158 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 22, 168*. 
the visitors which may be of considerable service in the conduct of the 
gardens with which they are severally entrusted. Large contingents 
from the Birmingham and Bolton-le-Moors Societies recently visitel 
Chester, and appear to have been delighted with the ancient city, with 
the extensive nurseries of Messrs. Dicksons, Limited, and with the large 
well appointed and admirably managed garden of the Duke of West¬ 
minster at Eaton Hall. The visiting members of the Societies desire to 
record their appreciation of the cordial reception they received at both 
those establishments. 
- Mr. W. B. Hartland has sent us blooms of his Golden 
Quilled Sunflower Soleil d’Or, apparently a form of Helianthus 
multiflorus plenus, but without the guard or ray florets of that variety 
as usually grown in gardens. The flowers did not arrive in good con¬ 
dition, but were bright in colour, and when fresh the blooms would 
probably resemble somewhat Madame Domage Chrysanthemum. It is 
no doubt an effective late summer and autumn border plant. 
- Tufted Pansies. —Will any of your readers tell me who 
gave the name of Tufted Pansies to our Violas, and why l: Tufted,” and 
how they are made into Pansies? To me it seems a stupid name, used 
only to catch purchasers and sell them as well as the plants. I know 
a little about Violas and Pansies as you know, but I am in the dark 
here, and until I have some very logical reason for the change I shall 
ignore the name of “ Tufted Pansies ” as a delusion and a snare.—D. S. 
- Pteris tremula Smithiana. — In your report of the 
R.H.S.’s meeting, August 13th, in your issue of to-day, we observe 
you say, “ A first-class certificate was awarded to Messrs. J. Laing 
and Sons for Pteris tremula Smithiana.” We shall be much obliged if 
you will correct this error in your next issue, as the plant in question is 
our own seedling, and was exhibited by us and the certificate awarded 
to us.— Richard Smith & Co., Worcester. [With great pleasure we 
make this correction of a clerical error which occurred in copying the 
awards.] 
- The Cedars, Castle Bromwich.—W hat memories of the 
past are revived by the mention of The Cedars, made famous amongst 
florists by the late Charles Perry, for a long time the home of the 
Verbena and one of our best florists. The Cedars is now inhabited 
by a gentleman who to a very great extent keeps up the traditions 
of the place by growing Roses, Dahlias, and in every way maintain¬ 
ing the gardens in first rate order. I looked in the churchyard to see 
the grave of our dear old friend, and I was surprised to find that 
on no stone or in any way was there an indication that it was Cliarles 
Perry’s last resting place. But for the fact that I followed him there in 
company with many other sorrowing florist friends some years ago and 
knew the spot I should have had to make inquiries to enable me to 
find it.—D. S. 
- Remarkable Growth of the British Tea Trade.—I t 
is generally understood that no commercial interests with which our 
countrymen are connected has grown more rapidly than the production 
of Tea in various parts of the Queen’s Eastern dominions. To exhibit 
this wonderful advance to the eye, and in geographical and statistical 
detail, is the design of a “ Map showing the great Tea-growing Districts 
of our Eastern Empire,” which has been prepared mainly for the use of 
the trade by Messrs. R. M. Holborn & Sons of Mincing Lane. In this 
map the widely separated districts of Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, 
Dooras, Nagpore, and Ceylon, with the scattered gardens of Kangra, 
Dehra Deon, Kumaon, Neilgherries, and Travancore are brought into 
one view. An inserted table shows the extraordinary fact that while as 
lately as 1873 the imports of Tea growers in Ceylon amounted to no 
more that 23 lbs., by 1885 they had reached 3,750,000 lbs. Last year they 
rose to 20,500,000 lbs., and it is estimated that by the close of the present 
year they will have reached the astonishing total of 40,000,000 lbs. 
In the production of Indian Tea the advance is no less remarkable, 
as shown by the statistics of the last twenty years. In 1868 the imports 
were in round numbers 8,000,000 lbs., in 1878 they were 36,000,000 lbs., 
and in 1888 they were 92,000,000 lbs. The estimate for 1889 is 
105,000,000 lbs. This vast increase of British production is at the 
expense of the Chinese Tea grower, whose part in ministering to English 
consumption is a vanishing quantity. 
