170  '  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER  September  l,  1898 
A  HOLIDAY  TOUR. 
We  are  told  that  a  change  is  as  good  as  a  rest;  and  a  rest  is  an 
indispensable  factor,  for  by  it  we  are  re-invigorated,  both  physically  and 
intellectually.  In  sports  there  is  such  a  thing  as  a  man  being  overr 
trained,  and  he  is  ordered  a  rest,  a  change,  which  allows  his  muscles  to 
resume  their  natural  conditions,  and  his  excited  nerves  to  assume  their 
normal  state.  After  such  a  change  of  rest,  air,  diet,  scenery,  and 
company  for  a  time,  he  returns  to  his  former  occupation  feeling-  a  new 
man.  If  it  is  necessary,  then,  for  the  footballer  or  the  cricketer  to  have 
this  change,  how  much  more  important  it  is  for  the  gardener,  who  toils 
for  twelve  months  from  early  morning  till  late  at  night,  both  physically 
and  mentally  ?  He  undoubtedly  enjoys  his  work,  and  looks  forward  with 
hopeful  expectations  that  the  results  of  his  labours  will  prove  satisfactory. 
To  such  a  man  a  change  would  be  highly  beneficial,  and  it  is  to  be 
regretted  that  so  few  of  the  “  blue-apron  craft  ”  get  beyond  their  own 
garden  gate. 
There  is  no  accounting  for  tastes,  and  to  leave  the  Garden  Isle  for  a 
holiday  during  the  Cowes  week,  when  everything  seems  astir,  and  nothing 
wanting  to  make  life  happy  and  enjoyable,  seems  well-nigh  incompre¬ 
hensible  ;  but  such  is  the  case.  Sailing  from  Cowes  Pontoon  one 
beautiful  day  early  in  August,  we  threaded  our  way  amoi.gst  the 
innumerable  yachts  anchored  in  the  Solent  and  the  man-of-war — the 
presence  of  the  latter  being  a  sign  that  her  Majesty  the  Queen  is  in 
residence  at  Osborne.  On  our  way  up  the  river  we  passed  the  royal 
yacht  on  which  H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  is  imprisoned,  but  where 
everything  has  been  done  to  insure  him  the  greatest  comfort,  and  where 
he  can  enjoy  the  yacht  racing  which  takes  place  daily  during  Cowes  week. 
The  extra  traffic  was  responsible  for  our  being  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  late  into  Southampton,  whence  the  journey  to  London  occupied 
nearly  three  hours,  which,  however,  seemed  to  glide  pleasantly  away 
owing  to  the  harvesting  operations  en  route,  and  the  admiring  of  the 
orchards  and  allotment  gardens  on  the  wayside.  It  may  seem  strange  to 
many  of  our  readers,  but  the  agricultural  operations  between  London  and 
Southampton  are  much  ahead  of  those  in  the  Isle  of  Wight. 
My  first  day  in  London  was  spent  at  the  Oval  watching  the  Surrey  and 
Yorkshire  match,  while  in  the  evening  I  visited  Kennington  Park,  which 
is  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Rogers.  The  carpet  bedding  is  varied 
and  effective,  and  if  the  season  had  been  more  favourable  to  the  develop¬ 
ment  of  colour  in  the  Alternantheras,  the  effect  would  have  been  still 
more  marked.  The  sub-tropical  bedding  is  judiciously  done,  and  con¬ 
sidering  that  there  is  no  glass  the  condition  of  the  park  as  a  whole  augurs 
well  for  its  future  success. 
On  the  second  day  of  my  holiday  I  went  to  the  R.H.S.  Gardens  at 
Chiswick  in  the  morning,  where  I  was  received  with  the  greatest  courtesy 
by  the  Superintendent  (Mr.  S.  T.  Wright),  who  is  ever  ready  to  give 
advice  and  information  to  the  Fellows  and  to  others  interested  in  horti¬ 
culture.  Since  my  last  visit  two  years  ago  many  improvements  have 
been  made  ;  several  old  houses  have  been  pulled  down  and  new  ones  built 
on  modern  principles,  and  suitable  for  the  work  they  have  to  do.  When 
one  comes  to  consider  the  steady  increase  ot  Fellows  year  by  year — 
which  I  trust  may  continue— it  is  highly  important  that  suitable  struc¬ 
tures  be  erected  wherein  the  Superintendent  can  not  only  propagate  but 
thoroughly  establish  a  variety  ot  rare  and  choice  plants  for  distribution 
amongst  the  Fellows.  The  collection  of  Figs,  which  I  was  given  to 
understand  was  unsurpassed,  was  looking  exceedingly  well,  many  of  them 
being  exceptionally  good  in  quality,  and  of  sufficient  size  to  be  of  com¬ 
mercial  value.  Of  the  1 50  varieties  grown  much  could  be  said  as  to  their 
respective  merits  for  various  purposes. 
