172 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 21, 1884. 
and not far removed from a gravel bed, but this does not support them. 
The shingle is excavated, and perhaps fifty loads of “better stuff” has 
been provided for each tree. The secret of success is an ample food 
store, careful planting, and good drainage. Each tree is on a mound, so 
that the water drains from rather than to the stem, and thus reaches 
the active roots. Then top-dressings are constantly being added of road 
trimmings, decayed vegetable matter—anything that is good. This at 
once acts as ballast to the roots, rendering the trees safe against winds, 
and affords sustenance. For instance, the large “Douglas” has from 
the time of planting till now had probably 300 loads of soil. Each tree 
has a station of about 6 feet in depth, and in planting care has been 
taken that the tap root was not twisted, but placed in its natural perpen¬ 
dicular position, the radial roots being spread out more or less horizon¬ 
tally and nearer the surface. In return fi)r this care in planting there is 
a rich reward—rapid yet healthy growth, and noble trees. 
We pass through the well-stocked kitchen garden and luxuriant crops. 
It can only he said that the change from a poverty-stricken waste is due 
to deep trenching, fresh soil, and chalk. The chalk cured the “ club¬ 
bing “ but,” said our host, “ if you want particulars ask Mr. Eoger 
of Battersea Park ; he knows all about it.” 
Then we rested at “ The Cottage,” and tasted the home-made wine. 
“ Equal to champagne,” said the connoisseur, Mr. Eoberts. “ Only 
another gardener in England can make wine like this,” remarked some¬ 
one else, “ and that man is Eobert Fenn.” “ It is first-rate,” said all; and 
it was. And the silver cup went round, such an one that few gardeners 
own, holding enough for a dozen men on a tropical day. It was pre¬ 
sented to Mr. Frost a few years ago in recognition of his ability as a 
gardener, and as a token of esteem by his horticultural friends, with a 
purse of 200 guineas. Enough is said. Having had a “ day in the 
country ” to be remembered, we hasten to Slough, making, however, a 
passing call at 
CLIVEDEN. 
This splendidly situated ducal residence, made famous to gardeners by 
the spring bedding of the late Mr. Fleming, is approached through an 
avenue of Limes, wide enough to permit of broad lawns between tbe trees 
and the drive. It is thus imposing ; but a view from the ten-ace is superb 
—a magnificent lawn, with the famous beds in the foreground, and a 
“ great beyond ” of tree-clad hills, with the Thames gliding in serpentine 
course in the fertile valley below. Well might Garibaldi, on his visit to 
England, enjoy the scene and exclaim, “ It is Italy I ” We pass by a 
number of glass structures too hot to enter, packed together as if land 
were scarce in a district where the population may, perhaps, average a 
man to five square miles; we rush tlirough some conservatories where 
Bignonia Chirire rambles some hundreds of feet, producing here and 
there its long-tubed clusters of handsome orange flowers ; we peep into 
vineries, have a few moments of acceptable rest with the good gardener, 
Mr. Eilam, who has plenty to do in his fine charge, and start behind time 
for the 
ROYAL NURSERY. 
“Behind time,” but not too late for aright royal reception by the 
world-famed florist, Mr. Charles Turner. “Everything is done well at 
Slough,” is an axiom. Certainly anything better in hospitality the most 
fastidious could not wish. Then just a look round before dark. The 
flower beds appeared to look brighter, and the big sixty-year-old Holly 
hedge looked bigger in the gloaming. The Azaleas, which have con¬ 
quered and will conquer again, were arranged in a large house so thinly 
that a man could pass freely around each plant. That is the secret of 
success with large plants—room to get round them there and then, and 
only they are furnished to the base. The Dahlias, acres of them, are each 
staked out like specimen plants, every branch having its support; the 
foliage fine, the buds thinned, and grand blooms unfolding. There will 
be something to see shortly, and something that should be seen by 
admirers of this imposing flower. The Carnations in pots surprise by 
their numbers. The “grass” is strong, and the layers pegged down in 
the pots from twelve to twenty in each—thousands of them ; but all will 
be wanted, for the demand is great. So it is for Auriculas, which are in 
long ranges of low frames on the north side of hedges of Poplars, 
where they have shade from the sun, yet with air filtering through the 
trees ; hence the plants are sturdy and strong. But not the least worth 
seeing among so much that is good are the Chrysanthemums. They have 
been numerous and fine for years at Slough, but never so numerous and 
never so striking at this period as they are this year. There are 
hundreds of them, and not one plant in a hundred in a pot exceeding 
7 inches in diameter. “ The longer we live the smaller the pots for 
everything ” was the quiet observation of the master florist; and cer¬ 
tainly no plants could be imagined more satisfactory than these. Hard, 
sturdy, fresh, with every leaf healthy down to the soil—such a display of 
these splendid autumn flowers may be expected as has not yet been seen 
even at Slough in November. Let this be remembered. 
But darkness creeps on, trains are inexorable, and Babylon must be 
reached before the “ Healtheries ” close. A day is short, and as the critic 
discovered “ a fortnight would be better ” for an escape from town ; but 
a flying visit has at least this advantage, that it affords an excuse for 
another day being spent thus pleasantly in the same pleasant manner 
and places another year.— One op the Spirits. 
SPECIALTIES AT EEADING. 
Quickly following the magnificent display of Calceolarias which Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons provided at their trial nursery in May last, came the Gloxi¬ 
nias and Tuberous Begonias that have formed, until the present time, an 
exhibition of great beauty and interest. It is always a pleasure to inspect 
the excellent houses devoted to these specialities, for whatever is taken in 
hand there is thoroughly well grown. Every plant is seen in the most vigorous 
health, the flowers are proportionately large and richly or clearly coloured. 
