August 25 , 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
823 
Chiswick. The white variety is often obtained by 
raising a batch of seedlings, amongst which an Albino 
frequently appears. 
Lysimachia clethroides. 
This Japanese species is the best of the white ones 
in cultivation, which are not very numerous certainly, 
as the greater number of them are yellow. The stems 
grow from 18 ins. to 3 ft. in height, and terminate in 
a stout, tapering, arching spike of white flowers—the 
spike itself under favourable conditions attaining 1 ft. 
in length. It is only under the most advantageous 
circumstances that the latter height is attained, while 
for all ordinary purposes the lower height is a con¬ 
venient one. All of the species are semi-aquatic or 
moisture-loving subjects, so that in selecting a situation 
for it this should be borne in mind, as the flowers are 
short-lived when the roots are in a dry medium. 
--> 3=o - 
THE LONDON PARKS. 
Battersea. 
Taken as a. whole, it is generally admitted that 
Battersea Park is the finest and most varied about 
London, seeing that it is heavily wooded, furnishing 
shelter to the sub-tropical garden within it, and for the 
same reason making the water appear more natural 
as it winds about and disappears behind massive clumps 
of trees, while Water Lilies, both white and yellow, 
grow luxuriantly in the quiet and sheltered recesses. 
In several places also a luxuriant vegetation of water 
plants is allowed to fringe the margin and add rusticity 
to the scene. Some rustic bridges span the narrower 
channels connecting the larger expanses of water. 
There is a great variety of trees, including Maples, 
Ashes, Oaks, Beeches, Birches, and Catalpas, with the 
smaller-growing ones in the foreground, including 
many beautiful shrubs, such as Hippoph* rhamnoides, 
Ligustrum japonicum, Negundo aceroides variegatum, 
Hibiscus syriacus, and others ; but the background is 
generally occupied with rapid-growing Willows and 
Poplars—chiefly Populus nigra, which thrives and 
shoots up with enormous vigour, not only here, but all 
over the London clay and the alluvial soil of the 
Thames valley. 
This same shelter which favours the growth and well¬ 
being of tropical and sub-tropical plants is, in a measure, 
inimical to the free-flowering character of Pelargoniums 
in a season such as the present has been, especially 
where the beds are at all shaded or under the drips, 
which the Pelargonium from the dry sunny atmosphere 
of South Africa dislikes. Those beds of Pelargoniums 
only which are best exposed in the more open places 
show a proportionate amount of bloom, although growth 
as a rule has been in excess. Two circular beds of 
tuberous Begonias, mixed with Alyssum maritimum 
and blue Lobelias, edged with Eclieverias, Golden 
Feather and Alternantheras, have grown fairly well and 
flowered freely. The tubers, although old when put 
out, have grown compact and bushy, forming a fine 
contrast to other kinds of bedding plants, and are both 
interesting and beautiful compared with Pelargoniums. 
Rose, pink, white, yellow, orange and scarlet colours 
are mixed and blend harmoniously. It is interesting 
to note that old plants grow and flower freely in wet or 
dry seasons. Two circular beds of Coleus Verschaffelti, 
edged with a yellow Pelargonium, Antennaria dioica 
tomentosa and Sempervivum tabulseforme planted near 
the Begonias, also afford a pleasant bit of colour, 
although they are formal. Another pleasing contrast 
is afforded by this same variety of Coleus, mixed with 
Centaurea candidissima, edged with Pelargoniums and 
Lobelias. 
The carpet bedding is, as a rule, not so brilliant as 
usual, but some beds well exposed on the grass are 
very good. A large, circular bed his had two nearly 
central figures of Alternanthera magnifica, and two 
side ones of A. amcena, surrounded by a scroll of 
Pyrethrum ; while the groundwork consists of Mentha 
Pulegium gibraltaricum. There are also two round 
patches of Lobelia pumila magnifica ; and the whole is 
edged with Alternanthera arnoena and Sedurn acre 
elegans. The bed is one of the most neatly finished 
and best coloured. A tropical effect is produced by a 
mixture of Ailanthus glandulosa, Acacia lophantha, 
Abutilon Thompsoni, and other large-leaved sorts, and 
Pelargonium cucullatum, edged with P. tomentosum. 
The huge hooded leaves of P. cucullatum, grown out of 
doors, are very peculiar, and the central Ailanthus has 
stems 6 ft. to 8 ft. high, bearing plumy leaves a yard 
in length. A bed of Wigandia caraeeasana, with a 
groundwork of Petunias, is also very striking, from the 
fine leaves of the former. 
