618 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 31, 1890. 
A glance at a few of the stands may serve to indicate 
the method of arrangement adopted on this particular 
occasion. Those who visited the fete last year and on 
the present occasion could see that most of the stands 
were decorated on both occasions with pretty much the 
same class of plants ; but considerable improvement 
in the tasteful arrangement of various subjects displayed 
could be detected on this, the third occurrence of the 
fete. On one stand was a bank of Ferns with a line of 
Lilium Harrisi along the centre, and below this was a 
grand mass of a crimson Coleus edged with yellow. 
Here again was a profuse mixture of Fuchsia Lord 
Beaconsfield, Double Nasturtiums, Saxifraga Cotyledon 
pyramidalis, white Marguerites, decorative and show 
Pelargoniums. In another place was a mass of Palms 
towering high above the stands, with Aspidistras, 
Crotons, Heaths, and other subjects down to the 
ground. Hardy cut flowers were represented by masses 
of Honesty in fruit, below which were knots and groups 
of Sweet Peas, Poppies, Globe Flower, Bachelor’s 
Buttons, pink-flowered Gypsophilas, and the sprightly 
variegated leaves of Phalaris arundinacea variegata. 
Yonder were masses of hardy, sweet-smelling Azaleas, 
Lily of the Talley, Heliotrope, Spireeas, Heaths and 
Marguerites. A bank of young flowering and foliage 
plants looked almost like a terraced garden. Towards 
the top were various Ferns, Begonias of the B. rex 
type, Fittonias, Funkia lanceolata medio-picta and 
others. Lower down were Irises, the double Poet’s 
Narcissus, Pansies and Carnations arranged in panels 
and showy masses. Near the ground was a bank of 
young Ferns panelled beneath with Lobelias and other 
bedding plants. Not far off was a stand surmounted 
with masses of Richardia africana, Marguerites, Fuchsias, 
Ferns and Pansies; while beneath this was a device 
arranged with Forget-me-nots and Marguerites. Stand 
of cut flowers were pretty frequent, including such 
things as yellow, pink and white Roses, Lily of the 
Talley, Carnations, Cattleya Mossise, C. Mendelii, and 
various Odontcglossums, Gardenias, and the Gardenia- 
flowered Narcissus. The favourite colours amongst 
Carnations are crimson, pink and white, and the same 
rule prevails amongst many other classes of flowers. 
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ARDENING fflSCELLANY. 
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An Old-fashioned Melon. 
1 listened, not unsympathetically, to the lament of a 
gardening enthusiast a few days ago upon the neglect 
which many toothsome vegetable dainties now receive, 
but which were esteemed so much “when George IT. 
was king.” The subject started with Queen Anne’s 
Pocket Melon. “Why,” queried my inquisitor- 
general, “ is such a dainty little Melon universally 
supplanted by the big fruits which everybody now 
hankers after, and which are only fit for large dinner 
parties ? ” I do think the question is a very proper 
one. A small Melon has many advantages, which it 
would be superfluous to relate, and this particular sort, 
well grown, compares favourably with some of the 
watery, insipid, gourd-like fruits one has to put up 
with at times. My querist was a gentleman residing 
near Paignton, in South Devon, and after cultivating 
with marked success over 100 varieties of Potatos as an 
amateur, has come to a similar conclusion regarding 
them, that some of the old-fashioned sorts want a lot 
of beating.— Devoniensis. 
Slugs. 
Foe years past, like that of your correspondent “Saint 
Andrew,” my garden was overrun with slugs and snails, 
in fact, no seedling could appear without being devoured 
immediately by the rapacious slug. Numerous remedies 
were constantly tried with very little success until this 
spring, when I chanced to see an advertisement of 
“Slugicide” in one of the gardening papers. I obtained 
a Is. 6 d. box from my seedsman and used it according 
to directions with great satisfaction. My garden is now 
nearly free from slugs and my seedlings undisturbed, 
thanks to “Slugicide.”— Merry Andrew. 
Oilcake as a Trap for Wireworms. 
