September 16, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORT,D. 
BEDDING AT HAMPTON 
COURT. 
The many thousands of Pelargoniums in the gar¬ 
dens of this popular public resort have had a 
glorious innings during the season that is now ap¬ 
proaching a close ; and they did much to enliven the 
sombre and somewhat gloomy aspect which the 
many old Yew trees produce in summer when most 
other trees wear a livelier appearance. Other plants 
in great plenty nre grown besides Pelargoniums, but 
the latter are certainly very dominant. The most 
representative display of all the type of bedding 
skirts the long walk running from the north end ,of 
the grounds to the bank of the Thames, and a re¬ 
view of the beds here will give you a good idea of 
the whole. 
The oblong beds are of large size generally and 
somewhat formal, but they are in keeping with the 
place throughout. At the north end is a fine bed of 
Pelargonium Bonfire with crimson-scarlet flowers, 
edged with a double line of the bronze Golden 
Harry Hieover. Rose of Allandale in another bed, 
with rosy-pink flowers, looks effective and massive 
from a short distance away. A bicolor Pelargonium 
named Flower of Spring is mixed with blue Violas 
sadly burnt up, but the bronzy-black edging of 
Iresine Lindeni affords a striking contrast. The 
green and golden foliage of Abutilon naevium macu- 
latum resembles that of A. Thompsoni, in another 
bed. 
The plants are 3ft. to 4ft. high, and are mixed with 
Petunias and the fragrant and floriferous Imperial 
Dwarf Ageratum about 2ft. high. A little farther on 
the feature is Pelargonium Vesuvius, edged with P. 
Manglesii, and Cannell’s Dwarf Ageratum here 
flowering better than we have seen it anywhere else 
this season. Pelargonium Crystal Palace Gem, edged 
with Iresine Herbstii and Symphoricarpus vulgaris 
variegatus, has also done well. Mixed beds are 
fairly numerous and sometimes very interesting. 
Here comes one consisting of tbe Abutilon already 
mentioned, two varieties of Marguerites differing 
greatly in the foliage, Marigolds, Stocks, Pelar¬ 
goniums, Zinnias, Pentstemons, &c., arranged with 
some sort of regularity and yet Pelargonium Henry 
Jacoby well sustains its value as a bedding plant. 
The bronze variety Black Douglas mixed with Viola 
Holyrood has a bold effect a little further on. Two 
circular beds of Zinnias, Fuchsias, Heliotrope, 
Pentstemons, and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums with a 
double edging have also done well. Then comes a 
long mixed bed of Pelargoniums in circles and lines, 
yellow and white Marguerites edged with tuberous 
Begonias and Viola Bessie Clark. A bed of scarlet 
Pelargoniums is very effectively edged with 
Centaurea ragusina candidissima planted amongst 
blue Lobelias. 
The finest and most effective of the carpet beds 
are concentrated in proximity to the Palace or in 
front of it. In passing along the walk or on the 
grass, the first to be encountered has an 8-rayed star 
whose centre is filled with Alternantheras ; Echeveria 
Peacocki runs out into four of the rays and Anten- 
naria tomentosa into the other four, and all ate out¬ 
lined by Golden Feather. At either end of the same 
bed is a baloon-shaped figure worked out with 
Alternanthera versicolor, A. paronychioides aurea 
and A. amoena. Towards the sides are four 
crescents of A. grandis and Leucophyton Brownii. 
At each of the four corners is a circular patch of A. 
aurea; and there are two smaller patches of A. 
paronychoides. The whole of these figures are on a 
groundwork of Herniaria. The edging consists of 
the inevitable Echeveria secunda glauca and Sedum 
glaucum. Dot plants consist of Chamaepeuce 
diacantha, Echeveria Peacockii and E. glauco- 
metallica. This carpet bed is one of the best in the 
grounds. Further on is another perhaps equally 
effective in the eyes of the ordinary public, but is 
more common place, and consists of large masses of 
six sorts of Alternantheras, namely, A. aurea major, 
A. paronychoides, A. p. aurea, A. versicolor, A. 
amoena, and A. magnifica. There is a Maltese cross 
in the centre of Echeveria Peacockii, E. secunda 
glauca and Sempervivum montanum. A third 
carpet bed consists of an intricate scroll work of 
Alternantheras on a ground of Herniaria. The 
quadruple edging consists of Alternanthera magni¬ 
fica, Leucophyton Brownii, Alternanthera aurea 
major, and Echeveria secunda glauca respectively, 
the latter being outermost, and planted between with 
Sedum glaucum. All the carpet beds are kept 
scrupulously neat. 
