230 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 14, 1903. 
policy in the matter of parks and recreation grounds. It was 
at this time (fourteen years ago) that Mr. Lamb was promoted 
to the then newly-created post of general superintendent of all 
the parks and recreation grounds in Manchester. Since that day 
the parks and open spaces, for which Mr. Lamb is responsible, 
bare increased to about fifty, with an aggregate acreage of 
about 1,200 acres, which ha,ve nearly ali been laid out by 
him under the direction of the 'Parks and Cemeteries Com¬ 
mittee. In addition, on the Corporation Estate at. Carrington, 
Cheshire, Mr. Lamb has laid out and stocked about 60 acres 
of land as a nursery for raising such trees, shrubs, etc., as are 
required for planting and replanting the parks and grounds. 
The position now held by the subject of our sketch is a very 
responsible one, but he seems Happy in his work and is full of 
ideas for beautifying with the art of the gardener the modern 
overgrown city ; but, alas! the scope is, to a great extent, 
limited by the means allowed. 
The Huntsman’s Cup. 
(Sarracenia purpurea ) 
The Sarracenias are usually considered hothouse plants, 
some cultivators putting them in warmer houses than others 
would care to do, and only a few cultivators and gardeners 
The Huntsman’s Cup. (Sarracenia purpurea.) 
regard S. purpurea as hardy. Possibly it may be hardy only 
in the southern counties and other favoured parts of England, 
but if it lives in those parts, possibly it would succeed in many 
more places than it is generally given credit for. The condi¬ 
tions under which plants are placed often make a great and 
material difference to their hardiness. 
The patch which we represent is -only a small portion of 
a larger area, planted in the garden of Sir E. Loder, Bart, 
(gardener, Mr. H. Paskett), Leonardslee, Horsham, Sussex. 
It may be seen from the illustration that the plants were 
grown in rather a wild or rough space amongst grass; but in 
such instance we have more than one condition conducive to 
the welfare of certain plants. In the first place the soil is firm 
and altogether different from cultivated ground in the winter 
time. Such conditions would enable many things to tide over 
our winter that would be liable to perish in rich garden soil, 
subject to annual digging or trenching; whereas, if the roots 
were more or less confined by firm soil and the surface pro¬ 
tected by grass, frost has far less effect upon the roots. 
These, then, Avere the conditions under which the Sarracenia 
at Horsham greAv and thrived, living out the winter without 
any special protection. In its native, home it is a native of 
North America, so that Ave should think it ought to prove 
hardier than it is generally supposed to be. 
Forcing French Beans. 
Amongst forced vegetables it is doubtful if any are more 
sought after and appreciated than French Beans. With careful 
culture a good supply of this delicately-flavoured vegetable can 
be maintained under glass from November until June, Avhen 
there should' be an abundance in the open. Where a regular 
supply is needed a separate structure should be entirely devoted 
to their growth, and unless a light, airy, well-heated house is 
available, sowing during the last two months of the year should 
not be attempted," as generally the positions given, where a 
house is not at command, are not suitable to produce satisfac¬ 
tory crops during these two dull months, when they require 
the most careful treatment and incessant attention. 
When the first and second sowing is made in September a 
position on a shelf in a Cucumber house is suitable ; on no 
account should they be placed under the foliage of the plants, as 
it would encourage long weak growths that would prove fruitless. 
Use clean, well-drained 8in. pots for the first two batches half 
fill the pots with an enriched compost, consisting of good 
fibrous loam and a little stable manure. Press it lightly, 
selecting the plumpest seeds., and allowing five to a pot. If 
larger numbers are put into one receptacle they become croAvded, 
and consequently more liable to be 1 attacked with red spider, a 
deadly enemy to French Beans. 
Place the pots near to the glass, giving little or no water 
until the seedlings appear above the soil. When the plants are 
level with the top of the pots fill up the remaining portion with 
a similar mixture, making it firm with the hands ; keep them 
near the roof glass to induce sturdy growth. Support should 
be given by the aid of spriggy sticks. Thoroughly syringe the 
foliage twice daily, until the flowers have nearly expanded ; then 
a drier atmosphere should be maintained, admitting air freely 
on all favourable occasions. As soon as the young pods can be 
witnessed a brisk temperature with plenty of moisture is 
requisite to obtain success. Give weak liquid manure at each 
alternate watering, or, failing this, carefully spread a little of 
Clay’s fertiliser on the surface 1 , so that none comes in contact, 
as it would prove injurious to the delicate stems. Water it in 
with clear tepid water. 
For sowings made in November and December use boxes I2in. 
long, 6in. broad, and 4in. deep, providing outlets by making 
holes in the bottom to allow .all superfluous water to escape, 
placing one large crock over each hole ; then put a layer of 
coarse leaf mould. Fill the boxes with the compost as pre¬ 
viously recommended, allowing eight of the finest seeds to a 
box. Place them as near the roof glass as possible. If a 
chimney is near the structure they occupy, occasionally washing 1 
the outside Avill greatly benefit the plants by moving all. 
obstacles, such as soot and chist, that obstruct a certain amount 
of light. Where a house has insufficient piping, matting it over 
when darkness supervenes during severe weather is an excellent 
method to adopt, removing it at daybreak that the amount of 
light available may in no way be diminished. 
When boxes are employed during these two critical months 
stimulants may be given in a weak state with great success, com-, 
m ending when the plants are 3in, high, gradually increasing 
the strength. Do not syringe the foliage, as, if healthy growth 
is made, red spider seldom puts in its appearance during the 
winter months. Damp down the paths, walls, and stages several 
times a day, occasionally with liquid manure, also keep the 
troughs on the pipes filled with the latter ; this will suffice for 
their wants of atmospherical moisture, and will be folloAved by 
a more perfect set. Maintain a regular temperature of 65deg. 
for winter-groAvn Beans. Admit air in small quantity on every 
favourable opportunity. When the new year sets in Beans are 
more luxuriant in groAvth and productive, but it is advisable to 
use boxes during January. The- soil soon becomes matted with 
roots, and can be fed abundantly with less fear of it becoming: 
sour than when occupying pots. From thei beginning of 
February and onwards pot culture is the best, making use of 
8in. pots ; feeding can be given more frequently than if larger 
ones are utilised. Syringe the plants twice daily as the sun. gains 
more power. W. Jones. 
The Gardens, Stoneleigh Abbey. 
