April 9, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
503 
Colours of the Chrysanthemum.—The Japanese 
reckon 269 colour varieties in Chrysanthemums, of 
which 87 are white, 63 yellow, 32 purple, 31 pink, 
30 red, 12 russet, and 14 of mixed colours. 
Bacteriosis of Carnations.—In a paper recently 
presented before the American Science Association, 
Mr. A. W. Woods, of the Agricultural Department, 
brought forward some observations concerning bac¬ 
teriosis of Carnations. His opinion is that the 
disease is primarily caused by the punctures of 
plant lice and thrips, and that the bacteria are in 
reality the secondary agents. This statement will 
be of interest to both the Carnation grower and the 
scientist. 
East London Horticultural Society. — The fourth 
annual spring flower show, inaugurated by the East 
London Horticultural Society, was opened at the 
People’s Palace, Mile End Road, E., on Saturday 
last, April 2nd, the show being continued on the 
following day after 3 p.m. The opening ceremony 
was performed by Mr. H. Robertson, who, in doing 
so, said that he regarded the cultivation of flowers as 
a most important factor in the social welfare of the 
people. Flowers had always been sought after and 
loved by persons of taste, and nations had adopted 
them as emblems. The exhibition consisted chiefly 
of Hyacinths, Tulips, and Crocuses, which were all 
present in great numbers and in capital condition. 
Anemone ranunculoides in London Gardens.— A cor¬ 
respondent to the Times writes thus:—" Lovers of wild 
flowers have for several springs past been gladdened 
by the sight of a fair number of plants of the yellow 
wood Anemone, A. ranunculoides, flourishing in the 
Embankment Gardens between Waterloo and Char¬ 
ing Cross bridges. They were growing around several 
of the flower beds, and had most likely been brought 
thither in the turf used for edging, though so attrac¬ 
tive were they that one was tempted to imagine they 
had been put in purposely, and to thank the authori¬ 
ties for this embellishment to the garden.” The 
writer goes on to deplore the removal and destruc¬ 
tion of these pretty, modest little plants, which is 
all the more to be regretted when we consider its 
rarity in the wild state and its comparative rarity 
under cultivation. 
Ealing and District Gardeners’ Society.- On the 
29th ult., this society held its last sessional meet¬ 
ing, when Mr. George Cannon, of St. John’s 
Nursery, Ealing, gave an address on " Landscape 
Gardening,” Mr. C. B. Green presiding. Mr. 
Cannon dwelt, in a chatty style, on some of the 
more striking features of large gardens in the 
neighbourhood, adding, here and there, suggestions 
for the further improvement of landscape effect. 
Villa gardens, also, came in for a share of observa¬ 
tion, as Mr. Cannon considered that these, when 
laid out properly and artistically, were capable of 
affording an immense amount of satisfaction to the 
occupiers. He recommended the planting of 
choicer trees and shrubs than generally prevailed, 
such as Maples, Hollies, Almonds, Hawthorns, and 
variegated shrubs, which would not be likely so 
soon to outgrow the requirements of a small place. 
The art of landscape gardening on a small scale, 
consisted in so arranging the trees that vistas 
beyond one’s own premises could be obtained. 
Drainage and other matters received attention, a 
hearty vote of thanks being accorded. There was 
an excellent attendance, and a keen competition 
for the prizes offered for "Twelve Spring-flowering 
Plants.” Mr. R. Green, gardener to W. Owen, 
Esq., The Elms, Castlebar, Ealing, was the suc¬ 
cessful competitor, he having a well-grown and 
very floriferous lot. Mr. Green was further 
awarded a cultural certificate. His plants con¬ 
sisted of Azalea indica vars., Madame Camille van 
Langenhoven and Madame van den Cruyssen, 
Azalea mollis in var., Cypripedium barbatum nig¬ 
rum, Oncidium sarcodes, Cyclamen latifolium (per- 
sicum), Primula obconica (very fine), Narcissus 
princeps, and Tulip Keizer Kroon. Mr. Holloway, 
gardener to E. Hyde, Esq., Hill Crest, Castlebar, 
came in second with a nice lot of Azaleas, Deut- 
zias, Narcissus, etc., and two specimen pots of the 
white Spanish Squill (Scilla hispanica alba); Mr. 
Long, gardener to E. P. Oakshott, Esq., 
Orchardene, Montpelier Road, was third with a 
very good collection ; Mr. Woods, gardener to Mrs. 
Willey, being fourth. 
