September 7 , 1895 . 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
15 
illustrated by two beds, one of which was filled by 
grand examples of the dark crimson flowered 
Marquis of Stafford, and edged with white Lobelia, 
and Hollyhock, a bright pink, a suitable bordering 
being provided here by a band of blue Lobelia. 
About ten thousand seedlings are raised each year. 
The ground upon which they are to be planted out 
receives a good dressing of rotten stable manure in 
the autumn, and a thorough digging over with the 
spade is subsequently given. A light forking 
over just before planting out time, usually about the 
last week in May, is also part of the cultural 
routine. The plants are placed nine inches apart 
each way, rather a greater distance than that 
usually given by other cultivators. Nor is the room 
allowed a whit too much; for at the time of our 
visit the plants were touching each other, so rapid 
and vigorous had been the growth, and we found 
ourselves wondering if these fine plants were really 
Edinburgh, between which and the suburb of Cor- 
storphine it is situated, and further afield, who have 
visited it during the summer season, have been loud 
in their praises of the splendid results produced by 
careful and intelligent cultivation. A glance at the 
extensive border outside, and the two large houses 
devoted to its culture, indicate the fact that neither 
energy nor money has been spared to develop and 
improve the growth of this charming flower. 
To judge from the varied display of magnificent 
blooms embraced in the collection, its popularity is 
not a mere fad, but the result of substantial merit. 
The demand has been steadily increasing, and it has 
already almost supplemented its rival, the Pelar¬ 
gonium, as an ornamental plant for flower beds. It 
has been found to be much better fitted to stand the 
rains of a damp climate, and, notwithstanding the 
long spell of wet weather here, since the beginning 
of July, the appearance of the outside border shows 
white, with the flower standing well above the 
foliage. The Viscountess Melville is resplendent in 
intense crimson, is specially notable for size and 
form, and a most successful production. Another, 
named the Scottish Queen, of apricot colour, is also 
remarkable for size. Mrs. Herdman is a rich orange- 
pink, shading to white. Near to these are the Orange 
Queen, Apple Blossom, and Effie Deans, the last a 
rich cream. 
The next to be singled out are ■■ Auld Reekie,” a 
deep yellow of excellent form and substance ; La 
Favourite, the Bride of Lammermoor, Darkness, 
Mons Meg, The Blushing Bride, Begonia King, and 
The Fairy. The names are appropriately chosen, 
and we must leave the imagination of the reader to 
conceive the extreme richness or delicacy of colour 
which the skilful hand of the cultivator has succeeded 
in producing. 
In the house devoted to the cultivation of doubles, 
the splendid results of careful propagation and 
training are no less noteworthy. Some of the heavy 
clusters that try the sustaining powers of the plant 
Mr. Downie's House of Single Begonias. 
this year's seedlings. On this point, however, we 
were assured. The dry weather which characterised 
the beginning of the summer here, as everywhere 
else, proved very trying, although its ill effects are 
certainly not so apparent. Mr. Langdon informed 
us that he was very glad when the drought was over, 
as all the water necessary had to be brought from a 
considerable distance. Some grand shades of 
yellow, orange, scarlet, and crimson were very 
noticeable, even amidst the colour that was apparent 
on every hand, whilst the general excellence of habit 
and form of flower exhibited throughout cannot be 
too highly praised. Indeed, to those who desire to 
see the double Begonia in all its glory a visit to 
Newton St. Loe cannot fail to be both interesting 
and instructive. 
-- 
BEECHHILL NURSERY. 
This nursery, the property of the well-known firm of 
John Downie, enjoys a well-earned reputation for the 
culture of Begonias. The numerous visitors from 
that it has well stood the trying test of this season. 
It is also here in increasing requisition as an 
inside decorative plant. The collection under glass 
at Beechhill embraces two houses, one devoted to 
the culture of singles, the other that of doubles. 
The first presents a truly magnificent spectacle. It 
is, indeed, hardly possible to conceive a more florid 
display, presenting, as the collection does, the most 
astonishing maze of colour. The fact that the large 
proportion is raised from Downie's own seedlings 
affords an indication of the extreme care and enter¬ 
prise devoted to this special department of plant 
growing in the nursery. 
Among so many fine blooms to be counted by the 
hundred it is difficult to select. We can only direct 
attention to a few specially magnificent examples. 
Miss Downie shows a silver front with pink on the 
reverse. It measures 5 in. across, and displays ex¬ 
cellent form and substance. Lady Lucy Sundas is a 
brilliant scarlet, and makes a veritable chandelier of 
heavy blooms. Another example, named after Mr. 
John Downie, displays a striking contrast of snowy* 
are nothing short of marvellous. The Beauty of 
Beechhill poses as a La France Rose, and shows ex¬ 
cellent substance and habit. A most charming 
specimen named Mrs. Downie competes with it in 
the rarity of its spotless white colour, and the size 
and compactness of the bloom. The Countess of 
Cromartie, a beautiful rose-pink, and the Lady Con¬ 
stance Mackenzie, an orange-pink, are likewise 
remarkable for their size and free flowering. Mr. 
William Mackinnon is a warm orange-yellow, with 
both fulness of flower and excellence of form. A 
vivid scarlet named The Giant shows blooms of 
great size, while Pauline, a pretty pink, is profuse in 
colour and grace. 
The outside collection includes thousands of seed¬ 
lings, all bespeaking great promise and vigour, and a 
large assortment of healthy plants showing the 
resplendence of a very effective blending of colours. 
The collection at Beechhill is undoubtedly a very fine 
one, whether regard be had to the quality of the 
blooms or the form of the plants. The firm certainly 
deserve a high place among the more famous Begonia 
growers of the time, and may count on the recogni¬ 
tion of The Gardening World of the splendid 
results in the cultivation of this flower, to which 
they have contributed no small share. 
