74 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 5, 1895. 
plum-coloured fruit with a delightful bloom on it, 
and it also makes a very attractive tree. I take it 
that all the foregoing are simply forms of the Siberian 
Crab, produced in the character of seedlings. As to 
the parentage of that form of the Crab known as the 
black-fruited, which is very dark, I cannot definitely 
write; it is perhaps a true species. Its colour makes 
it valuable in a collection, contrasting finely as it 
does with the Yellow Siberian. 
Pyrus Malus floribundus. 
This is such a beautiful spring-flowering tree that 
I give it a prominent place. I think it is a variety of 
P. spectabilis, the Chinese Crab, though it is classed 
with P. Malus. As a bright and attractive early 
flowering tree it has, perhaps, scarcely a superior; 
it is especially attractive just as its brilliant crimson 
buds are on the point of bursting into blossom. The 
growth of the tree is naturally pendant, and so the 
flowers are displayed to the best advantage. It, of 
course, blossoms on the wood of the previous year, 
and it is followed by numbers of small fruit not 
without an ornamental value. 
A Plea for the Use of the Crabs. 
Anyone interested in flowering trees would find 
it yield them much pleasure if they planted a selec¬ 
tion of these Crabs. Bear in mind they yield two 
periods of service—when they bloom and when they 
fruit. Many of our finest flowering shrubs—the 
Lilac and the Gueldres Rose, for instance—blossom 
finely for the space of two months ; the remaining 
ten they simply furnish green leaves or naked 
branches. We may be said to lose our interest in 
them when they go out of blossom. But the Crabs 
compel our admiration and interest in summer and 
autumn, when sun and wind, rain and storm, 
combine to paint the cheeks of the fruits with ruddy 
tints, and make them glisten in the gathering gloom 
of the shortening late summer days. Grow Crabs as 
ornamental trees is my advice to all lovers of their 
gardens.— R. D. 
* ■ - 
NOTES FROM SWANAGE. 
I fancy the ordinary reader will first of all, re-echo 
and then enquire, " where is Swanage ?” Well, this 
quiet, quaint, old-fashioned little town is situate in 
Dorsetshire, and is part and parcel of the Isle of 
Purbeck. And here another query, not to say a 
conundrum, may well be put and replied to, namely, 
" W T hen is an island not an island?"—“When it's 
Purbeck ?” Purbeck, then, although not an island in 
a strict geographical sense, is practically one by 
reason of its isolation from the mainland. Pur¬ 
beck stone and marble at least, are far-famed, 
many of our public buildings in London and else¬ 
where being largely composed of it. Swanage is 
built of it, as a matter of course, and Swanage people 
get their living by it, as large quantities are still 
quarried in the neighbourhood. Swanage is, more¬ 
over, noted for its wonderful climate; its varied 
geographical formations ; and its remarkable fauna 
and flora. It is with the latter only that we are 
now concerned, although this is largely resultant 
from the great diversity of the stratification of the 
rocks and soils. So, while the lazy ones are basking 
themselves in the smiles of Sol, and the youngsters 
are building castles on the silver sands, or the 
amateur geologists are tapping the rocks for fossil 
remains, we will go in quest of those living gems of 
the vegetable kingdom which not only contribute so 
largely to our gratification and interest, but are so 
intimately bound up with us as to be absolutely 
indispensible to us. Moreover, as the flora of the 
garden is not much in request here, with rare ex¬ 
ceptions, it is the more necessary that we should be¬ 
take ourselves to those larger gardens which nature 
alone decorates and adorns—the cliffs, the downs, 
the heaths, or the bogs: for I am one of those 
restless individuals who think it is far better to go 
a-rambling than to sit on the beach in quiescent 
mood perusing, in a half-unconscious condition, 
say, the Daily Telegraph, on the current topics of the 
hour. 
Let us, then, eschew passing events for the time 
being, and open that great book, the book of Nature, 
while we may, and endeavour to read aright the 
facts which may be found therein. I feel sure this 
will not only add to one's enjoyment, but give one a 
greater grasp of the problems of life in general, and 
botany in particular. There can be nothing musty 
or dry-as-dust about the study of our wild flowers 
in the sweet fresh air and in their native habitats. 
