September 17, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
241 
informed that this is a troublesome weed in some parts of the south of 
England, but it is a “ weed ” some of us in the north would be glad to 
have in our gardens. 
Veratrum nigrum, the Black Hellebore, is grown in quantity, and a 
large mass in full flower was a grand sight. Alongside were plants of 
one of the other varieties, which generally flower more freely than the 
black, but they have not flowered at all this season. Although past its 
best, a plant of Spiraea kamtschatica (gigantea) had been very fine. 
A plant such as this, 9 or 10 feet high, with grand flat heads of white 
flowers must have been an object worthy of all admiration when in good 
condition. Passing on among hardy flowers in endless array we came to 
a bed where Acsena microphylla or Novae Zealandiae was apparently 
revelling in a congenial spot. It was simply splendid to see the mass of 
yards of crimson spikelets covering the ground like a carpet. Most 
effective, too, were the best grown plants I have ever seen of Chrys¬ 
anthemum latifolium—seedlings of Mr. Wolley Dod’s raising. The 
flowers were large, broad petalled, and of purest white, some being 
beautifully notched at the ends of the petals. Deeply interesting were 
some of Mr. Wolley Dod’s seedlings—one a hybrid between a Sweet 
William and an Alpine Pink ; another a tall, large-flowered white Pole- 
monium, a seedling from P. flavum, and probably crossed with P. coeru- 
leum, but finer than either. Another good seedling was a pure white 
Aconitum. 
Time and space fail me, however, in my task of endeavouring to tell 
something of the plants in this wonderfully beautiful garden. I have 
still notes of many interesting plants I saw. Eryngiums, with spikes 
and heads of blue of various shades, such as those of E. giganteum, 
amethystinum planum, and others ; Echinops, Iberises, Campanulas of 
all sorts and sizes ; a beautiful clump of Potentilla nepalensis, which is 
an old favourite of mine, and which I shall now know to plant in a 
mass ; Epilobium Fleischeri, Veronica virginica alba, a mass of grand 
white spikes ; Lysimachia clethroides, Dianthuses, Androsaces, Gentians, 
Cimicifuga racemosa ; Centaureas, ruthenica being highly praised by 
Mr. Wolley Dod; Cytisuses, Hypericums, Phloxes, and a host of others 
make me feel ashamed that I have had the temerity to attempt to 
write here of what would require the whole of the Journal to treat 
aright. 
I have said little of the courtesy and kindness shown to me by the 
owner of this beairtiful place. I have said nothing of the vast stores of 
knowledge regarding his favourite flowers which he possesses, and which 
he does not regard as for his own benefit alone, but which he is ever 
ready to impart to others in such a manner as to make a walk through 
the gardens in Mr. Wolley Dod’s company so interesting and so edify¬ 
ing that I was loth to tear myself away from a guide so courteous and 
a scene so fair. The farewell had, however, to be taken, and I left 
Edge Hall feeling even greater love for my favourite plants, but 
regretting that my little garden in “Bonnie Scotland” cannot lend 
itself to yield such beautiful effects. Mrs. Beecher Stowe has written 
a book with the alluring title of “ Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands.” 
I have many “ sunny memories of other gardens,” but none will 
linger longer in my mind than that of my visit to Edge Hall, with 
its incomparable flowers which seem to laugh to scorn my feeble 
attempts to describe their beauties, but which make one long for the 
inspiration of some of the poets who can so worthily sing of their love¬ 
liness.—S. Abnott. 
Laege Geowebs in Small Classes. 
Mb. Raillem has failed to answer the chief argument, and again 
evades the main question at issue. He does not appear to be very happy 
on the ground he has taken up. He must know full well he is wrong, 
but he does not seem to like to admit it. It was never a difficult 
problem to solve if the will was there, but as Butler puts it, “ Convince 
a man against his will, he’s of the same opinion still.” 
Reverting to your correspondent’s statements. In the first place he 
states that an exhibitor and his friends took no steps to bring the matter 
before the N.R.S. in the proper manner. This, I think, he will find 
erroneous if he will take the trouble to inquire of the Hon. Secretaries. 
I think he will find a gentleman of the Committee two years ago brought 
the matter before that body, with a draft of a revised schedule prepared 
for their consideration and approval. I also forwarded one of a similar 
character to the last general meeting. Again ; has it not been brought 
before the Committee, and every one of your readers who is interested 
in Rose growing and Rose showing week after week through these 
columns? and is it not a fact that the most effective mode of seeking 
redress for any grievance is through that powerful organ the Press 1 
Secondly, he states that the N.R.S. have done something in the 
direction desired by adding one class and two medals. This has no 
connection whatever with the question of large and small growers. The 
class referred to is especially for exhibitors who have never before 
taken a prize at the metropolitan show. When once that prize has been 
obtained by an exhibitor he cannot enter the same class again. 
