248 
The gardening world.. 
December 19, 188o. 
THE OROHID-GRQWERS’ 
MANUAL.* 
Those who are acquainted with the previous edition 
of The Orchid-growers' Manual —and who among 
Orchid-growers at home or abroad is not acquainted 
with it ’—will find in Mr. 'Williams’ sixth edition 
hook they have long been anxiously waiting for. At 
last it has come, and in such a form as to call forth 
unbounded satisfaction, the new edition before us being 
so much larger, so much more ample in all its details, 
and so much better in all respects than the old one, 
that we have no doubt that all who have hitherto 
regarded the old edition as their greatest friend and 
counsellor in Orchid matters will respectfully lay it aside 
and immediately take to its successor, which, apart 
from the many improvements which its author has 
introduced, in the ordinary course of events naturally 
contains references to innumerable new and re-intro¬ 
duced plants which it were not possible to enumerate 
and describe before. 
“ Practice makes perfect,” and Mr. Williams is an 
old practitioner, both as a cultivator of Orchids and as 
a writer about them, and the result is that in his new 
edition of The Orchid-growers' Manual he has succeeded 
in putting before the public a work which, regarded 
from any point of view, is as near perfection as it is 
possible to attain. In it the general principles of 
Orchid culture are clearly laid down, and instructions 
given on every conceivable subject connected with 
Orchid cultivation, viz., their management during the 
growing and resting seasons ; the building, heating, 
and ventilation of the houses ; the collecting and treat¬ 
ment of newly-imported Orchids ; their management 
while in bloom ; potting and basketing, with illustra¬ 
tions of baskets and rafts ; watering Orchids ; their 
propagation by severance and by seeds, the latter 
method being interestingly illustrated ; the exhibiting 
of Orchids ; the best means of keeping them clean and 
destroying their insect enemies, &c. Enough of this 
purely cultural matter is given to form a sufficiently 
good book if published separate, and the really hand¬ 
some volume is made up to 660 pages by a careful 
enumeration and description of the best species and 
varieties of Orchids ; the countries from which they 
pome, and their synonyms ; the whole being brought up 
to the end of the year by the introduction of all the 
novelties which have appeared up to the present time. 
Another and more marked improvement is introduced 
into the present edition, and of it Mr. Williams in his 
preface says :—“One of the most marked features of 
the new edition, is the copious series of references we 
iiav.e given to figures of the plants, mostly coloured 
ones, and for the most part published in works which 
are generally available at the present day. These 
references will, we anticipate, be a source of great 
interest to many among those of our readers who may 
have access to a botanical library. The figures quoted 
are not of equal merit, but they will all serve to 
clothe the dry bones of a mere description with some 
indications of the beauty of the plants.” In these 
remarks Mr. Williams speaks truly, for many of the 
figures of the Orchids are gross caricatures made from 
the first flowered plants and before the beauty of a well 
grown specimen was known ; but for many reasons, 
general and scientific, Mr. Williams has done well in 
spending so much time and taking so much pains in 
hunting up and testing references for the plants he so 
ably describes. 
The work is admirably got up and printed, profusely 
illustrated throughout, and handsomely bound, the 
lively green of the covers being impressed with the 
likenesses of an Oncidium varicosum, an Odontoglossum 
Alexandra;, an Ametoehilus, and a Cypripedium cau- 
datum in black and gold The volume as a Christmas 
present or new year’s gift would gain the affections of 
any Orchid grower, and go far to make an Orchid 
cultivator of any one owning a garden. Perhaps the 
least needed of all his remarks in the preface, is that in 
which Mr. Williams says, “the matter having so 
greatly increased since the publication of the last 
edition, that having regard to our efforts to make it as 
perfect as possible, we have been compelled to raise 
the price. ” To this we can only say that we advise 
our readers to procure the book, and if they are not 
satisfied with the price in comparing it with the old 
editions of the same and with other works, we shall 
consider them very difficult to please. 
The Orchid-growers' Manual, 6th edition, byB. S, Williams, 
F.L.S., F.R.H.S. London, 1SS5. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE 
WEST. 
Chrysanthemums are certainly increasing in public 
favour in the western counties, and I am glad to hear 
that there is little doubt about this in the north. Three 
shows have been started in Somerset during the last 
five years ; namely, at Taunton, Yeovil, and Street, 
and each has been a decided success. The fair city of 
Bath still holds the palm in the county, but the two 
places first named run it very close. It would probably 
be within the limits of strict fact to say that three 
plants are now grown were one was grown five years ago. 
