238 



JOUENAL OP HOETICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEK. 



[ March SO, ISVl. 



metal pillars, against which climbers of all kinds are planted, 

 and trained up over the roof, from which they hang in graceful 

 festoons in great profusion. They are apparently allowed to 

 ramble almost at will, althongh still completely in order, and 

 they have thus a very pleasing effect. Amongst others, Tac- 

 Eonia Van-Volxemi, Ipoma3a Learii, and Mandevilla Buaveolena 

 were extremely handsome ; of Passifloras there were Belottii, 

 emrulea racemosa, amabili^, csrdinalis, Colvilli, ednlis; also 

 Ehynchospermum jasminoides, Tacsonia manieata, ignea, mol- 

 liasima, Lapageria rosea. Plumbago capeDsis,Keanedyas, Eose 

 Marechal Niel, and Bignonias — decidedly the best displny of 

 climbers I have seen. In the centre of the house there is a large 

 bed, in which many of the larger plants are growing planted 

 out ; round this there is the pathway, with shelves against the 

 sides. The whole house was replete xiith blossom and fine gay 

 plants. In the centre bed, directly opposite the entrance was a 

 very handsome specimen of Dicksonia antarctios, with a 7-feet 

 stem and immense spreading fronds. Other permanent occu- 

 pants of this bed consisted of some fine Palms, Camellias, 

 Ocanges, Lueulias, and Brugmansias, with smaller fioweiing 

 plants in pots placed along the edges of the path, the whole 

 surface being covered with a beautiful green carpet of Sek- 

 ginella deuticulata, which wonderfully freshens up the appear- 

 ance of the house. 



On the right hand and on the left there are two vineries, 

 which we pass through at present, and note first the west-end 

 plant stove. This is span-roofed, 3G feet by 18, and about 

 14 feet high, having a bed in the centre much in the same 

 style as the conservatory. Here there were many fine plants, 

 with which Mr. Dunn makes such a grand display at the Dublin 

 exhibitions, and carries off so many honours. First I noticed 

 a perfect Medinilla magnifica, 8 feet high, and as much in 

 diameter, which Mr. Dunn stated had in April last 187 of its 

 beautiful racemes of rosy flowers upon it at one time — that 

 was a sight ; Stephanotis floribunda on a balloon-shaped trellia 

 6 feet by 4 feet, shown at Dublin last year with 220 trusses of 

 flowers upon it; Clerodendron Balfouriauum, 6 feet by 4; 

 AUamanda Hendersoni, Schottii, and cathartica — fine plants 

 on large balloon trellises ; Francisceacalyciua msjor, P. eximia, 

 Meyenia erecta; Croton angnstifoHum pictum and variegatnm, 

 all very fine, large, show plants, besiiies many other smaller 

 plants interspersed, such as Dracasnas, Begonias, Ferns of all 

 sorts, and on the side shelves numerous Gardenias, Ixoras, 

 Epiphyllums, and G«sneras growing for early spring display, 

 for which they are in great demand. The rafters, columns, 

 and root were nicely draped with climbers growing and flower- 

 ing with great luxuriance, such as Stephanotis, Clerodendron 

 ThomsoEse, Thunbergia Harrisii, Ipomasa Hotsfallire, Passi- 

 floras eardinalis, kermesina, and princeps. Great tufts also of 

 Epiphyllum appeared here and there, as if springing out of 

 the bare rafters ; this was worked on a long thin stem of the 

 Pereskia, which was scarcely seen, and when seen appeared 

 scarcely capable of carrying such a weight. How charming 

 this must look at Christmas when in flower ! At the warmest 

 end of the house Passiflora quadrangularis was luxuriating, 

 flowering and fruiting freely. This is one of the best edible 

 Pasaifloras. The fruits (Sracadillas) are rather prized at 

 Powersconrt, although not by the writer. 



Passing on to the extreme end I entered a span-roofed green- 

 house corresponding to the stove just noted. Here there were 

 fine Acacias, Epacrises, Ericas of sorts, Chorozemas, Aphelexes, 

 Phccnocoma prolifera, Geuetjllie, Pimeleas, Polygalae, and all 

 the usual selection of cool greenhouse hardwooded plants, which 

 are far too much neglected at the present day in the fashion 

 for big, easily grown, leafy plants. Hero also is a fine Arau- 

 earia exoelso, a most elegant conservatory tree, likewise A. Can- 

 uinghami ; and placed ]a?t under the stage, growing under 

 large ball-glasses, were three splendid specimens of that most 

 lovely Filmy Fern Tcdea superba, with fine large fronds, show- 

 ing that it was thoroughly at home in such a situation. On 

 the side shelves were numerous gveenhouse plants, fino ex- 

 amples of Lilium auratum, Cordjlines, Pieromas, Kalosanths, 

 Statioes, &o. ; and again a profusion of climbers, such as La- 

 pageriii rosea, Clianthus Dimpieri, Mitravia coccinea ; Passi- 

 flora amabilis, P. Neumanni ; Eennedya Marryattaj, and several 

 of the new kinds of Clematis, almost exhausting the whole 

 stock of climbing hothouse plants, in which Mr. Daau seems 

 well posted up. 



