252 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Ssptamber 17, 1885. 
and slates that anything formerly which was not a monstrosity in double 
Dahlias was not worthy of notice, hut now single flowers are coming for¬ 
ward and taking their place. Whatever may be the opinion of the writer 
in the Standard, the double Dahlias will, I believe, still hold their position 
if quality is to be considered in preference to size. Rules should be laid 
down like you have given in page 242, September, 1884. In size 
4 inches, but from 4 to 4$ or 5 inches should not be exceeded, but with a 
close centre no less than one-fifth of the size of the flower, and an open 
eye with back fallen petals should be a disqualification. Exhibitors as 
well as judges would have a standard by which they could judge the 
merits of these flowers.— Thomas Garratt, Bishops Stortford, Herts. 
HELIANTHUS MULTIFLORUS FLORE PLENO. 
This is one of the best plants of the extensive family of Sunflowers. 
When planted in quantity in large mixed beds, or in shrubbery or her¬ 
baceous borders I know no plant that can surpass it in beauty at this 
season. It was introduced from North America in 1597, and yet it does 
not seem to be well known nor cultivated so extensively as it deserves. It is 
a hardy perennial of compact growth and of easy culture. It grows to the 
height of from 3 to 4 feet, and flowers profusely from the top to within a 
foot of the ground. The flowers are double, of a rich yellow, and when 
cut they stand in water for a long time in good condition. The plant is 
readily propagated by cuttings and division of the root, and will grow in 
almost any kind of soil, but like its near relative, the Jerusalem Artichoke, 
it succeeds better under liberal treatment.— K. Pettigrew, Cardiff. 
THE ST. JOHN’S NURSERIES, WORCESTER. 
Worcester is famed for several remarkable manufactories, one of the 
most important of which is the wonderful Royal Porcelain Works, where 
so many beautiful examples of the potter’s art have been and still are 
produced to delight the admirers of such choice wares. The preparation 
of a world-renowned sauce also gives employment to a large number of 
persons, and there are several other establishments of nearly equal note. 
Horticulturally, Worcester is also important, for in its immediate neigh¬ 
bourhood—the pretty suburb of St. John’s—is one of the most extensive 
nurseries in the kingdom, the productions of which have rendered the 
title of the firm—Messrs. Richard Smith & Co.—familiar to thousands of 
horticulturists in Great Britain and America. The district is a very 
interesting and beautiful one for some miles around Worcester, and many 
excellent gardens well worthy of a visit are readily reached from the 
town—such as Madresfield Court, Hindlip Hall, Impney, Davenham 
Bank, Eastnor Castle, Witley Court, and others, while a short run by rail 
conveys the visitor to the celebrated fruit district, the Yale of Evesham. 
A gardener could indeed spend a very agreeable holiday in the neighbour¬ 
hood of Worcester, and find much to interest him ; and now that the 
generosity of employers renders “ gardening tours ” a part of the year’s 
routine, a hint as to a suitable district may prove serviceable. 
St. John’s is very conveniently reached from the Shrub Hill station, 
Worcester, for tramcars now run at frequent intervals to Messrs. Smith’s 
nursery gates—a considerable advantage, for though the distance is only 
two miles many persons prefer riding to walking in this degenerate age. 
The visitor recognises his destination by several ranges of glass houses 
which abut on the main road, but there is nothing to indicate the surpris¬ 
ing character of the establishment. There is no outside display, and a 
stranger might pass without the slightest idea that it contained so mar¬ 
vellous a collection of plants, shrubs, and trees. Immediately on entering 
we are reminded of one of the specialties of the firm by a grand bed of 
Clematis Jackmanni some 20 or 30 feet in diameter, and “a mass” of 
its lovely purple flowers. This mode of growing Clematises has been 
frequently recommended, but, unfortunately, everyone does not succeed 
with them, and in some cases failure is due to want of attention to a 
simple but important matter—namely, providing a suitable soil. These 
plants like a rich and rather heavy soil, with a good supply of water, and 
the less they are disturbed after being planted the better. A trellis is 
raised a foot or two above the soil, and over this the growths are trained, 
which is an advantage in several ways, the flowers being seen better, and 
are less liable to be spattered with soil in stormy weather. For prominent 
positions on lawns these beds are very suitable, and they might be 
employed in many gardens with excellent results if care be given to the 
items named. We shall have something more to say about the general 
stock of Clematises presently, but in making a tour of the nurseries we 
first inspected the collections of 
INDOOR PLANTS. 
