August 15, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
135 
character, but it was passed ; a variety similar, if not identical, is 
grown under the name of Luscious. Some admirably grown Tomatoes 
in pots were exhibited from Chiswick similar to the one figured on 
page 69, for which a cultural commendation was unanimously awarded ; 
and a first-class certificate granted to a new variety named Chiswick 
Hybrid, the result of a cross between Horsford’s Prelude and Perfection, 
the fruits of medium size, smooth, deep red, of good quality, and borne 
in large clusters, characteristic of the first-named variety. 
SHEDFIELD LODGE, HANTS. 
In the ground attached to this, the residence of Mrs. Franklyn, an 
Exhibition was recently held, the place being specially suited to the 
purpose. The garden is well sheltered from south-west and easterly winds, 
there being some grand Elms, Oaks, and other forest trees, also choice 
Conifers. The flower garden is situated on two sides of the house, the 
beds being informally arranged and planted. The combinations are so 
effectively displayed that I was compelled to jot down a few of the more 
striking, as the record might prove useful in future. One large bed 
was filled with small plants of Tuberous Begonias intermixed with 
Abutilon Thompsoni, the ground being carpeted with Sedum glaucum ; 
the bright red flowers of some of the Begonias contrasted favourably 
with the “ sentinel ” like Abutilons and the glaucous grey of the under¬ 
growth. Another long narrow bed of Begonias was rendered attractive 
by associating with them down the centre thinly some plants of Kicinus 
africanus, and on each side well grown and coloured plants of Zea 
gracillima, the pendulous habit of this striped Maize rendering it 
appropriate for the purpose and ornamental. Another bed was filled 
with seedling Verbenas of mixed colours, w T ith here and there a plant of 
Bicinus africanus. A mass of Heliotrope Swanley Giant had immense 
trusses of bloom, interspersed here and there with Bicinus Gibsoni and 
Nieotiana affinis. A circular bed of small shrubs thinly planted was 
made the home of Iceland Poppies in a variety of colours which belong 
to that section. A bed of the double Zonal Pelargonium Guillon Mangilli 
showed its adaptability for bedding purposes. Festuca glauca made a 
neat edging to a bed of scarlet Pelargoniums, as did Poa trivial is 
variegata to a bed of Delphiniums. Single, Cactus, and double Dahlias 
were flourishing, being well in flower even at this early season. The 
admirable condition of the garden reflects much credit on Mr. 
Chequer.—E. M. 
CULTURE OF CAMPANULA PYRAMIDALIS. 
This fine old plant seems for many years to have been under a cloud, 
so seldom has it been seen in fashionable quarters ; but as it has claims 
which will not be set aside, it is almost certain that it will soon come 
up again with almost the freshness of a novelty, and gardeners may 
successively find out that two or three plants tenfold more worthless 
might with advantage be transferred from the greenhouse to the rubbish 
heap, to make room for the steeple Bellflower of olden times. 
Although it has been treated with coldness by many of those who 
ought to have known better, it has been all along a favourite window 
plant with amateur cultivators, and I can say without fear of contradic¬ 
tion, that no other plant grown combines in itself so many of the 
qualities essential to plants suitable for window decoration. In the first 
place it is strikingly handsome ; it is no minute beauty which we must 
bend over, and after due examination pronounce pretty, but it levies the 
tribute of admiration at first sight from all who see it. It is not, in 
general, thought “ the correct thing” to stare in at people’s windows ; 
but when they contain one or more of these blue pyramids, 8 or 9 feet 
high, there is no help for it. It is also easy of cultivation, not subject 
to the attacks of vermin, and, which is a great desideratum in window 
plants, it does not obstruct much light. As an example of what can be 
done with it as such, I have seen two plants grown in the windows of a 
large public school. They had been in flower for nearly two months, 
and were likely to continue so for a month longer. One of them was 8J, 
the other 9 feet in height, and their cultivator, on my remarking that 
they were only in 8-ihch pots, informed me that in general he found 
every inch in the diameter of the pot counted a foot, in the height of the 
flower spike ; thus, if the last shift was into 6, 8, or 10-inch pots, the 
plants would throw up stems 6, 8, or 10 feet high. 
The reason why this Campanula is so seldom grown will most likely 
be found in the fact that, as things go, it is considered rather slow. In 
these days, when Vines have to carry crops at eighteen months old, and 
when the old saying, that “ He who plants Pears plants for his heirs,” 
has become absolute nonsense, it seems folly to expect that any con¬ 
siderable number of people could be found who would patiently wait 
nearly three years for a spike of Blue-bells, however grand ; but if we 
begin at the beginning, and raise our own plants, we must do so. 
