JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 20, 1881. ] 
361 
their catalogue which I have just received, say that they have not 
been proved in the open air as yet, and only speak of their value 
as pot Roses under glass. I think their failure is a matter to be 
much regretted, for it seemed as if a right line had been taken 
by the raiser to endeavour to combine the colours of the Hybrid 
Perpetuals with the free-blooming character of the Teas ; but in 
some manner the cross has not succeeded. It is just possible that 
from these something may be obtained ; but it is rather a Nemesis 
on the raiser, who so boldly stated that everyone before him had 
been wrong, to be thus in the wrong himself. A successful 
hybridiser has much to learn of Nature’s secrets, and these are 
not generally given to the man who rushes into it, but to the 
patient toiler who learns as he goes on, who essays not to teach 
but to be a learner. 
There can be little doubt that the Eose is not only not losing its 
popularity but steadily increasing it, and that not a little of this 
is owing to the operations of the National Eose Society few can 
doubt. Its authority is as much recognised amongst Eose-growers 
throughout the kingdom as that of Lord’s among cricketers, and 
its medals are eagerly sought after as a testimony of prowess and 
skill. And here let me repeat the note of warning I gave last 
year as to the spirit in which its competitions should be entered 
into. Let exhibitors be careful that they are actuated by the 
desire of honour in the contest rather than by the quantity of 
money to be gained. It might not be well to revive the Laurel 
and Parsley crowns of the Olympic games, nor must the consider¬ 
ation of money be left out of sight; but surely it is not the one 
thing which the exhibitor has before him when he enters into the 
contest. If it be so it will lead to unseemly wrangling and strife 
and to the injury of the society. And now again the season of 
preparation is at hand : catalogues are issued, orders given, beds 
prepared, and hopes eagerly cherished of success in the future. 
May it be so, and may the year 1882 see such an exhibition of the 
queen of flowers as has never been seen before ; and may you and 
I, good reader, be there to see it.—IX, Deal. 
CULINARY PLUMS. 
HAVING given on page 308 a list of Plums suitable for dessert, 
some of the leading culinary varieties may now advantageously 
receive consideration. Early Prolific does equally well as a 
dwarf or standard, and is an early and great bearer. Where 
Plums are required early it should be grown against a south 
wall, and it then ripens earlier by a fortnight, the quality being 
much improved, indeed is not unsuited for dessert. It ripens 
usually at the end of July, being closely followed by Czar, which 
has large red oval fruits, bearing well as a standard or dwarf, and 
is even suitable for dessert when well ripened. The fruit does not 
crack with wet, and it is one of the finest culinary sorts. This is 
a seedliDg raised by the late Mr. Eivers, obtained from Prince 
Englebert crossed with Early Prolific. Sultan, another of Mr. 
Eivers’ seedlings, ripens about the middle of August, and is a 
great bearer, and may be described as an early and hardier 
form of Prince of Wales. Prince Englebert is not only a large 
Plum, but one of the finest for culinary purposes, and when well 
ripened can be used for dessert, the fruit having a fine appearance. 
Mitchelson’s is a fine kind for preserving as well as cooking, and 
has a flavour not unlike a Damson. It is first-rate as a standard, 
and bears profusely. Prince of Wales, though a capital sort, and 
the trees great bearers, is not very hardy, and in cold localities 
requires to be grown against a wall. Pond’s Seedling is another 
of the large red Plums, and one that bears abundantly. The 
large Plums are preferably grown as espaliers than as bushes or 
pyramids, and are more readily protected from birds, similar 
remarks applying to White Magnum Bonum, which is not only 
one of the finest preserving Plums, but grown against a wall is 
good for dessert. Victoria is very prolific in any form, but is very 
much finer against a wall than as a bush or standard. Autumn 
Compote is excellent for preserving and bears freely, as also is 
Belle de Septembre, and preserved affords a fine highly coloured 
syrup, that of the other being pale in colour, but with a peculiar 
agreeable acidity. Diamond bears abundantly as a standard, and 
is one of the very best cooking and preserving Plums. Winesour 
is a good bearer when aged, and is highly esteemed for preserving, 
its briskness being relished by those that are cloyed with the 
sweet Plums. Wyedale much resembles Winesour in appearance, 
bift ripens three weeks or a month later, and is a very valuable 
late variety, bearing abundantly even in exposed situations. It is 
capital for cooking or preserving, and is brisk and agreeably 
flavoured. Coe’s Late Eed does not bear freely in a young state, 
but from its lateness, ripening in late October and early November, 
is worth a place. 
