November 17, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
183 
Me. Garnar. — The flower-heads of this new 
Japanese variety are moderate in size, but of a deep 
golden yellow slightly suffused with buff, and very 
pretty. The spreading florets are revolute at the 
margin. The leaves are coarsely lobed and of good 
substance. 
Avalanche. —For description of this variety, see 
the preceding column. Both of these were exhibited 
by Mr. Geo. Stevens, St. John’s Nursery, Putney, at 
the meeting of the Floral Committee, on Tuesday last, 
when they received First Class Certificates. 
--—- 
ARDENING fjflSCELLANY. 
Planting' Waste Lands. 
It occurs to us, in the interest of the prosperity of 
the country, that the ratepayers might be asked to bear 
the cost, and share the profits, upon conditions to be 
agreed upon, of increasing the wealth and resources of 
the country by the clothing of all our hill-sides and 
waste lands with timber. 'When the County Councils 
are in full working order, to which body such exten¬ 
sive powers will eventually be delegated both in the 
raising and expending of money, this might be an in¬ 
teresting and important question, especially in those 
districts where large tracts of land are producing no 
rent and otherwise laying unproductive, of which we 
have millions of acres. The subject is alike interesting 
to the landowner and the ratepayer, who, between 
them, may be able to devise a scheme of much more 
value to every individual, by the employment of labour 
at home, than is State-aided emigration. The working 
out of such a scheme would help to restore a closer 
relationship between the town and the country, lessen 
the poverty of our densely overcrowded cities, with 
its ever attendant evils, and make our country richer 
and the people happier and more contented .—Little <£• 
Ballantyne, Carlisle. 
The Ribbon Tree. 
The plants to which this popular name is generally 
applied are members of the Mallow family, natives 
of Australia and New Zealand. They number about 
eleven species, so far as is known, and consist mostly 
of shrubs, which generally require greenhouse treat¬ 
ment in this country. Singularly enough, the largest 
plant coming under our notice is a specimen of Plagian- 
thus betulinus, about 18 ft. high, grown in the open 
garden at East Duddingstone Lodge, Joppa, near 
Edinburgh, the residence of Charles Jenner, Esq. In 
its native country it is stated to grow to a height of 
40 ft. to 70 ft. The plant in question can hardly be 
termed a tree, as it consists of a mass of long, slender 
branches from the root upwards, and is perfectly 
healthy—a fact which testifies to its hardiness in this 
country. It may, however, prove hardier in the 
neighbourhood of Edinburgh than in that of London, 
as we find in other cases, such as that of the Tree 
Pseony, which in the south starts into growth too early 
and gets cut down by frost. The flowers are small, 
white, and produced in terminal, much-branched 
panicles. 
Centropogon Lucyanus. 
As a winter-flowering plant this is valuable, on account 
of the quantity of flowers it will afford during the dark 
months of the year, provided the plants receive liberal 
treatment, are placed near the light to keep them 
sturdy and short-jointed, and the flowering shoots are 
removed from time to time for cut-flower purposes. 
Side shoots are then thrown up, forming a long 
succession. The tubular curved flowers are brilliant 
red or scarlet, with pale tips, and furnish variety, 
whether for conservatory or cut flower purposes.— G. H. 
Birds and tbe Fruit Crops. 
It seems to me that both “ E. D.” and Mr. Stevens 
are, in a sense, right, as there must necessarily be more 
destruction of fruit by birds in a wet season than in a 
dry one, fruits having to form their staple food instead 
of insects. If food is not forthcoming through one 
channel, birds, like most other living things, are com¬ 
pelled by stern necessity to seek it in another. We 
seem to ignore the fact, that the circumstances which 
compel them to attack fruit are 'the same as those 
which deprives them largely of their natural sustenance, 
for it cannot be denied that there has been a scarcity 
of insect life this season, owing to the cold and wet. 
The wonder is how swallows and allied tribes have 
really existed. I rather favour the explanation that 
in a dry season, when insects are plentiful, water will 
to a certain extent counteract a desire for fruits, though 
not altogether, as birds have a certain claim upon fruit 
as well as man. In a thirsty moment, when at work 
upon a parching hot day, and when we cannot get 
water or possibly something stronger, do we not do the 
same thing as we condemn the birds for doing 1— 
Scarecrow, November 10 th. 
