220 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ llurch 15, 1888. 
below—which is also a farewell glance—at a number of beds of large 
proportion that have been for several years a home for the most 
elaborate carpet bedding in the principality. The beds are now being 
turfed down, and carpet bedding entirely discarded, at least for the 
present. We must take the opportunity of paying tribute to Mr. 
Roberts for the very excellent manner in which he managed this 
department. His originality in design, and capital taste in detail, 
balance of colours, &c., would compare not unfavourably with the 
achievements of our London parks in these particulars. 
In the glass departments general excellence prevails. Immense 
crops are the rule every year with Peaches, Nectarines, and indeed 
Grapes. Of the latter there is one young house especially in splendid 
condition, consisting chiefly of Hamburghs. A thousand Peaches is 
certainly a large number of good table-sized fruit to be the product of 
five trees, and amply bears out my statement as to heavy crops. The 
varieties grown are the old Royal George, Noblesse, Bellegarde. &c.; 
Pine Apple Nectarine is the favourite. The vineries afford a supply of 
another delicious fruit besides Grapes—namely, the Passiflora edulis, 
which is grown on the back walls, and which is deservedly popular 
here for dessert. Cut flowers bjing much in demand as in most 
establishments, we find Mr. Roberts resorting to many “ artful dodges ” 
for a supply. In one house recently used for tender bedding plants we 
find healthy Gardenias planted out, a safe resource for a few choice 
buds. Immense plants of double Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums on back 
walls, and coming outdoors we find in the kitchen gardens long ranges 
of earth pits, full of Violets, Marie Louise, Comte de Brazza, Victoria, 
and Odoratissima, literally masses of flower, though gathered daily. 
There are large quantities of Strawberries grown of the very best kinds, 
and among them Loxford Hall Seedling, a grand variety where it con¬ 
descends to succeed as it does at The Plas. We will discuss the vegetables 
indoors, whither we are going, but not without a passing note on the 
long borders of Carnations of sorts that are also favourites and thrive 
like weeds. Directing our steps towards Mr. Roberts’ coaj cottage, 
through frames and Melon ground, we are favoured with the “outward 
and visible sign ” of a Melon, that is to say the rind, the interior having 
just been discussed elsewhere, and we were assured that though cut 
three months it was quite as good as in the height of the season. I 
fancy I hear some old gardener remark, “ Ah! it must have been 
‘ William Tillery ! ”’ Guessed again. Here is another testimonial to 
the good old variety. Shortly afterwards we retrace our steps, after 
heartily thanking our host and hostess, but we find the path towards 
the station vtry steep, and we puff as hard as the “ double bogie ’’ that 
again bears us on our homeward journey.— Bradwen. 
THE BULB MITE. 
Having read the article by “Observer” on page 152, I venture to 
add a few remarks upon Eucharises affected with the mite. I am fully 
convinced such a mite exists, not only on Eucharis, but also Vallotas, 
Pancratiums, and Amaryllises. Until recently I have, like others, dis¬ 
carded such plants as were affected with the mite, but often experience 
teaches us to modify our views and methods. A few months ago, in 
paying a visit to a previous situation, I asked if the Eucharises had 
recovered from the rough usage they experienced when under my 
charge. Some few plants were diseas^, and were treated as follows. 
I turned every bulb out and scrapeil away every particle of the infested 
portion, then washed each bulb singly in warm water, afterwards soak¬ 
ing them in a strong solution of Fir tree oil for several seconds. I then 
placed them all on hot-water pipes to dry thoroughly, repotted several 
in a 12-inch pot, and conveyed them to a stove, merely placed on dry 
stages whore moisture would readily evaporate. These were watereil 
and kept rather dry for a considerable time. When a few weeks had 
elapsal signs of growth were promising, but I was not satisfie<l with 
their puny leaves. As soon as they hail advanced a little I prepared 
quite a thickened mixture of lime, soot, and water, but added more lime 
than soot, and watered them thoroughly three times as they became iLy. 
The surface remained undisturbed. After witnessing their vigorous 
and healthful appearance some time ago I fully believe the lime and 
soot exterminated the mite. From my observations of bulbous plants, 
and particularly of Eucharises, injudicious watering when the plants 
are in a low temperature encourages this pest greatly.—D. P., Locliinge 
Gardem. 
The discussion in your pages upon this subject has reminded me of 
a conversation I had with an old manager of a noteil nursery in this 
county (Sussex) a few months ago. In passing through a house chiefly 
filled with fine Eucharises, he asked if I had ever seen the Eucharis mite, 
and replying that I hail not he said, “ I have, and my opinion is that it 
is caused by too much water.” The exchllent condition of the plants in 
his charge was sufficient proof that they were in the hands of one who 
understood their wants. I am one of those, indicated by Mr. Haggart, 
who are expected to grow Eucharis without having an unlimited 
command of heat. For six of the twelve months they are chiefly under 
the shade of the Vines, and in the autumn and winter they have light 
quarters in a house used for Cucumbers in the early part of the year, 
but where the temperature often falls below 50° in the short days of 
winter. Though the plants do not bloom so regularly as they do where 
they have a goo 1 (losition assigned them all the year round, still the 
result is fairly satisfactory. Your correspondents, Mr. E. Beckett and 
Mr. X. Haggart, have proved that Eucharises can be well grown with 
less heat and moisture at the roots than is sometimes advised, and I 
quite agree with the latter, that much mischief would soon be brought 
about by applying lots of water without, at the same time maintaining a 
high temperature.—A Working Gardener. 
