ITC 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
March  1,  1900. 
circumstances.  In  spring  Beans  may  be  gathered  in  six  or  seven 
weeks  from  sowintr,  though  in  \Finter  eight  or  nine  weeks  must  elapse 
between  these  two  operatijns.  We  find  8-inch  pots  to  be  the  most 
suitable,  though  before  Christmas  6-inch  are  to  be  preferred,  for  growth 
is  not  then  so  vigorous,  nor  i.s  so  much  water  required  as  later  in  the 
season. 
The  flowers  are  just  opening  on  our  Tomato  plants  for  spring 
fruiting.  These  are  raised  from  seeds  sown  in  September,  gradually 
shifted  into  10-inch  pots,  and  in  December  are  plunged  in  a  bed  of 
leaves  made  up  in  a  warm  pit.  A  most  useful  crop  of  fruit  is  gathered 
from  them  during  March  and  several  succeeding  weeks.  Seedlings 
from  successional  sowings,  now  3  or  4  inches  high  in  small  60-pots, 
will  probably  require  transferring  to  larger  pots,  and  ought  then  to  be 
removed  from  the  intermediate  temperature,  in  which  when  young 
they  grow  best  in  winter,  into  cooler  quarters,  always  keeping  them 
near  to  the  glass.  In  the  case  of  Tomatoes  for  early  spring  fruiting, 
when  they  are  in  flower  artificial  fertilisation  is  essential  to  the 
production  of  a  satisfactory  ciop  of  fruit. — H.  H.  T. 
THE  SWEET  PEA  BICENTENARY. 
Unquestionably  the  popular  flower  for  1900  will  be  the  Sweet  Pea, 
and  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  when  the  ease  with  which  these 
delightfully  fragrant  flowers  can  be  cultivated  is  considered,  or  when 
memory  recalls  the  exquisitely  beautiful  colour,  shades,  and  combina¬ 
tions  seen  in  1899.  The  Sweet  Pea  also  shows  some  amount  of 
variation  in  form,  which  is  the  more  remarkable  in  these  days  when 
hybrid  flowers  are  abundant,  for  the  Sweet  Pea  has  been  evolved  by 
the  patience  of  the  florists  from  one  species — viz.,  Lathyrus  odoratus, 
introduced  200  years  ago.  If  other  proof  were  reeded  that  the  Sweet 
Pea  is  to  be  the  flower  of  the  year,  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  enthusiasm 
with  which  the  project  for  celebrating  the  bicentenary  of  its  introduc¬ 
tion  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  Sydenham,  on  July  20th  and  21st  next,  is 
being  suppo'ted  by  amateurs,  professional  gardeners,  and  seedsmen 
throughout  the  United  Kingdom. 
On  February  23rd  the  second  meeting  of  the  Celebration  C'  mmittee 
was  held  at  the  Horticultural  Club,  Hotel  Windsor,  Victoria  Street,  S.W., 
when  Mr.  George  Gordon,  V.M.H.,  Chaiiman  of  Committee,  presided 
over  a  good  attendance  that  included  members  from  towns  as  far  distant 
as  Birmingham  and  Cardiff.  Accepting  special  prizes  and  finally  revising 
the  schedule  was  the  chief  work  of  the  evening;  and  now  this  part  of 
the  business  has  been  ctmpleted,  we  are  at  liberty  to  state  that  thirty- 
four  classes  are  provided,  none  with  less  than  four,  and  some  with 
five,  prizes.  These  classes  range  from  one  for  one  bundled  bunches 
of  Sweet  Peas,  with  a  first  prize  of  £10,  down  to  those  for  a  single 
bunch  of  one  variety,  with  a  first  prize  of  8s.  It  is  diflBcult  to  see 
how  a  more  comprehensive  schedule  cou'd  have  been  drawn  up,  for 
provision  is  made  alike  for  the  small  and  the  large  grower,  the  artisan 
and  the  millionaire,  while  the  value  of  the  Sweet  Pea  for  a  home 
decoration  will  be  demonstrated  in  classes  for  tatle  decoration,  florists’ 
designs,  epergnes,  baskets,  and  bouquets.  The  total  prize  money  offered 
amounts  to  £140,  and  in  addition  to  this  a  fine  champion  silver  cup 
is  offered  for  the  best  amateur  exhibit  at  the  celebration  show.  In  no 
less  than  nineteen  classes  the  prizes  are  offered  by  well-known 
horticultural  firms  whose  names  will  appear  in  the  schedule  that  will 
be  ready  for  publication  immediately. 
