May 4, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
563 
EXHIBITION of OLIVIAS 
(HIMANTOPHYLLUMS). 
LAING’S magnificent and unrivalled collecti n of these superb flowering 
plants is now in full bloom. An early inspection cordially invited. 
Free Admission. Catalogues on Application. 
Begonia, Caladium, and Olivia Specialists. 
Railway Stations—Catford Bridge, S.E.R. Catford, L.C. & D.R. 
JOHN LAING & SONS, 
flecu Plant merchants, FOREST Hlhli, S.E. 
PTERIS CRETICA 
WIMSETTII. 
H. B. MAY offers the above, which is one of 
the most beautiful varieties yet obtained, and 
quite distinct in character. In addition to the 
terminal crest to the pinnae, they are broad at the 
base, and cut down into irregular sejments, 
which are again, in some instanc-s, slightly 
crested, a characteristic which is not found in 
any other variety. Of free growth, and e'egant in 
appearance, it is sure to become one of the most 
popular Ferns for decoration. 
Price, 5/- and 7/6 each.. 
Trade Terms on application. 
DYSON'S LAKE NURSERIES, UPPER EDMONTON. 
ORCHIDS. 
lean Healthy Plants at Low Prices. 
Always worth a visit of inspection. Kindly send for Catalogue. 
JAMES CYPHER, 
Exotic Nurseries, CHELTENHAM. 
Carnations! Carnations ! 
Carnations! 
The Choicest Varieties in Cultivation, from the 
late Mr. Dodwell's Garden, 
FROM 6s. PER DOZEN, UPWARDS. 
DESCRIPTIVE LIST ON APPLICATION TO— 
ARTHUR MEDHURST, 
THE COTTAGE, STANLEY ROAD, OXFORD. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS 
AND 
HARDY BORDER PLANTS. 
-o- 
FORBES’ ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE 
for 1895 is now ready, and will be posted to all intending 
Purchasers. 
The new Catalogue for 1895 is enlarged to about 150 pages 
and very materially improved, embracing everything new and 
old worth cultivating in the way of Florists’ Flowers and 
Hardy Plants with accurate description and prices, copious 
notes as to their origin, how, and where best to grow, a full 
index of the common or popular names of Hardy Border 
Plants and a vast mass of other valuable information that 
cannot be had elsewhere, which renders this the best, most 
reliable, and complete catalogue ever issued on this popular 
class of plants. 
JOHN FORBES, Nurseryman, Hawick, Scotland. 
JACK FROST 
has caused many losses that can be made good in 
an easy and cheap manner by purchasing the follow¬ 
ing bulbs and plants which I can recommend as beiDg 
first class. 
BEGONIAS, SINGLE. 
20,000 grand bulbs, mixed colours, finest ever offered 
at the price, 3s. per dozen. 
PELARGONIUMS, SHOW AND DECORATIVE. 
Fine plants in best kinds, 6s., gs , and 12s. per dozen. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. 
Best kinds only, 6 for 2s. 6d., 12 for 4s. 
IYY-LEAF PELARGONIUMS. 
A very choice lot, 6 for 2s. 6d., 12 for 4s. 
DOUBLE PETUNIAS. 
Extra fine new kinds, 6 for 3s. 6d., 12 for 6s. 
Send for Catalogue, Free. 
H. J. JONES, 
Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, Lewisham. 
THE NEW EARLY STRAWBERRY FOR 1895. 
“ Stevens’ Wonder.” 
The earliest variety in cultivation and very prolific, 
solid fruit, good flavour, high perfume. 
Awarded First-class Cert.ficates, Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society and Royal Botanic Society, 1895. 
See Gardeners' Chronicle, March 2 ; Journal of Horti¬ 
culture, March 14 ; and The Garden, March 16. 
Having purchased the whole of the stock of this 
grand new early Strawberry from the raiser, we have 
pleasure in offering it as follows - 
Strong plants in pots, £5 per 100 ; 15/- per doz. 
,, Runners, £3 per 100 ; 9/- per doz. 
Ready for Delivery Early in July. 
Eariy Orders requested as stock is limited. 
Further particulars upon application ;— 
WM. CUTBUSH & SON, 
Highgate Nurseries, London, and Barnet, Herts. 
For Index to Contents see page 573. 
" Gardening is the purest of human pleasures, and the greatest 
refreshment to the spirit of man "— Bacon. 
tint ifWli 
Edited by BRIAN WYNNE. 
SATURDAY, MAY \th, 1895. 
NEXT WEEK'S ENGAGEMENTS. 
Monday, May 6th.—Plant Sale at Protheroe & Morris’ Rooms. 
