90 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ August i, 1887. 
of the seeds, or of subsequent growth after germination. No doubt 
there may be other causes, but this one must have a leading influence. 
It then becomes an interesting branch of study to inquire why these 
seeds do not germinate, and thus aid the plant to recover the ground 
lost through destructive agencies ? 
An observation estending over about six years led him to conclude 
that there was much in the interdependence of plants. Whatever 
affected the existence of individuals of one species might lead to the 
extermination of numerous others, and the successful endeavour of one 
to establish itself in one locality gave the necessary opportunity to fol¬ 
low and sustain themselves. This observation was as follows :—A wood, 
chiefly of Chestnut and Oak, of about an acre in extent, was turned into 
a picnic ground—a place for summer pleasure parties. All the shrubby 
undergrowth was cut away. The plants which might have grown up 
were kept tolerably well trodden down by the numerous visitors to the 
wood, except one solitary Blackberry plant (Rubus villosus), which, 
being thorny, led to its avoidance by human feet. After the second 
summer some change iff railroad arrangements led to the abandonment 
of the wood for picnic purposes, and plants had a chance to grow up 
again without disturbance from human beings. The Blackberry plant, 
by the aid of its creeping roots, now forms a thicket of about 30 feet in 
diameter. The following list of plants growing among the Blackberries 
that were not found in any part of the wood, except the last two, which 
were in small quantities here and there, was made in October of this 
year :— 
Eupatorium perfoliatum, Rubus occidentalis, Liriodendron Tulipi- 
fera, Cornus alternifolia, Smilacina racemosa, Ambrosia artemisias- 
folia, Laurus Sassafras, Polygonum Persicaria, Achillea Millefolium, 
Solklago canadensis, Mulgedium acuminatum, Bidens frondosa, Silene 
verticillata, Fragaria virginiana, Aster longifolia, Eupatorium album, 
Circrea lutetiana, Geranium maculatum, Acer rubrum, Phytolacca 
decandra, Muhlenbergia diffusa, Potentilla canadensis, the last two to 
some extent in the wood. 
All the kinds, however, grew in the vicinity of the acre of woodland, 
though not within its limits, and it was easy to note that they had 
grown from seeds falling or brought to the Blackberry patch during the 
last three or four years. Those who are familiar with the seeds of these 
plants will understand that there is nothing special about them that 
would easily lead to their being brought there by birds that might 
rendezvous in the thickets. We must look to the wind as the chief 
agent in transporting them there. This being the case, we should look 
for the plants from wind-sown seeds in other portions of the wood, as 
well as in the Blackberry patch. That they are not in the wood else¬ 
where permits us to say that the shade, moisture, preservation of decay¬ 
ing leaves, or of some other incident not acceptable to other plants in 
the wood, but favourable to these strangers, gave them the chance to 
sprout and grow. They were, in fact, dependent on the Blackberry for 
their first start in life. This conclusion was further evidenced by the 
fact that, though some of the annuals had evidently seeded and repro¬ 
duced plants for several successive seasons, no plants were found spread¬ 
ing out of the protecting area of the Blackberry thicket. Certainly 
these species were all dependent here on this plant, as this plant would 
probably be dependent on others in some other instances. 
How some plants can exist, grow healthily, produce seed, and not 
spread, Mr. Meehan illustrated in the case of Shortia galacifolia, the 
original locality of Michaux having a few weeks ago been rediscovered 
by Professor C. S. Sargent. Though it had maintained itself for the 
best part of a century, it had existed without spreading. Some circum¬ 
stance had evidently prevented the seed from germinating, and these 
circumstances would undoubtedly be controlled by the presence or 
absence of some friendly plant. 
As will be seen from an announcement in our advertisement 
columns the Newcastle-on-Tyne Autumn Show will be held on 
August 31st, September 1st and 2nd, instead of commencing on August 
30th, as previously arranged. It will be held in the Royal Jubilee Ex¬ 
hibition grounds, and the total amount of prizes is the largest yet 
offered by the Society, including £50 for collections of fruit. The Secre¬ 
tary is Mr. J. Gillespie, Cross House Chambers, Westgate Road, New- 
castle-on-Tyne. 
-Adjoining the Show ground at St. Neots, Hunts, noticed in 
another column, one of Messes. Wood & Ingkah’s nueseeies is worth 
a visit, as although it is of moderate extent, and is employed chiefly for 
stock plants of Pelargoniums, it is extremely well kept, and the re 
spective merits of the different varieties of the former plants are readily 
seen in comparative trials. Such valued bedding varieties as Henry 
Jacoby, Vesuvius, West Brighton Gem, Lady Bailey, Master Christine; 
and Madame Vaucher, are grown by thousands—10 to 20,000 each. Of; 
white varieties Huntingdonian looks remarkably well, compact m habit; 
very free, and pure ; White Clipper is also a good bedding variety. 
