January 23, 188S. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
93 
pipe from the roof, ordinarily termed the “ return,” dip* down vertically 
into the bottom of the boiler, or, what amounts to the same thing, into the 
main pipe in connection with it. Thus the water is flowing steadily 
upwards all round the houses ; therefore, the whole may be termed 
“flow” pipes, the “return” being the few feet of vertical descent just 
referred to. If what is practically right cannot be scientifically wrong 
those scientists are out of it who disparage the Swanley method of 
heating. 
There are, if I remember rightly, twenty-five span-roofed houses, 
each 100 feet long, in two blocks, and in all these, save one, that system 
of heating is in operation. There are also other houses still longer, so 
that altogether there will be 12,000 feet of piping arranged as indicated 
against 400 feet on the orthodox method. In the conduct of an establish¬ 
ment such as this it is essential to proceed in the most economical manner, 
and it is certain that Mr Cannell is not the man to waste coke in carrying 
out a fad ; and it is equally certain that if he could save fuel and at the 
same time heat his structures efficiently by altering the pipes, he would 
very soon alter them, but the experience he has gained has justified him 
in altering in the other direction. 
I never found houses better heated than those at Swanley with the 
Eame extent of piping. As a rule the two pipes along the path are 3-inch, 
and those conducted back along the roof about a foot from the base of the 
rafters are 2 inches in diameter. But this is not uniform, for in some 
instances the path pipes are 4-inch, and in others the roof pipes are 
lj-inch ; but one thing is certain, that for maintaining a genial and 
quite sufficient greenhouse temperature in which Zonal Pelargoniums 
flower through the winter, in which Primulas and Cyclamens luxuriate, 
and Bouvardias, winter-flowering Begonias, Salvias, with a host of other 
plants prosper, two 3-inch pipes, one on each side of the path and two 
2-inch pipes conducted back along the roof are ample for the houses, one 
of which is figured in the “ Floral Guide.” In this engraving, however, 
four pipes are shown along the path, so that it might have been prepared 
before it was found that two were sufficient. There used to be two, and 
in some instances three pipes along the roof, but as they were not neces¬ 
sary they have been presumably removed and placed in other houses 
that are constantly being erected, and for the same reason and purpose 
some of the path pipes may have been removed too. The pipes are 
jointed with cement such as is used in buildings, and nothing can answer 
better, the water being heated in the sectional boiler devised by Mr. 
M. Cannell, and known as the “Circulator.” Evidently it circulates 
to good purpose at home, for healthier plants no one could desire 
to see. 
No attempt whatever will be made to detail the contents of the struc¬ 
tures, and it must suffice to say that three or four of them are occupied 
with Primulas—splendid varieties admirably grown, the Swanley Blue 
being apparently as free as any, the whites long and pure, the reds deep, 
and the doubles massive. Some ranges are filled with Cyclamens, and 
resemble sheets of flowers ; in others are Cinerarias, named varieties, just 
opening, and which will be grand by-and-by ; some are ablaze with Zonal 
Pelargoniums, but passing, and the plants approaching the cutting-down 
and propagating period. I was just in time, however, to see one or two 
of the new varieties, and they are startlers. Mr. Cannell likes to measure 
the pips of these flowers with his watch, which is no dainty, at least as to 
size, but a full-grown gardener’s timepiece, and this laid on a flower of his 
namesake left quite a broad margin of crimson scarlet uncovered. It was 
certainly a grand flower, and quite as beautiful was the smooth clean 
rosy salmon Swanley Gem. W. E. Gumbleton, Kentish Fire, Lord 
Rosebery, Scarlet Cloth, with the double and single white varieties La 
Cygne and Queen of the Belgians are other claimants for public favour 
that cannot be overlooked. Then we find a huge clean healthy stock of 
new Ivy-leaved varieties, which Mr. Cannell considers show a greater 
advance in improvement than is found in any other section ; one range 
we find filled with winter-flowering Begonias, the comparatively new 
form Carrieri being remarkable by its free growth and floriferousness, 
even small plants in 2-inch pots showing their precocity. This is one of 
the plants that sooner or later find their way everywhere, and it is 
destined to become very popular. Then we come to a house in which 
there is not much beauty, but is the richest, from a commercial point 
of view, on the premises, as it contains thousands of Tuberous Begonias, 
now being started, of the leading varieties in cultivation, and some that 
have not been seen by the public, but which are expected to cause a 
sensation some day. And so we might continue, but we will stop with 
a glance at the double Abutilon Thompsoni, now flowering, and the 
blooms are quite as good as they are represented in the “Guide.” It 
is an American novelty, and as distinct in its way as the double 
Bouvardias, which also originated in that “ great country.” 
Outdoors there is, perhaps, not much to refer to that is attractive, the 
flowers becoming limited to a few purple and yellow patches of Violas ; 
but the few acres of these plants will be a sight to see in April onwards. The 
propagation is something to see now, both as regards extent and simplicity. 
It is quite iu accordance with fact to state that hundreds of thousands of 
plants are being raised, and where they can all go to is a marvel. There 
they are, however, and if they were not wanted they would not be pro¬ 
vided. The 4 feet wide beds are quite in the open, the surfaces being 
fine, smooth, and firm. With a board across the cuttings are inserted in 
rows precisely as a man would prick out so many Cabbage plant 5 . They are 
watered, but not shaded, and few indeed fail to grow. These Yiola 
cutting are 2 or 3 inches in length, but only just the apex of each is left 
above the surface. The difficulty, says the owner of them, is to get 
people to insert them deep enough and firm enough. Cuttings are still 
being put in, and if the work is done properly not one out of a hundred is 
expected to fail. Toe named varieties of Pansies are struck in beds 
surrounded with boards on edge, so that a little protection can be alf jrded 
in some form or other if it should be required. 
