August 10, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
80-5 
hedge at Meikleour, a pretty little Perthshire 
village. The trees composing the hedge, which is 
580 yds. loDg, have an average height of 80 ft., and 
throughout the whole length it is compact and per¬ 
fect. It is believed to have been planted about 1746. 
Looking close into the trees they appear to have 
been pruned during the first forty or fifty years, and 
then neglected for about twenty, but for the last fifty 
years the hedge has been regularly cut on the side 
next to the road, but the side next to the wood has 
been allowed to grow free. The operation of prun¬ 
ing the hedge is carried out every five or six years, 
and owing to its great height and the space to be 
gone over it is not a very small contract to enter 
on. A patent ladder arrangement, the same as used 
for cutting the tall Limes at Versailles, is used to cut 
out the large branches; (he twigs are cut by an 
averuncator to a height of 45 ft , above this height 
the work has to be done by a skilful climber. 
SEQUOIA GIGANTEA. 
Murtly Estate is famous for its many pieces of 
fine timber, and amongst all the fine specimens a 
Sequoia gigantea is the one which is most admired, 
and it deserves it, for although only forty years old 
it is considerably over 60 ft. high, and makes a con¬ 
spicuous feature in this Scottish arboreal paradise. 
THE DOUGLAS FIR. 
Many who admire this handsome species of Fir do 
not know the fate which overlook the gentleman 
with whose name the species is inseparably associ¬ 
ated. It was named after David Douglas, the son 
of a labouring man, and who was born in 1798. He 
served his apprenticeship as a gardener in Scone 
Gardens, took a lively interest in plants, and through 
the kindness of the head gardener to Sir Robert 
Preston, he obtained access to that gentleman's 
library. He afterwards went as a gardener in the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden, where his botanical 
knowledge gained for him the favourable notice of 
Sir William Hooker, whom he accompanied on 
many excursions and helped to collect materials for 
Sir William's Flora Scotica. On the recommenda¬ 
tion of Sir William, he was sent by the Horticul¬ 
tural Society of London to give an account of the 
vegetation in the neighbourhood of the Columbia 
River. He came home after having successfully 
fulfilled the mission and was sent out again, this 
time to travel between the Columbia River and 
California. It was while on a visit to the Sandwich 
Islands that he met his death under shocking cir¬ 
cumstances. He fell into a pit dug by the natives 
to trap animals, and was immediately gored to death 
by a bull which had fallen in before him. He was 
a Fellow of the Linnaean, Geographical and Zoo¬ 
logical Societies, before which he read many valu¬ 
able papers. 
HYLOBIUS ABIETIS. 
This is one of the worst enemies the Scots Fir has, 
and to see what an extraordinary voracious appetite 
it has, one has only to put a few in a box and feed 
them on the young stems of this tree. There is a 
good story relating to their tenacity of life. A 
gentleman placed some in whisky for twelve hours, 
and then starved them for six days. At the expira¬ 
tion of that time he found them dead but not lifeless, 
for they were only dead drunk, and were soon as 
lively as ever. It thus appears that they not only 
prefer Scotch wood, but also have a Scotchman's 
partiality for the national beverage. 
A GIANT SILVER FIR. 
In the woods of Lynedoch, Perthshire, is to be found 
the finest specimen, possibly, of Silver Fir in these 
islands. Twenty years ago it had attained the 
height of no ft., and at 3 ft. from the ground the 
girth was 13 ft. 3 in., and it was estimated that it 
contained 425 cubic feet of timber. 
PSEUDOTSUGA DOUGLASSII. 
In addition to the ancient monarchs to be seen in 
the remains of the great Birnam Wood, Perthshire, 
immortalised by Shakespeare, there are some mag¬ 
nificent specimens of the Douglas Pine. They are 
not scattered as solitary specimens, but are arranged 
in an avenue. The position is an exposed one 
standing 300 ft. above the sea-level. The soil is of 
average quality, being a light sandy loam. In spite 
of their position and dry soil there are none to beat 
them in the British Isles for health and vigour and 
darkness of foliage, which.from a short distance looks 
like Yew. 
