July 25, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
757 
NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Plants and Flowers about the Home : A Manual 
of Practical Instruction for Amateurs. By 
James Graham. Price 4d. Wisbaw : Printed 
and Published by T. & J. W. Graham, Tinto 
View, Cambusnethan. 
This pamphlet runs to 115 pages, and the contents 
being given pretty fully at the beginning, no index is 
considered necessary. It is intended solely for 
amateurs who have no other means of growing 
plants in their gardens and dwelling houses. The 
idea of writing such a treatise originated with several 
gentlemen interested in the results of a movement, 
under the auspices of an association whose object 
was the encouragement of a love for gardening 
amoDgst the young men of the industrial classes, It 
was first published in April last, and a second 
edition came out in June, so that the author’s efforts 
have been appreciated, and a want supplied. 
Two chapters are devoted to plants for rooms, and 
the treatment they require, a third to window-box 
gardening, a fourth to plants for training against 
walls, and the remaining three to bedding plants, 
border 'plants, and dwarf Roses, and shrubs 
respectively. The hints intended for the guidance 
of the amateur are simply detailed and easily 
followed. Those who once master the details, and 
are thoroughly in love with plant growing for their 
own sake, will desire to go further afield to know 
more. The right classes of plants for room culture 
are generally given ; but we fear that few would 
obtain much satisfaction from Cinerarias and 
Calceolarias grown entirely in rooms, owing to the 
dust and dryness of the atmosphere spoiling the 
foliage. A few more window plants might have 
been given, such as Begonia weltoniensis, Pteris 
cretma, Valotta purpurea, Asplenium fabianum, and 
others often well-managed in windows. The chapter 
on hardy border plants briefiy describes a large num¬ 
ber of useful hardy subjects, with which no difficulty 
will be experienced by those who are fond of flowers. 
English names accompanied by the botanical ones 
are very largely employed in the descriptions, so 
that cottagers can use whichever they like. 
-- 
DEVON AND EXETER GARDENERS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The annual summer outing of the Devon and 
Exeter Gardeners’ Association fell this year on St. 
Swithin’s Day. About half-past .eight a party of 
seventy-five, consisting for the most part of gardeners, 
two or three of whom hailed from London, made a 
start from Bedford Circus in several four-horse 
brakes supplied by Mrs. Leech. Proceeding via 
the Barnfield and Mount Radford along Topsham 
Road, the bridge at Countess Weir was crossed, 
and shortly afterwards Messrs. Veitch's nurseries 
at Exminster were passed, These, like other 
gardens, seemed to be suffering severely from the 
drought. Powderham estate was entered by the 
lodge gate on the Exminster side, permission to view 
the park and gardens having been obtained from Mr. 
Octavius Bradshaw and Mr. J. G. Drew. The party 
was received by Mr. D. C. Powell, the lessee of 
Powderham gardens. In the charming environ¬ 
ment of this beautiful example of “ the stately homes 
of England,” an hour was very pleasantly spent. 
Among the first things to attract attention on 
entering the park were some magnificent Elm trees, 
several of them being from 120 ft. to 130 ft. in height. 
Some grand Cedars forming what is known as the 
Cedar avenue, were also much admired. Then a 
detour was made to the Belvedere, from which, as is 
well knowD, a magnificent view is obtained of the 
broad estuary, the fertile valley of the Exe, the 
heights of. Woodbury, Sidmouth Gap, and the bold 
coast line, stretching as far as the eye can reach. 
From the Belvedere the journey was pursued through 
the winding paths of the woods. Powderham Park 
is famous for its beautiful woodland scenery in 
general, and every now and then one comes across 
grand examples of the more rare forms of Coniferae. 
In all these the gardeners showed a great deal of 
interest. Several of the more remarkable specimens 
are worth enumerating. One of the most notable 
was a specimen of Pseudotsuga Douglasii. This 
tree was planted by the late Mr. John Drew over fifty 
years since, and is very handsome. Going down 
towards the American gardens a splendid specimen 
of the Tulip tree was come across, rising in height 
to 120 ft. Hard by was what is known as the 
finest specimen of the hardy Blue Gum tree in 
England. It was pointed out that three generations 
of seed-beariDg flowers were on the tree at the 
present time. A grand example of the Cedar of 
Lebanon was next observed. It is about 100 ft. high, 
and perhaps more than that in the circumference of 
its spreading branches. Another specimen of the 
Pseudotsuga Douglasii, 105 ft. high, was also seen 
with all its lower branches broken off by a tree 
which had fallen against it, with the result that it 
now stands out almost like a spire. 
