700 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 4, 1896. 
Cupressus Lawsoniana erecta. More deci¬ 
sive is a Bougainvillea in four tiers at Ahme- 
dabad. 
The places visited were very numerous, 
so that we cannot attempt mere mention of 
them here. By way of illustration of the 
many observations, and facts of interest 
personally made and collected by the 
author, we single out a few from the parks 
in the territories of His Highness the 
Gaekwar of Baroda, a native prince, who 
rules the non-tributary, independent native 
state just mentioned. It will be within the 
recollection of many of our readers that Mr. 
Goldring, of Kew, was entrusted by His 
Highness with the laying out of the grounds 
around his new palaces and elsewhere. The 
public park of Baroda extends to a hundred 
acres and is traversed throughout its length 
by the river Vishwamintre; and in con¬ 
struction is rather formal, as the roads and 
paths radiate from, or lead to special 
centres, but are kept in splendid condition. 
Indeed, this native and progressive prince 
has been copying English designs in many 
instances. In traversing the grounds Mr. 
Veitch notices many plants, native or 
foreign to India, with which we are more or 
less familiar, but the tropical aspect of the 
vegetation clothes everything in a different 
garb from that with which we are accus¬ 
tomed to in this country. He describes 
Ipomoea carnea as a climber and a shrub, 
a mass of which in full bloom was the finest 
he had ever seen. Arches of Bougainvillea 
with stems 3 in. in diameter, and furnished 
with shoots several feet in length and laden 
with blossom and brilliantly coloured purple 
bracts fully exposed to a tropical sun pro¬ 
duced an effect which none but those who 
have seen it can have any conception. We 
have heard other travellers speak of the 
gorgeous appearance of the Bougainvilleas 
in India. 
A form of the Chinese Arbor Vitae (Thuia 
orientalis stricta) is the only true conifer in 
the park; for Conifers are natives of cool or 
temperate climes, and their place is taken 
by the Casuarinas in the plains and warmer 
parts of India. The Doob grass (Cynodon 
Dactylon) which is a native of the South- 
West of England and the Channel Islands, 
but occurring sparsely, forms the best sub¬ 
ject for the makingof lawns in India. It is, 
of course, carefully watered, and makes a 
velvety-green carpet. The Nim tree (Melia 
Azarachta) is here a deciduous tree, but for 
one week only. The Nelumbium (N. spe- 
ciosum) flourishes in the river, and fresh 
plantations or colonies of it are made by 
rolling up the seeds in balls of clay, and 
throwing them into the water. Plumeria 
acutifolia, a congener of the Frangipane of 
the West Indies, is one of the most con¬ 
spicuous trees of India, for though rather 
sparsely clothed with foilage, the white 
flowers, with a yellow centre, are powerfully 
scented. By the natives this tree is sup¬ 
posed to be connected with the success of 
our countrymen in the East. These are a 
few of the observations made and recorded 
by Mr. Veitch in the public park at Baroda; 
and he also visited Makurpura park and 
palace, about 6| miles from Baroda, and a 
favourite resort of His Highness the 
Gaekwar. This was the park on which 
Mr. Goldring was specially engaged. Facts 
crowd upon facts in quick succession, and 
those who have the good fortune to possess 
the book will find much upon which to 
ruminate, and picture in their minds the 
leading features of interesting countries it 
may not be their lot to visit. We congratu¬ 
late the author upon the completion of this 
splendid memento of his tour round the 
world. It will constitute an admirable 
volume, of quarto size, suitable alike for the 
drawing-room table, the library, and for 
reference. 
Roman Hyacinths have gone up in price owing to 
the extreme drought on the Continent. 
The Eighth Annual Wildflower Show at Bath, in 
connection with the St. James’ Band of Hope was 
opened by the Archdeacon of Bath, and seems to 
have been very successful, except in the matter of 
wild flowers. 
Messrs. A. Maurice & Co , of 23, Bedford Street, 
Strand, have sent us a catalogue of second-hand 
books which they are prepared to sell. We notice 
a number bearing upon gardening subjects by various 
writers. 
