818 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Oetober 5, 1891. 
an authority where “ hard cold water ” is described in words equal to 
“ obnoxious drug.” ""tj* 
First, What is the meaning of “ obnoxious? ” Anything in disfavour ; 
and I take that “ hard cold water ” is distinctly in disfavour with me ; 
“drug,” anything used which proves hurtful to the constitution of 
animals or vegetation. This is my explanation of “ obnoxious drug.” 
Now turn to “slow poison,” and the meaning reads, anything which is 
injurious to life, animal or vegetable. Will this explanation satisfy your 
correspondent? The first authority I quote is “Johnson’s Gardeners’ 
Dictionary” (page 818), which reads, “ That known as hard water, con¬ 
taining au excess of salts of lime or magnesia, is invariably prejudicial,” 
in other words injurious. To subject the roots to an excess of this 
element which “ hard cold water ” contains, acts as a “ poison ” instead 
of a nutriment to the plants. In support of this statement allow me to 
point “ J. B. R.” to the experiments recorded in “ Thompson’s Gardeners’ 
Assistant” (page 57), it will then be for him to prove my statements are 
“ grossly incorrect.” 
I will advance another step and quote the experience of men whose 
authority is recognised throughout the gardening world. First, we read 
in that valuable work the “Fruit Growers’ Guide,” by J. Wright 
(page 291), “ Water should never be less in temperature than the mean 
temperature of the house, and it is better if 5° warmer.” Now turn to 
“ Fruit Culture,” by J. Cheal (page 128) and read, “ Be careful not to 
use cold spring water or the chill will be too great.” Would these 
warnings, I ask, be necessary if “ bard cold water ” was beneficial ? 
No 1 they distinctly point out that it is the reverse of beneficial. “ Hard 
cold water,” I repeat, prevents heat being carried down to the roots, 
and when these are chilled they cannot produce healthy vegetation. 
Knowing this what possible deduction can be drawn from “ J. B. R.’s” 
assurance that “ hard cold water ” is highly beneficial to vegetation ? 
He commits himself to "dicta,” and it is for him to prove that our 
practical and scientific authorities are wrong. Allow me to return 
the challenge and ask “J. B. R.” to quote an authority outside this 
discussion where “ hard cold water” is described as highly beneficial 
to vegetation. 
I was surprised to see Mr. Molyneux’s communication (page 286) in 
which he states that “ hard cold water ” has a distinctly nourishing 
effect upon Chrysanthemums and other plants, for in his book on 
“ Chrysanthemums and their Culture ” (pages 54 and 55) we find, 
“ Where water comes direct from wells or water companies’ pipes in 
a cold state means should be taken to expose it to the sun’s rays and 
air some time previous to using.” Now that his ideas have advanced 
in such a remarkable manner, he ought, in all fairness, to rectify the 
statement in his book, because advice which is bought ought to be 
of the best and not subject in any way to contradiction by the same 
author in other channels.— F. Dunk. 
MADAME PATTI’S LOVE OF FLOWERS. 
Madame Adelina Patti has contributed a characteristic “ Page 
of Confessions” to a London magazine. In answer to the question, 
“What flowers do you most admire?” she replies, as I think very 
sincerely, “ I love them all.” Nevertheless, like most amateur horticul¬ 
turists, the prima donna has her special favourites. She said to me 
some years ago, during the interval at one of her memorable Irish 
concerts, “ If ever you wish me to wear any special flowers when I am 
singing do not send me Lilies, whose fragrance is so powerful as to have 
a sickening influence; I would infinitely prefer either Roses or Carna¬ 
tions. I, however, admire greatly the Lilies which you send to me, and 
though for this special reason I cannot wear them I have them beside 
me here.” I observe on page 292 it is predicted in an interesting 
article that Lilium Henryi will soon become a favourite with the ladies. 
Another Lily which might safely be worn by them is L. speciosum 
Kraetzeri, the fragrance of which is much more delicate that that of 
L. auratum or L. longiflorum. 
Madame Adelina Patti is net only a lover, but also a great cultivator 
of flowers, and her famous conservatories at Craig-y-Nos Castle, in 
which grow luxuriantly the rarest exotics, are among the finest in the 
kingdom. All of these are lighted throughout with electricity, and 
present, when thus illuminated in the evening, a fascinating scene, 
especially when the subdued radiance from the electric lamps, falling on 
the river Tawe, transfigures the rushing waters of that mountain 
stream.— David R. Williamson. 
