104 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 13, 1888. 
the ribbed or corrugated and greatly thickened edge, 
along which the seeds are arranged. The latter are 
white after attaining a certain size, but are not 
numerous, seeing that each pod contains only from 
four to six, which is not a large number for pods of 
such extraordinary size. In favourable seasons the 
length given is exceeded, and we are surprised to see 
them do so well after such a cold summer, and especially 
now the season is so far advanced. 
--> 2 <-- 
(Hardening Miscellany. 
The English Apple and Fruit-Growing 
Company (Limited). 
I AM grateful to you for your genial reference to this 
company in your last number. The term “ Apple ” is 
made prominent because it is the intention of the 
directors to make the cultivation of that fruit a leading 
feature, so as to endeavour to divert into the pockets of 
home growers some portion of the large sum paid 
annually to the Americans for their Apples. The 
Apple is the standard fruit of this country, and it is 
well to make its cultivation a prominent feature of the 
prospectus. It is too late to eliminate the word Apple 
from the prospectus of the Company. No prospectus 
can be issued until the title of the Company is registered 
at Somerset House ; and, thanks to Mr. Goschen, the 
registration of a company is an expensive privilege, for 
the certificate of registration costs £67 10s. ! If the 
title of a company were altered, a further registration 
fee would be necessary. The directors have good 
reasons for making the Apple a prominent feature in 
the title of the company. Suffer me to add that 
among the applications for shares is one from Messrs. 
N. M. Rothschild & Sons for 1,000, and from Messrs. 
Maple & Co., Tottenham Court Road, for 250.— 
R. Dean, Secretary. 
Lobelia Tupa. 
This is a half-hardy plant from Chili, and is occasionally 
met with under the name of Tupa Feuillei, or Lobelia 
Feuillei. It was introduced in 1824, and is figured in 
the Botanical Mngazine, at t. 2550. It grows and 
flowers annually at Glasnevin, and also in the College 
Botanical Gardens at Dublin, but does not attain any¬ 
thing like the height of 10 ft., 3 ft. or 4 ft. being 
nearer the general average. It is very apt to be killed 
during exceptionally severe winters in Dublin, and a 
covering of dry ashes, or of peat, turf, or coco-nut fibre 
is a wise precaution to adopt in the autumn. In cold, 
wet, northern districts, the plant might be grown in a 
large pot or tub, and sheltered in a greenhouse during 
winter, after which it could be plunged out in the open 
air to grow. If “ J. W. O.” will send me his address 
next May, I will gladly forward him a plant of this 
rare and peculiar species. It does not divide well or 
safely except just as it starts into growth about the 
time named.— F. IV. B. 
Lobelia ignea and L. fulgens. 
These are best treated as bog plants, and when so 
grown attain to a luxuriance otherwise not seen. As 
pot plants they are admirable for conservatory deco¬ 
ration at the present time of the year. I saw a stageful 
of L. ignea, the other day, with spikes of velvety scarlet 
flowers on stems 5 ft. in height, and they were very 
beautiful as seen contrasted with plants of Campanula 
pyramidalis alba. No doubt your old friend the ex¬ 
gardener from Cremorne was right in keeping his 
herbaceous Lobelias moist during the winter, as drought 
at any season is fatal to them—at least, such is my own 
experience, even in a wet climate.— F. TV. B. 
Freesia refracta alba. 
Those who have not yet potted their bulbs of this 
beautiful Cape, iridaceous plant, should lose no time in 
having it accomplished. To have it in flower by 
December the bulbs should be potted in August; and 
for a succession from that date onward other batches 
should be potted at intervals. Pots or shallow pans at 
the convenience of the grower may be used, with plenty 
of drainage. A compost consisting of light fibrous 
loam, leaf-soil and a quantity of well-rotted cow 
manure will form an excellent compost, and grow them 
to perfection, provided the after treatment is well 
attended to. To secure an even growth in the pots or 
pans used sort the bulbs into sizes, as the larger ones 
will flower while the small ones may be grown on for 
another year. After potting place them in a greenhouse 
or frame where frost is merely excluded, and ventilate 
freely on all favourable occasions after the leaves show 
themselves above ground. As soon, however, as fairly 
rooted, a batch may be introduced into a warm place so 
as to hasten their flowering. A great deal of the 
success with these bulbs depends upon their being 
kept cool, close to the glass and well ventilated ; so 
that those having a shelf in a greenhouse have an 
excellent opportunity of growing Freesias. The variety 
under notice is not only deliciously fragrant but pure 
white. — G. 
