Mny  la,  iHWi. 
JOUmAL  01^  tlOUTWlILTUUH:  AND  aoTTAOD  GAHDmDU. 
A  CALL  AT  WILLIAMS’. 
It  1*  probably  very  rare  to  find  bortioulturigt  go  to  Holloway  or  Its 
Immediate  neighbournocd  without  making  a  call  at  the  Victoria  and 
Paradise  Nurseries  of  Messrs.  B,  S,  Williams  &  Son,  and  it  is  certain  that 
something  will  be  found  to  repay  the  visit.  It  will  not  be  long  ere,  to  see 
the  whole  of  the  firm’s  stock,  the  journey  will  have  to  be  extended  as  far 
as  Finchley,  where  several  acres  of  land  have  been  acquired,  as  was 
briefly  noted  in  the  last  issue  of  the  JournaL  The  advantages  of  such  a 
secondary  establishment  to  a  nursery  business  will  be  apparent  to  all  who 
are  conversant  with  the  difficulties  that  have  to  be  surmounted  when 
growing  plants  in  London.  It  may  be  said  that  Holloway  is  blessed 
with  a  pure  atmosphere,  but  such  is  not  the  case,  for  smoke  and  fogs  are 
far  too  abundant,  and  there  will  doubtless  be  quite  sufficient  at  Finchley, 
where,  as  a  rule,  the  air  is  purer  and  more  bracing  than  it  is  closer  to  the 
metropolis. 
However,  much  cannot  yet  be  said  relative  to  the  new  place,  save  to 
surmise  that  it  will  not  be  a  great  time  before  it  is  as  well  stocked  as  the 
old  home  at  the  foot  of  Highgate  Hill.  There  may  be  seen  thousands  of 
flowering  plants,  equally  large  numbers  of  those  grown  for  their  foliage, 
while  it  is  needless  to  add  that  Orchids  are  seen  on  every  side.  Vast 
quantities  of  choice  flowers.  Ferns,  Palms,  and  others,  are  required  for 
one  purpose  alone — namely,  the  maintenance  of  a  constant  supply  to  the 
floral  store  in  Piccadilly,  where  may  always  be  seen  something  of  more 
than  ordinary  beauty,  and  displayed  in  a  most  artistic  fashion.  Quality 
of  flower  or  leafage  is  of  paramount  importance  here,  and  it  will  be  for  its 
service  that  the  Finchley  nursery  will  be  of  the  utmost  value.  The  firm’s 
skill  in  the  making  of  floral  devices  is  widely  known,  while  the  excellence 
of  the  flowers  and  foliage  is  of  the  highest. 
Though  there  are  not  a  great  many  houses  at  Holloway  it  is  needless 
to  say  that  the  most  has  been  made  of  the  ground  at  disposal,  while  the 
structures  themselves  are  full  to  repletion.  The  stock  is  of  all  kinds  and 
varieties,  and  the  major  portion  of  the  plants  are  in  excellent  health. 
The  number  of  Palms  in  variety  is  enormous,  and  the  diversity  of  size  is 
most  marked,  some  being  scarcely  more  than  seedlings,  whereas  others 
tower  high  above  the  head  in  the  great  conservatory  at  the  main  entrance. 
Enumeration  of  varieties  is  not  desirable,  as  all  are  grown  that  are 
suitable  for  any  phase  of  decoration.  Crotons,  too,  are  a  great  feature, 
and  it  is  little  short  of  surprising  to  see  the  richness  and  intensity  of  the 
colour  development  when  we  think  of  the  smoky  glass  that  surmounts 
them.  Other  coloured  foliage  plants  are  of  the  same  high  order,  proving 
that  the  defects  in  the  climatal  conditions  are  made  up  for  by  general 
excellence  of  cultivation  in  every  stage  of  the  plant’s  growth. 
