94 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 12, 1895. 
Bat here is Studland. On its primitive church 
roof luxuriates in great abundance the common, 
because plentiful, Polypody. This has also taken 
possession of many another covering quaint, and if 
it does not stud the land, it studs the old stone 
roofs. After examining the church and “ God’s 
acre," and wondering where the wicked are 
buried, we pick our way down an ancient water-lane 
on to the sandy shore. Here we may “ plough the 
sands ” in a botanical sense, until we come to some 
huge sandy dunes, which are covered with a variety 
of vegetation, and which, of course, we overhaul. 
In the lower parts of this heathy mixture we find 
the red fruits of the Bog Asphodel (Narthecium 
ossifragum), and the tiny leaves and trailing stems 
of the Bog Pimpernel (Anagallis tenella), which 
indicate the nature of the ground and the caution 
necessary in respect to progression. The Burnet 
Rose (Rosa spinosissima) also obtrudes its spines 
and copper-coloured leaves, and many a clump of 
strong-growing sea-grass too. But out of this boggy 
land rise many hillocks of soil and sand ; and under 
their protective crowns the Royal Fern (Osmunda 
regalis) luxuriates in grandest style. It is a noble 
plant with its large, twice pinnate fronds, and 
“flowering" spikes; and few, very few, Fern 
lovers even have seen it growing in situ. It is, how¬ 
ever, here in plenty, and one prominent specimen 
measured quite 6 ft. high and 6 ft. through. I 
could not resist temptation in this case, so bagged 
two of the smaller pieces. 
Blechnum Spicant and Lastrei dilatata also seem 
to enjoy the moisture, the sea air and the shade ; for 
while the former had fruiting fronds nearly 3 ft. 
long, the latter was much elated as well as dilated. 
The Heaths, of which there are three or four species, 
combined with the Furze and the Brake, cover 
these low-lying lands as far as the eye can reach. 
Game, as a consequence, is ad libitum, and the per¬ 
petual popping of guns rendered it discretionary to 
return. 
When we again reach the top of the downs we bear 
to the left and “ do ’’ the cliffs and shore on our home¬ 
ward track. But we must be brief—time flies. So we 
will only notice here the most conspicuous flowers. 
These are the Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), 
yellow Horned Poppy (Glaucium luteum), Sea 
Stork's Bill (Erodium maritimum), Yellow Iris (Iris 
Pseudacorus) with large oblong fruits, gleaming 
scarlet, Common Reed (Phragmites communis), with 
beautiful feathery sprays of a light brown colour, 
etc., etc. 
Thus we bring to a conclusion another pleasant 
ramble, which, if it only results in a tonic to the 
nerves, will have been worth the taking. We are 
conscious of its defects, for, although we have only- 
recorded a few here, we have noted over one hun¬ 
dred species of wild flowers, besides nine species of 
Ferns, and have, no doubt, in our ignorance, over¬ 
looked a far larger number.— C. B. G., Acton, W, 
-< 4 -- 
DAHLIAS FROM ROTHESAY. 
The value of Dahlias as decorative plants has been 
recently augmented by the introduction of a new 
class of single Cactus flowers to supplement the 
attractiveness of the show, fancy, decorative, Cactus, 
pompon, and single varieties. This is quite a dis¬ 
tinct departure from the ordinary singles. We do 
not get the regularity of outline which, although 
perfection from the florist’s point of view, adds a 
deal of stiffness and formality to the flower, but 
instead, we find a comparatively loose and ragged 
bloom, with long, narrow-pointed florets. A good 
single Cactus bloom possesses, therefore, an amount 
of gracefulness not discoverable in the other sec¬ 
tions, whilst for cutting purposes its utility is of the 
greatest. 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., of Rothesay, N.B., have 
been chiefly instrumental in giving us this class of 
flower, and through their energy and perseverance a 
great number of shades of colour are represented. 
