54 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
January 18, 1894. 
with Mr. Eichard Parker’s successes as a successful exhibitor of Chrys¬ 
anthemums ; but for a while at least, if not altogether, he is giving up 
exhibiting, as his time and attention are now so much required on the 
estate outside of the gardens. Mr. Parker has also a reputation as a 
successful exhibitor of fruit, and may he long continue so, and appear¬ 
ances at Impney are in favour of his continuing to be in the front at our 
exhibitions. 
The gardens and pleasure grounds are extensive, the mansion is on 
an elevated position, and the park and grounds are well wooded, the 
river Salwart running through it. The terraces are bold and well laid 
out, and are kept in the best of order, with huge beds of Ehododen- 
drons and other evergreens in masses. In leaving Impney one carries 
with him that it is a fine place, and takes its position amongst the best 
gardens of the kingdom.—W. D. 
WINTER FLOWERS AT READING. 
Where an attempt is made to produce a special display of flowers at 
this period of the year the results are usually of an exceptionally 
satisfactory character, particularly if judicious management is forth¬ 
coming. If not devoid of interest, as they never should be, the majority 
of outside gardens at least present a desolate appearance now, hence 
most persons appreciate plants that bloom during the winter, thereby 
making a show that for brilliancy is perhaps unexcelled at any other 
time. In many private gardens the efforts made in this direction are 
worthy of record, but the facilities do not permit of that close attention 
which is so characteristic of some trade establishments. It is therefore 
in the latter that we find the best effect, and Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of 
Reading, must be included in this category. At the nurseries of this 
well-known firm there is now an exhibition of bloom that is unique, 
interesting—one might add instructive, inasmuch as the respective 
plants afford a variation of colour that gives food for thought; and 
moreover, cultural hints are always derivable from an inspection of such 
collections of plants. 
Taking the Primulas first, one is keeping within bounds in saying 
that nowhere, perhaps, are these popular winter-flowering plants better 
represented than at Reading. Careful selection, indefatigable and 
judicious hybridising, combined with proper management, have been 
productive of results that are now known throughout the civilised 
world. The plants are grown in thousands, and a recent critical 
inspection of the numerous types not only revealed the fact that the 
Reading Primulas this year fully maintain the good reputation they 
have long had, but that further progress has been made. By many 
growers it may be thought well nigh impossible to make very great 
improvements in the best of the forms now in cultivation, but it would 
seem that such has occurred. In some cases a fresh break in the foliage 
takes place, and in others entirely new colours are noticeable. Among 
the latter is the popular heliotrope shade, which viewed in a mass makes 
a charming effect. This is a double variety, and one that is destined to 
become a favourite. Great strides have been made in the purple forms, 
the best of these being Imperial Purple. The flowers of this are large, 
double, well formed, beautifully fringed, and are borne in immense 
clusters on stout stalks that rise as if proud of their distinetiveness. 
The colour is very striking, being a rich magenta purple, whilst 
the habit of the plant leaves nothing to be desired. Double Blue 
is exceptionally distinct, and notwithstanding the great amount 
of fire heat that it was necessary to employ during the recent 
severe weather, and which materially affects the blooms, the colour is 
most intense. Some splendid forms of double whites are conspicuous 
for their size of blooms, neatness of habit, and floriferousness. The 
Fern-leaved Double White is a charming plant, the rich green leaves 
being of exquisite formation and the flowers are freely produced. 
Double Alba Magnifica is one of the novelties of the year with its 
splendid fringed flowers, and the Carnation-flaked retains the position it 
hitherto has held. For effectiveness the double carmine, crimson and 
scarlet varieties cannot be surpassed, and like all these double forms are 
invaluable for supplying flowers for cutting. The same may be said of 
the beautiful salmon rose variety, the flowers of this being a most 
delicate shade, which harmonizes exquisitely with the white-flowered 
kinds. Those who are able to take a retrospect of the career of these 
plants will doubtless agree with the writer that considerable progress 
has been effected during the past decade or so, and the flower-loving 
public are indebted to the hybridizers who have so diligently worked to 
produce such results. These double and semi-double forms bear a 
favourable comparison with the old-time florists’ varieties that were 
formerly so popular in gardens. These are quite as useful for general 
decorative purposes and certainly much easier to grow. Under these 
circumstances it is not a matter of surprise the older kinds have been 
generally discarded for the newer varieties. 
With reference to the single-flowered varieties, these are as equally 
diversified as the double kinds, and in some respects are more interest¬ 
ing. It is obvious that with these some really remarkable breaks have 
been obtained. Years of intelligent hybridising of the best varieties 
has resulted in some extraordinary forms, showing a wonderful dis¬ 
tinctiveness in habit of growth, foliage, size of flowers, and in the 
variation of colour. An effort is being made to obtain a true yellow- 
flowered variety, but whether such will be secured time only can tell. 
Ho far, however, a step in the right direction has been made, and Messrs. 
