December 5, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
423 
tinued to flower and ripen seed in abundance during the past 
four years. There is at present a quantity of fine young 
plants raised from the produce. I have no doubt its proximity 
to the sea (five miles) has influence over its existence. They 
are planted both on loam and peat. On the latter they have 
doubled the others in height. They are planted in open spaces 
but not exposed,—R., The Gardens, Castle Forbes. 
GARDENING OF THE PAST. 
AxBourT 1820 I remember that those who took pride in their 
gardens were in possession of many useful species and varieties 
of plants and fruits, which afforded them many hours of plea- 
sure amidst the turmoil by which they were surrounded. Even 
in fruits there were several varieties that are still in the first 
tanks of the lists. Ribston Pippin Apples were grown at that 
time, and Keswick Codlin and Hawthornden were just coming 
into note, the latter fruit free from specks and produced on 
trees free from canker. Jargonelle Pears had a place then. 
and so had Green Chisel, the latter the especial favourite of 
schoolboys. Green Gage Plums-were to be had also, and cer- 
tainly May Duke Cherries were quite as good at that time as 
they are now. Gooseberries were general favourites, and it is 
interesting to remember that some of the varieties now exten- 
sively grown in the south of England to supply the require- 
ments of the great metropolis were known at the time spoken 
of. Rifleman, Crown Bob, Ploughboy, and Lancashire Lad 
were especially popular. Strawberries had not been neglected, 
for good crops of Hautbois were oftener met with then than 
now, and Keens’ Seedling was not unknown. 
Turning to flowers, my memory points back to a time when 
many cottagers’ gardens possessed rows of the double yellow 
Primrose as edgings to paths. These Primroses were plentiful 
about 1824, but about a dozen years ago I had some difficulty 
in obtaining a plant or two of this favourite old sort. Double 
Daisies were largely grown; Auriculas were also cultivated, 
and very good Polyanthuses by those who made the plant a 
specialty. Stocks were very popular, and would certainly con- 
trast fayourably with the Brompton and Hast Lothian varieties 
now in yogue. Double and single Wallflowers were also in 
fashion ; one of the most popular amongst them was the pale 
double yellow. The dwarf double white Rocket was a great 
favourite rarely seen now. The old double yellow and white 
Batchelors’ Buttons were common then and contrasted fayour- 
ably with many things that are fashionable now. Pinks and 
Carnations occupied a prominent place, and a bed or more of | 
Tulips, and, if the soil suited, Ranunculus also. Hyacinths 
were not such great favourites, and Crocuses found a place in 
patches amongst the flower borders; and the most showy 
ribbon border I ever beheld was one formed entirely of Crocuses 
of different colours that had stood several years in the same 
position. 
The Dahlia came prominently into notice soon after 1826, 
first asa single flower, then semi-double, and eventually double. 
Springfield Rival was the first important double flower that 
had a long reign, for it was grown through the most important 
period of the Dahlia’s popularity, say from 1835 to 1845. The 
Pansy also had its admirers, and its rise as a fancy flower was 
even more rapid than that of the Dahlia ; but the introduction 
of the zonal Geraniums, the Verbena, and other plants into 
flower beds between 1835 and 1845 revolutionised the whole 
system of the flower garden, and it is to be regretted that some 
of the old flowers have been much neglected since, notably the 
blue varieties, or perhaps species of Anagallis, of which there 
used to be fine beds of healthy compact plants about 1840 ; now 
it has degenerated merely into aname amongst annuals. After 
the bedding period set in Tulips and Ranunculuses and some 
other flowers lost their positions, but Pinks and Carnations 
retained their ground. - Roses were favourites then as now. 
I can carry my memory back to fine rows of that most superb 
old Rose the York and Lancaster, than which [ know of nothing 
at the present day to compare ; also Moss Roses and the old 
Tuscan and the common blush China to cover walls, &c., were 
plentiful. The first worked standard Rose I ever saw had 
more attractions than any I have seen since, for it had three 
or four varieties all worked upon it and all in flower at the 
time, the common China and a pale Moss being two, while 
the old French White yields to none at the present day for 
sweetness. 
