194 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  3,  1898. 
The  late  Mr.  T.  Rivers  must  have  had  experience  of  the  hardier 
varieties  of  Apricots,  for  he  wrote  of  the  Breda  and  Alberge  as  the  “only 
kinds  that  succeed  in  England  as  standards  in  the  open  air.”  He,  how¬ 
ever,  took  to  growing  the  Apricot  under  glass,'  extolling  the  fruit  so 
grown,  in  his  first  edition  of  the  “  Orchard  House,”  as  vastly  superior  in 
quality  to  that  grown  on  walls,  a  mode  of  culture  I  also  tried  and  found 
just  as  unsatisfactory  as  that  of  growing  the  strong-growing  varieties 
against  low  walls  has  always  been  with  me.  This,  mark,  has  no  reference 
to  the  culture  of  the  Apricot  under  glass  as  a  separate  fruit,  or  in  a  house 
by  itself,  for  the  failure  arose  from  the  mixed  system  of  culture  advised 
and  adopted.  The  trees  were  certainly  healthier,  as  most  of  our  tenderer 
fruits  are  under  the  restrictive  root  system,  and  the  drier  conditions  of 
the  atmosphere,  as  compared  with  the  “  run  as  you  please  ”  outdoor 
principle  of  borders  for  the  roots,  and  the  crippling  of  the  limbs  on  low 
walls,  inducing  “canker ”  or  collapse  of  the  branches,  and  but  meagre 
crops  of  fruit. 
I  do  not  know  whether  Apricots  are  still  grown  under  glass  at 
Sawbridgeworth,  or  to  what  extent  the  raising  of  Apricot  trees  is 
practised  there,  or  in  such  establishments  as  that  of  Mr.  Bunyard  at 
iMaidstone  ;  but  the  “Orchard  House  ”  is  in  evidence,  and  to  be  that  in 
more  than  name  must,  according  to  its  founder,  contain  representatives 
of  all  our  choicest  and  tenderest  of  so-called  hardy  fruits.  This  is  the 
very  point  I  wanted  to  get  at — namely,  is  the  “  partial  or  total  failure” 
of  Apricots  on  walls  due  to  influence  of  unsuitable  stocks,  or  to  methods 
of  culture  under  unfavourable  circumstances,  and  on  these  points  no 
persons  are  so  able  to  express  an  opinion  as  those  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  different  varieties  of  stocks.  A  few  lines  from  these  gentlemen 
would  be  very  interesting  and  useful,  as  there  is  no  question,  as  “  W.  S.” 
puts  it,  of  the  Apricot  being  “an  uncertain,  and  fast  becoming  an 
unprofitable  crop  ”  in  this  country. 
For  this  there  must  be  some  reason,  as  “  W.  S.”  knows  trees  that 
“  are  over  sixty  years  of  age  as  healthy  and  fruitful  as  anyone  could 
wish,’’  therefore  the  success  points  to  something  wrong  somewhere  when 
Apricots  fail,  and  that  mainly  through  “  gumming,  and  the  sudden 
collapse  of  the  branches.”  What  is  it  ?  Lack  of  natural  shelter, 
defective  soil,  staple  and  comportents,  inefficient  drainage,  or  unsuitable 
stocks  !  In  addition  to  restriction  to  low  walls,  I  consider  the  stock,  and 
the  mode  of  raising  a  tender  fruit  in  the  open  ground,  as  the  foundation 
of  all  the  ills  in  Apricot  culture  against  walls. 
“  W.  S.”  further  observes,  “  Of  varieties,  Hemskerk  is  the  best  here  ; 
this  gives  large  fruit,  good  in  colour  and  quality,  ripening  about  the 
middle  of  August.”  Mr.  Iggulden  said  very  much  the  same  some  time 
ago  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  and  the  locality  of  Frome  certainly  is 
not  one  of  the  best  from  situation  and  soil  for  the  Apricot.  This  variety 
is  a  well-known  hardy  form  of  Moorpark  ;  and  if  so,  why  not  more  be 
raised  of  the  same  characteristic  hardiness,  and  even  better,  plus  the  good 
properties  in  size,  colour,  and  quality  of  fruit  ?  The  question  of  stocks 
also  comes  veiy  strongly  to  the  fore,  standards  or  riders  being  mostly 
worked  on  the  Brussels  stock,  and  the  trees  of  “Kaisha  and  Moorpark 
as  wall  standards  are  as  yet  satisfactory.”  Such  records  of  experience 
are  just  what  practical  cultivators  require  for  guidance,  in  order  to 
prevent  planting  trees  that  may  prove  unprofitable,  and  to  so  choose 
varieties  that  there  may  be  a  reasonable  prospect  of  remunerative  return 
for  investment  of  capital  and  reward  for  labour. 
