June 4, 1892. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
629 
GARDENING IN 
BARRACKS. 
One would hardly, in the ordinary nature of things, 
expect to find the art of gardening closely pursued in 
the limited area available for such a purpose in an 
infantry barracks. But minor obstacles are brushed 
aside by the genuine garden amateur, and the fatal 
non possumus is, neck and crop, bundled out of his 
vocabulary. In accommodation of the most meagre 
kind, behind the officers’ quarters in the barracks at 
present occupied by the Devonshire regiment, at 
Exeter, Lieut. Smith can show gratifying results in 
the cultivation of flowers. From the floricultural 
needle to the floricultural anchor, he has, somewhere 
or other, a bit of everything. A month ago he 
showed me as fine a plant, in bloom, of the Iris 
Susiana as I have seen. It was a regular beauty, 
and if this plant could be well shown at provincial 
exhibitions now and again, I am certain it would be 
more sought after. I believe half the gardeners in 
the country have never once seen this very remark¬ 
able and altogether lovely Iris. 
Away in a damp corner of a rockery was a 
Gunnera scabra showing fruit. Hard 
by were some nice British Ferns, a 
few Pansies and Violas, some fair 
Alpine Auriculas, and the other odds 
and ends that one generally finds in 
the borders of a garden whose owner 
loves flowers from his heart. Lieut. 
Smith’s particular fancy, however, 
lies in Lilies and Gloxinias, but more 
especially in Lilies. He is, though 
on the sunny side of thirty, quite a 
" past-master ” in Lilies. He loves 
them. On the stages and benches, in 
cold frames, and on ashes in the open, 
are Lilies galore; and good Lilies, 
too. L. Washingtonianum, Krameri, 
Brownii, testaceum.auratum,Harrissi, 
and even giganteum, with all of which, 
from the shape of the bulb, through 
the habit of the plant, to the exact 
shade and size of the flower, he is as 
familiar as an expert. 
He is much puzzled this season to 
account for many—more than half— 
of his L. pyrenaicums and L. chalce- 
donicums going “blind.” The plants 
are strong, green, and healthy-look- 
ing, but they have no flower-buds. 
Has this been a general experience 
with Lily-growers this season ? And 
what is the technical cause and cure 
for it ? The Gloxinias are an un¬ 
commonly fine lot. There are some 
very remarkable steel-blue colours 
and some very good spotted ones, 
while the Defiance type is in abun¬ 
dance and shows some grand flowers. 
Gardenias Mr. Smith does well; and, 
indeed, with his disadvantages, it is 
wonderful to see so many things 
grown and such excellent results. 
Tomatos and Grapes are also fairly 
well done. And when you consider that all 
this is accomplished in little more space than 
many a gardener allows to an erratic Fig tree or 
other rambling member of the garden, it speaks 
volumes for the industry and aptitude of the owner. 
While Mr. Smith is a gcod all round amateur florist, 
he fairly “ takes the Abernethy ” with Lilies and 
Gloxinias.— Devoniensis. 
-- 
RHODODENDRON RACEMOSUM. 
The application of the specific name in this case is 
not particularly evident at first sight, as the flowers 
are arranged in short corymbs in the usual manner 
for Rhododendrons. The allusion may be derived 
from the fact that numerous smaller corymbs are 
produced along the sides of the shoots, producing as 
it were a sort of raceme with the terminal one. The 
flowers are of large size compared with the plants 
producing them ; and to contrast them with Rhodo¬ 
dendrons already in cultivation it may be said that 
they range between those of R. dahuricum and R. 
praecox. All the three are early spring flowering 
and hardy species, and may therefore be placed side 
by side as to utility for outdoor work. The leaves of 
R. racemosum are obovate-oblong, revolute at the 
margin, leathery in texture, evergreen, and about an 
inch in length. The stems flower freely when only 
2 in. to 8 in high, and the plant should be invaluable 
for rock work, especially from the fact that it flowers 
when hardy plants in flower are scarce. The five- 
lobed flowers are bell-shaped, and of a soft pink with 
a bright rose edge. This picotee-edged character 
gives the flower a charming appearance, especially 
when the latter is seen in a mass. The stamens and 
styles are also pink, and the anthers rose coloured, 
adding somewhat to the beauty of the flower. The 
plant was raised from seeds obtained from China, 
and a pan of small plants was shown by Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, at a meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society on the igth of April, when a 
First-class Certificate was awarded. Our illustration, 
prepared from one of the plants exhibited on that 
occasion, will give an idea of the general appearance 
of the species. 
--T-- 
DOUBLE WALLFLOWERS. 