In  the  preliminary  notice  of  the  Committee,  published  less  than 
two  months  ago,  the  cost  of  carrying  the  celebration  to  a  successful 
issue  was  estimated  at  £300 ;  and  towards  this  sum  nearly  £230  has 
already  been  promised.  So  much  success  having  already  attended 
their  efforts,  the  Committee  feel  justified  in  hoping  that  now  the 
schedule  of  prizes  can  be  obtained  upon  application  to  Mr.  E.  Dean, 
V.M.H.  (Honorary  Secretary),  Eanelagh  Koad,  Ealing,  W.,  the  further 
amount  necessary  to  the  proper  carrying  out  of  all  details  connected 
with  the  exhibition  and  conference  will  speedily  be  forthcoming.  A 
decidedly  international  flavour  will  be  imparted  to  the  Conference 
proceedings,  as,  in  addition  to  British  specialists,  Mr.  W.  Atlee  Burpee, 
of  Philadelphia,  U.S.A.  ; ,  Mods  Vilmorin,  of  Paris ;  Mr.  Benary,  of 
Erfurt,  and  Mr.  Krelage,  of  Haarlem,  are  expected  to  attend,  and 
have  all  meanwhile  shown  practical  sympathy  with  the  movement 
by  providing  special  classes.  The  class  for  American  raised  Sweet 
Peas  should  prove  not  the  least  interesting  at  the  forthcoming 
exhibition. 
As  the  forty  members  composing  the  General  Committee  represent 
such  a  large  area  of  the  United  Kingdom,  it  was  thought  desirable, 
both  to  facilitate  matters  and  save  the  incurrance  of  heavy  personal 
expenses  on  the  part  of  those  residing  many  hundreds  of  miles  away,  to 
form  a  small  Executive  Committee,  to  caiTy  out  the  remaining  details. 
The  General  Committee  will,  of  course,  be  called  as  necessity  demands. 
Those  gentlemen  elected  to  serve  on  the  Executive  Committee  are  : 
Mr.  George  Gordon,  V.M.H.,  Chairman  ;  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  Elstree ;  Mr. 
C.  H.  Curtis,  Brentford;  Mr.  J.  Fraser,  P.L.S.,  Kew ;  Mr.  H.  J,  Jones, 
Lewisham ;  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod,  Eoehampton  ;  Mr.  H.  A.  Needs,  Woking ; 
Mr.  E.  Sydenham,  Birmingham  ;  Mr.  H.  J.  Wright,  Wandsworth  ;  and 
Mr.  E.  Dean,  V.M.H.,  Ealing. 
PATSHULL. 
This  is  the  princely  Staffordshire  seat  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 
Unfortunately,  I  am  unable  now  to  give  any  account  of  the  house  or 
its  historical  associations,  while  as  the  time  of  my  visit  precluded 
note-taking  the  account  will,  I  am  afraid,  be  somewhat  imperfect,  and 
fail  to  do  the  gardens,  which  are  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Halli- 
day,  proper  justice.  The  grounds  are  filled  with  fine  Coniferie  and 
evergreens,  and  there  are  8  acres  of  kitchen  garden.  The  whole  of  the 
south  wall  is  surmounted  by  a  glass  coping,  beneath  which  are  planted 
Plums  and  Apricots. 
The  houses,  twenty-two  in  number,  are  principally  situated  iu  a 
large  square,  with  the  exception  of  the  large  conservatory,  which  is 
a  short  distance  away.  The  first  houses  I  entered  were  two  spacious 
structures  devoted  to  Melons,  but  which,  at  the  time  of  my  visit  (early 
in  January)  were  occupied  with  Ixoras,  Gardenias,  and  Tabernsemon- 
tanas.  Continuing  this  range  was  the  early  vinery,  60  feet  long, 
planted  alternately  with  Black  Hamburgh  and  Foster’s  Seedling,  with 
Figs  on  the  back  wall.  Following  this,  and  of  the  same  dimensions,.. 
was  a  division  occupied  by  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Figs  again 
having  the  back  wall.  All  the  Vines  are  comparatively  young,  and 
Mr.  Halliday  evidently  recognises  the  importance  of  young  Vines  with 
short  spurs  in  contradistinction  to  old  ones  with  long  naked  spurs.  In 
the  late  vinery  were  hanging  seventy  perfectly  finished  bunches  of' 
Black  Alicante,  which  for  size  of  berry  could  hardly  be  surpassed. 
There  are  six  vineries  in  all.  I  had  almost  forgotten  the  fine  plants  of' 
Strawberries  in  the  early  vinery,  mostly  Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury 
and  Leader,  in  5-inch  pots. 
There  are  also  two  Peach  houses,  each  70  feet,  and  sufficiently 
wide  to  accommodate  trees  both  on  the  front  trellis  and  back  wall, 
and  their  general  appearance  betokens  the  best  of  health.  The  lat© 
Peach  house  is  120  feet  long,  and  in  common  with  the  others  is  a 
noble  structure.  Space  is  found  also  on  the  back  walls  of  these  for  a 
Fig  tree  or  two,  so  that  a  continuous  supply  of  this  delicious  fruit 
is  maintained.  The  Peach  trees  are  models  iu  tiaining  that  non© 
would  err  in  copying. 
