118 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 24, 1891. 
roots, in sunk casks with the bottoms out, and 
approved of it. I had lately a pleasant criticism on 
Oakwood. A first class amateur lady gardener, owning 
a beautiful garden, after having carefully looked over 
our plants, said, " I hardly know what this place 
should be called, it isn’t a garden.” I agreed that it 
was not a garden. She then said, M It is a place 
where plants from all parts of the world grow wild.” 
This is exactly what I am aiming at, and if any suc¬ 
cess has been scored, it is in great part due to friends 
in many countries having helped with seeds and 
plants .—George F. Wilson, Heathcrbank, Weybridge 
Heath, October i6th. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Perennial Sunflowers. 
There are fifty spedes of Sunflowers of all kinds, 
although some botanists restrict this number, and it 
is just possible that in the near future, when our 
knowledge concerning the wild forms increases, 
many of the so-called species will be reduced to 
varieties ; for it is well known that cultivation and 
seed raising greatly alters the appearance of the 
seedlings and they can no longer be matched by 
wild specimens. This can be well exemplified by 
reference to three of the oldest garden Sunflowers, 
namely, Helianthus tuberosus, H. annuus, and H. 
multiflorus, whose history we cannot now unravel. 
With the exception of the first-named we have now 
various quite distinct forms in gardens obtained as 
the result of sporting and seed variation. The tide 
of popularity is now leaning towards the cultivation 
of a greater number of the perennial species for 
border decoration in the autumn. The tendency in 
some public parks and recreation grounds is to plant 
only one species or one kind in excess, to the 
neglect of other and equally fine kinds. A greater 
continuance of bloom and a more varied effect is, 
however, produced by the use of different species, 
and in some cases of varieties or forms of species 
that commence flowering at different times in the 
course of the summer or autumn. Good cultivation 
can also do much to popularise many of the kinds, 
whether in the herbaceous border, shrubberies, or 
wild garden. The ground should receive good and 
moderately deep tilth, using farmyard manure while 
digging or trenching and for mulching the surface. 
Dividing and replanting the stools every second year 
gives a great impetus to vigorous growth. 
Helianthus mutiflorus. —As'already stated this 
is one of the oldest garden Sunflowers, and one of 
the most popular for decorative purposes. It varies 
in height according to culture, but in ordinarily dry 
summers it does not as a rule exceed 2£ ft. to 3 ft., a 
fact which makes it highly suitable for gardens of 
small extent. The leaves are broad, firm and 
numerous, closely furnishing the stems and serving 
to show off the -large flower heads to the best effect. 
The latter are double, the older form having flat 
florets, and a more recently acquired form, named 
Soleil d’Or, having quilled ones. 
H. rigidus. —This speciesjhas hitherto been most 
frequently grown under the name of Harpalium rigi- 
dum. The specific name applies to the rigid nature 
of the leaves, which are also covered with coarse, 
bristly, but short elevations. The rays are long, and 
of a bright golden yellow, while the small disc is dark 
chocolate, or dull purple. There are some half a 
dozen forms in gardens, and the typical one flowers 
in August. An earlier form, namely H. r. aestivus, has 
been introduced into gardens recently under the name 
of H. japonicus, which precedes the type by about 
three weeks, and in dry summers is very dwarf. H. 
r. latifolius is somewhat taller, with considerably 
broader leaves, and flowers in September and Octo¬ 
ber. H. r. semiplenus has more numerous rays and 
therefore semidouble. 
H. decapetalus. —Next to the above this is per¬ 
haps more frequently grown in gardens than any 
other, and proves highly deserving of the distinction, 
more especially under good culture. The stems 
attain a height of 5 ft. or 6ft., and become greatly 
ramified or branched, with the final branchlets 
terminating in a single head of a soft lemon-yellow 
hue. The quantity of cut flowers to be obtained from 
a single plant of moderate size is very considerable. 
H . orgyalis. — The stems of this species vary from 
6 ft. to 10 ft. in height, under different conditions as 
to culture, but produces the finest effect when grown 
well, on account of its stately appearance. The 
long narrow leaves give it a distinctness of character 
such as we see in no other. The flower heads are 
small, numerous and best developed in warm 
summers. 
