346 
January 30, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Double varieties. 
There can be no doubt that this type is entirely 
different in general effect from the single varieties ; 
and as the flowers hang much longer under the same 
conditions they serve to prolong the display, and for 
that reason they are arranged in batches alternately 
with the singles at Reading, an example that might 
be followed in private establishments with great 
advantage to all concerned. In a cut state they are 
also more durable, and therefore well adapted for 
cut flower decorations. A useful and free-flowering 
variety is Sutton’s Double Scarlet, with blooms of 
large size. The same may be said of Double 
Heliotrope, whose colour is well described by the 
name. It originated from a cross between Double 
Carnation flaked and Double Blue. Double White 
(Fern-leaved) is very pure, and reminds one of the 
ever useful old Alba Plena, for which it may well be 
used as a substitute, with the advantage that it may be 
raised in quantity from seed without any trouble what¬ 
ever. White flowers of a durable nature are always 
in demand. A free-flowering and strong-growing 
variety is Double Carmine, the flowers of which have 
a decided and beautiful salmon shading. A light and 
pretty variety is Double Pink, well worthy of being 
added to a collection. Double Blue is characterised 
by large trusses of rich colouring, and the flowers 
might well be substituted for Marie Louise Violets 
when the latter are unobtainable. A bouquet of the 
flowers would be equally effective as far as colour is 
concerned. The plain-leaved Double White is very 
pure, and might well be extensively used for cut flower 
purposes, as well as for general decoration in pots. 
For conservatory work contrast of colour is 
indispensable; and Double Crimson, together with 
the Scarlet, Pink and Blue, furnishes the material 
with which to harmonise and contrast the various 
arrangements required in private or other establish¬ 
ments. 
Miscellaneous Items. 
In passing through the various houses we could not 
fail to notice considerable differences in the flowering 
period of the numerous standard types grown by 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons at Reading. As an instance 
of this we may state that Reading Scarlet, Pearl, 
and Brilliant Rose are the three earliest varieties 
amongst the plain-leaved type. The first named 
was actually out of season and shunted into another 
house. Snowdrift, Rosy Queen, and Reading Blue 
(Fern-leaved) are the counterpart of the above in 
the Fern-leaved strain. In like manner we have a 
third section represented by Double Scarlet, Double 
White, and Double Pink, all of which are very early 
although sown at the same date as the rest. Here 
we may mention Double Carnation-flaked as a 
general Primula, inasmuch as the flowers of the 
primary truss open of a pure white, or nearly so 
while the lateral trusses, thrown up in great pro¬ 
fusion and nearly of equal strength with the first, 
bear flowers flaked with carmine and purple. 
We have already mentioned some novelties belong¬ 
ing to the different sections or varieties so scarce that 
they can only be named in mixture. Very handsome 
is that with flowers of the colour of an Old Clove 
Carnation and a black zone round the eye, developing 
later on a narrow belt of a gray paste like an 
Auricula. A large batch of it is now in its prime, 
and a brilliant effect it produces, but unfortunately 
it is a shy seeder. Already a Fern-leaved type has 
turned up amongst the seedlings and a semi-double 
one. We expect to see and hear more of this strain 
in the near future. 
A houseful of the Moss Curled section is highly 
attractive at the present time. The flowers continue 
to improve in size and brilliancy, while the varieties 
increase in number, and the beautifully curled and 
crisped foliage in various tints is retained. Pink, 
rose, white, purple, and other colours may be noted. 
There is also a giant lilac moss-curled variety of 
great promise. There are at least two houses filled with 
crosses of all colours, from the palest to the darkest. 
Other Primulas are represented by the dark blue- 
purple P. capitata and the yellow P. floribunda' 
which have been flowering freely for some time past. 
While passing through the Primula houses we noted 
great stores of clumps of Lily of the Valley, bulbs 
of Lilium auratum, L. longiflorum Harrisii, L. 
speciosum, and tubers of Gloxinias, Begonias, 
Tuberoses, etc., in sheds and houses close by, where 
they were being packed for dispatch independently 
of bad weather. When thus housed they are kept 
dry and easily got at whenever required. 
