May  20,  1897 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
435 
-  “Making  More  Gardeners.” — This  heading  to  a  paragraph 
in  last  week’s  issue  doubtless  conveyed  to  some  readers’  minds  the 
impression  that  the  writer  thought  there  were  too  many  gardeners  made 
already.  Really  it  does  seem  as  if  the  vocation  in  relation  to  work  was 
already  greatly  overdone;  indeed,  requests  for  assistance  to  secure 
situations  become  painfully  frequent.  But,  farther,  the  paragraph  itself 
naturally  leads  to  wonder  what  sort  of  gardeners  are  likely  to  be  turned 
out  from  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens.  Possibly  the  youths  finally  selected 
for  the  L  C.C.  Scholarships  will  think  themselves  fortunate,  and  if  these 
Scholarships  were  to  be  worked  out  in  some  practical  garden  I  could 
think  so  to.  But  the  Botanic  Gardens  are  partly  of  a  botanical  order 
and  partly  of  a  pleasure  order.  Young  men  may  learn  to  grow  plants 
in  houses,  and  something  of  the  orders,  species,  and  parts  of  those  inside 
and  out  ;  they  can  learn  to  mow  and  sweep,  to  weed  and  roll  walks,  to 
bed  out,  and  generally  keep  pleasure  grounds  neat  and  tidy.  But  with 
regard  to  the  far  higher  and  more  important  work  involved  in  fruit  and 
vegetable  culture  in  and  outdoors,  can  they  there  learn  anything  ?  1 
fear  the  outcome  of  even  three  years  of  such  training  will  be  very  dis¬ 
appointing.  After  all  there  is  no  place  for  a  youth  to  learn  gardening 
in  like  a  good  class  private  garden,  where  practically  every  department 
of  gardening  is  exemplified.  If  after  a  few  years  in  such  a  place  he  can 
get  a  couple  of  years  in  a  nursery  in  departments,  and  a  year  in  a  good 
market-growing  establishment,  then  he  would  have  first-rate  oppor¬ 
tunities  for  gaining  knowledge  of  the  most  useful  kind. — A.  D. 
PLANTS  IN  HOUSE  DECORATION. 
The  grouping  of  plants  in  a  miscellaneous  manner,  or  even  using 
one  variety  to  form  a  group,  seems  to  be  inadmissible  and  out  of 
character  with  artistic  surroundings  of  saloons  and  reception  rooms. 
But  even  to  this  rule  there  are  exceptions,  as  the  broad  landings  of  a 
double  staircase  where  each  side  might  be  flanked  with  plants  with  an 
appropriate  edging  ;  or  perhaps  the  extreme  end  of  a  suite  of  reception 
rooms  on  a  raised  buffet,  so  that  the  lowest  plants  in  front  are  not  much 
below  the  line  of  vision.  These  groups  should  not  be  in  any  way  formal, 
but  light,  graceful,  and  elegant  ;  the  buffet  or  cellarette  ought  to  be 
hollow  and  lined  with  zinc,  so  that  the  water  falls  below,  and  to  allow 
of  it  being  emptied.  No  pots  should  be  in  sight,  and  fresh  or  artificial 
green  moss  must  be  used  to  cover  naked  surfaces.  The  front  should  be 
draped  with  trailing  plants. 
In  these  groups  flowering  plants  possessing  beauty  of  form  ought  to  be 
arranged  thinly  enough  to  show  their  curvature  and  grace  to  advantage, 
and  those  distinguished  for  purity,  intensity,  and  brilliance  of  colour  in 
a  mass,  for  if  Nature  pleases  us  with  her  forms  she  enchants  us  with  her 
colours.  These  groups  will  perhaps  be  best  confined  to  one  variety  of 
plant,  excepting  the  drapery.  If  gradation  of  colour  is  attempted  it 
must  be  as  a  reflection — a  bright  colour  at  the  back  leading  to  some 
simple  shade  in  the  front  ;  but  dominant  harmony  as  shades  of  one 
colour  must  be  avoided,  contrasts  and  analogous  harmonies  being  most 
pleasing. 
By  the  latter  term  is  meant  relative  hues,  as  shades  of  colour  formed 
by  the  combinations  of  red  and  blue— as  crimson,  rose,  and  purple,  or 
shades  of  red  and  yellow  in  combination — as  scarlet,  orange,  and  salmon. 
In  the  class  of  plants  possessing  beauty  of  form  may  be  put  Callas, 
Poinsettias,  deciduous  Calanthes  (rising  from  greenery),  Liliums,  Francoa 
ramosa,  Gladiolus  The  Bride,  and  so  on.  Beauty  of  colour  may  be 
represented  by  Azalea  indica  (semi-double),  Azalea  mollis,  and  most 
hardy  forced  plants,  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums.  Jardiniires  on  mantel¬ 
pieces  in  front  of  mirror^  should  be  filled  with  plants  of  the  very  lightest 
elegance,  Cyperus  altemifolius,  Celosias,  Rivina  humilis,  Freasias, 
Roman  Hyacinths,  or  Pilea  muscosa.  Mirrors  in  corners  having  shelves 
in  front  to  hold  vases  are  very  pretty  draped  with  Panicum. 
