572 THE GARDENING WORLD, May s. woe. 
be mentioned, embraces such as specially pertains 
to an up-to-date florist’s business. Dahlias are in 
wide selection, as they likewise seem to be in every 
other nursery. In one of their warm houses the firm 
also boast of a fine collection of Begonias of the 
Rex and carnea types, including also others per¬ 
taining to, and requiring the temperature of a plant 
stove. Tuberous Begonias are arrayed in their 
thousands. Stage after stage is filled with bedding 
plants for the furnishing of many flower gardens in 
the neighbourhood. Early Chrysanthemums, as 
one might readily suppose, are grown here in grand 
style and in quantity. Some of the newer varieties 
were noted. A batch of Sambucus laciniata aureus, 
that pleasingly coloured and fine-leaved variety of 
Elder, is grown in small pots for greenhouse decora¬ 
tion. The plants are also used for the filling of 
vases in the open air. Ricinus, and the commonly 
called Castor-oil plant (Aralia japonica), were pre¬ 
sented in no limited numbers. The plants are care¬ 
fully attended to, and are very fresh. The dwarf, or 
common greenhouse Cinerarias, are well cultivated ; 
the Messrs. Kennedy possess a good strain. Carna¬ 
tions are exceptionally fine, both the Malmaisons, 
the trees, and the ordinary border varieties; 
Primula obconica, as well as the sinensis types, 
were viewed, besides which, Cytisus, Callas, fancy 
Pelargoniums, Narcissi, Amaryllis, of which they 
have some fine young seedling plants giving promise 
of good quality; Boronias, Fuchsias, houses of 
Palms, and thousands of serviceable, ornamental 
Ferns were all noticed. The firm is in capable hands, 
and means to hold its place among those honourably 
known throughout the land. 
THE BEDDING IN LONDON PARKS. 
Regent’s Park. 
Regent's Park is well adapted for extensive displays 
of naturalised Narcissi and other bulbous plants. It 
possesses many protected retreats and quiet grassy 
curves and swells, which are the idealistic spots for 
fullest effect in natural arrangement. These posi¬ 
tions are taken advantage of. Full many a thou¬ 
sand bulbs have found a home in these several 
places, and now at this time of year, Regent’s Park, 
even apart from her brilliant range of beds, is 
mantled over with yellow and pink, and blue. As 
one sheet of flowers passes from view, another ex¬ 
panse opens out. That this naturalising of bulbs 
may continue, is our earnest hope and desire. 
Narcissus Golden Spur is everywhere good in 
Regent’s Park. These in combination with Squills 
and blue Hyacinths upon the grassland backed 
from behind by tall Bamboos, appear to us pleas¬ 
ingly effective. And exceedingly fine too, are those 
curving rings or bands of Hyacinths at the edge of 
some of the shrubberies. Pink and blue Hyacinths 
in these curving lines, seen in such regular evenness, 
compose a brilliant show. In the back rows, there 
are at intervals, groups of about eight to a dozen 
Narcissi. A few of the very largest beds are entirely 
filled with one variety of Narcissus, as, for instance, 
Sir WatkiD, which we noted This gives the 
Londoner the nearest approach he may see, of what 
thousands of these beautiful flowers look like in the 
great farms and fields in which they are com¬ 
mercially cultivated. Sir Watkin is one of the best 
for massing in beds. A mixed bed of Tulips and 
Daffodils which was seen did not appeal to us as 
beiDg a successful combination. The Narcissi are 
early, while the Tulips bloom later, and though 
there is succession of flower, yet at no time is there 
the effect of contrast, except that produced by the 
flowers of the Tulips and two kinds of foliage. 
Between the long narrow borders which skirt 
some of the walks in the flower garden, and which 
are pleasingly filled with Hyacinths, &c., there are 
some beautiful beds of Primulas and Auriculas. It 
is very evident that Mr. JordaD, the superintendent, 
has carefully selected the very best strains of either 
plant, and also that having got them, he has shown 
commendable taste in the grouping of colours akin 
to each other. The beautiful yellows, the deep 
pinks, and the dark, rich, velvety chocolates and 
crimsons, find themselves each in their own " regi¬ 
ment ” of distinct hues. 
It is likewise very lovely to see the numerous 
vases which ornament and give breadth to the 
flower-bed area, suitably filled with flowering 
plants of the season. Though the beds should be 
planted up, it is not everyone who would trouble to 
furnish the vases with plants for spring effect. 
