676 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 20,1896. 
particularise. Where the general standard is so high 
it would be difficult to overrate the quality or 
attractiveness of the collection. 
A houseful of Cypripedium lawrenceanum affords 
a glorious sight by reason of the hundreds of plants 
of various size now in bloom. The foliage of this 
species is very handsome, and the flower scapes are 
unusually strong. Some plants of Cymbidium 
lowianum, though so long out of season, still continue 
in bloom. 
The cool house includes a fine collection of Odonto- 
glossum crispum, many of them flowering for the 
first time. The circular flowers with broad over¬ 
lapping segments vary from pure white to a lively 
rose independently of the blotches with which many 
of them are marked. Other species here are O. 
Pescatorei, O. luteo-purpureum, O. andersonianum 
and others. A form of O. luteo-purpureum is notable 
for the clear cinnamon blotches of all the segments. 
All are evidently at home and making excellent 
growth. 
Other flowering plants and Ferns. 
There is a large collection of Cannas of the Crozy 
strain filling the greater portion of one house. By 
proper cultivation they can be had in bloom from 
February to November. A fine variety of this strain 
is that named Papa, the flowers of which are of 
great size. The new race of Italian Cannas, repre¬ 
sented by Austria and Italia have found their way 
here. The new hybrid Deutzia Lemoinei is being 
propagated in quantity to be sent out in autumn. 
Other well known subjects extensively propagated 
are Allamandas, Bougainvilleas, Gardenias, Stephan- 
otis, Aralia Veitchi, Crotons, Roses in pots, Heaths 
and Epacris. New Holland plants have long been a 
feature of this establishment, and the stock being 
extensive, many of the plants are in bloom. Amongst 
the Acacias we noted A. verticillata, A. Drummondi, 
A. armata, and A. platyptera. Very charming are 
the deep blue flowers of Tremandra verticillata in 
plants of small size. The same may be said of 
Dracophyllum, another old favourite for exhibition 
purposes. A large batch of Boronia elatior is laden 
with its bright carmine, bell-shaped flowers. Aphlexis 
macrantha in 48-sized pots is also in full bloom, and 
very floriferous they are. Very pretty are the blue 
flowers of Sollya Drummondi, and the long tubular 
rosy flowers of Abelia floribunda, a native of Mexico. 
Solanum Capsicastrum may be seen by the houseful, 
and in fine condition they are, and well set with 
berries. Tea roses in pots are scattered in large 
batches through several houses, and amongst them 
we noted a great quantity of Marechal Niel. The 
show and regal Pelargoniums have been very fine, 
but only a remnant of them is left. 
A fine sight of Statice profusa in 32-sized pots and 
occupying the whole of one side of a house, now 
presents a gay appearance and will continue in a 
showy condition for months unless the plants are 
taken away, which is most likely to be the case. 
The other side of the house is given up to Daphne 
indica and D. 'i. alba, now making their growth. 
A houseful of Hydrangeas presents a gorgeous 
appearance on account of the large trusses of richly 
coloured flowers. Heaths, Azaleas, Epacris, and 
similar subjects occupy cold frames, in thousands. 
They are small plants in 48-sized pots. Cytisus race- 
mosus and Indian Azaleas also occupy the open 
ground in thousands. Here and there are plantations 
of Euonymus latifolius aureus, E. 1 . albo-marginatus 
and others now making splendid growth, and which 
will prove useful for potting up by and bye. Orna¬ 
mental Conifers are grown in the same way. 
Several houses are occupied with Palms, some 
planted out on the benches and others in pots. A 
house of pot Roses comes next to these. Two long 
houses just being built are to be devoted to Odonto- 
glossums. They are fitted with many of the most 
approved modern appliances. Fine foliage plants 
are also well represented by thousands of Ficus 
elastica in useful sized specimens. Pandanus Veitchi 
and P. javanicus are also well grown and in fine 
condition. Several houses are filled with Adiantum 
cuneatum in 32-sized pots. The plants are of good 
size, bushy, light green and making solendid growth. 
