June 20, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
665 
wag, following the wake of the Dogwood man, has 
stated that among the animals the mammoth trees 
have the biggest bark, only for the “bark” he would 
not have classed it with the animal creation. It is 
pleasant, says Mahan's Monthly, to read in the public 
prints that the United States is taking steps to pre¬ 
serve these mammoth trees from the woodman’s axe. 
Although fire has failed to remove these giants from 
the face of the earth, the other works of man will soon 
accomplish the destruction, which in a state of nature 
they have hitherto escaped. 
Domestic Horticulture : The Lady Trimmer.—The 
Globe says :—It would appear that, in the circles in 
which she is known—and which, at present, are not 
numerous or widely spread—the lady trimmer is 
eminently popular. She comes and trims the flowers 
and plants of those who are able to keep such things, 
but are not willing or competent to do the trimming 
themselves. She has a practical knowledge of gardening, 
and she puts that knowledge at the service of those who 
can remunerate her for it. The occupation is not only 
respectable : it is in its way delightful. It has in it an 
element of the aesthetic. It implies in the worker not 
only knowledge but taste. The work commends itself, 
especially to the gently bred, compelled by 'circum¬ 
stances to earn their own living as best their accom¬ 
plishments will allow. "We gather that many of the 
lady trimmers make themselves welcome visitors at the 
houses they frequent, and that often the occupants of 
those houses treat them in friendly fashion, inviting 
them to partake of lunch or tea. This must be pleasant 
for the trimmers, and also suggests for them the 
possibility of a social career more brilliant than might 
otherwise be hoped for by them. One can fancy one 
of their number chosen as the heroine of a novel of the 
future—young and poor, but interesting and attractive, 
innocently (or deliberately) ensnaring the affections of 
an eligible man in one of the houses to which she gained 
entrance as a trimmer of flowers. The melodramatic 
nurse, governess and companion are played out ; they 
have been done to death both in plays and in fiction. 
How it may be possible to make something of the lady 
trimmer, who for most literary purposes seems preferable 
to the lady who takes out dogs for an airing, or 
practises as a barber. 
The Flora of Diamond Island.—In a communi¬ 
cation to Nature, Mr. W. B. Hemsley says :—Diamond 
Island is situated at the mouth of the Bassein River, in 
the Indian Ocean, about five miles from Pagoda Point, 
and eight miles from Cape Negrais, and in about 16° N. 
latitude. It is of sandstone formation, somewhat 
exceeds a square mile in area, being about twice as long 
as broad, and the central part is a kind of plateau 60 ft. 
or so above the level of the sea. With the exception 
of a small clearing for a telegraph station, the island is 
densely wooded down to the sea, but there is no man¬ 
grove belt on any part of the sandy coast, unless it be 
considered as represented by a few patches of Avicennia 
officinalis. Thus is the island described, though in 
greater detail, by Dr. D. Prain, curator of the Herba¬ 
rium of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, who has 
visited the island in H.M. Indian Marine Survey 
steamer Investigator, commanded by R. F. Hoskyn, 
R.N. Dr. Prain has published an elaborate analytical 
account of the flora in the journal of the Asiatic Society 
of Bengal. He collected eighty-six species of flowering 
plants, three Ferns, and four funguses, among which 
there was not a single novelty. The enumeration 
includes a number of cultivated plants, among them 
the Coco-nut Palm ; but these are all of recent intro¬ 
duction. It is supposed that the island was not 
previously inhabited, and therefore that the vegetation 
of the dense wood overspreading the island is quite 
natural. The most interesting fact brought out is the 
evident affinity with the somewhat distant Andaman 
flora, pointing to a former connection. The report is 
also valuable to the student of plant-distribution for 
the details it contains of the habitats and relative 
frequency of the component species of the vegetation. 
The Weather and Vegetation in Scotland.—In a 
report made to the Edinburgh Botanical Society on 
the 11th inst., Mr. Lindsay, curator of the Botanic 
Garden, stated that the month of May had been one of 
the most unfavourable experienced for many years. 
