow  perianth.  A  vast  number  of 
causes  have  been  suggested,  so  many  and  various 
that  it  is  difficult  to  thrash  anything  probable  out 
of  the  multitude  of  divergent  opinions.  It  comes 
so  mysteriously  too.  One  year  your  stock  of  Daffo- 
dils may  show  broad  deep  green  foliage  standing 
up  erect  and  strong  ;  next  year  one  or  two  varie- 
ties will  have  their  foliage  striped  with'  yellow  and 
the  flower-stalks  be  bent  and  feeble,  some  possibly 
lying  prone  on  the  ground.  No  fungus  disease  can 
be  found  ;  it  seems  to  be  some  essential  debility 
afiecting  the  constitution  of  the  whole  plant.  At 
one  time  we  had  almost  decided  that  it  probably 
arose  from  poverty  of  soil,  and  then  the  next  year 
a  whole  bed  of  princeps  appears  with  "yellow- 
stripe,"  except  that  an  average  of  every  tenth  bulb 
is  quite  healthy  and  strong,  and  as  dark  green, 
glaucous,  and  crisp  as  you  could  wish,  and  these 
scattered  fairly  regularly  all  over  the  bed,  seemingly 
proving  that  it  is  not  the  soil.  Here  is  another 
example  :  "  I  had  last  year  one  crown  of  King 
Alfred.  I  divided  it,  planting  three  offsets  in  a 
row,  and  they  are  all  perfectly  sound.  But  in  the 
same  row  I  planted  some  more  from  an  outside 
source,  and  they  are  attacked.  They  came  from  a 
friend's  garden,    where  last    year  they   were    in 


excellent  health,  but  where  this  year  they  are 
attacked.  It  seems  as  if  the  bulbs  must  have 
caught  the  complaint  between  dying  down  and 
being  replanted,  and  not  (as  my  own  three  bulbs 
seem  to  prove)  after  being  planted."  It  is  a  most 
vexatious  disease,  because  one  can  never  be  sure 
that  one  is  not  introducing  it  to  a  friend's  garden 
even  when  giving  him  an  apparently  quite  healthy 
bulb,  which  the  previous  season  showed  no  trace  of 
disease.  However,  we  do  not  yet  know  whether 
it  is  infectious  or  not.  Certain  varieties,  e.rj., 
princeps,  C.  ■!.  Backhouse,  and  Sir  Watkin  are 
very  liable  to  it,  and  Horsfieldi  slightly  so.  If  all 
growers  who  are  troubled  with  it  this  season  would 
send  us  their  experiences,  coupled  with  exact  con- 
ditions of  planting,  manuring,  and  nature  of  soil, 
we  might  be  able  to  collate  the  evidence  and  make 
some  deduction. — Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society. 

A  seaPlet  Clematis.— When  Clematis 
Vitieella  rubra  grandiflora  was  exhibited  more  than 
forty  years  ago  it  was  regarded  as  the  nearest 
approach  to  a  crimson  Clematis  then  obtained  of  the 
open  flat-flowered  section.  Mme.  *E.  Andre  was 
considered  a  decided  improvement  as  a  red  Clematis, 
but  Ville  de  Lyon  is  now  regarded  as  having 
pretensions  to  be  included  as  a  scarlet,  while  the 
blooms  nearly  approach  those  of  the  well-known 
Jackmanni  in  shape.  Those  who  appreciate  this 
colour  in  the  Clematis  will  find  its  bright-coloured 
blossoms  to  their  liking. — R.  D. 

Tufted   Pansy  Swan.— White  sorts  of 

recent  introduction  are  almost  as  plentiful  as  those 
of  a  yellow  colour.  Of  the  former,  however,  there 
is  a  much  greater  variation  in  point  of  quality.  In 
the  present  instance  the  flowers  are  borne  in  pro- 
fusion on  plants  of  excellent  growth,  and  the 
flowers  are  snow-white.  The  latter  are  large  and 
of  good  substance,  and  the  rich  orange-yellow  eye, 
which  is  rayless,  also  adds  to  the  beauty  of  the 
flower.— D.  B.  C. 
HybPid  Tea  Roses  as  standapds. 

The  denunciation  of  the  standard  form  of  the  Rose 
which  is  delivered  from  time  to  time  appears  to 
have  little  if  any  effect  upon  restricting  its  use. 
Standard  Roses  are  still  in  great  demand,  and 
large  plantations  of  them  can  be  seen  in  many 
nurseries.  Many  of  the  Hybrid  Teas  make  excel- 
lent standards.  Of  their  hardihood  there  can  be 
no  doubt,  and,  unlike  many  of  the  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals,  they  are  almost  mildew  proof.  The 
following  do  remarkably  well  as  standards : 
Antoine  Rivoire,  cream  and  orange-yellow,  an 
excellent  Rose  for  all  purposes  ;  Camoens,  of  a 
charming  shade  of  bright  China  rose,  blooming 
very  freely.  This  makes  an  excellent  bedding 
Rose  ;  Goldquelle,  clear  golden  yellow,  a  charming 
variety ;  Gustave  Regis,  nankeen  yellow,  most 
attractive  in  the  bud  stage,  a  continuous  bloomer  ; 
Killarney,  in  addition  to  its  delicate  pale  pink 
flowers,  it  produces  an  attractive  bronzy  foliage, 
while  the  large  blossoms  are  very  handsome  ;  Lady 
Battersea,  cherry  -  crimson  and  orange,  one  of 
the  best  of  decorative  Roses ;  Liberty,  bright 
crimson,  blooming  very  freel}',  and  especially  in 
autumn  ;  and  Marjorie,  white  and  salmon-pink,  a 
free  and  continuous  bloomer. — R.  D. 

ShoAV  of  Colonial-gpown  fpuit.— On 

December  13  and  14  next  there  will  be  a  show 
specially  of  fruit  grown  in  British  Colonies,  but 
with  it  will  be  several  classes  for  home-grown. 
Colonial,  and  foreign  preserved,  bottled,  or  dried 
fruits,  jams,  &c.  The  schedule  of  prizes  can  be 
obtained  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  office, 
117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  by  enclosing  one 
penny  stamp.  Fellows' passes  and  transferable  tickets 
will  be  admitted  at  1  p.m.  on  the  13th,  and  at 
10  a.m.  on  the  14th;  the  public  from  2  p.m.  to 
7  p.m.  on  the  13th  on  payment  of  2s.  6d. ;  after 
7  p.m.  Is.  ;  and  at  10  a.m.  on  the  14th  on  payment 
of  Is.  The  show  will  remain  open  till  10  p.m.  on 
both  days.  As  the  object  of  the  exhibition  is  to 
prove  what  grand  fruits  can  be  had  without  going 
outside  the  Greater  Britain,  it  is  hoped  the  growers 
of  fruits  in  the  Colonies  will  all  endeavour  to  send 
of  their  best.  Fruit  intended  for  this  show  can,  if 
necessary,  be  consigned  to  the  secretary.  Royal 
Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  London,  S.W., 
when  it  will  be  stored  in  the  vaults  under  the  Hall 


408 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  11,  1904. 


till  December  12,  and  the  society's  oiBcera  will 
stage  it.  No  fruit  sent  in  this  way  can  be  repacked 
for  return.  All  staging  must  be  finished  before 
4  p.m.  on  Monday,  December  \2,  as  there  will  be  a 
private  Press  view  at  5  p.m.  on  that  day.  Ex- 
hibitors must  clear  their  goods  away  before  noon 
on  December  15. 

Handswopth    Horticultural 

Society. — This  society  was  founded  in  1885, 
and  may  be  said  to  have  succeeded  to  the  work  of 
the  old  Handsworth  and  Lozells  Florioultural 
Society,  which  was  in  operation  more  than  fifty 
years  ago,  and  which  held  several  exhibitions  each 
year.  At  that  time  Handsworth  was  a  country 
suburb  of  Birmingham,  and  gardens  abounded  in 
which  florists'  flowers  especially  were  grown  with 
great  success.  Handsworth  is  now  a  great  indus- 
trial community,  with  huge  factories  and  works, 
and  there  are  still  many  working  men  who  take  a 
pride  in  cultivating  flowers,  though  under  much 
less  favourable  conditions  than  their  forefathers 
did.  Handsworth  has  now  a  public  park,  known 
as  Victoria  Park,  and  in  this  the  annual  show 
is  to  be  held  on  July  22  and  23  next.  The  schedule 
of  prizes  contains  some  150  classes,  many  of  them 


ERIGERON   TRIFIDUS  IN   THE  ALPINE  HOUSE  AT   KEW, 


open  to  all,  and  the  prizes  are  valuable  enough  to 
attract  exhibitors  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 
The  show,  which  is  a  very  extensive  one,  is 
admirably  worked.  The  committee  is  divided 
into  several  sub-committees,  each  of  which  under- 
take certain  functions.  The  secretary  is  Mr.  John 
Edwards,  24,  Stafford  Pvoad,  Handsworth. 

Plants  in  Edinburg'h  Botanic 

Gardens. — in  the  centre  house  of  the  range  at 
the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens  of  Edinburgh  an  eflbrt 
is  made  to  maintain  a  display  of  flowers  at  all 
seasons,  and  on  a  recent  visit  a  number  of  attractive 
plants  were  in  flower.  One  of  the  most  striking, 
comparatively  quiet  as  is  its  colouring,  was  an  old 
plant  hardly  ever  seen  now.  This  is  Lopezia 
lineata,  which  makes  one  of  the  prettiest  of  all 
basket  plants  as  seen  at  Edinburgh,  and  is  much 
finer  grown  in  this  way  than  in  a  pot.  A  few 
groups  of  Ericas,  such  as  Cavendishi,  ventricosa, 
&c.,  were  attractive.  The  showy  Arolotis  aureola, 
the  pretty  Xanlhesia  rolundifolia,  the  favourite 
Boronia  heterophylla,  with  its  pink  flowers, 
Eriostemon  scabra,  with  its  white  flowers  tinged 
with  pink,  the  pretty  pink   Adenandra  umbellata 


from  the  Cape,  the  pleasing  white-flowered  shrub 
Anopteris  glandulosa,  Aphlexis  Woodei,  and  the 
pretty  Platytheca  galioides  were  among  the 
interesting  things  in  flower.  There  were  Petunias, 
an  unusually  good  set  of  tuberous  Begonias  from  a 
famous  English  raiser  and  just  coming  into  bloom, 
a  number  of  Calceolarias  of  an  excellent  strain  and 
capitally  grown,  fine  Cinerarias,  Pelargoniums  of 
several  groups,  and  last,  but  not  least,  beautiful 
masses  of  Schizanthus  pinnatus  and  a  collection  of 
S.  wisetonensis.  Elsewhere  in  the  houses  were  a 
number  of  Orchids  and  other  plants  in  bloom,  but 
these  notes  may  induce  northern  readers  to  visit 
more  frequently  their  Scottish  national  establish- 
ment.— S.  A. 
Fruit  prospects  in  Scotland.  —  So 

far  as  present  appearances  indicate  the  prospects 
of  a  good  fruit  season  in  Scotland  are  more  favour- 
able than  for  a  long  time.  Apples  in  particular 
are  smothered  with  blossom,  and  even  such  a  shy 
Apple  in  many  parts  of  the  North  as  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch  is  blossoming  with  remarkable  freedom. 
This  is  not  in  one  district  alone,  but  seems  a  general 
experience,  as  one  gathered  from  a  correspondent 
in  touch  with  growers  from  all  parts  of  the  country 
at  the  Royal  Caledonian 
Society's  spring  show. 
The  Pears  are  not  so 
regular,  it  would  appear, 
and  the  accounts  regard- 
ing these  were  somewhat 
conflicting.  Plums  pro- 
mise well  in  many  places, 
but  in  a  few  the  reports 
are  not  so  good.  Goose- 
berries and  Currants  pro- 
mise well,  but  in  some 
places  the  caterpillar  is 
troublesome,  and  the 
Black  Currant  mite  is 
still  continuing  its 
ravages.  Cherries  have 
flowered  very  freely,  and 
Strawberries  are  gene- 
rally strong  and  give 
promise  of  doing  well 
this  year.  As  previously 
recorded  in  The  Garden, 
the  area  under  fruit  has 
largely  increased,  despite 
the  unfortunate  seasons 
experienced  of  late  years. 

Wistarias     as 

bushes.  —  So  accus- 
tomed are  we  to  see  the 
Wistarias  grown  as 
climbers  that  we  scarcely 
realise  the  possibility  of 
having  them  in  bush  form ; 
yet  they  readily  conform 
to  this  treatment,  as 
may  be  seen  at  the  pre- 
sent time  at  Kew.  True, 
within  the  last  few  years 
they  have  been  much 
more  used  than  formerly  for  forcing,  but  for 
this  method  they  are  usually  grown  as  small 
standards.  Even  the  most  vigorous  climber  of 
them  all,  Wistaria  sinensis,  can,  however,  be 
readily  grown  as  a  somewhat  open  spreading  bush, 
and  in  this  way  the  massive  drooping  clusters  of 
blossoms  present  a  totally  distinct  appearance  from 
the  general  run  of  hardy  shrubs.  The  best  for  the 
purpose  is,  however,  that  known  as  the  Noda 
variety  by  the  Japanese,  which  figures  largely  in 
many  views  of  that  distant  land.  Botanically,  it  is 
known  as  Wistaria  multijuga,  and  its  most  notable 
difference  from  W.  sinensis  consists  in  the  great 
length  of  the  flower  racemes.  In  this  there  is  a 
much  greater  space  between  the  flowers,  which  are 
also  individually  smaller  than  those  of  W.  sinensis, 
but  the  eS'ect  of  a  specimen  laden  with  these  extra- 
ordinarily long  racemes  is,  to  say  the  least,  startling. 
Apart  from  being  grown  as  a  bush,  it  is  often 
trained  by  the  Japanese  to  a  horizontal  trellis,  and 
when  covering  a  considerable  space  the  effect  of  its 
myriads  of  flower  clusters  all  hanging  from  one 
plane  is  essentially  Japanese.  There  are  diff'erent 
varieties  of  the  two  species  above  mentioned,  but 


what  is  regarded  as  the  typical  form  of  each  is  at 
least  equal  in  beauty  to  any  of  the  others.  The 
white  variety  of  Wistaria  sinensis  seldom  flowers 
so  freely  as  the  ordinary  kind,  while  the  double 
flowered  is  not  at  all  pleasing.  A  Wistaria  rarely 
seen  in  gardens  is  the  North  American  W. 
frutescens  ;  the  purplish  flowers,  in  erect  racemes, 
are  produced  after  the  others  are  over. — H.  P. 

Fug'osia   hakesefolia.— This  uncommon 

greenhouse  ihrub,  now  flowering  at  Kew,  is  by  no 
means  such  a  novelty  as  it  was  regarded  a  few  years 
since,  for  it  was  first  introduced  from  South  Aus- 
tralia by  the  once  prominent  nursery  firm  of  Messrs. 
Luconibe  and  Pince,  of  Exeter,  in  1846.  It  is  a 
member  of  the  Mallow  family,  and  is  also  known 
as  Hibiscus  hakejefolius  ;  but  it  differs  from  that 
genus  in  some  well-marked  botanical  features.  The 
Fugosia  forms  a  rather  upright  growing  shrub, 
clothed  with  long,  narrow,  fleshy,  almost  cylindrical- 
shaped  leaves,  which  form  a  strange  setting  for  the 
Hibiscus-like  flowers.  These  are  from  3  inches  to 
4  inches  across,  and  in  colour  purplish  lilac,  with 
the  central  group  of  stamens  of  a  darker  tint. 
From  its  distinct  appearance  this  Fugosia  at  once 
arrests  attention.  Since  its  introduction  it  appears 
to  have  almost  dropped  out  of  cultivation  till  un- 
earthed by  Mr.  Goldring,  at  Bicton,  in  Devonshire, 
some  few  years  ago,  and  from  whence  I  believe  a 
specimen  was  obtained  for  Kew.  Its  successful 
culture  presents  no  difficulties,  for  cuttings  strike 
root  readily  enough,  and,  given  the  protection 
of  a  greenhouse  during  the  winter,  the  plants 
may  be  stood  outside  throughout  the  summer 
months. — H.  P. 

Fabiana  imbricata.— In   the  southern 

part  of  Hampshire  this  shrub  is  common  in  cottage 
gardens.  It  succeeds  admirably  planted  at  the 
foot  of  a  wall  with  a  southern  or  an  eastern 
exposure  and  allowed  to  grow  loosely  away  from 
the  wall.  The  plants  are  invariably  covered  with 
their  pure  white  blossoms  in  summer.  Any  soil  suits 
it  equally,  growing  freely  in  that  which  is  heavy 
and  retentive  as  well  as  that  of  a  sandy  character. 
The  finest  plant  I  know  is  at  the  foot  of  a  south 
wall  having  the  additional  protection  of  a  glass 
verandah  over  the  top.  This  plant  has  been 
smothered  yearly  with  blossom  the  last  twenty-five 
seasons.  Propagation  is  easy  if  cuttings  6  inches 
long  are  slipped  off  with  a  heel  at  the  end  of 
August  or  early  in  September,  and  dibbled  firmly 
in  sandy  soil  in  a  cold  frame  and  kept  close  and 
shaded  for  a  time,  the  following  April  they  are 
ready  to  go  where  required.  Plants  in  the  open 
shrubbery  get  killed  with  severe  frost.  I  do  not 
know  of  a  single  plant  that  has  not  succumbed 
to  15^  of  frost  for  a  few  nights  continuously. — 
E.  MoLYNEnx,  South  Hants. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS. 


ERIGERON    TRIFIDUS. 

A  LARGE  family  the  Erigerons  form,  many 
of  which  are  valueless  from  a  garden 
point  of  view,  a  few  only  being  good 
border  plants,  while  a  limited  number 
^  of  alpine  species  are  useful  in  the  rock 
garden  aud  alpine  house.  Belonging 
to  the  latter  group  is  E.  trifidus,  a  pretty  tufted 
plant  with  distinct,  pedately  divided,  slightly  hairy 
leaves  on  stalks  about  3  inches  long.  The  white 
or  pale  lilac,  Daisy-like  flowers  are  borne  singly  on 
peduncles  from  4  inches  to  6  inches  long,  and  are 
nearly  1  inch  across.  It  is  quite  hardy,  being  a 
true  alpine  plant  found  on  the  Rocky  Mountains 
from  Northern  Colorado  to  British  Columbia. 
When  grown  outside  the  habit  of  the  plant  is  more 
compact,  but  in  pans  which  have  been  kept  during 
the  winter  in  a  cold  frame  it  gets  rather  taller,  as 
shown  in  the  illustration,  suggesting  the  appear- 
ance of  an  Anemone  by  its  flowers.  It  is  certainly 
closely  allied  to  E.  compositus,  and  Gray,  in  his 
"Flora  of  North  America,"  included  it  with  two 
other  forms  under  that  species.  It  is,  however,  a 
stronger  plant  and  gets  much  larger,  so  is  quite 
distinct  enough  for  garden  purposes.  Other  recently 
introduced  species  are  E.  flagellaris,  a  free-growing 
spreading  plant,  which  soon  covers  a  considerable 


June  U,  1904.1 


THE    GARDEN. 


409 


space  with  a  profusion  of  similar  coloured 
flowers  to  the  above.  It  grows  on  the  banks  of 
streams  in  the  western  states  of  North  America. 
E.  divergens  is  a  diffusely  branched  and  spreading 
plant  also,  with  pubescent  foliage  and  white  or 
purple  flowers,  found  growing  on  low  plains  and 
banks  of  rivers  in  the  same  region  as  the  preceding 
one.  The  other  Rooky  Mountain  species,  E.  leio- 
merus,  which  was  introduced  a  few  years  ago,  is  a 
more  compact-growing  plant  than  the  two  above, 
and  is  well  worth  a  place  in  the  rock  garden,  where 
it  will  do  in  sandy  soil.  The  leaves  are  bright 
green,  and  the  violet  flowers  are  borne  on  stems 
2  inches  or  .3  inches  high.  W.  Irving. 

SEDUM    TERNATUM. 

The  Stonecrops  include  many  valuable  plants  for 
carpeting  parts  of  the  rock  garden  or  old  walls. 
S.  ternatuni,  which  is  shown  in  the  illustration 
growing  in  a  pan  in  the  alpine  house— for  which 
purpose  it  is  very  useful — lasts  in  flower  for  a  long 
lime,  and  is  also  admirably  adapted  for  covering 
rockwork.  It  is  a  glabrous  evergreen  plant,  with 
its  epathulale  leaves  in  whorls  ot  three  up  the 
stem,  and  crowded  into  rosettes  at  the  top.  The 
white  star-like  flowers  on  loose  cymes  are  pro- 
duced in  May  and  June.  It  is  a  native  of  Western 
North  America,  and  usually  found  growing  on  the 
rocky  banks  of  streams,  but,  although  a  moisture- 
loving  plant,  it  succeeds  well  in  open,  rather  sunny 
places  in  sandy  loam.  A  companion  to  the  above, 
and  also  a  native  of  North-Western  America,  is  S. 
spathulifolium,  a  handsome  species  forming  a  tuft 
of  decumbent  stems,  with  thick,  glaucous,  spathu- 
late  leaves  and  numerous  large  rich  yellow  flowers 
on  stems  nearly  6  inches  high.  It  is  a  rock-loving 
plant,  at  home  on  rather  dry  ledges  in  the  full  sun, 
and  is  very  effective  when  in  flower.  Without 
flowers  it  is  worth  growing  for  its  distinct  foliage 
alone.  The  flowering  time  begins  in  May  and 
continues  during  the  greater  part  ot  the  summer 
months.  W.  I. 

GERANIUM    RIVULARE. 

This  useful  Geranium  belongs  to  the  stronger- 
growing  section  of  the  Crane's-bill  family,  and 
comes  into  flower  in  the  latter  part  of  April  before 
any  of  the  other  members  of  the  genus.  It  is 
admirably  adapted  for  the  rock  garden  amongst 
equally  strong-growing  plants,  producing 
a  profusion  of  flowers  during  the  month  of 
May.  Though  an  old  garden  plant  it  is 
seldom  seen  in  cultivation,  many  plants 
inferior  to  it  in  beauty  being  more 
extensively  grown.  It  is  known  also  by 
the  name  "of  G.  aconitifolium,  on  account 
of  the  resemblance  of  its  palmately  cut 
leaves  to  those  of  some  species  of  Aoonitum, 
and  is  usually  found  growing  by  the  sides 
of  mountain  streams  in  the  Dauphiny  and 
Alps  of  North  Italy  and  Switzerland. 
But,  though  preferring  a  rather  moist 
position,  it  will  succeed  in  a  dry  one  and 
flower  more  freely,  but  will  not  grow  so 
luxuriantly.  It  is  usually  about  2  feet 
high,  and  has  white  flowers  1  inch  to 
IJ  inches  across.  W.  Irvikq. 


FRITILLARIA  RECURVA. 
What  a  pity  it  is  that  such  a  delightful 
hardy  flower  should  be  so  capricious.  It 
is,  I  think,  the  fairest  member  of  a  family 
the  various  species  of  which  are  distin- 
guished by  graceful  growth  and  a  quaint 
beauty  hardly  to  be  found  in  any  other 
family  of  hardy  spring-flowering  bulbs. 
I  must  confess  that  my  experience  of 
F.  recurva  is  of  the  sorrowful  kind.  Twice 
it  refused  to  live  after  the  first  year,  and 
then,  remembering  what  a  wonderful 
influence  soil  has  on  some  hardy  flowers,  I 
tried  a  mixture  of  loam,  leaf-soil,  and 
fibrous  peat.  The  second  year  the  plants 
started  iuto  vigorous  growth,  and  I  thought 
I  had  come  to  the  end  of  my  troubles. 
Then  came,  however,  one  of  those  warm, 
moist    June    nights,    wlien    plants    grow 


rapidly  and  snails  and  slugs  feed  voraciously.  Evi- 
dently a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  came,  saw,  and 
devoured  my  little  treasures.  As  the  season  comes 
round  I  am  always  going  to  have  another  try  at 
this  charming  little  hardy  flower,  but  I  miss  the 
right  time  for  planting,  and  Fritillarias  must  be  in 
the  ground  early  in  September  or  they  do  not  gain 
sufficient  strength  the  first  season  to  enable  them 
to  get  permanently  established.  Aa  regards  soil 
for  this  Fritillary  it  must,  in  any  case,  be  of  such 
a  nature  that  the  winter  rains  do  not  bring  it  into 
a  close  condition  ;  a  French  authority  says  peat 
and  leaf-soil,  and  lift  every  other  year.  Frequent 
lifting  and  replanting  in  ground  that  has  been 
fallowed  through  the  summer  is,  I  know,  good  for 
many  hardy  bulbous  flowers.  Perhaps  some  readers 
of  The  Garden^  who  have  successfully  grown 
this  charming  hardy  flower  will  record  their 
experience.  J.  0. 

LYCHNIS    LAGASC^. 

With  me  this  is  not  a  true  perennial.  Young 
plants  seem  to  go  through  the  winter  very  well, 
but  those  that  have  given  a  good  show  of  bloom 
never  afterwards  look  well,  and,  even  if  they 
survive  the  following  winter,  have  a  miserable 
appearance.  They  may  bloom  a  little  the  second 
year,  but  the  following  winter  sees  the  end  of 
them.  Like  all  the  single  forms  of  Lychnis,  this 
one  is  easily  raised  from  seeds,  so  that  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  keeping  up  a  stock  of  healthy  plants. 
The  best  way  is  to  sow  as  soon  as  the  seeds  are 
ripe  ;  the  greater  portion  will  come  up  in  about  a 
month  from  sowing,  but  sometimes  a  good  portion 
will  remain  till  the  following  spring.  This  Lychnis 
is  such  a  charming  little  thing  that  it  is  worth  all 
the  trouble  of  raising  in  this  way.  It  carpets  the 
ground  with  tender  green  leafage,  seldom  exceeding 
4  inches  in  height  when  in  bloom.  J.  C. 


CAMPANULA  ABIETINA. 
Although  this  is  of  lowly  growth  it  has  a  rather 
striking  appearance.  It  is,  in  fact,  so  distinct  that 
one  might  easily  think  that  it  belonged  to  an 
allied  genus.  It  is  to  be  classed  among  the  very 
dwarf-habited  section  of  the  family,  but  the  flower- 
stalks  rise  boldly  above  the  foliage  to  a  height  of 
some  inches,  varying  according  to  the  strength  of 
the  plants  and    nature  of   the   season.     It   grows 


freely  enough  in  ordinary  garden  soil,  but  likes  a 
bit  of  good  food,  and  on  light  soils  is  apt  to  suffer 
in  hot,  drj'  summers  unless  watered  occasionally. 

J.  C. 


SAXIFRAGA    PYRAMIDALIS. 

My  plants  are  this  year  blooming  with  exceptional 
freedom.  On  quite  a  small  space  I  counted  thirty 
spikes  of  bloom.  Most  plant  growers  are  acquainted 
with  the  value  of  this  Saxifrage  for  pot  culture, 
but  many  do  not  seem  to  know  that  it  is  equally 
valuable  in  the  open  air.  It  is,  indeed,  the  aristo- 
crat of  the  family,  the  large  rosettes  having  an 
imposing  appearance,  and  the  tall,  pyramidal 
spikes  being  larger  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the 
plant  that  produces  them  than  is  the  case  with  any 
other  dwarf-habited  hardy  flower  I  am  acquainted 
with.  Evidently  wet  summers  are  favourable  not 
only  to  the  growth,  but  also  to  the  flowering  of 
Saxifrages.  In  a  general  way  the  rosettes  of  S. 
pyramidalis  with  me  require  two  years  in  the  open 
air  to  come  to  flowering  size  ;  but  this  season's  one 
year  old  crowns  that  have  not  come  to  large 
dimensions  are  throwing  up  well.  The  pyramidal 
Saxifrage  is  a  fine  open-air  flower  when  in  full 
enjoyment  of  health  and  vigour.  Hitherto  I  have 
grown  it  at  the  foot  of  a  low  wall,  only  6  inches 
above  the  ordinary  ground  level,  but  planted  in 
such  a  manner  that  the  rosettes  can  rest  on  stones 
placed  among  the  plants.  In  this  way  this  very 
ornamental  kind  can  be  grown  quite  well  in  the 
open,  and  will  throw  up  spikes  2  feet  in  height  and 
1  foot  or  more  across  at  the  base,  perfect  pyramids 
of  bloom. 

Byfleet.  J.  Cornhill. 


SYMPHYANDRA  WANNERI. 

The  genus  to  which  the  above  ornamental  biennial 
belongs  consists  of  seven  known  species,  natives  of 
the  mountainous  districts  of  eastern  countries  from 
Transylvania  to  Armenia  and  the  Caucasus.  It 
forms  the  connecting  link  between  the  Campanulas 
and  Lobelias  in  having  the  anthers  cohering  in  a 
tube.  The  western  representative  of  the  genus, 
S.  Wanneri,  is  found  in  Transylvania  and  Servia, 
and  has  been  in  cultivation  about  fifteen  years.  It 
is  an  erect-growing  plant,  reaching  a  height  under 
favourable  circumstances  of  1  foot  to  IS  inches, 
with  pale  reddish  brown  stems.     The  violet-blue 


SEDUM   TERNATUM    IX    THE    ALPINE    HOUSE   AT    KEW. 


410 


THE   GAKDEN. 


[June  11,  1904. 


flowers  are  pendulous,  Ij  inches  to  2  inches  long, 
produced  on  a  leafy  branching  panicle.  Although 
quite  hardy  in  light,  sandy  soil  in  a  slightly  shaded 
position,  it  requires  raising  from  seed  in  a  little 
heat  or  in  a  cold  frame,  and,  as  the  plants  often  do 
not  flower  till  they  are  two  years  old,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  make  a  sowing  every  spring  to  keep  up  the 
supply  of  flowering  plants.  As  a  pot  plant  it  is 
very  useful,  flowering  as  it  does  about  the  middle 
or  end  of  Maj'.  Other  species  belonging  to  the 
same  genus  in  cultivation  are  S.  armena,  from 
Northern  Persia  and  the  Caucasus,  a  more  slender, 
erect  -  growing  biennial,  with  deeply  -  cut  ovate 
leaves  on  long  petioles,  and  a  branching  leafy 
panicle  of  smaller  blue  flowers  in  June.  It  was 
introduced  in  1836.  S.  Hofmanni,  also  a  biennial, 
is  a  native  of  Bosnia,  where  it  is  found  growing 
on  the  margins  of  woods  in  rocky  places.  It  is  a 
striking  plant,  growing  from  1  foot  to  2  feet  high, 
with  hairy  stems  and  leaves,  and 
large  white  flowers.  Once  estab- 
lished, it  reproduces  itself  freely 
from  seed,  growing  well  on  damp, 
shady  walls.  S.  pendula  is  a  showy 
free-flowering  perennial,  with  a  large 
tuft  of  leaves,  from  which  are  pro- 
duced numerous  pendulous  stems 
about  1  foot  long,  with  leafy 
racemes  of  almost  white  or  pale 
straw  -  coloured  flowers  ;  these  are 
bell-shaped.  W.  Irving. 


conditions,  because  they  are  beyond  our  control. 
It  may  be  remarked  that  high  elevation 
above  the  sea-level  is  a  great  advantage  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  towns,  because  the  impurities 
in  the  air  are  more  readily  dispersed,  and  do  not 
collect  or  settle  as  in  lowland  valleys.  Good 
natural  drainage  is  also  a  great  advantage,  be- 
cause, although  we  can  drain  the  spot  in  which 
our  alpines  grow,  and  even  our  whole  garden, 
still,  if  the  soil  of  the  district  is  wet  and  re- 
tentive, the  local  damp  seems  to  afTect  moun- 
tain plants  unfavourably.  Local  differences  of 
climate  caused  by  soil  and  evaporation  are  no 
doubt  important  factors  in  the  growth  of  plants, 
but  it  would  be  waste  of  time  to  dwell  upon  the 
endless  particulars  which  make  it  impossible 
that  the  conditions  which  prevail  on  the  Alps 
can  be  imitated  in  the  valley  of  the  Thames.    I 


CULTIVATION     OF 
ALPINE  PLANTS. 


M      /¥ANY    questions    have 

/  %  /  §  been  asked  recently 
/  %  /  5  concerning  the  cul- 
I  W  1  tivation  of  alpine 
JL  1  M.  plants,  and  we  can- 
not do  better  than 
reproduce  the  excellent  paper 
read  before  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  by  the  Rev.  (J. 
Wolley-Dod,  on  June  9,  1891. 
The  ripe  experience  of  so  excel- 
lent a  gardener,  whose  illness  we 
deplore,  will  fully  answer  our 
correspondents.  Although  the 
lecture  was  given  some  years  ago, 
it  is  as  fresh  as  when  it  was 
first  delivered. 

The  flora  of  the  European  Alps 
is  the  richest  mountain  flora  in 
the  world;  but  the  term  "alpine 
plants"  is  used  to  include  many 
which  are  not  found  on  the  Alps 
— some  which  are  not  mountain 
plants  at  all.  In  this  sense  the 
word  "alpine"  is  hard  to  define; 
but  I  intend  to  speak  generally 
to-day  of  the  cultivation  of 
ornamental  hardy  plants  of  low 
stature,  such  as  may  be  success- 
fully grown  amongst  large  stones, 
either  facing  a  bank  or  elevated 
above  the  level  of  the  ground. 
There  are  some  favoured  gar- 
dens where  natural  rockeries  exist,  or  where 
the  conditions  of  the  soil  vrith  regard  to  quality 
or  drainage  are  such  that  choice  and  delicate 
mountain  plants  may  be  grown  on  the  ground- 
level  in  ordinary  borders.  Such  gardens  exist 
in  several  districts  in  England,  and  are  common 
in  Scotland  and  Wales  ;  few  rules  are  necessary 
there,  where  plants  have  only  to  be  planted  and 
kept  clear  of  weeds  in  order  to  thrive.  But 
most  of  us  who  wish  to  grow  choice  alpines  in 
our  gardens  have  to  make  the  best  of  condi- 
tions naturally  unfavourable,  and  in  doing  this 
we  can  be  helped  by  the  experience  of  those 
who  have  made  it  their  special  study.  We 
need  not  say  much  of  climate  and  atmospheric 


SYMPHYANDRA    WANNERI    AT    KEW. 

will  therefore  assume  that  the  _  object  of  the 
amateur  cultivator  of  alpines  is  to  bring  to- 
gether as  many  ornamental  and  hardy  dwarf 
plants  as  he  can,  and  make  them  flower  and 
thrive  in  his  garden.  The  degree  of  his  success 
will  depend  partly  on  circumstances  which  he 
cannot  control,  but  in  a  great  measure  on  his 
own  skill  and  perseverance. 

The  first  necessity  for  growing  choice  alpines 
is  to  secure  perfect  drainage  for  the  soil  in 
which  they  grow.  This  may  seem  strange  to 
those  who  have  seen  them  growing  on  the 
mountains,  often  apparently  in  perpetual  wet  ; 
but  there  the  soil  is  never  waterlogged,  or 
charged  with  stagnant  moisture,  but  the  wet  is 


always  in  rapid  motion  and  changing.  Sup- 
posing that  no  part  of  a  garden  naturally  gives 
the  conditions  in  which  alpines  will  thrive,  we 
nmst  make  these  conditions  by  artificial  means. 
Those  who  wish  to  grow  them  on  flat  borders 
on  retentive  wet  soils,  may  do  so  on  the  ground- 
level  by  digging  out  the  soil  to  a  dejith  of 
.3  feet,  and  draining  the  bottom  of  the  bed  to  the 
nearest  outfall,  and  filling  up  to  the  surface 
with  soil  mixed  with  two-thirds  of  broken  stone, 
either  in  small  or  large  pieces.  But  in  heavy 
soils,  where  large  stones  are  easily  obtained, 
still  better  beds  for  alpines  may  be  made  by 
enclosing  the  space  with  large  blocks  to  a 
height  of  2  feet  or  .3  feet,  and  filling  up  as 
before  directed.  The  sides  of  these  stone 
blocks  can  be  covered  with  many  ornamental 
plants  in  addition  to  those  which  are  grown  on 
the  raised  surface.  But  the  com- 
monest way  of  cultivating  alpines 
is  upon  what  are  called  rockerie.s, 
or  loose  rough  stones  laid  together 
in  different  forms  and  methods. 
Of  these  I  will  speak  more  I'ar- 
ticularly,  and  then  say  something 
about  the  use  of  walls  and  frames 
for  the  growth  of  mountain 
plants. 

Ruck  Garden   Forms. 

The  forms  in  which  the  rockery, 
usually  so  called,  can  be  con- 
structed may  be  divided  into 
three  :  (1)  The  barrow-shaped 
rockery,  (2)  the  facing  rockery, 
and  (3)  the  sunk  rockery.  The 
first  may  be  raised  anywhere  ; 
the  other  two  depend  partly  upon 
the  configuration  of  the  ground. 
No  wood  or  tree  roots  should  be 
used  to  supplement  any  of  them  ; 
they  must  be  all  stone.  The  kind 
of  stone  is  seldom  a  matter  of 
choice;  everyone  will  use  what 
is  most  handy.  The  rougher  and 
more  unshapely  the  blocks  the 
better.  The  size  .'•honld  vary 
from  40lb.  or  50lb.  to  3cwt.  or 
4cwt.  No  mortar  or  cement  for 
fixing  them  together  must  ever 
beemjiloyed  ;  they  must  be  firmly 
wedged  and  interlocked  and 
depend  upon  one  another,  and 
not  upon  the  soil  between  them, 
to  keep  them  in  their  places. 
This  rule  i.-*  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance ;  if  it  is  neglected  a  long 
frost  or  an  excessive  rainfall 
may  cause  the  whole  structure  to 
collapse. 

Each  successive  part  of  the 
stone  skeleton  must  be  put 
together  before  the  soil  is  added. 
This  applies  to  all  rockeries. 

The  Baerow-shaped  Rockery. 
The  most   convenient  size  for 

the  barrow-shaped  rockery  is 
about  4  feet  high  and  6  feet  or  7  feet 
through  at  the  base.  The  length  is  im- 
material. If  the  long  sides  face  north-east 
and  south-west  it  will  afford  perhaps  the  best 
variety  of  aspect ;  but  the  amount  of  sunshine 
each  plant  gets  will  depend  on  the  arrange- 
ment of  each  stone  as  much  as  upon  the  main 
structure.  There  cannot  be  too  many  projec- 
tions, and  care  must  be  taken  to  leave  no  chan- 
nels between  the  stones  by  which  the  soil  can 
be  washed  down  to  the  base.  Overhanging 
brows,  beneath  which  plants  can  be  inserted, 
are  very  useful  ;  large  surfaces  of  stone  may 
here  and  there  be  left  exposed,  and  irregularity 
of  form  is  far  better  tlian  symmetry,     A  formal 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


411 


arrangement  of  flat  pockets  or  nests  offends  the 
eye  without  helping  the  cultivator,  as  the  tastes 
of  alpines  as  regards  slope  of  surface  and  mois- 
ture at  their  roots  are  very  various.  As  for  the 
degree  of  slope  from  the  base  to  the  summit  of 
the  barrow,  it  will  not  be  uniform.  In  some 
places  there  will  be  an  irregular  square  yard  of 
level  on  the  top,  bounded  by  large  cross  key- 
stones, for  which  the  largest  stones  should  be 
reserved.  In  other  parts  the  sides  will  slope 
evenly  to  the  ridge  ;  or  the  upper  half  may  be 
perpendicular,  leaving  only  wide  crevices  to 
suit  the  taste  of  certain  plants.  If  the  blocks 
are  very  irregular  in  form,  and  their  points  of 
contact  as  few  as  possible,  providing  only  for 
secure  interlocking,  there  will  be  plenty  of 
room  for  soil  to  nourish  the  plants.  Ever- 
changing  variety  of  stone  surface,  both  above 
and  below  the  soil,  is  the  object  to  be  aimed  at, 
and  any  sort  of  symmetry  must  be  avoided. 
(  To  be  continued. ) 


TREES     AND     SHRUBS. 


MULCHING-    RHODODENDRONS. 

NOTHING  could  be  finer  or  more 
beautiful  than  the  Rhododendrons 
at  Framingham,  Norfolk,  just  now, 
and,  knowing  the  difficulties  under 
which  they  are  grown  as  regards  soil, 
the  owner  is  to  be  congratulated  on 
the  results  achieved.  The  soil  is  anything  but 
suitable  for  the  cultivation  of  the  Rhododendron, 
and  the  subsoil  is  an  impenetrable  claj'.  This  has 
to  be  removed  to  the  depth  of  18  inches  or  2  feet, 
and  filled  in  with  a  compost  of  loam  and  leaf-soil. 
The  beds  are  raised  a  little  above  the  ordinary 
level,  and  the  plants  are  now  the  pink  of  perfection. 
Immediately  the  flowering  season  is  over  all  the 
seed  -  pods  are  removed,  and  the  beds  heavily 
mulched  with  farmyard  manure,  and  to  this  mode 
of  treatment  Mr.  Christie  attributes  his  success. 

T.  B.  Field. 


THE    BEECH    TREE    PEST. 

The  terrible  Cryptococcus  fagi  continues  to  spread, 
as  almost  weekly  consignments  of  it  sent  to  us  for 
identification  prove,  or  possibly  it  is  partly  that 
people  are  beginning  to  take  more  notice  of  such 
things,  as  their  minds  become  more  educated  to 
perceive  the  inherent  beauty  of  our  English  woods 
and  country  side.  A  Fellow,  who  loves  our 
country  life  and  has  on  his  own  estate  suffered 
severely  from  the  pest,  makes  a  new  suggestion. 
Everyone  by  this  time  surely  knows  that  the 
Cryptococcus  fagi  is  an  insect  which  lives  in  dense 
communities  on  the  outside  of  the  bark  of  Beech 
trees.  (We  have  never  seen  it  on  the  foliage. )  Its 
first  appearance  is  scarcely  noticeable,  there  being 
only  a  few  minute  white  spots  on  the  trunk,  some- 
thing like  small  specimens  of  mealy  bug,  but  later 
on  it  increases  with  astonishing  rapidity.  Indi- 
vidually the  insect  is  very  small  and  of  a  dirty 
dingy  colour,  requiring  a  magnifying  glass  to 
detect ;  but  the  communities  are  only  too  apparent, 
as  the  insects  throw  out  from  their  bodies  a  mass 
of  white  waxy  filaments  somewhat  like  cotton 
wool,  which  entirely  covers  them  all  over,  very 
much  as  what  is  called  American  blight  does  on 
Apple  trees,  except  that,  whereas  the  one  occurs 
only  in  small  patches  of  square  inches  at  the  most, 
the  Cryptococcus  may  be  found  continually  in 
communities  of  square  feet,  often  in  square  yards, 
and  not  infrequently  covering  the  whole  tree  from 
top  to  bottom,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  having 
been  recently  whitewashed.  After  a  year  or  two 
the  bark  of  the  tree  dries  up  and  splits  and  flakes 
off  in  sheets,  and  then,  of  course,  death  soon 
ensues.  On  account  of  the  thick  covering  of  waxy 
substance  under  which  they  shield  themselves  the 
insects  are  very  difiicult  indeed — nay,  almost 
impossible — to  reach  by  spraying  unless  the  sprayer 
is    phenomenally  powerful    and    intrusive.      Any 


wash  applied  with  an  ordinary  sprayer  is  simply 
thrown  back  by  the  waxy  covering,  and  rolls  off 
like  water  from  a  duck's  back.  Hitherto  all  we 
have  been  able  to  advise  is  to  cut  down  and  burn 
the  bark  of  all  hopelessly  doomed  trees,  and  to 
scrub  others  with  a  hard  and  penetrating  brush  by 
hand  with  kerosene  emulsion,  which  will  kill  all 
the  insects  it  comes  in  contact  with.  Another 
mixture  is  lib.  soft  soap,  half  a  pint  of  paraffin  to 
one  gallon  of  hot  water,  mixing  all  well  together, 
and  apply  with  a  stout  penetrating  brush,  taking 
care  to  keep  the  wash  well  mixed  while  using. 
Another  wash  which  we  feel  sure  would  be  more 
valuable  than  either,  if  the  sprayer  is  sufficiently 
powerful,  is  lib.  of  caustic  soda  and  lib.  of  crude 
potash,  dissolved  in  ten  gallons  of  water,  and 
applied  to  the  trees  in  the  form  of  a  spray.  This 
should  be  done  in  winter,  while  the  trees  are 
dormant,  and  the  user  ought  to  wear  strong  leather 
gloves  while  doing  it,  and  take  care  the  wind  does 
not  blow  the  spray  back  into  his  face.  We  doubt 
whether  there  is  a  sprayer  of  sufficiently  pene- 
trating power,  and  the  scrubbing  is,  of  course,  a 
very  slow  and  tedious  process,  and  can  only  be 
applied  in  the  case  of  a  favourite  tree  here  and 
there,  young  trees  or  trees  only  just  beginning  to 
be  attacked.  Happy  the  tree  owner  who  has  an 
eye  to  detect  the  commencement  of  such  attacks  as 
these  ! 

Our  correspondent's  new]  suggestion  is  to  pass 
a  painter's  blow-lamp  rapidly  over  the  surface 
of  the  affected  trees.  We  should  think  it  would 
certainly  destroy  the  Cryptococcus,  and,  if  done 
rapidly  enough,  would  possibly  not  hurt  the  bark. 
At  all  events  it  is  a  novel  plan,  and  one  worth 
trying  as  a  first  experiment  on  some  tree  affected, 
which  the  owner  would  not  much  miss  even  if  the 
cure  proved  fatal  ;  or  it  might  be  tried  on  some 
tree  hopelessly  attacked,  in  which  case  it  could 
only  hasten  the  inevitable  end  by  twelve  months 
or  so.  All  we  urge  is,  let  it  be  done  carefully  and 
rapidly,  so  that  a  reliable  trial  may  be  made. — 
Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society. 


THE  NEW  ZEALAND  RATA. 

Metrosideeos  lucida  and  M.  eobusta. 

IN  his  interesting  article  on  "  Rare  Exotics 
in  Ross-shire,"  which  appeared  in  your 
issue  of  January  30  last,  Mr.  O.  H. 
Mackenzie  states  that  he  possesses  two 
species  of  Metrosideros,  "one  of  which 
is  the  famous  Rata  of  New  Zealand." 
There  are  some  eleven  species  of  Metrosideros 
found  in  New  Zealand,  of  which  two  are 
known  as  the  Rata,  or  ironwood,  namely,  M. 
lucida  and  M.  robusta.  The  former  is  abundant 
in  the  South  Island,  and  the  latter  is  pretty 
well  confined  to  the  North  Island,  though  it  is 
also  met  with  in  the  northern  parts  of  the 
South  Island,  while  the  South  Island  form  is 
found  in  a  few  localities  in  the  North.  Mr. 
Mackenzie's  specimen  is  probably  M.  lucida, 
and  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  prove 
hardy  in  many  another  part  of  Britain  besides 
Ross-shire. 

It  is  well  worth  growing,  as  I  do  not  think 
there  are  many  finer  sights  in  the  floral 
world  than  to  see  a  hillside  covered  with  bush 
of  varied  shades  of  green,  in  which  are  here 
and  there  interspersed  a  few  large  Ratas  aglow 
with  their  crimson-scarlet  blossoms  so  numerous 
as  to  almost  entirely  hide  their  foliage.  The 
petals  are  inconspicuous,  but  the  stamens  are 
very  numerous,  and  of  a  brilliant  crimson,  and, 
as  the  flowers  grow  in  bunches  at  the  ends  of 
the  twigs,  which  are  close  and  numerous,  the 
blaze  of  colour  is  magnificent.  Unfortunately, 
such  effects  are  not  attained  in  a  season  or 
two. 

The  specimen  in  my  garden  I  brought  as  a 
young  plant  from  its  native  wilds  in  1878 
when  it  was  a  few  inches  hig;h,  and  though  it 
grew  healthily  it  showed  no  signs  of  flower  till  | 


some  .seven  or  eight  years  ago.  At  first  the 
flowers  were  sparse,  but  gradually  became 
more  numerous,  and  this  year  it  was  particu- 
larly fine,  so  that  it  may  be  said  I  have  had  to 
wait  a  quarter  of  a  century  for  my  results. 
Even  now  it  is  not  more  than  20  feet  in  height, 
if  so  much,  and  is  like  a  large  bush  in  form. 
In  its  native  forests,  in  suitable  situations,  the 
Rata  grows  to  a  height  of  60  feet,  and  has 
a  trunk  2  feet  or  3  feet  in  diameter.  Large 
trees  are  even  to  be  met  with  having  a 
diameter  of  as  much  as  6  feet.  Grown  in  a 
garden  it  does  not  develop  a  trunk,  but  has  a 
large  number  of  small  stems,  and  the  finest 
specimen  in  cultivation  with  which  I  am 
acquainted,  and  which  is  probably  upwards  of 
forty  years  old,  resembles  in  form  a  large 
grain  stack,  but  it  is  growing  entirely  in  the 
open  at  some  distance  from  any  other  trees. 
It  does  not  grow  naturally  in  this  neighbour- 
hood, but  is  met  with  some  seventy  miles 
further  south,  and  is  plentiful  in  Stewart 
Island  and  all  along  the  west  coast  of  this 
island. 

Round  the  shores  of  Lake  Wakatipu,  a 
large  lake  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Southern 
Alps,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  other  of  our 
inland  lakes,  stunted  trees  which  flower  freely 
are  common  growing  amongst  the  rocks.  As 
the  tree  ascends  our  mountain  sides  as  high  as 
4,000  feet,  and  as  it  occurs  in  the  Auckland 
Islands,  which  lie  away  out  in  the  Southern 
Ocean,  it  has  some  claims  to  being  considered 
hardy.  What  the  exact  amount  of  frost  it  will 
stand  maybe  I  cannot  tell,  but  it  must  be 
considerable.  It  should  prove  perfectly  hardy 
in  all  the  milder  parts  of  England  and  the 
greater  part  of  Ireland.  I  fear,  however,  that 
few  growers  will  have  sufficient  patience  to  go 
in  for  its  cultivation  ;  still,  its  appearance 
without  its  flowers  is  pleasant  and  attractive, 
and  the  new  growth  in  spring  is  often  of  a 
bright  reddish  brown  colour,  which  makes  the 
tree  a  striking  object.  At  one  time  it  was 
tolerably  universally  believed  that  the  North 
Island  Rata  (M.  robusta)  began  life  as  a  climber, 
which  as  it  gained  strength  gradually  strangled 
the  tree  which  in  its  younger  years  afforded  it 
support.  If  any  doubted  the  bushman  would 
show  a  climbing  Rata,  and  point  to  the  remains 
of  a  tree  of  some  other  species  embedded  in 
the  heart  of  some  gigantic  Rata  which  had 
been  felled. 

The  true  explanation  is  that  there  is 
another  species  bearing  similar  flowers  (M. 
florida),  which  is  a  climber,  and  always  remains 
so,  whilst  M.  robusta  is  always  a  tree.  But  if 
a  seed  lodges  in  the  fork  of  some  other  tree, 
which  not  infrequently  happens,  the  young 
tree,  when  established  in  its  aerial  situation, 
sends  down  roots  searching  for  greater  means 
of  subsistence  than  can  be  found  in  its  lofty 
perch  ;  and  these  roots,  following  the  surface 
of  the  host  downwards,  at  last  reach  the  earth, 
when  growth  is  increased,  and  eventually  those 
aerial  roots  unite,  and,  forming  the  Rata  trunk, 
are  ungrateful  enough  to  repay  the  kindness  of 
the  nurse  of  their  infancy  by  compassing  its 
death. 

The  frequency  with  which  young  Ratas  are 
met  with  growing  upon  other  trees  suggests 
the  idea  that  this  epiphytic  habit  is  designed 
to  preserve  the  species  in  the  dense  forest. 
With  a  slow-growing  tree  like  the  Rata  seed- 
lings on  the  ground  would  be  apt  to  be 
smothered  ;  but  in  some  loity  niche  on  another 
tree  they  have  an  airier  situation  and  fewer 
competitors,  these  being  probably  a  few 
epiphytic  Ferns  or  an  Orchid  whose  competi- 
tion ceases  when  the  Rata  roots  reach  the 
ground.     This,  however,  is  only  theory. 

Dunedin,  New  Zealatid.        A.  R\thgatt. 


412 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  11,  1904 


THE    LILIES. 

(Continued  from   page    SSI.) 

L ILIUM  LOWI  (Baker). —See  L. 
bakerianum. 
L.  Marhan,  a  pretty  hybrid  Lily 
between  L.  Martagon  or  Martagon 
-^  album  and  Hansoni,  in  which  the 
graceful  growth  of  the  Martagon  and 
the  large,  brightly  coloured  flowers  of  Hansoni 
have  combined  to  make  a  very  charming  form. 
Stems,  bulbs,  and  leaves  as  in  a  well-developed 
Martagon.  Flowers  twenty  to  thirty,  lightly 
arranged  in  a  long  spike  coloured  light  buff, 
shot  with  bronze  and  minutely  dotted  crimson, 
their  surfaces  glistening,  and  the  fragrance  is 
very  sweet.  Rare  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  Ellen  Wilhnott  is  a 
selected  form,  with  flowers  as 
large  as  those  of  Hansoni,  the 
stems  taller  and  much  stronger, 
and  the  colouring  similar. 

Culture  and  Uses  as  for  L. 
Martagon,  which  see. 

L.  maritimuni  (Kellogg.),  the 
Californian  Maritime  Lily. — A 
dainty  species  of  the  well-flowered 
set  growing  on  the  coast  of  Cali- 
fornia about  San  Francisco.  It  is 
difficult  to  grow  in  the  open  in 
Britain,  but  it  thrives  well  in  a 
roomy  pan  under  decidedly  damp 
treatment.  Bulbs  white,  really  a 
small,  loosely  built,  scaly  rhizome, 
the  scales  of  which  are  two  to 
three  jointed  and  very  brittle,  the 
roots  proceeding  from  all  surfaces 
of  the  root  stock.  Stems  very 
slender,  18  inches  high,  scarcely 
at  all  rooted  at  their  bases. 
Leaves  lance-shaped,  broadest  at 
the  tips,  rough  on  the  margins, 
scattered  above,  and  clustered 
or  densely  whorled  below. 
Flowers  generally  solitary, 
although  two  and  three  are 
often  produced,  campanulate,  the 
tips  fully  reflexing,  \h  inches 
across  and  the  same  in  length, 
colour  orange-red,  spotted  dark 
purple  inside,  flushed  brown  out- 
side, not  fragrant,  horizontally 
poised  on  long,  nodding  foot- 
stalks. This  Lily  has  a  flower  very 
much  like  that  of  the  Californian 
Fritillaria  recurva.  Its  nearest 
allies  are  Grayi  and  Bolanderi. 
Rare  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in 
July.  It  grows  in  low-lying,  peaty 
meadows  in  its  native  habitat. 

CuLTUEE  AND  UsES. — The  cul- 
tivation of  this  Lily  is  difficult  in 
the  open,  and  we  recommend  that 
it  be  grown  in  a  frame.  It 
delights  in  a  root-run  of  peat, 
plenty  of  water  in  its  growing 
drier  treatment  during  winter  whilst  at  rest. 

L.  Martagon  (L.),  the  European  Turk's  Cap 
Lily. — A  familiar  species,  growing  in  all  soils 
and  situations,  and  very  hardy.  It  enjoys  an 
open  place.  Bulbs  ovoid,  much  pointed, 
yellowish  bronze,  and  generally  larger  than  a 
hen's  egg,  the  scales  multitudinous  and  awl- 
shaped,  the  roots  stout,  deeply  descending. 
Stems  3  feet  to  r>  feet  high,  somewhat  slender, 
and  very  flexible,  generally  dotted  purple, 
basal  roots  none.  Leaves  in  three  to  four 
whorls,  narrowly  spoon-shaped,  broadest  below, 
those  near  the  inflorescence  mere  bracts. 
Flowers  ten  to  thirty,  arranged  on  a  nodding 
raceme,  each  under  2  inches  across,  the  flower 


is  reflexed  purple  of  various  shades,  and 
always  spotted  with  livid  purple,  the  scent 
very  strong.  Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers 
in  July — August.  Widely  known  as  the  old 
purple  Ma^rtagon,  and  scattered  over  a  vast 
area  of  the  northern  Old  World,  especially  in 
Central  Europe. 

Var.  album. — A  graceful  variety,  well  known 
in  English  gardens.  Bulbs  maize  yellow, 
shaped  as  in  the  type.  Stems  4  feet  to  b  feet 
high,  pale  green,  very  smooth,  basal  roots 
none.  Leaves  pale  green,  arranged  in  dainty 
whorls,  smallest  near  the  top  of  the  stems. 
Flowers  twenty  or  more  in  an  elegant  raceme, 
pure  white,  the  inflorescences  often  quite  as 
long  as  the  stems  that  support  them,  and  the 
anthers  are  always  yellow.  A  Scotch  form, 
much  given  to  fasoiation,  has  a  congested  in- 


produce  five  to  eight  stems  each,  and  bearing 
hundreds  of  flowers,  the  stems  as  high  as  the 
tallest  man,  and  they  made  masses  of  roots 
from  their  bases— a  very  unusual  condition. 

Var.  Catani  (or  Cattani;e),  the  black  Mar- 
tagon, has  the  bulbs,  stems,  and  leaves  of  dal- 
maticum,  and  deep  purple-maroon  flowers,  very 
glossy  and  quite  unspotted.  Common  in  culti- 
vation. Flowers  in  August.  Grows  inter- 
mingled with  L.  Martagon  in  Dalmatia. 

Var.  glabrum  (Spreng).  See  album. — We 
have  seen  several  forms  of  Martagon  in  gardens 
with  flowers  ranging  from  faintest  pink  to  rich 
claret,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantity  to  warrant 
notice  here.  We  have  ourselves  found  many 
interesting  colour  forms  in  imported  L.  ilar- 
tagon,  and  of  these  the  pink  forms  especially 
appear  to  be  worth  separating. 

Culture  and  Uses.  —  The 
true  Martagons  are  the  easiest 
Lilies  to  grow  of  the  whole  race. 
They  are  useful  for  the  border, 
and  appear  to  better  effect 
amongst  hardy  plants  than  in 
beds,  and  one  sees  them  at  their 
best  in  small  colonies.  The  old 
purple  Martagon  thrives  well  in 
,  grass  in  the  wild  garden,  and  it 
is  useful  for  planting  among 
shrubs.  Soils  for  it  should  be 
light,  and  it  prefers  a  sunny 
exposure  and  altogether  poorer 
conditions  than  are  required  for 
its  varieties.  The  variety  album 
requires  greater  care.  It  is  best 
in  a  slightly  shaded  place  where 
the  soil  is  deep,  and  it  is  neces- 
sary to  well  drain  the  subsoil. 
In  clay  and  naturally  heavy  soils, 
grow  it  entirely  in  leaf-soil. 
Dalmaticum  and  its  form  Catani 
prefer  stronger  soil.  These  may 
be  grown  in  damp  places,  such  as 
would  be  quite  unsuitable  for 
the  others.  Early  planting  is  of 
the  utmost  importance  for  the 
whole  group.  They  have  no  stem 
roots  that  would  be  of  service 
to  them,  and  unless  the  basal  roots 
are  established  before  winter  a 
poor  flower  spike  is  the  result. 
All  may  be  grown  in  pots  if  estab- 
lished in  the  previous  August, 
otherwise  they  will  not  flower 
well  till  the  second  j^ear. 
(To  be  continued.) 


XANTHOCEBAS  SOBBIFOLIA   IN  THE   MISSOUBI   BOTANIC  GARDEK,  ST.  LOUIS. 


and  florescence  without  the  grace  of  the  true  plant, 
and  it  grows  much  stronger.  Another  form, 
widely  spread  in  Continental  gardens,  has 
pink  dots  on  the  inner  surface.  Fairly  common 
in  cultivation.    Flowers  in  July. 

Var.  dalmaticum  (the  Dalmatian  purple 
Martagon)  has  bronze-tinted  bulbs  of  large 
size,  dark  brown  stems  5  feet  to  6  feet  high, 
foliage  very  broad,  whorled,  often  striped  with 
brown,  and  with  from  twenty  to  forty  wine- 
purple  flowers  more  loosely  arranged  on  the 
stems,  and  dotted  in  the  lower  half  with  dark 
maroon.  The  petals  are  quite  shiny  in  appear- 
ance. This  plant  is  the  strongest  growing 
form  of  all  the  true  Martagons.  We  have  seen 
old-established  compound  bulbs  in  rich  loam 


MISSOURI    BOTANIC 
GARDEN    NOTES. 

More  distinct  species  or  varie- 
ties of  plants  are  in  flower  and 
fruit  at  present  than  has  been 
the  case  at  any  time  this  season. 
The  large  number  of  Orchids  in 
flower  is  due  to  the  great  additions 
to  the  collection  during  the  past  few  months. 
The  collection  contains  more  than  1,000  species 
and  varieties,  and  is  being  constantly  added  to. 
Recently  a  consignment  containing  ISl  species 
was  received  from  Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons, 
St.  Albans,  England. 

Without  doubt  the  only  house  in  America 
devoted  entirely  to  the  cultivation  of  Bro- 
meliads  is  to  be  found  here  at  the  garden, 
^chmeas,  Tillandsias,  Bilbergias,  Bromeliads, 
etc.,  have  been  gathered  together  until  the 
collection  now  numbers  some  150  species.  Dr. 
L.  Wittmack,  the  eminent  botanist  from  the 
University  of  Berlin,  who  is  in  charge  of  the 
German  agricultural  exhibit  at  the  World's 
Fair,  has    given  valualjle    assistance    in  the 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


413 


identification  of  a  portion  of  the  collection. 
During  the  past  two  years  the  bulbous  plant 
section  has  been  given  special  attention.  A 
competent  gardener  has  been  placed  in  charge 
and  the  collection  greatly  increased.  Among 
others  are  the  Gladioli,  which  number  3:50 
species  and  varieties,  the  Dahlias  200,  and  the 
Cannas,  which  include  all  available  species, 
200.  Approximately,  1,600  species  or  varieties 
of  all  genera  are  represented  in  the  collection 
of  succulents. 

The     increase    of    these     plants     by    seed 
propagation  —  a    slow    process,    but     more 
satisfactory  in   many 
respects  —  has     received 
much    attention    during 
recent  years. 

There  is  a  collection  of 
Yuccas,  many  of  which, 
such  as  treculeana  canali- 
culata,  send  up  immense 
panicles  of  fiowers  each 
season.  An  attempt  to 
imitate  Nature  in  the 
arrangement  and  planting 
of  a  Cactus  house  has 
proved  quite  satisfactory. 

The  Fern  and  Cycad 
house  is  one  of  the 
beauty  spots  of  the  gar- 
den, huge  Tree  Ferns, 
Cibotium  glaucum, 
Dicksonia  antarctica, 
Alsophila  australis,  A. 
armata,  and  others  are 
grown  in  a  large  house 
similar  to  that  for  the 
Yuccas.  Gradually  the 
Ferns  are  being  elimi- 
nated in  one  house  to 
make  way  for  Cycads, 
with  which  the  entire 
house  will  be  planted. 
A  list  of  all  the  plants  in 
the  garden  is  made  every 
five  years  to  determine 
the  loss  or  gain  in  plants 
during  that  period.  Such 
an  inspection  was  made  in 
the  autumn  of  1903,  and 
the  result,  while  not  as 
great  as  had  been  anti- 
cipated, showed  that 
11,357  species  and  varie- 
ties were  then  in  culti- 
vation. Of  this  number 
5,684  woody  and  her- 
baceous plants  were 
growing  in  the  garden 
out  of  doors,  and  5,673  tender 
under  glass. 

St.  Louis. 


awards  of  merit)  were  given  is  perhaps  the  I.  Korolkowi,  while  the  colouring  and  tracery 
best  proof  of  the  exceeding  importance  of  this  of  the  veins  of  the  other  parent  are  clearly  seen 
new  race.  By  combining  the  great  beauty  of ,  in  many  of  the  new  comers.  Already  M. 
Iris  Korolkowi  with  Iris  iberioa  for  the  most '  Tubergen  has  the  e,Kperience  of  from  six  to 
part,  M.  Tubergen  has  succeeded  in  producing  ,  eight  years  with  the  new  hybrid  kinds,  and  he 
a  race  that,  while  retaining  all  that  is  good  of  ^  reports  that  without  exception  the  entire  batch 
the  permanent  characteristics   of   the   species,  |  has  proved,  not  merely   hardy,  but   increases 


yet  largely  embraces  not  a  little  of  the  pic- 
turesque beauty,  colouring,  and  remarkable 
veining  of  the  Cushion  Iris,  and  this  with 
flowers  of  the  largest  size,  as,  e.g.,  I.  susiana,  I. 
sofarana  magnifioa,  and  others.  It  was  indeed 
a  happy  thought  that  caused  M.  Tubergen  thus 
to  unite  the  beautiful  and  nearly  evergreen  I. 
iberica  with  I.  Korolkowi,  which  is  far  more 


A    NEW  HYBRID    RACE 
IRISES. 

THE  advent  of  an  entirely  new  hybrid 
race  of  Irises  must  be  regarded  by 
all  hardy  flower  lovers  and  enthu- 
siasts as  of  importance.  But  even 
the  most  ardent  of  hardy  plantsmen 
could  not  have  anticipated  the  ad- 
miration that  the  little  group  of  Onco-Regelia 
Irises  excited  that  M.  C.  G.  Van  Tubergen,  jun., 
brought  from  Holland  to  the  Drill  Hall  on 
May  17  last.  Never  before,  perhaps,  has  the 
floral  committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  been  so  entirely  unanimous  in  its 
awards  to  novelties.  The  fact  that  seven 
awards  (three  first-class  certificates  and  four 


luite  freely.  So  much,  indeed,  was  obvious 
when  it  is  remembered  that,  of  .some  dozen  or 
more  kinds  set  up  on  the  occasion  named,  not 
less  than  half-a-dozen  spikes  were  seen  of  each. 
Here  again  there  is  evidence  of  the  enduring 
qualities  of  this  new  set,  and  as  further  showing 
that  the  exhibit  in  question  had  not  cleared  the 
collection,  I  may  say  I  have  since  received  a 


amenable    to   general   cultivation.      Generally   further  half-dozen  .sorts  from  M.  Tubergen,  all 
the  habit  of  growth  m  the  new  race  is  that  of  distinct  from  those  at  the  Drill  Hall  meeting. 

The  average  height  of  the  established  plants, 
so  far  as  known,  is  from  15  inches  to  18  inches, 
and   when  it  is  stated  that  some  of  the  best 
plants    have   this   season   carried  eight  or  ten 
spikes,  we  have  sufficient  proof  of  the  merit  and 
garden   value   of    one   of    the   most   beautiful 
types    of    hardy  Irises.      Not    only  were  we 
struck  by  the  extreme  beauty  of  several  kinds, 
but  equally  by  the  great  size  of  the  blossoms 
and     the     novelty     of 
colour.    And,    as    though 
this  were  not  enough,  we 
have    yet    to    record    the 
welcome    fact    that    each 
spike  is  two-flowered;  the 
second  flower  of   the  cut 
spikes     expanding     quite 
well  in  water.    This,  then, 
is  a  more  or  less  external 
view  of  the  merits  of  this 
new     break    in     the    Iris 
family,  and   we  feel    sure 
that  those  readers  of  The 
Garden  who  through  long 
years  have  endeavoured  to 
satisfy   the    obviously  in- 
satiable   demands    of    the 
Cushion  Irises  will  find  in 
these  Onco-Regelia   kinds 
a  more  than  worthy  sub- 
stitute.     The    new    race 
proves  just  one  thing  more, 
viz.,   that   the    Iris   genus 
has  by  no   means  reached 
its  limitations,  and  we  may 
look  for  more,  not  merely 
a  continuance  of   the  above  kinds  or  an 
increase  of  varieties,  but  other  races  that 
may  be  brought  into  being  by  the  careful 
hybridist,  who   will,  we  doubt  not,  ever 
have  in  mind  the  climate  of  Britain  and 
the   need   that   exists   for  new  plants  of 
undoubted     merit,     with     a     thoroughly 
reliable  constitution. 

Of  the  varieties  that  attracted  my 
attention  most  I  place 

/.  Charon  first,  as  the  most  remark- 
able novelty  in  colour,  and  a  bold,  well 
proportioned  flower  withal.  The  chief 
colours  are  old  gold  and  bronze,  and  with 
satin  like  lustre  in  the  standards  the  gold 
feathering  and  bordering  is  well  seen. 
This  sumptuous  kind  was  obtained  by  the 
inter-crossing  of  Korolkowi  venosa  and 
atropurpurea. 

/.  IjAegenia,  with  its  claret-purple  falls 
and  heavy  blotch,  is  also  a  noble  flower, 
the  parents  being  I.  Korolkowi  concolor 
and  I.  iberica. 

/.  Artemus  has  the  distinction  of  quite 
erect  standards  and  distinctly  drooping 
falls,  as  opposed  to  such  as  arch  at  the 
blade  of  the  fall.  In  this  kind  the  falls 
depend  from  the  claw,  as  it  were.  Artemus 
resulted  from  the  crossing  of  Korolkowi 


IRIS  ONCO- 


(SU(jht  reduc' 


414 


THE  GARDEN. 


[June  11,  1904. 


violacea  and  Marie,  the  standards  of  rich 
purple  and  falls  of  dark  violet,  with  black 
velvet  blotch. 

/.  Antirtone  came  from  I.  Korolkowi  violacea 
and  I.  ib'erica  Van  Houttei,  and  in  the  silvery 
grey  and  lilac  and  intense  veining  the  influence 
of  the  latter  is  obvious. 

/.  Thalia,  while  distinct  from  the  above,  is 
of  the  same  parentage. 

/.  Hera  is  the  result  of  crossing  I.  Leichtlini 
with  I.  paradoxa,  and 

/.  Hecate  has  I.  Korolkowi  and  I.  Lortetii  for 
its  parents. 

Of  those  received  from  Holland  and  as  yet 
unnamed,  I  select  No.  .')4  as  the  gem  of  the  lot, 
with  I.  Korolkowi  leichtliniana  crossed  with  1. 
paradoxa  for  parents.  The  standards  are  ovate, 
Ij  inches  wide  at  the  blade  portion,  2i  inches 
long,  and  wine  red,  with  extremely  delicate 
veining.  Falls  nearly  horizontal,  very  stiff,  an 
inch  long  and  wide,  roundly  oval,  the  blackish 
maroon  blotch  extending  to  the  short  dense 
beard  of  the  claw  and  merging  to  a  more  reddish 
hue  at  the  tip  of  the  blade.  The  sides  of  the 
blade  have  a  conspicuous  white  ground,  over 
which  a  thrice-forked  veining  of  maroon  only 
tends  to  make  this  fascinating  flower  the  more 
charming.  The  flower  is  as  unique  in  its  way  as 
Charon. 

No.  2  is  an  extremely  delicate  flower,  the 
groundwork  of  silvery  grey,  finely  and  copiously 
veined  with  reddish  crimson.  The  veining  of 
the  standards  is  quite  remarkable.  The  parents 
are  Korolkowi  (type)  and  iberica  Van  Houttei. 

No.  18  is  a  flower  of  silvery  rose,  with  red 
veins,  the  falls  more  heavily  veined  with 
crimson,  and  with  crimson  blotch  at  base. 
This  is  from  Korolkowi  violacea  crossed  with 
iberica  Van  Houttei. 

These  three  are  very  distinct  from  those 
shown  at  the  Drill  Hall,  and  though  unnamed 
at  present,  afford  some  opportunity  for  com- 
parison by  colour  alone. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  quite  an  elaborate 
set  of  crosses  has  been  made  and  duly  regis- 
tered. Equally  apparent  is  the  way  in  which 
the  pretty  Iris  Korolkowi  in  some  form  or 
other  has  been  freely  used  as  seed  parent,  and 
this,  in  conjunction  with  I.  iberica  forms,  has 
given  a  series  of  novelties  of  remarkable 
beauty. 

Hampton  Hill.  E.  H.  .Jenkins. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN. 


NOTES   ON   FEEESIAS. 

WHOEVER  wishes  to  have  a  suc- 
cession of  these  flowers  from 
December  onwards  must  soon 
make  preparations  for  potting 
the  first  lot  of  bulbs.  The 
earlier  they  are  potted  the 
longer  will  be  the  season  of  growth,  and  therefore 
better  results  may  confidently  be  expected. 
Freesias  are  not  difficult  to  grow  provided  you 
give  them  cool  treatment,  a  sandy  soil,  and  well- 
drained  pots.  Take  care  to  keep  the  bulbs  in 
their  respective  sizes,  otherwise  when  the  plants 
are  fully  grown  the  results  will  be  somewhat  dis- 
appointing, tall  and  short  growths  will  inter- 
mingle and  half  the  flowers  will  be  hidden.  If  the 
same  sized  bulbs  are  placed  together  a  much  more 
uniform  polful  of  plants  will  be  obtained,  and  all 
the  flowers  will  show  to  advantage.  Provide 
plenty  of  drainage  for  the  pots,  for  a  great  deal 
depends  upon  this ;  growth  will  never  be  satis- 
factory in  soil  that  is  partially  water-logged.  So 
far  as  my  experience  goes  1  have  found  that 
Freesias  do  not  require  much  soil,  therefore  I 
recommend  them  to  be  grown  in  4J-inoh  pots 
instead  of  in  6-inoh  as  is  sometimes  practised.  Not 
only  are  they  more   useful  for  decQr£^tion   in  the 


4J-inch  pots,  as  these  are  more  easily  handled 
than  C-inch  pots,  but  I  find  that  the  plants  grow 
better.  It  is  necessary,  however,  to  give  them 
frequent  supplies  of  manure  water  when  growth 
is  well  advanced,  and  to  continue  doing  so  until 
the  flowers  open.  This  treatment  much  improvea 
the  colour  of  the  foliage  and  the  size  of  the  blooms. 
Keep  the  plants  in  a  cold  frame  until  there  is 
danger  of  frost,  when  they  must  be  moved  to  a 
house  where  the  temperature  is  about  60"^.  Keep 
them  near  to  the  glass  so  that  the  leaves  do  not 
become  tall  and  weak.  Strong  healthy  foliage 
means  good  flowers,  and  every  means  should  be 
taken  to  produce  this.  Until  the  bulbs  have 
started  into  growth  practically  no  water  is  neces- 
sary, and  it  must  be  given  carefully  until  the  soil 
is  full  of  roots,  then  a  good  deal  will  be  necessary 
if  the  plants  are  to  give  of  their  best.  Whether 
Freesias  are  well  staked  or  not  makes  a  great 
difference  to  their  appearance.  Their  stems  are 
so  slender  that  staking  is  absolutely  necessary. 
The  stakes  must  be  thin,  split  bamboo  canes  1  have 
generally  used,  and  the  matting,  too,  must  be  thin 
and  twisted.  Give  as  few  ties  as  possible. 
Freesias  are  invaluable  during  the  winter  months, 
and  no  one  who  then  needs  flowers  for  decoration 
can  afford  to  dispense  with  them.  I  have  always 
found  that  the  best  results  are  obtained  by  potting 
early — the  end  of  .June  or  early  July — keeping  the 
plants  cool,  giving  them  a  sandy  soil  and  plenty  of 
drainage,  and  frequent  supplies  of  manure  water 
when  they  are  growing  freely.  H.  P.  A. 


LIPPIA  CITRIODOEA. 

The  Lemon  Plant  was  formerly  much  grown  for 
market.  The  plant,  which  attains  a  height  of  from 
1.50  m(5tres  to  2  m(5tres,  is  much  esteemed  for  its 
Lemon-like  perfume.  The  scarcely  perceptible 
purplish  white  flowers  are  produced  in  small 
spikes  ;  they,  too,  are  perfumed,  though  not  so 
strongly  as  the  leaves.  This  plant  bears  several 
names — Lippia  citriodora,  Verbena  triphylla, 
and  Aloysia  citriodora.  No  amateur  used  to  be 
without  it ;  this  explains  why  it  is  still  so  often 
seen  in  older  gardens.  On  account  of  its  perfume 
people  used  to  use  it  for  window-boxes,  as  they  did 
Musk  and  Basil ;  but  everything  changes,  and  the 
Lemon  Plant  is  now  rarely  grown,  yet  it  is  easy  to 
cultivate  and  of  fairly  rapid  growth.  Originally 
from  Chili  it  does  well  in  the  Orange  house  or 
unheated  greenhouse  for  the  winter.  During 
summer,  beginning  from  May,  it  can  be  grown  in 
the  open  air  in  a  sunny  and  airy  position,  and 
then  needs  copious  waterings.  Propagation  by 
cuttings  of  growing  shoots  is  easy  ;  they  strike 
freely  in  sandy  soil.  As  soon  as  they  have  rooted 
they  are  potted  into  small  pots.  To  form  bushy 
plants  pinch  the  ends  of  the  shoots  ;  if,  on  the 
other  hand,  a  stem  is  required,  they  are  allowed  to 
run  up  to  the  height  desired,  which  may  extend  to 
3  feet.  This  height  attained,  the  stem  is  pinched 
off  and  growths  trained  so  as  to  form  a  head  of 
five  or  six  branches.  These,  pinched  again  in 
their  turn,  will  in  a  year  form  a  well-shaped  plant. 
In  the  meanwhile  they  will  have  been  repotted 
into  larger  pots.  Trimmed  and  again  repotted 
into  still  larger  pots  the  plants  will  be  useful  the 
second  year,  and  also  in  the  third  year.  The  soil 
which  best  suits  the  Lemon  Plant  is  a  good  loam, 
with  the  addition  of  some  well-decayed  manure 
and  silver  sand.  If  kept  cool  the  Lemon  Plant 
loses  its  leaves  during  the  winter  without  taking 
any  harm  ;  in  an  intermediate  temperature,  on  the 
contrary,  it  retains  them,  only  losing  the  oldest. — 
he  Jardin. 


RECENT    PLANT    PORTRAITS. 

The  .June  number  of  the  Botanical  Magazine,  con- 
tains portraits  of 

Tupisira  Clarkei. — Native  of  Sikkim.  This  is  a 
member  of  the  Aspidistra  family,  and  is  by  no 
means  a  new  plant,  as  it  first  flowered  at  Kew  in 
1877,  but  apparently  not  again  till  1003.  It 
requires  the  temperature  of  a  stove,  and  is  more  of 
botanical  than  horticultural  interest. 

Buthophyllum  Weddelii. — Native  of  Brazil.  This 
is   also   known  under  the  synonym  of  Didaotyle 


Weddelii.  It  is  a  curious  Orchid,  but  of  little 
horticultural  beauty. 

Chanvvdoria  piUchella.  —  Native  of  Tropical 
America.  This  Palm  was  introduced  by  a  Belgian 
nursery  company  in  1885,  flowering  at  Kew  in  1891, 
and  again  in  1903,  the  naked  part  of  the  stem 
having  in  the  meanwhile  increased  from  about 
9  inches  to  8  feet  in  height.  Its  flowers  are  yellow, 
but,  though  numerous,  of  insignificant  size  and 
little  beauty. 

Impatiens  Oliveri. — Native  of  Tropical  Africa. 
It  is  also  known  as  I.  Thompsoni.  This  is  a  most 
ornamental  and  beautiful  Balsam,  with  large,  flat, 
pink  flowers  with  pure  white  centres.  The  flowers 
in  a  wild  state  are  said  to  be  white  and  scarcely 
more  than  1^  inches  across,  but  under  cultivation 
they  have  greatly  increased  in  size  and  beauty, 
and  rival  those  of  I.  grandiflora,  figured  on  plate 
7826  of  this  work.  As  it  blooms  freely  in  a  green- 
house, and  is  of  vigorous  habit  of  growth,  it  is 
likely  to  get  into  general  cultivation  before  long. 

Lytiiniachia  Henryi. — Native  of  Western  China. 
This  is  an  ornamental  plant  with  bunches  of  con- 
spicuous deep  yellow  flowers.  It  bids  fair  to 
become  as  great  a  favourite  as  the  Creeping  Jenny 
(L.  Nummularia),  and  it  is  an  equally  vigorous 
grower  of  more  robust  habit,  though  probablj'  not 
so  hardy.  The  flowers,  too,  are  of  a  richer  yellow. 
It  was  sent  from  Ichang,  in  China,  by  both  Dr. 
Henry  and  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson  to  Messrs.  Veitch. 

W.  E.  GUMBLETON. 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


A   MC 

A 


ROSE  WALTHAM  RAMBLEK. 
MONO  the  e.xhibits  at  the  Temple  show 
last  week  few  were  more  generally 
admired  than  the  many  beautiful 
groups  of  Roses,  and  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say  that  most  of  these 
owed  a  good  deal  of  their  charm  to 
the  inclusion  of  what,  for  the  want  of  a  better 
name,  have  come  to  be  called  garden  or  decora- 
tive Roses.  Their  graceful  form  and  freedom 
of  flowering  have  quickly  made  them  popular 
favourites,  and  no  Rose  garden  can  now  be 
considered  complete  without  the  inclusion  of 
some  of  the  newer  rambling  and  other  free- 
growing  Roses.  The  introduction  of  these  has 
to  a  great  extent  revolutionised  Rose  gardening, 
and  added  much  to  the  picturesqueness  and 
relieved  the  monotony  of  Rose  gardens.  It  is 
hardly  too  much  to  say  that  the  free  use  of 
some  of  these  lovely  free-growing  Roses  has 
been  in  a  large  measure  responsible  for  the 
increased  attractiveness  of  gardens,  a  feature 
that  has  been  most  marked  within  recent  years. 
The  dwarf-growing  Hybrid  Teas,  Hybrid 
Perpetuals,  and  others  of  small  stature  have 
their  own  places  in  the  rosery,  but  they  gain  a 
great  deal  by  being  associated  with  rambler- 
covered  pillars,  poles,  or  other  simple  arrange- 
ments. 

Among  the  many  beautiful  Roses  of  free 
growth  shown  at  the  Temple  show  Messrs. 
William  Paul's  Waltham  Rambler  was  much 
admired.  There  were  some  well-grown  plants 
of  it  bearing  a  profusion  of  large  panicles  of 
single  rosy  pink  flowers,  the  delicate  yellow 
stamens  standing  out  clearly  in  the  centre. 
It  is  of  very  vigorous  rambling  growth  and 
perfectly  hardy,  and  is  excellent  for  covering 
arches,  buildings,  and  pergolas,  also  for  running 
over  old  tree  stumps,  for  rooteries,  and  for 
forming  other  picturesque  features  in  the 
garden.  Out  of  doors  the  plants  bloom  in  the 
middle  of  summer  (July),  and  the  flowers,  like 
those  of  Crimson  Rambler  and  other  multiflora 
varieties,  last  a  long  time  in  perfection, 
greatly  excelling  in  this  respect  the  single- 
flowered  Roses  which  bloom  in  early  summer, 
whose  efi'ect  in  the  garden  is  so  fugitive.  Rose 
Waltham  Rambler  was  raised  from  seed  in  the 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


415 


Waltham  Cross  nurseries.  It  was  shown  in 
1903  at  the  Temple  show  by  Messrs.  Wilham 
Paul  and  Son,  and  then  obtained  an  award  of 
merit.  A.  H.  P. 


PROSPECTS  FOR  THE  ROSES  OF  1904. 
Speaking  generally,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  it  is  a  good  many  years  since  Roses  of  all 
kinds  promised  so  well  as  they  do  this  year, 
certainly  not  for  the  last  ten  years  ;  and  this 
applies  not  only  to  those  for  exhibition,  but 
also  to  those  for  the  garden,  and  more  particu- 
larly to  that  class  known  as  summer-flowering 
or  the  June  Roses.  Their  long  boughs  are 
literally  laden  with  buds,  and  if  we  get  no 
June  frosts  1904  will  be  a  Rose  year  that  will 
long  be  remembered.  The  causes  are  not  far 
to  seek.  Last  year  the  early  Roses  were  in 
some  cases  entirely  absent.  The  severe  frosts 
of  May  and  June  completely  destroyed  all 
flowers,  notwithstanding  the  heavy  rains  of  the 
year.  All  Rose  wood  last  autumn  ripened 
well,  quite  contrary  to  one's  expecta- 
tions ;  the  enforced  rest  did  the  trees 
good.  This  year  since  the  dormant 
buds  burst  they  hav3  experienced  no 
serious  check. 

It  appears  to  be  the  general  opinion 
that  Roses  are  and  will  be  late  ;  it, 
however,  is  not  my  own  personal 
experience.  Writing  under  date  of 
May  26  I  find  I  have  in  flower  the 
following 

Climbers. 

