788 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 11, 1888. 
THE HIG-HGATE NURSERY. 
The chief features of the conservatory or show house 
of Messrs. ¥m. Cutbush & Son at Highgate, London, 
are Palms, Dracienas and other fine-foliaged plants, 
which, although less conspicuous and showy than 
spring-flowering stuff, are, however, none the less 
useful. There is a handsome pot specimen of Dracsena 
australis about 10 ft. in height, but it is inferior in 
stature to a handsome plant, a form of D. lineata, 
measuring 15 ft. in height, and furnished with foliage 
for two-thirds of its length. Each of the latter is 
about 3 ft. or 4 ft. in length, and 2 ins. or 3 ins. broad, 
being wider, it will be seen, than in the typical form. 
There are also large specimens of Seaforthia elegans, 
Phoenix sylvestris and P. reclinata, besides a host of 
the more popular garden kinds, such as Arecas, Cocos 
and Kentias, much used in furnishing work. In bold 
relief to these is a fine plant of Yucca filamentosa 
variegata, with broad creamy white margins. Close by 
are many fine plants of Aralia Sieboldi with its 
variegated variety, and Araucaria excelsa. 
A prominent feature in another house is a quantity 
of the Otaheite Orange in fruit; while a third structure 
is devoted to seedling tuberous Begonias, Abutilons 
and Impatiens Hawkeri, all of which are very gay at 
present, the Balsam being particularly fine. Clero- 
dendron fragrans flore pleno is grown in great quantity, 
and together with Gardenia florida and G. radicans, 
fills a whole house. The latter Gardenia is now in 
flower, and although the blooms are smaller than those 
of the common Gardenia, they are very freely produced 
and deliciously fragrant. The houses are mostly low- 
roofed structures, well adapted for growing plants, and 
one of them was devoted to Lilium auratum, L. longi- 
florum, and Hydrangea paniculata, all very healthy. 
The latter Lily is now mostly out of flower. Some of 
the houses are largely devoted to the cultivation of 
Ferns, of which Adiantum Earleyense, A. cuneatum 
Pacottei, A. rhodophyllum, A. lunulatum, A. cauda- 
tum were a prominent feature, especially the first 
mentioned. A. cuneatum gracillimum and A. decorum 
are also favourites, and many of them were very highly 
coloured, especially the young fronds. The finely cut 
Onychium japonicum is largely grown from spores, 
being particularly fine in the young state. 
Stove plants include the single-flowered form of 
Tabermemontana coronaria, whose flowers are deliciously 
scented, and Gynura aurantiaca, the young foliage 
especially of which is covered with short violet hairs. 
The stems are also coloured in a similar way, while the 
tints appear to change according to the direction of the 
incident rays of lignt. Asparagus plumosus nanus, 
Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, and Dracaena gracilis are 
also grown in quantities, and very useful they are for 
decorative purposes. The narrow leaves of the latter 
are beautifully edged with red. The close but irregular 
brown markings of Yriesia hieroglyphica are very 
singular, while the plant is constitutionally much 
stronger than at one time it seemed to indicate. 
Out of doors a quantity of Peach and Nectarine trees 
are grown in pots, while a large collection of healthy, 
standard, half-standard, and dwarf wall trees of the 
same are grown against and carefully trained to a high 
brick wall. Large numbers of the variegated Negundo 
are grafted standard high and planted alongside of the 
plantations of various trees and shrubs, where they are 
now very effective. Large quantities of Box, in speci¬ 
mens, several feet in height, as well as Retinospora 
filifera, Cedrus atlantica, Cotoneaster microphylla, 
Euonymus radicans variegata, and Cupressus Lawson- 
iana are planted on the slopes of the hill-side, which 
are here rather steep in places. In the borders we 
noticed Pride of Penshurst and Souvenir de la Mal- 
maison Carnations which have just been layered. The 
continued rain has been detrimental to the well-being 
of the latter variety this year. 
-->x<-- 
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 
APPLES AND PEARS. 
