November 14, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
169 
WILLIAM HOLMES. 
It is fitting that on the occasion of the holding of 
the second exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, at the Royal Aquarium, a portrait of its hon. 
secretary should be given. The best monument to his 
ability, his high administrative capacity, and the con¬ 
fidence he inspires among Chrysanthemum growers and 
fanciers, is the National Chrysanthemum Society. 
Originally the Stoke Newington, and afterwards the 
Borough of Hackney Chrysanthemum Society, and 
never, despite its change of name and locality of opera¬ 
tions, losing iu any degree the continuity of its im¬ 
portant work, it two years ago took upon itself the 
larger title, and gave a much wider scope to its opera¬ 
tions. It is to the prescience and courage of Mr. 
Holmes that the change is mainly due. He saw the 
need for something in the form of a national organisation 
to which Chrysanthemum growers all over the country 
could look for advice, counsel, and guidance, doing the 
work of the National Rose Society, but on a more com¬ 
prehensive scale and lesting upon a broader basis. 
Many doubts were expressed as to the expediency and 
wisdom of the change ; but events have completely 
justified the nejv departure. See 
what has been done within the 
space of nine years. In 1877 the 
Borough of Hackney Chrysan¬ 
themum Society had a roll of fifty- 
five members, a total income of 
£84 14s. 6 d., and it offered prizes 
to the amount of £57 6s. Qd. In 
the present season it has a roll of 
309 members, a total income of 
£380, and it offers in prizes £250. 
In addition, it has affiliated a large 
number of societies ; it has issued 
an authoritative catalogue of Chry¬ 
santhemums ; it has struck medals 
that, unlike some others, are worth 
the money value set on them ; and 
it has a fioral committee sitting 
during the season to take cognisance 
of new Chrysanthemums, &c. It 
is not to be wondered that so large 
a measure of success has fallen to its 
share. 
William Holmes is the “worthy 
son of a worthy sire ”—the son of 
the late William Holmes, for some 
years gardener to Dr. Frampton, 
and the founder of the Frampton 
Park Nurseries. The floral taste* 
of the father descended to the son. 
He was born on May 10th, 1852, 
and was fortunate enough to receive 
a sound general education at Madras 
House Grammar School, and was 
the first wardsman’s son admitted 
to the institution. When quite 
young he caught something of the 
floral enthusiasm which animated 
his father, and made a hobby of Pelargoniums and 
Chrysanthemums, growing a collection of each, and 
having the daring to enter the lists as a competitor 
against his father, who was for years a most successful 
exhibitor. 
On the death of his father in June, 1878, he took over 
the management of the Frampton Park Nurseries, and 
now carries on a general business as nurseryman, seeds¬ 
man and florist. As a landscape gardener, William 
Holmes (and his father before him) have done good 
work in laying out many of the Open Spaces and 
Recreation Grounds within the Metropolitan area which 
have from time to time been inaugurated. Elected as 
the hon. secretary of the Borough of Hackney Chry¬ 
santhemum Society in 1877, he holds that office still, 
and possesses what is so encouraging to a secretary— 
the entire confidence of a large representative com¬ 
mittee. 
Locally, William Holmes is by no means unknown, 
as he is a member of several district organisations and 
a life member of the Hackney Trustee Board. He is 
also an active politician, and greatly assists his party 
in the locality in which he resides. That he may long 
live to be identified with the development of the Chry¬ 
santhemum is the earnest wish of avast majority of the 
admirers of this popular flower, to whom the portrait 
now published will, we feel sure, be welcome. 
THE OLDFIELD NURSERIES, 
ALTRINCHAM. 
From small beginnings this establishment has 
gradually and continuously increased by the addition 
of land and stock, houses and plants, until at the present 
time it is perhaps the most important undertaking of 
its kind in the neighbourhood of Manchester. The 
past season has been one of exceptional briskness, and 
at the present time though so much has been despatched 
to all parts of the United Kingdom, there is still an 
abundance of everthing for which this nursery is more 
especially famed. Nearly 50 acres are taken up chiefly 
with forest and fruit trees, also such as are of an or¬ 
namental character. Large breadths are also occupied 
in the growth of all kinds of plants for the herbaceous 
borders. In this department the proprietors, Messrs. 
W. Clibran & Sons, pride themselves in having one of 
the most comprehensive collections in the county. 
That there is now a far greater demand for this class of 
plants than formerly, is a fact of significant importance. 
Doubtless, the first desire for an extended acquaintance 
with hardy herbaceous plants, sprung up in consequence 
of a few specialists continually bringing them to the 
William Holmes. 
Secrctarj of the National Chrysanthemum Society. 
notice of the public at our various shows and exhibitions, 
and the admiration of their beauties led to a desire for 
their possession, and so in time many fine collections 
were made in private gardens, that had hitherto been 
almost strangers to their richness and usefulness. 
