October 27, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
185 
Chrysanthemums, while baskets are hanging overhead, 
•which add greatly to the appearance of the place. On 
the darker and more shaded side of the house is some 
rockwork, planted with Ferns and other subjects, while 
there are some larger specimens of Todea superba and 
T. hymenophylloides in pots. 
Stove Plants. 
The collection of these is very extensive, including 
many new as well as rare old subjects seldom met with 
in this country. The Croton-house is replete with 
most of the best and valuable kinds for' decorative 
purposes, ranging from 6 ins. or 8 ins. to 2 ft. or 3 ft. 
in height, and in the most healthy and perfect con¬ 
dition. Codireum (Croton) Aigburthiensis and C. 
interruptum are very fine kinds, with long narrow 
leaves, variegated with yellow, crimson and green. 
C. Massangeana has graceful linear lanceolate leaves, 
about a foot in length, while another variety has much 
broader leaves, and variegated like the caricature 
plant. Very attractive is C. Mortfontainensis, with 
broad, three-lobed leaves, brilliantly variegated with 
crimson and yellow. Dracaenas are also very varied and 
most interesting. The specimens of D. terminalis 
range from 1 ft. to 4 ft. in height, and are finely 
coloured. Very broad-leaved kinds are D. Massonii, 
D. regis, and D. recurva, all having bronzy red leaves, 
but differing in minor particulars. Seedlings and new 
kinds offer special attractions, and a narrow-leaved 
variety, named Mrs. Laird, has bronzy red leaves with 
a bright red margin, arching towards the tip, and very 
graceful. Noticeable amongst other seedlings were 
some very pretty little plants, with short, moderately 
broad leaves, attractively variegated and strikingly 
distinct. Specimens of Oleandra, about 18 ins. in 
height, are beautifully furnished with leaves, and 
variegated at the margin with pale yellow. There 
was also in this house a varied assortment of other 
subjects, including Cocos Weddelliana and Astro- 
caryum Murumura, with large irregularly lobed leaves 
and spiny petioles. Other beautiful Palms are 
Phycococcus orecinus, Ceroxylon niveum, with large 
leaves covered with a snowy white scurf on the under¬ 
side, and Livistona rotundifolia, of "which there are 
small and pretty specimens. Variegated Figs, including 
Ficus Parcelli and F. elastica variegata serve to vary the 
habit and colour. Less better known are Alocasia 
Sanderiana, Camcensia eminens, Musseenda erythro- 
phylla, Philodendron Andreanum, Trevesia eminens, 
and Pavetta borbonica. The latter has showy, leathery 
dark green leaves, with a crimson midrib, and blotched 
with yellow. The Trevesia resembles an Aralia, with 
palmately divided, nine to eleven-lobed segments, and, 
if less curious and interesting than T. sundaica, is far 
more effective as a decorative plant. 
The Palm house contains large quantities of the 
more useful Palms, such as Kentia Belmoreana, K. 
Fosteriana, Areca lutescens, Phoenix rupicola, the best 
of its class, Acanthophcenix, and large specimens of 
Livistona, Seaforthia, and others. Pancratium fragrans 
and Aspidistra lurida variegata are grown in large 
quantity, while the former furnishes a considerable 
amount of bloom at all seasons mostly. In one of the 
propagating pits is a fine lot of Elseodendron orientale, 
better known as Aralia Chabrieri, as well as Aralia 
Veitchii and A. V. gracillima. Newer subjects are 
Dracaena australis variegata and Phrynium variegatum, 
of which there is a good stock of plants. Nephrolepis 
rufescens tripinnatifida amongst Ferns is now pretty 
well known and appreciated for its rich plumy fronds, 
while the newer Gymnogramma Pearcei robusta is 
much more elegant and finely divided, as is Adiantum 
Collisii amongst the Maidenhairs. 
A house devoted to Ferns contains a large assortment 
of the more useful subjects, such as Adiantum Farleyense, 
A. schizophyllum, Selaginella serpens, S. gracilis, with 
the young leaves of a bronzy green, Davallia fcenieu- 
lacea, Nephrolepis Duffiiand N. Bausei. Both of the 
latter are most serviceable subjects, and N. Bausei 
forms compact tufts of bipinnatifid leaves from 12 ins. 
to 18 ins. high. Every collection should contain them 
on account of their distinctness and compact orna¬ 
mental habit. About five other low span-roofed houses 
are filled with a varied assortment of things, such as 
are required in a large nursery business. Choice and 
useful subjects are Dracaena Lindeni, Allamanda Hen- 
dersoni, A. nobilis, and Alocasia regina ; the leaves of 
the latter are large, opaque, green above and bronzy 
beneath. The Gleichenias are an important class of 
plants which the modern gardeners, unfortunately, 
seem to neglect. A well-grown specimen is always a 
credit to the grower and a conspicuous object in the 
house. The crested Nephrodium molle corymbosum 
is grown in quantity and well done. We also noted a 
fine strain of Gloxinias which were still flowering. 
Begonia Clementines is of the B. Rex type, and has 
bronzy green leaves, blotched with grey, and stood out 
conspicuously amongst a group of the same class. 
