12 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 1, 1894. 
SOME NOTES FROM 
JEDBURGH. 
Being in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, the other day I 
was greatly charmed with the beautiful display of 
flowers over the business premises of Mr. T. Smail, 
Bookseller and Newsagent, in the High Street of that 
town. The projecting ledge immediately over the 
shop and just under the windows of the flat above is 
taken advantage of as a means of forming one of 
the most artistic and well-arranged window, or 
parapet gardens, it has ever been my lot to see. 
Many and varied attempts have I seen made at 
window gardening, but this excels them all. As if by 
a magnet drawn your correspondent found himself 
gazing in open admiration at the pleasing sight, a 
sight, alas ! too rare even in our small country towns. 
A passing glance did not suffice, so I carefully noted 
down the chief features of this wonderful display, 
and had not been long so engaged when I was joined 
by the amiable proprietor himself. It is said, and 
that truly, "that one touch of Nature makes the 
whole world akin,’’ and so it was in the present case, 
for I was pleased to make the acquaintance of such 
a keen enthusiast, brimming over as he was with love 
for his pets, and while enjoying to the full his own 
pet hobby, he is also beautifying the good old town 
he loves so well, and that with plants that are within 
the reach of even the humblest aspirant. 
Mr. Smail has apparently found by experience 
what will best suit his purpose, and lays his plans 
accordingly. Too many forget this while following 
fashions over and around the windows. 
The common Virginian Creeper formed a capital 
background with such subjects as Calceolarias, 
Pelargoniums, Petunias, Matricaria inodora flore 
pleno, Tropaeolum, etc., along with Sweet Peas, 
Campanula isophylla alba and other varieties of 
Tropaeolum, hanging over the edge in graceful profu¬ 
sion, the whole arrangement testifying in no un¬ 
certain way what is possible to do with these subjects 
when properly handled I was pleased to learn 
from Mr. Smail that for many years he has had an 
equally fine display, and has on more than one occa¬ 
sion carried off the highest honours in open competi¬ 
tion, decided by means of photography, that honour 
in itself, though great, is yet small in comparison 
with the pleasure derived in tending to and caring 
for the wants of his flowers. 
Mr. Walter Laidlaw, the custodian of Jedburgh 
Abbey, is famous for many accomplishments. He is 
a noted historian, a poet of some repute, and not 
least a most successful and enthusiastic grower of 
hardy flowers. In fact, he is a man amongst his 
fellows. I had the pleasure of spending a short time 
with him too, and amongst his flowers, where he is 
generally to be found, when not engaged in showing 
visitors round the famous old abbey. A very fine 
row of Hollyhocks in all the best colours, was cer¬ 
tainly a treat in itself, not to speak of his herbaceous 
collection which is replete with all that is worth hav¬ 
ing, and grown as the plants are to a high standard of 
perfection. The following, amongst others, I noted 
as being specially fine, Achillea Eupatorium, 
Coreopsis grandiflora, Helianthus Soliel d’Or, 
Hyacinthus candicans, Malva moschata alba, 
Monarda didyma, Phlox Etna, Lychnis vespertina 
fl pi, Rudbeckia laciniata grandiflora, Valeriana 
Coccinea, veronica Jongifolia, Veratrum nigrum, 
Yucca filamentosa, also a very fine lot of Statices 
in variety. They are all well cared for and reflect 
the highest credit on Mr. Laidlaw, who, if not a 
gardener made, is certainly a gardener born.— IV.O. 
BRIGHTON** FLOWER 
SHOW. 
The Third Annual Summer Show in connection 
with the Brighton and Sussex New Horticultural 
Society was held in the Dome and Corn Exchange, 
Royal Pavilion, on Tuesday and Wednesday last. 
There were ninety-three classes provided in the 
schedule, and no less than 650 entries were 
made in them. Brighton is fortunate in having 
such a splendid place to hold its shows for there are 
few such buildings in any town in England as those 
in which the grand displays were set up. Some three 
years ago the old Society got into difficulties so the 
present one was formed on more popular lines, and 
from the long list of patrons together with the able 
Committee of workers there can be little doubt of 
its becoming the Chief Society in the South of 
England. When we find that such valuable prizes 
are offered, there is little doubt of the competition 
being very keen, as such was the case in several of 
the classes, notably amongst the Grapes, groups, 
tables of plants, and Melons. 
