September 30, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
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(t. 6894), a yellowish-flowered species allied to I. lutescens. Tulipa 
Ostrouskiuna (t. 6895) a Turkestan species with bright scarlet neatly 
formed flowers. Corydalis Sewerzovi (t. 6896), a golden-flowered species 
related to the well-known C. bulbosa. Gladiolus Kotschyanus (t. 6897), 
a pretty purple species found by Dr. Aitchison in Eastern Persia and 
North-western Afghanistan. 
-An American Gooseberry, Kibes oxyacanthoides, is illus¬ 
trated in t. 6S92, a species which appears well worthy of cultivation for 
the sake of its fruit. Sir Joseph Hooker remarks concerning it that 
“The ‘ Currant Gooseberry ’ was introduced into England in 1705 by a 
Mr. Reynardson, and is mentioned by Plukenet in his ‘ Amaltheum 
Botanicum.’ The fruiting specimens figured were sent in August, 1885, by 
G. Fox, Esq., Chad Hill, Sandown, Isle of Wight. Though smaller than 
the common Gooseberry, the fruit is as good as ordinary varieties of that 
species. The skin is much thinner, and it has none of the unpleasant 
musky flavour of some allied North American species. I have received 
from the south of France a small globose purple smooth-skinned ripe 
Gooseberry in the month of May, which resembles those of oxycan- 
thoides so much that I suspect it may be cultivated there for the sake of 
its fruit. Loudon states that the colour varies from red to green and 
purplish blue. It is described as an unfailing cropper, flourishing where 
the Gooseberry flags for want of moisture.” 
- A daily contemporary, calling attention to the abundance of 
Plums this season, remarks—“ This season the fruits of the Plum tribe 
have been so plentiful that Green Gages have been sold at 9J. a ‘ sieve,’ 
while only on last Saturday what are known as Damson Plums reached 
Covent Garden in such abundance that they were practically given away, 
as they would not keep. Even English Damsons, which bear travelling 
well, could be bought for Is. 6 1. a bushel. In Clare Market Plums were 
sold at the stalls at 2 lbs. for Id ; and, making all allowance for doubtful 
weight, it is not easy to discover where the growers’ profit could come in 
at such a retail price as that. As a matter of fact, the grower gets nothing 
at all, and may think himself lucky if the returns cover the cost of pick- 
ing, to say nothing of carriage. The growers must take a lesson from the 
Americans, and learn to 1 can ’ or preserve the fruit, so as to put it on the 
market in quantity proportionate to the demand, then possibly they may 
obtain a paying price. Similar remarks might be made in connection 
with green vegetables, for it often happens that the price obtained for a 
load of Cabbages, which has come no further than from Ilford or Komford, 
does not pay for the carriage. Plums, and even Pears, barely pay ex¬ 
penses, because they are plentiful and are sent to market in quantities for 
which there is no ready demand.” 
- California last year sent to the eastern States of North America 
16,000,000 lbs. of fruit—Grapes, Peaches, Plums, Apples, and Apricots, as 
well as carloads of Oranges. 
- The Canterbury Neivs records that “ A new Potato has been 
discovered by M. Sace of Bolivia. The plant, which is called by the 
natives ‘ papa purcka,’ is 6aid to be richer in flour than other sorts, and to 
crop in that climate four times a year. It has from ten to fifteen stems 
to a plant, which send out smooth, bright green leaves from, the ground 
upwards.” 
The interesting historical estate and house, Pyrgo Park, 
Havering-ATTe-Bower, has been lately sold by General Fytche. 
The estate is not a large one, not exceeding 700 acres, but says a 
writer, “ it combines in the highest degree the advantages of antiquity 
and of what George Robins used to call ‘ modern improvements.’ The 
principal features commending the investment to the comfort-seeker will 
be found in the magnificent and commodious mansion, built in 1852 by 
Messrs. Cubitt, from the design of Salvin, the eminent architect, who 
was employed at Mamhead, in Devonshire, by Sir Robert Newman, and 
at Peckforton Castle, ir Cheshire, by Lord Tollemache. In 1862 Pyrgo 
Park was greatly enlarged and beautified under the superintendence of 
Mr. R. M. Barry, R.A., a ad the house, when completed, is said to have 
cost about £60,000. It is probable, however, that the historical traditions 
associated with the neighoourhood of Havering-atte-Bower and of Rom¬ 
ford, to the north of which, at a distance of three miles, it lies, may have 
seemed still more attractive to the purchaser of Pyrgo Park. ‘ The en¬ 
chantment of antique appellations,’ exclaims Horace Walpole, 1 has 
consecrated a pleasing idea of a Royal habitation, of which we now 
regret the extinction. Havering-at-the-Bower, the jointure of so many 
Dowager Queens, conveys to us the notion of a romantic scene.’ The 
* Liberty ’ of Havering will always be full of charm to Englishmen with 
a taste for archaeology, as it is one of the most ancient Royal demesnes 
in this country, having been the residence of Edward the Confessor, and 
of many kings and queens since.” 