Let us, then, ascend the cliffs at the back of Swanage, 
and court the soft September sun. Strange that 
one of the very first flowers to meet our gaze should 
be the trailing Rest Harrow (Ononis repens). I say 
“ strange ’’ because some slight discussion concern¬ 
ing it has lately arisen in these columns. Here, 
however, the plant presents no difficulties as regards 
its pretty papilionaceous flowers ; they differ in no 
respect from those at Kew. It is the leaves and the 
creeping stems only which call for remark. They 
are smaller and dwarfer, but not less hairy than 
their congeners at Kew ; but this is easily accounted 
for by the difference in site and soil. As to spines, 
I could not find any, although I examined a large 
number. It is, however, an interesting plant, and 
subject to much variation. 
“ But they whom truth and wisdom lead. 
Can gather honey from a weed."— Cowper. 
Here and there the cliffs are freely besprinkled 
with the crimson and gold of the Bird's-foot Lotus 
(L. corniculatus), although the glory of this sweet 
little butterfly-flower is fast departing. But there 
are other gems of yellow hues in the Creeping 
Cinquefoil, the common Tormentil, Our Lady's Bed- 
straw, and the Mouse-ear Hawkweed; and, although 
these are not peculiar to the seaside heights, they, 
nevertheless, lend their beauty to adorn the cliffs, 
and look far better than their kith and kin in the 
neighbouring fields. Moreover, where they can find 
a footing in the rocks their struggle for light and air 
is less intense than their poorer brethren 'mongst 
the grass and coarser herbage of the hedge or copse. 
Children of the storm and sun they seem to be ; and, 
when the latter shines, they likewise bare their 
breast and shine in glory too. But look ! there is 
the plant renowned by Shakespeare, the Sea Sam¬ 
phire (Crithmum maritimum), which is still gathered 
for pickling purposes, and which always grows above 
high-water mark, and often at dizzy heights. It 
cannot be mistaken, for its thick, fleshy round stems 
and lance-shaped leaflets, capped with umbels of 
whitish flowers, render it distinct and attractive. 
The plant is also covered with a glaucous bloom, 
and has a saltish, aromatic flavour. Higher up 
there grows another seaside flower, which must be 
noticed, to wit, the Sea Starwoit (Aster Tiipolium). 
This is supposed to change its colour three times 
daily—hence its specific name. But have not all 
flowers a tendency to vary with the varying lights 
and shades ? 
The Greater Knapweed (Centaurea Scabosa) with 
its large, crimson-purple flowers, clustered together 
into hard heads and surrounded by a scaly calyx, or 
involucre, looks far more refined and pleasing here, 
on the crumbling rocks, than in less elevated places; 
in fact, it looks almost like another species. Perhaps 
it is a sub-species on its way to become a true one. 
The Sea Plantain and the Buck's-horn Plantain have 
lost their curious spikes of flowers, and with them 
their long thread-like filaments and beautifully- 
poised anthers, but their fruits and foliage still 
remain; and in the latter the leaves present a very 
distinct pinnatifid, or feathery appearance. 
As we wander on the vegetation becomes indica¬ 
tive of changed conditions, for here are Willow 
Herbs in great profusion, Fleabanes, Figworts, 
Horsetails, Bracken, etc., and numerous other plants 
which autumn has played great havoc with. But 
still to the lover of nature each season has its 
charms, and whether it be the crimson tints of the 
dying, or the golden lines of the living, each in their 
way beget a world of thought to those who ponder 
on the problems of plant existence, and the wonderful 
means whereby they adapt themselves to their 
environments. 
Let us not despise even the pink-tinted Yarrow, or 
the little Herb Robert, but marvel at the manner in 
which this last little annual still continues, with its 
rich red dying leaves, to produce rose-red living 
flowers. As to the Labiates we cannot now stop to 
notice them, excepting only the Wild Sage or Clary 
(Salvia Verbenaca), which is so distinct and hand¬ 
some with its tall spikes of dark purple flowers, 
which seem, however, almost afraid to venture from 
their calyces. These are produced in whorls of six 
round the square stems, and look—fancifully, of 
course—like miniature Chinese pagodas. We have 
now come to Durlston Head and Castle, and the 
great globe of granite, weighing over forty tons, 
which represents the earth properly poised, with its 
chief features thereon delineated. Sundry astronom¬ 
ical information,etc.,is afforded,and a quotation from 
Tennyson reminds us that— 
“ The world was once a fluid haze of light, 
Till, toward the centre, set the starry tides, 
And eddied into suns, that wheeling cast 
The planets." 
