314 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
but none of these shades will equal, far less surpass 
the blue one. We might, however, have different 
shades of blue, all distinct and equally beautiful in 
their way, rivalling even the original blue. The 
other colours might be useful by way of contrast in 
bedding arrangements. Some of our correspondents 
have already spoken of it in glowing terms as a 
useful bedding plant, so that it is evidently finding its 
way into gardens. The seeds should be sown in 
March in heat so as to give the plant an early start 
in the same way as half hardy annuals are treated. 
The seedlings should be transplanted when large 
enough to handle, and finally hardened off and 
planted out as soon as the weather becomes settled 
in May. The plants will commence flowering in 
June, and keep flowering all the summer. In ordin¬ 
ary garden soil they grow 12 in. to 15 in. high, and 
are very showy. An Award of Merit was granted 
it by the R.H.S. on the above-mentioned occasion. 
The accompanying illustration kindly placed at our 
disposal by Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, 
London, shows the habit of the plant admirably. 
TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE 
LOWFIELD NURSERIES. 
By the side of the London and Brighton road are the 
extensive grounds of Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Low- 
field Nurseries, Crawley, • Sussex, that being the 
postal address, for the establishment is really in 
Surrey and well within the southern border. The 
nurseries are situated on a level plateau at a con¬ 
siderable elevation above the sea, so that Lowfield is 
not altogether appropriate. The soil is a heavy loam 
inclined to clay, but just the material to give good 
crops when well tilled. 
Early in October last when everything was still in 
leaf and Dahlias flowering, we had a hurried run 
throught several of the departments, including the 
ornamental trees and shrubs of which there is a rich 
collection. Many of them, particularly the choicer 
ones, are planted in wide borders alongside of the 
main walks. Conifers are well represented, includ¬ 
ing healthy specimens of Picea nobilis glauca, 
Juniperus virginiana glauca, Retinospora squarrosa, 
and Abies alba, all of which are more or less of a 
decided glaucous or sea-green hue, and very attrac¬ 
tive. The same may be said of the Colorado 
variety of Pseudotsuga Douglassii and Cedrus 
atlantica glauca, which make a beautiful contrast 
with the darker hues of other subjects, whether 
evergreen or deciduous. The Deodar Cedar (Cedrus 
Deodara) itself is distinctly glaucous when young and 
growing freely. Roster's variety of Abies pungens 
glauca is a great improvement upon the original, 
being more decidedly glaucous and certainly hand¬ 
some. Juniperus japonica aurea is of slow growth, 
and therefore well adapted for planting on a rockery. 
Other golden Conifers include fine samples of 
Retinospora pisifera aurea, and R. plumosa aurea, 
the latter being the best known or most frequently 
planted, but the former is a stronger grower. We 
also noted Nordmann's Fir (Picea nordmanniana) in 
fine condition. 
Azalea amoena succeeds ^very well here grown in 
the open, and has appeared on more than one occa¬ 
sion at the Temple Show from this nursery. Hollies 
in great variety also find a place in these borders, 
and are vigorous and healthy. The golden Privet 
(Ligustrum ovalifolium aureum) is the finest variety 
of the oval-leaved Privet, and indispensable where 
hardy shrubs are valued. Caragana gracilis pendula 
is an uncommon weeping tree; while Cornus 
brachypoda argentea marginata, raised on a stem 
4 ft high, makes a fine standard. The under surface 
of the leaves of Acer Pseudoplatanus atropurpureus 
is darker purple than the old purple variety. One 
of the most handsome of the small Maples is 
A. tartaricum Ginnala, the leaves of which become 
red in the autumn like the Japanese Maples. The 
tree or large bush is much more robust than any of 
the Japanese sorts, while the leaf-stalks and ribs are 
darker even ia summer than those of the ordinary 
form. Other interesting subjects noticed were 
Chionanthus virginicus (Virginian Fringe Tree) and 
the Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus canadensis). 
The hugh leaves of this tree are as striking in 
summer as the tree itself in winter on account of its 
few stumpy branches. If planted as a town tree it 
would save the labour of pruning. 
In other parts of the grounds deciduous trees and 
shrubs are to be seen forming plantations of greater 
January 12, 1901* 
or less extent. Very uncommon as yet is 
Koelreuteria paniculata with its pinnate leaves. 
