August 3, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
779 
similar successes in the section for a medium-edged 
Picotee, taking the first three, and the sixth prizes ; 
Mr. R. Sydenham was fourth and fifth ; and Mr. A. 
R. Brown was seventh. Mr. C. F. Thurstan had 
the best light-edged Picotee, and was fifth and sixth ; 
Mr. A. W. Jones took the second, third, and fourth 
prizes ; and Mr. R. Sydenham was seventh. 
As far as we know Mr. J. Walker was one of the 
first exhibitors of Dahlias for the season, and 
showed three stands of show and fancy varieties in 
fine condition. Mr. B. Ladhams, Shirley Nursery, 
Southampton, staged a collection of cut flowers of 
hardy herbaceous plants. Mr. Thos. Anstiss brought 
up two stands of Dahlias. A large number of the 
elite of Oxford, including Mr. Morell, M.P. and the 
Mayor patronized the show in the afternoon. The 
last named presided over the luncheon, which was 
served in a tent pitched in the garden, and made a 
speech, in which he expatiated on the improvements 
that had been made in Oxford, and hoped that the 
city would yet be the finest in the world. 
—-•*. - 
A VISIT TO AN EDINBURGH 
NURSERY. 
Happening to be in Edinburgh, and finding I had 
two or three hours to spare, I thought I could not 
do better than pay one of the great nurseries in the 
vicinity a visit. The nursery I happened to visit 
was that of Mr. John Downie, Beechhill, Murrayfield. 
It is situated in one of the prettiest suburbs of 
Edinburgh, namely, the southern slope of Corstor- 
phine Hill, and commands a magnificent view of the 
surrounding country. On reaching the nursery, the 
first thing that catches the eye of the visitor is a 
splendid lot of golden Privet, which has stood the 
rigours of the past winter unharmed. All the Coni- 
ferae seem to have stood the winter well in this nur¬ 
sery, as they are all showing a healthy and vigorous 
growth. Fruit and ornamental trees are all in the 
same flourishing condition, Florists' flowers have 
always been a speciality in this nursery, and, 
judging from what I saw, they are still. Dahlias, 
Carnations, Pansies, etc. are seen at their best at this 
establishment. I was shown a very fine marrowfat 
Pea raised by the firm, and named “ Downie’s Ama¬ 
teur,” which was being saved for seed purposes. It 
is a very free cropper, and of excellent quality. 
Coming to the indoor department the first thing 
I noticed was a houseful of very fine, named, dwarf 
Cannas, which showed great variety of colour and 
neatness of arrangement. Stove plants seem at 
home in this nursery; Caladiums, Crotons, 
Dracaenas, etc. being perfect pictures of health and 
cleanliness. One house is devoted to Palms alone, 
a class of plants largely used for decorative purposes. 
Smilax and Asparagus plumosus are largely grown to 
supply the floral department at 144, Princes Street. 
As my time was limited, I had to content myself 
with just a look into the Begonia houses. One house 
was filled with doubles including both named 
varieties and unnamed seedlings. One white seed¬ 
ling was very fine indeed, and I have no doubt will 
be heard more of. The single Begonias were a sight 
I shall not easily forget, all the plants to my mind 
being perfect models, the flowers standing clear of 
the foliage, and of enormous size. 
Indeed, any one having a few hours to spare when 
in the northern capital, would do well to pay this 
establishment a visit. It is easily reached either by 
rail or car to Murrayfield Station. After bidding 
the manager good-bye I left for home having spent 
an hour or two among my favourites, which I shall 
not forget for a long time to come.— Diosma. 
- •*> -- 
THE CARNATION IN SCOTLAND. 
At this particular part of the year the Carnation in 
all its varied forms and colours is the most important 
flower in the garden ; for the only other subject 
that rivals it for popularity with the flower-loving 
public, viz., the Rose, is taking a rest after its first 
flush of beauty. The rose bushes are but heads of 
verdure, bearing flowers but few and far between, 
if, indeed, they are not conspicuous by their absence, 
and it is to the Carnation that we turn for comfort. 
