August 11, 1906 



HORTICULTURE 



1-.7 



British Horticulture 



A VISIT TO WISLICY. 



A joiiriiev tlirmisjli somo nf the iimst deliiilitful parts 

 of sylvan Surrey to tlie Royal Horticultural Society's 

 i;ardens at Wisley is a pilgrimage taken by many ardent 

 -ardeners at this season. Eecently 1 was able to spend 

 a pleasant Saturday afternoon in exploring the beauties 

 of the gardens, which were the nmnificent gift cf Sir 

 Thomas Hanbury to the society. The society has only 

 been in possession a little over two years, so that the full 

 plans have not yet lieen completed. A special feature is 

 the wild garden, where is to be found a collection of 

 plants brought together by ^Ir. G. F. Wilson. There is 

 a very fine collection of rhododendrons, including a 

 large number of named varieties. Then there are bam- 

 l)0os, azaleas, irises and bulbous plants of all kind^. The 

 herbaceous and alpine plants comprise a number of 

 anemones, gentianas. cyclamens and ferns of all kinds. 

 \'ariety is ailded by the ponds, which are adorned with 

 nyniphivas and the leading varieties of aquatic plants. 

 About five acres are set apart for frviit trees, the idea be- 

 ing to secure a selection of the best varieties. Some of 

 the largest fruit growers have presented the society with 

 a big stock of fruit trees whilst a liberal gift o' rare 

 trees has also been made. 



SO:\IE EECEXT TlilALS. 



A number of interesting trials are being conducted at 

 Wisley this year. In continuance of the trials of violas 

 commenced last year, a further liateh has been under 

 observation this season. The soil at Wisley is well 

 ada])ted for this flower. The floral committee have 

 awarded three marks to Viola Maggie Mott, of a pale 

 lihic tint : Eoyal Sovereign was regarded as the best yel- 

 low variety. White Emperor was the premier white. 

 Marchioness being considered as synonymous. Archie 

 Grant was the leading dark-blue bloom. There Ms also 

 been a trial of sweet peas. This has not altogether 

 proved satisfactory, owing to the large portion of the va- 

 rieties wdiich were found to be not properly fixed. The fol- 

 lowing varieties each received three marks: Countess 

 Spencer, light rose ; John Ingman, reddish rose : The 

 Hon. Mrs. Kenyon, sulphur tinted ; Mrs. G. Higginson, 

 ])ale blue ; Dainty, white, faintly tinted ; Jeanie Gordon, 

 jiink and white; Helen Pierce, striped; Dorothv Eck- 

 foril, white: and Helen Lewis, rose. 



Some useful work is also done at Wisley in the vege- 

 table trial-. Last year ISO varieties of potatoes were 

 tried, and of this numl)er 12 received the approval of 

 tlie committee. About 150 varieties of culinary peas 

 were tried. It is found tliat each year an old friend 

 comes up under a new name. Xe Plus THtra is often 

 found masquerading with a new title. 



A CAIiXATION SPECIALIST. 



ilr. S. Mortimer, who has taken an active part in the 

 formation of the AYinter-Flowering Carnation Society, 

 has only turned his attention to the American section 

 in recent years. Since October he has taken 12 medals 

 for tree carnations, ilany thousands of plants have been 



raised at tlie nursery and sent in various parts of the 

 Tnited Kingdom. Mr. Mortimer considers that En- 

 eiiantress is the best of the market varieties. He has 

 been very successful with Mrs. M. A. Patten, some of 

 the blooms being from three to four inches across. Nel- 

 son Fisher he regards as a great improvement on its 

 forerunner, Airs. T. W. Lawsoii. ".Vdonis." he states, 

 "is a grand scarlet, Floriana is an enormous grower, 

 Harry Feun and Flarlowarden are fine varieties, and 

 .\l]iine Glow is justly popular with the ladies." The 

 plants are jilaced in an open position out of doors during 

 the summer months and taken under glass again early 

 in the autumn when the houses are cleared of fruit. In 

 this way an abundant supply of carnations is obtained 

 in the winter, whilst the houses are available for other 

 purposes in the summer months. Besides the tree varie- 

 ties most of the leading kinds of Malmaisons are culti- 

 vated. 



DAHLIAS FOR EXHIBITION. 



'Sir. ilortimer has one of the finest collections of dah- 

 lias in the country. He grows from 20,000 to 2.5,000 

 jjots for export and winter sale, sending to all quarters 

 of the globe, including America. Ceylon, India and 

 South Africa. He has raised a number of popular va- 

 rieties. Pink Perfection last year secured awards from 

 the three leading societies. The new varieties amongs 

 the show section are Blush Gem, Favorite, Delicacy, 

 Mariner, Brown Bess and Caledonian. The new cactus 

 ones are Pink Perfection, Alice Mortimer, ITnique. Rising 

 Sun, John Eobson, J. Rplodeeft, named after a Russian 

 grower. Crimson Beauty, ilrs. R. F. Felton, Curiosity, 

 Pharon, Octoroon and International. Cucumbers are 

 also a specialty, the houses being devoted to raising for 

 seed purposes. Fourteen new varieties have been raised 

 by Mr. Mortimer, commencing in 1884 with Purley 

 Park Hero. A fresh introduction this season, named 

 Bounteous, is a cross between Delicacy and Progress, 

 and this has received an award of merit from the Royal 

 Horticultural Society. Tomatoes also receive attention. 

 Winter Beauty, sent out by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, hav- 

 inir been raised at Rowled^e. 



)50A C\Mt^. 



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Our Way 



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