The  “  dwarf-trained  trees  of  all  sorts  have  been  a  signal  failure,” 
writes  “W.  S.”  Nothing  possibly  could  be  more  decisive — standards  a 
success  because  on  a  hardy  and  suitable  stock  ;  dwarf-trained  trees  a 
failure  perhaps  through  being  on  the  St.  Julien  stock.  This  “saint” 
proves  very  delusive,  and  a  fearful  sucUerer  on  some  soils.  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  gummed  dreadfully  upon  it  with  me  on  heavy  soils,  while  the 
trees  were  awkward  to  manage,  and  to  keep  them  at  all  healthy  on  walls 
frequent  lifting  had  to  be  resorted  to  in  cold  localities. 
Mention  of  this  matter  raises  the  question  of  climate.  In  the  north  I 
have  found  the  hardy  Mussel  better  as  a  stock  for  the  Apricot  than  the 
St.  Julien,  and  the  Brussels  superior  to  either,  only  the  trees  must  have 
the  high  wall  of  the  cottage,  dwelling,  or  outbuilding  to  succeed  profitably. 
The  low  wall  means  the  narrow  border  of  the  garden,  and  roots  restricted 
correspondingly  with  the  branches.  I  have  nothing  to  say  against 
the  Apricot  succeeding  even  on,its  own  roots  or  those  of  seedling  Breda 
stocks.  Your  able  correspondent  hits  the  point  exactly  when  he  says 
“  newly  planted  trees  require  frequent  and  careful  digging  about  their 
roots  ”  —  that  is,  root  restriction  —  “  severing  any  tendency  towards 
grossness,  and  incorporating  with  the  soil  in  the  course  of  filling  in  lime 
grit,  road  scrapings — where  limestone  is  used  in  repairs— and  burnt 
refuse.”  This  is  the  practice  advised  by  the  late  Dr.  Hogg  for  keeping 
the  Moorpark  Apricot  healthy  and  fruitful  from  an  early  stage  after 
planting  against  garden  walls.  I  have  practised  it  for  many  years,  and 
found  it  in  every  way  satisfactory,  but  instead  of  patching  up  old  trees  on 
low  walls,  the  better  plan  is  to  root  them  out  and  plant  such  varieties  as 
come  early  into  bearing — e.g.,  Kaisha,  and  others  which  are  not  prone  to 
gumming  from  the  start,  as  nianjr  trees  are,  mainly  because  on  unsuitable 
stocks.  I  thank  “W.  S.”  for  his  very  practical  article,  and  trust  others 
will  take  up  the  running  on  similar  lines,  not  only  on  Apricot,  but  other 
branches— indeed,  all  the  ins  and  outs  of  practical  gardening,  for  it  is 
just  these  observations  and  experiences  that  carry  weight.  No  evidence 
tells  so  forcibly  as  that  which  is  founded  on  the  experience  of  real 
workers.  I  hope  to  hear  more  from  them.  The  simplest  matters  are 
often  of  the  greatest  value.  I  did  not  mean  my  articles  to  be  “  exhaus¬ 
tive,”  but  rather  to  elicit  information  for  the  'benefit  of  those  workers 
with  spade  and  head  who  are  desirous  to  learn  all  they  can  on  various 
subjects  in  gardening. —  G.  Abbey. 
Death  oe  Mr.  Rivers  H.  Langton. 
It  is  with  deep  regret  that  we  have  to  record  the  death  of  this 
promising  rosarian,  which  occurred  on  February  19th,  at  the  early  age  of 
thirty-six  years.  The  deceased’s  illness  was  of  brief  duration,  the  death 
being  caused  by  pneumonia  following  influenza.  Of  late  years  Mr. 
Langton,  whose  home  was  at  Raymead,  Hendon,  had  become  well-known 
as  an  ardent  lover  and  exhibitor  of  the  Rose,  which  ever  held  first  place 
in  his  affection,  though  he  was  equally  successful  in  the  cultivation  and 
exhibition  of  the  Chrysanthemum.  His  cheery  presence  at  the  exhibitions 
and  meetings  he  was  in  the  habit  of  attending  will  be  much  missed  by  his 
many  friends.  It  will  be  remembered  that,  on  page  376  of  the  Journal  of 
Horticalture,  for  October  15th,  1896,  Mr.  Langton  contributed  an 
interesting  analysis  of  the  Roses  he  had  shown  during  that  season.  * 
Rose  Muriel  Grahame. 
It  may  be  of  interest  to  some  of  your  readers  to  know  that  our  plant 
of  Catherine  Mermet,  which  sported  Muriel  Grahame,  has  again  put  forth 
the  same  variety  from  another  part  of  the  plant.  This  time  it  is  a  sucker¬ 
like  growth  from  the  base  (2  feet  lower  than  before),  and  bore  a  really 
good  bloom  that  was  afac-simile  of  the  Muriel  Grahames  I  have  seen  from 
time  to  time,  both  upon  our  own  plants  from  the  introducers,  as  well  as 
on  those  raised  during  the  past  few  years  from  the  sport  originating  here. 
— A  Piper,  Uchjield. 
Garden  Roses. 
