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THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 2, 1897. 
Amongst a fine collection of late flowering 
Phloxes, that named Etna stands out con¬ 
spicuously by reason of its large and 
brilliant scarlet flowers. Many other varie¬ 
ties are notable for the handsome pro¬ 
portions both of their spikes and flowers. 
We were particularly pleased with a 
vigorous well flowered piece of the purple 
Rudbeckia purpurea. The double R. lacin- 
iata Golden Glow and R. californica also do 
well here. A rich strain of Pentstemons, 
splendidly grown, is always a feature of this 
garden. A large plantation of Salpiglossis 
in a gorgeous array of colours should go far 
to make this garden race of flowers popular. 
Every plant stands 3 ft. high. Hollyhocks 
in a variety of colours add their quota to 
the display. The yellow Statice Bonduelli 
is strikingly distinct, but has not yet attained 
that popularity enjoyed by S. Sewerzowi, 
also grown here. Hydrangea paniculata 
grandiflora flowers profusely. 
Tall Lobelias of the L. splendens type, 
but mostly hybrids have for some years re¬ 
ceived considerable attention, and some of 
them have been honoured with certificates 
from the Royal Horticultural Society, 
including Carmine Gem, of which there is a 
bed. Both it and Crimsom Gem have dark 
foliage, and the colour of their flowers is 
well indicated by their names. Queen 
Victoria is of branching habit with scarlet 
flowers. Truly this splendid race deserves 
more extended cultivation. The glaucous 
foliage of Lonicera splendida climbing over 
an arch makes it very noticeable. A plan¬ 
tation of Montbretias shows that the half¬ 
hearted treatment given this race of plants 
in comparatively recent years has been 
entirely overcome, and that their proper 
position is in the open ground, where they 
give a profusion of flowers second to none in 
their beauty and usefulness for cut flower 
purposes. Eldorado has orange-scarlet 
flowers; Crocosmiaeflora, orange ; and 
Etoile de Feu, darker orange. A bed of the 
handsome Pentstemon barbatus bespeaks 
the treatment it receives, for the stems are 
3 ft. to 5 ft. high. The white Anemone 
japonica alba, and the rose A j. elegans, 
also produce a rich harvest of blossom. 
Gladioli have long been favourites here, and 
the many varieties grown, flower profusely. 
A fine form of Chrysanthemum latifolium 
develops flowers of handsome size. 
Some large beds in front of and between 
the glasshouses always constitute an inter¬ 
esting part of the garden, on account of the 
specialities with which they are adorned. A 
large bed is occupied with the pink Crinum 
Powelli and C P. album, both rare hybrids, 
particulatly the white one. The first-named 
was honoured with a First-class Certificate 
in 1886, and the white variety last summer. 
The flowering stems of the beautiful Ere- 
murus Bungei attain a height of 5 ft here. 
The fine new race of large flowering 
Cannas of the Madame Crozy type are 
grown in great variety and attain to won¬ 
derful perfection in the open. Formerly we 
were led to believe that Streptosolen Jame- 
soni could only be grown and flowered 
successfully in pots with special treatment, 
but the massive bushes in the open ground 
have literally been aglow for weeks. It is, 
indeed, a bedding plant of the first water, 
for southern gardens at Hast. A collection 
of hardy young Water Lilies is being 
established in tubs by the side of the beds 
we have just been mentioning. Lilium 
auratum and L. tigrinum attain perfection 
amongst a plantation of Azaleas. 
Between the mansion and the River 
Mole, and isolated on the smooth shaven 
turf is a small but neat tank of aquatics, 
chiefly Water Lilies. It is elevated a little 
above the general level, so that it serves to 
attract the notice of visitors and invite 
inspection. Amongst those in flower at the 
time of our visit were the massive 
Nymphaea marliacea alba, white, slightly 
tinted pink; N. m. carnea, flesh-coloured; 
and N. Chromatella, of a clear, soft yellow. 