As a consequence the seed produced is firm and plump, the best fitted to pro¬ 
duce strong plants. The importance of this point is fully recognised by- 
Messrs. Sutton’s experienced and careful manager, and his efforts to ensure 
healthy parents are amply successful in all departments. The closest atten¬ 
tion is also paid to the improvement of the respective strains, whether Cal¬ 
ceolarias, Gloxinias, Begonias, Cyclamens, or Auriculas, and the crossing is 
conducted upon a definite system, the result of many years’ experience, and 
careful observation. It is surprising how great a change can be effected in a 
few years by the continual direction of the attention to the improvement of 
particular plants, and how accurately the results can be in many cases prede¬ 
termined. Perhaps the first object is to increase the size of flowers of a 
certain race of plants. Then it is desired to multiply the shades of colours. 
That being accomplished, efforts are made to obtain particular styles of 
habit suited for certain purposes, and then probably the season of flowering 
lengthened. Many examples could be cited where similar results have been 
obtained, but one of the most striking is afforded by the 
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 
In recent years few plants have been so greatly advanced in usefulness 
and beauty as these, and their popularity is now so firmly established th.at 
no commendatory remarks are needed to call attention to them. By the 
efforts of several hybridisers, however, a character has been gradually de¬ 
veloped which is of the utmost importance. For some time every seedling 
Begonia of any merit received a distinctive name, and this is still continued 
by some growers ; but it gradually became apparent that by careful and judi¬ 
cious intercrossing a strain could be raised to such a standard of excellence 
that one pod of seed would produce many varieties equal to the finest of 
those honoured with names. Messrs. Sutton have availed themselves to the 
utmost of the quality, and anyone who has seen their houses of Begonias 
within the past month or two could not help being astonished at the high 
degree of merit which has been obtained. Of some thousands of plants and 
scores of varieties there is not one that would not a short time ago have been 
considered worthy of a name. In size, form, and numbers the flowers leave 
nothing to be desired, and combined with the sturdy erect habit, the 
flowers standing up boldly above the foliage, the plants are eminently satis¬ 
factory, In one respect a considerable advance has been effected in the past 
season or two—namely, in increasing the diversity of colours. Scarlet shades 
have always been abundant, yellows have also been numerous, but to these 
have now been added some exquisite tints of cream ; salmon, sulphur, bronze, 
orange, rose, pink, and carmine, with pure white and blush, furnish interme¬ 
diate shades that greatly increase the value of the plants for decorative pur¬ 
poses. There is now a great range of colours, from the most delicate to the 
richest crimsons, brightest and most brilliant scarlets, which in the sun are 
almost dazzling. For indoor decora^-ion in pots or for bedding-out the 
majority of these seedlings are equal to the best named varieties, and Messrs. 
Sutton have undoubtedly scored a great success in their culture and im¬ 
provement. 
GLOXINIAS. 
Another important feature in the nursery during the summer months are 
the Gloxinias, of which a great number is grown in the best possible condi¬ 
tion. Many would be surprised to see such strong plants flowering so freely 
in 60-size pots, but the system is simple though quick, one which might be 
advantageously followed in many gardens. The seed is sown in January, the 
young plants appear in February; they are pricked off in March, potted in 
small thumbs in April, and transferred to 60-size in May, commencing to 
flower in June, and continuing into August or later if they were not allowed 
to bear seed. For ordinary purposes of decoration such plants are invalu¬ 
able, and are more serviceable than larger specimens, as they can be used in 
so many ways. Gloxinias are much-appreciated plants in most gardens, 
their handsome flowers having a majestic appearance, and the colours now 
prevailing in them are superb. At Reading a great variety of shades have 
been procured ; the violet-crimsons, dark scarlet, warm purples, soft pinks, and 
pure whites are abundant. Some of the purple tints ai e almost black, and 
the crimson hues are intensely rich, grand, and indescribable shades. The 
arrangement of the colours has also been much diversified ; in some the 
corollas are densely dotted with rich shades on a lighter or white ground, 
but these, though pretty, have unfortunately a rather delicate habit, and 
they are not so much in general favour as the other groups. Next there are 
varieties with a clear white throat, and a solid band of colour on the lobe of 
the corolla. A third group, and one which has been extended of late, con¬ 
tains flowers with a clearly defined broad white margin, then a band of 
colour, and a light or coloured throat. These are very beautiful,particularly 
when the body colour is bold and distinct, and the white margin pure and 
well defined, as is the case with the majority. A few of the reflexed type 
are grown, but the demand for these is limited, preference being given to the 
erect-flowered sorts which now are so sturdy that the blooms do not require 
sticks to support them—an advantage of no mean importance. 
Of other indoor plants the most important just now are the Cyclamens, 
which, though not in flower, are really handsome owing to their fresh, 
vigorous, finely marbled foliage. Very rarely indeed are Cyclamens seen 
in such grand condition, and they have awakened the admiration of some 
of the most experienced growers. The Cyclamen is a beautiful plant 
when in health, and well repays for a little trouble to ensure its success. 
One of the chief points to which attention is given in the Reading Nursery 
is providing a humid vet not stagnant atmosphere, with occasional gentle 
syringings over the foliage, and,not too much water at the roots. The 
success of the treatment is manifest, and the display of flowers by-and-by 
win undoubtedly be equally satisfactory. 
SEEDLING CARNATIONS. 
The outdoor plants are too numerous to be noted in detail, but one 
quarter is especially worthy of attention. This is devoted to seedling 
Carnations, and a week or tw'o ago they were wonderful masses of flowers. 
The plants were about eighteen months old from the time of sowing the 
seed, and formed dense tufts, every shoot bearing flowers, each plant 
having some hrmdreds—perfect forests of flowers, and of the richest purest 
