June 5, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
681 
somehow or other, Easter seems to be associated 
with Eurus, the east wind; and, certainly, the 
Easter—with its several consecutive days—of 1897 
was no exception to the rule, for Eurus was out and 
about, and rudely blew his ruffian blasts with 
measured force and full. There is an old and a cold 
couplet that begins “ when the wind is in the east ” 
—but, I refrain. Eurus does good work, he has his 
offices to perform, and some of these are to abstract 
the lingering moisture; dry up the dank and stag¬ 
nant places, check the too precocious bud, or 
mellow the saturated soil. But, Eurus or no Eurus, 
"hope springs eternal in the human breast," and 
impels one forward, so to speak, toward the sights 
and sounds of the country—toward the opening 
buds, or fully expanded flowers, toward the voices of 
the feathered songsters, or the " colours of the flush¬ 
ing year." 
Without further parley, then, we will assume 
arrival at Rickmansworth by the Metropolitan 
Railway ; thence we cross and recross the line and 
find ourselves in the fine old Park admiring the 
Chestnuts, the Beeches, the Walnuts, the Oaks, and 
the Pines, to say nothing about the smaller fry 
which have been planted to replace the ancient mon- 
archs of this old-time demesne. One, cannot, how¬ 
ever, help noticing the remarkable floriferousness of 
many of the ornamental species, as for instance, the 
Wild Cherry, which, by reason of the general 
paucity of foliage, stands out conspicuously beauti¬ 
ful among the many other arboreal types of beauty 
which, collectively, go to make up the specific 
character of English scenery. 
The manor which is occupied by J. W. Birch, 
Esq., J.P., F.R.G.S., is also a survival of more stir¬ 
ring limes, although its present position and sur¬ 
roundings give it a charm and a superiority no one 
would care to dispute. The Park itself is elevated 
and undulating ; hence fine views of the valley of the 
Chess are always in evidence. Moreover, the Park 
abounds in fallow deer, horned sheep, a numerous 
progeny of playful lambs—black and white—and 
groups of liquid-eyed alderneys chewing the cud, 
ever and anon swishing the tail, as some troublesome 
fly digs its mandibles into the side of its pretty 
victim. It is, withal, a rural scene ; a quiet peaceful 
picture ; and may well induce consolation and repose 
in those who are jaded by toil and moil—those who 
are part and parcel, as it were, of the city's haste 
and the city’s hum. 
Having, then, compassed the Park, we are made 
aware by the sound of falling water that the Chess 
is near at hand. In a few more minutes we are on 
the little bridge which spans the river, and audibly 
conscious of the appropriateness of the term" Loud- 
water," by which the hamlet is known. The Chess 
is a limpid, noisy, rapid-running little river,—noted 
for its trout,—which rises in th§ neighbourhood of 
Chesham, and loses itself at Rickmansworth, where 
its individuality becomes merged in that of the 
Colne, which again, lower down, goes to swell the 
bosom of old father Thames. 
After commenting on the blue of the cultivated 
Myosotis and the colour of the Tulips near by, we 
push up the water-way, or as near to it as the 
owners of property on its beautiful banks will permit. 
In a semi private plantation we pass through we 
notice a fine cluster of Viola canina nestling at the 
foot of a Scotch Pine ; here also a specimen of 
Myosotis sylvatica is unfolding its premature 
flowers. Of course such things as the purple and 
white Dead Nettle, Dogs' Murcury, Ground Ivy, 
Stitchwort, Wild Strawberry, etc., bestrew the way. 
The cuckoo, too, is on the wing, and the woods 
resound with his plaintive note. The Blackthorn 
spreads out its small white Rosaceous flowers to the 
sun and the breeze, while its congener, the White 
species, is only now preparing to greet the merry 
month of May. By the side of the sluggish pool the 
small black Sedge luxuriated, or the square stemmed 
Fig wort is marshalling its forces for June and July. 
As we wind our way up stream, the surrounding 
hills, crowned in many cases with large plantations, 
and dotted about here and there with pretty resi¬ 
dences lend such colour and interest to the ramble 
as no flat marshy district ever could possess. 
