September 27,1883 J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
273 
that of a list of rams actually at work in my hands, one very 
small one has a fall of only 9 inches from the source to the 
machine, another of 13 inches forcing the water to a height of 
■34 feet, both of them requiring only a few quarts of water 
per minute. To convey a tolerably clear idea of the con¬ 
struction of a ram, let us now turn our attention to fig. 52, 
which represents a transverse section of a useful form of it. 
The water enters at a and escapes at b. In doing this it 
forces the valve c upwards and closes it temporarily. This 
sudden check of the rushing current forces it backwards up to 
the other valve d, which it lifts, and a certain quantity of water 
enters the air chamber e, and is retained there by the falling 
of d. As soon as d closes c opens again, and the first process 
of rushing water and opening and closing of valves is constantly 
repeated. So much water accumulates in E that the compressed 
air forces the water up F to the garden. Fig. 53 is a section of 
the snide valve, which is of brass, and is screwed into G, fig. 52. 
Its use is described by Mr. Buchan in his valuable manual on 
plumbing as “ somewhat analogous to the use of a man’s nostrils 
to him. The man may speak, although his nostrils are stonped 
up, as when he has a cold, but he will speak all the better when 
they are clear."’— Edward Luckhurst. 
(To be continued.) 
THE LONDON PARKS. 
FINSBURY PARK. 
Occupying an elevated and beautiful position in the north-east of 
the metropolis, and commanding extensive views in the direction of 
Highgate, Muswell Hill, and towards the valley of the Lea, Finsbury 
Park has gradually advanced in the favour of the residents of that part 
of London, and is now as popular in the north as Battersea Park is in 
the south. Its site, it is true, unfits it for the diversity of landscape 
effect which is the great charm at Battersea; but to counterbalance that 
the visitor enjoys a more bracing atmosphere, greater boldness of 
•character, and a pleasing prospect. Shrubberies, too, have been judi¬ 
ciously planted with hardy and vigorous-growing plants, which are 
slowly but sturdily filling up previously vacant places, imparting a 
much-needed variety in the appearance of the Park, and serving, more¬ 
over, as a shelter to beds of choice flowers. Indeed, without this pro¬ 
tection flower gardening would be very unsatisfactory there, as the 
exposure to winds would be destructive of ordinary Pelargoniums, 
Calceolarias, and similar orthodox bedding plants. With the aid of 
these shrubberies, however, a flower garden of considerable beauty is 
ensured ; and other sheltered walks assume a subtropical character, with 
numerous beds of Ficus, Solanums, Abutilons, and similar tender 
favourites for such beds. Tree-planting has not been largely practised, 
but there is one of the finest avenues to be seen in London of Black 
Italian Poplars, which are fast attaining considerable proportions ; and 
though the stem3 have been much bent in one direction by the wind 
•in their earlier stages of growth, they are now recovering from that and 
developing into handsome specimens. This avenue extends from the 
•entrance near the Finsbury Park station to the opposite extremity of 
the Park, and runs parallel with the road, rising slightly to the centre 
from both ends. The same Poplar is also employed as isolated specimens 
in other portions of the Park, chiefly because from its hardiness it seems 
the best fitted to resist the keen winds frequently experienced there 
during winter and spring. Rhododendrons have been planted in several 
beds, and though some appear to be fairly prosperous the majority look 
as if a more sheltered site would suit them better. Hollies of the 
common green varieties and Laurels thrive the best of the shrubs, and 
form a good foundation and protection for others that are less hardy. 
The principal portion of the ordinary bedding is on the highest 
portion of the Park, near the lake, a walk with a broad belt of shrubs on 
•each side passing through the centre of a large oval expanse of turf also 
bordered by shrubs, and in this are cut a series of beds in four or five 
rows, large circles at the back, and smaller ellipses, ovals, oblongs, and 
circles in front. The beds on each side of the path are similar in shape, 
and planted alike, with a few exceptions that will be noted. The 
beds nearest the walk are devoted chiefly to carpet designs, and though 
nothing very elaborate is attempted, a bold effect being the principal 
object; yet so well are they planted, so clear and distinct are the designs, 
that they may claim the visitor’s attention and admiration. The beds of 
Pelargoniums and other plants are similarly distinguished by their 
freshness and brightness, the plants being well developed before they 
are placed out, so that compact handsome beds are quickly formed. For 
several years this has been one of the marked characteristics of the 
Finsbury bedding, the result of employing such sturdy plants being a 
proportionately abundant and lengthened display of richly or delicately 
coloured flowers. In these respects and in general neatness this Park 
bas deservedly obtained considerable fame under Mr. Cochrane’s careful 
management, and with the assistance of his able foreman, Mr. Mardlin. 
