216 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 2, 1893. 
successor, Major Ruck-Keene. About eighteen 
months ago he resigned his position, and having 
been left a small pension resided in the neighbour¬ 
hood until his death as above stated. 
During the time he was at Swyncombe, he 
effected many improvements, both in the gardens 
and grounds, of which he had entire charge. He 
established the Pinetum there, in which there is an 
interesting and choice collection of the represen¬ 
tatives of the Fir tribe; he made the gardens 
famous by the use of spring-flowering plants, which 
had a reputation for effect and artistic finish far be¬ 
yond the neighbourhood. His services were in fre¬ 
quent request as a judge, and he officiated in that 
capacity for many years at the exhibitions of the 
Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society in con¬ 
junction with the late Mr. Charles Turner, of 
Slough. 
I used for some time to make a yearly pilgrimage 
to Swyncombe to see the Bougainvillea and the 
pretty spring garden in the month of April. In the 
woods about the estate he naturalised many pretty 
spring flowers, and he used to make selections from 
the common Wood Anemone, the Primrose, and 
others. The Bougainvillea was the great attraction. 
It was, perhaps, one of the most magnificent floral 
sights witnessed, and when at its best cart-loads of 
flowering sprays could have been cut from it. It 
was figured in the Florist for June, i86i. At that 
time it covered the interior of a large house equal to 
400 superficial feet, and the terminal shoots laden 
with the brilliant mauve-coloured bracts, which 
reaching the sides of the house could go no farther, 
and there hung down in happy plenteousness. 
Planted out against the walls of the house, the 
specimen made a vigorous growth and flowered 
abundantly, and Mr. Daniels told me on one occa¬ 
sion he thought the roots must have found their way 
into some drain, for he found they had spread for a 
considerable distance. A rooted cutting from the 
Swyncombe plant found its way to Greenlands, 
Henley-on-Thames, and when there a fe v years ago, 
at the time when Mr. W. H. Good had charge of the 
gardens, it was doing well and blooming finely. So 
the glory of this superb species is preserved in the 
neighbourhood. Whether it is still grown at Swyn¬ 
combe I cannot say.— R. D. 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN. 
Ardisias.—Several species are very useful for the 
decoration of the stove or warm conservatory during 
the winter months, but with exception of A. crenu- 
lata are seldom seen in private collections. A. 
mamillata and A. polycephala are very distinct in 
habit and the latter in berry. The former is very 
dwarf, often not exceeding 6in. high as a pot plant, 
and has large, bright berries, and coarsely hairy 
leaves, to which the specific name applies. A. 
polycephala generally forms a branching bush about 
i8in high and bears large black berries in consider¬ 
able quantity and in large bunches. The Ardisias 
are liable to the attack of scale insects and should 
occasionally be looked over and cleaned. 
Lily of the Valley.—A batch of crowns should 
now be put in heat if they are required by Christ¬ 
mas. They will come along all the better if they 
have been potted up for some time, and kept where 
the atmosphere has been sufficiently mild to 
encourage root action. 
Indian Azaleas. —For early forcing the varieties 
that naturally plump up their buds early should be 
selected, and placed in mild heat. Amongst the 
easiest to deal with are A. indica alba, A. i. narcissi- 
flora and Deutsche Perle. In mild weather the two 
former do not require any forcing at all to get them 
to bloom ; but with a little heat they come on more 
freely. The condition of the plants at the present 
time will be the best guide as to the amount of 
forcing they will require. 
Lilacs.—A number of the different varieties of 
Lilac may now be put into heat to bring them on 
for forcing. There are several white varieties 
suitable for the purpose, but the favourite 
Charles X., although a coloured one, practically 
comes white by being forced. 
Cestpum aurantiacum. —In many cases this is 
still a gay plant in the warm greenhouse or conser¬ 
vatory. It flowers fairly freely as a pot plant, but 
yields a much greater profusion of bloom when 
planted out and trained to a rafter or pillar of a 
house where it can attain something like its natural 
dimensions. After flowering is fairly over the plant 
can be cut hard back, thereby reducing its dimen¬ 
sions to reasonable limits. This can be done to ad¬ 
vantage every year, and the young grov^ths will pro¬ 
gress till they flower again in the same profuse way 
next autumn. 
Cinerarias. —It will hardly be safe to leave these 
any longer in frames that are not provided with the 
means of heating them to keep out the frost. A pit 
is the best place for the plants, more especially 
where the benches are covered with ashes that can 
be kept moist. A dry atmosphere is inimical to 
their welfare, nor will the same amount of venti¬ 
lation be required as for greenhouse plants generally. 
A primary requisition is that they be kept near the 
glass and exposed to as much light as possible. 
Show and Fancy Pelargoniums. —These may 
now be put in their flowering pots if not already 
done. Keep the plants close to the glass and supply 
them with water when necessary only. A com¬ 
mencement should be made to tie the shoots into 
position to prevent overcrowding. As they are 
brittle at the joints, the shoots should not be tied 
into place all at once, but gradually at two or three 
tyings. 
