March 26, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
477 
who sent a beautifnl group consisting of Palms—nota¬ 
bly Kentia fosteriana—Azaleas, Deutzias, Richardias, 
Spiraea astilboides, and bulbous plants. The design 
was oval in shape, the whole being encompassed 
with dwarf variegated plants like Panicum, Pelar¬ 
gonium, Madame Sallery, etc., which produced a 
very pleasing effect. 
The point of vantage of the third group was well 
occupied by E. H. Watts, Esq., Devonhurst, Chis¬ 
wick (gardener, Mr. James Gibson). The arrangement 
here was quite different to those already described, 
although Palms, like Kentia fosteriana and Cocos 
weddeliana received a fitting place. Other noticeable 
plants, in addition to spring-flowering bulbs, were 
Euphorbia jacquiniaeflora, Begonia Gloriede Sceaux, 
Azaleas, Cinerarias, Solomon's Seal, etc., the edging 
being composed of a blending of Adiantum cuneatum 
and A. Capillus-Veneris. 
The plants which adorned the stage came from 
Gunnersbury House, Acton (gardener, Mr.J.Hudson), 
and consisted principally of Cordyline australis, 
C. indivisa, Dracaena sanderiana, Clivia miniata, and 
Narcissus poeticus ornatus, bordered with the 
beautifnl drooping fronds of Asplenium flaccidum. 
The president contributed a very pretty semi¬ 
circular group which the hon. secretary, Mr. W. 
Roberts, his energetic gardener, well set up. The 
most conspicuons plants were Palms, Dracaenas, 
Cinerarias, Pandanus Veitchii, Azaleas, Croton 
Victoriae, Ferns, and Flowering bulbs. 
Mrs. Willey, " Savernack,” Aston Road, had a 
neat collection of plants, which Mr. G. Woods, the 
gardener, manipulated to advantage. Among these, 
we noted Boronia elatior, Begonia Gloire de Lor¬ 
raine, and Chysis bractescens. Miss Collinson, The 
Haven (gardener, Mr. Cox), sent a fine lot of 
Richardia africana. These were nicely grouped 
together, and fronted with Veltheimia viridifolia, the 
whole forming a very striking scene. 
Colour and character were well represented in the 
group which came from E. P. Oakshott, Esq., 
“ Orchardene,” Montpelier Road (gardener, Mr. C. 
Long). Small Palms, Deutzias, Cinerarias, Nar¬ 
cissus, Hyacinths, Tulips, Veltheimias, Lachenalias, 
Marantas, and Funkias, &c., gave great variety and 
a fine effect. 
A similar collection was also lent by H. W. Peal, 
Esq., "Oakhurst,” St. Stephen’s Road (gardener, 
Mr. C. Edwards). Mr. Edwards, however, had a 
nice piece of Dicentra spectabilis, edged with the 
Star-flower (Treteleia uniflora). 
C. T. Sutton, Esq., The Beeches, East Acton 
(gardener, Mr. J. W. Simpson), was in evidence with 
a collection of foliage and flowering plants, such as 
Ficus elastica, Dracaenas, Azaleas, &c. 
E. Hyde, Esq., Hill Crest, Castle Bar (gardener, 
Mr. Holloway), occupied a similar position with a 
predominance of Primula sinensis and obconia. 
W. Owen, Esq., The Elms, Castle Bar (gardener, 
Mr. R. Green), must be complimented on the well- 
grown collection of Cyclamens, Hyacinths, Tulips, 
Narcis, Primulas, Cypripediums, Azaleas, &c., which 
he sent. These were staged in contra-distinction to 
all the other groups, which were put up on the floor. 
The trade, also, was largely represented, a fine lot 
of Cyclamen latifolium (persicum) coming from the 
Church Road Nursery Co., Hanwell. These pro¬ 
duced a bright and interesting show, and were 
greatly admired. Messrs. Hart Bros, The Grove 
Nursery, Ealing, had a good representative group of 
Palms, Araucarias, Aspidistras, Adiantums, and 
bulbous subjects. Mr. A. Hawkins, Gordon Road 
Nursery, replied with another group of an interest¬ 
ing character. His Azaleas, Dendrobes, Astilbes, 
Primulas, double Daffodils, &c., meriting comment. 