Campanula pyramidalis is generally propagated either by seed—and 
seedlings make the best plants —or by division of the old plants after 
flowering. The seeds should be sown in heat about the middle of March 
in light, sandy soil, and merely covered with a dusting of fine peat and 
silver sand. When large enough to be handled, prick out the seedlings 
singly in small pots, and continue them in heat until the pots aie filled 
with roots ; afterwards place the plants in a cold frame or pit, giving 
small shifts when necessary, the last for the season taking place not 
later than the beginning of August. For this use a rich but porous 
compost, and take care to insure perfect drainage. During winter the 
plants should be kept rather dry, in any place where damp rather than 
frost can be guarded against, and for that purpose the sill of a large, 
light window is all that can be desired. Receiving the same treatment 
during the second summer, with the addition of frequent waterings with 
liquid manure, next August should find them in 8 or 10-inch pots, 
leaving room for one more shift in spring, just before the flower stems 
begin to rise. After the roots have penetrated this, and all the time the 
plants are in flower, continue to give rather weak guano or other manure 
water every second day, and soon the great blue Gothic spires, which 
more than sufficiently repay all these little attentions, will be worth 
looking at. 
After the flowers are past, cut the stems down, and in the following 
spring, when growth has begun, divide the old stools into as many plants 
as there are growing points. Treated the same as seedlings, these will 
flower in the second season, but I have always found plants from seed 
the freest growing. 
Of course plants are to be bought if we know where to purchase 
them, and thus much trouble is saved ; but when once a beginning is 
I made, and a dozen plants or so are raised every year, they form a 
succession, and the weary waiting for more than two years, which so 
harasses the imagination, is lost sight of. 
The white variety is scarcely so robust, but when grown along with 
the blue is equally ornamental As plants for the mixed or herbaceous 
border, these Campanulas are very fine, although there they have not the 
same stately dimensions nor delicate colours which characterise them 
under glass. A warm sheltered border, backed by a wall or shrubbery, 
is the situation which suits them best.—A. G. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS—TAKING THE BUDS. 
The essay given by Mr. Tunnington at Sheffield, and published at 
page 49, substantiates in a great measure the critique on Mr. Molyneux’s 
book which was read by Mr. Garnett at Leeds in December, 1886, and 
part of which was published in the Journal a short time afterwards. 
It appears to me that the great difficulty is to get crown buds to appear 
near a certain date ; for instance, late varieties such as Boule d’Or, 
Eve, Meg Merrilies, &c., must show their buds from the 8th to the 20th 
of August in order to have the blooms at their best about the same 
dates in November. As far as my experience goes I have failed to bring 
about this result by letting the plants grow naturally however early 
they are propagated, notably Bouled'Or, which is one of the latest I am 
acquainted with. Cuttings of this variety inserted in November, and 
grown without topping, generally make their first break about the 
middle of June, and the crown bud appears about the first week in 
September, which is much too late for securing blooms at the same time 
as the general collection. 
To remedy this I treat most of my plants of Boule d’Or in the same 
manner as Mr. Molyneux recommends for Eve and Mabel Ward, only 
about a week later, and generally secure crown buds at the time re¬ 
quired, and notwithstanding the unusually warm weather just past, the 
buds will not be too early. I have, however, again tried one plant of 
this variety without topping, which at the present time is upwards of 
6 feet high, and has advanced 14 inches since making its first break. 
Again, as regards the early varieties, such as Elaine, Mdlle. Lacroix, 
Comte de Germiny, &c., what becomes of them if grown naturally and 
the early crown buds secured ? The blooms will be much too early, but 
if topped from the beginning to the middle of July they will, if in good 
condition, make a strong growth and show a secondary crown bud about 
the middle of September. 
Some varieties with me make quite a succession of crown buds— 
three or four—before they come to a stop ; these are notably M. Turin 
and Fair Maid of Guernsey, the latter of which must not be taken too 
early, or the buds will resemble small drumsticks, and the flowers be 
,: hen and chickens.” 
I am quite sure there are many intelligent growers who thank Mr. 
Tunnington for his Sheffield paper, also Mr. Garnett for his critique, as 
I know them both to be men of high standing in the Chrysanthemum 
world.—A Four-years Experimenter. 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
ANNUAL EXCURSION. 
For several years past the members of the above Society have 
adopted the laudable custom of meeting once during tbe summer 
months to discuss in a friendly way the prospects of the Chrysanthe¬ 
mum season, and at a time which is free from the bustle and excitement 
of the exhibition period. Mr. Holmes started the idea in the first place, 
and his suggestion that such a meeting could be rendered more enjoy¬ 
able and instructive by arranging a trip to some place of horticultural 
interest was immediately seized upon as the rRht one, with the result 
that he has been annually desired to plan a fresh excursion. This year, 
after careful discussion and several suggestions had been considered, it 
was decided that the historic seats of Hatfield and lvnebworth should be 
visited if the necessary permission could be obtained from the Marquis of 
Salisbury and the Earl of Lytton, their respective owners ; and this being 
