152 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 17, 1893. 
to iupply the needs of the winter naonths. It is during the time when 
the plants are in the seed beds—June and July — that clubbing is 
helped on by sowing the winter greens too soon, and allowing them to 
remain in the seed beds longer than is good for them, This is not the 
only cause. Planting year after year on the same ground with no 
intermediate crop will conduce to clubbing. A change of ground is not 
always to be had, so that extra attention should be paid to the plants in 
their young stage of growth. It is very well to select a warm south 
border for sowing the summer vegetables which are required for early 
use, but I think it is preferable to make the seed beds for the winter 
greens in the open garden, and use great care in sowing the seeds, by 
first taking off 2 inches of surface soil, then well soaking the ground 
with water, sowing the seeds upon the damp soil, and finally covering 
with the dry earth which was first taken off, and not watering after¬ 
wards. If the seeds be good, germination will be quick and thorough. 
While the seedlings are in a very young state is a most critical 
time for them, as the fly will work havoc in the beds if not guarded 
against, even after the two rough leaves have appeared. Upon the first 
appearance of the fly an old herring net should be laid lightly over the 
bed and eased off the plants every two days. A little anthracite coal 
ash and soot mixed and dusted over the plants early in the morning 
while they are wet with dew, will soon overcome the fly, but the herring 
net itself is distasteful to them. If the plants are not sown too early 
and placed out before a check to growth occurs, clubbing will be 
lessened. Where time and space affords transplanting in a young state 
is advisable,— G. Garner, Cadland Park Gardens. 
VIOLAS. 
The early part of this year proved a most propitious time for the 
Viola, and brought it very prominently to the front as a spring decora¬ 
tive plant, and but for the tropical heat of the summer, and the terrible 
plague of aphis in so many places, 1893 would have been a record year 
for Violas. Mr. Williamson’s remarks last week, page 120, lead me to 
say a few words, not in criticism, for he does not in the slightest degree 
attempt to dogmatise, but pleasantly draws attention to the Viola as a 
charming bedding plant, as it undoubtedly is. I heartily thank him 
for giving good assistance in still further advocating its value, for it has 
taken many years to get the plant popular. Of his kindly reference to 
myself I am fully sensible. 
Only a few days since I was at Umberslade Hall, Warwickshire, 
where masses of that grandest of all white Violas, Countess of Hope- 
toun, was in full beauty, planted out in April last in good soil in beds 
in the flower garden ; the plants were robust and simply a mass of fine 
flowers. My old variety, raised about fourteen or fifteen years since. 
Dean’s True Blue, even now far away the very best blue Viola in 
cultivation, was just as fine in every way as Countess of Hopetoun, and 
masses of flower. Both are compact sturdy growers, of the same habit 
and height, and are very early and continuous bloomers. Countess of 
Wharncliffe, alluded to by Mr. Williamson, was sent out a few years 
since. It was raised by Mr. Sfmpson at Wortley Hall near Sheffield ; 
and it has been reintroduced from a Preston firm under the name of 
Lord Fitzgerald. This is also similar in habit to the Countess of 
Hopetoun, but is of a more snowy white colour, and does not open flat 
as in others ; still it is a very effective, free-blooming variety. We have 
a host of new whites—Sylvia, White Duchess, White Flag, and others 
—some, too, closely like the Countess, but none so good or so valuable. 
Those on the look out for sterling varieties for bedding will do well 
to go in largely for Mrs. Charles Turner, blue purple ; William Neil, soft 
rosy pink ; The Mearns, rosy violet with light top petals ; Duchess of 
Fife, white and cream with bright brown margin ; Bullion, a grand 
yellow ; The Queen, or Ardwell Gem, pale yellow ; Wonder, light 
yellow; Lady Amory, rich violet with dark top petals; Bridesmaid, 
very pale primrose. These are only a few of the very fine bedders. 
We are getting a host of new sorts, many of them great rubbish, but 
some of exceeding beauty, especially for exhibition, but as valued 
bedders we must have good habit, telling distinct self colours, flori- 
ferousness, good constitution, and early and continuous bloomers.— 
Wm. Dean, Birmingham, 
WASPS. 
It should be well understood that some of the remedies advocated 
for the destruction of these pests, such as cyanide of potassium and 
advertised wasp destroyers, are most dangerous poisons. The former has 
a deadly vapour and should only be used with the greatest caution : 
with the latter, the poisoning of fruit freely exposed is advocated, a 
most undesirable state of things and only to be resorted to at the last 
extremity. 
It is plain that destruction of the nests is the proper way of 
extermination, but first ** catch your hare. * It is not everyone who 
can readily find all the nests about the place even when they are quite 
strong. When I was a boy, the account in one of Mayne Keid’s works 
of the bee hunters of North America led me to try the same way of 
finding wasps’ nests. Shortly, it consists of watching the direction of 
fiight from two or more spots at a little distance from the infested places 
and thus getting converging lines which should lead to the nests. One 
soon gets accustomed to recognising a wasp from other insects by its 
flight even 8f>me way off. A low place in a hedge will soon give you 
some lines of flight, which should be followed up ; and likely banks and 
hedges should of course also be examined in the sunshine. 
When the nest is found, gas tar seems to me to be far away the best, 
simplest, quickest, and least dangerous of all modes of destruction. 
