674 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 20, 1896. 
the immediate neighbourhood, be it suitable or other¬ 
wise for the purpose required. In some localities 
soils good for the purpose are easily obtained, but 
such is not always the case. They have to be con¬ 
veyed at times some considerable distance. The top 
spit from an old pasture is that which is so generally 
recommended, that little need be said about it ; but 
it will be good or indifferent, according to the nature 
of the soil it is taken from. As a rule, where the 
finest of the grasses grow well, and are eaten down 
closely by animals, will be found soil of good quality, 
and generally of a fibrous nature, which is invariably 
very suitable for general potting purposes, and the 
making of borders for plant culture. For the making 
of borders for vines, and fruit trees generally, I prefer 
a soil of a heavier nature, if it can be obtained, as in 
such soil, growth of a more substantial nature is pro¬ 
duced than in such as contain chiefly fibre. 
In obtaining the soil it is of primary importance that 
it should be got in in good condition ; it should not be 
in a saturated state,neither, on the other hand, should 
it be dust dry. When it is possible to do so, it is a 
great advantage to the soil, if after it is dug, it can 
remain exposed to the action of the atmosphere pre¬ 
vious to being used, or stacked for future use ; and if 
frost is allowed to penetrate it so much the better. 
By being thus exposed it will in all probability be 
more free from wireworms and other obnoxious 
insects, than if stacked in large heaps as soon as dug. 
It will also be more friable and mellow, and altogether 
in a better condition for the cultivation of plants. If 
it is not practicable to allow it to remain exposed 
where it is dug, I would advise its being stacked in 
small ridges about a yard through, so that the in¬ 
fluence of the atmosphere may have access to it. 
Some recommend adding manure to the soil when 
stacked, but I prefer keeping it by itself, and adding 
the manure as required; for plants vary much in 
their requirements, as regards soil of a more or less 
rich nature. 
Peat. 
This is well nigh indispensable in gardens where a 
general collection of plants is grown ; and in the 
majority of cases is purchased from dealers, as it is 
not in many establishments that peat can be obtained 
on the estate. It is invariably supplied suitable for 
the requirements of the purchaser. At least two 
kinds should be obtained, that is, if Orchids form a 
portion of the collection of plants, these requiring a 
tough fibrous peat; while Azaleas, and hard-wooded 
plants in general, also many Ferns, succeed best in 
that of a heavier sandy nature. It is not desirable 
that large quantities should be obtained at a time ; 
sufficient only for about the requirements of a 
season should be had ; for by being kept a long time 
the fibre becomes too much decayed. This forms a 
soil, which is, however, very useful for mixing with 
others of a heavy nature, thereby greatly improving 
it. Few plants object to a littte peat in the soil. 
Peat ought to be kept under cover and not exposed 
to wet weather, which does much to hasten the decay 
of its fibre. On the other hand it ought not to be 
allowed to become dust dry, otherwise it requires 
some time to become moistened before it is in a fit 
state for use. It was used at one time very largely 
for the growth of Cucumbers and Pines. Mr. Mills 
formerly used a mixture of peat and loam for the 
growthof his Pines at Gunnersbury, where he produced 
fruit over fifteen pounds in weight : but at the present 
time it is not so much used for such things, and 
doubtless would not be employed with the same suc¬ 
cess under present circumstances. When such things 
were grown, chiefly by the aid of fermenting manure 
under their roots, the soil received the assistance of 
the manural matter given off by it, which rendered it 
very fertile, and altogether different from that placed 
over hot-water pipes. 
Leaf Soil. 
The leaves of the Oak, Beech, and other hard- 
wooded trees, when thoroughly decayed, form a very 
rich soil, and highly suitable for mixing with others 
of an opposite character, making them lighter by 
altering their texture, so that delicate rooted subjects 
may be successfully cultivated. Leaf soil contains 
properties peculiarly adapted for the formation of 
roots ; therefore it will appear obvious that for pro¬ 
pagating purposes, it is of the highest importance, 
and should form the basis of soils put to that use, 
together with a plentiful supply of silicate or sand. 
