58 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
July 19,1894. 
Gmelina hystrix. —The genus Gmelina consists of eight 
species of Asiatic trees and shrubs, and is related to Clerodendron. 
G. hystrix is the most ornamental of them, judging by a specimen of 
it which flowered recently for the first time at Kew. According to a 
correspondent in the “ Garden and Forest,” it has a stout woody stem, 
with long slender Bougainvillea-like shoots clothed with bright green 
ovate or lobed leaves, and bearing drooping terminal cymes of large 
yellow flowers, which spring from large, ovate, overlapping, brownish 
bracts. The corolla is tubular and divided at the top into four segments, 
the lowest of which is much the largest. The plant grows freely in a 
moist stove. Mr. Goldring, who brought this plant from Baroda, says 
it is a most useful shrub in Indian gardens, and one which can be 
utilised there for fences, as it grows quickly and develops strong spines. 
Wild Flowers at Brighton. —An interesting department 
has been started at the Brighton Museum, and it may be commended 
to the notice of those in charge of similar institutions in other parts of 
the country, though perhaps some have already anticipated the idea. 
It is the display of a collection of wild flowers belonging to the county, 
which are set out with labels giving their names in Latin and in the 
popular form, as well as the locality from which they have been brought. 
The flowers are kept in water as long as they will last, and then make 
way for other specimens. Recently some sixty or seventy different 
flowers were thus on view. The collection is kept going by voluntary 
gifts from botanists, amateur and otherwise, whilst professional men 
who live in the country near Brighton take pleasure in adding to the 
store. The wild flower table is proving one of the most attractive 
portions of the Museum. 
-Scottish Horticultural Association. — At the recent 
monthly meeting of this organisation a paper by Mr. E. Waller, 
embodying the “ Diary of a Horticultural Journey from England to 
^ alencia, was read by the assistant secretary. The author, after com¬ 
menting on the flat districts of France and their products, alluded 
more particularly to the cultivation of the Orange in the great plain 
of Valencia, where the finest Oranges in Spain are oroduced in 
enormous numbers, and pointed out that the land, which is of a 
heavy clayey nature, is watered from the surrounding rivers at the 
expense of the Government, to whom the fruit farmers paid a stipulated 
rent. This system of irrigation, it was observed, was introduced into 
the plain in question by the Moors, and it still continued to give the 
utmost satisfaction. The communication further described the methods 
of gathering, selecting, and packing the fruit for export to the British 
market. In the course of a discussion which followed Mr. Mackenzie 
emphasised the necessity there was for improvement in the system of 
packing fruit carried on by British horticulturists. 
The Manresa Vine. —At the present time this famous Vine 
is a spectacle well worth a visit to see, carrying as it is upwards of 800 
bunches of fruit, each composed of well-shaped berries. As is now well 
known to readers of the Journal, Mr. Davis, the grower, has trained it 
with the rods running lengthways of the structure, and as one stands 
at the end the sight presented when all the bunches are hanging, as they 
were a week ago, is such as is likely to be seen only once a year, and 
that only at Manresa House. The foliage and wood are in the best 
possible condition, and are destitute of all trace of insect pests of any 
kind, with the exception of a few leaves in one corner, where a mere 
suspicion of red spider is noticeable ; but it is doomed, as Mr. Davis has 
determined to eradicate it, and it is almost beyond doubt that he will 
very soon succeed in doing so. The exact number of bunches hanging 
on the Vine before cutting was commenced was 852, and as it may 
interest many readers, the number on each of the seven rods is given. 
Starting at the bottom of the house, the first rod has 130; second, 122 ; 
third, 120 ; fourth, 132 ; fifth, 129 ; sixth, 122 ; and seventh, 97, making 
the afore mentioned total. For the sake of comparison, last season’s 
figures are given in the same order. First, 119; second, 108 ; third, 92 • 
fourth, 98 ; fifth, 112 ; sixth, fll; seventh, 93, or a total of 706. The 
weight of the crop this year will be close on 1000 lbs., which is, as 
everyone will readily admit, a grand crop for one Vine to carry. The 
path down the back of the house in which ” The Monster ” is growing 
is^ formed of concrete, and some slight evidence of the strength and 
vitality of the roots, it may be mentioned that just opposite to where 
the Vine was originally planted this path was lifted up for a length of 
nearly 5 feet. To obviate this in the future, three holes, 4 feet wide, 
have been made through the wall, the roots carefully spread throueh, 
fresh soil having been afforded to provide the requisite nourishment, 
this also having been done in the border on the outside of the wall. 
