June 28, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
683 
where extension has been going on for some time—a 
fine display of handsome Rhododendrons in large 
circular beds may now be seen. These have been 
judiciously placed, and are attractive from the fact that 
they have been allowed to develop themselves into 
gigantic growth unencumbered by shrubberies. The 
substantial mansion, too, is also free from the brush¬ 
wood too often seen crowding around Scottish residences. 
Shelter has, however, been well considered, and many 
shady nooks are not far off. The portion of Roman 
wall, of historical interest, is a retreat very accessible, 
and is a haunt for antiquarians. We repaired to the 
vegetable garden, which is situated in a position from 
which the best results may be expected, being sheltered 
from east, west and north, and standing on terraces 
with a sunny slope, such as one may see at Dunkeld, 
and which gives great facilities for high-class fruit 
culture and the production of early vegetables. 
Peaches on walls at Bantaskin, on old trees many 
years past their best, are a fine set for fruit. Yiolette 
Hative and Royal George seem to be favourites outside 
and under glass. The first named we have long known 
to be a free-fruiting, hardy kind of good quality, and 
well adapted for cold positions. Among other things 
we noticed a Fig tree loaded with fruit and in perfect 
health, showing that in an untoward climate artificial 
aid can be given with advantage, shelter and skilful 
manipulation being always of primary moment in fruit 
culture. The glass structures are in two ranges, about 
230 ft. and 200 ft. long respectively. These houses are 
ornate, substantial and useful, and well adapted for 
the growth of plants and fruits. Peaches are fine in 
crop, and the trees in good condition, Royal George 
and Bellegarde especially so. Vines have been under¬ 
going renovation for several years past, and much yet 
remains to complete the work, which is done piece¬ 
meal, so as to keep a supply of fruit for family use. 
The crops are heavy, and the bunches are of useful size. 
It is probably the fine collection of Orchids which 
has popularised Bantaskin Gardens of late years, and 
before leaving the larger range set apart for fruit, 
stove, and greenhouse plants (the latter done well), we 
took special notice of a collection of Cypripediums 
doing remarkably well in a Peach house, chiefly 
C. insigne and C. Maulei, kinds valued during winter for 
supplying cut flowers. They were in robust health, 
and seemed to take well with the treatment their 
quarters afforded them. The back or smaller range 
was well filled with Orchids, selections mostly of the 
more useful classes, among which were fine specimens 
of Vanda teres Candida, Odontoglossums, Cymbidiums, 
C. eburneum especially. The beautiful Cypripedium 
Spicerianum is well represented by many healthy 
plants; also C. Lawrenceanum, C. Dominianum, C. 
Veitchii, and many others. Lselias are well repre¬ 
sented : L. purpurata, of great size and vigour; L. 
purpurata alba, with flowers 9 ins. across. Probably 
the Orchids at Bantaskin which have attained the 
highest state of excellence are the Coelogynes ; they are 
numerous, and many of the specimens are of gigantic 
dimensions ; a plant of C. Massangeana in a basket 
measures over 6 ft. across. Others of the Trentham 
variety and the old favourite C. cristata are also of huge 
dimensions. 
In a small house there were a number of Cattleyas of 
the most useful kinds ; C. Trianse and C. Mossise 
especially are in great vigour. Odontoglossums are in 
great force, and in fine health ; 0. vexillarium, finely in 
flower and greater vigour than generally seen, and O. 
Roezlii also flowering freely and distinct. This rising 
collection, now so attractive in the locality, is worthy 
of a more detailed description than the foregoing, and 
such may be forthcoming when inflorescence is more 
dense than at present. 
There are numerous useful pits for the cultivation of 
Eucharis, Ferns, and foliage plants, all under skilful 
management. The Falkirk district has long been 
noted for plant growing, Orchid culture especially, and 
the splendid collection at The Kilns, in the gardens of 
John Gair, Esq., so often before public notice, still 
retains a notable position in the north, and, in a horti¬ 
cultural sense, are the lions of the district. They are 
under the charge of the skilful Fairbairn, whom we 
have known for many years as a cultivator of the 
highest order, whose love for his work does not decrease 
with time,—and Mr. Mitchell’s enthusiasm for his work 
is on the increase.— Stirling. 
-->$<«- 
EARLY CAULIFLOWERS. 
