410 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 26, 1887. 
boughs of a very prettily variegated Oak, above which 
towered two splendid specimens of the Scarlet Oak. 
Mr. Walter Child has had charge of the gardens for 
the last eleven years, and their highly satisfactory condi¬ 
tion proves him to be a first-class all-round practitioner, 
and reflects the greatest credit upon his skill and ability. 
-- 
A LONDON SEED WAREHOUSE. 
Should a history ever be written of the commercial 
progress made in this country during the fifty years of 
Her Majesty’s reign, not the least important subject 
with which the author or authors will have to deal, 
will be the marvellous development of horticulture in 
all its branches. The commencement of the Queen’s 
reign practically saw the birth of the horticultural 
press, and about the same period the foundations were 
laid of more than one of those gigantic seed businesses, 
the trading titles of which have become familiar as 
household words, and whose trading operations extend 
over the four quarters of the globe. 
For the moment we are interested in one famous 
house only (others shall have our attention in due 
season) that of Messrs. James Carter & Co., of High 
Holborn. The founder of the firm, James Carter, 
erstwhile musical critic and professor in a German 
university, commenced the business of a seedsman in a 
modest way, in Drury Lane, about 1833, in which year 
he issued a broadsheet advertisement of the seeds he 
offered for sale, a copy of 'which is carefully preserved 
by the firm. It is a business-like production for the 
time, and is remarkable for the accuracy of its botanical 
and popular names, and perhaps still more so for the 
fact that in it he guaranteed the quality of all he sold, 
a proceeding which, at that time, must have required 
much courage, for the means of cleaning, testing and 
proving seeds, as we now understand what these terms 
mean, were of a very primitive character. In 1837, 
Mr. Carter removed to 238, High Holborn, and here 
for some time the one house was large enough for the 
requirements of his trade. 
Business, however, continued to increase, and the 
next house was added. Then came the re-building of 
the premises on a scale commensurate with the require¬ 
ments of the time, but which have long since proved 
inadequate for conducting more than the retail branch 
of the business. One must visit an enormous block of 
warehouses, near at hand, between High Holborn and 
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, if we desire to gain any idea of 
the business done by the firm. It was our pleasure a 
few days ago to be shown over the establishment, which 
may now be said to be “in full swing,” for it is the 
height of the seed distributing season, and ceaseless 
activity reigns in every department. Our courteous 
guide first took us into the basement where are stored 
Grass, Clover and Grain seeds, Potatos, &c., in bulk. 
The former were to be or had been cleaned, while the 
latter were undergoing sorting and sampling at the 
time of our visit. 
On the ground floor were sacks upon sacks, in great 
blocks, of flower and vegetable ; seeds in bulk, waiting 
their turn to be absorbed into packets by busy hands 
on the floors above. The second story is devoted to a 
series of offices, in which the clerical work of the 
establishment is conducted by a large staff of clerks, 
and when we say that the average number of letters 
received per day at this season ranges between 700 and 
900, some idea may be gained of the tact and managerial 
skill required in the conduct of the business with order 
and regularity. 
Proceeding through the offices, we reach the vege¬ 
table seed order department, in which the greatest 
activity is displayed in making up orders, and in 
getting up the “collections,” which during the last 
few years have become so popular among amateurs. 
These collections, which range in value from five 
shillings to a guinea, are made up in numbers as 
fairly astonish one. The flower seed department is on 
the floor above, and the first thing that strikes the 
visitor is the bewildering number of pigeon-holes, each 
containing a particular kind of seed, neatly put up in 
packets, with printed labels containing all necessary 
particulars respecting the seeds within, and which may 
be said to range in value from 3 cl. to 5s. Here also 
is the office of the “resident botanist,” a most 
interesting sanctum, and a most important one, too, 
for the firm, for here, microscope at hand, the analyst 
tests the samples for purity and the weight, of all seeds 
submitted to the firm for purchase, and the bulk of the 
stocks bought on the strength of particular samples. 
