October 1, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
301 
Turning from the peat-bog or morass to one of a decidedly opposite 
nature, “ the sand-bank,” the number of plants available here is limited ; 
yet we have, seen a large embankment formed by a railway cutting ren¬ 
dered very interesting by such plants as Box, Furze, Yew, common 
Laurel, certain Privets, &c. Not that they all presented a thriving 
appearance, for, excepting the wild Juniper, few did not give signs of 
wishing for more nutritious food ; yet they grew and looked tolerably 
well, and which would in any other case have been a barren mound 
became an interesting clump, for even grass would not have grown on it 
in anything like a satisfactory manner, for the least drought would 
have turned it brown and unsightly. 
Even hills of entire chalk are scarcely sterile, as the common Yew and 
Juniper are found wild there where the coating of earth is very slight 
indeed, while such a position would be death to the Rhododendrons. 
Now, as each class presents ample variety, it behoves the careful culti¬ 
vator intending alterations or adding new features to his grounds to con¬ 
sider well the various plants adapted to each particular case, and to act 
accordingly ; for be assured that no after-management, however skilful, 
can so far alter the condition of a plant as to reverse its constitutional 
habits and wants.—R. N. 
EXHIBITING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Having been desired to explain the manner in which Chrysanthemums 
are arranged in stands and conveyed to exhibitions, we requested Mr. 
Molyneux to favour us with a sketch of his stand and travelling box. He 
has obligingly complied, and the engravings and specifications will, we 
Fig. 48.—Chrysanthemum Box and Stand. 
trust, enable intending exhibitors to provide themselves with the articles 
represented. The stands for twelve blooms are 2 feet long, 18 inches wide, 
6 inches high at the back, and 3 inches in the front. This is mentioned 
here, as the figures on the stand are somewhat indistinct. It will be seen 
that there is sufficient height for the blooms when the stands containing 
them are placed in the box, the space being one-eighth of an inch wider 
and longer for their reception. 
SPECIFICATIONS FOR CHRYSANTHEMUM BOX AND STAND. 
The box to be made in cupboard-form of three-quarter-inch well- 
seasoned American pine, dove-tailed together at the angles, the sides, top, 
and bottom to be rebated for the back. Plant a rounded nosing as shown 
to the top of the box and a small chamfered plinth round the bo tom. 
The door to be clamped top and bottom, as shown on sketch, and to 
be hung to fall in flush with the sides of the box, the door to be hung 
with one pair of 2£-inch butt hinges, and to be fitted with a cupboard lock 
with, say, two keys. Fix a strong chest handle on each side of the box. 
It will be noticed that when the stands are placed in the box the door 
■closes tightly against them, thus preventing any movement during 
transit. 
The clear inside size of the box should be 2 feet inches high, 
2 feet J inch wide, and 1 foot 6£ inch deep from back to front. The box 
18 intended to hold four stands, each stand arranged to hold one dozen 
blooms. The stands are made with tops half an inch thick, and the two 
sloping sides three-quarters of an inch thick, the holes to be spaced as 
shown on sketch. The runners for stands to be seven-eighths of an inch 
and half an inch, and screwed to the sides of the box as shown. 
It may be noted that the sizes of the stands as figured on the sketch 
are the regulation size insisted upon at the principal shows. 
OLD AND NEW FLOWER SEEDS. 
“ Sow seeds as soon as ripe" is the advice generally tendered, and 
that it is essential with some seeds there is no doubt, while with others 
the case is not quite so clear. New Primula seed, whether it be of the 
sinensis strain or some of the many hardy species, is in all cases preferred ; 
but I think that failure is not so much the result of the age of the seed 
as the conditions under which it has been kept. That seeds may be kept 
under certain conditions for any length of time without losing their 
original vitality may be amply illustrated if occasion requires. At pre¬ 
sent, however, I will only call attention to one or two cases—first, of 
seeds buried in the earth at 3 feet deep ; secondly, of seeds in packets, 
kept for a number of years ; and, thirdly, of others sown as soon as ripe, 
A case in point of the first instance was brought under my notice some 
few years ago by Mr. Latham of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 
who, having occasion to supply fresh soil to one of the sickly specimens 
of the Fir tribe, opened a trench 3 feet deep, at which depth a hole was 
made under the tree, and a seed pan filled with the soil was taken out, 
watered, and covered over with glass to prevent anything falling on to it. 