Of Damsons, Farleigh or Crittenden’s Prolific is a prolific bearer. 
The fruit, however, is not so large as the Prune Damson, in fact, 
no larger than the common, but it bears early, which is not what 
the others do. For quality, the Prune Damson is far ahead of 
any, and though not a good bearer when young, bears freely when 
the trees are a little aged. Dalrymple is similar to the Prune, and 
the tree is not so strong a grower ; it also bears abundantly and 
is ripe in October. 
Bullaces are esteemed by some, I suppose, for their briskness, 
and as they usually bear freely a tree or two of each will suffice. 
The Black or Sloe may be passable after early frosts, but is, I 
think, too acid. Essex Bullace is larger and not so sour as the 
White Bullace, and Eoyal is certainly brisk enough, and with 
plenty of sweetening may be made agreeable. As it ripens in 
October and hangs some time it is useful as a late fruit. 
Acidity in Plums for culinary purposes is by some looked upon 
as indispensable, hence Gisborne’s, a small yellow Plum ripening 
at the end of August, is considered good, it being very juicy, with 
brisk acidity, and a great bearer.—G. Abbey. 
COTONEASTER MICROPHYLLA. 
Amongst hardy shrubs suitable for covering walls and trellises, 
I think none is more elegant than the subject of these re¬ 
marks. On paying a visit to a friend residing in Wiltshire a 
few days ago, I was surprised to find how extensively it is grown 
in some parts of that county and in Somerset. Many cottages 
that are built a little back from the main thoroughfare are fur¬ 
nished with porches either of brick, stone, or trelliswork. These 
little porches are invariably covered with C. microphylla, and 
nothing could possibly be more trim and neat for the occasion. 
In many cases I noticed the front of the cottages was covered 
entirely with it in addition to the porches. The cottagers are 
fully aware of its value, and I think it may be used advantageously 
in many such places that are now frequently allowed to remain 
unsightly. C. microphylla was introduced from Nepaul in 1825, 
and having been in this country so mauy years, it is surprising 
that it is not more frequently met with. It is by no means fas¬ 
tidious, for it thrives in any ordinary garden soil and endures 
much drought. It is easily propagated, either by means of layers 
or seeds, plants by the former method being of course the most 
readily obtained. It is also quite at home planted on large 
rockeries, for massing in front of shrubbery borders; and I have 
seen it used with good effect tied to an upright stake, and the 
long arching shoots when thickly berried are very beautiful.— 
W. K. 
A WEEK IN LONDON. 
WINDSOR. 
The elaborate descriptions which have been published of 
Windsor and Frogmore from time to time leave but little to 
be written of the beauty and magnitude of the grounds and 
gardens. From various parts of the park can be obtained 
splendid views of the Castle, but none was more impressive 
than that at the entrance at the north-east. The hill side which 
sloped sharply up the Castle was covered with fine trees, the 
numerous examples of Mountain Ash being heavily laden with 
their red berries, and were most imposing. Another grand view 
is obtained from the long avenue of fine Elms. In passing 
through the grounds I was much impressed with the grand timber 
which abounds, especially the Elms, which appear to have been 
more largely planted than any other forest tree. Many of them 
are giants in size, and doubtless have stood for centuries. Oaks 
also freely abound, one being especially noteworthy, having a 
fine even trunk some 36 feet or more in circumference. Some 
care is taken of this monster, for when a limb is lost the wounds 
are carefully covered to keep out the wet. Near this stood a 
specimen of Wellingtonia gigantea, said to be one of the first 
specimens planted in this country, and which was in those days 
protected with a handlight and well covered every night during 
cold or wintry weather. This tree is the parent of a fine avenue 
of trees planted alternately with Walnuts. The Wellingtonias 
were all raised from cuttings, and are now fine trees, all of similar 
height and even throughout. Many other grand Conifers exist 
in suitable portions of these grounds. Cedrus atlantica glauca 
was a wonderfully large well-furnished specimen, and near to 
it was a smaller specimen growing freely and planted by the 
Shah of Persia. Pinus Pinsapo was also noticeable. The silvery 
foliage of Acer Negundo variegata in sheltered positions was 
most conspicuous and very striking. These plants had evidently 
withstood the severity of the past winter uninjured, while many 
other shrubs were cut to the ground. 
The private gardens are by far the most beautiful, and are 
