244 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



[September 1, 1888. 



encouraging the planting of trees, and forestry in 

 general. The example has been followed in almost 

 every State and Territory in this district, and a public 

 holiday is proclaimed by the Legislature, the day 

 being fixed generally by the Governor, when trees 

 are planted by local authorities and other notable 

 persons ; planting of shade trees in streets is carried 

 on by town councils, and the people generally are 

 encouraged to memorialise the day by similar acts. 

 The White Elm is considered the best tree, being 

 hardy, and of rapid growth. The different varieties 

 of Oak, Walnut, and Maple, the Elm, Ash, Catalpa, 

 Linden, Tulip tree, Pine, and other trees are variously 

 recommended to the public, as experiments have 

 proved them to thrive in the different localities, or 

 are suitable to the purposes desired ; and the holiday 

 is very generally observed with its intended object. 

 In Kansas there are now more than 250,000 acres of 

 artificial forest, and a large number in Nebraska, and 

 the observance of ' Arbor Day ' promises to be of 

 great benefit eventually to the country." 



Ryde Horticultural Show.— The annual 



show of flowers and fruit, favoured with a fine day, 

 took place on Thursday, August 23, in the beautiful 

 grounds of the Terrace Gardens, which were kindly 

 lent by Mrs. G. Pack. The show was generally pro- 

 nounced to be better than any previous exhibi- 

 tion. The exhibits were shown in three large tents, 

 the Mayor attending and opening the show. In the 

 evening the beautiful grounds were lighted up by 

 hundreds of lamps, and looked like a fairy land, and 

 was well patronised by the public. Altogether the 

 show was a great success, and reflects much credit 

 upon Mr. J. Elej, the Secretary, and those who 

 carried it out. 



The cold Storage of Fruit.— In our last 



issue we explained the system of evaporating 

 ammonia by which the temperature was reduced ; 

 giving also the temperatures of the three rooms 

 which were at 38°, 25°, and 22° Fahr., respectively. 

 Since our last issue we learn from the Journal of 

 Horticulture that the committee appointed by the 

 Royal Horticultural Society to ascertain the practic- 

 ability of preserving soft fruits under the influence 

 of cold, met on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Cold Storage 

 Company's offices in Gracechurch Street, T. Fbancis 

 Riveks, Esq., in the chair, and examined the Cherries 

 referred toby us at p. 215. Several half-bushel baskets 

 of Cherries had been placed in the chambers on 

 August 8, wet, and some of them decayed. Some 

 were frozen like marbles, others were abnormally 

 firm, but not actually frozen, others remaining soft. 

 Those that were not frozen were in the same con- 

 dition as when stored fifteen days previously, and 

 those that were decayed then had not in the slightest 

 degree communicated decay to others pressing against 

 them. Those in the coldest freezing-chamber .were 

 spoiled. Soft fruits must evidently not be frozen, 

 and the point to determine is the amount of cold 

 that suffices to arrest fermentation, and this settled, 

 it is not unlikely that soft fruit can be kept for some 

 weeks or months. Various kinds of fruit will be 

 tried under differing conditions in the hope of 

 acquiring information of substantial value. 



POTATO DISEASE.— The proportions of sulphate 

 of copper recommended by M. Pkillieux to be used 

 for the cure or check of the Potato disease are 6 

 kilogrammes (13^ lb.) of sulphate of copper, an 

 equal quantity of lime, and 1 hectolitre (22 gallons) 

 of water. As we have already mentioned, this appli- 

 cation used freely, with a syringe or a spray-producer, 

 is most serviceable in the case of the corresponding 

 malady in the Vine, and its use under these circum- 

 stances has suggested its employment to Potatos. 

 We earnestly hope some of our readers will try it and 

 let us know the results. It should be used directly a 

 spot is seen on the leaves. It is of no use trying it 

 when the leaves and haulm are already half rotten. 



THE WEATHER. — Nothing but disasters to report 

 about the weather. Details are needless, and would 

 only be harrowing to no purpose. 



Foreign Correspondence. 



HORTICULTURAL NOTES FROM BERLIN. 