Thirdly, he states that no such just grievance existed or exists. To 
this statement it is sufficient to say, If there were no grievance there 
would be no cause for complaint. I think I could not do better than 
refer your correspondent to the observations of the Rev. Mr. Pemberton 
upon this subject in the Gardener's Magazine of August 27th. 
In referring to the instance at Hereford Mr. Raillem states that there 
was no case made out against the schedule or management, but that I 
admitted justice was done. Justice was done by the Committee in not 
allowing the exhibitor to re-enter, but had that exhibitor in the first 
instance entered for twelve instead of twenty-four there is no rule in 
the schedule that could have prevented his doing so. That is the bone 
of our contention. That the large growers shall not slide down into 
the smaller classes. 
One word in answer to your correspondent’s last paragraph. In 
backward seasons small growers are just as much handicapped as large 
one3, if not more, considering their respective requirements, but all that 
they ask is that they should only have to fight their equals ; while 
what Mr. Raillem requires is, that when he is not up to his usual 
strength he shall be allowed to slide down and snatch the prize from 
the man of one-quarter of his equipment 1 This certainly is not my 
view of fair play. 
As I am tired of continuing a correspondence that seems to lead only 
to contradiction without argument, Mr. Raillem may retain his own 
opinion, and I will of a certainty hold mine.— An Exhibitob. 
A VISIT TO COLCHESTER. 
Me. B. R. Cant’s. 
We were glad to see our old friend and his wife and family looking 
well, and to partake of their never failing hospitality; with “ The 
Trophy ” in its old place of honour on the table, and pleasant talk of 
the present and past seasons we might have been disposed to linger had 
not the unwonted occurrence of a tolerably fine afternoon urged us to 
go out to see the Roses. 
No one can, I think, deny to Mr. B. R. Cant the foremost place 
among professional Rose growers, not only from the mere fact of his 
having most often won championship honours, but also because he may 
be looked on as quite the veteran pioneer of all Rose growing com¬ 
petitions. That he still so successfully holds his own shows that the 
famous “Alderney butter” subsoil of his land is by no means exhausted, 
and that himself, his sons, and experienced foremen are able to keep up 
the old reputation in spite of the greatly increased competition of 
young and vigorous firms. 
The original Mardchal Niel which we used to reverence on the south 
wall of the house has had to give way to an enlargement of the building, 
but many fine standard Teas still remain near at hand in full vigour, 
though of considerable age. From one of these a lovely specimen of 
Madame Berard was cut for us, perfect in form, and most beautiful in 
its many varied shades of colour. The backwardness and lateness of the 
season was naturally a theme of general comment. I understood Mr. 
Cant that by the date on which he cut his first blooms this year he had 
last season sold £800 worth. 
We went first among the dwarf stocks, and in one piece of ground 
noticed alternate rows of cutting and seedling Briars, which were to be 
budded with the same sorts in order to test the difference. I was struck 
with the absence of weeds, which in Buch a season means not only care 
and trouble, but also expense. The most troublesome and necessary 
parts to clean are those where Briar cuttings are being struck for next 
year’s budding—troublesome because the shoots grow horizontally 
almost if not quite on the ground ; and the weeds must be drawn by 
hand, which is a terrible job, as I know to my cost ; and necessary, 
because all parts of the plant being so close to the ground the weeds are 
more smothering and harmful. 
The standard stocks were a sad sight indeed, a very large proportion 
having been killed by the severity of the winter. Old and young had 
suffered alike, and even some of those which had grown out had shrunk 
and died afterwards. There can be little doubt (and it is a fact that 
amateurs should bear in mind) that in November, 1892, standard Roses 
of all sorts will be scarce indeed, and good strong ones rarer still. 
Teas were being budded on the standards, and the method pursued 
did not differ from that generally in use among amateurs, except that 
Mr. Cant surprised me by saying they did not unfasten the ties of raffia 
at any time, even on the standards, but left them to decay when they 
would. I think amateurs, who have more time to potter over individual 
plants, will find it better to remove the ties from their standards at the 
end of a month ; on dwarfs, contact with the damp earth causes the 
raffia to rot off just about the time when it ought to be loosed, but on 
standards I think the shoot will often be indented and the flow of svp 
checked if the tie remains, and if it be removed I fancy the insertei Tea 
buds will ripen more, and be in a better condition to withstand the 
winter frosts. Nevertheless, I feel very strongly that in venturing this 
opinion I am “teaching my grandmother” with a vengeance. One 
other item in budding we learnt here—that the bud nearest the bloom, 
and generally of a more pointed shape than those lower down, is not 
fit for use ; it commonly produces a flower bud at once on a very short 
stem, and even if it does not then die outright a satisfactory head stldiin 
results. I recognised the description of the result at once, as having 
several times occurred with me, but did not before know the cause. 
Mr. Cant thinks that bad growers, both among H.P.’s and Teas, 
make stronger growth and better heads as standards than as dwarfs. 
We were to note as instances Princess of Wales (T.) and Germaine 
Caillot (H.P.). We did not compare, I think, the former variety, but 
we know that Teas do better as standards if they can be kept a’ive 
