April 24, 1897. 
THE GARDENING AORLD 
659 
Y. filamentosa. That, being of a dwarf habit and 
more frequently in flower than the others, admits of 
its being planted between or in front of the others. 
Groups of Yuccas between or in front of shrubbery 
borders on lawns have a most telling effect, or on 
the higher portions of the rock garden near the 
margin of ornamental water. When once estab¬ 
lished they are best left alone. Almost the only 
requisite attention afterwards is to free them from 
snow after every occasion on which it falls, because 
if an accumulation of it is allowed for any time in 
the crowns of the plants it induces rottenness. 
Yucca aloifolia is the tallest in growth of those 
cultivated in gardens. Its variegated forms are 
splendid additions to the attractions of a well kept 
conservatory. Of Y. filamentosa there is also a 
beautiful silver variegated form. Y. gloriosa 
recurvifolia or pendula is the most graceful of the 
larger growing kinds; its panicles of flowers are 
more loosely arranged than those of Y. gloriosa. A 
group of this when in full flower is really a glorious 
sight; sometimes a spike will reach 8 ft. in length. 
Y. flaccida sometimes gets named gloriosa, but can 
readily be distinguished from it by its leaves being 
bent in the middle. Y. angustifolia is of smaller 
growth than the others, and has the thread like 
appendages from which Y. filamentosa derives its 
name.— W. B. G. 
-- 
GRANTON ROAD NURSERIES. 
Mr. John Phillips, of Granton Road Nurseries, 
situated on the north side of Edinburgh is doing 
great things in the furtherance and improvement of 
many old (also, new and rare) plants that years ago 
adorned our tables for decoration and were used in 
conservatories. Only a few years ago when I first 
had the pleasure of visiting his Nurseries, I was 
agreeably surprised to find so many useful plants 
being grown as an attempt to create a love of the 
beautiful in the shape of Adiantums, Lycopods, and 
Achimenes in wire baskets; also the yellow-leaved 
Fuchsia. These I was told are much in demand for 
hanging in porches and conservatories. In those 
days his range of glass was but the fragments, I must 
say, of an old and neglected nursery. At the time of 
writing, his glass covers an area of about two acres. 
The houses are substantially constructed and from 
ioo ft. to 200 ft. in length. 
Tomatos occupy a considerable space, those grown 
being such well-known sorts as, Chemin Rouge, 
Perfection, Horsford’s Prelude, etc., which are 
packed and consigned to the Glasgow and Waverley 
markets. Cucumbers are also in evidence, Roffey’s 
and Rochford’s Telegraph being his favourite sorts. 
Araucaria excelsa, the Norfolk Island Pine is 
simply excellent, and may be had any size from i§ft. 
to 5 ft. high in well furnished and vigorous plants. 
Palms being a speciality are grown in large quantities. 
There are some magnificent specimens of Kentias, 
Arecas, Seaforthia elegans, Latanias, Corypha aus¬ 
tralis, and Cocos in all sizes. The beautiful decora¬ 
tive plants of Dracaenas and Crotons in variety were 
excellent, as are also the leaves of the Coleus. This 
latter will in due course be drafted into larger sized 
pots. Bedding Begonias are being potted ready for 
beautifying the flower borders. Mr. Phillips also 
grows a large quantity of the beautifully coloured 
Begonia Rex. 
A few other specialities for which Mr. Phillips 
proves himself to be the practical and capable grower, 
are Asparagus plumosus nanus, and A. deflexus. 
Smilax he grows by hundreds for florists, and market. 
Pelargoniums; amongst which are many new and 
rare varieties. Ferns in many species and varieties, 
together "with Fuchsias, Dahlias, show and fancy 
varieties, and Ivies including such sorts as Caen- 
woodiana, Marmorata minor, and the large leaved 
Macrophylla, etc., are amongst the subjects taken 
in hand by Mr. Phillips. 
Cinerarias and Primulas I noticed as being of 
exceedingly fine strains. Amongst other useful 
plants were Deutzia, Genistas, Aralia Sieboldi, 
Dielytra spectabilis, Clematis, Aspidistra lurida and 
the variegated variety which was very fine. Chry¬ 
santhemum frutescens, both white and yellow 
varieties are grown as well as Lily of the Valley, 
Spiraea japonica, and many other useful subjects 
for house decoration, and for grouping in greenhouses 
and conservatories. 
