90 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 7, 1699. 
Another vinery in full bearing contained some 
well finished bunches of Muscat Hamburgh, Muscat 
of Alexandria, Mrs. Pince, and others. A Peach 
house of considerable length next drew our attention. 
Many of the trees had been relieved of their crops ; 
others still bore heavy crops of fine fruit. All the 
best kinds are grown here and the trees are healthy 
and exceptionally well done. Another house con¬ 
tained more young Peach trees. The back wall of 
this house contained good plants of the best climbing 
Roses. 
Again we find ourselves outside and get a splendid 
view of the Blackford Hill in front. The ribbon 
borders are well arranged and planted, certainly a 
credit to any gardener. 
Herbaceous plants are grown in many places and 
positions. Michaelmas Daisies were flowering freely, 
and the old Aster Linosyris (Goldilocks) lent a nice 
tone of colour to the blues so prominent in other 
flowering Asters. 
Carnations are rapidly increasing here, and the 
few late blooms I noticed were good standard kinds 
such as Raby Castle, Mrs. Muir, Lady N. Balfour, 
Duchess of Fife, Dundas Scarlet, and many more 
useful kinds. Roses are largely grown, and they 
seem to do well by the finely balanced growths they 
have made this year. 
Sweet Peas are grown in two long lines and not 
too crowded. Sadie Burpee is unquestionably a 
splendid white. Duke of Westminister, Duke of 
Sutherland, Othello, Mars, and Mrs. Dugdale are 
champions amongst Sweet Peas. 
Apples are a heavy crop and do well at Millbank. 
Loaded trees are the order of the day, and one in 
particular was visibly asking for a crutch. Lord 
Suffield, Stirling Castle, Warner's King, and King of 
Pippins, stood out conspicuously. An interesting 
fence covered with Brambles was fine, a great 
quantity of fruit having been gathered. Vegetables 
are well grown and much attention paid to growing 
crops. 
The place is extremely well kept, everything trim 
and highly creditable to the gardener, Mr. Girvan, 
who ably manages the place.— W. Angus, Aberdeen, 
September i8th, 1899. 
--a-- 
LONDON PARKS AND GARDENS. 
IV.— Regent’s Park. 
It was a splendid morning when I set out on a 
visit to Regent’s Park, specially to see how Mr. 
Jordan, the superintendent, had arranged his bed¬ 
ding for summer, 1899, and for the purpose of 
gleaning a few hints of what was likely to prove of 
good effect in its height. Without more ado, I will 
proceed to point out those combinations of their 
kind which seemed most pleasing, for that is the aim 
and object of all bedding. 
One of the very largest beds, a corner one—and 
there are some monsters in Regent’s Park—was 
being filled with a new array of plants, meant to 
carry the season to a close. The superintendent at 
Regent’s Park does not content himself with one 
planting—at least, so far as a few “pet " beds are 
concerned—but keeps up the fullest brilliance and 
freshness from early in the year till frost puls an 
effectual stop to further work this way. The large 
corner bed, which he was busy adding to at this 
time, was chiefly filled in the central parts with tall 
Palms, such as Phoenix rupicola, huge Dracaena 
australis, and specimen Araucaria excelsa. The 
corners were gorgeous with Celosia pyramidalis and 
splendidly flowered Hydrangea paniculata grandi- 
flora. Francoa ramosa was dispersed in a slightly 
backward position, not in the shade, of course, but 
in the shadier parts, from which its long racemes 
arched forth. Different Cockscombs, the yellow 
and the crimson forms of C. cristata, as well as C. 
pyrimadalis were also in batches or interspersed 
here and there, each plant being a perfect model of 
good culture. Plants of Acalypha tricolor were also 
in masses, so with tuberous Begonias, Chlorophyt- 
um elatum variegatum, (Syn. Anthericum variega- 
tum), variegated Maize, &c.,with Cineraria maritima 
and Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum as 
an edging. But great beds of this description are 
never, or very seldom, attempted in private gardens. 
The effect is very fine and not a few paragraphs 
appeared in the daily Press upon this and a few others 
of the more prominent. I think I never saw such well- 
flowered Agapanthus umbellatus as they have placed 
out in tubs on the lawns. These are specially fine 
things for this purpose, because in all respects they 
are beautiful decorative subjects. Plants of Bam- 
busa Simonsii are likewise effectively placed about. 
