January 19, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
323 
white Clover, and says expressly this is the plant worn 
by the people in their hats on St. Patrick’s Day ; while 
the Gaelic name for Oxalis, by Thulkeld, is “Sealgan.” 
What is generally worn in county Cork, &c., is the 
Trifolium filiforme, the common Suckling Clover. It 
grows in thick clusters on the tops of walls and ditches, 
and is found in abundance in old limestone quarries in 
the south and west of Ireland. Since the days of St. 
Patrick, the Shamrock is supposed to contain some 
inherent charm, and may be considered as the early 
ecclesiastical insignia of the “ Island of Saints.” The 
leaves are also said to be typical of faith, hope, and 
charity. “And yet,” as an Irish newspaper has 
observed, “ notwithstanding all the virtues associated 
with the modest plants, the wearing of it is too often 
made the pretext for bacchanalian orgies.” 
The plant which is figured upon our coins, both 
English and Irish, is an ordinary Trefoil. Queen 
Victoria placed the Trefoil in her royal diadem in lieu 
of the French Fleur-de-lis. — R. D. 
-~>X«- 
SPECIMEN TREES AT CHISWICK 
HOUSE. 
The fine old trees to be seen in the grounds at Chiswick 
Plouse, at present occupied by the Marquis of Bute, 
give evidence not only of the hoary antiquity of the 
place, but also of the suitability of the alluvial soil of 
the Thames valley for the many kinds of trees belonging 
to widely diverse natural families. The undermentioned 
measurements for the height of trees were ascertained 
by means of Kay’s Dendrometer, so that the calcu¬ 
lations are not mere guess-work made by the eye, as 
heights are frequently given. Of the commoner kinds 
of trees there are many that approach the heights 
given below, and there are other specimens worthy of 
notice had time permitted of the measurements being 
taken. 
In the immediate neighbourhood of the house itself, 
both on the north and south sides, the huge Cedars of 
Lebanon at once claim attention. Of four trees 
measured the tallest was 85 ft., with a girth of 14 ft. 
3 ins. ; but another tree was notable for the enormous 
spread of its branches, amounting to 102 ft., while the 
trunk girthed 17 ft. 4 ins. at 3 ft. from the ground. 
Cedrus Deodara. planted in 1864 by Garibaldi, is now 
38 ft. high, and supposing it to have been 2 ft. high 
when planted, it would have grown, on an average, 
18 ins. every year since. The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron 
tulipifera) close by forms a clean straight trunk, 
running up to a height of 77 ft., and girthing 8 ft. at 
4 ft. from the ground. A Catalpa, 43 ft. high, has 
been destroyed by wind, otherwise it would have been 
much taller, judging from the trunk, which girths 
8 ft. 3 ins.—a great thickness for this tree. The 
Ginkgo Tree in the flower garden is 57 ft. high, 
girthing 6J ft. ; and the Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gym- 
nocladus canadensis), although in a rather unfavourable 
position, is 49 ft. high. 
The tallest trees are unquestionably the English 
Elms, but many specimens of Beech and Lime (Tilia 
vulgaris) bear hard upon them. A tree of the Elm 
(Ulmus campestris) measured 122 ft. high, with a girth 
ofl2i ft. Against this we have Beeches 100 ft. high ; 
Lime, 106 ft., with a girth of 13 ft. 8 ins. ; and the 
Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris), 90 ft., with a girth of 
8 ft. 9 ins., having a clean straight trunk. Bulky 
specimens of the Wych Elm, with long, pendulous, 
spray-like branches, and growing near a pond, have 
solid stems, one of which measured 15 ft. 10 ins. in 
circumference at 4 ft. from the ground. A tree of the 
common Oak (Quercus pedunculata) runs up to the 
height of 85 ft., and girths 14 ft. 3 ins. Where 
planted in proximity, there can be little doubt that 
there has been a rivalry between many of these trees as 
to which would get uppermost for the sake of the light; 
but at the same time they have well-developed trunks 
containing many cubic feet of timber. 