Numerous convenient span-roof houses are devoted to the miscellaneous 
stove and greenhouse plants, which are grown in large quantities to meet 
the extensive annual demand. Lapagerias, for instance, will give an idea 
what stocks are required : 10,000 plants of Lapageria rosea is an astonish¬ 
ing total, yet that number has been iu stock at one time, though now 
being greatly reduced by the heavy demands ; while of the beautiful com¬ 
panion to the species, L. rosea alba, there is also one of the finest stocks in 
the country. Of Ferns all the most useful species and varieties are grown 
by thousands, and the indispensable Adiantum cuneatum is represented by 
at least 20,000 plants in all stages, from sporelings to good-sized speci¬ 
mens. The very compact-growing Adiantum Pacotti is also grown in 
good numbers. Of the charming A. farleyensa there is a good proportion of 
strong young plants; Pterises, Lomarias, Lygoiiums, and other genera 
being in similar force. Bouvardias are now such popular plants that in 
most nurseries they are largely grown, but at St. John’s they constitute 
one of the numerous specialties, and accordingly are represented in thou¬ 
sands of the best varieties. Those that are very largely grown are Dazzler, 
deep rich scarlet; longiflora Oriflamme, also bright red; and jasminoides, 
white. Gardenias, Stephanotis, Ixoras, Calaiiums, Crotons, Dracaenas, 
and Aralias occupy several houses, all the plants being robust handsome 
little specimens, such as cultivators like to see. Hardwooded plants and 
other greenhouse occupants form an enormous stock, the Ericas being 
particularly fine healthy examples of the most effective varieties, the 
winter and early spring flowering sorts of the hyemalis and gracilis types 
having much space devoted to them. Camellias, Pimeleas, Boronias, 
Grevilleas, Genetyllis, and Azaleas each receive a considerable share of 
attention, and the whole collection of these and countless other plants 
accommodated under glass are in the most satisfactory condition as 
regards health. In connection with the indoor plant department it may 
he mentioned that there is a span-roof propagating house 230 feet long, 
with a bed in the centre extending the whole length, covered with frames, 
which is employed in maintaining the respective stocks of plants, and the 
number of cuttings annually struck in this house could scarcely be 
estimated ; it must certainly run into hundreds of thousands of choice and 
valuable plants that are every season widely distributed before operations 
are again commenced. 
VINES AND FRUIT TREES IN POTS. 
Several span-roofed houses from 100 to 200 feet long and 22 feet wide 
are occupied with Vines in pots, which at the time of our visit were very 
promising. The canes were stout, but ripening well, and the general 
appearance of foliage and growth proving that there was a robust¬ 
ness of constitution which would produce good results in the future. Of 
the 6000 grown every year in pots nearly three-fourths are Black Ham¬ 
burgh—good evidence of the popularity of that indispensable variety. 
Next to that comes Muscat of Alexandria, and then there is a considerable 
falling off in relative numbers ; but that fine variety Gros Maroc is rapidly 
gaining ground, and Madresfield Court is also advancing in favour, for 
orders increase, and it is evident that growers are beginning to overcome 
the difficulties that have hitherto somewhat checked the popularity of so 
handsome a Grape. Foster’s Seedling, Buckland Sweetwater, and a few 
others are well represented ; and then there are smaller numbers of many 
other varieties which find favour with a few, but cannot be termed 
“ Grapes for the million.” Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots, with other 
trees for orchard houses are also grown in pots in considerable numoers, 
and generally deserve equal praise to the Vines for their condition. 
CLEMATISES. 
Scarcely any firm has done so much to popularise these useful and 
handsome plants as Messrs. R. Smith & Co., and the well-merited result 
of their efforts to bring them into prominent notice has been the develop¬ 
ment of an enormous trade which taxes the skill of the propagator to keep 
pace with. All are familiar with the announcement “ 70,000 Clematises,” 
but those who have seen the enormous stock annually dispersed from this 
nursery would be inclined to think the number under-estimated rather 
than otherwise. Houses, frames, and beds outside are devoted to this 
formidable army early in the year, and then as the season advances we 
find them rapidly disappear, until their places are again filled from the 
propagating house. Numerous varieties are grown, comprising all the 
finest varieties hitherto obtained, several handsome novelties having 
originated in the home nursery. 
FRUIT TREES. 
The nursery comprises 200 acres, and a large portion of this is de¬ 
voted to hardy fruit trees, which form so considerable a portion of the 
trade of the firm. Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Cherries are grown 
in enormous numbers, together with all other fruits ordinarily in demand. 
As an example, we may remark that 60,000 Apple stocks were just being 
budded at the time of our visit, while the trees for sale in all stages, 
standards or trained, are in proportionate numbers, fine sturdy specimens, 
vigorous without being excessively luxuriant. Strawberries form another 
specialty, and occupy a large space, while Currants, Raspberries, and 
Gooseberries fill some acres. Amongst the last mentioned is a variety 
named Whinham’s Industry, which is rapidly coming to the front as an* 
extremely prolific and thoroughly useful sort, and so meritorious is it 
that we give an illustration (fig. 41), which faithfully pourtrays its general 
characters. Nothing very definite is known of its origin beyond the fact 
that it was raised in Lancashire by a man after whom it is named, and 
by whose son it was some time afterwards distributed. Messrs. Smith 
and Co. first brought it prominently in notice, and it i3 now rapidly be¬ 
coming a great favourite with market growers both here and in America. 
It is of quick robust growth, exceedingly prolific and early, qualities 
which can be fully appreciated by all who have to supply the markets. 
We are informed that one local grower intends planting 10,000 of this 
Gooseberry, as he has conclusively proved its value, having gathered this 
year a local pot (84 lbs.) from every ten, three-year-old plants on his ground. 
The berries are large and heavy, at first green, but ripening to a deep red. 
It is, however, especially recommended for early gathering. 
TREES, SHRUBS, AND HARDY PLANTS. 
To barely enumerate the most notable of the trees and shrubs in this 
nursery would fill a volume, and in this hurried glance a few general 
notes must suffice. The Conifers and evergreens form one department, 
and comprise a host of handsoqie plants, such as can scarcely be sur¬ 
passed. Especially noticeable fire the superb gold and silver standard 
Hollies, which in health and clearness of variegation are all that could 
be desired, such specimens being invaluible either as single plants in 
