464 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  31,  190^ 
A  Day  at  Altrindiam. 
It  was  in  1872  that  the  groundwork  of  the  now  celebrated  firm  of 
Clibran  &  Son  was  laid,  the  beginning  being  in  rather  a  modest  way. 
Its  development  must  be  regarded  as  another  proof  of  the  fact  that 
with  determination  and  a  business  capacity,  such  as  Mr.  William 
Clibran  the  estimable  head  of  the  firm  possessed,  success  must  come  in 
time.  In  addition  to  the  Oldfield  Nursery  the  firm  now  numbers  the 
Principality  Nurseries,  N.  Wales;  296,  High  Street,  Bangor,  N.  Wales  ; 
the  Stamford  Nurseries,  Bowdon  ;  the  nurseries  at  Hale  ;  the  seed  trial 
grounds  at  Urniston,  near  Manchester,  and  the  splendid  establishment 
in  Market  Street,  Manchester,  wherein  one  can  find  seeds,  bulbs,  and 
sundries,  in  fact  everything  to  satisfy  the  lover  of  a  garden. 
The  Oldfield  Nurseries. 
These  form  the  headquarters  of  the  firm,  and  comprise  a  large 
number  of  glass  houses,  devoted  to  the  culture  of  every  class  of  plant. 
Seveial  houses  are  devoted  to  the  culture  of  Tea  Roses,  and  no  one 
could  pt'ssibly  wish  for  better  results.  Thousands  of  grafted  plants 
were  just  on  the  move,  others  newly  potted,  until  all  the  stages  that  go 
to  make  up  plants  to  the  large  specimei  s  of  both  climbers  and  dwarfs 
are  reached.  No  trace  of  mildew  could  be  seen,  and  the  interest  in 
looking  over  the  stock  was  greatly  enhanced  by  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
only  the  best  of  men  employed  in  their  culture. 
Ferns  of  every  kind  and  variety  were  luxuriating  in  the  greatest 
profusion,  several  new  Pteris  raised  by  the  firm  being  pointed  out  with 
deservedly  pardonable  pride.  The  Pelargonium  houses  were  a  blaze 
of  colour.  The  raising  of  new  sorts  is  carried  on  to  perfection  so 
much,  and  the  newer  seedlings  could  scarcely  be  excelled  for  dwarfness 
of  habit,  freedom  of  flowering,  and  the  size  of  the  trusses.  Cyclamen, 
Primulas,  Cinerarias,  and  Calceolarias  (fig.  124)  are  also  a  great 
speciality,  and  the  highest  conceivable  praise  one  could  give  would 
almost  fail  to  describe  the  hues  and  beautifully  formed  flowers  so 
noticeable  throughout. 
Begonias  of  every  section  are  most  attractive,  and  the  now  popular 
tuberous  rooted  varieties  were  seen  in  immense  numbers.  At  the  time 
of  flowering  the  grand  house  erected  for  them  is  one  of  the  sights  of 
the  county.  Chrysanthemums  were  past  and  gone,  but  the  work  with 
the  young  stock  was  being  pushed  on,  sturdy,  well-rooted  plants  being 
the  result.  An  important  work  in  the  raising  of  new  seedlings  has  been 
going  on  for  years,  until  now  the  decorative,  and  more  particularly  the 
single  section,  stands  almost  unrivalled. 
Many  houses  are  devoted  to  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  so  well 
grown  as  to  make  discrimination  almost  an  impossibility.  New  Croton 
seedlings  seemed  particularly  promising,  but  the  greatest  attraction 
was  the  new  seedling  Anthnrium  Pletcherianum,  a  remarkable  variety 
with  the  foliage  of  A.  Andreanum  but  a  spathe  of  an  intense  crimson 
hue,  some  of  which  measured  8  inches  by  4  inches.  Soft  and  hard 
wooded  plants,  scented  and  otherwise,  climbers,  and  everything  to  suit 
either  botanists  or  professional  gardeners,  are  kept  in  stock.  Spiraeas, 
Lilies,  Azaleas,  and  every  class  of  bedding  plant  occupy  many  houses, 
whilst  the  popular  Carnation  finds  itself  in  a  similar  position,  the 
choicer  varieties  being  represented  by  sturdy  handsome  plants  in  pots. 