A fine specimen of the common Walnut (Juglans 
regia) stands 73 ft. high, with a rugged and gnarled 
trunk girthing 13 ft. 10 ins. The true London Plane, 
which is the Maple-leaved variety (Platanus orientalis 
acerifolia), measures 65 ft. in height, with a girth of 10 
ft. ; but the typical form of the tree (P. orientalis) 
which is far less common in any collection, runs up to 
a height of 66 ft., with a circumference of 14 ft., and 
a spread of branches of 90 ft. It is doubtless one of 
the best trees of its kind in the country, as it usually 
forms a broad spreading head of no great height. Two 
other of our native trees besides the Oak, Beech, Elm, and 
Scotch Pine mentioned are good samples of their kind— 
namely, the Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), the stems 
of some trees girthing 8£ ft., and the Bird Cherry 
(Prunus Padus), which is 48 ft. high and 6 ft. 7 ins. in 
circumference. In a sheltered part of the ground on 
the south-western boundary is a fine specimen of the 
Holly Oak in first-class condition, with the intense 
green colour of the foliage more distinctly brought out 
by the nakedness of the surrounding trees. It is 53 ft. 
in height, girthing 13 ft. 2 ins. near the base, but 
branches at no great height, forming a broad spreading 
head with a diameter of 60 ft. At some distance from 
this, on a flat expanse of grass, is a beautiful spreading 
tree of the evergreen Lucombe Oak, but neither in age 
nor in dimensions can it be compared with the Holly 
Oak just mentioned. 
- >I< .- 
Motes on Bruits. 
Rejuvenated Foxwhelp Apple. 
Much has been said from time to time concerning the 
degeneracy of old and well-known Apples, but few, it 
would seem, make any regular or determined efforts to 
rejuvenate those kinds that are said to have become 
diseased or constitutionally almost worn out. That it 
can be done is stoutly maintained by those who have 
undertaken the task. The Rejuvenated Foxwhelp is 
said to be simply the Foxwhelp mentioned by 
“R. D.” (p. 306), with a greatly improved vitality 
aud an increased luxuriance in the growth of the tree. 
The fruit is broader than long, whereas that of the old 
Foxwhelp is longer than broad and more inclined to be 
oblong. Some are inclined to doubt whether it is the 
same old historic variety or a different thing altogether, 
because the cider made from it is more sweet and 
luscious than that made from the old variety. Against 
this it is contended that the true flavour of the 
Foxwhelp Cider never becomes properly developed till 
the trees become old, and that the cider obtained from 
young trees does not possess the true Foxwhelp flavour 
so much esteemed. The rejuvenescence of the trees 
has been effected by a process of. grafting and re¬ 
grafting on healthy young stocks, commencing with 
seedlings of the old Foxwhelp. Healthy grafts as well as 
stocks are matters of great importance, to which more 
attention should be given than is often the case. — F. 
-- 
otes from Scotland. 
—-f.— 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — At 
the ordinary monthly meeting of this association, held 
on the 8 th inst., Mr. Alexander Milne presiding, there 
was a large attendance, and Mr. Colin J. Mackenzie, 
Warriston Nursery, read a paper on “Decorative 
Palms,” in which he described some specimens that 
were found most serviceable wherever plant-grouping 
for effect was aimed at. Palms generally, he con¬ 
tended, were a useful class of plants, without which no 
decoration of any importance was complete. In the 
course of his remarks, he observed that there was in 
the Royal Botanic Garden a collection of Palms of rare 
beauty, and the like of which could not be seen any¬ 
where else in Scotland. By this fine collection, which 
included many grand and notable examples, the culti¬ 
vation of Palms throughout the country had been 
greatly stimulated, and it was matter for congratulation 
that the Botanic Garden was to remain as at present, 
and not to be handed over to the custody of the 
University authorities. 
Mr. Mark King, Bonnington, made a communi¬ 
cation on “Nature Seed Sowing,” remarking at the 
outset that there were two modes in which plants might 
be propagated—the vegetative, in which a portion of 
the mother plant containing a leaf-bud was placed 
under suitable conditions to make it develop into an 
individual in every respect resembling the mother 
plant, and the reproductive by the agency of seeds. 
Alluding to the dispersion of seeds, he said that 
attention had lately been drawn to Spanish plants 
growing ou the banks of the Water of Leith between 
Currie and Colinton, due to the introduction of their 
seeds with Esparto Grass, now extensively used in the 
manufacture of paper. Australian plants have been 
gathered on the banks of the Tweed, their seeds having 
been brought from the Antipodes adhering to the wool 
employed in the manufacture of cloth in Border towns. 
Mr. Robertson Munro submitted the views of Mr. 
John Arthur, Carlisle, on the “ Culture of the Tube¬ 
rose.” Treating of the question of cultivating Tuberoses 
in “bottom heat,” Mr. Arthur did not wish to assert 
that they could not be grown by this means, but he 
held that when Tuberoses were reared in that way the 
quality of the flowers was much inferior to those which 
were allowed to get well established before forcing was 
attempted. Besides, the percentage of flowering bulbs 
was far greater when grown by the latter method. 
