594 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 16, 1896. 
THE VIOLA. 
The merits of the Vio’a are now so well known and 
so fully appreciated, that it is no matter for surprise 
that we hear of a National Viola Society being 
started in London. All lovers of the Viola will, I 
feel sure, heartily wish the society every success ; 
may it have a prosperous career, and make itself 
national in more than name. May it also gain as 
many supporters as the flower itself has admirers, 
and its future is assured. Such a society being 
formed is fitting testimony that in the Viola we have 
a fljwer worthy of the best attention that can be 
bestowed on it. 
It is now looked upon as an indispensable adjunct 
to cur list of bedding plants, for which purpose it 
has few equals ; or as a source from which an un¬ 
limited supply of deliciously-scented flowers can be 
cut from April until November. Those appreciable 
qualities are now recognised by all who love hardy 
flowers, the substitution of which, for those tender 
subjects we have so long been used to, is a step in 
the right direction. This is a most gratifying fact, 
evidence of which we have in all parts of the country, 
from the cottager’s modest garden, the trim villa, 
our spacious public parks, and through the various 
grades of noblemen and g-ntlemen’s gardens, all of 
which bear testimony to the intrinsic worth of the 
Viola. The range of colours is almost endless, so 
that even the most fanciful and fastidious can have 
their taste suited. In fact, the variety is, perhaps, 
too great, and may, with all due consideration to 
the raisers, be considerably reduced. This, of 
course, is a difficult matter to handle, as what one 
would condemn another might praise. Our trade 
growers and raisers of new varieties have all sorts 
and conditions of tastes to suit, and we cannot 
blame them altogether, even if they do occasionally 
send out a variety that is not up to the recognised 
standard of perlection. 
Many good bedding varieties are far from model 
flowers, but when seen in a mass the quantity of 
flowers produced equalises to a great extent the 
quality. We have ia old Bluebell and Jackanapes, 
a good instance of this ; both have very indiffirent 
flowers looked at singly, but when seen in a mass or 
in lines the effect is most pronounced,yet I have heard 
both denounced as weeds that should never have 
been sent out. Few who have grown these varieties 
will be prepared to admit this, far less to discard 
them, simply because they do not come up to the 
standard of competition varieties, which should 
only be a secondary consideration. We all know 
that it is not the finest and most telling flowers on 
the exhibition table that are the most desirable ; nay, 
many of them are worthless unless for competition 
purposes ; but so long as this is encouraged we can 
hardly blame competitors for growing the article that 
m rst suits their purpose. Hence the rage for large 
telling flowers, with in many cases very indifferent 
constitutions and straggling habit; and yet some 
would have them styled “ Tufted Pansies ”—a most 
misleading name in my opinion, and one that I 
venture to predict will never become popular. 
It is an understood thing that Violas as well as 
Pansies are more or less tufted in habit, or should 
be so. 
The miniature Violas cm really tufted, and might 
• with some degree of certainty be called “Tufted 
Violas” instead of the ‘Violetta” type, as is 
generally the case, when they are referred to. 
Most people will admit that classification is 
required, and must in time be taken in hand by some 
one. I do not know if this is on the programme of 
the newly-formed national society or not, but I feel 
sure they will have the support of all lovers of the 
''Viola, if they can place this grievance on a more 
satisfactory basis than at present. The Pansy is 
divided into four sections, wh’ch all trade growers 
recognise when cataloguing them. Were some such 
system introduced for the Viola it would ere long 
become generat. 