These,  with  one  exception,  are  not 
on  walls,  but  on  fences  and  arches. 
Reine  Olga  de  Wurteraburg,  "William 
Allen  Richardson,  Gloire  de  Dijon, 
Mme.  Berard,  Longworth  Rambler, 
Ards  Rover,  Claire  Jacquier,  Aglaia, 
Mme.  Alfred  Carrifere,  Reine  Marie 
Henriette,  Carmine  Pillar,  and  Sinica 
Anemone  ;  dwarfs,  Grace  Darling, 
both  the  Cochets,  Belle  Lyonnaise, 
Mme.  Eugfene  Resal,  Blanc  Double 
de  Coubet  (the  first  Rose  to  flower 
with  me  this  year  ;  its  first  bloom 
opened  on  May  15),  La  France,  &c., 
while  many  others  will  be  out  before 
these  lines  are  in  print. 

It  is  too  early  to  write  definitely 
as  to  the  prospects  of  the  year  from 
an  exhibition  point  of  view,  but  on 
all  hands  there  is  a  general  feeling 
of  contentment  with  the  existing  state 
of  things  amongst  exhibitors  that 
speaks  volumes,  and  there  is  little 
doubt  that  visitors  this  year  will  see 
such  a  feast  of  Roses  at  the  Temple  on 
July  6  that  will  be  well  worth  travelling 
(as  many  will  travel)  from  Scotland,  Ireland, 
and  Wales.  I  will  endeavour  to  write 
you  somewhat  more  definitely  as  to  the  exhi- 
bition Roses  a  little  later  if  I  may  trespass  on 
your  space.  Hekbeet  E.  Molyneux. 

Brantwood,  Balham,  S.  W. 


in  two  quarts  of  boiling  water.  Remove  from  the 
fire,  and,  while  still  boiling  hot,  add  one  pint  of 
paraffin  oil,  and  immediately  churn  the  mixture 
with  a  syringe.  In  a  few  minutes  a  perfect  emul- 
sion will  be  made.  For  use  dilute  with  ten  times 
its  volume  of  water.  Where  stimulants  are 
required  Peruvian  guano  or  fish  guano  are  excel- 
lent aids.  A  teaspoonful  given  to  each  plant  once 
in  fourteen  days  will  soon  show  that  it  is  appre- 
ciated by  the  plants.  Of  course,  only  strong, 
healthy  plants  will  be  stimulated.  Sheep  and  cow 
manure  with  soot  make  an  excellent  liquid  manure 
for  Roses.  To  really  strong  plants  in  bud  liberal 
doses  may  be  applied,  using  about  one  gallon  of 
the  liquid  to  one  gallon  of  water.  Give  each  plant 
a  good  soaking  after  rain,  or,  if  the  ground  be  dry, 
give  plain  water  first. 

{7se  titc  hoe  freely  and  frequently,  and  at  each 
watering  with  liquid  manure.  The  Dutch  hoe  is 
the  most  handy.  Avoid  treading  on  the  soil  as 
much  as  possible. 

Disbiiddiiig  must  be  done  by  all  who  intend  to 
exhibit,  and,  even  by  those  who  do  not,  varieties 
that  produce  beautiful  individual  flowers  should  be 
disbudded.     Quality  of   blossom  is  now   so   much 


planted  with  young  grafted  plants.  The  soil  should 
previously  be  well  trenched.  Do  not  fail  to  plant 
a  number  of  Liberty  and  Mme.  Abel  Chalenay, 
two  fine  Roses  for  cutting. 

Yowiy  vlanli  of  Tea  Roses,  if  purchased  now  in 
o-inch  pots,  make  fine  growth  by  the  autumn  for 
forcing  next  winter.  They  would  need  a  shift  at 
once  into  6-inch  and  S-inch  pots. 

Tea  Roses  by  loir  ivatln  will  pay  for  extra  atten- 
tion just  now,  as  their  buds  are  developing  fast. 
Make  saucer-like  cavities  around  each  plant,  and 
give  liquid  manure,  in  which  soot  is  freely  used, 
about  every  ten  days.  That  grand  Rose  Comtesse 
de  Nadaillac  and  many  other  gems  may  be  grown 
best  against  walls,  although  they  blossom  rather 
too  early  for  exhibition. 

To  preserve  Tea  Roses  from  injury  by  wind  and 
rain  paper  up  the  blooms  when  quite  dry,  but 
leave  the  top  open.  These  blooms  should  be  shaded 
with  the  usual  canvas  shades.  P. 

ROSE   SINICA    ANEMONE. 

I  THINK  this  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  single  Roses. 
The  colouris  a  soft  pink,  and  the  shining  green  leaves 


ROSE  WALTHAM   RAMBLER. 


WORK    FOR   JUNE. 

This  is  a  very  busy  month  amongst  the  Roses,  and 
the  rosarian  will  begin  to  see  the  result  of  his 
labours  during  April  and  May.  Those  who  have 
provided  the  Roses  with  good  soil,  deeply  culti- 
vated, judicious  pruning,  and  manuring  will  soon 
reap  their  reward. 

Aphis  is  beginning  to  get  troublesome  upon  walls, 
and  also  on  plants  not  in  the  best  of  health.  One 
finds  very  little,  if  any,  of  this  pest  on  plants 
growing  in  the  open  in  a  free  and  healthy  condi- 
tion. There  is  no  doubt  that  paraffin  is  the  best 
remedy  for  aphis,  but  it  must  be  used  with  caution. 
A  useful  recipe  is  to  dissolve  one  quart  of  soft  soap 


sought  after.  It  will  not  be  advisable  to  disbud 
rashly,  or  we  run  the  risk,  by  diverting  the  sap  to 
one  bud,  of  making  that  one  coarse.  Roses  with 
flexible  shoots,  such  as  Marie  Baumann,  Earl  of 
DufFerin,  &o. ,  should  be  supported  with  small  sticks 
or  their  heavy  blossoms  will  droop  to  the  ground. 

Stoch  of  all  kinds  look  well  this  year.  Hoe 
these  frequently  and  encourage  a  good  tilth  ;  mere 
scratching  is  almost  waste  of  time.  Once  obtain  a 
good  tilth,  then  the  weeds  are  easily  kept  down  by 
means  of  the  Dutch  or  push  hoe. 

Pests  of  all  kinds  abound  now,  and  it  is  only  by 
diligent  search  once  or  twice  a  day  that  they  can 
be  kept  in  check.  The  mason  bee  is  a  very  daring 
enemy,  and,  if  uncaught,  he  will  almost  strip  a 
plant  of  its  leaves.  Near  by  walls  and  gravel 
paths  are  his  favourite  nesting-places. 

Plants  for  forcing  next  winter  should  now  be 
repotted  and  kept  under  glass  for  a  time.  Put  a 
little  bone-dust  into  the  ordinary  compost,  say,  a 
5-inch  potful  to  a  barrowload  of  the  compost.  If 
oyster  shells  are  procurable,  use  these  for  crocks  to 
pot  Roses. 

Eose  houses  that  have  been  erected  especially  for 
the  culture  of  this  favourite  flower  should  now   be 


stand  out  against  the  dark  stems.  Here  in  the 
Thames  Valley  it  grows  well.  I  planted  three 
trees  eighteen  months  ago  in  different  aspects,  and 
they  are  a  success  and  full  of  flowers,  which  are 
quite  5  inches  across,  with  very  broad  petals.  It  is 
almost  an  evergreen. 

Thames  Valley,  Berks.  J.  S. 


ROSA    SERICEA. 

This  pretty  and  interesting  Rose  has  been  the  first 
to  flower  in  the  open  in  the  Ro3'a!  Botanic  Gardens, 
Edinburgh,  this  year,  and  some  plants  in  the 
herbaceous  borders  have  been  very  pleasing  with 
their  charming  creamy  white  flowers.  It  cannot, 
of  course,  be  called  a  showy  Rose,  but  it  is  a 
pleasing  one,  and  well  repays  careful  attention. 
The  plants  in  the  Edinburgh  gardens  are  in  bush 
form  ;  the  flowers  are  very  pleasing  and  the  leaves 
silky.  It  was  introduced  so  long  ago  as  1822  from 
India.  The  species  of  Rosa  are  interesting,  not 
only  because  they  are  frequently  beautiful  in 
themselves,  but  for  the  reason  that  they  are  the 
forerunners  of  the  great  groups  we  see  in  the 
summer  garden  at  the  present  time.  S.  A. 


416 


THE    GARDEN. 


[JxmE  11,  1904. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 

FEUIT    GAEDEN. 

Late  Gkapes. 

NO  time  should  be  lost  in  thinning  late 
Grapes  as  soon  as  they  are  set,  ever}' 
care  being  taken  not  to  touch  the 
bunches  with  either  the  head  or  hands. 
Thin  large  varieties  freely  and  those 
that  are  to  be  kept  during  the  winter. 
A  light  shade  given  to  such  varieties  as  Gros 
Colmar,  Lady  Downe's,  Appley  Towers,  and  Lady 
Hutt  is  beneficial  to  the  fruit  and  vines.  Keep  a 
sharp  look-out  for  red  spider,  and  sponge  the  leaves 
on  its  first  appearance.  Pay  attention  to  stopping 
laterals,  tying  down  and  regulating  the  shoots, 
always  avoiding  crowding  the  principal  leaves.  Do 
not  overtax  the  vines  by  heavy  cropping.  Examine 
the  borders  regularly  for  water,  as  light  soils  require 
much  more  water  than  retentive  ones.  Leave  a 
crack  of  air  on  the  top  and  front  lights  at  night, 
and  ventilate  early  on  bright  mornings.  Keep  a 
night  temperature  of  70",  falling  to  65"  in  the 
morning,  rising  to  8.5°  with  sun-heat  during  the 
day. 

Pot  Vises. 

Young  vines  grown  for  fruiting  next  season  should 
be  stopped  as  soon  as  they  reach  8  feet  or  9  feet. 
Keep  all  laterals  closely  pinched  back,  and  see  that 
the  main  foliage  is  not  injured  in  any  way.  Mulch 
and  feed  liberally  as  the  vines  increase  in  strength, 
close  early  in  the  afcernoon,  and  thorougly  syringe 
all  the  foliage.  Vines  grown  for  planting  out 
should  be  allowed  more  lateral  growth.  This  will 
encourage  root  action. 

Bananas. 

Give  plants  in  beds  whose  fruits  are  developing 
plenty  of  heat  and  atmospheric  moisture,  with 
liberal  supplies  of  warm  liquid  manure  and  occa- 
sional sprinklings  of  some  quick-acting  fertilisers. 
Plants  grown  in  tubs  must  be  examined  more  often 
and  not  allowed  to  suffer  for  want  of  water.  Tie 
up  large  bunches  with  strong  cord,  as  they  are 
liable  suddenly  to  fall  off  just  before  changing 
colour. 

Freshly-grafted  Trees. 

Grafts  that  have  united  are  making  free  growth  ; 
remove  the  clay  and  examine  the  ties  to  see  that 
they  are  not  injuring  the  stock  or  scion,  rebind 
those  that  requre  it  more  loosely,  and  support  the 
grafts  with  stakes  to  prevent  being  damaged  b}' 
wind.  Remove  young  growths  as  soon  as  they 
appear  below  the  grafts. 

BnsH  Fruits. 

Keep  weeds  in  check  by  the  frequent  use  of  the 
hoe.  Mulch  and  apply  liquid  manure  when  avail- 
able to  old  plantations.  Black  Currants  will  espe- 
cially benefit  by  its  application.  Thin  and  regulate 
the  shoots  of  Currants  and  Gooseberries,  retaining 
sufficient  young  wood  for  extending.  Examine  the 
trees  for  red  spider  and  caterpillars,  and  syringe 
the  trees  with  soft  soap,  afterwards  washing  with 
clear  water. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Gathering  Vegetables. 
This  duty  is,  owing  to  shortness  of  labour  or 
other  causes,  too  often  given  to  the  apprentice 
or  garden  boy.  Where  it  is  possible  it  should  be 
done  by  an  experienced  hand,  one  who  knows  how 
to  do  the  work  economically.  All  vegetables  should 
be  gathered  in  the  morning,  just  sufficient  for  one 
day  at  a  time.  'J'hiB  ensures  their  being  fresh  and 
crisp,  especiallyin  the  case  of  Cauliflower,  Lettuce, 
Spinach,  &c.  The  heaviest  vegetables  should,  of 
course,  be  got  first  and  put  in  the  bottom  of  the 
basket,  which  should  be  large  and  strong,  laying 
the  lighter  ones,  such  as  Lettuce,  Salads,  Asparagus, 
&c. ,  on  the  top.  If  they  are  to  be  sent  by  rail  they 
must  be  packed  crisp  and  fresh,  and  should  not  be 
exposed  to  wind  or  strong  sun.  Sprinkle  them 
with  cold  water,  and  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
pack  them  too  tightly.    Carrots,  Onions,  Asparagus, 


French  Beans,  &o.,  should  be  tied  into  bundles  and 
rolled  into  a  Rhubarb  or  Cabbage  leaf,  so  that  all 
may  arrive  fresh  and  in  good  condition. 
Marrows. 

These  should  now  be  planted  out  as  advised  in  a 
previous  calendar.  See  that  the  plants  are  well 
hardened  off,  and  give  them  a  good  watering  after 
planting.  Cover  for  a  few  days  with  hand-lights, 
and  shade  from  strong  sun  till  they  begin  In  grow. 
Those  growing  in  frames  will  now  have  made  rapid 
progress,  and  if  the  first  fruits  are  set  the  plants 
may  be  grown  somewhat  hardier. 
Tomatoes. 

Those  for  planting  out  of  doors  should  now  be 
ready.  Plant  as  advised  on  the  warmest  and 
sunniest  part  of  the  walls.  Place  a  stake  to  each 
and  give  water  after  planting.  Early  plants  indoors 
are  now  setting  freel}',  and  should  receive  careful 
attention,  with  watering,  pinching,  and  frequent 
top-dressings.  Give  air  at  all  times  to  this  crop, 
as  this  is  the  best  antidote  against  disease. 
Cdcdmeers. 

Where  frames  are  now  being  emptied  of  bedding 
and  other  plants,  these  may  be  utilised  for 
Cucumbers,  whether  heated  with  hot  water  or  not. 
Plant  as  advised  at  the  top  of  the  frame,  one  plant 
for  each  light  being  sufficient.  Attention  to 
syringing  and  watering  and  careful  and  frequent 
pinching  will  amply  repay  the  trouble  to  the 
grower.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  Gardens,  South  Queen-sferry,  N.B. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Pinks  and  Carnations. 
In  early  districts  the  Pinks  are  in  full  bloom,  and 
many  Carnations  have  just  a  touch  of  colour. 
These  latter  will  greatly  benefit  from  a  sprinkling 
of  any  quick-acting  artificial  manure.  If  a  portion 
of  ihe  bed  or  border  is  shaded  with  tiffany  the 
flowering  season  will  be  greatly  prolonged,  and  it 
will  prevent  the  rains  from  damaging  the  flowers. 
The  final  tying  should  be  done,  taking  care  not  to 
bunch  the  stalks  or  tie  in  the  "stem-leaves." 
Pinks  which  are  overhanging  the  walks  will  be 
much  cleaner  if  the  flowers  are  supported  with 
some  twiggy  brushwood.  While  in  flower  the 
seedling  Carnations  should  be  looked  over,  weeding 
out  the  poor  varieties  and  marking  the  desirable 
forms  for  layering.  During  dry  weather  water 
copiously. 

Weeds  and  Weeding. 

The  hoe  should  be  worked  freely  whenever 
possible  to  keep  down  weeds  and  aerate  the  soil. 
It  is  advisable  to  do  all  necessary  hand  weeding  as 
soon  after  the  rains  as  the  state  of  the  soil  will 
permit,  as  the  work  can  be  done  much  more  quickly 
and  better  while  the  soil  is  moist.  Walks  should 
be  treated  with  weed-killer  before  the  weeds 
become  too  prominent,  taking  care  not  to  apply 
the  weed-killer  too  near  the  grass  verges  or  plants. 
In  these  places  hand-weeding  must  be  resorted  to. 
A  stiff,  short-bladed  knife  will  be  found  useful. 
Many  of  the  earlier  spring-flowering  plants,  such 
as  the  Fritillaries,  are  now  ripening  their  foliage, 
and  unless  kept  clear  (the  robust  Crown  Imperials 
can  look  after  themselves  in  this  respect)  will  be 
overgrown  by  their  neighbours  to  the  detriment  of 
next  year's  display. 

Conifers. 

The  points  of  young  growths  contrast  finely 
with  the  older  foliage.  The  dwarf  forms  should 
receive  attention,  removing  any  gross  branches 
and  those  which  show  signs  of  reverting  to  the 
type.  Young  trees  frequently  either  fail  to  develop 
the  leading  bud  or  the  shoot  becomes  broken  by 
birds  or  wind.  In  such  cases  the  best  placed 
growth  should  be  selected  to  form  a  leader,  care- 
fully tying  it  to  a  stick  lashed  to  the  main  stem. 

A.  C.  Bartlett. 

Pencarrow  Gardetis,  Bodmin. 


INDOOR     GARDEN. 

Tree  Carnations. 
At   the  present   time  great  efforts  are  made   to 
grow   and    flower    these    plants   well    during   the 


winter  months  with  the  least  possible  outlay,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  obtain  the  biggest  return  tor  the 
money  expended.  Planting  them  in  beds  arranged  | 
on  benches  is  the  popular  method  of  culture  on  a 
large  scale,  involving,  perhaps,  the  least  amount  ot 
labour  and  space.  By  this  method  the  greatest 
number  and  probably  the  best  flowers  are 
obtained.  It  matters  nothing,  however,  whether 
the  plants  have  to  be  grown  and  flowered  in  pots 
or  be  planted  out  in  beds  as  stated.  In  either  case 
they  niust  by  this  time  be  strong  for  the  purpose. 
Potting  them  finally  into  their  flowering  pots 
should  be  accomplished  with  despatch,  and  the 
same  will  apply  to  j)lanting  them  out  in  beds. 
Eight-inch  pots  are  sometimes  used  as  the  size  in 
which  to  flower  them,  but  in  this  matter  it  is 
better  to  be  guided  by  the  strength  of  the  plants, 
as  also  the  constitution  of  the  variety  or  varieties 
that  are  grown,  as  generally  7-inch  and  S-inch  pots 
are  large  enough.  It  is  not  so  much  the  size  of 
the  pots,  the  methods  in  potting,  or  even  the 
nature  of  the  compost  in  which  the  plants  are 
placed,  but  good  attention  to  detail  in  their 
culture  afterwards  that  ensures  the  coveted  success. 
It  is  necessar}'  to  be  diligent  in  watering  and 
admitting  air,  staking,  or  in  other  ways  supporting 
their  growth,  as  well  as  to  keeping  the  plants  free 
from  tilth  of  ever}'  kind.  These  conditions  apply 
equally  to  both  methods  of  culture,  the  onlj'  other 
attention  necessary  to  those  planted  out  being  to 
stir  up  occasionally  the  surface  soil  of  the  beds  to 
keep  down  weeds  and  admit  fresh  air  to  the  soil. 

Work  in  General. 

There  is  at  this  season  so  much  work  in  every 
direction  that  requires  to  be  done  that  even 
matters  of  great  importance  sometimes  get  over- 
looked. The  preparing  of  plants  of  all  kinds  for 
decorative  work  during  the  winter  is  a  matter  to 
which  attention  must  at  once  be  given.  An 
unlimited  supply  of  the  following  are  in  many 
instances  required,  viz.,  Dractenas,  Aralias, 
Pandanus,  Aspidistras,  Carex,  Alocasias,  Dieffen- 
bachias,  Acalyphas,  Eulalias,  Tradescantias,  and 
Grasses.  These  all  require  to  be  propagated, 
potted,  cleaned,  and  in  every  way  prepared  for 
the  work  they  will  shortly  be  called  upon  to  do. 
Palms  also  require  similar  attention,  and  whilst 
these  should  be  shaded  well  during  sunny  weather, 
they  also  should  be  syringed  abundantly  to  sustain 
them  in  a  healthy  state,  and  by  the  careful  and 
judicious  use  of  soot  water  to  their  roots  a  dark 
green  and  healthy  appearance  will  be  imparted  to 
their  growth. 

The  weak,  superfluous  growths  of  creepers  of  every 
kind  should  be  kept  well  thinned  out,  and  those  that 
are  to  remain  be  tied  and  trained  in  position.  To 
the  flowering  kinds  perhaps  it  is  necessary  to 
afford  the  best  attention,  for  often  a  great  deal  of 
their  real  beauty  is  sacrificed  in  allowing  the 
growth  to  become  a  tangled  mass  of  shoots. 

Plant  Ficus  repens  to  cover  rockwork  and  bare 
spaces  on  walls  occupying  moist  positions  in  green- 
houses and  conservatories.  It  should  not  be 
clipped  in  close,  but  be  allowed  to  ramble  at  will 
and  assume  a  natural  and  picturesque  appearance. 

Tranhy  Croft,  Hull.  J.  P.  Leadbetter. 


BOOKS 


A  notable  reprint  of  Parkinson's 

"  ParadiSUS."* — Messrs.  Methuen  have  indeed 
done  well,  not  only  to  undertake  a  complete  reprint 
of  Parkinson's  "  Paradisus,"  but  to  have  done  it 
so  admirably.  The  new  title  says  "  faithfully 
reprinted"  ;  it  is,  indeed,  faithfully  reprinted,  as 
is  easy  to  perceive  on  setting  the  new  by  the  side 
of  the  old,  so  that  now  this  grand  old  book, 
including  as  it  does  some  of  the  best  treatises  that 
have  ever  been  written  on  practical  gardening, 
is  within  the  reach  of  all  who  love  good  books 
and  good  gardens.  For  the  "  Paradisus"  is  not  an 
illustrated  herbal  only,  wherein  it  compares  favour- 
ably  with   the   nearly   contemporary    well-known 


^  "  Parjidiei  in  sole  Paradisus  terrestris."  Uy  John  Parkin 
son.  Faillilully  reprinted  from  the  edition  of  1U29.  Methuen 
and  Co.,  London,  1904. 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE  GARDEN. 


417 


herbal  of  Gerard.  It  is  also  a  garden  book  with 
its  own  special  literary  charm.  The  earlier  chap- 
ters, under  the  general  heading  "  The  Ordering  of 
the  Garden  of  Pleasure,"  deal  first  with  the  placing 
of  the  garden  and  the  nature  of  soils  and  their 
improvement,  the  second  chapter  dealing  with  the 
actual  shaping  of  the  garden :  "  The  frame  or 
forme  of  a  Garden  of  delight  and  pleasure,  with 
the  several  varieties  thereof."     The  third  chapter 


GOOSEBERRY    SAW    FLY. 
(^Vt  grubSj  and  cocoon.) 

)F  on  edgings:  "The  many  sorts  of  herbes  and 
other  things,  wherewith  the  beds  and  parts  of 
knots  are  bordered  to  set  out  the  forme  of  them, 
with  their  commodities  and  discommodities." 
Chapter  IV.  is  on  exotic  plants  :  "  The  nature  and 
names  of  divers  Out-landish  flowers,  that  for  their 
pride,  beauty  and  earlinesse,  are  to  be  planted  in 
Gardens  for  pleasure  and  delight."  Chapter  V.  is 
of  more  homely  garden  plants  :  "  The  nature  and 
names  of  those  that  are  called  usually  English 
flowers."  Chapters  VI.  and  VII.  treat  of  the 
planting  of  all  these  and  their  times  of  blooming. 
Chapter  VIII.  is  dedicated  to  the  Carnation,  then 
called  "  Gilloflower,"  a  prime  favourite  of  the  day, 
or,  as  the  author  says,  "  the  chiefest  flowers  of 
account  in  all  our  English  Gardens."  Chapter  IX., 
the  last,  touches  on  various  horticultural  subjects. 
Then  comes  the  body  of  the  book  under  the  title 
"  The  Garden  of  Pleasant  Flowers  "  ;  the  first  page 
(page  27)  remarkably  beautiful  with  its  arabesque 
headpiece  and  enriched  capital.  Those  who  do  not 
already  know  the  book  in  its  older  forms  will  be 
surprised  by  the  vigour  and  faithfulness  of  the  bold 
woodcuts.  The  whole  get-up  of  the  book  is  excel- 
lent ;  it  is  printed  on  a  good  tough  linen-rag  paper 
closely  resembling  the  old,  with  a  type  carefully 
cut  in  closest  reproduction  of  the  original,  and  a 
simple  binding  of  unbleached  linen  back  and  blue- 
grey  paper  sides. 


INSECT  PESTS. 


THE  GOOSEBERRY  AND  CURRANT 
SAW  FLY  (NEMATUS  RIBESII.) 

GOOSEBERRY  and  Currant  bushes 
suffer  more  from  the  attacks  of  this 
than  of  any  other  insect,  and  at  times 
the  leaves  are  literally  stripped  off 
by  their  grubs.  The  saw  flies  lay 
their  eggs  on  the  under  sides  of  the 
leaves  near  the  veins  as  soon  as  they  begin  to 
expand,  and  the  grubs  lose  no  time  as  soon  as  they 
are  hatched  in  beginning  to  feed  on  the  leaves. 
They  are  full  grown  in  about  three  weeks,  then 
bury  themselves  in  the  ground  and  become  chry- 
salides, from  which  the  second  brood  of  saw  flies 
emerge  in  about  a  fortnight,  and  the  second  brood 
of  grubs  may  be  found  in  July.  These,  in  due 
course,  become  chrysalides  in  the  soil,  but  remain 
in  this  condition  until  the  spring,  when  the  saw 
flies  are  developed.  The  grubs  are  often  confused 
with  the  caterpillars  of  the  magpie  moth,  but  are, 
however,  perfectly  distinct,  as  pointed  out  in  the 


note  on  that  insect.  The  methods  of  killing  both 
insects  are  the  same  while  they  are  feeding,  namely, 
dusting  with  a  mixture  of  lime  and  soot  when  the 
leaves  are  wet,  or  syringing  with  paraffin  emulsion 
or  quassia  extract  and  soft  soap.  Many  may  be 
shaken  down  and  then  killed  with  the  back  of  a 
spade. 

The  winter  treatment,  however,  is  quite  dif- 
ferent, for  the  saw  fly  grubs,  when  they  are  full 
grown,  bury  themselves  in  the  soil,  and  each  forms 
a  papery  cocoon  round  itself.  Within  this  it 
becomes  a  chrysalis,  from  which  the  saw  fly 
emerges  in  the  spring.  The  best  winter  treatment, 
therefore,  is  to  remove  the  soil  to  a  depth  of  about 
4  inches  from  under  the  bushes,  and  then  burn  it, 
or  bury  it  not  less  than  1  foot  below  the  surface,  so 
that  the  flies  will  not  be  able  to  reach  the  open  air 
when  they  leave  the  chrysalides.  The  earth  also 
may  be  spread  about  near  poultry,  which  will  soon 
pick  out  all  the  cocoons.  The  saw  flies  measure 
about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  across  the  wings, 
their  bodies  being  yellow,  with  a  black  patch 
between  the  wings.  Their  heads  are  black.  The 
grubs  when  full  grown  are  rather  more  than  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  of  a  greenish  grey 
colour,  covered  with  small  raised  black  dots,  from 
which  grow  fine  black  hairs  ;  the  cocoons  are  not 
quite  half  an  inch  in  length,  and  are  black  and 
papery. 

THE  MAGPIE  MOTH  (ABRAXAS 
GROSSULARIATA). 
The  caterpillars  of  this  common  moth  are  very 
destructive  to  the  foliage  of  Gooseberry  and  Currant 
bushes,  and  to  a  certain  extent  to  the  flowering 
Currant,  commonly  known  as  Ribes  and  Euonymus. 
They  are  often  confused  with  the  grubs  of  the 
Gooseberry  saw  fly,  and  it  is  certainly  curious  that 
there  should  be  a  considerable  similarity  in  their 
colouring,  for  both  are  of  a  pale  colour  with  black 
spots.  The  caterpillars  are,  however,  nearly  as 
large  again  as  the  saw  fly  grubs,  their  spots  are 
much  larger  in  proportion,  and  they  have  only  five 
pairs  of  legs,  while  the  grubs  have  ten  pairs. 
When  full  grown  they  bury  themselves  in  the  earth 
and  become  chrysalides,  while  the  caterpillars 
form  their  chrysalides  on  the  bushes.  It  is  im- 
portant to  note  these  differences,  as  after  an  attack 
the  winter  treatment,  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of 
of  the  insects  the  folUowing  season,  is  quite 
different.  As  soon  as  the  young  leaves  begin  to 
appear  in  the  spring,  the  caterpillars  which  have 
passed  the  winter  in  the  shelter  of  crumpled 
leaves  begin  their  work  of  destruction,  and  feed 
on  the  young  leaves  until  they  are  full  grown  in 
May  or  June.  Each  caterpillar  then  spins  a  thin 
web-like  cocoon  on  the  stems  or  among  the  leaves, 
within  which  they  become  chrysalides.  In  the 
course  of  about  a  month  the  moths  make  their 
appearance,  and  lay  their  eggs  near  the  midribs  of 
the  leaves.  The  caterpillars  are  soon  hatched,  and 
at  once  begin  to  feed  on  the  leaves.  They 
soon,  however,  spin  some  of  them  together, 
and  in  this  shelter  pass  the  winter  or  fall  to 
the  ground,  hiding  themselves  under  the  fallen 
leaves,  rubbish,  or  in  some  crack  in  the  soil. 
In  the  winter  all  fallen  dead  leaves  and 
rubbish  should  be  removed  from  under  the 
bushes  and  burnt,  and  any  dead  leaves  which 
have  not  fallen  with  the  others  should  be 
picked  off  and  destroyed,  as  they  often 
contain  caterpillars.  In  the  spring  or  summer, 
when  the  caterpillars  are  feeding  on  the 
leaves,  they  may  be  killed  by  dusting  the 
bushes  with  a  mixture  of  lime  and  soot  when 
the  foliage  is  wet,  or  spraying  with  quassia 
extract  and  soft  soap  or  paraffin  emulsion. 
These  remedies  should  not  be  used  too  late 
in  the  season,  or  they  will  give  the  fruit  an 
unpleasant  flavour. 

The  moths  fly  very  slowly,  and  may  easily 
be  caught  in  a  butterfly  net.     They  vary  in 
colour     from     black    to     nearly    white,     and 
are   usually   creamy   white,  with  black   spots,    as 
shown  in  the  figure.     The  caterpillars,  when  full 
grown,  are  about  IJ  inches  in  length,  and  of  a  pale 
buff  colour  with  black  spots,  whilst  the  chrysalis  is 
black  with  yellow  bands. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor  is   not    responnihle    for  the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents. ) 


SEEDLING  DAFFODILS. 
[To    THE    Editor    of    "The    Garden."] 

SI  R, — If  the  advice  offered  to  Mr.  (jaunt  by 
"  Hortensis  "  (page  370)  for  the  speedier 
increase  of  valuable  Daffodils  were  effica- 
cious it  would  make  matters  comfortably 
easy  for  all  growers.  His  recipe  is  simple 
— viz.,  to  retain  every  flower  of  a  scarce 
variety,  self-fertilise  it,  and  sow  the  seed,  nothing 
else  being  required  but  waiting.  Unfortunately, 
the  experience  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in 
raising  seedlings  has  shown  me  (1)  that  the  varieties 
which  can  be  depended  upon  to  produce  seed  at  all 
are  in  a  quite  small  minority,  (2)  that  ?io  garden 
Narcissus,  so  far  as  I  know,  reproduces  itself 
exactly  from  seed  when  self-fertilised. 

G.  H.  Engleheart. 


APPLE  LANE'S  PRINCE  ALBERT. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — I  agree  with  all  "  A.  H.  P."  says  of  this  Apple 
(page  369).  I  know  one  very  successful  Apple  grower 
who  has  a  large  stock  growing  as  half-standard-i, 
a  form  of  training  to  which  it  is  especially  adapted. 
This  Apple  is  so  free  bearing  that  if  there  are 
Apples  at  all,  Lane's  Prince  Albert  is  sure  to  have 
its  share.  Even  when  carrying  a  heavy  crop  it  is 
surprising  to  what  size  the  fruit  will  swell,  espe- 
cially if  a  little  assistance  is  given  in  the  shape  of  a 
mulching  of  half-decayed  stable  manure  over  a 
sprinkle  of  some  approved  fertiliser,  such  at  Thom- 
son's Vine  Manure.  E.  M. 


FRUIT  IN  BRITAIN. 
[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — The  excellent  leader  in  The  Garden  of 
May  28  on  "The  Outlook  for  Fruit"  gives  much 
food  for  thought.  We  had  in  the  past  season  room 
for  some  despondency.  Fairest  hopes  and  expecta- 
tions were  fatally  cut  down  in  a  single  week,  and 
nothing  could  be  done  but  to  make  the  best  of  it 
and  prepare  as  well  as  might  be  for  another  year. 
To-day,  having  now  surely,  as  we  may  believe, 
passed  the  critical  period,  once  more  we  are 
rejoicing  in  hope.  But  you  have  wisely  sounded  a 
warning  note.  It  may  seem  to  be  the  irony  of  fate, 
but  from  the  earliest  times  too  much  has  always 
been  as  much  or  even  more  of  a  curse  than  too 
little.  I  do  not  pretend  to  any  great  technical 
knowledge  or  experience,  but,  looking  at  the 
matter  from  an  outsider's  point  of  view,  the  ques- 
tion arises  in  one's  mind.  Why  should  a  glut  of 
fruit  ever  be  permitted  ?  Is  there— I  a-sk  simply 
tor  information — any  insurmountable  difficulty  in 
the  way  of  thinning  out  crops  of  outdoor  orchard 


MAGPIE    MOTH. 

(1.  Muth.    2.  Caterpillar.    S.  Chrysalis.) 

fruit?  Over  and  over  again  I  have  asked  this 
question,  and  the  answer  has  always  been  the  same 
— Impossible.  Now,  impossible  is  a  word  which 
may  be  spelt  with  very  different  letters.  There 
may  be  difficulties  which  for  the  present  seem  hard 


418 


THE    GARDEN. 


rJuNE   11,  1904. 


to  overcome  ;  yet  surely  time  and  ingenuity,  and) 
above  all,  a  determined  will,  find  a  way  out  of  most 
troubles. 

Fifty  years  ago  or  thereabouts  gloom  overspread 
the  Vine-growing  districts  of  the  world.  The 
deadly  scourge  of  ph3'lloxera  which  had  appeared, 
but  had  not  before  made  itself  dreaded,  suddenly 
assumed  portentous  proportions  and  threatened 
the  extinction  of  the  Grape  crops.  Did  the  growers 
sit  down  and  wail  and  wring  their  hands  and  leave 
the  Vines  to  chance  ?  The  vineyards  of  the  world 
to-day  are  the  best  answer  to  that  futile  question. 

Why  should  not  Apples  and  Pears  be  thinned 
with  as  much  attention  as  bunches  of  Grapes  under 
glass  are  thinned  ?  As  a  matter  of  fact,  in  some 
Vine-growing  countries  certain  portions  of  the 
vineyards  are  set  apart  and  the  bunches  regularly 
thinned  for  the  production  of  table  fruit,  which,  of 
course,  fetches  a  much  higher  price  than  that 
intended  for  the  wine-press. 

I  should  like  to  put  on  record  a  case  in  point 
which  has  happened  this  very  last  season.  Some 
extensive  orchards  in  Cape  Colony  early  in  the  year 
showed  promise  of  an  extra  heavy  crop,  so  heavy, 
indeed,  that  it  was  suggested  that  thinning  would 
be  labour  well  spent ;  advice  which  was  not  listened 
to,  on  account  of  hands  being  none  too  plentiful. 
Nature,  however,  took  the  matter  into  her  own 
keeping.  About  midway  towards  ripening  a  sudden 
storm  of  wind  blew  down  literally  tons  of  Apples 
and  Pears,  and  the  wreck  seemed  almost  irreparable. 
But  what  has  been  the  outcome  of  the  apparent 
disaster?  The  yield  of  splendid  fruit  of  all  kinds 
has  been  unexampled,  so  that  the  season  of  1904 
has  been  a  record  one,  both  on  account  of  output 
and  quality.  Apples  and  Pears  weighing  from  21b. 
to  31o.  each  have  been  the  average,  whilst  much  of 
the  fruit  has  reached  even  a  greater  weight.  Such 
an  occurrence  points  its  own  lesson. 

We  may  not  be  able  in  England  to  grow  such  fine 
samples  of  fruit.  Perhaps  it  is  not  altogether  de- 
sirable that  we  should  ;  but  we  can  produce  at  home 
as  good  and  well-flavoured  Apples  and  Pears  as 
need  be  wished  for,  and  judicious  thinning,  as  we 
all  know,  is  one  most  essential  point  of  culture  in 
obtaining  them.  Cherries  and  Plums  present 
greater  difficulties,  possibly,  in  the  way  of  thinning 
than  Apples  and  Pears  ;  but  even  with  these  the 
work  is  not  beyond  the  bounds  of  possibility.  We 
gather  green  Gooseberries,  leaving  sufficient  to  ripen 
lor  the  mature  crop,  and  so  make  profitable  use  of 
what  are  practically  thinnings.  Where  extensive 
Nut  coppices  exist  the  young  bunches  used  formerly 
to  be  thinned  out — and  may  be  still — for  the  good  of 
the  future  crop,  and  were  saleable  for  the  dye  which 
could  be  extracted  from  the  green  "  hulls."  There 
is  no  waste  in  Nature,  and  probably  some  economic 
use  other  than  for  the  pig-tub  might  be  found  for 
green  Apples  and  smaller  unripe  fruit.  In  any  case, 
it  is  a  question  which  may  be  worth  asking  once  again 
of  practical  men,  whether  it  is  altogether  impossible 
to  thin  out  the  superabundant  settings  of  fruit  on 
orchard  trees,  so  as  to  ensure,  as  far  as  may  be,  a 
sufficient,  yet  not  over  abundant,  market  crop  of 
even  size  and  good  quality? 

The  other  point  raised  in  your  admirable  article 
— of  the  convenient  and  quick  distribution  of 
perishable  fruit  crops  at  reasonable  rates — is 
brought  forward  none  too  soon.  Many  and  deep 
are  the  growls  which  we  utter  against  the  railway 
companies  ;  but  is  it  always  their  fault  that  small 
lots  of  perishable  goods,  involving  much  additional 
expense  and  trouble,  are  charged  at  prohibitive 
rates?  The  lack  of  co-operative  organisation  is  at 
the  bottom  of  a  good  deal  of  the  injustice  to  home 
producers  which  is  so  often  the  theme  of  bitter  com- 
plaints. The  Englishman  is  not  a  gregarious 
animal ;  he  prefers  keeping  himself  to  himself,  and 
brooks  no  interference.  Foreigners  are  sociable  by 
nature  and  have  no  objection  to  combine,  and  so  in 
many  ways  they  get  on  more  successfully  than  we 
do.  For  example,  they  collect  their  marketable 
produce  from  many  contributors  and  send  it  in  bulk 
to  our  shores,  which  enables  our  railway  companies 
to  transmit  their  goods  at  the  lower  rate,  which 
gives  so  much  ofience  to  their  British  customers. 
In  time  we  shall  doubtless  do  the  same  as  our 
neighbours  across  the  silver  streak ;  but  how  slow 
we  are  to  learn  ! 


Forewarned  is  forearmed.  Is  it  impossible,  with 
a  prospective  season  of  glut  ahead,  to  see  to  it  in 
time,  so  far  as  human  foresight  and  energy  can, 
that  our  Apples  and  Pears  do  not  crowd  themselves 
in  miserable  clusters  of  four  or  six  together  where 
there  should  be  but  one  perfect  fruit  ?  And  is  it 
beyond  the  power  of  British  capacity,  in  these  da3'3 
of  motor  conveyance,  to  contrive  some  plan  of  dis- 
tributing produce  to  provincial  and  rural  centres 
where  fruit  would  find  ready  buyers  at  remunera- 
tive, if  not  fancy,  prices,  instead  of  flooding  the 
big  markets  with  an  overstock  of  perishable  goods  ? 
A  glut  in  the  market  should  be  unknown  in  our 
midst,  for  surely  it  is  a  disgrace  to  the  intelligence 
and  the  business  capacity  of  men  who  profess  to 
make  their  living  by  the  produce  of  the  land  ; 
whilst  we  need  say  nothing  of  the  ingratitude  which 
it  proves,  by  wasteful  want  of  care  and  forethought, 
towards  the  beneficent  Providence  that  has  granted 
an  abundant  and  fruitful  harvest.         Industria. 


ORCHIDS. 


NOTES    ON    ORCHIDS. 

THE     Dictionnaire     Icmiographique     des 
Orchideex    for    May   contains   coloured 
plates  of  the  following  : — 
Stauropsis  fasciata. — A  rare  species, 
introduced    in    1872,   from  where  it  is 
not   exactly   known.      It  is  known   to 
grow   in    Siam,    and   is    cultivated    at   Singapore. 
Sepals    and    petals    marone-brown,    marked    with 
transverse  bands  of  pale  yellow,  lip  white. 

Oncidiu7n  superbie7ts. — Native  of  New  Grenada, 
where  it  grows  at  an  altitude  of  2,700  feet  to 
3,000  feet.  First  discovered  by  Pardie  about  18-13. 
Messrs.  Veitch  introduced  this  Orchid  in  1871,  and 
it  flowered  with  them  the  following  year  for  the 
first  time. 

Lieiio-Cattleya  digbyano-Mossia;  var.  splendens. — 
In  this  variety  the  sepals  are  bright  rose-purple, 
with  deeper  coloured  lines  ;  the  large,  handsome 
lip  is  yellow  or  greenish  yellow,  faintly  tinged 
with  red,  and  has  a  border  of  rose-purple.  M. 
Peeters  of  Brussels  raised  this  variety. 

Dt7idrobium  Cvelogyne. — This  curious  species, 
very  different  in  appearance  from  all  the  other 
Dendrobiums  generally  grown,  grows  wild  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Moulmein.  It  was  introduced 
to  Europe  about  1871,  but  appears  still  to  be  very 
rare  in  cultivation.  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co. 
exhibited  it  in  London  in  1894  and  again  in  1899, 
when  an  award  of  merit  was  given  to  it.  The 
long,  narrow,  pointed  sepals  are  yellowish  green, 
and  covered  with  violet-purple  spots  ;  the  petals 
are  of  the  same  colour  and  almost  of  the  same 
form,  but  rather  shorter  and  narrower.  The  three- 
lobed  lip  is  shorter  than  the  sepals,  deep  violet 
purple. 

C'ypripedium  Memoria  Foumieri. — A  very  attrac- 
tive flower,  the  result  of  a  cross  between  C.  Exu! 
and  C.  Boxalli  and  intermediate  between  the  two 
parents.  The  dorsal  sepal  is  heavily  marked  with 
violet-purple  upon  a  ground  colour  of  green  in  the 
centre  and  white  near  the  margin. 

Cattleya  F.  W.  Wigan. — A  hybrid,  obtained  at 
Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  between  C.  schilleriana 
and  C.  dowiana  aurea,  that  bears  a  great  resem- 
blance to  C.  Whitei,  whose  parents  are  C.  schil- 
leriana and  C.  Warneri,  the  latter  itself  closely 
related  to  C.  dowiana. 

Catthya  Bembrandt. — A  hybrid  raised  by  M.  Ch. 
Maron,  Brunoy,  between  C.  labiata  and  C.  elongata. 
This  hybrid  has  several  characters  intermediate — 
plainly  intermediate — between  the  two  parents,  but 
it  nevertheless  much  resembles  C.  elongata. 

C'atlleya  pUtiana.  —  A  hybrid  between  C. 
dowiana  aurea  and  C.  granulosa  schofieldiana, 
raised  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  H.  T.  Pitt,  Stamford 
Hill,  N. ,  where  it  flowered  for  the  first  time  in 
1902.  The  flowers  are  very  curious  ;  they  resemble 
C.  granulosa  in  general  form,  shape  of  the  lip,  and 
largely  in  the  lint  of  sepals  and  petals  ;  but  they 
are  as  large  as  those  of  C.  dowiana,  whose  influence 
is  also  seen  in  the  form  of  petals,  the  size  and 
bright  colouring  of  the  lip. 


Cattleya  Peelersii. — C.  hardyana  and  C.  labiata 
are  the  parents  of  this  hybrid,  which  flowered  for 
the  first  time  in  1902.  In  general  form  the  flowers 
resemble  those  of  C.  hardyana,  but  their  colour 
more  recalls  C.  labiata.  Raised  by  M.  A.  A. 
Peeters. 

Cattleya  Imperator. — This  Cattlej'a,  considered 
to  be  a  natural  lij  brid  between  C.  labiata  and  C. 
granulosa,  was  introduced  in  1896  from  Brazil. 
There  is  a  certain  resemblance  to  C.  Victoria 
Regina,  but  the  flowers  are  much  larger  and  of 
brighter  colouring. 

Catthya  Fabia  var.  vigeriaHa. — C.  Fabia,  a  hybrid 
between  C.  labiata  and  C.  dowiana,  was  raised  by 
Messrs.  Veitch  of  Chelsea,  and  shown  by  them  in 
1894.  The  variety  vigeriana  is  the  result  of  an 
inverse  cross,  C.  dowiana  aurea  x  C.  labiata 
flammea. 

Cattleya  Enid.  —  Also  a  hybrid  obtained  by 
Messrs.  Veitch  between  C.  Mossiaj  and  C.  Warsce- 
wiczii,  showing  well  the  characters  of  both  parents. 

Cattleya  Cogniauxii. — M.  Peeters  of  Brussels 
obtained  this  hybrid  by  crossing  C.  guttata  with 
C.  labiata  Peetersii.  It  partakes  more  or  less  of 
the  characters  of  both  parents,  though  partaking 
more  of  C.  labiata. 


WOBK    FOR    THE    WEEK. 

BULBOPHTLLUM   BABBIGERnM. 

This  quaint  and  fascinating  Orchid,  now  passing 
out  of  flower,  should  be  given  a  short  rest  by 
giving  much  less  water.  When  the  new  growth 
starts  away  the  supply  must  be  gradually  increased. 
The  position  afforded  should  be  extremely  hot  and 
moist,  such  an  one  as  a  well-made  propagating 
house  would  give,  where  it  would  also  have  the 
benefit  derived  from  heavy  shade  during  the  bright 
part  of  the  year.  Potting  is  best  done  just  when 
the  new  growths  are  visible  in  a  compost  of  equal 
parts  of  fibrous  peat  and  sphagnum,  non-perforated 
shallow  pans  being  the  most  suitable  receptacles 
for  them.  Fill  them  half  full  with  chopped 
rhizomes.  I  do  not  repot  unless  the  compost  is 
sour,  but  the  surface  material  should  be  annually 
removed  and  fresh  substituted  for  the  new  roots 
to  take  hold  of.  When  the  new  growth  is  com- 
pleted reduce  the  supply  of  water,  simply  giving 
enough  to  maintain  the  plants  from  shrivelling, 
and  this  course  should  be  followed  till  the  flower- 
spike  is  visible. 

BULBOPHYLLUM    LoBBI. 

This  is  also  worth  room  in  every  collection,  and, 
being  a  much  better  grower,  is  more  often  met 
with.  The  necessary  potting  may  be  performed 
when  the  flowering  season  is  over.  The  new 
growths  are  often  produced  at  the  same  time  as 
the  flowers.  Plants  that  have  overgrown  their 
pans  should  have  the  leading  parts  taken  away  and 
potted  up  separately.  The  back  portion  of  the 
plant  will  soon  produce  new  leads  if  left  undis- 
turbed, and  the  Slock  is  thereby  increased  and  kept 
young.  The  same  compost  is  suitable,  but  the 
receptacles  should  be  large  enough  to  allow  of  two 
years'  growth.  The  best  plants  are  those  made  up 
of  several  good  leads. 

OnCIDIUM    PaI'ILIO    and    0.    KRAMERIANUM. 

These  two  beautiful  Orchids  are  now  starting 
into  growth,  and  those  that  require  repotting 
should  be  taken  in  hand.  If  this  is  not  needed 
resurfacing  will  prove  very  beneficial,  using  the 
same  compost  as  used  for  the  Bulboph}'llum.  The 
hottest  and  shadiest  position  in  the  stove  Orchid 
house  meets  their  requirements.  Freely  syringe 
them  during  the  growing  season.  All  spikes  on 
weakly  plants  should  be  removed  as  soon  as  they 
are  visible. 

WOODLICE. 

These  are  among  the  most  difficult  insects  to 
eradicate  once  they  have  obtained  a  hold.  At  this 
season,  when  so  many  Orchids  are  emitting  new 
roots,  they  do  great  damage,  consequently  the  new 
growths  do  not  obtain  the  support  they  should  have 
had,  and  a  weaker  and  smaller  growth  is  the  result. 
Hollowed  out  Potatoes  are  good  traps,  looking  over 
them  the  last  thing  at  night  and  first  thing  in  the 
morning.     We  have  also  found   West's   Woodlice 


June  11,  1904.] 


THE     GARDEN. 


419 


Poison  a  great  help  in  keeping  them  down.  When 
a  plant  is  known  to  be  full  of  them  the  best  and 
safest  cure  is  to  immerse  it  gradually  in  a  vessel  of 
tepid  water.  This  will  drive  them  out,  when  they 
can  be  easily  caught.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Oatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


NOTES     FROM     THE 
MARKETS. 


SWEET  PEAS.— Many  growers  now  have 
these  under  glass,  and  they  are  quite 
abundant.  Some  of  the  best  bright 
colours  and  the  best  whites  sell  well,  but 
those  of  undecided  shades  are  less 
sought  for  ;  the  cost  of  seed  is  not  very 
great  for  the  best  new  varieties,  and  it  would  pay 
all  growers  to  note  the  most  useful  and  grow  only 
the  finest.  Among  the  whites  Dorothy  Eckford  is 
decidedly  the  best,  but  Sadie  Burpee  is  also  very 
good  and  one  of  the  most  free  flowering.  Scarlet 
Gem  is  a  great  advance  on  all  other  scarlets. 
Coccinea  is  good  and  comes  very  early  In  mauve, 
which  is  still  a  favourite  colour,  there  seems  nothing 
better  than  Lady  Grisel  Hamilton.  Under  glass 
this  is  excellent.  Dorothy  Terinant  is  a  little  deeper 
in  colour.  Miss  Willmott  is  by  far  the  finest  deep 
pink,  and  Prima  Donna  blush  pink  of  a  pretty 
shade. 

Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium  for  cut  bloom.  —  The 
pink  Ivy-leaved  Geranium  is  now  more  used  than 
formerly,  and  one  grower,  Mr.  Fisher,  is  sending 
in  a  very  pretty  mauve  variety  which  sells  readily. 
Mr.  Fisher  holds  the  entire  stock  of  this,  which  is 
one  of  his  own  raising,  and  he  grows  it  extensively 
for  cut  bloom  only. 

Pelargonium  {show)  Eucharin,  a  pure  white 
vrith  just  a  faint  pink  on  the  upper  petals,  is  a  fine 
variety  for  cutting,  as  it  makes  long  flower-stems. 
Growers  who  have  tried  it  all  speak  in  its  favour. 

Pyrethrumi),— There  is  now  a  very  large  supply 
coming  in;;  the  single  crimson  and  the  pink  are 
very  good.  These  sell  much  better  than  the 
double  varieties. 

Marguerite  Coronation. — Some  growers  are  doing 
well  with  this,  but  it  will  never  quite  take  the  place 
of  the  old  favourite.  It  is  rather  inclined  to  run 
up  thin,  and  after  a  little  shaking  about  the  flowers 
do  not  stand  up  well,  but  it  should  be  worth 
growing  for  cutting.  The  flowers  are  of  the  purest 
white,  and  the  gilded  florets  in  the  centre  do 
away  with  the  yellow  disc.  The  ordinary  white 
Marguerites  are  as  much  appreciated  as  ever,  and 
it  is  surprising  what  quantities  go  through  the 
market.  The  young,  clean-grown  plants  sell  readily 
for  window-boxes,  and  the  larger  bushy,  well- 
flowered  plants  are  used  extensively  for  decorations. 

A.  Hemsley. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL  BOTANIC  SOCIETY. 
In  fine  weather  and  amid  delightful  surroundings  the  grand 
horticultural  exhibition  organised  by  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society  was  held  from  June  6  to  11  in  the  grounds  of  the 
society,  Regent's  Park.  Numerous  special  tents  had  been 
erected,  and  these  contained  groups  of  plants,  flowers,  and 
fruits  very  similar  to  those  exhibited  at  the  Temple  show. 
The  large  conservatory  also  contained  many  displays  of 
plants  and  flowers,  while  the  corridor  was  devoted  to  Nature 
study  exhibits  and  other  objects  of  an  educational  nature. 
Out  of  doors  groups  of  trees  and  shrubs  were  arranged,  as 
well  as  exhibits  of  garden  vases,  greenhouses,  lawn  mowers, 
and  other  useful  appliances.  Several  tents  were  filled  with 
miscellaneous  objects,  such  as  boilers,  heating  apparatus, 
horticultural  sundries,  &c.  The  display  of  Rhododendrons 
by  Messrs.  John  Waterer  and  Son,  Limited,  Bagshot 
(described  elsewhere),  formed  one  of  the  most  attractive 
features  of  the  exhibition. 

On  Saturday  evening  last  Mr.  C.  Brin«ley-M"arlay  presided 
at  a  dinner  held  in  the  club  rooms.  He  was  supported  by 
Lord  Redesdale,  Sir  Henry  Truman  \Vood,  Sir  John  Cockburn, 
and  members  of  the  exhibition  committee.  Altogether 
about  fifty  persons  were  present.  Mr.  Brinsley-Marlay  said 
that  the  Royal  Botanic  Society  intended  to  provide  what 
was  apparently  unobtainable  elsewhere,  i.e.,  a  general 
horticultural  exhibition,  at  which  everything  that  was  of 
value  in  the  garden  might  be  gathered  together.  Lord 
Redesdale,  in  proposing  the  toast  of  "Success  to  the 
Exhibition  and  the  Royal  Botanic  Society,"  said  that  to 
make  the  exhibition  a  success  only  fine  weather  and  a  good 


attendance  were  necessary.  As  to  the  Royal  Botanic  Society, 
said  Lord  Redesdale,  it  was  already  a  success  ;  it  possessed 
advantages  such  as  no  other  society  in  the  world  at  present 
had.  Itseemed  to  him  that  the  present  policy  of  the  aocieiy 
should  be  continued. 

Plants  and  Flowers. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Woreeater,  exhibited  a  fine 
display  of  trained  Clematis  specimens.  All  were  finely 
flowered,  and  made  a  brave  show.  Rose  Crimson  Rambler, 
Acers,  and  Ererauri  added  to  the  attractiveness  of  this  group. 
Polypodium  smithianura  (new)  and  Clematis  Enid  (new), 
pale  pink,  with  deeper  pink  veining,  were  included. 

Messrs.  T.  Rivers  and  Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  exhibited  a 
large  group  of  fruit  trees  in  pots,  Peaches,  Plums,  and  Nec- 
tarines chiefly.  All  were  carrying  excellent  crops  of  fruit, 
but  especially  fine  were  Nectarines  Cardinal  and  Early 
Rivers',  Peaches  JEarly  York  and  Peregrine,  and  Plums 
Curlew  and  Golden  Transparent  Gage. 

Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts,  had 
a  delightful  group  of  Roses  in  pots.  They  filled  the  central 
half  of  one  tent,  and  proved  a  great  attraction.  Among 
them  Waltham  Rambler,  Dorothy  Perkins,  and  Crimson 
Rambler  were  very  pretty,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of 
Teas,  Hybrid  Teas,  and  Hybrid  Perpetuals.  Boadicea,  Prince 
de  Bulgarie,  and  Pharisaer  were  very  beautiful  among  many 
others  eijually  so. 

Mr.  Maurice  Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants,  showed  hand- 
some bunches  of  Pyrethrums,  Poppies,  Irises,  and  other 
showy  fiowers. 

Messrs.  J.  Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  S.E.,  exhibited  a 
group  of  tuberous  Begonias  in  many  beautiful  colours. 
Singles,  doubles,  and  other  forms  were  shown.  Gloxinias 
and  Streptocarpuses  bordered  the  ends  of  the  group. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield,  N.,  exhibited  a  showy 
group  of  Orchids,  composed  chiefly  of  Cattleya  Mossiai, 
Lffilia  purpurata,  Odontuglossum  crispum,  and  Dendrobium 
Bensoniffi.  Cattleya  Mossite  Wagnerii,  with  white  sepals  and 
petals,  bearing  four  flowers,  was  included. 

Messrs.  William  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate,  K,  showed 
a  handsome  group  effectively  arranged  of  Malmaison  Carna- 
tions, blue  Hydrangeas,  Tree  Carnations,  yellow  Callas, 
Lilium  Henryi,  &c.  Me=srs.  Cutbush  also  showed  Eremuri, 
Liliuras,  rrolllus,  Pyrethrums,  and  other  hardy  flowers  in 
variety. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  exhi' 
hited  a  beautiful  lot  of  hardy  flowers  that  included  Irises, 
Pyrethrums,  Poppies,  Liliums,  Heucheras,  Delphiniums, 
hardy  Orchids,  Peonies,  Gladioli,  and  many  more,  making  a 
most  effective  displav. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  N.,  made  a  brilliant 
display  with  hardy  flowers,  such  as  Poppies,  Pyrethrums, 
Irises,  Saxifrages,  Water  Lilies,  Preonies,  Geums,  and  many 
other  things— wonderful  banks  of  colour. 

Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon,  Twerton  Hill  Nursery, 
Bath,  showed  some  beautiful  tuberous  Begonias,  the  doubles 
being  especially  fine. 

Among  the  Roses  from  Mr.  George  Prince,  Longworth, 
Berks,  were  Red  Copper  Briar  and  Single  Yellow  Briar,  both 
very  beautiful,  Paul's  Carmine  Pillar,  Marie  van  Houtte, 
Bardou  Job,  as  well  as  many  single  blooms  of  Teas  and 
Hybrid  Teas. 

Messrs.  Watkins  and  Simpson,  Tavistock  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  W.C,  had  a  very  pretty  group  of  hardy  annual 
flowers  in  great  variety. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co. ,  Rothesay.  N.  B. ,  showed  a  delightful 
lot  of  Aquilegias  in  many  beautiful  shades  of  colour,  and 
showing  well  the  great  improvement  in  these  fiowers. 

Messrs.  John  Peed  and  Son,  West  Norwood,  S.E.,  showed 
blooms  of  Gloxinias  and  Streptocarpuses  in  rich  colours. 
The  Caladiums  from  this  firm  made  an  imposing  exhibit, 
filling  the  end  of  one  tent.  The  plants  were  well  grown  and 
boldly  arranged,  and  many  of  the  varieties  were  finely 
coloured.  Messrs.  Peed  also  showed  a  small  group  of 
tuberous  Begonias. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield, 
exhibited  a  large  group  of  Malmaison  Carnations  in  numerous 
varieties,  as  well  as  Agapanthus  umbellatus  variegatus. 
Heaths,  &c.  Messrs.  Low  also  exhibited  Kig  trees  and  Vines 
in  pots. 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Surrey,  exhibited 
Cucumbers,  Tomatoes,  and  Melons  in  several  different 
varieties.  Seed-bearing  fruits  of  Cucumbers  Progress  and 
Improved  Telegraph  were  included.  Among  the  Tomatoes, 
Perfection,  Winter  Beauty,  and  Lister's  Prolific  were  of 
attractive  appearance  and  useful  size. 

Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  Devon,  exhibited  a  group  of 
Oriental  Poppies  in  several  sorts.  The  same  exhibitor  made 
a  bright  show  with  fancy  and  zonal  Pelargoniums  in 
numerous  pretty  varieties. 

Mr.  George  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  showed  a  group  of 
hardy  plants,  among  which  we  I'oticed  Sarracenia,  flava,  S. 
californica,  Pyrethrums,  Irises.  Orchises,  Linarias,  &c. 

A  dinner  table  decorated  with  I'ink  Malmaison  and  other 
CarnEitions  by  Messrs.  Searcy,  T^nsley  and  Co.,  Limited, 
IS.  Sloane  Street,  was  much  admired. 

Hardy  flowers  from  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited,  Feltham, 
made  a  good  display,  such  as  Irises,  Poppies,  Preonies, 
Ererauri,  and  many  more  being  reprpsented. 

Messrs.  James  Carter  and  Co.,  High  Holborn,  exhibited 
Spificacompactamultiflora,  Verbenas,  Gloxinias,  Mignonette, 
and  other  popular  garden  flowers. 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent,  set  up  a  group 
of  Cacti  in  many  curious  and  interesting  forms. 

Messrs.  W.  and  J.  Brown,  Stamford,  Peterborough,  showed 
a  miscellaneous  group  of  flowering  plants,  such  as  Carnations, 
Heliotrope,  Pelargoniums,  &c. 

Specimens  of  New  Smith  Wales  timber,  wines,  and  fruits 
were  exhibited  by  the  New  South  Wales  Government,  33  and 
35,  Eastcheap,  E.C. 

A  collection  of  bottled  fruits,  agricultural  products,  wines, 
&c.,  was  also  exhibited  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Victoria,  Australia. 

A  collection  of  West  Indian  fruits,  that  comprised  Pine- 
apples, Grape  Fruits,  Lemons,   Oranges,  Mangoes,   Prickly 


Pears,  Limes,  Yams,  and  Sapodillas,  wis  exhibited  (by  the 
West  Indian  section  of  the  Royal  Mail  Steam^. Packet 
Company. 

Apples  from  South  Australia  included  the  varieties  CJeo- 
patia,  Rome  Beauty,  and  Dunn's  Seedling,  the  first  men- 
tioned being  a  very  handsome  pale  yellow  fruit,  with  blush 
tinge.     South  Australian  wines  were  also  exhibited.       -  iT 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and  Suns,  Crawley,  exhibited  a  rockery 
planted  with  alpines,  and  also  groups  of  hardy  flowers,  such 
as  Piconies,  Poppies,  Liliums,  Lychnis,  Irises,  tfec. 

Messrs.  Pollard  Brothers,  Wantage  PtOad  Nursery,  Lee, 
S.E.,  showed  bedding  Pelargoniums. 

Miscellaneous. 

Garden  vases  were  shown  by  Messrs.  Liberty  and  |.Co., 
Regent  Street,  in  many  ((uaint  and  attractive  forms. 

Messrs.  Charles  P.  Kinnell  and  Co.,  .Southwark  Street, 
S.E.,  showed  boilers,  piping,  valves,  grating,  hose,  and 
other  details  of  horticultural  engineering. 

Slessrs.  Champion  and  Co.,  115,  City  Road,  E.C,  showed 
their  well  known  tubs  for  shrubs.  These  tubs  are  hand- 
somely finished,  and  make  ideal  receptacles  for  large  plants. 

Messrs.  J.  T.  Anderson  and  Son,  Limited,  Commercial 
Street,  E.C,  showed  various  horticultural  sundries,  such  as 
pruning  knives,  scissors,  gloves,  silver  sand,  stakes,  labels, 
raffia,  &c. 

The  Pattisson  Patent  Lawn  Boots  were  shown  by  Mr.  H, 
Pattisson,  1,  Farm  Avenue,  Streatham,  S.W, 

Fenlon's  Patent  Gas  and  Oil  Boilers  for  conservatories, 
(fee,  were  shown  by  Messrs.  Fenlon  and  Co.,  Tudor  Street, 
Whitefriars,  E.C  Fenlon's  "  Unique"  Radiator,  with  gas  or 
oil  as  fuel,  will  heat  a  room  12  feet  square  with  only  one 
burner.     It  requires  no  fiue  and  is  odourless. 

Messrs.  Corry  and  Co.,  Limited,  Shad  Thames,  S.E., 
exhibited  a  display  of  various  horticultural  and  agricultural 
sundries,  such  as  lawn  sand,  "  Niquas  "  for  destroying  insect 
pests,  artificial  manures,  vaporisers,  &c. 

Messrs.  Tomlinson  and  Hayward,  Limited,  Lincoln,  exhi- 
bited "Eureka"  Weed  Killer,  "Eureka"  Insecticide,  summer 
shade,  &c. 

Messrs.  James  Keith  and  Blackman,  Limited,  27,  Farring- 
don  Avenue,  showed  their  Patent  "E"  Type  Boiler.  This 
type  of  boiler,  with  cleaning  doors,  and  arranged  with  steel 
drum  or  dome  on  top,  and  re*urn  circulating  pipe,  forms  an 
excellent  small  steam  boiler  for  low  pressure,  with  the  water 
and  steam  line  away  from  all  cast  iron  work. 

Junofloris,  a  preparation  for  preserving  cut  flowers  in 
water,  was  shown  by  Junofloris  Department,  95  and  96,  High 
Holborn,  W.C. 

Mr.  Richard  Anker,  Addison  Road  Nursery,  Napier  Road, 
Kensington,  exhibited  Cacti  in  small  lots. 

Wrought  welded  boilers  for  heating  apparatus  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  Hartley  and  Sugden,  Halifax. 

Original  Counter-current  Sectional  Boilers  for  greenhouses 
were  shown  by  Messrs.  White,  Child,  and  Beney,  Limited, 
62  and  63,  Queen  Street,  Cbeapaide,  E.C 

Messrs.  Messenger  and  Co.,  Limited,  Loughborough, 
showed  boilers  and  iron  and  glass  plant  protectors. 

Mr,  John  Pinches,  3,  Crown  Buildings,  Crown  Street, 
Camberwell,  S.E.,  showed  labels,  Acme  Bloom  Protector, 
horticultural  wire  work,  &c. 

Messrs.  Green  and  Son,  Southwark  Street,  S.E.,  exhibited 
lawn  mowers  of  various  sorts.  Green  s  Patent  "  Silens 
Messor"  Lawn  Mowers,  with  improved  solid  link  steel 
chains,  are  well  known  and  widely  used.  These  machines 
can  have  provision  made  for  working  them  either  with  or 
without  the  front  rollers,  and  also  for  having  a  loose 
cylinder  cover  fitted  on,  which  would  permit  the  grass  to  be 
delivered  behind  the  machine  when  it  is  wanted  to  work 
without  the  grass  box.  The  "  Silens  Messor  "  mowers  possess 
the  advantage  of  being  self  sharpening.  The  cutters  are 
steel  on  each  side  ;  when  they  become  dull  or  blunt  by 
running  one  way  round  the  cylinder  can  be  reversed  again 
and  again,  thus  bringing  the  unused  edse  against  the  bottom 
blade.     The  machine  will  then  cut  equal  to  new. 

Shanks'  Patent  Lawn  Mowers  were  exhibited  by  Messrs. 
Alex.  Shanks  and  Sons,  Limited,  Bush  Lane  House,  Cannon 
Street,  E.C.  One  of  the  features  of  Shanks'  Lawn  Mowers 
consists  in  their  being  fitted  with  steel  axle  springs,  thus 
affording  great  ease  to  the  gardener  in  working  the  machine, 
as  well  as  a  valuable  protection  to  the  machine  itself.  These 
springs,  which  are  protected  by  patent  and  are  peculiar  to 
Shanks'  mowers,  have  formed  one  of  the  most  valuable 
improvements  ever  introduced  to  the  lawn  mower. 

Stubb's  Fuel  Econoniisers  were  shown  by  the  Eflicient 
Lighting  and  Heating  Company,  2-2,  York  Place,  Portman 
Square,  W.  The  economisers  are  made  in  two  forms,  viz., 
a  waterway  tray  and  a  waterway  tube.  The  tray  can  be 
fixed  on  any  existing  horizontal  boiler,  and  the  tube  can  be 
used  wherever  there  is  a  space  of  5  feet  and  upwards  between 
the  end  of  the  boiler  and  the  chimney  flue.  Users  of  hot-water 
boilers  have  long  been  aware  of  the  great  loss  of  heat  which 
takes  place  under  existing  conditions.  No  matter  how 
efficient  the  boiler  may  be,  so  long  as  it  is  covered  by  a 
brick  arch  there  is  a  loss  exceeding  25  per  cent,  of  the  heat 
generated  bv  the  fuel.  This  great  waste  can  now  be  avoided 
by  fixing  on  the  top  of  the  builer  the  waterway  tray  in  place 
of  the  brick  arch,  and  then  covering  the  tray  with  non- 
cnnducting  material.  But  even  after  this  is  done  some  of 
the  heat  will  escape  up  the  chimney,  and  to  save  this  a  tube 
should  be  fixed  in  all  cases  where  there  is  room,  and  then  by 
dampering  at  the  end  of  this  tube,  instead  of  3  feet  or  4  feet 
up  the  chimney  flue,  practically  the  whole  of  the  heat 
generated  is  put  to  its  intended  purpose,  that  is,  heating 
water. 

Messrs.  Wallace  Brothers,  57,  Gracechurch  Street,  E.C, 
showed  the  "  Evertrusty"  Star  Machines  for  painting,  lime 
washing,  spraying,  &c.  These  machines  are  the  outcome  of 
many  years  experience,  and  thorough  and  practical  knowledge 
of  every  phase  of  the  subject  has  been  brought  to  bear  upon 
their  construction.  By  their  use  a  general  clean  up  can  be 
accomplished,  not  only  in  far  less  time,  but  also  much  more 
thoroughly  and  satisfactorily,  as  all  recesses,  crevices,  and 
obscure  corners  are  reached,  which  is  impossible  with  a 
brush.     The  machines  are  made  by  the  aid  of  every  modern 


420 


THE    GARDEN. 


June  11,  1904. 


facility,  under  the  moat  competent  3Upei'vision,  whereby 
cost  of  manufacture  is  minimised,  and  machines,  thoroughly 
reliable  and  first  class  in  every  way,  are  turned  out. 

The  Four  Oaks  Nursery  and  Garden  Sundries  Company, 
Sutton  Coldfleld,  Birmingham,  exhibited  their  tree  prunera 
in  various  sizes,  saws,  bill  hooks,  &c.,  also  the  .Erator 
Patent  Rotary  Manual  Cultivator,  recommended  as  a  substi- 
tute for  the  hoe.  The  Undentable  Syringes  made  by  this  firm 
were  also  shown.  These  syringes  have  received  the  approval  of 
many  eminent  practical  gardeners.  They  are  very  handsome 
in  appearance,  and  special  attention  has  been  given  to  all 
details  of  construction  and  finish.  They  are  guaranteed 
against  any  damage  by  indentation  of  the  working  barrel  fur 
a  period  of  three  years,  and  will  wear  many  years  longer 
than  any  syringe  of  ordinary  construction.  It  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that  even  the  best  quality  of  syringe  is  irre- 
trievably ruined  by  the  slightest  indentation  of  the  barrel, 
and  this  contingency  is  effectually  guarded  against  in  the 
Jour  Oaks  Undentable  Syringes. 

Mr.  John  Pinches,  3,  Crown  Buildings,  Crown  Street, 
Camberwell,  S.E.,  showed  the  Acme  Bloom  Protector  for 
protecting  blooms  of  Roses,  &c.,  as  well  as  a  quantity  of 
labels  in  many  forms. 

Mr.  J.  Brice  Bell,  Porchester  Road,  Bournemouth, 
exhibited  Anti  Haltica  Powder,  said  to  insure  immunity 
against  the  Turnip  fly,  and  to  be  a  sure  preventive  against 
attacks  of  wireworm. 

Messrs.  Messenger  and  Co.,  Loughborough,  had  on  view 
specimens  of  boilers,  notably  the  "  Quorn."  These  boilers 
^re  made  in  sections,  and  are  therefore  easily  handled,  and 
being  made  of  cast  iron  are  not  liable  to  corrode  like  wrought 
iron  boilers.  They  are  also  very  economical  in  the  con- 
sumption of  fuel.  To  obtain  the  best  results  they  recommend 
that  the  boiler  be  covered  with  a  non-conducting  material, 
and  Messrs.  Messenger  supply  a  special  composition  for  the 
purpose. 

Bruce's  Adjustable  Flower  Holders  were  shown  by  Mr.  A. 
Hemsley,  23,  Knowles  Hill  Crescent,  Lewisham,  S.E.  The 
flower-stems  are  placed  through  the  two  perforations  in  any 
position  required,  and  if  any  short-stemmed  flowers  are 
required  for  the  centre  the  desired  efltect  is  obtained  by 
heightening  or  lowering  the  water  tube  attached  to  wire  rod. 

The  Acme  Chemical  Company,  Limited,  Tonbrido-e  Kent 
showed  specimens  of  the  "Acme"  Weed  Killer,  also  zinc 
labels  in  variety. 

Beetlcute,  said  to  be  an  infallible  beetle,  cockroach,  and 
ant  exterminator,   was    shown    by  Messrs.  Vails  and  Co 
16,  Coleman  Street,  E.G. 

The  Rosmarine  Manufacturing  Company,  London,  S.E  , 
exhibited  "Petal  Dust,"  a  floral  disinfectant  and  a  safe- 
guard against  the  ravages  of  moths. 

Price's  Patent  Candle  Company,  Limited,  showed  Gishurst 
Compound  for  preventing  and  destroying  red  spider,  thrip, 
mealy  bug.  &c.     Also  Gishurstine  and  other  preparations. 

Mr.  J.  Williams,  Oxford  Road,  Ealing,  W.,  showed  the 
Rural  Flower  Supporter  for  placing  in  glass  or  metal  bowls. 

Among  the  exhibits  from  Messrs.  Merryweather  and  Sons 
Long  Acre,  W.c.,  were  the  "  Greenwich  Gem "  Double 
€ylmder  Steam  Fire  Engine,  of  a  capacity  of  300  gallons  per 
minute,  for  the  protection  of  the  show  against  fire; 
"Valiant"  Light  Portable  Steam  Pumping  and  Fire  Engine 
for  country  estates;  New  Patent  Portable  "Waterspout" 
-Centrifugal  Pump,  driven  by  petrol  motor,  for  drainage  and 
irrigation  ;  New  Patent  Rotary  Lift  and  Force  Pump,  driven 
by  petrol  motor,  for  watering,  spraying,  filling  tanks,  &c.  : 
New  Patent  Portable  "  Hatfield  "  High  Speed  Pump,  driven 
■by  petrol  motor,  for  fire  extinction,  watering,  and  country 
■house  water  supply  ;  Improved  "India"  Pump,  for  raising 
and  forcing  water  by  hand-power ;  working  model  of 
improved  windmill,  driving  a  pump  to  lift  water  from  a  well 
•or  stream,  for  estate  use ;  "Universal,"  "Barrow,"  and 
*■  i'rlpod  "  Pumps,  for  water,  sewage,  liquid  manure,  (tc. ;  New 
Patent  Steam  Hop  Washing  and  Fruit  Spraying  Plant, 
including  a  light  portable  steam  engine  and  boiler  with 
movable  piping,  sprays,  &c.,  shown  in  action  ;  Patent 
Rotary  Augmentor,  for  improving  low  pressure  water  supply 
in  country  houses ;  working  model  of  hydraulic  ram  for 
water  supply  ;  and  a  selection  of  hand-pumps,  hose-pipes 
jets,  sprays,  and  other  garden  watering  apparatus. 

Messrs.  W.  J.  Bruce  and  Co.,  art  publishers,  35,  Surrey 
-Street,  Strand  (agents  for  J.  L.  Goffart,  Brussels),  bad 
some  admirable  coloured  reproductions  on  view.  The  sub- 
jects were  various  ;  there  were  landscapes,  portraits,  and 
flower  studies,  the  latter  predominating  and  very  beautiful. 

In  the  educational  section  there  were  many  exhibits  from 
^liferent  schools  of  sketches  (many  coloured)  of  wild  flowers, 
birds,  and  insects,  as  well  as  dried  specimens  of  wild  flowers 
together  with  botanical  deqcripiions. 

Mr.  Henry  Irving,  The  Rowans,  Horley,  Surrey,  exhibited 
some  excellent  photographs  (20  inches  by  16  inches)  of  trees, 
showing  the  same  specimen  in  winter  and  summer.  He  also 
had  photographs  of  tree-trunks,  showing  well  the  different 
aorts  of  bark. 

Exhibits  Out  of  Doors. 

Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  King  Street  Covent  Garden,  W.C, 
had  a  most  interesting  exhibit  of  pigmy  trees  in  a  special 
tent.  Some  of  these  miniature  plants  were  150  years  old, 
^et  not  more  than  2  feet  or  3  feet  high ;  several  Pines 
twenty-five  years  old  were  about  9  inches  high.  Acers,  Oaks, 
Ihujas,  Yews,  &c.,  were  represented. 

Messrs.  John  Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  S.E.,  exhibited 
a  group  of  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  arranged  out  of 
^oors.  Such  things  were  included  as  Acers  in  variety,  Irises, 
Prunus  Pissardi,  Oaks,  Cupressus  lawsoniana  argentea, 
Wistaria,  Purple  Beech,  Rose  Crimson  Rambler,  *tc.,  Varie- 
.gated  Euonymus  and  Eurya  made  an  attractive  margin. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester,  exhibited  a 
group  of  hardy  shrubs  that  consisted  largely  of  conifers  and 
-Japanese  Maples. 

Mr.  John  Unite,  201  and  293,  Edgware  Road,  W.,  exhibited 
various  kinds  of  garden  tents  and  canopies,  &c.  The  "Unite" 
Square  Tent  is  of  splendid  quality.  It  is  without  a  central 
pole,  has  wood  framework,  and  is  waterproof.  Many  sizes 
And  forms  of  tents  were  displayed. 


Mr.  C.  W.  Riley,  Heme  Hill,  S.E.,  showed  an  admirable 
lot  of  garden  summer  houses,  tennis  bouses,  garden  seats, 
chairs,  &c.,  all  in  rustic  woodwork,  and  just  the  thing  for 
the  garden. 

Messrs.  Skinner,  Board,  and  Co.,  Bristol,  exhibited  a 
greenhouse  showing  their  patent  wire  tension  system  of 
structure.  The  chief  features  of  this  method  are  curved 
iron  framed  roof,  ordinary  flat  glass,  no  putty,  no  drip, 
and  glazed  and  repaired  from  inside.  They  are  imperishable 
and  portable,  and  a  great  saving  in  maintenance  is  effected 
by  their  use. 

Messrs.  James  Crispin  and  Sons,  Bristol,  exhibited  garden 
frames,  hand  lights,  and  a  very  handsome  square  greenhouse 
or  conservatory,  with  lantern  roof.  Messrs.  Crispin  also 
exhibited  radiators,  largely  in  use  for  heating  halls,  cor- 
ridors, &c. 

Messrs.  Pearce  and  Co.,  Holloway  Road,  N.,  showed  a 
well-made  greenhouse  very  suitable  for  amateurs.  They 
also  showed  garden  frames,  rustic  arches,  garden  seats,  &c. 

Messrs.  Pulham  and  Son,  71,  Newman  Street,  Oxford 
Street,  W.,  exhibited  garden  ornaments,  such  as  vases,  sun- 
dials, pillars,  &c.,  in  Pulhamite  stone,  a  material  that  is 
most  durable  and  suitable  for  the  purpose.  Messrs.  Pulham 
also  arranged  a  rockery  constructed  with  Pulhamite  stone, 
and  planted  with  alpines  from  their  nursery  at  Elsenham, 
Essex. 

Mr.  W.  Duncan  Tucker,  South  Tottenham,  exhibited  green- 
houses and  garden  frames,  all  of  which  showed  the  splendid 
work  done  by  this  firm. 

The  "  Duro  "  Garden  Sticks  and  Stakes  in  Ash  were  shown 
by  the  Duro  Ash  Garden  Stake  Company,  Tower  Mills,  Berk- 
hamsted.  They  are  said  to  be  unrivalled  in  durability  and 
strength.    They  may  be  had  in  various  sizes. 

Awards. 

Special  large  gold  m^rfaL— Messrs.  John  Waterer  and 
Sons,  for  Rhododendrons. 

Gold  inedah:—MesBV3.  William  Paul  and  Sons,  Waltham 
Cross,  for  Roses  in  pots  ;  ISiessrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Enfield, 
for  Orchids,  Carnations,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  Thomas  Rivers  and 
Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  for  fruit  trees  in  pots  ;  Messrs.  John 
Laing  and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  S.E.,  for  Begonias  and  choice 
hardy  plants  ;  Messrs.  William  Cutbush  and  Son,  for  Car- 
nations, herbaceous  and  other  plants ;  Searcy  Tansley  and 
Co.,  IS,  Sloane  Street,  W.,  for  decorated  dinner  table; 
Messrs.  Doulton  and  Co.,  Limited,  Lambeth,  for  terra-cotta 
and  Doulton  vase ;  Messrs.  Ransoraes,  Sims,  and  Jefferies, 
Limited,  Ipswich,  formotor  and  other  lawn  mowers  ;  Messrs. 
Liberty  and  Co.,  Regent  Street,  for  pottery  ware;  Messrs. 
Merryweather  and  Sons,  Limited,  Hatfield  (Greenwich  Road, 
S.E.),  for  spraying  and 
pumping  and  other 
machines  ;  Mr.  J.  W.  Riley, 
Heme  Hill,  S.E.,  for  ru<'tic 
summer  houses,  arches, 
vases,  &c.  ;  Mr.  W.  Duncan 
Tucker,  South  Tottenham, 
N.,  for  conservatory,  green- 
houses, &c.  ;  and  Messrs. 
Charles  P.  Kinnell  and  Co., 
SouthwarkStreet,  for  boilers 
and  other  heatinsrapparatus. 

Large  silver-gilt  medals. — 
Messrs.  John  Peed  and  Son, 
West  Norwood,  for  Cala- 
diumsand  Begonias;  Messrs. 
Thomas  Green  and  Son, 
Limited,  Southwark  Street, 
for  motor  and  other  lawn 
mowers,  &c.  ;  Mr.  Amos 
Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  N., 
for  hardy  perennials,  cut 
flowers,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  Mes- 
senger and  Co.,  Limited, 
Loughborough,  for  boilers, 
&c.  ;  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons, 
.  King  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C,  for  herbaceous  plants 
and  pigmy  trees  ;  and 
Messrs.  Pulham  and  Son, 
Newman  Street,  for  rock 
work,  vases,  and  sundials. 

Sit  1.1  er  -gilt  medals.  — 
Messrs.  Blackmore  and 
Langdon,  for  tuberttus 
Begonias ;  Mr.  S.  Mor- 
timer, F  a  r  n  h  a  m ,  for 
Cucumbers  and  Tomatoes  ; 
Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and 
Co.,  Worcester,  for  Clematis 
and  hardy  shrubs  ;  Messrs. 
H.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swan- 
ley,  for  Cacti  ;  Mr.  W.  J. 
Godfrey,  Exmouth,  Devon, 
for  new  Pelargoniums  and 
Poppies ;  Mr.  G.  Reuthe 
Keston, Kent,  for  herbaceous 
and  alpine  plants ;  and 
Messrs.  James  Crispin  and 
Sons,  Bristol,  for  conserva- 
tory and  frames. 

Large  sili^er  medals.— 'Sir. 
Maurice  Piichard,  Christ- 
church,  Hants,  for  herba- 
ceous plants  ;  Messrs.  T.  S. 
Ware,  Limited,  Feltham, 
for  alpines  and  herbaceous 
plants ;  Messrs.  J.  Carter 
and  Co.,  High  Holborn,  for 
Spiraias,  Gloxinias,  Ver- 
benas, &c.  ;  Mr.  John  Unite, 
Edgware  Road,  for  tents 
and  garden  furniture; 
Messrs.  Alex.  Shanks  and 
Son,  Limited,  Arbroath,  for  I  ROSE  MAMAN 


lawn  mowers;  Messrs.  White,  Child,  and  Beney,  Queen 
Street,  E.G.,  for  boilers;  and  Mr.  James  Williams,  Ealing, 
for  house  and  table  decorations. 

Silrcr  7//f(/rt?.s-.— Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co,  Rothesay,  (or 
Aquilegiaa ;  Messrs.  W.  and  J.  Brown,  Stamford  and  Peter- 
liorough,  for  Verbenas  and  new  Cactus  Geraniums;  Messrs.  \ 
Watkins  and  Simpson,  Tavistock  Street,  for  hardy  annuals 
in  pots  ;  Mr.  George  Prince,  Longworth,  Berks,  for  cut  Rosea  ; 
Messrs.  Pearce  and  Co. ,  Holluway,  for  greenhouses  and 
frames;  Messrs.  Skinner,  Board,  and  Co.,  Biistol,  f^r  wire 
tensim  greenhouse;  Messrs.  Hartley  and  Sugden,  Halifax, 
for  boilers  ;  Mr.  John  Pinches,  Camberwell,  for  horticul- 
tural labels;  The  Four  Oaks  Nursery  Company,  for  garden 
specialities  ;  Messrs.  Champion  and  Co.,  for  Oak  ana  Teak 
tubs  ;  Messrs.  Corry  and  Co.,  for  insecticides,  &c.  ;  Messrs. 
James  Keith  and  Blackman,  Limited,  Farringdon  Avenue, 
E.C.,  for  greenhouse  boilers ;  Messrs.  Wallace  Brothers, 
Gracechurch  Street,  for  spraying,  white-washing,  and  lime- 
washing  machines ;  Messrs.  James  T.  Anderson  and  Sons, 
Limited,  Commercial  Street,  E.,  for  raffia,  mats,  &c.  ;  and 
Messrs.  Fenlon,  Tudor  Street,  E.G.,  for  gas-heating  apparatus 
for  amateurs. 

