fetrfuafy 19, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
389 
Primulas ever offered. The old market white on the 
plain foliage, grown by Mr. James for twenty years, is 
now a very fine strain, many plants carrying wonderful 
heads and huge flowers. The tendency of this strain, 
fine as it is, to produce tinted flowers, shows how much 
more valuable is the ivory-white Fern-leaved kind 
above mentioned. From the same parentage which 
produced the Fern-leaf is a plain-leaved kind, carrying 
pure white flowers, and, no doubt, will soon replace the 
old tinted white, although in that state the latter is 
very distinct and beautiful. A good white is also 
found on red Fern foliage, and a peculiarly pleasing 
kind is a fine white, delicately flushed with mauve, on 
dark red Fern foliage. The latter merits special 
selection and perpetuating. 
A few plants of the old P. alba magnifica, whilst 
showing really pleasing flowers, do but serve also to 
express how great is the advance in other directions. 
The very finest of all the lavender-hued or Marginata 
strain is here—the flowers most freely produced on stout 
stilf stems, head large, and blossoms of the finest 
quality and of wonderful size. This is, indeed, a superb 
strain. The blue Primula here, seen at its best in the 
pure light, is equal to any strain offered ; but, in spite 
of that, is almost killed by the richer hues and the 
glorious pure whites. Blue can hardly be ever a popular 
colour in Chinese Primroses. A lovely cerise-red, in a 
big batch, is a charming strain ; and the Chiswick Red 
type, showing intense hue and very fine densely- 
petalled flowers, is all aglow with richness and colour. 
The new double scarlet, though really fiery crimson, is 
also a wonderfully striking kind ; its flowers, most 
freely produced, are here the finest we have seen, the 
batch lighting up the house in the sunlight with 
wonderful effect. This is, indeed, a wonderful kind. 
From out of this strain has come a curiosity, in the 
form of a Primula with Cyclamen leafage. Its flowers 
are abortive, but the plants seem to be clear evidence 
of an undoubted cross between the Cyclamen and the 
Chinese Primrose, though an accidental one.— A. D. 
-— 5 * 6 -- 
HEATING AND VENTILATING. 
May I be allowed a few lines in answer to “ Saxon’s ” 
criticisms. I am w r ell aware that the plans of top¬ 
heating and double glazing are neither of them new 
in themselves, but, as far as I have any knowledge, the 
combination of the two, as suggested by me, is .novel, 
and originated with myself thinking the idea might be 
worth considering. I have given it to the world for 
what it may be worth, whether little or much. Top- 
heating was first practised by Mr. Cannell when at 
Woolwich. I saw it in operation there, I think, quite 
fourteen years back ; and he has carried it out on a more 
extensive scale at Swanley. I know enough of him to 
warrant me in saying, that had it not answered his 
expectations it would have been discarded long ago. 
Double glazing has only been used to a very limited 
extent in the United Kingdom, but in the United 
States and elsewhere, where the winters are more 
rigorous, it is better known and appreciated. 
The difficulties respecting expansion pipes and supply 
cisterns are far from formidable ones ; it will most 
likely be found, whenever the plan is tried, that the 
piping will not have to be carried so far up the roof as 
at first sketched out by me. I would remind ‘ ‘ Saxon ” 
that most of the dirty accumulations on the under 
surfaces of the glass are of vegetable origin, and that 
all the time the heating apparatus is at w'ork the surfaces 
of the glass will be too warm and dry for their propa¬ 
gation. If he really thinks an extra pane of clear glass 
will obstruct the light more than a coating of frost, I 
do not think he will find many to go with him ; as to 
the plan being only adapted to open-roofed houses, if 
he looks back to p. 293 he will find that is not my 
opinion. 
