860 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 2, 1895. 
A RAMBLE THROUGH 
SNOWDONIA. 
(Concluded from page 344 ) 
Continuing our ramble, we soon leave—not without 
regret—the lovely lake Ddinas in our rear ; but 
regrets in this delectable district are soon swallowed 
up in fresh surprises. After passing some cottages 
and noticing Helenium autumnale, and Chrysanthe¬ 
mum maximum, we come across some old slate- 
roofed—everything is slate here—out-buildings where 
Polypodium vulgaris has simply taken possession. 
It is only by examination that one can discover roof 
at all—this fern is the alpha and omega, the beginning 
and the end. The golden-yellow heaps of spores 
betrayed its vulgarity, for although I searched 
assiduously in the neighbourhood for the plumose 
form, I could not find a sufficiently distinct variety 
to warrant removal. Here was the common Poly¬ 
pody growing luxuriantly in Wales, and yet there 
was not a Welsh one ! Gian Aber village is now 
reached—wild, picturesque, sylvan, precipitous 
slopes ; fir-clad mountains, and the King of Snow¬ 
donia in the dreamy distance. It is now mid-day 
and the sun savours rather of midsummer than 
September. But, no matter, it increases one's 
interest in Nature, and adds a stimulus to one's 
enjoyment. 
While we are thus debating the best points of the 
panorama, a lovely scene is suddenly unfolded to us, 
and Llyn Gwynant is stretched before us. This exten¬ 
sive sheet of water gives its name to the beautiful vale 
we are now traversing, and feeds the other one we 
lately noted. Its shores are well-wooded with 
Beech, Mountain Ash, False Maple, Spanish Chest¬ 
nut, Oak, and Pine, and Rhododendrons seem to 
thrive, for seedlings in all stages strew the way. 
Linaria Cymbalaria and Asplenium Trichomanes 
agree to grow together, while Asplenium Adiantum- 
nigrum, and Scolopendrium vulgare occupy the 
same old wall. There were but a few stunted plants 
of the latter, and these were the only ones I found in 
Wales! A deviation now and then resulted in 
discoveries which would otherwise have been untold. 
Thus I came across Sedum Telephium, and as I 
carefully removed and bagged a fine piece from the 
" crammed wall,” with rosy-purple flowers, I thought 
with Tennyson that— 
11 If I could understand 
What you are, root and all, and all in all, 
I should know what God and man is.” 
Just then a conveyance went by with a solitary 
occupant, and he was reading ! So, while I had not 
eyes or understanding large enough to take in the 
philosophy of Nature, he was content to breathe the 
air, and ignore the aid of essentials by which he was 
surrounded. The valley now narrowed, and the road 
became more elevated ; the rivulets and cascades 
also became more numerous and noisy; here were 
mountains and music, water and wood, sunshine and 
sheen. I thought of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia 
and the “ Happy Valley,” and I flung me down and 
pondered on the problems of life, the origin of 
flowers, the value of mountains and the sweetness of 
the air. Jefteries, Ruskin, Darwin, Lubbock, 
Wordsworth, Thomson became interpreted. I felt 
with Ruskin that “ mountains are the beginning and 
the end of all natural scenery,” and with Jefferies 
that ‘' of all sweet things there is none so sweet as 
fresh air—one great flower it is, drawn round about 
us, and enclosing us, like Aphrodite’s arms.” 
Opposite, a rushing rill resounded; here another came 
tumbling down, while yet a third made such pre¬ 
cipitous progress that it reminded one of those 
ardent philosophers who, in their hurry for reform, 
dash along regardless of time. As, however, human 
energy, like water soon finds its own level, so these 
rollicking rivulets soon paid the debt of Nature and 
became absorbed in the larger and more placid 
element which lay beneath them. Moreover, time 
has not only thus changed the face of Nature; but 
our relations also in respect thereto. 
