508 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
April 11, 1896. 
for some time past, including double red 
and semi-double white varieties, the blossom 
of which is often very profuse, and in the 
case of the white variety more especially, 
very conspicuous in the landscape, because 
the branches are yet practically bare of 
foliage. The large white flowers of Prunus 
occonomica are also very effective, and 
beautiful even on close inspection on account 
of the salmon-orange colour of the anthers. 
The Black Thorn, in the hedges and waste 
places,has now a snowy appearance, while the 
more favoured double variety makes a brave 
display in those gardens to which it has 
been added. The scarlet flowers of the 
Japanese Quince and the salmony-orange 
blossom of its congener (Pyrus Maulei) 
require to be seen from a shorter distance ; 
but they are not without their attractions. 
The abundance of yellow flowers borne by 
Forsythia viridissima and F. suspensa 
makes them very conspicuous even a 
long way from the beholder. The latter is 
by far the most interesting and attractive, 
on account of the gracefully-drooping habit 
of the long slender twigs. Yellow and white 
colours are more noticeable than rose or 
red ones. 
The unfolding foliage of the earlier trees 
are sufficiently noticeable to attract many, 
even of the less observant, if not over 
engrossed with the affairs of everyday life. 
For two or three weeks past the narrow and 
delicate green leaves of the Babylonian 
Willow have been unfolding and weighting 
the sprays, forming a sort of natural filigree 
work. That has now been succeeded by 
the delicate greenery of the White Birch, 
the silvery stems of which show well 
against the bright green grass below, and 
the leaden, moisture-laden skies above. 
The Larch may well be compared with the 
Birch in its habit of growth, but the young 
leaves are of a darker green. The young 
foliage of the purple-leaved Peach is very 
dark, but not so common as it might be in 
parks and pleasure grounds. The bronzy 
red of Prunus Pissardi is not so dark as 
the foliage expands, but the hue becomes 
deeper and even more attractive when fully 
developed. While most of the trees 
that succeed in the open progress cautiously, 
as it were, the Horse Chestnut appears 
almost reckless in its haste while there is 
yet danger from spring frosts and blustering 
gales of wind with which we are not 
unacquainted, even at this season of the 
year. Already the Peach, Plum and Cherry 
are in blossom, to be suceeded by the Pear 
and Apple presently. Though the mention 
of them is suggestive of utility rather than 
ornament, they are none the less beautiful; 
and the profusion of blossom holds out the 
prospect of a rich harvest. The wealth of 
drooping clusters of the pearly-white 
flowers of Pieris japonica has been not 
inaptly compared to a fountain of pearly 
spray. It is one of the most charming 
of early spring-flowering shrubs. 
Not the least important factor in the beau¬ 
tifying of gardens is the wealth of spring bulbs 
at the command of the planter. They, more 
than in the case of trees, are suggestive of 
the awakening of vegetation and the return 
of the most enjoyable part of the year. 
They serve, in fact, to draw people out of 
doors after a period of more or less exclu¬ 
sive retirement. The Snowdrops, abundant 
as they were, gave place to Crocuses, 
Daffodils, and Glory of the Snow in succes¬ 
sion. The earliest of the latter was Chiono- 
doxa sardensis, the bright blue flowers of 
which were attractive and even conspicuous 
at a distance. The various species or types 
have, however, kept up a succession to the 
present time. The Hyacinths are now at 
their best, or just on the point of giving 
over, but the Tulips are already beginning 
to take their place, and will continue in 
succession, according to their kind, till the 
end of May or the beginning of June. We 
now have Daffodils till then, and they 
practically begin in February -with the 
dainty Narcissus cyclamineus. Nearly all 
the Daffodils are handsome and attractive, 
each in their way; but certain kinds are 
more effective at a distance than the rest. 
At close quarters all of them display their 
merits; but those which lift their heads well 
above the foliage are attractive almost 
as far as the eye can discern them. Many 
kinds could be mentioned having this 
recommendation, and the number will no 
doubt be increased as the use of them for 
spring bedding and for naturalising on the 
grass causes an increasing number of 
observers to turn their attention to a most 
deserving class of hardy spring flowers. 
-—*.- 
Mr. J. Keir, until lately foreman in the Gardens, 
Poles, Ware, Herts, has been appointed gardener to 
Captain Cooper Lockers, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. 
Great supplies of spring flowers continue to reach 
Covent Garden from the Scilly Islands, France, and 
Italy. Hyacinths, Narcissi, Tulips, Wallflower, 
Violets hnd other subjects are very cheap. 
What is Yeast? was asked at an examination, 
recently, in Boston. The reply was, “Yeast is a 
vegetable flying about in the air, hitching itself on to 
anything."— Boston Budget. 
Mr. Robert Blackie (of Messrs. Blackie & Son, 
Limited, Stanhope Street, Glasgow, and Old Bailey, 
London) died suddenly at Cannes, in the south of 
France, on the 2nd inst., in his seventy-seventh year. 
He will be known to many of our readers as a 
partner of the firm who published that standard 
work on gardening, Thompson's Gardeners' Assistant. 
Honour to Mr. George Schneider.—We are pleased 
to observe in the current number of Le Jardin that 
Mr. George Schneider, the president of the French 
Horticultural Society of London, has just been 
appointed Chevalier of the Order of the Merite 
Agricole. Mr. Schneider's work is much appreciated 
by all who know him on both sides of the Channel, 
and we desire to join in congratulating him upon this 
recognition of his services to horticulture. 
The Bearsted Gardeners’ Society held their usual 
meeting on the 19th ult., when there was a good 
attendance and also some excellent exhibits. Thirty- 
two dishes of Potatos were entered, so that competi¬ 
tion was pretty close. Messrs. F. Hepton, J. 