The floral establishments in Berlin plainly show 

 that the height of summer is passed. Roses, with 

 the exception of Teas, are over, but Carnations take 

 their place. Besides these, which are not so gener- 

 ally in cultivation as in England, Fuchsias, Helio- 

 tropes, and Hydrangeas, are very popular. The 

 latter, especially the blue flowering varieties, are 

 very luxuriantly grown. Lilium auratum has won 

 favour wonderfully during the last few years, but it 

 is a pity that, for convenience sake, the anthers have 

 to be cut off, thereby robbing the flowers of one of 

 their greatest beauties. Large flowering Pansies find 

 many purchasers. Zonal Pelargoniums are among the 

 market plants for which there is the largest sale, and 

 splendid dark blue varieties of Lobelia erinus rank 

 next. 



The large floral establishments daily contrive new 

 arrangements to tempt the public, in which colours 

 are effectively contrasted, but also with refinement. 

 Lately I saw a cushion-shaped bouquet (a form 

 that is very popular just now), which was composed 

 of Pansy Faust, a pure and velvety-black variety 

 laid against a snow-white background of white 

 Stocks. Another arrangement was made up on a 

 wire frame covered with dark green gauze ; the 

 framework was composed of Viburnum Opulus, fl.-pl., 

 while in the middle, quite distinct from these snow- 

 ball-like flowers, was a raised loose bouquet of La 

 France Rose-buds. 



The dweller in Berlin knows well how to appre- 

 ciate the value of evergreen plants for indoor decora- 

 tion, and an infinite variety is to be found in our 

 flower markets. In the first rank are Latania bor- 

 bonica, Phcenix reclinata ; then Dracaena indivisa, 

 Aletris fragrans, Philodendron pertusum, and Arau- 

 caria excelsa. Besides these there is the favourite 

 Ficus elastica. One or more specimens of these 

 plants is to be found in every home ; and next to 

 them as indoor plants rank Rhapis flabelliformis, 

 some Dracaenas and Cordylines, and more especially 

 certain Cacteas. Of the latter, very fine specimens 

 are to be met with often in the dwellings of the 

 poorer classes, and which are so well grown as to be 

 fully worthy of a First-class Certificate. Among 

 such plants, too, are some sorts of Pelargoniums, 

 notably the so-called " Rose " Pelargonium. Aspi- 

 distras, too, which are practically indestructible, are 

 naturally seldom wanting, nor are Dracaenas, and 

 the equally abundant Curculigo recurvata, which are 

 classed under the general name of Palms even by 

 the educated public. From our Berlin Correspondent. 



Philadelphia. 

 On June 28 Councilman Meehan's ordinance, 

 inaugurating a system of small parks for Phila- 

 delphia, finally became law, after a five years' 

 struggle. Only five of the thirty-one intended to be 

 established were adopted by this preliminary ordi- 

 nance, one of these being the famous old botanic 

 garden of John Bartram, and another being the old 

 homestead of Logan, the first secretary of the 

 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under William 

 Penn. 



Trade Notices. 



Dicksons (Limited). — The formation of a limited 

 company by the amalgamation of the two well-known 

 firms of the Dicksons, at Chester, has already been 

 announced in the Gardeners' Chronicle, and the Com- 

 pany now possesses one of the largest nursery and 

 seed businesses in the United Kingdom — the total 

 area under cultivation, including the three branch 

 nurseries in Wales, being over 400 acres, well cropped 

 with healthy, thriving stock. 



Seedlings of trees, shrubs and evergreens are grown 

 by millions. Transplanted forest trees, plants for 

 underwoods, game coverts, hedges and shrubberies 



may be counted by millions also. Larch Firs and 

 Thorns represent, perhaps, the largest numbers, about 

 three millions of each being available for sale this 

 season ; Scotch, Austrian, Corsican, Douglas, and 

 Spruce are largely grown, and numerous fine drifts 

 of Oaks, Ash, Elms, Beech and other hardwoods. 



