April 1. 189§. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
48? 
Abyssinian Primroses Primula verticillata), the pale 
yellow, sweet-scented flowers and mealy foliage of 
the latter contrasting admirably with the crimson 
tints of the former. A little further along we find a 
bold group of Polyanthus Narcissus (N. Tazetta) 
var. gloriosus with white perianths and golden cups, 
with which is associated the pink flowered, glossy¬ 
leaved Begonia ascotensis—truly a noble group. On 
the opposite side a sweet combination, both in per¬ 
fume and arrangement, consists of some finely- 
flowered pots of Lily of the Valley (Convallaria 
majalis), alternated with the bundle-flowered yellow 
Primrose (Primula floribunda), the charming little 
Western Himalayan plant making a pretty contrast 
with the pure white, sweet-scented pendulous bells of 
its liliaceous partner. 
Pursuing our quest, we soon pull up before a coi¬ 
tion of plants representing three colours, white, ro5e, 
and yellow, the first and second being well-grown 
Hyacinths, Mont Blanc and Von Schiller, com¬ 
mingled with the Abyssinian Primrose afore men¬ 
tioned. Another, and perhaps the most unique 
arrangement, consists in the dark purple-flowered 
Hyacinth, Sir Henry Barkley, and a white, free- 
flowering ericaceous shrub (Pieris [Andromeda] 
floribunda) of American origin. The colour of Sir 
Henry Barkley is worthy of remark, while the Lily 
of the Valley-like Pieris is sure to create comment. A 
group of varieties of Primula sinensis interspersed 
with sturdy little well-fruited Orange trees (Citrus 
aurantium) is worthy of imitation; while Tulip 
Canary Bird shining in all its glory against 
Begonia sempervirens rosea is such a happy and 
effective combination, as needs only to be seen to 
be appreciated.—C. B. G., Acton, IV. 
MY EXPERIENCES AND RESULTS WITH 
WECK’S STERILISER. 
About three years ago I made the first experiments 
with the above method to sterilise fruit and vege¬ 
tables in glasses. I chose Cherries, Plums, Mira- 
belles, and Pears, and the following vegetables :— 
Green Peas, Beans, Carrots, and Asparagus. The 
result was striking, for not only the sterilised garden 
products, which were sent away in the middle of 
winter, were of the choicest quality and the finest 
flavour, as if taken fresh from the garden, but also 
the relish was enhanced by the knowledge of having 
cultivated and reaped these products one’s self, and 
having put them into the glasses with the utmost 
care and cleanliness ; also there is no taste of metal 
in Week’s glasses, which is always found in tin 
goods, and is so objectionable to a refined taste. 
Another advantage is the cheapness of this method, 
when one's own garden products are sterilised, be¬ 
cause the amount of cost cannot be compared with 
the advantages gained in wholesomeness and cleanli¬ 
ness, especially when one bears in mind the fact that 
the same utensils last for years. 
Consequently, I introduced Week’s steriliser in a 
hospital in my place, where the nursiDg sisters have 
been busily occupied ever since in sterilising the 
produce of the hospital garden in Week's glasses, in 
order to give it to the sick people who are under 
their care during the winter. Formerly the sick in 
the hospital were restricted to such fare as dried 
fruit and vegetables stored in the cellar, the hospital 
of this congregation not being able to afford the ex¬ 
pense of costly preserves. But now there is the 
possibility given by Week's steriliser to provide 
the sick at any time with the choicest preserved 
fruit and vegetables; and those who have once 
tasted Week's preserves know how palatable and 
easily digestible they are, especially for those 
suffering from stomach complaints, and for convales¬ 
cents. 
So no family, and especially no hospital, should 
be without this unparalleled steriliser. 
Mr. Week has made his apparatus in several 
sizes, and keeps the glasses, lids, and utensils belong- 
ng to it always in stock; the obliging inventor is 
always willing also to answer any questions, and to 
send recipes and prospectuses. He also has a stock 
of preserved fruit and vegetables, as well as meat 
and fish, preserves of the finest quality, always ready 
for immediate table use. Any of these articles can 
be obtained from Madame Alexandrine Veigele, 87 
and 89, Praed Street, Paddington, W., who is the 
sole agent for England, and keeps the sterilisers, 
glasses and fruit always in stock .—Georg Kemer r 
Practical Physician, Wehr [Baden). 
WELLINGTONIA GIGANTEA. 
When one sees a good specimen of Wellingtonia 
gigantea, one can but admire it. Unless to the 
practical observer, it would not occur to many what 
sort of anchorage such tall, graceful specimens we 
meet with occasionally require, to keep them in such 
an upright position. 
Having occasion to move one here at “ Poles, 
Ware, Herts" (the property of E. S. Hanbury, 
Esq.), my curiosity was somewhat satisfied on that 
point, on observing the enormity and number of 
roots with which Nature has provided this tree ; also 
making it withstand the gales which play such havoc 
with our stately Oaks, Elms, and other deciduous 
trees ; in some cases not content with depriving them 
of limbs, but uprooting them altogether. 
