192 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
August 30,1894. 
to what good purpose specimen Fuchsias, Plumbagos, Bamboos, 
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, and other plants are put, these being 
chiefly placed in imposing groups on the turf. 
Passing to Regent’s Park, a close observer will notice the 
bedding differs slightly in character to that just described. The 
surroundings are less formal, permitting of a more varied system 
of flower gardening, and of this the most is apparently made. 
Sombre-hued shrubs abound, these necessitating brightly coloured 
plants, such as Celosia pyramidalis, Cockscombs, and others of a 
showy nature, which are extensively employed. A bed of dark 
Cockscombs, yellow-leaved Fuchsias, and clumps of Dactylis glome- 
rata variegata may not appear a very elaborate arrangement, but it 
is an effective one. Bushy plants of Begonia semperflorens rosea, 
having dark bronzy foliage and covered with pink blossoms, form 
a pleasing contrast to a carpet of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 
variegatum, an edging of Echeveria glauca metallica completing 
the combination. There is nothing particular about a bed planted 
with Begonia semperflorens rubra and Festuca glauca, with a Yucca 
in the centre ; but if simple, it is worthy of mention. Cannas 
are most imposing when judiciously employed, the dark foliaged 
kinds contrasting with the light leaves of other plants. A large 
circular bed of Cannas, Eulalia gracillima, and red Celosias rising 
from a base of yellow-foliaged Fuchsias is attractive, the same 
applying to one devoted to Koniga maritima variegata, crimson 
Begonias, and Eulalia gracillima. Another feature in this park 
is a narrow border filled with plants arranged in an exouisite 
manner. The border is a long one, rather more than 3 feet wide 
perhaps, with a hedge of Privet, about 2 feet high, at the back 
In front of the hedge are well-grown plants of the yellow 
Celosia pyramidalis, and between these Begonia semperflorens rosea, 
full of blossom. Next comes Veronica Andersoni and Begonia 
fuchsioides, planted alternately with clumps of Dactylis glomerata 
variegata, with an edging of Lobelia pumila magnifica. The 
surface of the whole border is covered with Lysimachia nummu- 
laria aurea, and “ dot ” plants of Grevillea robusta completes a 
choice arrangement. 
Sub-tropical bedding constitutes the principal feature in 
Battersea Park, and readers who have this method of flower 
gardening to practise might to their advantage visit this popular 
resort. Many of the plants, however, appear at their best in 
seasons like that of 1893, although even this year the various 
arrangements are deserving of more than a mere reference. The 
mixed style of bedding is also extensively practised here, and some 
charming results are to be seen. A bed of Fuchsias with which 
richly coloured Coleus, fragrant Heliotropes, and Golden Fleece 
Pelargoniums are incorporated is attractive, while the same may 
be said of an arrangement of succulents, comprising Kleinias, 
Echeverias, and Sempervivums amongst others, all beautifully 
blended. Cannas, with showy flowers and dark foliage, make a 
fine contrast to - plants of Lilium longiflorum, whilst Daturas 
associate well with early flowering Chrysanthemums and Pent- 
stemons. Hyacinthus candicans is put to good use, and a bed 
of Vitis heterophylla variegata, from which rise specimens of the 
yellow and green Abutilon Thompson!, forms a striking feature. 
The borders of Dahlias, Hollyhocks, and Phloxes, faced with 
Calceolarias, Lobelias, and other plants are also effective ; carpet 
bedding being likewise worthy of notice. In Finsbury Park, too 
on the northern side of the metropolis, some excellent arrange¬ 
ments may be seen. As elsewhere, the varieties of Begonia 
semperflorens are extensively employed, these to some extent 
having taken the place of the tuberous-rooted kinds. Arranged with 
variegated Pelargoniums, Koniga maritima variegata and Mesem- 
bryanthemum, these Begonias are very effective, and to realise 
the value of these combinations they must be seen. In a secluded 
corner in this park some masses of Campanula pyramidalis arranged 
with Palms produce a charming display. 
