824 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 26, 1893. 
of Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica. The edge consists 
of Alternanthera magnifica and Echeveria secunda 
glauca. There are also dot plants of Echeveria 
metalica and Sempervivum canariense on tufts of 
Antennaria tomentosa and Golden Feather. In the 
other two beds is a circle of Alternantheras in the 
centre round which are four club-shaped figures alter¬ 
nating with as many circles. The former are edged 
with a single or double line of Echeverias and the 
circles are edged with Pachyphytum bracteosum. 
The outer edge of the bed consists of Alternantheras 
and Echeveria. 
Along the outer edge of the semi-circular area are 
four large curved beds of scarlet Pelargoniums, all 
in a very floriferous condition and edged with 
Flower of Spring. Bolder, but less profusely in 
flower, are two beds of pink Pelargoniums edged 
with the yellow leaved and dwarf Robert Fish. A 
happy contrast is effected in two beds of Verbena 
venosa mixed with Cantaurea ragusinacandidissima. 
Everywhere this year Coleus Verschaffeltii is very 
dark in colour, being here of a rich maroon or 
amaranth, and the bed is edged with Golden Feather 
and Echeveria. One bed imitates the Prince of Wales’ 
Feathers, and the centre of it consists of a salmon¬ 
eyed Pelargonium edged with a golden leaved 
Fuchsia. The middle feather is occupied with 
Pelargonium Henry Jacoby, and the two lateral ones 
of a pink Pelargonium. The whole is banded with 
P. Flower of Spring, then with Iresine Lindeni, and 
that again with P. Robert Fish, with a double edge 
of Echeveria. There are other beds here of scarlet, 
pink and the bronze Pelargonium, Golden Harry 
Hieover, in this place, and in fact with exception of 
the four carpet beds, the bulk of the display consists 
of Pelargoniums, all of which are very floriferous. 
Close by is a large, isolated, circular bed on the 
grass, and filled with succulents of grotesque and 
antique form. The larger plants consist of Agave 
americana and A. a. variegata on mounds. The 
ground work consists of Mesembryanthemum 
cordifolium variegatum which runs up the mounds to 
the plants named. Interspersed on this ground are 
Chamaepeuce diacantha, Sempervivum canariense, 
S. cuneatum, Aloe frutescens, Opuntias, Yucca aloe 
folia variegata, Sedum spathulatum, and Echeveria 
metallica. 
Pursuing the path round to the east end of the 
lake, some more neat and interesting bedding is met 
with in a wide bay on the left hand side. A very 
large carpet bed, consisting of a modified form of 
chain bedding is the chief feature of this part of the 
park. The bed is elevated above the grass and 
carpeted with Mentha, on which are diamonds and 
circles, to which are attached pendants or crosses of 
various shapes, forming elongated figures, of Alter¬ 
nanthera aurea, A. amcena, and edged with 
Echeveria. There are also detached circles and 
diamond [shaped figures. Amongst these are 
numerous dot plants of Echeveria metallica, Semper¬ 
vivum canariense, Gasteria verrucosa. Aloe subulata, 
Pachyphytum bracteosum, Kleinia repens, Chamae¬ 
peuce diacantha, C. Casabonae, Echeveria atropur- 
purea, E. Peacocki, and Agave americana. The 
whole is neatly done, as is usually the case here. 
There are some circular beds of pink and scarlet 
Pelargoniums in a free flowering condition. A bed 
of Fuchsias mixed with Chamaepeuce diacantha is 
also pretty. A circular bed with scolloped edges, 
consisting of six rounded curves, is also noteworthy. 
The centre is occupied with Echeveria metallica, 
then follow Alternanthera aurea, and A versicolor, 
the latter being continued into six prolongations or 
rays, edged with Pachyphytum bracteosum. Beyond 
this the raised central portion of the bed is pro¬ 
longed into six cone-shaped figures covered with 
Alternanthera amoena and edged with A. aurea. 
Around these the ground is lowered and occupied 
with Mentha. The outer edge again consists of 
Alternanthera versicolor and Echeveria secunda 
glauca, the whole forming a neat and pleasing com¬ 
bination. 