Nor is this all. Local growers note very carefully the 
reports in the horticultural press, and select new sorts 
in the most judicious fashion. So, while they stick 
religiously to certain old and well-tried favourites, 
there is a constant importation of new varieties, and a 
steady improvement in general quality. 
Some of the most enthusiastic growers also find their 
way to the Crystal Palace, Kingston-on-Thames, and 
the Aquarium, and thus take home a host of hints, 
which gradually find their way amongst their friends 
and neighbours. The result is soon seen in improved 
size and quality of bloom, as well as in the general cul¬ 
ture of the plants. While this is most gratifying, from 
a professional point of view, it is eminently satisfactory 
in another way. It pleases employers, and increases 
the number of Chrysanthemum growers. Several illus¬ 
trations of this have come under notice during the last 
two years. Two will suffice—in one, an employer was so 
pleased with the improvements effected by his gardener, 
that he gave him every facility for growing, and be¬ 
came a liberal subscriber to local shows. In the other, 
the zeal of one lover of the “ ’mums,” who has liberally 
distributed cuttings and old plants, has woke up a 
whole district—gardeners and cottagers alike. 
It has well been said that “the Chrysanthemum is 
everybody's flower.” Gardeners who have the genuine 
enthusiasm of a florist now grow them of such a size 
that the committee of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society will certainly have to increase the dimensions 
of show boxes, while for variety of colour and shape, 
and other interesting features, few flowers beat it. 
Then, again, how invaluable it is to those persons who 
have only a cold house for plants. I know a case in 
which there was scarcely a bloom of any kind to be 
had for three months during the year. Now the dull 
time is nearly tided over by Chrysanthemums, and the 
young ladies of the family rejoice in an abundance 
of flowers. It would be a grand thing for many a 
struggling and anxious country gardener if you would 
some day give an illustration of a Kingston prize 
group, and of the kind of individual plants that form 
such groups. The first, with accompanying letter- 
press, would be an object-lesson in the art of arrange¬ 
ment, showing how to produce the best possible effect 
in a limited space. The second would give an idea what 
splendid plants could be grown in 7 in. or 9 in. pots— 
strong sturdy stems, about 2| ft. to 3 ft. high, feathered 
to the rim of the pot with grand green leaves, and 
bearing three splendid blooms worth three dozen of the 
tiny characterless things one so often sees. One great 
advantage about Chrysanthemums is that amateurs can 
get a start at a very cheap rate—cuttings of first-class 
sorts being sold at 2s. to 3s. a dozen.— C. T. | Our 
correspondent's hint shall not be forgotten.— Ed.] 
SUBURBAN GARDENS. 
I have great pleasure in sending you the plan of a 
moderate sized suburban garden of about H- acres in 
extent, such an one as is often required by business men 
within easy reach of train, tram, or ’bus and in accord¬ 
ance with the size and style of houses that we see 
in course of erection in all directions. The plan, I may 
add, has been carried out in the north of London, 
within ten miles of the city, with the most happy 
results. It was commenced some six years since, and has 
been finished during the past season, although not yet 
quite to the exact detail shown. 
The house is placed to the left, which is rather an 
unfortunate circumstance, but that was through the 
ground being cut up into building plots, and the house 
having been built before the adjoining plots, which 
reached to the right as far as the line of Austrian Pine 
and Chestnut trees, was purchased by the present owner 
and laid out six years ago. Last year the third plot was 
added and laid out in the manner shown. It often 
happens that these supposed drawbacks or obstacles tend 
to increase the beauty of a garden, in suggesting to the 
cultivated and practical landscape gardener many things 
which would not otherwise have come under his notice. 
Thisparticularinstance is no exception to that rule; when 
the garden was first laid out a definite plan was prepared, 
as we have before recommended, the same being well 
considered as to the probability of further building on 
adjacent plots, taking place at no distant date. The 
drainage was also well provided for, and in fact every¬ 
thing was done in the best possible manner to give the 
best and most pleasing results, which, as was anticipated, 
has turned out to be the case, the garden being now 
one of the prettiest and most enjoyable in the 
neighbourhood. The surface soil is a light loam on a 
gravelly clay sub-soil, admirably suiting all kinds of 
vegetation. 
