134 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 1, 1890. 
these gases and is such a powerful irritant. All its 
particles seem to be coated with the soot, sulphur, and 
other deleterious matters which are being constantly 
poured into the air by the thousands of chimneys and 
factories in our neighbourhood. The soot is easily 
traced by the blackening of the face, hands, and what¬ 
ever else is exposed to the weather, and we all know 
how the eyes, nostrils, and throat suffer when the fog 
is an old and cold one, to say nothing of the tale which 
is told by the Registrar-General's return of the increase 
in the number of deaths from lung diseases. Both 
these evils are intensified when the weather is intensely 
cold as well as foggy, for then every room has its fire 
lighted for warmth. Gas is used for light, and the air 
so vitiated finds its way into every nook and cranny, no 
matter what steps are taken to keep it out. Theatres 
and large public meeting rooms become full of it, and 
the people at one end of the hall are scarcely able even 
to see those at the other. 
-- 
THE MOUNTAIN ASH. 
This is one of the most prolific fruit-bearing species of 
the genus Pyrus. It is an elegant tree of medium size, 
with an erect stem, smooth bark, and on the whole 
a round head. The leaves are pinnated, 4 ins. or 6 ins. in 
length, and slightly resemble those of the Ash. It is 
Pyrus aucuparia, the Fowler’s Pyrus. The snow-white 
flowers are produced in large clusters in the month of 
May, which are thickly scattered over the surface of 
the tree, and impart to it a lively appearance. They 
are succeeded by numerous bunches of berries, which 
in autumn turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are then 
highly ornamental. It is eaten in some districts of 
Scotland and "Wales. In some parts of the north of 
Europe the berries are dried and ground into flour, and 
used as a substitute for the flour of "Wheat in a time of 
scarcity. In Russia a tincture is formed of the fruit, 
which is highly esteemed as a stomachic, and is made 
by filling a small cask two-thirds full of the berries, 
whicfl have been picked and cleaned. It is then filled 
up with any strong spirits, as gin, brandy, or rum, and 
allowed to stand in a cold cellar for twelve months, 
when it is run off from the fruit, it being completely 
impregnated with its colour and flavour. A glass of this 
liquor is taken each forenoon during the winter months, 
which causes a glow over the whole body. An excellent 
jelly is also made with the fruit, which, after being picked 
clean, are put into a large jar, and placed either in an 
oven or a saucepan of boiling water until they part with 
the juice. They are then strained through a sieve, but 
not pressed, and the juice, after being weighed, is boiled 
with an equal weight of loaf-sugar till it is of the 
proper consistence. This is_ admirably adapted for 
eating with venison, game, or mutton, instead of red 
currant jelly, and has a peculiar astringent flavour, 
which is very agreeable. I give these particulars on 
the authority of Dr. Hogg. The berries are a great 
favourite with the birds, and they form the autumnal 
food of some of them, and they apparently feed upon 
them before they touch any other berries. The 
Mountain Ash grows vigorously in this country, and 
especially in Scotland, where it will reach a height of 
35 ft. to 40 ft., and where it is known as the Roan or 
Rowan or Roddon tree. It is the badge of the clan 
McLachlan. 
In the days when superstition was rife among the 
lower classes in this country, the Mountain Ash was 
held in great veneration, and even to this day the 
country people in the Highlands of Scotland and in 
"Wales regard it with some degree of reverence or dread, 
as a spell against the power of fairies, witches and evil 
spirits. In Scotland, branches of it are hung over 
doorways, and in stables and cow houses ; some carry 
a piece about their person as a charm against the effect 
of witchcraft and enchantment. The dairymaid will 
drive the cows to pasture with a rod of the Rowan tree, 
and in Strathspey, on the 1st of May, all the sheep 
and lambs are caused to pass through a hoop made of 
the wood, both morning and evening. In Wales, the 
Mountain Ash is frequently planted in churchyards, 
and on a certain day in the year the people wear a cross 
made of the wood as a preservative against fascination 
and evil spirits. It would appear to have been 
regarded in a religious light by the Druids, as it is 
said some old stumps may still be found growing about 
Druidical circles. 
Some writers are now calling attention to the value 
of the Mountain Ash as a street tree. It is certainly 
of ornamental growth, it is attractive when in blossom, 
and particularly so by August, when the large clusters 
of berries take on their charming colour. Then it is 
persistent in leafage. In the district where I live, 
where the Mountain Ash does remarkably well, the 
trees of it are as well clothed with leaves as any other 
of our deciduous trees. It is interesting to note how 
seedlings vary. Just opposite my residence are two trees 
standing in a fore-court garden, evidently seedling 
varieties, for they are essentially different in character. 