Chrysanthemums. —Look over the collection 
and see that a sufficient quantity of cuttings has 
been taken of each sort intended for next year's 
requirements. As the plants go out of flower they 
may be cut down to leave more room amongst the 
others and admit a free play for light and air 
amongst them. The old plants may be taken to 
frames if cuttings have not yet been obtained from 
them. 
Peaches. —Maintain the temperature of the early 
house as previously advised until the buds com¬ 
mence to swell, when it may be raised duiing the 
day to 55'’ by means of fire heat if necessary. Of 
course the outside temperature should also be high, 
otherwise so high a degree should not be attempted. 
The atmosphere also should be at least clear, and if 
there is sunshine so much the better. About 45 to 
50° on favourable nights will be quite sufficient even 
as a maximum. 
Forcing House. —Introduce fresh batches of 
Seakale, Asparagus, and Rhubarb to the forcing 
house about every ten days or so. The quantities 
will of course depend upon requirements. An 
advisable and safe plan now would be to lift and 
store a sufficient quantity of the roots in a shed or 
similar place safe from frost, so as to be available 
whenever severe frost sets in and binds the ground, 
rendering the digging of them impossible. 
-- 
Quescions sno AnsoieR?. 
Chrysanthemum Viviand Morel. —• Constant 
Reader: We would not say that the blooms from the 
crown bud would always be white: but they are 
always very pale, ahd some of them almost white. 
Sometimes they come even pure white, and this has 
been propagated and name 1 by some growers as a 
distinct sort, but it cannot be relied upon to remain 
constant. On the contrary, the flowers produced 
from the terminal buds are always darker in colour 
and often considerably so. The highly coloured 
exhibition blooms are obtained from the terminals, 
and this in itself would explain the other question 
which you ask, namely, whether the terminal blooms 
would be as large as those taken from the crown. 
We should certainly advise you to take your buds 
from the terminals only. 
Stagnant Water.— Constant Reader'. To say that 
stagnant water applied to plants is highly injurious 
is a fallacy. Something more than mere stagnancy 
must be w-rong with it if any harm results from its 
use in watering plants. When poured into pots with 
a hole in the bottom to let the superfluous portion 
run away, it can no longer be termed stagnant. If 
there is any manorial properties in it, the plants 
will derive benefit therefrom. But should the 
material be in such quantity in the water as to fill 
up the pores in the soil and prevent the air from 
circulating amongst the roots, then the plants would 
be injured to a greater or less extent. If the hole or 
holes in the bottom of the pots are stopped up so 
that the water could not run away, then it would be 
stagnant, and by preventing the circulation of air 
the roots would get injured or killed. The water in 
your tanks would be quite harmless to plant life. 
Potting and Compost. — Odontoolossum: We 
should not disturb the Odontoglossum now, especi¬ 
ally seeing that it is making good growth. The best 
seasons for shifting this class of plants are Septem¬ 
ber and the end of February or the beginning of 
March. One potting a year is suflicient if that has 
been done properly. A better compost than the one 
you have used would be a mixture of the fibrous 
portion of peat, chopped sphagnum, andsome pieces of 
charcoal broken up to the size of hazel nuts, or broken 
crocks in default of charcoal. Whether you repot 
again at the end of February would depend upon 
the state of the material you have already used. If 
it is rotten and sodden with water, then repot. We 
should keep it in the house where it is, provided you 
can prevent the temperature from falling below 45® 
at night. The young pseudo-bulbs should throw 
up their flower spikes soon after they have completed 
their growth. 
Zonal Pelargoniums. — A.S.B.-. The following 
single sorts will furnish great variety in colouring, 
and answer the purpose for which you intend them : 
—Dr. S. Gray, crimson-scarlet, Mr. G. Colville, 
brilliant scarlet. Lord Salisbury, rich madder, 
Sunray, clear orange-scarlet, Aurea Perfecta, 
pale orange, Mrs. Wright, bright magenta, Mr. A. 
F. Grace, apple blossom, Madame Boudeville, white 
with scarlet edge, shaded light scarlet. Lady Rose- 
berry, richest salmon. Souvenir de Mirande, pink 
and white. Queen of the Whites Improved, white, 
and King of the Purples. Excellent doubles are 
Golden Rain, orange, Raspail Improved, bright 
scarlet, Goldfinder, orange-yellow, Mr. J. S. Phillips, 
orange-salmon, Mr. W. S. Sach, brilliant scarlet, 
Mrs. J. Sermon, blush changing to rose. Lord Derby, 
rich pink, Negro, deep crimson, Magenta King, 
magenta. Snowdrop, white. Miss Floss, rosy salmon, 
and Australian Gold, cerise-scarlet. 
Fruits to Name.— W. Swanborough and T. L.: 
Next week. 
Pears. — M.M'L.: The largest one with the yellow 
skin will be the Pitmaston Duchess. Marechal de 
la Cour has a greener skin, and generally is more 
acid than the former. 
Communications Received.— J. R. P.—A. W. 
G. W.—W. T.-J. C.-J. B.—A. K.—H. C. Z.— 
T. W. B.—J. S.—J. W. N.—J. B. 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
November i']th, 1893. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 
39, Seed Market, Mark Lane, report Market for all 
varieties of Clover seeds firm Supplies are smaller 
than is usual at this season. Italian Ryegrass steady. 