Here are the conditions suggestive of Sprites, 
Nymphs, Goblins, Demons; but we do not now accept 
those ancient legends concerning them—they are 
relegated to the limbo of uncertainties, or the nursery, 
where, alas! they still sometimes conflict with reason, 
and still continue to hold a kind of mystic sway. Yet, 
indeed in early times, these things were instinct 
with life, were wretched realities, capable of pro¬ 
ducing such terrible nightmares that we moderns are 
happily quite unconscious of. What has brought 
about all this change ? Science, blessing on science, 
for although it has destroyed many a poetical myth, 
it has explained the true causes of natural phenomena 
which are far more interesting and wonderful, and 
“ contain far more true poetry than those which 
have occurred to the untrained imagination of man¬ 
kind.” 
So, alternating between regret and wonder—regret 
that this fair vision is so soon to become a dream of 
the past, and wonder that the action of the elements 
has not long since razed these mountains to the 
ground—we arrive at Perry-Gwryd Hotel, where 
other thoughts and other views present themselves. 
Here the road diverges, on the one hand to Capel 
Curig, and on the other to Llanberis. We take the 
latter. A rise in the road brings us to Pen-y-pass, 
i.e., the “ head ” of the celebrated pass of Llanberis, 
and one of the more dangerous routes to the sum¬ 
mit of the local " King.” 
Here we are also in the shadow of the Glyders— 
little less in height than Snowdon itself—while Moel 
Siabod, another massive mountain, seems quite near. 
As we descend towards our destination we become 
conscious of wildness and grandeur not hitherto 
experienced, for the road is narrow and the heights 
are so precipitous that the huge sides of the moun¬ 
tains, black and uninviting, rise almost perpendicu¬ 
larly over us. Shattered masses of rock lie about 
in awful confusion, while one large boulder, of 
different formation, is perched high and dry, where 
no art of man could ever have placed it. It is 
supposed to have been left there when the ice, 
" which formed part of the great glaciers that filled 
the valley, was finally melted from below it.” 
The narrowness and perpendicularity of the Pass 
will be understood when it is stated that if the voice 
be projected against its sides echoes will be pro¬ 
duced, which, ringing back quick and clear, will 
re-echo again and again until the sounds commingle 
and gradually fade away. As we proceed, the little 
river Seiont becomes more and more turbulent as it 
gains strength, and rushes about and among the 
rocky detachments which impede its course. Llyn 
Peris and Llyn Panarn, two beautiful lakes, receive 
its waters, passing them on again to their ocean goal. 
Opposite are the great slate quarries, where over 
two thousand workmen are doing their very best to 
reduce a portion, at least, of Snowdonia to one dead 
level. The railway station is at hand, to which we 
retire, and shortly find ourselves once more bound 
for civilisation and home after a most delightful 
ramble of about twenty miles through scenery of the 
most refreshing order. 
A word or two anent quotations, which, I fear, 
have been too freely used—at least, so mentor says. 
Well, time, place, and subject must be my excuse ; 
for aphorisms, or quotations, in literature, like 
flowers in Nature, are gems of the first water, which, 
by virtue of their brilliancy and recognised merit, go 
far to beautify their dull surroundings. Quotations, 
then, are generally selected because they represent 
condensed ideas, germs of truth, or thoughts of 
master minds which cannot well be improved on. 
The object in calling attention to them is to promote 
inquiry, to emphasize the beauties of our tongue, or 
to furnish the reader with a mood to moralise. So, 
as in most other things, the " survival of the fittest ” 
also here applies, for only those quotations which 
are likely to “ point a moral, or adorn a tale,” will 
be accepted by the thinking host. Quotations— 
especially poetic quotations—are ornaments and 
illustrations to common prose ; nay, they are more, 
they are the Roses and Lilies of our mental as well 
as our material gardens, for without them, or the 
lessons which they convey, we should be like Iago— 
minus his assumed good name—“ poor indeed.”— 
C. B. G., Acton, W. 
-- 
HINTS ON POTTING. 
