JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 11, 1883. ] 
it is true, he has mildly remonstrated against a prescribed course ; 
but has never gone beyond this—“’Course I’ll do it sir, but if it 
doesn't answer don’t blame me.” In that there is nothing im¬ 
proper, but, on the contrary, the course is prudent ; and, besides, 
the remark indicates that the man thinks as well as works, as 
every man must do if he wishes to excel in his calling. 1 also 
employ a labourer for a week occasionally to do plain straightfor¬ 
ward heavy work, such as digging and setting things square for 
routine operations. 
Now, if there is nothing very great accomplished at Beechwood 
Villa, nor few startling effects produced, there is generally some¬ 
thing to look at and something to eat. For instance, Grapes, 
Apples and Pears, Tomatoes, Rhubarb, and Mushrooms of our 
“own growing,” with flowers in abundance were in season at 
Christmas, so were Kidney Beans, but those had been salted down. 
Scheming and economising are practised to maintain the rounds 
—to “always have something ; ” and although there are periods of 
scarcity and mishaps occasionally, a total blank has seldom to be 
deplored. 
A rather good judge of gardening, in fact a rather great man, 
was a Christmas guest at the Villa this year, and he was good 
enough to express his approval of the garden and its products, 
and to suggest that it would be useful to other suburbanists, and 
even to him, to know how it is managed, and that I ought to 
write to the papers. “ Write to the papers,” I repeated, I fear 
rather contemptuously ; “no editor would print what I could say 
about such a bandbox of a place.” “Wouldn’t he, though ; try 
him,” was the reply. The notion that at first seemed almost 
ludicrous, on reflection did not appear unreasonable, for, others 
having benefited me, why should not I attempt, at least, to benefit 
others ? Then, on still further reflection the fact grew clearer 
and clearer, that after all there are ten times more small than 
large gardens, and ten times more amateurs needing instruction 
than can possibly be gardeners, for these are already skilled. I 
therefore make the venture, and submit what is my test paper. 
If it is rejected no one will be the worse, and if accepted I will, 
as time permits and the Editor wills, tell in my own way how I 
manage my own garden, in the hope that a hint may be scattered 
here and there that may be of service to little men. The great 
gardeners will, therefore, please skip this column, or if they read 
it remember that the writer has no claims to equal knowledge 
with themselves, but simply desires to aid others who, like himself, 
may be seeking to derive pleasure, recreation, and health in the 
better management of their suburban gardens.—M. D. 
PETTIGREW'S CARDIFF CASTLE CUCUMBER. 
There are few of the many novelties that are added to our 
seed catalogues yearly which deserve more praise than this 
Cucumber. For shape, size, and flavour it is all that can be 
desired, and for its bearing I do not think there are any Cucumbers 
to equal it. Along with other old standard varieties we had three 
plants of Cardiff Castle, all planted early last spring ; and although 
the other varieties were completely worn out by autumn Cardiff 
Castle has continued bearing, and at present (3rd January) we 
have good Cucumbers still on the plants. The only extra treat¬ 
ment they received was after the other plants had been removed, 
when they were trained equally over the roof, and the bed 
received a top-dressing of manure. This is a seasonable time for 
the readers of the Journal to give their opinions on the former 
years’ novelties, and I think when such is recommended to the 
public and proves such a success it reflects great credit to the 
raiser, and also to the firm that sends such novelties out.—D. M. C, 
The Imperial Horticultural Society of Russia will 
hold an International Exhibition and Congress at St. Peters- 
i burgh on the 5th of May, and it will continue open for twelve 
days. Invitations have already been issued to the leading 
European horticulturists and botanists, and a highly satisfactory 
show is confidently expected. Unfortunately, however, the dates 
©f this and of the Ghent International (April 25th) will clash to 
some extent, 
■ ■=:: . ■ ■■■ -■ :-= 
- The ninth Exhibition of the Pelargonium Society will 
be held on Tuesday, June 26th, in the Royal Horticultural 
Society’8 Gardens, South Kensington, when the usual prizes will 
be offered for Show, Fancy, Zonal, and Ivy-leaved varieties. 
Certificates will be awarded for the most distinct and meritorious 
new varieties, and the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society 
offer a silver Banksian medal as a prize for the best specimen 
Pelargonium in the Exhibition. The report which accompanies 
the schedule states that at the last Show there was competition 
in all classes except those for hybrids of Geranium pratense and 
Pelargonium oblongatum. As, however, it is believed there are 
hybrids of these species in cultivation, the classes have been re¬ 
tained in the present year’s schedule because they “ might result 
in bringing before the public novelties possessed of peculiar 
interest.” 
- We may remind our readers that the objects which the 
Pelargonium Society has set itself to accomplish are :—1, To pro¬ 
mote the improvement of the various groups or sections of the 
genus Pelargonium ; 2, To facilitate the introduction of new 
species, and the raising of new varieties and hybrids ; 3, To give 
system and method generally to the practice of hybridisation in 
this family. These several objects it proposes to accomplish :— 
1, By facilitating intercourse and interchange of opinion and ex¬ 
perience between raisers and cultivators of these flowers ; 2, By 
fostering a spirit of emulation in the production of new varieties 
and in meritorious cultivation ; 3, By offering prizes—as liberal 
and numerous as the funds subscribed may permit—for compe¬ 
tition amoDgst its members ; 4, By determining the merits and 
distinctive qualities of new varieties, so far as they come within 
its cognizance ; 5, By cultivating for criticism all obtainable 
novelties, British and foreign, side by side, the first year under 
glass, and the second year out of doors—facilities for accom¬ 
plishing this have been generously afforded by the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society at Chiswick ; 6, By awarding certificates of merit 
to varieties considered worthy of that distinction, and publishing 
an annual list of awards. 
- One of the most attractive features in the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick at the present time is a 
fine batch of Echeveria retusa, which is extremely useful as a 
winter-flowering plant. Easily increased and cultivated this 
plant has rapidly advanced in public favour, and it has now taken 
a place amongst the best of market plants in winter. The flowers 
are bell-shaped, much larger than E. secunda ; orange red, very 
bright and rich outside, the inner surface being yellow. They 
are borne in a two-branched inflorescence at the extremity of the 
stem, the two branches curling slightly downwards. Plants in 
48-size pots are most useful and produce several flowering stems, 
the blooms lasting for a considerable time in good condition. A 
rich light loam and well-drained pots are needed to insure success, 
and plants are best prepared by growing them out of doors during 
the summer, lifting and potting them in the autumn, when they 
can be transferred to the conservatory or greenhouse. The species 
was found by Mr. Hartweg growing on rocks near Auganguco, 
Mexico, and was first received from him by the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society in 1846. An excellent engraving of the plant 
was given in this Journal, page 188, vol. xxxiv., March 7th, 
1878. 
— — As a proof of the mild winter, it may be mentioned 
that Primroses were being sold in penny bunches in the southern 
suburbs of London last week. The hawkers stated that they 
were chiefly gathered in the copses among the Surrey hills around 
Sanderstead, Warlingham, and Barrow Green. 
- Mr. S. Mortimer, The Gardens, Purley Park, Reading, 
writes :—“ I send you a pseudo-bulb of Coelogyne cristata with 
flower spike attached. It is from a plant in a 9-inch pot, and is 
