538 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Jane 20, 1895. 
under the borders would extend the whole length of the house ; but as 
allowance must be made for the pipes and boards a safer estimation would 
be 7s. 6d. per lineal yard ; the total length value £15. Thus a Mushroom 
crop on the foregoing principles would produce a net value of £64 5s., 
—another and second substantial item in “ the employment of glass 
structures in winter.” 
(To be concluded.) 
IN THE MIDLANDS. 
The pen ran on to such an inordinate length last week that there 
was no space left for the reference that was intended to Violas and 
Pansies at Tamworth—not at the show there, which was briefly referred 
to on page 494, but to the extensive and diversified collection of Mr. 
William Sydenham. Tamworth is only eighte.en miles from Birmingham, 
and if you happen to be there when the Midland night mail arrives 
someone will be sure to tell you it is one of the fastest trains in England, 
the distance being covered, from start to stop, in eighteen minutes, and 
if time is precious something less. Just before arriving at the station 
there is a splendid viaduct, and looking down from the train on the 
right large masses of colour are seen glinting between the trees. 
These, though the fact was not known to the narrator during his journey, 
are Mr. Sydenham’s Viola beds. 
To come in close contact with them the town has to be crossed, and 
they are found on the lawn of what may be described as an old-fashioned, 
comfortable, and commodious country house. The pleasure grounds 
are well timbered, and the lawns somewhat extensive—the larger being 
free from beds, the smaller full of them, and these full of flowers from 
early in April till nearly the end of the year. At the close of May they 
were simply sheets of colour—yellow, purple, mauve, cream, white, and 
various other hues, which only these flowers can produce in low masses. 
Violas are extremely attractive as tastefully arranged in sprays on 
sloping stands at exhibitions, but to appreciate their fullest charm and 
great decorative adaptability they must be seen growing as in this 
garden, which is made so beautiful and sweet by their presence. 
It is not very easy to convey an impression of the numbers of Violas 
and Pansies grown in this Midland emporium. We first came to some 
thirty beds of the former, several round, and from 6 to 10 feet wide, 
each representing a separate variety, while larger beds are panelled. As 
a soft yellow for bedding Viola Ardwell Gem is still pre-eminent, though 
one named Wonder, which is brighter, and the flowers opening quite flat, is 
Mr, Kobert Sydenham’s favourite. Brighter still, brilliant and rich, are 
Yellow Boy, Bullion, Lord Blcho, and Annie Hughes ; while softer and 
particularly charming in the mass is the newer Luteola, the upper petals 
pale, the lower of a deeper glow, and habit excellent. 
For producing a mass of pale blue with a mauve tint all the season, 
it is doubtful if Blue Gown has any superior. The habit is procumbent, 
and the variety a persistent bloomer. William Neil, with a pink tinge, 
is a distinct and excellent bedder. Bessie Clark is of the same character 
as Blue Gown, but paler, the prevailing colour being deep lavender. Of 
somewhat the same colour we find Aim6e, which produces a butterfly¬ 
like mass by its creamy white lower petals ; while lighter still among 
the lavenders is the well named Charm. Though the habit of this is not 
so close as some others, in colour it seems to stand alone—a sort of 
pearly lavender and rayless. Blush Queen is also sweet and pleasing. 
Among the darker blues the well proved Archie Grant holds its own, 
while True Blue has many admirers, though some critical violaists do not 
consider it free from faults. Hibernia, purplish violet, made a rich 
display, and Mrs. Charles Turner is a good dark variety. 
The well known and very pleasing Countess of Kintore has many 
descendants ; bluish purple, more or less shaded with white. Of these 
Mrs. Bellamy, Mrs. Grant, The Mearns, and Iona are all effective, while 
the newer Mrs. W. H. Gabb, and perhaps the still prettier Mrs. Kichard 
Hare, cannot be overlooked, the dark bars radiating from the golden 
eye over the pale porcelain ground having a pleasing effect. 
The creamy Sylvia is one of the best for massing among the whites, 
as it is so dwarf and floriferous, but it has a formidable rival in the 
newer Marchioness, of similar colour, and very beautiful in the mass. 
Among the pure whites Countess of Wharncliffe is particularly clean and 
very sweet, and the Countess of Hopetoun maintains its reputation. 
Mary Scott, white, with a faint blue suffusion, arrests attention by its 
delicacy, and is both dwarf and free ; also compact and floriferous is 
Mrs. Scott, which is distinctly attractive by its yellow throat. For 
charm of flower, as regards form, the creamy rayless Mary Stuart has 
few. if any, rivals for supremacy ; while for boldness of character the 
pure Nipheton! commands attention. 
The margined Violas have a beauty all their own, and of these 
Duchess of Fite, piimrose, edged with bluish mauve, ranks very high. 
A bed of this, some 20 yards long, covered with myriads of flowers, 
presented a sight not to be forgotten. Goldfinch is of the same character, 
but a deeper yellow, and has a darker edge. Of the whites with blue 
edges of the Skylaik type, B ue Cloud, Blue Garter, and White Duchess 
are all worth growing, as indeed are many of varied tints which 
cannot be named here. Nor can anything be said about those little 
gems, the Violetias, beyond the mention of Sweet Mary, Konalda, and 
Marginata as a dainty 'rio, delightfully perfumed. 
