THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 3, 1885. 
74 
flower longer than anything else. Planted on the 
island and amongst the rockeries are showy Arundos, 
Pampas Grasses, and the gorgeous Tritomas. When 
the various trees and shrubs get larger, this park will 
have a still more natural effect. On the north side is 
the statue of the Earl of Eglinton, who was Lord-Lieu¬ 
tenant in 1852, and near the centre, in close proximity 
to the bedding, are two nice fountains, which give the 
place on hot summer days a refreshingly cool appearance. 
Lord Ardilaun’s most generous act, in handing over 
this beautiful place to the public, has enabled thousands 
of all classes to enjoy themselves and admire the 
beauties of nature without fatigue. There is a plentiful 
supply of seats for the weary, fountains for the thirsty, 
and a beautiful equestrian ride around the park for 
those fortunate enough to be in a position to avail 
themselves of it. 
It is extremely gratifying to be able to state that 
but very little damage is done, though thousands 
of all sorts visit this favourite park daily, especially 
children. It is a pity, however, that the rule respecting 
admitting dogs is not strictly enforced, for several are 
to be seen daily running about under no control, and 
doing much damage tp the plants. — Alfred Outram. 
-—>*<-- 
PLANTING STRAWBERRIES. 
Although the month of August is the recognised 
season for making new plantations of Strawberries, it 
does not follow that that is the only time at which a 
new plantation may be made with success, if any one 
wants to do it. Where an old plantation has been 
allowed to run from last summer, and no runners have 
been removed from between the rows, these young 
plants will have got well established and strong by this 
time, and will be in the best possible condition for 
planting out, and if that operation is carefully carried 
our, lifting them with a small ball of earth adhering to 
each, the prospect of a small crop of fruit next season 
could be confidently looked forward to. But to take a 
crop of fruit from these partially established plants is 
not to be recommended, as it would seriously detract 
from the following year’s crop, which would be much 
better if the flowers were removed from the plants as 
soon as they appear. 
The ground for the reception of the young plants 
should, if not trenched be deeply dug, and thoroughly 
enriched with manure, which should be well decomposed 
or the plants will most likely go to leaf instead of flower. 
Tread the ground over after digging, and chop it over 
with hoes to render the surface soil fine, after which 
the planting may be done. Mark out the rows 2 ft. 
apart, and plant 18 in. apart from plant to plant in 
the row, and plant sufficiently deep so that the crown 
of the plant is just level with the surface of the ground, 
and make the soil quite firm about the plants. 
For the first season the space between the rows 
may be cropped with some such plants as Lettuces or 
Endive. 
A mulching of manure over the ground will do the 
plants a deal of good, and should be repeated every 
year so long as the plants stand, but never dig among 
them. After trying several varieties, Garibaldi and 
Sir Joseph Paxton are now grown almost exclusively. 
President is also a first class variety, James Veitch, 
Sir C. Napier, and British Queen are also excellent on 
some soils, and Eleanor, Elton Pine, and Frogmore 
late Pine are good varieties for late use or succession.— 
C. TV. 
--- 
CHICORY FOR WINTER SALADS. 
I have often heard it remarked, that it was no mean 
achievement for a gardener to be able to place a bunch 
of Grapes on his employer’s table all the year round, 
and no doubt there is good reason for the assertion ; 
but I have an idea that it is equally good work to be 
able to produce a blanched salad for each day’s dinner 
the whole year, and sometimes two such salads a day. 
¥e know, that some good cooks make up an “ Italian 
salad ” out of a number of vegetables ; but the inevitable 
salad that must accompany the roast meat—a joint-- 
should be composed of blanched materials only. Tastes 
differ, however, sometimes, even in the matter of salad¬ 
making, for some will have Beet and other things, in¬ 
cluding Celery, cut up and served amongst the Lettuce 
or Endive, while others will have one thing, and this 
must be blanched. After spring-grown Lettuces have 
liearted-in, it is very easy to produce a salad twice a day 
during the summer and autumn months, and when 
Lettuces are over the Endive is easily blanched by 
placing a slate over the entire plant, but when frost is 
imminent these have to be covered with some litter or 
other material that will keep off the frost, and the stock 
has to be taken up and packed in frames or other places 
to prevent the plants from being frozen, or they will 
rot, and there will soon be an end to that source of 
supply. 
