September 12, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
27 
a profusion of bloom. A large number of plants of 
Begonia Rex, and B. metallica varieties were mixed 
with all sorts of Adiantiums and produced a pretty 
effect. Two rows of frames were allotted the task of 
sheltering hundreds of Primulas, the old double 
white, and seedling Cyclamen which looked well for 
a winter display, and which were only sown in 
November and December 1895, thus showing that 
good flowering plants can be easily obtained within 
twelve months. The paths were also occupied at 
the sides by rows of Chrysanthemums which included 
the latest Continental and home varieties. 
Messrs. Daniels Bros, have long enjoyed the dis¬ 
tinction of taking a prominent lead in the hardy 
flowers, and anyone who could have seen them as I 
did would have had but the same opinion. Phloxes, 
Gaillardias, Campanulas, Harpaliums, Helianthus, 
Pentstemons, &c., made a blaze of colour which 
almost dazzled the eyes. By these borders frames 
were noticeable containing all classes of hardy plants 
grown in pots, so that at any season these plants 
without fear of disturbing the roots can be sent to 
any part of the kingdom. Annuals, too, made a bold 
show, chief among which were Godetias for which 
this firm has received several awards. These, with 
most others, as Nasturtiums, Linum, Salpiglossis, 
etc., were being grown with the object of saving the 
seeds. 
The late drought had, as could be seen, played sad 
havoc among the Polyanthus, Primroses, Pansies, 
and Carnations, though what little “ grass " these 
last plants had made was being carefully layered. 
Large portions were being devoted to growing Peas, 
Cabbages, Onions, Potatos, and other vegetables for 
seed purposes. Fruit trees also cover a large tract, 
and specimens of Nectarine, Apricot, Cherry, and 
Pears were being carefully trained for wall purposes. 
Here, too, as we had been previously informed, an 
immense quantity of Myrobalan Plum was growing, 
the landowners and farmers having taken to this 
plant for making impenetrable fences. Roses are 
well grown here, and some score of men were busily 
engaged the day I was there, b udding upon 
thousands of Manetti and Brier stocks. All through 
the ramble, system and cleanliness were very 
prominent features, and if any of your readers are in 
the neighbourhood I am sure they will enjoy a ramble 
through this nursery, which isopen free at any time 
during business hours.— H. P., Norwich. 
-—- 
PUBLIC PARK IMPROVEMENTS 
AT GUERNSEY. 
Delancey Hill is an eminence situated about half¬ 
way between the charming township of St. Peter 
Port and the quaint old shipping place of St. 
Sampson, immediately over-looking Belle GreveBay, 
and with a long vista of charming seascape, with the 
islands Sark, Herm, and Jethou, within range of 
vision. The public spirited inhabitants of St. 
Sampson are to be congratulated upon their selec¬ 
tion of the Delancey Hill estate which has been 
recently purchased for the purpose of dedicating it 
to use as a public park. 
Much of the ground is at present in a state of 
nature, but readily offers facilities for judicial 
improvement at the hands of the landscape gardener 
and the horticulturists of skilled modern days. To 
carry this out in detail, the sinews of war require to 
be provided, and although the present ideas of the 
committee are somewhat restricted to actual neces¬ 
saries, yet if funds permit, we believe it is their 
intention in course of time to furnish the park so as 
to make it one of the chief attractions of this charm¬ 
ing island of the sea. In detail we may mention that 
it is proposed to provide a series of winding paths, 
and to plant a suitable selection of shrubs and 
flowers; besides which there will require to be 
furnished some garden seats, without which a public 
recreation ground is certainly incomplete. We are 
quoting a local contemporary when we say that it is 
the desire of the authorities to provide seats of a 
rustic description " for the relaxation of the weary, 
and the occasional visitors to this beautiful country 
retreat, with here and there a bower worthy Shake¬ 
speare’s most romantic inspirations.” 
