September 22, 1900. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
69 
olum sped:sum has become quite established on the 
house front where it looks as robust and happy as in 
its favourite Perthshire heme.— A. D. Webster. 
— — — - - 
OSTERLEY PARK. 
On Saturday afternoon, the 25th ult., some of the 
members ot the Acton Scientific Society and Field 
Club visited this fine demesne, by the kind permis¬ 
sion of the Earl of Jersey. The visit was much 
appreciated. 
The Park, which comprises about Coo acres within 
the walls, was looking at its best after the recent 
rains; and the trees and shrubs, of which there is 
a large and varied collection, were quite verdant and 
foliaceous for the time of year. His lordship, who 
takes great interest in all forms of arboreal vegeta¬ 
tion, continues to plant season by season, so that, 
although the park is already noted for its sylvan 
beauty, it is—under its present noble proprietor- 
destined to become an arboreal paradise. . 
Some of the other striking features of Osterley, 
apart from the magnificent mansion, are the lakes, 
the lawns, and the glorious glades. 
Of the trees mention must be made of the Cedars 
of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani and C. atlantica), which 
are here quite the patriarchs of the cone-bearing 
tribes. Many of the Lime trees, too, attain large 
proportions, several being upwards of 100 ft. in 
height. The old Cork tree (Quercus Suber) is said 
to be ote of the finest specimens in the country; but, 
unfortunately for the gardeners, while it is putting 
on " Cork ” it is also putting off leaves, much to the 
detriment of the velvety verge. This is, however, not 
peculiar to the evergreen Oaks, but is characteristic 
of all so-called " evergreen " trees. The vegetation 
in, and bordering on, the extensive sheets of water at 
Osterley is always luxuriant; but this season, if 
possible, it is in even greater plentitude. The tall, 
hairy Willow Herb (Epilobium hirsutum) is in great 
profusion on the banks of the lake near the mansion, 
while the Reed Mace, or Cat's-Tail (Typha latifolia) 
in the adjoining lake is a perfect forest of linear 
leaves and chocolate-coloured “ catkins." In addition 
to native vegetation the former lake contains exotic 
plants like Marliac’s beautiful Water Lilies (Nym- 
phaea Marliacea) in three or four colours. These, 
however, although very fine in point of colour, 
cannot vie in vigour and floriferousness with Nym- 
phaea alba, the queen of British water flowers, or its 
fine double form, which here displays a beauty of 
outline and a pearly whiteness fabled of the nymphs 
of old. But there are water weeds as well as water 
flowers, i‘, indeed, it is possible to distinguish 
between them. 
Among the latter we must perforce class the 
Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), which pro¬ 
duces tangled masses of slender, much-branched 
stems and finely divided hair-like leaves, and which 
Mr. Jas. Hawkes, the able gardener and courteous 
■conductor, expressed a wish to be rid of. The 
Water Persicaria (Polygonum amphibium), however, 
need not be placed in the same category, for its 
cheerful rose-ccloured spikes of flowers redeem its 
weedy character. 
Large clumps of yellow Iris or Corn Flag (Iris 
Pceudacorus) were perfecting their seed pods; these 
together with the stout, long, sword-shaped leaves 
presented quite a sub-tropical appearance. 
Somewhat farther away from the mansion other 
aquatics or sub-aquatics were much in evidence ; as, 
for instance, the branched Bur-reed (Sparganium 
ramosum); the Reedy Sweet Grass (Poa aquatica); 
the commoD, but handsome Reed (Arundo Phrag- 
mites); the Gipsy-wort (Lycopus europaeus) ; the 
Bar-Marigold (Bidens cernua) ; the Water Mint 
(Mentha aquatica) ; the Skull-cap (Scutellaria 
galericulata) ; the soft or twisted Rush (Julcqs 
effusus) ; J- obtusiflorus, Carex muricata, Cyperus 
longus, or the English Galingale, which is compara¬ 
tively rare, Hypericum quadrangulum, or square- 
stalked St. John’s Woit, Lysimachia vulgaris, or 
great yellow Loosestrife, Alisma Plantago, or water 
Plantain, and many others. 
A small pond contained that pretty little aquatic 
plant Peplis Portula, or Water Purslane, with 
creeping reddish stems and inconspicuous axillary 
flowers, and had for its companion Potamogeton 
oatans, cr the floating Pond-weed. On the banks 
grew Myosotis caespitosa, the tufted Scorpion-grass, 
while but a short distance further, on some sloping 
ground, the iovtly Hare-bell alias Scottish Bluebell 
(Campanula rotundifolia) lent its lustrous light. 
