292 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 7 , 1888. 
for although we have purples, so-called, they 
are not such, hut reds or magentas diversely 
shaded. Flaked forms are pretty, but in¬ 
constant ; and blues, as a rule, look dull 
and heavy in the winter light. Still, there 
is evidence that denser colour is being found, 
and real blues may byand-bye prove as 
striking as now are the madder-reds, so 
wondrously effective when well produced. 
-- 
The Recent Frost.—The sudden collapse of the frost 
during Sunday night last after experiencing such a 
very sharp one in the morning, must have proved very 
disappointing to those on pleasure bent only, and many 
a scheme for skating parties had to “gang aglee.” 
But in gardens the lifting of the fetter which hound 
the earth was exceedingly welcome, and none the less 
so that the frost had been so comparatively dry and 
harmless. The value of the frost laid in its admirable 
adaptability to season or harden plants, in preparation 
for sterner later visitations, which, there can be little 
doubt, will come in due course. If our winters were 
never made up of sterner stuff than the weather which 
made Christmas so enjoyable, and ushered in the new 
year, we should be fortunate indeed. Too often—as 
we have in the past had sad cause to remember— 
our plants have been wuthout warning called upon to 
endure intense frost, snowfalls, delugings of icy 
moisture, withering north-easterly blasts, or horrid fogs; 
under such conditions of weather even the hardiest of 
plants and trees may well succumb. So far, happily, 
no such harm has been done, and we may report up to 
the present that no plants are harmed. Still further, 
we cannot but think that the recent hardening, allied 
to the continued comparative dryness of the soil, will 
help to make the burthen more easily to be borne 
should really severe weather come. 
The Fiery Thorn. —A much more liberal use of 
Crataegus pyracantha might be made than is at present 
the case. Its behaviour in many of the villa and 
suburban gardens of London is a pleasant feature at 
this season of the year, when there is little of an 
attractive nature out-of-doors save Holly and Cotone- 
aster berries, and the yellow flowers of the naked 
Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). "When trained 
against a wall, the latter, in most cases, is lit up with 
the fiery glow of the deep coral-red haws, popularly 
called berries, borne in dense clusters on the younger 
wood or that formed the previous year. OwiDg to the 
fruits of this species being of a more acrid or bitter 
nature than those of other species, birds do not readily 
attack them except in very severe winters, when 
scarcity of food compels them. Besides this method of 
growing the Pyracantha, it might be grafted standard- 
high on the common Hawthorn, when it would develop 
into a handsome round-headed specimen. The species 
also succeeds admirably grown as a pot-plant, a kind of 
treatment which seems to have a dwarfing effect upon 
its growth, causing the production of short-jointed 
wood and fruiting spurs. Plants treated in this way 
may be seen decorating the window-sills of some 
suburban gardens, and very handsome they are. In 
France the species is called Buisson ardent, from the 
colour of its fruit, and this name is variously translated 
Evergreen Thorn or Fiery Bush, which corresponds 
very closely with the English popular name. 
“ Hardy Flowers.”—A fourth and cheaper edition of 
this useful book has just been issued by Mr. W. 
Robinson, Garden Office, at the modest price of Is., and 
it will be hailed with pleasure by all who do not already 
possess a copy, yet who may desire to make a collection 
of or become acquainted with hardy flowers suitable for 
cultivation in this country. It comprises 341 pages of 
printed matter, and is divided into three parts, the first 
of which deals with the cultivation of these hardy 
subjects according to the various methods employed in 
gardens, either for convenience or by way of imitating 
the conditions under which they are found to do best in 
their native habitats. The preparation of beds, borders, 
rockeries, and bog-gardens is discussed at some length, 
and methods of propagation described. The second 
part of the work is devoted to an alphabetical arrange¬ 
ment of over 1,300 plants suitable for the embellishment 
of gardens, with descriptions and other matters per¬ 
taining thereto, such as native country, most suitable 
position in the garden, and the method of propagation 
special to each kind. A considerable number of lists of 
plants selected to suit various purposes are given in the 
third part of the book, and will, no doubt, prove par¬ 
ticularly acceptable to those whose acquaintance with 
hardy flowers is not very extensive. 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution.— We may 
again remind our readers that the annual general 
meeting of the subscribers to this institution will be 
held at 3 p.m., on Friday next, at “Simpson’s,” 101, 
Strand, to receive the report of the committee, and 
elect officers, pensioners, &c. At 6 p.m. sharp, the 
annual friendly social dinner will take place, at which 
Sir Robert Peel, Bart., has kindly promised to preside. 