The Royal Horticultural Society has just issued the 
following information with reference to the conference 
to be held at Chiswick, from October 16th to 20th :— 
In the previous conferences it was held desirable to 
secure the representation of all the varieties of Apples 
and Pears in cultivation, whether valuable or otherwise, 
so as to arrive by comparison at an estimate of their 
worth. This having been done, and duly recorded in 
the published reports, it is not now considered neces¬ 
sary to go over the same ground again. In the present 
conference it is proposed to invite the exhibition of such 
varieties only as find favour, or may be considered 
thoroughly worthy of cultivation. One object of this 
conference is to illustrate by facts and examples the 
present state and future prospects of commercial fruit 
culture in this country. It is consequently desired that 
contributors should endeavour, as far as possible, to 
furnish samples of fruits that are in favour in the 
markets of their several localities. All fruit growers 
are invited to exhibit, and the more widely the collec¬ 
tions are procured (within the limits of the schedule), 
the greater the interest the exhibition will create. 
It is very desirable that every collection should be 
accompanied with as much information as possible with 
regard to soil, exposure, and physical condition of the 
districts in which they have been grown. All fruits 
exhibited should be distinctly labelled with the name 
or names under which they may be known, and as the 
specimens sent are strictly for examination, they must 
necessarily be at the disposal of the committee if 
required. Persons willing to contribute papers bearing 
upon the subjects in hand, are requested to communi¬ 
cate with Mr. Barron at an early date, stating the 
particular subject they are prepared to treat of. 
Arrangements for reading or publisning papers will be 
made by the committee. 
All packages should be addressed to Mr. A. F. Barron, 
Royal Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, and must be 
delivered on or before Monday, the 15th of October. 
Exhibitors staging their own fruit, may do so on the 
15th or on the morning of the 16th, to be ready for the 
inspection of the committee. Notice of intention to 
exhibit must be given to Mr. Barron not later than 
"Wednesday, 10th of October, stating the class or classes 
in which it is intended to exhibit, or the amount of 
space that will be required. 
The schedule includes the following classes :—Apples: 
1. Fifty varieties of Apples most worthy of cultivation. 
2. Twenty-four varieties of Apples best adapted to the 
exhibitor’s district. 3. Twelve varieties of Apples best 
adapted to the exhibitor’s district. 4. Six varieties of 
Apples best adapted to the exhibitor’s district. 5. 
Twelve varieties of dessert Apples. 6. Twelve varieties 
of culinary Apples. 7. Six varieties of dessert Apples. 
8. Six varieties of culinary Apples. 9. Apples from 
cordon, bush, or pyramid trees (not to exceed twelve 
varieties). 10. Apples from standards in orchards (not 
to exceed twelve varieties). 11. Apples (not exceeding 
twelve varieties) grown on special stocks, of which 
particulars must be given. 12. Apples as grown and 
sent to market, one peck of each (not to exceed twelve 
varieties). 13. New, recently-introduced, or little- 
known varieties of merit. 
Pears: 1. Thirty-six varieties of Pears most worthy 
of cultivation. 2. Twenty-four varieties of Pears best 
adapted to the exhibitor’s district. 3. Twelve varieties 
of dessert Pears best adapted to the exhibitor’s district. 
4. Six varieties of dessert Pears best adapted to the 
exhibitor’s district. 5. Three to six varieties of 
culinary Pears. 6. Pears from trees on walls (not to 
exceed eighteen varieties). 7. Pears from pyramids, 
bushes, or open cordons (not to exceed eighteen 
varieties). 8. Pears from standard trees (not to exceed 
six varieties). 9. Pears as grown and sent to market, 
one peck of each (not to exceed six varieties). 10. 
New, recently-introduced, or little-known varieties of 
merit. -- 
HARDY PLANTS IN FLOWER. 
HeLENIUM PUMILTTM. 
Although not the most showy, this is an attractive 
plant in the herbaceous border just now. It is very 
floriferous and useful for cut flowers, as it stands well. 
It somewhat resembles the single Chrysanthemums, 
but instead of being flat the edges are fringed, remind¬ 
ing one of the best forms of Primulas.— E. Pumper. 
Two Good Delphiniums. 
In a list of Delphiniums published in a former number 
of The Gardening World I was sorry to see the 
two that form the subject of this note omitted— 
namely, D. belladonna and D. nudicaule. The first 
is of a lovely light blue, and has received more general 
admiration than any other hardy plant. I would 
strongly recommend anyone adding to their stock to 
grow this variety. D. nudicaule is very distinct, of an 
orange-scarlet colour, and very dissimilar to , any 
other variety I know.— E. Pumper. 