There  was  a  large  house  of  named  and  seedling  Cannas,  many  of 
which  were  very  good  ;  and  as  I  stood  and  admired  the  varying  colours 
I  thought  of  the  great  future  in  store  for  these  useful  plants,  not  only 
for  conservatory  decoration,  but  for  bedding  purposes,  where  their  spikes 
of  varied  coloured  flowers  lend  a  sub-tropical  appearance  to  any  garden  in 
which  they  are  grown.  In  visiting  one  of  the  old-fashioned  houses 
where  Vines  are  grown  I  was  struck  with  the  results  of  a  simple  experi¬ 
ment  of  layering  the  old  canes,  which  had  been  done  to  try  and  improve 
the  condition  of  the  Vines  that  were  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  state.  The 
reinvigoration  of  the  old  canes,  the  development  of  large  leathery  leaves, 
and  the  production  of  a  fine  crop  of  Grapes  stamp  the  operation  as  satis¬ 
factory,  and  an  experiment  that  can  be  safely  adopted  by  others  who 
have  the  charge  of  old  and  practically  worn  out  canes.  The  large 
vinery,  which  is  of  world-wide  reputation,  is  undergoing  gradual  reno¬ 
vation.  The  old  canes  are  giving  place  to  new  rods  that  are  allowed 
more  air  and  light  space,  which  will  eventually  have  a  telling  effect  on 
the  cropping  capacities. 
During  the  last  two  years  many  improvements  have  taken  place 
outside,  amongst  the  most  noticeable  being  the  eradication  of  old  and 
worthless  varieties  of  hardy  fruits,  the  thinning  out  and  re-arrangement 
where  they  were  growing  too  thickly  together,  and  the  planting  of 
cordon  Pears  against  a  wall  previously  occupied  by  old  and  worthless 
trees.  The  extensive  collection  of  Rhubarb  looked  remarkably  well, 
especially  the  variety  Monarch,  which  had  leaves  nearly  4  feet  across, 
and  leafstalks  from  6  to  8  inches  in  circumference.  The  seedling 
Carnations  sown  in  March,  1897,  were  one  mass  of  bloom.  At  the  time  of 
my  visit  layering  was  being  done  with  great  care  and  rapidity.  One 
other  trial  in  respect  to  Onion  cultivation,  which  proved  to  me  most 
interesting,  as  it  corroborated  the  results  of  similar  experiments  tried  on 
a  Hinall  scale  by  the  writer.  Twenty  years  ago  it  was  thought  that  the 
only  varieties  of  Onions  suitable  for  autumn  sowing  were  the  Tripolis 
and  Giant  Rocca,  and  that  if  any  of  the  varieties  recommended  for  spring 
sowing  were  sown  in  the  autumn  they  would  be  a  complete  failure.  This 
theory  has  since  been  proved  to  be  wrong.  At  the  present  time  (August, 
1898)  one  may  see  in  the  R.H.S.  gardens  at  Chiswick  such  varieties  as 
Ailsa  Craig  and  Rousham  Park  Hero  sown  both  in  the  autumn  and  in 
the  spring,  and  the  results  undoubtedly  prove  that  these  varieties  are 
equally  as  good  for  autumn  sowing  as  the  Tripolis  or  Giant  Rocca,  and 
there  is  no  doubt  but  they  will  prove  to  be  much  better  keepers.  From  my 
own  observation  I  considered  the  autumn-sown  yielded  a  larger  per¬ 
centage  of  better  shaped  bulbs  than  the  spring-sown  seed  of  the  varieties 
especially  recommended  for  spring  sowing.  The  Superintendent  found 
that  whether  sown  in  autumn  or  spring  they  were  liable  to  be  attacked 
by  the  Onion  maggot. 
After  lunch  I  wended  my  way  to  the  famous  Kew  Gardens,  where  I 
spent  a  profitable  hour.  To  describe  all  the  interesting  things  I  saw 
would  be  an  impossibility,  but  to  mention  a  few  of  the  more  important 
might  prove  of  some  interest  to  your  readers.  On  inquiry  I  found  that 
the  Thames  water  is  used  for  watering  the  flower  beds,  whilst  for  the  pot 
plants  rain  water  is  invariably  employed.  Where  staking  of  trees  and 
shrubs  is  necessary  I  observed  that  a  piece  of  indiarubber  is  used  to 
prevent  the  string  cutting  through  the  bark,  and  not  the  old  sacking, 
which  is  not  only  unsightly,  but  harbours  many  pests.  In  walking  from 
the  entrance  towards  the  greenhouses  I  noticed  fine  plants  of  Polygonum 
laniferum,  Diervilla  Eva  Rathke,  Exochorda  Alberti,  and  Styrax 
japonica.  In  the  Orchid  houses  were  some  fine  plants  of  Galeandra 
Batemanni,  Catasetum  Russellianum,  Aerides  multiflorum,  Laelia  xanthina, 
Cattleya  Warscewiczi,  Phaius  Humbloti,  Disa  grandiflora,  Cattleya  Rex, 
Cattleya  Loddigesi,  Epidendrum  nemorale,  Oncidium  Gardneri,  Mormode^ 
pardinum,  and  Grammatophyllum  Rumphianum  in  flower.  Amongst 
other  plants  which  greatly  interested  me  were  Ipomsea  Leari,  Nymphaeas, 
Hedychiums,  Nelumbium  speciosum,  the  flowering  Victoria  regia,  the 
fruiting  Momordiea  Charantia.  the  flowering  Eucomis  punctata  and 
Solanum  pensile,  Solanum  Warscewiczi,  Roscoea  purpureum,  and  Crinum 
Powelli.  On  the  third  day  of  my  holidays  I  left  the  busy  metropolis 
early  in  the  morning  to  spend  a  few  days  amongst  the  men  of  Kent, 
with  what  results  I  will  relate  in  another  issue. — S.  H. 
