5U 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  14,  1900. 
Baddleii  Colvilei. 
Writing  of  this  plant  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  says  : — “  It  is  certainly 
the  handsomest  of  all  Himalayan  shrubs,  and  it  is  impossible  to 
•exaggerate  its  beauty  as  seen  in  the  borders  of  a  Sikkim  forest,  covered 
with  pendulous  misses  of  rose-purple  or  crimson  flowers  relieved  by 
the  dark  green  leaves.”  In  European  gardens  there  has  been  little  chance 
to  see  it  at  its  best,  as  it  proved  a  shy  bloomer,  but  in  the  two  or 
three  places  where  it  has  flowered  it  has  quite  upheld  its  high  reputation, 
for,  in  addition  to  being  the  most  beautiful  Buddleia  in  cultivation,  its 
elegance  and  beauty  give  it  a  high  place  among  flowering  plants.  In 
1892  it  first  flowered  in  the  British  Isles  in  the  garden  of  Mr. 
Gumbleton,  Co.  Cork.  Several  times  since  it  has  flowered  in  the  same 
place,  its  flowering  also  being  recorded  from  Shropshire  and 
Southampton  in  recent  years,  while  at  Kew  it  is  now  flowering  for  the 
first  time. 
In  habit  it  makes  a  large  bush  with  long  arching  branches  bearing 
large  quantities  of  deep  green  leaves  6  or  8  in.  long  by  2|  wide.  The 
flowers  (6g.  139)  are  borne  in  drooping  panicles  9  in.  or  a  foot  or  more 
long  from  the  extremities  of  the  shoots.  Individually  they  remind  one 
of  a  small  Pentstemon  flower  about  1  inch  across  the  mouth.  They 
vary  greatly  in  colour  on  different  plants,  those  of  the  Kew  plant  being 
a  very  deep  red.  Except  in  favoured  localities  it  is  not  perfectly 
hardy,  and  even  in  those  places  it  is  better  against  a  wall.  Mr.  Gumble- 
ton  grows  his  plant  outside,  and  it  is  also  growing  out  of  doors  in 
■  Shropshire,  but  at  Kew  it  is  planted  in  the  Himalayan  house,  where  it 
appears  to  be  quite  at  home.  It  grows  well  in  light  loam,  requires 
plenty  of  thinning,  and  full  sun. — W,  D. 
- »  t - 
Notes  from  Gnnnersbary. 
A  Prolific  Nectarine  Tree. 
Filling  the  roof  of  one  moderate  sized  house  at  Gunnersbury  House 
gardens  is  a  single  tree  of  Lord  Napier  Nectarine,  It  has  been  planted 
some  twenty-five  years,  and  may  be  regarded  as  having  carried  full 
crops  for  at  least  twenty  years.  In  all  cases  the  fruits  being  pushed 
up  on  to  the  upper  side  of  the  tree,  there  seems  from  below  to  be  a  poor 
crop,  but  looked  at  from  above  the  crop  is  seen  to  be  a  wonderful  one, 
every  fruit  being  visible.  ■  This  year  the  tree  carried  500  fruits,  certainly 
a  heavy  crop,  yet  very  fine  and  superbly  coloured.  Last  year  the  crop 
was  lighter,  being  only  300  ;  still  if  for  twenty  yeai-s  the  average  crops 
were  400,  the  tree  would  have  in  that  time  produced  8000  fruits,  and 
have  thus  proved  to  be  exceedingly  profitable.  Taken  at  the  low  price 
of  6d.  each,  the  total  value  would  have  been  £200,  but  it  would, 
because  the  fruits  were  early  and  so  very  fine,  have  represented  a  much 
larger  sum.  There  is  no  reason  why  the  tree  should  not  under  Mr. 
J.  Hudson’s  skilled  attention  continue  to  fruit  for  many  years. 
[This  splendid  tree  was  illustrated  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture, 
July  27th,  1899,  page  81.] 
Pot  Gooseberries. 
