November 9, 1876. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



409 



and known as the Red House. It is famons for its sub-tropi- 

 eal garden, and occupies the foremost position in this style 

 of gardening. There are several acres arranged to present a 

 natural and pioturesque effect. The whole is well shaded, and 

 surrounded By groves of trees and handsome evergreen and 

 flowering shrubs for the purpose of shelter. No one was 

 better acquainted with their natural positions than Mr. John 

 Gibson, who laid out this park, for he has seen most of the 

 trees growing in their native country in far distant lands. 

 The Palms, Tree Ferns, Bananas, Aralias, Dracamas, and other 

 richly coloured leaves of plants growing out of the green turf, 

 with hundreds of other subtropical rarities, brilliant in colour, 

 graceful, and elegant in habit or leafage produce a charming 

 effect. There are abundance of flowers of the most brilliant 

 kinds, but everywhere relieved and set off by the green leaves 

 of a diversified charaoter. • Another feature in the park is the 



vdry beautiful in the autumn and winter months for general 

 decorative purposes, and we have them in various colours, with 

 larger trusses of bloom, ample foliage, and fringed flowers, yet 

 the beauty of the singles is confined to the plant, while every 

 pip of the doubles is available for cutting. Double Primulas 

 have been grown for a long time, but propagated only from 

 cuttings, which is a Blow process, and one not inducive of 

 vigour to the plants. Of late years, however, double varieties 

 have been offered as coming true from seed. The seedlings 

 were poor at first, but there is really now little to be wished 

 for except in variety, and in this respect every year is bringing 

 us additions. 



The doubles are with me so much admired, and come so 

 truly from seed, that I shall grow them extensively. I have 

 from seed a grand lot of double white, double red (the old 

 colour of fimbriata rubra), and also bright crimson (the colour 



Fig. C2. — Batiersea pabk. 



rockwork — a good imitation of nature, and vegetation is spread- 

 ing well over the rugged parls. At the base are planted trail- 

 ing and creeping plants, such as Sedums, Sempervivums, Saxi- 

 frages, Thymes, and other herbaceous and alpine plants too 

 numerous to mention, the whole forming one of the gayest 

 sights of the season. 



There is also another olass of plants extensively cultivated 

 there — the ornamental Grasses, and which have a very deoora- 

 tive effect. The ornamental waters also form highly pleasing 

 scenery. The Grasses are planted in and at the edge of the 

 water, fringing the projecting parts with graceful drooping 

 leaves and erect and noble inflorescence. Arundo donax, both 

 green and variegated, is stately and graceful, being a vigorous 

 and robust plant with long, broad, and recurved leaves. The 

 variegated variety has broad silvery-striped leaves, as has the 

 striped Japanese Maize (Zea japonica), whioh is free-growing 

 and very ornamental, attaining the height of 6 feet. There 

 are many others when planted in such situations that are 

 exceedingly attractive, such as the Erianthus ravenna and the 

 Pampas Grass. The details of this Park have been frequently 

 noticed, and the ability of the Superintendent, Mr. Rogers, is 

 generally admitted. — N. Cole, Kensington Gardens. 



of kermesina splendens), and a very fine unable carmine, 

 large and free. They are quite free in growth and flowering. 

 The colour of the last is charming by candlelight, and its 

 ample foliage and large trusses render it available for a dinner- 

 table plant. — A. 



DOUBLE PEIMULAS FKOM SEED. 

 The double flowers are very much more valuable than the 

 Bingle from their greater endurance. The Bingle3 are, indeed, 



JUDGING VEGETABLES. 



I have had exoellent opportunities of seeing collections 

 adjudicated upon, and have taken much interest in the de- 

 cisions, and have also taken pains both in growing and exhibit- 

 ing vegetables, yet I fail to see the force of Mr. Fairweather's 

 argument — that Potatoes should stand first in order of merit 

 Bimply because they are a staple article of food. The encou- 

 ragement that the Potato has received at the Alexaudra Palaoe 

 does not in the slightest degree enhance its value when placed 

 in a mixed collection of vegetables. The same number of 

 dishes of Peas, Tomatoes, or even Vegetable Marrows were 

 they collected in the same manner would be interesting, but 

 their value would remain the same as before. 



Were I asked what vegetable should be placed first in order 

 of merit my reply would be, That variety which required most 

 skill to produce it in perfection at a given time, and to possess 

 such merit as to be most esteemed by employers at that time. 



The value of different kinds of vegetables necessarily varies 

 with the season. Had I to form a collection of twelve varieties 

 during the month of June I should certainly try and include 



