56 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  18,  1895. 
sowings  made  at  the  same  time,  tbe  rows  being  arranged  by  the  side  of 
each  other.  Bat,  of  course,  in  this  instance  Sutton’s  A1  scored  an 
advantage  in  consequence  of  being  a  wrinkled  pea  with  a  Marrowfat 
flavour. 
I  should  have  mentioned  previously  that  the  English  Wonder  grown 
here  is  not  the  same  variety  as  that  sent  out  by  many  seedsmen,  this 
former  being  raised  at  Kenilworth,  and  the  young  peas,  either  in  a 
cooked  or  uncooked  state,  are  decidedly  superior  in  flavour  to  those  of 
American  Wonder.  Many  other  kinds  of  Peas  were  also  grown,  but  I 
have  touched  on  those  with  the  most  pronounced  characteristics.  The 
whole  were  in  fine  condition,  and  for  a  dry  season  like  the  present  one 
showed  culture  of  the  highest  order. 
Strawberries,  both  in  pots  and  the  open  air,  are  largely  grown,  but 
the  bulk  of  them  consists  of  a  few  well  tried  varieties,  good  flavour  being 
a  point  kept  steadily  in  view.  For  this  reason  Garibaldi  is  grown  in 
quantity  for  early  work.  Though  not  particularly  large,  it  crops  well, 
and  is  thoroughly  satisfactory  at  Stoneleigh.  Mr.  Beddard,  Lord  Leigh’s 
genial  head  gardener,  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  good  qualities  of 
John  Buskin,  as  it  is  large,  early,  of  grand  colour,  and  fine  flavour.  In 
fact,  an  altogether  superior  form  of  Noble. 
A  few  of  the  pot  Strawberries  were  still  to  be  seen  in  pits,  carrying 
splendid  crops  of  very  large  fruits.  The  variety  was  principally  Lucas, 
one  which  is  thought  much  of  at  Stoneleigh,  and  judging  by  its  appear¬ 
ance  as  here  grown,  and  its  fine  flavour,  it  is  still  very  hard  to  beat. 
La  Grosse  Sucr4e  and  Sir  J.  Paxton  are  also  grown,  and  Mr.  Beddard 
hopes  to  give  Koyal  Sovereign  a  trial  next  year. 
Numerous  other  matters  of  interest  cannot  be  touched  on  now,  as 
our  visit  to  Stoneleigh  Gardens  was  quite  an  accidental  one  ;  being  out 
on  pleasure  bent,  but  coming  unexpectedly  in  sight  of  “the  garden 
wall ’’ the  temptation  to  enter  was  too  strong  to  resist.  When  once 
within  the  welcome  given  was  so  hearty  and  objects  of  interest  so 
numerous,  that  we  bad  at  last  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  in  order  to  avoid 
the -  searching  inquiries  of  those  we  should  have  joined  long  before. 
— H.  D. 
A  GLOXINIA  SHOW. 
Foe  the  past  few  weeks  Boses  have  occupied  almost  the  whole 
attention  of  floral  enthusiasts,  but  the  season  of  their  beauty  is  now 
rapidly  drawing  to  a  close,  and  thoughts  will  necessarily  turn  in  other 
directions.  It  was  to  see  an  exhibition  of  flowers  very  different  in 
character,  but  no  less  pleasing  in  their  particular  order,  that  in  response 
to  an  invitation  a  journey  was  recently  made  to  the  nurseries  of  Messrs. 
John  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  8.E. 
Visitors  to  horticultural  shows  will  be  well  acquainted  with  the 
character  of  the  flower  and  foliage  plants  exhibited  by  this  energetic 
firm,  so  that  it  was  with  the  expectation  of  seeing  something  out  of  the 
ordinary  that  a  visit  was  paid  to  the  home  of  the  plants.  Gloxinias  and 
Galadiums  were  the  chief  feature,  and  the  effect  caused  by  these  was  one 
of  merit  sufficient  to  satisfy  even  the  most  sanguine  expectations.  A 
more  suitable  day  for  inspection  might  certainly  have  been  chosen,  as 
with  the  thermometer  registering  considerably  over  80°  in  the  shade,  the 
temperature  in  a  low  span-roofed  house  may  be  easily  imagined.  In 
spite  of  this  drawback  the  sight  presented  by  the  Gloxinias  was  one 
not  easily  forgotten,  as  for  size  of  blooms,  diversity  of  colour,  and 
substance  of  foliage,  all  points  essential  to  excellence  in  cultivation, 
it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  collection  surpassing  that  of  Messrs. 
