390 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 2, 1895. 
acquaintance I may poseesi with distinguished modern hybrids I am 
indebted to those consummate hybridists, Messrs. Sander of St. Albans. 
I saw at Floors, on the occasion of my second visit, an immense 
variety of Palms, tropical Ferns of vast dimensions, Lapagerias, Camellias, 
and Gardenias ; many of which were already past the flowering season, 
while others were in full bloom. The Duchess of Roi:burghe, like Her 
Grace of Sutherland, is an ardent cultivator of Liliums and Carnations ; 
among the former being giganteum, auratum, chalcedonicum, longi- 
florum Harrissi, Martagon album, davuricum, and speciosum ; these 
representing the following great families—viz., Archilirion, Eulirion, 
Martagon, and cardiocrinum. The Carnations cultivated at Floors 
Gardens are for the most part (with the exception of the imperial 
Malmaison, which luxuriates in the conservatories) border varieties, such 
as Germania, Gloirede Nancy, Crimson Clove, Pride of Penshurst, Raby 
Castle, and Mrs. Reynolds Hole. The last-mentioned variety has nothing 
to recommend it save its colour and dimensions, it has no fragrance, 
and invariably splits its calyx—a serious limitation. The Duchess of 
Roxburghe would do well to add to her extensive floral collections a 
considerable number of modern Roses of great merit for garden 
decoration. 
The following are among the fruits which, at the period of my 
visit, were cultivated at Floors:—Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria, Lady Downe’s, Gros Colmar, and Gros Maroc Grapes; the 
Royal George, Gros Mignonne, and Prince of Wales Peaches ; Lord 
Napier, Humboldt, Pine Apple, Elruge, and Victoria Nectarines ; 
Jefferson, Green Gage, Transparent Gage (Rivers), Coe’s Golden Drop, 
and Magnum Bonum Plums; May Duke, Morello, Frogmore, and 
Bigarreau Cherries ; Moorpark and other Apricots ; and all the leading 
species of Apples and Pears, among the latter being Williams’ Bon 
Chietien, Marie Louise, Pitmaston Duchess, Beurr^ Diel, Louise Bonne 
of Jersey, and Doyennb du Comice. 
I might have spoken of the magnificent trees, many of them several 
centuries old, by which Floors Castle is on every side environed ; of the 
intense historic interest of the surrounding scenes ; of Kelso, and the 
early days of Sir Walter Scott, when his happiness was brightest, before 
Fame came to him with her awful penalties, and shattered his noble 
life ; of Flodden Field and its Flowers of the Forest, and “ Cheviot’s 
Mountains Blue ; ” but it would require a pen more eloquent than mine 
to do justice to such themes, and therefore for the present I must bid 
Floors Castle and its classic surroundings a reluctant adieu.— David 
R. Williamson. 
STANSTEAD PAEK NURSERIES. 
Closely as the name of Laing is associated with Tuberous-rooted 
Begonias it is almost, if not equally, as much so with Clivias and 
Caladiums, but these latter not having attained to such extraordinary 
popularity, the connection is not so widely recognised. Notwithstanding 
this it cannot be doubted that the ability and energy of the founder of 
the house of John Laing & Sons, together with the branches, have been 
indefatigably devoted to, as it were, popularising the two useful classes 
of plants named. New varieties have yearly been put in commerce, 
each in some respect superior to its predecessors, until to-day the collec¬ 
tions have reached a point that could not even have been dreamed of a 
few years ago; The numerical advance has certainly been far more 
rapid with the Caladiums, but in point of quality the running has been 
very even. 
These plants are, however, hardly comparable from a utilitarian 
aspect, as the Caladium is, as everyone knows, a foliage plant requiring 
heat and moisture to bring it to perfection, whilst the Clivia, or 
Imantophyllum as it used to be called, is a flowering plant that attains 
to the highest excellence in the greenhouse. Then, again, the points 
looked for in the one are entirely opposite to those in the other. The 
leafage of the Caladium must depend on its colour and surprising 
venation for its place in popular esteem; the Clivia, on the contrary, 
being entirely dependent on its flowers, and not on the bold, strap-like 
foliage which, however fine, would not of itself prove a sufficient 
recommendation to extensive culture. Let us then, after taking these 
things into consideration, go through the two collections, and see which 
are the most worthy of cultivation in each. 
The Clivias coming first in the houses may be accepted as the whole 
and sole reason of putting them in the premier position in these notes. 
They are plants that ought certainly to be represented in every green¬ 
house, as they combine an exceptionally striking appearance with an 
unusually strong constitution, which renders them of great ulility for 
decorative purposes where something of an imposing nature is desired. 
The culture, too, is of the simplest, so much eo in fact as to permit of an 
inexperienced amateur growing them with almost an equal success as 
the professional gardener, who as a rule has so many more conveniences, 
as well as the benefits derivable from a thorough knowledge of the 
plants and their requirements. Not that the amateur, who perhaps has 
only one small house at his command, can have such large plants or 
maintain such an extended display of blossom as his brother, but the 
plants may be quite as creditable in every way, and productive of as 
much or perhaps more pleasure and interest. In addition to the ease of 
cultivation Clivias have another recommendation, and au important one— 
namely,freedom from insect enemies. Thismay well be called an important 
point, as there are so few greenhouse plants that are not subject to 
attacks in some form or another. Certainly Clivias are liable, but even 
if insects do establish themselves on the leaves these are of such a 
nature as to permit of speedy and effectual eradication by the aid of a 
sponge and some water. 
