August 13, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
789 
A Black Calla Lily.—Such is the description given 
of a dark-flowered Richardia, of which Mr. B. 
Labbe, Portland Heights, U.S A., is the proud pos¬ 
sessor. The spathe is about 20 in,, and the spadix 
about 17 in. in length, so that the flower is a very 
large one. When it first opens it is said that it has 
the odour of tainted meat, and attracts all the blue¬ 
bottle flies within range. The leaves are stated to 
be lobed like those of the Fig, and thus to be quite 
distinct from those of the ordinary Richardia. Mr. 
Labbe has had the plant a number of years, but has 
so far been unable to propagate it. 
4 A Year’s Orchids at Kew.—It is seldom that any 
record is kept of the actual number of species of 
Orchids that bloom in any particular establishment 
during the course of a twelvemonth. This may 
partly be owing to the fact that quantities of showy 
things are of more importance in private establish¬ 
ments than species, it may be, characterised by small 
flowers. The latter may be both beautiful and 
interesting all the same. In 1891 it was recorded in 
the Journal of the Kew Guild that 766 species of 
Orchids were flowered at Kew in 1890. To ascertain 
this fact it is necessary to keep a record for twelve 
months in succession. From Christmas 1896 to 
Christmas 1897 another record was made showing 
that 854 species of the family were flowered. This is 
certainly a record, and shows what is being accom¬ 
plished in the national garden. 
Public Park for Widnes.—The Borough of Widnes 
is determined to be up-to-date in affording the means 
of recreation to its inhabitants. Instructions and 
conditions to competitors in preparing and submitting 
designs for the park have been sent out. A lake is 
to be included in the design, and a band stand, 
entrance gates, the construction and drainage of the 
roads and walks, fencing and appurtenances have all 
to be considered. Suitable provision is to be made 
for recreation ; plantations are to be arranged with 
a view to general and detailed effect. Some of the 
existing houses are to be removed, and others to 
remain ; and six perspective sketches of the principal 
features of the park are to be given showing the 
shrubberies, &c., as they will appear five years after 
completion. There is a prevailing opinion amongst 
some that five years’ grace is too long, and that they 
will all want replenishing before then. Surprises 
may be in store, however, under a capable man. 
The cost of the entire scheme is not to exceed 
£4,000, and the submitted estimates must give 
particulars of everything. The premiums offered 
for the designs are £36 15s , £10 103., and £5 5s. 
Caterham Gardeners’ Outing. —On Wednesday, 
August 3rd, Caterham gardeners, to the number 
of forty-seven, paid a visit to Boxhill and Burford 
Lodge, Dorking, where Sir Trevor Lawrence escorted 
them over his beautiful grounds, and through his 
glasshouses, in which are accommodated one of the 
finest collections of Orchids in existence, with many 
other rare and beautiful plants. Not many of the 
Orchids were in flower, but they were still interest¬ 
ing to those who know the value of many of the 
rarer forms which Mr. White, the Orchid grower, so 
well looks after. The mansion presents a pretty 
picture, swathed as it is in the green folds of Ampel- 
opsis Veitchii. The Lily pond, which is in the 
centre of the lawn near to the house, is a very 
interesting feature, for Sir Trevor is there cultivating 
a number of the finer hybrids. The flower garden is 
gay with Syringas, Phloxes, Abutilons, Begonias, 
and a host of other plants. The kitchen gardens, 
with the flower department, are also in excellent 
trim, and a warm tribute to the skill and care 
lavished upon them by Mr. W. Bain and his staff. 
After the party had partaken of refreshment, Mr. 
Jeremiah Lyon addressed the company, and offered 
the best thanks of the Caterham Horticultural 
Society to Sir Trevor and Lady Lawrence for their 
kind reception. Mr. Lyon alluded humorously to 
the fact that Sir Trevor was the first president of a 
Royal Horticultural Society who had entertained his 
horticultural friends, the first having been King 
Solomon. Id his reply, Sir Trevor said that to him 
it was a genuine pleasure to see there any one 
interested in gardens and gardening, and he was glsd 
to be able to welcome them there. Mr. Jeremiah 
Lyon generously paid all the travelling expenses of 
the outing, which was both an enjoyable and a pro¬ 
fitable one to those taking part in it. 