Other features of interest are presented by massive 
edgings or beds of Funkia subcordata, with light green 
ribbed leUves, and of F. Sieboldi, with larger, heart- 
shaped, glaucous leaves. The mounds of Antennaria 
dioica tomentosa are very fine this season. A large old 
plant of Yucca recurva, with a five-branched head, has 
its branches terminated by as many flower stems, and 
reaching to the height of 12 ft., is now a very con¬ 
spicuous object. Nor must we forget a grand bank of 
Clematis Jackmanni, in different shades of colour, with 
other allied varieties, now a mass of bloom ; and sup¬ 
ported at the base by Lathyrus latifolius and L. 1. 
alb us. 
Hyde Park. 
The Dell is planted as usual with various fine-foliaged 
subjects such as Musa ensete, Seaforthia elegans, 
Dicksoniaantarctica, tall Cordylines, and the Traveller’s 
Tree (Ravenala Madagascarensis). Most of them have 
stood the rough weather fairly well, with the exception 
of the latter plant, whose leaves are rather torn ; their 
two-ranked arrangement gives this tropical subject a 
distinct and peculiar appearance. Along the side of 
the watercourse large masses of New Zealand Flax 
(Phormium tenax variegata), Yellow Loosestrife, and 
Elymus, a glaucous-leaved grass, are very appropriate. 
Not far from the Albert Gate, on rising ground, are two 
large and very effective beds. One is filled with the 
Coral Plant (Erythrina Crus-galli), and edged with 
Funkia ovata ; the other, a circular bed occupied by 
Musa ensete, mixed with Eucalyptus globulus, and 
edged by a massive line of Funkia Sieboldi, has a more 
tropical appearance, and being elevated on a kind of 
mound is very effective. 
The beds abutting on Park Lane are not, as far as 
the Pelargoniums are concerned, so floriferous as usual; 
but the Fuchsias, of which there are several kinds 
planted separately in beds, are in most cases well 
flowered, short-jointed, and with rather small flowers 
however. The variety Mrs. Marshall, consisting of 
plauts about 18 ins. high, is very floriferous. A bed 
of a crimson-brown and yellow, small-flowered Calceo¬ 
laria, named Sparkler, is also full of bloom. Two large 
oblong beds of Carnations, in white, crimson, yellow, 
pink and rose colours, are now most effective and worth 
seeing. A narrow, oblong bed of Abutilon Thompsoni, 
mixed with Verbena venosa, and edged with Poa trivialis 
variegata and Lobelia Earl Beaconsfield is also pretty. 
Tuberous Begonias are well represented. One oblong 
bed of mixed varieties is mixed with Viola Mrs. Turner, 
a pale lavender sort becoming nearly white on the 
lower petals, the whole being edged with a triple 
line, consisting of Veronica Andersoni variegata, 
Lobelia pumila magnifica, and Echeveria secunda 
glauca, and a very fine effect is produced by the 
harmoniously contrasted colours. Another large bed 
of Begonias, mixed with Viola Hollyrood, and edged 
as in the last case, is equally floriferous, but not so 
pretty to some tastes. A small circular bed is planted 
with Charles Baltet Begonia, a dark crimson and free- 
flowering sort, on a groundwork of Alternanthera 
and edged with Coleus refulgens, a black-leaved 
variety, and Arabis albida variegata. Some of the 
carpet beds are very neat, and those are most brightly 
coloured which stand perfectly clear of the shade of 
trees. Notwithstanding the sunless condition of the 
season, one bed is notable for its neat, dwarf and 
cheerful yellow carpet of Spergula pilifera aurea, whose 
particular soft hue reminds us of Stellaria graminea 
aurea, but it is more constant under different conditions 
than the yellow hue of that plant, which generally loses 
its colour as the summer advances. Two oblong beds 
with rounded ends are noteworthy amongst the mass 
for their variety and neatness. A central cross filled 
with Leucophyton Brownii is surrounded by Alternan¬ 
thera magnifica, A. amcena and A. paronychoides aurea 
fenced off with a line of Pachyphyton roseum. There 
are four small patches of Antennaria dioica tomentosa, 
seated in a groundwork of Herniaria glabra, studded with 
dot plants of Dracfena rubra, Sempervivum velutinum, 
S. canariense and Chamsepeuce diacantha, edged with 
a triple line of Pachyphyton bracteosum, Alternanthera 
arnoena and Cotyledon secundum glaucum. 
-- >X< -- 
otes from Scotland. 