It is to be hoped that still further additions may be 
made in gardens where they are already so freely grown, 
and that those who have charge of others though of 
limited size, will speedily see to the formation and 
planting of this useful adjmnct to the garden—a hardy 
herbaceous border. To give an enumeration of sorts 
and names, would take up space to no profit; suffice it 
to say that the best of everything is kept here, and 
every new one of piroved merit is ad led to the stock. 
Passing into the glass erections, some additions to 
which have been made during the past season — houses 
of large dimensions, though of very plain structure, the 
stock is noted as truly surprising in quantity. There is so 
much that is useful of a decorative character, and large 
quantities of foliage and ornamental-leaved species, that 
the running over of thousands of plants of one particular 
sort, fails to convey the idea that many others though 
in lesser quantity, still of equal usefulness are grown. 
Small Palms such as Euterpe edulis, Cocos Weddelliana, 
Latana borbonica, Areca lutescens, &c., are in great 
demand, while it goes almost without saying that Ferns 
by the thousand are grown, and as quickly disposed of. 
Let all new additions be made to our Ferneries that are 
possible, in the way of species or varieties, there is 
nothing that can be grown for general and useful 
purposes, that can compare with Adiantum cuneatum. 
Of Begonias large numbers are raised from seed, and as 
seed only from the best forms are used, it will readily be 
seen that fine form, colour, and substance must be 
present, so that they may commend themselves to in¬ 
tending purchasers. The majority of these are now 
passing into the resting stage, to come out again next 
spring in all their freshness and beauty. 
Solanums are also grown by thousands, and the 
same may be said of the Bouvardias, which, being grown 
in three distinct batches, have the flowering period 
considerably lengthened, and, of course, there is a more 
extensive sale. Ten thousandPelargoniums were grown 
last season, and vast quantities are now coming on for 
the coming spring. Only the best sorts are grown, old 
and inferior varieties having no place here. Zonals, 
both single and double, are also in large demand, 
whilst the splendid double varieties of the Ivy-leaved 
section are now being grown and increased at a very 
rapid rate. There are few things of recent introduction 
that can compare with this latter class of plants for 
growing in baskets, training up 
pillars in conservatories, &c., and 
for cutting when blooms are re¬ 
quired for the small vases now so 
much in use for dinner-table deco¬ 
ration. There is less fear of their 
falling to pieces than is the case with 
the single varieties, and the splen¬ 
did shades of colour now observable 
are quite distinct from the older 
doubles of the zonal and decorative 
section. 
House after house are set apart 
for the things just mentioned, each 
house measuring 150 ft. long, 12 ft., 
14 ft., and 20 ft. wide, in a clear 
and open locality where there is no 
obstruction whatever to the plants 
receiving every ray of light, so es¬ 
sential to their perfect development 
and well-being. A house, 150 ft. 
by 24 ft., is just now aperfect sight. 
A path runs through the centre, and 
on either side are stood about a 
thousand splendidl}' grown Chry¬ 
santhemums. These range from 3 
ft. to 5 ft. in height, and are pro¬ 
ducing, in most cases, from five to 
eight blooms of large size and sub¬ 
stance. The foliage of these is of 
an excellent description, large, 
stout, and of that dark green colour 
so indicative of health and vigour. 
But the blooms ! Well, they are 
as good as, perhaps, it is possible to 
have them, remembering that they 
are not grown on the single rod 
system for the exhibition boards. 
Taking them altogether, this house contains the finest 
lot ever got together in one establishment in this part 
of the kingdom. Every good sort—incurved, Japanese, 
Anemone, reflexed—are here, with many new ones that 
have only been known during the past season or 
two. 
In another house we noticed a large and healthy 
stock of Eueharis amazonica, many just pushing up 
their useful blooms. The sweet-scented Rhododendrons, 
as well as the brighter coloured greenhouse varieties, 
are also numer ously represented. Camellias and Azaleas 
are indispensable ; among the latter, two of the most 
useful for cutting purposes are the white A. Borsig and 
Narcissiflora. Some beautiful Platyceriums are grown 
in pans and blocks, grande, "W illinckii, and biforme 
being numerous and remarkably strong. Nice plants 
of Davallias are grown on blocks, and well they look. 
Of course, more attention in regard to watering is 
necessary when grown in this manner ; but by constant 
dipping and a moderately moist atmosphere, really 
splendid plants can soon be obtained ; and once estab¬ 
lished, are objects of considerable interest. Microlepia 
hirta eristata is grown in baskets, and proves itself to 
be a most useful acquisition. It requires, however, a 
little more warmth during the winter months than 
many that will grow with it during the summer ; 
otherwise, if kept too cool, it will damp off and soon 
become disfigured, 