Lurcock, Saloes, Sears, F. White, and W. Hodge 
were the winners in the order named. The competi¬ 
tion for points during the past season gave the 
winners as Messrs. T. Hepton, Matthews, Lamkin, 
H. Fread, and Cox, in this order. 
Isle of Wight.—The monthly meeting of the Isle 
of Wight Horticultural Improvement Association 
was held on Saturday last at Brading Town Hall, 
when Mr. C. Orchard, Bembridge, gave an interest¬ 
ing paper on “ Vegetables, Old and New." Mr. 
Orchard staged a variegated Brussels Sprout, which 
was very pretty and excellently suitable for decora¬ 
tive purposes, and the leaves for garnishing. Mr. 
Munson, gardener to the Rev. E. Summers, staged 
specimens of ornamental shrubs. Dr. Groves, 
B.A., J.P., the chairman of the Association, ably 
presided. 
Fruit Culture in Yorkshire.—Dr. Clark, of the 
Yorkshire College, Leeds, gave his last and con¬ 
cluding lecture of a series of ten on this subject in 
the Town Hall, Thorne, on the 16th ult. On this 
occasion he dealt with the subject of insect pests 
that attack fruit trees and crops. At the conclusion 
of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks was accorded 
to Dr. Clark for his services. In reply he thanked 
the people of Thorne for the lively interest they had 
taken in the lectures, as was evidenced by the 
attendance, which he reckoned would average over 
100, notwithstanding the statement when he first 
came in the district that the attendance would not 
average more than twenty and certainly not exceed 
thirty. 
The Stock Horticultural Society is in a satisfactory 
state financially, as the balance-sheet at the annual 
meeting showed. 
Question and answer at a Boston Examination.— 
Name a fruit that has its seed on the outside. A 
seedcake.— Boston Budget. 
A White Rambler Rose, a sport from White Pet, 
originated on the Continent about two years ago. 
and will be exhibited in London next spring. 
Fritillaries, Chionodoxas, Scillas, Daffodils and other 
subjects are very attractive on the rockery, in the wild 
garden and other parts of Kew Gardens at present. 
Two parts practical experience to one part of 
theoretical knowledge, ought to be a good formula 
says American Gardening. But they want to be “well 
shaken." 
The West of England Chrysanthemum Society will 
hold its annual show in the Guildhall, Plymouth on 
November 10th and nth. Prizes are offered in 
sixty-two classes for Chrysanthemums, fruit, plants, 
and vegetables. There is a good balance in hand 
from last year’s accounts. 
The country lanes about Modbury and Kings- 
bridge have rarely been seen so gay with Primroses, 
Violets, Lesser Celandine, Speedwell, Stellaria, and 
other wild flowers. They have been unusu illy early 
this year, and the bright green of the sprouting grass 
forms a beautiful setting for them. 
Romford Horticultural Society.—The statement of 
accounts of this society, presented at the annual 
meeting of subscribers, showed a small deficit. The 
date of the annual show was fixed for July 2nd. Mr. 
H. Hollebone promised to again allow the society 
the use of Gidea Hall Park for their show. 
The pale yellow Primrose always looks best in its 
native wilds with its natural associations. White, 
blue, yellow, rose, crimson, purple, and other 
varieties of garden origin can be raised in hundreds 
from a packet of seed and should have the preference 
for garden purposes. 
People’s Palace Spring Show.—The members of 
the People's Palace and East London Horticultural 
Society made a very good display recently of 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Primulas, Crocuses, 
Azaleas, and other spring flowers. They had very 
little professional help in making this display. 
Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate sent a mixed 
collection of plants. Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, 
Waltham Cross, contributed a collection of Camellias 
for which they are noted. There was a good 
attendance of visitors. 
English as she is wrote.—Within easy distance of 
the metropolis of the British Empire, the following 
plants (at least we suppose they were all meant for 
plants) were offered for sale :—Bedding Geraniums, 
Neviens and white Nepthus, arum lillies, azalia 
indica, one bangainvella and one licatonium, one 
brugmasea, four dracennas, cobea scanndeus, one 
jasminmus, freesia befracaba, gloscinia, memulus 
musk, primila obcanica, primala seuscenss, hydran- 
jeas, stephanatis floribinda, scbitzanthus, vollola, 
libium auratum, libium harrissi, aonemone, and 
various others which do not seem to be recorded in 
gardening dictionaries and encyclopaedias. 
Royal Botanic Society of London.—The show of 
Daffodils and other spring flowers, announced by us 
some time ago, will be held in the society’s gardens, 
Regent’s Park on Tuesday and Wednesday the 14th 
and 15th inst. Prizes are offered for Daffodils in 
twenty-one classes and in fourteen classes for other 
spring flowers. The Daffodil Conference will be held 
on the 14th in the lecture room and museum of the 
society. The chair will be taken at 12 noon by Mr. 
J. G. Baker, F.R.S , F.L.S., of the Herbarium, Kew. 
Mr. F. W. Burbidge, M.A., F.L.S. will give an 
opening address on the "Past, Present, and Future of 
Narcissi." Other papers will be read by the Rev. E. 
S. Bourne, Mr. W. Robinson, Mr. J. D. Pearson, 
Mr. C. W. Cowan, Dr. Crawford, Mr. C. Stuart, 
Mr. J. Allen, Mr. J. Caparn, and by Miss Marie 
Lowe. If all these papers are read, the society will 
have done a fair day’s work. The papers, however, 
promise to be of an interesting character, and very 
varied. 
