958 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
November 26, 1904. 
at Kew, but this northern garden 1 can boast a, number of them, 
including the species above mentioned. Ini one of Mr. 
Mackenzie’s shrubberies, named “ America,” he growsi E. 
Gunnii (the tree to' which we alluded at Kew), E. pauciflora, 
E. urnigera, and E. cordata. All these Gum trees of Australia 
he speaks of as being in perfect health without any injury 
whatever. A New Zealand tree alsoi finds a home here— 
namely, Podocarpus T'otara. A great favourite of his is Rboi- 
dddenidron nobleianum, which is a hybrid having the Himalayan 
R. arboreum for one of it.s parents. Its crimson flowers are 
produced during January and February. 
Bamboos have also been introduced to this sheltered garden, 
including such a fine species of the tribe as Phyllostachys 
viridi-glauceisoens. Two Buddledas which are-usually regarded 
as tender succeed well here, retaining their leaves during 
winter. We refer to B. globosa and B. Colvillei. Another 
Bamboo which hap done remarkably well is Arundinaria 
japonica, which has made shoots over 10 ft. in height. This 
garden must also be well supplied with Heaths considering that 
he has fine specimens of Erica arborea, and E. lusita.nica,. Con¬ 
cerning the former, we may say that the: late Mr 1 . G. F. Wilson 
had great difficulty in procuring a specimen of the Tree Heath 
(E. arborea), the second species being usually substituted for 
it, but best known under the name of E. codon-odes; Other 
members of the: Heath family are much planted, but as their 
hardiness is fairly well recognised even in the north they 
excite no surprise. The: cultivator speaks of having huge 
bushes of Olearia macrodomta,, sometimes termed the New 
Zealand Holly. In the' south of England, at least in the 
neighbourhood of London, this can only be grown with ■ a 
moderate degree of success' when planted against a. wall. 
Another shrubbery he names: “Sikkim,” but this seems to 
contain a number of trees and shrubs similar or closely allied 
to that of the one previously named. Nevertheless, it very 
appropriately includes rare and curious Rhododendrons from, 
various parts: of the Himalayas, and which it would seem he 
ha® raised from seeds, as several of them have not yet, been 
named. Some of them have the lower side of the leave® dusted 
with gold, and others with silver. A number of the Myrtle 
family, which wei have never seen: in the open further north 
than Devon, evidently thrives: here:—we refer to Leptosper- 
mum scoparium, which produce 1 ® a: profusion of white flowers. 
Other New Zealand plants are Senecio Grayi and S. Buch- 
anani; St. Dabeoo’s Heath and its varieties also thrive satis¬ 
factorily here. 
The: most, recent addition to his list, of shrubberies he, names' 
“ Japan,,” and this is situated in an open glade in one of his 
plantations extending close to the' edge, of the salt water. Its 
exotic appearance is well emphasised by the presence of Palms, 
Bamboos, Cord’ylines, Gum Trees, and New Zealand Flaxes. 
He is so pleased with the result of several of these that he a-sks 
why everybody does, n,ot commence immediately making plan¬ 
tations of the Bamboo® and New Zealand Flax, which he conr 
siders are as easy to cultivate as is his pet aversion, the Laurels 
and Privets. This portion of the grounds was only reclaimed 
from a wild state within, the last three or four years, but during 
that period the growth of everything has been so: satisfactory 
a,s to recall the advances: made: by its Far Eastern namesake. 
The New Zealand Flax includes' Ph omnium tenax, P. 
Co-lensoi, and, several variegated varieties, including gold' and 
silver striped one® and a, purple leaved variety. We have not 
seen so many varieties even, in Ireland, where they grow 
luxuriantly, or such of them as we have seen planted. Wei 
think they are sufficiently hardy and certainly meritorious 
enough to deserve more, attention at the hands: of cultivators: 
who are seriously in, earnest in, beautifying their grounds. Even 
if a severe winter might prove injurious to a specimen or two 
they can readily be propagated and small pieces kept, in stock 
to make good any loss brought about by occasional severe 
winters. Even, those specimens: which grow too large to be 
accommodated in hothouse® might be planted in the open with 
a very reasonable hope of success, whether the plants: are green, 
or variegated. 
