April 27, 1895. 
556 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
SUTTON COURT NURSERY, CHISWICK. 
This compact little nursery, which is situated 
within a few minutes’ walk of the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s garden at Chiswick and which has long 
been carried on by Messrs. William Fromow & 
Sons, is about two-and-half acres in extent, by far 
the greater portion of this area being occupied by 
glasshouses. The firm has also extensive nurseries 
at Hounslow and Bagshot where the propagation 
and rearing to suitable size of large quantities of 
hardy trees and shrubs is actively carried on. The 
glass houses at the Chiswick Nursery are throughout 
of a better class than is usually to be seen in the 
majority of nurseries and market gardens and an 
important and conspicuous addition has recently 
been made in the form of a large showhouse which 
has been erected during the past year at the Turn- 
ham Green corner of the nursery. The central 
portion of this house is especially fine and lofty and 
is ventilated by means of the approved lantern roof, 
a method which, whilst it admits the accommodation 
of larger plants than would otherwise be possible also 
allows of the giving of an abundance of air without 
the causing of undue draughts. A number of well- 
grown palms, principally Kentias, are here to be seen, 
whilst another compartment opening out of this is 
devoted to the staging of a variety of greenhouse 
flowering plants; a series of cellars beneath this 
house form convenient storage, and here it is that 
during the past few months a quantity of Lilacs have 
been forced into flower, the prevailing semi-darkness 
serving to bleach the flowers and thus render them 
more suitable for purposes of cut flower than they 
are when the colour is not so eliminated. 
A large number of the houses are devoted to the 
growing of foliage plants and large quantities of 
bedding material ; flowering subjects not receiving 
so much attention, as the dense fogs which so often 
hang over the city and its suburbs prove exceedingly 
harmful to plants in flower. Stove foliage plants 
were abundant in quantity and of excellent quality, 
Crotons being well represented ; also Dracaenas, 
D. Lindeni and D. gracilis appearing to be special 
favourites, judging from the numbers grown. It is 
almost needless to say that Palms form a special 
feature in this department, large quantities of Kentia 
australis, K. Fosteriana, and Cocos Weddelliana 
being on view in all stages from young seedlings 
barely eighteen months old in thumb pots to nice 
little plants suitable for the filling of vases, etc., in 
48’s and 32’s. 
Amongst the subjects requiring a lower tempera¬ 
ture a large batch of nice little examples of Araucaria 
excelsa in small pots are very noticeable. These 
will be grown on until they form beautiful little 
plants in large 48-size pots, and about 18 in. in 
height. At this stage they find a ready sale, a fact 
not to be wondered at when we consider how pretty 
they are and the ease with which their beauty may 
be preserved. 
A noteworthy feature of the nursery is a small but 
meritorious collection of varieties of Acer polymor- 
phum in pots. It is rather strange that one so 
seldom sees these beautiful plants grown in this way, 
for their finely cut and gorgeously coloured leaves 
produce a magnificent effect among a collection of 
greenhouse plants during the spring, summer, and 
autumn months, and thoroughly deserve to be 
extensively grown. The well-known foliage plant 
Eurya latifolia variegata is also grown at Sutton 
Court Nursery in quantities. This is an exceedingly 
useful subject, as it will put up with a far longer 
stay in draughty or cold corridors or staircases than 
will the majority of foliage plants. A large batch of 
Adiantums just throwing up their young fronds are 
giving promise of an abundance of material from 
which to cut presently. A. cuneatum is the one 
principally grown, as this is a splendid doer and 
stands well when cut, although here and there pieces 
of the pretty E. elegantissimum are to be seen. 
Liliums are to be seen in considerable numbers, and 
to judge from the vigour of their growth and the 
deep healthy green of their foliage great things may 
be expected from them presently in the way of 
flowers. L. longiflorum and L. Harrisi are evidently 
favourites with Messrs. Fromow. 