Consequently everybody talks Carnations just now, 
and every scrap of information regarding them is 
eagerly devoured by amateur . and professional 
growers alike. Mr. Brotherston's paper, dealing 
with the Carnation in Scotland, which was read at 
the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
Mr. George Bunyard presiding, came just at the 
right moment and was welcome as setting forth the 
amenities of the modern representatives of the old 
Gilly-flower north of the Tweed. In the absence of 
Mr. Brotherston the essay was read by the assistant 
secretary. 
After a few opening remarks anent the historical 
antiquity of the Gilly-flower the essayist proceeded 
to say that owing to the existing differences between 
the respective climates of England and Scotland 
some changes in the way in which certain varieties 
behaved was only natural. Thus, for instance, many 
varieties which did well in England, were compara¬ 
tively worthless in Scotland. Cantab and Uriah 
Pike might be taken as examples of this class. 
Others again, such as Mrs. Muir and Germania, did 
far better north of the Tweed than they did south of 
it ; but in the majority of cases little variation was 
experienced. The essayist then plunged into 
cultural considerations. The most important point 
of all he averred was early layering, followed by 
planting out as soon as possible; as a fortnight 
meant all the difference between success and failure. 
His plants, he stated, were all layered three weeks 
ago, and he had invariably found that these early 
layers rooted much more quickly and surely than 
later ones. For planting, the first or second week 
in September was quite late enough, as the young 
plants were thus allowed a fairly long time wherein 
to get established in their new quarters before 
winter sets in. For the more tender varieties which 
it was necessary to winter in frames it was needful 
to observe that they should be kept in a cool and 
airy position, and entirely without water during the 
winter months. 
In preparing the soil for the outdoor plantations 
the application of raw manure was not advisable. 
A good dressing of leaf soil in a not too advanced 
state of decomposition might, however, be given 
with exceedingly good results. Some of the very 
best manures which could be used in cases where 
their application was necessary were soot, super¬ 
phosphate of lime and sulphate of ammonia. Mr. 
Brotherston also inveighed very strongly against 
deep planting, for this, he observed, was responsible 
in many cases for a large amount of the ill-success 
that attended growers on both large and small scales. 
Many varieties which were regarded as delicate and 
extremely difficult to grow well would be found to 
succeed admirably when only covered lightly with 
soil. With regard to the thinning of buds he considered 
that it was generally done throughout the country to 
some degree at least, and it was, in his estimation, 
both a recommendable and indeed a necessary 
method of proceedure where flowers of really fine 
quality were desired. More, he believed that it was 
also advisable to thin out the grass. Personally he 
did this, and not infrequently lessened the number 
of flower stems as well, as an over crop of either 
was prejudicial. 
Insect pests were next dealt with. Greenfly, as in 
England, was more or less of a nuisance, but he had 
found Bentley’s Quassia Extract a perfectly safe and 
yet effective insecticide to use, and one that he could 
recommend with confidence to all who were plagued 
with this fly. Rust and eel worms also caused a 
good deal of trouble, and even gross growing plants 
fell a ready prey. Mr. Brotherston then gave a list 
of the most suitable varieties for cultivation in 
Scotland, which, as the paper is to be printed in 
the journal of the society, will form a valuable 
reference. A cordial vote of thanks to the essayist 
for his interesting and instructive paper terminated 
the proceedings. 
' ' 
Hardening ||iscellany. 
HO W CAN SPECKLED ROSES BE PRODUCED. 
The art of floriculture has never yet solved the 
problem of how Nature can be made to produce 
Roses having spots or speckles. But Nature having 
done her work in the ordinary way, says Pearson's 
Weekly, science may step in and effect by chemical 
means what she disdains. It was described a few 
weeks ago how Pansies of a vivid metallic green 
might be produced. A similar method is employed 
in the production of speckled Roses. Procure a 
flower nearly full-blown, and of a rich red colour ; 
touch its petals repeatedly with a glass stirrer that 
has been dipped in an ethereal solution of ammonia. 
