August 4, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
777 
live purposes. The flowers are of a soft red and 
produced in very large umbels ; their segments are 
spreading and the long, projecting, scarlet stamens 
constitute one of the most telling features of the 
plant. It is a native of Natal from whence it was 
first introduced and flowered in this country in 1877. 
A temperature of 50 deg. to 60 deg. is most favour¬ 
able to its well being when making its growth, but 
after it comes into bloom it may be transferred to a 
cooler house and the flowers will last longer. Their 
duration, however, should satisfy the most fastidious 
in that respect under stove treatment, for a fine speci¬ 
men in the Palm house at Kew has been in perfect 
condition for five or six weeks. The temperature 
there is much higher than that above mentioned. 
■ « - . . ■ 
COTTAGE GARDENS. 
In spite of our climatic advantages being by no 
means so good as those in France, Switzerland, and 
other favoured spots, there is little doubt but what 
our English cottage gardens are far in advance 
both in culture, beauty, and usefulness. Without 
any seeming effort at artistic effects, what lovely and 
natural arrangements we often find upon our 
cottages. While travelling in both southern and 
northern counties during the present summer there 
have been but few ugly cottages that came under our 
notice. In almost all cases where it was possible to 
grow flowers, more or less were found. True, many 
might have been considerably improved, but more 
than one was a perfect picture. 
Nor do our cottagers fail in securing a much 
pleasanter appearance with vegetables and flowers 
than is found in many elaborately kept gentlemen’s 
gardens. Much of this is no doubt from the fitness 
of things, a collection of vegetables being in appro¬ 
priate keeping with a small cottage holding. 
In Sussex and Kent we know of many cottagers 
who have heaps of wholesome vegetables for their 
own consumption, and can still sell more than 
sufficient to clear their rents. It only needs a little 
labour at the right time, and that this suitable time 
is thoroughly understood is evident by the number 
and quality of the products. Soon we shall have 
numerous cottage shows in all rural districts, and 
the exhibits often raise the envy of professional 
growers. Nothing has done more towards the im¬ 
provement of our rural cottage gardens than the 
healthy rivalry of these shows. In our opinion they 
have been far more beneficial nationally than the 
many larger and more elaborate gatherings. It is 
the village fete day ; everybody seems to go, and 
usually the Squire of the parish gives up his grounds 
to the visitors, and makes himself generally hospit¬ 
able, while the exhibitors impart information one to 
another in the most candid and open way. 
But there is not only plenty of vegetables but a 
grand show of flowers from early spring till winter. 
NowheredoestheMonthly Rose,Clematis, Jessamine, 
Honey-suckle, &c., thrive better than over a cottage. 
With no apparent effort at training or formality, 
what delightful effects are frequently obtained! 
Growing in the nearest approach to Nature it is 
impossible to conceive, and with the wholesome fear 
the housewife has about using the knife among her 
especial pets, we get a galaxy of flower following 
one after the other. Then the narrow border of 
various flowers, planted apparently in the most hap¬ 
hazard manner, at the foot of such creepers ; how 
seldom do we realise such an effect in the garden of 
a mansion, from the first Violet or Primrose, until 
Christmas Roses appear. Also those delightful 
clumps of Alstroemerias, Lilies, Phlox, and Holly¬ 
hocks, so seldom seen in such robust and healthy 
condition under the most careful treatment elsewhere. 
Early bulbs, peeping up here and there, no trouble 
of lifting and storing is practised here, and yet how 
well they come season after season. 
Window plants are also a feature among these 
cottagers, and the variety of subjects well grown by 
them is quite surprising. If a few more shows could 
be got up for plants and bulbs in our large manu¬ 
facturing towns, might we not also increase the 
number of window gardens ? There is no spot 
where a little daylight can reach but what some 
kind of plant life will exist with very little care and 
trouble. In a few, but, unfortunately, very few 
cases, bulbs and small plants have been distributed 
among children. Let this be carried out upon bolder 
lines; a small show of the results held in some 
convenient room or building, and we venture to say 
there are many who will take up the culture of some 
simple flower much to their delight and advantage. 