Indeed, experience had proved that “bottom heat” 
was unnecessary, and that all who had an ordinary 
greenhouse might not only grow Tuberoses, but find in 
them a capital substitute for such choice flowers a3 
Stephanotis and Gardenias, which were only within 
the reach of those who could command a stove tem¬ 
perature all the year round. 
The thanks of the Association were awarded to those 
who had contributed papers. Among the exhibits on 
the table was a beautiful collection of Chrysanthemums 
of various colours, sent by Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, 
West Coates Nursery. The chairman called attention 
to the International Chrysanthemum Exhibition, pro¬ 
posed to be held in the city in November next, under 
the auspices of the Association, the object being to 
commemorate the introduction of the Chrysanthemum 
a century ago. On the motion of Mr. Hugh Fraser, 
Leith Walk Nurseries, seconded by Mr. Robert 
Morrison, it was unanimously resolved to do every¬ 
thing possible to make the Exhibition thoroughly 
successful. 
Pruning Fruit Bushes.— We note the oppor¬ 
tune remarks of your correspondent on Gooseberries (p. 
291), and though the paper points to what is cf great 
moment in pruning every kind of fruit tree, it is not 
likely to induce older hands, who have long travelled 
in one beaten rut, to change into a wiser system of 
keeping their bushes rejuvenated by a systematic metho 1 
of leaving young growth in the bush in proport'on to 
that which has been cut out. Nay, they are often 
found to hold up such common-sense practice to 
ridicule, and charge their more advanced neighbours— 
as we heard a very “learned” highlander do those 
with whom he differed—“ with ignorance and want of 
knowledge combined.” Surely such an one must have 
been far gone ! We have, however, seen many 
advanced men go to the opposite extreme, and allow 
their bushes to become so crowded that the heavy crops 
which they bore annually could scarcely be gathered 
because of the density of the bushes on which the fruit 
grew. Our own system—after trying every method of 
pruning (not merely for a season) likely to ensure the most 
valuable returns—has been to yearly cut out a number 
of the more stunted old branches, leaving the strongest 
and best placed young shoots to keep up the bulk and 
form of the bush, giving liberal supplies of manure 
after removing the surface soil for a yard or so over the 
roots. By thus concentrating the best roots the bushes 
can be easily lifted, transplanted and well mulched—a 
practice we have always found attended by the best 
results, labour being reduced and fruit increased in size 
and flavour. For gathering the crop green for market 
extra quantities of wood may be left with impunity, but 
to get fine large fruit of first-rate flavour, when ripe 
we allow sun and air to enter the bushes, which should 
always be in full vigour, with a fair proportion of wood 
from the previous year’s growth in full bearing. 
Currants, Apples, Pears, and even Vines are not averse 
to changing of shoots for young ones. — Caledonian. 
Presentation to Mr. A. M. Byres.— The 
secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society of Aber¬ 
deen (Mr. A. M. Byres) was, on Tuesday evening, the 
8th inst., presented in the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen, 
with a beautiful silver tea and coffee service and tea- 
tray, together with a lovely bouquet for his bride, on 
the occasion of his approaching marriage. Councillor 
Lyon, late chairman of the acting directors of the 
society, in an eulogistic speech, made the presentation, 
and assured Mr. Byres of the hearty good wishes of the 
members of the society for his future happiness and 
welfare in the new sphere he was about to occupy. Mr. 
Byres feelingly replied on behalf of himself and his 
bride. The healths of the young couple having been 
enthusiastically pledged, the remainder of the evening 
was spent in a most enjoyable manner. The bouquec 
was supplied by Messrs. James Cocker & Sons, Sunny- 
park Nursery, Aberdeen, its tastefuluess aud beauty 
being greatly admired by the many members of the 
society present, who one and all considered it to be one 
of the best arranged they had ever seen. The silver 
tea and coffee service bore an appropriate inscription. 
Royal Horticultural Society of Aber¬ 
deen. —-The prize schedule for the grand Floral Fete 
to be held in the Duthie Public Park, Aberdeen, under 
the auspices of this society, on the 22nd, 2-3rd and 24th 
August next, has just been issued. There are in all 
236 classes and 708 prizes. The special prizes, of which 
there are 20, consist of silver cups, silver medals, &c. 
The money prizes amount to nearly £150. The special 
features will be the large table of plants, bouquets of 
wild flowers by boys and girls under sixteen, working- 
class window flowers, &c. A large number of hon. vice- 
presidents and hon. directors have been added, and the 
appeal for donations has been well met. 
