April 25, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
641 
Ardilaun again came to the front. Deutzias, 
Cinerarias, Chinese Primulas, Orchids, Arum Lilies, 
table decorations, &c., were shown. Fruits were 
represented by Pears, Apples, and Strawberries ; and 
vegetables by Cucumbers, Broccoli, Cabbages, 
French Beans, New Potatos, &c. Collections of 
vegetables were well shown. 
The sweet-scented Muscari conicum is a much- 
neglected plant in gardens considering its value for 
decorative purposes and spring gardening in beds 
upon the grass. The bright blue flowers are very 
effective when seen in the mass, and should be 
employed where they can be seen from a distance, as 
well as inspected at close quarters. 
Royal Botanic Society.—The vexed question of 
having musical promenades this season on the after¬ 
noon and evening of Saturdays and Mondays, the 
days the Regent’s Park Gardens are now open to 
the public, will again be considered at the Fellows’ 
meeting to be held in the gardens on Saturday 
afternoon next at 3.45, when a motion will be 
submitted recommending that a vote of all the 
Fellows be taken on the proposal. It is anticipated 
that the meeting will be largely attended.— J. 5. 
Rubinstein , Hon. Auditor R.B.S., 56, West Cromwell 
Road, S.W., April 21 st, 1896. 
Brighton Spring Show.—A very diversified show of 
spring flowers rewarded the exertions of the Brighton 
and Sussex Horticultural Society on the 14th inst. 
Last year Hyacinths and Tulips formed the more 
prominent features of the display, but in this 
instance they were completely eclipsed by the 
Daffodils. Azaleas, Cinerarias, Tulips, and Orchids, 
which were very fine, contributed to make up a 
charming exhibition which was well attended by the 
public. The'large collection of Daffodils contributed 
by Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden 
was a leading feature in the hardy flower section. 
Recognition -for Cinerarias.—The rich and varied 
strain of Cinerarias that has lately been exhibited 
at the leading London flower shows is likely to 
increase the popularity of this elegant, showy and 
decorative plant. Messrs. Carter’s grand strain 
has taken the lion's share of the medals during the 
past few weeks. A Large Silver Medal at the Royal 
Botanic, a Silver Flora at the R.H.S., and a Silver 
Gilt at Olympia the other week, are surely honours 
that have never previously been equalled. In any 
case, the facts speak for themselves. There was no 
lack of variety, and the plants bore evidence of good 
cultural treatment. 
Wild Flower Plunderers—In spite of the large 
and showy garden varieties of Daffodils which 
may be had in our markets in almost any quantity, 
there is still a sale for the small sulpher-coloured 
flowers of the wild Daffodil in the London markets. 
We saw some fine bunches of it the other day being 
carried away by the proud purchaser. So long as 
there is a demand for such things as Daffodils, 
Primroses and other wild flowers, so loDg will people 
be found to supply the demand. In face of these 
facts the people of Devon and neighbouring counties 
will utter their complaints in vain, unless they can 
find some more effective remedy. The golden 
flowers of the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) 
may also be had in Covent garden at present. 
Shirley Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association. 
—The monthly meeting was held at the parish room, 
Shirley, Southampton, on the 20th inst., when Mr. 
B. Ladhams, F.R.H.S., presided, the attendance 
being very good, and this being the first meeting of a 
new year it was very encouraging. “ The Culture of 
the Tomato " was the subject of a well-thought-out 
and most exhaustive paper read by Mr. H. Curtis, 
The Gardens, Springhill, Southampton. The points 
which Mr. Curtis desired to impress on his hearers 
were that from the seedling state the plants should 
never be neglected, but that they should be shifted 
on as the pots become filled with roots, thus securing 
a free sturdy growth. Numerous specimens of good 
and bad plants were shown to illustrate this. 
Plantjng out was not recommended, but the final 
shift, Mr. Curtis said, should be made into Sea Kale 
pots in preference to the ordinary pot, saving much 
time, as water would be required less frequently. 
The strictest attention to atmosphere and venti¬ 
lation, Mr.Curtis thinks, should prevent disease from 
appearing. A discussion followed the reading, chiefly 
directed to the disease, and a hearty vote of thanks 
to the owner of the paper terminated the pro¬ 
ceedings. 
