440 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 12, 1887. 
NEW PLANTS CERTIFICATED 
By the Floral Committee of the R. H. S. 
March 8th, 1887. 
Rhododendron La Belle. 
This is a hybrid between R. ciliatum and R. Forster- 
ianum. Out of a large batch of seedlings La Belle 
was the only one that differed from R. ciliatum. The 
flowers are large, broadly or openly campanulate and 
pure white, with the exception of a greenish yellow 
maculated blotch on the lower part of the upper seg¬ 
ment of the corolla. They were deliciously fragrant, 
and seven were produced on a seedling about 16 or 18 ins. 
high. The leaves are those of R. ciliatum but smaller. 
Exhibited by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Amaryllis nestor. 
The bulb shown had two stout short scapes, bearing 
four large handsome flowers each. These stood out 
horizontally from the top of the scape, and were almost 
as round as the compasses could make them. Irregu¬ 
larity, however, is still a prominent feature of the 
flower, inasmuch as the stamens and style are declinate, 
and the lower segment is much smaller than the rest. 
The other segments are very broad, and of an intense 
scarlet or crimson colour, tipped with greenish white. 
These tips become almost white ; the lower segment is 
paler, and the throat green. Exhibited by Messrs. 
James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Tea Rose, The Bride. 
Under this name was shown a white sport from 
Catherine Mermet, of American origin, and which 
promises to be of great value for cutting purposes. The 
flowers are of medium size, with a firm bud-like centre, 
much in the way of Niphetos, and as they get older 
the outer petals hang away loosely from the firm central 
part, which, in the eyes of rose fanciers, may lend 
additional interest. The petals, under the dim light of 
South Kensington, appeared of a very pale cream colour, 
fading almost to white. The young leaves were more 
or less tinted with bronze colour, especially on the 
underside. Exhibited by Mr. Duncan Gilmour, Junr., 
FUCHSIA HEDGES. 
These would be inadmissible where something of the 
nature of a fence was desirable or absolutely necessary. 
The freedom they must enjoy during the summer 
season will also militate against their use where neatly 
clipped hedges of Yew, Privet, Hawthorn or Box is 
necessitated on account of limited space or their 
proximity to narrow paths, where it is desirable to 
keep them within a prescribed area, against dewy 
mornings and wet days. Their utility, however, for 
ornamental purposes, or for screening undesirable or 
unsightly objects in the immediate neighbourhood of 
houses, the flower garden, and above all, for securing 
seclusion and immunity from the public gaze, where 
villa and other residencies skirt or overhang the high¬ 
way, is not only apparent, but fully realised by those 
who have visited some of the more favoured western 
parts of this Island, or the sunny south. 
Their cultivation in the more inland and northern 
parts of the Island becomes more and more imprac¬ 
ticable where the temperature sinks, and the winters 
are protracted and severe. In the latter case Fuchsias 
even of the hardiest kind get too much cut up in 
winter to create any display during the comparatively 
short growing season. It is useless to attempt forming 
hedges under such conditions, although I have seen 
F. magellanica var. Riccartoni forming dense bushes 
2 ft. or 3 ft. high, and as far through, in the open 
garden, or 6 ft. to 8 ft. high against a wall, more than 
200 miles north of the Tweed. 
In the genial and highly favoured climate of the Isle 
of Man, the dimensions attained by the above named 
Fuchsia are marvellous, and hedges of it could be 
planted and grown to the greatest perfection. The 
western coast of 'Wales in many sheltered localities is 
peculiarly favourable to the growth of plants possessing 
the same degree of hardiness. The same garden form 
above mentioned is the greatest favourite wherever 
one goes, and although F. eorallina and F. gracilis are 
occasionally seen in Devon, F. Riccartoni is the most 
popular favourite. 
Nowhere, perhaps, is this garden form planted with 
better effect than in the Isle of Wight, especially on 
the southern coast of the island. Hedges are planted 
in front of villas and other private residences, which 
are literally smothered with the tall branching stems, 
profusely covered throughout with a blaze of crimson 
and purple pendent flowers. In some instances the 
front of the smaller cottages are almost concealed from 
the gaze of the delighted beholder from the streets or 
highways. This can be seen in the summer by visitors 
to such places as Yentnor, or the small scattered village 
of Niton. The eye never becomes satiated, notwith¬ 
standing the frequency and luxuriance of this, the 
most popular hardy Fuchsia. It is often, hut er¬ 
roneously known as F. coccinea, a smaller, more slender 
and altogether less hardy plant, less seldom seen in 
gardens, and not often seen planted out of doors. 
Hedges of F. Riccartoni are varied with Veronicas, 
such as V. Andersoni, literally laden with blue flowers, 
a sight hardly ever witnessed on specimens grown 
under glass.— Fuchsia. 
-- 
BULBOCODIUM VERNUM. 
This extremely hardy bulbous plant is one ol the first 
harbingers of spring, pushing through the bare surface of' 
the soil with remarkable rapidity in February or March, 
when the unfrozen ground and the nature of the weather 
permit. The species have a similar habit to the better 
known Colchicum, and belong to the extensive Lily 
family. They differ from Colchicum in having their styles 
united nearly to the top, while in the latter gems they 
are free. The flowers are a lively purple with six regu¬ 
larly reflexed segments, as shown in our illustration. 
The tips of the leaves only are pushed above the soil 
while the flowers are at their best, and merely serve to 
support the tube of the latter ; afterwards they develope 
and complete their growth, dying down early, and for 
that reason bulbs might very appropriately be planted 
on lawns and similar places. It can also be grown 
and flowered in pots ; so that any amateur may well 
possess this interesting and pretty Lilywort. 
