298 
fHE GARDENING WORLD. January 8, 1898. 
range of houses a recently acquired collection of 
Cacti is accommodated. Clianthus Dampieri in pets 
and planted out was displaying its remarkable 
flowers. The Moss house still contains a collection 
of mosses and various other cryptogams, including 
grand pieces of Todea superba, the Killarney Fern 
and other species of Trichomanes, also Hymeno- 
phyllum and that curious subject named Mespitis, 
which grows best on a living Tree Fern stem. 
Private Houses. 
Passing thence into the pits and private houses we 
noted large batches or sometimes a houseful of such 
things as Chinese Primulas, Streptocarpus, show, 
fancy, and zonal Pelargoniums, Ferns, stove plants, 
Orchids and Poinsettias. Young and old plants of 
the latter had been cut down and grown on with 
three to four fine heads on a plant. Amongst 
Orchids such things as Dendrobium crassinode, D. 
nobile, D. wardianum, Coelogyne cristata, Cattleyas, 
and Miltonias were finishing up excellent growths. 
The cool Odontoglossums were also making good 
headway. A feature in this latter house was an 
edging to the benches of Nepeta Glechoma variegata, 
which huDg down in long and beautifully variegated 
festoons. 
Orchid House. 
Autumn is not the time for the best display of 
Orchids, yet a considerable number were in bloom 
including the curious Pholidota, Dendrobium 
Phalaenopsis, and Oncidium incurvum, with long 
panicles of flowers. Very fragrant was Anguloa 
Clowesii, and handsome were Odontoglossum grande 
and the Swan's Neck Orchid (Cycnoches chloro- 
chilum). Both interesting and always pretty are 
Oncidium dasystyle (the Bee Oncid), O. 
flexuosum, Spathoglottis Fortunei, Masdevallia 
triaristella, Epidendrum cochleatum, and Dendro¬ 
bium thyrsiflorum, the latter being of course showy 
and conspicuous. Passing into the 
Fernery 
We noted a general collection in fine condition ; but 
the house also accommodates collections of insecti¬ 
vorous plants such as Sarracenias and Droseras. 
Conspicuous amongst the latter were D. capensis and 
D. binata. Fine plants of Plumbago capensis were 
trained under the roof, and seemed satisfied with 
their surroundings. For the convenience of the 
public the houses are connected and lead from one 
into the other, the temperature and moisture being 
suited to the several occupants. 
Azalea and Greenhouses. 
Of Azaleas it is interesting to note how well they 
are cared for. Many tall and perfectly pyramidal 
specimens show that they find many admirers 
amongst the good people of St. Mungo. Hybrid 
greenhouse Rhododendrons are represenied by large 
and pyramidally trained specimens of R. Countess 
of Haddington and R. Gibsoni. The porch of this 
house was brightened with Lilium speciosum in 
pots. 
Witsenia corymbosa in a No. i pot, and measuring 
4 ft. to 5 ft. through, was coming into flower the 
second time, and constituted the feature of another 
house. There is a similar plant in the Botanic 
Gardens, Glasnevin, which is slightly larger if any¬ 
thing ; but the two plants are amongst the finest in 
the British Isles. The stem is woody, much 
branched, and bears tufts of leaves on the branches 
like a miniature Iris, and cymes of sky-blue flowers. 
The species might not inaptly be described as a tree 
Iris. Lonicera sempervirens was flowering profusely 
on the roof. Centradenia divaricata is not unlike a 
Myrtle when flowering profusely. The foliage of 
Vitis purpurea was deep purple. The finely trifolio- 
late leaves of Rhus excisa recalled Choisya ternata. 
Succulent House. 
The collection of succulent plants is pretty 
extensive, and amongst them is a fine specimen of 
the Elephant’s Foot (Testitudinaria elephantipes), 
always an object of great curiosity. There are also 
large and well grown plants of Agave Americana (in 
a massive tub), Euphorbia grandidens, the Night 
Flowering Cereus, and the Old Man Cactus (Pilo- 
cereus senilis). Many others are noteworthy of their 
kind, and if their object is to be gaunt, grotesque and 
forbidding to the hands in their respective coats of 
mail, they certainly succeed. 
Palm House. 
A roomy house accommodates many fine Palms 
that are attractive to the general public by reason 
of their majestic heads of feathery or fan-shaped 
leaves always suggestive of tropical countries. 
