August 22,1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
813 
lunch table, however, Mr. Leonard Noble presiding. 
After the usual loyal toasts had been duly acknow¬ 
ledged at the chairman’s invitation, Mr.Stanton pro¬ 
posed the health of Mrs. Noble and family. He 
assured all present that Mrs. Noble extended to all 
a cordial welcome. This was the fourth anniver¬ 
sary of the kind; and each year seemed to add to the 
importance of the meeting. It was a kind and 
happy thought on the part of their hostess that had 
led to the institution of this meeting, which was, he 
believed, unique in that it was the only one of the 
kind. Mr. Stanton went on to speak of the pleasure 
he felt at hearing of the successes of his old-time 
students, some of whom had won for themselves 
renown in various branches of their chosen profes¬ 
sion. Amongst others he could not refrain from 
mentioning the names of Messrs. W. H. Lees, Odell, 
and Maxim. It is almost needless to say that the 
toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. W. H. Lees, 
who had been commissioned to formally make the 
presentation to Mr. Stanton then rose, and in a few 
well chosen words testified to the respect they all 
felt for him, and how sensible they were of the 
value of the advice and instruction which he so 
freely gave to all who were placed under him. He 
asked Mr. Stanton’s acceptance of the three enlarged 
carbon photographs and the illuminated address, 
which were then unveiled, together with the 
heartiest wishes of all the subscribers for his future 
welfare and happiness. The photographs in question 
were excellent representations of Mr. Stanton, his 
son, and daughter, and reflected great credit upon 
the artist, Mr. Marsh, Hart Street, Henley-on- 
Thames. Taken by surprise as he was, Mr. Stanton 
said that he felt too overpowered to make adequate 
reply, and he could only assure them that these 
photographs would ever be among his dearest 
treasures. 
-- 
VIOLA CONFERENCE. 
[Continued from p. 797). 
Dr. Veit. B. Wittrock. 
This gentleman, who is the director of the Botanic 
Gardens, Bergisland, near Stockholm, had sent to 
the Hon. Sec., Mr. R. Dean, an interesting paper 
upon the genus Viola. The paper in question 
appeared in the Gardener's Chronicle for May 30th, 
June 13th, and June 20th, and is a most valuable 
addition to Viola literature. Dr. Wittrock gives the 
history of the cultivated Viola and Pansy from com¬ 
paratively ancient times down to our own day. He 
says that the botanists of ancient days knew of but 
one Viola, V. odorata, and that those of the Middle 
Ages knew of no other. The Heartsease or wild 
Pansy, was first mentioned and described by O. 
Brunfels, in 1536, and L. Fuchs, in 1542. Parkinson, 
in i62g, describes not only the common V. tricolor, 
but also a form with double flowers from 
gardens in England. He mentions the great yellow 
Pansy as being in cultivation in England in 1629. A 
statement made by Ph. Miller goes to prove that this 
species was cultivated in England in the eighteenth 
century. He calls it V. calcarata, but as he goes on 
to say that it comes from the mountainous districts 
of North Britain and Wales, there is very little 
doubt that V. lutea is meant; for V. calcarata 
is not found in this country, being a native 
of the Alps. Dr. Wittrock's paper is now issued in 
book form, and the remainder of his communication 
to the Viola conference consisted of allusion to, and 
explanations of, the numerous illustrations of species, 
and sub-species of Violas. These plates were all 
executed by skilled artists under Dr. Wittrock’s 
personal supervision. 
Violas for Bedding Purposes. 
Mr. C. Jordan, superintendent, Regent’s Park, N.W., 
and Mr. J. W. Moorman, superintendent, Victoria 
Park, N.E., both read papers upon Violas for 
bedding purposes, with reference to their adaptability 
for bedding purposes. 
Mr. C. Jordan’s paper was of a most practical, 
instructive, and entertaining nature, and although he 
commenced by stating that it was not a new subject, 
and asking what there was that he could inform them 
about that would be new to them, he imparted a deal 
of valuable information. His paper, moreover, was 
admirably written, and as admirably read. The 
genus Viola, he reminded his audience, was dis¬ 
tributed over the temperate regions, some six or 
seven species being found in Britain. The earliest 
accounts would refer to V. tricolor, the well-known 
occupant of our cornfields, grassy banks, etc., and 
which also strayed not infrequently into our gardens. 
