June 2, 18 88. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
631 
May to August. By growing the plant in pots, for 
which purpose it is highly suitable, an early supply of 
flowers may be obtained. The sepals are primrose- 
yellow, tipped with claret, while the petals are of a 
golden yellow, and drawn out at the base into long, 
slender, divaricating spurs. 
The Cheeping Phlox. 
When originally introduced and flowered, this plant 
was treated as a stove subject, as many other new 
things were in those days. We have frequently seen it 
growing fairly well, producing many procumbent or 
creeping stems, but flowering rather indifferently. 
There are, however, some grand patches of it on the 
rockery at Kew, which are simply one sheet of bloom. 
When seen in this condition, it appeals at once to the 
hardy plant lover as a desirable subject for the border 
or rock garden. It should, moreover, be kept tolerably 
moist if the best results are expected. There are 
reddish purple and violet-flowered varieties of this 
plant, the Phlox reptans of botanists. Several other 
names are also current in gardens, such as P. verna, 
P. stolonifera, and P. crassifolia, which apply either to 
the habit or the foliage of the plant. 
The Azorean Forget-me-not. 
The flowers of the various species of Myosotis present 
the almost invariable blue in some shade or other with 
a yellow eye, but those of M. azorica expand of a purple 
shade, soon changing to blue with a white eye, which 
renders the flowers extremely interesting and pretty ; 
and the ridges or scales surrounding the eye are par¬ 
ticularly conspicuous, being in this case white with 
grey lines between them. At Pendell Court, Bletching- 
ley, a strong-growing variety is cultivated under the 
name of M. a. robusta ; and the flowers even seem to 
partake of unwonted vigour, as the corolla frequently 
exhibits six or seven segments instead of five. It is 
rather to be regretted that this floral gem from the 
Azores should be less hardy than the European species 
in our climate, but its intrinsic merits would warrant 
the trouble of keeping a few rooted cuttings in a frame 
as a reserve against accident. According to our 
experience the hybrid garden form named Imperatrice 
Elizabeth, of which this is one of the parents, is much 
hardier than M. azorica, but is certainly not so pretty. 
The Yellow Bitter Yetch. 
After the blue and purple-flowered Orobus vernus has 
adorned our borders and rockeries for a time, O. luteus 
soon pushes into flower and serves to enliven the 
herbaceous border when good things are comparatively 
scarce. It is one of those things that are by no means 
difficult to cultivate, but when once established requires 
to be let alone. It roots deeply with a stout rootstock, 
and does not increase fast nor become weedy. The 
flowers are coppery yellow, large, and plentifully 
produced, so that the plant recommends itself strongly 
as a border subject at this period of the year ; and it 
might be utilised for cut flower purposes. We noticed 
a strong plant of it the other day at Pendell Court, 
Bletchingley. 
Pzeonia Bussii. 
Those who are fond of Pceonies will admire this one as 
well as P. corallina (of which, according to good 
authority, it is merely a variety) for the beauty of 
their foliage. Russ’s Pasony is now flowering in Mr. 
Walker’s grounds at Whitton, Middlesex. The flowers 
are deep red, almost crimson, and borne singly at the 
apex of the stems, and are so short stalked that they 
appear to nestle amongst the leaves. It is not par¬ 
ticularly common in gardens, owing, no doubt, to its 
having been displaced by the double varieties of other 
species, such as P. officinalis, P. albiflora, and P. 
Moutan, being more popular at present, and for some 
time past. The leaves are large compared to those of 
the above-mentioned species, and traversed by crimson 
or coral-red veins on a glaucous green ground. 
Doronicum Clusii. 
This seems closely allied to the Great Leopard’s Bane 
(D. Pardalianches), but is more refined, and not so 
coarse in stem and foliage. The stem terminates in a 
large golden yellow flower head measuring over 3 ins. 
in diameter ; the primary head is the first to flower, 
and may then be cut for use, while the lateral branches 
flower in succession, prolonging the season over a 
considerable period. The heads produced on the 
lateral branches are not of course so large as the 
terminal one or those next to it, but for cut flower 
purposes this need not necessarily be so. A consider¬ 
able quantity is grown in lines under the shade of large 
Apple trees in Mr. Walker’s orchard, and judging from 
the vigorous and floriferous character of the plants they 
are particularly well suited for shady positions. 
ffOTES FROM 
Oxenford Castle. —This magnificent castle, one 
of the seats of the Earl of Stair, is situated near the 
left bank of the river Tyne, four miles E.S.E. of 
Dalkeith. The castle was remodelled towards the close 
of the last century by Robert Adam, and subsequently 
much enlarged by William Burn. It is a magnificent 
edifice, and stands in very extensive and beautiful 
grounds. The terraces around the castle are very 
extensive, and the views obtained at various points are 
very fine, the extensive valleys with finely wooded hills 
in the distance being very attractive and picturesque. 
