JanuMjr 27, 1876. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



C9 



idea promnlgated than energetic measures were taken to carry 

 it into effect, and within a year Weetminster was provided 

 with a Crystal Palace of its own, and in the place of dirt and 

 squalor bloomed bright and beautiful flowers relieved by stately 

 Ferns and tropical plants, transforming a veritable desert into 

 a literal garden by the magic wand of energy and taste. 



The building, of which the Palace at Sydenham ia the 

 natural prototype, is founded on purely gardening lines laid 

 down by our great representative of mechanicohorticnltural 

 genius Sir Joseph Paxton. The edifice is also for gardening, 

 for it is to be kept " ever green and ever gay " by our present 

 master of the art of floral decoration, Mr. John Wills. It has 

 thus a direct claim to our notice, and both in its aims and 

 objects, and the mode of carrying them out, it has our wishes 

 for its success. 



The edifice is imposing, the body consisting of a large pro- 

 menade or conservatory wherein plants are grouped — the sides 

 being occupied by the rock-bound tanks, while above them the 

 surrounding gallery is devoted to pictures and works of art ; 

 added to these attractions is a concert-hall and reading-room. 

 Thus the gratification of every sense is provided for, and the 

 treasures of sea and land and intellect are or will be spread 

 under the gigantic crystal roof. 



The building is 600 feet in length, the conservatory or 

 promenade being 3-10 feet by 160 feet, and an entrance hall 

 136 feet by 80 feet, with other accessories. The roof of the 

 principal avenue is of iron and glass, and ia glazed on the 

 principle patented by Mr. Eendle, no putty being used or 

 metal exposed to the weather. The tanks are 260 feet by 

 53 feet, and will contain 800,000 gallons of water, which by 

 a system of oxygenising will be preserved in a state of purity 

 for an indefinite period. 



For the occasion of the opening Mr. Wills had made the 

 garden a verity (the tanks being unoccupied) by the disposi- 

 tion of upwards of 20,000 plants. These were disposed in 

 groups along the sides of the hall and at the base of three 

 fountains, at the orchestra front, and with some choice gems 

 fringing the Eoyal pavilion. These plants were not crowded 

 or formally arranged with the "highest at the back." The 

 beds surrounding the fount were carpeted with Lycopodium 

 denticulatum, in which were plunged irregular groups of Hya- 

 cinths, Tulips, Primulas, Cyclamens, and Lilies of the Valley 

 in profusion ; the taller plants, which were thinly dotted, 

 consisting of Dracsenas, Musas, Aloeasias, Eichardias, Pan- 

 danuses. Palms, &e. At the front of the orchestra was a fringe 

 of Isolepia gracilis and Ferns, enlivened with Heaths, Primulas, 

 Imantophyllums, &a., and relieved with Palms. 



The fringe of the Eoyal box was exceedingly chaste and 

 effective, the groundwork being composed of Lycopoda and 

 Adiantum farleyense, and brightened by graceful sprays of 

 Orchids— Oiontoglossum Alexandrce, Phalajnopses Schilleriana 

 and amabilis, Cypripediums, &e. ; the taller plants consisting 

 of the most elegant of all Palms Cocoa Weddelliana. There 

 were also groups of Dicksonias and large Palms, Camellias and 

 other ornamental plants in great variety. 



From the galleries were suspended hanging baskets, both 

 large and numerous, these being filled principally with Palms 

 and fringed with Ivies and Vincas. In a word they were 

 green, and properly so, as affording an agreeable and accept- 

 able relief to the red, mauve, and gold which prevail as the 

 permanent decorations of the building. Mr. Wills' stand was 

 most attractive by an array of artistically-arranged bouquets 

 of Camellias, Orchids, Azaleas, Lilacs, Lilies, &a., associated 

 in the "highest style of art." 



On the conclusion of the ceremonial His Eoyal Highness 

 the Duke of Edinburgh sent for Mr. Wills, and expressed to 

 him his great satisfaction with the floral decorations made on 

 that occasion. The first day's success was an augury of the 

 permanent success which we trust will attend this laudable 

 undertaking. 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 

 We have inspected, with much pleasure, the honours won at 

 the late Cologne Exhibition by the eminent hot-water en- 

 gineers, Messrs. John Weeks & Co., King's Eoad, Chelsea. 