Dull, inclement weather during the day, and frequent 
frosts at nights, prevented vegetation from making 
very much progress. A few showers of rain fell, but 
not of that genial nature wanted at this season of the 
year. At the close of the month few of the ordinary 
forest trees were in full leaf, except the Maple, Elm, 
and Horse Chestnut. The latter was well set with 
flower buds, which, when fully expanded, would make 
a grand display. Fruit trees, such as Apple, Pear, 
and Cherry, were flowering most profusely. Trees and 
shrubs generally, though later in flowering than ever 
he remembered, promised to be quite up to the average 
in flowering. Laburnum, Hawthorn, Holly, Lilac, 
Azalea, and others were very well set with flower buds 
ready to burst forth with more genial weather. Vege¬ 
tation generally was very much in the condition usually 
found in April. So late a season very rarely occurred. 
During the month the thermometer was at or below 
the freezing point on five occasions, indicating a total 
of 10° of frost. The lowest readings were :—On the 
4th, 30° ; 5th, 31° ; 17th, 27° ; 19th, 30° ; 21st, 32°. 
The lowest day temperature was 48° on the 8th, and 
the highest, 74° on the 12th of the month. On the 
Rock Garden 260 species and varieties of plants came 
into flower, as against 365 for the corresponding month 
last year. In connection with the report Dr. D. 
Christian, it appeared, had written to Mr. Lindsay to 
this effect:—“It may interest the society to know that, 
in this extraordinary season, there has been a great 
diminution in the girth increase of the trees measured 
by me in the garden. The aggregate increase 
of twenty-eight young deciduous trees till the end 
of May was 1'80 in. in 1891—average of previous 
four years, 3'40 ins. The aggregate increase of thirty- 
one young Conifers was 3'65 ins. in 1891—average of 
previous four years, 6 73 ins. Thus the amount was a 
little more than half the average of the previous four 
years, both in the deciduous and evergreen groups. I 
may add that, while in each of the previous four years 
there was an appreciable increase in girth in April, 
amounting in. the aggregate to about ^ in. in deciduous 
trees, and in. in the Conifers, there was no increase 
in either group in April, 1891.” 
-- 
CENOTHERA MISSOURIENSIS 
LAT1FOLIA. 
The plant here mentioned is by no means new, having 
been introduced from the United States in 1811. In 
gardens it is best known under the name of Gil. macro- 
carpa, but that has been identified as the broad-leaved 
OiNOTHERA MISSOURIENSIS LATIFOLIA. 
form of G£. missouriensis. The accompanying illus¬ 
tration shows the habit of the plant when it commences 
flowering in June, but as the flowers continue to be 
developed, the stems elongate and assume a procumbent 
habit. The plant never, however, becomes weedy and 
does not spread fast at the root, so that growers may 
with safety admit it in the most select ot collections. 
The flowers continue to he developed all through the 
season, till August or September, and are notable for 
their large size and bright yellow colour. In moderately 
rich and moist soil the plant attains great vigour, 
bearing flowers 3 ins. to 4 ins. in diameter, so that a 
few of those on a plant constitute the latter a conspi¬ 
cuous object. Propagation may be effected by seeds, 
cuttings, or division ; the latter method will generally 
furnish a sufficient amount of stock for private gardens. 
--»^- 
GIANT BANKSIAN ROSES. 
One of the most remarkable and beautiful displays of 
climbing Roses to be seen in California is now in all its 
glory at Mills College. On either side of the front 
porch of the main building was planted, years ago, 
a small climbing Rose bush of the white Banksian 
variety. As year after year passed by, these bushes 
gradually crept up the sides of the porch, higher and 
higher, and then began to reach up the sides of the 
building, as if in friendly competition with each other. 
Each spring brought more and more blossoms, and each 
autumn saw the branches on a higher level. On they 
went, past the second story windows, then past the 
third, and still they were not satisfied. The fourth 
story window stands out from the cornice, and over the 
arch thus formed the two rival climbers flung their 
topmost twigs and became mingled together in one. 