H. mollis. —July to October is the flowering 
period of this plant, and the stems vary from 3 ft. to 
4 ft. in height according to circumstances. The 
ovate leaves are closely serrated, rough and scabrid 
above, and hoary with down on the under-surface. 
The heads are of good average size. 
H. doron ico ides. —The broad and numerous leaves 
closely clothing the stems of this plant give it a bold 
and vigorous appearance ; but as the stems seldom 
branch the plant has a somewhat formal appearance. 
The yellow flower heads are, however, large and 
showy, and the plant might well find a place in 
shrubbery borders. Some interest is attached to the 
species from the fact that some authorities consider 
it the type of the cultivated H. tuberosus, or 
Jerusalem Artichoke. 
THE UNITED HOR¬ 
TICULTURAL BENEFIT AND 
PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
The anniversary dinner of this admirable Society 
took place at the Cannon Street Hotel on the 15th 
inst., when some 120 members and friends sat down 
under the presidency of Mr. Harry J. Veitch, who 
was supported by many prominent horticulturists, 
including Mr. Sherwood, Mr. ,W. Y. Baker, Mr. 
John Laing, Mr. Lynch White, Mr. Furze, Mr. 
Cannell, Mr. Manning, Mr. A. Veitch, Mr. G. J. 
Ingram, Mr. Osman, &c., &c. The usual loyal 
toasts having been duly honoured, the Chairman, in 
proposing "Continued prosperity to the United 
Horticultural Provident and Benefit Society,” ex¬ 
pressed his deep regret (which was shared by all 
present) that Mr. George A. Dickson was unable to 
be present owing to the very serious illness of his 
brother. Mr. Veitch also alluded in feeling terms 
to the passing away of their last year’s chairman, 
Mr. Edward R. Cutler, and of their friend, Mr. 
George Cavendish, who had undertaken to preside 
on this occasion. When it was found impossible 
that Mr. Dickson could not be present, Mr. W. J. 
Nutting kindly consented to preside over them, but 
owing to a subsequent death in his family that 
arrangement also had to be cancelled, and he, Mr. 
Veitch, had agreed to stop the gap, being always 
pleased to find himself among gardeners. He did 
not propose to go into the history of the society, which 
was well known to them all, but remarked that while 
two of the founders of the Society had passed away 
they had still one left, Mr. George Baker, of Mem- 
bland, who, if not present in the flesh, he was sure 
was with them in the spirit. The society had 
made but slow progress for some years, but latterly, 
rapid strides had been made in increasing the roll 
of members, and much of this success was, no doubt, 
due to the holding of the annual dinners. The 
membership now numbered 410 benefit members 
and 55 honorary subscribers, and he had great 
pleasure in announcing that sixty-nine new members 
had joined during the past year, the greatest number 
that had been enrolled during any one year. The 
advantages which the benefit members enjoyed were 
very great; the Society’s affairs were conducted in 
the most admirable and economical manner ; the 
latest actuarial valuation showed that the Society 
was in a thoroughly sound financial position, and 
he had no hesitation in recommending all young gar¬ 
deners to join it, and so provide for the current ills 
of life, as well as make provision for the necessities 
of old age. He hoped the society would in no way 
suffer from his presiding over them instead of Mr. 
Dickson, and heartily wished them that success in 
the future which the society so richly deserved. 
Mr. N. Cole responded. 
Mr. James Hudson, the Treasurer, in proposing 
"The Honorary and Life Members,” congratulated 
the members on the presence of so many of their sup¬ 
porters, which showed that they were thoroughly in 
touch and sympathised with their efforts. They 
were now proud of their list of honorary members, 
and he hoped the list would be added to that evening. 
Their society offered advantages to gardeners which 
were given by no other benefit or provident society. 