There is much truth in Mr. Rushton’s statement that 
the winter preserving of Cauliflower plants is now 
superseded by the newer early variety. It was from 
here that the now famous Snowball Cauliflower — the 
true parent of a score of other so-called varieties, but 
all identical—was first put into commerce in this 
country. I have grown the stock for seed purposes 
ever since, and it would be impossible to find anything 
more true to character than is the breadth of plants now 
headed in for seed production. It is but needful to sow 
seed in January, February, and March, to have a wealth 
of plants to head in from the end of May till the end of 
August, with plenty of Autumn Giant to follow. 
Practically also the Snowball precludes the necessity 
for having June Broccolis, which must be on the ground 
fully a year, whilst the Cauliflowers—so much sweeter 
and softer-fleshed when cooked—may be on the ground 
only a few months. Sowings should be made in gentle 
warmth, but not much, the plants being put into a 
lower temperature later on, to harden and fit them for 
dibbling out under cloches or handlights, or else into 
cold frames, for hand-planting on warm borders later. 
The ground can hardly be too rich for these dwarf early 
Cauliflowers, and the plants may be put, out 20 ins. 
apart, and yet give as fine heads as the best of late 
Broccolis. 
For seed saving, is it needful to plant on rather poor 
ground, so that the heads be not too large, and induced 
to start growth early. Seed samples of Snowball have 
in bad seasons been indifferent-looking, but the growth 
all the same is wonderful, equalling the best-looking 
samples. If seed of Snowball be sown in the late 
autumn, the plants will assuredly button in during the 
winter. They must from the first be kept pushing 
along, and the quicker the growth, the more satisfactory 
the product. A gardener who is without this variety 
omits employing a most useful garden friend.— A. D., 
Bedfont. _»> 3 :< CT _ 
TEA AND NOISETTE ROSES. 
In connection with the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
meeting at the Drill Hall on the 24 th inst., an exhi¬ 
bition of Roses, chiefly Teas and Noisettes, was 
organised, and prizes offered by the National Rose 
Society, as well as by individual members of that body. 
The competition was open to Fellows of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, or members of the National Rose 
Society. There was good competition in most of the 
classes, and the effect was the bringing out of a good 
representative show of those particular varieties, 
together with a few other kinds. Many of the flowers 
bore evidence of good cultivation, and particular varie¬ 
ties were very highly coloured, but others showed the 
effects of an adverse season, as well as its concomitant 
evils. The first prize for twenty-four Teas and 
Noisettes was awarded to Mr. F. W. Flight, Cornstiles, 
Langford, Hants. Some of his finer blooms were 
Madame Hoste, Catherine Mermet, Madame de Watte- 
ville, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Madame Cusin, and 
Edith Gifford. Mr. A. H. Gray, Beaulieu, Newbridge 
Hill, Bath, was second ; and Mr. R. L. Knight. 
Bobbing Place, Sittingbourne, was third. The latter 
was awarded the National Rose Society’s Silver Medal 
for the best Tea or Noisette. The winning flower was 
Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, a splendid specimen of its 
kind, with flesh-coloured centre, and French-white 
outer petals. 
The first prize for twelve blooms went to the Rev. 
Hugh A. Berners, Harkstead Rectory, Ipswich. He 
had fine blooms of Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Madame 
de Watteville, and Marie Van Houtte. The second 
prize went to Mr. O. G. Orpin, West Birgholt, Col¬ 
chester; and the third went to the Rev. Foster Melliar, 
Sprougton Rectory, Ipswich. There were eight 
entries for the twenty-four, and ten entries for twelve 
Roses. Mr. Edward Mawley, Berkham.sted, took the 
first prize for six blooms in a good competition. The 
second prize went to Mr. Charles E. Cuthill, who had 
some fine blooms ; and the third went to the Rev. H. 
B. Biron, The Vicarage, Lympul. For six blooms of 
one variety, the first prize was awarded to the Rev. F. 
R. Burnside, Birch Vicarage, Hereford, who had fine 
blooms of Marechal Niel. Mr. A. H. Gray came in 
second with Comtesse de Nadaillac ; and the Rev. A. 
Foster Melliar was third with Marie Van Houtte. 
