JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
126 
[ August 11, 1881. 
must be regarded as the most beautiful of the Blandfordias yet 
known. It has been figured in the ‘ Botanical Magazine,’ t. 6209.” 
The coloured figure mentioned above by Mr. Bull faithfully 
represents the character of the plant.—E d.] 
THE FRUIT CROP IN THE SOUTH OF IRELAND. 
Speaking generally, and taking the gardens in this vicinity, 
the following is a pretty accurate summary of what came under my 
notice lately when walking or driving over much of this province. 
Strawberries. —Although this crop is past, I may note that on 
the whole it was above the average. President still maintains 
its reputation as not only one of the largest but also among the 
earliest and best flavoured. At the Lismorc Show it was, however, 
second to James Yeitch from the adjoining gardens of the Duke 
of Devonshire, and was a week behind Marguerite at the gardens 
of Lord Donoughmore, Knoi;klofty. British Queen, La Gfrosse 
Sucree, and Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury are still favourites, as 
well as Trollope’s Victoria, the Old Pine, and Elton Pine at Rath- 
ronan, Marlfield, Minella, and Heywood. 
Gooseberries , Raspberries, and Currants. —These, with the ex¬ 
ception in a few cases of Black Currants, were more than an 
average crop. The amber Gooseberries came in first, and the 
large green, such as Thumper and Pike’s Green, followed, but are 
now nearly over. 
Apricots and Nectarines. —At Marlfield a few days since 1 saw 
a very fair crop of the former nearly ripe on a south wall unpro¬ 
tected. I note this, for as a rule for several years both these 
fruits failed, so far as 1 saw, in the open air in Ireland. If I 
remember aright this early Apricot was Blenheim or Shipley. 
Plums. —At Glenview, Marlfield, Minella, and Lismore Castle 
there are more than average crops, specially noticeable being 
White Magnum Bonum, old Green Gage, Denyer’s Victoria, Goliath, 
and Coe’s Golden Drop. At the first-named garden, owing to 
careful pruning and judicious summer pinching, both wall, bush, 
and espaliers are more than a full crop. Too little attention often 
seems to be paid this fine fruit tree. Allowing it to take care of 
itself will not always conduce to success. 
Peaches. —Of indoor Peaches that came under my notice the 
heaviest yield was at Knocidofty. So heavy was the set of fruit 
that the head gardener, Mr. Ryan, assured us, as we could see, 
that to prevent exhaustion a dozen was removed for every one 
allowed to remain. Of wall trees protected by glass during the 
setting period, Minella, the residence of Mrs. Malcomson (head 
gardener, Mr. Crehan), near this town, not only this year, but for 
the last dozen or more, outdistances anything I have seen in 
Peach-growing. The nearest approach would be that of Mr. 
Bracken, the very successful head gardener to E. P. Westley, Esq., 
Roebuck Castle near Dublin. Mr. Bracken assured me he used 
no glass. I specially mention those cases, as I am aware that at 
Woodstock Park, Co. Kilkenny, the residence of Lady Louisa 
Tighe, and many other typical gardens, outdoor Peaches have 
been for years a failure, and in numberless cases their culture has 
been wholly abandoned. Sashes, glass copings, and similar con¬ 
trivances conduce much to success; but nothing will make old 
bare stems prolific, while a bad unprepared subsoil is, though not 
suspected, a frequent source of failure. Grosse Mignonne, Royal 
George, and Palmerston are still the favourites in most instances. 
Pears. — Speaking within the limits of observation indicated, 
the crop as a whole is much above an average. At Marlfield and 
Summerhill I saw a few days since old trees that were destined 
for the axe producing enormous crops on walls 15 feet high ; and 
this induces me to remark that one or two seasons’ failure should 
not cause a fine old tree to disappear which may yet make amends. 
There are twenty varieties of Rivers’ best, both standards, espaliers, 
and on walls at Glasnevin, and with few exceptions, probably not 
owing to variety or seasonal causes, all bear fair crops. And here 
I should like to ask why espaliers are so seldom seen : they take 
up little space, and, owing to full exposure and fresh open soil, 
the fruit is generally of fine size and quality. 
Apples. —Of Lord Suffield there is an excellent crop. Mdre de 
Mdnage is also bearing heavily at Glenview. Hawthornden, good 
generally. Pearson’s Plate and Ribston Pippin equally so. Sturmer 
as a bush at Minella is very fair ; while the following are more 
than average—Keswick Codlin, Lemon Pippin, and Cox’s Orange 
Pippin ; and last, but in several instances the best, the Alfriston, 
which with the three first named are deserved favourites. 