Perennial Ryegrass cheaper. Mustard and Rape 
unchanged. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
Nov. 2gth, 1893. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d, s. d. 
s. d s. d. 
Apples.per bushel 20 76 
Cob Nuts, per 100 lb. 32 6 35 o 
Grapes, per lb. 0916 
Pine apples. 
—St. Michael's, each 2 6 
6 0 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s. d. 
ArtlchokesGlobedoz. 3 o 
Beans, French, perlb. i 
Beet.per dozen 2 
Cabbages ... per doz. 2 
Carrots ... per bunch 0 
Cauliflowers, Eng.dz. 3 
Celery.per bundle z 
Cucumbers .each 0 
Endive, French, doz. 2 
Herbs .per bunch 0 2 
d.\ s, d, t. d, 
6 0 Horse Radish, bundle 20 40 
Lettuces ...per dozen 20 30 
3 0 Mushrooms, p. basket 10 16 
3 0 Onions.per bunch 04 06 
Parsley ... per bunch 0 6 
5 0 Radishes... per dozen i 6 
Smallsalading,punnet o 4 
0 6 Spinach ... per strike 3 0 
3 0 Tomatos. per lb. o 6 10 
o 6 Turnips.per bun. 0 6 
Plants in Pots.—Average Wholesale Prices 
1. d. s. d, 
Chrysanthemumsdoz. 4 0 12 0 
Cyperus .per doz. 4 0 12 o 
Dracaena term., doz. 18 o 36 0 
Dracaena viridis,doz. g 0 18 0 
Evergreens,invar.doz 6 0 24 0 
Ferns, invar.,per doz. 4 0 18 o 
Ferns, small, per 100 40 80 
Foliage Plants, doz. 12 0 60 0 
Heaths.per doz. g o 18 0 
i d. 
t. d, 
Liliums, various, per 
doz.12 0 
Marguerites, perdoz. 9 0 
Mignonette, per doz. 60 _ 
Palms in variety,each 2 6 10 0 
Palms, Specimen ... 15 0 63 0 
Pelargoniums sclt.dz. 20 40 
Solanums ...per doz. 9 0 iz 0 
24 0 
12 0 
10 0 
Cut Flowers.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. 
Arum Lilies, izblms. 4 6 
Azalea, dozen sprays i 0 
Bcuvardias, per bun. 0 6 
Camellia doz. blooms i o 
Carnations...per doz. i o 
Chrysanthemums 
doz. bunches .2 o 
doz. blooms.0 6 
Eucharis ...per doz. 4 0 
Gardenias 12 blooms 2 0 
Heliotropes,i2 sprays 0 6 
Lilium Harrisii, 
doz. blooms 6 0 
Lilium speciosum 
doz. blooms 2 o 
LiUc,French.perfach. 4 0 
MaidennairFern,i2bs. 4 0 
Margueiites, 12 bun. 20 
Orchid Bloom in var. 
per bloom, from 0 3 
Mignonette... 12 bun. 2 0 
s. d. t. d. s. d. 
6 0 Mimosa, French. 
I 6 per bch. 06 10 
1 0 Pelargoniums, I2 sps. 06 o g 
2 0 —scarlet.12 bchs. 40 6 c 
2 0 Pyrethrum doz. bun. i 6 40 
Primula, double, bun. 06 10 
6 0 Roses, (French) 
3 0 doz. blooms 06 16 
60 — . per box 20 40 
4 o Roses, yellow, dozen z 0 40 
o 9 — Red.doz. blms. 10 16 
— Safifrano...per doz. 20 30 
9 0 ; — Tea.per dozen 06 20 
; Stephanotis,dz.sprays 60 90 
3 0 i Tuberoses, per doz 04 06 
6 o Violets, Parme, French 
6 0 per bch. 30 36 
4 0 Violets, Czar, French 
per bch. 20 26 
I 0 Violets,English 
4 0 doz. bchs. 16 20 
ooin-tehstts. 
PAGE 
Arbutus Menziesii .215 
Ayr Chrysanthemum Show 210 j 
Barkeria Lindleyana.2ti 
Chrysanthemums, new.212 j 
Chrysanthemum Shows,next 1 
year’s .209 
Cypripedium Niobe.211 
Dahlias, how to grow.213 
Divining rod .213 
Gardeners’ Associations ...215 
Gardeners' Calencar.216 
Horticultural Lecturing.210 
Laelia Arnoldiana .211 ; 
Obituary.215 
Odontoglossum Krameri ,..211 1 
PAGE 
Odours, Sweet, in the 
garden.212 
Onion, the record.212 
Orchid Notes and Gleaningszii 
Rosery, the.214 
Royal Horticultural Society2og 
Scotland, the late storm in 214 
Season of 1893, the .212 
Senicio Heritieri.215 
Societies.214 
Sorrel tree, the.215 
Storm, the late.209 
Trading, private .215 
Vegetables, some good .211 
Weeping Trees.210 
