November  10,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
357 
Information  on  Roses. 
We  have  received  from  the  Honorary  Secretaries  of  the  National 
Rose  Society  two  neat  and  well  printed  pamphlets — one  a  second 
edition,  revised,  of  “Hints  on  Planting  Roses,”  clear,  concise,  and 
useful,  twelve  pages  (7d.)  ;  the  other  a  “  Report  of  the  N.R.S. 
Conference  on  Pruning  and  Exhibiting  Roses,”  including  the  papers 
of  Mr.  W.  F.  Cooling,  F.R.H.S.,  and  Mr.  George  Paul,  Y.M.H.,  with 
the  discussions  thereupon,  thirty-two  pages  (Is.),  well  worthy  of 
perusal  and  preservation. 
Rose  Fruits. 
That  there  is  much  to  be  said  in  favour  of  including  a  selection  of 
species  of  Roses  in  shrubberies,  parks,  plantations,  aud  other  places  is 
evidenced,  not  only  by  their  gracefulness  and  beauty  when  in  flower,  but 
also  by  the  bright  and  charming  effect  produced  by  their  fruits  in 
autumn.  By  a  judicious  selection,  species  can  be  had  showing  a 
diversity  of  form  and  colour  for  almost  any  position.  For  places  where 
dwarf  plants  only  can  be  used,  there  are  Rosa  spinosissima  and  varieties, 
lutea  and  hispida,  bearing  large  quantities  of  dark  purple — almost 
black— fruits,  of  varying  size  from  }  to  f  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and 
R.  Carolina,  lucida  and  nitida,  with  bright  red  fruits.  Among  taller 
growing  species  suitable  for  the  shrubbery  there  are  R.  rugosa  and 
R.  pomifera,  with  large  red  fruits— the  latter  bearing  some  resemblance 
to  a  Gooseberry  in  shape,  and  covered  with  hairs — and  the  curious 
Japanese  R.  microphylla,  which  has  fruit  an  inch  across,  greenish 
yellow,  sweetly  scented,  and  covered  with  fleshy  spines.  Among  tall 
growing  species  suitable  for  covering  fences,  small  trees,  or  unsightly 
objects,  there  is  a  great  variety.  In  this  section  our  common  “  Dog 
Rose  ”  and  some  of  its  varieties  make  a  fine  show.  The  N.  American 
R.  nutkana,  with  oval,  red,  and  yellow  fruit  is  worth  a  place,  as  also  is 
R.  liibernica,  with  its  bright  red  fruit ;  multiflora,  with  its  racemes  of 
small  red  fruits ;  rubiginosa  and  rubiginosa  var.  major,  which  usually 
produce  a  fine,  highly  coloured  crop ;  and  many  others.  In  addition 
to  these,  there  are  the  recently  introduced  rugosa  and  rubiginosa 
hybrids,  many  of  which  produce  fruits  quite  as  large,  brightly  coloured, 
and  freely  as  their  respective  types.  These  are  but  a  few  of  a  great 
number  that  are  worth  growing. 
By  planting  these  and  other  plants  bearing  bright-coloured  fruits, 
effective  displays  are  produced  at  a  time  when  they  are  most  needed. 
— D.  K. 
ISLE  OF  WIGHT. 
The  monthly  meeting  of  the  I.W.  Horticultural  Improvement  Asso¬ 
ciation  was  held  at  Newport  on  Saturday  la9t.  Dr.  J.  Groves,  B.A.,  J.P., 
presided  over  a  large  attendance  of  members,  who  were  present  to  hear 
a  lecture  by  Mr.  F.  W.  E.  Shrivell,  F.L.S.,  on  “Four  Years’  Experi¬ 
ments  With  and  Without  Artificial  or  Chemical  Manures.”  A  profitable 
discussion  afterwards  ensued,  which  was  taken  part  in  by  many  of  the 
members.  A  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  Mr.  Shrivell  on 
the  proposition  of  the  Chairman,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  T.  Gibbs,  C.C., 
an  enthusiastic  Island  educationalist.  Twenty  new  members  were  elected 
at  the  close  of  a  most  enjoyable  evening. 
The  Isle  of  Wight  Chrysanthemum  Society  held  its  fourteenth  annual 
exhibition  at  Newport  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday  last.  The  number  of 
exhibits  was  about  up  to  the  average,  whilst  the  standard  of  excellence 
was  maintained  in  the  cut  bloom  but  not  in  the  specimen  plants.  The 
winners  of  the  Chrysanthemum  groups  were  Messrs.  A.  F.  Wolfe,  G. 