Being rich in nitrogen it also forms a valuable manure 
to add to soils that are considered to be poor and 
deficient in properties that are essential for the 
growth of plants. It should not be used in excess, 
otherwise the growth produced will be soft and 
luxuriant, but bloom will be sparingly produced. On 
the Continent it is largely used for the growth of 
Azaleas, Camellias, Palms, &c., and in it a rapid 
growth is obtained, so that young plants soon grow 
into saleable size. It is doubtless more cheaply 
obtained than peat, hence its being largely used. To 
obtain it in its best form, the leaves when collected 
should be as free from wood as possible (as that is 
apt to produce fungoid growths), and not allowed to 
become excessively heated by fermentation, other¬ 
wise it will lose much of the nitrogenous properties 
stored in the leaves. It requires to lie for at least a 
couple of years, and to be turned occasionally to 
enable it to become well decayed, when it will be fit 
for use. Many use the leaves first for forming slight 
hot-beds for the growth of early Potatos, &c., and 
doubtless this is putting them to an economical use 
previously to their becoming decayed.— W. J. 
Simpson. 
THE ENGLISH FLORIST’S SHOW 
TULIPS. 
It is now time that all bulbs of the above, grown in 
the south, should be lifted from the ground and 
carefully stored away in some moderately dry place 
until October next, which is the best month to re¬ 
plant again. The old custom was to plant as near 
as possible to the shortest day, and to take them 
from the beds again about the third week in June or 
near to the longest day ; but the variation of the 
seasons prevents this rule always being carried out, 
and more especially as regards planting. The 
majority of growers will recommend the most 
favourable opportunity, which may present itself for 
this purpose, observing the last week or ten days in 
October. 
The Royal National Tulip Society (Southern 
Section), held their third exhibition which has 
already been announced in the Gardening World, 
in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
Great Flower Show at the Inner Temple Gardens on 
the 19th, 20th and 21st. ult., which on the whole 
proved a success, as to quality and number of blooms 
exhibited. All cultivators of the Amateur Show 
Tulips, who have read the Gardening World, 
would be pleased to notice that Messrs. Barr & Son 
were awarded a Gold Medal for a large collection 
and which contained all the merits which could 
possibly be attributed to flowers of this class. I 
have attended at very many Tulip exhibitions but I 
never recollect seeing such large blooms, and highly 
cultivated specimens as the majority of those which 
formed Messrs. Barr's magnificent group. 
The plants exhibited by the amateurs, in accord¬ 
ance with the classes included in the schedule of 
prizes, contained many splendid specimens of refine¬ 
ment in growth, purity, and marking; but in con¬ 
sequence of the inability to obtain the old practical 
judges to adjudicate upon the respective exhibits, 
several glaring mistakes were noticeable when the 
final decisions were criticised by those whose eyes 
seldom fail in discovering when 11 wroDg " stands in 
the place of 11 right ."—James Thurstan, The Green, 
Cannock. 
THE GRANGE, SOUTHGATE. 
Situated amongst the thinly distributed villas and 
interesting gardens of Southgate, towards the north¬ 
eastern corner of Middlesex, is The Grange, the 
residence of J. Bradshaw, Esq., who “loves his 
garden and his greenhouse too." In other words he 
has a warm love for flowers of a most varied 
description both tender and hardy. We had the 
pleasure of inspecting his flowers the other week and 
were delighted to note the interest he evinced for 
Orchids and hardy plants in particular. 
Orchids. 
Cool house Orchids are largely in evidence at 
present, the endless varieties of Odontoglossum 
beiDg particularly attractive. There are about 2,000 
of them on the establishment, chiefly located in a 
substantially-built, span-roofed house where they are 
kept in a cool and sweet atmosphere. A rain water 
tank beneath one of the stages and running the 
whole length of the house, contributes largely to 
keeping the house cool and the atmosphere moist. 
