810 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 1?, 1895. 
which is pink, spotted and netted. Souvenir de 
York is intense red with a white margin. Cyclops 
is white with a pink zone in the centre ; and Admira¬ 
tion is scarlet with darker spots. A violet variety was 
also very noteworthy'. This year’s seedlings were 
sown in February, so that they were just six months 
old when we saw them. The foliage concealed the 
forty-eight size pots in which they were grown and 
the flowers were commencing to expand so that the 
plants will now be in full bloom, and worthy of 
inspection. Amongst them we noted Sutton s 
Purple, rich purple and paler margin; Reading 
Scarlet, intensely coloured and of great size; 
Princess May, white with delicate pink margin ; Her 
Majesty, white; and Azure Blue, white with an 
azure blue margin. 
The Cyclamens were making fine growth and will 
commence to bloom in November. Amongst 
Streptocarpus we noted S. Wendlandi with its huge, 
solitary leaf, and numerous hy brids obtained from 
it. One of the seedlings, a curiosity in its way, 
had two large leaves, springing as it were from one 
stalk. In a batch of Impatiens Sultani, were 
varieties with carmine, salmon and purple flowers, 
all rich and attractive. 
Petunias, Carnations &-c. 
The dry summer has been particularly favourable 
to the growth and flowering of Petunias, particularly 
for those in the open air. A strain of striped dwarf 
Petunias was notable for its purple flowers striped 
with white, and floriferous character. The tall, 
striped race had more varied stripes and markings. 
Very pretty is Dwarf Rose, lying close to the ground 
and having warm rose flowers with a white throat. 
It might be used for bedding purposes. Bright 
Pink is taller, quite distinct and pretty. Besides 
these we noted various other strains, that would 
answer better for pot culture, though any of the 
above might be grown in that way to great advantage. 
The Leviathan strain is notable for the immense size 
of its flowers, which are rose, pink, netted, striped 
and veined with a dark centre. The value of 
Petunias in a dry season, particularly for dry and 
poor soils, can hardly be over-estimated. 
A large area of ground is occupied with Carnations 
which were sown in February of last year, so that 
they are now eighteen months old. Every individual 
plant forms a large clump, consisting practically of 
an armful of flowers, a large percentage of which are 
double. The habit of the plant is good; and if 
gardeners who require large quantities of cut flowers 
were to pursue this method of cultivation, they could 
cut basketfuls of flowers, without noticing their 
absence. The variety of colours is very great, for 
we noted rose, scarlet, white, purple, crimson, pink, 
brilliant scarlet, red, salmon, salmon-pink, picotee- 
edged, and striped sorts in ever-varying shades of 
colour. Other plants grown in pots were equally 
floriferous. 
A fine effect is produced at present by a plantation 
of Hollyhocks, amongst which we were particularly 
taken with Rosy Queen, a free-flowering and 
attractive double variety. Fancy and decorative 
strains of Pansies are grown in considerable variety, 
and seedlings of a white variety with a heliotrope 
centre have come true to name. Dianthus chinensis 
may be seen in a great variety of colours, but we 
were particularly taken with D. c. laciniatus Salmon 
Queen, on account of the deeply fringed and beauti¬ 
ful salmon flowers and dwarf plants. All through 
the hot weather visitors to the nursery have been 
charmed with a border of Portulaccas, 3 ft. wide, 
and skirting the pathway to the houses. Both 
single and double-flowered varieties did equally well, 
and the range of colour in rich and fascinating hues 
was something to remember, even if visitors were 
unable to describe them. Phlox Drummondi, sown 
in the open ground, is flowering splendidly, and 
shows what might be done with this inexpensive 
annual. On another piece of ground not far oft is a 
fine plantation of dwarf and tall Antirrhinums in 
great variety and very floriferous. 
Ten Weeks Stocks. 
These were just at their best at the time of our visit 
and showed no effect of the drought whatever, 
though that had only terminated the previous week. 
The masses of bloom were marvellous, and the 
percentage of doubles very great. Sutton's Mont 
Blanc is a variety with the habit of a Brompton 
Stock, 12 in. to 18 in. high, with numerous branches 
bearing large, double, pure white and deliciously 
fragrant flowers. The plants of Dwarf Bouquet 
consisted of fifteen to twenty branches each, all in 
full bloom except the central one which was over, 
and all were of the same length so that the bushes 
were a flat-topped mass of bloom. The Miniature 
or Dwarf Wallflower-leaved strain is notably dwarf 
and exists in white, crimson, rose and porcelain-blue 
varieties. Fire King is another type with massive 
and compact spikes of double, crimson flowers. 
