June 20, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
677 
acidulated Strawberry containing something more 
than mere sugar and water. Size, colour, fine 
appearance, and heavy crops, are qualities that will 
recommend themselves to the majority of growers, 
and a large section of the British public. Notwith¬ 
standing the closeness to London and the confined 
area of the garden at Devonhurst, Chiswick, Mr. 
James Gibson, gardener to E. H. Watts, Esq., 
manages to secure a heavy crop of fruits of great 
size and excellent flavour, from last year's runners 
in the open ground. 
AREN ARIA MONTANA. 
As a dwarf carpet-like plant for growing on 
rockwork Arenaria montana is a real gem. Although 
the plant itself is barely 3 in. in height the flowers 
are large and pure white. The peduncles are very 
long, and one-flowered. Contrasting this pretty 
species with the well-known A. balearica there seems 
to be such a deal of difference between them, that at 
first sight one would never think of putting them 
both in the same genus. A. montana is a native of 
France and Spain, and was introduced to this 
country about the year 1800. 
STRAWBERRY WITH PERSISTENT PETALS. 
We are in receipt of a box containing some fruits of 
Strawberry John Ruskin, the peculiarity of which 
was that the petals still occupied their proper position 
between the calyx and the fleshy receptacle, retain¬ 
ing their colour and freshness, though slightly tinted 
with rose. Surely this is not the usual method 
of behaviour with this variety. The fruits in 
question were perfectly matured, well-coloured 
and shapely. They were grown in the open 
air by Mr. D. Baird, The Gardens, Homefield, 
Ealing. We frequently see the withered remains of 
the corolla on the apex of Cucumbers and Tomatos, 
but our usual conception of the petals of a Straw¬ 
berry are that they are fugacious and fall away as 
soon as the ovaries have been fertilised, and before 
the receptacle has swollen to any appreciable extent. 
Mr. Baird has others of a similar character. It 
would be difficult to account for the phenomenon, 
unless the dry season and rapid growth of the fruit 
may be held responsible for it. 
PHLOX SUBULATA NELSONI. 
In this we have one of the very finest of dwarf 
bedding Phloxes. It is little more than 4 in. in 
height, and covers the earth with a dense carpet of 
dazzling white blossoms. It is, in fact, almost too 
prodigal in the profusion with which it produces its 
flowers, for they cover and hide the fresh green hue 
of the leaves entirely. It would appear a somewhat 
difficult task to get cuttings, as every shoot seems 
to flower. Some grand specimens have been very 
conspicuous of late in Messrs. Barr's collection of 
Alpine and herbaceous plants at Long Ditton, and 
the drought seems to have had no appreciable effect 
upon them. 
AJUGA REPTANS ATROAURPUREA. 
Our common Blue Bugle is a vastly pretty plant, but 
it is heavily handicapped in two ways—it is 
common, and it is wild. Were it not for this it 
would doubtless have lavished upon it a great deal 
more admiration than it has at present A glorified 
form of it, which has the name of atropurpurea 
attached, is also well worthy a place in any out-door 
garden. The cultivated form only differs from the 
wilding in having a good deal of purple in the 
flowers. The habit, style of growth, creeping 
runners at the base, etc., are all identical. The 
spike, however, appears to be rather more dense, 
although the individual flowers are, if anything, 
rather smaller. Quantities of it are grown at 
Messrs. Barr's Nursery at Long Ditton. 
CAMPANULA PULLA. 
This is one of the most charming little Alpines, 
and one of the most suitable for growing in 
shallow pots or pans. It is little more than 3 in. in 
height, but the flowers, which are solitary and 
terminal, are of very large size in proportion to the 
height of the plant. They are violet-blue in colour, 
bell-shaped, and drooping. Some pans full of it are 
a very conspicuous feature at the present time in 
the Alpine house at Kew. A compost of sandy peat, 
and leaf soil suits it well. To this should be added 
a quantity of broken sandstone. Shallow pans are 
the most suitable receptacles to use, and in them the 
plant does remarkably well. 
STRAWBERRY THOMAS CARLYLE. 
A box of fruits of a seedling Strawberry has been 
sent us by Mr. J. H. Fraser, 13, Scott’s Street, 
Annan, N.B. The sender proposes to name it 
Thomas Carlyle, provided the variety receives 
approval sufficient to warrant its being worthy of 
cultivation. It is the result of across between Dr. 
