464 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Noverr.ber 20, 1884. 
shoot from which the bloom itself was cut. Any loose foliage added to a 
bloom is a disqualification. If this be so—and I feel strongly that I am 
right as to this impression, although I cannot put my hand on such a 
rule in black and white—but, if this be so, it means that any addition is 
fatal to success, for surely if the lesser sin entails disqualification the 
greater sin of gumming cannot be passed over. 
What in this case could have been the object of gumming 1 Plainly 
it must have been to insure certain Roses, and those in all probability the 
grandest, staying. How many of us know full well as we have looked at 
grand blooms in the early morning, that if such blooms would only last in 
that condition throughout the day that our chances of success would be 
great; and if gumming Roses is to be an admitted and legitimate practice, 
possibly some of these grand blooms will in future be made to stick, even 
though they might not stay. But surely this is not a consummation 
“ devoutly to be wished,” and I for one cannot but trust that the 
National will yet declare “ gumming ” and all similar attemps at decep¬ 
tion in the Rose as meriting some distinguishing mark, but that mark 
should be disqualification. Sewing petals together, a stratagem by which 
I was myself once defeated, is of similar character, neither better nor 
worse than the gum, though possibly more easily detected. 
We shall all look anxiously to see what the National Society will do. 
—Joseph Hinton. 
The letter of the Hon. Secs, of the National Rose Society upon 
the above subject is by no means satisfactory. They say their Committee 
” expressed no opinion upon the practice of gumming Rose blooms,” but 
they altogether ignore the fact that this was exactly what they were 
asked to do. They therefore left undone what they ought to have done, 
and did that which they ought not to have done. They were distinctly 
asked for an opinion—“ to approve or condemn the practice,” and they 
very improperly gave a “ decision ” in favour of this newest form of 
trickery. They did this, it seems, because “ they had no law to guide 
them in the matter.” No law, forsooth ! Why, our schedule, a copy of 
which was sent to them with our case, has the following rule printed in 
large type—“ Roses to be shown as cut from the plants.” If this rule 
does not apply it must follow that Roses may be cut from the plants with 
their centres full of gum. As it is evidently their intention to frame 
some rule for future guidance, their “ decision ” seems on a par with that 
of the intelligent jury who returned a verdict of “ Not guilty, but don’t 
do it again.”— AliTHua Johnson, JIo/i. Sec., Leek Rose Society. 
SEPTEMBER BRUSSELS SPROUTS. 
The thoughts of your correspondent on page 391 and mine do not 
agree on the subject. I regard Brussels Sprouts as a winter vegetable. 
“ Thinker ” strives for them in summer, and hails their coming then with 
delight. His Cabbages are a surfeit by September. I am not sur¬ 
prised at this ; ours are so before June is out. In September 
Cauliflower palls on his appetite, and at the same time he is 
anxious for a change from Peas to Brussels Sprouts. Truly tastes 
differ, and, speaking generally. Cauliflowers cannot be had in until 
June, and in three months afterwards they “ pall on the appetite;” 
but what must Brussels Sprouts do when the first of them are used in 
September and the last of them in seven months afterwards ? as the end of 
March is no uncommon time for Brussels Sprouts to be still in season ; 
indeed, after a severe winter, they are often about the only green vege¬ 
table left in the garden, and under the circumstances I am sure they are 
far^ more appreciated then, and in the winter months, than as rivals to 
delicious Green Peas, delicate Kidney Beans, rich Tomatoes, fine Glcibe 
Artichokes, succulent Spinach, tender Vegetable Marrows, and hosts of 
other good things in season in September. I would not regard Brussels 
Sprouts as an acceptable change to these from April until the end of 
October at least, but they would be an agreeable change from Leeks, 
Savoys, and Parsnips from November until ilarch. It may be thought to 
be good culture to sow Brussels Sprouts in September with the Cauli¬ 
flowers, and have them ready for gathering next September, or in twelve 
months afterwards ; but we have Brussels Sprouts now, and annually at 
this time from seed sown in the open in March, and as they meet all our 
requirements I cannot see any substantial advantages to be derived from 
winter frame protection and other extravagant modes of culture.—J. 
