November 18, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDEH ER. 
447 
system of growing plants and Cucumbers being “new.” I saw it written 
about in one of the gardening periodicals—perhaps the Journal, I am not 
sure—fourteen or fifteen years or more ago. It is not new, but newer 
than the method that has been so generally practised for so many years. 
Whether it is new or old does not matter, but the fact is certain that the 
plan is not yet generally adopted. I pointed out, and need not do so 
again, that many advantages arise from a close system of treatment, but I 
am certain that the immunity from labour that the system offers will ere 
long commend itsslf to the majority of cultivators. 
I said the closer the piants were grown the more light it was essential 
to admit to them, or what amounted to the fame thing, and to these 
remarks 1 adhere. I scarcely kno v the thickness of the material used 
by Mr. Iggulden for shading, for I have seen several samples varying 
considerably in texture termed “scrim canvas.” I use for plants that 
require shade, tiffany Nos. 3 and 4, because I have not yet found the 
exact thing I want. This is alluded to because I consider these are too 
dense, and prevent a large amount of light from penetrating the house 
that would prove beneficial to many plants. Such shading is not too 
heavy for Ferns and many other plants that thrive only under dense 
shade, but all plants of that description I exclude from these remarks. 
Year by year I have seen for many plants that a very much lighter shade 
is needed than generally employed in gardens. The best thing I have 
seen in the way of shading is tbe wood strips secure 1 together and 
exhibited by Messrs. Richardson & Co. of Darlington, but this at present 
is too costly for general adoption. It is 60 arranged that practically only 
half the roof is shaded, the shadow from each piece of wood proving 
sufficient for the space between each piece. The principle is, however, by 
no means new, for the Belgian horticulturists appear to adopt this method 
of shading generally. The Belgians have a more sunny clime than we, 
and they shade about half as heavily. 
Crotons in this question have been brought to the front. Most of the 
kinds named by your correspondent will colour fairly well under light 
shade, and are, I do not dispute, satisfactorily. But this term needs some 
explanation. What would be highly satisfactory to one would be the very 
reverse with another individual. What I mean I will illustrate by the 
two collections of Crotons at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Show held 
at Liverpool this year. Those staged by, I think, Mr. J. Cypher of 
Cheltenham, would have been considered highly satisfactory had not the 
collection of Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons been staged by their side. The 
beautiful foliage of Crotons cannot be brilliantly coloured under shade, 
however light. They may be termed “ satisfactory,” but will bear no 
comparison by the side of those grown fully exposed to the sun. 
Why is air given to the plant houses under my charge during the 
summer and autumn ? is the question asked by Mr. Iggulden. Because 
many of the houses contain mixed collections of plants, and it becomes 
necessary to admit air to equalise the temperature so as to suit as nearly 
as possible the whole of the inmates of the structure. It is done so that 
the various plants grown together can have the best possible treatment 
under the difficult circumstances under which they have to be arranged. 
Air is admitted because some plants require more shade than others, and 
while the requirements of these are being attended to, the others are 
drawn up soft and weakly. This could be remedied by a greater 
abundance of light, which would ensure dwarf solid growth. This 
cannot be given, therefore air is admitted as a substitute. Again, air is 
admitted to Ferns after the growth has been made to harden their fronds, 
so that they will last longer in a out state. To other plants it is admitted 
to arrest growth—for instance, Crotons, as autumn approaches, and they 
are sufficiently developed and highly coloured; further growth, by lower¬ 
ing the temperature, can be prevented. This prevents an autumn growth 
that there is no possible chance of colouring. Air, I say, is admitted to 
arrest growth, the growth of Poinsettias, Plumbagos, Euphorbias, and 
such plants, and it certainly prevents a soft growth in autumn and tall 
plants to i soft to flower or produce bracts. Air after the growth is made 
assists in hardening and ripening, so that profusely flowered specimens 
will be the result. Air is admitted to harden and prepare plants that are 
to be usad for room-decoration, so that they will withstand these hardships 
and last in good condition as long as possible. Air is often freely admitted 
to bring plants to a standstill, so that a season of repose can be forced 
upon them before they are r quired to unfold their flowers, and it may be 
months before their natural flowering time. Train plants to flower out of 
their season, and the period of rest so essential to plant life is in a measure 
artificial, and in the majority of instances cannot be accomplished in a 
closed house during August and September, or earlier. If the same plant 
were started into growth at its natural season it would rest freely and 
naturally in the lower temp nature that would follow in the same structure 
(without air) during the winter. The other plant may have flowered and 
have commenced again vigorous growth. These are a few of the reasons 
why air is admitted through the ventilators to some of the plant houses 
over which I have charge. 
What I mean by commenced ripening is, that the fruit had reached 
that stage that those who grow for market would have cut and sold 
it, while those who wanted a dish as early as possible would have cut 
the fruit and sent it to table. The fruit was coloured and did not improve 
in this respect after. The fruit certainly became sweeter, as it naturally 
will by hanging. This would have been the case had no air been ad¬ 
mitted. This is what I mean, and the fact remains for Mr. Iggulden and 
the authorities he quotes to explain them away if they desire to do so. 
The ‘‘chink ” of air admitted through the ventilators is not necessary to 
colour and flavour in Grapes. 
If cold air is admitted through the ventilators at night during the 
months of February, March, and April, more tire heat is needed to 
maintain the requisite temperature. That means more fuel, does it not ? 
