June 5, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
629 
ARDEN ING gjJSCELLANY. 
ROSE MRS. RUMSEY. 
Having regard to the persistency the mildew 
(Sphaerotheca) attacks some of our best Roses year 
after year and seriously checks or even cripples them 
as far as constitution is concerned, a race of Roses 
that could resist the mildew to a great extent would 
be of inestimable value. The variety in question is 
stated to be absolutely mildew proof. The raiser, 
Mr. Wm. Rumsey, of Joyning’s Nurseries, Waltham 
Cross, has tried it side by side with other varieties 
during seasons when mildew has been very prevalent, 
and although other varieties in close proximity have 
been attacked Mrs. Rumsey has escaped without a 
spot. The flowers exemplify a capital form and a 
delicate and beautiful shade of rose-pink. They are 
produced in abundance from June to October. One 
important feature is that the flowers are borne on 
long stalks, and as these are well clothed with clean 
and healthy foliage the blooms appear to great 
advantage. The variety is a sport from Mrs. George 
Dickson, and there is little difference in vigour, 
health, and profusion of flower between the two 
varieties. For pot work or outdoor cultivation Mrs. 
Rumsey is alike good. 
THE CUCKOO. 
I have been a little amused by your notes on the 
treble note of the cuckoo. There are some things in 
connection with everyday life that are not a little 
curious, and this treble note of one of the most 
familiar birds we have is one of them. It is curious, 
because so seldom noticed by the many who are ever 
on the alert to hear the first notes of this bird, 
which gives promise of brighter and warmer 
weather; and curious because of the reasons 
asu'gned for it. My schoolboy impressions respect¬ 
ing this treble note are very lively, the explanation 
given to me some of the old boys being that as 
eggs were getting scarce, the cuckoo could not get 
enough to moisten his throat properly, and in conse¬ 
quence of having to make an extra effort to ejacu¬ 
late cuckoo he overshot the mark, and instead of 
cuc-koo ” he sang " cuc-cuc-koo.”— W. B. G. 
HELIANTHEMUM MRS. EARLE. 
The Sun Roses, or Rock Roses, as they are 
popularly called, are exceedingly pretty and useful 
little plants. Planted on dry sunny banks, whtre 
other plants would not grow they soon cover the 
ground with a carpet of their long trailing growths, 
and as their brightly-hued flowers are produced freely 
they form quite a picture. There is a considerable 
range of variation in the colours of the flowers and a 
still further addition has been made in H. Mrs Earle, 
which has large, very double, bright crimson flowers. 
We were quite struck with its appearance during a 
recent visit to the Messrs. Barrs’ Long Ditton 
Nurseries, where batches of each variety were grow¬ 
ing side-by-side. 
EUCALYPTUS CITRIODORA. 
The value of the Eucalypti as sub-tropical bedding 
plants is only imperfectly grasped as yet. E. 
globulus is coming into great favour for this purpose, 
and its peculiar glaucous hued foliage is at once 
distinct and ornamental. Apart from this the 
fragrance emitted by the leaves has many admirers. 
E. citriodora, however, is far more noteworthy on 
this account for its fragrance, is similar to and fully 
as powerful as the popular Aloysia. It is thus in 
request for pot work in conservatories, but might 
also be utilised in the sub-tropical garden since it 
will succeed under the same treatment as the more 
vigorous looking E. globulus. We lately observed a 
remarkaDly fine lot of plants with Messrs. Hugh 
Low & Co. at their nurseries at Bush Hill Park, 
Enfield. 
» t- - 
THE FLOWER GARDENS OF VICTORIA 
(AUSTRALIA). 
(i Continued, from p. 597 .) 
The end of August and beginning of September 
see the plant-life awakening everywhere. Plants can 
almost be seen to grow in the humid air and soil; all 
the fruit trees leaf and blossom ; the grass and Cape 
weed, introduced by the late Baron Von Mueller, 
with its lovely composite bright yellow flowers, are 
a treat to behold ; and now, where once hard-baked 
clay was to be seen, with not a trace of verdure, 
there spring up, as if by magic, all sorts of flowering 
grasses and weeds, which seem to fairly revel in 
their new existence. Gardens are in their gayest 
attire, and need lots of weeding and cleaning. This 
continues until the end of October, when the first 
faint hot breaths begin to be felt, just sufficient to 
remind the flowers that their time of trial is coming. 
