January 29, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
347 
Cattleya Trianaei Atalanta.—Delicately pretty 
are the colours of this Cattleya now flowering with 
William Handel CancoD, Esq., Vanda Lodge, 
Whitton Read, Twickenham. The flowers measure 
74 lns - across the expanded petals, which is a fine 
size for a form of C. Trianaei. Each petal is 
in. in diameter, and of a delicate blush, fading off 
almost to white at the base. The sepals are paler, 
being almost white. The lip is 3J ins. long, the 
elongated tube aod the lamina being several shades 
darker than the petals. The customary blotch in 
the throat is lemon-yellow passing into white at 
either side low down in the tube. Coming at this 
early period of the year the flowers are doubly wel¬ 
come, after the dense fogs that have been so preva¬ 
lent for some time past along the Valley of the 
Thames. Mr. Cannon, by the way, is an 
enthusiastic lover and collector of Orchids. 
— - a - 
TROPAEOLUM SPECIOSUM. 
My friend, C. B. G., does not seem able to associate 
Tropaeolum speciosum in flower with Nature in her 
sunniest and best mood, and growing in soils re¬ 
markable for their light and porous character. He is 
a man of wide experience and never loses an opportu¬ 
nity of adding to his varied store of knowledge. I 
hope he will preserve one day in his engagement 
book (I know he is a busy maD) next summer, and 
together we will go (like tbe two friends of whom 
Tennyson sings)—not to see the gardener’s daugh¬ 
ter—but to see the Flame Flower, growing and 
flowering in a district where a fine day is not so re¬ 
markable a phenomenon as to deserve recording. 
It may interest C. B. G. to know that since his 
note appeared, a friend gave me a tuber of this 
plant, and she herself acquired her stock (which she 
has not yet succeeded in flowering, in a back-yard 
almost within a stone’s throw of Kew Gardens) 
from a cottage garden in Egbam, also in Surrey 
where she saw it, admired, and duly received some 
roots. So I am not without hope that in Middlesex 
I may be able to flower it, and that when C. B. G. 
pays me another visit he will be able to enjoy a 
sight of the Flame Flower, without burdening him¬ 
self with his umbrella or mackintosh—zL P. 
-- 
BINROCK, DUNDEE. 
Like many another busy industrial city in the 
United Kingdom, Dundee is growing at such a rate 
that, one after another, suburban residences get 
absorbed. Binrock may, however, still be con¬ 
sidered in the suburbs of Dundee, as it is situated on 
the Perth Road, at the extreme western end of the 
city, and is the residence of W. L. Boase, Esq. 
Formerly it belonged to James Keillor, Esq., of marma¬ 
lade fame, and, needless to say, it is still a well fur¬ 
nished and well appointed place. The mansion itself 
is a conspicuous pile, and like the gardens and 
grounds, situated on the steeply sloping banks of the 
Tay, or they may be described as situated upon 
terraces, the lowest one of which has practically 
been reclaimed from the bed of the river, and grows 
splendid vegetables. Trees have been planted with 
great liberality, so that the estate is now beautifully 
sheltered, shaded and secluded, notwithstanding the 
proximity of the much-frequented highway to Perth 
and other places on the northern side. 
We had the pleasure of inspecting it at the end of 
November last after the effects of the summer season 
were past, and the shows were over ; so that the place 
could hardly have been visited at a more unpro- 
pitious time. We were delighted with the natural 
beauty, as well as the keeping of the place, however, 
and considered the time well spent by an 
inspection of the same. From most parts of the 
grounds a grand prospect of hills and water opens to 
the eye of the beholder, including the broad estuary 
of the Tay, the Tay Bridge, and the towns of New¬ 
port and Wormit on the Fife side of the river, which 
rises steeply forming hills of no mean height, with 
commanding residences, thickly planted on the 
slopes. 
Mr. A. C. Cameron, the gardener, is young and 
enthusiastic, being an ardent and successful exhibitor 
of fruits, flowers and vegetables. We have on several 
occasions seen his fine exhibits of the latter, in the 
cultivation of which he is a champion. For the 
decoration of the place he grows Carnations largely in 
summer, and Chrysanthemums for autumn and 
winter work. Gf the latter he had something 
between 600 and 700 in pots, including large flower¬ 
ing, pompon and single varieties, many of which are 
grown in bush form for decorative purposes. 
