January 23,1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
838 
the ensuing summer would by no means overstep the 
mark. Such easily grown and free-flowering annuals 
as Stocks and Chinese Asters are likewise grown 
in very large quantities. 
The grafting of Roses is another operation carried 
on vigorously during the earliest days of the year. 
The plants are placed singly in small thumb pots 
and stood close together in shallow propagating 
frames enclosed in light roomy glass houses. There 
were thousands of these grafts to be seen, fully ninety 
percent, of which, judging by appearances, would 
strike. A close examination revealed that in many 
instances, a union between stock and scion had 
already been effected. Other earlier batches showed 
the scion breaking into growth. The trade in Roses 
is wonderfully brisk ; such well-known varieties as 
Catharine Mermet, Sunset, William Allen Richard¬ 
son, Marechal Niel, Niphetos, Gloire de Dijon, and 
Crimson Rambler are in great demand. 
Clematises in variety are treated in a similar 
fashion. Mr. Neal catalogues close upon sixty species 
and varieties, including all the leading forms of this 
beautiful genus of climbing plants which add so much 
to the enrichment of bower and garden. 
In other houses the propagation of Ivies was going 
on, grafting upon H. canariensis being the method 
usually employed. Ampelopsis Veitchii, and A. 
hederacea were likewise to be seen in vast numbers. 
To those interested in propagation on a large scale, a 
visit such as ours is of untold interest. We can only 
add that the methods practised by those who have 
the management of these things at the Trinity Road 
Nurseries are of the most enlightened character, 
and are attended with a full measure of success. 
Cytisus, or to give the more popular name Genista 
racemosa is one of the few hard-wooded greenhouse 
plants that are grown in great quantity by Mr. Neal. 
We were greeted with the sight of extensive batches 
of this favourite. A conspicuous system of training 
is one whereby the plants are made to run up with a 
clean stem varying from i ft. to i£ ft. in height, 
carrying a fine head of great symmetry. When well 
flowered, such plants are most effective for conser va¬ 
tory decoration. 
Cryptomeria japonic a is a great success in small 
pots. The long, and slightly drooping branches are 
very graceful in appearance, and hence the plants 
form valuable material for decorative purposes. In 
large 48’s or small 32’s they do especially well, and it 
would be hard to imagine prettier plants. They 
possess the advantage over Araucaria excelsa of being 
somewhat cheaper. We were informed by our 
guide that they would lift well from the open. 
Richardias in 6 in., 7 in., and 8 in. pots were 
doing remarkably well. The plants had been planted 
out of doors in the usual way last season, and 
remained outside until the latter end of October. 
They were actually flowering when they were lifted 
and at the time of our visit were all carrying flowers 
or buds, whilst the remains of two, and in some 
cases three, flower stalks were to be seen on each 
plant. The flowers open were of fair average size. 
Bouvardias are excellent market plants, and Mr. 
Neal does them wonderfully well, indeed, we have 
never seen more vigorous and better flowered plants 
at any time. Alfred Neuner, Priory Beauty, Presi¬ 
dent Cleveland, and Vreelandii are the sorts that 
command the readiest sale. 
Stove Plants are by no means neglected, and 
the Dracaenas especially were much in evidence. D. 
rubra is, without doubt, the favourite for market 
work. It is easy to grow, is naturally of dwarf and 
compact habit, and will stand a good deal of knock¬ 
ing about. Kentia canterburyana is considerably 
dwarfer than K. belmoreana, but although a very 
elegant palm, is not nearly so much in demand as the 
latter form. Ficus elastica was represented by a 
number of well-grown plants, and cuttings in 
quantity which had lately been inserted to supply 
stuff to keep pace with the demand. The variegated 
variety seems to be steadily improving its position in 
the good graces of the public. Asparagus plumosus 
in 32-pots are a conspicuous success. We measured 
some of the growths borne by these plants, and found 
them to exceed 14 ft. in length—an ample proof of 
their strength and vigour. 
Ferns were in strong force. Adiantum farleyense, 
although a most beautiful Fern, is by no means one 
of the easiest to manage. If the plants are once 
allowed to get into a bad state, it takes an infinite 
amount of trouble to get them out of it again. On 
this occasion, however, we were delighted with the 
appearance of a batch of plants in 48-sized pots. 
