806 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 20, 1892. 
that one bulb in a thousand measures 7 in. 
Tuberose-growers could afford to sell at the usual 
prices, and make a good profit, if purchasers could 
be persuaded that small bulbs were just as good as 
the large ones. The only difference which I have 
noticed in the blooming of large and small bulbs, is 
that the latter require a longer time to perfect their 
flower-spikes after budding .—Correspondent of Ameri¬ 
can Gardening. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
Rudbeckia purpurea. —One of the choicest of 
Rudbeckias is that under notice, which although 
introduced from the United States in 1799 is yet far 
from being plentiful in gardens. The rootstock 
grows very slowly and therefore cannot be increased 
with the same rapidity as the best yellow, namely, 
R. speciosa. The rays are purple, the disc deep 
brown, and the head often measures 3 in. across. 
Increase may be effected in spring by careful separa¬ 
tion of the crowns. 
Saponaria officinalis.— In this we have the 
tallest and strongest growing of all the species in 
cultivation, and which are by no means numerous. 
The pale purple or lilac flowers are not particularly 
showy, but conspicuous enough in the border and 
serve to give variety at a time when composites are 
numerous. They are produced in dense fascicled 
cymes not unlike those of the Sweet William, and in 
fact belong to the same family. Propagation is 
easily effected by division. There is a double one 
with pink flowers changing to rose, and which some 
growers might prefer. 
Bocconia cordata. —The stems of this bold 
Poppywort are shorter this year than usual owing to 
the dryness of the season. Under favourable con¬ 
ditions as to moisture, they run up to a height of 
6 ft. or 8 ft., and then have a sub-tropical effect. 
The aim of the cultivator with this plant should be 
to grow it as vigorously as possible, for it never 
looks better than when growing luxuriantly and just 
ruffled by the wind so that the white under-surface 
comes into view. The creamy flowers are small 
individually, but produced in masses terminating the 
main stem and the branches. Increase by suckers 
is easy. It should be planted in the back line of 
the border where the soil has been trenched up to a 
depth at least of 2 ft. and well manured. 
Aconitum Napellus bicolor. —By many this 
variety is considered prettier than the type, which 
has almost uniformly blue flowers. In this case the 
edges of the lateral sepals and the tip sf the upper 
one, or hood, is of a light blue, while all the rest is 
white, thus giving the flowers a variegated appear¬ 
ance. The plant grows 3 ft. or 4ft. in height, accord¬ 
ing to the nature of the soil in which it is grown and 
its conditions as to moisture. At all events it is a 
very effective and old-fashioned garden plant, flower¬ 
ing in August or September according as it is grown 
in the south or north of Britain. It is a poisonous 
plant, however, and should be grown where none but 
those who know its danger can get at it. 
Adenophora liliifolia. —On casual observation 
this plant closely resembles a Campanula, being 
somewhat similar in habit and the form of its flowers 
to C. rhomboidalis. The flowers are somewhat 
smaller, however, more numerous, bell-shaped, pen¬ 
dulous, and clear blue. The leaves are ovate, 
serrate, and deep green, recalling those of Campanula 
grandiflora. The stems grow about 2 ft. high, and 
with their panicles of flowers look very pretty. 
Altogether the plant is very neat, and might with 
advantage be more frequently planted in borders of 
well drained, moderately light soil. 
Doronicum plantagineum excelsum. —Occasion¬ 
ally this may be seen in gardens under the name of 
Harpur Crewe, a name originally given it in gardens 
before its botanical affinity was ascertained. The 
lower leaves are ovate on long stalks, but the stem 
leaves are stalkless. The large heads are of a golden 
yellow, and produced in succession all through the 
spring and summer, provided the plant is kept grow¬ 
ing. With this object in view it should be occasion¬ 
ally transplanted, at least every twelvemouth or two 
years, breaking it up and planting the vigorous young 
growths in well dug and manured soil. 
Veronica spicata.— Amongst the perennial spe¬ 
cies of Veronica, few are neater or prettier than the 
more typical forms of this species, and the variety, 
V. s. minor is quite a gem. The plant in good soil 
grows about 12 in. high, every stem terminating in a 
long spike-like raceme of bright blue flowers. Pro¬ 
pagation is easily effected to any extent by seeds, 
cuttings, and division. 
