316 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t October 5, \m. 
mum cordifolium variegatum, in which are panels of Alternanthera 
amcena and A. paronychioides major. 
Passing the ferneries, where during the summer graceful Cyatheas, 
Dicksonias, and other Tree Perns are placed in company with smaller 
Ferns and fine-foliage plants in a shaded recess, the subtropical 
garden is entered on the north side, and one of the great features of 
Battersea Park is at once in view. During July, August, and Sep¬ 
tember there is always much to admire in this department, and in 
favourable seasons like the present the beauty continues far into 
October. The usual occupants, such as Palms, Musas, Monsteras, 
Wigandias, Ricinus, Cannas, and Solanums, are well represented; but 
by far the most striking bed of this kind is one filled with Polymnia 
grandis. This plant is very useful where a bold effect is needed, and 
might well be more generally employed than it is at present. It is 
suggestive of the large-growing Solanums in habit, but is not related 
to them, being a member of the Composite family. It is of very 
quick growth, attaining a height of 5 or 6 feet, and bearing large 
pinnately divided leaves 2 to 3 feet long and about 2 feet broad. 
The Polymnia and Wigandia are two of the most imposing plants for 
a subtropical garden. 
Especially deserving of notice is an elliptical bed prettily planted 
with a groundwork of the variegated Vine (Vitis heterophylla), from 
which arise numerous healthy plants of Grevillea robusta. Around 
the central portion is a neatly trimmed band of the Golden Honey¬ 
suckle (Lonicera aureo-reticulata), next to this a band of Alternan¬ 
thera amabilis latifolia well coloured, followed by the Golden Spurrey 
and Sedum acre elegans. Another bed of distinct design is of oblong 
form, having circles of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum 
and Sedum Lydium, in the centre of the former being single plants 
of Pincenectitia tuberculata and Dracaena marginata ; while in the 
Sedum circles Pandanus Yeitchii of moderate size is planted. The 
last-named plant, however, is not quite satisfactory, as after it has 
been out a short time the leaves assume an unhealthy yellowish 
tinge, indicating that the conditions are not suitable to it. Angles of 
Sedum dasyphyllum, with plants of Rochea falcata and a margin of 
the above-named Sedum, Golden Feather, S. glaucum, and Echeverias 
complete the bed. Two circular beds nearly opposite the above are 
marked by very pretty carpet designs. One has a scroll of Alter¬ 
nanthera paronychioides major margined with Golden Feather on a 
ground of Mentha Pulegium gibraltaricum, the outer band consisting 
of Alternanthera amcena, with angles of the same. In the other bed 
is a central cross of Alternanthera aurea edged with Leucophyton 
Brownii on a ground of Mentha, in the centre of the cross being a 
quadrangular figure of Alternanthera versicolor grandis also mar¬ 
gined with the Leucophyton, the outer bands of the bed being 
A. amoena and Sedum acre elegans. Several other carpet beds are 
pretty ; but these two, though very simple, are the most effective and 
pleasing. 
The ordinary flower beds are well represented, those near the 
Albert Bridge entrance to the park being the most showy; but in 
various suitable portions of the park gay beds and borders are ob¬ 
servable. The borders round the shrubberies, especially those by 
the chief roads, are tastefully planted, the white and red Japanese 
Anemones being freely employed with excellent effect near the river. 
Beds of mixed herbaceous and ordinary plants also serve to break 
the monotony too frequently prevalent where bedding is largely 
employed ; in fact, every portion of the park bears testimony to the 
skill and care exercised by Mr. Roger in rendering it a charming 
reeor both horticulturally and popularly instructive. 
FINSBURY PARK. 
What Victoria Park is to the east of London, and Battersea to 
the south-west, so is Finsbury to the north, each in their particular 
districts enjoying an equal and well-merited popularity. The 
northern park, however, is comparatively young, and it is surprising 
how rapidly it has been advanced to a foremost position amongst 
such metropolitan pleasure resorts. The situation, though somewhat 
exposed to the northerly and easterly winds, is in other respects 
admirably fitted for the purpose, commanding extensive and varied 
view's ; but the prospect in one direction is being seriously obstructed 
by the fast-extending buildings. Fortunately, how’ever, the valley 
to the north-east is so low the view that way is in no danger. The 
shrubs, notwithstanding their exposed position, are becoming well 
established, the common Laurels appearing very luxuriant in some 
parts, while in the more sheltered portions Rhododendrons are 
thriving most satisfactorily. Amongst the trees the Black Italian 
Poplars succeed by far the best, growing fast and strongly, and 
within ten years a handsome avenue of considerable length has been 
formed. In other parts of the park this tree has also been freely 
planted with good results. 