--sees-- 
TIMBER PRICES. 
In this district the price of timber remains low indeed, 
and it is no easy matter to get rid of certain classes, 
even though of superior quality. Local demand, of 
course, affects prices considerably ; as, for instance, 
Larch timber, for which there is still a fair price to be 
got from boat builders on the Menai Straits. Oak, 
again, as well as Elm, finds a ready market in not too 
large quantities for repairing vessels used in slate 
traffic, the former fetching, if of good quality and large 
size, about Is. 6d. per ft., and the Elm a little less. 
Larch trees containing, say, a score of feet, sell 
readily enough at from Is. per ft. to Is. 2d. per ft. 
Sycamore, is, however, the timber at present, for we 
have no trouble in getting 2s. per ft. for large trees, 
and from Is. 6 d. to Is. 8 d. per ft. for smaller. Un¬ 
usually fine cuts, clear and well grown, and say to 
square a couple of feet, sell at 2s. 6 d. per ft. readily 
enough. 
Birch and Alder woods are never a drug in the 
market, here at least, for we can dispose of all we have 
to spare at 10tf. per ft. Local demand here again 
asserts its rights for both ; these woods are largely used 
in the making of clog soles, for bobbins and household 
utensils. Propwood and the thinnings of young Larch 
woods are most difficult to get rid of, even at half the 
prices they realised six or seven years ago. For farm 
implements, &c., Ash timber sells at a fairly re¬ 
munerative price, viz., Is. 6 d. per ft. if of large size, 
and from Is. to Is. 3d. when smaller. Spanish Chest¬ 
nut, when of suitable size for furniture and coffin- 
making, is in request at Is. 6 d. per ft. ; but clean, 
large trees I have often disposed of at a higher price. 
Other commonly-grown woods, such as the Scotch and 
Spruce Firs, the Willows, Poplars, Beech, Horse 
Chestnut and Lime, can hardly be sold at any price, 
unless, indeed, for some particular use, when about 
6d. per ft. is usually charged.— A. B. Webster. 
--»=g^- 
LATE KEEPING PEARS. 
(Concluded, from p. 390 ). 
To many it may not seem desirable to cultivate 
varieties whose sole use is for stewing purposes, when 
a selection may be made suitable either for dessert or 
stewing, and others may think differently and be able to 
adduce their reasons. For instance, certain varieties 
are possessed of a particular flavour, grateful it may be 
to some, while others may develope their qualities after 
being cooked, or may be more prolific in certain soils 
than desirable dessert kinds. 
Catillac is a large-fruited sort that is much esteemed 
for stewing, and when cooked it acquires a fine red tint 
that renders it a favomite with many. The fruit is 
green, and keeps in season from January to April. 
Beurre Gris d’Hiver is an old well-known Pear, useful 
for the same purpose as the last, the fruit being large, 
roundish, and of a dull green suffused with brown 
russet, and is in season from January to March. It is 
a useful Pear, but requires a wall to bring out its best 
qualities. The fruit of Madame Eliza is large and 
greenish yellow, suffused with pale russet, coming 
into season during November, and remaining good till 
December or even January at Chiswick. For cooking 
purposes, Passe Tardive is' of the first size and quality, 
coming into use from April to June ; as a table Pear, 
however, it is altogether worthless. The fruit is an 
olive-green dotted russet. The fruit of Triomphe de 
Jodoigne keeps good till Christmas, but after that 
generally decays and becomes soft internally. It is of 
large size, and when in good condition, a useful variety 
for cooking. The outline is regularly Pear-shaped, 
and the colour green, spotted or suffused with russet. 
One of the largest Pears of any sort, probably, is that 
known as Uvedale’s St. Germain. It is Pear-shaped, 
and dark green changing to a yellowish green, more or 
less suffused dull red on the exposed side, the flesh 
being white, crisp and somewhat gritty, but is excellent 
for stewing, and keeps in good condition from January 
to April. Fruits are frequently exhibited of great 
size, and some attain a weight of upwards of three 
pounds.— J. F. 
-- 
CURIOUS VARIETIES OF 
PRIMULA. 
Our illustration show's a number of exceedingly 
curious garden forms of Primula, in which the calyx 
has become developed in one or other form, all tending 
to give us some excellent hints of the morphology or 
floral structure of the Primula. The ordinary hose-in¬ 
hose represented on the right as well as in the upper left- 
hand corner, is, perhaps, the commonest of these floral 
monstrosities. There are numerous different coloured 
varieties in cultivation, and that known as Golden 
Gem is a rich yellow, and originated in Dorset; but 
several cultivators have strains which originated else¬ 
where. A most remarkable form is that where the 
calyx is separated to the base into five leaves, which 
are sharply reflexed, exposing the whole length of the 
tube of the corolla. This goes a long way towards a 
reversion to the original five leaves, of which the calyx 
is composed. 
The form popularly known as “Galligaskins” shows a 
development of a somewhat different kind. The 
calyx is the affected part, likewise, in this variety. 
Jack-in-tlie-Green, where the calyx has developed into 
green leaves of considerable size, exactly similar to 
ordinary leaves, will, perhaps, strike readers as the 
most peculiar and unnatural form of all. The allusion 
given to this form, in the popular name, will describe 
its general appearance admirably. The leafy calyx is 
produced close up to the corolla, so that the whole 
flower appears like a natural and ready-made button¬ 
hole bouquet set in leaves. The various forms 
represented are by no means common ; nor can they 
be described as florists’ flowers, but they are exceedingly 
well worth growing by botanists and others interested 
in the morphology of Primula, or by lovers and 
collectors of botanical curiosities. 
