184 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 26, 1886. 
and Newington Nectarines, altogether a pretty lot. Mr. W. H. Prosser, 
gardener to H. Laverton, Esq., Westbury.was a creditable second. For two 
bunches of black Grapes Mr. C. Warden, Clarendon Park, Salisbury, was a 
good first, staging well-finished B ack Hamburgh, the second prize going to 
Messrs. D. Evry & Son, Bath, who had fairly good Alicante, and Mr. Kneo 
was third with Black Hamburgh. For any black variety of Muscat flavour 
Mr. Clack, Devizes, was first, having Madresfield Court in very good condi¬ 
tion, Mr. Warden being a good second with the same variety. Mr. Iggulden 
was first for white Muscats ; Mr. T. Loosemore, gardener to W. Cooper, 
Esq., Clifton, second, and Mr. F. Smith, Palace Gardens, Salisburv, third, all 
having moderately good exhibits of Muscat of Alexandra. In the any 
other white class Mr. A. Young, Clifton, was first with Buckland Sweet¬ 
water that had evidently been cut for many days, Mr. Iggulden following 
with fine bunches of Foster’s Seedling. Mr. H. Clack was first for a green- 
flesh Melon, and Mr. Prosser second, the former staging a good fruit of 
Favourite, and the latter a seedling. A handsome, but rather over-ripe fruit 
of Longleat Perfection staged by Mr. G. Taylor, gardener to A. R. Baily, 
Esq., Frome, was disqualified as being white fleshed, a rather hard decision, 
seeing that a white-fleshed class is not yet officially formed, and a certificate 
of merit was but poor compensation. In the any other variety class, in¬ 
tended really for scarlet-fleshed sorts, Mr. H. Prosser was first for a very 
good Blenheim Orange, and Mr. J. Preston second with Best of All, which 
was really a green-flesh. Mr. T. King, DevizeB Castle, had the best dish of 
Peaches, Dr. Hogg in good condition ; and Mr. Iggulden was first for 
Nectarines, staging a good dish of Lord Napier, which happened to be of 
better flavour than a prettier lot of the same variety near it. Mr. J. WeBton, 
ardener to the Rev. C. C. Layard, was first for Apricots, Mr. Iggulden for 
herries, Mr. Garraway for Green Gages, and Mr. Hall for Plums, the com¬ 
petition being good in each instance. Apples and Pears were also well 
shown, the dishes of Beauty of Bath being particularly handsome, and the 
dishes of Stirling Castle and Ecklinville Apples, which gained Mr. A. Miller 
the first prize in the class for two culinary varieties, were noteworthy. 
A very good lot of vegetables were shown, the professionals from Bath 
being in good form as usual. However, Mr. A. Miller succeeded in taking 
the first prize for a collection of nine varieties, th se consisting of very fine 
White Elephant Onions, spring sown, particularly good Green Globe Arti¬ 
chokes, and which one of the five Judges thought of little worth in a collec¬ 
tion, good Snowball Turnips, Ne Plus Ultra Peas, Canadian vVonder Kidney 
Beans, Reading Russet Potatoes, Moore’s Cream Vegetable Marrows, Old 
Red Tomatoes, and very fine Ne Plus Ultra Runner Beans. Mr. T. Evry, 
Bath, was a good second, and an extra third was awarded to Mr. G. Garra¬ 
way. Messrs. Cooling & Son were first for a brace of Cucumbers, having a 
fairly good brace of Improved Telegraph. Mr. Smith, Baih, was first for 
kidney Potatoes, and Mr. Garraway with rounds, and Mr. Miller was first 
for Onions, having a fine dish of White Elephant. 
FLOWER GARDENING IN THE LONDON ZOOLOGICAL 
GARDENS. 
A visit to the “ Z io ” is at all seasons interesting and instructive, the 
Ziological Society’s large and varied collections of wild beasts, fowls, 
reptiles, &c. &c., containing specimens from widely different regions, 
brought within easy access to visitors. However, the major part of our 
attention was directed to the flower garden, on bedding out of which there 
is a large and varied quantity in different systems, and to all appearance 
greatly appreciated by the majority of visitors, who indulge in favourable 
encomiums as they ramble leisurely through the gardens. 