So we come round to the warm summer days again 
in November. 
I shall now speak of the gardens and their occu¬ 
pants in these respective seasons, trying to put a 
mental picture before your eyes, a picture as seen 
and described by one who is pleased, as an amateur, 
with the scene, and tries, however imperfectly, to 
describe it to you, who may in comparison be looked 
upon as a true artist. 
Beginning at the commencement of summer—viz., 
in November—one finds the gardens looking very gay 
and full of freshness. Geraniums of all sorts grow 
and bloom in great profusion. Columbines, Fox¬ 
gloves, and some late Freesias, Cowslips, Primroses, 
Polyanthuses, and other late spring bloomers are 
growing almost, if not quite as well, as in any English 
garden. Auriculas are less common, but cultivated 
in the higher altitudes to great perfection. Pelar¬ 
goniums make a splendid array, and grow in almost 
any locality to the verge of wildness and in the 
greatest variety, the fine pink one known to us as the 
“Azalea” Pelargonium being especially fine and a 
free grower, blooming well in the hottest weather. 
Carnations are in almost every garden, and are re¬ 
markably fine, the large delicate pink one being a 
general favourite. The White Prince and the Clove- 
scented dark crimson share this honour also. I have 
seen nearly an acre of these lovely scented plants in 
one nursery, the perfume from the flowers being 
exquisite. Petunias thrive amazingly, and with a 
minimum of attention. Whites, purples, pinks, 
single and double Phloxes are easily grown, and 
afford an immense variety of colour. 
Pansies and Larkspurs can be kept blooming 
nearly all the hot weather with very little care, 
while Ericas, Epacris, aud Heaths are plentiful and 
of all varieties, the Australian climate seeming parti¬ 
cularly suited to them. Many varieties are indigenous, 
and may be found in the wild state in many scrub- 
coverei places in New South Wales. Irises do well, 
and make a splendid show in the earlier summer 
months, the Japanese Flag Irises being particularly 
fine, with their handsome foliage and large Clematis¬ 
like flowers, both single and double, and from 5 ins. 
to 7 ins. in diameter, varying in colour from the 
darkest blue to rose, salmon, red, purple, crimson, 
pure white, orange-yellow, striped and blotched. 
Our climate is also specially suited for the Amaryllis 
family, and they require little care, and the flowers 
of white, rose, vermilion, maroon, and purple are a 
treat to see, so well do they blossom. Tecomas, 
Sweet and Everlasting Peas require plenty of water 
and looking after. Balsams, Gladioli, Dahlias, 
Cockscombs, Asters, Marigolds fairly blaze in the 
bright sunlight. In fact for the latter flower the 
heat seems to be essential for the proper develop¬ 
ment of the blooms, and a border of these on the 
lawn at our big racecourse at Flemington on the day 
of the running of the Melbourne Cup race has gained 
a world wide fame for its lovely sight. Fuchsias, 
Pentstemons, Foxgloves, Hollyhocks, Zinnias, 
Coreopsis, Cinerarias, Stocks of all hues, single and 
double, bloom well, but require plenty of hose and 
attention. 
When summer is at a white heat, so to speak, and 
many gardens are looking a little seedy, those who 
have planted Mesembryanthemum and Portulacas 
are well repaid. It is a fact that the hotter the day 
the better do these bloom. The former grow wild on 
all the seacoast cliffs, and when in the garden and 
cared for are simply dazzling in brilliancy. Golden 
yellows, pale crimsons, and snow-whites, all look at 
their best, and their icy-like thick leaves have a cool 
appearance. Nasturtiums also seem to revel in the 
heat, the leaves growing as large as good-sized 
dinner plates, and on any fence or wall this beautiful 
plant grows ranker than a weed, and the strange 
admixture of colours, due to the bees, I believe, pre¬ 
sents an ever varying sight, while the green leaves 
are a delightful rest to the eyesight in days almost 
too bright. 
