126 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



February 



Primulas at Perry Hill. 



Among the several firms of seedsmen and nurserymen that have taken especial takes leading pi 

 pins to improve the garden forms of Primula sinensis, and to create new ones, 

 Messrs. J. Carter and Co., High Holborn, take a foremost place. Grouped under 

 the title of Holborn Primulas, the various improvements instituted and carried out 

 by this firm have been most popular during the past quarter of a century, for not 

 only have fine habit and floriferousness been obtained in a marked degree, but 

 the distinctness and diversity of the colouring now to be found is even more 

 remarkable. To see the Holborn Primulas in quantity and in prime condition, it is 

 neither necessary nor advisable to go to the headquarters of the firm at Holborn, 

 but to the nursery at Perry Hill, about a mile from Forest Hill Station, where 

 away from the dust and smoke of the great city, good light and pure air combine 

 with skilful cultivation to produce a sight, or series of sights, worth going a long 

 way to see. Disregarding for the moment the big lithographed invitation to use 

 Carter's Breakfast Oats, the visitor passes into the nursery and comes quickly upon 

 a number of long span-roofed houses with sunk paths, low-pitched roofs, and 

 broad panes of glass. Even at the present season there is a grand display, although 

 the flowers are being carefully pollenised to ensure a good crop of seed to meet the 

 u ^mand. In one house there are about a couple of dozen plants of each 

 :VM,f primula sent out by the Messrs. Carter and Co., so that an ample 



but 



Carter and Co., we will briefly refer to two or three successes . u 

 yet distributed owing to the small amount of stock A v achl eved 

 takes leading place, and is so named because the laree cemrow named ^ouo^ 

 involucre that serves to set off the white flowers like the fringe f f • a j 3 

 It is a giant form, the immense flowers being heavily frilled • th J Qa ^2 

 suppressed as such, and in their place a huge flower is produced • trusses *t 

 f oliaceous calyx. A number of these large flowers surround therltV 1 ?* ">* * 

 the individuals composing the latter are also provided with a 1 r trus *, aoj 

 a handsome and interesting variety, and even when not flowering Ic 

 of the leaves give the plants an effective appearance. Up to th ed ^ 



is very shy of seeding, so that stock is not soon increased F pre , sent ^oqttet 

 expect a new single crimson variety with very fine flowers "of ^ • i? 8 We 

 hue ; when it appears it will be likely to supersede the rvm»i,.» tr^i. nch , Mood-wl 



vane' 



whose child it is. The name of Hercules has" been rivm t<T ^ V . ern »K 

 coloured variety that is exceptionally robust, and produces blooms V T rosc * 

 size. These three make up a good new set, and show a marked ^ oriishin l 

 primula production. We may add that a magnificent lot of cine • vance * 

 several houses at Perry Hill ; the specimens are especially robust and" 3 ? 

 a few have expanded their earliest blooms, giving a foretaste of th d i 

 will occur about five weeks hence. e dls pkj 



opportunity is afforded of comparing them with each other, and noting the 

 harmonics or contracts produced by the several forms. As a rule, however, the 

 primulas are in big batches, seven thousand plants in all, and naturally are most 

 effective seen thus. 



lit first variety we are invited to inspect is Elaine, a handsome and excep- 

 Mtaft'ally neat primula with bold trusses of neat white flowers, prettily fringed, and 

 carried well above the dark-stemmed foliage; in habit it is everything one could 

 wish, and forms a fine companion for the celebrated Holborn Blue, The latter 

 produces full central trusses surrounded by lesser ones, and forming together a 

 pyramid of flowers ; the blooms, charmingly frilled and fringed, are of large size, 

 and of a bright shade of heliotrope blue with vivid blue margins to the bases of 

 the segments. A lovely primula is Princess May, its clear and delicate blush- 

 tinted flowers measuring as much as two and a quarter inches across ; it is one of 

 the most handsome of the many varieties here, and is robust in habit. A most 

 attractive primula is Holborn Queen, for its elegant fern-like foliage surrounding 

 the sturdy trusses of white blooms make it a perfect picture ; the palest possible 

 pinky blush suffuses the flowers after they have been expanded a few days, but 

 this only adds to the beauty of the variety. The large batches of Holborn Queen 

 seen at Perry Hill arrest the attention of all visitors, and remind us that much 

 seed is required, as the variety is a very popular one. Magenta is a colour that 

 does not find favour in many circles nowadays, but if the dyers were to copy the 

 tint seen in Carter's Magenta primula, it would not fail to become popular ; the 

 shade is rather that formerly understood as royal purple, and one which shows up 

 grandly under artificial light ; the dark orange eye in this primula is immediately 

 surrounded by a ring of pale rose, and altogether the variety is one of great 

 beauty and usefulness. Holborn Carmine next demands attention by reason of 

 its strength and robust habit ; the giant blooms are wonderfully frilled, and of a 

 most intense and telling shade of carmine. 