Dracaena sanderiana is stated to do well out of 
doors in the United States. It makes plenty of 
strong growths, and these come in handily for 
cuttiDgs in the autumn. It is probably rather too ex¬ 
pensive as yet to be extensively employed in this 
country for sub-tropical beddiDg. 
Orange Flowers in Paris —There are 150 Orange 
trees in the garden of the Tuilleries. Luxembourg 
has nearly a hundred. Each tree yields about a 
demi-kilogramme of flowers, which are sold by 
auction each year. They fetch on an average three 
francs per kilogramme, the cost of harvesting beiDg 
not less than one franc fifty. The chemists, drug¬ 
gists and perfumers are the purchasers. Nearly all 
these Orange trees are several hundred years old. 
Canadian Fruit for British Markets.—Last year 
Canada tried her apprentice hand in sending fresh 
fruits to the mother country, and as might be 
expected, had a few successes and a few failures, 
from which she will no doubt largely profit by 
avoiding the mistakes of last year. Canadian Apples 
are particularly handsome, and her Peaches are said 
to be unrivalled. Pears, Tomatos and other fruits 
can also be grown to great perfection in Canada, and 
the Dominion fruit growers intend to compete with 
their rivals by the sheer quality of their products. 
-- 
SUTTON’S BULBS FOR 1898. 
Although summer bedding is now in the height of 
its beauty, we are reminded, by the receipt of 
“ Sutton’s Bulbs for 1898,” that the present wealth 
of colour will shortly wane, and that preparations 
must be made for ensuring a succession of flowers 
duriDg the gloomy days of winter and the opening 
months of spring. Both for the adornment of 
homes and for securing magnificent displays in the 
open ground, bulbs produce sheets of colour which 
are unmatched throughout the year. Abundant 
evidence of the great utility of these flowers is 
offered in the woik before us. The numerous por¬ 
traits of individual specimens and the photographs of 
beds and borders are of singular beauty. These 
illustrations are not merely interesting, but they in¬ 
dicate the many ways in which the flowers may be 
employed with striking effect for decorative purposes 
in conservatories and gardens. 
Bulbs offer advantages that can be claimed for no 
other flowers. During the four or five years 
necessary to bring them to maturity their energies 
have been conserved by experts, and they have only 
to be properly potted or planted in the autumn 
months to ensure brilliant results. These flowers 
also meet the needs of all classes; they brighten the 
windows of cottagers, and are ornaments in the 
drawing-rooms and corridors of sumptuous homes. 
They bear forcing with impunity, ) et in the open 
ground the roots are unharmed by our severest win¬ 
ters, and they can be brought to perfection even in 
smoky towns by those who possess no horticultural 
skill, and are destitute of the appliances requisite 
for other flowers. 
The necessary cultural instructions are given by 
Messrs. Sutton in language free from technicalities, 
and the lists of Daffodils, Tulips and Hyacinths are 
so clear and terse as to render the task of selection 
easy. For those who do not wish to incur the 
trouble of making their own choice, collections 
adapted for many purposes are offered. 
Those who are familiar with the land of bulbs will 
recognise several well-known scenes from the snap¬ 
shots of Mr. Martin H. F. Sutton during his recent 
visit for the purpose of selecting the finest growths 
harvested in the present year. 
Subjects such as Begonias, Cyclamens, Gloxinias, 
and a few others which can only be cultivated under 
glass, do not, of course, belong to the category of 
Dutch bulbs. They are specialities for which 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons have won a high reputation, 
and it would be difficult to imagine a finer display 
than their exhibit of Gloxinias which won the Royal 
Horticultural Society's Gold Medal at the great 
Temple Show in May. A very attractive illustration 
of the inspection of these flowers by the Princess of 
Wales appears on one of the pages. Her Royal 
Highness was so much impressed with their beauty 
that, by Royal consent, a selection was sent to Marl¬ 
borough House. 