The blue Pontederia azureais also a pretty, 
hardy aquatic. The tank is of wavy out¬ 
line, and tuberous Begonias are very 
effectively employed in the recesses or bays 
outside the walls that retain the water. 
Two beds of night-scented Tobacco are 
planted against the wall of the mansion, 
where they could hardly do otherwise than 
make their presence felt during the cool and 
dewy twilight hour. A short distance away 
on the soft and smooth turf are interesting 
and attractive beds of tuberous Begonias, 
Fuchsias, and fragrant Heliotrope. 
«l< - 
Heavy falls of snow have taken place recently in 
various parts of France. 
The Crystal Palace is not being sold to a syndicate. 
The rumour has been declared by Mr. W. Gardiner, 
Secretary to the Crystal Palace Company, to be 
absolutely without foundation. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society. 
—The anniversary dinner of this society will be held 
at the Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn, London, 
on Tuesday, 12th October, at 6 for 6.30 p.m. As 
was announced last year Mr. H. B. May will preside, 
when we hope he will be well supported by the 
gardening fraternity and all interested in this useful 
benefit society. 
Poisoned by Fruits from American Blackberry. —A 
friend told me a few days ago that one of his young 
men managed to scratch his arm a short time ago 
with this Blackberry, the result being that he had to 
seek medical aid. The doctor said that had the scratch 
been higher up the arm it would probably have 
proved fatal. Have any readers ever had such an 
experience with a scratch from this or any cultivated 
Blackberry ? Or is it likely that blood poisoning was 
caused by accidental introduction of some microbe 
into the wound caused by the Bramble ?— A. P. 
Honour to whom honour is due. —In relation to a 
paragraph in our last issue under this heading, we 
are pleased to be in the position to give a copy of 
the illuminated address presented to Mr. A. Outram 
for his services at the Borough of Hanley Show. It 
is as follows : — 
County Borough of Hanley. 
First Horticultural Fete in Hanley Park, Wednes¬ 
day and Thursday, 7th and 8th July, 1897. 
The thanks of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses 
of this County Borough are tendered to — 
Mr. Outram, 
for his valuable aid and assistance ia making the 
fete the success it has proved. Hoping to have the 
benefit of similar assistance on future occasions. 
Mr. James Dobbie, oT Rothesay.—During the course 
of our peregrinations in the West of Scotland, we 
found time to call upon this noted Scotch florist, 
the real Mr. Dobbie, as he is frequently styled. He 
was the founder of the well-known firm of Messrs. 
Dobbie & Co., but retired altogether from business 
some years ago, and now lives in one of the beauti¬ 
ful, commodious, and recently-built villas on the 
wooded hill side above the beautiful Bay of Rothe¬ 
say, on that side of the borough stretching towards 
Craigmore. We were sorry to find him confined to 
bed owing to an accidental injury to his leg. But 
though retired from business and confined to bed, 
he was otherwise hale, hearty, and as enthusiastic as 
ever over his favourite flowers and vegetables. It is 
contrary to his nature to remain idle for any length 
of time, and he finds both employment and pleasure 
in the ample garden surrounding his villa. He also 
carries on experiments of various kinds, and is very 
highly interested in the problem of preventing or 
remedying the Potato disease. He feels confident 
of discovering some method that will prove of 
service to Potato growers. It is to his active and 
enthusiastic nature that he owes a green old age, and 
that heartiness which has endeared him to a wide 
circle of friends. He is still as good as his portrait, 
which appeared iu The Gardening World on the 
31st December, 1887, that is, close on ten years ago. 
Immense timber forests have been discovered in 
Labrador by an American syndicate, which intends 
taking a lease of the tracts from the colony of New¬ 
foundland, and to commence operations next year. 