Sabal blackburniana stands 20 ft. high to the top of 
the fan-shaped leaves, supported by a massive 
trunk. The huge panicles of green and black fruits 
are attractive at all seasons. Livistona chinensis 
belongs to the same group, and is massive beside a 
fine tree of Euterpe edulis having gracefully arching 
leaves of another type. The tall clean stem of Sea- 
forihia elegans carries the head of foliage close to 
the roof. There are several talljtrees of Astrocaryum 
mexicanum whose trunk is always guarded with 
formidable, black spines. The long lianes, charac¬ 
teristic of a tropical forest, are supplied by the sup¬ 
ple and winged stems of Vitis pterophera, leaping 
from point to point of whatever object may be sup¬ 
porting them. Bananas are represented by many tall, 
fruiting stems. Stove Begonias and other fine foli¬ 
age plants occupy some of the side shelves. 
Economic House. 
There is a fine collection of economic plants at 
Glasgow, and if the species are not numerous, the 
plants are in excellent condition. They are planted 
out in the central bed of the house, and afforded 
sufficient room to develop into large, well furnished 
specimens, in many cases fruiting freely. In this 
category may be placed Cinnamomum Cassia, Ficus 
Parcelli, F. Cooperi and F. edulis. The numerous 
orange-red, globular fruits of F. Cooperi were very 
showy. The fruits of F. edulis are produced in 
quantity along the old, leafless portions of the stems. 
There are also tall and vigorous plants of F. reli- 
giosa and the Mango tree. A grand specimen of 
Passiflora quadrangularis was carrying its third 
crop of large, egg-shaped fruits for the season. 
Tropical Fernery. 
A general collection of tropical Ferns was in healthy 
and fresh condition. A special feature of this house 
are the several cork arches on either side of the 
building, and planted with Ferns and various fine 
foliage Begonias. Nothing, however, was better 
done than the healihy and vigorous specimens of 
Gymnogramme schizophylla gloriosa, suspended in 
wire baskets, Maidenhair Ferns in baskets also show 
that a bold attempt has been made to break away 
from the usual formalities of plant houses ; and of 
this we should like to see more. 
Stove and Aroid Houses. 
The usual occupants of the stove are well represented, 
including large and healthy pieces of Anthurium 
Veitchi, A. crystallinum, A. waroequeanum and 
others. Coleus, Dracaenas and Caladiums uphold 
their respective sections, together with a mixed 
assemblage of Begonias. Costus speciosus, by no 
means a common plant, was well flowered ; and the 
same may be said of Thunbergia alata, in orange 
and white varieties. 
Amongst the more notable of the Aroids were large 
and well furnished plants of Anthurium acaule, A. 
Reine de Beiges, with rosy-pink spathes, Caladiums t 
Alocasias, Calatheas and others of that ilk, in healthy 
condition. Vandas, Aerides, and other Orchids, that 
delight in plenty of moisture, occupied the side 
benches. 
Water-Lily House. 
This is devoted to tropical and sub-tropical species 
and varieties such as Nymphaea Lotus ortgiesiana, 
deep red ; N. stellata zanzibarensis, intense blue : N. 
devoniensis, with large and rosy-red flowers; and 
various others, with which the tank was crowded. 
The above, although so late in the season, were still 
flowering. Many kinds of Gourds were trained to 
the rcof, adding greatly to the interesting character 
ot the house. Pitcher plants in pots and baskets 
suspended from the roof, also had congenial quarters 
here. 
Kibble Palace. 
This is practically a temperate house or winter 
garden, but is kept gay at various times of the year 
with such flowering subjects as may be in season. 
It is a large (circular building, with a domed roof, 
and a wing on each of two sides. The circular 
portion is 150 ft. in diameter, so that it is at once a 
prominent and conspicuous feature of the garden, 
and of which the citizens may well feel proud. At 
the time of our visit, the two wings were gay with 
Lilium speciosum, early-flowering Chrysanthemums 
jn pots, Cannas, Fuchsias, tuberous Begonias, 
Pelargoniums, &c Lapagerias, white and red, were 
flowering profusely on the roof overhead. 
The roof of another portion, surmounting a 
fountain and circular basin, is draped with Roses, 
Passionflowers, Lapagerias, and Clematis Henryi, 
all flowering profusely at the time of which we speak. 
