August 6, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
775 
much towards a more successful management of the 
woodlands. The foresters trained at the school will 
not only be more efficient in their work, but—and this 
is of very great importance—the better they learn to 
understand the connection, as gradually worked out by 
science, between cause and effect in the life of trees and 
shrubs, the greater will be their enthusiastic attachment 
to their profession. Believe me, true, healthy, enthu¬ 
siastic attachment to one’s profession is a blessing in 
the life of a young man, the value of which it is difficult' 
to overrate. When the time for action comes in the 
matter of the Scottish Forest School, I shall deem it an 
honour and a pleasure, if it should be desired, and 
if circumstances should permit, to help with my advice, 
and some day, perhaps, to explain to the students some 
of the conclusions which I have formed as the result of 
many years’ study of trees and shrubs in different 
countries.” (Applause.) 
Landscape Forestry.— Mr. John Methven read a 
paper on “Deciduous trees with ornamental and 
coloured foliage useful in landscape forestry.” The 
paper was illustrated by an exhibition of upwards of 
eighty distinct specimens of the leaves of such trees. 
There could not, he said, be two opinions as to the 
importance of practical foresters cultivating a taste for 
planting with a view to producing landscape effect, and 
at the same time acquiring a knowledge of the various 
trees popularly known as “ fine-foliaged.” They lived 
in a time when the aesthetic was studied in everything 
connected with dress, house furnishing, garden deco¬ 
ration, and architecture, and thus plantations, in view 
of the now almost innumerable species and varieties of 
trees, with magnificent forms of foliage, and gorgeous 
variegations, should show more than hitherto that 
planters had an eye to the beautiful in the arrangement 
of colour and variation of form, which, after all, was 
the great charm in natural scenery. There could be no 
doubt that many of their lowland plantations would be 
brightened up by an admixture of such trees. As park 
or roadside trees some of them were unequalled, and all 
of those of which he showed specimens that day were 
perfectly hardy in their climate. As an example of 
what he considered a fine-foliaged tree, he referred to 
the Golden Sycamore, or Corstorphine Plane, as it was 
called, which stood near the village of Corstorphine, 
and which, during the month of June, was worth a 
pilgrimage to see. Not only might such trees be 
planted for effect, but almost all of them, as timber- 
producing trees, were of value. In the list given by 
Mr. Methven, the ordinary forest trees were mentioned, 
and a number of others not so well known, including 
the Caragana (Pea Tree), a native of Siberia, and very 
hardy ; Catalpa, indigenous to the Southern States of 
America, and only equal to the climate of Scotland in 
favoured situations ; the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron 
tulipifera), one of the handsomest of trees ; the Aralia, 
of which only one or two were sufficiently hardy for 
Scotland, the most interesting being A. spinosa. 
-- >X - o - 
I'ARDENING ffoTES FROM 
§ COTLAND. 
Bose-growing at Aberdeen.— When visiting 
the granite city lately, I accepted an invitation from 
Messrs. J. Cocker & Sons to visit their nurseries, which 
are very extensive, and which also have a wide repu¬ 
tation for the culture of Pansies, Yiolas, Dahlias, 
Pinks, Carnations, Picotees, &c. ; but the principal 
feature in which the Messrs. Cocker excel is undoubtedly 
in the cultivation of the Rose. The success which 
they have achieved in bygone years, and the good 
fortune they have had this season in the various com¬ 
petitions they have entered, speak volumes in favour 
of their mode of treatment. Their stock this year 
consists of 50,000 hybrid perpetuals and 10,000 Teas— 
as fine a lot of clean, healthy, vigorous plants as one 
could wish to see ; and as they are grown in an exposed 
situation in their nurseries at Morningfield, near 
Aberdeen, they are well adapted for planting in fully 
exposed positions, for they must be thoroughly hardy. 
