474 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 24, 18S8. 
broken by an outer boundary of Larch and Spruce Firs. 
On the western border of Ross-shire, at Strathkyle, 
where the exposure is north-western, and the ground 
at varying altitudes from 100 ft. to 1,200 ft. above the 
level of the sea, the "Weymouth Pine, in conjunction 
with the Corsican and some other species, is making 
progress. At Longleat there are several groups of this 
Pine, some of the largest specimens of which are fully 
90 ft. in height, and girth about 8 ft. at 1 yd. from 
the ground. On the chalky downs of Kent this Pine 
succeeds in a most satisfactory way, the growth 
annually being long and strong, while the foliage is 
the picture of health. In some instances that have 
come under my notice it is growing with great vigour 
where but a few inches of loam overlies the chalk, and 
this is a point of great value when we consider how few 
Conifers succeed under such conditions. 
Two winters ago we had occasion to thin a wood of 
fully thirty years’ growth in Carnarvonshire, and in 
which the Weymouth Pine had been freely planted in 
conjunction with the Douglas Fir, Swiss Stone Pine 
(P. cembra), and various kinds of hard-wood trees. 
The average height of the Weymouths was 57 ft., and 
the stem-girth at 1 yd. up was 4 ft. 2 ins. Contrary 
to our expectations (but this was principally in judging 
from hearsay), the timber was of excellent quality— 
clean, evenly grained and not at all spongy. The soil 
in which these trees grew was largely composed of 
alluvial deposit, freely commingled with broken rocky 
fragments and rough gravel, but, on the whole, of rich 
quality, and well suited for the culture of the generality 
of the North American Pines. 
A comparison of the wood produced by the Weymouth 
Pine in this country with that sent to the late Colonial 
and Indian Exhibition revealed but slight differences, 
and nothing more than could naturally be expected 
between a mature and an only partially-developed tree. 
We have examined the wood of this Pine grown on 
clayey loam, but it was of inferior quality ; and such 
is also the case in various other instances that might be 
cited, but then the cause of failure was not far to trace 
in the wrong quality of soil being used in which to 
plant the tree. Nobody of experience would think of 
planting the Sycamore or the Ash on heavy clays ; the 
Larch or Elm on gravelly soils ; nor the Oak in poor 
thin lands ; so no more can the Pine in question pro¬ 
duce its best quality of timber where neither soil nor 
situation are suitable for it. The rapidly approaching 
extinction of this Pine is at present causing much 
anxiety to those who are interested in the timber 
supplies of America, and this partly owing to the reck¬ 
less and improvident felling carried on under the 
impetus of speculation. 
With such a state of matters it is to be regretted that 
greater numbers of this Pine are not annually planted 
in suitable soils and situations in the British Isles, for 
that there is vast tracts of almost worthless land that is 
well suited for its culture is beyond a doubt. We do 
not wish it to be inferred from anything we have said 
that the Weymouth Pine is suitable for planting at 
high altitudes and in exposed situations, for such we 
have long ago proved to be a fallacy, but that it will 
grow rapidly, and produce useful timber in partially 
sheltered districts has been proved on various occasions, 
by those who have paid particular attention to the 
value of the newer introduced Conifers as profitable 
timber producers in this country. 
The Weymouth Pine has much to recommend it to 
the British arboriculturist as well as the great quantity 
of valuable timber it produces, for certainly, in our 
opinion at least, it is the handsomest of the genus that 
have been found to be perfectly hardy in these Isles. 
Its form is light but elegant, and quite destitute of any 
stiffness or harshness, while the silvery glaucous leaves 
afford such a distinct and pleasing contrast to the 
majority of those commonly cultivated in this country. 
Whether grown as a plantation tree or singly for purely 
ornamental purposes, the stem is always straight and 
clean, and the branches evenly distributed.— A. D. 
Webster. __ 
FORCED PLANTS FOR MARKET. 
The number and variety of subjects at the command of 
the horticulturist which may be turned to good account 
even in winter are far greater than he is as a rule aware 
of, or will take advantage of by striking out a new line 
different from that of his predecessors. This applies 
more particularly to the heads of private establishments, 
where, even should a large quantity of cut flowers be 
desired, he sticks to a few kinds which are grown year 
after year, till they become monotonous and tame. 
However good they may be in themselves if associated 
with others less commonly grown, both are improved 
by the variety that is engendered. 
