234 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 12, 1896. 
oleracea would not cross with B. napis, or B. cam- 
pestris, although they were so closely related. 
Mr. Long dealt at some length with the tendency 
exhibited by most races of vegetables to revert back 
on the slightest provocation. He assured his 
audience that this susceptibility gave seedsmen an 
infinite amount of trouble, and even then after all 
precautions had been taken they could not prevent a 
few customers from getting an occasional dis¬ 
appointment. He was of opinion that a wet season 
often produces these reversions as he bad proved 
that, when during such a year there had been a 
great many runaways, if the next year proved dry, 
seed taken from the same parcel of plants would pro¬ 
duce a very low percentage of runaways. 
An enemy in the form of a small beetle had 
wrought untold damage to the mustard crops of late 
years, whole fields having been totally destroyed. 
He would be pleased to hear of any scientific 
gentleman who would find an efficacious method of 
dealing with this scourge. Votes of thanks to both 
lecturers terminated the proceedings. 
— ■ !» - 
SCOTTISH NOTES. 
It is not pleasant for gardeners any more than pro¬ 
prietors of domains and fine gardens, to hear that 
reductions must take place on the outlay associated 
with the maintenance of these possessions; yet, by 
agricultural distress and other causes, we hear fre¬ 
quently that retrenchment, in many establishments 
is very common, and sales of the entire property are 
not infrequent. There is (in some respects) a ray of 
brightness among these clouds, and that is, many 
places which were almost in a state of destitution 
have recuperated, and are in better condition than 
they ever were. 
Fourteen years ago in the locality where I now 
write, there were seven places of the better class, 
which were in as poor a plight as they well could 
be, but are now in the hands of new proprietors, who 
may be ranked among the plutocracy of the nation, 
and who understand that when a property is worth 
maintaining it should be of primary importance to 
give the necessary support to meet the requirements. 
Some remarkable transformations have taken place, 
and the fact that so many successful competitors 
emanate from this district, means that there are 
good gardens, and successful horticulture somewhere. 
So there is in the places which appeared to be so 
destitute some years ago. 
We cannot cram all we would like into this short 
paper, but would wish permission to give tangible 
proof of what we assert by referring to at least one 
seat among many which is now ren dered worthy of 
the change to affluent and liberal proprietorship, and 
only a few miles from us— viz , Larbert House, 
Stirlingshire, the beautiful seat of John Graham, 
Esq , who (in his retirement from business duties) 
has found much pleasure in co-operating with his 
most zealous and talented gardener, Mr. Airdrie, 
in remodelling his park, pleasure grounds, and 
gardens, and the work has not yet ended. The 
work of renovation being completed additions are 
being made. After the erection of a very complete 
range of glass structures in the kitchen garden, for the 
growth of choice flowers and fruits, a handsome 
conservatory by the country mansion is being built. 
Some three months ago we were pleased to make 
notes on what progress had been made since our 
previous visit. The houses (all new) had been 
furnished with vines, Peaches, Figs, and other per¬ 
manent fruit-bearing trees, and the show houses 
were redolent with perfume, and charming to the eye, 
the whole forming a range of over 300 ft. in length. 
Some of the objects having a prominent position 
were Crotons, doing capitally, the colour being finer 
than is generally seen. Some of the most striking 
were Lord Salisbury, a seedling of Mr. Airdrie's rais¬ 
ing, with green and yellow spots, pale pink and golden 
centre; Flamingo, Prince of Orange, Magnifica, 
Countess, and others from seed on the place, were 
good. Begonias have for several years been notable 
for their excellence— many raised from seed and 
retained among the finest named varieties, one fine 
scarlet being 5 in. across. Great numbers of fine 
foliaged plants were conspicuous for excellence of 
culture, Caladiums and Dracaenas especially. 
Passing onwards (noting abundance of Tomatos 
on the way), we spent some time among the Peaches. 