Bronze  medals.— yiessra.  Pollard  Brothers,  Lee,  for  new 
zonal  Pelargoniums  ;  Mr.  H.  Pattisson,  Streatham,  for  lawn 
boots  ;  and  Mr.  R.  Anker,  Napier  Road,  Kensington,  for 
Cacti. 

First-class  certificates  to  Rhododendron  F.  Gomer  Waterer, 
from  Messrs.  John  Waterer  ;  Sarracenia  flava  major,  from 
Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Limited  ;  and  Rose  Waltham  Rambler, 
from  Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Son. 

Aivards  of  merit  to  Rose  Pharasaer,  from  Messrs.  William 
Paul  and  Son  ;  and  to  Iris  Lorteti,  from  Mr.  G.  Reuthe. 

Botanical  certificate  to  Pentstemon  Watsoui,  from  Messrs. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Limited. 

Certificates  of  mcrit.—'Pnce's  Patent  Candle  Company,  for 
Gishurst  Compound  ;  Messrs.  Tomlinson  and  Hayward, 
Limited,  Lincoln,  for  "Eureka"  Weed  Killer;  and  The 
Acme  Chemical  Company,  Limited,  Tonbridge,  for  "Acme  " 
preparations. 

Votes  of  fhanks.-yiessra.  Vails  and  Co.,  Coleman  Street, 
for  Beetl'ecute ;  the  Efficient  Lighting  and  Heating  Com- 
pany, Park  Road,  N.W.,  for  Stubbs'  Patent  Boiler;  Messrs. 
Morton  and  Co.,  Liverpool,  for  conservatory  lamps  and 
torches;  for  "  Junofloris,"  High  Holbom  ;  and  to  Mr.  A. 
Hemsley,  for  Sweet  Peas  in  Bruce's  Patent  Displayers. 

Colonial  Section. 
Large  silver-gilt  medal.— T\\e  Agent-General  for  Victoria, 
for  produce  from  the  State  of  Victoria. 
Large    silver    medals.  —  The    Agent-General    for    South 


COCHET.      (Exhibited  at  [the  Temple  Show.)- 


June  11,  190-1.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


421 


Australia,  for  produce  from  South  Australia  ;  the  West 
India  Committee,  for  tropical  fruit  shown  by  the  Royal  Mail 
Steam  Packet  Company;  the  Commercial  Agency  of  New 
South  Wales,  for  produce  from  New  South  Wales  :  and  the 
Agent-General  for  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  for  paintings  of 
the  flora  and  fauna  of  Cape  Colony. 

MANCHE3TEE     BOTANICAL     AND     HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

The  horticulturists  of  Lancashire  look  upon  the  Whit  Week 
(unction  at  the  society's  gardens.  Old  Trafford,  as  one  of 
great  importance  and  interest,  and  the  present  exhibition 
has  fully  upheld  its  reputation.  This  year  the  Manchester 
exhibition  came  before  the  Temple  show,  and  possibly  some 
falling  oft  in  the  Orchid  section  was  observed,  but  that  was 
fully  compensated  by  additions  that  were  beautiful  and 
new  to  the  society.  The  entries  numbered  the  same  as  last 
year,  and,  although  the  show  house  gave  evidence  of  less 
material,  the  annexe  showed  a  distinct  improvement,  the 
groups  being  diversifled  and  beautiful,  and  fully  deserved  a 
much  larger  share  of  patronage. 

Competitive. 

The  best  collection  of  Orchids  in  bloom,  amateurs :  Mr. 
H.  Holbrook,  gardener  to  E.  Ashworlh,  Esq.,  Wilmslow, 
secured  the  leading  award  for  an  interesting  display  which 
embraced  most  of  the  leading  kinds.  Especially  good  were 
Cattleya  Skinnerii,  0.  Ashworthii,  C.  Mendelii  Sanderce, 
Lselio-Cattleya  Phoebe,  and  many  others ;  second,  Mr.  R. 
Nisbet,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  W.  A.  Bass,  Burton-on-Trent, 
for  a  telling  display  ;  third,  Mr.  W.  T.  Gould,  gardener  to 
Mrs.  S.  Wood,  Glossop. 

Collection  of  Orchids  arranged  for  effect,  nurserymen  : 
Messrs.  J.  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were  to  the  fore 
with  a  charming  display  set  up  in  the  form  of  two  half- 
circles  rising  from  the  ground.  Liclia  purpurata,  L.  tene- 
brosa,  Cypripedium  grande  atratum,  Cattleya  Skinnerii, 
and  Oncidium  macranthum  weie  a  few  of  many  telling 
forms. 

For  a  collection  of  Odontoglossums,  amateurs,  E.  Ash- 
worth,  Esq.,  was  again  in  strong  form  with  telling  effect, 
0.  Pescatorei  and  0.  crispum  Sir  J.  Goldsmid  being  excellent. 

For  ten  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  flower  Messrs.  J. 
Cypher  were  again  to  the  fore  with  well-grown  plants  of 
Erica  Cavendishii  and  depressa.  Azalea  Mrs.  Turner,  cedo- 
nuUi,  and  Victoria,  Hedaroma  tulipifera  and  fuchsioides, 
Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  Bougainvlllea  Cypherii,  and 
Clerodendron  Balfourii.  For  six  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants  in  bloom,  amateurs,  Thomas  Harker,  Esq.,  was 
first. 

Group  of  miscellaneous  plants,  150  feet,  amateurs  :  Mr. 
James  Smith,  gardener  to  James  Brown,  Esq.,  was  to  the 
fore  with  a  pleasing  arrangement,  in  which  Palms,  Crotons, 
Caladiunis,  and  W.  A.  Richardson  Rose  were  most  effective. 

Group  of  100  square  feet,  amateurs :  Thomas  Shawcross, 
Esq.,  Stretford,  and  Thomas  MuUoy,  gardener  to  Thomas 
Harker,  Esq.,  Withington,  were  placed  as  named. 

-  Group  of  not  less  than  300  square  feet,  nurserymen : 
Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  and  Sons,  Liverpool,  won  with  a  very  fine 
combination,  having  a  good  background  of  Bamboos  and 
Palms,  the  dot  plants  being  Hydrangeas  and  Crotons,  with  a 
groundwork  of  moss,  Ferns,  Caladiuras,  Amaryllis,  &c. 
Messrs.  Thomas  Cripps  and  Sons,  Tunbridge  Wells,  were 
competitois,  but  the  judges  wisely  judged  the  exhibit  on  its 
own  merits,  and  awarded  it  a  special  prize  of  £20,  being  of 
equal  value  to  the  first  prize.  This  display  took  the  form  of 
Acers  and  many  other  choice  varieties  of  deciduous  trees, 
with  a  number  of  choice  conifers.  Amongst  them  were 
palmatum  rubrifolium,  p.  dissectum  ornatum,  and  japonicum 

,  lacinatum,  all  very  telling.     The  plants  were  arranged  on 

-  a  bank,  which  made  the  display  more  effective. 

Six  foliage  plants  :  First,  Mr.  Thomas  Mulloy,  gardener  to 
Thomas  Harker,  Esq.,  with  Palms  and  Ferjis ;  second,  Mr. 
A.  R.  Kelley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  F.  M.  Aitken,  Fallowtleld. 

Collection  of  Roses  :  James  Brown,  Esq.,  was  well  to  the 
fore  with  large  clean  foliage  and  good  blooms  ;  second, 
Thomas  Harker,  Esq. 

Six  exotic  Ferns  :  Thomas  Harker,  Esq  ,  Mrs.  F.  M.  Aitken, 
and  Mr.  J.  Donovan,  gardener  to  Major  H.  Cardwell,  were 
the  prize-winners. 

Eight  plants  for  dinner-table  decoration  ;  The  winners 
proved  to  be  Major  H.  Cardwell,  Messrs.  G.  H.  Gaddum,  and 
T.  Shawcross,  Esq. 

Twelve  Cinerarias :  Mr.  J.  Eaton,  gardener  to  Stanley 
Pearson,  Esq.,  was  to  the  fore  with  tine  plants  of  stellata 
form  ;  second,  G.  H.  Gaddum,  Esq. 

Twelve  Calceolarias  :  The  flrst  prize  was  well  ahead,  the 
winners  being  Stanley  Pearson,  Esq.,  Mr.  E.  W.  Seal, 
gardener  to  E.  Behrens,  Esq.,  and  J.  Brown,  E^q. 

Twelve  Gloxinias  :  Mr.  E.  Unsworth,  gardener  to  E.  F. 
Shephard,  Esq.,  and  Thomas  Harker,  Esq.,  were  placed  as 
named. 

Thirty  hardy  herbaceous  and  alpine  plants :  Thomas 
Shawcross,  Esq,,  was  the  leader. 

Twelve  varieties :  Mr.  T.  H.  Thorley,  gardener  to  Dr. 
Pownall,  Major  H.  Cardwell,  and  J.  Holt,  Esq.,  were  placed 
in  the  order  named. 

For  the  best  collection,  not  less  than  fifty  varieties, 
nurserymen,  arranged  for  effect:  Mr.  John  Robson, 
Altrincham,  won  with  a  pleasing  display  of  Auricula  Queen 
Alexandra  and  Myosotis  alpestris  grandiflora ;  Messrs. 
Caldwell  and  Sons  and  Mr.  John  Derbyshire  were  second  and 
third. 

Ten  hardy  Ferns  :  First,  Mr.  J.  Derbyshire,  Hale. 

Six  hardy  Ferns  :  Thomas  Harker,  Esq.,  was  to  the  (ore 
with  good  fresh  plants  ;  second,  Major  H.  Cardwell. 

Six  Adiantums:  First,  Mr.  H.  Barber,  gardener  to 
C.  Slater,  Esq.,  with  fresh  plants,  fragrantissimum  being 
good ;  Messrs.  Thomas  Barker  and  E.  Behrens  were  second 
and  third. 

Twelve  Begonias  in  bloom  :  First,  Major  H.  Caldwell. 

Twelve  pots  of  Pansies  or  Violas :  The  flrst  and  second 
were  Mr.  John  Holt,  Ashton-on-Mersey,  and  Mr.  John 
Bobson. 


Six  Coleus  :  Messrs.  S,  Pearson,  J.  Brown,  and  Major  H. 
Cardwell  \vere  the  winners. 

Six  Calceolarias  ;  G.  H.  Gaddum  won  well  ;  Major  H. 
Cardwell  and  T.  .Shawcross,  Esq.,  were  second  and  third. 

Specimen  foliage  plant:  First,  Thomas  Shawcross,  Esq., 
with  Pandanus  Veitchii  ;  second,  J.  Brown,  Esq.  ;  third, 
E.  Slater,  Esq. 

Stove  plant  in  flower :  First,  Mr.  H.  Barton,  gardener  to 
C.  Slater,  Esq.,  with  Ixora  Williamsii. 

Greenhouse  foliage  plant:  First,  E.  0.  Schneider,  Esq., 
Whalley  Range  ;  Messrs.  C.  Slater  and  J.  Brown  were  second 
and  third. 

Specimen  Fern  :  Thomas  Shawcross,  Esq.,  Mrs.  Aitken, 
and  E.  Behrens  were  the  winners. 

Dinner-table  decoration  :  Mr.  J.  Nixon,  gardener  to  Oswald 
Robinson,  Esq.,  Alderley  Edge.was  deservedly  placed  in  front 
with  a  light  pleasing  arrangement ;  second,  Mr.  H.  D. 
Goolden,  Manchester. 

NON-OOMPETITIVE. 

As  usual,  these  helped  in  a  marked  degree  to  the  beauty 
of  the  show,  and  ir]  many  cases  adding  interest  by  intro- 
ducing subjects  not  contained  in  the  schedule. 

Guld  );i('(;a;.s.— Messrs.  John  Cowan  and  Co.,  Gateacre, 
contributed  an  effective  group  of  Orchids,  including  Odonto- 
glossum  vexillarium,  0.  v.  cobbianum,  Cattleya  Skinnerii 
alba,  C.  schilleriana,  Cypripedium  callosum  Sandera;,  and 
many  others.  Mr.  A.  J.  A.  Bruce,  Chorltum-cum-Hardy, 
contributed  a  very  fine  display  of  Sarracenias,  well  grown 
and  in  considerable  numbers.  Messrs.  A.  Dicksoti  and  Sons, 
Newtownards,  showed  a  brilliant  table  of  May  and  Darwin 
Tulips  with  fine  strong  stems  and  large  blooms,  including 
Laurentia,  Rev.  H.  H.  D'ombrain,  Jaune  dffiuf.  Rev,  Harper 
Crewe,  Hobbema,  &c.  Messrs.  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester, 
for  a  mixed  collection,  including  well-flowered  Clematis, 
Lilacs,  Acers,  Ruses,  ana  many  other  kinds. 

Silmr-ijiU  (/li'rfnY.— Messrs.  J.  Waterer  and  Son,  Bagshot, 
contributed  in  the  usual  liberal  manner  a  collection  of  well- 
flowered  Rhododendrons,  which  included  Pink  Pearl, 
Cynthia,  Kate  Waterer,  &Q. 

Silmr  medals.— These  were  given  for  many  meritorious 
collections,  including  Mr.  John  Robson,  Altrincham,  for  a 
pleasing  collection  of  Orchids,  including  Odontoglossums  in 
variety,  Cattleya  Skinnerii,  Carnations,  &c.  Messrs.  Clibran, 
Altrincham,  had  a  well-grown  lot  of  Calla  Pentlandii,  Palms, 
alpine  plants,  and  the  new  art  metal  ware  for  decorations. 
Messrs.  Dickson  and  Robinson,  Manchester,  staged  a  pleasing 
collection  of  May  and  Darwin  Tulips.  W.  Duckworth,  Esq., 
had  a  telling  group  of  Orchids,  including  flue  pieces  of 
Oncidium  marshallianum,  Odontoglossums,  &c. 

Awards  of  merit.— %.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  for  hybrid  Den- 
drobium  nobile  macrophyllum  and  Eriopsis  rutidobulbon ; 
Mr.  J.  Cypher,  for  Vanda  teres  gigantea,  Lajlia  purpurata 
Duchess,  L.  Emperor,  and  Odontoglossum  crispum  Clayii  ; 
Messrs.  John  Cowan  and  Co.,  for  Odontoglossum  crispum,  a 
variety  of  charming  colour. 

As  usual,  the  arrangements  were  ably  carried  out  by  Mr. 
P.  Weathers,  assisted  by  Mr.  Paul. 

THE  BRITISH  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION. 
THIS  is  referred  to  in  the  leading  article  this  week,  but  the 
following  sets  forth  its  aims  : 

PROSPECTns. 

The  objects  for  which  this  association  is  to  be  formed  have 
already  been  made  known  in  a  pamphlet  entitled  "Plea  for 
a  Gardeners'  Association,"  10,000  copies  of  which  have  been 
distributed  by  post  and  otherwise  to  gardeners  throughout 
the  British  Isles.  These  objects  are  therein  stated  to  be  :  (1) 
To  admit  as  members  all  who  are  professionally  employed  in 
any  branch  of  horticulture,  including  private  and  public 
gardens,  the  nursery  and  seed  trades,  and  market  gardens  ; 
(2)  to  establish  a  register  of  gardeners,  with  a  view  to  regu- 
lating and  controlling  the  labour  market  for  gardeners  ;  (3) 
to  reo-ulate  the  wages  of  gardeners  with  due  regard  to  the 
interests  of  both  employer  and  employed  ;  (4)  to  regulate  the 
working  hours  of  gardeners  by  flxing  the  limit  of  a  day  s 
work,  beyond  which  all  work  done  shall  be  counted  as  over- 
time and  be  paid  for  ;  (5)  to  co-operate  for  the  promotion  of 
the  interests  of  the  profession  and  the  welfare  of  all  who 
belong  to  it.  ,     -i    „    i.      ,       n 

To  organise  the  association  so  as  to  make  it  effective  for  all 
branche's  of  the  profession  in  every  part  of  the  country,  it  is 
proposed  to  elect  an  executive  council,  to  appoint  a  paid 
secretary,  and  to  rent  an  office  in  London  where  the  secretary 
will  conduct  the  business  of  the  association  and  the  executive 
council  hold  their  meetings.  It  is  also  proposed  to  establish 
a  branch  in  every  large  town,  and  wherever  there  are  suffi- 
cient gardeners  to  form  one.  As,  however,  the  executive 
council  will  require  to  be  elected  by  the  members  of  the 
association,  the  work  of  organisation  will  be  conducted  by 
a  committee  of  selection,  comprising  those  members  of  the 
provisional  committee  who  are  willing  to  serve,  and  twelve 
other  ■hardeners  to  be  elected  at  the  meeting.  These  will 
co-operate  with  the  secretary  until  600  or  more  members 
have  joined.  The  election  of  an  executive  council  will  then 
be  proceeded  with  on  the  lines  laid  down  in  the  rules  for  the 
general  management  of  the  association.  To  enable  the  com- 
mittee of  selection  to  commence  operations  and  to  secure 
the  services  of  a  secretary  and  an  office  the  sum  of  .*;250  will 
be  needed  at  once. 

An  appeal  committee,  consisting  of  the  general  secretary 
and  of  one  member  elected  by  the  branches  of  each  district 
will  have  power  to  dissolve  the  executive  council.  This  pro- 
vision is  made  to  enable  country  members  to  have  a  voice  in 
the  general  management.  Legal  advice  will  be  needed,  and 
this  will  be  afforded  by  Mr.  R.  S.  Garnett,  solicitor,  Clements 
Inn  Strand,  who  has  had  experience  in  the  promotion  of 
similar  associations,  and  to  whom  the  provisional  committee 
are  indebted  for  help  and  advice  in  preparing  this  scheme. 
Qualification  fok  Membekship. 

(1)  To  be  not  less  than  20  years  of  age  ;  (2)  if  less  than  23 
years  of  age  to  have  had  at  least  6  years'  training  in  good 
private,  public,  or  commercial  establishments  ;  (3)  if  more 


than  23  years  of  age,  to  have  had  at  least  7  consecutive  years 
professional  experience  ;  (4)  to  be  able  to  produce  satislactory 
testimony  as  to  general  character.  Candidates  must  obtain 
from  the  secretary  a  form  of  application,  which  when  filled 
up  should  be  returned  to  him.  If  the  committee  of  selection 
are  satisfled  that  the  candidate  is  qualified  for  membership, 
they  will  instruct  the  secretary  to  forward  him  a  certificate. 
The  certificate  will  be  renewed  annually  on  receipt  of  sub- 
scription. The  charge  for  registration  and  certiticate  will 
be  '23.  Od.  and  the  annual  subscription  2s.  6d.  These  two 
sums  should  be  forwarded  to  the  secretary,  together  with 
the  form  of  application.  Proof  of  membership  will  be  the 
possession  of  the  association's  certiticate  for  the  current 
year. 

Note. — These  regulations  are  special  to  the  period  m 
which  the  committee  of  selection  will  be  in  office.  Regula- 
tions for  the  election  of  members,  cSc,  are  included  in  the 
rules  for  the  general  management  of  the  association. 
Registration. 
A  register  of  members  will  be  kept  at  the  central  office, 
and  it  will  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  see  that  full  par- 
ticulars of  every  member  are  entered  in  a  book  to  be  called  the 
general  registration  book,  which  will  be  open  for  inspection 
by  members  at  a  day's  notice  at  all  reasonable  times.  It 
will  contain  the  name,  age  (date  of  birth),  married  or  single, 
and  present  situation  of  every  member. 

The  association  will  also  keep  a  record  of  the  professional 
experience  of  its  members.  It  will  thus  be  in  a  position  to 
furnish  reliable  testimony  as  to  the  qualifications  and 
character  of  applicants  for  situations.  The  association  will 
also  act  as  far  as  its  resources  will  allow  as  an  employment 
registry  office,  so  that  members  desiring  to  change  their 
situations  or  employers  seeking  to  engage  the  services  of  a 
gardener  may  be  assisted. 

Waoes. 
The  association  will  endeavour  by  legitimate  means  to 
secure  for  every  section  of  its  members  a  fair  rate  of  pay. 
It  is  generally  admitted,  even  by  employers,  that  the  present 
scale  of  wages  forgardeners  is  unsatisfactory.  The  ditticulties 
in  the  way  of  improvement  will  not  be  easily  removed,  but 
they  will  have  to  be  faced.  The  result  of  enquiry  in  seventy- 
flve  gardens  all  over  the  country  in  which  skilled  journeymen 
are  employed  shows  that  the  average  wages  are  17s.,  with 
bothy,  (fee,  and  if  the  latter  perquisite  is  valued  at  3i.,  the 
total  weekly  wages  of  a  man  who  has  been  trained  for  at 
least  five  years  in  his  profession  are  20s.  The  appointed 
legislators  of  Great  Britain  have  lately  stipulated  iu  Parlia- 
ment that  the  lowest  weekly  wages  to  be  paid  for  unskilled 
labour  shall  be  21s.  The  association  hopes  to  effect  an  im- 
provement by  recommending  the  following  scale  of  weekly 
wages  for  gardeners:  (1)  Journeyman,  18s.  with  bothy,  &c., 
21s.  without ;  (2)  Foremen  in  gardens  and  small  nurseries 
and  single-handed  gardeners,  24s.  with  bothy  or  house,  27s. 
without ;  (3)  Gardeners  and  departmental  foremen  in  nur- 
series with  less  than  five  assistants,  30s.  with  house,  3os. 
without ;  (4)  Gardeners  and  departmental  foremen  in  nur- 
series with  five  or  more  assistants,  35s.  with  house,  405. 
without.  It  should  be  clearly  understood  that  these  are 
minimum  rates.  Where  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of 
the  post  would  justify  a  higher  rate  the  association  will 
endeavour  to  obtain  it. 

Working  Hours. 
The  duties  of  a  gardener  often  necessitate  his  working  more 
hours  per  day  than  almost  any  other  skilled  operative  ;  he 
has  also  often  to  perforin  duties  late  at  night  and  ou  Sunday. 
Whilst  the  association  will  recognise  that  it  is  impossible  to 
do  away  with  long  hours  and  extra  duties,  it  will  endeavour 
to  secure  for  its  members  payment  for  all  overtime.  The 
result  of  enquiry  in  seventy-ttve  gardens,  public  and  private, 
in  all  parts  of  the  country,  is  to  show  that  it  is  usual  to  pay 
for  overtime,  that  in  many  gardens  Suuday  work  is  paid  for, 
but  that  in  only  a  few  is  night  duty  treated  as  overtime  and 
paid  for.  The  association  will  endeavour  to  get  employers  to 
adopt  the  following  arrangement : 

Hours  of  Labour. 
Summer  period  (9  months),  56  hours  per  week  (maximum); 
5  days  of  ten  hours,  6  to  0.3U,  with  li  hours  for  meals,  and 
1  day  of  6  hours.  Win  ter  period  (3  months),  4S  hours  per  week 
(maximum).  All  other  time  worked,  including  night  and 
Sunday  duty,  to  be  counted  as  overtime  and  paid  for. 
Gardener  Apprentices. 
The  association  will  take  steps  to  control  the  intake  of 
gardeners  by  refusing  to  recosnise  as  suitable  training  for  a 
youth  employment  in  some  menial  position,  or  in  a  place 
where  there  is  no  gardening  worthy  of  the  name.  It  will 
rely  upon  the  vigilance  of  its  members  to  keep  out  young 
men  who  may  be  otherwise  worthy,  but  who  cannot  honestly 
be  called  gardeners.  The  requisite  five  years'  training  must 
be  in  gardens  of  repute.  The  association  will  keep  a  registry 
of  gardens,  nurseries,  and  other  establishments,  iraining  in 
which  would  constitute  a  claim  to  membership,  in  the 
belief  that  both  parents  and  employers  will  find  it  advan- 
tageous to  consult  the  association  where  apprentices  are 
concerned. 

Foreign  Gardeners. 

Forei''n  gardeners,  whether  temporarily  or  permanently 

employed  iu  this  country,  will  be  eligible  for  membership, 

provided  they  are  qualified  and  agree  to  abide  by  the  rules 

of  the  association.  ^     ,     «; 

Particula'S  as  to  the  secretary,  address  of  central  office, 
&c  will  b=  published  in  the  gardening  papers  as  soon  as 
possible.  Meanwhile  all  communications,  donations,  lisc, 
may  be  addressed  to  Mr.  W.  Watson,  Eew  Road,  Kew. 

The    Gardeners'    Association 

meeting.— 1  observe  in  your  report;  of  the 
meeting  ot  gardeners  held  in  Essex  Hall,  London, 
on  the  1st  inst.,  that  I  am  stated  to  have  supported 
the  amendment  advising    the  adjournment  of  the 


422 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[JiNE  11,  1904. 


meeting.  I  did  not  do  so,  having  expressly  stated 
that  I  supported  neither  motion  nor  amendment. 
I  was  too  little  assured  of  the  usefulness  of  such  an 
association  as  is  proposed  to  support  either  pro- 
position. I  simply  pointed  out  that  whilst  in  one 
part  of  the  prospectus  issued  it  was  stated  that 
"all"  persons  associated  with  horticulture  would 
be  eligible  as  members,  also  that  all  members  must 
be  registered,  elsewhere  it  laid  down  limitations  as 
to  who  might  be  registered.  Also  in  two  clauses, 
those  relating  to  wages  and  hours  of  labour,  the 
word  "  regulate  "  is  used,  and  that  word  I  showed 
meant  compulsion  or  nothing.  Practically,  the 
word  makes  the  society,  as  Mr.  Herbert  Burrows 
admitted,  a  trade  union. — Alex.  Dean. 

Japanese  Garden    in   the  Abbey 

Park,  Leicester. — A  novel  idea  has  been 
introduced  into  the  Abbey  Park,  Leicester,  by  the 
making  of  a  Japanese  garden.  A  bank  of  mud 
dredged  from  the  ornamental  water  was  the  only 
available  spot.  This  north  side  of  the  mud  bank 
has  been  terraced  with  rock  to  imitate  Nature,  as 
the  Japanese  try  to  copy  and  improve  on  natural 
surroundings.  In  all  Japanese  gardens  there  is 
usually  a  stream  and  bridge,  aad  where  this  is  not 
available  they  make  a  dry  watercourse  with  pebbles. 
This  has  been  done,  and  the  bed  of  pebbles  leads 
into  a  circular  pond.  At  the  entrance  are  two 
stone  lamps,  which  are  not  so  much  used  for  lighting 
as  to  harmonise  with  surrounding  vegetation.  They 
use  a  great  variety  of  stone  lamps  of  different 
designs.  Immediately  behind  is  a  red  and  black 
Shinto  Torii,  which  is  a  boat-shaped  crossbeam  with 
two  uprights  of  striking  form,  which  harmonise 
well  with  the  surrounding  vegetation.  These  erec- 
tions are  a  prominent  feature  of  Japanese  scenery, 
and  are  entrance  gates  to  the  temples  and  also  at 
the  entrance  of  a  village  and  garden.  At  the 
further  end  is  an  older  form  of  Torii,  and  in  the 
centre  of  the  path  a  square  pergola  or  trellis  poles 
covered  with  Roses,  Wistarias,  and  other  climbing 
plants.  Scattered  about  are  other  stone  lamps. 
On  a  jutting  rock  is  a  Mushroom-shaped  lamp,  and 
on  the  island  close  to  the  water  is  another  one. 
The  .Japanese  take  great  pains  with  their  water 
margins.  A  large  Cycas  revoluta,  Cryptomerias, 
Pseonies,  Bamboos,  Maples,  Retinosporas,  and  a 
variety  of  .Japanese  plants  have  been  planted,  and 
when  time  has  softened  and  toned  down  the  garden 
and  stone  lamps  it  will  be  a  great  improvement. — 
Theodore  Walker,  F.R.G.S.,  Leicester.  [Mr. 
Walker  also  sends  several  photographs,  which, 
unfortunately,  would  not  make  good  reproductions, 
and  in  a  letter  mentions  that  this  garden  will  be 
formally  opened  on  August  Bank  Holiday  next,  the 
occasion  of  the  great  show  in  the  Abbev  Park 
gardens.  The  garden  was  made  by  Mr.  Walker, 
with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Burton,  superintendent 
of  the  Leicester  parks. — Ed.] 

Rhododendron   Ascot    Brilliant.— 

During  a  recent  visit  to  Kew  this  Rhododendron 
was,  from  its  brightness  of  colouring,  very  notice- 
able among  the  numerous  varieties  then  in  bloom. 
It  is  a  hybrid  raised  by  Mr.  Waterer  between  the 
Himalayan  R.  Thomsoni  and  one  of  the  garden 
varieties.  Inheriting  as  it  does  the  bright  scarlet 
colour  of  R.  Thomsoni,  it  also  bears  a  good  deal  of 
resemblance  to  that  species  in  the  shape  of  the 
flower  and  loosely  disposed  cluster  of  bloom  ;  but 
still  there  are  many  points  of  difference,  more  or 
less  marked,  prominent  among  them  being  the  fact 
that  it  is  somewhat  later  in  flowering,  and  as  a 
rule  escapes  the  spring  frosts  which  often  mar 
the  beauty,  not  only  of  R.  Thomsoni,  but  of  some 
of  the  other  Himalayan  kinds.  It  is  certainly  a 
desirable  form,  but  I  believe  difficult  to  obtain 
from  nurseries,  except  as  small  plants.  Another 
hybrid  claiming  parentage  from  R.  Thomsoni  which 
has  attracted  much  attention  within  the  last  few 
years  is  R.  Shilsoni,  raised  by  Mr.  Shilson,  of 
Tremough,  in  Cornwall,  between  this  just-named 
species  and  R.  barbatum.  Both  are  bright-flowered 
kinds,  so  that  the  hybrid  differs  but  little  in  colour, 
while  in  habit,  leafage,  and  other  particulars  it  is 
about  midway  between  its  parents.  Another  hybrid 
is  Luscombei,  the  result  of  crossing  R.  Thomsoni 
with  the  Chinese  R.  Fortunei,  while  Francis 
Thiselton-Dyer  is  a  good  deal  in  the  same  way. 
Apart  from  Ascot  Brilliant,  the  brightest  tinted 


form  was  Doncaster,  later  than  the  other  in 
opening.  It  is  a  sturdy  growing  garden  form, 
which  is  by  Messrs.  Veitch  included  in  their  list  of 
the  most  select  kinds. — T. 

Arisarum    proboscideum.  —  Among 

the  comparatively  few  out-of-the-way  hardy 
flowers  exhibited  at  the  Edinburgh  spring 
show  was  the  singular  little  Arisarum  probos- 
cideum, shown  in  the  collection  of  Messrs.  Stor- 
month  and  Son,  Kirkbride,  Cumberland.  Few 
people  seemed  to  know  it,  and  many  were  struck 
by  its  singularity.  It  is  seldom  met  with,  and,  in 
conversation  with  Mr.  Stormonth,  I  was  not 
surprised  to  learn  that  he  and  I  had  originally 
received  it  from  the  same  source  in  England.  No 
one  can  say  that  it  is  an  attractive  plant  in  the 
ordinary  sense  of  the  term,  yet  there  is  a  peculiar 
attraction  about  it,  and,  curious  as  are  its  flowers 
with  their  long,  tail-like  terminations,  they  are 
pretty  in  their  rather  sombre  colouring  of  purple- 
brown  and  green  ;  this  is  greatly  relieved  by  the 
white  at  the  base  of  the  spathe.  The  leaves  sur- 
mount the  flowers,  and  the  latter  can  only  be  seen 
by  drawing  aside  the  leafy  screen.  The  whole 
height  is  about  6  inches.  Arisarum  proboscideum, 
also  called  Arum  proboscideum,  is  quite  hardy,  and 
grows  best  with  me  in  shade  and  in  light  soil.  It 
is  a  native  of  Italj'. — S.  Arnott. 

Wistaria  sinensis.  —  Appropriately 
enough,  a  house  called  Wistaria,  leading  to 
Thameside,  Chiswick,  has  been  quite  wreathed 
with  the  large  bluish  lilac  racemes  of  this  fine, 
hardy  climber.  Chiswick  is  specially  associated 
with  the  Wistaria,  for  Robert  Fortune,  when  in  the 
service  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  as  col- 
lector, in  1818,  sent  it  home  from  China  with  many 
other  fine  subjects,  identified  with  his  fruitful 
journeyings,  having  as  their  result  the  enrichment 
of  our  gardens.  — Quo. 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Ans^veps.— TAe  Editor  intends  to 
make  The  Garden  helpful  to  all  readers  who  desire  assistance, 
no  Tnatterwhat  the  branch  of  gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  will  make  a  special  feature  of  the  "-Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents'' column.  All  comTuunications  should  be  clearly 
and  concisely  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  and 
addressed  to  the  Editor  o/ The  Garden,  ■;,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London.  Letters  on  business  should  be  sent 
to  the  Pdblishkr.  The  name  and  address  of  the  sender  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Names  of  plants.— F.  A.  sturge.—The  Scilla  ia  S. 
nutans  rosea;  the  Pulenionium,  P.  Richardsoni  ;  the  Saxi- 
fraga,  8.  Sternhergii ;    and  the  Tulip,  a  variety  of  Tulipa 

gesneriana. M.  E.  //.—Cytisus  Adami. C.  E.  F.  Han- 

?mr(:/.—SaIix  nigricans  var.     "Trees  and  Shrubs  for  English 
Gardens,"  by  Mr.  E.  T.  Cook,  will  answer  your  purpose;  it 

can  be  obtained  from  The  Garden  olhce. /'.  ir.  Pcarce. 

— Cardiospermum   Halicacabum. //.   D.  R.—A,  Berberis 

vulgaris ;  B.  Spirrea  Van  Houttei  ;  C,  specimen  not  complete 
enough  for  identification  ;  D,  Cupressus  lawsoniana. 

Diseased  Carnation  (Rangemoor).— The  primary 
cause  of  the  unhealthiness  of  the  Carnation  plant  you 
sent  was  the  decay  of  the  stem  just  below  the  surface  of 
the  soil.  More  than  half  the  stem  for  about  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  was  quite  rotten.  What  caused  the  decay 
is  more  than  I  can  tell.  I  could  not  find  any  fungus 
or  insect  to  account  for  it.  The  condition  of  the  leaves  I 
believe  is  what  the  Americans  call  "stigmonose."  It  used 
to  be  known  as  "  bacteriosis,"  but  it  is  now  supposed  to  be 
caused  or  induced  by  the  punctures  of  some  insect  such  as 
aphides  or  thrips,  hut  if  the  stem  had  been  all  right  the 
leaves  probably  would  not  have  suffered.— G.  S.  S. 

Insects  on  Roses  (C.  C.  Williamson).— The  insects 
attacking  the  foliage  of  your  Kose  bushes  are  the  clay- 
coloured  weevil  (Otiorhynchus  picipes).  You  might  shake 
the  bushes  over  an  open  umbrella  when  the  insects  are 
feeding,  or,  before  it  is  dark,  lay  a  white  sheet  under  the 
bushes,  and  then,  when  they  are  feeding,  throw  a  bright 
ight  suddenly  on  them,  when  they  will  probably  fall  ;  if 
they  do  not,  give  the  bushes  a  jarring  shake,  which  will 
bring  them  down,  and  as  they  will  lie,  feigning  to  be  dead, 
for  a  minute  or  so.  they  may  easily  be  collected.  Place  some 
small  bundles  of  Hay  or  Straw  among  the  shoots  or  round 
the  stems,  so  as  to  give  the  weevils  a  handy  shelter  to  hide 
in  during  the  day,  and  examine  these  traps  every  morning.- 
G.  S.  S.  f  J  n 

Heliotrope  leaves  dropping-  off  (II.  Rogers). 
Overwatering  is  undoubtedly  th«  cause  of  your  Heliotrope 
losing  its  leaves,  for  by  watering  daily  the  soil  must  be 
simply  reduced  to  a  state  of  mud,  such  as  might  suit  Rushes, 


Sedges,  or  similar  plants,  but  it  is  certain  to  prove  fatal  to 
a  Heliotrope.  No  gardening  operation  is  more  frequently 
mismanaged  than  that  of  watering,  the  tendency  in  nearly 
every  case  being  to  keep  the  plants  too  wet.  Of  course,  we 
can  give  you  no  hard  and  fast  line  as  to  the  watering  of  your 
Heliotrope,  as  so  many  Items  have  to  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration, such  as  the  size  of  the  pot,  whether  the  soil  is 
full  of  roots  or  otherwise,  the  amount  of  shading  (if  any) 
during  sunshine,  and  the  position  of  the  house  in  which  it  is 
growing  all  play  a  part  in  the  matter,  but,  above  all  this, 
stands  the  state  of  the  outside  air,  which  has  been  extremely 
variable  of  late.  So  much  does  this  iutluence  the  watering 
of  plants  that  in  a  greenhouse  we  have  under  our  observation 
many  of  the  plants  have  lately  gone  three  or  four  days 
without  water,  yet  a  short  time  since  with  a  bright  sun  and 
drying  wind  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  water  them  every 
day.  The  object  of  watering  is  to  keep  the  soil  in  as  fairly 
an  even  state  of  moisture  as  possible,  hence  after  watering  it 
must  be  allowed  to  get  moderately  dry  before  any  more  is 
given.  These  instructions,  combined  with  close  observation, 
should  enable  you  to  have  more  success  not  only  with  your 
Heliotrope,  but  with  other  plants.  Heliotropes  qan  be 
readily  struck  from  cuttings  treated  as  recommended  for 
the  Hibiscus,  and  with  attention  it  should  flower  throughout 
the  summer  in  your  greenhouse. 

The  g-apdening  vocation  (S.  K.  Thomas).— Whilst 
your  desire  to  enter  the  gardening  profession  is  an  admirable 
one,  you  will  start  very  heavily  handicapped  in  being  twenty 
years  of  age  and  through  your  time  so  far  being  devoted  to  a 
very  different  profession.  You  are  still  further  handicapped 
in  seeking  under  these  disadvantages  to  enter  a  vocation 
that  is  now  overcrowded  with  really  well-trained  capable 
men,  and  any  position  such  as  you  name  invariably  finds 
from  100  to  200  applicants  from  men  having  great  practical 
experience.  Botanical  studies  may  help  to  a  scientific 
knowledge  of  plants,  but  a  knowledge  of  botany  is  to 
the  average  gardener  rather  an  accomplishment  than  a 
necessity.  To  become  proficient  in  the  manual  or 
practical  side  of  gardening  it  is  needful  to  start  low 
down  in  garden  work  early  in  life,  as  all  our  best  men 
have  had  to  do,  taking  in  quite  elementary  operations 
and  gradually  working  up  to  the  most  advanced  ones. 
During  some  fifteen  to  eighteen  years  so  spent  the  wages  are 
poor,  and  the  pay  of  even  the  highest  positions  ranges  ouly 
from  £,100  to  £150  per  annum  with  a  house  to  live  in.  To 
manage  a  nursery  or  to  superintend  a  public  garden  you 
would  need  fully  twenty  years  of  hard  grinding  in  similar 
establishments  on  very  low  pay,  and  the  chances  of  getting 
such  a  post  after  all  is  one  in  a  thousand.  As  to  starring  a 
nursery  on  your  own  account  certain  failure  and  loss  must 
result  unless  you  have  wide  cultunU,  managing,  and  trading 
experience.  If  bent  on  that  way  of  getting  a  livelihood  you 
had  best  start  with  an  acre  of  ground  and  a  few  glass  houses, 
growing  chiefly  for  market  sale,  and  thus  feel  your  way 
gradually.  For  such  a  purpose  £100  to  £150  would  go  a  long 
way,  but  even  then  you  should  know  how  to  most  profitably 
expend  that  small  outlay.  Books,  we  fear,  would  help  you 
very  little.  There  is  no  knowledge  so  far  as  gardening  is 
concerned  like  that  acquired  by  practical  work  and  expe- 
rience. Your  wisest  course  will  be  to  select  Whichever 
branch  or  section  of  gardening  you  prefer,  then  to  get 
engaged  as  an  ordinary  worker  in  some  establishment  or 
garden  in  that  section,  and  thus  have  a  few  years  experience. 
With  a  good  education  and  intelligence  you  might  acquire 
useful  knowledge  rapidly.  You  will  see  from  this  long  reply 
to  your  various  queries  that  gardening  to  a  novice  entering 
the  vocation  late  in  life  holds  out  no  special  attractions.  Its 
work  is  relatively  poorly  paid  and  its  ranks  are  now 
overcrowded. 

Stopping-  Vine  laterals  (H.  D.  R.).-The  pinching 
of  the  points  uf  the  Grape-bearing  shoots  on  Vines  is  not  so 
much  a  matter  of  mathematical  exactness  as  to  under- 
standing the  conditions  of  the  A'ine  at  about  the  usual 
time  stopping  is  done.  If  the  laterals  are  stout  and  carrying 
good  leaves  pinching  may  take  place  so  soon  as  a  couple  of 
leaves  beyond  the  bunch  formed  on  each  shoot  are  well 
developed.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  shoots  are  rather 
small  and  leafage  the  same,  although  carrying  a  bunch,  it  is 
wiser  to  allow  a  week  or  ten  days  more  growth  to  take  place 
before  stopping  the  shoots.  One  of  the  chief  reasons  for 
stopping  shoots  by  pinching  is  to  keep  the  growths  wirhin 
bounds,  or  otherwise  they  soon  crowd  each  other  and 
exclude  light  from  leaves  and  bunches.  Another  reason  is 
that  pinching  is  supposed  to  throw  more  of  the  Vine's 
strength  into  the  bunch,  although  that  point  is  by  no  means 
satisfactorily  proved,  as  leader  shoots  on  young  Vines 
allowed  to  extend  to  any  length  have  often  carried  some 
of  the  finest  bunches.  It  is  possible  that  your  present 
gardener  holds  that  in  previous  years  your  Vine  shoots  have 
been  stopped  too  early,  and  thus  have  weakened  the  Vines, 
and  hopes  by  allowing  more  time  for  the  laterals  to  develop 
before  pinching  to  restore  strength  in  that  way.  The  greater 
the  leaf  surface  on  a  N'ine  the  greater  the  root  action,  and 
when  a  Vine  has  been  hard  pinched  and  overcropped  in 
previous  years,  it  is  good  policy  to  allow  the  laterals  to 
make  free  growth  and  pinch  off  all  bunches  for  a  year,  as 
that  is  very  potent  to  restore  strength,  although  the  sacrifice 
of  a  season's  crop  seems  great.  We  may,  however,  point 
out  to  your  gardener  that  whilst  stopping  by  pinching  may 
be  delayed  a  little,  it  is  bad  policy  to  allow  the  wood  of  the 
laterals  to  become  hard  before  stopping,  as  that  necessitates 
the  use  of  the  knife,  and  in  such  case  it  is  injurious  to  the 
Vine,  and  causes  great  waste  of  strength. 


aARDENING    APPOINTMENT. 

Mr.  W.  Moorks,  whu  was  for  some  time  under  Mr.  Capp 
in  the  fruit  houses  at  Toddington  Manor  Gardens,  Winch- 
combe,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener  to  W.  F.  Paul, 
Esq.,  Orwell  Lodge,  Ipswich,  and  takes  over  his  duties  on 
the  11th  lust. 


*^^♦  The  Yearly  Subscription  to  The  Garden  itf ;  IrUand, 
15s. ;  I'oreign,  178.  Od. 


GARDEN 


^±^si:4\ 


No.  1700.— Vol.  LXV. 


[June   18,  1904. 


PROVINCIAL     FLOWER 
SHOWS. 

THERE  can  be  little  doubt  that  the 
flower  shoivs  which  for  generations 
have  been  held  in  difl'erent  centres 
throughout  the  country,  have  had 
much  to  do  with  the  increased  love 
for  gardens  and  gardening  which  has  been  so 
marked  during  the  last  few  years.  Metropolitan 
plant  and  flower  exhibitions  have  much  im- 
proved so  far  as  the  quality  of  the  displays  is 
concerned,  and  it  is  satisfactory  to  know  that 
those  responsible  for  the  management  of  pro- 
vincial exhibitions  have  also  progressed  with 
the  demands  of  the  times.  Some  of  the  large 
provincial  shows  leave  nothing  to  be  desired, 
for  there  one  may  see  not  only  extensive  dis- 
plays of  the  better-known  plants  and  flowers, 
but  many  noteworthy  plants  of  recent  intro- 
duction. Some  have  even  made  such  progress 
as  to  grant  certificates  and  awards  of  merit  of 
their  own,  and  these  shows  are  to  be  com- 
mended, as  they  tend  to  encourage  the  produc- 
tion of  new  plants.  Would  it  not  be  possible 
for  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  to  send  a 
deputation  to  provincial  flower  shows  more 
frequently  than  is  now  the  case  ?  It  would 
probably  stimulate  competition,  and  at  the 
same  time  would  bring  the  parent  society 
into  closer  touch  with  local  organisations. 

Some  provincial  horticultural  shows  have 
one  or  more  characteristic  features  that  are 
not  to  be  found  in  such  excellence  elsewhere, 
not  even  at  metropolitan  exhibitions.  For 
instance,  where  can  one  see  such  splendid 
specimen  plants  of  Fancy  and  Zonal  Pelar- 
goniums as  at  York,  whose  famous  three  days' 
gala  was  held  this  week?  If  one  wishes  to  see 
the  finest  Grapes  that  Britain  can  produce,  or 
the  most  tastefully-arranged  table  of  the  best 
dessert  fruits,  then  it  is  imperative  to  go  to 
the  great  Shrewsbury  Floral  Fete.  Other 
instances  might  be  given,  for  the  increased 
number  of  provincial  flower  shows,  as  well  as 
the  greatly  improved  quality  of  those  already 
established,  has  caused  many  of  them  to 
specialise  in  a  certain  class  of  plants.  One 
has  only  to  think  of  the  exhibitions  at  Wolver- 
hampton, Leicester,  Birmingham,  Hanley, 
Southampton,  Edinburgh,  Belfast,  Dublin, 
etc.,  to  bring  to  mind  really  fine  displays  of 
summer  and  autumn  flowers . 

But  apart  from  their  educational  value, 
their  influence  in  fostering  a  love  for  the 
culture  of  plants  and  flowers,  as  distinguished 
from  an  admiration  for  them  when  grown, 


some  of  the  provincial  flower  show  societies 
are  doing  an  admirable  work  in  assisting  local 
charitable  institutions,  and  in  other  ways 
benefiting  their  respective  towns.  We  know  of 
no  object  more  worthy  of  support  than  these 
societies  vsihich  devote  their  surplus  funds  to 
such  good  purpose.  May  they  long  continue 
to  thrive. 

The  York  Gala,  which  opened  on  Wednes- 
day last,  may  be  said  to  inaugurate  the  season 
of  provincial  flower  shows,  and  we  take  this 
opportunity  of  bringing  them  to  the  notice  of 
our  country  readers  who  may  care  to  give  their 
patronage,  or,  perhaps,  active  co-operation. 


THE   EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


WE  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  in- 
teresting plants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more 
instructive  to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it. 
We  welcome  anything  from  the  garden, 
whether  fruit,  tree,  shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy 
flower,  and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The 
Editor,  3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 

Anemones  from  Lincolnshire. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Anemone  Nurseries, 
Dyke,  Bourne,  Lincolnshire,  send  flowers  of 
Anemone  blooms  from  plants  which  have  been  in 
beauty  since  the  last  week  in  March.  They  will 
continue  so  for  another  month,  and  although  the 
flowers  are  not  quite  so  fine  in  size  the  colour  is 
very  rich.  All  the  Anemones  are  varieties  of 
A.  coronaria,  and  in  the  gathering  sent  to  us  were 
The  Bride,  single  white,  single  blue,  the  beautiful 
double  St.  Brigid,  Gilbert's  Scarlet,  a  brilliant 
single  flower  of  intense  colouring  ;  Queen  of  Roses, 
a  double  form,  and  the  well-known  King  of  Scarlets, 
which  is  the  most  intense  of  all,  the  flowers  are 
quite  double  and  almost  painfully  bright.  This 
has  been  exhibited  on  more  than  one  occasion,  and 
always  attracts  attention,  the  colour  being  so 
intense  and  rich. 


Malmaison  Carnations  and  Sweet  Peas. 
In  The  Garden  of  last  week,  page  40-t,  there  is 
a  note  about  the  beautiful  Malmaison  Carnations 
and  Sweet  Peas  from  Mr.  J.  R.  Batty  ;  the  full 
address  should  be  Skelton  Castle  Gardens,  Skelton- 
in-Cleveland,  Yorks. 


Papaver  Oribntale  Lady  Roscob. 
Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt,  The  Nursery,  Woodbridge, 
sends  flowers  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the 
varieties  of  Oriental  Poppy,  namely,  Lady  Roscoe. 
The  flower  has  the  boldness  and  dashing  beauty  of 
the  type,  but  the  colour  is  a  clear  shining  salmon- 


rose,  pure,  fresh,  and  uncommon.  We  shall  make 
a  group  of  this  near  the  white  Lupine  ;  the  associa- 
tion will  be  pleasing.  It  was  given  an  award  of 
merit  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  last  year. 

Miniature  Pansies. 
Mr.  Crane  sends  flowers  of  ^seedling  miniature 
Pansies  of  delicate  shades  of  blue,  and  as  sweet 
scented  as  the  Violet  Princess  of  Wales.  These 
little  Pansies  have  a  great  charm  ;  they  are  pretty 
to  look  at  when  cut,  and  the  plants  are  tufts  of 
growths,  almost  hidden  with  blossom  in  the  full 
flowering  time.  For  the  rock  garden  especially 
this  race  may  be  commended. 


Rose  Fortune's  Yellow. 
"  R. "  sends  a  beautiful  gathering  of  Pvose  Fortune's 
Yellow  from  a  tree  more  than  twenty-five  years  old, 
growing  on  a  wall  12  feet  high,  which  it  has  over- 
topped. We  should  much  like  further  information 
as  to  the  aspect  and  cultural  details. 


The  Double  Purple  Rocket. 
We  are  glad  to  be  reminded  of  the  sweetness  and 
fine  colour  of  the  double  purple  Rocket  by  a  bunch 
of  it  from  Mr.  Beckett,  The  Gardens,  Aldenham 
House,  Elstree.  Mr.  Beckett  says  it  is  a  fine 
border  plant,  and  its  colouring  is  very  rich,  a  true 
purple,  pure  and  fresh.  It  is  a  pity  such  a  good 
garden  flower  as  this  should  be  so  scarce. 


Cypripbdidm  candidum. 
Mr.  Gillam  sends  from  The  Gardens,  Naworth 
Castle,  Carlisle,  flowers  of  this  beautiful  Lady 
Slipper.  He  writes  on  June  1  as  follows  :  "  Cypri- 
pedium  candidum  is  looking  very  charming  at  the 
present  time  in  these  gardens.  I  consider  this 
species  well  worth  more  extensive  cultivation  than 
it  receives  at  present,  as  it  is  quite  as  good  as  the 
exotic  Orchids  over  which  so  much  care  is  taken. 
It  thrives  well  in  a  damp  soil  and  shaded  position, 
but  I  find  that  a  mixture  of  peat,  loam,  and  sand 
suits  it  best." 

Climbing  Rose  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant. 
A  flower  of  this  comes  from  Mr.   Goodwin,  The 
Elms,  Kidderminster  ;  the  stem  is  very  long  and 
sturdy  and  the  flower  of  large  size.     A  handsome 
climbing  Rose,  free  and  showy. 


KEW    NOTES. 


Interesting    Plants   in   Flower. 


Water  Lily  House. 
Aristolochia  oymbifera,  Clerodendron  speciosum, 
Dioscorea  brasiliensis,  Eranthemum  tuberculatum, 
Nymphseas  in  variety,  and  Pontaderia  cordata. 

Orchid  Hotises. 
Acineta  Barkeri,  ^Ij^rides  crassifolium,  -E. 
houlettiana,  Anguloa  Ruckeri,  Bulbophyllum 
inflatura,  B.  Lobbii,  B.  Lobbii  var.  siamense, 
Coslogyne  asperata,  Cypripedium  (various  species 
and  varieties),  Dendrobium  Calceolaria,  Diplocen- 
trum  congestum,  Disa  langleyensis,  Epidendrum 
Hartii,   Eulophia  euglossa,   E.    Ledieniij  Lycaste 


424 


THE    GAEDEN. 


[June  18,  19C4. 


Deppei,  Masdevallia.  Carderi,  M.  Chimsera  var. 
Kcezlei,  M.  oivilis,  M.  macrura,  M.  muscosa,  M. 
periateria,  JI.  reichenbachiana,  Maxillaria  luteo- 
alba,  Microstvlis  congesta,  Onoidiura  Hooked,  0. 
lanceanum,  0.  leucochilura,  Ornithidium  bicolor, 
Ornithocephalus  grandiflorus,  Platyclinis  cornuta, 
P.  filiforruis,  P.  latifolia,  Promenaja  xanthina,  and 
Theodora  gomezoides. 

Border.':  rottnd  Orchid  Ho^i^ea. 

Abelia  floribunda,  Alstrwnieria  Ligtii,  Boraarea 
Salsilla,  Spikelia  formosissima,  and  Watsonia 
meriana  var.  O'Brieni. 

T  Range. 

AUamanda  grandiflora,  Aphelandra  squarrosa 
var.  Louisie,  Chirita  hamosa,  Crossandra  undulaj- 
folia,  Gloriosa  superba,  Kalanchoe  flammea, 
Kniphofia  rufa,  Littonia  modesta,  Notonia  trachy- 
carpa,  Oxalis  Ortgiesii,  Passiflora  raddiana,  Pavetta 
caifra,  Peperomia  resedjefolia,  Scutellaria  violaoea, 
and  Taccarinum  Warmingii. 

Alpine  House. 
"  Achillea  holosericea,  A.  obscura,  Ajuga  gene- 
vensis,  Anthemis  biebersteiniana,  Aquilegia 
pyrenaica,  Arnica  alpina,  A.  montana,  Aster  sub- 
coerulus,  Calceolaria  plantaginea,  C.  polyrrhiza, 
Campanula  portenachlagiana,  Cotyledon  amoenus, 
Cypripedium  humile,  Inula  montana,  Lewisia 
rediviva,  Liliuni  tenuifolium.  Orchis  aancta,  Phlo.x 
ovata,  Phyteuma  lobelioides,  P.  Soheucbzeri  var. 
Charmelii,  Potentilla  delphinensis,  Saxifraga 
mutata,  S.  Hosti  X  Aizoon,  Silene  alpestris,  and 
Tanakfea  radicans. 

Arboretum. 

Numerous  trees  and  shrubs  are  iu  flower,  of 
which  species  of  Deutzia,  Philadelphus,  Genista, 
and  Rosa  are  the  most  conspicuous.  Rambling 
Roses  are  now  very  fine  in  various  places. 

Roch  Garden. 

Aster  diplositephioides,  Bulbinella  Hookeri, 
Calceolaria  polyrrhiza,  Cypripedium  spectabile, 
Dianthua  ccesius,  D.  callizonus,  D.  neglectua, 
Erigeron  philadelphicus,  Gentiana  lutea.  Geranium 
suboaulescens,  Heraerocallis  Dumortierii,  H.  flava, 
Hieraciuni  villoaum,  Houatonia  serpyllifolia, 
Linaria  pallida,  Melittia  melissophyllum  var.  alba, 
Saxifragas  in  variety,  Scutellaria  altissima,  Spiraea 
decumbens,  Thalictrum  tuberosum,  and  other 
things. 

Herbaceous  Borders. 

Herbaceous  plants  are  now  flowering  in  large 
numbers,  the  following  being  very  conspicuous : 
Aquilegias,  Dianthua,  Delphiniums,  Erodiums, 
Hieraciums,  Veronicas,  Geraniums,  Thalictrums, 
&c.,  in  variety,  also  Crambecordifolia,  C.  maritima, 
C.  orientalis,  C.  pinnatifida,  Scilla  peruviana, 
Papaver  pilosum,  and  other  plants. 


I 


HIGHNAM    COURT    AND 
ITS    GARDENS. 

The  garden  which  we  illustrate  is  that  of 
Highnam  Court,  a  fine  estate  lying  some  two 
miles  north  of  Gloucester.  The  grounds  cover 
about  fifty-six  acres,  and  are  well  laid  out,  and 
diversified  with  fine  timber,  and  in  particular 
by  many  noble  Yews  and  other  coniferous 
trees.  The  Court  is  the  seat  of  Sir  Charles 
Hubert  Hastings  Parry,  J. P.,  D.C.L.,Mus.Doc., 
whose  father,  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Gambler 
Parry,  greatly  beautified  the  place,  and  built 
and  endowed  at  his  own  charge  the  splendid 
neighbouring  church  of  the  Holy  Innocents, 
and  with  his  own  hand  painted  the  frescoes, 
including  the  "  Doom,"  the  "  Expulsion  from 
Paradise,"  the  "Annunciation,"  and  other 
subjects,  which  are  such  a  remarkable  feature 
of  the  edifice. 

The  district  is  that  of  the  Dean  Forest,  and 
many  fine  trees  are  the  remains  of  that  ancient 
greenwood.  Our  picture  well  illustrates  the 
stately  and  formal  character  of  the  grounds, 
and  it  may  be  added  that,  at  the  distance  of 
about  a  mile  from  the  house,  in  an  elevated 


situation,  is  a  "  pinetum,"  possessing  one  of 
the  best  collections  of  hardy  coniferous  trees 
in  England,  and  including  several  rare  Japanese 
varieties.  This  delightful  cultivated  area  ex- 
tends over  several  acres. 

Highnam  Court  itself  was  erected  after  the 
Civil  War,  probably  during  the  possession  of 
William  Cooke,  who  had  been  a  colonel  on  the 
Parliamentary  side,  but  was  received  into 
favour  by  Charles  II.  It  is  a  plain  edifice,  said 
to  be  from  the  designs  of  Carter,  a  pupil  of 
Inigo  Jones,  and  surveyor  of  works  to  Crom- 
well. The  old  house  at  Highnam  had  become 
a  ruin  under  the  battering  of  the  war.  The 
Abbot  of  Gloucester  had  imparked  the  place 
in  1.315,  and  had  had  a  house  there,  which 
came  at  the  Dissolution  to  the  family  of 
Arnold.  Passing  then  through  many  hands, 
it  passed  to  the  Cooke  family,  and  in  the 
Civil  War  was  garrisoned  at  times  by  both 
parties.  The  most  memorable  transaction  was 
the  siege  of  the  place,  and  the  capture  there  of 
a  very  large  body  of  Welsh  Royalists  under 
Lord  Herbert  who  had  posted  themselves  in 
the  mansion.  The  citizens  of  Gloucester 
cherished  a  kind  of  racial  hatred  against  the 
Welsh,  and  their  presence  so  near  to  the  city 
was  thought  intolerable.  Sir  William  Waller, 
at  the  head  of  a  strong  body  of  Parliamentary 
troops,  advanced,  therefore,  rapidly  from  Wilt- 
shire, instructing  Colonel  Massey  to  have  horse 
and  foot  before  Highnam,  and  to  keep  the 
Welshmen  fully  occupied.  Heavy  ordnance 
was  brought  up,  and  fire  was  opened  upon  the 
place.  Meanwhile,  flat-bottomed  boats,  which 
had  been  carried  from  London  in  waggons, 
sulficed  for  the  passage  of  Waller's  men  at 
Framilode,  six  miles  below  Gloucester. 
Reaching  the  further  side  of  the  Severn,  the 
vigorous  Parliamentary  leader  then  struck 
north,  and  established  himself  between  the 
Welshmen  and  their  line  of  retreat.  They 
attempted  to  break  through,  but  suffered 
heavy  loss,  and  were  compelled  to  surrender. 
In  this  tremendous  struggle,  however,  Highnam 
House  had  suffered  most  grievously,  and  thus 
it  was  that  the  services  of  Carter  were  called 
for  by  Colonel  William  Cooke.  This  brief 
account  of  a  very  dramatic  incident  may  serve 
to  add  a  little  interest  to  our  picture  of  the 
Highnam  Gardens. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

June  24. — Opening  of  College  Gardens,  Reading. 

June  28. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting. 

July  6. — National  Rose  Society's  Temple  Show; 
Southampton  (two  days),  Croydon,  Hereford,  and 
Hanley  (two  days)  Horticultural  Shows. 

July  7. — Norwich  Horticultural  Show. 

July  12. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Holland 
House  Show  (two  daj's). 

HOPtiCUltUPal  Club.— A  delightful 
evening  was  spent  at  the  Hotel  Windsor  on  Tues- 
day last.  A  paper  was  read  by  Sir  .John  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  upon  "Himalayan  Rhododendrons."  Among 
those  present  were  Sir  George  Watt,  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore  of  Glasnevin,  Mr.  Watson,  curator  of  Kew 
Gardens,  and  Mr.  Tutcher  of  Hong  Kong.  A  full 
report  will  appear  next  week. 

Rhododendron  Ascot  Brilliant.— A 

correspondent  reminds  us  that  this  Rhododendron 
was  raiaed  by  the  late  John  Standish,  and  not  by 
Mr.  Waterer.  as  stated  in  The  Garden  of  last 
week  (page  422). 

Parton  House  Gardens,  Kirkcud 

tarightshire.— Through  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
George  Rigby  Murraj-,  of  Parton  House,  Kirkcud- 
brightshire, who  advertiaed  in  the  local  newspapers 
an  invitation  to  the  public  to  stroll  through  the 


grounds  and  gardens  on  the  11th  and  Pith  inst.,  to 
see  the  Rhododendrons  and  other  flowering  shrubs 
and  trees,  a  large  number  of  people  took  advantage 
of  Mr.  Murray's  permission  and  visited  the  gardens. 
They  were  delighted  with  what  they  saw,  Mr. 
M'Gechen,  the  gardener,  having  everything  in 
splendid  order,  while  the  Rhododendrons,  Labur- 
nums, Brooms,  Thorns,  and  many  flowers  were  in 
full  beauty.  Mr.  Murray's  generous  permission  was 
highly  appreciated  by  the  many  from  miles  around 
who  visited  the  gardens. — S.  A. 

Dundee  Horticultural  Association. 

The  usual  monthly  meeting  of  the  Dundee  Horti- 
cultural Asaoeiation  was  held  in  the  Technical 
Institute,  Dundee,  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the 
7th  inst.  There  was  a  good  attendance,  and  the 
subject  of  the  paper  for  the  evening  was  one  of 
great  interest  to  horticulturists.  The  title  was 
"Enemies  of  the  Horticulturist,"  and  the  subjtct 
was  very  ably  dealt  with  from  a  scientific  and  prac- 
tical point  of  view  by  the  author,  Dr.  Robertson, 
of  Errol,  N.B.     The  discussion  was  also  interesting. 

Xanthoceras   sorbifolia.  —  With  me 

this  plant  does  not  flower  at  all  freely.  More  sun- 
light and  exposure  seems  necessary  than  what  my 
plant  receives.  I  lately  saw  a  well-flowered  example 
in  the  Aldenham  Gardens,  where,  Mr.  Beckett 
says,  the  plant  has  become  well  established,  and 
flowers  very  well  yearly. — E.  M. 

Wistarias  as  bushes.— Growing  on  the 
lawn  here  is  a  fine  tree  of  the  Wistaria.  The  growth 
is  annually  confined  to  spur  and  flower  formation, 
no  long  growths  being  made  at  all.  The  tree  is 
certainly  not  less  than  forty  years  old.  It  was 
originally  trained  over  a  doorway-entrance  to  the 
kitchen  garden,  and  in  course  of  alteration  here 
twenty-five  years  ago,  the  walls  and  door  were 
taken  away,  thus  leaving  the  Wistaria  quite  un- 
supported. I  am  told  by  a  gentleman  who  has 
travelled  through  Japan  that  this  plant  is  similar 
to  those  commonly  met  with  there  in  the  form  of 
growth  and  training.  Certainly,  no  more  beautiful 
way  of  growing  this  flowering  ahrub  could  be  realised 
than  as  a  specimen  upon  grass  ;  the  green  base 
serves  to  display  the  flowers  thoroughly,  while  no 
matter  which  side  the  tree  is  seen  from  a  mass  of 
flowers  ia  preaented.  The  flowering  annually  is  all 
that  could  be  desired. — E.  Molyneux,  Swanmore 
Park,  Hants. 

The  double  Arabis.— Whilst  all  who  see 
this  fine  hardy  spring  flower  when  in  full  bloom  are 
delighted  with  it  and  long  to  grow  it,  yet  they 
often  find  when  they  do  get  it  that  it  fails  to  flower 
satisfactorily.  The  reason,  no  doubt,  is  the  too 
common  practice  of  planting  it  in  rather  good  soil, 
in  which  it  is  induced  to  grow  luxuriantly  and  to 
make  big  leafage.  The  result  is  that  bloom  is  fir 
from  being  abundant.  I  have  nowhere  seen  this 
Arabis  blooming  so  abundantly  as  it  did  at  Wisley 
last  April.  There,  planted  as  a  wide  edging  to  an  in- 
formal border,  it  ran  out  on  to  the  sandy  walk,  and 
was  literally  a  mass  of  snowy  whiteness.  When  at 
Wisley  on  the  11th  inst.  I  took  apecial  notice  of 
the  appearance  of  these  clumps,  and  found  them 
looking  rather  brown,  as  though  somewhat  starved. 
Yet  it  seemed  to  be  just  such  conditions  of  growth 
as  conduces  to  the  production  of  great  bloom. 
Those  growers  who  so  far  have  been  disappointed 
with  their  plants  should  try  an  ample  mixture  of 
sand  and  lime  rubbish. — A.  D. 

Hybrid   Gerberas.  —  One  of  the  most 

interesting,  and  at  the  same  time  one  of  the  most 
beautiful,  exhibits  at  the  recent  Temple  show  was 
the  charming  group  of  hybrid  Gerberas  so  faithfully 
portrayed  in  The  Garden  of  the  lllh  inst. 
(page  405).  True,  we  had  heard  of  them  before, 
but  few,  if  any,  who  had  not  previously  seen  them 
were  prepared  to  find  such  a  striking  proof  of 
Mr.  Lyneh's  skill  in  hybridising  and  successfully 
cultivating  these  South  African  Composites,  for 
they  are  by  no  means  always  met  with  in  a 
flourishing  state.  The  silver  cup  awarded  them 
was  worthilj'  bestowed,  for  when  one  looks  at  the 
hunble  way  in  which  some  of  our  popular  classes 
of  garden  plants  commenced  (tuberous  Begonias  for 
instance),  the  great  range  of  colour,  and  in  a 
lesser  degree  of  shape,  obtained  within  such  a  com- 
paratively short  time  ia  quite  surprising.  With  all 
of  them  so  beautiful  it  is  a  dithcult  matter  to  make 


June  18   1!04.] 


THE     GARDEN, 


425 


a  selection,  but  the  following  struck  me  as  among 
the  best :  Sir  Michael,  soft  yellow,  a  large,  perfectly 
formed  flower;  Brilliant,  etjually  fine,  and  of  a 
bright  vermilion  tint ;  King  Arthur,  rosy  salmon  ; 
May  Queen,  pink  ;  Hiawatha,  scarlet  ;  Mayflower, 
rich  pink  ;  and  a  white  or  nearly  white  form, 
grouped,  I  believe,  under  the  head  of  G.  cantabrid- 
gensis.  Concerning  the  typical  G.  Jamesoni,  it 
may  be  noted  that  it  was  first  discovered  bj'  a 
Mr.  R.  Jameson,  after  whom  it  is  named,  at 
Barberton,  in  the  Transvaal,  previous  to  1887,  in 
which  year  it  flowered  for  the  first  time  in  this 
■country,  but  it  remained  quite  a  rare  plant  for  years 
after  this.~H.  P. 

Mp.    and    Mrs.    Albert    Stevens's 
■water-colour  drawings.— Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Stevens  are  exhibiting  at  the  present  time  a  series 
of  water-colour  sketches  at  the  Dore  Gallery,  Bond 
Street,  for  the  most  part  of  brilliant  flower  sub- 
jects, including  many  beautiful  garden  scenes.  It 
is  to  be  regretted  that  the  pictures  are  hung  so 
closely  together,  as  the  vivid  colouring  that,  Mrs. 
Stevens  more  especially,  delights  in,  and  is  so 
successful  with,  is  to  a  great  extent  spoilt  by  their 
exceedingly  close  proximity  to  each  other.  How- 
ever, notwithstanding  this  drawback,  many  call  for 
special  attention,  notably  "Lilies"  (No.  15),  a 
picture  in  which  blue  and  white  predominate  with 
striking  eS'ect,  white  Lilies  and  brilliant  blue 
Delphiniums  lining  a  pathway  and  stretching  away 


into  a  long  vista  of  blue  and  white,  gradually 
merging  into  grey.  No.  7  is  another  good  picture 
of  Delphiniums,  whilst  in  "Hollyhocks"  (No.  6) 
Hollyhocks  are  shown  very  happily  against  the 
background  of  a  white  house.  Much  more  subdued 
in  tone  than  any  of  these,  and  delicately  pretty,  is 
Mrs.  Stevens's  "A  Garden  in  Paris"  (No.  10). 
The  Deanery  Gardens,  Sonning,  form  the  subject 
of  many  of  the  most  successful  pictures  of  both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens,  one  of  the  most  interesting 
being  No.  6-t,  while  another,  bearing  merely  the 
title  of  "In  a  Garden  at  Sonning"  (No.  13),  is 
exceedingly  good  with  its  brilliant  colouring  to  the 
fore  and  delicate  background.  The  exhibition 
should  be  visited  by  those  in  particular  who  care 
for  flowers  and  gardens. 

Liselio  -  Cattleya    Laura     Gilbert 

(Laelio-Caltleya  Martinetti  x  Laslia  elegans). — A 
new  and  distinct  hybrid  has  just  flowered  in  the 
collection  of  Mr.  R.  H.  Measures  at  The  Wood- 
lands, Streatham.  In  general  shape  the  flowers  are 
not  unlike  those  of  Cattleya  Mendelii,  except  that 
the  labellum  is  much  more  elongated  and  more 
beautiful,  the  border  more  heavily  fluted,  and  the 
whole  flower  of  much  greater  substance.  The 
sepals  are  thick  and  waxlike,  as  though  carved, 
ivory  white,  flushed,  with  a  light  bronze  rose  tint, 
derived,  no  doubt,  from  the  tenebrosa  influence. 
The  petals  are  beautifully  pencilled  and  flushed  with 
soft  lilac-rose,  deepest  on    the  centre  and  apices. 


much  as  in  heavily  feathered  forms  of  Cattleya 
Inanse  backhousiana,  though  the  contrast  of  colours 
IS  not  so  intense,  while  on  the  sepals  a  tinge  ot 
bronze  is  apparent,  just  sufficiently  strong  to  add  to 
the  beauty  of  the  flowers.  The  lip  is  finely  coloured. 
The  heavily  gophered  margin  is  of  a  lighter  shade 
than  the  frontal  area,  which  is  of  a  rich  crimson- 
maroon,  plush-like  in  ett'ect,  deepest  centrally,  ex- 
tending in  a  well-defined  band  to  beneath  the  apex 
of  the  column,  whence  from  the  base  of  the  column 
It  IS  met  by  short  crimson  radiating  lines,  between 
which  and  the  front  lobe  are  two  lemon  yellow 
blotches,  clearly  defined,  and  most  conspicuous  near 
the  median,  shading  from  thence  into  soft  white, 
which  occupies  the  remainder  of  the  inner  surfaces 
and  the  whole  of  the  outer.  This  charming  hybrid 
is  both  new  and  distinct,  being  derived  from  the 
magnificent  Turneri  type  of  elegans  which  have 
their  home  at  The  Woodlands,  and  which  are 
unequalled  for  beauty,  variety,  and  quantity.  In 
this  hybrid  we  have  Lielia  purpurata  and  Cattleya 
Leopoldi  in  the  seed  parent,  Cattleya  Mossiaj  and 
La3lia  tenebrosa  in  the  male  parent,  both  parents 
being  hybrids,  and  in  this  direction  lie  some  of  the 
greatest  possibilities  of  obtaining  new  Lailio- 
Cattleyas  of  marked  distinctness  and  beauty  — 
Argutos. 

Government  Fruit  Enquiry  Com- 
mittee. —  The  Departmental  Committee  ap- 
pointed by  Lord  Onslow  to  enquire  into  and  repor 


IN   THE  GARDENS  OF   HIGHNAM   COURT. 


426 


THE    GAKDEN 


[JCNE  18,  1904. 


upon  the  fruit  industry  of  Great  Britain  held  sit- 
tings on  the  1st,  ^nd,  and  .3rd  inst.  The  following 
members  were  present :  Jlr.  A.  S.  T.  GrifiSth- 
Boseawen,  M.P.  (chairman),  Colonel  Long,  M.P., 
Mr.  C.  W.  Radeliffe-Cooke,  Mr.  Hodge,  Mr. 
Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Somerville,  Mr.  P. 
Spencer  Pickering,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  Rev.  W.  Wilks, 
and  Mr.  Ernest  Garnsey  (secretary).  The  fol- 
lowing witnesses  gave  evidence :  Mr.  Thomas 
Pringle,  fruit  merchant,  Xeweastle-on-Tyne  ;  Mr. 
William  Craze,  fruit  merchant,  Liverpool  ;  Mr. 
E.  G.  Wheler,  president  of  the  Land  Agents' 
Society  ;  Mr.  Thomas  Blackwell  and  Mr.  Chivers, 
Jam  manuf.acturers ;  Mr.  Cecil  Warburton,  zoo- 
logist to  the  Royal  Agricultural  Sooietj'  of 
England  ;  and  Mr.  H.  T.  Balmer,  cider  manufac- 
turer, Hereford. 

W^hat  is  Nature  study  ?— It  is  by  no 

means  easy  to  give  a  definition  of  Nature  study. 
There  may  be  almost  as  many  ideas  of  what  is 
meant  by  Nature  study  as  rhere  are  teachers 
teaching  it  or  students  studying  it.  Eich  teacher 
or  student  will  have  his  own  idea  of  what  he  means 
by  the  title,  and  perhaps  any  attempt  to  define 
the  scope  or  to  limit  the  meaning  of  Nature  study 
might  be  a  mistake.  It  is  not  the  scientific  study 
of  any  one  subject,  as  botanj',  entomology,  and 
geology  ;  it  is  not  the  sj'steniatic  study  of  a  science  ; 
it  is  rather  a  method  of  study  than  a  subject.  It 
is  a  natural  method,  informal  and  unsystematic, 
and  its  essential  feature  is  the  cultivation  of  the 
powers  of  observation  and  the  power  of  drawing 
correct  conclusions  from  what  is  observed.  By  such 
a  method  the  eye  is  trained  to  see  and  the  mind  to 
comprehend  the  every-day  things  of  life  just  as 
they  come  to  hand,  without  reference  to  the 
systematic  order  or  relationships  of  the  objects. — 
E.  Chas.  Horbell,  F.L.S.,  in  Field  Studies  in 
Natural  History. 

Protecting'  Stra'wberry  bloom.— As 

the  writer  who  advocated  protecting  the  blossom 
for  an  early  lot  of  fruits,  I  had  no  intention  of  advo- 
cating it  for  a  large  area,  and  my  note,  if  I  mistake 
not,  only  referred  to  sheltered  borders,  to  preserve 
the  earliest  flowers.  I  did  not  intend  to  advise 
such  means  as  "  H.  A.  P."  suggests.  To  do  so  would 
have  been  unwise.  I  well  remember  the  occasion 
"  H.  A.  P."  refers  to,  some  years  ago,  when  many 
acres  of  Strawberries  in  the  Thames  Valley  were 
badly  injured  by  frost,  and  I  may  add,  though 
I  protect  a  long  run  of  narrow  border  in  front  of 
fruit  houses,  I  do  not  find  it  necessary  to  cover. 
We  grow  more  than  one  acre  of  plants  in  the  open, 
but  these  are  later  varieties,  which  rarely  fail.  I 
admire  the  simple  method  adopted  by  "  H.  A.  P.," 
but  even  then  there  is  a  certain  amount  of  labour 
in  covering  and  uncovering,  and  care  is  required  to 
remove  masses  of  litter  from  plants  in  flower.  In 
the  note  referred  to  (page  386)  it  is  not  mentioned 
that  I  stated  the  protector  is  most  valuable,  as, 
being  in  position,  the  fruits  are  readily  covered. 
This  at  the  time  named  is  a  saving  of  time.  We 
require  Strawberries  as  early  as  possible  to  follow 
the  forced  ones,  and  we  get  our  earliest  in  the  way 
mentioned. — G.  Wythes. 

Caterpillars     on     Gooseberry 

Bushes. —  In  many  gardens  in  this  locality 
the  above  pest  is  most  troublesome  this  season, 
and  in  a  few  instances  the  amateur  or  smaller 
grower  is  in  despair,  not  knowing  the  best 
remedies  to  adopt  to  check  its  ravages.  It  is 
almost  useless  to  merely  give  lime  or  soot  under 
the  trees,  as,  though  excellent  in  its  way,  it  is 
only  a  half  measure.  The  caterpillar  continues 
to  spread,  and  in  the  end  the  trees  are  entirely 
stripped  of  their  foliage,  with  the  result  that  the 
buds  for  next  season  are  weakened  and  the  crop 
much  reduced.  There  is  no  doubt  that  Hellebore 
powder  is  oneof  the  best  and  most  simple  remedies. 
It  is  quickly  applied  and  is  not  costly.  Place  the 
powder  in  a  fluff'  or  dredger,  and  lightly  dust  it 
over  the  trees  early  in  the  daj'  when  the  foliage  is 
damp.  The  caterpillar  falls,  and  if  a  little  is 
sprinkled  over  the  surface  soil  anv  that  drop  never 
come  up  again.  The  objection  to  Hellebore  powder 
ia  that  it  must  not  remain  on  the  fruit,  so  that 
when  used  at  all  freely  the  trees  should  be  syringed 
6ver  with  clear  water.  This  does  good  in  other 
ways,   as  it   distributes   the   powder.      There   are 


other  means  of  destroying  the  pests,  but  it  must  be 
remembered  that  whatever  is  used  must  not  affect 
the  fruits.  I  have  used  quassia  to  advantage,  but 
this  is  not  a  safe  remedy,  as,  when  used  at  all 
strongly,  the  fruit  is  unpalatable.  Recently  I  tried 
a  small  quantity  of  soluble  petroleum,  half  a  pint 
to  three  gallons  of  water.  This  was  efljcient,  but 
care  is  needful  in  its  use,  as  too  much  petroleum  is 
harmful.  In  no  case  should  raw  spirit  be  used. 
The  old  remedy  of  soapsuds  is  not  bad  if  used  in 
quantitj'  sufficient  to  kill  the  pest,  or  at  least  to 
dislodge  it,  and  if  this  is  done  and  a  good  portion 
of  freshly  slaked  lime  and  soot  spread  on  the  ground 
afterwards  much  good  will  result.  Idonotlike  using 
dry  lime  or  soot  on  the  trees.  When  this  is  dusted 
on  the  bushes  it  adheres  to  the  fruit  and  is  most 
objectionable.  The  pest  is  almost  as  troublesome 
on  Red  and  White  Currants.  The  same  remedies 
are  applicable,  but  much  may  be  done  in  the  winter 
to  get  rid  of  the  pest,  as  it  winters  in  the  surface 
soil,  and  if  this  is  removed  much  of  the  grub  is 
destroyed  if  the  soil  is  burnt.  Even  with  the 
greatest  care  a  few  are  left,  which  increase  so 
rapidly  that  it  is  well  to  dress  the  land  with  fresh 
lime  and  new  soil  or  manure  to  assist  root  growth. 
— G.  Wythes. 


THE    SHEPHERD'S    SUNDAY    SONO. 

This  is  the  Lord's  own  day, 
I  stand  alone  on  yrassy  hill, 
A  church  bell  echoes  through  the  still 

Calm  air  from  far  away. 

I  kneel  upon  the  ground. 

O  sweet  and  sacred  mystery  ! 

As  if  an  unseen  company 
Of  angels  stood  around  ! 

In  reverence  I  pray. 
The  sky  is  clear  and  blue  and  bright 
As  though  'twould  open  to  my  sight. 
This  is  the  Lord's  own  day. 
-(XJhland).  SYDNEY  Hesselkigge. 


Phenologieal     Observations      for 

1903.— Mr.  Edward  Mawley,  Fellow  of  the  Royal 
Meteorological  Society,  has  issued  in  booklet  form 
his  "  Report  on  the  Phonological  Observations  for 
1903,"  published  in  the  Quarterly  Journal  of  the 
Royal  Meteorological  Society  (April).  We  make 
the  following  extracts  :  The  winter  of  1902-3  proved 
everywhere  warm,  and  more  particularly  was  this 
the  case  in  February,  when  the  departures  from  the 
average  in  mean  temperature  ranged  from  +  ,3''-'2 
in  the  south  of  Ireland  and  the  north  of  Scotland  to 
-r5'^'2  in  the  midland  and  north-eastern  counties  of 
England.  The  rainfall  was  exceptionally  heavy  in 
Scotland,  above  the  average  in  Ireland  and  the 
north-west  of  England,  but  in  all  the  other  English 
districts  less  than  a  seasonable  quantity  of  rain  was 
deposited.  Throughout  the  greater  part  of  the 
British  Isles  there  was  a  marked  deficiency  of 
bright  sunshine.  The  spring,  taken  as  a  whole, 
was  of  about  average  temperature,  March  being  the 
warm,  and  April  the  cold  month  of  the  season.  In 
all  districts  the  fall  of  rain  was  in  excess  of  the 
mean,  while  scanty  records  of  sunshine  were  equally 
general.  Altogether  this  was  a  wet  and  gloomy 
season.  In  each  of  the  three  summer  months  the 
weather  continued  cold.  In  July,  however,  the 
mean  temperature  was  in  most  districts  only  slightly 
below  the  average.  This  was  another  wot  season, 
the  rainfall  being  unusually  heavy  in  all  parts  of  the 
country.  It  was  also  another  cloudy  season,  but 
there  was  not  quite  such  a  striking  deficiency  in 
the  sunshine  records  as  in  those  for  the  winter  and 
spring.  The  autumn  was  more  or  less  warm 
throughout,  October  being  the  most  unseasonably 
warm  month  of  the  three.  In  all  parts  of  the 
United  Kingdom  the  fall  of  rain  was  in  excess  of 
the  average,  and  especially  was  this  the  case  in 
October,  when  the  departure  from  the  mean  ranged 
between  +  1  a  inches  in  the  south  of  Ireland  and 
+  4'7  inches  in  the  west  of  Scotland. 

Fruit  and  vegetable  farming.— The 

Ro3'al  Agricultural  Society  announce  the  issue  of 
two  new  illustrated  pamphlets  on  these  subjects, 
entitled  "  Practical  Hints  on  Fruit  Farming,"  by 
Mr.  Charles  Whitehead  of  Barmicg  House,  Maid- 


stone ;  and  "Practical  Hints  on  Vegetable  Farm- 
ing,'' by  Mr.  .Tames  Udale  of  the  Worcester  County 
Experimental  Gardens  at  Droitwich.  Mr.  White- 
head's pamphlet  deals  with  methods  of  preservation 
and  distribution,  new  orchards  and  plantations,  the 
renovation  of  old  orchards,  and  the  cultivation  of 
the  principal  fruits  for  market  purposes.  He  also 
gives  valuable  information  as  to  pruning,  grafting, 
budding,  picking,  grading,  packing,  &c. ,  together 
with  a  description  of  injurious  insects  and  the- 
methods  of  destroying  them.  Mr.  Udale  gives 
practical  details  for  the  cultivation  on  a  farming 
scale  of  all  the  principal  vegetables,  those  for  con- 
venience of  reference  being  described  in  alphabetical 
order.  The  insect  and  other  pests  which  injure 
vegetables  and  the  approximate  remedies  are  also- 
described.  Both  pamphlets  are  published  for  the 
society  by  Mr.  Murray  at  the  price  of  Is.  each,  but 
members  may  obtain  copies  at  half  price  from  the 
society's  offices  at  13,  Hanover  Square,  or  at  the 
Agricultural  Education  Exhibition  to  be  held  in 
connexion  with  the  society's  show  at  Park  Ro3-al, 
Willesden,  N.  W. ,  from  the  '21st  to  the  ■2.5th  inst. 

