March 31, 1894. 
48? 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
capability to develop into a plant are dependant 
upon the moisture it contains within itself, and 
which it absorbs from the soil being elaborated in 
the leaves. Then the sap descends to the base of 
the cutting, first forming a callus and then emitting 
roots, the cutting becomes a plant in the general 
acceptation of the term. The power of absorption 
which a cutting has is small, and for that reason 
the supply of nourishment provided is somewhat 
limited. This is the reason why sand and sandy 
soil are found the best striking mediums for cuttings, 
and though draining of pots and pans is generally 
insisted on, these remarks apply generally to soft 
wooded subjects and greenhouse and stove shrubs, 
among which there are some well-known instance's, 
in which cuttings of certain things strike readily in 
water, such as the Neriums, Dracaenas, Crotons, 
and Cyperus. These, however, will not thrive long 
after rooting in water, but must soon be put into a 
more suitable medium if they are to live.— W. B. G. 
AN OLD-FASHIONED DEVONSHIRE 
GARDEN. 
" An Old-Fashioned Garden ” was the title of a 
paper descriptive of the grounds surrounding 
Shiphay House, the residence of Mr. Kitson, J.P., 
which Mr. Vallance read to members of the 
Torquay District Gardeners' Association at a recent 
meeting. 
Mr. Vallance remarked that,-as was well known, 
Shiphay was situated about ten or fifteen minutes’ 
walk distant from Tor Station. From the entrance 
to the grounds the: e extended an avenue of Oak and 
Elm trees. The blizzard of a few years ago created 
in the avenue gaps which it would take a hundred 
years or so to fill. Passing beds occupied by shrubs, 
the visitor arrived at the house, which was built 
about ten years ago upon the site occupied by the 
old residence. It was, he believed, built of red rock 
stones in the Elizabethan style, though it was almost 
entirely covered by creepers. Among them were 
Ceanothus, green and variegated Ivy, Clematis 
Jackmanii, Virginian creeper, Ampelopsis Veitchi, 
the Passion flower, “Constance Elliot,” Wistaria 
chinensis, Solanum Seaforthianum, which bears a 
profusion of potato-like flowers ; Vitis heterophylla 
humulifolia, which, with its dark green foliage and 
sky-blue flowers, was very uncommon ; Jasminum 
officinale; and a splendid specimen of the Celene 
Forestier Rose, which had attained a height of 
about 40 ft. The “William Allen Richardson” 
variety of Rose also did well. All the creepers he 
had named were allowed considerable freedom. The 
garden was truly old-fashioned. Lt was laid out in 
square beds, with Box edging. Most of the thirty 
beds were 3 ft. or 4 ft. wide, but to prevent too stiff 
an appearance three measured 12 ft. square. Seldom 
did the beds lack old-time flowers wherewith to 
make a nosegay. There were, for instance, the 
Anemone fulgens. Verbenas, the Achillea, Bocconia 
cordata. Hollyhocks, Canterbury Bells, and Cam¬ 
panula caespitosa. 
In the centre of one of the largest beds stood a 
splendid specimen of the Berberis Darwinii. 
Around it were a large quantity of vari-coloured 
Irises, “the bride” variety of Gladioli, marbled and 
yellow Mimulas, Daffodils, and Jonquils. Backing 
up the Berberis, on a square piece of turf, stood a 
very old and large Pear tree, which seldom failed 
to annually embellish the garden with its snow-white 
blossoms. Around that strip of turf was a two feet 
wide border, which was devoted to Carnations and 
hollyhocks. A bed which last summer was practi¬ 
cally unique, was filled with clumps of the dwarf- 
growing Veronica rupestris and Lobelia fulgens. 
During the first two months of the year they had 
Hepaticas, blue and pink; Arabis albida, Violets, 
Eranthus hyemalis, commonly known as Winter 
Aconite; Crocuses, Snowdrops, and the Alpine 
Cjclamen. In March and April they had Adonis 
vernalis, Trollius Europeus, Iris, Alyssum, Iberis 
cordifolium, Aubretia purpurea, Doronicums, &c. 