Many  acres  are  given  entirely  to  the  growth  of  herbaceous  and 
florists’  plants  and  flowers,  a  well  conducted  system  of  division  and 
rotation  with  thorough  attention  to  position  and  compost,  making  the 
advice  of  the  firm  especially  valuable.  I  could  dilate  at  considerable 
length  on  the  beauties,  as  seen  previously,  of  the  Pyrethrums,  Phloxes, 
herbaceous  Pmonies,  Delphiniums,  Irises,  also  of  the  charming  Alpines 
in  the  rock  garden,  but  the  task  of  selection  is  too  great  a  tax,  so  it 
only  remains  to  be  said  that  this  section  is  replete  with  the  choicest  of 
varieties. 
A  double  form  of  the  old  Arabia  alpina  was  in  evidence  and 
shpnld  become  highly  popular.  Ivies,  Clematis,  Jasmines,  and  Passi- 
floras  were  observed  in  thousands.  Of  the  collection  of  Hollies  there 
seems  to  be  no  end  ;  all  sizes  from  mere  rooted  plants  to  the  stateliest 
specimens  take  up  several  acres.  Aucubas,  Laurels,  Yews,  Rhodo¬ 
dendrons,  and  American  plants  stretched  in  endless  array. 
No  overcrowding  is  suffered,  the  constant  lifting  and  turning  of  the 
plants  leaving  them,  as  any  visitor  would  see,  models  of  superior 
culture.  Forest  trees  by  the  hundred  thousand  arrest  the  attention  of 
every  one,  and  it  speaks  well  for  the  firm  that  many  important  orders 
from  H.M.  Commissioners  of  Woods  and  Forests  have  been  received 
and  executed. 
Stamford  Nurseries. 
This  forms  an  offshoot  from  Oldfield  and  must  prove  most  valuable, 
the  air  being  particularly  clear  and  bracing.  Various  Coniferae  grow 
in  the  free  manner  which  is  so  desirable.  Some  capital  collections  of 
plants  were  occupying  the  houses,  and  included  Latanias,  Kentias, 
Ficus,  Aspidistras,  Pteris  major,  Adiantum  cuneatum,  and  Lapagerias, 
all  in  robust  health. 
Hale  Nursery. 
This  has  proved  a  valuable  addition,  for  not  only  is  the  acreage 
great  but  the  land  is  rich  and  good  in  many  parts.  Fruit  trees  have 
found  a  happy  home,  nearly  fifty  acres  being  stocked  with  trees  bearing 
the  stamp  of  intelligent  and  careful  culture.  Conifers  are  again  met 
within  beautiful  condition.  Many  things  of  interest  must  perforce  be 
omitted,  but  snflBcient  has,  I  hope,  been  given  to  allow  readers  of  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture  to  judge  for  themselves  of  the  interest  and 
instruction  that  attach  themselves  to  a  visit  to  Altrincham. — • 
A  ViSITOE. 
I(ydraDgea  Culture. 
There  are  two  ways  of  growing  Hydrangeas  for  early  spring 
flowering,  the  one  by  rooting  points  which  have  already  formed 
flower  buds  in  autumn,  the  other  by  means  of  cuttings  the  prev  ous 
spring,  and  growing  these  on  during  the  summer.  Generally,  I  think, 
the  latter  is  the  better  method  to  follow  in  private  gardens,  particu¬ 
larly  where  the  plants  are  wanted  in  bloom  from  January  onwards. 
The  best  forcing  kind  is  the  common  H.  horten.sis,  but  the  pretty 
white  form,  H.  Thos.  Hogg,  though  less  amenable  to  forcing,  is 
equally  valuable  for  flowering  from  March,  its  white  flower  trusses 
being  in  even  greater  request  than  the  former,  and  where  wreath 
making  forms  part  of  the  gardener’s  duties  they  are  much  used  for 
that  purpose. 