The house is approached from the road by a double 
carriage entrance, tradesmen’s side entrance at A, and 
a garden entrance at B. A nine inch wall, 2 ft. high, 
of white brick to match the house, runs the whole length 
of the northern boundary, next the road ; this being 
surmounted with a green Holly hedge, 4 ft. high, and 
2 ft. thick, with here and there an occasional head 
carried well above it, a few of which will be budded 
with gold, silver, and ornamental green varieties as 
soon as they are of sufficient size. The shrubs and 
trees which were used in planting, number more than 
200 species and varieties, and in addition to the usual 
kinds generally met with, the following may be 
mentioned :—Abies Albertiana, A. Douglasii, A. 
Smithiana, Biota orientalis elegantissima, B. orientalis 
semperaurescens, Cephalotaxus Fortunii, 'White Cedar, 
green and variegated Cryptomeria, Cupressus in variety, 
Fitzroya patagonica, Junipers in variety, Incense Cedar- 
Larch, Silver Fir in variety, Pinus in variety, Betinospora 
in twelve varieties, Yews in variety, Thujopsis borealis 
and dolobrata, Azaleas, Andromeda, Strawberry Tree, 
Aucuba in six varieties, Berberis in variety, Buddlea 
globosa, Box, Ceanothus azureus, Laurels in six varieties, 
Gum Cistus, Daphne, Hardy Heaths, Escallonia, Ganya 
elliptica, GaultheriaShallon, Griselinia littoral is, Pampas 
Grass, Hypericum, Hollies in great variety, Kalmia, 
Sweet Bay, Japan Privet, Magnolia, Osmanthus, 
Pernettya, Pliyllyrea, Photinia, Evergreen and other 
Oaks, Raphiolepis, Ruscus, Rhododendrons in good 
named varieties, Skimmia, Spartium, Ulex, Tineas, 
Yuccas in variety, Acers in variety, Comus, Ailantus, 
Almonds, Amelanchier, Allspice, Catalpa, Bird Cherry, 
Cytisus, Deutzia, Tree Ivies in variety, Purple Beech, 
Forsythia, Genista, Snowdrop Tree, Hibiscus in variety, 
Leycesteria, Tulip Trees, Tree Honeysuckle, Herbaceous 
and Tree Pamnies in variety, Syringa, Prunus, Acacia, 
Pyrus malus floribunda, Ribes, Tariegated Elders, 
Spineas in variety, Bladder Nut, Snowberry, Lilac, 
Guelder Rose,Weigela, Weeping Poplars, Willows, Elms, 
Birch and Ash. 
A good variety of creepers are planted against houses 
and other places, such as—Ampelopsis, Clematis, varie¬ 
gated and ornamental Green Ivies, Jasmine, Passion 
Flowers, Roses, Wistaria, and variegated, green and 
Dutch Honeysuckle. It is not remarkable that, with such 
a variety as we have above indicated, all of which thrive to 
an amazing degree—the monotony so prevalent in most 
planting, should be avoided, as in no two parts of the 
garden are the same kiuds visible, and at the same time 
they secure an agreeable mixture of evergreen, deciduous 
and flowering varieties, which, even in winter, is sufficient 
to furnish the owner with something pleasant to be¬ 
hold, instead of bare borders. One more advantage in 
having such a variety is, that at no time, either in the 
hottest months in summer, or the coldest months 
in winter, is the garden without flowers, not 
upon the hardy herbaceous, bedding out, and such 
like plants and bulbs, of which the garden is well 
stocked, but upon the trees and shrubs already alluded 
to, and many of their flowers and fruits rival in colour, 
form and interest the more tender kinds in the conser¬ 
vatory. After the Roses, Rhododendrons, Lilacs, Al¬ 
monds, and such like, follow the Andromeda, Arbutus, 
Azalia Buddlea, Ceanothus, Gum cistus, Ganya, Japan 
Privet, Pernettya, Skimmia, Ulex, Allspice, Forsythia, 
Prunus triloba, Leycesteria, Pyrus malus floribunda, 
Tree Honeysuckle, Hibiscus, all of which flower 
abundantly. It should also be mentioned that the 
interest taken by the present generation of gentlemen 
in gaining a knowledge of the names of trees and shrubs, 
was, in this instance, thoroughly demonstrated ; every 
tree, shrub, creeper, and in most instances tlieherbaceous 
