514 
April 11, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
known, as is Cymbidium lowianum, here brightly 
coloured. 
The cool house also offers its quota of bloom. 
Various varieties and forms of Odontoglossum 
crispum are plentiful. O. gloriosum and O. 
constrictum sanderianum are deliciously-fragrant 
species. O. triumphans, Masdevallia Lindeni, M. 
chimaera, and Ada aurantiaca are present in good 
form, as are Coelogyne cristata lemoniana and C. c. 
major. Sibthorpia europaea variegata, though not 
an Orchid, does well here, but the golden-leaved 
S. e. aurea is more difficult to grow satisfactorily. 
Another dwarf gem is Nertera depressa. 
Fine-Foliaged Plants. 
The useful and well-known Ophiopogon Jaburan 
variegatus is finest when making its young leaves, 
which have broad golden margins. Amongst Palms 
there are some beautiful and graceful species, 
apparently well adapted for exhibition purposes. 
Livistona altissima has relatively small orbicular 
leaves, with radiating fingers, and long, spiny 
petioles. L. rotundifolia seems to differ chiefiy in its 
much dwarfer habit. Beautiful also is Geonoma 
imperialis with its long, slender and drooping 
pinnae. Its young and expanding fronds are bronzy- 
red. Better known is G. gracilis with its dark green 
foliage. A newish species is Grevillea Banksii with 
much broader leaf segments than the universally 
cultivated G. robusta. A stock of a very beautiful 
Dracaena, named D. lentiginosa, is being got up ; it 
belongs to the same type as D. australis, and has 
long, spreading, graceful, bronzy-red leaves with 
bright red midribs. Different plants vary to some 
extent in character, but the darkest ones are really 
handsome. Sooner or later this will find its way 
into many conservatories. The shrubby Casuarina 
ericoides reminds one rather forcibly of an Equisetum 
or Horsetail. Amongst Bromeliads, Tillandsia 
Zahnii is notable for its neat habit and shining 
leaves striped with deep red. A bold and handsome 
plant is Cineraria maritima aurea variegata, having 
broad and irregular golden margins. 
The Ferns are in healthy and verdant condition at 
present, including several new forms. The pinnae 
of Pteris Wimsettii are often irregularly cut a second 
time, and very prominently serrate. Their 
apices are tasselled, and altogether it is a pretty 
garden form. P. regina is another which we cannot 
overlook. The barren fronds are wavy, while the 
fertile ones are narrow, and all are lined with silvery- 
grey along the centre. The better-known P. Mayi is 
much more spreading in habit. Adiantum Collinsii 
is a new garden form with very broad fronds and 
gracefully disposed, wedged-shaped segments. A 
graceful and spreading-habited plant is Pteris 
tremula elegans with the apices of all the pinnae 
beautifully tessellated. Asplenium laxum pumilum 
has dark green and very graceful, arching or 
spreading fronds. 
The Palm-like Curculigo recurvata variegata has 
broad yellow bands ultimately becoming silvery. The 
waved and twisted golden and red leaves of Croton 
Golden Ring, mark it out as a beautiful variety. 
Quite distinct are C. Burtoni, having bright yellow 
leaves marked with green blotches, and C. Reedii 
with soft red leaves and green blotches. 
Dieffenbachia Jenmanni is one of the more recent 
introductions and has leaves striped with "ascending 
bands of silvery-white. Ficus Cannoni resembles a 
purple Hazel in colour. The leaves of Pandanus 
caricossus are twice as broad as those of P. 
gramineus, which it otherwise resembles. The leaves 
of Dichorisandra musaica are lined transversely with 
pale green. 
In one of the warm houses is a very interesting 
collection of Bertolonias and Sonerillas, which are 
unique in their way as far as fine foliaged plants are 
concerned. The former are generally the most 
highly valued, and of the two genera, perhaps, the 
most difficult to grow satisfactorily. Nevertheless, 
there are no difficulties which cannot be overcome 
by those who really make up their minds to succeed. 
