134 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 29, 1898. 
from 55° to 65° Fahr. Pot singly in "thumbs” 
when slight growth has been made, and when 
established in them place in boxes or borders. The 
compost should consist of two parts loam, one leaf 
mould, and half sand. Water freely in summer. A 
winter temperature of 50° is necessary.— Harrison, D. 
CULTURE OF THE CAPE HEATH. 
The Cape Heaths are not so much grown as they 
were in my young days of gardening; still they are 
one of our most charming tribes of plants. They 
can be bad in flower all the year round. The soft 
wooded kinds are still largely grown for winter 
decorations. When living at Crowe Hall, Bath, I 
had over 100 hard-wooded kinds. Mr. Tugwell was a 
great admirer of them and all hard-wooded plants, 
and one of the best judges of them I ever knew. 
There was to be a large show held at Cheltenham, 
and I told him that I wished to exhibit 12 stove and 
greenhouse plants and 8 Cape Heaths. He said that 
we would be all right for Heaths. Sunday was his 
great day for gardening; and on the Sunday he told 
me that he could only make 9 stove and greenhouse 
plants. I asked him what they were, and he named 
them. I mentioned other 3 plants to him to make 
up the r2, but they were not quite perfect. The 
show was to be held on the Wednesday and Dr. 
Lindley was to be down, and I had every confidence 
in the judges, Messrs. McIntosh, of Dalkeith, and 
Wm. Glendinning of the Chiswick Nursery, and the 
gardener from Syon House. I got one of the largest 
vans in Bath, and just had room for one extra Heath. 
I got up to Cheltenham at 3 in the morning, as all 
the plants had to be arranged by 8 o'clock a.m. There 
were 12 exhibitors for 12 stove and greenhouse plants. 
Several of the leading growers were down from 
London. I had only one opponent, Mr. Brown (late 
of Lucombe, Pince & Co., of Exeter Nursery) of 
Rollisons, Tooting. I found that it was a close tie 
between me and Mr. Cole, of London, who bad one 
weak plant, a Statice. I had one weak plant, Ron- 
deletia speciosa. At the last moment before the 
judges commenced and when the tent was cleared, I 
took the odd Heaih to replace a magnificent speci¬ 
men of Erica depressa in an 18 in. pot, and one mass 
of bloom, as I was determined to have the £12 
cup. When I got down to the show I found Mr. 
Tugwell walking along by my plants,awarded the first 
prize. He was much put out that I bad lost the 
Cape Heaths, as he said he should not have lost them 
for /50. I told him that I had taken out my depressa 
Heath to make sure of the r2. He told me that he 
had gone over the plants carefully, and that I was 
first in both easily if I had left them as arranged at 
first. 
The feature of the successful culture of the Heath 
is a peculiar condition of air, and as little fire heat as 
possible. A low span-roofed or half-span about T2 ft. 
in-width, a 4 ft. path in the centre, and 24 ft. stages 
on each side. A stone stage, where obtainable, is 
cool and clean. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings of the half- 
ripened wood, but as they take some months to root 
it is better to get them from the nursery. It can 
also be done by seeds, which is very interesting. 
By crossing, many of our choicest kinds have been 
raised, as, for instance, Erica Aitonia turgida, 
varieties of E. ventricosa, E. marnockiana, &c. 
I invariably, when I get the plants, pot them at 
once. I prefer the Exeter peat to any other. It is 
cut in large sods ; and there is no sand in it, but 
plenty of Fern rcots. Place the sods on the potting 
bench, break it to pieces with a bent stick, then put 
it through an iron sieve. From what the sieve 
retains pick out all wood and Heath roots, but retain 
all the Fern roots. Then place it over the drainage 
to keep it open, and over it place a good sprinkling 
of broken flints. When I was under the late Mr. 
McNab, of the Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, who 
was the father of Heath growing, he used hard 
stone to mix with the soil, as there are no flints found 
in Scotland. The roots cling round them in summer 
and they do not absorb the moisture in winter. In 
potting place some stakes round the pots and tie 
down all the side shoots to them. Pinch out the tops 
of the shoots to make them bushy. After the plant 
is formed no more stakes are required. Sometimes 
one sees nothing but a bundle of stakes. 
