998 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 10, 1904. 
a class for market gardeners was to be entered by market 
gardeners themselves, who would compete with the flower's 
such as they sold in Covent Garden Market. He regretted 
the absence of Mr. Dean, 
Mr. C. Harman Payne then proposed “ The Affiliated Socie¬ 
ties.” He said that such societies were not' much in his line, 
but foreign societies would have been more in his way. He 
remembered when the N.C.S. held its meetings in an under¬ 
ground chamber. It was in those 'days that the affiliated 
societies commenced to join. He thought that' their society 
must be of service to the others judging from the numbers 
that' lrad joined them, not only in this' country, but in Aus¬ 
tralia, Germany, etc. With this he coupled the name of 
Alderman Bishop, J.P., who replied. 
Mr. J. H. Witty then proposed “ The Chairman,” to which 
the latter in due course replied, stating that the society was 
now on a, more sure financial basis than ever it was before. 
Mr. J. T. Simpson proposed “ The Ladies and Visitors,” and 
this was replied to in a* humorous vein by Mr. W. G. Bunn. 
“ The Press ” was proposed by Mr. A. Taylor, and replied to 
by Mr. C. H. Curtis. 
Between the speeches, songs, humorous and otherwise, were- 
rendered by a number of ladies and gentlemen. The pro¬ 
gramme was carried out to the end, finishing up with “ God 
Save the King ” at a. timely hour, the company having enjoyed 
themselves immensely. 
Shrubs for Rockeries. 
For many reasons' these are almost indispensable. In most 
rock gardens' some portions have bean raised and others 
lowered. Shrubs of from i ft. to. 5 ft, are often used with 
good effect to emphasise these alterations in the ground level, 
or form a. background to the rockwork. On a central ridge 
extending from east to west they afford shelter on the south 
to 1 tender plants in winter and shade in summer to' those on the 
north. A good depth of rich loam—the deeper the. better— 
should be provided for- them; peat can: be mixed in when: 
planting for those requiring it. There is perhaps no com¬ 
moner mistake in rock gardens than planting on elevated, ex¬ 
posed places without providing a. sufficient depth of soil below. 
The shrubs' chosen should! not be aggressive in character or 
planted too. near positions for choicer subjects. Suitable ever¬ 
greens would be Pinus montana, Juniperus siahina, Dipplo- 
pappus ohrysophyllusi, sometimes known as. Cassdnia fulvida., 
dwarf Retinoisporas, and Piceas. All these can. be kept to the 
size and shape required by a, careful use of the knife. Beri¬ 
beris stenophylla, B. Thunbergii, Cytisus praecox, Azalea 
amocna,, hardy Ericas', such as varieties of E. vagans and 
Cailuna vulgaris and the smaller varieties of Acer 1 palmatum 
are all useful either for their flowers or coloured foliage. 
Where bold ledges, or jutting points of rock have been pro¬ 
vided there are many beautiful, graceful drooping species 
which reveal the beauty of such an. arrangement by partially 
hiding it. Nor could the shrubs themselvesi be displayed in; 
any other" way to. better advantage. Among these' may be 
named the Muehlenbeckias (M. oomplexa, is. especially grace¬ 
ful), Lomioera Albertii, 'Cytisus keiwensis, Genista, pilosa., and 
Arctostaphyllots Uvarursii. Where there is plenty of room, the 
varieties of Rosa wichuriana leave little to be desired, but 
grow too. fast, for 1 the ordinary rookery. The Helianthemurns 
and Lithospermum prostratum will often, droop, over ledges in 
the same manner as those named above, although on a smaller 
scale. 
Peculiar prostrate, shrub® extremely useful to the planter, 
either t-o. screen an unsightly projection 1 or cover up and add 
solidity to the. base of an unsteady-looking rock, are Cotoni- 
easter oongesta, C. miorophylla, C. thymifolia and C. horizon- 
talisi (the last-mentioned has made. a. most brilliant show here 
this autumn, 'both a® regards ‘berries and foliage). Juniperus 
squama.ta, J. tamariscifolia., J. canadensis, and J. c. aurea are 
also' of great service. 