Inside the south gate to the right an effective border of herbaceous 
plants attracts attention, and round the curve of the walk on the left is a 
glorious collection of East Lothian Stocks, some 3000 plants in a ser¬ 
pentine border which flanks this side of the flower garden. These Stocks 
at the time of our visit were a striking success ; the strain appeared to be 
all that the fancier could desire, and includes a great variety of colours. 
Conspicuous amongst the collection was a purple Stock from Hawick. 
The white Wallflower-leaved Stock grew robust and dense, and the 
purity of its whiteness at once riveted attention. This border, backed 
with hardy climbers, has been a great feature of interest in the gardens 
this season. 
The flower beds in front of the above border are laid out on grass, the 
prevailing shape being oblong and circular, or any form that appeared to 
commend itself for the working out of details at bedding out time. The 
following beds at the time of our visit looked very bright:—A circular 
bed, centre planted with Pelargonium Black Douglas (good bronze); next 
a band of Ageratum Her Majesty, edged with Tropreolum Vesuvius. A 
border flanking the south-western side of this garden was effectively 
planted with a permanent edging of Euonymus radicans variegata. 
Next a magnificent line of Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding), an 
effective line of Nicotiana affinis, and single Dahlias planted alternately. 
A back line of mixed Sweet Peas, in fine condition, contributed to the 
effectiveness of the border. 
A pair of circular beds in the immediate vicinity had a bold agreeable 
appearance. The centre of one contained a fine group of Cannas, a line 
of Chilian Beet, edged with Pyrethrum aureum ; the other bed a mass of 
Nicotiana affinis, a line of Pelargonium Robert Burns, an outer edging 
of white Lobelia Snowball and Eeheveria secunda glauca. The air was 
impregnated with the fragrance of the Nicotiana affinis on the evening 
when we saw it, and to see it at its best it should be observed in the 
morning and evening, as the flowers close in the daytime. 
Another brilliant bed contained a centre of Pelargonium Brutus 
(crimson), a line of P. Robert Fish, edged with Lobelia Blue King. In 
close proximity another laige circle was planted with Pelargonium Mrs. 
Holden (probably the best pink bedding Pelargonium in cultivation), 
next a line of Veronica Andersoni variegata, edged with Lobelia Blue 
King. 
We turn for relief to a large oblong bed filled with sub-tropteal plants, 
such as Phormium tenax, Monstera deliciosa, Aralia Sieboldi, Ficus 
elastica, Phoenix reclinata, Chamserops Fortunei, Dracaena congesta, and 
others. This bed was edged with Eeheveria secunda glauca, car¬ 
peted with Tradescantia zebrina, and looked bold and effective. A very 
pleasing pair of beds were planted obliquely with Pelargonium Violet 
Hill, and P. Flower of Spring, a line of Tropaeolum Vesuvius edged with 
Eeheveria secunda glauca. A mass of Pelargonium Henry Jacoby, a 
band of Ageratum Her Majesty edged with Pyrethrums and Echeverias, 
made up a very showy bed. A bed of Pelargonium Golden Fleece and 
Viola Bluebell, an edging of Eeheveria secunda, had a cha-ming effect in 
this garden ; a judicious introduction of tropical plants enhances the 
effect. A line of Thomson’s Beet, considered to be an improvement on 
Dell’s variety, is compact and brilliant. 
