662 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 16, 1888. 
Gardening Notes from Ireland. 
Glasnevin Botanic Gardens. 
What a pleasing recollection it must be for those who 
succeeded, after much “ hammering away,” in getting 
these gardens thrown open for public recreation on 
Sundays ! They must feel an abundance of pleasure to 
see the vast numbers of the citizens of Dublin who 
flock to these gardens to spend a few hours of relaxation 
and delight in the quiet enjoyment of the various 
attractions for which they have long been famous. In 
the old time, when the exclusive policy prevailed, and 
the gardens were ostensibly opened two days a week to 
the public, the attendance could be counted by the 
dozen ; but under the present broader and more en¬ 
lightened system, the visitors can be counted by the 
thousand. The unworthy fears of those who would 
exclude the people lest damage should be the result of 
their admission have not been realised, and it has been 
proved that the trust reposed in the visitors has not 
been misplaced. I am not, however, going to quarrel 
with those who kicked so hard against this reform, and 
only refer to the matter now to show what good has 
been accomplished by granting it, and that it exists as 
a precedent to rule cases of a like nature. 
As on a recent visit I took the houses in the order 
usually arranged for visitors, i shall commence with 
what was formerly known as the Round House, devoted 
to the growth of numerous varieties of tree Ferns and 
other decorative plants, which do . not call for any par¬ 
ticular notice. Next to this is the house devoted to 
some tropical Water Lilies, but in a more special 
manner to the Victoria Regina. This plant forms a 
great point of attraction for visitors, and is looking 
remarkably well at the present time, the leaves, I 
should say, being 3 ft. across. 
The Erica House. 
This house is just now filled with a miscellaneous 
collection of plants, chiefly decorative, and among 
them I saw a couple of well-grown and finely bloomed 
specimens of Azalea Maximiliana, a semi-double species; 
and one which, I think, owing to its late-blooming 
properties, ought to make a very desirable plant for 
collections. There were several varieties of Pelar¬ 
goniums in flower in this house having remarkably fine 
heads of bloom, and giving evidence of being well 
handled in their growth. Mrs. Gordon was very fine, 
as were also Daphne, a scarlet; Coquette, a peach 
colour ; Niphetos, and Queen of the Belgians ; the two 
latter splendid whites. 
A Fine Old Date Palm. 
Passing into the tall house in the centre of this range 
of glass there is to be seen a various collection of 
plants suited to a moderate temperature, such as 
Palms, &c., and of these latter there is a very re¬ 
markable old Date Palm, the stem of which at the base 
must measure between 2 ft. and 3 ft. through. The 
few leaves remaining on the top are bidding fair to 
push their way through the glass. Filling a back 
space in this house is a very large plant of Rhodo¬ 
dendron arborea, which, when in bloom, must be a 
rare sight to see. 
The Stove. 
Not many of the larger plants were showing flower 
here, but the side shelves were filled with numerous 
small-grown plants, most of them being in flower. 
There is a fine plant of Hibiscus Rosa sinensis, with 
blooms expanded to fully 6 ins. across, while the pillars 
and arches are covered with luxuriant growths of 
Bignonias and Passion Flowers. The summer bedding 
in front of this range of glass is not yet completed, but 
some of the beds which are already finished, will in due 
time form an agreeable attraction by their well-marked 
colouring. Here, too, I saw a plant of Fabiana 
imbricata in full bloom, but from its close proximity 
to the glass behind it, much of its pleasing effect was 
lost. It stands 5 ft. or 6 ft. high, and under other 
conditions would form a very attractive object indeed. 
It is well worth noting, more especially as it is a plant 
so seldom met with now-a-days. This brings me to 
The Palm and Orchid Range, 
"Where everything is so well done, that one finds it 
difficult to particularise on any single plant. The 
immense Palms, towering to such heights with a truly 
tropical luxuriance, have been so often the subject of 
comment by various writers that I think I may be 
pardoned if I do not attempt to follow where some 
able descriptive writers have already gone, and per¬ 
haps, have all failed to convey to their readers’ minds 
the mighty luxuriant growth of these Palms. Situate 
on either side of the Palm-house is a department for 
Orchids, and another for a general collection of green - 
house plants. The Orchid-house is very gay now with 
Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and various other curious and 
pleasing forms of Orchids ; while the low-roofed struc¬ 
ture, for greenhouse plants, contains a variety of useful 
and well-grown subjects. 