Formerly cultivators who prided themselves in 
growing double Wallflowers were in the habit of 
raising them from cuttings, but they can now be 
Rhododendron racemosum. 
raised in quantity and variety front seeds in the 
same way as double Stocks, while they are ap¬ 
parently as hardy as the single varieties. They 
certainly lack the gracefulness of the single varieties, 
but they nevertheless always gain a number of 
admirers, and seeing that they can be raised without 
any trouble from seeds they should be more common 
than under the old system of increase from cuttings. 
The old varieties consisted cf one or two sorts with 
vellow flowers, and, as a rule, the stem swere leggy, 
while the flowers not particularly fine. We noted 
some recently in the garden of N. N. Sherwood, 
Esq., Dunedin, Streatham Hill, and which had been 
raised from seeds like the single sorts. A deep 
golden-yellow variety was particularly notable for its 
dwarf habit and dense spike of large blooms, 
resembling in fact a double Stock of that colour, but 
which unfortunately we have not yet acquired, the 
so-called yellows amongst Stocks being mere 
apologies for the name. 
A double brown sort corresponded to the single 
brown one, and alongside of it were numerous speci¬ 
mens with purple flowers. Beth of these were about 
equal in quality to the yellow one, although not 
perhaps so conspicuous or effective. They probably 
will not be so much appreciated except where variety 
is desired Here, then, we get double Wallflowers 
presenting almost the same amount of variation as 
the singles, with exception of the striped ones, which 
will, no doubt, turn up in time. The object of culti¬ 
vators should be to select and perpetuate those 
plants which present a compact habit with large 
flowers and well-defined colours. Those who like 
formal gardening will find in these doubles suitable 
subjects, for they appear to be dwarf and more com¬ 
pact than the singles with stouter stems and spike¬ 
like racemes of flowers. Most gardeners know how 
different the double Stocks are in habit from the 
single ones, so that we cannot be surprised to find a 
similar habit developed amongst the double 
Wallflowers. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL EXHI¬ 
BITIONS. 
It is sometimes said that it is practically impossible 
to hold in this country a large horticultural exhibi¬ 
tion on an extensive scale because the material is not 
forthcoming. Those who hold this opinion point to 
what is acknowledged to be the falling off at the ex¬ 
hibitions held by the Royal Botanic 
Society in the Regent’s Park and also 
at the Crystal Palace; and they are 
found stating that no large stuff is 
forthcoming with which to create im¬ 
posing effects. I think it must be 
admitted after the experience of the 
recent Earl’s Court Exhibition that 
the material is to be found, and that 
were an International Horticultural 
Exhibition, such as that held at South 
Kensington in 1866 again proposed, 
and inducements offered in the way 
of prizes, a very fine display would 
result. It cannot be said that the 
promoters of the Earl's Court Exhi¬ 
bition erred on the side of liberality 
in the matter of prize money, though 
the compilers of the schedule en¬ 
deavoured to do the very best they 
could with the money at their dis¬ 
posal. As far as big stuff' is concerned 
the groups of Palms and other foliage 
plants shown by Messrs. Wills & 
Segar and Mr. W. Iceton were proofs 
that there is yet among us material 
for forming magnificent groupings on 
a large scale, and securing the most 
striking effects. 
These two arrangements—fitted to 
ornament the most spacious building 
—were highly effective. Then there 
were the very fine examples of Palms, 
Crotons, etc., from Handcross Park, 
from Cheltenham, etc. Stove and 
Greenhouse plants from Hawkesyard, 
Coventry, and also from Cheltenham: 
with Dracaenas, Caladiums, etc., in 
plenty. What is wanted is induce¬ 
ments to be held out to exhibitors 
to bring them. Specimen Roses, 
Pelargoniums, Clematis, and such 
subjects can be produced as fine as ever 
when occasion arises ; and continental nurserymen 
can be induced to send contributions if they are in¬ 
vited to do so. One of the most interesting features 
connected with the recent exhibition at Earl’s Court 
was the number of foreign nurserymen and others 
who were present. 
Many persons are found asking why does not the 
Royal Horticultural Society take the lead in exhibi¬ 
tions of this kind ? I am unable to answer this 
question, though it appears to be one of the proper 
functions of this incorporated society to take the 
lead in such an undertaking. At present anything of 
the kind is left to private enterprise, and our leading 
society stands by content to hold one large exhibi¬ 
tion only annually, where the contributions are 
mainly from the trade. Without any desire to under- . 
estimate the importance of the work done by the 
society, we yet think it is equal to its opportunities : 
and it is to be feared that if what it fails to do itself 
is attempted by others it gives rise to some feeling 
akin to jealousy. It is not a little remarkable that 
private enterprise should be carrying out a series of 
International Horticultural Exhibitions during the 
present season, and also projecting an important fruit 
show in the following year, while the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society is content to carry out a somewhat 
stereotyped programme which fails to attract the 
public to the extent an organization occupying such 
an unique position should do.— Veritas. 
