October 27, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
357 
that all kinds of gardening not actually of a profitable nature 
should be allowed to lapse. But when the house is inhabited, 
especially in the summer and autumn months, bedding plants are, 
and long will be, much appreciated. The bedding-out system has 
been inadequately represented in many gardens, but worse than 
that, it has been caricatured by both employers and their gardeners 
-through a very common lack of appreciation of the effects of 
•colour and arrangements. I do not intend to say a word against 
bright colours. They are indispensable. The fault is in the use 
made of them. No colour is more often rendered unpleasant than 
yellow, and yet no colour when rightly employed is more effective 
-or more pleasing, especially in autumn. It does not matter much 
whether the effect is produced by a mass of Calceolarias, single 
Dahlias, or Precocite Chrysanthemums, of single Marigolds, 
■common Cornflowers, Violas, or Pansies, the effect is much the 
same in all, though I prefer variety of form when it can be had, 
so grow them all, and many more yellow flowers beside. It is only 
when trying to associate any of these with flowers of another hue— 
crimson Pelargoniums, scarlet Tritomas, blue Lobelias, or Violas, 
and these again with others—that so often the fatal mistake is 
made and condemnation follows. But putting that aside as a 
fault which is apparent in every branch of gardening where 
■colour is a feature, it is perfectly certain that no plants have yet 
been found that are capable of superseding the ordinary bedding 
plants. True, we do not now require to confine the plants we 
•grow to a few ; such recent additions as Tuberous Begonias and 
single Dahlias, and those of a later date, such as Violas and Tropae- 
olums, are of themselves features which have done much to change 
"the appearance of ordinary bedding. Still, the fact remains that 
•some of the older sorts cannot be dispensed with. Calceolarias are 
still bright, Pelargoniums as represented by the newer varieties are 
much brighter than of old, Lobelias are better, so are Ageratums. 
Those who are fond of leaf effects have a very wide selection. Of 
hardy annuals themselves we have quite a good number ; Phlox 
Drummondi is a host in itself, Tropfeolums in beautiful variety, 
Snapdragons, Marigolds, and older kinds like Saponarias, the 
•crimson Flax, &c., are useful. 
What about hardy herbaceous plants ? Is it necessary or de- 
•sirable even to revert to the condition of gardens before the bedding- 
out system, with all that was bad about it, opened the eyes of the 
whole community to the beauty of flowers ? Shall we not 
rather do as we are, and have been doing for years, change what is 
bad and repugnant to refined and educated taste in the bedding-out 
system, and at the same time add all we can of the beautiful, 
whether they be tender or hardy, to the number of our outdoor 
decorative plants ? That is the system I am pursuing, and it is the 
'System which must prevail in the future. We are a changeful 
people, but we are also uii itarians, and from among the crowd of 
mew and old plants which have found their way into gardens 
during the past dozen years those which are best fitted to adorn 
•our beds, borders, lawns, and desert places will alone remain, and 
the many which are of doubtful effect pass out of sight. If I may 
be permitted I would strongly advise gardeners to get out of all 
iruts, and to strike out for themselves decorative features suitable 
to their particular cases. The treatment of hardy plants from a 
•decorative point of view is in very many cases quite as bad as 
ordinary bedding ever could be. Passing through gardens we hear 
the oft-repeated never-ending phrase about there being always 
something fresh “ coming out ” among herbaceous plants, and too 
often that is their only redeeming point. The overwhelming 
majority of garden possessors do not so much want “ something in° 
t.rsting to look at" as bold effects and plenty of flowers, and 
•whether these are tender, half-hardy, or hardy, softwooded, 
annual, or perennial will not trouble them. Nothing I am ac¬ 
quainted with can compete in richness of effect with Henry Jacoby 
Pelargonium, and no other flowers of the same colour last for so 
long a period. Yellow Calceolarias hold exactly the same position 
among yellow flowers, and we might note others ; but although 
this is the case we find room for growing large quantities of 
Tritomas, of Pre ;ocite Chrysanthemums, of Sedum spectabile, of 
all sections of Dahlias, of Michaelmas Daisies, of Daffodils, 
Primroses, Polyanthuses, Paris Daisies, Carnations, Pentstemons, 
Phloxes, Asters, Pansies, Lilies, of many annuals, &c. ; and I am 
fully persuaded that the gardens and grounds would suffer were we 
to do away with any particular section of plants.—B. 
GELASINE AZURE A. 
A BULB GEOWEB desires some information respecting this little-known 
plant, which he will obtain from the following note :—Gelasine azurea 
was first introduced into this country in the living state in 1837, having 
been sent from Boston, U.S.,to the collection of the Dean of Manchester 
at Spoil )rth, where it flowered and ripened its seed. It is a native of 
the Banda Oriental, and the province of Rio Grande, where it occurs in 
stony places. It is sufficiently hardy to bear exposure in this climate 
especially if covered with a few dry fern leaves, and, like some of the 
Irises, retains a part of its foliage through the winter. It is readily 
raised from seed, and young plants will produce flowers the second season ; 
so that it will, we hope, soon be classed amongst the commonest of our 
hardy bulbs. The seeds germinate most freely when sown as soon a 3 
ripe on a gentle heat, and the seedlings should be kept growing through 
the winter. The plant also produces offsets, by which it may be 
increased. 
It grows from 18 inches to 2 feet high, the flower stalk being fur¬ 
nished with four bracts placed at regular distances, the upper one being 
leaf-like. The leaves are from 1 to 2 feet in length, and about 1 inch in 
breadth, pointed at their extremities, and plaited, as in the case of the 
Tiger-flower (Tigridia pavonia). The flowers are produced from a spathe, 
which is shorter than their footstalks. The funnel-shaped limb of the 
blossom is divided into six regular segments, alternately smaller, which 
are united at the base into a tube ; each segment is marked with white 
at its base, on which are several black spots, the segments themselves 
being of a deep blue tint. The three filaments are united into a short 
tube, in other words monadelphous, the anthers tapering upwards, and 
opening by their sides. 
DRAYTON MANOR. 
The Staffordshire seat of Sir Robert Peel is one of the most beauti¬ 
ful in the county. The surrounding country is slightly undulating and 
well timbered, and evidently the trees were planted with due regard to 
shelter and appearance. Beautiful landscapes present themselves to 
view from various points ; the ornamental waters in the middle distance— 
besides rendering the charm that adequate sheets of water always do in 
such positions—act as huge mirrors when seen from the terrace adjoin¬ 
ing the mansion, and reflect the islets and neighbouring ornamental 
groups of trees and shrubs. Whoever laid out the ornamental grounds 
the designer was an artist with a master mind, and additions or altera¬ 
tions more recently made exhibit an equal appreciation of the beauty 
and fitness of things. 
The flower garden is large and of beautiful design, and a little below 
the level of the terrace and to the right of the mansion as one faces it. 
It has on three sides ornamental trelliswork of iron and wire, forming 
a lovely promenade cov.red with Roses overhead. Glowing statements 
as to the beauties of Drayton Manor Gardens had frequently been made 
to me, and I always discounted them a little, but I need not have done 
so, for they are truly beautiful gardens. Chats worth is grand and 
magnificent, but for beauty I prefer Drayton Manor. The conservatory 