These are again tested for germinating power, some in 
a little glass h ouse on the roof of the main warehouse, 
but the bulk at the nursery at Forest Hill; and the 
greatest care is taken in thus proving the quality of 
every parcel of seeds as received before being distributed 
among the customers. 
On the top-floor the process of hand picking Peas and 
Beans was being carried on by rows of women, of whom 
in the season employment is found for 150. "When the 
rush of the flower and vegetable seed distribution is 
over, the grass seed trade comes on, and this is another 
of the Messrs. Carter’s specialities, the lav r n grass seed 
trade especially being a very large one. In an outlying 
warehouse are some hundreds of bags of seeds of par¬ 
ticular kinds, selected with the greatest care from 
growers at home and abroad. The whole of the stocks 
are rapidly being passed through cleansing machines of 
the best description, and which eliminates dirt and 
“ foreign matters,” leaving the samples as free from 
impurities as human skill can accomplish. 
In a brief notice of this description, it is impossible 
to allude in detail to half the subjects of interest that 
attract one’s attention in this busy hive of industry, 
and it must suffice to say that the impression left upon 
us was one of pleasure and admiration ; the pleasure of 
seeing so much industry in a branch of trade in which 
all are directly interested, and admiration of the care 
and ability shown in the maintenance of a high standard 
of quality. 
-*❖$<=-=- 
PLANTS OP DWARF AND 
PENDULOUS HABIT. 
The pleasing appearance of the foliage of this class 
of plants, and their after indispensable usefulness in 
the matter of furnishing, render a few notes on their 
culture, and the best means of bringing them and 
their beauty into more prominence, not out of place at 
this period of the year. Many species that thrive in 
the greenhouse during summer require the temperature 
of the stove in winter. I have often noticed the 
pleasing effects produced by a few plants of droop¬ 
ing habit in a stove or greenhouse—where a little care 
has been bestowed on their culture — overhanging 
stages or walls, or suspended from the roof in baskets. 
I shall only mention a few that I think are most 
useful and easily grown, adding a few notes on their 
culture. 
Perhaps the most useful and easily grown of all is 
the old Isolepis gracilis ; for overhanging stages or 
house furnishing it is indispensable. It will stand 
more than the ordinary amount of rough usage, and 
has a pretty effect when intermixed with flowering 
plants in a wire stand, or overhanging a flower vase. 
They are most useful in 60-size pots, and to keep up a 
stock as they become old and unsightly may be pulled 
in small pieces, and repotted in equal parts of sand, 
loam and rotted manure. If placed in the shady part 
of the stove they will root in a short time, and may be 
placed among the pots on the stages. They will 
thrive in the greenhouse as well as the stove, hence 
this handsome sedge may be grown by any who cannot 
command a stove temperature. I once saw some 
plants under the name of Isolepis glauca, but have 
never seen or heard of it since. I thought at the time 
what a valuable addition its silvery foliage would 
make to that of the old green, I. gracilis. Perhaps 
some of your readers may know something about it. 
Panicum variegatum is a showy little grass, whose 
variegated foliage renders it attractive and pleasing, 
both in small pots or twining round suspended baskets. 
It may be easily increased from cuttings, putting five 
or six in a 60-size pot of half loam and rotted manure, 
with a good dash of sand ; and if kept close and shaded 
for a few days, will soon root. It thrives best in the 
stove, although it will do well in the greenhouse if a 
temperature of 50° is maintained. It is\also invaluable 
for cutting, as the brightness of the colour has a pretty 
effect if intermixed in a stand or ornamental vase of 
cut flowers. If wanted for this purpose, it should be 
planted out under the stages in the stove, or anywhere 
having sufficient heat and moisture. 
Tradescantias are also easily grown, and will thrive 
almost anywhere in baskets or 48-size pots. The ice¬ 
like foliage of T. discolor is verj r attractive. It strikes 
freely from pieces 3 ins. to 4 ins. long, in moderately 
light soil, when stood in a shady part of the stove. 
For covering rockwork in the Fernery it is invaluable. 
