September 29, 1900, 
% THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Pine tree, and so far as stem structure goes, one 
would not class it in the same order with the hand¬ 
some Echinocactus Grusoni. E. cylindracius has 
red spines, whereas E. Grusoni is protected with 
long, yellow ones. E. rigidissimus is covered with 
close, even, rosette-like tufts of spinous growths, 
Mammallaria pusilla has always been a favourite 
with us ; first, because of its extremely interesting 
morphology, and, secondly, for the real beauty it 
possesses. It has been likened, when in fruit, to a 
tuft of Nertera depressa, the popular Fairy Orange 
Moss, only that the latter grows flattened and green, 
while the Mammallaria is "lumpy" and bristles 
with silvery spines or hairs. Rochea falcata nearly 
resembles the Kleinias which are also liberally used 
in bedding. Rochea falcata, as a name, ought now 
to be given up, Crassula falcata being authoritatively 
recognised. Other Cacti of outstanding merit which 
were seen at the show included Opuntia tunicata, 
O. Englemanni monstrosus, O. lurida, Aloe plica- 
bilis, Euphorbia lacta, E. candelebra and Mammal¬ 
laria nogalensis. We heve necessarily condensed 
these notes because writing is instrumental in calling 
attention to subjects worthy of notice, but only 
personal inspection (in the case of plants, &c.) can 
prove the full merits to the likely cultivator. 
The culture and propagation of Cacti, like that of 
any special class of plants when made a study of, is 
found to contain intricacies whose unveiling and 
mastering furnishes the incentive for further pro¬ 
gress, and what may have at first appeared a dry, 
gray, rigid study, expands and builds up a fascina¬ 
ting hobby. Of their individual cultural needs 
someone better acquainted with the order may give 
a few notes. Their general requirements are met if 
a house be set apart for them, keeping the tropical 
kinds in the warmest division, and according the 
temperate-loving genera the cooler quarters. The 
house should not fall below 50" during winter, and 
6o° in summer, rising, in the latter case, with sun 
heat, up to 90°. They are seldom shaded. The 
tropical species should be kept dry during winter. 
Those from the rocky regions in the west of North 
America do fairly well in cold frames. A suitable 
potting compost for most cacteous plants consists of 
a half part fibrous loam, and the other half made up 
of charcoal, sifted lime rubble, broken crocks and 
coarse sand. 
STREATHAM HALL 
Is situated on the suburbs of Exeter, commanding 
extensive views of Dartmoor and its surroundings, 
the beauties of which have been written over and 
over again by abler pens than mine ; so I will con¬ 
fine my remarks to the gardens which concern us 
most. 
Entering the lodge gates we were fortunate to find 
Mr. Franklin, the head gardener, just going towards 
the mansion, which is reached by an extra wide drive 
half a mile in length. On either side were noticed 
fairly good specimens of Pinus insignis, Cedrus 
Deodara and C. atlantica, Wellingtonia gigantea, 
nicely feathered, and though situated on such 
sloping ground and a dryish subsoil, they were the 
picture of health ; while two very fine specimens 
(ihe largest that I have mtt with) of Quercus 
Cerris (Turkey Oak), Thuja gigantea, Thujopsis 
borealis, very fine; Libocedrus decurrens (Incense 
Cedar), Abies albertiana, a very fast grower, which 
in good soil makes beautiful specimens, were also 
observed. 
The flower garden which adjoins the house was 
very bright with Pelargoniums, Ageratums, Coleus, 
etc., and though the beds were small, their number 
fully made up for this. Here were remarked two 
grand specimens of the variegated Wellingtonia 
gigantea, fully 20 ft. high, a rich treat for me to see, 
as this tree does not succeed with us. On the walks 
and terraces, of which latter there are a number, 
stood fine plants of Aloes, green and variegated, in 
tubs, as well as several well-flowered plants of the 
African Lily, Agapanthus umbellatus. 
The first glass structure we entered was the huge 
Palm house, erected about four years ago, 75 ft. in 
length, by 45 ft. in width, truly a grand house and 
the inhabitants in luxuriant health, the majority of 
which were planted out in a kind of rockwork, and 
draped with Panicum variegatum, Rex Begonias of 
many colours, Fittonias and Tradescantias. Several 
trees of Seaforthia elegans were in flower and fruit 
on the same plant, quite a feature to behold. 