LONDON TREES. 
It is quite true, as stated in “ The Times ” of the 20th ult., and 
reproduced in the Journal of Horticulture^ page 295, that the 
flowers of the Ailantus have an unpleasant smell. But this, in my 
judgment, does not militate against its value as a London tree. The 
scent is scarcely perceptible in the open air in England, and the flowers 
pass quickly away. The huge tree in my garden is nearly 50 feet high 
close to the house, so close that the extreme branches overlap the 
windows. An average of twelve persons, exclusive of visitors, has lived 
in the house for more than twenty years, and during the whole of that 
period I have heard but one allusion made to the scent of the flowers. 
A grove of it might prove objectionable, but there is no fear of annoyance 
from a short line or lines of trees. I have often admired this tree in the 
streets in France, notably in the west, and recently saw an advertise¬ 
ment for trees in a German periodical. Flowering in the hottest time 
of New York it may be objectionable there, probably is so ; of this I 
have had no experience.—W m. Paul, F.L.S. 
The following correspondence also appeared in “ The Times ” in support 
of Mr. Paul’s contention :—“ The scent from the Ailantus tree flowers 
is quite innocuous and by no means powerful. Just outside the windows 
of the Palace at Wells may be seen the finest specimen in England, and 
as his Lordship daily takes a walk beneath its shade, and as he is in his 
eighty-sixth year, obviously he has not suffered from the proximity of 
his giant neighbour.” Another writer says :—“ Referring to recent 
correspondence on this subject in your paper, I may mention there are three 
varieties of the Ailantus, or Tree of Heaven. Two of these bear evil 
smelling flowers, while the scent of the third is, as Mr. Paul describes it, 
scarcely perceptible.” 
THE “MARTIN” FLOWER RACK. 
The accompanying illustrations represent the “ Martin ” Flower 
Rack, a sample of which has been sent us by Messrs. Corry & Co. 
(Limited), 13, 15, and 16, Finsbury Street, London, E.C. This useful 
contrivance was invented by Mr. J. Martin, of Messrs. Sutton & Sons, 
Reading, and it will doubtless prove valuable for exhibiting cut flowers, 
also for arranging blooms in vases or glasses. The rack depicted in the 
small sketch can be easily filled with flowers before placing it in the 
vase, as shown in the larger engraving. It can also be utilised, if 
suspended by wire, for displaying dried flowers and grasses, the sides of 
the rack being covered with green moss. The rack is made in various 
sizes, from 1|^ to 2| inches in diameter. 
THE ROSELANDS, SOUTHAMPTON. 
During a recent holiday I took the opportunity of visiting the 
flourishing seaport town of Southampton, and after viewing the new 
pier and docks I went across the ferry to the pleasant village of 
Woolston, with the intention of seeing the grounds and conservatories 
at The Roselands, the seat of W. Garton, Esq. 
Mr. F. Jennings, the head gardener, welcomed me, and by him I was 
shown a fine range of Peach houses. The trees at the time of my visit 
were carrying a splendid crop of fruit. Some of the trees were moved 
last year, but they are making fine wood for next season. We next entered 
the early vinery, in which the Vines are being prepared for forcing. 
Near the last named structure is a fine span house, filled with Mar^chal 
Niel Roses. In the next house a grand crop of Tomatoes was notice¬ 
able. The frames are now filled with Bouvardias, Primulas, Cinerarias, 
Freesias, and Zonal Pelargoniums. About 1000 Chrysanthemums are 
grown on the cut-back system. The plants are dwarf, and the foliage 
is good. We next visited the conservatory, which is a very long span- 
roofed structure, filled with choice plants. From thence we entered the 
large fernery, which was designed by Mr. Jennings. There are two fine 
specimen Palms in the centre, and a host of other plants, that deserve 
more than a passing reference. A house filled with Crotons, possessing 
well coloured foliage, is especially interesting. The conservatory, 
fernery, and Croton house are lit by the electric light, which at night add 
considerably to their attractions. A large stove, containing the fine 
specimen plants which Mr. Jennings has exhibited at Southampton 
the last two seasons, also forms a feature at The Roselands, as does the 
propagating house, where hundreds of seedling Palms and young 
Crotons are grown for decorative purposes. 
Besides the early house mentioned, there is a fine range of vineries, 
containing well finished Lady Downe’s, Black Alicante, and Muscats. 
We next passed through a long archway covered with Pears and climbing 
plants, the whole presenting an attractive appearance. The lawn is 