The garden Viola is said to have originated partly 
by chance from seed 
After a while its hardy constitution, its robust 
habit, and continuity of blooming, brought it into 
favourable notice and its culture and improvement 
was taken up by various good gardeners. The 
Cliveden Violas used to be very famous, and Mr. J. 
Fleming has done a great deal to popularise them. 
Trentham Hall and Belvoir Castle were other places 
where Violas had a great deal of attention 
bestowed upon them. In East Lothian, and on the 
Scottish Borderland at one time were to be found 
huge tufts that bloomed away each year with sur¬ 
passing freedom and withstood the winters perfectly. 
It might be asked indeed, if there was any other 
plant that produced such good results with the 
minimum of labour as the Viola. It lends itself 
admirably to association with other plants to form 
either simple or complex bedding arrangements. 
The diversity of colour its blooms exhibit is 
immense, and as a bedding plant for our public parks, 
as well as private gardens, it is invaluable. 
In order to grow Violas well the cultivator must 
bear in mind that good soil, plenty of space, and 
abundance of water in dry weather, were necessary 
conditions if quantities of bloom were looked for. 
A manurial stimulant of some kind was also highly 
important if the flowering season was to be prolonged. 
He had hitherto found Clay’s Fertiliser gave the most 
satisfactory results, but he thought there was room 
for a special Viola manure that should return to the 
soil about double the ingredients that the plants took 
out of it. 
The seasons of spring and summer overlapped 
each other in the London parks. Violas in Regent’s 
Park had to be treated as summer bedding plants, 
for the soil was a cold clay, and the plants went off 
wholesale in the winter. Those in the country could 
not know of these difficulties, said Mr. Jordan, but 
he added that a London fog was very convincing. 
With regard to propagation he preferred to break 
the old plants up into a number of smaller pieces, 
and he had found that he got much better results 
from these divisions than he did from cuttings. 
Here Mr. Jordan gave a practical demonstration of 
the way the plants were divided up, some forty- 
eight pieces being made out of one old plant. Mr. 
Jordan also exhibited a specimen plant to prove how 
completely Violas took up the whole of the surface 
soil, the roots permeating every atom. This, he said, 
was another proof that a special manure was needed, 
otherwise the surface soil became exhausted. 
The essayist then went on to describe the different 
methods of utilising Violas, in conjunction with other 
subjects both as carpet plants, and edging to beds 
and borders, mentioning some of the most suitable 
varieties. Associated with Hyacinths, Dielytras, 
Irises, and Wallflowers, they showed up splendidly 
in the earlier months of the year, whilst later on 
some delightful effects might be obtained by employ¬ 
ing them in conjunction with Pelargoniums, Celosias, 
Fuchsias, Liliums, Chrysanthemums, and Calceo¬ 
larias. In ornamental vases they might be used 
with happy results, whilst they were perfectly at 
home in the rock garden. Climbing over gray old 
stones and boulders amongst the delicate greenery of 
hardy Ferns, they did admirably. In this case he 
thought it best to sow the seeds simply and allow 
the plants to look after themselves. The old variety 
Bluebell was grand for growing in masses in thinly 
planted beds. Grievei, in favourite seasons, would 
clamber over Canterbury Bells in a charmingly free 
manner. 
He strongly recommended the necessity of taking 
note each year of the various positions occupied by 
the Violas, so that fresh quarters might be assigned 
them the next season, otherwise there would be a 
remarkable falling off. This was another good 
reason for the necessity for a special manure. It 
was also advisable to take care that Violas were never 
planted in such a way that their backs were turned 
to visitors, as the greater part of the effect would 
then be lost. 
Amongst the numerous varieties in cultivation he 
had found Ardwell Gem, Sylvia, Archie Grant, 
Cliveden Purple, Bullion, Countess of Kintore, 
Countess of Wharncliffe, Countess of Hopetoun, 
and Violetta, splendid sorts, which always did well 
and gave abundant satisfaction. 