There is a great reforming influence in the culture 
of window plants. It means keeping the glass 
cleaner and a more judicious ventilation, with the 
natural results of more healthful surroundings in 
many town rooms. Unfortuately, we find these 
desideratums less cultivated in those very places 
where most needed, and philanthropists might well 
devote a little more thought to these suggestions 
when aiming at the improvement of their fellow-men 
in thickly populated centres.— Experience. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural Scientific Committee.—July 2.^th 
Photographs. —Dr. Masters exhibited photographs of 
the “ Lily Pond ” at Trelissiek, Truro, on the 
property of C. D. Gilbert, Esq,, showing 
great quantities of Richardia aethiopica border¬ 
ing the pond, together with Nuphar. Large 
clumps of Gunnera manicata and a fringe of tall- 
growing Primula japonica occur on the higher 
ground. Another view illustrated fine masses of 
Benthamia fragifera in flower. 
Carnation Sports. —He also showed several varieties 
of colours in Carnations (flaked, self, &c.), the flowers 
having been all gathered frome one and the same 
seedling plant. 
Poppy, Monstrous. —He also showed a drawing by 
Mr. G. W. Smith of a field Poppy in which two 
normal flower buds had issued from the axils of oppo¬ 
site petals. 
Vine Diseased. —He also showed a fragment of a 
bunch which was described as being of an extraordin¬ 
ary size, the flowers of which were aggregated into 
minute woolly balls. The petals remai n closed, but 
without having any stamens or pistil within them. 
The hairs (ribbon-like and twisted, resembling cotton 
hair) grow mainly from the margins of the petals. 
It has been suggested that it is caused by a 
phytoptus ; but as no insect or fungus is present, 
Mr. Henslow observed that it may be the result of 
atrophy of the essential organs, accompanied by an 
excess of hair as compensatory process, according to 
a theory of M Mer. 
Gentiana acaulis, diseased. —Dr. Morris exhibited a 
specimen, and observed that if it be sprayed with 
Condy’s fluid at an early period the fungus may be 
kept in check; but large masses must be burnt if 
they be badly attacked, as the disease is due to 
Puccinia gentianae, and if the plant be not destroyed 
the resting spores will get into the soil and reproduce 
the disease in the following year. 
Products of the Banana. —Dr. Morris also exhibited 
a collection of various products obtained from the 
Banana, exhibited by the " Stanley Syndicate ” at 
the Universal Exhibition at Antwerp, 1894, Mr. 
Stanley had called attention to the great value of this 
fruit in his "In Darkest Africa” and the investiga- 
gation was carried out by Mr. Hartogh, Engineer at 
Amsterdam, to discover for what uses the Banana 
was available. Its chief value lies in the great quan¬ 
tity of starch (80 per cent, of the dried pulp), hence 
it proved to be a very good source of spirit, as " the 
quality of the alcohol may be considered good.” It 
was found to be especially available for the manu¬ 
facture of glucose, while the meal mixed with one- 
third of ordinary Wheat flour makes a very nourishing 
material for bread, cakes, &c. Among other uses, 
gruel, puddings, marmalade, syrup, &c., may be 
mentioned; while the dried peel, and flour of the 
peel, would be useful for fattening pigs. Lastly, the 
fibre can be used for paper and string. Persons 
desiring to have more ample information, or who 
would like to take part in the proceedings of the 
Stanley Syndicate, can address themselves to the 
latter, Avenue Copes, 24, The Hague. 
Acton Horticultural, July, 25th.—The 27th annual 
exhibition of this society, was held in the cricket 
field, Acton Hill, on the above date, and was favoured 
with excellent weather, which brought a good atten¬ 
dance of the local inhabitants. The first award for 
a group of plants arranged for effect was taken by 
Mr. G. Benham, gardener to R. O. Davis Esq. 
Grassgarth ; the leading features of his group were 
Palms, Dracaenas, Coleus, Eulalia, Campanula 
isophylla alba, and Gloxinias. Mr. vV. Wilks, 
gardener to J. Bishop, Esq,, Rosebank, took the second 
place, but his_group was rather open iu the centre. 
Mr. F. Chandler, gardener to Major Williamson, 
had the best four foliage plants, and Mr. W. Wilks, 
took the same honour for two plants. Mr. W. 
