666 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 18, 1887. 
Hacquetia Epipaetis have now lost their fine yellow 
spring colour, hut a strong clump of the plant was 
sufficient to show what it had been in March and April. 
Hutchinsia procumbens—a sheet of the purest white— 
is not reckoned as valuable by some cultivators, because 
increase is fast and it can be disseminated in a compara¬ 
tively short time ; hut it is none the less a highly orna¬ 
mental plant, invaluable for spring and early-summer 
decoration of the rock-garden, from the profusion of 
its flowers, which like many other white Crucifers, 
are conspicuous from a great distance, especially when 
grown on a sloping bank. This is very evident when 
daylight gives place to twilight. A broad patch of 
Gunnera magellanica, in peaty soil kept moist by a 
continuous supply of water oozing through the ground 
in the near vicinity, at the base of the bank near the 
grotto, is now flowering profusely, and, if not very 
conspicuous, is singularly curious and interesting. The 
small leaves produced on creeping stems and biown 
flowers, contrast strangely with those of its giant 
relatives, G. scabra and G. manicata. Nor must Ledum 
buxifolium be overlooked, with its small leaves and 
profusion of pink and white flowers ; a line of densely - 
bushy plants constitute a telling feature in that part of 
the garden where they are grown. They are more like 
Heaths or something similar than the other larger and 
commoner species, but have more expanded and 
flattened flowers. How dissimilar the large soft red 
and yellow or orange flowers of Azalea mollis, belonging 
to the same family, in a mixed bed of Rhododendrons 
close by ! 
Of the taller-growing herbaceous plants many fine 
things even now are noticeable in flower. Under the 
protection of a spreading tree, Vinca acutiloba, which 
has been out all the winter without other protection, has 
already commenced flowering. Numerous young plants 
from last year’s procumbent stems are pushing up all 
round the parent stool. In the borders numerous fine 
pyramidal specimens of Verbascum olympicum, with its 
hoary tomentose leaves, is already very prominent, but 
will be a fine sight presently. Lunaria biennis, 
Santolina incana, Anemone palmata, A.alpina sulphurea, 
Aquilegia californica, A. glandulosa, Cerinthe major, 
Glyphospermum Palmeri, Tellima grandiflora, Trillium 
grandiflorum, and Odontospermum maritimum, swell 
the list of choice things, which one could hang over 
and admire for a long time. Three-year-old plants of 
Delphinium nudicaule are now fine pieces, and ripen 
seeds freely every year. It is a hardier longer-lived 
plant here than D. eardinale, another fine scarlet 
flowered species. Polemonium Richardsoni and P. 
cashmerianum are fine large-flowering species ; and of 
the latter, which is readily distinguished by its greater 
height, there is a beautiful white seedling variety with 
a pale violet centre. Some fine plants of the New 
Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, and its variegated 
variety, have been planted out-of-doors for the last three 
or four years, and are now fine specimens. 
We were delighted to find Myriophyllum proser- 
pinacoides starting into growth again vigorously, after 
having stood the winter in one of the ponds. Its finely 
divided, verticillate, glaucous leaves are very ornamental, 
and the plant generally does duty in the decoration 
of the tropical aquatic house. A fringing of Caltha 
palustris in full flower adds greatly to the general 
appearance of this same pond. The Bog Bean, 
Menyanthes trifoliata, is similarly used round the 
edge of another ornamental sheet of water, and stands 
out as one of the finest of British aquatics, with its pink 
finely bearded flowers. These are but a tithe of the 
many fine things flowering at this place—a paradise 
of hardy flowers. 
-- 
THE STRAWBERRY CROP. 
It seems impossible for anything to prevent our 
having a grand Strawberry crop this year. Certainly, 
we so often get good Strawberry seasons that one 
specially so seems nothing remarkable, but having 
regard to the general condition of the plants, the 
immensity of the bloom, its fine character, and the 
freedom with which fruits already have set, it does 
seem as if the present season’s produce could break the 
record of several previous years, and that Strawberries 
will presently be a glut. The rainfall has so materially 
helped the plants that it would seem as if no amount 
of warmth could prevent the fruit from maturing, and 
where the late rains have been followed if they were 
not preceded, by heavy mulchings of long straw- 
manure or other suitable material, then evaporation of 
moisture will be difficult. 
