296 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  8,  1897. 
ing  for  spring  gardening,  may  find  a  way  out  of  their  difficulty  by 
adopting  the  plan  above  given. 
Although  Pansies  and  Violas  are  now  grown  in  enormous  numbers,  it 
seems  to  me  that  there  is  a  still  greater  future  before  them,  as  they  give 
such  a  wealth  of  flower  compared  with  the  little  trouble  their  culture 
entails. — Flower  Gardener. 
SPRING  IN  LONDON. 
Where  are  we  to  look  for  the  signs  of  spring  in  the  great  metropolis  ? 
You  may  find  them  in  park,  in  garden,  in  disused  burial  ground,  and 
other  open  spaces.  Thanks  to  the  County  Council  and  the  authorities  of 
the  Royal  parks,  many  places  where  children  play  and  adults  walk  for 
recreation  are  made  beautiful  by  the  display  of  bulbous  flowers. 
The  Embankment  gardens  are  now  gay  with  Hyacinths  and  Daffodils, 
the  grass  looks  green  and  inviting,  and  the  trees  will  soon  be  in  full 
leafage.  During  the  dinner  hour  at  midday  the  Strand  and  Fleet  Street 
pour  forth  their  living  mass  of  workmen  who  hie  to  the  Embankment 
gardens  for  a  breath  of  fresh  air  and  a  peep  at  the  flowers.  The  gardens 
make  a  pleasing  frontage  to  the  great  hotels  and  other  buildiDgs  which 
fringe  the  bank  of  the  silent  river,  and  bright  patches  of  colour  are 
everywhere  conspicuous.  The  combinations  are  well  blended,  and  at 
one  point  the  smoke-blackened  statue  of  the  poet  Burns  looks  down  on 
a  circular  bed  of  white  Hyacinths,  surrounded  by  triangles  alternately 
blue  and  red.  Inside  the  gates  near  Charing  Cross  patches  of  mixed 
Hyacinths  look  effective  on  the  banks,  and  in  such  positions  this  seems 
to  be  a  gocd  method  of  planting. 
In  spite  of  the  never-ceasing  roll  of  traffic  which  passes  to  and  fro 
through  Parliament  Square,  the  carefully  tended  and  sttongly  guarded 
portions  of  greensward  and  flower  beds  have  quite  a  spring-like  appear¬ 
ance.  Standing  in  full  view  of  the  seat  of  their  labours  are  the  figures 
of  Lords  Palmerston,  Derby,  and  Beaconsfield,  with  Sir  Robert  Peel, 
and  round  them  are  large  masses  of  the  white  Hyacinth  alba  maxima, 
pink  Gertrude,  and  blues  Chas.  Dickens  and  Lord  Derby.  It  is  a 
redeeming  feature  to  see  something  natural  amid  so  much  that  is  arti¬ 
ficial,  and  from  the  tops  of  ’buses  people  catch  the  sweet  aroma  which 
rises  from  the  beds,  and  crane  their  necks  to  get  a  peep  at  the  flowers. 
The  grass  in  Parliament  Square  always  looks  well,  and  though  yet  early 
the  emerald  green  contrasts  pleasingly  with  the  bright  tints  of  the 
flowers.  No  other  signs  of  Nature  are  apparent,  unless  it  he  the  house 
sparrows  which  hop  fearlessly  about  as  though  the  enclosures  belonged 
exclusively  to  them. 
In  St.  James’  Park  one  looks  in  vain  for  large  masses  of  flowers,  as 
here  the  scarcity  of  beds  render  such  mode  of  planting  impracticable. 
