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HORTICULTURE 



June 1, '907 



tropical i.sland cf Trinidad. This species loves more 

 heat and moisture than the royal palm. Tliis plant is 

 used in Trinidad and South America much in the same 

 way as the Cubans use the royal palm. When in a 

 young state the centre leaves of the young plants axe 

 cut and used as a vegetable, hence the name cabbage 

 palmi. The accompanying photograph shows a group of 

 these trees growing in the Queen's Park, Port of Spain, 

 Trinidad, taken by tlie writer about one year and a half 

 ago. 



The Porto Kican royal palm is Roystonia borinquena. 

 This genus was formerly referred to Oreodoxa. The 

 Porto Eicans used this palm very much in the same 

 way as the Cubans use the Palma real. 



Oreodoxa gi-anatensis is a graceful and beautiful 

 species which in a young state makes a useful pot 

 plant and is a native of Columbia. 



Oreodoxa Sancona is also from Central America. It 

 has long graceful leaves with narrow long leaflets, 

 which make it very desirable as a pot plant. 



British Horticulture 



GARDEN FURNISniNG 



The developments which have taken place in filling 

 the British gardens with new and improved floral 

 treasures have had their counterpart in the higher 

 standard which has been reached in providing an ap- 

 propriate artistic setting. The artist has co-operated 

 with the gardener, and with a harmonious blending of 

 their talents some charming pictures have been pro- 

 duced. Terra cotta ware is much in favor amongst 

 gardeners, the pleasing soft tone being preferable to 

 the cold white of artificial stone, whilst the material 

 is equal in dairability. Elegant vases, of a classic de- 

 sign, with imposing pedestals, form a splendid embel- 

 lishm.ent for garden steps or wide terraces. Doulton 

 ware is in favor for garden ornamentation. One nota- 

 ble feature in the manufacture of this ware is that the 

 process of decoration is carried out whilst the pieces are 

 plastic or imbaked. and the ware is completed in one 

 burning. During the last stage of firing in the kilns 

 when the ware is just on the point of vitrification 

 common salt is thrown in the heated chamber. The 

 decomposition of the salt fills the kiln with fumes of 

 salt-vapor, producing on the wares a tliin glaze of 

 silicate of soda, the coating being very even and thin. 

 Some ornate samples of this ware were seen in the 

 grounds of the British Commission house at the St. 

 Louis exhibition. 



MIREOES OF TIME 



In a chat with the head of a firm of sun-dial makers, 

 I learnt that there is an inci-easing demand for these 

 garden ornaments. One great charm of the sundial 

 is that in many cases it furnishes an interesting me- 

 morial of some noted man or historic place. For in- 

 stance, lovers of Dickens are able to seciire a replica of 

 the sundial which formerly ornamented the grounds 

 of Gladshill place, near Rochester, the great novelist's 

 Kentish homte. Another sundial of literary interest 

 is a fac-simile of one belonging to Sir Walter Scott at 

 Abbotsford. The pedestal is of Gothic design, three 

 feet high, with a Greek motto in front, "For the night 

 Cometh." The most popular form of sundial is the 



antique pattern, formed of Portland stone, usually 

 depicted in pictures of old-world gardens. One of the 

 hitest designs is the Empire sundial. This shows the 

 respective times in the principal cities of the globe, 

 ancl the dial bears the appropriate motto : "The sun is 

 always shining somewhere in the British empire." An- 

 other very suitable design is the floral sundial. The 

 most apiKopriate flowers for each month are en- 

 graved between the equation table. The centre of the 

 dial immediately around the gnomon is engraved in the 

 form of a star pointing to 16 compass points. A design 

 lately completed in marble represents the figure of 

 Father Time bearing a globe dial, which he is handing 

 to an infant, typifying the new day. Another elaborate 

 arrangement for a pedestal is a representation of the 

 Three Graces supporting a dial. 



gardeners' benevolence 

 Arrangements are being made, at the time of writing, 

 for the annual festival of the Eoyal Gardeners' Orphan 

 Fund. All branches of horticulture are well repre- 

 sented in the list of stewards. The claims of the so- 

 ciety will be voiced by the Lord Mayor, Sir W. P. 

 Treloar, the chairman, who is well fitted for tliis posi- 

 tion, seeing the prominent part he has taken in the 

 cause of London's poor crippled children. His phil- 

 anthrojjy has gained for him the title of the Children's 

 Alderman. Since its inception in 1887 the receipts of 

 the society have amounted to £34,937 (pounds). Of 

 this total the sum of £16,373 has been expended in as- 

 sisting in the maintenance and education of the or- 

 phans of gardeners. During the same period invest- 

 ments have been made amounting to over £11,000, this 

 providing an annual income which covers all ordinary 

 working expenses, and furnishes a balance to the 

 credit of the fund. The total number of orphans who 

 have been elected to receive the benefits of the fund is 

 over 230. Several orphans are awaiting to receive as- 

 sistance from the society, and it is hoped to get a sub- 

 stantial sum at the festival to enable the committee to 

 make a suitable provision. Last year at this gathering 

 the sum of £1,000 was obtained. The committee an- 

 ticipate great things this year, for the work of the 

 society is so well known that there is sure to be a sub- 

 santial recognition made. We are extremely fortunate 

 in this country in the organized efforts made for 

 those engaged in the gardening profession, to provide 

 for the various misfortunes which arise. 



SOME NEW WALL FLOWERS 



Wall flowers fill such a useful part in our gardens 

 that it is well an addition has been made to add variety 

 to these old favorites. A new introduction likely to 

 be popular is Sutton's ivory white, a large flowering 

 and compact habited sort, which offers a striking con- 

 trast to the darker and richer shades. Messrs. Carter 

 & Co. have two new crimsons and scarlets, these produc- 

 ing imposing flower spikes. Another novelty from the 

 same firm is Carter's Spanish Queen. This is really 

 a multicolored variety, an unexpected cross between 

 the Brompton stock and wall-flower, gi\'ing an entirely 

 new departure as regards tint. Other varieties which 

 are likely to be found extensively grown are Ellen 

 Wilmot (bright ruby). Faerie Queene (lemon or pale 

 citron). Eastern Queen (apricot changing to rosy pink), 

 Vulcan (bright crimson), and Cloth of Gold (bright 

 yellow). 



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