This is one of the “ lions" of Swanage, and well 
worth a visit. Thence to the Tilly Whim Caves 
where the Sea Fern (Asplenium marinum) may be 
found, and some remarkable geological “ faults ” 
noted. Here we climb the downs, go round by the 
Lighthouse, and return through the Durlston Park 
Estate. This estate, however, is yet, as regards 
houses, in embryo ; although I am convinced, judging 
by its position and salubrity, that it will soon 
develop. There are already some very pretty 
gardens, tennis courts, terraces, zig-zag walks, etc., 
from which very fine views can be obtained. The 
blueness of the sea is especially noticeable, and, if 
the local authorities may be trusted, the air is of the 
best quality ; for I am informed that herrings caught 
in the bay and hung up here will not putrefy but 
dry ojj. This being so, no wonder the good people 
of Bournemouth when they “ run down " come over 
here to be resuscitated. The trees and shrubs, etc., 
which thrive amazingly about here are Pinus 
austriaca, P. insignis, Araucaria imbricata, Daphne 
Laureola, Escallonia macrantha, Berberis Darwinii, 
Laurus nobilis, Spartium junceum, Tamarix 
germanica, Chamaerops Fortunei, etc., besides 
such things as Fuchsias, Aralias, Pampas Grass, 
etc. 
From here we again descend to homely Swanage, 
partake of a substantial repast—consequent upon 
the exercise and atmosphere—subsequently imitating 
the man on the beach, thus laying in a fresh store 
of energy for the exertions of to-morrow.— C. B. G., 
Acton, W. 
-•*»- 
TOMATO DUKE OF YORK. 
For months past we have been seeing and hearing a 
great deal about this Tomato which gains in estima¬ 
tion as time goes on. Mr. Ryder, of Messrs. Felloes 
and Ryder, Northumberland Nursery, Orpington, 
Kent, has had a large experience with Tomatos of 
many sorts, and has grown a large number of them at 
one time or another. He is therefore well qualified to 
give an opinion of them for market purposes, and 
considers that no variety is more suitable for the pur¬ 
pose than Duke of York. He substantiates his 
statements by growing this variety only. Seven¬ 
teen houses in the nursery, each about twenty-eight 
yards long, are chiefly devoted to the production of 
marketable crops of it, instead of the numerous sorts 
which he used to possess. The variety is one of his 
own raising, and by continued selection he has got 
shapely fruits of medium and even size, of a deep 
crimson-red, generally perfectly smooch and highly 
attractive. 
We recently paid a visit to the Northumberland 
Nursery, and inspected the numerous houses filled 
with Duke of York Tomato. On either side of the 
central pathway of the houses is a border in which 
the Tomatos are planted in three or four rows, 
according to the width of each house. Next to the 
glass, the plants are only one foot apart in the row, 
but farther inwards they are 18 in. to 2 ft. apart, to 
allow the light the better to reach them. All are 
confined to a single stem. One large house (190 ft. 
long) that used to be utilised as a vinery, is now 
devoted to Tomato culture, and has seven rows of 
plants on either side of the central pathway. Some 
idea of the fruitful character of this Tomato may be 
gleaned from the fact that Mr. Ryder gathered Scwt. 
of fruit from one relatively small house. 
-- 
MAIDSTONE CEMETERY. 
On the top of a hill overlooking the county town of 
Kent is the Maidstone Cemetery, which was opened 
in 185S. It has been thickly planted all over with 
trees of various kinds, and here and there on the 
neatly mown turf, are beds of flowers with many 
others in isolated groups or clumps. The grave¬ 
stones are not at all prominent, and the visitor, with¬ 
out knowing the real nature of the place, has the 
impression that he is entering a flowery grove of 
trees or a pleasure ground luxuriously furnished 
with a great variety of trees. About the middle of 
the cemetery on either side of the central walk are 
two . neatly-built chapels, one for Church and the 
other for Dissent. 