The plants ought to be placed out-of-doors during 
summer on a nice bed of ashes, and freely exposed 
to the sun. They require great attention at all 
times in watering. Plants in pots from r2 in. to 
r8 in. in diameter, ought to be tapped to know if they 
require water, and if the pot sound hollow, give the 
plant a good watering out of the spout of the water¬ 
ing pot. 
When the plants are returned in the autumn go 
over them with a pointed stick, and break off 
withered leaves. Sometimes they are subject to 
mildew ; but if the above directions are adhered to, 
no mildew will make its appearance. My love for 
Cape Heaths is so great that if I were confined to one 
class of plants, I should prefer the Heath. The 
foliage is so green, and some of the species are 
always in flower to please the eye.— William Car¬ 
michael, 14, Pitt Street, Edinburgh. 
. -—e-- 
BLACKBERRIES. 
It may interest " W. B. G. ” and others intending 
the cultivation of Blackberries, to know that they are 
well worthy of attention. Three years ago, finding 
the autumn fruiting Raspberries a failure in this late 
locality, North Ayrshire, we turned our attention to 
the common Blackberry, with the result that they 
have proved a success and an acquisition. 
A piece of ground was selected, well trenched, and 
heavily manured. Into it were planted three dozen 
Bramble plants. Tbe following season they made 
shoots 8 ft. long. A year ago they cropped so well, 
and were so much appreciated, that I was induced to 
make another and larger plantation. The present 
autumn crop has been very abundant, and I have 
had 80 lbs. of luscious, black, glossy fruit gathered for 
preserving, besides several small pickings for tarts. 
To those who have to supply fresh gathered fruit as 
late into the season as possible, I say plant Black¬ 
berries.— Ear. 
- 
GRANTON ROAD NURSERY, 
EDINBURGH. 
The glass of what used to be known as the Golden 
Acre Nursery has for many years been occupied by 
Mr. John Phillips ; and being situated on the Granton 
Road, Edinburgh, the place is now test known as the 
Granton Road Nursery. Mr. Phillips grows chiefly 
for market and the flower trade generally. The first 
house we entered contained fine batches of Pteris 
Wimsettii, P. cretica cristata, P. nobilis and P. 
tremula, all in 48-sized pots. Curiously enough the 
last named is the best selling Fern about Edinburgh. 
Adiantum cuneatum is grown in quantity and finds 
many uses. Smilax is planted out and allowed to 
twine up slender cords. 
Foliage plants of another class occupied another 
house, the lower stages of which were chiefly filled 
with the two most popular Palms, namely, Kentia 
belmoreana, and K. fosteriana, never absent from 
establishments of this kind. Dracaena rubra is 
another sturdy and useful subject. Broad shelves, 
overhead, ran along the centre of the house, and were 
occupied with a splendid batch of Ficus elastica 
ready for market. Tne Palms beneath seem 
benefited rather than otherwise by the slight shade 
caused by the presence of the shelves overhead. A 
long, lean-to house facing the north, and 150 ft long, 
was almost devoted to Pteris tremula in fine condi¬ 
tion. Elsewhere we noted quantities of Selaginella 
emiliana, Araucaria excelsa, and Aspidistras, of 
which there is always a difficulty in getting enough 
to meet requirements. 
Palms were the ruling feature of the next house, 
there being a fine quantity of Latania borbonica in 
48-size pots. Kentias were grown in thumbs, in 
60-size pots, and up to specimens 2 ft. and 2^ ft. 
high. Cucumbers occupied one part of the house. 
Araucarias predominated in another house, and 
ranged from 6 in. to 24 in. in height. Indian Azaleas 
receive attention, while the relatively hardy Eurya 
latifolia variegata made shapely specimens in the 
regulation market pots. Aralia Sieboldiis even more 
hardy and makes a useful companion to the previous 
subject. A considerable amount of space is devoted 
to Asparagus plumosus, both in pots and also 
planted out. The stems of the latter are trained up 
strings and make useful sprays or wreaths for the 
dinner table and other decorative work. 
The next house entered was mostly filled with 
Tomatos, Stirling Castle and Austin’s Eclipse being 
the favourites. Here also was a large collection of 
zonal Pelargoniums in small pots for bedding out 
purposes. Elsewhere the tops of Hydrangeas rooted 
in small pots gave promise of a fine display of single 
crowned flowering plants in spring. 