Bulbous and herbaceous plants, also Conifers are 
not forgotten. Amongst bulbs, he grows such as 
Hyacinths, Roman Hyacinths, bunch-flowered 
Narcissi, and Daffodils, which he intends to go in 
for strongly, having the convenience at hand for 
forcing for cut bloom. The Chinese sweet-scented 
Paeonies, Irises, and Phloxes, are other favourites. 
There is also a considerable variety of ornamental 
trees and shrubs, and Roses in variety. The Granton 
Road Nurseries are within an easy distance from the 
town, the tramcars running within 3 minutes walk 
of the gates. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. 
The closing meeting of the spring session of the 
Reading Gardeners' Association was held on 
Monday evening last in the Club Room, British 
Workman, when Mr. C. B. Stevens presided over a 
large attendance of members. The paper for the 
evening was “Zonal Pelargoniums” by Mr. H. 
Shoesmith, Claremont Nursery, Woking. The paper 
was of an exceedingly practical character, being full 
of plain cultural notes, and was followed by the 
members with the closest attention. In introducing 
his subject the lecturer said he had selected one that 
had been somewhat neglected at horticultural 
meetings, although it was not a new one. He did 
not propose to enter into the history of the Zonal 
Pelargonium, but to treat entirely with the culture of 
this, everyone’s flower, and, therefore, he would 
divide the matter under headings such as propaga¬ 
tion, specimen plants, winter-flowering varieties, etc. 
Propagation. —This is a matter not attended with 
any difficulty during summer and early autumn, but 
there is some risk when an attempt is made to strike 
cuttings at the early part of the year. Propagating 
from cuttings is the plan generally adopted, raising 
plants from seeds being confined to obtaining new 
and improved varieties. The size of the cutting is 
not essential, but the cutting must be hardened 
before taking it from the parent plant. This will 
root readily taken from any portion of the 
stem, and therefore cutting to a joint is unnecessary. 
The chief cause of failing to root is that they are 
liable to rot before the process of callusing has taken 
place. To prevent this in those which are put in early 
in the year, tie each to a piece of thin stick so that the 
base of the cutting only is allowed to touch the soil 
singly in small pots or thickly placed in larger ones 
or in boxes. About this time of year they may be 
planted anywhere in soil. 
Soil.— A very ordinary soil is all that is necessary. 
Loam, a little grit, and bone meal are all that are 
needed in the way of compost. A rich soil only leads 
to the growth of leaves and soft wood. 
Plants in Small Pots. —Few things are more 
showy than Zonal Pelargoniums when grown in 
small pots. They form useful objects for the con¬ 
servatory or room decoration. Their culture makes 
a capital hobby from the point of view of a florist 
when the best varieties are grown. It is wonderful 
what a blaze of colour may be obtained from speci¬ 
mens grown in the 5-in or 48-size pot. They will 
need but one shift from the small size in which the 
plants were placed as soon as rooted. Firm potting 
is most essential. Before the shoots have a chance 
to run up tall, pinch out the points, also the flower 
buds for a time until a bushy appearance is obtained. 
Meanwhile, watering must not be neglected. With 
regard to the stopping of the shoots, mention should 
be made of a fact easily noted by observation. The 
plant, naturally, in growing, makes one joint with a 
leaf, on either side, the next is a flower bud and one 
leaf and so on. Therefore, if a bushy growth is 
desirable, care should be taken not to top the shoot 
at the joint where the flower truss forms. Shading 
when 'the plants are in bloom is necessary. Large 
specimens were also dealt with, also their mode of 
treatment. 
Winter Flowering. —This phase is not the least 
important; and as a plant to provide bright, cheerful 
colour during the dull months of the year, the Zonal 
is scarcely surpassed. It is a matter of special 
culture and selection of the proper varieties. Spring 
struck cuttings are the best to start with, the same 
rule as to soil and firm potting are equally applicable 
in this case. The winter quarters is a vital point 
because there must be heat enough to expel damp as 
well as to favour growth. A temperature of about 
is required. The greatest enemy to Pelargonium 
blooms in winter is thick fogs, and it is next to 
impossible to grow such with success in or close to 
large towns where the air is charged with smoke 
from a multitude of chimneys. Pure country air 
and the temperature named above make winter 
cultivation comparatively easy Singles and doubles 
are both grown for the purpose, the former being 
more showy but the least useful for cutting. 
General Winter Treatment. — Apart from 
flowering plants during dull, sunless months, Pelar¬ 
goniums should in all cases be kept quiet. 