A class for six Tea and Noisette varieties was set 
apart for amateurs only, and the first prize went to 
Mr. A. H. Grey, who had fine samples of Marechal 
Niel and Comtesse de Nadaillac. The Rev. F. Page 
Roberts, Scole Rectory, Norfolk, came in second with 
smaller but neat blooms, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon 
being very pretty. Mr. J. J. Bradbury, gardener to 
S. P. Budd, Esq., 8, Gay Street, Bath, was third. A 
class for twenty-four varieties was set apart for nursery¬ 
men only. Mr. B. R. Cant, Colchester, carried off the 
first prize with fine blooms of Souvenir d’un Ami, 
Comtesse de Nadaillac, Marechal Niel, Niphetos, 
Madame Hoste, Rubens, and others. It was the finest 
stand in the show. Mr. G. Prince, Market Street, 
Oxford, was second with grand specimens of Comtesse 
de Nadaillac and Souvenir d’un Ami. Mr. F. Cant, 
Braiswick, Colchester, was third with similar varieties 
to those shown in the first prize lot, but were a little 
faded. For twelve varieties, distinct, in bunches of 
three, the first award went to Messrs. D. Prior & Son, 
Wyland Road, Colchester ; Mr. George Prince was a 
good second ; and Mr. B. R. Cant came in third. In 
the open class for twelve varieties of Moss Roses in 
bunches, Mr. G. Prince was the only competitor, and 
he was awarded the first prize. Amongst his varieties 
were Bath White, Perpetual White, Blanche Moreau, 
all white, and Baron de Wassenaer, rose, and other fine 
sorts. In an open class for a basket of Tea and Noisette 
Roses in tripod wicker baskets there were only two 
competitors. The first prize was awarded to the Rev. 
H. B. Biron, who had covered the legs of the basket, 
as well as the handle, with Roses and their own foliage. 
Miss Agnes Bloxam, Eltham Court, Eltham, Kent, 
received the second prize. The Roses were fine, but 
the arrangement was less artistic than in the first case. 
Prizes were offered by a member of the 
N.R.S. for twelve cut blooms of H. P. Roses, in not 
less than eight varieties. The competition was open 
to amateurs only, and there were thirteen exhibitors. 
Mr. J. Brown, gardener to Mrs. Waterlow, Great 
Doods, Reigate, secured the first prize, having in his 
stand some fine blooms of Mrs. Baker, deep rose-red ; 
A. K. Williams, scarlet; Marquise de Castellane, rose ; 
and Madame G. Luizet, rose-pink. The second prize 
went to Mr. J. J. Bradbury, gardener to S. P. Budd, 
Esq. ; and the third prize was taken by Mr. R. E. West, 
Reigate. The latter exhibitor was also awarded a 
large Silver Medal for the best bloom in this class. 
The winning variety was Earl of Dufferin, a deep 
crimson Rose. 
-- 
Hardening §[iscellany. 
-<-- 
The Bearded Bell Flower. 
The name here given is very appropriately applied to 
Campanula barbata, on account of the woolly fringe of 
hairs on the edges of the five short segments at the 
mouth of the bell-shaped flowers. The latter are 
produced in a one-sided raceme on stems varying from 
6 ins. to 18 ins., according to the vigour of growth in 
different soils, and under different conditions. The 
flowers of the type are pale blue, shaded with purple, 
but there is a white variety which is even more choice 
and pretty. Both should be grown on a rockery, and 
not in a general and mixed collection of plants, unless 
they are well looked after to prevent the coarser 
subjects from crowding them out, or unduly shading 
them. The soil of the rockery would, moreover, be 
better drained and more suitable. The leaves are 
lanceolate, mostly radical, and very different from 
those of most other species. 
The Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle. 
I CAN fully endorse the remarks of your correspondent 
“ R. D.” (p. 664), in your last week’s issue, concerning 
the usefulness of the Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle. 
Considering its easy culture, and being a plant not at 
all addicted to insect pests, I have often wondered why 
it was not more extensively grown. When established 
as a flower-producing plant, it is unequalled, and what 
is of greater moment, the blooms produced are most 
suitable for cutting. Being light in substance and of a 
pleasing colour, they act as a relief amongst the heavy 
flowers of the Chrysanthemum, and blend very well 
with such for decorative purposes. I have a plant in a 
12-in. pot covering one half of the back wall of a con¬ 
servatory here. With the ordinary temperature, it 
commenced to flower in the middle of December, has 
continued to do so ever since, and at present it is one 
mass of fine spikes of bloom. Where cut flowers are 
required during the winter and spring months, it is ’ 
most worthy of a place, either as a pillar, wall, or roof 
plant.— J. Charlton, Farnley Grove Gardens, Corbridge- 
on- Tyne. 
The Hounslow Horticultural Society. 
If the facts are exactly as stated to me, this suburban 
society seems, through its committee, to have been 
guilty of a singular piece of meanness towards the 
gentlemen who have from the first been their judges. 
The society has been in existence some four years. The 
