726 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 15, 1893. 
Horticultural Society. This proceeding, he thought, 
was not wise, as considering the nature of their 
produce, it would be too early in the season for 
them to exhibit, and they would only ruin their 
crops. He would suggest that they exhibit at the 
end of August or the commencement of September. 
He thought a special exhibition might be arranged 
for that time, and then they would be able to make 
exhibits not only to the credit of the holders, but to 
the credit of the borough of Richmond. As to 
the provision of prizes, he thought it hardly 
fair that those of them who had had experience in 
gardening should compete with others who were 
mere novices. He thought an exhibition would be a 
great encouragement, but would urge them not to 
let their minds be centred upon the mere winning of 
prizes.—Councillor Thompson moved a vote of 
thanks to the Technical Education Committee for 
having supplied them that afternoon with the able 
services of Mr. Dean, and for the pleasure his 
address had been to all present. 
- •*- - 
NORTH OF SCOTLAND HORTICUL¬ 
TURAL ASSOCIATION. 
In beautiful weather the members of this association 
held their second excursion for the season on the ist 
inst. The places visited were the gardens and woods 
of Durris Park, and Edgehill, on Deeside. The 
estate of Durris, which was first inspected, is now 
owned by Mr. A. B. Baird, and is one of the largest 
on Deeside, and for natural beauty—especially from 
an arboricultural point of view—is one of the most 
interesting in the north of Scotland. The party 
were conducted by Messrs. Lawson and Reid. 
Entering by the main drive attention was at once 
arrested by healthy and perfect specimens of the 
finest and rarest Conifers, including Abies nobilis, A. 
Nordmanniana, A. grandis — magnificent specimens— 
and A. concolor (lasciocarpa). 
A diversity of opinion arose over a variety of 
pendulous Spruce, about 40 ft. high, with long, 
tendril-like laterals 5 ft. and 6 ft. long, having the 
appearance of large tooth brushes. It was named 
Abies inverta, but this did not satisfy some, and 
further inquiries are being made as to its correct 
name. One or two specimens were also noticed of 
Abies Fraseri, one of which was fully 40 ft. high, 
probably as fine a specimen as any in Scotland. Its 
beautiful spiral habit makes it an object of great 
interest. As the company approached the house 
their attention was drawn to two veterans, viz., 
English Yews, which may probably be 500 or 600 
years old. It was agreed that if not the largest these 
Yews must be amongst the oldest in the country. 
The garden in front of the house is laid out with 
great taste, and well deserved the expressions of 
admiration bestowed upon it. The party were now 
conducted to the famous Abies nobilis avenue, 
planted by the late proprietor, Mr. Mactier, as a 
screen to a new approach then proposed to be made. 
The appearance of this avenue is probably the most 
unique in Scotland. The Nobilis are planted at 
proper distances apart, and between each on one 
side are Limes, and on the other Spanish Chestnut. 
On the west end of the avenue the A. nobilis are 
alternated with Weeping Birch, and the general tout 
ensemble is most effective. 
The company at this point wended their way to 
the kitchen garden, where the luxuriant crops were 
much admired. Tracks were then made for the 
vineries and greenhouses. In the vineries a most 
beautifully managed crop was displayed, reflecting the 
greatest credit upon those in charge. No doubt the 
contents of these vineries will be heard of at the 
shows of this year. During the last two years con¬ 
siderable additions have been made to the hot-houses 
at Durris, principally by the erection of a stove and 
greenhouse, with propagating pits below facing the 
south. Of the plants in the stove, which are in a 
high state of cultivation, mention may be made of 
Allamanda Hendersoni, showing splendid flowers 
and in excellent health ; a very fine specimen of 
Gloriosa superba, carrying six or seven fully 
developed flowers ; Maxillaria picta, also in fine 
bloom ; and Cattleya Mendelii and Cypripedium 
villosum. The collection of Crotons was very 
interesting. The greenhouses were in admirable 
order, and all were impressed with the fact that they 
were under the charge of one who thoroughly knows 
his work. 
