34 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  14,  189*. 
it  may  be  thought  that  the  firm  devotes  all  its  energies  to  Strawberries 
and  Peas.  Such,  however,  is  not  the  case,  for  at  the  various  nurseries  all 
kinds  of  flowers,  fruits,  and  vegetables  receive  attention.  Conifers  and 
evergreen  and  deciduous  flowering  and  foliage  shrubs  are  cultivated  in 
quantity,  as  are  greenhouse  and  stove  plants  and  flowers.  Just  now  the 
nurseries  are  particularly  well  worth  a  visit  on  account  of  the  Strawberries 
alone,  and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  almost  the  whole  of  the  space  here 
utilised  has  been  devoted  to  them.  Those  who  go  may  be  sure  of  a 
pleasant  and  instructive  time  with  either  Mr.  William  or  Mr.  Edward 
Laxton,  and  if  with  both,  as  in  my  case — well,  so  much  the  better  for  the 
visitor.  —Metropolitan. 
Pea  Thomas  Laxton. 
I  AM  enclosing  a  few  pods  of  the  above  Pea  for  your  inspection,  which 
have  grown  here  for  the  first  time  this  season.  I  think  most  highly 
of  it.  I  was  glad  to  notice  that  my  opinion  was  confirmed  at  Chiswick 
by  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  last  week,  by  the  award  given  it. 
Though  said  to  be  a  cross  between  Gradus  and  Earliest  of  All,  it 
much  more  resembles  Ne  Plus  Ultra  in  the  shape  of  pod,  colour,  and 
flavour,  which  is  of  the  best.  It  is  one  of  the  earliest  Marrowfat  Pea* 
I  know,  and  the  pods  are  about  double  the  size  of  Ne  Plus  Ultra.  With 
us  it  proved  to  be  earlier  than  Gradus,  and  only  a  tew  days  behind 
Earliest  of  All.  This  should  become  popular  as  an  exhibition  Pea, 
especially  for  early  shows,  and  a  general  favourite  for  home  and  market 
use. — E.  Beckett,  Aldenham  House,  Elstree. 
CHERTSEY,  WALTON,  AND  WEYBRIDGE 
HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY— July  7th. 
The  thirty-third  summer  exhibition  of  this  Society  was  held  in  the 
charming  grounds  at  Oatlands  Lodge,  Weybridge,  the  residence  of  Mr. 
C.  Swinfen  Eady,  Q.C.,  and  was  in  every  way  a  great  success.  A  repre¬ 
sentative  schedule  of  prizes  had  been  issued,  which  induced  a  large 
number  of  exhibitors  to  compete,  thus  quite  filling  the  whole  of  the  three 
tents  provided.  In  one  was  arranged  the  several  groups  of  miscel¬ 
laneous  plants,  and  a  pretty  effect  was  produced.  In  both  classes  there 
were  three  exhibitors,  and  as  all  staged  creditably  the  effect  was  pleasing. 
In  the  principal  class  Mr.  J.  Lock,  gardener  to  C.  Swinfen  Eady,  Esq., 
was  first  with  an  elaborate  arrangement  of  cork,  water,  and  the  choicest 
of  plants.  Mr.  C.  J.  Cook,  gardener  to  J.  G.  Sassoon,  Esq.,  Walton-on- 
Thames,  was  a  creditable  secon  1 ;  and  Mr.  J.  Ashdown,  gardener  to 
Major  Collis  Brown,  Broad  Oak,  Byfleet,  third.  In  the  smaller  group, 
Mr.  H.  Prothero,  gardener  to  Miss  Green,  Weybridge,  was  first ;  Mr.  W.  C. 
Pagram,  gardener  to  J.  Courtenay,  Esq.,  The  Whin,  Weybridge,  second  ; 
and  Mr.  A.  Millican,  gardener  to  H.  Cobbett,  Esq.,  Ongar  Hdl  House, 
Addlestone,  third. 
Mr.  Lock  was  the  premier  prizetaker  for  four  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants.  For  a  single  specimen  flowering  plant  Mr.  T.  Osman,  gardener  to 
J.  L.  Baker,  Esq.,  Ottershawe  Park,  Chertsey,  won  with  a  grandly 
blossomed  Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  Mr.  Lock  following  with  an 
Allamanda  in  good  order  For  six  foliage  plants  Mr.  Osman  won  easily 
with  healthy  specimens,  Mr.  Lock  following. 
Ferns  were  freely  contributed,  and  in  the  best  of  condition.  For  six 
exotic  kinds  Mr.  Lock  won  with  medium  sized  examples,  in  good  health 
and  variety  ;  Mr.  Osman  second.  Hardy  Ferns  were,  as  they  always  are 
here,  a  feature.  Mr.  Millican  won  for  four  easily. 
Gloxinias  were  numerously  staged,  and  in  really  first-class  condition. 