The season has again come round when a general 
re-potting of most plants is necessary to their health 
and general well-being. Cleanliness is an important 
essential in plant cultivation. It is not possible to 
grow a healthy specimen in a dirty pot or tub, and 
dirty crocks are equally objectionable. Generally 
speaking there are always plenty of broken pots 
about a place, and it is much better to use up these 
than to employ old ones, unless they have been 
thoroughly washed and sweetened by drying, before 
using them a second time. Crocks play an impor¬ 
tant part in successful plant cultivation. What the 
vent holecr air-tap,isto the hot-water apparatus, so 
is the well placed crock to an ordinary flower pot, and 
without good drainage good cultivation is an impos¬ 
sibility. To crock apotperfectly.breakapieceof pet, 
not too thick, according to the size being used, but 
almost large enough to cover the bottom of the pot, 
and always place it with the concave side downwards, 
so as to allow water to pass easily underneath. Upon 
this place some other pieces, about 5 to a 6 in. pot, 
and finish off with some much smaller ones on 
the top, so as to make a perfect filter. Should the 
plant be something special, put in a thin layer of 
moss, which will keep the drainage perfectly clear 
and unobstructed. Many failures and disappoint¬ 
ments arise from the defective drainage of flower 
pots. 
As to potting soil, one can never be too particular, 
for therein is contained the plant food in more or 
less abundance, and in proportion to the quantity 
and quality of the food supplied, will be the degree 
of vigour obtained. Over potting should always be 
avoided, and I am a great believer in firm potting, 
which is conducive to a short jointed, stocky growth 
of a lasting character, whereas loose potting brings 
about the opposite results, and adds to the labour of 
watering. As a stimulant for pot plants for Aspi¬ 
distras, Palms, Freesias, Tulips, Azaleas, Spiraeas, 
etc., I find the Patent Silicate Manure most 
valuable, and can recommend it to any one requiring 
a safe all round perfection of plant growth. 
If every one would treat their plants as thoughtfully 
as they do themselves; give them air without 
draughts, good wholesome food applied with judg¬ 
ment, and extra stimulants as required, the result 
will be many an hour's extra pleasure to some, and 
profit to others.— J. G. Pettinger, Strawberry Dale 
Nursery, Harrogate. 
-- 
SOME GOOD LETTUCES. 
Veitch’s Perfect Gem. —Last spring I was 
walking through a gentleman's garden with an old 
friend of mine, and noticed a very compact dark 
green looking Cabbage Lettuce, and on making 
inquiries about it, I found it was Perfect Gem, my 
friend remarking, " and a Gem I am pleased to call 
it.” He at once offered me a few plants, and a 
pinch of Seed, and many thanks to my old friend 
for the same, for it proved to be the best Cabbage 
Lettuce I ever grew. It is compact in growth, very 
distinct in colour, hearts solid, crisp and tender, 
and the flavour more that of a Cos than a Cabbage 
Lettuce. I am sure it only requires to be better 
known to become a general favourite. I shall grow a 
large quantity of it this season, for although it may 
not take the eye as soon as some varieties, yet when 
once used will not be forgotten, but often sought for. 
Sutton's Favourite.— Another grand Lettuce 
is this, which has been a favourite of mine for 
some years. It has a grand, bold appearance in 
a growing state, and when cut it shows itself off to 
great advantage having a bold, crisp, golden appear¬ 
ance. Growing very quick and to an immense size, 
makes it one of of the best Cabbage Lettuces we 
have. It is very crisp and tender, also a fine 
exhibition variety, as well as a grand table Lettuce 
of fine quality. 
Continuity (Daniels) is a fine variety of Lettuce, 
and has the grand quality of standing a long time before 
running to seed, as so many of the varieties are 
inclined to do. I like Continuity very much for so 
far it has been tender, crisp and of good flavour. 
The only drawback I find to this splendid variety 
is that as soon as cut and put up the fine bronzy 
colour quickly becomes dull, and causes the whole 
to look dead and have a sluggish appearance. But 
while growing in the ground it affords a very pleasing 
contrast to other varieties ; it also makes a change 
from day to day, when served up at table. I would 
advise those who have never tried any of these to 
give them a fair honest trial this season, and see for 
themselves which will prove the best of the three. 
I intend to try them all again by sowing at the same 
time and testing the time they will stand before 
running to seed.— J.L.P. 
Vines and Vine Culture.—-The best book on Grapes. By 
Archibald F. Barron, Superintendent of the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Gadens, Chiswick; Secretary of the Fruit Com- 
mitee. Demy 8vo., Handsomely bound in Cloth, Price, 5s., 
post free, 5s. 3d. Publisher, Gardening World, i, Clements 
Inn, Strand, W.C. 
