274 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September i9, 1887. 
sandy, and consequently very hot and dry during summer, Inula 
glandulosa will require a perfectly shad / spot ; indeed, the plant is 
always more robust and free-flowering if planted on a north ex¬ 
posure, where the sun’s influence is hardly ever felt. In localities, 
however, where the soil is stiff and clayey it may he best to plant in full 
exposure, the main essential being a cool medium for the roots. It in¬ 
creases very rapidly by offsets, by which means it may be propagated 
to almost any extent, lifting and dividing the plants in autumn, firm¬ 
ing the soil well about the roots when replanting. The accompanying 
woodcut (fig. 35) gives a good idea of the size of the flowers, the 
numerous ray florets being cut up into narrow strips, deep orange- 
coloured, and surrounded by a 'peculiar brown hairy involucre. As 
Fig. 35.—Icula glandulosa. 
a border plant it is amongst the finest for summer display, the blooms 
lasting a considerable time in perfection. It is a native of the Cau¬ 
casus.—M. S. 
AROUND NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. 
SOUTH SHIELDS PARKS. 
There is little of special horticultural importance in South Shields, 
but since the population has advanced so rapidly the local authorities 
awakened to the necessity of providing some open spaces for the recrea¬ 
tion of the inhabitants and visitors, two public parks being the result. 
One of these, the North Park, is situated on low ground to the left of 
the entrance to the pier ; the other, the South Park, being on a higher 
level, has admitted of rather more picturesque treatment, and though it 
is yet in an incomplete state the work is sufficiently advanced to in¬ 
dicate the character of the design. In the North Park little more could 
be done than provide spacious paths for promenade with lawns, and a 
few shrubberies for protection. Some diversity and interest are, how¬ 
ever, imparted to the place by the rockeries introduced, one of which i* 
cavernous in its structure ; a few flower beds also brighten the summer 
effect. The principal strength is, however, being concentrated upon the 
South Park, and rightly, too, as a judicious liberality in expenditure 
could render this a very pleasant resort. The management of this Park 
has been entrusted to Mr. Peebles, and under his superintendence it has 
been rescued from a tract of waste land extending to the seashore. It 
required some courage to undertake the transformation of such a site 
into an ornamental garden and park, but a carefully considered plan 
was prepared, and is being steadily worked out with satisfactory results. 
The higher portion, which commands a good sea view, has been con¬ 
verted into a broad terrace promenade, with balustrades and flights of 
steps leading to the lower garden. The latter has been laid out in lawns 
and flower beds with bordering shrubberies and a small central lake. 
A convenient glass range is also provided for the propagation of the 
plants needed in bedding out, and also for the cultivation of indoor 
flowering plants. Facing the right hand side of the terrace is a con¬ 
siderable mound close to the sea, and this might be easily rendered a 
prominent feature treated as a rockery. As might be imagined in such 
an exposed position, fully open to the east and north-east winds, which 
during the winter months sweep along this coast so keenly, the greatest 
difficulty is experienced in finding evergreen deciduous shrubs and 
trees that will thrive, or even exist. There ar j some that will endure 
these trying conditions when well established, but in forming new 
plantations a large per-centase of deaths must always be expected. If 
planted in spring when the March ordeal is passed they run the risk of 
being damaged during a hot dry summer before they can obtain a hold 
in the soil, and if planted in autumn there is poor chance of escaping 
the winter. Only those who have had experience in seaside gardening 
on such a coast as this can form an adequate idea of the vexatious 
difficulties that have to be overcome. The best_plan is to employ some 
of the quick-growing Poplars, as protection for the less vigorous anel 
small r shrubs or trees, and the selection of these must be a very 
limited one. The common green Euonymus, Golden Elder, and Aucubas 
can generally be relied upon, but the hardiest variety of the common 
Laurel is found to succumb at South Shields. Many others are being 
tried, but it requires a season or two to prove their qualities, and the 
shrubberies must necessarily present a rather thin appearance for a 
time. 
At Westoe, which is still higher and nearly as much exposed, Mr. B. 
Cowan, the courteous superintendent, has had the same difficulties to 
contend with, the result being that he has had to rely almost exclusively 
upon the common Elder and its varieties. These have, however, been 
employed with considerable taste, and as they thrive most strongly 
under the conditions which are so injurious to other shrubs, it does not 
take a great time to form dense hedges or shady walks. One long path 
has been very successfully treated in this way, the' common Elder, with 
the Parsley-leaved (laciniata), and the Golden variety being planted to 
form an avenue that is now quite luxuriant. Too much could scarcely 
be said in favour of the Golden Elder for exposed positions, and it amply 
deserves all that Mr. Cowan wrote respecting it in the paper read before 
the English Arboricultural Society some time ago. It grows freely, 
assumes a fine golden hue, and is highly effective either in masses or 
singly as dwarf or tall plants. At Westoe some long ribbon borders are 
backed up with yearling plants of Golden Elder not allowed to exceed 
a foot or so in height, and these have a capital appearance, a stock being 
raised every season for the purpose. It is an idea that might be advan¬ 
tageously followed elsewhere. The Cut-leaved Elder already mentioned 
might be employed more freely with advantage, as it is extremely grace¬ 
ful and was long ago designated by Loudon as “ the handsomest of all 
the varieties.” A golden form of this would be a grand addition to the 
list of useful seaside shrubs. 
SUNDERLAND PARKS. 
This busy town, which until the present trade depression advanced 
so rapidly in size and population that it acquired the name of Mushroom 
Sunderland, has been well provided with parks for a considerable time, 
and as we have previously stated, it was in advance of Newcastle in 
this respect. Mowbray Park is situated near the Museum on the one 
side, and is bordered by the Ryhope Road on the other, this being the 
oldest of the public parks, as it was taken over by the town some thirty 
years since. It was originally an old stone quarry, and a steep escarp¬ 
ment 50 to 60 feet high has been utilised with excellent effect. The 
face of the rock is almost hidden by masses of luxuriant Ivy, which has 
taken full possession, clambering about freely, or hanging in festoons 
from projecting points. The upper part has been converted into a 
terrace with abundant seats, and from there a good view of the town is 
obtained. The lower portion, extending to the Museum, is tastefully 
laid out in lawns, flower beds, shrubberies, and a lake, constituting an 
agreeable summer resort for the people, as bands are provided several 
days in the week. Immediately adjoining the Museum is a handsome 
winter garden, erected by Mackenzie k Moncur about eight years age. 
It is 140 feet long, very lofty, and of ornamental design, the interior 
being well furnished with specimen Palms and Tree Ferns, with 
numbers of smaller flowering and foliage plants of the usual deco¬ 
rative character. One end has been formed into an extremely pretty 
fernery, the other being chiefly used as an aviary, the central portion 
containing the largest specimen plants. Outside this is also a broad 
terrace, the inevitable accompaniment of all northern parks, and this 
overlooks the lower garden leading to the escarpment. Some distance 
from there near the sea at lloker, another picturesque park has been 