- An American gives the following advice to florists :— 
“ The florist who depends on local trade in a town of from 5000 to 
10,000 inhabitants is obliged to grow a rather mixed collection of plants, 
and cannot devote his glass to a specialty, as is now generally done by 
most growers who have a city market. He must grow some cut flowers 
and some plants, and the variety of plants of entirely different natures 
and requirements sometimes grown together in these small places is 
surprising. But it is not surprising to find that while some things do well 
with him there are many which do not, and are in fact a drawback instead 
of a benefit. The remedy is simple. Do not attempt to grow a plant for which 
you cannot furnish its proper requirements. If you do not have them now, 
wait until you do ; but do not attempt it before. Do not try to grow too 
many varieties of any plant. Do not allow your stock to consist of only 
a dozen each of many different but similar varieties. Select the one 
that gives the best general results and fire the rest. Occasionally try the 
novelties which appear of merit, and if superior to what you already 
have, retain and fire the old, but first be sure that it is better in every 
way. Do not clutter your place up with a lot of plants that will not sell. 
Keep your list of varieties down until you have the room and equipments 
to grow them right.” 
- Commenting on Vernacular Names for Plants, the 
Florida Diqmtcli observes that “ they are apt to be indefinite. The 
name Honeysuckle, for instance, though more commonly applied to the 
Loniceras, is also, in different places, the name of an Aquilegia, an Azalea, 
a Passiflora, and many other widely divergent plants. So, in Australia, 
the name Peppermint Tree is, in different localities, the name for Euca¬ 
lyptus amygdalina, E. odorata, and E. piperita. Referring to the latter 
species, Von Mueller says: ‘The vernacular name ‘ Peppermint Tree’ 
arose from this Eucalyptus, being bestowed on it already in the first year 
of the colonis xtion of New South Wales by Dr. White, because the scent 
of the foliage resembled that of the Peppermint herb ; but this colonial 
appellation has become since extended to many other congeners in various 
parts of Australia. This fancied resemblance of Eucalyptus oil to that of 
Peppermint is explanatory also of the specific name adopted for this 
particular tree in science.” 
BEDDING AT HAMPTON COURT. 
During a recent short run through the grounds of this famous place, 
I was particularly struck with the beauty and luxuriance of growth of 
the plants generally used in the carpet'bedding arrangements. The colours 
of the various bright varieties of Alternantheras were so finely developed, 
the grouping of colours being so evenly balanced, that I was tempted to 
make a few notes, thinking they might be suggestive to others. Two 
advantages which favour this class of bedding at Hampton Court are the 
sheltered positions the beds occupy, yet having the full benefit of the 
sun’s rays, and the large size of the beds (24 feet long by 12 feet wide), 
allowing the planting to partake of a bold character. The various colours 
can be massed, so to speak, which in carpet bedding is one essential 
point. Nowhere can such good effect be had where the beds are of small 
size. Often too much in the way of patchwork is attempted that often 
ends in failure. But large beds and favourable position would avail little 
if knowledge and taste in planting were lacking, but Mr. Graham does 
not seem to be troubled in this respect. One oblong bed was filled as 
follows :—The groundwork was composed of Mesembryanthemum cordi- 
folium ; in the centre was a Maltese cross formed with Echeveria 
Peacocki, the centre being filled with Sempervivum montanum, the 
frame, so to speak, being Alternanthera amceaa, pear-shaped forms, 
filled with Alternanthera magnifies, two small circles of Alternanthera 
nana, two oblong panels of Laucophyton Browni; the edge was raised 
about 4 inches high, and was planted with Echeveria secunda glauca, 
which would have been better for effect had Herniaria glabra been u ed 
instead of the Echeveria. This was the only fault that could be foun I 
with an otherwise charming arrangement. 
Another bed of the same size and form had for its groundwork 
Veronica incana, long serpent-like scrolls 10 inches wide of Alternan¬ 
thera purpurea between two rows of Alternanthera magnifies, other long 
scrolls of Alternanthera paronychioides aurea. Planted in panels of the 
groundwork were two arrow-headed panels of Iresine Wallsi, and very 
striking were two pear-shaped panels, also of Alternanthera purpurea. The 
edge was composed of Echeveria secunda glauca in a setting of Scdum 
glaucum. A third bed is particularly pleasing, the colours harmmising 
perfectly and are very effective, the groundwork of the pattern bring 
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum. All the panels are su - 
rounded with Echeveria secunda glauca, and filled with various sorts of 
Alternantheras ; but the striking feature of the bed is central oval-shaped 