Mr.  Stedraan,  gardener  to  H.  F.  Burke,  Esq.,  Weybridge,  secured  the 
leading  award  in  a  keen  competition.  Begonias,  both  double  and  single, 
were  a  feature.  Mr.  Stedman  won  for  six  single  as  well  as  double 
varieties.  Mr.  Millican  won  for  four.  Fuchsias,  too,  were  worthily 
represented,  Mr.  Lock  winning  for  four  plants.  Streptocarpus  added  to 
the  beauty  of  the  show,  as  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Buxton,  gardener  to  J.  A. 
Forster,  Esq.,  Fernlands,  Chertsey. 
Cut  flowers  were  freely  exhibited,  Roses  especially  bright  and  fresh. 
For  twenty-four,  distinct,  Mr.  Will  Taylor,  Hampton,  Middlesex,  was  an 
easy  prizewinner  with  grand  blooms.  Mr.  J.  Tomlin,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Goldringham,  was  second.  For  twelve  trebles,  distinct,  Mr.  H.  Prothero 
won  premier  award.  Mr.  Jinks,  gardener  to  E.  Druce,  Esq.,  The  Beeches, 
Walton,  won  first  place  for  twelve  herbaceous  flowers,  distinct.  Drawing¬ 
room  ornaments  filled  with  flowers  were  pleasing,  as  were  the  centre 
stands  filled  with  flowers  and  fruit  for  dinner  table  decoration.  Mr. 
Osman  secured  the  leading  place  in  both  classes  with  creditable  exhibits. 
Fruit  was  freely  staged  and  good  in  condition.  Black  Grapes  were 
best  shown  by  Mr.  Sadler,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Turk,  Cowley  House, 
Chertsey.  Mr.  Osman  was  second.  Mr.  Lock  contributed  white  Grapes 
in  the  best  condition,  Mr.  Osman  following.  Mr.  Jinks  had  the  finest 
leaches  Goshawk  ;  Mr.  Lock,  Nectarines — Dryden.  Vegetables  were 
grand.  .  Mr.  A.  Basile,  gardener  to  C.  L.  Powell,  Esq.,  Woburn  Park, 
Weybridge,  staged  an  almost  faultless  collection  of  eight  varieties ; 
Cauliflowers,  Tomatoes,  Potatoes,  were  grandly  set  up.  Mr.  Osman  was 
second. 
Non-competitive  exhibits  were  a  distinct  feature  of  the  show.  Messrs. 
Barr  &  Son  exhibited  a  collection  of  cut  herbaceous  flowers  ;  J.  Laingand 
Son,  Forest  Hill,  a  pleasing  group  of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  ; 
W.  Baster,  Woking,  Violas  ;  Will  Taylor,  Roses  ;  Fletcher  Bros.,  Otter- 
shaw,  herbaceous  plants  ;  and  Jackman  &  Son,  Woking,  herbaceous 
flowers  and  Roses.  Mr.  T.  J.  Rawlings,  the  Secretary,  is  to  be  congratu¬ 
lated  on  such  a  successful  show. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Erythrina  crista-galli. 
Considering  the  easy  culture  and  bright  appearance  of  this  noble 
cool  greenhouse  plant,  I  think  it  is  too  seldom  met  with  in  Scotch 
greenhouses.  Of  the  leguminous  order,  it  flowers  in  August  and 
September  on  the  long,  well  furnished  racemes  which  it  annually 
produces.  The  large  standards  of  the  blossoms  are  of  a  bright  deep 
scarlet,  and  of  leathery  texture.  The  foliage  is  like  that  of  a  vigorous 
Rose. 
The  plants  should  be  cut  hard  back,  almost  level  with  the  pot,  and 
started  in  a  slight  heat  early  in  spring.  Given  a  good  loamy  compost, 
abundance  of  water — provided  the  drainage  is  perfect — all  the  sunlight 
possible,  and  cool  treatment,  an  imposing  plant  will  be  the  result.  The 
fact  that  it  simply  requires  to  be  stored  under  the  greenhouse  stage 
during  winter  commends  it  to  amateurs. — W.  R.  B. 
Foliage  Effects. 
We  admire  the  floral  beauty  of  our  hardy  plants,  but  we  may  some¬ 
times  overlook  their  foliar  beauty.  That  this  deserves  notice  will  be 
apparent  from  the  appreciation  of  the  sombre  tint  of  the  Black  or  Purple 
Beech,  as  well  as  the  splendour  of  a  Croton  (Codiaeum)  or  Caladium. 
Several  hardy  plants  of  shrubby  or  arboreal  habit  with  leaves  of  various 
hues  have  come  under  my  notice. 
Quercus  rubra,  the  Red  Oak,  is  so  named  because  its  leaves  assume  a 
dark  red  colour  in  the  autumn.  There  is  a  variety  of  this  species  named 
aurea  with  bright  yellow  leaves  in  the  spring.  The  Red  Oak  is  very 
effective  in  autumn,  especially  when  small  trees  have  been  planted  about 
9  feet  apart  in  a  bed  with  Golden  Privet  or  a  silvery-leaved  shrub  like 
Elmagnus  argentea  for  a  groundwork.  A  well-grown  specimen  of  the 
golden  variety  is  quite  an  attractive  object  on  the  lawn  about  the  end  of 
May,  especially  when  planted  near  a  sheltering  clump  of  dark  green 
Conifers. 