An illustration of Gladiolus Sutton’s Queen of 
Pinks reminds us of the many beautiful things amongst 
the hybrid early flowering Gladioli, which are 
superbly beautiful for conserva'ory work in pots, for 
the decoration of the open bed or border, and as cut 
flowers, separately, or in mixture with other flowers 
in season. The plethora of flowers at their time of 
flowering must be held responsible in some degree to 
the neglect which they suffer. Spiraeas, Deutzias, 
Lilacs, Christmas Roses and similar things are not 
bulbs any more than Lily of the Valley and Dielytra, 
but they are fit associates for winter work, and 
respond to forcing with the greatest facility. 
Gardening Miscellany. 
GALEGA OFFICINALIS. 
Journeying to Tiverton recently by the newly- 
opened line up the Exe Valley, we were much 
pleased going and coming in observing the bright 
and showy flower beds at the various stations 
through which we passed ; at one, I think Brampford, 
was a fine clump of Leycesteria formosa, and a plant 
of this Galega full of its pale blue flowers. This is a 
capital plant for such a spot, and if more often grown 
in the herbaceous border would be found to be 
equally useful with the pure white form that every¬ 
one seems to patronise.— IV.S. 
RHODANTHE MANGLESII. 
I have no recollection of seeing this old annual 
growing in the open until I came to this part 
Some years ago, having a number in pots, I planted 
them out, and the next season I sowed a few in the 
open and they did very well. Those sown the 
present season, having reached their best, have been 
pulled up and dried. I thought until a year ago that 
I was the only one in this part that had ventured 
sowing outside, when I saw a large breadth growing 
in a market garden near Preston. I was told that’ 
there is a good sale for it in the market. It does not 
do to sow it in the mixed border where slugs are 
prevalent, for they soon devour it.— IV. P. R., Preston. 
NATURAL BEAUTY. 
One of the prettiest peeps of greenery to be found 
in the south of Ireland is in Valentia Harbour. On 
the road leading to the slate quarries, in the wood 
beside the road, and sloping down some 200 ft. to 
the private road leading to the lighthouse is a perffct 
wealth of greenery consisting mainly of Lastreas, 
Osmundas, &c. Looking down some 50 ft. the com¬ 
mon Lastreas are charming ; fronds 4 ft. to 5 ft. in 
length and standing boldly out, are like an inverted 
bell fully 4 ft. across. When one sees a picture such 
as this it must engender a greater love for our hardy 
Ferns and the beauty of British woods.— R. G. W. 
-- 4 -- 
THE HOME OF FLOWERS AND SOME 
MORE OF ITS OCCUPANTS. 
Last week we mentioned a few of the more im¬ 
portant classes of plants that are done so well at the 
great nursery establishment at Swanley, and we now 
propose to deal with some of the other points of in¬ 
terest that cannot fail to impress a visitor who takes 
a peep at the nursery towards the end of July or the 
beginning of August. 
Chrysanthemums need not occupy us for long 
just now; in another couple of months they will be 
the all absorbing topic of the horticultural world. 
It must suffice for the present to say that the Swanley 
plants are looking first-class, and that both the bush 
subjects and those that are destined to produce large 
flowers are full of promise for the future. The col¬ 
lection is a huge one, as all comprehensive collec¬ 
tions must necessarily be now-a-days, when we count 
our varieties by the hundreds, and each year sees 
more or less important additions made. 
Succulents have been taken up enthusiastically 
of late years by the Messrs. Cannell, and the long, 
roomy span-roofed house in which they are accom¬ 
modated furnishes an admirable representation of 
the curious forms which Nature has evolved in those 
plants which have to exist in hot and arid climes. 
Cactuses, Opuntias, Mammillarias, Euphorbias, 
Aloes, Agaves, and other genera are represented in 
great variety, and the collection is one of the most 
valuable in existence. Of Stapelias there is also 
