138 
THE GARDENING WORLD. October 27, 1900. 
on the turf is a large fountain. Round this was 
planted large masses of Begonia semperflorens 
Evening Glow, a mass of bloom. This was relieved 
by groups of white-leaved Centaureas of sorts, 
Iresine Lindenii, yellow-flowered Cannas and varie¬ 
gated Pelargoniums. Such grouping is most pleasing 
to the eye and gives colour. I must mention the 
groups of Tritomas, Dahlias, Malvas, and things of 
this kind arranged to colour among the shrubs, 
giving colour now that many of the latter are out of 
bloom. Here is to be found many choice kinds of 
shrubs, as the climate is adapted to ihem. At the 
time of my visit, Escallonias were covered with 
flowers, and are very precious things in a garden 
where the climate suits them,—/. C., F., Chard. 
ii ■ o^iga. 
CYCLAMEN. 
The present month is a good time for sowing seed 
for the main batch of these beautiful winter blooming 
plants. Although perhaps not so useful in a cut 
state as some other subjects—the flowers not lasting 
well in water—the length of time the plants remain 
in bloom, as well as the wide range of colour, make 
them well nigh indispensable for the conservatory 
and show house. 
The seed should be sown in well-drained pans of 
light sandy soil, just covering the seed, sowing 
sufficiently thin to allow the young plants when they 
appear to remain until large enough to transfer to 
72-size pots without the trouble of pricking out. 
A square of glass should be placed over each 
pan, and the latter placed in a shady part 
of a warm house until germination takes place— 
usually some weeks, sometimes months—when they 
may be placed on a shelf or somewhere close to the 
glass in an intermediate temperature. The seed or 
plants either for that matter must never be allowed 
to get dry ; but at the same time avoid getting the 
soil in a soddened state, which frequently happens 
when seed is a long time germinating, a condition, 
too, which is very detrimental to the little seedlings, 
seeing that several months may elapse between the 
time of sowing and the potting stage. 
The young plants are usually ready for potting 
some time in January or early in February. They 
must be very carefully removed from the pans or the 
roots will be damaged. Use a similar compost to 
that used at the time of sowing, and pots scrupulously 
clean. Leave the top of the little corms just on a 
level with the soil; press the soil firmly about them. 
Keep direct sunshine from reaching them as Cycla¬ 
men are somewhat impatient of bright sunlight. The 
foliage must be frequently sprayed over on bright 
days or yellow thrip or red spider may get hold. 
Cyclamen are by no means fast rooting plants and 
it may be the middle of April before they are ready 
for their next shift into 54-size pots, but even by the 
first week of the month, the plants can be transferred 
to a cool pit near the glass with a night temperature 
of 500. Should the nights be frosty, mats must be 
placed on the lights to prevent the glass from being 
frosted over. 
Many young growers err in giving Cyclamen too 
much warmth and insufficient air, which causes the 
leaves to lengthen in the stalk and fall about; at the 
same time they lack substance. 
This condition will also be brought about where 
much eel worm is present in the soil, as when the 
roots are attacked by them it is impossible to keep 
the foliage fresh unless shading is used much heavier 
for a longer period than is good for the plants when 
in healthy condition. From my own experience I do 
not think any one can hope to grow Cyclamen really 
well, where the loam is infested with this trouble¬ 
some pest, unless they possess better remedies than I 
am acquainted with. 
The plants must be given their final potting some 
time during June, 32-size pots being large enough 
for all purposes. 
The compost may consist of two parts, good rough 
fibrous loam, and one part good clean leaf soil, with 
sufficient coarse sand to render the whole porous. A 
little bone meal and soot may be added too ; but I 
do not recommend the use of much manure in the 
soil. In potting, which should be firm, the corms 
should be left just level with the soil, as they are 
sure to rise as they increase in size. 
After potting air should be given less freely for a 
time until it is seen that root action has commenced 
in the new soil, when much more must be given, and 
with warm nights the lights may be taken off alto¬ 
gether, but replaced again in the morning before the 
sun has much power. The syringe must be used 
freely overhead, and with the afternoon syringing 
the lights may be closed for a few hours. The 
foliage must never be wetted with any but soft 
water, and if possible the pots should be plunged. 