Hogg, and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury. The 
fruits are intermediate in size, but earlier than those 
of either parent. The variety is a much more 
certain cropper than Dr. Hogg, not having the blind 
crowns to which that variety is liable. The fruits 
are generally conical, sometimes greatly elongated, 
and much darker in colour than Dr. Hogg, being in 
fact as dark as those of Vicomtesse. The ripe fruits 
are rich, sweet and aromatic without a trace of 
acidity: and what is more remarkable, they are 
much firmer in texture than either parent. We 
should think it would prove an excellent variety for 
market purposes, on account of its firmness, and in 
that respect it should prove an agreeable change to 
Sir Joseph Paxton, which has held the market so 
long. It should please the palate of those who like 
sweet Strawberries. Whether it would prove a 
useful variety for cultivation in the south, it would 
be difficult to say without trial: but we think it 
well deserves being put to the test under different 
conditions both in Scotland and England. 
-- 
BRENTWOOD FLOWER SHOW. 
The Summer Show of the Brentwood Society was 
this year amalgamated with that of the Essex 
Agricultural Society held in the grounds of Middle- 
ton Hall on the 10th and nth inst. In spite of the 
very heavy downpour on the first day, although 
inconvenient, it was nevertheless welcomed along the 
country sides. The membership sent in a large 
number of excellent entries, and the show itself was 
areally very fair one. In the Rose classes the three well 
known competitors from Colchester were present in 
strong form and carried all before them in the 
principal classes. For 48’s Mr. B. R. Cant was 
first with a grand board. The principal specimens 
being Caroline Testout pink, a newish variety, 
Madam Cusin, Mrs. John Laing, Princess of Wales, 
and White Lady with a little tint of pink. In a well 
sustained competition Messrs. W. Prior & Son, of 
the Maryland Nurseries, Colchester, which but for 
the showery night preceding the show would 
probably have been first, were second, with excellent 
specimens, amongst which we noticed Heinrich 
Schultheis, Magna Charter, Gustave Piganeau, 
The Bride, &c , Mr. Frank Cant being third. In 
the 24’s Messrs. Prior took first honours, the 
specimens prominent being Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, 
Capt. Hayward, and others. Mr. B. R. Cant and 
Mr. F. Cant followed in the order named. In the 
class for Tea Roses, Messrs. Prior were again first 
with a really grand lot and the best perhaps that 
has been seen thus far this season. His principal 
varieties were Jean Ducher, The Bride, Rubens, 
Anna Oliver, Souvenir de Anne, Comtesse de 
Nadaillac, Madame Hoste, Catherine Mermet. Mr, 
Frank Cant was a close second having evidently 
made a special effort to beat his opponent, whilst 
Mr. B. R. Cant was third. 
In the amateur classes for twelve Roses, Mr. H. 
Landon, of Shenfield, was first with twelve teas of 
Marie Van Houtte.- This gentleman is a well known 
local Rose grower, and was equally successful in 
several other classes, as were also Mr. P. Perry, 
gardener to G. T. C. Tasker, Esq. and Mr.T.Tullett, 
gardener to G. Alexander, Esq., Wanley Lodge, In 
the stove and greenhouse classes, four native Ferns 
were well shown by Mr. J. J. Preece, gardener to 
Mrs. Willmott. Wanley Hall had samples of Scolo- 
pendrium, being particularly good. For six stove and 
greenhouse plants Mr. J. Burrell, gardener to W. W. 
Duffield, Esq., Broomfield, was first, and Mr. J. 
Preece second. In the class for collection of plants 
several of the same prize winners competed, and 
some very pretty groups were staged. A pleasing 
collection being the fine screen decorations in one of 
which the exhibitor had made liberal use of cut 
blooms of Paeonies with marked effect. One of 
the collections of Cannas was really a splendid lot of 
the newest varieties. 
Table decorations were well staged by Mrs. J. 