After this hurried run through the gardens, the 
party wended their way up a part of the west 
approach, where numerous specimens of Coniferae 
again attracted their attention. Among these were 
noble specimens of Abies Albertiana (Prince Albert's 
Fir), Abies canadensis, Picea magnifica, Welling- 
tonia gigantea, and another beautiful specimen of 
pendulous Spruce, distinctly different from the one 
referred to in the main drive. At this point an al 
fresco tea was partaken of. The president, in a few 
well-chosen remarks, conveyed to Mr. Braid, the 
factor, who was present, the thanks of the association 
to the proprietor, Mr. Baird. Mr. Braid feelingly 
replied, and expressed himself on behalf of his 
constituent as much pleased to receive the members 
of the society. After tea the company were con¬ 
ducted up the avenue to the south lodge, where they 
beheld the most interesting sight of the day, viz., 
wonderful specimens of Wellingtonia, Abies 
Douglasii, and Abies Albertiana, and their pleasure 
culminated in a view of sylvan beauty from the Ivy 
Bridge, which from its general loveliness baffled 
description. 
Perhaps the finest specimens seen during the day 
were on the heathery knoll above this bridge, viz,, a 
specimen of Abies concolor, probably the finest in 
Scotland, the growth, habit, and colour being perfect. 
After being hospitably entertained by Mrs. Braid, the 
factor’s wife, the route was taken to the estate 
nursery, managed by Mr. Lawson, forester, where 
the party were shown many seedling beds of Abies 
Douglasii, probably 1,000,000 grown from seeds 
gathered on the estate. Many thousands of Abies 
nobilis, ranging from 2\ to 4 ft. high, were here lined 
out, evidently showing care in their cultivation, and 
in beautiful condition for transplanting. Mr. Lawson, 
the forester, has to be congratulated on the way he 
manages the nursery, which evinces much care, skill, 
and attention. The company then drove to Park, 
and were conducted over the gardens by Mr. Grant, 
but as the time was limited it was impossible, beyond 
taking a cursory view, to make a lengthened stay. 
Edgehill was then visited, and the company met by 
Mr. Kilgour, the gardener ; but as the shades of 
night -were now descending ample justice could not 
be done to the many beautiful specimens of Coniferae, 
&c., and it was agreed to leave a descrip¬ 
tion to a future visit. The party returned to 
Aberdeen in the course of the evening highly 
delighted with their instructive outing. 
-»*<■- 
FIRE ENGINES AND THE DROUGHT. 
The value of a steam fire engine on an estate in 
seasons like the present is well illustrated in the 
following communication from Mr. Edward Eames, 
Itchin Stoke Manor, Arlesford, Hants. Mr. Eames 
says : “ The ‘Squire’s’ Engine, supplied me by Messrs. 
Merryweather & Son, Greenwich Road, S.E., has 
been making very satisfactory work, irrigating 
meadow land here through 500 yards of hose. The 
land was very parched, and the herbage dried up ; 
the latter is now quite verdant. The quantity of 
water I have applied every day has been very large. 
The cost is about 4s. per inch of water per acre (iin. 
thickness of water all over the acre). This is 
equivalent to 10s. per acre cost for 2% in. of water, or 
about the same as that of an application of 1 cwt. of 
nitrate of soda per acre, which, such a season as this, 
without water, would only do harm, but with water 
applied, an immense amount of good, as the water 
produces grass. When the produce is more than 
doubly valuable, it is obvious that water ' thus 
applied is much the cheaper producer. I should 
mention that I noticed that where the land has been 
manured, it has set that manure to work, and the 
grass is better, I advise fully 2\ in. of w-ater being 
applied, one or two coats to meadow or grass land. 
I believe i£ in. on well-tilled land would be found 
sufficient, but I have not yet had time to do any ; 
but should the drought continue, • I intend doing 
several acres of corn and mangel next week, and if 
necessary other roots. I feel confident that had I 
put this means of irrigation into use a month earlier, 
it would have repaid me manifold. I, myself, am a 
practical farmer on my own account of over twenty- 
five years' experience. 1 believe it would repay large 
landowners to have one of your ' Squire's ' Engines, 
as, besides using it as a fire engine and for irrigation, 
the engine could nearly always be at work on the 
estate, and it would be a great boon if landowners 
could let their tenants have the use of it in such 
seasons as this at a cost of about say £1 or so a day. 