Nor  are  such  required.  The  patches  of  Hyacinths  and  Tulips  on  the 
banks  and  edges  of  the  shrubberies  are  quite  in  character  with  the  sur¬ 
roundings.  Dying  foliage  in  the  grass  tell  where  Crocuses  have  been 
gay,  and  their  place  now  is  admirably  taken  by  Daffodils.  The  pink 
blossoms  of  Megasea  crassifolia  are  noticed  here  and  there,  and  Wall¬ 
flowers  are  rapidly  adding  their  share  to  the  combination  of  blossom  and 
bursting  foliage.  Overlooked  from  the  windows  of  Buckingham  Palace 
is  the  Green  Park,  the  gentle  slopes  of  which  in  their  mantle  of  verdure 
truly  merit  the  name. 
Entering  into  Hyde  Park  at  the  Stanhope  Gate,  and  turning  through 
the  flower  garden,  one  is  met  with  a  panorama  of  colour  as  brilliant  as 
it  is  bewildering.  Perhaps  some  of  the  individual  spikes  of  Hyacinths 
are  not  bo  fine  as  in  previous  seasons,  but  on  the  whole  the  show  is  up 
to  the  standard,  and  visitors  to  London  during  the  next  few  weeks  will 
do  well  not  to  miss  it.  The  admirable  blending  of  colours  foretells 
foresight  and  good  taste,  and  for  variety  it  is  hard  to  say  whether  any 
of  the  fashion  shops  in  Regent  Street  could  produce  anything  equal  to 
it.  One  does  not  often  in  private  gardens  see  Daffodils  and  Hyacinths 
mixed,  yet  what  a  charming  combination  they  make  I  In  Hyde  Park 
Narcissus  princeps  is  blended  with  Hyacinth  alba  maxima,  and  a  little 
further  on  the  massive  foliage  and  opening  blossoms  of  N.  Emperor 
make  a  charming  contrast  to  the  white  and  blue  Hyacinths.  In  another 
bed  Hyacinth  Mont  Blanc  and  N.  rugilobus  are  combined  and  sur¬ 
rounded  by  a  double  row  of  H.  Charles  Dickens.  Other  varieties  are 
planted  en  masse,  and  amongst  the  most  conspicuous  are  the  light  blue 
spikes  of  Couronne  de  Celle,  Orondates,  dark  blue,  with  such  well-known 
kinds  as  Lord  Derby,  General  Havelock,  Czar  Peter,  and  La  Grandesse. 
Not  the  least  conspicuous  are  the  beds  of  Narcissi,  though  it  is 
questionable  whether  they  are  not  more  pleasing  when  planted  in 
conjunction  with  Hyacinths.  Sir  Watkin  maintains  its  well-deserved 
reputation  for  floriferousness,  and  indeed  is  charming.  Just  a  mention 
of  N.  Golden  Spur,  Horsfieldi,  and  maximus,  which  give  variety,  and 
show  beyond  argument  how  indispensable  in  a  collection  of  spring 
bulbous  flowers  is  the  nodding  Daffodil.  Tulips  will  be  all  aglow  when 
Hyacinths  are  on  the  wane,  and  thus  the  show  is  prolonged.  Some  of 
the  most  forward  are  already  showing  bloom,  particularly  Keizers  Kroon, 
which  is  planted  in  large  masses.  Other  beds  are  filled  with  Canary- 
bird,  Joost  van  Vondel,  Duke  of  York,  and  varieties  of  equal  standard. 
Little  blue  Scillas,  Daisies,  and  Wallflowers  all  add  their  share,  and 
interesting  are  the  remarks  passed  by  the  varying  sorts  and  conditions 
of  men  and  women  who  perambulate  daily  between  the  Stanhope  Gate 
and  the  Marble  Arch. 
Regent's  Park,  ever  famous  for  its  Zoological  and  Botanical  Gardens, 
its  avenues  of  giant  forest  trees,  and  delightful  walks,  has  now  another 
feature  of  more  than  passing  interest — its  spring  flowers.  The  authorities 
by  judicious  planting  and  careful  arrangement  have  created  a  reputation 
in  this  direction,  and  this  season’s  display  bids  fair  to  maintain  it. 