A selection has been made with consummate care ; 
and all doing well, and bearing abundantly. Violette 
Hative, Dymond, Gos-hawk and Sea Eagle, are in 
favour as reliable varieties. Among Nectarines we 
noted Elruge, Newington, and Cardinal in full crop 
giving a mid-season supply. Grapes were about 
their best; Madresfield Court, Black Hamburgh, 
and Muscat Hamburgh were prominent among the 
first-class sorts. Gros Maroc, Gros Colman, and Lady 
Downes are valued for general late supply. In addi¬ 
tion to the foregoing, others have had an impartial 
trial. All sorts are not alike in giving necessary finish 
of flavour aDd appearance to fruits ; palates, too, are 
not all in accord ; and the fact that we see in cata¬ 
logues fruit cracked up as excellent in every respect, 
and by others denounced as worthless, is very 
striking among Peaches. 
Figs (as they should be) are in great request, and 
we pity any proprietor who does not care for the 
tempting delicious Figs now so abundant in variety, 
and easily grown when there are means set apart for 
their cultivation. They are mostly in pots at Larbert 
and are well done. We noted dwarf trees in full 
fruit of the following :—Gros Verte (a very delicious 
sort), Monaca Blanche, Osborn’s Prolific and Bour- 
jousite Blanc. 
Passing from the glass structure we had a shy at 
the Chrysanthemums. Mr. Airdrie grows a great 
number, gives them great attention and is rewarded 
by abundance of infloresence of the highest order. 
Some capital blooms from Larbert have graced the 
tables at Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow exhibi¬ 
tions. Fruit, too, has successfully competed among 
the enthusiasts of the north. But to know what 
good gardening is one must visit the gardens and 
gardener. After a hasty run through the thoroughly 
cropped vegetable garden (where vegetables have 
done extra well this season) we had to make a retreat, 
feeling much indebted to Mr. Airdrie for his commu¬ 
nicativeness and urbanity. 
While speaking ot improved gardens and property 
increased in value, the work seems to become con- 
tageous. Around Larbert there is evidence of this, 
even if less significant than at Larbert House. There 
are numerous villa gardens springing up where 
flowers especially are predominating features; and 
often in such suburban gardens things are remark¬ 
ably well done. Money is frequently spent freely 
on establishment of grounds and for plants under 
glass. As an example of a new place, the residence 
of Major Dobbie, of Beechmount takes a lead in the 
district with elegant and well furnished conservatory, 
vineries, greenhouses, etc. Chrysanthemums have 
special attention, and pot plants of them were 
remarkably fine. Vegetables (especially Onions, 
such as are frequently seen at northern shows) are 
under good management, all doing great credit to 
Major Dobbie’s gardener. Bedding plants and 
flowers for cutting were in great profusion, and 
choice shrubs well planted enhanced the beauty of 
this new residence . — M Temple, Canon, Stirlingshire. 
-- 
THE CYCLAMEN. 
When chill November’s surly blast, 
Makes fields and forests bare, 
It makes whatever flowers we have, 
Seem precious, rich and rare. 
No marvel then we love those flowers 
That make our houses gay, 
All through the dull and cheerless hours 
That gloom the winter day. 
Bnt then, at times our mistress comes 
And tells us to prepare 
The decorations, for to-night 
A party claims her care. 
Ah ! then to thee, fair Cyclamen, 
We turn in grim despair ; 
O must we pluck the lovely flowers 
To fill the glasses there ? 
Alas ! we must ! though with regret 
We spoil thy grace renooned. 
And rob the plant whereon you sat 
In mystic beauty crooned. 
But then, we need no more delay, 
Nor look with mournful eye ; 
For we can cut, and come again 
To gather by-and-bye. 
So then I’ll up and gladly sing 
Thy praise to fellow men ; 
For art thou not our winter king, 
Quaint, bonnie Cyclamen ? 
The Gardening World in London toon 
May help my humble muse ; 
I’ll beg the Editor to think 
My theme a fair excuse. 
And if his colums, crammed with facts, 
The needful space can spare, 
Inserting this will much oblige 
His frieD ,—A Youth from Ayr. 