It may be worth consideration, with a view to the 
securing of a good sample of fruit, whether it is not 
worth while to thin out the blooms appreciably ; of 
course, such labour would be tedious, but then how 
much finer the fruit may be that is retained, whilst an 
abundance of small fruit would be of little use to any 
one and would also materially distress the plants. 
Some features in the weather last autumn specially 
favoured the maturing of plant crowns and the develop¬ 
ment of bloom ; so much, indeed, is it the case with 
almost all flowering plants, and especially with those 
which fruit. I sincerely trust that Strawberry growers 
may have a fine fruit season. It is, indeed, distressing 
to see vast quantities of beautiful fruit, which thousands 
would like to consume, rotting because of excessive 
moisture. Even if prices be low, a fine season will 
enable the fruit to be made the most of in all ways.— 
R. D. 
-->X<-- 
Hardening Miscellany. 
An Erratic Laburnum at Merlin, Clon¬ 
mel. —In your last issue (p. 650) you note an erratic 
Laburnum at The Grange, Carshalton, Surrey, that 
flowers twice every year. This is not uncommon ; 
certainly not so unusual as to see specimens decked all 
over with not merely the handsome pendulous yellow 
racemes of the Laburnum, but interspersed all over 
the tree also racemes of Cytisus purpurea, as may 
be noticed at Merlin, the handsome residence and 
gardens of Benjamin Faife, Esq., J.P., near this town. 
Probably the explanation is that the latter was grafted 
on the former, and in the mutual sap circulation the 
floral characteristics were diffused over the whole tree. 
I have been told this peculiarity is referred to by 
Darwin in his book on the theory of evolution, but I 
have not seen it. In bloom this tree would be a sight 
when seen for the first time. — TV. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
Crassula jasminea. —Lovers of sweet-scented 
flowers will find this a gem amongst summer-flowering 
greenhouse plants. Being a very dwarf-growing 
variety, it makes itself useful in many ways, besides 
being useful for cutting purposes. A number of plants 
kept in small pots make a capital edging to the stage 
of a greenhouse, interspersed with such plants as 
Isolepis gracilis, the Crassula peeping its heads of 
white flowers from amongst the grassy foliage of the 
Isolepis having a very telling effect. It does not flower 
well when potted on into large pots, but makes con¬ 
siderably more flower heads when confined to small 
pots. If the plant is wanted in larger pots, it is well 
to let it set its flower heads before shifting from the 
small pots. A dry situation in a house from which 
the frost is just excluded, is all that it requires during 
the winter season, and no attempt at forcing must be 
practised, or it will, as a rule, end in failure. I look 
upon it as a very pretty plant, and if it should be used 
amongst proper associates in the decoration of the 
greenhouse, it cannot fail to be attractive. A few 
little stakes are all that is required to keep the plant in 
shape, or if it is desirable the plant may be used for 
suspending purposes. — TV. G. 
The Oxford Carnation and Picotee 
ITnion. —The annual exhibition of this society will 
take place as usual in the garden of Sir. E. S. Dodwell, 
Stanley Road, Oxford, on Tuesday, August 2nd. Mr. 
Dodwell reports that the Union is being strongly sup¬ 
ported, and he calculates not only that there will be 
an excellent exhibition, but also a large gathering of 
friends and supporters interested in the flower. The 
usual luncheon and business meeting will follow. The 
annual subscription is 5s. per annum, and this sum 
entitles the subscriber to become a participator in Sir. 
Dodwell’s annual distribution of seedlings. 
Papaver umbrosum. —A large plant of this 
glorious Poppy, lifted from the open ground and planted 
in a pot, is now blooming finely in the roof-shaded 
forecourt garden of my house. Its brilliant crimson 
flowers with dark spots are so large and striking, that 
passers-by stop and wonder what it is. It appears not 
to be half so well known as it deserves to be. — R. D. 
