August 18, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
807 
were certificated last year. Some of the plants of 
Horsefield’s Prelude are 10 ft. high and still growing 
vigorously. The bunches are large and most evenly 
set, not only at the base, but along the whole length of 
the stems, independently of the bad weather. It is 
likely 7 ’ to become a great favourite in private establish¬ 
ments, as it is a beautiful little Tomato, and sets 
better than any other. Early Scarlet Tennis Ball is an 
oblong or oval kind, of free-fruiting habit and better 
quality than Chiswick Red, which it somewhat 
resembles. Hathaway’s Excelsior is a medium-sized 
smooth fruit of American origin, and a pretty Tomato, 
but sets rather shyly. The only other variety planted 
in any quantity is Golden Queen, a smooth, yellow, 
rather deep fruit, and ribbed at the base only. It is 
one of the best for preserving purposes, and retains its 
fine yellow colour. 
The trial collection proper is grown in another 
structure, which was formerly used as a Fig house, and 
is very suitable for the present purpose. There is a 
large number of varieties, but many of them have little 
or nothing to recommend them in face of such valuable 
kinds as are now in cultivation. The varieties above 
mentioned are represented in the trial collection, and 
need not be repeated here. Notable for their enormous 
size are Cranston Giant and Rose-fruited Giant, which 
recall the variety President Garfield. The first has a 
scarlet, flat fruit, very much ribbed at the base, and 
more or less hollowed out or umbilicate at the apex. 
The size and colour of the second-mentioned sort is 
well expressed in the name ; but although a fruit of 
enormous weight it is very much ribbed, and we do 
not admire it. 
"Well-known sorts that carry with them their own 
recommendation are Reading Perfection, Hackwood 
Park Prolific and Ne Plus Ultra, the latter being a 
medium or large-sized fruit of a deep crimson-scarlet, 
smooth and beautiful, but liable to split as it becomes 
mature. A medium-sized, round, smooth, dark crimson, 
good-cropping sort is "Williams’ Red King, and the 
same might be said of Optimus, a large, crimson-red, 
smooth fruit. The former is liable to split, and so is 
The Hovey, a deep scarlet fruit, which is tinted with 
rose when young. A fine variety is New Jersey, which 
has large crimson-scarlet smooth fruits that set pretty 
evenly all over the plants. Moore’s Gem and Advancer 
are handsome fruits of medium size ; the former is 
shortly oblong or roundish, and somewhat given to 
splitting. Highbury Prolific is a fairly good cropper, 
with smooth, round, very deep fruit, which is crimson- 
scarlet in colour. Much in the way of Chiswick Red 
is King Humbert, an oblong, crimson, smooth, and 
very heavy cropper, but rather thick-skinned, and not 
particularly good for cooking purposes on that account. 
King of the Earlies is rightly named, and is slightly 
flattened and sometimes corrugated at the base. 
Amongst yellow varieties, besides Golden Queen, that 
call for attention here are Prince of Orange, a medium¬ 
sized smooth variety, and Blenheim Orange, a new sort 
of large size, more or less tinted or suffused with orange. 
Ribbed or corrugated varieties are plentiful, some of 
the best of which we noted. They generally prove 
hardier and more fruitful when grown out of doors 
than the finer kinds, and are to be recommended on 
that account. "With the exception of Rose Fruited 
Giant, and Filden, Thomson’s Excelsior is perhaps the 
largest-fruited sort of the corrugated kinds, and is now 
fruiting heavily. A moderately strong grower is 
Powell’s Early, with medium or large, deep crimson 
corrugated fruits. Very similar in appearance are 
Large Red Round and Large Red Ribbed, both being 
rather flattened corrugated fruits of good size, and 
both are heavy croppers, as well as The Rochester, 
which is much smoother and crimson-red, but distinctly 
tinted with rose before being ripe. Santa Casarina is a 
crimson-scarlet, flattened and corrugated fruit, and 
bears well. 
Amongst those varieties that may be described as 
decidedly small, a few fruit well and look very pretty, 
while at the same time some would prove serviceable 
in private establishments, where variety for the table 
is desired. Little Gem is one of these, having small, 
smooth, deep crimson fruits, with a thin membraneous 
skin and rather liable to split. Similar is Hundred 
Day, with small, flattened, corrugated fruits, somewhat 
unbilicate at the apex, and very prolific. Red and 
Yellow Cherry have fruits about the size of a Cherry, 
and coloured as the name describes ; these are prolific 
and showy plants. A great curiosity is Turk’s Turban 
Scarlet, with small crimson fruit, produced in great 
abundance, corrugated at the base and proliferated at 
the apex ; it is singular, but we fear, few would grow 
it except out of curiosity. 
otes from Scotland. 