Double white Primula sinensis and Poinsettias occupied 
the greater part of one house. Besides the climbers 
already mentioned, a large stock of Lapageria rosea, 
L. r. alba, and Stephanotis floribunda is kept. Orchids 
are not extensively grown, but amongst those in flower 
was Cattleya Gaskelliana. 
Greenhouse Plants. 
Some houses built over various sheds and the offices of 
the department are set apart for the cultivation of 
Pelargoniums, hard-wooded and other subjects. A 
large quantity of the show, fancy, and regal or decora¬ 
tive Pelargoniums was still in flower at the time of our 
visit in the last week of September. Of the zonal kinds 
there are some new varieties, including Toussaint 
l’Ouverture, a single puce-purple variety. Ivy-leaved 
and other kinds are also grown in considerable numbers. 
Adjoining this was a collection of large pyramidally- 
trained Azaleas in pots ; but they, together with 
Camellias, also large plants in pots and tubs, are less 
valuable than they used to be. The trade in cut-flowers 
is, however, increasing, and amongst the newer addi¬ 
tions to the stock is Azalea Deutsche Perle, one of the 
best double white Azaleas in cultivation, and most 
serviceable for cut-flower purposes. A collection of 
smaller specimens occupies another division of the 
houses. Hard-wooded stuff includes a great variety of 
Heaths, Epacris, Boronia megastigma, now a universal 
favourite, together with Tremandra verticillata, Aspar¬ 
agus arborea, and Dracophyllum gracile, so well known 
on the exhibition table. Fuchsia Lord Ardilaun is a 
garden form in the way of F. dependens, with scarlet 
and crimson flowers, which are produced with great 
freedom. 
Pinkhill Nursery. 
This is an old branch of the same firm situated on 
rising ground on the right-hand side of the road leading 
westward, about two miles from the city. The 
approach leading up the hill is beautifully planted 
with a varied collection of Conifer and ornamental 
shrubs. Veronica Traversii forms large bushes about 
a yard in height and 4 ft. to 5 ft. broad, and gets no 
protection. Notwithstanding the unfavourable nature 
of the season Dimorphanthus mandshuricus was also 
flowering in the borders. 
Considerable alterations and improvements were 
being effected in the houses at Pinkhill at the time of 
our visit, with a view of preparing a number of the 
houses for the cultivation of Palms on a large scale 
according to the requirements of the times. Two 
large boilers have also been built into position to heat 
the whole of the houses, and -which will be a great 
improvement on the old system. Many of the houses 
were, however, occupied, and one was filled with a 
collection of all the leading varieties of Vines, including 
Black Hamburgh, Gros Colmar, Mrs. Pince, Alicante, 
Foster’s Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, and others. 
The canes were in fine condition, and some were being 
ripened off. A large collection of summer-flowering 
Chrysanthemums occupied the central stage of one 
spacious house, and included such fine varieties as 
Madame Desgrange, G. Wermig, Mr. W. Piercy, 
maroon-red; Fred Pill, dark red; and Mrs. J. R. 
Pitcher, pink or white indoors, and nearly as large as 
the first-named. A collection of tuberous Begonias, 
chiefly continental named seedlings, occupied a side 
stage. A novel and pleasing feature was Euonymus 
radicans, E. japonicus, and its broad-leaved golden 
and silver forms, trained as standards on stems 3 ft. or 
4 ft. high. Vitis striata, better known as Ampelopsis 
sempervirens, has evergreen leaves, digitately divided 
into five segments. Clematis Marie Van Houtte, with 
large white flowers, was still in bloom. A large 
specimen of Rhododendron argenteum, 8 ft. or 9 ft. 
high, in a tub, bore 500 blooms when it flowered last 
spring. 
A number of the houses are at present filled with 
various decorative subjects, including Ferns and 
Palms, such as those previously mentioned. A con¬ 
siderable number of Clivia seedlings will soon commence 
to show what they are. Amongst Primulas of recent 
introduction, none, perhaps, have become so suddenly 
popular and widely spread as P. obconica, which flowers 
constantly provided it has plenty of room to make 
growth. Here, as elsewhere, hybrid greenhouse Rhodo¬ 
dendrons are grown in quantity. Besides the old 
R. jasminseflorum, such sorts as R. balsamingeflorum 
album, R. b. aureum, R. b. carneum, Duchess of 
Connaught, Duchess of Edinburgh, Fragrantissima 
Taylori, Princess Alice, and others too numerous to 
mention, speak for themselves. Tea Roses, Tomatos, 
and others occupy different houses. 
Out of doors the chief features were the florist’s 
flowers, such as Chrysanthemums, of which there were 
5,000 to 6,000 of the late-flowering kinds, Gladioli, 
Antirrhinums, African Marigolds, Gaillardias, Pyre- 
thrums, varieties of P. roseum flowering a second time, 
Pentstemons and Dahlias. Amongst Pentstemons, 
Geo. McKinnon, Henry Irving, and Jessie Clark are 
noticeable for the size of their flowers and fine colours. 