- Fruit Prospects at Maindiff Court. -It is of much 
interest to all concerned in fruit growing to note the effects of the sun¬ 
less season of 1888 in the fruit garden. Many attribute the failure of 
the fruit crops this season to the unripened state of the wood, while 
here we have no reason to grumble, as fruit of various kinds are a good 
crop. Apples are good, notably Lord Suffield, Worcester Pearmain, and 
Cox’s Pippin. Apricots are a good even crop. Pears are a heavy crop, 
in many instances over the average—viz., Jargonelle, Marie Louise, 
Easter Beurre, Emile d’Heyst, and several others too numerous to 
mention. Plums are an excellent crop ; the trees are trained against a 
protected wall with an eastern aspect, it was necessary to give them 
several thinnings, and yet they have too much fruit—Washington, 
Jefferson, Diamond, Green and Golden Gage are the most notable, and 
the trees are free of blight. Peaches and Nectarines are abundant on a 
protected wall with a western aspect; Alexander was ripe on this wall 
on the 22nd of July. Strawberries were very plentiful ; some stools of 
the well-known variety Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury yielded 4 lbs. of 
good fruit. Raspberries were good. Damsons are carrying a heavy 
crop, and are quite clean after the recent rains. Gooseberries are very 
plentiful, the fruit large and of fine flavour. Black, Red, and White 
Currants were plentiful ; the former were heavily thinned by the birds 
while they were green. I have never known birds to attack green fruit 
until this year. Morello Cherries are a pretty good crop, while the May 
Dukes were light. Figs are well represented by Brovyn Turkey ; and 
here I may add that great credit is due to the gardener, Mr. G. Harding, 
for the way he carries out all branches of his calling. It would not 
be easy to excel the fruit, flower, and kitchen gardens at the present 
time.—W. H. N. 
SEASONABLE NOTES ON GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
CYCLAMENS. 
Young growing plants for autumn and early winter are now growinz 
freely in a cool brick pit. The plants are standing on a bed of coal 
ashes. The plants are shaded from bright sun, a3 the Cyclamen cannot 
endure direct sunshine or an arid atmosphere. Careful ventilation is 
also necessary. Watering must be carefully attended to, and care must 
be taken not ro pour the water in the centre of the corms. The plants 
should also be dewed over with a fine syringe, using soft water on fine 
afternoons about 4 p.m. 
BOUYARDIAS. 
These are now growing freely, and if required for autumn flowering 
pinching will not now be necessary. The pit or frame, whichever the 
plants are growing in, may also be freely ventilated, but shade from 
direct sun. A little Clay’s fertiliser sprinkled on the surface once a 
week will help the plants considerably. We syringe them every after¬ 
noon about 4 p.m. Young plants that are late should be encouraged to 
make growth by keepiDg them in an intermediate temperature. This is 
managed by not giving too much ventilation and by closing early in 
the afternoon. 
CARNATION SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAI30N. 
This Carnation has deservedly become a favourite, and is in great 
demand in London. The plants have now finished flowering, and layering 
must be attended to. If allowed to grow on the plants become tall 
and unsightly, and young plants give the finest blooms. We have just 
layered our plants. An old hotbed is used ; over this is spread a layer of 
fine sandy soil to the depth of 6 inches, when the plants are turned out 
of the pots and the balls placed low down. The shoots are then layered, 
and should receive a good watering, and every afternoon a dewing with 
a fine-rose pot. As soon as the layers take root these must be removed 
from the parent plants and potted into 60-sized pots. Pot firmly and 
keep them in a cool frame until established. Early in November the 
plants are best placed on a shelf in a cool greenhouse. If allowed to 
remain in the frame during the winter the foliage becomes spotted. 
These are not so hardy as the border Carnations. 
CINERARIAS. 
During the summer months young Cinerarias are best in a coa 
frame behind a north wall, but away from overhanging trees or high 
buildings, as this would cause the plants to become drawn. The 
plants must be potted as soon as the roots show through the drainage in 
the bottom of the pots. If allowed to become root-bound the plants 
are ruined. Three parts loam, one peat leaf soil, and one part well 
pulverised horse manure is a good compost. Pot firmly, and keep the 
frame rather close and shaded, when the plants will soon become 
established. On fine and dewy evenings the lights may be drawn off 
the plants altogether, and remain off during the night; but the lights 
must be replaced in the morning whilst the dew is on the foliage. This 
causes the plants to become hardy, and lays a good foundation for suc¬ 
cessful keeping during the winter monchs. The foliage must be kept 
free from insects. A little tobacco powder sprinkled on the under siie3 
of the leaves will keep them in check. 
SHOW PELARGONIUMS. 
The growth is now ripening, and water must be withheld for a 
time. Lay the plants on their sides. In the course of a week our 
plants will be cut down, and still be kept laid down and dry for about 
ten days, when the pots are best stood in a well ventilated frame, and 
syringed twice a day. This will cause young shoots to form, when the 
plants must be turned out of the pots, and have the roots well reduced. 
The longest roots must be cut in, and the plants placed in as small 
pots as convenient. Pot very firmly and return to the frame. The 
following compost is well adapted to the requirements of the Pelar- 
