240 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



them to the most fragile plants like the smaller 



Clematis, and where only narrow ways are 

 wanted, or to bold airy structures fit to carry 

 the greater hardy Vines andWistarias like that 

 we engrave here from a photograph taken in 

 Mr. Edward Hudson's garden at Sonning. It 

 is an example of a pergola on rising ground ; 

 such massive timbers are only needed to carry 

 the strongest climbing shrubs grown, and in 

 places near the house where the element of 

 endurance may not be lost sight of. For such 

 a lasting pergola, to carry shrubs that live 

 for many years such as those named, there is 

 nothing better than a brick pillar. In this case 

 they are rounded pillars, which require a spe- 

 cially made brick, though a brown " stock 

 brick " would be quite as good, and much 

 simpler in many situations. 



LARGE - FLOWERING OUT- 

 DOOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS 

 AT EARLSWOOD NURSERIES. 



During many years the great reproach against 

 the Chrysanthemum was of being a plant from 

 which good results could not be expected in 

 the garden, and which needed a glass-house and 

 heat to bring it to perfection; but this fault can 

 no longer be found with the queen of autumn 

 flowers. True,earlyfloweringChrysanthemums 

 are no new thing, inasmuch that many years ago 

 we had a few kinds so grown, such as Madame 

 Desgrange, with its golden and primrose-yellow 

 forms, Mrs. y. R. Pitcher, and a few others; but ! 

 the choice was small, as were their flowers, and 

 their merits insufficient to give them any great 

 value for gardens. But that matters are now 

 changed is seen in the display of large-flowered 

 early-blooming Chrysanthemums grown by 

 thousands in an open field by Mr. W. Wells, of 

 Earlswood,Redhill. Their conditions of soil and 

 culture are a convincing proof of their merit, 

 for, far from being exceptionally well-placed, 

 the ground is open and unprotected, low-lying 

 and somewhat heavy, so much so that during 

 the storms of this summer parts of it have been 

 inches under water and quite unworkable. Yet 

 spite of this year's trials the plants are in full 

 beauty and form a sheet of colour which is quite 

 a landmark beside the Brighton high-road, and 

 a revelation to anyone unacquainted with the 

 progress of the early Chrysanthemum, and the 



new sorts raised by Mr. Goacher and distribu- 

 ted by Mr. Wells. Decided differences exist 

 amongst the varieties as to habit, time of flower- 

 ing, and resistance to bad weather, and it is upon 

 these essential points that wehave been at pains 

 to get the latest information from the grower. 

 Amongst the advantages of the early flowering 

 sorts are that they brighten the garden far into 

 the autumn, after other things are past their 

 best, and the newer kinds maintain their display 

 by shoots from the base until cut down by severe 

 frost ; in a mild autumn Mr. Wellshashad many 

 of these in bloom until near Christmas. The 

 habit of the plants is, in the main, excellent — 

 stout rigid stems and bushy habit, requiring 

 little support from the stakes, which are such 

 a care in the later-blooming section, while the 

 variety of colour and form is well-nigh as great 

 as in these. If rooted late and stopped once or 

 twice they seldom exceed 3 feet, and most of 

 themarenot abovehalf this height, whiletheir 

 freedom of flower is wonderful. We shall now 

 give a list of the best kinds, seen in full beauty 

 during the second week of September ; allow- 

 ing for climate even north-country readers may 

 plant the kinds named in confidence of a good 

 result in early autumn, while those in milder 

 districts may thus prolong outdoor beauty a 

 longway towards the winter. Another point of 

 value is that many of these plants can be moved 

 with ease, without the bad results which fol- 

 low in plants generally. 



White-flowered Kinds. — These, being 

 so much in demand, are much grown, and in- 

 clude some promising new kinds to be sent out 

 next spring. La Parisienne is a new French 

 flower of pleasing form, good size and habit, 

 and stout stems. During fine weather, or as a 

 pot-plant, it is very satisfactory, but as lacking 

 in substance the blossoms do not stand rough 

 weather as well as RoidesB/ancs,another French 

 kind which is robust (being rather taller than 

 most), with long stems and a first-rate flower of 

 large size and purity. If less free than some 

 other kinds, when disbudded the fine blossoms 

 make it a valuable kind wherever white is in 

 demand, and flowers and foliage stand weather 

 well. Esperance, though an attractive blossom 

 with incurving petals, is not so useful a flower 

 for growers, but Champ de Neige deserves great 

 praise for its freedom and good form ; as a pot or 

 border plant its dense bushy growth is ideal, and 



