54 
September 22, 1900. 
THU GARDENING WORLD. 
of that old universal favourite, Victoria. Standard 
Apple and Pear trees bore a good average crop. Of 
Pears on the walls, that excellent variety, Louise 
BonDe of Jersey, was a picture of fruitfulness. 
Leaving the garden by a lovely shaded walk on 
the outskii ts of a wood, which is toon to be 
converted into a cairiage sweep, we arrived at the 
mansion. This structure is for the most part a two- 
storied one, the design of which is uniquely adapted 
to its surroundings. Situated in a valley at the foot 
of a hill, which for arborescent verdure has few 
equals, whilst in front the noble river Tay glides 
softly seawards, the aspect and natural surroundings 
are, to say the least, “delightful," a detailed account 
of which would entail more space than the Editor 
might permit. The work of laying out,and the forming 
of lawns, terraces, &c., has been in operation for the 
last two years, and still a goodly portion remains 
unfinished. But under Mr. McGregor's regime, 
who, whilst gardener to Sir Thomas Gibson-Car- 
michael, M.P., at Castle Craig, Peebleshire, 
exhibited ample evidence of his ability as a lands¬ 
cape gardener — this will soon be accomplished in a 
satisfactory manner. Whilst referring to landscape 
arrangements, it perhaps will not be unconventional 
to add that we observed, with pleasure, that where 
it was necessary to make additions in the way of 
imported soil, so as to secure the desired level, deep 
yawning pits, so frequently met with surrounding the 
stems of specimen trees, had been usurped by 
erecting of rough stone walls around, and at a 
distance of i ft. from the stem, which in our estim¬ 
ation was a decided improvement. Along two sides 
of the house the flower garden is arranged, consisting 
of a series of long narrow beds. The beds being 
newly formed, they naturally did not contain many 
large leafy plants, but all had a very neat appearance, 
and were tastefully bedded out. 
Reversing our course, we returned by the river¬ 
side, by a broad grass walk, canopied overhead by 
the arching branches of handsome examples of 
Larix europaeus, Picea noblis, &c. Close to the 
brink of the river a showy mass of Epilobium angus- 
tifolium gave a cheery touch of colour to its sombre 
surroundings. The American garden through which 
our path led us, is chiefly occupied by hybrid and 
ponticum Rhododendrons, whose broad healthy 
foliage compensated for the dearth of flowers 
characteristic of such arrangements at this season. 
Before leaving the grounds we indulged in a quiet 
survey of the ruins of the ancient abbey. This 
telling adjunct to the scenery adjoins the present 
place of worship, and until lately its interior was 
the chief local place of interment. Before closing 
our narrative, we cannot but express our admiration 
of many handsome trees, especially the Conifers, 
which abound. Very interesting was a handsome 
specimen of Cedrus atlantica, planted by Her 
M jetty the Queer, and Cedrus Deodora (which 
has heen largely planted at tome former period), are 
on an average the handsomest we have seen. A 
specimen of Larix europaeus which, when measured 
in 1888, was found to be 120 ft. high, had a very 
1 ell ing appearance. After thanking our host for his 
kindness and courtesy, we took our leave. On our 
return journey we passed the scene of the previously 
mentioned exhibition, where, to the tune of those 
pipes wh'ch earlier in the day had attracted our 
notice, a number of Highland lads and lassies were 
'■ tripping the light fantastic toe," and whose cheery 
laugh amid this charming scene went to prove that, 
like their environment, they were robustly healthful 
and free.— DM. 
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. 
Thb other day a game of poker was played in New 
York, where the stakes were £3,000. 
When the winner sailed on a European tour, there 
was sent to him st the pier a floral piece that cost 
£20, made of Roses chiefly, with an appropriate 
inscription in Forget-me-nots on one side, while on 
the ether was a royal heart flush held in a hand, all 
composed of flowers. 
