90 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 6, 1894. 
mis is grown on stems 6 ft. to 8 ft. high, Robinia 
hispida is 8 ft. high ; R. Pseud-Acacia Bessoniana is 
well known as a handsome form; but none exceed 
the graceful beauty of R. P. angustifolia, the foliage 
of which is graceful and feathery; R. glutinosa is 
notable for the red bark of the young wood. 
A good many Hollies are grown here including 
the flat-leaved and golden edged Watereriana. 
Golden Queen Holly is notable for the bright golden 
yellow of its shining leaves, some of which are 
wholly golden. The Golden Weeping Holly stands 
on stems 6 ft. high, and must be fine when the 
branches reach the ground. There are also tall 
trees of Waterer's Holly about twenty years old. 
The berries of Contoneaster Simonsii are now finely 
coloured. Portugal Laurels are in very healthy 
condition. Persian yellow Briers and Pyrus flori- 
bunda are practically going to rest. Very handsome 
is the foliage of Cornus Spathii, in bushes 2 ft. to 3 
ft. high. A large bush of the green form of Aucuba 
japonica measures 4 ft. high and as much through. 
Magnolia Soulangeana is 6 ft. high and still flower¬ 
ing. In summer the leaves of Spiraea opulifolia 
aurea assume a fine golden hue. Those of Cornus 
Mas elegantissima have a silvery border with a 
bright red edge, and are very beautiful. The leaves 
of Pyrus Aria lutescens are much longer than 
those of the Beam Tree and hoary. 
The golden foliage of Ptelea trifoliata aurea is as 
fine as ever, and the bushes are 7 ft. to 9 tt. high. 
Laurustinus is now flowering freely. Large quanti¬ 
ties of the ova'-leaved Privet are now in fine con¬ 
dition. Diplopappus chrysophyllus is also in 
excellent order and in quantity, as are Myricaria 
germanica, and Kerria japonica flore pleno. The 
Virginian Creeper is now of a rich red. The glaucous 
leaved Judas Tree, the Purple Hazel, and the silvery- 
edged Cornus alba variegata are still very beautiful. 
Other valuable subjects we noted were the glaucous 
leaved Handsworth Box, the golden Van Houttei, 
and the common Box; also Staphylea colchica, 
Cytisus Andreanus on the Laburnum, Coluta 
arborescens, Lilacs in variety, Rubus odoratus, 
Rhodotypos kerrioides, Hypericum oblongifolium, 
the Snowberry in fruit, and a host of other things, 
many of which are still flowering. Roses in the 
bush state are very plentiful. 
Park and Street Trees. 
The size of some of the trees in liftable condition is 
astonishing, and until comparatively recently such 
trees would hardly have been obtainable. The 
variegated Negundas is very fine : and the variegated 
Tulip Tree is worthy of more attention. Prunus 
Pissardi and the Purple-leaved Peach are handsome 
objects at present. Other fine foliaged subjects are 
the variegated London Plane, the purple and 
variegated Sycamore, the purple Elm (Ulmus 
corylifolia purpurea) 6 ft. to 10 ft. high, Acer 
Schwedleri, whose purple foliage in spring is grand. 
Populus Bolleana, 18 ft. high, erect, with white 
foliage, and Liquidambar styraciflua, whose leaves 
will presently be aglow with red and crimson. The 
Lombardy Poplar (18 ft. to 25 ft.), Norway Maple, 
Sycamore and Silver-stemmed Birch, each 15 ft. 
to 20 ft., Ash (15 ft ), Mountain Ash (10 ft. to 15 
ft.), Abele Poplar, Weeping Mountain Elm, with 
6 ft. to 8 ft. stems, standard Thorns, 6 ft. to 10 ft., 
the Maidenhair Tree, the common Beech (12 ft. to 
15 ft.), the Purple and Weeping Purple Beeches, the 
Black Italian and the broad-leaved Balsam Poplars, 
Chestnuts in variety, Acer platanoides aurea mar- 
ginata and A. p. laciniata, the Golden Van Houttei 
Elm, Laburnums (6 ft. to 10 ft.), the Scarlet Oak, 
the Scotch Elm (13 ft. to 20 ft.), and the silvery 
variegated Acer dasycarpum Yulki are some of the 
many fine things which may be obtained here, and 
by which streets and parks may be made to look 
furnished at planting time, or very soon after. Fine 
Walnut trees (6 ft. to 8 ft. high) must not be over¬ 
looked. Ten to twelve thousand Clematis, in great 
variety, are raised every year, and Ivies of sorts are 
largely grown. The beds of seedlings of Hazel, 
Holly Oak, Chestnut, Oak, Spanish Chestnut, and 
Turkey Oak make a strange contrast against the tall 
trees above mentioned. Sweet Briers are also 
largely raised, as well as Rhododendron ponticum, 
seedlings and named kinds. 
