374 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ October 27, 1881. 
that the occupants are all planted out in beds, and we thus escape 
the unpleasing formality of rows of flower pots, which always have 
a hard and incongruous appearance even in the most tastefully 
arranged houses. One of the structures referred to is span-roofed, 
40 feet long and 18 feet wide, with a bed in the centre and one at 
each side, separated from the walk by a brick wall. These beds were 
carefully prepared, the drainage being good, and upon this is placed 
about 2 feet depth of turfy soil, the stations for the more delicate 
plants being specially prepared by the addition of sand or peat 
according to their requirements. The house is provided with abun¬ 
dant means of ventilation both at the top and sides, and three rows 
of 3-inch pipes on each side are found sufficient to prevent the 
temperature falling below 40° in winter. By free ventilation at all 
times when the weather is not too severe the plants are rendered 
sturdy and hardy, and their vigorous growth is surprising. Nor with 
comparatively unlimited root space is the production of flowers 
diminished ; on the contrary, all appear to be as floriferous as could 
be desired, and more than could be expected in many instances under 
culture in pots. 
To enumerate the contents of this house would far exceed my 
purpose, but there were some plants which cannot be passed un¬ 
noticed. The roof is covered with numerous climbing plants, among 
which Bomarea Caldasii and B. Oarderi are notable, the former a 
handsome plant which flowers freely, the latter smaller but pro¬ 
gressing well. Habrothamnus or Oestrum aurantiacum is very 
distinct in the colour of the flowers from the better-known species, 
but very similar to these in other respects. The deep yellow or 
orange-coloured trusses are freely produced, and the plant might be 
advantageously grown as a companion to H. elegans and H. fascicu- 
laris in many gardens. Clematis indivisa is too well known and 
valued to need description. It is represented at Oakfield by a fine 
specimen, which produces abundance of flowers early in the season, 
when they are always welcome. Hibbertia dentata is another climber 
that is very attractive when in flower. In addition to many others, 
handsome examples are noteworthy of Abutilon vexillarium, Rhodo- 
chiton volubile. Plumbago capensis, Convolvulus Herminieri, and 
Tacsonia insignis, the latter being extremely vigorous, and is greatly 
valued for the lengthened supply of beautiful flowers it affords. Of 
the specimens growing in the side and central beds, the two finest 
are Lasiandra macrantha floribunda and Abelia rupestris. The 
former is a grand example 4 or 5 feet in diameter, and bearing 
its rich purple flowers 5 and even 6 inches in diameter. The Abelia 
(fig. 63), is of similar size, with small ovate shiny green leaves 
resembling the common Myrtle, and clusters of white tubular or 
inflated flowers, which are produced in succession throughout the 
greater portion of the year. Even in a small state this plant is 
very useful, but when planted out and having attained to a good 
size it is especially beautiful. Calceolaria bicolor, a free-flowering 
and attractive species, grows strongly in the side bed, and by cutting 
the old growths out and taking up the young shoots it is had in 
flower constantly. Indeed, for the past eighteen months it has not 
been without flowers, which are borne in large clusters, and are bright 
yellow and white in colour. Though the blooms are not so large 
individually as C. Pavonii they are quite as attractive. Judicious 
applications of weak liquid manure are found to assist this plant 
considerably, forwarding the growth and improving the size and 
colour of the flowers. 
Burchellia capensis is quite at home in the central bed, and seldom is 
so fine a specimen seen, proving the advantage of planting out in this 
as in many other cases. The curious Pelargonium tetragonum figured 
in the Journal some months ago, is notable for its four-angled stems, 
so unlike the majority of its genus. Another curiosity is Crassula 
lycopodioides, the chief character of which is well expressed in the 
specific name. It has small stems with short dark green leaves 
closely set in an imbricated manner, exactly in the style of the 
Lycopodiums. Myrtus bullatus, an Australian species, is, too, one 
of the most remarkable species of Myrtus, the leaves being of a 
peculiar brownish hue, so suggestive of ill health in most plants, 
and the surface is blistered, if it may be so termed, between the 
veins, after the manner of a Savoy leaf, to give a well-known 
example of what botanists term a bullated leaf. Beaufortia decus- 
sata is not only peculiar, it is very handsome even without flowers. 
It is of shrubby habit, and might easily be mistaken for one of the 
stronger-growing Epacrises, the small rigid dark green leaves being 
arranged closely on the long vigorous shoots. The distinct and 
pretty Calceolaria violacea deserves notice, for it is neat in habit 
and foliage; and though the flowers are small, the freedom with 
which they are produced and their delicate violet purple tint render 
them very pleasing. The Ivy-leaved Groundsel, Senecio macroglossa, 
covers a portion of one end of the house, and may be ranked among 
the curiosities, though it is not deficient in attractiveness, the dark 
green leaves possessing a remarkable resemblance to some of the 
small-leaved Ivies. Another useful plant for the roof of greenhouses 
is Fuchsia thymifolia, which there is trained up one of the rafters 
and produces multitudes of its diminutive rosy flowers. One other 
plant demands attention, named a non-climbing form of Rhyncho- 
spermum jasminoides, which in the central bed has grown into a 
compact shrub-like specimen quite unlike its usual habit. 
Another house in two divisions, of similar construction, except that 
it has a three-quarter span-roof, is occupied with many plants equally 
as interesting and beautiful as those already mentioned. One of the 
most attractive, however, was a handsome example of Swainsonia 
magnifica, which covered the partition in the centre of the house. 
