44 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 19, 1896. 
Roses again asserted their rights, for we came 
upon a house full of Crimson Rambler in 24-sized 
pots, making fine specimens. Here also were some 
bush Roses in pots. Rosa Fortunei was accommo¬ 
dated in another house in company with a collection 
of Tea Roses in 24, 32 and 48-sized pots according 
to their age and size. Crimson Rambler and Teas in 
32-sized pots monopolised another structure. Close 
by, a fine collection of variegated and green Ivies in 
6o sized pots, shared the space with small Roses in 
48's. 
Near the propagating pit was a houseful of 
Adiantum elegans, and Pteris in splendid condition, 
especially the first-named which is a beautiful and 
graceful Maidenhair, when seen in perfection. A 
fine lot of Polypodium aureum in 48-size pots, held 
their own in a house close by. Each plant of all the 
sorts above named constitutes a specimen in itself 
when grown to that perfection which characterises 
Mr. May's culture with this useful class of plants. 
In the propagating pits we noted the cradle or 
nursery where the baby Ferns are reared. The 
earliest visible stages consist of green patches having 
little in common with the appearance of an adult 
Fern. These sporelings or seedlings as many would 
call them, are next " patched " out in boxes, which. 
then present the appearance of something green and 
insignificant set out at regular distances all over the 
boxes. The prothalli (for that is the technical name 
of the young plants) are afterwards singled out and 
placed in thumb pots, after they have thrown up a 
few tiny fronds that now bear some resemblance to 
the parents. In other pits close by the same varieties 
of Ferns may be seen in larger pots into which they 
have been placed by stages as they advance in 
growth. The smaller sizes are spoken of as store 
pots, and sometimes the younger ones not yet potted 
off are sold in what are termed store boxes. In any 
case many Ferns are sold while yet quite small, and 
are put to a great variety of decorative purposes, for 
they are very ornamental long before they attain any¬ 
thing like their full size. 
In the open air there were plantations of various 
Pelargoniums, both zonal, variegated, bronze and 
tricolors. Of the latter class, Masterpiece is a very 
beautiful variety. They were being grown for the 
purpose of stcck from whence to get cuttings. 
Some sixty to seventy varieties of Clematis were 
plunged in pots out of doors, including C. Jackmanni 
and C. J. superba, with much darker flowers. The 
beautiful C. indivisa lobata was grown in quantity. 
All these varieties of Clematis are propagated here, 
there being a large stock of C. Vitalba, for the 
purpose of getting roots on which to graft the choice, 
named, garden raised improved sorts. 
--s- 
PRESTON AND FULWOOD HORTI¬ 
CULTURAL SOCIETY. 
About a score of the members of this Society, at 
the invitation of Mr. Imighton, paid a visit to his 
Nursery at Walton-le-Dale on the 3rd icst., mainly 
to inspect the collection of Sunflowers, but as a 
matter of course, the ranges of glass houses were 
traversed, which contained subjects suitable for fur¬ 
nishing and supplying the shop in Church Street, 
Preston, with cut flowers. 
The number of varieties of Sunflowers was about 
twenty-four, including one plant of a seedling that 
promises to be a good thing. After these were 
examined, other portions of the grounds were walked 
over and when we came to the fruit trees a stand 
was made in front of Gold Medal Apple tree sent out 
from this Nursery. This was the original tree. The 
variety is usually prolific, and all the trees, even 
maidens, carry a heavy crop this year. The fruit is 
large and not unlike Grenadier, but the growth is 
quite distinct, being short jointed and sturdy, whilst 
Grenadier is weakly and sprawly a great drawback to 
any Apple or Pear in this part, where in nine sea¬ 
sons out of ten we experience gales of more or less 
severity before the fruit is fit to gather, that force it 
from the trees. 
