232 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  5, 1895. 
nor  place  for  tales  of  a  grandfather,  it  is,  I  think,  worth  calling  attention 
to  the  fact  that  for  the  purpose  of  mallets  and  beetles  Apple  timber  is 
unrivalled. 
In  the  correspondence  on  “  Disqualifying  at  Shows,”  page  156  (and 
previous  notes  thereon)  one  can  pity  the  exhibitor  who  in  his  ”  hurry 
and  rush”  counts  thirteen  to  the  dozen,  or — as  in  this  case — twenty-two 
to  the  score  (and,  it  may  be  noted,  that  the  error  is  oftener  one  of 
surplus  than  of  deficit);  but  is  there  any  reason  to  condone  the  fault  1 
I  think  with  ”  J.  W.  K.”  in  this  matter.  Peaches  or  Plums,  or  what  not, 
do  not  jump  about  like  Pat’s  pig,  whose  patience  was  tried  by  waiting 
for  it  to  stand  still  ere  he  could  count  it.  The  exhibitor  who  is  gene¬ 
rally  in  a  “hurry  and  rush”  has  yet  to  learn  a  primary  ethic  in  the  art 
of  showing,  and  the  sooner  he  learns  it  the  better  for  all  concerned. 
An  expert  chef  is  prone  to  adopt  foreign  nomenclature  for  his 
•dishes,  but  whether  it  be  a  Scotch  haggis,  an  Irish  stew,  or  “  011a 
podrida,”  as  on  page  160,  cui  homo  if  the  “  ingredients  ”  are  judiciously 
blended  and  tastefully  served.  Deep  in  the  mysteries  is  the  veteran 
hand  ;  generous  to  bestow  the  experience  of  long  years  ;  yet  withal 
.seeking  for  explanations,  as  in  his  query  on  ripened  wood.  What  say 
the  boys,  young  and  old,  to  the  master’s  query  ?  What?  Oh!  Another 
helping  of  your  new  dish,  please  Mr.  Deal,  and  never  mind  the  sauce 
piquante.  _ 
“Mignonette  for  Spring”  (page  161). — In  this  able  article  by 
“  E.  D.  S.”  is  given  the  practice  by  an  expert  grow'erof  this  homely  butever 
welcome  yet  somewhat  miffy  plant  under  winter  culture.  Those  who, 
like  myself,  are  not  quite  satisfied  with  their  efforts  in  this  direction  will 
doubtless  note  the  instructions  here  given.  And  those  who  have  failed 
to  notice  this  article  w’ould  do  well  to  turn  back  to  it  ;  in  which  case 
they  cannot  fail  to  derive  instruction  and  benefit. 
I  am  sure  that  all  who  read  “  A.  J.’s  ”  brief  eulogium  (page  172)  of 
the  deservedly  popular  tuberous  Begonia  will  readily  endorse  his  note 
■of  praise.  As  a  bedding  plant  we  have  yet  to  see  it  equalled  for  the 
beauty,  variety,  and  interest  it  yields  ;  and  its  hybernating  properties 
during  winter  congestion  are  simply  invaluable.  Being,  as  a  bedder,  so 
essentially  a  wet  weather  plant  I  do  not  quite  understand  “  A.  J.’s  ” 
caution  embraced  in  the  remark  that  “  care  should  be  taken  in  watering 
not  to  wet  the  foliage.”  To  my  mind,  when  grown  under  glass,  the 
nearer  we  approach  outside  conditions  the  better  shall  we  attain  that 
sturdy  luxuriance  produced  under  open  air  culture  ;  even  for  exhibition 
purposes  I  would  be  inclined  to  plunge  the  pots  outside,  and  afford  the 
plants  some  temporary  protection  on  the  approach  of  show  day. 
Apropos  of  the  discussion  on  the  Climbing  Canadian  Wonder  Bean 
(page  193),  the  thought  arises  and  promp  s  the  question  as  to  how  much 
of  its  high  (not  tall)  character  is  derived  from  its  being  a  novelty  ?  I 
trust  these  remarks  may  be  taken  without  prejudice,  for  the  Bean  in 
question  is  yet,  with  me,  sxi,h  judice.  In  some  seasons  French  Beans 
generally  display  a  tendency  to  run — a  feature,  I  have  been  told,  that  is 
to  be  attributed  to  imported  seed  after  a  bad  year  has  given  a  deficiency 
■of  home-grown  stock.  But  to  return  to  the  question  direct,  we  have 
noted  how  in  one  instance  the  Climbing  Bean,  to  its  glorification,  has 
attained  to  more  than  8  feet  in  height.  Possibly  another  season  the 
runner  may  be  induced  to  add  another  couple  of  feet  to  its  stature — and 
then  ?  Had  all  the  tribe  been  runners  one  could  understand  the  dclat 
with  which  a  dwarf  variety  would  have  been  received,  unless  it  was  by 
those  happy  ones  to  whom  stakes  (Hop  poles)  and  the  stormy  winds  that 
blow  were  not  matters  for  consideration.  But  “Time  tries  all  things,” 
even  run-away  Beans.  _ 
Amongst  the  “  Notes  and  Gleanings  ”  on  page  199  may  be  noted  the 
appreciation  of  the  Banana  by  English  fruit  eaters.  Here  1  see  the 
possibility  (remote  perhaps)  of  the  public  being  one  day  permitted  to 
realise  the  difference — the  vast  difference  —  between  home-grown, 
naturally  ripened  fruit  and  the  imported  clusters*cut  in  a  green  state. 