One has an erect growth with dark foliage, and it comes 
into leaf and flower several days earlier than the other ; 
the latter is of a more spreading growth, lighter in the 
colour of the leaves, and later in flowering ; and yet in 
spite of their differing characteristics they match and 
harmonise exceedingly well. They are now denuded 
of berries. The birds—apparently blackbirds and 
thrushes—commenced at the top of the trees, and they, 
working downwards but clearing the branches as they 
went, have carried off every berry. I am sorry it is so, 
but one cannot stay the course of nature.—A. D. 
-- 
THE CiESAREAN NURSERY, 
JERSEY. 
There are really two nurseries under the above name 
at present—namely, that in St. Saviour’s Road, and 
now actually in the town of St. Helier, while the more 
recently established one is near Five Oaks, and at a 
considerably higher elevation. The Caesarean Nursery 
is the oldest establishment of the kind on the island, 
and has been carried on for a great number of years by 
Mr. C. B. Saunders and his predecessor. Space is 
rather limited at the older branch in St. Saviour’s 
Road, but accommodation is found for a great variety 
of plants, especially in the open air. 
Trees and Shrubs in St. Saviour’s Road. 
Mr. Saunders makes experiments with a large number 
of shrubs which we generally regard as strictly green¬ 
house subjects, and many of them succeed remarkably 
well in the open air. For instance, we noted Erica 
verticillata in bloom, and it has been out for the past 
three years. Close by was Swainsonia galegifolia, and 
the Passion Flower Constance Elliott. The latter was 
contesting the place with the double Bramble. Near 
by were the Loquat, Clianthus puniceus. Araucaria 
excelsa, and Cytisus racemosus, the latter being in 
flower. In like manner, Coronilla glauca, a well- 
known greenhouse plant, appeared quite happy. The 
Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) is liable to get cut 
back with severe frost, but breaks out afresh with the 
return of summer. The beautiful Coprosma Baueriana 
variegata with its variegated and shining leaves is 
tolerably hardy here also. Muhlenbeckia complexa 
forms a bush of some twenty-five years standing. The 
Myrtle-like Eugenia apiculata is hardier than E. 
Ugni. The fruitful state of Lycium barbatum rendered 
it exceedingly ornamental, the scarlet bead-like berries 
hanging from the branches in great numbers. The 
fine foliage of Fortune’s Rose was alone sufficient to 
recommend it to cultivators. Tecoma grandiflora on 
the roof of a house was just coming into flower when we 
saw it in the beginning of last month, but some 
flowering Ivy was unfortunately contesting the same 
space too severely. The Rosemary-leaved Helichrysum 
(H. rosmarinifolium) had attained a height of 7 ft. 
in the shrubbery, and in the same place was Euonymus 
fimbriatus, rather popular in the Channel Islands. 
Around the door of the dwelling house was a wealth 
f shrubs, climbers, and herbaceous plants, the latter 
including Lophospermum erubescens, more correctly 
named Maurandya erubescens, a climbing Mexican 
herb with rose-coloured flowers. The beautiful heath¬ 
like Fabiana imbricata flourished on a wall, and 
appeared quite at home. The vigour of growth and 
the breadth of the leaves of Jasminum revolutum 
made it appear altogether a different species. The 
wealth of flowers produced by the common Passion 
Flower as it hung down in wreaths from the verandah 
was simply remarkable. The dark shining green-leaved 
Viburnum Awafouki was grown as a bush. 
Herbaceous Plants. 
No speciality is made of these subjects, notwithstanding 
the fact that the climate is so well adapted for growing 
hardy plants, that cut flowers can be obtained in un¬ 
limited quantity throughout a great portion of the 
year. The soft and pleasing colours of the Belladonna 
Lily are very attractive during the autumn months. 
A strong-growing and darker variety is Amaryllis 
Belladonna purpurea. Plumbago Larpentse was simply 
a mass of rich blue flowers ; and the same might be 
said of Polygonum vaecinirefolium. The New Zealand 
Flax and its variegated form are common outdoor 
plants. We are accustomed to see Convolvulus mauri- 
tanicus used in summer bedding, but here it may be 
grown in any position, being quite hardy, and nowhere 
does it appear more at home than on a rockery 
or bank, where its slender stems may hang down and 
develop its light blue flowers in succession. We noted 
also a fine dark variety of Schizostylis coccinea. 
