286 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



t September 30, 1875. 



garde, and perhaps slightly inferior to that noble Peach. We 

 do not want loth kinds. — William Taylok. 



A TBIP TO LONDON.— No. 1. 



I THINK it was Loudon who said that a gardener ought to 

 ■visit the metropolis at least once a-year, and he was un- 

 doubtedly right, even in his day, when the world, or rather the 

 people in it, went at a more sluggish pace than in our own 

 brisk time ; and much more so now that cheap and rapid 

 travelling is so general. 



An interchange of ideas, a discnssion of critical points of 

 culture, of success or failure, its cause or remedy, and other 

 matters of common interest, cannot fail to be beneficial. To 

 study different features in gardencsque scenery, such as com- 

 bination of colour as in flower beds, of forms stately, symmetri- 

 cal, quaint, or grotesque, as in shrubs and tropical and alpine 

 plants ; to see new plants and such other objects of interest 

 as new garden structures and implements; — these are some of 

 the objects which we blue aprons have then in view, and not 

 mere pleasure in the common acceptation of the word ; and I 

 think it may fairly be claimed that an outing with such aims 

 and ends points to praiseworthy results — self-improvement of 

 the individual, by which his services will become more valu- 

 able, and his future efforts tend more directly to his employer's 

 advantage, as well as a relaxation and break in the daily routine 

 of life's duties and cares. The best time for such an excursion 

 is undoubtedly the autumn, and if possible during the holding 

 of one of the large fruit shows, so as to meet as many "kindred 

 spirits " as possible. Having lately enjoyed such a trip, it is 

 purposed in this and one or two more communications to give 

 a sketch of what was seen, and to call attention to such matters 

 ss were notewoithy. 



In the journey to and around London two things impressed 

 me as affording evidence of a general growth in culture and 

 refinement. The first were the numerous bouquets in the hands 

 of travellers and the manner in which they were made ; a neat 

 rounded globular outline and moderate size was the common 

 characteristic, differing so agreeably from those high flat-backed 

 masses, with a backing of " Lad's Love " and Rosemary of our 

 youth. It was amusing to see how they were cherished ; one 

 was actually carried with the stalks inserted in a glass of water, 

 and another in which the flowers were closely packed was, as 

 the owner assured me, to be taken to pieces and utilised for 

 dressing " all the vases at home." A bright young maiden 

 this, returning to her town home from a seaside holiday, bear- 

 ing back a bit of country brightness and freshness to gladden 

 the heart of the grey-bearded father who was awaiting her 

 return at the station. 



The second point of attraction was found in the many excel- 

 lent flower gardens at railway stations, suburban villas, aye, 

 and even fronting many a suburban cottage — neat and trim 

 and bright, many of them containing really exquisite little bits 

 of carpet bedding, denoting much attention and care, and pre- 

 senting a charming contrast to the few straggling dust-laden 

 plants in adjoining plots. These were all particularly interest- 

 ing and attractive, not only for their intrinsic worth and beauty, 

 but as affording evidence of what an important educational 

 work is being done by the superior order of gardening now 

 practised in our large public parks and gardens. 



The first place of note which I visited was the Alexandra 

 Palace, and I must confess to a feeling of considerable disap- 

 pointment with many things which came under my notice. 

 In this instance, as is frequently the case, I had probably an- 

 ticipated a more finished scene than the reality proved to be 

 — grounds highly dressed, elaborate terraces with that massive 

 balustrading which imparts dignity, and that accompaniment 

 of vases and statuary which add elegance and grace ; all this 

 will no doubt be gradually added with other necessary features 

 to impart an air of greater warmth and fulness to the grounds. 



The Fruit Show which was held at the time of my visit, 

 although not answering to its somewhat ambitious title of 

 " International," was undoubtedly a fine one in many respects, 

 losing much in effect, however, from the brilliant, almost 

 gaudy decorations of the magnificenl; hall in which it was held. 

 The eye, while yielding to the attraction of the fruit, involun- 

 tary sought for some foil, some repose to bring out its full 

 charms. The cool fresh greenery of Palms and Ferns dis- 

 persed among the dishes, and a slight ornamental awning 

 suspended over the tables would, I tiiink, have effected this 

 admirably, and imparted a perfect finish to the sumptuous 

 display. There exists a wide difference of opinion in all such 



matters of taste. The crowded state of the Show, especially 

 on the last day, showed clearly how much the Exhibition was 

 appreciated. 



l?lower beds are not numerous here, the principal display 

 being in an interior court, which was very bright with colour. 