This is the third outing the members have made 
this season, the first being to Howick Plouse, near 
Preston, to inspect the tuberous Begonias, once 
famous for its collections of hardwooded exhibition 
plants in Mr. Shuttleworth's days, and for its col¬ 
lection of Orchids when Mr. Wrigley was in posses¬ 
sion. Now, the present owner, Mr. Charnley, of 
Preston, has made it famous for its collection of 
tuberous Begonias, by getting together all the best 
named varieties, as well as packets of seeds from 
those firms who have made the Begonia a speciality. 
The next visit was made to the Earl of Lathom's, 
Lathom House, Ormskirk, to see the carpet bedding, 
which is not equalled in the north. It was Mr. 
Hathway, the late gardener’s fame in this direction 
that commended him to the notice of the Southport 
Corporation, which has engaged him as superinten¬ 
dent of their parks and gardens. Mr. Ashton, the 
present gardener, is likely to keep up the reputation 
of Lathom; and those who are in the habit of 
paying the place casual visits declare that the carpet 
bedding and the gardens on the whole never looked 
better. The appearance of the Chrysanthemums 
surprised many of the visitors, on account of their 
dwarf, sturdy habit, and rude health. Mr. Ashton 
cuts his plants back, and informed the visitors he 
could have exhibition blooms that way.— Cor. 
--- 
LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
Mr. T. Jannock, of Lily of the Valley fame, is 
undoubtedly in the front rank of the cultivators of 
this charming flower, and hence the paper he gave on 
forcing it, at the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
meeting on August 25th, could not fail to be of a 
most practical nature. Dr. Masters occupied the 
chair, whilst, in the absence of the essayist, the paper 
was read by Mr. J. Weathers. 
In his opening remarks Mr. Jannock said that half 
a century ago Lilies of the Valley were grown for 
forcing purposes in the neighbourhood of Hamburg. 
In 1859 no nurseryman grew more than 60,000 
crowns annually. In 1871-72 a great increase was 
made, and at the present time thousands of acres in 
England and on the Continent were devoted to the 
culture of this popular Lily. 
It was grown in nearly all sorts of soils, although it 
preferred a light sandy one. It does not do well in 
cold clayey soil, and the crowns grown in such a 
medium do not force well. A light position 
sheltered to the east and north, and open to the 
south and west was the most satisfactory. 
The ground must be prepared by a thorough 
digging and manuring. Whatever manure was used 
it must be well decomposed ; that coming from an old 
hotbed answered admirably. He preferred 
planting in autumn in rows 7 in. or 8 in. apart, 1 in. 
being allowed between the crowns in the rows. 
Too deep planting should be avoided, the crowns 
only being buried so that their tops were level with 
the surface of the soil. A path should be made 
between every eight rows, so as to facilitate the 
giving of the requisite attention. A good mulching 
of cow manure or well-ro.ted stable manure should 
be given after planting, and during the following 
season of growth careful attention must be paid to 
watering. 
Crowns usually need three full seasons, or more 
properly three and a half, before they bloom, but 
occasionally by high cultivation they may be got to 
flower in two years from the time of planting. Under 
ordinary circumstances they then bloomed every 
alternate year afterwards. 
Crowns for forcing must of necessity be well 
ripened, and it was also very important that they 
should have a rest, although it might be but a short 
one before starting them. They should be potted up 
in October and November. For a 5-in. pot, twelve 
good crowns would be sufficient. Those who force 
Lily of the Valley on a large scale use baxes, allow- 
1 in. between the crowns. 
After potting, the pots or boxes should be plunged 
in coconut fibre, the crowns covered with a light 
layer of moss, and kept from the light. They should 
be given a temperature of 8o° Fahr. to commence 
with. This might be increased to 95 9 after the 
lapse of the first fortnight. The temperature 
subsequently should never rise above ioo° or sink 
below 8o°. As soon as the growths are 2 in. in height, 
the moss should be removed. When the lower bells 
begin to open, the plants may be taken to a cooler 
house and syringing must be discontinued. 
After Christmas has turned, continued Mr. 
Jannock, forcing becomes very much simplified. 