Hyacinths  are  all  aglow,  as  soon  will  be  the  Tulips,  Wallflowers  and 
Doronicums.  The  long  lints  of  Horse  Chestnuts  are  rapidly  putting  on 
their  mantle  of  green,  and  will  look  all  the  brighter  ere  their  growth 
becomes  sullied,  as  soon  it  must  do,  amid  the  grimy  surroundings.  One 
does  not  have  to  go  quite  close  to  see  that  the  circle  masses  of  gold  are 
caused  by  the  tall  flowers  of  N.  Horsfieldi  and  N.  Sir  Watkin.  It  is 
possible  to  notice  a  few  diversions  from  previous  years,  one  of  these 
being  the  planting  of  several  large  beds  with  mixed  Hyacinths.  The 
effect  is  pleasing,  and  is  rendered  more  so  from  the  fact  that  the  surface 
is  undulating,  this  doing  away  with  the  flatness  that  is  sometimes  com¬ 
plained  of.  Along  the  narrow  borders  that  run  the  length  of  the  garden 
Hyacinths  are  dispersed  in  miniature  triangles,  Robert  Steiger  being 
particularly  fine.  Narcissus  Emperor  and  Wallflowers  make  a  pleasing 
combination  in  a  large  three-cornered  bed.  and  a  similar  area  is  devoted 
to  the  telling  flowers  of  Tulip  Keizers  Kroon.  Among  other  beds  of 
Hyacinths  planted  en  masse  it  is  easy  to  discriminate  the  light  blue  of 
Lord  Derby  and  the  pink  of  Gertrude. 
To  the  lover  of  mixtures  the  banks  and  slopes  will  have  a  particular 
interest.  These  Hyacinths,  Daffodils,  Tulips,  Scillas,  and  the  like  are 
vieing  with  each  other  for  prominence,  and  dispersed  without  any 
attempt  at  classification  in  that  easy  natural  way  which  gives  such 
favour  to  this  mode  of  planting.  Every  adaptable  position  is  beautified, 
or  will  be  in  due  course,  as  many  flowers  have  yet  to  unfold.  Pink 
Megaseas  are  telling  of  their  presence  here  and  there,  and  the  permanent 
Daffodils  in  the  grass  nod  gracefully  in  the  sunlight;  As  one  turns  from 
the  masses  in  the  flower  beds  to  these  seemingly  wild  breadths  which 
stretch  over  the  carpet  of  green  one  is  undecided  which  makes  the  more 
pleasing  picture;  both  have  their  bright  features.  So  much  for  the 
spring  flowers  in  the  heart  of  the  great  city  ;  but  what  of  those  that 
adorn  the  County  Council  parks,  and  lie  dotted  about  in  the  outer 
radius !  Space  forbids  mention  of  them  here,  but  they  shall  form  the 
subject  of  future  notes. — G.  H.  H. 
BERWICK  HALL. 
Berwick  Hall,  Shrewsbury,  the  seat  of  W.  G.  Phillips,  Esq.,  is  a- 
charming  residence,  elevated  upon  terraces  overlooking  the  Severn,  and 
a  lovely  span  of  country  backed  by  hills  clothed  with  fine  woods.  It  is 
surrounded  with  beautiful  gardens  and  extensive  pleasure  grounds, 
making  it  a  delightful  home,  and  a  most  pleasant  place  to  visit. 
