700 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 29, 1895. 
perhaps not so striking at any one time may be pro¬ 
longed very considerably. Two circular beds in the 
Pagoda Vista in Kew Gardens form exceedingly good 
examples of what may be done in this way with the 
exercise of a little forethought. They are planted 
rather thinly with Daphne Mezereon album, the 
lovely sprays of white flowers of which are so con¬ 
spicuous in our gardens in the early months of spring. 
Growing between the Daphnes are to be seen a 
number of plants of Genista sagittalis, a somewhat 
curious and a decidedly pretty subject. It only 
grows some six or eight inches in height and the 
flowers, which, like those of the rest of its congeners, 
are bright yellow in colour, are produced in leafless 
terminal spikes. The plants have flowered ex¬ 
ceedingly well this year and have for some time past 
looked very gay and bright. Dotted about among 
them here and there are a few specimens of Lilium 
umbellatum, rising out from among the yellow carpet 
to a height of about eighteen inches, their bright 
reddish, brown flowers adding not a little to the effect. 
-«*-- 
STRAWBERRY TRIALS AT CHISWICK. 
The long-continued drought that has been such a 
remarksble feature of the spring and early summer 
months has had, as may well be imagined, a very 
great amount of influence over the Strawberry crops 
this year. Just at the time when the plants were 
setting their fruit they had to contend with an 
almost tropical sun with little[or no rainfall, and this 
at a period when they stood in need of all the mois¬ 
ture they could possibly obtain. The result of this 
long-continued dryness is to be seen in the compara¬ 
tive scarcity of the crop, and the smallness of the 
fruits themselves as well as in their somewhat 
increased acidity of flavour. Whilst 1895 has been a 
season calculated to severely test the cropping qualities 
of older varieties, it has by no means been a good 
season for trying new ones or for conducting experi¬ 
ments with regard to their culture, for in all cases 
where artificial supplies of water have not been given 
the plants, the crop is a somewhat scanty one and 
the fruit rather smaller in size than ordinary. Pre¬ 
parations had been made at Chiswick this season for 
putting to the test a number of new varieties with a 
view to finding out which are likely to prove the 
most valuable. The various sorts are grown side by 
side in the same piece of ground, together with a few 
older varieties for the sake of comparison, and the 
same treatment both with regard to soil and situation 
given to each. Owing to the dry, unfavourable season, 
however, these new comers have scarcely had the 
chance to distinguish themselves that we could 
have wished, and thus the good qualities of many will, 
for the present, at least, remain unknown. 
Of all the sorts tried at Chiswick Royal Sovereign 
has this season done best and comes out with an un¬ 
beaten reputation. To commence with, it proved to be 
the earliest of any ; for good ripe fruit was picked from 
it, and placed upon the market four or five days 
before any other variety. The fruits vary con¬ 
siderably in shape, some being jconical, and others 
round or sugar-loaf shape. They are of large size, 
however, and of exceptionally rich flavour. Royal 
Sovereign was sent out by Messrs. Laxton Bros , 
and received a First Class Certificate from the Royal 
Horticultural Society, on the 21st June, 1893. Of the 
newer introductions two or three only appeared to be 
deserving of mention, but as has been already stated 
this may be more the fault of the season than of the 
plants themselves. Edward Leport, sent by Messrs. 
Vilmoiin, has done so well, however, as to be worthy 
of increased attention. 1 he plants are of strong and 
vigorous constitution; the fruit, roundish in shape 
parting very readily Irom its calyx, dark red in colour, 
is of medium size, rich and luscious in flavour, 
and even in this dry season is bearing good crops. 
Dr. Veillard, another acquisition, has conical truitof 
medium size, deep crimson in colour, in flavour very 
sweet, a pleasantly acid taste being noticeable. 