Edinburgh Show.—In another column we repro¬ 
duce the portrait of the winner of the Diamond 
Jubilee Competition at this show for the best table 
of fruit arranged for effect. The competition ex¬ 
cited much interest, and the fact that, apart from 
many other reasons, our readers will, we feel sure, 
welcome that doughty champion of Lambton— 
Mr. James Hunter—in our gallery of portraits of 
men of the day. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.—At 
the monthly meeting of this body on the 5th ult., in 
the Casino, Ghent, Certificates of Merit were 
accorded to a lot of three Sonerillas, presented by 
M. L. De Smet-Duvivier; to Sobralia xantholeuca, 
presented by M. le Marquis de Wavrin (with 
unanimity) ; to Beaufortia purpurea, Chironia 
exifera and Chironia floribunda, all presented by M. 
E. Beddinghaus; and to a lot of cut flowers of 
Begonias, with double flowers, presented by M. 
Ernest de Clercq. Some certificates were also 
awarded for culture and flowering, and some honour¬ 
able mentions made. 
Shirley Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—The monthly meeting of the above Society 
was held at the Parish Room, Shirley, Southampton, 
on the 20th inst., Mr. B. Ladhams, F.R.H.S., pre¬ 
siding over a good attendance of members. There 
was an exhibition of vegetables for medals kindly 
given by Messrs. Toogood & Sons, Seedsmen, 
Southampton, and there were seven competitors for 
the four Medals. Mr. J. W. Mitchell, gardener to 
J. W. Fleming, Esq., Chilworth, was awarded first 
prize, Certificate, and Silver Medal; Mr. H. Curtis, 
gardener to W. F. G. Spranger, Esq., Southampton, 
was second (Bronze Medal) ; Mr. W. Risbridger, 
gardener to C. Stuart Menteth, Esq , J.P., Rown- 
hams Mount, was third (Bronze Medal). The 
prizes were for six sorts of vegetables, open to all. 
For three sorts of vegetables, open to cottagers only, 
Mr. J. R. Cole was first, receiving a Bronze Medal. 
There was a first-class show of Dahlia blossoms, 
some very good fruits and Tomatos, and hardy herba¬ 
ceous cut flowers. Mrs. Keates, Rownhams House, 
(gardener, Mr. W. G. Bushell), was awarded a 
Certificate for a seedling Potato, a cross between 
Schoolmaster and Beauty of Hebron. There was 
an interesting and useful discussion on the exhibits 
joined in by a number of the members. The annua! 
excursion of the members will take place on the 2nd 
of October to the Crystal Palace, when it is hoped 
a good number will be present. 
" Fruit Culture in Her Majesty's Reign, 1837 - 97 ."— 
This was the subject of the paper read by Mr. 
George Bunyard, of Maidstone, on the afternoon of 
the first day of the exhibition of British-grown fruit 
at the Crystal Palace on the 30th September. He 
commenced by asking the audience to follow him 
into a garden of 1837. He reviewed the system of 
culture then in vogue, stating the sorts with which a 
garden of that period would be furnished, both of 
wall trees, espaliers, and flowering shrubs. The 
leading fruit tree growers of that time were then 
mentioned by name, and sketches given of the intro¬ 
duction of Continental novelties and ways of culture. 
The grand work done by the late Thomas Rivers 
was touched upon, and the increase of glass culture 
in the " forties ” and “ fifties ” alluded to. Passing 
to more recent times, allusion was made to the good 
work done at Chiswick under Mr. Barion, especially 
the first Apple Conference. The reader then spoke 
of other workers in the field, both by pen and 
practice, and paid a tribute to the activity and ex¬ 
cellent work done by the trade and the Fruit Com¬ 
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society. He 
concluded with carefully compiled lists in the form 
of appendices of the fruits of 1837 now * n culture-, of 
the fruits certificated by the Royal Horticultural 
Society in the sixty years ; of other notable fruits of 
the period, with the dates of introduction of the best 
of those, put into commerce; and gave a list of the 
best fruits in 1841 taken from a leading gardening 
paper. The pomological literature of the period was 
also reviewed. Altogether, a mass of valuable 
information, historical and otherwise relating to the 
Queen’s reign, was got together, 