The Brabourne Yew in Kent is said to be 3,000 
years old, and the most ancient tree in the British 
Isles. 
Cardiff Naturalists had on the 31st ult. the pleasure to 
hear a very interesting lecture on " Our Native Plants," 
delivered by Mr. W. W. Pettigrew, superintendent 
of Parks, of Cardiff. The lecturer first dealt gene¬ 
rally with the distribution of plants, and stated that 
the determining influence of a country’s flora were 
climate, position, and environment. The question 
of climate was the most important, and the mere size 
of a country did not determine the size of its flora, 
for while France had 4,000 native species, Scandi¬ 
navia, which was much larger, had only a 1,000. 
Mr. Pettigrew then proceeded to deal with the 
British flora specially, and illustrated by means of a 
series of slides the various principles upon which it 
was constituted. Amongst the photographs that 
appeared upon the screen were several taken in 
Rooth Park. At the conclusion of the lecture, a 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Pettigrew, 
on the motion of Mr. John Storrie, seconded by 
Dr. Vachell. 
The Scottish Horticultural Association. — The 
monthly meeting was held on Tuesday evening last, 
when something like seventy members were attracted 
to hear a paper on " The Supply of Vegetables to the 
Edinburgh and Glasgow Markets,” ably read by Mr. 
J. W. Scarlett, of Inveresk, who gave some very 
interesting statistics and information about each item 
of vegetable used in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The 
genial president, Mr. M. Todd, occupied the chair, 
and spoke very warmly of the manner in which the 
paper was compiled. Mr. Mackenzie, treasurer, 
made certain suggestions for additions when re-edit¬ 
ing, and proposed a most cordial vote of thanks. Mr. 
W. Carmichael seconded this, and it was unanimously 
accorded. Mr. Scarlett duly responded to the various 
remarks made. The secretary, Mr. R. Laird, 
annourced the following exhibits :—Seedling green¬ 
house Rhododendrons, from Mr. Calder, Trinity, one 
of which named ” Hercules ” received a First-class 
Certificate. Mr. Anderson, Panshanger, Herts, sent 
a fine clump of blooms of Beaumontia grandiflora. 
The president presented the society with an Album 
containing a portrait of each of the society’s presi¬ 
dents, numbering fourteen. This was done in glowing 
language, and in honour of the association attaining 
its majority. Mr. Todd was warmly thanked for his 
thoughtful and timely gift by Mr. R. Laird and Mr. 
Grieve. 
--*«. - — 
THE NARCISSUS IN DEVONSHIRE. 
1 have often heard it proclaimed, if you wish to see 
the above growing to perfection you must take 
yourself across the water to Scilly, where no doubt 
they are grown in immense quantities, and most of 
the varieties well done. Here let me claim the same 
for genial Devonshire, as the many travellers can 
testify who visit the bulb farm of which I am about 
to speak. 
Situated about the centre of the long scattering 
village of Newton Poppleford, three miles from Sid- 
mouth, a favourite winter resort for invalids, and 
about ten miles from Exeter, you will find field after 
field aglow with these lovely flowers. The property 
is owned and worked by Messrs. Rendall, solicitors, 
London ; and has risen from what was a small plot 
thirteen years ago to its present proportions of over 
sixteen acres, the greatest part of which is devoted 
to the growth of the Narcissus. It was on Tuesday, 
the 22nd of March, that I found myself among the 
golden fields, and the day being perfect with a 
cloudless sky, no doubt showed up the flowers to 
great advantage nestling among the narrow green 
foliage, almost blue in some varieties, notably Maxi¬ 
mus. I found the manager, Mr. Hill (an ardent en¬ 
thusiast among Daffodils) in the packing room 
superintending the packing and despatch of a huge 
pile of boxes, the like of which leaves Tipton Station, 
L. & S. W. Railway, by the five o’clock train each 
evening except Sunday, their destination being 
Covent Garden. As many as 350 boxes, each one 
containing from two to five dozen bunches according 
to variety, twelve flowers in a bunch, are sometimes 
sent off in a week, reaching London in good time for 
the next morning s sale. I found several pits that 
are used for forcing purposes, each 17 yds. long by 
2 yds. wide. Each pit has a 2-in. hot water pipe 
running around it. Emperor and Bicolor Horsfieldi 
are the favourites for this early work. A smaller pit, 
a span one, was devoted to Narcissus poeticus orna- 
tus, just then coming in. These are slightly shaded 
during the few brightest hours of the day, as I learnt 
that the sun, if too hot, interfered with the eye of 
this variety. 