Fruit Crops in the Newcastle District —With the 
exception of early Pears, Cherries, and Plums, the 
fruit prospects for the season are of a satisfactory 
nature around Newcastle. Apples, especially, promise 
well; also late Pears. 
Yalding Gardeners’ Society.—The members of this 
society held their first summer exhibition at Yalding 
recently. Competition was very keen, and the 
exhibits of Peas, early Potatos, and Cabbages drew 
forth general commendation. 
Flowers at Railway Stations.—With a laudable 
desire to encourage the adornment of the various 
railway stations on their line by the planting of 
flowers, the directors of the North-Eastern Railway 
offer a number of prizes for the prettiest station in 
each district. Fifteen prizes are allotted to each 
district—five firsts, five seconds, and five thirds. 
Bearsted Cottage Gardeners. — Mr. Lambkin 
presided at the fortnightly meeting of this associa¬ 
tion held on Thursday, June 25th. There was a 
brisk competition for prizes for the best twelve pods 
of Peas. Mr. Hepton was placed first, Mr rf. 
Freed, second, and Mr. Cox, third. Several non¬ 
competitive exhibits were staged. 
West Ham Hospital.—We are pleased to notice that 
another flower, fruit, and vegetable show has been 
arranged to help the funds of this admirable institu¬ 
tion. Lord Claud Hamilton has agreed to open the 
exhibition on the 22nd inst., and over £100 will be 
paid out as prize money on the 23rd. We heartily 
congratulate this portion of London upon having the 
sympathy and practical support of the traders in 
Stratford Market. 
Flowers or paper—which ?—A custom has been 
growing for some time past in the United States, of 
selling pot plants rolled up in green, pink, yellow, 
and other coloured paper, tied round with narrow 
ribbons to match. This is not merely for the 
purpose of protection, so that the purchaser can carry 
the plants home safely. Oh no; it is meant for 
adornment and that the plants may be rnsed for 
household decoration in such nonsensical and tinsel 
trappings. The upper portions of the plants so 
befooled are of course left exposed; but where the 
taste comes in we fail to perceive, as there may not 
be harmony even between the papers and the flowers. 
This is an attempt to paint the Rose and gild the 
Lily, but we hope the florists in this country will not 
follow such an outrageous example set by the 
Americans and also by the French florists of to-day. 
With good cultivation nature should be allowed to 
do the rest. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.—The 
last monthly meeting of this society was held on the 
7th inst., at the Casino, when the undermentioned 
awards were made. Certificates of Merit were 
accorded to Anthurium scherzerianum Konig Albert, 
A. s. nobile, A. s. formosum, Cymbidium tigrinum, 
Laelia grandis tenebrosa, and L. g. tenebrosa Reginae, 
all shown by M. L. De Smet-Duvivier; to Cypri- 
pedium lysenianum, Miltonia vexillaria hyeana, 
Laeliocattleya Phoebe, Odontoglossum crispum 
Meteor, O. hystrix, O. mulus odoratum, Cattleya 
Mendelii Duchess of Montrose, Miltonia vexillaria 
Reginae, M. v. alba, and Cattleya Mossiae 
reineckeana, all shown by M. Jules Hye ; to Calamus 
Alberti, and Calamus Carola, both exhibited by 
Messrs F. Sander & Co.; to Alocasia gandavensis, 
presented by the Marquis of Wavrin; to Pteris 
Wimsetti, shown by M. E. Pynaert-Van Geert; and 
to each of two Oncidiums, exhibited by M. Ch. 
Vuylsteke. Several Certificates for culture and 
flowering, for botany, and honourable mention for 
culture and flowering were also awarded at the same 
meeting. 
Poor Soil.—An agitator travelling through America 
declares that he saw land so poor that you couldn’t 
raise a disturbance on it. 
Brighton Horticultural Society.— Mr. W. Balchin, 
Jun., presided at the last monthly meeting of this 
society, when Mr. Edwards delivered a lecture on 
“ Propagation by Seeds and Cuttings.” The lecture 
was of a most interesting and practical character. 