The    earliest    Peas   in   1904. —  This 

season  our    earliest    Pea    gathered    from   the  open 
border  is  Veitch's  Chelsea  Gem,  and,  though  a  little 
later  than  four  years  ago,  it  is  full  early,  as  the 
season  is  not  an  early  oue.     It  is  only  fair  to  state 
that  the  pods  referred  to  were  taken  from    plants 
sown  under  glass  the  first  week  in  December,  grown 
from  the  start  in  cold  frames,  and  planted  out  early 
in  March.     At  the  same  time  Sutton's  Maj'  Queen 
and   Bountiful  were  sown,   and    this   season  May 
Queen  is  just  a  trifle  later.     This  is  accounted   for 
by  the  growth  being  much  larger,  the  pods  also, 
and  the  plants  were  rather  badly  cut  by  frost  soon 
after  planting.     Bountiful,  one  of  the  hardiest  and 
heaviest  cropping  of  the  early  varieties,  was  planted 
in  the  open,  so  that;  in  earliness  it  is  not  fair  to 
make  comparisons,  but  it  is  about  a  week  later  in 
the   position   noted,   and    is    bearing   very    heavy 
crops      The    earliest   varieties   sown   in   the   open, 
ground,  and  not  sheltered  in  any  way  other  than 
by  moulding  up  and  early  staking,  compare  favour- 
ably with  seed  grown  under  glass  for  three  months  ;. 
indeed,  the  question  may  be  asked  :   Why  take  all 
the  trouble  of  glass  or  pot  culture  for  such  results 
when  the  plants  from   the  open  border  are  only  a 
short  time  behind  ?     The  answer  is  that  the  gain  of 
ten  days  to  the  large  vegetable  grower  who  needs 
as  much  variety  as  possible  is  important,  and  in 
seasons  less  favourable  than  the  present  there  has- 
been  a  difference  of  eighteen  to  twenty-one  days, 
and   the  results  were   well  worth  the   labour   ex- 
pended.    This  year  the  results  in  open  borders  are 
quite  the  reverse  of   pot-fown  plants  on  a  south, 
border.     Our  earliest  Pea  is  Sutton's  May  Queen. 
The   seed   was  sown   early  in    February,  and  the 
pods  were  ready  by  June  8,  or  a  little  under  four 
months  from  the  date  of  sowing.   When  its  splendid 
cropping  qualities,  size,  and   Marrow    flavour  are 
taken  into  account,  it  will  be  seen  what  a  valuable 
variety  this  is  for  earliest  supplies.     May  Queen, 
owing  to  its  size,  is  better  than  the  small   early 
white  round  Peas  that  were  grown  so  largely  a  few 
years  ago ;  the  pods  are  well   tilled,  and  are  pro- 
duced very  freely.     Chelsea  Gem,  sown  at  the  same 
time,  is  about  three  days  later.    This  variety  yields 
well,   and  is    of   excellent  qualitj'.      It    continues 
to  crop  well  for  some  time,  and  is  much  grown  for 
its  earliness.     Many  can  grow  this  who  have  heavy 
land,  where  the  Marrows  would  fail  to  germinate 
if  sown  at  the  date  noted  above.     The  newer  Acme 
is  an  excellent  early  variety,  but  I  have  not  sown 
this  under  glass  this  season,   so   that  I  can   only 
note  its  value  in  the  open.     On  a  south   border  it- 
promises  well,  and  is  not  much  later  than  those 
named  ;  it  appears  to  be  a  larger  or  improved  type 
of   Chelsea   Gem,   with    longer   pods   and   a   more 
vigorous    haulm.      Gradus   follows    those    named 
above.     This  is  not  ready  yet,  but  is  most  valu- 
able,  even  when  a  few  days  later,  owing  to    its 
flavour.     This  season  some  of  our  second  early  Peas 
are  much  dwarfer  in  growth  than  usual.   This  refers 
more  to  the  dwarfer  section.     In  some  cases  they 
are   only  half   their   height.     Most  of   the  earlier 
sorts,  such  as  Sutton's   Ideal,    Early  Giant,   and 
Duchess  of   York  are  doing   well   this  season. — 
G.  Wythes. 


June  18,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


427 


The  Moonlight  Bpoom  seedling's 
not  true. — Mrs.  Robb,  Golden  Field,  Liphook, 
writes :  "  Seeing  the  notice  by  '  W.'  on  the 
Moonlight  Broom  (by  which  name  I  christened  it 
when  sending  a  piece  to  the  herbarium  at  Kew),  I 
may  say  that,  unfortunately,  it  does  not  come  true 
from  seed.  One  gets  a  few  plants  true  out  of 
many  seedlings.  Just  now  I  have  a  good-sized 
stretch  of  it  near  a  purple-leaved  Nut,  which  sets 
it  off  well." 

National  Amateur   Gardeners' 

Association. — The  annual  conversazione  will 
take  place  at  Winchester  House,  Old  Broad  Street, 
E.G.,  on  Tuesday  evening,  July  5,  at  seven  o'clock. 
There  is  every  prospect  of  the  exhibition  being 
considerably  larger  than  formerly.  As  in  previous 
years,  a  liberal  supply  of  fruit  will  be  served  to  all 
present.  A  musical  programme,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  G.  M.  Gross,  is  in  course  of  prepara- 
tion. The  price  of  tickets  will  be  Is.  6d.  each, 
and  can  be  got  from  the  hon.  secretary,  Mr.  R. 
Cord  well,  35,  Medusa  Road,  Cattord,  S.E. 

Narcissus  triandrus  albus.— It  may 
be  of  interest  to  some  readers  to  hear  that  in  a  wet 
climate  like  this  Narcissus  triandrus  albus  seems 
to  enjoy  a  soil  composed  of  about  two  parts  of 
lime,  old  mortar,  and  stones  to  one  part  or  less  of 
ordinary  light  soil,  the  bed  being  slightly  raised. 
I  have  tried  this  Narcissus  in  two  or  three  places — 
in  shallow  soil  on  a  ledge  of  the  natural  rock, 
where  it  has  nearly  disappeared  ;  in  a  limestone 
bed,  where,  under  a  covering  of  creeping  plants,  it 
has  also  not  done  well ;  mixed  with  Cyclamineus  in 
a  small  stony  bed  which  is  drenched  with  water 
by  a  small  spring  near  it  whenever  there  is  heavy 
rain,  in  which  position  it  lives  and  flowers,  but 
does  not  flourish  ;  and  finally  in  the  bed  I  described 
above,  where  a  dozen  bulbs  were  planted  two  years 
ago.  This  year  the  twelve  bulbs  have  thrown  up 
fourteen  flowering  stems,  six  of  these  bearing  one 
flower,  four  bearing  two  flowers,  three  bearing 
three  flowers,  and  one  stem  with  four  flowers. 
This,  I  think,  is  good  flowering.  I  imagine  the 
bulbs  like  the  baking  they  must  get  in  the  dry 
border  with  no  growth  over  them. — A.  M.,  Amble- 
side. 

Tufted  Pansy  Rose  Noble.— Since 
the  introduction  of  Mr.  George  McLeod's  rayless 
orange-yellow  Tufted  Pansy  (Viola)  A.  J.  Row- 
berry  many  changes  have  taken  place  among  the 
yellow  sorts.  We  now  have  quite  a  list  of  rich 
yellow  rayless  varieties  of  varying  merit,  and  in 
many  instances  it  is  quite  easy  to  trace  the 
parentage  to  the  original  A.  J.  Rowberry  before 
referred  to.  There  were  one  or  two  rayless  yellows 
previously,  but  owing  to  their  weakly  growth  and 
other  failings  little  has  been  heard  of  them  since. 
The  variety  under  notice  is  one  of  the  richest  in 
colour  of  all.  It  might  almost  be  described  as 
orange,  and  most  eff'ective  it  is  when  planted  in 
colonies  in  the  border.  The. flowers  are  large  and 
circular,  the  lower  petal  being  cupped  in  the  early 
summer.  The  flowers  have  plenty  of  substance, 
and  each  of  the  latter  are  borne  on  stout,  erect 
foot-stalks.  It  is  a  good  self-coloured  flower  and 
rayless,  and  if  only  its  habit  was  rather  less 
vigorous  than  it  is  there  would  be  nothing  to 
complain  of.  I  first  saw  it  in  bloom  in  Mr. 
William  Sydenham's  garden  at  Tamworth  in  the 
spring  of  1903,  and  was  fortunate  in  procuring 
plants  at  once. — D.  B.  C. 

Rehmannia    angulata.  —  This  plant, 

which  is  a  native  of  Central  China,  has  been 
recently  introduced  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and 
Sons.  It  is  of  erect  growth,  and  attains  a  height 
of  from  2  feet  to  2i  feet,  producing  solitary  flowers 
in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The  flowers  are 
drooping,  two-lipped,  and  rose-purple  in  colour, 
with  a  yellow  throat  deeply  spotted  or  blotched 
with  purple.  Rehmannia  belongs  to  the  same 
family  as  the  Foxglove,  to  which  the  flowers  of  this 
species  might  be  roughly  compared.  This  plant  is 
seen  to  the  best  advantage  when  grown  in  a  cold 
greenhouse.  Like  the  Foxglove,  it  continues  to 
produce  fresh  flowers  at  the  apex  as  the  older 
ones  fade.  No  plant  is  more  easily  cultivated,  it 
seeds  freely,  and  better  results  are  obtained  by 
treating  it  as  an  annual  rather  than  by  growing  on 
the  old  plants.     The  Royal  Horticultural  Society 


have  shown  their  approval  of  the  Rehmannia  by 
giving  it  an  award  of  merit.  At  the  recent  Temple 
show  there  was  an  effective  group  of  it  with  a 
groundwork  of  Lobelia  tenuior. — H.  S. 

Potato  plants  from  cuttings.— The 

staging  by  one  adventurous  exhibitor  of  about  fifty 
plants  in  5-inch  pots  and  of  varying  heights  of  the 
famous  Eldorado  Potato  at  the  Temple  show  must 
have  proved  a  severe  temptation  to  some  visitors 
who  have  heard  or  read  of  the  marvellous  prices 
paid  for  tubers  of  this  new  variety.  Yet  the  mere 
staging  of  so  many  plants  under  such  conditions 
rather  tends  to  show  that  the  prices  asked  for  such 
plants  have  been  intended  to  be  prohibitory  rather 
than  commercial.  No  one  would  dream  of  looking 
for  two  guineas'  worth  of  produce  from  a  single 
plant  next  autumn.  The  plants  did  not  look  very 
robust,  such  as  the  tops  of  some  other  varieties 
show,  but  that  may  have  been  due  to  the  artificial 
way  in  which  they  had  been  grown.  It  is  hoped 
that  the  practice  of  propagating  Potatoes  from 
stock  in  this  way  under  glass  and  in  warmth  will 
be  severely  tested  as  to  results  in  relation  to 
constitution  and  cropping  during  the  present 
season. — A.  D. 
The    National    Potato    Society.— 

Potato  fanciers  will  be  much  interested  to  learn 
that  not  only  has  Sir  J.  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Bart., 
of  Penllergare,  Swansea,  accepted  the  position  of 
president  of  this  new  society,  but  has  also  kindly 
consented  to  give  a  ten  guinea  cup  as  a  prize  in 
one  of  the  classes.  Sir  John  has  had  a  famous 
Potato  worthily  named  after  him.  We  are  pleased 
to  learn  that  arrangements  have  been  made  for  the 
holding  of  an  exhibition  of  Potatoes  by  the  society 
at  the  Crystal  Palace  during  the  second  week  in 
October,  and  that  the  trade  are  giving  to  the  show 
tangible  support.  It  is  also  most  probable  that  a 
conference  relating  to  Potatoes  will  be  held  on  one 
or  both  days  of  the  show,  as  those  gatherings  seem 
to  be  essential  features  in  relation  to  an  exhibition 
now. — D. 

Tufted  Pansy  Ethereal.— This  is  a 
beautiful  Tufted  Pansy,  raised  by  the  late  L)r. 
Charles  Stuart,  Chirnside,  N.B.  A  year  before  his 
death  Dr.  Stuart  sent  me  a  few  of  his  novelties  for 
trial,  and  among  the  more  promising  of  them  was 
the  variety  under  notice.  During  the  first  year, 
probably  owing  to  the  position  in  which  it  was 
planted,  it  did  not  succeed.  The  second  year  in  a 
better  position  the  plants  did  much  better,  and  at 
the  present  time,  three  years  after  first  acquiring 
stock, S,they  are  in  full  beauty.  The  flowers  are  of 
medium  size  and  almost  circular.  The  colour  may 
be  described  as  a  very  pleasing  shade  of  lavender, 
with  the  faintest  tinge  of  blue.  There  is  a  small 
white  blotch  in  the  centre,  in  which  the  yellow 
rayless  eye  is  set.  The  flowers  also  are  sweet- 
scented.  The  plant  is  of  tufted  habit,  and  it 
flowers  persistently  and  profusely.  Groups  of 
twenty  to  fifty  plants  in  the  hardy  border  should 
be  very  striking  and  handsome.  As  a  plant  for 
the  rock  garden  it  is  excellent,  the  tufts  quickly 
developing. — D.  B.  Crane. 

Hardy  plants  at  the  Temple  show. 

If  anyone  had  the  least  doubt  of  the  great  popu- 
larity of  hardy  plants,  that  must  surely  have  been 
removed  at  the  recent  exhibition.  Apart  from  the 
great  wealth  of  flowers  there  was  a  general  im- 
provement in  the  arrangement,  and  in  one  instance 
the  special  award  for  good  arrangement  was  given 
to  a  grouping  of  hardy  plants.  It  could  hardly 
have  been  otherwise,  and  the  group  from  Messrs. 
Wallace  and  Co. ,  Colchester,  deserved  high  praise. 
The  collection  of  bunches  only,  often  tightly 
arranged  in  small-necked  bottles,  conveys  no 
lesson.  A  mass  of  cut  spikes  of  Heuchera  san- 
guinea  is  brilliant  enough,  but  a  third  of  the 
blossoms  would  be  far  more  efiective  and  more 
natural  if  on  the  growing  plant  and  grouped  in  a 
colony  to  show  its  value  in  the  garden.  What  is 
true  of  this  is  true  of  other  Heucheras  that  have 
even  greater  elegance.  If  we  desired  to  pursue  the 
subject  further  mention  could  be  made  of  Colum- 
bines, of  Thalictrums,  and  other  things.  The 
growing  plant  colonised  in  a  group  is  the  best  safe- 
guard against  overcrowding,  which  is  the  most 
common  error  to-day.  What  we  noted  with 
pleasure  was  the  almost  entire  absence  of  lifted 


plants  as  compared  with  former  years,  when  the 
Oriental  Poppy  with  drooping  flowers  was  far  too 
evident,  even  on  the  first  day.  As  regards  the 
subjects  displayed,  their  name  is  legion,  and  the 
abundance  of  the  alpines,  the  hardy  perennials 
(so-called),  and  the  bulbous  things  prevents  special 
mention  to  any  extent.  In  hardy  flowering  plants 
the  absolute  novelty  was  limited,  and  we  recall 
two,  viz..  Campanula  rupestris  and  Silene  pales- 
tinaa,  with  Thalictrum  pubescens  as  a  great  rarity. 
The  former  has  the  habit  of  flowering  almost  of  the 
Edraianthus,  but  the  slightly  wiry  stems  are 
distinct.  The  downy  leaves  recall  Campanula 
balchiniana,  and  the  erect  flowers  are  bluish, 
with  violet  stripe  internally  in  the  early  stages. 
We  regard  it  as  an  ideal  plant  for  the  rock  garden. 
The  Silene  is  a  great  gain  ;  we  may  see  this  plant 
again.  Good  and  choice  alpines  were  plentiful, 
and  we  select  Ramondia  pyrenaica  alba.  Daphne 
rupestris,  Ourisia  coccinea,  Haberlea  rhodopensis, 
Primula  farinosa,  Onosma  echioides,  Gentiana 
verna.  Iris  gracilipes,  a  species  having  the  low 
stature  of  I.  cristata  and  flowers  of  a  miniature 
I.  tectorum.  It  is  a  most  interesting  kind.  Lilies 
and  Spanish  Irises  were  in  great  force.  Eremuri 
were  plentiful.  Lady's  Slipper  Orchids  (Cypri- 
pediums)  were  beautiful  everywhere,  and  quite 
worthily  represented  generally.  Some  new  shades 
of  Poppies — "Liberty  Poppies,"  as  we  heard  them 
called — created  quite  a  feast  of  colour.  One  Poppy, 
Distinction,  is  of  crushed  strawberry,  with  a  dark 
blotch.  Mrs.  Marsh  and  Black  Knight  were  very 
fine  and  distinct.  An  excellent  variety  of  Phlox 
canadensis  is  Perry's  improved  form,  and  a  worthy 
garden  plant.  Incarvillea  Delavayi  was  con- 
spicuous and  good  in  colour,  and  we  noted  a 
solitary  plant  with  a  solitary  flower  of  the  rarer 
I.  grandiflora,  in  which  the  colour  was  very  rich. — 
E.  H.  Jenkins,  Hampton  Hill. 


CULTIVATION    OF   ALPINE 
PLANTS. 

(Continued   from   page    J^ll.) 
Facing  Rockery. 

THE  second  form,  or  facing  rockery, 
is  dependent  upon  the  natural  shape 
of  ground-surface.  Wherever  there 
is  a  steep  bank  facing  south  or 
east  it  may  be  utilised  for  the  growth 
of  alpines.  The  stones,  as  before 
advised,  should  be  large  and  unshapely,  and  be 
buried  to  two-thirds  of  their  bulk,  and  form  a 
very  uneven  surface,  all  being  interlocked  from 
top  to  bottom  as  described.  Rockeries  of  this 
form  are  less  liable  to  suffer  from  drought ;  if 
the  surface  covered  is  large,  access  to  all  parts 
should  be  provided  by  convenient  stepping- 
stones,  because,  although  every  stone  in  the 
structure  ought  to  be  capable  of  bearing  the 
weight  of  a  heavy  man  without  danger  of  dis- 
placement, it  is  better  not  to  have  to  tread 
upon  the  plants. 

The  Sunk  Rockery. 
This  is  perhaps  the  best  of  all,  but  entails 
rather  more  labour  in  construction.  Where 
subsoil  drainage  is  perfect,  a  sunk  walk  may  be 
made,  not  less  than  10  feet  or  12  feet  wide, 
with  sloping  sides.  The  sides  may  be  faced 
with  stones,  as  described  in  the  second  form  of 
rockery,  and  all  or  part  of  the  excavated  soil 
may  be  made  into  a  raised  mound,  continuing 
the  slopes  of  the  excavated  banks  above  the 
ground-level,  and  thus  combining  the  facing 
rockery  and  the  barrow-rockery.  If  the  outer 
line  of  this  portion  above  the  ground  be  varied 
by  small  bays,  every  possible  aspect  and  slope 
may  be  provided  to  suit  the  taste  of  every 
plant.  However,  unless  drainage  is  perfect,  a 
sunk  walk,  rising  to  the  ground-level  at  each 
end,  would  not  be  feasible.  But  a  broad  walk, 
excavated  into  the  side  of  a  hill,  and  sloping 
all  one  way,  could  be  adapted  to  a  structure 


428 


THE  GARDEN. 


rJuNE  IS,  1904 


nearly  similar  to  that  described,  or  the  ground 
may  be  dug  out  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre, 
to  suit  the  taste  or  circumstances.    But  what- 
ever the  form  of  rockery  adopted,  let  the  situa- 
tion   be    away  from    the   influence   of   trees,  [ 
beyond  suspicion   of   the  reach  of  their  roots  j 
below,  or  their  drip,  or  even  their  shade,  above. , 
Trees  which  only  shelter  from  high  winds  are 
so  far  serviceable,  and  so  are  walls  and  high 
banks.      There  are  few    alpines  for  which  a  I 
storm-swept    surface  is  good,  but    trees    are  [ 
objectionable  where  they  lessen  light,  which 
is   an  important   element  in  the    welfare   of 
most  mountain  plants.     The  shade  and  shelter 
afforded  by  the  stones  and  form  of  the  struc- 
ture itself  are  the  best   kind  of  shade   and 
shelter. 

Soil. 
We  now  come  to  the  subject  of  soil,  which  is 
very  important,  though  I  attach  less  importance 
to  it  than  others  do  who  have  written  on  the 
subject.  I  hold  that  where  atmospheric  and 
mechanical  conditions  are  favourable,  the  che- 
mical combination  of  the  soil  is  of  secondary 
consideration.  It  is  true  that  in  Nature  we  find 
that  the  flora  of  a  limestone  mountain  differs  in 
many  particulars  from  that  of  a  granite  moun- 
tain, and  on  the  same  mountain  some  plants 
will  thrive  in  heavy  retentive  soil,  whilst  others 
will  be  found  exclusively  in  peat  or  sand.  But 
for  one  who  is  beginning  to  cultivate  alpines  to 
have  to  divide  them  into  lime-lovers  and  lime- 
haters,  lovers  of  sand  and  lovers  of  stiff  soil,  is 
an  unnecessary  aggravation  of  difiiculties.  So 
large  a  proportion  of  ornamental  plants  is  con- 
tented with  the  soil  which  most  cultivators  pro- 
vide for  all  alike— even  though  in  Nature  they 
seem  to  have  predilections  —  that  where  an 
amateur  has  only  one  rockery  it  would  be  too 
perplexing  to  study  the  partiality  of  every 
plant  and  to  remember  every  spot  where  lime- 
lovers  or  their  opposites  had  been  growing. 
While  saying  this,  I  confess  that  I  have  some 
rockeries  where  both  soil  and  rock  are  adapted 
exclusively  for  lime  plants  ;  others  from  which 
lime  is  kept  away,  and  where  both  soil  and 
rock  are  granitic  :  but  the  great  majority  of 
plants  thrive  equally  well  on  both.  I  know  few 
better  collections  of    alpine  plants  than  one 


which  I  recently  saw  at  Guildford,  growing  on 
a  bank  of  almost  pure  chalk.  I  cannot  say 
that  I  noticed  any  inveterate  lime-haters  there  ; 
but  conditions  of  drainage  and  atmosphere 
were  the  chief  cause  of  success.  With  regard 
to  soil,  then,  we  must  take  care  that  it  does  not 
retain  stagnant  moisture,  and  yet  it  must  not 
dry  up  too  readily.  Plants  must  be  able  to 
penetrate  it  easily  with  their  roots,  the  lengths 
of  some  of  which  must  be  seen  to  be  believed. 
Good  loam,  with  a  little  humus  in  the  form  of 
leaf-mould  or  peat,  and  half  or  three-quarters 
of  the  bulk  composed  of  stone  riddlings  from 
the  nearest  stone  quarry,  and  varying  in  size 
from  that  of  Kapeseed  to  that  of  horse  Beans, 
make  up  a  soil  with  which  most  alpines  are 
quite  contented.  The  red  alluvial  clay  of 
Cheshire,  burnt  hard  in  a  kiln,  and  broken  up 
or  riddled  to  the  above  size,  is  an  excellent 
material,  mixed  with  a  little  soil  and  a  little 
hard  stone.  Where  you  are  convinced  that 
lime  is  useful,  it  may  be  added  as  pure  lime, 
not  planting  in  it  till  thoroughly  slaked  by 
mixture  with  the  soil.  Rough  surface-dressing 
is  a  thing  in  which  all  alpines  delight,  as  it 
keeps  the  top  of  the  soil  sweet  and  moist  and 
prevents  their  leaves  being  fouled.  Use  for 
this  purpose  the  same  riddled  stone  as  described 
above,  which  is  better  than  gravel,  as  round 
pebbles  are  easily  washed  off  the  slope  by  rain 
or  in  watering. 

Planting  Rockeries. 
Having  now  constructed  our  rockeries,  we 
must  next  furnish  them,  and  it  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  they  are  to  be  furnished  with 
alpines.  It  is  better  not  to  be  in  a  hurry  to  see 
the  stones  covered.  It  would  be  easy  to  cover 
them  with  growth  in  a  single  season,  but  it 
would  be  demoralising  to  the  cultivator.  We 
must  not  degrade  choice  alpines  by  putting 
them  to  keep  company  with  Periwinkles,  Wood- 
ruff, large  St.  John's  Wort,  dead  Nettles, 
Creeping  Jenny,  fast-running  Sedums,  and 
Saxifrages,  which  do  duty  for  alpines  on  raised 
structures  of  roots  or  stones  in  the  shady, 
neglected  corners  of  many  a  garden.  Some  of 
these  things  are  very  pretty,  and  desirable  in 
their  way  ;  but  growing  these  cannot  be  called 
the   cultivation    of    alpine    plants,  and   such 


A   FIELD   OF  SHASTA   DAIS1F.S   IN   THE   GROUNDS   OF    MR.  LUTHER   BUKBANK,    CALIFORNIA. 


subjects  as  I  have  mentioned  must  be  carefully 
kept  off  the  alpine  rockery.  Indeed,  there  are 
some  plants,  of  which  Coronilla  varia  is  one, 
which,  when  once  established  amongst  large 
stones,  cannot  be  eradicated  by  any  means 
short  of  pulling  the  whole  structure  to  pieces. 
Any  plant  which  runs  under  a  large  stone  and 
reappears  on  the  other  side  should  be  treated 
with  caution.  As  a  rule,  nothing  should  be 
planted  which  cannot  be  easily  and  entirely 
eradicated  in  a  few  minutes.  If  a  rockery  is 
large,  there  is  no  reason  for  limiting  the  area 
to  be  assigned  to  each  plant,  especially  to  such 
as  are  ornamental  when  in  flower  and  not  un- 
sightly at  other  seasons.  If  different  rockeries, 
or  separate  parts  of  the  same,  can  be  assigned 
to  rapid  growers  and  to  dwarf  compact  plants, 
it  will  be  an  advantage.  There  are  many  sub- 
jects which  belong  to  the  class  of  alpines  which 
require  to  be  displayed  in  a  broad  and  high 
mass  to  do  them  full  justice.  Such  things 
should  make  a  train  from  the  top  of  the  rockery 
quite  to  the  ground ;  Aubrietias,  for  example, 
and  Veronica  prostrata  should  look  like  purple 
or  blue  cataracts  ;  others  should  be  unlimited 
in  breadth,  like  the  dwarf,  mossy  Phloxes  and 
the  brilliantly  coloured  Helianthemums.  Such 
things  do  not  like  being  cropped  round  to  limit 
their  growth,  and  if  there  is  not  enough  room 
for  them  they  had  better  be  omitted  from  the 
rockery,  though  in  stiff  and  cold  soils  they  will 
not  thrive  in  the  mixed  border.  Whatever  is 
grown,  the  small  and  delicate  gems  of  the 
collection  must  run  no  danger  of  being 
smothered  by  overwhelming  neighbours,  and 
this  requires  both  careful  arrangement  and 
constant  watching. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


THE    CLEMATIS. 

A  POPULAR  spring  and  summer-flowering 
plant  the  Clematis  will  always  be. 
The  great  beauty  as  well  as  the  freedom 
.  of  bloom  of  the  spring-flowering  varie- 
L  ties  was  abundantly  illustrated  by  the 
two  splendid  groups  put  up  by  Messrs. 
Jackman  and  Son  of  Woking  and  Messrs.  R.  Smith 
and  Co.  of  Worcester  at  the  Temple  show.  That  of 
the  former  had  the  greatest  variety,  that  of  the 
latter  the  largest  specimens;  but  both  were  of  a 
very  interesting  and  instructive  character.  The 
range  of  colours — many  of  them  of  the  most  delicate 
beauty,  the  shape  of  the  blossoms,  and  the  many 
decorative  uses  to  which  the  Clematis  can  be  put 
will  always  make  it  a  great  favourite  in  the  garden. 
The  production  of  plants  of  the  Clematis  is  really 
a  great  industry.  Plants  of  named  varieties  are 
propagated  by  grafting  on  to  the  roots  of  a  common 
sort,  generally  of  C.  V^italba,  the  well-known 
Traveller's  Joy,  and  sometimes  on  those  of  C. 
Flammula.  The  seeds  are  gathered,  dried,  and 
sown.  Seeds  of  C.  Vitalba  can  be  gathered  in 
plenty  on  the  road-sides  where  they  abound  ;  they 
aie  laid  out  on  mats  to  dry,  are  then  rubbed  out, 
and  sown  in  pots  in  spring.  They  soon  germinate, 
and  in  a  year  the  roots  are  strong  enough  to  be 
grafted.  Grafting  is  deftly  done  by  one  accus- 
tomed to  the  work,  and  usually  in  the  month  of 
March  the  grafted  roots  are  then  potted,  placed  in 
a  brisk  bottom-heat,  adhesion  ensues — though,  of 
course,  there  are  some  failures,  and  by  the  mouth 
of  June  it  is  possible  to  have  plants  4  feet  in  length 
and  fit  for  sale.  Those  who  do  not  trouble  to  sow 
seeds  can  purchase  those  of  C.  Vitalba,  C.  Flam- 
mula, and  others  from  the  German  seedsmen,  some 
of  whom  make  a  point  of  harvesting  them  for 
English  cultivators. 

It  is  a  matter  for  regret  that  in  some  nursery- 
men's catalogues  the  spring-flowering  and  summer- 
flowering  varieties  are  mixed  up  together,  because 
there  is  considerable  distinction   between  them  in 


June  18,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


429 


their  method  of  flowering.  The  spring- 
flowering  varieties  bloom  upon  the 
ripened  wood  of  the  previous  year, 
consequently  they  need  to  be  pruned  in  a 
manner  which  will  secure  bloom  ;  there- 
fore the  old  wood  which  had  bloomed 
the  previous  season  should  be  cut  away 
in  autumn,  leaving  the  shoots  made  by 
the  plant  in  the  summer  following  the 
bloom.  It  is  these  which  produce  bloom. 
Some  of  the  choicest  varieties  of  the 
spring-flowering  section  are  found  in 
Fairy  Queen,  a  prominent  variety  at  the 
Temple  show,  pale  flesh,  with  pink  bars ; 
King  Edward  VII.,  pucy  violet,  with  a 
bar  of  crimson  down  the  centre  of  each 
petal ;  Marcel  Moser,  mauve- violet,  with 
red  bars ;  Nellie  Moser,  pink,  with  flames 
of  carmine,  very  charming ;  Queen 
Alexandra,  a  pale  lavender  and  lilac- 
purple,  with  a  silvery  white  streak  along 
each  petal ;  and  Viticella  Ville  de  Lyon, 
which  is  considered  the  nearest  approach 
to  a  red  Clematis,  colour  claret-rose. 

To   the  foregoing  can   be  added   the 
following  double  varieties  :   Countess  of 
Lovelace,  bluish  lilac,  bearing  handsome, 
full  double  flowers ;    Duchess  of   Edin- 
burgh,    white,     fully     double ;     Lucie 
Lemoine,  also  white,  yet  quite  distinct ; 
and  Venus    Victrix,   delicate  lavender- 
blue,  a  beautiful  variety.     With    these 
there  may  be  included  Beauty  of  Wor- 
cester,   bluish    violet,   with    prominent 
white  stamens,  and  which  produces  both 
single   and    double  blossoms.      Into  the 
group  of  spring  and  early  summer-flowering  varieties 
come  also  the  new  hybrids  of  C.   coccinea,  such  as 
Countess  of  Onslow,   bright   violet-purple,  with  a 
broad  band  of  scarlet  down  each  petal ;  Duchess  of 
Albany,  bright  pink,  flushed  with  lilac  ;   Duchess 
of  York,  pale  blush-pink  ;  and  Grace  Darling,  bright 
rosy  carmine,  all  excellent  climbers. 

The  summer  and  autumn  -  flowering  varieties, 
which  include  the  lanuginosa  section,  flower  on  the 
young  wood  of  the  current  year,  and  so  may  be 
pruned  back  close  in  autumn  if  necessary.  A  few 
of  the  finest  are  Jackmani  alba,  pure  white  ;  Jack- 
mani  superba,  dark  violet-purple,  extra  fine ;  Mr. 
Gladstone,  pale  lavender,  very  fine ;  Mrs.  Hope, 
satiny  mauve,  with  bars  of  a  darker  tint ;  Sensa- 
tion, rich  satiny  mauve ;  and  William  Kenneit, 
deep  lavender,  a  very  fine  variety,  and  one  of  the 
latest  to  bloom. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  Clematises  are 
gross  feeders,  and  when  planted  plenty  of  good 
manure  should  be  worked  into  the  soil  deep  down, 
so  that  the  roots  may  find  their  way  to  it.  They 
require  plentj'  of  water  in  hot,  dry  weather,  and  a 
good  mulch  of  manure  in  summer  is  of  great 
service.  It  is  a  common  practice  to  plant  Clema- 
tises against  the  walls  of  new  buildings,  and  too 
frequently  in  unsuitable  soil.  The  new  bricks 
absorb  a  great  deal  of  the  moisture  from  the 
surface-soil,  and  the  plants  suffer  in  consequence. 
For  want  of  proper  knowledge  some  are  wrongly 
pruned,  and  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  there  are 
failures.  When  signs  of  debility  show  themselves 
it  is  well  to  remove  a  good  deal  of  the  unsuitable 
soil  and  replace  it  with  a  good  compost,  at  the 
same  time  taking  care  not  to  disturb  the  roots  too 
much  in  doing  so.  R.  D. 


GERANin.M   RIVULARE   IN   THE  ROCK   GARDEN   AT   KEW. 


assiduously  practised.  Mr.  Luther  Burbank's 
Shasta  Daisies  certainly  remind  one  somewhat  of 
the  graceful  C.  nipponicum,  and  they  have  not  the 
stiffness  that  we  are  apt  to  associate  with  C. 
maximum.  The  Shasta  Daisy  has  quickly  become 
popular  in  America.  T. 


NOTES  ON  HARDY  PLANTS 


THE    SHASTA   DAISIES. 

When  one  thinks  of  the  number  of  Marguerites  of 
various  kinds  that  are  available  for  our  gardens, 
one  wonders  if  there  is  still  room  for  more.  Yet 
it  is  evident  that  many  of  the  new  flowers  raised 
from  Chrysanthemum  maximum  are  valuable  plants. 
The  forms  with  laciniated  petals  are  very  orna- 
mental and  much  more  graceful  than  the  old  stiff 
ones.  The  new  Shasta  Daisies,  which  so  far  do 
not  appear  to  have  become  very  popular  in  this 
country,  are  said  to  have  originated  through  the 
intercrossing  of  the  European  Chrysanthemum 
leucanthemum  and  an  American  species.  The 
resuHing  hybrids  were  again  crossed  with  the 
Japanese  C.   nipponicum,   and  selection  has  been 


IRIS    OBTUSIFOLIA. 

A   LTHOUGH  the  members  of  this  ornamental 
/\  genus  in  cultivation  are  very  numerous 

/  %  and  embrace  a  wide  range  of  form  and 
/  ^  colour,  an  addition  to  their  number  is 
y  ^  always  welcome.  I.  obtusifolia  was 
discovered  in  the  year  1895  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Mazanderan,  on  the  south  of  the  Caspian 
Sea.  Its  finder,  the  late  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wells, 
describes  it  as  growing  beside  streams  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  7,000  feet  above  sea  level.  Living  plants 
were  received  at  the  Royal  Gardens  from  him  in 
1897,  and  were  grown  in  a  cool  house,  where  it 
flowered  in  April,  1899.  It  was  figured  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7701,  and  Mr.  Baker,  in 
describing  it  as  a  new  species,  says  that  it  is  allied 
to  I.  lutescens  and  I.  Statellse,  but  differs  from  them 
both  by  its  laxly  arranged,  broad  obtuse  leaves, 
and  by  other  less  obvious  botanical  differences. 
The  sulphur  yellow  flowers  are  borne  on  stems 
12  inches  to  18  inches  high.  After  flowering  inside 
it  was  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall,  where, 
although  it  grows  naturally  in  moist  situations,  it 
rapidly  increased,  and  has  flowered  freely  every 
spring  since.  It  will  probably  prove  hardy  in  the 
open  border.  W.  Irving. 


found  growing  by  the  sides  of  mountain  streams 
in  the  Dauphiny  and  Alps  of  North  Italy  and 
Switzerland.  But,  though  preferring  a  rather 
moist  position,  it  will  succeed  in  a  dry  one  and 
flower  more  freely,  but  will  not  grow  so  luxu- 
riantly. It  is  usually  about  2  feet  high,  and  has 
white  flowers  1  inch  to  li  inches  across.      W.  I. 


GERANIUM    RIVULARE. 

This  useful  Geranium  belongs  to  the  stronger- 
growing  section  of  the  Crane's-bill  family,  and 
comes  into  flower  in  the  latter  part  of  April  before 
any  of  the  other  members  of  the  genus.  It  is 
admirably  adapted  for  the  rock  garden  amongst 
equally  strong-growing  plants,  producing  a  pro- 
fusion of  flowers  during  the  month  of  May. 
Though  an  old  garden  plant  it  is  seldom  seen  in 
cultivation,  many  plants  inferior  to  it  in  beauty 
being  more  extensively  grown.  It  is  known  also 
by  the  name  of  G.  aconitifolium,  on  account  of 
the  resemblance  of  its  palmately  cut  leaves  to 
those  of  some  species  of  Aconitum,  and  is  usually 


SILENE  VIRGINICA. 
One  of  the  brightest  and  most  showy  plants  at 
present  flowering  in  the  rock  garden  is  the  Virginiari 
"  Fire  Pink."  Although  appropriated  by  its  name 
to  Virginia  it  is  not  exclusively  confined  to  that 
state,  but  is  found  in  several  others  growing  in 
open  woods  on  rocky  hills.  It  was  first  introduced 
into  this  country  more  than  a  hundred  years  ago, 
but,  like  many  other  good  things,  it  requires  a 
little  care  to  grow  successfully,  and  so  has  not 
become  common  in  gardens.  Very  liable  to  suffer 
from  damp  in  the  winter,  it  likes  partial  shade  and 
a  well-drained  position  in  sandy  loam.  In  such 
places  it  produces  its  flowers  freely  from  June  to 
August.  The  stems  vary  in  height  from  1  foot  to 
2  feet,  are  tinged  with  a  red-brown  colour,  and 
have  two  or  three  pairs  of  opposite  leaves  about 
4  inches  long.  The  brilliant  crimson  or  scarlet 
flowers  are  large  and  starlike,  the  larger  ones 
2  inches  in  diameter.  Each  petal  is  divided  at  the 
apex  into  two  lobes  about  one-third  of  its  length,' 
and  these  again  have  each  a  small  one  on  the  outer 
margin.  Like  many  of  the  other  members  of  this 
useful  family  the  whole  plant  is  covered  with  a 
viscid  pubescence  which  makes  it  sticky  to  the 
touch.  Nearly  allied  to  the  above  is  the  "Ameri- 
can Wild  Pink"  (S.  pennsylvanica),  a  dwarf-growing 
perennial  about  6  inches  high,  which  flowers  at  the 
end  of  April.  These  are  produced  f  reelj'  in  clusters, 
and  vary  in  colour  from  rose  to  white.  A  native  of 
open  woods,  where  it  grows  in  dry  stony  places, 
it  suffers  from  damp  in  winter  in  the  border,  and 
requires  a  similar  position  to  that  of  the  above 
species.  W.  I. 


GLADIOLUS  PRINCEPS. 
Gladiolus  princeps  is  the  latest  acquisition  among 
garden  hybrids  of  this  genus.  Four  species  have 
helped  in  its  production,  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
annexed  genealogical  table.  It  appears  to  us  to 
be  of  interest  to  trace  also  at  the  same  time  the 
genealogy  of  our  cultivated  Gladioli,  concerning 
the  origin  of  which  M.  Krelage  published  an  account 
in  1897. 


430 


THE    UaRDEN. 


r.JuNK  18,  1904. 


GENEALOGY   OF   THB"  CU£,TIVATEi).-;SLADIOLI. 

r,       ■„     ■         „    f  G.  cardinally  (1) 

G.  psdtacimu,  x   j^^  g  oppositilicrm  (0 


I 


I 


I 
gandavensia 
(Bedinghaus) 


gandavensis  x  psittacinus 
I I 

I 

massiliensis 

(DeleuU) 


purpureo-auratus  x  gandavensis 
I ^1 


Saitiulcrsi 

I 


gandavensis 

^1 


dracocephahis  x 


I 
Lemoinei 
(Lemolne) 

I       I 


Sau^iderni 
I 


I 
.    Childsii 
■  (Leichtlin) 

I 


The  names  in   italics  are  those  of  species 
of  the  raiser  is  given. 

Although  the  genus  Gladiolus  is  one  of  those 
concerning  which  we  have  much  information,  yet 
some  doubt  still  exists  as  to  the  origin  of  certain 
hybrids.  In  the  first  place  the  parentage  of  G. 
gandavensis  is  not  clearly  established.  Van  Houtte 
exhibited  it  in  1841  as  a  hybrid  between  G.  psitta- 
cinus and  G.  cardinalis,  and  certainly  he  is  an 
authority  to  be  considered.  Nevertheless,  according 
to  the  article  by  M.  Krelage,  which  we  have  men- 
tioned, M.  Herbert,  for  two  reasons,  has  expressed 
a  doubt  in  the  matter.  The  first  reason  is  that 
numerous  crossings  made  in  this  direction  were 
without  result ;  the  second,  that  M.  Herbert,  on 
the  other  hand,  having  crossed  G.  psittacinus  with 
G.  oppositiflorus,  obtained  a  plant  exactly  similar 
to  that  figured  in  "La  Flore  des  Serres  et  des 
Jardins,"  as  G.  gandavensis.  In  the  light  of  this 
contradiction,  and  of  the  different  opinions  of  two 
such  competent  horticulturists,  doubt  may  well  be 
permitted,  and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  we  have  in 
our  genealogic  table  indicated  G.  gandavensis  a,3 
the  result  of  G.  psittacinus  fertilised  by  G.  cardi- 
nalis (?)  or  by  G.  oppositiflorus  (?)  It  would  be 
very  interesting  definitely  to  elucidate  this. 

Again,  a  very  interesting  article,  attributed  to 
M.  Bellair,  on  the  origin  of  the  Gladioli  contains  a 
small  inaccuracy  concerning  G.  Childsii,  and  which, 
supported  by  the  authority  of  M.  Max  Leichtlin — 
the  producer  of  this  hybrid — I  take  the  liberty  of 
bringing  to  notice.  G.  Childsii  is  the  product  of 
6.  Saundereii  x  G.  gandavensis,  and  not  of  G. 
nanceianus  x  G.  gandavensis  as  M.  Bellair  asserts, 
which  is  as  good  as  saying  that  G.  Childsii  is  more 
directly  the  issue  of  G.  Saundersii  than  M.  Bellair 
thought.  This  correction  has  its  importance  from 
the  point  of  view  of  the  genealogy  of  G.  princeps. 
Here,  again,  is  an  interesting  note.  M.  Krelage 
gives  G.  turicensis  (obtained  by  M.  Froebel)  as 
identical  with  G.  Childsii  of  M.  Max  Leichtlin. 
Now,  according  to  the  information  which  I  have 
gathered,  G.  Childsii  is  a  hybrid  between  G.  ganda- 
vensis and  G.  Saundersii.  If,  therefore,  the  order 
in  which  M.  Krelage  gives  the  parents  of  G. 
turicensis  is  exact  (G.  gandavensis  x  G.  Saundersii). 
these  two  Gladioli  are  the  issue  of  the  same  parents, 
but  by  crossings  operated  in  inverse  order.  In  any 
case  it  is  G.  Childsii,  and  not  G.  turicensis,  which 
has  helped  to  produce  this  beautiful  novelty  of 
large  size  and  brilliant  colouring. 

The  honour  of  producing  this  hybrid  belongs  to 
an  American — Dr.  Van  Fleet  of  Little-Silver.  It 
is  now  more  than  twenty-five  years  ago  since 
Gladiolus  cruentua,  originally  from  South  Africa, 
was  sent  to  Mr.  William  Bull  by  a  Swiss  living  in 
the  Drakensberg  in  Natal,  when  it  was  figured  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine.  But  the  specimens  sent 
did  badly,  and  M.  Max  Leichtlin  (from  whom  I 
obtained  these  details),  who  was  the  only  one  to 
have  the  plant  in  its  full  beauty,  gave  it  to  Dr. 
Van  Fleet.  The  latter,  under  the  propitious 
climate  of  North  America,  obtained  excellent 
results  with  it,  and  crossed  it  with  G.  Childsii. 
I  am  sure  he  himself  must  have  been  astonished  at 
the  result.  The  hybrid  Gladiolus,  to  which  he  has 
given  the  very  appropriate  name  of  princeps,  is 
remarkable  for  the  rich  scarlet-red  of  its  flowers, 
by  their  size,  and  by  their  beautiful  form  surpassing 
any  with  which  we  are  at  present  acquainted. 
The  petals  are  very  large,  and  their  bright 
colouring  is  intensified  by  slight  white  spots,  often 
accompanied  by  a  mediau  line  of  the  same  colour 


I  I 

Hybrids  of  nanceianus 

G.  dracocephalus         (Lemoine) 
(Leraoine) 
those  in  Koman  characters  are  hybrids. 


PRINCEPS 
(Van  Fleet) 


After  each  hybrid  the  name 


on  the  inferior  and  lateral  divisions.  These  latter 
are  larger  and  not  so  spreading  as  in  G.  nanceianus. 
Gladiolus  princeps  does  not  bloom  until  August 
and  September,  in  this  respect  resembling  G. 
cruentus,  that  is  to  say  it  is  at  its  best,  when  other 


Gladioli  are  almost  or  entirely  passed.  This  is 
another  point  in  its  favour.  On  the  other  hand, 
its  flowering  is  continuous,  and  it  never  has  more 
than  three  or  four  blossoms  open  at  the  same  time. 
But  what  does  it  matter  if  quality  compensates  for 
quantity.  It  is,  unfortunately,  an  inexorable  law 
of  Nature  that  the  size  of  flowers  shall  be  in 
inverse  ratio  to  their  number.  From  the  decora- 
tive point  of  view  the  effect  is  almost  the  same,  and 
when  the  blooms  are  cut  tne  advantage  rests  with 
G.  princeps.  The  variety  here  represented  (in  a 
coloured  plate),  a  new  and  typical  one,  so  far 
stands  alone  in  this  series.  M.  Max  Leichtlin, 
that  indefatigable  worker,  has  tried  many  crosses, 
but  red  continues  to  predominate  in  the  seedlings, 
and  will  not  go  beyond  orange-tinted  scarlet  in  the 
scale  of  clear  colours.  We  need  not,  however, 
despair,  and  I  shall  be  much  surprised  if  a  few 
years  hence  we  have  not  new  colours  in  G.  princeps. 
— Ph.  db  Vilmqkin,  in  La  Revue  Horticole. 


SEDUM  STAHLII. 
"What!"  some  will  say,  "another  Sedum  ?  As 
if  there  were  not  enough  of  them  already  ! "  The 
mountainous  regions  of  Europe  and  Asia  have  fur- 
nished a  great  many  species,  but  America  appears 
to  be  but  scantily  represented.  Sedum  Stahlii  pre- 
sents this  peculiarity — that  it  is  of  American  origin, 
for  it  is  a  native  of  Mexico,  where  it  was  discovered 
by  M.  Stahl  of  Yena,  whose  name  it  recalls,  and  to 
whom  it  was  dedicated  by  Comte  de  Solms-Laubach. 
It  is  a  perennial,  with  numerous  slender  branching 
stems,  some  sterile  and  more  or  less  trailing,  others 
flower-bearing  and  upright,  at  first  covered  with 
fine  down,  and  from  1()  centimetres  to  15  centi- 
metres high.  The  leaves  are  opposite,  sessile,  very 
thick  and  fleshy,  ovate,  often  reddish  and  as  it 
ware  rusted,  and  are  very  easily  detached  from  the 
stem.  The  flowers,  which  are  of  a  beautiful  yellow 
colour,  are  disposed  in  terminal  cymes  ;  they  are 
very  shortly  stalked  ;  the  petals  are  lanceolate  and 
spreading,  and  twice  as  long  as  the  sepals.  Sedum 
Stahlii  will  prove  an  attraction  to  lovers  of  this 
genus.  Its  peculiar  foliage  will  scarcely  allow  it  to 
be  confused  with  other  species,  and  the  rapidity  of 
its  growth,  in  spite  of  the  short  time  since  its  intro- 
duction to  cultivation,  appears  to  leave  nothing  to 
be  desired. — Le  Jardin. 


PINUS   CEllBKA — STUKM    BEATE.N'. 


HESPEKOCHIEON  CALIEORNICUM. 
TnonoH  distinctly  attractive  with  its  profusion  o 
Tobacco-like  flowers,  and  introduced  as  long  ago  as 
the  beginning  of  last  century,  when  it  was  figured 
in  the  Botanical  Register  under  the  name  of  Nieo- 
tiana  nana  from  a  plant  which  flowered  in  the 
garden  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  the 
year  1824,  this  pretty  little  plant  is  not  often  met 
with  outside  botanical  collections.  Of  very  limited 
dimensions,  the  genus  consists  of  only  two  species, 
both  natives  of  Western  North  America.  Belong- 
ing to  the  natural  order  Hydrophyllaceie,  which 
includes  such  well  known  and  popular  annuals  as 
the  Phacelias  and  Neniophilas,  this  genus  is  placed 
by  Gray  in  the  "Flora  of  North  America"  in 
affinity  with  the  pretty  little  Ronianzotha  sitohen- 
sis,  which  it  resembles  in  its  individual  flowers, 
although  many  times  larger,  but  the  habit  of  which 
is  totally  different.  H.  californicum  is  a  dwarf 
stemless  perennial,  with  a  rosette  of  entire  spathu- 
late  or  oblong  leaves  crowning  the  rootstock,  from 
among  the  axils  of  which  are  produced  the 
flowers  in  May,  mostly  from  six  to  twelve  on  each 
plant,  but  in  well-grown  specimens  reaching  the 
number  of  twenty.  These  are  borne  singly  on 
naked  peduncles  about  3J  inches  long,  shorter  or 
of  the  same  length  as  the  leaves.  Purplish  or 
sometimes  white  in  colour,  each  flower  is  nearly 
1  inch  in  diameter,  the  segments  often  having  lines 
on  them  of  a  darker  colour.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
hills  and  meadows  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  is 
quite  hardy  in  rather  sheltered,  dry  positions,  but 
is  seen  at  its  best  when  grown  in  a  cold  frame. 
The  other  species,  H.  pumilum,  which  is  found 
in  springy  and  marshy  ground  on  mountains 
from  Idaho  to  Oregon,  is  a  smaller  plant  wi'b 
fewer  shorter  leaves  and  white  flowers,  veined 
with  violet,  and  with  a  yellow  base.  This 
plant  I  have  not  seen  in  a  living  state.         W.  I. 


June  18,  1904,] 


THE    GARDEN. 


431 


THE    LILIES. 

(Continued    from    ^lage    ^13.) 

C[UM  MAXIMOWICZII  (Hort.),  the 
slender  Tiger  Lily. — A  Lily  of  the 
tigrinum  set,  and  flowering  in  English 
gardens  in  September.  There  are 
two  forms,  probably  two  distinct 
species,  that  are  grown  under  this 
name,  and  these  we  propose  to  separate  for 
garden  purposes.  One  exactly  resembles 
Leichtlinii  in  growth,  stature,  and  size  of 
flower,  and  this  we  regard  as  the  true 
Maximowiczii ;  the  other  more  resembles  L. 
tigrinum,  but  it  is  smaller  and  more  refined, 
and  it  flowers  three  weeks  later  than  the  true 
Maximowiczii,  and  for  this  we  reserve  Carrifere's 
name,  L.  pseudo-tigrinum,  which  see.  Bulbs 
flattened,  like  a  small  tigrinum,  white,  and 
scarcely  larger  than  a  Walnut.  Stems  2  feet 
high,  proceeding  at  right  angles,  with  the 
bulbs  6  inches  to  10  inches  along  the 
surface  before  appearing,  forming  two  to  six 
bulbils  on  the  covered  portions,  freely 
rooting  below,  slightly  woolly  above,  slender. 
Leaves  narrowly  lance-shaped,  flaccid,  woolly 
when  young.  Flowers  three  to  five  on  long 
nodding  foot-stalks,  slightly  woolly  externally, 
4  inches  across  the  expanded  flower,  the  petals 
much  reflexing,  light  orange-red  in  colour,  and 
spotted  with  black  inside.  An  exact  counter- 
part of  L.  Leichtlinii  except  in  colour. 
Common  in  cultivation.  Flowers  in  late 
August.  Unknown  as  a  wilding.  Likely  to 
be  a  hybrid  between  one  of  the  tigrinum  forms 
and  Leichtlinii. 

Culture  and  Uses.— This  Lily  may  be 
well  grown  in  any  light  sandy  loam,  and  is  best 
in  gardens  of  high  elevation.  In  low-lying 
situations,  and  particularly  by  the  waterside, 
it  suffers  from  late  spring  frosts.  Its  slender 
growth  is  not  strong  enough  for  the  border, 
and  we  would  advise  as  suitable  places  for  it 
the  higher  parts  of  rockeries  and  beds  of 
Azaleas  and  other  American  plants  not  too 
dense '  in  their  leafage.  The  roots  must  be 
shaded  with  some  low-growing  herb  to  keep 
them  active  throughout  the  growing  season. 
The  plant  requires  the  fullest  exposure  to 
warm  sunshine,  but  gets  checked  when  the 
soil  is  very  dry.  They  do  not  thrive  so  well  in 
clay  and  heavy  soils,  the  bulbs  decaying  whole- 
sale if  very  wet.  If  desirable,  this  Lily  may 
be  grown  in  pots,  but  for  this  purpose  tigrinum 
splendens  is  preferable.  Planting  should  be 
done  before  winter,  but  if  its  cultivation  is 
attempted  in  heavy  soils  it  is  better  to  defer 
planting  until  spring. 

L.  monadeljihuni  (Bieb.),  the  citron  yellow, 
bell-flowered  Lily.— A  fine  but  variable  Lily, 
which  until  recently  was  not  separated  from 
its  more  popular  form  var.  szovitzianum  (or 
colchicum).  The  two  plants  are  quite  distinct. 
Bulbs  conical,  composed  of  a  multitude  of 
white,  awl  like,  closely  clasping  scales.  The 
roots  stout,  deeply  descending.  Stems  3  feet 
to  4  feet  high,  stout,  green,  basal  roots  few  or 
absent.  Leaves  lance-shaped,  hairy  on  the 
under  surface,  .'5  inches  to  6  inches  long, 
narrowest  above,  thickly  scattered  below. 
Flowers  in  an  elegant  spike  of  six  to  twenty, 
drooping,  bell-shaped,  the  tips  reflexing,  colour 
a  pale  citron  yellow,  quite  unspotted,  each 
4  inches  to  5  inches  across.  The  filaments  are 
joined  together  to  form  a  tube  in  the  lower 
third,  and  the  anthers  are  pale  yellow.  This 
plant  may  be  easily  distinguished  from  its 
variety  by  its  white  bulbs,  citron  yellow 
flowers,  monadelphous  filaments,  and  the 
yellow  anthers.  Further,  this  plant  shows 
the  flower-buds  as  it  pierces  the  ground. 
Those  of  szovitzianum  do  not  appear  till  the  j 


stems  are  2  feet  to  .3  feet  high.  Common  in 
cultivation.  Flowers  in  June.  It  grows  in 
the  Caucasian  Mountains  and  Northern  Persia 
in  heavy  loam. 

Var.  szovitzianum  (Hort.),  the  crimson- 
anthered  Lily. — This  is  widely  known  in  gar- 
dens as  L.  colchicum,  and  is  one  of  the  finest 
of  garden  Lilies.  It  is  very  hardy,  easily 
increased,  and  the  individual  bulbs  last  long. 
The  magnificent  spikes  are  often  5  feet  to 
6  feet  high,  and  support  thirty  to  forty  rich 
yellow  balls  of  pretty  shape.  They  are 
scarcely  excelled  by  the  finest  products  of 
Japan.  Bulbs  conical,  straw  yellow,  the  scales 
narrowly  lance-shaped,  the  roots  stout,  des- 
cending deeply.  Specimens  vary  in  size  from 
a  hen's  egg  to  a  Cocoanut.  Stems  4  feet  to 
6  feet  high,  green,  very  stout,  basal  roots  few. 
Leaves  broadly  lance-shaped,  slightly  recurving, 
rough  on  the  under  surface,  4  inches  to  6  inches 
long.  Flowers  ten  to  forty,  in  a  long,  tapering 
spike,  pendulous,  pale  yellow,  and  minutely 
dotted  on  the  petal  margins  internally,  tinted 
chocolate  low  down  externally,  and  measuring 
5  inches  across  the  expanded  mouth.  The 
filaments  are  free  to  the  base,  and  the  anthers 
are  crimson  tinted.  Common  in  cultivation. 
Flowers  late  in  June.  Grows  intermingled 
with  the  type  plant,  but  is  often  found  in 
isolated  patches. 

Culture  and  Uses.— In  this  group  we  have 
a  Lily  of  great  charm  for  border  planting, 
perhaps  the  best  for  this  purpose.  It  prefers 
a  well-tilled  loam  of  considerable  depth,  rather 
heavy  than  otherwise,  and  the  bulbs  must  be 
planted  directly  the  flower-stems  wither.  It  is 
equally  important,  if  collected  bulbs  are  being 
planted,  that  every  particle  of  decaying  tissue 
be  removed  before  planting.  It  is  unnecessary 
to  associate  this  Lily  with  other  plants,  for 
they  make  no  stem  roots,  and  the  roots  of  the 
bulbs  when  fully  developed  penetrate  to  a 
considerable  depth.  Moisture  they  must  have 
in  some  quantity,  hence  hungry  soils  should  be 
avoided,  and  they  should  be  planted  at  some 
distance  from  fences,  perennial  Sunflowers, 
and  other  robbers  of  moisture.  Their  first 
year's  growth  will  be  disappointing,  and  may 
not  exceed  6  inches  in  height,  but  with  a  full 
year  in  which  to  re-establish  themselves  their 
growth  may  be  6  feet  in  height,  and  the 
inflorescences  cemtain  at  least  twelve  flowers, 
but  they  require  at  least  three  years  from 
removal  to  reach  their  greatest  stature,  then 
they  will  be  magnificent.  The  type  grows  well 
the  first  year,  but  does  badly  afterwards, 
and  never  becomes  so  fine  as  szovitzianum. 
Planters  will  be  able  to  distinguish  it  by  the 
many  scaled  bulbs  of  a  silvery  white.  Pot 
culture  is  unsatisfactory. 

L.  neilgherrense  (Wight),  the  Neilgherry 
Lily.— A  lovely  Lily  of  the  longiflorum  type, 
requiring  a  greenhouse  for  its  proper  develop- 
ment. Bulbs  yellowish,  tipped  brown  on  .the 
outer  scales,  globose,  7  inches  in  circumference, 
and  producing  stout,  permanent  roots,  which 
indicate  a  rocky  habitat.  Stems  2  feet  to  3  feet 
high,  dark  green,  bronze  tinted  below,  often 
travelling  1  f  oot  to  2  f eet  belo  w  the  surface  before 
appearing,  and  bearing  several  bulbils  on  the 
covered  portion,  occasionally  disappearing  for 
a  whole  year,  when  bulbils  only  are  produced. 
Leaves  lance-shaped,  4  inches  to  5  inches  long, 
ascending.  Flowers  one  to  three,  funnel- 
shaped,  6  inches  to  8  inches  long,  more  slender 
than  in  longiflorum,  pale  buff  low  down  the 
tube  and  shading  through  cream  to  white  at 
the  tips  ;  the  upper  third  of  each  petal  expands 
suddenly  as  in  Nicotiana,  sweetly  scented. 
Flowers  in  August  and  September.  Eare  in 
cultivation.  It  grows  in  cool  regions  of  the 
Neilgherry  Mouqtains, 


CuLTUEE  AND  UsBS.— It  is  Scarcely  possible 
to  grow  this  Lily  in  the  open  air,  except  in 
high  and  warm  gardens,  and  even  then  it  is 
doubtful  if  it  could  be  permanently  established. 
It  succeeds  well  in  a  cool  house  if  not  forced  at 
any  time  and  allowed  to  grow  at  will,  and  better 
in  a  border  than  in  pots,  for  the  roots  go  down 
deeply.  It  requires  a  root-run  of  pasture  loam, 
with  which  leaf-soil  and  weathered  rubble  has 
been  mixed,  and  drainage.  It  is  somewhat 
erratic  in  its  season  of  growth,  hence  we  con- 
sider the  protection  of  a  greenhouse  necessary. 
(1^0  be  continued.) 


TREES    AND    SHRUBS. 

PINUS  GEMBRA. 

STRONG  and  steadfast,  the  AroUa  pine 
carries  itself  erect;  aloft  upon  the 
summits  of  sheer  rock  masses,  and  upon 
the  very  edges  of  dusky  precipices.  On 
the  serene  heights  of  our  Alps  it  bears 
itself  in  masterly  fashion,  personifying, 
on  the  threshold  of  the  great  domain  of  ice,  the 
struggle  of  life  with  death— the  triumph  of  fruitful 
strength  springing  from  aridity.  Moreover,  it  is  a 
beautiful  thing,  protesting  by  its  presence  against 
the  emptiness  of  the  dreary  void — a  tree  well  loved 
by  alpine  climbers,  and  still  more  by  artists  and  all 
who  take  pleasure  in  forms  of  picturesque  beauty. 
Alone  and  isolated,  at  the  last  limit  of  the  zone  of 
arborescent  vegetation,  the  AroUa  revels  in  the 
pure  blue  sky  and  the  powerful  alpine  sun.  It  is  a 
thing  of  ancient  race,  a  veteran  bronzed  by  age. 
When  thus  isolated,  it  assumes  highly  picturesque 
forms,  but  when  it  grows  in  a  forest,  surrounded 
by  others  of  its  kind,  sheltered  from  violent  wind- 
storms and  excess  of  cold,  and,  as  it  were,  remaining 
in  the  ranks,  it  is  nothing  but  a  private  soldier. 
But  even  there  it  may  be  taken  as  a  symbol  of 
strength  and  determination,  standing  tall  and 
upright  in  its  noble  stature. 

The  Arolla  is  an  Asiatic  tree  brought  to  us 
during  the  glacial  epoch  that  reigned  throughout 
Europe  for  hundreds  of  millions  of  years.  Its  place 
of  origin  is  probably  North-Eastern  Siberia,  where 
it  is  quite  at  home,  forming  immense  forests,  and 
reproducing  itself  freely.  This  it  no  longer  does 
upon  our  Alps.  It  has  this  special  character,  that 
it  is  the  only  European  species  belonging  to  the 
Quinse  group,  whose  leaf  is  formed  of  five  needles 
within  one  sheath.  This  section  of  the  genus 
Pinus,  so  rich  in  species,  comprises  about  twenty- 
five  species,  all  belonging  to  North  America, 
Central  Asia  (Himalaya),  and  Eastern  Asia.  It 
was  Japan,  Korea,  and  the  territory  adjoining 
Behring's  Strait  that  formed  the  bridge  of  ancient 
land  by  which  many  species,  both  animal  and  vege- 
table, including  man  himself,  transmigrated,  and 
passed  from  the  one  continent  to  the  other.  For  it 
has  now  been  proved  that  the  Indians  of  the 
American  Continent  were  originally  Scythians  from 
the  high  Asiatic  plateaux,  and  that  they  passed  by 
an  isthmus  formerly  existing  where  now  is  Behring's 
Strait.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  geographical 
centre  of  this  group. 

Pinus  Cembra,  which  may  be  called  the  Cedar  of 
our  Alps,  rises  to  an  altitude  of  6,000  feet,  forming 
forests  here  and  there  between  4,000  feet  and  5,500 
feet.  There  is  generally  a  mixture  of  Larch  in 
these  forests,  but  there  are  also  places  where  there 
are  stretches  of  rather  large  extent  of  Arolla  alone. 
During  the  last  forty  years  the  Swiss  Federal 
Government  has  made  extensive  plantations  of 
Pinus  Cembra  with  the  Larch  at  high  altitudes, 
thus  reafforesting  extensive  tracts  of  what  were 
formerly  bare  and  arid  slopes.  We  have  planted 
some  AroUas  at  the  garden  of  La  Rambertia,  at  the 
summit  of  the  Rochersde  Naye  (6,000  feet),  where 
they  are  doing  admirably.  At  our  garden  of  La 
Linnfea  (5,200  feet)  the  hundred  samples  planted  in 
1879  as  young  seedlings  are  now  handsome  young 
trees,  4  feet  to  5  feet  high,  and  very  prosperous. 
Mrs.  Tyndall,  the  widow  of  the  illustrious  English 
scientist,  has  planted  three  hectares  of  ground  with 


432 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  18,  1904. 


AroUas  near  the  Belalp,  a  plantation  which  prol 
mises  in  a  few  years  to  become  a  beautiful  piece  o 
forest.  It  is  on  land  that  was  anciently  thickly 
wooded,  but  that  has  been  bare  for  a  century.  The  j 
finest  AroUas  are  in  the  Engadine,  where  M.  Miiller,  : 
proprietor  of  the  Hotel  du  Jullier,  at  Campfer,  has 
found  a  variety — viridis— with  a  green  cone  and  a 
different  habit  to  the  type.  There  are  wonderful 
forests  of  Arollainthe  high  Engadine,  only  to  be 
matched  by  those  in  the  Vall(5e  d'AroUa  in  Valais 
— the  valley  taking  its  name  from  the  Pinus  Cembra. 
Near  Arolla,  close  to  the  glaciers,  in  the  grandest 
alpine  amphitheatre  that  can  be  conceived,  there 
still  remain  some  veterans  that  have  assumed 
remarkable  forms,  through  whose  branches  is  seen 
the  glistening  blue  of  the  glaciers  of  the  most 
sublime  mountains.  While  speaking  of  the  Arolla, 
I  may  well  mention  that  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel, 
M.  J.  Anzevin,  last  year  established  an  alpine 
garden  close  to  the  hotel,  which  he  puts  at  the  dis- 
posal of  visitors.  At  this  altitude  (6,000  feet)  some 
good  results  may  be  expected,  M.  Anzevin  having 
planted  species  from  all  the  mountains  of  the 
world. 

One  may  still  see  fine  forests  of  Arolla  in  the 
little  valley  of  Griiben  (Turtmannthal),  and  near 
Zermatt,  where,  however,  they  seem  to  be  robbed 
of  their  character  by  the  incongruous  presence  of 
railways,  bandstands,  newspaper  kiosks,  and  such- 
like attributes  of  urban  civilisation.  They  should 
be  seen  in  the  high  alpine  landscape,  at  the  foot  of, 
and  even  on,  the  moraines  of  the  sparkling  glaciers, 
for  there  it  is  that  they  convey  the  strongest 
impression  of  grandeur  and  nobility.  There  they 
seem  to  be  sentient  creatures,  each  with  its  own 
individual  character  and  physiognomy.  Examine 
six,  twenty,  thirty,  each  one  is  different,  each  has 
its  own  form  and  outline.  In  their  fight  for  life 
these  veterans  become  twisted  and  contorted  by 
violent  shocks  of  wind.  They  are  beaten  down  and 
then  again  rise  upright,  struggling  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  assuming;  every  kind  of 
strange  and  fantastic  form.  It  is  a 
tree  that  succeeds  perfectly  in  parks 
and  gardens,  where  it  is  handsome 
and  well  -  behaved,  docile,  and 
obedient  in  captivity.  In  the  gardens 
of  Floraire  it  grows  straight  and 
upright,  with  its  full  complement  of 
branches  regularly  disposed.  Its 
bluish  tint  contrasts  with  other 
conifers,  and  it  retains  its  candelabra 
form.  It  likes  a  deep,  cool  soil,  not 
too  hot  a  place,  and  frequent 
watering  when  in  a  young  state. 

Geneva.  Henry  Cokrevon. 


Japanese  species  and  forms  an  irregular  shaped 
bush,  5  feet  or  more  high,  with  wiry  looking  branches 
and  small,  rounded  leaves,  which  are  glaucous  on  the 
under  surface.  The  flowers  are  small  and  white, 
and  are  borne  in  dense  terminal  corymbs  from  small 
shoots  springing  from  last  year's  wood.  The  corymb."! 
are  freely  produced,  the  plants  during  June  being  a 
mass  of  white.  For  shrubbery  or  bed  it  is  equally 
valuable,  and  worthy  the  attention  of  all  shrub 
lovers.  W.  D. 


XA.NTHOCERAS    SORBIFOLIA. 

Since  writing  my  first  note  on  this  Chinese  shrub, 
I  have  seen  it  at  Kew  finer  than  I  ever  remember 
meeting  with  it  there  before.  The  backward  state 
of  the  present  season  has  doubtless  had  a  good  deal 
to  do  with  this,  as  the  tender  leaves  and  flowers 
were  kept  back  till  the  spring  frosts  had  passed 
away.  At  all  events,  several  specimens  standing 
quite  in  the  open  have  flowered  profusely.  Where 
numbers  are  grown  together  and  under  similar  con- 
ditions, it  may  often  be  noticed  that  the  reddish 
marking  at  the  base  of  the  petals  is  in  some  indi- 
viduals less  pronounced  than  others.  The  south- 
west of  the  country,  from  where  your  corre- 
spondent "  S.  W.  F."  writes,  page  369,  is  so 
favourable  for  tender  plants  that  many  subjects 
which  thrive  there  cut  a  sorry  figure  even  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  London.  H.  P. 


number,  and  so  it  is  doubly  welcome.  In  some 
parts  of  Britain  it  is  found  wild,  notablj'  in  York- 
shire, Durham,  Westmorland,  and  Oalway.  It  is, 
moreover,  very  widely  distributed,  and  is  found  in 
many  parts  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  It  makes 
a  dense  bush  2  feet  to  3  feet  high,  with  pinnate 
leaves,  usually  composed  of  five  leaflets,  which  are 
thickly  covered  on  the  under  surface  with  soft, 
silk}'  hairs.  The  flowers  are  an  inch  or  more  across, 
deep  yellow  in  colour,  and  are  freely  produced. 
As  regards  its  behaviour,  verj'  little  trouble  is 
given,  for,  once  planted  in  good  loamy  soil,  it  may 
be  depended  upon  to  keep  growing  and  to  give  little 
or  no  trouble  for  a  considerable  time.  Seeds  ger- 
minate readily,  and  a  stock  of  plants  may  quickly 
be  raised.  For  the  front  of  a  shrubbery  it  is  an 
excellent  subject,  while  it  may  also  be  used  for  a 
bed  on  the  outskirts  of  a  lawn.  W.  D. 


POTENTILLA  FRUTICOSA. 
The  genus  PotentiUa  is  represented  a  great  deal 
more  largely  in  the  herbaceous  border  than  in  the 
shrubbery,  yet  there  are  a  few  which  are  by  no 
means  to  be  despised  as  flowering  shrubs.  Of 
these  shrubby  species,  P.  fruticosa  is  the  best,  and  is 
worth  growing  on  account  of  its  late  flowering. 
Coming  into  blossom,  as  it  does,  in  June,  and  con- 
tinuing for  over  two  months  in  good  condition,  it  is 
at  its  best    when   flowering   shrubs    are    few    in 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


DAPHNE  CNEOEUM. 
The  great  measure  of  success  attend- 
ing the  culture  of  this  Daphne  at 
Kew,  and  alluded  to  on  page  366, 
is,  I  believe,  brought  about  by  an 
admixture  of  limestone  with  the  soil 
in  which  it  is  growing.  Such  a 
result  is  well  worth  knowing,  for 
there  can  be  no  question  as  to  its 
success  at  Kew,  where  its  culture 
has  not  always  proved  satisfactory. 
Hence  I  was  much  struck  to  see  it 
doing  so  well  on  the  rock  work  there. 
A  fair  amount  of  moisture  at  the 
roots,  combined  at  the  same  time 
with  eff'ective  drainage,  is  also 
necessary.  T. 


SPIRiEA    BRACTEATA. 

Most  of  the  shrubby  Spiraeas  are 
very  ornamental  and  worthy  of 
inclusion  in  all  gardens,  and  they 
have  also  the  merit  of  possessing  a 
long  flowering  period,  for,  from  the 
time  that  S.  Thunbergii  commences 
to  bloom  in  February  until  the  last 
flowers  of  S.  japonica  and  S.  mon- 
golica  are  over  in  November,  one  or 
more  may  be  found  in  bloom.  S. 
1?r£(ctee^ta  flowers  in  June.     It  is  a. 


piNUS  CEMBBA. 


NEW  AND  INTERESTING  ROSES  AT 
THE  TEMPLE  SHOW. 

IT  is  agreed  on  all  hands  that  the  recent  exhi- 
bition at  the  Temple  Gardens  was  one  of 
the  best  the  society  has  ever  held  there. 
The  many  valuable  novelties  brought  before 
the  public  on  such  an  occasion  have,  or  will 
be,  without  doubt,  noticed  in  the  pages  of 
The  Garden,  and  I  thought,  in  view  of  the  near 
approach  of  the  budding  season,  that  the  meri- 
torious novelties  in  Roses  exhibited  on  this  occa- 
sion could  be  best  dealt  with  in  a  separate  article. 

It  used  to  be  a  reproach  that  it  was  unsafe  to 
commend  Roses  grown  under  glass,  as  they  might 
not  succeed  so  well  outdoors  in  this  country,  but 
the  lateness  of  the  exhibition,  the  conditions 
of  cultivation,  and  the  abundance  of  air  given 
deprive  the  plants  to  a  great  extent 
^       of  the  term  "  forced  Roses." 

One  always  looks  for  something 
new  in  the  Waltham  Cross  group, 
and  this  year  this  splendid  collection, 
which  gained  for  Messrs.  William 
Paul  and  Son  such  high  distinction 
as  the  premier  gold  cup,  contained 
many  beautiful  novelties.  Perhaps 
the  Rose  which  rosarians  were  chiefly 
on  the  look  out  for  was 

Etoile  de  France,  and  Messrs.  Paul 
were  enabled  to  exhibit  a  basket  of 
plants  which  gave  one  a  good  idea  as 
to  its  merits.  That  it  will  not 
supersede  Liberty  as  a  forcing  Rose 
is  quite  clear,  for  the  variety  has 
not  the  beautiful  form  of  this  lovely 
crimson  sort,  but  it  is  also  certain 
that  for  outdoor  growth  Etoile  de 
France  will  surpass  any  red  Rose 
in  cultivation  for  bedding.  It  is 
of  vigorous  growth,  such  as  one 
would  expect  from  its  parent,  on  the 
one  side  Mme.  Abel  Chatenay,  and 
the  pollen  parent  Fisher  Holmes 
has  given  the  rich  colour  we  so  much 
required  in  the  Hybrid  Teas.  It  is 
strange  that  two  such  beautifully 
formed  Roses  as  the  last  named 
should  fail  to  produce  a  variety  of 
equally  good  form,  but  we  must  be 
thankful  for  the  glorious  colour  and 
the  free  blossoming  habit  of  Etoile 
de  France,  which  will  supply  a  long- 
felt  want  in  a  good  crimson  of  good 
quality  of  blossom,  at  once  useful 
as  a  garden  Rose  and  at  the  same 
time  suitable  for  cutting  with  long 
stems  for  decorations. 

Wallliam  Rambler  was  shown  in 
splendid  form,  the  fine  trusses  of 
delicate  pink  flowers  being  a  great 
attraction.  A  new  perpetual  flowering 
white  Rambler, 

Perle  des  Neiges,  which  received 
an  award  of  merit,  was  also  seen 
in   good   condition,  and  apparently 


June  18,  1904.1 


THE   GARDEN. 


433 


we  have  in  thia  Rose  a  very  useful  addition 
to  a  beautiful  class,  for  if  Ramblers  can  be 
produced  that  will  flower  twice  in  the  year  our 
arches  and  pillars  will  not  look  so  forlorn  in 
autumn  as  hitherto.  Probably  no  Rose  has  made 
such  a  host  of  friends  in  so  short  a  time  as  Dorothy 
Perkins,  and  now  we  find  she  is  to  be  superseded  by 

Lady  &'«(/.— The  colour  is  delightful,  being  a 
deeper  shade  of  carnation  pink.  One  was  unable 
to  judge  from  the  basket  of  cut  sprays  whether 
Lady  Gay  is  as  free  in  flowering  as  Dorothy 
Perkins,  but  if  so  it  must  prove  a  valuable  addition. 
If  Lady  Gay  is  a  deeper  coloured  Dorothy  Perkins, 
then 

Debutante  is  a  paler  form.  This  last  is  a  lovely 
shade  of  soft  pink.  It  is  a  variety  which  blooms 
also  in  autumn. 

Eotrl  of  Warwick  is  a  very  promising  Hybrid  Tea 
of  a  very  beautiful  colour,  salmon  and  flesh  pink 
being  the  prevailing  tints,  and 
I  understand  it  grows  as  freely 
as  Viscountess  Folkestone  and 
similar  varieties.  One  of  the 
Roses  which  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  visitors  most  was 

Boadicea. — This  was  shown  in 
grand  form,  and  those  who  can 
grow  Tea  Roses  to  perfection 
will  do  well  to  add  it  to  their 
collection,  for  it  promises  to  be 
as  valuable  as  a  show  Rose  as 
Messrs.  Paul's  Medea. 

Prince  de  Btdgarie  is  one  of 
the  best  of  the  newer  Hybrid 
Teas.  It  is  quite  distinct,  the 
colour  being  silvery  flesh  with 
salmon  and  orange  shading. 
Growth  excellent. 

Farbenkonigin  is  a  glorious  colour,  which  may  be 
described  as  a  reddish  La  France.  It  is  very 
fragrant. 

Pharisasr,  if  I  mistake  not,  will  be  a  very  popular 
Rose.  Its  huge,  deep  petalled  blossoms  are  of  a 
pleasing  fawn  tint,  shading  to  white,  buds  very 
handsome,  and  growth  vigorous.  It  is  a  thin  Rose, 
but,  like  Killarney,  the  petals  keep  their  form  for  a 
considerable  time. 

Frau  Karl  Druschki  attracted  much  notice,  and 
no  more  beautiful  Rose  has  appeared  for  some  years. 
The  pillar  plant  in  the  Waltham  Cross  group  demon- 
strated its  fitness  for  such  a  mode  of  training.  The 
glorious  headed  standards  of 

Souvenir  de  Pierre  Netting  in  Mr.  C.  Turner's 
fine  group  were  a  great  attraction.  I  am 
afraid  this  Rose  is  very  impatient  of  damp,  but  it 
is,  nevertheless,  a  valuable  addition  to  our  yellow 
Roses. 

David  Harum,  which  comes  from  America, 
promises  well.  Unfortunately,  our  collection  is 
teeming  with  pink  Roses  already,  but  there 
appears  a  distinct  shade  about  this  novelty 
which  may  prove  useful.  This  was  shown  in 
the  group  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son  of  Cheshunt. 
So  also  was 

Snowdon,  which  will  be  a  useful  Rose  if  it  is  what 
it  appears  to  be,  a  white  Mrs.  Paul. 

Rugosa  repeyis  alba  and  Rosa  sinica  Anemone  are 
two  gems,  worthy  additions  to  our  single  Roses. 

P. 


flower.  The  Rose  garden  near  the 
arranged  in  a  series  of  bays  and  terraces,  each  bay 
and  terrace  being  filled  with  one  variety.  Of  the 
numerous  sorts  the  following  are  some  of  the  most 
noticeable. 

Entering  from  the  end  near  the  Pagoda  an  inter- 
esting group  of  hybrids  of  Rosa  rugosa  may.  be 
noticed.  These  are  a  dozen  or  so  in  number,  and 
the  following  are  the  most  striking :  Souv.  de 
Pierre  Leperdrieux,  dark  red,  double ;  Chedane 
Guinoisseau,  double,  rose  ;  M  me.  Georges  Bruant, 
double,  white  ;  and  Blanc  de  Coubert,  double, 
white. 

A  little  further  on  several  bays  are  filled  with 
R.  spinosisaima  and  its  varieties,  large  groups 
being  formed  of  R.  s.  var.  altaica,  which  has  large 
single  white  flowers  ;  R.  s.  var.  lutea,  with  deep 
yellow  blossoms ;  and  R.  s.  var.  hispida,  with 
yellow  flowers  of  a  paler  hue.     Other  Scotch  Roses 


and  Flora.  Other  varieties  to  be  seen  are  Psyche, 
Dorothy  Perkins,  Queen  Alexandra,  Electra,  Una, 
Eleanor  Berkeley,  Alberic  Barbier,  Auguste  Bar- 
bier,  Paul  Transon,  and  others,  while  here  and 
there  White  Pet,  which  has  formed  very  large 
plants,  provides  a  welcome  relief  to  the  red 
varieties. 

There  are  numerous  other  sorts  on  the  pergola 
near  the  rockery,  while  beds  of  the  following 
near  the  temperate  house  and  greenhouse  are  very 
attractive  :  Royal  Scarlet,  Una,  Electra,  Morletti, 
Mrs.  A.  Waterer,  noisettiana,  mulli  flora,  Blanc  de 
Coubert,  &c.  Near  the  Syon  Vista  at  the  end  of 
the  lake  a  large  mass  of  rugosa  forma  is  showy  and 
interesting,  while  there  are  fine  old  specimens  of 
R.  mosohata  near  the  ferneries  and  Isleworth  Gate 
and  of  the  double  Ayrshire  Rose  in  varioua  places. 
The  Rose  dell  at  Kew  is  one  of  the  most  instructive 
spots  in  early  summer,  as  the  various  sorts  are 
planted  in  a  way  to  show  them 
to  the  best  advantage.  One  can 
learn  much  here.  W.  D. 


AN    ARTIST'S 
NOTE-BOOK. 


ODONTIOD 

o 


RAMBLING  EOSES  AT  KEW. 
From  early  May  until  the  end  of  the  first  week  in 
June  Rhododendrons  and  Azaleas  eclipse  most 
other  flowering  shrubs,  but  after  early  June  they 
are  surpassed  by  the  Roses,  which  hold  first  place 
among  flowering  shrubs  until  the  end  of  July.  At 
Kew  the  Roses  are  to  be  found  in  many  different 
places,  the  garden  varieties  of  Teas  and  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  being  grown  in  beds  near  the  Palm 
house,  most  of  the  species  in  a  long  bed  near  the 
Pagoda,  while  the  rambling  varieties  and  the  more 
showy  species  are  in  the  Rose  garden  near  the 
Pagoda,  on  a  pergola  between  the  herbaceous 
ground  and  rockery,  and  in  beds  and  masses  in 
various  parts  of  the  gardens.  At  the  present  time 
— early  June — the  latter  are  moat  generally  inter- 
esting, and  anyone  visiting  Kew  should  make  a 
point  of  seeing  the  numerous  varieties  now    in 


THE  NEW  HYBRID   ODONTIODA  VUYLSTBKB^. 
(Shown  by  M.  Ch.  Yxiylsteke,  Loochristi,  Ghant,  at  the  recent  Temple  Shmo.) 


represented  are  William  IV.,  flore  luteo-pleno. 
Double  Pink,  &c.  Behind  these  Roses  there  is  an 
extensive  group  of  the  dark  red  rugosa  x  General 
Jacqueminot  hybrid  Mrs.  Anthony  Waterer  ;  near 
by  is  a  charming  mass  of  the  Dawson  Rose,  the 
pretty  pink  flowers  of  which  are  particularly 
pleasing.  As  a  background  to  these  large  speci- 
mens of  R.  multiflora  make  a  thick  tangled  mass, 
the  branches  in  some  instances  being  intermixed 
with  the  other  two. 