In a collection of shrubby subjects the variable 
character of the plant best known as Ampelopsis 
Veitchi was noticeable. Ivies in quantity and 
variety were also grown in pots to meet the require¬ 
ments of the market. Eucalyptus Globulus, Adian¬ 
tum cuneatum and Pteris tremula were also located 
in batches in this cool and airy house. Fine Maiden¬ 
hair Ferns in 32-size pots were in fine form for 
supplying material for cutting. 
Out of doors we noted the red berried Elder 
(Sambucus racemosa serratifolia aurea) bearing 
yellow foliage almost as fine as a Fern. Early 
flowering Chrysanthemums were just coming in for 
use ; but the late flowering sorts, to the number of 
4,000 pot plants, occupied a large amount of space 
and gave promise of an abundant harvest of bloom 
in due season. All are grown in bush form for the 
sake of cut flowers, as Mr. Phillips does not exhibit 
them. These dwarf bushes would also be useful for 
conservatory decoration. 
-«*■- 
SEACLIFFE, EDINBURGH. 
Situated in one of the quieter suburbs of the metro¬ 
polis of Scotland, and bordering upon the Firth of 
Forth, is the residence of F. W. Brickmann, Esq., 
Seacliffe, Trinity Road, Edinburgh. In spite of the 
work of the builder, the villa residences have gardens 
of greater or less size and importance in proportion 
to their owners’ expenditure upon them. The owner 
of Seacliffe is able to obtain a considerable amount 
of pleasure from his garden. 
The Palm house is situated between the library and 
the diniog room ; and here are to be found tall Palms, 
including Latania borbonica, in pots that require to 
be plunged in order to afford the necessary head-room. 
Tall Dracaenas are planted amoDgst stones form¬ 
ing a sort of rockery in the central area of the house. 
The end walls of the house are covered with strong 
wire netting holding up the soil and moss which form 
a receptacle for a great variety of subjects which 
have been planted there. Varieties of Begonia Rex, 
Aspleniums, Pterises, and other Ferns are thickly 
planted all over the wall, and make vigorous and 
rampant growth. Asparagus plumosus is planted 
over the door at either end, and hanging down grace¬ 
fully shows to what excellent work it can be put in 
cases of this kind. A few weeks ago Begonia Rex was 
in splendid condition, many of the leaves measuring 
12 in. in diameter, being beautifully coloured. Mr. 
G. Donald, the gardener, pays considerable attention 
to these walls, in order to maintain their condition. 
The conservatory contains the usual run of sub¬ 
jects, while the roof is draped with Lophospermum 
scandens and Maurandia barclayana alternately, the 
flowering sprays being allowed to hang down grace¬ 
fully. Chlorophytum elatum medio pictum is the 
better of the two varieties of this widely cultivated 
plant. At one end is a doorway the top of which is 
arched over with cork, the latter being covered with 
Ficus repens. This leads into a grotto constructed 
with rockwork resembling what may be seen in lime¬ 
stone caves. The pockets in the rockwork are planted 
with Ferris, Tradescantias, Ficus, Begonias of the 
Rex type, Aspidistras, Asparagus plumosus, and 
other subjects that will stand a considerable amount 
of shade. Nephrolepis has made fronds 4 ft. to 5 ft. 
in length. A dripping fountain may be turned on at 
pleasure, and keeps the atmosphere cool and moist. 
The dining room opens into this grotto. 
The vinery at the time of our visit contained well- 
fruited Vines of Black Hamburgh, Alnwick Seedling, 
Alicante, Foster’s Seedling, and Gros Colman. From 
thence we passed into a span-rcofed house containing 
Crotons, Dracaenas, Allamandas, Ruellia Portellae, 
with its handsome foliage, Eulalia japonica variegata, 
and other decorative subjects. The Maiden-hair 
Ferns were particularly well grown and attractive. 
The edging of Panicum to the staging was in per¬ 
fection and added much to the attractiveness of this 
house. 
The Melons were almost finished and the house 
was turned to useful account in accommodating 
batches of finely coloured Coleuses and Acalyphas.the 
latter beiDg grown for the mirrors in the dwelling 
house. Another house contained a batch of Egg 
Plants; also fine varieties of Canna, and Nephrodium 
molle, while the roof was covered with Stephanotis, 
which flowers well. 
A large greenhouse was gay with a great variety of 
subjects, including zonal, scented-leaved, and Ivy- 