Later on there flowered the Achilleas, Bocconia 
cordata, golden “Aaron’s rod” Fuchsias, coccinea 
and gracilis, Spirea japonica pendula the common 
goat’s rue, Galega africandus, Lupinus polyphyllus 
albus, Heleniums, the purple Scabious, Anemone 
Japonica, Penstemons, Potentillas, Papaver pilosom, 
orientalis, pink and white Mallow, herbaceous 
plants in variety, Acanthus nobilis, the Michaelmas 
daisy, Rudbeckia Newmanii, Pyrethrum uliginosum, 
the Star of Bethlehem, or Ornithogalum arabicum ; 
Ornithogalum pyramidale, Tritelias, Muscari botry- 
oides, or feather Hyacinth ; Scilla sibirica, and 
campanulata, or the common wood hyacinth ; 
Scilla nutans, or grape hyacinth; Snowflake, or 
Lucojum vernum ; and Erythronium, or dog’s tooth 
violet. In autumn they had the Montebretias - 
crocosmiflora, and Potsii, Hyacinthus candicans, 
Colchicum bulbocodium vernum, the peony, the 
autumn crocus and Alpine cyclamen, the sweet- 
scented thyme—Thymus lanuginosus—and Viola 
cornuta. 
A gravel path, two feet wide, surrounded each 
bed. Over the broad paths, at intervals, stretched 
iron arches, which were covered with the old cluster 
rose, honeysuckle. Clematis Jackmanii, Japanese 
honey-suckle, the common hedge rose, and yellow 
and white jasminum. A stout iron fence which 
divided the garden from the lower grounds was 
covered with bloom during nine months in the 
year—with the Wistaria chinensis, Jasminum officin¬ 
ale, Clematis Montana, Clematis flammula, the 
copper Austran brier rose, P3 rus Japonica,. the ever¬ 
lasting pea, myrtle and Jasminum nudiflorum. On 
the south-east side of an old barn which stood in 
the grounds was a fine old Brown Turkey fig tree. 
Though it must have flourished for nearly a century 
it still bore fruit, which proved a great attraction 
to blackbirds and starlings. The side wall, which 
faced south-west, and was from seventy to eighty 
feet long, was covered with the cluster rose,Jasminum, 
the peach-coloured Pyrus, and the Polypodium 
vulgaris, and the stones with moss, lichen and fern. 
Standing close to the barn was a fine lime tree, 
variety Tillia Europea. Beneath was a small fernery, 
which, however, was almost wholly occupied with 
wood anemones, double and single, with a few 
clumps of daffodils, and a carpet of the old white 
Woodruff, which was rarely seen in Torquay, Close 
at hand was the rosery, which was sheltered from 
east and north-east winds by a thatched roof. A 
round bed of standard or half standard roses was 
surrounded by a small rockery, edged with the 
common native fern. On the top was a splendid 
specimen of the Choysia ternata. Standing in a 
clay soil was the Euonymous, or spindle tree. 
Another old plant was the Hypericum oblongiflorum. 
Among other flowers were the old double Deutzia, 
Lillies, Abutilons, Azalias, Abelia rupestris, rock 
rose. Peonies, and Rosa rugosa—a mixed but pretty 
collection when the ferns flourished to set them off. 
If asked what did well at Shiplay he should say 
trees. The old trees did much to lend beauty to the 
scene. A pair of Spanish Chestnuts were found in 
rather close quarters. The larger measured twenty- 
five feet around the waist, with a top of 140 feet 
through. Some of its branches measured sixty or 
seventy feet. This tree always attracted the atten¬ 
tion of visitors, to whom Mr. Kitson had pleasure in 
pointing out its characteristics. Many of the pockets 
or holes on the trunk and branches of the tree were 
covered with Polypodium. Another old and hand¬ 
some tree growing about thirty yards distant from 
the Chestnuts was the Siberian crab, Pyrus Malus. 
When decked with its snowy blossoms, about the 
middle of May, and again in September with its 
small marble-size scarlet fruit, this tree presented a 
really beautiful appearance. Much of the fruit was 
preserved. Around it stood large Elm, Walnut, and 
Chestnut trees, with a back ground of Lilacs, double 
pink thorn, and Mulberry trees. In the vicinity 
were three Rhododendron beds, as well as an old and 
remarkable rockery, through which wound two 
paths. Of ferns it contained an almost endless 
variety, whilst of flowers there were the yellow 
Poppy, Alpine Cyclamen, Snowdrops, Primroses, the 
blue and white Scilla, the old “Turk’s cap” or 
Martagon Lily, and the common Wood Anemone. 