J.  Peed  &  Sons. 
The  arrangement,  too,  was  executed  with  tastefulness,  and  showed 
up  the  flowers  to  advantage.  Imagine  a  house  150  feet  long  staged 
from  end  to  end  with  Gloxinias  in  full  bloom,  interspersed  with  Maiden¬ 
hair  Ferns,  and  you  have  some  idea  of  the  show.  The  majority  of  the 
plants  were  seedlings,  and  it  would  be  futile  to  attempt  to  describe  even 
a  small  percentage  of  the  blooms.  Some  endeavours  were  certainly 
made  at  taking  notes,  but  so  extensive  were  the  flowers  in  point  of 
number,  and  equally  as  bewildering  in  variety,  that  any  such  idea  had 
to  be  dispensed  with,  excepting  in  the  case  of  a  few  specialities  which 
had  already  received  the  honour  of  a  name.  But  “  What’s  in  a  name  1  ” 
we  were  apt  to  remark,  as  a  number  of  those  not  possessing  that  mark 
of  distinction  were  from  many  points  of  view  equal  to  others  so 
honoured.  Many  of  the  plants  were  carrying  a  large  number  of 
superb  blooms,  some  pure  white,  others  deep  crimson,  and  others,  again, 
exquisitely  spotted. 
It  is  a  matter  for  surprise  what  cultivation  has  done  to  improve  the 
Gloxinia.  The  show  at  Norwood  was  sufficient  to  prove  this.  True,  there 
was  to  be  seen  the  old-fashioned  and  once  common  purple,  now  almost 
superseded  by  others  much  more  brilliant  and  effective.  Amongst  the 
specialities  Howard  Peed  was  particularly  attractive  with  its  large 
blooms  of  deep  crimson  edged  with  white  ;  Duchess  of  York  is  a  thickly 
spotted  variety  with  massive  flowers  ;  Shahzada  is  new,  as  may  be  gathered 
from  the  name,  dark  in  colour  and  heavily  spotted  ;  Lord  Salisbury  is, 
too,  worthy  of  mention,  as  its  white  bells  delicately  tinged  with  violet, 
render  it  extremely  elegant ;  and  the  colour  of  Purity  needs  no  explana¬ 
tion,  while  the  form  and  substance  of  the  blooms  are  all  that  is 
desirable.  To  stand  at  one  end  of  the  house  and  look  at  the  long  stretch 
of  thickly  bloomed  plants  was  a  sight  that  to  see  meant  to  appreciate, 
and  in  spite  of  the  variety  in  shade  no  erroneous  clashing  of  colours 
was  noticeable.  A  longer  time  might  have  been  spent,  but  the 
Galadiums  were  awaiting  our  inspection,  and  to  these  attention  was 
then  directed. 
Perhaps  of  the  two  Galadiums  are  more  closely  connected  with  the 
name  cf  Peed,  and  the  sir. and  the  general  excellence  of  the  plants 
certainly  uphold  the  reputation  of  the  firm.  The  plants  were  staged  in 
sloping  form,  and  shown  to  the  best  advantage.  Endeavours  are 
evidently  made  to  cater  for  all  tastes,  as  the  leaves  of  some  are  massive 
and  gaudy,  while  others  are  miniature  and  delicate  in  colour.  Varieties, 
too,  are  so  numerous  that  only  a  chosen  few  could  be  selected  and  noted. 
Amongst  the  recent  introductions  Duke  of  York  and  Lord  Bosebery 
claimed  attention.  The  former  is  very  effective,  the  footstalks  of  the 
leaves  being  dark  crimson,  and  the  main  portion  of  the  latter  a  bright 
rose  carmine  with  darker  midrib  and  veins ;  Lord  Bosebery  is  of  medium 
habit  with  bright  carmine  leaves,  the  margin  of  which  are  mottled  with 
light  yellowish  green.  Turning  to  the  general  collection,  the  first  to 
claim  attention  was  Baronne  Glara  de  Hirsch,  a  brilliant  and  distinct 
variety  with  creamy  white  leaves  dotted  with  numerous  rose  spots  and 
veins  of  a  reddish  brown  tint. 
John  Peed  has  transparent  leaves  of  dark  red  with  a  light  green 
margin.  La  Gorraine  is  very  effective  with  its  rosy  carmine  leaves 
edged  with  a  narrow  band  of  green.  Paris  de  Ghevannes  has  a  roundish 
leaf  slightly  pointed,  covered  with  large  white  spots  on  a  ground  of 
bluish  grey.  A  contrast  to  this  is  Bacine,  which  has  a  large  heart-shaped 
leaf  with  a  rose  ground  mottled  with  green.  President  de  la  Devansaye 
is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  seifs  grown,  with  leaves  of  a  delicate 
carmine  tint.  Marguerite  Gelinier  is  a  distinct  and  dwarf  variety, 
having  long  leaves  of  deep  rose  colour  with  rosy  violet  veins. 
The  above  are  but  a  few  of  the  great  many,  all  worthy  of  notice  and 
varying  in  price  to  suit  the  purse  of  all  purchasers.  Much  time  might 
be  spent  among  such  a  collection  as  the  one  under  notice,  and  to 
describe  the  delicate  shades  of  some  of  the  leaves  would  tax  the  powers 
of  an  expert  in  colours. 