Very  noticeable  as  the  several  houses  were  traversed  were  the  finer 
foliaged  Aralias,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  beauty  and  elegance  of  these 
plants  were  appreciated.  Ferns  occupied  a  considerable  amount  of  space,  as 
did  Caladiums  in  various  stages  of  growth.  One  might  further  enlarge 
upon  the  foliage  plants,  but  mention  must  be  made  of  the  forms  of  Pitcher 
Plants  that  prove  of  so  much  interest  to  visitors.  The  most  largely  grown 
are  the  Nepenthes,  with  their  pitchers  at  the  extremities  of  the  leaves. 
The  varieties  were  numerous,  and  the  plants  were  in  capital  condition. 
Then  the  North  American  Pitchers,  commonly  called  Side  Saddle  Flowers, 
from  the  more  or  less  fanciful  resemblance  of  the  flower  to  a  lady’s  saddle, 
and  botanicaliy  known  as  Sarracenias.  These  having  been  duly  admired, 
the  almost  recumbent  pitchers  of  Cephalotus  follicularis  were  compared 
with  those  of  the  large  Nepenthes,  and  the  difference  of  habit  noted  by  our 
guide,  Mr.  Glendenning.  Just  another  carnivorous  plant  was  observed — 
namely,  Dionaea  muscipula,  whose  peculiar  leaves  proved  almost  fascinating 
to  some  ladies  who  were  visiting  the  nursery. 
Turning  now  to  the  flowering  plants  we  find  ourselves  confronted  with 
a  very  long  list,  including  Indian  and  mollis  Azaleas,  excellent  Gannas, 
Carnations,  Lilacs,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  splendid  Olivias  with  their  hand¬ 
some  leaves  and  great  globular  heads  of  flowers,  and  which  are  here  grown 
to  such  perfection  ;  Amaryllises,  past  their  best,  but  still  bearing  traces 
of  a  former  greatness,  and  Anthuriums  with  hundreds  of  their  brilliant 
scarlet  and  other  coloured  spathes,  with  a  profusion  of  Orchids.  In  order 
to  reserve  space  for  a  few  of  the  most  noteworthy  of  the  latter  no  more 
plants  will  be  named,  for  readers  will  know  their  names  when  it  is  said 
that  all  seasonable  ones  were  there  in  abundance.  The  collection  of  Orchids 
at  these  nurseries  is  probably  larger  than  many  people  suppose,  and  it 
embraces  all  the  popular  kinds  in  bulk,  with  others  in  lesser  numbers 
according  to  their  importance.  House  after  house  contained  nothing  but 
Orchids,  some  in  flower,  others  just  showing,  with  still  more  past  their 
zenith  ;  but  each  and  every  one  in  good  health  and  condition. 
Odontoglossums  were  making  a  rich  display,  and  several  forms  of 
crispum  were  observed  that  were  distinctly  ab'^ve  average  merit. 
O.  Ruckerianum,  O.  Harryanum,  O.  polyxanthum,  and  O.  e^cellens 
were  represented,  as  welt  as  0.  cirrhosura,  O.  luteo-purpureum,  and 
O.  triumphans.  Cattleyas  were  not  quite  at  their  best,  but  forms  of 
Mendeli  and  Lawrenceana  were  observed,  with  abundant  promise  on  the 
other  plants.  Forms  of  Laelia  purpurata  were  fairly  numerous,  some  being 
of  great  merit,  while  Cymbidiums,  Vandas,  Ada  aurantiaca,  Oncidiums, 
Phalaenopsis,  Dendrobiums,  and  Lycastes  were  numerous  and  good.  But 
of  all  the  Orchids  the  Cypripediums  were  making  the  best  display,  and 
what  with  species,  hybrids,  and  varieties,  were  well  nigh  endless.  Almost 
all  of  those  that  Bower  at  this  period  of  the  year,  such  as  Leeanum, 
Gertrude  Hollington,  grande,  Charlesworthi,  and  Sedeni  were  seen  and 
admired  for  their  handsome  flowers  and  their  rude  health.  These  there 
were  and  others,  but  those  readers  who  would  know  more  of  the 
occupants  of  the  Victoria  and  Paradise  Nurseries  should  wend  their  way 
to  Holloway  as  early  as  they  can,  and  will,  like  us,  be  more  than  satisfied 
with  what  they  see. — P.  J.  R. 