Bedding stuff of all kinds, as has been previously 
intimated, receives special attention, and during the 
season large quantities are sent out from the nur¬ 
series to all parts. Zonal Pelargoniums look well 
and healthy, and a large batch of plants of the Ivy¬ 
leaved section is especially noticeable. Although 
several sorts are grown, Madame Crousse with its 
delicate pink flowers and its profuse blooming and 
free-growing qualities is the one which finds the 
readiest sale. During the past year great quantities 
of it were sold for the filling of window boxes in 
conjunction with the white-flowered Marguerite ; the 
two together making both a brave and a constant 
display. Several frames full of strong healthy plants 
of Marguerites attest that the public will not need to 
call in vain for a supply of the showy plants which 
bedecked the windows of many a cottage and villa 
last season. Large supplies of Verbenas, Lobelias, 
and the usual run of tender herbaceous bedding 
material are also being got together in readiness for 
the rush which will come in with the warm weather, 
and the preparations now in progress in this depart¬ 
ment bespeak the anticipation of a lively trade in a 
few weeks' time. Altogether a visit to Messrs. 
Fromow & Sons’ establishment is full of interest 
and instruction to those who wish to see the workings 
of a thriving general nursery business. It also 
demonstrates beyond a doubt which particular plants 
are favourites with the horticulturally inclined 
public, from the good qualities which they have 
been abundantly proved to possess by years of 
cultivation and trial. 
-- 
SOME WAYSIDE THOUGHTS: 
MOSTLY FLORAL. 
When I awoke on Easter morn I found myself in 
the secluded little village of Bourton, a quiet but 
well-appointed hamlet on the borders of Berks and 
Wilts. The sun was shining brilliantly, although it 
was yet early ; the colour of the sky was of that clear 
cerulean tint which we love to style Italian, while 
the air was so sweet and crisp that to remain indoors 
would imply insensibility to the beautiful, and a 
callous disposition not to recognise the claims of 
nature. Who loves not change ? and a change from 
the turmoil of town to the rusticity of the country 
is not only good in itself but brings with it so much 
refreshment to body and spirit, that our whole being 
is elevated and inspired by the mean and petty cares 
of everyday existence. 
Those who love nature never can be dull; and 
although we cannot “ remount the river of our 
years," 
" 'Tis Nature's privilege, 
Through all the years of this our life, to lead 
From joy to joy.” 
So, with these thoughts oscillating in my mind, I 
presented myself at the breakfast table, where the 
first bit of harmless superstition appeared with 
reference to the pale colour of the butter. “ Oh ! ” 
exclaims my young hostess, “ the cows have not yet 
been able to get any Buttercups.” This, however, 
did not detract from the eggs and the cream. So, 
after the morning meal, I turned out to commune 
with nature, and to offer my orisons to Eastre, the 
pagan goddess of light and spring. The great 
festival of the Christian Church is derived from the 
same source, therefore the difference of worship is 
one merely of degree. But in connection with the 
etymology of Easter, I am inclined to think that the 
wind which we call north-easter has been entirely 
overlooked; for, although I presume there is no 
etymological affinity between them, yet at this season 
of the year the terms are often synonymous. 
Judging by the proverb about “ man ” and “ beast,” 
this wind is certainly unpopular, yet, withal, it 
exercises a beneficial influence on the saturated 
soil. 
But, as we are among the fields, the trees and the 
flowers, let us turn our attention to those mysterious 
voices which are begotten of the fancy and the 
breeze; let us listen, then, to that indefinable some¬ 
thing which is not ourselves, and if, perchance, we 
can see likewise, we shall be sure to note much more 
than is either audible or visible to ordinary ears and 
eyes. The dullest road, or the most matter-of-fact 
field, will afford much food for reflection to those 
who seek them ; and, although Berks and Wilts are 
not floral paradises like some other counties I could 
name, they yet possess a goodly number of wild and 
wayside plants. Common they may be, but all 
things are common to those who have enough and to 
spare. If the golden rays of the morning sun are a 
glory in themselves, how much more so are the 
various forms and hues of the bank-bespangling 
flowers ? for :— 
Some are white, and some are bright, 
And some in blue are robed. 
