214 
December 4, 189?. 
HIE GARDENING WORLD. 
NOTES FROM THE OPEN FROM 
FORDE ABBEY. 
as to affiliated branches ia England and the Colonies, 
showing that 148 affiliations had already been 
effected, ten of them being since the commencement 
of 1897. Mr. Sanders paid a warm tribute to the 
council and members of the Scottish Horticultural 
Association for the grand reception given and hospi¬ 
tality shown to himself and colleagues from London, 
at the great Edinburgh Festival the previous week. 
Much enthusiasm was evinced when the chairman 
presented the National Challenge Trophy to the 
Bromley and District Chrysanthemum Society, and 
the various medals and awards to the successful 
exhibitors at the recent show. 
In rising to respond to the toast of "Our Able 
Secretary," Mr. Richard Dean was received in a 
manner well befitting the subject of the toast, and he 
announced that the infirmities of age necessitated 
that he should very shortly ask the committee to 
relieve him of some part of the onerous duties 
required from him as secretary and superintendent of 
shows. 
Several toasts and songs pleasantly filled up a long 
evening's entertainment. 
-- 
HOSPITALITY OF THE SCOTTISH 
HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
While the show inaugurated by this association was 
being held the other week, there were English, Scotch, 
and Irish visitors, many of whom were accorded a 
hearty welcome in more ways than one, and who 
will long remember the hospitality accorded them by 
the council of this influential body in the Scottish 
capital. 
On the last day of the show a number of the 
visitors were invited to luncheon in the Royal 
British Hotel, at 1 p.m., when the chair was taken 
by Mr. Robert Laird, the secretary. Several of the 
visitors being about to return to the south and west, 
the opportunity was taken of according them a 
friendly good-bye. Amongst those present on this 
occasion were Messrs. E. Molyneux, R. W. E. 
Murray, W. Mease, A. E. Stubbs, M. Todd (the 
president of the association), D. P. Laird, H. J. 
Jones, T. W. Saunders (chairman of the N.C.S. 
committee), A. Williams (bandmaster of the Grena¬ 
dier Guards), G. M. Ross (secretary of the R.H.S., 
Ireland), and J. Fraser (of The Gardening World). 
After the show was cleared away from the 
Waverley Market, there was another good instance 
of the hospitality of the Scottish Horticultural 
Association, when a number of friends and visitors 
to the show were invited to supper in the Royal 
British Hotel. The president, Mr. M. Todd, 
occupied the chair, and Mr. R. W. E. Murray, 
convener of finance, acted as croupier. Among the 
guests assembled were Messrs. A. Mackenzie (trea¬ 
surer), James Grieve, James Grieve, Junr., H. J. 
Jones, Greig, Proctor, D. P. Laird (of Messrs Laird 
& Sons, Edinburgh), A. E. Stubbs, Robert Laird, 
Wm. Mickinnon (of Mr. John Downie, Edinburgh), 
A. Milne, and J. Fraser. 
Speeches were made by several of the gentlemen 
present during the course of the evening, when it 
transrired that the idea of organising a society in 
Edinburgh originated with Mr. McMillan of that 
city. The idea was taken up, and greatly augmented 
by Mr. Carruthers, of Corstorphine, the outcome 
being the establishment and evolution of the Scottish 
Horticultural Association. The latter gentleman, 
being unfortunately unwell, was unable to be present 
at the show. 
Mr. James Grieve made a humorous speech, 
according to bis wont on such occasions, during 
which he remarked that Mr. R. W. E. Murray was 
the only man who had a railway station in his 
“ garding." The latter, it may be remembered, was 
the amateur who took the Gold Medal of the associa¬ 
tion for twelve vases of Chrysanthemums. A railway 
runs through his garden, with a station actually 
in it. 