The huge size of the fronds, and the individual 
pinnules, the strength of the spikes, and the rich 
colouring were unmistakable evidences of health 
and vigour. Other Ferns such as Adiantum cunea- 
tum, A. gracillimum, Asplenium fabianum, Pteris 
cretica cristata, and P. Wimsettii, are largely grown; 
although many of the Adiantums were enjoying their 
winter sleep at the time of our visit. 
-- 
PHORMIUM TENAX. 
The hardiness of the Phormium has been commented 
upon in recent issues of the gardening journals, and 
I now feel constrained to add my quota to that of the 
writers of the paragraphs alluded to. The Phormium 
is regarded as a greenhouse subject by the generality 
of gardeners, and it would interest a certain class of 
the community, but the rising generation of 
gardeners particularly, to know whether it really is 
hardy or not, as instances have been given where 
plants have been grown successfully out-of-doors for 
a considerable number of years. Hitherto, I, in 
common with the generality of the knights of the 
spade, had regarded the Phormium as a greenhouse 
subject, but the hardiness of a fine specimen which 
has for several years been growing out-of-doors at 
Fountainbrae, MoDifieth, has now modified my 
opinion. The severity of the storm two years ago 
ranks high among meteorological records ; and I am 
informed that on several occasions during that 
memorable winter the thermometers in the imme¬ 
diate vicinity of the Phormium in question registered 
a few degrees below zero, but even from that intense 
frost the plant does not appear to have sustained the 
slightest injury whatever. 
The general appearance of it at the present time 
lea ses nothing to be desired, as it is making splendid 
growth and producing numerous robust leaves of 
a rich dark green colour, and in no way does it 
manifest the slightest dislike to its situation or 
immediate surroundings. Under these circum¬ 
stances one may infer that the constitution of the 
Phormium is not of such a delicate nature as is 
generally supposed, and that the genial temperature 
of an ordinary greenhouse is not absolutely essential 
to its successful culture .—]. Peebles, Monifieth. 
EALING GARDENERS’ SOCIETY. 
An ordinary weekly meeting of this society was 
held on the 12th inst. in the .Municipal Buildings, 
Ealing, when Mr. J. Hawkes, of Osterley Park 
Gardens, gave a paper on " The Cultivation of 
Cyclamen persicum.” The meeting was a very full 
one, in fact, every available seat was occupied, Mr. 
Geo. Cannon being in the chair. 
The exhibits were numerous and good, and the 
exhibitors were Messrs. R. Green, Cox, Cottrell, 
Woods, etc., the champion exhibit coming from Mr. 
Hawkes in the shape of a Cyclamen persicum, which 
possessed over two hundred pure white flowers, and 
measured 5 ft. 6 in. in circumference. Mr. Hawkes 
stated that it was three years old, the seed having 
been sown in November, 1893. The paper itself 
dealt with the origin, history, and cultivation of this 
noble plant, was sound in every detail, and, conse¬ 
quently, afforded the members the highest satisfac¬ 
tion and the liveliest interest. The discussion 
which followed was discussion in name only, as 
every speaker was obliged to admit—with such a 
specimen before him—that criticism was entirely 
disarmed. 
It is not often that cultivators are willing to agree 
to any particular mode of treatment, as experience 
varies in every garden ; but on this occasion there 
was no dissentient voice, as everyone seemed to feel 
that such a result could only have been obtained 
after much thought, and the highest cultural skill. 
One member, however, ventured to suggest that 
there must be " something ” in the soil, but Mr. 
Hawkes assured him that the staple was very 
ordinary loam, and that he did not go off the 
premises to get it. 
Mr. Hawkes was accorded an enthusiastic vote of 
thanks, and thus a very pleasant and profitable 
evening was brought to a successful close. 
-- 
The Larch disease is almost unknown in Ireland. 
Some of the finest plantations of this tree are to be 
seen on partially reclaimed peat in the north of 
Ireland. 
Hardening ||iscellany. 
BIGNONIA VENUSTA. 