Harpalium rigidum, 
Very closely resembling the Sunflower, to which it is 
nearly allied, forms a showy subject'for the next two 
months at the back of herbaceous borders. This plant 
grows about 4 ft. in height, yielding an abundance of 
flowers for cut purposes, and which are effective when 
arranged in large vases or as single specimens, more 
especially, I think, when in close proximity to old 
china.— E. Pumper , Limerick. 
-- >X< -- 
NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES. 
Now that the season for this delicious fruit—and 
which I think the most universally liked of all fruits— 
is past, or nearly so, one naturally sees, hears and 
reads from all available sources how this and that 
variety has turned out in different localities. It was 
very interesting to mo to read the notes on p. 744 of 
The Gardening World respecting the trials of 
varieties for comparison at Chiswick. Reports like 
those coming at the present time are most opportune, 
as many amateurs and gardeners are preparing for new 
plantations, and like to try something they have not 
got. As is often the case, some varieties succeed better 
than others in different soils and situations, so that by 
continually trying fresh varieties, even if old, one often 
scores a success. Here the Strawberry crop has been 
the worst in bulk I have known during six seasons. I 
am inclined to attribute this to the severe drought of 
last season, although they were kept well watered. 
The Strawberry crop is a most important one, and 
therefore every attention was bestowed upon it. The 
soil is a rather heavy calcareous loam resting on lime¬ 
stone rock, and suffers more from drought than any I 
have yet had experience of. During dry weather 
tender things seem to get fairly burnt at the collar 
(unless mulched) by the heat of the soil when the sun 
is shining on it. Last season many Strawberry plants 
were seriously damaged, although well mulched early 
in the season in the manner indicated. Old plants 
have with me been by far the best this season— i.e ., 
those of three and four years of age. 
James Veitch is more largely grown than any other 
variety, and succeeds well here ; it equalled those of 
the same kind, as regards size, that your esteemed 
correspondent, Mr. Murphy, saw at Birdhill. President 
has been better than usual ; also Oxonian, a variety 
not so generally grown, I think, as its merits deserve, 
and which does not come in till the other varieties are 
on the wane. British Queen does nothing here ; Dr. 
Hogg will not live longer than one year, and that a 
most lingering existence ; while Pauline last year did 
well, but this season was a complete failure. 
Amongst varieties grown for the first time King of 
the Earlies deserves the highest place. I can fully 
agree with the remarks made on this bind by Mr. 
"Weller ; it came in on June 17th, three days later 
than Marguerite, and quite three times the size of 
that variety. It has no doubt a good constitution. 
The Captain is a strong grower, producing large 
handsome-shaped fruits. Sir Joseph Paxton does 
only fairly well here, whilst in a market garden not 
more than ten minutes’ walk from this it far surpasses 
every other variety. I may say that my experience of 
the crop being light is pretty general in this neigh¬ 
bourhood. I only know of three cases where a good 
crop has been secured. "We have not suffered from rain 
damaging the fruits ; in fact, the weather is much finer 
than in England, which is a rare occurrence. Other 
varieties grown here call for no special remark.— 
E. Pumper, Limerick. 
-- 
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD 
GARDENER.—II. 
In continuation of my remarks at p. 775, I may say 
that Mr. Mitchell returned to Scotland with a rare 
collection of stove and greenhouse plants, many of them 
purchased at a high figure. Of the numerous places he 
visited in London, he gives in his diary the dimensions 
of the houses, the stages, the arrangement of the plants, 
and what the men were employed at. He was not 
only successful as a plantsman, but seemed also to have 
been strong in fruit culture, for in 1812 ho was a 
successful exhibitor at the Caledonian Society of Edin¬ 
burgh, both of fruit and flowers. In 1819 he was 
elected a corresponding member of the Horticultural 
Society of London. Gardeners of those days looked up 
to that institution as being composed of men of “ light 
and leading,” and the society’s engraved form sent to 
those appointed was treasured, framed, and hung up in 
the best room. I remember often to have read the 
fine flourishing letters, and the signature of “ J. Sabine, 
secretary,” and to have wondered if I should ever see 
that famed place Chiswick. I did see it in its best 
and palmiest days many years afterwards. 
I come now to my recollection of Moncreiffe in my 
early schoolboy days. I was allowed to pass along a 
certain walk as a great favour, with the injunction to 
