October 29, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
873 
Grevillea robusta. 
In its native country—New South Wales—this is a stately 
tree, but here it is grown as a. pot plant, and although there 
is no brilliant colour to recommend it, yet the tine drooping 
Fem-like foliage produces one of the most graceful decorative 
plants we possess, and its value is enhanced by the fact, that it 
withstands the influence of gas, dirt, or change of temperature 
better than the majority of table plants. Seedlings are easily 
raised by those who have a large amount of patience, the 
seeds being so- long in germinating. In all case® where seed 
is sown in fairly rich soil, which has to be kept, constantly 
moist and undisturbed for a long time, there is a tendency to* 
sourness on the surface of the soil. To* prevent this, a good 
plan, is to* cover the seed with a small layer of sand, and the 
sand with a thin coating of the soil used. When the surface 
becomes green or sour, the coating of soil can, he removed 
o-ently down, to the sancl and be replaced with fresh soil with¬ 
out detriment to* the seeds. 
Sow a,t any time of the year ini 48 or 32 sized pots, filled 
rather him ; and as the seedlings appear through and show 
two* pairs, of leaves pot them off in small pots and give them 
a close pit or frame until they become 1 established. Never 
allow them to suffer for want of water. There is no necessity 
to feed them at. any stage of growth, as they do not require 
it, hut occasional repotting is the only attention they require 
until they reach the final size. S. Ottaway. 
Three Foliage Plants for Exhibition. 
In this article I propose to, deal with three foliage plants 
which are seldom seen staged among foliage exhibits. 
Cyanophyllum maguificam..—This species has dark green 
velvety leaves with a white midrib and white veins on the 
upper surface, while the under side is of a reddish purple. A 
native of Mexico, it requires a shady corner of the stove with 
plenty of room to'allow it, to develop* its leaves properly. To* 
get nicei-sizad plants for the autumn and winter shows, cuttings 
which roof, readily should be inserted as early in the year as* 
possible*. Pots 2| in. or 3 in. in* diameter, filled with sandy 
peat and leaf-mould, will do nicely to start with. Plunge under 
a bell-glass in, the propagating pit, and keep moist and close 
until rooted, then gradually inure to the air of the house. 
After having filled their cutting pots with roots, select pots 
5 in. in diameter fo*r their next shift, using a compost of peat 
torn up by the hand and leaf-mould in equal proportion®, a 
liberal dash of sand, and a small part of loam. Pot firmly, 
and introduce to* growing quarters. Subsequent, treatment 
will be the keeping them clean of insect, pests (scale and mealy 
bug being very troublesome), and potting on as they fill their 
pots with roots*, a,s once* they become pot-bound their leaves 
will not be developed properly. By the end of summer you 
will have* plants, with twelve to fifteen leave®, moot of which 
should be* 2 ft. or more* long by 1 ft. broad. 
Leea amabilis splendens.—This isi also an acquisition* on the* 
sho'W table, with stems and under-side of leaves of a, claret-red 
colour, while the surface* is* of a pleasing green with a broad 
band of white*. 
Cultivation* is similar to* the* foregoing, except that, the com¬ 
post in the case of Leea, requires a strong loam, and watering 
must be strictly attended to, else the bottom leave® will dis¬ 
appear. 
Fittonia Verschafeltii.—This species and its congener, F. 
argyroneura, when grown as* pyramids make noble* plants, and 
I will explain a method by which a pyramid specimen is easily 
grown. Secure a shallow tub, varnished or painted outside 
and charred inside, 2 ft. or more* in. diameter. Have a, block of 
wood, cone-shaped, equal in, height to the diameter of the tub, 
the diameter of the cone* to* he 9 in. less than the* diameter of 
the tub. Bore* holes at regular intervals in the* cone, into- 
which short stakes can be firmly inserted ; also make small 
hole® with a gimlet round the edge of the tub. Now pass some 
copper wire, which, in the first place, will be fastened to* the* 
tub, over* and around the* cone*, making secure to the stakes,, 
and you will thus Lave a wire framework outside the cone to 
hold a compost *of peat, loam and sand, which will be kept in 
position by a surfacing of sphagnum moss. 