Mr.  Bradley,  from  the  Wergs  Hall  Gardens  ;  Mr.  Simpson,  The  Mount 
Gardens  ;  and  myself,  spent  a  very  enjoyable  day  in  looking  over  the 
grounds  inspecting  the  grand  collection  of  Dendrobiums  and  other 
Orchids.  Several  hundreds  of  the  firmer  were  arranged  in  the  flowering 
house  ready  for  the  photographer,  and  it  was  glorious  sight.  All  lovers 
of  Orchids  will  be  able  to  judge  when  I  tell  them  what  varieties  were 
displayed  there.  Below  are  a  number  of  varieties  that  were  noticed  : — 
Dendrobiums  nobile,  densiflorum,  Wardianum,  W.  candidum,  W.  gigan- 
teum,  D.  Farmeri,  thyrsiflorum,  pulchellum,  Pierardi,  Parishi,  nobile 
nobilius,  N.  intermedium,  formosum  giganteum,  Fmdleyanum,  fimbri- 
atum  oculatum,  Falconeri,  Devonianum,  Dalhouseianum,  crassinode, 
chrysotoxum,  chrysanthum,  bigibbum,  superbum.  and  many  others.  Mr. 
Burrows,  the  clever  and  genial  gardener,  escorted  us  through  the  Orchid 
and  other  houses,  explaining  all  that  was  interesting  and  instructive, 
and  the  methods  he  had  adopted  to  bring  his  Orchids  to  that  state  of 
perfection  we  found  them  in. 
There  are  four  very  fine  vineries,  and  the  Vines  were  all  one  could 
desire  at  this  period  of  the  year.  Everything  in  the  kitchen  garden 
was  in  excellent  order  and  very  clean.  On  the  south  wall  an  orchard¬ 
casing  ran  the  whole  length.  We  were  told  that  no  fruit  of  any 
importance  has  ever  been  grown.  This  could  not  have  been  the  fault 
of  the  casing  or  its  position  ;  it  would  be  impossible  to  have  better.  The 
fault  must  have  been  in  the  border  and  at  the  roots,  and  this  is  where 
Mr.  Burrows  has  gone  for  his  remedy.  Excellent  are  the  results.  Good 
wood,  plenty  of  bloom,  and  the  prospects  of  a  heavy  fruit  crop. 
A  stroll  along  shady  walks,  passing  naturally  formed  gardens, 
rockeries,  and  by  beautiful  undulated  lawns  dotted  with  clumps  and 
single  specimens  of  flowering  and  foliage  shrubs  and  Conifers,  across 
terraces,  here  and  there  getting  a  view  of  the  most  beautiful  mansion, 
brought  us  to  the  river  bank  of  the  Severn.  Here  one  could  stroll  for 
miles,  up  hill  and  down,  having  all  the  while  many  interesting  scenes 
to  view. 
It  was  pleasing  to  hear  all  the  while  how  much  interest  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Phillips  took  in  horticulture  and  forestry,  also  in  their  workpeople* 
While  I  believe  Mr.  Burrows  ia  the  right  man  in  the  right  place,  I  cannot 
but  think  how  fortunate  he  is  in  having  the  honour  of  serving  such 
employers.  This  was  a  pleasure  trip,  not  taken  with  the  view  of  writing 
a  report  of  the  place,  otherwise  several  columns  of  interesting  reading 
could  have  been  penned. — G.  A.  Bishop. 
[We  have  received  from  Mr.  G.  Burrows  a  photograph  of  the  Orchid 
house  referred  to  by  Mr.  Bishop.  This  shows  plants  flowering  splendidly 
and  in  the  best  of  health,  but  the  picture  is  unfortunately  too  dense  for 
successful  reproduction.] 
The  Quality  op  Potatoes. — Many  years  ago  a  Potato  grower  and 
buyer  informed  me  that  he  had  noticed  that  the  kidney  Potato  grown 
in  his  parish  turned  black  on  those  lands  on  which  woollen  refuse 
from  the  blanket  manufactories  was  used  as  manure.  Now,  as  wool 
decomposes  into  nitrogen,  this  corroboiates  “  W.  G.’s”  opinion,  that 
the  discolouration  is  caused  by  the  use  of  nitrate  of  soda.  This  did  not 
occur  in  dry  seasons,  as  the  wool  not  undergoing  decomposition  would 
fail  to  supply  nitrogen  to  the  plants. — Oxon. 