Gentiana septemfida. —The stems of this species 
are procumbent at the base, then erect, and terminate 
in a small cluster of flowers, the lamina of which, 
with its curiously fringed intermediate segments, is 
of an intense blue ; the tube is of a bronzy blue. 
Many of the species of Gentian are difficult to grow 
successfully in gardens, but that under notice only 
requires to be planted in well drained, but moderately 
moist soil and let alone. It flowers regularly every 
year. 
--5-- 
THE BEDFONT SEED 
GROUNDS. 
The rich brick earth-lands along the valley of the 
Thames in the western part of Middlesex are thickly 
studded with market gardens, a fact which testifies 
to the suitability of the land for the purpose. Seed 
farms are not numerous, fruit and vegetables being 
extensively grown, so that the Bedfont seed grounds 
of Mr. R Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing, are like an 
oasis of flowers amongst the fruit and vegetables. A 
considerable amount of variety is included in the 
four acres, and choice varieties of many old-fashioned 
garden flowers are full of interest to all who delight 
in gardens and gardening. 
Antirrhinums sown in February in a cold house 
are now in full bloom in many colours, such as rose, 
purple, white,yellow, and crimson,striped and mottled. 
We were much taken with a brilliant crimson variety, 
having a white tube and named Brilliant. .This latter 
had also been raised from seeds and was wonderfully 
true to the type, about 12 in. or 15 in. high and most 
floriferous. Other named varieties in smaller 
quantity were Geo. Finlay, yellow and closely striped 
with crimson; John Turner, bright yellow mottled 
with red; Zebra, pale yellow, striped red; Hoo Glen, 
white mottled crimson; and Firebrand, crimson with 
a purple tube. The Candytuft named White 
Empress has racemes of flowers 6 in. to 8 in. long. 
Sweet Peas of the leading named sorts are grown in 
some quantity. Several choice named varieties of 
Indian Pinks are grown in different parts of the 
grounds so as to avoid their being mixed by the bees. 
That named Brilliant is single with large brilliant 
crimson flowers, freely produced on stems about 6 in. 
high. Some double and semi-double ones of the 
same colour afford an opportunity for selection. A 
double white one named Snowflake is also very 
choice in its way. French Marigolds are grown in 
some quantity, and a dwarf yellow variety about 
12 in. high and 18 in. through is very floriferous and 
fine. Other varieties are striped, and some of a rich 
brown, laced with gold. China Asters include some 
very fine quilled ones in a mixture of various colours. 
The Mignon and Comet strains are also mixed, the 
latter being characterised by a white edge to the 
florets. The double Royal Marigolds constitute a 
strain of Calendula officinalis, having the florets 
tipped with maroon. African Marigolds are repre¬ 
sented by the orange and lemon varieties with heads 
4 in. to 5 in. across, and the strong plants resembling 
miniature trees. 
Several very choice Tropseolums are grown in 
quantity, including a brilliant clear scarlet variety 
named Bedfont Rival. The foliage is of a light 
green. Quite distinct from this is Lustrous, with 
dark bronzy glaucous foliage, and brilliant crimson- 
scarlet flowers of a darker hue than Empress of 
India. Self sown seedlings of Tropaeolum canadensis 
now cover a concrete wall with a mass of living 
greenery and clear yellow flowers. Ten-w'eek Stocks 
are grown in some quantity, amongst which is a fine 
white one named Princess Alice. We noted also a 
fine plantation of intermediate white Stocks, and the 
large mauve flowered variety named Mauve Beauty. 
The large percentage of double flowers precludes the 
chance of getting many seeds from them. Annual 
Chrysanthemums are represented by the yellow C. 
Sibthorpii, C. segetum grandiflorum with larger 
yellow flowers, and C. coronarium -\yith double and 
semi-double white flowers. The new double giant 
strain of Zinnia elegans grows about 18 in. high, or 
might have been taller if rain had been more plentiful, 
but the flower heads are of great size. 1 he orange- 
yellow flower heads of Venidium calandulaceum are 
freely produced in dry weather, and being easily 
raised from seeds might well be grown where 
Gazanias are sometimes used. 