“ Saxon ” says, again, that if we take it for granted 
that no moisture will be condensed on the glass, the 
atmosphere will be naturally cool. Precisely so, but only 
in a relative degree ; the heat in the enclosed space will 
generally be above that of the internal house, so that 
condensation on the inner layer of glass will be im¬ 
possible. Is he quite right in supposing that the plants 
will radiate more rapidly than the pots, stages and 
soil ? I think not. As an illustration I will mention a 
phenomenon which may often be noticed— i.e., the 
stones in gravel paths will be found clothed with 
moisture, while the foliage of plants and shrubs in the 
adjoining borders is perfectly dry. It is quite certain 
that under the system advocated the plants would 
often be covered with dew ; is that, I ask, a dreadful 
experience for a plant, and injurious to its well being ? 
1 am under the impression that they generally get too 
little of it, hence the necessity for the copious syringing, 
which would be to a great extent dispensed with. 
As to the extra cost of building, I would remind 
“Saxon” that a considerable saving in the cost of 
heating apparatus would be effected—the materials 
would be had for about one-fourth, and there is no 
reason why, in case of a breakdown, the outer glass 
should be removed. 
I do not think the plan could in all cases be fully 
relied on without some provision for internal heating, 
which might be managed with less trouble and expense 
than at present, but it would most likely only be 
required in cases of extreme cold, and possibly at 
times to dry up any undue accumulation of damp. 
“Saxon” must know that under whatever system of 
heating adopted, a large percentage of the heat 
generated does virtually go to heat the air passing over 
the surface of the glass ; if we could have a transparent 
roof which was a perfect non-conductor of heat, our 
fuel bills would be very materially reduced. The 
question at issue is really this : a layer of enclosed air 
being one of the best non-conductors we have, can we, 
by maintaining it at a temperature in excess of the 
required heat of the house, keep the heat of that 
structure to the desired degree at a less cost, and 
should we by so doing insure better atmospheric 
conditions as respects moistures ?— TV. B. G. 
-->*<-- 
THE CHESTNUTS, GUNNERS- 
BURY. 
Apart from the economy and utility of a garden, 
the pleasure and recreation derivable are incalculable ; 
but no one knows this better than the owner of such, 
who takes a lively interest in the subjects cultivated, 
who sees and observes them closely in all the phases of 
their existence, and watches with a close scrutiny the 
vicissitudes that affect their well-being. That this is 
the experience of Mr. Starling a very short acquaint¬ 
ance with him will amply testify. His genial and 
communicative manner also makes it extremely enjoy¬ 
able to all who have the pleasure of his conversation on 
garden matters. Such was our experience recently. 
The garden is pleasantly situated on a gentle slope 
towards the South Western Railway Company’s line, 
the numerous passing trains of which enliven the 
scenery in front, but work havoc on the inmates of 
greenhouses from the amount of soot deposited on the 
glass. The difficulties of this nature surmounted in 
gardening makes it all the more creditable to those 
concerned. The principal features of the garden are 
fruit trees and bushes ; but the effect produced, and 
the seclusion enjoyed, by the introduction of trees and 
shrubbery is remarkable, considering the small space at 
command. Notwithstanding the proximity to the 
railway, and the smoke from houses on all sides, there 
are some handsome young trees, of some ten or twelve 
years’ standing, of Araucaria imbricata, Wellingtonia 
gigantea, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Walnuts and others. 
These, together with other shrubs, both evergreen and 
deciduous, surround the grass and flower-beds, and 
screen the house from the more economic part of the 
garden. 
The specialities in which Mr. Starling takes most 
interest are Orchids, Chrysanthemums, Camellias, 
Azaleas and Gloxinias, supplemented with a miscel¬ 
laneous collection of various greenhouse and stove 
subjects. Amongst Orchids we noted several species 
of Cymbidium, including C. giganteum, Odontoglossum 
pulchellum with fragrant white flowers ; Cypripedium 
venustum, C. barbatum and C. insigne, and its variety 
sylhetense. The latter is characterised by the shortness 
of its pouched labellum. Several species of Odonto¬ 
glossum and Oncidium elbow their way amongst the 
rest, and various species of Cattleya of the C. labiata 
group find a suitable home. Some of the pieces are of 
large size, grown in pans, and judging from colour and 
vigour of the rigid green leaves will flower well. 
Dendrobium nobile is here cultivated in baskets, hung 
up close to the light, and near by was a large clump of 
a species of Harpopliyllum. 