Fruit Trees 
We noted large quantities of Early River’s 
Nectarine, chiefly budded on the Mussel stock in Sep¬ 
tember, 1893. They have now made healthy growths 
3 ft. to 4 ft. high. Plums are also largely grown. 
At the far end of the nursery, considerable areas are 
planted with dwarf trained Plums, Pears, Cherries, 
Apricots, and Peaches. Brompton stocks are 
largely used for Plums. Altogether about 65,000 
stocks of various kinds are used annually. In an 
adjoining field about five minutes’ walk from here are 
standard Apples, Plums, and Cherries. There are 
about 2,000 bush Apples trees on the Paradise 
stock. Another field is occupied with horizontally 
trained Apples, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums, and 
Pears, all maidens. Some of the Plums have made 
growths of 6 ft. Others have made proportionately 
vigorous growth, although grafted in spring. The 
rich character of the soil and the abundant rain 
must doubtless be held accountable for the great 
progress made. 
Herbaceous Plants. 
Messrs. Jackman & Son have just recently com¬ 
menced adding hardy herbaceous plants to their 
collections, and have already got together many fine 
things, some of which are grown in quantity. There 
are 1,000 plants of the perpetual flowering Pink 
Ernest Ladhams, and the Carnation layers have 
been put in pots. About 100 varieties of single and 
double Pyrethrums are grown. Amongst things 
which are uncommon we may mention Campanula 
glomerata dahurica alba, Scabiosa caucasica alba, 
Linum Lewisii, Stokesia cyanea, Geranium Walli- 
chianum, Saxifraga longifolia in quantity and newly 
imported, and Tritoma glaucescens. The Sunflowers 
are now in their glory, including Soleil d’Or, 
Bouquet d'Or, and Miss Mellish, the latter being 
5 ft. to 6 ft. high. Asters are also in season, includ¬ 
ing ptarmicoides, A. laevigatus, and A. Amellus 
bessarabicus. Dahlias, Gannas, Hollyhocks, Violas, 
and Lilies have also been taken in hand. A small 
piece of rockwork has been planted with choice 
things to make some growth. It is hardly possible 
to do justice to such a wide and varied collection 
as is to be found in the Woking Nursery in the brief 
space at our command. The present is a splendid 
opportunity for making a selection of valuable trees 
and shrubs for planting directly after the leaves 
have fallen, or partly so. 
- 
A RAMBLE ROUND THE GREAT 
ORME’S HEAD. 
Following precedent, which has been freely set in 
recent issues of the Gardening World, I purpose 
noting a few things about Nature, which appealed to 
me during the course of a ramble round this noble 
promontory. But first, I would re-echo the senti¬ 
ments of a recent writer as to the advantages to be 
derived from such a ramble, physically, mentally, and 
botanically. I ought also, perhaps, to add that the 
locale of our present visit is on the coast of North 
Wales, near the Isle of Anglesea, over which it 
towers its wild and ragged head. 
Let us then ascend its ancient steeps, for otherwise 
we cannot become acquainted either with its 
botanical or its geological treasures. So passing by 
the Pier Gates and across the “ Happy Valley,” we 
are soon ascending the precipitous sides of the Great 
Orme, without which, the substaniial but modern 
town of Llandudno, would be shorn of half its 
charms. On our right hand the beautiful bay is all 
aglow in the sunshine, while on its margin just 
beneath us, the common Ragwort flaunts its 
numerous golden corymbs in our face. It is at least 
three feet high, with a stout stem, or rather stems, 
and we fancy we can detect a honey-like odour. 
Poppies, Knapweeds, and a host of other things, still 
linger on, while the Sea Wormwood is being collected 
by an old man, who informed us that it was good stuff 
for the appetite, and that his '* old ’oman ” always 
kept some in the house. Old people, evidently, 
believe in old remedies, and will not hear anything 
against their favourite medicines. Just by here 
there grows some nice little clumps of the Nottingham 
Catchfly (Silene Nutans), with white sweet-scented 
flowers, the wild Fennel, and the bright rosy- 
coloured Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum). Several 
species of Geranium seem to thrive amongst the 
debris of the rocks. Herb Robert, or the stinking 
Crane's bill, being one of them ; while a near relation, 
viz., Erodium cicutarium, or the Hemlock Heron’s- 
bill, may easily be distinguished. The white variety 
is very conspicuous, not to say disagreeable, when 
the plant is brought too near the nostrils. 