Now the necessities for these funds have been 
practically demonstrated in the course of the 
committees. The next point was the exact method 
which should be resorted to in order that the desired 
object might be.attained. An influential body of 
gentlemen formed themselves into an acting com¬ 
mittee and decided upon a fete and fancy fair, which 
took place on August 19th, 20th, and 21st, under 
distinguished patronage at Delancey Park. The open¬ 
ing ceremony took place on Wednesday afternoon at 
3 o’clock, before a very large influential assembly, 
comprising the elite of the island and the principle 
visitors there. The long ranges of marquees covered 
a considerable portion of the grounds in which were 
to be found a charming and varied assortment of 
useful articles for sale in the familiar form of a 
bazaar. These included an extensive tent devoted 
to articles of rich and choice specimens of needle 
work, whilst another found room for some very 
beautiful contributions in the way of floral specimens 
and a large variety of fruit. 
In addition to this there were a variety of enter¬ 
tainments provided, including a concert in which a 
party of several gentlemen from London, well-known 
in horticultural circles, took a prominent part. The 
concert hall had been improvised and fitted with an 
ample store, the interior being draped and suitably 
decorated. A lengthy programme was ably rendered 
under the direction of Mr. Augur ; and in addition to 
the performers already referred to, there were many 
local contributors whose accomplishments were very 
well received by a large audience. A dramatic 
entertainment followed, but your correspondent 
regrets to place on record that the limited capacity 
of his intellect was altogether unable to properly 
criticise the efforts of the artistes, who, however, 
worked their hardest and did their best to make 
their share of the entertainment not the least 
pleasant item of the evening's diversions. 
Now all these arrangements were, of course, the 
outcome of considerable forethought, on the part of 
a large and influential committee, of whom the Rev. 
R. Jones, the Rector of St. Sampson, was the head, 
assisted by Mr. W. Stranger, Mr. J. W. Dorey, and 
many others ; but especially are we enjoined to put 
on record the thanks of the management to the large 
circle of willing lady helpers who so admirably 
devoted much time and energy with their winning 
manners to the successful issue of their fSte. 
-- 
ORCHIDS AT DITCHINGHAM HOUSE, 
NORFOLK. • 
H. Ryder Haggard, Esq., has so earnestly taken 
up the pleasant task of Orchid growing, and has so 
rapidly pushed on with his collection that he has 
already filled two of his well-built houses, which were 
until recently devoted to general plant culture. The 
new intermediate house, which is now completed, 
is already filled with Cattleyas and other interme¬ 
diate Orchids, amongst which I noticed some fine 
pieces of Cattleya Mossiae, C. Mendelii, C. Trianaei, 
C. gigas, C. sanderiana, C. labiata, also good 
specimens of Cymbidium lowianum, and Odonto- 
glossum vexillariuro, a fine variety and well-flowered. 
O. londesboroughianum, I noticed, was making 
strong growths in this house. 
The East Indian house is filled with Dendrobiums 
in varieties, Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, Angrae- 
cums, and other choice things. 
In the cool house were several Odontoglossum 
crispum, O. Pescatorei, O. Hallii, O. luteo-pur- 
pureum, O. triumphans, and O. Rossii majus. 
Lycaste Skinnerii is doing remarkably well; 
Lycaste plana, Lycaste Deppii, and Epidendrum 
vitellinum majus are well-flowered. One plant 
struck me as being a magnificent piece of Epiden¬ 
drum parkinsonianum, a lovely variety with forty of 
its beautiful white, peculiar-shaped flowers, and a 
quantity of buds. 
In fact everything seems to be thriving at Ditch- 
ingham House under the care of Mr. Johnson, the 
gardener.— H. A. T. 
--*•- 
FELLING FLOWER SHOW. 
The seventeenth annual show of the Felling Floral, 
Horticultural, Pigeon and Rabbit Society was held 
at Felling, Durham, on the 17th and 18th ult. 
Prizes were offered to the amount of /300, and the 
show proved to be one of the best ever held by the 
society. Besides the floral exhibits there were 
poultry, pigeon, rabbit and industrial exhibits. The 
latter were confined to children at school. 
In the open class the first prize for stove and 
greenhouse plants was taken by Mr. D. Wylam, 
Shankhouse ; he was followed by Mr. J. Morris, Mr. 
J. Liddle, and Mr. J. Wilkinson, all of Felling, in the 
order named. Mr. Morris and Mr. J. Liddle took 
the leading prizes for foliage plants and Ferns 
respectively. Mr. T. Bell, Felling, had the best 
three and one Fuchsias. Mr. D. Wylam again came 
to the front for three stove and greenhouse plants. 