Endeavours should be made to prevent much top- 
growth by having a low temperature consistent with 
keeping out frost. The roots may be on the dry side 
but not so parched as to kill them. 
Diseases and Insects. —Fortunately zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums are troubled but very little with anything in 
the way of insect pests, but there are a few diseases 
which are, however, brought about by the careless 
grower in most cases such as " spot in the leaf ” and 
" decay at the base of the stem.” 
Varieties. —Selection of the best varieties for a 
particular purpose is a phase not less important than 
culture. Very few of the varieties that will be 
named were in commerce six years ago. For general 
culture, the following single varieties are very 
suitable:—F. Wootten, Cassiope, Duchess of York, 
Dr. Rawson, E. Bidwell, Enid, Geo. Gordon, Kitty, 
Lord Farrer, Mme. Jules Chretien, M. Calvat, Mr. 
Owen Thomas, Mrs. Hall, Olivia, O. W. Holmes, 
Pink Domino, Phyllis, Rev. Bartrum, Royal Purple, 
Trilby, T. W. Lawton, Wilhelmina, Souv. de S. B. 
Miller, W. Bealby, and Virginia. Double varieties : 
Annie Henriot, Beaute Poitevine, Gustave Emich, 
Golden Gate, Joyful, Mme. Charotte, Raspail 
Improved, Hermine. 
For Winter Flowering the following are the 
best:—Singles: Albion, Amy Amphlett, Chas. 
Mason, Edith Strachan, Enid, Kitty, Mile. Trine, 
Olivia, Pink Domino, Phenna, Rosy Morn, Stella 
Massey, Volcalia, W. Bealby. Doubles: Double H. 
Jacoby, Gustave Emich, Hermine, Raspail Improved, 
Baaute Poitovine. Many questions were asked and 
an animated discussion took place, in which Messrs. 
Neve, Woolford, Hinton, Hobbs, Turton, Martin, 
Dearlove, Stewart, and Chamberlain took part, A 
hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Shoesmith for his 
admirable paper was proposed by Mr. Stevens and 
seconded by Mr. Pound, Junr. This was carried 
unanimously. 
-•*»- 
STANSTEAD PARK, FOREST HILL. 
Spring work in all departments was in rapid progress 
in the nurseries of Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill, as we passed through them recently. Spring 
flowers of various kinds were in evidence, and the 
fine collection of Clivias we have already noticed. 
Many Dendrobiums were flowering in the warm 
Orchid house, including the best form of the bearded 
D. brymerianum. Scarcely less noticeable was a 
large and well-flowered plant of D. fimbriatum ocula- 
tum, with its orange flowers and two black eye-like 
spots. Other useful species were D. nobile, D. 
wardianum, D. primulinum giganteum, and D. 
Pierardi. Harpophyllum giganteum, with its dense 
spike of purple flowers, is an Orchid that is by no 
means common in collections. A good form of 
Coelogyne cristata alba had a well-expanded lip and 
was flowering freely. Here, also, we noted a good 
variety of Oncidium maculatum with dark blotches. 
In the same house as these was Richardia Pentlandi 
maculata, having large silvery blotches on its leaves 
which were of great size, and the plant very vigorous. 
In another house were well-berried plants of the 
useful Ardisia crenulata about a foot high, inter¬ 
spersed amongst decorative palms belonging to 
various genera. Livistona rotundifolia altissima is 
an improvement on the type inasmuch as the leaves 
are longer, more upright, and therefore less squatty 
than those of L. rotundifolia itself. It is really a 
graceful palm of the fan-leaved type and may be seen 
here in various sizes from plants with a few small 
leaves up to 18 in. and 2 ft. high. A decorative sub¬ 
ject of another type is Carex elegantissima with 
silvery-edged narrow leaves. The Otaheite Orange 
(Citrus japonica) is a small-fruited type that is 
becoming more and more used for decorative purposes. 
The Casuarinas are plants that might be more exten- 
sive'y used for they are slender, branching plants, 
more graceful than the finest of the Horsetails 
(Equisetum). The species here grown is named 
Casuarina ericoides. Amongst the side-saddle 
flowers Sarracenia Drummondi is one of the most 
handsome. 
A cooler house contained a great assortment of 
plants, including Odontoglossums, the rich orange- 
scarlet Ada aurantiaca and others. Shrubby Be- 