On the east terrace is a fine flower garden, which on 
the occasion of my visit was very gay with spring 
flowers and bulbs. The roads and walks are well kept, 
and in the beautifully undulated grounds are fine 
specimen trees and "shrubs, specimen Conifers, gland 
clumps of Rhododendrons (many of which were in 
flower) and other shrubs, which meet the eye at every 
turn. 
Proceeding through various winding walks, one 
comes upon the old parish graveyard of Cranston, 
which is now only used as a resting-place for the 
members of the Stair family. It is a quiet lonely 
spot, surrounded by fine old trees, such as Welling- 
tonias and Hollies, and clumps of Rhododendrons 
somewhat brighten up an otherwise sombre scene. 
Outside the ancient resting-place of the dead is a fine 
Rosery, made last year, a most suitable spot for such a 
purpose, and one which the plants, from their appear¬ 
ance, seem to like. The churchyard walls are covered 
with Ivy, and the ancient pillars and fine old iron 
gates are features of great interest. Near here is the 
kitchen garden and orchards, which are very extensive, 
and well planted with various suitable kinds of fruit 
trees. The wall trees are very fine, the kitchen garden 
is well stocked with all kinds of vegetables, and perfect 
neatness and good order are everywhere observable. 
In this department are situated the glasshouses. 
The first range is a lean-to, 260 ft. long, and divided 
into compartments, as follows :—No. 1 contains Black 
Hamburgh, Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat and Golden 
Queen Grapes, showing a fine crop of good bunches. 
No. 2 is an early vinery, in 'which such sorts as Black 
Hamburgh, Foster’s Seedling and Buckland’s Sweet¬ 
water are bearing good crops, and just colouring. 
No. 3, a Peach house, contains grand trees, bearing 
magnificent crops of Hale’s Early, Royal George, &c., 
which are about ripe. No. 4, or the centre structure of 
the range, is used as a flowering plant house, and has 
Marechal Niel Roses on the walls in full flower. 
Festooned from the roof are Clematis and Jasmines, 
and on the stages are fine specimen Carnations, zonal 
Pelargoniums, &c. The former are 3 ft. through, and 
the white and pink varieties of Souvenir de la Mal- 
maison are magnificently flowered. Nos. 5 and 6 are 
late vineries, planted with such sorts as Lady Downe’s 
Seedling, Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, and Gros Colmar, 
which in condition are everything that can be desired. 
No. 7 is a late Peach house, the well-balanced trees in 
which are showing a magnificent crop. 
On the north side of this range is another in two 
divisions, the first containing well-cultivated examples 
of Mignonette, Deutzias, Pelargoniums, Heliotropes, &c. 
The roof is covered 'with Lapagerias in luxuriant health, 
and which flower most abundantly. The back w T alls 
are covered with the old sweet-scented Pelargonium, 
which is found most useful for cutting from. The 
next division is full of Azaleas, Liliums, Pelargo¬ 
niums, &c., and from the roof hang festoons of 
Tacsonias, Fuchsias and Jasmines, while on the back 
wall are Camellias, which are also found very useful. 
Here, too, are the potting sheds, fruit-rooms, and other 
garden offices, all conveniently and suitably arranged. 
In front of these is a fine Holly hedge, 20 ft. high, and 
behind this is a lofty span-roofed house, with a bed in 
the centre planted with specimen Camellias. The side 
stages were gay with Azaleas—specimens of the leading 
sorts 3 ft. through, and magnificently flowered, while 
Pelargoniums, about the same size, were equally well 
done. Amaryllis, Spiraeas, Cytisus, tree Carnations, 
herbaceous Calceolarias, Azalea mollis, Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums, and many other such things were well 
in flower, and made a very imposing show. 
From this house a fine wide walk runs through the 
centre of the kitchen garden, and on either side are 
ribbon borders, which were simply magnificent the day 
I saw them. For about 2£ ft. on either side of the 
walk the borders were covered with the old Aubrietia 
purpurea, one mass of flower, with clumps of white 
Violas at intervals, &c., which contrast most pleasantly 
with the blue shade of the Aubrietia. I thought what 
a pity it was that such displays are not more often seen 
in places where it is convenient to do the same as here. 
