August 27, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
187 
the dark flower is one of this hybrid, which, together with the others, were 
sent by Dr. Paterson. 
S. Swanniana (Bull).—A hybrid between S. variolaris and S. purpurea, 
with medium-sized pitchers of a deep red colour, the leaves broad and 
heavily veined with dark red. Certificated at South Kensington in 
1883. 
S. TolliAnA (Williams).—A hybrid between S. purpurea and S. flava, 
the pitchers slender and elegant in form, bright green, with a broad lid 
veined with bright crimson. Certificated by the Royal Botanic Society 
in 1884. 
S. WilsoniANA (Bull).—A hybrid between S. purpurea and S. Drum- 
mondi rubra, somewhat resembling S. Swaniana in form and size, but 
with bold crimson veins. 
S. WbigleyANA (Yeitch).—A hybrid from S. psittacina and S. Drum- 
mondi rubra, resembling the first named parent in habit, but rather 
stronger, the pitchers veined with red on a white or semi-transparent 
ground. An extremely handsome form. Certificated by the Royal 
Horticultural Society in 1884.— Lewis Castle. 
NOTES ON GEAPES. 
Geos Maeoc.— This Grape seems likely to come more into 
fashion as it becomes more generally known. It seems capable 
of being improved in flavour by grafting on the Black Hamburgh, 
which is a good thing, as on its own roots it is very much wanting 
in flavour. It appears to colour very well in comparatively little 
heat, takes on a fine bloom, makes a very pretty dish on a table 
or a basket for market, and if, as stated, grafting on the Hamburgh 
improves its flavour, may be called a fairly good Grape when its 
edible qualities are discussed 
It will no doubt prove useful as a Grape for consumption after 
Hamburghs are finished and before Colman is ready. In this 
particular it may be classed along with Alicante, which, though 
capable of being kept very late, has also the recommendation of 
being eatable before Colman, For grand appearance, however, 
no variety of black Grape can equal Gros Colman. 
Muscat op Alexandria. —This noble Grape—in some ways 
superior to all others—is often met with in circumstances which 
are adverse to the development of all its excellencies. Lately the 
writer was visiting a place where Alicante, Lady Downe’s, and 
other varieties were growing side by side with Muscats, to the 
evident detriment of the latter. The house was being treated 
to abundance of air, and the temperature maintained was one 
which, though it seemed to suit Alicantes, &c., evidently did not 
suit the Muscats, as they were small in berry, very green, and 
looking quite like shanking considerably—indeed, compared with 
samples from another vinery where a Muscat temperature is 
maintained, those in the mixed house were very far from being 
fair examples of this grand Grape. All who can manage it 
should devote a house to Muscats; they will then be able to do 
justice to them, other conditions of successful culture of course 
being present, such as good borders and good management 
generally.—V. 
BATTERSEA PARK. 
_ In addition to the rich collection of flowering trees and shrubs which 
this park contains, it possesses a totally distinct appearance from all 
other gardens provided for the benefit of the London public. Now that 
the trees and shrubs have attained a good size, this park has a natural 
and picturesque appearance. It is simply charming, and rendered so to 
ajlarge extent by its undulating surfaces and well-kept winding walks, 
which have to be followed to discover its many attractions. The whole 
of the park cannot be seen at a glance, which makes it the more enjoy¬ 
able. There can be no question about its beauty, independent of its many 
and varied floral decorations of both flowers and foliage during the summer 
months. 
The well-shaped nooks and corners in this park are admirably suited 
for displaying to the best advantage the various bedding arrangements 
that may be carried out. These are extensive, and afford evidence of 
both intelligent thought and great artistic taste. Sub-tropical bedding is 
admirably represented, an l in many instances the beds afford a pleasing 
relief and a splendid background to the carpet and flowering beds. 
Whatever skill might be employed, it would be utterly impossible to carry 
out sub-tropical gardening to produce the same effect on the level surface 
of the grounds at Hampton Court. Roses had been a fine feature at one 
of the entrances, the old Cabbage, common Moss, and such varieties that 
did well, being employed with Pentstemons and ribbon borders surround¬ 
ing them. Ribbon borders are continued more or less until the lake and 
more undulated portions of the park are reached. There are, however, 
several breaks into the ribbon borders by suitable openings in the shrub¬ 
bery, where a number of flower beds are tastefully arranged and filled 
with a mixed variety of flowering plants. These mixed beds are becom¬ 
ing very popular, and strikingly effective they are, yet the public do not 
appreciate them, or linger about them the same as they do round the 
beautiful carpet beds. 