On the grasy slopes the common, though very 
beautiful, Rock-rose is in abundance, its gay, canary- 
coloured blossoms studding the turf with spots of 
gold. Its sister, the Hoary Dwarf Rock-rose, is less 
abundant though equally as pretty, for its small 
decumbent stems and hoary leaves are, on examina¬ 
tion, full of interest. This is one of the varieties 
common to the Great Orme. It is so mixed up, how¬ 
ever, with other low growing plants, that it is not 
likely yet to be exterminated. The technical 
term Helianthemum, is a very appropriate one for 
this genus of plants, for they really are Sunflowers, 
and delight to follow the attractions of Sol’s bright 
rays ; yellow flowers particularly seem to be the 
especial favourites of our fiery orb, for what Wither 
writes of the Marigold, may, with equal grace, he 
applied to this lovely flower : — 
“ How duly every morning she displays 
Her open breast when Phoebus spreads his rays.” 
The Wild Thyme ought, perhaps, to be mentioned 
in this connection, for it is essentially a sun-loving 
flower, and, moreover, much sought after by the 
bees. While I was examining a tiny sprig, a bee 
positively also came to look, but he did not stay long, 
perhaps he was apprehensive of danger, or being 
intelligent, flew away to fields of greater promise. It 
is sometimes alleged of the Thyme that sheep do 
love to crop its fragrant leaves, and that, as a conse¬ 
quence, a fine flavour is imparted to their flesh. 
Whether this be so or not, I can fully enter into 
Punch’s parody on Taffy’s supposed propensity, 
that:— 
" Taffy was a Welshman ; Taffy’s not a thief; 
Taffy’s mutton’s very good—not so good his beef.” 
Another very aromatic plant about here is the 
Corn Mint, which produces its pale purple flowers 
in whorls, has a spreading habit, and is covered with 
little hairs. If the foliage be drawn through the 
fingers there will be no doubt as to its aroma, but 
what that is like will always be a matter of opinion. 
The Hairy Mint is also present where there’s mois¬ 
ture in the soil; while up above, where the sun 
shines fiercest, on the rocky shelves, and in the 
numerous interstices, we shall find the Biting Stone- 
crops and the Wall-rue Spleenwort. What a 
a contrast! For while the foliage of the former is 
brown, red and yellow, the tiny little fronds of the 
latter are of the deepest green. But, best of all, 
because the most graceful of all, is the charming, 
though common, Hare-bell. Common! If the hills 
were blue with it, and if the fields contained no 
other flower, it could scarcely come under such 
a designation. What beautiful bells! How they 
swing to and fro in the briny breeze ; and who shall 
aver that they do not ring ? It is of this little gem 
that the Lancashire poet, Edwin Waugh, sang so 
sweetly :— 
“ And when it died, the south wind sighed, 
-- And the drooping fern dooked dim.” 
There is no doubt, that to the true lover of nature, 
wild flowers possess a charm which no garden can 
give. 
But we must advance. Just here, however, the 
limestone cliffs demand attention. What a lesson 
they afford to the constructors of rockeries! How 
natural and yet how confusedly regular ! How well 
they set off the alpine vegetation! So much so, that 
I could wish some tons of them were mine, that I 
might transpose my little pleasure garden into a 
miniature mountain scene. Now we are right up 
amongst the craggy precipices ; a little further and 
the open downs are reached. Here grow the Ling, 
the Heath, the Gorse, the Scabious, the Wild 
Thyme, and a thousand other sweet and lowly 
things. Here the climber may pause and take 
breath, imbibe the pure air of the mountain and 
watch, with Jefferies, the " fleecy clouds smiling in the 
ether, when there is sure to come into the mind a 
felling of intense joy in the simple fact of living.” 
In a dip over the prominence upon which we are 
reclining lies the little church of St. Tudno, which 
gives its name to the prosperous town beneath these 
hoary hills, where fashion and folly contend for the 
mastery. What the patron saint would think of 
such worldliness, I know not; certain it is that in 
his day—although little is known of him, except his 
name—no such scenes could have possibly met his 
gaze. Llan means a consecrated enclosure, or 
church, and is the prefix to the name of the Saint; 
which prefix is a very common one in these parts, 
for nearly every village has its church, hence this 
term largely enters into the composition of the names 
of Welsh places. 
Having ascended the highest point—750 ft.— and 
absorbed the view, we push on to the extreme end, 