Fruit Prospects in North-west Notts.—A 
good estimate may now be formed of the possible 
results of the fruit crop, and taking everything into 
consideration, the prospects are both satisfactory and 
encouraging. Undoubtedly, the season is late, but 
there has been an absence of late frosts, which are so 
destructive to the flowers. Apples promise a grand 
crop, especially if the abundance of flower may be 
taken as a good omen. Pears are about the average, 
the wall trees and those trained over espaliers being 
decidedly the best. Plums only fair, while of Cherries 
there will be a bountiful crop, the Morellos being literally 
covered with fruit. Of bush fruits, both red and black 
Currants show exceedingly well, and the same may be 
said of Gooseberries. Raspberries are looking healthy, 
with a good amount of flower. Strawberries are 
pushing forth very strong spikes of bloom, so that good 
fruit and plenty of it may be expected.— F. R. S. 
Auriculas in Cold Frames. —“C. A. G. ” 
may be glad to know how another small grower of these 
interesting and beautiful plants succeeds with them in 
cold frames raised from the ground on stands, which, 
by night, in winter and spring, are closely matted with 
double mats and a tarpaulin over them to keep them 
dry. This covering, except in case of hard frost, is 
removed every morning. I have had the plants slightly 
frozen under the covering during last winter, when the 
thermometer registered 22° of frost, but by thawing 
slowly and keeping out sunshine, so destructive to 
frozen plants, they did not suffer. The great drawback 
to frames in winter, when the plants require attention 
now and again, is that it is so cold for working at them 
in the open air, while it can be done more pleasantly 
and effectively if they are housed. Then, again, the 
bloom is always later in frames than in a greenhouse 
where it is easier to bring them on ; and as I need 
to have them on a given date fit for the exhibition table, 
I have had frequently to remove some of the required 
varieties into a warm greenhouse to help them on, and 
with the result that I have always been placed amongst 
the prize winners.— Auricula. 
The Market Gardeners’ Profits. —The past 
winter has been an exceptionally bad one for market 
gardeners. At the best of times they do not expect to 
make large fortunes in the dull season of the year, but 
so long as the sale of their produce pays a trifle over 
the expenses of the winter months, they are satisfied. 
During the whole of the past winter vegetables sent to 
the London markets from the suburban districts have 
scarcely paid for picking, carting to London, and 
selling, leaving nothing for rent, seed planting, hoeing, 
&c., &c. The market gardener has been anxiously 
looking forward to the spring prices to make up his 
winter’s loss, but the climax was reached in the 
London market last week, prices being about as low as 
they have ever been. A market gardener within about 
eight miles of London sent a pair horse van loaded 
with bunches of greens of the very first quality, plants 
that have been well grown, and every leaf of which 
was fit for cooking. These greens cost him 3! per 
dozen for pulling and bunching alone ; then they have 
to be carted to the barn, packed on the waggon, and 
two men and two horses take them to the market, 
where on Wednesday morning last week they realised 
the munificent sum of 3d. per dozen bunches. Green¬ 
grocers who have only to carry these greens from the 
market to their shops are charging 2d. per bunch to 
the consumer. One explanation I have heard of this, 
is, that as farming does not pay, farmers have turned 
their hands to market gardening, with a result that 
they are not only getting deeper into the mire, but are 
doing their best to sink the bona fide market gardener 
by glutting the market. Only a few weeks back a 
market gardener not far from me was included in the 
bankruptcy list, and it is quite evident, unless things 
take a turn for the better shortly, the bankruptcy list 
will contain a whole list of these hard-working sons of 
the soil.— Practical. 
Lathyrus Drummond! —Drummond’s Ever¬ 
lasting Pea, with its bright red or pucy red flowers, 
does not appear to be so much known as it deserves to 
be. Three years ago I planted a small seedling in the 
open ground. It has grown each season so freely that 
in this space of time it has widened into a bush of large 
dimensions, and will this season bear hundreds of 
trusses of flowers. It is already in bloom, and will go 
on flowering all through the summer. It can be pro¬ 
pagated by division of the roots and by means of seeds ; 
but it is not a free seeder. In raising seeds, I find it 
best to steep them in water for twelve hours, and then 
twelve hours afterwards to sow them in a pot of light 
soil. In three weeks or so, at this season of the year, 
they will germinate. When placed singly in 4-in. pots 
they soon grow into size.— R. D. 
