April 26,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
327 
usually the case, snakes are regarded as something to be avoided, it is 
palpably a misnomer. But then some snakes are known to have skins 
of brilliant colours, and from this point of view the designation is most 
applicable, for as one stands at either end a blaze of colours is brought 
to the sight such as one might well go many miles to see. One side of 
this entrance has been given up to rock plants, crowned with ornamental 
foliage and flowering trees and shrubs ; and the other to large trees and old 
stumps, overgrown with Ivy. As a consequence of this the latter is 
sometimes known as the “ Rootery,” and the former the Rockery, names 
which everyone will admit are applicable. 
Let us flrst turn our attention to the “ rootery,” where the object 
aimed at—to copy Nature—has been well achieved. Under the shade 
of the trees deliciously scented Wallflowers shed their fragrance around, 
while here and there a Periwinkle peeps out, and Primroses bloom 
profusely. Wood Hyacinths, white and blue, and Lilies of the Valley, 
with Brambles climbing over the stumps of trees and small mounds, 
all tend to enhance a most charming and refreshing sight. 
On the opposite or rockery side the eflEect is totally different, but not 
one whit less pleasing. Bright masses of Aubrietias are seen covered 
with purple and rose blossoms, broad stretches of the chastely beautiful 
Arabis alpina, patches of Snake’s Head Lilies (Fritillaria meleagris), 
and clumps of various coloured Auriculas add brightness and beauty. 
Saxifragas, too, are seen in great numbers, and including such varieties 
as Wallacei, Macnabiana, peltata, muscoides purpurea, zealandica, 
ceratophylla, Burseriana, sancta, and pyramidalis. Amongst the 
Aubrietias, Leichtlini, Campbelli, Hendersoni, and graeca are far the 
most showy. 
Other charming plants to be seen are Veronica rupestris, the rose- 
coloured Phlox setacea, Tiarella cordifolia, Antennaria dioica rosea. 
Geranium lancastriense, magnificent clumps of Alyssum saxatile, and 
Iberis semperflorens, while crowning the whole are specimens of 
Magnolia conspicua, Pyrus (Cydonia) japonica, Berberis stenophylla. 
Dielytra eximia, Prunus sinensis flore-pleno, Pyrus malus floribundus, 
Forsythia viridissima, and Prunus Pissardi. As it is at the Snake’s 
Lane entrance so it is at the Court Lane and Rosebery Gates and on 
the rockeries in the middle of the park—everywhere there are flowers in 
abundance. In the American garden many of the Rhododendrons are 
open, and others have large healthy looking buds which give promise of 
a grand display in a short time. Large patches of Daphne cneorum 
majus, splendidly flowered, and lines of hardy Heaths are very 
beautiful. 
Mention may well be made, in conclusion, of the cleanliness which 
pervades the whole of the park, borders, rockeries, grass, and walks all 
prove the presence of an indefatigable hand, and such is found in the 
Superintendent, Mr. W. Bailey, on whom the highest credit is reflected, 
for he has shown conclusively that he was in every way qualified to 
follow his talented and energetic predecessor, Mr. J. W. Moorman, who 
was transferred to the larger area of Victoria Park.—H. J. 
SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAISON CARNATIONS. 
Fifteen years or so ago I used the syringe on these Carnations, and 
never was free of spot and fungus. Being told by a good grower not to 
syringe or water the foliage, I tried the non-syringing system, and have 
never been troubled with fungus since. Mr. H. Dunkin (page 229) says 
“ a judicious use of the syringe is one of the greatest cultural aids to 
keep them in good health, and those who are troubled with the fungus 
should use the syringe with persistent intelligence.” Does “ judicious 
use ” and “ persistent intelligence ” really mean to syringe the plants, 
or the material the pots stand on ? 
The Rangemore practice and mine is to keep the plants in a cool 
temperature, never water the foliage, and shade from bright sunshine. 
If anyone has cleaner or finer looking plants than ours I should be 
pleased to see them. Do such well known gardeners and able growers 
as Messrs. Jennings, Douglas, and Roberts use the syringe on the above 
Carnation ? 
Speaking of Carnations, what a fine variety Mrs. H. Cannell is. It is 
the same size as Souvenir de la Malmaison, colour deep pink, does not 
split, and is perpetual blooming.—J. Hamilton, ByrMey, Burton-on- 
Trent. 
PRIMULA OBCONICA POISON AND REMEDY. 
“G.H.” remarks on page 306, about the great risk that gardeners 
and others run in the cultivation of this Primula, which could be 
reduced to a minimum if a little care were exercised. I have been a 
cultivator of this beautiful plant for a number of years, and have only 
once had a slight attack of its poisonous propensities, then having a 
large exhibit of these and other plants to remove at night, when a great 
deal of work had to be done in a short time, and I was perspiring 
freely. The next morning I found my hands and arms inflamed, and a 
tingling sensation similar to that caused by the sting of a Nettle. I at 
once applied with a sponge a mixture of Condy’s fluid and warm water, 
one dessert spoonful to half pint of water,allowing it to dry in. After a 
few applications the inflammation and irritation disappeared. I have 
recommended it in several cases, and it has always proved effectual. 
I should indeed be sorry to see this charming plant disappear from 
our greenhouses. I know several who have given up its cultivation on 
account of its poisonous nature ; it being of easy cultivation and very 
floriferous should make it a general favourite. Young plants raised 
from seed sown in March, and potted as required in rich porous soil, 
make useful plants for winter flowering. The finest plants I have ever 
seen were grown by an amateur in a small greenhouse, which was a 
sight not easily forgotten.—C. H. H. 
LINUM ARBOREUM. 
Seveeal Linums are favourite plants in greenhouses, but 
L. arboreum is not generally well known, and its flowers being rather 
small would not attract so much attention at first until its merits were 
recognised. It is, nevertheless, a useful plant, becomes quite 
shrubby in habit, attaining a height of several feet, and flowers freely 
from the apex of the branches. 
Ordinary light loam with a moderate proportion of sand suits this 
Linum; but good drainage is required, and if the soil be somewhat 
heavy a proportion of leaf soil will be found beneficial. It can be 
FI«. 54.— LINUM AEBOREUM. 
increased bylcuttings, but these require care, as they do not produce 
roots very readily. Fig. 54 represents Linum arboreum, which is 
suitable for growing in a cool house. 
NARCISSUS EXHIBITION AT BIRMINGHAM. 
This was held [in the Edgbaston Botanical Garden on the 18th and 
19th inst., and an opinion was freely expressed by the growers that it 
was the finest Exhibition ever seen, excepting that of the Daffodil 
Conference. 
In the class for a collection of Daffodils on 15 feet of table, and in 
five tiers, the first prize was easily won by Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, 
Chilwell Nurseries, Nottingham, with a superb exhibit, comprising 
seventy-five bunches of fresh blooms admirably staged. Amongst them 
were a bunch of thirteen wonderfully fine blooms of Madame de Graaf, 
Glory of Leyden (very fine), J. B. M. Camm, W. P. Milner (of the small 
trumpet section), P. R. Barr (a small Empress, a very refined flower of 
a most pleasing shade of yellow), Mrs. Vincent (a small white trumpet 
variety of excellent quality. The following short-cupped varieties were 
also conspicuous :—Maurice Vilmorin (soft cream, with orange cup), 
incomparabilis King of the Netherlands (a very little known variety. 