This season has been remarkable for its dryness, for in 
this district hardly any rain has fallen since the second 
week in April ; and as I visited these nurseries in the 
middle of July, one can well imagine the labour that 
must have been bestowed upon the plants to keep them 
in such perfection as they are. All the most popular 
sorts are grown here. Amongst the newer kinds, I 
noticed American Beauty, Brilliant, Hippolyte Jamain 
(climbing), M. Boncenne, Pride of Waltham, and 
Her Majesty, of which the firm possesses a very fine 
stock, undoubtedly expecting a great demand for this 
extraordinary Rose, which has proved itself equal to 
the praise which has been bestowed upon it. Amongst 
the new Teas, The Bride figures conspicuously. This 
is a sport from the well-known Catherine Mermet, but 
a pure white, and will become a popular favourite with 
the bouquettist, no doubt. Viscountess Folkestone is 
another good Rose, the colour being creamy pink ; and 
Ye Primrose Dame, for a delicate primrose-yellow, will 
not fail to become popular. These are only a few of 
the newer ones. Of the old standard and popular 
varieties, I noticed a fine stock, both of H.P.’s and 
Teas. 
Other outdoor stock—such as coniferae, forest trees, 
fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, &c.—are all 
well cared for and extensively grown. Herbaceous 
plants are likewise a good feature, a large collection 
being grown ; consequently, there is always something 
of interest to be seen. Beds of Violas, Pansies, Pinks, 
Picotees, Pyrethrums, Delphiniums, Phloxes, Pent- 
stemons, Carnations, &c., were in bloom, giving lovers 
of these favourite flowers a rare treat. 
I was also struck with the beauty of some of the 
Ivies, of which all the varieties in commerce are grown 
against a wall suitable for that purpose, so that anyone 
can easily see those which are most suitable for their 
requirements. The glass department, although not 
extensive, contains a choice collection of plants, grown 
in a very satisfactory manner. I was much pleased 
with the beauty of a new Fuchsia named Lady Aberdeen, 
which the Messrs. Cocker intend distributing next 
spring. It has a fine free-branching habit, with flowers 
not over large, but produced in great profusion ; while 
the sepals, petals, and corolla are all of one colour—a 
pretty shade of rose.— Rusticus. 
Royal Horticultural Society of Aber¬ 
deen. —On Friday and Saturday last, the annual 
summer show of this society was held in a field 
adjoining Polmuir House, Duthie Park, and proved 
the most successful this society has ever held, the 
total number of entries being 1,011 as compared with 
652 last year. The Jubilee prizes offered for the best 
tables of horticultural produce arranged for effect, 
brought out four competitors whose productions were 
adjudged to be in order of merit as follows :—First, Mr. 
Alexander Grigor, gardener to A. O. Gill, Esq., Fair- 
field ; second, Mr. John Proctor, gardener to Lord 
Provost Henderson ; third, Mr. John Forrest, gardener 
to the Earl of Aberdeen ; fourth, Messrs. James Cocker 
& Sons. Mr. Forrest well held his own in classes for 
stove and greenhouse plants, Heaths, vegetables, &c.; 
and among other successful exhibitors were Mr. 
Noonan, Stoneywood House ; Mr. A, Grigor; Mr. 
Proctor; Mr. John Henry ; Mr. Ogg, Morken ; 
Mr. M’Lennan, Fetteresco Castle ; Mr. James Hunter, 
Richmond Hill, &c. Fruits and vegetables were an 
attractive feature, and the cut Roses of Messrs. Cocker 
& Sons were greatly admired. 
The Scottish Horticultural Association. 
—At a meeting of this association, held in 5, St. 
Andrew Square, Edinburgh, on Tuesday night, Mr. 
James Grieve presiding, the first paper read was one 
by Mr. Charles Webster, Gordon Castle, on the 
transplanting of trees and shrubs. In the course of 
his paper, Mr. Webster stated that it had been said 
that evergreens might be planted in any of the months 
in which the letter “r” occurred. This generalisa¬ 
tion might do very well for young nursery plants, 
which might be turned out at almost any season of 
the year with a reasonable amount of success if due 
attention were paid to watering and other things, 
but to think of removing large established plants 
during the winter months would, he thought, be 
courting failure. The months in which he would 
most prefer the work of planting to be done were April 
or September, and both might be equally good. The 
soil and situation were important factors in determining 
the proper time for the removal of the plants. In 
order to make the operation successful, root pruning, 
especially if the plants were large, should be resorted 
to at least a twelvemonth previous to lifting, by which 
means a larger increase of fibrous roots were brought 
within a given area, thus rendering the accomplish¬ 
ment of re-planting a greater certainty. The paper 
concluded by describing the after-treatment of the 
plants. 