On entering the houses we noted that they were 
furnished with strong slate stages, resting upon up¬ 
right iron supports. This arrangement enables 
everything to be kept neat and clean. Single 
Chrysanthemums are favourites, the first house 
entered containing numerous varieties, amongst 
which we noted Dolly Vardon, amaranth, free and 
pretty ; floriferous bushes of Mary Anderson ; and 
Miss Rose, 2 ft. high, and laden with blossom. 
Golden Rosinante is a golden and bronze pompon ; 
and the decorative L’lsle des Plaisirs was only 3 ft. 
high. 
Next to this came a Peach house having borders 
3 ft. wide, 3 ft. deep and wholly inside, being for 
early work. A fine batch of Cinerarias in 24-size 
pots was housed here. A vinery was also in the rest¬ 
ing stage, and the borders, again inside, were 5 ft. 
wide and 3 ft. deep. Single Chrysanthem ums were 
the feature of it at the time of our visit. Very pretty 
was Miss Annie Holden, a yellow sport from Mary 
Anderson. Other handsome and highly ornamental 
kinds were Gus Harris, rose ; Jenny Wren, buff red ; 
Emily Wells, rose and white, or blush at the base of 
the rays; S. Arthur Rose, deep yellow ; S. Treasure, 
golden yellow, and a little smaller than the last 
named; and Crimson Gem which is well named. 
Purity is pure white, semi-double and very 
pretty. Amongst large flowering kinds we noted a 
good batch of Mme. Carnot intended for late work, 
the terminal buds having been taken. Fine heads 
were just then developing. C. H. Curtis carried 
larger blooms than any at the Dundee show. 
Niveus is almost an incurved Japanese sort as 
grown here. 
The stove contained a fine collection of flowering 
and foliage plants. Musa Cavendishii was grown in 
tubs. Eucharis grandiflora was flowe ring freely. 
The leaves of Alocasia Lowii were of unusual size, 
and in fine condition. Geonoma gracilis stood 7 ft. 
high to the apex of the leaves, quite an unusual 
thing for this species. Cocos weddeliana was in all 
respects similar in size, and in healthy condition. A 
well-furnished piece of Goniophlebium subauricula- 
tum was suspended from the roof. 
Ferns are evidently great favourites at Binrock, 
for a large number of them were of unusual size for 
modern private establishments. Davallia elegans 
dissecta, grown in a basket, measured about 3| ft. 
across, and D. fijiensis plumosa was 5 ft. across the 
fronds. The beautiful dark green-leaved D. Tyer- 
manni is often seen in bad condition but here it bad 
a spread of 3 ft., and was in grand order. Very fine 
also was D. bullata, about 3J ft. wide in a basket. 
The well-known Microlepia hirta cristata measured 
8 ft. across the fronds. 
Space is a matter of some consideration here, and 
every glass structure is utilised to the best advan¬ 
tage. One had been filled with Tomatos during the 
past summer, Chrysanthemums in the autumD, and 
Richardias in winter. Marechal Niel Roses, put in 
pots last spring, had thrown up stems 20 ft. in length 
by November last. 
The fruit trees in the orchard house are grown in 
tubs, and, therefore, movable at pleasure. Of 
Peaches and Nectarines there are seventeen fine 
trees, which ripen their fruits in the order of the 
following names:—Early Alexander, Waterloo, 
Crimson Galande, Stirling Castle, Dr. Hogg, Glad¬ 
stone, Barrington, and Admirable. The favourite 
Nectarines are Lord Napier and Elruge. All of 
these varieties give excellent results at Binrock. 
Pears and Figs are also grown under the same 
conditions. 
Near by the great conservatory is a house devoted 
to Cinerarias and Chinese Primulas, both of which 
were coming into bloom. Primula obconica is hardly 
ever out of season. The conservatory is fitted up 
with the electric light, being one of the finest, if not 
the finest installation in Scotland. The engine 
which supplies the motive force is of 22 horse power, 
and there are seventy storage cells of large size. 