Mr. J. Morris had the best greenhouse plant. 
Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedale, took the leading 
awards for twelve Cactus Dahlias, twenty-four and 
twelve Roses, and the best six Teas, twelve spikes of 
Gladioli, and six Phloxes. Asters, Lilies, Carnations, 
Picotees, Petunias, Hollyhocks and Pansies were 
also exhibited. Mr W. Archer, Mr. J. D. 
Jobling, Mr. J. Gardner, Messrs. J. Lawson & 
Son, Mr. J. F. Grainger, Mr. W. Hodgson, Mr. W. 
Lee and Mr. J. Price took the leading prizes for 
vegetables. Fruit of various kinds was well repre¬ 
sented, and the leading prizes were taken by Mr. G. 
Lonsdale, Mr. R. Withfor, Mr. J. Atkinson, Mr. F. 
Edmonton, Mr. W. Lee, Mr. J. Gardner and Mr. J. 
Smith. 
There was a division for amateurs in which prizes 
were offered for flowers and plants similar to those 
already mentioned, and there was good competition 
in nearly all the classes. A division was also set 
apart for local exhibitors of a different standing 
which brought an entirely different class of competi¬ 
tors. A very handsome collection of plants grown 
with Pure Ichthemic Guano was exhibited by Mr. 
W. Colchester, of Ipswich. The takings at the gate 
were heavy and established a record. 
-- 
THE ENGLISH SHOW TULIP. 
The bulbs, which will have been in their boxes since 
June, should now be overhauled and the old skins 
removed ; and any of the bulbs which should not be 
found in perfectly sound condition must be replaced 
by others. This being done, the blooming notes 
should be examined, and any re-arrangement of 
bulbs the grower considers necessary, should be 
made accordingly ; the bulbs will then be ready for 
replanting for next year’s bloom, the best time for 
planting being the most available day during the last 
fortnight in October. 
The "leaf damage” which many collections 
suffered last March and April, consequent on the 
severe hailstorms and frosts, has had a serious effect 
in regard to the size of the bulbs of which the leaves 
were affected. Two-thirds, at least, of my whole 
stock have been seriously injured from this cause; 
but a greater disaster has fallen to my lot than the 
above, for on examining the bulbs comprising a bed 
of eighty-five rows, more than three-fifths were found 
to have perished, the majority being soft and pulpy. 
I have never experienced anything similar during the 
many years I have cultivated Tulips, and I am at a 
loss to understand the cause of same, and I, there¬ 
fore, forward to you (Mr. Editor) a box containing 
fifty of the perished bulbs, and will thank you if you 
will kindly show them to Mr. Peter Barr, or to any 
of your other scientific friends who may be able to 
explain the cause of the evil. The bulbs, when I 
took them up during the third week in June, appeared 
in every way sound and presented no indication of 
disease. The only possible cause that I can attri¬ 
bute the disaster to was the intense heat of the sun 
a few days before I took them from the ground and 
whilst I was taking them up. My soil is light and 
sandy, and during the process of lifting the bulbs, I 
well remember that the soil felt hot. I, therefore, 
think it probable that the bulbs may have been 
partly baked in the ground a day or so prior to their 
being lifted, or is it possible that the sun may have 
burnt them whilst the bulbs were in the boxes during 
the process of lifting; the time occupied in lifting 
each box averaging forty-five minutes ? I am 
inclined to attribute it to the latter, from the fact that 
two-fifths, or about, are sound. In this bed which 
was never covered with either glass or calico during 
the bloom, an average of four to six bulbs was 
planted together, that is, large and small, so that 
when lifted and put in their separate compartments 
(3 in. square) of the drawers or boxes, some of the 
bulbs would be protected from the sun by the others 
covering them over. 
I may remark that the bulbs from my other beds 
and which were lifted from the ground previously, 
are in sound condition. They have all been kept in 
the same room, and a space of 1 in. exists between 
each drawer, so that a current of air has always 
passed between each drawer .—James Thurstan, The 
Green, Cannock. 