Passing  these  groups  we  come  to  a  mass  of 
Carmine  Pillar  growing  against  a  dark  green  Holly. 
The  free-growing  shoots  of  this  are  smothered  with 
flowers,  which  are  well  set  ofif  against  the  dark 
leaves  of  the  Holly.  Crimson  Rambler  is  repre- 
sented by  a  very  large  group,  as  also  are  Fellenberg 


ODONTIODA  VUYLSTEKE.i;. 
RGHID  lovers  at 
the  Temple  show 
waxed  enthu- 
siastic over  this 
new  hybrid  exhi- 
bited  by  M . 
Vuylsteke,  a  Belgian  grower, 
and  small  wonder,  for  it  is  to 
all  intents  and  purposes  a  red 
Odontoglossum.  So  far  as  rich 
colouring  is  concerned  it  sur- 
passes all  other  varieties  of 
Odontoglossum  crispum,  and 
the  general  opinion  seems  to  be 
that  its  introduction  will  tend 
in  time  to  depreciate  the  many 
finely  spotted  forms  of  O. 
crispum  that  have  been  raised 
during  recent  years.  Now  that 
the  way  has  been  pointed  out, 
it  is  only  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  other  hybridists  will  also 
enter  this  fresh  field  with  its 
great  possibilities,  and  in  a  few 
years'  time  Odontiodas  in 
varying  shades  of  red  and 
orange  may  be  as  numerous 
as  finely  spotted  forms  of 
Odontoglossum  crispum  are 
to-day ;  if  this  should  prove  to 
be  the  case  it  must  follow  as 
a  matter  of  course  that  the 
latter  will  lose  the  value  that 
now  is  placed  upon  them. 
Hybrids,  especially  when  very 
closely  related  to  each  other, 
must  of  necessity  have  a 
fictitious  value,  for  one  never 
knows  when  it  will  be  super- 
seded by  something  better. 
Although  not  a  true  Odontoglossum,  M.  Vuyl- 
steke's  hybrid,  so  far  as  general  appearance 
goes,  is  little  different. 

It  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  Odonto- 
glossum Pescatorei  and  Cochlioda  nrezliana, 
and  is  therefore  a  bigeneric  hybrid.  The 
flowers  resemble  an  Odontoglossum  in  the 
form  of  sepals  and  petals,  but  the  lip  is  deeply 
lobed  in  the  middle.  The  lower  half  of  the 
sepals  and  petals  is  red,  with  perhaps  a,  tinge 
of  orange  ;  around  this  colouring  is  a  line  of 
white.  The  upper  half  of  the  sepals  and  petals 
is  rosy  purple,  the  latter  colour  prevailing  most 
at  the  edges.  The  lobed  lip  is  white,  tinged 
with  pink,  and  spotted  with  red.      A.  H.  P. 


434 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  IS,  1904. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Polygonums. 

FOR  the  informal  garden,  where  free  growth 
and  luxuriant  foliage  are  desired,  several 
species  of  Polygonum  are  of  value.  But 
with  the  stronger  growers  and  P.  cuspi- 
datum  especially,  which  spread  very 
rapidly  and  will  grow  in  any  soil,  or 
even  in  a  hard  path,  it  is  necessary  to  plant  them 
where  there  is  no  danger  of  their  encroaching  on 
any  more  valuable  or  slower  growing  subjects.  They 
are  very  suitable  for  planting  on  the  banks  of  a 
stream  or  a  clump  on  a  lawn.  Where  the  mower  will 
check  their  spreading  propensities  they  will  fre- 
quently be  effective.  Polygonum  cuspidatum  is,  per- 
haps, the  best  known  species  ;  its  large,  deep  green 
leaves  and  abundant  panicles  of  feathery  flowers  are 
most  graceful ;  but,  unfortunately,  the  perfume 
from  the  flowers  attracts  innumerable  flies.  Occa- 
sionally the  flowers  are  succeeded  by  scarlet  fruits. 
For  furnishing  a  large  dinner-table  sprays  of  this 
Knot-weed  are  very  useful.  P.  sachalinense  is  even 
a  stronger  grower  than  the  foregoing.  In  a  moist 
spot  it  grows  fully  12  feet  high.  Its  greenish  yellow 
flowers  are  produced  towards  the  autumn.  P.  am- 
plexicaule  is  of  quite  distinct  appearance  from  the 
above  species.  Naturally  of  a  dwarf,  compact 
habit,  it  requires  more  liberal  treatment  when  it 
grows  to  about  3  feet  in  height.  Its  racemes  of 
bright  red  flowers,  which  appear  towards  the  end  of 
August,  are  very  striking  and  last  a  considerable 
time.  If  it  were  of  taller  habit,  P.  affine  would  be 
equally  valuable,  for  its  flowers,  which  are  of  similar 
colour,  are  more  freely  produced.  This  and  the 
creeping  P.  vaccinifolium,  which  also  bears  bright 
rose  flowers,  are  well  adapted  for  planting  in  the 
rock  garden.  The  snow  white  P.  alpinum  is  also  a 
useful  species. 

Roses. 
In  many  places  the  Rose  grub  is  very  much  in 
evidence.  The  affected  plants  should  be  carefully 
looked  over  and  the  curled  leaves  squeezed  and 
removed.  The  hotter  days  have  also  brought 
increased  numbers  of  green  fly,  which  must  be 
exterminated.  Where  the  plants  have  broken 
freely,  it  is  as  well  to  cut  off  the  weak  and  badly 
placed  shoots,  and,  if  extra  large  flowers  are  required, 
disbudding  must  be  practised.  Birds  are  very  busy 
scratching  the  mulching  into  heaps  in  their  search 
for  worms  and  snails.  The  mulching  must  be  raked 
level,  and,  when  necessary,  water  copiously.  The 
fresh  growths  on  pillar  and  wall  Roses  should  be 
tied  in  ;  but  this  must  be  done  lightly  or  the  plants 
will  present  a  very  stiff  appearance.  When  it  is 
necessary  to  syringe  or  spray  these  latter  Roses 
with  insecticide  this  should  be  done  either  on  dull 
days  or  late  in  the  afternoon,  after  the  sun  has  lost 
most  of  its  power,  or  scorching  will  result.  After 
applying  the  insecticide  it  is  wise  to  wash  the  walls 
with  clear  water  to  prevent  any  discolouration. 

A.  C.  Babtlett. 
Pencarroio  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Broccoli. 
This  important  crop  should  now  be  planted.  It  is 
essential  that  the  ground  for  Broccoli  should  be 
made  very  firm,  to  check  strong  growth  and  to  have 
the  plants  sturdy  and  dwarf  to  withstand  the 
winter.  A  good  and  open  piece  of  ground  should 
be  chosen,  and,  if  the  crop  is  grown  in  one  plot, 
the  varieties  should  be  planted  in  order,  to  follow 
each  other  thus  :  At  one  side  of  the  plot  a  few  rows 
of  Walcheren  and  Autumn  Giant  Cauliflower  may 
be  planted  ;  follow  next  with  the  winter  sorts,  and 
finish  the  plot  with  those  that  come  in  in  the  month 
of  June.  This  allows  all  stumps,  &c. ,  to  be  cleared 
off  as  the  crop  is  cut.  A  good  selection  of  sorts  to 
stand  in  the  northern  counties  was  given  in  the 
calendar  at  the  time  of  sowing.  Plants  growing  in 
the  seed  beds  should  be  lifted  with  a  fork  to 
prevent  damage  to  the  roots.  If  the  planting  is 
done  in  showery  weather,  little  attention  will  be 
required,  except  to  keep  the  grouncj  clean.  Broccoli 


may  be  planted  with  every  prospect  of  success  for 
some  time  yet,  and  may  follow  the  earliest  Peas  after 
they  have  been  cleared  off. 

Kale,  Savoys, 
and  the  later  sown  Brussels  Sprouts  should  now  be 
got  in.  The  dwarf  curled  Savoys  withstand  the 
winter  best,  and  are  better  for  the  kitchen  than 
Drumhead  sorts.  They  may  be  planted  about  20 
inches  between  the  rows ;  but  where  the  large 
sorts  are  preferred  2  feet  6  inches  will  be  necessary. 

Late  Cabbage 
should  also  be  got  in,  Winningstadt  being  a  fine 
variety.  The  roots  of  all  Brassicas  may  be  dipped 
in  a  mixture  of  soot,  lime,  and  soil  that  has  been 
moistened.  This  enables  the  plants  to  withstand 
the  strong  sun  till  they  are  established,  and  pre- 
vents clubbing  at  the  roots. 

French  Beans. 

As  expected,  the  earliest  sowing  has  come  up 
very  thin,  and  some  should  be  transplanted.  Second 
sowings  are  sure  to  do  better,  and  a  large  sowing 
for  the  main  supply  should  be  got  in  at  once.  Ne 
Plus  Ultra,  Negro  Long  Pod,  and  Canadian  Wonder 
are  all  good  sorts.  Sow  in  rows  15  inches  apart,  on 
a  warm,  sunny  border,  not  too  deeply,  thinning  the 
plants  to  6  inches  apart. 

Broad  Beans. 

The  earliest  sown  plants  are  growing  rapidly,  and 
should  be  stopped  when  about  3  feet  high,  or  when 
a  good  set  of  pods  has  been  secured.  Second 
sowings  may  be  earthed  up  and  staked. 

TnRNiPS. 

The  regular  sowing  of  these  must  be  attended  to 
for  some  time  yet ;  but  a  sowing  of  good  garden 
Swede  should  be  made  now.  This  gives  good  and 
useful  Turnips  through  the  winter  and  spring 
months.  Thomas  Hay. 

Hopetoun  House  Gardens,  N.  B. 

FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Pine- apples. 
In  the  month  of  June  more  fruits  generally  turn  in 
than  are  required  for  private  use.  These  can  be 
retarded,  when  about  half-coloured,  by  being  re- 
moved to  a  cooler  house  or  vinery  where  ripe 
Grapes  are  hanging.  The  fruits  will  also  be  a 
better  colour  than  if  allowed  to  ripen  in  a  moist 
atmosphere.  Remove  any  suckers  required  for 
stock  from  the  plants  prior  to  their  removal  to  a 
cooler  house.  Less  moisture  will  be  required  for 
those  to  ripen  their  fruits,  but  they  must  not  be 
allowed  to  become  so  dry  as  to  cause  premature 
ripening.  The  fruits  on  succession  plants  are  now 
developing  rapidly,  and  require  plenty  of  atmos- 
pheric moisture  and  liberal  supplies  of  weak  guano 
water.  Examine  the  plants  twice  a  week  at  least, 
and  thoroughly  water  when  required.  It  often 
happens  at  this  season  of  the  year,  after  hard  firing, 
that  the  tan  or  leaves,  whichever  the  plants  are 
plunged  in,  becomes  too  dry  near  the  pipes.  This 
should  have  a  good  watering  at  a  temperature  of 
85*  ;  also  sprinkle  the  surface  of  the  bed  in  the 
morning,  and  again  when  the  house  is  closed, 
slightly  dewing  the  plants  overhead  at  closing 
time,  and,  freely  damping  all  available  spaces, 
allow  the  temperature  to  reach  95",  falling  to  75° 
at  10  p.m.  Young  plants  should  be  kept  steadily 
moist  and  encouraged  to  make  sturdy  growth  by 
early  and  free  ventilation  in  bright  weather.  Very 
little  fire-heat  will  be  necessary,  except  on  cold 
nights  ;  when  the  nights  are  warm  a  little  air  should 
be  left  on  all  night. 

Pine-apple  Suckers. 
These  require  similar  treatment  to  succession 
plants,  a  little  more  bottom-heat  being  required  to 
encourage  early  root  action.  As  soon  as  the  pots 
are  filled  with  roots,  repot  into  larger  pots.  It  is 
better  to  do  this  than  to  allow  the  plants  to  be 
checked,  which  would,  perhaps,  cause  them  to 
show  fruit  prematurely  later  and  be  useless. 

Strawberries. 
The  latest  batch  of  these,  grown  in  cold  pits  or 
frames,  require  plenty  of  water  and  free  ventilation. 
The  itnUB  of  early  varieties  grown  on  warm  borders 


are  now  swelling  rapidly.  Frame  lights  should  be 
placed  over  the  earliest.  If  the  weather  continues 
dry  a  good  watering  should  be  given.  If  liquid 
manure  water  is  given,  this  must  be  applied  care- 
fully during  the  time  the  fruits  are  on  the  plants. 
Where  blackbirds  and  thrushes  are  numerous  nets 
should  be  fixed  over  the  beds  before  the  fruits 
change  colour.  Later  varieties  should  be  well 
watered  and  mulched.  The  layering  of  early 
varieties  for  forcing  should  be  carried  out  as  soon 
as  layers  are  available.  Also  layer  plants  for 
forming  new  beds  for  next  season.  Different 
methods  are  employed  for  layering.  Some  prefer 
layering  direct  into  5-inch  and  0-inch  pots,  others 
into  3-inch  pots.  A  great  deal  depends  on  the  soil 
and  the  season  ;  each  method  has  its  advantages. 
Inipney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan. 


INDOOR   GARDEN. 

Clbbodendron  fallax. 
Of  all  the  Clerodendrons,  perhaps  this  is  the  most 
useful,  and  it  is  not  very  difficult  to  grow.  With 
a  systematic  method  of  propagation  plants  may  be 
had  in  flower  at  practically  any  season  of  the  year. 
They  are  most  valuable  during  autumn  and  early 
spring.  Plants  required  for  flowering  during  the 
coming  autumn,  some  of  which  were  raised  from 
seeds  sown  early  in  the  year,  as  well  as  those  that 
were  propagated  from  cuttings  struck  during 
March  and  April,  are  now  making  good  progress, 
and  while  it  may  be  necessary  to  place  them  where 
they  will  make  growth  freely,  they  should  be  kept 
short-jointed  and  sturdy  by  elevating  them  near 
the  glass.  Sow  now  a  few  seeds  to  produce  plants 
to  flower  next  spring  and  early  summer.  Although 
sowing  the  seeds  singly  in  small  2A-inoh  pots  is 
advised,  it  may  better  suit  the  convenience  of  some 
to  raise  them  from  seeds  sown  in  pans  in  the 
ordinary  way.  In  the  latter  case,  care  in  removing 
them  to  single  pots  is  necessary,  and  on  no  account 
give  them  a  high  temperature,  55*  to  60*  during 
the  day  being  hot  enough,  with  air  according  to 
external  conditions. 

Indian  Azaleas. 
Plants  that  during  the  early  part  of  the  year 
were  forced  into  flower,  and  have  since  been  in 
heat  to  encourage  them  to  grow  well,  are  now 
being  moved  to  a  cooler  house,  where  they  will 
remain  until  growth  hardens  and  the  flower-buds 
are  well  set.  Syringing  them  once  or  twice  a  day 
to  keep  red  spider  in  check,  with  ordinary  care 
will  not  excite  them  to  make  a  second  growth,  but 
will  help  the  flower-buds  to  develop  steadily  and 
firmly,  and  will  assist  materially  to  sustain  the 
plants  in  a  healthy  condition.  Reduce  somewhat 
the  supply  of  stimulants  to  the  roots  of  such  plants, 
although  no  harm  will  be  done  by  applying  a  weak 
dose  occasionally  of  soot  water  or  even  liquid 
manure. 

Herbaceous  Calceolarias. 
Although  in  some  instances  it  may  have  been 
necessary  to  sow  seeds  from  which  to  raise  a  few 
early  plants,  the  main  sowing  of  seeds  should  be 
made  within  the  next  few  days.  Much  trouble  is 
often  afforded  and  partial  success  only  realised  by 
sowing  the  seeds  in  pans  or  pots,  that  are  usually 
placed  in  heat  to  encourage  immediate  germination 
of  the  seeds.  The  most  simple  and  probably 
economical  method  of  raising  a  stock  of  young 
plants  from  seed  is  to  make  in  any  sheltered  part 
of  the  garden  or  yard  a  sand-bed,  and  on  this  place 
the  old  plants,  from  which  the  seeds  when  ready 
will  fall  and  will  soon  germinate.  No  attention 
beyond  giving  water  once  a  day  through  a  fine  rose 
will  be  necessary  until  the  young  seedling  plants 
are  large  enough  to  handle,  and  can  be  pricked  out 
singlj'  an  inch  or  so  apart  in  pots  or  boxes. 

ToP-DRESSING    LlLIUMS. 

Liliums  laucifoliuni,  auratum,  and  others  should 
now  be  given  a  surfacing  with  good  rough  loam  and 
dried  cow  manure.  This  should  not  be  pressed 
down  too  firmly. 

Tranhy  Crofl,  Hull.  J.  P.  Leadbettkr. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

The  main  collection,  which  is  being  cultivated  for 
the  purpose  of  producing  fine  flowers,  will  now,  if 


June  18,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEIS. 


435 


potted  as  advised  in  a  previous  calendar,  have 
become  well  established  in  their  new  pots  and  soil, 
and  be  quite  in  a  fit  state  to  arrange  finally  in  their 
summer  quarters.  We  are  not  all  in  a  position  to 
pick  and  choose  a  site  for  these,  and  many  have  to 
cultivate  them  under  extreme  difficulties.  Never- 
theless, it  should  be  borne  in  mind,  as  far  as  possible, 
that  the  more  open  and  sunny  the  place  selected, 
providing  it  is  fairly  well  sheltered  from  west  and 
south-west  winds,  the  better  will  it  be  for  them, 
whether  they  are  arranged  in  blocks  or  grown  in 
long  rows  by  the  sides  of  fairly  wide  paths. 

Personally,  I  prefer  the  latter  plan,  if  it  can  be 
so  managed  that  these  do  not  interfere  with  other 
crops,  as  the  plants  are  much  more  readily  managed, 
and  light  and  air  can  play  about  them  when  in 
single  rows  much  more  uninterruptedly.     It  is  of 
the  utmost  importance  that  every  provision  should 
be  made  to  secure  the  plants  against  any  gales  we 
may  reasonably  expect,  as  the  strain  is  very  great 
on  a  fairly  long  row  of  well-grown  plants.    A  stout 
post  should  be  well  fixed  at  each  end,  and  lesser 
ones  at  intermediate  stations,  between  several  rows 
of  stout  tarred  cord,  which  are  preferable  to  wires. 
Each  plant  should  now  be  staked  so  that  it  will 
last  over  the  flowering  season,  the  temporary  ones 
should  be  removed,  and  the  new  ones  placed  in  the 
same  holes.     Tie  fairly  loose  with  broad  pieces  of 
bast,  and  secure  each  stake,  as  the  work  is  accom- 
plished,  to   the  trellis.     Allow   as  much  room  as 
possible  between  the  plants,  and  always  arrange 
them  on  boards  made  perfectly  level.     Remove  all 
side  growths,  and  always  be  on  the  alert  for  any 
insect  pests  or   fungoid   growths  which  so  easily 
beset  them,  and  take  the  necessary  steps  to  check 
them   before   much   serious   harm   is  done.      Few 
plants  enjoy  a  shower  bath  on  hot  days  more  than 
the  Chrysanthemum,  and  a  good  syringing  at  least 
three  or  four  times  a  day  when  the  weather  is  very 
hot  will  greatly  benefit  them.     Watering  must  be 
done  with  extreme  care.     A  careless  man  with  a 
water-pot  will  never  make  a  successful   grower. 
Never  give  any  till  the  plant  is  quite  ready  for  it, 
and  thio   can  only  be   determined   by  thoroughly 
testing  it.      No  safer  or  more  reliable  plan  than 
rapping  the  pots  with  the  knuckles  is  known^  to 
me,   and   in   case  of  doubt   the   plant    should  "be 
weighted  by  lifting  it.     Fill  up  the  pots  at  least 
twice,  and  strong  vigorous  plants  three  times. 

Decorative  varieties,  such  as  Pompons,  Pompon 
Anemones,  singles,  and  all  those  grown 
for  flowering  during  the  winter  months 
should  as  soon  as  possible  be  placed  in 
their  flowering  pots,  using  a  mixture  of 
the  same  character  as  previously  advised. 
Generally  speaking,  7-inch  and  8-inch 
pots  are  the  most  convenient  and  amply 
large  enough  for  any  of  the  above  men- 
tioned. Very  firm  potting  should  be 
resorted  to,  and  if  the  plants  are  arranged 
thickly  in  a  sheltered  position  they  soon 
recoup  themselves.  Once  more  the  point 
of  the  growth  may  be  stopped. 

E.  Beckett. 
Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree. 


indoor  decoration  if  care  is  taken  not  to 
put  them  in  rooms  where  the  temperature 
lalls  below  .50°,  and  to  keep  them  out  of 
cold  draughts.  I  enclose  a  photograph  of 
some  very  line  plants  growing  in  the  gardens 
at  Dobroyd  Castle,  Todmorden,  the  residence 
of  Mrs.  John  Fielden.  They  had  an  average 
of  twenty-one  flowers,  and  were  the  best  plants 
I  have  seen. 

Orimston  Gardens,  Tadcaster.        H.  J.  C. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 
Oncidium  ampliatum. 
This  Orchid,  now  passing  out  of  flower,  should  be 
repotted  or  given  fresh  surface  material.  Use  a 
compost  of  two-thirds  fibrous  peat  and  one-third 
sphagnum  mixed  together.  Pans  are  most  suit- 
able ;  they  should  be  made  nearly  half  full  of 
chopped  rhizomes.  Pot  rather  firmly,  keeping  the 
base  of  the  leading  bulb  on  a  level  with  the  rim  of 
the  pan,  and  the  compost  low  enough  to  allow  of  a 
top-dressing  of  sphagnum,  which  is  very  helpful  to 
this  Orchid.  Plants  with  many  pseudo-bulbs  per 
lead  should  have  some  removed,  retaining  not  more 
than  three  to  each  lead.  The  temperature  of  the 
stove  Orchid  house  is  the  most  suitable,  watering 
with  great  care  till  the  new  growth  begins. 
During  the  late  autumn  and  winter  months  very 
little  water  will  be  required. 

OnCIDIDM   SPHACELATUM   and   0.  ALTISSIMUM. 

These  are  well  worth  growing  extensively  either 
for  use  in  ihe  Orchid  house  or  cut  for  table  or  other 
house  decoration.  They  are  of  easy  culture,  and 
well  adapted  for  this  purpose.  Both  are  now 
passing  out  of  flower,  and  repotting  should  be  done 
at  once,  using  a  compost  of  one-half  fibrous  peat, 
one-quarter  leaf-soil,  and  one-quarter  sphagnum, 
mixed  together  with  some  small  crooks  and  coarse 
sand.  Ordinary  pots  are  well  adapted  for  their 
culture  ;  a  few  large  clean  crocks  should  be  first 
placed  round  them,  nearly  half  filling  thej  pots 
with  chopped  rhizomes.  Large  plants  of  0.  sphace- 
latum  are  often  found,  especially  in  old  collections. 
Generally  the  best  pseudo-bulbs  are  those  _on  the 
outer  sides  of  the  plant,  the. centre  being  in'a'more 
or  less  decayed  state.  Such  plants  should  be  care- 
fully puUed^to  pieces,  and  the  back  bulbs  removed 


and  potted  up  either  separately  or  so  placed  together 
to  form  a  specimen.  I  prefer  the  former  plan,  and 
as  the  plants  develop  pot  them  on.  When  this  is 
carried  out— pulling  one  or  two  plants  apart 
annually  and  rejuvenating  them,  and  potting  on 
others  that  were  treated  in  a  like  manner  pre- 
viously—the whole  stock  is  kept  in  a  thoroughly 
healthy  and  vigorous  state.  Both  these  sorts 
succeed  well  in  the  Cattleya  house.  Newly-potted 
plants  should  be  carefully  watered  till  the  roots 
have  taken  a  good  hold  of  the  fresh  compost,  then 
water  may  be  freely  given  till  the  short  days  of 
winter  are  again  with  us.  Although  we  have  some 
Oncidiums  that  give  us  brighter  and  more  showy 
flowers,  we  have  none  more  usefal  to  those  who 
have  to  send  flowers  to  London  during  April  and 
iMay. 

Oncidium  FLBxnosnai. 

This  is  another  charming  and  useful  Orchid, 
flowering  practically  at  all  seasons.  Potting  may 
now  be  safely  done.  Although  this  species  is  gene- 
rally grown  in  Teak  baskets,  I  prefer  ordinary  pots 
which  can  be  suspended,  using  the  same  compost 
as  advised  for  the  two  previous  species.  Atter 
potting  water  carefully  till  the  plant  becomes  well 
established.  On  bright  days  overhead  syringing  is 
helpful.  Suspend  it  in  the  Cattleya  house,  and 
when  growing  and  rooting  freely  during  the  summer 
months  frequent  overhead  syringings  will  be  most 
beneficial  on  account  of  the  many  aerial  roots  pro- 
duced by  this  species.  W.  P.  Bound. 

Oatton  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


THE     INDOOR     GARDEN. 

DORYANTHES  PALMERI. 

SO  little  known  in  Europe  is  this  fine 
Australian  Lily  that  the  fact  of  its 
flowering  this  year  at  Nice,  in  the 
garden  of  Mrs.  Evans,  Torre  di 
Oimella,  deserves  record.  It  flowered 
once  at  Kew  in  1888,  but  i  have  no 
knowledge  of  its  blooming  elsewhere  till  this 
year,  when  _  I  heard  of  its  throwing  up  a 
flower-stem  in  two  other  Riviera  gardens,  but 
as  I  have  not  seen  them  I  hope  I  shall  be 
corroborated,  or  excused  if  my  informants  are 


ORCHIDS. 

CYPRIPEDIUM     VILLOSUM. 

AMONG  the  originally  imported 
Cypripediums,  few,  if  any, 
have  been  so  much  used 
L  for  hybridising  purposes  as 
L  C.  villosum.  It  has  been 
cultivated  in  British  gar- 
dens close  upon  half  a  century, 
being  introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch  of 
Chelsea  in  1853.  Its  native  habitat 
is  Moulmein,  where  it  grows  freely 
at  an  altitude  of  about  4,000  feet. 
When  it  is  well  grown  few,  if  any,  of 
the  older  species  or  varieties  are  more 
handsome  or  useful.  Its  flowers 
remain  in  good  condition  for  several 
weeks  after  being  fully  open.  Well- 
flowered    plants  are  most  useful  for 


CyPBIPEDlDM    VILLOSUM   IN    THE   GAKDE^S,  DOBROYD   CASTLE,  TODMORDEN. 


436 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  18,  1904. 


wrong.  Doryanthes  excelsa  is  the  typical 
species.  It  sends  up  a  straight  spear-like  stem 
from  its  base  amid  a  cluster  of  foliage  rather 
like  Dracaena  Draco,  and  it  is  crowned  by  a 
closely  packed  head  of  crimson  blossom,  which 
as  I  first  saw  it,  when  backed  by  tall  Euca- 
lyptus and  light  Corypha  Palms,  is  most 
striking,  even  at  a  distance.  Doryanthes 
Palmeri  has  a  drooping  and  elongated  spike  of 
flowers,  much  like  the  well-known  Beschor- 
neria  glauca,  but  larger  and  handsomer.  The 
individual  blossoms,  however,  stand  up  on  the 
side  branches,  and  with  their  red  bracts  make 
a  noble  effect  of  colour  and  semi-tropical 
luxuriance,  so  that  it  is  a  plant  well  worth 
planting  and  waiting  for,  even  if  it  takes 
sixteen  or  twenty  years  to  come  to  flowering 
.size  when  raised  from  seed.  Whether  this 
species  makes  offsets  and  grows  into  a  clump 
as  I),  excelsa  does  is  not  yet  apparent.  Per- 
haps those  who  know  it  at  home  will  enlighten 
us.  Even  if  it  never  flowered  the  shining  and 
brilliant  green  colour  of  its  foliage  makes  it  a 
very  ornamental  plant ;  indeed,  I  shall  regret 
its  flowering  if  it  in  so  doing  leaves  a  blank  in 
Mrs.  Evans's  stately  garden. 

E.  H.  WOODALL. 


VALUE  OF  LATE-ROOTED  CHRYSAN- 
THEMUMS. 
Cuttings  taken  about  the  second  week  in  May 
from  surplus  stock  may  be  used  to  advantage.  If 
the  tops  are  inserted  in  a  box  of  good  sandy  soil, 
labelled  carefully  as  the  work  proceeds,  and  kept 
close  for  a  time,  in  about  six  weeks  they  will  be 
ready  for  potting  into  3-inch  pots.  Those  sorts 
that  make  a  second  bud  should  be  pinched  as  they 
recover  from  the  repotting.  When  the  pots  are 
full  of  roots  they  should  be  transferred  to 
flowering  pots  5  inches  to  6  inches  in  diameter.  It 
is  astonishing  what  fine  plants  may  be  had  in  this 
way,  providing  strict  attention  is  paid  to  watering. 
Give  them  an  occasional  stimulant,  and  place  on  a 
hard  border  of  ashes.  Such  varieties  in  the 
Japanese  section  as  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie, 
Swanley  Giant,  Mrs.  Birkley,  and  others  of  a 
dwarf  habit  answer  well.  Single  and  decorative 
varieties  also  succeed  well.  The  plants  take  up 
little  room  in  the  houses.  W.  Garwood. 


elevation  and  exposure  to  the  light  ensure  this. 

As    Mr.  Martin    points    out,    varieties    with    a 

drooping  habit   of   growth   would    seem   the   best 
suited.  W.  S. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The    Editor   is  not   responsible  for    the    opinions 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 


STANDARD     GOOSEBERRIES. 
[To  THE  Editor  of   "The  Garden."] 

SIR, — The  training  of  Gooseberries  as 
standards,  so  clearly  illustrated  in  3'our 
issue  of  the  28Dh  ult.,  serves  to  awaken 
an  interest  in  a  method  that  has  not 
many  followers.  Those  who  find  pleasure 
in  new  or  out  of  the  common  garden 
pt  \ctices  may  adopt  Mr.  Martin's  ideas,  and  find 
a  useful  pleasure  in  so  doing.  Standard-trained 
Gooseberries  cannot  be  regarded  other  than  as  a 
luxury.  No  commercial  aspect  would  embrace 
such  a  method,  because  it  is  slow,  expensive  to 
initiate  and  to  maintain.  It  is  well  known  how 
standard  Roses  when  tied  with  string  break  away 
from  the  stakes  during  high  winds,  and  unless 
promptly  attended  to  run  the  risk  of  being  hope- 
lessly crippled  or  broken.  The  same  would  happen 
in  time  with  the  similarly  trained  Gooseberry. 
Mr.  Martin  claims  several  advantages  from  the 
adoption  of  standards,  but  he  has  apparently  over- 
looked one,  namely,  the  ease  of  gathering  the 
fruits.  In  a  wire  enclosure  standards  would  afford 
a  ready  means  of  varying  the  aspect  of  the  planta- 
tion ;  alternate  trees  or  rows  of  trees  would  break 
up  the  monotony  of  the  rows.  From  the  point  of 
view  of  flavour  there  should  be  no  doubt  about  the 
superiority  of  fruits  from  the  taller  trees  ;    their 


CELMISIA     CORIACEA     AND 

C.  VERBASCIFOLIA. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — In  The  Garden  of  January  30  last  three 
illustrations  are  given  of  our  native  Celmisias,  one 
of  which  is  styled  C.  coriacea.  This  is  an  error  : 
it  should  be  C.  verbascifolia.  The  former  is  a  much 
more  rigid  plant,  with  silvery  leaves  ;  the  flower 
stems,  too,  are  thicker,  and  there  is  no  mistaking 
the  two  plants.  Besides  knowing  the  plants 
generally,  I  know  the  one  from  which  the  photo- 
graph was  taken,  and  have  spoken  to  its  owner 
regarding  the  mistake  which  had  been  made.  He 
was  unable  to  account  for  the  error  creeping  in.  To 
show  my  intimate  knowledge  of  the  plant,  I  may 
say  it  is  growing  near  my  residence  in  the  garden 
of  Mr.  H.  J.  Matthews,  State  Forester.  The  photo- 
graph was  taken  by  Mr.  A.  Hamilton,  then  Regis- 
trar of  the  University  here,  now  director  of  the 
Colonial  Museum,  Wellington.  All  these  men  are 
botanists,  so  that  the  mistake  is  more  unaccount- 
able. C.  coriacea  is  much  hardier  than  C.  verbas- 
cifolia, and  should  in  a  well-drained  rock  garden 
stand  any  English  winter.  If  it  did  not  succeed  it 
would  be  owing  to  damp,  not  frost. 
Dunedin,  Nezo  Zealand.  A.  Bathgatt. 


DAFFODILS    IN    MOIST    GROUND. 

[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 

Sir, — Reference  has  been  made  recently  to  the  ad- 
vantages of  moist  ground  for  the  growth  of  Daffodils, 
and  with  those  opinions  my  experience  coincides. 
In  our  borders  there  are  some  spots  which,  in 
winter  time,  become  excessively  wet,  while  other 
positions  afford  conditions  just  the  opposite.  The 
first  blooms  are  gathered  from  the  moister  sites, 
and  the  bulbs  increase  at  a  remarkable  pace  in  an 
incredibly  short  space  of  time.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  drier  spots  afford  frequent  blank  spaces, 
requiring  additional  stock.  Ground  sloping  sharply 
to  the  west  and  a  clayey  subsoil  below  tend  to 
make  surface  water  track  over  the  ground  in  places 
where  the  drainage  is  not  sufficient.  Trees  and 
Daffodils  revel  in  this  apparently  ungeuial  sur- 
face. While  these  bulbous  roots  keep  so  vigorous, 
Tulips  and  Croci  succeed  only  for  short  periods. 
Imported  roots  of  Tulips  do  well  for  a  time 
and  then  dwindle  away.  Croci  act  similarly,  but 
Snowdrops  seem  to  enjoy  cool,  moist  soil.  From  a 
single  Daffodil  root  planted  a  few  years  since  an 
increase  has  been  made  quite  a  hundredfold,  and 
each  year  some  thirty  or  more  blooms  could  be  cut 
from  the  present  clump. 

yvi/ts.  w.  s. 


THE  PRESERVATION  OF  WILD 
FLOWERS. 
[To  the  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — It  is  greatly  to  be  desired  that  Mr.  G.  S- 
Boulger's  protest  against  the  destruction  of  Ferns 
and  wild  flowers,  now  proceeding  apace,  may  be 
listened  to  in  high  places  and  have  some  practical 
eS'ect.  The  destruction  of  Ferns  is  probably  greater 
than  that  of  wild  flowers,  as  these  increase  less 
freely  from  spores  than  flowers  do  from  seed.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  hundreds  of  thousands  of  Ferns 
are  annually  uprooted  and  sent  into  the  towns  for 
sale,  the  majority  doubtless  dying.  This  is  a  case 
in  which  the  trade  receiver  is  as  much  an  enemy  to 
wild  plant  life  as  the  collecting  or  destroying 
vendor.  From  such  depredations  all  districts  alike 
need  to  be  protected.  The  uprooting  of  wild  plants, 
except  by  owners  of  private  land,  should  be  made 
an  offence  punishable  with  imprisonment,  and  on 
public  land  there  should  be  no  exception  in  any 
one's  favour.  Mr.  Boulger  does  not  think  that 
the  mere  gathering  of  wild  flowers  leads  materially 
to  their  extermination.  That  may  not  be  so  where 
these  flowers  abound  and  many  are  still  left  to 
seed.     But  the  rarer  ones  are  eagerly  sought  for  in 


so  many  oases,  especially  by  children  collecting 
flowers  for  baskets,  nosegays,  or  collections  for 
competition  at  the  rural  flower  shows,  and  when 
these  flowers  are  gathered  the  prospects  of  per- 
petuation by  these  rarer  kinds  are  poor  indeed. 
We  all  profess  to  greatly  love  flowers,  but  far  too 
few  have  learned  to  respect  them.  If  our  children 
were  taught  that  even  wild  flowers  have  some 
rights — especially  the  rights  to  bloom  for  the  dis- 
semination of  beauty,  of  perfume,  and,  not  least, 
for  reproduction — we  should  see  less  of  that  feverish 
haste  which  is  so  prevalent  now  to  ruthlessly  pluck 
every  beautiful  wild  flower  seen,  even  though  it  be 
soon  after  in  a  state  of  semi-decay,  thrown  down 
and  trampled  upon.  Could  it  have  remained  to 
flower  by  the  roadside  it  might  have  gladdened  the 
eyes  of  many  passers-by  ;  once  plucked  it  is  gone 
for  ever.  How  much  I  have  wished  we  could  have 
in  every  county  a  wild  flower  garden.  Would  that 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  now  that  it  has  a 
beautiful  wild  garden  at  Wisley,  yet  so  largely 
planted  with  exotics,  set  aside  some  two  or  three 
additional  acres  on  which  to  form  a  garden  that 
the  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson  would  have  enjoyed  to 
be  planted  solely  with  plants  indigenous  to  the 
county  of  Surrey.  What  a  singularly  interesting 
garden  might  result.  But,  still  further,  such  a 
garden  would  form  a  precious  preserve  for  all  those 
rarities  that  are  just  now  in  so  much  danger  of 
extermination.  Surrey  is  as  rich  as  most  counties 
in  its  wild  flora,  yet  it  is  a  deplorable  fact,  so  per- 
sistent has  been  destruction,  that  on  few  of  its  great 
number  of  commons  are  there  found  wild  flowers, 
especially  good  ones,  in  any  profusion.         A.  D. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


CLUBBING  IN    BRASSICAS   AND 
EEMEDIES. 

ONE  of  the  worst  evils  in  the  kitchen 
1  garden  is  clubbing,  and  in  some  soils, 
I  notably  old  gardens,  it  is  difficult  to 
'  eradicate.  Cauliflowers  and  Brussels 
Sprouts  are  usually  attacked  most. 
It  is  at  times  difficult  to  trace  the 
origin  of  the  disease,  as  at  the  time  of  planting  the 
plants  appear  quite  free  from  it,  and  in  a  few  weeks 
they  droop  and  cease  to  grow.  I  have  referred  to 
old  soils  as  being  more  likely  to  spread  this  disease ; 
indeed,  at  times  I  have  seen  it  so  bad  that  the 
growers  have  ceased  to  grow  Brassicas,  thinking  it 
impossible  to  do  so.  But  this  is  erroneous  ;  much 
may  be  done  by  deep  cultivation,  change  of  crop 
and  food,  and  a  free  use  of  lime. 

The  disease  is  so  easily  spread  that  great  care 
should  be  exercised  in  cropping,  as  not  only 
Brassicas  are  affected,  but  other  vegetables,  such  as 
Turnips,  so  that  quite  a  different  crop  should  be 
grown,  and  great  care  taken  that  infested  soil  or 
plants  are  not  put  on  clean  ground.  There  is  no 
question  whatever  but  that  the  disease  is  spread  by 
contagion,  as  I  have  seen  plants  from  a  distance, 
and  from  a  clean  source,  soon  attacked  ;  but  there 
is  this  comfort,  the  disease  only  attacks  certain 
plants.  All,  or  nearly  all,  the  Brassicas  are  liable 
to  it,  so  that  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  grow  for  a  time 
an  entirely  different  crop,  and  by  so  doing  get 
quite  rid  of  its  attacks.  It  may  be  asked  why 
clubbing  is  at  times  found  in  plants  in  what  may  be 
termed  new  soil.  This  arises  from  various  causes. 
The  plants  may  be  diseased  before  introduction, 
but  in  such  a  case  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  clear  the 
soil  by  using  lime  during  the  winter  months,  turning 
up  the  soil  roughly.  I  have  known  clubbing 
introduced  by  using  soil  from  rubbish  heaps, 
manure  from  decayed  roots  and  weeds,  and  also  Dy 
continued  neglect  of  the  land. 

Remedies  are  more  readily  described  than  the 
disease,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  in  time  and  if 
effectual  measures  are  taken  the  disease  can  be 
exterminated — at  least,  it  can  be  got  rid  of  so 
thoroughly  that  it  will  be  absent  for  years.  In  the 
first  place  we  do  not  use  nearly  enough  lime  in  our 
gardens;  it  is  a  splendid  preventive  not  only 
of  club,  but  other  evils.  I  even  go  further  and 
use  gas  lime  freely.     At  one  time  clubbing  was 


Junk  18,  1904.J 


THE   GAEDEN. 


437 


very  bad,  but  by  using  the  last-named  we  have 
little  trouble  now.  Gas  lime  needs  care  in  applica- 
tion ;  it  is  very  pungent,  and  is  best  used  in  the 
autumn  and  winter.  If  the  lime  is  broken  finely 
and  spread  on  the  surface  for  a  short  time  and 
then  dug  in  it  destroys  the  germs  in  the  soil. 
Fresh  lime  is  equally  good  if  used  liberally.  The 
land  should  be  dressed  annually.  When  this  has 
been  done  I  have  grown  Brassicas  repeatedly  in  the 
same  soil.  Gas  lime  should  be  used  in  less  quan- 
tities than  common  lime.  We  mix  in  a  good 
quantity  of  gas  lime.  This,  if  placed  in  a  large  heap, 
may  the  next  season  be  used  freely,  as  it  will  have 
lost  its  strength  somewhat.  Fresh  common  lime 
may  be  used  at  the  rate  of  20  bushels  per  square 
rood,  or,  say,  SO  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  even  more 
as  a  first  dressing  in  badly  infested  land.  There 
are  other  remedies,  such  as  soot  and  lime;  these  in 
equal  parts  will  for  a  season  free  the  plants.  Many 
use  it  in  the  following  way  :  The  lime  is  slaked  by 
exposure  and  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  soot, 
drills  are  drawn  previous  to  planting,  the  mixture 
is  then  placed  in  the  drills  and  the  plants  put  in 
position  with  a  trowel,  the  mixture  being  placed 
freely  round  the  roots,  or  a  small  portion  may  be 
put  in  with  each  plant,  but  this  is  only  for  one 
season. 

When  the  soil  cannot  be  turned  up  or  exposed 
much  of  the  evil  is  caused  by  taking  infested  plants 
from  seed  beds  and  planting  them ;  if  only  slightly 
diseased  it  would  be  far  better  to  discard  such 
plants.  I  know  that  some  growers  have  taken 
severe  measures,  cutting  away  a  good  portion  of 
the  root  or  part  diseased  previous  to  planting,  but 
it  is  only  a  slight  relief,  it  reappears  later.  1  have 
for  a  season,  when  short  of  any  particular  Brassica, 
dipped  young  seedlings  in  a  strong  mixture  of  car- 
bolic acid  and  tepid  rain  water.  Paraifin  in  a 
soluble  state  not  too  strong  will  kill  germs.  I  have 
in  wet  seasons  found  nitrate  of  soda  check  the 
disease,  but  it  does  not  kill  it  entirely  by  any 
means.  I  have  referred  to  deep  cultivation,  change 
of  food,  and  rotation  of  crops.  Much  may  be  done, 
especially  by  the  first  named,  and  what  is  termed 
resting  the  soil,  i.e.,  growing  an  entirely  different 
crop,  and  by  deep  cultivation  and  using  lime  freely 
the  soil  will  get  into  a  cleaner  condition.  Plants, 
such  as  Brussels  Sprouts  and  Broccoli,  that  occupy 
the  soil  for  the  greater  portion  of  the  year,  should, 
if  possible,  be  given  a  long  rest  from  these  plants, 
and  cropped  with  totally  different  ones.  If  lime 
was  used  occasionally  instead  of  rank  manures 
there  wouid  be  less  disease  to  contend  with.  In 
any  case,  where  club  is  present,  cropping  needs 
more  care,  and  Brassicas  should  not  be  grown  in 
successive  seasons.  G.  Wythes. 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 

SOME    PEACHES    OF    EECENT 
INTRODUCTION. 

IT  is  strange  to  find  in  some  tilings  how 
conservative  and  disinclined  to  progress 
with  the  times  the  British  gardener  is. 
In  the  matter  of  new  fruits  and  vege- 
tables this  is  most  apparent.  Instead  of 
at  least  giving  a  thorough  trial  to  newly- 
introduced  varieties,  he  is  greatly  inclined  to 
leave  these  severely  alone,  and  to  restrict  his 
collection  to  those  sorts  that  were  grown  when 
he  was  a  boy.  It  must  be  adaiitted  that  often 
new  fruits  fall  short  of  the  standard  of  perfec- 
tion reached  by  the  old  varieties,  and  discrimi- 
nation must  of  course  be  used.  If  some  are 
worthless,  however,  that  is  no  reason  for 
refusing  to  recognise  a  good  thing  when  it  is 
put  before  one.  New  Peaches  appear  to  have 
been  much  neglected.  Messrs.  Rivers  and 
Son  have  introduced  several  very  good  varieties 
during  recent  years,  which  have  obtained 
awards  of  merit  from  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  deserve  to  be  more  widely  grown. 
Their  Nectarines  Cardinal  and  Early  Rivers' 
have  proved  a  boon  to  fruit  growers,  and  it  is 


hardly  too  much  to  say  r 
that  if  some  of  their 
new  Peaches  were 
given  a  similarly  fair 
trial  many  gardeners 
would  find  them  of  ' 
great  value. 

For  instance,  in  how 
many  gardens  is  Peach 
Thomas  Rivers  grown  1 
I  venture  to  think  that 
in  not  a  great  many. 
Yet  this  variety  has 
received  a  first-class 
certificate  from  the 
Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  an  honour 
rarely  accorded  to  a 
fruit.  It  is  a  large, 
handsome,  round  fruit, 
that  ripens  towards 
the  end  of  September, 
the  skin  downy,  with 
a  brilliant  red  flush. 
Those  who  have  grown 
this  Peach  speak  very 
highly  of  it,  and  all 
that  is  known  about  it 
proves  it  to  be  an  ex- 
cellent late  Peach.  It 
was  given  a  first-class 
certificate  in  1898. 
Peach  Duchess  of  York, 
which  is  an  improve- 
ment on  the  early 
American  varieties,  as 
it  crops  much  more 
freely  and  regularly, 
is  a  beautiful  fruit.  It 
is  primrose  colour  on 
the  shaded  side,  and 
striped  and  blotched 
with  red  on  the  sunny 
side._  The  flavour  is 
delicious,  and  reminds 
one  of  that  of  a  Nec- 
tarine. This  variety 
received  an  award  of 
merit  in  1901.  I  know 
one  large  market 
grower  who  has  added 
this  Peach  to  his  list  of  varieties, 
of  York  is  a  highly-coloured  fruit  of  medium 
size,  and  an  excellent  sort  for  forcing.  Its 
flavour,  also,  is  all  that  could  be  wished  for. 
An  award  of  merit  was  given  to  this  Peach  in 
1902.  Peregrine  is  also  another  new  Peach 
which  Messrs.  Rivers  have  exhibited  in  splendid 
condition  on  several  occasions,  but  I  am  not 
sure  if  it  is  yet  in  commerce.  There  is  a 
variety  called  Duchess  of  York,  a  fine  late 
Peach  raised  by  Mr.  Divers  at  Ketton  Hall. 
But  this  also,  I  believe,  has  not  yet  been  sent 
out.  A.  H.  P. 


PEACH   THOMAS   RIVEKS   IN   A  PUT. 


Duke 


EARLY    GOOSEBERRIES. 

W  HEN  green  Gooseberries  make  their  first  appear- 
ance in  the  market  they  are  so  insignificant  that  one 
thinks  it  is  a  pity  they  should  be  picked  so  early, 
yet  the  trade  done  in  these  tiny  fruits  is  consider- 
able. Tempted  by  the  high  prices  the  first  pickings 
fetch  growers  are  anxious  to  get  a  few  consignments 
into  the  market  as  soon  as  they  can,  and  the 
thinning  of  the  fruit  relieves  the  bushes  of  a  part 
of  their  burden,  and  the  berries  which  are  left 
consequently  swell  out  larger  than  they  would  du 
otherwise.  In  different  parts  of  Kent  there  are 
many  acres  of  land  under  Gooseberry  culture,  and 
planting  has  increased  since  Black  Currants  have 
failed  so  lamentably  through  the  spread  of  the 
bud  mite  pest.  Several  districts  in  the  county  are 
noted  for  early  Gooseberries,  and  from  plantations 
in    that    splendid    fruit-growing    locality   in    the 


neighbourhood  of  Sandwich  some  of  the  earliest 
green  fruits  are  obtained.  The  varieties  grown 
are  not  numerous,  and  Early  Kent,  Crown  Bob, 
Whinham's  Industry,  and  Lancashire  Lad  are 
amongst  the  most  popular.  Market  growers  know 
the  importance  of  young  vigorous  bushes,  and  by 
annually  propagating  they  always  have  a  stock  in 
hand  to  take  the  place  of  older  specimens  when 
the  latter  display  signs  of  debility.  In  Kentish 
fruit  plantations  one  does  not  see  Gooseberries 
pruned  so  severely  as  they  often  are  in  private 
gardens,  for  while  the  wood  is  thinned  out  suffi- 
ciently to  avoid  any  difficulty  in  picking,  young 
shoots  breaking  from  the  main  branches  are  left 
where  there  is  room  tor  their  accommodation. 
Returns  vary  considerably,  and  whereas  last  year 
Gooseberries  were  a  paying  crop,  in  other  seasons, 
when  fruit  is  very  plentiful,  prices  rule  so  low  that 
little  margin  is  left  after  marketing  expenses  are 
paid.  H. 


A  STROLL  THROUGH  THE 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOW^  IN 
PARIS, 

France  is  the  land  of  flowers,  and  the  two  great 
floral  exhibitions  held  in  Paris  every  spring  and 
autumn,  under  the  auspices  of  the  French  National 
Horticultural  Society,  bear  full  testimony  to  the 
care  bestowed  upon  their  cultivation.  This  year 
the  show  opened  on  Wednesday,  the  25th  ult., 
coinciding,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  epoch  of  the 
Whitsuntide  holidays.  The  show  itself  is  admir- 
ably placed.     Every  English  visitor  to  the  French 


438 


THE    GAJlDEN. 


[JuNE^18,  1904. 


capital  kuows  tlia  two  great  Consarvatories  ot  Cour 
la  Reine,  twin  giants  overlooking  the  Seine,  and 
glittering,  like  it,  in  tlie  summer  sunshine.  They 
were  constructed  for  the  International  Exhibition 
of  1900,  and  are  alike  both  in  size  and  form.  Each 
is,  roughly  speaking,  about  80  yards  long  by 
40  yards  broad.  The  span  of  the  lofty  glass  roof 
is  unsupported  by  a  single  pillar,  so  leaving  the 
entire  area  of  the  space  thus  covered  open  to  the 
view  of  the  beholder.  Between  the  two  conserva- 
tories is  a  large  plot  of  garden,  which,  like  the 
quay  lining  the  river,  had  been  canvassed  over  for 
the  occasion. 

On  entering  we  first  found  ourselves  in  a  tempo- 
rarily erected,  light,  wooden  building  of  circular 
form,  the  walls  of  which  were  covered  with  pictures 
representing  either  fruit  or  flowers.  Several  of 
these  were  of  no  mean  artistic  value,  for  the  society 
counts  many  painters  and  sculptors  among  its 
members.  The  works  of  the  latter  were  distributed 
up  and  down  in  the  midst  of  the  foliage  and 
flowers  of  the  exhibition,  adding  greatly  to  the 
charm  of  its  effects.  Leaving  behind  the  picture 
gallery  and  passing  through  a  green  bower  of  tall 
Palms  and  waving  Bamboos,  the  whole  expanse  of 
the  first  conservatory,  with  its  multicoloured 
parterre,  greets  the  eye.  It  must  be  confessed 
that  our  Gallic  friends  excel  in  matters  of  taste, 
notably  in  the  arrangement  and  disposition  of 
flowers  and  flower  masses.  Every  plant — I  might 
almost  say  every  flower — was  placed  so  as  not  only 
to  display  to  the  best  advantage  its  own  grace  and 
brilliancy,  but  also  to  enhance  its  neighbour. 
Contrasts  were  very  delicately  managed,  and  the 
graduation  of  shades  in  colour  was  carried  to  the 
very  perfection  of  art.  In  this  part  of  the  exhi- 
bition were  grouped  the  more  fragile  flowers  of  the 
season,  annuals,  perennials,  &c. ,  with  Roses,  Roses 
everywhere.  The  Rhododendrons  and  Azaleas  were 
to  be  found  further  on.  A  beautiful  bed  of 
Gloxinias,  flanked  by  curving,  moon-shaped  bands 
of  flame-coloured  Begonias,  offered  a  perfectly  end- 
less variety  of  those  fascinating  flowers.  Near  to 
them  was  a  mass  of  Hydrangeas,  pink  and  blue. 
Many  of  the  heads  measured  from  37  inches  to 
48  inches  in  circumference.  The  exhibits  of  the 
blue  variety  were  very  numerous  this  year,  and 
displayed  several  different  tones  of  colour.  None  of 
them,  however,  can  rival  the  deep  turquoise  blue, 
which  is,  deservedly,  the  universal  favourite. 
This  Hydrangea  makes  a  most  effective 
bed  when  grown  in  a  sufficiently  large 
mass.  It  cannot  bear  too  much  sun  ;  at 
least,  not  in  this  country.  I  have  seen 
a  very  large  bed  of  it  planted  on  the 
shady  side  of  a  chiiteau  in  Central  France, 
the  effect  of  which  was  superb.  The 
blooms  were  enormous,  and  of  the  deepest 
and  purest  blue. 

Those  who,  like  myself,  have  a  weakness 
for  Cinerarias  of  the  old-fashioned  type, 
must  feel  a  little  disappointed  to  see 
how  entirely  they  are  being  superseded  by 
the  new,  loosely  growing,  small-flowered 
varieties.  Nevertheless,  a  large  bed  of 
these  latter,  in  many  different  tones  of 
blue  and  violet,  called  forth  great  admira- 
tion for  the  lace-like  delicacy  of  its 
almost  unbroken  surface  of  mmuiculc 
starry  flowerets.  M.  Nonin's  fine  collec- 
tion of  Geraniums  made  a  very  brilliant 
patch  of  colour,  and  one  smiled  to  see 
Lord  Kitchener  (not  a  very  popular  hero 
in  Paris)  conspicuous  in  the  middle  of 
it.  But,  perhaps,  the  prettiest  exhibits 
in  the  show  were  those  of  the  annuals. 
Of  these  there  were  two.  The  first  con- 
sisted of  two  raised  beds  facing  each 
other,  oblong  in  shape,  both  surmounted 
by  tall,  waving  Foxgloves,  white,  mauve, 
and  purple.  From  these  sloped  down- 
wards on  all  sides  the  artistically  blended 
colours  of  almost  every  annual  known  to 
Europe,  but  so  charmingly  were  they  all 
mingled  that  it  was  only  after  long  gazing 
that  one  began  to  distinguish  one  from  the 
other.  The  other  exhibit  consisted  of 
one  long  undulating  bed,  slightly  curved 
in   form.      Here    separate    species    were 


more  diatiuotly  seen,  but  when  looked  at  in 
its  length  the  undulation  of  the  bed  produced  a 
very  happy  effect. 

Roses  abounded  in  great  variety.  Several  of  the 
collections  were  very  fine,  but  numerous  specimens 
of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  flowers  were  so  extra- 
ordinary in  colour  that  we  were  tempted  to  believe 
they  were  not  Roses  at  all.  A  Rose  may  be  red,  or 
pink,  or  white,  or  yellow,  but  a  Rose  compounded 
of  all  these  tints  is  an  anomaly,  and  gives  one  the 
sensation  of  Nature  in  a  fit  of  spleen.  Nature, 
however,  knows  better  than  to  destroy  what  is 
beautiful  in  straining  after  novelty.  We  noticed  a 
very  pretty  Crimson  Rambler  in  the  form  of  a 
parasol,  and  a  companion  tree  of  the  same  shape 
and  size,  a  Duchesse  d'Auerstadt  the  lovely 
yellow  blossoms  of  which  formed  a  delicate  contrast 
to  its  deep-toned  neighbour. 

In  the  second  conservatory  the  Rhododendrons 
and  Azaleas  were  the  prominent  features.  Of  the 
former  there  was  really  a  glorious  exhibition,  many 
of  them  bearing  English  names.  M.  Moser,  justly 
celebrated  in  France  for  his  Rhododendrons,  was, 
as  usual,  one  of  the  chief  exhibitors.  He  showed  a 
new  variety,  a  small  plant  not  more  than  3  feet 
high,  but  bearing  several  large  trusses  of  flowers. 
The  flower  is  pure  white,  with  faint  yellow  centre, 
the  truss  pyramidal  in  form,  composed  of  fifteen 
beautiful  blooms. 

Space  fails  to  describe  the  fruit  and  vegetables, 
the  machinery  and  garden  tools,  and  other 
interesting  departments  of  the  exhibition.  It  con- 
tinued open  for  several  days,  and  constituted 
an  attractive  promenade  for  the  flower-loving 
inhabitants  of  Paris  for  the  remainder  of  the  week. 

M.  E.  G. 

[We  greatly  regret  that  this  account  of  the  Paris 
show  has  been  held  over  through  pressure  upon 
our  space,  but  we  think  it  is  of  quite  sufficient 
interest  to  print  even  now. — Ed.] 


CYTISUS     PR^ECOX. 

All  the  early-flowering  Brooms  have  done  well 
here  this  spring,  especially  C.  prtecox,  which  has 
been  a  glorious  sight  for  weeks  and  is  only  just 
over.  I  am  sending  a  photograph  of  one  of  the 
bushes  at  the  edge  of  the  lawn,  the  growth  of  which 
has  been  especially  graceful  and  picturesque.     The 


white  Portuguese  Broom   has  also  flowered  abun- 
dantly, and  so  have  all  the  smaller  kinds. 

Yodding.  S.  G.  R. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


IN  Covent  Garden  Flower  Market  the  busy  time 
is  just  now  on  the  turn,  but  the  supplies  seem 
a  very  long  way  from  being  exhausted. 
Almost  all  spring  plants  are  still  abundant, 
and  I  find  most  growers  have  a  large  reserve 
at  home.  At  the  end  of  the  bedding  season 
it  is  often  difficult  to  procure  what  is  most  wanted, 
but  it  does  not  seem  likely  to  be  so  this  season. 
The  best  zonal  Geraniums  in  3-inch  pots  are  not 
quite  so  plentiful,  but  in  4J-inch  the  supply  is  more 
than  equal  to  the  demand,  and  for  late  planting 
these  are  more  desirable  than  small  plants  in  3-incb 
pots,  and  they  may  this  season  be  had  at  a  more 
moderate  cost  than  has  been  the  case  during  the 
past  few  years.  Well-flowered  plants  of  West 
Brighton  Gem  might  have  been  bought  last  Saturday 
at  33.  6d.  per  dozen,  or  perhaps  less.  This  is  a 
great  falling-off  from  what  I  have  known  realised. 
The  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  are  also  very  plenti- 
ful. Baden-Powell  variety,  flowered,  is  now  seen, 
also  Leopard,  Mrs.  Martin,  and  others  away  from 
the  ordinary  market  sorts.  Single  Petunias,  grown 
several  plants  in  each  pot  and  well  in  flower,  are 
very  pretty.  Yellow  Marguerites  are  very  good, 
and  the  yellow  Chrysanthemum  segetum  is  now 
extensively  grown.  To  get  this  true  it  requires 
careful  selection  for  saving  seed  from,  and  they 
should  be  grown  some  distance  from  any  others, 
else  they  are  sure  to  get  cross-fertilised.  To  get 
dwarf  plants  for  spring  use  the  seeds  may  be.sown 
in  the  autumn,  and  the  tops  taken  for  cuttings  early 
in  the  year.  To  grow  from  seed  it  is  difficult  to 
keep  them  dwarf  enough. 

Fuchsias. — Of  these  Gertrude  Pearson  is  decidedly 
the  best  crimson  with  dark  corolla,  and  Ballet 
Girl  the  finest  with  double  white  corolla,  but  for 
bedding  some  of  the  singles  are  preferable.  I  find 
the  old  Mile.  Cornellisson,  which  was  a  favourite 
forty  years  ago,  is  still  used  for  bedding.  Mrs. 
Marshall,  Covent  Garden  White,  and  Lady  Heytes- 
bury  are  the  best  light-coloured  varieties. 


CYTISUS   I'K.ECOX   BY    PATIISIDK. 


June  18,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


43» 


Crasmla  (Kalosanthes). — The  dwarf  hybrids  of 
jasminiflora  are  now  seen  in  the  market,  dwarf 
plants  well  covered  with  bloom,  but  the  colours  are 
not  quite  decided  enough  to  attract  much  atten- 
tion. Gloxinias  in  Bower  are  also  seen.  Tuberous 
Begonias  in  flower  are  not  numerous. 

In  foliage  plants  I  noted  good  plants  of  Ophio- 
pogon,  also  Eulalia  japonica  variegata,  and  Aspara- 
gus tenuissimus,  large  plants  in  hanging  baskets. 
These  are  useful  for  out  of  doors,  and  will  do  well 
in  almost  any  position  provided  they  are  well 
watered.  Those  in  large  pots  do  not  sell  so  readily, 
but  there  is  a  good  demand  for  young  plants  in 
4j-inch  pots. 

Adiantum  ouneatuni  is  now  plentiful  in  good 
plants,  but  other  Ferns  are  not  quite  so  plentiful 
just  now.  A.  H. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL  BOTANIC  SOCIETY. 
On  Wednesday  and  Thursday  of  last  week  Professor  Fisher 
of  Cooper's  Hill  College  and  Mr.  H.  Somers  Rivers  of 
Sawbridgeworth  respectively  gave  lectures  on  "Forestry" 
and  "Fruit  Culture  in  Pots,"  as  part  of  the  syllabus  of 
conferences  held  in  connexion  with  the  horticultural 
exhibition. 

Lecture  on  Fokestry". 

Professor  Fisher  first  referred  to  the  services  rendered  to 
forestry  by  Professor  Schlich,  who  had  great  practical 
experience  of  this  subject.  Cooper's  Hill  College  was  to  be 
closed,  and  the  students  would  have  to  be  taught  elsewhere. 
It  was  probable  that  Professor  Schlich  would  start  a  school 
of  forestry  at  one  of  the  Univeisities.  Professor  Fisher 
deplored  the  lack  of  properly  oiganised  schools  of  forestry 
in  this  country,  such  as  there  were  in  the  United 
States.  Foresters  were  badly  wanted  in  the  Colonies,  and 
there  was  practically  no  training  ground  for  them  in  this 
country.  Owing  to  the  efforts  of  the  Commissioner  cf 
Woods  and  Forests  a  permanent  working  plan  has  been 
arranged  for  High  Meadow  Wood,  Forest  of  Dean.  Other 
forests  are  also  being  managed  on  a  permanent  working 
plan,  and  the  time  was  now  ripe  for  the  establishment  of  a 
national  school  of  forestry.  Coming  to  the  real  subject  of 
the  lecture,  Professor  Fisher  said,  with  reference  to  the 
influence  of  forest  growth  upon  the  rainfall,  it  has  been 
proved  that  large  forests  increase  rainfall.  The  air  over 
woodland  has  been  found  to  be  moister  than  that  over 
agricultural  land,  and  this  to  a  height  of  3,000  feet.  With 
regard  to  the  effect  of  forests  on  the  humidity  of  the  soil  the 
lecturer  said  that  they  help  to  drain  the  land.  He  gave  as 
an  example  the  successful  planting  of  Eucalyptus  trees  on 
the  swamp  lands  in  Northern  Italy  with  that  object  in  view. 
Forest  trees  keep  the  surface  soil  moist  to  a  depth  of 
16  inches  and  the  subsoil  dry.  If  hills  were  planted  with 
trees  floods  would  to  a  large  extent  be  prevented,  as  much 
water  would  be  kept  on  the  hills.  A  great  deal  of  manure 
is  also  wasted  through  floods.  Professor  Fisher  said  that 
forest  trees  do  not  want  rain  in  summer  if  they  get  plenty  of 
winter  rain.  The  rainfall  of  this  country  was  quite  sufficient 
for  the  growth  of  forest  trees.  Our  winter  was  not  hostile 
to  their  well-being,  but  spring  frosts  (except  in  the  south- 
west and  in  Ireland)  were  often  very  trying.  Protection 
from  western  gales  is  also  necessary,  even  in  Norfolk. 
Broad-leaved  trees  withstand  gales  better  than  conifers. 
Whether  Larch  will  stand  gales  or  not  depends  upon  the 
soil  it  is  grown  in.  On  limestone  it  grows  sturdily;  on  the 
Bagshot  Sands,  for  instance,  it  does  not. 

There  are  no  definite  climatic  zones  in  Britain  so  far  as 
conifers  are  concerned  ;  their  successful  culture  depends 
more  upon  other  local  conditions.  Above  a  height  of 
1,500  feet  profitable  forest  tree  culture  is  rare  in  this 
country.  With  the  exceptions  that  Spanish  Chestnut  and 
Douglas  Fir  will  not  thrive  on  limestone,  most  forest  trees 
are  indifferent  to  soil.  Professor  Fisher  referred  to  the 
value  of  humus  from  the  natural  surfacing  of  leaves.  These 
should  be  preserved.  The  effect  of  basic  slag  on  trees  is 
beneficial ;  conifers  benefit  from  applications  of  basic  slag, 
nitrate,  and  kainit.  Farmyard  manure  gives  rise  to  so  many 
weeds.  The  lecturer  recommended  the  Silver  Fir  to  be 
more  extensively  grown.  Seed  could  be  had  for  6d.  per  lb. 
It  should  be  sown  under  the  shelter  of  Larch  or  Birch. 
Referring  to  the  Douglas  Fir,  the  lecturer  said  that  Nansen's 
ship  (The  Fram)  was  built  of  this  wood.  This  tree  must  be 
sheltered  from  gales,  and  will  not  grow  in  limestone  soils. 
There  are  two  distinct  varieties,  the  green  or  Pacific  variety, 
which  grows  quickly,  and  the  Glaucous  or  Colorado  one, 
Which  is  of  slower  growth. 

In  conclusion,  Professor  Fisher  treated  of  the  seeds  of 
forest  trees.  He  said  it  would  be  moat  useful  if  experiments 
were  carried  out  in  Britain  as  to  the  results  obtained  from 
seed  from  different  localities. 

Mr.  Brinsley-Marlay  was  in  the  chair,  and  before  proposing 
a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Fiaher  for  his  valualile 
lecture,  he  said,  from  his  own  experience  in  Ireland,  he 
believed  the  Douglas  Fir  to  be  valuable  for  general  planting 
and  for  resisting  gales.  Mr.  Brown  of  Stamford  deplored 
the  lack  of  interest  in  forestry  in  this  country. 

Fruit  Culture  in  Potk. 
Lord  Redesdale  took  the  chair  on  Thursday  when  Mr. 
Rivers  gave  his  lecture  on  the  above  subject.  Mr.  Rivers 
said  that  ripe  Peaches  and  Nectarines  could  not  reasonably 
be  expected  earlier  than  April.  The  trees  should  be  plunged 
out  of  doors  in  June,  and  repotted  in  October  when  the 
leaves  begin  to  fall.      When  potted  place  them  in  a  cool 


house  and  keep  them  well  syringed.  In  potting  it  is 
essential  to  make  the  fresh  soil  firm  ;  often  the  same  sized 
pot  will  du  again,  at  any  rate  care  must  betaken  not  to  use 
too  large  a  pot.  The  soil  must  not  be  so  wet  as  to  be  sticky 
when  used.  About  Christmas  the  fire  must  be  started  and 
forcing  seriously  commenced.  The  trees  must  not  be 
hurried.  As  soon  as  leaves  and  blossoms  are  seen,  shorten 
the  last  years  shoots,  retaining  four  or  five  good  buds,  to 
a  triple  eye  if  possible,  at  any  rate  always  to  a  leaf-bud. 
Long  slender  shoots  might  be  left  to  bear  fruit  and  then  be 
cut  out.  The  temperature  of  the  house  should  be  about 
40-^  Fahr.,  it  must  not  fall  below  35'^  at  night.  The  flowers 
outrht  to  be  fertilised  with  a  camel-hair  brush.  Keep  a  good 
circulation  of  air  when  the  trees  are  in  flower.  The  fruits 
usually  need  thinning.  Thin  once  or  twice  before  stoning, 
and  after  stoning  finally  regulate  the  number  of  fruits  to  be 
left.  Thetreesshould  be  staked  before  they  are  in  fine  leaf. 
Pinch  out  the  tops  of  the  current  year's  shoots  when  about 
6  Inches  long,  if  this  were  not  done  the  terminal  buds  would 
be  nourished  at  the  expense  of  tlie  basal  ones  ;  also  begin  to 
pinch  the  shoots  at  the  top  of  the  tree  first.  Previously 
forced  trees  often  bear  ripe  fruit  a  week  earlier  than  trees 
that  have  not  been  forced  before.  Do  not  syringe  after  the 
fruits  change  colour.  After  the  stoning  is  over  a  top-dressing 
of  manure  "was  recommended.  Some  of  the  varieties  of 
Peaches  recommended  for  pot  culture  were  Duchess  of 
Cornwall,  Duke  of  York,  Peregrine  (which  is  a  seedling  from 
Spencer  Nectarine),  Crimson  Galande,  Dr.  Hogg,  The  Nec- 
tarine Peach,  and  Tlionias  Rivers.  Among  the  Nectarines 
given  were  Cardinal,  Early  Rivers',  Lord  Napier,  Rivers' 
Orange,  Drvden,  and  Victoria  (latest  of  all).  Mr.  Rivers  said 
that  Cherries  and  Plums  also  well  repaixj  pot  culture.  The 
Iruits  of  these  do  not  as  a  rule  require  thinning,  they  thin 
iheniselves.  They  require  more  air  than  Peaches  and  Nec- 
tarines. Apples,  Pears,  and  Figs  were  also  recommended  for 
pot  culture,  the  latter  will  bear  two  crops.  Mr.  Rivers  said 
it  was  necessary  to  have  the  boiler  well  above  its  work,  and 
to  have  plenty  of  piping.  Insect  pests  and  remedies  for 
them  were  also  dealt  with. 

Lord  Redesdale,  in  proposing  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to 
Mr.  Rivers  for  his  instructive  lecture,  referred  to  the  greatly 
improved  varieties  of  Peaches  and  other  fruits,  which 
Messrs.  Rivers  had  largely  brought  about. 

DARJEELING  FLOWER  SHOW. 
It  is  a  pleasing  duty  to  be  able  once  again  to  chronicle  a 
complete  success  for  the  annual  flower  show  of  Darjeeling. 
This  is  the  fourth  of  the  series,  and  there  are  no  signs  of 
retrogression  ;  on  the  contrary,  both  financially  and  horti- 
culturally,  the  last  show  was  a  distinct  jump  forward.  An 
even  better  advance  would  have  been  the  result  if  the 
weather  for  a  few  days  previous  had  not  been  so 
unfavourable.  Many  would-be  exhibits  were  ruined  by 
violent  storms,  and  even  on  the  day  of  the  show  a  violent 
hailstorm  spoilt  some  exhibits  as  they  were  being  taken  to 
the  show. 

One  of  the  leading  features  of  the  Darjeeling  flower  show 
is  the  competition  by  ladies  for  the  best  floral  arrangement 
for  a  dinner  table.  This  year  it  was  especially  prominent. 
There  were  no  less  than  sixteen  competitors,  and  it  must 
have  been  a  trying  task  for  the  judges  to  award  the  prizes, 
as  the  competition  was  so  keen  and  equal.  Mrs.  Maidlow 
secured  the  first  prize  for  a  handsome  arrangement  of  white 
Orchids  (Coelogyne  cristata);  Mrs.  Hartless  was  second  for 
an  extremely  pretty  arrangement  of  mauve  Orchids  and 
Maidenhair  Ferns ;  and  Mrs.  Morgan  third  for  an  effective 
display  of  )Mar6chal  Niel  Koses.  The  Lieutenant-Governor's 
prize  was  again  secured  by  Mr.  ilorgenstein.  There  was  a 
distinct  advance  in  pot  plants,  especially  Geraniums  and 
Pelargoniums,  showing  that  the  lessons  of  previous  shows 
were  taken  to  heart.  Roses  and  other  cut  flowers  suffered 
for  the  reasons  already  stated.  Vegetables  are  coming  to  the 
fore,  and  were  a  creditable  show  for  this  time  of  the  year. 
A  very  fine  collection  was  staged  by  Mr.  Morgenstein,  who 
carried  off  the  silver  medal.  Fruit,  as  may  be  expected  at 
this  season,  was  but  poorly  represented.  Exception  should 
be  made,  however,  in  favour  of  Strawberries,  of  which  a  fine 
dish  was  staged  by  Mr.  Stolke,  who  had  the  honour  of 
presenting  the  same  to  Lady  Eraser,  who,  with  his  Honour 
the  Lieutenant-Governor,  visited  the  show.  The  committee 
are  to  be  congratulated  at  the  great  success  of  the  show, 
which  has  now  aroused  such  a  great  interest  in  the  district 
that  its  future  should  be  effectually  guaranteed.  The  hon. 
secretaries  of  the  show  were  Messrs.  G.  L.  Searightand  A.  C. 
Hartless. — Indian  Planting  ami  Gardening. 

EAST  ANGLIAN  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
At  the  June  meetingof  this  club,  held  at  the  Shire  Hall  Hotel, 
Norwich,  Mr.  T.  B.  Field,  The  Gardens,  Ashwellthorpe  Hall, 
read  a  mjst  instructive  paper  on  "The  Clematis."  Without 
in  any  way  dwelling  upon  the  productions  of  latter-day 
hybridists,  Mr.  Field  treated  of  the  natural  habitats  and 
mode  of  growth  of  many  of  the  lesser  known  members  of  the 
genus.  Mr.  Field,  in  the  charming  garden  of  flowers  he  is  in 
charge  of,  grows  in  the  open  many  of  them,  and  was  able  to 
speak  freely  of  the  hardiness  and  free  blooming  capabilities 
of  raontana,  coccinea,  and  others.  During  the  discussion,  in 
which  several  members  took  part,  Mr.  E.  Peake,  Rydal 
House,  Norwich,  pointed  out  many  interesting  botanical 
points  of  the  plant  and  flowers.  Clinging  by  leaf  tendrils 
had  attracted  the  attention  of  botanists,  and  Darwin  had 
written  much  upon  it.  There  was  also  the  tendency  of  the 
blooms  to  droop  while  the  numerous  stamens  were  charged 
with  pollen,  and  their  resuming  an  upright  position  when 
pollination  had  taken  place,  to  be  followed  by  the  pretty 
bearded  seed  pods.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded 
Mr.  Field  for  the  paper. 

On  the  exhibition  table  Hobbies,  Limited,  Dereham,  set  up 
a  pretty  display  of  named  Carnations,  Roses,  Clematis,  and 
Sweet  Peas,  grown  in  their  nurseries.  'The  fresh  and  brilliant 
colours  were  much  admired.  Fruit  was  represented  by  only 
a  few  Strawberries.  Pelargoniums,  both  show  and  zonal, 
were  well  grown  by  Messrs.  C.  Burtenshaw,  W.  Rush,  D. 
Howlett,  and  C.  Matthews.    Cut  herbaceous  flowers  were  a 


striking  feature,  Mr,  F.  Williams,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Louis 
Tillett,  Old  Catton,  being  at  the  top  in  this  class.  Mr.  Hew- 
lett and  Mr.  Burtenahaw  also  had  good  groups.  Mr.  C.  H. 
Hines,  Trowse  House  Gardens,  exhibited  the  best  Asparagus^ 
the  variety  being  from  a  selection  of  his  own.  Mr.  J.  E. 
Barnes,  seedsman.  Exchange  Street,  Norwich,  set  up  a  display 
of  his  Cabbage  Norwich  Market,  a  sturdy  early  variety  of 
good  heart  and  shape.  He  offered  prizes  for  the  best  three 
heads,  Mr.  C.  H.  Fox,  gardener  to  Sir  E.  Mansel,  Bart.,, 
Catton,  securing  flrat,  and  Mr.  D.  Howlett  second.  The 
summer  excursion  of  the  club  has  been  fixed  for  July  28,  to 
Framinghara  Hall  and  Dunston  Hall. 


SCOTTISH  HORTICULTURAL  ASSOCIATION. 
The  monthly  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  in  Dowell's 
Rooms,  George  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  Tuesday,  the  7th  iust. 
There  was  a  good  attendance,  presided  over  by  Mr.  J.  W. 
McHattie,  president  of  the  association.  The  paper  of  the 
evening  was  on  "  Florists,"  the  author  being  Mr.  James 
Grieve,  Kedbraes  Nurseries,  Pilrig,  Edinburgh.  Mr.  Grieve- 
gave  a  most  interesting  paper,  in  which  he  referred  to  a 
number  of  the  raure  prominent  florists  of  past  and  present 
times,  together  with  the  plants  they  had  raised  or  intro- 
duced. Among  the  Scotsmen  referred  to  were  James  Justice, 
the  author  of  "  The  rtcots  Gardener's  Director,"  and  other 
works,  who  raised  a  number  of  new  plants  ;  Mr.  J.  Cunning- 
ham, of  Comely  Bank,  who  raised  the  bi-generic  Btyanthua 
erectus  ;  Mr.  A.  Turnbull,  Bothwell  Castle,  who  raised  Cape 
Heaths;  Mr.  J.  Andeison  Henry,  who  raised  Clematises,. 
Campanulas,  Veronicas,  and  a  number  of  other  plants;  the 
late  Mr.  John  Downie,  who  raised  many  florists'  flowers  ;  and 
in  more  recent  times  and  in  the  present  day,  the  late  Dr. 
Charles  Stuart,  of  Chirnside,  the  raiser  of  Violetta  and  other 
Violas,  Daffouils,  &e.,  with  Mr.  Robert  Lindsay,  of  Kairaes 
Lodge,  who  has  raised  many  Veronicas,  Primulas,  and  other 
flowers.  Mr.  Grieve  was  heartily  thanked  for  his  most  enjoy- 
able paper.  A  large  number  of  exhibits  were  on  the  table,, 
among  these  being  Rhododendron  trusses  from  Mr.  John- 
stone, Hay  Lodge;  Lilac  Charles  X.  from  Mr.  Comfort; 
seedling  Trolliuses  and  other  flowers  from  Messrs.  James 
Cocker  and  Sons,  Aberdeen  ;  seedling  Passiflora,  A.'c.,  from 
Mr.  McKenzie  ;  with  a  number  of  flowers  from  Messrs.  James 
Grieve  and  Son,  Redbraes. 


CROYDON  AND  DISTRICT  HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
"  Selaginellas  "  was  the  subject  of  a  paper  read  before  the 
members  of  this  society  at  their  rooms.  Sunflower  Tem- 
perance Hotel,  on  the  7th  inst.,  and  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  A. 
Osborn,  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  it  was  most  exhaustively  and 
ably  dealt  with.  These  highly  decorative  plants,  he  said,  had 
been  somewhat  neglected  of  late  years,  because,  perliaps,  the 
ghjwing  bright  colours  found  in  flowering  plants  were  more 
attractive  lo  the  eye  and  created  more  demand  ;  yet  when, 
they  examined  the  beautiful  fronds  of  well  grown  plants, 
their  forms  should  gain  a  greater  popularity  than  at  present. 
Intermixed  with  flowering  plants,  they  ought  surely  to 
deserve  a  place  of  higher  rank.  The  propagation  took  place 
by  spores,  although  not  often  adopted,  except  in  hybridising, 
the  principal  method  being  by  division  and  cuttings.  The 
soil  should  be  light  and  rich,  made  of  loam,  leaf  soil,  sifted 
peat  and  sand,  good  drainage  being  very  essential.  The 
atmosphere  around  them  should  be  kept  humid,  and  great 
care  must  be  exercised  in  watering,  especially  through  the 
winter.  Other  details  were  given  as  to  cultivation,  and  to- 
show  the  different  forms  the  speaker  passed  a  few  specimen 
fronds  round.  A  discussion  followed,  and  the  chairman  pro- 
posed a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Osborn,  which  found 
ready  response.  Some  cut  blooms  of  new  hybrid  Iris  and  new 
Tulips  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  J.  Gregory. 


CROYDON  HORTICULTURAL  MUTUAL 
IMPROVEMENT  SOCIETY. 
This  society's  usual  meeting  took  place  at  their  rooms  oa 
Tuesday,  the  7th  inst.  The  subject  under  discussion  related 
principally  to  insect  and  fungoid  pests,  which  are  so  preva- 
lent just  now.  The  gardener  among  the  many  trials  in  his 
profession  fears  nothing  so  much  as  these.  Many  useful 
hints  for  their  eradication,  which  emanated  from  those  who 
had  solved  the  difficulty,  were  given,  so  that  the  profitable 
experience  gained  by  one  is  given  for  the  benefit  of  all. 
Exhibits  came  from  Mr.  W.  Turney,  Station  Road  Nursery^ 
who  staged  half  a  dozen  excellent  plants  of  Gloxinias,  the 
blooms  being  of  fine  form  and  colour,  and  blooms  of  Primula 
obconica,  showing  good  varied  shades  were  staged  by  Messrs. 
E.  W.  and  S.  Rogers,  High  Street.  The  thanks  of  the  meeting, 
were  conveyed  to  the  exhibitors. 

ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall  Meeting. 
There  was  again  an  excellent  display  in  the  Drill  Hall  on 
Tuesday  last,  hardy  flowers,  shrubs,  and  indoor  plants  all 
being  extensively  exhibited.  The  vavious  committees  made 
fewer  awards  than  usual.  In  the  afternoon  Professor 
Henslow  gave  a  lecture  on  **  Floral  Metamorphoses. ' 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  (chairman),  Messrs.  James 
O'Brien,  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  de  B.  Crawshay,  Francis  Welles- 
ley,  Walter  Cubb,  W.  A.  Bilney,  H.  T.  Pitt,  F.  W.  Ashton^ 
R.  G.  Thwaites,  G.  F.  Moore,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  Boxall,. 
H.  A.  Tracy,  W.  H.  White,  F.  Sander,  F.  W.  Moore,  H. 
Little,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  H.  Ballanline,  Jeremiah  Coiman, 
and  W.  H.  Young. 

Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St.  Albans,  showed  a  handsome 
irroup  of  Orchids,  in  which  varieties  of  the  hybrid  Laslio- 
Cattleya  Martinetti  figured  largely.  These  were  very  beauti- 
ful. Some  of  the  best  furms  were  Sunrise,  with  ricli  purple 
lip  and  purple  and  fawn-tinted  petals  and  sepals  ;  Jupiter,  a 
larger  and  lighter-coloured  ffower  ;  Sunset,  with  rich  lip  and 
paler  petals  and  sepals  ;  Saturn,  a  rich  purple  tint  through- 
out ;  and  Mars,  with  apricot-tinted  sepals  and  petals  and 


440 


THE   GAIIDEN. 


[June  18,  1904. 


■purple  lip.  Liclio-Caltleya  canhaniiana  var.  Princess  of 
Wales,  L.-C.  c.  var.  splendens,  Ltelia  Yula  (L.  purpurata  X  L. 
cinnabarina),  and  Miltonia  vexiHaria  varieiies  were  other 
handsome  Orchids  in  Messrs.  Sander's  group.  Silver-gilt 
Flora  medal. 

Sir  Frederick  AVigan,  Bart.,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen 
'(Orchid  grower,  Mr.  W.  H.  Young),  showed  an  interesting 
group  of  Orchids,  in  which  the  luvely  white,  yellow-throated 
■Sobralia  (S.  macrantha  alba)  was  conspicuous.  S.  macrantha, 
with  rosy  purple  flowers,  was  also  shown.  Ccelogyne  pan- 
^iurata,  with  beautiful  green  and  black  flowers  ;  Odonto- 
glossum  ardeiitissimura  (crispum  X  Pescatorei),  Oncidium 
gardnerianum,  Thunia  veitchiana,  Lrelia  cinna-brosa,  L. 
di^byana,  L.  C.  Hippolyta,  Aerides  Fieldingii,  Miltonia 
vexiUaria  var.  Memoria  G.  D.  Owen,  and  Phalxnopsis  ludde- 
manniana  were  others  exhibited.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  James  A'eitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  exhibited 
numerous  Cattleyas  and  Lailio-Cattleyas,  as  well  as  other 
interesting  Orchids,  for  instance,  Oncidium  divaricatuni, 
X).  sphacelatum,  Cyrabidium  lowianum,  Spathoglottis  aureo- 
Viellardii,  Epideudrnm  prismatocarpum,  Thunia  marshalli- 
ana,  Dendrobiuni  Bensunte,  Dendrochilum  uncatum,  and 
-Ccelogyne  dayana.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Stanley,  Ashton  and  Co.,  Southgate,  K.,  exhibited 
a  group  of  Orchids,  in  which  Oncidiums,  Odontoglossums, 
and  Cattleyas  were  most  conspicuous.  Among  the  former 
were  0.  varicosum  Rogersii,  0.  flexuosum,  and  O.  curtum. 
Cattleyas  comprised  C.  Mossiaj  var.  aurantiaca,  C.  M.  var. 
"NVagneri,  and  C.  M.  reineckiana,  while  among  the  Odonto- 
glossums were  many  varieties  of  good  form,  and  some  of 
them  finely  spotted.  0.  luteo-purpureum,  too,  was  very 
good.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Hu^h  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  had 
an  interesting  group  of  Orchids,  in  which  many  curious 
plants  were  included.  Conspicuous  among  them  were 
Bulbophyllum  Lubhi,  B.  claptonensis  (both  with  curiously 
sensitive  lip),  Bifrenaria  thyriantiana,  Ultricularia  montana, 
Ccelogyne  Lowi,  Cypripedium  Baron  Kuroki  (insigne  Chantini 
X  Lowi),  a  handsume  flower  ;  and  Lycaste  tricolor.  Cypri- 
pedium lawrenceanum  hyeanum,  Dendrohium  Dearii, 
•Cattleya  intermedia  alba,  and  C.  Mossi^e  Wagneri  were 
shown  also. 

Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  N., 
exhibited  Lrelia  purpurata  in  good  masses,  Vanda  suavis, 
Cattleya  schilleriana,  C.  Mendelii,  L.-C.  Edouard  Andr6, 
several  Cypripediums,  Miltonia  vexiUaria,  forms  of  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum,  and  other  Orchids.  Silver  Banksian  medal. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford,  Dorking  (Orchid 
.grower,  Mr.  White)  exhibited  Dendrobiuni  forraosa  and 
Lowii,  Odontoglossum  crispum  pardalinum  (heavily  spotted 
with  red-brown),  Phalfcnopsis  amabilis  (cultural  commenda- 
tion), Cypripedium  Stonei  platyluenum  (cultural  commenda- 
.tion),  and  C.  Stonei. 

H.  T.  Pitt,  Es(|.,  Stamford  Hill,  N.,  showed  Cattleya 
MossiaB  Day  Dream,  C.  Mendelii  formosa  Rosslyn  var  ,  L.-C. 
Martinetti  Rosslyn  var.,  Odontoglossum  citrosmum  Rosslyn 
"var.,  Trichopilia  marginata  Champlantreaux  var.  (evidently 
.a  ff)rm  of  T.  suavis),  and  other  Orchids. 

Mr.  H.  A.  Tracey,  Twickenham,  showed  Cattleya  Mossiie 
The  Pearl,  Lrelio-Caitleya  tintesfleldiensis,  and  Cattleya 
'Goodsonro  (rex  X  Mossise). 

Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South  Woodford,  showed  LegUo- 
-Cattleya  Herode. 

DeBarriCrawshay,  Esq.,  Sevenoaks (gardener,  Mr.  Stables), 
exhibited  Odontoglossum  ueiuilosum  crawshayanum  (heavily 
and  attractively  spotted  with  greenish  brown),  Odonto- 
glossum Uro-Skinneri  rosefteldenae,  and  a  plant  of  O.  crispum 
exhibited  to  show  its  remarkably  rapid  growth  in  peat, 
moss,  and  a  few  whole  leaves. 

Messrs.  A.  J.  Keeling  and  Sons,  Grange  Nurseries,  West- 
gate  Hill,  near  Bradford,  showed  L.-C.  Viueae  (L.-C.  Phoebe  X 
L.  tenebrosa)  and  a  few  other  Orchids. 

Odontoglossum  Pescatorei  Graud  Duchess  was  shown  by 
R.  G.  Thwai^es,  Esq.,  Streatham. 

Restrepia  elegans  was  sent  by  C.  J.  Lucas,  Esq.,  Warnham 
fCourt. 

New  Orchid. 

Lcelio-Cattleya  Martinetti  var.  Sunrise. — One  of  several 
varieties  that  were  shown  by  Messrs.  Sander  and  Sons,  St. 
Albans.  The  lip  is  rich  deep  purple,  with  undulating 
margin.  Sepals  and  petals  (the  latter  very  broad)  are  rosy 
iawn  tinged  with  purple,  especially  in  the  centre.  Award  of 
merit. 

Frdit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present :  Mr.  George  Bunyard  (chairman),  Messrs.  Joseph 
Cheal,  T.  W.  Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  Alex.  Dean,  H.  Markham, 
■Oeorge  Thomas  Miles,  Henry  Pan,  R.  Lewis  Castle,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  Owen  Thomas,  John  Jaques,  G.  Norman,  and  James  H. 
Veitch. 

Seedling  Melons  were  shown  by  Slessrs.  Wheeler  and  Sons, 
Limited,  Gloucester,  and  by  Mr.  A.  C.  Smith,  Woodlands 
Park,  Leatherhead,  but  no  awards  were  made. 

The  Charteras  Protector  Company,  23,  Charterhouse  Square, 
E.G.,  showed  iheir  Patent  Plant  Protector,  which  we  have 
described  before. 

Mr.  C  Harris,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  The 
Orove,  Watford,  whs  given  a  silver  Banksian  medal  for  a  box 
of  very  fine  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberries. 

Tomatoes. — Trent  Beauty  and  Coronation  were  exhibited 
by  Mr.  H.  Parr,  Trent  Park  Gardens,  New  Barnet. 

A  cultural  commendation  was  given  to  Mr.  A.  A.  Fabins, 
Redlands  Nurseries,  Emsworth,  Hants,  for  Tomato  Red- 
lands,  a  very  free  bearing  variety  of  medium  size. 

New  FRtJiT. 
Cucumber  Aristocrat.— 'i'he  result  of  a  cross  between  Unique 
and  Sensation.     This  is  a  handsome,  smooth-skinned,  dark 
green  Cucumber,  from  Mr.  S.   Mortimer,  Farnham,  Surrey. 
Award  of  merit. 

Floral  Committee. 
Present :    Mr.    W.    Marshall    (chairman),    Messrs.    C.    T. 
Druery,  H.  B.   May,  R.   Dean,  James  Hudson,   W.  Howe, 
H.  Hooper  Pearsou,   G.   Reuthe,  C.   R.  Fielder,   C.  Dixon, 


J.  Jennings,  J.  W.  Barr,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  Charles  Jeffries, 
R.  W.  Wallace,  W.  Cuthbertson,  Charles  E.  Pearson,  Charles 
E.  Shea,  George  Gordon,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  Charles  Blick,  George 
Paul,  E.  Mawley,  H.  Turner,  Amos  Peiry,  E.  T.  Cuok,  and 
the  Rev.  F.  Page-Roberts. 

Cut  hardy  iluwers  were  especially  good,  and  we  were  much 
struck  with  the  great  wealth  of  Pteonies,  of  which  Messrs. 
Kelway  and  Sons,  Langport,  had  a  notable  display.  There 
were  some  five  dozen  huge  vases  of  these  alone,  usually  half 
a  dozen  flowers  of  each,  and  we  select  of  double  kinds  Lady 
Crichton,  flesh  colour,  with  occasional  crimson  flame  ;  Sir 
Edmund  Barton,  creamy  white,  with  deeper  central  tuft ; 
Lady's  Realm,  guard  petals  pink,  centre  cream;  Labolus, 
crimson-lake;  Gravetye,  flesh  pink,  very  large  and  full; 
James  Kelway,  sulphury  white;  Princess  Christian,  white; 
Hyde,  rose  ;  and  Sultan,  crimson.  Of  single  kinds  Snowflake, 
with  large  central  tuft  of  yellow  anthers ;  Chalice,  pink ; 
Lacepede,  deep  pink  ;  Countess  of  Warwick,  flesh  ;  and  Amy 
Kelly,  white,  flushed  palest  pink.  All  these  have  yellow 
tufts  of  anthers  in  the  centre,  and  are  very  beautiful. 
Pyrethrums,  single  and  double,  and  the  earliest  of  the 
Larkspurs  were  also  staged  by  Messrs.  Kelway.  Silver-gilt 
Banksian  medal. 

Paionies,  Pyrethrums,  and  Poppies  were  freely  shown  ty 
Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited,  Wisbech.  Of  the  former,  alba- 
flora  carnea,  single  ;  albiflora  grandiflora,  fine  white,  single  ; 
Philomel,  guard  petals  pink,  centre  chamois;  Mme.  James 
Adier,  guard  petals  rose-carmine,  centre  peach ;  Formosa, 
guard  petals  pink,  centre  sulphury  ;  Mme.  Calot,  flesh,  very 
large  double  ;  Souvenir  de  Dr.  Bretonneau,  lake-crimson  ; 
rubra  triuniphaus,  one  of  the  darkest,  with  a  fine  lustre  on 
the  petals  ;  and  Ceres,  guard  petals  deep  pink,  centre  buff- 
yellow.  Pyrethrums  and  other  things  were  also  staged. 
Bronze  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Sons,  Higheate,  staged  a  flne  lot  of 
hardy  things  near  the  entrance.  Lilies  and  Eremuri  were  a 
,  conspicuous  feature.  Of  the  former,  L.  Hansoni  was  par- 
ticularly good,  and  there  was  a  good  display  of  L.  elegans  in 
variety,  L.  Browni,  and  others.  Of  Eremuri,  E.  himalaicus, 
E.  Bungei,  and  E.  robustus,  with  its  variety  elwesiana,  were 
of  exceptional  merit.  Inula  glandulosa,  a  flne  composite, 
with  golden  blossoms  5  inches  across,  with  Columbines, 
Pyrethrums,  Dictamnus,  Saxifraga  pyramidalis,  Incarvilleas, 
and  other  plants  contributed  to  a  flne  effective  group. 
Saxifraga  mutata,  with  orange  flowers,  and  Xerophylium 
asphodeloides  were  noted  among  the  rare  things  staged. 
Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal. 

From  Messrs.  Jackman  and  Sons,  Woking,  came  a  very 
good  lot  of  hardy  flowers.  Lupinus  arboreus,  single  and 
double  Pjeonies,  handsome  Poppies,  Inula  glandulosa  (very 
fine),  Dny  Lilies,  Thalictrum  aquilegifolium,  Papaver  nudi- 
caule  in  variety,  together  with  a  fine  lot  of  Cypripedium 
spectabile.  Flag  Irises,  &c.,  were  included.  Kniphofia 
caulescens  was  also  very  flne.     Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Pajonies,  single  and  double,  from  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons 
were  a  great  feature,  the  single  kinds  being  especially  good. 
Venus,  for  example,  rose-carmine  ;  The  Bride  ;  Victoria, 
very  dark  crimson  ;  and  Rosy  Dawn,  almost  pure  white, 
were  very  flne.  Of  doubles,  Leonie,  Mme.  Lebon,  Reine 
Potard,  a  lustrous  deep  crimson,  with  gold  anthers ;  Rosa 
magna,  Countess  of  Clancarty,  creamy  white;  Josephine 
Parmentiere,  rosy  pink  ;  and  rosea  plenissima  snperba  were 
a  few  of  the  many  set  up  in  superb  condition.  Iris  juncea,  a 
flne  rich  yellow;  Inula  glandulosa  grandiflora.  Campanula 
persicifolia  grandiflora,  with  Spanish  Irises  and  other  things, 
were  well  shown.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Rhododendrons  from  the  Knap  Hill  collection  of  Mr. 
Waterer  were  shown  in  flower,  the  trusses  arranged  on  boards. 
In  this  way.  Lady  C.  Mitford,  pink;  Mrs.  A.  Waterer,  white 
with  yellow  snots  ;  Mrs.  George  Paul,  pure  white,  were  all 
good.     Some  fine  unnamed  seedlings  were  also  exhibited. 

Mr.  George  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  had  a  small  group  in 
which  flag  Irises,  Achillea  mongolica,  Exonia  albiflora  grandi- 
flora, Onosma  taurica,  Crinodendron  Hookeri,  Lychnis 
Viscaria  splendens.  Orchis  foliosa,  Calochortus  pulchella, 
Gypsophila  prostrata.  Iris  tectorun  with  Heucheras,  were 
seen  to  advantage.     Bronze  Flora  medal. 

The  hardy  plants  from  Winclimore  Hill,  shown  by  Mr. 
Amos  Perry,  contained  quite  an  array  of  the  eastern  Poppies, 
indeed,  not  less  tlian  a  score  of  distinct  things  were  staged. 
We  take  Tulip  Proserpine  and  Prince  of  Orange,  intense 
scarlet;  Queen  Alexandra,  deepest  salmon  ;  Mahogany,  Silver 
Queen,  as  among  the  more  distinct.  Double  white  Rockets, 
Heucheras  in  great  variety.  Phlox  ovata,  Iris  douglasiana, 
hurt' yellow,  with  lilac  veins  very  distinct ;  Phlox  canadensis, 
Perry's  variety,  Calochortus,  early  Gladioli,  Lilium  Martagon 
album,  and  L.  rubellum  were  other  notable  things  in  a  very 
flue  group.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

The  Crotons  from  Mr.  J.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Surrey,  were  a  capital  lot.  The  plants  were  of  useful  size  as 
table  plants,  and  well  coloured  at  IS  inches  high.  A  large 
collection  <»f  the  best  kinds  was  staged,  fully  representative 
of  this  useful  group  of  plants.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Some  beautiful  hardy  plants  and  alpiiies  came  from  Mr. 
Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants,  especially  good  being  Ixias, 
Iris  spuria,  Spanish  Irises  in  variety,  I.  ochroleuca,  Ereranrus 
robustus,  Pyi-ethrums,  Piconies,  Campanula  nobilis,  .Ethi- 
onema  peisica,  Campanula  rupestris,  very  charming ; 
Asperula  hirta,  a  carpet  with  white  starry  flowers  ;  Saxi- 
fraga ca;3la.  Campanula  thyrsoides  alba,  Saxifraga  aizoides 
aurantiaca  were  among  the  most  interesting  in  a  very 
charming  lot.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

Mesars.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  had  a  very 
charming  group  of  Gloxinias  in  5-iuch  and  O-inch  pots.  The 
flowers  were  of  beautiful  shades  of  colour.  Lobelia  tenuior, 
fine  in  cojnur,  and  Rehmannia  angulata,  arranged  amid  the 
plant-*,  only  added  a  diverse  beauty  to  an  effect  already  good. 
Als'i  Columbines  and  Eremuri.    Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  had  hybrid  Columbines 
in  great  variety  in  the  cut  state,  together  with  a  fine  lot  of 
Gloxinias,  excellent  plants  and  well  flowered.  Many  of  the 
self-coloured  flowers  were  exceptionally  good,  and  equally 
good  the  spotted  kinds.    Silver-giit  Banksian  medal. 

Carnations  of  the  border  section,  with  Malmaison  kinds, 
came  from  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Entield.    We  noted 


H.  J.  Cutbush,  Innocence  (white),  The  Pearl,  also  white  and 
of  good  size. 

Roses  from  Oxford,  by  Mr.  G.  Prince,  were  very  beautiful. 
Red  copper  Briar,  with  Bardou  Job,  Carmine  Pillar,  Polyantha 
grandiflora,  Thalia,  Harrisonii,  and  others  making  a  rich  dis- 
play. Marie  van  Houtte,  Mar^chal  Niel,  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac,  Mme.  A.  Carriere,  and  others  were  finely  shown. 
Silver  Flora  medal. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay,  had  a  large  grouping  of 
hybrid  Columbines  in  great  variety.     Bronze  Flora  medal. 

Spanish  Irises  in  blue,  white,  and  yellow  shades  came  from 
Messrs.  W.  Bull  and  Sons,  Chelsea.     Bronze  Flora  medal. 

Roses  from  Messrs.  F.  Cant  and  Co.,  Colchester,  were  very 
flne  and  largely  of  the  decorative  class.  In  this  way  we 
remarked  Sinica  Anemone,  Austrian  Copper  Briar,  the  yellow 
Harrisoni,  Una,  large  white,  Thalia,  Carmine  Pillar,  with 
Camoens,  Ma  Capucine,  Papillon,  ic.  Several  vases  of  Lady 
Rolierts  made  a  flne  display  alone.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

The  Rose  exhibit  from  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons,  The 
Old  Rose  Gardens,  Colchester,  also  made  a  most  effective 
group.  Mme.  A.  Carriere,  white,  very  fine  ;  the  intensely 
coloured  Maharajah  is  a  flne  single  ;  Blanc  Double  de  Courbet, 
rugosa  var.  ;  a  pink  H.  T.  seedling,  named  Nance  Christy ; 
Una,  very  flne  white  ;  Dr.  Grill,  Mrs.  B.  R.  Cant,  and  many 
others  were  set  up.     Silver  Flora  medal. 

A  dozen  specimens  of  Malmaison  Carnations  in  pots  were 
from  W.  James,  Esq.,  West  Dean  Park,  Chichester  (gardener, 
Mr.  Smith).  The  plants  were  3  feet  high  of  Princess  of  Wales, 
and  2.V  feet  through  ;  H.  J.  Jones  the  crimson  kind  of  smaller 
plants,  but  abundantly  flowered  and  well  grown.  A  very  flne 
lot.     Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Roses  and  Paionies  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt, 
made  a  fine  show.  The  former,  in  bunches,  were  a  repre- 
sentative lot  of  moss  and  decorative  kinds  in  all  the  leading 
sorts.  Lady  Battersea  and  Una  we  remarked  as  especially 
good.  Lonicera  Hildebrandti  was  in  flne  flower.  The  Preoniea 
and  other  hardy  flowers  were  all  of  merit.  Silver  Flora 
medal. 

The  hardy  flowers  from  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Feltham,  made 
a  great  display.  Preonies,  Irises  of  the  flag  group,  with  many 
species,  were  abundantly  represented.  Osirowskia  magniflca 
in  fine  fiower,  Eremuri,  Lilium  colchicum.  Poppies,  Cam- 
panula turbinata,  and  Codonopsis  ovata  were  all  seen  to 
advantage.    Silver  Banksian  medal. 

Hardy  plants  were  also  well  shown  by  Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt, 
Columbines,  Poppies,  Heucheras,  Paeonies,  Irises,  Lychnises, 
Achillea  mongolica, Pyrethrums,  and  others  in  large  numbers. 
A  flne  Poppy  of  the  Oriental  group  is  named  Lady  Roacoe, 
a  brilliant  orange  salmon,  and  is  most  effective.  Silver 
Banksian  medal. 

The  large  group  from  ilessrs.  Wallace  and  Co.,  Colchester, 
contained  a  brilliant  lot  of  Preonies,  such  as  Imperial  Queen 
and  Emperor.  Heucheras  and  Lilies  were  freely  shown  with 
Pyrethrums,  Ixias,  Gazanias,Brodijea9,  Achillea  alpina,  a  fine 
white  flowered  plant  for  cutting  ;  Incarvilleas,  Day  Lilies, 
Eremuri,  Flag  Irises,  and  such  things  were  also  noted  in  this 
excellent  group.    Silver  Flora  medal. 

A  fine  group  of  Carnations,  mostly  of  the  Malmaison 
section,  came  from  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough.  Lady  Rose, 
Gemma,  Princess  of  Wales,  H.  J.  Jones,  Princess  May,  and 
Thora  were  some  of  the  kinds  in  the  group.  Border  kinds 
were  also  freely  shown  and  in  excellent  variety.  Silver  Flora 
medal. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton,  staged  the  only  exhibit  of 
Ferns,  a  collection  of  Nephrolepis,  in  which  many  large 
examples  were  seen.  In  all  some  forty-two  species  and 
varieties  were  exhibited.  Verbena  King  of  Scarlets  was 
also  noted.    Silver-gilt  Flora  medal. 

Zonal  Pelargonium  Mrs.  A.  M.  Beck  came  from  Mr.  J.  C. 
Beck,  Henley-on-Thames.  The  variety  is  of  rich  crimson- 
scarlet  shade  with  a  fine  truss. 

Carnations  such  as  Cecilia,  rich  yellow ;  Lady  Hermione, 
snlmon  ;  and  Yaller  Gal,  came  from  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq., 
Warren  House,  Hayes  (gardener,  Mr.  C.  Blick). 

Garden  Pink  Snowdrift  was  finely  shown  in  pots  by  Mr. 
Janus  Douglas,  Great  Bookham,  who  had  the  hybrid  Dianthua 
Lady  Dixon. 

Awards. 
The  following  each  received  the  award  of  merit  :— 
Pii'imia  ydUc  (Single). — This  is  perhaps  one  of  the  largest 
we  have  seen.  It  is  a  single-Howered  variety,  the  handsome 
blossoms  spreading  out  to  the  size  of  a  dinner  plate  ;  satin-rose 
in  colour,  with  a  tuft  of  golden  anthers  in  the  centre.  The 
plant,  too,  is  very  vigorous,  the  huge  flowers  erect  on  stems 
3  feet  high  as  shown,  thus  testifying  to  an  even  greater  vigour 
in  the  growing  plant. 

PiVoHia  Mrs.  French  5/it'Wo/i.. —Unfortunately,  we  over- 
looked the  variety  until  too  late.  We  would  like  to  see  a 
flower  of  it.  These  two  were  from  Messrs.  Kelway  and  Son, 
Langport,  Somerset. 

Carnation  Yaller  Gal.~T\\\%  would  appear  an  American 
name  for  an  Eiigli?h-raised  flower.  We  may  briefly  refer  to 
it  as  a  dwarf  Cecilia  with  more  of  the  Malmaison  in  the 
flower  perhaps.  The  foliage  is  not  typical  of  this  latter 
group.    From  Mr.  Martin  Smith,  Hayes,  Kent. 

Beijoiiia  inorrisiana  .y.'rcii>sa.—A  lalher  loose  growing, 
trailing  variety,  with  double  flowers  of  orange  red  hue.  It 
will  probably  be  serviceable  in  baskets  and  for  the  larger 
window-box  arrangement.  From  G.  T.  Morris,  Esq., 
Dunstan,  Hendon. 

Jiosr  il/ff//om/V(/*.— A  splendid  dark  single-flowered  variety 
that  will  make  a  most  effective  pillar  or  garden  Rose.  The 
flowers  are  4.V  inches  across,  very  firm  in  texture,  and 
probaldy  unique  as  a  very  dark  single  Rose.  The  colour  is 
very  dark  crimson,  with  a  heavy  bloom  upon  the  petals  that 
adds  to  the  intense  colourhig.  Fi'om  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and 
Sons,  The  Old  Ro^e  Gardens,  Colchester. 

Dianthits  call-alpinii,s.~A  beautiful  hybrid  alpine  Pink, 
the  parents  of  which  are  D,  callizonus  antl  D.  alpitms.  The 
hybrid  is  well  marked  and  about  midway  between  the  two 
parents,  and  may  briefly  bo  described  as  a  profuse  flowering 
D.  alpinus.  The  shining  leaf  tuft  is  that  of  the  latter 
species,  the  more  rigid  foot-stalks,  the  calyx,  and  coloured 
zone  to  the  blossoms  partake  of  D.  callizonus.  The  flowers 
are  1  inch  across,  rose-carmine,  with  crimson  zone  in  the 


June  18,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


441 


centre.  A  very  beautiful  and  interesting  hybrid.  From  the 
raiser,  Mr.  Gr.  Keuthe,  Keston,  Kent. 

Ilcyxris  }iiafnn>alis  /itaciiia  p  If  it  a.— This  is  by  no  means  a 
novelty,  though  scarce.  It  ha3  spikes  of  lilac-coloured 
flowers.  It  is  quite  as  free  iu  llowerinEC  and  as  viRorous  as 
the  other  forms  of  the  well-known  double  Kocket.  From 
Lord  Aldenham.  Elstree,  Herts  (gardener,  Mr.  E.  Beckett). 

Rosa  auatn'aca  .striata.— A  nine  or  less  striated  form  of  the 
Austrian  Biiar,  the  orange  and  yellow  in  some  flowers 
mingling  quite  freely.  A  pretty  and  effective  variety.  From 
A,  Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead. 

YORK  GALA. 
This  is  the  forty-sixth  year  of  the  grand  Yorkshire  Gala, 
which  was  held  on  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday  last  in 
the  Bootham  Field,  York.  It  was  a  better  exhibition  than 
last  year,  and  the  opening  day  was  favoured  by  fine  weather. 
■On  the  whole,  competition  in  the  classes  was  keen.  The 
York  show  is  famous  for  its  plant  groups,  and  this  year  they 
were  splendid,  six  competing  for  the  prizes  offered  for  a 
group  occupying  300  sijuare  feet.  The  tlrst  prize  this  year 
was  won  by  Messrs.  Artindale  of  Shettield.  The  Pelargonium 
plants,  which  are  a  feature  here,  were  again  well  shown, 
although  we  missed  the  show  or  fancy  varieties.  Fruit  was 
fairly  good,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Roses.  Plants  of 
Fuchsias,  Calceolarias,  Ac,  were  verv  good,  and  there  were 
some  excellent  trade  exhibits.  Sir  Christopher  Milward  is 
still  chairman,  and  Mr.  Fred  Arey  is  secretary,  and  to  their 
•united  efforts  much  praise  is  due. 

Plants. 
Group  of  miscellaneous  plants :  Messrs.  Artindale  and 
Son,  Sheffield,  won  the  flist  prize  in  the  great  group  class 
with  a  very  heautiful  arrangement.  Specimen  plants,  well 
grown  and  finely  coloured,  of  Crotons,  Liliums,  Palms,  and 
Abutilons  were  arranged  upon  a  groundwork  of  smaller 
■similar  plants,  together  with  Caladiuras,  Kalanchoe,  Carna- 
tions, Ferns,  &c.  ;  Mr.  W.  Curtis,  gardener  to  James  Blacker, 
Esq.,  Thorpe  Villas,  Selby,  was  second,  with  a  group  some- 
what similar  to  the  first  prize  one,  but  the  effect  was  not  so 
pleasing,  and  the  plants  not  so  finely  coloured ;  Mr.  W. 
Townsend,  gardener  to  E.  B.  Faber,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Belvedere, 
Harrogate,  was  third  with  an  excellent  group,  though  some- 
what sombre  ;  Mr.  J.  S.  Shnrpe,  Almondbuiy,  Huddersfleld, 
was  fourth  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington,  fifth.  There 
was  one  more  exhibit  iu  this  class. 

For  a  similar,  though  smaller,  group  (200  square  feet),  Mr. 
"W.  Vause,  Leamington,  was  first  with  a  very  attractive 
display  of  quiet  colouring.  Palms  and  Ferns  were  largely 
used,  and  white  Lilies  blended  admirably  withtheirgreenery  ; 
iSecond,  Mr.  J.  S.  Sharpe,  Almondbury,  Huddersfleld  ;  third, 
Mr.  G.  Cottam,  Alma  Gardens,  Cottingham,  In  this  group 
was  a  small  pool,  although  this  hardly  added  to  the  general 
eflfect,  for  it  was  nearly  hidden.  Much  care  had  evidently 
been  spent  upou  this  group  ;  fourth,  Messrs.  R.  Simpson  and 
«on,  Selby. 

Messrs.  Cypher  and  Son,  Cheltenham,  won  the  first  prize 
with  magniflcent  specimen  plants  in  each  of  the  following 
classes :  Nine  stove  or  greenhouse  plants  (second,  Mr.  W, 
Vause) ;  single  greenhouse  plant  (second,  Mr.  James  Sunley) ; 
six  fine  foliage  plants  (second,  Mr.  Vause) ;  three  ornamental 
plants  (second,  Mr.  Vause). 

Messrs.  Simpson  and  Son  were  first  for  a  single  specimen 
<!roton  and  also  for  three  specimen  Crotons,  Mr.  \V.  Town- 
send,  Harrogate,  being  second  in  the  latter  class,  and  Mr.  J. 
S.  Sharpe  in  the  former. 

Single  stove  plant ;  First,  Mr.  Vause,  Leamington.  Mr. 
Vause  was  also  first  for  three  stove  or  greenhouse  plants, 
Messrs.  Cypher  being  second. 

Twelve  zonal  Pelargoniums :  First,  Mr.  H.  Pybus,  with 
trained  specimen  plants.  Sir  H.  Stanhope  being  finely 
flowered  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Sunley. 

Six  zonal  Pelargoniums  :  First,  Mr.  H.  Pybus,  Mrs.  Kelly 
and  Mrs.  Turner  being  the  best  ;  second,  Mr,  George  Lee, 
York. 

Four  zonal  Pelargoniums :  First,  Mr.  George  Lee  ;  second, 
Mr.  H.  Pybus  ;  third,  Mr.  J.  W.  Clarke. 

Three  double  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums :  First,  Mr.  H. 
Pybus,  with  Mme.  Crousse  and  Prince  of  Wales  as  the  best ; 
second,  Mr.  J.  VV.  Clarke. 

Six  double  Pelargoniums :  First,  Mr.  George  Lee,  with 
Phoebus  and  General  Billet  as  the  best ;  second,  Jlr.  J.  W. 
•Clarke. 

Four  double  Pelargoniums  :  First,  Mr.  George  Lee,  with 
excellent  Mme.  Thibaut ;  second,  Mr.  J.  W.  Clarke. 

Group  of  Fuchsias  :  First,  Mr.  George  Lee.  York,  with 
some  splendidly  bloomed  plants  ;  second,  Jlr.  George  Styan, 
York,  with  smaller  plants  well  arranged  ;  third,  Mr.  J.  \V, 
Clarke,  York.     Mr.  Clarke  was  first  for  a  specimen  Fuchsia. 

Four  exotic  Ferns  :  First,  Rev.  G.  Yeats  (gardenei',  Mr. 
Snowdon),  with  a  splendid  Adiantum  Williamsi  and  others  ; 
second,  Mr.  James  Archer,  his  Davallia  canariensis  being 
Tery  good  ;  thifd,  Messrs.  R.  Simpson  and  Sons. 

The  Rev.  G.  Yeals  was  first  for  a  single  specimen  of  exotic 
Fern  with  Davallia  hirta  cristata. 

Six  hardy  Ferns :  First,  Mr.  Thomas  Nicholson,  with 
Lastrea  f.  f.  grandiceps  and  Pulystichum  proliferum,  very 
good  ;  second,  Messrs.  R.  Simpson  and  Sou,  Selby. 

Messrs.  Walshaw  and  Son,  Scarborough,  were  given  first 
Iprize  for  a  group  of  Cannas. 

Roses. 

Collection  of  Roses  in  pots  ;  First,  Mr.  J.  D.  Hutchinson, 
Kirby  Moorside,  with  fairly  well-flowered  plants.  La  France 
being  the  best,  nicely  arranged;  second,  Mr.  H.  Pybus, 
Monkton  Moor,  Leeds. 

Mr.  H.  Pyhus  was  first  for  six  distinct  Roses  in  pots,  Mme. 
■Gabrielle  Luizet  lieing  the  best ;  second,  Mr.  J.  D.  Hutchin- 
son. Mr.  Pyhus  was  also  first  for  four  distinct  Roses  in  pots, 
Mr.  Thomas  Hume,  York,  being  second,  and  Mr.  Hutchinson 
third. 

Seventy-two  Rose?,  not  less  than  thirty-six  varieties : 
First,  Messrs.  R.  Harkness  and  Co.,  Hitchin,  with  some 
beautiful  blooms.  Some  especially  good  were  Crown  Prince, 
Mar^chal   Niel,  Golden    Gate,  Mrs.    Edward  Mawley,  and 


Cleopatra;  second,  Mr.  George  Mount,  Cantfrimry,  with,  on 
the  whole,  rather  small  blooms,  although  some  were  very 
fine;  third,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  and  Sons,  Worcester; 
fourth,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  and  Son,  Colchester.  There  was 
one  more  entry. 

Forty-eight  Rosea  (distinct) :  First,  Mr.  George  Mount, 
Canterbury,  Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Mrs.  J.  Laiinr,  and  Gulden 
Gate  were  lovely  blooms  ;  second,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  and  Son, 
Colchester,  Mme.  Lachaime  being  perhaps  the  finest ; 
ihird,  Messrs.  R.  Harkness  and  Co.  The  R'lses  in  this  class 
were  a  good  deal  inferior  to  those  in  the  preceding. 

Thirty-six  Roses  (distinct):  First,  Mr.  George  Mount, 
Canterbury,  who  had  excellent  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Mrs.  E. 
Mawley,  Clara  Watson,  Rainbow,  and  others;  second, 
Messrs.  D.  Prior  and  Son,  Colchester;  third,  Mr.  George 
Prince,  Longworth,  Berks ;  fourth,  Messrs.  R.  Harkness 
and  Co. 

Twenty-four  Roses  (distinct):  First,  Mr.  George  Prince, 
with  lovely  blooms  of  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  Mari^chal  Niel, 
White  Maman  Cochet,  Mi's.  E.  Mawley,  &c.  ;  second,  Mr. 
George  Mount ;  third,  Messrs.  D.  FrUn-  and  Son,  Colchester. 
Eighteen  Roses  ('iistinct);  First,  Mr,  George  Prince, 
Caroline  Testout,  Maman  Cochet,  and  Medea  being  well 
shown  ;  second,  Messrs.  D.  Prioraud  Son  ;  third,  Mr.  George 
Mount. 

Twelve  white  and  yellow  Roses  :  First,  Mr.  Mount,  Frau 
Karl  Druschki  was  finely  shown  :  second,  Mr.  George  Prince, 
with  Medea  as  his  best ;  third,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  and  Son. 

Eighteen  Roses  (amateurs) :  First,  Mr.  William  Hutchin- 
son, with  fairly  good  blooms;  second,  Mr.  R.  Park,  with 
much  inferior  ones. 

Twelve  Roses  (amateurs):  First,  Mr.  R.  Park,  with  good 
blooms,  especially  of  Mrs.  Mawley ;  second,  Mr.  William 
Hutchinson  ;  third.  Colonel  Mellish. 

Twenty-four  bunches  of  garden  Roses  (open):  First,  Mr. 
George  Prince,  with  some  beautiful  bunches  of  Bellefleur, 
Harrisoni,  Papillon,  Carmine  Pillar,  and  others;  second, 
Mr.  George  Mount ;  third,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  and  Son. 

Twelve  bunches  of  garden  Roses  (amateurs)  :  First, 
Colonel  Mellish;  second,  Mr.  W.  Hutchinson;  third,  the 
Marquis  of  Northampton. 

Cut  Flowers. 
Twelve  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers :  First, 
Mr.  Whitehead,  Deighton  Grove,  York  (gardener,  Mr.  G.  W. 
Richardson) ;  second,  Lady  Battie  Wrightson  (gardener,  Mr. 
G.  A.  Keywood).  In  a  similar  class,  with  Orchids  excluded, 
Mr.  Alderman,  gardener  to  J.  D.  Ellis,  Esq.,  Worksop,  was 
first. 

Collection  of  hardy  cut  flowers  :  First,  Messrs.  Harkness 
and  Son,  Bedale,  with  a  splendid  display  of  Poppies,  Pyre- 
thruras,  Ererauri,  Irises,  &c.,  boldly  arranged  ;  second, 
Messrs.  G.  Gibson  and  Co.,  Leeming  Bar,  Bedale,  with  a  fine 
bank  of  flowers  that  would  have  been  improved  by  the  inclu- 
sion of  more  light  coloured  ones;  third,  Mr.  G.  Cottam, 
Cottingham. 

Twenty-four  bunches  of  hardy  border  flowers:  First,  Mr. 
J.  S.  Hutchinson,  with  an  excellent  lot  of  really  good  flowers  ; 
second,  Messrs.  Harkness  and  Son,  Bedale  ;  third,  Messrs. 
Gibson  and  Co.,  Bedale.  Campanula  glomerata  dahurica, 
rich  violet  colour,  in  the  latter  display  was  very  fine. 

Mr.  W.  Hutchinson  was  first  for  twelve  bunches  of  hardy 
flowers  ;  Colonel  Mellish,  Worksop,  being  second.  Messrs. 
Harkness  and  Son,  Bedale,  were  first  for  eighteen  bunches  of 
Pajonies. 

In  the  class  for  bouquets,  Messrs.  Perkins  and  Son, 
Coventry,  and  Messrs.  W.  Artindale  and  Son,  Sheffield,  were 
first  and  second  respectively  in  all  the  principal  classe--. 
The  hand  bouquets  from  Messrs.  Perkins  were  very  beautiful. 
Messrs.  Artindale  were  given  the  first  prize  for  the  best 
exhibit  of  fioral  designs,  and  they  were  also  first  for  a  hand- 
basket  of  cut  flowers,  and  for  a  similar  exhibit.  Orchids 
excluded.  They  were  first  also  for  a  basket  of  cut  Roses. 
Messrs.  Perkins  won  the  first  prize  in  all  these  classes,  and 
Messrs.  Artindale  were  second  in  each  case. 
Orchids. 
Table  of  Orchids  :  First,  Messrs.  James  Cypher  and  Sons, 
Cheltenham,  with  an  attractively  arranged  display,  the 
Cymbidiums,  Oncidiums,  and  (Jdontoglussums  pi'oving  very 
effective  ;  Mr.  John  Robson,  Altrincham,  was  second. 

Ten  Orchids  in  bloom,  distinct :  First,  Messrs.  James 
Cypher  and  Son,  Cattleya  Mossia;  and  Vanda  ccerulea  being 
two  of  the  best ;  second,  Mr.  John  Robson  ;  third,  Mr.  W. 
Lewis. 

Six  Orchids  in  bloom,  distinct :  First,  Messrs.  Cypher  and 
Son  ;  second,  Mr.  John  Robson.  Messrs.  Cypher  were  also 
first  for  three  Orchids  in  bhjom. 

Six  Orchids  in  bloom  (amateurs)  :  First,  Mr.  W.  Furniss ; 
second,  Mr.  W.  Lewis.  Fur  three  Orchids  in  bloom 
(amateurs) :  we  could  find  no  first  prize-winner  ;  second, 
Mr.  J.  Yates.  Miss  Barstow  was  first  among  amateurs  for  a 
single  specimen,  showing  Dendroblum  thyrsiflorum. 
Fruit. 
Decorated  table  of  ripe  fruit :  There  were  only  two  exhibits 
in  this  class,  the  first  prize  being  won  by  Mr.  Goodacre, 
Elvaston  Castle  Gardens,  Derby,  whose  table  gained  116 
points  out  of  a  possible  136.  Nectarine  Elruge,  Fig  Brown 
Turkey,  Peach  Violette  Hative,  and  Apple  Lady  Sudeley, 
were  the  best  dishes.  The  decorations  of  Odontoglossums 
and  Masdevallias:  were  very  pretty.  Mr.  Robert  Dawes, 
gardener  to  the  Hon,  Mrs.  Ingram,  Temple  Newsam.  was 
second  with  112  points,  onlyfourpoints  behind  Mr.  Goodacre. 
The  decrirative  effect  was  not  so  good  as  the  first  prize  table. 
Grape  Madresfteld  Court,  Nectarine  Early  Rivers',  and  Melon 
Royal  Favourite  were  excellent. 

Collection  of  fruits,  ten  kinds  :  First,  Mr.  Goodacre,  Lord 
Napier  Nectarine  being  good  ;  second,  Mr.  Robert  Dawes, 
Brown  Turkey  Fig  l^eing  the  best  dish. 

Six  kinds  of  Iruitd  :  First,  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Lumiesburough,  the  Queen  Pine  being  a  very 
good  fruit.  Lord  Napier  Nectarine  was  also  good.  Theie 
were  no  more  entries. 

Four  kinds  of  fi-uit :  First,  Mr.  McPherson  with  good 
Black  Hamburgh  Grapes;  second,  Mr.  J.  Easter,  Nostell 
Priory  Gardens,  Melon  Hero  of  Lockihge  being  excellent.  ( 


There  was  one  Pine-apple  shown  in  a  class  restricted  to  this 
fruit,  but  the  judges  did  not  deem  it  worthy  of  a  prize. 

Three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  :  First,  Mr.  J.  P. 
Leadbetter,  Tranby  Croft  Gardens,  with  splendidly  coloured 
bunches;  second,  Mr.  Goodacre;  third,  Mr.  Murchison, 
Wetberby. 

Three  bunches  of  White  Grapes:  First,  Mr.  Murchison, 
Wetherby,  with  fair  Euckland  Sweetwater  :  second,  Mr. 
JtcPhersun  wit^h  very  green  Muscat  of  Alexandria  ;  third, 
Mr.  W.  Pilgrim,  Bodorgan  Gardens,  Anglesey,  with  Foster's 
SeedliTig. 

Six  Peaches  :  First,  Mr.  B.  Ashton,  Lathom  House  Gardens, 
Ormskiik,  with  Royal  George  ;  second,  Mr.  A.  E.  Sutton, 
Castle  Howard  (iardens,  York,  with  Hale's  Early  ;  third, 
Mr.  D.  Williams,  Duncombe  Park  Gardens,  Helmsley. 

Six  Nectarines  :  First,  Mr.  A.  R.  Searle,  Castle  Ashby 
Gardens,  Northampton,  with  Early  Rivers';  second,  Mr. 
McPherson  witli  the  same  variety  ;  third,  no  name. 

Scarlet  fleshed  Melon  :  First,  Mr.  J.  C.  McPerson  with 
Gunton  Scarlet;  second,  Mr.  James  Brown,  Oxford  House 
Gardens,  Market  Rasen,  with  Lord  Derby ;  third,  Mr.  J. 
Easter  with  Frogmore  Scarlet. 

Green-fleshed  Melon :  First,  Mr.  Ritchings,  Highlands, 
Guernsey,  with  Sutton's  Superlative ;  second,  Mr.  McPher- 
son, with  Royal  Jubilee  ;  third,  Mr.  James  Brown,  with 
Royal  Jubilee. 

White-fleshed  Melon  :  First,  Mr.  McPherson,  with  Frog- 
more  Seedling  ;  second,  Mr.  G.  A.  Keywood,  Cusworth  Park 
Gardens,  Doncaster ;  third,  Mr.  Pilgrim,  Bodorgan  Gardens. 

Mr.  Beckett,  Aldenham  House  Gardens,  won  the  first 
prize,  and  Mr.  T.  A,  Bolton,  Barn  Hill,  Beaumaris,  was 
second,  for  a  collection  of  vegetables.  The  prizes  were  given 
by  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons. 

In  a  similar  class  (prizes  offered  by  Messrs.  Webb  and 
Sons),  Mr.  Beckett  was  again  first ;  second,  Mr.  B.  Ashton, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Lathom, 

NON-COMPETITIVE   EXHIBITS. 

Mr.  George  Boyes,  Leicester,  made  a  pretty  display  with 
Tree  Carnations,  both  cut  fiowers  and  plants  in  pots. 

Messrs.  Mack  and  Miln,  Darlington,  showed  a  group  of 
miscellaneous  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  Carnations  and 
Gloxinias  being  conspicuous. 

The  group  of  plants  from  Messrs.  Kent  and  Brydon 
consisted  largely  of  Rhododendrons,  Genistas,  Verbenas, 
Liliums,  &c.,  all  arranged  in  masses  between  suitable 
greenery,  which  proved  very  effective. 

Messrs.  William  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate,  N.,  exhibited 
Carnations,  Malmaison  Duchess  of  Westminster  being  par- 
ticularly fine.  Ericas,  Verbenas,  Rose  Dorothy  Perkins, 
and  yellow  Arums,  the  whole  group  making  a  delightful 
display.  Messrs.  Cutbush  also  exhibited  rock  plants,  which 
were  attractively  arranged  on  a  rockery. 

Messrs.  Clibrans,  Altrincham  and  Manchester,  showed  a 
group  (in  which  the  plants  were  given  plenty  of  room)  that 
comprised  Dracaenas,  Crotons,  Aralias,  and  other  foliage 
plants,  relieved  by  masses  of  Malmaison  Carnations, 
Roses,  &c. 

Messrs.  Walshaw  and  Son,  Scarborough,  made  a  bright 
group  with  Lilies  of  the  Valley,  Verbenas,  Begonias,  Pelar- 
goniums, Liliums,  &c. 

Messrs.  W.  J.  Brown,  Stamford,  exhibited  a  bright  lot  of 
Pelargoniums,  Roses,  Heliotrope,  Verbenas,  &c. 

The  hardy  flowers  from  Messrs.  Dicksons',  Chester,  made 
a  brilliant  display,  Pajonies,  Aquilegias,  Poppies,  Lilies, 
Pyrethraras,  &c.,  being  chiefly  responsible. 

Peonies  and  Roses  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt, 
were  very  beautiful.  The  P«ony  blooms  were  large  and 
fresh,  and  made  a  charming  exhibit. 

In  the  extensive  group  of  flowering  and  foliage  plants  from 
Messrs.  Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester,  Bamboos  made  a 
pleasing  background,  while  in  front  Clematis,  Liliums,  Kal- 
mias,  I'yrethrums,  and  other  flowers  were  arranged  with 
taste  and  skill.  Messrs.  Richard  Smith  also  showed  a  bank 
of  hardy  flowers,  in  which  the  Poppies,  Irises,  and  Pyre- 
ihrams  were  excellent. 

Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Bexley  Heath,  showed  a  beautiful  lot  of 
Tree  Carnations,  ihe  lung-stemmed  blooms  being  most 
attractively  displayed  in  tall  vases.  Fair  Maid,  pink  ;  G.  H. 
C^rane,  scarlet ;  Norway,  white;  and  Harry  Fenn,  crimson, 
were  perhaps  the  best  of  several  charming  varieties. 

Mr.  Henry  Brownhill,  Sale,  exhibited  new  hybrid  Chry- 
santhemums (Marguerites)  and  Achillea  Coup  d'Argent.  The 
former  were  shown  in  several  good  shades  of  yellow,  and 
there  were  both  double  and  single. 

Mr.  J.  Wood,  Hardy  Plant  Nurseries,  Kirkstall,  Leeds, 
showed  alpine  plants  arranged  upon  a  rockery  ;  and  Messrs. 
Hewitt  and  Co.,  Birmingham,  exhibited  Tree  Carnation 
blooms  in  vases. 

Messrs.  Hewitt  and  Co.,  Birmingham,  made  a  good  display 
with  hardy  flowers  and  Tree  Carnations. 

Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Limited,  Wisbech,  showed  some 
splendid  Pjconies  and  Pyrethrums  in  many  varieties. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Bradford,  exhibited  a  group 
of  hybrid  Orchids  that  contained  some  beautiful  plants,  e.fj.^ 
L.-C.  Hippolyt-i  Phoebe,  L.-C.  canhamiana  alba,  L.-C. 
Martinettinottilior,  L.-C.  Fascinator,  and  others 

Mr.  R  jbert  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street.  Birmingham,  showed 
a  beautiful  lot  of  Sweet  Peas  in  vases,  and  also  his  rural 
table  decorations  ;  the  fiower  supporters  enable  the  flowers 
to  be  so  disposed  as  to  add  greatly  to  the  effect  of  the  table 
decoration. 

Mr.  W.  Edwards,  Sherwood,  Nottingham,  showed 
Edwardian  fiower  holders  for  table  decoration. 

Mr.  George  Yeld,  Clifton  Cottage,  York,  exhibited   some 
charminghybrid  Irises  and  Hemerocallis,  all  raised  by  himself. 
The   I.A'.O.    Kill  All    Chemical    Company,    Burmantofts, 
Leeds,  exhibited  their  insecticides  and  fumigators. 

CARDIFF  AND  COUNTY  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  sixteenth  annual  fiower  show  of  this  society  will  be 
held  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  July  27  and  28,  in  the 
Sophia  Gardens,  Cardiff,  by  kind  permission  of  the  .\tarquess 
of  Bute.  The  secretary  is  Mr.  Harry  Gillet,  66,  Woodville 
Road,  Cardiff. 


442 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  18,  1904, 


CRAWLEY  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'  ASSOCIATION 
The  members  of  the  Crawley  and  District  Gardeners'  Mutual 
Improvement  Association  and  friends,  to  the  number  of 
about  sixty,  visited  the  beautiful  grounds  and  gardens  at 
Tilgate,  by  the  kind  permission  of  Mrs.  Nix,  on  Tuesday 
evening,  the  7th  inst.,  and  spent  a  most  enjoyable  and 
instructive  time  in  the  company  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Nix,  the 
president  of  the  association,  who  very  courteously  conducted 
the  visitors  over  the  estate,  and  pointed  out  and  explained 
the  many  botanical  and  other  beauties  that  here  abound. 
The  members  were  driven  to  Tilgate  in  brakes,  and  their 
arrival  was  a  lesson  in  punctuality,  six  o'clock — the  appointed 
time — chiming  as  the  mansion  was  reached.  Mr.  Nix 
personally  received  the  visitors  at  the  entrance  to  the 
conservatory,  inside  of  which  tea  had  been  generously  and 
thoughtfully  provided. 

UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT  AND  PROVIDENT 
SOCIETY. 

The  monthly  nieetino:  of  this  society  was  held  at  the  Cale- 
donian Hotel,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  on  Monday  evening 
last.  Mr.  Charles  H.  Curtis  presided.  Six  new  members 
were  elected.  The  death  of  Mr.  Edwin  Isted,  Hove,  Brighton, 
"was  reported.  Mr.  Isted  was  a  comparatively  young  member, 
but  having  left  a  widow  and  three  young  children  unprovided 
for,  the  committee  granted  £5  143.  7d.  from  the  benevolent 
fund,  to  be  added  to  £4  5s.  5d.,  being  the  amount  standing  to 
the  late  member's  credit,  thus  bringing  the  amount  up  to  £10 
for  the  widow.    The  sick  pay  for  the  month  was  £29  14s. 


OBITUARY. 


THE    REV.   CHAELES    WOLLEY-DOD. 

It  is  with  great  regret  we  announce  the  death 
of  Mr.  WoUey-Dod,  M.A,  V.M.H.  The  sad 
news  was  brought  to  us  at  the  moment  of 
going  to  press,  and,  though  we  hoped  that  this 
distinguished  scholar  and  gardener  would  have 
been  spared  many  years  to  work  amongst  the 
flowers  he  loved  so  well,  this  was  not  to  be.  His 
great  knowledge  of  flowers  in  general,  the  strong 
and  simple  language  in  which  he  gave  expres- 
sion to  his  thoughts,  and  great  experience  have 
helped  many  a  groping  amateur  and  earnest 
horticulturist.  In  the  Times  of  Wednesday  last 
the  following  reference  is  made  to  Mr.  Wolley- 
Dod: 

"The  Eev.  Charles  Wolley-Dod,  who  died  at 
Edge  Hall,  Malpas,  yesterday,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight,  was  the  representative  of  an  old 
Cheshire  family  dating  from  the  time  of 
Henry  II.  He  was  born  in  1826.  His  father, 
the  Eev.  J.  F.  T.  Hurt,  of  Allen  Hill,  Derby- 
shire, married  Miss  Mary  Wolley,  and  assumed 
by  Eoyal  sign-manual  the  surname  and  arms 
of  Wolley.  Mr.  Charles  Wolley-Dod,  who 
assumed  the  double  name  by  Eoyal  licence  in 
1868,  was  educated  at  Eton  on  the  founda- 
tion, and  became  in  due  course  a  Fellow  of 
King's  College,  Cambridge.  He  was  ordained 
deacon  by  the  Bishop  of  Lincoln  in  18.54,  but 
never  proceeded  to  priest's  orders.  In  1850  he 
married  Frances,  daughter  of  the  Eev.  Felly 
Parker  of  Ilawton,  Notts,  and  grand-daughter 
of  Mr.  T.  C.  Dod,  of  Edge  Hall.  From  1851  to 
1880  he  was  an  assistant-master  at  Eton.  Since 
his  retirement  he  had  lived  on  his  estates, 
devoting  himself  to  horticulture,  and  winning 
the  Jubilee  gold  medal  of  the  Eoyal  Horticul- 
tural Society.  He  was  on  the  commission  of 
the  peace  for  the  county." 


better  than  most  Poppies.  The  plant  is  said  to 
be  of  a  dwarf  growth,  and  produces  from  twenty- 
five  to  thirty  blooms  on  each  plant.  It  should 
make  a  useful  variety  for  out  blooms  for  market, 
and  in  the  garden  it  will  be  a  most  valuable  addition 
to  the  herbaceous  border. — H. 

A  glut  of  fPUit.— There  does  not  seem  to 
be  any  special  reason  to  assume  that  fruit  generally 
on  trees  will  show  an  excessive  crop  this  season. 
Whilst  flowers  were  very  abundant,  and  the  set 
which  followed  it  seemed  to  be  very  great,  the  fall 
since  has  been  so  considerable  as  to  have  thinned 
the  prospective  crop  beyond  all  anticipation.  It 
does  seem  at  present  that  the  heaviest  crops  of  the 
year  will  be  those  of  Gooseberries  and  Strawberries. 
But  let  these  be  ever  so  plentiful,  they  will  hardly 
create  a  general  glut  of  fruit.  I  have  heard  from 
many  directions — as  I  have  also  seen — of  the  exces- 
sive falling  of  fruit  embryos  on  Apples,  Pears, 
Plums,  and  Cherries.  Nature  having  administered 
a  severe  thinning  to  the  prospective  crop  already, 
there  may  be  enough  left  to  furnish  a  fair  crop, 
and  even  a  profitable  one  ;  but  a  glut  crop  seems 
improbable.  We  shall  hear  more  of  this  natural 
thinning,  no  doubt,  later,  and  it  will  be  attributed 
to  many  diverse  causes. — A.  D. 

Early  Dahlias.— Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co. 
of  P>,othesay  are  always  well  to  the  front  with  any  of 
their  specialities.  It  is  probably  a  record  to  see 
really  good  blooms  of  Dahlias  the  first  week  in 
June.  Some  were  shown  at  the  Temple,  but  those 
a  week  later  were  a  great  improvement  in  quality 
and  in  variety.  Among  the  collection  shown  at 
the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens  on  the  8th  inst.  were  : 
Albion,  pure  white  ;  Mrs.  Mawley,  yellow  ;  Ajax, 
salmon  ;  Mrs.  W.  Cuthbertson,  deep  purple  ;  Mabel 
TuUock,  pink  with  light  primrose  shade  at  base  of 
florets  ;  Pheneus,  good  scarlet  ;  Aunt  Chloe,  very 
dark,  almost  black  ;  Ibis,  bright  scarlet ;  F.  A. 
Wellesley,  cerise,  with  a  bright  metallic  shade  ; 
J.  W.  Wilkinson,  bright  crimson  ;  H.  J.  Jones, 
light  primrose-yellow  at  base  shading  off  to  bronzy 
pink,  a  pretty  shade  of  colour  and  good  florets.  It 
may  be  said  that  they  are  rather  out  of  season,  yet 
it  is  interesting  to  note  that  good  blooms  may  be 
had  so  early.  The  great  drawback  with  Dahlias 
usually  is  that  by  the  time  they  arrive  at  their  best 
an  early  frost  often  cuts  them  off.  With  accom- 
modation under  glass,  plants  may  be  potted  on  and 
got  forward,  so  that  when  it  is  safe  to  plant  out 
they  would  soon  begin  to  bloom.  The  Cactus 
Dahlias  are  always  much  appreciated  as  cut  flowers, 
and  it  should  prove  profitable  to  grow  a  few  of  the 
best  and  most  distinct  sorts  under  glass  for  that 
purpose.  — H. 


His  Majesty  the  King.— We  are  in- 
formed that  the  King  will  open  the  new  Hall  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  the  last  week 
in  July. 

The   "  Botanical    Mag-azine."  —  We 

understand    that    this   great   publication   will    be 
hereafter  edited  by  Mr.  W.  B.  Hemsley. 

A  new  Poppy. — I  have  before  me  flowers 
of  a  very  fine  Oriental  Poppy.  They  are  from 
Emil  Singer  of  Hamburg-Uhlenhorst.  It  is  named 
Princess  Victoria  Louise.  The  flowers  are  of  a 
peculiarly  bright  rosy  salmon  colour,  large  and  of 
good  substance,  standing  up  well  on  stifle  stems, 
and  though  received  in  England  on  the  8th  inst. ,  they 
are  still  quite  fresh,  which  proves  that  they  last 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Answeps,— TAe  Editor  intends  to 
make  The  Garden  helpful  to  all  readers  who  desire  assistance, 
no  matter  what  the  branch  of  gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  will  make  a  special  feature  of  the  "  Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents" column.  All  communications  should  be  clearly 
and  concisely  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  and 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  The  Garden,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strand,  London.  Letters  on  business  should  be  sent 
to  the  Publisher.  The  na-me  and  address  of  the  sender  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Names  of  plants.— i.  B.  Wither.— l,  Juniperus  com- 
munis ;  2,  Pseudotsuga  Douglasi ;  3,  Cedrus  atlantica ;  4, 
Thuya  dolabrata ;   5,  Sequoia  sempervirena ;   G,   Oupressua 

pisifera. ^.— 1,  Pyrua  salicifolia;  2,  Kraxinus  Ornus  (the 

Manna  Ash). ^1.    T.   Maio.—l,  too    much   withered    for 

identification  ;  2,  Iris  sibirica  var.  orientalis ;  3,  Iris  sibirica  ; 
4,  Pyrus  germanica;  5,  Amelanchier  canadensis;  G,  Eljeac- 
nus  pungens;  7,  Corylus  maxima  var.  atropurpurea ;  S, 
probably  Prunus  Cerasus  var.,  flowers  required  for  correct 

determination. Miss    Einpson.  —The    specimen    sent    is 

CeanoLhus  veitchianus,  to  which  C.  dentatua  and  C.  papil- 
losua  are  nearly  related.  Your  specimen  must  have  been 
indeed  a  charming  feature,  the  description  making  one  long 
for  the  genial  climate  of  South  Devon,  as  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  London  this  species  cannot  be  depended  upon  aa  a 
shrub  in  the  open  ground. 

Fpeneh  Beans  attacked  by  insects  (J.  B. 
KoscoE).— The  small  white  creatures  you  find  on  the  seeds 
of  your  French  Beans  which  are  just  germinating  are  not 


young  woodlice,  but  belong  to  the  family  of  the  "  spring- 
taila,"  though  this  species  (Lipura  ambulans)  and  several 
others  have  not  the  power  of  springing.  Besides  these 
insects  there  were  a  number  of  small  worms  belonging  to  the 
family  Enchytneidie,  a  family  nearly  allied  to  the  earth- 
worms, which  are  often  very  destructive  to  the  roots  of 
plants,  so  that  what  with  the  little  insects  and  the  worms  I 
am  not  surprised  that  your  crop  is  a  failure.  If  it  ia  hope- 
lessly ruined,  I  should  pour  some  boiling  water  down  the 
rows,  or  a  very  strong  solution  of  nitrate  of  soda  or  of 
common  salt.  Whatever  you  use,  drench  the  ground 
thoroughly.  If  the  crop  is  not  quite  past  hope  you  might 
try  watering  with  lime  water.  This  will  kill  the  worms,  but 
I  am  not  so  sure  about  the  springtails.— G.  S.  S. 

Treatment  of  Hibiscus  (H.  Rogers).— The  genus. 
Hibiscus  is  such  an  extensive  one  that  we  can  only  assume 
that  your  question  refers  to  H.  rosa-ainensis.  If  so  It  can  be 
readily  propagated  from    cuttings  of  the    young   growing 
shoots,  taken  in  the  spring  or  early  summer  months,  dibbled 
securely  into  pots  of  open  soil,  such  as  equal  parts  of  loam, 
leaf-mould,  or  peat  and  sand,  the  whole  being  well  incor- 
porated together.     After  putting  in   the  cuttings,   a  good 
watering  through  a  fine  rose  should  be  given,  and  then  they 
must  be  placed  in  a  close  propagating  case,  or  covered  with 
a  bell-glass  in  a  shaded  part  of  the  greenhouse,  or  in  a 
slightly  warmer  structure  if  you  have  any.     Hibiscus  rosa- 
sinensis  is  usually  treated  as  a  warm  house  plant,  but  it  will 
succeed  throughout  the  summer  in  the  greenhouse  or  even 
out  of  doors.     It  requires  much  the  same  treatment  as  a 
Fuchsia,  that  is  to  say,  if  repotting  is  needed  it  should  be 
done  in  the  spring,  the  most  suitable  compost  being  two 
parts  loam  lo  one  part  each  of  leaf-mould  and  well-decayed 
manure,  with  a  little  sand.     If  not  repotted  a  dose  of  weak 
liquid  manure  should  be  given  about  unce  a  fortnight  as  they 
begin  to  grow.    This  Hibiscus  may  be  wintered  in  a  green- 
house with  a  minimum  temperature  of  40^,  but  during  that 
period  it  must  be  kept  fairly  dry  at  the  roots;  indeed,  only 
sufficient  water  to  prevent  it  from  suffering  should  be  given. 
Raising-  seedling-  Rhododendrons  (A.  Mar- 
shall).—It  is  an  easy  matter  to  raise  KhoUodendrons  from 
seed,  as  the  seeds  germinate  readily  in  about  a  fortnight ; 
but  the  treatment  of  the  tiny  seedlings  afterwards  calls  for 
a  considerable  amount  of  time  and  thought.     The  seed  can 
either  be  sown  under  glass  in  well-drained  pans  or  boxes,  or 
outdoors  in  a  properly  prepared  bed.    From  April  to  June  is 
the  best  time  to  sow.     The  soil  in  both  instances  must  be 
finely  sifted,  sandy  peat,  made  moderately  firm,  and  it  is  all 
the  better  if  it  is  sterilised  beforehand  to  kill  the  seeds  of 
weeds  or  any  insect  life  that  may  be  present  in  it,  though 
this  is  not  absolutely  necessary.     If  you  have  a  greenhouse 
or  frame  at  command  sow  your  seeds  indoors  in  pans  or  boxes, 
as  they  are  more  under  control,  and  are  also  sheltered  from 
heavy    rains,   which  sometimes    play  havoc  with  seedling 
Uhododendrons  in  the  open.     Heat  is  not  necessary  to  raise 
the  seeds,  though  a  slight  bottom  warmth  assists  germina- 
tion ;  but  they  must  be  removed  to  a  cooler  place  as  soon  as 
they  are  up,  or  otherwise  they  will  become  drawn  and  weak. 
When  the  soil  is  put  in  the  pans  it  should  be  pressed  firm 
and  made  perfectly  smooth.    It  should  then  have  a  thorough 
soaking  with  water,  and  the  seeds  sown  thinly  on  the  surface, 
not  being  covered  with  soil  in  any  way.     As  the  seeds  are 
very  light,  a  watering  before  sowing  saves  them  from  being 
washed  into  heaps  in  the  corners  or  lower  parts  of  the  soil. 
The  first  watering  should  be  sufficient  until  the  seeds  have 
germinated,  when  they  can  be  watered  either  by  dipping  the 
pan  or  box  in  water,  or  by  using  a  water-pot  with  a  very  fine 
rose.     Shading  is  necessary  in  the  earlier  stages  until  the 
seedlings  have  made  their  first  pair  of  leaves,  when  it  should 
be  gradually  removed  and  only  given  during  periods  of  bright 
sunshine.    Any  material  suitable  for  the  purpose  can  be  used 
for  shading,  but  on  a  small  scale  a  few  sheets  of  white  paper 
are  as  good  as  anything,  as  by  using  a  thick  paper  for  the 
seed  boxes,  and  giadually  working  down  to  thin  tissue  paper, 
the  requisite  shading  can  be  given  without  much  trouble. 
During  the  winter  the  seedlings  must  be  kept  a  little  on  the 
dry  side,  as  too  much  moisture  causes  them  lo  damp  off. 
About  the  beginning  of  the  following  May,  choosing  dull, 
cloudy  weather,  prick  the  seedlings  otf  into  other  boxes  or  a 
prepared  bed,  putting  them  about  2  inches  apart  each  way, 
and  using  about  the  same  soil  as  before,  though  an  admixture 
of  good  loam,  which  must  not  contain   lime,  is  beneficial. 
They  can  now  stand  for  another  year,  or  even  two  years, 
according  to  the  growth  they  make,  when  they  can  be  planted 
out  in  the  open  ground.    Shading  will  not  be  necessary  after 
the  plants  have  become  established  in  their  new  quarters. 
Seedling  Rhododendrons  take  from  five  years  to  seven  year* 
before  they  flower,  and,  as  a  rule,  do  not  bloom  well  before 
the  eighth  year.    From  the  description  of  your  plant  it  ia 
probably  R.  nobleanum,  a  hybrid  between  R.  arboreum  and 
R.  caucasicum,  and,  if  so,  would  probably  not  come  true 
from  seed,  though  there  is  a  likelihood  of  your  obtaining  some 
good  things  amongst  your  seedlings,  a  great  deal,  however^ 
depending  on  what  other  Rhododendrons  have  been  in  flower 
at  the  same  time  near  them,  as  they   cruss-fertiUae  very 
readily.    If  you  wish  to  increase  the  plants  you  have,  your 
best  plan  would  be  to  get  a  nurseryman  to  graft  a  few  plants, 
for  you,  which  most  of  thera  will  do  at  a  low  cost.    If  you 
decide,  however,  to  try  and  raise  seedlings,  you  will  find  it  aa 
interesting,  if  slow,  process,  but  you  must  always  remember 
that  they  cannot  be  forced,   and  that  constant  care  and 
attention  are  necessary  for  the  first  two  years  at  least  ta 
ensure  success. 


TRADE      NOTE. 

Messrs.  Libertv  and  Co.  (inventors  and  manufacturers 
of  artistic  wares  and  fabrics)  of  London  and  Paris  were 
awarded  the  gold  medal  for  their  exhibit  of  new  and 
original  garden  pots,  sundials,  &c.,  in  Frost-proof  Terra-cotta 
Ware  at  the  Royal  Botanic  Society's  show  at  Regent's  Park 
on  the  Sth  inat. 


The  Yearly  Subscription  to  THE  GARDEN  itf ;  Inland^ 

i'oreign,  178.  Od. 


^^L 


e^W^^®' 


GARDEN 


-y^- 


No.  1701.— Vol.  LXV. 


[.Tune  2.5,  1904. 


HIMALAYAN  RHODODEN- 
DRONS AND  THEIR 
HYBRIDS. 

THE  last  meeting  of  the  Horticultural 
Club  until  October  next,  was  the 
most  instructive  that  has  taken 
place  for  some  time  past.  It  was 
the  occasion  of  a  paper  by  the 
chairman,  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  on 
"  Himalayan  Khododendrons,"  which  of  recent 
years  have  acquired  a  more  general  interest 
than  heretofore,  and  this  interest  has  been 
greatly  stimulated  by  the  raising  of  many 
beautiful  hybrids— Pink  Pearl,  the  queen, 
perhaps,  of  a  queenly  throng.  As  the  paper 
will  appear  in  full  in  the  Journal  of  the  Eoyal 
Horticultural  Society,  and  also,  after  then,  in 
our  pages,  it  is  not  necessary  to  refer  to  more 
than  a  few  of  the  more  important  points.  It 
was  in  a  way  a  memorable  evening.  Among 
the  guests  were  Sir  George  Watt,  who  spoke  of 
the  Rhododendrons  in  India ;  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore,  curator  of  the  Glasnevin  Botanical 
Garden  ;  Mr.  W.  Watson,  curator  of  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew  ;  and  Mr.  Tutcher,  the  assis- 
tant director  of  the  Hong  Kong  Botanic 
Gardens. 

The  desire  to  grow  with  success  the  Hima- 
layan Rhododendrons  and  their  hybrids  is 
easily  understood.  One  has  only  to  think  of 
the  splendour  of  R.  arboreum,  the  fine  beauty 
of  R.  Aucklandi,  and  the  rich  colouring  of  R. 
barbatum,  to  rejoice  that  this  noble  race  has 
not  been  passed  unnoticed  by  the  hybridist, 
whose  achievements  in  the  past  have  brought 
so  much  interest  and  beauty  to  the  garden  and 
conservatory.  We  probably  owe  Pink  Pearl 
to  the  late  Mr.  J.  H.  Mangles,  whose  enthu- 
siasm for  the  Himalayan  Rhododendrons  was 
unbounded,  and  who  determined  to  raise  a 
set  of  beautiful  hybrids  ;  and  we  think  also  of 
the  raisers  of  the  present  day — the  wonderful 
hybrids  shown  recently  in  the  Drill  Hall  by 
Mr.  H.  A.  Mangles— Beauty  of  Littleworth, 
and  from  Mrs.  J.  H.  Mangles,  Valewood, 
Haslemere,  Dawn,  which  may  be  compared 
to  Pink  Pearl  itself  lor  size  of  flovver- 
cluster  and  beauty  of  colouring,  and  we  are 
not  forgetful  of  the  work  of  Mr.  Gil),  gardener 
to  Mr.  Shilson  of  Tremough,  Penryn,  Cornwall, 
who,  as  Sir  John  pointed  out,  has  given  us 
some  notable  hybrids  in  R.  Shilsoni  (Thomsoni 
X  barbatum).  Beauty  of  Tremough,  Glory  of 
Penjerrick,  the  hybrids  of  R.  griffithianum,  and 
Duke  of  Cornwall,   a  novelty  of    this    year. 


The  hybrid  R.  kewense,  which  was  raised 
at  Kew  between  R.  griffithianum  and  R- 
Hookeri,  is  one  of  the  best  of  its  race — its 
flowers  rose-tinted,  and  in  profusion  during 
April  and  May.  Sir  John  made  direct  allusion  to 
the  hardiness  of  these  hybrid  Rhododendrons 
— the  word  is  so  comparative  a  term,  so  liable 
to  be  upset  under  conditions  which  are  only 
too  well  known  to  British  horticulturists 
that  it  must  be  used  with  the  large  reser- 
vation that  several  species  are  quite  hardy 
enough  for  the  conditions  they  usually  find  in 
the  climate  and  soil  of  South  Wales,  and  still 
more  so  in  the  extreme  south-vrestern  corner  of 
England,  Cornwall,  and  in  Ireland.  The 
experience  of  the  lecturer  was  that  "  If  the 
wood  is  well  hardened  after  the  summer's 
growth  they  will  stand  any  amount  of  winter 
frost— SS''  below  freezing-point — and  that  the 
greatest  risks  are  incurred  by  the  species 
whose  leaf  action  is  early,  and  thus  is  more 
liable  to  be  checked  by  our  May  frosts. 
Observe  I  speak  of  leaf  action  rather  than  of 
the  inflorescence.  March  and  April  is  the 
flowering  period  of  our  most  common  species — 
R.  arboreum,  R.  barbatum,  R.  Thomsoni,  R. 
ciliatum,  R.  Campbelli*,  and  R.  campanulatum, 
and  few  seasons  pass  without  loss  of  trusses  of 
the  bloom ;  but  as  leaf  action  will  not  begin  until 
the  end  of  May  or  early  in  June,  the  plant  is 
none  the  worse.  There  is  no  greater  delight  to 
the  lover  of  his  favourites  than  to  see  the  way 
they  come  up  again  to  the  scratch  after  the 
knock-down  blow  in  the  first  round  between, 
say,  R.  barbatum  and  v.  Jack  Frost  on  St. 
David's  Day." 

Sir  .John  stated  that  soil  is  probably  a  more 
important  factor  in  the  treatment  of  the 
Rhododendron  than  climate,  and  with  this  we 
believe  all  Rhododendron  growers  will  agree. 
The  ideal  soil  is  a  cool  peaty  or  loamy  forma- 
tion, in  which  the  plant  can  shade  its  roots. 
Another  point  which  the  hybridist  may  well 
bear  in  mind  is  the  prolonging  of  the  flowering 
season,  surely  an  object  worth  'aiming  at. 
"  We  all  do  it — rosarians.  Chrysanthemum  and 
Carnation  growers,  and  all  others.  Beginning 
with  the  hybrid  classes  of  R.  nobleanum  and 
R.  Jacksoni,  which  begin  blooming  in  Novem- 
ber and  December  and  continue  till  the 
spring,  the  first  species  to  come  out  is  R. 
barbatum,  so  called  from  the  hairy  petiole  of 
the  leaf.  The  flowers  develop  in  February, 
and  they  are  at  their  best  throughout  the 
month  of  March,  the  truss  being  rather  closely 
packed  with  flowers  of  a  fine  blood-red  colour. 
It  is  followed  in  March  by  R.   Thomsoni,  a 


favourite  species,  and  by  a  variety  or  hybrid 
called  Campbelliai." 

The  beauty  of  many  Rhododendrons  from  the 
Himalayas  is  not  concentrated  in  the  flower, 
for  the  leaf  can  claim  much  of  it.  As  Sir  John 
said,  many  species  of  Rhododendron  are  worth 
cultivating  for  the  foliage  alone,  the  lower 
side  of  each  leaf  being  covered  with  a  rich  red- 
brown  or  white  tomentum,  the  size  and  shape 
of  each  leaf  varying  with  the  particular  species, 
and  attaining  in  the  case  of  R.  Falconer! 
a  large  dimension,  and  as  the  plants  attain 
size  and  height  the  colour  efl'ect  of  the 
foliage  under  the  winter  sun  is  very  striking 
even  at  that  season  of  the  year.  Mr.  Moore 
also  alluded  in  the  course  of  his  interesting 
speech  to  the  beauty  of  the  leaf  colouring  of 
many  of  the  species  of  Rhododendron. 

As  there  are  doubtless  many  would-be 
growers  of  the  Himalayan  Rhododendron,  it 
may  instruct  and  interest  to  give  the  names  of 
those  sorts  which  habitually  bloom  well  with 
Sir  John  Llewelyn  at  Penllergare,  Swansea. 
These  really  seem  to  thrive  :  Arboreum  (red, 
white,  or  pink),  barbatum,  Thomsoni,  grande, 
Falconeri  and  its  variety  eximeum,  niveum, 
campanulatum,  campylocarpum,  griffithianum 
or  Aucklandi,  ciliatum,  Campbellite,  glaucum, 
setosum,  Anthopogon,  cinnabarinum,  and  tri- 
florum.  Those  that  have  flowered  under 
shelter  are  DalhousiiU,  Edgeworthi,  Maddeni, 
Nuttallii,  and  formosum. 

Here  are  a  few  further  points  which  hybri- 
dists should  think  of.  Sir  John  said:  "The 
hybrid  race  we  have  hitherto  raised  seem  to 
be  capable  of  a  further  improvement  in  the 
prolongation  of  the  flowering  season,  in  the 
size,  and  in  the  colouring  of  the  bloom.  Hardy 
yellows  are  undoubtedly  to  be  had  from  R. 
campylocarpum,  and  I  cannot  think  the  finest 
red  forms  of  R.  arboreum  have  yet  been 
sufficiently  used.  R.  griffithianum  or  Auckland! 
is  undoubtedly  a  useful  parent,  and  we  are 
destined  in  the  near  future  to  see  a  very  noble 
family  of  children  from  so  august  a  mother. 
Also  in  the  Barbatum  Thomsoni  cross  I  have 
a  useful  strain,  which  seems  to  me  to  unite  the 
good  qualities  of  both  parents  in  their  grand 
colour  and  in  their  early  bloom."  A  warm 
tribute  of  praise  was  given  to  the  exhibition  of 
hardy  hybrid  Rhododendrons  staged  by  Mr. 
John  Waterer  in  the  Royal  Botanic  Society's 
garden  in  Regent's  Park,  and  we  are  glad  that 
Sir  John  condemned  grafting  as  unsatisfactory 
and  unnecessary.  "  By  layering  the  true  plant 
is  got  on  its  own  roots,  and  it  is  a  good  and 
rational  mode  of  increase.     Whenever  a  plant 


444 


THE   GARDEN. 


[JuxE  25,  1904. 


•an  be  induced  to  layer  down  its  lower  boughs 
so  that  they  may  form  rootlets  a  double  advan- 
tage is  obtained,  as  in  addition  to  the  oppor- 
tunity for  removing  rooted  pieces  a  better 
shade  is  afforded  to  keep  the  soil  cool  round 
the  stem  of  the  parent."  Sir  .John  concluded 
his  excellent  lecture  by  hoping,  and  we  heartily 
echo  the  wish,  "that  as  the  years  roll  on  we 
may  see  fresh  crosses  and  fresh  breaks  brought 
to  our  notice  by  the  fostering  care  of  genera- 
tions of  hybrid'ists,  who  will,  I  think,  be  wise 
if  they  employ  the  agency  of  not  only  Hima- 
layan species,  but  of  hybrids  from  these,  and 
especially  the  finer  forms  of  the  red  K 
arboreum."  Mr.  Moore  spoke  of  the  beauty  of 
the  Himalayan  Rhododendrons  in  many  of  the 
gardens  in  Ireland.  The  helpful  words  of 
Sir  John  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  Sir  George  Watt, 
and  Mr.  Moore  will,  it  is  hoped,  stimulate  a 
fresh  interest  in  this  beautiful  genus. 


THE    WISLEY    GARDEN. 


No  members  of  a  society  have  greater  cause  to 
rejoice  for  so  large  a  return  for  so  small  an 
expenditure  as  the  Fellows  of  the  Koyal  Horti- 
cultural, who  are  in  the  happy  possession  of  a 
garden  of  their  own,  a  valuable  publication  in 
the  Journal,  a  famous  library,  and  opportunities 
for  visiting  interesting  floral  meetings  and 
imposing  e.xhibitions  of  flowers,  fruit,  and 
vegetables.  But  there  is  one  priceless  gift; 
which  we  are  glad  to  know  many  of  the  Fellows 
are  taking  full  and  proper  advantage  of,  and 
that  is  the  garden  of  the  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson, 
and  known  as  the  "  Wisley  Garden,"  which,  it 
will  be  fresh  in  mind,  was  presented  by  Sir 
Thomas  Hanbury,  K.C.V.O.  On  a  sunny  day 
in  last  week  we  visited  this  retreat,  amidst  the 
Pines  and  Heather-covered  commons  of  the 
beautiful  Weybridge  and  Piipley  surroundings, 
commons  of  Gorse,  and  Broom,  and  Fern,  and 
waving  Grasses,  with  the  wild  garden  and 
fields,  some  60  acres  in  all,  which  are  now  in 
the  possession  of  the  Itoyal  Horticultural 
Society.  We  were  gratified  to  find  that  this 
garden  is  not  to  be  forgotten  by  the  Fellows. 
The  visitors'  list  reveals  that  something  more 
than  a  passing  interest  will  be  taken  in  this 
fine  possession,  which,  if  handled  aright,  should 
be  the  means  of  greatly  advancing  practical 
and  scientific  horticulture.  The  visitors  travel 
by  motor  and  carriage,  and  in  humbler  con- 
veyances. The  garden  is  not  so  accessible  as 
those  not  blessed  with  motor  and  carriage  would 
wish.  But  horticulture  is  not  possible  in  a  con- 
venient suburb  ;  it  must  be  undertaken  in  the 
fresh  country  air  and  amidst  surroundings 
which  detract  little  from  the  work  of  the 
students  who  begin  their  lives'  duties  in  this 
school  of  gardening. 

A  summer  day  at  Wisley  is  to  the  lover  of  all 
that  is  beautiful  in  Nature  a  day  not  likely  to 
be  soon  forgotten.  The  drive  over  hill  and 
dale,  across  common  land  fragrant  with  the 
breath  of  native  flowers,  and  tree-shaded  lanes, 
prepares  the  visitor  for  the  charms  of  the  wild 
garden  which  is  the  outcome  of  the  experi- 
mental work  of  the  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson  for 
over  twenty  years.  The  air  was  full  of  scents 
— from  Lupins  clustering  in  billowy  masses  by 
the  Iris-lined  ditches,  now  bright  with  trails  of 
colour  from  the  Siberian  and  .Japanese  species. 
Lilies  in  the  Pihododendron  groups,  L.  rubellum, 
a  sea  of  );iink,  finer  than  we  have  hitherto  seen 
it ;  Nymphasas  in  the  lake,  Boses  in  profusion, 
the  famous  hedge  of  Rosa  rugosa  in  full  flower, 
and  a  variety  of  trees  and  shrubs  which,  unfor- 
tunately, were  in  many  instances  struggling  for 
existence,  and  only  the  most  judicious  thinning 
out  will  save  them  from  disfigurement.     Roses 


clustered  over  the  little  cottage  on  the  hill  top, 
and  little  grassy  walks  lead  through  aisles  of 
Rhododendron  and  Azalea,  Kalmia,  and  Per- 
nettya,  while  here  and  there  in  some  cool  recess 
Linnasa  boreal  is  makes  a  carpet  of  growth. 
Probably  in  the  time  of  the  Primrose  V\  i.sley  is 
most  interesting  ;  but  in  summer,  when  the 
Lilies  are  in  beauty  and  Kiempfer's  Irises 
lift  their  flowers  above  the  lush  margin  by 
lake  and  pond,  this  is  a  pleasant  garden,  with 
lessons  in  every  Ferny  way  to  those  willing  to 
heed  them.  The  Wisley  Garden  is  not  a  garden 
in  which  things  have  been  planted  for  the  sake 
of  creating  a  mere  collection.  The  late  Mr. 
Wilson  studied  the  desires  of  everything  in  the 
garden,  and  only  in  this  way  has  so  great  a 
success  been  assured  with  things  difiioult  to 
please. 

The  council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  has  lost  no  time  in  beginning  the 
work  which  is  to  be  carried  on  in  the  future. 
A  house  is  in  course  of  erection  for  the  superin- 
tendent, Mr.  S.  T.  Wright,  with  a  committee 
room  attached  ;  large  glass  houses,  with  propa- 
gating pits,  and  the  necessary  erections  for 
growing  Figs,  Vines,  &c.,  which  was  so  well  done 
at  Chiswiok,  are  almost  complete,  the  work 
having  been  entrusted  to  Messrs.  Richardson 
and  Co.,  the  well-known  horticultural  builders 
of  Darlington,  and  preparations  are  being  made 
for  trials  of  flowers  and  vegetables.  A  small 
trial  of  Pansies  is  very  interesting,  and  we 
hope  one  on  a  large  scale  may  be  made  next 
year  to  test  the  true  worth  of  the  many  varie- 
ties that  have  been  raised  of  recent  years. 

This  new  garden  of  the  society  will  not  be 
conijileted  for  its  trials  of  fruits,  vegetables, 
and  flowers  in  a  day.  The  plants  in  the  wild 
garden  will  sutt'er  unless  they  receive  the  same 
loving  care  as  in  the  time  of  the  late  Mr. 
Wilson,  and  many  acres  must  be  tilled  and  the 
glass  houses  in  working  order  before  there  can 
be  much  proctical  result.  The  danger  in  these 
days  of  hurry  and  bustle  is  a  want  of  thorough- 
ness in  our  undertakings.  The  council  should 
see  to  it  that  this  does  not  happen  at  Wisley. 


Molyneux  sent  show.-!  well  what  grand  varieties 
may  now  be  had.  The  beauliful  yellow  Lupin 
Somerset,  Aiichusa  italica  superba  (a"  lovely  blue), 
and  Iris  sanguinea,  of  blue-purple  colouring,  were 
also  sent. 


Three  Late  Apples. 
From  Virginia  Rectory,  Virginia,  Ireland,  the 
Rev.  Denis  Knox  writes:  "This  has  been  such  a 
very  fcanty  Apple  season  generally  that  I  think  it 
may  interest  you  to  have  tor  your  table  a  sample  of 
three  kinds,  vi?...  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Hanwell 
Souring,  and  Old  Northern  Greening,  to  see  how 
well  they  have  kept.  I  have  still  a  fair  share  of 
them." 


THE  EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


w 


Mr.  Amos  Perry,  AVinchmore  Hill,  London,  sends 
a  few  very  choice  hardy  fiowers,  among  them  the 
Inulas  I.  glandulosa  and  Oculis  Christi,  with 
their  bold  fringed  flowers  of  deep  yellow  and 
orange.  There  are  few  nobler  plants  for  the  border 
and  rougher  parts  of  the  garden  than  these — 
plants  of  commanding  height  and  with  flowers  of 
mtense  colouring.  The  pretty  little  Phlox  ovata 
reminds  us  of  the  charm  of  this  race,  and  a  more 
beautiful  blue  than  Perry's  variety  of  P.  canadensis 
we  have  not  seen.  It  is  clear  and  fresh,  and  just 
the  plant  to  mass  in  the  rock  garden.  New  varieties 
of  Papaver  orientale  are  springing  up  wholesale. 
Some  are  good  and  others  poor  ;  but  of  the  former 
is  Carminea,  of  which  Mr.  Perry  sends  flowers. 
The  clear  carmine  colour  is  free  from  any  purple 
tinge  ;  it  is  a  grand  colour  in  the  garden.  We 
were  glad  to  see  Iris  douglasiana  ;  it  is  a  flower  of 
quiet  beauty  and  soft  yellow  shade,  almost  white, 
delicately  veined  with  purple,  the  whole  plant  of 
graceful  growth. 


Hardy  Azalea  Flowers  from  Melrose. 
Miss  Curie,  St.  Cuthbert's,  Melrose,  N.B.,  sends 
a  basketful  of  flowers  of  the  hardy  Azalea,  in  which 
is  shown  the  wonderful  variety  of  colours  that 
distinguish  this  brilliant  group,  and  in  a  note  is 
the  following  interesting  information:  "None  of 
the  bushes  can  be  less  than  forty-four  years  old, 
and  they  may  be  more  aged  still.  Nothing  has 
been  done  to  them  for  years.  In  many  cases  the 
stock  had  come  up  and  threatened  to  destroy  the 
bush.  The  apricot  colour  is  very  fine,  and  the 
bush  has  been  a  mass  of  flowers." 


E  invite  our  readers  to  send  us 
anything  of  special  beauty  and 
interest  for  our  table,  as  by 
this  means  many  rare  and  in- 
teresting plants  become  more 
widely  known.  We  hope,  too, 
that  a  short  cultural  note  will  accompany  the 
flower  so  as  to  make  a  notice  of  it  more 
instructive  to  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  it. 
We  welcome  anything  from  the  garden, 
whether  fruit,  tree,  shrub.  Orchid,  or  hardy 
flower,  and  they  should  be  addressed  to  The 
Editor,  3,  Southampton  Street,  Strand,  London. 