The variations of colour in the above, and another 
pretty variety called T. zebrina, are more preferable to 
the old green form. They will grow in either green¬ 
house or stove ; but I find the colour best developed in 
the stove, or where a humid atmosphere is maintained. 
Torenias deserve a place in every stove for the 
attractiveness of their flowers. The distinct species 
known as Asiatics produces flowers in abundance in 
48-sized pots, and the drooping nature of the plant 
answers admirably for overhanging stages. Probably 
the best mode of showing it to perfection is to grow it 
in a basket suspended from the roof. I find they flower 
more freely when pot-bound ; consequently, a little 
weak manure-water will assist them greatly. I prefer 
rooting them in small pots, with three cuttings in a 
pot of equal parts loam and leaf-soil, using a liberal 
addition of sand. If kept close for a few days in the 
propagating case they will soon root, after which they 
may be shifted on into 48-sized pots, or 32’s if larger 
plants are required, using rather more loam than where 
previously advised. As soon as they take to the new 
soil the points must be removed, and again later on if 
need be. They will quickly produce flowers, and being 
soft-wooded, two or three batches may be struck during 
the year, discarding the old plants as they become un¬ 
sightly. The above-named species, together with 
another called Fournierii, -are the two best for general 
purposes. 
Libonia floribunda is a showy little plant whilst in 
flower, and, in my opinion, is seen to best advantage in 
48-sized pots. Cuttings of these, if struck at intervals 
in small pots, and treated similar to that advised for 
Torenias, will not fail to give satisfaction. It will, 
however, thrive in less heat, and is admirably adapted 
for decorative purposes. Its flowers, of a dull red and 
orange colour, are borne in profusion when the roots 
become pot-bound. 
Many other plants are equally well adapted for fur¬ 
nishing. Dwarf Tropseolums are very showy in the 
greenhouse, especially the double-flowered variety, and 
are also useful for cutting. Harrison’s Musk is alwaj T s 
worthy of a place, and if a batch of this is struck about 
September, and kept in a little heat during winter, will 
amply repay the trouble. 
Ficus repens, in 48-size pots, is also invaluable for 
hanging in passages. It is hardier than any of the 
above-mentioned, and will be found serviceable in many 
ways, as it stands a good deal of rough usage, and yet 
maintains its small dark green foliage.— Wales. 
-- 
GARDEN PLANTS ILLUSTRATED. 
Gladiolus Watsoxioides. 
The flowers of this species are bright scarlet, with a 
pale, longitudinal medium stripe along the back of 
each segment. The tube is" curved, 1| ins. long, and 
about four to ten flowers are produced on a lax one¬ 
sided spike. As a species it is closely allied to G. 
AVatsonianus figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 450. 
It was discovered during the recent explorations on 
Mount Kilimanjaro at elevations ranging from S,500 ft. 
to 13,000 ft. At the latter elevation it becomes 
dwarfer, with smaller flowers, and the leaves are con¬ 
volute atthe edges. It flowered at Kew in June, 1886.— 
Botanical Magazine, t. 6919. 
Cattleya citeixa. 
Few species are more distinct amongst their kind 
than this popular Orchid. The fine glaucous foliage 
contrasts well with the golden yellow, fleshy wax-like 
flowers. The delicious fragrance of this species will 
always make it a favourite in collections, together with 
its unique colour. The pendent habit of both flowers, 
pseudo-bulbs and leaves is another peculiar feature, and 
one that must be regarded if success in cultivation is 
desired. In its native habitat, on the mountains of 
Mexico, it occurs generally on the trunks and branches 
of Oak trees, in a pendent position.— Beichcnhachia, 
t. 20. 
Chysis beactescexs. 
The general appearance of all the species of Chysis is 
very characteristic, having fusiform pseudo-bulbs and 
large plaited deciduous leaves. They are purely 
epiphytical, requiring fibrous peat and sphagnum moss 
in which to be potted or basketed. The flowers in 
the species under notice are of a waxy or fleshy con¬ 
sistency, and the sepals and petals are cuneate-oblong, 
concave and 'white, while the three-lobed labellum is 