Questions arising during the discussion were replied 
to by Mr. Edwards at the close. 
The Cyclone in the United States of America on the 
3rd., ult., made a complete wreck of Lafayette Park, 
St. Louis, which will take 15 years to recover. 
Most of the trees which were not uprooted had their 
branches or tops, or all completely removed, leaving 
little or nothing but bare trunks. Forest Park lost 
1,000 trees, averaging from 25 to 35 years old; 
Benton Park, 300 ; Lyon Park and Caroudelet Park, 
each 150; and Gravios Park, 250. 
Flower trade on the Italian Riviera.—The latest 
reports from this district refer to the enormous 
increase of the flower trade. Along the coast-line 
from San Remo to Eordighera the characteristic 
Olives have been ruthlessly cut down, the ground 
laid out in terraces, and planted with Roses and 
Carnations. Bea utiful as these flowers are, it is a 
great pity that the charming Olive groves should 
have been so ruthlessly destroyed in order to make 
room for them, the picturesqueness of the surround¬ 
ing scenery having been greatly spoiled thereby. 
National Pink Society, (Midland Section).—I regret 
to inform you that owing 10 the very early season my 
committee have been compelled to cancel their show in 
connection with the Wolverhampton Floral Fete on 
the 7th prox. The Pinks in the Midlands have 
already been in full bloom for some days, and are 
now past their best, so that it would be impossible 
to show any creditable flowers on the date fixed. No 
subscriptions will be collected this year, and last 
year’s balance will be carried forward to next in the 
usual way.—C. F. Thurstan, Hon. Sec., Penn Fields, 
W olverliampton 
A Plea for the Sparrow. —A correspondent points 
out the value of the much-hunted sparrow as an 
insect destroyer, and avers that insect pests would 
not be nearly so numerous were the insane practice 
of slaying indiscriminately nearly the whole of our 
insectivorous birds discontinued. He recently noted 
a sparrow which was having a bean-feast among the 
weevils which infested a fine specimen of Crataegus 
pyracantha covering the wall of a house. But for 
the attentions of the little feathered visitor, the plant 
would soon have been defoliated. He concludes 
with the advice to “ spare the sparrow.” 
Torquay Rose Show. —The ninth annual exhibition 
of Roses held in connection with the Gardeners' 
Relief Fund was opened on Wednesday June 24th, 
by Lady Haldon. Owing to the drought the show 
has been rather below the average of former years. 
The Silver Cup for the best collection of Roses was 
carried off by Mr. Staddon, gardener to Mr. Armi- 
tage, Alta Vista, the second prize, a Gold Medal, 
falling to the lot of Mr. Bastard, of Ashburton. 
Messrs. Curtis, Sandford & Co. showed a fine collec¬ 
tion of nearly twenty boxes of cut Roses. Messrs. 
Beachey, Jenkin & Co., Kinkerswell; R. Veitch & 
Son, Exeter ; W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth ; W. Hanna- 
ford & Sons, Teignmouth ; and W. Tuplin & Son, 
Newton Abbot, were all represented. 
Preservation of Rare Cape Plants.—A letter from 
Sir Ferdinand Von Muller to Sir Hercules Robinson, 
the Governor of Cape Colony, appealing for a 
reserve ground for the preservation of rare plants 
has recently been published in the Cape Agricultural 
Gazette. The veteran botanist points out that the 
vegetation of South Africa is the richest in the world, 
not only as regards the number of species, but also as 
containing a great number of plants of special and 
peculiar interest, aggregated chiefly in the smth- 
western provinces. Hundreds of these plants are 
quite local, and confined to circumscribed areas. 
They are sure to be completely annihilated unless 
special provisions of some kind are made to insure 
their preservation, and hence the appeal for a wild 
garden or reserve ground for their accommodation. 
It is true that several botanic gardens exist in the 
colony, but as Prof. MacOwen remarks: “ These 
places can only exist by making themselves into a 
