38 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September^20, 1890. 
time reminds one of fairer climes, were well summed 
up on the 10th inst., by the Rev. Canou Barker, 
rector of Marylelione, who speaks with an experience 
of thirty-five years. Pie avers that the salubrity of its 
climate, and the beauty of its scenery, have a glory 
of a certain kind not to be excelled even by the 
Engadine. 
Such testimony, from such a source, should have its 
effect, and when the multiplication of villa residences 
ensues, we shall perhaps be able to record, in greater 
detail, more attraction for and deeper sympathy with the 
floral art. As I intend visiting two or three of the 
principal gardens here, my notes of them may be 
acceptable. [Yes.— Ed.]. — C. B. G., Acton, JV. 
-- 
SPIRAL CELLS IN SEEDS. 
Spiral structures of various forms are often found in 
plants—for instance, in the stem of the Melon, in the 
leaf-stalk of the Rhubarb, in the wood of the Yew, in 
the leaf of an Orchid (Saccolabium), and in the testa 
(outer coat) of certain seeds. 
When the seeds of Collomia grandiflora and C. rosea 
(order, Polemoniacere) are placed in water the spiral 
cells are set free, and they envelop the seed with a 
mucilaginous coat. The liberation of the spiral cells can 
be easily seen by anyone who possesses a microscope, and 
carries out the following instructions First cut a thin 
section of a seed, place it on a glass slip, and lay over 
it a thin cover-glass. Now place the slip on the stage, 
which must be in a horizontal position, screw on a low 
power objective, and arrange a good dark ground illumi¬ 
nation, either by means of a parabole, spot-lens, or ob¬ 
lique light from the mirror. With careful manipulation 
let a drop of water run under the cover-glass; the instant 
the water touches the testa of the seed the spiral cells 
will burst forth, when the sight is grand. So suddenly 
does this take place that it is necessary to look at the 
section whilst the water is running in, or else the 
observer will be too late, and only see the seed sur¬ 
rounded by a floeculent mass of spiral cells. 
The explanation of this wonderful sight may be stated 
thus : The spiral cell or fibre is enclosed in a cell 
filled with a gummy substance. The membrane of 
this outer cell is so weak, and the elasticity of the 
spiral cell so great, that the action of water causes the 
membrane to burst ; the gum is dissolved and the 
spiral cell set free. The gummy substance in the 
cell being insoluble in spirits of wine, advantage can be 
taken of this by first letting some spirit run under the 
cover-glass, and then gradually dilute with water until 
the spiral fibres burst forth. The seeds of Salvia 
Yerbenaca and Wild Clary also contain spiral cells, 
and may be used instead of Collorma. 
The seeds of Salvia were formerly used for eye 
complaints, but I do not know anything about their 
medicinal properties. These seeds may be obtained 
from any seedsman for a few pence. They are well 
worth the trouble of getting, as the sight is not only 
interesting to the botanist, but to his friends who 
enjoy an occasional peep through the microscope at 
the wondrous works of nature.— B. T. B. 
-- 
CHINA ASTERS AT CHISWICK. 
A large number of these showy annuals are now on 
trial in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society 
at Chiswick, and have been at their best for some time. 
They represent many coloured varieties belonging 
mostly to old and well-known races or strains, with the 
exception, perhaps, of the Double German Crown Aster, 
also known as the Cockade, and the Comet Aster. 
Some of the kinds are far more floriferous than others ; 
but the cold wet summer which has just passed has been 
unfavourable to them, more particularly the Dwarf 
Victoria Asters, some of the line's of which are blanky 
owing to the little growth made, while some of them 
have died out. Looked at from a short distance, the 
square which they occupy presents a varied and gay 
appearance, owing to the blending of so many lively 
hues. The only thing which detracts from the general 
effect is that dwarf kinds alternate with tall ones 
instead of being arranged in a graduated series with 
the tallest at the hack, as they would be if planted 
solely for decorative effect in beds or borders. 
One of the showiest, most floriferous, and therefore 
most useful for decorative purposes is the Victoria 
strain. The plants mostly all attain the average 
height of 1 ft., with ascending branches each terminating 
in a large and solitary head. The florets are regularly 
and closely imbricated and horizontal, or slightly 
recurved. Names are given to each variety indicating 
the colour merely ; but such names are often misleading 
if translated literally. For instance, that named Dark 
Scarlet is really an intense red, there being no such 
colour as a real scarlet in the genus. Indigo on a white 
ground has its flowers tinted in that fashion while yet 
young, but they ultimately change to a deep purple. 