Upon reaching that portion of the grounds where the,principal bedding 
js arranged, the first group that took my attention was composed of 
Ailantus glandulosa, that is cut back annually and allowed to go away 
again with one shoot only. This handsome tree, used in this way, is one 
of the most beautiful foliage plants for the purpose. These were very 
strong, some of the leaves measuring no less than 4 feet G inches in 
length. These rose out of and towered considerably above a groundwork 
of Bamboos, while Catalpa syringsefolia aurea, with its golden foliage 
well coloured, stood out prominently in the front, the group being faced 
with a row of Pelargoniums and the old Gazania splendens. Near to and 
very effective was a large plant of Polygonum sachalinense, with its large 
bold foliage and white flowers. No other plant could have been more 
suitable for the position. P. Sieboldi and P. cuspidatum crispulum I 
also noticed was employed in other prominent places in connection 
with Palms and foliage plants. Aralia Sieboldi was rising from a 
groundwork of flowering plants, and Araucaria excelsa, a good-sized 
plant, with its branches overhanging silver-leaved Pelargoniums. Con¬ 
volvulus mauritanicus formed a charming edging to another group, and 
was most striking with thousands of its pretty blue flowers. Behind this 
was a fine row of pink Pelargonium Cleopatra, with a mass of a yellow¬ 
flowering Canna just coming into bloom, and backed by dark-foliaged 
shrubs. A bed of Wigandia caracasana, with its noble foliage, was very 
noticeable rising from a mixed groundwork of Gnaphalium, Ageratum, 
and Scabious, with a few Gladioli. The edging to this bed consisted of a 
ring of Pelargonium Crystal Palace Gem, P. Manglesi variegatum, and 
Lobelia alternately. Another really charming sub-tropical bed was com¬ 
posed of Aralia papyrifera, mixed with variegated Ma'ze rising from an 
undergrowth of Lantanas, and edged with Pelargonium Vanessa, rosy 
silmon in colour and a most beautiful free-flowering bedder. Tropceolum 
Bedfont Rival formed the margin, and was covered with hundreds of its 
bright scarlet flowers. This variety, from its dwarf, compact, free- 
flowering nature, is evidently well adapted for bedding. Amongst a 
groundwork of Marguerites, Petunias, and Ageratum, Eucalyptus globulus 
rising considerably above them was very attractive ; the remaining por¬ 
tion of the bed being completed with Cannas, Pelargoniums, and Gazania 
splendens. Another simple yet striking arrangement was produced by 
Acacia lophantha, springing from an undergrowth of Centaurea candidis- 
sima, surrounded with a band of Amaranthus melancholicus ruber, 
edged with Lobelia and Achillea umbellata, its silvery Fern-like foliage 
contrasting admirably with the grass. 
What are known as the great S shaped beds are next reached, and the 
contrast between the style of bedding adopted was all that could be 
desired. Small variegated Yuccas were rising from a groundwork of 
Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica, banded with Euonymus radicans variegata 
and Golden Nugget Pelargonium, toleus andDactylis glomerata longis- 
sima were in association, the ground being carpeted with Lobelia and 
Alyssum, the bed being edged with Alternanthera, Pyrethrum, and the 
Euonymus named above. Near to it was a large Phoenix reolinata, with 
a carpet beneath of Coleus, with bands of Pelargonium Surprise and 
Golden Fleece, Echeveria glauea metallica forming the edging next to the 
grass. Close to, and strikingly conspicuous, was Solanum macrophyllum, 
with Lobelia cardinalis and Agapanthus umbellatus in flower, the spaces 
between being filled in with Heliotrope. These were encircled by a row of 
silver-leaved Pelargonium, with Lobelia next, and Veronica Andersoni 
variegata pegged neatly down next to the grass. At one of the windings 
of the walk where the shrubs reached nearly to the margin a very pretty 
arrangement of mixed plants again arrested attention. Hyacinthus 
candicans and Nicotiana affinis were most noteworthv, with their white 
flowers rising above plants of a somewhat lower growth, Calceolarias, and 
even the old Fuchsia fulgens, was not despised, while Tigridias were just 
coming into flower, and in a very short time would be truly gorgeous, 
this interesting group being edged with two or three rows of flowering 
and foliage plants very similar to other beds detailed. Very gay and 
attractive amongst this wealth of foliage and flowers was a circular bed 
of Pelargonium Mrs. Ware, pink, banded with a variegated variety, and 
edged with Lobelia. 
The scene was again changed by a large ma3s of Bamboos, surrounded 
on the front side with Funkias in flower, while the Bhrubs formed a 
capital background. Every winding in the walk brought into view some 
telling arrangement, and one of the very finest had been obtained by a 
large bed of Abutilon braziliense, planted alternately with Veronica 
Andersoni variegata and Iresine Lindeni, banded with Alyssum saxatile 
variegata, edged with Lobelia Omen, and margined with a small 
Echeveria. 
A beautiful carpet bed was arranged in a lovely spot surrounde 1 by 
beds of Cannas, flowers and foliage, with Palms and other stately plants 
amongst them in suitable and telling positions. With such surroundings 
the beauty of carpet beds are really delightful. The bed to which refer¬ 
ence has beeD made had for its centre a diamond-shaped figure of Alter¬ 
nanthera amabilis; central circles were formed by Diotis candidissima, 
carpeted with Mentha and panelled with Veronica incana. Three con¬ 
centric bands of Pyrethrum enclosed with Alternanthera paronychioides 
major and Leucophyton Browni, with circular and diamond patches of 
Alternanthera amcena, the whole being margined with Antennaria tomen- 
tosa, and edged with Sedum acre elegans. Between this and the next 
carpet bed was a telling mixture at the front of the shrubs, the back 
being scarlet single Dahlias with Lobelia fulgens in front, margined with 
a very fine row of Pelargonium John Gibbons, which appears a great 
favourite in this park, and edged with Saxifraga ligulata. The carpet 
bed to be detailed was an oblong in shape with three circles down the 
centre, the central one being planted with Pandanus Veitchi, and the two 
end ones with Dracaena gracilis, with a carpet beneath of Pilea muscosa, 
edged with Pelargonium Manglesi variegatum, with panels of Iresine 