Last, but by no means least in importance, came a 
noble collection of plarits from Mr. Geo. Cannon, 
St. John’s Nursery, a well-known name in Ealing. 
Here we had a large specimen Araucaria excelsa, 
flanked on either side by huge examples of Dracaena 
indivisa Veitchii, Palms beirg employed to fill the 
intervening space. Lilium Harrisii stood out well 
against this background of foliage, while such 
things as Astilbe japonica, Eulalia japonica varie- 
gata. Azaleas, Cyclamen, Ferns, and bulbous plants 
generally,contributed to produce a picture worthy of 
record. 
In addition to the sixteen groups of plants already 
mentioned there were some specimen plants also, 
which were kindly lent for the occasion. 
The exhibition itself was a decided success, and, 
therefore, great credit is due to all concerned. If, 
then, the financial result is in any proportion to the 
floral aspect, we may look for a substantial benefit 
to that deserving charity, the Royal Gardeners' 
Orphan Fund. 
- mtm 
THE FLOWER GARSEH. 
As was usual, March brought with its early days a 
snap of cold weather which, although it has done 
some damage to early subjects, will yet probably 
prove a real blessing in that it will serve to keep 
things back in their proper place. The growth of 
the grass, which has been phenomenal for winter¬ 
time, has been checked considerably, and this must 
prove a distinct advantage, as it will obviate the 
early use of the mowing machine, and give the sward 
something of the rest that it requires. But if the 
mowing machine is not wanted, the roller should be 
kept often at work, and if the frost is allowed to go 
properly off the grass before the operations are com¬ 
menced, no harm will be done. The continued mild 
weather proved very favourable for the burrowing of 
worms, and thus where the pests appear to have been 
especially busy, it may be advisable to give the grass 
a watering with lime-water, which will quickly bring 
all the worms to the surface. As water can only 
take up a fixed quantity of lime in solution, there is 
no need to measure out the lime. A quantity should 
be placed in a coarse canvas bag, and plunged in a 
tank of water. In applying it, one third of the clear 
solution of lime should be mixed with two-thirds of 
clear water, and sprinkled over the lawn by means of a 
large rose-can. A little attention given to the worms 
now may save a lot of trouble presently, and will 
directly do the grass no harm whatever. 
Edgings to Turf.— Most people prefer to walk on 
the grass rather than on the gravel during the dry 
weather, and no one would blame them for the pre¬ 
ference if only they would not insist upon walking 
on the edge. The result of this habit is that the 
grass edges are worn down, and are not only out of 
line, but become difficult to work the edging-shears 
upon. The grass edges to paths that carry, or rather 
are supposed to carry, a good deal of foot traffic will 
thus require cutting at least once a year, and the 
present is a capital time to get this seen to before the 
season’s routine work commences; In dealing with 
straight edges, it is an easy matter to lay aline down, 
stretch it taut, and work by its guidance, but the 
proper negotiation of curves is a matter of much 
greater difficulty. Instead of fiddling about with 
stakes round which the line may be stretched to 
form a curve, it is far better to lay the line loosely 
down to form a guide, and to cut round it, taking 
care, meanwhile, not to force the line at all. In this 
case the iron must be clean and sharp, and must, 
moreover, be in practised hands. 
Roses.— When the cold weather overtook them, 
these were in a very forward condition, having shoots 
on them several inches in length. The result has 
been that plants which were not protected were sadly 
nipped, and have thus sustained a severe check. Of 
course, the autumn pruned plants with their more 
advanced growths have been the greatest sufferers. 
Material need not now be kept to hand for covering, 
unless frosty nights make it necessary, especially in 
the case of the Teas. Planting should, by this time, 
be practically finished, and likewise all alterations of 
or additions to the beds. If a sufficiency of short 
half-rotten stable manure is available, all plants that 
have been newly planted or disturbed in any way 
should receive a liberal mulching—the others were 
attended to in this respect at the beginning of the 
winter. 
