July 30, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
757 
Churchyard Bottom Wood, Highgate. was opened 
to the public on Saturday last, the 23rd inst., by the 
Duchess of Albany. The new name of this " breath¬ 
ing space ” is to be ’ Q leen’s Wood.' 
The Dahlia was introduced from Mexico to Spain 
In 1789, and Lord Bute, who was representing 
Britain diplomatically at Madrid, sent it to England 
that same year. It was named in compliment to 
Dahl, the Swedish botanist ; but Professor Willde- 
now ,of Berlin,by mistake renamed it Georgina in com¬ 
pliment to Professor Georgi,the Russian botanist. It 
bore that name for some time in Britain, and to the 
present day in some Continental countries; but 
Dahlia by right of priority has been recognised in 
this country since 1832. 
Tha Grounds of Tresco Abbey.—The mild climate of 
the Scilly Isles enables Dorrien-Smith, Esq., the 
lord proprietor of the Isles, to plant many trees, 
shrubs and other subjects on his estate, which could 
not outlive the winter on the mainland, except in the 
most favoured spots. Amongst rare or striking 
exotics in the open are tbe Dragon Tree of Teneriffe 
(Dracaena Draco), Dasylirion acrotrichum, the 
strange Puya lanuginosa, Prickly Pears (Opuntia), 
Fourcroya longaeva, and many others. It is less 
surprising to find Clethra arborea, Eucalyptus 
globulus and other species, and the golden yellow 
Cassia corymbosa; but the privilege of growing 
them in the open air, except in summer, is seldom 
enjoyed by gardeners on the mainland of England. 
Mr. Jenkins, the gardener at Tresco Abbey, is proud 
of his charge amongst these exotic subjects. Bam¬ 
boos and Himalayan Rhododendrons also augment 
the list, together with Araucaria excelsa, A. Bid- 
willii and A. Cookii. A great number of species and 
varieties of Mesembryauthemum are grown in 
various parts of the grounds, and in this respect the 
Scilly Isles are comparable to the Channel Islands, 
where a few species are grown in exposed positions 
on rocks and walls. 
Nitragin and Alinite.—The former name is meant 
to include all the microbes which are concerned in 
the fixation of free nitrogen from the atmosphere in 
the roots of various plants belonging to the order 
Leguminosae. While speaking of these microbes 
generally Dr. Aikman discusses a pure culture of 
Bacillus megatherium, under the name of alinite in 
the Nineteenth Century. This organism is also one 
that fixes the free nitrogen. As far as nitrogenous 
manures are concerned, it seems like contracting the 
subject into the compass of a nutshell, when the 
writer speaks of putting sufficient alinite into a 
phial, a little under 2 in. in length, and less than Jin. 
in width, for inoculating a whole acre of ground. 
This would, of course, ensure only the nitrogenous 
wants of plants, but even then it will mean a great 
saving of labour in the distribution of bulky and 
weighty manures over the land. In the preparation 
of food fit for the nourishment of the higher plants 
it seems that there is a considerable amount of 
co-operation amongst the microbes of the soil, which 
effect the respective stages of the chemical process. 
This is a well known characteristic amongst microbes 
in other fields of human industry. A second 
microbe takes up the work of decomposition, where 
its predecessor left the same, and beyond which it 
could not go. 
- -— 
OSTERLEY PARK. 
(Concluded from p. 747 ) 
The bedding-out at this establishment also calls for 
a brief notice. The beds which face the upper lake 
are pre-ordained—they must consist of three colours, 
red, white, and blue. That is a standing order. 
These colours are brought about by the use of scarlet 
Pelargoniums, like Harry Jacoby, and Violas, 
Cliveden Blue, and Countess of Hopetoun ; and 
these have to be planted freely so that an immediate 
effect may be produced. 
There are, of course, various other beds which are 
not restricted, but one which took our fancy was of 
a triangular shape, the base of each side projecting 
inwards in the form of an arc. 
The centre is decorated with Eucalyptus globulus, 
round which are ranged Grevillea robusta, Abutilons, 
Marguerites, Lilium Harrisii, etc., with dwarfer sub¬ 
jects for a foil. Pelargoniums in variety, Lobelia, 
Golden Feather, and similar bedders find a place, the 
whole constituting a very telling group. Sutton’s 
new crested Feverfew is very pretty, resembling 
somewhat a miniature lacerated Pteris Fern, minus 
the colour. 
