October 29, lb98. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
18G 
ARDENING ft ISCELLA.NY. 
SOLIDAGO VIRGAUREA VAR. PROSTRATA. 
Our native Golden-rod, Solidago Virgaurea is better 
known as a cultivated plant than as a wilding, for 
whereas it finds a place in many a garden it is not seen 
often in its native haunts, owing to the zeal with which 
it has been persecuted. It is a most variable species, 
however, for while in rich soil in otir gardens it 
grows several feet in height, on the mountain slopes 
it is to be found only a few inches tall. Within the last 
few years Mr. Peter Barr has collected and sent 
home from the mountains of Norway a form of it 
that is quite distinct from the type. It has been 
named S. V. prostrata. The varietal name is not 
good, for the plant is not prostrate, but only dwarfed, 
until it is about a foot in height, otherwise it is as erect 
jn its habit of growth as the type. The leaves are 
much narrower than those of the species ; the flowers 
are bright yellow, the flower heads or capitula being 
disposed in variable fashion in terminal panicles. As 
a late flowering border subject this variety is worthy 
of notice. A fine batch of it is very showy at the 
present time in Messrs. Barr & Sons’ nurseries at 
Long Ditton. 
PHLOX EUGENIE DANZANVILLIERS. 
There are numerous varieties of Phlox decussata that 
are deserving of praise for their free flowering and 
highly decorative qualities as border plants. In the 
form under note, however, we have one that might 
well be freely employed as a bedding subject as well. 
It is dwarf (about i ft. in height) and very vigorous 
in habit; and it stands the drought remarkably well, 
in this respect being far and away better than most 
of the other varieties. It is a very profuse flowerer, 
the panicles being both large and heavy. The 
individual flowers too, are fine, and of the highest 
type in regard to form and substance. In colour they 
are soft lilac-blue, with a very large and prominent 
white eye. This Phlox has done remarkably well 
during the recent trying summer at the Long Ditton 
Nurseries of Messrs. Barr & Sons, and even at the 
time of writing is still in flower. 
CARYOPTERIS MASTACANTHUS. 
This is, I believe, among the more recent introduc¬ 
tions of hardy dowering shrubs, and certainly among 
the most useful and beautiful, being in full flower 
just now, when flowering subjects are somewhat 
sparse among the class of subjects to which it 
belongs. From the conditions under which I 
recently observed it, I would most unreservedly 
recommend it to all lovers of hardy trees and shrubs, 
as being not only a beautiful thing, but also one 
admirably adapted for dry soils. The plants I saw 
are growing in a most exposed situation, and had not 
been watered during the prolonged drought. At a 
short distance they would give a stranger to them 
the idea of being dwarfed Ceanothus, not being more 
than 30 in. in height, and some 40 in. or more across. 
The colour of the flowers is very similar to that of 
Ceanothus caeruleus; but a closer observation will 
soon show that in every other respect it is very dis¬ 
similar.— W. B. G. 
ASTER AMELLUS FRAMFIELDI. 
The European Aster Aroellus is one of the finest 
and best adapted for bedding purposes, being one of 
the earliest, and making a grand display during 
August and September when placed under favour¬ 
able conditions. Mr Norman Davis, of Framfield, 
Uckfield, Sussex, has been improving his time by 
raising seedlings of this species of Aster. Several 
of them have turned out to be quite superior to the 
type. To the finest he has given the name A. 
Amellus Framfieldi, which is characterised by hav¬ 
ing dark blue flowers, double the size of those of 
the type, and in being three or four weeks later in 
coming into bloom. It will, therefore, give a suc¬ 
cession of bloom for a longer period of time than we 
have from the well-known Aster Amellus. 
MUSCARI CONICUM HEAVENLY BLUE. 
