July 24, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
743 
BEDDING VIOLAS. 
That bedding Violas can be grown as well in the 
south as in the more cool and humid climate of the 
northern counties—statements.frequently heard to the 
contrary notwithstanding—is a fact often proved by 
cultivators who make up their minds to grow them, 
and grow them well, by the aid of cultural skill and 
assiduous attention to their wants. According to ordi¬ 
narily accepted teaching, we have had heat enough 
lately to settle all the Pansies and Yiolas in the 
southern counties, yet we have before us a delightful 
assortment of flowers from Messrs. Collins Brothers & 
Gabriel’s nursery at Hampton, some fourteen miles 
from London. What particular treatment they have 
received, if any, we do not know, but the flowers are 
of great size, rich and lustrous in colour, and perfectly 
fresh. 
The darkest variety is Cliveden Purple compacta, a 
very dark maroon-purple self; and next to this, not 
quite so dark, with a shade of violet in the centre, and 
smaller, comes Queen of Purples. Then, without 
any maroon, but pure bright regal purple in colour, 
comes Archie Grant, a fine round flower, on a stout 
wiry stalk, that in this respect beats all the others. 
A fine variety for bunching, this is. A lighter shade 
of purple, and a very fine flower, is Mrs. Charles 
Turner ; and lighter still, in fact, more a blue than a 
purple, is True Blue, a perfect gem as a bedder. 
Queen of Lilacs is very pretty, has a vigorous constitu¬ 
tion, and is a remarkably free bloomer ; and elegans is 
a very pale blue, with a shade of mauve in it. 
The white varieties are Countess of Hopetoun, Lady 
Polworth, Jeffrayanum and Mrs. Gray, which is very 
pure, and distinctly primrose-scented. The only yellow 
is Ardwell Gem, a bright canary yellow of good shape, 
and a very free bloomer. Countess of Kintore needs 
no recommendation, its purple, steel-blue and white 
“Magpie” flowers being admired by all. 
-->2C<-- 
OAK DENE, HOLMWOOD. 
The owner of Oak Dene, W. Cattley, Esq., has been 
happy in the selection of a site .for his residence, the 
pretty district round Holmwood being just populous 
enough not to be lonely, and not busy enough to disturb 
the tranquility desired in a country house. The natural 
formation of its grounds, too, harmonises well with the 
scenery around, and embellished as it is with all that 
the gardener’s art could suggest, and handsome and rare 
trees and bright flowers supply it, occupies the highest 
point of excellence in the many pretty scenes over 
which, by its elevated position, it commands a view. 
The carriage drive planted with neat beds of flowers, 
backed by tall shrubs and conifers, leads to the sub¬ 
stantial dwelling house, which is partly covered with 
Ivy and sheltered by handsome shrubs on either hand, 
while the opposite side of the broad gravel sweep is 
occupied by a massive clump of Rhododendrons and 
some very fine Conifers. Of these, including the finer 
kinds of Abies, Pines, Cupressus.'Wellingtonia gigantea, 
&c., it may be said that it would be impossible for these 
to do better or grow more sturdily—the situation suits 
them evidently. 
On the other side of the house a very pretty effect is 
made by arranging strong iron arches at a short distance 
from the house, and trailing over them climbing Roses 
and other plants, which growing and flowering luxuri¬ 
antly, are very handsome objects in the garden. The 
ground on this side slopes rapidly and a level green 
terrace has been formed, beyond which in a little valley 
the bedding plant arrangement is situated, and about 
the whole garden much provision is made for Roses of 
all kinds, their beauty and fragrance at this season 
being delightful. Passing from the lower ground, on 
the garden side is a very pleasant and shady zig-zag 
walk beneath the fine Oak trees for which the place is 
noted. 
The herbaceous perennials receive much attention at 
Oak Dene, a long border on one side of the garden 
being devoted to them ; but the interest in them cul¬ 
minates in the two little herbaceous plant gardens, the 
one tended by Mrs. Cattley and the other by Mr. 