THE  yOUNa  GARDENEES*  DOMAIN, 
Exphbiment,  Buoohss, 
Thu  defective,  irregular  break  of  the  young  rods  in  opr  early  and 
midseason  vineries  this  year  proved  to  be  a  source  of  great  anxiety  and 
disappointment.  At  the  time  of  starting  they  were  tied  in  the  orthodox 
style  generally  advocated  and  adopted — viz.,  by  depressing  the  ends  to 
form  a  slight  curve.  This  method,  it  is  affirmed,  retards  the  rush  of  sap 
to  the  upper  part  of  the  rods,  and  assists  in  distributing  it  evenly  from 
base  to  apex.  But  does  it  produce  the  desired  effect  ?  After  studiously 
observing  the  results  of  this  method  (and  it  was  my  privilege  to  receive 
my  elementary  gardening  education  at  a  place  where  two  score  pot  Vines 
were  annually  grown,  besides  lour  established  vineries),  I  reply  in  the 
negative. 
The  young  rods  in  question  made  a  most  satisfactory  break  on  the 
outside  of  the  curve,  but  the  inside,  or  under  eyes,  scarcely  made  a  start, 
and  are  at  the  present  moment  a  great  eyesore.  The  old  rods  in  the 
same  houses  were  suspended  longitudinally,  and  made  a  most  desirable 
break.  * 
This  observation,  after  some  thought,  led  to  an  experiment.  When 
starting  the  late  vinery,  instead  of  tying  the  young  rods  down  in  the 
orthodox  style,  they  were  suspended  the  same  as  the  old  rods.  They 
produced  a  result  exceeding  all  anticipation,  breaking  evenly  the  full 
length  of  the  rods,  thus  practically  proving  the  fallacy  of  the  tying  down 
practice. 
I  have  frequently  heard  complaints  about  the  irregular  break  of  young 
Vine  rods,  so  perhaps  these  few  notes  may  prove  ot  assistance.  May  I 
be  allowed  to  ask  those  who  still  consider  it  necessary  to  adhere  to  the  old 
practice  of  tying  down — Would  it  not  somewhat  obviate  the  irregularity 
of  the  break  by  bringing  the  ends  over  vice  versa  after  a  few  days’  start, 
thus  giving  the  same  treatment  to  both  sides  of  the  rods  ?  Perhaps 
some  experienced  cultivators  will  enlighten  our  minds  on  the  subject. 
— ViNIFEBA. 
Wallflowees. 
Wallplowees  are  largely  grown  for  spring  bedding,  and  when 
bushy  plants  are  to  be  had  in  the  autumn  a  grand  display  of  bloom  may 
be  expected.  Many  failures  can  be  attributed  to  late  sowing,  leaving  the 
seedlings  to  become  drawn  and  weakly  in  the  seed  beds,  or  indifferent 
cultivation  afterwards.  When  sown  late  they  do  not  make  such  free 
growth  or  mature  it,  and  consequently  do  not  flower  so  freely. 
Seeds  should  be  sown  about  the  middle  of  May,  on  a  border  which  has 
an  open  sunny  aspect ;  they  are  partial  at  this  stage  to  a  rather  poor  soil, 
well  worked  and  gritty.  When  2  inches  high  transplant  them  into  rows 
6  inches  asunder,  and  3  inches  apart  in  the  rows.  In  three  weeks  or  a 
month  the  plants  should  be  again  transplanted,  lifting  every  other  row, 
and  each  alternate  plant  from  the  rows  that  remain,  care  being  taken  to 
keep  as  much  soil  adhering  to  the  roots  as  possible. 