We believe it is an open secret that the committee will 
have the pleasure of reporting that the past year was 
the second best on record. A large attendance is 
expected, and as space is limited, the stewards have 
decided not to issue any tickets for the dinner after 
Tuesday, so that those who wish to be present should 
write to Mr. Cutler at once. 
Vetplantenkring.—A society under the above title 
has been formed at Antwerp, for the purpose of 
advancing the propagation and cultivation of Cacti, 
and succulent plants in general. This has arisen out 
of a general desire felt by amateurs, learned and 
eminent men on the Continent, who give themselves to, 
and find much enjoyment in the cultivation and study 
of this interesting and peculiar kind of vegetation. 
They wish also to be able to correspond or associate 
themselves with a society whose chief object of pursuit 
should be the encouragemeut of the cultivation and 
study of their favourites. To satisfy this wish, 
some Belgian amateurs, at a general meeting, have 
drawn up statutes and bye-laws for a society or 
Ccrcle under the above title. The society already 
counts amongst its members some of the most dis¬ 
tinguished amateurs, learned professors, and most 
eminent directors of botanic gardens in Europe. Con¬ 
fident of success, the society makes a warm appeal to 
all amateurs and connoisseurs who are fond of 
succulents. M. Arthur de Smet, Ledeberg, near 
Ghent, is the honorary president of the committee : 
Mons. J. J. de Winter is president of the society ; and 
Mons. Jos. Havermans is secretary, to whom com¬ 
munications should he addressed, Rue Jesus, 
46, Antwerp. 
Gardening Changes.—Mr. G. Henley, late gardener 
to the Hon. J. W. Plunkett, M.P., Dunstall Priory, 
Shoreham, Kent, has been engaged as gardener to 
W. Morris, Esq., Wrentham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk. 
Mr. Edward Burton, late gardener to A. Harris, Esq., 
Lunefield, has been engaged as gardener to Dr. 
Tennant, Ben Rhydding, near Leeds, and is succeeded 
at Lunefield by Mr. G. Aslett, formerly under Mr. G. 
Norman at Hatfield. 
National Chrysanthemum Society. —The mid-winter 
exhibition of this society will be held on Wednesday 
and Thursday next at the Royal Aquarium, West¬ 
minster, when among other floral attractions on view 
there will be a large collection of Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons’ fine strains of Primulas. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—On January 25th, 1888, Mr. Lewis Castle 
will deliver an address, entitled, “ A Gossip on 
Orchids ” ; and on February 1st Mr. George Gordon 
will discourse on “The Uses of Flowers in Religious 
Services.” 
Change of Address.—We are requested to state that 
Mr. William Denman has removed from 44a to more 
commodious premises at No. 7, Catherine Street, 
Covent Garden. 
- ->X<* - 
THE GLADIOLUS. 
By way of supplementing my article published in 
The Gardening World on the 9th April 1887, 
and for the information of those interested in 
this most important flower, I herewith submit the 
names and descriptions of some of the very best new 
and other varieties not enumerated in the article 
alluded to, which I proved last summer both by my 
own growing and the exhibits of the foremost growers. 
They are all free-growing and vigorous kinds—the 
finest for exhibition, and I consider they ought to form 
part of every large grower’s list; in short, for small 
growers the collection is a good one in itself. 
AbrieoU forms a compact noble spike of apricot-rose 
slightly tinted lilac flowers, which are large and stand 
well together. 
Amite. —A fleshy rose streaked with purple, forms a 
tall and vigorous spike of massive flowers. 
Andre Leroy is dense, cherry-red and striped with a 
darker hue of the same colour ; the flowers are marked 
with a clear white central blotch. 
Belladonna is a white variety tinged with lilac, 
lower petals striped bright carmine. 
Bicolor. —The upper half of the flowers are rich rosy 
salmon, with the lower half ivory-white ; the variety 
is a striking novelty. 
