292 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 5, 1895; 
“ is an art which does mend nature ; ” but 
we also know that artists have often made 
strange attempts to illustrate the produc¬ 
tions of the garden in a way that was 
anything but convincing to the eyes of 
lovers of nature. This was more particu¬ 
larly the case when ideal rather than real 
productions seemed to be the aim of artists’ 
creative imagination. Illustrations pre¬ 
pared from photographs marked an 
advancement in accuracy of representation, 
reproductions of a photograph being 
necessarily more true to nature. Many 
garden productions are difficult to faithfully 
represent on paper, when at all complicated 
in structure, or in fineness of the divisions 
of foliage; but photography is equal to the 
task, and year by year is tending to greater 
perfection as instruments and means to an 
end are improved, Asa rule, improvements 
are gradually effected ; but it sometimes 
really happens as the result, so to speak, of 
an accident when it is claimed as a dis¬ 
covery. 
Accidents are not all mischievous and 
destructive, but are sometimes fraught with 
useful lessons. We have an instance of 
this in the photographic substitutes for the 
usual coloured illustrations in Messrs. 
Sutton and Sons’ Seed Catalogue for the 
present year. It was their misfortune to 
have the specially designed cover, together 
with the coloured plates, representing 
flowers and vegetables, destroyed by a fire 
at Crown Point, Leeds, whereby the work 
of months was destroyed, and no time was 
left to replace them. The only alternative 
to going to press without them, was to give 
a series of photographs of the subjects de¬ 
lineated in the destroyed plates. Photo¬ 
graphs of vegetables are the most numerous; 
and we may say that those subjects have 
never been more faithfully represented, nor 
illustrations of their kind better executed. 
We unhesitatingly say this much of the 
illustrations of some new varieties of 
Potatos and several older favourites that 
are now making headway in gardens, over 
the length and breadth of the country. The 
smoothness or roughness of the skin as the 
case may be, as well as the relative depth 
of the eyes are presented at a glance with 
such vividness as to remind us of the old 
proverb “ dummy winna lee,” so well known 
to many besides those who live north of 
the Cheviots. Sutton’s Alisa new, round, 
variety with a light golden, slightly russeted 
skin, that is said to be earlier than the old 
Ash Leaf, and is highly praised by all who 
have grown it. The skin is finely wrinkled, 
but that character is a much more promi¬ 
nent feature of Harbinger and Triumph, 
particularly the latter. Other varieties 
could be named whose peculiarities are 
brought out in a marked manner by the 
photographer’s art. Wherever a speck, 
spot or scab exists, here it is brought out 
as a faithful response to the light of the sun. 
What we have said about Potatos applies 
even more forcibly to the illustrations of 
several varieties of Borecole or Kale, the 
labyrinthic folding and curling of whose 
leaves, alike defy the pen, pencil, or brush to 
represent them. The different degrees of 
light and shade is something marvellous, 
and incapable of imitation by any other 
method. Each plant constitutes in itself 
an elaborately wrought picture. The 
various kinds of Broccoli are also shown 
to great advantage, and the Cabbages, 
Savoys, Cauliflowers, Lettuces, and other 
vegetables are also clearly defined by the 
same process. Attention will also be 
directed to the numerous fine varieties of 
Peas, which have been raised and put into 
commerce during the last few years by the 
Reading firm. There are exceptions, or, 
strictly speaking, one exception to the 
clearness with which the illustrative figures 
are brought out, but that instance is 
evidently due to the dense mass of foliage 
forming the back ground, than to the skill 
of the artist. A bunch of thirty-five fruits, 
two-thirds of their natural size, of Tomato 
Sutton’s Golden Nugget, reminds us of a 
bunch of the Duke of Buccleuch Grape, 
owing to the contrast of light and shade 
which is so characteristic of photographic 
art. The least satisfactory perhaps of the 
illustrations are those of the Onions ; though 
there may be some of a different opinion. 