In a hi’ly or undulating country one feels more 
exuberance—the blood seems to course through the 
veins more freely, than when one step is similar to 
another step, and no upward progress is effected. 
Gardeners may well get away occasionally from their 
artificial environments, not only for the sake of the 
diversion of their thoughts, but for the valuable 
hints which Nature is sure to furnish to those who 
will only try to read aright. Moreover, the country 
just now is— 
" Full of fresh verdure, and unnumbered flowers," 
many of which are worthy a place in the best kept 
gardens, nothwithstanding the fact that hardy 
exotics are so numerous as to be quite confusing. 
But here is another old bridge over the Chess, on 
which we linger for awhile—and then—after a slight 
detour, due to an old man who misdirected us, and 
who was singularly ignorant of his whereabouts, or 
what he was doing—elect the water-meadows by the 
side of the bubbling stream. The old man here re¬ 
ferred to was gathering Hogweed, or Cow-Parsnip 
(Heracleum Sphondylium) for his rabbits, but he 
knew not its name ; in fact, he knew nothing except 
how to send us out of our way. 
However, the path is again gained and we are 
soon noting the floral gems by the wayside,—the 
blue Veronica, the larger Celandine, the Dog Violets, 
the pale Primroses, the wild Hyacinths, or the 
Lady’s Smock " all silver white." But, best of all, 
were the Marsh Marigolds, which, in a more or less 
inaccessible place were glowing with colour; and 
such colour too—a bright, shining, golden sheen, 
which affected the mental vision so much that when 
a detestable " notice" board was observed, its most 
objectionable clauses appeared to be written in letters 
of gold. Hence we had to beat a retreat, but—we 
had seen the Marsh Marigolds. The Cowslip, too, 
is nearly as popular as the Primrose, and with 
Montgomery we can say : — 
" Now in our walk, with sweet surprise 
We see the first spring Cowslip rise." 
And bearing this in our mind and the poetry of 
Nature generally, we cross and re-cross our favourite 
Chess, mount a serpentine road, and before we are 
quite conscious of the truth are in the " sweet little 
village " of Chenies, a description of which, however, 
must be held over until the Editor of the Gardening 
World can find space to permit a rambler to ramble 
on.— C. B. G., Acton, W. 
♦ 
Thinning Crops.— The recent rains will have mois¬ 
tened the ground sufficiently to facilitate operations 
of this kind, and advantage should be taken to bring 
up arrears and complete the work among root crops. 
Beet may be left 9 in. apart, Parsnips the same, 
Carrots a little less distance ; but no hard and fast 
line need be adopted. The principal point is to 
select the most vigorous and healthy plants in the 
rows, and remove the surplus plants with as little 
disturbance to the permanent ones as possible. This 
work is best performed by hand, and where the 
space between the rows has been kept clear of weeds, 
the work may be done rapidly. A light hoeiDg, a day 
or two after thinning, will fill up any holes, and 
destroy any weeds germinating, and give the crops 
every chance to start into vigorous growth. 
Turnips. —It will be quite safe now to make a 
liberal sowing of approved kinds, Where quality is 
the first consideration, Veitch's Red Globe stands 
unequalled. The ground should be in good condi¬ 
tion, and deeply worked for this crop, and previous 
to sowing a dressing of soot or guano will greatly 
assist the young plants to make a healthy start. 
Should the weather be dry the drills may be watered 
with a weak solution —1 oz. to a gallon of water—of 
sulphate of ammonia. This will act as an excellent 
stimulant, and also promote quick germination. 
Tread the seed in firmly, and dust the young plants 
over with lime or soot on their first appearance to 
check the fly. 
Broccoli and Borecole. —The latest crops of 
these should be sown in an open position and in good 
land. Veitch’s Model is one of the best and most 
reliable late Broccolis ; while of Borecoles, the 
Asparagus Kale is the best, hardiest, and most 
prolific. Where plants of the earlier kinds, such as 
Snow’s, are strong enough for planting, advantage 
should be taken to get them out on some good strong 
land during showery weather. 
