July 30, 1898 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
761 
iDg its eggs upon the leaves. There is an Ichneumon 
fly that preys upon the Celery fly by laying its eggs 
in the body of the larvae of the latter. These eggs 
hatch into grubs which eat the grub of the Celery 
fly. 
- -i — . , - 
PHOENIX ROEBELINI. 
From the very first time this graceful Phoenix made 
its appearance in public, everybody recognised its 
distinctness and light, elegant appearance ; but fears 
were entertained that its growth would be too slow 
to meet the requirements expected of Palms at the 
present day. It is still a rare plant in this country, 
and likely to remain so unless seeds of it can be im¬ 
ported in quantity, as in the case of popular varieties 
which are grown by the thousand. Under cultivation, 
it has increased in size more rapidly than it was 
deemed capable of doing. The accompanying illus¬ 
tration represents a plant that was for some time in 
the keeping of Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, Pinkill 
Nursery, Murrayfield, Midlothian, and with whom 
we saw it some months ago. It was one of three 
that found their way into Scotland, and at the time 
we speak of it was one of two in the northern capital. 
It was certainly the best specimen of its kind in 
Scotland, and we believe was the best in the British 
Isles, being a perfect specimen. The leaves were 
very numerous, long for the species, and gracefully 
arching. The rigidity common to many of the 
species more generally cultivated was quite absent 
here. The plant, we learn, has since passed into 
the possession of Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. 
Albans. 
CARNATIONS AT EDENSIDE. 
Within the past few years Carnations have acquired 
a meaning and a name amongst the masses of the 
horticultural public. Previous to that the show 
Carnations and Picotees, with the Old Clove in the 
open garden held sway, but their monarchy, so to 
speak, was a very limited one. The show flowers 
still remain but their principal use is the exhibition 
table. It was a happy conception, both in the 
interests of the whole race of Carnations, and in that 
of the public, when the idea first dawned of raising 
varieties of hardy and vigorous constitution, in no 
way hampered by the canons of the florist proper, 
but which should in every way be suited for culture 
in the open border. A race aptly termed “ border 
Carnations " is now a reality, and any one who is at 
all conversant with the requirements of plant life can 
grow these Carnations with ease and success. 
Thanks to the initiative and untiring perseverance of 
such men as Martin R. Smith, Esq., and Mr. James 
Douglas, who have already entirely revolutionised 
Carnation culture, and still carry on the good work 
with great vigour and earnestness. 
It was our pleasure at the end of last week to 
examine the splendid collection of Mr. James 
Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookham, Surrey. His 
nursery is within five minutes’ walk of Bookham 
Station on the South-Western Railway. All the 
sections of Carnations are well represented here and 
we devoted our attention chiefly to the newer and 
more popular types replete with the varieties that 
are rousing public attention everywhere. 
Malmaison Carnations. 
As is now widely known this race is best adapted for 
pot culture ; and though the older varieties are still 
grown in the greatest quantity, the newer ones are 
being received by cultivators with open arms. The 
colours are already extremely varied. Prime 
Minister (M. R. Smith) is considered the finest 
scarlet Malmaison, and it is certainly of handsome 
form and beautifully refined. Another new variety, 
named Lord Rosebery (M. R. Smith), is a crimson- 
scarlet of rich and splendid colour and refined form. 
The first pure white Malmaison ever raised is Nell 
Gwynne (M. R. Smith) which does not burst its 
calyx. An Award of Merit was recently granted it 
by the R.H.S. The rosy-scarlet of Mrs. Everard 
Hambro is quite in another vein from either of the 
above ; and the rich salmon-rose or bright rosy-pink 
(we have difficulty in naming the exact shade) of 
Princess May is almost certain to take the public 
fancy, for it is really charming. Those who like a 
striped flower will find it in the fragrant Lady Grim- 
ston, finely flaked and striped with scarlet and rose 
on a white ground. Trumpeter is of remarkably 
vigorous habit, and furnished with broad leaves; the 
huge flowers are of a brilliant crimson-scarlet. The 
leaves of the variety just named, however, must give 
place to the remarkably broad and deep glaucous hue 
or almost steel-blue of the foliage of Churchwarden- 
Independently of the flowers, the leaves are a feature 
of the variety. The large flowers are of a brilliant 
crimson-scarlet. The largest flower in the whole 
collection cf Malmaisons is Sir Charles Freemantle, 
the blooms being of fine form and rich rosy-pink. 