Muik. 
HAEDY PLANTS! AT CAMBRIDGE. 
( Continued from page 443.) 
Leaving the Bog Plant department, we turn to inspect some of the many 
trees and shrubs grouped upon the lawn in the neighbourhood of the lake. 
Conspicuous among these is a fine example of Asimina triloba, pot a mere 
straggling plant such as is usually seen, but a good all-round specimen 
10 feet high and as much through, and probably one of the best in cultiva¬ 
tion ; then a few yards further on we saw the curiously plaited growth of 
C--lastrus scandens and Enonymus latifolius fruiting; and in the centre of 
a large bed near by was Eucalyptus Gunnii, a most distinct plant, which has 
made a season’s growth of 5 feet. Pavia macrostachya was the next tree 
of interest, it being among the few summer-flowering deciduous trees, the 
pyramidal inflorescence and white flowers with salmon-red anthers bearing a 
strong semblance to the Ailsculus. We had now reached that part of the 
garden devoted to hardy perennials and herbaceous plants, and which are 
arranged in their respective groups in beds. It has been anything but a 
favourable summer for the majority of perennials and such plants, and 
especially so those which make most root near the surface. All these have 
suffered to a very great extent, and having in many cases only reached about 
half their usual height. Still, there is something to be learnt even from this, 
inasmuch as it tends to show that those which have done fairly well under 
the tropical sun which we have experienced do not object, but rather delight 
in it, and, therefore, are suitably adapted for the higher and drier portions of 
the rockery where they are most likely to be accommodated. Still there are 
advantages and disadvantages in all gardens, and the Cambridge Botanic 
Garden, in common with all others, has its share. It has a subsoil of gravel, 
which, however, seems to agree with a number of plants, judging from the 
clean growth of the timber of the district, and its general luxuriance, not¬ 
withstanding the long-continued drought. Among Astragaluses I noted the 
true A. aristatus doing well, also alopecuroides; then we found a striking 
plant in Gaura Lindheimeri, an old acquaintance, and which I was pleased 
to meet again. There was a charming bush of it nearly 3 feet high and as 
much through with hundreds of its white flowers. I had never seen so fine 
a plant before, and had been inclined to regard it as somewhat tender, 
having upon one or two occasions lost it during bard winters when planted 
in somewhat stiffer soil. Evidently a warm, dry, and well-drained soil suits, 
and those who desire one of the most decorative of summer perennials 
should invest in this at once. There is nothing stiff and formal about it, 
but a grace which lends an additional charm to the plant, and is one of those 
requiring no artificial support. Not less beautiful were the brilliant scarlet 
Pentstemon-like tubes of Zauschneria californica, which, by the way, reminds 
me that it is some way ahead of its usual flowering period, and several others 
besides, the change brought about no doubt by the great summer heat. This 
dwarf member of the Onagracem order is almost unrivalled in the summer, and 
it should find a place in every garden, seeing it is suited, for the border or 
rockwork, and needs no special soil. It is a true herbaceous perennial, and 
should have plenty of room superficially, since it is wont to throw up 
stoloniferous growth, and makes a good compact cushion not more than 
9 inches high, with a continuity of its scarlet flowers. This was doing 
remarkably well. 