Quite of another kind is the cut-leaved Hazel 
(Corylus Avellana laciniata). Very unlike the 
ordinary Honeysuckle is Lonicera involucrata 
(sometimes named L. ledebouriana). It had been 
flowering all the summer yet was still in bloom in 
October. It does not climb but forms an upright 
bush. Very handsome were the standards of 
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, on stems 4 ft. to 
5 ft. high. Occasionally one sees Dimorphanthus 
mandshuricus flowering very late in autumn, but 
here it must have flowered fairly early, for it was 
laden with its large starry clusters of black berries, 
and very striking, Paulownia imperialis is useful in 
subtropical gardening for the sake of its huge leaves. 
The leaves of Quercus purpurea are of a rich dark 
purple. Male and female forms of the Sea Buck¬ 
thorn have been got together here. Ulmus Dampieri 
aurea, as bushes and standards, makes a striking 
object with its golden leaves and upright habit. 
U. Dovei is another vigorous growing Elm of 
compact habit, and useful for standards. The Purple 
Beech and Prunus Plssardi, with purple foliage, are 
indispensable subjects in the landscape. 
Less known is Pyrus prunifolia ooccinea with 
small, scarlet fruits, popularly known as Crimson 
Siberian Crabs. The collection of Crab Apples is 
very fully represented here. For instance we noted 
John Downie, Imperial, Transcendant, and the 
splendid looking Dartmouth Crab, with large and 
richly coloured fruits like a Plum. The Yellow 
Siberian Crab is at the other extreme for size. 
Some shrubs are notable for the persistency with 
which they continue to flower till late in the autumn 
after they have once made a commencement. In 
this category we place Weigela Candida with pure 
white flowers, and valuable in association with other 
varieties. It was in full bloom in October; so was 
Coronilla Emerus, although it had been flowering all 
the summer. The Bladder Sennas are likewise 
persistent bloomers, and that named Colutea 
purpurea still had a large number of dark buff- 
orange flowers to open. Acer Pseudoplatanus 
purpurascens Nizetti has its leaves variegated with 
creamy white and purple, with the lower surface also 
purple. A. P. luteo-virescens is another of the 
many varieties of the Sycamore grown here, the 
leaves in this case being variegated with creamy- 
white on a green ground. One of the finest of the 
autumn-tinted Maples is A. virginicum fulgens, 
having bright crimson-red foliage. The purple¬ 
leaved Almond might more often be seen in collec¬ 
tions, as its leaves are darker and more handsome 
than those of the purple-leaved Peach. 
Ornamental Oaks are represented by a great num¬ 
ber of useful species and varieties, including Quercus 
concordia, having uniformly yellow leaves. Those 
of Q. marmorata are marbled all over with silvery- 
white blotches. Q. elegantissima has a much bolder, 
creamy variegation, and is a more vigorous growing 
tree than the previous two. Quite distinct again is 
Q. Souvenir de Franz Van der Bom, whose leaves 
are marbled all over with yellow. Somewhat akin 
to this kind of variegation is that found in Prunus 
economica variegata, the variegation of which is so 
extensive that the leaves may be described as 
marbled with green on a pure white ground. 
False Acacias, otherwise Robinias, are represented 
by various forms, including R. viscosa (glutinosa), 
R. Pseudacacia angustifolia, a very light and grace¬ 
ful tree with narrow leaflets; and R. neomexicana, by 
some considered to be a form of R. Pseudacacia, and 
by others looked upon as a hybrid between that and 
R. hispida. Briers are grown in quantity for the bud¬ 
ding of Roses. 
In passing through the grounds several bold look¬ 
ing grasses were noted, which from their size are 
suitable for planting in association with shrubs, 
Bamboos, or on lawns. Of these Eulalia japonica 
variegata is perfectly hardy, and when planted out 
makes a large silvery bush. A newer one is 
Glyceria aquatica variegata, the green form of 
which is a British grass, but this finely variegated 
and ornamental variety was picked up by the edge 
of a canal in Holland. Hydrangea tricolor is varie¬ 
gated with white, yellow, and green. The golden 
cut-leaved Elder, Sambucus racemosa foliis aureis, 
is a very ornamental subject. The Strawberry- 
Raspberry produces crimson-red fruits like a Straw¬ 
berry and white flowers. For the south at least 
Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles makes a handsome 
bush, producing myriads of bright blue flowers. 