FORCED FLOWERS AT PUTNEY. 
Lilies of the Valley in January are to be met 
with at nearly every private establishment of any 
size throughout the kingdom. The amenity of this 
charming flower to forcing is now generally 
recognised, but the old method of forcing it is now 
pretty well a thing of the past. Time was when 
clumps were lifted from the open garden and carried 
into heat, when the forcer grew his own material for 
forcing. He complained of the results, perhaps, and 
declared that they were unsatisfactory and expensive, 
for it has been proved over and over again that our 
soil is not, except in exceptional cases, suitable for 
producing Lilies of the Valley that shall force really 
well. Since that day a great industry has sprung 
up, and is annually increasing in dimensions, whereby 
our German friends supply us with what we need in 
the way of picked crowns that force splendidly. 
The value of the Berlin crowns for forcing purposes 
is admitted on all hands. 
The average gardener, then, grows enough of the 
fragrant bells to supply the wants of the establish¬ 
ment with which he is connected, but the public 
market has to be thought about. It is in this special 
direction that Mr. Iceton has achieved such wonder¬ 
ful results. 
At the time of writing upwards of 150,000 crowns 
are in flower at the busy “ plant factory ” at Putney 
Park Lane. House after house is filled with boxes, 
each containing about a 100 of the plants, and the 
sight is one that is difficult to adequately describe* 
The vistas of pure white dazzle the eyes with their 
glistening sheen, and the perfume with which the 
air is laden is so overpowering as to be almost 
unpleasant. 
Taking the year through, about 3,000,000 crowns 
are forced by Mr. Iceton, that is to say that between 
8,000 and 9,000 fresh crowns come into bloom each 
day the year through. Cocoanut fibre refuse is 
used instead of soil, being more cleanly, lighter, and 
quite as effective since root action is very weak until 
after the flowers are over. Generally speaking, 
about three weeks elapses between the placing of 
the crowns in heat until the flowers are fully open. 
For the first stages and until the racemes have 
attained their full length the plants are kept in a 
state of semi-darkness. The light is then admitted 
to them to induce the flowers to open. A temperature 
of between 70° and 8o° Fahr. is maintained through¬ 
out. Naturally under such conditions the leaves are 
pale and etiolated specimens, totally unlike the vivid 
green of their relatives which have the free air of 
heaven playing about them. The flowers, on the 
other hand, do not suffer in size, beauty, or strength 
of perfume. The only appreciable difference seems 
to be that the flowers are placed farther apart from 
each other on the raceme. This, of course, is due 
to the latter being "drawn,” owing to the absence of 
light. 
Tulips are forced in large quantities. For these, 
as well as for the Lilies of the Valley, shallow boxes 
are employed, and very gay do they look when full 
of dwarf sturdy little plants in flower. Yellow 
Prince is one of the very yellow varieties for early 
work. When grown in masses it is very effective. 
Proserpine exhibits a very pretty shade of salmon- 
pink. Keizer Kroon, yellow, striped red, is a great 
favourite, but it is very variable in its behaviour. 
Sometimes it will force fairly well, whilst at others 
it will only produce very second-rate results. 
Roman Hyacinths, also in boxes, do exceedingly 
well, and as white flowers are in great request at 
this season of the year vast numbers of them pass 
through the nursery annually. 
Liliums —These are grown in thousands, particu¬ 
larly L. longiflorum, and its popular variety L. 1 . 
Harrisii. The earliest batch of the latter is com¬ 
posed of plants in 32-pots. The bulbs were potted 
in August last, and are now healthy vigorous plants 
from 15 in. to 18 in. in height. These are reckoned 
to flower about Easter time, when the blooms will 
find a ready sale. 
Other forced flowers are represented by Astilbe 
(Spiraea) japonica, which is a most valuable decora¬ 
tive plant besides affording material from which to 
cut. Ghent Azaleas, too, are very easily managed. 
At the time of our visit Mr. Iceton had a houseful of 
these plants in superb condition, indeed, one might 
go a long way before discovering their equals with 
regard to the profusion and rich colour of the 
flowers. 
ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA. 
In Somerset. 
