6i8 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 14, 1894. 
flower is Prince Albert Victor, of moderate size, 
with very broad outer segments and three narrow 
inner segments of a deep crimson-scarlet, with six 
white rays. Acquisition is a large flattened flower 
of excellent shape and bright scarlet, with six 
prominent rays. Hamlet is another good old thing 
of a brilliant crimson-scarlet netted with darker 
veins and having conspicuous green and white rays. 
The above varieties are good types, but they are 
merely representative, for no really inferior sorts are 
kept in stock. Yet notwithstanding aO^the fine 
things that have been sold, a fine residue has "Been 
left, and that again has been greatly augmented by 
the splendid varieties flowering for the first time. 
Other bulbs of various ages are coming on in quan¬ 
tity, and will replenish the list from time to time. 
As they have been raised from the best varieties 
crossed with equally superior kinds, some wonderful 
improvements may be expected from them as the 
result of skill and experience gained through many 
years' cultivation of a noble race of plants. 
-•*-- 
THE PROGRESS OF HORTICULTURE 
IN THE UNITED STATES. 
{Concluded from p. 503.) 
The Hon. Mrs. Ames also has a fine place 
situated at North Easton; here there is a well 
established collection of rare and valuable plants 
under the charge of Mr. Robinson, whose English 
training speaks volumes in his favour as a good all¬ 
round practical gardener. There is a grand house of 
foliage plants, house after house of Orchids, containing 
many very fine specimens ; graceful and curious 
Nepenthes, wellpitchered, adorn the roofs, and I may 
safely say that here is to be seen (my example before 
mentioned having been followed) the finest collection 
of cool Orchids in America. The Odontoglossoms 
and Masdevallias especially are wonderfully well 
done, and there are many very fine specimens of 
first-class varieties; it must be a great pleasure to 
Mrs. Ames to have so good a collection in such a 
grand condition. 
Cambridge Port, adjoining Boston, contains one of 
the two botanic gardens of America, the other being 
at Washington. At Cambridge there is a collection 
of plants grown for scientific purposes ; the grounds 
are nicely kept, and contain many good things. As 
at most other places in America, there are many 
florists in Boston, and flowers for personal adorn¬ 
ment are extravagantly indulged in, especially by 
the fair sex. 
Philadelphia. 
Philadelphia, the quaker city, is the most important 
in Pennsylvania; it is situated on the Delaware 
River. The city and neighbourhood contain many 
features of great interest, including Fairmount Park, 
where the great Centennial Exhibition was held in 
1876. It was here, in company with Mr. Henry 
Williams, that I first got initiated into American 
ways. The Park is beautifully situated on the 
Schuykill River; it is over 3,000 acres in extent, 
and well undulated. It has only been established a 
few years, but it has already assumed a magnificent 
appearance, and is well kept. The splendid horti¬ 
cultural hall and art gallery erected for the Cen¬ 
tennial still remain ; the former is a fine building, 
and contains some specimen Palms, Tree Ferns, and 
Dracaenas planted out and in grand condition. 
When here last it hardly seemed possible that t he 
Palms could have assumed such gigantic proportions 
in the time. There are several fine seed establish¬ 
ments here, and Messrs. Dreer, Buist and Landreth 
have fine business houses, and do an enormous 
trade. There are also several good nurseries and 
florists. It was in this city where the late Mr. 
Buist began, also Mr. John Dick, who retired in 
favour of his son, who still carries on the old- 
established business. Florists are innumerable. 
There are many private places, but not on a very 
extensive scale ; still, there are some fine collections 
of exotics. 
From Philadelphia, Baltimore is easily reached. 
This is the most important town in Maryland ; it 
contains several very good nurseries, cemeteries, 
parks, and public grounds, which are well kept. 
There are also several fine private establishments 
here, and Orchid growing is increasing in popularity. 