Several sorts sent out by Messrs. Laxton Brcs. 
should prove valuable. One of these, Acquisition, 
produces very large, somewhat irregularly shaped, 
and furrowed fruits in abundance. They are 
characterised by a pleasant acidity, and have none 
of the insipidity so common to many of the large 
fruited sorts. Monarch is a rather stronger growing 
variety than the one previously mentioned, the foliage 
being of good substance and of a healthy dark green 
hue, whilst the fruits are large, sugar-loaf shaped, 
and full flavoured. Laxtoa’s Leader, while the plants 
are not apparently of very vigorous habit as they do 
not grow to any great size, bears fruit that would be 
hard indeed to beat for flavour anywhere. It is of 
light scarlet colour, and roundish in shape, with a 
very much reflexed calyx that parts very easily 
from the pulp of the fruit. Glengarry also appears to 
hold its own against the unfavourable conditions 
exceedingly well. The fruit is conical in shape, of 
medium size, light red in colour, of good appearance, 
and possesses an agreeable acidity. 
■ - 
AUTUMN TINTS IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Autumn tints are already conspicuous amongst the 
trees and other plants that clothe the landscape ; 
the dry state of the soil at their roots, together with 
the cold nights and fine sunny days, all hasten the 
descent of the sap. The gorgeous leaf tints of some 
species present a greater diversity and brilliance of 
colour than if the plants were a profusion of 
blossoms. The Virginian Creeper (Ampelopsis 
hederacea) is one of the most conspicuous of all 
plants in this respect; when allowed to ramble over 
roads and stone walls, and brickwork, as well as 
trained up against the sides ol wooden buildings, it 
must attract the attention of the most casual 
observer. Ampelopsis Veitchii and A. muralis are 
also remarkable for their autumn leafage. Lager- 
stroemia indica is the first amongst shrubs to turn 
colour—the leaves assume the brightest crimson. 
The foliage of Persimmons is also beginning to show 
colour ; they, too, are remarkable for the many rich 
and beautiful tints the leaves assume, before 
dropping, contrasting with the yellow and red fruits, 
rendering them most telling objects, and indispen¬ 
sable for planting towards the edges of ornamental 
plantations. They are also valuable for their rich 
and luscious fruits, which are in season when other 
soft fruits are scarce. The different varieties of 
Rhus or Sumachs are particularly beautiful and 
interesting during the late autumn months, the 
colouring of the foliage being extremely brilliant. 
Falling leaves will soon litter the garden and 
grounds, and tend to give them an untidy appearance. 
They should be raked off about twice a week. Do 
not burn the leaves, but remove them to the rubbish 
heap, where they will rot and make splendid 
material for after us. The little rain that fell 
towards the end of last week moistened the surface 
of the soil and freshened up the plants, but did not 
penetrate any depth, consequently everything is 
much in need of a thorough soaking. The season 
is far advancing, but nothing can be done in the 
way of removing or transplanting until the much- 
needed rain comes in a plentiful supply. Alterations 
that necessitate the removal of plants will have to 
be deferred for a while The planting of bulbs 
should now be gone on with ; put in the main batch 
of Narcissi, Anemones, Ranunculus, Ixias, Sparaxis, 
and the many other varieties that were recommended 
in a previous article. It is well to plant them when 
the ground is in a dry state, provided the bulbs are 
perfectly dormant. Flowers are still extremely 
scarce, Dahlias being about the most plentiful. 
Chrysanthemums are now rapidly developing, and 
will scon be in full bloom. They are undoubtedly 
the queen of autumn flowers ; many have predicted 
their downfall, which, however, is not likely to 
occur until something equally useful and attractive 
is found to replace them. The popularity of the 
Chrysanthemum has risen to a greater pitch than 
ever ; new varieties are being raised that extend the 
period of flowering—some very early and others 
very late .—New Zealand Herald, April 6th. 
• ■ » - 
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT 
SWANLEY COLLEGE. 
The annual distribution of prizes at this institution 
took place on the 20th inst. Sir John Farnaby 
Lennard occupied the chair, and said that the time 
had come when a great improvement had taken place 
in the college, and that the student who took the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Medal in the May 
competition must have made the best of her time at 
the college. Andrew Johnston, Esq., chairman of 
the Essex County Council, distributed the prizes, 
and said that he himself was no born gardener, but 
took a great interest in fruit growing, which he 
believed had a great future before it. He visited 
Mildura, on the River Murray, in Australia, and spoke 
in terms of great praise at what he saw there. The 
people in those irrigation colonies could look forward 
to being the owners of their fruit farms. 
