180 



JOCENAL OF HOETICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



[ August 80, 1877. 



it is eome 20 feet high, ia growing most strongly, and has a 

 ■considerable number of flower buds which, strange to say, all 

 spriDg from the old branches. One flower was just expanding, 

 and others will follow for some timo to come. 



In Bpring time and early summer, Crocus, Snowdrops, Nar- 

 cissus, Scilla, and a host of other spring beauties which have 

 their bulbs permanently established deep down beneath the turf 

 out of reach of the mice, push their growth through it by 

 thousands, bursting into flower a myriad of vernal gems, which 

 thus change the grassy slopes into one vast flower garden — an 

 easy and delightful method of spring gardening which will 

 commend itself to everyone, for who would not like to gee 

 their lawns under such a novel and charming aspect ? Nor is 

 the treat confined solely to spring, for under the branches of 

 the Conifers and such shrubs aa appear suitable there are 

 Cyclamens of all sorts, Atkinsi, p^rsicum, Coum, and hederas- 

 folium in all their varieties, with europaaam, repandum, iberi- 

 cum, vernum, and maerophyllum. Under the Pinus insignia 

 there are whole beds of them covered by the old Pine needles, 

 which are never removed but are left to gradually form a tawny 

 carpet, through which the pretty flowers push their way all 

 through tha winter months. I like this plan of leaving the old 

 Pine needles ; the effect is picturesque, natural, and certainly 

 not untidy. 



A new feature here is an adit which has been driven through 

 the shale of an upper slope. Along its sides are various nooka 

 and corners — just so many snug little homes for rarities, of 

 which there is already a goodly store. On these, however, I 

 must not dwell ; nor must I do more than call attention to 

 the numerous panfuls and beds of seedlings of Bhrubs and 

 flowers, every one of which may fairly be expected to prove 

 " something fresh," for they are all raised from seed resulting 

 from the cross-breeding and hybridising which Mr. Boscawen 

 is constantly carrying on. I am tempted to dwell upon these, 

 but space forbids. A closing paragraph on the romantic scenery 

 of Lamorran must conclude my notes on this remarkable 

 garden. • 



Lamorran is like a poet's dream^-always beautiful, yet ever 

 changing and presenting some new charm to the fascinated 

 «ye. The long graceful sweep of the valley ; the bright glisten- 

 ing waters stretching far away, cool and still, yet abounding 

 with life ; the lofty hillside clothed down to the water's edge 

 with a dense growth of trees, the tops of which mark the 

 flowing undulations of the slopes like the billowa of the sea ; 

 the pretty church standing amidst the graves of those who 

 worshipped within its walls long ago close by the water's edge, 

 reminding one of those romantic old kirkyards still to be found 

 on the margin of many a Scottish loch ; the house in the 

 very heart of the valley, deep down yet commanding its most 

 pleasing features, all combine to form a soene of romantic 

 beauty such as mere description can convey but a very faint 

 idea of, but which is in a good meaBure represented by the 

 accompanying engraving (fig. 41). On the last morning of my 

 visit, a bright and sunny day, the picture from the terrace 

 was perfect. There was a charming play of light and Bhade 

 among the trees which cast their shadows far out on the quiet 

 waters of the creek, where the eye rested on a foreground of 

 a large patch of Water Lily, past which swam slowly a white 

 swan and her train of dusky cygnets. Wild ducks too were 

 there, tamed for the moment under the influence of the quiet- 

 ness around them. A fringe of Fern, mingled with pendant 

 branches of Mountain Ash laden with bright scarlet berries 

 along the water's edge ; while high overhead sailed white fleecy 

 clouds, chequering the deep blue of the sky. 



I am requested by Mr. Boscawen to invite any lover of 

 nature to call and see this charming valley and its garden ; 

 and I have no doubt that those whom these notes may induce 

 to do so will agree with me that it is most beautiful— replete 

 with varied charms, and the very embodiment of repose. — 

 Edward Luckhurst. 



Bomneya Coultebi at Glasnevin. — The Irish Farmers' Ga- 

 zette describes a specimen of this which was only struck from 

 a cutting in the spring of last year and is now some G feet high, 

 4 or more through, and every branch and branchlet termi- 

 nated by a flower or flower bud. The expanded flower ia fully 

 6 inches across, quite flat, delicate in texture, and pure white 

 in colour ; from the centre rises a great ball of gold, formed by 

 the close globular aggregation of anthers innumerable, forming 

 with the petals a brilliant and beautiful contrast of white and 

 gold. The protection afforded the plant during the past winter 



was of the most trivial kind, and it ia doubtful if even this was 

 absolutely necessary; a slight protection over the roots we 

 apprehend being all really required, perhaps not even that. 