Small dwarf evergreen shrubs which may be used as single 
specimens or grouped according to. their adaptability, include 
most of the dwarf Rhododendrons, such as R. ferrugineum, 
R. hirsutum, and R. myrtifolium. Leucothoe axillaris, L. 
Catesibaei and L. recurva. have foliage of a. very rich purplish 
tint. The dwarfer New Zealand Veronicas are a host in them¬ 
selves 1 , V. eupresisoddes and V. sialieornoideis being especially 
good. Berberis dulois nana. is a. very neat little shrub, while 
Ledum Lyonii can be associated with the tiniest of aipines. 
The' same might be said of Juniperus communis stricta nana, 
which for size, shape and primness might, have been taken out 
of a child’s 1 Noah’s Ark. Daphne Cneorum, the Garland 
Flower, is one of the prettiest of all rock shrubs. About a 
score of the dwarfer Heathsi can also be used for this purpose. 
Genista hispanrca,, anxantica, radiata, and sagittalis often suc¬ 
ceed on dry banks where little else will grew; the last- 
mentioned isi, however, only suitable for grouping. J. C. 
Aldenham House, Elstree. 
Vegetables. 
The gardens at Aldenham House have long been famous for 
their prize vegetables. Throughout England Mr. Beckett is 
well known, as a. formidable competitor at-all the leading shows, 
including Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, London, Southampton, 
and many others, and a description of tlmse gardens would 
not be complete without somei reference to these vegetables. 
Mr. Beckett has long been an advocate of deep trenching, 
and almost the whole of the kitchen garden is operated on 
annually. This procedure pays well, as each year the work 
becomes easier and the crops obta-in a much greater area of 
food' than they otherwise would through non-trenching. 
Coming to the individual kinds of vegetables, we noted a fine 
crop, of Ailsa. Craig Onion, many of them of gigantic propor¬ 
tions. and of finei shape, and form. These are grown year by 
year on the same piece of ground and with excellent results. 
Other varieties were Carter’s Record, also 1 of great size, and 
having a. reddish streak in the skins. Leeks were grown in 
quantity, and those for exhibition were in three long lines the 
full length of the break, and looked like developing into fine 
produce. The. Lyon and Debbie's International were noted as 
particularly good—but. generally Leeks are very indistinct in 
their character and form. 
Celery was also in force and particularly strong and healthy. 
The new “ Aldenham Pink ” Las come to stay, and will displace 
Standard Bearer when it. becomes better known ; in the mean¬ 
time it has not been sent out. Sutton’s Solid White is a 
favourite here, and is' considered the best, white. Runner 
Beans grow here bo an. enormous height and crop grandly, the 
height reaching something like 11 ft., and loaded from top to 
bottom. All thei best varieties are. grown, and include Sutton’s 
Best, of All, Carters’ Jubilee, and others. A trial line of Syd- 
monton Exhibition, raised' by 'that famous exhibitor Mr. Lye, 
apparently leads the way, and was in first-class order, the pods 
being long and straight and just in. that condition so much 
sought for by good judges. The Pea crop was getting over, 
but still good dishes remained of Edwin; Beckett, Autocrat, 
The Gladstone., and others'. Cauliflowers 1 werei in strong 
evidence, the' varieties Autumn Mammoth and Autumn Giant 
predominating. 
Carrots occupied a large space, and here, as in many places, 
resource' has to be had to making holes 1 and filling with sifted 
soil in order to. get the best specimens, and the same remarks 
apply to Beetroot and Parsnips. Needless to say, these were, 
like the rest of the Aldenham vegetables, first rate. 
Indoors Tomato® are largely grown in lean-to houses, and 
partly occupied with stove plants, and not an ideal place for 
them, but careful management survived the difficulties., and 
the crop was above reproach. 
Polegate was carrying exhibition fruit, as were Duke of 
York and Golden Perfection. Winter vegetables were well 
forward, and Sprouts, Kales, Coleworts and Savoys were all a 
credit to. the grower, and nothing could be more convincing of 
the value of deep culture than the condition of all the crops. 
J. G. 