The central portion of the dome is not furnished 
with glass, but opaque, and under the shade of this 
a fine collection of tall Tree Ferns in grand condition 
is located. Radial iDg around the Ferns are tall 
plants of various kinds hailiDg from temperate 
countries, and including fine trees of Araucaria 
Bidwilli and A. excelsa; also Rhododendrons, 
Camellias, Acacias, Fuchsias, Aralias, Pittosporums, 
tall trees of Eucalyptus, floriferous specimens of 
Datura sanguine a, and Clerodendron foetidum. A 
large specimen of Acacia decurrens, with fine foliage, 
has pressed itself against the glass till it has assumed 
an umbrella form. There is also a tall and fine tree 
of the fan Palm, Trachycarpus excelsa. Long, 
flowering shoots hung down from a giant Fuchsia 
trained under the roof. Very effective was a large 
bush of Arundinaria falcata having long branches, 
gracefully arching over one of the side walks. There 
is no more rampant climber than Cobaea scandens, 
which here reaches over a great portion of the roof, 
scrambling up, as it were, from the pillars supporting 
the roof, and banging in leafy festoons. A large 
specimen of the night-scented Tobacco, planted out 
in a side border, is not only perennial, but flowers 
all the year round. 
Rockery and Aquatic Ponds. 
In a semi-shade 1 portion of the gardens a rockery 
has been constructed by Mr. D. Dewar, the curator, 
who has been making his influence felt in every 
corner and department of the place. The rockery is 
situated not far from the Kibble Palace. Herba¬ 
ceous and Alpine plants are planted in suitable 
positions, and Ferns occupy the shaded end. In a 
bog bed filled with suitable occupants Primula 
japonica might have been seen flowering entirely out 
of its season, as a result of the abundance of mois¬ 
ture, perhaps, for it was in front of a dripping well. 
Behind the rockery is the hardy Water Lily pond, 
well filled with a collection of Nymphaeas in bloom 
on the occasion cf our visit. A fountain occupies 
the centre of the pond. On higher ground is another 
pond filled with a general collection of hardy 
aquatics, mostly British and including fine clumps of 
the rare Ranunculus Lingua. 
Herbaceous Borders. 
The borders mostly run from the higher grounds 
towards the hothouses, and being public promenades 
are filled with a great variety of showy flowering 
plants. In autumn there were masses of Carnations 
in bloom, also Gladioli, Oenotheras, Golden Rods, 
Michaelmas Daisies, Coreopsis, Godetia, Malva, 
Coronilla, Hypericum, Impatiens Roylei, &c. 
There were also beds of Anemone japonica alba, 
Rudbeckia speciosa, Golden Rod and Galtonia in 
mixture. East Lothian Stocks and other subjects on 
the grass not far from the walks and giving great 
variety. 
Mr. Dewar is to be congratulated on the keeping 
of the gardens which are now a source of great 
attraction to the citizens of Glasgow. He is well 
supported by his foreman in the glass department, 
Mr. James Rourke. 
-«*-- 
BENMOHE, ARGYLLSHIRE, N.B. 
" Where fairy Eck sleeps 'neath the azure dome, 
And Holy Loch lies fringed with silver foam— 
There nestles sweet Benmore, a regal home." 
Benmore, as the above lines indicate, is charmingly 
situated in the vale, or Strath, of Echaig, a delightful 
spot between Lochs Eck and Holy, the overflow of 
the former, in addiiion to the River Masson and 
numerous mountain burns, going to swell the waters 
of the latter. Thus the vale is made musical with 
running water. Great mountains tower upon either 
side, and thus one is reminded of the " Prince of 
Abyssinia," and the “ Happy Valley,” where, "from 
the mountains on every side, rivulets descended that 
filled all the valley with verdure and fertility.” 
Dr. Johnson, then, must have had some such 
scene as this in his mind, when he penned that 
fascinating story concerning Rasselas, and which 
Boswell states he read religiously once a year at 
least. 
Be that as it may, Benmore is a fine structure and 
a fine estate. It is built in the Scotch baronial style, 
and lakes its name from the Gallic " Beiun Mhor," 
which means “ the great hill ”—the great hill attain¬ 
ing an altitude of 2,433 ft. 
The mansion, which is lighted by electricity, is 
occupied by William Younger, Esq , of the celebrated 