Growing on the lawn between the fernery and the 
old garden were two fine specimens of the Scotch 
fir, Pinus sylvestris. Storms had robbed them of 
their lower branches; they were in fact straight 
pieces of timber rising to a height of forty or fifty 
feet. Nearer the house was a fine Ilex Oak, a large 
Holly, a single berry tree, an old and large Syringa, 
and an old Laburnum. In the park beyond the lawn 
stood a copper beach, crimson and white thorns, 
oaks,a Wellingtonia and a Horse Chestnut,the pasture 
beneath being brightened in summer by the native 
yarrow, which, among the thistles, was very pretty 
The thistle was not an altogether creditable occu¬ 
pant, but Tusser said of it:— 
“ On land where thistles grow lusty and long. 
It signifieth it to be deep, rich, and strong,” 
Around the trunk of a tall plane grew one or two 
old China Rose trees, whilst groups of Laurel were 
brightened by the golden Elatior. Siberian Log¬ 
wood and Apple trees were also noticeable. Why 
fruit trees should be so rigorously excluded from 
lawns he failed to see ; when in bloom their appear¬ 
ance was admirable. Two other trees demanding 
notice were the old Buddlea globosaand the Daphne 
Mezerium. With its silver and green foliage the 
former was a striking object in summer. Though 
the Daphne was very easy to grow, it was rarely 
seen nowadays. Except perhaps Jasminum nudi¬ 
florum nothing was so beautiful in bloom. Many of 
the Apple trees at Shiphay were partially covered 
with Ivy, whilst at their roots were clumps of bulbs. 
The kitchen garden at Shiphay covered about three- 
quarters of an acre. The peach house was about 
100 ft. long, and was filled with very old but fruitful 
trees. There were two small vineries, a stove house, 
and a greenhouse with a 25-ft. span roof. Of all 
the flowers which succeeded at Shiphay, Violets and 
the Christmas Rose must take the first place. 
--- 
THE PERENNIAL PHLOX. 
Among hardy herbaceous plants this will always 
hold a foremost place on account of its great beauty 
and usefulness as a decorative plant. It will do 
tolerably well without any particular attention, but 
amply repays all the extra care which may be 
bestowed upon it. We shall not be going too far in 
saying that if in some large private or public garden 
a special garden was designed and laid out in beds 
of moderate size, so that separate beds could be 
devoted to the different varieties, and the colours 
well contrasted, a picture of floral beauty would be 
produced rivalling almost anything else. As a 
matter of necessity, this could only be attempted in 
places where ample space could be afforded, and at 
tbe same time the Phlox garden be placed where it 
would not be an eyesore during the long period of 
the year in which it would have a barren aspect. 
This might be shortened considerably by planting 
clumps of Narcissus and other early spring flowering 
bulbs between the stools of Phlox, which to do them 
well ought to be planted so that when tied out the 
same as they would be if grown in pots would leave 
plenty of space for the Narcissus. 
As there is now an almost infinite variety of these 
and other bulbs admirably adapted for the purpose, 
a beautiful spring and early summer flower garden 
would be made by these, to be followed by a gorgeous 
display of Phloxes later on in the summer and early 
autumn months. These remarks apply chiefly to the 
varieties of P. deccusata. The varieties of P 
omniflora mostly flower a little in advance of the 
first named varieties, and being of a more delicate 
nature are not adapted for massing together. They 
do much better in Scotland than in the south, and 
are greatly in favour there. We have seen many 
beautiful examples of these grown in pots, and have 
found them occasionally in the flower market at 
Covent Garden. The drawback to them for market 
purposes is that too many of the flowers drop in 
transit. 
To properly plant a garden of these successfully 
would require an intimate knowledge of the varieties 
selected, because there are considerable differences 
in height and habit, as well as in colour among 
them. Some French nurserymen make a speciality 
of them, and are constantly sending over sets of new 
varieties, but that we could do quite as well at home 
was amply shown years ago by Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, of Forest Hill, who raised and sent out some 
of the most beautiful varieties then extant, and 
which are still in the front rank. The culture of 
these in pots is of the simplest kind, and amateurs 
and those with limited means looking about for a 
hobby would do well to turn their attention to them. 
Now is a good time to make a beginning. Those 
who have a stock to propagate from should take the 
cuttings when between two and three inches in 
length, put them singly into small thumbs, and keep 
them in a close frame. If a gentle heat is at com¬ 
mand, place them in it during the early spring 
months. LateFon,and through the summer, nothing 
surpasses a north pit. When rooted, shift on into 
larger pots; those struck early in the season ought 
to be good plants in four inch pots by the blooming 
time. 