It is regarded as an improved form of S. Greyana, which it resembles 
in the long pinnate dark green leaves, but the flowers are larger and 
of a brighter rose colour. The specimen was bearing some dozens 
of racemes, and in such condition the value of the plant cannot be 
rated too highly. Hibiscus Hugelii is a noteworthy species, the 
leaves being very neatly divided into narrow segments like some of 
the fragrant-leaved Pelargoniums : the flowers are large, of a purplish 
hue, and the plant is by no means unattractive. Another form of 
the same genus not at all common in gardens is Hibiscus Manihot, 
long known in this country. It is chiefly remarkable for its large 
bright yellow flowers and handsome divided leaves, which average 
a foot in diameter. Some of the dangerous Loasas thrive well in 
this house, their pretty and curious flowers tempting the unwary to 
examine them more closely. Convolvulus mauritanicus trails down¬ 
wards from several nooks in the back wall, and the numerous flowers 
have a pretty effect. Luculia gratissima also succeeds well planted 
out; but a specimen of Bougainvillea glabra, though appearing in 
perfect health with large and glossy leaves, does not flower well, 
and seems to be deteriorating each year. In this and other houses 
several species of Calceolaria are grown. Indeed there is a very good 
representative collection, including, besides the two already mentioned 
—viz., C. bicolor and C. violacea—C. Pavonii, recently figured in the 
Journal; C. hyssopifolia, C. glutinosa, C. crenatifolia, C. pulverulenta, 
C. lobata, and the curious C. fuchsiajfolia, which has leaves precisely 
resembling those of a Fuchsia. With respect to C. Pavonii, it may 
be observed that at Oakfield plants are grown out of doors during 
the summer months, and fine specimens are produced, especially in 
sheltered positions near a wall. But it is found that they cannot be 
preserved through the winter. Covering the roots will not preserve 
them in such seasons as we have experienced of late years. The best 
plan is taking cuttings every autumn, striking them and growing 
the young plants on for the following year, fine specimens being 
obtained with a little assistance. 
What is termed the Fernery is a double span-roofed house about 
24 feet square, hear.ed to a tropical temperature, and contains Ferns, 
various Gesneraceous plants, Clerodendrons, Thunbergias, and other 
plants. The central bed has fine specimens of Canna iridiflora, one 
of the best of its genus, with large crimson flowers. Thunbergia 
fragrans is trained on the roof, and its white sweetly scented flowers 
mingle with the rich crimson blooms of Ipomaea Horsfallire, which is 
also trained on the roof and bears fine clusters of handsome flowers. 
Stigmaphyllum ciliatum trails along the rafters, and its yellow 
flowers afford a fine contrast with the purplish Convolvulus-like 
blooms of Batatas paniculatus. The manner in which the side stages 
are draped and the pipes concealed is noteworthy. Near the edge of 
the stage is a line of Selaginella, and from this a fringe of Panicum 
variegatum hangs down 2 feet or more in length. Below this in front 
of the pipes a few pieces of rock are placed, and, covered with Sela 
ginella, form an effectual screen. The margin of the centre bed is 
formed of Fittonia argyroneura and F. Yerschaffelti, and constitutes 
a pretty finish ; the large specimens of Caladium esculentum and 
Alocasia violacea imparting quite a tropical appeai-ance to the house, 
which, though small, is far more attractive than some of much larger 
dimensions and more pretentious exterior. 
To many no house in the garden would possess more interest than 
the Rockery, a span-roof structure with glass at the top and sides, 
but having a central wall built of tufa and imitation sandstone dis¬ 
posed in an irregular but natural manner, so as to form numerous 
ledges and nooks, in which are planted many choice and pretty 
alpine and other plants. The lower portion and near the sides of the 
house is constructed in the same way, so as to form a rockery under 
glass : and though no heat whatever is afforded artificially, the pro¬ 
tection is sufficient to preserve many plants that would be lost outside, 
or would at all events not succeed so well. Small pools of water 
contain abundance of the curious ally of the Salvinias, Azolla pinnata, 
which floats on the surface of the water, and is of a rich deep green 
colour, quite different from that it possesses in warmer quarters. In 
one of the nooks Campanula isophylla alba was literally a mass of 
flovzers, pure white, and an inch or more in diameter. All the plants 
are thoroughly healthy and seem to like their position extremely. 
Several houses are devoted to tropical plants, many of which are 
very beautiful and some rare, and much might be written concerning 
them, but as these notes have already reached considerable length 
we must confine our observations to two of them. One is a seedling 
Begonia, the result of a cross between B. semperflorens and B. 
Schmidtii, the latter parent being a compact-growing form of conti¬ 
nental origin, with leaves something like B. metallica, only smaller. 
This seedling partakes of the latter in the habit, but it has small 
white flowers and green leaves like B. semperflorens, but smaller and 
darker green. It is very free in flowering, and the neatness of its 
habit recommends it strongly. The other plant is Rondeletia anomala 
(fig. 64, page 377), a scarce species but very beautiful. The specimen re¬ 
ferred to is suspended from the roof of an intermediate house, and has 
numerous clusters or rich coral red or deep scarlet flowers. It is 
grown in a shallow pot or pan, a compost of peat, light turfy loam, 
and sand being found to suit it admirably. Why this plant is so 
rarely seen it is hard to understand. 
In these notes a small proportion of the plants at this establish¬ 
ment have been referred to, but it will convey some idea of the 