The beds of sub-tropical plants are arranged in 
recesses, bays, or open areas amongst the shrubs and 
trees bordering one side of the lake, where they are 
tolerably well sheltered from rough winds. One 
oval bed filled with green-leaved Cannas is edged 
with Iresine Lindeni and Golden Feather, while a 
second contains bronzy Cannas edged with yellow 
leaved Fuchsias and Echeveria A bold effect is 
produced by a bed of Ficus elastica, 5 ft. to 6 ft. 
high, having the upper leaves of a bronzy hue and 
the stipulas bright red. Mixed beds are pretty 
frequent here, and two of them are filled with 
Abutilon Thompsoni, 5 ft. high, Ficus elastica, 3 ft., 
Abutilon Boule de Neige and Fuchsias, each 2 ft., 
all on a ground of Harrison's Musk‘and edged with 
Mesembryanthemum. Three moderate sized, circular 
beds contain a much greater variety, and form com¬ 
pact masses now at their best. The central plants 
are the tallest, and consist of Coral Plants, Blue 
Gum Trees, Abutilon Thompsoni, A. Boule de Neige, 
and A., brasiliense. Around these are somewhat 
dwarfer plants of Amicia zygomeris, Aralia Sieboldi, 
Acacia lophantha, Grevillea robusta, Dracaena rubra, 
and Fuchsias. The taller ones are about 3 ft. in 
height, and are topped to keep them within bounds 
and evenly rounded on the top. The second series 
of plants are about 2 ft. high, and they in turn are 
edged with still dwarfer plants of Amarantus melan- 
cholicus ruber,variegated Maize, Celosia pyramidalis, 
Heliotrope, Centaurea ragusina candidissima, and an 
outer edge of Sempervivum cuneatum. With such 
plants and such strange mixtures it is possible to 
produce a pleasing, luxuriant, and sub-tropical effect. 
A second and smaller recess on the opposite side 
of the walk is also occupied with sub-tropical bedding. 
A large oval bed in the centre is filled with a mix¬ 
ture precisely like that already mentioned, but as the 
bed is larger, so the plants range from 2 ft. at the 
margin to 6 ft. high in the centre. Two sombre but 
bold-looking and heart-shaped beds are filled with 
bronzy, broad-leaved Cannas, 2 ft. to 3, ft. high, and 
edged with a mass of the dark Perilla nankinensis. 
On either side of these again are two small mixed 
beds, followed at either end by a bed of green¬ 
leaved Cannas, edged with Perilla. Behind and in 
front of the above, and close to the walks, are small 
carpet beds, neatly designed with a scroll work of 
Alternantheras. Further along on the right is a 
luxuriant, but quiet bed of Caster Oil plants, both 
green, and the bronzy Ricinus Gibsoni, edged with 
Perilla and the French grey Cineraria maritima. 
A rocky bank, backed up by the shrubs and trees 
on the top, is planted with various succulents, which 
seem at home amongst the dry projecting stones, and 
give the whole a grotesque appearance. Interesting 
also is an attempt with a different class of plants, 
consisting largely of Palms, on a sloping rocky 
bank, with many of the specimens receding amongst 
the trees behind. Other plants used are the green 
and variegated New Zealand Flax, Aspidistras, 
Opuntias, Sempervivum cuneatum, American Aloes, 
Echeveria metalica, Ficus elastica, and others, which 
give a distinct and sub-tropical effect. 
--=*■-- 
GARDENING NOTES FROM 
AYRSHIRE 
In making a retrospect of twenty years' practice in 
different districts of this county, it is pleasing to be 
able to state that the results of the present season have 
been the most gratifying of any during these two 
decades. Following hard on an exceptionally severe 
winter, the spring months, as if to compensate for 
past disappointments, were ushered in by weather 
conditions which made out-door gardening a com¬ 
paratively simple matter. The growth of vegetables 
and other products, to quote the language of an old 
writer, seemed to be altogether magical. The in¬ 
evitable fly, however, which lurks in every one’s pot 
of ointment, proved to be in store for horticulturists 
as the season advanced. 
The extreme heat which, in conjunction with an 
adequate amount of moisture, would have secured 
something like perfection in fruits, flowers, and 
vegetables, on good and well-cultivated soils, had 
otherwise a counteracting effect, and but for the re¬ 
peated and liberal applications of water artificially 
to the roots and top growth of various descriptions 
of plants, trees, and bushes, light crops of inferior 
produce, instead of abundance and high quality, 
would have to be recorded. In most instances, 
extra labour in hot, dry seasons is not grudged by 
anxious and persevering cultivators; but it is to be 
regretted that on account of the lack of a sufficient 
supply of that valuable auxiliary, water, they are 
rendered powerless to prevent many of the failures 
which occur. 