Double Pyrethrums. 
In a bed here I found a few plants of double 
Pyrethrums, which were nearly all of white and lilac 
colours. The flowers of the latter colour were good 
doubles, but not large ; the whites were not at all 
good in form, and I wouid say not so attractive as Mr. 
Murphy’s Mont Blanc, as described in the last issue of 
The Gardening World. At the same time, I 
believe these double Pyrethrums would give satis¬ 
faction as cut blooms, while, it must be admitted, 
their growth is too straggling for using in beds. No 
doubt but what this defect will be overcome in time 
by proper selection, and, from the good position they 
hold as border plants, they may be made amenable for 
bedding work. There is, I believe, a good future for 
the florist who turns his attention to the further 
improvement of Pyrethrums. 
Natural Orders of Plants. 
The grounds devoted to the scientific arrangement of 
plants are looking well just now, as a great variety of 
subjects are in flower. It is a pity, however, that 
efforts are not made to cover the ground better with 
plants, as the bare appearance of the soil in many of 
the classes was anything but pleasant to look upon. 
The Herbaceous Borders and Rockery. 
Leaving the Palm range behind, a walk is approached 
that divides two herbaceous borders, and leads to a 
rockery which has been erected here within the past 
few years. The borders are filled with many good 
things, some of which, I dare say, can be rarely met 
with elsewhere ; at all events, there is a collection of 
plants in these borders which I have no doubt bloom 
in succession well on from spring to winter. Con¬ 
sidering that it takes a long time to establish plants on 
a rockery, I think it may be said that it looks fairly 
well here. The ground was well chosen, and as no 
doubt it was necessary the work should be confined to 
certain limits as regards expense, there is not, perhaps, 
much room to complain ; but the site would have 
admitted of the carrying out of bolder ideas than 
appear in the present construction. 
Addison’s Walk. 
"While I am noticing this rockery improvement, it 
occurs to me to ask whether it could possibly have 
anything to do with the present dilapidated appearance 
of the historic Yews which form the avenue known as 
Addison’s Walk. I was startled at the change that 
had taken place in the appearance of these Yews, and 
I wondered whether it was time that was laying the 
hand of decay on them, or if it was the improving (?) 
hand of man that was to be held responsible for the 
apparent decline of these fine old trees. I cannot say, 
as time did not permit me to investigate the cause of 
such a regrettable result ; but I hope some day to be 
able to do so. On the low grounds near the ponds 
groups of Rhododendrons were in flower, and looked 
well when viewed from the high grounds in front of them. 
The Natural Beauty of the Grounds. 
The natural beauties which adorn the Glasnevin 
Botanic Gardens have often been dilated upon, and 
very justly so ; but the new ground that has been 
added within the past few years will, I think, still 
further increase its merits in this respect. Considering 
the immense extent of the place, and that the means 
for keeping it well are often very deficient, it reflects 
much credit on the curator, Mr. F. W. Moore, and his 
assistants, to find how orderly every department is 
managed ; for the burdens, both mental and manual, 
are of no ordinary character for those who have to carry 
on their labours under the eyes of a discriminating and 
criticising public. 
Wistaria consequana and Aristolochia sipho. 
On a low building to the right hand of the entrance- 
gate, a plant of Wistaria consequana is showing a large 
quantity of its beautiful lilac-coloured flowers. Along 
with it is growing a fine plant of Aristolochia sipho, the 
remarkable progress made by both plants this season 
being, no doubt, due to the hot dry summer of last 
year. I have dealt only in a summary way with a few 
of the more prominent points as they presented them¬ 
selves to my mind during a rather hurried visit ; but, 
as a rule, I prefer my remarks to bear a general 
character, unless where I can judge that details would 
be instructive and interesting. 
Peat-moss Litter as a Manure. 
The general use of peat-moss litter for manuring 
purposes, both on the farm and garden, makes it 
incumbent on persons using it, to watch its effect on 
the different crops. Used on fruits, vegetables, or 
farm crops, I believe it has been found to be most 
beneficial in its action, but as regards its application 
to flowering plants, the perfume of which is often their 
chief recommendation, its use ought to be tested. A 
curious experience on this point .was related a little 
while ago by a gentleman who used it in large quantities 
for his bedding plants. No doubt the quantity used 
was immoderate, but while he found Mignonette, 
Heliotrope, and a few other fragrant-smelling plants 
grew perfectly strong and healthy, they, at the same 
time, had completely lost their perfume. I should be 
glad if this point were made a subject of investigation, 
to prove if this gentleman was correct in his conclusions. 