Latania borbonica of large size, fully 40 ft. high; 
Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm), 12 ft.; Satae 
princeps, 20 ft.; and Dicksonia antarctica were in 
grand form. Marantas and Dracaenas, as under¬ 
growth in variety, made a very interesting house, 
heated with a pair of upright tubular boilers. 
Next we entered a span-roofed conservatory, gay 
with the usual occupants at this time of year (first 
week in September). In the centre bed were several 
large Oranges in tubs, good pots of Eucharis grandi- 
flora in flower and two very fine plants of Chamaerops 
excelsa, 25 ft. high (hardy in Devon). Adjoining is 
the Camellia house, all planted out and full of bud. 
This structure contained Habrothamnus and 
Bougainvillea glabra, nicely in flower. A lean-to 
Rose house proved most useful from January onward 
for buttonholes. Of course the lights were off here, 
and Mr. Franklin informed us that he found Mdme. 
de Watteville most useful as a succession and nicely 
scented. 
The Melon house contained several fruits on the 
verge of ripening. The Cucumber house was just 
prepared for winter fruiting. A small Tomato house 
looked attractive with its many fruits. 
The fernery is a span, and mostly planted out 
among stones and in crevices, with small basins of 
water every few yards, which is always in good 
keeping where this family abound. Leaving this we 
enter a small stove, where nice decorative stuff is 
grown, such as Crotons, Dracaenas, Aralias, Pan- 
danus, &c. The next house is a span, with a lantern 
top, used for stove plants of larger size, and here we 
noticed Crotons, Ixoras, Allamandas, Medmilla 
magnifica (a huge plant), Marantas, Caladiums, of 
sorts, in very large pots. From here we emerge into 
the Orchid house, where several Peristeria elatior 
(Dove Orchid) were in flower, and good pans of 
Coelogyne cristata finishing up their growth. In 
another structure good plants of Salvia splendens 
and Polnsettia pulcherrima were remarked. 
The Pines are well done here, and three divisions 
are allotted them in all stages from the recently put 
in sucker to the ripening fruit. In the next division, 
Telegraph Cucumber was in excellent form. The 
vineries contained bunches of Muscats, Hamburghs, 
Tokays and Mrs. Pinces—medium-sized bunches 
that should keep well into spring. The earliest 
Grape house, of course, had been relieved of its 
crop. 
The kitchen garden is not very extensive, a supply 
coming from another estate further in the country. 
On the south wal 1 , the Dymond Peach was cropping 
well, and so was Glou Moreau and Duchesse 
d’Angouleme Pear on a west wall. On the outer 
sides of this walled-in garden, iron Peach houses are 
erected, but on account of so many large trees so 
near, the wood of the Peach naturally does not ripen 
and heavy crops are not expected, but the cases 
come in most useful for storing Azaleas, Camellias, 
Aloes and suchlike half-hardy plants. Good crops 
of Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccoli, &c., were 
noticed ; and in the borders, Richardias, Bouvardias 
and the berried Solanum all planted out and doing 
well. The Bouvardias were just being lifted and 
coming into bloom, being most useful subjects for 
the conservatory and greenhouse from now up to 
Christmas. 
One feature of the place was its tidiness inside as 
well as out-of-doors. In fact, the whole place was 
in excellent order, which shows that Mr. Franklin is 
always on the alert, and after more than twenty 
years’ service, he knows most of the turnings there, 
and having over twenty men under him, speaks for 
itself that his position is one of responsibility. 
Mrs. Thornton West, who owns this beautiful 
estate, is very fond of her gardens and gives much 
encouragement to the man in charge. Her only son 
and heir, Mr. B. West, a most wealthy gentleman, 
left this earthly paradise only a few months ago— 
and let us hope for a heavenly one—at so early an 
age as thirty-five, mourned by the county in general, 
especially so in and around Exeter, where he was 
always ready to help a deserving cause. It is 
doubtful whether the public will ever know one-half 
the good he did. It was mainly through him that 
county cricket was again brought forward in Devon 
the past season.— -J. Mayne, Bicton. 
Campanulas.—Max Leichtlin speaks of Campanula 
rupestris as a worthy companion to C. mirabilis, and 
states that it does well in sandy loam. 