The  Palm  house  coiitained  two  large  plants  of  Monstera  deliciosa 
showing  fruit.  The  roots  of  these  have  access  to  a  water  tank,  which 
they  evidently  enjoy.  A  span-roofed  stove  was  filled  with  small  decora¬ 
tive  plants  of  Crotons,  Pandanus  and  winter  flowering  Begonias — 
viz.,  Gloire  de  Sceaux  President  Carnot,  and  metallica.  Mal- 
maison  Carnations  are  a  great  feature,  and  their  wonderful  health, 
luxuriance,  and  vigour  are  a  credit  to  Mr.  Halliday  and  his  foreman, 
Mr.  Eoberts.  The  same  system  is  practised  as  was  so  successfully 
carried  out  at  Eangemore  and  Byrkley  Lodge,  and  I  believe  has  been 
fully  described  in  the  pages  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  by  Mr.  Wm. 
Baidney.  The  house  devoted  to  them  is  span-roofed,  having  venti¬ 
lators  at  the  top  and  sides.  It  runs  north  and  south,  and  contained 
1000  plants.  Eust,  spot  disease,  and  insect  pests  are  evidently  unknown, 
the  plants  having  that  glaucous  hue  so  beloved  of  enthusiasts,  and  thesr 
broad  recurving  leaves  hang  over  the  sides  of  the  pots.  The  central 
step-like  stage  held  250  two-year-old  plants,  in  8-inch  pots,  with  from 
eight  to  twelve  vigorous  shoots.  The  side  stages  had  800  last  year’s 
layers  in  5-inch  pots.  A  constant  circulation  of  air  is  maintained,  and 
should  the  weather  be  wet  or  foggy  a  little  heat  is  afforded  to  maintain 
a  buoyant  atmosphere.  Watering  is  most  carefully  done  ;  the  plants 
at  no  period  are  allowed  to  become  very  dry,  while  on  the  other  hand 
excess  is  avoided. 
Another  structure  of  similar  size  was  completely  filled  with 
hundreds  of  healthy  young  plants  of  tree  Carnations,  such  as  Madame 
Carle,  Winter  Cheer,  Mrs.  Leopold  de  Eothschild,  Mdlle.  Th^res© 
Franco,  and  on  the  side  stages,  mostly  in  5-inch  pots,  were  scores  of 
young  plants  of  Mr.  Martin  Smith’s  hybrid  border  Carnations,  many 
of  which  were  in  flower. 
Orchids  are  apparently  not  a  desideratum,  but  one  house  contained 
a  small  collection  of  Cattleyas,  Lmlias,  Cypripediums,  and  Dendro- 
biums.  Another  house  was  stocked  with  about  fifty  large,  healthy 
plants  of  Eucharis  amazonica,  which  from  their  grand  appearance 
must  produce  immense  numbers  of  flowers.  In  the  same  house  were 
some  splendid  Gardenias.  In  various  other  houses  I  observed  collections 
of  Freesias  and  Lilium  Harris!.  In  one  house  there  were  two  dozen 
plants  of  Eeinwardtia  tetragyna  full  of  their  golden  flowers.  Sipho- 
campy  lus  H  u  mboldtian  u  s  is  also  grown,  while  two  dozen  plants  of  Myosoti  s 
Imperatrice  Elizabeth  in  5-inch  pots  were  charming  in  their  inimitable 
blue.  Cape  Pelargoniums,  Diosma  ericoides,  and  other  scented-leaved 
plants  have  a  goodly  amount  of  space,  and  several  pits  were  filled  with 
Violets. 
The  conservatory,  100  feet  by  45  feet,  and  20  feet  high,  has  a  double 
longitudinal  ridged  roof.  The  sides,  roof,  and  pillars  are  clothed  with 
various  creepers,  including  Cassia  corymbosa,  Tecoma  capensis,  Solanum 
jasminoides.  Plumbago  capensis.  Datura  sanguinea,  and  climbing  Tea,. 
Noisette,  and  Bourbon  Eoses.  Eose  Souvenir  d’un  Ami  was  noticed  in 
profuse  bloom,  whilst  a  plant  of  Luculia  gratissima  had  at  least 
150  trusses  of  its  charming  flowers.  ,  On  the  parqueterie  floor,  arranged 
singly,  were  specimen  Camellias,  Myrtles,  Tree  Ferns,  and  large  Palms 
with  small  groups  of  flowering  plants  of  Azalea  Deutsche  Perle  and 
Freesias  at  the  base.  On  the  narrow  side  stage  I  observed  well-grown 
Calanthe  Veitchi  and  a  number  of  good  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine. — 
F.  Street. 