Carnations. —Within the course of the next week 
the border Carnations that have been wintered in 
pots in cold frames must be consigned to the open 
ground. The plants, like other things, are showing 
signs of the mild January and February by the 
quantity of growth they have made. It will thus be 
inadvisable to delay putting them in their 
flowering quarters for the pots in which they are now 
are small, and should be well filled with roots. 
The plot of ground chosen for the Carnations may 
receive another light dressing of soot at once, and a 
sprinkling of wood ashes, if they can be spared,will 
not come amiss. Fork this well in,choosing a bright, 
dry day for the operation. The ground has now 
recovered from the effects of the rain and snow and 
is in capital working condition. It will thus not re¬ 
quire any great amount of labour to break it up 
finely, and put it in its final stage of preparedness 
to receive the plants. 
Planting.— The exact way in which the plants are 
put out will of course depend upon circumstances, 
but where large quantities are grown as much for 
supplying cut flowers as anything there is nothing 
to beat planting in beds 3 ft. wide, with narrow 
alleys between each. Each bed will hold three 
rows of plants which may be from 10 in. to a foot 
apart in the row. This system admits of attention 
being given to the plants as required without the 
necessity for trampling on the loose surface. 
Autumn Planted Carnations.— These have had 
a fine time of it this year, and are looking exception¬ 
ally well; indeeed if only they could be depended 
upon to do as well each season there would be very 
few who would recommend the common practice of 
wintering the rooted layers in frames. There are 
very few vacancies indeed, but the few there are 
remind us of the necessity for having some pot 
plants in reserve to fill them. This should be done 
as soon as occasion offers. If the late frost has 
lifted any of the plants partially out of the ground 
this too should be attended to. It will also do no 
harm to run a hoe lightly through the beds to check 
rising weeds. This should be frequently repeated, 
and there will be no difficulty in keeping the beds 
clean.— A.S.G. 
—- 
Gardening Miscellany. 
LILY-WHITE SEAKALE. 
I am greatly surprised to find your correspondent 
“ A. P.” does not succeed as well as he could wish 
with the above variety. With us it does remarkably 
well. I have grown it for the past seven years with 
every satisfaction, as it forms good crowns and 
exhibits no signs of disease. I have found it more 
amenable to force into growth in the month of 
November than the old kind which is always of a 
smoky-looking colour before, as well as after cooking, 
while Lily-while is as near perfection as the name 
implies. We discarded the old variety several years 
ago, and rely solely upon the newer kind. We give 
it a deeply dug rich plot in which to grow, and it 
has two dressings of salt during the season in 
showery weather. I should add our soil is a sandy 
loam resting on the old red sandstone, and evidently 
favours the growth of this vegetable.—/, Mayne, 
Bicton. 
GOLDEN PRIVET. 
What a beautiful plant this is when grown 
luxuriantly ; and among dark foliaged evergreens it 
is charming. We could not get the plants to succeed 
well on heavy, cold, and wet ground; but in a 
sheltered position where the soil is drier and lighter, 
the plants have grown several feet during the past 
seasons. For flower garden work bands (by pegging 
down and stopping) can be formed round large 
beds. For decorative purposes specimens of any 
form do well in pots, and are beautiful among 
flowering plants. For covering old walls it can be 
trained as easily as Honeysuckle or Ivy, and mixed 
with such plants as thehardy Garrya eliiptica, Cotone- 
aster microphylla, C. Simonysii, variegated, and 
other Ivies, the Golden Privet is most useful. Its 
propagation is as simple as that of any of the 
Privets.— M. T. 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL — March 22nd. 
The Drill Hall was well filled with a great variety of 
plants on Tuesday last, including large exhibits of 
Orchids, Amaryllis, Roses, Cinerarias, Clivias, 
Cyclamens, Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, stove and 
greenhouse plants, Ferns, and other smaller lots. 
A very showy group of Orchids was put up by 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton. Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums and Dendrobiums were the leading 
features of the collection,which was interspersed with 
Palms and Ferns. Amongst other thing? we noted 