Mr. Robertson Munro, the secretary, then read 
“Notes on the Climate of Scotland,” his references 
beginning with 1563 and ending with the present 
time. An unusually large number of subjects were 
exhibited, including, from Messrs. Thomas Methven & 
Son, Princes’ Street, a specimen of Australian flaz 
(Phormium tenax) in flower ; from Messrs. Dickson & 
Co., a stand of Carnation seedlings and other mis¬ 
cellaneous flowers ; from Mr. Robertson Munro, 
Abercorn Nursery, a large collection of hardy cut 
flowers ; and from Beechhill Gardens, Haddington, 
twenty-five distinct varieties of seedling Carnations. 
--SstK-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
Chrysanthemum Notes. — Judging from some 
private notes I have seen from various Chrysanthemum¬ 
growing centres, if I may use the phrase, never were 
they so extensively grown, and certainly not for a 
score or more years have they had to contend with so 
persistently dry a season. Upon this, and other 
peculiarities, I would suggest that you invite the views 
of some of your correspondents, so as to arrive at the 
best mode of procedure on such points as 
Watering. —Will over-watering cause mildew ? But 
the answer is contingent on what is meant by over- 
watering—a question not so easily answered as it 
otherwise might be, with the thermometer 135° Fahr. 
in the sun, and between 85° and 90° in the shade. Can 
any running water be described as hard water, with 
that sun playing on it all day t I am inclined to say, 
Not so. Several exhibition growers during the past two 
months, being contiguous to rivers, take the same view, 
and are proud to have it for watering and syringing. 
I am sorry to say, I and many others, getting water 
from wells, and from a distance, and requiring large 
quantities in a limited period, have had no time, on 
some occasions, to expose it to the sun, or put a piece 
of soda in it; and so far as I can observe—and I grow 
300 varieties—the plants are all healthy, though 
syringed with water from a limestone subsoil almost 
every evening. This brings me to 
The Black Aphis. —To-day I have been among 
several exhibition collections, and only in one have I 
found this pest. This is the first year that I have ever 
heard of it being in Ireland at all, but other corre¬ 
spondents may have had different experience. I would 
suggest you consult your entomologist as to its analogy 
—if any—with the green-fly. My own opinion is that 
it is wholly different, and that Mr. Molyneux, in 
recommending Tobacco powder, as in the case of the 
green-fly, for its destruction, may be mistaken. I have 
tried it on my friend’s collection, when dry, but their 
comparatively large wings seemed to save them from 
any injurious effects, but if the powder is put on after 
syringing, it is much more effective. But there is the 
dilemma ; then it will also “burn” tender young ex¬ 
panding buds or foliage. I got rid of the few I had 
myself by syringing with soot-water, and persistent 
syringing afterwards. Caution is necessary lest the 
cure is worse than the disease. Unlike the green-fly, 
the aphis is comparatively hard like a grain of sand 
under the fingers. [Try a decoction of Quassia chips. 
—Ed.] 
Blind Buds ?—I have seen a good many of these in 
different collections, and heard the result attributed to 
many and various causes, such as the earwig, woodlice, 
caterpillars, large and small larvae, including the 
froghopper. To-day, a few of us examined many 
hundred plants, a fraction only having the buds 
imperfect or eaten out, and could not satisfy ourselves 
as to the real cause. On one occasion a gentleman was 
satisfied he had the real culprit when he found the 
young larvae of the ladybird—which is insectiferous— 
feeding on green aphis. I was up in time to save his 
life, and put him back to his useful work. I am 
strongly inclined to think those imperfect buds and 
half-developed embryo leaves is the result of constitu¬ 
tional delicacy in the respective varieties. 
By the way, what do you think of the new 
Crustaceous Pulverised Fish Manure, of which I 
believe the Messrs. Carter k Co. are agents ? I got a 
bag, divided it with a neighbour for trial, and am 
satisfied it is a valuable nitrogenised stimulant, and so 
also is he. I have received a letter this morning from 
a noted Liverpool grower, who first told me of its 
efficacy, saying he intends using it as the principal 
artificial manure in his top-dressing compost for his 
Chrysanthemums in pots. — W. J. Murpliy, Clonmel. 