Laburnum forms many a pleasant feature in the 
landscape in summer, or along the margins of woods 
where it is largely planted in some districts, especially 
along the margins of Pine and other woods, against the 
dark back-ground of which the long pendulous racemes 
of golden yellow flowers are never seen to better effect. 
Few however would dream of using it for forcing 
purposes ; but a treat is in store for those who will be 
bold enough to grow it for the purpose. Popular as it 
is in summer, it would even be more appreciated in the 
conservatory in winter, when, although subjected to the 
unnatural treatment of forcing, the flowers still retain 
their deep golden yellow colour. Of this we were 
convinced the other day when visiting Mr. K. Drost at 
the Kew nursery, Richmond, where large plants in 
pots were conspicuously draped with the familiar 
pendent tassels of Laburnum flowers. The common 
species is that used, no doubt, because smaller and 
more easily housed than the Scotch Laburnum, which 
is more arborescent in habit. The racemes on the 
latter range from 12 ins. to 18 ins. in length. 
Another handsome and common garden shrub here 
subjected to forcing is the Snowball Tree or the sterile 
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus sterilis). The plants 
in the forcing house seemed to be lifted from the open 
ground, and without any farther preparation stood on 
the floor with the ball of soil that adhered to them in 
lifting. The more matted and fibrous the roots are, 
the more readily they conform to this method of treat¬ 
ment, The Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), a 
North American subject, is also forced alongside the 
Hawthorn-like and pretty Spinea Thunbergii, the 
earliest flowering species we have—opening its blooms 
soon after the accession of mild weather in spring. It 
flowers in Japan, its native country, even in advance of 
the foliage ; and owing to its natural earliness, we 
should think it would require but little heat to urge it 
into bloom. Varieties of the garden improved forms 
of Clematis are largely used, as well as the commoner 
subjects, such as Astilbe japonica, better known as 
Spinea, and Polyanthus Narcissus, whose presence was 
made evident by its powerful odour. 
"Ve cannot forbear reference to the Lily of the Valley, 
the odour of which fills the whole house, and greets the 
visitor on entering. There are two methods of treating 
it here—namely, by filling some of the pots with single 
crowns, and others with clumps. The former had the 
larger flowers, but they presented a more artificial 
appearance than when whole clumps were used. In 
the latter case, the flowers were perceptibly smaller ; 
but the number of flower-spikes was infinitely greater, 
and formed a perfect mass of the purest white on the 
top of the close and perfectly-formed foliage covering 
the pots. "We should advise those in private estab¬ 
lishments who have not yet done so to give this 
process of growing Lily of the Valley in clumps a trial. 
The single crowns were German. 
Three other soft-wooded subjects are grown in the 
Kew nursery for forcing purposes, and very useful 
decorative kinds they make for conservatory embellish¬ 
ment, by introducing variegated foliage of a cheerful 
and distinct nature. "We refer to Funkia ovata albo- 
marginata, F. lancifolia undulata, a beautifully varie¬ 
gated form with undulated leaves, and Acorus Calamus 
variegatus. The foliage of these, when forced, looks 
particularly clean and beautiful. 
-- 
ARDENING fllSCELLANY. 
Shows at Chiswick. 
Is it possible that Mr. Smee really meaus to advise the 
council of the Royal Horticultural Society, of which he 
is now a member, to hold shows during the summer at 
Chiswick? Had that gentleman been still a Fellow of 
the society only, I could have understood his anxiety 
to see Chiswick redivivus ; but the going to Pimlico, and 
the yet more ambitious intention to get into the City, 
are absolutely incompatible with the long-continued 
existence of Chiswick. Both conditions cannot exist, 
and as it seems to me Chiswick is without doubt fore¬ 
doomed, it will, of course, go to the wall. It is a 
subject full of deep pain and disappointment, but in 
the face of events how can it be helped ? Does Mr. 
Smee not know that not only is Chiswick being 
literally starved to death, but that if strong measures 
are not quickly taken to resuscitate it, the place will 
be in ruins by the summer, and to bring visitors there 
to a show would be but to exhibit the once famous 
gardens in a state of wreck. What does this appeal to 
the good feelings of those who have received from time 
to time courtesy and service at the hands of the 
society’s employes, which is just being made, mean 
but that if not done speedily there will be no staff left 
at Chiswick to exhibit that courtesy to. I trust the 
appeal will be successful, and that all those who from 
time to time have picked up such valuable prizes at 
South Kensington and Chiswick, will show a free hand. 