The Wellingtonia gigantea is well represented in 
the park. Clinging to an old Elm tree was an Ivy 
plant with a stem quite a foot in diameter, and so 
sturdy was it, and so thick the bark, that it had 
assumed both the colour and appearance of the Elm 
itself. In the American garden were some fine 
Camellias which have lived through several decades 
of our hard winters. One of these trees is believed 
to have been brought here by Sir Joseph Banks, who 
was staying at Powderham Castle about the time the 
tree was introduced, in 1739. This is certainly one 
of the earliest examples of the Camellia in England, 
and from it have been obtained thousands of grafts. 
It is Camellia japonica. There are also fine speci¬ 
mens of the Picea smithiana, with drooping branches 
over 6 ft. long, and Pinus excelsa, with a great 
number of cones very much resembling Cucumbers 
hanging therefrom. A fine Cork-tree was also 
noticed near the Castle. While at Powderham the 
party were entertained to refreshments by Mr. 
Powell, who, it was mentioned, was one of the 
founders of the Devon and Exeter Gardeners' 
Association, and the first to deliver a paper at any of 
its meetings. In proposing a vote of thanks to him 
for his kindness and hospitality, Mr Andrew Hope 
said Mr. Powell had been a warm supporter of the 
society throughout the whole of its existence. 
From close by the Castle the journey was resumed 
in the breaks to Dawlish, where a halt was made for 
about half an hour before proceeding to Teignmouth. 
It was now high noon, and the most perfect summer 
weather prevailed. Though very hot in the sun, 
there was a pleasant, refreshing breeze, which, 
however, also had a less desirable tendency to blow 
the dust about the roads. But throughout the day 
the driving was very enjoyable indeed. About half¬ 
past one Colonel Halford Thompson's house at 
Teignmouth was reached, and .after the visitors had 
been shown round the lovely conservatories and 
flower and vegetable gardens, they were entertained 
by luncheon on the lawn. In addition to the charm¬ 
ing surroundings—-and it may be remarked that the 
flower beds at Eastcliff looked particularly bright 
and beautiful—music was also provided, while the 
party did full justice to the excellent luncheon, at 
the conclusion of which the loyal toasts were 
cordially drunk. 
Mr. Andrew Hope, the Hon. Secretary of the 
association, then proposed the health of Colonel 
Halford Thompson, and the toast was very warmly 
received. He referred to Colonel Thompson’s 
enthusiasm as a gardener, and especially to the 
manner in which he had distinguished himself as a 
cultivator of Pansies. Everybody who knew what 
pains he had taken in regard to that flower rejoiced 
in his success when he competed against the best 
growers in Scotland, where the Pansy was the 
favourite flower. It was a sort of revenge for 
Bannockburn. Everything they had seen that day 
was proof positive that Colonel Thompson was a 
gardener. He had also taken a great interest in their 
association. Colonel Thompson was justly proud of 
the results he had obtained in regard to his new 
venture with Jadoo, which had proved to be a success 
in public and private gardens not only in this country, 
but in the Colonies and on the Continent. What 
would be the ultimate end of his experiments no one 
could tell, but it seemed to him that it only needed 
to be known to be appreciated. He certainly 
thought they ought all to give Jadoo a fair chance, 
and he was sure what they had seen that day would 
make them more interested in this hobby of Colonel 
Thompson's. 