Of the plant houses, No. 1 is a nice span-roofed struc¬ 
ture divided into two compartments, the first of which 
contains a choice and useful collection of Orchids, 
fine healthy plants, neatly arranged with fine-foliaged 
plants and Ferns. The second division has the roof 
covered with Stephanotis, full of flower ; and contains 
also fine healthy Eucharis and Olivias, a good lot of 
Crotons and Dracaenas, well coloured ; gay flowering 
Begonias, such as Nitida and Odorata ; and a quantity 
of Anthurium Scherzerianum. These, with nice 
Palms, &c., make a very pleasing display. Another 
house in two divisions contains in the first, Odonto- 
glossums and Masdevallias, all doing well; and in the 
second are varieties of Ferns, most suitable for cutting 
and general decorative purposes. Another range was 
full of Azaleas and Roses for forcing, and near to this 
is a useful propagating house full of fine young stock. 
Near here is another range of fruit houses ; in the 
first, Peaches and Nectarines ; in the second, Tomatos, 
Cucumbers, and Strawberries. The walls in this house 
are covered with a collection of the old-fashioned 
species of Cacti, which are flowering freely, their 
intense bright flowers being very showy. No. 3 is a 
Fig house, and a fine old Brown Turkey carrying a 
magnificent crop occupies the whole house. In this 
part of the garden is the residence of the gardener—a 
model of comfort and homeliness, with a pretty garden 
of some extent in front, in which there are some fine 
specimen Yews. The beds were full of spring flowers, 
which filled the air with sweet perfume. Would that 
more of our brethren had equally as good domiciles. 
Great improvements have been carried out in these 
gardens of late years by Mr. William Smith, whose 
work does him infinite credit. In every department is 
seen the hand of a master of his business.— FmsUcus, 
May 2tth. 
Royal Horticultural Society of Aber¬ 
deen. —A meeting of the acting directors of this 
society was held recently. In the absence of the chair¬ 
man, Councillor Lyon, Mr. D. M. Smith was called 
upon to fulfil the duties of the office. Judges were 
nominated for the forthcoming floral fete in the 
Duthie Public Park, Aberdeen. The stewards, show 
committee, &c., were appointed. Mr. J. M. Troup is 
again to act as head steward, a post he has hitherto 
filled with great satisfaction. 
Tree Planting' on Lord Fife’s Braemar 
Estates. —The enclosing of a very considerable area 
of hill ground on the Earl of Fife’s Braemar (Aberdeen¬ 
shire) estates, for the purpose of being planted, has 
just been completed under the direction of Mr. James 
Gray, his lordship’s overseer at Mar Lodge. It should 
be stated that the ground so treated lies beyond the 
Linn-o’-Dee, and on the south side of the river, 
extending westward in the direction of Dalvorar. 
Between the Linn-o’-Dee and the village of Inverey, 
his lordship planted and enclosed a very extensive 
stretch of hill ground a few years ago, and this new 
extension is, in a sense, a continuation of the forest. 
It is now too late to have the plants put into the new 
park, but these—largely consisting of hardy sorts, 
such as Larch, Scotch Fir, and Spruce—will have 
attention at the close of the autumn. 
The Weather in the North. —An Aberdeen¬ 
shire correspondent, writing under date Saturday 26th 
ult., says A remarkable change has been wrought in 
the appearance of the country since last week, which 
has greatly improved the prospects of those interested, 
who now look with more confidence to the future than 
they were able to do a short time ago. The rains 
which have fallen, together with the bright sunshine, 
have caused fine growth, and done an immense amount 
of good to pastures and cereals, and given a great 
impetus to vegetation. Some districts which had little 
of the rain, still stand in need of moisture, but even in 
these cases a great improvement has been made on the 
face of the country in the course of a week. The trees 
are now almost m full foliage, the fruit bushes are 
showing an abundance of fruit, and garden produce 
generally is thriving very well indeed. The general run 
of fine weather we have been enjoying in the north has 
to some extent dissipated the fears that the crops 
would be prejudicially affected. 
A Monteviot (Roxburghshire) correspondent writing 
on May 29th, says :—Twelve degrees of frost at the 
flower gardsa here this morning, and 7° at the kitchen 
garden. Potatos are blackened, Asparagus frozen 
through, Funkias and Pentstemons frozen down. 
Calceolarias blackened, and young growths of Beech, 
"Walnut, Tulip trees, and some Pinuses all frozen black. 
We have not yet realised the amount of damage done 
to the fruit crops. 
Scotland. 