Wherever the stirrer deposits a spot of ammonia the 
petal will change to a bright blue. If a solution in 
water of sulphurous acid be employed, white spots 
will be obtained. Should the entire flower be 
immersed in the ammoniacal solution, the 
phenomenon of a blue Rose results ; while if plunged 
into the sulphurous acid, a waxy white flower is 
obtained. Having produced as many speckles on 
the Rose as are desired, it is well to carefully wash 
the flower in pure water in order to remove the 
superfluous chemical; if this precaution be taken, it 
will not fade more rapidly than under ordinary 
circumstances. It is, of course, possible to conduct 
the experiment while the Rose is still on the parent 
tree. 
TOMATO EDMONDSCOTE FAVOURITE. 
As far as appearance goes, this is the finest large, 
yellow Tomato we have seen. It was raised from 
Golden Perfection, a pale yellow variety, crossed 
with Earliest of All, a scarlet one. In the early 
stages the skin is clear yellow, but as it reaches full 
maturity, it assumes a deep golden amber or a 
shining golden hue. The fruit is of good average 
size, somewhat flattened and slightly ribbed, but 
otherwise perfectly smooth. The flesh is of 
excellent flavour, and contains very few seeds. The 
skin is very thin, and can readily be peeled off; and 
the plant bears well. The variety has been grown 
in quantity, and the finest selected for the last two 
years by Mr. Wickenden, gardener to R. Davis, 
Esq., Edmondscote House, Castle Hill, Ealing. 
Mr. Wickenden intended to bring it before the Fruit 
and Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 23rd ult., but was too late in arriving 
to place it on the table. We shall doubtless hear 
more of this Tomato on another occasion. 
ROSE TURNER'S CRIMSON RAMBLER. 
This, among Roses suitable for training against 
houses and walls, stands in the first rank amongst 
recent introductions, being one of the fastest growers 
amongst Roses, and a most profuse bloomer. The 
colour is rich, and it bears large trusses of 
flowers which are loose; but for the purposes 
indicated, a vigorous habit of growth and a mass of 
showy colour quite compensate for any deficiency of 
form in the individual flowers.—IF. B. G. 
THE LARK AND NIGHTINGALE. 
The statement (p.756) that the Lark is the only bird 
which sings when flying, and the Nightingale the 
only one that sings at night, is hardly correct. The 
Woodlark sings while flying ; and numbers of other 
birds utter what is equivalent to their song during 
flight; for example the Cuckoo the Rook and many 
species of Gulls. The Woodlark also frequently, 
and the Thrush occasionally, sings at night. Even 
the Nightingale sings far more in the day than at 
night.—S. 
A BLACK SPINE CUCUMBER. 
Black spine Cucumbers are not so frequently grown 
at present as they used to be, though there seems no 
reason why they should not be improved. Mr. Simpson 
of The Beeches, East Acton, has raised a variety 
between the short, black spine Cucumber and 
Telegraph. A specimen he sent us was over a foot 
in length, slightly contracted in the middle, or in 
other words it was slightly thicker at either end ; but 
this may not be characteristic of the variety as it 
was not a fair sample. The skin is of a dark green, 
thinly covered with green tubercles in the centre of 
which is a small, black, but by no means formidable 
spine. When cut it is remarkably tender, crisp, 
juicy, and of good flavour, the latter in fact closely 
resembling a good Cucumber of the ordinary type. 
There was no trace of bitterness, whatever, in the 
specimen sent, and which could be eaten, with or 
without condiments according to the taste of the 
eater. In short, it may be described as mild in 
flavour. 
SOCIETIES. 
The National Carnation and Picotee Socety held 
its grand show at the Crystal Palace on ednes- 
day, July 24th, when the ever popular flower in all 
its various sections was well represented. As may 
be supposed, the competition in the various classes 
for this beautiful democratic subject was exception¬ 
ally keen, and those who were fortunate enough in 
