299 
January 9, 1897. THE GARDENING WORLD. 
In Ireland, near the shores of Lough Neagh 
young specimens of the Lawson Cypress (Cupressus 
lawsoniana) may be seen growing on the sloping 
banks of the ditches that were opened for the drain¬ 
age of the bog-lands ; these of course, were the pro¬ 
duce of trees that had been planted in an adjoining 
v&od. The common Silver Fir in certain places 
reproduces its kind, so does the Larch, while plenti¬ 
fully enough, seedling Scotch Firs spring up 
wherever the conditions of soil are at all favourable. 
Both the Yew and Juniper grow freely from self- 
sown seeds, but here again the conditions of soil 
play an important part. Around an old specimen of 
the upright or Irish Yew I have seen numbers of 
seedling plants—not all true for a large percentage 
revert to the species. Amongst the Spruces, Picea 
excelsa, P. nigra, and P. orientalis have reproduced 
their kind in this country, the latter two only 
occasionally. Thuya occidentalis is rarely seen 
growing in a truly naturalised condition, but that it 
does sometimes so occur I have had ocular demon¬ 
stration. The above are the only instances of self- 
sown coniferous trees in this country that have come 
under my own notice.— A. D. Webster. 
-» « » 
HARDY FRUIT AT FOREST HILL. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons have for long been 
celebrated as growers of hardy fruit, and most of 
the central, as well as a not inconsiderable number 
of our local, shows throughout the country have 
testified to the high quality of the fruit grown by 
them in their nurseries at Forest Hill. 
In addition to the problem of how to grow good 
fruit, the question as to how to keep it for as long as 
possible, without appreciable deterioration has to be 
dealt with. In far too many gardens insufficient 
attention is paid to this, with the result that after 
Christmas there are very few Apples worth the 
eating. It is not only necessary, therefore, to cultivate 
a few late varieties, but also to endeavour to keep 
the mid-season ones good. To do this does not 
necessitate the erection of very expensive fruit-rooms, 
and we were afforded an object lesson of this during 
a visit to Messrs. Laing's establishment at the 
commencement of the present month. The fruit- 
room there is of the simplest construction, and yet 
of its efficiency there can be no doubt, judging from 
the grand samples cf fruit which its shelves 
accommodated. The walls and roof are double, and 
composed of wood throughout. The space between 
the outer and inner sides is packed with sawdust, 
which apparently defies the frost, for the house is 
not heated artificially. Here the Apples get the 
low, equable temperature that they must have if 
they are to retain their flavour and refrain from 
shrivelling. 
Pears, of course, we do not expect to see in quantity 
at this season of the year. Some gigantic fruits of U ve- 
dale’s St. Germain, however, claimed our attention 
and admiration at one and the same time, and well 
sustained the credit this variety has of being the 
largest Pear in cultivation. As a stewing Pear 
tJvedale’s is excellent. The well-known Catillac 
belongs to the same category, and its roundish form 
is distinct enough. Winter Nelis, and Josephine de 
Malines are two dessert varieties of first-class merit 
coming into season in January. 
Apples formed the bulk of the display, and we 
Were agreeably surprised to see how fresh the fruit 
appeared to be. Of the very late varieties Norfolk 
Beefing was much in evidence. The dull bronze of 
the skin, streaked with deep carmine, is distinctly 
attractive, and the flesh is exceedingly firm, although 
rather acid. Tarranaki Russet was a new one to us 
that should be very popular as a late dessert Apple 
when it is better known. The fruits are large, conical 
in shape, and in colour a rich russet-brown. Cox’s 
Orange Pippin, and King of the Pippins are 
inevitably found nowadays in any representative 
collection in the southern counties, although they are 
scarcely so popular further north. Blenheim Orange 
is a standard variety that has possibly more parts 
than any other Apple. The tree grows well, and bears 
heavily, whilst the fruit is either fit for dessert or 
for use in the kitchen. As a dessert fruit it can 
scarcely be claimed that it is equal to Cox's Orange 
Pippin but it is still good. Atlanta is similar in 
shape to Court Pendu Plat, but it is not so rich in 
colour, and lacks the peculiar depressed eye of the 
latter variety. Worcester Pearmain is certainly the 
prettiest early dessert apple we have, and we were 
surprised to see some of it left yet, for its season is 
long past. 
Culinary varieties were in strong force. A dish of 
Emperor Alexander that greeted our gaze would, we 
fancy, be hard to beat at this advanced season. New¬ 
town Wonder was conspicuous by reason of its high 
colouring. Peasgood’s Nonsuch, and Bismarck, are 
too well-known to need further description, or other 
praise than has already been bestowed upon them. 
Mere de Menage is a most distinct and valuable variety, 
and despite its irregular shape it has a very gay 
appearance when well coloured. Hoary Morning is 
remarkable for its even shape and thick bloom. The 
bright red streaks give it a very handsome look. 