Sutton's Perfection is a very useful strain for 
cutting; it grows about 12 in. high and is very 
floriferous. The varieties are named from their 
colour, dark violet, blue and pale rose, representing 
some of the shades. The last mentioned is Rose 
Perfection and a charming Stock it is. Sutton's 
Superb Bedding exists in numerous pleasing shades 
of colour such as white, chamois, yellow, crimson, 
etc., and is useful for bedding purposes on account 
of the harmony of colours which prevail amongst the 
sorts and which are seen to best advantage when 
planted in beds upon the grass. White Forcing is 
very pure, dwarf, massive and floriferous, and is 
therefore well adapted for pot culture for conservatory 
decoration. 
Trial Grounds. 
Travellers by the Great Western Railway are 
familiar with the attractive display of flowers, largely 
annuals, which may be seen from the carriage 
windows, on the London side of Reading. The 
grounds are within easy distance of the Portland 
Road Nursery. Tropaeolums are well represented, 
including some handsome colours and pleasing new 
shades, One of the latter is Fairy Queen, a running 
variety with dark foliage, and flowers ranging from 
orange-salmon to salmon-yellow with a crimson 
blotch. Aurora is the counterpart of this amongst 
the dwarf sorts. Both are charming for dinner table 
and other decorations. Here is also a collection of 
annual Sunflowers, including Primrose Perfection, 
notable for its primrose rays and black centre. The 
plants are only 2 ft. high. In other positions, apart 
from the rest and from one another, we noted 
Tropaeolum Cloth of Gold, with uniformly yellow 
leaves and bright scarlet flowers ; also Empress of 
India, with the darkest foliage of any and the 
brightest fiery scarlet flowers. The mixed varieties 
of Tropaeolum are also good. 
Sweet Sultan now rejoices in yellow, purple, lemon 
and white shades of colour. Most charming is the 
new one named Centaurea margarita with pure 
white, deeply fringed and feathery-looking flowers 
that are charming in the cut state for glass and other 
vases. Amongst the varieties of Chrysanthemum 
coronarium, Cloth of Gold has golden-yellow double 
flowers, and Golden Queen is single. The rose and 
white forms of Lavatera trimestris are good, but the 
new variety L. t. splendens is an acquisition, with 
dark rose flowers that open later than the rest though 
sown on the same day. Iceland Poppies are grown 
in quantity and in several shades of colour. 
Godetias are well represented by Duchess of Albany, 
white. Lady Bird, rosy white with a crimson blotch, 
and Satin Rose, rich carmine, and all very dwarf. 
Papaver somniferum Chamois Rose is a novel shade 
of colour, expressed in the name. Broad batches of 
Sweet Alyssum and Coreopsis Drummondi have 
their own particular attraction. 
The collection of grasses grown here makes the 
Trial Grounds as good as a botanic garden. Beds 
of 180 distinct species and varieties are cultivated, 
and are classified in three sections: (1) pasture 
grasses (2) injurious weeds and (3) ornamental 
grasses which the agriculturist and horticulturist 
alike would do well to study. Many of them have 
been cut, but amongst ornamental kinds we noted 
Lamarckia aurea with dense heads and only 3 in. to 
6 in, high ; also Hordeum jubatum and Lagurus 
ovatus, both well known to those engaged in decora¬ 
tive work. Here also is a collection of the Clovers 
including the white-flowered Alfalfa or Bokhara 
Clover. 
A SURREY FLOWER SHOW. 
The Beddington, Carshalton and Wallington 
Horticultural Society held its annual show on the 
5th inst., in Carshalton Park, and was favoured with 
fine weather till well on in the afternoon. There was 
consequent ly a large gathering of people for, in addition 
to the flower and poultry show, there were athletic 
sports and various other amusements. The park was 
so large that it not only afforded proper convenience 
for every part of the show, but sheltered a large herd 
of deer at the further end. The show is chiefly- 
intended for the produce of cottagers, though 
gardeners also exhibit. The Society also encourages 
the owners of cottage gardens and allotment holders 
by the offering of prizes. The judging of these 
gardens seems to be developing into a science, so 
complicated does it become ; and year by year gives 
great satisfaction. The groups were arranged 
chiefly round the sides of the large marquee, and the 
first prize for a large group was awarded to Mr. 