A good strain of Pentstemons is grown for the 
production of seed ; most of them have at one time 
or other been sent out under names, but here they 
are grown in mixture for the purpose stated. Some 
are also grown under names. A plantation of single 
Petunias are very floriferous and attractive, some 
being purple or crimson, and others striped with 
purple on a white ground or white striped with 
purple. Spotted white and purple Foxgloves show 
which can be done with a British plant. Spotted 
and blotched Mimulus delight in the shade of a north 
border. A striking plant is Lobelia speciosa grandi¬ 
flora with dark blue flowers and a small white eye 
Similar in habit to a Sweet Pea, is Lathyrus tingi- 
tanum, a climbing annual with deep purple flowers. 
L. Drummondi with deep rose flowers is now out of 
bloom, as it commences to flower in May, but its 
place is taken by L. latifolius delicatus with white 
flowers suffused with pink and having darker veins. 
A good strain of Sweet Williams, now mostly out of 
flower, yet show many beautifully marked flowers. 
Carnations also find a place, and amongst them we 
noted a white variety with moderate sized fragrant 
white flowers. 
Bedding Pansies and Violas are grown to some 
extent, including Countess of Hopetoun, white ; 
Trentham Purple, dark purple; Hollyrood, and 
Bluebeard, both dark violet blue varieties of different 
shades of colour; Champion, white, and a large 
number of seedlings. Some very fine seifs could be 
selected from amongst them, with perfectly circular 
flowers and rich colours. Some of the seedling 
yellows were almost or entirely without rays. A 
quantity of single Dahlias are now very profusely 
laden with flowers. Scarlet Bedder is a brilliant 
scarlet ; Victoria has white flowers with a single 
edge ; Paragon is now pretty well known to most or 
all cultivators of single Dahlias ; and other varieties 
have pink, yellow, and white flowers respectively. 
-- 
BEGONIAS AT WEXHAM 
PARK. 
A day or two ago, by permission of Mr. Ford, the 
gardener, I had the pleasure of making another visit 
to the beautiful gardens belonging to Sir Charles 
Piggot, Bart. I have on previous occasions for¬ 
warded you a few notes respecting the good things 
that are always to be found there. V hat attracted 
my attention most of all this time was the grand and 
enormous collection of tuberous Begonias; such a 
sight I have never before seen in any private col¬ 
lection, and I doubt whether anyone could find 
another in England to equal them. There are two 
houses entirely devoted to them, one a span-roof, 50ft. 
long by 14 ft. wide ; the other, a 3 -span, 36 ft. long 
by 14 ft. wide. The plants are staged on either side 
of the centre walk, and present a gorgeous sight 
such as one cannot easily forget. The plants are 
the picture of health and vigour, and the size and 
substance of the flowers is remarkable, man} 
measuring 7 in. in diameter. 
If ever any were seen to perfection these would 
certainly stand in the first rank, but the most extra¬ 
ordinary feature about them, considering the size of 
the plants, is the exceptionally small pots they are 
grown in, scarcely any exceeding 8 in., and the greater 
portion are grown in 40's and 32 s, and yet some of 
the plants measure from 2 ft. to 3 ft. across, and are 
literally covered with massive flowers. I must not 
omit to mention, however, that they are liberall} fed 
with artificial manure. The greater part are from 
seed sown last year which Mr. Ford selected and sa\ ed 
himself. His mode of culture is simple but very 
effective. The seeds are sown in shallow pans early 
in the spring in a compost of loam, leaf soil, and 
coarse sand, about equal parts ; but great care is 
taken not to cover the seeds too deep, a little fine sand 
sifted on the surface is all that is required. As soon 
as the seedlings are large enough to handle they are 
carefully pricked off in similar pans, and kept in a 
warm, moist atmosphere close up to the glass to pre¬ 
vent them getting drawn ; this Mr. Ford considers 
the principal thing in the cultivation of these beauti- 
ful plants. As the season advances the) are 0 radu 
ally hardened off and placed in frames, still keeping 
them close up to the light and air. Then when the 
season permits they are planted out in a rich and 
well prepared bed in the kitchen garden. Those t us 