Mr. F. Graham Powell, the resident Principal of 
the college, read out the announcement of the suc¬ 
cessful students, and said that there were 54 under 
tuition at the college, and of these, 23 were women. 
The County Councils of Essex and Berkshire had 
the right of sending each one student to be educated 
at Swanley. Forty-four of the students sat for the 
examinations of the Science and Art Department, 
and a number for the examination of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, whose Gold Medal was taken 
by Miss Gulvin against 300 candidates for all 
England. Prizes had been won by the students for 
floral decorations at the Temple Show and else¬ 
where. Six out of twelve berths applied for had been 
secured by students of the college. 
Miss Goodrich Freer said that England should be 
proud that a lady should win the Gold Medal already 
mentioned, in face of so great a competition. She 
also spoke of a lady who, in reduced circumstances, 
took to the cultivation of her garden of only two 
acres in extent, and sold the produce to the neigh¬ 
bouring villagers and others, to the value of £450 to 
£500. She asked what the lady might have done if 
she had previously been educated at the college. 
A. Johnston, Esq., spoke of beneficial, as well as 
injurious, insects in the garden, and urged that we 
should learn to know which was which, so that we 
might protect the useful ones for our own advantage. 
Several other speakers also had something to say 
on the occasion, including the Chairman, John 
McDougall, Esq., of the London County Council. In 
conclusion, Sir John Farnaby Lennard, Bart., urged 
every student to take up some special subject or 
branch in order to carry it to a successful issue. 
SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural, 25 th June.— Orchids were again 
pretty well to the front, considering that the season 
for this class of plants is now getting over. Hardy 
herbaceous plants, Roses, and Malmaison Carnations 
amongst special subjects were also abundantly in 
evidence, constituting prominent features of the 
meeting on Tuesday last. Fruit and vegetables, 
including Strawberries, Pineapples, Melons, and 
varieties of Cabbage,were unusually well represented. 
A large group of Orchids was set up by Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, and interspersed with Palms 
and Ferns. The Cattleyas, including C. Warsce- 
wiezii, C. Warneri, C. Mossiae Wageneri, Laelio- 
Cattleya Canhamiana alba, and L.-C. Arnoldiana, 
were very conspicuous. The Odontoglossums, 
Cypripediums, and Miltonias were also very 
numerous, making the group showy and effective. 
A new hybrid Dendrobium named D. illustre was 
very noticeable, as was the strangely contrasted rose 
and scarlet flowers of D. glomeratum. The graceful 
flowers of Oncidium pulvinatum and O. phyma- 
tochilum were very profuse, and the large ones of 
O. macranthum were abundant. A fine piece of 
Coelogyne Dayana in a basket bore seven racemes 
(Silver Flora Medal). An exhibit of Orchids was 
also staged by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton. 
Very conspicuous was a large plant of a richly 
coloured variety of Cattleya gigas. Two plants of 
Cypripedium Gertrude Hollington were notable for 
the large size and conspicuous character of their 
flowers. Oncidium Lanceanum and Grammato- 
phyllum Measuresianum were also in fine condition 
(Silver Banksian Medal). J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., 
Glebelands, Woodford, also had an interesting group 
of Orchids. Handsome and conspicuous was Laelia 
grandis, tenebrosa Walton Grange var., with its 
clear yellow sepals and petals and dark lip. The 
Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, and Cypripedium Elliott- 
ianum were also noteworthy (Silver Banksian Medal). 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, exhibited a 
small but interesting group of choice Orchids. Fore¬ 
most amongst them was the new Laelio-Cattieya 
C. G. Roebling, with its richly coloured lip. 
Thunias, Cattleyas, and Cypripediums were varied, 
choice, and well flowered. Extremely interesting 
was the old and rare Oncidium triquetrum, with 
relatively larger flowers, though only 4 in. high. A 
showy group of Orchids was exhibited by Fred. 
Hardy, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Stafford), Tyntesfield, 
Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire. Laelia grandis tene¬ 
brosa and Cattleya Mossiae Hardyae were in splendid 