Mr. Mackenzie commenced planting Palms thirty years ago. 
and has hit upon the hardiest one to commence with—namely, 
Trachycarpa excelsa, better known under the name of Chamae- 
rops Fortunei and C. excelsa, both of these latter names being 
now included under the first. Hei has also added C. humilis, 
which appears to be hardy. In this Japanese garden he has 
also such uncommon outdoor subject® as Crinodendron, Des- 
fontainea spinosa, Olea europaea and others which are more 
often, grown under glass than in the open air. To these may 
be added Magnolias, PauLownia imperialis and nearly all the 
New Zealand shrubby Veronicas 1 . It is a very proud" boast to 
be able to say that all of those are growing in, the open garden. 
Another plant, usually confined to the greenhouse is Billardiera 
longifolia, which here grows mixed up with Clematis montana 
from, the: Himilaya®, and produces: its blue berries among the 
foliage of the latter. 
A number of very beautiful bulbs are also grown here, in¬ 
cluding Narcissus cycLimineu®, N. triandrus, N. Bulbocodium 
and other interesting subjects. He also state® that he possesses' 
all the American, Do'g’I Tooth Violets; also' Californian Calo- 
chorti, Ixias and other Cape bulbs. It seems that Epigaea 
repens not, only grows here, but also blooms in March. Many 
other most interesting subjects might he mentioned, the mere 
enumeration of which would almost seem to conjure up visions 
of a, Garden, of Eden in the far north. 
Chrysanthemum Merstham Crimson. 
(See Supplement.) 
On this occasion our supplement represents a very handsome 
crimson variety of Chrysanthemum, and one: which we think 
will be grown, for many years' asi one of the- best and most 
durable of its, class. For many years the difficulty consisted 
in, getting crimson varieties of sufficient, size to be fit, for taking 
their place on the show-board, and also flowers that were suffi¬ 
ciently firm in texture to withstand! the evil effect® both of 
sunshine and damping. 
Merstham Crimson expands very slowly, and the florets are 
of thick texture and last in good condition for at least a, month. 
Gn handling the bloom represented, by our illustration: we were 
surprised at, the firmness of the head. This is due to the 
texture of the individual florets and their immense numbers. 
These, florets during the early stages of growth are all regularly 
recurved with a, spoon-shaped depression near the' tip®, which 
causes them ultimately to curve inward® and show the gold 
reverse. This, of course, is amply shown in the early stages 
of the bloom before the florets have expanded. 
Natural second crowns give the best blooms both in form 
and colour. This, of course, applies to' the' southern, counties 
of England, but in the north the plants should he stopped 
early in April in order to secure' this second crown bud. The 
average height of the plant is 4 ft. It is one of the Weills- 
Poekett set of seedlings: first bloomed by Mr. T. W. Pockett in 
1903. Its behaviour in this, country has; more: than justified 
the anticipations concerning it. Our photograph was taken 
in the' Earlswood Nursery of Messrs. W. Wells and Co; at the 
end of October last. The: bloom here represented 1 is consider¬ 
ably under the: natural size, but, we, have since seen much 
larger blooms from the same source. 
Presentation to Mr. W. Neisi-i.— On the lltli inst-, Mr V • 
Neish, in the office of Messrs. Keay and Hodge, solicitors, Blair¬ 
gowrie, was met by a deputation of the Fruitgrowers’ Association 
and presented with a purse of sovereigns, subscribed by the 
-members as a token of esteem. 
Presentation to Mr. William Smith. —A very interesting 
event took place at Redliall, Fordoun, Kincardineshire, on the 
17th inst., when ex-Bailie John Broivn presented Mr. "William 
Smith, gardener, with an easy chair on the occasion of lus 
retiring after thirty-one years’ service at Redliall twenty-six 
and a half years with the Carnegie family (the former proprietors 
of Redliall estate) and four and a half with Bailie Brown. Vt 
the same time Mrs, Brown presented Mrs. Smith with a hand¬ 
some silver teapot. Mr Smith feelingly returned thanks on 
behalf of Mrs. Smith and himself. 