Very handsome is that named Souvenir de Gand, 
with rich and beautiful rose-purple veins, joined by 
others transversely and having spots of the same 
colour between the veins. Comte de Kerchove is 
lined and spotted with rose, and is, indeed, a very 
handsome variety. Madame Van Geert is lighter in 
colour than the last named, but in every other respect 
the leaves are built and ornamented upon the same 
plan. The silvery gray lines and spots of Argy- 
roneura give this variety a totally different character 
which is best shown off by contrast with those 
marked with some shade of rose. That named 
Punctatissima has pale pink spots all over the leaves, 
but no other markings whatever. The above five 
constitute a very representative collection. 
The starry red bracts of Pavonia Wiotii are very 
conspicuous in another part of the same house. 
Here also one of the best of the very few variegated 
Palms existing may be seen. We refer to Raphis 
fiabelliformis variegata, with broad bands of pale 
yellow, ultimately assuming a silvery hue with age. 
Begonia Rex is cultivated here in all the leading and 
most beautiful forms. Early in the season as it is, 
two species of Impatiens are already in bloom— 
namely, I. auricomis with golden, and I. Hawkeri 
with carmine, flowers. The latter is by far the most 
handsome and valuable from a decorative point of 
view. The variegated form of the night-scented 
Tobacco is showing for bloom. The variegation is 
well marked at all stages of growth. Pentas 
kermesina is a flowering plant that might be more 
often grown for stove decoration. 
One of the cool houses is still very gay, though 
filled with plants usually reckoned winter-floweriDg. 
Notable amongst them is a large flowered strain of 
Streptocarpus named S. giganteus. Beautiful shades 
of light and dark blue may here be noted, and some 
choice white forms, particularly that with broad 
violet bands in the throat. Cyclamens add their 
quota to the general effect. The Otaheite Orange 
still carries its small deep orange fruits. Tree 
Carnations have not given up flowering. Therese 
Franco has large pink and fragrant flowers; those 
of Eyrie are scarlet. The blush-coloured flowers of 
Atilla are striped, while those of Delicate are white 
striped with rose. A noble and telling variety is 
that named Duke of Clarence with scarlet flowers, 
some individuals of which lasted in perfect condition 
during the mild and sunless weather of the two 
months previous to our visit. 
A large collection of species and hybrids of Begonias 
belonging to the winter flowering section, may be 
considered and indeed are the features of the house; 
for they show no signs of going out of bloom. Some 
of them were planted out of doors last summer and 
flowered till autumn, when they were lifted, cutback, 
potted, and started into growth again. They soon 
commenced flowering again, and have continued in 
that condition ever since. Prominent amongst these 
is the charming and floriferous Begonia Triomphe de 
Nancy, with carmine buds opening paler. Hardly 
less important is B. rosea floribunda, with its pro¬ 
fusion of rosy flowers and drcoping branches. B. 
nitida bears large bunches of fragant white flowers. 
The latter in all these cases are moderate in size and 
graceful in their associations. The bright red flowers 
and fruits of B. corallina are very attractive at what¬ 
ever season they appear. 
TO THE DAFFODIL. 
Springtide hears thy lively message, 
Flaunting, fluttering Daffodil! 
Yet thy full-blown trumpet’s presage 
Wakes no echoes soft or shrill. 
Gentlest breezes set thee dancing, 
' Joyous, playful Daffodil— 
Like a thousand horsemen prancing 
Over garden, mead, and hill. 
Where the meadow meets the river, 
Winding brooklet, fount or vill 
Thou art happy, quaint, and quiver, 
Glorious, golden Daffodil 
Rustic hinds delay their rambles, 
Joyed to see thy ruffled frill 
Linked with March winds in their gambols, 
Frisky, sportive Daffodil 1 
Dawn admires her own reflection 
In the dew thy leaves distill; 
Noonday shows thee warm affection— 
Love-provoking Daffodil 1 
When the sun in crimson setting 
Flashes over land and vill, 
Streamers vie with thee in fretting 
Copse and lawn, O Daffodil 1 
Shadows lengthen into gloaming— 
Mystic gloaming, calm and still; 
Twice ten thousand star-lights roaming, 
Rise and ape thee, Daffodil. 
