October 30, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
137 
MUSA CAVENDISHII. 
The accompanying illustration was prepared from 
a photograph sent us by Mr.H W. Sharman, gardener 
to Mrs. Ernald Smith, The Oaks, Emsworth, 
Hants, about the beginning of the present month. 
The Bananas are grown in a span-roofed house, in a 
winter temperature of 6o° to 65°, but during summer 
it is not allowed to drop below 70°. They get no 
bottom heat. The plants are growing in a bed of 
stiff loam, two feet deep, and get no artificial manure, 
the only feeding they receive being liquid cow 
manure occasionally. 
The larger bunch is on a plant which came up as 
as a sucker in November 1896. This bunch was 
ripe about the time the photograph was sent, and 
carried 152 perfect fruits of very equal size. One 
fruit weighed 7 ozs.; 12 fruits, 5$ lbs; and 24 fruits 
10 lbs. The smaller bunch is on a stem which came 
up as a sucker in February 1897, and carries 137 per¬ 
fect fruits. It will thus be seen that neither of the 
fruiting stems are yet 12 months old. At the base 
of each of them suckers are now being thrown up, 
and these will no doubt flower and fruit next year. 
Those who have seen the plants growing are of 
shape ripening off to a brilliant red. The flesh is 
solid and crystalised—and the flavour—well, Tomato 
epicures will appreciate that tco, and smack their 
lips with gusto. I have had fifty in pots on green¬ 
house shelves, and finer fruit I never grew nor saw, 
some turning the scale over the pound. Many 
friends who have seen the crop, exclaimed, " Oh ! I 
say. There now; these are something like.” With 
the result—" What yer call it, please ? Fine for the 
exhibitor.”— B. Lockwood, Lindley, October 6th. 
-- 
BATTERSEA PARK. 
" Battersea Park for Beauty” is an association of 
ideas that may be often heard amongst those who are 
fond of comparing with each other the parks and 
open spaces of our great metropolis. Certain it is, 
however, that this park has many very fine features, 
and it enjoys a popularity that is not entirely the re¬ 
sult of the fine cycling road which encloses so many 
of its broad acres, and upon which, every fine day, 
may be seen all sorts and conditions of men, women 
and children besporting themselves upon the ubiquit¬ 
ous wheel. 
colour is forthcoming, furnished by a host of subjects 
too numerous to mention. 
The large oblong bed immediately facing the 
Queen's Road Gate is filled with dwarf Roses which 
have been blooming freely all the summer. They are 
now rather shabby, but their decadence is covered 
by numerous plants of Anemone japonica alba which 
have been freely interspersed with the Roses. These 
are enclosed by a broad band of early flowering 
Chrysanthemums, and passing from thence to the 
edging we find bands of pink flowered zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums, the charming P. Flower of Spring, 
Golden Feather, blue Lobelia, and Echeveria 
secunda glauca. 
As we pass into the park, and skirt the margins of 
the lake (on which, by the way, during the summer 
months Battersea people go through various aquatic 
evolutions of greater or less danger with a view, 
evidently, of capsizing themselves and as many 
more as possible), we pass some well executed 
carpet beds. These naturally, have been afflicted 
with the jubilee craze that has fastened itself on 
everything British. The execution in this case is, 
however, capital, and the crown, V.R., and the dates 
Musa Cavendishi!, 
opinion that Bananas are at home at The Oaks, 
Emsworth, and many another gardener would doubt¬ 
lessly agree that Bananas cannot be grown, fruited 
and matured in much shorter time. We congratu¬ 
late Mr. Sharman on his success. 
--- 
TOMATO, CLIBRAN’S. 
Anyone bent on change or additions naturally scans 
the seed catalogues, which pay their periodical visits, 
containing elaborate descriptions by the dozen, and 
amounting to columns in area. Overhauling and 
comparison mentally takes place as to which will be 
best for a set purpose, some sorts being found 
wanting, whilst others just pass muster. With 
wisdom born of experience, one or a few old sorts 
are reinstated, then down goes the mark opposite for 
supply packets of the new sorts, and in the mass of 
surrounding professed new varieties, fortunate is he 
who can drop on the right one. 
In the above Tomato we have a decided aquisi- 
tion. The vines are short-jointed, strong, and 
vigorous in growth ; the flowers set exceedingly well, 
fine trusses as a matter of course following. The 
individual fruits are large, smooth, and of handsome 
In addition to the broad and well kept road referred 
to there are many quieter walks and promenades 
winding about in all directions, and on all sides we 
find evidence that much taste, and skill are employed 
in the filling of the various beds and borders which 
adorn the grounds. The various entrances are 
especially bright spots, and special efforts have 
evidently been made to render them attractive to the 
public. Thus the gate near to the Albert Bridge 
shows a 6 ft. herbaceous border flanking it on either 
side, and running round with a bold sweep for some 
distance each way. There, behind an edging of 
zonal Pelargonium Golden Harry Hieover.is a collec¬ 
tion of herbaceous plants, amongst which perennial 
Asters and Sunflowers are very conspicuous. In the 
front ranks bold clumps of Sedum spectabile were very 
effective in the declining glory of the latter end of 
September. The Queen’s Road entrance is the one, 
however, upon which the greatest pains have been 
displayed. There in the flanking borders long lines 
of Cineraria maritima, Golden Pyrethrum, yellow 
Calceolarias, and the dark crimson-purple foliage of 
ornamental Beet show up strongly, whilst in the 
borders that line the path leading sharply to the 
right after passing through the gate plenty of floral 
1837 and 897, are very well done, Alternantheras in 
various colours being abundantly used. 
Subtropical gardening is really the feature of the 
bedding in Battersea Park,and the number of subjects 
that are made use of is very great and covers a wide 
range of style and habit. Here and there, where occa¬ 
sion offers, or taste suggests it, Palms of various sizes 
are plunged in the grass. One corner, close to the sub¬ 
tropical garden proper, is devoted to a collection of 
such plants. A high bank, in shape like a narrow 
horse shoe is thickly covered with this class of 
plants, that include Phoenix sylvestris, P. reclinata, 
Geonoma Seemani, Kentia australis, Musas, Cycas 
revoluta, Zamia horrida and Dracaena umbracu- 
lifera. In the miniature valley enclosed by the bank 
are studded Asplenium bulbiferum in quantity, 
Platycerium alcicorne, and Aspidium falcatum. 
Two pieces of Monstera deliciosa represent a plant 
that is very rarely seen outside a stove. 
The two prettiest beds in the park, according to 
our fancy, are to be seen on the eastern side of the 
sub-tropical garden. They are oval in shape and of 
medium size. The style of bedding may be said to be 
half-way between carpet bedding proper, and the 
freer sub-tropical method. Dot plants are very 
