November 28, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
407 
i 
n their earlier stages during summer and autumn do re- 
markably well so circumstanced, and consider it the beau 
ideal structure for Primulas, Cinerarias, and Calceolarias, 
I specially mention this shelf convenience because I have 
not hitherto seen anything similar, and I have proved its 
utility. The dimensions of the pit should be to suit circum- 
stances—if too deep it is inconvenient to reach, and in winter 
and spring the plants become too much shaded when every 
ray of light should be utilised, and if too large the lights 
would be difficult to move. At the bottom of this pit, for 
temporary forcing purposes, I placed 6 or 8 inches of stable 
manure. I say temporary, for the heat from such a quantity 
will only last a few weeks; but these few weeks generally 
answer for striking cuttings and raising plants from seeds. 
The temperature is regulated by raising the lights by means of | 
a graduated racket, which I can lock when so raised. In this 
inexpensive and useful structure I 
grew the aforementioned fine speci- 
mens of Gloxinias, and many other 
tender plants generally only to be seen 
in stoves or forcing houses. I attribute 
much of the rude health of the plants 
to the presence of ammonia in the at- 
mosphere of this plant pit. 
If these few observations will induce 
any who appreciate this splendid 
Hower to give it thus a trial I feel 
assured success will be easily attained. 
—wW. J. M., Clonmel. 
CARPET BEDS. 
INQUIRIES for designs for carpet 
beds and modes of planting them 
effectively are so frequent that we 
purpose—while there is yet abun- 
dance of time for preparing plants 
and making arrangements for next 
year’s display—submitting a few good 
examples of carpet beds that were so 
much admired in the London parks 
during the past summer. 
The bed of which a diagram is given 
was one of the finest of a very excel- 
Jent series of beds that were arranged 
in Victoria Park. The bed was pro- 
bably rendered additionally imposing 
by its size—between 20 and 30 feet in 
diameter—but the pattern can be 
carried out on almost any desired scale. 
The bed, as all carpet beds should be, 
was raised nearly a foot above the 
evel of the lawn, and the surface of 
the bed was raised in tiers or gradu- 
ated terraces. For instance, the outer 
groundwork of Mentha (10) was nearly 
level, still slightly sloping upwards to 
the next groundwork (4) of Sedum 
glaucum, and again raised still higher 
was the central groundwork of the dark 
olive green Herniaria glabra. These 
masses of neutral colours were separated by bright dividing 
lines. Those radiating from the centre, triple lines, represent 
‘a tow of Alternanthera margined with Echeverias, and the out- 
‘side margin Sedum glaucum between two rows of the same 
succulent. The circles (5) 1m the elliptical groundwork denote 
Chamezepuce diacantha, and the smaller dots (7) Sempervivum 
tabuleforme. The circles (9) in the Mentha each contained a 
fine plant of Chamzepuce Cassabone. These with the central 
Agave rising boldly above the smooth surface imparted to the 
‘bed a very unique appearance, hence they are specially referred 
to; and the small cushions of Alternanthera (8-11) in the 
Mentha had an excellent effect. It will be observed that the 
greater portion of the plants employed are hardy or nearly so, 
the only really tender being Alternantheras. 
1. Agaves. 
3. Golden Pyrethrum. 
4, Herniaria glabra. 
THE SEASON IN THE NORTH. 
WE are still favoured with a few relics of what has been, 
on the whole, an excellent season for the florists. With the 
Grampians in full view, for some time clad in snow, my 
garden is still dotted with Hast Lothian Stocks, red, white, 
2. Echeveria secunda glauca. 
and purple; Pansies, show and fancy ; Mignonette, and double 
Primroses in three colours. To-day (the 18th) I have fair 
flowers, for the season, of some Roses—Abel Grand, Antoine 
Mouton, Cheshunt Hybrid, Maurice Bernardin, Souvenir de la 
Malmaison, and the unfailing “Glory.” Homere on a south 
wall still displays a few blooms. This plant has been laden 
with flowers throughout the season, and seems determined to be 
the last to leave the field as it was about the first to enter it. 
From no source has more pleasure been derived this year 
than from Gladioli ; all the varieties have flowered, which was 
not the case last year. The plants, too, have been strong, and 
the colours well up; but of some varieties the corms are not 
turning out as could have been wished. Among others are 
L’Unique Violet, Madame Desportes, Meyerbeer, and Ondine. 
Of the first I cannot by experience say much, but the second 
frequently fails; Ondine is false as fair; and of Meyerbeer 
Fig. 61.—Carpet Bed in Victoria Park. 
5. Chamzpeuce diacantha. 
6. Sedum glaucum. 
7. Sempervivum tabuleforme. 
8. Alternanthera amcena. 
9. Chamzepeuce Cassabone. 
10. Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica. 
11. Alternanthera magnifica. 
neither a friend who grows Gladioluses extensively nor I have one 
sound root. A well-known grower declared one of my spikes 
to be the finest of that variety he had ever seen. I remember 
“D)., Deal,” mentioned in the Journal that Meyerbeer had 
one season failed largely with him. This is, however, easily 
replaced, and the satisfaction derived this season from the 
culture of these magnificent flowers counterbalances a few 
disappointments and losses. I think that the splendid stands 
exhibited this year at our northern shows should incite to a 
more general and extensive cultivation of the Gladiolus,— 
A NORTHERN AMATEUR, 
EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS. 
In reply to the question of “C. T.” on page 368 with regard 
to the largest Eucalyptus globulus growing in England, I beg 
to say that the largest tree growing in Cornwall I believe to 
be at Penjerrick. Miss Fox writes that her tree is about 
45 feet high, and that it was planted about ten years ago. It 
seeded this summer, and I send you a small twig of the tree 
with the seed on it gathered a few weeks ago and not quite 
