496 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 10, 1891. 
weather, and after inspecting some thirty-six large houses I felt amply 
repaid, for bad as the weather was outside I was the greater portion of 
the day in a congenial atmosphere. The firm of Messrs. Clibran & Son 
has made rapid strides of late years. Their first catalogue was a small 
•eight page list of 250 copies. This year they have sent out over 
$0,000 copies, well printed and full of valuable information. In 1872 
the Oldfield Nursery consisted of one greenhouse, £20 a year being paid 
for rent. Now they have over 3 acres of glass alone, and over 100 acres 
of land, the rental being raised to over £1000. The employes number 
•over 150, and £7000 is paid annually in wages alone, I was fortunate 
in finding Mr. Clibran at home, and we set out together to inspect the 
great area of glass. His first greeting was, “ I hope you have not come 
with the intention of seeing a show place. Ours is not so in a sense ; it 
is rather a large plant manufactory ; ” and I was soon reconciled to the 
fact that he was right. All the houses are of the plainest description— 
span-roofed, but excellent for their purposes. It would be quite 
impossible for me in the space at my command to pretend to give a 
■detailed description of everything I saw in each of the thirty-six large 
houses, and it could not be expected of me to enter into such minute 
details, but I will as far as possible deal with some of the more important 
-stocks of plants grown. 
Stove Plants. 
Seldom have I seen such quantities and in such clean condition. 
Splendid healthy Dipladenias of all the best forms — Brearleyana, 
amabilis, ornata, Thomas Speed, boliviensis, Lady Louisa Egerton, 
and insignis, with Ixoras amabilis, Colei, conspicua, Dixiana, Duffi, 
Morsei, sanguinea, Westi, and Williamsi. Fine plants of Stephanotis 
were noted, including a very free-flowering variety, and one which will 
stand the temperatures — viz., Cole’s variety. All the above plants 
were represented in various sizes, and in capital growth. Of Allamandas 
all the best varieties are grown, one especially, magnifica, surpassed 
the others by its free flowering and the excellent substance of its large 
clear yellow flowers. Stigmaphyllum ciliatum (Golden Vine) was 
charming on the roof of one of the houses. The foliage is extremely 
pretty, and the flowers suggestive of Oncidium flexuosum. Schubertia 
grandiflora had pure white flowers, nearly 2 inches across, produced in 
trusses; they last a long time, and have a delightful almond-like fragrance. 
These are two plants which can be thoroughly recommended ; there are 
also Bignonias, Tabernsemontanas, Thunbergias, Toxicophlseas, Rudgeas, 
Luculias, Rondeletias of which they have a very fine form, surpassing the 
ordinary types. Gardenias by the hundred, Dracmnas, Anthuriums, 
Crotons, Clerodendrons, iEschynanthus, Alocasias, Euphorbias, Hoyas, 
and many other choice stove plants are also included. 
Greenhouse Plants. 
All classes are to be met with, but the most noticeable were the 
Bouvardias. Thousands were in full bloom, the sorts largely grown 
being Vulcan, President Garfield, Purity, President Cleveland, and Mr. 
Robert Green. There is a great demand for these as young plants, and 
when in flower for wreaths. Cyclamens were in equal abundance, but 
not then at their best; Azaleas, the most useful variety being Deutsche 
Perle, of which some 2000 are forced each year; Calceolarias, Cinerarias, 
and Primulas were in all stages and pictures of health; Richardias on every 
hand, and nearly all grown on the single crown system. The variety 
grandiflora has large spathes, and is altogether a finer growing variety 
than the old form, while Little Gem is what its name implies, only 
being about 9 inches or a foot high. Ficus clastica variegata 1 never 
saw better. Camellias in all pizes are represented by healthy plants. 
Clematises were there in thousands, comprising a large number of Jack- 
mani, indivisa, and icdivisa lobata, Jackmani alba, and the beautiful 
•double variety Duchess of Edinburgh. The new variety Smith’s Snow 
White is likely to become a favourite. Clianthus magnificus is a far 
finer acquisition than Dampieri and was flourishing in abundance. 
Lapagerias in all varieties formed a splendid stock, and the beautiful 
greenhouse Rhododendrons were also noted in many sizes. In one 
greenhouse a grand display of Lilium lancifolium album and auratum 
were in full bloom. About 2000 of the former are grown each year, and 
2000 of the latter are imported. Some 1500 L. candidum are forced each 
.year, and 6000 imported. There was a fine houseful of Fuchsias, from 
12,000 to 15,000 being sold each spring. Passiflora Watsoniana was 
unique in the large collection of Passion Flowers. 
Tuberous Begonias. 
The Begonia house is 150 feet long and 34 feet wide. Although a 
little late there were many fine varieties left as witness of what the show 
bad been. Flowers of the finest substance in shades of salmon, pink, 
crimson, yellowy and all the intermediate shades, and the Picotee-edged 
were clearly defined. The seedling doubles were extremely beautiful. 
About 15,000 had been bedded out, and I was informed that notwith¬ 
standing the adverse season they had done remarkably well. 
SOLANUMS. 
A house 210 feet long is devoted to the cultivation of these beautiful 
berry-bearing plants. They are grown in three successions. The first 
plants were just finishing, the second changing colour, and a third just 
swelling. Every plant will find a ready sale. This house is heated by 
steam, and Mr. Clibran says it is excellent for forcing purposes, and is 
used for forcing Lily of the Valley, Hyacinths, and Tulips ; 50,000 Romans, 
35,000 large flowering Hyacinths, and 150,000 Tulips are grown annually. 
Zonal Pelargoniums. 
