October 15, 1910 



HOKTICULTURE 



53i 



riety having a pointed centre, and moderate size, as 

 shown ; awarded a gold medal. This firm showed Mrs. 

 Muir McKean, a well-filled flower of bright crimson 

 having a purplish tinge and an elongated centre; a 

 card of commendation was awarded. They also showed 

 the new rose Dorothy Eatcliffe, pale pink, with much 

 beauty of form ; a silver gilt medal was awarded. 



New seedling Marchioness of Waterford, a globular 

 shaped variety, well filled and of a bright pink tint 

 in the centre, paling off towards the outer petals, which 

 are reflexed at the tips, was shown by Hugh Dickson & 

 Son, Belfast; a silver gilt medal. This firm were like- 

 wise the exhibitors of the seedling rose Souvenir of 

 Portland, a deep purplish flower, large in size, and full 

 with a globose centre; a silver gilt medal. A similar 

 award was made to the last-named exhibitors for the 

 variety Mrs. C. E. Allan, a blush colored flower, having 

 reflexed petals. 



Eev. J. H. Pemberton showed a new seedling under 

 the name of Daphne, light pink, semi-double, and 

 flowering from June to November; moreover, it is 

 never affected by mildew; a card of commendation. 



Alexander Dickson & Son, Newtownards, Ireland, 

 showed the new variety Mrs. Foley Hobbs, a white 

 flower with a tinge of pink in the centre. Flowers of 

 this rose were shown from plants growing in the open 

 ground, and under glass; a gold medal was awarded. 



W. Ferguson, Brucefield Nursery, Dumfermlin, was 

 awarded a silver gilt medal for the new blush rose James 

 Ferguson, a full bloom of good shape. 



The Rhine Valley 



Leaving Bale, which is situated at the southern end 

 of the Rhine, one enters on broad stretches of meadow 

 and grass land, with vegetable gardening the principal 

 industry. As the valley narrows, vineyards become 

 more and more frequent, also fields of hops and tobacco. 

 Here and there are fodder corn and a few small patches 

 of sweet corn are seen, but very dwarf, with pale yellow 

 leaves, showing too much moisture and not enough of 

 our hot sun to bring the grain to maturity. Mr. Bass 

 was once said to have remarked when drinking a bottle 

 of his own ale in France, that he could hardly recog- 

 nize his own child. This was the impression left when 

 looking at this poor American corn, and illustrated how 

 climate governs the variety of plant that can be suc- 

 cessfully grown. The fodder com cut green does fairly 

 well, and supplies a nourishing food for the cattle. 

 The old saying — "When in Eome, do as the Romans 

 do," appears to also apply to plants. However if this 

 valley can not produce corn, it is one of the most 

 fertile, beautiful and historical in Europe. 



The broad plains of the southern section through 

 Alsace-Lorraine and Bavaria produce everything from 

 hay to hops, tobacco, wine and vegetables of all kinds. 

 No more intensive farming can be seen anywhere than 

 here. Every inch of ground is kept constantly under 

 cultivation. The fanning population do not live on 

 their farms, but in small villages. This is due to cus- 

 tom, originating for mutual protection against armed 

 forays from nobles at war, or freebooters bent on plun- 

 der. These villages remain practically as they were 

 during the middle ages — just as picturesque, the in- 

 habitants wearing the same costumes and holding to 

 the old customs with but few exceptions. This also 

 applies to agriculture, except with the added knowledge 



of chemistry, by which more is taken from the soil than 

 formerly, supporting thereby a larger population. 



The agricultural population living in these village8 

 enjoy a social life which helps them bear their hard 

 work more cheerfully, and allows greater intercourse 

 than could be possible if living on their properties. 

 One is impressed in going amongst these people, by 

 their thorough enjoyment of life. They work hard 

 when necessary, but have their Sundays, holidays and 

 fete days and believe in living and letting others live. 

 They are sober, industrious and mostly very intelligent, 

 and far more happy than those dwelling in large cities. 

 They may not have so much gold, but they enjoy good 

 plain, healthy food, good health and all that which goes 

 with it. 



Frankfort is beautifully situated on the Main which 

 enters the Rhine a short distance below the city. The 

 climate here, owing to the protection of the Black 

 Forest, is very mild in winter and very comfortable in 

 summer, thus allowing for a large range of plants that 

 can be successfully grown. Located as it is. in the cen- 

 ter of the wine district and distributing point of the 

 vast crops of the Rhine valley, it is one of the great 

 financial cities of Europe. Horticulture naturally with 

 these surroundings — namely climate, wealth and intel- 

 ligent gardeners — is here seen to advantage. 



The system of parks comprises a large area and is 

 similar to that which nearly all the European cities 

 have adopted. These cities were once all surrounded 

 by walls, then later by earthworks and still later by 

 outlying posts and earthworks, making two, three and, 

 in some cases, four rings around a city. These have 

 been now utilized for boulevards, and in Frankfort are 

 the key to their parks. The park itself is treated "a la 

 nature," showing splendid samples of forest trees, such 

 as pines, oaks, chestnut, beeches, etc. Along the drive- 

 ways, clumps of rhododendrons, azaleas and beds of 

 Hybrid Perpetual and Hybrid Tea roses are planted to 

 relieve the severe effect of the woods. Amongst other 

 charming features is the celebrated Palm Gardens. 

 These gardens are laid out as a small park, special at- 

 tention being given to carpet bedding, and ornamental 

 effects, combining fountains and statuary. The centre 

 is occupied by a large building used the year round 

 for concerts, balls and entertainments of all kinds. 

 One of its features is a large palm house, which con- 

 nects with the main building. The size is large enough 

 to allow for a very perfect tropical garden, with water- 

 falls, fountains, walks and cozy corners, to sit and en- 

 joy a flirtation or a quiet smoke. At night when it is 

 lighted hy electricity, with music to charm the ear, it 

 brings the tropics to Frankfort. 



Leaving Frankfort, we enter the central section 

 known as the Highlands of the Rhine, — its beauties 

 sung by poets, paiiited by artists and described by well- 

 known" writers of all nations. Today it is the section 

 where the best Rhine wine is made, and where the 

 scenery, although not so bold, is somewhat similar in 

 character to our Hudson, which however still lacks the 

 historical castles, legends and age to make it as inter- 

 esting to sight-seers as the old Rhine, whose natural 

 beauties man has appreciated for centuries. 