The tree in question was not a very tall one, the 
height being 42 ft. 8 in., and the circumference 3 ft. 
from the ground measured 7 ft. 9J in. Unfortunately, 
through some cause or other, it lost its leader many 
years ago, which, of course, prevented it from making 
a good specimen, that being one of the reasons for 
removing it; and it was also spoiling the view of the 
adjoining trees. 
The soil here varies very much, particularly the 
subsoil; so much so, that within a distance of 
100 yds. one would come on almost every variety 
(peat excepted). This particular tree had been 
planted on a bed of clay, which had to be chipped 
away with pickaxes, so hard and dry had it become 
round the base of the tree. 
It is very rare for any one to remove this species 
of tree after it has reached this size; the rule in 
Britain, at least, being to preserve them instead. I 
am rather curious to know if any one has felled so 
large a specimen. I may mention that there are 
other trees of the same species here; one in particu¬ 
lar being upwards of 70 ft. in height, 12J ft. in cir¬ 
cumference, with a spread of branches 30 ft. in 
diameter. 
The collection here also contains some good 
specimens of Cedrus atlantica and C. Libani, the 
former being remarkable for their glaucous appear¬ 
ance. 
Sequoia sempervirens is also represented, one 
specimen measuring 9 ft. 2 in. in circumference 3 ft. 
from ground, and at least 50 ft. in height, and is 
densely furnished from top to bottom.— A. W. 
THE FLORIST’S SHOW TULIPS. 
About this time last year I ventured to suggest, 
through your valuable paper, a few words of advice 
to young florists, who might have been induced to 
add to their hobbies a small collection of what 
Messrs. Barr & Sons term the “ Beautiful English 
Amateur Tulips.” I pointed out how unusually for¬ 
ward the foliage of my plants was, and that for the 
first time in my recollection, it presented itself 
through the ground at the latter end of January. 
This year we bad, in this part of the country, a wet 
January, and the ground, nearly throughout the 
month, was in a sodden state. The foliage, there¬ 
fore, was most backward in making its appearance. 
At the present time it is not more than from two to 
three inches high, and the bloom this season will, no 
doubt, be a late one. Going back to my remarks 
this time last year, I had good reason to believe, with 
anything like average weather, that my prospects of 
a satisfactory result, were most favourable. My 
hopes, however, were soon blighted, for before the 
end of March expired, we had two or three days of 
severe frosts, snow, and hail, accompanied with the 
keenest possible north-easterly winds; then followed 
through part of April frost, rain, and cold winds, in¬ 
stead of warm genial showers; consequently the 
buds, in the commencement of May, presented a fear¬ 
ful wreck. The rain which fell in April, and accumu¬ 
lated in the " cups ” of the foliage, attached to the 
flowering stems, became frozen ; and so soon as the 
buds began to show colour in May, the stems at the 
joints frozen, showed signs of decay, and fell to the 
ground. Hundreds and hundreds were in this un¬ 
fortunate condition. 
This year, I have taken the precaution of putting 
round my best bed some common canvas, forty 
inches high, which just reaches to the eaves of my 
frame or tent; and it is fortunate I have done so, for 
we have had, during the last four to five days, 10 and 
12 degrees of frost, with biting north-easterly winds. 
This protection I shall keep up best part of next 
month, and it will again be very useful when the 
plants are in full bloom, in May, as frequently strong 
winds prevail during that period, thus causing much 
damage by the blooms being blown against each 
other. This canvas can be bought for 3$d. per yard, 
and with care, will last for several years. 
If you, Mr. Editor, can find space for these few 
remarks in next week’s issue, they may cause young 
growers to be on the alert against such possible 
disasters as f have described, if nothing more.— 
James Thurston, Cannock, March 24th, 1899. 
Forked Trowel. 
NEW TROWEL AND FORK COMBINED. 
The accompanying illustration gives an idea of this 
invention which combines the well known scooped 
garden trowel and the small three-proDged garden 
fork, or small hand fork, as it is variously termed. It 
is specially adapted for heavy soil in which the 
weeds are generally difficult to eradicate in dry 
weather, which hardens the ground. It will also 
make furrows for seed-sowing in narrow borders or 
in small gardens. Its utility for dividing Ferns and 
various hardy border plants of a choice character, 
for which the spade is undesirable and unsuitable, 
will be obvious. Besides answering the purpose of 
a planting trowel, it may be put to other uses for 
which gardeners generally know how to turn such 
and similar tools to account. The inventors claim 
that by using a file or grindstone the edges of this 
implement may be made sharp enough to prune 
small twigs, or to cut Cabbages. It is made of 
Sheffield steel and is strongly mounted. The blade 
is also strongly made, and the curvature between the 
blade and the handle affords a considerable amount 
of leverage. The invention is being put into com¬ 
merce by Messrs. E. T. Markham & Co., 41 and 42, 
Cloth Fair, West Smithfield, London, E.C., who put 
the illustration at our disposal, and sent a sample of 
the article itself for our inspection. 