They gave 3 per cent, compound interest for money 
left in their hands on deposit; they did not even 
deduct the income tax, and they invited comparison 
with any other similar society in the country. Their 
committee meetings were held in open court, and 
any member could attend them and see for himself 
how the business was conducted. He acknowledged 
with gratitude the valued strength which had ac¬ 
crued to the society of late years through the steadily 
growing increase in the membership, thanked the 
Chairman for so kindly coming to their aid that 
evening, and concluded by proposing the toast of'' The 
Honorary Members, Life Members, and Visitors,” to 
which Mr. W. Turze, of Teddington, and Mr. J. 
Cheal, of Crawley, responded. 
Mr. Sherwood next, in felicitous terms, proposed 
" The Health of the Chairman,” which Mr. Veitch 
suitablyjacknowledged. The other toasts were " The 
Officers of the Society,” acknowledged by Mr. J. 
Wheeler and Mr. W. Collins ; " Kindred Societies,” 
responded to by Mr. G. J. Ingram, Secretary to the 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution ; and " The 
Press,” for which Mr. George Gordon returned 
thanks. 
During the evening the following subscriptions,etc., 
were announced :—Mr. George A. Dickson, £10 10s.; 
Dicksons Limited, £ns. (annual) ; Mr. H. J. Veitch, 
£2.5 to the Convalescent Fund; Mr. Sherwood’s 
three children, 1 guinea each (annual) to the Conva¬ 
lescent Fund; Mr. Furze, 1 guinea (annual); and 
five other honorary members, 1 guinea each (annual) 
ABBEY PARK, LEICESTER 
To the ordinary visitor the Abbey Park is a large, 
well kept, and beautiful garden, but to the studious 
it is far more, it is a veritable " encyclopedia.” It 
would occupy too much space and time to give a 
description of all the leading features, while a few 
remarks on some may be interesting. There is ample 
scope for anyone who cares to study the various parts 
of the garden to learn, and Mr. J. Burn, the superin¬ 
tendent, by the various arrangements, proves a very 
useful seconder of the School Board in the education 
of the people of Leicester. One or more specimens of 
every kind of plant or shrub is correctly named, and 
that in such a form that anyone can read. 
At the foot of the Mount there is a small model of 
Charnwood Forest. Here all the various kinds of 
granite and slate are portrayed in exactly the form 
they are found in the forest, the vegetation is repre¬ 
sented by small saxifrages and mosses. The sites of 
the villages are marked, making it very interesting. 
The general bedding arrangements are very good, 
particularly the Mosaic or carpet bedding, which 
some are so fond of crying down. I am inclined to 
think it is a case of "sour Grapes” with them. 
Carpet bedding may be unnatural (or even ugly, when 
planted by inexperienced hands), but when planted 
by men like the superintendent of the Abbey Park it 
can only be pronounced "magnificent.” To those 
who have tried and failed, a couple of hours in the 
Abbey Park, Leicester, would be time well spent, 
and if they have any artistic taste they may learn 
sufficient to convince their employers that carpet 
bedding is a thing not to be " cried down.” 
The pattern of the beds is changed each year. 
Some will no doubt remember, in 18S7, the Royal 
Arms and the word "Jubilee” being worked in the 
bed near the Royal Oak (which was planted by 
H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, when the park was 
opened). This year the pattern for both beds is 
taken from the Roman Pavement in Jewry Wall 
Street, and is a very true representation both in 
colour and design of the same. (The real pave¬ 
ment can be seen in the cellar of a small shop in 
Jewry Wall Street, at the modest cost of 
twopence.) The beds, which are circular in form, 
are 22 ft. in diameter, and contain upwards of 20,000 
plants each. The arrangement of such a number is 
no easy task, and to keep true to pattern in outline 
and colour requires a fair amount of skill. Several 
sorts of Alternanthera, Spergula aurea, Herniaria 
glabra, Saxifraga cristata, Antenaria tomentosa, and 
Echeveria Peacockii, are used, Echeveria secunda 
glauca forming the tracery. 
I do not remember carpet bedding when it first 
appeared, rather more than twenty years ago, but it 
is doubtful if Battersea or Victoria Parks (which 
were among the first to try it) could boast of two 
such beds as the people of Leicester have in their 
midst this season. It is doubtful if a more pleasing 
sight (of its kind) can be seen in England than the 
one from the Pavilion looking across the flower garden. 