Still, that is somewhat beside the point under con¬ 
sideration, which is that with Chiswick going to the 
deuce at the present rate, to attempt holding exhibitions 
there during the summer will be but to present a 
mockery and a farce.— X. 7. Z. [Our correspondent 
appears to think as strongly as we do about the neglect 
of Chiswick by the council in the past, and the great 
risk which still exists of our losing the place altogether. 
Nevertheless, we are happy to be able to re-assure him 
to some extent; we find hope in the fact that a 
“Chiswick Committee” has been appointed by the 
council, and that on the committee are men who are 
known to have as strong sympathies as we have in 
favour of maintaining the gardens, and increasing their 
usefulness. The committee has, we hear, met at 
Chiswick (the president may yet pay the place a visit 
—who knows ?), and, no doubt, little time will be lost 
in reporting upon the subject. Still, it is of no use to 
disguise the fact that to do much at Chiswick funds 
must be forthcoming, and the roll of Fellows must be 
largely increased, and that quickly, or the end cannot 
be staved off much longer.—E d.] 
Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. 
Is not a little too much sometimes made of the necessity 
for employing different composts in which to grow these 
successfully ? Really the task of preparing suitable 
soils appears, in some instances, to be quite a labour, 
and in danger of acting as a deterrent rather than an 
encouragement to cultivate. A good ordinary soil, 
well drained, will grow lots of them ; but plenty of 
moisture is, as a Tule, required during the growing 
season. All so-called herbaceous plants flourish in a 
good loam that will grow fruit trees. As regards what 
are known as Alpines, they require sunshine and 
showers in summer, with quick drainage, and as much 
dryness as possible in winter. These conditions have 
more to do with the well-being of such subjects than a 
gritty and sandy compost, limestone chips, humus, 
&e., and what has been termed the “ wretched imitation 
of a rockery of having pieces of stone stuck into little 
pots, which are miserable scientific fads.” I have just 
lighted upon the following useful directions, in a 
catalogue of herbaceous and Alpine plants issued from 
Scotland, that may prove of service to some of the 
readers of The Gardening "Would:—“W hen little 
dwarf plants are planted in the border, it is necessary 
to put pieces of stone firmly in the soil about them, as 
it helps the drainage, and forms some shelter from cold 
cutting winds in spring, and also—what is, perhaps, of 
the greatest importance—prevents them from being 
trampled upon or cut with the hoe. It is impossible to 
give the clear sunshine, the rarified atmosphere, the 
protracted rest and snow covering, which are the 
natural conditions of their native habitats ; but not¬ 
withstanding these almost insurmountable drawbacks, 
there is a large number of the most beautiful gems of 
the vegetable kingdom which are so easy to manage, 
and their flowering season so prolonged, that no garden 
should be without flowers during nine months of the 
year.”— R. D. 
A Recipe for Mildew on Leaves. 
This is strongly recommended by Mr. J. Roberts, of 
The Gardens, Gunnersbury Park, and that not only 
because it is so thoroughly effective, but also because it 
does not disfigure the foliage of plants in any way that 
is common to other remedies, by leaving a sediment 
upon the leaves. It runs thus :—To every gallon of 
water add 3 lbs. of unslaked lime and 4 lbs. of sulphur. 
This should be boiled for forty minutes, keeping it 
well stirred the whole time, and then pour it off and 
allow it to settle. When quite clear it is ready for use, 
and can be drawn off and put into bottles. When 
used, a wine-glassful to a half-pint should be put into 
a large can of water, and then applied. It is found 
that the virtues of the solution do not become impaired 
with age ; for one gardener who has applied it with 
great success states that he boiled 8 gallons in a copper 
five years ago, and what remains of the solution at this 
distance of time is as efficacious as when newly made. 
It is also a good practice to paint the hot-water pipes 
with it.— R. D. 
Aristolocliia Westlandii. 
The general appearance of this new species is strongly 
suggestive of A. longifolia, but it is in every way a 
larger plant and more valuable from an ornamental 
point of view. The foliage also reminds one of A. 
Thwaitesii, but the individual leaves are broader at the 
base than at the apical end as in the latter, and range 