Gardening on the Sea-beach at Southport. 
Some few weeks ago I wrote under the above heading, 
and I then noted some of the most attractive plants 
growing in the beds and on the bank facing the 
promenade. Visiting Southport later on, I was 
delighted with the appearance of the following, which 
are represented by hundreds, if not thousands, in the 
Marine Park (the name given to the seven acres taken 
in from the beach). Generally the plants may be said 
to be in irregular groups, with here and there lines of 
the dwarfer plants running round this projection or 
following the outline of that recess, the whole having 
as natural an appearance as could be created under the 
circumstances. Virginian Stock, Mignonette, species 
of Epilobium, Godetias, Scabious, Larkspurs, Veronica 
spicata, Cytisus, Sunflowers, Tropieolums, Antir¬ 
rhinums, Marigolds, Centaurea cyanus (blue), Arabia 
albida, Malvaceous plants, Chrysanthemum leucan- 
themum, and grasses with dot plants of the Tamarisk, 
also Olearia Haastii, a dwarf-flowering shrub of recent 
introduction, looking in the distance like small bushes 
of Laurestinus. I believe there are several species of 
Tamarisk ; would any of your Southport readers oblige 
me with the name of the one in the Marine Park ? 
Beds cut out on the grass are laid in geometrical 
patterns, and planted with Echeverias, Sedums, 
Saxifrages, Lobelias, and such-like dwarf plants of a 
hardy nature. Saponaria calabrica, Stachys lanata, 
Tropaeolums and Antirrhinums, with Pelargonium 
Happy Thought, fill other beds. The Marine Park, I 
believe, is under the management of Mr. Halwood, of 
Hesketh Park, by whom, I was informed, it was 
designed and laid out.— TV. P. R. 
Tall Tropseolum. 
"VVe noticed the other day at High Elms, Kent, in the 
garden of Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., what may 
be done with the ordinary Tropmolum majus in a 
sheltered situation in ordinary good garden soil, and 
plenty of moisture during the summer. On the end 
of one of the houses in the garden is an old Pear tree, 
which does not bear well on account of its being starved 
or kept too dry by the hot-water pipes which lead 
away from the boiler and pass under it. Tropaeolums 
were planted in a narrow border in front of the tree, 
and allowed to ramble at will. The shoots commenced 
to run amongst the spurs of the Pear tree, and rambled 
up to the height of 20 ft., flowering beautifully all the 
way. This might often be attempted in out-of-the-way, 
half-kept places, with trees, however, that are not par¬ 
ticularly valuable, as the Tropseolum when growing 
vigorously must of necessity injure the foliage of the 
tree to some extent. If, however, good results are to 
be expected the exposure must be good, so that the 
Tropseolum may get plenty of sunshine, and the soil 
must be fairly good. 
Eentia australis. 
Palms are deservedly popular as decorative subjects at 
all seasons and for all purposes, and your faithful 
illustration of the above at p. 81 represents one that I 
have found will stand indoor treatment better than 
some others—viz., Areca lutescens, Geonoma gracilis, 
and the beautiful Cocos Weddelliana. Kentia australis 
shows its character well when young, more so than 
the popular Latania borbonica, commonly called the 
Fan Palm, which appears rather stiff in a young state, 
and better shows its character when it has attained 
massive proportions. I have found good peat and silver 
sand to be a capital compost in which to grow young 
Palms, using fibry loam in greater proportions for 
specimens that have attained full size, and which it is 
not desirable or convenient to shift into larger pots or 
tubs. Palms, to attain massive proportions, so as to 
bring out their true characteristics—imitating, as it 
were, their native habitats—should be planted out in 
a bed composed of good soil and efficiently drained ; 
but then it is not everyone who possesses that con¬ 
venience, and we often see specimens that have attained 
a good size so shabby in appearance as to become 
an eyesore, and have ultimately to be consigned to the 
rubbish heap.— Geo. Potts, Jun., Northiam. 
