866 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
October 29, 1904. 
for many weeks together. The flowers are white, with a red¬ 
dish calyx, and help to set off the interesting character of the 
foliage ; while later in the season the leaves assume a variety 
of beautiful autumnal tints. 
In our experience, and as far as we have been able to observe, 
this shrub isi hardier than most gardeners would give it credit 
for. At all events, it can be grown in a variety of soils, both 
lio-ht and heavy, all over the southern portion of England. 
Even if the ends of the unripened shoots should get cut back 
the bush throws up stems freely again in spring, and growth 
being fairly rapid it so'Otn becomes a dense leafy mass of com¬ 
pact habit. 
Our illustrations this week constitute an attempt to show 
some of the many varied features of the gardens and grounds 
at this beautiful Hertfordshire estate, which has been got into 
splendid order by Mr. E. Beckett. 
Ornithogalum nutans. 
The common Star of Bethlehem produces its flowers in a 
wide-spreading corymb. That under notice, therefore, differs 
remarkably in producing its flowers in a raceme varying 
in the number of blooms according to the vigour of the 
plant. The flowers are of a light satiny-green on the out- 
side, with a broad white margin, and are highly appre¬ 
ciated by many lovers of flowers for this feature, which is 
so distinct from flowers; generally. Even the better-known 
species have a band on thei back of the segments of a, 
more decided or deeper green. The inner face of the 
flower is white. ' 
When; planted in a, light sandy soil this Star of Bethle¬ 
hem grows very vigorously ; indeed, it seems to do best 
when planted rather deeply, if the soil is a.t all friable 
and well drained, which it. should be for 1 this class of bulbs. 
The leaves attain a considerable lengths becoming, in fact, 
rather bulky, but in vigorous growing plants they arch 
around, the; flower-stems, setting' them off toi great advan¬ 
tage. In. suitable soils, such as that we have mentioned, 
the species is of the easiest cultivation, and produces 
young plants freely by means of seeds. 
Besides having it on the rockery or in the herbaceous 
border, this might be planted in fairly open situations by 
the side of walks in the pleasure grounds, where it might 
be allowed to increase; at will. The flowers stand well in 
water, and have a considerable decorative effect. Our 
photograph was. taken in the Long Ditto®, nursery of 
Messrs. Barr and Sous, King Street, Co vent Garden. 
spread out,” keep the crown of the plants above ground, fill m 
the trench and tread the soil firmly with the foot. Make the 
next trench about one foot from, the first one, and proceed 
trench after trench in this way until the required number of 
plants has been laid in. All that is required during the sum¬ 
mer months is to keep down weeds, water in dry weather, and 
use the syringe occasionally to keep down red spider. 
About the middle of September preparation should be 
made for lifting the plants and placing them in frames. It is 
very important that the frame® be placed in a sheltered oorner 
of the garden, facing south, bio that the plants can get all the 
sunshine possible during -the winter months. I find the best 
way is to make a hole in the ground about two feet deep, and 
exactly the same size as the frame is wanted, line the sides of 
the hole with plank®, or, what is better, bricks, to make a per¬ 
manent pit.. Fill the pit three parts full with leaves and 
garden refuse. Upon this put about eight inches of good soil 
consisting of loam, leaf-mould, and sand, also a little artificial 
manure. Place the frame in position, and all is ready for 
putting in the plants. Lift each one carefully with a good 
[Limnanthemum peltatum. 
(See p. 865.) 
Cultivation of the Sweet-scented Violet. 
The popularity of the sweet-scented Violet is too well know n 
to need any special comment, therefore I will confine my ai tide 1 
to the cultivation of this favourite flower. - In the first 
place;, it is necessary that a, suitable piece of ground be selected, 
that with a. north aspect being preferable, as I find that the 
plant® thrive; much better when shaded from strong sunshine, 
but at. the same time not. shaded by overhanging trees. The 
most suitable; soil is; that which is inclined to be light, and 
sandy. The piece of ground selected should be deeply dug 
during the autumn, at the same time adding some well-rotted 
manure, and if the soil is at all heavy add plenty of leaf mould, 
sand, and old mortar. Nothing further will be necessary until 
the time; of putting out the young plants in spring, the month 
of April being the best time that I find for this purpose. 
Youn^ plants ©an be obtained in. two ways—that is, by rooted 
rminersand the division of the old plants, the latter method 
being found to be; the best in. these gardens. Divide the old 
plants carefully into single crowns with a portion of roots 
attached, and afterwards proceed to plant, them in their -sum¬ 
mer quarters. First give the ground a, dressing of some 
approved artificial manure, then commence at one end by 
forking in the manure. When. a. footing about, eighteen, inches 
has been forked, stretch out the line, alongside of which make 
a trench. Lay in the young plants “ with their roots nicely 
ball of soil, and plant about, seven or eight, inches apart, ac¬ 
cording to the size of the plants. Give a good watering and 
put on the lights; when the light® are closed the plants should 
be so that the leaves almost touch the glass. Keep the frame 
close and well shaded for a while until the plants will stand 
the sun without flagging, afterwards admitting air night and 
day until the frosty nights appear, then close at night and 
admit air in the daytime according to the weather. A bank 
of long litter should be placed around the frame to keep out 
frosts, also cover the glass during frost with mats double thick¬ 
ness. Do; not give the plant® any water during the coldest 
winter months unless the soil gets quite diy. 
There are many varieties which give great, satisfaction, but 
I only name two eachl of single® and doubles respectively. The 
Princess of Wales ranks as the largest bloom, being almost as 
large as a Viola. If quantity is desired, I think you cannot 
beat La France among the singles, this also having a most 
pleasing shade of colour. Marie Louise take® the lead among 
the doubles, and is an immense bloom. Neapolitan is; a most 
profuse bloomer, but is lighter in colour than Marie Louise. 
Last year we picked as many as twenty-four large bunches of 
fully-developed blooms from 100 plants in one week, and in a 
single day we picked fourteen bunches;; in fact, we could pick 
a bunch or two any time we liked. This was from Marie. 
Louise. W. Davies. 
The Gardens, Dunston Hall, Near Stafford. 
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