A box of blooms was recently sent to us by this 
firm containing some of their newest varieties, but, 
owing to the length of the journey, and the knocking 
about they received in the post, they arrived in a con¬ 
dition but faintly illustrative of their pristine splen¬ 
dour. The following are, however, a few of the varieties 
of which the blooms were sufficiently intact to make 
description practicable. Pirate is a large, strong 
flower, with florets sub-erect, somewhat shorter, and 
broader than the usual run. In colour it is a very 
deep crimson. Rather lighter in shade than this is 
Marmion, a rich velvety crimson flower, with short 
and broad petals, having very acute points. Jeanne 
Deans is a shade lighter than Marmion, although a 
great difference between the two flowers is evident 
on comparison, the florets on Jeanne Deans being 
long and narrow, with waved or twisted margins, 
and obtuse points. This is as nearly as possible a 
true single Cactus variety. Alice Lee is a charming 
flower, of deep lilac hue, and long narrow florets, 
forming a regular star. In Queen Mary we find a 
pure white flower, with the exception of a ring of 
bright yellow which surrounds the disc. The florets 
are long, rather broad, and obtusely pointed—a 
grand variety for cutting from. 
Brenda is another that is an almost perfect single 
Cactus form. The segments are of great substance 
and broad, but, being revolute, the apparent width is 
much reduced. The margins are waved and 
twisted, and the apices acute. In hue the blooms 
are of a lovely clear yellow, and exceedingly attrac¬ 
tive. Anne of Geierstein represents a somewhat 
rare although decidedly charming shade, being a 
light buff, suffused with pink, and with a bright 
yellow centre. Although not so truly a Cactus form 
as some of those previously mentioned, it is yet a dis¬ 
tinct acquisition. Lady Rowena is of much the 
same character as the last-named, and differs but 
slightly from it in colour. A deeper suffusion of 
pink is apparent among the buff of the outer por¬ 
tion of the segments, whilst instead of a bright 
yellow centre we have a yellowish-buff. One of the 
finest flowers forwarded was one called Minna. It 
was of perfectly stellate form, with extra long and 
acutely pointed florets, reddish-buff in hue, changing 
to buff towards the centre. The three last-named 
varieties are distinct departures from the ordinary 
run of singles, and should become very popular. 
Among the other blooms sent, the labels of which 
had become displaced in transit, and which we are 
unable to refer to by name for that reason, one, a 
bright magenta in hue, was very charming, the 
colour being distinct and out of the common, and 
the form of the flower closely approaching the type. 
--•*-- 
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE, KEW. 
This suburban residence of the Duke of Cambridge 
presents rather a bare and stony appearance on the 
side next Kew Green, but the garden on the sunny 
front is so thickly planted with deciduous and ever¬ 
green trees, that the extent of the secluded garden 
appears larger than it really is. It is closely hemmed 
in on the south side by the Royal Gardens, Kew, 
and circumscribed by other gardens right and left. 
The front of the house itself, on this aspect, is 
almost completely covered with Ivy and Magnolia 
grandiflora, treated as a climber. The latter has 
just finished flowering, but the Ivy, which is allowed 
a little freedom from the wall, is in places loaded 
with blossom, which, though unattractive to the 
human eye, is frequented by swarms of bees, wasps, 
sawflies, and other insects. Here also the Pome¬ 
granate has put on its autumn tints of red and yellow 
leaves. 
Amongst the trees some Pines may be noted, and 
wide, vase-like specimens of the Irish Yew. A 
perfectly columnar specimen of the Lombardy 
Poplar towers up to a height of 80 ft. to 90 ft., and 
a fine Tulip tree is 55 ft. or more in elevation. The 
feathery-leaved Robinia Pseudacacia is heavily hung 
with its red pods. The purple Beech is also con¬ 
spicuous, and not far off, is or rather was a grand 
specimen of the Catalpa, now almost dead owing to 
its having been struck by lightning last year. 
Previous to that it had flowered magnificently. An 
umbrageous Horse Chestnut near the house makes a 
splendid spectacle in spring. Some Spindle trees 
amongst the tall shrubbery are now red with fruit. 
A wild Pear tree, whose fruit is inedible, and the 
Quince are fruiting heavily. A hybrid Rhododen¬ 
dron of great size has been expanding its second 
crop of blush-coloured flowers for some time past. 
A Scarlet Thorn now in fruit showed a peculiarity 
last spring in the shape of a branch bearing white 
blossoms. The Virginian Creeper covering an 
arbour is already in its sere, but brilliant garb of 
scarlet, bronze, and yellow. A long line of Camellias 
in pots, stood upon boards, enjoys a considerable 
amount of shade during the early part of the day. 