In reading the article on the above Conifer in last 
week’s number of The Gardening World, I 
noticed that the writer says that rough, long 
blowing winds it cannot stand. I used to think so, 
but there is one in this neighbourhood standing in a 
very bleak position indeed. The main road leading 
from Minehead to Dulverton passes over a portion 
of Exmoor, through the village of Wheddoncross, 
about two miles from Dunkery Beacon and at an 
elevation of at least 1,300 ft. above the level of 
the sea. The tree in question stands in the village 
school grounds and must have been planted twenty- 
five years ago at least. It is about 30 ft. high, and 
is well proportioned, but rather stunted in growth,and 
no wonder when the position is considered. It has 
lost the lower branches, but otherwise is quite 
healthy. It is fully exposed to the winds on all 
sides except the north-east, and it is a proverbially 
windy place, also very cold. The soil is poor, and 
very few trees are near except Beech hedges and 
Oak shrubs. Of course this may be an exception, 
but we really do not know what some of these trees 
will endure and still thrive.—IF. Shrives. 
In Ayrshire. 
I am somewhat surprised that we have heard so little 
in your columns regarding fine specimens of the 
above plant, as doubtless there are many throughout 
the country. I was greatly interested in a communi¬ 
cation by Mr. Webster in a recent issue about the 
plant at Cudham Hall. I always considered, and 
observed, the plant to be dioecious, but there is no 
disputing Mr. W’s testimony, and I think your 
readers are greatly indebted to him for this infor¬ 
mation ; it is in such ways we learn. 
I know of at least three specimens of Araucaria 
imbricata that are considered by many worthy of 
note, and are certainly’in the front rank among 
Scottish examples. The first and largest is at Clon- 
caird Castle, near Maybole. In 1892 it was measured 
and photographed by Mr. Paxton, Kilmarnock. It 
was then 55 ft. high, and at 5 ft. up was 5 ft. 5 in. in 
circumference. I do not know its age. The second 
I will refer to is at Rozelle, near Ayr. It is 48 ft. 
high, and at 2 ft. from the ground is 6 ft. 6 in. in 
circumference ; length of branch, 15 ft. It was 
planted in 1839, and is a male tree. The third 
example is at Glendoune, near Girvan, and is con¬ 
sidered by many to be the handsomest tree in the 
county. It is 44 ft. high, and at 1 ft. up is 7 ft. 3 in. 
in circumference ; and at 5 ft. up is 6 ft. 1 in. in cir¬ 
cumference ; length of branch, 17 It. It is a female tree, 
of most symmetrical form, was planted in 1848, and 
is, at the present time, carrying dozens of fine cones. 
There are several fine specimens at this place, all 
over 40 ft. high. There is a male tree about 46 ft. 
high, finely furnished, which bears cones freely, but of 
the erect habit peculiar to it. I am of the same 
opinion as your correspondent, Mr. Webster, that 
the finest specimens, and most luxuriant, are to be 
found in sheltered districts near the sea, and a com¬ 
parison of the above measurements will bear out 
this statement.— Brightspade. 
AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS. 
Among the many infant industries in Australia none 
show a more certain promise of future development 
than that associated with the production of Raisins, 
Currants, and other dried fruits. Although in 
California, where the soil and climate closely re¬ 
semble those of the southern half of Australia, fruit¬ 
drying has been made the basis of a large and 
remunerative export trade, the lesson thereby afforded 
was, until a comparatively recent period, completely 
lost upon the Australian colonists, notwithstanding 
it had frequently pointed out that in those districts 
where the Grape grew most luxuriantly the produc¬ 
tion of Raisins of a good quality was attended with 
no difficulty. The establishment of the two irriga¬ 
tion colonies—Mildura, in Victoria, and Renmark, 
in South Australia—was followed by a rapidly in¬ 
creasing output of Raisins and Currants, dried 
Apricots and Peaches, and other dried fruits of such 
an excellent quality that they went rapidly into con¬ 
sumption, demonstrating beyonl all question the 
possibilities of the industry if conducted on sound 
principles. During the season 1894-95 the quantity of 
Raisins produced atMildura was nearly 2,000,000 lbs., 
of which fully 50,000 were Muscatels, and the rate 