P.'obably the finest breadth of early Cauliflowers 
I have ever grown was this season’s crop, but about 
three weeks before heading in, the persistency with 
which they flagged for several days, indicated that 
a crisis had arrived, but soakings of liquid manure 
and a good mulching seemed to be applied just in 
time to secure the crop. We have had more 
difficulty with Peas, however, the mid-season crops 
in particular. These are annually sown in prepared 
trenches, but besides this advantage heavy waterings 
were necessary to maintain the plants in a healthy 
bearing condition. This, however, could not be 
afforded on account of the extra quantities that had 
to be drawn for vine borders, pot plants, besides 
about 500 gallons at one time to mix with weed 
killer during the height of the drought. 
Kidney Beans with respect to strong growth and 
bearing tiave beaten any previous record. Although 
the lines were 24 in. apart we have had to remove 
every alternate row to enable us to pick off withered 
foliage and old beans. The crop is the earliest since 
1875, when William’s Dwarf Prolific afforded pods 
the last week of July. This season our first dish 
was sent to table on the 21st July from seed sown on 
May 15th of Osborn’s Forcing. 
Referring to fruit crops, all small fruits have been 
satisfactory. Plums are the heaviest we have had 
for ten years. Some young trees of Jefferson’s, 
Kirke’s Seedling, and Victoria in particular, planted 
six years ago have done specially good service, but 
old trees have also afforded heavy crops. Apples in 
orchards also on bush trees and walls have also 
abundant yields. Pears are equally good on walls, 
notably Jargonelle, Bon Chretien, and Marie [Louise. 
— M., Ayrshire. 
-- 
HASTINGS FLOWER 
SHOW. 
The Hastings Horticultural and Floricultural Society 
has unfortunately had a larger percentage of wet 
days than any other in the south of England, but for 
the show held on the 7th inst. better weather could 
not be desired, except perhaps for the excessive heat. 
In every way the show was a success, and the 
Alexandra Park is a much better locale than Warrior 
Square or the Pier. All of the classes were well con¬ 
tested, and the stove plants were particularly bright 
and well grown. The following is a list of the first 
and second prizes in the principal classes open to all 
England:—Stove and greenhouse plants ; eight 
varieties. First, Mr. T. Portnell, gardener to Sir A. 
Lamb. Second, Mr. A. Gadd, gardener to A. 
Eagles, Esq., who was also first for six varieties of 
the same, being followed by J. Warren, Esq., Hand- 
cross Park. Mr. Warren was also first for variegated 
and ornamental plants and exotic Ferns, Mr. E. C. 
Gilbert, of Springfield Nurseries, being a good second 
in both. For a collection of six plants, Mr. J. 
Warren, Mr. T. Portnell, and Mr. E. C. Gilbert took 
honours in the order named. For a specimen foliage 
plant the first and second prizes went to Mr. J. 
Warren and Mr. E. C. Gilbert, this order being 
reversed for a specimen plant in bloom. 
Roses: Twenty-four varieties; first, Messrs. 
Woolard & Son, Lewes ; second, Mr. G. W. Piper, 
Uckfield ; third, A. Slaughter, Esq., Steyning. The 
competition here was very close and far better 
quality blooms than are usually exhibited at this 
show. For twelve varieties JMr C. M. Carter was 
first. Dinner table decorations were well represented, 
the two premier prizes going to Mrs. Morris and Mrs. 
Mole, in the order named. Mr. E. C. Gilbert and 
Mr. A. Gadd shared the honours for a group of 
plants. 
Fruit: Collection of six dishes; first, Mr. T. Port¬ 
nell; second, Mr. J. Snow. Mr. G. Helman, gar¬ 
dener to Viscount Gage, was first for dessert Apples, 
while Mr. W. Allen, gardener to Lord Brassey, took 
similar honours with culinary varieties. Mr. F. 
Crossman, gardener to Captain Dick, was first for 
Black Hamburgh Grapes and also for Whites. Mr. 
J. Snow being a good first for any variety of Black 
Grape. Mr. S. Golding and Mr. F. Crossman took 
first for scarlet and green fleshed Melons respectively. 
For the best system of packing fruit to go per parcels 
post, Mr. W. Robinson., gardener to Mrs. Meryon 
Rye, was first, being followed by Mr. T. J. Mitchell. 
Amateurs and gentlemen’s gardeners. Stove and 
greenhouse: six varieties; first, Mr. T. Portnell, 
gardener to Sir A. Lamb; ditto, four varieties, Mr. 
Morris, gardener to C. J. Ebden Esq., who was also 
first for ornamental foliage plants. Mr. T. Portnell 
was first for a specimen foliage plant and also for 
one in bloom. Roses: first, A. Slaughter, Esq., 
Steyning ; second, Mr. C. M. Carter. Dahlias, 
show and fancy: first, Mr. F. J. Mitchell; Cactus: 