But to denote particularly the composition of the beds the chief 
features will be briefly described, commencing with the beds nearest the 
path. This consists of circular and oblong beds margined with Echeveria 
secunda glauca and Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum; the 
•oblongs, which are devoted to Pelargoniums, having an additional inner 
marginal band of Lobelia Finsbury Park Blue, an excellent dark blue 
variety, which originated in this Park several years ago, and has since 
been annually employed in bedding with great advantage, being of good 
sturdy habit and very floriferous. The Pelargoniums in these beds con¬ 
tain the silver variegated Princess Alexandra ; Marshal MacMahon, a 
vigorous bronze variety of rich colour ; and Macbeth, a beautiful golden 
tricolor that appears to succeed very well in the Park. The circular beds 
are appropriated to Alternantheras, the centre one containing the richly 
coloured A. versicolor, those on each side the golden A. paronychioides 
aurea, and the third pair A. magnifica. All these have done exceed¬ 
ingly well, and afford a very striking contrast of colours. The next 
row of beds comprises four circles and the same number of irregular 
rhomboidal beds, the former being occupied with Coleus Yerschaffelti 
margined with Pelargonium Robert Fi6h and Echeverias ; the others have 
Pelargonium Mrs. Holden, a compact, strong, and floriferous pink Zonal 
variety, edged with Ageratum Cupid and Golden Feather. Following 
these is a row of quadrangular beds and circles, the latter being of great 
size and devoted to well-grown Cannas, with marginal bands of Pelar¬ 
goniums Rose of Allandale and Vesuvius, with the white Lobelia The 
Bride. The first-mentioned beds contain Pelargonium Henry Jacoby 
edged with Flower of Spring and Lobelia Omen. Behind these are 
some very large beds of Cineraria maritima var. candidissima and Ver¬ 
bena venosa in lines margined with Iresine Lindeni. These beds are 
extremely effective, the contrast between the colours being most striking. 
On the opposite side of the path the beds are, as already mentioned, 
similar in form and design to those noted, but a few different Pelar¬ 
goniums are observable, notably Mrs. Turner, a good pink Zonal ; John 
Gibbons, a rich crimson variety; and Cleopatra, a useful pink Zonal. 
These also, with Lobelia pumila magnifica, form a border next the 
shrubs, and nearly surrounding the main portion of the bedding. 
Several of the walks in other portions of the Park have beds on 
each side, which are effectively planted with Pelargoniums and mis¬ 
cellaneous plants of a similar character. Some large clumps. of 
Dahlias have also been very showy, and, together with the subtropical 
beds, impart abundant attractions to the Park during the summer 
months. Another grand attraction, too, will be provided in about 
a month’s time—viz., the grand collection of Chrysanthemums which 
during the past two seasons have drawn so many horticultural and 
other visitors to the northern Park during the dull November. . The 
plants are all in excellent condition, and giving abundant promise of 
fine blooms. 
VICTORIA PARK. 
The inhabitants of no district of London so much needed a bright and 
pleasant recreation ground as those residing in the neighbourhood of what 
is now familiar to all as Victoria Park; and when the open waste formerly 
termed Bishop Bonner’s Fields was converted into the present well-kept 
park a great boon was bestowed upon hundreds of thousands of weary 
toilers whose occupations retain them east of the city. There during 
leisure hours in the evening, but especially on Sundays, they can enjoy the 
brightness of a rich floral display, tasteful carpet designs, luxuriant sub¬ 
tropical plants, and fresh green turf. Or, if during the week they desire 
a more active form of recreation, there is a gymnasium and swings, a lake 
for swimming, and abundant space for cricket or other sports. It is not 
surprising that the Park is so highly appreciated, for it brings pleasure and 
health to thousands of those that on fine days throng the walks in all the 
principal portions, or cover the turf with their wickets or goals. In an edu¬ 
cational point of view it is also most valuable, as Mr. McIntyre has paid 
close attention to providing tasteful combinations of colours, either of 
flowers or foliage, and with a large measure of success, for the bedding at 
Victoria Park has gained considerable fame in the horticultural world. 
There are several ways of reaching this Park—by tram or rail to Cambridge 
Heath station, or by the North London line to Victoria Park station, 
which is at the extreme east side, and then the visitor can proceed across 
the Park, taking the chief features, and quitting by the west side near the 
station first named. When time is an object, however, the former is the most 
convenient mode of reaching the bedding, as it is all near that side. Entering 
from this road, a path to the right leads down to the lake and thence 
through the subtropical ground to the chief carpet beds, and as this is a 
verv convenient route we will briefly refer to the characters distinguishing it. 
The subtropical plants employed are principally of the orthodox kinds, 
Castor Oils, Cannas, Wigandias, Ficus, a few Palms, &c., with margins 
of richly-coloured Chilian Beet that impart a most welcome warmth to 
the effect. Prominent amongst the Cannas is C. nigricans, a telling 
form with exceedingly dark foliage, which has a very good effect in con¬ 
trast with plants possessing lighter green leaves. Acacia lophantha is 
also freely employed, large clumps being very graceful. Some of these 
beds are bordered with Golden Treasure Fuchsia and Echeverias, which 
form an agreeable finish to the beds. The Wigandias have a noble 
effect, and are indispensable plants for this style of bedding, the Castor 
Oil Plants being similarly useful, especially when vigorously grown as 
they are there. The rockery, which is near the lake, is an unpreten¬ 
tious structure, principally occupied with succulent plants; but it has a 
certain degree of freedom, or what may be termed naturalness, in its 
design that pleases, because it is rarely a character of such adjuncts to 
the garden. 
Leaving the lake, the carpet beds attract. attention, and here, as 
elsewhere, Alternantheras form the main portion of the display, fur¬ 
nishing the colour on a groundwork of Herniaria glabra or Mentha. 
The first seems, however, to be preferred, and it is surprising how 
generally it has grown in favour this season; the foliage possesses such 
a rich deep velvety green hue, and the habit is so dwarf and compact, 
that it has much to recommend it for this purpose. There are many 
1 beautiful designs, but two may be selected as samples of neatness and 