Oriental  Poppies. 
From  Swanmore  Park  Gardens,  Bishop's  Walt- 
ham,  Mr.  E.  Molyneux  sends  a  beautiful  gathering 
of  Poppies.  The  blooms  are  large,  and  some  of 
them  of  really  gorgeous  colouring.  Perhaps  most 
vivid  of  all  is  Royal  Scarlet,  rich  scarlet,  very 
handsome  ;  Blush  Queen  is  rosy  blush  ;  Orientale, 
rich  scarlet  ;  Semi-duplex,  a  very  large  full  flower, 
scarlet-red;  Prince  of  Orange,  of  unusual  colouring, 
a  mixture  of  orange  and  apricot ;  Salmon  (^)ueen, 
red,  tinged  throughout  with  salmon  ;  Beauty  of 
Livermere,  deep  red  ;  Brightness,  vermilion  ;  Duke 
of  Teck,  very  large,  bright  red ;  Mrs.  Marsh, 
orange  scarlet,  striped  with  white  ;  W.  A.  Chilley, 
pale  blush  pink  :  Dahomey,  deep  ruby  red  ;  ]3rac- 
teatum,  deep  cherry  red.  For  rich  colouring  and 
bold  ett'ect  in  the  garden  at  this  time  these  Poppies 
are   most  valuable,  and  such  a  collection  as  Mr. 


AeUTILON    VITIFOLin.M. 

A  gathering  of  this  lovely  flower  comes  from 
Messrs.  E.  HiUier  and  Sons,  of  Winchester.  There 
is  nothing  more  perfect  in  the  whole  of  the  flower 
world  than  the  soft  lilac  colouring  of  this  Abutilon. 
Messrs.  Hillier  write  :  "  We  enclose  a  bunch  of 
flowers  of  A.  vitifolium,  which  grows  here  350  feet 
above  the  sea  level  on  a  chalk  hill.  The  bush, 
which  is  about  8  feet  high,  was  planted  out  as  a 
seedling  about  four  years  ago,  and  is  now  a  glorious 
sight.     It  has  not  received  protection  from  frost." 

SiKKiM  Cowslips  axd  other  Flowers. 

Writing  from  Duns,  Berwickshire,  "  H.  M.  B." 
says  :  "  I  am  venturing  to  send  a  few  flowers  for 
your  table.  The  Amethyst  Hyacinths  are,  I  fancy, 
somewhat  neglected  bulbs,  as  one  does  not  see 
them  often,  and  yet  they  are  quite  unique  in  colour 
at  this  time  of  year.  The  Sikkim  Cowslips  are  all 
picked  from  self-sown  plants,  and  grow  very  freely 
here,  as  also  does  the  Ourisia.  The  latter  ripens  a 
great  deal  of  seed  every  summer,  but  it  will  not 
germinate.  Perhaps  you  would  kindly  advise  me 
on  this  point.  I  should  like  to  naturalise  the 
Ourisia  in  a  moist  wood." 

[Will  someone  who  has  succeeded  in  germinating 
seed  of  Ourisia  kindly  help  our  correspondent. — 
Ed.] 

Oriental  Poppies. 

From  Woodbridge  Mr.  Notcutt  sends  flowers  of 
three  varieties  of  Papaver  orientale,  viz.,  R.  C. 
Notcutt,  rich  salmon-pink,  very  beautiful  ;  Bobs, 
a  good   deal   similar,   but    its   salmon-pink   petals 


June  25,   1904. 


THE    GARDEN. 


445 


marked  with  large  black  blotches  ;  and  Lady 
Roscoe,  a  very  handsome  flower,  and  perhaps  best 
described  as  salmon-scarlet. 


NOTES   OF    THE   WEEK. 


FORTHCOMING  EVENTS. 

June  27.— Isle  of  Wight  (Ryde)  Show. 

June  28. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Drill 
Hall  Meeting  ;  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent  Insti- 
tution, Annual  Dinner,  Hotel  Metropole,  H.  J. 
Veitch,  Eiq.,  in  the  chair,  7  p.m. 

June  29. — Chippenham  and  Farningham  Rose 
Shows  ;  Richmond  Horticultural  Show. 

July  2. — Sutton  (Surrey)  Rose  Show. 

July  6. — National  Rose  Society's  Temple  Show; 
Southampton  (two  days),  Croydon,  Hereford, 
Eiling,  and  Hanley  (two  days)  Horticultural  Shows ; 
Ipswich  Summer  Show  ;  Royal  Botanic  Society's 
Show  ;  Beokenham  Horticultural  Society's  Show. 

July  7. — Norwich  Horticultural  Show  ;  Chipping 
Norton  and  Walton-on-Thames  Rose  Shows. 

July  9. — Windsor  and  Eton,  Warminster,  and 
Gloucester  Rose  Shows. 

July  12. — Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Holland 
House  Show  (two  days)  ;  Wolverhampton  Floral 
Fete  (three  days). 

July  13. — Formby,  Reading,  Stevenage,  Thorn- 
ton Heath,  and  Harrow  Rose  Shows  ;  Nottingham- 
shire Horticultural  and  Botanic  Society's  Show 
(two  days). 

July  14. — Weybridge  Flower  Show  ;  Highgate 
Horticultural  Society's  Show ;  Bath,  Eltham, 
Helensburgh,  and  Woodbridge  Rose  Shows  ;  Ports- 
mouth Rose  Show  (two  days). 

July  15. — Gresford  and  Ulverstone  Rose  Shows. 

July  16. — Manchester  Rose  Show. 

July  19. — Saltaire  and  Tibshelf  Rose  Shows. 

July  20. — National  Sweet  Pea  Society's  Show  at 
Crystal  Palace  (two  days). 

Jaly  21. — Halifax  Rose  Show  ;  National  Carna- 
tion and  Picotee  Sooiety'.s  (Southern  Section)  Show. 

July  22. — Handsworth  Horticultural  Society's 
Floral  Fele  (two  days). 

July  27. — Newcastle-upon-Tyne  Summer  Flower 
Show  (three  days)  ;  Cardiff  Summer  Show  (two 
days). 


Royal  Hoptieultural  Society- 
Examination   in    hoptieultupe.  —  The 

annual  examination  in  the  principles  and  practice 
of  horticulture  was  held  on  April  20,  1904,  when 
190  papers  were  sent  in.  Three  hundred  marks 
were  allotted  as  a  maximum,  all  candidates  who 
obtained  250  marks  and  upwards  being  placed  in 
the  first  class.  The  total  number  of  these  was  ,35, 
or  about  18  3  per  cent,  of  the  whole.  Those  who 
secured  200  marks  and  less  than  250  were  placed 
in  the  second  class.  Their  number  was  93,  or 
about  49  2  per  cent.  Those  who  obtained  100 
marks  and  upwards  were  placed  in  the  third  class, 
their  number  being  62,  or  about  324  per  cent. 
There  has  been  a  slight  decrease  in  the  number  of 
candidates,  as  198  offered  themselves  in  1903,  and 
229  in  1902.  This  is  probably  the  result  of  a  some- 
what more  advanced  syllabus.  There  has,  however, 
been  a  considerable  advance  in  the  quality  of  the 
papers,  as  fhown  by  the  percentages  ;  for  in  1903 
the  first  class  was  only  7  6  per  cent.,  the  second 
class  31 '3  per  cent.,  and  the  third  class  about 
56  per  cent.  Year  by  year  the  students  exhibit  a 
better  knowledge  of  practical  horticulture,  nearly 
all  the  questions  bearing  upon  the  culture  of  fruit 
trees  and  vegetables  being  this  year  well  answered. 
Most  of  the  candidates  have  also  a  good  knowledge 
of  artificial  manures  and  their  application  to  the 
crops  in  the  kitchen  and  fruit  garden.  The  ques- 
tion referring  to  conservatory  decoration  was  not 
very  well  treated.  Many  of  the  candidates  could 
name  only  a  few  of  quite  the  commoner  plants,  and 
could  give  but  meagre  directions  for  culture.  It 
may  also  be  well  to  again  urge  candidates  to  keep 
as  closely  as  possible  to  the  terms  of  the  questions; 
.in  many  instances  much  unnecessary  labour  was 
bestowed  and  time  wasted  on  the  first  and  second 
■questions  answered,  leaving  not  nearly  enough  for 


the  third  and  fourth.  Some  of  the  candidates 
answered  three  only  of  the  four  questions  they 
ought  to  have  answered,  whereas  it  they  had 
apportioned  the  time  necessary  for  each  question 
they  might  easily  have  answered  all  four.  The 
medallist  is  F.  M.  Verrall,  Sunnyside,  College 
Road,  Harrow,  who  gained  280  marks.  Next 
came  the  following  five,  each  with  275  marks  :  I. 
Abercrombie,  Swaniey  College  ;  E.  Colson,  Lady 
Warwick  College,  Studley  ;  A.  B.  Evans,  Barn- 
wood,  Gloucester  ;  G.  H.  Fotheringham,  Swaniey 
College  ;  and  V.  V.  de  Steenwjk,  Swaniey  College. 

New  Fellows  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society.— At  the  general  meeting 
of  Fellows  held  on  the  14th  inst.  257  candi- 
dates were  elected.  These  included  the  Dowager 
Duchess  of  Argyll,  the  Earl  of  Desart,  K.C.B. ,  the 
Earl  of  Lindsay,  the  Earl  of  Tankerville,  the  Earl 
of  Essex,  the  Countess  of  Lalhom,  the  Countess 
de  Grey,  the  Baroness  Campbell,  Lord  Dormer, 
Lord  Saltoun,  Viscount  Cross,  Lord  and  Lady 
St.  Oswalds,  Lady  de  Ros,  Lady  Campbell- 
Orde,  Sir  Homewood  Crawford,  Sir  W.  Lee 
Warner,  Sir  G.  J.  Armytage,  Bart.,  Lady  Battle 


but  the  flowers  of  the  one  are  much  finer  than  those 
of  the  other.  They  are  of  much  more  intense 
colouring,  quite  orange-red  instead  of  deep  yellow. 
This  Lily  makes  a  brilliant  display  in  the  garden 
now,  and  it  grows  so  easily  and  flowers  so  freely 
that  it  is  especially  well  suited  to  the  town  garden. 
It  needs  no  special  treatment,  and  does  splendidly 
in  ordinary  border  soil.  It  appears  to  me  to  do 
best  when  in  a  position  where  it  is  exposed  to  the 
sun  throughout  the  morning,  and  after  then  is  in 
shade.  Lilium  Hansoni,  too,  is  a  Lily  that  I  find  to 
grow  easily  under  similar  conditions.  Its  drooping 
rich  yellow  flowers  are  very  attractive  now. — 
A.  H.  P. 

Double    yellow    Primroses.  -~  I   am 

afraid  your  correspondent  "  R.  D."  does  not  know 
all  that  there  is  to  know  about  these  things.  There 
are  three  distinct  forms — Early  Sulphur,  Cloth  of 
Gold,  and  Late  Yellow.  The  first  usually  floweri 
freely  in  the  autumn  and  more  or  less  through  thi5 
winter,  and  is  over  early  in  spring.  Cloth  of  Gold 
then  takes  up  the  running;  it  has  the  largest  leaves 
and  flowers  of  the  three,  but  is  quite  over  when 
Late  Yellow  begins.     Even  now  (the  15th  inst. 


ONE    USE    OF    A   rLOWERI.N'G    CLI.MIiER— LIGHTLl"    TRAINED    ACROSS    WINDOW. 


Wrightson,  Sir  C.  Gibbons,  B.irt. ,  Sir  G.  A. 
Pilkington,  Sir  R.  G.  Hervey,  Bart.,  L\dy  M. 
Estcourt,  General  Sir  R.  Harrison,  Sir  E.  Lees, 
Hon.  Lady  Ingilby,  Hon.  Mr.  Justice  Kennedy, 
Lady  Renshaw,  Sir  Liiidsey  Wood,  and  Sir  E.  G. 
•Jenkinson.  The  next  show  of  this  society  will 
take  place  on  Tuesday  next,  and  will  be  the 
last  to  be  held  in  the  Drill  Hall,  as  the  Holland 
House  show  will  follow  on  .July  •  12  and  13, 
and  after  that  the  society's  New  Exhibition  Hall 
will  be  ready  for  occupation.  When  one  looks 
hack  over  the  shows  that  have  been  held  at  the 
Drill  Hall  for  the  last  seventeen  years  and  sees  the 
progress  made  both  by  horticulture  itself  and  by- 
its  representative  society,  now  celebrating  its 
centenary  year,  one  takes  heart  for  the  possi- 
bilities of  still  greater  expansion  in  the  near  future. 

Lilium   davuricum   grandiflorum. 

What  an  improvement  this  is  upon  the  type.  I 
am  sure  that  anj'one  having  once  grown  the  variety 
grandiflorum  would  never  care  to  go  back  to  the 
species  ;  in  the  former  the  flowers  are  larger,  and 
if  one  gets  the  best  form  they  are  more  red  than 
yellow,  while  the  plant  is  altogether  more  vigorous. 
I  have  two  plants,  each  sent  to  me  as  grandiflorum, 


this  ha^^  still  a  good  sprinkling  of  flowers.  Years 
ago  a  Mr.  Lamb  of  Lisburn  used  to  otfer  four  double 
yellow  Primroses — Sulphur,  Late  Yellow,  Giant, 
and  Giantess  ;  then  all  at  once  a  London  nursery- 
man hailing  from  somewhere  about  Forest  Hill 
showed  a  panful  under  the  name  of  Cloth  of  Gold. 
1  never  could  see  any  difference  between  Giant  and 
Giantess  or  between  them  and  Cloth  of  Gold. — 
T.  Sjuth,  X'iivry. 

Gloxinera   Brilliant.— Among  the 

Gloxinias  exhibited  by  Messrs.  .James  Veitch  and 
Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  at  the  Drill  Hall  last  week 
was  the  above  plant,  which  is  the  result  of  a  cross 
between  Gloxinia  and  Gesnera.  Intermediate 
characters  are  to  be  seen  in  the  semi-pendent 
flowers  (in  Gloxinia  they  are  erect  and  in  Gesnera 
drooping),  while  the  lowest  lobe  is  enlarged;  in 
fact,  the  lower  half  of  the  bloom  is  broader  than 
the  upper,  and  so  makes  it  appear  to  have  almost 
a  lip.  The  colouring  of  this  new  hybrid  is  rich 
scarlet,  shading  to  rose  at  the  edges.  The  base  of 
the  throat  is  white,  dotted  with  purple ;  the 
leaves  are  rounder  and  stitfer  than  those  of  the 
Gloxinia.  The  flowers  are  produced  freely, 
although  they  are  more  loosely  disposed,  and  do 


446 


THE    GARDEN. 


■.Tune  25,  1904. 


not  make  such  a  compact  head  as  those  of  the 
Gloxinia.  Whether  this  Gloxinera  will  prove 
valuable  remains  to  be  seen.  In  general  appear- 
ance, however,  it  reminds  one  a  good  deal  of  the 
old  tvpe  of  Gloxinia. — H.  A.  P. 

Seedling-  Daffodils.— I  dare  say  you  will 
tliink  lam  somewhat  late  in  thanking  "  Hortensis" 
for  bis  kind  and  well-meant  advice  on  page  370, 
bat  really,  to  my  mind  at  least,  he  had  at  the 
s.ime  time  raised  such  debatable  matter  that  I  felt 
somewhat  diffident  in  replying,  and  that  I  ought  to 
wait  and  see  what  more  experienced  persons  might 
say.  I  note  Mr.  Engleheart's  remarks  thereon 
(page  417),  and  I  quite  agree  with  them.  I  may 
say  that  I  am  indebted  to  that  gentleman  for 
valuable  cultural  advice,  which  has  helped  me  not 
a  little  ;  but  I  do  wish  I  knew  of  some  method 
whereby  I  could  increase  my  stock  of  bulbs  more 
rapidly.  I  am  under  the  impression,  and,  indeed, 
I  think  I  have  read,  that  the  bulb  growers  to  the 
trade  have  some  mode  of  quick  increase.  I  wonder 
what  it  is,  and  if  it  could  he  applied  to  Daifodils. — 
John  W.  Gaunt,  Bramlet/. 

Pears  and  stone  fruit  dropping.— 

After  such  a  splendid  promise  of  a  few  weeks  ago 
it  is  distressing  to  see  the  wholesale  dropping  of 
fruit,  such  as  Cherries  and  Plums;  indeed.  Pears 
could  be  included,  as  these  in  some  cases  have 
totally  failed.  They  blossomed  early,  and  on  a 
warm  wall  there  is  a  fair  crop.  Others  which  are 
later,  and  on  this  account  doubly  valuable,  have 
lost  all,  or  nearly  all,  their  fruits.  Doubtless  this 
was  caused  by  imperfect  setting.  In  our  case  we 
had  little  frost,  but  severe  east  winds  prevailed, 
and  the  latter,  I  fear,  did  much  mischief.  Pears 
for  two  seasons  were  so  poor  that  this  year  one 
did  expect  better  things.  Trees  in  the  open  are 
almost  barren.  A  few  here  and  there  may  be  seen, 
but  nothing  like  an  average  crop.  Cherries  are  in 
a  worse  condition  than  I  have  seen  them  for  ten 
years.  The  fruits  dropped  wholesale  when  less 
than  half  grown,  and  upon  examination  they  were 
not  properly  formed.  Plums  are  in  a  similar  state. 
These  are  very  scarce,  but  this  I  note  is  not  general. 
Only  a  short  distance  away  I  have  some  kitchen 
varieties  with  about  half  a  crop,  but  on  walls  the 
failure  is  almost  complete.  Apples  which  promised 
so  well  are  nothing  like  so  plentiful — at  least, 
some  varieties  are  very  scarce,  but  I  am  glad  to 
say  some  of  the  best  kinds  are  not  in  such  a  plight. 
—  G.  VVythes. 
A     new    hybrid     Iris.  —  Mr.    Joseph 

MiUender,  the  head  gardener  at  Hodsock  Priory, 
Worksop,  Notts,  has  raised  a  beautiful  hybrid  Iris, 
which  it  is  probable  will  make  a  good  garden 
flower.  Its  parents  are  Iris  longipetala  and  I. 
sibirica,  so  that  there  should  be  little  difficulty  in 
cultivating  it  in  anj'  part  of  the  British  Isles. 
Mr.  Mallender  kindly  sent  me  a  plant  some  time 
ago,  but,  as  it  has  not  yet  bloomed  with  me,  he 
has  supplemented  it  by  sending  some  cut  blooms. 
These  are  most  pleasing,  with  pretty  light  blue 
standards  and  long,  drooping,  pale  lilac  falls  veined 
with  a  deeper  colour.  The  foliage  is  rather  broader 
than  that  of  Iris  sibirica,  and  the  whole  plant 
reminds  one  more  of  I.  longipetala  than  of  I. 
sibirica.  The  splendid  series  of  hybrid  Irises 
raised  by  Mr.  G.  C.  Van  Tubergen,  together  with 
the  hybrid  alpine  Irises  of  Mr.  Caparn,  will 
probably  draw  increased  attention  to  the  hybri- 
dising of  the  Iris,  although  in  this  connexion  the 
work  of  Mr.  George  Yeld  of  York  and  others  must 
not  be  forgotten. — S.  Aknott,  Carsefhom.,  In/ 
D  inn  fries,  N.B. 

British  Gardeners'  Association.— 

The  forms  of  application  for  membership  of  this 
association  decided  upon  by  the  commitee  of  selec- 
tion are  now  ready,  and  can  be  obtained  on  appli- 
cition  to  the  hon.  secretary  (pro.  fein.),  Mr.  W. 
Watson,  Kew  Road,  Kew.  Contributions  towards 
the  required  £2,50  will  be  welcomed.  The  qualifi- 
cation for  membership  is  as  follows  :  1.  To  be  not 
less  than  twenty  years  of  age  ;  2.  If  less  than 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  to  have  had  at  least  five 
years'  training  in  good  private,  public,  or  com- 
mercial establishments  ;  3.  If  more  than  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  to  have  had  at  least  seven 
consecutive  years'  professional  experience  ;  i.  To 
be   able   to   produce  satisfactory   testimony  as  to 


general  character.  Candidates  must  obtain  from 
the  secretary  a  form  of  application,  which,  when 
filled  up,  should  be  returned  to  him.  If  the 
committee  of  selection  are  satisfied  that  the 
candidate  is  qualified  for  membership,  they  will 
instruct  the  secretary  to  forward  him  a  certificate. 
The  certificate  will  be  renewed  annually  on  receipt 
of  subscription.  The  charge  for  registration  and 
certificate  will  be  2j.  6d.,  and  the  annual  subscrip- 
tion 23.  (ji.  These  two  sums  should  be  forwarded 
to  the  secretary  together  with  the  form  of  applica- 
tion. Proof  of  membership  will  be  the  possession 
of  the  association's  certificate  for  the  current  year. 

Decadence  of  Pine-apple  culture. 

If  any  proof  of  the  fact  that  Pine-apple  culture  in 
this  countr3'  is  a  thing  of  the  past  were  needed  it 
was  forthcoming  at  the  recent  horticultural  exhi- 
bition at  York.  In  the  schedule  of  the  show  one 
class  was  devoted  to  the  Pine-apple,  and  prizes 
were  offered  for  the  best  fruits.  Only  one  com- 
petitor entered  the  lists,  and  his  fruit  was  such  a 
miserable  specimen  that  the  judges  decided  not  to 
award  it  a  prize.  It  was,  indeed,  a  poor  fruit,  and 
the  judges  did  quite  right  in  passing  it  over  as 
unworthy  of  recognition.  The  reason  that  practi- 
cally no  one  at  home  grows  the  Pine-apple  now  is, 
I  suppose,  because  of  the  cheapness  and  fair  flavour 
of  imported  fruits.  It  is  a  pity  that  this  should 
be  so,  for  there  is  no  comparison  between  a  home- 
grown Pine-apple  and  an  imported  one.  It  seems 
hardly  worth  while  to  devote  a  class  to  this  fruit 
now  in  horticultural  societies'  schedules,  for  there 
is  rarel}',  if  ever,  any  competition,  and  often  the 
first  prize  fruits  are  not  good  specimens  of  culture, 
as  growers  of  ten  years  ago  would  have  judged 
them.— H.  P   A. 

Alexandra   Park,   Windsor.  —  That 

portion  of  Windsor  which   borders  on  the  river  has 
recently  been   greatly  improved,  and   among   the 
improvements  effected  is  the  transformation  of  a 
meadow    into    a    public    park.       A    broad    walk 
separates  this  from  the  river  bank,  which  also  has 
been  attractively  laid  out.      Mr.   Charles  Turner 
of   Slough  did   most  of   the  planting  in    the  new 
park,  and  although  only  two  years  have  elapsed 
since  trees  and   shrubs  were  put  in,   the  park  is 
now  very  picturesque.     The  side  near  the  river  is 
the  most  attractive.     Extending  the  full  length  of 
the   park   there   is   a  bank  of   shrubs,  each   kind 
boldly   massed   and   not   indiscriminately   planted 
among  others.     Berberises,  Spiraeas,  and  numerous 
evergreens  were  made  use  of,  and  the  result,  even 
when  most  of  the  shrubs  are  out  of  flower,  is  very 
pleasing.     Because  there  is  a  large  group  of  each 
even    the   various    tints    of    green    appear    quite 
distinct,  and  one  sees  the  best  results  that  ever- 
green trees  and  shrubs  are  capable  of  producing. 
When  closely  and  indiscriminately  commingled  the 
shades  of  green,  that  often  vary  but  slightly  from 
each  other,  lose  their  individuality,  and  combine 
to  make  an  inharmonious  whole.     Happily,  how- 
ever, this  is  not  the  case  at  Windsor.     Among  the 
great  variety  of  green-leaved  shrubs  there  are  also 
masses  of  red-brown   Berberis  and  golden  Elders, 
which   add   still   further   variety   and   a   welcome 
touch  of  colour  to  this  bordering  of  hardy  shrubs. 
The  margin  of  Pinks  is  delightful ;  we  have  rarely 
seen   them   flower   more   freely.     The   air   in    the 
vicinity  is  redolent  with  their  perfume,  and   the 
passer-by    is    irresistibly    attracted,    ouly   to    be 
charmed  more  than  ever  by  their  wealth  of  beau- 
tiful flowers.- A.  H.  P. 

Report    of    the    Botanic    Garden 
Syndicate   (Cambridge).  —  During   the 

year  1!J03  1,1.30  plants,  S6S  bulbs,  and  3,200 
packets  of  seeds  have  been  received,  while  1,431 
plants  and  2,279  packets  of  seeds  have  been  dis- 
tributed. Among  the  more  interesting  plants  that 
have  been  received  are  Cotoneaster  vulgaris  ;  from 
a  plant  taken  from  the  Great  Orme's  Head,  .Saxi- 
fraga  Grisebachi,  a  new  and  valuable  addition  to 
the  genus  ;  Decaisnea  Fargesii,  a  remarkable  new 
Berberid  from  China,  showing  connexion  between 
the  Chinese  flora  and  that  of  the  Himalayas  ;  the 
variety  of  the  Grape  Vine  which  produces  the 
Sultana  Raisin,  obtained  from  the  Botanic  Garden 
at  Athens  ;  Senecio  albescens,  the  interesting  spon- 
taneous hybrid  between  the  garden  SenecioCineraria 
and  the  wild  S.   Jacobiei ;  Eucommia  ulmoides,  a 


hardy  Chinese  tree  of  the  order  Magnoliacese, 
which  yields  a  large  amount  of  caoutchouc-like  sub- 
stance ;  Ocimura  viride,  a  Labiate  of  Tropical 
Africa,  once  supposed  to  be  efficacious  in  warding 
off  mosquitos  ;  Adenostemma  viscosum,  a  tropical 
Composite  with  a  pappus  of  glandular  bristles  by 
means  of  which  the  achenes  are  distributed : 
Drosera  gigantea,  raised  from  Australian  seed  % 
Sedum  Stahli,  a  new  species  :  Bartholina  pectinata, 
a  remarkable  Cape  plant,  the  ".Spider  Orchid''  of 
the  colonists  (now  about  to  flower)  ;  Loranlhus 
europ:eus,  the  one  European  species  of  this  large 
genus  of  Tropical  parasites  recently  introduced 
into  this  country  ;  various  Succulents  brought  from 
South  Africa  bj'  Mr.  R.  M.  Lewis,  of  Downing 
College.  British  plants  have  received,  as  usual,  a 
large  amount  of  attention.  Considerable  assistance, 
in  material,  has  been  aflbrded  to  Mr.  E.  W.  Hunny- 
bun,  whose  drawings,  referred  to  in  a  previous 
report,  are  of  great  value.  From  him  has  been 
received  Bromus  Thorainii,  found  in  Jersey  and 
new  to  the  British  flora.  Mr.  A.  Hosking,  foreman 
of  the  outdoor  department,  has  collected  various 
plants  of  interest,  both  in  the  neighbourhood  and 
in  Cornwall.  The  curator  has  rediscovered  Sedum 
dasyphj'Uum,  and  has  made  an  addition  to  the 
known  flora  of  the  county,  and  apparently  to  that 
of  the  country,  by  finding  Heliantbemum  vulgare 
var.  hirsutum,  Koch. 

Insect    pests    on  fruit   trees.— The 

fruit  grower's  lot  during  the  past  few  weeks  haa 
been  an  anxious  one.  Aphides  and  caterpillars 
have  been  busy.  It  is  useless  to  dwell  on  these 
troubles,  but  so  far  as  I  can  remember  I  have  never 
seen  such  swarms  before,  and  strong  measures  are 
needed  almost  daily  to  keep  the  pests  down.  For- 
tunately, in  The  Garden  (page  417)  this  subject  is 
ably  treated,  and  at  a  time  when  the  advice  will  be 
most  valuable.  Our  greatest  difficulty  is  with 
Cherries  and  Peaches.  With  the  former  one  is 
naturally  afraid  to  use  an  insecticide  too  strong.  I 
notice  that  aphides  increase  more  quickly  when 
the  trees  are  in  light  soil  and  on  walls.  We  use 
quassia  extract  freely,  but  this  cannot  be  used 
when  the  fruits  are  colouring.  There  are  other 
valuable  aids.  Bentley's  Meotine  Soap  is  a  valuable 
preparation.  Though  not  often  advised  for  black 
fly,  it  is  a  sure  exterminator,  and  will,  I  think,  be 
more  valuable  than  quassia.  It  is  for  clearing 
away  scale  and  thrips,  and  quite  safe  if  used  as 
recommended. — G.  W.   S. 

Fruit    Industry    Committee.  —  The 

Departmental  Committee  appointed  by  Lord 
Onslow  to  enquire  into  and  report  upon  the  fruil> 
industry  of  Great  Britain  held  sittings  on  the  loth, 
16th,  and  17th  inst.  The  following  members  were 
present :  Mr.  A.  S.  T.  Griffith-Boscawen,  M.P. 
(chairman).  Colonel  Long,  M.P.,  Mr.  C.  W.  Rad- 
cliffe-Cooke,  Mr.  Monro,  Mr.  Vinson,  Dr.  Sonier- 
ville,  Mr.  P.  Spencer  Pickering,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  the 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Mr.  Ernest  tJarnsey  (secretary). 
The  following  witnesses  gave  evidence  :  Mr.  J.  E. 
Hennell,  representing  the  Great  Western  Railway  ; 
Mr.  G.  Monro,  of  Covent  Garden,  a  member  of  the 
committee  ;  Mr.  J.  W.  Dennis,  a  fruit  broker  of 
Covent  Garden  ;  Mr.  G.  W.  Meats,  jun.,  the 
auctioneer  at  the  Hereford  Corporation  Wholesale 
Fruit  Market ;  Mr.  J.  T.  Sheppard,  a  grower  from 
Holt,  North  Wales  ;  Mr.  George  Langridge,  of 
Tunbridge  Wells,  representing  the  Surveyors'  In- 
stitute ;  and  Mr.  T.  W.  Cowan,  representing  the 
British  Bee-keepers'  Association.  The  comuiittee 
visited,  on  the  14th  inst.,  some  of  the  principal 
fruit  plantations  and  the  Horticultural  College  at 
Swanley. 

Councillor  Mackenzie.- At  an  informal 

meeting  of  Edinburgh  Town  Council,  held  after 
the  ordinary  meeting  on  the  14th  inst.,  it  was 
agreed  to  invite  Mr.  Mackenzie  to  dinner  on 
.July  12  and  to  present  him  with  an  illuminated 
address  in  recognition  of  his  services  to  the  City  of 
Edinburgh.  Mr.  Mackenzie  is  the  head  of  Messrs. 
Mackenzie  and  Moncur,  Limited,  the  well-known 
horticultural  builders  and  engineers,  and  is 
retiring  from  the  Town  Council  on  account  of  the 
absorption  by  Messrs.  Mackenzie  and  Moncur  of 
another  business  which  has  contracts  with  the  Cor- 
poration. He  will  be  greatly  missed  in  the, Council, 
and  particularly  by  the  Electric  Lighting  Committee. 


JlJDJE  25,  19U4.J 


THE  GARDEN 


447 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


LYCIUM    PALLIDUM. 

RAEE  and  interesting,  this  shrub  is  now 
flowering  profusely  in  the  Kew  Ar- 
boretum. It  is  the  handsomest  and 
most  striking  of  all  the  cultivated 
■>  Lyciums,  so  far  as  its  flowers  are 
concerned;  but, of  course,  the  better 
known  species,  whilst  being  pretty  when  in 
flower,  are  chiefly  noteworthy  for  their  beauty 
when  in  fruit.  L.  pallidum,  although  a  native 
of  the  hot  south-western  United  States — New 
Mexico,  Utah,  Arizona,  &c. — is  still  perfectly 
hardy  at  Kew.  It  is  a  shrub  of  loose  habit, 
bearing  small  glaucous  leaves,  oblanceolate  in 
form,  and  about  2  inches  long.  The  flowers  hang 
thickly,  but  gracefully,  all  along  the  underside 
of  the  branches.  They  are  each  about  1  inch 
in  length,  the  corolla  being  bell-shaped,  with 
five  expanding  lobes.  The  colour  is  an  unusual 
one  in  flowers  and  not  easy  to  describe  exactly  ; 
it  is,  however,  a  pale  green,  veined  with  darker 
coloured  lines  and  tinged  with  purple.  Its 
fruits  are  half  an  inch  long  and  bright  red,  and 
the  shrub,  like  other  Lyciums,  is,  no  doubt, 
handsome  when  it  is  carrying  them.  At  Kew, 
however,  it  has  never  borne  any.  Although 
exceedingly  rare  at  present,  the  species  will 
doubtless  become  more  plentiful  soon.  Seeds 
of  it  have  been  offered  by  Mr.  Hesse,  of  Weener, 
in  Hanover,  in  his  recent  catalogues. 

W.  J.  B. 


SPIRJEA    BEAUTEATA. 

It  is  not  every  year  that  one  sees  this  Spircea 
at  its  best,  for,  like  several  other  beautiful 
species,  it  is  very  susceptible  to  late  frosts. 
This  season,  however,  it  is  magnificent ;  it  is 
several  years  since  it  has  been  so  fine.  The 
species  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  appears  to 
have  first  been  introduced  to  Europe  by  Siebold, 
and  to  have  been  distributed  from  his  Leyden 
Nursery  in  1882.  It  is  still  one  of  the  little 
known  species  of  Spiraea,  but  if  there  were  any 
doubt  of  its  garden  value  it  would  be  dispelled 
by  a  visit  to  the  collection  of  Spiraeas  at  Kew 
(near  the  Pagoda),  where  a  group  of  it  is  now 
fully  in  flower.  So  thickly  are  the  trusses 
borne  that  the  shrubs  are  simply  masses  of 
white.  The  flowers,  each  three-eighths  of  an 
inch  across,  are  clustered  in  rounded  corymbs 
about  1|  inches  in  diameter.  The  shrubs  are 
3  feet  to  5  feet  high,  and  may  in  time  grow 
higher.  The  leaves  are  about  one  inch  long, 
broad  and  rounded,  with  a  few  teeth  at  the 
apex,  and  rich  green.  The  Spirseas  commence 
to  flower  in  early  spring,  and  one  or  other  of 
them  is  in  bloom  almost  till  the  frosts  come. 
S.  bracteata  is  useful  in  filling  up  the  period 
between  the  earlier  flowering  species,  like 
Thunbergi,  prunifolia,  arguta,  (fee,  and  the  late 
flowering  group  represented  by  S.  japonica, 
Bumalda,  salicifolia,  and  the  great  number  of 
garden  hybrids  that  have  been  obtained  from 
these  and  other  species.  W.  J.  B. 


ROSA  SERICEA. 

Among  the  earliest  flowering  of  the  true 
species  of  Rosa,  one  of  the  most  distinct 
and  interesting  is  this  from  the  temperate 
Himalaya.  A  bush  not  far  from  the  main 
entrance  to  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  Kew 
is  now,  and  has  been  for  some  weeks,  very 
beautifully  in  blossom.  It  is  about  9  feet 
high,  graceful  in  habit,  and  is  given  a  soft, 
somewhat  Fern-like  appearance  by  the  small 
size  of  its  leaflets,  combined  with  an  abundance 
of  foliage.    The  most  noteworthy  feature  of  the 


species,  however,  is  in  the  corolla,  consisting 
almost  always  of  but  four  petals,  and  thus 
having  somewhat  the  form  of  a  Maltese  cross. 
Occasionally,  towards  the  end  of  its  flowering 
time,  a  few  five-petalled  flowers  occur.  They 
are  of  a  lovely  creamy  white.  In  one  culti- 
vated form  of  this  Rose  the  young  shoots  are  of 
a  rich  red  colour.  There  used  to  be  an  idea 
that  the  species  required  the  protection  of  a 
wall ;  it  is,  however,  perfectly  hardy  in  the 
London  district.  In  these  days,  when  the  wild 
ty{)es  of  Rosa  are  acquiring  a  revived  popu- 
larity, R.  sericea  is  a  species  that  should  not 
be  overlooked.  W.  J.  Bean. 


HEDERA    FRUCTU    AURANTIACA, 

(The  Oeange-bbrkied  Ivy.) 

Of  the  many  and  striking  varieties  of  Ivy  I 


very  wet  soil  at  the  roots.  It  will  be  seen  that 
some  of  the  stems  carry  twin  flowers,  which  may  be 
frequently  found. 

There  were  numerous  groups  of  plants,  some 
better  than  the  above,  but  in  too  inaccessible 
places  to  photograph.  The  soft  spongy  sphagnum 
gives  under  the  feet  until  the  water  rises 
above  the  boot  tops.  There  the  flowers  were 
countless,  some  in  complete  shade,  with  an  almost 
white  labellum,  others  in  partial  shade,  while 
the  majority  were  in  full  sunlight  all  day,  the 
flowers  having  the  deepest  colour.  In  the  open 
spaces  the  flowers  were  so  numerous  that  they 
presented  a  mass  of  colour.  This,  with  the  other 
Cypripediums,  are  growing  scarcer,  being  hunted 
for  commercially  and  plucked  indiscriminately. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  scattered  plants  they 
are  not  to  be  found  within  fifty  miles  of  any  large 
town. 

In  the  same  bog  C.  pubesoens  was  in  flower  a  month 
later  than  when  found  in  its  usual  place  on  higher 
and  drier  ground.  There  were  also  numerous 
plants  of  Habenaria,  while  the  mossy  beds  were 


doubt  if  there  is  one  so  surprising  as  this  form 
when  fully  covered  with  its  brilliant  berries. 

Although  it  was  sent  out  about  twenty  years  carpeted  with  Pitcher  Plants  (Sarracenia  purpurea) 
ago  by  Messrs. 
Besson,  at  Nice,  it  is 
still  little  grown  in 
England,  perhaps  from 
some  want  of  know- 
ledge of  its  require- 
ments. Even  on  the 
sunny  shores  of  the 
Mediterranean  it 
withstands  the  heat 
and  drought  of 
summer  in  the  full 
sun,  and  does  not 
perfect  its  berries 
until  spring  ;  while 
the  ordinary  black- 
berried  Ivies  are  fully 
developed  and  ripe  in 
November,  even  when 
grown  in  deep  shade. 
So  this  orange-berried 
Ivy  demands  much 
more  sun  and  heat 
than  any  other  Ivy 
that  I  have  come 
across.  Its  growth 
and  foliage  are  parti- 
cularly slender  and 
elegant,  _  long  and 
pointed  in  leaf,  light 
green  in  colour,  with 
brown  veinings  and 
extra  slender    in    its 

twining  and  interlacing  stems.  At  Nice  it 
shows  to  greatest  advantage  tied  up  a  pole, 
when  it  fruits  freely,  and  in  March  makes 
a  brilliant  effect  when  the  Pyracantha  berries 
are  over.  In  England  I  believe  the  best 
way  of  growing  this  Ivy  would  be  in  pots  under 
glass,  or  in  a  cold  house  where  it  got  all  the 
sun.  It  fruits  very  freely  in  small  pots  at  Nice 
when  tied  up  to  a  neat  stick,  and  would  thus 
make  a  most  elegant  plant  for  a  window-box 
when  well  coloured.  It  might  also  ripen  its 
berries  properly  on  the  pillars  of  a  sunny 
porch ;  but  planted  on  a  wall  it  runs  freely 
without  fruiting,  so  that  it  needs  detachment 
from  its  support  before  it  commences  to  bear 
flower  and  fruit.  It  is  a  brilliant  and  beautiful 
little  Ivy.  E.  H.  Woodall. 


THE  MOCCASIK  FLOWER  (crPRIPEDIUM  SPECTAEILE)  GROWING  WILD  IN  CANADA. 


showing  their  curious  purple  -  red  and  yellow 
flowers,  and  a  host  of  other  treasures  rarely  noticed 
except  b3'  botanists. 

Toronto,  Canada.  P.  G.  R. 


THE  MOCCASIN  FLOW^ER 
(CYPRIPEDIUM  SPECTABILE) 
IN    A    CANADIAN    BOG. 

This  Cypripedium  is  the  most  handsome  of  the  six 
species  native  of  Canada.  It  grows  luxuriantly  in 
sphagnum  bogs,  which  seem  to  suit  it  best, 
although  it  is  found  in  less  congenial  places  on 
sloping  ground  partially  shaded,  but  always  with 


(  U ontm 

w 


CULTIVATION    OF   ALPINE 
PLANTS. 

(Continued    from   page    4^(>-) 

HEN  first  I  began  to  cultivate 
alpines,  I  planted  somewhat 
indiscriminately  together 
things  which  I  thought  would 
make  an  ornamental  combina- 
tion, but  the  weaker  soon 
became  overwhelmed  in  the  fight  with  the 
stronger,  and  there  was  nothing  to  be  done  but 
to  build  a  new  rockery  and  plant  it  more  care- 
fully. In  this  way  I  have  now  constructed  at 
least  a  dozen  rockeries,  trying  each  time  to 
benefit  by  past  experiences  and  to  exclude 
weedy  plants.  The  first  and  second  made  still 
continue,  and  are  still  flowery  wildernesses  in 
spring,  but  everything  choice  and  delicate  upon 
them  has  either  long  ago  perished  or  been 
transferred  to  new  quarters.    But  visitors   to 


448 


THE    GARDEN. 


[■Junk  25,  1904. 


my  garden  in  spring  who  are  not  connoisseurs 
in  alpines  think  these  wild  rockeries  far  more 
ornamental  than  the  half  bare  stone  heaps  where 
my  choicest  plants  are  grown,  and  which  they 
think  will  look  very  nice  in  a  year  or  two,  when 
they  are  as  well  covered  as  the  others.  I  have 
mentioned  this  to  show  that  those  who  can 
appreciate  the  beauty  of  the  smaller  and  more 
delicate  alpines,  and  grow  them  for  their  own 
sake,  must  be  contented  to  see  their  favourites 
surrounded  in  many  instances  by  bare  stones  ; 
but  the  stones,  especially  if  they  contain 
cracks,  may  often  be  clothed  with  plants  with- 
out any  danger  of  overcrowding.  I  have  said 
little  about  choice  of  stone  for  rockeries,  though 
I  have  tried  many  kinds,  and  of  all  I  have  tried 
I  prefer  the  carboniferous  limestone  common  in 
North  Wales,  Derbyshire,  and  the  north  of 
Lancashire.  The  loose  blocks  of  this  which  lie 
about  the  land  are  full  of  cracks  and  are  varied 
in  shape.  I  carefully  avoid  the  furrowed  and 
smooth-channelled  surface  slates  of  this  stone 
often  sold  in  London  for  rock  work,  but  most 
unsuitable  for  growing  plants.  I  do  not  speak 
of  these,  but  detached  solid  blocks  abounding 
in  deep  cracks  and  crevices.  These  crevices 
are  the  very  place  for  some  of  the  choicest 
alpines.  Paronychia  shows  its  true  character 
in  no  other  spot.  Potentilla  nitida  flowers 
when  fixed  in  them,  and  there  only.  They  are 
excellent  for  Phyteuma  comosum.  The  Spider- 
web  Houseleeks  delight  in  them,  and  so  do 
some  of  the  smaller  Saxifrages.  These  are  only 
a  few  of  a  long  list  I  might  make,  and  things 
which  grow  in  such  tight  quarters  never  en- 
croach much.  The  little  Arenaria  balearioa, 
which  grows  all  over  sandstone  as  close  and  in 
nearly  as  thin  a  coat  as  paint  upon  wood,  does 
not  grow  well  upon  limestone  ;  but  this  plant 
does  encroach,  spreading  over  the  surface  of 
small  neighbours  and  smothering  them.  There 
are  many  things,  however,  some  herbaceous, 
some  shrubby  and  evergreen,  which  do  well 
only  on  condition  of  resting  upon  stone  with 
their  leaves  and  branches.  It  is  so  with  Pent- 
stemon  Scouleri,  and  with  that  most  charming 
dwarf  shrub  Genista  pilosa,  which  rises  hardly 
an  inch  oif  the  stone,  though  it  may  cover 
several  square  feet.  There  are  many  other 
such  plants,  but  a  list  of  plant  names  is  out  of 
place  here,  and  will  be  given  in  an  appendix. 
I  have  said  before  that  in  planting  aspect  must 
be  carefully  considered.  The  best  aspect  for 
alpines  is  east,  and  west  is  the  worst  ;  but 
there  is  not  a  spot  on  any  rockery  which  may 
not  be  filled  with  a  suitable  tenant.  Some 
of  the  most  ornamental  flowers  abhor,  in  the 
atmosphere  of  my  garden,  even  a  glimpse  of 
the  sun.  Ramondia  pyrenaica  is  withered  up 
by  it  in  an  hour ;  so  is  Cyananthus  lobatus ;  and 
these  must  be  shaded  on  every  side  but  north. 
As  a  general  rule,  I  find  all  Himalayan  alpines 
impatient  of  sunshine.  They  may  endure  it 
in  their  own  home,  where  they  live  in  an 
atmosphere  always  saturated  with  wet.  How- 
ever, it  is  only  the  deep  recesses  of  the  rockery 
towards  the  north  which  get  no  sun  at  all,  and 
plenty  of  things  are  quite  contented  on  the 
north  side  of  the  slope.  It  was  said  above  that 
the  rockery  is  intended  for  dwarf  and  choice 
plants  which  will  not  thrive  in  other  parts  of 
the  garden.  This,  of  course,  includes  some 
dwarf  shrubs.  For  instance,  I  must  grow 
Lithospermum  prostratum  on  stones  or  not  at 
all.  The  white  Erica  carnea,  and  several  such 
dwarfs,  are  included  in  the  same  number. 
These  details  everyone  must  settle  for  himself. 
Such  things  are  included  in  my  definition  of 
alpines.  As  for  bulbs,  they  may  be  ornamental 
enough  at  times,  but  I  find  they  do  as  well  or 
better  elsewhere.  Their  leaves  are  untidy  just 
at  the  time  when  the  rockery  ought  to  be  most 


gay  and  neat ;  and  watering  in  summer,  which 
other  plants  require,  is  bad  for  them,  so  I  have 
not  included  them  in  my  list.  While  speaking 
of  watering,  I  may  say  that  rockeries  such  as 
I  have  described  could  not  dispense  with  it  in 
dry  weather  ;  it  requires  careful  judgment,  and 
I  often  prefer  to  water  the  soil  holding  the  can 
close  to  the  ground  at  the  highest  point  of  the 
stones,  and  letting  the  water  run  down  the 
slope,  to  get  to  the  roots,  rather  than  wet  the 
plants  themselves.  Wet  foliage  and  flowers 
often  get  burnt  up  by  sunshine.  Weeding, 
carefully  done,  is  a  necessity  on  rockeries,  for 
weeds  will  come  ;  but  plants  which  seed  about 
freely  are  to  be  avoided,  as  they  greatly 
multiply  the  labour  of  weeding,  and  some  of 
them  are  hard  to  eradicate  from  among  the 
stones.  The  Harebells  and  alpine  Poppies, 
pretty  as  they  are,  must  be  excluded  on  this 
account ;  so  must  that  weedy  little  plant,  Saxi- 
fraga  Cymbalaria,  which  can  be  grown  on  any 
wall.  The  fewer  weeds  there  are  the  more 
likely  are  seedlings  of  choice  and  rare  plants  to 
assert  themselves.  For  instance,  Geranium 
argenteum  grows  in  crevices  into  which  the 
seeds  are  shot  when  ripe,  and  where  plants 
could  not  be  inserted,  and  keeps  up  the  supply 
of  this  elegant  alpine. 

(To  be  continued.) 


THE    ROSE    GARDEN. 


JOTTINGS   ABOUT   ROSES. 
An  Early  Season. 

ROSA  RUGOSA  ALBA  was  the  first 
outdoor  Rose  to  come  into  flower  here 
(on  the  26th  ult. ),  closely  followed 
by  Longworth  Rambler  on  the  28th 
ult.,  Ifevigata  (siniea)  Anemone  (on  a 
wall),  Dr.  Rouges  and  Marie  Van 
Houtte  on  the  29th  ult.,  and  G.  Nabonnand  on 
the  Slst  ult.  Since  June  came  in  we  have  had 
much  east  wind,  but,  on  the  whole,  it  has 
been  such  a  perfect  lime  for  the  plants  that  I 
am  looking  forward  to  an  exceptionally  good 
season.  Not  since  1901  have  I  been  able  to  cut 
Roses  outdoors  in  May  ;  indeed,  for  the  past  two 
years  most  people  have  had  to  wait  until  July 
before  they  could  be  cut  in  plenty.  I  never 
remember  a  more  favourable  spring  than  we  have 
had  this  year.  Not  a  leaf  or  a  shoot  has  been 
injured  by  frost,  which  is  a  marvellous  occurrence 
in  this  district,  where  we  usually  suffer  greatly  in 
that  respect.  But  the  salvation  of  my  plants  has 
been  the  splendid  rain  which  we  had  on  the 
29lh  ult.  This  has  started  them  into  good 
growth.  April  and  the  first  part  of  May  were 
windy  and  dry,  and  on  this  light  soil  rain  was 
badly  needed  ;  in  fact,  it  just  came  in  time  to 
prevent  the  plants  from  getting  dry  at  the  roots. 
From  the  garden  Rose  point  of  view  the  season  is 
decidedly  an  early  one,  but  maiden  plants  seem  to 
be  very  late  in  some  of  the  nurseries  around  here. 

Rosa  laevigata  Anemone. 
This  Rose  certainly  ranks  as  one  of  the  finest 
introductions,  and  all  who  have  seen  it  here  are 
in  raptures  over  its  beauty.  A  lady  friend  aptly 
described  it  the  other  day  as  a  "  climbing  single 
Pa3ony,"  and  at  a  distance  its  flowers  certainly 
bear  a  resemblance  to  some  of  the  new  single 
Pajonies  now  so  much  in  favour.  Among  Roses  it 
is  unique,  with  its  enormous  petals,  marbled  and 
sufl'used  with  beautiful  rose-pink,  which  varies  with 
intensity  as  the  flowers  age,  and  the  whole  set  off 
by  a  whorl  of  glorious  golden  stamens.  Towards 
evening  the  petals  of  the  flowers  which  are  still 
young  roll  themselves  up  and  close  the  flower.  At 
this  period  their  appearance  is  most  singular,  each 
petal  looking  like  some  delicate  pink  shell.  The 
subtle  perfume  is  midway  between  that  of  a  ripe 
Pear  and  a  Tea  Rose.  I  know  of  no  plant  I  would 
rather  select  to  cover  a  sheltered  south  wall,  and 
even  if  it  never  flowered   the  foliage  alone  would 


make  it  worth  its  position.  Of  course,  in  England 
we  can  never  see  its  fullest  beauty  as  portrayed  in 
The  Garden  (page  352),  because  in  our  climate  it 
must  needs  have  a  wall  to  succeed  at  all.  If,  as 
Mr.  Woodall  says,  it  is  a  cross  between  R.  laevigata 
and  H.  P.  General  Jacqueminot,  there  is  every 
probability  that  other  forms  will  be  raised  from 
crossing  it  with  other  varieties.  However,  on 
good  authority,  I  am  told  that  Anemone  was  raised 
from  R.  laevigata  x  a  Tea-scented  form,  and  shall 
be  glad  to  know  which  is  correct.  Perhaps  Mr. 
Woodall  would  be  kind  enough  to  tell  us  more 
about  the  history  of  this  Rose,  and  from  whom  he 
obtained  the  information  as  to  its  parentage.  Jlr. 
S.  Mottet,  writing  to  Flora  and  Sylra  on  the 
subject,  remarks  that  "it  is  a  form  of  obscure 
origin,  but  probably  Japanese,  distributed  in  1896 
by  J.  C.  Schmidt,  of  Erfurt,  under  the  name  of 
Anemonen  Rose,  from  its  likeness  to  the  rosy  form 
of  the  Japanese  Windflower.  Though,  with  the 
general  aspect  of  the  Cherokee  Rose,  it  differs 
From  it  so  much  in  some  ways  as  to  suggest  a 
hybrid  form  rather  than  a  mere  colour  variation. 
Its  stem,  instead  of  being  green  and  armed  only 
with  thorns,  as  in  the  type,  is  of  a  dark  purple 
colour,  set  both  with  small  thorns  and  spines 
mingled  ;  the  calyx  and  flower-stems  are  also  less 
fleshy  in  texture,  and  smoother  in  character." 

With  roe  the  flowers  have  lasted  two,  three, 
and  four  days,  but  this  doubtless  depends  upon  the 
weather,  which  has  been  cool  since  the  plant 
came  into  bloom.  I  should  like  to  see  a  cross 
effected  between  Anemone  and  R.  wichuraiana,  as 
it  might  be  the  means  of  producing  a  large  single 
form  of  greater  hardiness  than  either  R.  Ijevigata 
or  Anemone. 

Climbing  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant  (syn.  Belle 
Siebrecht). 

I  have  six  beautiful  flowers  of  this  fine  Rose 
before  me  as  I  write,  and  one  of  these  I  am 
sending  to  you  in  order  that  attention  may  be 
drawn  to  its  great  merits.  I  received  my  plant 
from  Messrs.  William  Paul  and  Son  shortly  after 
they  introduced  it,  and  must  confess  that  at  first 
I  was  anything  but  successful  with  it.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  climbing  sports  are  some  of  the 
most  difficult  of  all  Roses  to  manage,  and  they 
often  prove  disappointing.  One  of  the  chief 
causes  of  failure  lies,  I  feel  sure,  in  alloting  them 
unsuitable  positions  to  begin  with.  All  those 
which  are  pure  Teas  (e.g.,  Climbing  Perle  des 
Jardins  and  C.  Mme.  de  Watteville)  require  a  wall, 
and  a  wall  facing  due  south  is  the  best  for  them. 
But  when  we  come  to  the  climbing  Hybrid  Teas, 
such  as  the  variety  which  heads  this  note,  it  is 
quite  another  matter.  Tea  Roses  revel  in  a  dry 
atmosphere,  and  can  stand  any  amount  of  sun  ; 
they  will  also  resist  drought  better  than  any  other 
Roses,  as  I  have  proved  on  this  light  warm  soil. 
As  is  well  known,  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  rejoice 
in  a  much  cooler  and  moister  climate,  while,  as  a 
rule,  the  Hybrid  Tea  class  (in  which,  of  course, 
there  is  a  good  proportion  of  Hybrid  Perpetual 
blood)  prefers  a  warmer  position  that  the  members 
of  the  Hybrid  Perpetual  class,  but  yet  not  so  warm 
as  that  which  the  pure  Teas  enjoy. 

The  variety  under  notice  requires  cool  treatment, 
and  on  a  due  south  wall  would  be  frizzled  up 
unless  shade  was  afforded.  A  west  or  south-west 
wall  is  the  best  position  for  all  the  climbing  Hybrid 
Teas,  and  during  hot  weather  plenty  of  tepid  soft 
water  should  be  sprayed  over  their  leaves,  and 
their  roots  supplied  with  abundant  moisture. 

Mildew 
is  the  worst  enemy  of  these  Roses,  and  I  have  had 
a  great  deal  of  trouble  to  keep  climbing  Mrs. 
Grant  free  from  this  terrible  scourge.  Last 
season,  owing  to  the  cold  June,  it  got  such  a  firm 
hold  upon  the  plant  that  every  bloom  was  ruined. 
Accordingly,  this  year  I  started  by  giving  it  a  good 
spraj'ing  of  sulphide  of  potassium  before  even  any 
of  the  young  leaves  were  unfolded,  and  have  con- 
tinued doing  so  once  a  week  until  there  is  scarcely 
any  mildew  now  to  be  seen.  Used  properly  sul- 
phide of  potassium  is  a  perfect  remedy  for  mildevt , 
and  also  a  very  cheap  one.  The  way  to  apply  it  is 
to  make  a  solution  of  hot  soapy  water,  and  to  drop 
into    it   some  pieces  of   the  sulphide,   which   will 


June  25,  19v)4.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


4i9 


FOXGLOVES. 


quickly  dissolve.  Keep  stirring 
the  mixture  and  adding  tliti 
sulphide  until  the  water  becomes 
a  bright  green.  I  put  lliis  mix- 
ture in  my  Vermorel  Knapsack 
Sprayer,  using  the  finest  nozzle, 
and  I  have  yet  to  come  across  a 
case  of  Rose  mildew  which  it 
will  not  immediately  check,  and, 
provided  it  is  taken  in  hand  early 
in  the  season,  eventually  cure. 
Half  an  ounce  or  quarter  of  an 
ounce  of  sulphide  of  potassium 
to  two  gallons  of  water  is  the 
quantity  I  find  recommended  by 
most  authorities  for  this  purpose, 
but  I  advise  my  rosariau  friends 
to  adopt  my  plan  and  use  the 
mixture  considerably  stronger. 
It  will  save  them  much  trouble 
by  effecting  an  almost  immediate 
cure  at  the  beginning,  and  do  no 
harm  to  the  plants  whatever. 
A  word  of  warning  to  those  who 
have  not  used  this  preparation 
to  keep  it  away  from  any  paint, 
which  it  quickly  ruins.     In 

Pruning 
these  climbing  Hybrid  Teas  it 
should  be  remembered  that 
nearly  all  the  flowers  are  pro- 
duced upon  the  lateral  branches 
of  the  previous  season,  and  few 
upon  the  new  shoots.  For  this 
reason  no  close  pruning  should 
be  done  in  the  spring,  but  the 
previous  year's  wood  should  be 
slightly  shortened  and  if  possible 
bent  down.  This  will  cause  each 
bud  to  break  and  produce  a 
flower.  After  the  first  display  of 
flowers  is  over  the  plant  may  be 
cut  hard  back  to  induce  it  to 
make  fresh  growth.  This  fresh 
growth,  if  thoroughly  ripened 
and  laid  in,  will  produce  the 
next  season's  flowers,  and,  in 
addition,  some  of  the  terminals 
of  the  new  shoots  will  produce 
fine  flowers  in  autumn.  It  is 
quite  impossible  to  attempt  to 
prune  these  varieties  into  shape 
until  they  have  completed  their 
first  flowering  —  usually  during 
July. 

Foktdne's  Yellow. 

Some  beautiful  flowers  of  this 
delightful  Rose  come  to  me  from 
Mr.  J.  W.  Barker,  The  Gardens, 
Castle  Hill,  Bletchingley,  Surrey, 
who  writes  that  "  thej'  were 
grown  on  an  outside  wall  in  a 
sheltered  position.  The  plant 
has  flowered  well,  but  you  will 
observe  that  it  has  dropped  its 
foliage,  and  I  am  unable  to 
account  for  this.  I  might  add 
we  had  a  splendid  lot  of  this 
variety  in  our  Peach  house,  but 
the  colouring  of  the  flowers  was 
not  so  deep." 

The  flowers  sent  were  very 
fragrant  and  of  beautiful  colour- 
ing— a  blending  of  pink,  tawny 
yellow,  blush,  and  buff — such  as 
one  does  not  meet  with  in  any 
other  Rose  I  am  acquainted  with. 
It  is  very  unfortunate  that  it 
possesses  the  peculiar  trait  of 
parting  with  its  leaves  just  as  the 
buds  are  opening,  and  many  are 
the  reasons  suggested  as  to  the 
cause  of  this  bad  habit.  Of 
course  it  is  a  Rose  that  requires 
treating  well  as  far  as  root-run 
and  manure  are  concerned,  and 
Fortune,  when  he  introduced  it, 
said     that     the     Chinese     grew 


magnificent  plants  of  it  by  manuring  it  with  night 
soil.  In  conversation  with  Mr.  F.  Jordan,  of  Impney 
Hall  Gardens,  a  few  days  ago,  he  informed  me  that  at 
Welbeck  Fortune's  Yellow  was  worked  upon  stocks 
of  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  by  this  means  the  plants 
retained  their  foliage  better.  This  idea  is  certainly 
well  worth  a  trial  elsewhere,  and  although  I  have 
not  tested  it  myself  it  is  quite  probable  that  Gloire 
de  iJijon,  which  will  grow  practically  anywhere, 
might  prove  more  suitable  in  this  respect  than 
growing  it  either  upon  its  own  roots  or  upon  the 
Briar.  Moisture,  again,  is  an  important  factor 
with  climbing  Roses,  especially  during  drying 
winds,  and,  as  I  have  previously  advised,  should  be 
given  not  only  at  the  roots,  but  also  carefully 
sprayed  upon  the  leaves.  Fortune's  Yellow  is  par- 
ticularly sensitive  to  drought,  and  as  the  soil  at 
Castle  Hill  is  very  light  this  may  probably  aggra- 
vate the  tendency  which  it  has  to  shed  its  foliage. 
As  regards  forcing  this  Rose,  the  cooler  the  con- 
ditions under  which  it  is  grown  the  better  coloured 
will  its  flowers  be,  and  some  gardeners  I  know 
make  a  practice  of  moving  it  from  a  warm  house 
into  one  where  the  temperature  is  kept  low,  just 
before  the  buds  begin  to  open.  This  simple  pro- 
cedure always  results  in  flowers  of  richer  colour. 
Perhaps  other  readers  may  be  able  to  give  further 
hints  as  to  the  successful  cultivation  of  this  excel- 
lent Rose.  Already  I  have  to  thank  a  large  number 
of  correspondents  who  have  written  to  me  anent 
the  various  Rose  topics  discussed  from  time  to  time 
in  these  notes.  It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  receive 
such  letters  and  to  know  that  The  Garden  is  so 
widely  read  and  appreciated.  I  am  sure  that  I 
shall  be  only  voicing  the  opinions  of  all  rosarians 
in  thanking  the  Editor  for  the  help  and  encourage- 
ment which  is  extended  to  all  lovers  of  the  flower 
in  the  pages  of  The  Garden". 

Kidderminster.  Arthur  R.  Goodwin. 


THE    FLOWER    GARDEN. 


THE  FOXGLOVE. 


E ENGLISH   woodland    and   the  wilder 
part.s  of  our  gardens  would   lose   a 
<      good   deal    by  the    absence  of  the 
Foxglove,  its  tall,  stately  spikes  of 
*      bell   flowers   rising  from  a  mass  of 
Bracken,   peeping  from   a   crowded 
hedgerow,  or,  perhaps  most  picturesque  of  all, 
growing  in  the  chinks  of  an  old  garden  wall, 
never  fail  to  give  delight.     In  masses  in  the 
wild  garden  the  Foxglove  is  perhaps  seen  at 
its  best,  and  a  commingling  of  Poppies  as  may 
be   seen   at   Kew   serves  to   add    variety  and 
colour  to  the  effect.     Few  wall  plants  are  more 
striking  than  Foxgloves,  yet  in  this  character 
they  are  far  too  rarely  used.     Who  cannot  call 
to  mind   a   shaded  moss  and  lichen  -  covered 
wall   with   Foxgloves   springing   through    the 
green  carpet  and  testifying  by  their  vigorous 
growth  and  flowers  to  a  full  appreciation  of 
such   a    position  !      Doubtless,   the    self-sown 
seeds  findlan  ideal  home  in  the  moss-grown  sur- 
face and  chinks  thus  kept  moist,  and  they  teach 
a  lesson  that  the  wall  gardener  would  do  well 
to  bear  in  mind  when  endeavouring  to  estab- 
lish wall  plants.     The  Foxglove  thrives  splen- 
didly in  the  shade  ;   in  fact,  its  graceful  form 
and  the  quiet  colouring  of  the  flowers  seem  to 
need  the  association  of  overhanging  trees  and 
a  carpet  of  Ferns  or  Periwinkle  to  bring  out 
all  their  good  points.     In  the  leafy  glades  of 
the  woodland  and  wild  garden  it  is  quite  at 
home,  and  any  attempt  to  cultivate  it  success- 
fully must  be  guided  by  these  considerations. 


AQUILEGIAS. 

To  the  propagator  of  these  beautiful  and  inter- 
esting plants  there  are  always  two  things  that  are 
noticeable  in  connexion  with  them.  It  matters 
not  how  early  they  are  sown,  or  how  much  the 
growth   is   encouraged,   they  never  show  signs  of 


450 


THE   GARDEN. 


[June  25,  1904. 


,-:.:-^J« 


the  majority  of  the  species.  In  planting 
Aquilegias  it  is  well  to  remember  that 
they  bloom  early  in  the  spring,  sending 
up  the  flowering  stem  in  a  very  short 
time.  They  are  enabled  to  do  this  by 
storing  the  food  in  the  thick,  fleshy  roots, 
so  that  to  obtain  a  good  supply  of  blooms 
the  plants  should  be  established  in  their 
flowering  quarters  the  year  previous. 
Ernest  Hemming,  in  Florist's  Exchange 
(New  York). 


A  STUDY  IN   NATURAL 
FORESTRY. 


T 


A    YEARS    PROGRESS. 


flowering  the  first  year  from  seed  ;  and  how  seldom 
he  gets  a  batch  of  seedlings  that  do  not  show  signs 
of  cross-fertilisation.  The  latter  feature  may  add 
interest,  but  it  is  very  aggravating  when  the 
different  kinds  are  wanted  true  to  name.  This  is 
undoubtedly  owing  to  the  seed  growers  planting 
them  in  too  close  proximity. 

It  seems  almost  impossible  to  purchase  Aquilegia 
ccerulea  seed  that  will  produce  plants  true  to  the 
type,  unless  collected  from  plants  growing  in  their 
native  habitat,  where  there  is  no  chance  for  them 
to  become  hybridised  with  other  species.  This  is 
undoubtedly  the  cause  of  this  plant  being  so  often 
wrongly  named.  The  true  Aquilegia  cterulea,  or 
Rooky  Mountain  Columbine, 
is,  in  the  writer's  estimation, 
one  of  the  most  charming  of 
the  Columbines,  but  being  a 
rather  weak  grower  in  com- 
parison with  the  majority  of 
the  others,  it  is  not  so  often 
seen.  In  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
at  an  altitude  of  8,000  feet  to 
10,000  feet,  it  grows  luxu- 
riantly, and  can  be  cut  with 
stems  2  feet  to  3  feet  in 
length.  Our  own  native  Aqui- 
legia canadensis,  with  its  com- 
bination of  red  and  yellow,  is  a 
very  pretty  sort,  and  if  given 
a  partially  shaded  position  in 
the  rock  garden  thrives  well 
under  cultivation.  A.  chry- 
santha,  a  tall  species  with 
yellow  flowers;  has  a  much 
longer  flowering  season  than 
the  above-mentioned  ones,  and 
responds  more  readily  to  culti- 
vation. 

There  is  such  a  galaxy  of 
form  and  colour  existing  among 
the  hybrid  strains  that  it  is 
very  difficult  to  name  a  pre- 
ference. The  old  well-known 
A.  vulgaris  hybrids  are  perhaps 
the  most  satisfactory,  as  they 
will  grow  under  almost  any 
conditions,  and  have  a  great 
range  of  colour  and  form,  many 
of  the  forms,  such  as  the  double 


white,  being  fixed  and  very  distinct.  A  batch  of 
plants  raised  form  seed  sold  under  the  name  of 
Aquilegia  Helen;e  proved  to  be  ver3'  variable,  the 
prevailing  colour  and  form  being  not  unlike  those 
of  A.  cterulea,  but  more  compact  in  habit. 

A.  viridifolia  is  not  very  striking  from  a  florist's 
point  of  view,  the  flowers  being  greenish  ;  but  it 
is  one  of  the  first  flowers  to  open  in  the  spring,  and 
is  fragrant,  a  quality  not  noticeable  in  the  Colum- 
bines. One  of  the  most  distinct  Columbines  is  A. 
flabellata  nana  alba.  It  is  of  dwarf  habit,  with 
glaucous  foliage  and  white  flowers,  and,  considering 
it  is  supposed  to  be  of  garden  origin,  it  comes 
wonderfully  true  to  the  tj'pe   in  comparison  with 


"^  HOSE  who  are  interested  in 
forestry  will  find  it  instruc- 
tive to  pay  a  visit  to 
Hainault  Forest,  where  the 
reproduction  of  a  natural 
wood  is  being  carried  out 
under  the  skilful  oversight  of  Mr.  E  N. 
Buxton.  The  formal  acquisition  of  the 
forest  by  the  London  County  Council 
was  only  recently  completed,  but 
practical  control  has  been  exercised 
for  more  than  a  year,  and  already 
valuable  results  have  been  achieved. 
Most  of  our  readers  will  know  that 
the  area  dealt  with  is  about  800 
acres  in  extent,  of  which  .300  acres 
were  natural  forest,  and  527  acres 
land  that  was  cleared  of  trees  half  a 
century  ago,  and  since  then  has  been 
under  the  plough.  It  is  high  rolling 
ground,  from  which  one  may  obtain 
fine  views  of  the  Thames  Valley.  The  problem 
before  Mr.  Buxton  was  that  of  converting  this 
land  into  forest,  and  experience  in  the  manage- 
ment of  Epping  suggested  certain  methods  of 
carrying  this  out.  Formal  planting  from  the 
first  was  deemed  objectionable.  It  was  felt 
that  the  proper  forest  at  Hainault  should  be 
one  that  was  entirely  natural,  and  which  would 
show  the  trees  indigenous  to  the  neighbourhood. 
In  Epping  the  characteristic  feature  is  thickets, 
made  up  chiefly  of  Hawthorn,  Bramble,  and 
Wild  Rose,  with  the  forest  trees  Hornbeam,  Oak, 
Beech,  and  the  rest  growing  up  in  the  middle. 


A    \\U01)L\M)    IIUL 


June  25,  1904.] 


THE   GARDEN. 


451 


The  thicket  is  required  as  a  natural  protection, 
because  the  woodland  is  something  of  a  sanc- 
tuary for  wild  creatures,  and,  of  course,  it  is 
also  grazed  by  the  livestock  of  the  commoners. 
The  aim,  then,  was  to  reproduce  at  Hainault  this 
state  of  things.  At  first  glance  it  may  seem  to  be 
easy,  but  certain  difficulties  cropped  up  in  the 
course  of  operations.  There  were  three  methods 
open  to  Mr.  Buxton,  and  he  has  tried  all  of 
them.  The  first  was  planting,  which  has  been 
done  on  a  very  small  scale  indeed.  A  few 
Hawthorns  have  been  put  in  where  they  were 
needed  for  shelter,  and  the  crown  of  one  of  the 
hills  has  been  set  with  Chestnuts  that  were  sent 
present  to  the  verderer,  but  which  it  is 


grass  over  the  greater  part  of  the  area  is 
excellent.  At  present  probably  it  contains 
more  clover  and  fine  grass  than  will  remain, 
since  the  grasses  growing  wild  are  only  Cocks- 
foot, Fescue,  Eye-grass,  rough  stalk  meadow 
grass,  Birds'-foot  Trefoil,  and  wild  Vetch.  Of 
course  these  must  take 
their  chance  now  that 
the  public  has  been 
admitted,  but  it  will  be 
very  interesting  to  note 
the  condition  of  the 
land  two  or  three  years 
hence.  Considering 
occurred 


show,  will  be  made  most  welcome.  The 
Gloriosa  is  a  lovely  climber  for  the  hot  house, 
and  when  trained  over  the  roof  or  up  a  pUlar 
its  beauty  can  be  best  appreciated.  The  flowers 
of  this  new  introduction  are  crimson-lake,  the 
segments  bordered  with  gold.     The  latter  are 


as  a 

intended  to  remove  when  the  new 
growth  comes  on.    The  second  was 
that  of   sowing  forest  seeds  broad- 
cast, and  in  order  to  carry  this  out 
men  were  sent  to  collect  the  seeds 
from   the  forest  at  Epping,   taking 
them  just  as  they  happened  to  lie 
on    the    ground.     As    it  happened, 
however,  last  year  was  an  exceedingly  bad  one 
for  that  purpose.    There  was  a  great  scarcity 
of  the  usual  seeds,  even  of  Acorns  and  Beech- 
masts.    Then  when  they  were  sown  there  were 
furred  and  feathered  euemies  to  contend  with. 
Jays  have  multiplied  greatly  in  the  forest,  and 
they  are  curious  and  cunning  birds  that  are 
very  fond  of  acorns  and  nuts.    Moreover,  when 
they  saw  the  surface  of   the  earth  disturbed 
their  natural  curiosity  was  roused,  and  they 
began  to  scratch  and  get  up  the  Acorns.   Again, 
the  woodlands  swarm  with  mice,  which  proved 
even  more  destructive  than  the  birds,  and  it  is 
by  no  means  easy  to  get  rid  of  them.   .There 
are  considerable  objections  to  the  use 
of  poison  in  an  open  space,  and  the 
various  devices  for  circumventing  the 
mouse    all    involve    a    considerable 
amount  of  trouble  and  expense.    Mr. 
Buxton  surmounted  the  difficulty  to 
some  extent  by  what  he  calls  inocu- 
lating the  ground,  that  is  to  say,  he 
carted  from  Epping  Forest  turf  in 
which  the  forest  seeds  had  already 
germinated,  and  laid  it  down  on  the 
new  ground  at  Hainault.     From  in- 
spection it  is  impossible  to  say  exactly 
which  parts  have  been  inoculated  and 
which  have  been  sown,  but  already 
the  characteristic  trees  and  plants  are 
beginning    to     appear,    particularly 
Bramble,  Wild    Kose,    Holly,    Haw- 
thorn, Blackthorn,  Gorse,  and  Broom 
among  the  minor  trees,  with  many 
tiny  forest  trees  coming  up  among 
them.   It  is  a  great  deal  to  have  been 
accomplished  in  one  year,  and  we 
hope  in  the  course  of  another  twelve 
months  to  give  a  more  detailed  report 
of    the    progress    made.       Another 
problem  confronted  Mr.  Buxton  in 
addition  to  that  of  bringing  a  forest 
into  being.    It  was  not  desirable  in 
the  public  interest  that  all  the  area 
should  be  turned  into  woodland,  but 
that  some  should  remain  as  a  fine 
turfy  down.    Experts  told  him  how 
long  it  would  be  before  a  permanent 
pasture  could  be  made,  and  most  of 
them    recommended  that  the  place 
should  be  closed  to  the  public  for  at  least  three  i  twelve  months  next  year  ought  to  show  a  very 
years.  However,  he  has  succeeded  beyond  expec-   great  improvement, 
tation  in  producing  a  fine  turf  in  the  course  of  -— ^ 


GLORIOSA   ROTHSCHILDIAKA. 


(SItmm  bij  the  lion.  I)  alter  Rothsehild  at  the  Temple  Show,  and  given  a  first-class  certificate.    Slight  reduction.) 


twelve  months.  He  began  by  having  the  land 
cross  ploughed,  since  the  ridge  and  furrow  left 
by  agriculture  is  unsightly  to  look  at  and  un- 
comfortable to  walk  on.  Then  the  land  having 
been  thoroughly  cultivated,  after  a  liberal  use 
of  basic  slag,  he  seeded  it  down,  and  now  the 


GLORIOSA  ROTHSCHILDIANA. 

Among  the  few  species  and  varieties  of 
Gloriosa  that  we  have,  this  new  one,  which 
was  shown  by  the  Hon.  Walter  Eothschild, 
Tring    Park,   Tring,   at    the]    recent    Temple 


3  inches  long,   and    at    the 
is  green  merging  into  gold. 


base  the  colour 
The  anthers  are 
golden.  The  leaves  are  4  inches  to  6  inches 
long,  tapering,  with  tendrils  at  the  end,  and  of 
a  clear  pea  green  colour  ;  the  richly  coloured 
flowers  are  nearly  6  inches  across.  Undoubtedly, 
a  valuable  addition  to  the  list  of  ornamental 
stove  climbing  plants.  The  floral  committee 
gave  it  a  first-class  certificate.  H.  T. 


452 


THE    GARDEN. 


[June  2b,  1904. 


THE   INDOOR  GARDEN. 


PEOPAGATING     GREENHOUSE 
EHODODENDEONS. 

C5  in  the  month  of  June,  and  in  some 
instances  the  month  of  July,  are  the 
best  seasons  for  taking  cuttings  of  the 
different  hj'brid  greenhouse  Rhododen- 
drons. The  shoots  should  be  taken 
when  in  a  half-ripened  condition,  and 
this  is  an  important  item,  as  if  too  succulent 
they  quickly  decay  ;  whereas  if,  on  the  other  hand, 
they  are  quite  woody,  the  cuttings  will  in  many 
cases  stand  for  a  long  time  before  they  root.  When 
the  happy  medium  is  attained,  the  selection  of 
cuttings  is  another  consideration,  and  for  this 
purpose  close,  short-jointed  shoots  of  medium 
vigour  are  preferable  to  the  particularly  strong  or 
the  very  weak  ones.  The  length  of  the  cuttings 
will  vary  somewhat,  as  some  varieties  are 
naturally  more  vigorous  than  others,  but,  as  a 
rule,  a  length  of  3  inches  to  4  inches  is  a  very 
convenient  size.  If  the  entire  shoot  is  not  longer 
than  this,  it  may  be  cut  oft  cleanly  just  where  it 
starts  from  the  older  wood,  and  two  or  three  of 
the  bottom  leaves  having  been  removed,  it  is  then 
fib  for  insertion.  It,  on  the  other  hand,  the  shoot 
is  too  long  to  be  used  in  its  entirety  as  a  cutting, 
the  base  should  be  fashioned  with  a  sloping  cut 
half  an  inch  or  so  in  length,  and  terminating  just 
at  a  joint.  Suitable-sized  pots  for  the  cuttings 
are  those  4  inches  and  5  inches  in  diameter,  which 
should  be  thoroughly  drained  with  broken  crocks 
to  about  one-third  of  their  depth.  Then  they  should 
be  filled  ver}'  firmly  nearly  to  the  rim  with  a  compost 
consisting  of  equal  parts  of  peat  and  silver  sand, 
the  whole  passed  through  a  sieve  with  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  mesh.  A  thin  layer  of  silver  sand 
having  been  placed  on  the  surface  and  lightly 
sprinkled  with  water  through  a  fine  rose,  the  pots 
are  then  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  cuttings. 
Care  should  be  taken  that  they  are  pressed  in 
firmly,  and,  above  all,  that  the  base  of  the  cut- 
ting rests  on  the  soil,  to  secure  which  the  hole 
made  by  the  dibber  must  not  be  too  deep.  When 
a  pot  is  filled  with  cuttings,  a  thorough  watering 
must  be  given  through  a  fine  rose — sufficient,  in 
fact,  to  wash  the  sand  into  an  unbroken  surface. 
As  most  cuttings  strike  root  with  the  greatest 
certainty  in  a  temperature  rather  higher  than 
that  in  which  they  have  grown,  I  put  the  Rhodo- 
dendron cuttings  into  a  close  case,  which  is  placed 
in  the  coolest  end  of  the  stove,  and  in  this  way 
they  root  freely.  The  soil  must  be  kept  fairly 
moist  and  the  lights  should  be  lifted  every  morn- 
ing, and  if  there  is  too  much  condensed  moisture 
a  little  air  should  be  given  till  it  is  dried  up.  Of 
course  the  cuttings  must  be  well  shaded.  Should 
any  thrips  get  on  the  foliage  they  should  be  at 
once  removed,  as  in  a  close,  warm  propagating 
case  they  increase  rapidly,  and  the  disfiguring 
marks  caused  by  them  are  permanent.  Most  of 
the  cuttings  will  be  rooted  in  a  couple  of  months 
or  a  little  over,  when  they  may  be  inured  to  the 
ordinary  atmosphere  of  the  house,  and  after  that 
potted  off,  using  for  the  purpose  a  mixture  of 
peat  and  sand.  Rhododendrons  of  this  class  have 
a  tendency  to  run  up  unless  stopped  freely,  and 
this  should  be  particularly  borne  in  mind  during 
their  earlier  stages,  as  it  is  then  that  the  founda- 
tion of  a  good  plant  is  laid. 

The  Javanese  Rhododendrons  also  root  readily 
with  the  same  treatment,  but  in  their  case,  growing 
as  they  do  nearly  throughout  the  year,  no  par- 
ticular season  can  be  indicated  as  the  most  suitable 
for  taking  the  cuttings.  T. 


reintroduced  after  a  somewhat  long  period  of 
neglect.  It  is  an  old  species,  introduced  quite  a 
century  ago,  and  at  the  time  of  the  Chiswick 
shows  in  the  forties  very  fine  examples  of  it  were 
staged  in  collections  of  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants.  The  records  of  that  time  show  that  speci- 
mens were  exhibited  4  feet  in  height  and  as  many 
through.  It  is  freely  propagated  at  the  Hassocks 
Nurseries.  Mr.  Richardson,  the  manager,  states 
that  it  strikes  very  freely  as  cuttings,  and  grows 
almost  as  vigorously  as  E.  hyeraalis,  but  when 
coming  into  flower  in  April  it  requires  plenty  of 
water,  more  so  than  the  ordinary  Ericas.  Perhaps 
one  reason  why  the  species  fell  out  of  cultivation 
was  the  fact  that  it  is  subject  to  mildew,  but  this 
pest  can  be  arrested  by  dusting  the  plants  over 
with  sulphur.  The  plants  produced  at  the  Temple 
show  were  two  years  old,  in  4i-inch  pots,  compact 
and  bushy,  and  blooming  freely.  It  is  one  of  the 
summer-flowering  Heaths,  and  will  remain  in 
bloom  for  the  space  of  two  months  and  more. 

R.  D. 


EEICA  PEOPENDENS. 
This  charming  compact-growing,  free  flowering 
species  was  a  notable  feature  in  the  collection  of 
hard-wooded  plants  shown  by  Messrs.  Balchin  and 
Sons  of  the  Hassocks  Nurseries,  Sussex,  at  the 
recent  Temple  show.  It  may  be  remembered  that 
it  was  produced  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  some  three  or  four 
years   ago,  and  found   much  favour,   having   been 


PACKING  OF  PLANTS  AND 
FLOWERS. 

THERE  are  few  lovers  of  flowers  and 
plants  who  do  not  require  at  times  to 
send  some  of  them  by  post  or  rail,  and 
at  such  times  the  best  way  of  packing 
is  often  overlooked.  It  is  so  disappoint- 
ing to  receive  beautiful  blossoms  battered 
and  destroyed  in  the  post,  or  plants  sickly  through 
bad  packing,  that  brief  notes  upon  such  work  may 
be  useful.  After  a  trial  of  many  methods  the 
following  have  been  adopted  by  the  best  packers  : 

For  Plants. 

Large  and  heavy  things  require  special  care  ; 
the  best  way  of  packing  such  small  plants  as  are 
usually  sent  by  post  is  to  fit  them  closely  into 
long,  narrow  boxes  of  light  wood.  No  packing 
material  is  required,  save  a  little  damp  moss 
wrapped  around  each  ball  of  roots  and  secured  by 
a  few  twists  of  fine  thread.  A  kind  of  shallow 
trough  is  then  made  at  each  end  of  the  box  to  con- 
tain these  root-masses.  This  is  done  by  fitting  a 
stout  wooden  stay  as  thick  as  the  finger  and  cut  to 
measure  from  side  to  side,  held  firmly  in  place  by 
tacks  passing  through  from  the  outside  of  the  box. 
A  layer  of  plants  is  then  laid  in,  their  roots 
wedged  firmly  together  (with  more  moss  if  need 
be)  in  this  shallow  trough  ;  they  are  then  secured 
by  a  second  stay  fitted  close  and  nailed  like  the 
first,  which  holds  the  root-mass  firmly  in  place 
and  prevents  displacement  even  under  rough  usage. 
Successive  tiers  may  be  arranged  until  both  ends 
are  full,  the  stems  and  foliage,  free  from  the 
"  collar,"  mingling  unfettered  in  the  centre  of  the 
box,  which  becomes  a  sheltered  air-chamber  in 
which  the  plants  travel  without  any  of  the  crush- 
ing or  heating  inseparable  from  close  packing,  how- 
ever carefully  done.  At  the  end  of  a  week,  if 
need  be,  such  plants  will  lift  out  as  fresh  as  when 
packed,  provided,  of  course,  that  they  receive 
sufficient  water  at  the  outset.  It  is  well  to  dis- 
tribute the  weight  evenly  between  the  two  ends,  a 
well-balanced  box  being  better  to  handle  than 
when  the  weight  is  at  one  side  only. 