The Mulberry. 
I always read “E. D.’s” contributions with keen 
interest, because they are instructive and possess so 
much of real grit, but will you allow me to say that if 
he studied his Bible only half as much as he does 
plant lore, he would not have said (p. 162) there was no 
reference to the Mulberry in the Old Testament. The 
Mulberry is far more ancient than w 7 hat your corre¬ 
spondent thinks, and if he will turn to 2nd Samuel, 
v., 23—24, or 1st Chron. xiv., 14—15, he will find it 
plainly referred to.— C. S., Castle Menzies. 
Spotted Cyclamen. 
Spotting frequently occurs amongst the flowers of 
Cyclamen persicum, but in some instances it is said to 
be due to the effects of cold, and is neither very regular 
nor very definite sometimes, which causes growers to 
dislike or disregard it. "VVe noticed a plant the other 
day at Gunnersbury Park, Acton, which had six flowers 
closely and beautifully spotted with deep rose on a pure 
white ground, with the exception of the mouth which 
was deep purple. Two other flowers on the same plant, 
curiously enough, were entirely without spots. If 
growers would save seeds from these spotted varieties, 
there seems no reason why a spotted race should not be 
perpetuated by selection, just as other colours are 
preserved and intensified by the same means. It is 
rather surprising that no attempts should be made to 
perpetuate a race of fragrant varieties, which would 
enhance the value of these beautiful flowers in the 
public estimation to a considerable extent. Fragrant 
varieties have been noted amongst them from a very 
early time in the history of this species, and they 
frequently make their presence felt in collections yet, 
but they should be singled out and perpetuated by 
selection. 
The Carmichael Strain of Azaleas. 
These are varieties, or rather hybrids, of Azalea 
amoena, in which the flowers are considerably improved 
in size, and the foliage larger and paler. There can be 
no doubt, however, of their affinity with A. amcena, 
as it is evidenced in the close branching habit of the 
plant, the small evergreen leaves and the small flowers, 
which are borne in great profusion, almost or quite 
covering the foliage when in full bloom. The flowers, 
however, are larger and of several shades of rosy 
purple, dark or light, and spotted on the upper lip 
with darker markings. The greatest difference seems 
to be in the absence of a petaloid calyx, which is so 
characteristic of A. amoena, and adds so much to its 
effect in the aggregate. The flowers of the hybrid 
strain being, however, much larger, a coloured calyx, 
if present, would be more or less hidden. The hybrids 
are equally amenable for forcing, as A. amcena, and a 
batch is now flowering freely at Gunnersbury Park, 
Acton. 
Begonia Octavie. 
This is a charming acquisition, and those who saw the 
large collection exhibited by Messrs. Cannell & Sons, 
of Swanley, at the Aquarium last week, are not likely 
soon to forget its picturesque appearance. The plant 
is of dwarf and sturdy habit, 6 ins. to 8 ins. high, 
flowers double and pure white, of good form and 
substance, and produced with freedom. Altogether 
one may say it is a novelty possessing great merit.— 
J. Horsejield. 
The Scarlet-berried Elder. 
Few seem to be aware of the beauty of this shrub 
(Sambucus racemosa), when laden with its large 
clusters of bright red or scarlet berries, for decorative 
purposes in the shrubbery border during the latter 
part of summer and autumn. The complaint is that it 
fruits indifferently or not at all, while the fact that it 
is naturally a large-growing shrub or small tree is over¬ 
looked. Many years ago it was grown as a standard in 
the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, with very fine effect, 
while in this country it is usually kept down to a low 
bush, when the results, as might be expected, are far 
from satisfactory. Those, however, who allow it to 
attain some size are rewarded by the production of 
large quantities of berries, making the plant a very 
effective object in a shrubbery, or as a large bush or 
clump in the pleasure grounds. We recently saw a 
standard tree of it heavily laden with fruit in the 
woodland arboretum at East Duddingston Lodge, 
Joppa, near Edinburgh. 