Bedding is not extensively represented, but wherever it is attempted 
it is thoroughly well done, much care being exercised to obtain 
vigorous plants of good size before placing them out, so that the 
beds never have a bare appearance. The principal flower garden 
occupies a position at the highest portion of the park, but well 
sheltered by an encircling belt of shrubs, a w r alk passing through 
the centre, with an equal number of beds on each side. These are 
not of elaborate design, being chiefly oblong, elliptical, or circular, 
with a few angular beds between them. The front row on each side 
consists of oblongs and small circles alternately, the latter filled 
with Herniaria glabra or Veronica repens, and central circles of 
Alternanthera aurea, A. versicolor, or A. magnifica, the oblong beds 
being devoted to the bronze Pelargonium Marshal MacMahon, 
which succeeds very well there, or the tricolors Macbeth or Lady 
Cullum, the last named colouring well. These beds are margined 
with Iresine Lindeni, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum, 
and Echeveria secunda glauca. Two of them are filled with Princess 
Alexandra Pelargonium, which is unquestionably one of the best 
white variegated forms, but unfortunately rather difficult to increase. 
At the back are several large circles of Cannas, around which bands 
of Abutilon niveum aureum maculatum, Waltham Seedling Pelar¬ 
gonium, Ageratum The Queen, a free-flowering variety of fine colour 
and vigorous habit, Lobelia Omen, and Echeverias. In another bed 
Edw'ard Sutton Pelargonium, a rich dark scarlet variety, is sur¬ 
rounded by Crystal Palace Gem and The Bride Lobelia, a very good 
white form, free, compact, and pure in colour, forming a pleasing 
contrast. But perhaps the most effective beds of all are those planted 
with Verbena venosa and Centaurea ragusina and Cineraria maritima 
mixed, the purple flowers of the Verbena and the silvery white 
foliage of the other plants harmonising most agreeably. Mrs. Turner 
and Mrs. Holden, two good pink Pelargoniums, are noteworthy. 
Amongst other varieties represented, Lobelia Finsbury Park Blue, a 
rich-coloured variety of good habit, and Calceolaria Little Gem, very 
dwarf and free, are similarly deserving of notice, for they both 
succeed remarkably well. The ribbon border skirting the shrubs 
consists of the pink Cleopatra and scarlet Bonfire Pelargoniums, 
margined with Golden Feather; and another pretty ribbon border 
near a dell devoted to Palms and other subtropical plants during the 
summer is planted with John Gibbons Pelargonium and Centaurea 
in semicircles. 
Subtropical gardening is not attempted on a large scale, but a 
number of small beds are so planted in the more sheltered walks, and 
have a pleasing effect; circles of Eucalyptus, Acacia lophantha, 
Solanum marginatum, Abutilon Lemoinei, Abutilon niveum aureum 
maculatum, and others being margined with scarlet Tropseolums, one 
seedling form of the latter being very meritorious, Santolina incana, 
Lobelia pumila magnifica, and similar dwarf plants. Long ribbon 
borders near the shrubberies are also occupied with herbaceous plants 
in considerable variety, the early-flowering Chrysanthemums being 
just now the most attractive, well indicating the value of these plants 
in autumn. Indeed, in several instances where it has been considered 
prudent to remove the larger specimen subtropical plants, such as 
Palms, under cover, their places have been filled with these Chrysan¬ 
themums plunged in pots. 
Though the glass houses are not very numerous, a large quantity of 
bedding plants are raised there every season, over 140,000 being re¬ 
quired, as Southwark Park and the gardens on the Thames Embank¬ 
ment are supplied from Finsbury. The Chrysanthemums which have 
within the past few years become so attractive a feature in this park 
are making most satisfactory progress, and bid fair to surpass the 
previous season’s displays. About 1500 plants are grown, and their 
condition at the present time is most encouraging, fine vigorous 
growth being well matured—better, indeed, than any we have yet seen. 
The structure assigned to them for exhibition has been improved, the 
roof being glazed, and all due provision is made for a show of great 
interest and beauty. 
In every department the condition of this park indicates most 
thoughtful management, and Mr. Cochrane well deserves the many 
compliments he receives from visitors. 
GRAPE GROWING AND SHOWING. 
I have a few remarks to make under the above heading. Of 
late years it seems to have been the fashion to grow and exhibit 
heavy-shouldered bunches of Grapes, and at exhibitions in the 
provinces several doubtful cases have come under my notice as to 
whether the examples have been single bunches or what may be 
termed twin bunches. At the late Crystal Palace Fruit Show, in 
the first-prize dish of Alicantes, there was in my opinion a most 
decided case of two bunches on one shoot represented as one 
bunch ; and it was the strongly expressed opinion of some by¬ 
standers that the bunches in question should have been disqualified. 
I am fully aware that we cannot always get bunches to grow so 
symmetrical as we could wish, but I do think that if the Royal 
Horticultural and Royal Botanical Societies of London were to 
take the subject up when framing the next issue of their schedules 
of prizes, by stating in a footnote that preference would be given 
to symmetrical bunches, and that any doubtful cases of twin or 
double bunches would be disqualified, that we should have more 
creditable displays of Grapes. I am aware that this is a vexed 
question, and I may be told that the bunches under notice were 
above suspicion. If so, I can only say they were open to a 
censuring public, and I feel the matter should not be passed in 
silence. I have only to add that I was not an exhibitor at the 
Show referred to, nor have I any interest in those who were.— 
G. R. A. 
Lacquer Tree of Japan.— In a report to the Foreign Office, 
which has just been issued, our Consul at Hakodadi gives a full and 