That named Brown Violet is a deep purple. Peach 
Blossom is of a soft pink ; Rose Margined has a white 
edge to the florets, as occurs also in Carmine, Light 
Blue, and Dark Blue. These edged varieties bear a 
considerable resemblance to the Comet Aster. There 
is also a pretty uniformly lilac variety named Light 
Blue. A few white and purple rogues occur amongst 
that named Lilac. Azure Blue ultimately fades almost 
white. The heads of Violet are tinted with azure in 
the centre when expanding, but ultimately become 
almost uniform. White and Carmine-Rose are also 
good varieties. A large breadth is occupied by 
this strain, and the quantity of bloom is very 
effective. 
Next in importance, perhaps, are Truffaut’s Pseony- 
fiowered Perfection Asters. The stems are erect, about 
12 ins. to 15 ins. high, each branch bearing a smaller 
head of flowers than in the case of the Victoria Asters. 
The outer florets are inclined to be spreading, while the 
inner ones are more or less incurved, but the character 
seems to vary in different varieties, and in some the 
florets are distinctly but loosely recurved. That named 
Fiery Scarlet is intense crimson-red, and like Rose, 
White, Azure Blue, and Lilac is very effective. 
Brownish Violet and Dark Purple are similar in hue 
and of the latter colour. Colours repeat themselves in 
the different strains, for Light Violet, Light Crimson, 
and Rose have white edges to the florets, as occurred 
amongst the Victoria Asters. An additional interest 
is given to the heads of the Lilac variety in the tips of 
the florets being of a silvery white. 
The Dwarf Victoria Asters vary from 1 ins. to 6 ins. 
in height, but are generally considerably under the 
latter figure. Many varieties are cultivated. As 
already stated, the season seems to have been unfavour¬ 
able to them, and a few rogues as to colour may be 
detected amongst them. Some of the kinds are 
distinct and showy, but would be seen to much better 
advantage if planted sufficiently close to cover the 
ground, or as edgings to beds, where they would come 
immediately under the eye. That named Dark Scarlet 
is an intense red and very floriferous. Dark Blue, Rose, 
and a deep violet-blue variety named Black Blue are 
good varieties, and, together with Dark Scarlet, have 
done better than a large number of other dwarf sorts. 
The double German Crown Asters constitute a 
distinct and pretty strain, the characters of which are 
that the florets are quilled or partly so, and of whatever 
shade of colour the outer part of the head may be the 
centre is white. The plants are floriferous and erect, 
except in more favourable seasons, when thejpeduncles 
elongate greatly, and become partly weighed down by 
the weight of the head. At present they vary from 
8 ins. to 14 ins. in height. Some]of the more notable 
colour varieties are Dark Crimson, Blackish Blue, 
Light Blue, Brown Violet, Rose and Lilac-red. 
The different varieties of dwarf Chrysanthemum 
Asters vary from 6 ins. to 10 ins. in height, and in 
many cases are extremely floriferous with masses of 
large heads. The florets are spreading and recurved 
at the tip. That labelled Rose is extremely floriferous, 
while other fine kinds are Fiery Scarlet, Rose striped 
with White, Carmine, Light Blue, Dark Blue, White, 
Lilac shaded with White, and Apple Blossom. Very 
attractive and pretty are two kinds, named respectively 
Light Blue and Dark Violet, both of which have the 
florets distinctly edged with white. 
The new Liliputian Aster is a strain with small 
quilled flower heads, which are rendered very pretty on 
account of their large number. The stem grows about 
10 ins. or 12 ins. high, branches freely, and like the 
others, bears a single head on each branch. That 
named Crimson is a deep red, and the heads resemble 
those of the old quilled red Daisy, but are about twice 
as large. White with Crimson Centre is another very 
pretty kind, as are White with a Rose Centre, Rose, 
and White. A bed arranged with the different varieties 
could be made to appear very attractive. 
The Dwarf Queen Aster is something in the way of 
the Dwarf Chrysanthemum strain, and produces large 
showy heads on dwarf stems. The strain includes^ 
number of distinct colours, such as blue, rose, white, 
purple and dark blue. The flower heads are solid and 
regular, with flat florets recurved at the tips. For 
general decorative purposes and pot work the varieties 
of this strain would, judging from the present appear¬ 
ances of both kinds, be more satisfactory and useful 
an the Dwarf Victoria Asters. 