The  time  to  root  the  cuttings  is  during  April  or  May,  and  points 
either  from  forced  plants  or  those  that  flowered  at  their  natural 
season  in  autumn  are  equally  suitable.  I  root  the  cuttings  in  an 
ordinary  propagating  pit  in  a  sand  bed,  and  once  they  a-e  well  rooted 
they  are  potted  singly  into  3- inch  pots,  usins:  for  the  compost  a 
mixture  of  loam  and  sand.  As  soon  as  established  the  plants  are 
transferred  to  a  cold  frame,  and  directly  they  are  furnished  with 
three  pairs  of  leaves  fully  developed  the  tips  are  pinched,  and  half  a 
dozen  axillary  buds  are  by  this  means  forced  into  growth.  Either 
previous  to  or  after  this,  a  shift  into  5-inch  pots  will  be  required. 
Hydrangeas  are  by  no  means  fastidious  as  to  soil,  and  grow  well  in 
either  a  peaty  or  a  loamy  medium.  The  latter,  however,  is  prefer¬ 
able,  and  if  inclined  to  closeness  in  texture  a  little  sand  and  decom¬ 
posed  manure  incorporated  therewith  will  facilitate  growth. 
During  the  summer  and  autumn  months  the  plants  succeed  well 
in  the  open,  and  it  ought  at  this  period  to  be  the  care  of  the  cultivator 
to  produce  large  and  broad  foliage  of  a  dark  green  colour,  because 
it  is  on  the  quality  of  the  foliage  that  the  size  of  the  trusses  in  the 
succeeding  spring  depends.  If  the  leaves  do  not  assume,  or  having  it, 
lose  this  dark  green  tint,  a  little,  but  only  a  little  artificial  manure 
may  be  applied  with  advantage,  but  not  later  than  the  beginning  of 
August.  During  September  the  supply  of  water  must  be  lessened, 
in  order  to  induce  the  young  wood  to  harden  and  ripen,  and  by  the 
10th  of  October  the  application  of  water  should  cease,  the  plants 
meanwhile  being  preserved  in  a  cool  structure. 
The  plants  that  are  most  amenable  to  early  forcing  are  those  that 
retain  their  foliage,  and  which  show  the  young  trusses  in  late  autumn. 
After  resting  a  few  tveeks  these  may  be  started  in  November  or 
December  in  a  hot  stove,  applying  water  liberally  with  manurial  help 
as  required.  They  come  in  during  January  and  February.  Later 
stocks  must  be  started  as  required,  the  chief  points  to  be  observed 
being  a  high  temperature,  with  plenty  of  water.  From  March  less 
heat  will  be  required.  If  it  is  intended  to  retain  the  same  plants 
for  another  year,  the  shoots  when  flowering  is  past  must  be  cut 
hard  back,  retaining  all  the  foliage  possible,  and  starting  growth 
slowly.  Repot  into  7-inch  size,  and  treat  very  much  as  for  the  annual 
plants. 
The  one  point  those  who  are  inexperienced  are  likely  to  fail  in 
with  these  is  allowing  too  many  shoots  to  grow.  It  will  be  found 
that  nine  well  developed  growths  are  as  many  as  a  plant  is  capable 
of  producing  and  ripening.  All  others  must  consequently  be  rubbed 
off  while  very  small.  The  shoots  will,  moreover,  require  to  be  supported, 
and  at  the  same  time  regulated  by  means  of  short  sticks,  one  for 
each. — B. 
—  »  i - — - 
Allamanda  Wllllamsl — AUamandas  have  for  many  years  been 
so  closely  associated  with  the  name  of  Henderson  that  there  are 
others  which  get  slight  notice.  A.  Williamsi  is  a  very  distinct,  though 
less  showy  and  useful,  sort  when  compared  with  A.  Hendersoni.  It 
gives  earlier  blossoms  than  any  other  known  to  mo,  and  forms  a 
shrubby  habit  of  growth.  Shoots  from  hard  cut-back  plants  produce 
clusters  of  small  tube-shaped  blooms  within  a  foot  from  the  point  of 
issue.  Such  plants  afford  an  agreeable  change  for  indoor  furnishing. 
They  are  continuous  in  bloom,  and  their  sturdy  growth  and  shrubby 
stature  fit  them  admirably  for  vase  work  in  the  house,  and  they  may 
be  grown  in  pots  of  a  size  convenient  for  that  purpose.  One  can  visit 
many  gardens  without  finding  this  Allamanda.  For  spring  flowering, 
however,  it  certainly  is  an  acquisition. — W. 