Under such circumstances, Chicory comes in most 
useful to blanch for a salad. It should be sown on land 
that has been well broken up in the early part of June, 
in rows about 9 ins. apart. When the plants are up, 
they should be thinned out to 6 ins. apart and kept 
clear of weeds, and by October or November their roots 
will be over a foot long and resembling thin Parsnips. 
At this time they should be lifted and laid-in thickly 
in a sheltered place, in the same way as Salsafy and 
other fusiform roots, so that when hard weather sets in 
they can be covered up with leaves or litter to keep out 
frost, as, though it is not a tender plant by any means, 
if the roots get frozen together for a month or so, they 
will not be so easy to get at when wanted to place in 
heat as required to keep up a supply. To blanch Chicory 
for use, the most simple plan is to place the roots, after 
the green tops have been cut off, in a box 1 ft. or more 
deep, and after watering them to put them in some 
place where they can get a little heat from fermenting 
materials, such as leaves or stable-dung and leaves 
mixed together. If the heat is gentle and steady the 
crowns will produce a strong growth, and being grown 
in the entire absence of light, it will be very crisp and 
much appreciated at the table. — T. TV. 
-->*<-- 
THE TURNER MEMORIAL. 
The following circular has been distributed by the 
Executive Committee : —“ At a meeting held in the 
Conservatory of the Royal Horticultural Society, South 
Kensington, August 11, 1885, Shirely Hibberd, Esq., 
in the chair, a resolution moved by the chairman, and 
seconded by Dr, Masters, F.R.S., was unanimously 
adopted to the following effect: —‘This meeting is of 
opinion that the eminent services to floriculture of the 
late Mr. Charles Turuer, of Slough, should be com¬ 
memorated by means of special prizes for florists’ flowers, 
fruits, &c. ; and hereby resolves to promote the raising 
of a fund, the interest of which shall be applied to carry 
into effect the said prizes, which shall be entitled 
Turner Memorial Prizes; the fund, and all its incomings 
and outgoings, to be administered by a body of trustees 
or governors to be hereafter appointed. ’ It was further 
resolved that H. M. Pollett, Esq., of Fernside, Biekley, 
Kent, be tire honorary treasurer; and Mr. James 
Douglas, The Gardens, Great Gearies, Ilford, honorary 
secretary. The importance of the present movement 
will be fully felt and understood by horticulturists of 
all grades and tastes, for in every department and by 
men of all parties the name of Charles Turner has been 
held in honour, both because of the high character and 
gentle manners of the man, and his earnest work as a 
practical and ever-advancing florist during a successful 
career of over fifty years. It is no part of the business 
now in hand to pronounce any eulogy, the object of 
this circular is to make a direct appeal to the horticul¬ 
tural public for the means of establishing the proposed 
Turner Fund. The promoters feel that the cause 
carries with it all the persuasions needful to success, 
and they urge upon all sympathisers with its objects, 
the need of prompt attention in collecting subscriptions 
and forwarding them to the honorary treasurer without 
delay. Copies of this circular will be supplied where- 
ever needed, and gardeners are requested to bring it 
under the notice of their employers, the object being to 
make a formal and impressive public record of appreci¬ 
ative and affectionate regard for the memory of the 
most distinguished horticulturist and florist of the 
nineteenth century. ” 
The Stirling Castle Aptle— This is a favourite 
Apple of mine, being such a free bearer either as a 
bush or a standard. The branches are literally 
weighed down with the fine large fruits. It is also a 
pleasing fruit in shape, being as round as an orange, 
and the skin smooth and of a clear yellow colour. It 
is a serviceable early culinary Apple, but will keep well 
until Christmas.— T. TV. 
FRUITS, FLO WERS & V EGETABLES. 
Spring-flowering Plants Amongst Grass. 