Leaving this forcing ground we wended our way 
to the various quarters outside devoted to these 
flowers. First we came upon a large breadth of 
Narcissus maximus, a deep golden-yellow of grand 
form, and very early. The flowers had all been 
gathered, excepting a stray bloom here and there, 
which showed what a lovely flower it is. Princeps, 
another early, pale sulphur, flower, runs Maximus 
very close as to size. It takes well in the market 
and forces well, I learnt; an immense quantity of 
the variety is cultivated. Horsfieldi has a rich 
yellow trumpet, with white perianth, and is a large 
flower. This, too, is grown in quantity. Emperor, 
another large flower, was a grand sight at the 
time of my visit. Cernuus pulcher (Swan’s neck) 
has a primrose trumpet, and is very pretty. Rugu- 
losus (sweet scented) has a large yellow cup, and is 
very good. Bicolor Horsfieldi is made a speciality of 
here, and more of this variety is grown than of any 
other. There is a good breadth of Mr. H. J. Elwes, 
a large pale yellow trumpet; also of Nelsoni major 
a late variety, and very good; Maximus, a rich 
golden-yellow, large flower, graceful and early ; and 
Rugilobus, a good flower, really a small Emperor. 
A quantity of the Leedsii type is grown, most varie¬ 
ties of which are fragrant, pale yellow at first, but 
become white with age, almost resembling the 
Eucharis Lily. They last a very long time when 
cut and placed in water. Amabilis is a good one of 
this variety, as well as Argenteus and Stella. Cyno¬ 
sure is a showy variety, and a favourite of the 
writer’s ; there was a grand show of it. Obvallaris 
(Tenby Daffodil) is a distinct variety of fine quality, 
very early, and one of the best for market purposes ; 
over an acre of it is grown. Bicolor and B. grandis, 
two grand varieties which come in late, have large 
quarters devoted to them. Golden Spur is a well- 
known kind, large and very early, most of which had 
been gathered. Empress, I noticed, was another 
good large flower, and of great substance. Biflorus 
or two-flowered is a good late kind, which our 
grandmothers grew largely in days long since. 
Bicolor Horsfieldi is found in most of the fields, in 
fact this firm is supposed to hold the largest stock of 
the variety in Europe. Sir Watkin is fairly well repre¬ 
sented, but cot such a favourite here as some others 
noted. Among other varieties grown in less quanti¬ 
ties I noticed C. J. Backhouse, Mrs. Langtry, 
Duchess of Westminster, Sulphur Beauty, General 
Murray, Maurice Vilmorin, Incomparabilis Queen 
Bess, Marian Barton, Dean Herbert, W. P. Milner, 
Michael Foster, Minnie Hume, Exquisite, Mrs F. 
W. Burbidge, F. W. Burbidge, Shirley Hibberd, 
John Nelson, J. B. M. Camm (scarce as yet), and 
many others. A large quarter is devoted to N. 
poeticus ornatus, which appeared as though it would 
be about right for Easter ; and quite as large a piece 
of N. poeticus recurvus, a very late variety that 
carries the supply well into the month of May. 
Mr. Hill showed me several of his seedlings which 
number a score, several of which he thihks and 
hopes will make good market kinds ; one especially 
he mentioned, which is a cross between Emperor 
and Obvallaris, a very fine bold nearly upright 
flower, having a long stem, and of great substance. 
About twenty-five hands are employed during the 
busy season of flower gathering. Every year as 
many of the bulbs as can possibly be lifted in June 
and July, and replanted in August and September, 
are taken up, left on the ground a few days to dry, 
and are then taken to the drying-room where they 
are sorted, and despatched to the trade when the 
time arrives for this. The soil is of a light sandy 
nature, and favourable to the growth of the Nar¬ 
cissus. Mr. Hill believes in farmyard manure for 
dressing, worked into the ground the previous year. 
The Lily of the Valley is largely grown as well, and 
is generally forced and ready for Covent Garden 
about the middle of December, and continued up to 
the end of March. The bells were very fine, each 
spike carrying from eleven to thirteen. Mr. Hill 
evidently knows how to grow and force these. I was 
very sorry to leave these most interesting grounds, 
but the day was fast closing ere I had inspected the 
many varieties, and listened to the manager's eulogy 
of those which were his favourite varieties .—James 
Moyne, Bicton, Budleigh Saltevton. 