 The present cold, aunleas, and weeping summer was by no 

 means best calculated to bring out its grand flowers in the 

 quality and profusion seen under Californian light and sun- 

 shine. Nevertheless here we have it now blooming freely and 

 profusely for some weeks, and likely to continue to do so for 

 weeks to come. In its regard, therefore, three things are, we 

 think, very fairly established — firstly, its perennial character ; 

 secondly, its hardihood ; and thirdly, its early flowering and 

 very Btriking and highly ornamental aspect. 



TAKING-UP POTATOES. 



I can testify to the soundness of Mr. Luckhnrst's and 

 " Northern Gardener's" remarks on early lifting of the 

 Potato crop, or the pulling-up of the haulms (not cutting, as 

 it only partially arrests the disease). But here in Dorset we 

 aeem to be in the same predicament as " Northern Gar- 

 dener ; " the murrain has destroyed one-half the crop before 

 the main crop Potatoes have ceased swelling. 



We have just lifted (August 22nd) a piece of Paterson's 

 Victoria Potato, where the haulm was pulled away the 28th of 

 July, and we have a fair crop and next to none diseased, but 

 adjoining the same sort with the same treatment (excepting 

 the tops being taken away) one-half are diseased. 



We had a plot planted with Snowflake Potato, and aB the 

 time could not be spared the haulm was pulled away, and now 

 they are just lifted, all good-sized tubers, about three bushels 

 per perch, none diseased. 



Eemoving the haulm ia thought by many cottagers to he 

 useless, but in every ease I have found they delayed doing it 

 till the stalks were much affected. I find it best to leave the 

 Potatoes in the ground for two or three weekB after the tops 

 are drawn away, if a convenient place cannot be found to dry 

 and ripen them before storing. — A. P. 



EOTAL HOETICULTDEAL SOCIETY. 



August 24th. 



Fruit Committee.— Henry Webb, Esq., V.P., in the chair. 

 The meeting was held at the Society's Garden, Chiawiek. The 

 collection of Tomatoes, which have been grown in pots under 

 glaBS, were first examined. The collection is represented by 

 over sixty differently named varieties, two plants of each being 

 grown. These the Committee had arranged into classes as dis- 

 tinct in appearance, and amounting in all to thirty-one, which 

 number may, however, be still further reduced or increased 

 when further examined in comparison with those growing in 

 the open air. The6e Tomatoes at the present time are most 

 interesting and well worthy of inspection. The smallest variety 

 is represented by Bed Currant, of about the same size as a 

 Currant; the largest variety is The Trophy; the earliest is 

 The Early Gem, and the latest De Laye's, which is of little 

 value. 



First cla6s certificates were awarded to Little Gem (Bliss), a 

 medium-sized, round, deep red variety, very free-fruiting and 

 very early; to New Improved (Vick), a large smooth ovate 

 variety of a distinct rosy crimson colour, free-fruiting; to Vil- 

 moriu's Large Bed (Vilmorin), a very large slightly-ribbed 

 variety aDd a wonderful cropper; to Trophy (Carter & Co., 

 Veitch, Wheeler), an exceeding large nearly smooth red variety, 

 of fine appearance and late. Hathaway's Excelsior was found 

 to well merit the certificate that was awarded to it some time 

 ago ; also Green Gage (Carter), as being by far the best yellow 

 variety. Conqueror, One Hundred Days, and Portsmouth 

 amongst the new varieties were greatly admired. 



The collection of cordon-trained Peaches and Nectarines on 

 open wall were next examined. These trees, which have this 

 season done good service, are in perfect health, and many of 

 them are bearing heavy crops. Prominent amongBt all others 

 standB the Lord Napier Nectarine, which was awarded a first- 

 clasB certificate. The fruit is very large, roundish oblate, of s 

 deep dark purplish colour; the flesh is pale throughout, of rich 

 arid excellent flavour, having a dash of the Stanwick in it. It is 

 of fine constitution and a free bearer. 



Turnips were next examined. Of these a very extensive trial 

 has been made. The earliest varieties were found to be the 

 American Strap-leaf, White and Bed-topped. This is an ex- 

 ceedingly fine Turnip, and completely takes the place of the 

 old White Dutch, which seems to be almost worn out ; at least, 

 no true or good stocks of it have been grown here. Following 

 these come the Early Bed Top, the Bed Globe, and the Early 

 Six-weeks or Snowball, which has numerous synonyms. Tbis 

 is the main-crop garden Turnip, and the finest of all. Of other 