FoK  Flowers. 
Though  the  same  method  can  be  used  for  large 
and  clustered  flowers,  such  as  Rhododendrons, 
Chrysanthemums,  and  other  heavy  things,  which 
are  sure  to  bruise  and  be  crushed  out  of  shape  if 
closely  thrust  together,  the  methods  used  for 
flowers  by  the  southern  growers  for  export  are 
somewhat  different.  For  long  journeys  in  cold 
weather  wooden  boxes  are  again  used,  but  of  a 
different  shape,  being  broad  and  shallow  rather 
than  long  and  narrow.  Generally,  however,  the 
familiar  cane  baskets  are  employed,  ensuring  light- 
ness and  flexibility,  with  a  large  capacity,  the  air 
being  excluded  by  neat  folds  of  paper,  stout  with- 
out, and  light  and  silky  for  the  inner  layer.  The 
flowers  should  be  cut  before  fully  open  and  put  in 
water  for  several  hours  previously.  In  most  cases 
no  packing  material  is  needed  other  than  the  leaves 


cut  with  the  flowers  and  necessary  for  effect. 
Blossoms  with  delicate  petals,  such  as  Roses, 
Tuberoses,  Lilies,  and  Orchids,  are,  however,  best 
protected  by  twists  of  soft  paper  enveloping  each 
flower.  The  flowers  are  then  laid  in  the  box  or 
basket  in  layers,  the  heaviest  at  the  bottom  and 
around  the  sides,  but  as  far  as  possible  closely  fitted 
together  and  each  laj'er  separated  by  a  sheet  of 
soft  paper.  The  basket  is  heaped  rather  full  to 
ensure  that  the  final  pressure  of  fastening  down  will 
secure  the  whole  as  one  compact  mass,  excluding 
air  and  preventing  all  movement,  even  when 
roughly  shaken,  as  they  are  certain  to  be  at  busy 
railway  centres.  In  warm  weather  a  layer  of 
damp  moss  or  thick  leaves  may  be  used  still  further 
to  preserve  moisture  and  exclude  air,  but  in  the 
main  it  is  not  necessar}'. 

There  is  an  art  in  unpacking  as  well  as  in 
packing  flowers.  They  should  betaken  out  singly, 
lightly  shaken  into  their  natural  form,  their  stems 
placed  in  warm  water,  and  the  whole  sprinkled 
lightly  overhead  and  placed  under  a  bell-glass  (or 
even  a  damp  cloth)  for  some  hours  in  a  moist 
atmosphere  and  a  subdued  light.  So  handled  they 
will  revive  wonderfuU}'  even  after  days  of  travel, 
and  last  fresh  far  longer  than  when  this  time  of 
recovery  is  cut  short.  Some  flowers  travel  better 
than  others,  while  fragile  blossoms  such  as  are 
easily  shaken  to  pieces  or  fade  quickly  at  the  best 
of  times  are  certain  to  fail ;  still,  by  giving  due 
care  it  is  wonderful  how  many  flowers  travel  well 
and  recover  fully  after  a  long  journey.  One  of  the 
most  used  and  worst  of  packing  materials  is  cotton 
wool ;  though  light  and  soft,  this  dries  up  the 
flowers,  and  should  never  be  used. — Flora  and 
Sylva  for  May. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The   Editor  is   not    responsible    for  the    opiniont 
expressed  by  correspondents.  J 

APPLE    LOED    SUFFIELD. 
[To    THE    Editor    of    "The    Garden."] 

SIR, — In  reference  to  your  correspondent's 
enquiry  as  to  the  timely  thinning  of 
orchard  crops,  it  may  not  be  generally 
known  what  excellent  use  may  be  made 
of  the  above  Apple  in  a  green  state.  It 
usually  sets  so  freely  that  there  are  often 
from  six  to  nine  fruits  in  a  cluster — far  too  many 
to  attain  to  the  finest  size  and  quality  of  which  it 
is  capable.  It  is  the  practice  in  private  gardens 
known  to  the  writer  to  thin  out  the  half-grown 
fruits  carefully  with  a  pair  of  Grape  scissors,  as  at 
that  stage  they  are  much  appreciated  for  tarts. 
For  this  purpose  the  fruit  is  not  peeled  and  the 
core  is  not  yet  formed,  therefore  all  that  is  neces- 
sary is  to  remove  the  stalk  and  the  eye  and  to  cook 
them  whole,  like  Plums.  The  flavour  differs 
entirely  from  that  of  the  ripe  fruit,  and  is  excel- 
lent. It  has  been  remarked  more  than  once  that 
to  use  this  Apple  in  the  way  indicated  is  almost  to 
introduce  a  new  cooking  fruit.  As  far  as  we 
know,  Lord  Suffield  is  the  only  Apple  which  can 
be  depended  upon  as  really  first-rate  for  the 
purpose,  and  it  might  possibly  tend  to  increase  the 
value  of  plantations  of  this  capital  cooking  Apple 
if  the  fact  of  its  thinnings  being  of  some  economic 
service  were  more  widely  known.  K.  L.  D. 


HUMEA  ELEGANS  AND  PEACH  TEEES. 

[To  THE  Editor  of  "The  Garden."] 
Sir, — During  the  past  summer  jou  were  kind 
enough  to  publish  in  your  valuable  paper  my 
experience  of  growing  Humea  elegans  in  Peach 
houses,  the  effect  of  which  was  most  destructive  to 
the  Peach.  This  season  1  had  two  Humeas  instead 
of  four  as  last  season.  They  were  placed  in 
exactly  the  same  position,  with  the  result  that  in 
three  days  they  had  to  be  removed,  the  leaves  of 
the  Peach  trees  for  some  distance  round  where  the 
Humeas  were  standing  having  the  appearance  of 
being  severely  scorched,  together  with  leaves,  lo 
all  appearance  unharmed,  dropping  to  the  ground 
in  large  quantities.     And  further  to  make  certain 


June  25,  1904.] 


TIIK    (lAUDKX 


453 


that  this  particular  tree,  which  was  CrimBon 
Galande,  was  not  suffering  from  any  other  cause, 
I  had  the  same  two  plants  placed  under  two 
separate  trees  in  the  same  house,  with  identical 
results.  I  might  say  that  the  Peach  trees  had  in 
no  way  been  coddled,  for  the  house,  to  my  know- 
ledge, had  not  been  closed  for  twelve  months, 
except  for  the  purpose  of  fumigation  previous  to 
the  trees  coming  into  bloom.  To  readers  whom 
this  may  interest  I  sav  try  standing  a  single 
Humea  plant  under  a  Peach  tree  in  fairly  close 
contact,  as  plants  in  houses  generally  have  to  be, 
when  it  will  bediscovered  that  myopinion  is  correct. 
Lockinye  Gardeiix,  Wantage.      William  Fyfe. 


GARDENING  OF  THE  WEEK. 


THE   EVERGEEN    CYPRESS. 

GOOD  specimens  of  the  Evergreen 
Cypress  (Cupressus  sempervirens) 
are  sufficiently  rare 
in  English  gardens 
to  make  the  accom- 
panying illustration 
of  some  interest.  They  are  in  the 
grounds  at  Hewell  Grange,  Lord 
Windsor's  Worcestershire  seat. 
One  might  be  pardoned  for  sup- 
)  losing  the  photograph  to  have 
been  taken  in  a  southern  or 
eastern  garden.  The  Cypresses  un- 
consciously remind  one  of  sunnier 
lands  than  ours.  Writing  from 
Hewell  Grange  Gardens,  Mr.  A.  A. 
Pettigrew  says  that  the  tallest  of 
the  trees  is  52  feet  high.  Two 
forms  of  the  Evergreen  Cypre.ss 
are  common  in  the  South  of 
Europe  and  Asia  Minor,  but  only 
one,  the  fastigiate  form  shown 
in  the  illustration,  is  generally 
])lanted  in  England.  This  makes 
a  tall,  tapering,  flame-shaped  tree, 
with  erect  branches  growing  close 
to  the  trunk.  The  natural  habitats 
of  the  Evergreen  Cypress  are  in 
the  Mediterranean  region,  espe- 
cially the  Levant  and  the  Grecian 
Archipelago,  and  also  westward 
as  far  as  the  Himalayas.  Accord- 
ing to  Veitch,  it  was  introduced 
into  England  prior  to  1548,  in 
which  year  it  is  mentioned  by 
Turner  in  his  "Names  of  Herbes." 
Veitch  further  says  :  "  There  are 
no  old  trees  in  this  country, 
owing  to  various  causes.  In  the 
South  of  Europe  it  lives  to  a 
great  age,  and  attains  a  height 
sometimes  exceeding  100  feet. 
There  are  three  Cypresses  standing 
in  the  garden  of  the  convent  of 
the  Chartreuse  at  Eome  that 
were  planted  by  Michael  Angelo 
(1474—1563).  One  is  in  a  state 
of  decay,  the  other  two  are  still 
vigorous." 

Here  and  there,  though  rarely, 
in  stately  English  domains  we 
do  find  groups  which  were  planted  long  ago, 
admirably  placed  with  regard  to  both  shelter 
and  prospect,  and  finely  grown.  But  they  are 
Southern  trees,  no  more  indigenous,  indeed, 
to  Italy  than  they  are  with  us,  and  though 
they  may  be  found  everywhere  to-day,  from 
the  foot  of  the  Alps  to  Calabria  and  Sicily,  all 
historic  allusions  go  to  prove  that  the  Romans 
themselves  had  to  acclimate  and  cultivate  them 
with  care  and  difficulty.  It  is  a  tree  whose 
chief  affinity  is  with  sun-lit  plains,  and  there- 
fore cannot  withstand  great  rigour  of  climate. 
An  exceptionally  cold  English  winter  may  kill 
or  seriously  cripple  it.  A.  H.  P. 


INDOOR    GARDEN. 
Giant     Tree     Mignonette. 

FEW  plants  in  flower  are  more  admired 
than  these,  and  they  are  perhaps  much 
more  appreciated  because  they  are  in 
flower  mainly  during  the  autumn  and 
winter  months.  Of  all  the  styles  of 
training  perhaps  there  is  none  better 
than  standards  with  stems  20  inches  to  '24  inches 
high.  Sow  the  seeds  at  once  in  3-inch  pots,  and, 
after  draining  them  thoroughly,  fill  to  within 
1  inch  of  the  top  with  good  friable  loam  and  leaf- 
mould  mixed  together.  The  final  surfacing  should 
be  with  more  of  the  mixture  rendered  fine  by 
passing  it  through  a  half-inch  sieve,  and  to  this  add 
about  a  fourth  part  of  sand.     Sow  in  the  centre  of 


THE    EVERCRBEN    CYPRESS    IN    AN    ENGLISH    GARDEN. 

I  each  pot  from  three  to  five  seeds,  but  directly  the 
seedlings  are  well  through  the  soil  thin  them  to 
one  that  is  to  form  the  specimen.  The  seeds  will 
germinate  and  the  plants  afterwards  will  grow 
better  in  a  cool,  airy  temperature  without  artificial 
aid  until  they  begin  to  flower,  and  the  heads  of 
these  will  develop  better  with  the  aid  of  a  little 

1  warmth. 

Belladonna  and  Guernsey  Lilies. 
These  flowers  are  very  useful  for  decorative  work 
during  September  and  October.  Obtain  the  bulbs 
in  good  time,  and  these  require  to  be  carefully 
treated.  They  should  be  potted  singly  or  with 
several  bulbs  in  a  pot,  and  should  be  placed  in  a 
cool   but   well-shaded    position    until    the    flowers 


open.  The  flowers  are  useful  in  a  cut  state,  as 
their  stems  develop  from  15  inches  to  20  inches  in 
length,  and  are  very  stout  and  erect.  The  bulbs 
may  be  potted  in  any  kind  of  soil,  unless  it  be 
necessary  to  grow  and  flower  them  again  in  the 
same  pots,  and  in  this  case  give  them  a  mixture  of 
equal  parts  good  rich  loam  and  leaf-mould,  with  the 
addition  of  a  small  proportion  of  sand.  Liquid 
manure  during  the  growing  season  will  help 
materially  the  development  of  a  good  strong 
growth. 

Malmaison  Carnations. 

Annually   a   great  number  of    these  plants  are 

thrown  to  the  rubbish  heap  from   no  other  cause 

than  attempting  to  force  them   early  into  flower. 

Instead  of  attempting  by  artificial  methods  to  force 

them  propagate  the  young  stock  early.     Generally, 

under  any  circumstances,  a  few  of  the  plants  will 

bloom   early,   and    are    now    ready    for    layerinj;. 

Commence  to  do  this,  and  as  the  flowers  are  cut 

continue  until  the  requisite  number 

of     layers     are    obtained.       If    this 

method    is     practised     recourse    to 

forcing  will  not   be   necessary.     Put 

up   immediately  a   few   of  the   firt-t 

year  plants  that  have  flowered,  and 

do   not    allow    them    to    suffer    the 

least  check  through   remaining   too 

long  in  small  pots. 

J.  P.  Leadbetter. 
Tranhy  Croft  Gardens,  Hull. 

KITCHEN  GARDEN. 

Asparagus. 
This  vegetable  will  soon  be  over, 
as  it  is  not  advisable  to  continue 
cutting  too  late  in  the  season.  In 
some  gardens  the  rule  is  to  cut 
till  the  early  Peas  are  ready,  but  if 
the  beds  are  old  or  weakly  in  any 
way  cutting  should  now  cease.  If 
the  beds  are  exposed  to  wind  the 
growths,  as  they  advance,  should  be 
staked.  A  good  application  of  guano 
and  salt  added,  and  applied  in 
showery  weather,  will  help  to- 
strengthen  the  crowns.  See  that 
the  beds  are  kept  free  from  weeds. 
Plants  raised  from  seeds,  sown  in 
heat  and  planted  out  early  in  May, 
will  now  be  growing  freely.  Give  a> 
mulch  in  dry  weather  or  copious 
waterings,  as  it  is  necessary  to  get 
as  strong  a  growth  as  possible  the 
first  season  so  as  to  ensure  their 
withstanding  the  winter. 

Lettuce  and  Radish. 
Frequent   sowings  must    be   made 
to    maintain    a   constant   supply   of 
these.     Sow  thinly,  then  they  need 
not    be    transplanted,  as    this    is    a 
troublesome       operation       in       dry 
weather.       Where    Celery    trenches 
are  already  thrown   out,   the   seeds 
ma}-  be  sown  on  the  ridges  between 
them.      Cos  varieties  will    be  found 
best    at     this    period.       To    ensure 
Lettuce    being    alwaj's   crisp,    they 
should   in  the  summer  be  grown  on 
a   damp  border,  or  given  plenty  of 
water  at   the  roots  in  dry  weather. 
Radishes     require      to      be     grown 
rapidly.     As  a  sowing  keeps  in  condition  only  for 
a  few  days,  sowing  every  eight  days  will  be  neces- 
sary,  and   will   be   found   to   work   out   right   for 
suppl}'. 

Mustard  and  Cress 

may  now  be  sown  out  of  doors  either  in  boxes  or 
in  the  open.  This  also  requires  to  be  done 
frequently.  In  very  dry  weather  a  mat  may  be 
placed  over  the  sowing.  This  will  help  germina- 
tion. 

General  Remarks. 
Many  things  now  occupy  the  gardener's  atten- 
tion.    Hoeing  or  weeding  among  Onions  or  Carrots 
should  on  no  account  be  done  in  dry  weather,  as 
the  disturbance  at  the  root  is  sure  to  affect  these- 


454 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Junk.  25,  1904. 


at  this  period.  See  that  all  blanks  are  filled  up 
in  recently-planted  plots  of  Cabbages,  Cauliflowor, 
(So.,  and  as  slugs  have  been  a  great  pest  this 
season  soot  or  lime  should  be  again  placed  round 
each  plant.  Sow  Par.sley  for  winter  use  if  none 
has  been  transplanted  for  this  purpose.  Sow  on 
a  border  about  the  width  of  the  frames  intended 
for  covering  it.  Mould  up  Potatoes,  Cabbage, 
Cauliflower,  &c.,as  soon  as  large  enough,  to  prevent 
their  being  blown  about  by  wind. 
Hopetoun  Ho^ise  Gardens,  Thomas  Hay. 

South  Queensferry,  N.B. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 
Lavender. 
This  aromatic  shrub  passed  through  a  period  of 
comparative  neglect,  and  is  now  once  more  in 
deserved  favour.  Primarily  it  is  grown  for  its 
flowers,  but  the  shrub  itself  is  of  such  neat  and 
compact  habit  as  to  have  a  distinct  decorative  value. 
It  is  well  adapted  for  use  as  a  dwarf  hedge  to  a 
Rose  garden  or  herbaceous  border.  And  as  it 
succeeds  best  in  a  comparatively  dry  soil  it  will 
thrive  on  a  sunny  bank  where  many  other  plants 
fail.  It  is  usually  propagated  by  slips,  preferably 
with  roots  firmly  inserted,  either  in  the  open  ground 
or  under  hand  lights.  In  many  places  these  slips 
will  grow  at  almost  any  time  during  spring,  summer, 
or  autumn  ;  and  in  others  it  is  necessary  to  insert 
them  either  during  March  and  April  or  in  September. 
If  grown  as  a  hedge  a  few  plants  of  the  white- 
flowered  variety,  which  is  just  as  sweet  as  the  blue, 
will  make  a  pleasing  break  in  the  line.  The  flowers 
should  be  thoroughly  dry  when  gathered. 

Hedge  Pruning. 
Most  evergreens  have  made  the  greater  part  of 
their  growth,  and  the  pruning  can  be  done  much 
easier  while  the  growth  is  young  and  soft  than 
later  on,  when  it  becomes  tough.  And  if  the  pruning 
is  left  too  late  the  aftergrowth  fails  to  get  ripe,  and 
an  early  frost  spoils  the  appearance  of  the  hedge. 
The  young  growth  of  the  Portugal  Laurel  and 
many  forms  of  the  Ilex  Oak  assume  a  very  bright 
colour  on  their  leaves  and  stems.  The  Ilex  is  a 
most  valuable  wind  break  and  nurse  plant  for  many 
seaside  places,  and  it  will  stand  almost  any  amount 
of  hard  pruning.  From  a  gardener's  point  of  view 
its  habit  of  shedding  its  old  leaves  at  this  season 
makes  it  an  undesirable  tree  to  plant  in  close 
proximity  to  any  walks  or  drives.  A  batch  of 
young  plants  will  show  a  surprising  variety  in  the 
size  and  form  of  their  leaves.  In  the  few  places 
which  possess  any  examples  of 

Topiary  Work 
there  will  now  be  an  enormous  amount  of  clipping 
to  be  done.  This  is  of  necessity  a  slow  and  tedious 
work,  but  it  behoves  the  trainer  to  use  plenty  of 
time  and  patience,  for  unless  great  care  and  judg- 
ment are  exercised  to  maintain  the  rigidity  of  the 
outlines  any  beauty  which  this  class  of  gardening 
possesses  will  be  lost.  A.  C.  Baktlbtt. 

Pencarrow  Gardens,  Bodmin. 


FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Early  Vines. 
Houses  where  ripe  Grapes  are  hanging  should  be 
kept  as  cool  and  airy  as  possible.  Black  varieties 
for  late  keeping  will  be  the  better  for  a  light 
shading.  Nothing  is  better  than  fish  netting  if  the 
foliage  is  good,  as  this  allows  plenty  of  light  to 
pass  through.  White  varieties  will  be  improved 
in  colour  by  having  full  exposure  to  light  providing 
the  fruit  is  ripe.  If  the  borders  are  mulched,  very 
little  water  will  be  required  until  the  Grapes  are 
cut.  Do  not,  however,  allow  the  borders  to  become 
dry  if  the  Grapes  are  kept  hanging  a  long  time, 
but  give  a  good  watering  of  clear  water,  choosing  a 
fine  dry  morning  for  doing  so.  As  soon  as  the 
house  is  cleared  of  fruit,  thoroughly  syringe  and 
cleanse  the  foliage  with  the  garden  engine. 

Succession  Houses. 

In   succession    houses    where    the    Grapes    are 

approaching  maturity  these  will  require  plenty  of 

air.     Very  little  fire-heat  will  be  necessary — only 

a  slight  warmth  during  the  night  or  when  the 


weather  is  damp.  Give  the  borders  a  good  watering 
as  soon  as  the  berries  commence  to  change  colour, 
and  mulch  the  border  with  light  litter.  This  will 
prevent  the  escape  of  moisture,  especially  where 
such  varieties  as  Madresfield  Court  and  Foster's 
Seedling  are  grown.  Gradually  reduce  the  supply 
of  atmospheric  moisture,  and  admit  air  carefully  in 
unsettled  weather  where  the  above  varieties  are 
grown.  Syringing  being  out  of  the  question  when 
the  Grapes  are  nearly  ripe,  endeavour  to  keep  red 
spider  in  check  by  carefully  sponging  the  leaves 
with  soft  soap  and  sulphur. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. 
Tie  in  and  regulate  the  shoots  of  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  on  outside  walls  as  they  increase  in 
length,  and  pinch  the  laterals.  Remove  all  small, 
badly  placed,  and  duplicate  fruits,  finally  leaving 
two  fruits  on  strong  shoots  and  one  on  weaker  ones. 
Remove  all  blistered  leaves,  burn  them,  and  keep 
all  destroj'ing  insects  in  check.  Poorness  of  the 
soil  and  dryness  at  the  roots  are  often  the  cause  of 
the  trees  being  badly  attacked  with  insects,  or 
cause  them  to  be  in  an  unhealthy  state. 

Thinning  Fruits. 

Thin  the  fruits  of  Apples  and  Pears.  The  fruits 
should  be  evenly  distributed  over  the  whole  trees. 
The  more  freely  they  are  thinned  the  finer  will  be 
the  fruit.  Plums  are  set  thickly  in  places,  and 
some  thinning  will  be  neeesaary.  A  vigorous 
syringing  with  the  hose-pipe  will  remove  all  small 
and  worthless  fruits.  The  same  operation  should 
also  be  applied  to  sweet  and  Morello  Cherries. 

Impney  Gardens,  Droitwich.  F.  Jordan 


ORCHIDS. 
Thunias. 
After  the  flowering  season  is  over,  which  will 
now  be  the  case  with  the  majority  that  are  going 
to  produce  flowers  this  year,  a  gradual  change  of 
temperature  to  more  airy  and  cooler  houses  than 
those  in  which  they  have  been  grown  is  need- 
ful, till  they  may  ultimately  be  placed  to 
advantage  in  such  a  structure  as  the  early  Peach 
house.  Water  should  be  freely  given ;  it  is 
well  to  retain  the  foliage  till  well  on  in  the 
autumn.  When  the  leaves  naturally  begin  to 
change  colour,  not  through  being  allowed  to 
become  dry,  water  may  then  be  gradually  with- 
held till  they  begin  to  fall,  when  no  more  need  be 
given,  and  they  may  then  be  placed  away  in  their 
winter  quarters.  A  shelf  in  a  vinery,  or  any  house 
which  is  fairly  dry  and  light,  and  where  frost  is 
not  allowed  to  enter,  will  meet  their  requirements 
till  the  new  growth  is  visible  next  season. 

Many  failures  to  flower  this  beautiful  section 
of  Orchids  are  brought  about  by  the  preceding 
year's  bulbs  not  being  thoroughly  ripened  and 
matured ;  sometimes  the  foliage  is  lost  much  too 
soon  in  the  season  by  the  plants  being  allowed  to 
become  dry  when  they  are  exposed  to  direct 
sunshine,  and  more  often  by  the  plants  being 
allowed  to  remain  in  a  shady  house. 

MiLTONIA  VEXILLARIA. 
Well-grown  plants  have  been  objects  of  great 
beauty  these  past  six  weeks,  but  the  flowers  now 
being  over,  with  the  exception  of  the  late  sorts, 
a  slight  rest  should  be  afforded ;  this  is  best 
brought  about  by  withholding  the  plentiful  supplies 
of  water  they  have  been  receiving  during  the  past 
three  months,  yet  sufficient  to  retain  solidity 
of  the  pseudo-bulbs  is  needful.  It  is  also  bene- 
ficial to  remove  them  to  the  coolest  end  of  the 
intermediate  house,  or,  better  still,  to  a  house 
rather  more  airy  and  cooler,  where  they  can  be 
kept  well  shaded.  The  success  of  next  season's 
flowering  greatly  depends  on  the  treatment  they 
now  receive  ;  if  they  are  allowed  to  start 
immediately  into  active  growth  before  they  have 
had  time  to  recuperate  after  the  great  strain  the 
flowering  season  entails,  the  new  growth  will  be 
comparatively  weak  compared  with  those  that 
start  away  later  on  in  the  season  after  having  had 
the  necessary  rest.  Nothing  is  gained  by  being  in 
a  hurry  with  this  species,  and  the  best  results  are 
attained  by  keeping  them  as  quiet  as  possible 
from  now  till  August. 


General   Remarks. 

Now  that  the  majority  of  the  Orchids  have  passed 
through  the  flowering  season,  it  is  well  to  remove 
any  that  are  in  flower  to  a  separate  house  where 
the  atmosphere  is  less  humid,  otherwise,  if  the 
houses  are  treated  as  they  should  be,  the  flowers 
will  soon  be  disfigured  with  spot  ;  most  valuable 
time  is  often  lost  by  treating  the  houses  at  thi.s 
season  to  suit  the  flowering  plants  rather  than  the 
growing  ones. 

Dendrobiums  that  are  growing  freely  and  have 
made  a  good  number  of  roots  will  now  take  water 
freely,  and  will  be  benefited  by  overhead  spraj'ings 
on  bright  days.  Remove  the  blinds  to  allow  the 
evening  sun  to  increase  the  temperature ;  frequent 
damping  down  is  very  essential ;  in  fact,  this 
applies  to  all  the  houses  now.  Nothing  is  more 
detrimental  than  a  dry  atmosphere  on  a  hot  day. 

W.  P.  Bound. 

Gallon  Park  Gardens,  Reigate. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 


SPINACH  AND   ITS   SUBSTITUTES. 

CF  Spinach  proper  there  are  two  types, 
^  the  prickly  and  the  round-seeded, 
I  each  supposed  to  be  especially 
W  adapted  for  the  winter  and  spring 
supply  respectively.  Certain  it  is, 
however,  that  this  order  of  seasons 
for  each  kind  is  now  beginning  to  be  transposed,  as 
one  or  the  other  may  be  relied  upon  to  succeed, 
whatever  the  season.  However  this  may  be,  soils, 
or  at  least  some  of  them,  have  much  more  influence 
on  the  success  or  otherwise  of  a  particular  type  of 
Spinach  than  many  people  are  aware  of.  Of  this  I 
have  had  ample  proof  in  this  garden.  The  prickly- 
seeded  or  winter  Spinach  succeeds  much  better  as  a 
summer  crop  than  even  the  round-seeded,  which  is 
supposed  to  be  the  best  for  this  season.  Even  the 
Victoria  will  succeed  much  better  as  a  winter  crop 
than  a  summer  one.  I  know  that  many  people  look 
upon  the  round-seeded  variety  as  the  special  kind 
for  summer  use,  and  they  will  not  try  any  other. 
If  the  round-seeded  will  not  succeed,  my  advice  is 
to  give  the  prickly-seeded  a  trial.  Any  variety 
which  will  give  a  succession  of  succulent  leaves 
should  be  grown  ;  but,  whatever  the  variety,  this 
cannot  be  done  unless  the  soil  is  in  a  highly  fertile 
state.  During  hot  and  dry  weather  it  is  with  the 
greatest  difficulty  that  Spinach  of  any  kind  will 
succeed  ;  it  runs  to  flower-stem  when  only  2  inches 
or  3  inches  above  ground.  To  guard  against  this 
as  much  as  possible,  it  should  be  sown  on  cooler 
sites,  east  or  north  borders  for  preference.  To  keep 
up  a  constant  supply  sowings  will  have  to  be  made 
at  intervals  of  ten  days  or  a  fortnight,  both 
throughout  this  and  the  next  month.  Victoria  is 
now  becoming  a  very  popular  variety.  It  is  a  most 
decided  improvement  on  the  ordinary  round-seeded, 
being  much  more  vigorous  in  growth  and  having 
the  additional  merit  of  not  running  to  seed  so 
quickly.  Not  only  as  a  summer  crop,  but  also  as 
a  trustworthy  winter  kind,  is  it  most  valuable. 
Monstrous  Viroflay  is  certainly  a  large-leaved  kind, 
but  I  shall  not  grow  it  again,  as  it  runs  to  seed 
much  too  quickly  with  me  ;  in  fact,  it  is  a  variety 
which  might  well  be  expunged  from  seed  lists,  the 
Victoria  being  much  the  better  variety. 

Of  substitutes  for  Spinach  there  are  several. 
The  first  on  the  list  is  what  is  known  as  the  New 
Zealand  Spinach  (Tetragonia  expansa).  Its  value 
lies  in  its  growing  freely  during  the  drought  and 
heat  of  summer,  when  often  Spinach  can  with 
difficulty  be  secured.  Being  raised  in  warmth,  the 
plants  are  set  out  on  a  sunny  border  early  in  June. 
It  is  the  young  shoots  which  are  gathered.  Not 
many  plants  are  needed,  a  dozen  being  ample,  these 
forming  clumps  a  yard  across  each.  The  Orach  or 
Mountain  Spinach  (Atriplex  hortensis)  is  another 
substitute.  It  must  be  sown  on  good  soil  for  suc- 
cession. Seed  may  be  sown  both  in  the  spring  and 
autumn,  and,  like  Spinach,  it  succeeds  best  in  rich 
and  moist  soil.  Mercury  again  is  called  a  Spinach 
substitute.  In  Lincolnshire,  where  it  is  cultivated 
more  than  in  any  other  part  of  England,  I  have 


June  25,  1904.] 


THE    GARDEN. 


455 


frequently  come  across  it.  The  seeds  may  either  be 
sown  in  the  spring  or  autumn  on  well-drained  soil, 
and  also  liighly  manured.  Being  a  perennial,  a 
dressing  of  manure  should  be  given  annually.  The 
seedlings  may  either  be  thinned  outer  transplanted 
to  a  distance  of  a  foot  apart,  selecting  showery 
weather  for  the  purpose.  The  clumps  may  also  be 
divided,  this  operation  being  performed  just  as 
fresh  growth  is  starting-  It  may  either  be  used  as 
Spinach  or  the  young  shoots  in  the  spring  may  be 
used  as  Asparagus.  When  young  the  shoots  may  be 
boiled  whole,  but  they  are  generally  peeled  before 
using.  The  shoots  are  more  tender  if  the  plants 
are  earthed  up  in  the 
spring  previous  to  starting 
into  growth. 

The  Spinach  Beet  is 
really  an  e.xcellent  Spinach 
substitute,  and  a  row 
should  be  grown  in  every 

garden.      Being    a    peren- 
nial,  the  plants  will   not 

need  disturbing  very  often, 

but    whenever    they  show 

signs   of  exhaustion,   take 

up,  divide,  and   replant  on 

a  fresh  site.     Each  spring 

a    liberal    top-dressing    of 

manure  should  be  applied. 

Spinach  Beet  may  be  grown 

from    seed     sown     in    the 

spring,   or   by   division   at 

the      same      time.        The 

younger    leaves   are   those 

which  are  gathered,  but  if 

it    should    be    so    desired 

the     leaf-stalks    may    also 

be  used.     In  this   case  the 

crowns   are   best    moulded 

over   in    the   early   spring 

with    leaf-soil ;     then    the 

stalks  as  they  rise  will  be 

blanched,  and  consequently 

more    tender.      These   are 

served  up  like  Seakale  or 

Asparagus.  A. 


CHARLES    WOLLEY-DOD. 
Died  June  14,  1904. 


B 


botany 
hardy 


Y  the  lamented  death  of  Mr.  Wolley- 
Dod  horticulture  in  England  loses 
one  of  its  keenest  enthusiasts  and 
foremost  teachers.  To  a  scholar's 
training  Mr.  Wolley-Dod  added 
a     sound     knowledge     of     native 

and  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
garden    plants.       He     was     for     ever 


BRUSSELS  SPROUTS 
Whilst  the  ground  on 
which  plants  of  Brussels 
Sprouts  are  to  be  grown 
can  hardly  be  too  deeply 
worked,  it  is  unwise  to 
enrich  it  too  much  with 
manure,  as  the  natural  ten- 
<leucy  of  the  plants  is  to 
grow  strong,  and  in  highly 
manured  ground  growth 
from  plants  put  out  early 
is  too  often  gross  and  pro- 
ductive of  large  pithy 
stems  and  abnormal 
Sprouts,  rather  than  good 
hard  woody  stems  and 
Sprouts  of  medium  size  and 
of  the  best  table  quality. 
If  plants  are  put  out  on 
ground  from  which  early 
Potatoes,  Peas,  or  winter 
Spinach  have  been  re- 
moved, the  soil  is  then 
fairl}'  firm.  But,  as  seen  in 
the  market  fields,  where 
the  best  Sprout.s  in  the 
world  are  so  freely  pro- 
duced, ample  treading,  to 

harden  the  ground,  is  productive  of  great  good. 
It  is  unwise  to  aim  at  securing  the  produc- 
tion of  Sprouts  so  early  as  September,  for,  as  a 
rule,  there  is  then  an  abundance  of  other  vegetables. 
From  November  onward  is  a  good  time' to  have 
Brussels  Sprouts  in  plenty.  Plants  raised  under 
glass  and  pricked  off  into  cold  frames  ought  to  have 
been  planted  in  their  permanent  quarters  before 
now.  The  ground  should  have  been  heavily  dressed 
with  farmyard  manure  and  deeply  trenched.  Hoe 
frequently  to  promote  a  good  start,  after  which 
they  will  require  but  little  attention.  A.  D. 


constitute  some  of  the  most  valuable  records 
of  advancement  in  garden  knowledge.  Not 
only  was  the  matter  of  his  letters  sound  and 
lucid,  but  the  manner  of  it,  his  fine,  direct, 
simple  English  was  a  model  of  what  such 
writing  should  be. 

In    bis   excellent  garden  at   Edge   Hal),   in 
Cheshire,  Mr.  WolleyJJod  did  much  to  improve 
and    make   known    some    of    the   best    hardy 
flowers.  He  devoted  much  careful  experimental 
treatment  to    alpines,   but    among   the  larger 
hardy  flowers  perhaps  he  mostly  favoured  the 
Composites.       The  .fine 
modern  development  of 
the  Michaelmas  Daisies 
owes  much  to  him,  many 
of  the  varieties  that  make 
our  gardens  beautiful  in 
September  and  through- 
out October  having  beea 
raised  by  him. 

We  know  how  dis- 
tasteful it  would  have 
been  to  him  to  know  of 
the  printing  of  common- 
place expressions  of  adu- 
lation, but  it  is  only 
fitting  that  the  pages  of 
The  G.AEDEN— a  journal 
to  which  he  has  been  so 
good  a  friend,  and  that 
owes  him  so  heavy  and 
long-standing  a  debt  of 
gratitude  —  should  be 
allowed  to  express,  how- 
ever inadequately,  both 
personal  and  public 
reverence,  admiration, 
and  regret. 

Refined  scholar,  pains- 
taking botanist,  fine 
English  squire,  best  and 
kindest  of  men,  his 
death  is  a  grievous  and 
irreparable  loss,  not  only 
to  those  most  near  to 
,  him  by  kin  and  friend- 

V  ship,  but  to  all  the  world 

,  ,  of  horticulture. 


y 


THE  LATE  REV.    CHARLES  WOLLEY-DOD. 


NURSERY 
GARDENS. 


S' 


EHODODEXDEONS 
AT   KNAP   HILL. 

OME  two  or  three 
miles  from  Wok- 
ing,  beyond    the 
pleasant    Surrey 
village    of    Ilor- 
sell,       are      the 
famous  Knap  Hill  Rhodo- 
dendron  nurseries  of   Air. 
Anthony   Waterer.       Soon 
after   passing    Horsell 
Common      collections       of 
golden    Yews,    Cupressus, 
and  Retinosporas  are  seen 
in  the  distance,  and  upon 
closerapproach  their  bright 
seeking  knowledge  for  himself  and  delighting   colouring,  which  the  light^Surrey  soil   brings  out 

When  any  impor- 


in  imparting  it  to  others, 
tant  question  for  horticultural  discussion 
arose,  his  additions  to  it  were  always  the 
most  thoughtful,  learned,  and  illuminating. 
As  soon  as  he  had  satisfied  himself  upon  any 
debated  point  he  would  communicate  liis  con- 
clusions to  the  leading  horticultural  iournals. 
Thus,  his  notes  and  letters,  published  during 
the  last  quarter  of  a  century  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle    The  Garden,  and  other  journals, 


so  well,  is  most  striking.  They  are,  indeed,  golden 
conifers,  and  the  healthy  green  of  the  commoner 
ones  around  serves  but  to  accentuate  their  colouring. 
After  leaving  these,  Mr.  Waterer  draws  one's 
attention  to  many  fine  trees  of  sorts  that  are  rarely 
met  with  as  large  specimens,  e.g.,  the  Willow- 
leaved  Oak,  Kolreuteria  paniculata,  an  immense 
Weeping  Beech,  a  Japanese  Maple  (perhaps  the 
largest  in  the  country),  and  so  on,  pointing  out  also 
the  happy  association  of  Wistaria  and  Laburnum, 
the  racemes  of  blue  and  yellow  commingling  delight- 


456 


THE    GAUDEN. 


[June  25,  19U. 


fully  ;  the  rampant  growth  and  handsome  foliage 
of  Vitis  Thunbergii,  and  other  objects  of  interest 
that  abound  in  this  old-established  nursery. 

Engrossed  in  the  appreciation  of  these,  the 
visitor  is  not  prepared  for  the  striking  change  of 
scene  that  suddenly  lies  revealed  ;  one  moment  you 
are  surrounded  by  hedges  of  Beech,  that  effectually 
restrict  your  attention  to  the  thousands  of  young 
plants  for  whose  protection  they  exist ;  and  the 
next,  you  are  in  fairy-land,  or,  at  any  rate,  so  far 
as  stately  trees  and  beautiful  flowers  in  association 
with  a  charming  bit  of  Surre}'  landscape  can  ever 
hope  to  carry  one  towards  an  appreciation  of  that 
mythical  land  of  delight.  Immediately  in  front  of 
the  onlooker,  and  stretching  awa\'  to  right  and  to 
left,  are  masses  of  Ghent  Azaleas  in  all  the  inde- 
scribable shades  of  colour  that  characterise  the 
latter-day  hybrids.  Old  gold,  rich  yellow,  bright 
yellow,  light  yellow,  dark  yellow,  fiery  red,  and 
pink  and  white  one  can  distinguish,  but  to  name 
these  is  but  just  to  touch  the  fringe  of  that  sea  of 
tints  that  the  eye  discerns  and  the  mind  appre- 
ciates, but  the  pen  cannot  describe.  On  the  right 
a  mass  of  Scotch  Fir,  with  bold,  rugged,  orange- 
tinted  trunks  and  a  crown  of  green-black  foliage  ; 
•on  the  left,  in  strong  contrast,  a  clump  of  English 
Elm  leafy  and  placid,  and  vignetted  between  the 
two  is  the  famous  Rhododendron  drive,  a  road 
some  two  miles  long,  and  flanked  on  either  side  for 
the  first  mile  by  bushes  or  trees — one  might  almost 
say  banks — of  Rhododendrons,  while  beyond  this 
mass  of  colour  lies  undulating  ground  surfaced 
with  smiling  meadows,  intersected  by  leaf}'  hedge- 
rows, and  dotted  with  clumps  of  Oak  and  Elm — a 
glimpse  of  real  country. 

The  predominating  colour  throughout  these  acres 
•of  Rhododendrons  is  purple  ;  in  fact,  viewing  them 
from  a  distance  one  would  say  that  all  were  purple. 
It  is  only  upon  closer  examination  that  one  becomes 
•aware  of  the  subtle  changes  and  wonderful  improve- 
ments that  the  hybridist  has  fashioned  during 
■recent  years.  Then,  too,  it  is  possible  to  admire — 
it  is,  indeed,  impossible  not  to  do  so — the  huge 
bushes,  some  of  them  15  feet  to  20  feet  high,  and 
simply  smothered  with  blossoms.  The  many 
year-old  specimens  of  several  well-known  sorts 
■make  grand  masses  of  colour  alongside  the 
■drive,  while  intermingling  and  stretching  away 
for  some  distance  beyond  are  smaller  bushes  of 
both  old  and  recent  sorts.  Among  the  latter-day 
productions  nothing  is  more  remarkable  than  the 
way  in  which  the  individual  blooms  hold  them- 
selves stiff  and  erect,  so  as  to  form  a  truss  of 
•flowers  that,  as  Mr.  Waterer  would  say,  "look 
one  in  the  face."  That  is  a  most  important  point 
in  the  outdoor  Rhododendron,  for  form  and  colour 
of  flower  do  not  count  for  much  if  the  stalks  are  so 
slender  as  to  allow  the  flowers  to  hang  their  heads, 
and  so  spoil  the  beauty  of  the  truss.  Mr.  Waterer 
has  long  been  a  raiser  of  Rhododendrons,  and  his 
aim  has  always  been  to  get  compactness  of  truss  as 
well  as  beauty  of  flower,  and  many  of  the  hybrids 
that  may  be  seen  in  the  Knap  Hill  Nurseries  show 
well  how  successful  his  efforts  have  befn.      H.  T. 


ROUND  ABOUT  A  GARDEN. 


Three  Wild   Gems. 

ON  one  of  the  lawns  of  a  large  and 
i  well-kept  garden  there  stand  in  a 
I  row  a  wild  Crab  Apple  tree,  a 
'  wild  Rose  tree,  and  a  wild  Haw- 
thorn tree.  Each  is  a  marvel  of 
its  kind  and  reputed  to  be  of 
immense  age,  the  three  being  the  remnant  of 
a  hedge  which  was  grubbed  up  when  the  house 
was  built  and  fields  were  enclosed  for  the 
grounds  many  generations  ago.  Probably  they 
were  remarkable  specimens  even  then  ;  other- 
wise it  would  be  hard  to  understand  why  these 
wildings  should  have  been  preserved  in  the 
midst  of  grounds  which  were  being  laid  out  on 
a  magnificent  scale.  However  this  may  be, 
their  preservation  has  been  justified  a  hundred- 
old  :  for  each  in  its  season  of  fruit  as  well  as 


of  bloom  preaches  an  eloquent  sermon  against 
the  popular  folly  which  neglects  our  beautiful 
wild  trees  and  cherishes  costly  exotics  not 
nearly  so  gracious  to  view.  .Just  now  the  wild 
Hose,  which  has  been  trained  to  form  a  rustic 
summer-house,  is  a  miracle  of  loveliness ;  but 
a  little  while  ago  the  Hawthorn,  a  mass  of 
dazzling  white  which  seemed  the  central  land- 
mark in  the  grounds  from  every  point  of  view, 
and  the  Crab  Apple,  sweeping  the  ground  with 
wide  branches  smothered  in  rosy  pink  and 
white,  were  just  as  beautiful. 

A  CONTRA.ST   IN   SELECTION. 

If  any  of  these  natural  gems,  even  the 
common  white  Hawthorn  of  the  hedges,  were 
a  product  of  the  florist's  art,  how  we  should 
glory  in  it  and  deserved)}^  extol  it  as  "  flori- 
bundus  "  in  the  catalogues  !  And  this  "  llori- 
bundance  "  really  is  more  worthy  of  admiration 
in  a  common  wild  tree  than  in  a  cultivated 
plant,  because  in  improving  his  stock  man 
works  towards  a  definite  end  by  methods  far 
more  inexorable  than  those  of  Nature.  She 
can  only  stereotype  a  peculiarity  in  any  species 
by  the  slow  law  of  average  success,  gradually 
moving  the  whole  species  on  by  eliminating 
those  which  fall  out  of  the  marching  line. 
Man,  on  the  other  hand,  may  have  a  hundred 
seedlings,  and,  if  one  greatly  pleases  him,  he 
may  throw  the  other  ninety-nine  of  them  upon 
the  rubbish-heap,  raising  another  hundred  seed- 
lings from  that  one  alone,  and  repeating  the 
process  until  the  peculiarity  which  pleases  him 
has  become  fixed  and  hereditary. 

Nature  Slow  and  Sure. 

Thus  in  a  few  years  all  our  gardens  are  often 
stocked  with  a  "new"  flovver  which  Nature 
could  hardly  have  produced  in  a  million  years, 
even  if  the  peculiarity  conferred  a  distinct 
advantage  in  the  struggle  for  existence  ;  and 
this  would  scarcely  be  the  case  once  in  a 
million  times,  for  I  doubt  if  science  knows  of 
a  single  instance  in  any  part  of  the  world 
where  a  cultivated  variety  of  plant  has  run 
wild  and  by  cross-fertilisation  has  raised  the 
natural  species  to  its  own  standard.  What 
invariably  happens  instead  is  that  the  culti- 
vated strain  grows  fainter  and  fainter,  until  at 
last  it  disappears  and  the  natural  species  alone 
remains.  Nature,  having  established,  by  the 
laborious  experiment  of  ages,  the  exact  type 
fitted  to  survive  under  natural  conditions,  does 
not  allow  man's  arbitrary  creation  of  yesterday 
to  imperil  her  success  ;  so  she  quietly  absorbs 
his  eflbrt,  and  the  waves  of  life  roll  on  without 
a  ripple  to  mark  where  it  disappeared  beneath 
the  surface  of  "  things  as  they  are  obliged 
to  be." 

The  Old-time  Piety  of  Science. 

This,  however,  only  makes  it  seem  the  more 
wonderful  that,  in  such  common  wild  plants  as 
the  Hawthorn,  a  magnificent  superabundance 
of  annual  bloom  should  have  become  an  essen- 
tial part  of  Nature's  scheme.  Why  should  the 
Hawthorn  sheet  itself  in  white  every  May  ? 
The  pious  naturalist  of  pre-Darwinian  days 
found  an  easy  answer  to  that  question.  The 
Hawthorn,  he  said,  was  smothered  in  blossom 
in  spring  in  order  that  it  might  produce  an 
abundant  crop  of  berries  in  autumn  to  feed 
the  birds  ;  and  he  even  went  so  far  as  to  say 
that  an  exceptionally  abundant  crop  was  always 
thus  produced  as  provision  for  a  winter  which 
was  going  to  be  severe.  Evolution  leaves,  how- 
ever, no  room  for  any  plant  to  cultivate 
unselfish  virtues.  The  Hawthorn  feeds  the 
birds  in  winter,  no  doubt,  but  only  in  order 
that  they  may  disseminate  its  seeds.  It  is  not 
for  the  good  of  the  birds,  but  for  the  good  of 
the  Hawthorn,  that  an  immense  crop  of  berries 
is  produced. 


The  More  Prosaic  Modern  View. 

And  even  if  we  could  say  with  certainty  why 
the  Hawthorn  has,  for  its  own  good,  acquired 
the  habit  of  producing  an  enormous  crop  of 
berries,  we  should  still  be  as  far  as  ever  from 
the  reason  for  its  splendid  display  of  snowy 
blossom  in  spring.  The  pious  naturalist  of  the 
past  understood  that  such  displays  were  devised 
by  Providence  to  gladden  the  eyes  of  man,  and 
he  cherished  a  sentiment  of  pity  for  the  flower 
that  was  "born  to  blush  unseen"  as  though  it 
had  somehow  missed  its  vocation.  Since,  how- 
ever, the  theory  of  evolution  was  established, 
naturalists  have  felt  themselves  under  a  sort 
of  compulsion  to  find  some  more  prosaic  reason 
for  striking  shows  of  blossom  ;  and  much  has 
been  written,  and  is  still  being  written,  on  the 
text  that  all  the  colours  and  beauties  of  flowers 
have  been  evolved  in  order  to  please  and  attract 
insects,  in  order  that  these  may  wander  from 
flower  to  flower  and  plant  to  plant,  ensuring 
cross-fertilisation. 

Flowers  and  Insects. 

That  plants  do  gain  in  the  struggle  of 
existence  by  cross-fertilisation  can  be  demon- 
strated in  a  very  simple  manner.  Given  a 
plant  which  produces  more  pollen  than  is 
required  to  fertilise  its  own  flowers,  it  is  evident 
that  its  type  will  have  a  better  chance  of 
becoming  the  dominant  type  of  its  species,  the 
more  widely  its  pollen  can  be  distributed  to 
other  plants.  Therefore,  whether  cross-ferti- 
lisation is  obtained  by  the  agency  of  the  wind 
or  of  insects,  we  find  that  a  great  superfluity  of 
pollen  is  a  characteristic  of  all  dominant  types 
of  plants.  They  have  become  dominant  by 
distributing  their  pollen  over  a  wide  circle, 
and,  of  course,  they  retain  the  valuable  habit. 
As  a  means  to  this  end,  those  plants  which 
employ  the  agency  of  insects  must  make  their 
service  attractive  to  their  agents  ;  and  it  is 
undeniable  that  many  plants  have  adopted 
remarkably  clever  devices  to  secure  the  services 
of  insects.  But  this  does  not  at  all  support 
the  theory  that  the  colours  of  flowers  have  been 
acciuired  to  attract  insects. 

Different  Points  of  View. 
Indeed,  no  one  can  wander  much  about  a 
garden  without  discovering  that  the  showiness 
of  flowers  has  little  to  do  with  their  attraction 
for  insects  ;  and  the  Hawthorn  with  its  strong 
scent  and  its  wealth  of  bloom,  conspicuous  at 
a  quarter  of  a  mile,  has  far  fewer  insect  visitors 
than  such  plants  as  the  Box  or  the  Spurge 
Laurel,  whose  inconspicuous  blooms  are  not 
easy  to  see  at  three  yards'  distance.  My  own 
belief  is  that  insects  have  no  .esthetic  sense 
and  are  hardly  at  all  guided  by  sight  in  their 
selection  of  tiowers  ;  but  that  flowers,  as  we 
see  and  admire  them  to-day,  have  been  modified 
from  ordinary  leaves  by  becoming  more  and 
more  unattractive  and  innutritions  to  grazing 
and  browsing  animals,  their  colours  being 
danger  signals  to  the  beasts.  That  man  regards 
them  as  beautiful  is  his  peculiarity  as  an 
intelligent  fruit-eating  animal.  If  man  had 
chanced  to  be  an  intelligent  herbivore  instead, 
he  would  doubtless  regard  flowers  and  what  we 
call  "beautiful "  colours  as  among  the  ugliest 
things  in  Nature.  E.  K.  R. 


DAPHNE   CNEORUM  VAR. 
MAJUS. 

Perhaps  the  best  known  of  the  Daphnes  is 
the  old  Mezereon  (I).  Mezereum),  which  pro- 
duces its  fragrant  flowers  on  bare  branches 
early  in  the  year.  The  Garland  Flower,  how- 
ever, is  of  quite  a  ditt'erent  type,  dwarf  in 
growth,  and  seldom  more  than  (i  inches  to 
\-2  inches  high.     It  is  of  evergreen  habit  and  a 


June  25,  1904.1 


IHE    GARDEN. 


457 


DAPHXE    CSEORUM    VAB.  MAJUS    AT    KEW. 


valuable  plant  for  the  rook  garden,  where  it  is 
more  in  place  than  with  other  shrubs  in  the 
border  or  bed.  Its  culture  has  proved  difficult 
with  many  who  have  tried  to  grow  it,  and  peat 
has  been  recommended  for  it,  but  the  plant 
shown  in  the  illustration  is  on  a  ledge  with  a 
western  aspect  in  sindy  loam,  to  which  a 
quantity  of  limestone  has  been  added.  With 
this  treatment  it  has  grown  freely,  making  a 
broad  tuft  with  its  trailing  shoots,  and  forming 
quite  a  pleasing  feature  with  its  wealth  of 
clusters  of  fragrant  deep  ])ink  Howers.  It 
begins  to  flower  in  April,  and  continues  long  in 
bloom,  lasting  almost  throughout  the  month  of 
■May.  With  a  wide  distribution,  this  charming 
species  is  found  growing  in  dry  mountain 
pastures,  extending  across  Europe  from 
Northern  Spain  to  Southern  Russia.  It  is  a 
very  old  garden  plant,  and  has  been  in  cultiva- 
tion for  over  1.50  years,  but  is  not  grown  so 
much  as  it  deserves  to  be.  The  habit  is  vari- 
able and  there  are  several  forms,  of  which  the 
subject  of  this  note  is  the  best  and  largest 
flowered.  D.  C.  var.  Verloti  from  the  Dau- 
phine  is  a  plant  of  rather  looser  habit,  with 
smaller  heads  of  flowers  and  narrower  leaves. 

W.  Ieving. 


variety  President  Strawberry  has  been  growing 
many  years  without  changing  the  stock.  I 
certainly  think,  however,  that  soil  and  culture  are 
also  responsible  for  failures,  as  the  same  thing 
happens  with  Potatoes.  These  after  a  few 
seasons,  though  the  crops  are  splendid  at  first, 
are  not  worth  growing.  Pvaspberries  behave  in  a 
similar  way  to  Strawberries.  No  one  after  a  few 
seasons'  growth  would  know  the  excellent  Superla- 
tive— it  is  so  puny,  whereas  when  new  plants  are 
obtained  it  is  e.\cellent.  W.  S.  M. 


NOTES     FROM 
MARKETS. 


THE 


THE    FRUIT    GARDEN. 


WORN-OUT    STEAWBEEEY    PLANTS. 

GROWERS  of  fruit  cannot  always 
plant  in  the  soil  that  would  give  the 
best  results,  as  some  are  quite  un- 
fitted for  Strawberries.  Of  course, 
there  are  other  reasons,  such  as  in- 
different culture  and  want  of  food  ; 
hut  this  does  not  affect  all  plants  or  fruits  alike. 
In  some  gardens  certain  varieties  are  a  great 
success,  but  fail  in  others  with  the  same  treatment. 
A  few  seasons  ago  we  had  an  excellent  patch  of  a 
new  Strawberry,  and  it  was  so  good  we  propagated 
from  it  largely.  In  turn  the  same  thing  went  on 
with  its  progeny,  with  this  result,  that  the  plant 
has  become  so  poor  as  to  be  almost  worthless, 
though  given  just  the  same  culture  as  when  first 
introduced.  Last  season  I  purchased  new  stock  of 
the  same  variety,  and  this  year  it  is  excellent. 
This,  however,  only  occurs  in  certain  cases.     The 


FERNS.  —  The  Nephrolepis  seem  to 
have  quite  taken  the  place  of  the  crested 
Pterises.  Some  good  crested  varieties 
of  P.  cretica  are  grown,  but  the  heavily 
crested  varieties  of  P.  serrulata  seem  to 
have  quite  disappeared.  Of  Nephro- 
lepis there  are  several  sorts  now  grown  extensively. 
The  true  form  of  N.  exaltata  is  perhaps  the  best, 
but,  as  this  is  only  propagated  from  the  spreading 
stolons,  others  which  come  freely  from  spores  are 
seen  in  larger  quantities,  yet  exaltata  always  makes 
the  best  prices.  Of  others,  tuberosa,  cordata,  com- 
pacta,  and  philippinensis  are  grown  extensively. 
We  may  soon  expect  to  see  the  beautiful  American 
N.  Piersoni  in  the  market,  for  this  propagates 
freely  by  runners  or  stolons,  and  already  several 
growers  have  a  good  stock  of  it.  Those  who  saw 
this  in  Mr.  H.  B.  May's  collection  at  the  Drill  Hall 
last  week  could  not  fail  to  appreciate  its  beauty. 
There  were  also  others  which  we  may  soon  expect 
to  see  in  the  market.  N.  Westoni,  a  good  crested 
form  of  N.  ensifolia,  I  have  not  yet  seen  in  the 
market,  but  1  recently  saw  some  fine  plants  at 
Messrs.  Wills  and  Segar's  establishment,  and  they 
regard  it  as  a  most  useful  plant.  N.  Hestoni  is 
anotlier  recent  addition  which  is  likely  to  make  a 
good  market  plant.  Asplenium  biforme  is  now 
largely  grown,  and  at  the  present  time  there  is  a 
good  supply  in  the  market.  A.  Nidus-avis  is  now 
a  general  favourite,  and  I  find  it  is  one  of  the  best 
Ferns  to  last  in  a  room.  When  growing  under 
glass,  if  in  a  cool  house  in  winter,  the  damp  settling 
on  the  fronds  is  the  greatest  cause  of  mischief,  and 
this  does  not  occur  in  a  room. 

Adiantums. — There  are  a  good  many  now  in  the 
market,  but  really  good  plants  of  A.  cuneatum  are 
none  too  plentiful.     Growers  might  with  advantage 


pay  more  attention  to  Adiantums  for  spring  use, 
for  the  supply  frequently  falls  short  just  when  they 
are  most  wanted.  Early  this  spring  it  was  difficult 
to  find  good  plants.  The  general  supply  of  Ferns 
in  the  market  is  considerably  less  than  a  few  weeks 
ago,  while  trade  for  them  has  been  better. 

Mahnaisim  Carnal ioii'i. — Some  very  fine  blooms 
of  the  best  pink  variety  are  coming  in,  and  the 
supply  is  now  at  its  best,  but  as  they  are  so 
exceedingly  popular  the  prices  keep  up.  It  is 
fortunate,  perhaps,  that  the  supply  of  these  beauti- 
ful Carnations  is  never  very  great  except  during 
May  and  .June,  when  there  is  the  greatest  demand 
for  them  ;  even  the  long-stemmed  American  varie- 
ties with  the  large  sweet-scented  flowers  cannot 
supersede  the  Malmaisons,  the  demand  for  which 
has  been  better  this  season  than  ever.  A.  H. 


Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent  In- 
stitution.— The  annual  dinner  in  aid  of  the 
funds  of  the  above  institution  will  take  place 
at  the  Hotel  Metropole  on  Tuesday  next,  at 
7  p.m.  The  chair  will  be  taken  by  the  treasurer 
(Mr.  Harry  .J.  Veitch),  who  will  be  supported  by  a 
large  company  on  the  occasion. 

Horticultural  College,  Swanley.— 

The  governing  body  and  the  principal  have  issued 
invitations  for  Monday,  the  11th  of  July,  when  the 
Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Onslow,  G.C.M.G.,  will 
present  the  prizes.  The  Hon.  Sir  John  Cockburn, 
K.C.M.G.,  will  take  the  chair  at  four  o'clock.  His 
Excellency  Sir  Henry  McCallum,  K.C.M.G., 
Governor  of  Natal,  will  address  the  meeting. 
Carriages  will  meet  the  2  42  train  from  Victoria, 
due  at  Swanley  at  3'27. 

Gardeners    at    cricket.  — The  return 

match  between  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  C.  C. 
and  Dover  House,  Roehampton,  C.C.  was  played 
at  Kew  on  Saturday,  the  18th  inst.,  when  the 
Roj'al  gardeners  again  proved  victorious  by 
seventy-five  runs.  The  scores  were  :  Royal 
Gardens,  14S  ;  Dover  House,  73. 

lYIr,  A.  Dye,  who  has  recently  been  appointed 
head  gardener  at  Tring  Park,  was  on  Friday  last 
the  recipient  of  a  handsome  testimonial,  consisting 
of  a  walnut  pedestal  writing  table,  presented  to 
him  by  the  general  staff.  Mr.  Dye,  in  acknow- 
ledging the  gift,  expressed  his  pleasure  at  the 
good  feeling  that  existed  between  them,  and  hoped 
It  would  continue  for  many  years. 

ChamEcrops  excelsa  in  the  open.— 

The  fact  that  a  good  specimen  of  the  above  Palm 
(male),  which  was  bought  years  ago  at  Stevens's 
Auction  Rooms  for  6d.,  and  had  been  always  in  the 
open  at  Wey bridge  for  about  nineteen  years,  having 
well  flowered  more  than  once,  was  recorded  in  The 
Garden.  The  same  plant  is  now  in  full  flower, 
and  there  are  five  large  heads  of  flower  coming 
out.  Another  interesting  fact,  for  the  first  time 
noted  in  my  garden,  is  that  a  second  specimen  of 
about  the  same  age,  living  under  the  same  condi- 
tions, has  what  I  assume  to  be  another  flower  bud 
fast  appearing.  This  plant  grew  much  more  slowly 
than  the  other  specimen.  Both  plants  are  in  robust 
health, and  the  toliagehas  been  admirably  preserved, 
even  in  bad  winters.  All  the  protection  ever  afforded 
has  been  some  dry  Brake  Fern,  which  has  been 
thrown  over  the  lower  part  of  the  stems  of  the 
plants  in  late  autumn.  Neither  plant  has  been 
moved  once  since  its  present  place  was  first  chosen. 
One  looks  south,  the  other  due  west,  both  being  pro- 
tected by  foliage  behind.  — Lionel  S.  Beale,  F.  R.  S.  , 
Wtybricige. 


SOCIETIES. 


HORTICULTUKAL  EXHIBITS  AT  THE  PAKK  ROYAL 
SHOW. 

The  sixty-fifth  annual  exhibition  of  the  Koyal  Agricultural 
Society  opened  at  Park  Royal,  near  AA'^illesdeu,  on  Tuesday 
last  and  continues  until  to-day  (Saturday).  There  are 
numerous  horticultural  exhibits. 

Immediately  on  the  right  of  the  main  entrance  to  the  show 
ground  is  the  imposing  stand  of  the  King  s  seedsmen,  Messrs. 
Sutton  and  Sons,  of  Reading.  This  stand  contains  a  valuable 
collection  of  grasses,  roots,  Potatoes,  flowers,  vegetables,  and 
other  subjects  interesting  to  the  agriculturist  and  horticul- 
turist. Messrs.  Sutton's  exhibit  deals  in  a  practical  way 
with  the  laying  down  of  land  to  grass.  Grasses  and  Clovers 
in  growth,  as  found  in  the  fields  at  this  time  of  year,  can  be 


458 


THE    GARDEN. 


[Jl-ne  25,  11)04. 


seen,  each  variety  labelled  with  its  popular  and  botanical 
name.  Sutton's  pedigree  stocks  of  agricultural  seeds  are 
represented  by  some  capital  roots. 

An  interesting  feature  of  Messrs.  Sutton's  stand  is  a 
remarkable  exhibit  uf  Tomatoes  and  Peas  in  actual  growtb. 
The  Tomatoes  are  splendid  plants,  loaded  with  immense 
clusters  of  well-ripened  fruits.  It  is  well  known  that  fur 
the  introduction  of  many  of  the  best  Potatoes  now  grown 
we  are  indebted  to  Messrs  Sutton,  and  some  of  the  leading 
soits  are  liere  shown,  including  growing  plants  of  the  famous 
new  Potato  Sutton's  Discovery.  A  large  display  cf 
Gloxinias  forms  a  brilliant  centrepiece,  the  beanty  of  wbich 
isenbanced  by  its  bank  of  velvety  turf  grown  from  Sutton's 
Lawn  Grass  Seeds.  There  is  also  an  attractive  show  of  cut 
flowers. 

The  exhibit  from  Messrs.  James  Carter  and  Co.,  High 
Holborn,  W.C,  was  made  most  attractive  by  the  inclusion  of 
many  plants  and  flowers.  The  back  of  the  stand  is  furnished 
with  mots,  grasses,  Ac,  while  interspersed  among  them  are 
such  fl<twers  as  Spanish  Irises  and  Lilies  of  the  Valley  ;  and 
in  the  foreground  beds  of  grasses,  Verbenas,  Rhodanthes,  Ac. 
are  full  of  interest. 

Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge,  had 
arranged  a  bank  of  Spanish  Irises  and  Gloxinias  in  the 
middle  of  their  stand,  while  on  either  side  were  samples  of 
roots,  vegetables,  seeds,  and  grasses,  representing  Messrs. 
Webb's  strains  and  specialities. 

Messrs.  Dicksons,  Chester,  displayed  grass  seeds,  dried 
grasses,  manures,  roots,  Ac,  on  either  side  of  a  centre-piece 
of  Fuchsias,  Hydrangeas,  and  other  plants,  while  towards 
the  front  of  the  exhibit  were  groups  of  shrubs.  Messrs. 
Dicksons  also  exhibited  a  collection  of  ornamental  hardy 
shrubs  out  of  doors. 

Messrs.  Dickson,  Brown,  and  Tait,  Manchester,  exhibited 
grass  seeds.  Potatoes,  dried  grasses,  and  roots,  and  the 
appearance  of  the  staiid  was  much  improved  by  the  addition 
of  such  flowers  as  Roses,  Pyrethrums,  Spani&h  Irises,  Ac 

Messrs.  Liberty  and  Co..  Regent  Street,  exhibited  garden 
vases,  sun-dials,  and  pots  of  their  terra-cotta  garden  pottery. 
They  had  also  on  view  a  pergola  and  terrace  steps  made  of 
the  same  material. 

Messrs.  Little  and  Ballantyne,  Carlisle,  exhibited  a  group 
of  shrubs  out  of  doors  (among  which  were  some  excellent 
conifers),  as  well  as  having  a  stand  of  grasses,  plants  in 
flower,  Ac. 

Messrs.  Dickson  and  Robinson,  Manchester,  had  an  exhibit 
of  roots,  Potatoes,  various  seeds,  Ac,  as  well  as  a  large  and 
attractive  display  of  Verbenas,  Irises,  and  other  flowers. 

Messrs.  W,  Home  and  Sons.  Cliffe,  Rochester,  showed  the 
best  sorts  of  Potatoes,  as  well  as  fruit  trees  of  various  sorts. 
Mr.  John  R.  King,  Coggleshall  and  Reading,  exhibited  seeds 
and  grasses. 

Messrs.  Garton  and  Co.,  Warrington,  also  showed  cereals, 
grasses,  Ac 

Messrs.  Ransomes,  Sims,  and  Jefferies,  Ipswich,  made  a 
large  display  with  their  lawn  mowers  and  agricultural 
implements. 

Iron  gates  and  fences  were  shown  by  Messrs.  Hill  and 
Smith,  Brierley  Hill,  Staffs. 

Messrs.  John  Crowley  and  Co.,  Shettield,  sent  lawn  mowers 
and  other  implements. 

A  laige  stand  of  seeds,  manures,  implements,  &c,  was 
exhibited  by  the  One  and  All  Agricultural  and  Horticultural 
Association,  Long  Acre,  W.C. 

Messrs.  Inmans  and  Co.,  Stretford,  Manchester,  and 
Messrs.  Cicsar,  Knutsford,  Cheshire,  and  King's  Cross, 
showed  rustic  summer-houses  and  garden  seats. 

Messrs.  Skinner,  Board,  and  Co.,  Bristol,  exhibited  their 
patent  wire  terision  greenhouses. 

Messrs.  W.  Duncan  Tucker  and  Co.,  Tottenham,  exhibited 
consei  vatories  and  plant  and  fruit  houses. 

Mr.  John  P.  White,  the  Pyghtle  Works,  Bedford,  showed 
garden  seats  and  summer-houses  in  some  very  attracti\e 
designs. 

Mr.  G.  W,  Riley,  Heme  Hill,  showed  garden  seats  and 
rustic  summer-houses. 

Messrs.  Merryweather  and  Co.,  Long  Acre,  W.C,  exhibited 
Are  appliances  in  variety. 

HORTICrLTURAL  CLUB. 
Himalayan  Rhododendrons, 
AT  the  usual  monthly  dinner  of  the  Horticultural  Club  at 
the  Hotel  Windsor  on  Tuesday,  the  14lh  inst.,  Mr.  Harry  J. 
Veitch  presided  pending  the  arrival  of  Sir  John  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  who  subsequently  read  an  extremely  interesting  paper 
on  the  above  subject.  The  occasion  was  further  signalised 
l>y  the  presence,  as  guests,  of  Mr.  W.  Watson  of  Kew,  ,Mr. 
F.  W.  MooreofGlasnevin,  Sir  George  Watt,  of  Indian  botanical 
renown,  and  Jlr.  Tutcher  of  Hong  Kong  Botanic  Gardens. 
Sir  John  Llewelyn's  paper  was  so  replete  with  interesting 
data,  and,  withal,  so  pithy  in  its  compilation,  that  it  is 
impossible  in  a  mere  abstract  to  do  it  a  tithe  of  justice. 
Fortunately,  however,  it  will  eventually  appear  in  exieiimi  in 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Journal,  so  that  its 
valuable  contents  will  be  ader|uately  published  and  pre- 
served. It  is  a  great  pity  that  as  much  cannot  be  said  of  the 
subsequent  discussion  the  lecture  evoked,  embracing  as  it 
did  the  experience  in  variou-i  fields  of  such  gentlemen  as 
Messrs.  Moore  and  Watson,  and  last,  but  by  no  means  least, 
of  Sir  George  Watt.  To  deal  with  the  paper  first,  it 
embraced,  amongst  many  other  points,  a  list  of  the  best 
hardy  species,  varieties,  and  hybrids  of  the  Himalayan 
section,  with  some  brief  references  to  the  Rhododendrons  of 
other  countries,  which  were  necessarily  merely  alluded  to 
owing  to  the  magnitude  of  the  main  theme.  Hardiness,  he 
pointed  out,  must  always  be  to  some  extent  a  relative  term, 
since  the  vagaries  of  the  English  springs  made  temp'jrary 
victims  sometimes  even  of  our  aitsolutcly  hardy  native 
plants,  cutting  to  the  ground  the  precocious  growths 
induced  by  prematurely  tempting  weather. 

Rh<xlodendrons,  however,  of  Himalayan  origin  were  as  a 
rule  capable  of  withstanding  great  and  sudden  fluctuations, 
and  this  fact  was  later  on  explained  by  Sir  George  Watt,  who 
found  many  of  the  species  at  elevations  of  14, 000  feet  to 

/ 


lil.niio  feet,  blooming  in  perfection  and  clothing  the  hills 
with  tlieir  floral  masses,  on  the  very  brink  of  the  eternal 
snows.  The  alfection  for  peat  and  repugnance  to  lime  were 
strongly  emphasised,  but  Sir  John  Llewelyn  has  no  peat  in 
his  locality,  and  cultivates  most  successfully  in  loamy  soil 
mixed  with  leaf  mould.  In  this  connection  Sir  George  Watt 
stated  that  in  the  native  Sikkim  habitats  the  soil  was  of 
such  a  loose  peaty  nature  that  the  arm  could  be  plunged 
entirely  into  it,  and  that,  moreover,  it  was  of  a  dry,  open 
character.  On  the  other  hand,  the  yearly  rainfall  averages 
■2.'iO  inches,  and  it  may  be  taken  as  an  essential  factor  in 
Rhododendron  succe.ss  that  a  fair  amount  of  rainfall  exists, 
an  item  which,  however,  is  partly  counterbalanced  by  the 
self-protection  of  the  roots  afforded  by  the  drooping  lower 
branches  which  it  is  desirable  to  encourage  to  that  end. 
The  lecturer  paid  a  fair  meed  of  praise  to  those  who  have 
contributed  to  raise  the  Rhododendron  to  its  present  high 
position,  by  importation  of  new  species,  selective  culture, 
and  judicious  hybridisation,  and  also  indicated  the  points 
which  the  flowers  should  possess  in  order  to  attain  the  ideal 
of  perfection.  The  tiuestion  of  propagation  was  also  dealt 
with  exhaustively,  grafting  being  severely  deprecated  and 
layering  advocated,  in  which  connection  Sir  George  Watt 
stated  that  in  the  native  habitats  the  plants  layered  them- 
selves by  means  of  rooting  lower  branches,  and  in  this  way 
formed  interminable  and  impenetrable  masses,  over  which 
alone  a  passage  could  be  forced.  The  debt  of  the  P^hododen- 
dron  lover  to  the  hybridist  was  fully  recognised,  and  many 
valuable  suggestions  as  to  further  alliances  made. 

In  short,  the  whole  paper  formed  a  digest  of  all  essential 
points,  and  was  recognised  as  such  by  the  many  experts  pre- 
sent, as  it  will  be  by  others  when  it  appears  in  print.  Sir 
George  Watt,  who  opened  the  discussion,  considered  that 
wild  species  excelled  cultivated  ones,  and  stated  that  there 
were  three  great  and  distinct  Rhododendron  areas  in  the 
Himalayas,  which  presented  some  very  peculiar  and  puzzling 
features,  varying  as  they  did  so  greatly  from  each  other  in 
elevation  and  cliraatal  conditions,  the  habitats,  for  instance, 
ranging  from  14,00U  feet  to  10,000  feet  in  one  area,  with  an 
enormous  rainfall,  and  at  another  almost  reaching  the  sea 
level,  with  some  30  inches  to  40  inches  rainfall  only.  It  is  to 
this  wide  range,  especially  of  elevation,  that  unlooked-for 
tenderness  in  some  imported  species  may  be  ascribed,  the 
seed  being  sent  from  easily  accessible  sources— that  is  to  say, 
from  the  lower  and  warmer  regions,  instead  of  from  the 
great  heights  where  absolute  hardiness  is  enforced  by  the 
environment.  His  description  of  the  aspect  of  Rhododen- 
dron clothed  hillsides  for  miles  was  most  vivid,  aud  some  of 
the  varietal  facts  most  curious,  one  and  the  same  species 
flanking  one  side  of  a  hill  with  pure  white  aud  the  other 
with  deep  red.  5Ir.  F.  W.  iloore  took  up  the  botanist's  side 
of  the  hybrid  question,  and  maintained  the  need  of  repre- 
sentative collections  of  pure  species  in  national  gardens  ; 
he  fully  recognised,  however,  the  value  of  hybrids.  He 
also  deprecated  grafting,  and  especially  that  injudicious 
grafting  too  often  effected  by  foreign  trade  growers  without 
any  study  whatever  of  the  aftinities  and  consequent  fitness 
for  union  of  stock  and  scion.  Mr.  Watson  defended  hybrids, 
and  related  a  curious  anecdote  connected  with  Rhododen- 
dron seed  importation,  as  collected  by  natives,  a  hundred 
species  figuring  on  the  packet  labels,  which,  when  raised, 
demonstrated  collection  from  one  and  the  same  plant,  the 
result  being  an  unmerited  slur  on  Kew  as  the  generous  dis- 
tributor of  the  unflowered  progeny.  Mr.  Harry  J.  \'eitch 
coupled  some  pregnant  remarks  on  Rhododendron  culture, 
in  which  his  old  firm  occupies  so  prominent  a  position,  with 
the  tendering  of  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the  lecturer  for 
his  paper  and  to  the  guests  who  had  contributed  eo  much  of 
value  to  the  discussion  it  evoked. 


TO 


ANSWERS 
CORRESPONDENTS. 


RULES  FOR  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Questions  and  Answreps.— TAe  Editor  intends  to 
make  Thk  Garden  hetp/ulto  all  readers  who  desire  assistance, 
no  matter  what  the  branch  of  gardening  may  be,  and  with  that 
object  will  make  a  special  feature  of  the  *'  Answers  to  Corre- 
spondents" colu7nn.  All  communications  should  be  clearly 
and  concisely  urritten  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only,  and 
addressed  to  the  Editor  o/ The  Garden,  5,  Southampton 
Street,  Strnnd,  London.  Letters  on  business  should  be  sent 
to  the  Pdblishrr.  The  name  and  address  of  the  sender  are 
required  in  addition  to  any  designation  he  may  desire  to  be 
used  in  the  paper.  When  more  than  one  query  is  sent,  each 
should  be  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper. 


Names  of  plants.— A'.— Lilium  pyrenaicum. Mi.ss 

Piohe rt X.  ~- iiophora.  tetiaptera,   also    known  as    Edwardsia 

grandiflora. Jdenlgesnihiter.  —  Gaura    Lindheimeri.  

./.  J'\  Siiiijjsoii,  (CiHtiptoiO.—i^almia.  latifolia. T.  Aniohl. 

—The  name  of  the  flower  sent  is  Iris  sibirica  var.  oricntalis 
(synonyms  of  this  are  I.  sibirica  var.  sanguinea  and  I. 
sibirica  var.  rubra,  so  named  from  the  coloured  bracts).  I. 
orientalis  is  a  difi'ereut  plant  altogether;  it  has  white  and 
yellow  flowers.     A  synomyn  of  this  is  I.  ochroleuca.     (See 

"  Kew  List  of  Herbaceous  Plants.") Tifnehani.—'i'ha  blue 

flower  is  Scilla  peruviana  and  the  white  Aspodelus  albus. 

Thomas  0//'f'r.— Micnnnt'iia  Douglasii. 

Cyclamen  cultupe(K.  C.  Ui.uuun).— If  the  Cyclamens 
are  now  dry  corms  they  should  be  started  at  once.  They 
may  be  put  into  small  puts,  using  a  compost  ol  two-thirds 
fibrous  l()am  and  one-third  leaf-mould,  with  a  liberal  addition 
of  sand  ;  the  corms  should  be  partly  out  of  the  soil.  In 
potting  they  must  not  be  pressed  into  the  soil,  but  a  hole 
should  bo  made  «o  that  the  soil  remains  rather  loose  beneath 
them  ;  this  will  enable  the  roots  to  penetrate  better.  After 
potting  they  may  be  placed  in  a  warm  house,  or  a  close  frame 


will  do.  Water  must  be  applied  sparingly  until  they  are 
well  rooted.  If  the  soil  becomes  dry  suIHcient  water  should 
be  given  to  penetrate  through  and  then  withheld  until  it 
appears  dry  again.  During  the  summer  and  autumn  Cycla- 
men will  do  well  in  a  cold  frame.  They  will  be  slow  to  make 
leaves  until  the  middle  of  August,  but  as  soon  as  we  get 
cool  nights  they  will  make  rapid  progress.  The  time  for 
potting  them  into  larger  pots  will  depend  more  on  the  con- 
dition (^f  the  roots  than  the  appearance  of  the  tops.  They 
should  be  potted  as  soon  as  the  roots  are  seen  to  have 
reached  tlie  edges  of  the  pots.  The  same  compost  as  recom- 
mended for  starting  them  may  be  used,  with  the  addition  of 
some  soot  and  a  little  bone-meal.  Good  drainage  should  be 
given,  and  the  plants  potted  moderately  firm,  taking  care  to 
keep  the  tops  of  the  corms  quite  free  of  the  soil.  Water 
must  not  be  poured  into  the  crown — this  is  most  important, 
and  especially  when  the  flower-buds  begin  to  appear.  The 
plants  should  be  removed  to  the  greenhouse  about  the  middle 
of  September,  or  earlier  if  we  get  wet  weather.  Given  plenty 
of  room  and  a  light  airy  position,  with  a  temperature  of  from 
4rt'^  to  ii'i"-'  Fahr.,  they  will  flower  well.  They  require  a  little 
shade  in  hot  weather,  but  it  should  always  be  removed  early. 
On  the  first  appearance  of  insects  the  plants  should  be 
fumigated. 

Carnations  decayed.  (R.  H.  W.).— I  could  not  find 
any  insects  in  the  soil  or  at  the  roots  of  your  Malmaison 
Carnation,  which  reached  me  in  capital  condition,  owing  to 
careful  packing,  but  the  stem  was  badly  decayed  just  above 
the  surface  of  the  soil.  The  cause  of  this  injury  was 
undoubtedly  eelworms,  which  were  present  in  considerable 
numbers.  If  you  have  any  plants  which  are  attacked  in  a 
similar  manner,  if  they  are  not  too  much  injured  to  flower, 
as  soon  as  that  event  is  over  throw  the  whole  plant,  soil  aud 
all,  into  the  fire,  and  wash  the  pot  very  carefully  before  using 
it  again,  in  case  any  of  the  worms  or  their  eggs  may  chance  to 
be  attached  to  it.  If  a  plant  is  too  much  injured  to  flower 
it  should  be  at  once  burnt,  as  nothing  can  be  done  to  save  it. 
The  eelworms  were  no  doubt  in  the  soil  before  the  Carnation 
was  planted  in  it,  but  how  to  tell  whether  soil  is  infL'sted 
with  this  pest  or  not  is,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  more  than  I  can 
tell  you,  but  if  you  have  any  soil  that  you  have  any  idea  may 
possibly  be  infested  it  should  not  be  used.— G.  S.  S. 

Snail  slug's  (L'.i.oxham).— The  slugs  you  sent  are  speci- 
mens of  the  snail  slug  (Testacella  haliotoiriea),  whicli  do  not 
feed  on  vegetable  substances  like  the  other  slugs,  but  are 
entirely  carnivorous  ;  their  principal  food  is  supposed  to  be 
earthworms.  They  are  able  to  elongate  their  boilies  to  such 
an  extent  that  they  are  able  to  follow  an  earthworm  in  its 
burrow.  They  may  always  be  distinguished  from  other 
slugs  by  having  a  small,  flat,  somewhat  oval,  external  shell 
near  the  tip  of  their  tails,  which  is  not  the  case  with  any 
other  slugs,  as  they  have  only  very  roughly  formed  shells, 
which  consist  of  a  small  portion  of  a  shelly  material  placed 
beneath  the  skin  of  the  mantle  (the  shield-shaped  portion  of 
the  slug  which  is  just  behind  the  liead).  I  cannot  imagine 
that  the  number  of  ants  has  anything  to  do  with  these  slugs, 
or  rire  rc>-M(.~G.f^.  S. 

Bigrnonia  culture  (E.  TiLLYER-BLUXT).--The  name 
of  the  specimen  is  Bignonia  speciosa,  a  native  of  Brazil,  aud 
a  very  desirable  climbing  plant  for  a  large  house.  It  is  ol 
free  growth,  though  your  question  how  to  make  it  grow  well 
would  imply  that  it  does  not  thrive  with  yon.  Given  a  free 
root  run  and  a  moist  shaded  structure,  it  will  grow  rapidly, 
but  under  such  conditions  flowers  will  be  very  few.  The  best 
results  are  obtained  when  it  is  planted  out  in  a  border  of 
limited  extent  and  the  shoots  are  allowed  to  ramble  near 
the  glass,  thus  getting  all  the  light  possible  and  a  fair  amount 
of  sunshine.  P>eing  a  native  of  Brazil  it  needs  a  structure 
somewhat  warmer  than  an  ordinary  greenhouse ;  indeed,  a 
raininunn  winter  temperature  of  45^' to  .W^  should,  if  possible, 
be  maintained.  With  regard  to  feeding,  we  may  point  out 
that  over  feeding  will  result  in  the  production  of  ample 
leafage,  but  few,  if  any,  flowers.  Whether  yours  needs  a 
stimulant  or  not  can  only  be  determined  by  inspection,  a 
good  deal  depending  upon  the  state  of  the  border.  If  you 
decide  that  a  little  feeding  will  be  beneficial  you  may  water 
the  burder  with  some  weak  li<iuid  manure  about  once  a  fort- 
night during  the  summer,  or  sprinkle  a  little  of  the  highly 
concentrated  manures,  of  wbich  there  are  now  so  many,  on 
the  surface,  watering  it  in  afterwards. 

Various  questions  (Constant  Reader).— Vou  can 
obtain  them  from  Messrs.  Jefteries  and  Son,  nurserymen, 
Cirencester,  who  will  give  you  full  particulars.  We  believe 
them  to  bo  a  strain  of  the  herbaceous  section.  We  will 
answer  your  ([uestions  about  Irises  in  an  early  number.  Mr. 
John  Lane,  Vigo  Street,  W.,  will  shortly  publish  "  The  Book 
of  the  Iris,"  by  Mr.  Irwin  Lynch  {'Is.  Od.).  All  the  Roses  you 
name  are  good  garden  varieties.  Mme.  P.  Perny  is  one  of 
those  delightful  bud  Roses  that  make  up  in  i|uaiility  what 
they  lack  in  size.  The  colour  is  asnftchrome  yellow  and  the 
plant  \'igorous.  Morletti  is  a  Boursault  and  one  of  the  best 
of  the  group.  It  is  splendid  just  now  at  Kew,  planted  in  a 
largo  bed  and  allowed  to  grow  in  its  own  way.  The  branches 
are  laden  with  its  lovely  pink  flowers.  Blairii  No.  2  is  also 
an  old  favourite  that  we  should  be  sorry  to  lose.  Its  beautiful 
clear  pink  buds  are  as  delicately  tinted  as  a  Tea  Kose,  and 
the  reddish  foliage  and  striking  vigour  of  the  plant  render  it 
a  valuable  variety  for  pillr.r  or  arch;  it  also  makes  a  good 
standard,  suitable  for  placing  singly  on  the  lawn.  Spenser  is 
a  large  double  pink  Rose  of  the  Merveille  de  Lyon  type. 
Some  rosarians  prefer  this  Rose  to  Her  .Majesty,  as  being 
more  fioriferous  and  of  less  vigorous  growth.  In  a  bed  this 
variety  is  seen  to  advantage.  Unfortunately,  it  is  scent'ess, 
like  all  the  Baroness  Rothschild  race.  Boadicea  is  flrst  rate 
in  every  way,  either  for  the  garden  or  show  box.  Its 
blossoms,  unlike  those  of  Bessie  Brown,  are  borne  erect — 
that  is  to  say,  they  are  not  weak  at  the  neck  ;  but,  like  all 
true  Teas,  Boadicea  sends  out  its  growths  somewhat  hori- 
zontally instead  of  uprighMy,  as  do  most  of  the  Hybrid  Teas. 
Grown  as  a  standard  this  grand  Ruse  will  produce  magniflcent 
blossoms. 


•^*  The  Yearly  Subscription  to  THK  GARDEN  in:  Inland, 
15s. ;  Foreign,  JTs.  I'd 


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