The  plants  which  are  removed  should  be  placed  a  foot  apart  each 
way,  which  gives  them  ample  room  to  develop.  If  the  weather  is  dry  a 
thorough  watering  is  necessary,  and  weekly  waterings  afterwards  should 
hot  weather  prevail.  Occasionally  stirring  the  soil  with  a  hoe  between 
the  plants  is  beneficial  to  them.  Under  the  foregoing  treatment  they  will 
make  “  stocky  ”  plants  of  good  size  for  planting  in  autumn,  where  they 
are  to  flower.  Wallflowers  are  quite  hardy,  but  are  liable  to  be  injured 
if  frosts  follow  after  heavy  rains.  The  soil  I  have  found  to  suit  them  best 
is  a  well-drained  and  deeply  worked  sandy  loam, — Nil  Despekandum. 
Foecikg  Roses. 
So  universally  appreciated  is  this  queen  of  flowers  that  it  would  be 
difficult  to  prolong  its  season  of  flowering  to  excess.  Roses  may  be  had 
in  abundance  by  the  middle  of  March,  or  earlier  if  desired,  by  the  aid  of 
artificial  heat,  and  thus  a  supply  may  be  kept  up  until  outdoor  flowers  are 
plentiful.  The  house  having  been  thrown  wide  open  during  the  autumn, 
and  the  trees  exposed  to  the  elements,  a  start  may  be  made  to  prune  the 
Roses  preparatory  for  forcing.  In  pruning,  the  operator  must  be  guided 
by  common  sense  combined  with  a  knowledge  of  the  several  varieties.  In 
the  case  of  climbing  Roses  remove  old  and  exhausted  wood,  and  retain  a 
fair  number  of  firm  young  growths,  these  being  laid  in  at  full  length. 
Dwarfs  are  pruned  according  to  their  strength,  the  weaker  ones  being 
pruned  the  harder  to  insure  a  strong  break,  and  vice  versa,  the  object 
being  to  secure  healthy  young  wood  in  abundance  ;  it  is  recommended, 
however,  never  to  prune  Roses  too  hard  that  are  to  be  forced  early. 
Should  the  borders  require  renovating,  remove  a  portion  of  the  surface 
soil  and  give  a  liberal  dressing  of  cow  manure  and  heavy  loam,  the  whole 
to  be  thoroughly  settled  by  a  soaking  of  water. 
Roses  in  pots  require  a  thorough  overhauling,  and  in  most  cases 
repotting  and  relabelling.  The  balls  of  soil  being  fairly  moist,  turn  the 
p'ant  out  of  the  pot,  and  with  a  pointed  stick  remove  the  crocks  and  part 
t)f  the  old  soil,  taking  care  not  to  injure  the  roots.  If  it  is  desired  to 
replace  them  into  the  same  size  pot.  a  number  of  the  older,  and  all  injured 
roots  may  be  removed,  always  making  a  clean  cut.  When  this  is  accom¬ 
plished,  proceed  to  repot  in  clean,  properly  crocked  pots,  using  a  compost 
of  heavy  loam,  with  a  fair  proportion  of  cow  manure  and  Uinch  bones. 
Place  the  compost  into  the  pot  in  small  quantities,  making  all  thoroughly 
firm  as  the  work  proceeds.  Water  sparingly  at  first,  until  the  roots  take 
hold  of  the  new  compost,  after  which  time  abundance  will  be  required. 
Provided  the  work  of  pruning,  top-dressing,  and  tying  is  finished  by 
the  end  of  the  old  year  (which  in  all  cases  it  should  be  for  early  forcing 
purposes),  the  house  may  be  closed  at  once,  maintaining  a  night  tempe¬ 
rature  of  4.5°  for  the  first  few  weeks,  with  a  corresponding  rise  as  the  year 
advances  and  the  sun  gains  power.  After  the  first  fortnight  admit  a  little 