Brussels Sprouts. —It is most important that 
this vegetable have a good long season for making 
growth ; and where the earliest sown plants have 
not yet been got out no time should be lost in doing 
so. Where land is not limited, ample room sbould 
be given this crop. About 2 ft. 6 in. between the 
rows, and 2 ft. apart in the rows is the least that 
should be allowed for full development. Good deep 
drills drawn at planting time will facilitate watering 
until the plants are well-established ; and when filled 
in later in the season the slight covering given the 
surface roots will give an impetus to growth. 
Peas. —The season for sowing these with the cer¬ 
tainty of securing good crops will soon be past ; and 
the present time is a good one to make a liberal sow¬ 
ing for late summer use. Two good kinds for getting 
in now are Dr. McLean and Stratagem. Both are 
moderate growers, good croppers, and first-rate in 
quality ; and stand hot or damp weather better than 
many other kinds. It will be necessary to give 
liberal treatment from the moment the plants are up, 
as a check from drought or other causes will tell 
seriously against a full crop. 
Runner and Dwarf Beans.— If not done, a 
successional sowing of these should be got in. The 
Runners sown now will retain their vigour until late 
in the autumD,and give full crops until cut down with 
frost. A few rows sown in a sheltered position and 
grown without sticks, often prove useful in autumn ; 
as a light covering thrown over the rows, will re¬ 
tain them from injury until a late period of the year. 
A liberal sowing of the dwarf form of Canadian 
Wonder will give a long supply of fresh beans, as 
this kind, under the best tieatment, is almost 
perpetual bearing. Crops of these advancing should 
be encouraged in every way to get them into early 
bearing.— J. R. 
THIS ORCHID HOUSES. 
Root Galls on Cattleyas. —Although the cause 
of these is not to be dreaded quite as much 
as the fly that attacks the young growths, it 
is a very troublesome little insect, and does a con¬ 
siderable amount of harm if left to its own sweet 
will. That it is pretty common amongst the plants 
in their native habitats freshly imported plants 
testify. As prevention is always better than cure, 
it is imperative that all newly imported plants 
should be carefully gone over, cutting away all 
the old roots that have the least suspicion of being 
affected before putting them into the house where 
healthy, unaffected plants are growing. The presence 
of the fly is easily discernible by the excrescence on 
the root. If this is cut open one or perhaps two 
little yellow maggots will be found, which if left 
there will of course become flies, and in turn will 
deposit their eggs on the point of the new roots and 
cause the points to swell to an abnormal size. Like 
most of these very small insects they do not live 
long, but what a lot of work they get through! 
The best means that we know of for effectually 
dealing with them, should they happen to have got a 
hold of the collection, is to use the XI All Vaporisor 
every other night until no trace of them can be 
found ; and cutting away and burning the affected 
parts. 
Laeliv purpurata. —This truly magnificent 
Orchid still holds the sway as an exhibition plant. 
Its commanding style of growth, and the richly- 
coloured flowers that surmount a well grown 
specimen always appeal to the public, and it goes 
without saying that what pleases the public generally 
pleases the judges. 
Its culture, too, is such that it need not be a source 
of trouble to those that are in a position to treat it as 
recommended for Cattleyas and Laelias generally. 
The plants being tall growers we accommodate ours 
with a position on the middle stage of the Cattleya 
house. Here they get a fair amount of light, air, 
and moisture, but are rarely allowed to become 
sodden,as I believe that too much moisture at the roots 
does more harm than good by causing the roots to 
decay prematurely. 
Epidendrum vitellinum majus.— For some 
reason or other this brilliantly coloured Orchid does 
not as a rule stay long. We are inclined to think 
that we try to grow it too cool, for one thing, and 
keep it continually on the move — to its detriment. 
Some few years ago numerous Orchids were killed 
annually by being subjected to too much heat and 
heavy shading, and now I am afraid we are—in our 
endeavour to keep down the fuel bill—getting 
dangerously near the other extreme. With the 
above Orchid I feel certain that cool treatment in 
winter is a mistake, and since adopting a slightly 
warmer course of treatment k has done much better. 
-C. 