In  a  very  large  span  house  at  Gunnersbury  Park  Mr.  Reynolds  has, 
with  many  of  other  fruits  and  flowers  in  pots,  some  fine  circular 
shaped  Gooseberry  bushes  in  large  pots.  These  are  about  3  feet 
in  height,  and  each  one  comprises  some  half  dozen  erect  stems, 
forming  cordons,  kept  hard  spurred,  and  are  carrying  large  crops  of 
fruits.  The  products  seem  to  be  quite  as  satisfactory  as  is  found  in  any 
form  of  fruit  culture  in  pots.  One  or  more  of  these  plants  are  well 
worth  illustrating.  The  varieties  are  of  the  best  dessert,  and  the  fruits 
produced  come  not  only  fine,  but  are  clean  and  well  matured.  It  is  not 
difficult  to  keep  such  bushes  clean,  and  though  they  need  constant 
attention  in  the  matter  of  watering,  yet  it  is  not  greater  than  other  pot 
trees  require.  Of  course  swelling  fruits  are  now  assisted  with  waterings 
of  liquid  manure. 
A  Tree  Killed  by  an  Iron  Seat. 
On  the  lawn  at  Gunnersbury  House,  Mr.  Leopold  Rothschild’s 
residence,  is  the  stem  of  an  Ash  tree  now  quite  dead,  but  which 
presents  the  strange  spectacle  of  having  been  killed  by  an  iron  trellis 
or  rod  seat,  which  many  years  ago  was  fixed  round  the  stem  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  ground.  In  placing  it  no  allowance  seems  to  have 
been  made  for  the  tree  trunk  to  swell,  with  the  result  that  in  time  the 
bark  overgrew  and  enclosed  the  inner  circle  of  iron  rod.  This  eventu¬ 
ally  checked  the  downward  sap  flow  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
alburnum  grew  over  the  ironwork  of  the  seat  so  much  that  ere  killing 
the  tree  the  bark  nearly  covered  the  seat,  and  in  two  or  three  places 
did  so  absolutely,  even  running  over  and  forming  points  as  though 
molten  metal  had  so  far  overrun  the  seat,  then  been  suddenly  hardened. 
It  is  so  far  an  interesting  object  as  showing  how  careful  those  persons 
should  be  who  fix  seats  round  tree  stems. — A.  D. 
horticultural  Shows. 
Tamwortlj  Paijsy  and  Viola  Show. 
June  4tb. 
This  exhibition  was  held  in  the  grounds  of  Tamworth’s  historic 
Castle,  the  gate  money  to  be  given  in  aid  of  the  “  Castle  Purchase 
Fund.”  Entering  the  show  tent  the  visitor’s  attention  was  arrested  by 
a  brave  array  of  Pansies  and  Violas.  Mr.  W.  Sydenham  and  family 
were  responsible  for  the  decorative  floral  designs,  chiefly  A  la  Viola  in 
composition,  and  some  estimate  may  be  formed  of  the  display  in 
question  when  it  is  stated  that  about  100  feet  of  staging  was  laid 
under  contribution,  and  incontestably  proved  the  adaptability  of  the 
soft-toned  colouration  of  the  Viola  and  its  shape  for  such  decorative 
effects.  In  the  competitive  classes  Miss  Sydendam  and  Miss  M. 
Sydenham  were  respectively  awarded  the  first  and  second  prizes  for 
floral  designs  in  Violas,  whilst  Miss  Stuchfield  was  also  deservedly 
awarded  a  first  prize  for  a  floral  harp  of  Sweet  Peas  and  W.  Allen 
Richardson  Roses. 
In  the  open  to  all  class  for  forty-eight  Fancy  Pansies  the  competi¬ 
tion  was  confined  to  Mr.  John  Smellie,  Busby,  Glasgow,  the  first  prize¬ 
winner ;  and  Mr.  T.  Naden,  Derby,  the  well-known  cottage  exhibitor, 
both  having  fine  blooms  of  the  leading  varieties.  The  same  exhibitors 
secured  the  prizes  in  the  classes  for  twelve  Fancy  Pansies  and  twelve 
seedling  Fancy  Pansies,  whilst  Mr.  Naden  was  accorded  the  premier 
award  for  twenty-four  Fancies,  dissimilar  ;  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Fowler  the 
second  prize,  both  having  fine  representative  collections.  The  class 
for  twenty-four  sprays  of  Violas  was  interesting,  the  first  prize  being 
awarded  to  Mr.  John  Smellie  for  a  meritorious  exhibit.  The  second 
prize  was  given  to  Mr.  Councillor  Waters  for  a  good  exhibit.  For 
twelve  sprays  of  rayless  Violas  the  order  of  merit  was  reversed. 
Prizes  were  offered  for  amateurs  residing  south  of  the  Humber. 
The  first  prize  for  twenty-four  Fancy  Pansies  was  secured  by  Mr. 
