THE GARDENING WORLD 
457 
March 20, 1897. 
rooted when they were lifted last autumn. They 
were potted up in small pots, and were not given any 
water all through the winter. I may say that those 
layers which had no roots have all died, and only 
those are alive now which were rooted when they 
were lifted. The plants have been placed in a cold 
frame, but have not been plunged. They have not 
been given any other protection from frost than that 
afforded by the frame.— L. L A. 
Chrysanthemums — I have a number of the 
leading varieties of Chrysanthemums, and I would 
like to grow them in the single-stem system. In the 
meantime they are standing in a cold frame, having 
been shifted into 4 in., pots a fortnight ago. Please 
say if I should stop varieties such as Edwin Moly- 
neux, Duchess of York, and Madame Carnot. Anxious. 
By growing on the single stem system we presume 
you mean the production of large flowers. In deal¬ 
ing with your plants you will find that many varieties 
have a trick of their own, and only experience will 
teach you what is best to be done. Late varieties, 
generally speaking, should be stopped about the end 
of March, early and mid-season sorts from the middle 
to the end of April, whilst some will do best if not 
stopped at all. Of this section is Edwin Molyneux. 
If this is rooted in January the first crown bud should 
be taken, and this will generally come in at the right 
time. Madame Carnot may be stopped once from 
the 15th to the 20th of April, and must not be 
stopped again. You will probably find Duchess of 
York succeed best if stopped at the end of March or 
the beginning of April, and the second crown bud 
taken. 
Mildew on Chrysanthemums. —The leaf of Chry¬ 
santhemum you enclosed, Querist, is spotted with 
mildew. It is a great pity when young plants are 
attacked by this pest so early in the season, as if 
care is not exercised in their subsequent treatment, 
all the lower leaves go. Dust the affected parts with 
flowers of sulphur, and keep the plants rather closer 
than hitherto. Repeat the dusting from time to 
time, as this will prevent the mildew from spreading. 
-- 
RANSOMES’ LAWN MOWERS. 
The season is now close at hand when the lawn 
mowers in every establishment will be again called 
into requisition. We take the opportunity, there¬ 
fore, of calling attention to the Patent Gear and 
Chain Automatons, made by Messrs. Ransomes, 
Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich. 
Both the gear and the chain machines have 
several improvements over the old types. They 
differ from one another chiefly by the means of con¬ 
necting the driving roller with the cutting barrel, a 
chain being used in one case, and gearing in the other. 
The improvements may be understood by reference 
to the accompanying illustrations, which have been 
supplied us by Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, acd 
Jefferies. The lower illustration represents a geared 
machine. One of the principal improvements is the 
double angle cutting barrel, as shown by the upper 
illustration. The knives were made in one length in 
the old machines ; but by cutting them in half and 
making two sets of them, fitted at different angles, 
their action causes the grass to be thrown into the 
centre of the grass box, instead of towards one end 
as was the case when the spiral was all in one 
direction. The end view of the cylinder will also 
serve to show how the knives are fixed in a double 
set. A second improvement is the patent fore¬ 
carriage adjustment, by which the machine can be 
readily and quickly adjusted to cut the grass at any 
desired height. Another advantage is the single 
screw adjustment of the cutting barrel. The patent 
ribbed rollers make a fourth improvement, and all 
four constitute advantages which no other machine 
possesses. 
These machines have been well tried in many 
gardens, including those of the Royal Horticultural 
Society and Royal Botanic Society. In a large num¬ 
ber of cases the users of the machines lay great 
stress on the advantage of the double setting of the 
knives ; but a greater number speak in decided tones 
about the value of the grooved, ribbed, or corrugated 
rollers, which prevent the machine from sliding 
downwards when mowing grass terraces and slopes, 
as shown in the illustration. “ The ribbed rollers 
give a solidity and steadiness to the machine,” says 
one ; while another says, " I consider the grooved 
rollers a great improvement, particularly on hilly 
ground.” A third writer says, “ the ribbed driving 
rollers have been appreciated this year, particularly 
when the grass was very dry and slippery. The new 
adjustment of rollers also works well, saving a con¬ 
siderable amount of time.” The men who do the 
mowing also prefer these improved machines to the 
old ones ; and needless to say the workmanship and 
finish of these machines is in Messrs. Ransomes' best 
style, leaving nothing to be desired. 
a most pleasing setting for this display. Cattleyas 
are also in favour here, and numerous healthy pieces 
of recent importation are suspended from the roof. 
C. labiata is, of course, past, but C. Trianaei and C. 
Mossiae are coming on. 
We next entered the plant stove, and find it in two 
divisions so that the more tropical subjects can have 
the warmest section. Foliage plants are the main 
feature here, the flowering plants having free scope 
on the roof for shade. Adjoining is a low-roofed 
END VIEW 
OF 
CYLINDER 
ARNEWOOD, GLASGOW. 
Among the numerous mansions in the west-end of 
Glasgow, Arnewood, built about four years ago for 
Wm. Neilson, Esq., adds materially to the amenity 
of the district, and is as grand a town mansion as 
could be desired. It is, however, the plant houses 
that Mr. Neilson has erected, which interest us 
most. To begin with, a handsome conservatory is 
attached to the southern end of the building. A 
noticeable feature is that the floor level of the main 
portion of the conservatory is a few feet below the 
entrance corridor. This is an excellent arrange¬ 
ment, as tall flowering plants, such as 'Mums, are 
seen to the best advantage. Meantime, the house is 
gay with the usual spring-blooming plants. The 
story below the conservatory is used as a potting 
house. It well fitted up and lighted by electricity ; 
no gas is used either in or out of the house here. 
The electric lighting is with Swan’s incandescent 
lamp of from eight to two hundred candle power. 
We leave the conservatory by a corridor that leads 
house used chiefly for growing table plants, and it is 
well stocked with Crotons and Palms for that pur¬ 
pose. A large span-roofed house has been more 
recently erected for Chrysanthemums, and last 
winter was filled with plants, all grown to produce 
large blooms ; and as the result of careful manage¬ 
ment this object was satisfactorily attained. Mr. 
Cowie, the gardener, is enthusiastic in his work, and 
has accomplished much in a very short time. No 
doubt much of his success is due to the liberal 
support of his employer.— Visitor. 
-«*.-— 
MICROSCOPICAL GARDENING. 
Peofessor Marshall Ward held the attention of the 
Royal Horticultural Society on the occasion of the 
last Drill Hall meeting, by a lecture on the above 
subject. Sir Trevor Lawrence presided. At the 
outset the lecturer referred to the pictures which 
had come before his notice from time to time, and 
some of which were admirably executed, of forests of 
Lawn Mower Cutting on Side of a Bank. 
to the other houses, and note in passing that it is 
admirably adapted for wintering Dendrobes, and that 
it has been well taken advantage of for that purpose. 
Turning to the left we enter the Fern house, and 
here the Dendrobiums are arranged, making a capital 
display. D. nobile and D. wardianum are con¬ 
spicuous. The old type of D. nobile is hard to beat. 
Some of the recent importations are, no doubt, richer 
in colour, particularly those of the D. n .nobilius type. 
The soft green of the groundwork of Ferns makes 
microscopical plants—forests cf fungi they had been 
called. He wished to point out the very close 
analogy between the every day gardener who worked 
with ordinary decorative plants, and those who 
cultivated fungi. The gardener had to find out the 
particular soil and conditions required by his plants, 
and had to keep down weeds from choking them, but 
the grower of fungi had to apply precisely the same 
principles, only being microscopic in size his work 
was obviously conducted under greater difficulties. 