(To  be  continued.) 
ARUM  LILIES. 
In  the  summer  management  of  Arum  Lilies  there  are  two  distinct 
methods  practised  with  equally  good  results  by  practical  cultivators. 
One  method  consists  in  retaining  the  plants  in  their  flowering  pots 
throughout  the  summer,  shaking  out  and  repotting  them  during  August 
or  early  September  when  the  old  leaves  have  died  down  and  before  new 
growth  advances  far.  The  other  method  is  that  of  placing  out  the  plants 
in  June  in  shallow  enriched  trenches  on  an  open  piece  of  ground.  The 
plants  grow  freely  and  are  lifted  and  potted  before  frosts  occur.  For 
securing  very  strong  and  vigorous  plants  the  latter  is,  perhaps,  the  better, 
though  it  usually  requires  the  use  of  larger  pots  than  is  sometimes  neces¬ 
sary  or  advisable  for  certain  purposes. 
When  it  is  requisite  to  grow  Arum  Lilies  in  comparatively  small  pots, 
say  6  to  8  inches  across,  I  prefer  to  Keep  the  plants  in  the  pots  all 
summer,  affording  them  sufficient  but  reduced  supplies  of  water  until  the 
foliage  turns  yellow  and  dies  away.  Prepare  similar  sized  pots  to  those 
in  which  the  plants  have  been  grown,  crock  them  sparingly,  but  efficiently, 
covering  the  drainage  with  rough  manure,  leaves,  or  fibrous  pieces  of  turf, 
and  sprinkle  over  a  dash  of  soot,  which  will  help  to  keep  out  the  worms. 
The  compost  may  be  loam  three  parts,  decomposed  manure  one  part,  with 
coarse  sand,  burnt  refuse,  or  crushed  charcoal  added.  Turn  the  plants  out 
of  their  pots,  take  away  the  drainage,  and  reduce  the  ball  of  loots  and 
soil.  If  there  is  more  than  one  crown,  division  ought  to  be  carried  out. 
Place  each  division  in  the  size  of  pot  most  convenient,  and  so  that  a  fair 
amount  of  fresh  compost  can  be  worked  round  it,  making  it  fairly  firm. 
Syringe  the  newly  potted  plants  for  a  few  days,  and  then  give  a  copious 
watering.  The  pots  should  stand  on  a  moist  base  in  the  open  air,  where 
they  may  remain  until  it  is  time  to  house  them. 
Arum  Lilies  that  were  placed  out  in  trenches  in  June  will,  during 
the  early  part  of  September,  if  they  have  been  liberally  treated  with 
water  in  dry  periods,  be  ready  for  lifting  and  potting.  It  is  a  good  plan 
prior  to  potting  to  run  the  spade  round  each  plant  or  clump  of  crowns  a 
week  or  two  beforehand.  This  gives  them  a  preliminary  check,  and  the 
plants  do  not  seem  to  feel  the  reduction  of  the  roots,  which  must  inevitably 
take  place,  quite  so  much.  The  size  of  the  pots  employed  must  be  judged 
by  the  size  of  the  clumps.  Drain  them  as  previously  advised,  and  also 
have  in  readiness  some  fresh  compost,  but  very  little  is  usually  needed. 
After  cutting  round  the  clumps  with  a  sharp  spade  they  may  be  lifted 
with  a  fork.  The  further  reduction  of  the  roots  can  be  accomplished 
with  a  large  sharp  knife,  taking  plenty  off  the  base,  so  that  the  ball  can 
be  placed  low  enough  in  the  pot.  It  can  be  finally  adjusted  in  position 
by  jarring  the  pot  carefully  on  its  lower  edge. 
Stand  the  plants  in  the  shade  for  a  few  days,  but  give  a  liberal  watering 
at  once  to  wash  the  soil  among  the  roots.  As  soon  as  the  plants  are 
recovering  from  the  effects  of  the  shift  place  them  in  full  sunshine.  See 
afterwards  that  none  of  them  suffers  for  want  of  water.  Let  all  remain 
outdoors  enjoying  the  night  dews  and  the  rains  until  frosts  at  night  are 
imminent,  when  protection  must  be  afforded,  or  they  ought  to  be  finally 
housed,  preferably  in  a  cool  house  close  to  the  glass. 
Some  of  these  plants  may  throw  up  flower  stems  early,  when  they 
should  be  assisted  by  weak  liquid  manure,  and  a  slightly  higher  tempera¬ 
ture  to  develop.  No  plants,  however,  ought  to  be  fed  before  flower  spikes 
show. — E.  D.  S. 