J. H. Stevens, gardener to G. Coles, Esq., The 
Lodge, Carshalton, whose Crotons, Lilies, Caladiums, 
Begonias and other plants were neatly arranged. 
For a smaller group, Mr. D. Harris, gardener to J. 
Baker, Esq., Cottisbrooke, Wallington, took the 
leading award with a tasteful arrangement. He was 
followed by Mr. A. Etheridge, gardener to A. Z. C. 
Cressy, Esq,, Wallington, whose light coloured 
Caladiums were a leading feature. Mr. James 
Davis, gardener to F. Barton, Esq., Wallington, 
was third. Mr. Joseph Slater, gardener to Mrs 
Hulse, Shepley House, Carshalton, had by far the 
best six tuberous Begonias; and Mr. A. Etheridge 
received the second award. Mr. D. Harris had the 
best four Begonias. Mr. John Wright, gardener to 
Mrs. Bridges, Beddington House took the first 
award for four flowering specimens, and was followed 
by Mr. Joseph Slater. Mr. John Wright was again 
first for Coleus ; and Mr. A. Etheridge was second. 
Mr. Joseph Slater, Mr. John Wright and Mr. J. H 
Stevens respectively took the prizes for table plants 
and Gloxinias. In one class for stove and green¬ 
house plants Mr J Davis took the leading award; 
and Mr. A. Etheridge had the same success in 
another. Mr. J. H. Stevens had the best exotic 
ferns, showing, amongst others, a fine Adiantum 
farleyense; and was equally successful with cut 
flowers of hardy herbaceous plants. In the fruit 
classes, Mr. Henry Shoebridge, gardener to M. 
Beddington, Esq., The Limes, Carshalton, took the 
leading award for black grapes; and was followed 
by Mr. Joseph Slater. Mr. W. Clayfion, gardener 
to J. Dry, Esq., Carshalton, had the best green 
fleshed Melon ; and Mr. J. H. Stevens showed the 
best scarlet variety. Mr. H. Dann, Elen Grove, 
Wallington, had the best Tomatos. 
The dinner table decorations constituted one of the 
leading features of the large marquee, there being 
nine entries and a pretty close competition in some 
cases. The first award went to Miss Mildred Coles, 
The Lodge, Carshalton, whose device was rendered 
very attractive with pale-coloured Sweet Peas, 
Maidenhair and the tufted Hair-grass. Miss Ida 
Culverhouse, Heathfield, Wallington, took the second 
place with a device in Iceland Poppies, and yellow 
Marguerites. Mrs. Ethel M. Barclay, Ringstead 
Road, was third with quite a different style of device 
done in Sweet Peas. A lively interest was created 
by the competition in the class for the best dinner 
served up for four persons and not to exceed the cost 
of two shillings. The services of special judges, a 
lady and a gentleman, were necessary for this kind 
of exhibit, as all the dishes had to be tasted and 
judged separately on their own merits. The first 
prize exhibit by Mrs. Bates, Carshalton, had an 
appetising appearance ; and the second one by Miss 
Jessie Rhodes, Wallington, was not far behind. 
Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Thomas Evans, both from 
Carshalton, were third and fourth respectively. In 
another tent were exhibits of trussed fowls, eggs, 
and live poultry, as well as collections of vegetables. 
The latter really constituted one of the special, and, 
to gardeners, interesting, features of the show, as the 
prizes were awarded according to the number of 
marks which fell to the several exhibits. Mr. J. H. 
Stevens certainly had the best Potatos, Carrots, 
Onions, French Beans, Peas, and Beet. Mr. J. 
Slater was a good second; Mr. Henry Shoebridge 
was third ; Mr. Harvey Hopkins, a cottager from 
Carshalton, and Mr. Wm. Clayson, were equal 
fourth; and Mr. James Davies cams in sixth. 
Special exhibits also were the boiled Potatos, home¬ 
made bread, pickles, jams, and jellies in great quan¬ 
tity and variety, and showing the industrial side of 
cottage life. 
The greater portion of one tent was devoted to 
exhibits of vegetables by cottagers. There was 
great compstition in the classes for French Beans, 
Cabbages, Vegetable Marrovs, Onions, Shallots, 
Carrots, Beet, Turnips, Broad Beans, Peas, Herbs, 
Salads, Lettuce and others. Window plants and 
fruit were shown in some quantity, and four prizes, 
with an extra one, were awarded for a collection of 
vegetables. The first went to Mr. Harvey Hopkins; 