Thus it will be seen that Osterley possesses a fair 
percentage of British plants as well as a large 
variety of exotic ones, and that it is particularly 
adapted for naturalising such things as Mimulus 
luteus, Impatiens fulva, Leuccjnm aestivum, &c., 
&c. 
Woodlake, too, is a charming spot in summertime, 
as it is the haunt of wild fowl, as the trees which 
surround it are joyous of the song of birds and full 
of the drowsy hum of many insects. At least that 
is so when " Sol " is ardent, but on the occasion of our 
visit the meteorological conditions were unfavourable 
to their activity. Fish, however, sports in the depths 
and shallows of the lakes, while many a would-be 
“ Isaac Walton ’’ plays his piscatorial part. But 
whether it be for fauna or flora, for pomona or 
Priapus, or for any other phase of Nature, it is good 
for man to attach himself to some special pursuit— 
it is the wine of life to him, the music to which his 
soul most readily conforms.— C. B. G. 
MONTBRETIAS. 
A paper from M. Emile Lemoine, of Nancy, France, 
translated from the French, was read, in the absence 
of the writer, by Harry J. Veitch, Esq., at the Drill 
Hall meeting of Tuesday, August 28th. There was 
a good attendance, and the paper was admirably 
delivered by Mr. Veitch. 
Montbretia crocosmiaeflora was first mentioned. 
This was a hybrid, and by no means a common one. 
The well-known Tritonia aurea, though introduced 
fully fifty years ago, and much praised at its intro¬ 
duction, is now only found in the gardens of 
enthusiastic amateurs. It is a pretty species with 
little tufts of long narrow leaves from which rise 
the racemes of golden-yellow flowers. It does best 
in a light soil. Twenty-five years ago Montbretia 
Pottsii was barely known, but so showy, robust, and 
hardy is this beautiful Iridaceous plant that few 
gardens in Britain and none in France are without 
it. M. crocosmiaeflora resulted from the crossing 
of the above and Tritonia aurea. It may be explained 
that most botanists include the genus Montbretia 
under Tritonia. 
So vigorous is M. Pottsii that at the end of a 
season, from even one good corm, a fair sized clump 
may be lifted as the result of its increase. Speaking of 
M. crocosmiaeflora as a bigeneric hybrid, M. 
Vilmorin said that it can be raised from seeds, 
though this is not often necessary. The essayist 
had also prepared a list of varieties of Montbretias, 
beginning with M. elegans, M. Rayon d'Or, &c., 
which were sent out about r88o, and described all 
that are included in the lists down to last year. In 
1892, a disease appeared amongst M. de Vilmorin's 
stock, and affected the seedlings for that and a few 
subsequent years, for cate was taken to send out no 
tainted bulbs. So strictly were precautionary 
measures observed that the pest was stamped out. 
In the few cultural remarks which were appended, 
it was advised to s. lect or prepare a light sandy soil, 
well exposed to the sun. The bulbs should be 
planted in April or May, or they may be started in 
frames to be planted out later on. They must have 
a supply of moisture and liquid manure throughout 
the growing season. To protect them during severe 
winters, it is advisable to cover the ground surface 
with leaves or other material. It is indeed a good 
plan to lift the bulbs yearly and store them in sand. 
Much care, however, has to be exercised else they 
become too dry and hard, and so refuse to start. 
When diseased corms were cut through, the wood 
fibres were found to be blackened, and nothing can 
cure the malady; they therefore should be burned. 
To prevent infection, dipping the corms occasionally 
during the winter in a quantity of Bouille Bordelaise 
is recommendable. 
--- 
BALLONE COS LETTUCE, 
I have grown this Lettuce for two seasons and I 
consider it the very best one in cultivation. It grows 
to a large size, quite distinct from any other, it is so 
crisp and sweet. Another great advantage is that it 
remains longer in use than any other which I know 
in use. Four or five sowings will be sufficient to last 
for the season. Sow the seed in rows a foot apart; 
thin out the plants to nine inches apart; and plant 
out the thinnings of the plants. In fact, those now 
planted are the best. ^1 have never proved its hardi¬ 
ness for standing the winter, but am now to sow seed 
of it and may let you know the result.— W. Carmichael, 
14 , Pitt Street, Edinburgh. 