 The walls of this court are being covered with purple Cle- 

 matis, with which I would suggest an admixture of Camellias 

 — always ornamental in their glossy green foliage, and of sur- 

 passing beauty when in flower. These would answer well here, 

 as would many choice semi-hardy climbers. Most of the trees 

 and shrubs are still too small to produce much effect. Arau- 

 carias are evidently not flourishing, and judging from my own 

 experience I should say decidedly that plants of 2 or 3 feet 

 high would answer much better than large specimens in such 

 an elevated and exposed situation. It is only under very 

 favourable circumstances that large specimen Conifers should 

 be transplanted, for during the four or five years which they 

 require to become thoroughly established younger plants will 

 rush past them, taking and keeping the lead. 



Let me give an example, for this is a matter of the highest 

 importance. A dozen Thuja Lobbii, nice specimens, 8 feet 

 high, and with compact balls of soil about the roots, were 

 planted with all due care about four years ago. During the 

 same season I happened to purchase two hundred young 

 plants of this same Thuja 2 to 3 feet high, and standing in 

 close nursery rows ; they were put in the home nursery and 

 transplanted year by year to permanent stations as required. 

 At the present time some of them are quite 12 feet high, while 

 none of the first-planted specimens are more than 10 or 11 feet. 

 The younger plants have taken the lead, and they will keep it. 

 The growth of one of them last season actually exceeded 1 feet. 

 Other examples of Wellingtonia, -\raucaria, Cedrus, &e., might 

 be cited if necessary. 



The collection of Agaves and Cacti exhibited in a glass house 

 apart from the Palace is most interesting, and would be even 

 more so if the bare staging upon which the plants are arranged 

 were replaced by masses of rock or tufa covered with mosses 

 and Ferns or choice trailing plants, among which the quaint 

 succulent forms could bo plunged and arranged to the 

 greatest advantage, gaining immensely in appearance when 

 so managed, and losing all of the present harsh effect. — 

 Edward Lcckhuest. 



THE CAENATION. 



Thebe are three modes by which the Carnation can be in- 

 creased — namely, by seed, by layers, and by pipings. The first 

 is practised with a view of obtaining new and improved varie- 

 ties, and the other modes to propagate them when obtained. 

 The seed should be saved only from double-flowering varieties, 

 or those that are nearly so, for a perfectly double flower can- 

 not produce seed. The seed pods will be shorter and the seeds 

 fewer from such flowers than from single flowers : hence it is 

 very valuable. Gather it as soon as it is ripe, and keep it dry 

 aifd cool through the winter. Sow in boxes in March placed 

 under glass, or in a warm border in April. Transplant the 

 seedlings 3 inches apart on a bed enriched with leaf mould or 

 well-decayed hotbed manure as soon as they aro large enough, 

 and let them remain on the bed through the succeeding sum- 

 mer and winter, and they will all flower the following season. 

 Mark such as are good, name them, and layer them in the way 

 I shall describe presently. 



CnARACTEBisTics. — The following characteristics constitute 

 a good flower : — First, the stem of the flower should be strong 

 and straight, not less than 30 inches nor more than 45 inches 

 in height, and able to support the weight of the flower without 

 hanging down. The flower should at least be 3 inches in 

 diameter. Secondly, the petals should be long, broad, and 

 stiff, easy to expand and make free flowers ; the lower or outer 

 circle of petals, commonly called the guard petals, should be 

 particularly substantial ; they should rise perpendicularly 

 about half an inch above the calyx, and then turn off grace- 

 fully in a horizontal direction, supporting the interior petals, 

 which should decrease gradually in size as they approach 

 the centre, and with them the centre should be well filled. All 

 the petals should be regularly disposed, and lie over each 

 other in such a manner; they should be nearly flat, or with 

 only a small degree of inflection at the broad end ; their 

 edges should be perfectly entire without notch, fringe, or in- 

 denture ; the calyx should be at least an inch in length, suffi- 

 ciently strong at the top to keep the basis of the petals in a 

 close and circular body, and the middle of the flower should 