The Viola bids fair to outstrip the Pansy for first 
place in public estimation. The plants are more 
accommodating and suit the wants of the many in a 
manner the Pansy cannot lay claim to. Perhaps it 
is owing to this that we hear of the decay of so many 
Pansy societies; amongst others the Scottish Pansy 
Society .after fifty years'good work for both Pansy and 
Viola, has gone to the wail. The Waverley Pansy 
Society is almost amongst the things that were, and 
more recently the London Pansy Society has given 
place to the National Viola Society( The Scottish 
Pansy Society did good service for the Viola at a time 
when it was not so prominent as it is now. Many 
good varieties were seen there for the first time by 
the general public ; and before aDy seedling could 
obtain a certificate it had to be staged as grown to 
show the habit of the plant, which is of supreme im¬ 
portance in a bedding Viola. The National Viola 
Society, I understand, is conducting extensive trials 
of the newer varieties, which have been sent out in 
recent years. This is as it ought to be, a= only 
when seen growing can a just estimate be formed of 
their respective merits. This is especially true of 
bedding varieties which are seldom seen at their 
best at flower shows; at least, one cannot judge 
them at their true worth by only seeing cut blooms. 
With competition varieties the flowers individually, 
being the chief feature, and the only one, the 
judges have to consider, when awarding the prizes. 
It matters not whether they be dwarf or tall, stragg¬ 
ling or otherwise, so long as the flowers come up to 
the required standard. I do not altogether object to 
this as many of these varieties are also useful for 
cut flower purposes ; but I do think some change 
should be made in the style of putting them up for 
competition insiead of the flowers being wired and 
made up in sprays. 
I would suggest cutting them with a part of the 
shoot attached, and neatly arranging them in buoch 
form as natural looking as possible. I have seen 
some trade exhibits put up so and they seemed to 
stand up much longer, and certainly looked more 
natural. Not half the trouble is entailed in putting 
them together. I know many amateurs who can 
grow Violas well, but when it comes to making 
sprays, they feel as if this was a branch by itself, and 
one to be severely left alone, especially the night 
before a show. A class might be introduced in prize 
lists for plants to be shown as grown, which could 
be done by lifting and potting the rtquired number 
for the occasion. This also has its drawbacks, but I 
see no other way,out of the difficulty, if varieties, 
with dwarf compact habit, a profusion of blooms, and 
decided colours are to be encouraged, which they 
certainly ought to be—these most essential points 
being the chief chtracteristics of a good Viola. 
This is sometimes lost sight of in the race for 
varieties with large well-formed flowers suitable for 
competiiion, many of which are simply spoilt-show 
pansies, very nice in their way, but should not be 
looked upon as premier Violas, simply because they 
win honours for the exhibitor.— Coila. 
- t " - * . - 
NOTES FROM GUNNERSBURY PARK, 
ACTON. 
A well-kept garden has always a charm attached 
to it even when it is seen in the midst of the dull 
season, for even then we find ourselves looking for 
the promises of spring, summer, and autumn, in the 
shape of well-ripened wood, plenty of flower buds, 
and the general aspect and appearance of the various 
fruits and flowers that may find a place therein ; but 
in spring-time this charm is heightened materially, 
for the harvest of fruit and of flowers has commenced 
in real earnest, thanks to skilfully erected, and not 
less skilfully managed glass houses. The gardens 
at Gunnersbury Park, are, as many of our readers are 
aware, of a very extensive character, and under the 
efficient superintendence of Mr. Reynolds, are 
excellent examples of what modern horticulture can 
effect in the culture of fruits and flowers. 
The fruit houses especially are worth a journey to 
see. Vines are paid particular attention to, and the 
first crop of the season borne upon pot plants is, at 
the time of writing, fast getting ready for table. 
Some more than ordinary sized bunches of Black 
Hamburgh and Foster’s Seedling are very noticeable 
here, each of the canes carrying on an average from 
four to five nice bunches. Varieties of Frontignan 
also form a goodly percentage of the plants. These 
are held in high esteem by many epicures on account 
of their peculiar flavour. In the later and more 
commodious vineries the canes are looking 
remarkably well. Not only do the young 
bunches foreshadow huge size and great weight 
in their mature stage, but there is no lack of 
them from which to pick and choose, and the total 
weight of the crops will be just as great as it is 
deemed the vines are able to bear. Black 
Hamburgh, Alicante, Lady Downes Seedling, and 
Madresfield Court, are all done well here. Mealy 
bug, and thrips usually prove great nuisances, and it 
is only by dint of careful and well-sustained effort 
that the foliage and wood is kept so clean and healthy 
looking. Murray's insecticide is held in high 
favour, a specific which, apart from its efficiency, is 
both safe and pleasant to use, giving off no dis¬ 
agreeable odours. 