The Camellias are all grown in pots, and vary 
greatly in size, but their healthy vigorous green state 
reflects credit on the treatment they receive. They are 
bristling with flower buds in all stages of development, 
and all the available area of the house is occupied with 
these, and a number of medium-sized, healthy well- 
trained Azaleas. The Chrysanthemums must tell 
their tale at another season. 
In the other plant houses were located various useful 
subjects, such as Dracrenas, including D. Goldieanaand 
D. terminalis. The great leathery spiny serrated 
leaves of Chrysophyllum irnperiale were conspicuous 
amongst foliage of a less pretending character, and, like 
Ficus elastica, breaks the monotony in an assemblage 
of graceful or slender-leaved plants. Huge standard 
specimens of Heliotrope predict a supply of cut flowers 
presently, and large plants of Rhynchospermum jas- 
minoides, or Trachelospermum rather, are laden with 
flower-buds which will scent the whole house with their 
fragrance later on. Begonia metallica, B. maculata and 
others find their uses, as do the more popular Adian- 
tums, such as A. cuneatum and A. Capillus-veneris. 
The houses, whether span-roofed or lean-to, have low 
roofs well adapted for plant growing and a free admission 
of light. The ventilation and heating, especially the 
latter, have been well provided for ; and tanks are 
constructed beneath the floors for the receipt of rain¬ 
water. The whole is superintended by Mr. Starling 
himself, and nothing but an inherent love for the 
subjects cultivated would induce anyone to give them 
such devoted attention. In this, however, he is ably 
assisted by his gardener, Mr. Webb, who carries his 
instructions into effect. 
--5*0- 
LATE-KEEPING PEARS AT 
CHISWICK. 
Hundreds of varieties are grown throughout the 
length and breadth of this country that are of no use 
whatever, usurping places that might be far more 
economically and advantageously occupied with 
varieties of known excellence and utility. Varieties 
spring into existence under all sorts of conditions, and 
instead of the -worthless ones being vigorously weeded 
out, they are simply allowed to accumulate by the 
toleration of local growers or the raisers of the sorts in 
question. Compared with the number of varieties in 
existence, few are really worth accommodation, either 
on account of flavour, produce, or long-keeping 
qualities. It is remarkable what hold worthless sorts 
have on those most interested in their existence or 
culture, but the day is, probably, not far distant when 
the rising generation of gardeners, at least, will see 
their way to make a clean sweep of useless kinds, and 
grow those only of decided commercial value or for 
home consumption. In private establishments, a 
supply for the mansion is the chief desideratum, and 
in some gardens, either on account of their extent or 
the productiveness of the soil this is not difficult to 
do. 
In most cases a vigorous selection of suitable and 
useful varieties will do much to attain the desired end, 
but much more is necessary in order to surmount diffi¬ 
culties in the w r ay of suitable soil, aspect and locality. 
A proper knowledge of the most suitable stocks on 
which to graft the various kinds, and the soil for which 
those stocks are best adapted is an urgent necessity 
amongst gardeners ; and it is to be hoped that there 
may not be wanting in the near future a numerous 
body of observers all over the country who will make a 
special study of such nationally important fruits as 
Apples and Pears. Much may yet be done in ascertain¬ 
ing the sorts most adapted to the soil and climatal 
influences in various parts of the country. 
In the raising of seedlings the chief line of develop¬ 
ment along which selection might be made, is that of 
raising varieties with a view to greater hardiness of 
constitution and ability to withstand late spring frosts. 
From a commercial point of view, as well as from that 
of the private grower, the production of very early as 
well as very late-keeping sorts should be a matter of 
primary importance. The former would be able to 
command the best prices obtainable in the market, 
while the supply was limited owing to the time of year. 
The latter would be better able to maintain a supply of 
useful fruit throughout the greater part of the year. 
The planting season is again in full swing, and in¬ 
tending planters should pay special attention to the 
recognized qualities of sorts in commerce, and the 
purpose for which they are desired in establishments 
under their charge. The following sorts are of 
recognised merit, and may be depended on for their 
special characteristics, although much further know- 