I find it consumes about i cwt. of coal an hour.” 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER, 
Choice plants in flower. 
Spir.ea kamtschatica.— Where this is grown in 
rich, tolerably moist soil, the stems will grow to a 
height of 5 ft. to 6 ft. or more, terminatipg, according 
to the habit of herbaceous Spiraeas, in a large ter¬ 
minal cyme of creamy-white, fragrant flowers. The 
leaves themselves have a portly appearance w T ith the 
terminal leaflet five to seven-lobed. In rich soils 
more room should be accorded it than to other 
Spiraeas in the herbaceous border. 
Spiraea palmata.— This still continues to be one 
of the choicest of herbaceous Spiraeas with its lively 
rose flowers. There is a white variety, but except 
for the sake of contrast with the type, it is inferior in 
value to the type. The usual height is 2 ft. or 2^ ft., 
and both flowers and foliage are handsome. It is 
easily grown in any moderately good garden soil, and 
no good collection of herbaceous plants can be com¬ 
plete without it. 
Lilium Martagon album. —There are several 
very distinct varieties of the old Martagon Lily, but 
the extreme forms are the most desirable, and the 
white variety is certainly one of the choicest. The 
advantage of having this Lily in a garden is the ease 
with which it can be cultivated. When once planted 
in a border of friable, well-drained soil, it can take 
care of itself beyond what cultural attention it may 
get in common with other hardy subjects there. 
Galega officinalis albiflora.— In some gar¬ 
dening books two white varieties are recorded, one 
under the name of G. officinalis alba, and the other 
G. persica. Now there is no difference between them, 
except that the Persian form is the dwarfer of the 
two, and forms a neat bush about 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, 
as a rule the former height in cottage gardens or 
where the plants have been established for some 
years. The typical blue-flowered form grows about 
4 ft. high, and although an effective plant requires 
more space than the dwarf white form. 
Eremurus Bungei.— In this we have another 
Persian plant, as recently introduced as 1885. The 
flower scapes are recorded as being 1 ft. long, but 
under British skies and cultural treatment it attains 
a height at least of 2 ft. to 4 ft., according to the 
strength of the plant. The flowers are bright 
yellow, and cover 8 in. to 2 ft. at least of the upper 
part of the stem. A number of plants have been 
flowering freely for some time past in the nursery of 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nursery, Tottenham. 
Helenium autumnale pumilum. —The warm 
weather has brought this useful plant into early 
bloom, but it is to be hoped that it will continue to 
flower as late as usual. The great heat has had no 
appreciable effect upon its vigour and stature where 
an occasional watering has been given it. For 
edgings or small beds upon the grass it is well 
adapted. 
Campanula rhomboidalis.— While not so strictly 
a rock plant as many of the Campanulas are best 
suited for, it may still be regarded as a dwarf one 
and well adapted for the front line of the herbaceous 
border. The stems are about 15 in. high, and bear 
numerous dark blue nodding flowers in a branching 
cyme. 
Aconitum Napellus bicolor.— The stems of 
this plant are so stout that they require very little 
artificial support; and with a stake driven into the 
centre of the clump, a tie or two with twine or 
matting is all that is necessary to keep the plant 
upright. The leaves are in themselves highly orna¬ 
mental, and when the white and blue edged flowers 
are fully expanded, the plant is a great ornament to 
the border. 
Sidalcea malv.hflora.— Of the three or more 
distinct forms of Sidalcea in gardens, that under 
notice has perhaps the most compact spike of flowers. 
They are of a rosy-purple hue, and retain their 
ornamental character as long, if not longer, than those 
of S. Candida. 
Potentilla argyrophylla atrosanguinea.— 
The flowers of this Himelayan Potentilla are of a 
dark crimson, and although it is an old garden plant, 
it is not so frequent in collections as might be the 
case. It has undergone considerable improvement 
by hybridisation, but the improved forms for some 
reason or other have never become very popular. 
The flowers especially of the double forms are too 
heavy for the slender stalks to support, consequently 
they hang down in such a way that half their beauty 
is lost. The single form with a little staking is not 
liable to this objection. 