I  am  tempted  to  relate  at  some  future  time  my  experience  in  the  culture 
of  Musa  Cavendishi,  and  will  then  endeavour  to  show  that  our  English 
brides  may  not  only  be  adorned  with  home-grown  Orange  blossoms  (see 
leading  article,  page  193),  but  that  they  may  also  enjoy  the  lusciousness 
of  British  Bananas  at  tneir  wedding  breakfast. — Saynoe. 
RAISING  AND  PREPARING  VINES  FOR  PLANTING. 
I  HAVE  no  intention  of  prolonging  this  discussion.  I  hope,  with  the 
Editor,  that  some  good  may  result  from  it.  1  think  I  may  safely  say 
that  the  number  of  those  who  believe  in  the  3-inch  pot  system  is 
extremely  small. 
Mr.  Innes  may  be  able  to  work  wonders,  and,  indeed,  if  he  had  not 
been  able  to  do  eo  in  the  past,  he  could  not  have  recorded  the  crops 
obtained  the  year  after  planting  his  “midget”  Vines.  If  he  can 
produce  such  results  as  he  has  accomplished,  he,  at  any  rate,  need  never 
trouble  to  grow  his  young  Vines  in  any  other  way.  Had  he  grown 
them  on  in  the  usual  way  adopted  by  practical  men  in  all  parts  of  the 
country,  what  wonderful  results  would  have  followed  under  his  foster¬ 
ing  care  !  It  is  a  question  of  proportion.  If  Vines  planted  in  August 
out  of  3-inch  pots  produce  so  much  with  Mr.  Innes,  how  much  more 
ought  such  Vines  as  those  of  which  Mr.  D.  Thomson  sent  the  Editor  a 
sample,  to  produce  also  under  Mr.  Innes?  I  hope  he  may  go  on  and 
prosper. 
I  take  leave  of  this  subject  with  the  remark  that  I  hope  it  may  have 
been  of  use  to  somebody.  Truth  is  what  we  want  in  connection  with 
discussions  in  horticultural  journals,  and  when  nothing  but  the  truth  is 
advanced  discussions  are  certain  to  be  beneficial. — John  Thomson, 
Clovenfords. 
FAIR  OAK  PARK,  BISHOPSTOKE. 
Having  a  holiday  I  recently  wended  my  way  to  the  South,  and, 
accompanied  by  a  few  gardening  friends,  we  took  train  to  Botley  Station, 
and  soon  after  arrived  at  the  country  seat  of  W.  A.  Gillett,  Esq.  While 
passing  along  on  good  level  road  we  noticed  on  the  left  and  right  acres 
of  orchards  and  fields  of  Strawberries,  the  variety  of  the  latter  we  learnt 
being  mostly  Sir  Joseph  Paxton.  Arriving  at  the  beautiful  entrance 
lodge,  and  passing  up  the  carriage  drive,  we  noticed  on  our  right  a  fine 
cricket  ground,  made  expressly  for  the  club  composed  mostly  of  members 
on  the  estate,  which  Mr.  Gillett  prides  himself  as  being  one  of  the  best 
local  teams  in  Hampshire.  The  park  is  of  considerable  dimensions, 
well  diversified  by  magnificent  timber  on  an  undulating  surface.  Finer 
specimens  of  many  of  our  native  trees  it  would  be  difficult  to  find. 
Adjoining  the  mansion  is  a  terrace  garden,  which  slopes  gently  from  the 
house  to  the  lower  part  of  the  park,  at  the  bottom  of  which  the  river 
empties  itself  into  the  lake.  Passing  round  into  the  kitchen  garden  we 
noticed  a  fine  bed  of  Carnations  of  all  the  newest  sorts,  of  which  Mr. 
Gillett  may  well  be  proud.  The  kitchen  garden  itself  is  a  picture  of  neat¬ 
ness,  and  full  of  a  variety  of  everything  required  for  use  in  a  gentleman’s 
establishment.  In  the  frame  yard  is  a  large  number  Of  useful  structures 
filled  with  Melons,  Cucumbers,  and  doucle  and  single  Primulas,  in  good 
condition.  Mr.  Carr,  the  gardener,  may  also  feel  proud  of  his  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  of  which  he  has  about  250,  all  standing  out  and  tied  up, 
averaging  from  4  to  6  feet  in  height.  Amongst  others  we  noticed  such 
sorts  as  Duchess  of  York,  Lady  Randolph,  Miss  Goschen,  W.  Fyfe,  Mrs. 