I am no advocate for high night temperatures, at the same time I do no 
believe in starving the Vines. I believe in following Nature as nearly as 
possible as regards night temperatures, being guided entirely by external 
conditions. Vines required to ripen their fruit during April or early May 
should never have their roots in a cold outside border. It is in these 
borders that the top growth is forced out before the roots can bo brought 
into activity, and not in well-drained shallow inside borders. 
Lastly, I did not convey the idea that the condition of my Peach trees 
was due to the non-ventilating system. I pointed out the advantage due 
to the prevention of cold air reaching them, thinking that the hint which 
caused the touch of mildew might be useful to others. I fully endorse 
every word said about the Peach trees at Knowsley. They are cer¬ 
tainly in grand condition, and no trees in the country produce finer 
fruit than I have had the pleasure of seeing on tho trees in question.— 
Wm. Bardney. 
TREES AND SHRUBS FOR LAWNS. 
(Continued from page 390.) 
The Arbor Vitas.— Lobb’s Arbor Vitae (Thuia Lobbi).—Free or 
fast growing, but though erect has a spreading base from its long graceful 
branches, the branchlets lying flat, and of a deep shining green colour. 
It is very ornamental. There is a variety—viz., erecta with closer and. 
more erect growth, and of a brighter green colour. Gracilis is a very 
fine form. 
The American Arbor Vitae (Thuia occi'.lentalis) is not named for a 
lawn plant as regards the species, but to note the varieties compacta, 
which is of dense growth and not large ; Ellwangeriana, which is free 
and good; lutea, for its golden colour and compact growth; and Ver- 
vsenana, with slender branches and spiral growth of a fine golden tint. 
The Chinese Arbor Vitae (Thuia orientalis).—Of the dwarfer Conifers 
this is one of the finest. Its varieties are numerous. The best are the 
Golden Arbor Vitae (T. aurea), of dense compact globular form and dwarf, 
forming a round bush of a few feet high, which in the young shoots is 
bright gold ; elegantissima, of compact upright habit and bright golden 
in its young growths. There are many other varieties. Medium space 
will meet their requirements in the largest species or varieties. 
The Broad-leaved Arbor Vitae (Thuiopsis dolabrata) torms a spreading 
specimen in the form of a half ball or very flat cone, and is very lovely, 
having a Lycopod-like appearance, the foliage being bright green above 
and silvery beneath. There is a variegated form which is more vigorous 
than the species. Requires space latterly. Thuiopsis Standishi is not so 
dense in growth as the preceding', but is of more erect habit, indeed 
forms a pyramid and promises to be very beautiful. 
The Juniper. —The Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is very 
ornamental, and forms a columnar tree of great beauty, having a fine 
silvery appearance. It is hardy, but does not thrive well in an exposed 
situation. There is a variety (aurea) which is very beautiful and con¬ 
trasts well with the species. The Western Tree Juniper (Juniperus 
occidentalis) columnar, erect, foliage silvery, forms a handsome tree. 
It is not by any means common. It is sometimes called the Fragrant 
Juniper from its branches when bruised giving off a strong scent ; 
medium. The Frankincense Juniper (Juniperus thurifera) a conical 
pillar, tapering from the ground upward to a sharp point, symmetrical, 
and delicate-looking branches. Is one of the finest of lawn trees of its 
class. 
The Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) forms a dense columnar tree, 
and is ornamental. Its appearance is, however, dull as compared with 
the variety glauca or argentea, and to contrast with this Schotti, of a 
peculiarly light green, is useful. The Green Drooping Virginian Cedar 
also has green shoots, and is very ornamental, especially near water. 
This (pendula viridis) is not over-hardy, nor indeed are any of the 
Junipers in a deep rich moist soil; medium. 
Of the smaller forms of Juniper mention need only be made of the 
Irish (Juniperus communis hibernica), which in its way is very useful, and 
is of a silvery grey hue, contrasting well with darker foliage. In a light 
rich soil it grows so soft as to get cut with frost, and seems to prefer a 
cool bottom ; medium small. 
The Japan Cypress. —Retinosporas are real gems. They do not 
succeed in elevated and cold localities. The Thread-branched Japan 
Cypress (Retinospora filifera) is pyramidal and singularly graceful, the 
drooping spray being very beautiful ; medium or small. 
Retinospora obtusa is very fine and grows freely where there is shelter. 
Of this there are ssveral varieties, and all much smaller than the type- 
Retinospora pisifera is a very elegant and lovely tree of pyramidal habit, 
foliage reddish green above and glaucous underneath, feathery and beauti¬ 
ful in effect. It is one of the hardiest. Retinospora plumosa is the 
very finest of the Retinosporas, it being singularly beautiful ; its fine 
plume-like and slender growths are quite charming. Its reddish green 
tint on the upper surface and silvery beneath is particularly pleasing. 
All those named from Cupressus inclusive to Retinospora are not 
suited for what may be called bleak localities. They require a good soil, 
and are seen to much greater advantage when favoured with a cool than 
on a hot dry gravelly bottom, and like moisture if it is not stagnant. 
On a light soil they never have that density and peculiarly rich foliage as 
on a cool. The Arbor Vitass and Retinosporas perhaps succeed better on a 
light soil. I have omitted the Japan Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), as it 
is not hardy. Cryptomeria elegans is perhaps the hardier, and is very 
pleasing from its rich bronzy hue in winter, but it dies off suddenly for n > 
apparent reason. For similar reason the Evergreen Red V ood lies 