The combination of scarlet Tulips and yellow- 
flowered Doronicums in a bed, is worthy of notice. 
But blue and yellow form together a sweetly pretty 
contrast. Fine use is made of the circular borders, 
each a few feet wide, which run like rings around 
the tall vases on pedestals, and which are features 
of the Regent's Park flower garden. One of these 
" ring ” beds is filled with blue Hyacinths and Nar¬ 
cissus odorus rugulosus. 
A number of very large oblong beds are filled 
with splendidly flowered varieties of Narcissi, 
Hyacinths, &c. An entire bed of H. Gertrude, 
yields us a fine, dwarf even mass of a soft pink 
colour. Another of these " ring ” beds contains N. 
Sir Watkin and the light blue Hyacinth Regulus. 
This variety of Hyacinth seems to be one 
of the best for outdoor planting. H. Van der 
Hoop, which is white, and scarlet Tulips between, 
form a cheery sight. 
H. Grandeur de Merveille, white and rose, on an 
oval bed, mixed with the soft pink Mrs. Hodgson,was 
particularly fine. Other beds of blue and pink 
Hyacinths were also exceedingly beautiful. H. La 
Peyrouse is a splendid blue variety ; H. General 
Pelissier is one of the best of the deep pinks ; and 
H. Norma of the paler pink varieties. 
Facts worthy of notice in regard to the quality of 
the bulbs as evidenced by their flowering, were the 
general evenness of the whole amount, which was 
very remarkable, Tulips especially being very robust; 
and the length and fine formation of the Hyacinth 
spikes was also conspicuous. The supply of the 
bulbs came from Messrs. Carter & Co., High 
Holborn. 
Sx. James’ Park. 
The notes on spring bedding in this mid-London 
park, need not employ much ink in their detailing. 
It is more a beautiful playground, an open space 
with many seats, a division area which gives 
increased dignity to those magnificent institutions 
and buildings whose name and fame is known to all 
the world. It is a park with green, grassy meads, 
with avenues of trees—the boulevards of Parisiennes, 
—with sheets of ornamental water, trees, birds, 
fowls and bridges. Here and there a bright bed 
enlivens and brightens a turning point, but St. 
James’ Park is well content to remain a coolsome 
retreat and a restful space for the use of its thou¬ 
sands of daily visitors. 
It looks quaint to see cows tethered near-by the 
refreshment stalls on the outskirts of the park, and 
kept there for use to yield immediate supply as is 
done in the larger cities of hot, dry Mexico. St. 
James’ Park can furnish immense variety of life- 
phases. 
- —- 
RHODODENDRON SEEDLINGS. 
True to his word, Mr. A. MacMillan, of Trinity 
Cottage, Trinity, Edinburgh, sent me two boxfuls 
of seedling greenhouse Rhododendron blooms, taken 
from plants of his own raising. They represent 
seven crosses and vary considerably. Two 
points are particularly noticeable, viz., purity of 
colour and fragrance. I had not leisure to compare 
them when they came, but even now, after a few 
days, their soft, agreeable aroma is distinctly felt. 
We do not find this a very constant character with 
our greenhouse Rhododendrons, and if he has 
accomplished nothing more, Mr. MacMillan can rest 
satisfied. It is a case of so much done, and done 
well. But to the blooms. On looking them over 
one cannot overlook the fact that there is conspicu¬ 
ous variation between most of the seedlings. Even 
from the same seed pods this is remarkable. Some 
years ago Mr. Macmillan raised a large white 
flowering seedling, a splendid variety, from seeds of 
Lady Fitzwilliam. This he has persistently used in 
his recent crosses, employing it as the pollen parent. 
In the seedlings before me no less than six of the 
seven varieties are influenced by it. But among the 
present lot, perhaps ody one (R. veitchianum x 
LurgeWhite Seedling) approaches the perfection of the 
Mrs. Currie, which received a First-class Certificate 
at Edinburgh last year. This veitchianum cross 
differs from Mrs. Currie in having a shorter tube to 
the corolla, and in being more expanded across the 
mouth. The large, broad lobes of the flowers have 
slightly crimpled margins,otherwise they are smooth, 
well distended, of good substance, and snow-white 
in colour. It is an advance upon R. veitchianum, 
and possesses that variety’s pleasant fragrance. 