One end of the structure abuts against the mansion, 
while the other is curvilinear, and directed towards 
the Tay. The framework is of iron, and on the ridge is 
a massive lantern. The walks around the central 
bed of the conservatory are paved with white 
tesserae, and ornamented at the sides with lines of 
coloured ones. Around the central bed is an orna¬ 
mental wall, 27 in. high, of brown enamelled bricks. 
Iron gratings occupy the space beneath the side 
stages. The wall of the mansion forming the 
northern end of the conservatory is covered with 
wire, and padded with soil and moss, in which a 
great variety of fine foliage plants is grown, includ¬ 
ing long trails of Tradescantias. There are also 
Begonias of the Rex type, as well as those related to 
B. corallina; also Ferns, Chlorophytum elatum 
variegatum, Aspidistras, and many others which 
prove suitable for this kind of work. As the con¬ 
servatory is wide and very high, there is a large area 
to cover in the way just described. 
The body of the house is filled with large plants in 
tubs, including massive specimens of Areca Baueri 
and Livistona chinensis, with long and healthy 
leaves. Phoenix reclinata keeps throwing up 
numerous suckers from the base. Monstera deli- 
ciosa, Tree Ferns, Ficus, Eucalyptus globulus also 
occupy a considerable amount of space. The last- 
named tree is trained up the iron rafters of the 
house. A magnificent effect is produced here, when 
the electric light is switched on at garden parties or 
other functions. 
The forcing of Bulbs such as Roman Hyacinths, 
Tulips, and other spring flowers is carried "out very 
extensively here ; and to facilitate this kind of work 
there are 100 frames heated with hot water. Sup¬ 
plies of forced vegetables are also kept up all the 
winter. Pits and low span-roofed houses are also 
used for the cultivation of Primulas, Cyclamen, 
Smilax, Tomatos, &c. 
It was too late in the season to see the trees and 
pleasure grounds at their best; but we came across a 
bold bit of rockwork, with a fine fountain occupying 
one terrace. Amongst and creeping over the stones 
were various rock plants, Ferns and Yucca gloriosa, 
while on the top of the steep bank were neat speci¬ 
mens of Retinospora, Olearia Haastii and other 
ornamental shrubs. 
The various pieces of ground devoted to vegetables 
were well-stocked with Leeks, Brussels Sprouts, 
Cauliflower, Celery, and other useful things not then 
lifted, and which Mr. Cameron takes pride in grow¬ 
ing to great perfection, whether for the exhibition 
table or the kitchen. Altogether there are eight 
acres of garden and pleasure grounds within the 
walls. Anyone seeing the place for the first time 
cannot help being carried away with the beauty, 
magnitude, and charm of the situation and prospect. 
The gardener’s cottage is conveniently situated at 
one corner of the grounds abutting on the Perth 
Road ; and consists of eight rooms, including bath¬ 
room, laundry, and other modern conveniences. 
-- 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
The sixtieth annual general meeting of this well- 
known charitable institution was held on Thursday 
January 20th, at Simpson's Hotel, 101, Strand, 
W.C. Prior to the general meeting a special gather¬ 
ing was held to elect two trustees to fill the places of 
Robt. Hogg, Esq., LL.D , deceased, and John Lee, 
Esq., retired. Mr. H. J. Veitch was elected to the 
chair, and moved that the Hon. Walter Rothschild 
and Bruno Schroder, Esq., should be asked to fill 
the office of trustees. Mr. J. Denning seconded, and 
the motion was carried with unanimity. 
The special then became merged in the annual 
general meeting. The notices convening the latter 
were first read by the secretary, Mr. G. J. Ingram, 
and the report and balance-sheet for the year were 
then presented. 
Report of the Committee for 1897. 
It affords the committee considerable satisfaction to 
submit their annual report for the year 1897, together 
with an audited statement of accounts, and in doing 
so they are thankful to be able to record the con¬ 
tinued prosperity of the institution, and its increased 
benefit to those old and needy people in whose behalf 
it was founded. 
With great pleasure the committee have to report 
that the fifty-ninth anniversary festival dinner in aid 
of the funds held in May last was most successful, 
and they desire to express their gratitude to the 
Right Hon. Lord Rothschild for so kindly occupying 
the chair on that occasion, and for his able advocacy 
of the claims of the charity, which met with so 
liberal a response. They would also gratefully 
acknowledge their indebtedness to those gentleman 