Those who have been to Messrs. Barr & Sons' 
Nurseries at Long Ditton in the earlier months of 
the year, and have seen the Muscaris or Grape 
Hyacinths in bloom cannot but have been struck 
with the grand masses of a splendid form, M. coni- 
cum, to be seen there. This stock has all been 
raised from bulbs collected by Mr. Elwes at Trebi- 
zond in 1879, and as it is quite different from the M. 
conicum of Continental growers it has been given the 
appropriate varietal name of Heavenly Blue. 
Messrs. Barr have now a stock of not less than 
30,000 bulbs, so that the sight of these when in 
bloom next spring will be something magnificent. 
The bulbs have been planted in the virgin soil of a 
recently broken up meadow, and this will probably 
suit them right well. M. conicum is one of the earliest 
Grape Hyacinths toflo.ver. It opens nearly three 
weeks before M. armeniacum, and long before M. 
neglectum and M. botryoides, and its varieties. 
ARALIA SIEBOLDII. 
I have long thought that many plants and shrubs 
considered to be too tender for our northern counties, 
would, if tried, prove appreciably vigorous. As I 
lately mentioned, Escallonia phillipiana and 
Ceanothus azureus are two shrubs whose hardiness 
have been called in question by men in the south of 
England. Nevertheless we grow them about Edin¬ 
burgh. And now I find Aralia Sieboldii growing 
with great vigour in a south border next the house 
of a clergyman here. I pen this because of a query 
you answered regarding this plant in your issue for 
February 27th, 1897. The query was from Derby, 
where you thought it could not withstand the winter 
unprotected. The plant I mention is over 4 ft. high, 
and dense, and receives no winter protection.— 
J. H. D. 
-- 
NATIONAL 
cH^vsflNTHEmum 
SOCIETY. 
REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION OF 
SITES, ETC., SUB-COMMITTEE, 
Presented to a special meeting of the executive com¬ 
mittee, held at Carrs’, 265, Strand, on Monday 
evening, October 17th, 1898, at 7 p.ni. 
The circumstances which led to the appointment 
of the investigation of sites, etc., sub-committee 
commenced with the adjourned annual general 
meeting of members, held at Anderton’s Hotel, on 
March 21st last, when, as recorded in the minutes 
of that meeting, Mr. F. W. Moorman proposed that 
certain resolutions he had drawn up be accepted as 
recommendations to the executive committee, which 
proposition was seconded by Mr. J. R. Cholmeley, 
and carried. 
These resolutions (three in number) were as 
follows: — 
That a sub-committee of five members (exclusive 
of ex-officio members) be appointed to enquire— 
[a.) What places can be obtained for holding our 
future exhibitions, either by a subsidy as now, or in 
reliance on our own resources, to proceed on inde¬ 
pendent lines. 
(b.) To closely examine the whole question of 
minor shows, with the object of ascertaining their 
advantages or otherwise to the society. 
(c.) To fully consider the question of selling the 
floor space, and to report the result of their investi¬ 
gations to the general committee, who shall formu¬ 
late such recommendations to a general meeting of 
members, to be held on the first day of the Novem¬ 
ber exhibition, and that no further fixtures be made 
before this date. 
The above was unanimously agreed to as a recom¬ 
mendation to go to the committee for action. 
These resolutions were duly reported and read at 
a meeting of the executive committee, held on May 
nth, when it was moved by Mr. J. W. Moorman, 
seconded by Mr. T. Bevan, and carried :—" That 
the consideration of the foregoing resolutions be 
referred to a sub-committee of five members, in 
addition to the ex-officio officers, with instructions to 
report thereon.” It was further resolved in relation 
thereto :—*‘ That the report be presented to the 
executive commitee as soon as possible ”; also, 
“ that reasonable out-of-pocket expenses be allowed 
the sub committee in making the necessary investi¬ 
gations.” 
Your sub-committee met on June 20th, and 
resolved “ That in any applications made to likely 
places as sites for the society’s shows, it should be 
on the basis of four shows in each year, viz., in 
September, October, November, and December. 