The shading is too dark, and the lines so 
characteristic of Onions very obscure; 
but doubtless this is capable of being 
remedied, notwithstanding the shape and 
solidity of the objects represented. 
Flowers also come in for a due share of 
attention, and should the art ever attain 
that stage of perfection as to represent the 
natural colours as faithfully as form, then 
it may be possible for all to possess pictures 
painted to nature. The illustration of the 
field of China Asters shows the method of 
testing and comparing the numerous 
varieties of this complicated class of 
garden plants. The natural colours im¬ 
parted to this would-vivify-the picture im¬ 
mensely. The Annual Chrysanthemums of 
the C. carinatum type are brought out with 
wonderful effect, as are the zones of colour 
characteristic of Gaillardias. The nearly 
full-page plate of Cyclamen represents a 
well grown plant admirably, and shows the 
cultivator an example well worthy of imita¬ 
tion. One figure shows the true aspect of 
a houseful of Chinese Primulas as seen (so 
to speak) by the camera, while another 
goes more into the details of the individual 
flowers. A single plant of Streptocarpus 
Wendlandi is a picture in itself, as the 
peculiar netting and wrinkles of the soli¬ 
tary leaf as well as the flowers in their 
natural positions are all brought out with 
admirable perspicuity. Taking the illus¬ 
trations all round, we are inclined to think 
that the destruction of the Messrs. Sutton’s 
plates was no great loss to Horticulture, 
and that the photographer rather than the 
lithographer will be the catalogue illus¬ 
trator of the future. 
-- 
Messrs James Veitcli & Sons, of the Royal Exotic 
Nursery, Chelsea, have given their procuration to 
James Herbert Veitch (who has been with them 
several years) and to John Gould Veitch, sons of 
their late partner John Gould Veitch. 
Death of Mr. William Barron.—We regret to learn 
of the death on the 27th ult. of Mr. William Barron, 
for many years in business as a nurseryman and 
landscape gardener at Sketty, Swansea, an elder 
brother of Mr. A. F. Barron, of Chiswick. 
Death of Mr. John Carter, of Keighley —We regret 
to record the death on Monday, the 24th ult., in his 
seventy-ninth year, of Mr. John Ireland Carter, 
nurseryman, of Willow Bank, near Keighley. In 
spite of ill-health Mr. Carter followed his business 
up to the last. Born near Bingley, Mr. Carter went 
at the age of three with his parents to live at 
Keighley. His first employment was as clerk with 
a solicitor formerly practising at Keighley. In his 
twenty-ninth year Mr. Carter took over the nurseries 
of his father, and under his care the concern has 
expanded fourfold. The area of land at present 
under cultivation is about forty acres, the nurseries 
being situated at Willow Bank and Holycroft. 
A Giant Oak—The Gartenflora has notified the 
existence of an Oak at Pilkallen, whose dimensions 
ought to be recorded. At the base it measures q\ 
yards in circumference, while it is between 90 ft. and 
100 ft. in height. The age of this huge giant has 
been estimated at 1,000 years, and every spring it is 
covered with a beautiful crown of leaves, so dense 
that neither rain nor snow can find their way through 
it. Last year, two limbs removed from it, furnished 
sufficient wood to construct a mill. For a century 
past this giant has been close upon its present 
dimensions. From time immemorial the inhabitants 
of the district have always seen a stork’s nest con¬ 
structed in the thick branches. 
Veitch Memorial Fund,—At a meeting of the 
trustees held on the 19th ult., it was resolved: That 
£10 be granted to the Lindley Library Fund; That 
silver medals be presented to James Bateman, Esq., 
F.R.S., the father of amateur Orchid culture; to 
Mr. F. W. Moore, curator of the Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Glasnevin, in recognition of his valuable 
services to botany and horticulture; and to M. 
Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, for his services as a 
hybridist; and that a Veitch medal and prize of £5 
be placed at the disposal of each of the following horti¬ 
cultural societies, viz., the Royal Caledonian, the 
West of Scotland, York Gala, and Worksop, for pro¬ 
ducts to be competed for at their respective shows 
subject to the approval of the trustees. It is particu¬ 
larly requested that all communications respecting 
the Veitch medals and prizes should be addressed 
to the Secretary, Mr. A. H. Kent, 44, Doria Road, 
Fulham, S.W. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.—At the meeting of 
the Committee on the 28th ult., the following special 
receipts during the month were announced by the 
honorary Secretary : Altrincham Gardeners’ Mutual 
Improvement Society, £50 10s. ; Scottish Horti¬ 
cultural Association, £5 ; Mr. J. H. Vallance, sale of 
flowers, etc. £5 5s. ; Stockport Chrysanthemum 
Society; £2 2s.; Ware and District Gardeners' 
Mutual Improvement Society, £1 2s.; Mr. J. Rogers, 
as. ; Mr. G. R. Allis, Old Warden Park, Biggles¬ 
wade, 5s.; Mrs. Bowerman, Hackwood Park, Basing¬ 
stoke, 5s.; Collecting Boxes: Mr. J, Burn, Abbey 
Park, Leicester, £7 5s.; Mr. J. B. Stevenson, Bourne¬ 
mouth, £1 7s, 3d.; Mr. H. A. Burberry, Highbury, 
Birmingham, £1 10s.; Mr. J. Witty, Nunhead Ceme- 
etery, £1 3s.; Mr. H. Herbert, Kew Road, Richmond, 
£5 5s.; Messrs. W. Thomson & Sons, Clovenfords, 
£3 13s. ; and Mr. A. J, Brown, Chertsey, 13s, 6d, 
Group of Huge Chestnuts.—A group of giant Chest¬ 
nut trees of more than venerable age, occurs in the 
village of Blaesvald under Willebroeck, in the pro¬ 
perty of Madame Ve Mooyerson, as related by a 
writer in the Bulletin d'Arboriculture. One of them 
standing over the rest principally draws the attention. 
The trunk measures 18 ft. 9 in. in circumference, 
at a yard from the soil. This respectable mastodon 
of the Vegetable kingdom is vigorous, and still intact 
in all its parts. It the hurricanes spare it, which is 
probable, thanks to the weaker companions which 
surround it, and keep good guard, this remarkable 
tree will attain phenomenal proportions. 
Torquay District Gardeners’ Association.—Over fifty 
members attended the meeting of this Association on 
the 215t ult., when Mr. J. Wilson, of Belton Lodge, 
read a paper on " House and Table Decoration." 
Dr. R. Hamilton Ramsay, President, occupied the 
chair. Mr. Wilson enumerated a number of plants 
suitable for different positions in the house, both 
foliage and flowering kinds. Bulbs were a very 
useful family, the Narcissi especially being very 
valuable in house decoration. Bulbs in bloom could 
be taken out of the pots and used conveniently 
wherever required. Mr. Wilson then proceded to 
describe a table to seat eighteen persons furnished 
with plants and flowers, and a drawing-room simi¬ 
larly adorned. A round table decorated for the 
Christmas season was also minutely described. All 
the effects indicated were of a most artistic character. 
In inviting discussion, the President remarked that 
gardeners should be very careful in their use of 
scented flowers, inasmuch as in a hot room their 
effect was often unpleasant. Spirea japonica, lilies 
of the valley, and sweet peas were notable examples. 
Mr. Jones described some pretty effects which he 
had seen obtained by means of artificial frosting of 
small branches or twigs, and the use of different 
coloured plushes—good ideas when flowers were 
scarce. 
Christmas Flowers at Belvoir Castle.—Writing to 
The Times on the 29th ult., Mr. W. H. Divers, gives 
a remarkable list of things in bloom there on 
Christmas Day. Mr. Divers writes : As a remark¬ 
able instance of the mildness of the season, I send 
you the following list of flowers in bloom at Bel- 
voir Castle this year on Christmas Day. It is not un- 