When' pasture land is taken into a garden there is 
usually trouble from wireworms—a Primrose bed at 
Wisley was much injured by them. A practical 
gardener told me that if bits of oilcake were sunk in 
the ground they eat it and burst, and a great gardening 
authority said that it killed them. My gardener put a 
number in a box with some oilcake, but so far they 
seem none the worse; yet it is a most effectual trap. 
Pieces about the size of a hen’s egg, sunk 3 ins. in the 
earth, with a stick to mark the place, and taken up 
after three or four days, will be found to have wire- 
worms imbedded in them,, eight to twelve to a piece of 
cake. We have killed many hundreds. Old stagers 
know the use of oilcake, and gas-lime is said to be 
effectual, but with plants in the bed this would be 
dangerous. I think some of your readers may not 
know oilcake as a trap, and would perhaps be glad to 
try it. — George F. Wilson, Heatherbank, Weybridge 
Heath. 
Cherries at Gunnersbury Park. 
A small half-span-roofed house is devoted to the culture 
of Cherries at Gunnersbury Park. A row of cordon 
trees occupies the front part of the house under the 
glass roof, and another row of upright cordons covers 
the back wall. The house was closed in the beginning 
of March, and previously to that, the lights were 
entirely taken off. No heat was given for some time 
except at night—the only other encouragement to 
growth being that the house was kept closed. A large 
number of trees occupy the house, small as it is, and 
they are heavily laden with fruit, which is now 
beginning to colour on several of the early varieties 
including Bigarreau Napoleon, Early Purple Gean, and 
Early Rivers. The latter was grafted on the rootstock 
of May Duke, a fact which may have induced earlier 
ripening than would otherwise have happened. 
Aubrietia violacea. 
It is a thousand pities that this charming perennial is 
not more grown than it is. The reason must surely be 
that it is not known, for if anyone could see it as I saw 
it in Devonshire the other day, he would “go for” it 
with the fervour of an ancient Briton. It has many 
good qualities ; let me enumerate just a few of them. 
It is easily raised from seed, and comes as true as a die, 
and is very hardy. When in bloom, either in beds or 
patches, or on a rockery, it makes a fine blaze of 
violet colour, and it is so floriferous that it almost hides 
the foliage. When out of bloom it is still a nice ever¬ 
green plant. It does not exceed 6 ins. in height, and 
is not the least fastidious as to aspect. I saw it the 
other day sheltered by a Y ew hedge, and although the 
shelter was wholly unnecessary, it seemed to be all the 
richer in colour for the protection from the scorching 
sun. I commend it with absolute confidence as a 
really good thing, vastly superior to A. grseca.— 
Devoniensis. 
Iris germanica Kharput. 
As a variety this differs from I. germanica, chiefly in 
its much greater size ; in fact, the flowers seem almost 
twice the size. The falls are of a deep violet-purple, 
variegated with white on the claw, and have the 
median beard of hairs almost white. The standards are 
a shade or two paler. The styles are white with a 
violet band along the middle. It was shown by Messrs. 
Barr & Son, at the Royal Aquarium on the 21st of 
May, and received a First Class Certificate. 
Iris Korolkowi violacea. 
The colour of the flowers of this Iris reminds one of 
I. Iberica ; but they are altogether differently formed. 
The falls are oblong-ovate, pointed, and copiously 
netted all over with brownish purple on a silvery white 
ground. The standards are similar in shape and colour, 
but stand erect, covering the brownish purple styles. 
The leaves are linear, and about as long as the flower 
stems. Cut specimens were exhibited by Messrs. Barr 
& Son, Covent Garden, at the Royal Aquarium on the 
21st of May, and were awarded a First Class Certificate. 
Hyacinthus amethystinus albus. 
The typical blue form of this species is familiar to 
most collectors of hardy plants, and a pretty little 
thing it is. The white variety under notice is very 
chaste, with drooping tubularly-campanulate flowers, 
having the six lobes of the lamina slightly revolute. 
The leaves are linear, and about the same length as the 
flower-scape. Cut blooms were shown by Messrs. 
Barr & Son, at the Royal Aquarium on the 21st of 
May, when a First Class Certificate was awarded. 
Trillium cernuum. 