CARNATION DUCHESS CONSUELO. 
Under the name of Duchess Consuelo, given in 
compliment to the Duchess of Marlborough, a group 
of this grand new yellow self Carnation was exhi¬ 
bited at the Temple Show on the 26th, 27th, and 
28th ult., by Mr. T. Whillans, gardener to his Grace 
the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim, Woodstock. 
Last year it was exhibited at the Drill Hall, West¬ 
minster, and received an Award of Merit from the 
Royal Horticultural Society, and the present is a 
suitable time to explain that it was so distinguished 
under the name of Admiration. Tbe alteration has 
been sanctioned by the R.H S,, after due application 
to the floral committee of that body. The variety 
had not been put into commerce so that the altera¬ 
tion was easily effected. The name now applied to 
this variety will be understood as being in the 
nature of a worthy compliment to the gracious 
mistress of Blenheim, who, it is said, is a great 
admirer of this class of plants and of this variety in 
particular. 
For many years past Carnations have been a lead¬ 
ing feature in the ranges at Blenheim and the success" 
that attends their cultivation there could not be 
better exemplified than by the superb quality of the 
specimens of the pink Souvenir de la Malmaison 
var. Princess of Wales, that were included in the 
attractive and much admired group of Carnations 
staged by Mr. Whillans at the Temple Show last 
week.— J. E. J. 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
The undermentioned awards were made by the 
Royal Horticultural Society at the Temple Show on 
the 26th ult. 
Orchid Committee. 
Odontoglossum crispum Starlight. Nov. var .— 
The flowers of this beautiful variety are large, 
heavily washed with rosy-purple on a white ground, 
and thickly spotted with purple all over. The sepals 
are elliptic, the petals triangular and deeply jagged. 
The small plant exhibited by R. Brooman White, 
Esq , Arddarroch, Gaerlochhead, carried half a 
dozen handsome flowers. First-class Certificate. 
Cypripedium Chapmani magnificum. — This 
grand hybrid variety, raised between C. bellatulum 
and C. Curtisii, and which received an Award of 
Merit from the R. H. S. on the nth ult., was again 
brought before the Orchid Committee at the Temple 
Show and received the coveted First-class Certificate. 
It is really a handsome hybrid. R. I. Measures, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. H. J. Chapman), Cambridge 
Lodge, Camberwell. 
Laeliocattleya Lady Wigan. Nov. hyb. bigen .— 
This handsome bigeneric hybrid was raised from 
Laelia purpurata, crossed with Cattleya Mossiae 
aurea. The sepals are blush, and the petals blush- 
pink, but altogether delicate and pleasing. The 
huge lip is nearly white with bold, purple lines, 
radiating from the base of the lamina , the throat is 
golden and the tube lower down is marked with 
purple lines. It is a charmingly distinct form First- 
class Certificate. Messrs. J. Charlesworth & Co., 
Heaton, Bradford. 
Laelia purpurata ashworthiana. Nov. var .— 
The sepals of this variety are blush or nearly white. 
The petals are the feature of the flower, being ovate, 
3^ in. long, and 2 in. wide, white at the base and 
apex and dark crimson-purple in the middle. The 
lip is crimson-purple except at the apex which is 
rose; and the throat is lined in the usual way. The 
width of the petals is remarkable. First-class 
Certificate. E. Ashworth, Esq., Harefield Hall, 
Wilmslow, Cheshire. 
Odontoglossum sceptrum aureum. Nov. var .— 
The usual brown colour is washed out of the sepals 
and petals of this variety, leaving the blotches of an 
old-gold hue. The petals are thickly spotted with 
old-gold, the lip having a large blotch of that hue, 
while the ground colour throughout is yellow. It is 
choice and pretty. First-class Certificate. W. 
Thompson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. W. Stevens), 
Walton Grange, Stone, Staffs. 
Laeliocattleya tyntesfieldensis. Nov. hyb .— 
The parentage of this hybrid has not been recorded, 
but it has much of Cattleya dowiana aurea in it. The 
sepals and petals are soft creamy-yellow, veined with 
rose. The lip is of a warm red hue, shaded with 
maroon and marbled with yellow towards the base 
