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GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



December 31, 1898. 



Report on Onions Grown at Chiswick, 



1897-98. 



Sixty-nine stocks of onions were grown for trial in the gardens of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society, and from the results given in the recent issue of the 

 society's journal it appears the ground had been trenched and manured in 

 July, 1897. The seed was sown in drills three feet apart on August 17, 1897. 

 Early in March a row of each stock was transplanted one foot from the original 

 row, and on March 18, 1898, another row was sown (out of the same packet as 

 the autumn sowing), one foot from the transplanted row, so that the three rows of 

 each stock were all one foot apart, viz., one (autumn sown) not transplanted, one 

 (autumn sown) transplanted, and one spring sown. All the stocks germinated 

 well, but the repeated dense fogs of the winter of 1897-98 made sad havoc with 

 some of the varieties, while a few btood with little injury. The trial proved that 

 many of the varieties usually sown in spring are fully as hardy for autumn sowing 

 as the Tripoli type, when sown under exactly similar conditions ; and, further, that 

 the onion maggot will attack both autumn and spring sown plants. A few bulbs 

 of each stock were infested by this pest, but an application of one ounce of sul- 

 phate of ammonia to each square yard checked the attack. In every case the 

 transplanted autumn-sown bulbs were the largest and most shapely. The abbre- 

 viations are : F.C.C. = First Class Certificate ; A.M. ■= Award of Merit. 



1. A 1 (Sutton).— F.C C. September 12, 1893. Very large, fine globe shape, 

 skin pale brown. Excellent both from the autumn and spring sowings. Firm 

 and heavy. A fine stock. 



2, 3, 4, 5- Ailsa Oa:*^ (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst, Dobbie, Bowerman). — 

 Very large, deep globe shape, skin dark brown. Firm and heavy. Very good 

 from both autumn and spring sowings. 



6. Alaerton (Sherman). — Very similar to Nos. 23, 24, 25. 



7. Anglo-Spanish (Hurst). — Very similar to Nos. 51, 52. 



8. 9. Banbury Cross (Nutting, Hurst). — A.M. September 6, 1898. Large, 

 flattish globe-shape, skin lemon-brown. Very firm and heavy. Excellent from both 

 autumn and spring sowings. Fine stocks. 



10. Bassano Red 7W)W/ (Watkins and Simpson). — Large, flat round, skin pale 

 purple. Many of the bulbs split into two or three. Better for autumn sowing. 



11. Bartella Silver Skin (Hurst). — Small, flat round, skin silvery white. Of 

 no value for autumn sowing, but very good for pickling when spring sown and not 

 thinned out. 



12. 13, 14. Bedfordshire Champion (Nutting, Watkinsand Simpson, Hurst). — 

 Medium size, globe-shape, skin deep brown. A firm heavy variety, more suited 

 for spring than for autumn sowing. 



15, 16. Blood Red (Hurst, Toogood). — Large, flat round, skin deep purple ; 

 moderately firm. Of not much value owing to the largest bulbs being very concave 

 at the base ; the best bulbs were produced from the spring sowing. 



17, 18. Cocoa-nut (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst). — A.M. October 10, 1893. 

 Large, cocoa-nut shape, skin brown. A remarkably £ne heavy variety, equally 

 good from both autumn and spring sowings. 



19, 20. Cranston's Excelsior (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst). — Very large, 

 deep globe-shape, skin dark brown. Firm, heavy ; excellent either for autumn 

 or spring sowing. 



21. Crimson Globe (Dobbie). — Medium to large, deep globe shape, skin 

 purple. Firm and heavy ; the bulbs were much better from the spring-sown seed. 



22. Danvcrs* Yellow (Watkins and Simpson). — Medium size, flattish globe, 

 skin bronzy brown. Much better when spring-sown, the autumn-sown plants not 

 standing the winter well. 



23. 24, 25. Eclipse (Sutton, Dobbie). — Very large, flattish globe, skin pale 

 brown. Firm and heavy ; better from the spring sowings ; the autumn-sown ones 

 did not stand the winter well. 



26. Forde Defiance (Crook). — Large, flat, round, skin deep brown. The 

 spring-sown bulbs were the more shapely, many of the autumn-sown being concave 

 at the base. 



27. Forde Long-keeping (Crook).— An improved form of No. 22. 



28. 29. Giant Lemon Rocca (J. Veitch, Watkins and Simpson). — Very large, 

 deep globe shape, skin lemon brown. A firm heavy variety, very good for autumn 

 sowing, but of little value for spring sowing. Fine stock. 