Washington, 
The capital city of the United States, and the seat 
of the Government, is situated in the district of 
Columbia on the banks of the Potomac River. The 
location is a very picturesque one, and some very 
fine views are obtained at different points; there are 
also many wonderfully fine buildings, namely. The 
Capitol, The President’s House, Government 
Buildings, etc. The first-mentioned is a magnificent 
place of immense extent, being 750 ft. long, with a 
dome of nearly 400 ft. in height. It stands upon a 
hill fronting east and west, and covers over three 
acres of ground; it is surrounded by handsome 
grounds, containing some fine avenues and good 
landscape gardening. The Botanical Garden, which 
is close by, is ten acres in extent, and is well laid 
out. The main conservatory is 300 ft. long, 60 ft. 
wide, and has a dome 40 ft. high ; there are also 
'two 'wings, each 25 ft. high. In connection with 
this are ten other houses, a lecture and botanical 
room for students, and a good collection of stately 
Palms, Tree Ferns, large specimens of officinal and 
medicinal plants, succulents and Orchids, all in a 
very fine condition ; in fact, there is no other place 
in America where such a unique collection is to be 
seen. These gardens are constantly receiving 
importations from every part of the world. The 
place is in admirable condition, and is under the 
able superintendence of Mr. W. R. Smith, who has 
had charge since 1852, and who is greatly respected, 
his kind and genial manner having made for him a 
host of friends in all parts of the world. 
The Smithsonian Grounds. 
These grounds are about 52 acres in extent, and 
are situated in the heart of the city. They are 
beautifully kept, and early in April, when I have 
been there. Magnolias, Spiraeas, Forsythias, Pyrus, 
and such-like were in full flower, showing how 
early vegetation is there as compared with the State 
of New York ; for not a vestige of green was to be 
seen upon the trees there at the same time of year. 
The plant houses here are very fine, and include 
a range built in 1868 from designs by Mr. W. 
Saunders, who is at present superintendent of the 
gardens. The houses contain a good collection of 
officinal and medicinal plants, specimens of all the 
leading sorts of Palms, Dracaenas, Crotons, &c. 
There are also some good vineries, where every 
variety of grape in cultivation can be seen. 
The Department of Agriculture. 
This is situated close by the Smithsonian Insti¬ 
tute; it has a beautifully laid out garden, a fine 
arboretum with good walks and drives, and a 
splendid collection of hardy trees and shrubs; 
these are planted in a strictly botanical order, all 
being classified. There is a grand collection of 
plants of all descriptions for out door gardening, and 
the houses are numerous in which the bedding and 
other plants required are propagated in enormous 
quantities. This establishment is under the 
superintendence of Mr. Brown, whose practical 
abilities are well proclaimed by his work. 
The President’s House and Grounds. 
These consist of two parts, covering 80 acres, 20 
of which are private grounds, finely laid out and 
bedded. There are several houses belonging to the 
White House, attached to the President’s House, 
including a large conservatory which is kept very 
gay, and is used for promenading. 
In Washington there are many cemeteries, which 
are very extensive, well kept, and planted with choice 
trees and shrubs. Among the florists and nursery¬ 
men, of which there are many. Field Bros., among 
the former, carry on a very fine business. They 
grow enormous quantities of Roses, Carnations, and 
such-like, and are considered one of the best Rose 
growers in the United States. Of nurserymen, Mr. 
Saul has been established a great many years, and 
does a fine trade, especially with the south. His 
nursery is very extensive and contains many novelties. 
Here I saw upwards of 100 good plants in full bloom 
of Dendrobium finbriatum oculatum, and D. 
Dalhousieanum, hundreds of Cypripediums all in 
great perfection Anyone visiting America should 
not fail to see Washington, for it is full of interest. 
Rose Growing, etc. 
The florists in America) plant out their Roses, 
Carnations, &c., and it is certainly marvellous how 
well they do for finer crops, and better blooms I 
never saw. Another plant that is extensively grown 
is Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, which they name 
Smilax. This they also plant out, and it is a 
common thing to see houses of it with hundreds of 
sprays trained up strings 6ft. high, and which they 
sell so much a string. It is invaluable to the 
bouquetist and for docorative purposes; it stands 
well and should be tried in this country. In con¬ 
clusion, let me say to those desirous of going to the 
States not to do so on speculation, but, if possible, to 
get a situation before they go. The work out there 
is different from what it is here, and it is not the least 
good for anyone going to America unless they make 
up their minds to work.— A. Outram, F.R.H.S. 