Seeing the note on Bignonia veDusta in your issue 
for December 26th, I thought it might be of interest 
to your home readers, by letting them know how 
freely it flowers round Philadelphia. I saw two 
plants of it in full flower last week. One was grown 
in the conservatory with shade, and had rather 
smaller flowers than is usually seen. The one grow¬ 
ing in a warm house without shade, was one mass of 
bloom, and hung in large clusters from the roof. It 
was the finest thing I have seen. Thunbergia 
grandiflora is another fine winter flowering climber, 
that delights in the abundance of sunlight it gets 
here. I have a plant here in the conservatory under 
my care that is one mass of blue.— J. Thatcher, 
Wynnewood, Pemia, January 7th, 1897. 
—-»*—- 
OBITUARY. 
Mr. Thomas Darling. —One of the founders of the 
firm of Mesrs. Cardno & Darling, nurserymen and 
seedsmen, Mr. Thomas Darling died at his residence, 
128, Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen, on the 10th inst , 
in the 84th year of his age. Mr. Darling came 
originally from Dalkeith, of which place he was a 
native. He was engaged for twelve years as gardener 
to the Grants of Monymusk, who then owned Wood- 
hill, which was under the charge of Mr. Darling. 
After leaving Woodbill, he entered into partnership 
with Mr. George Cardno, and the two gentlemen 
founded the well-known business which has since 
borne their name. Mr. DarliDg gave up active work 
in the business about twelve years ago, though he 
was able to move about at his pleasure till within a 
month of his death, when the infirmities of age 
prostrated him. He was a quiet and steady business 
man, and much respected, but being of a retiring dis¬ 
position he never took any active part in public 
affairs. He was a widower for sometime previous to 
his death, but is survived by seven of a family, sons 
and daughters, who are grown up. 
-—S*- 
Quescions add adsoiers 
Will our friends who send us newspapers be so good 
as to mark the paragraphs or articles they wish us to see. 
We shall be greatly obliged bv their so doing. 
[ Correspondents, please note that we cannot undertake to 
name florists' flowers such as Carnations, Pelargoniums, 
Chrysanthemums, Roses, nor such as are mere garden 
varieties, differing only in the colour of the flower. 
Florists' flowers, as a rule, can only be named by those who 
grow collections of them.'] 
Treatment of Lilies .—Lilium roseum : We are sorry 
you have not been able to give them first-class treat¬ 
ment ; because we do not think you can otherwise 
get first-class results. You do not tell us how many 
bulbs you have in the n-in. pots. If the pots are 
not excessively crowded we see no reason for trans¬ 
ferring them to 13 in. pots. Those who grow bulbs 
by the hundred lor the sake of cut flowers, place 
them singly into 5J in. or 6 in. pots as a rule. 
Lilium speciosum (lancifodum) can be grown 3 ft. 
to 3i ft. high in those sizes, and L. longiflorum 
Harrisii to 4 ft., particularly under close treatment 
and rather far from the glass. Neither we nor those 
who grow them care to see them so tall, as it is the 
result of being grown in unsuitable houses with the 
plants too far from the glass. You may be able to 
keep your plants in a toolhouse under a skylight, but 
you should elevate them till they are close to the 
glass. If they had been placed here at first, growth 
would have been retarded till you were able to place 
them under more favourable conditions. We cannot 
too strongly impress upon you the fact that Liliums 
should get all the light possible, with plenty of 
ventilation in fine weather from the time the stems 
push up from the bulbs till the flowers are well- 
advanced, when a little shade during bright sunshine 
will prolong their beauty. If you start them so 
early next year, we advise you to reserve space for 
them on the front shelves of the greenhouse, close to 
the glass. 
Agathea coelestis — Sigma : There is much con¬ 
fusion about this plant, and as a consequence, it has 
several names, the Flora Capensis adopting Aster 
capensis, of Lees. You do not say in what way it 
has degenerated, but we must confess that we never 
have had a very high opinion of it as a decorative 
plant. The flower heads, with their bright blue rays 
are pretty enough ; but we have never seen them pro¬ 
duced in sufficient abundance to be eminently 
effective. Certainly it affords variety, and might be 
grown with that intention. Nevertheless, we should 
prefer the Swan River Daisy (Brachycome iteridi- 
folia) in blue purple and white colours. P^thaps, 