The thiity beds ot Violaa no ntioned only represented a small part of 
the collection. A strip, some, 10 yards wide and 80 long, has been taken 
off the grass field next the carnage drive. This is divided into about 
forty half-m'’''ii-sliaped sections with double Daisies, each section form¬ 
ing a bed ot Violaif. From another side of the field a still longer strip 
has alio been taken and devoted to the flowers. Then there is what 
appears to be a trial ground of Violas, set out into a hundred panels of 
about a yard square with Daisies, the panels containing many more than 
100 varieties of the flowers for which they were formed, Daisies are 
employed as described, because they are found to be good barriers 
against wireworms and other underground enemies—a hint worth 
noting. Still traps are also used, and excellent they are—perforated tin 
cylinders about 2 inches across the top, tapering to a sharp point. 
These are filled with pieces of Potatoes, Carrot, oilcake, or other tempt¬ 
ing baits, and thrust into the ground ; a wire cross handle being 
provided for drawing them out at intervals and extracting the depre¬ 
dators. Thrusting sticks through Potatoes and burying them is a 
primitive mode of “ fishing ” for wireworms, as compared with the 
handy contrivance in question. 
But to see all the Pansies and Violas we must go yet further. 
A walled garden is filled with Fancy Pansies—a splendid collection of 
some 300 varieties, and a rich display they made. One of the finest is 
Tamworth Yellow ; beautiful also, each in its own way, are the follow¬ 
ing varieties, chosen from the great collection :—Constance Steel, 
George Stewart, Bernard Doulton, Agnes Mabel, A. H. Murray, Andrew 
Frater, Clandeboye, Cleopatra, Dr. Harrison, Emmie Stuart, John 
Taylor, Marmion, Mrs. Bagett, Mrs. D. Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. Martin, 
Mrs. J. D. Stuart, Mrs. John McConnell, Ralph Wardlaw, Rev. Gresley, 
Tamworth Gem, Tom Terry, W. H. Clarke, Wm. Watson. The two 
dozen varieties named, if well grown, are not likely to disappoint their 
possessors. 
Still, there are more plants, even acres of them, in the adjoining 
field, which also contains at least a hundred low span-roofed frames for 
propagating purposes. These are strong sensible frames, 6 feet by 4 feet, 
made of l|-inch deal, sides about 6 inches high rising to a foot at the 
ridge, and the sashes moveable. They are excellent for their purpose, as 
such protectors would be for various purposes in gardens. 
Pansies and Violas must be grown extensively in various parts of the 
country, or such a vast number would not be raised yearly as is found in 
this Midland emporium, which is after all only one of many supply 
establishments; but it is a large one undoubtedly, and it is apparent 
that nothing is spared to make it as complete and satisfactory as possible 
in respect to care in selection, nomenclature, and culture of these 
beautiful and diversified hardy flowers. 
They are flowers for the million, and in all probability are destined 
to play a more important part in the decoration of home surroundings 
and public parks in the future than they have in the past, as there are 
few difficulties attending their successful cultivation and preservation. 
The short time at Tamworth was spent pleasantly, and the floral feast 
with the agreeable association of a happy family of flower-loving people 
will not soon be forgotten by—A Casual Calles, 
HARDY FRUIT PROSPECTS AROUND LIVERPOOL. 
As in former years, I have again taken a few short notes on hardy 
fruit prospects in the Liverpool district. These will, I hope, be accept¬ 
able to readers, giving, as they do, a fair idea of crops in gardens where 
fruit is cultivated in various positions. 
Alleeton Pkiory. 
The late severe gale, coupled with the long spell of dry weather, has, 
in Mr. J. J. Craven’s opinion, spoiled what promised to be a good set. 
Trees of moderate vigour seem to be carrying a good crop. Strawberries 
and Red Currants are abundant, Black Currants an average. Rasp¬ 
berries and sweet Cherries a fine crop ; Governor Wood, May Duke, 
Frogmore Bigarreau, and Bedford Prolific are the best among the latter. 
Espalier-trained Pears are thin, Durondeau and Pitmaston Duchess the 
best. Jargonelle and Comte de Lamy are the best bushes, the finest on 
south wall cordons being Beurr6 d’Amanlis, Doyenne d’Etd, Glou 
Morgeau, Josephine de Malines, Marie Louise, and Thompson’s. Apples. 
—Bush : Irish Peach, Ribston, and Red Astrachan very fair. Pyramids : 
Keswick and Sturmer Pippin good, Warner’s King moderate, M5re de 
Manage fair. Standards : Warner’s King and Lord Derby missed last 
season, but are this year laden with fruit Pomeroy of Lancashire, 
Kerry Pippin, and King of Pippins are al 1 good. Plums a very fair 
crop. Pond’s Seedling on standard, Green Gage, Coe’s, and Bryanston on 
east wall good ; Coe’s on west wall fair ; Czar and Hazlewood as bushes 
very fair. Whilst on the fruit topic I may remark that Mr. Craven’s 
Grapes will again give exhibitors some difficulty, judging from present 
appearances. 
Cleveley, Alleeton. 
Mr. Cromwell has within the last few years planted many young 
trees, which are now bearing freely. Apples are a good all-round 
crop, more especially Lord Suffield (which is always certain) and 
Ribston Pippin. Standard Pears a good average crop, and on walls 
they require some thinning. Plums flowered abundantly, but many 
fruits are turning yellow. This Mr. Cromwell attributes to cold winds 
when the blooms were fully developed, these interfering with proper 
fertilisation, and to the drought since. Cherries are a full crop, the 
foliage being exempt from the usual black fly. Currants are bearing 
well, especially Black; so also are Strawberries. A mulching of litter, 
which is placed between them, should help to mature the best crop 
seen for years. Gooseberries are good, and free from caterpillar. Rasp- 
beny canes suffered during the severe frost, many killed outright. Out 
of six varieties grown Fastolf has proved much the hardiest. 