With trees Osterley is well furnished, the Cedars 
being fine specimens. Cedrus Libani, C. Deodora, 
and C. atlantica attain grand proportions. There 
is also another quite distinct Cedar, which is pro¬ 
bably a variety of C. atlantica, the growth being 
stiff and upright, after the manner of that species. 
Pinus sylvestris is there too—there is no mistaking 
that. Then there are fine specimens of Platanus 
orientalis and P. 0. acerifolia, with an old-fashioned 
Cork Oak (Quercus Suber), containing enough 
material to stopper many thousand bottles. The 
purple Beech, the stately Elm, the hardy Oak, the 
graceful Birch, the massive Chestnut, the common 
Hornbeam, and a host of other trees display their 
various charms. An Arboretum, too, of choice 
Conifers is being planted, some of which, we may 
mention, on account of their beauty and at-home¬ 
like appearance. These are Picea orientalis (very 
fine), P. pungens var. argentea, F. p. var. glauca, 
Abies grandis, A. lasiocarpa, Cupressus lawsoniana 
var. aurea, etc. Palms, Myrtles and Oranges stand 
about in huge boxes, and are now enjoying their 
annual outing; while a fine Rhododendron ponticum 
measures about 100 ft. in circumference. Mr. 
Hawkes is a true arboriculturist, and takes great 
interest in the annual planting, which occupies a 
good deal of time in the winter season. 
In the fruit and vegetable departments, Mr. 
Hawkes can also score some successes. Under glass 
the Peaches Royal George and Hale’s Early, have 
been exceedingly prolific; while the Vines, Black 
Hamburg, Foster’s Seedling and Madresfield Court, 
were colouring well. Outside the Strawberries were a 
promising crop, more especially Royal Sovereign and 
the new Leader, which took the visitors’ taste— 
metaphorically, not literally. 
The Kitchen garden was in good order, Carter's 
Early Morn Pea being not only ready for the table, 
but also just right for the photographer. Caladiums, 
Crotons, Carnations, Begonias, Pelargoniums, 
Gloxinias, Celosias, Sweet Peas in variety, Roses 
and many other things were much in evidence—were 
standing witnesses, in fact, to the multiple duties 
which devolve upon the modern professional man. 
The visitors concluded an agreeable visit by re¬ 
turning by way of the " long walk,” which sweeps 
round the park for over a mile amidst trees and 
shrubs of a very varied and interesting character. 
The new mown hay in the park also lent a frag¬ 
rance ; and this, combined with other scents of early 
summer, had their full significance. It was, there¬ 
fore, lastly agreed that not “ good bye ” should be 
said, but 11 au revoir." —C. B. G., Acton, IV. 
-«*-- 
HARDY BAMBOOS. 
(Continued from page 742J 
Bambusa palmaxa. —The stems of this species are 
erect, 3 ft. to 6 ft. high and furnished with a few 
erect branches very nearly as strong as themselves. 
They are about as thick as a goose quill, and in their 
younger stages are covered with glaucous sheaths. 
Underground suckers ramble widely, so that new 
stems arise at some distance from the parent bush 
and soon form a large patch or clump. At Kew 
these young stems had already attained a height of 
2 ft. to 3 ft. by the beginning of June. The huge 
leaves are mostly crowded towards the ends of the 
stem and branches; and assuming a horizontal or 
declining direction, as well as radiating to one side 
they present a somewhat palmate appearance. They 
are 6 in. to 12 in. in length, by 2 in. to 3^ in. in 
width, with very prominent ribbed nerves ; and are 
dark green with a whitish midrib above, and 
glaucous beneath. Undoubtedly this is one of the 
finest of the hardy Bamboos proper ; and makes a 
striking tropical-looking bush or mass. It comes 
from Japan, in the gardens of which it is known as 
Kumasasa, and is perfectly hardy here. 