 This gratifying recognition of British enterprise in the cause 

 of horticulture ia conveyed in the form of an imposing 

 DIPLOMA bearing a donation of 1000 marks (£.50), and ia 

 accompanied by a massive gold medal. The diploma, which 

 measures 2 feet 6 inches by 2 feet, is produced in a highly 

 artistic manner, illustrative of the different phaaes of horti- 



culture and the allied arts, as sculpture, mechanica, literature, 

 &a. The gold medal, which is 2 inches in diameter, bears the 

 profile and superscription, " Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm, 

 Protector," and on the obverse the Royal arms and circlet, 

 " Augusta protectorin der Flora Internationale Gartenbau- 

 ausatelluug zu Coeln." Messrs. Weeks are to be congratulated 

 on their meritorious achievement. 



We have sent to us by a friend a letter, dated March 



14th , 182 1 , from T. A. Knight, Ef q. , first President of the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society, and the well-known pomologist. The 

 letter has not been published, and we take from it the follow- 

 ing extract : — " I have also added grafts of a few varieties of 

 Pears, some of which are probably quite unknown to you ; and 

 indeed have not borne in this country till the present year. 

 No. 1 is Napoleon, a large Pear, which ripens from November 

 to Christmas. I have seen it only on a wall, but it will blos- 

 som early as an espalier, and if it will bear, it will be found to 

 possess great merit. No. 45, Marie Louise, season December, 

 a most admirable variety, much superior, I think, to any we 

 are possessed, but whether it will succeed without a wall I 

 cannot say. No. 17, Capiomont, season October and Novem- 

 ber, of rapid growth and much difposition to bear as a wall 

 tree, and its blossoms appear hardy. An excellent variety. 

 No. 1.5, Passe Colmar. I think this by far the most valuable 

 Pear I ever have seen. Its blossoms on a wall are extremely 

 hardy, and the variety there is productive to an injurious 

 extent. I believe it will succeed as a standard in your climate 

 very well. Season March and April. The four following va- 

 rieties — Nob. 2, 3, 4, and .5— are for standard trees solely. 

 No. 2 is a cross between the Jargonelle and Autumn Berga- 

 mot. The tree bore last autumn for the first time, having 

 exercised my patience for nineteen years. Its form and size 

 are what might have been anticipated from its parents. The 

 Horticultural Society pronounced it excellent. Season No- 

 vember to Christmas. The flesh ia perfectly beurree.* No. 3 

 is new also, but bore in the autumn of 1819. The fruit 

 remained quite sound till May, when it became what the 

 French call demi-beurree. Some friends who dined with mo 

 at that period thought it very good ; and I thought it so for 

 the season. The tree appears a very free bearer. No. 4 ia the 

 Elton, the best Pear, I think, of its season, if gathered about 

 ten days before it is eaten, and before it is quite ripe. Season 

 the end of September ; and if the crop be gathered in succes- 

 sion it may be brought to table in equal perfection, or nearly 

 so, for six weeks. It is quite worthless if trained to a wall. 

 It is always without seeds or internal cavity. No. 5 is the 

 Aston Town, an excellent variety, which succeeds well as a 

 standard tree ; but the trees do not bear till their branches 

 become pendent, and therefore should be made pendent by 

 art. I send graft of one variety of winter dessert Apple, the 

 best I know — the Gilliflower. Season, all winter." 



The Eoyal Horticultural Society of Ireland has fixed 



its Exhibitions to be held on April 27th, May 18lh, June 29th, 

 August 31st, and November 9th. 



One of the celebrities of Fleet Street was Isaac Walton. 



He lived at the house now the third from Chancery Lane going 

 to Temple Bar. It ia now tenanted by a jeweller, but Walton 

 was a linendraper. He is further connected with Fleet Street 

 by having in 1652 as the publisher of his " The Compleat 

 Angler," " Rich. Marriot, in S. Diinstan's Churchyard." We 

 welcome the fao-simile reprint of that first edition just pub- 

 lished by Mr. Elliot Stock, Paternoster Bow, and commend it 

 to purchasers aa a literary curiosity. It is far more Waltonish 

 than recent editions — more brief and racy. We will only quote 

 one passage, discussed in these pages some years since. 



'' 8o I the fields and meadows green may view, 



And daily by fresh rivers walk at will, 



AmODg the Daisies and the Violets blue, 



Hed Hyacinth, and yellow Daffodil, 

 Purple Narcissus, like the morning rayes, 

 Pale Gauderglass and azure Culverk&yes." 



No one has detected the plant known then, probably in 

 Staffordshire, where Walton was born and resided when he 

 became an author, but we must note down a jocular reply. 



" Culverkeys — Culvorkeys — 

 Why they are pigeon i'eas." 



There is some reason as well as rhyme there — Culver was 

 the Anglo-Saxon for a pigeon, and kfij ia a seed vessel, and 

 the flowers of Vetches are blue, " azure." The wild pigeons 

 feed on the Vetches, which are of the same natural order as 



^ This cross was afterwards named Tillington. 