A local retailer is putting up Strawberries in boxes 
with an open-work paper doyley on the top, and is 
covering the entire thing with paraffin paper as a 
protection from dust and dirt 1 
A candy store in State Street on St. Patrick’s Day 
had Its windows most artistically decorated with 
only violet and green. Ribbons, statuettes, candies, 
all wcie of those two colours, and it was a German 
store at that, than whom, the Irishhere have no more 
bitter fo?s. 
There is a town in Kansas, laid out many years 
ago, which was doomed to innocuous desuetude by 
one of its disgruntled boomers. Failing to keep his 
vow (which was to kill the town so dead that grass 
would grow in the streets),he bought several sacks of 
blue grass seed and sowed it all over, so that now 
there are no weeds, and every vacant spot is covered 
with blue grass. This reminds me of the widow who 
promised not to re-marry till the grass should be 
green on her husband's grave, but who was caught 
helping matters aloDg with a watering-can. 
Lincoln Park has prepared a floral welcome for 
the veterans of the Union War, who will encamp 
here soon. “ Welcome, G A R.," in letters 4 ft. long, 
divided by an American flag 16 ft. wide and 14 ft. 
long, in “ hens and chickens,’ 1 is the piece du resistance. 
In New York, a Japanese firm is exhibiting a 
unique floral display of specialities, such as com¬ 
plete miniature gardens, dwarfed shrubs, and other 
curiosities. 
From Japan come wooden frames shaped as birds, 
balls, little houses &c., covered with Ferns in a dry 
state, with the roots protected by moss. They are 
soaked in water for three or four hours, and then 
hung up, when they speedily become a mass of 
feathery green. They sell at from 2s. to 6s. each.— 
C. Macquarie, Chicago. 
- .|> - 
SAVING PANSY SEED. 
Young Pansy plants bear seed most freely, and the 
homers are fertilised by insects, particularly bees, in 
early spring before there is an abundance of other 
flowers ; and also late in summer and during autumn 
by humble bees, hawk moths, and some other insects. 
Therefore, the chances for a midsummer crop of 
Pansy seed are always very uncertain. Be sure to 
start with a good strain of Seed, for breeding up to a 
higher standard is 9I0W work, and one's aim should 
be to produce the best. If you save only a mixed 
number of sorts, make notes that some plants and 
varieties bear seeds more freely than others, and it is 
therefore best to save the varieties separately, so as 
to have a proper balance, even if mixed seeds are 
desired. If the seeds are gathered too green they 
are a loss, and, besides, they are with difficulty 
separated from the others. If left on the plants too 
long they scatter. It is difficult to describe the 
appearance of the pod when ready to gather, but 
generally the stem straightens out and loses its 
shepherd’s crook appe ranee, the sharp edges of the 
pod become smooth and hardened. So much 
depends on temperature and humidity that experi¬ 
ence can be the only safe guide. The seeds may be 
dried in little bags of muslin, part of the upper edge 
being tacked to a smooth piece of lath, and each 
variety (if they are separate) should be distinctly 
named. Shake out all the seeds from the pods 
through a sieve. A fine-grained sieve is needed to 
remove the dust. The coarser bits of pods and 
stems which have passed through the sieve may be 
removed by repeated blowing. Mice must be pre¬ 
vented from doing mischief, for they are fond of 
Pansy seeds.— A. G. 
-- 
- PHLOXES. 
These are both showy for herbaceous borders and 
useful for cutting ; blit we often find them poor 
objects in private gardens, having small flowers and 
flagging in hot weather through having occupied 
their position too long. It is a very rough method 
to dig up the plants and divide them with a spade 
for transplanting. For propagation I prefer to lift 
a stool of each of the varieties in the spring and 
place them near the glass in gentle heat. They will 
soon throw out shoots, which should be carefully 
taken off when long enough, insert the cuttings in 
fine sandy soil and place in gentle heat. When they 
become rooted, gradually harden off preparatory to 
planting out 1 ft. apart in beds of deeply dug, well 
manured ground, so that the roots have got some¬ 
thing to work in and sustain them during dry 
weather. A few good soakings of water will benefit 
them through the growing season, if it is dry; a 
mulch of short manure will also assist them. Some 
good varieiies areAbundance, Amazon, Adonis, 
Aurore, Belvedere, Coccinea, Comedia, Diadem, 
Etna, Le Vengeur, Longchamps, Mdme. Tbibaut, 
Marie Vierge, Mrs. Kinghorne, Neptune, Panama, 
Pantheon and William Muir .—George Potts, Streat- 
ham, S.W. 