Travelling Notes (continued from p. 807).—By 
the 6 a. m. train we left Perth, and went speedily 
onward through one of the finest agricultural districts 
in Scotland, via Stanley, “where the mavis sings so 
cheery, 0 I” admiring, as best we could from a quick¬ 
travelling train, the fine fields of Turnips and immense 
brealths of Potatos, for which the district is so justly 
famed. Onward we go through Forfarshire, where the 
crops of the same class were also excellent in appearance ; 
but the fields of half-decayed hay told their own sad 
tale. The continuous rains had rendered many a fine 
field of fodder worthless. Arriving at Idvies—the 
Forfar seat of T. D. Brodie, Esq.—at an early hour, 
and finding the gardener, Mr. McRae, at his post, we 
received a kindly welcome from the veteran who has 
long had charge of the beautiful gardens and grounds, 
and which have done him so much credit. 
Two ranges of glass—quite modern in detail, very 
useful, and to some extent ornamental—have been 
erected in Mr. McRae’s time. In a long narrow range, 
well suited for stone fruits generally, I noted well- 
clothed healthy Peaches, Apricots, and Plums. Un¬ 
heated structures are expected, of course, to give late 
supplies of fruit, and many of the trees were bearing 
most useful crops. One would suppose that the fruit, 
when ripe, would be of capital quality. Apricots—as 
generally found to he under glass—are not very manage¬ 
able, and our idea is that the best description of glass 
for them is portable lights, which could be removed 
when danger of frost is past during spring, and replaced 
when the fruit is expected to commence ripening. It 
is not merely a current of air which these fruits require, 
but perfect exposure to the atmosphere. We know the 
success attending Apricot growing when well managed 
in pots which are removed to the open air, and remain 
exposed during a great portion of the year. The nature 
of the tree requires treatment of this kind, and will 
not stand the coddling and forcing which Peaches 
thrive so well under. Royal George Peach was the 
most valued of the stock cultivated. This finds favour 
throughout Scotland, as it does with us ; but others 
are of equal merit as being free bearers of a hardy nature. 
Whenever a handsome and free-bearing fruit is 
desired we would recommend Violet Hative Peach. 
The Nectarine of the same name is also first rate. 
These useful houses at Idvies terminate with Melon 
and Cucumber houses, in which were good crops, 
some of them favourites, which probably by crossing 
varieties had become distinct on the place. Among 
our seniors we often find many “ pawky ” methods of 
securing good Melons, which gives immunity from the 
disease so trying in some parts. 
Passing through a nicely walled and well-arranged 
vegetable garden we entered another range of glass 
structures, which have been designed with consummate 
care for effect and usefulness. A corridor runs along 
the hack of a span-roofed house which stands at right 
angles from it, and the ground sloping westward gives 
facilities for a picturesque effect in the corridor, by 
flights of steps leading to various levels, and over the 
roof, forming arches, are creeping plants, or such as 
give effect by foliage and flowers, and at the time of 
our visit these were all at their best. The design 
of this range is similar to that at Floors Castle, and 
one can hardly conceive the pleasure and advantages 
derived from an arrangement of this kind, except by 
participating in them. A proprietor wishing exercise 
in retirement when the weather (as while we write) is 
inclement, can have fresh air, shade and beauty all 
around him by such an arrangement as this. It is 
really surprising how seldom one meets with glass 
structures that afford pleasant walking exercise ; here 
some excellent promenades are met with in corridors 
formed for hardy fruit growing, where pleasure and 
profit are combined. 
The spin-roofed houses referred to are two vineries 
and a spacious plant house. Grapes for late supplies 
are abundant, the bunches being of good size. Muscats 
and Hamburghs are the favourites at Idvies as well as 
elsewhere. The Vines are very healthy and vigorous, 
the terraced form of ground apparently suiting them. 
The yellow loam with a dash of sand in it is of the 
finest kind for growing Grapes or other fruit, and is 
generally used all over the district. A very sensible 
arrangement to aid the supply of vegetables is worthy 
of note. An oblong piece of ground is surrounded by 
a well-kept hedge, with wire fencing to keep out 
rabbits, &c. In this enclosure large breadths of useful 
crops are to be seen, and the usual labour so often 
expended on borders and ornamental portions in 
vegetable gardens is saved. Were we to lay out a 
garden as we wished, we would substitute glass for walls 
(the latter is so expensive and unremunerative), and 
arrange the kitchen portion so that it would not dis- 
figure°the landscape, but be more serviceable, with less 
expense to maintain it. 
Leaving Idvies by a long well-kept drive, at the end 
of which was a handsome lodge fit for comfortable 
habitation (the majority are not, and lacking in appear¬ 
ance as well), we left this very beautiful seat, and 
proceeded westward to Glamis Castle, so long associated 
with the name of our late friend, Mr. Geo. Johnstone.— 
Caledonian. 
( To be continued.) 
