October 5, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
71 
QUILLED ASTERS. 
Under your heading of “Questions and Answers” last 
week I observed a reply to a well-known western firm 
respecting Quilled Asters, in which reference is made to 
certain forms under new names. Now there are in 
cultivation in this country, by home growers for seed 
purposes, about twelve forms, perhaps some may have 
fourteen or fifteen, but on the whole, twelve is the 
number in general cultivation. I have had these for 
years, and grow them from year to year, but not one 
under name. Some growers, as is the case in question, 
give distinctive appellations, but, then, how frightfully 
misleading to the public, when each seed firm who 
names gives to the same form diverse appellations. It 
is most unfair, because purchasers are led to believe that 
Duchess of Albany of one firm, Snowball of another, 
and White Globe of a third are dissimilar, whereas they 
are all identical. 
Now the following comprise the forms generally 
grown, the quality in all cases, I have no doubt what¬ 
ever, being equal:—Pure white, French or flesh-white, 
pink or lilac, carmine, lavender, blue, purple, dark 
red, red with white centre, red with variegated guard- 
florets, blue with white centre, and mottled red and 
white. The last but one is the smallest form, but 
will presently be enlarged by selection. The blooms 
are as solid and rotund as quilled Asters can be, and 
are perfect in character throughout. It is a curious 
fact that these Asters, whilst self fertilising freely, seem 
to be impregnable to insects, as even when the 
various sorts are grown side by side from year to year 
they never break or produce variable flowers. For 
cutting purposes these quilled Asters are most service¬ 
able, and are very enduring.— A. D. 
-->K-- 
INCENTIVES TO STUDY. 
Having sent my first contribution to learn the views 
of others on the above subject, I must admit that my 
enthusiasm does not go so far as to deserve the praise 
which Mr. Gaut has given me. Most of us, I think, 
have often heard it said that there are generally two 
•sides to a question, and Mr. Gaut, in his eloquent con¬ 
tribution on the above, has forcibly and clearly dealt 
with each, and looking at the subject in the light 
which he has placed it in, I must say that in every 
point I thoroughly agree with him. Though I have not 
very much experience of the woild as yet, still, I well 
know that the young men in some gardens have a 
manifest advantage over those of others, and if they 
put that advantage to good use their unluekier neigh¬ 
bours, should they ever have to compete with them, 
would stand but a very poor chance indeed. I will now 
only add that an educated gardener is a man not to be 
despised, and to those who, like myself, are trying to 
improve themselves for such a position I would say— 
“ Improve the time, 
Its hours too quickly fly.” 
— W. N. Fellows. 
Both Mr. Fellows and “Gamma” are no doubt ani¬ 
mated by a just and honest desire, yet their contribu¬ 
tions under the above heading are only the same subject 
as discussed in a former volume under the heading of 
“Horticultural Technical Education,” and to describe 
one or the other as resting upon a sound practical 
knowledge in the sciences of gardening is altogether 
misleading. Since then I have seen no cause to alter 
my previous statement, and again repeat that natural 
laws are better than any artificial culture or cram for 
the production of certain articles. Sentimental writers 
often accuse those who state facts as discouraging young 
men—a fallacious idea, for the mind is like steam, the 
more, its natural inclinations are compressed the more 
it will show. 
“ Gamma” is perfectly confident that the plan pro¬ 
posed by Mr. Fellows would give wonderful results. 
I am sure he must be a more sanguine being than most 
of us, in candidly saying so much. I am not so certain, 
for such short cuts—as, for instance, a young man 
answering the most questions at a given course of 
lectures —if adopted in their entirety, would demoralise 
our whole system of practical gardening. The best 
readers or writers would naturally make good clerks, 
and therefore merely artificial gardeners ; something 
more is wanted, and if mechanical tests and productive 
results are in proportion to the mental, then these 
primary factors in combination will give excellent and 
harmonious results. 