A lively discussion followed the reading of this 
paper. Mr. D. B. Crane was surprised that Mr. 
Jordan had only advocated the utilisation of Violas 
as carpet plants, and as edgings to beds and borders. 
He thought just as good effects might be 
obtained by devoting beds absolutely to them. Mr. 
A. Dean said he was gratified to hear such good 
accounts of the old Bluebell, which he said was 
grown at Hampton by many owners of gardens in 
the same place, year after year. He was also 
pleased with the appearance of the Violas in the trial 
grounds in the Royal Botanic Society's Gardens. 
They were in much better condition than the adverse 
character of the season had led him to expect. 
With regard ter planting he had always obtained the 
greatest success from autumn planting, for then his 
losses did not amount to more than from five to ten per 
cent., whereas from plants put out in April as many 
as forty or fifty per cent, had succumbed. Mr. 
Rowberry stated that he had lost a great part of his 
stock this season, and he put it down to the fact that 
he had been unable to give them fresh ground, 
owing to the smallness of his garden. Mr. Alison 
had found Ardwell Gem the earliest Viola in the 
North of England, having discovered it in bloom 
under the snow. The blooms in this case were 
borne by two-year-old plants. Bullion was the 
earliest yellow, whilst Skylark, Bluecloud, and 
Sweet Lavender were all very precocious. 
[To be continued.) 
--*»- 
THE GROVE, BATH. 
At the end of last month we paid a visit of inspec¬ 
tion to The Grove, Bath, the residence of Alderman 
Chaffin, pleasantly situated in the deep valley of the 
Avon, where the latter cuts through the southern end 
of the Cotswold Hills, and at the Batheston end of 
Bath. We have often heard of the fame of his 
gardener, Mr. W. Taylor, as a grape grower, and 
were well rewarded by our visit of inspection. 
There are five large vineries or rather compart¬ 
ments of two ranges. The first range we entered 
was 70 ft. to 80 ft. long, and 40 ft. wide, with vines 
planted on either side of the house, generally at 
distances of 5 ft. from rod to rod, and meeting at the 
ridge of the house. Neither of the structures is 
very high, but all give space for a great length of rod, 
while the width of the glass otherwise admits of a 
maximum amount of sunlight. We had not been 
long in the house before we noticed evidence of great 
care bestowed upon the vines, and herein lies the 
elements of success. Ample space is allowed between 
every two rods and the laterals are not permitted to 
interfere with one another. There is just sufficient 
room for the leaves to be properly exposed to light, 
and as a consequence they are large and leathery in 
texture. Due value is placed upon every individual 
leaf, for all are carefully sponged over several times 
during the season. Everything is scrupulously clean, 
so that thrips and red spider find no quarter here. 
Thus every loophole is guarded to insure success. 
That Mr. Taylor looks well after the feeding of his 
vines is also evident, if we are to judge by the vigour 
of the vines, and the size of the bunches and berries. 
The garden is situated on the rising ground at the 
foot of the hills which tower up to a considerable 
height and enclose the valley ; the ground is there¬ 
fore arranged in gentle rising terraces, one above the 
other. The houses are therefore sheltered from the 
north, and face due south. There is no necessity 
therefore, to have tall-roofed houses in order to catch, 
a sufficient amount of the sun’s rays. The warm 
and unusually droughty seasoaffias been felt here, as 
everyone in this part of the Avon valley can affirm, 
yet any evil results that might be expected under the 
circumstances have been successfully combated. 
The compartments are arranged to ripen in suc¬ 
cession, and in the first we entered, the berries were 
just commencing to colour. Several varieties are 
grown in each house so that they in themselves 
afford a succession. Gros Colman carried large 
bunches and berries just becoming tinted with colour. 
Several vines of Black Hamburgh were loaded with 
hugh bunches already quite black. Other varieties 
here were Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, Gros Maroc, 
The Black Muscat, Mrs Pince and Foster's Seedling. 
The berries of Gros Maroc were splendid in size, and 
those of Foster's Seedling were equally fine of their 
kind and ripening beautifully, with their delicate 
tints of colour. On the other hand Mrs. Pince was 
quite green. The other compartment of this vinery 
was later, and contained vines of Gros Colman, 