I must pass over many plants of interest, for to enumerate all one sees 
would take far too much time and space. Rubia peregrins is pretty, and 
Galium rubrum is distinct and feathery in appearance, producing a pleasing 
effect by artificial light in vase decoration. Erigeron (Aster) glaucus is a 
distinct Composite, and an unfrequent occurrence. It seems disposed to a 
half-shrubby habit, with entire somewhat obovate spathulate glaucous leaves 
and lavender-blue florets. Of other Asters I note A. sibiricus and A. sericeus, 
the latter a distinct plant, rather slow-growing and difficult to inertase, 
having soft silken leaves. A bold Composite is next found in Leucanthemum 
lacustre, which nurserymen have been pleased to call L. maximum. It 
grows about 2 feet 6 inches high, having thick fleshy leaves and flowers 
3 inches across, and makes a good autumn plant. It does not do well, how¬ 
ever, in all soils, the growth often being distorted and the flowers malformed, 
a circumstance I have never been able to account for. Helianthus stru- 
mosus aud H. multiflorus, with a minor variety, are the best of the perennial 
Sunflowers, the former not nearly so widely distributed as it desirves, seeing 
that it possesses many meritorious points. It is remarkably floriferous, and 
is of neat habit, and similar in height to H. multiflorus. There are many 
others grown, but none so good as those I have mentioned, and which were 
only a little more dwarf than usual. Othonna cherifolia, a handsome and 
distinct perennial of shrubby habit, has smooth glaucous leaves and yellow 
flowers. Though by no means a showy flower, its distinct type of leaf and 
general aspect are such as to make it at all times a distinct plant for the 
rockwork or border. It is here in fine condition, being 3 feet 6 inches across, 
and is rather attractive. Michauxia campanuloides and Pentstemon centran- 
thifolius were passing out of flower. Astragalus tragacantha in a small bed 
by itself was doing well, as was also Teucrium pyrenaicum, Scutellaria 
alpina. Salvia glutinosa, and S. Horminum. The last-named is rather a good 
decorative plant. Its true flowers are inconspicuous, and appear early in 
June, and with them the deep purple bracts, which continue for weeks, and 
make the plant well worth a position in t’ne border. 
Continuing our ramble through the gardens we passed a fine group of 
Lavatera olbia some 60 feet in length, and which had made a fine display, 
evidently by the seed pods. Close to it is a very fine specimen, well furnished, 
of Biota pendula, nearly 20 feet high, and is rarely seen in good condition. 
This, together with a fine plant of Abies excelsa monstrosa, claim to be 
among the finest examples of this kind. 
The rockery, which, though not extensive, is of considerable interest, and 
must not be overlooked. It contains a great variety of choice plants, such 
as Primula integrifolia. Salvia interrupta, Haberlia halopensis. Primula mimina, 
Androsace sarmentosa, A. lanuginosa. Campanula fragilis flowering freely ; 
Hypericum reptans, a distinct and pleasing plant of prostrate habit and very 
profuse bloomer; the Apple-scented Columbine, Aquilegia grata; Primula 
Stuartii, a good plant; Campanula abietina, Saxifraga Fortune!, a fine autumn¬ 
flowering species ; a nice tuft of Hypericum verticillatum, also Chrysos- 
plenum glaciale. Then we saw the pigmy Utah Aloe, Agave utahensis, 
which is hardy beyond a doubt, and singular on that account. Remarkably 
pretty were patches of Cyclamen hedereefolium and its variety, which had 
already a number of fully developed flowers. One of the most effective of 
summer-flowering rock plants is Campanula isophylla alba with glistening 
pure white flowers, in which respect it is unique. An interesting coincidence 
in connection with this plant is that it is an accidental seedling which came 
up in a batch of seedlings of C. isophylla under the care of Mr. Lynch in the 
Kew Gardens, and is still a rare plant. Campanula haylodgensis is also very 
distinct, and a most profuse bloomer. There are an almost endless number 
of Saxifragas of several sections, such as Burseriana, juniperina, Valdensis, 
squarrosa and aretioides, S. Maweana, Wallace!, and others ; Sedums, small 
choice Ferns, all in nice nooks, Globularia cordifolia, Hippocrepis helvetica 
2 feet across, and, lastly, a pigmy Spurge, Euphorbia capitata. This is an 
erect little species with glaucous leaves in the way of E. myrsinites, and it 
was about 2 inches high and very distinct. 
On a south border Mr. Lynch has the several hardy species of Opuntia, 
planted on a mound covered with small stones. Here I noted O. brachy- 
antha, 0. Rafinesquii, O. humilis, 0. arborescens, and 0. camanchica, all doing 
well. Planted against the wall of one of the plant houses was Scilla maritima 
flowering. A little farther on, similarly placed, was a fine clump of Pancra¬ 
tium illyiicum, which has evidently been undisturbed for years, and flowers 
annually. Iris iberica and Susiana are both side by side, but had been dried 
off, aud were under the surface. These are never lifted, but covered with 