Between the first two of the above three beds is 
the finest and most effective mixture in the whole 
grounds. It consists of crimson-flowered tuberous 
Begonias in bold plants mixed with light Fuchsias 
and yellow Zinnias on a ground of Viola Bessie 
Clark. The edging is of Iresine Verschaffelti and 
Pelargonium Mrs. Pollock. The whole has a rich 
and luxurious effect. On a much smaller scale are 
the two circular beds, having a climbing Rose in the 
centre with a mixture of crimson Begonias, light 
Fuchsias, Sweet Alyssum, and Viola Bessie Clark, 
edged with golden Chickweed. Then comes a large 
mixed bed of dark Fuchsias and Zinnias, with other 
accessories. A bed of the Begonia Worthiana, with 
rosy scarlet flowers on a ground of Mentha^ has 
grown into a complete mass, hiding both the Mentha 
and the pendulous flowers of the Begonia. The 
effect is entirely lost. Owing to the peculiar habit 
of this variety, each plant should be perfectly 
isolated to show its glory unless used as an edging. 
In this case the edging of Pelargonium Cloth of 
Gold and Coleus fulgens makes the failure complete. 
Following this is a quaint carpet bed in squares of 
Alternantheras, Mesembryanthemum, Clenia repens, 
Echeveria secunda glauca, Leucophyton Brownii, 
Sempervivum montanum, and S. calcareum. The 
whole reminds one of an old-fashioned patch-work 
cover for a bed, but the effect is somewhat marred 
by the unequal growth of the plants, the Semper- 
vivuras being too dwarf for the Altermantheras, etc. 
A light and effective circular bed is that of white 
and yellow Begonias and pink Zinnias on a ground 
of Sweet Alyssum and Viola Bessie Clark. Further 
on is a mixture of various Fuchsias, Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums, Zinnias, and several low plants, with 
a magnificent edging of Arabis lucida variegata, 
whose foliage glistens in the sunshine. Then come 
two beds of Pelargonium Henry Jacoby and Flower 
of Spring, the latter being edged with the purple 
black Iresine Verschaffelti, and both are good. 
Bourbon Roses, pale and fragrant, are flowering in 
abed of scarlet Pelargoniums, but the square-clipped 
edging of Artemisia pontica is rather formal. A 
happy contrast to this will be seen in another bed 
edged with a mixture of the French gray Gnapha- 
lium lanatum and Ageratum Cannell’s dwarf. This 
is repeated close to the bank of the river. Quite of 
a different style are some beds of standard Roses, 
filled in between with Heliotrope Lady Molesworth, 
which is deliciously fragrant on the lee side. Between 
these are floriferous beds of Pelargonium Crystal 
Palace Gem and Surprise. Then comes a bed of 
dark Fuchsias, Zinnias, Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, 
and various low plants, edged with Begonia 
Worthiana, this time seen under the most favourable 
conditions, and certainly showy. 
Round the circular pond in the centre of the 
grounds are four slightly curved beds of Castor Oil 
plants and night-scented Tobacco flowering freely, 
but closed while the sun shines. Near this are four 
beds of China Roses, which have kept up a 
wonderful display with their rosy flowers. The 
other beds in great numbers outlining the semi¬ 
circular area of ground consist of mixtures and 
Pelargoniums, the latter being very abundantly 
represented, and flowering well. 
At either end of the Palace and skirting one side 
of the long walk is a herbaceous border, not of great 
width, but it usually contains an interesting amount 
of variety. Yellow Composites are very dominant 
at present, including as they do many Sun¬ 
flowers, such as Helianthus annuus, with huge 
flowers, H. multiflorus plenus, H. rigidus, H. decape- 
talus, and H. giganteus, with Rudbeckia speciosa, 
African Marigolds, which delight in sunshing, and 
others. The poisonous berries of Atropa belladonna 
are temptingly near the walk, and within reach of 
children, ignorant of its deadly properties. As a 
set off to the Composites we have Phloxes, Petunias, 
Anemone japonica alba, and various Tobaccos such 
as Nicotiana Tobaccum, N. affinis, and N. rustica. 