A VETERAN BEECH. 
In the wood of Methven, Scotland, is a venerable 
monarch of the forest, being estimated at over 600 
years old. It would be an interesting history that 
this tree has witnessed, for the district is associated 
with the daring deeds of Wallace, and many bloody 
battles have been fought in its vicinity. One, the 
Battle of Methven Wood, figures conspicuously in 
Scottish history. 
ALLIUM PEDEMONTANUM. 
From amongst a tuft of linear, dark green leaves 
this species throws up flower stalks to the height of 
12 in., bearing a drooping umbel of rich rose-purple 
flowers, which make this species one of the finest in 
cultivation. It makes a good border or rockery 
plant in fairly rich and moist situations, the blooms 
remaining in fine condition for a considerable length 
of time. A large plant of it was lifted from the open 
ground, placed in a pot, and shown at a recent 
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society by Mr. 
W. Bain, gardener to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., 
Burford, Dorking, and was awarded a Cultural 
Commendation. It ought to find its way into all 
collections of hardy herbaceous plants. 
OXALIS CERNUA. 
In the course of a lecture on “ The Propagation of 
Plants without Seeds,” given by the Rev. Prof3ssor 
Henslow, in the big vinery at Chiswick, some in¬ 
teresting examples were brought forward of the 
hereditary influence on plants propagating them¬ 
selves by vegetative methods instead of by seeds. 
When plants are accustomed to this manner of pro¬ 
pagation they loose the power of seed bearing, and, 
as the Rev. Professor pointed out, nowhere can this 
be seen better than in the above named Oxalis. It 
does not produce seeds but increases by means of 
thread-like rhizomes and tiny bulbils, and aided by 
the tenacity with which it holds on to life under 
circumstances where other plants would perish, it 
has a remarkable power of spreading. It was intro¬ 
duced into Malta from S. Africa by Father 
Hyacintho, in 1806, and by 1820 it had spread all 
along the shores of the Mediterranean, and even 
into Egypt. By 1830 it had made a firm footing on 
Gibraltar. When once it puts in an appearance in 
a district it is difficult to eradicate, as even when 
pulled up and left to dry in the sun it swells up its 
tiny bulbils, which will grow into a plant again as 
soon as they are carried into a favourable position. 
It is a pretty little plant, and its umbels of bright 
yellow flowers give the walls, &c., in the districts 
where it has taken hold a beautiful golden colour. 
LINARIA DALMATICA 
Of all the large family of Linarias, there are none to 
beat this one for a vigorous and graceful habit com¬ 
bined. The branches are densely clothed with 
leaves, and the flowers, which are borne on erect 
spikes, are arranged loosely and make admirable 
stock for cutting purposes, and are of a soft yellow 
hue. They will succeed well in any sandy border if 
they are provided with plenty of light, and will make 
very striking plants throughout the season. They 
are usually raised from seed, but they can be easily 
propagated by cuttings and by division. 
— . f - 
SOCIETIES. 
NEWPORT HORTICULTURAL. —July 25 th. 
This flower-show is usually one of the principal 
events of the season at Newport. There was a good 
attendance this year, but owing to the threatening 
state of the weather it was Dot so large as that of 
previous years There was a marked increase in the 
entries, which numbered over 700. All were well 
represented, with the exception of the groups, which 
were not so numerous as in previous years. The 
show was opened by Mr. Joseph Lawrence, M.P., 
who was accompanied by Mrs. Lawrence and many 
friends. In the course of the short speech which he 
made, he mentioned that he himself could boast of 
being a bit of a horticuturist, as he was a F.R.H.S 
and a member of the Guild of Gardeners. Mrs. 
Lawrence was presented with a handsome bouquet, 
as was also Mrs. E. R. Thomas, wife of the vice- 
chairman. Grapes were well shown, especially Black 
Hamburghs. 
Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, carried off many 
awards, and had a large quantity of stuff there of 
various kinds. The following are the results of some 
of the best classes— 
Eight stove and greenhouse plants in bloom won 
the first prize for Mr. Cypher, Cheltenham, in that 
class. Mr. W. J. Buckley, Llanelly (gardener, W. 
