July 23, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
65 
other Rosea ; Foxgloves, Delphiniums, Asters, and many others 
ure very suitable for dotting about in the grass in any open 
portions. This of course renders the maintenance more expen¬ 
sive. Then the third method is to fill all bare portions as far as 
possible 'with flowers. The best plan here is to employ only those 
that do well under hard conditions of existence. Besides plants 
already named, Primroses, Polyanthuses, Anemones, Doronicums, 
and many others will do well. 
Where shrubs are large and sufficient space is left between 
•each to allow for their development there is nothing like a carpet 
of grass to cover the ground. Primroses, Hyacinths, Daffodils, 
Tulips, hardy Ferns, Irises, Ac., are all capital for dotting about; 
the Primroses indeed may be left to carpet the ground them¬ 
selves. Snowdrops are also very pretty among large shrubs. 
Those who may be afraid of much extra work resulting from 
such methods need not be alarmed on that account. The labour, 
m fact, is less than in keeping a bare shrubbery clean of weeds 
in summer and pointed or dug in summer; and at any rate the 
results are greatly superior, and that in the end is the chief 
matter.— Sylvanus. 
NOTES AT MANCHESTER. 
A short time since I had occasion to visit Manchester, and the selec¬ 
tion of an agreeable route became a matter of some importance, for a 
journey of about 200 miles is rendered much more pleasurable if the 
scenery be varied and beautiful. I have travelled to Cottonopolis by 
■several routes, but this time I was induced by the representations of 
friends to try the Midland line, and with great satisfaction to myself. 
Until Derby is reached there is nothing of a special character to attract 
attention. The scenery is of the ordinary quiet English rural character, 
but a few miles beyond that town a tract of land is entered which for 
sublimity and beauty cannot be surpassed in any part of England. Tbe 
Peak district of Derbyshire is a famed resort for tourists, and very de¬ 
servedly has it gained its reputation, for such a diversity of aspect and 
such an invigorating atmosphere can scarcely be found in Britain with¬ 
out travelling to “ bonnie ” Scotland. An hour’s run through this district 
presents a charming panorama of lofty hills and deep dales, with numerous 
small rivers rushing over steep and rocky courses, the land on the higher 
parts having the peculiar moorland appearance and in others densely 
•clothed with small trees and undergrowth. Through precipitous cuttings, 
•along high embankments, and through numerous tunnels the traveller is 
rapidly hurried, and he carries with him into the great smoky city of the 
north a vivid remembrance of a most enjoyable journey. 
The time at my disposal did not permit my seeing all that is horticul¬ 
tural]^ interesting in Manchester, but I was enabled to visit Several 
establishments of some note, the first being the Fern Nursery at Sale. 
There Messrs. Birkenhead have gradually formed a wonderful collection 
of the choicest and most beautiful members of the Fern world, and if there 
are any who do not admire these graceful plants, which is scarcely 
possible, they would have their opinions greatly altered by inspecting the 
multitudes of lovely plants at Sale. I have heard people remark that there 
is a great sameness about Ferns, but this erroneous notion would soon be 
dispelled by either of the brothers Birkenhead, whose pride in their 
collection resembles the enthusiasm of amateurs. There is, in fact, an 
Astonishing diversity amongst Ferns, from the delicate gauze-like and 
diminutive Filmy Hymenophyllums or the hair-like Trichomanes to the 
giant Dicksonias and Cibotiums, with their expansive shade-aSording 
fronds, there is every gradation. In Palms we have Borne oE the most 
elegant plants of the vegetable kingdom, but the Ferns surpass all in 
their winning gracefulness. Fit companions indeed are they for the 
wonderful and brightly coloured Orchids, and it is not surprising that so 
many admirers of one family are equal admirers of the other. I enjoyed 
my visit to the Sale Nursery greatly, and though I should like to point 
out some of the beautiful Ferns which are there grown, even a moderate 
selection would occupy considerable space, and would unduly extend my 
notes. I can only therefore recommend all horticulturists who have an 
hour or two to spare in Manchester to make their way to the nursery and 
see for themselves the results of many years’ untiring labour. 
Thehead quarters of Manchester horticulture is certainly the OldTrafford 
Botanic Gardens, for there Mr. Bruce Findlay has succeeded in establish¬ 
ing an annual exhibition which many provincial societies have tried in 
vain to equal. The Whit-week Show is in its way unsurpassed through¬ 
out the kingdom, and both horticulturally and financially has proved 
for many years all that its most ardent well-wishers could desire. For 
this alone the Botanic Gardens would deserve a prominent position in 
British horticulture, as during the long period that these shows have 
been held very much must have been done to increase the love of horti¬ 
culture in the district, and the substantial prizes offered have furnished 
many cultivators with well-merited rewards for their skill. There has 
also been a steady advance in the collection of plants, and the improve¬ 
ment becomes more noticeable every year. Not ODly is the number of 
rarities increased, but their condition is also greatly improved—an item 
of much importance, for however extensive a collection may be it is never 
satisfactory if unhealthy plants predominate ; still it is not always easy 
to keep a large mixed collection in good condition, and success is the 
more praiseworthy. 