—Now is the time to make plantings of Bulbs, &c., for 
effect next spring, and perhaps the most telling of all 
situations is to have them growing amongst grass, either 
by the sides of pleasure ground walks or under trees, 
&c. In order to make a good show, it is necessary to 
plant them in large-sized clumps or patches. Our plan 
is to mark with a spade the shape and size of each 
patch, then the top sod is taken off and put on one side, 
and a spade deep of the soil taken out. Then the turf 
is put into the bottom, chopped up and mixed with 
well-rotted manure ; after that the soil is put in, 
mixing a little more manure and leaf-mould with it. 
The whole is then gently trodden down and the bulbs 
planted. The larger kinds of Daffodils are placed about 
5 ins. or 6 ins. apart, and the smaller kinds, Grape Hya¬ 
cinths, Crocus, &c., at about 3 ins. apart, and Snowdrops 
closer still. Some of our largest clumps are 8 or 9 ft. 
long and 4 ft. across, and mostly of irregular shapes. 
We are also careful to mix the colours as much as 
possible. After planting a little more soil is spread on 
the top, then grass seeds are sown, which soon ger¬ 
minate and cover the bare patches. We have just 
planted about 15,000 bulbs of various sorts by the side 
of a walk some 300 yards long, and although the mode 
of preparing the ground entails a great deal of labour, 
we are amply repaid by the results, as instead of the 
bulbs weakening and deteriorating, they annually in¬ 
crease in vigour and become more floriferous. Bulbs 
are also so exceedingly cheap that those who wish for a 
good display in spring should plant extensively.— 
TVm. J. Ireland, Hcadfort, Kells. 
Sunflowers. —Having noticed that Sunflowers are 
very popular among cottagers, it occurred to me that 
there must be other reasons besides their beauty that 
has brought them so much in favour amongst a class 
that are scarcely likely to be imbued with a taste for 
the “aesthetic,” sufficient to account for the popularity 
of that which may be considered the queen of aesthetic 
flowers. On making enquiries, I found that in many 
cases they are grown expressly for the seeds, which are 
used as food for poultry. This will perhaps account for 
prizes being offered for the heaviest flowers, as mentioned 
in a previous number of The Gardening World. —Hi 
Pear Beurre Capiaumont. —This is generally 
only considered a second-rate Pear as regards flavour, 
but I doubt if we have any other variety to match it for 
its good bearing qualities. It is seldom that this Pear 
fails to cariy a crop even in seasons when other kinds 
are scarce, and it is also a good grower. If trained as 
a pyramid and grown with a number of other trees, it 
can easily be distinguished by its distinct habit of 
growth and the light green colour of its foliage. Even 
in unfavourable situations, where other kinds seem to 
linger only between life and death, Beurre Capiaumont 
thrives and forms a vigorous tree ; and if double worked 
with other sorts, and grown against a wall, it will 
produce prodigious crops of fruit.— T. TV. 
A new method of growing Hyacinths 
in Glasses. —For years I have amused myself by 
growing Hyacinths in glasses in my rooms, and in a 
majority of cases, the results were unsatisfactory. The 
foliage was generally, even with the coolest and most 
careful treatment, at best, tender and limp ; the blooms 
were short-lived, never plump and robust like those 
grown in pots. Last year, I thought I would imitate 
the sandy soil of the Dutch, so far as possible consis¬ 
tent with culture in glasses, so instead of pure water, 
which requires to be changed so often, and that cannot 
supply the roots with any of the silicia required to give 
the desirable amount of healthy robustness, I filled the 
glasses with moist river sand, and allowed the base of 
the bulb merely to touch it. Finer Hyacinths of the 
kind I never saw, excepting those of a friend whom I 
recommended to get sea-sand at Brighton. — TV. J. 
Murphy, Clonmel. 
Machet and Parson’s Giant White 
Mignonettes — I have grown the variety with the 
French name of Machet, this season, and found it to be 
almost, if not quite, identical with a pyramidal strain 
obtained a few years since from Mr. James, of Farnham 
Royal, and which he stated was the same as that grown 
for the London market by our best growers. Of the 
two I think the latter is a somewhat redder colour than 
is Machet, but in all other respects there seems to be 
no distinction. As a compact habited variety for pot 