In the hot weather now prevailing these houses have 
a cool and inviting appearance. Other Ferns grown 
in large quantity and of a useful size are Pteris 
tremula, Polypodium aureum, Pteris serrulata 
cristata, Lomaria gibba and others, all in the pink 
of condition. We were highly interested with a 
large batch of seedlings of Asplenium Nidus, making 
a beautiful and healthy growth, and having leaves of 
a light shinmg green. 
Eight houses, each considerably over 100ft. in 
length, are occupied with pot vines in various stages 
of progress ; but in all cases they are making that 
thrifty and vigorous growth characteristic of every¬ 
thing which Messrs Low take in hand. 
-•*»- 
EARLY PEAS. 
I have this day, June the 9th, gathered my first dish 
of Peas, the variety being Lightning (Carter’s). 
This is the third year that I have grown it and I 
shall always grow it for early work; it is a fortnight 
before any other variety sown on the same date. 
This garden is on the rock and very exposed. We 
have suffered very much from the drought. Peas, 
Onions, and all kinds of seeds have had to be watered 
every day. The rain which fell last week just came 
in time to save the fruit, as it was beginning to fall. 
Black Currants have suffered the most. Potatos 
look remarkably well, Sharp's Victor turning out a 
splendid crop. Ringleader will not be ready for ten 
days. Strawberries are a poor crop, Royal Sovereign 
just beginning to colour. President and James 
Veitch have suffered greatly for the want of rain. 
Broccoli have been excellent this year ; the two most 
reliable sorts I find are Universal (Carter's) and 
Champion (Carter’s). I cut plenty of the latter that 
weighed 14 lbs.— Thos. Cockerill, The Gatehouse, 
Wirksworth, Derbyshire. 
—-- 
THE PROSPECT OF THE CURRANT 
CULTIVATION IN THE MOREA. 
It is well known that the Currant crop is the staple 
product of the Morea, and the British Consul at 
Patras says that the prosperity of the entire district 
depends upon it but unfortunately the Morea, like 
many other countries, appears to be suffering from 
over production. In order to meet the almost un¬ 
limited demand from France for wine-making pur¬ 
poses, some years ago, an enormous area was planted 
with Currant vines, and the crop within fifteen years 
has been almost doubled. The French vintage 
having to some extent recovered, and heavy import 
duties having been imposed on Currants entering, 
the French demand has been almost entirely lost, the 
consequences being that 30,000 to 40,000 tons of 
Currants are annually produced over what is required 
for the world's consumption. With an article like 
Currants whose consumption for eating purposes 
only increases very slightly, however low the price 
may be, it will readily be understood that such an 
enormous annual surplus over and above require¬ 
ments has completely demoralised trade in the 
article, and brought down prices to a figure which 
scarcely covers cultivation expenses, and it is evident 
that if this state of affairs lasts two or three years 
longer, most of the Currant plantations will have to 
be abandoned, and a once thriving community will 
be brought to utter ruin. 
It has been said by some that matters will in time 
right themselves, that the fittest will survive until 
the day when supply, owing to the abandonment of 
these vineyards by the weaker, is not out of propor¬ 
tion of the demand. This argument, which might 
apply to other crops and industries in other lands, is 
fallacious in the present instance. It must be 
remembered that the Currant growers, in order to 
increase their production during the years of un¬ 
limited demand and high prices, had resource to 
loans at very high rates of interest on a mortgage of 
their property, and this they were easily able to 
repay during the years of the French demand, but 
instead of endeavouring gradually to repay these 
loans out of the great profits they were then making, 
these latter were employed in forming further planta¬ 
tions. But the crisis came rapidly. The cessation 
of the French demand caused prices to drop fifty per 
cent.; at once property lost nearly all its value, and 
although the growers have been fighting manfully, 
hoping against hope for the last three years, they are 
now at the end of their resources, for capitalists who 
have, in their own interests, been endeavouring 
during these hard times to support them, find them¬ 
selves no longer able to do so. Therefore, the 
Currant industry in the Morea is doomed unless 
some new outlet for the sale of Currants were 
suddenly to be found, or some other expedient were 
devised. 