The trees in the long Peach case evidently intend 
to give an excellent account of themselves again ibis 
season. The house that at one time used to be 
started early in the season has been lately pulled 
down, and a new one erected over the trees. The 
fruit here is now about the size of pigeons' eggs, 
and a full crop. 
Cherries under glass are a most successful culture 
in the hands of Mr. Reynolds. The trees are trained 
cordon fashion, and are all young and old alike, 
carrying heavy crops of fruit. The fruit has passed 
safely through the stoning period, and on some of 
the early trees the colour has already commenced to 
show. Such varieties as Early Rivers, Black 
Tartarian and Bigarreau are all promising 
exceptionally well. 
In the early Fig house a large quantity of splendid 
fruit has been gathered of late and some still remains. 
A fine old tree of Brown Turkey is evidently bent on 
out-fruiiing its neighbours. The method of training 
practised at Gunnersbury evidently suits the Fig to 
perfection. The house in question is built against a 
wall up which the main stems of the trees are trained. 
On reaching the roof the branches are deflected, 
covering the whole of the roof area equally and well, 
and, as we have intimated, bearing heavily. 
About 4,000 Strawberries are forced each year, an 
undertaking that causes a good deal of labour in 
potting, watering, etc. Amongst other varieties, 
Royal Sovereign, British Queen, and Auguste Nicaise 
are grown in large numbers. Royal Sovereign has 
acquitted itself here remarkably well, as has also 
Auguste Nicaise. A fine batch of plants of this latter 
variety which was a noteworthy example of success¬ 
ful Strawberry forcing was strongly in evidence at 
the time of our visit. Toe fruits were of large size, 
and exceptionally well-coloured. 
Melons, although not extensively grown, are yet 
done well. The earliest plants are now bearing 
fruits about half grown. The plants themselves look 
strong and healthy. They have made three or four 
breaks very close to the ground, and these have been 
trained up and each allowed to carry a single fruit. 
This system affords special facilities for inducing the 
fruits to swell equally, and not for one to take the 
lead at the expense of the others. Blenheim Orange, 
and Sutton’s Ai, are the varieties favoured, and 
judging from appearances they are both bidding fair 
to thoroughly sustain their great reputation as two 
of the very best Melons in cultivation. 
The plant houses, as ever, are looking trim and 
bright. One special feature is a large batch of 
border Carnations, which have been potted up into 
thirty-two pots for flowering under glass. These 
will turn in a week or two earlier than their relatives 
outside. Here also we noted a small batch of Mr. 
Martin Smith's seedlings which were conspicuous by 
the extraordinary vigour of their habit. There is 
evidently a good deal of the Malmaison blood in 
them. In the house adjoining, Passiflora kermesina 
is making a brave show, running the whole length of 
the house, its long pendant growths profusely 
furnished with the showy carmine-coloured flowers. 
A large house is well nigh filled with some superb 
specimens ot Eucharis, in the culture of which noble 
flower Gunnersbnry Park is well nigh traditionally 
famed. E. grandiflora, or to give it its commoner 
title E. amazonica, E. Stevensii, and E. sanderiana, 
are all done well, and during the past season very 
few indeed of the plants have failed to flower with 
the vigour and freedom that comes with the high- 
class culture, and first-class condition. 
Amongst Orchids Vanda teres is grown in quantity 
and is a special feature of the establishment. In 
one corner of a stove, where plenty of light is 
available, a slate box some io in, in depth, and about 
15 in. in width is erected. This is filled about half 
full of crocks, for the plants require plenty of 
drainage. Sphagnum and sand with a few pieces of 
charcoal intermixed form a grand medium for the 
roots to run in. In the box in question three rows of 
plants are accommodated, all of them the picture of 
good health. This year in particular they have 
flowered marvellously well. This species requires 
plenty of heat and abundance of moisture both at 
the root and in the atmosphere during the growing 