Freeland,  W.  E.  Wickens,  W.  Scott,  and  J.  Chiverton.  The  ornamental 
groups  were  neatly  arranged  and  effective,  the  prizewinners  being  Messrs. 
W.  Morris  and  A.  F.  Wolfe.  The  D  shape  of  the  groups  was  a  new 
feature,  and  much  admired.  Mr.  W.  Scott  achieved  a  notable  success 
in  winning,  for  the  fifth  year  in  succession,  the  special  prize  for  the 
premier  specimen  plant  in  the  show,  with  a  well-grown  Sceur  Doroth^e 
Souille,  which  was  21  feet  in  circumference,  and  carried  250  blooms.  The 
other  winners  of  the  specimen  plants  were  Messrs.  E.  W.  Sheppard,  G. 
Freeland,  W.  E.  Wickens,  W.  Matthews,  T.  Brown,  and  F.  Guy.  The 
cut  bloom  classes  were  well  contested,  as  were  those  for  table  decora¬ 
tions.  The  certificates  of  the  National. Chrysanthemum  Society  for  the 
premier  incurved  or  reflexed  and  the  premier  Japanese  bloom  in  the 
open  classes  were  both  secured  by  Mr.  F.  Woods  with  Princess  of  Wales 
and  Mons.  Panckoucke. 
The  non-competitive  exhibits  consisted  of  a  box  of  fine  Roses  grown 
outside,  and  a  stand  of  Cactus  Dahlias,  staged  by  the  Rev.  G.  E.  Jeans  ; 
flowering  and  foliage  plants  by  Messrs.  E.  Cave  &  Sons,  Newport 
Nurseries  ;  Apples  and  Pears  by  Mr.  H.  Webber  ;  Grapes  by  Mr.  T. 
Brown  ;  and  Apples  and  Pears  by  Mr.  J.  Brown.  The  show  reflected 
great  credit  to  the  energetic  Hon.  Sec.,  Mr.  C.  II.  Cave,  Dr.  J.  Groves, 
Chairman,  and  the  Committee. 
The  Ryde  Chrysanthemum  Show  was  held  on  the  1st  and  2nd  inst.,  and 
was  opened  m  the  presence  of  a  large  company  by  the  Mayor  (Aid.  E. 
(Marwin),  who  is  an  enthusiastic  horticulturist.  The  show  was  well 
attended,  and  the  arrangements  left  nothing  to  be  desired  —8  H 
DROUGHT  AND  VEGETABLES. 
In  his  own  genial  manner  Mr.  W.  Pea  has,  on  page  334,  managed  to 
arrive  at  some  interesting  conclusions  concerning  the  past  wonderful 
season.  From  his  own  point  of  view  and  taking  Into  consideration  the 
nature  of  the  soil  with  which  he  has  to  deal,  one  may  not  altogether 
disagree  with  the  views  he  has  chosen  to  expound.  When,  however 
vegetables  in  town  attain  to  famine  prices,  and  gardens  on  light  crrave! 
soils  are  literally  burnt  up,  the  most  cheerful  optimist  may  fail  to  see  tho 
advantages  accruing  from  such  a  spell  of  Soudanese  weather.  Even  the 
high-class  flavour  so  ably  descanted  upon  becomes  less  desirable  when  the 
scantiness  of  supply  is  contemplated. 
“  Gardening  without  water  ”  may  be  a  distinct  art,  but  on  the  soil  with 
which  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  daily  come  in  contact  would  mean  failure, 
in  a  season  such  as  the  past,  absolute  and  irremediable.  The  top  7  or  8 
inches  where  not  watered  has  been  sheer  dust,  below  that  we  have  gravel, 
hungry,  harsh,  and  dry,  yet  without  boasting,  I  may  say  it  grows  good 
vegetables.  I  have  cut  Marrows  this  week,  the  last  of  the  season,  and 
while  my  neighbours  were  buying  our  supply  was  plentiful.  Why  1 
because  the  roots  of  the  Marrows  were  under  a  cool  3-inch  mulch,  and 
they  received  a  copious  watering  every  other  day  ;  without  the  latter  they 
drooped,  refusing  to  grow.  Other  classes  of  produce  were  in  much  the 
same  case— periodical  floodings  were  necessary  or  growth  ceased . 
Whatever  the  future  may  have  in  store  for  me  in  the  shape  of  heavy 
land  or  otherwise,  so  long  as  Surrey  gravel  claims  my  attention,  so  long 
shall  I  appreciate  the  reserves  of  Nature  combined  with  a  “beneficent” 
water  company,  a  good  heap  of  litter  and  a  bounteous  supply  of  farmyard 
manure,  and  shall  try  to  make  the  best  of  them.— J.  Shalford. 