CARNATIONS AT BLENHEIM. 
The progress and advancement made during recent 
years, both in the evolution and cultivation of 
Carnations at Blenheim, the splendid seat of the 
Duke of Marlborough, would lead us to predict that 
the establishment will soon become as noted for its 
rich collection of this popular flower, as it formerly 
was for Orchids. When we speak of evolution, we 
mean that Mr. Thos. Whillans, the gardener, has 
been raising as well as cultivating some magnificent 
varieties of tree Carnations. We have repeatedly 
seen some blooms of enormous size, which have 
emanated from Blenheim, Woodstock. So large 
were they that many have been deceived, imagining 
that they were of the Malmaison strain ; but such is 
not the case either in pedigree, or in the evidence 
furnished by the foliage and habit of the plants. 
Flowers of three varieties of tree Carnations raised 
at Blenheim were handed in at our office the other 
day. Though not so large as the sorts alluded to 
above, they were certainly massive blooms, large 
enough for any purpose, and of very decided colours. 
The most conspicuous and telling variety was that 
named John Peter Rugus, massive, very full and of a 
fiery scarlet colour. Though very numerous, the 
petals were broad and of good substance. We feel 
certain this has a future before it, and will be heard 
of again. Very choice was that named Mrs. Moore t 
having deliciously scented, pure white flowers and 
very broad petals. Though not so large as John 
Peter Rugus, the variety will certainly find many 
admirers on account of its purity and fragrance, a 
quality that is but too frequently wanting in modern 
Carnations. Mrs. Llewelyn is also scented, though 
less powerful than Mrs. Moore. It is also a handsome 
variety with large rich rose flowers, that, curiously 
enough, appear orange-scarlet under artificial light. 
Mr. Whillans has three houses filled with 
Carnations at the present time. The plants form 
large bushes in 16-size pots, and have a telling 
appearance. The clear, clean and smokeless atmos¬ 
phere of Blenheim, enables the plants to be well 
ventilated without any danger of the flowers getting 
spoiled with carbon and other filth. The houses are 
not only kept cool by means of the ventilators, but all 
the doors are thrown open, so that the houses are 
sweet and airy. 
THE RED GABLES GARDENS, 
CARLISLE. 
W. H. Scott, Esq., has so earnestly taken up the 
pleasant task of gardening that he now has a beauti¬ 
ful garden most artistically laid out and planned 
from a design made by himself and his gardener. It 
is enclosed by ornamental walls. The entrance is at 
the gardener's cottage, which is a pretty, ornamental, 
well-built house, worthy of the name and replete 
with every convenience, near the gardens, and most 
pleasantly situated. Rows of Lime trees form an 
avenue to the pleasure grounds ; passing down this 
walk there is a block of carpet bedding, and at each 
end of the well-made lawn tennis ground are raised 
beds planted with ornamental shrubs and herbaceous 
plants. The borders round the garden, principally 
composed of what is termed made soil, are planted 
with herbaceous plants, evergreen and deciduous 
shrubs, and in suitable positions numerous bulbous 
plants have found a home here. The walls which 
surround the garden have Clematis, Roses, orna¬ 
mental Ivies, etc., trained to them. 
The glass houses are divided into five parts, and 
are very pleasing and effective, tastefully ornamented 
with stained glass, the main or centre house having 
an ornamental dome. These are well heated and 
ventilated with all the latest improvements, and 
were specially designed by Me$6rs. W. Richardson 
& Co., of Darlington, horticultural engineers. These 
houses are devoted to general plant culture, the 
greenhouse plants being in the finest possible 
condition, all good things both flowering and 
ornamental The centre house is filled with large 
Palms and tree Ferns. I also noticed two fine 
specimens of Araucaria excelsa and other specimen 
foliage plants. 
Then comes the stove with a magnificent lot of 
Crotons, both specimens and small ones, well grown 
for table decoration. Amongst them I noticed 
Croton Princess of Wales, C. Tomsonii, C. 
Weismanii, C. elegantissima, C. Williamsii, C. 
Queen Victoria, and C. Chelsonii, all of which were 
specially good. Here also were Dracaenas, Palms, 
Ferns, and stove flowering plants. In this house 
Narcissus Glory of Leiden (see page 542). 
