October 14, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
341 
States and of France for thirty years. Recently it has been introduced 
into Algeria. There is, of course, a striking difference in the conditions 
of temperature between Lausanne and the places in Asia where Ramie is 
grown. While the latitude of the latter is from 15° to 35°, that of 
Lausanne is 46° 31'. The mean temperature at Lausanne is 9 - 5° C. Last 
winter the plants underwent long periods of great cold ; in one case, the 
temperature being below zero for 124 hours, with a minimum on the 
gound for 5-21 0 .—C. 
Planting in the Isle of Man. —It is interesting to know 
that the contracts now being entered into by the Commissioners of Woods 
and Forests for trees for the Isle of Man are not the first of the kind. 
Already, we are informed, very extensive planting operations have taken 
place on the Crown lands in that interesting island. In 1882 contracts were 
entrusted to Messrs. Little & Ballantine, Carlisle, which involved the 
planting of three millions and a half of trees on mountain land ; and it is 
the success of these extensive operations which has led the Commissioners 
to go further into this important matter and extend the number of trees 
annually. A competent forester from the Carlisle Nurseries is in charge 
of the plantations and superintending the planting under the Department, 
which is now done as far as possible by native labour. Half of the trees 
which are to be planted this year have been again ordered from Knowe- 
field. 
- “ Entomologist ’’ states that— “ The Lilacs in several of the 
metropolitan squares have suffered severely this season, first from the at¬ 
tacks of the larval of the small moth, Gracillaria syringilla, the ravages of 
which were almost immediately followed by those of the grub of a small 
fly, Anthomyia species (?), in consequence of which during August many 
bushes were leafless and apparently dying off. It shows, however, the 
strong vitality of this plant, Jhat with somewhat cooler weather in Sep¬ 
tember, and slight rains, most of the affected Lilacs rallied and put forth 
a fresh crop of leaves.” 
At the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, South Kensington, a 
display OF Canadian Apples and Vegetables, with other pro¬ 
duce, is provided in the Conservatory, illustrating the principal varieties 
grown in the Dominion. The vegetables were the least satisfactory, the 
samples of Potato, Carrots, Parsnips, Onions, Mangolds, and Swedes 
being rather coarse. Some very large fruits of the Egg Plant, 9 inches 
high and as much diameter, were showD, together with Squashes and 
Vegetable Marrows, most of these exhibits being from Mr. Wm. Rennie 
Ontario. The Apples comprised sixty dishes from the Toronto Industria, 
Exhibition, besides a number from the Montreal, Missisquoi, Brome, and 
Huntingdon Horticultural and Agricultural Societies, seventy dishes of 
Apples being also contributed from Nova Scotia. There was considerable 
difference in the size and colouring of_the specimens, those from Montreal 
being remarkable for their rich tints, especially such as Water Corej 
Fameuse, Foundling, Montreal WaxeD, Johnston, and Peach of Montreal 
in several of which the rich red hues were contrasted with a delicate white 
wax-like skin. The Nova Scotian Apples were not so remarkable for 
colour, but were large and clean samples. In other collections the 
varieties Emperor Alexander, King of Tomkins County, Baldwin, Blue 
Pearmain, Wealthy, a bright red-streaked Apple, Sherwood Favourite, 
Rhode Island Greening, Kentish Fillbasket, and King of the Pippins 
were the best shown. From the Pelee Island Vineyards, Lake Erie, 
Canada, were sent some samples of outdoor Grapes, comprising such 
varieties as Delaware, Clinton, Catawba, and Prentiss, chiefly forms of 
the Fox Grape. Pears were small, but Plums such as Reine Claude and 
Pond’s Seedling were fine. 
The Manna Ash, Fraxinus Ornhs, looks fresh and green now 
in contrast with many deciduous trees, which are fast losing their leaves. 
One variety named Theophrasti is especially notable for its dark green 
colour, but some others like roundifolia are changing slightly^ assuming 
a purplish tint. An interesting variety of the common Ash, Fraxinus 
excelsior var. simplicifolia, in which the pinnate character of the leaves is 
lost, ooe broad oval leaflet taking their place, is also remarkably fresh, 
still with not a sign of October hues. The white Ash, Fraxinus americana, 
which is reputed to be so carefully avoided by the rattlesnakes in the 
United States, is not quite so fresh ; some of its leaves are fast changing 
colour, and will soon be falling. 
Several pretty Neri.ves flowering at the present time are 
most attractive in the greenhouse or any cool structure. N. Fothergiili 
major is the best in brilliancy of colour—a rich scarlet—and size of 
flowers ; it is also very free. N. amabilis has flowers of good size, the 
petals broad and of a bright rose tint. N. humilis major has similar 
flowers, but of a dark rose shade. N. humilis ccerulea has a curious mix¬ 
ture of rose and purplish lilac in the flowers. N. O’Brieni lilacina has 
blooms like N. amabilis, but tinged with a bluish lilac colour ; N. excellens 
being somewhat of the same style, but not quite so large. 