Smith, The Gardens, Como Street, Romford, who 
utilised Orchids, Sweet Peas, White Hollyhocks and 
Japanese Honeysuckle won a well-merited first for 
both quality and effect. Mrs. W. Green, Jun., of The 
Nurseries, Harold Wood, was second with a very 
pretty and elegant table in which Iceland Poppies and 
Iris were predominant. The class being for a dinner 
table decoration, this competitor had also staged some 
excellent dishes of Strawberries, Grapes, and 
Nectarines with considerable effect. In the fruit and 
vegetable classes there were a large number of 
entries, none of which, however, called for more 
than passing comment. 
In the trade exhibits we noticed an excellent group 
of plants from Mr. T. Russell, The Nurseries, 
Brentwood, whilst Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Saw- 
bridgeworth, sent Peaches, and Nectarines, growing 
in pots, including some very fine examples of their 
famous variety Lord Napier, all of which formed a 
welcome addition to the show. Messrs. Paul & Son, 
The Old Nursery, Cheshunt, staged a large exhibit 
occupying some 200 sq. ft., at the end of one of the 
centre tables, prominent amongst their specialities 
was the new single Carmine Pillar Rose, which was 
so much admired by the Princess of Wales, at St. 
Albans show. A fine lot of Cannas were also in 
evidence from this firm, the principal varieties being 
Emile Rodest, The Canna, George Paul, for which 
an award was received from the R.H.S., June 9th. 
The distinctive feature of this is its purple-blue 
foliage. Dr. Masters is a new variety this year. 
Noticeable also was the new Golden Elder plumosa 
aurea. This firm also exhibited specimens of Rosa 
rugosa fimbriata, of Royal Scarlet, a dwarf bedding 
variety, quite new ; both of which received awards 
at the Drill Hall, Westminster, last week. A collec¬ 
tion of herbaceous flowers completed this exhibit 
which was quite equal to the high reputation of this 
firm. Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, sent a 
very excellent lot of cut flowers, and the Ichthemic 
Guano Company were also as usual in evidence. 
< l« - 
SOCIETIES. 
Royal Botanic, June nth. —The Special Floral Fete 
of the above society was held in Regent’s Park, on 
the fore-mentioned date. Once again the weather 
was most unfavourable, for rain descended in 
torrents nearly the whole of the day, a fact that 
militated considerably against the success of the 
show from a financial point of view. The exhibits, 
which were not sufficient in number or extent to fill 
the large tent, showed a considerable falling off as 
compared with the corresponding show of last year. 
Messrs. Ktlway & Son, of Langport, Somerset, 
made a brave show with Paeonies, Delphiniums, 
Gaillardias, and Pyrethrums, for which a Gold 
Medal was awarded. Vesper, Lady Sefton, Acastus, 
Rivalis, Princess Maude, Lady Gwendoline Cecil, 
and Camera, were some of the finest of the Paeonies 
shown. A small Silver Medal fell to the lot of 
Messrs. Richard Hartland & Son, Cork, for three 
stands full of blooms of double Begonias. These 
were all of large size and excellent substance. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, set up a nice 
group of hardy cut flowers, which included 
Delphiniums, Paeonies, and three superb spikes of 
Eremurus robustus (Silver Medal). Hardy cut 
flowers in great variety were also contributed by 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden. 
A nice collection of Irises was the chief feature of 
this exhibit. Delphiniums, Paeonies, and 
Pyrethrums, were likewise conspicuous (Silver 
Medal). From Messrs. Wm.^ Cutbush & Son, 
Highgate, N., came a neat little group of Carnations. 
Blush and rose Malmaisons, the grand yellow 
Germania, and the white Qountess were all well 
shown (Small Silver Medal). 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Victoria and Para¬ 
dise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, N., were responsible 
for the only group of Orchids that was present. It 
was very tastefully arranged and contained a number 
of small but well-flowered Cattleyas, Vandas, Onci- 
diums, and Odontoglossums (Silver Medal). Messrs. 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, showed a group 
of splendidly grown Cannas in small pots. All the 
plants bore trusses of exceptional size, and flowers 
of great brilliancy (Small Silver Medal). A quantity 
of cut Roses was sent by Messrs. Townsend & Sons, 
Rose Growers, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, 
amongst which some fine blooms of Mrs. John Laing, 
Ulrich Brunner, and Margaret Dickson were to be 
seen (Large Bronze Medal). A Bronze Medal was 