Many others of the best Zonals are grown in quantity, and the beds 
devoted to them have a brilliant appearance. Bronze leaf varieties are 
similarly tested, and most notable amongst them are Zulu exceedingly 
dark ; Black Douglas, and Beauty of Calderdale. Another specialty 
at this nursery are the Cucumbers grown for seed. A long span-roof 
house is now full of fine fruits of an excellent strain of Telegraph- 
The St. Neots nursery is only one of Messrs. Wood & Ingram’s branch 
establishments, as their principal nurseries are in Huntingdon, where at 
the present time they have an extensive display of Carnations and, 
Picotees in the best varieties of all sections. 
- The Flowee Gaeden at Easton Lodge, Dunmow, Essex, 
the residence of Lord and Lady Brooke, is one of the brightest and 
best filled we have seen this season, for bedding generally has, up tv 
the present, been rather unsatisfactory. Many plants were retained in 
the houses longer than usual owing to the unfavourable weather, and 
when placed out they were somewhat tall, and soon lost their lower- 
leaves. Difficulties like these have been avoided at Easton, the plants-, 
are all very sturdy and compact, and the majority are flowering very 
profusely. In the principal flower garden, which was noted in this- 
Journal last year (page 232, Sept. 9th) the leading features are the long 
broad beds forming the outline of the design, which are filled with 
Pelargonium Manglesi and Verbena venosa mixed, with a narrow margin 
of Iresine Lindeni and a broad band of Cerastium tomentosum. These- 
have an admirable effect, as also have some smaller beds filled with the- 
variegated Ivy-leaf Pelargonium, the orange buff Diplacus glutinosus, 
and the blue Agathasa coerulea—a pretty combination, the pale pink 
flowers of the Pelargonium being freely produced. Bold masses of 
Ageratum, Pelargonium Vesuvius, Tuberous Begonias, produce a rich, 
effect, Brighton Gem Lobelias being employed as a margin in most 
cases with Echeverias. In another portion of the garden are scroll beds 
of Golden Harry Hieover Pelargonium and Lobelias, with circles of 
Coleus Verschaffelti between the bends of,-the scroll, and small plants of 
the Golden Arbor-Vitas in the centre. The Zonal Pelargoniums Henry 
Jacoby, and a large-trussing variety named Mulberry, are effective in 
other beds. A simple and distinct carpet bed and several good ribbon 
borders are similarly showy. The appearance of this garden generally 
well indicates the care and attention it receives from the gardener,. 
Mr. H. Lister. 
- “ D., Deal," writes as follows respecting A Gaeden Pest :— 
“ In reply to your correspondent who so mournfully tells of what he is 
suffering from these thread-like worms, I should like to ask him whether- 
he is quite sure that they are the cause of his losses. He may think this 
Socratic method of meeting his case rather a heartless one, but I really 
mean it. What is his compost ? What the manure ? for it is odd that all 
these different kinds of plants should suffer at the same time from ap¬ 
parently the same cause; and my reason for asking is this. I have: 
observed the same * beasties ’ in those Gladiolus corms which had been, 
attacked by disease, but I never believed that they could effect any in¬ 
jury upon the hard horny corm of the Gladiolus, and that it was only 
when it became softened by disease that they attacked it. In turn¬ 
ing over heaps of manure (especially cow manure) I have frequently 
found large quantities of them. It is of course very difficult in alii 
similar cases to say which is the cause and which the effect, but I would 
strongly advise your correspondent to examine well his compost and see: 
whether there may not be something that disagrees with his plants, and 
whether it may not be that when they become weak these worms: 
cluster round them. I do not pretend to write scientifically, but me -ely 
take a practical view of the matter.” 
- Woeking Men’s Flowee Show. —We are desired to state: 
that “ The Co-operative movement will be represented at South 
Kensington on August 23rd, on the occasion of the National Co¬ 
operative Flower Show, held under the auspices of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society, which will be an exhibition of the products of 
bona fide working men’s gardens, grown from seed sold in penny 
packets. The Show cannot help being interesting and instructive, as. 
it will so thoroughly represent the gardening capabilities of smalt- 
cottagers throughout the length and breadth of the land. Cheap, 
excursions are being organised from all parts of the kingdom, and' 