Travelling 1 Notes. —Unpropitious as the season 
has been, and gardening supposed to be in its meanest 
garb when it should be at its best, does not deter 
note-takers from wandering abroad and following up 
their hobby. At all seasons, however, there is much 
which interests the lover of beautiful landscapes, and 
for the purpose of gratifying a propensity of that 
character the writer has resently made a detour through 
some of the most beautiful domains in Scotland. 
Emerging from the village station of Forteviot, in Perth¬ 
shire, we walked some miles to see the romantic 
and very beautiful scenery in the private grounds of 
Invermay, 
Not without a struggle to conquer the irresistible 
desire, however, of turning into Dupplin Castle grounds 
on the left, with the extensive gardens and wide sheets 
of glass visible in the distance, so ably superintended 
by Mr. Browning, head gardener to Lord Kinnoul. 
Strong reasons prompted us to go to Invermay, and 
the purpose of our visit was well repaid by the 
long drive from the high road, through undulating 
surfaces enlivened by rippling streams, wild Ferns, 
gigantic trees, and beautiful views far into the high¬ 
lands, from some points at least. 
In the private grounds there are cliffs, deep ravines- 
precipices, rocks, and Ferns which could not fail to 
delight the most romantic taste. Old Yews forming 
boundaries to walks, which must have been growing for 
centuries ; the remains of an old mansion, standing in 
weird form, is truly in character with the ancient 
surroundings. It is pleasing and refreshing, too, to 
know that such a grand old place is not defaced by the 
gardener's art, which is too often allowed to intrude, 
and, we might say, deface what is beautiful and in¬ 
teresting. How often grotesque attempts at rockeries 
and other hideous abortions are met with in such places 
as Invermay, which are rendered insignificant beside 
Nature’s gigantic beauties to be met with on all sides. 
There are, however, at Invermay (in proper positions 
around the stately mansion), spacious lawns, walks in 
abundance (and intricate, too), so that one can admire 
the beauties of the river, and scan the rugged scenery 
through which it flows, often concealed by overhang¬ 
ing Ferns, and many plants which give grace and 
beauty to the picture. 
Here are dense forests of gigantic trees—many noble 
specimens—which are so abundant in Perthshire, a 
county in which forestry has long been understood and 
liberally supported by the numerous proprietors, and 
that art has been well patronised at this beautiful seat. 
From our earliest recollections we have often heard of 
the fame of the forestry of the district: a father and two 
uncles, having served apprenticeship there, often gave 
graphic descriptions of such pictures as we had the 
privilege of seeing. Mr. Mackie, who has charge of 
the estate as well as the gardens, was from home, but 
we made a hurried run through the vegetable garden, 
where the lateness of the season and the cold rains 
were manifested in a less degree than one from further 
south could have conceived. Yegetables were abun¬ 
dant—Peas not filling, however, as well as could be 
wished ; good crops of Apples and Pears were to be 
seen on many of the trees, and some kinds of Plums 
on the walls were represented by good crops. 
Passing through the glass structures, now very old 
and which may be renewed ere long, we noticed a large 
Vine filling a house, and bearing an enormous crop of 
Grapes—bunches of the Hampton Court size. This old 
plant, we would suppose to be a centenarian, had been 
planted in close proximity to an existing flue, and 
how the roots have found food to support such a 
plant and great crops of fruit is difficult to conceive. 
Plants in other structures, grown chiefly for decorative 
purposes, were healthy and of the useful class and size. 
Leaving the gardens, and kindly conducted through 
shady paths eastward, through fine park and forest 
scenery, we found a direct road leading to 
Freelands, 
A place widely and favourably known for its collections 
of Orchids, Mr. Routledge, the head gardener, being a 
most enthusiastic and successful cultivator of them. 
We were fortunate in finding that gentlemen in the 
midst of his pets, and he most kindly showed his 
stock, conversing the while in the most felicitous 
manner on their habits, beauty, and value. If there is 
any suggestion we could make to improve the choice 
selection of plants, it would be to extend—more than 
double—the glass accommodation, as each structure is 
crowded with healthy vigorous plants requiring room 
to extend themselves, and show their inflorescence. 