Policy, gardener to A. Hubbards, Esq., J.P., had 
the best four ferns, two ferns and the best foliage 
Begonias; Mr. F. Chandler and Mr. G. Benham, 
respectively, followed in the class for four ferns, the 
competition being very close. Mr. G. Benbam had, 
the best of it in the classes for four plants in bloom, 
four Coleus and six Petunias ; the third prize lot in 
the latter class were the best grown plants, but the 
specimens were not in bloom, and the second prize 
lot of Coleus also came very close to the first. Mr. 
W. Wilks took the first award for two foliage plants. 
Mr. C. Burrows, gardener to E. C. Owen, Esq., had 
the best specimen plant in bloom, the best Gloxinias, 
Balsams, and the best six Fuchsias. Mr. G. Benham 
was the only exhibitor of Cockscombs which were 
dwarf and good. Mr. C. B. Green, ii. Myrtle Road, 
Acton, had the best three ferns, all of which were 
British, and the best hanging basket, which consisted 
of a fine piece of Aspidium angulare. In the classes 
for fruit, Mr. W. Wilks again scored heavily, taking 
the first prizes for a collection of fruit, also for black 
and white gaapes; Mr. W. Policy was second in both 
of the latter classes, but he scored first for a collec¬ 
tion of eight kinds of vegetables in the open class. 
Mr. W. Wilks had the best brace of Cucumbers. 
The vegetables exhibited by the cottagers were 
worthy of all praise, both for quality and quantity, 
being quite a feature of the show and occupying a 
considerable amount of table space. Chief amongst 
them were the Potatos, including cooked ones, also 
Shallots, winter and spring Onions, Peas, Carrots, 
Turnips. Beans and Cabbages. Mr. J. Gale had the 
best collection of six kinds of vegetables; and Mr. 
W. Sharp, East Acton, had the best four kinds. The 
competition was very great and also close in both 
classes, Mr. J. Venn took the first award for four 
dishes of fruit, and Mr. C. Roberts had the best 
three dishes including Cherries and Apples. In the 
miscellaneous class a group of plants exhibited by the 
Messrs, de Rothschild, (gardener, Mr. G. Reynolds), 
Gunnersbury Park, Acton, was very highly com¬ 
mended. It consisted of Palms, Crotons, Dracaenas. 
Campanulapyramidalis Hydrangeas, Pteris serrulata 
tenuifolia &c., effectively arranged. Messrs. Chas. 
Lee & Son, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, 
had four stands of Roses which were the best in the 
show. A fine piece of Sedum Sieboldi variegatum 
was shown by Mr. C. B. Green. 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN. 
Tydaeasand Achimenes. —Keep the faded flowers 
picked off the early batches to preserve their fresh 
appearance as long as possible. The late batches 
are now growing freely, and should receive copious 
supplies of water, with liquid manure to make them 
vigorous and capable of producing a plentiful supply 
of flowers. 
Gesneras and Naegelias. —The foliage of these 
is as ornamental as the flowers, and should receive 
the cultivator's best attention to secure it in good 
condition towards autumn. A warm pit, with a 
place near the glass, would suit the plants well, be¬ 
cause they can be shaded when necessary. 
Vallota purpurea. —A long succession of bloom 
can be kept up by having a batch of plants, some of 
which may be kept in a cool house, while others are 
in a slightly warmer compartment. Some can even 
be kept for a time in a frame with a northern aspect. 
Lachenallias. —The season has again come 
round when these useful bulbous plants should be 
overhauled and repotted. Shake out the bulbs from 
the old soil, and sort them into sizes. The larger 
ones should be placed in pots by themselves, as they 
will flower more equally than if mixed in strength. 
The small ones may be planted more thickly. 
Roman Hyacinths. —Large importations of bulbs 
have already been made, and gardeners should lose 
no time in securing what they require. Those in¬ 
tended for the early batch should be potted up at 
once, so that the bulbs may have time to form 
plenty of roots before being brought into heat. 
Plunge the pots in coca-nut fibre, not very deeply, 
and more kindly progress will be made than if buried 
in ashes, which become more compact, excluding the 
heat of the sun. Paper White Narcissus may be 
potted at the same time. 