In another structure is a batch of Rose Queen, a variety that for want of a 

 Utter description may be described as a miniature form of Princess May. Two 

 of the most striking primulas here seen are Holborn Scarlet and Holborn 

 Vermilion ; the former, seen in quantity and flowered most freely, reminds one of 

 a regiment of grenadiers in their scarlet tunics, for the colour is as vivid. 



For 



we have none too 

 rather more crimson in 



grouping this is .i famous primula, and the colour is one that 

 inch of among winter flowers. Holborn Vermilion has rath* ^ 



it than onr would expect from the title, and perhaps the shade would tie more 

 aptly dcscrihnl ;ts vermilion crimson. Ruby is a primula everyone should erow, 

 becauic it combines in itself all the attributes of a first-rate variety ; it is strong in 

 habit, has elegant fern- like foliage, large full trusses, and big frilled blooms; the 



£ ,l,,UI ^> '< very line and well described as ruby, while the eye is rich orange. 



Somewhat later than the majority is Holborn Rose, and a splendid batch, con- 

 ststir* of many hundreds of neat plants in forty-eights, is now in the best possible 

 condhion ; a score or two of such specimens would be just the material for 



asso- 



m , mm • n • • ■■ — w.—vr« « charming in bulk, 



..fuse m flowering, and Boat distinct. Like Elaine, Venus is represented by both 



Urn and fern leaved forms ; it is a curious variety having white (lowers, naked 



S^M^K^ ow,ng to its free habit u is highly ~ 



;. JS?"!- e " m . uch » the double ««d semi-double varieties as in the sinele forms 



ES m?,V; l U V f d ° Uhle f^^^i double primulas cannot well be over- 

 e$Un»ted, for the flowers are suitable for cutting, and, as they last a good while 

 in a fresh condition, they are available during *mi,.r (L „ .,!L,Tlr . .?„ - i" '? 



a peruHi when the demand is great ^'"ArsUOTly'^ewhat^triaed 1 

 S*?JS*T?;L» * ~y obfain useful plants^ rom 



variable during winter for a variety of uses, and at 



seed, and in at le.ut half-a-dozen different colours. 



plants easily from 



form, though not all these are vet in eom™^ Ca/mine Empress a new 



The Black Currant Mite, 



I fear Mr. Berry, the Kentish fruit grower who made such an earnest anneal fc. 

 scientific aid to help stamp out the black currant mite at the recent annual 2 

 of the Royal Horticultural Society, and afterwards, as reported at Dawn? 

 brought the matter before the Scientific Committee with, it seems ^ch i 

 different results, must have returned home greatly disappointed. Great 'as may b* 

 the knowledge entomological of members of the scientific body, yet even their 

 capacity to indicate bond fide remedies is not infrequently limited. Also it has 

 often happened that the unscientific cultivator is more successful, because of cos. 

 stant and keen observation in suggesting or finding remedies, than are actual so* 

 tists. The latter, it is true, do materially help to furnish information with respect 

 to the Jife history of the various insects or fungoid pests, but, as in the case of the 

 currant mite, be quite unable to suggest any practical remedy. When the onl? 

 suggestion is entire destruction by burning of all infested bushes, we have to 

 realise that that is not a sensible remedy at the best. It may check the ravag* 

 of the mite by absolutely destroying the currant bushes on which they feed, tot 

 that would furnish poor relief to the distressed cultivator ; and yet we see this pea 

 increasing so rapidly everywhere, that there is grave danger, if the bushes be 

 not destroyed by fire and the mites with them, the insects will practically 

 destroy them by rendering them useless. Of course, it may be said 

 that when a breadth ot bushes is attacked by the insect, why not destroy it 

 absolutely, and obtain young bushes from a clean stock, and plant in fresh groimi 

 But what guarantee has anyone that an absolutely clean stock anywhere exists, or 

 that even if found it would remain clean for any period ? Because the insect 

 is of such minute form, and growers are not microscopists, there is on th: 

 whole very little discernment of the presence of the mite or of its evil effect un: 

 great mischief has been accomplished. Probably it would be very difficult to find 

 black currant bushes anywhere a few years old that are not more or less infested 

 with the insect. It does not seem as if the hard and well-armoured buds of the 

 red currant were permeable by the insect. But then, at what stage of growth ire 

 the eggs deposited ? One fruit authority tells us that they are so deposited in 

 February and in August, but how or by what description of insect little informa- 

 tion is afforded. 



