11 OKTI CULTURE 



June 12, 1920 



RAMBLING OBSERVATIONS OF 

 A ROVING GARDENER 



There have been a number of dis- 

 appointments in the way the shrubs 

 have flowered in New England this 

 season. Even in the Arnold Arbore- 

 tum, under the best of conditions, 

 some of the displays have been poor 

 This is particularly true of the wis- 

 tarias, of which the Arboretum has an 

 excellent collection. The plants are 

 not flowering well at all, and this 

 seems to be the condition throughout 

 Xew England. Presumably the weath- 

 er conditions of last winter are i-e- 

 sponsible, because it is reported that 

 in Philadelphia and further south the 

 Wistarias are making a splendid 

 showing this spring. 



Rosa Hugonis has also been a dis- 

 appointment, as it is not nearly so full 

 of bloom as for the past two years. 

 Its blooming period was also consid- 



erably delayed, and Rosa omeiensis 

 showed its flowers first this year. 



It cannot be expected that every 

 class of shrubs will make a perfect 

 showing each spring, and there has 

 been full compensation this season in 

 the flowering of the lilacs and the 

 crabapples. Lilac Sunday. May 30, 

 was one of the most perfect days of 

 the season, with the result that thou- 

 sands of people visited the Arboretum, 

 and enjoyed the beauty and the fra- 

 grance of the lilac blooms. Moreover 

 the lilacs flowered fully as well as for 

 many years. Indeed, the display is 

 not yet over, and the tree lilacs which 

 are the last to flower are covered with 

 buds, promising a better showing than 

 for a long time. 



Apparently the flowering crabs are 

 beginning to be appreciated more gen- 



erally than in the past. This is well, 

 for among them are some wonder- 

 fully fine garden specimens. I know 

 of few plants more beautiful than 

 Bochtel's crab, which is most liberal 

 with its flowers, and the remarkable 

 double blossoms of which resemble 

 small roses. Bechtel's crab is by no 

 means new, and yet not planted to a 

 great extent. It is worthy much 

 greater popularity than it has yet 

 achieved, not only for its garden 

 beauty, but for the value of the sprays 

 when used for house decoration. They 

 last a long while in water and are ex- 

 ceedingly ornamental. 



Many flower lovers the world over 

 will regret to hear that the great 

 greenhouse on the Duke of Devon- 

 shire's estate in England is being de- 

 molished. This greenhouse was al- 

 most a replica of Covent Garden. A 

 syndicate has bought the place and 

 the greenhouse, which was the largest 

 in the world, has had to go. 



Although weather conditions have 

 been against them, members of the 



Formal Garden at Fanlkner Farm 