— Osmiu’da, March 2nd, 1896. 
AMARYLLIS AT WESTON BIRT. 
The splendid collection of Amaryllis at Weston Birt 
is now in bloom and forms a gorgeous sight. There 
are 1,000 blooms expanded, and many strong spikes 
still showing, so that the display will be continued 
for some time. The plants are arranged in a 
splendid showhouse recently erected for the purpose ; 
the pots are all plunged in decayed leaves, and the 
plants receive every attention. The plants are all 
raised from seed and consist principally of self- 
coloured varieties, but of such brilliant colours that 
it is impossible to describe them. There are a few 
varieties of a rich deep scarlet, with broad white 
stripes; and one new seedling has the stripes 
extending quite to the outer edge of the bloom. 
I may say that to produce such a rich collection 
of choice varieties has been a work of many years. 
All poor varieties have been discarded and only the 
very choicest forms used for hybridising, and 
Captain Holford and his intelligent gardener are busy 
making some splendid crosses this season and are 
hoping to secure even a higher standard of perfection 
by using the pollen of a few of the finest varieties of 
the light strain of Messrs. Veitch and Sons. I have 
known the collection for many years, and often longed 
to see them in perfection and felt well repaid for my 
long journey, and shall never forget the night on 
entering the house. 
I may say that the Amaryllis are only one of the 
the many specialities at Weston Birt; the grounds 
alone are worth a long journey to see, and a walk 
round with the present owner soon tells one wbat an 
enthusiastic horticulturist he is, and that the 
splendid gardens are in good hands and will continue 
to rank as among the finest establishments in the 
country. They are a credit to the able gardener, Mr. 
Chapman, and provide employment for upwards of 
thirty assistants and labourers.— J.C. 
-.$*-- 
HARDY LILIUMS. 
The Lilies are amongst the gayest of our garden 
flowers, their richly-coloured and sweet-scented 
blooms causing them to be so much admired. They 
are very easy to manage. The majority of those 
mentioned in this article will need no attention 
except a top-dressing of manure and sandy loam in 
autumn. This will protect the bulbs from the frost 
and will help the plants to produce better flowers 
the following summer. 
A deep, rich, sandy loam, resting on a gravel sub¬ 
soil seems to suit Liliums best, but any well-drained 
soil, although heavy, will grow many species. All 
transplanting should be done about October as they 
do not like being disturbed when new roots are 
formed. To counteract the inclination that many 
sorts have of growing up to the surface, some 
growers recommend planting the bulbs over 6 in. 
deep; but I prefer to plant nearly all the species 
about 3 in. deep and add about 2 in. of fresh stuff to 
the surface each autumn. 
L. auratum (from Japan) has justly been called 
the “King of the Lilies.” Flowers, white, with 
gold stripes and brown spots, borne on stems from 
3 ft. to 7 ft. high. 
One of the earliest is L. bulbiferum (Europe) on 
stems 2 ft. high; it carries pretty orange-red blooms 
in May. 
The old white L. candidum (South Europe) is 
well known. It opens its pure white, fragrant 
blooms early in June. This species should be 
planted early, or potted up until convenient to 
plant. 
For richness of colour few flowers can compare 
with L. chalcedonicum from Greece. Early in 
July it opens its coral-coloured blooms borne on 
stems 2 ft. high". 
The Orange Lily, L. croceum (South Europe) is 
very hardy. On 3 ft. stems it bears large yellow 
flowers in July. 
L. testaceum (garden origin) is a cross between 
L. candidum and L. chalcedonicum. It opens its 
pretty nankin-coloured flowers in June, borne on 
stems 5 ft. high. 
L. Humboldtii (Californica) is a very graceful 
species. Colour, yellow, spotted crimson. Grow it 
in sandy peat. 
L. longiflorum comes from Japan. In June, on 
stems 18 in. high it bears its sweet-scented trumpet 
flowers. 
One of the hardiest is the L. Martagon. Its rosy•< 
violet flowers are carried on stems 3 ft, high, and 
