THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
July 28. 
313 
WEEKLY CALENDAR. 
M 
W 
JULY 28—AUGUST 3, 1853. 
Weather near London in 1852. 
Sun 
Sun 
Moon 
Moon’s 
Day of 
Year. 
D 
D 
Barometer. 
Thermo.|\Vind. Rain in In. 
Rises. 
Sets. 
R. & S. 
Age. 
af. Sun. 
28 
Th 
Rosy Minor; Norfolk. 
Lover’s Knot ; Kent heaths. 
30.064—30.025 
77—59 
N.E. 
_ 
20 a. 4 
53 a. 7 
11 24 
22 
• 6 
9 
209 
29 
F 
30.054 — 30.034 
74-47 
N.E. 
08 
21 
51 
11 44 
23 
6 
8 
210 
30 
S 
Large Emerald; woods. 
30.070 — 30.038 
76—46 
W. 
— 
22 
50 
mom. 
24 
6 
6 
211 
31 
Sun 
10 Sunday after Trinity, 
30.072 — 30.038 
81—54 
w. 
— 
24 
48 
0 11 
25 
6 
3 
212 
1 
M 
Swallow-tail; meadows. 
30.037 —29.937 
82—52 
s.w. 
— 
26 
46 
0m43 
26 
6 
0 
213 
2 To 
White Bordered ; woods. 
29.861 — 29.662 
81—49 
w. 
- • 
27 
45 
1 24 
27 
5 
56 
214 
3(W 
Speckled Wood; wood sides. 
29.464 — 29.268 
71—47 
s. 
03 
28 
44 
2 17 
28 
5 
52 
215 
Meteorology of the Week.— At Chiswick, from observations 92°, occurred on the 1st in 1845 ; and the lowest cold, 38°, on the 
I during the last twentyrsix years, the average highest and lowest tem- 3rd in 1847. During the period 94 days were fine, and on 88 rain 
1 peratures of these days are 75.1° and 52.8° respectively. The greatest heat, fell. 
As many of our readers may not be acquainted with 
that most interesting evergreen, the Darwin Barberry 
(.Berberis Darwinii), it being of recent introduction, we 
will introduce a few of its characteristics to their notice. 
In the first place, we can assure them that it is as hardy 
as a Holly, not only with regard to mere temperature, 
but adaptability to awkward circumstances in regard of 
moisture, &c. We think wo are warranted in affirming 
this, from the fact that we had, amongst a stock of 
rooted cuttings, plunged out-doors, one in a five-inch 
pot, which, unknown to us, was in a state of utter 
stagnation all the winter, the soil having been soured 
through derangement of the drainage by worms. This 
plant looks just as well as any of the rest, and thus 
warrants the idea that it possesses much hardiness of 
constitution. 
As to soil, it thrives admirably in loam and peat, but 
we have little doubt that any sound soil would suit it; 
but burning sandy soils we should be disposed to fear. 
The first feature we would point to in this beautiful 
shrub is the delightful green of its foliage. In this it 
is not excelled by the best coloured Holly. And not 
only is the green good, but exceedingly permanent—no 
disturbing causes, as drought, variations of temperature, 
&c., seem capable of afFecting its delightful tone of 
colour. A second point, is the singular persistency of 
its foliage, scarcely excelled in this respect by the 
Araucaria imbricata. At this time of the year our 
Holly hedges are a complete pest, from the continuous 
shedding of their riper foliage; and this, in the imme¬ 
diate vicinity of dress grounds, is a source of much 
annoyance to a gardener, who, with the most ambitious 
desires as to “ keeping,” cannot keep pace with his 
desires. 
On our Berberis Darwinii, now nearly four feet high, 
and more in circumference, we have as yet detected 
only one yellow leaf in the present summer. The 
individual and collective effect of the foliage is of the 
most handsome character imaginable; a bush studded 
with thousands of leaves in a very narrow compass, and 
yet no apparent confusion—no two leaves appear to 
touch, at first sight. 
But there are yet other merits pertaining to this 
charming evergreen, and those of no mean character. 
Let those who have not become acquainted with it 
fancy that to the preceding qualifications must be added 
the most beautiful blossoms, which droop out of every 
axil. An enthusiastic admirer of the beautiful in the 
vegetable kingdom, if tolerably imaginative, might 
fancy it, when in full blossom, a little diminutive vine 
from the antipodes, with evergreen foliage and diminu¬ 
tive branches of golden fruit; for the richly gilded 
blossoms carry a cupped or globular appearance, sus¬ 
pended from curved racemes in true grape style. 
Come we now to another qualification, which, although 
for the present somewhat uncertain, will, we think, be 
found correct. We allude to its peculiar eligibility for 
making miniature hedges around, or in the vicinity of> 
flower-gardens, or highly-decorated spots near the man¬ 
sion. Admirably adapted, we should say, for those 
little divisions necessary in the immediate vicinity of 
the villa. Indeed, it is our opinion that this excellent 
evergreen will come into very general use as an orna¬ 
mental hedge-plant. It has all the essentials for a 
hedge of the above description—the most handsome 
and neat evergreen foliage of a long-enduring character; 
a beauteous habit of blossoming annually, at least, and 
that habit quite reconcilable to the use of the shears, 
as we will hereafter show; with a constant disposition 
to throw up fresh shoots from the collar. Together witli 
the persistency of its beauteous foliage, we may name 
the singular propensity it possesses of sustaining an un¬ 
diminished strength and verdure in its lower branches, 
in defiance of the threatened monopoly of sap by the 
collar shoots: hence another important element of the 
fancy hedge. As a mere border-bush, however, it is 
exceedingly valuable; and we need hardly point to 
the value of such acquisitions in small gardens, where 
“ much in a small place” must be the motto. 
To advert here to its eligibility for training on walls, 
pales, or trelliage, especially where a line evergreen 
foliage is requisite—say in suburban gardens—is to 
hint at a matter which, from the former allusions to its 
habits, must be obvious to our readers. 
To conclude the list of its merits, we may add, that 
it may be slightly forced, although somewhat impatient 
of high temperatures. It may be classed with such 
things as Weigelia, Forsythia, Deutzia, Jasmines, &c., 
and, with such, constitute a special branch of floral 
culture. 
This fine evergreen was introduced from Patagonia 
by that spirited firm, Messrs. Veitch, through their col¬ 
lector, Mr. Lobb; and to these eminent nurserymen 
the gardening world is under no small obligations for 
this and many other most valuable acquisitions.—E. 
No. CCLII, Vol, X. 