That  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons  are  connoisseurs  in  the  art  of  cultivation 
is  evident  from  the  healthy  condition  of  the  plants,  and  the  collection 
is  but  another  instance  of  the  results  that  are  obtained  by  the  superior 
power  of  the  horticulturist. — Wandeeee. 
DO  PLANTS  ABSORB  MOISTURE? 
In  reply  to  your  correspondent  who  facetiously  signs  himself  “A 
Greenhorn”  (page  43),  and  asks  for  my  opinion  as  to  the  fact  of  leaves 
“  imbibing,  absorbing,  or  taking  in  water,”  I  may  say  I  do  not  think 
under  ordinary  circumstances  plants  are  able  to  absorb  water  by 
means  of  their  leaves,  and  I  will  try  and  explain  my  reason  for 
thinking  so. 
The  upper  surface  of  most  leaves  consists  of  one  or  more  layers  of 
closely  packed  cells,  without  intercellular  spaces ;  the  lower  surface  is 
similar,  but  differs  by  possessing  a  large  number  of  stomata  which 
communicate  with  intercellular  spaces.  Stomata  consist  of  two  guard 
cells  with  a  pore  between  them,  and  these  guard"  cells  contain 
chlorophyll  corpuscles,  thus  differing  from  the  other  epidermal  cells, 
which  are  empty. 
The  outer  wall  of  the  epidermal  cells  is  much  thickened,  and  covered 
with  a  continuous  layer  of  a  substance  known  as  cutin,  which  resembles 
cork  by  being  very  impervious  to  water  or  watery  vapour.  In  some 
cases  this  covering  consists  of  wax,  more  commonly  known  as  bloom, 
which  is  quite  as  impervious  to  water  as  cutin.  The  epidermis  of  a  very 
young  leaf  can  give  off  watery  vapour,  consequently  can  also  absorb 
water  if  the  leaves  be  wetted,  and  they  require  it. 
It  is  impossible  for  the  leaves  when  covered  with  an  impervious 
substance  to  absorb  water,  but  your  correspondent  brings  forward  an 
experiment  which  clearly  shows  they  do,  for  he  put  a  flaccid  leaf  under 
water  in  a  saucer,  leaving  the  stalk  end  above  the  water,  and  the  leaf 
freshened.  He  naturally  asks,  “  Could  the  freshening  occur  if  it  did  not 
take  in  any  water  ?  ”  I  answer,  “  No  ;  ”  for  the  turgidity  of  the  cells 
depends  upon  the  presence  of  water.  But  how  has  the  water  been 
absorbed  since  it  cannot  pass  through  the  epidermis  ? 
I  have  previously  said.  “  the  stomata  consists  of  two  guard  cells  filled 
with  chlorophyll  corpuscles,  having  a  pore  between  them,”  and  I  may 
add  that  it  is  through  this  pore  that  the  transpiration  of  water  takes 
place  ;  but  when  the  leaf  is  flaccid  the  pore  is  closed,  and  as  a  general 
rule  open  when  the  guard  cells  are  turgid.  When  a  leaf  is  syringed, 
wetted  with  rain,  or  placed  under  water,  the  two  guard  cells  of  the 
stomata  containing  protoplasm  and  chlorophyll  corpuscles  have  the 
power  of  absorbing  the  water.  By  so  doing  they  become  turgid,  and  so 
open  the  pore  and  allow  water  to  pass  into  the  intercellular  spaces,  to 
be  afterwards  absorbed  by  other  cells  of  the  leaf.  This  accounts  for 
leaves  regaining  their  freshness  when  placed  under  water. 
I  do  not  think  that  the  freshening  of  flaccid  leaves  after  plants  are 
syringed,  and  provided  with  a  close,  moist  atmosphere,  is  due  to 
preventing  the  evaporation  of  water  from  the  surface  of  the  leaves,  but 
rather  to  the  small  amount  of  water  they  absorb,  and  by  the  evaporation 
of  the  water  which  is  on  the  leaves  to  their  being  made  much  cooler, 
consequently  transpiration  is  checked  by  the  closing  of  the  stomata  by 
the  guard  cells.  Another  cause,  which  no  doubt  helps  the  leaves  to 
regain  their  freshness,  is  the  moisture  which  condenses  on  the  glass,  and 
to  a  certain  extent  obstructs  the  light,  thereby  reducing  transpiration. 
W.  B.  McNab,  in  his  “Morphology  and  Physiology  of  Plants,”  says, 
“In  darkness  the  stomata  are  quite  closed,  hence  very  little  watery 
vapour  is  exhaled  then,  and  if  the  temperature  is  low  the  process  becomes 
slow,  or  tends  to  cease  altogether.”  Dr.  Scott,  in  his  “Physiology  of 
Plants,”  says,  “  As  a  general  rule  they  (meaning  stomata)  open  under 
the  influence  of  light  and  warmth,  and  close  when  it  is  dark  or  cold.” — 
W.  D,,  Turnford, 