These natural talents, with their stamp divine, will 
impel the lad forward in advance of his companions 
who have fewer talents, and they are many. Such 
a stamp should be loyally recognised by those through 
whose hands he has to pass ; but, alas, for the inter¬ 
vention of artificial influences in the form of flatterers’ 
tips and premiums in lieu of sterling merit ! “Gamma” 
is astonished at competition not being advisable outside 
the garden. I fully admit there are two ways of 
becoming a gardener—one inside the garden by work, 
the other outside by study. The best is he who can 
make the most of these two ways. “ Gamma,” how¬ 
ever, sticks like a leech to the man who studies, which 
is not natural, although he vainly attempts to explain. 
There is only one rung on the top of a ladder, and it 
is amongst those rungslower down, speaking figuratively, 
whore competition is keenest in making the ascent. It 
is very kind of “Gamma” to lift the bottom of this 
gardeners’ ladder level with the uppermost rung. I 
confess there will be no clodhoppers then—all will be 
intelligent. What will become of those who may work 
with more of candour than of courtesy 1 We want 
facts, and I am very sorry that your correspondent 
should so stigmatise those workers upon whom the 
foundation of practical gardening rests. Nature will 
not allow, and cannot cram, nineteen heads where two 
or three only are wanted. 
I fancy it is not the first time “Gamma” and I have 
philosophised upon mind and work ; and your two 
correspondents, like many others, attach too much 
importance to mind, which, it is often said, governs the 
body, and is very true as far as it goes. But where are 
their ideas to come from, unless from the world around 
them ? Where are the principles of arrangement to be 
looked for except as manifested in the garden ? Yet 
“Gamma” ignores the fitness of the master gardener 
(p. 55), in dealing out promotion. Gardeners are de¬ 
pendent upon the garden for the means of practical 
experiment ; but when once acquired they are under 
the control of the mind. We should never support our 
theories as facts until we have actually experimented, 
which is the best means of education in the horticultural 
world. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it 
with all thy might.”— B. Lockwood. 
-- 
IfoTES from Scotland. 
—-j-— 
Hardy Plants for Bedding. — The ordinary 
bedding season may be said to have fairly come to an 
end, so far at least as tender plants are concerned, and 
experiences have in many cases been untoward. After 
a very dry June and part of July rain fell copiously, 
and continued till the end of August, while the nights 
were mostly cool, and sunshine was the exception, but 
September made up for a deal, and on the whole it has 
been a very favourable month for flower and all other 
gardening. Beds of Pelargoniums, which looked dull 
and flowerless, brightened rapidly, and were all one 
could wish for till the 21st of the month, when 
frost, severe enough to destroy French Beans, 
Dahlias, Peas in full bearing, Potato tops, &c., did not 
spare Pelargoniums, Lobelias, Iresines, and many other 
things, showing most forcibly the fallacy of filling 
a garden with plants which are so easily put out of 
existence. We have the best flower gardening authorities 
denouncing a system which has cost them much physical 
and mental labour during their lifetime. We cannot 
claim to be exempt from such an experience, but at 
present, while the tender things are ruthlessly cut off, 
we can look at an abundance of inflorescence. We never 
had Pansies do better than during the past season. 
Bullion has flowered in such perfection as I never saw 
a yellow kind do before, and all yellows are discarded 
except this one. Robin Hood and several mauve and 
purple kinds of our own raising are in fine form. Blue 
King holds its own ; and Purity, as a white, is very 
satisfactory. Lady Kintore and several of that class 
are now very telling.— Stirling. 
The Exhibitions of the Past Season.—I 
have read the reports of many grand horticultural 
exhibitions which have taken place throughout the 
country during the last few months, and each report 
has indicated success of a highly meritorious character, 
and if not all, at least the majority of the exhibits have 
been favourably commented upon. This is very 
pleasing to hear at a time when reductions are reported 
to be taking place in horticultural establishments all 
round, and shows plainly that if the means to maintain 
many good old gardens are inadequate, horticultural 
skill is not retrogressing. One cannot for a moment 
say, because certain exhibits have been brought from 
one garden, that first-rate management all round is 
apparent. The fact remains, however, that good things 
are cultivated, and when anyone is able to distinguish 
himself while struggling with difficulties on all sides 
for want of the most ordinary requirements to maintain 
a garden, the credit is proportionately greater. 