Though  my  own  supreme  favourites  among  garden  Roses  are  chiefly 
Chinas,  Austrian  and  Penzance  Briars,  Teas  and  Hybrid  Teas,  I 
sympathise  with  Lord  Penzance  and  “D.,  Deal,"  in  their  opinion  that 
such  fine  Roses  as  the  Gallicas,  Hybrid  Bourbons,  and  Hybrid  Chinas  are 
not  so  widely  cultivated  or  frequently  exhibited  as  they  ought  to  be. 
Most  of  these  are  vigorous  in  constitution,  strong  growing,  highly  artistic, 
and  very  floriferous.  The  Dean  of  Rochester  has  recorded  his  conviction 
that  it  was  an  individual  bloom  of  D’Aguesseau,  whose  colour  is  crimson 
richly  shaded  with  purple,  that  first  inspired  him  with  his  passionate 
love  of  the  Rose.  One  of  the  sweetest  of  garden  Roses  is  a  Hybrid 
Noisette,  Madame  Alfred  Carriere,  which  has,  in  addition  to  its  soft  and 
graceful  beauty,  a  charming  fragrance.  It  is  an  admirable  Rose  for  a 
sheltered  south  wall. — David  R.  Williamson. 
Roses  and  Clematises. 
We  do  not  find  these  two  grand  flowers  grown  in  connection  nearly 
so  often  as  they  deserve.  Wherever  they  have  been  tried  together  I  have 
found  them  form  a  most  popular  combination  ;  but  perhaps  the  most 
pleasing  is  when  grown  with  our  pegged-down  Roses,  in  the  way  I  will 
endeavour  to  describe.  When  pegged-down  Roses  of  the  Mdlle.  Gabrielle 
Luizet,  Mrs.  Paul,  Margaret  Dickson,  and  similar  varieties  are  grown,  we 
find  very  few  flowers  late  in  the  summer.  In  addition  to  this,  the  plants 
have  rather  an  untidy  appearance.  Now,  if  we  plant  Clematises  of  the 
Jackmanni  and  Viticella  type,  we  get  a  glorious  show  of  blossom  at  the 
very  time  when  the  Roses  are  going  past  their  chief  beauty,  thus  keeping 
up  a  succession  of  flowers  in  the  same  bed.  There  is  need,  of  course,  of 
a  little  more  care  and  trouble  when  pruning  and  pegging  down  the  Roses, 
but  both  plants  enjoy  similar  treatment  otherwise.  The  Clematises 
should  be  planted  near  the  stools  of  the  strong  growing  Roses,  and 
alternately  with  them. 
Let  us  start  from  the  present  time,  and  follow  the  routine  of  operations. 
Our  Roses  are  now  being  pruned  ;  the  wood  that  flowered  so  profusely 
last  year  when  pegged  down  is  cut  away  entirely.  Any  Clematis  growth 
around  this  wood  is  also  cut  off.  The  classes  or  types  named  are  practi¬ 
cally  herbaceous  perennials,  and  may  therefore  be  cut  down  to  their  base. 
Having  cut  away  the  pegged-down  shoots,  we  strip  off  any  old  Clematis 
growth  from  the  strong  upright  shoots  of  the  Roses  that  sprang  from  the 
base  during  late  summer  and  autumn.  The  ground  is  cleaned  and  well 
mulched  around  the  plants,  previously  taking  the  precaution  to  place  some 
soot  around  the  Clematis  stools  as  a  safeguard  against  slugs,  which  are 
particularly  fond  of  the  young  growths,  and  eat  them  off  directly  they 
appear. 
Now  peg  down  the  Rose  shoots  in  the  ordinary  manner.  The 
Clematis,  being  close  to  the  Rose  stool,  and  an  early  grower,  will  fight 
its  own  battle,  and  push  up  through  any  Rose  growth,  while  as  the  long 
rods  of  the  latter  grow  from  the  base  the  former  will  ramble  round  and 
among  both  the  upright  rod  and  the  Rose  growths  where  pegged  down. 
It  is  a  characteristic  of  the  Jackmanni  and  Viticella  types  of  Clematis  to 
make  long  growths  and  flower  from  each  pair  of  eyes  from  July  until 
September,  the  very  time  when  our  Roses  of  the  class  named  are  bare  of 
blossom.  The  natural  effect  of  Clematises  when  growing  in  this  form, 
and  allowed  to  ramble  among  the  Rose  growth  at  will,  is  one  of  the  most 
delightful  features  in  any  garden. 
We  can  so  arrange  our  beds  of  pegged  down  Roses  as  to  get  a  good 
contrast  of  colours  from  the  end  of  June  until  the  latter  part  of  July,  and 
follow  this  up  with  contrasting  colours  of  Clematises  from  that  time  until 
late  in  the  autumn.  A  few  of  the  Clematises  we  have  found  best  for  this 
purpose  are;  Jackmanni  section — Jackmanni,  dark  violet-purple;  Jackmanni 