Gaura Lindheimeri, a plant somewhat like a large 
flowered Anthericum Liliago, was also used in parts 
where flowing effects and gracefulness are wanted. 
The great bed, or rather a semicircular bank, 
sloping to the front where the path runs, which had 
a furnishing of Begonia Corbeille de Feu, a dark 
purplish variety of the semperflorens type, in the 
back parts of which were some bright yellow Privets. 
It was most worthy of imitation. Then quite in the 
same gaze and just opposite the fiist noted large bed, 
was a large succulent group. It is easy to name the 
plants which occupied this bed, but this will not 
impress or enlighten one upon the general plan of it. 
Giant specimen Agave americana (A. a. variegata), 
occupied prominent positions. Pandanus Veitchii, 
Dasylirion acrotrichum and Echeveria metallica 
were used as dot plants. The golden Lysimachia 
Nummularia aurea, Sedum glaucum, S. acre, 
Kleinia repens, Mesembryanthemum, &c., were em¬ 
ployed for carpeting. The beds of single flowered 
Hollyhocks, mostly of a pink shade, were very con¬ 
spicuous and attractive in their season. A beautiful 
bed of Carnation Raby Castle, edged and carpeted 
with the yellow Viola Ardwell Gem, proved a 
pleasing union. Then the borders of Zinnias in all 
their diversity were very commendable, and ably 
assisted in making the place bright. Impatiens 
Balsamina, in many hues, waved in all its strength 
above the beautiful little Viola Blue Gown. 
Close by the hedges which run along the central 
part of the flower bed area, there are numerous 
Carnation beds filled will all the best of tried 
varieties. Vases too are in this region and are a 
special feature. These are generally filled with 
Fuchsias, Zonal Pelargoniums, Celosias, Aralias.Ivy- 
leaved Pelargoniums, Campanulas, &c. They are of 
much service in this part and could scarcely be 
dispensed with. Cockscombs either the feathered 
type or the ordinary C. cristata are used. Selaginella 
Kraussiana is used around and between them so that 
one has no difficulty in imagining how fine these 
beds or borders are. Plants of Acacia lophantha and 
Anthericum variegatum, are dotted here and there 
above the Cockscombs to relieve the dead-level-flow 
which would necessarily result. I may mention 
that the Carnations in use are Pasha, a salmon-buff 
variety, Yule Tide, so much spoken of a few years 
ago and which is one of our best dark crimson 
Carnations, either for pot culture or in the open 
ground ; Germania, the comparatively new yellow 
Border variety, and no doubt one or two others. 
Abutilon Thompsonii in vases could not have been 
better employed. This is a capital plant for bedding 
and summer decorative purposes. 
A bed filled with tall Palms, Ficus elastica, dark 
flowered Fuchsias and the bright grass-like plant 
Chlorophytum elatum variegatum made very favour¬ 
able impressions. 
Away on the south east (or probably due east) side 
of the park, Mr. Jordan has adopted a free and easy 
style of bedding with one or two great beds skirting 
some shrubbery. He has employed Violas in the 
following varities.—Lottie McNiel, lavender; 
Magnificent, dark blue; Goldcrest; Rosea pallida, a 
pale blue ; J. B. Riding, purple ; Marchioness,white; 
Countess of Hoptoun, white; Molley Pope, a fine 
large yellow. These are planted in sheets of one 
colour and at a distance the effect is very brilliant 
Blocks of Araucaria excelsa, Francoas, Lobelia 
pumila magnifica and an edge of Sedum acre, 
together with some dot Aloes form a very worthy 
group In a like combination and also in union with 
the plants mentioned above, were noted the sweetly 
fragrant Harrison's Musk. Verbenas, Phlox 
Drummondi and the Regent’s Park variety of Lobelia 
pumila magnifica, which is distinct in that the blue 
is pale and brilliant, are also among the plants 
massed there. The effect of the droopiDg pink 
Fuchsia Mrs. Rundle above white Lobelia, was 
good, for both the white and the pink were distinct, 
and not confused. 
