THE GARDENING WORLD . 
221 
March 12, 1964 
of flie fleshy rootstock, and then, rooted like' a. cutting, provided 
it, has no roots attached to it. Each little plant commences to 
flower at an early period in the same manner as P. floribunda, 
so that those who wish for some variety of plants can get them 
all sizes by removing the flower stems as they appear from 
some of the plants, and encouraging them to make growth, 
while others may be allowed simply to grow and bloom at their 
own free will. 
Our supplementary illustration was prepared from a block 
kindly placed at our service by Messrs 1 . J. Veitchand Sons, Ltd., 
Chelsea, who have been putting this fine hybrid Primula into 
commerce for the last year or two, and grow it splendidly. 
Ellel, Regent’s Park. 
A hurried call recently at this well-kept garden afforded 
an opportunity of picking up one or two interesting little notes. 
Mr. John Addison, the able head gardener here, grows well 
that well-known and one of the best of winter-flowering Be¬ 
gonias, Gloire de Lorraine, some seven dozen plants in 32 and 
48 sized pots having furnished for a considerable time a 
bounteous supply of flowers for decorative purposes. If 
one may so express it, a. kind of Orchidic glory 
clusters round this charmingly quiet retreat, for here 
some years ago Judge Philbrick, Iv.C., grew a, mag¬ 
nificent collection, of Orchids, afterwards transferred to 
his residence at Oldfield, Biekley, Kent. How gloriously he 
grew and exhibited fine forms of Phalaenopsds! Our thoughts 
were turned to the Orchid channel by observing at Ellel well- 
flowered Coelogyne cristata, and it is an easy transition of the 
mind to dwell upon a magnificent plant of C. c. alba,, for which 
the late Mr. W. Bull gave £200 many years ago—a plant of 
this variety from what was known as the Gledhorn collection. 
Dendrobiums are looking well for future results. 
What an effective table plant is Ardisia crenidata, with its 
pretty clusters of red berries! A good strain of Primulas is 
grown. When it is stated that the strain is Sutton’s, enough 
has' been written to gauge its high quality. Goldemfoliaged 
Abutilons light up the surroundings, and Cocos 1 Weddelliana. 
with many nicely-coloured Dracaenas and Ferns add to the 
effectiveness of the decorative element. The Vines are coming 
on well after last year’s heavy crops. By the courtesy of the 
Editor, it was my privilege last autumn to write at some length 
on this haven of peace, and a feeling of sadness came over one 
on the recent visit, at the sad news that, Miss Behrens, the 
courteous owner of it, has recently died. She loved the garden 
and all that was in it intensely. She seemed to realise the 
truth of that beautiful description of a garden by the late 
Douglas Jerrold: “ A garden is a beautiful book writ by the 
fingers of God ; every flower and every leaf is a letter.” 
If one may with all reverence and respect give expression 
to our feelings, her ^gentle spirit will long linger lovingly over 
Ellel, that; she did so much to beautify by her tender care and 
regard for the gentle art. 
In writing above notes hurriedly, I find I have omitted de^ 
served mention,, amongst the Orchids, of Sophronitis gran,di- 
Hera. On a gloomy day, how it lights up the surroundings 
with its scarlet butterfly-like flowers! There are one or two 1 
other matters well worth noting. In a greenhouse we are re¬ 
minded of spring—beautiful spring!—by the early forms of 
Daffodils and Tulips in pots just sending up their flowering 
sheaths. So far, one has been, dealing with a strictly orna^ 
mental form of gardening ; as a change from this, Mr. Addison 
guides me, by way of a wind-up to my visit, toi witness horti¬ 
culture from a utilitarian point of view, by gazing on a good 
bed of that most esteemed of esculents the Mushroom, Dowel’s 
spawn accounting much for the very satisfactory condition of 
cultural affairs. ‘ ‘ J p 
Chiswick. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prize see 
centre page. 
Cleansing Bark of Fruit Trees. 
Some people do not seem to realise to the full the advantage 
of keeping the stems of fruit trees clean, instead of having 
them covered with lichen, etc. Not, only is this latter state 
greatly against the health of the trees, inasmuch as it prevents 
the ah' from reaching the hark, but it also harbours all sorts 
of insect pests. 
Take, for instance, the havoc done by the Apple blossom 
weevil, which lives through the winter in the crevice® of the 
bark, etc. It goes forth in, the early spring and lays its eggs 
Fritillaria Meleagris alba. (See p. 215.) 
in the buds before they are yet expanded, and then, when the 
bloom opens, the, larva, has already done, enough harm to cause 
the bloom to shrivel up,; therefore no bloom, no fruit. From 
this one instance it will be iseen how necessary it is, to, subject 
the trees to an annual cleansing. 
A very thorough and effective method of doing so is to 
spray the trees with the following solution : 1 lb. ground 
caustic soda;, dissolved! in, half a pail of hot water; add § lb. 
pearlasli and put the liquid into 10 gallons of water, soft if 
possible. Then dissolve 1- lb. soft soap- in hot water and add 
it to the 10 gallons of solution, stirring it well. 
This, if applied in early spring before the buds open, will 
effectually kill all moss and lichen, as well as destroy the eggs, 
etc„, of all insect pests. 
This ought to bei applied with a, very fine sprayer, such as 
the “ Ve: morel,” as much, waste of material will be avoided, 