The aspect of the month, however, rather 
resembles March than April, for the recent great 
wave of cold has done-as much to retard the wild as 
the garden flowers. The trees and the hedges, too, 
are bare, with just a faint tinge here and there of that 
most refreshing of all colours, the vernal green. The 
warmth and light has, moreover, brought out the 
blundering bee, and the beauteous butterfly ; while 
the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, 
severally, seem conscious of the advent of spring 
Let us, then, turn down this gentle declivity, this 
bosky lane, this “occupation” road, which leads to 
nowhere in particular, but which is typical of many 
a rural right-of-way in these sequestered parts. On 
our right hand we have the park and grounds of the 
village squire, whose gardener is well known in the 
vicinity for his vegetable successes ; while on the 
other the open fields and pastoral lands, where so 
much of our dairy produce comes from, stretch away 
towards the “ everlasting ” Downs which culminate 
in the White Horse Hill, at an elevation of 893 feet. 
A little way down the lane a substantial cottage 
appears, where the Daphne Mezereum is gay with 
its dull red flowers. Passing round and beyond the 
bend we soon come upon great clumps of the Arum 
Lily (A. maculatum) with large, spotted, hastate¬ 
looking leaves, from between which, by-and-by, the 
“Lords and Ladies” of the country folk will re¬ 
appear. Here, also, the coarser forms of wayside 
"weeds,” such as the Cowparsley and Dandelion, 
assert themselves; but were the latter less common 
than it is the Alpine garden would be incomplete 
without its large bright yellow discs. The botanical 
name, Taraxacum officinale, implies its use or uses 
in the rural home, for not only its leaves but its 
roots are in demand for various purposes. As 
showing the value of technical terms upon the minds 
of the uninformed, I was much impressed about two 
years ago when a bed of these were cultivated at 
Kew. They made a grand show, and were, of 
course, befittingly styled on the label in the language 
of that great botanical establishment. They were 
much admired by those who knew not Latin ; but 
when it leaked out that they were only Dandelions 
their admiration underwent a change, and the poor 
little flowers became subject to the most unmerited 
contempt. There would, therefore, appear to 
be something in a name after all. But as Dande¬ 
lion is a corruption of dent de lion it would 
further appear that we English were unable to 
pronounce French ; hence the curious conglomera¬ 
tion of the phrase “ Tooth of the Lion.” which has 
special reference to the serrated edges of the strap¬ 
shaped petals. Thus it would seem that the 
commonest of objects has a history which it is 
worth anyone’s while to attempt to unravel. 
But look, here is one of the sweetest of British 
wild flowers, the favourite Violet, whose name we 
need not dwell on, for it is of doubtful origin. 
Moreover, everyone is well acquainted with its 
"modesty” and sweetness. Every little child 
knows where to find it—its fragrance betrays it. 
On a sunny bank it opened its dark purplish-blue 
flowers in response to the warmth of Phoebus, while 
on the opposite side of the hedge the incipient 
blossoms were only in the bud condition. This was 
also the case with another nodding flower, namely, 
the Wood Wind-flower (Anemone nemorosa). Why 
it is said to be derived from anemos, wind, I am at a 
loss to conceive, because whether the six pretty 
white petals assume a drooping or spreading condi¬ 
tion, they are mostly found in woods and thickets, 
where the wind can hardly have any effect upon so 
shy and lowly a plant.— G. B. G ., Acton. 
(To be continued). 
-- 
Hardening ||iscellany. 
FREESIA REFRACTA ALBA. 
Plenty of beautiful sweet scented flowers can be had 
by the cultivation of this charming flower. In the 
matter of fragrance it excels the Stephanotis, and 
but for a trifling want of substance it would stand 
when well grown on equal terms with it. As the 
tubers can be brought in season at ridiculously low 
prices—from is ,6d to 3s. 6d. per 100—no one need be 
without them, and if the following directions are 
followed failure will be out of the question. Procure 
your tubers early, and of a good flowering size, and 
place seven of them at equal distances apart in 7 in. 
pots, using a compost made up of three parts of loam 