TASTY BEDS IN LONDON PARKS. 
Victoria Park. 
Those who are within such easy reach of London 
that a 5s. return fare covers the railway expenses, 
usually make an effort to visit the larger parks 
during the brightest part of the summer. The gar¬ 
dener or garden lover never comes on a " bedding ’’ 
visit, but he returns with a few selected designs 
noted in his pocket book. But while a few can avail 
themselves of the ideas begot in the minds of the 
best fitted in such matters, the majority cannot come, 
and for them these notes are intended. 
Only the more pleasing combinations have been 
noticed, and among the smaller beds in Victoria 
Park, which is under Mr. Moorman’s superinten¬ 
dence, there is a specially bright one suitable for any 
sized garden, and one not expensive to imitate. A 
bright blue variety of Lobelia was employed around 
the edge. The variegated Flower of Spring Pelar¬ 
gonium and Iresine Lindeni filled the body ; while 
just above the level of the white leaves of the Pelar¬ 
gonium the mauve-heliotrope flowers of Verbena 
venosa were apparent. Finely-formed specimen 
plants of Acacia lophantha were lightly arranged 
over the bed to give it greater height and balance. 
Those who may not have seen Verbena venosa 
should try to get hold of some seeds. Another of 
the commoner class of bed, yet an exceedingly 
attractive one, was filled with stately, handsome 
Heliotropes, intermixed with a crimson-flowered 
variety of Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, and edged with 
a fine broad band of the variegated Ground Ivy. 
The dark trusses of a fine body of well-grown Helio¬ 
tropes filled the centre of another large oblong bed, 
and to form a white bordering line around the edge 
of the Heliotropes Stocks had been employed. 
The effect of a short distance was sufficient to make 
one have a second and prolonged gaze, while finally 
a close inspection was prompted. A broad edging of 
the red-flowered Cuphea ignea added further con¬ 
trast, but whether the flowers of the Cuphea were 
past their best, and thus dim and faded, we were 
unable to decide, but something more brilliant was 
required to give the fullest effect to the combina¬ 
tion. 
An oblong bed filled with scarlet-flowered Pelar¬ 
goniums, and having an edging of what we took to 
be the variegated Pelargonium Mrs. Mapping, and 
outside this a band of Ageratum was very pleasing 
and tasty. Above the centre mass of scarlet a 
number of specimen Acacia lophantha reared their 
dark green pinnate leaves. A large bed, in which 
double pink flowered Fuchsias were mixed with 
yellow Celosias and the blood-red Coleus Verschaf- 
felti, was unique and interesting. Another bed 
filled with Cannas of red and green leaved varieties 
intermixed was worthy of special attention. 
The Urge parterre near the conservatory in this 
park, is one expansive blaze of brilliant colours. 
Bedding Pelargoniums are almost solely employed, 
and everyone knows how glorious a show they can 
make when used en masse, and seen at the height of 
their splendour. There are very large and elaborate 
beds in this part of the flower garden. One of the 
handsomest of these, shaped somewhat like a 
Maltese Cross, minus one of its sections, and having 
the side wings drawn out, contained Echeverias 
around the edge, then a broad band of neatly 
trimmed Fuchsia Meteor, followed by an equally 
broad band of the purple leaved Iresine, and inward 
still, flower of Spring Pelargonium, a large mass of 
the variety Brighton Gem being in the centre, and 
the pink-flowered Christine forming panels at each 
extremity of the side wings. It is difficult to describe 
such a bed, but anyone employing such combina¬ 
tions may rest assured that the effect will be most 
brilliant. 
In this park, too, there is one of the finest pieces 
of carpet bedding to be found anywhere. In one 
long flowering curved bed, over 100 ft. long, the 
following very apt, patriotic quotation from Tenny¬ 
son’s " Ode on the death of the Duke of Wellington " 
appears in bold, " living " letters : — 
" Not once or twice In our Island story, 
The path of duty has been the way to glory." 
This is easily read, and is certainly a masterpiece 
amongst work of its kind. Even visitors from 
America have come enquiring for this exhibition of 
bedding skill, having heard of it in Yankee land. 
This piece of carpet bedding is principally worked 
out in Alternantheras, with some dwarf Dracaenas, 