The groups were particularly fine, especially that 
exhibited by Mr. E. Wills, Winchester Road, South¬ 
hampton, occupying a space of 150 ft. Second, Mr. 
G. Miles, Victoria Nurseries, Brighton ; third, Mr. 
J. McBean, Cooksbridge, Lewes. For a group 
arranged in a space occupying 80 ft., Mr. Turner, 
gardener to Sir J. Smythes was first ; and Mr. L. 
Budworth, gardener to Chas. Hill, Esq., Rockhurst, 
West Hoathly, second ; and for a group of Ferns Mr. 
J. Adams, gardener to the Rev. Sir G. Shifner, Lewes, 
was first; and Mr. Miles, West Brighton, second, 
Of table plants arranged for effect, there were 
nine lots, the first prize going to Mr. McBean, Cooks¬ 
bridge ; the second to Mr. G. Miles, Dyke Road, 
Brighton. For eight stove and greenhouse plants, 
four foliage and four in bloom, the first prize, 
went to J. Warren, Esq., Hand Cross Park, Crawley, 
and the second, to Mrs. Armstrong, Withdean. 
Six stove and greenhouse Ferns, first, J. Warren, 
Esq. ; second, Mr. W. Miles. Six Crotons in not 
less than three varieties in pots not to exceed 
8 in. First, J. Warren, Esq.; second, Mrs. 
Armstrong. Six Dracaenas:—First, J. Warren, 
Esq. ; second, Mr. Wills, Southampton. Six 
Palms, distinct:—first, W. Miles ; second, J. McBean. 
Six Ferns :—first, Mr. McBean ; second, Mr. L. 
Wickens, Chichester House, Brighton. Six table 
plants:—first, Mr. W. L. Bastin ; second, E. 
Laurence, gardener to T. Oliver, Esq. 
For twelve stove and greenhouse flowers there 
were six lots staged all in splendid condition, the 
first prize going to Mr. Offer, gardener to J. Warren, 
Esq.; second to Mr. W. L. Bastin, gardener to 
Captain Pringle, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts; and the 
third to Mr. Horscroft, gardener to T. Potter, Esq., 
Hampstead House, Ardingly. For twenty-four 
Roses there were four lots staged, the first prize 
going to Messrs. Perkins, Coventry; second, Mr. 
Will Tyler, Osborns Nurseries, Hampton ; third, 
Mr. Durrant Young, Eastbourne. Twelve Roses: 
First, Mr. H. Harris, gardener to Mrs. Eversfield, 
Horsham; second, Mr. E. Lawrence, gardener to 
T. Oliver, Esq., Horsham. For a collection of 
eight dishes of fruit, Mr, J. Bury, gardener to W. 
C-. Bager, Esq., Forest Hill, was first; Mr. Bud- 
worth, gardener to G. Hill, Esq., Rockhurst, West 
Hoathly, second ; the third going to Mr. J. Gore, 
Polegate. Grapes, Black Hamburgh ; Mr. J. Bury, 
first; Mr. T. Fains, gardener to R. Clowes, Esq., 
Hassocks, second. In this class there were no less 
than fourteen lots staged, For the heaviest bunch 
of Grapes, Mr. Ambrose, gardener to —. Blinkherne, 
Esq., Broadwater, Worthing, was first, with a 
bunch of Alicante, nicely finished, weighing qlbbozs., 
the second going to Messrs. Johnson and Crook, 
Worthing. Grapes, Black, three bunches ; first, Mr. 
J. Bury ; second, Mr. C. Turner, gardener to Sir J. 
Smythe, Hove, Brighton. 1 In this class 
there were eight lots set up. Grapes, white: 
first, Mr. J. Bury, for three fairly good 
bunches of Muscats; second, Mr. Thos. 
Fairs. Melons, Peaches, Peas, and Apples were all 
good, and vegetables were plentiful and good, par¬ 
ticularly Carrots and Potatos, the first for a collec¬ 
tion going to Mr. Mitchell, Cuckfield.—A’. 
-- 
BANANAS. 