All of the above are practically new varieties, of 
which Mr. Douglas has a large and healthy stock 
now being layered. All the Malmaisons are delight¬ 
fully fragrant. 
Tree Carnations. 
The claims of this class are by no means ignored at 
Edenside, where progress is the order of the day. 
The finest scarlet is Patrocles (Douglas), being of 
very refined form, rich scarlet and floriferous. The 
blooms are carried erect on stout stalks and the 
calyx does not burst. By way of contrast Comus 
(Douglas) may be described as the finest pure white 
tree Carnation, the form being neat, and the blooms 
carried erect on stout flower stalks. Being very 
floriferous this is a safe investment for winter work. 
Julian is a very dark maroon-crimson, and truly 
handsome in this particular shade of colour. It was 
granted an Award of Merit in 1896 by the R.H.S. 
The blossoms of Regalia are of a clear, attractive 
rose, as large as those of a Malmaison, and most 
abundantly produced. Sylvanus stands about 3J ft. 
high and carries an abundance of dark purple flowers. 
It was raised from Royal Purple and Duke of York. 
All of these tree varieties are new and of Mr. 
Douglas' own raising. He never disbuds them, as 
they are grown for seed, the best of which is borne 
by the smaller flowers on the side shoots. 
Yellow Ground Picotees. 
A houseful of these is a magnificent sight, and suffi¬ 
cient to fill the mind of the grower in private estab¬ 
lishments with invidious sentiments. The weight of 
bloom will be sufficient presently to hide the foliage. 
Individual blooms last about a fortnight in perfection 
and are well worthy of inspection. They are grown 
in the full sun without any shading whatever, plenty 
of ventilation being kept on at all times. So 
numerous are the varieties that we can only mention 
a few of the best, all of which are grown in large 
batches, so that an excellent conception of their 
capabilities is obtained. The yellow ground Picotet s 
are the acme of all that is lovely in this highly 
favoured race. Miss Violet is a heavy and bright 
rose edged sort of leading merit and distinctness. 
So also is Dervish, which is lined with rose and has 
a beautiful lilac tint. The rosy margin of Empress 
Eugenie is taking and the form excellent. The 
bright rosy-red edge of Mohican (M. R. Smith) is 
almost confined to the margin, not a common occur¬ 
ence in a yellow ground. Effie Deans (M. R. Smith) 
is a lovely and distinct thing even in its last stages 
when the pale yellow ground shows ofl the lilac 
margin. Mrs. TremayDe (M. R. Smith) is heavily 
edged with bright scarlet and strikingly distinct. A 
sport on one of the plants carried a fiery scarlet self- 
coloured flower. The vigorous growing Badminton 
(M. R. Smith) is a narrow red-edged variety of great 
beauty. His Excellency (M. R. Smith) is the best 
bright rose narrow-edged variety. Voltaire (M. R. 
Smith) is a huge flower lined with bright rose, and as 
a result of the {lebiscite was placed at the top of 
the list of yellow ground Picotees in the second 
edition of the Carnation Manual. A sport from it is 
almost self yellow. The edge of Mr. Nigel is 
maroon-crimson, and the variety is one of the finest 
of the true yellow grounds. The narrow rose edge 
of Wanderer (M. R. Smith) is very handsome, and 
the flowers are produced in great abundance. The 
rose and deep purple of Harlequin justifies the name 
that has been given. Golden Eagle (M. R. Smith) 
used to be the best rosy-red edged sort, and it is 
certainly good yet. Fancy yellow grounds are not 
neglected and certainly some of them are marvellous 
and curious developments of colour. Dragoon is 
Phoenix Roebelini. 