Going southwards to Hampton Court Palace the visitor will 
find much of interest as regards summer bedding. The beds are 
well filled, some good arrangements being noticeable, and with a fine 
autumn the plants will flower profusely. Fuchsias are blooming 
grandly, giving evidence of their utility for a wet season. Between 
some of the light coloured varieties crimson Begonias are inter¬ 
spersed, while mauve Violas form an excellent base. Begonia 
Worthiana is seen at its best here, the bright orange scarlet flowers 
harmonising splendidly with other plants. .As elsewhere, dark 
Begonias are pleasing when intermixed with Koniga maritima 
variegata and Mesembryanthemums. A bed filled with Pelar¬ 
gonium Flower of Spring, Viola Blue Bell, and edged with Iresine 
Lindeni attracts notice, a similar remark applying to two beds of 
standard Roses, with a thick base of Heliotrope President Garfield 
and edgings of Golden Superb Pelargoniums. Arabis lucida 
variegata, too, forms a splendid edging. The mention of this 
calls to mind some good beds edged with Ajuga reptans atro- 
purpurea, which the writer remarked in the Manchester Botanical 
Gardens some weeks ago. Hardy plants are also extensively 
employed for the embellishment of Dulwich Park in the south¬ 
east of London, where some grand examples of bedding may 
be seen. At Victoria Park, too, the bedding is always above the 
average in merit, many excellent arrangements being forthcoming 
this year. 
Apart from the foregoing examples there are many other 
effective beds in the public parks and gardens of the metropolis, to 
say nothing of the numerous arrangements in the provinces. 
Doubtless, too, many readers of the Journal of Horticulture have 
effective combinations in their gardens that may be of interest to 
others were they recorded. Hardy plants are now recognised as 
being amenable for the embellishment of the flower garden proper, 
although seldom used so extensively for that purpose as they 
might be. Carnations and Violas, however, are employed in 
conjunction in many of the metropolitan parks, whilst masses of 
Gladioli, China Roses, Nicotiana affinis, Pentstemons, and Heli- 
anthuses are most effective during the summer and autumn.—C. 
IMPROVING FRUIT PLANTATIONS. 
The grower of produce for sale has no difficulty in procuring 
turfy loam and manure near towns for the potting of plants and 
the manuring of land under fruit and vegetable crops, as there are 
generally building operations more or less in progress, and the 
manure made in stables seldom finds its way to the land from 
whence it, as corn, hay, and straw, was originally derived. That is 
one reason why agriculture does not keep pace with horticulture ; 
the first is impoverished to feed the latter, and the one becomes 
lean while the other fattens. This is the outcome of civilisation, 
for while it pays to sell off the land potash, phosphoric acid, and 
nitrogen in meat, corn, hay and straw, it is ruinous to restore it in 
bulk form—stable or town manure—as the railway charges and 
cost of cartage amount to sums little less than the produce value of 
the crop. 
Green stuff—organic matter—is positively necessary to the 
continued fertility of soils, and this is obtained from crop 
residues, weeds, and sometimes solid manure. These are of a 
variable nature ; few contain free nitrogen, and those that do 
might as well not do so without lime, potash, magnesia, and soda 
are found in the soil, for unless these enter the plant the micro¬ 
organism remains inert. Indeed, it is an annual, and must have 
organised matter to work on. So with all parasitical organisms, 
they cannot assimilate inorganic matter like plants. Such substances, 
therefore, as Rape and Turnips only supply matter for manufacture 
into nitrates. They supply humus, that contains certain organic 
elements, which, acted on by the micro-organisms, muriate and 
nitrate, convert it into the food of plants. Soft weeds are of the 
same nature as Rape ; but this passed through the stomach of an 
animal is very much nearer plant food than raw, or such weeds as 
groundsel and chickweed, for they add little to the soil beyond 
humus, and that may be a positive poison without due amounts of 
corrective inorganic substances, of which there is little danger in 
ordinary soils. 
Having in the spring told how a small fruit grower dispensed 
with manure by extracting perennial and burying annual weeds 
before they seeded and while in their green succulent state, I 
wish now to state that this thing has come to an end, or enough 