Warmth and moisture were the two most important 
items in forcing Lily of the Valley. The plants, 
moreover, should never be allowed to get dry. It 
was not generally known that forced Lilies would 
bear a good deal, and might easily be sent by post 
or rail without their being injured in the least. He, 
the essayist, had sent some by post to Pietermaritz¬ 
burg, and in spite of the length of the journey they 
arrived in splendid condition. 
With regard to varieties he had found the Berlin 
much better than the Dutch or Hamburg varieties 
for early work. 
Mr. Jannock concluded by remarking upon the 
practice of retarding the crowns. This, he said, was 
as yet in its infancy, and it would be as well if its con¬ 
sideration was deferred to a future essay. 
Dr. Masters, on rising to propose a vote of thanks 
to Mr. Jannock, spoke of the practical value of the 
paper as coming from a man who was, perhaps, the 
foremost in the cultivation of the Lily of the Valley. 
Although the forcing of this pretty flower was such 
an elaborate process, it might encourage some of his 
hearers to know that it might be grown with the best 
of results in a London back garden. 
Mr. John Weathers mentioned a case that had 
come under his own notice of an old iron 
cistern that had been utilised for forcing Lily of the 
Valley. It was divided into two compartments by an 
iron plate ; the lower half was filled with water, the 
crowns being placed in the upper compartment. An 
oil lamp was kept burning beneath it, and the whole 
affair acted well. 
Gardening Miscellany. 
DERIVATION OF SCUTELLARIA. 
It would have been more satisfactory to me if the 
editor had added a note to the letter of C. B. G., 
stating that the blunder was one of the printers' 
making ; but the correspondence may well close.— J. 
C. Stogdon. 
PENTSTEMON JEAN MACE. 
This is without doubt the finest scarlet Pentstemon 
I have yet seen ; during the past few weeks it has 
been the gayest bit of colour in the garden. It is a 
bright scarlet self, with pure white throat ; the flowers 
are of finest form, large and finely arranged on tall, 
well-built spikes. For massing it has few equals, and 
the spikes individually are also good for competition. 
— Coila. 
CARNATIONS. 
Among the most beautiful and uncommon Carna¬ 
tions which we have examined this season is 
Viscountess Melville, of fashionable colour, bright 
crushed-strawberry. The substance is firm, and the 
flower large lasting late into the season. This 
appears to be one of the best which Messrs. Laing 
and Mather, of Kelso have raised, and we hope it is 
one of the hardiest of its class It is of great 
advantage to amateurs and others, who have not much 
glass accommodation, to have hardy Carnations 
which can be rooted and planted out during autumn 
in well prepared soil. Many of the best sorts now 
in cultivation are in better condition when planted 
out in autumn, than those coddled in pots and 
planted out during April. That does not mean, 
however, that the great numbers which are kept in 
pots during winter are " coddled."— M. Temple, 
Canon. 
-—- 
HAMMERSMITH HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
This society made what might be termed a new 
departure recently by visiting the famous " Home of 
Flowers," at Swanley and the extensive seed grounds 
at Eynsford, in the occupation of Messrs H. Cannell 
& Sons. The visitors saw much of interest and 
beauty at both places. A few notes on some of the 
principal subjects observed may be of interest to 
your readers. 
At Swanley the zonal Pelargoniums were a great 
feature, so freely flowered were the plants, which 
were represented by all the best varieties in cultiva¬ 
tion. From the system of culture pursued here with 
regard to these plants, they would appear to be per¬ 
petual bloomers, for, at whatever period of the year 
a visit may be paid to Swanley, these useful decora¬ 
tive plants are always seen in fine flower. Several 
houses were devoted to double and single flowered 
Begonias, a great speciality of the firm ; and what a 
wonderful range of colour they present us with. 
The dwarf French Cannas deserve a passing note, 
with their rich Gladiolus-like flowers. The follow¬ 
ing are the names of a few of the best noted :—Queen 
Charlotte, Aurore, Conquerant, Duchess of York, 
