410 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 9, 1895. 
One other point in “A Traveller’s” article, planting trees at this 
season. It is generally admitted that the best season for fruit-tree 
planting is directly the leaves fall. Granted that this is so, some persons 
think though that if circumstances do not favour this being done one 
year they must wait until the next year before planting. Obviously 
this is wrong. Surely a tree planted in April, carefully tended through 
the summer, mulching the surface soil, and supplying moisture as 
required, must be in a better condition next November than one newly 
planted. It is surprising what a number of roots are formed by April- 
planted Apple trees in five months. It is the condition in which the 
roots are found at all periods of their existence that insures success or 
■otherwise.— E. Molynexjx. 
Chysanthemums in Vases. 
From Mr. Fulham, the well-known rockery builder, who combines 
terra-cotta pottery with his business, I have received a very useful 
specimen of a vase for growing and flowering Chrysanthemums in. 
Instead of the well-known terra-cotta the vase in question is stone 
■colour, the sides being ornamented with clearly defined Chrysanthemum 
leaves. In size the vase measures 13 inches in diameter, and is 18 inches 
high. Where vases on terraces or by the side of paths or in the con¬ 
servatory are appreciated capital plants could be grown, producing a 
splendid effect. For open air flowering the early section like the 
Desgranges family, Ryecroft Glory, Comtesse Fouchier de Cariel, or 
Roi des Pi^coces would be found the most suitable. In vases of the 
size named there is ample space for three plants. 
Late-flowering Chrysanthemums. 
In the face of such sterling varieties for late flowering as L. Can¬ 
ning, Leon Frache, Mons. E. A. Carriere, Golden Gem, W. H. Lincoln, 
and the newer Challenge, the varieties alluded to on page 387, which 
Mons. Delaux is sending out, will have to possess points in advance of 
those named before they will be accepted by English cultivators. Like 
“ C.,” I trust all will be thoroughly tested before being put into 
commerce. Much disappointment will be saved by rigid selection of 
seedlings in the future. None but what is really an advance on older 
ought to be encouraged. The public has had, in the past, too many 
of these so-called improvements that they are chary about speculating 
in novelties except the recommendations are bona fide. 
Hairy Chrysanthemums. 
Taken as a whole the craze for this section has not kept pace with 
its first instalment. The advent of Mrs. Alpheus Hardy created much 
interest, curiosity, and admiration. Undoubtedly the alpha of this 
section is still the finest of the whole batch when seen in its proper 
form. Many persons have not only discarded this variety on account of 
its being “ miffy ” in growth, but they have committed the whole race 
to the rubbish heap. Nowadays cultivators and visitors require that a 
Chrysanthemum shall not only possess novelty but some beauty as well. 
It cannot be said that the hirsute appsndage on the florets is any gain 
for vase decoration in a cut state.—E. M. 
New Anemone Chrysanthemums. 
Last season there were several excellent exhibits of Anemone 
varieties at the shows. In spite of the trade protest that they do not 
pay, I was hopeful to see some valuable new additions announced this 
spring from the Continent. Out of several hundred novelties of all 
sections, I have only been able to discover two of the Anemone type 
offered for distribution. Simon and Descartes were perhaps the best 
of 1894, the former being particularly fine in form and delicate in 
colour.—P. 
An American Chrysanthemum Annual. 
The “Florists’ Exchange” of New York, in reviewing the “N.C.S. 
Year Book,” remarked that “ The success of this venture from a literary 
standpoint is but another reminder of the need of a publication of a 
similar nature in this country.” 
From a private letter to hand last week I learn that a gentleman 
well known in American horticultural circles has been engaged for some 
time on such a work, and that it is in the hands of the printers, and 
will be ready for publication in a short space of time. To those who 
are interested in watching the novelties from the other side of the 
Atlantic such a work will no doubt be acceptable. 
It would be instructive to know at the same time when the American 
Chrysanthemum Society contemplates issuing a i:ew edition of its 
catalogue. The last and only one we know of was printed in 1892 
—Chry. 
MORE LONDON PARKS. 
Though the name of Victoria Park is not such a household word 
as either that of Hyde or Regent, it is for natural beauty and brilliancy 
of the spring bedding in no way inferior to either of these. In the long 
sweeping drives and pleasant walks of the former the fashionable 
inhabitants of the West End may ride or stroll at their leisure, while in 
the latter, thanks to the meritorious endeavours of the London County 
Council, pleasures of an equally high order are provided for the thickly 
populated masses of the East. 
It is needless to add that these are appreciated in every sense of the 
word, but the full extent is only known to the crowded dwellers in 
these parts, who are at liberty to roam at will through a maze of 
verdant and floral beauty, the like of which up to recent years could 
only have been found in the private domains of the wealthy. The 
sporting element is likewise catered for, as on a wide expanse of green 
sward no less than thirty-six cricket pitches and a like number of 
tennis courts are prepared and kept in order, while for those of a 
gymnastic turn of mind a whole complement of apparatus is provided. 