A house 150 feet long is in full bloom at the present time, and a 
magnificent display they make. No Inferior sorts are grown, only the 
best varieties are to be seen, and some of the seedlings are very 
promising. A few of the best are Oldfield Surprise, Jessie Clibran, Lady 
Vernon, Lady Egerton, Mr. H. Barlow, Mr. T. W. Killick, Oldfield Gem, 
Rev. Dr. McKennal, Sir Wm. Cunliffe Brooks, and Willie ClibraD. 
Other promising seedlings are on the way. A new bedding variety 
certificated at Liverpool last August will be sent out by them next 
season under the name White iWest Brighton Gem. It has a well- 
defined leaf and a dwarf habit, and ought to be in large demand. 
Speaking of new plants, I wish to say a word in praise of the new 
Tropreolum Mrs. Clibran. As a bedding variety it will become as popular 
as anything yet sent out. With a wet season like the present it has only 
grown about 6 inches high, and ihe clear yellow flowers glisten like 
gold. It is to be sent out next season, and has been thoroughly tested 
in every respect. 
Ferns. 
Three or four houses each 150 feet long are set apart for these, the 
demand being so extensive. Everything old and new is kept in stock. 
Beautiful young plants of Adiantum farleyense in 5-inch pots were 
noticeable for the fine fronds they carried. Adiantum Waltoni was 
decidedly superior to the old A. cuneatum. They were growing side by 
side, and it is so fine as to warrant a most extensive propagation, and 
only requires a closer acquaintance to have a large sale. Many thou¬ 
sands of Palms in all sizes are to be seen, amongst which were numbers 
of the somewhat scarce Kentia Canterburyana. 
Roses. —The principal Rose house is 150 feet long and 28 feet wide, 
and is filled with Roses in pots packed closely, and nowhere can be 
found a trace of mildew. They were in rude health, the climbing varie¬ 
ties being especially well grown. Thousands of plants might be counted 
in various other houses, all bearing the same healthy appearance. 
Chrysanthemums. —I was a little early for these, but there was 
sufficient evidence that their cultivation is well understood. They were 
arranged in a large span-roofed structure in three divisions, the first 
being filled with large flowering sorts, the others with plants grown 
specially for cut flowers. In the first I noticed Mr. R. Bahuant, well 
illustrated in the Journal recently. It is a most pleasing shade, and, as 
I saw it, must find many admirers. Alberic Lunden has large flowers, 
after the Stanstead Surprise style ; colour a beautiful carmine crimson, 
with white centre. Coronet.—The largest buds of any in the collection of 
a light bronzy yellow, globular in form. Mr. A. H. Neve.—Silvery blush, 
rosy purple centre, long drooping florets, a lovely variety. Gloire de 
Rocher, Louis Boehmer, and Robert Cannell all gave promise of 
excellent blooms, and Mr. W. H. Lincoln was charming. 
Caladiums had been a splendid show, a few of the best at the time of 
my visit being Mrs. Harry Veitch, L’Aurore, Ibis, Rose, L. Lorraine, 
Comte de Germiny, Oriflamme, and Lymington. Orchids are being taken 
in hand, and a house containing amongst others a fine pan of Caelogyne 
cristata alba 3 feet across, fine pieces cf Dendrobium nobile nobilius, and 
some choice Cypripediums and Cattleyas. An improved variety of the 
edible fruiting Passion Flower is here, superior in every respect to the 
old variety, and is to be sent out very shortly. 
The collection of herbaceous plants is extensive and well grown, and 
of Dahlias the same remark will apply. Shrubs and fruit trees are 
excellent clean examples. Many other things I could dwell upon, but 
space forbids. Messrs. Clibran are busy erecting new stables, and other 
improvements are in contemplation. In addition to the Oldfield 
Nurseries they have the Stamford Nurseries, Bowdon ; and Principality 
Nurseries, Deganwy, Llandudno. The latter they intend to devote 
chiefly to the cultivation of fruit trees and Roses. The Roses were 
doing exceedingly well.— Visitor. 
ORCHIDS AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT 
KING’S SCHOOL, WARWICK. 
What a fascination both these popular classes of plants have for the 
majority of those who become interested in their cultivation, and to 
keep a garden gay throughout the year the best of all methods to adopt 
is to grow successional supplies of well-selected plants, and make a 
speciality of them. This is the plan pursued in the garden of the 
Rev. J. P. Way, who is an enthusiastic horticulturist, and whose gardener 
(Mr. W. Rouse) manages so admirably all the plants which he takes in 
hand. At the present time Chrysanthemums are the chief attraction, 
and a bright varied show they make in the two houses in which they are 
arranged. Most of the best varieties are grown, as well as many of the 
older kinds which have been ousted from many collections on account of 
their not being large enough for exhibition. A notable flower which is 
not often seen now is Madame de Sevin, which is a useful decorative 
variety. Mrs. Alpheus Hardy was in good form, almost equal to a fine 
bloom I saw a few days after at the Birmingham Show. Louis Boehmer 
was also in fairly good condition, and is certainly a good companion to its 
hirsute pioneer. Sunflower, Etoilede Lyon, Mrs. F. Jameson, and Stan¬ 
stead White were conspicuous among the Japanese ; and in the incurved 
section The Queens, Lord Wolseley, Prince Alfred, Violet Tomlin, 
Refulgens, and Barbara were especially good. The plants throughout 
were in excellent health, though only grown for providing a good home 
display. Many of the flowers would have given a good account of 
themselves if placed upon the exhibition boards. 
The Orchid houses were filled with healthy plants of Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Vandas, and Cypripediums 
of a useful size for supplying cut flowers, and thereby creating much 
interest and delight, as the varied markings of flowers of so many types 
are j constantly unfolding some fresh beauty, and stirring up the 