Hollyhocks, with stems 6 ft. to g ft. high, have done 
well. Castor Oils, 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, have made 
excellent leafage; Dahlias and Cannas add con¬ 
siderably to the variety. Numerous specimens of 
Ailantus glandulosa, hard-pruned back in winter, 
have made leaves 2 ft. to 3 ft. long, giving a sub¬ 
tropical effect. Many of the Noisette Roses have 
flowered well a second time, but other Roses there 
are having a struggle for existence, owing to the 
33 
heavy masses of Canary Creeper clinging to them. 
The Trumpet Flower (Tecoma radicansj has flowered 
well this season. Great wreathing masses of 
Clematis vitalba are gay with their myriads of 
blossonis. By means of the hose-pipe copious 
waterings have been given to the beds and borders, 
which otherwise would have suffered greatly. 
Some fine trees of Magnolia grandiflora in the 
grounds have bloomed profusely. The large Orange 
trees in tubs have been flowering freely, and the 
fragrance they emit is powerful and agreeable. The 
curious, so-calied, cradle walk is still in good healthy 
condition. The trees of which it is formed consist 
of the common English Elm, which must have 
afforded a cool retreat during the heat of summer. 
The sunk and mediseval garden on the south side of 
the Palace buildings has its stony rigidity relieved 
by beds and clumps of Intermediate Stocks as white 
as snow, standard and China Roses, Phloxes, and 
Wistaria sinensis, which flowered for a second time 
this season. A specimen of the Fiery Thorn is 
heavily laden with its orange-red berries and very 
attractive on a high wall. Amongst the other public 
attractions is the large Vine, which seems as healthy 
and vigorous as ever. It is estimated to have 
carried 1,200 bunches of Grapes weighing about 
1,000 pounds. About 200 pounds had been 
gathered at the time of our visit. The Vine was 
started in, April and received a little assistance from 
fire heat at night, but otherwise has not been forced 
in any way. 
_ ^ ^ _ 
FLORICULTURE IN 
AMERICA. 
In concluding an interesting paper on this subject 
read at the Horticultural Congress at Chicago, Mr. 
E. G. Hill, of Indiana said :—^What floriculture will 
be in the future depends largely upon the classified 
knowledge at the ready command of the future 
florist, and his art in using it, and also upon his 
artistic training and the education of the heart. 
Technical schools will do for floriculture what the 
industrial schools are doing for the workers in metals, 
fabrics, and woods. Such institutions already have 
a footing in Europe, and their influence is being felt 
through the young men of the profession. We in 
this country shall hail with delight every effort look¬ 
ing towards the founding of such schools. The men 
who elevate their profession are invariably students, 
whether in or out of school, men who by research 
and study solve problems and make rough paths 
straight. The engineer plans the outline of tremen¬ 
dous undertakings in the quiet of his study, work¬ 
ing out by compass and rule its parts and construc¬ 
tion, and later on his bridge spans the Mississippi; 
as our friend Mr. Whittle of Albany has suggested, 
there is no reason why theory and practice need be 
divorced in floriculture. I can do no better than 
quote his admirable words at our Fourth Convention : 
“ When will the world know horticulture to be what 
it is ? A pursuit that requires of its workers con¬ 
stant forethought and continual study. When 
gardeners themselves are willing to lift the class by 
the grand power of education from the rank of mere 
artisans. When by the careful and laborious in¬ 
vestigation of the secrets of Nature we can advance 
theories and cite facts—not till then shall we have 
our place in the world of thought.” 
It is estimated that the twentieth century will see 
over a hundred millions of people north of the Rio 
Grande: grant three-tenths of them a love for 
flowers, and do you see what the floriculture of the 
future must become. The future shall bring forth 
the wondrous product of the hybridizer ; new varie¬ 
ties of plants suited to our climate and requirements 
shall be produced. Great possibilities are in store for 
us in this direction ; America will in the near future 
produce its Lemoine, Guillot and Veitch. Let nopessi¬ 
mist discourage, but with quickened step let us march 
hopefully forward to that larger and brighter future 
which awaits American floriculture. 
-- 
There are but few houses in Cornwall now left 
ready to supply the market with grapes. In fact, 
they are, for the most part, ‘‘cleared out.” It has 
been a remarkably profitable season, and as good 
for the public as the grower. It is worthy of a 
passing note that up to now the Chrysanthemum 
societies have not sent out their notices of exhibi¬ 
tions. This is particularly observable in regard to 
the Penzance Society, which has hitherto proved so 
successful. Perhaps Mr. Secretary will explain, as 
there are inquiries.—A'. 