When the latter are filled with roots weak manure 
water may be frequently given—sheep or deer for 
preference. Any flowers thrown up before the 
autumn should be pulled out and likewise the stalks 
of any decaying leaves. Only thin shading is neces¬ 
sary, and this can be removed at closing time. 
Toward the end of September preparations must 
be made for housing the plants in a light airy house. 
No fire heat will be needed for some weeks, but the 
surroundings should be kept moist. As the flowers 
advance anight temperature of 50° to 55 0 will suit 
them with a somewhat drier atmosphere.— Practical. 
- — 8 —- 
TASTY BEDS IN LONDON PARKS. 
(Concluded from p. 108/ 
Regent’s Park. 
It so happens that generally when we make up our 
minds to visit Regent’s Park the day turns out to be 
wet. And on a wet day one sinks quite half an inch 
in the wretchedly soft paths of this much frequented 
park. It would be a blessing if these paths could be 
hardened up, so that rain would have less effect on 
them. 
But the beds were at their best. In all the more 
apparent bends and curves and stretches of the 
grounds, which are so beautifully furnished with 
shrubbery belts, one finds something attractive to 
admire. Well flowered Agapanthus are liberally set 
out on the grass, and contrast capitally with the 
equally well grown Hydrangea hortensis. The very 
handsome but lesser known H. paniculata grandi- 
flora has been as freely placed about as the older 
species, and the plants which have been named, with 
others ornamental only in foliage, were employed 
effectively wherever taste had dictated that they 
were required. Fuchsia Scarcity, whose name is a 
burlesque on its flowering qualities, lends itself 
admirably as a standard plant either for beds or 
in groups out on the grass. Succulent beds have for 
long been in evidence as a feature of the park which 
Mr. Jordan superintends. Nothing in bedding sur¬ 
passes the grandeur of a great mass of succulents, 
and such can be found in Regent's Park. On the 
other hand, a succulent bed of a few feet in diameter 
is generally an eyesore. At the corner points, where 
walks diverge and where the beds are seen most, 
some exceedingly fine compositions have been 
arranged. Beds filled with Palms, Cannas, Celosias, 
Fuchsia Golden Treasure, exceptionally fine speci¬ 
men Asclepias curassavica, with Acalypha macafee- 
ana brighter than ever we have before seen it, 
Hydrangea paniculata, Liliums in variety, Cordy- 
lines, and Araucarias were of much interest, as may 
be imagined. 
Small round beds, filled with the yellow and crim¬ 
son varieties of Celosia pyramidalis above a setting 
of Saxifraga caespitosa, were more than ordinarily 
attractive. Beds of named Fuchsias with an edging 
of Dactylis glomerata variegata, Saxifraga umbrosa, 
and a species of mossy Saxifraga are likewise good. 
Smart borders filled with Zinnias, Helenium grandi- 
cephalum striatum, and Montbretia crocosmiaeflora 
kept up the display of enlivening colours along the 
sides of all the paths. Amongst the best sights of 
all were those of the narrow borders planted with 
groups of beautiful Abutilon Thompsonii, between 
which were masses of crimson Celosias and Begonia 
semperflorens rosea. 
A large oval bed of Nicotiana sylvestris with 
drooping white flowers, was edged with Heliotropes, 
the contrast being most pleasing. Complete beds of 
early, flowering Chrysanthemums ; and others filled 
with Lilium speciosum rubrum and L. s. album, 
were deservedly admired. 
Few plants are handsomer than Colocasia (Cala- 
dium) esculecta, especially when it is grown above 
an underground of something bright, such as 
Chlorophytum, and having an edging of blue Lobelia. 
Other simple but pretty colour effects were got by 
using Acalypha macafeeana and Chlorophytum in 
the same bed. Both were highly coloured and appre¬ 
ciably bright. Dracaena congesta above a ground 
covering of Begonia Afterglow, edged with blue 
Lobelia, was quite charming, the Begonia being a 
small ruddy-flowered variety. 