Not the least feature of interest in the immediate vicinity of this 
portion of the grounds is what is known as the Three Island Pond planted 
with a variety of trees and shrubs and natural-looking Grasses, to afford 
protection to the wild fowls that are here kept. Returning to the main walk 
the great attraction is a magnificent carpet bed 45 by 8 feet. The design, 
an ornamental scroll, was worked out effectively with the following 
plants : The groundwork consisted of Antennar a tomentosa, Alternan- 
thera paronyebioides aurea, and A, paronychioides major, a line of Pyre- 
thrnm selaginoides, a marginal edging of Eeheveria secunda, filled in 
between with Stonecrop, made up a very good edging. Kleinia repens 
was effectively used for panelling. Specimens of such plants as Semper- 
vivum, Pachyphytum, and dwarf Agaves planted in advantageous 
positions tended to give variety and enhance the appearance of the 
whole. This bed finds many admirers, and in its way it would be diffi¬ 
cult to surpass. There are other carpet and succulent beds, but do not 
call for special attention. As we proceed a geometrical flower garden 
comes in view, and in front of the monkey house the garden consists of 
three plots of rhombus-shaped figures or beds 100 yards in length. These 
beds were all brilliant masses of various colours, which locked dazzling in 
the sunshine when viewed from one end. 
A border in front of the western aviary filled with single Dahlias, Gladi¬ 
olus, and a fine collection of border Carnations, principally seedlings, &c, is 
enjoyable, and on nearing the main entrance we notice a pair of 
Eucalyptus globulus 25 feet high, one at each side of the gate. At each 
side of the main walk are what is known as the terrace b irders, 300 feet 
long, planted ribbon fashion. Front line an edging of Dacty'is glomerata 
variegata, next a line of Ageratum, succeeded by a line of Calceolaria 
Golden Gem, the latter backed with Pelargonium Vesuvius, next 
Calceolaria Bijou, and at the extreme flank a line of Pelargonium Mrs. 
Holden. A decided improvement is effected in those borders by the intro¬ 
duction of Cannas and Dracaena congesta, a liue at each side about the 
central portion planted alternately some 10 feet apart, without the effects 
obtained by such plants as the latter named ribbon borders are stiff and 
formal. 
As we ascend the steps of the promenade from the ter, ace walk, at the 
lefc in a recess stands a gigantic balloon-shaped basket, 8 feet high, filled 
to repletion with Fuchsias, Tropaeolums, Pyrethrums, and Lobelias. The 
walls of this promenade are ornamented with ten vases along each 
side tastefully filled with a variety of plants. The promenade com¬ 
mands a fine view of the principal portions of these interesting gardens. 
There are several other phases of gardening carried out at the ‘ Z io ” under 
tho able directorship of Mr. J. Young, the Society’s head gardener, but 
time and space forbids further details ; suffice it to say that every part is 
kept in the highest possible condition.—D. S. W. 
MORIN A LONGIFOLIA. 
Few plants are better adapted for the smaller hardy flower gardens 
than this handsome and singular species. It is often considered tender, 
but this we believe is true only in cases where the soil is heavy and drain¬ 
age very imperfect. It is a fact, however, that even in light well drained 
soils it will dwindle unless transplanted, or the soil immediately round tho 
roots taken away and new supplied. It is a voracious feeder, and atten¬ 
tion should be given to supplying it occasionally with a top-dressing or 
liquid manure. It belongs to the same order as the Scabiosas and 
Oephalaria, common garden planti, but it is singularly like a Thistle 
before the flowers open. There are Lalf a dozen or more so-called species 
all inhabiting the Himalayas. The one in the annexed cut and that 
known in gardens as Wallichiana, the correct name of which is M. persica, 
are very near to each other indeed under ordinary circumstances ; and 
after being cultivated f or a short time in the gardens they are scarcely 
distinguishable. Another which is in cultivation, although not general, 
is M. Coulteriana, a species lately figured in the “ Botanical Magazine ’’ 
as having flowered on the new rockery at Kew, and which we believe was 
first introduced in quantity by Dr. Aitchison from Afghanistan, where it 
is also f ound plentifully. It grows from 2 to 3 feet in height, more or 
less hairy upwards ; the leaves, which are spinous toothed, are about 
6 inches long, narrow, and glabrous, The calyx lobes differ from the above 
two in being divided, mucronate or spinous. The flowers almost as large, 
of a pretty primrose yellow It likes shade, and does best in a peaty soil. 
Subalpine Himalayas at elevations of 9000 to 13,000 feet, flowering in 
June and July. 