Carpenter), was close to him for second place. Both 
exhibits were very good. 
Mr. Cypher was also at the head of the list for six 
ornamental foliage plants; Mr. C. H. Baily, New¬ 
port (gardener, Mr. G. Sharrat), showed a very good 
half dozen, and was placed second. Some hand¬ 
some specimens were exhibited in the class for six 
exotic Ferns. Col. Wallis’s collection was selected 
as the best, and those of Mr. W. N. Lawes, Trow¬ 
bridge, as second. The group of miscellaneous 
plants put up by Mr. J. Cypher was very effective 
and deserving of the honours which were bestowed 
on it. It was placed first in that class, and was also 
awarded the Society’s Illuminated Certificate of 
Merit. Mr. J. Buckley was awarded the second 
prize. 
The groups of tuberous Begonias were also good, 
especially the first prize, one shown by Mr. W. F. 
Dawson, Llantarnam Hall (gardener, R. Long). Mr. 
R. P. Williams, Newport (gardener, W. Jones), also 
put up a very nice group, for which he received the 
second prize. 
The cut flower section was well represented, and 
for the time of the year Roses were quite a conspicu¬ 
ous feature. Mr. S. Treseder, Cardiff, showed 
twenty-four distinct varieties in the class for twenty- 
four, and his blooms were in remarkably fine form. 
King’s Acre Nurseries, Ltd., Hereford, also exhibited 
very choice blooms, and were placed second. Mr. 
R. Crossling, Penarth, was third. The same order 
was maintained in the class for twelve distinct Teas. 
Mr. C. Wall was first for the best twelve Carna¬ 
tions, and Mr. W. Treseder, second. In the class 
for twelve Picotees, the prizes were awarded in the 
same order. 
For twelve bunches of stove and greenhouse cut 
bloom, distinct, Col. Wallis was first, Messrs. W. 
J. Stokes & Son, Trowbridge, second, and Mr. E. 
Parsons, Cardiff, third. 
Mr. W. Treseder was again a winner in the class 
for twelve bunches of herbaceous cut bloom, 
distinct. Mr. W. N. Lawes, Trowbridge, was very 
close for second place; and Messrs. Stokes & Son, 
not far off in point of quality as third. 
For the best arrangement of Sweet Peas in a space 
not exceeding 9 ft. x 3 ft., for a shower bouquet, 
and for the best button-hole, Mr. W. Treseder 
carried off the highest awards. 
The prizes in the class for fruit and vegetables 
were keenly competed for, and the quality of the 
stuff was on the whole very high. 
Mr. W. E. Williams, Maindee (gardener, T. 
Green), was the most successful exhibitor in the 
class for a collection of six varieties of fruit. Mr. 
W. J. Buckley was a very close second with a good 
collection. 
Mr. S. Dean exhibited the best three bunches of 
White Grapes; and Mr. F. L. Davies (gardener, 
Mr. J. Fraser), the best bunch of Black. 
Mr. W. E. Williams was awarded the place of 
honour for a dish of five Peaches ; and Mr. W. F. 
Dawson the second. 
Mr. W. F. Dawson occupied the first position for 
the dish of Nectarines. 
The Rev. —Willett showed the best two Melons; 
and Dr. R. W. Jones, Penrhiwceiber (gardener, G. 
H. Walters), the second. 
For the collection of six vegetables grown from 
seed supplied by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, 
who also supplied the prizes, Mr. F. L. Davies was 
first; Mrs. Williams second; and Mr. T. Richards 
third. 
Messrs. Wheeler & Sons, Ltd., Gloucester, offered 
prizes for the best collection of vegetables grown 
from their seeds. The first was won by Mr. G. D. 
Phillips ; the second by Dr. R. W. Jones ; and the 
third by Col. Wallis. 
Messrs. J. Garaway & Co., Clifton, also gave prizes 
for the best collection of vegetables grown from 
their seeds. Col. Wallis was the most successful in 
this class. 
There were several valuable prizes offered for 
decorative work. The first prize for the best table 