The same writer also intimates that besides picking off infested buds or cuttiqf 

 away infested shoots, and burning them, remedies found now to be quite inefr 

 tive, " no mite can withstand sulphur, particularly bisulphide of calcium, or «i 

 soap, sulphur, and soda wash. Syringe the bushes thoroughly after the 

 fruit is gathered with bisulphide of calcium, clear away the leaves as soon as 

 fallen, and in dry weather again syringe the bushes with the mixture, repeating a 

 February. The soft soap mixture may be used as a spray in November and 

 February, ftow the question to be asked is, Have these remedies been tried, aadrf 

 so have they been successful ? Syringing several acres of bushes thoroughly would 

 be a very long and expensive process, especially if done three times. Vet its 

 difficult to see how any syringings or dressings applied after the buds have hardaw 

 and the mites are well enclosed within the bud scales can reach them or be eflfc 

 Spider and aphis are in variably amenable to external applications, but the nute b 

 as though protected by an armoured barbette, and is invulnerable to externa, 

 dressings. As to what effect would be produced on currant leafage by an app» 

 tion of bisulphide of calcium nothing seems to be known. Is it possible tor me 

 hybridist to render the black currant grower any assistance by intercrossing m 

 black and the red currant, or with the flowering Ribes sanguinea, bushes ot *Q» 

 sometimes fruit freely ? At present growers are in a very helpless case, and ikj 

 need assistance of a very practical kind. The Agricultural Department 

 muzzle dogs, but the currant mite defies even Miss Ormerod's prescience, ana 

 not be muzzled ; and if scientists, departments, and colleges fail to furwsn «■ 

 the matter, where is the poor grower to look for it ? A# 



^de among double primul^and is a variety useful alike for the provision of flowers 



iage and dark 

 long be more 



for cutting or for conservatory decoration, 

 stems. "~ 



Sttt^r wJ^S^b^LV^ bIU t' Sf ^m&m prettily 



nnct ot \% ales produces flowers with the greatest freedom. It is 



fiSTSSZ t C ° Illli T ? ^ p i ain ' neat folia S e and ^ The 



. t> im proved, ana will doubtless ere lonr* be 



Isle of Wight 



absence 



.V- 



LosAlt* 



SCE^int- VST [tfT^T* ™ » colour, shaded with _ 

 nural U the tirm < L^L^l t °:? ,ease ' Hav,n S a P ri *«, " was also 



car- 



nat 

 ] 



.* ;nu i or tne hrm to orovirif* *\** - ~ • b . lt wets aiso 



'rinccss of Wales ; U h^hhet .rf '^m ' nV^ ^" ety has been nam *d 



white ^oml^^w^SS&!3& y fl f aked k w " h ™- 



and of laror v < nanr.ed bnowtfake, for the fl 



*na oi large tee. \ ery distinct is Lilac Q 



The pure 

 owers are pure white, 



h distinct." Vivid, a new «d bHlll^ 1 ^ Sf^ ^ the V . ariet y k as free •» * 



*i~A ^ZrJ^Zr"** «carlet-shaded carmine variety, will soon 



Aurora appeals 

 wers of great 



even's 



vi. j. uroves, V.A., }A'„ who, However, arnvcu ««« *-r" | e ^ < » 

 Mr. J. Ilygate, The Briary Gardens, Cowes, gave a thoroughly practical rf 



on " The Cu^»">^«~ r>- _•_ ' /- 1 tf — » A^Mna with ever) p* ^ ^ 



vine culture. 



have a rccocnised l «Li h7„iT - nt «au«et-shaded ca 



to tSie 1 ^^ detit ks d rK he , doub,e fl sa A 



The subsequent discussion proved interesting and lnstrucu £ 

 was entered into by Dr. Groves, and Messrs. T. W. Butler, A. J • * ym 

 Martm, T. Brown, W. Matthews, J- H. Perkin, and S. Heaton. 

 mildew— toemm and cure, received considerable attention, 



^ " ^ * ,i ~~m* ft sac** 



purposes 



It is 



consisted 



cyclamcfl 



Ventnor 



and selecUoa towards certain ends a« still h." 3 ! 7 ? reful improvement 

 turprises are yet in store. * SU " ^ order of day, and that more 



To give some idea of what mav Ins „n „ i • ^ 



°k may oe expected in due course from Messrs. J. 



noneyoourne, gardener to Lad"y" Daly," Ryde. The exhibits a ^ 

 well merited the association certificate for cultural merit, which tne) ^ 

 on the recommendation of the judges— Messrs. Kime, Butler, wani ■< M-tf 

 and Witty. At the close fourteen new members were elected. , Ai 

 meeting Mr. J . p er kin w in rea(1 fl 



paper 



Asparagus 



