September 1, 1887. ] 
JOURjsaL of horticulture and cottage gardener. 
181 
closely clipped, and from the time that new growth has commenced in 
early summer until autumn the bright effect produced is very striking, 
and as it is planted upon a hillside it is distinguishable at a iconsider¬ 
able distance away. We were also struck by the varied tints of’yellow 
ranging from light yellow almost to bronze produced by the different 
shrubs (seedlings) constituting the hedge, and which improved the 
general effect. We strongly recommend it to planters.” 
- A visitor to Knowsley Hall Gardens writes : Gardeners 
and others who have any doubt about digging annually round the roots 
of fiuit trees, such as Peaches, Plums, and Cherries, grown under glass, 
should inspect the Plum house at Knowsley. The condition of the trees 
and the enormous crop of fine fruit they are carrying are sufficient to 
remove all misgivings from the mind6 of those who question the sound¬ 
ness of this method of culture. The Cherries and Peaches are in the 
same admirable condition as the Plums. The trees look excellent, and 
the fruit has been in each instance of the highest quality. Finer fruit 
or trees, especially in the case of the Peaches, it would be impossible to 
find in any part of the country.” 
Many of the readers of the Journal will doubtless know Newton 
Don, near Kelso, N.B., and knowing the place, must know the genial 
gentleman who, for the last forty years, has managed the estate for the 
Balfours. They will be sorry to learn that Mr. Thom has been obliged 
to resign the position he has so long and so worthily occupied on account 
of increasing infirmity. Mr. Thom is a very keen, earnest, and 
thorough gardener, and when the bedding-out rage was at its highest, 
the pretty flower garden under his charge was kept in the highest order- 
The old herbaceous borders were, however, never done away with, but 
among the other plants selections of Pentstemons, Phloxes, Delphinium® / 
:and other florists’ flowers were grown, while rows of the newest and finest 
Dahlias and Hollyhocks, backed with glorious lines of Sweet Peas, made 
these old borders features of the garden which once seen were never for¬ 
gotten. Though for a great number of years Mr. Thom never exhibited, 
he continued to grow florists’ flowers to the highest perfection, Dahlias 
and Hollyhocks being his favourites. The wall trees under his charge, 
more especially the Apricots and Peaches, were always pictures of health 
.and fruitfulness. Vegetables were- also extremely well grown, some of 
the strains being selections of his own, which he had kept for long 
periods. Mr. Thom never forgot a man who he found endeavoured to 
•carry out his wishes, and not a few gardeners in good situations to-day 
have to thank their old master for bearing them in mind when an 
opportunity occurred to do them a service. All such and many more of 
his friends will cordially join in wishing him a peaceful resting time 
after so many years in harness. We understand that Mr. William 
Wood, who for the last few years has efficiently fulfilled the duties of 
inside foreman in Lord Haddington’s Gardens at Tyninghame, East 
Lothian, has been appointed Mr. Thom’s successor as gardener and 
-estate manager. 
- The Muscat Grapes at Knowsley are again very fine. The 
bunches are not large, but the berries are, w r hile the former are all that 
can be desired for home consumption. The bunches are splendidly 
coloured throughout the two houses ; the laterals are kept well pinched 
back, and a subdued light reaches the fruit. Mr. Harrison, the able 
gardener, does not believe in removing the foliage or tying it back, for 
such practice results in the shoulders and side next the sun being 
coloured and browned, while the remaining portion of the bunch is any¬ 
thing but a golden amber colour, such as those at Knowsley are. Black 
Hamburghs are also excellent in the size of.the bunch, berry, and in colour. 
■Gros Maroc is specially fine grown with Hamburghs, the bunches were not 
large, but the berries were of enormous size. Some ladies who have had 
this Grape say it is a superb one for invalids. Those who express this 
opinion have had Grapes of the very best quality for years, and are 
therefore capable of passing an opinion. 
- “W. B. ” writes:—It is questionable if any variety of 
‘Cucumber excels VeitclTs variety of the Telegraph. For some years 
we have tried it by the side of many others, and prefer it. It 
fruits early, and with good treatment will continue to yield abundantly 
throughout the season. The fruits are straight, about 18 to 20 inches in 
length, and highly esteemed in the market.” 