Notwithstanding this, they are now set with flower 
buds, some of which are in a very forward condition 
already. Numerous Orange trees in large tubs are 
stood about the ground, and some of them are carry¬ 
ing crops of fruit yet in the green stage. 
The flower bedding has given great satisfaction 
this year in spite of the partial shade cast by the 
numerous spreading trees. The principal Pelar¬ 
goniums grown here are Henry Jacoby, John 
Gibbons, Rose of Allendale, and Vesuvius. The 
first two are crimson varieties of great utility for 
bedding purposes. Yellow Calceolarias are still 
very floriferous, and the same might be said of 
Ageratum Pearl Blue, President Garfield Heliotrope, 
Petunias, and Marguerites. The large trusses of 
flowers of the Heliotrope are very abundant, and emit 
a delicious perfume especially during the early morn¬ 
ing. The Iresines stand out prominently even at 
this late season, and the colour of I. Herbsti is 
peculiarly attractive in the bright September sun¬ 
shine. 
The conservatory is kept perfectly cool, and just 
now gives accommodation for numerous fan-leaved 
Palms, including Latania borbonica.Kentia,Phoenix, 
and Chamaerops humilis. Several trees of the 
latter are in very fine condition and furnished with 
a large number of leaves—more so than any other 
species—owing in part to the numerous suckers 
arising at the base of the plants. The species is 
more ornamental than its frequency in gardens 
would warrant. One would expect that it would have 
the preference to the ubiquitous Latania borbonica. 
The back wall of this structure is almost covered 
with two large specimens of the common Helio¬ 
trope (Heliotropium peruvianum) simply laden with 
their pale coloured but fragrant flowers from which 
Mr. Dunkirk, the gardener, is able to cut and come 
again. The remaining wall space is occupied by 
two tall specimens of the fragrant-leaved Pelar¬ 
gonium Radula, which were planted about seven 
years ago. 
In another house a batch of Gloxinias sown in 
March is now in prime condition. The fernery is 
occupied with healthy batches of Adiantum cunea- 
tum, A. gracillinum, Nephrodium molle, N. 
cicutarium, Selaginella Martensi robusta, S. M. r. 
variegata, and other varieties, as well as S. 
caulescens, the plants of which are sent to London 
to decorate the rooms of the Duke’s town residence. 
A span-roofed house occupied with Sutton's 
Perfection and Hathaway’s Excelsior Tomato, 
presented a fine appearance some time ago on 
account of the weight of the crop. The late 
fruits at the tops of the stems are now ripening, 
and serve to give an idea of the fruitful nature and 
vigour of the plants. The kitchen garden is some 
distance from here. 
-- 
CULTIVATION OF THE CARNATION. 
The undermentioned notes on the cultivation of this 
popular flower were communicated to us by Mr. 
James Douglas, F.R.H.S. (Carnation specialist), 
Edenside, Great Bookham, Surrey ; and we repro¬ 
duce them for the benefit of our readers who may 
be taking up the cultivation of the Carnation. 
Time for Planting. —From the 20th September 
until the end of October. In the spring, whenever 
the weather is favourable. When Carnations are 
planted too early in the open ground they sometimes 
suffer from the effects of drying winds. 
Preparation of the Ground.— This should be 
done in September, or sooner, by trenching it to the 
depth of 15 or 18 inches, and working some decayed 
manure in during the process. A good medium clay 
loam is best, and one rather inclined to be heavy 
than light; but I have grown Carnations admirably 
on light sandy soil—in this case some clayey loam 
was placed round the roots. The manure should be 
placed at least six inches below the surface, so that 
it does not come into immediate contact with the 
roots. 
Planting. —This should-be done as soon as the 
plants are received, the ground having been previously 
prepared. Carry the box containing the plants to 
the beds, and plant them out as they are removed 
from the moss and papers. The plants should be 
six inches from the edge of the bed, and fifteen 
inches asunder in the rows. Plant to the first pair 
of leaves ; the roots should be well into the ground, 
and some fine soil worked in amongst them, pressing 
it in with the fingers. After planting, mulch the 
surface of the soil amongst the plants with decayed 
manure ; this arrests evaporation in the soil, and acts 
as a protective agent in winter. 