The children, too, are not forgotten, and one of the most interesting 
corners in the Park is the space set aside for the gambols of those under 
twelve years of age. Swings and such like are provided, and in addition 
to these is a huge bed of sea sand, brought expressly from Lowestoft 
for the purpose, and here the little urchins sport and play to their 
hearts’ content; that they thoroughly enjoy it may be gathered from 
their merry peals of laughter and the expressions of mirth that may be 
seen in their young faces. For older boys a capital bathing place is 
provided, and after four o’clock on bright afternoons it would not be 
exaggerating to say that the water is alive with them. 
But why am I wandering from my subject? It was the flowers I went 
to see, and truly they were worthy of a visit, in spite of the fact that 
the Hyacinths and many of the Tulips were on the wane. The beds 
are numerous and extensive, and the number of bulbs taken in 
planting them must be very considerable. They are all laid out and 
planted with artistic taste, the colours being blended in such pleasing 
unison that could only call forth ejaculations of approval from the most 
severe critic. 
One bed, producing a fine effect, was planted with the showy Tulip 
Keyser’s Kroon and yellow Doronicum planfagineum, mixed ; while 
another was rendered gay by Tulip Rose Gris de lin and Auriculas. 
Large beds of Proserpine were also displayed, as were also others planted 
with Tulips Joost Van Vondel, La Belle Alliance, and Thomas Moore 
respectively. In the centre of this group was a large mass of the purple 
Tulip Van der Neer, surrounded by the sweet scented and effective 
Yellow Prince. Nothing added more grace to this brilliant display than 
beds of that favourite old Tulip White Pottebakker, with its tall heads 
of flowers towering up and rippling gently in the breeze. 
The Hyacinths were unfortunately past their best, but those remain¬ 
ing of La Grandesse, King of the Blues, Charles Dickens, Czar Peter, 
gigantea, and Lord Macaulay gave a good idea of what they must have 
been when in their beauty. Among the Daffodils were beds of Sir 
Watkin and Horsefieldi, while in others were noticed masses of bright 
Wallflowers (a rare occurrence this spring), and such old favourites as 
Polyanthus, Auriculas, Daisies, and Pansies. 
A pleasant feature in Victoria Park is the large number of forest 
trees planted in avenues, and the flowering and ornamental shrubs. The 
showy blooms of Magnolia conspicua peeping out from a background of 
foliage were a picture in themselves, while the large trees of wild Cherry 
clothed with its snowy white flowers proved a pleasing contrast to the 
brilliancy of Pyrus japonica. Lilacs, Laburnums, and Thorns are all 
full of bloom buds, and on the verge of bursting forth. 
Any notes on Victoria Park would not be complete without a men¬ 
tion of the glass structures and the extensive operations that are going 
forward for the preparation of summer bedding. Thousands of Pelar¬ 
goniums are being hardened for this purpose, all sturdy plants and in 
good condition ; and in addition are to be seen large numbers of Cannas, 
Alternantberas, Coleus, Begonias, Ageratums, Harrison’s Musk, Lobelias, 
and numerous other things, giving some idea of the amount of anxiety 
and labour that is entailed in producing the masses of floral beauty that 
make London parks gay in the summer. A large conservatory recently 
erected, to which there are yet additional wings to he added, is kept 
continually gay with flowers, which doubtless are a source of pleasure to 
many a plant-loving worker, whose only facilities for growing his 
favourites may be the window of his dwelling. A promising collection 
of Chrysanthemums are now advancing in growth for the purpose of 
making gay the large exhibit.on house when summer beauty has passed 
away. A large number of subtropical plants are also in evidence, 
amongst which are splendid specimen plants of Agave americana. 
In conclusion, a special word of praise is due to Mr. J. W. Moorman, 
the able Superintendent of this park, not only for the brilliant display 
of spring bedding, but for the able and enthusiastic manner with which 
he deals with the many complex and arduous duties connected with 
his charge. 
Very different in outline, but no less pleasing in effect, is Greenwich 
Park, which perhaps for rural and undulating scenery has no superior, 
if any equal, in the environs of London. The long grass slopes and 
pleasant valleys are everywhere studded with giant Elms, Horse 
Chestnuts, and other forest trees, many of them old and weather 
beaten—truly figures in history. The extensive view to be obtained 
from the high eminences add much to the beauty of the landscape. 
There may be seen the Gordon Boys’ Home, which is so closely connected 
with the name of the gallant hero of Khartoum, and the far-famed 
Greenwich Hospital, while beyond are the waters of Father Thames 
studded with masts, and further still rises the hazy smoke from the 
great metropolis. The spring bedding here is quite in character with 
the truly natural form of the surroundings, for in strolling a'ong one 
comes suddenly on a bright bed of mix^d Tulips, and a little farther on 
