244 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
We experience certainly a reminiscence of Trentiiam 
as we survey from tlie terrace tlie ricli maze of tire great 
flower garden, and the leafy pleasure ground with the 
vista of more distant charms. The arrangement of the 
great bedded garden is circular and unusual, and the 
blaze of color is attained by boldy contrasting the vari- 
ous hues to secure rich etifect. 
Dark colors are opposed to light, and zonal pelar- 
goniums and tuberous begonias are amongst the most 
important plants employed. 
The circular garden itself is a contrast, for it derives 
part of its effect from the presence of the rich groups 
of trees behind. The begonias thrive wonderfully and 
it may be remarked that the begonia is now used in most 
of the great gardens of England for bedding, and few 
plants are so well adapted for creating fine colour efifects. 
The hybridiser has much improved the begonia's habit 
of growth. It is now dwarf and compact and the flowers 
are thrown well above the leaves, pure white, orange, 
scarlet, buff, crimson and lovely shades of uncommon 
tints, all characteristic of the plant, and all produced 
faithfully from seed. 
On the southwest side of the house are noble trees 
and sloping grass terraces, very green and beautiful, 
leading down to the lovely setting of sward and wood- 
land. These charms are common to many gardens in 
England, but Lilleshall has a very distinctive feature in 
the glorious apple walk, which is 570 feet in length, and 
I believe the longest such walk in England. The names 
of the varieties of apple which form the screen unfor- 
tunately have been lost, but their sturdy branches be- 
speak their age and they bear plenteous crops of well 
flavored fruit. Trained on a trellised pergola, while pro- 
viding shelter from the fierce rays of the sun, this ar- 
rangement furnishes also its Autumn harvest. It is beau- 
tiful in Spring, when thousands of blossoms color the 
bare branches, not less so in leafy June, and, most of 
all, perhaps, when the fruit changes color and ripens. 
From this walk we pass to the rose garden, which is not 
only large but filled with choice varieties in the bush 
form, while the standard, more especially the tea-scented 
kinds, is often killed in severe winters. 
Upwards of 19 large beds are filled with such varieties 
as Alfred Colomb, Baroness Rothschild, Beauty of VVal- 
tham, Captain Christy, Margaret Dickson, Mrs. John 
Laing, Mereville de Lyon, La France, Lady Helen Stew- 
art and Lord j\Iacanly. Some of the more hardy tea 
roses, such as Reos d'Or, are very successful. 
Climbing roses of many kinds clothe the walls, includ- 
ing such old favorites as the Garland, Felicite, Perpetule 
and Crimson Rambler. 
Here is one of those gardens which charm Ijy their 
very simplicity. The one bold feature of the bedded 
parterre is the foil to the green surroundings and adds 
its effect to the landscape features beyond, with their 
far vistas and the umbrageous depths of their woodland. 
Washington's tomb, made explicit mention of the fact 
that Geo. Washington, although father of American inde- 
pendence, was a British citizen. — Florists' Exchange. 
A 'WELL PLANNED EVENT 
'"p HE full significance of the planting of the English 
■■■ Yew tree by the National Association of Gardeners 
at the tomb of Geo. Washington, Mount \^ernon, 
on April 23, was not brought out in the paragraphs that 
appeared in the trade papers. April 23 is not only Shakes- 
peare's birthday, but is also St. George's Day, St. George 
being the patron saint of England. It was therefore with 
studied intent that this day was chosen, as well as the 
English Yew. Althoush the planting had been arranged 
for before any British commission was thought about, 
the ceremonies were fixed to accord with the recent visit 
of the British representatives to Washington. It may 
be recalled also that Mr. Balfour, in placing a card on 
TO PROPAGATE SWEET VIOLETS 
ppXITiRT cultivators pay much attention to the pro- 
pagation of new stock, as they know quite well 
that the finest crops of flowers will result if the 
young plants are carefully reared. A violet plant will 
grow in almost any kind of soil, but it will not bear many 
fine flowers if badly treated. 
Runners and Suckers grow from the old or parent 
plant ; but the former are borne on long stems, which 
spread out over the surface of the soil, and the latter 
grow up through the soil, in some instances close to the 
old plant, and many of them grow from the base of the 
latter. Now, the best of the two kinds is the sucker, 
because it bears larger flowers and more continuously 
than the one on the runner. The latter persists in produc- 
ing more runners, and consequentl}' it does not attain to 
a large size itself and the flowers are small. The suck- 
ers are, therefore, the best, and though they may not be 
as plentiful as the runners, they should be secured in 
preference. The runners may be layered just the same as 
strawberries, by pegging them down, or by merely bury- 
ing the stem and base of the young plant in some prepared 
compost. The suckers must, however, be more care- 
fully treated. First clear away some of the old soil 
from around them and the base of the old plant gener- 
ally. Replace the soil with some sifted leaf-soil, sand 
and a small quantity of heavier loam, well mixed. Press 
the new compost fairly firmly round the suckers and 
keep it in a moist state. In a very short time new roots 
will have formed, and then the rooted suckers can be 
detached from the old plants. In cases where the suck- 
ers are found growing up through the soil, they must be 
examined, and if they posses a few roots, carefully lift 
and replant them in a prepared border, putting them in 
nine inches apart each way. They will soon form a mass 
of roots and be in good condition for planting in their 
summer quarters. Of course, it is absolutely necessary 
to cut off the late runners as soon as they are large 
enough to handle, or they will rob the young plant of 
much nourishment. The propagation of the plants is 
the same both in frames and in the open border. Old 
plants may be divided and the separate parts planted out, 
but it is not the best way to increase the stock, as much 
strength of plant is required, and this can only be ob- 
tained from the robust suckers. 
Plautiiif; l^iolets in Open Borders. — In the first place it 
is necessary to deeply dig the soil and to put in some 
rotted manure. If the soil is naturally light, it must be 
well enriched, less manure being required where a heav- 
ier loam obtains. The latter, well prepared, is the best 
for violets. Do not use fresh, strawy manure in any 
case, but that which is well rotted. The large-leaved 
varieties, such as Princess of Wales, require a space of 
18 inches between the rows and 16 inches from plant 
to plant in the rows. The smaller-leaved varieties may 
be planted 4 inches closer each way. It is very important 
that the surface soil be kejit moistened at first to get 
the plants established, and afterwards it should be loos- 
ened with the hoe every week. Water when necessary 
and feed with nitrate of potash, 1 oz. dissolved in 3 gal- 
lons of water, once fortnightly from the middle of June 
to the end of July. The small runners must be pinched 
oflf while quite small. Plants treated in this way will 
be in excellent condition for lifting and planting in frames 
about September. It is useless putting weak, poorly- 
grown plants into frames as they can never give really 
satisfactorv results. — E.vchan<;c. 