30. Giant Rocca Brown (Watkins and Simpson).— A darker skinned form of 

 No. 28. 



31. Giant Rocca Tripoli (J. Veitch).— A slightly inferior form of No. 28. 



3*> 33- Giant Zittau (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst).— F.C.C. 1880. 

 Large, globe-shaped, skin bronzy brown. Firm and heavy ; very good for spring 

 sowing, but not so suitable for autumn sowing. 



34. Globe Tripoli (J, .Veitch) — Very large, globe-shaped ; skin varying from 

 brown to red. This variety stood the winter badly, and the spring sowing failed. 



35. Golden Ball (Nutting).— Very similar in all points to Nos. 8 and 9. 



36. Golden Noble (Dobbie).— Large, globe-shaped; skin brownish yellow. 

 Firm and heavy ; better when spring sown ; did not stand the winter well. 



37. Golden Queen (Hurst).— Not a success from either autumn or spring 

 sowing. 



38. Golden Globe (Hurst).— Large, globe shaped, skin a brownish yellow. 



Heavy and very firm ; better for spring sowing, the autumn-sown not standing the 

 winter well. 



39. Improved White Globe (Sutton).— A paler and excellent form of No. 38, 

 and like it better when spring-sown. 



41. Italian Tripoli {]. Veitch).— A M. October 10,1893. Medium to large, 

 flat, round, skin silvery white. Unable to stand the winter, but excellent for 

 spring sowing. Ripens very early. 



42. Magnum Bonum (Hurst).— Large, globe shaped ; skin a deep bronzy 

 brown. Heavy and very firm ; excellent for autumn or spring sowing. 



43- Monarch (Toogood).— Bulbs large, flat round shape. Heavy and firm. 

 Received too late for sowing in the autumn. 



44. Golden Globe (Toogood).— Same as No. 38. 



45- Afcw Globe Winter (Laxton).— Medium to large, globe shaped, skin deep 

 brown. Heavy and firm ; better from spring sowings, the autumn-sown not 

 standing the winter well 



46. Nort Pale Red (Hurst).-Large, flat, round, skin brownish red. Heavy ; 

 better when spring sown, as the bulbs from the autumn- sown seed split up during 

 the summer. r 



47, 4& Nuneham Park ^Nutting, Hurst). -A.M. September 6, 1898. Large, 

 flat, round, skin brown. Heavy and firm, but many of the bulbs are slightly 

 concave at the base. Very good for autumn or spring sowing. 



49- Prizewinner (Palmer).— Very similar to Nos 51 52 



,k.in 5 tif t Mak€r £reen).-A.M. October 10, 1893. Large, deep, globe-shaped, 

 skin ^le brown Heavy and firm The best bulbs were from spring sowings 

 51.52. Rousham Park Zfrr* (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst).-A.M Septem- 



ber 6, 18980 Large, globe-shaped, skin pale brown. Heavy and firm. Excellent 

 for spring or autumn sowing. Fine stocks. 



53. Sandy Prize White Spanish (Laxton).— Medium to large, flat, round, skin 

 deep brown. Heavy and firm. Excellent for spring or autumn sowing. 



54, 55- Selected Red (Dobbie).— Large, flat, round, skin deep purplish red. 

 Heavy and firm. Equally good for autumn or spring sowing. 



56 Spanish Giant (Toogood).— Large, deep globe-shape, skin dark brown. 

 Heavy and firm. A very distinct variety with deep pea-green foliage. Ripens 

 late. Seed received too late for autumn sowing. 



57. Southampton Champion (Toogood). — Very similar to Nos. 61, 62. 



58, 59. The Queen (J. Veitch, Hurst).— F.C.C. August 11, 1876. Same as 

 No. 11. 



60. The Sutton Globe (Sutton).— Very large, flattish globe-shape, skin deep 

 brown. Heavy and very firm. Excellent for spring or autumn sowing. 



61, 62. The Wroxton (Watkins and Simpson, Hurst).— A.M. September 6, 

 1898. Very large, deep globe shape, skin brown. An exceptionally heavy and 

 firm variety. Excellent for spring or autumn sowing. 



63. The Wildsmith Exhibition (R. Veitch).— Very similar to Nos. 61, 62. 



64, 65. Trebons (Nutting, Hurst).— F.C.C. August 11, 1876. Very large, 

 fine deep globe-shape, skin pale brown. An excellent, firm, and heavy variety. 

 First-class for autumn sowing, not so good for spring sowing. Fine stocks. 