H.  T.  Drewett,  all  giving  promise  of  good  blooms,  and  Mr.  Carr,  who 
has  been  a  successful  exhibitor  at  the  Southampton  shows,  may  be 
congratulated  on  the  progress  he  has  made. 
We  next  come  to  the  Orchid  houses,  which  are  the  feature.  Amongst 
the  Cattleyas,  all  a  picture  of  health  and  beauty,  we  noticed  a  fine 
specimen  of  Cattleya  Mossiae  elegans.  The  Odontoglossum  houses  are  a 
sight  worth  seeing,  as  they  contain  the  finest  collection  of  0 iontoglots  in 
Hampshire.  In  the  stove  house  is  a  fine  collection  of  specimen  Croton*, 
looking  the  picture  of  health,  besides  hundreds  of  small  plants  for 
decoration.  We  were,  unfortunately,  too  late  to  see  the  house  of 
Gloxinias,  an  account  of  which  was  given  in  the  Journal  last  season. 
After  partaking  of  the  kind  hospitality  of  Mr.  Gillett,  and  shaking  hands 
with  his  excellent  gardener,  Mr.  Carr,  who  has  been  at  Fair  Oak  nine 
years,  we  were  driven  back  to  the  station  much  pleased  with  our  visit. 
—North  and  South. 
SUCCESSION  OF  FOREST  GROWTH. 
Lumbermen  say,  “  When  the  Pine*  are  gone  they  are  gone  for  ever.” 
But  what  are  the  facts?  From  time  immemorial  such  trees  have  grown 
in  various  parts  of  the  Old  and  New  World  in  the  same  places  where 
Nature  has  been  allowed  to  have  her  own  way.  The  Pines  of  Maine 
have  been  cut  over  and  over  again  on  the  same  wild  grounds.  The 
ancient  Oaks  of  Britain  have  replanted  themselves  times  without 
number  on  the  very  spots  where  the  Druids  worshipped.  The  Redwoods 
of  California  and  elsewhere  yet  live  among  their  giant  ancestors  that 
date  back  even  before  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era. 
Despite  human  rapacity,  the  great  Cedars  of  Lebanon,  whose  sires 
were  cut  by  King  Solomon  for  his  temple,  have  repeated  themselves  on 
those  shaggy  heights — a  few  yet  lingering  under  religious  protection. 
The  0:ive  trees  of  Palestine,  and  the  Fig  trees,  and  the  Willows  on  the 
lower  banks  of  the  Jordan,  under  whose  shade  the  nomadic  Israelites 
pitched  their  tents,  have  again  and  again  during  all  the  centuries  since 
replanted  themselves  there,  rebutting  the  lie  that  they  do  not  succeed 
each  other.  If  these  instances  are  exceptions  to  the  rule,  they  count  for 
the  rule  when  conditions  warrant  it. 
If  we  rob  the  supports  of  the  Pine*  or  any  other  class  of  trees,  of 
course  they  will  die  out  and  another  species  of  less  value  may  take  the 
ground  and  hold  it.  The  reason  why  we  observe  so  many  tree  rotations 
is  because  we  interfere  and  produce  the  conditions  that  necessitate  them. 
“  When  the  Pine  forest  is  burned  over,”  says  Robert  Douglas,  “  both 
trees  and  seeds  have  been  destroyed,  and  as  the  burned  trees  cannot 
sprout  from  the  stump,  like  Oaks  and  many  other  trees,  the  land  is  left 
in  a  condition  for  the  germination  of  tree  seeds,  but  there  are  no  seeds 
to  germinate.  It  is  an  open  field  for  pioneers  to  enter,  and  the  seeds 
which  arrive  there  first  have  the  right  of  possession.”  The  cotton- 
winged  seeds  of  the  Aspens  and  other  Poplars  generally  get  ahead,  taking 
root  on  high  and  dry  soil,  where  some  other  seeds  would  die.  The  burnt 
laud  is  their  paradise,  and  their  paradise  is  the  forest  retrogression  which 
our  lumbering  methods  have  paved  the  way  for. 
Conifer  and  other  seeds  may  sprout  under  their  parent  trees,  but 
their  young  shoots  speedily  pale  and  die  if  the  shade  is  too  dense.  The 
same  result  occurs,  though  iu  reverse  order,  where  the  trees  are  all 
cleared  off.  If  they  sprout,  the  sun’s  excessive  heat  soon  kills  them. 
If  a  fire  burn  up  the  leaf  mulch  and  the  root  network  in  the  soil,  of 