This year the arch of Vines has become thickened, and 
now the whole mass is a perfect cascade of Roses, 
scenting the air and sending down a miniature snow¬ 
storm of petals whenever shaken by a breeze.— 
Californian paper. 
-- 
THE COMMON LILAC. 
The Lilac has ever been popular since its introduction 
in 1597, and is likely to remain so, as long as gardens 
are kept. Improved varieties have been raised from 
time to time in this country, but they are few compared 
with those which have been raised in France ; and 
judging from the activity there we may still expect 
improved forms. The varieties already in this country 
are really numerous, and it is surprising that so many 
admirers of the Lilac should be content with the 
typical form with which many shrubberies are over¬ 
done. Rough hedges of Lilac only, or intermingled 
with other flowering shrubs, may occasionally be seen, 
but many old people are of an opinion that the shrub 
is less frequently planted than it used to be. It would 
certainly tend to popularise the plant if some of the 
many improved varieties were judiciously mixed with 
the old one in shrubberies. 
The flowers of the type are lilac, more or less shaded 
with purple, of medium size, and produced in dense 
panicles. Delphine has large dark bluish flowers 
fading to a soft blue. Those of Merithiza are soft lilac, 
tinted with lavender and of large size. Valletia has 
smaller lilac flowers tinted with lavender. A distinct 
and pleasing variety is Lovaniensis, with large whit 9 
flowers, tinted with lavender, and having a rosy tube. 
Charles X. will appeal to all those who use this variety 
for forcing purposes. When so treated the flowers are 
either pure white or faintly tinted with lilac, according 
to the age of the flowers, or the amount and intensity 
of light to which they may have been subjected. When 
grown and flowered in the open air, the same sort 
would not be recognised, unless by those who know 
the changes to which it is subject. The flowers 
expanded by the sun in May or the beginning of June 
are quite a deep lilac-purple, and of medium size, as 
are the panicles. The latter characteristic would, 
however, largely depend upon the vigour and age of 
the plant as well as the richness of the soil. 
Under ordinary culture in the open border, the 
flowers of Schneelavine are small and white, with a 
pale lilac tube. Those of Grandiflora are large, rosy 
purple, deeply shaded with lilac, and are produced in 
large panicles. The variety may be considered as one 
of the meritorious kinds. The same might be said of 
Rubra insignis and Noisettiana, the former having large, 
reddish flowers, shaded with lilac, and the latter with 
large lilac-pink flowers, shaded with lavender when old, 
and produced in large panicles ; it might be added to a 
collection on account of the delicacy and distinctness 
of its flowers. Those of Spectabilis are lilac and pink, 
and not unpleasing. A pale variety is Steencruyssei, 
with lilac flowers fading almost to white, and which 
may be compared in this respect to those of Schneelavine, 
than which, however, they are larger and better. Of 
all the above single kinds, none of them surpass and 
few equal Prince Camille de Rohan, on account of its 
large deep rose-coloured flowers, produced in large 
compact panicles. The elimination of the lilac hue, 
which pervades so many, even of the good kinds, should 
of itself recommend the variety for its distinctness. 
The large flowers and their pleasing colour should also 
tell in their favour. 
Of pure white and single varieties there are several, 
differing chiefly, as might be expected, in the size of 
their flowers and panicles, time of flowering, and the 
quantity of bloom produced under given circumstances. 
Even when grown in the open air the flowers of 
Virginalis are comparatively small and pure white ; the 
panicles are, however, large on well-grown plants. Its 
free-flowering nature is, of course, an additional recom¬ 
mendation, especially with those who force it for cut- 
flower purposes—a system of culture to which it is 
perhaps more amenable than some of the larger-flowered 
kinds. Cultivators generally know it under the name 
of Alba virginalis. For open air culture at least Marie 
Legrange is a beautiful kind, with large pure white 
flowers, produced in panicles of good size. Alba Magna 
and Alba grandiflora are also said to be white varieties 
of superior value, but they are less common than the 
two previously named kinds. 
There are numerous double varieties, but they are 
far from being so popular as the single kinds. The 