Sutton’s hybridiser is sanguine enough to anticipate a yellow Chinese 
Primula in the near future. A few years ago the blue-flowered varieties 
existed mainly in imagination, but now we have them in reality, the 
colours apparently becoming more intense every year. The Fern-leaved 
Blue, as seen at Reading, is unquestionably one of the best of its class 
extant, the habit of the plant being dwarf and compact, whilst the 
flowers are nearly 2 inches in diameter. Snowdrift, another Fern-leaved 
form, is remarkable for its earliness and free-flowering proclivities, and 
in the Pearl we have an ideal Primula, the habit of the plant being 
perfect, and the large white flowers of great substance. Purity is a 
gem, characterised by its dark Fern-leaved foliage and immense white 
flowers, the same applying to Gipsy Queen, which has exceptionally 
dark leaves. Although not new, Ruby King is, perhaps, unsurpassed 
for colour, the Reading Scarlet also meriting attention in that direction. 
The pink forms, including Rosy Queen, Brilliant Rose, and Reading Pink, 
are very pleasing, and extensively grown for the delicately tinted flowers. 
The foregoing constitute plants that are dwarf and neat in habit, well 
furnished with robust fresh foliage, and flowers of the best form, size, 
and substance, comprising amongst the dark kinds the richest colours 
imaginable, and of whites as pure as snow. With these recommenda¬ 
tions they should find a place in every garden, as such plants ought to 
satisfy the most fastidious; but there are many tastes for which the 
florists have to cater, and whilst some persons prefer the varieties named, 
others place size before everything. The latter will find the Giant forms 
most suitable. These include glowing crimson and pure white flowers 
of immense size and substance. The plants possess a vigorous habit, 
and the blooms, many of which measure nearly 3 inches in diameter, 
are produced on stout stems well above the foliage. 
Cyclamens also form a special feature at Reading, and it is obvious 
that to these Messrs. Sutton & Sons have paid more than ordinary 
attention. Most of the plants are in 5-inch pots, there being in many 
cases completely hidden by the mass of foliage, above which rise the 
beautifully coloured and pure white blossoms. Being grown mainly 
for the production of seed, as are the Primulas, the plants are arranged 
in sections, each colour having a separate position. Hybridising is 
persistently carried on with the object of effecting improvements, as 
well as procuring new breaks, and each year brings forth its novelties. 
The latest include a charming variety named Salmon Queen, which will 
probably create a sensation w’hen put in commerce. The flowers, as 
indicated, are of a beautiful salmon pink tint, quite unique in its way. 
Giant Cherry Red is also a new colour among Cyclamens, being very 
brilliant, and one destined to become a popular variety. Giant White 
when well grown is a magnificent plant, the flowers being large and of 
the purest whiteness, produced on stems that need no support. The 
same remark applies to crimson, purple, and rose-coloured forms of 
this section, which for general use are perhaps unsurpassed. Apart from 
the beauty of the enormous flowers, the leaves are most attractive, being 
large, of great substance, and beautifully marked. For richness of 
colour Vulcan is a variety that has for some years occupied a foremost 
position, the flowers being a very deep crimson shade. In comparison 
with this the chaste form known as White Butterfly shows up well, and 
by many growers is considered one of the finest pure white Cyclamens 
extant. The Mixed Prize strain is also worthy of note, comprising a 
selection of the best types in cultivation. 
There are other winter flowers at the above mentioned nurseries, 
including a number of the new Streptocarpus Wendlandi. Dwarf 
Cannas, too, are in bloom, and it may be interesting to say that these 
plants were lifted from the open ground in the autumn, placed in pots 
in a comparatively warm house, with the result that they continue to 
produce spikes of showy flowers. Selections of Roman Hyacinths are 
also on trial for the purpose of securing the best forms only, the same 
applying to Lily of the Valley and other winter flowering plants, 
including the magnificent Cinerarias which are now expanding their 
beautiful blossoms.—C. 
TOMTITS IN THE GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 
Noticing the remarks of “ A. L. B.” on page 28, I consider it 
would be more definite and satisfactory to name the individual species 
which take the fruit buds in Lanarkshire. Here we have four species 
which would be called “ tomtits ” by some persons—viz., the great tit, blue 
tit, cole tit, and marsh tit; but the one most commonly referred to and 
understood by that name in this loeality is the small blue tit (Parus 
coeruleus). Tits abound in my garden and orchard. I know their use¬ 
fulness, and encourage them to the fullest extent to build, and shelter 
them in my old boots, tin teapots (one of these has had scores reared in 
it, besides several broods of wrens, which I mention for the interest of 
young readers of the Journal), and boxes. 
It certainly is not in a cavilling spirit that I wish to dispute 
“ A. L. B.’s” observations, but I have just as much right to believe in 
the innocence of the birds in this respect in my garden, after watching 
them closely for some fifty years, as “ A. L. B.” has in recording their 
destructiveness in his. I have no power to appoint “a commissioner” 
to “ examine and report ” on the tits in Lanarkshire ; neither can I 
pay a personal visit, much as I should like to shake hands with the 
writer of so many interesting articles I have read ; but to clear up a 
point I would not hesitate to travel thousands of miles, even to the 
Antipodes, if “ the game was worth the candle.”—J. Hiam. 
Birds and Green Fly. 
On page 28 of the Journal of Horticulture Mr. Garner gives an 
interesting note about the wren and green fly. I have noticed this bird, 
and its relative, the golden crested wren, very busy indeed among green fly 
during early summer. Four years ago a pair of common wrens built in 