T.  Naden  for  very  fine  blooms  of  some  of  the  leading  varieties ;  Mr. 
W.  B.  Fowler  followed.  For  twelve  the  same  competitors  secured  the 
awards.  For  six  Messrs.  T.  Naden,  Paul,  and  Fowler  were  the 
respective  winners.  For  six  Fancy  Pansies,  one  variety,  Mr.  Naden 
took  the  first  prize  with  a  new  seedling  named  Mrs.  T.  W.  Sanders ; 
and  Mr.  Baldwin  second  with  David  Rennie.  For  six  seedling  Pansies, 
in  three  or  more  varieties,  Messrs.  T.  Naden  and  Fowler  occupied  the 
positions  as  named.  For  twelve  sprays  of  Violas,  distinct,  Mr.  Councillor 
Waters  was  the  only  exhibitor,  and  was  accorded  the  first  prize.  For 
six  the  same  exhibitor  gained  the  first,  and  Miss  Hanmer  the  second 
prizes.  Classes  open  to  amateurs  residing  within  twelve  miles  of 
Tamworth  Town  Hall. — For  twelve  Fancy  Pansies,  dissimilar,  Mr.  J.  W. 
Paul  and  Mr.  Fowler  were  the  respective  winners.  For  six  the  order 
was  repeated ;  and  for  three  blooms,  one  variety,  Mr.  Fowler  was  the 
only  exhibitor. 
In  the  miscellaneous  exhibits  Mrs.  W.  Sydenham  was  awarded  a 
special  prize  for  a  basket  of  mixed  Roses.  A  gold  medal  was  deservedly 
awarded  to  the  same  exhibitor  for  the  grand  display  already  mentioned, 
and  in  which,  it  should  have  been  remarked,  a  nice  collection  of  hardy 
flowers  was  included.  He  also  exhibited  a  special  board  of  Violas  con- 
taining  several  new  varieties,  amongst  which  the  best  were  The 
Sultan,  an  extraordinary  variety  of  a  shaded  dark  brown  colour,  and 
resembling  a  butterfly  both  in  shape  and  colour ;  Sydenham’s  Scarlet 
Viola,  apparently  a  cross  between  a  Fancy  Pansy  and  a  Viola,  and 
may  prove  the  forerunner  of  a  new  class ;  and  Mrs.  W.  Sydenham,  a 
rayless  rich  yellow  coloured  Viola  of  first-rate  substance  and  form, 
also  habit  and  constitution,  which  is  considered  by  Mr.  Sydenham  as 
the  best  he  ever  raised. 
- - 
I(oyal  National  Tulip  Society. 
Northern  Exhibition. — June  2ad. 
The  annual  -exhibition  was  held  in  the  Free  Library,  Middleton, 
near  Manchester,  on  Saturday,  June  2nd.  Considering  the  miserable 
nature  of  the  weather  experienced  during  the  last  month,  the  quality 
of  the  flowers,  especially  those  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Needham  and 
Bentley,  left  little  to  be  desired  ;  but  from  one  cause  or  another  few 
exhibitors  put  in  an  appearance,  and  a  sad  feeling  prevailed  as  one 
remembered  the  great  fights  for  the  cuo  in  the  days  of  Dr.  Hardy, 
Dr.  Horner,  Samuel  Bailow,  R.  Headly,  David  Barber,  Wm.  Kitchen, 
Wm.  Whittaker,  Daniel  Woolley,  Wm.  Parkinson,  John  Hepworth 
Wm.  Lea,  and  others — now  gone  to  their  long  home.  And  if  exhibitors 
were  few,  visitors  were  scarce  also,  although  crowds  of  people  passed 
the  door  on  pleasure  bent.  In  these  rapid  days  the  quiet  beauties  and 
refinements  of  the  Tulip  appeal  to  only  a  few  people  in  the  North  of 
England,  and  unless  a  great  change  occurs  the  Northern  Exhibition 
will  be  numbered  with  the  things  of  the  past.  The  bright  spot  of  the 
day’s  proceedings  was  the  visit  of  the  veteran  grower  and  raiser,  Mr. 
James  Thurstan,  of  Cannock,  who  brought  with  him  a  c  illeotion  of  his 
Own  seedlings,  which  were  much  admired.  Some  of  the  byblojmens 
would  undoubtedly  displace  Talisman  and  Adonis  were  they  in  general 