Despite these merits Clivias cannot be said to be very largely grown. 
It is true we may see them in many gardens thriving remarkably well, 
but in some only one or two can be found, while in others again they 
are conspicuous by their absence, and that in places where they could 
he easily grown, and where they would certainly prove of great value. 
One might be inclined to think that the price was prohibitive, was it nofc 
known that they can be purchased at very low rates, much lower indeed 
than numerous other occupants of our greenhouses, that have not 
nearly so many good attributes to commend their culture. But we will 
not devote time and space to surmises, none of which may hit the nail 
on the head, but at once enter a protest against this neglect, and a plea 
for their greatly extended cultivation. We cannot expect the popularity 
of the Begonia or the Rose, but they might well be placed on a par with 
many other plants that could be mentioned, and it is highly probable 
that they would give quite as much satisfaction, and perhaps more than 
some. 
As the varietal names of many may not be familiar to some readers 
it may be of use to mention a few of the best that were seen in Messrs. 
Laing’s establishment a few days ago. Let it, however, be borne in 
mind that all are not enumerated, there being many others that might 
find as much favour as the undermentioned, so much naturally depend¬ 
ing on individual taste in the matter of colouration. Bright in hue, of 
stout substance, with a sturdy habit of growth, the one named Firefly 
will probably please everyone. It is new, flowering this season for the 
first time, and this again will be a point in its favour to those whose 
thirst for novelties may be termed nothing short of insatiable. It is a 
grand addition, and its flowers are as near scarlet as any sort at present 
in commerce. Entirely distinct from the foregoing in respect to colour,, 
age, and brightness is Sulphureum, which tells its own shade. Though 
old it must not be omitted, as it lends variety and thus enhances interest. 
The truss of Duke of Teck is very fine, the colour being a pleasing 
orange scarlet ; while Duke of York, though of somewhat the same 
colour, is distinct in the shape of the flower, which is very handsome. 
Other noticeable varieties were Patrick Davidson. Mrs. Laing, Mrs. 
Joseph Broome, Beechdale, Scarlet Perfection, Lady Wolverton, Mis» 
Ellen Terry, Ignea, Mrs. John Laing, and last, but by no means least, 
the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, the merits of which were recog¬ 
nised in a practical manner at the last meeting of the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society by the assignment to it of an award of merit. Though 
brief this selection contains none but of good quality, and may be 
accepted in toto as worthy of close attention. 
Turning now to the Caladiums, we find a class of plants providing 
a wider and more diversified range than those previously named, only in 
this case the whole of the beauty lies in the leafage. It is, perhaps, 
unfortunate that Caladiums must have, to grow them succetsfully, a 
good amount of artificial heat with a moist atmosphere. These essentials 
are obstacles to their culture by many amateurs, who may only have 
very limited accommodation, but if they have a warm structure it will 
never be complete in the foliage section until it contains a number of 
these very beautiful plants. The range of colouration covered by 
Caladiums is very wide, and the peculiar transparency of the leaf texture- 
with the charming venation render them objects of interest and admira¬ 
tion. No other plants possess these attributes to such an extent, and 
hence no doubt their great popularity in establishments where the 
needful conveniences for growing them are at hand. 
The Laing collection of these plants is a complete one, probably com¬ 
prising all the sorts best worth growing, and it is kept up to date by the 
addition of any new variety of merit that may be introduced from time 
to time. To enumerate alt the varieties would be almost an impossibility, 
and brief reference will therefore be made to those only that were 
the most conspicuous, either in respect of size or colouration of the 
foliage. It is difficult to know where to commence, but it is thought- 
that general admiration will be accorded to L’Automne, which has 
rather long whitish-green leaves with lilac coloured spots and patches. 
It is very distinct, as also is Lymington, a green leaved variety with 
white markings. Other excellent kinds are James H. Laing, Mens. 
Degros, Madame Hubert Koechlin, Le Nain Rouge, Comte de Germiny, 
Comtesse de Maille, Golden Queen, and Ibis Rouge, and these, though- 
few in number, must suffice in the present reference. 
Though Clivias and Caladiums have received attention in these- 
notes, there are many other plants of interest and beauty in the Stan- 
stead Park Nurseries, and as they cannot he specified here it is recom¬ 
mended to readers that they pay a visit and make their own judgments, 
travelling either by the L.B. & S.C. Railway to Forest Hill, or the- 
S.E. Railway to Catford Bridge, both of which are within easy walking 
distance.—N omad. 
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE FLOWER SHOW. 
The Newcastle Spring Flower show was held on Wednesday anJ 
Thursday, April the 24th and 25th, at the Olympia. The entries, says 
a local contemporary, were fewer than usual, but the tables presented an 
attractive appearance, and the larger exhibits of tubbed plants were in 
as gorgeous bloom as we are accustomed to see them on these occasions. 
The large plants in front of the platform in particular presented a mass 
of colour, consisting chiefly of white Deutzias and crimson Azaleas. 
There was also a very fine row of large plants under one of the galleries, 
the first prize, Countess of Haddington Rhododendron, being especially 
noteworthy. It was covered with almost perfect flowers of white and 
pale pink. It was sent by Mr, N. Black, gardener to Miss Pease, 
Darlington. 