Banks of Begonia Corbeille de Feu furnished 
indeed a "sheet of fire." Groups of Stag's-horn 
Ferns on the brow of grassy slopes had a far finer 
beauty than ever they have when viewed in the con¬ 
ventional type of hot house. We further noticed a 
select collection of Gourds, grown for the sake of 
their ornamental foliage and supported on tall 
stakes. Huge specimen Phoenix with variegated 
Hops, and Canary Creepers trained around their 
stems, had more an air of natural luxuriance than of 
artificial conception. In the Water Lily pool the 
hybrid Nymphaeas were thriving. Day Lilies, 
Irises, Lythrum Salicaria, Arums, Buckthorns, 
Pontederia cordata, Polygonums, &c., were planted 
around the margin. The ground bordering the small 
pool could be easily adapted for the extension of this 
phase of gardening, and would be a feature some¬ 
what unique in park scenery. 
Victoria Embankment Gardens. 
Stretching at intervals from the Inner Temple on the 
east side, nearly to Westminster on the west side, 
and divided from the River Thames only by the 
public roadway, are the much frequented Victoria 
Embankment Gardens. These gardens provide a 
number of quiet sanctums to which the working 
men resort for a quiet seat and " a puff o’ tobacco," 
or to read the newspapers, have a chat, listen to the 
band (in summertime), or simply for an aimless 
stroll. Nursemaids with their young charges also 
find the patches of grass, the flowers and the shade 
of the trees more agreeable than the paved footpaths. 
Hardy, smoke-resisting shrubs and a long boulevard 
of London Plane trees—a feature of this part of the 
metropolis—are the prime objects which distinguish 
the Embankment and its gardens. In the principal 
section of these public grounds, the part bordering 
Charing Cross Station, the flower bedding is 
executed. Here the area expands broadly into wind¬ 
ing lawns, and banks clothed with shrubs stretch 
backward to the base of the magnificent hotels, 
clubs and theatres which tower up and overlook the 
whole line of the Thames from Westminster to 
Blackfriars. At the widest end of this section there 
is a large bandstand, around which after allowing 
space for promenade and seats, there are level lawns 
with moderate-sized flower beds. The Embankment 
gardens have been under the superintendence of Mr. 
Wright (late foreman in Victoria Park) since May of 
this year. He has acquitted himself well. The 
beds were very tastefully filled and looked very 
sweet and smart all summer. From Charing Cross 
Station on the Underground (District) Railway 
hundreds, or it might be thousands, of business men 
pass through this garden every day, and, of course, 
unless things are tip-top, a critical whine would soon 
be raised. Specimen Yuccas with Ivy around their 
base are features here; and drooping Elms are also 
effective. The plan of having broad edging bands 
(rounded off and kept clipped, of course) along the 
walks is very commendable. Herbaceous plants and 
tender annuals are planted on the margin of all the 
shrubberies—and these are everywhere. The sum¬ 
mer beds were tastefully filled with such plants as 
Abutilon Thompsonii, Acacia lophantha, Fuchsias, 
Iresines, Calceolarias, Petunias, bedding Pelargo¬ 
niums, Verbena venosa, Echeverias,Cannas,Begonias, 
Zinnas, Lobelias, Pyrethrum Golden Feather, Ficus 
elastica, Phlox Drummondii, Ricinus in varied is. 
Eucalyptus, small Palms and many other subjects. 
The fact that the Victoria Embankment Gardens are 
appreciated is proved by the numbers who patronise 
them. 
ALLOTMENT GARDENS IN CHICAGO. 
During the present season this system will be tried 
on a larger scale than ever on the south side, where 
a large tract of ground has been secured for the 
purpose. One-third of an acre is allotted to each 
applicant, circulars being sent out first to former 
holders. This year also free seeds and tubers are 
supplied, while the fee of 4s. is charged to pay for 
ploughing, harrowing, and fertilising, as well as for 
the services of an experienced agriculturist, who in¬ 
structs and supervises the tyros. A neighbourhood 
club is maintained in connection therewith, and 
frequent meetings are held. 
The plots are separated by paths only, and strict 
order is maintained, a very necessary precaution in 
view of the polyglot population. 
Anyone who neglects his patch or is noisy and 
turbulent forfeits it at once, and it is re-allotted to 
some waiting applicant, of whom there is always a 
crowd. 