About equally astonishing by their numbers are the seedling Primroses 
and Polyanthuses. “ What in the world are you going to do with them 
all ?” asked a gentleman who was impressed by the sight. “ Well, you 
see, I like them, and so do a great many others, and as they do well here 
we go in for them rather largely.” These seedlings are like so many 
sturdy winter Lettuce plants, but not planted on the level ; they are in 
hollow trenches for two reasons. First the intervening ridges afford 
effective shelter from cutting winds in winter and early spring ; and 
secondly, when the ground is hoed over the soil gradually works down, 
covering the roots deeper and deeper, thus making the plants safe against 
the effect of drought in summer. Deep digging and deep planting is the 
rule here, and the plants grow like Cabbages. 
In another part of the grounds are Roses, which grow remarkably well 
in this generous Kentish loam. The men were busy amongst them clear¬ 
ing out those large enough, and planting cuttings, Briar cuttings, for 
raising a further supply. Having tried all sorts of stocks, Mr. Cannell 
finds none better than these, and none are more easily raised. The 
cuttings are made from the lateral growths of the standards, in which 
buds were inserted in the summer. Usually these prunings are wasted, 
but selected portions of them, divested of their lower buds and inserted 
like Gooseberry cuttings, root quite freely, those put in now being ready 
for grafting under glass at this time next year, and for budding in situ 
during the following summer. 
An acre or two of frames invite a peep under some of the lights. One 
block of 800 feet run contains Pelargoniums and such-like tender plants, 
frost being excluded by two rows of 1-inch pipes not far from the roof. 
A similar block, not heated, is filled with Carnations and Picotees in 
3-inch pots—an immense stock. Just a word on the construction of these 
plant receptacles, as it is not easy to imagine any cheaper and better 
adapted for the purpose. Drive into the ground two rows of creosoted 
2 or 2^-inch battens as the outer basis of the framework, and at the right 
height and distance for supporting the rafters. Along the back row 
nail some 13-inch deals on edge, and from the top of these to the lights 
that rest on the framework have a board affixed on hinges, to fall down 
when open the entire length of the range. Cover the front similarly, but 
of course not so high, and when the lights are placed on and the lids are 
down the plants are close to the glass, dry, yet with a constant circulation 
of air passing through, which keeps them sturdy and free from spot and 
mildew. With the boards creosoted these ranges, which cost so little, 
would last for years, and be invaluable in gardens for many purposes 
besides wintering Carnations and Auricula". 
Another block, range after range, is filled with sturdy young plants of 
Chrysanthemums. The number is quite too bewildering to be even 
guessed at. The cuttings are not allowed to have a smell of fire heat, but 
frost is excluded by covering the glass. A specialist is wholly employed 
in this department of the business, and stock of sturdy young plants and 
steadily rooting cuttings do him credit. “ If you want to spoil Chrysan¬ 
themums,” says Mr. Cannell, “ strike the cuttings in bottom heat, and all 
that sort of thing ; but if you want to grow them strike them and keep 
them in frames, letting them have all the air they will endure, protecting 
only to exclude frost.” That is what is preached and practised at 
Swanley, and the hint may perhaps be useful to beginners in the culture 
of these increasingly popular flowers. 
After passing through the bulb stores, package-box stores, manure 
stores, and other ins and outs of the nursery, we rushed to the station, but- 
had just time to look over the fence of Mr. Philip Ladd’s new venture for 
fruit-growing. He commenced with 30 tons of glass, and already there 
is one fine house 650 feet long by perhaps 18 feet or 20 feet wide, and 
about forty-five other span-roofs each 200 feet long. A few more acres 
remain to be covered, with 21 additional acres in another locality. This 
remarkable man laughs at foreign competition, and such is his energy 
that we should not be surprised by his establishing depots in London and 
the principal cities and towns of the kingdom for the sale of his own 
produce, thus turning the tables on the middleman, who stands like an 
ogre between producer and consumer. There is indeed no telling what 
Mr. Ladds will do, as his acts are in advance of the ideas of most persons. 
What he has accomplished is known, and is marvellous, especially when 
it is not so many years since he started with a few Fuchsia stumps, 
struck cuttings from them, tied each little plant in a bit of moss, carried 
them in baskets and sold them for Id. each to the workmen as they 
streamed out of the gates of the Woolwich Arsenal. That was, I am 
told, the small, real commencement of what will soon become, if it is not 
already, the greatest business of its kind in the world. Enough has now 
perhaps been said about Swanley in winter by— An Annual, Visitor. 
ON JUDGING ROSES. 
Will you permit me to reply in a few words to your correspondent, 
“ Francisco,” who advocates that the system of judging at the National 
Rose Society’s exhibitions should be applied to all Rose shows—viz., 
selecting the Judges from the exhibitors. He is wrong, I think, in con¬ 
sidering that the Society adopts that as the best system ; it only does so 
because no other is possible. The size of the exhibition, the very large 
number of classes, and the shortness of time allowed for judging compels 
them to adopt a system in which there is much that might bs better. I 
believe they would consider it much better to have Judges who are in no 
way concerned in the exhibition, and who could give their undivided 
attention to their work ; but that is quite impossible, for almost every 