Passiflora ccerulea Fruiting at Eastbourne. 
The interesting notes of “C. B. G.”, Acton, in reference 
to the trees, shrubs, creepers, and flowers he noticed 
at this delightful watering place on the Sussex 
coast, reminds me that, depending from an ornamental 
iron window-garden framework, I noticed this beautiful 
Passion Flower fruiting there in the open air a few 
years since. It was the only place in the British Isles 
I ever noticed it doing so perfectly. A month since a 
gentleman informed me, as we strolled along the south 
side of Prince’s Street, Edinburgh, that fruit had been 
formed, but not ripened there two years since. Lady 
AVilde, when she lived in Merrion Square, Dublin, is 
said to have been more successful. The pale yellow 
oval or egg-shaped fruit is certainly a curiosity de¬ 
pending from a verandah.— TV. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
Nepenthes Dicksoniana. 
This beautiful new hybrid Pitcher plant has Been 
named in compliment to the late Professor Dickson, of 
Edinburgh, and is the result of a cross between N. 
Rafflesiana as the seed parent, with pollen of N. 
Yeitchii. The effect of the latter is shown in some of 
the leaves bearing aborted pitchers, and in the broad, 
folded-back annulus at the mouth of the pitcher ; this 
organ is brown and yellow and conspicuously ridged. 
The pitchers are already 10 ins. long, without the lid, 
and heavily marbled with reddish brown on a pale 
green ground ; they are very effective and showy. 
Exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, on 
Tuesday last, and awarded a First Class Certificate by 
the Floral Committee. 
Canna Ulrich Brunner. 
A large plant about 3 ft. high and grown in a pot 
showed the beauty of the deeply glaucous foliage. The 
leaves were not large but closely arranged on the stems. 
The flowers were large and densely crowded at the apex 
of the stems, and have broad scarlet segments, the lower 
one being the narrower and striped with yellow. 
Exhibited on Tuesday by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
and awarded a First Class Certificate. 
Adiantum Waltoni diffusum. 
A large and well-grown plant of this Fern, which is 
stated to be a seedling from A. Waltoni, was shown 
at the Drill Hall on Tuesday. It has much larger 
fronds than A. Waltoni, triangular in shape, from 
three to five times divided, and of a pleasing shade of 
green. The pinnules are much smaller, more wedge- 
shaped, and farther apart or more diffuse than those 
of its parent. For decorative purposes it will be 
very effective. Exhibited by the executors of Henry 
Walton, Edgend Nurseries, Brierfield, near Burnley, 
and awarded a First Clas.s Certificate. 
--*$<*- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Camellias. —If these have rapidly been transferred 
from their summer quarters to the greenhouses or 
shelter of some kind, the fact must not be overlooked 
that they should receive a thorough cleaning before 
being finally arranged in the positions they are to 
occupy till they have flowered or are removed to the 
show house, as the case may be. If the flower-buds 
are thickly set a thinning must be given, especially on 
young plants in pots, otherwise the greater number of 
them will drop through inability to open. 
Chrysanthemums. —Those who have not yet placed 
their plants under protection cannot much longer delay 
the operation, seeing that sudden and comparatively 
severe frosts may be expected at any time. Before 
being put in the positions they are to occupy when 
flowering all staking and tying should be completed, 
and everything made orderly and clean. An early 
vinery or Peach house where the foliage has mostly 
dropped forms a suitable place for housing the plants 
till they have flowered, when, of course, they may be 
utilised in various ways and finally cut down, so that 
their presence causes but little inconvenience to the 
permanent subjects in the respective houses. Give 
ample ventilation to prevent drawing. 
New Holland Plants, &c.—These and all other 
greenhouse subjects that have been stood out of doors 
or have been grown in beds should be housed without 
delay, potting up such things from the beds as may be 
necessary for next year’s stock. Succulents, such as 