This was in excellent condition, and although the 
fruit was not large it was in excellent preservation. 
Queen Caroline, with its flattened fruits and pale 
yellow hue, unspotted and untinged by even a 
suspicion of red, keeps remarkably well. The same 
may also be said of Golden Noble, for the two sorts 
bear a resemblance to each other. Yorkshire 
Greening, a very late sort, is a grand cooking Apple, 
and its keeping qualities add considerably to its value. 
The old Catshead is now not often seen, and although 
it can scarcely be called a pretty Apple, it possesses 
good cooking qualities. It is impossible to mistake 
its peculiar oblong and angular shape. Wellington, 
Dutch Mignonne, Waltham Abbey seedling, Flower 
of Kent, and Kentish Fillbasket were all in excellent 
preservation with the Messrs. Laing, and demon¬ 
strated most forcibly that they not only know how 
to grow good fruit, but also how to keep it. 
TOMATO YOUNG’S ECLIPSE. 
The accompanying illustration gives an outline of 
this new Tomato which took a leading place at the 
trials carried out at Chiswick last year, under the 
auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Seventy-four sorts were subjected to trial and com¬ 
parison, and the severity of the test may be judged 
when it is stated that only three of them were 
honoured with Awards of Merit. These were 
Young's Eclipse, Chiswick Dessert, and Nield’s 
Seedling. The first-named was raised by Messrs. 
Young and Dobinson, Holmesdale Nurseries, 
Stevenage, Herts. It was raised from The Con¬ 
ference to which the fruit bears a considerable resem¬ 
blance in size, shape and colour, but differs in its 
much more fruitful character. The stem is sturdy 
and short-jointed, so that the bunches, bearing an 
average of six fruits each, when grown in pots under 
glass, are produced close together. The fruits are 
slightly flattened, smooth, bright scarlet, of a useful 
size for table use, and attractive. The accompanying 
sketch was prepared from fruits, of which a boxful 
was sent us about the third week of November last, 
The fruits were gathered from plants which had been 
fruiting all the summer. 
WINTER FLOWERING PLANTS AT 
ASCOTT. 
It was a dull, foggy winter’s morning just before 
Christmas when I took carriage from Leighton to 
Ascott, the beautiful seat of Leopold de Rothschild, 
Esq. Upon arriving there, the sun was shining 
brightly, and a glorious sight I beheld when looking 
around the houses of this well-kept, charming 
establishment in company with Mr. John Jennings. 
Words of mine cannotjaccurately describe the beauty 
of the Carnations, zonal Pelargoniums, Begonias, 
Cyclamen, Chrysanthemums, &c. 
Carnations are grown herein very large quantities, 
and well grown too. What can please a lady more 
than giving her throughout the winter grand flowers 
of various Carnations ? Here they are grown chiefly 
in 6-in. pots. In one of the houses the centre stage 
is occupied with between two and three hundred 
plants averaging six to eight flowers each, of Mrs. 
Leopold de Rothschild. The side stages carry about 
400 grand plants of Miss Joliffe, with many buds and 
flowers. The flowers of the former are large, of a 
soft rose-pink, toned with orange, and suffused with 
white, and very fragrant. Those of the latter are of 
a charming pink and very free. 
I Doticed amongst the tree Carnations the follow¬ 
ing, which are flowering profusely, are distinct and 
well worthy the attention of those in search of good 
varieties-Andalusia, good yellow; Duchess of 
Devonshire, white, suffused with rose, a charming 
thing ; Edna Craig, pink ; Henry Gibbons, bright 
claret-crimson, a grand winter bloomer ; Lucifer, 
bright scarlet; Laura Pallet, crimson and yellow ; 
Miss Godfrey, white, very fragrant ; Phoebus, bright 
scarlet; President Carnot, deep claret; Primrose 
Day, one of the finest deep yellows in commerce; 
Sir R. Wilson, pure white ; Winter Cheer, brilliant 
scarlet shaded with crimson. These are a good lot, 
as seen here. 
A house devoted to Cyclamen is a glorious sight, 
as the plants are well grown and profusely flowered. 
Here they are quite at home, many carrying dozens 
of their useful flowers of most distinct colours—pure 
white, deep crimson, and rose. All the Giant strain 
of Sutton's well-known varieties cannot be excelled. 
The foliage is strong, and the flowers are large and 
thrown well above the foliage. 
Winter-flowering Begonias have also special atten¬ 
tion and they are worthy of it too. A house 
devoted to them is a picture, and contains large 
quantities of well-grown plants of Gloire de Sceaux, 
of Continental origin, with handsome foliage and 
attractive flowers. The foliage is of a bronzy 
metallic lustre and crimson beneath; the freely 
produced flowers are bright rosy-pink. Plants about 
2 ft. high are grand. The beautiful bright rose-pink 
Gloire de Lorraine is also flowering in great profusion 
and these two are well worth growing in the most 