The Giant Emperor Strain includes a considerable 
number of kinds that are noticeable for the size of their 
flower heads, which are produced from four to six as a 
rule on each plant. The latter grows about a foot in 
height. The finer and more distinct varieties are 
named Deep Azure Blue, Brilliant Rose, White, Crim¬ 
son and Violet respectively. That named Light Blue 
is evidently synonymous with Violet, for both are of 
the same colour and equally good. 
The Comet Aster is generally characterised by the 
florets of whatever colour being edged with white, but 
this is not invariably constant. The flower heads are 
also of great size, and when in their best condition and 
true to type are very effective. The varieties are not 
yet very numerous, but a Light Blue and a Soft Pink 
edged with white are noticeable. The colours in both 
cases are delicate and pretty. They vary from 6 ins. to 
10 ins. high. The Triumph Aster is a dwarf strain, 
varying from 3 ins. to 6 ins. high, and bearing few 
(5—9) relatively large, deep crimson-red flower heads. 
-- 
AXWELL PARK. 
The seat of Sir Henry Augustus Clavering, Bart., is 
situated on the south-east side of the river Tyne, about 
four miles west of the city of Newcastle. The park is 
some hundred acres in extent, and contains some 
magnificent specimens of Oaks, Beech, Sycamore, &c., 
and is well stocked with deer. A large portion is 
covered with bracken, and at the time of my visit 
(September 6th) looked perfectly charming—just 
turning from bright green to bronze—and from 4 ft. 
to 5 ft. in height. Splendid views are obtained from 
from the higher portion of the park of the river Tyne— 
it being spanned about a mile distant by the Scotswood 
Chain Bridge, one of the finest structures of the kind 
in the north of England—and the surrounding country. 
Having had the pleasure of visiting this place annually 
for some dozen years or more, and finding such a 
marvellous improvement in the gardens, which are 
rather extensive, I cannot refrain from making a few 
remarks, if you can find space in your valuable journal 
for their insertion. 
The kitchen-garden is surrounded by walls, which 
are furnished with Pears, Plums, Apricots, Cherries, 
&c., all in grand condition. It is a picture of neatness, 
the walks being asphalted, and around the sides 
are pyramidal Apples and Pears, nearly every tree 
bearing fruit—unfortunately an uncommon occurrence 
this season. The predominating varieties of Apples 
were Lord Suffield and Cellini. Before leaving the 
kitchen-garden I must not neglect to mention the 
grand lot of Chrysanthemums which are being prepared 
for their winter quarters. Mr. Bollam is a successful 
cultivator of this beautiful flower. 
The range of hothouses, about 100 yards in length, 
is divided into several compartments, comprising early 
and late vineries, Peach-houses, and in the centre of 
the range, an orchard-house, 60 ft. by, 40 ft., in which 
is a large variety of Pears, Plums, &c., grown in pots and 
laden with fruit. The best kinds of Pears I noticed 
were Marie Louise, Williams’ Bon ChretieD, Brock 
worth Park, and Clapp’s Favourite. The houses of 
late Grapes were very fine, containing Lady Downe’s, 
Muscat of Alexandria, Alicante, &c. 
On the south side of the kitchen garden is a mixed 
border of herbaceous plants, dwarf Roses, and summer¬ 
flowering Chrysanthemums 150 yards in length, about 
2 yards wide, with an S ft. grass path running through 
the centre. Large clumps of Anemone Honorine 
Joubert (in some instances 4 ft. in height and 3 ft. in 
diameter), Harpalium rigidum, Spircea palmata, 
Phloxes, and all the most hardy plants in cultivation, 
formed altogether one of the finest hardy floral 
displays I have beheld this season. 
The flower-gardon, situated in close proximity to the 
head-gardener’s residence, is about an acre in extent. 
The beds are cut out on grass, and contain the usual 
kinds of summer bedding plants, which were then most 
gay and the colours well blended. Anyone inclined to 
visit this beautiful place, will find Mr. Bollam (the 
head gardener) most courteous and obliging, and every 
credit is due to him for the admirable manner in which 
the gardens are kept. 
It may be interesting to some to know the following 
historical associations connected with the Clavering 
family :—Sir William Dugdale, in his Baronetage, 
states that it is remarkable that in the short space of 
six generations, there were amongst the descendants of 
Eva, Baroness Clavering, the following illustrious 
personages a King of England, a Queen of England, 
a Duchess of York, a Duchess of Clarence, a Duke of 