This will doubtless give new life to the Vine, and it is unfortunate 
that the space at disposal is now completely occupied, or ithe 
dimensions of the Vine would in the course of a few years be 
materially increased. Mr. Davis deserves the heartiest congratulations 
for his industry and perseverance, for not only did he propagate the 
Vine himself, but he actually built the house with which it is 
covered, and this piece by piece as the increasing size of the “ baby ” 
demanded. It must not be thought that Mr. Davis devotes all his 
indomitable energy and exceptional intelligence in looking after his 
Vine, for such is not the case, as the crops of Peaches and Nectarines, 
both indoors and out, and the fine condition of the hardy fruit trees 
and vegetables with which the garden is so well stocked, amply prove.— 
H. J. [An illustration of the Manresa Vine appeared in the Journal of 
norticulture of September 10th, 1891, page 229, and a portrait of 
Mr. M, Davis in the issue of August 24th, 1893.] 
- Eupatorium serrulatum. —Mr. W. Watson, in the “Garden 
and Forest,” says—“ Eupatorium serrulatum has lately been introduced 
from Brazil by Mons. E. Andr^, to whose energy horticulture is indebted 
for many new and useful plants, Senecio sagittifolius being one of the 
most recent. The Eupatorium has long been known to botanists as a 
shrub about 4 feet high, with ovate, serrated, hairy leaves from 1 to 3 
inches long, and numerous terminal compound panicles of bright rose 
purple flowers, the strongest branches producing heads 6 inches across. 
It grows as freely and flowers as profusely as any of the Eupatoriums 
already in cultivation, and no doubt will thrive under the same kind of 
treatment. For such places as the Riviera and California it will be an 
acquisition as a hardy shrub. Mons. Andr^ informed Mr. Gumbleton, 
to whom he sent the specimens, that this plant would prove a good 
acquisition for his garden at Belgrove.” 
- Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association. —The third 
summer outing of the members of the Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ 
Mutual Improvement Association took place on Wednesday in last 
week. A party of fifty persons started at eight o’clock in three well- 
appointed breaks. The places selected for the day’s outing were 
Haldon House, Whiteway House, Pitt House, and Teignmouth. The 
drive to Haldon House was very enjoyable. The gardeners and their 
friends were allowed to visit the house and grounds by the kind 
permission of Mr. Henry Drew, agent to Mr, T. B. Bolitho, M.P,, the 
owner. Mr. Field, head gardener, acted as conductor. The drive to 
Teignmouth was a very pleasant one. Soon after five o’clock an 
excellent dinner was served, Mr. T. E. Bartlett presiding. The day was 
a thoroughly enjoyable and instructive one, and thanks are due to 
Messrs. A. Hope and T. E. Bartlett (the Hon, Secretaries) for the 
manner in which they carried through the whole of the arrangements 
for the convenience of the party. 
-The Manchester Botanical Gardens.—Action for 
Libel.—Findlay v. Armitage. —In this case last week Mr. Bruce 
Findlay, curator of the Botanical Gardens, Old Trafford, claimed damages 
for libel against Mr. Benjamin Armitage, of Sorrel Bank, Pendleton. 
Mr. Gully, QC,, M.P., and Mr. Sutton represented the plaintiff; 
Mr. Shee, Q.C., Mr. M'Keand, and the Hon. John Mansfield were 
counsel for the defendant. The libel complained of was a letter 
written by the defendant and published in the “ Manchester City 
News,” as follows: — “Where are the exhibits of the Botanical 
Gardens ? A large amount of money has been spent on expensive 
houses for the culture of Orchids and other plants, and what is the 
result? Nothing worth looking at, and the poor plants dying for 
lack of proper attention, or, as I fear, for want of cultural knowledge. 
On Saturday last I and a Manchester authority paid a visit behind the 
scenes—I mean the nursery—and found destitution on every hand ; 
expensive Orchids dying for want of proper culture. The only bright 
spot is the fernery, the occupants of which will grow in spite of the 
gardener if you only turn the tap on. It is very sad to contemplate. 
The number of subscribers has fallen off and nothing but bankruptcy 
stares these gardens in the face. I hope the Council will at once seek 
a remedy.” This, Mr. Gully submitted, was a distinct attack on 
Mr. Findlay. As to the financial position of the Gardens, it was not 
what Mr. Armitage represented. When Mr. Findlay came to the 
Gardens there was a debt of £12,000 upon them. To-day, although the 
expenditure had been large—the debt was reduced to £5,000. The 
value of the property had in the meantime increased enormously, 
standing now at about £30,000. The position of the Society, therefore, 
was a good one, a fact due in a large measure to the exertions of Mr. 
Findlay. Messrs. Leo Grindon and W. Elphinstone gave evidence in 