Colorado is of a rich orange colour with a white 
blotch, and is a striking and charming flower. 
Crepuscule, with lilac-rose flowers flushed carmine, 
produces a nohle spike, and is the admiration of all 
who have seen it well grown. 
De Merdl is a rose variety tinted violet, striped and 
flamed flesh. 
Demosthenes is a lively rose flamed with intense 
carmine, with stripes of pure white. 
Eagle is glossy white, flamed with brilliant cherry- 
red and shades of carmine, with large purplish blotch. 
Grand Rouge is the most brilliant of its class, 
having dazzling scarlet flowers, and forms a massive 
and most perfect spike. 
Mabel. —Pure white in the centre, with rays of rich 
carmine at the edges, forms a grand spike of large 
perfect flowers. 
Opale. —Of a delicate rose colour, forms a magnificent 
spike of telling effect. 
Sceptre de Flore is of the brightest rose colour spotted 
flesh, with a pure white throat, and produces grand 
spikes. 
Tamerlane. —The upper petals are garnet-red, while 
the lower ones are light carmine and yellow ; it pro¬ 
duces splendid spikes, which have a telling effect 
when its tints are developed by proper shading.— A. 
Kerr , Kelso. 
-- 
THE MEDLAR. 
I suppose the Medlar is almost the only fruit that 
is eatable when in what may be regarded as a state of 
decay. A neighbouring gardener, who knows my 
fondness for the fruit, sends me a dish every season ; 
but no one else of my family cares to partake of them. 
I think, as a general rule, very few persons care for 
this fruit, but I confess I am one of those who thoroughly 
enjoy it ; and I am further of opinion that when once 
a liking for the fruit is formed, it is thoroughly enjoyed. 
Perhaps an acquired or educated taste is necessary. 
What a singular fruit it is ! for when newly ripe it 
is not eatable, the flesh being hard, harsh and 
astringent, and greenish white in colour. In a few 
weeks it begins to soften, the flesh turning brown and 
pulpy, and acquiring a peculiar vinous flavour, which 
to palates educated in Medlar districts, is always a 
treat, though to many people distasteful. The softening 
marks the first state of decay ; and, hence, it has come 
to be charged upon the unfortunate Medlar that it is 
not fit for food until partially rotten. Partly, no 
doubt, because of its uninviting appearance at this 
time ; partly because of the astringency, it has never 
yet held a high place among the garden and orchard 
fruits, and the same circufnstances may account for it 
never having kindly mention in literature. But the 
charge of partial rottenness is not quite fair. The 
very same may be said, and with equal truth, of the 
Peach, the Apricot, and Strawberry. All of these are 
ripe, in the gardeners’ sense of the word, as soon as the 
seed is mature and capable of vegetating, however hard 
and solid the fleshy part may be. Softening in any 
one of them is a stage beyond ripeness, and the sign 
rather of incipient decay (L. H. Grindon). 
The Medlar is late in fruiting, the fruit being generally 
allowed to remain on the branches until the end of 
October or beginning of November, when the stalk parts 
readily from the bearing shoots ; it should be gathered 
on a dry day, carried to the fruit room and laid out upon 
the shelves. In Thompson’s Gardeners' Assistant it is 
recommended as a good plan to dip “ the end of the 
stalk in a solution of common salt, for this tends to 
prevent the attacks of a minute fungus, which usually 
commences at that part and extends to the fruit, which 
renders it useless. Some place straw beneath the fruit, 
but unless this is perfectly clean and dried upon a kiln 
or in the sun it encourages mildew, and is apt to give 
them a musty flavour. The fruit should be looked over 
from time to time, and any that is affected with fungus 
must be removed at once, otherwise it will taint the 
rest. The fruit becomes fit for use in two or three 
weeks after gathering, and may keep good till 
January.” 
It is considered by some that the Medlar is closely 
related to the Apple ; certainly, in size and general 
appearance the tree corresponds with that of an ordinary 
Apple. Few trees, however, present a more rustic, not, 
to say uncouth appearance, the branches making most 
fantastic elbows in all directions. 
There are three good varieties of the Medlar the 
Monstrous or Dutch, the tree of a spreading growth 