CLASSIFICATION OF CHRYSANTHE¬ 
MUMS.* 
It has been with some diffidence that I have under¬ 
taken to speak on the question of a fuller classifica¬ 
tion of Chrysanthemums, for the subject is one that 
does not readily lend itself to picturesque treatment; 
and in dealing with it, it is necessary to pass over 
much ground that is of necessity more or less 
familiar to those who take any considerable amount 
of interest in Chrysanthemums and Chrysanthemum 
culture. The subject is not one of my own choosing, 
but is, nevertheless, one of considerable importance 
in its bearing upon the exhibition of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, which now occupies so prominent a position 
among horticultural activities. The committee of 
the National Chrysanthemum Society decided that 
the time had arrived for considering whether or not 
a fuller classification than that now generally 
adopted should not be made, and they invited me to 
open the discussion. 
In discussing questions of classification of the 
types of the Chrysanthemum, or, indeed, of any 
other flower, there are two points which, in my 
opinion, should be kept in view. One is to so 
arrange the groups, sections, or classes that the 
multitudinous forms can with the aid of technical 
descriptions be alloted a place in their proper section 
without any great difficulty. The other is to adopt 
as the basis of classification, the grouping, and 
designations that have come to be generally adopted 
by the cultivators of the flower. Such a classification 
will necessarily lack novelty, but it will prove useful, 
and in a question of this kind utility should be the 
first consideration. The necessity for placing the 
varieties of the Chrysanthemum in proper order has 
long been recognised, and several attempts, with 
varying success, have been made. Sixty-three years 
ago, Mr. A. H. Haworth, with a view to obviate the 
difficulties that were then felt in distinguishing the 
several types grown at that time, undertook the task 
of classifying them, and contributed his classification, 
under the title of “ A New Arrangement for Double- 
flowered Chinese Chrysanthemums,” to the Gardeners' 
Magazine of 1833 (page 218). Mr. Haworth arranged 
the varieties then grown in six classes which he 
distinguished as follows: (1) Ranunculus-flowered, 
(2) Incurving Ranunculus-flowered, (3) China Aster- 
flowered (4) Marigold flowered (5), Tassel-flowered, 
and (6) Half-double Tassel-flowered. The first 
section comprised varieties with flowers of medium 
size, and having reflexed florets ; the second, the 
large-flowered varieties, with blooms of which the 
florets showed an indication to incurve; the third, 
large-flowered single and semi-double varieties; the 
fourth, varieties having blooms of medium size 
double and neat in form ; the fifth, varieties with 
very large double and more or less conspicuously 
drooping flowers, and elongated and quilled florets; 
and the sixth, varieties of which the blooms were 
similar in character to those in the preceding section 
but only semi-double. In this classification, no 
provisions were made for the incurved or the 
pompons, for in those days the pompons had not 
been introduced to this country, and the incurved 
varieties as we know them did not exist. This 
classification created some interest at the time, but it 
had no practical value, and, so far as I have been 
able to ascertain, was not recognised by cultivators; 
and I am not surprised that this was the case, for 
what Mr. Haworth attempted was equivalent to 
arranging the present race of Japanese into six 
classes. To remedy the obvious defects of Mr. 
Haworth’s classification, Mr. Salter proposed, in his 
book on “ The Chrysanthemum,” published in 1865, 
to amend it by adding four new classes, instead of 
attempting a quite new classification adapted 
to the requirements of cultivators of that 
day. Mr. Salter proposed four additional 
classes, and these were: (7) Incurved form, 
(8), Pompon Ranunculus-flowered, (9) Pompon 
Anemone-flowered, and (10) Matricarioides or Fever¬ 
few form and size. It is, of course, an easy matter 
to criticise classifications prepared at periods in the 
history of the flower when other conditions obtained ; 
but it is somewhat singular that Mr. Salter, so 
recently as thirry years ago, should not have 
attempted in his extension of Haworth’s classification 
to include the large Anemone and the reflexed 
varieties, which were then plentiful, and of greater 
relative importance than they are at the present day. 
*A paper read by Mr. G. Gordon at the N.C.S. Conference, 
5th November. 