Hot-houses. 
A mixed collection of plants is grown in the houses to 
meet the varied requirements of the place, including 
Camellias, Roses, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, and 
Abutilons. Boule de Neige, a variety of the latter, 
furnishes flowers up to Christmas. Myrsiphyllum 
asparagoides is grown for decorative purposes as usual. 
The beautiful rosy-flowered Begonia gracilis Martiana 
was very gay. The purple and yellow flowers of Oxalis 
versicolor were already open, although spring is said to 
be its usual time. 
Grapes are grown to some extent, and we noted the 
Muscat of Alexandria grafted on the Black Hamburgh, 
here called the Black Victotia. Both are allowed to 
produce fruit, and the latter is the first to ripen. 
The New Nursery. 
The term “new” is hardly applicable, for this 
nursery has already been established for many years, 
and occupies an elevated site quite clear of the town. 
The ground measures 1,000 ft. long by 800 ft. wide, 
and is well sheltered on some of the sides by hedges or 
belts of young trees. A rich and varied collection of 
shrubs and trees, both for shelter and ornament, i3 
kept in stock, and hardy fruit trees are also grown for 
the production of fruit. 
Among the ornamental subjects we noticed Young’s 
Golden Juniper, Castanea sativa variegata, Osmanthus 
Aquifolius, O. A. illicifolius, Elreagnus reflexa alba mar- 
ginata, E. r. aurea variegata, Quercus Cerris foliis 
argenteis, Acer colchicum rub rum, and the black 
Mulberry. Paulownia imperialis is more at home in 
Jersey than with us, in evidence of which we noted a 
large specimen with a spreading head at the bottom of 
the road leading up the hill to the nursery, and which 
was planted many years ago by Mr. Saunders. Fine 
evergreen subjects are Pittosporum Tobira, with fragrant 
white flowers, Skimmia japonica, of which there were 
large bushes, Escallonia montevidensis, E. macrantha 
and the various species of Euonymus. Curious to say, 
a frost occurred last March, which cut about the last 
named very severely. 
Some fine pieces of Acacia dealbata stood 15 ft. 
high, forming beautiful trees, with their finely cut 
foliage. Young plants are obtained by layering. 
Camellias are also grown in the nursery for the purpose 
of obtaining cuttings, on which to graft the fine varieties. 
Atriplex Halimus, with its hoary foliage, is essentially 
a seaside plant, and we noted some grand masses of it 
facing St. Clement’s Bay. Pinus austriaca and P. 
cembra are grown in some quantity, especially the 
former, which is one of the best adapted for breaking 
the force of the wind, and is largely planted all over 
the island. Aucubas also do well here, and are grown 
in quantity and variety. The large-leaved Box (Buxus 
balearieus) is not so often seen as it might be, for its 
foliage is beautiful. The weeping Holly (Ilex Aqui- 
folium pendulum) fruits freely, and is then very 
ornamental. Hedges are formed of the Holly Oak 
(Quercus Ilex), and for this purpose it is one of the 
most valuable trees in the Channel Islands, which are 
high and often swept by high winds off the sea in all 
directions. The Carolina Poplar and the Guernsey 
Elm (Ulmus campestris sarniensis), varying from 10 ft. 
to 14 ft., are also popular trees here. The oldest 
Araucaria imbricata in Jersey may be seen here. 
Viburnum lucidum is notable for its large shining 
leaves. The Tree Heath (Erica arborea) stood 12 ft. 
and 14 ft. high. Besides Pinus, other Conifers are 
grown, including Retinospora plumosa and Thuya 
occidentalis. Noble grasses are Arundo Donax and A. 
conspicua ; the former was 10 ft. high, and had been 
planted out last spring. 
Fruit Trees. 
A considerable number of Pear trees are grown on walls, 
and some of them bore an excellent crop for the season, 
including Chaumontel, Uvedale’s St. Germain, Mareehal 
de Cour, "Williams’ Bon Chretien, Groom’s Princess 
Royal, and Passe Colmar. Apples are mostly grown 
in bush form, and in many cases bore an excellent crop, 
but a number of them were small-fruiting kinds. 
Amongst the popular sorts were Ribston Pippin, 
Blenheim Orange, Godolphin, Cox’s Pomona, very 
highly coloured, and Nonpareil. One of the best 
dessert Apples is Cox’s Orange Pippin, and a popular 
kind is King of the Pippins ; the fruit of the latter 
