70 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 22, 1880. 
large or how small our plot of ground may be, let us aim high, 
and not be content with perpetual strivings to have our garden 
as gay as our neighbours’. Go at once to the fountain head—to 
Nature herself ; let us study hedgerow banks and shady lanes 
a little more, to see for ourselves what it is that produces such 
lovely effects. We should, I fancy, derive more enjoyment from 
our gardens, and with half the expense and trouble. 
As an instance of Nature’s teaching in my own experience I 
may mention that some years ago I made what we call a Swiss 
bed upon the lawn— i.e., an oblong flower bed raised in three 
terraces, one above the other, kept in shape by larch poles split 
in half, the rough bark outside. When finished, the bottom terrace 
was planted with an edging of Cerastium and the orthodox 
Pelargoniums and Calceolarias behind. The second row had an 
edging of Lobelia and a smaller Pelargonium ; the highest bed had 
Fuchsias alone. The whole effect I believe was fashionable but 
never picturesque, as may be judged from the fact that one in¬ 
dividual compared it to a coffin. Other disappointments followed : 
the Fuchsias could not be kept moist enough to thrive, and the 
Lobelias refused to hide the wood of the second terrace. 
In autumn white Arabis, with bulbs and other spring flowers were 
planted, and a few Ferns set on the shady side, and partly from 
illness, and partly from no longer takiDg pleasure in the structure, 
it was entirely neglected, and Nature succeeded where Art had 
failed. For many years now no part of my garden gives more plea¬ 
sure than this bed. The Ferns took entire possession of all the shady 
side, seedlings springing up all over the woodwork. On the sunny 
side the white Arabis has covered the whole from top to bottom, 
not leaving a scrap of wood or soil to be seen, making for two or 
three months a snowy mound, and the rest of the year a pretty 
grey background in which can be placed any number of plants in 
pots, the pots being completely hidden.—C. A. K. 
N6tes»glepngs. m 
We are gratified to be able to announce that the Council of 
the Eoyal Horticultural Society have awarded the large gold 
Flora medal to Me. John Dominy in recognition of the distin¬ 
guished services he has rendered to horticulture generally, and 
especially for the remarkable results he has achieved in hybridi¬ 
sation. This honour is well merited, and it could not have been 
conferred at a more opportune time, when Mr. Dominy is reported 
to be about to retire into private life. 
- Last year was most unfavourable for Caenations And 
Picotees. The flowering of the plants was of unparalleled late¬ 
ness, and thousands of layers failed to root. Florists sustained 
great losses during the winter, and had to commence the present 
season with much weaker plants than usual or old stools. This 
was the case with the senior Honorary Secretary of the southern 
section of the National Society established for encouraging the 
cultivation of those flowers and the production of new varieties. 
Mr. Dodwell’s losses amounted to three thousand plants, and it 
would not have been surprising if the display at Larkhall Rise, 
Clapham, had this year been only moderate both as regards 
extent and quality. By some means, however, the skill and 
energy of the veteran cultivator appears to have surmounted all 
difficulties, for he has nearly or quite a thousand pots of clean 
healthy plants, most of which are producing splendid flowers. 
These not only embrace the best named varieties in cultivation, 
but a great number of seedlings, not a few of which are of re¬ 
markable purity and brilliancy of colour. Many grand seedlings 
are now in full beauty, and will have passed their best before the 
Show, notably some magnificent scarlet and crimson bizarres 
and pink and purple flakes. This is unfortunate, but many 
others of high quality will probably not have lost their freshness 
by the date named, and there is good prospect of a flue exhi¬ 
bition, in which midland growers will have a favourable chance 
of successfully competing. The Exhibition will be held in the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at South Kensington on the 
27th inst., and will be worthy of the patronage of all admirers 
of these chaste, beautiful, and sweet hardy flowers. 
- We continue to hear of instances of the Potato disease 
occurring in various districts. The heavy rains accompanied 
with a rather high temperature have been favourable to the 
spread of the murrain, and if the storms continue the result can 
scarcely fail to be disastrous in many fields and gardens. Early 
varieties that have produced tubers of a good size should be taken 
up at once, even if the haulm is comparatively green. The tubers 
if spread thinly in an open shed will mature and soon be ready 
for storing ; if it is not convenient to take them up the tops 
should be pulled up—not cut off as is so often recommended— 
and the Potatoes, although they will not increase in size, will 
mature in the ground. But the work must be done immediately 
the first specks of the disease are seen on the foliage or stems ; a 
day’s delay may render such work quite fruitless. Occasionally 
a few plants may be seen affected amongst the later varieties, the 
great bulk being untouched. The importance of promptly re¬ 
moving the tops thus affected cannot be too strongly urged, as 
it is the only means within the power of the cultivator of check¬ 
ing the spread of the destructive murrain. 
- We have received from Mr. H. Cannell of Swanley a box 
of Petunia Flowebs geown undee glass, which are remark¬ 
able alike by their size, richness, and variety of colours. Many 
of the single flowers are 5 inches in diameter and of great substance, 
the colours repesented ranging from pure white with faint purple 
bars to rich reddish purple and glowing magenta seifs. Some of 
the flowers are fringed and others smooth. Many smaller flowers 
of excellent form are not less beautiful, some of them being 
distinctly barred and others chastely reticulated. Even more 
striking are the double forms, some being purple heavily fringed, 
almost tasselled, with pure white ; some being white in the centre 
with purple-margined white outer petals ; some plum colour faintly 
margined with white ; others purple, heavily margined ; some 
blotched, some striped, and all beautiful. We have never seen 
finer flowers than these, and they represent a strain of undoubted 
excellence. 
- We are informed that preparation is being made for 
holding a great Flowee Show at the Alexandba Palace 
on August 7th, at which bouquets and table decorations will form 
an important feature. Particulars,of the Exhibition will no doubt 
be duly advertised. 
- In consequence of the unfortunate weather that prevailed 
during the Leeds Hoeticultubal Show, and the great loss 
thereby incurred by the Society, arrangements have been made 
for holding a supplementary Show to open on August 2nd. 
Such efforts of the Committee to retrieve their loss deserve 
the support that the inhabitants of the populous districts are 
sure to give if the weather permits them. A liberal schedule is 
issued, and we observe that two prizes of 2 guineas each are 
offered in an open class for one ball and one bridal bouquet. 
- A coebespondent states that “A house has recently 
been erected for Zonal Pelaegoniums at Cloveeley Hall 
Gaedens. It is a span-roofed structure with a bed in the centre 
and at each side, with a walk all round. The house ii full of 
plants in 6 and 7-inch pots and in excellent condition; the 
trusses of bloom are of immense size and the colours bright. 
The collection comprises new varieties of recent introduction as 
well as old varieties of sterling merit. No plants are more 
worthy of a good house devoted to their cultivation either for 
summer or winter blooming. They are easy to manage and never 
troubled with insects. Mr. Jones is a successful cultivator of 
Pelargoniums.” 