Could the Currant growers all agree to uproot one- 
third of their plantations the whole problem would 
be solved, but unfortunately this is an impossibility. 
Strange as it may appear a Currant crop of 130,000 
tons, which is about the amount required for the 
world’s consumption, would realise over £2,000,000, 
whereas a crop of 170,000 tons would bring in 
barely over £1,000,000. The whole question has 
occupied the serious attention of the Greek Govern¬ 
ment. 
On the subject of the growth of the Sultana Raisin, 
it is said to be a great pity that the Currant growers 
do not pay more attention to the cultivation of this 
small seedless Grape, which is yearly growing in 
favour in all markets of consumption, and is in many 
cases taking the place of the Currant. More care 
and expense is required in the cultivation and 
preparation of the Sultana. Still, prices obtained 
are more than double those realised for Currants, 
and amply repay the producer.— Journal of the Society 
of Arts. 
- 
RAMPSBECK, PENRITH. 
Seven miles from Penrith, situated on the north 
side of Lake Ulleswater, nestling snugly at the foot 
of Soulby Fell, is Mrs. Prett's lovely residence. 
When standing in front of the mansion and looking 
due south I obtained a magnificent view of Swarth 
Fell; immediately behind the Fell is High Street, 
this was an old Roman road at one time. Looking 
east and west from this point, one obtains a splendid 
view of the Lake, which at the time of my visit was 
smooth and placid like a mill pond. 
The pleasure grounds and flower gardens are 
admirably kept. All praise is due to Mrs. Prett and 
her able gardener (Mr. Robinson). Moving west 
through the pleasure grounds, then taking a sharp 
turn to tlie right by a circuitous path, the Orchid 
houses were soon reached ; here were found some 
magnificent specimens of Cattleya Mossiae, C. 
Mendelii, Laelia purpurata, and any number of 
Dendrobiums and Oncidiums. Many of the Den- 
drobiums were worthy of special note; one piece of 
Dendrobium Falconeri was carrying seventy-five 
superb flowers, a sight not soon to be forgotten. 
There were many other noble specimens all equally 
meritorious. Passing through the Vineries and 
Peach houses, I could not help remarking what grand 
crops the Vines and Peach trees were carrying. 
From the vineries we made a move to the kitchen 
garden ; here also I observed splendid crops of fruit 
and vegetables. Great credit is due to Mr. Robinson 
for the manner in which he conducts the gardening 
operations at Rampsbeck.— J. McNab. 
- 
ARDEN1NG IflSCELLANY. 
CARPENTERIA CALIFORNICA. 
The great decorative qualities of which this charm¬ 
ing flowering shrub is possessed were amply 
demonstrated by the grand specimen of it exhibited 
at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural 
Society by J. T. Bennett-Poe, Esq., Holmeswood, 
Cheshunt. The plant in question was in vigorous 
health, and bore a profusion of the large white 
flowers. Carpenteria californica is but a compara¬ 
tively recent addition to the ranks of our flowering 
shrubs, as it was only brought from the Sierra 
Nevada, California, in 1880. 
STRAWBERRY ROYAL SOVEREIGN. 
Each succeeding year furnishes fresh evidence that 
this is a Strawberry which will long hold its own for 
general utility. The fruits attain an immense size, 
especially those obtained from runners planted in 
the preceding September ; they are also produced in 
great quantity on long stalks that carry them well 
beyond the shade produced by the foliage. They, 
therefore, ripen well and early; in fact, some 
growers consider the variety a first early of excellent 
quality. The fruits are conical when of medium 
size, but all those that show the results of good 
cultivation become more or less flattened and Cocks¬ 
comb like. Some of the very largest appear as if they 
resulted from the amalgamation or union of two 
flowers,and this is probably the case, as often happens 
with the leading fruit of the bunch of many varieties 
of Tomato, especially when grown vigorously. The 
flesh is firm, highly coloured, very juicy and luscious, 
with an agreeable acidity and a fine aroma. The 
variety will, therefore, please those who like an 