It is not always where a place is the most extensive 
that one has the best opportunities of showing high- 
class culture ; indeed, it is frequently in such positions 
that high culture cannot be developed, simply because 
the chief has to scheme, struggle, and plan to make 
ends meet, as well as to depend upon disinterested 
workmen to attend to important details of cultivation, 
while the one man, with his dozen or two of this and 
score of that, can manage the whole easily, and devote 
time and skill to develop high cultivation. One of the 
most successful and extensive Grape growers once told 
me that he cut most of his grand Grapes, which 
created admiration far and near, from a small Vine at 
the end of his dwelling-house, and the one to which, 
out of a great number, he gave personal attention. If 
one cannot, in a great measure at least, attend to small 
details of cultivation, distinction cannot readily be 
attained. 
Notwithstanding all the laudation which is given to 
superior cultivation, we hear from old veterans that 
many of the fine classes of fruits which were wont to 
grace the exhibition tables are seldom represented now, 
notably Black Hamburgh Grapes and Muscats. Queen 
Pines are rarely seen in first-class order, and Peaches 
are oftener represented by kinds which only have 
appearance to recommend them, so many coarse showy 
varieties being grown for exhibition purposes ; Queen 
Pines are now seldom seen of more than second or third 
rate merit. But I need not make further comment: 
while encouragement is given to the production of 
articles which have for some years been so popular, 
cultivators of them should not be blamed for devoting 
their time and talents to meet a popular wish. 
In these northern parts I hear on all hands that the 
exhibitions, on the whole, have never been superior 
to what they were this season. I have visited a 
number of provincial shows and seen many things 
tabled which were very near perfection. Vegetables, 
however, in all cases were the strongest features. At 
Stirling, as representing the county in which I am 
located, a most meritorious display was staged for 
competition, and many fine and noteworthy items were 
placed for exhibition only. Messrs. Drummond’s 
large contributions of plants, flowers aud Potatos were 
much admired. The latter, named Jubilee and Maggie, 
second early kinds, are distinct, and will be valued as 
two kinds of fine quality and attractive in appearance. 
"What one can admire in such an exhibition is the 
absence of anything inferior, which mars the appearance 
of first-rate produce. The fruit generally was good. 
Black Hamburgh Grapes were very superior to those 
exhibited at Edinburgh. The weak point was a lot of 
useless Melons, only one being fit for use. Stirling 
has not had much to boast of in the class for Melons for 
some years. Cut flowers were of much excellence, 
amateurs contributing largely to the display. In their 
vegetable classes there was much to be admired, the 
collections of Leeks, Celery, and Onions especially, the 
latter in some cases coming close up to the magnificent 
display tabled at Edinburgh by Mr. Deverill, of 
Banbury.— F. 
Apples and Localities. —We have again had 
proof beyond a doubt that it is not wise to plant Apples 
in quantities merely as a collection, and expect each 
season to have fair returns from the trees ; but a selec¬ 
tion of half a dozen kinds at most, having a choice 
collection apart from these, to afford a yearly supply, 
should be rather the rule than the exception. The 
gardens which I have visited this season in quest of 
information regarding fruit crops can in few cases show 
that number of kinds hearing full crops of Apples, and 
in our locality (Stirlingshire) the number of sorts 
bearing freely average under half a dozen. Wherever 
Stirling Castle, Seatonhouse, and King of Pippins are 
grown in quantity, a supply of fruit from September to 
April is assured for culinary purposes. Lord Suffield 
and Keswick Codlin should also be enumerated, as they 
are seldom unfruitful and are valued in every house¬ 
hold, and I expect to see some fine specimens at some 
of the coming local shows, as their value is appreciable 
for making a display among cottagers’ exhibits. Even 
when dessert kinds are plentiful Americans have the 
preference, because of their fine appearance, and the 
low price at which they can be obtained renders them 
‘ ‘comeatable” by purchasers. F or covering any wall space 
as cordons or small root-pruned trees, the little highly- 
flavoured Margil is most serviceable. It is such a hardy 
kind, bearing freely, with flavour of much excellence. 
It is simply a small Ribston Pippin, but not liable to 
canker like that old favourite. Kerry Pippin also does 
good service in such positions. In the south they are 
seldom without a crop on ordinary trees.— Stirling. 