B. pygmaea. —This is of dense, spreading habit, 
with stems about ij ft. to 2 ft. high. The leaves 
are lanceolate, 4 in. to 6 in. long, by | in. to 1 in. 
wide, of a rich dark green, and retained throughout 
the winter in excellent condition. Originally a small 
piece of it was grown in a 6-in. pot at Kew ; but now 
there are two or more huge clumps of it which have 
to be restrained within due bounds by lifting pieces 
with the spade. It is one of the best dwarf species 
of Bambusa, and though less elegant than Arundi- 
naria Fortunei, it is superior to A. humilis in tidiness 
after having passed through the winter. It might 
be grown in suitable positions in the rock garden, or 
elsewhere in proximity to shrubbery. Japan is its 
native home. 
B. quadrangularis. —The specific name refers to 
the square stems, but only the largest ones exhibit 
this peculiarity. They vary from 3 ft. to 8 ft. in 
height, and besides being brown are notable for the 
warty little elevations or hard points, which cover 
them. The lateral branches consist of numerous, 
snort, slender twigs. The pale green, lanceolate and 
drooping leaves are graceful, and 3 in. to 6 in. 
long. In severe winters this Bamboo is liable to get 
injured, but generally recuperates during the follow¬ 
ing season. Japan, and probably China are ils 
native countries. The native Japanese name for it 
is Sbiho-chiku. 
B. tessellata. —Though, perhaps, less strikingly 
ornamental than B. palmata, this is notwithstanding 
a very bold and distinct subject, forming a dense and 
tangled bush or mass, 3 ft. to 35 ft. high. The stems 
are also spreading and more or less branched. The 
leaves alone make this v/orthy of a place in col¬ 
lections, for they are oblong, 12 in. to 16 in. long by 
3 in. to 4 in. in width, varying from light to dark green, 
with a whitish midrib and slightly glaucous beneath. 
The underground stems spread as widely as in B. 
palmata, to which it may be compared ; but it lacks 
the elegance of the latter owiDg to its denser habit. 
Both are highly desirable in collections, and of the 
easiest culture after being once well established. 
Various garden names have been given it, including 
B. Ragamowski and Arundo Ragamowski. It in¬ 
habits China and Japan, proving very hardy in this 
country. 
This concludes the genus Bambusa in the Bamboo 
garden at Kew. The finest of all of them are B. 
palmata, B. tessellata, B. pygmaea and B. mar- 
morea. 
(To be continued.) 
VIOLAS FROM HAWICK. 
A box containing flowers of a large number of 
varieties of Viola has reached us from Mr. John 
Forbes, Buccleuch Nurseries, Hawick, Scotland. 
All the leading types used for bedding and similar 
purposes were represented, including fine varieties 
belonging to the rayed, rayless, miniature, edged and 
parti-colourei groups. 
Taking the rayless sorts first, we note the pure 
white Marchioness and Mr. Daniels, the former be¬ 
ing sometimes slightly rayed, but one of the test for 
bedding purposes, and the latter beiDg sweetly 
scented. White Empress and Cordelia are beautiful 
creamy-white sorts, the latter throwing its flowers 
well above the foliage. From the delicately pale 
Blush Queen to Florizel and Blue Gown there is a 
great jump in the intensity of colour. The habit of 
the two latter is faultless. Pembroke is one of the 
finest of new yellows, the flower being shapely and 
the lip golden. 
Among miniature varieties Lyric is several shades 
darker than Florizel, being of a soft lilac. Queen of 
the Year is a beautiful soft blue ; and Seedling No. 2 
is intense blue. The light yellow Gnome and the 
dark Gold Crest are good for this section. 
Rayed Violas included such vigorous bedders as 
Lord Elcho, True Blue, Stephen, of better form than 
Bullion ; the sky-blue and white Diana; the soft lilac 
and robust growing Cherry Park; Lord Salisbury, 
clear yellow, and Lady Salisbury, creamy-white, this 
and the previous one being very prominently rayed. 
J. B. Riding is now well known, being one of the 
best dark purple sorts for bedding, easily grown and 
very profuse. Sir Robert Puller is a large and bold 
deep blue flower, and was sent out from the Hawick 
nursery last year. Buccleuch Gem is a splendid 
bedeer with white flowers and very prominent pur¬ 
ple rays, the blooms being well elevated on tall, 
stout stalks. 
Although Ardwell Gem is not usually an edged 
flewer, some specimens sent had sported that way. 
We place it here, however, in connection with its 
named sports, all of which are gems of the first 
water, both on account of their combinations of 