GARDENS ABOUT PRESTON. 
Lancashire is generally associated with tall chimneys, factories, 
chemical works, coal pits, and such evidences of human industry. The 
county has a bleak and barren appearance in the vicinity of the two 
latter, for all vegetation that renders a landscape beautiful is totally de¬ 
stroyed. But the whole of Lancashire is not in this deplorable condition, 
for there are lovely spots and as charming landscape views as can be found 
in any other part of the country. Cotton mills are everywhere visible in 
the neighbourhood of Preston, and it would be impossible to conceive that 
they could be situated with such lovely surroundings. The smoke that 
issues from these mills does not destroy vegetation or render gardening in 
general so difficult as is experienced in many other localities. Vegetation 
is luxuriant in this district, and the gardens, parks, and woods are well 
furnished with flourishing timber trees, shrubs, and Conifers. This is not 
to be wondered at when we consider the soil in the vicinity of Preston is 
of a very fertile nature. Market garden produce is largely grown, the 
soil being well adapted for the growth of vegetables. If one crop pre¬ 
dominates more than another it is Celery, and perhaps nowhere in the 
country is it grown better or on a more extensive scale. A portion of 
nearly every field is devoted to this vegetable ; in short, everybody that 
is in possession of a piece of ground grows it, and they certainly excel in 
its cultivation. 
The gardens about Preston are not so extensive as are to be found in 
the immediate vicinity of many towns, and with one or two exceptions 
they are of moderate size only. Gardening, however, in its various 
branches is “ well done,” as can be observed by anyone visiting the 
Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Society’s Show in the spring of the 
year. Some of the most striking features of a few of the gardens about 
Preston will he referred to, detailed accounts not being attempted. 
FARINGTON HOUSE. 
This is the home of J. Eocles, Esq., and is about twenty minutes’ 
walk from Leyland station on the London and North-Western Railway, 
and about four miles from Preston. The residence and gardens are 
reached by two drives, which wind through a thickly wooded plantation of 
fair size. The trees are not large or well furnished, because they have 
been left too long without being thinned. This state of things is to be 
found in many plantations, and it is a pity, f t the grass beneath is totally 
destroyed, while Rhododendrons and other underwood are smothered, or 
partly so. The Rhododendrons that skirt the drive will be destroyed in 
a few years unless measures are speedily taken for clearing away the front 
rows of trees or liberally thinning the others, bo that light and air can 
pass freely through them to the evergreens. Mr. Eccles has certainly 
improved the place by the number of trees felled last year, but others yet 
need removal, for they overshade the dwelling and some of the plant and 
fruit houses. The front of the wood through which the drives pass that 
border the lawns are freely dotted with Conifers and evergreens, and have 
a very effective appearance from the dwelling. A good stretch of well 
kept lawns surround the mansion, and a neat little flower garden to the 
left of one of the diives. 
The main features of these gardens, however, are the glass houses. 
Some five fair-sized houses are devoted to Vines—in fact, four cf them 
may be termed large, which are lean-to, or possess a small hip roof. The 
principal range is a good one, and, in addition to three vineries, is con¬ 
cluded by a large early Peach house, the fruit having been gathered from 
this structure early in the season ; but the trees are healthy, and very 
promising for another year. The early house of Grapes has been cut, 
while another house of Black Hamburghs has been recently freed from 
fruit-bearing. Part of this house is overshaded by a large tree, and the 
Vines cannot be expected to produce very satisfactory fruit until it has 
been removed. A large amount of light, which is so essential to the 
production of firm, well matured wood, is prevented from reaching the 
Vines. The Muscat house, the one of Lady Downe’s and Alicante, and a 
third with Madresfield Court and Black Hamburghs, planted alternately, 
are carrying enormous crops of fruit. The Grapes are good in every 
respect, being fair in size of bunch, colour, and berry ; in fact, they are 
remaikably good when the enormous crop they are carrying is taken iuto 
consideration. The Vines are healthy and the foliage clean, but it 
is evident that high feeding has to be practised, or they would 
fail to carry the crop annually imposed upon them. The wood and 
foliage of the Vines, in fact their general appearance, strikes one that 
the borders are too rich in nitrogeneous matter; if more mineral 
constituents were employed, and less manure for a season or two, 
the wood would possess greater solidity, and the bunches would be of a 
compacter nature, with berries of a larger size thau they even now 
attain. 
One little house is filled with Eucbaris amazonica, the very picture of 
health, and the opposite side with Orchids, which are doing well. The 
remaining division of this range is occupied with stove, fliwering, and 
foliage plants, principally the latter for room decoration. Conspicuous 
in this structure is a large plant of Adiantum farleyense 3 to 4 foeC 
through. Another structure is devoted to Azaleas and other greenhous 
