h02 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 8, 1899. 
ternata, Ceanothus, Buddleia, Magnolia 
and similar choice shrubs should prove 
hardy in his northern garden. He is rather 
disappointed that he planted so many 
Pontic Rhododendrons and Azaleas in his 
policies in the early sixties, instead of the 
above subjects which would by this time 
have grown into large bushes and trees, 
perfectly transforming the aspect and 
beauties of the place, as well as making it 
more interesting. 
Phormium tenax variegatum is regarded 
as the show plant of the place, for it 
forms a bush 8 ft. high and 32 ft in circum¬ 
ference. It threw up six flower stems, 
12 ft. high, during the past summer, making 
a stately and picturesque object. That 
giant of hardy bamboos, Arundinaria 
Simoni, planted only in April, 1897, has 
thrown up stems 8 ft. high ; but we think 
it likely to double that height, or more, in 
the mild, moist climate of the north-west 
coast. He more than half anticipates this 
result himself, and has planted six species 
of this graceful and most interesting tribe of 
grasses. Another experiment is the rear¬ 
ing of a young Dicksonia, raised from spores 
produced by a specimen of this Tree Fern 
in Arran. 
Some of the Bamboos have found their 
way into the centre of the large Azalea bed, 
to wit, Phyllostachys mitis, and P. viridi- 
glaucescens, two giant princes of the tribe. 
The Azaleas include single and double 
varieties of Ghent Azaleas, A. mollis, 
A. sinensis, A. arborescens, and other 
species from M. Louis Van Houtte, pere, 
Ghent. Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, 
have put him in possession of some of the 
charming dwarf Rhododendrons, including 
that little gem R. racemosum, from 
the uplands of China, R. praecox 
Little Gem, R. nobleanum, R. Falconeri, 
with huge leaves. All of them have be¬ 
haved splendidly. Mr. Mackenzie has also 
made the acquaintance of the beautiful 
Zenobia speciosa, with Lily of the Valley¬ 
like flowers. Kalmia rubra flowers pro¬ 
fusely, but K. latifolia is shy, an experience 
that accords with the results obtained in 
many more southern gardens. Most of his 
shrubs flower in April, May, and June; but 
Spiraea ariaefolia would give a succession, 
and in the South, at least, Magnolia glauca 
and M. grandiflora flower till the fog and 
frosts of autumn put a stop to growth. 
Fuchsia Riccartoni and other species ought 
to luxuriate in the Western Highlands till 
a late period in autumn. The Hydrangeas 
give him great satisfaction, notably the 
common one and H. paniculata. The 
former were mounds of bright blue till the 
middle of November, one bush counted 
carrying over 100 trusses of bloom. 
Several useful and showy species of hardy 
Heaths have found their way to this home 
of hardy plants, and include such species as 
Erica australis, E. mediterranea, E. vagans 
and St. Dabeoc's Heath (Daboecia poli- 
folia). He has obtained Erica arborea from 
Newry, after a considerable amount of 
trouble, but if it is really true to name, Mr. 
Mackenzie has been more successful than 
some collectors on this side of the Cheviots. 
E. codoriodes is often grown under the 
name of E. arborea. He saw and admired 
the latter on the hill-sides of Corsica, and 
is much concerned to know whether it will 
form trees like those in its native home. 
Of five species of Escallonia, the best and 
most satisfactory is E. macrantha. Of the 
Broom tribe he grows the White Portugal 
(Cytisus albus), C. scoparius andreanus, 
Genista praecox and Spartium junceum. 
The scent and flavour of the berries of 
Eugenia Ugni resemble a mixture of Straw¬ 
berries, Pineapples and Bog Myrtle. The 
so-called Strawberry-Raspberry (Rubus- 
palmatus) has been added to the collection, 
bringing in its train pleasure and disap¬ 
pointment, the former on account of its 
handsome appearance, and the latter by 
the flavourless and worthless character of 
the fruit. Some of the Rock-roses or 
Cistus have been planted in this collection, 
but the collector seems to doubt their 
hardiness. We think that a fair trial will 
show’ that a number of them will succeed. 