Tuesday, May 7th.—Orchid Sale at Protheroe & Morris’ 
Rooms. 
Wednesday, May 8th.—Sale o( Orchids at Holly Lawn, 
Beech Lane, Hagley Road, Birmingham (2 days). 
Sale of Lilium auratum Bulbs at Protheroe & Morris’ 
Rooms. 
Friday, May 10th.—Orchid Sale at Protheroe & Morris’ 
Rooms. 
CXpring tints of Leaf and Flower.— 
** Whether enthusiasts in gardening or 
not, there ate few probably who do not, to 
some extent, behold and appreciate the 
more prominent aspects of nature as they 
unfold in spring. To those who are fully 
alive to the beauties of vegetation, the 
bursting of the buds, and the unfolding of 
the flowers or foliage, constitute a con¬ 
tinuous panorama from the time the earliest 
commence to open till the latest change 
their delicate tints of springtide for the 
fully developed leafage of summer. Of 
course, there are several exotic trees which 
can hardly be said to have reached this 
stage till far beyond midsummer. The large 
flower buds of the Elm swell up and expand 
into red blossom during February or March 
according to the weather, and this applies 
to the relative earliness or lateness of 
everything else. The yellow catkins of the 
Goat Willow have been an object of ad¬ 
miration to old and young for centuries in 
this country. The tree itself is seldom 
planted in the neighbourhood of mansions 
unless the latter -are in the proximity of 
lakes, rivers, or ornamental water. It is 
different, however, with the Elm and 
Horse Chestnut which often come incon¬ 
veniently ciose, considering the dense 
shade they produce in summer. The red 
flowers of the one and the rapid leafage of 
the other as well as its gorgeous display of 
bloom later on, have enabled those trees to 
approach the doors and windows of many 
a fine old mansion house. Amongst half 
a dozen Horse Chestnuts, perhaps half as 
many distinct seasons or periods of leafing 
may be observed, owing to the precocious 
nature of some individuals and the tardi¬ 
ness of others. This peculiarity seems to 
cling to them for life, and may be noted by 
the intelligent observer year after year. 
The tints of colour and the particular 
effects are as varied as the trees themselves, 
and in some cases many individuals of a 
species differ from the type and from one 
another, as occurs amcngst groups, 
avenues, or isolated trees of the Sycamore. 
The expanding foliage in some cases is 
dark and dull green, while other trees ex¬ 
hibit a greenish yellow or bronzy yellow 
tint, or a uniform but clear light yellow, as 
may be seen in the so-called Corstorphine 
Plane which is more common than is 
generally supposed. All this, of course, is 
quite independent of the variegated and 
purple leaved varieties. To these may be 
added the Red, the Norway and the Col- 
chican Maples together with their 
bronzy-red and purple leaved varieties of 
never-ceasing interest and changing beauty 
in parks and pleasure grounds. How re¬ 
markably different from any of the above 
is the leafing of the London and other true 
Plane trees ! Commencing at a relatively 
early period, the buds gradually swell up 
and burst, while the leaves come creeping 
forward as if exercising great caution and 
afraid to trust themselves to the exigencies 
of our fickle climate. The season is well 
advanced long before the first leaves attain 
full size. 
The Willows and Poplars exhibit deli¬ 
cate and varied tints of colour, but the 
leaves of several of the latter, including the 
Balsam and Lombardy Poplar, are yellow 
at first, and the former more particularly 
exhales a balsamic fragrance that fills the 
air morning and evening although the source 
from whence it emanates may not always 
be decernible. The Black Poplar is even 
later, and the young unfolding leaves are 
bronzy yellow. In forest regions and 
plantations of wood, where those of a kind 
are often grouped together, the wondering 
rustic is charmed with the delicately 
tinted, slender, and light green leaves of 
the Larch, and thinks that nothing in the 
way of trees can surpass it in beauty ; but 
when the Beeches are fairly well clothed 
with a weatlh of delicate greenery a little 
later on, everything else is surpassed and 
put in the shade as it were by the over¬ 
powering effect of that common, but never¬ 
theless gracefully drooping and handsome 
tree. Large isolated specimens alone can 
show off the natural beauty in symmetry 
of this native tree, which may thus be 
grown in proximity to the mansion, though 
at a convenient and re-pectable distance 
away to avoid the dense shade it throws, 
and permit of a free circulation of air. 
A number of trees native and exotic, but 
paiticularly the latter, are decidedly late in 
coming into leaf, and almost belong to the 
domain of summer rather then spring, 
though from their point of view it must 
still be spring. The Oak and the Ash are 
the latest of our native deciduous trees to 
cast off their swaddling clothes and assume 
the summer costume. The Japan Sophora 
makes little display, and no ostentation for 