-• 4 -- 
-DAFFODILS AT LONG 
DITTON. 
Notwithstanding the dry spring, vegetation of all 
kinds is in a better condition than last year at this 
time. The fields of Daffodils in the nursery of 
Messrs. Barr & Son are altogether finer in effect 
than last year. The plants are taller, with more 
substance in their stems and foliage, so that the 
flowers may be expected to last longer either in the 
cut or uncut state, and to give more satisfaction in 
every way. As might be expected, the early varieties 
are now mostly over, but all the mid-season varieties 
are in their glory, and the display will be prolonged 
by the late kinds. 
Amongst the trumpet Daffodils we mention three 
sorts on account of the massive size of the flowers, 
but they are still rare, and grown only in small quan¬ 
tities. These are Weardale Perfection, Glory of 
Leyden, and Monarch, all of which are literally 
giants of their kind, in fact, they are the largest 
Daffodils grown. The segments of the first named 
are pale sulphur, almost white, and the trumpet of a 
deep lemon-yellow. Glory of Leyden is darker in 
all ways, and notable for the enormous width of the 
trumpet. Monarch is a trifle smaller, with clear 
sulphur-yellow segments and a golden trumpet. 
Two of the most popular of the kinds with white 
segments are Bicolor Horsfieldi and Empress, whose 
golden trumpets are very fine. The former has a 
broad bifid or bidentate spathe, while that of 
Empress is pointed and the segments are more 
tinted with green on the back. About nine and a 
half large beds of Empress are grown, and their 
floriferous character is most remarkable. The same 
may be said of Empress, of w'hich there are eleven 
beds. The pale yellow segments and golden-yellow 
trumpets are very telling on account of their massive 
size. The three just mentioned will be Daffodils of 
the first water for many years to come. James 
Walker and Dean Herbert make another pair with 
flowers similar to Emperor and Empress in size, but 
differing in other ways. The segments of James 
Walker are creamy-white and slightly twisted, the 
trumpet is bright yellow in both cases. Dean 
Herbert is slightly the smaller of the two. Michael 
Foster has sulphur-white segments, but otherwise 
coloured like the last. P. R. Barr is another strong 
growing Daffodil, with clear lemon-yellow segments 
and a golden trumpet. It is-very dwarf, as is Portia, 
which differs by having sulphur-white segments. 
Murel Dobell is taller, but has similarly coloured 
flowers a size smaller. John Nelson has broad clear 
yellow twisted segments, and a long, narrow, but 
wide-mouthed trumpet. 
The truly golden-yellow Daffodils like Maximus 
are very early and now mostly over. Achilles is one 
of them, having both segments and trumpet golden- 
yellow. The leaves of M. J. Berkeley are very 
glaucous, and distinct in that respect from its 
compeers; the trumpet is very wide mouthed. 
Shirley Hibberd is a size smaller with lemon-yellow 
segments. A very beautiful flower is Santa Maria, 
with twisted segments and a large trumpet, all 
golden-yellow. 
Other trumpet Daffodils include the Moschatus 
t3 pe, of which Wm. Goldring or Swan’s Neck is one 
of the finest and most distinct. The white segments 
are longer than the pale lemon trumpet, which 
ultimately becomes white. The trumpet of Lady 
Grosvenor on the contrary is the longest part of the 
flower, and the same may be said of Duchess of 
Connaught, the segments of which are pale sulphur- 
yellow. W. P. Milner is another pretty variety of 
the same type. Narcissus Johnstoni Queen of Spain, 
with its beautiful lemon-yellow flowers and twisted 
reflexed segments, finds favour with many. As far 
as form is concerned, Hume’s Giant is one of the 
most distinct, and reminds one of a huge Corbularia. 
The flower is funnel-shaped from the base of the 
tube to the apex of the deep yellow crown, which 
is slightly shorter than the sulphur segments. 
The Narcissus incomparabilis section must be 
headed by the giant Sir Watkin, with its huge 