We know the peat to be a powerful deodorizer, but 
whether it possesses the property so strongly as 
attributed to it in this case, is a question worth solving. 
— W. D. 
-——->x<-- 
NOTES FROM AMERICA. 
( Continued from p. 645 ). 
Messrs. Siebrecht & Wadley’s, New York.— My 
previous notes having been confined to private establish¬ 
ments, by way of a change, I will to-day say something 
about one of the trade places. The firm of Messrs. 
Siebrecht & Wadley carries on a very extensive business 
at 409, Fifth Avenue, the leading fashionable thorough, 
fare of New York, and to their establishment I paid a 
visit a few days before Easter, which is always a very 
busy time with the florists of America. At that time 
everybody wants flowers, aud all who can afford to buy 
them, have them. The shop is a large one, and in 
front of it I found a fine display of florists’ flowers 
nicely arranged. Hydrangeas were well done, the 
plants being dwarf and compact, many of them bearing 
a dozen good heads in 24 and 32-sized pots. Spiraeas, 
Deutzias, Genistas, Hyacinths, Tulips, and Roses were 
there in great quantities, aud all suitable for decorative 
purposes. The windows of the establishment were gay 
with Azaleas, Rhododendrons, &c., in the plant way, 
and grand vases full of magnificent cut flowers of 
Roses, such as American Beauty, a great favourite 
here, General Jacqueminot, Anna Diesbach, Puritan, 
Magna Charta, The Bride, &c. ; Lily of the Valley, 
Violet Marie Louisa, the one variety that takes here ; 
Tulips, &c., and suspended from lines high up were 
numerous Orchids in flower, and growing either on 
blocks or in baskets. 
Inside, on the left, Azaleas, &c., were grouped, the 
whole being fronted with a fine band of Orchids, in 
a setting of Lycopodium, The graceful Asparagus 
tenuissimus was also used to great advantage, its long 
growths hanging gracefully among the plants and 
flowers ; and the whole made up a display which was 
the admiration of all the visitors. At the rear of the 
shop is a conservatory or Palm house, the roof of which 
was completely destroyed on March 12th by the ever- 
memorable blizzard. Many valuable plants, which it 
would be most difficult to replace, iu the way of tree 
Ferns and Palms, were entirely destroyed. It was, 
however, soon repaired and put into good order in time 
for the Easter sales. In the centre were some very 
handsome Palms, Ferns and Pandanads, and on the 
side stages were masses of Lilium Harrisii, and L. longi- 
florum grown in 32-sized pots, and averaging from 
five to ten flowers on stems varying from 2 ft. 
to 5 ft. in height. Hydrangeas, Azaleas, and similar 
plants to those enumerated were here by the hundred, 
and as the plants are sold they are at once ticketed 
with the name and address of the purchaser and re¬ 
moved to other houses, from whence they are despatched 
to their new homes. The prices obtained for Easter 
flowers were as follows :—Cut flowers : Roses, Teas, 5s. 
to 15s. per dozen; IP. P.’s, 15s. to 40s. per dozen; 
Lily of the Valley, per dozen sprays, 3s. to 4s.; Easter 
Lilies, such as L. Harrisii and L. longifolium, 16s. per 
dozen flowers; Violets, 4s. to 6s. per 100 ; Freesia 
refraeta alba, 2s. per dozen. Plants : Liliums, from 
4s. to 16s. each ; Hydrangeas, 5s. to 20s. each ; Azaleas, 
5s. to 20s. each ; Hyacinths, 12s. to 18s. per dozen ; 
Tulips, 4s. per dozen and upwards ; while sprays of 
Asparagus tenuissimus, 4 ft. to 5 ft. long, and Smilax 
(Myrsiphyllum asparagoidcs), 5s. to 10s. a spray. A 
number of hands are kept here, and from the quick and 
dexterous manner in which they mike up bouquets, 
sprays, and floral designs, it is evident that they are 
no novices at the work. So much for the town 
establishment. 