Bandmaster A. Williams, on leaving Edinburgh 
on Saturday night (the last day of the show) was 
made the recipient of a handsome bouquet of Chrys¬ 
anthemums. He returned a message of thanks to 
the council of the association, this being appropri¬ 
ately delivered at the supper table during the course 
of the evening. Many invitations were given the 
association by members of other societies anxious to 
reciprocate the kindness and hospitality accorded 
them by this flourishing horticultural body at the 
Scottish capiml. 
October has been a glorious month. It is astonish¬ 
ing what lessons we learn from such autumns as the 
one we are passing through. It is seldom we get 
such autumns as this one, although when one comes 
to look back over forty years there have been several 
in that time, and there-occurring of each teaches one 
some important lessons. 
This has been brought forcibly to my notice, 
as I look on the hardy plant borders and 
notice what a fine display has been made for the 
last few weeks with the Michaelmas Daisies or 
Asters. I never remember seeing these so fine as 
they have been this year in borders, amongst shrubs, 
aad growing out of the turf in the wild garden. We 
grow them in all of these positions, and all have 
their recommendation. 
Many cultivators think the plants must have a 
good “ lander.” By giving them this the blooms are 
large, but then the tall-growing kinds get too high to 
be effective. 
We grow about a dozen of the best kinds. Some 
are more adapted for growing out in the turf than 
others, by reason of their stronger habit and more 
rigid nature. We have some that have been growing 
in the same position for the last eight years in the 
turf, which have had no assistance in the way of feed¬ 
ing, and yet at the present time (October 27th) are 
a mass of blue flowers. 
Amongst the best for this system of culture is 
Robert Parker. 
Lobelia Cardinalis Queen Victoria has had 
a good time, and given a good account of itself. 
Growing in clumps amongst Dwarf Roses, the 
effect has been good, the bronze foliage and red 
blooms contrasting grandly with the Rose leaves. 
This plant deserves to be more grown. It is readily 
raised from seed, which is by far the best way. 
This autumn has taught me the value of the 
old saying, namely " that it is not wise to carry all 
your eggs in one basket,” and I say it is not wise to 
depend on one sowing of many things. This is 
especially true of Dianthuses; the late sowing has 
given us splendid material to cut from during the 
last six or eight weeks, and few things are more use¬ 
ful. What can be more beautiful than the double 
white or the single crimson forms, and they stand 
a long time in a cut state. If you want them good 
obtain seed from the best source ; the plants grow 
well and few things outdistance them. 
Phlox Drummondi never gave better returns 
than this year, and the continuing of their blooming 
is a very strong recommendation to them. I find 
them most useful for table decoration when used in 
separate colours. This evening I used some white 
and coloured ones with good effect. I grow them in 
batches of separate colours, obtaining the best seed I 
can get, regardless of cost, and grow only self 
colours, and those with a clear eye. 
Border Chrysanthemums give a bright effect 
in themselves, and when used amongst other hardy 
plants that are gone over, they are most valuable. 
There are so many good s^rts now to be had that 
there is no excuse for not growing them. 
A bed of bright yellow Chrysanthemum Precocite 
and white Scabious is now most effective. 
It is seldom one sees Dahlias and Chrysanthe¬ 
mums of the Japanese section blooming at this time 
of year together. But this may been seen in many 
places, and in cottage gardens in this neighbourhood, 
and they associate well together. 
I was astonished to see how well the Dahlias were 
in bloom in the cottage gardens in our village to-day. 
There seems to be a great love for these flowers 
amongst cottagers. Every cottage can boast of some 
six or eight colours. 
In tender plants a season like this teaches one the 
advantage of being able to cover any tender things 
such as Begonias and things of this class. By so 
doing for a few nights a few weeks ago we have been 
keeping our beds gay, and now at the end of October 
they are very bright. 
Salvias deserve to be more planted in warm, 
sheltered spots. Amongst the best are S. Pitcherii, 
S. Bethelii, and S splendens, and although they do 
not begin to bloom till the autumn, they produce a 
bright picture when they are in flower. We have 
some big plants growing in a narrow border in front 
of the Abbey, from 3 ft. to 4 ft. across, of these kinds, 
and nothing could be more lovely than these three 
colours—pink, blue, and bright scarlet. If the 
severe frost keeps off they will continue a long time 
in beauty. 