Another establishment at which I spent a pleasant hour was Pickering 
Bodge, Timperley, the residence of G. Hardy, Esq., and where an exten¬ 
sive collection of Orchids is grewn. The one remarkable feature for 
some time past has been the plants of Odontoglossum vexiilarium, which 
may fairly be considered as amongst the finest in the kingdom. This was 
well shown by the magnificent group at Kensington recently, and it is 
doubtful if so handsome a group has ever been staged there before, 
certainly there was nothing to equal it in merit at the Orchid Conference 
or the subsequent Orchid Show. Mr. Hardy treats his plants exceedingly 
well, and they respond to this by making a vigorous growth and flowering 
profusely, as 0. vexiilarium will do when in proper condition. Another 
interesting feature at Pickering Lodge is the rock fernery, which has 
been constructed within the past few years, and which is now becoming 
well clothed wi'h plants. This is tasteful in design, much varied, and 
presenting several pretty views, the effect of which is considerably 
increased by mirrors judiciously placed. 
At Brockhurst and Woodlawn, Didsbury, may be seen two remarkable 
collections of hardy plants, while at the latter place the specimen plants, 
including Orchids, are becoming noted for their success at the local exhi¬ 
bitions. Ford Bank, also at Didsbury, the seat of Thomas Ashton, Esq., 
I found well worthy of a visit, for the gardens are very ably superintended 
by the experienced gardener, Mr. Bailey, and are most commendable for 
their neatness in every department. Grapes, Peaches, Melons, Cucum¬ 
bers, Tomatoes, and all ordinary decorative plants are well grown, while 
outside, the kitchen garden produce and fruit trees are excellent. Ford 
Bank is, however, pre-eminently noteworthy for its fine collection of 
Rhododendrons, which is scarcely surpassed by any private collection in 
the kingdom, either in number of varieties or the luxuriance of the 
plants. When in flower the numerous beds have a grand appearance, and 
at the time of my visit there were many in this condition. Hardy 
plants receive much attention, and several borders are devoted to old and 
new favourites. 
Several other visits were projected, but the time at my disposal lapsed 
too soon, and I had to reserve several for another occasion.—A VISITOR. 
A MISTAKE IN SUMMER PEA CULTURE. 
The recent dry weather has been testing the Peas. Heat will bring 
out their characters as quickly as anything, and it also tests the best 
modes of culture, and soon shows the result. On light shallow soil the 
straw soon becomes yellow, the pods wrinkled, and the peas hard and dry. 
We recently saw some rows which were in this condition, and the owner 
could not understand the reason. Plenty of mauure had been forked into 
the surface before the seed was sown, and it was thought they would 
luxuriate in this, but they did not when the dry weather came. It was 
then they could not be understood, but in asking about the sowing the 
matter soon became clear. The drills when opened for the reception of 
the seed were not deeper than 3 inches ; consequently all the most 
important roots were very near the surface, and although the manure was 
there it was dried up when the warm weather came, and the result was 
almost a failure of what might have been a fine crop. In another garden 
I could not help saying, “ What very fine Peas !’’ “ Yes,” said their owner, 
“ that is the advantage of deep digging and deep sowing. The ground 
was trenched 20 inches deep, and the seed was put down 9 inches from 
the surface.” This made the mistake in the other place quite intelligible, 
and I resolved to practise deep digging and deep sowing for summer Peas. 
It was a treat to see the deep-sown ones, and the roots being well down 
from the influence of any drought were growing and fruiting in the most 
luxuriant manner possible.—A Kitchen Gardener. 
In Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’ nursery at Chelsea there is now a hand¬ 
some display of Carnations and Picotees fully equal to the best 
they have had on previous occasions. Thirty beds, each 30 feet long and 
4 feet wide, are devoted to the plants, of which there are eighty in each 
bed. All the best varieties are represented, and some very promising 
novelties are included, respecting which we shall have something to say 
on another occasion. During the approaching week the plants will be at 
their best, and no one interested in these useful and beautiful flowers 
should miss the opportunity of seeing them. 
- Premier Rose Blooms.— At the Exhibition of the Moreton-in- 
Marsh Horticultural Society (affiliated with the National Rose Society) on 
Wednesday, July 15th, the silver medal of the latter, given as an addi¬ 
tional prize for the best stand of Roses, as well as the bronze medal for the 
best Hybrid Perpetual bloom, was awarded to Mr. W. J. Grant, Ledbury ; 
the bronze medal for the best Tea or Noisette bloom being awarded to 
Mr. Julius Sladden, Evesham. The bloom selected by the Judges for 
this distinction in the H.P. class was a splendid specimen of La Duchesse 
de Morny, and that in the Tea or Noisette, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon. 