Cattley. Under any circumstances, we should strain 
a point to give the greatest meed of praise to that 
belonging to the lady of the house j but in this case 
conscience is saved, for it certainly is the best and most 
enjoyable bit of old-fashioned gardening about the 
whole establishment. Many interesting things are in 
bloom in it in fine masses, such as Spiraea filipendula 
fl. pi., Dictamnus fraxinella, red and white varieties, 
many colours of Iris hispanica and I. anglica, Pent- 
stemons, Antirrhinums, Potentillas, Pyrethrums, Pinks, 
Paeonies, Foxgloves, Poppies, species of Roses, with 
here and there the tall spikes of the old white Lily, 
the whole being enclosed by shrubberies. The fresh¬ 
ness and vigour of everything about the garden seems 
to point to the fact that although, from the nature of 
its soil and its situation, it must be dry, it gets the ad¬ 
vantage of the cooling breezes, especially at night, 
which is a great refresher of vegetation. 
The indoor plant department is provided for by 
several ranges of glasshouses adapted for the different 
sections of the plants grown, and also of Vineries in 
good crop. In one of the houses Mr. King, the gar¬ 
dener, has a very sturdy lot of young pyramid Fuchsias, 
which have made marvellous growth in a short time, 
simply by being well cared for, and shifted on into 
some good stuff instead of letting them starve in small 
pots as some do. The secret of growing good specimen 
Fuchsias is to shift on the young plants in spring and 
early summer until they are in the biggest pots they 
are to have, giving them a big shift, using turfy soil, 
and keeping them pinched back all over until the plant 
for flowering is formed. In another house are a fine 
lot of Carnations which have long supplied cut flowers, 
and which have yet a good crop of them. The best are 
Pride of Penshurst and Andulasia, both clear yellow 
seifs ; Mary Morris, a charming rose-pink, which does 
either a§ a pot or garden plant; Mrs. 'VVallington, a 
pretty rose and crimson ; Elsie, fawn, yellow and 
crimson striped ; and Mrs. McLaren, white, pink and 
crimson flake. Some of these are trained over the roof 
for several feet like regular climbers, and they seem to 
bloom all the freer for it. 
In the greenhouses are a good display of Pelargoniums, 
zonal and show, some' excellent single and double 
tuberous Begonias, some pretty plants of both the 
double yellow and double scarlet Tropseolums, Lilies in 
pots, and some very fine specimen Azaleas, Coleus, and 
greenhouse Rhododendrons. In the warm houses, one 
division is filled with Gardenias, Adiantums, Crotons, 
and the pretty pink-veined Amaryllis reticulata, in 
bloom ; the next with Orchids, Gloxinias, and Ferns. 
The largest stove lias in bloom fine specimens of Bou¬ 
gainvillea glabra, Stephanotis floribunda, Clerodendrons, 
Hibiscus, Anthuriums, Achimenes, Meyenia erecta, 
Tuberoses, Odontoglossum vexillarium, a curiously 
spotted variety ; Oneidium sphacellatum, which bore 
116 flowers on a spike ; Dendrobium suavissimum, with 
four spikes ; Cattleya Mendelii, C. Mossiee, and C. 
gigas. The frames contain a fine stock of Cinerarias, 
Cyclamens, Primulas, &c., which will ensure a good 
show in the dull season. Situated well away from the 
house, and properly walled in, lies the kitchen garden, 
which is well cropped, and kept neat and orderly like 
the rest of the garden. It will be remembered that 
through the kindness of Mr. Cattley, the recent Rose 
show was held in the grounds of Oak Dene, on which 
occasion hospitality was extended to a large number, 
not only of friends of the family, but strangers too, and 
for the general amusement, a number of refined enter¬ 
tainments were provided, which were much appreciated 
by all. 
-- 
Scottish Gardening. 
The Vegetable G-arden.— A system of close 
cropping should be followed. It is untenable to sup¬ 
pose, too, that fine crops are to be had by allowing 
portions of the land to remain idle a goodly portion of 
the season. Market men would never succeed did they 
give heed to such vague theories ; clearing off and re¬ 
cropping the ground the same day is much in favour 
with them. \Ve believe in no vacant space, no weeds, 
no waste, and no want. In limited space all short¬ 
lived crops, such as early Turnips, Radishes, Spinach, 
&c., may be had from between the Brassica crops and 
Potatos. We have always practised this system, even 
where ground has been very abundant, and do so now ; 
but cramming Brussels Sprouts, curled Kale, Savoys, 
Cabbage, &c., among Potatos, doing neither justice, is 
not advisable. Celery ridges may be cropped with 
Spinach, Lettuce, or Turnips. Crops of these for 
autumn and early winter supplies should now be sown 
in quantity ; also sow Carrots for drawing young and 
giving a supply through winter. Use fine ashes and 
soot over the whole surface where the seed is sown. 