In a few days signs of life were apparent, and ultimately some thirty 
species, mostly weeds, were counted. On inquiry, Mr. Latham discovered 
that the tree had been twenty-seven years planted, and that a quantity of 
old potting soil had been used in planting it. This shows clearly that 
the two great essentials, light and heat, were absent, the seeds at this 
depth remaining uninfluenced by external conditions. The second instance 
is that of Primula seed, the species in question being P. verticillata, 
which, after having been placed among others in a box for several years 
wrapped in newspaper, germinated at the rate of 95 per cent., and this 
in less than three weeks after sowing. A quicker result could hardly be 
expected from seed of a current year’s crop. I have, however, had a good 
crop of seedlings of P. sinensis from seed sown as soon as dressed in about 
three weeks from the date of sowing. 
The third case is that of Omphalodes Lucilire, which is particularly 
slow in vegetating. I have sown seed of this as soon as ripe which has 
taken two years to germinate, and of its ripeness there can be little 
doubt, as I always left the seeds till ready to fall before I collected them. 
Instances, too, have been recorded of old Cyclamen seed having vegetated 
several days before the new seed, both having been sown at the same time 
and treated alike, so that it is not policy to discard seeds of valuable 
plants too readily. Palm seeds, and seeds generally of an oily nature, 
are best sown as soon as ripe, and even these in some species are very 
slow in germinating. Anyone desirous of keeping seeds of choice plants 
may do so either by placing them in bottles tightly corked, or in oilskin 
paper, both very simple and effectual. It is the constant exposure and 
varying changes of atmosphere, sometimes hot, cold, dry, damp, and so 
on, which cause seeds to lose much of their original vitality, and wh : cb 
are, as a consequence, almost valueless.—E. J. 
SHERWOOD LODGE. 
Amongst the many charming residences of the picturesque forest of 
Sherwood is Sherwood Lodge, the Nottinghamshire seat of Lieut.-Col. 
Seeley, M.P., which is delightfully situated, and commands an extensive 
view of the surrounding neighbourhood. When entering the grounds a 
visitor feels isolated from the busy world, although but a few miles from 
several of the most extensive collieries and ironworks in the midland 
counties. Although a comparatively new garden, it is well worth a visit 
from any enthusiastic horticulturist, who, if he does not derive much 
pleasure and instruction thereby, must be singularly deficient in his 
powers of observation. 
The mansion is built in the Elizabethan style, and is of moderate 
dimensions. It is closely surrounded by noble trees and shrubs of luxu¬ 
riant growth, and is well furnished with a choice collection of climbers, 
amongst which we noticed Clianthus puniceus in flower. Attached to the 
house on the south side is a very pretty conservatory (built by Messrs. 
Messenger of Loughborough), and it contains, amongst other good plants, 
a remarkably fine pair of Dicksonia antarctica, planted out, the head of 
which measures about 20 feet across. The roof is lightly drooped with 
Lapagerias and other climbers, whilst a pretty fountain occupies the 
centre of the house. At one end stands a pair of Araucaria excelsa, the 
side stages being devoted to various small flowering plants, amongst them 
being some fine Cockscombs. 
Sherwood Lodge is noted for its fine collections of Conifers and other 
trees and shrubs. Though the soil in many places is poor, much of the 
success attending the growth of these is due to the care and attention of 
Mr. Swanwick, the able gardener, who has spared no trouble in draining 
and improving the soil where the more delicate kinds are planted. The 
pleasure grounds are charmingly situated on a gentle slope, terminating 
in a valley, from which arises on the opposite side another slope of equal 
extent. They are laid out in a picturesque style with much boldness of 
design. Broad expanses of open, well-kept lawns and walks, with graceful 
flowing curves, noble Elms, majestic Oaks, and spreading Cedars, attract 