But  what  adds  to  the  artistic  furnishing  of  the  rooms  are  the  plants 
that  stand  alone,  conspicuous  for  their  grace  and  beauty.  These  must 
always  be  faultless  specimens,  and  the  vases  containing  them  should 
stand  on  pedestals,  so  as  to  raise  them  up  within  the  line  of  sight,  or 
above  it.  The  tops  of  pianos  are  now  mostly  loaded  with  flowers,  and 
beautiful  flowering  plants  are  sometimes  used.  The  plants  standing  in 
window  recesses,  excepting  Palms,  should  be  flowering  or  bright  hued 
foliage  plants.  Yellow  is  the  colour  for  windows,  as  it  is  like  transmitted 
sunlight.  Yellow  is  also  the  colour  for  dark  or  badly  lighted  rooms. 
The  plants  for  boudoiu  are  mostly  flowering  ones  of  small  size,  and 
preferably  sweet  scented.  From  rooms  in  which  the  wall  coverings 
window  hangings,  and  carpets  are  of  green  or  sea  green  all  blue  shades 
must  be  excluded,  and  where  the  prevailing  colour  in  the  room  is  blue 
the  purples,  crimson,  rose,  and  a  great  many  other  shades  will  have  to 
be  excluded. — F,  Street. 
- # - ~ - 1 - 
BIRMINGHAM  NOTES. 
A  recent  look  in  at  that  popular  Midland  horticultural  resort — the 
Botanical  Gardens,  Edgbaston,  disclosed  several  specimens  worthy  of 
note,  as  for  instance  a  good  display  of  Spirrea  aruncus  astilboides,  with 
its  elegant,  creamy-white  coloured  plumes  of  inflorescence.  Attention 
was  also  drawn  to  another  denizen  of  the  greenhouse,  Streptosolen 
Jamesoni,  erroneously  formerly  called  Browallia  Jamesoni,  large  plants 
covered  with  rich  orange  coloured  short  trumpet  shaped  blossoms  ;  also 
in  close  association  with  the  preceding  was  that  uncommon  hard- 
wooded  plant,  Ochna  multiflora,  with  its  small  pendulous  parti-coloured 
flowers.  Not  the  least  attractive  was  a  display  of  several  of  the  leading 
varieties  of  both  “show”  and  fancy  Auriculas,  arranged  around  the 
centre  stage  in  a  cool  house,  whilst  in  a  contiguous  apartment  a  rich 
and  large  assortment  of  Gloxinias  was  noticed.  Gratifying  also  was 
it  to  observe  the  flourishing  condition  of  the  occupants  of  the  Palm  and 
Tree  Fern  house,  unfolding  their  attractive  bright  green  fronds. 
Apropos  of  Ferns,  Mr.  Latham  ventures  an  assortment  of  Filmies, 
including  Hymenophyllum  tunbridgense  and  Trichomanes  radicans  grow¬ 
ing  in  close  association  with  one  or  two  species  of  Todeas,  all  in  a  state 
of  luxuriance.  The  comparatively  few  Orchids  in  flower  at  the  time  of 
my  visit  claim  some  little  notice,  especially  with  regard  to  a  small  plant 
of  Angrsecum  modestum,  with  a  fine  single  raceme  of  its  pure  white, 
chaste  looking  infloresence.  A  healthy  piece  of  Cochlioda  Noezliana 
was  represented  by  several  spikes  of  its  uncommon  and  attractive 
flowers,  deep  rosy  coloured  ;  whilst  Cattleya  citrina,  Cymbidium  Lowi- 
anum,  Phaius  Wallichi,  Ccelogyne  elata,  Masdevallia  chimera  var. 
Wallsi,  Cypripedium  barbatum,  0.  Lawrenceanum,  Dendrobium  thyrsi- 
florum,  D.  infundibulum  ;  Odontoglossums  Pescatorei,  cirrhosum,  Rossi 
majus,  and  crispum  were  also  conspicuous.  These  were  supplemented 
by  large  specimens  of  the  gaudy  Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  which  does 
not  fail  to  attract  the  most  unobservant  of  visitors. 