The shrubby New Zealand Veronicas 
succeed admirably, as they generally do 
when established in the neighbourhood of 
the sea. The taller growing species include 
the beautiful V. salicifolia, with long leaves, 
and the equally free flowering V. Traversii. 
Some of the others he has added to the col¬ 
lection resemble bushes of the native purple 
Heather, when out of bloom. This would 
probably correspond to V. salicornoides, 
and V. Hectori and V. lycopodioides would 
resemble Club Mosses. He has heard of a 
species (V. macrantha) with flowers as big 
as those of a Rhododendron,- and that we 
should like to see, for it must be new to 
cultivation at least. We have, however, 
noted sufficient to show what an ardent 
collector in his private capacity can do in 
getting together what must be a veritable 
paradise of plants from all the temperate 
parts of the world. Many of the species 
above recorded we are accustomed to look 
for only in Devon, the Isle of Wight, the 
Channel Islands, and other favoured parts 
of the south and west coast of Great 
Britain. We have to thank the Gulf 
Stream for the possibility of growing such 
things on the north-west coast, not so very 
far south of Cape Wrath. 
———»&*.- 
Sixty Gallons of Olives are required to produce 
one gallon of oil. 
A Dangerous Time. —When the bull rushes and 
the hedges begin to shoot. 
Weather in the North. —A Perthshire correspond¬ 
ent writing on the 28th ult. says “ The weather has 
again changed, and much need. The snow has gone 
to-day and birds are again filling the air with sweet 
sounds. We heard very little from them for ten days. 
Green stuff is much withered by the severe cold, and 
is of little value now.” 
The Lady Gardeners.—On p. 486 there is a note 
that these “ interesting subjects ” at Kew are now 
facetiously designated the “ Middlesex.” Some short 
or succinct term is undoubtedly wanted to indicate 
these ladies-of-the-spade, but the one here adopted 
is, I think, rather unfortunate as well as inaccurate, 
leaving out of the question altogether the " ungall¬ 
antry.” As, however, there are but two sexes, the 
tender and the stern, and as no other has as yet been 
discovered, which would in any way answer to this 
description, I feel obliged to take exception to this 
term of “ middlesex.” Occupation in itself is of 
little value, for in some countries women do all the 
work, gardening included ; so that however much the 
“ ladies ” may offend, the suggested sobriquet is not 
permissible. Try again, ye men of Kew, next time 
with more acumen ! Pope calls woman a " contra¬ 
diction,” and Shakespeare" frailty,” while Tennyson 
considers her to be the “ lesser man.” In this latter 
sense, then, she may be a sort of stepping-stone, and 
intermeciate between boy and man. But whatever 
she is, or may be, she has a function to fulfil, a 
purpose to serve, perhaps a garden to cultivate, ay, 
and even a living to get. It is certain that she cannot 
adequately compete with man. She cannot, for 
instance, dig, and to prune (on a high ladder) she 
is afraid. But there are many other things which she 
can do, and do well, even in a garden. All honour 
to her, then for chosing such a course of life, such a 
philosophic profession ; for preferring the paths of 
horticulture to the fields of frivolity. May her 
plucky spirit never grow less, and may her Kew- 
riosity show us men the light that in her lies. 
" The world was sad, the garden was a wild; 
And man, the hermit, sighed—’till woman smiled." 
— Anthrofos. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.— On Thursday the 30th ult., a paper entitled 
" Streamside and Water Gardens ” was read by Mr. 
E T. Cook, of Gardening Illustrated, at a meeting of the 
above association. He dealt at some length upon 
Water Lilies and their cultural requirements, 
mentioning the finest of the hardy hybrid forms! 
and varieties of various species. Good loam and 
leaf mould were the principal ingredients of the 
compost for this class of plants. While a pond was a 
desideratum for the culture of Water Lilies, they 
could also be grown in tanks specially constructed 
for the accommodation of aquatics, or in tubs sunk 
in the ground where larger receptacles were not at 
command, or where space was limited. Irises also 
came in for a share of attention, as well as several 
British wild plants of a showy character, and which 
might with propriety be introduced to the water 
garden, special mention being made of Lythrum 
Salicaria, Epilobium hirsutum, and others. A good 
discussion followed, in which many other beautiful 
wild plants, suitable for the purpose, were mentioned. 