Our gardens are now enriched with many things our 
elders never possessed : still we must not deny them the merit 
for what they had done, as they bequeathed us a host of useful 
plants the beauty of which still forms so important a feature 
in our gardens. We must not despise what was done in the 
olden times, when such shrubs as Lilacs, Laburnums, Rhodo- 
dendrons, Camellias, Myrtles, Laurustinus, &c., were intro- 
duced, and which will long retain a prominent place amongst 
our cultivated plants.—J. RoBson. 
DECORATIVE USES OF CONIFERS. 
In a preceding number of the Journal Mr. Wright called 
attention to the usefulness of Conifers, hardy shrubs, &c., as 
winter-bedding plants. Messrs. Veitch’s grand and suggestive 
collection staged at South Kensington on October 15th not 
only looked attractive as arranged in baskets, but the shrubs 
would look equally well if bedded-out during the winter and 
the summer months. This all who haye seen the two large 
beds filled principally with this class of plants in the grounds 
of the Crystal Palace will, I think, readily admit; therefore I 
would suggest the advisability of having permanent beds of 
small Conifers, &c., somewhere in the ground, which, if taste- 
fully arranged, would attract much attention at any time, for 
the shrubs, &c., referred to are emphatically fine-foliaged plants. 
There have of late years been many fresh introductions of 
Conifers, some of which are decided acquisitions and deserve 
to be better known than they are. What adds to their value 
is their extreme hardiness, which admits of their being grown 
in many places where the more expensive luxury of a stove is 
not indulged in. Some of the varieties of Conifers are not 
perfectly hardy ; these, however, may be grown in pots or tubs 
in a cool house, and not only these, but others of known hardi- 
ness may be similarly grown, and they with very little trouble 
will be found to give quite as much pleasure as most kinds of 
tender plants. During the summer months specimen Conifers 
are extremely useful for standing in groups or singly on wide 
paths, drives, terraces, &c., or plunged in suitable places in 
the turf. Instead of Conifers we frequently see in front of 
villas, &c., miserably grown Pelargoniums in large pots, which 
look anything but attractive. Of course im large places where 
Conifers are extensively planted out there is not s0 much neces- 
sity for keeping them in tubs. In places of limited extent, if 
the plan of growing them in tubs is followed and ordinarily 
fair treatment given, a great variety of attractive specimens 
may be had which anyone might be proud of owning. 
Tubs are preferable to pots for Conifers on account of the 
latter, ugless plunged, being liable to be broken by frost, and 
also tubs do not absorb the moisture from the soil to such a 
great extent as pots do when exposed to solar heat. Fair-sized 
(medium-priced) plants should be started with, using tubs 
18 inches in diameter and 17 or 18 inches deep, and these look 
extremely well “oak-grained,” the iron hoops and handles 
being painted black. No particular mixture of soil is neces- 
sary ; two parts of turfy loam to one of leaf or peat soil, with 
a light addition of sand and decayed manure, will grow them 
well. Failing this, the best garden soil obtainable may be 
used ; to this should be added, if rich and heavy, broken crocks, 
mortar rubbish, or sand in sufficient quantities to keep it 
porous ; if light and poor a good quantity of old manure. 
Good-sized pieces of crocks or mortar rubbish may be advan- 
tageously used in any kind of soil, as they not only keep it 
open, but also help to keep the roots from too quickly pene- ~ 
trating to the sides, thus utilising the whole of the soil. The 
tubs or pots should be carefully drained, the plants well and 
firmly placed in them, and the soil should never be allowed to 
become dry, as Conifers, I believe, have their root-action con- 
stantly on. The tubs should be raised on blocks or bricks, 
as the tubs will then last much longer and will be also out of 
the reach of worms, which are apt to take possession of them 
much to the plants’ injury, especially in the early stages of 
growth, before the roots have fairly taken possession of the 
soil. When the plants are well established an occasional dose 
of liquid manure will be very beneficial to them, and, in fact, 
is almost indispensable when they have to remain in the tubs 
some years. Messrs. Barron & Son, Borrowash Nurseries, near 
Derby, have of late years exhibited Conifers in tubs success- 
fully at the great horticultural shows. At Preston they gained 
the first prize, staging good plants of the following, the names 
of which I append and also a few brief notes taken on the 
ground :— } 
Abies Parryana (native of Colorado).—The hardiest of the 
Spruce Firs. Is very glaucous and attractive. 
Abies Alcocquiana (Japan).—Of good habit, very hardy, 
ornamental, and free-growing. The under side of the leaves 