SOCIETIES. 
DAHLIA SHOW .—September 18 th, iglh and 20 th. 
A Dahlia show was held at the Royal Aquarium, 
Westminster, S.W., on the above dates, when nearly 
all the leading Dahlia growers set up displays of very 
superior excellence. Mr. R. Dean, V.M.H., had 
acted as hon. secretary and superintendent, and had 
managed his duties to the highest satisfaction and 
success. Our report is necessarily limited but 
enough is recorded to show how fine the display 
was. There was a class for seedling varieties, but 
we found none but those which we have already 
noted in our columns. 
Competitive Exhibits. 
Nurserymen : Show and Fancy Dahlias. 
For twenty-four blooms, distinct, the prizes respec¬ 
tively were awarded to Mr. J. Walker, Oxon ; Mr. 
Geo. Humphreys, Kington-Langley, Chippenham; 
and Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury. 
For the twelve, ditto, Mr. E. West, Jun., Henley-on- 
Thames, led off. Some good blooms were exhibited 
in these stands, including Victor, Daniel Cornish, 
John Hickling, Arthur Rawlings, Chieftain, J. T. 
West, Muriel Hobbs and Comtejde la Saux. 
Cactus. —Messrs. J. Burrell & Co. won for the 
twelve varieties of Cactus blooms, in bunches of six ; 
they having a splendid lot, including many new 
varieties. Messrs. J. Stredwick & Son, St. Leonards- 
on-Sea, came second; and third, Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co. For twenty-four single blooms, on 
boards, the latter took the lead, followed by Messrs. 
Burrell & Co., second ; and third, Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co. The chief varieties were Zephyr, 
Goliath, Mr. C. Page, Up-to-Date, Britannia, 
Uncle Tom, Innovation, Debonair, &c. 
For three vases of Cactus^blooms, nine flowers in 
each, open to all, Mr. M. V. Seale here again was 
first; Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., second; and 
Mr. A. Taylor, East Finchley, third. Mr. Vine led 
for twelve varieties of singles in the nurserymen’s 
section; and Mr. Seale for a like entry of pompon 
blooms, six blooms each. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, showed 
a magnificent collection of Cactus Dahlias with 
banks of finely flowered Cannas at either end. 
Amongst the newer improved varieties of the latter 
were Mephisto, Ville de Poitiers, bright orange; 
Solfatara, deep orange-red; Duke of Marlboro', 
glowing scarlet; and Martha Washington, a variety 
of quite a distinct and rare colour, described as rose 
pink. 
Messrs. A. W. Youog & Co., Stevenage, Herls, 
showed a collection of hardy cut flowers, which 
included some very fine Gladioli, Rudbeckias an 3 
Dahlias. (Silver Medal.) 
Messrs. Thos. S. Ware, Ltd., Hale Farm Nur¬ 
series, Tottenham, London, also bad a display cf 
such fine stuff as Delphiniums, Helenium grandi- 
cephalum striatum, Asters, Dahlias, &c. (Silver 
Gilt Medal.) 
Mr. M. V. Seale, Vine Nurseries, Sevenoaks, set 
up a bright and beautiful display of cut Dahlias, 
Physalis Francheti and foliage sprays. (Silver 
Medal.) 
Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Cambridge, had a col¬ 
lection of Gladioli spikes, similar to that staged at 
the last Drill Hall meeting. (Gold Medal) 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
exhibited their new white decorative Dahlia named 
Snowflake. 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, N.B., had a 
marvellously fine exhibition of cut Dahlias, Mari¬ 
golds and Antirrhinums. The flowers and the 
method of arrangement were well-nigh perfect. 
(Gold Medal.) 
Messrs. D. Dowell & Son, Ravenscourt Avenue, 
Hammersmith, W„ staged a table of pottery ware 
and garden sundries. 
Mr. J. Williams, <*a, Oxford Road, Ealing, dis¬ 
played his table decorations. 
Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, 
S E., had a beautiful Geld Medal group of choice 
stove,and greenhouse flowering and foliage plants. 
These were admirably arranged for effect. Begonia 
Moonlight, B. carminata, B. Gloire de Lorraine, 
Cannas, &c„ with Acalyphas, Palms, Crotons, Cala- 
diums, and Bamboos were included. (GolJ Medal.) 
Mr. A. Edwards, Arnold, Notts, showed his 
Edwardian Table Decorations." 