Insert cuttings of the* variety all over- the surface at short 
intervals, place in a moist stove, shade heavily, and in a short 
time the entire surface will be covered. This will last for 
years with an annual addition of sphagnum. Pon Pon. 
Visit to Scone Palace Gardens. 
The writer was* one* of a company of gardeners from Dundee 
and Broughty Ferry Horticultural Associations who on 
July 9th visited Scone* Palace Gardens, arriving at the Old 
Sequel Gate, where Mr. Aleix McKinnon, the head gardener, wa,s 
waiting to* welcome* the company. Entering the* gateway, we 
are* reminded that we are* amidst royal and historic, surround¬ 
ings. The gate lodge* is a quaint, old-fashioned thatched 
cottage, while the avenue*, which is, overshaded with two* rows 
of stately Lime trees, is* broad and straight* to the old palace 
portal. Heire we enter by an archway, where stands the old 
croft o*f Scone*, passing on the right the ruins of the chapel 
which held the* coronation stone on which the* sovereigns! of 
Scotland, and latterly Britain, have; been crowned. After a 
survey of the extensive and well-kept lawns surrounding the 
palace, which was built, about the* beginning of last century, 
the stones of the old palace* being used for the top* of the newer 
edifice, here we stop* a moment, to* have a, look at Queen Mary 7 s 
tree, a. Sycamore* said to* have been* planted by Mary, Queen of 
Scots*, now showing signs of age* and the marks* of many a 
storm ; near by three* Sycamores* are pointed out (as the* three 
sisters), marking the place where the old abbey stood. 
A number of effective* and interesting rockeries* are met with 
in* the grounds*, made* with stones from the old abbey, most of 
which show marks of carving. At one of these rockeries is to 
be seen a huge stone coffin, which was unearthed when the 
grounds were being laid out, 100 years, ago*. In* the, background 
is seen an interesting specimen of the four Abie® Douglasii 
raised from the original seed brought into* this country by 
James* Douglas in 1827. This, tree was planted in 1834, and 
is a fine specimen,, measuring 12 ft. in circumference 4 ft. 
from the* ground*. 
In, the grounds adjoining here we notice a, number of fine 
Oak and Ash tree®*, while.an old Elm, planted by the third 
Abbot of Scone, is commented on. 
The pinetum is a, source of general attraction and admira¬ 
tion. Here is to* be found a, representative selection of the best 
species, of coniferaei, among which we noticed some healthy 
specimen® of Tsuga inertensiana,, Abies* nobilis, A. nordman- 
rhana, A. concolor, Picas pungens* glauoa,, Abies lasmcarpa 
Pioea Mertemsiii, Tsuga, pattoniano, Pseudotsuga Douglasii, P. 
D. brevifolia, Abies* Pinsapo glauca, Cryptomeria joponioa 
elegans, and C. jappni'oa, Sequoia gigantaa, S. semp-ervirens, 
Cedruis Atlantica, C.' Deodora, and G. Libani argentea. 
Thuyas*, Cupressus, and Juniperus, are* well represented as 
well a®' Pin us* Strobus, P. montdoola, P. lambertiana, etc. Some 
fine* clumps* of Taxus* Laccata a,urea and some fine* plants, of 
Retin,osp'ora, filifera aurea, and R. squarrbsai lend colouring to* 
the scene in, a mijceid border of young trees. 
Among rare specie® noticed might, be mentioned Soiadopitys 
verticil] ata, Athrotaxis selaginoides 1 , Torreya, nucifera, etc. 
On entering the -spacious* range* of vineries* and Peach houses 
the company expressed their admiration, of the general healthy 
appearance of the Vines, Peach and Fig trees, all carrying a 
good crop. 
In, the greenhouse® and stoves* a, gay display of flowering and 
foliage plants was to* b*e seen in* a, heal thy and thru ing condi¬ 
tion." In the* Orchid house amongst, others in flower a fine spike- 
of Odontogloeisum luteo-purpureum was noted os a go'odjfomi. 
In the Tomato house* a. good, crop of ripe and ripening fruit, was 
ini evidence, which will no* doubt find a ready demand dining 
the- next few weeks. 