A dwarfer bed, which we thought might be imi¬ 
tated, was that in which Begonia semperflorens rubra 
waved above the yellow Harrison’s Musk, for here 
again the colours were quite distinct, but at the same 
time not incongruous. A free flowering Fuchsia and 
one which stands out all winter in Regent’s Park, is 
Enfant Prodigue, a dark flowered form. Nothing 
looks more superior than those beds (oblong in shape, 
for form has also much to do with the finished pic¬ 
ture) in which a silver leaved Pelargonium such as 
Mrs. Mapping or Flower of Spring is used as a close 
grounding, and well grown graceful and branching 
plants of Verbena venosa used as a “ second-stcry " 
or " rider ’’ sheet of colour. The Verbena is planted 
between the Pelargoniums, and when both grow up, 
the deep heliotrope-mauve above the green and 
white variegated Pelargoniums gives a distinct and 
pretty bed. Pink and gray, bright gray of course, 
are also very harmonious. Such a combination can 
be had by using Pelargonium Sybilla, and the 
bright silvery Cineraria maritima, or Centaurea 
candidissima, for the one can very well take the place 
of the other, 
Cannas are very effective used alone, and I cannot 
say that the addition of Celosia pryamidalis can be 
regarded as aiding the effect. Canterbury-bells 
above Dactylis glomerata.especially when the blue or 
deep pink varieties reared themselves, also make 
unions which are worth recording. In Regent's 
Park as in most of the other parks, there are numer¬ 
ous borders which serve in cases as a background 
to the better bedding. The style of arrangement 
of these beds is that of the gardenesque or informal 
and only plants which are capable of looking after 
themselves so to speak, and also strong enough to 
withstand drought, are there planted. Trees and 
shrubs are generally close behind them, so that it 
becomes a case cf underground struggle between the 
roots of herbaceous plants and those of the shrubs. 
A bed of Dracaena indivisa, three plants spaced 
out as standards above a bed of Begonia semperflor¬ 
ens rosea and with Dactylis glomerata variegata 
used for relieving effect, was very fine. Various 
other combinations might be noted, but these we 
have written of were very representative. Mr. 
Jordan had plenty to show, and what there was 
spoke well for his good taste, his skill, and his at- 
attention .—A Visitor. 
* —-—- 
A NOTED AMATEUR. 
Robertson Parish, near Hawick, Roxburghshire, 
contains many men worthy of note from a horticult¬ 
ural point of view : and at the top of the tree at 
present as an amateur stands Mr. William McCon- 
nachie, the genial parish constable, who during his 
residence in that district has taken a leading part in 
furthering the interests of horticulture. His really 
wonderful display of flowers around the police 
station, with kitchen garden, etc., attached, is pro¬ 
duced in such a way as would put many a pro¬ 
fessional in the background. He goes heart and 
soul into whatever he takes in hand, and is brim full 
of enthusiasm and love for his pet hobby ; spending 
all his spare time in his garden, when free from his 
official duties. Here in his garden we meet the 
man. The policeman is left with the helmet in the 
lobby. It is gratifying to see that many of our 
county police are imbued with the same spirit, for, as 
a rule, they are well to the front at all the village 
shows. All honour to them. They have in their 
ranks men who have in their day done much for 
certain sections of florists’ flowers such as the Pansy, 
Viola, Phlox, Pentstemon, etc. ; others again have 
a penchant for vegetable growing, Leeks and 
Onions being first favourites, and many fine speci¬ 
mens of both I have seen tabled at various exhibi¬ 
tions. 
Our friend is as much at home amongst the one 
as the other, his record at the local show since it 
started seven years ago, being 250 prizes for flowers 
and vegetables; and on each occasion his magnifi¬ 
cent window boxes have been awarded premier 
honours. His latest achievement was a few weeks 
ago, when he won for the third year in succession 
the massive Silver Cup, presented by Lewis D. 
Wigan, Esq., of Hosecote, Hawick, for the best kept 
and cropped cottage garden. The conditions are 
that the cup has to be won three times before be¬ 
coming the property of the winner. Mr. McCon- 
nachie having now attained to that distinguished 
honour, the cup is now his property. A handsome 
money prize also goes with it, as well as other fine 
money prizes for the next in order. 
Since Mr. Wigan, with his proverbial good 
heartedness, instituted this competition a few years 
ago, the advance made in cottage gardens in this 
parish has been remarkable. I had the honour to 
be with them at their first show, and every year 
since, and can affirm that the growth of horticulture in 