It is, however, too general that Orchids have not their 
requirements provided, and have to battle on under 
adverse circumstances. Odontoglossums have special 
consideration, being represented by a houseful of good 
healthy plants, and the cool airy treatment which they 
receive suits them admirably. 
Cypripediums are special, and the whole collection 
was in fine condition. Dendrobiums are grown largely, 
and D. densifiora is a favourite ; some fine plants are 
among the stock. D. Wardianum is well represented, 
and greatly valued—a species which no one fails to 
thoroughly admire ; D. Devonianum, D. Jamesianum, 
and the old D. nobile are among the favourites. A 
fine lot of Calanthes by themselves on a stage are more 
robust than generally met with ; the foliage on the 
huge bulbs is very large, and many are showing up 
their flower spikes. Lafiias hold a prominent place, 
and their health show's that the attention given them 
is of the right kind. At the back of a greenhouse a 
most attractive lot of Disa grandiflora were at their 
best. The mass of brilliant flowers w 7 as most attractive, 
and in a most creditable condition. 
There are other structures for plants at Freelands, 
apart from Orchids, in which flowering and fine-foliaged 
plants are cultivated, besides structures for fruit 
growing, but the Orchids hold the primary position. 
A new vegetable garden was made some years ago, and 
the old one is still retained as a fruit garden. The 
vegetable crops were good for such a season, and 
Apples were plentiful on many of the trees, but as 
usual under such conditions they were confined to 
certain sorts. An herbaceous border running the 
w'hole length of the garden was exceedingly gay. 
Potentillas of the best of their class w 7 ere a splendid 
feature. This too is an old place, and much has been 
done to renovate the ’policies by judicious planting, 
while all the ancient features are retained. The new 
addition does not crowd or interfere with them in the 
least. Thankful for much courtesy and kindness from 
Mr. Routledge w 7 e proceeded eastward to visit our 
old friend Mr. Bisset, at 
Moncreiffe House, 
But like so many gardeners of the district he has duties 
wide and important, apart from horticulture. We had 
the misfortune to choose Friday for our visit to Mon- 
creifl’e, and Mr. Bisset was at market, but did not fail 
to take a rapid walk through part of the beautiful 
grounds, and had an inspection of the garden too. 
We need not take up space describing what has been 
so well done already at such a recent date, but cannot 
close without referring to one object, which was worthy 
a long journey to see, viz., a line of Gloire de Dijon 
Roses trained on espaliers, running the whole length 
of the vegetable garden, and such a mass of in¬ 
florescence of that grand Rose probably cannot be 
equalled in Scotland ; on the side next the sun they 
were hanging in masses. Roses generally were good, 
and this sight is such as we consider the highest 
remuneration which can be awarded us for taking a 
long railway journey, and walking about fifteen miles 
across country one sultry day in August. 
We afterwards went to Perth and took note of the 
splendid improvements which have taken place of late 
years, in the formation of beautiful villas along the 
face of the hills, and the beautiful shrubs by which the 
gardens around them are adorned.— Caledonian. 
(To be continued.) 
Woodside Show, Aberdeen. —The eighth 
annual exhibition and competition of flowers, fruit and 
vegetables, under the auspices of the Woodside Horti¬ 
cultural Society, was held on the 4th inst. in the 
Central Park, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen. The entries 
this year, which numbered nearly 600, were fewer 
than last, but the quality of the exhibits, considering 
the lateness of the season, was very good. The heavy 
rains of the previous days had the effect of considerably 
damaging some of the plants and cut flowers, which 
would have looked better had they had a little sunshine. 
The show was divided into two sections. The first 
division was confined to professionals and market 
gardeners, and the second to the working class. Some 
of the exhibits of the latter section compared very 
favourably with those of the professional competitors. 
Elgin Horticultural Society. — The third 
annual show, under the auspices of the Elgin Town and 
County Horticultural Society, was held in the Town 
Hall, Elgin, on Friday, the 10th inst. The show was 
very creditable considering the adverse season for 
flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The entries were slightly 
under those of last year in number, but the competitors 
had increased. The success of the show was largely 
due to the exertions of the energetic and obliging 
secretary, Mr. Macpherson. The hall, from its size, 
and through its being so well lighted, was admirably 
adapted for a floral display, and the exhibitors took 
advantage of this, arranging the tables in a tasteful and 
effective style. The show was open to gardeners, 
amateurs, and cottagers, and there was a good repre¬ 
sentation in all the classes, particularly in that of the 
first-named two. 