66. White Globe (Hurst).— F.C.C. August 30, 1883. A paler and good form 

 of No. 38. 



67. White Spanish or Port (Hurst). — An inferior form of Nos. 51, 52. 



68. White Naples Tripoli (J. Veitch).— Same as No. 41. 



69. Yellow Globe (Hurst). — Same as No. 38. 



COTONEASTERS. 



For usefulness and effectiveness at all seasons of the year this hand- 

 some genus, comprising evergreen and deciduous shrubs, is held in great 

 esteem. The extreme beauty and gracefulness of the best-known species, 

 C. microphylla, was made very apparent to me recently at Guildford, 

 where Mr. Selfe Leonard has planted it among the limestone rocks in 

 his garden. In most instances the plants had formed beautiful 

 hanging specimens, the rich and bright crimson berries presenting a 



fine contrast to the striking foliage. When seen under such conditions, 



or as a climber on a wall, this species is exceedingly effective. For the 



latter purpose it is far superior to the ivy, as its growth is very vigorous, 



yet neat, and soon it covers a large space. It is also better than ivy, 



because its shoots and leaves do not injure the wall or plants growing 



near. Another point in its favour is, that owing to its evergreen character 



and its berries remaining on the plants for a considerable time, it makes 



a distinct and very effective display through the dull winter months. 



When grafted on the common thorn or quince, as a standard, it forms a 



beautiful and interesting drooping tree for the shrubbery or border. It 



is of very easy culture, hardy, grows well in any good garden soil, and is 



not particular in respect to situation. Propagation is effected readily by 



means of cuttings taken in autumn, by layers made in summer, or by 



grafting, while it can also be raised from seed sown in spring. C. 



microphylla is a native of Nepaul, from whence it was introduced to 

 British gardens in 1824. 



Another noteworthy species is C. Simonsi (or C. nepalense of some 

 authorities), a native of the Khasia Hills, and introduced from thence in 

 1868. Although not so useful as a climber as C. microphylla, it is 

 exceedingly effective in the shrubbery border by reason of its upright 

 growth, larger leaves, and bright scarlet berries of great size, abundantly 

 produced, and very attractive. It can only be regarded as evergreen 

 during mild winters or in very sheltered positions. The leaves are 

 generally about an inch in length, orbicular-acuminate in shape, and 

 glabrous on the upper surface. It is very vigorous in growth, and soon 

 attains a large size when planted in good garden soil. Several fine 

 specimens, averaging seven feet in height and several yards through, are 

 very noticeable in Woking just now. 



C. thymifolia is an interesting species by reason of its dwarf habit, it 

 scarcely ever exceeding one foot in height. It forms a pretty evergreen 

 shrub, with crowded branches, bearing small pinkish flowers in April, 

 succeeded later by scarlet fruits. For the rockery or front row of the 

 shrubbery it is exceedingly valuable, and is easily grown in ordinary soil. 

 A form of this species, known as C. thymifolia congesta, differs in having 



white flowers, congested branches of pale green, obovate leaves, and globose 

 scarlet fruits. As seen at Guildford, its growth is almost creeping or 

 resting on the stones, which renders it a fine and useful plant for the 

 rockery. Although not introduced to British gardens until 1868 from 

 the Western Himalayas, it had previously been described by Maund in 

 "The Botanist," published in 1839. 



Another useful species which is of recent introduction is the Chinese 

 C. honzontalis. As yet but little known, it is very valuable for its freedom 

 of growth and the striking appearance of its leaves. These are evergreen 

 in character, and spread in almost sail-like fashion. Its flowers, although 

 small, are of a rosy pink shade, while its berries are a brilliant orange- 

 scarlet. For the rockery or border it will be highly esteemed, as it 



quickly covers a large space, and is very ornamental either in foliage or 

 fruit. 



Among the better known species which deserve passing notice, 

 although often seen m our gardens, may be mentioned C. frigida, which 

 grows to a height of from eight to ten feet. This has crimson berries, 

 and is very ornamental. C. buxifolia, from Nepaul, grows from three to 

 four feet high, and has crimson fruits and neat evergreen leaves ; it is 

 well worth growing. The British species, C. vulgaris, described by 

 Hooker as being very rare, is very variable ; it is deciduous in character, 

 forming a shrub from three to five feet in height. Several of its forms 

 have scarlet or crimson berries, and there is one with black fruits. All are 

 frequently seen under cultivation, and are well worth notice as useful and 

 very ornamental shrubs of easy c U i ture . 



Woking. E| SCAPLEHORN. 