Ulmus Van Houttei is a handsome Elm, having a 
broad golden edge to its leaves. U. montana varie¬ 
gata, on the contrary, is a variety of the mountain 
Elm, the leaves of which are edged with silvery- 
white. Another handsome Sycamore, and very little 
known, is that named Acer Pseudoplatanus Worleyi, 
having deep yellow or golden leaves. 
GARDENIAS. 
Calling in at Frognal, Chislehurst, recently, I 
noticed a batch of these, so yonng and tbrifty-look- 
ing, that I was induced to make enquiries of Mr. 
Hussey respecting his management of these popular 
flowering plants. The glasshouses here are not 
extensive, consisting mostly of rather low-pitched 
houses. Mr. Hussey is evidently the man to make 
the most of everything, and his management does 
him great credit, other things being equally well 
done as the Gardenias. There are about thirty 
plants, varying from 2 ft. to 3J ft. in height. These 
were propagated last February. He propagates 
annually, never keeping his plants more than one 
season. From a similar lot of plants last season he 
gathered sixteen dozen perfect flowers. He puts the 
cuttings in early in February, and when rooted they 
are potted into 60's, then on to 48's, and from these 
into their flowering pots—Nos. 24 and 16 The 
compost used is three parts peat to one of loam, with 
sufficient coarse silver sand to keep it open. He 
keeps them all through in a moist, genial atmo¬ 
sphere, making a liberal use of the syringe, and like¬ 
wise syringing them twice a week with a wineglass of 
paraffin to two gallons of water. By this means they 
are never troubled with thrips, scale, fly or bug. 
' They never require sponging for the black sooty 
deposit so frequently seen. For manures they 
receive, alternately, Thomson’s, Clay's, and Iehthe- 
mic Guano,-but mostly a watering with soot water 
and fowls’ dung combined. It seems a pity that 
such good plants as these should be consigned to the 
rubbish heap; but the want of space leaves no 
choice. Care is taken to never overdose them with 
manure—weak and often is the motto.—IF. B. G. 
SUTTON’S ANGLING ASSOCIATION. 
Twenty-first Annual Meeting and Prize 
Distribution. 
Friday, the 21st ult., was a red-letter day amongst 
fishermen at the Royal Seed Establishment, when a 
score of anglers met in the Firm’s Reading Room to 
receive the reward of merit. Under the able chair¬ 
manship of Mr. Martin H. F. Sutton, one of the 
vice-presidents, the usual business was transacted 
with celerity and dispatch. The balance sheet, with a 
handsome credit item of £15 from the firm (£4 10s. 
in excess of last year), proved a sufficient guarantee 
of the club’s solvency ; at the same time bearing 
eloquent testimony to the interest shown by Messrs. 
Sntton & Sons in angling. That their generosity is 
duly appreciated will be very apparent from the fact 
that fifty-seven entries, 73 lbs. were made, an excess 
of thirteen entries, 18 lbs. (specimen fish), over last 
season’s record, necessitating the unusually large 
debit of £22 odd for prizes as against £1 8 in 1899, 
membership numbering seventy-four. This gratify¬ 
ing document disposed of, the various officers were 
re-elected, the ” Founder of the Firm ” still acting 
with his sons as President and Vice-Presidents 
respectively—the old committee (with the substitu¬ 
tion of Mr. H. Belcher for Mr. Tomkins, a retiring 
member), together with the Hon. Sec. and Treasure^ 
Mr. R. Bowsher, being again inducted into office 
" willy nilly ” and, as no proposition was forthcoming 
in regard to the rules or prize list, which were con¬ 
sidered perfect, apparently, the chairman was free to 
devote all his energies to the dispensing of the for¬ 
midable array of prizes, both prize and prize-winner 
affording considerable scope for witticism and good- 
humoured banter, of which Mr. Sutton was not slow 
to take advantage. At the conclusion of the annual 
dispensation Mr. Farmer moved a hearty vote of 
thanks to Mr. Sutton for presiding and to 
the Messrs. Sutton for their great interest in the 
association, which was carried with acclamation. 
Mr. Sutton in reply assured the meeting that it was 
a real pleasure to himself and partners to further 
sport, and angling in particular. 
A list of the prize-winners is appended. 
W. T. Bartholomew.—1st trout (4 lb. 2 oz.), 1st 