The next finest blooms are given by a seedling 
cross from R. ciliatum and R. Princess Alice. The 
effect of both parents is evideaced in the seedling. 
It has the downy peduncle and calyx of ciliatum, 
and the graceful form and purity of the Princess 
Alice blooms. The texture of the corolla is 
peculiarly velvety, another quality due no doubt to 
R. ciliatum. The blooms are of medium size, splen¬ 
did substance, and pure white save for a gentle suf¬ 
fusion of palest citron in the throat of the tube, 
The stamens contrast well. The other seedlings do 
not call for special note. They vary in a few ways, 
but chiefly in the shades of colour. A new type of 
form is seen, one resulting from R. Hay Lodge 
(male) and large White Seedling. It has five well 
defined lines representing the points of coalition of 
the petals, which do not become lobed until within 
half an inch from the mouth. The corolla thus 
forms a tube with short oval lobes The colour is a 
rich cream. This would seem to indicate that some 
of the R. dalhousieanum blood has asserted itself, 
the latter being a grand parent. The colour may 
become less pronounced with age. R. Duchess of 
Buccleugh x with White Seedling, and a trumpet¬ 
shaped variety x with White Seedling are the par¬ 
ents of the other seedlings. The seedlings from the 
first described cross are decidedly the best.— 
Harrison, D. 
-— . « » - 
MY APRIL GARDEN. 
The time is evening, and the earth with me is peace¬ 
ful. The great red sun has just slid down through 
a gray band on the western horizon. The little 
birds are rippling their evensongs from the topmost 
twigs of the high headed Elms. The pee-wee pee- 
wee call-notes of the pretty plumed peacocks break 
the stillness of the soft warm air, for, though it is but 
April, the sunny southern breath has dissipated the 
north winds' chill. The green grass groweth, and 
makes a grand carpet, while there, and yonder, the 
Larch trees are swathed in a colour, which surely 
they drew from the green sward. My thousand 
Daffodils rise like globules of sunshine outstretched 
in wide array o’er the rounded shoulders of a rising 
little breast-bank, decked with tall trees. And the 
red and mauve-hued Cyclamen keek from under the 
wings of the shield-Farn fronds. 
Throughout the busy day the lawn-mower sung, 
and the soDg spoke forth that summer was near. 
The sparkling brook, it told me, too, and the fairy- 
flowered Snowdrops that by it grew—they are gone, 
gone to their home in the rich brown earth. The 
courting of the birds, the breaking of the buds, the 
bustling boom of the bang-ahead bee, these, all 
these happy signs tell out the same sweet song to 
you and to me. 
Spring time brings a rush of thought and frees 
our ’pulsive spirits to rise upward as they ought, stay 
with us, stay, do not fly soon away ; thy joys they 
last but a short little day. 
Primrose and Iris, Daffodil and Hyacinth, Blue¬ 
bell, Wallflower, Erica, and Daisies, intermixedly 
they flourish ; Rhododendron and Magnolia, Almond 
tree and Ribes, with green leaved Willow spray and 
darksome Hazel, whose deportment is of graceful 
mien against the slumbering Maple. The tall-drawn 
Poplars look over all. 
But night has covered my garden and I, and the 
birds they rest till the dawn draws nigh. The air feels 
chill, the dews they fall, and I say " Good-night, 
good-night to all."— H. D. 
--- 
CULTIVATION OF DAFFODILS. 
Rev. E. Bourne gave a lecture in the Drill Hall on 
the afternoon of Tuesday, April 24th. He said there 
were three main groups of Narcissi, the magni- 
coronati, the medio-coronati, and the parvi-coronati. 
The magni-coronati section is divided into bicolors, 
sulphur-yellow and self-yellow sorts. The medio 
class give rise to the incomparabilis, the Leedsii, 
and the triandrus sections. Of the parvi, or very 
small-cupped group, the Barrii, the Burbidgei, and 
the poeticus Narcissi are representatives. 
Soil. — In regard to soil, the Narcissus 
likes a good, well-drained soil, with a 
certain quality of grittiness. To improve a 
very heavy soil wood ashes may be used with the 
very best results. On cold soils basal rot is apt to 
effect the bulbs, and this is a disease not at all 
pleasant to have. The more delicate kinds of Nar¬ 
cissi should be planted in good maiden loams. The 
poeticus and Burbidgei types, and those with spuri- 