A border of seedlings is also floriferous. The Dahlias 
were notably dwarf this year, but owing to the un¬ 
favourable nature of the season, the double kinds had 
not flowered very satisfactorily. Fine sorts, however, 
are Nellie Cramond, Mrs. Peter McKenzie, Excellent, 
and Diadem. The collection of single sorts is both 
extensive and replete with the best named kinds, as 
well as numbers of noteworthy seedlings. 
-"♦SE*"- 
L’ORCHIDEENE. 
The first meeting of this society was held on the 
14th of October, in the saloon of L’Horticulture 
Internationale, Parc Leopold, Brussels. Notwith¬ 
standing that it was wet and rather cold, eighty- 
five Orchids, comprising a great range of species 
and varieties, were presented by a goodly number of 
members. The jury was made up of M. de Lansberge, 
president, M. E. Wallaert, secretary, and Messrs. 
Massange de Louvrex, J. Moens, A. Van Imschoot, 
Lallemand, O. de Meulenaere, G. Miteau, and A. L. 
Lubbers, members. The jury having finished their 
labours the plants were arranged on two large tables, 
and exhibited to the public, amoDg those who greatly 
admired the exhibits being many notabilities. M. 
Linden sent a grand Catasetum Bungerothii with 
twenty-three flowers; M. Massange de Louvrex, a superb 
Cypripedium vexillarium, and a fine C. expansum ; M. 
le Chevalier Ludovico Modigliani, of Florence, a Cypri¬ 
pedium Sanderianum ; and M. le Comte de Bousies, 
a Vanda Sanderiana, which was much admired. M. 
Peeters sent several beautiful specimens, an Odonto- 
glossum vexillarium superbum and some rare 
Cypripediums being remarkable. A fine Lselia 
Perrinii and an Oncidium phymatochilum came from 
M. Moens ; M. Wallaert sent Cymbidium giganteum 
superbum and Oncidium tigrinum, both the perfection 
of good culture; Messrs. E. Vervaet & Co., of 
Ghent, sent a dozen good Orchids, as also did 
Madame Block, of Brussels. Mons. Miteau exhi¬ 
bited flowers of a grand form of Miltonia Moreliana ; 
M. Van Noten, a Masdevallia Chimera, with gigantic 
flowers and perfect culture ; and Mr. James O’Brien, 
of Harrow-on-the-Hill, near London, sent an inter¬ 
esting collection of dried specimens of Disas, Satyriums, 
Habenaria, Brownlea, Huttonrea, and other Cape 
terrestrial Orchids. The awards of the jury were 
Diplome d’Honneur to Mons. Linden, for Catasetum 
Bungerothii. First Class Certificate of Merit to Messrs. 
Peeters, for Odontoglossum vexillarium superbum ; 
Chevalier Lud. Modigliani, for Cypripedium Sander¬ 
ianum: Van Noten, for Masdevallia Chimsera; Massange 
de Louvrex, for Cypripedium vexillarium ; Peeters, for 
C. oenanthum ; Comte de Bousies, for Vanda Sander¬ 
iana ; Massange de Louvrex, for Cypripedium 
expansum ; Linden, for Oncidium crispum miniatum ; 
O’Brien, of Harrow, London, for dried specimens of 
Disas, &c. ; E. Vervaet, for Cypripedium Harrisianum 
superbum ; G. Miteau, for Miltonia Moreliana. Second 
Class Certificates to Messrs. Linden, for Oncidium 
varicosum ; Peeters, for Cypripedium expansum ; 
Moens, for Lfelia Perrinii; Peeters, for Cypripedium 
regale. Second Class Certificate of Culture to M. 
Moens for Oncidium phymatochilum. 
--— 
GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
The soirte organised by the Chiswick Gardeners’ 
Mutual Improvement Association at the Vestry Hall, 
Turnham Green, in aid of the Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund, was conducted to a successful issue on the 
17th inst. There was a large attendance of the 
public, and amongst other supporters of the Fund 
present were Mr. G. Deal, chairman of the committee, 
and Mr. Barron, honorary secretary. The chair 
was occupied by Mr. A. Dean, of Bedfont, who had 
been mainly instrumental in organising the entertain¬ 
ment, which was mostly of a vocal character. The 
vestibule and the hall itself were tastefully de¬ 
corated by Mr. May, gardener to the Marquis of Bute, 
Mr. J. Roberts, gardener to the Messrs. Rothschild, 
Gunnersbury Park ; Mr. J. Hudson, gardener to 
H. J. Atkinson, Esq., Gunnersbury House, and by 
Messrs. W. Fromow & Sons, Sutton Court Nursery, 
Chiswick. During the interval between the first and 
second half of the programme, Mr. G. Deal, the chair¬ 
man of the Fund, made a short speech, in which he 
explained the objects of the Fund and the manner in 
which it had been established. He congratulated the 
organising committee of the soiree upon the success 
attending their efforts, and remarked that it was 
estimated that the profits would amount to £7 or £S, 
which would maintain a child for six months. He 
also thanked the members of the committee of the 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association 
for the help they had rendered to the good cause. 