Eleeagnus  angustifolia  attains  a  height  of  about  20  feet.  It  has  a 
graceful  habit,  and  its  narrow  silvery  leaves  make  it  quite  worthy  of  note. 
E.  glabra  variegata  is  a  shrub  reaching  about  5  feet  high.  It  has  obovate 
leaves  3  inches  long  and  1  inch  broad.  They  have  a  shining  surface  of  a 
rich  green  colour  with  a  yellow  edging.  There  are  several  varieties  of 
E.  pungens  with  prettily  variegated  foliage. 
The  silver  and  gold-leaved  varieties  of  the  common  Holly  (Ilex  aqui- 
folium)  are  very  numerous,  and  look  well  near  the  edge  of  a  shrubbery. 
As  a  contrast  to  these  there  are  the  dark  leaved  varieties  of  several 
species.  The  purple  leaved  Filbert  (Corylus  avellana  var.)  is  one  of  the 
most  ornamental  with  its  large  dark  purple  leaves,  which  resemble  those 
of  the  well  known  Purple  Beech  in  colour.  A  bed  of  either  of  these, 
with  Negundo  aceroides  variegatum  as  a  centre  specimen  or  dotted  about 
the  bed,  has  a  striking  effect. 
The  Japanese  Maples  are  well  known,  and  the  various  forms  often 
seen  in  gardens.  Their  popularity  is  well  earned.  The  purple  leaved 
variety  of  the  common  Barberry  (Berberis  vulgaris)  is  worthy  of  note. 
The  Golden  Yew  is  also  useful  with  its  gold-edged  leaves  and  dwarf  habit. 
It  is  a  variety  of  Taxus  baccata. 
When  small  plants  of  the  variegated  Euonymus  are  planted  at  intervals 
round  the  edge  of  a  bed  or  clump  of  green  leaved  shrubs  a  pleasing  effect 
is  produced.  The  Aucuba  japonica  is  so  well  known  and  so  commonly 
used  that  it  needs  little  else  but  mentioning. 
The  graceful  habit  of  some  species  of  Birch  commends  them  as 
decorative  trees.  The  Willows,  too,  especially  Salix  babylonica,  the 
common  Weeping  Willow,  are  of  a  graceful  habit,  and  can  scarcely  be 
omitted  in  a  garden  near  the  edge  of  water,  or  in  some  damp  situation 
where  other  trees  would  not  thrive.  They  are  very  beautiful  in  early 
spring  if  viewed  from  a  short  distance,  when  their  buds  have  burst  and 
the  little  clusters  of  young  yellow  leaves  line  the  drooping  stems. 
In  the  autumn  our  woods  adorn  themselves  with  their  brightest 
garments.  The  bronze  and  yellow  of  the  Beeches,  the  rich  brown  of  the 
Oaks,  and  the  clear  yellow  of  the  Poplars  mingled  with  dark  green 
Conifers  combine  to  form  a  charming  picture — a  worthy  finale  in  the 
annual  panorama  of  Nature. — X.  L.  C.  R. 
Ceanothus  Yeitchianus. — The  number  of  shrubs  available  for 
the  adornment  of  our  gardens  which  produce  blue  flowers  is  small, 
and  of  those  few  the  greater  number  are  to  be  found  in  the  genus 
Ceanothus.  The  one  under  notice  ranks  among  the  most  charming  of 
the  family,  and  when  in  flower  pleases  all  who  see  it.  Being  of 
Californian  origin,  it  is  rather  tender,  and  will  not  stand  safely  through 
a  severe  winter  without  protection,  except  in  a  few  favoured  localities. 
The  mildness  of  the  past  two  winters  has  given  it  its  chance,  and  it  is 
now  a  pretty  sight  at  Kew.  It  makes  a  low  spreading  bush,  and  the 
flowers  are  produced  from  almost  every  node  on  last  year’s  wood. 
The  flowers  are  bright  blue,  and  are  borne  in  dense  cylindrical  heads 
half  an  inch  long  on  stalks  1  inch  in  length.  The  leaves  are  small  with 
an  undulated  margin,  glossy,  and  evergreen.  It  is  advisable,  on  the 
approach  of  severe  weather  in  winter,  to  bury  the  lower  9  inches  of  the 
stem  in  dry  leaves.  By  this  means  the  base  is  often  saved  if  the  top  is 
killed  ;  and  as  it  grows  very  quickly,  good  plants  are  formed  again 
during  summer.  If  a  few  plants  are  kept  in  pots  they  will  be  found  very 
useful  during  spring  for  the  greenhouse,  at  the  same  time  insuring  the 
safety  of  the  stock.  Cuttings  of  half-ripened  wood  root  freely  if  inserted 
in  sandy  soil  in  a  cool,  close  propagating  case. — W.  D. 
