HORTICULTURE 



September 30, 1905 



below the terrace, where a border long and broad of Van- 

 dyke shape, backed by the creepers described above on 

 the wall, is raised over twelve inches above the adjacent 

 ground level and faced' with ivy always kept trimmed 

 into shape. At the front is a broad band of Aubrietia 

 Hendersonii with its wealth of ilowers, then a wide belt 

 of Viola Yellow Prince Improved with circles of V. 

 Cliveden Purple dotted about it and backed by V. Sky- 

 lark and lines of 3'ellow and dark brown wallflowers. 

 The large beds in the parterre were gay with tulips, sev- 

 eral thousands in each bed, on a ground work of violets 

 and other plants to bloom later and continue the display 

 through the season. A large circular bed is planted with 

 many thousands of Silene pendula, which gives a mass of 

 color not soon to be forgotten by the visitor looking from 

 the windows of the mansion or from under the canopy 

 on the terrace. The large vases noticeable in the picture 

 are usually filled with large plants of Geranium Tom 

 Thumb, one house being devoted to keeping these over 

 during the winter months, which keep up a siiccession 

 of flower throughout the year. 



British Horticulture 



THE PREMIER SCOTCH SOCIETY 



This has been the week of the great international hor- 

 ticultural exhibition held in Edinburgh by the Royal 

 Caledonian Society. This society dates back to 1809. 

 and is one of the oldest organizations of the kind in 

 Great Britain. The object of the founders was "to en- 

 courage and improve the cultivation of the best fruits, 

 of the most choice flowers, and of the most useful culi- 

 nary vegetables." The society at one time had an e.x- 

 perimental garden, but in 1865 it was taken over by the 

 Board of Works Commissioners to be amalgamated with 

 the Eoyal Botanic Gardens. Some of the evidences of 

 the society's work are still to be seen in the garden. Sev- 

 eral noted Scotch horticulturists have been promi- 

 nently associated with the society, including Dr. Neill, 

 who for over 40 years acted as the secretary. He be- 

 queathed £500 to the funds, and the interest on this sum 

 provides the Neill prize, which is much coveted by Scot- 

 tish gardeners. Some of the early prizes given by the 

 society are treasured up by descendants of the recipients. 

 A collection of these recently photographed included a 

 snuff-box, cream jug, and silver spoons. Many of the 

 trophies have been traced to the descendants of exhibit- 

 ors now distributed in America, New Zealand, and South 

 Africa. Since the year 1877 the society's shows have 

 been held in the Waverley market, and this immense 

 building is not sufficient to accommodate the increasing 

 proportions of the autumn exhibitions. 



AN INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION 



The classes numbered 254 at this year's show, and the 

 exhibits totalled 1860, these being of a thoroughly rep- 

 resentative character. Grapes, as usual were a special 

 feature. The challenge trophy in this section was car- 

 ried off by Mr. J. Beisant for eight magnificent bunches. 

 In addition Mr. Beisant obtained a "Hogg" medal, 

 awarded by the English Eoyal Horticultural Society, 

 and the cup presented by King Edward for the best ex- 

 hibit in the competitive fruit class. The varieties staged 

 were Appley Tower, Muscat of Alexandria, Chasselas 

 Napoleon, and Madresfield Court. The only exhibit of 

 a new grape was one sent by Mr. Thos. Bradshaw, gar- 

 dener to the Marquis of Downshire. This has been 

 named Marchioness of Downshire, and is a seedling from 

 Muscat of Alexandria. The heaviest bunch of black 

 grapes was a fine sample of Barbarossa. Messrs. Vil- 

 morin Andrieux and Co. of Paris were among the ex- 

 hibitors. They staged a comprehensive collection of veg- 

 etables as indicating the numerous kinds required to 

 meet the Parisian tastes. Altogether the society scored 

 another triumph. There was, however, a shadow hang- 

 ing over the bright outlook, for on the opening day 

 there was laid to rest Mr. David Laird, a leading Edin- 

 burgh nurseryman and a member of the Council of the 

 Society, who was accidentally drowned a few days pre- 

 viously in Loch Awe. Mr. Laird was one of the best 

 known and most popular men in the horticultural 

 world. 



MR. ECKFORD's TESTIMONIAL 



The shilling fund raised to present a testimonial to 

 Mr. Eckford, the "Grand Old Man" of the sweet pea 

 world, realized the sum of £58 17s. 9d. The present 

 took the form of a handsome tea and coffee service and 

 salver. This was accompanied by an artistically 

 illuminated address, in which was recorded an appreci- 

 ation of Mr. Eckford's services to horticulture, and the 

 good wishes of the subscribers. Unfortunately Mr. 

 Eckford's ill-health prevented the presentation being 

 publicly made as was intended by the promoters. The 

 gift was lately taken to Mr. Eckford at his residence at 

 Wem, and he was naturally very gratified at the tangi- 

 ble expression of good wishes on the part of his many 

 admirers. Mr. Eckford was, of course, exceedingly dis- 

 appointed that he was unable to meet the subscribers, 

 and also at being prevented from attending the Edin- 

 burgh show as he intended. The subscription list con- 

 tained a large number of representative names of British 

 and American horticulturists, evidencing the high 

 esteem in which the recipient is held on both sides of 

 the Atlantic. His big circle of friends will unite in 

 wishing him a return to his former health and vigor, 

 and that he may yet enjoy a long period of usefulness in 

 the special sphere in which he has hitherto distinguished 

 himself. 



NUT GROWING 



Recently I had a cliat at Boseombe with Mr. J. 0. 

 Cooper, who is the leading niitlinrily of nut culture in 