Colonel Halford Thompson expressed his pleasure 
at seeing his guests, for he had always taken the 
greatest interest in horticulture. He said his first 
efforts in that direction were connected with Pansies, 
and, as some of them knew, he attained consider¬ 
able success in growing them. But of late years all 
his efforts had been centred in perfecting Jadoo, the 
material in which they had just seen plants"of all 
sorts growing. When he first invented Jadoo fibre 
he had not the slightest idea that there was any 
chance of its proving of commercial value. He only 
looked upon it as a way of amusing himself, but 
every day now showed more clearly that what was 
originally a mere amateur's hobby might prove of 
enormous value, for from all quarters they were 
receiving the same reply, viz., that Jadoo fibre met a 
very great want among every class of amateur 
gardeners, by placing at their disposal a potting 
material which was thoroughly suitable for one and 
all of the plants, they grew. The versatility, so to 
speak, of the Jadoo must have been evident to them 
from what they had seen that day. 
A few years ago it would have made anyone stare 
if they had been told that a material could be found 
in which Apple trees, Strawberries, Vines, Potatos, 
Begonias, and Chrysanthemums would all come to 
perfection. They had, however, only to look round 
them there to see that such was the case. He thought 
they would also agree that the material was especi¬ 
ally well suited to foliage plants, bringing out, as it 
did, the markings on the leaves and intensifying the 
colour. For hanging baskets and for window boxes 
it had obvious advantages. They had also seen how 
marvellously fruit trees had thrived in pots in Jadoo 
which, he thought, opened up possibilities for its use 
not only in pots, but also dug in with the young trees 
in the open ground. The Potatos they had seen dug 
up would show them that by placing a very small 
quantity of Jadoo fibre in the trenches in which they 
put seed Potatos they might greatly improve the 
general health of the plants, render them less likely 
to disease, and largely increase the yield. He trusted 
that one and all of them would at least give Jadoo a 
trial. It must stand or fall on its merits, but it had 
not yet shown much sign of tumbling. 
Both during and after the luncheon the visitors 
were photographed by Messrs. Denny & Co. Before 
leaving Teignmouth a visit was paid to the Jadoo 
factory at the Quay, where the company were 
received by Mr. C. T. Roberts and Mr J. Littlejohn 
(directors), Mr. Symes (manager), and Mr. H. 
Vodden (secretary). The breaks then left the town 
by way of Shaldon Bridge, and the drive was 
continued to Torquay, the lovely views obtained 
from the road over land and sea beiDg very much 
admired. After tea had been partaken of at Tor the 
public gardens at Torquay were visited, under the 
ciceroneship of Mr. Henry A. Garrett, borough 
surveyor. Several members of the company also 
accepted the invitation of Dr. Ramsey to look round 
his sub-tropical garden. Leaving Torquay about 
eight o’clock the return journey was made in the 
breaks via Newton Abbot, Chudleigb, and Kennford, 
a long and very enjoyable day thus being happily 
brought to a close. For the excellent arrangements 
the members of the association and their friends 
were very largely indebted to the hon. secretary, Mr 
Andrew Hope .—Devon and Exeter Gazette. 
SELBY FLOWER SHOW. 
The annual flower show and gala of the Selby 
Horticultural Society was held as usual on the 
extensive grounds known as the Bowling Green, 
Selby, in the West riding of Yorkshire, on the 16th 
inst. Financially it was as successful as that of the 
previous year was a failure on account of a downpour 
of rain. There was a large attendance of visitors. 
Prize money to the sum of /300 was distributed over 
the horticultural and athletic divisions of the 
schedule. One large marquee was devoted to the 
housing of stove and greenhouse plants in the open 
classes, and which were Very effective. Mr. R. 
Simpson, Selby, secured the first prize for his 
exhibit of well-grown plants, distancing Mr. H. B. 
Harrison-Broadley, who was second. The numerous 
Crotons forming part of the groups had a very 
brightening eftect. In the class for a large group, 
Mr. J. S. Sharp, of Almondbury, had a very tasteful 
arrangement and was placed first. Mr. H. B. 
Harrison-Broadley came to the front in the class for 
a group to occupy 80 sq. ft , and which was open to 
gardeners and amateurs. Mr. R. Simpson had the 
best Fuchsias; Mr. H. B. Harrison-Broadley set up 
the best exotic Ferns and Cape Heaths ; and Mr. J. 
Jackson, Lendal, showed the best British Ferns. 
Mr. J. S. Sharp took the lead for Caladiums; and 
Mr. J. Clacker, who took several prizes, had the best 
exhibit of Begonias, 