This completes the ciionit of the plant houses; and on 

 passing on to the terrace in front to look at the range I was 

 informed that it is yet unfinished, it being intended to add a 

 Peach house o6 feet long to each end, so that when completed 



this will certainly be one of the noblest ranges of glass in Irf- 

 land, and under the management of one of the best of gai- 

 denere. — B. 



GARDENERS' COMPANY. 



Feom the " City of London Directory" we have the follow- 

 ing particulars respecting this Company : — 



Charters. — This Company was incorporated by the 3rd James I. 

 September 18th, 1605 : re-incorporated by the 14th James I. 

 November 9th, 161C. The bye-laws for their good government 

 were confirmed by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, and 

 Chief Justice of the King's Bench, July 1st, 1606. 



Arms. — The field alandEcape,thebase variegated with flowers; 

 a man proper, vested round the loins with linen argent, digging 

 with a spade, all of the first. Crest : on a wreath, a basket of 

 fruit all proper. Supporters : two emblematical female figures 

 with eornncopi.'B, representing Plenty. Motto : " In the Sweat 

 of Thy Brow shalt Thou Eat Thy Bread." 



Fees Payable. — Upon taking up the freedom ; by patrimony 

 or servitude, £1 lOs. ; and by purchase, £1 17s. 6d. 

 [This Company has ceased to exist.] 



REMEMBER SOILS, SITUATIONS, AND 

 SEASONS VARY. 



Let me say a few words on the difierences of opinion amongst 

 writers to the Journal about the good and bad qualities cf 

 bedding-out plants in general. 



One writer praises up the good qualities of the Golden 

 Pyrethrum, and says what a valuable plant in the flower garden 

 it proved to be with him. This it has proved with me, and it 

 was much admired by all who saw it last summer. In the 

 following Journal another writer says, " Away with it to the 

 rubbish heap, he would not grow such rubbish again." I can 

 only say I intend growing much more of the " rubbish " than 

 I did last year, the ladies so liked it. 



Some differ in opinion as to the qualities of bedding Gera- 

 niums; some condemn one sort, others praise it to the skies. 

 In my opinion some sorts do well in one place, and moy be a 

 failure in another, because the climate is different, or the soil 

 too rich, too poor, too dry, or too shallow, and my advice to 

 those interested in such things is net to listen always and 

 believe for true what is written, but to give all such bedding 

 plants as they may have a fair trial before casting them away 

 1.^ the rubbish heap. I was told by a lady, who saw my Py- 

 rethrums last summer, then looking so fine and yellow, that 

 where she had just been at the sea-siuo the Pyrethrum was as 

 green as grass, thus showing it does not answer so well near 

 the sea as it does farther inland. Much allowance must also 

 be made for differences of season. 



In conclusion, let me ask of gardeners and other writers to 

 your' valuable paper to give us their advice in future, and show 

 how plants about which they write can be grown and managed 

 in the best way possible in a garden where there is only a 

 small quantity of glass, with limited time to look after them. 

 It would be very useful to a great many ameteurs, and to gai- 

 denera like myself. — Eobeht Giddixgs. 



JOTTINGS IN AMERICA. 



AMEEic.iN agricultural papers are numerous, and mostly 

 prosperous. One feature that, marks them peculiarly is the 

 amount of attention given to improvements in menial opera- 

 tions. Descriptions, often with illustrations, of little contri- 

 vances to lighten or soften such labours as sifting ashes, 

 making fires, cleaning stables, carrying water, cfcc, are among 

 the most favourably commented on, and most highly valued. 



This is not surprising, when we think how scarce domestic 

 help is here, and how little to be depended upon. Those who 

 are hired soon find their way from the position of a servant to 

 the state of an independent owner; but, this attained, they aie 

 obliged still to he servants to themselves. Thus it is that well- 

 off farmers, or town-dwelling mechanics and tradesmen, whoso 

 wages or gains enable them to supply their homes luxuriously, 

 and who do so, are in most cases obliged to be their own drudges, 

 especially it they are out of the way of the influx of emigrautv. 

 To this large class every device that will help them through 

 their "chores" is an object. The necessity uf doing person- 

 ally all the dusty and dirty jobs that so discomfort tender hands 

 and tidy clothes, and of doing it without occupying too much of 

 the time that is wanted for other affairs, and without leaving 



