70 THE FLORIST. 



others just starting into growth. They are grown in shallow borders 

 of loam, heated by hot-water pipes. 



Forcing Asparagus here is worthy of especial notice. The plants 

 are grown in beds of richly prepared soil, having a space between 

 them, covered over with boards. In these spaces is a series of hot- 

 water pipes, which supply a gentle heat to the roots of the plants in 

 the beds. The latter are protected from the weather by a span- 

 roofed box, having hinged shutters, wdiich allow of giving air, and 

 cutting the crops. The heads w^ere of extraordinary size, and the 

 quality good. We understand that the beds are only forced every 

 other year, in order to allow the plants to recover themselves from 

 the effects of the severe cutting to wdiich they are subjected the year 

 they are forced. 



In the out-door department, the fruit-trees appear in promising 

 condition. When in full bloom, the principal w^all-trees are pro- 

 tected by means of canvas screens worked on rollers, so as to be 

 easily drawn up and let down. The certainty of a crop is thus 

 much increased, and, indeed, can be fully depended on. Some of 

 the Pears trained over the wire trelisses on the borders, although 

 showing sufficient blooms for a crop, exhibit in some degree the 

 effects of the two last sunless summers, wood preponderating over 

 fruit-buds. 



Mr, Ingram, who is well known to be a successful hybridiser, 

 both as regards fruit and plants, showed us some promising seedlings 

 of Strawberries, ^N^ectarines, &c, under trial, which at some future 

 time may prove acquisitions. 



The plant-houses were exceedingly gay, wearing more the appear- 

 ance of May than February. Of stove-plants, the most conspicuous 

 were Begonias, several of which were in great perfection; more espe- 

 cially Albo-coccinea, a very interesting kind, scarlet and Avhite, the 

 two colours contrasting admirably with one another, and the buds have 

 the appearance of small scarlet globes. Among other varieties were 

 Prestoniensis, Cinnabarina, Fuchsioides, and several hybrids ; of the 

 latter, by far the best was a seedling raised by Mr. Meredith, at 

 Cliveden, a few years since; it is of good habit, wdth fine foliage. 

 It has not been named. Rogieria spectabilis, with its large, deep- 

 blush heads of flower, of the shape of those of a Rondeletia, to which 

 family it belongs, but more drooping, w^as in fine bloom, and having 

 handsome foliage, presented a noble appearance. Bignonia venusta 

 was rambling luxuriantly over the back wall and raiters, throwing 

 its handsome branches of rich orange blossoms in all directions. In 

 a good situation, with plenty of space, a more handsome wall-plant 

 than this is not to be found. Orchidaceous plants were in the best 

 of health, but not many Avere in flower. Amherstia nobilis has not 

 bloomed here this season ; its leaves have been scorched by fumi- 

 gating. Mrs. Lawrence's plant at Ealing Park having suffered of 

 late irom the same cause, w^ould seem to show that this fine stove 

 tree will not stand the same amount of tobacco-smoke that most 

 pther plants will. The large plant of Luculia gratissima, which has 