The general habit of this plant is somewhat similar 
to that of T. grandiflorum ; but the flowers are smaller, 
and instead of being erect are distinctly pendeDt, 
owing to the sharp curve of the pedicel bearing them. 
The sepals are oblong-lanceolate and green, while the 
petals are broader, ovate, and pure white. The broadly 
elliptic leaves are five-nerved and green. A First Class 
Certificate was awarded it at the Royal Aquarium, when 
shown by Messrs. Barr & Son, on the 21st May. 
Aubrietia dsltoides violacea. 
The flowers of this variety are of a violet hue when 
they first expand, and especially so if flowered early in 
a cold frame ; but when fully expanded at this season, 
and especially if grown out of doors, they become of a 
dark, reddish purple. A pan of it in a very floriferous 
condition, with the stems about 3 ins. or 4 ins. high, 
was exhibited by Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing, 
at the Royal Aquarium on May 21st, when a First 
Class Certificate was awarded it. 
Bose, Spenser. 
The foliage of this H.P. variety is ample, and of a 
light green. The flowers are large and flat on the top, 
with the outer petals revolute at the margin and pale 
flesh coloured, and all the inner ones of a bright pink. 
They are not particularly fragrant. A plant was 
shown at the Royal Aquarium on May 21st by Messrs. 
W. Paul & Son, “Waltham Cross, when a First Class 
Certificate was awarded it. 
Rose, 1 'Crimson Queen. 
This is also an H.P. variety, with bright crimson, 
highly fragrant flowers, the outer petals of which are 
revolute. The flowers are of medium size and compact. 
The leaves are ample, with 3—5 broadly ovate, serrated, 
glaucous-green leaflets. A First Class Certificate was 
awarded the variety at the Royal Aquarium on May 
21st, when shown by Messrs. W. Paul k Son. 
Pseonia Wittmanniana. 
Although introduced from the Caucasus and northern 
Persia in 1842, this species is anything but common in 
cultivation. The leaves are twice or three times 
ternately divided, with about three ovate, acnte, 
pubescent segments in each division. The petals are 
obovate, concave, creamy yellow, and arch over the 
stamens, making the flowers almost as globular as -a 
Trollius. The filaments are crimson, and the anthers 
yellow. A First Class Certificate was awarded it at the 
Royal Aquarium on the 21st of May, when exhibited by 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. 
Viola pedata alba. 
The flowers of this variety are pure white, but rather 
small compared with the type. The orange-coloured 
anthers show off conspicuously in the centre. The 
leaves are pedate, that is, three-parted to the base, or 
almost, while the lateral divisions are again divided 
into three or four lanceolate segments. It was exhibited 
at the Royal Aquarium on the 21st of May, by Mr. 
T. S. Ware, and received a First Class Certificate. 
Syringa vulgaris alba grandiflora. 
The flowers of this variety are white, with incurved or 
somewhat hooded segments, and are produced in large 
cymose panicles. Some bunches of it were exhibited 
by Messrs. Kelway & Son at the Royal Botanic Society’s 
show on the 14th inst., when a Fioricultural Certificate 
was awarded the variety. 
Caladiums. 
Gaspard Crayer.— The leaves of this sort are of lar^e 
size, with a red centre merging into a broad green 
margin, and where the two colours join they are much 
broken or intermixed with one another in the form of 
blotches. 
Mrs. H. Veitch.— This will evidently, as well as 
the last, turn out a good subject for exhibition purposes. 
The leaves are broad, and suffused all over with soft 
pinkish red on a white ground, with the midrib and 
primary veins of a bright crimson. Both varieties 
were shown by Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, 
at the last show of the Royal Botanic Society, on the 
14th inst., when Fioricultural Certificates were awarded 
for them. 
Cypripedium Morganiae. 
The value of this Orchid is still well sustained, a 
specimen being sold for £46 at Protheroe and Morris’s 
Rooms, on the 23rd inst. It is a hybrid between C. 
superbiens and C. Stonei, the latter being the pollen 
parent. Although a grand Cypripedium, it does not 
cause so much excitement nor fetch so high a price 
as its near ally, C. Stonei platytienium. 