You pour a little down the hole at night, and the nest is destroyed—no 
fire and no poison—time and trouble practically nil. For pendent nests, 
the simplest plan seems a shot from a gun at close quarters—blank 
cartridge will do. Go at night, have your shot, ’olow it to atoms, and 
retreat speedily. 
At a certain public school, where the boys are freely allowed out into 
the country, the taking of wasps’ nests became a popular diversion ; 
and, before long, pressed by the emulation which is so strong a feature 
with English lads, it came to be reckoned a shame to take them other¬ 
wise than in broad daylight, and with any other weapons besides green 
boughs and spades. Of course the boys got stung sometimes, but where 
was the fun if there was no danger? To such a pitch was this 
chivalrous spirit carried that, on one occasion finding and digging out a 
small and weak nest, it was decided to carry it home and place it in a 
convenient and secluded hole where it would not be meddled with, till 
it was strong enough to defend itself : and this was actually done ! 
Rather absurd, but they were only boys—and young Englishmen !— 
W. R. Raillem. 
BARFORD HILL. 
The residence of C. A. S. Ryland, Esq., occupies a delightful position 
on the summit of one of the many undulating hills for which the varied 
scenery of Warwickshire is justly famed. Starting from the county 
town a three-miles drive over a broad level road brings us to the quaint 
Roman bridge which spans the Avon, and gives access to the pleasant 
village of Barford, where gay window-boxes, well kept cottage gardens, 
teeming with brightly coloured flowers, speak volumes for the taste and 
industry of the inhabitants, and afford a striking example of the rivalry 
created and the good work done by cottage garden societies, for the 
excellent condition of these wayside gardens must be attributed in a 
great measure to the thriving horticultural society of which Barford 
boasts, and which, thanks to the liberality of the owner of Barford Hill 
is well supported. Thus far on our journey we have pursued a straight 
and even course, neither turning to the right nor the left, except to give 
a passing or a backward glance to some special object of attraction 
which anon caught our eyes as they turned in rapid succession to the 
right or to the left. Thus we sped on pleasantly enough till it suddenly 
dawned upon us that too great a regard for the main road and its 
diversions had caused us to leave behind the gardens we intended to 
visit. The turn we should have taken was, however, yet in sight; it was 
reached again in a few minutes, and we began to pursue an upward 
course over a road which rises by a series of erratic gradients to the top 
of Barford Hill. Here we find the entrance to the gardens close at 
hand, and Mr. R. Jones, the able and energetic gardener, on the spot to 
welcome us. On entering the kitchen garden the first object to arrest 
attention was a bed of summer flowering Chrysanthemums, which even 
thus early (July 28th) were aglow with their golden flowers. Pr6cocit6 
and Flora were the varieties principally grown. Marigolds, Asters, 
Lobelias, and many fine seedling Verbenas occupied an adjoining border, 
which faces the gardener’s pleasant and commodious residence, at the 
opposite end of which is a charming verandah entwined with a rich 
profusion of creepers, a mass of the fine purple coloured flowers of 
Clematis Jackmanni producing a striking effect. 
We next proceed between an avenue of bush Chrysanthemums, 
which are arranged around the sides of the walks ; they are fine plants 
in splendid health, and will undoubtedly make a beautiful display 
during the autumn months, as there are 500 of them grown in the bush 
form ; but more of Chrysanthemums anon, when we come to the plants 
which are grown for supplying large blooms. 
Apple and Pear trees, trained in pvramidal form, are planted a few 
feet from the edges of the walk. Nearly all of these are this year 
carrying heavy crops, notably two fine trees of Pitmaston Duchess 
Pear, which have numbers of very large fruits. Mr. Jones attributes 
bis success to the practice of keeping the branches thinly disposed. In 
a newly made kitchen garden a long avenue of standard Apples, Pears, 
and Plums have been planted ; these have made capital growth, and 
give promise of supplying abundance of choice fruit in a few years, as 
the most approved varieties have been selected. Apricots on walls have 
very heavy crops, a general experience in the neighbourhood. Large 
quantities of vegetables are required, and every effort is being made to 
meet the demand, which is maintained at present under somewhat 
adverse circumstances, as the soil is cold and heavy. Plenty of rough 
strawy manure is, however, dug into all vacant quarters during the 
autumn months, when the land is thrown up roughly, so that the action 
of the frost may pulverise it. This course of treatment will assuredly 
soon work a great improvement in the mechanical condition of the 
surface soil, which is already rich in chemical constituents. Splendid 
rows of Runner Beans, fine heads of Cabbage, heavy solid bulbs of 
Onions, and sturdy Beet all attest that the soil is productive, notwith¬ 
standing the fact that much difficulty is experienced in working it in 
the spring and establishing young crops. I noticed several rows of 
Windsor Castle Potato were being grown, and was curious to see a 
sample of the tubers. On lifting several roots these proved to be 
wonderfully even in size, having every appearance of a good table 
variety, for which purpose Mr. Jones speaks highly of it. Beauty, as 
well as utility, is studied in the kitchen gardens at Barford Hill. The 
walks are formed of grass kept closely cut, and bordered on each side 
with herbaceous plants and annuals, which at the time of my visit were 
wouderfaliy effective. Double Zinnias and East Lothian Stocks were 