MILDEW ON CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
What can look worse than a group of 
Chrysanthemums with their leaves and stems 
covered with mildew ? Why it takes away 
the whole effect, and the usual remedy 
(flowers of sulphur, ousted over the foliage), I think 
looks worse than the disease. The following I have! 
used with every success, not by any means a new 1 
receipt, but one I think not well enough known. The 
quantities I mention will be ample to syringe five 
hundred plants: half a pound unslacked lime, half & 
pound flowers of sulphur, two and a half pints of 
rain water. Place in a large pot and boil for twenty 
minutes. Now put the mixture into a stoneware 
vessel and cover up for future use. To every two 
gallons of rain water add one wine glassful of the 
mixture, mix thoroughly well,and syringe the Chrys¬ 
anthemums on both sides of the leaves; the under 
sides are best got at by laying them down on their 
sides. Allow them to dry before housing. I have had 
large groups which stood closely picked, for two 
months, without showing signs of mildew, after 
undergoing the above treatment.— A. Manson. 
PROPAGATION OF HERB4CEOUS 
PLANTS. 
The time has now arrived when we may increase 
the majority of our herbaceous plants, and those who 
wish to make ne w, or replant old, borders should 
commence propagating without delay. First of all 
prepare a frame, and for draiaage use rough ashes 
with sifted ones on the top, making a level bed for 
the pots to stand on. By this means the less hardy 
ones are insured, and a great many of our hardy 
plants produce much finer flowers when divided 
annually. Well drained 60-sized pots should be used, 
and a compost of loam and leaf soil with sufficient 
sand to keep the whole porous. This should be 
thoroughly mixed together. Space will only permit : 
me to mention the best mode of propagating some- 
of our most admired genera. Heliopsis, Physostegias r 
Erigerons, Monardas, and Coreopsis, are best 
increased by soft cuttings, but some Rudbeckias 
Chelones, Hesperis, &c., are more readily propagated 
by offshoots from the roots. Make the soil quite 
firm round the plant or cutting, place it in the frame 
and give a thorough watering. After this, little 
water will be needed for some time except a light 
syringing on warm days, when the plants should also 
be shaded, and air given. Division of the roots 
after the foliage has dried off is the best method with 
some plants, especially Anemones, Oenotheras, 
Asters, Funkias, Lychnises, Heleniums, Doronicums, 
Campanulas, and many others. These can be planted 
directly they are divided and produce excellent 
results the same year.— A. Thatcher, Aldenham, 
Elstree. 
DO WE HOUSE OUR ’MUMS TOO 
LATE? 
I rather think we do. No doubt to many growers 
the longer the plants cm be left out the less con¬ 
gestion in the glasshouses. But my experience 
seems to point to the fact of many benefits to be 
derived from a fairly early housing of the plants. I 
do not intend to try and give hints to those who 
exhibit. My wish is to show what will benefit those' 
who have to grow good flowers for cuttings or for 
conservatory decoration. My idea is that if housed 
by about September 21st, the plants miss the heavy 
rains usually experienced towards the end of the 
month ; also the very destructive gales at the 
equinox. 
I think it can hardly be doubted that the heavy 
cold rains are at least the cause of the mildew so 
prevalent with some growers. I have found at least 
that this fungus was less troublesome when the 
plants were got under cover, without the soaking for 
days they have to stand if left out too late. It must 
also be confessed that a great amount of damage is 
done by wind in the last week in September. 
I therefore think that where room can be spared 
at all, the plants are belter in not later than the 2rst 
inst. Of course, give all the air possible both day 
and night, and a good spray with the syringe ever/ 