Choice Conifers, fine green and variegated Hollies, 

 Laurels, Aucubas, choice Rhododendrons and other 

 evei'greens cover many acres, and the quantity of 

 flowering and ornamental trees and shrubs appears to 

 be without limit. Trees for avenues, street planting, 

 or for grouping in parks are here in great numbers, 

 fine examples from 10 to 18 feet high. 



Sixty-five acres are devoted to the cultivation of 

 fruit trees, for which these nurseries have long been 

 noted, and in addition to young trees of the usual 

 planting sizes, there are quantities of extra large, 

 well-grown fruiting trees trained in pyramid and 

 espalier forms. 



That Roses thrive well in the climate and soil of 

 Chester is demonstrated by the luxuriant growth of 

 the large numbers cultivated. 



The indoor department comprises no fewer than 

 eighty glasshouses well filled with stove and green- 

 house plants, fine Camellias, Indian Azaleas, Tea 

 and other Roses, strong Vines, fruit trees in pots for 

 orchard-house, Figs, &c. Numerous ranges of brick 

 and wooden frames with lights are utilised for plant 

 propagating purposes and growing young succession 

 stock. 



Close by these houses and pits are grown the large 

 collections of herbaceous and alpine plants. Bulbs 

 are extensively cultivated, especially Narcissi, one 

 plot containing many thousands of Sir Watkin, a 

 very fine form, originally distributed by Messrs. 

 Dickson ; while of Emperor, Empress, Horsfieldi, and 

 other leading varieties there are large stocks. 



Amongst Carnations, Mrs. Reynolds Hole is a 

 striking novelty ; the flowers, which are very large, 

 and produced freely, they are of a beautiful salmon 

 colour. This Carnation will probably be in great 

 demand, to meet which a stock of many thousands is 

 ready for distribution. 



Before leaving the nurseries we must bear testi- 

 mony to the good order in which they are kept, and 

 to the excellent condition of the stock, which reflects 

 the highest credit upon the management. 



The Seed Department. — To convey an idea of the 

 magnitude of this branch of the business, it may be 

 mentioned that there are two sets of spacious build- 

 ings in Eastgate Street, containing commodious seed 

 and bulb premises, with well-appointed offices over 

 them; contiguous is a large warehouse replete with 

 modern implements and agricultural machinery. 

 Large farm seed stores are situate in St. John Street 

 and St.Werburgh Street, in which is the most approved 

 machinery, driven by gas-engines, for cleaning seeds, 

 and upon which no expense has been spared to make 

 them as perfect as possible. As all seeds are sold 

 under guarantee as to purity and stated percentages 

 of germination, the utmost care and unremitting 

 attention of the principal partners are necessary. 

 Farm and garden seeds are saved from their own 

 specially selected stocks under their personal super- 

 vision, and duly tested before being sent away to pur- 

 chasers. Here, as in the nurseries, order and method are 

 everywhere apparent, and as the managing directors 

 are assisted by a most efficient staff, it is evident 

 that every care is taken to ensure the satisfactory 

 execution of all orders. The valuation of the entire 

 stocks of both firms for the purpose of amalgamation 

 was entrusted to the highly competent hands of Mr. 

 John Fraser, of the Lea Bridge Nurseries, Leyton ; 

 and of Mr. Maurice Young, of the Nurseries, Milford, 

 Surrey. About one month was occupied by these 

 gentlemen in the task, which was eventually com- 

 pleted to the satisfaction of all parties. 



I see in your issue of the 11th ult., under 



"Trade Notices," that Eastgate Nursery has passed 

 into the hands of Messrs. W. & J. Brown. This will 

 mislead the public, as they have not purchased the 

 trade, but only part of the freehold, and the business 

 will be carried on as heretofore. Jno. House, Eastgate 

 Nurseries. Peterborough, August 20. 



Mr. W. Napper, late of the Exeter Nurseries, 



where he was employed for twenty years, has been 

 engaged as manager by Messrs. Jarman & Co., 

 nurserymen, florists, &c, Chard. 



Mr. D. Margetts, ornamental wireworker, 



and maker of exhibition bouquet and flower-stands, 

 has removed from 16, York Street, Covent Garden, 

 to 8, Vinegar Yard, Catherine Street, W.C. 