- -The same correspondent observes that “ M.P. ” Potato has 
done better with him this season than any other variety. “ The early 
' arieties generally were much lighter than usual, and smaller in size. 
M.P. is a second early, and the dry weather has not affected it in the 
least, for the crop is heavy, and the tubers large, and nearly all of one 
size. It is a beautiful white Potato, and the quality all that can be 
desired.” 
Dwarf Peas.— A gardener writes to us, stating:—“ I have 
grown American Wonder, Chelsea Gem, and William Hurst (Laxton’s), 
and am decidedly in favour of the last-named variety. Hitherto I have 
been of the opinion that American Wonder was the best dwarf Pea in 
cultivation, but if William Hurst behaves in the future as it has done 
this year, it will take the place of the former variety.” 
The same gardener informs us that amongst others that attain 
a height of 2 feet 6 inches. Abbott’s Duchess Pea must in the future 
take a prominent position, for it has cropped heavily in moderately light 
soil. The pods are very large, containing from nine to eleven peas. They 
were sown on deeply worked land that had been well manured. The 
row s were never watered, and did not display the least signs of suffering 
by the drought. 
-A visitor says:—“The Madresfield Court Vine grown 
on the extension system at Garston, and which now fills two houses, has 
this year carried two hundred bunches, some of them weighing 2^ lbs., 
while the whole would average considerably over 1 lb. The majority 
of the roots are outside. 
Tree Planting in London.—A striking and beautifying 
change in the aspect of London is being wrought by the continuous 
planting of trees. The few trees that existed a quarter of a century ago 
were the old trees in the parks, some of the squares, and here and there 
veterans loft in churchyards. They were mostly Elms, stately cer¬ 
tainly, but sombre, with their dark trunks and their bright spring foliage 
rapidly turning to a dark green, made dingy by the smoke. Horticul¬ 
ture was then, perhaps, at its lowest. Plans of old London show many 
fine avenues of trees and many spaces laid out as gardens. But as old 
trees died they were not replaced, and the grounds were seized by the 
speculative builders. Now everything is changed. Flowers abound in 
all districts, rich and poor. The owners of houses in the wealthier 
districts appear to vie with each other in producing the most beautiful 
floral displays, which not only enliven their own rooms, but brighten 
the whole neighbourhood. In the poorer districts unpretending window 
boxes or pots of plants, which yield so much pleasure to those who take 
care of them, are everywhere to be seen, and the parochial flower shows 
for window gardening which are at this time of the year being held 
furnish testimony to the amount of tender care that has been bestowed. 
The more enduring changes have been the substitution of the Virginian 
Creeper for Ivy, and planting with Plane trees instead of Elms. The 
Creeper is everywhere brighter than the Ivy. To estimate the number 
of Plane trees planted in London since the formation of the Thames 
Embankment would be almost hopeless. They are to be met with along 
all the main thoroughfares to the suburbs, in our broad avenues and 
newly formed streets cut through old slums, in churchyards, and at 
most “crossing refuges” large enough to hold one. No tree seems to 
thrive better in London. Since 1884 forty-six gardens and grounds have 
been opened under the auspices of one Society alone.—(fic/to). 
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. 
The weather having cooled somewhat thinking becomes a little less 
difficult and writing less irksome ; yet. if all were alike prone to self- 
indulgence and to make no effort against yielding to repose the columns 
: of the Journal would never be filled. I feel I must reproach myself for 
not being more energetic ; but I have been very much like some gardens 
—nearly dried up, and am not quite sure that this dryness will not be 
apparent in these jottings. 
Though the weather has been so exhausting to plants and their 
cultivators, and a great deal more than inconvenience has been experi¬ 
enced by gardeners, farmers, indeed by nearly everybody, I still think it 
is a good thing that seasons like the present occasionally recur for re¬ 
minding us of neglected duties and warning against a continuance of 
taking things easy. The population is ever increasing, and of necessity 
the demand becomes greater for the requisites of life. The greatest of 
these is water, yet in years of abundance there is a disposition on the 
part of individuals and corporate bodies to be lulled into a state of false 
security ; and not a few have narrowly escaped a severe penalty this 
year for past apathy. The possibility of a rainless summer is forced on 
public attention now, and endeavours will be made to provide for such a 