Having a short time ago visited the well kept gardens at Aldenham 
House, Elstree, under the charge of Mr. Beckett, I can fully endorse the 
remarks recently‘made respecting the collection of Eucharis growing in 
that establishment. They are marvels of cultural skill. After so much 
discussion in Journal of Hurtleulture, it is interesting to meet with 
a collection where there is no appearance of the mite (which has 
destroyed so many collections). I feel convinced that if all plants were 
treated in the same manner as those at Aldenham, we should soon hear 
less of the Eucharis mite.—C. B. 
GARDENERS’ DIARIES. 
I WILLINGLY send a few lines in support of what “ J. H. L.” says 
on the above subject. When an under gardener I kept a diary for 
several years, and I can assure all young gardeners who wish to get on 
and gain knowledge of the profession that there is nothing will help him 
more towards that end than spending an hour or more of an evening 
writing down what has been done during the day in the various depart 
ments of the garden. Besides, if he does not happen to be a good hand 
at writing and spelling this will help him in becoming better at both. 
The young men in the bothy here are keeping diaries.—G. Hilton. 
SELF-IMPROVEMENT. 
I WAS delighted to read the article in the Journal of Horticulture 
of February 23rd, page 155, on the subject of self-improvement of gar¬ 
deners, especially the last paragraph recommending the study of short¬ 
hand to young gardeners. I heartily support that recommendation, 
because I know from experience that shorthand or phonography is a. 
useful adjunct to a gardener’s education, for by its aid he is enabled to 
record observations and make memoranda in a quicker and readier 
manner than in ordinary longhand writing. It is invaluable for keep¬ 
ing a diary, for making extracts from books, papers, and periodicals, the 
very habit of doing which is valuable exercise for the memory. One 
thing especially I have found it helpful in, and that is for recording 
any remarks, data, or observations on the labels used for pot plants or 
any other purpose. Take Chrysanthemums, for instance. The name of 
the variety could be written on one side of the label in longhand which 
everybody could read, and on the other side could be written in short¬ 
hand the date of potting, top-dressing, taking the buds, or any remarks 
which would be useful. The habit of doing this would be found an 
education of itself to young gardeners ; they would often consult the 
labels and be surprised at the information they gave. There are many 
ways in which shorthand would be useful, not the least of which is 
correipondence with gardening friends who may have learnt the art. 
There are some people who think it is waste of time for a gardener to 
learn shorthand, but such have never acquired the art, and therefore 
cannot judge. I commend it to all young men engaged in gardening, 
feeling sure they would benefit by it.—E. D. S. 
1 MUST thank your correspondents for the advice which we have 
had from time to time in the Journal, and I for one will try and advance 
from being an illiterate under gardener to an educated gardener, I div 
not, however, think that we shall ever be able to attain to such high 
knowledge as some of your writers think we ought. For instance, we 
find “ North Briton,” on page 171, advising us young men to learn 
French and Latin, whereas the majority of under gardeners have not 
mastered the English language. Many of us were called upon to earr* 
our own livelihoxl at the age of twelve, and in two or three years, by 
steady advancement, we secured situations as under gardeners. Where 
are all these higher attainments to be reached I I confess that in our 
bothies hours are wasted which ought to be turned to better account. 
The time spent in card-playing, Ac., might be better employed in im¬ 
proving our writing, spelling, grammar, and drawing, as well as keep¬ 
ing a diary of the work.—E. B. 
In the Journal of Horticulture of February 9th, “ Experientia- 
docet ” referred to some gardeners holding good positions not being 
able to write an intelligible letter to their employers. I can fully en¬ 
dorse the statement. I know of one case in particular where the person, 
after having been resident for five years, could not write his own ad¬ 
dress correctly ; who also sent parcels to his employer directed, “ Per 
Parsle Posts who when writing (or rather trying to write) a label 
would do it in such a miserable form that even himself in five minutes, 
after could not detect what letters his fancy ups, downs, and beyonds 
were meant to resemble. I have seen the same person label-writing 
with a catalogue lying before him, copying as anyone would have 
thought letter for letter ; but no, his memory seemed to forsake him 
somewhere between the catalogue and the label, which would cause him. 
to drop a letter altogether or put in some very doubtful substitute. 
The certificates his assistants received when they thought of changing 
were remarkable, and they were always ashamed to show them, think¬ 
ing no doubt that others might be apt to judge the men by the master. 
I have mentioned this case as it is the worst I know, but there are 
others who are very little better. It is disgraceful to see such meh as 
those filling high positions in our mi 'st, whilst well-educated and 