The following were mentioned as likely places in 
which accomodation for the society's shows might 
be found :—The Agricultural Hall, Islington ; The 
Crystal Palace, Sydenham ; The London Exhibitions, 
Earls Court; Olympia, Kensington; The Queen’s 
Hall, Laogbam Place ; The Imperial Institute, South 
Kensington; and the Northampton Institute, Clerken- 
well. The secretary was instructed to communicate 
with the secretaries and managers of the foregoing 
places, to enquire as to the extent of the accomoda¬ 
tion afforded, with dimensions of halls; whether 
three days exhibitions could be held; whether 
tabling could be at the disposal of the society ; and 
the charge for the whole, say for four days. 
It was also resolved that an advertisement in the 
Daily Telegraph and Daily Chronicle newspapers be 
inserted, for a central hall of large size, for the 
purposes of the exhibitions to be held in 1899. The 
advertisements brought but one response, that 
from the secretary of the Public Hall, at Peckham, 
much too small for the purposes of the society. 
With the exception of Olympia, which your sub¬ 
committee were informed could not be had, as the 
large show hall had been disposed of for other 
purposes, the whole of the foregoing places were 
visited by deputations, and the following results 
arrived at:— 
The Agricultural Hall is not available because 
exhibitions are provided for up to the end of 1S99, 
and the shows of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society could be held there during that'year only in 
the event of one of these falling out, and this could 
not be definitely made known until A. pril next. 
The Exhibition Building at Earl's Court is 
also not available in 1899, owing to the whole of the 
space being required for the Colonial Exhibition in 
that year. 
Queen’s Hall. —In reference to the Queen's Hall 
there is about 3,600 superficial feet of open space ; 
and after deducting gangways, it would leave about 
2,000 superficial feet space for show purposes. There 
is space under the galleries, but artificial light would 
be necessary all through the day. The rate of hire 
of the Queen's Hall is heavy, owing to its being so 
much in request for concert purposes; the restric¬ 
tions are severe, and there would be probable charges 
for dilapidations. The Queen’s Hall was therefore 
abandoned. 
Imperial Institute.— At the Imperial Institute 
there is a long north gallery, 700 ft. in length, by 25 
ft. in width, but difficult to reach, because several of 
the Indian Galleries have to be passed through on 
the way. Lavatory accommodation is also deficient. 
The sum of /50 per show would have to be paid as 
rent; and there would be a charge for lighting also, 
about 14s.per hour. This place your sub committee re¬ 
garded as unsuitable and the terms prohibitory. Your 
sub committee therefore concluded that the Imperial 
Institute, as a site for the shows of the society,was out 
of the question upon the terms above offered. 
The Northampton Institute. —This is situated 
in St. John Street Road, Clerkenwell, and near the 
Angel at Islington. It is a social and educational 
institution, with commanding premises, possessing a 
large hall, 100 ft. by 67 ft. with a spacious platform, 
4: ft. by 39 ft., and a portion of the back of the 
gallery, running round three sides of the building, 
could be occupied by exhibits. The area of the hall, 
which could supply about 1,900 superficial feet of 
tabling, would be too restricted for any one of the 
exhibitions of the society. A spacious Gymnasium 
might be available, but a licence would have to be 
taken out to use it. The Institute is situated at a 
considerable distance from any railway station, and 
though in a main street, there is no line of omnibuses 
or trams along it; the nearest point of bus traffic, 
being some few hundreds of yards away. It is 
therefore difficult of access. There are certain re¬ 
strictions also ; no intoxicating drinks can be sold, 
no smoking or profane swearing allowed. The Com¬ 
mittee felt that the Northampton Institute could not 
be entertained as a site for the society's shows. 
The Royal Aquarium.— A deputation waited 
upon Mr. Ritchie, the chairman of the board of 
directors of the Royal Aquarium, to consult as to 
arrangements for the future. Complaints were made 
as to deficiencies in lighting the building; Mr. 
Ritchie assured the deputation that the directors 
would take reasonable steps to secure a good lighting 
of the building. In reference to facilities for judg¬ 
ing, Mr. Ritchie is willing to rope off the whole of 