Both in London and New York, Bananas of good 
quality sell in the open market at an average of 8s. a 
bunch, and at Covent Garden very large bunches 
have fetched as much as 15s., while clusters of the 
finest sorts have been known to fetch as much as a 
guinea or 23s. It is obvious, then, that the Banana 
trade is one which is well worth the attention of 
merchants and the public alike. Recognising the 
great future there is in store for this delicious fruit 
as a marketable commodity in the temperate zone, 
the authorities at the Royal Gardens, Kew, have 
devoted the entire issue of their August Bulletin of 
Miscellaneous information to "a summary of 
information relating to ‘ Bananas and Plantains,' 
with descriptions of the species and principal 
varieties of Musa grown for use and ornament.” It 
we are to measure the importance of Bananas by the 
space devoted to them in this most useful of botani¬ 
cal publications, then they must be very important 
indeed, for the Bulletin is this time at least double 
if not treble its usual size. Apparently, the only 
difference between Bananas and Plantains is the size 
of the fruit, for we are told that " There are no 
characters that can be clearly defined as separating 
the two,” the sweet Bananas being referred to by 
some authors as musa sapientum, and the vegetable¬ 
like fruits or Plantains as musa paradisiaca. The 
former appellation, according to de Candolle, is 
derived from the practice of ancient sages to repose 
beneath the shade of the tree and eat the fruit ; the 
latter another version of the story of Eve’s tempta¬ 
tion in Paradise. So far as botanists have carried 
their investigations, all the known varieties seem to 
have been derived from a single species. Originally, 
southern Asia is believed to have been the home of 
the Banana, but it is now found within the tropics 
all round the world, and in climates favourable to 
its growth may be cultivated between the latitudes 
of 31 deg. N., and 35 deg. S. On the American side 
of the Atlantic the culture of the Banana dates no 
further back than about three centuries, de Candolle 
being of opinion that it did not exist in the whole of 
the eastern part of the Continent when America was 
discovered. The richest regions in Bananas are the 
Phillipine Islands and the Indian Archipelago, 
where there are as many as fifty-seven varieties, 
Ceylon standing second with forty-seven, Musas 
are the largest of tree-like herbs, often growing to a 
height of from 25 ft. to 40 ft., and in appearance 
have been compared to " gigantic leeks.” What we 
are acquainted with in this country is the Banana or 
sweet Plantain, which requires no cooking. In the 
West Indies the small delicate fruits are known as 
Fig-Bananas or Figs, and the French call the 
fruit " Bananes des sages,” or “ Figue Banane.” 
The Plantain or cooking Banana is the paradisiaca 
variety. Rochefort describes them as being from 
12 in. to 13 in. long and nearly as thick as the arm, 
the trees producing only twenty-five to thirty fruits 
on the raceme, and these are rather laxly placed. 
They have a hard and dry flesh, which is only 
fit for cooking, or roasting in ashes .—Morning 
Post. 
Gardening Miscellany. 
BOUVARDIAS OUTSIDE. 
If it were generally known how easy it is to manage 
this very useful and pretty plant, I am sure many 
more would possess it than now do. If you can 
strike a Fuchsia you can root a Bouvardia, of course, 
choosing spring time for the work. Keeping them 
nicely moving under glass till the end of May, when 
they should be shifted into their flowering pots, and 
5 in. is the size we use. A deep frame well ventilated 
and exposed to full sun is the next place to put them 
in. Get them to grow freely and towards the 
middle of July they will be ready for their final 
stopping. They should then be plunged to the rim 
on a sunny border, when till growth has well started 
again water should be used sparingly. Of course, a 
high or low position has everything to do with this. 
— J. G. Pettinger. 
HEDYSARUM MULTIJUGUM. 
Notwithstanding the enormous number of species 
of Hedysarum known to science, very few of them 
are ever seen in cultivation. Hitherto the French 
Honeysuckle (H. coronarium), has been the best 
known and most widely cultivated. That under 
notice is a much more graceful plant and has, com¬ 
paratively recently, been introduced from Mongolia. 
It is a sub-shrub about 2 ft. high, or the stems and 
branches may be longer, but they arch over in a 
graceful way, which reduces their height. The 
branches are slender, flexuous and furnished with pin¬ 
nate, glaucous leaves and small oval leaflets. The pea¬ 
shaped flowers are dark purple with darker lines on 
the standard, and are borne on long axillary racemes. 
The plant has already found its way into several 
collections, and to all appearances will make a use¬ 
ful subject for the front lines of shrubberies or for 
planting in small beds upon the grass where it is seen 
to the best advantage. 
Chrysanthemums and their Culture. By Edwin 
Molyueux. Sixth Edition. By far the best practical work yet 
written on this subject. Price, is.; post free, is. 2d. Publisher 
Gardening World, i, Clement’s Inn, Strand, London, W.C. 