Agathea coelestis deserves notice at this season, as 
does also Sternbergia lutea. Mina lobata is blooming 
fine here in a sunny spot, and the Canary Creeper, 
grown over Sweet Pea stumps and on the stakes, is a 
glorious mass of yellow. 
In the kitchen-garden much is learnt by observa¬ 
tions, and here, too, the same thing applies : you 
must not depend on any one sowing. 
No two seasons could have differed more than this 
and last in our garden as to Winter Spinach. We sowed 
three times last year, and tne last sowing was not 
strong enough to be of use. The two first sowings 
gave good returns ; but this year the last sowing will 
be most valuable, as the others are too forward if we 
get severe cold. 
All the late-planted Cabbage and Cauliflower will 
be the most useful. Everything has grown so fast 
that Veitch's Autumn Giant Cauliflower, planted 
after Potatos were lifted, is now too forward and has 
heads a foot across. 
Late Turnips will be most valuable, as they are 
growing fast. Endive is looking splendid, and if 
stored in frames before frost cuts it, there will be 
abundance of this most valuable winter salad. 
Lettuces have grown too fast. Those we intended 
to stand the winter have grown too big, and we are 
now planting again from a later sowing. 
It has been a fine time to allow late Pears and 
Apples to hang on the trees to ripen ; Pear Winter 
Nelis I gathered on the 25th, and hope to allow 
Easter Beurre and Josephine de Malines to hang 
till November. I find all mid-season kinds coming 
into use too fast, as the store house cannot be kept 
cold. 
I never remember seeing the foliage die off such a 
high colour. Some of the shades of crimson and 
yellow are most gorgeous and seldom have the bees 
had such a good time for working the Ivy bloom. 
Over the abbey there is a good deal of Ivy, and the 
air is in a hum with bees working the bloom.—/. C., 
Chard. 
- 4 *- 
MARKET GARDENING IN THE 
QUEEN’S REIGN. 
(Concluded from f. 197/ 
Grapes —Over a thousands tons of Grapes are 
marketed each year. The favourite varieties are 
Black Hamburgh, Gros Colman, and Madresfield 
Court. 
Tomatos are marketed at the rate of 6,000 
tons a year. The old wrinkled varieties have dis¬ 
appeared, and their places have been taken by fruits 
of the Perfection type. Seedlings of Challenger, 
Trophy, and Chemin Rouge are amongst the best. 
Cucumbers are sold at the rate of about 500,000 
dozen annually. There is a considerable export 
trade in Cucumbers. Telegraph and the white- 
spined varieties dominate the market. 
Peaches and Nectarines are grown, but there 
is comparatively little profit attached to them. The 
best fruit will always fetch a high price, but the 
greater part of the fruit is allowed to get too ripe 
before it is gathered for market. 
Flowers. 
The crowning point of modern gardening is shown 
in the rise and progress of flower culture for market. 
No comparison can be drawn in this respect between 
1837 and 1897. We make an increased outlay upon 
flowers, for they are as much the occupants of the 
sick room and the humble lodging as they are 
necessities at the highest of social functions— the 
Drawing Room ; in fact, flowers are Nature’s most 
charming production. 
From the Snowdrop in early spring we pass on to 
the Violets, Narcissi, Pinks, Stocks, and Roses, and 
from them to the Dahlias and Chrysanthemums of 
autumn. In the spring, too, thousands of rooted 
plants are daily sold. 
Hothouse Flowers and Plants are becoming 
more and more in demand. Palms, for instance, 
have vastly increased in quantity, and decreased in 
price since our home growers have found that they 
can raise them without the help of the Continental 
cultivator. 
The grower of flowers for market has to com¬ 
pete not only with foreign competition (from the 
Riviera particularly), but also wilh the surplus 
material from private gardens which is not infre¬ 
quently sent to market. The Narcissus trade of the 