In  the  outdoor  department,  where  order  and  neatness,  as  usual, 
prevail,  unfolding  vegetation  proved  attractive,  including  the  developing 
inflorescence  of  the  denizens  of  the  alpine  rockery  garden,  though  owing 
to  the  recent  prevailing  abnormally  cold  weather  these  charming  heralds 
of  the  summer  have  been  somewhat  retarded.  We  may  observe,  in 
conclusion,  that  Mr.  Latham  evidently  purposes  promoting  an  increase 
of  that  hardy  evergreen  Bamboo,  Arundinaria  metake,  by  reason  of  its 
persistent  evergreen  and  elegant  foliage,  affording  such  a  pleasing  relief, 
especially  during  the  winter  months,  to  the  surrounding  deciduous  trees 
and  shrubs.  Surely  an  extended  recognition  and  cultivation  of  these 
elegant  hardy  exotics  is  most  desirable  in  this  country  for  the  embellish¬ 
ment  of  our  shrubberies. — W.  G. 
THE  SCHOOL  GARDEN. 
Continuing  my  remarks  from  page  384  on  the  subject,  it  may  be 
well  to  point  out  that  the  District ‘Councils  are  empowered  to  provide 
allotments  for  farm  labourers,  and  doubtless  also  for  land  intended  for 
school  gardens.  Then  with  reeard  to  the  Education  Code,  “  Elementary 
Agriculture”  and  “  Plant  Life  ”  are  both  named  on  the  schedule  of  class 
subjects,  and  when,  according  to  H.M.’s  Inspector,  they  are  successfully 
taught  in  accordance  with  the  regulations,  a  sum  of  2s.  per  head  is 
allowed  on  the  average  attendance. 
By  the  term  “  school  garden  ”  is  not  meant  merely  a  small  plot  for 
flowers  adjacent  to  the  school  premises,  though  even  such  a  provision 
would  form  an  interesting  and  useful  adjunct  to  the  country  school. 
My  idea  of  a  school  garden  is  that  every  school  in  a  rural  district  should 
have,  as  conveniently  accessible  as  possible,  a  piece  of  land  large  enough 
for  the  purpose.  The  area,  of  course,  would  not  only  depend  upon  the 
extent  at  disposal,  but  upon  the  staple  and  quality  of  the  soil,  and  upon 
the  physical  ability,  intelligence,  and  industry  of  the  young  tenant. 
The  boys  of  standards  IV.,  V.,  VI.,  only  should  be  eligible  as  tenants, 
but  the  lower  standards  ought  to  have  access  to  the  gardens  under  proper 
supervision,  for  the  purpose  of  object  lessons  and  watching  the  process 
of  the  work  of  the  older  boys.  Each  plot  should  be  cultivated  by  the 
tenant  holding  it,  under  the  guidance  of  the  teacher,  whether  the  school¬ 
master  or  a  neighbouring  gardener  called  in  at  stated  times  to  assist  for 
a  few  hours  weekly  in  directing  the  work. 
It  appears  to  me  to  be  essential  to  success  that  the  land  and  the 
implements  employed  in  its  cultivation  should  be  furnished  free  of 
expense  by  the  managers,  and  that  no  charge  should  be  made  any  more 
than  for  the  use  of  the  schoolroom,  books,  pens,  and  paper  in  ordinary 
teaching.  They  should  be  regarded  as  an  outdoor  class-room.  The  time 
employed  in  the  garden  should  be  at  least  three  half-hours  weekly, 
another  three  half-hours  being  spent  on  lessons  and  book  work  on  the 
subject  indoors.  Each  boy  should  be  required  to  keep  a  logbook,  which 
should  contain  entries  of  cultural  operations,  digging,  sowing,  planting, 
hoeing,  watering,  and  gathering  crops.  Careful  accounts  should  be  kept 
of  the  smallest  item  of  expenditure,  the  time  spent  on  the  garden  and 
the  kind  of  occupation,  the  money  expended  on  seeds,  plants,  or  manure, 
parts  of  crops  taken  away  for  use  at  home  put  on  the  creditor  side  at 
market  value.  In  one  set  of  school  gardens  boys  of  eleven  years  have 
been  known  to  make  a  profit  of  12s.  in  a  year  on  a  plot  of  six  poles. 
A  small  amount  of  space  might  be  devoted  to  flowers.  It  is  needless 
to  enlarge  upon  the  advantages  accruing  from  such  a  delightful  recrea¬ 
tion.  It  may  be  well,  however,  to  take  note  of  the  fact  that  the  sale  of 
flowers  and  roots  is  now  a  large  and  increasing  trade.  Flowers,  which 
haK  a  century  ago  were  regarded  as  a  luxury,  are  now  an  apparent 
necessity.  Moreover,  the  encouragement  of  flower  gardening  among 
cottagers’  children,  apart  from  its  refining  influences,  is  not  infrequently 
a  welcome  addition  to  the  family  income. 
A  plot  of  eight  or  ten  poles  in  extent  might  advisedly  be  set  apart 
for  a  trial  or  experimental  garden,  in  which  the  quality  of  seeds  and 
manures  might  be  tested  with  different  modes  of  cultivation,  as  it  must 
not  be  forgotten  that  the  majority  of  the  sons  of  small  farmers  receive 
their  only  education  at  the  village  school. — Herga. 