NOTES  ON  ALPINE  FLOWERS. 
{Continued  from  page  251.) 
Cardamine  trifolia. 
Oft  quoted  has  been  Parkinson’s  reference  to  this  Bitter  Cress  or 
Lady  s  Smock  in  his  “Paradisus,’  where  he  says  : — ‘‘It  was  sent  me  by 
my  especial  good  friend  John  Tradescante,  who  brought  it,  among  other 
dainty  plants,  from  beyond  the  seas,  and  imparted  thereof  a  root  to  me.” 
Although  an  old  plant  in  gardens,  and  not  a  particularly  showy  one,  it 
is  yet  generally  appreciated  by  alpine  lovers,  and  included  in  many  good 
collections.  It  is  of  easy  growth  in  a  fairly  moist  soil,  but  has  sometimes 
been  lost  from  want  of  moisture  in  dry  gardens.  Its  flowering  in  the  shade 
is  an  advantage,  and  a  decided  recommendation  to  many.  It  flowers  in 
March  or  April  in  Britain.  The  flowers  are  only  about  6  inches  above 
the  soil,  and  are  white,  undulated  on  the  edges.  They  are  arranged  in 
terminal  racemes.  The  leaves  are  Trefoil-like  in  their  form,  so  that  the 
name  given  by  Linnaeus  is  quite  applicable.  They  are  of  a  pretty  dark 
green,  and  contrast  well  with  the  white  flowers.  C.  trifolia  is  a  native 
of  many  parts  of  Europe,  although  it  is  Switzerland  whence  we  first 
received  it  in  1629. 
Gypsophila  cerastioides. 
Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  tall-growing  Gypsophila  paniculata, 
whose  elegant  flowers  are  so  much  appreciated,  must  not  expect  to  find  in 
G.  cerastioides  a  miniature  form  of  that  charming  species.  To  the 
uninitiated  it  would  appear  that  there  was  no  relationship  between  the 
Cerastium-like  Gypsophila  and  its  favoured  congener.  There  is  even  no 
recognisable  likeness  to  the  dwarf  trailing  G.  prostrata,  another  good 
rock  garden  flower.  G.  cerastioides  is  a  very  dwarf  species,  forming  tufts 
of  small  leaves  and  having  a  number  of  miniature  white  flowers  with 
violet  coloured  streaks.  It  comes  from  the  north  of  India,  and  is  fairly 
hardy  in  our  British  gardens.  It  is,  however,  very  subject  to  injury  from 
slugs,  which  often  damage  both  leaves  and  flowers.  It  is  readily  increased 
by  means  of  division,  or  by  seeds  when  the  latter  can  be  procured.  It 
likes  a  lightish  soil  with  full  exposure  to  the  sun,  but  requires  to  be  kept 
moist  during  the  growing  season.  Some  growers  find  it  desirable  to  place 
a  piece  of  glass  over  it  in  autumn  and  early  spring. 
Campanula  garganica  hirsuta. 
Many  who  experience  much  difficulty  in  retaining  the  typical  Cam¬ 
panula  garganica  by  reason  of  the  fondness  slugs  have  for  that  pretty 
plant  would  find  this  variety  more  useful.  This  is  probably  due  to  the 
small  hairs  which  clothe  the  leaves  and  stems  of  the  plant,  and  which, 
one  supposes,  may  be  disliked  by  the  slugs.  This  covering  of  hair-like 
bristles  also  adds  to  the  appearance  of  the  plants.  C.  garganica  hirsuta 
forms  a  bushy  plant  of  rather  trailing  habit,  and  hanging  over  a  stone  is 
very  pleasing  with  its  pale  blue  and  white  flowers.  It  is  a  general 
favourite  with  us,  and  is  of  easy  culture  in  a  light  peaty  soil.  It  likes  a 
fair,  but  not  excessive,  amount  of  moisture,  and  is  grown  in  almost  full 
sun.  C.  garganica  is  a  variable  species,  and  is  a  native  of  Italy,  whence 
it  was  introduced  in  1832.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  former  name  of 
Mount  St.  Angelo — i.e.,  Garganus.  I  have  never  raised  this  variety  from 
seed,  so  cannot  tell  whether  it  will  come  true  from  seed  or  not.  It  may 
be  increased  by  cuttings  or  division.  It  may  often  be  met  with  in 
catalogues  under  the  name  of  C.  hirsuta  alone,  but  that  here  adopted  has 
the  authority  of  Kew  to  support  it. — Alpinus. 
(To  be  continued.! 