Cyclamens at Clovelly, Hounslow. 
For some time past there has been a wonderful 
display of Cyclamens at this place, the residence of 
W. H. Ellis, Esq. It is comparatively a new establish¬ 
ment, and the area of glass structures has been 
considerably extended, and is likely to be increased 
from time to time. The Cyclamens under notice 
measure some 15 ins. across, and carry some fifty or 
sixty blooms at the present time. The important 
point, however, is that they were only sown about ten 
months before these notes were taken, so that they 
have made remarkable progress in the time. They 
were sown on January 3rd in pans of light sandy 
loam and after germination were pricked into other 
pans with a little more room to develop. They were 
then potted into 60-size pots and kept growing till 
June, in the course of which time they were ready to 
be potted into 40-size pots. After this they were 
removed to a cool pit and hardened off. The secret of 
Mr. Ford’s (the gardener) success, was never to check 
growth, but to keep the plants moving ; nor were they 
at any time allowed to get dry; and during hot 
scorching sun they were kept shaded. 
Cedrus atlantica giauca. 
I quite concur in the opinion expressed by “ E. D.” 
(p. 168) as to the beauty of the silvery grey-tinted 
variety of the Mount Atlas Cedar. Nor can there be 
any doubt as to the persistency of the tint, as may be 
seen by a tree at High Elms, Kent, and another, 
possibly two, on Lord Brassey’s estate at Normanhurst, 
Sussex, and which may range from 20 ft. to 25 ft. high. 
C. atlantica even in its typical form has a more 
decidedly glaucous tint than either the Himalayan, 
C. Deodara, or the Cedar of Lebanon (C. Libani), 
especially after the new growth and foliage for the 
season has been completed in thriving young trees ; 
but those who have seen the true C. atlantica giauca 
will have no doubt as to its distinctness, for it is really 
a striking object in a landscape amongst other trees, 
even if planted alongside of the ordinary form. The 
whole tree is of a beautiful silvery sheen as if covered 
over with hoar frost, and is especially striking in 
autumn.— F. 
Begonia geranioides. 
This is a charming winter-flowering species, with dark 
green reniform leaves. The flowers are white, slightly 
fragrant, borne upon erect-growing panicles about 8 
ins. high. The stamens are yellow, and give the 
flowers a very neat appearance. In the pistillate 
flowers the ovary is conspicuous, being white like the 
perianth; the styles like the stamens are a bright 
yellow. "We are indebted to Mr. J. O’Brien for a 
couple of tubers of this interesting plant, obtained, I 
believe, by him from Natal. Our plants are growing 
and flowering freely in a warm greenhouse, close to the 
pipes, potted in sandy loam and a little peat. B. 
geranioides ought to become a popular plant, and 
doubtless will be so, if white flowers and fragrance have 
any effect in establishing the reputation of a Begonia.— 
J. W. 0. 
-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
National.— Nov. 7th. and 8th. 
Owing to the pressure on our space last week, we were 
obliged to omit reference to many important classes, 
both in the way of cut blooms, fruit, and vegetables, 
an omission which we now supply. 
The first prize stand of six Japanese blooms of any 
colour, consisting of Edwin Molyneux, was specially 
noteworthy on account of the size of the blooms, which 
were 10 ins. in diameter by 7 ins. deep. They were 
shown by Mr. J. McKenzie, gardener to T. S. W. 
Cornwallis, Esq., Linton Park, Maidstone; Mr. J. 
Doughty, gardener to Mrs. Tomlin, Angley Park, 
Cranbrook, Kent, was second with splendid blooms, 
both as to size and colour, of Belle Paule. For six blooms 
of one white Japanese variety, Mr. J. McKenzie was 
again first with large specimens of Meg Merrilies, and 
Mr. W. Jupp, gardener to G. Boulton, Esq., Eastbourne, 
was second with Avalanche. Special prizes were 
offered by Messrs. J. Jensen & Co., 102, Fenchurch 
Street, London, for six trained specimens, and Mr. S. 