The main crop of early summer Cabbage may now be 
sown. Two or three kinds maybe grown ; Early York, 
Allan’s Incomparable, Enfield Market, and Barnes’ 
Dwarf are still great favourites. A selection we made 
from a mixed lot two years ago are the best at the 
present time we ever had. There is some advantage in 
making a selection and retaining it of any class of 
vegetables. We have Parsley, Kale, Lettuce, and 
others saved in this way and of great value. 
Tomatos. —On walls, wooden fences, slopes covered 
with slates, old buildings, &c., Tomatos are grown in 
some districts where one does not expect to see them 
attain to any degree of excellence ; but when such have 
been well prepared in early spring under glass, well 
hardened—not punished by cold draughts, &c.—and 
kept growing steadily, really fair success may be ex¬ 
pected, even in such late seasons as the present. An 
evil we too often meet with in the cultivation of 
Tomatos is allowing the plants to exhaust themselves 
by growing great quantities of laterals, and suddenly 
clearing off these; this prevents free setting and 
swelling of the fruit. It might seem absurd did we 
say that in northern districts like this one can gather 
good Tomatos from open walls during June. Such is 
really the case, but under conditions which had close 
cultural attention under glass months before the fruit 
was gathered. A number of large plants left in a pit 
from the stock planted under glass, with extra-sized 
fruit, green and swelling, were turned out about the 
end. of May, carefully preserving the roots, and pro¬ 
tecting the plants at night for some time. Before the 
end of Jline these fruits ripened well, were of fine size, 
and others have set and are swelling. Of course, there 
is nothing in this; but with proper attention to removal 
of laterals as soon as they appear, so that the vigour of 
the plant is not checked, the roots watered carefully, 
fruit thinned as soon as set (when flowers are abundant 
all should not be allowed to set), and the stem kept 
well in its position to prevent breakage by wind, 
Tomato-growing in the north would not always be 
labour thrown away where glass could not be spared to 
do the work better.— M. T. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
_ 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Some difficulty is experienced in the management of 
the plants in this house now, for they are very liable to 
suffer from the heat and want of adequate moisture. 11 is 
necessary to open the ventilators freely all day, and when 
the sun is unusually hot, the wind at the same time 
being high as has been the case on several occasions 
lately, it is almost impossible to prevent the plants 
suffering to a certain extent, as the moisture is evapo¬ 
rated or absorbed by the dry air more quickly from the 
foliage than the roots can supply it. Moveable shading 
is always preferable, but a permanent shade material 
can be safely employed at this time of year, and in 
some instances is to be recommended, especially where 
the duty of attending to the house has to be left to 
young or inexperienced persons. A suitable wash can 
be purchased ready prepared, or one can be mixed as 
described in a previous calendar. Supply the plants 
with water freely, syringing the foliage and damping 
the shelves, paths, and floor of the house several times 
a day. It is at this time of the year that the advantages 
of earth floors and paths of similar material are fully 
experienced, for nothing retains a healthy moisture so 
long as this substance, and the steady evaporation 
greatly benefits the plants ; keeping the atmosphere 
cool. 
Little rockeries under the stages or shelves, planted 
with Panicum, Selaginellas, and often similar plants, 
are very useful in this respect, as a constant supply of 
water being needed to keep them healthy, provides 
abundant moisture for evaporation. Celosias, Fuchsias, 
Pelargoniums, Dwarf Scabious, Gloxinias, Musk, Mig¬ 
nonette, and Annuals in pots are what we now rely 
upon mainly for the greater part of the display, but 
many other plants are included, for most stove occu¬ 
pants thrive very well in a greenhouse at this season, 
if not placed in too draughty a position. 
"We have a good supply of Stocks, both ten-week and 
intermediate, and when these are obtained of a well 
proved strain, they are most valuable for pot culture 
during a good portion of the summer, flowering freely, 
bright in colour and possessing a delightful fragrance. 
One variety in particular, named Mauve Beauty, is a 
capital form, and we hope another season to have a 
larger supply of plants. Balsams are progressing well, 
and several specimens that have just been arranged in 
the house have greatly improved its appearance, some 
smaller plants are to be re-potted this week into a 