Scottish Horticultural Association.— On Tuesday, 
April 4th, at 5, St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, this 
association held its monthly, meeting. The room 
was crowded by members, who really enjoyed what 
was a very bright, instructive, and social meeting. 
The table was gay with beautiful Tulips, pleasingly 
arranged in a deep vase. The paper dealt with 
" Hardy Plants,” and was from Mr. Melville, Loch¬ 
gilphead, Argyllshire. Mr. Melville depreciated the 
bedding-out system of flower gardening. His home 
being away in the mild, moist, west coast of Scotland, 
his list of herbaceous plants and ornamental flower¬ 
ing shrubs were thought by us of the east coast, to 
be too select for general use here. Discussion 
brought forth the facts that very many plants, 
thought only to be indigenous to Chili and the South 
American coasts, the Riviera, and other very mild 
parts, were quite hardy at Lochgilphead. Much 
more was gone into. ** Clydesdale Orchards,” by 
Mr. Wilson, Murdostoun, Lanarkshire, was 
announced as the paper for next meeting. Exhibits;— 
Primroses came from Ireland ; Rhododendrons came 
from Trinity Grove, Edinburgh, and Hay Lodge, 
Edinburgh; Violets, Princess of Wales from Mr. 
Kidd, Edinburgh; and fine Apples from some one. 
Discussion also arose as to where the annual outing 
should be to. The Glen, Innerleithen was proposed 
and very cordially agreed for the present. Votes of 
thanks closed the meeting. 
Isk of Wight Horticultural Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—The anove association held its annual spring 
show in the Friendly Societies’ Hall, Ventnor, on 
Saturday, April 1st. Although the exhibits did not 
reach the number of last year, there was a good 
show, which was attended by numerous strangers to 
the Island. The show was opened by Dr. Groves, 
Carisbrook, (chairman to the association) who in a 
few well chosen remarks, dealt upon the work the 
association had done, and intends to do, for the 
advancement and interests of the various branches 
of horticulture. A vote of thanks to the chairman 
was proposed by Mr. T. Gibbs, C. C., and seconded 
by Mr. J. O. Brooks, C. C. Judging by the exhibit 
sent by Lady Daly, Ryde (gardener Mr. G. Honey- 
bourne), Daffodils luxuriate in the Island. There 
were some fine specimens of N. tortuosus, N. Golden 
Spur, N. Sir Watkin, N. Henry Irving, etc. C. H. 
Combe, Esq., Bonchurch (gardener Mr. Wm. 
Russell), made a very creditable exhibit of foliage 
and flowering greenhouse plants, interspersed with 
many well grown varieties of Narcissus, also Roses 
from out-doors. Mr. W. W. Sheath, gardener to 
Miss Mitchell, arranged two very decorative tables 
with such plants as Dracaenas, Crotons, Euphorbias, 
Pandanus, and many greenhouse flowering plants. 
Mr. F. Attrall, gardener to Miss Cass, Ventnor, staged 
some well grown plants of Spiraea j aponica compacta. 
Mr. A. J. Cole, gardener to R. Rendell, Esq., 
Sandown, exhibited a vase of Daffodils, showing the 
value of these spring flowers for table decoration, 
using Barberry foliage as a base, Daffodil foliage 
in the centre, and Arum leaves round the outside. 
Mr. C. H. Smith, Ventnor, sent a very fine pot of 
Imantophyllum miniatum with ten well developed 
spikes of bloom. Mr. W. S. Barnes, Ventnor, 
exhibited an observatory hive, with bees working, 
which caused many questions to be answered relating 
to apiculture. 