I must step aside to observe what every Irish well-wisher will be 
proud of—so far there is no Potato blight in Ireland.—W. J. M., 
Clonmel. 
Annual Poppies. —These are well worth a place where they 
can be left undisturbed in any position. For the last six weeks 
we have had some amongst Canterbury Bells. The colours range 
from dark purple and crimson to the lightest shades and white, 
and the forms of the flowers are varied and many of them ex¬ 
tremely pretty and effective. The Dwarf French, Carnation- 
flowered, and Paeony-flowered are the sorts I bought and sowed, 
the latter being not so well worth growing as the others. When 
some old and very large Laurels which had become decrepit and 
unsightly were cut down a few years back, the ground under¬ 
neath became covered with Poppies, evidently varieties of Papaver 
somniferum, and quite distinct from any I have bought. Many 
of the flowers are like Tulips in their markings and colours.— 
R. P. Bkotherston. 
HERBACEOUS AND ALPINE PLANTS. 
ACONITUMS. 
The Monkshoods must be reckoned amongst the old-fashioned 
flowers. They contain a powerful acrid poison in their juices, 
which has not been favourable to their increased cultivation. 
Their juices are us d to poison arrows for offence and defence in 
various parts of Asia ; in Britain, however, the roots have brought 
pain and death to many by being dug up by the ignorant and 
used as Horseradish. As a member of the Crowfoot family it is 
distinguished by its five petaloid sepals, the posterior one being 
large and developed into a hood or helmet covering the corolla, 
which consists of two large hammer-shaped petals hidden under 
the helmet, and of several other smaller and unequal ones which 
are quite inconspicuous ; they have numerous stamens, and the 
fruits consist of from three to five sessile follicles, which are 
many-seeded. 
Aconites are bold-growing plants, and when left undisturbed 
for several years attain goodly proportions, and then display their 
handsome panicles of flowers to great advantage ; they also re¬ 
commend themselves to the attention of the gardener and amateur, 
inasmuch as they thrive under the shade of trees as well as many, 
and far better than most other plants. In dividing the roots for 
increase, or simply to reduce the size of the clump, the pieces of 
root cut off should be at once burnt in order to prevent accidents 
by misadventure. There are a great number of species and varie¬ 
ties, the most desirable of which we include here. 
A. Anthora .—This species belongs to the fibrous-rooted section, 
and is almost harmless, although we look upon them all with sus¬ 
picion. It attains a height of about 18 to 20 inches. Root leaves 
multifid, with linear acute dark green segments ; flowers pale 
yellow, produced in dense panicles. It blooms during July and 
August. Pyrenees. 
A. autumnale .—A beautiful showy plant usually confounded 
with A. japonicum, from which, however, it is abundantly dis¬ 
tinct as a garden plant. It is robust in habit, usually attaining 
a height of about 3^ feet. Leaves palmate and downy ; spikes 
simple ; flowers large, lilac, and white or lavender blue. It flowers 
during the autumn months. China. 
A. cammarum .—A stately plant for the back part of the border. 
As an autumn decorator it grows some 3 to 4 feet high, the leaves 
being palmatifid and deeply divided. Flowers rich deep purple, 
produced on rather lax panicles. July to September. Austria 
and Switzerland. 
A. heteroplxyllwm .—In this plant we have an instance of the 
poisonous properties of the family being changed into a useful 
tonic, the root being used to promote digestion, &c., so that we 
may look upon it as a converted member of a dangerous family. 
It is a robust-growing plant, about 2 feet in height. Leaves 
petiolate below, sessile above, broadly cordate, coarsely toothed 
at the edge, and deep green ; flowers large, numerous and dense, 
pale yellow, and deep blue in front. August. Himalaya Moun¬ 
tains, 8 to 13,000 feet elevations. 
A. japonicum .—This is a somewhat slender plant, producing 
numerous branches, and seldom exceeding 2 feet in height. It is 
an old garden pet, having been introduced from Japan nearly a 
hundred years ago. Leaves palmate and bright shining green ; 
flowers numerous and deep blue. We have seen a white variety 
of this species. Autumn. Japan. 
A. lycoctonum .—This is the Wolfsbane of the merry Swiss 
boy when he descends to botanise. It is a common plant in the 
Alps of Switzerland, and forms a pretty object when grown in 
the border, where it makes itself equally at home as when on its 
native hills. It attains a height of from 2 to 3 feet, bearing 
palmately lobed hairy leaves, which are yellowish green ; flowers 
numerous, borne in branching clusters, pale yellow. The shape 
of the upper sepal or hood is very peculiar : some imaginative 
minds have compared it to a Welsh lady’s hat, others to an ex¬ 
tinguisher with an extra development of knob. July and August. 
Alps of Switzerland. 