A large proportion of these Odontoglossums are 
flowering for the first time giving rise to the keenest 
expectations as the buds develop and expand. Many 
of them in bloom have large round flowers more or 
less blotched and suffused with rose. Eight or ten 
of these flowers on a spike is not a bad harvest for 
the first time of blooming. O. c. guttatum, with 
prominent blotches to the centre of the sepals and 
petals is always choice. Many of the varieties are 
characterised by the basal area of the lip varying 
from golden yellow to lemon. Particularly fine is a 
large-flowered variety having all of its segments 
tinted of a uniform soft rose, and having a large 
blotch on the lip. Very choice is O. c. Kathleen 
which is finely spotted. Others both white and rosy 
are rendered very attractive by the blotches 
arranged all round the edges of the lip. Other 
representatives of this class of Orchids are O. 
andersonianum, R. ruckerianum, O. Pescatorei, in 
considerable variety, O. triumphans, O. Rossii 
majus, in handsomely spotted types, and O. Hallii, 
which has made a remarkably vigorous growth. 
Mr. Bradshaw knows a good variety, and is well 
seconded by his gardener, Mr. H. Whiffen, who is 
an excellent cultivator and takes a lively interest in 
his work and everything under his charge. Den- 
drobium jamesianum flowering in the same house, 
demonstrates that a high temperature is quite 
unnecessary for this mountain species. Epidendrum 
vitellinum majus is grown in quantity so that its 
lively orange-scarlet flowers keep up a succession 
for some months. 
The Cattleya houses are well stocked with a large 
number of choice species and varieties of Cattleyas 
and Laelias in pots or baskets suspended in large 
numbers, and in suitable spaces occupying all of the 
roof area. The Laelias included many of the 
choicest forms of L. anceps, such as L. a. sanderi- 
ana, L. a. Williamsii, L. a Schroderae, L. a. Stella, 
L. a. alba, L. a. sanderiana Hardy’s best variety, 
and L. a Whiffeni with a very dark lip similar to 
that of Crawshay’s var., and which has been certifi¬ 
cated. This will serve merely to indicate Mr. 
Bradshaw’s assiduity in getting together the choicest 
and most beautiful of each respective kind. 
Cattleyas are represented in the same way. A 
large plant of Cattleya Mossiae grown in a pan bore 
thirty flowers which had just been cut. C. Trianaei 
is, of course, out of season; but C. labiata is 
developing its sheaths and preparing for an autumn 
display. The lip of C. Mossiae Whiffeni is wholly 
of a rich orange except the edges. C. Harrisoniae 
is in the same stage as C. labiata ; and the same may 
be said of C. aurea which is grown in quantity in 
pans and baskets. Very choice are C. Skinneri alba 
and C. Trianaei alba. C. Mossiae Wageneri has 
found its way here from Mr. Lee's celebrated collec¬ 
tion. A few other classes of Orchids have found their 
way here, including Brassavola digbyana, now pre¬ 
paring to flower. Sophronites grandiflora seemsnever 
out of season. The curious and pretty Bee Orchid 
(Oncidium dasytile) is also in bloom. A huge piece 
of Dendrobium nobile in a basket bore over 300 
flowers the last time it was in bloom. 
The Orchids in season in another house comprised 
a number of very fine Oncidiums, including 
the handsome O. varicosum Rogersi, with its huge 
yellow lip and dark red basal blotch. The shining 
brown flowers of O. crispum grandiflorum, have also 
a noble and aristocratic look about them. Very fine 
also is O. excavatum aurosum, with its golden flowers 
blotched at the base. The long, pendent racemes of 
the sweetly-scented flowers of Odontoglossum 
citrosmum, have their own particular charm at this 
season of the year. The summer flowering Cattleya 
Warneri is notable for the rich hue of its lip. The 
beautiful Maxillaria grandiflora is also in full beauty. 
The massive pieces of Coelogyne cristata, and C. c. 
lemoniana and Cymbidium giganteum, now making 
splendid growth, give indications of what may be 
expected from them when in season. 
Hardy plants. 
Pinks and Irises may be considered two of the leading 
features of the outdoor garden at present, and here 
they are (utilised to excellent purpose, particularly 
the Irises which are great favourites. The bearded 
Irises are represented by fine clumps of I pallida, 
I. p. dalmatica having flowers of soft and beautiful 
shades of blue ; I. germanica Queen of May, rosy ; 
I. flavesceDS with soft yellow flowers ; I variegata 
Gracchus and other varieties of this elegantly netted 
or variegated Iris ; and various others which are 
either scattered about the borders or form part of a 
fine plantation by themselves. I. Kaempferi in bold 
